Around Baseball 2014

[G-Snarls]

So many 1B/DH/corner OF guys!

 

And they're in a tough division. Texas and Oakland are always good, Angels will be better this year, and its just a matter of time before Houston is no joke.

[jays4life19]

Isn't Franklin a SS first?

 

He has below average range and arm to play/stick at SS.

 

He's always been a bat first kinda guy.

[G-Snarls]

[jays4life19]

Yes, but he could play short in a pinch.

 

Yep.

 

He would look real good in a Jays uniform. Unfortunately, it seems like Seattle won't sell low on him.

[Abomination]

Yep.

 

He would look real good in a Jays uniform. Unfortunately, it seems like Seattle won't sell low on him.

 

He's really an ideal fit for us (imo). If you don't try to pay too low, he should be available.

[jays4life19]

He's really an ideal fit for us (imo). If you don't try to pay too low, he should be available.

 

If 12 teams have checked in on Danny Espinosa then at least 6 have checked in on Franklin.

 

If Seattle was motivated to move him he would be gone by now (imo).

 

Agreed on the good fit.

[John_Havok]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and predict that next year a few more guys just accept their qualifying offers.

 

I know they're likely to change the rules but how soon?

 

As son as they can find a way to tweak the system to benefit the big spending teams like the Yankees. And before people start with the "conspiracy" crap, just think about all the recent changes to the system and the types of teams it has helped.

[LunchBox]

Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports that agent Scott Boras is looking for an opt-out clause after the first year of Stephen Drew's contract.

 

The Scott Boras method of representation:

 

1. Completely fail to comprehend the consequences of the new draft pick compensation.

2. Completely fail to adjust approach after one off season.

3. Whine about new draft pick compensation.

4. Make ludicrous, desperate attempt to get client an opt out clause.

5. Probably whine some more?

6. Ask Boston nicely for a 1/14 deal?

 

Nothing against Scott Boras, but he obviously wasn't prepared to adapt and this is not a very dignified response.

[Abomination]

The Scott Boras method of representation:

 

1. Completely fail to comprehend the consequences of the new draft pick compensation.

2. Completely fail to adjust approach after one off season.

3. Whine about new draft pick compensation.

4. Make ludicrous, desperate attempt to get client an opt out clause.

5. Probably whine some more?

6. Ask Boston nicely for a 1/14 deal?

 

Nothing against Scott Boras, but he obviously wasn't prepared to adapt and this is not a very dignified response.

 

I wouldn't count Boras out this offseason just yet. I really want to see him get caught with one of his gambles, but he has a frustrating way of still getting good deals.

[G-Snarls]

I wouldn't count Boras out this offseason just yet. I really want to see him get caught with one of his gambles, but he has a frustrating way of still getting good deals.

 

Well, ultimately his clients pretty much are always good players. Teams will always want his players if he keeps attracting a good clientelle.

[jaysfan2014]

Orioles talking to Joe Saunders and Chris Capuano:

 

 

Guess all the big names like Santana and Jimenez are telling Baltimore "forget it!", or the O's org. is cheap. Saunders and Capuano aren't any better than the many #4 starters and prospects they have in the majors or minors, and will just block a guy like Kevin Gausman from the majors.. since he's considered to have great stuff (but needs to more consistent).

[Chappy]

Orioles talking to Joe Saunders and Chris Capuano:

 

 

Guess all the big names like Santana and Jimenez are telling Baltimore "forget it!", or the O's org. is cheap. Saunders and Capuano aren't any better than the many #4 starters and prospects they have in the majors or minors, and will just block a guy like Kevin Gausman from the majors.. since he's considered to have great stuff (but needs to more consistent).

 

Capuano is a solid back end guy, not sure I feel the same way about Saunders.

[jaysfan2014]

Baltimore has enough back-end guys as it is, including TJ McFarland, Zach Britton, Alfredo Aceves and prospects Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy and Tim Berry.. and their rotation is basically mid-rotation guys like Tillman, Gonzalez and Chen, before it drops off quickly..

 

And yet they won't spend money on a DH, a decent LF, a 2B(Schoop's not ready, Weeks and Flaherty are not the answer), SP, or decent bullpen help. Guys like Edgmer Escalona, Brad Brach, Ryan Webb in their bullpen were cut from their clubs for a reason..and that bench for Baltimore is ugly, with guys like Delmon Young, Steve Pearce, Steve Clevenger, and even former Jay Alex Gonzalez fighting for bench spots..

 

As it stands, the O's are likely to finish below the Jays in 2014 without a major signing.. which looks doubtful considering the ownership's concerns about losing money when the MASN deal is renegotiated, likely to favor the Nats over the Orioles, causing them to cut payroll.

[Chappy]

Baltimore has enough back-end guys as it is, including TJ McFarland, Zach Britton, Alfredo Aceves and prospects Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy and Tim Berry.. and their rotation is basically mid-rotation guys like Tillman, Gonzalez and Chen, before it drops off quickly..

 

And yet they won't spend money on a DH, a decent LF, a 2B(Schoop's not ready, Weeks and Flaherty are not the answer), SP, or decent bullpen help. Guys like Edgmer Escalona, Brad Brach, Ryan Webb in their bullpen were cut from their clubs for a reason..and that bench for Baltimore is ugly, with guys like Delmon Young, Steve Pearce, Steve Clevenger, and even former Jay Alex Gonzalez fighting for bench spots..

 

As it stands, the O's are likely to finish below the Jays in 2014 without a major signing.. which looks doubtful considering the ownership's concerns about losing money when the MASN deal is renegotiated, likely to favor the Nats over the Orioles, causing them to cut payroll.

 

The o's are somewhat of an enigma. When they do spend it seems it's fairly ridiculous.

[John_Havok]

Defense is a thing.

[John_Havok]

Also, think of the additional value Miggy would provide if he wasn't the third worst defender at 3b last year, ahead of only Michael Young and David Freese.

[Dylan]

"There is mutual interest between the Pirates and Kendrys Morales, but the Bucs may prefer to find their first baseman via trade. Cafardo cites the Mets’ Ike Davis, the Blue Jays' Adam Lind, and the Rangers' Mitch Moreland among the possibilities.

 

There's lots of competition for Suk-Min Yoon out there and while the Red Sox, Orioles, Blue Jays, and Diamondbacks are among the interested clubs, one National League GM says that the pitcher could go to anyone."

[Dylan]

"Free agent starting pitcher Ervin Santana seems to finally be heading toward a deal, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes. The Blue Jays and the Orioles have both been in touch with Santana. Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish, meanwhile, tweets that the Orioles will strongly pursue Santana or Ubaldo Jimenez this week."

 

Each get one?

[Abomination]

Interesting on Maholm's contract:

 

The incentive clause sets out an interesting point system. Maholm will earn two points for each game started, 1.5 points for a relief appearance of two or more innings, and one point for an appearance of less than two innings. The full $5MM is earned upon reaching 60 total points. While the complete alignment of points and cash along the rest of the scale remains unreported, Gurnick adds that Maholm's 26-start tally from a year ago (52 points) would land him $3.5MM under his new deal.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/02/dodgers-sign-paul-maholm.html

[Laika]

Interesting on Maholm's contract:

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/02/dodgers-sign-paul-maholm.html

 

I find it kind of hilarious that the Dodgers didn't just give him $6M or whatever. They act like money doesn't matter for years, and then all of a sudden it's hardball with Paul Maholm.

[Abomination]

I find it kind of hilarious that the Dodgers didn't just give him $6M or whatever. They act like money doesn't matter for years, and then all of a sudden it's hardball with Paul Maholm.

 

Yeah, I agree. I wonder if his medicals were funky?

[LunchBox]

More generally, why is Maholm signing for $1.5M guaranteed while Arroyo gets $23.5M?

[John_Havok]

Yeah, I agree. I wonder if his medicals were funky?

 

I doubt it, I think it's just a matter of him not likely making the rotation out of spring so they don't want to pay a swingman 6 million straight up

[GD]

Cleveland closing in on a long-term extension with Michael Brantley, which kind of begs the question... why?

 

League-average LFs are the new market inefficiency?

[Laika]

More generally, why is Maholm signing for $1.5M guaranteed while Arroyo gets $23.5M?

 

Maholm is under market but most of that is Kevin Towers' learning disability.

[Laika]

He was still under team control for three more years. Why the rush to extend a guy who may not even be league average now at 27, let along three years from now.

 

Cleveland doesn't have a lot of money. I like Brantley well enough. Two-way player that seems like a safe bet to not suck, brings 3 win upside. Bat to ball skills, walks enough, runs the bases, can poke a few, cover CF (to some extent).

 

If it's 4 sub-market years, then it could be smart.

[Abomination]

I doubt it, I think it's just a matter of him not likely making the rotation out of spring so they don't want to pay a swingman 6 million straight up

 

Yeah, but the structure makes it sound like he can earn the full amount whether he's starting or relieving, which goes back to the question of why it's structured like it is.

[Abomination]

Looks like Pestano didn't enjoy his arbitration hearing very much:

 

The reliever said he was surprised mostly by the team's use of statements he'd made to the press against him. "You're being honest and accountable and saying the right things and being there," Pestano said, "and then later you find your own words in the paper, and somebody is trying to use your words against you to drive your value down. Whether that played a big role in the decision, I don't know." Though not necessarily expressing ill-will towards the team, Pestano did indicate that the hearing would have a future impact. "I definitely think it'll affect how I see things going forward," said Pestano. "I don't really know if I can be as honest and up-front anymore. I've got three more years of arbitration left. I don't know what they'll pick to use against me next year or two years from now."

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/02/al-central-notes-indians-jimenez-masterson-royals.html

[GD]

Brantley's deal is 4/25 with an 11mm option on the 5th year. Below market indeed.

[jaysfan2014]

Reasons why Arroyo chose the D-Backs over the Orioles:

 

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bal-orioles-bronson-arroyo-grant-balfour-effect-20140210,0,5099758.story

 

He would've signed there had Baltimore not voided deals with Balfour and Colvin this offseason over phantom injuries.