J.D. Martinez’s name has been connected more with the D-backs in recent days, though Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic posits that it’s difficult to envision the Diamondbacks finding a way to fit Martinez, Zack Greinke and Paul Goldschmidt all on the same payroll, should the team ultimately extend Goldschmidt beyond his current contract (which runs through 2019). That said, Piecoro notes that Martinez loved his time in Arizona, bonded with teammates and likes the upward trajectory of the team. Piecoro also points out that the D-backs hired one of Martinez’s personal hitting coaches, Robert Van Scoyoc, and appointed him to the newly created position of “hitting strategist” within the organization.
A reunion with the D-backs could be a stretch financially, but FanRag’s Jon Heyman writes that agent Scott Boras has met with D-backs managing partner Ken Kendrick on multiple occasions this offseason. How aggressive Boras can push Kendrick to be remains to be seen; Heyman notes that Arizona has “signaled a willingness” to go to five years and more than $100MM, though John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM Arizona Sports tweets that, to the contrary, the D-backs aren’t willing to go to that length to retain the slugger.
More notes on the woefully slow free-agent market…
- The Brewers’ offer to Yu Darvish was nine figures in total value, Heyman reports in his latest notes column. That’s perhaps not all that surprising, as he’s been expected to sign for more than $100MM all offseason, and any serious proposal to him would figure to top that sum. Heyman further notes that there’s “reason to believe” that neither the Brewers or the Twins are a top choice for Darvish, though, so either team could perhaps need to be more aggressive in order to land him. 1500 ESPN’s Darren Wolfson reported yesterday that Minnesota, too, recently made a formal contract offer to Darvish (which presumably was also worth more than $100MM in total).
- Logan Morrison is on the Red Sox’ radar as a potential backup option should they not sign Martinez, per Heyman. The 30-year-old would be a considerably more affordable source of power to slot into the DH spot in the lineup (presumably with some occasional time at first base to give Mitch Moreland a break, or in the event of a Moreland injury). It’s been fairly quiet on Morrison for much of the offseason despite the fact that he’s run up a 130 wRC+ over his past 900 big league plate appearances. MLBTR’s Connor Byrne recently took a lengthier look at Morrison’s merits.
- FanRag’s Robert Murray reports that the Giants are still looking for bullpen help and made an offer to Seung-hwan Oh before the righty ultimately signed with the Rangers. San Francisco is only about $2.1MM from the $197MM luxury tax threshold, so they don’t have much to spend while remaining under the tax line. Murray suggests a match with Huston Street as a possibility, though his characterization of Street as one of the top remaining options on the relief market seems rather overstated. Now 34 years old, Street was one of the game’s top relievers for the better part of a decade, but he’s pitched just 26 1/3 innings with a 5.47 ERA and a 17-to-13 K/BB ratio in the past two seasons as he’s dealt with oblique, knee, lat and groin injuries in that brief two-year span. That said, he certainly seems like someone that could fit into a limited budget, perhaps even on a minor league deal.
- The Twins have been most prominently linked to rotation help, but they’re also looking to bolster their offensive output against left-handed pitching, writes Dan Hayes of The Athletic. “…[I]f there’s a right fit for our roster from the right side, that’s probably a fair place to say, if we’re going to add on the position player side, that’s the right slot,” chief baseball officer Derek Falvey tells Hayes. Minnesota has been linked to Mike Napoli throughout the offseason, and Hayes runs through some other speculative fits that could bolster the club’s bench and overall output against lefties.
- Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com looks at the Orioles’ pursuit of rotation help and notes that he hasn’t heard any talk of interest in a reunion with Jeremy Hellickson. The O’s tried to gauge Wade Miley’s interest in a one-year deal earlier this winter, and they perhaps unsurprisingly have not shown a “shred” of interest in bringing Ubaldo Jimenez back to Baltimore. The Jimenez deal, Kubatko notes, has led to a refusal on the Orioles’ part to consider offers beyond three years in length this offseason. (ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reported a similar sentiment from owner Peter Angelos yesterday.)
brewcrew08
Brewers please stay away from Darvish. Guy isn’t even worth 5yr/100M let alone the 5yr/125M he will probably sign for. Paying him 25M per at age 35-37 is just asking for problems.
Steve Adams
A five-year deal for Darvish would only run through his age-35 season — not his age-37 season.
brewcrew08
Doesn’t he turn 32 August of this year? A 5 year deal would end 2-3 months into him being 37 years old.
brewcrew08
I guess that would be his 36 year old season my bad. I still would stay away if I were Milwaukee all things considered. Much rather see Lynn or Cobb on a 4 year pact.
reevewashere
The guy has 6 pitches and doesn’t rely on velocity. He will age better than most pitchers who are fastball heavy and sit 97 all game long.
Curtis Beale
Nolan Ryan says Hi!
brewcrew08
Except he’s already proven he isn’t durable. Just 30 starts in 2 of his 5 years in the majors. Those 5 seasons were also supposed to be his “prime” years.
Jnoyola5
Imagine rather having Lance Lynn over Yu Darvish
brewcrew08
As a Brewers fan I would gladly take Lynn over Darvish. I know he’s not the true “ace” the brewers need but he’s much more likely to live up to his deal. 4yr/65M for Lynn is far better than 5yr/125M for Darvish I personally think
martras
He had strained UCL resulting in a delayed TJ surgery. That’s the source of his reduced load in 2014 and missing all of 2015 and part of 2016. He was shut down early in 2014, but wasn’t properly advised of needing TJ until March 2015.
Other than the UCL strain, Darvish has been very reliable.
kleppy12
Darvish would turn 36 in August on the last year of a 5 year deal so realistically you’re paying for years 31-35 on a 5 year deal.
Cat Mando
kleppy12….Finally someone gets it. If he pitches the full season of the 5th year (and assuming a 5 man rotation) only 6-9 of his starts would come after his 36th birthday.
kleppy12
^^ This ^^ People label him as “injury prone” but he’s had one injury, yes a major one but that’s still far from “injury prone”. Not to mention he’s actually increased his velocity since he came back from TJ so it’s not like you are getting a lesser version of 2013 Darvish.
CompanyAssassin
Regardless of the start count, he’s passed 180 innings 3 of his 5 seasons, at 186, 191, 210. He had TJ I think which is why the other two seasons are lower. He’s durable.
czontixhldr
I would say he’s questionably durable.
417caseyray
Zing! Hahaha!
twentyforty
Lynn or Cobb? You’d prefer to finish in 3rd? Nelson isn’t coming back, just saying.
ThatBallwasBryzzoed
No please take him
Red Ivy
You don’t want darvish but you expect to drags your balls across the cubbies? You sir are what we call a moron.
Red Ivy
Drag*
Padres2019ha
Sucks when you try to make a funny and you mess it up
dirtbagfreitas
Well, we’re waiting!
dynamite drop in monty
The world needs ditch diggers
bigcubsfan
Habeebo? Habeebo, Habeebo habeebo habeebo. Habeebo Habeeb banana habeebo. Ha-Beeb-Abib habeebo. Habeebo habeebo habeeb BANANA!!!
Kenleyfornia74
Say no to drugs kids
bigcubsfan
To be fair, google translate says it means
”
Habeebo Sometimes, it’s a shame. No matter what. Ha-Beeb-Abib aloud. What’s new about BANANA !!!”
That seems like something a sane person would say to me.
Bart
Say no to Cubs, kids.
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
Say no to kids, mlbtr.
One Fan
Oh Arizona sent “a signal” hhhmmm what a joke
vonjunk
Like with Greinke or Schilling or Johnson or Williams or Gonzalez?
Just because the DBacks aren’t perennial spenders doesn’t mean you discount them entirely.
lowtalker1
It was different then. They had more money and contracts weren’t as crazy. They did buy that championship though
Cat Mando
….and they booted Jerry Colangelo for doing it.
fasbal1
It’s fine to go after Martinez but not at the expense of letting Goldy walk, there is no comparison between these 2 players, Goldschmidt is one of the league’s elite
stubby66
I say the Brewers need to move on from Darvish all together were in a position that we don’t have to beg a injury prone pitcher to come to Milwaukee. Stern has plenty of young pitchers he believes in. No need to be held captive by one person
bigcubsfan
*we’re
twentyforty
Um, no Sterans doesn’t. Your minor league prospects are mid- rotation guys at best. More likely middle relievers. All of them. You have much, much less pitching than you realize.
ShortJr
Arizona in no way shape or form has offered or talked to JD Martinez about anything more than a 1 or 2 year deal. That report is completely and totally false
DVail1979
I’m not saying you’re wrong but how do you know? Do you work for the DBacks? Baseball insider? Not being an ass but I’ve read reports on both sides … just wondering what your sources are?
kleppy12
I’m wondering the same thing. I always love when people on here (or in similar situations) state things as if they are 100% fact or that they “know” what’s right or wrong, when in fact they have no idea.
ryeandi
As a D-backs fan I hope Mike Hazen has NOT offered a $100MM+ guaranteed contract and I hope Kendrick stay out of his business. This is precisely the kind of move that got his last few predecessors fired. We’d all love to have JD back but not at that price.
Fuck Me Bitch
Darvish may not want to play for the Twins?
Has he never heard of Killebrew, Oliva, Carew, Puckett, Kaat, Morris, etc.?
Free Clay Zavada
What kind of argument even is this?
brewcrew08
What?
Fuck Me Bitch
It’s not an argument, per say. I’m just saying the Twins have a rich history that someone like Darvish may be oblivious of, sadly. No need to argue.
stymeedone
The Marlins have a couple WS, and some great players, in their history. Maybe if we tell him, he will sign with them.
jhowe82
Lol. I think you could list off 6 great players from every team’s history.
Curtis Beale
Those guys can’t hit or pitch anymore!
eddiemathews
I think Yu will be able to spend his free time wherever he wants once he signs…or even before. He can keep his house in Texas and get something “cheap” in Milwaukee. I don’t understand Brewer fans that are ticked off at Darvish for preferring NY or LA, though. I’d still love to have him in the rotation this year if they won’t (or can’t) come through. What does shock me is I’m starting to hear rumblings about “greedy players”; what???
ImACubsFanSoWhat
I think that comes from the report of JD Martinez rejecting a 5 yr/125 million offer… which seems ridiculous
czontixhldr
Which is ridiculous, the offer itself, or JDM’s rejection thereof?
My answer: Both.
kingbum
I’m not going to hate on players trying to suck every penny they can get from the owners. Media contracts make the player contracts feasible so good for them. As far as turning down a 5yr/ 125 MM deal well Boston has to sign him or it will have one pissed off fan base I think Boras is going to get JDM a $150 MM+ deal out of the Red Sox
czontixhldr
I don’t hate on players making as much as they can get. Read some of my other posts here and you’ll understand that.
There are certain players for whom I would back up the Brinks truck (Trout being #1 on this list.).
I just think based on his injury history – IN HIS LATE 20’S – that Boston plans to use him mostly as a DH so he bring zero defensive value (NEGATIVE value when he does play in the field), that he brings no baserunning value, and the fact that the baseball was clearly flying out of ballparks last season at a record pace (Manfred’s juicer), that the Red Sox are either criminally insane or so desperate to make a splash the way the Yankees did in the Stanton trade, they made an offer to Martinez that they will regret in the first season he signs it.
Martinez isn’t worth anywhere near that kind of money to DH, and should be declared criminally insane for having turned it down.
If he gets a better offer than that reported 5/125 then some team out there is really, really stoopid.
Cashford64
I can’t really fault a guy for wanting to spend free time in LA as opposed to Minneapolis or Milwaukee.
dudeness88
Have you ever even been to either of those cities?
kleppy12
I would agree with you Cash if this was basketball or football but Minnesota in the summer is not Minnesota in the winter, as far as the weather goes.
tylerall5
Weather in LA is nicer year round than it is in either of those two cities.
seamaholic 2
If you can breathe in the smog, sure
Cashford64
I’ve been all over this country. And nothing at all against those cities, but let’s be real, they’ve got nothing on LA as far as entertainment goes. Hell, even more so if you’re a millionaire celebrity.
Ry.the.Stunner
I live in Milwaukee and nobody in their right mind would choose to live here willingly.
Jack Taddy
BUT ITS A SNOW DAAAAAY!!!
mlb1225
But those are all guys of the past. It really doesn’t give leverage to The Twins in signing him. If that were the case, The Pirates could sign a few big names because they had Willie Stargell, Roberto Clemente, and Honus Wagner.
Ry.the.Stunner
Somehow I doubt his decision is going to be based on what players have historically played for said team.
fellerms4
Darvish is not worth 20+ mil a year. Any team could land 2 quality starters, bullpen or a bat for that. With less risk
Vedder80
No they can’t.
kleppy12
You probably can’t even add two “serviceable” starters for 20 mil/yr much less quality starters.
tylerall5
Have you seen the contracts that these guys are getting? 20 mil can buy a 3-4 starter with a little extra to spare.
Ry.the.Stunner
Tyler Chatwood (who has yet to prove to be a quality starter) signed for $13M/year, but you think you can get another quality starter, a bullpen arm, AND a bat for only $7M more?
kleppy12
In his defense I think that was OR not AND but either way you still aren’t getting two quality players fro 20 mil/yr.
czontixhldr
Hold the presses:
The Diamondbacks ““signaled a willingness” to go to five years and more than $100MM”.
Wow, they’re as stoopid as the Red Sox FO.
pasha2k
I agree, Redsox are Stupid. DD trying to make a piece of granite into gold.
chesteraarthur
Anything Heyman says about Boras/Boras client needs to be taken with quite a bit of salt.
Pedro Cerrano's Voodoo
At this point I’d like to see the Sox just pull the JDM offer and pivot to Morrison. JD can take his dissatisfaction and go enjoy a 1 year deal somewhere else. Never wanted to see his stone hands in front of the monster anyway. Morrison seems like an all around better fit.
DVail1979
Issue is this …. is Morrison really a giant upgrade at DH over Hanley? If they’re going to move on why not just give Hanley a chance to prove he can hit again this spring? Morrison has had one really solid year and that was during a year where the mascots hit 25 HRs … I’m not saying stay in on JDM but if they move on I’d just give HanRam a chance
koolga
Agreed, And with the money they would have used, sign Alex Cobb. IMO he’s going to have a really good year, and I think the Red Sox should take a chance on him, and it’s great to have backup options in case another pitcher doesn’t work or gets hurt.
czontixhldr
By your logic JDM only had one year where he was spectacular – ” and that was during a year where the mascots hit 25 HRs”.
The previous season he played in one more game and didn’t SLG nearly as well, putting up far inferior numbers.
Suppose MLB decides to “unjuice” the baseballs in the future, or at least dial back the “bounce”?
pasha2k
You must be a Yankee fan. Morrison no way is the player JD is.
MB923
He’s obviously a Red Sox fan
IronBallsMcGinty
I’d like to see Boston move on from Martinez if he thinks he’s worth so much more. I felt it was a pretty substantial offer. They should save some money and sign Morrison.
pasha2k
Another Yankees fan!
Bocephus
Yea screw JDM!! Sign Morrison,Nunez,and Lynn.
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
Not with that irish name.
IronBallsMcGinty
Correct. I’m not a Yankees fan or a Red Sox fan for that matter. Not that I feel I have to defend myself but I’ll state for the record: I’m a baseball fan first and a lifelong White Sox fan. As painful as that can be, I remain loyal and humble. Also, not Irish. The username is just a reference to the movie “The Jerk”. So…..yeah……carry on.
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
McG, love it!!
MB923
Another Yankee hating troll post.
czontixhldr
Not everyone that hates the Yankees is a troll. Boston fans hate the Yankees because for years all they were able to do is sniff their ______.
Kslaw
Not sure why a suggestion to move on and pull an offer the Sox should be glad JDM hasnt accepted yet makes them a Yankee fan.
ericl
Morrison could find a chance to play 1st base every day in his hometown of Kansas City if Hosmer goes elsewhere. I see him waiting a little longer to see if there is a chance to play at home than taking an offer from the Red Sox right now
pasha2k
Finally a Redsox fan!
ericl
Not a Red Sox fan at all
natelowda2
I wish the cards got Morrison.
Thomas James
Like I’ve been saying in several posts the Brewers had a profit of over fifty million last year. That’s two years of Darvish already collecting interest. So in reality just think of it as paying him 75 for five years.
Boys and girls the Brewers still had a gate of 2.6 million, and thirty million from their tv contact, and 57 million in shared revenue along with other revenue streams. They could easily have a payroll over 120 million and still be profitable. In a very good year where they make the playoffs and draw over 3 million they could go well over 130 mill in payroll. I think a signing of Darvish would spark even more interest and excitement in Milwaukee with a greater chance of making the playoffs. In other words he could help pay for his own contract.
It’s a business decision and it could end up being a very good one for Milwaukee and it’s fans.
Deke
Where did you get these numbers from? I thought team financials were not disclosed publicly?
Kslaw
He is their banker.
martras
forbes.com/mlb-valuations/list/#tab:overall.
See the operating income values. Milwaukee was at $58M, but they have a low revenue of $239M.
Thomas James
Years ago it was common knowledge that the Brewers threshold was around 80 million in payroll. Then they went from ten million to thirty million in TV revenue which is also common knowledge. Then it was reported a couple of years ago that some of the larger markets received a huge boost in their TV revenue which increased the shared revenue from 27 million to 57 million. So together with other increases in revenue the Milwaukee Brewers had an increase of at least fifty million in revenue and that is why I believe they could easily afford a 120 million dollar payroll and still make money. They have since then gone over the 100 million dollar mark a few times.
So there payroll was at 70 million last year and still receiving those checks. 1+1 does equal 2.
jakem59
Their profit margins aren’t exactly sky high. One big signing that doesn’t pan out and they could be strapped for years
cheese
Let’s just leave them all unsigned the league will move on without them. They don’t realize that.
jimmyz
If Minnesota isn’t able to land a top starter and turns to plan b or c for the rotation, shifts focus to adding on the position player side, or both, I think Josh Harrison would make a lot of sense on their roster.
Harrison would provide injury insurance/allow extra rest for Miguel Sano this season and give the team a solid option for second next year if resigning Dozier is too expensive all the while providing another option for the corner outfield spots. Perhaps most importantly though, JHay plays the game with true respect and appreciation. He never takes anything for granted (youtube his rundowns) and clearly enjoys the grind of the season as he smiles and dances all season long. With all the young talent coming up in Minny, they could use a Swiss army knife, quality clubhouse guy like Harrison on their side. Won’t bankrupt the farm to get him either, a package of either Kiriloff or Kohl Stewart plus a lottery ticket seems reasonable.
joe 44
Why would they give up a really good prospect like kirriloff when they have Escobar who hit 20 hrs last year who play the same role as harrison. Escobar is also 5 million bucks cheaper
kleppy12
Yeah Harrison for Kirilloff makes no sense from the twins side of things.
Pablo
I feel like the twins and brewers are the nerdy kids asking the head cheerleader to the dance and all they get back is “that’s so sweet”.
Clearly Yu can’t handle being the difference maker. I personally want him going to the twins. But to put it in Japanese samurai film terms, he doesn’t see himself as a Toshiro Mifune type of guy, by moreso a supporting actor.
Maybe he doubts himself too much after the playoffs. Frankly it’s good that he doesn’t want to sign with a team that has to battle it out. Some players are happy getting a ring from the bench or being the starter that gets moved to the pen during playoffs. A win is a win. I can’t blame him for wanting a team that has a less challenging path.
Vedder80
Maybe he doesn’t want to pitch in the cold. Or maybe he prefers to stay close to home. Or maybe he doesn’t have such an optimistic view of their future chances.
augold5
Miller Park is a retractable roof… doesn’t have to pitch in the cold
martras
There are multiple factors which hurt Minnesota and Milwaukee. Endorsement deal potential, championship potential, payroll capacity, metro area and prestige.
The biggest things which hurt Minnesota and Milwaukee? They aren’t putting significantly better offers on the table than other teams.
If either Milwaukee or Minnesota put 6 years or $135-$150 on the table, Darvish wears their uniform tomorrow.
Homenine
I don’t think either the Twins or Crew care if someone else ends up with Darvish. They might be hoping some other team gets shackled with a bloated six year deal, then they can approach a more reasonable contract with someone else.
Homenine
I just hope someone signs him soon. This waiting sucks
Jack Taddy
I don’t think the Rangers have a “less challenging path” to the postseason than the Brewers.
Ninth 3 Year Plan
Hmmm, interesting the Giants are trying to add with little payroll……..I like the idea, too bad Oh didn’t go for it, could really use some quality adds to the pen
redsoxrob9418
Sox should bid JD farewell and sign Morrison
jfahey16
You must be kidding?????
mlb1225
Why would he be joking? Morrison would be way cheaper, would provide a similar level of power, and they only thing they’d be giving up is a 280+ batting average.
Runge_was_here
It isn’t saying Morrison is the same player, but if he cost 4-7 mil a year short term v 25-28 mil a year for 5 years. I’d take Morrison to add some pop and keep Hanleys option from vesting and hit free agency next year instead.
brewers214
I would like him to stop being greedy and just sign with a team so we can move on with FA and as a brewers FAN I would be ok with signing him
twentyforty
Greedy? So you take 28,000 for your job that normally pays 50,000? I guess you don’t and neither should MLB players. First lesson in market value.
qbass187
Jon Heyman is an embarrassment. Can that worm be more blatantly mouthpieceing for Scott Borass?!
davbee
Your post is an embarrassment.
mike156
Every year we have the same question–how reliable Heyman’s inside dirt is on Boras clients? I’m not suggesting Heyman somehow works for Boras, rather it’s an access thing (and reporters really need access to do their jobs). The idea of a $100M+ contract for JDM from AZ seems really farfetched, but it could still be true that a) Boras has talked to ownership on several occasions, and b) AZ “signaled a willingness” to go to $100M (but we don’t know whether that was a longer contract, whether the discussion was had months ago as part of an extension, or a casual “come back to us and we can talk” or Boras said “I want $200M” and they said “That’s twice what we want to pay”
chesteraarthur
Or a contract with vesting/team options and/or performance escalators. It never says a 100m guarantee.
chgobangbang
It’s unethical according to boras for management to leak any type of info on negotiations but he has no problems negotiating in press thru guys like hey man . In other words he wants the control
mlb1225
Martinez better accept The Red Sox offer soon. They’re starting to realize there’s other, cheaper options than him, and they might retract their offer so they can sign LoMo.
Runge_was_here
Morrison offers similar power (albeit with a weaker avg) at a discount and adds protection against Hanley’s option vesting. Martinez doesn’t want to go to Boston, and overpaying to change his mind gets you nowhere. (Carl Crawford)
seamaholic 2
Red Sox already have a lefty first baseman, and Morrison can’t play anywhere else. If he’s a DH, you’ve just sent Hanley to pout on the bench while making $20m and watching a dude who isn’t any better than him play. Sox aren’t signing LoMo. Just a leverage play by Sox FO.
Runge_was_here
They already have a right handed 1b/dh too. Between 1st and dh, you have three man platoon. Moreland, Ramirez, and Morrison. Only difference in the field is jd could give you a little as a 4th outfielder.
bosox90
If the Red Sox want to have a massive payroll this year and sign JDM, Nunez, and Tony Watson, I’m all for it. But if signing JDM is going to prevent them from signing someone that would be a versatile need in Nunez, and a lefty bullpen arm with some actual MLB experience in Watson… then I’m going to be disappointed.
Runge_was_here
Agreed, to many bad contracts to keep spending at the cost of other needs.
ray_derek
Why would Milwaukee be the top choice for anyone? No one realistically says, I hope Milwaukee signs me.
bravesandcrewfan
Well, not no one, Cain waited for Milwaukee.
twentyforty
Because Milwaukee was the only team dumb enough to give him 5 years. That was pretty obvious.
Jack Taddy
They’d rather sign in Chicago, murder capital of the US?
chesteraarthur
Yes. Yes they would.
66TheNumberOfTheBest
The Dbacks tossing big money at Martinez when it would likely cost them Goldschmidt next year? Maybe if they were the Orioles.
Good thing the Orioles didn’t break the “sacred bond” with their fans and vastly overpaid Chris Davis, huh?
brooksnumber5is1
Let’s base strategy on a terrible signing four years ago when you were desperate for pitching while you trade young arms or international money for a fifth outfielder.
Runge_was_here
If Martinez hba he’s to dbacks, it feels like a shorter deal for bigger money so he “wins”. They aren’t going to top 5 years 125, but 2 years 60? Gets him past nxt years class and gets him off the books when goldshmidt needs to be paid.
chound
I can just see it now… JDM signs with the Snakes b/c they were “flexible” and went from 4/$72m to 5/$100m…
atomicfront
Boras is just trying to get the Red Sox to bid more. Arizona probably has zero interest in re-signing JD
phantomofdb
Am I the only one that’s just kind of over it at this point? I don’t even care where these guys sign anymore, I just want baseball to start.
tigertom0210
When is Boras going to Washington and getting Martinez the money? The Nats seem to buy whatever he’s selling.
Goat Slayer
I see the JDM situation with dbacks as similar to Cespedes the year he was traded to Mets. Why not sign a 3 year deal, higher AAV, with a one year opt out. Basically repeat Cespedes first contract with the Mets.
Runge_was_here
I agree but if he did stay for 3 years however unlikely that is, it could cost them Goldshmidt. If the do a two year deal with an opt out and hi avg it helps both sides.
SG
Why not?
It’s cheaper than JDM.
And Morrison can hit HR’s.
And he can platoon with Hanley in the DH spot.
SG
They could probably get LM for under $5M per year.
He and Hanley platooned would add some pop.
hozie007
For the money, LoMo is a far better option than JD. If they could reduce LoMo’s SO rate, he would be bigger threat at the plate as well. With the glut of hitters coming into FA next year, there is no need for the RS to bury themselves in payroll in 2018. Don’t forget they will need some flexibility to re-sign Sale, Kimbrel and possibly others in 2019 to multi-year deals. Tying up $25M/yr for the next 5 yrs on JD does not make sense when they might be able to get LoMo for an AAV of round $5-8M for the next 3-4 yrs.
SG
I agree.
Think LoMo is a good fit for AAV $5M
Think getting Nunez is a good fit for AAV $6M.
Think they can use another SP.
Maybe Vargas at AAV $6M and he can also be a RP.
I’d like to get Lance Lynn SP but that may be more complex due to the QO he got form StL. They can wait and sign LL in June after the draft to avoid the QO draft pick comp or perhaps DD can negotiate with StL on the pick.
If StL waits until June they will get nothing so they may take a lesser player from our farm system that we mutually agree to.
1meandad
I would like see the Soxs sign Morrison and maybe even Carlos Gonzalez to 2 year deals. Stick to Martinez.
dynamite drop in monty
I wouldn’t sign CarGo to a 2 day pact. He’s toast!
HubertHumphrey
I can’t see any international player “champing at the bit” to play in either Minneapolis or Milwaukee. Those just aren’t “cool” towns.
That said, the commutes to work would be a hell of a lot easier than in NY, LA, or Chicago!
One Fan
The Cubs play in a neighborhood. Many players walk or bike to work. Even Theo lives walking distance. There is no shorter commute in baseball then the Cubs
cman
Minneapolis & Saint Paul have some nice perks but despite it’s large size the Twin Cities feel isolated and very suburbanite. The winters are also absolutely horrible up here and it gets dark so so early after the time change. Depressing.
But that’s why the Scandinavians flocked here in the mid to late 1800’s, weather and land reminded them of Norway, Sweden, Finland, etc.
David ellis
Can we please stop with the poor free agent talk. Darvish is being offered big money but he only wants to sign with big market teams. So small or mid market teams have to give him even more money to lure him. Ridiculous! Martinez has big offers but he waits and I’m sure cobb, lynn, and arietta have good offers. Stop whinning and take you 10s of million s of dollars clowns
Luckybrew
The Brewers should trade for Bumgarder offer the Giants the same you would give Tampa for Archer. And use the money you would give for Darvish to extend Bumgarder.