Not sure how I feel about this Figgins news. Wish he'd gone out of the division, but I wouldnt have broken the bank to keep him (not that 4/36 qualifies as breaking the bank). Guess this increases our pursuit of Granderson to take over as the leadoff hitter perhaps? Just hoping they can work something out w/ Lackey.
Congrats to Seattle for the 1st bad contract of the offseason. Anytime you can sign a slap hitter with zero power and reducing speed coming off of a career year to a long term deal for big money you have to do it. But at least he does still play good defense. Everyone knew he was going to be overpaid, I'm just surprised Seattle did it.
Haha sorry. He's still a good player but he's just over paid now.The positives is that he's improved his OBP and he could play numerous positions at an above average rate. The negatives is he doesn't hit for much power and he's slowly losing a step speed wise. But hey that doesn't mean he'll be a bust, plus you took him away from the Angels which is a big deal.
Winter Meetings equals action....just a question of when: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091207&content_id=7766346&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb Chatter about R. Halladay, E. Jackson intensifies Rays may be angling for Doc; Detroit could make deal soon It's Day 1 of the Winter Meetings, and the Hot Stove is bringing some heat. and so much more......
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091207&content_id=7766346&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb Roundup: Huge deal could be brewing Yankees, D-backs and Tigers reportedly working on a trade Day 1 of the 2009 Winter Meetings saw the Hot Stove simmer with deals and rumors. Blockbuster trade in the works? The Yankees, D-backs and Tigers reportedly talked about a blockbuster trade that would send Detroit outfielder Curtis Granderson to New York and right-hander Edwin Jackson to Arizona, FOXSports.com reported on Monday night. But a source told the site that the talks are currently at an "impasse." The proposed deal would have Granderson and one or two D-backs prospects going to the Yankees, and Jackson and Yankees right-hander Ian Kennedy going to the D-backs. The Tigers would receive right-hander Max Scherzer from the D-backs, and center fielder Austin Jackson and left-handed relievers Phil Coke and Michael Dunn from the Yankees. lots of other potential moves included in the story..... ----------------------------------------------- Honestly, its not a horrible 3 way deal for all involved....not sure if it will happen, seems a longshot, but not horrible. Yanks give up 4 to get 2 or 3; Det gives up 1 to get 4; and AZ gives up 3 to get 2. Yanks get CF/Lead off; AZ gets 2 SP arms for 1; DET gets CF and SP/RP arms. I have seen worse rumors.
Pudge headed to D.C. The Nationals made a surprising move late Monday night, signing Ivan Rodriguez to a two-year deal worth $6 million, according to Yahoo Sports. Earlier reports said that the 38-year-old wanted to finish his career with the Rangers, but he declined their arbitration offer and signed with Washington. The Rangers will obtain a Draft pick in the supplemental round because the 14-time All-Star and former American League MVP ranked as a Type B free agent.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman confirmed Monday that he's spoken with the representatives for free agent right-hander Jason Marquis. Marquis went 11-6 with a 3.65 ERA during the first half of the 2009 season but 4-7 with a 4.56 ERA after the break. Cashman called the 31-year-old "tough," but added "there are definitely pitchers that are on the market that are worth having conversations with." The Yankees will explore all options on the open market this winter, including top-tier guys like John Lackey.
According to Joel Sherman, the Mets and Brewers have discussed a trade involving John Maine and Corey Hart. It'd seem to be easier for the Mets to buy a Hart-type outfielder in free agency than to replace Maine's upside in the rotation, but they likely have some concerns about how Maine's shoulder will respond going forward. If the Brewers made the deal, they'd enter the market for a right fielder. Marlon Byrd might move to the top of their list.
SI.com's Jon Heyman says the market for outfielder Jason Bay "is strong" and the strong bidders are the Mariners, Angels and Red Sox. It's great to see that the Mariners are serious about chasing Bay, one of the top free agents on the market this winter. They've already landed third baseman Chone Figgins and could make another monster splash by signing the 31-year-old highly coveted outfielder. Bay hit .267/.384/.537 this past season with 36 home runs, 119 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 531 at-bats.
Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has confirmed that free agent left-hander Randy Wolf is still in play. Haudricourt was among the reporters who wrote Monday night that Wolf had agreed in principle to a three-year deal with the Brewers. But the Mets had a meeting with the left-hander's representatives on Tuesday morning and other teams are apparently still bidding for his services. He went 11-7 with a 3.23 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 160 strikeouts in 2009 with the Dodgers and now has a great opportunity to drive up his price tag. Stay tuned.
hahahaha...love this site: http://bases.nbcsports.com/ Random conversation overheard in the hallway here at the Meetings: "So Melvin tells (Jason) Kendall's agent -- 'I got $2 million to pay a catcher. You let me know if you want it or not.' Kendall thinks he's worth more than that and says no. Jesus, what the hell does that guy think he's worth? He thinks he's gettin' a number one job someplace?" I agree with the guy 100%. And then I read that the Royals might give him a starting job. Oy vey.
LAAoA could be Godzilla's next home: One of the more interesting sight at the Marriott early last evening was the throng of Japanese media standing in the lobby by the front doors, apparently waiting for someone or something. What were they waiting for? "Mr. Reagins," said one of the photographers. This is how you know that the Angels are interested in Hideki Matsui. An interest confirmed by Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. "He's a person we've talked about, along with several players," Reagins said.
Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Yankees, Tigers and Diamondbacks have reached an agreement on a three-way trade. Heyman writes that assuming medicals check out, the trade is a go. Curtis Granderson will head to New York while Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy go to Arizona and Max Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth, Austin Jackson and Phil Coke would land in Detroit. Stay tuned for confirmation.
The following Free Agents accepted his club's offer of Salary Arbitration: Rafael Soriano (AT) Rafael Betancourt (CO) Carl Pavano (MN). Also, Braves designated outfielder Ryan Church for assignment
Ben Sheets' agent Casey Close will meet with the Mets and Yankees, among other teams, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Close doesn't expect a throwing audition for either team, but both would could certainly consider signing the 31-year-old right-hander to an incentive-laden deal. Sheets comes with some risk, obviously, because he hasn't appeared in a major league game since 2008 and underwent major elbow surgery last February. ------------------------------------------------------ White Sox signed infielder-outfielder Mark Teahen to a three-year, $14 million contract. The White Sox bought out his final two years of arbitration and his first year of free agency. He'll take home $3.75 million in 2010, $4.75 million in 2011 and $5.5 million in 2012. Teahen, 28, was acquired from the Royals in exchange for Chris Getz and Josh Fields in November. Early indications are that the .269/.331/.419 lifetime hitter will play third base with the White Sox in '10.
according to Heyman's Twitter theyre doing the medical stuff now. If it checks out its a go. http://twitter.com/si_jonheyman As far as the Mets: I nearly puked at the Hart deal. He doesnt have the power needed to play in taxpayer field. He's not a bad role player but I question whether those 20-30 homer seasons wouldnt really be more like 15-18 in Taxpayer Field. The Mets were also looking at Wolf. idiots could have had him for 1yr/5m last year and instead give perez 3/36M. now theyre going to complicate the process and give Wolf 3/30 possibly? Just give Lackey 5/80M and trade for Halladay (5/90) ya dopes. Know your own teams history Omar. Every time the Mets have ever been good its been because they had top flight pitching. Every single time they had 90 wins throughout their entire history they also were in the top 5 in starter era and BAA. So to achieve that would you rather rely on Johan/Wolf/pelfrey/Ollie Perez/Maine or Johan/Halladay/Lackey/Pelfrey/Perez. Then you can ship out Maine for Hart if you really want to. This is pretty easy. You had 30M + come off the books. Reyes Beltran Wright Delgado (resign 1yr/5M + incentives) Hart Francoeur Santos/Thole/Blanco Castillo Rotation: Johan Halladay Lackey Pelfrey Perez Bench: Daniel Murphy (part time 1b...in case delgado gets hurt) Blanco Cora Pagan Fernando Martinez (kid has nothing left to prove in the minors) Ill stack that team up with anyone and take my chances.
Andy Pettitte's agent, Randy Hendricks, said Monday that his client is "talking only to the Yankees" this winter. The Yanks want Pettitte back to solidify the third spot in their starting rotation and he doesn't seem inclined to retire. The 37-year-old left-hander had a solid 2009 season, finishing with a 4.16 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a 14-8 record. Talks should run smoothly and swiftly. -------------------------------------- Will be interesting how this plays out.....not sure if this chip falls prior to knowing where Halladay or Lackey fall. Part of me just wants Andy to ride off into the sunset...but if he is back, it has to be for less than the 10M he seems to want. (7.5M seems fair - give him WS incentives for $10 if you must)
Cardinals signed RHP Brad Penny to a one-year, $7.5 million contract. The deal was officially announced by manager Tony La Russa on Tuesday. Penny, 31, can earn close to $9 million through performance-based incentives on the one-year contract. He posted a 4-1 record and 2.59 ERA in 2009 after returning to the National League and should only bolster a St. Louis rotation that already boasts Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright.
Mariners signed 3B Chone Figgins to a four-year, $36 million contract with a $9 million option for 2014. It took close to four days for this one to become final, but the Mariners officially announced it at the Winter Meetings on Tuesday. Figgins, 31, will bring excellent defense to Seattle along with a knack for getting on base. He hit .298/.395/.393 this past season with five home runs 30 doubles, 54 RBI, 42 stolen bases and 114 runs scored in 615 at-bats.
Hes done it before hasnt he? The Halladay talks have all the makings of the Santana talks all over again except Halladay is 5 years older then Johan was at the time.
Yeah, but you didnt stop with just Halladay.....Lackey and Hart too?? Just saying, he pulls it off he earns GM of year (until opening day, or end of year annual swoon....)
Why would I stop with Halladay when the Mets staff had more questions then answers? Knowing the history of this team that is where they should invest their money. The Hart thing was there simply because Minaya had already floated the Maine/Hart thing as a possibility. EDIT: for the record all the moves I made end up being about a 6M raise in payroll. Not that much.
Its a long, long, shot as laid out.....do you honestly think Delgado signs for that??? Just funny, the best wish list ever.....I dont think the magic is there frankly. Who knows.
Who's offering more for a mediocre defensive 1b who is 38 by opening day and coming off hip surgery? Do you think the magic isnt there or do you not want to think its there because frankly I dont know if it is or isnt? Im just saying thats the way I would handle it knowing the history of the Mets. There's two more notes I found, this one from Heyman's twitter: hearing #redsox wont give up either buchholz or casey kelly for halladay. can you say "market crash?" Helps the Mets case so I hope its true. This one is kind of a funny rumor as it would be straight crackheadish to reject this.... 4:20 P.M. CST -- One Rangers official "swears" that Texas recently offered right-hander Nefali Feliz and first baseman Justin Smoak to the Marlins for right-hander Josh Johnson, but they were rebuffed by Florida http://www.bbtia.com/home/2009/12/8/...trade-wat.html
Curtis Granderson is on his way to the Yankees. Tigers cannot afford to keep him. I used to really like Baseball...
They can easily afford to. Mike Illtch is a rich man....and made quite a few million last year. He doesnt want to. From a talent standpoint though they won this deal imo.
I don't buy it to be true (then again I didn't buy the Tiger/Yankee/DBack deal either but I didn't think Josh Byrnes was that stupid). If true the Marlins would have jumped on it as Feliz is a top 5 pitching prospect and Smoak is a top 5 hitting prospect. Granderson's contract isn't bad by any means. The Tigers actually got back a good group of talent. I know Tiger fans are upset but it was a good deal for them.
"Prospect" which means more than likely, will not make it in MLB, seen a ton of prospects traded for veterans and maybe 20% of the time the trade works out. Put it this way, when Santana was traded for 4 players, how many are starters for the Twins even now?
The Tigers got 1 actual prospect (Austin Jackson), a lefty ok reliever in Phil Coke, a very good young reliever in Daniel Schlereth who has closer potential who is under their control for 6 years, and a stud MLB pitcher in Max Schrezer under their control for 5 years. 3 of those guys are already in the MLB and Jackson should make his debut sometime this year. It was a good haul for Granderson. A much better group than what Minnesota got for Santana by far.
exactly the santana situation was very different. the mets were the only team bidding. The twins had to move him or lose him for nothing but two picks. The mets gave a #4 overall pick, Phillip Humber who had sniffed the majors and looked ok, a potentially good outfielder rated well everywhere but more tools then substance Carlos Gomez, kevin mulvey who was regarded as a possible #4 starter, and 19 year Deolis Guerra who has not panned out. Like RF mentioned three of these guys are already in the majors and Austin Jackson should be a similar player to granderson.
Yeah exactly right. The Twins were almost forced to trade Santana while the Tigers didn't have to move Granderson. Granderson also has more value than Santana did because he was signed long term. Like you said the Red Sox and Yankees both said no to the Twins for Santana so the Mets were the only team left.
I don't think smoak is quite that good but ya I do think of its true the marlins should have jumped on that.
Obviously I've never seen him play but looking at the numbers and reading some scouting reports on the kid, I'd love to have him. I mean a career line of .292/.403/.452 as a 22 year old switch hitter in 3 different stops in the minors is pretty freakin' good. He's definitely the best 1st base prospect in baseball and probably would only take Jason Heyward over him right now.
I'd take my chances with Ike Davis as the best 1b prospect in baseball. Call it the homer pick but Ike is a beast. Needs to cut down the k's but more power then Smoak.
Yes definitely a homer pick, but I understand. Davis is a few steps behind Smoak with the bat. He can't hit lefties nor can he hit a breaking ball. He does kill fastballs though.
