Around Baseball 2014

[jaysblue]

No, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was in the 1.5 range, which would make him a 5/1 K/B guy.

 

Brad Radke type control, though with better K/9.

[jaysblue]

Holy crap that's low. I didn't think Price would maintain his low BB rate and it turns out he did but that was twice as high. At the risk of being wrong again, I'll say he Hughes can't sustain it. Career bests happen and it's hard to imagine something that low not being a career best.

 

Yeah that's going to be tough to sustain - it was a career best from him and I don't think we have seen a SP maintain a BB/9 below 1 for multiple years in a row (well off the top of my head I can't think of anybody). Like BTS said, Hughes likely goes back to being in the 1.5 range. Unbelievable season he had though!

 

Edit: Cliff Lee had a 0.79 BB/9 in 2010, though never again had a season in which he was below 1 BB/9 again. Carlos Silva in 2005 had a 0.43 BB/9 back with the Twins lol.

 

And Jon Lieber and David Wells were both at 0.92 BB/9 in 2004. Also, Wells in 2003 was 0.85 BB/9 so he had back-to-back seasons with a BB/9 below 1.

[TheHurl]

Love the one year out of nowhere extensions. You are paying somewhere in between their breakout year and the full body of work. Twins were willing to give prior to 2014 Hughes $9.2 a season for 3 years. Adding $4M a year for 3 years after the break out doesn't seem like anything.

[TheHurl]

a great angry email sent to Rosecrans about the Dodgers moves.

 

[jaysfan2014]

a great angry email sent to Rosecrans about the Dodgers moves.

 

 

That person who wrote the e-mail doesn't know much about baseball. They'll just replace Kemp with top propsect Joc Pederson, who may be even better offensively and defensively at this stage than Kemp. Jimmy Rollins needed out of Philly, due to that horrible team. And Howie Kendrick didn't choke.. the Angels pitching did that in the playoffs this past season. As for Yasmani Grandal, he's got to be an upgrade over A.J. Ellis, who is mostly there for defense and pitch framing.. his offensive numbers were awful last year, and for a World Series contender that the Dodgers are, they needed someone better.

 

And Hanley Ramirez at this stage is a DH in waiting.. I still feel he will be awful in LF in Boston, especially outside of Fenway.

[jaysfan2014]

ESPN giving caveat emptor(buyer beware) warnings regarding James Shields:

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/54109/james-shields-is-a-risky

 

Surprisingly, Shields, like Scherzer, has not signed yet.. teams must be concerned about the risk due to age, wear and tear on their arms, and ridiculous demands for pitchers who will not age well due to decreases in velocity and/or injury risk, especially with Scherzer.

[Stangstag]

a great angry email sent to Rosecrans about the Dodgers moves.

 

 

*pukes*

[L54]

a great angry email sent to Rosecrans about the Dodgers moves.

 

 

And this is why you don't become attached to certain players.

 

Sounds like a spoiled kid on Christmas morning, who got more presents than most other kids, but not the ones he wanted.

[jaysfan2014]

Preston Claiborne got claimed by the Marlins.. almost a bonus to go with David Phelps and Martin Prado. Wheter he's any good for the Marlins is questionable.. he wasn't very good with the Yankees.

[Abomination]

ESPN giving caveat emptor(buyer beware) warnings regarding James Shields:

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/54109/james-shields-is-a-risky

 

Surprisingly, Shields, like Scherzer, has not signed yet.. teams must be concerned about the risk due to age, wear and tear on their arms, and ridiculous demands for pitchers who will not age well due to decreases in velocity and/or injury risk, especially with Scherzer.

 

They say 5/90ish in that article, but from what I remember, the price on Shields is 5/110. Maybe that'll come down, but I don't blame teams for balking at it.

[Abomination]

Apparently Selig got himself one hell of a retirement package. He's apparently going to get 6M / year.

[Spanky99]

Apparently Selig got himself one hell of a retirement package. He's apparently going to get 6M / year.

 

Did you expect less, the owners have an astronomical amount of money, it's a kicker for ignoring the roids back in the day, lol.

[Ehjays]

Not sure if this has been posted but here was a live chat by Steve Adams

 

Steve Adams

Sorry for the late start again -- time zone confusion and last minute holiday shopping! Let's get going.

via·about 2 hours ago

Comment From Andrew

Does Scherzer's price comes down as we get later in Free Agency?

via·about 2 hours ago

Steve Adams

Nope. He's an exception to that type of thinking, I'd say. Prince Fielder (also Boras) got $214MM in February a few years ago.

via·about 2 hours ago

Comment From AJ Preller

what do you think padres will give up if they get Hamels?

via·about 2 hours ago

Steve Adams

Some combination of Wisler, Hedges, Renfroe and a couple of lower-end prospects.

via·about 2 hours ago

Comment From Andrew

Why is Allen Craig not a Brewer yet?

via·about 2 hours ago

Steve Adams

There aren't really everyday at-bats for him there, unless you move Lind to a bench role. Either of them is an expensive bench bat.

via·about 2 hours ago

Comment From fred

Do you think the blue jays have any chance of signing james shields or max scherzer?

via·about 2 hours ago

Steve Adams

Shields yes, Scherzer no. They don't give contracts longer than five years, per club policy, and that takes Scherzer off the table.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From G-MAN

i think braves should trade gattis. his trade value will drop the less he catches right?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Yeah I don't understand wanting to play him in the outfield at all.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Brian Cashmania

Any chance Gregorius can be put in a package for Tulowitzki?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

I guess, but I don't see the Yankees (or anyone, really) acquiring Tulowitzki this offseason. Yankees aren't a great fit anyway, as the Rockies would want pitching as the centerpiece.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Ryan

Why are the jays so quiet now? Are they Planning something?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

They've added Russell Martin, Josh Donaldson and Michael Saunders... that's already an excellent offseason. They just got a lot of their work done early.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Rob

What's prediction for Stephen Drew's contract at this point? Is he likely to land with either the Mets or Padres?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

I'd guess 1/8 or 1/9, but I can see him ending up with two years and $15MMish as well. Morales somehow got two years after all.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Mark

Would Max Scherzer accept a 4 year, 120 million dollar deal with the Cardinals?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

In a word: Nope.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Pat

Lots of extra OF in SD. Any chance of Chris Taylor from SEA for one of them mid prospect?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Taylor could be of some interest but I wouldn't like him as a return in trade for someone like Seth Smith. I'm not a big Taylor fan though -- his success in 2014 seems entirely BABIP-driven.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Giants WS Champs A...

Will Venable to SF, what would it take?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Probably not much. They don't have regular ABs for him in San Diego and he's only controlled for a year. A mediocre prospect and just taking his $4.25MM off the Padres' hands would be fine. Pick a random prospect ranked somewhere in the 15-20 range for the Giants and that seems fine.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Cubsfan

Do you see the Cubs doing anything of significance still this offseason? Daily waiver moves aside.

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

I'll be surprised if they don't add an outfielder.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Glong

Why does scherzer and boras think he's worth so much?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Because he's the best free agent on the market and one of the 5-10 best pitchers in baseball.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Steve

Who could the Jays pursue to improve their mediocre bullpen?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Any number of quality arms still out there. Grilli and Soriano come to mind, but there are tons of free agents, and there's never a shortage of trade options. They could also just put Sanchez in the 'pen in 2015, but I get their desire to have him start instead.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Josef

How do you think the Giants will attack the rest of their offseason?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

I like them as a fit for Shields or Rasmus, and they have the money to spend. I even like them as a Scherzer landing spot. But they need a starter and a left fielder, and after getting a third baseman without spending any real money to do so, I feel like they've got a fairly large acquisition in them.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Steve

Why did sox trade Cespedes

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

They have too many outfielders, he didn't seem to fit in well with the organization and he can't net them a draft pick at season's end due to a clause in his contract stating he has to be released to enter free agency.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Rob

Royals make a mistake to split up money given to Volquez, Morales & Rios instead of signing Scherzer or Shields?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

None of those signings impact the team beyond 2016. The argument that those three collectively equal Max Scherzer in terms of salary is a flawed one to me, because it completely neglects to acknowledge the risk of a seven-year deal for a pitcher.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Ms fan

If the Mariners can't get Seth Smith who's next? Can I say how stupid the Saunders trade was?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

I hated the Saunders trade for Seattle.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From STLguy

Any chance of a NHLrumor website?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Down the road perhaps, but not in the next year or anything.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From To

Any moves the Twins might make?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Could stand to add some bullpen help and a strong defensive center fielder.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Fred

Predict James Shields contract total.

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Five years, $105-110MM. Tim Dierkes had him at 5/95 back in October: http://www.mlbtraderumors.c...

via·about an hour ago

Comment From ATX Halo

CJ Wilson for Haren?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Can't see the Fish wanting to take on that contract.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From RUBEN AMARO JR

cole hamels and ben revere to san diego for myers, mayin , hedges, wisler

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Too much going from SD to PHI.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Shane

Do you think the O's will take a shot at acquiring Jay Bruce?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

I don't think anyone will meet the Reds' asking price for Bruce. They'll check in out of due diligence, but Cincinnati's not going to trade him without a huge haul.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Pads Fan Sean

What are the chances the Padres continue the flurry of moves by going after Hamels, Profar, and/or Tulo? Most notably the first two?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Profar makes a ton of sense for the Padres. Preller loves him and the team has no long-term answer at shortstop at the moment.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Brian

% chance the Red Sox land a true ACE by Spring through trade or signing?? 50%??

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

There's only one true ace on the free agent market, and it's Scherzer. On the trade front, Hamels is probably the only one that's all that available. I don't see them signing Scherzer, and the odds of them adding Hamels are much lower than 50 percent. Maybe 10 percent they get an ace?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

They could still sign Shields and call him an ace, but I'd beg to differ.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Jared

Who do you think won the Yankees-Marlins trade?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

I love Eovaldi, so I thought the Yankees did well, but Prado's a nice piece for Miami. It was a trade I didn't mind for either side.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Tyler

Was the giants move for mcgehee a good move for giants

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

They didn't give up much but I'm not a huge McGehee fan. He's fine, but he doesn't have too much upside.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Marty

I'm a Reds fan what RH hitter is still available or likely for trade to man LF?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Allen Craig, Marlon Byrd, Shane Victorino come to mind.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Jimmy Salazar

Any trade market for Dayan Viciedo?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

There's another option for the Reds.

 

Sox won't get much back for him. He was terrible last season and everyone knows they want to move him and don't have regular at-bats for him.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Mike

Do you think Mauer has a comeback year?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

He'll never repeat his MVP season but yeah I think he's better than he was in 2014. I expect a bit more power this year... something like .300/.370/.440 wouldn't surprise me.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Sam

Why is Tomas not on the phils?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Because the contract he signed said "Arizona Diamondbacks" at the top. And because the Phillies were concerned with his conditioning, defense and lack of athleticism.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Mooney

Salazar, Swisher, CHisenhall, Frazier and Naquin for Hamels?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Swisher has negative trade value, and Chisenhall isn't any good. Frazier, Salazar and Naquin probably gets Amaro's attention to some extent, but I'm sure he'd try to pry Lindor away.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From LARRY

Are the Yankees willing to part with any prospects for pitching help that could help them till Nova is back

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

If they're just looking for a bridge why not just sign a veteran FA?

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Joe

Could Pirates play Kang at 1b?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Detracts a ton of his value. Play him at shortstop (Mercer's not particularly good) or just let him jump around between second/third/short/corner OF like they did with Harrison in 2014.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Kevin

Why are you so high on Eovoldi?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

He averages 96 mph out of the rotation with a league-average ground-ball rate and excellent control. Sign me up.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Sam

What do twins expect from Ervin Santana next year?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

200 innings and an ERA in the 3.50-3.75 range?

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Steve

Will the Rangers get Rosario from the Rockies?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

I don't think any club wants to play Rosario behind the plate much, but I guess Texas could give him some DH reps against lefties and sit Moreland, then start Rosario for 50 games at catcher maybe. I can see it, but he's really terrible from a defensive standpoint.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Frank

Do you think the Red Sox could put Joe Kelly in a package to trade for Jordan Zimmermann?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

As a piece, sure, but not as the main one going to Washington.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From IF you were John H...

Is Mallex Smith a much improved version of Billy Hamilton?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Yeah I'd listen on Kimbrel.

 

Hamilton is faster than Smith and already succeeding in the Majors. Smith is a fringe prospect. Don't see how you think he can be an improved version, let alone much-improved.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Sad Keanu

What is #1 priority now for my SF Giants? Another elite pitcher or a LF?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Pitching's the bigger need in my mind.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Guest

What catching options are still out there for the White Sox?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Rosario (though he's a catcher in name only more or less), Jason Castro, Dioner Navarro

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Junior

Will the Dodgers trade Ethie or Crawfor before season begins?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

I'd imagine that's the next big thing on Friedman's plate. I can see them unloading one if they eat enough of the contract. I agree with Rosenthal's take from awhile back that they'd need to pay about $30-35MM to move Ethier though.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Michel

Tulo for Nimmo synderguard degrom and gee is it possible

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Mets would never give up that much. No.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Bravos Hope

Is Nori Aoki a possibility for the Braves?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Doubt it. Seems like they're looking at Gattis-Upton-Markakis as their outfield next year.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Some Guy

Any real chance Wil Myers lands in Philly as a piece of a Cole Hamels trade?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Sure there's a chance, but I think it's a small one and expect San Diego to hang onto Myers.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From RJ

Did Casey Janssen show enough (food poisoning aside) for a team other than Toronto to give him a closer's job?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

I don't think he lands a ninth-inning gig, but he's a solid reliever and could get some save opps if someone ahead of him struggles or gets hurt.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Billy Bob

Is Myers overrated?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

He hit .293/.354/.478 as a 22-year-old and has been lauded throughout his entire minor league career. I don't find him overrated just because he had a down/injured season in 2014, no.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From dapro85

What do you think about Severino for Cueto? Need another prospect?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Yanks would have to give more than just Severino

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Hank

wil myers = Gordan Beckham

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

There are no words to express how much I disagree with that comparison.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Mets fan

So what is happening with our rotation? Is Gee getting traded or moved into the bullpen? Gotta open a spot for Harvey

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

They'll probably move one of Gee, Niese or Colon (maybe two) sometime after New Years.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Astros Fan

Do you see any more moves from the Astros?

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

I can see them moving Fowler and/or adding another reliever. Maybe a starter also. I don't think they're done yet.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From LARRY

Severino and Gardner for Cueto???

via·about an hour ago

Steve Adams

Four years of Gardner is way too much to give up for Cueto. Gardner's quite good. That trade might not even make the Yankees that much better, since losing Gardner would hurt them quite a bit.

via·about an hour ago

Comment From Lj

Outfield trade options for the O's ?

via·45 minutes ago

Steve Adams

Any of the ones I listed for the Reds earlier apply here as well. They're a nice fit for a guy like Byrd.

via·44 minutes ago

Comment From sadBoy

Will Corey Kluber have another excellent season in 2015 ? Or was 2014 just a fluke?

via·44 minutes ago

Steve Adams

Legitimately excellent -- I expect him to be great in 2015 as well.

via·44 minutes ago

Comment From Dz5

for the O's, Jimenez for Swisher?

via·43 minutes ago

Steve Adams

That'd be great for them, but sounds like Cleveland has no interest in it.

via·43 minutes ago

Comment From Ryan

Dioner Navarro for aaron hill?

via·43 minutes ago

Steve Adams

Navarro has legitimate trade value, while Hill's trade value is negative.

via·43 minutes ago

Comment From Rodney

Is there a worse place to be right now other than being an A's fan? Why should I bother going to the Stadium in 2015? I don't like paying Major League prices to see Triple A talent ......

via·42 minutes ago

Steve Adams

It's not like they're looking at a historically bad roster. It's a bunch of young players and platoon options, which happens routinely in Oakland, and often with good results. At least go to watch Sonny Gray pitch.

via·40 minutes ago

Comment From Frankie Scott

Best Free Agents for 2015-16?

via·40 minutes ago

Steve Adams

There are SO many good ones. It's insane. Heyward, Justin Upton, Cueto, Zimmermann, Fister, Ian Desmond, Mat Latos

via·39 minutes ago

Steve Adams

http://www.mlbtraderumors.c...

via·39 minutes ago

Steve Adams

That link is the full list -- it's an excellent class.

via·39 minutes ago

Steve Adams

Ok -- Blue Jays claimed Scott Barnes and Preston Guilmet... gotta go write that up. Thanks for chatting everyone and enjoy your holidays! Feel free to fire any followup questions my way on Twitter: @Adams_Steve.

[GD]

s***, I would do Navarro for Hill, probably.

[Ehjays]

He is saying that Hill has Negative value......I was thinking I would as well.

[gbill2004]

What's Hill's contract situation?

[Sammy225]

12M for the next 2 years which is a gamble on a guy with a huge down season.

[gbill2004]

@Ken_Rosenthal: Source: Jason Grilli to #Braves.

[jaysfan2014]

@Ken_Rosenthal: Source: Jason Grilli to #Braves.

 

So much for a rebuild in Atlanta.. they've already dealt Upton and Heyward..

[GD]

Really thought AA would be all over Grilli

[Deadpool]

a great angry email sent to Rosecrans about the Dodgers moves.

 

 

I'm calling Poe's Law on that one, nobody could possibly be that dumb.

 

ESPN giving caveat emptor(buyer beware)...

 

Gunna go out on a limb and suggest that most people here know what caveat emptor means, and the rest probably have the internet to check...

 

Apparently Selig got himself one hell of a retirement package. He's apparently going to get 6M / year.

 

f*** Selig so hard. I hope he gets bone cancer and then gets raised by a necromancer and still has bone cancer as a skeleton...

[LongTimeReader]

Really thought AA would be all over Grilli

 

People keep saying things like this as if there's not up to 29 other teams competing to improve their roster

[gbill2004]

@JonHeymanCBS: ever-improved jays prioritizing closer. looking at trades 1st, then will consider free agents.

[Mikeleelop]

So much for a rebuild in Atlanta.. they've already dealt Upton and Heyward..

 

And kimbrell next

[Mikeleelop]

12M for the next 2 years which is a gamble on a guy with a huge down season.

 

12 mill per season right?

[GD]

12 mill per season right?

 

Yup.

 

--

 

Idk, I think it's worth it. Navarro is 0 WAR for us considering he won't play much and can't frame for s***. That's 6M. So that's negative 6M of value. Hill is owed 24 M over two years. So he has to be worth like 3 WAR over 2 years, so like 1.5 WAR per year to be worth his contract. He's projected for 1.2 WAR next year, so I dunno, I could see him being at least more valuable than Navarro.

[Deadpool]

@JonHeymanCBS: ever-improved jays prioritizing closer. looking at trades 1st, then will consider free agents.

 

Cecil is likely better than any "closer" they could get via trade or free agency... but I hope they just ditch the idea of "closer" and use the best pitcher in the toughest situation, regardless of the save situation...

[Stangstag]

Cecil is likely better than any "closer" they could get via trade or free agency... but I hope they just ditch the idea of "closer" and use the best pitcher in the toughest situation, regardless of the save situation...

 

Kimbrel? Chapman?

[xposbrad]

Really thought AA would be all over Grilli

 

I would have taken Romo and several other relievers who signed for similar amounts over Grilli.

[GD]

Ninja AA trades for Kimbrel now