ESPN = Remaining FA's

[leaffie]

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Assessing the remaining FA market

 

February, 11, 2014

Feb 11

 

4:07

 

PM ET

 

By AJ Mass | ESPN.com

 

 

 

 

We're still waiting for the floodgates to open on the remaining big-ticket free agents, but since the signing of Masahiro Tanaka, it has been fairly quiet. With the first spring training games creeping ever closer, the time seems right to examine who is still sitting by the phone, who might be considering making some calls, and what might be holding up the process.

 

 

A.J. Burnett

Teams still expressing interest: Nationals, Orioles, Phillies, Pirates.

Sticking point: Apart from a potential fear that he might change his mind and opt for retirement, there really isn't any. His desire to be close to his family has already limited the market to these clubs.

Current leader: Phillies

 

 

 

Ervin Santana

Teams still expressing interest: Blue Jays, Dodgers, Indians, Orioles, Yankees.

Sticking point: As with all of the free agents on this list except for Burnett, the loss of a draft pick comes with any signing, which is part of why these players remain on the market. A high HR/FB rate makes Santana a risky pickup in homer-friendly ballparks.

Current leader: Orioles

 

 

 

Ubaldo Jimenez

Teams still expressing interest: Blue Jays, Orioles, Yankees.

Sticking point: Even though he has dropped his salary demands in half -- to the neighborhood of three years and $35-$40 million -- questions remain regarding his lack of focus when not in a contract year.

Current leader: Blue Jays

 

 

 

Stephen Drew

Teams still expressing interest: Mets, Red Sox.

Sticking point: Demands for a three-year deal with the ability to opt out after just one season is not likely to fly with any of the clubs still inquiring about the shortstop.

Current leader: Mets

 

 

 

Nelson Cruz

Teams still expressing interest: Mariners, Orioles, Rangers.

Sticking point: Reported asking price of $75 million, along with residual hesitancy following his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal.

Current leader: Mariners

 

 

 

Kendrys Morales

Teams still expressing interest: Mariners, Orioles, Pirates.

Sticking point: Age, desire for multi-year deal and defensive liabilities that make going to the National League a huge risk, plus the fact that Cruz is competing for the same openings.

Current leader: Pirates

 

 

 

 

Dan Szymborski

Real cost of the qualifying offer

"The market has been so slow for these players that it's fair to ask if teams are being too protective of their draft picks. But upon further inspection, it appears GMs are acting rationally. Allow me to explain."

[jays4life19]

3 years and 35 to 40 million Ubaldo's current demands? Sign me up.

[leaffie]

I found it hard to believe that no one has signed him, if that is all he is asking now.

[G-Snarls]

3 years and 35 to 40 million Ubaldo's current demands? Sign me up.

 

I will rage so hard if he signs for that elsewhere and we end up with no one

[G-Snarls]

I found it hard to believe that no one has signed him, if that is all he is asking now.

 

I know. Thinking his agent still asking for more than this writer suggests.

[8D]

Dan Szymborski Real cost of the qualifying offer

"The market has been so slow for these players that it's fair to ask if teams are being too protective of their draft picks. But upon further inspection, it appears GMs are acting rationally. Allow me to explain."

 

Did the article end there?

[jays4life19]

I will rage so hard if he signs for that elsewhere and we end up with no one

 

Yeah.

 

A "smart" and "worldly" pitcher who's Dominican sounds like a target that won't cost Toronto a premium to sign him. Get it done AA.

[G-Snarls]

Dan Szymborski Real cost of the qualifying offer

"The market has been so slow for these players that it's fair to ask if teams are being too protective of their draft picks. But upon further inspection, it appears GMs are acting rationally. Allow me to explain."

 

Did the article end there?

 

Yeah I want to read that part too

[G-Snarls]

That's a well done article actually. Thanks for sharing guys.

[G-Snarls]

Mets ARE in a good position to sign Drew. If he drops the opt out clause demand.

[ElNik2013]

IF this is what Jimenez's drop has fallen to, I have no clue what AA is waiting for. At some point, other teams will find him more appealing.

 

Maybe AA is going to sign him 2 weeks into ST so that they have an excuse in case he stinks.

[jays4life19]

IF this is what Jimenez's drop has fallen to, I have no clue what AA is waiting for. At some point, other teams will find him more appealing.

 

Maybe AA is going to sign him 2 weeks into ST so that they have an excuse in case he stinks.

 

Pretty sure his agent is trying for a four year deal.

 

If this was actually his demands - he would be signed by now.

[Abomination]

Pretty sure his agent is trying for a four year deal.

 

If this was actually his demands - he would be signed by now.

 

I have to think that he'll want a longer term deal to sign with us due to the damage our park and division could have on his stats for a contract at the end of this one (since a lot of teams would use that against him whether they believed it or not)

[flafson]

The negative values are funny. Tell Drew he's worth between -3mil and 8mil and we are willing to give him the upper side of the spectrum.

[Dylan]

I think Morales will fit well with the Mariners starting lineup lol

[Abomination]

I think Morales will fit well with the Mariners starting lineup lol

 

It's all part of their master plan:

 

1) Corner the market on 1st baseman and play them all out of position.

2) ???

3) Profit!

[LunchBox]

Maybe we were crazy to believe the team unwilling to extend Josh Johnson a QO would ever spend $13-15M/year on Jimenez.

[Chappy]

If that is the price Jiminez has fallen too then perhaps AA has no money left, because that is a steal.