The Padres have aggressively pursued free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer this offseason, but with the team not ready to contend, the organization is split on whether it would be wise to sign him, Buster Olney of ESPN reports. As of the Winter Meetings, the Padres “were prepared to invest” roughly six years and $120MM in Hosmer, according to executives who spoke with Olney. That would easily surpass Wil Myers’ six-year, $83MM pact as the largest in Padres history, though it would be a questionable investment for a team that could take at least a couple more seasons to return to the playoffs. By then, Hosmer (currently 28) may be out of his prime.
More rumblings from Olney:
- The Orioles reportedly don’t expect to trade Manny Machado, but they’re still more open than ever to moving him, writes Olney. As such, Olney doesn’t rule out a deal coming together, especially with Machado’s value being higher now than it will be over the summer. At the same time, it “seems a distinct possibility” the O’s will keep Machado through next season because of owner Peter Angelos’ reluctance to rebuild, Olney suggests. In that scenario, Machado would depart as a free agent, presumably after receiving and rejecting a qualifying offer, and the Orioles would only get draft compensation in return.
- Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins has suggested on multiple occasions this winter that the club won’t trade third baseman Josh Donaldson prior to the season. Indeed, the Jays “fully intend” to start the year with Donaldson on their roster, per Olney. After missing the playoffs in 2017, Toronto is not ready to rebuild; rather, it’ll attempt to return to its 2015-16 form in the final season of Donaldson’s contract.
- The Red Sox continue to have interest in the best hitter available in free agency, outfielder J.D. Martinez. But an agreement doesn’t seem imminent, as Olney relays they’re willing to wait out agent Scott Boras if necessary. There aren’t many clear suitors for Martinez outside of Boston, thanks in part to some teams trying to avoid the luxury-tax threshold and others rebuilding, which could make it difficult for Boras to drive up the price for Martinez.
I never saw Hosmer getting the crazy money predicted so I thought he would be a perfect sign for the Mets, but it looks like Fred Wilpon is taking his Bernie scam from level three to level five Red Alert this winter.
Mets aren’t getting Hosmer with $10M.
Maybe if they saved $5M they gave Anthont Swarzak Y1, they could’ve upped the budget to $15M and go all on for Hosmer at 15M $AAV… maybe..
Better yet, backload contract, and use $8M Swarzak Y2 salary, to the Eric Hosmer fund, then you can offer Hosmer $18m AAV Y2 based off Wilpon $10M budget*
*Wilpon Budget calculated after $50M-$60M contracts came off books plus further $10M saved trading expiring contracts mid-season.— Translation: Cheap
I don’t understand anyone who defends these people. (Wilpons)
Psychopaths with bumper stickers that read: “Whoever dies with the most toys wins”
Dude there’s SO many posters on this site who routinely side with owner over player, its crazytalk. I guess Jeter becoming an owner means all owners must be defended now, what kind of pathetic fan thinks like that, the owners dont even play the damn game!
so that means he should go waste money on a mediocre player when his former #1 prospect is a 1B? umm
The same Former #1 prospect who hit below the Mendoza line in 167AB with .262 OBP, -1.2 WAR (bbref) and -0.6 War (Fangraphs)
.198/.262/.395 line with 9HR 26 RBI in 49 games for the Mets shouldn’t preclude a Hosmer or any other 1B FA signing.
yes, lets write off a former universally accepted top 100 prospect after 50 games… Lets remember that even Mike Trout was garbage in his first 40 career games…. Hosmer isn’t even that good either. Hes average 2 WAR per season for his career
he’s put of shape, don’t know so much about his fielding, and couldn’t hit during his MLB debut. Yeah he’ll be fine
Jeter has 10% of the Marlins!
What did Anthony Rizzo hit in his first year in San Diego?
Writing him off after 167 AB is ludicrous.
You’re an idiot if you think Hosmer at 15M-18M is acceptable
And the truth is in many eyes Hosmer would be overpaid if he made that much. His value is polarizing.
What’s Hanley getting? How about what Panda got, or Crawford or Napoli, or what Price is getting…. just poor poor decisions!
Hosmer signing with the Mets is laughable. He wouldn’t play for that Circus
Eric Hosmer is a beast at Petco Park, he would be a good fit for the young talent coming up as well, and the padres seem to be the only team willing to spend a ton of money on him, seems like a good fit.
Of course he faced Jered Weaver & all of the wash outs!
I mean during the world baseball classic, against some really good pitchers.
No it seems like an awful, ludicrous fit, They already have Myers and adding Hosmer does not move the needle. However, Darvish does.
I like the addition of Jake Arrieta more than Darvish, but Myers can move back to the outfield
Yes, the Padres sign Hosmer and unload him at the trade deadline.
or keep him and unload Myers.
Preller would have to attach someone like Baez to Myers in order to unload him. His trade value is in shambles.
If they do sign Hosmer it will not be for an amount of money that they would be able to “flip him at the deadline.”
A beast at Petco Park huh? In how many games played there
Padres should spend the money and get hosmer. If not they should a starting pitcher like Arrieta.
What would Arrieta do for them?
Seeing as there is no DH, probably pitch.
Ok he would pitch obviousy. But what would he do for the Padres as far as a plan to contend.
1. He makes them better.
2. Making your team better, gives you a chance to contend.
3. The Dolphins are terrible.
Arrieta hates California, he already tweeted about it. No way he goes west. He’s a redneck so he’ll probably land in some flyover state.
Yeah. They should just ban teams from locating in “flyover” states. I mean seriously with all the “rednecks” that live there and do nothing good, why should they be allowed to have baseball?
Triggered.
I know it’s a difficult concept to grasp that some people would prefer not to live or work on a coast of the United States, but there it is. To each their own.
these are the same people who feel personally insulted when a player doesn’t sign with them
Why spend a “ton” of money on someone who is currently lacking suitors. Red Sox went on the cheap with Moreland so a potential fit for big money is gone. Teams are not smart bidding against themselves. Same with JD Martinez if DD can wait out Boras can save themselves multiple millions on the deal.
I simply love baseball getting smart and watching a Boras client getting stuck in the mud.
I think it depends. When it comes to a Harper/Machado deal, I’m rooting for the teams so they don’t destroy their payroll with $400 million on the books for the next 13 seasons. If a player is already going to command 9 figures, what difference does 5-10 million make in the end? But when the player is underrated, often times I’ll root for the player since they’re just trying to secure their futures with their family.
Yet Stephen Drew keeps getting signed
That’s the plan, they want the player but at their price, not his.
Nothing unusual about that. When you go shopping you ignore thousands of items in the store because they are priced more than you think they are worth. When I shop for books for my Kindle there are some I will buy at a low price but won’t at a higher price.
If Hosmer is willing to sign for 6/120……there will be several suitors that are more attractive (immediately) than the Padres. Tough Park for him to pad his stats and return to the market.
Cardinals would be interested at that point. Rockies could be too. KC might take him back, but I think he has to be “under 100” for that to happen.
He might take a 2-3 year pillow contract, or sign a contract with an Opt-Out after 2-3 years…….and return to the FA Market at 30-31. If he continues to produce like he did the last 2 years, it would go a long way to proving he has “turned a corner” and his value actually could go up (AAV….not total).
2-3 years is not a pillow contract. It would have to be one year to be a pillow. He’s also not good enough to warrant an opt out clause. He probably gets 4/$72 when it’s all said and done – which is exactly what he’s worth.
Return to the market? Um, No, he wants a 10 year contract, IE his LAST contract. If he’s such a great hitter like people claim then it shouldn’t matter what park he goes to.
Hosmer actually isn’t that good though. He’s had 3 good seasons and 4 rotten ones. He deserves 50-80M on 3-6 years not 100+ with 7+ years.
I’m with whoever said it above, Boras is actually finally going to get screwed this offseason. Every team knows they actually don’t have to hit the FA market, they have cheaper options in-house.
if you look at war, which isn’t the best stat to look at, he’s a very servicible 1st base option. Not every first basemen needs to hit home runs by the way. He’s a positive role model in the clubhouse, has experience, and can hit to both sides of the field.
I would love to see Boras squirm for at least one offseason.
Cards won’t give Hosmer $120 million bucks! No way!
Your prime runs to at least 32-33 for most players, some younger…some older. Hosmer will most likely still be in his prime in two years.
Being on a losing/rebuilding team will probably shorten his prime contribution years.
he already has a championship, I’m sure he’s fine
Being on a losing team has absolutely no factor whatsoever on your body’s ability to perform at its highest level.
Royals resign at 130 for 7 years and he’ll cement himself as an all time Royal favorite behind only King Brett. Then resign Moose at 5 years for 90.
Then they’ll be in the same boat they were last year with more holes to fill and less money to do so. KC has to be smart and fix the farm before trying to contend again.
From an outside observers’ perspective I tend to agree. It’s interesting to try to guess if Dayton Moore truly believes that Hoz and maybe even Moose could indeed be building blocks in a re-build or if he is merely trying to keep the fans fannies in the seats. I am of the opinion that total dismantling of the current group for the purposes of adding prospects and saving mullah is the way to go. I sure hope whichever path is chosen it works.
Royals screwed up by not trading the players this past season. They could of had a top 5 farm if they traded Cain, moose, hosmer and maybe others.. each one could of gotten a top 50 prospect and then some. They could get a boatload for Duffy. But that’s really all they got now that’s really valuable.
Sal Perez?
RE-SIGN, Not resign.
I really hope the Royals do that. Perfect way to kill their future.
I can’t stand this aspect of our fan base. “Pay these guys too much because I know and like them.” I’d rather watch rookies lose than Hosmer and Moose.
Hosmers power numbers would drop at San Diego. He would be a solid fit for the right price point however. Only thing they need to do is wait on Hosmer
I’m not too sure petco is a worse hitting park than kauffman, his power numbers could rise there
Exactly. Kauffman is arguably the worst park for power hitters in the game. I expect Hosmer to have an even bigger breakout year next year possibly even in contention for MVP.
I think AT&T Park would like to have a discussion about this topic.
Point taken. But Kauffman is bottom 2. Plus the Giants lack of power hitters has a lot to do with their park factor as well.
Hosmer’s power numbers will drop regardless of where he signs.
I disagree that Machado is worth more now. Despite less suitors at the deadline – teams get mighty desperate when they think they’re one piece away
I tend to agree. Teams get crazy stupid at the deadline and pay mucho for a prime rental.
The way teams are clinging to prospects now I think that right now is his highest point of value nobody is going to give up what they wanted now for him for 2 months it’s not a smart move. If the O’s are remotely close to a wild card they’re not going to trade him which in turn can may not get them anything with the compensation pick
And just imagine how much they will lose out if Manny is on the DL during the trade deadline…
I think they would get more prospects now with a deal but if they wait till mid season they might get that higher graded prospect but not as many…if that makes sense
Who will be the first big name free agent that signs guys ? I say darvish
So they’re finally starting to realize what many Padres fans have known all along: signing Hosmer is a bad idea.
News seems to travel slow with these people (I’m guessing the owners and certain FO staff).
I would give him 17 million or so per year but no more than that if I’m the pads
Too much already
There are plenty of Padres fans who think signing Hosmer is a good idea, and, yeah, it’s puzzling. It’s not that I don’t think Myers could handle left-field for a few seasons at least, I just don’t think he could play there regularly and stay healthy. His only two durable seasons in the majors have come at first. If San Diego has a 100 million dollars they just absolutely have to spend, it seems like they could get a few players to fill some of the other holes on the roster or acquiring a starting pitcher, although Darvish and Arrietta are going to be a lot more expensive than Hosmer and both those pitchers are too old to really help. Plus, Hosmer’s batted-ball profile isn’t encouraging, and while guys can increase launch angle and such, that’s a huge gamble in a tough park like Petco. Yeah, Kauffman is a tough hitting park, too, and the NL is the easier league, but Hosmer also will have to contend with Kershaw and Bumgarner, Ray (and Hill) more frequently..
Is MLBTR trying to poke the bear? Warning, rant coming: Over and over MLBTR writes about the Jays’ Atkins wanting to win/compete and not trading away stars or rebuilding.
Over and over me [and many many others] comment that the Jays have no shot at winning in 2018, none, zero, nada. And they don’t. It’s not an opinion, it is scouting fact. Unless of course Shapiro/Atkins back up their rhetoric with severe action and acquire some combination of a #1, #3, 40% Catcher, Elite RF, Healthy SS & 2nd Baseman, and lefty shutdown reliever. Yah right. lol.
Please give us a Christmas present by publishing articles like how Cashman constantly builds winners? Or how AA almost did it with the Jays in 5 years? Or how Ross Atkins should be fired right away?
Thank you. Rant over.
I don’t come to MLTR for the “articles” and editorials and opinion pieces. That’s what SBn is for.
I only read MLBTR for the pictures. 😉
When does the swimsuit edition come out?
I really have no desire to see Tim, Steve, Jeff et al in swimsuits.
Bahahahaha, amen and amen to none of the MLBTR guys in swimsuits!
Well every team has a chance. Never really know in a long season, you’re right though. If they want to compete they need major signings. Not bargain basement depth pieces. If they want to compete this year, sign Darvish AND Arrieta, sign Martinez for LF, trade for Yelich, move Pillar to RF, trade for Hand. Trade Morales. Find a top quality injury replacement for their middle infield problem and backup catcher problem. Does that sound ridiculous? Yeah, because it is, and because that’s what it would take to even become CLOSE to competing within the division. Down here in reality where me and jimmertee are, we know they are really competing for the second wild card spot as either the Yankees or Red Sox will take the first one.
Signing a Cargo won’t get it done Ross. He needs to wake up and face reality here with us. Boston will improve, Yankees have improved, Jays have just gotten older and slower (if that is even possible)
Preach it!
Well said. The jays brass is only killing the team more with this indecision. We want to compete but fail to address anything until the clearance aisle is open.
jimmertree.. I’m with you for asking for Atkins to be axed. It’s getting increasingly frustrating hearing “contend” and seeing nothing. The dynamic duo doesn’t even appear to be kicking the tires on anything. Seems like they are waiting for all the good pieces to be taken and then plug holes with crap from the dumpster and say “it’s all we could do with what was left on the market”. Stop shopping on Christmas Eve and have a plan already.
Happy Holidays guys!
It’s not that they are doing nothing. Last year they admitted they needed younger, faster, more athletic. They said that several times publicly. Then go and sign Morales and Pearce? Really? I understand that it takes a free agent willing to sign in Toronto…but don’t give us the fans the same old story of how they are trying to improve and contend and then sign scraps. I feel they are stuck in between, they want to keep the fans happy and keep Donaldson, but I think there is a large group of fans that would embrace a rebuild. In reality a “rebuild” would be a one or two year retooling by trading JD, having the contracts of Tulo and Martin come off the books, and Bichette and Vladdy coming up. The Jays should take the example set by the Leafs and just tear it down OR find a GM with the balls to do it.
agree
Agree. What they are doing is pleasing people and serving the God of putting butts in the seats instead of doing the right baseball thing and tearing it down or being creative and making trades and spending big dollars to acquire what is needed.
I am begining to wonder if the `potential`sale of the Blue Jays by Rogers is affecting all their possible moves [even though they say it isn`t]. For sure, they are misleading about wanting to contend and doing what it takes, no reason to believe that they aren’t lying about the directions given by the board too after all the Rogers board serves the God of stockholders as well.
I forgot about that aspect of it. It’s been a slow offseason all around for all teams except the Angels really. I really hope this “we won’t trade JD” is just posturing, holding out for a better offer from StL. If that’s the play, then good. I guess it’s easy to say trade JD but in reality we have no idea of what is being offered.
Thus proving once again why Peter Angelos is one of the worst owners in the big leagues .
As a Yankee fan the Martinez/Red Sox negotiation leads to very mixed feelings. On the one hand, I’d rather him not sign with Boston for pure baseball reasons–he’s not likely to match last year, but he can definitely hit. On the other, Boston spending a fortune on him and maybe nudging up to the luxury tax wouldn’t trouble me at all. But on the third, if Boston spends crazy money on him, then Boras cashes another stupendous check.
The oddball pleasures and anxieties of being a baseball fan….
My sister and I have been saying all along that the Sox want JD but at their price, not his. There have been hundreds of angry Red Sox fans that feel as though they won’t do anything this winter and refuse to remain patient despite the fact they aren’t playing until the middle of February at the earliest. They want an answer to the Yankees getting Stanton and can’t see clearly. Patience!
Why are the Padres contemplating making a move that 100% of MLB fans thinks is the dumbest possible move they could make?
Already have a decent 1b? Check
Not contending anytime soon so adding Hosmer means nothing? Check
About 100 better ideas/options to actually help the team? Check.
I wouldn’t necessarily believe that the Padres are interested. Sometimes some Agents ask a team to spread rumors to drum up more interest. They did it with the Red Sox who Never had any intentions of signing him. It was between Santana and Moreland only for the Sox.
Smart comments by Justin and Willy. Makes zero sense for Padres to be interested. Not really an upgrade at 1B and moving Myers to OF weakens defense.
1 word. Ownership.
Same thing happened with Matt Kemp. Ownership was so infatuated and enamoured with Kemp that Preller had to trade for him.
If Hosmer signs with the Padres itd be something ownership is pushing.
Myers is not decent….uncheck. He is dumb…makes bad base running decisions…can’t field the position…is right handed…totally guesses at the plate.
All I want for Christmas is any team except the Red Sox to sign JD Martinez.
Your life sounds wanting.
Well, it isn’t going to happen before Christmas But the Red Sox are the most likely to sign JD. Why don’t you like him?
Jays, please trade JD, rebuild is the only way. F the fair weather fans, the real ones have your back. You can also trade Osuna, Stro, Happ, Estrada and Smoak if the price is right. Pillar can be traded if the price is not right, too.
I would maybe keep Stroman one more year but agree that the others can be dealt. they won’t get much for smoak in this environment but while they argue trying to compete, they are almost waiting for injury or bust. see Britton for Baltimore.
buster Olney thinks machado’s value is higher now than at the trade deadline? if only blue jays fans realized this with JD
What does it matter what the fans think?
It shouldn’t but unfortunately this jays brass sees fairweather fans as the decision makers based on their actions.
even on here fans are saying wait, trade later, compete but this team is a long way from competing for a world series and JD won’t get better during the season but he can get hurt.
This team isn’t guaranteed to not compete though. A healthy season from all the regulars will probably add in 5 wins. I also do t think it’s unrealistic to see a rookie step up and be a big contributor next year like Hernandez, Borucki, Alford or maybe even Panonne. And they are going to add on others as well. They already trimmed the players who were bad last year minus Morales. Do they have a clear path to contention? Of course not. But nobody thought that any of the wild card teams did last year either.
you do realize there were only 4 teams worse than the jays in the AL last year? that the mariners, angels rangers Yankees have already made moves to get better? can anyone make the playoffs at the start? sure it IS technically possible however it is this lack of common sense that this front office is demonstrating and potentially ruining a great chance to fast forward the rebuild
The Twins were the worst team in the AL in 2016 and made the playoffs in 2017. AZ was bad in 2016 and a contender in 2017. Things can turn around quickly.
The Red Sox were last in the AL East in 2012 and won the WS in 2013.
Is this the type of “insider” info people actually pay for?
“Team doesn’t expect to trade _____, but might”. Wow. What a revelation.
Based on the massive decline in revenue for ESPN, I’m not sure many are still paying for this hard hitting information.
Im going off the limb that the phillies are going to get machado and maybe the cubs get out of they heyward contract and get harper.
Who in their right mind would take Heyward & his albatross contract? He’s not even worth 1/5th of it.
He can opt out after this season I believe, If they can get out of that contract and they add harper , but how would take effect them in giving Bryant a long term extension. Both of them being boras clients.
He isn’t opting out
He’s on a championship contending team in a big city, and he’s making WAY too much money. Only an idiot would opt out of that.
Smart people predicted Hosmer market might drop if Sox and Yankees were out. Now, that is the case. Answer for Hoz is to sign best available deal (maybe 6 for 120) with one or more opt outs. I think there are clubs that would do that, although it would make no sense for Padres. Would make sense for Royals.
Followed Hosmer for years. Good player. Not great. Probably worth around $20 per year at today’s prices.
Nice to see Boras [potentially] in a clown suit. But he usually pulls things out.
Moustakas also a bust as FA. But he has a safe one year landing spot with Yankees on one year deal, where he probably can make about $15m, hit over 40 HR’s and get away from qualifying offer draft pick compensation.
JDM’s a long shot to come to Boston.
The Red Sox “NEED” a SP so much more than JDM.
Don’t get me wrong, JDM’s a great player.
But the Red Sox have other priorities first.
the Sox don’t NEED Sps. would it be nice to have another #2 for the eventual pomeranz/wright/Rodriguez injury? sure. all teams would love depth.
what they need is a strong utility guy since Pedroia will get hurt again and they have no strong option to back him up.
DD said they need SP.
The only SP they can count on is Sale (23 QS in 2017).
Pomeranz is good (17 QS in 2017).
Porcello is hot or cold (19 QS in 2017.)
Price is a “head case”. (7 QS in 2017 …. and don’t tell me you can count on Price … LOL)
ERod is recovering from knee surgery. (12 QS in 2017)
Wright will be suspended and you can’t count on him even if he isn’t. (1 QS in 2017)
Kelly has a good arm but has poor control. (0 QS in 2017)
So how do you get to 90+ wins with that pitching staff?
C’mon let’s hear how YOU do it. Without getting a SP!
And don’t tell me “their bullpen”. ….. LOL
The fact you put Kelly in there leads me to believe you don’t know much about the Sox staff besides those stats you just looked up.
DD never said they need a Starting pitcher, where are you getting that from?
Hosmer fits best with Stlouis Cardinals as well as Martinez.Boston has no chance against the New York Yankees.Why would any of those players play in a lost cause.
Typical Yankee arrogance. No need to play just give them the Trophy. Ummm starting pitching???
You’re right on the mark!
Just give the Yankees “the trophy”.
Who cares if Boston won the division last year with virtually the same team .. LOL
They have “no answer to Giancarlo” …. LOL
Just put up 110 wins for NYY now. ….. LOL
Are you serious? You’re acting completely clueless. Players go where the MONEY is. And please stop acting like it’s the Yankees or no one in the AL East, the Red Sox won 93 games 2 years in a row and they WILL be adding more players this winter, they aren’t done. Games are played on the Field, not on paper. The Red Sox have just as much a chance to repeat their success of the last 2 seasons as anyone.
Not an enviable situation to be in for the O’s. They basically have to trade Machado this offseason but the owner refuses to do so. His trade value won’t be higher at the deadline.
Oh and the Padres need to either sign Hosmer within the next 24 hours or shut up about it forever.
The luxury tax is acting like a salary cap, I think the days of players getting big money for their age 36 and over seasons have come to an end.
A salary cap is way over do in MLB.
And way below the luxury tax level.
How can you have a team like Miami, with a total payroll under $100M, and a team like LAD with a total payroll of over $200M.
How does that create parity?
Why Hosmer? The team has Myers and do not need Hosmer. They’re not gonna win anything soon, but if they want to sign someone, just get a starting pitcher. Padres should sign Alex Cobb to a four year deal and maybe bring back Tyson Ross in a cheap one year deal.
Have Myers that’s a burden but agree why Hosmer with Padres pitching not winning 2018.
chatroom and entrenched
hurrrr da durrrrr
*fart noises*
Jays look like somewhere around an 83 win team even with a full season of MVP calibre Donaldson. Winning 90+ games – which is what “competing in 2018” means – suggests Shapiro/Atkins are selling fans a hope and a prayer that we see rebounds equal to a combined year on year 7+ WAR from Sanchez, Tulo, Travis, Martin, etc., as well as sustained production from Smoak, and continued top of the rotation growth from Stroman. And don’t worry, Vlad Jr and Bo will ride to the rescue in 2019… using the Yankee model, they should ideally be looking for Major league ready prospects. Would the Cards offer Gyorko, and two of Reyes, Weaver and/or Flaherty for Donaldson and Jon Harris/Sean Reid-Foley? Should Happ (to the Braves for Acuna and Soroka) and Estrada (to the Padres for Quantrill and Tatis Jr) be flipped as well?
Obvious troll is obvious
http://www.chatroomentrenched.com