In today’s column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe spoke with managing general partner of Sapient Global Markets Dave Donovan, who is trying to apply banking principles to baseball in order to help limit risk on the part of teams.
“Because there’s such an emphasis by teams on acquiring the right players, especially now where you have financial constraints with luxury taxes, etc., we’re looking at it the same way as we do with banks,” Donovan said. “Banks want to make as much money as they possibly can. Their constraint is regulation. They have stress tests they have to do for the government after banks almost took down the world because they weren’t financially compliant. We’ve been working with these banks to measure their risks and you can apply the same concepts in sports…Your roster is no different than a portfolio of securities. Those are your assets. That’s what you’ve put your investment in, so it only makes sense that you should monitor your assets”
When considering risk management, Cafardo wonders aloud if the Red Sox’s decision to sign David Price to a seven-year, $217MM was a prudent one. Cafardo speculates that the hedge fund operator in owner John Henry probably wasn’t thrilled about the move. However, in the short-term, he knew that Boston needed an ace pitcher.
Here’s more from today’s column:
- Shane Victorino’s agent, John Boggs, said a couple of teams have shown interest in his client, but no deal is imminent at this time. Boggs added that the veteran is looking to sign a one-year deal in order to re-establish his value. The Flyin’ Hawaiian hit just .230/.308/.292 in 2015 in 204 combined plate appearances for the Red Sox and Angels. Still, he’s only two years removed from his 2013 campaign in which he slashed .294/.351/.451 with 15 homers for Boston. Victorino, who plans on getting back to switch-hitting, celebrated his 35th birthday in late November.
- Right-hander Trevor Cahill had an opportunity to sign with the Pirates or Orioles as a starting pitcher, Cafardo writes. However, he opted to stay with the Cubs where he will be used in a relief role. Cahill’s clear preference was to start again, but he also didn’t want to leave Chicago. Cahill gave the Cubs 17 brilliant innings of relief down the stretch, yielding just four runs and recording an outstanding 22-to-5 K/BB ratio to go along with a ground-ball rate of 61.8 percent. He also pitched 5 1/3 innings in the postseason, allowing two runs on seven hits and no walks with eight strikeouts (3.38 ERA).
- Ron Gardenhire lost out on the Padres’ job but “the feeling” is that he could always go back to the Twins organization and work in some capacity. However, Gardenhire’s preference would be to manage for a major league team again. Gardenhire has extensive postseason experience from his time with the Twins, having led the club to six AL Central Division titles in 13 seasons and also bringing the team to a Game 163 tiebreaker that was lost to the White Sox in 2008. However he also has a disappointing 6-21 record in the playoffs, having only captured one series victory (against the A’s in 2002).
I think Boston is hedging on price opting out after three years, that’s the only way The deal makes sense
Absolutely, and Price will do so, given the spiraling price that starting pitchers are getting. Its an absolute steal to get Price on a 3-year, $90MM deal. And that is what we got.
Cubs are hoping the same thing. Remember 2018 is the Mega biblical epic FA year. Do the sox care no. Do the cubs no. But it solves now n solves later for both sox n cubs. Brilliant thinking. Bet in both talks the clubs thought about club option. But offering it to the player gives them a spence of power. Mean while if Price is brillent as Hayward it’s a cheap 3 years for both clubs. If they walk both clubs save mega millions over 3 – 4 years. Cubs played it smart knew they didn’t have the money so they played the youth card n added 2 oops making deal sound better knowing the cash wasn’t there. They need him now not 5 years from now. Add 2018 guess what. U got it. Do six care nope. Do the cubs nope. But they do know they got diamonds for 3 years n that’s all they need. 3- 4 years. 2018 is the year everyone yes everyone go nuts. Teams that can’t win now will wait dump what they have or be quiet. Via NY Yanks, White Sox, Braves, Miami, Clev, Minn, maybe even Det, the Mets n if LA was smart they wait to instead if risking everyone at the expense of their farm for one guy wo a guarantee of a WS. So just wait. Maybe even Cinn.
Why is it that all these players like lackey and Zobrist and Cahill want to continue to play for a ball club that hasn’t won a World Series in over 100 years?
I find that to be amazing.
Because they don’t live in the past, they look to what’s ahead instead. On paper, the Cubs have the most talented team in baseball (including their top prospects still in the wings). They’re making a push to be “in the mix” for the next 3-5 years (at least)…….players are attracted to that situation.
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Maybe because no one cares how your team did 60 years ago, it’s about how they did last year and how they’re going to do this year. And there are few teams, if any, that match up with the Cubs in 2016.
The risk/reward payoff. If those guys end up winning a World Series there they’ll be heroes in Chicago. They’ll always be known as the team that broke the curse
Even last year. Come April no one will think about the KC. Well KC will n fans. But come Oct u think even KC will think about last year. Well we won last year so will win again. Or who cares if we win or lose this year we won it last. A champion is soon forgot when the season starts n it a new beginning every year.
1) Joe Madden
2) The opportunity to bring that WS title to Chicago is legit
yeah it’s exciting people jumping ship from cardinals to Cubs. It’s a new day and the cub wagon is getting full but still more room for people to come aboard destination World Series champs
We Cardinals fans have heard all this before 🙂
Not Happening a Cardinal fan want be a Cub fan and visas versa we like each other but and some cheer for the other club but never vs each other when competing same with White Sox even more so but there nothing like Go Cubs Go. When we can see them on T V since I live in Southern Illinois.We love are Chicago teams.
If you can’t figure it out then please avoid commenting on mlb blogs… You are letting everyone know how un-informed you are…
The Cubs won 97 games with 5 rookies playing prominent roles, including the overwhelming rookie of the year. They had the Cy Young, and 3 players in the top 12 in mvp votes. The core of the team is 26 years or younger. They have arguably the best manager in the game and the best front office in the game. They still haven’t traded away any of their top rated farm system. The ownership is committed to winning and nothing suggests that they won’t be in the pennant race year in and year out for the foreseeable future.
So once again, if you gaven’t figured it out, then please go away quietly.
The answer is in the question.
Cubs are very most probably going to win a title within the next 5 years. Maybe more than one.
Because that makes sense, somehow.
Username: “Voice of Reason”
Reply: Implying what teams have done in the distance past has any indication of how a team performs in the present and near future.
Voice of stupidity
Aaaah, cut him some slack. Cahill should have chosen Oakland, regardless of their offer, his comfort level, or any desire from the club. Obviously, the primary reason for choosing a future employer is to wax nostalgic about the employer’s history.
Just think how much fun Cahill could have talking about the Joe Rudi/Jim “Catfish” Hunter/Reggie Jackson days. That was a stacked squad. I’m sure they could talk a whole 45 minutes about non-shared history in the clubhouse before…. What was I talking about?
Well-paid professionals want to be in environments they feel comfortable and appreciated. I’m surprised he turned down a SP role from two squads, but I’m happy he did.
John Lackey and Ben Zobrist probably have a good relationship with Joe Maddon and Trevor Cahill probably likes Chicago… I like Chicago. It’s a great city to visit and from what I saw, the north side is a cozy place to live. Plus… Nobody cares about what happened 100 years ago. The Cubs are probably closer to long term success than any other franchise in baseball. If sign with them…
Your not very smart are you? If your thinking is really that on 100 years then please don’t even follow sports. Don’t even post. For one the Cubs are not the same team owned by Wrigley or the Trib of the past. Two we have money now n will keep getting more n more. Wait till the billion tv deal hits that’s about that 2018 year or close. We have Maddon we have youth the best in MLB Rn believe or not. That’s y. No cares in 2016 if the Yankees won 27 WS as a player that does me no good now I wasn’t on that team. Get it. Probably not take your meds.
This is a weird post on MLBTR: Multiple times, the reader gets be vibe that “oh this person is great and deserves a job” while, if the reader reads the entire post, they get an idea “but their track-record as of late is questionable.”
Interesting the Orioles would have given Cahill a chance to start again.
However, they are showing no inclination to give either Britton or Matusz a chance again. Although, I am not fan of Matusz at all, The problem with Britton is when he doesn’t get the save, he gives up a series of cheap hits. It’s as if the batter throws his bat at the ball and gets a Texas Leaguer or cheap ground ball that dies right as it is about to go foul. In other words the ball stays fair. Anyway, I just wanted to express my surprise about Cahill while the O’s remain closed minded about their pitchers.
Some guys are just meant to be Bullpen guys. It added 14-15yrs to Latroy Hawkins career. I wouldn’t even think about Starting again if were Britton
Lefty, if you think that Britton would be even half as successful as a starter as he has been as a reliever, you are more insane than I have given you credit for. Matusz, OTOH, can go suck an egg. I’ll be glad in 2017 when he’s no longer part of the organization.
I’m guessing that whatever “supplements” Victorino was taking back in 2008-2013 are now banned…..lol.
Or he got old plus hasn’t switch hit in 2 years. In 2014, he hit .325 in limited PAs against LHP, something hes done for a lot of his career.
Very possible Brixton. ….I know he’s been hurt too. I did enjoy watching him when he played in Philly…..
If the Angels were gonna sign so many light hitting outfielders
Then they should’ve have just kept Victorino, he’s definitely a better option then gentry or Nava and it’s not like he would cost a fortune either
Victorino barely hit over 100 after being traded to the Angels.
And Nava barely hit 100 all year and gentrys barely a 220 career hitter so who would you rather have, SV? Or Nava and gentry
One year sample size as opposed to strong career platoon splits between the two and better defense than what they had before in LF.
None of the Above~Monte Brewster
the angels were better of bringing back murphy
They would’ve been better off with him your right but I was simply saying Victorino is a better option then Nava and gentry
Nava has a real sense of what the strike zone is and is (or was until 2015) a legit threat from the L/S of the plate. His high OBP from that side should point that out. He had to earn ever baseball job he ever got, fro high school on up and is no quitter.
Unless he all of a sudden got old really quick last year, think he’s a better gamble than is Victorino, who underwent a fusion back surgery on several vertebrae just to be able to move last off season. It was painful just watching him walk, much less attempting to try and run in attempts at catching balls. He’s no longer even average as a defensive in RF, those GG days are gone, like the one he earned at Fenway playing in 2013 and the bat looked affected from the surgery also.
In short? Think he was left as a shell of the player he once was.
They could still go that route if they trade Wilson and/or Santiago.
While I would love to see the Tigers go after Gardner, or Span to fill the leadoff and LF role, it does not appear they are prepared to acquire anymore big contracts. Victorino might be a cheaper option on a spring training invite with plate appearance bonuses if he makes the team. I couldn’t care less about his age as I am only looking at 2016. Having options to fill LF cant hurt.
“Still, he’s only two years removed from his 2013 campaign in which he slashed .294/.351/.451 with 15 homers for Boston. Victorino, who plans on getting back to switch-hitting, celebrated his 35th birthday in late November.” <—–might as well be 10 years removed. He's worth a minor league contract right now and let him show in the spring he can play the game.
Victorino cant stay on the field. He couldnt play more than 2-3 days n a row last year in boston. Was great in 2013. But was also nicked up then.
I don’t get the “17 brilliant innings” = he’s good now, after he was dreadful otherwise. September is when rosters expand and the competition thins out with a lot of guys getting test runs in the bigs, I would take Sept numbers with a grain of salt.
held the same peripherals in the postseason, and if you actually watched him pitch he was hitting the highest velocity’s of his career. saw him touch 98 MPH a couple times and that was his sinker.
I remember watching Cahill mow thru the Yankees line up the the first time. This was a few years back when he was a sp with the a’s – and when the Yankee line up was primed w seasoned hitters (Jeter, ped arod, healthy Tex, posada, Ect) This year, coming out of the pen in Chicago, he looked like that pitcher again.
Gardy got a bit too comfortable and complacent in the Twins system, like probably anybody who coaches somewhere for over a decade. The dismal playoff performance (currently on an 0-12 streak and 3-19 since the end of the 2002 ALDS) was partly on him but more so on kind of a general cultural problem in the Twins organization IMO.
Cultural problem? Mostly the problem was that the team wasn’t that good, and was the underdog in pretty much every one of those series. Not sure culture had anything g to do with it.
It would be cool if the Phillies picked him up cheap for a year. He’d sell tickets just for nostalgia.