Around Baseball 2014

[Laika]

Keith Law has him as the 37th best FA, writing:

 

"Yoon wasn't the same after the 2013 World Baseball Classic, returning to KBO late in the spring and eventually landing in the bullpen when he couldn't regain his stuff as a starter. Prior to 2013, Yoon would work in the 90-92 mph range in the rotation with a full assortment of off-speed pitches, including an above-average or better changeup.

 

In 2013, he dropped to 87-90 mph and had to rely even more on his secondary stuff, only getting his velocity back in relief work. His fastball is true and up in the zone, so it's more likely he ends up in relief here than in a rotation, but I'd at least give him a chance to show he can miss enough bats with the changeup and slider to end up a fourth or fifth fourth starter."

 

Yuck.

[GD]

Insider <3

 

Orioles, Rangers frontrunners for Yoon?

February, 3, 2014

FEB 3

1:57

PM ET

By Doug Mittler | ESPN.com

 

The Orioles and Rangers are the leading candidates to land Korean pitcher Suk-Min Yoon, reports the Korea JoongAng Daily news agency.

 

The report says four or five teams have expressed interest in the 27-year-old who is considered the best pitcher in the Korean league. Yoon reportedly worked out last weekend for the Orioles and Giants last week in California.

 

The Rangers are a relatively new entrant to the Yoon sweepstakes and their interest likely picked up due to a knee injury that will sideline Derek Holland until midseason.

 

South Korea's Arirang News reported last week that the two major hang-ups delaying a potential contract appear to be a previous shoulder injury, and the fact that he might be best served as a reliever rather than a starter. The Twins and Red Sox also have been linked to Yoon, who is represented by Scott Boras.

[Angrioter]

Who's this Yoon guy? Pacific import obviously. How hard does he throw?

 

Keith Law has him as the 37th best FA, writing:

 

"Yoon wasn't the same after the 2013 World Baseball Classic, returning to KBO late in the spring and eventually landing in the bullpen when he couldn't regain his stuff as a starter. Prior to 2013, Yoon would work in the 90-92 mph range in the rotation with a full assortment of off-speed pitches, including an above-average or better changeup.

 

In 2013, he dropped to 87-90 mph and had to rely even more on his secondary stuff, only getting his velocity back in relief work. His fastball is true and up in the zone, so it's more likely he ends up in relief here than in a rotation, but I'd at least give him a chance to show he can miss enough bats with the changeup and slider to end up a fourth or fifth fourth starter."

 

AndrewRickli

Heard Yoon will get around 10M, deal is very close to an unidentified team according to @jonmorosi

 

Happ is gold lol

[Brenner]

AndrewRickli

Heard Yoon will get around 10M, deal is very close to an unidentified team according to @jonmorosi

 

Happ is gold lol

 

$10 mil over 2-3 years maybe?

[GD]

$10 mil over 2-3 years maybe?

 

I've been expecting 2/10.

[Angrioter]

Red Sox rumors: Red Sox offer Stephen Drew two-year dea

[Dylan]

Red Sox rumors: Red Sox offer Stephen Drew two-year dea

 

As expected.. and he will accept

[jays4life19]

Let's hope....

 

"The Blue Jays are not just the most active buyer on the free agent starting pitching market, but actually hold a "commanding position" in the same, Olney asserts in the same piece. Toronto's beneficial draft-pick situation and cash position have left it in the driver's seat, able to name a price and wait for one of the top remaining starters to accept that it's the best they can do.

"

[fatcowxlive]

Let's hope....

 

"The Blue Jays are not just the most active buyer on the free agent starting pitching market, but actually hold a "commanding position" in the same, Olney asserts in the same piece. Toronto's beneficial draft-pick situation and cash position have left it in the driver's seat, able to name a price and wait for one of the top remaining starters to accept that it's the best they can do.

"

 

You know what we're going to do with our commanding position? Lose it because we're going to penny-pinch as usual

[L54]

You know what we're going to do with our commanding position? Lose it because we're going to penny-pinch as usual

 

I wouldn't exactly call last year's infusion of contracts penny pinching.

[fireballW]

You know what we're going to do with our commanding position? Lose it because we're going to penny-pinch as usual

 

Damn you guys get more and more ridiculous with almost each post. It's actually impressive all the complete BS and revisionist history that comes from this board.

[Smokey]

Damn you guys get more and more ridiculous with almost each post. It's actually impressive all the complete BS and revisionist history that comes from this board.

 

Calling Alex a penny-pincher when he's well known for his famous quotes of "we really liked player X but we just didn't agree with the price tag" (which has so far led to his failure to ever outbid for a free agent starter) should hardly be considered "revisionist history". It might be cynical and a bit premature considering the current market but that should be somewhat expected from a frustrated fan-base.

 

By the way, if you and that other turd (CHP) find that the post content here is getting "more and more ridiculous" because it's not fitting in with your unconditional support for this front office, then perhaps you should quit your whining and GTFO.

Edited February 4, 2014 by Smokey

[jaysfan2014]

Mariners open to multi-year deal with Nelson Cruz, and signing Fernando Rodney:

 

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24429456/mariners-in-talks-with-free-agent-nelson-cruz-they-also-eye-rodney

[Dylan]

Mariners open to multi-year deal with Nelson Cruz, and signing Fernando Rodney:

 

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24429456/mariners-in-talks-with-free-agent-nelson-cruz-they-also-eye-rodney

 

They are so depserate to get some power behind Cano, they aren't thinking clearly... but it is the mariners after all. However, this signing wouldn't make them worse, and it makes it more likely that they trade someone.

[eastcoastjaysfan]

I think we're going to sign a few guys.

 

Trust me here bro's.

 

I have a good feeling about this.

 

If things go bad, you can blame me.

[Boxcar]

I think we're going to sign a few guys.

 

Trust me here bro's.

 

I have a good feeling about this.

 

If things go bad, you can blame me.

 

You didn't need to say it, but noted.

[Anemic0ffense]

I think we're going to sign a few guys.

 

Trust me here bro's.

 

I have a good feeling about this.

 

If things go bad, you can blame me.

 

The curse never died bro.

[eastcoastjaysfan]

The curse never died bro.

 

The curse has already been debunked at least 15 times on this board bro

[Olerud363]

I love how Jays fans spent years criticizing the Sox and Yankees for 'buying their teams' and now the entire fanbase wants Jimenez, Santana, and Drew. That's a $175 million Frankenstein's monster of a team. Ya'll were just jelly of the big markets all those years.

 

I think people are no longer thinking of the best moves long term.... but thinking of the best moves given the management team in place.

 

So most people aren't expressing what THEY'D do. But expressing their hopes for the best move that AA/Beeston can make given that they are AA/Beeston. At least that's my take.

 

The team is projected low 80s. Any of Jimenez, Santana, Drew individually gets them to 84, 85. To get to a 90 win projection they have to go the Frankenstein route.

[Brenner]

I love how Jays fans spent years criticizing the Sox and Yankees for 'buying their teams' and now the entire fanbase wants Jimenez, Santana, and Drew. That's a $175 million Frankenstein's monster of a team. Ya'll were just jelly of the big markets all those years.

 

I would say fans spent years jealous of the Sox and Yankees buying their teams. People may wish we had Oaklands or Tamps mgmt team but those teams have no rings. They can pat themselves on the back for being smart all they want but if you don't have the cash to supplement your home grown talent with FA's then you wont win in this league.

[Anemic0ffense]

The curse has already been debunked at least 15 times on this board bro

 

Perhaps this needs its own thread, because I haven't seen this debunkage

[Brenner]

I guess you want want a gold ribbon for participation then? Don't worry muffin you can still have some ice cream even if you don't win as long as you play nicely.

 

I don't read much enjoyment on this board over how AA and Beeston have run this team, most of it seems to be angst. So your high horse can take a break. There are plenty of examples of organizations skillfully assembling a team that include FAs that have gone on to win championships, many of them recently. I don't care to handicap ourselves just to feel better about finishing close, like Oakland and Tampa.

[Olerud363]

I would say fans spent years jealous of the Sox and Yankees buying their teams. People may wish we had Oaklands or Tamps mgmt team but those teams have no rings. They can pat themselves on the back for being smart all they want but if you don't have the cash to supplement your home grown talent with FA's then you wont win in this league.

 

World Series Rings are partly luck once you get to the playoffs. OK. So Oakland and the Rays don't have rings...

 

well Florida Marlins have 2 Championships. One with a relatively low payroll in 2003. Are you saying Florida "knows how to win"? Should we copy Florida circa 2003 becasue they got a ring?? Why not. Lets look into it.

 

Big payroll teams get to the playoffs more often. But to discredit Oakland and Tampa because they don't have rings?? Silly. It's 1/8 once you get to the playoffs. Perhaps the big money teams have a slight advantage. I don't know. But I doubt it's huge.

 

And even if there is some magic playoff powser that one can buy. Why not just follow the Oakland and Tampa model to build the base. Toronto is huge. If we built the base that Oakland/Tampa has (a few 90 win seasons low payroll seasons with a great farm) then we could save the money and be so loaded we could buy anything we wanted if the farm dried up. Kind of like how the Yankees build with young Jeter/Posoda/Bernie/Petite etc. then bought as the farm dried.

[Brenner]

I just don't think it has to be one extreme or the other. If the Cardinals or San Fran were my team I'd very much enjoy those championships. If you wouldn't I guess that's your prerogative. I understand the appreciation for the way Oakland and Tampa run their team, but given our market I don't think we should aspire to handicap ourselves the same way. We should be able to smartly build our team and have a reasonable payroll. It doesn't have to be a top 5 payroll, but I don't care to limit ourselves to a bottom 5 like Oakland and Tampa just for the challenge.

[Terminator]

Everyone enjoys the game in their own way. I like watching entertaining baseball, and I like watching efficiently-assembled teams. Personal preference. A poorly-assembled championship team wouldn't do a whole lot for me. I'd probably feel different if I were in any way involved with the team.

 

So if the Jays win this year it won't "do a whole lot" for you because you don't like the way the team was assembled?

[Brenner]

IMO the Cards and Rangers are top-5 orgs. I think the best way to build a team is to supplemented talented youth with key free agents, while retaining players you think are important long-term. The Rays or A's with payroll flexibly would be amazing. I just have a hard time getting behind teams that seem to spend money blindly without really knowing how many wins/runs they're buying.

 

Yes it is pretty sad to look at opening day payrolls throughout the league the past few years and see Toronto rise from about 8th lowest to 8th highest payroll, while bleeding prospects, with nothing to show for it. At this point we are chasing bad money with probably more bad money. Hopefully it works and if it doesn't AA can admit the team he built sucks, isn't working, and blows it up. If this team doesn't work we need to bottom it out again and try to trade a bunch of these guys to recoup the lost prospects, jump start the rebuild. It is crucial that these next few deals AA hands out are short term and reasonable so that they are movable for assets, so even if we aren't buying wins we are essentially buying prospects.

 

If we don't make the playoffs (and a wild card game doesn't count) and don't blow it up, it will be another disaster of a year.

[Terminator]

Yes. I don't enjoy watching a couple of idiots slap together an old $175 million team.

 

So if the method of assembling the team is to your liking but the team ends up sucking on the field you'd enjoy the season? I wouldn't.

 

I don't like the methods the FO is using to assemble the team but if the end result is a WS I'll be quite pleased. My guess is that it would excite you more than you think.

[HERPDERP]

Pecota rankings up

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/fantasy/dc/

 

Jays at 80-82

Yanks at 82-80

Dodgers 98-64

[Terminator]

Pecota rankings up

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/fantasy/dc/

 

Jays at 80-82

Yanks at 82-80

Dodgers 98-64

 

That's actually not too bad. Especially considering that we have the most likely chance of all AL East teams of improving the team between now and the end of the season.

[Stangstag]

Yes. I don't enjoy watching a couple of idiots slap together an old $175 million team.

 

So why do you even follow the Jays?