Scouting out initial Braves interest in top free agents
by Snorre on Oct 25, 2010 6:46 PM EDT
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hey all, this is my first real in-depth posting, I've been lingering in some game threads and other comments for about a year now. I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself formally and thank you all and your "colorful" personalities for all the fun I have on TC. Moving on...I just came across this interesting article by Yahoo's Tim Brown. I say interesting because it examines the financial implications of the current world series matchup, which is worth the read alone. Plus, it lists the major free agents (Crawford, Werth, Lee, ect) as well as likely trade candidates such as Prince Fielder, Zach Greinke, A-Gon, and Matt Kemp. I'm pretty sure Brown's analysis reveals his lack of knowledge regarding the status quo Braves organization, as he lists them as potential players in the Fielder, Werth, Greinke, and Kemp sweepstakes. At first glance, I forgot everything about this Braves organization's makeup and was cheering. Troy Glaus seemed to be the elder, "just-as-good" bootleg version of a power-threat 1B. Prince Fielder is the definition of the prototypical power 1B that Glaus was meant (used to be the real-deal at 3B a few years back) to be. How sweet would it be to get a true masher in the Braves' line up? Ugh! And Prince would be cleaning up after bastions of On-Base like Prado, Heyward, maybe Chipper (assuming Fredi bats him third, which I assume he will)...sick...and if the Prince fails,McCann is certainly capable (again, in Snorre fantasy world, he's batting 5th). Plus, as the Giants prove, having a portly corner infielder seems to be the next voodoo trick to advance to the World Series (simply having Hinske DID get us to the postseason, but wasn't potent enough). And on the less esoteric world of pitching, perhaps Grienke, like other AL-pitching imports (excluding Lowe) before him could pull a Javier Vasquez and turn the Above-average Braves rotation into the top of the National League. We'd go Hudson,Greinke, Hanson, Jurrjens, Lowe (Of course, he's going to maintain his Sept. form-again-fantasy world). Man, and any other additions to our outfield would just ice that cake. Kemp? MOAR HRZ PLZ. Sweet. Then it all came crashing down.
The Fall of Snorre's Fantasy World
First of all, What about Freddie Freeman? Since we'd only get one guaranteed year of Prince, would we just stash him back in AAA? He is young, but what more does he have to do? Win the International League batting title? Wait a sec....His tape-measure shot off Roy Halladay gave me a bro-ner over what to expect in the future. Also, no telling what we would have to give up in return, the pitch-poor Brewers would likely pillage our impressive crop of hurlers (Vizcaino, Teheran, Minor, or Beachy would almost assuredly be mandatory). But should we really try to pick him up with hope to resign him and postpone the Freeman era in Atlanta further? He is young though and perhaps the Freeman era may move north to Milwaukee in the exchange. But honestly, the Texiera deal has frightened me away from such power hitting 1B gambles. I miss Andrus and Feliz, as both propelled my Fantasy Baseball team (the Louisiana Braves- I had to see them as Braves, atleast, in spirit) to their first 24-team league championship this year. I would hate to have Teheran or Vizcaino as ONLY Louisiana Braves. Although i would savor the championship again, but I would cry secretly.
Which brings me to Greinke...Why would we shovel over more to the Royals for pitching, something we are pretty well stocked in. Although, personally, I think Greinke would be one of those pitchers worth getting. Outfield is clearly more important. Which brings me to Matt Kemp and Jayson Werth. Out of all the potential pickups listed by Mr. Brown, these two seem the most likely, as we are clear buyers on the outfield market. OK TC, i've elucidated my (quite long-winded) fantasy. What do you all think about the possibilities of acquiring the players mentioned?
This FanPost does not express the views or opinions of Talking Chop.
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What Seems Logical...
I think that a move made via trade more likely than anything. I like Werth’s game, but he’s a good deal for two years and bad for three if you sign him for the length he wants. I believe in Crawford more but we’re not going to break the bank for his game, not with NY, Anaheim, Boston, Chicago all going hard at him.
I see us making a deal for Kemp or Rasmus. I think anything said in the media that things are OK with those guys in their present situation is merely window dressing to keep their trade value up. I think we could get either of those guys for an “A” pitching prospect and a “B” pitching prospect (Minor and Delgado, example). My preference would be Kemp, only because I think long term he looks like he could fill more roles (he could go to lead off, second, fifth or sixth in the order) whereas I think with Rasmus, he’s always going to be a stretch at #3 or best at #5 or #6.
I don't think that would get Rasmus.
At least not an A pitching prospect and a B pitching prospect. Minor and Delgado is quite a haul, but the Cardinals needs are not primarily in pitching. They need help up the middle, and if they are going to create a huge hole in center field by trading Rasmus, we would have to add a middle infielder to the package. Minor, Delgado, and Infante might do it. They would want Prado, and if he were involved, we wouldn’t need to include Minro; maybe just Prado and Delgado. That, however, leaves us with a hole at second.
The big problem with Rasmus and Kemp is this: the centerfield free agent market this year is pitiful. If those guys are available at all, they will cost an arm and a leg and the Cards or Dodgers will have plenty of suitors. On a humor value rumor I am creating; if the Cards and Dodgers both have more problems with Rasmus and Kemp than they are saying, the best scenario for them would to trade Rasmus and Kemp for each other (cash would go to the Cards to make up for salary difference).
PS
Power hitting first basemen aren’t exactly plentiful but pitching in the minors is rare. So I agree that dealing for a year of Fielder would be silly, considering that Milwaukie would walk 2/5ths of a decent rotation for him.
Prince Fielder is a headcase. I don’t want him. I would love Rasmus though…Kemp I would be okay with.
by forgotten_glory on Oct 25, 2010 7:40 PM EDT reply actions
With approx. $15M
in unallocated salary room, it’s unlikely the Braves pick up any big names this offseason.
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
I chose 'Other'
I really don’t believe people are actually choosing Kemp over Werth, although in reality I don’t believe either are an option for us. Kemp would cost an arm and a leg due to his age and “potential” tag and since he hasn’t lived up to that potential yet I don’t see the cost being justified here. Werth simply isn’t an option due to fact he will be looking for a minimum 4 or 5 year contract at a cost that the Braves just won’t pay. Simple math, and historical evidence, eliminates him immediately.
In my opinion I see us going “all in” (it’s an expression, not an indication of what we should pay in trade) for Rasmus or resorting to more “scrap heap” pickups.
Good first post though. Definite enjoyable read.
I chose Kemp
Ignored price and just went with who I’d prefer to see in the OF. Agree neither is a real option, though.
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
I’d agree that we are more likely to wind up with a scrap heap guy than either Kemp or particularly Rasmus, whose not going anywhere. I think a Jurrjens + for Kemp could have been possible if not for Jurrjens’ surgery but it seems doubtful that would be considered now.
I’d like to see us check in on Carlos Quentin. He’s had two bad years in which he underperformed in nominal stats and struggled with injuries. Perhaps Kenny Williams and his empty farm system would accept a more quantity oriented prospect package in exchange for the high risk/reward Quentin.
"It's going to be strange watching There's Something About Mary again, knowing Brett Favre was the biggest stalker of them all"
Q
Quentin is an intriguing notion, but with nagging foot, wrist, and other injuries, he’s a considerable gamble. He also has a style of play that makes additional injuries likely, and his OF defense is suspect.
He’d have to be awful cheap for me to bite.
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
That's why I chose other...
give me a bad contract swap for KK and take a flier on Abreu, Rivera, Cameron, etc rebounding. Or deal JJ + prospects for a cost controlled, young bat like a Kemp, among several others, that could peak around the time McCann, Heyward, etc are peaking. But I don’t see Kemp or Werth as realistic options.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
This.
I don’t know if the Angels would consider Abreu a bad contract, so I doubt he would be a bad contract swap guy; but I could see a Rivera/KK thing happening with us kicking in the money to even up the salaries. I just can’t quit Cameron and advocated for him last offseason, but man, the Sox would have to even up the salaries there, because given his age, his injuries, and his 2010, Cameron may well have hit the end of the line. Rivera is probably the most likely option of that group, or we could trade prospects for DeJesus or Corey Hart. Nothing particularly sexy is going to happen, but lord even the guys I have mentioned even if they are not particularly good still have to be better than what we trotted out there last year.
If the Angels are in the hunt for Crawford...
as said, that gives them an excess number of OF, and someone between Hunter, Rivera, and Abreu would be the odd man out. The thing is with them, and the Red Sox, pitching isn’t a huge need, so they are probably not a good match.
With Cameron, I think his upside should he rebound makes up for the slightly higher salary (less than $1m). Best case scenario out of KK, he’d be the Red Sox 5th starter behind some combo of Lackey, Lester, Beckett, Bucholz, and Daiske. Or maybe fills a Delcarmen roles out of the bullpen. That’s nice, but not something they can’t get out of Wakefield, a cheap free agent, or any number of places. Cameron, best case scenario, starts 120-140+ games, and gives you .250/.350/.450 with 20+ HR. I’d take his healthy, best case scenario over KK’s all day, and imo, that’d justify taking the higher salary.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
the only way we get a deal with the red sox is a three waya deal…they just don’t have any need for KK, IMHO.
that said I wanted Cameron last year and I still want cameron…although he is getting older…but the Red Sox were smart and shut him down early and let him heal so he should be healthy and well rested for spring training next year, so at least thats a plus.
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
I wouldn't be so certain about that...
if they feel he’s capable of pitching effectively. They have the money to spend on “insurance policies” so to speak, or to pay him in a relief role if they feel their OF is fine without Cameron. My thought would be there OF is unsettled and Cameron could help them, so why move him out. But their middle relief struggled, Beckett has injury issues, Daiske has struggled the last couple years, Wakefield isn’t getting any younger, Lackey struggled and missed starts his last two years in Anaheim, Bucholz may or may not have sophomore struggles. As they learned that time they were supposedly overloaded with starters when they signed Smoltz, you can never have too many options for starts.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
by Mr. Sanchez on Oct 27, 2010 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions
This is not to say the trade should/will happen...
but just that I don’t think the Red Sox would be 100% confident in their current starting options and would probably like someone else in the mix.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
by Mr. Sanchez on Oct 27, 2010 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions
JUST SAY NO
to Jason Werth watched him to many times in philly. I feel he will struggle without howard and utley being main big bat
by Delaware Boiler on Oct 25, 2010 8:42 PM EDT reply actions
I doubt that. It wasn’t like he hit in front of those twos and was getting meat pitches because no one wanted to get to Utley/Howard. He’s got great on-base skills and LOT of pop. He had 46 doubles this year to go along with those 27dingers. He’s got the stuff to be successful with or without the Phillies.
The ballpark might have something to do with it.
2/3 of his homers were at home this season in only 14 more ABs, though his doubles were evenly split.
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
Still. Anywhere from 30-50 doubles to go with 20 homers (with the possible upside of 30), good speed, and adequate defense? While being righthanded? Sign me the fuck up.
His other splits were way better at home. With that said, his road stats were better than anything we had.
"If I have asthma, they won't let me scuba. And if I can’t scuba, then what’s this all been about?? What am I working toward??"
"You look like you should be married to one of the San Diego Padres."
The problem with that, of course, is...
….signing up costs you $18-$20 million.
If BoreAss thinks he’s getting that, he’s dreaming. Given Werth’s age, competition with Carl Crawford, stacked outfields in New Yorkand Boston, and no money to spend in Chicago, there’s no way. He’ll make 15-16M per year tops, and nothing close to the Holliday deal BoreAss says he’s seeking. I expect the Yankees and BoSox to bid on him, but Boston doesn’t really have room unless they move someone else, and New York even more so with Swisher, Gardner, and Granderson well entrenched and Thames doing more than adequately as the fourth man. Neither is going to massively overpay for him because it isn’t an area of need, they’ll just serve to drive up the cost for the Angels and anyone else that considers attempting to sign him.
He’s either getting 64M deal for 4 years, or a 70M deal for 5. Still expensive, but not 20M.
Kemp
I still love the idea of Matt Kemp as a braves, so I got to go with him.
The Dodgers wouldn't do that.
They wouldn’t have any OF’s at that point. I think that could be a problem; the Dodgers don’t exactly have OF depth, and we certainly don’t have an OF to give them back.
actually
the Dodgers do have some OF depth, or players they could easily move to the OF (always thought Dee Gordon was better off in CF) in the minors. But they Dodgers would consider it because pitching wins in Chavez Ravine and a package of JJ + R. Delgado for Kemp would be MIGHTY enticing.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Oct 26, 2010 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions
If they have a guy in the minors that would thrive in CF, why not try and pry him away instead of paying out the package they’d ask for for Kemp? Does anyone happen to have a list of possibly available CF prospects around the Minors?
Muhwawkee has a guy who missed most of the year, Logan Schafer, who was the position prospect of the year season before last. The position player of the last season was Erik Komatsu. They just brought up Cain who looked really good. They also have an outrageously talented but offensive underperformer in Carlos Gomez who will likely be a bench OF.
they are almsot certain to nontender GOmez…and Logan Schafer isnt a CF, he is basically Nate McLouth.
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
Gomez
Is only 24, and while he has a horrific MLB batting eye, he demonstrated decent patience in the minors and covers a lot of ground in CF.
If MIL really cuts him, he’d be worth a look.
If Albert played in the AFL, they’d have to rename it the AZ/NM Fall League, based on where his homers landed.
season before last
he was considered best defensive CF. He has a gun for an arm. He is extremely fast.
If he didn't have such horrible on base skills...
I’d like Gomez. But by now, he’s kind of proven he’s Wily Tavares part two.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
And has 445 games,...
near 1500 plate appearances, and an obp below .300. He may be young, but that’s a large enough, and consistent enough, sample size.
Kind of like Melky, he may be young, but he’s played plenty and the numbers have been more consistent (and terrible) than Melky’s were.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
Gomez is one of the scrub choices.
He can play the defense, but his bat is severely lacking.
Still though...
we gave Wily Tavarez a chance this year. If Gomez will take a minor league deal, I’d be willing to sign him and hope someone can figure out a way to have him get on base. With his speed, if he can get to .350 obp instead of the sub .300 he’s put up every year so far, he can be effective. It’s doubtful, at best, that he can ever get his obp up to that level, but imo, it’s worth a minor league deal to see if he can.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
by Mr. Sanchez on Oct 27, 2010 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions
Logan Schafer plays CF….that doesnt mean he will continue to play…from what I have heard…there is a much better chance he ends up being a LF or RF…or ends up playign CF and being below average…like Nate McLouth
ANd after looking at it more, for some reason I thought Gomez was on his third year of arbitration..and would be getting more money ( i figured around 3-4M, because it was his 3rd year of abr)…he probably won’t get 2M which means they can afford to keep him.
So I was wrong about him being non-tendered, and i should have actually looked at it. But that doesnt change the fact that he isnt very good…if we are gonna get a OF from MIL that isnt very good Id rather have Chris Dickerson…he has more patience and is a very good defender (although not as good as Gomez)…
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
Schafer
is a plus defender in CF. You must be thinking of someone else or whoever you “hear” from is incompetent. Who was it?
Gomez is outrageously talented. The talent shows in the field and on the bases. His arby year isn’t why he’s going to be kept.
Dickerson plays a better CF than corner. I’m sure he could be pried loose or be part of a deal.
Gomez may be very talented...
…on the bases and in the field, but if he can’t get on base, he’ll never make it as a major league regular in the OF. He seems like a classic can’t steal first base type to me.
Exactly...
talent on the bases doesn’t mean much when you can’t get on them.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
by Mr. Sanchez on Oct 28, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
I am sure he'd make a hell of a ...
…pinch-runner/defensive replacement, however.
That's what is likely
He’s awesome at those too. He more or less won a couple games by bunting for a base hit or as a pinch runner and just causing havoc.
He’s not unskilled as a hitter either. He seems like an example of a player who was brought up too early and combined with an intense energy level, is just too agressive. I like him on the team even if he is what he is right now. Just as conversation though, a poster will say they really like player A who has 30 or 40 points of OBP and plays decent defense and I think the difference between Gomez and that player isn’t that great. But he’s got the ugly slash line, and therefore he is horrible. Everybody wants perfect players.
Not perfect, but at least respectable...
he doesn’t have any power to make up for the low obp. His speed is his asset, and he needs to get on for it to be valuable.
I’d love to sign him either, but think he’d be worth a minor league deal at best and would be well served by a stint in AAA to work on improving his on base skills to get to at least .320 or .330, where he can be much more valuable.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
Even at that low number...
that’s pretty high for a guy who is in AAA, or little more than defense and pinch running. He played his way out of Minnesota, and probably just did it again in Milwaukee, at least as far as 7 figures and arb is concerned.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
Dodgers OF depth
Sorry, I guess I didn’t explain what I meant well enough. I meant the Dodgers, if they trade Kemp, don’t have anyone to play center in 2011. They might have some OF in the system, but they don’t have anyone who will be ready for 2011 outside of Lambo, and he certainly can’t play center; he can barely play left. Dee Gordon could be moved (although I doubt it) but he certainly isn’t ready yet.
Oh crap...
…forgot about that. My bad. Who the hell are they going to play in the OF in 2011? They will definitely be competitors for OF’s this year; assuming they keep Kemp, they are still one LF short.
i’ve said sicne last year that Crawford will end up in LA…be it NL or AL…with manny off the books as wel as Jason Schmidt and Juan Pierre (ya they are still paying those guys). they haev some money to spend…and even with the divorce thing i still think they could sign Crawford…or Werth.
"No. Lonely people mixing with one another? Breeding? Creating an even lonelier generation? You're not even allowing natural selection do its work. Pssh. You're like the guy who invented the seat belt."
Dwight Schrute
And the divorce trial has started.
Hopefully for the Dodgers, they will have ownership sorted out in time to avoid paralysis. That being said, these kind of legal proceedings can take a long time.
Yes.
Because no one would be mentioning him as a trade candidate if he hadn’t.
ummm people were mentioning him as a trade candidate. HRs are not the only important stat.
by Braves Biceps on Oct 26, 2010 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions
My point is that if he HADN’T sucked (he did, you’re right) that no one would think that the Dodgers might make him available, therefore no one would mention him as a trade candidate.
Is anyone talking about the Rox making Carlos Gonzalez available? No, because Carlos Gonzalez was awesome last year, is cheap, and is years away from free agency. Conversely, Kemp was not awesome last year, but was awesome the year before, and is also cheap and controlled. What makes Kemp attractive is the possibility of “buying low,” which is preferred to its counterpart, “buying high.”
Other
Agree with scstrato in that I don’t see either option listed as viable options to the off-season. The reasons have been discussed in this thread and I don’t really have much to add to that conversation.
Some more realistic names to make a run @:
Carlos Beltran:
Pros: I think the Mets would be willing to part with him fairly cheaply in an attempt to remake the Mets outside of Minaya’s image. Something like McLouth and a prospect would be enough to get the Mets to send him + enough $$ to at least even out the salaries.
Cons: Is he as actually less risk than McLouth? Granted, Beltran’s issue are more injury-based and more easily diagnosed, but @ $18.5 mil, his risk is heightened somewhat. Even if the Mets would take McLouth as part of the package, I don’t think their FO could sell a straight McLouth for Beltran as a win for them. They’d want a prospect but be willing to buy him with some (or all) of the $3 mil salary difference between the 2. Agreeing to who that would be would be an issue.
BJ Upton:
Pros: Has been an elite defensive CF who can mash LHP. Still young and under team control for a few more years. Desmond Jennings is an elite prospect sitting @ AAA so the team doesn’t need a CF to trade him.
Cons: The Rays would prolly want more for him than his production – especially over the last 2 years – warrants. There is a noticeable decline in his both his offensive and defensive value in that time frame. His platoon splits are fairly exaggerated and he’s basically a black hole against RHP. Considering that the Rays are rumored to go into cost conscious mode this offseason, they’d prolly be looking for a nice package of prospects for Upton and we don’t really match up well there, since our strongest position in MiLB since the same as theirs – Ps.
BJ Upton
I don’t see why he would be available. While the Rays have Jennings ready, he is going to take over for Crawford, who will obvioulsy be gone.
Rumor is that the Rays may make him available
They’ve announced their cutting their payroll already and they’ve got a slew of arby players. If they can get away with trading Upton for parts while picking up a cheap LF, they’ve got to consider it. As stated above, I can’t see them trading him for what would be offered for someone who’s only hit .240 the last 2 seasons though…
Upton
had a horribly low BABIP this year. If it’s where it was normally (it was something like .280. if it was .320 like it is normally…and that’s BELOW average ont he whole), he would be a top-7 OF. guy is fast, plays good D, and has grown immensely.
we could do A LOT worse that Upton.
I think a package of Minor + M. Young and a C level prospect could entice the Rays.
by apoxonbothyourhouses on Oct 28, 2010 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't see that working.
Young may be a nice fourth/fifth OF option for us, but he doesn’t have much trade value if he has any at all. A C-level prospect also has little trade value. And while Minor has trade value, the Rays have a full rotation plus multiple pitching prospects ready to go.
beltran?
do. not. want. can’t stay healthy and is getting paid WAY too much
if i had to guess i would say upton stays in TB. not calling anyone out here, but people hate on wren for signing a player hoping that they will bounce back/finally emerge… is that not what the hope would be with upton? that, and he’s going to cost more than he’s worth.
Beltran
Depending on what the Mets new FO wants to do, I could see them throwing in some $$ to get rid of him. Look @ it this way, if they’d take McLouth for the final year off our hands, then Beltran’s real cost is about $10.75 mil – or $3 mil more than McLouth. Will Beltran give us $3 mil more value than McLouth next year? Dunno, depends on how healthy Beltran is and that can be easily checked by a decent physical…
I would guess that Upton stays too. As stated, I think that TB would want more than other teams would realistic want to give for what he’s produced over the last 2 years… but he deserves to be a list since I guess they could decide to simply cull him.
Crawford
this guy would be a great addition and give you the leadoff and speed the braves have needed at the top of the lineup.
oh so
you found out about the braves’ secret money tree
where is such mysticle item???
Shark in the water.
by AvoidTheDolphin on Oct 26, 2010 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Ideas:
You have a plethora of them.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
Well, you told me I have a plethora. And I just would like to know if you know what a plethora is. I would not like to think that a person would tell someone he has a plethora, and then find out that that person has no idea what it means to have a plethora.
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
plethora, n.
(origin unknown) A prayer to the Norse god of thunder.
That's a
good job outta you.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
TC
Absolutely overflowing with Rosterbation since the end of the season
Baseball is like church. Many attend but few understand.
No blog I have ever come across rosterbates like TC. Most every time I think a thread is spent so to speak, I cruise back here and its… well, I’ll pass on the double entendres here.
I'd love to see Werth out there.
But we can’t afford him.
Sadly, we’ll probably not end up with any of the guys mentioned here unless Liberty Media has an epiphany and ponies up more money for Wren to spend to fill our needs at LF, possibly 3rd, 1st, and maybe CF. I wish we had someone like Ted Turner who was willing to spend the money to fill our needs.
We’ll probably end up with Wren rolling the dice on a high risk high reward player. Heaven forbid we get a 1 year rental that we can’t afford to sign afterward.
What will Magglio Ordonez be making?
I just read that the Tigers might not pick up his option. I am unsure if they will try to resign him with a different deal worked out, but he can still hit and for the right price, he could be a power right handed bat that we could stick in the outfield.
"Baseball is like church. Many attend; few understand." - Leo Durocher
Grienke
Obviously not a name I had thought of, but why not?
The Phillies (and the Braves before them) have demonstrated that a dominant rotation can mask a whole lot of defensive inefficiencies. Quite frankly, I’d rather overpay on Grienke than overpay on some “might be the missing link” outfielder. Dayton Moore is well familiar with the Braves system and almost certainly we have the pieces to pry ZG out of KC.
In my view, Hudson, Grienke, Lowe, Hanson, and Jurrjens/Minor/Beachy > Chipper, McCann, and some pricey basketcase.
Greinke is a very expensive option if you include...
…both players and salary. Greinke is owed $13.5 million in both 2011 and 2012, and the Royals want plenty for him. MLBTR has already suggested that a Minnesota offer of Delmon Young and Kevin Slowey would be insufficient.
I understand the idea of just loading up the pitching, but I think the price will just be too high, especially since his salary will pretty much take up all of our available salary room.
13.5 million seems reasonable for a top flight starting pitcher (if not cheap by today’s standards). This guy was the Cy Young on a last place team. From watching what other good AL pitchers have done coming to the NL, he could be one of the most dominant pitchers in the majors. In my view, that makes the price worth it, even if it means Matt Diaz is our starting left fielder.
Sure, the price will be steep in terms of return. The Braves, I imagine, can offer a substantially better package than Minnesota, in some measure because we aren’t in the same division as KC.
I guess we could...
…but it would mean that our CF/LF is McLouth and Diaz again. That isn’t too pretty.
Of course not ideal, but you put a great rotation together and you can withstand a little less offense.
I am still of the impression McLouth is going to turn it around. The guy has talent. He had a rough season, but you’ll see him bounce back to career averages in 2011. Won’t make him an all-star, but will be a decent major league outfielder.
I hope so about McLouth.
I just don’t know what his career averages are—-he has been a veritable yo-yo, either good or bad. He does have some talent, and with his contract, I am sure he will be a Brave next year. Let’s hope he does turn it around.
That being said, I’d still rather have a little more balance. We have a lot of pitching right now and plenty more on the way. If it is going to cost money and a decent load of prospects, I’d rather get an equivalent hitter.
“Of course not ideal, but you put a great rotation together and you can withstand a little less offense.”
I’m kinda tired of less offense. For the last couple of seasons, fans have been begging for the big bat & it never seems to materialize. Our rotation is pretty solid as it is. Please Wren, lets go after a big stick. A Crawford. A Heyward clone. Something.
A baseball diamond is, most simply, the intersecting of four 90-foot baselines, and, most powerfully, the intersecting of seemingly random lives.
Bring Back Aundrew
He may be a little older, but he can play left and still has some pop, he would also be pretty cheap
Not in this lifetime or the next several
would I want Andruw Jones back on the team. His days are over.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
Booooooooo AJ is the man, he just needs to stay in better shape, and he proved this year that he’s still got soemthing left in the tank, a reunion would be awesome.
Bingo. Any fan with a small amount of baseball knowledge (even my wife) could tell what Andruw’s problems were: 1) inability to lay off breaking pitches away, and 2) laziness. Guy still has talent and can still hit. Now that he is back in shape and refocused on his game after an embarrassing few years, I imagine he could be a steal.
Or the fact that he OPS'd
.827 in a more hitter-friendly environment could be entirely misleading. His last full year in an NL pitchers park was his last one in Atlanta where he OPS’d .724. I am willing to concede that he is in better shape than he was last year, but his OPS was significantly higher at home than on the road. Away from Comiskey he was barely above league average.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
"than he was last year"
meant to say “than he was his last year in Atlanta”.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
And hey, if he is barely above league average in Atlanta...
…that’s a huge improvement from what we had last year!
Over Nate and Melky, yes.
Over Diaz and Hinske? I’m not so sure.
"Jason Heyward was a Greek philosopher reincarnated as a baseball player." - Don Sutton
But no one is talking about making him...
a 150+ game player, or at least they shouldn’t be. As a 4th OF, he seems like a good option, especially if he can still play CF (we know his instincts are going, so it’s a matter of how well he moves).
http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/
LF
I would go after Rasmus since LA would likely require significant return, but we do have the pitching depth that could open that up.
I don’t see Werth happening due to what is likely a crazy asking price plus by signing him we would be sending Philly two picks since he’s a Type-A player.
Looking at the potential free agents we could go after Jeremy Hermida or Jason Kubel (however unlikely Minn is to not re-sign him) as a LF with some pop; both of those would almost certainly give us more production than last year.
Hermida will be cheap...
…but his production the past few years hasn’t been any better than what we had last year. As for Rasmus, if we get him somehow, he’d play center. On the other hand, the Cards will want as much for Rasmus or more than what the Dodgers would want for Kemp.
BACK-UP FOR FREEMAN
ADAM LaROACH IS OUT THERE. STILL ONE OF BEST 1ST BASEMEN IN THE GAME AND CAN STILL HIT. EXCELLENT BACK-UP FOR FREDDIE FREEMAN..AND HE’S CHEAP RIGHT NOW.
The way you spelled LaRoche
Indicates you have some understanding of the CAPS LOCK button. Humorous.
Baseball is like church. Many attend but few understand.
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