Offseason roster thread 2014

[BTS]

Here's cots list of FA outfielders for 1015 with asterisk beside those with a team option.

 

...

 

Nori Aoki would be awesome for LF at like 3/20. Rajai Davis and Chris Denorfia are potentially useful. Why the hell wasn't Davis retained in the first place?

[RealAccountant]

I would try very hard to see if I can unload Mark B, and have Sanchez start. So effective rotation would be Dickey-Stroman-Hutchison-Sanchez-Happ. I think that if we didn't demand much in return Mark B can actually be unloaded, considering its only 1 year left

[Orgfiller]

$120 M would be an absolute death sentence. I'm expecting something in the $135-145 M range. Which probably still isn't enough for this group. Either way, I'm expecting $10-12 million to be spent on two free agent relievers.

 

Since I don't see Reyes going anywhere, we could really benefit from trying to move Buehrle's contract.

[GD]

Gomes, Cuddyer, Aoki, Denorfia are fairly interesting.

[BTS]

I would try very hard to see if I can unload Mark B, and have Sanchez start. So effective rotation would be Dickey-Stroman-Hutchison-Sanchez-Happ. I think that if we didn't demand much in return Mark B can actually be unloaded, considering its only 1 year left

 

That rotation would likley be one of the worst in baseball. Not that Buehrle really helps much, but that is not a good group.

[Atothe]

Here's cots list of FA outfielders for 1015 with asterisk beside those with a team option.

 

Outfielders

Norichika Aoki

Emilio Bonifacio

Melky Cabrera

Nelson Cruz

Michael Cuddyer

Rajai Davis

Chris Denorfia

Jeff Francoeur

Jonny Gomes

Franklin Gutierrez

Tony Gwynn Jr.

Scott Hairston

Torii Hunter

Raul Ibanez

Reed Johnson

Ryan Lukwick *

Nick Markakis *

Darnell McDonald

Mike Morse

Colby Rasmus

Alex Rios *

Nate Schierholtz

Grady Sizemore

Seth Smith

Alfonso Soriano

Denard Span *

Ichiro Suzuki

Ryan Sweeney

Josh Willingham

Chris Young

Delmon Young

 

Seth Smith is not a free agent

[RealAccountant]

I wonder if a better team can be built from all the prospects/young players AA has traded away like Escobar, Alvarez, Gomes, Rajai Davis, Syndergard etc.

[John_Havok]

Gomes, Cuddyer, Aoki, Denorfia are fairly interesting.

 

Aoki another LHB... Gomes and Cuddyer have no position other than DH And Cuddyer is a huge injury risk. Denorfia is intriguing but on the old-ish side, need to regress the splits a bit... But could be had on the cheap and strictly as a platoon bat from the right side and backup outfielder... I like the idea.

[John_Havok]

Seth Smith is not a free agent

 

It's cots list, not mine. I'm sure there are updates that aren't there yet

[Orgfiller]

That rotation would likley be one of the worst in baseball. Not that Buehrle really helps much, but that is not a good group.

 

I also don't get why the team would retain Happ if they move Buehrle, as moving the latter to me would suggest that we're trying to cut payroll, and Happ isn't the most cost-effective starter we have. Norris will probably have a big shot at the rotation next year.

[RealAccountant]

That rotation would likley be one of the worst in baseball. Not that Buehrle really helps much, but that is not a good group.

 

Trade Dickey away too. Then go with Stroman-Hutchison-Sanchez-Norris-Happ

[RealAccountant]

I also don't get why the team would retain Happ if they move Buehrle, as moving the latter to me would suggest that we're trying to cut payroll, and Happ isn't the most cost-effective starter we have. Norris will probably have a big shot at the rotation next year.

 

Happ has been effective enough this year. In fact, I think AA would have no trouble taking the option on Happ then trading him for an asset, mind you a medioacre asset

[kgm1]

$120 M would be an absolute death sentence. I'm expecting something in the $135-145 M range. Which probably still isn't enough for this group. Either way, I'm expecting $10-12 million to be spent on two free agent relievers.

 

And 145 mil like last year isn't enough . The roster I posted won't go anywhere but it won't be blown up and the budget will be cut IMO. It will suck and be blown up in july.

[John_Havok]

Trade Dickey away too. Then go with Stroman-Hutchison-Sanchez-Norris-Happ

 

That would be interesting. And you know what all the dinosaurs would say... " this rotation needs a veteran presence that can really anchor things and be that mentor to the young guys..."

[RealAccountant]

" this rotation needs a veteran presence that can really anchor things and be that mentor to the young guys..."

 

-Buck Martinez

[kgm1]

That would be interesting. And you know what all the dinosaurs would say... " this rotation needs a veteran presence that can really anchor things and be that mentor to the young guys..."

 

Well since everyone considers me as one of the dinosaurs . I'll say this . If you go that far blow the whole thing up . it has to be blown up anyway unless a lot of money gets added to the budget and he guts the farm.

[burlingtonbandit]

That would be interesting. And you know what all the dinosaurs would say... " this rotation needs a veteran presence that can really anchor things and be that mentor to the young guys..."

 

It would need an innings eater. Dickey is old and not effective at times but at least you know he can eat innings and stay healthy. Such a young rotation like that is such a risk in terms of health. It could be like 2012 and then you lose 2/5 of your rotation.

[John_Havok]

Well since everyone considers me as one of the dinosaurs . I'll say this . If you go that far blow the whole thing up . it has to be blown up anyway unless a lot of money gets added to the budget and he guts the farm.

 

It's a weird scenario Ken. I'm sure there's some good that can come from young guys learning from a veteran, but when the talent is clearly of the side of youth, I think you go with it and add your crafty veteran on the cheap. Not one that costs almost as much as an ace but pitches like a 3/4

[BTS]

It's a weird scenario Ken. I'm sure there's some good that can come from young guys learning from a veteran, but when the talent is clearly of the side of youth, I think you go with it and add your crafty veteran on the cheap. Not one that costs almost as much as an ace but pitches like a 3/4

 

It's a tough situation in that the team will really miss the 2-3 wins Dickey and Buehrle provide if they move one. The salary is expensive, especially in Buehrle's case, but for the price you get pretty bankable production, and I don't think you get much back via trade. Re-investing the money and getting more than 2-3 wins in return will not be easy.

[kgm1]

It's a weird scenario Ken. I'm sure there's some good that can come from young guys learning from a veteran, but when the talent is clearly of the side of youth, I think you go with it and add your crafty veteran on the cheap. Not one that costs almost as much as an ace but pitches like a 3/4

 

John if AA were to go full blown rebuild I would be fine with that. I don't see how he can retool this offseason to make this a winning team unless he guts the minors and I couldn't handle that nor could AA do that.

Just not good enough pitching IMO and the offense is declining.

 

As for the 3/4 vet . That,s Dickey and Buehrle.

[John_Havok]

It's a tough situation in that the team will really miss the 2-3 wins Dickey and Buehrle provide if they move one. The salary is expensive, especially in Buehrle's case, but for the price you get pretty bankable production, and I don't think you get much back via trade. Re-investing the money and getting more than 2-3 wins in return will not be easy.

 

I'm borderline okay with the rotation as it is but horrified at the same time. To have two veterans at the ends of their careers, A walking injury in Morrow, wildly inconsistant Happ and Hutchison, both who show flashes of brilliance surrounded by canyons of crap, Stroman who looks legit but not real front of the rotation legit, Sanchez who can get guys out in 1-2 innings of work but who knows what would happen over 5-6 once he gets into the lineup for a second and third time, and Norris, the breakout stud from the minors, along with depth in Nolin. I won't even mention Romero as it's pretty clear he's done.

 

But the problem is, with morrow and Happ healthy to start 2015, who's the odd man out? Do you stick one in the pen horribly overpaying them to be the long man until someone gets hurt? Or do you trade 1 of dickey or Buehrle, knowing you probably can't replace their value but opening a spot for Morrow\Happ with Norris, Sanchez and Nolin as your next three?

 

Basically starting the year with:

 

Dickey or Buerhle

Stroman

Morrow

Happ

Hutchison

 

Nolin, Norris, Sanchez in reserve for injury / emergency starts.

 

My personal preference would be to dump Beurle, sign Lester(pipe dream i know, but with Buerhle off the books, the cost difference wouldn't be horrid, but we know AA will never land a big name FA) and then go with Lester 1, Dickey 2, Stroman benefitting nicely from the dickey effect, then Happ and Hutch. Whoever starts to stink out of Happ or Hutch gets sem down and Sanchez or Norris getting first crack. Happ maybe goes to the pen or DFA if he's that bad, but Hutch will still have options and won't be lost.

[BTS]

I'm borderline okay with the rotation as it is but horrified at the same time. To have two veterans at the ends of their careers, A walking injury in Morrow, wildly inconsistant Happ and Hutchison, both who show flashes of brilliance surrounded by canyons of crap, Stroman who looks legit but not real front of the rotation legit, Sanchez who can get guys out in 1-2 innings of work but who knows what would happen over 5-6 once he gets into the lineup for a second and third time, and Norris, the breakout stud from the minors, along with depth in Nolin. I won't even mention Romero as it's pretty clear he's done.

 

But the problem is, with morrow and Happ healthy to start 2015, who's the odd man out? Do you stick one in the pen horribly overpaying them to be the long man until someone gets hurt? Or do you trade 1 of dickey or Buehrle, knowing you probably can't replace their value but opening a spot for Morrow\Happ with Norris, Sanchez and Nolin as your next three?

 

Basically starting the year with:

 

Dickey or Buerhle

Stroman

Morrow

Happ

Hutchison

 

Nolin, Norris, Sanchez in reserve for injury / emergency starts.

 

My personal preference would be to dump Beurle, sign Lester(pipe dream i know, but with Buerhle off the books, the cost difference wouldn't be horrid, but we know AA will never land a big name FA) and then go with Lester 1, Dickey 2, Stroman benefitting nicely from the dickey effect, then Happ and Hutch. Whoever starts to stink out of Happ or Hutch gets sem down and Sanchez or Norris getting first crack. Happ maybe goes to the pen or DFA if he's that bad, but Hutch will still have options and won't be lost.

 

I think it's pretty clear that an upgrade is needed somehwere, and if they can get it, I likely ship Buehrle out if possible, and buy out Morrow. Dream scenario:

 

Lester/Shields

Dickey

Stroman

Hutchison

Happ/Norris/Nolin/Sanchez

 

There's no way I keep Morrow at this point.

[John_Havok]

I think it's pretty clear that an upgrade is needed somehwere, and if they can get it, I likely ship Buehrle out if possible, and buy out Morrow. Dream scenario:

 

Lester/Shields

Dickey

Stroman

Hutchison

Happ/Norris/Nolin/Sanchez

 

There's no way I keep Morrow at this point.

 

Yeah. The Morrow/Buerhle savings alone pay for your ace and a bit left over likely. I don't think Lester is going to be in the Kershaw 30 million per year category. I could see 25 though

[xposbrad]

I think it's pretty clear that an upgrade is needed somehwere, and if they can get it, I likely ship Buehrle out if possible, and buy out Morrow. Dream scenario:

 

Lester/Shields

Dickey

Stroman

Hutchison

Happ/Norris/Nolin/Sanchez

 

There's no way I keep Morrow at this point.

 

First, I'm not sure MB can be traded without this team eating salary. So say it costs 4m, and what do you think Lester or Shields will cost? Add about 4m to that and you can guess why MB is not going to be traded. This team has no vision, unfortunately AA is here for another year, and I highly doubt a GM on the last year of his deal is going to look to rebuild a team that desperately needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. The way this team is constructed right now, it needs another 20-25m in payroll for it to have a chance next year. That's assuming JB doesn't decline a lot as most players in their mid 30s tend to do.

 

The biggest trade this team could make would be swapping front offices with another team.

[BTS]

First, I'm not sure MB can be traded without this team eating salary. So say it costs 4m, and what do you think Lester or Shields will cost? Add about 4m to that and you can guess why MB is not going to be traded. This team has no vision, unfortunately AA is here for another year, and I highly doubt a GM on the last year of his deal is going to look to rebuild a team that desperately needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. The way this team is constructed right now, it needs another 20-25m in payroll for it to have a chance next year. That's assuming JB doesn't decline a lot as most players in their mid 30s tend to do.

 

The biggest trade this team could make would be swapping front offices with another team.

 

Yeah, I'm well aware of all this and think it should be torn down. But as you say, it won't be.

[Brenner]

Of the options we have, the easy declines should be:

 

Santos

Morrow

 

Even when healthy neither have been effective lately.

 

Borderline Options:

 

Happ

Lind

McGowan

 

McGowan could be worth $4 million if he is a 8th inning type guy, which he could be depending how the season plays out. Lind's optioned is likely picked up because he's produced when healthy. Personally though I am frustrated with a DH who can't stay healthy and would love to see him replaced but likely not happening. Happ we should let go because we need room for young SP (Sanchez/Norris) and/or FA upgrade. I don't see either Dickey or MB being moved so the easiest move is to let Happ walk even though the better option is to keep Happ and trade one of them.

[Frenchsoup]

Francisco is a nice fit for the roster as currently constructed IMO. If his arb salary is ~$3 million, that's decent value. He's a very good bench bat, can play first and isn't terrible at third. Insurance at DH for when Lind goes down etc... I think there will probably be a place for him.

 

Really not keen on paying market value for Melky. I'd rather target a LF with a more under-valued skill set (defense). Melky is a complete butcher.

 

I generally reserve the butcher statement for the guys who can't field or throw. Melky is fine out there, he makes all the plays he should with a decent arm.

[Slot Machine]

I generally reserve the butcher statement for the guys who can't field or throw. Melky is fine out there, he makes all the plays he should with a decent arm.

 

He runs like a butcher, minus the giant knife of course.

[TheHurl]

Totally dependent on the budget. What do posters think the budget will be in 2015

 

I suspect it goes down to Aprox 120 mil.

 

zero chance the payroll goes down. I'll guess 140 to 145.

[Frenchsoup]

Erik Kratz with a couple of homers last night. Who knew he was good at baseball?