AA on Tim&Sid

[burlingtonbandit]

Just hoped on the radio.

[TwistedLogic]

Yeah, a few seconds ago he said that they wouldn't "rule out" spending a ton of free agent money on a reliever (in regards to Miller) but that it's not likely; they'd prefer to "spread the money around"

[burlingtonbandit]

He said he does not know the starter for the following positions-2B, LF, CF and DH.

[sdyment]

Says he hates the Winter Meetings, and prefers to push before and after them... Keep your ears open for the next few days...

[TwistedLogic]

Lind and Lawrie moving had nothing to do with the clubhouse. Lawrie wasn't even part of the original proposal for Donaldson, but had to be included because Oakland didn't want such a big hole at third base.

 

He also says that he moved Lind because he doesn't see neither Lind, nor Edwin profiling as a full season first baseman, and he knew he was going after a guy like Martin, so he basically didn't want to carry two DH-types on the roster when he could shed Lind's salary and afford somebody else.

 

Tim and Sid seriously just asked AA if he's scared of losing his job. Really like AA's answer, he said that the thought of losing his job never even crosses his mind, because the second that it does, that's when people start making mistakes and making decisions that put their jobs ahead of the clubhouse.

[TwistedLogic]

Says he hates the Winter Meetings, and prefers to push before and after them... Keep your ears open for the next few days...

 

I feel like it'll be somewhat like 2012; free agent signing early in the offseason (Melky/Martin), huge trade as winter meetings approach (Marlins/Donaldson), silent winter meetings (he's always said he hates the winter meetings) and a significant move afterwards (Dickey/?)

[burlingtonbandit]

He said that money won't be an obstacle in making the team the best it possibly can be.

 

Edit: Props to Tim & Sid who actually asked good questions. Refreshing to hear some quality questions and answers in an interview with AA instead of Bob McCowan asking AA about greek food for the first 10 min.

[Angrioter]

Non-tender deadline tomorrow.

 

 

Trade for RP in 3...2....1

[TwistedLogic]

He said that money won't be an obstacle in making the team the best it possibly can be.

 

He also said it's in a great spot right now. Don't let this get carried out of hand, we shouldn't be assuming that the Jays are gonna go and spend 50M 2015 dollars on free agents now. I fully expect them to be "creative" with payroll as they always say they will be.

[HERPDERP]

Matt Kemp 2015 confirmed, got it.

[TwistedLogic]

Matt Kemp 2015 confirmed, got it.

 

I'm secretly always begging for this to happen. You virtually cannot make a bigger DH acquisition. Unfortunately, the money, and more unfortunately than that, they'll probably play him in the field.

 

If the Dodgers eat the majority of his salary, you absolutely look into it. If not, and you're ready to absorb a contract that size, you absolutely have to pursue the possibility of Votto first.

[Stangstag]

I feel like it'll be somewhat like 2012; free agent signing early in the offseason (Melky/Martin), huge trade as winter meetings approach (Marlins/Donaldson), silent winter meetings (he's always said he hates the winter meetings) and a significant move afterwards (Dickey/?)

 

Melky was signed after the Marlins deal, but I get your point

[Ehjays]

I'm secretly always begging for this to happen. You virtually cannot make a bigger DH acquisition. Unfortunately, the money, and more unfortunately than that, they'll probably play him in the field.

 

If the Dodgers eat the majority of his salary, you absolutely look into it. If not, and you're ready to absorb a contract that size, you absolutely have to pursue the possibility of Votto first.

 

Absolutely NOT to VOTTO.....Contract is too outragous. the Dodgers were stupid enough to make that trade with the Red Sox I'm sure we could sucker them in a trade.

[TwistedLogic]

Not totally relevant to the AA interview itself, but Kevin Barker was on Sportsnet earlier, and although I think he's a bit of a tard, I really like what he said about turf. Says he played in Toronto for a bit and he feels like people exaggerate the effects of the turf. Said that major leaguers are treated to the best trainers, best food, best conditioning, and the bottom line is that if someone isn't coming to Toronto, it's not because of the turf, it's because of the money.

 

Interview here.

 

Melky was signed after the Marlins deal, but I get your point

 

You're right, my mistake. The signing before the Marlins deal was Izturis.

[HERPDERP]

I'm a bit hesitant on Votto though - the guy has knee problems and the turf will not help him one bit.

 

If we can work out on getting Kemp for say, 10-15 m per year, I wouldn't mind giving up guys like Osuna +

[Stangstag]

If we can work out on getting Kemp for say, 10-15 m per year, I wouldn't mind giving up guys like Osuna +

 

No thanks

[TwistedLogic]

Absolutely NOT to VOTTO.....Contract is too outragous. the Dodgers were stupid enough to make that trade with the Red Sox I'm sure we could sucker them in a trade.

 

I think he has one of the worst contracts in baseball as well, which is why I know there's no chance the Jays would ever go for a player with that much of an anchor attached. My point was simply that if you are looking at those massive burdensome contracts for whatever reason, Votto makes more sense than Kemp.

[LongTimeReader]

He said he does not know the starter for the following positions-2B, LF, CF and DH.

 

It's pretty scary that we still have this many "holes" or "undefined" positions after making a couple blockbuster signings/trades.

[BlueRocky]

Matt Kemp 2015 confirmed, got it.

 

Got it

[Chappy]

It's pretty scary that we still have this many "holes" or "undefined" positions after making a couple blockbuster signings/trades.

 

Not really when we have the offensive firepower currently locked up. League average bats and adequate defenders for the remaining vacancies and this team is set on the offensive end. We probably end up with a platoon at one position (LF or 2B) and I'm betting Pompey ends up the opening day CF at this point, so it's not as many holes as it appears. If Navarro isn't traded then he probably shares time at DH as well, but we're better off trading him tbh.

[King]

Navarro won't be on this team next season, he wants to catch everyday.

[wardhenke1]

He said he does not know the starter for the following positions-2B, LF, CF and DH.

 

Add to that bullpen help including a closer and an upgrade to the starting rotation and we're a long, long way from contending.

 

Funny I pointed this out already and was outvoted 5-36.....

[Chappy]

Navarro won't be on this team next season, he wants to catch everyday.

 

I expect AA to trade him, but I doubt he will just give him away. If he can't get a fair offer I wouldn't be surprised if he returns. I doubt AA really gives a s*** about what Navarro wants, he will be a FA after next season anyways.

[G-Snarls]

I expect AA to trade him, but I doubt he will just give him away. If he can't get a fair offer I wouldn't be surprised if he returns. I doubt AA really gives a s*** about what Navarro wants, he will be a FA after next season anyways.

 

I was about to post pretty much this word for word

[LongTimeReader]

Navarro won't be on this team next season, he wants to catch everyday.

 

No up to him

[Chappy]

I was about to post pretty much this word for word

 

Yeah AA doesn't have to do anything Navarro asks for, he is under contract. Mom sure he will try to accommodate him if a deal that helps this team presents himself, otherwise Navarro can suck it up. He would get plenty of AB's anyways, although I'd prefer a better offensive player for DH.

[Laika]

I expect AA to trade him, but I doubt he will just give him away. If he can't get a fair offer I wouldn't be surprised if he returns. I doubt AA really gives a s*** about what Navarro wants, he will be a FA after next season anyways.

 

He makes no sense as a backup C, part time DH. Smoak is probably a better hitter and a significant defensive upgrade at 1B over Edwin.

 

AA and Navarro should both want him to get traded pretty bad.

 

I would basically give him away to save the $5M, personally, but I doubt it comes to that. Someone should flip an interesting reliever for him....

[xposbrad]

Add to that bullpen help including a closer and an upgrade to the starting rotation and we're a long, long way from contending.

 

Funny I pointed this out already and was outvoted 5-36.....

 

That doesn't mean anything, if your opinion is contrary to public opinion. I don't know why AA isn't prioritizing a starter over 2b. There enough guys to fill in there, that could put up average numbers. Buerhle is 35, Dickey is 40. Those are your #1/2 guys technically, especially salary wise.

 

I think 25m/aav is enough to sign Lester at 6 years. MBLTR just listed that they don't believe he has an offer at that amount. 6/150 should be able to sign him. Of course it's not my money

[Smokey]

It's pretty scary that we still have this many "holes" or "undefined" positions after making a couple blockbuster signings/trades.

 

I wouldn't call it "scary" at all. The fact that there appears to be just as many holes on the team as there were at the beginning of the offseason is somewhat deceptive. With the top of the lineup essentially set, and with Travis and Pompey waiting in the wings, the only full-time position of need is in LF which isn't going to be too tough to fill. The strength of the lineup also allows the DH spot to essentially remain open and used to rest guys like Reyes, EE and Bautista. So I'd say the only other area of need right now a versatile MIF who can fill in for Reyes and provide a bridge for Travis, and one more dependable BP arm.

 

I still think a front-line starter is necessary for the team to go far into the playoffs, but perhaps the trade deadline will provide a better opportunity for that once some teams exit the race.

[labadee]

he'll be on PTS in an hour or so as well