The Official 2014 AL East Thread

Well I agree that if the Myers package were on the table, they would of taken it, and at the same time they obviously didn't get that package offered to them. But, I disagree that 2 years on a contract is going to net a better trade then 1 year left. You would think it would work like that and that is how teams would work, but I think we have seen it before. Players traded with a FULL year left under control can and in the Rays case, will command monster packages. It is a little different if they trade a player in season, so the receiving team only gets a half a season. I think the most likely scenario is, whatever team trades for Price, is going to be assured by Prices agent that he is willing to work out an extension. And a team that trades for Price with that in mind, is going to know they need to open up the check book for him. I think it is one reason Price wasn't shipped to Seattle in the off season. Reports came out and said he wouldn't sign an extension there. Mariners likely either scaled back their offer, or took it off the table all together. And who knows, maybe Prices market will be limited because hes vocal about who he will sign an extension with or not, and its certainly possible. I just don't think it will be an issue.

 

That's simply not true regarding years of control and it doesn't make any logical sense. Why would a team offer a better package of players for a year with 1 year of control left vs. 2 years left?

Maybe some teams simply don't care but certain/smarter teams absolutely value the controllable years of time left on a contract. I know for a fact the Red Sox offer to the Padres for Adrian Gonzalez was much different after the 2009 season when he had 2 years left on his contract then it was for the 2010 season when he had 1 year left in which they ultimately got him for. And they absolutely look at the time left before the player becomes a FA and if it's shorter they simply don't offer as many top guys, and that's especially true once the new CBA came to be.

I'd be surprised if the Rays would have been able to get that same return for Shields that they got if he only had a year left on his contract. I think the reason why they got all of those extra players was because of that extra year. Same with Garza.

 

Your right about Shields, for some reason I was thinking the 2014 option was a player option. It was actually a team option.

I guess we will see. Like I said, to be able to get an arm like Price in the middle of his prime, yes they will have to pay a pretty penny to keep him, will be to valuable for teams.

 

But there's a lot of risk involved too that they are giving up prospects with controllable years of service time and salary for only 1 year of Price.

 

Agreed.

 

Here's a good article defending Arod on this "story":

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2...a-rod-as-a-deadbeat-regarding-his-legal-fees/

Good to see the New York media continue to bash the guy though. I'm sure they would run the exact same story if it was some other Yankee.

 

Guy just finds a way to make everything worse. Whatever he is involved in.

 

Just because the guy has millions and millions of dollars in the bank doesn't mean he pays things all in a lump sum all the time. I'd be very surprised if he, or any rich person like him, pays in full on big expenses like this. That's the point Hardball Talk is trying to make here.

Bottom line is who cares and why is this even important enough to be printed.

 

But the original article stated he did pay, just not the full amount yet.

 

Marino threw out the first pitch of the Yankee/pirate game tonight. Then he flung a football to Jorge posada and looked 25 again.

 

Again I go back to the Hardball Talk article I posted which was written by a former lawyer.

Either way whatever. If this wasn't Arod it wouldn't matter but he's a lightning rod and the media is going to use him to try and sell papers not matter how dumb the story is.

 

sabbathia seven scoreless. velocity up to 91-92. tanaka raising eyebrows everywhere. pineda looking great so far. might just have a good pitching staff brewing here.

not to mention bullpen pitchers adam warren and dellin betances are looking good

 

Jake Odorizzi was named the #5 starter for the Rays. He earned it. He pitched well this spring. While Bedard did not. Good stuff.

 

I've changed my stance on this. I just don't see it worth it for them. 2 months of Drew over a replacement player just isn't worth a 1st rounder.

 

Where are you getting this 2 months of Drew stuff? Iglesias is out for the year now so it would be a full season of Drew.

Regardless I don't understand this Alex Gonzalez move by the Tigers.

 

Yea, all indications are that it wasn't as serious as what a liner to face, usually is. I guess it caught him in the jaw. But he was able to eat and chew without pain, so he should be fine.

Because if they wait 2 months, they can sign Drew without draft pick compensation. And if he is signed before then, make a trade for someone.

 

Gotcha. There's risk there though because Detroit will have to wait until what June 15ish to sign him and then Drew will probably need a few weeks of at bats to get game ready so maybe he makes his season debut July 1st, that's 3 months. And of course what happens if let's say, for example, Hanley Ramirez gets hurt and is out for the year and the Dodgers come and sign Drew. Then what?

I don't think MLB teams would realistically wait for the June deadline to sign a guy if they wanted/needed him.

You never know, it's not like the Tigers ran away with the division last year, when they probably had a better team.

 

If they think the player is the difference between their season going down the drain, or making the playoffs, I agree. But realistically, they are missing a great glove and a below average bat, even for a SS. So, Tigers are probably thinking, they might be able to replace his bat or maybe even upgrade a little and take a hit defensively, and it's not that big of a loss. It's not like Kinsler got hurt or something.

 

I'm sure that's their thinking. My only point is the team is a win now team adding Drew would be better than anything they have as an in house replacement or realisticially available on the trade market right now. Having a replacement level SS might not impact the team during the regular season but can in the playoffs or even playoff seeding.

The problem is, none of the players the Tigers are saying will be Iglesias' replacement are close to Iglesias both in terms of defense and at the plate. They are all back up infielders. I just can't see how a playoff team can go through the whole MLB season and playoffs without upgrading the position. It would be like the Rays having a player worse than Sean Rodriguez playing everyday.

 

I think they make a move at some point.

 

I'm sure they will too, they're going to have to. I don't see Alex Gonzalez or Hernan Perez being able to hold down the position for the year.

 

He would certainly know. It does appear that Rays' minor league players get suspended more often than other teams. I wonder if that has anything to do with the Rays' relaxed approach to signing certain players with problemed backgrounds.

 

I read it as current top 10 Rays prospects not all time.

 

This article really should have been the 1st post in this thread:

http://grantland.com/features/2014-al-east-preview/

Man I'm in love with that Xander video gif in the article.

 

Just seen Alex Colome got suspended 50 games for PED. Unreal.

 

That gif, is prime example of why I am in love with his swing and not happy about him being a Sock. He literally does everything, that the greats do.

 

Surprised no one commented on the Ortiz extension:


According to Rob Bradford of WEEI, the Red Sox have signed David Ortiz to a one-year, $16 million extension.

The deal is for 2015, as Ortiz was already under contract at $15 million for the upcoming season. He made it known after helping the Red Sox to the 2013 World Series title that he wanted his contract extended, and the Boston front office obliged eight days before leaving Florida. Ortiz, 38, slugged 30 home runs and tallied 103 RBI in 137 games last year before lighting it up in the playoffs. His new deal also includes a vesting option for 2016 and a team option for 2017.

 

Does the man not age? So he's fat and ageless?