Orioles progressing to a deal for Jimenez

[Dylan]

MikeCormack

Blue Jays manager Gibbons on @FAN590 admits his club was "targeting Jimenez."

 

 

No offer target?

 

We lost the waiting game

[jerb]

 

Ken Rosenthal

‏@Ken_Rosenthal

#Orioles were under impression that #RedSox and #BlueJays made strong runs at Jimenez. Both teams say that such was not the case.

[NorthOf49]

The BJMB crowd had Jimenez signing at 4/56, to the Blue Jays.

 

This isn't that much of a discount from that. Ubaldo did okay here.

[GeorgiaPeach]

This is not to defend AA but a long long while back on one of those interviews he did let it slip that when looking to acquire free agents they factor in things like price and the "the player's make-up.

 

If what you're saying is true, it's odd he doesn't mind acquiring malcontents through trade, but not free agency. Doesn't mind overpaying for players in trade but is extremely cost conscious in free agency. What the f*** is the thought process here?

 

The people who were on AA's case for making all the moves should in theory be happy that the Jays are standing pat.

 

Not necessarily. I was one of the biggest proponents of building through youth and efficiency. But if you can acquire a player on a good deal, why would someone be against that?

 

I was on his side somewhat when he made the moves - I at least understood the theory behind it. It's so tough to have a core line-up with massive 3/4 hitters at the same time and solid pen and what looked to be weakness in Boston and New York.

 

I understood the theory behind the moves, just not a fan of old, expensive teams. Because as the team gets too old, you know it wouldn't be a retooling of the franchise it would be a massive rebuild, similarly to what the Marlins use to do. And that's a really horrible, hollow way to run a franchise building and burning.

 

And as for our solid lineup and strong pen......the 'pen is the last of the 3 facets (lineup, rotation, pen) priority wise a team should be worrying about. Lineup & Rotation strength easily trump having a strong pen.

 

So they took a shot. Last year's results puts us in a holding pattern of sorts. We have to let the team play as it was built.

 

What we did was sped up contention, but set us back further if this contention window fails.

 

Realistically, as much as I initially wanted Jiminez out of the free agent pool, once the Yankees, a better team than us, got Tanaka then Jiminez is somewhat of a waste of time. A better team signs a better pitcher - us throwing money at a worse pitcher is going to help us catch the Yankees how? If we played to expectations last season then Jiminez might be a good fit but we need to establish that the current team is anywhere near those Vegas odds maker predictors. If Jiminez is the headcase people seem to think he is and a guy who pitches well in contract years then maybe he's not the guy.

 

There've been very successful teams in the past where there were trouble makers on the team. Tired of the... "lets target nice players who don't cause problems". Its stupid

 

And of course there is still a chance at Santana - who at first I hated compared to Jiminez but the Bleacherreport suggest a few positives in favor of Santana that could actually make him a better pitcher in the AL East. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1941566-is-ubaldo-jimenez-or-ervin-santana-a-better-fit-for-blue-jays

 

You're joking right?

[xposbrad]

Are we still in that window or did that window get fogged up?

[Nox]

Lol

 

Well done Alex, well done.

[G-Snarls]

MLBTR:

 

Deep down, the Indians never really wanted Jimenez back in Cleveland, writes Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. While the team admired Jimenez's work ethic and felt he was a positive presence in the clubhouse, they didn't feel his wild performance swings were worth the trouble. Hoynes points out that it's a bonus that Baltimore landed Jimenez, because their forfeiture of the No. 17 pick allows Cleveland to move from No. 22 overall to the No. 21 overall pick in the first round.

[CaptMurphy]

I don't understand the Blue Jays. Going into this off season there were 2 smart paths and one that was stupid beyond reasoning.

Path 1 - In for a penny in for a pound. Spend more money add some serious pitching help and a high end bat and take a run at it in 2014

Path 2- Tear down the team, replenish the minors and finish last with a low payroll

 

Instead they chose the stupid path - Do nothing, finish last with a high payroll and do nothing to rebuild the system. Guarantee living in the basement for the foreseeable future.

 

Granted, they could do a halfa$$ed job of Path 2 at the trading deadline, but the returns will be more or less lower than what they would have gotten if they did it right in the offseason.

 

Last place without any plans to compete or rebuild. How does AA and Beeston have jobs?

[KingKat]

I think there was a third path which was to simply plug holes with small payroll increases or by shifting salary away from the bullpen and try to win with the same core. In that play, you address catcher (which they did), address 2B (which they didn't), get an OF and an IF for the bench at least one of which is a solid right-handed platoon bat (nope), bring in a second tier second pitcher (still might sign Capuano but I doubt it).

[CaptMurphy]

I think there was a third path which was to simply plug holes with small payroll increases or by shifting salary away from the bullpen and try to win with the same core. In that play, you address catcher (which they did), address 2B (which they didn't), get an OF and an IF for the bench at least one of which is a solid right-handed platoon bat (nope), bring in a second tier second pitcher (still might sign Capuano but I doubt it).

 

No, I covered that path, its called Finishing Last.

[KingKat]

No, I covered that path, its called Finishing Last.

 

Oh piss off. They did even less than that which was my point. They didn't even address holes which would have been the bare minimum. Does it mean they finish higher than last, probably not, but sure as hell gives the team a better chance than what they did do.

[G-Snarls]

I don't understand the Blue Jays. Going into this off season there were 2 smart paths and one that was stupid beyond reasoning.

Path 1 - In for a penny in for a pound. Spend more money add some serious pitching help and a high end bat and take a run at it in 2014

Path 2- Tear down the team, replenish the minors and finish last with a low payroll

 

Instead they chose the stupid path - Do nothing, finish last with a high payroll and do nothing to rebuild the system. Guarantee living in the basement for the foreseeable future.

 

Granted, they could do a halfa$$ed job of Path 2 at the trading deadline, but the returns will be more or less lower than what they would have gotten if they did it right in the offseason.

 

Last place without any plans to compete or rebuild. How does AA and Beeston have jobs?

 

Yes yes yes yes

 

This is exactly right. Even most of the naysayers were at least willing to go along for the ride with path 1, recognizing that it may only be delaying the need for a total rebuild.

 

But yeah there was no acceptable "in between" option at all. Another .500 season +/- 2-3 wins accomplishes nothing

[jays_fever]

Dioner Navarro ladies and gentlemen..our big free agent signing.

[Angrioter]

I don't understand the Blue Jays. Going into this off season there were 2 smart paths and one that was stupid beyond reasoning.

Path 1 - In for a penny in for a pound. Spend more money add some serious pitching help and a high end bat and take a run at it in 2014

Path 2- Tear down the team, replenish the minors and finish last with a low payroll

 

Instead they chose the stupid path - Do nothing, finish last with a high payroll and do nothing to rebuild the system. Guarantee living in the basement for the foreseeable future.

 

Granted, they could do a halfa$$ed job of Path 2 at the trading deadline, but the returns will be more or less lower than what they would have gotten if they did it right in the offseason.

 

Last place without any plans to compete or rebuild. How does AA and Beeston have jobs?

 

Great debut Tom Hanks!!

 

You're welcome!!

[Slot Machine]

it's odd he doesn't mind acquiring malcontents through trade, but not free agency. Doesn't mind overpaying for players in trade but is extremely cost conscious in free agency. What the f*** is the thought process here?

 

 

LOL. At this point all you can do is laugh and hope they clean house after this season.

[G-Snarls]

JIM BOWDEN ‏@JimBowdenESPNxm 9s

Orioles not done....still alive on Nelson Cruz or Kendrys Morales

[LunchBox]

JIM BOWDEN ‏@JimBowdenESPNxm 9s

Orioles not done....still alive on Nelson Cruz or Kendrys Morales

 

Even after the Grant Balfour debacle the O's are still successfully pursuing FAs, leaving little doubt which Greek is more Jewish.

[CaptMurphy]

Oh piss off. .

 

Class, nothing but class dude

[G-Snarls]

Even after the Grant Balfour debacle the O's are still successfully pursuing FAs, leaving little doubt which Greek is more Jewish.

 

Duquette wins... feh tality.

 

(http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/feh)

[NorthOf49]

Even after the Grant Balfour debacle the O's are still successfully pursuing FAs, leaving little doubt which Greek is more Jewish.

Just goes to show you that most FAs really only care about money.

 

It further damages AA's familiar "nobody will take our money!" narrative. I bet he'll be tooting that again if the Jays are done by mid-season.

[KingKat]

Class, nothing but class dude

 

You were a dick first. Just tit for tat, dude.

[Angrioter]

Ubaldo and Juan Guzman

[G-Snarls]

Ginormous Papi???

[jays_fever]

Yeah.

 

- sign Infante to play 2B (+ 10 M)

- sign Jeff Baker to platoon with Lind (+ 3 M)

- trade lower-level prospects or a relief pitcher for a solid 4th OF who can play center (+ 2 M)

- trade Sanchez + relief pitching + smaller parts for a pitcher (say, Fister) (+8 M)

 

Trade Happ for nothing and Janssen + Santos for prospects if they weren't included in deals above. That team is probably 6 wins better than this one, and payroll is about $150 million. There were moves available that would have put the team in position to compete without mortgaging the future or taking payroll to absurd levels. The FO just decided not to do anything.

 

We trade assets for Mark Buehrle and and injury prone JJ, both come with huge salaries and we cant pony up 4/50 for Jiminez.

[KingKat]

Yeah.

 

- sign Infante to play 2B (+ 10 M)

- sign Jeff Baker to platoon with Lind (+ 3 M)

- trade lower-level prospects or a relief pitcher for a solid 4th OF who can play center (+ 2 M)

- trade Sanchez + relief pitching + smaller parts for a pitcher (say, Fister) (+8 M)

 

Trade Happ for nothing and Janssen + Santos for prospects if they weren't included in deals above. That team is probably 6 wins better than this one, and payroll is about $150 million. There were moves available that would have put the team in position to compete without mortgaging the future or taking payroll to absurd levels. The FO just decided not to do anything.

 

If not rebuilding or going balls to the wall is a half-assed approach than there's no denying that they half-assed that half-assed approach. It's pretty pathetic. The most the fans can hope for now is that maybe the team adddresses one of its holes before the season starts.

[KingKat]

We trade assets for Mark Buehrle and and injury prone JJ, both come with huge salaries and we cant pony up 4/50 for Jiminez.

 

Yep. AA had probably one shot at a big payroll increase and he blew it along with half the farm.

[Angrioter]

They didn't even half-ass it. They just didn't do anything. I mean let's recap the offseason moves:

 

1. Let Davis and Johnson walk.

2. Replace Arencibia with Navarro.

3. Trade Lincoln for Kratz.

 

That's about the most embarrassing and pathetic response to an all-in last place finish I can imagine.

 

Let Davis walk to save money to ...................

[jays_fever]

Stupid Yankees and their perceived weakness and the Sox Bobby Valentine-led escapades, if they'd just been their god damn selves AA might not have pushed in all his chips.

 

He didn't push in his chips the proper way though..as much as I love what Mark B did last year, trading significant assets for players on free agent contracts is the most illogical/retarded plan ever. Either throw money at free agents and if no one wants to sign here like he keeps claiming, tell Beeston to f*** off and build a team the proper way.

 

Billy Beene and Friedman both manage teams in undesired markets, both in terms of financial resources they can give out and location wise, so AA and Beeston can f*** off with their excuses. Even if they luck their way this year to a 87 win team and nab one of the wildcare spots, I may still not care because all it would do is reward their incompetence

[G-Snarls]

[G-Snarls]

They didn't even half-ass it. They just didn't do anything. I mean let's recap the offseason moves:

 

1. Let Davis and Johnson walk.

2. Replace Arencibia with Navarro.

3. Trade Lincoln for Kratz.

 

That's about the most embarrassing and pathetic response to an all-in last place finish I can imagine.

 

And I actually I like each of those moves (though would have much preferred Ruiz to Navarro)

 

It's just that it's obviously not nearly enough. Saved $ from 1. should have been spent on free agent SP and 2B.