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I have a friend who doesn't refer to Brandon Morrow by his name. Instead, he refers to him as "not Tim Lincecum."You've just hit on two of the most painful memories from the Bavasi era. They both make me very sad, but at least he's finally gone and we've got what looks like a badass front office now. The M's should be good again soon.
I don't think Seattle's focused on defense as much as they're focused on finding cheap wins, and right now defense is a cheaper asset to acquire than offense. The other thing the new managment seems to really value is flexibility. They brought in Hall, Hanahan, and Langerhans during the season last year, all of whom can play multiple positions, and do it well. Their big FA grab this year has been Figgins, who can also play just about everywhere. We already have a guy who isn't going anywhere that can't play the field in Griffey, and considering how they seem to value flexibility, I can't see them tying up a second roster spot on someone who can't play the field - unless, of course, he comes on the cheap. Personally, I don't want them paying anywhere near 4/60 for Bay.Bay's good at expensive assets, and bad at cheap assets. He also shouldn't ever wear a glove, he gave away close to half his offensive value over the last couple years in the field. He appears to not have any of the assets the current management looks for, and I really don't think he'll end up as a Mariner unless he wants to take a lot less to play here. Power hitters who can't play defense typically don't look great at the end of their last big contract, and I think there's a good bit of risk over the last two years of that deal, and I don't think there's much upside in the first two considering the price he'll command. As a Mariner fan, I'm hoping for Harden and Nick Johnson.
I don't disagree, but Griffey really came on toward the end of the season last year, and some local writers seem to think that has more to do with him finally getting healthy and less to do with facing AAA callup pitching. I'm not sure. Reportedly, the team was not pleased with the condition he came to camp in last year, and he's been informed that if he wants any sort of playing time he's going to need to show up a lot slimmer. I'm not sure if I think any of that will make him useful, but either way, it's incredibly awesome watching Jr. play as a Mariner again, so I'll just focus on that rather than on the fact that he's probably hurting the team by being there, unless you're a big believer in clubhouse chemistry.
Would Ray be closing there?
Right now I would say no. This feels more like a salary dump to go get a bat and open up a spot in the rotation for a young guy.
Yeah, but who's playing LF and who is DHing. If Melky Cabrera is on the opening day LFer for the Yankees, their lineup will be weaker. Your getting rid of one of Damon (OPS+ 126) or Matsui (OPS+ 131) and inserting Granderson (OPS+ 100).
He had a decent August (.817 OPS) but then regressed to a .768 OPS in Sept/Oct.He gets on base at a terrible clip and his slugging is nothing spectacular. I cant imagine you would want him as a full time DH.Also, I'm not so sure how much you can expect a 40 year old (I still can't believe that he is 40!) to improve, or even continue what he did in the latter half of last year.
Angels fan?
This works well for Texas. Lowell provides that RH bat that will DH most games and give Young/Davis a breather at the corner from time to time. If Boston picks up almost all of his salary as they are reporting, then it makes things even better for Texas.I am a huge Max Ramirez fan, but his bat has not shown the potential of last year and he is getting passed up by other prospects as true catchers. His upside at this point will be as an everyday DH.
Nice grab for your Rangers, Lowell can still hit and more DH time should keep him healthier.
If Boston is picking up most of the contract this is a great move by Texas
I wonder if the Sox see him in the 1B/DH/C rotation come 2011, with Martinez and Youkilis.Or, he could be on his way to Toronto in a deal for Halladay.
I can't see the Phils landing Halladay.
If the Red Sox move Lowell, you will have Youkilis at 3B, Scuturo at SS, Pedroia at 2b, Martinez at 1B, Ramirez/Varitek at C, Ortiz at DH, no?I wonder if the Sox see him in the 1B/DH/C rotation come 2011, with Martinez and Youkilis.Or, he could be on his way to Toronto in a deal for Halladay.
Varitek is a pure backup at this point. Maybe he'll catch 1 or 2 games a week. Martinez should be the regular catcher and playing at 1B on occasion to get a rest from catching. I don't see Ramirez playing full time at catcher at this point.If the Red Sox move Lowell, you will have Youkilis at 3B, Scuturo at SS, Pedroia at 2b, Martinez at 1B, Ramirez/Varitek at C, Ortiz at DH, no?I wonder if the Sox see him in the 1B/DH/C rotation come 2011, with Martinez and Youkilis.Or, he could be on his way to Toronto in a deal for Halladay.
The Mets are dumb.
I think he was just reporting news here.
Does he have some Latin blood I am not aware of?
Inept and afraid of their own shadow is more like it.Though I don't mind getting bay to be honest.
Hey there GB. Nice to see you are alive out there.Gonna be in the City Sat night probably if you are around (will be there tomorrow but not sure how late, have a cocktail party on the NYSE floor - yes, LOOK AT ME - from like 6-8 and may just head home after)
Rays apparently smell blood. 7M for Soriano today and making a hard push on Milton Bradley.
You know that Milton Bradley is insane, right?Great move getting Soriano though.Rays apparently smell blood. 7M for Soriano today and making a hard push on Milton Bradley.
Would not be shocked one bit to see the Rays come back to 2008 form. I think the Yankees will take a slight step back this year if they lose both Damon and Matsui, Pettitte/Rivera/Jeter/ARod another year older, etc.And I think Tampa's pitching (esp Shields, Garza, Price) steps up their games to higher levels this year. With some of these additions, the gap is a lot closer than people think...and depending on what else happens this offseason, I wouldn't be the least bit shocked to see the Rays back on top of the division in 10.Rays apparently smell blood. 7M for Soriano today and making a hard push on Milton Bradley.
You know that Pat Burrell sucks, right? Milton is insane, but Ron Washington was able to control him a bit in 2008. The Rays think Maddon can do the same. If not, the financial commitment will be so small on their end that they can just cut him free.You know that Milton Bradley is insane, right?Rays apparently smell blood. 7M for Soriano today and making a hard push on Milton Bradley.
I think the Rays are #2 in the division right now. SP is still too young for me to assume more. Price and Niemann in their second years, Davis will be a rookie, and if he gets the call due to injury, Hellickson will be a rook as well.But I think they are definitely a real contender.Would not be shocked one bit to see the Rays come back to 2008 form. I think the Yankees will take a slight step back this year if they lose both Damon and Matsui, Pettitte/Rivera/Jeter/ARod another year older, etc.And I think Tampa's pitching (esp Shields, Garza, Price) steps up their games to higher levels this year. With some of these additions, the gap is a lot closer than people think...and depending on what else happens this offseason, I wouldn't be the least bit shocked to see the Rays back on top of the division in 10.Rays apparently smell blood. 7M for Soriano today and making a hard push on Milton Bradley.
Sox are definitely on the downswing depending what they do this offseasonI think the Rays are #2 in the division right now. SP is still too young for me to assume more. Price and Niemann in their second years, Davis will be a rookie, and if he gets the call due to injury, Hellickson will be a rook as well.But I think they are definitely a real contender.Would not be shocked one bit to see the Rays come back to 2008 form. I think the Yankees will take a slight step back this year if they lose both Damon and Matsui, Pettitte/Rivera/Jeter/ARod another year older, etc.And I think Tampa's pitching (esp Shields, Garza, Price) steps up their games to higher levels this year. With some of these additions, the gap is a lot closer than people think...and depending on what else happens this offseason, I wouldn't be the least bit shocked to see the Rays back on top of the division in 10.Rays apparently smell blood. 7M for Soriano today and making a hard push on Milton Bradley.
No idea. Soriano is younger (much younger) and better than Wagner.
Only thing I can think of is Soriano is injury prone but those other two are ancient
Someone on the radio today described his personality as a combo of Manny Ramirez and Carl EverettYou know that Milton Bradley is insane, right?Rays apparently smell blood. 7M for Soriano today and making a hard push on Milton Bradley.
Does he have anything left?He didnt pitch after May last year. Which followed a 2008 of below average pitching in only 47 innings.His K/9 dropped all the way down to 5.8. His walk numbers are awful the past 2 years (nearly 6 BB/9)
Lyon was great last year but not great enough to score that kind of deal.Astros throw 15 million for 3 years at Brandon Lyon! And 4.5 million for Pedro Feliz!
Lyon was helped by a .229 BABIP last year, which would be worth $15M if he could repeat it for the next three seasons. I wonder if Ed Wade even knows what a .229 BABIP means.I fully expect him to return to being Brandon Lyon next year and the two years following.Lyon was great last year but not great enough to score that kind of deal.Astros throw 15 million for 3 years at Brandon Lyon! And 4.5 million for Pedro Feliz!
He is a good pitcher. There are quite a few good pitchers who are middle relievers who can be signed for a #### ton less money than 15 million.I know he is 100 years old, but damn, Saito signed a one year deal for 3 million. A much better signing.Lyon was helped by a .229 BABIP last year, which would be worth $15M if he could repeat it for the next three seasons. I wonder if Ed Wade even knows what a .229 BABIP means.I fully expect him to return to being Brandon Lyon next year and the two years following.Lyon was great last year but not great enough to score that kind of deal.Astros throw 15 million for 3 years at Brandon Lyon! And 4.5 million for Pedro Feliz!Good god some teams are dumb.
I don't have any supporting data but I think RP performance is less predictable year to year than SPs or position players. This is due to (a) the variability of small IP samples, (b) the fact that many relievers aren't uber-elite talents, © high injury rates caused by throwing 20 pitches as hard as you can in consecutive games, and (d) Brad Lidge. Overpaying for a "proven closer" is one of dumber GM moves IMO. While it's true there are some pitchers who can't handle the pressure of closing, I don't believe it's that rare of a mental skill set among major leaguers. I think a lot of the inflated market for closers comes down to butt covering. If Coco Cordero can't shut the door, it's his fault but if team puts an unproven kid in the role and he fails, it reflects badly on the GM, the manager and the pitching coach.He is a good pitcher. There are quite a few good pitchers who are middle relievers who can be signed for a #### ton less money than 15 million.I know he is 100 years old, but damn, Saito signed a one year deal for 3 million. A much better signing.Lyon was helped by a .229 BABIP last year, which would be worth $15M if he could repeat it for the next three seasons. I wonder if Ed Wade even knows what a .229 BABIP means.I fully expect him to return to being Brandon Lyon next year and the two years following.Lyon was great last year but not great enough to score that kind of deal.Astros throw 15 million for 3 years at Brandon Lyon! And 4.5 million for Pedro Feliz!Good god some teams are dumb.
I'm going to remember this signing the next time someone complains about small market teams not competing with big markets.
