Again, this is a perfect example of teams having money to spend. Oakland just dropped 22 million and 2 years on a guy that minus this year hasn't qualified for an ERA title since 2007 and was out of baseball for all of 2012 (and really 2011 too). I'm actually not sure Kazmir is better than Hughes. I think people forget just how awful Kazmir has been since 2008.
I'm not sure I agree Ray. If Kazmir stays focused, he is much better pitcher then Hughes. Kaz's slider is looking explosive again and his velocity was low 90s. Something he wasn't doing the years prior. I think he may be back.
We'll see but I think it's completely fair to question Kazmir right now. Not saying that he's not back but he's been "good" 1 time since 2008. On the plus side for him he's moving to a better home ball park with better defense, that should help.
A's not done. Sending Jemile Weeks to Baltimore for Jim Johnson. Score two for BB today. http://m.espn.go.com/mlb/story?storyId=10071384
Detroit sends Fister in exchange, the Nationals sent infielder Steve Lombardozzi, left-hander Ian Krol and minor league lefty Robbie Ray to the Tigers. Personally, I think the nationals win this... http://m.espn.go.com/mlb/story?storyId=10070572
Yeah makes little sense at face value. There has to be other moving parts at work here. Obviously a closer but maybe Cano, Choo or Ellsbury?
Both those trades make little sense to me. As a Ray, I understand the over value of the word "closer". But I think Jim Johnson is a lot more valuable then Jemile Weeks.
Agreed. Johnson didn't have a great year last year but the A's have great luck pulling guys into the role and getting a lot out of them and then trading them for assets. Especially getting him for Weeks, who wasn't in their plans anyway. Nice work by them.
Why rush though if they just needed to dump some salary couldnt they have gotten a bigger package for a very good pitcher? Something is definetly up....
Considering the package they got they could have gotten a better deal from most teams. There has to be a reason he took this deal.
He? You mean the team right?? I really think they are going to try and allocate every dollar to Scherzer as they should.... Sign Max and let the market die down on Choo, Cano and see what comes up...
honestly great alternative to 3 years on Salty...Fink we differ on Salty but I think we can agree that JS on a 3 year deal for the money is off as opposed to this...they both are going to see pitches in that lineup because it is so long...both are avg catchers defensively....but AJ definitely brings swagger to Boston which is going to fit in perfectly in that clubhouse... they have a couple of prospects so they can develop a little more..... doesn't hurt that in 121 AB's his slash in Fenway is .322/.328/.424
Kemp has been in every teams rumor it seems but no I haven't seen it lol..... And yes I would highly consider it actually....
The Sox are incredibly high on both Christian Vazquez and Blake Swihart so there wasn't ever a real shot they would want to extend Saltalamacchia or any FA catcher for that long. They made a run at Ruiz but refused to give him the 3rd year. As far as AJ vs. Salty, I think I'd rather have Salty for 1 year, mainly because I can spell his last name and I think he's a better hitter. But at least AJ is a LHH and will platoon with Ross, so it works out. Plus it's a short term deal so if he stinks they can just let him walk. Really it's hard to knock anything the Sox FO does right now, they earned that right since the Punto Trade.
Good question but it isnt a reason NOT to do a deal IMO.......to get out of that contract would be a blessing...I know Kemp's is long too but it tops out at 21M per and he is 5 years younger, not to mention you rid yourself of CC contract and in 2 years Tex's (they can absorb it)....while healthy Kemp is still very good....and he seems like the kinda guy who would embrace NY..... if the rumors are true about LA eating 20-30M absolutely consider it... conversely sticking CC as the number 3 in that rotation or 4 (Ryu) they would be in very good shape.... remember LA is in win now mode, like THIS YEAR.... The big question in this is if he is injury prone or is this a freak thing...
It ain't the Yankees because I have to think if NY offered him this he signed it already.....interesting.... Seattle maybe?
Kemp's contract is longer and is for more money. Kemp has 6/128 left while CC has 4/96 with a vesting option for 25M or 5 M buy out. Both contracts aren't looking good. But if I had to choose between the two I'd probably want Kemp, although his injury history scares me a bit, mostly his shoulder in terms of power.
right it is for longer, but he is also younger....IF they eat half of the remaining it is basically a 5/98 contract.....CC, love the guy, cooked tho....has been for a few years now (here we gooooooooooooooo)......Finklestein!!!!!!!!!!1
I do think Sabathia might have started his decline now. It's certainly an interesting trade purposal and like I said I'd probably take the Kemp side because of his age and upside but I wouldn't feel super comfortable with it.
Can't wait to see Heath Bell have a better single season than Mariano Rivera ever did now that he's with TB. You just know it's going to happen, ala Rodney.
lol I was just going to say hold your horses Nappy on that Reds thing, because their seems to be a 3-way going down.....
