The Otani Sweepstakes got complicated as MLB nears to the actual start line for the posting of the Japanese star.
USA Today reports:
Ohtani's agent, Nez Balelo,
asked teams not to submit financial terms. More significantly,
restrictions on international signings will limit Ohtani's bonus to a
maximum of about $3.5 million, depending on the club he chooses, and
allow him to sign only a minor-league deal.
That makes him affordable to all teams, although they would also
have to put up a posting fee of $20 million for the right to negotiate
with him.
The letter asks the teams to provide information, in English and
Japanese, on matters such as their player-development and medical
staffs, their facilities, resources to ease Otani's assimilation and
the desirability of the franchise, city and marketplace. It also
requests the clubs' evaluation of Otani as a hitter and/or pitcher.
For all MLB teams, including the Cubs, landing Otani would be a coup. However, even though the agent is not saying money is not an issue (at this point), the final decision will be based on money.
The Cubs have had Japanese players on the team before, their performances did not reach expectations. There were never any reports of issues in communication between player and coaches. Chicago is an international city so the culture shock would be less.
The issue of player development is interesting. It may be code for a "winning tradition" or the ability to win a championship now. The Cubs have recently been able to develop young hitters, but current management has a horrible record developing pitchers.
The medical staff issue is also interesting. Most players do not have a concern about medical and training staffs because it is believed that all clubs have the same quality personnel. But maybe Otani's own medical history and/or how he treats his body with alternative medicine principles could be an issue for an American team.
The resources required to bring Otani into the clubhouse, city and American culture would include a translator, tutor and/or roommate who can guide the foreigner through the nuances of American baseball-celebrity life. Otani is only 23. He is young, but most reports indicate that he is mature for his age. But this would be his first time away from his native country. There needs to be a strong support system to avoid him becoming home sick which could lead to performance issues. One strong MLB team with connections to Japan is the Mariners, who are building resources to try to sign Otani. Seattle has a large Asian community and is closer to Japan than Midwest and East Coast teams.
The desirability of the franchise means the ability to win championships and to have a national presence (for endorsements). The Cubs, Yankees, Dodgers and Red Sox would be the top tier national franchises. Again, a team like the Mariners would immediately make Otani the face of their franchise.
All MLB scouts rate Otani above average as a pitcher and hitter. The consensus is that he is a four-pitch #1 starter as a pitcher and a potential 35 HR corner outfielder. Otani wants to be a two way player (the first full timer since Babe Ruth). In most people's minds, that means that an American league team would be the most likely landing spot since Otani could DH when not pitching. But if Otani wants to play in the outfield, then that makes an NL team a possibility. Most 90 percent of all teams do not want to risk injury for a "gimmick" player - - - if Otani's value is as a #1 ace, then his pitching routine, rest between starts and ability to throw take absolute precedence over playing in the field.
For the Cubs to accommodate Otani's request, the team would have to get rid of one or two outfielders (Schwarber, Almora or Happ). The Cubs have been unwilling to entertain any serious offers for any of these young players. And it would be risky to trade one of them on the unknown of whether Otani can adapt as a hitter to American pitchers.
The Cubs are probably near the bottom of potential Otani suitors (even though there are media reports that the Cubs are trying very hard to sign him.) The Cubs can only offer him 1/10th of the potential signing bonus ($300,000) and pay him the minimum ($545,000) for two years. Otani and his agent are not going to walk away from $3 million from another club who can make the same accommodations outlined in the agent's letter.
Showing posts with label Mariners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mariners. Show all posts
November 29, 2017
August 1, 2016
TAKE AWAY HIS SCORECARD
Last nights Cubs game was terrible display of front office and field management.
First, who cares if Matooze has a contract out on Tuesday if he does not get promoted
to the big league roster? The Cubs sent down bullpen arm Grimm for 10 days to showcase
"Matooze" - - - a terrible slow pitch lefty who is a failed Oriole starter FOUR years ago?!
I commented that after the top of first inning it looked like a spring training game.
Second, Maddon went Nutty Professor again last night - - - running out of players and
pitchers. I cringed when Wood crashed into the left field brick wall while making a catch.
He is the most valuable middle reliever on the team. Maddon is going to get a player a career ending injury by playing them out of position. Davy Martinez should take away Maddon's scorecard
in the 6th inning of games.
Third, a suicide squeeze with one out in the 12th by Jon Lester? Extremely lucky on the
play because Heyward got a bad jump off third, and the Seattle pitcher did not field the
bunt cleanly and tossed it to the wrong side of the catcher.
Sure, it was an exciting game.
Sure, the fans left happy.
But the Cubs never should have been in a 6-0 deficit.
Unless the Cubs decide on a real six man rotation to save the starting 5's arms for October, this "spot" start "let's throw spaghetti arms on the wall and see what sticks" is a bad plan.
If the Cubs were thinking that they would use last night's spot starter in a possible trade today, well, that notion turned to a charcoal nugget by the end of the second inning. This spot start also adds to the major league roster shortage. We expect Matusz to get cut or waived today - - - which means the Cubs have to call up someone on their 40 man roster (but it cannot be LaStella or Grimm.) Unless Soler or Cahill is ready to come off the disabled list, the pickings are slim in Iowa.
First, who cares if Matooze has a contract out on Tuesday if he does not get promoted
to the big league roster? The Cubs sent down bullpen arm Grimm for 10 days to showcase
"Matooze" - - - a terrible slow pitch lefty who is a failed Oriole starter FOUR years ago?!
I commented that after the top of first inning it looked like a spring training game.
Second, Maddon went Nutty Professor again last night - - - running out of players and
pitchers. I cringed when Wood crashed into the left field brick wall while making a catch.
He is the most valuable middle reliever on the team. Maddon is going to get a player a career ending injury by playing them out of position. Davy Martinez should take away Maddon's scorecard
in the 6th inning of games.
Third, a suicide squeeze with one out in the 12th by Jon Lester? Extremely lucky on the
play because Heyward got a bad jump off third, and the Seattle pitcher did not field the
bunt cleanly and tossed it to the wrong side of the catcher.
Sure, it was an exciting game.
Sure, the fans left happy.
But the Cubs never should have been in a 6-0 deficit.
Unless the Cubs decide on a real six man rotation to save the starting 5's arms for October, this "spot" start "let's throw spaghetti arms on the wall and see what sticks" is a bad plan.
If the Cubs were thinking that they would use last night's spot starter in a possible trade today, well, that notion turned to a charcoal nugget by the end of the second inning. This spot start also adds to the major league roster shortage. We expect Matusz to get cut or waived today - - - which means the Cubs have to call up someone on their 40 man roster (but it cannot be LaStella or Grimm.) Unless Soler or Cahill is ready to come off the disabled list, the pickings are slim in Iowa.
July 21, 2016
NOT "HIS" GUYS
This post was written prior to the Cubs trade.
Many believe that Theo Epstein "loves" his prospects to the point where he cannot part with them. It is a common problem some general managers have in drafting and developing players. Former Cubs GM Jim Hendry was famous for hanging on to his prospects to the point where they had no trade value (or were poor major league players). In a trade market, you try to exchange gold for silver; veterans for quality prospects.
So when Theo took over the Cubs, he had no loyalty to Hendry-era players. Here are some notable players from the Hendry days:
Notable Drafted players:
2003 – Jake Fox, Sean Marshall, Casey Mcgehee, Sam Fuld (unsigned)
2004 – Fuld, Sean Gallagher
2006 – Tyler Colvin, Jeff Samardjiza, Steve Clevenger
2007 – Josh Donaldson, Darwin Barney, Brandon Guyer, Josh Vitters
2008 – Andrew Cashner, Ryan Flaherty, Josh Harrison, Jeff Beliveau, and an unsigned Sonny Gray
2009 – Brett Jackson, DJ LeMahieu, Chris Rusin, Wes Darvill, Brooks Raley, Justin Bour, Trey McNutt, and an unsigned Colin Kaepernick (SF QB)
2010 – Matt Szczur, Erick Jokisch, Elliot Soto, Dustin Geiger, Dallas Beeler
2011 – Javy Baez, Dan Vogelbach, Tayler Scott, Shawon Dunston, Jr., Daniel Lockhart, Trey Martin, Dillon Maples, John Andreoli, James Pugliese, Andrew McKirahan, Michael Jensen, PJ Francescon.
Notable International signings:
2010_ OF Rubi Silva (Cuba), SS Carlos Penalver (Venezuela), 3B Jeimer Candelario (Dominican Republic), OF Jeffrey Baez, C Alberto Mineo (Italy), RHP Daury Torrez (Dominican Republic)
2009- C Willson Contreras (Venezuela), Pin-Chieh Chen (Taiwan), RHP Felix Pena
2008 – INF Hak-Ju Lee (South Korea), RHP, INF Arismendy Alcantara (Dominican Republic), Frank Batista RHP, Dominican Republic
2007 – OF Kosuke Fukudome (Japan), IF Junior Lake (Dominican Republic)
2006 – SS Starlin Castro (Dominican Republic)
2005 – RHP Alberto Cabrera (Dominican Republic)
2004 – RHP Rafael Dolis (Dominican Republic), C Welington Castillo (Dominican Republic).
As you can tell, many of the Hendry signings did make it to the major leagues. Several have been used by Theo as trade chips to acquire other players. In 4.5 years, Theo has turned over most the organizational roster.
So if you are trying to predict which current Cubs prospects or players could be used in a trade deadline trade, look at who is left in the Cubs organization from the Hendry era:
Contreras #2 prospect, Candelario #8 prospect, and Vogelbach #20 prospect.
Contreras and Candelario have both played with the Cubs major league team this season. Vogelbach has gotten some of his power back in AAA Iowa.
Since the Cubs will not trade Kyle Schwarber, who some project to be worth more than 21 WAR in his rookie control period, for a relief pitcher, that means it is really down to Candelario and Vogelbach to make a trade. For a top line reliever like Andrew Miller, this probably will not get it done. For a rental player like A. Chapman, maybe, but there will be other suitors.
Addendum:
The Cubs acquired left handed swingman Mike Montgomery and minor leaguer Jordan Pries from Seattle in exchange for 1B/DH Dan Vogelbach and minor league starter Paul Blackburn. With Montgomery, the Cubs get a power pitcher from the left side that holds lefties to a .146 BA. He also has the ability to spot start.
Like discussed above, the Cubs parted with Vogelbach, a player who would blocked by Rizzo and Schwarber on the major league roster. Vogelbach was rumored to have been in the Yankee discussions for Andrew Miller, but the Yanks wanted Schwarber.
Of note, Theo and Hoyer did part with one of their "guys," a 2012 draft pick in Blackburn. Blackburn, 22, is 6-4 in AA with a 3.17 ERA. In Pries, the Cubs get a 26 year old AAA reliever who was promoted from AA as a marginal starter.
Many believe that Theo Epstein "loves" his prospects to the point where he cannot part with them. It is a common problem some general managers have in drafting and developing players. Former Cubs GM Jim Hendry was famous for hanging on to his prospects to the point where they had no trade value (or were poor major league players). In a trade market, you try to exchange gold for silver; veterans for quality prospects.
So when Theo took over the Cubs, he had no loyalty to Hendry-era players. Here are some notable players from the Hendry days:
Notable Drafted players:
2003 – Jake Fox, Sean Marshall, Casey Mcgehee, Sam Fuld (unsigned)
2004 – Fuld, Sean Gallagher
2006 – Tyler Colvin, Jeff Samardjiza, Steve Clevenger
2007 – Josh Donaldson, Darwin Barney, Brandon Guyer, Josh Vitters
2008 – Andrew Cashner, Ryan Flaherty, Josh Harrison, Jeff Beliveau, and an unsigned Sonny Gray
2009 – Brett Jackson, DJ LeMahieu, Chris Rusin, Wes Darvill, Brooks Raley, Justin Bour, Trey McNutt, and an unsigned Colin Kaepernick (SF QB)
2010 – Matt Szczur, Erick Jokisch, Elliot Soto, Dustin Geiger, Dallas Beeler
2011 – Javy Baez, Dan Vogelbach, Tayler Scott, Shawon Dunston, Jr., Daniel Lockhart, Trey Martin, Dillon Maples, John Andreoli, James Pugliese, Andrew McKirahan, Michael Jensen, PJ Francescon.
Notable International signings:
2010_ OF Rubi Silva (Cuba), SS Carlos Penalver (Venezuela), 3B Jeimer Candelario (Dominican Republic), OF Jeffrey Baez, C Alberto Mineo (Italy), RHP Daury Torrez (Dominican Republic)
2009- C Willson Contreras (Venezuela), Pin-Chieh Chen (Taiwan), RHP Felix Pena
2008 – INF Hak-Ju Lee (South Korea), RHP, INF Arismendy Alcantara (Dominican Republic), Frank Batista RHP, Dominican Republic
2007 – OF Kosuke Fukudome (Japan), IF Junior Lake (Dominican Republic)
2006 – SS Starlin Castro (Dominican Republic)
2005 – RHP Alberto Cabrera (Dominican Republic)
2004 – RHP Rafael Dolis (Dominican Republic), C Welington Castillo (Dominican Republic).
As you can tell, many of the Hendry signings did make it to the major leagues. Several have been used by Theo as trade chips to acquire other players. In 4.5 years, Theo has turned over most the organizational roster.
So if you are trying to predict which current Cubs prospects or players could be used in a trade deadline trade, look at who is left in the Cubs organization from the Hendry era:
Contreras #2 prospect, Candelario #8 prospect, and Vogelbach #20 prospect.
Contreras and Candelario have both played with the Cubs major league team this season. Vogelbach has gotten some of his power back in AAA Iowa.
Since the Cubs will not trade Kyle Schwarber, who some project to be worth more than 21 WAR in his rookie control period, for a relief pitcher, that means it is really down to Candelario and Vogelbach to make a trade. For a top line reliever like Andrew Miller, this probably will not get it done. For a rental player like A. Chapman, maybe, but there will be other suitors.
Addendum:
The Cubs acquired left handed swingman Mike Montgomery and minor leaguer Jordan Pries from Seattle in exchange for 1B/DH Dan Vogelbach and minor league starter Paul Blackburn. With Montgomery, the Cubs get a power pitcher from the left side that holds lefties to a .146 BA. He also has the ability to spot start.
Like discussed above, the Cubs parted with Vogelbach, a player who would blocked by Rizzo and Schwarber on the major league roster. Vogelbach was rumored to have been in the Yankee discussions for Andrew Miller, but the Yanks wanted Schwarber.
Of note, Theo and Hoyer did part with one of their "guys," a 2012 draft pick in Blackburn. Blackburn, 22, is 6-4 in AA with a 3.17 ERA. In Pries, the Cubs get a 26 year old AAA reliever who was promoted from AA as a marginal starter.
February 10, 2016
TWO STRIKE HITTING
Sports Illustrated recently had an article on MLB hitting.
With run production well down because of a new era in quality pitching, several teams including the Mariners, are taking a second look at hitting instruction.
The Mariners' winter camp program was “Control the Zone.” The Mariners' instructors talked about concepts such as “getting into good counts,” “being selective but aggressive” and “being in a good position to hit” with “separation on the back side” wrote Tom Verducci.
But the syllabus also included the key acknowledgement that modern baseball has changed so much that hitters have to learn how to make contact with two strikes. The two-strike approach, which disappeared for a generation, is not just back, but is also once again a fundamental part of winning baseball.
“They heard a lot about a two-strike approach and the value of putting the ball in play,” said first-year Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto. “This may or not be factually accurate, but I think it’s harder to draw a walk in today’s game than it’s ever been,” Dipoto said. “There’s been a debate among people for years that there are players that have the walk ‘skill’—it is something they possess. The one thing we do know you can affect as a hitter is reducing the number of strikeouts. As long as you are able to control the zone in that way with two strikes and put the ball in play good things can happen.
I recall many stories of how Greg Maddux would sit in the Cubs dugout and "call" the game to whomever was sitting next to him, before the pitcher threw a pitch. Maddux was a student of the game. He knew before he went to the mound his pitch selection sequence and how each batter would be looking to hit. Maddux used his knowledge to freeze batters with a two seam fastball that would tail back over the plate.
Great pitching is part talent and part scouting your opponent.
The same is true with great hitting. Great hitters know their pitching opponents strengths and weaknesses. I recall Darryl Ward telling young Cub hitters during a game what to look for when you faced this pitcher. Ward was an excellent contact hitter; he could foul off a dozen pitches until he found one he could turn on.
Ward knew what the pitcher threw, but he also had a great grasp of the strike zone. If you have a comfort level of being able to consistently reach all four corners of the zone, then you can get the pitch you want to hit.
Most major leaguers "sit" on a fastball. But then during a count of off-speed, breaking pitches for strikes, they get nervous. They start looking for a slider and get caught looking at an inside fastball.
Some batters have the mindset that they will only wait for a pitch in the zone, at the perfect swing plane, so they will not swing at all. In essence, they are waiting for a pitcher to make a mistake over the plate. This is a game of chicken. More and more pitchers fall into this game by trying to nibble at the corners to avoid contact, when in fact, they lose sight that only one in four batters will actually get a hit off him. The odds increase if a pitcher gets behind in the count.
This new revival of the "two-strike" approach to hitting is really a return to basic baseball fundamentals. And that is a welcome change.
With run production well down because of a new era in quality pitching, several teams including the Mariners, are taking a second look at hitting instruction.
The Mariners' winter camp program was “Control the Zone.” The Mariners' instructors talked about concepts such as “getting into good counts,” “being selective but aggressive” and “being in a good position to hit” with “separation on the back side” wrote Tom Verducci.
But the syllabus also included the key acknowledgement that modern baseball has changed so much that hitters have to learn how to make contact with two strikes. The two-strike approach, which disappeared for a generation, is not just back, but is also once again a fundamental part of winning baseball.
“They heard a lot about a two-strike approach and the value of putting the ball in play,” said first-year Seattle general manager Jerry Dipoto. “This may or not be factually accurate, but I think it’s harder to draw a walk in today’s game than it’s ever been,” Dipoto said. “There’s been a debate among people for years that there are players that have the walk ‘skill’—it is something they possess. The one thing we do know you can affect as a hitter is reducing the number of strikeouts. As long as you are able to control the zone in that way with two strikes and put the ball in play good things can happen.
I recall many stories of how Greg Maddux would sit in the Cubs dugout and "call" the game to whomever was sitting next to him, before the pitcher threw a pitch. Maddux was a student of the game. He knew before he went to the mound his pitch selection sequence and how each batter would be looking to hit. Maddux used his knowledge to freeze batters with a two seam fastball that would tail back over the plate.
Great pitching is part talent and part scouting your opponent.
The same is true with great hitting. Great hitters know their pitching opponents strengths and weaknesses. I recall Darryl Ward telling young Cub hitters during a game what to look for when you faced this pitcher. Ward was an excellent contact hitter; he could foul off a dozen pitches until he found one he could turn on.
Ward knew what the pitcher threw, but he also had a great grasp of the strike zone. If you have a comfort level of being able to consistently reach all four corners of the zone, then you can get the pitch you want to hit.
Most major leaguers "sit" on a fastball. But then during a count of off-speed, breaking pitches for strikes, they get nervous. They start looking for a slider and get caught looking at an inside fastball.
Some batters have the mindset that they will only wait for a pitch in the zone, at the perfect swing plane, so they will not swing at all. In essence, they are waiting for a pitcher to make a mistake over the plate. This is a game of chicken. More and more pitchers fall into this game by trying to nibble at the corners to avoid contact, when in fact, they lose sight that only one in four batters will actually get a hit off him. The odds increase if a pitcher gets behind in the count.
This new revival of the "two-strike" approach to hitting is really a return to basic baseball fundamentals. And that is a welcome change.
December 12, 2015
ODD TRADE
Two aggressive general managers in new places can make odd deals.
There is an old baseball saying that "you don't trade a starter for a relief pitcher." That seems obvious: relievers are failed starters. It is harder to find quality starters.
So this Winter Meeting trade is a little odd. Per CSNNE:
Dave Dombrowski's breakneck reconstruction of the Boston Red Sox continued Monday on the first day of baseball's Winter Meetings, as he dealt some of the team's starting pitching depth for more relief help.
The Red Sox traded left-hander Wade Miley (11-11 with a 4.46 ERA for the Sox in 2015) and reliever Jonathan Aro (0-1, 6.97) to the Mariners on Monday for hard-throwing right-handed reliever Carson Smith and left-handed starter Roenis Elias.
In the last three weeks, Dombrowski, the team's new director of baseball operations, has signed a rotation ace (David Price) as a free agent and traded for a closer (Craig Kimbrel). With Price on board, Dombrowski took the opportunity to use the team's excess starting pitching to continue to rebuilt the bullpen.
Carson, 26, is a big (6-foot-6) power bullpen arm, with 92 strikeouts in 70 IP last year and an ERA of 2.31. Elias is 27, from Cuba, and has made 49 starts in the last two years. He was 10-12 with a 3.85 ERA in 2014 and 5-8 with a 4.14 ERA last year.
Miley spent one season with the Red Sox after being traded over by the Diamondbacks for right-handers Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster.
The Red Sox trade a veteran starter for a veteran relief pitcher, but then get a young starter for a young reliever so some may think this is a positional wash.
There is an old baseball saying that "you don't trade a starter for a relief pitcher." That seems obvious: relievers are failed starters. It is harder to find quality starters.
So this Winter Meeting trade is a little odd. Per CSNNE:
Dave Dombrowski's breakneck reconstruction of the Boston Red Sox continued Monday on the first day of baseball's Winter Meetings, as he dealt some of the team's starting pitching depth for more relief help.
The Red Sox traded left-hander Wade Miley (11-11 with a 4.46 ERA for the Sox in 2015) and reliever Jonathan Aro (0-1, 6.97) to the Mariners on Monday for hard-throwing right-handed reliever Carson Smith and left-handed starter Roenis Elias.
In the last three weeks, Dombrowski, the team's new director of baseball operations, has signed a rotation ace (David Price) as a free agent and traded for a closer (Craig Kimbrel). With Price on board, Dombrowski took the opportunity to use the team's excess starting pitching to continue to rebuilt the bullpen.
Carson, 26, is a big (6-foot-6) power bullpen arm, with 92 strikeouts in 70 IP last year and an ERA of 2.31. Elias is 27, from Cuba, and has made 49 starts in the last two years. He was 10-12 with a 3.85 ERA in 2014 and 5-8 with a 4.14 ERA last year.
Miley spent one season with the Red Sox after being traded over by the Diamondbacks for right-handers Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster.
The Red Sox trade a veteran starter for a veteran relief pitcher, but then get a young starter for a young reliever so some may think this is a positional wash.
November 10, 2015
HOT STOVE 2015
It is a tale of two city teams.
The White Sox were a divisional contender on paper during spring training.
The Cubs were still mired in a long rebuilding process. The top prospects were still years away from the talk in spring training.
But the exact opposite happened: the White Sox failed in their fans' expectations while the Cubs surprised their fans with a playoff run, which included beating the rival Cardinals.
Both teams have a lot of work to do this off-season to have a "contender" tag during spring training. The Cubs are desperate for starting pitching while the White Sox are desperate for hitting.
The teams are natural trade partners on a needs basis, but since they share the same territory, they rarely trade. Which is a shame since each team has valuable usable parts for the other. The White Sox declined an option on Alexi Ramirez so the team is in need of a shortstop, which the Cubs have a surplus. The White Sox have a stacked deck of starting pitchers, with two more youngsters working up the high minors. There could be a blockbuster deal if the teams would put their organizational hatred aside.
And it seems that the trade market may be more active this year because of the high cost of free agents like Price, Zimmerman, Heyward and Greinke.
Four days before the GM meetings began in South Florida, the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays had already engineered a six-player trade. Seattle acquired right-hander Nathan Karns, lefty C.J. Riefenhauser and minor-league outfielder Boog Powell, sending first baseman Logan Morrison, infielder/outfielder Brad Miller and right-hander Danny Farquhar to Tampa Bay – all before the free-agent marketplace even opened. None of these players are big names, but they fill existing needs in the teams' depth charts.
The White Sox were a divisional contender on paper during spring training.
The Cubs were still mired in a long rebuilding process. The top prospects were still years away from the talk in spring training.
But the exact opposite happened: the White Sox failed in their fans' expectations while the Cubs surprised their fans with a playoff run, which included beating the rival Cardinals.
Both teams have a lot of work to do this off-season to have a "contender" tag during spring training. The Cubs are desperate for starting pitching while the White Sox are desperate for hitting.
The teams are natural trade partners on a needs basis, but since they share the same territory, they rarely trade. Which is a shame since each team has valuable usable parts for the other. The White Sox declined an option on Alexi Ramirez so the team is in need of a shortstop, which the Cubs have a surplus. The White Sox have a stacked deck of starting pitchers, with two more youngsters working up the high minors. There could be a blockbuster deal if the teams would put their organizational hatred aside.
And it seems that the trade market may be more active this year because of the high cost of free agents like Price, Zimmerman, Heyward and Greinke.
Four days before the GM meetings began in South Florida, the Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays had already engineered a six-player trade. Seattle acquired right-hander Nathan Karns, lefty C.J. Riefenhauser and minor-league outfielder Boog Powell, sending first baseman Logan Morrison, infielder/outfielder Brad Miller and right-hander Danny Farquhar to Tampa Bay – all before the free-agent marketplace even opened. None of these players are big names, but they fill existing needs in the teams' depth charts.
September 1, 2015
ACTION JACKSON
The Cubs made a playoff roster move at the deadline.
The Cubs acquired outfielder Austin Jackson and a cash consideration from the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named later and an international signing bonus slot.
Jackson had been hitting .272 with eight homers, 18 doubles, 38 RBIs, 15 stolen bases, 46 runs scored and a .699 OPS in 107 games for Seattle. He bats right-handed and plays center field. He is 28 and in position to become a free agent after this season.
“I’ve seen him for a long time in the American League,” Joe Maddon said. “When he starts swinging the bat well, he’s very productive. A fine outfielder, good baserunner, kind of a complete player. So to be able to pick him up right now, I think we’re very fortunate.”
To make room for Jackson on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated infielder Mike Olt for assignment.
Jackson is an upgrade on the bench. He gives Maddon a speed option and more platoon moves.
Maddon, with the roster expansion today, will start to yank pitchers quicker. (Last night he could have removed Kyle Hendricks in a jam, but left him in. It cost the Cubs runs.)
Maddon may start an odd play-off moves/exhibition game hybrid managing style. I assume he will make more early game moves on the fly like he did last night moving players into new or unfamiliar positions like Starlin Castro at second (3 errors last night) or Tommy LaStella playing third with Kris Bryant in right field.
It is better to keep Bryant at third and play Jackson in RF.
Maddon will have to rest some of his young players in the heat of the pennant chase this month. Kyle Schwarber looked rusty behind the plate after patrolling left field in August. But you also need to put your players in the best position to succeed so leaving players at their natural position is a key in September play off run.
The Cubs acquired outfielder Austin Jackson and a cash consideration from the Seattle Mariners for a player to be named later and an international signing bonus slot.
Jackson had been hitting .272 with eight homers, 18 doubles, 38 RBIs, 15 stolen bases, 46 runs scored and a .699 OPS in 107 games for Seattle. He bats right-handed and plays center field. He is 28 and in position to become a free agent after this season.
“I’ve seen him for a long time in the American League,” Joe Maddon said. “When he starts swinging the bat well, he’s very productive. A fine outfielder, good baserunner, kind of a complete player. So to be able to pick him up right now, I think we’re very fortunate.”
To make room for Jackson on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated infielder Mike Olt for assignment.
Jackson is an upgrade on the bench. He gives Maddon a speed option and more platoon moves.
Maddon, with the roster expansion today, will start to yank pitchers quicker. (Last night he could have removed Kyle Hendricks in a jam, but left him in. It cost the Cubs runs.)
Maddon may start an odd play-off moves/exhibition game hybrid managing style. I assume he will make more early game moves on the fly like he did last night moving players into new or unfamiliar positions like Starlin Castro at second (3 errors last night) or Tommy LaStella playing third with Kris Bryant in right field.
It is better to keep Bryant at third and play Jackson in RF.
Maddon will have to rest some of his young players in the heat of the pennant chase this month. Kyle Schwarber looked rusty behind the plate after patrolling left field in August. But you also need to put your players in the best position to succeed so leaving players at their natural position is a key in September play off run.
May 19, 2015
THE ROSTER SQUEEZE
This is quite the rarity for a National League Club.
The Cubs are carrying only three outfielders (Coghlan, Fowler and Soler).
Why?
Because the Cubs are carrying 13 pitchers!
With three catchers still on the roster, that leaves only a bench of one utility infielder (Herrerra).
Travis Wood has had three lackluster starts, and was put into an emergency save situation during the home stand when Joe Maddon ran out of players. Now, the front office has given him a merry-go-round bullpen with call-ups and options to Iowa.
Tsuyoshi Wada will take Wood's place in the rotation. Wood will take the long reliever role that Edwin Jackson had once assumed, which presumed that Jackson will move down the line toward 7th inning chores. James Russell is back to be the lefty specialist. Zac Rosscup is holding a spot until Neil Ramirez returns from the DL.
The imbalance in the roster is foreboding if any position player goes down.
It is never good to have players playing out of position, especially in an emergency. Kris Bryant played an inning in center field because he was uncomfortable in left field. Wellington Castillo could play an emergency first base (we think). Suddenly, Herrera becomes the most important Everyman on the team.
With David Ross Jon Lester's personal catcher, and Castillo playing well off the bench, the Cubs will keep three catchers to the trade deadline. Ross is like another bench coach so his job is secure. The Cubs don't want to give away Castillo in a trade so it is possible he will remain as the power bat off the bench.
The Cubs are carrying two extra pitchers because Maddon likes to use a lot of pitchers during a game once a starter leaves. This may put more strain on a bullpen.
We should see this shake out in the next week.
UPDATE:
I have been blamed for pushing Beef out the door, as this morning the Cubs traded Castillo to the Mariners for reliever Yoervis Medina. The Mariners were looking for a back up catcher, and the Cubs are trying to find and stash as many bullpen arms it can find.
MLBTR stated that Medina seemingly represents "a buy-low arm" of the sort that the Cubs have targeted in recent years. Medina, 26, has struggled with just 6.8 K/9 against 5.3 BB/9 this year — the walks are nothing new, though he had struck out better than nine hitters per nine innings in prior years — he still owns a 3.00 ERA in his 12 innings of work. And Medina has compiled 125 innings of 2.81 ERA pitching over the prior two seasons.
Medina has shown significant velocity loss this year, dropping from last year’s 94-95 mph range down to 92.4 mph with both his four-seamer and two-seamer thus far in 2015. In addition to a quality sinker, which he went away from this year, Medina also features a rather promising curve ball.
Since Medina has only 2 years of ML service, the Cubs can send him to Iowa.
The Cubs are carrying only three outfielders (Coghlan, Fowler and Soler).
Why?
Because the Cubs are carrying 13 pitchers!
With three catchers still on the roster, that leaves only a bench of one utility infielder (Herrerra).
Travis Wood has had three lackluster starts, and was put into an emergency save situation during the home stand when Joe Maddon ran out of players. Now, the front office has given him a merry-go-round bullpen with call-ups and options to Iowa.
Tsuyoshi Wada will take Wood's place in the rotation. Wood will take the long reliever role that Edwin Jackson had once assumed, which presumed that Jackson will move down the line toward 7th inning chores. James Russell is back to be the lefty specialist. Zac Rosscup is holding a spot until Neil Ramirez returns from the DL.
The imbalance in the roster is foreboding if any position player goes down.
It is never good to have players playing out of position, especially in an emergency. Kris Bryant played an inning in center field because he was uncomfortable in left field. Wellington Castillo could play an emergency first base (we think). Suddenly, Herrera becomes the most important Everyman on the team.
With David Ross Jon Lester's personal catcher, and Castillo playing well off the bench, the Cubs will keep three catchers to the trade deadline. Ross is like another bench coach so his job is secure. The Cubs don't want to give away Castillo in a trade so it is possible he will remain as the power bat off the bench.
The Cubs are carrying two extra pitchers because Maddon likes to use a lot of pitchers during a game once a starter leaves. This may put more strain on a bullpen.
We should see this shake out in the next week.
UPDATE:
I have been blamed for pushing Beef out the door, as this morning the Cubs traded Castillo to the Mariners for reliever Yoervis Medina. The Mariners were looking for a back up catcher, and the Cubs are trying to find and stash as many bullpen arms it can find.
MLBTR stated that Medina seemingly represents "a buy-low arm" of the sort that the Cubs have targeted in recent years. Medina, 26, has struggled with just 6.8 K/9 against 5.3 BB/9 this year — the walks are nothing new, though he had struck out better than nine hitters per nine innings in prior years — he still owns a 3.00 ERA in his 12 innings of work. And Medina has compiled 125 innings of 2.81 ERA pitching over the prior two seasons.
Medina has shown significant velocity loss this year, dropping from last year’s 94-95 mph range down to 92.4 mph with both his four-seamer and two-seamer thus far in 2015. In addition to a quality sinker, which he went away from this year, Medina also features a rather promising curve ball.
Since Medina has only 2 years of ML service, the Cubs can send him to Iowa.
November 12, 2014
TEAMS IN PLAY
This off-season, there have been a few clear signals from teams on the verge of being highly competitive.
The Angels and Phillies have strongly indicated that they will be sitting out this free agent market. They do not want to add to existing high payrolls. In fact, they would like to shed some high cost talent. The Phillies are willing to trade anyone on their roster, including Cole Hammels, for the right deal (at least three top prospects). The Dodgers also seem to want to pare back their excess outfield talent under new team President Friedman.
The Mariners, Red Sox, Yankees and Rangers appear poised to make a run at bolstering their teams. The Rangers have a protected top draft pick so they could have their cake and it eat it to by signing a top free agent (who refused a qualifying offer). Likewise, the Tigers will get at least one supplemental first round pick for losing a quality free agent to another team (Max Scherzer). The Yankees have been playing possum this off-season, which means that they will make a run at the top guys. The Red Sox always seem to be circling for an acquisition.
The national media is convinced the Cubs will make a splash, but I don't think so. The Cubs are still filling the kiddy pool with water.
The Mariners have been spending money in recent years, but have not come to critical mass. The rumor is that the team will go after Hanley Ramirez and Victor Martinez, two older players, which means that 2015 projects to an "all in" season for Seattle. Detroit is in a similar position: so close, yet so far away from that desperate championship. If the Tigers lose Martinez and Scherzer, then they will have to replace a DH and SP of like quality (David Price may be part of that answer).
If one looks for a dark horse team to fly under the radar and pick up a "name" this off-season, it could be the Cardinals. With SP Kyle Lohse being paid only $500,000 at the end of a front loaded contract, the Redbirds actually have his "real value" plus another SP budget slot to pay a top tier FA $20 million plus.
The Angels and Phillies have strongly indicated that they will be sitting out this free agent market. They do not want to add to existing high payrolls. In fact, they would like to shed some high cost talent. The Phillies are willing to trade anyone on their roster, including Cole Hammels, for the right deal (at least three top prospects). The Dodgers also seem to want to pare back their excess outfield talent under new team President Friedman.
The Mariners, Red Sox, Yankees and Rangers appear poised to make a run at bolstering their teams. The Rangers have a protected top draft pick so they could have their cake and it eat it to by signing a top free agent (who refused a qualifying offer). Likewise, the Tigers will get at least one supplemental first round pick for losing a quality free agent to another team (Max Scherzer). The Yankees have been playing possum this off-season, which means that they will make a run at the top guys. The Red Sox always seem to be circling for an acquisition.
The national media is convinced the Cubs will make a splash, but I don't think so. The Cubs are still filling the kiddy pool with water.
The Mariners have been spending money in recent years, but have not come to critical mass. The rumor is that the team will go after Hanley Ramirez and Victor Martinez, two older players, which means that 2015 projects to an "all in" season for Seattle. Detroit is in a similar position: so close, yet so far away from that desperate championship. If the Tigers lose Martinez and Scherzer, then they will have to replace a DH and SP of like quality (David Price may be part of that answer).
If one looks for a dark horse team to fly under the radar and pick up a "name" this off-season, it could be the Cardinals. With SP Kyle Lohse being paid only $500,000 at the end of a front loaded contract, the Redbirds actually have his "real value" plus another SP budget slot to pay a top tier FA $20 million plus.
June 28, 2014
WEST COAST SILENCE
Robinson Cano was last year's best free agent. In 2013, he hit .314, 27 HR, 107 RBI, .383 OBP, and massive 7.6 WAR for the Yankees.
Cano took the biggest money deal and wound up in Seattle.
Never to heard from again.
In most sports, there is an East Coast bias based upon a) New York and b) the early time zone. People can't stay up long enough to catch West Coast night games. Even in the Midwest, the 2 hour difference is enough not to watch the left coast contests.
So how is last year's great free agent doing?
Well, Seattle as a team is 42-37, in third place in the AL West, a very competitive division. So, that is good, right?
Cano himself has played in 75 games (about half the season). He is hitting .324, .384 OBP and 2.3 WAR, but his power numbers are way down: 4 HR, 43 RBI.
It may be a combination of not having the Yankee power line up ahead of him in the order to drive in runs, or solid bats behind him to protect him in the order, and the fact that Seattle plays in one of the biggest, pitcher friendly ball parks in the majors.
It appears that Cano is still driving the ball the same as last year with average and on-base percentage.
It is just the new team just does not fit into his power stroke.
And that is what many free agents do not take into consideration --- how a new team could affect their legacy and future statistics. But for most athletes, respect is spelled R-E-$-P-E-C-T.
Many players will take in account a better franchise over a losing one if the offers are similar. That was the alleged excuse for the Cubs missing out on high tender guys like Tanaka, who wanted to pitch for a consistent winning organization and not be part of a rebuild.
Cano took the biggest money deal and wound up in Seattle.
Never to heard from again.
In most sports, there is an East Coast bias based upon a) New York and b) the early time zone. People can't stay up long enough to catch West Coast night games. Even in the Midwest, the 2 hour difference is enough not to watch the left coast contests.
So how is last year's great free agent doing?
Well, Seattle as a team is 42-37, in third place in the AL West, a very competitive division. So, that is good, right?
Cano himself has played in 75 games (about half the season). He is hitting .324, .384 OBP and 2.3 WAR, but his power numbers are way down: 4 HR, 43 RBI.
It may be a combination of not having the Yankee power line up ahead of him in the order to drive in runs, or solid bats behind him to protect him in the order, and the fact that Seattle plays in one of the biggest, pitcher friendly ball parks in the majors.
It appears that Cano is still driving the ball the same as last year with average and on-base percentage.
It is just the new team just does not fit into his power stroke.
And that is what many free agents do not take into consideration --- how a new team could affect their legacy and future statistics. But for most athletes, respect is spelled R-E-$-P-E-C-T.
Many players will take in account a better franchise over a losing one if the offers are similar. That was the alleged excuse for the Cubs missing out on high tender guys like Tanaka, who wanted to pitch for a consistent winning organization and not be part of a rebuild.
April 21, 2014
THE OVERPLAY
There is always a chance to over-reach. Nothing surprises us more than when we learn an agent or player believes he is worth an extreme amount of dollars than a general manager actually pays that eyebrow raising sum.
But the baseball off-season was harsh for a few players who did not get a new deal because of the CBA anchor of turning down a "qualifying offer" from their old team which would cost a new team their first round draft pick.
Kendrys Morales is still without a new team because he and his agent, Scott Boras, misinterpreted the free agent market. Morales, 30, would be in his prime contract years so it is up to his agent to maximize any deal. But the aspect of losing a draft pick to sign Morales turned off other teams.
He hit .277 with 23 HR, 80 RBIs and 2.8 WAR as a first baseman/DH for the Mariners. Those are respectable numbers, but not All Star numbers.
According to the Tacoma News Tribune, Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik recently told fans that the Mariners offered Morales a three-year, $30MM extension after last year's All-Star break, but the talks never got serious. Several agents have been critical of an ESPN report where unnamed general managers discussed the deflated market for remaining free agents; the agents call it a violation of the CBA. The league is investigating the claims.
Morales and other qualified FAs won't sign until the "draft pick compensation" label expires after the June baseball draft. Even then, the market will not be in the $10 million/season range that Morales turned down last season.
There are fewer clubs willing to lose a first round compensation pick to sign an expensive free agent. There are only one or two clubs like the Yankees who are willing to risk giving $16 million qualifying offers to superstars like Robinson Cano in order to obtain a first round pick then go out and sign their own new free agent superstar because they don't really lose a first round draft choice.
But the baseball off-season was harsh for a few players who did not get a new deal because of the CBA anchor of turning down a "qualifying offer" from their old team which would cost a new team their first round draft pick.
Kendrys Morales is still without a new team because he and his agent, Scott Boras, misinterpreted the free agent market. Morales, 30, would be in his prime contract years so it is up to his agent to maximize any deal. But the aspect of losing a draft pick to sign Morales turned off other teams.
He hit .277 with 23 HR, 80 RBIs and 2.8 WAR as a first baseman/DH for the Mariners. Those are respectable numbers, but not All Star numbers.
According to the Tacoma News Tribune, Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik recently told fans that the Mariners offered Morales a three-year, $30MM extension after last year's All-Star break, but the talks never got serious. Several agents have been critical of an ESPN report where unnamed general managers discussed the deflated market for remaining free agents; the agents call it a violation of the CBA. The league is investigating the claims.
Morales and other qualified FAs won't sign until the "draft pick compensation" label expires after the June baseball draft. Even then, the market will not be in the $10 million/season range that Morales turned down last season.
There are fewer clubs willing to lose a first round compensation pick to sign an expensive free agent. There are only one or two clubs like the Yankees who are willing to risk giving $16 million qualifying offers to superstars like Robinson Cano in order to obtain a first round pick then go out and sign their own new free agent superstar because they don't really lose a first round draft choice.
December 7, 2013
LONG TERM
The reason why the Mariners have suddenly become a big money player in a small market city is that the team just hit the gold mine with a new $2 billion broadcast deal. As a result, the Mariners have a significant new source of revenue to spend on elite free agents.
The Mariners attendance has dropped from 3.2 million to 1.8 million. The Mariners play on the West Coast. There is little national attention paid to the team. Until, Cano was signed last week.
The Cano signing is all about the new television money.
While other teams are playing catch-up with the Yankees, ironically, the Yankees are paring back on their television network (selling part of the Steinbrenner's stake in the YES Network). The Yankees are also actively reeling in their payroll. In some ways, they are bucking the trend they started years ago.
The big fuel for rebuilding franchises now appears to ride on a new team network deal.
The Cubs are in a cornered position. As being formerly owned by a broadcaster, the Tribune Company negotiated a bad TV deal with itself in order to increase overall profits within the conglomerate. Ricketts did not renegotiate those deals as part of the purchase agreement with the Tribune. So the Cubs are stuck with a cable partnership that runs through 2019 season. That means the Cubs cannot find a television windfall like the Mariners until 2020.
That is a long time to sit and rely upon a lesser than market value local broadcast license fees. But that is the position the Cubs are in today. So, if revenue is not going to dramatically increase, the team has to cut costs. The biggest cost is the major league payroll, which currently stands at approximately $59 million for 2014. Arbitration player contracts will probably boost the payroll to around $75 million. This would continue the payroll decline since Ricketts ownership.
It also parallels the drops in attendance at Wrigley Field. Theo Epstein admitted that the Cubs are highly dependent upon the gate as a revenue source. That is why the Cubs are not going to be a big money free agent player this year, and for the foreseeable future.
The team emphasizes the youth movement, but won't say when the rebuild will be complete. But if the other teams did not dive head first into the free agent pool without a new billion dollar TV deal, then the Cubs will be watching from the sidelines for the next 7 years.
The Mariners attendance has dropped from 3.2 million to 1.8 million. The Mariners play on the West Coast. There is little national attention paid to the team. Until, Cano was signed last week.
The Cano signing is all about the new television money.
While other teams are playing catch-up with the Yankees, ironically, the Yankees are paring back on their television network (selling part of the Steinbrenner's stake in the YES Network). The Yankees are also actively reeling in their payroll. In some ways, they are bucking the trend they started years ago.
The big fuel for rebuilding franchises now appears to ride on a new team network deal.
The Cubs are in a cornered position. As being formerly owned by a broadcaster, the Tribune Company negotiated a bad TV deal with itself in order to increase overall profits within the conglomerate. Ricketts did not renegotiate those deals as part of the purchase agreement with the Tribune. So the Cubs are stuck with a cable partnership that runs through 2019 season. That means the Cubs cannot find a television windfall like the Mariners until 2020.
That is a long time to sit and rely upon a lesser than market value local broadcast license fees. But that is the position the Cubs are in today. So, if revenue is not going to dramatically increase, the team has to cut costs. The biggest cost is the major league payroll, which currently stands at approximately $59 million for 2014. Arbitration player contracts will probably boost the payroll to around $75 million. This would continue the payroll decline since Ricketts ownership.
It also parallels the drops in attendance at Wrigley Field. Theo Epstein admitted that the Cubs are highly dependent upon the gate as a revenue source. That is why the Cubs are not going to be a big money free agent player this year, and for the foreseeable future.
The team emphasizes the youth movement, but won't say when the rebuild will be complete. But if the other teams did not dive head first into the free agent pool without a new billion dollar TV deal, then the Cubs will be watching from the sidelines for the next 7 years.
February 8, 2013
KING KONTRACT
Felix Hernandez is a good starting pitcher. He is the ace of the Mariners staff. Hernandez, 26, was 13-9 with a 3.06 ERA last season. He pitched a perfect game on Aug. 15 against the Devil Rays.
Yesterday, he was rewarded with a whopping 7 year/$175 million contract extension. He becomes the highest paid pitcher in league history.
By comparison, the Dodgers signed Zach Greinke, 29, to a 6 year/$159 million deal this winter.
Greinke's career stat line:
9 years: 91-78, 3.77 ERA, 12 CG, 1.187 WHIP, 3.51 K/BB ratio, 29.5 WAR.
King Felix's career stat line:
8 years: 98-76, 3.22 ERA, 23 CG, 1.212 WHIP, 3.10 K/BB ratio, 31.5 WAR.
It may be hard to believe but for most national baseball fans, Hernandez's accomplishments are being made in the shadows, since the Mariners have not been in the post season, and he plays mostly on the west coast. He is clearly one of the best pitchers of his generation.
There are some owners who refuse to sign pitchers to any contract that has a duration of more than four years. The risk of injury is too great to guarantee big money to ace starters. However, some teams believe you have to reward star players who are the faces of their franchises. King Felix does bring people into the ball park to see him pitch. That is the one throwback constant of baseball earlier days-- people used to buy day of game tickets based upon who was pitching that day.
Yesterday, he was rewarded with a whopping 7 year/$175 million contract extension. He becomes the highest paid pitcher in league history.
By comparison, the Dodgers signed Zach Greinke, 29, to a 6 year/$159 million deal this winter.
Greinke's career stat line:
9 years: 91-78, 3.77 ERA, 12 CG, 1.187 WHIP, 3.51 K/BB ratio, 29.5 WAR.
King Felix's career stat line:
8 years: 98-76, 3.22 ERA, 23 CG, 1.212 WHIP, 3.10 K/BB ratio, 31.5 WAR.
It may be hard to believe but for most national baseball fans, Hernandez's accomplishments are being made in the shadows, since the Mariners have not been in the post season, and he plays mostly on the west coast. He is clearly one of the best pitchers of his generation.
There are some owners who refuse to sign pitchers to any contract that has a duration of more than four years. The risk of injury is too great to guarantee big money to ace starters. However, some teams believe you have to reward star players who are the faces of their franchises. King Felix does bring people into the ball park to see him pitch. That is the one throwback constant of baseball earlier days-- people used to buy day of game tickets based upon who was pitching that day.
January 18, 2013
MORSE TRADE
It seems like an inexpensive deal for all three teams involved in the Michael Morse deal. It was expected that Morse would not bring a blockbuster deal, but each team did add a piece to the puzzle, most notably Seattle, which was desperate to add power to a weak roster.
SI reports:
The Mariners acquired Michael Morse from Washington in a three-team deal that moved catcher John Jaso from Seattle to Oakland.
The NL East champion Nationals reacquired pitching prospect A.J. Cole, dealt from Washington to Oakland 13 months ago in the trade for Gio Gonzalez. Washington also got minor league pitcher Blake Treinen and a player to be named.
Morse hit .291 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs last year in an injury-shortened season, playing mostly as a corner outfielder. He was with the Mariners from 2005-08 before he was traded to the Nationals for Ryan Langerhans in June 2009.
The Nationals acquired speedy center fielder Denard Span from Minnesota this offseason and contemplated moving the 30-year-old Morse to first base but then re-signed Adam LaRoche. They are set at the corner outfield spots with Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth.
Jaso, 29, batted .276 with 10 homers and 50 RBIs last year but became expendable when Seattle obtained Kendrys Morales and Raul Ibanez, moves that shift Jesus Montero from a catcher-DH split to primarily behind the plate. The AL West champion A's traded starting catcher Kurt Suzuki to the Nationals last season and replaced him with rookie Derek Norris. To open a roster spot for Jaso, Oakland designated catcher George Kottaras for assignment.
Jaso, a left-handed hitter, had a .394 on-base percentage last season and batted .378 with runners in scoring position. He gives the A's another option at DH and a catching complement for Norris, a right-handed hitter who batted .201 with seven homers in 60 games last year.
Cole, a 21-year-old right-hander, was among four players traded by Washington to Oakland in December 2011 for Gonzalez. Cole was 0-7 with a 7.82 ERA in eight games at Stockton of the California League and 6-3 with a 2.07 ERA at Burlington of the Midwest League, both Class A level.
Baseball America recently rated Cole as the top pitching prospect in Oakland's organization.
Treinen was 7-7 with a 4.37 ERA in 24 games at Stockton last year. The 24-year-old righty was selected by the A's in the seventh round of the 2011 draft.
SI reports:
The Mariners acquired Michael Morse from Washington in a three-team deal that moved catcher John Jaso from Seattle to Oakland.
The NL East champion Nationals reacquired pitching prospect A.J. Cole, dealt from Washington to Oakland 13 months ago in the trade for Gio Gonzalez. Washington also got minor league pitcher Blake Treinen and a player to be named.
Morse hit .291 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs last year in an injury-shortened season, playing mostly as a corner outfielder. He was with the Mariners from 2005-08 before he was traded to the Nationals for Ryan Langerhans in June 2009.
The Nationals acquired speedy center fielder Denard Span from Minnesota this offseason and contemplated moving the 30-year-old Morse to first base but then re-signed Adam LaRoche. They are set at the corner outfield spots with Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth.
Jaso, 29, batted .276 with 10 homers and 50 RBIs last year but became expendable when Seattle obtained Kendrys Morales and Raul Ibanez, moves that shift Jesus Montero from a catcher-DH split to primarily behind the plate. The AL West champion A's traded starting catcher Kurt Suzuki to the Nationals last season and replaced him with rookie Derek Norris. To open a roster spot for Jaso, Oakland designated catcher George Kottaras for assignment.
Jaso, a left-handed hitter, had a .394 on-base percentage last season and batted .378 with runners in scoring position. He gives the A's another option at DH and a catching complement for Norris, a right-handed hitter who batted .201 with seven homers in 60 games last year.
Cole, a 21-year-old right-hander, was among four players traded by Washington to Oakland in December 2011 for Gonzalez. Cole was 0-7 with a 7.82 ERA in eight games at Stockton of the California League and 6-3 with a 2.07 ERA at Burlington of the Midwest League, both Class A level.
Baseball America recently rated Cole as the top pitching prospect in Oakland's organization.
Treinen was 7-7 with a 4.37 ERA in 24 games at Stockton last year. The 24-year-old righty was selected by the A's in the seventh round of the 2011 draft.
January 11, 2013
UP UP UPTON AND AWAY
Arizona has a problem. It has too many outfielders, which in most circumstances, is a good problem.
The Associated Press reported this morning that Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton vetoed a trade to the Seattle Mariners, a person with knowledge of the situation said Thursday.
Upton's contract gave him the power to turn down a trade to a short list of cities, Seattle included.
The Diamondbacks have a glut of outfielders and Upton, a former All-Star, is by far the most marketable. He is coming off a subpar season in which he was bothered by a thumb injury.
Upton's rejection of the trade first was reported by FoxSports.com, which said Seattle offered four players in the deal - relievers Charlie Furbush and Stephen Pryor, infield prospect Nick Franklin, and one of three pitching prospects; James Paxton, Danny Hultzen or Taijuan Walker.
From the Mariner's web pages:
Walker is the Mariner's #1 prospect. The way Walker pitched in his first full season, in 2011, helped the Mariners forget they didn't have a first-round pick in 2010. The SoCal high school product was a multi-sport star and, as a result, is really focusing on pitching full time for the first time as a professional. So far, so good, as Walker was dominant in the Arizona League in 2010 and the Midwest League in ’11 and then held his own in ’12 at Double-A Jackson, where he pitched most of the season at age 19. The stuff is there, with a mid-to-high 90s fastball and excellent curve. His change-up is rapidly improving. That three-pitch mix, his size and athleticism could all add up to a front line starter in the future.
Hultzen is a lefty handed starter and the Mariners #2 prospect. While most thought Seattle would go after Anthony Rendon with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2011 Draft, the Mariners had their sights set on Hultzen all along. The University of Virginia product is the kind of college lefty expected to move quickly, but he's more than just a command/pitchability type. Hultzen's velocity increased in his junior season, giving him a plus fastball from the left side as well as a plus changeup. His slider isn't quite as good as those first two, but it's a serviceable pitch and Hultzen will work to improve it. He has indeed moved quickly through the Mariners system, pitching in the Arizona Fall League in 2011, then Double-A and Triple-A in his first full season in 2012.
Paxton is another lefty starter and ranked the Mariners #5 prospect. Paxton didn't sign with the Mariners until March 2011, but he made up for lost time quickly by double-jumping from Class A to Double-A during the season, pitching well at both levels. He followed that up with a very solid season at Double-A Jackson. Paxton's two best pitches are his fastball, a truly plus offering he can crank up into the upper 90s, and an excellent power breaking ball. The improvement he's shown with his changeup is a big reason the Mariners are even more excited about his potential as a Major League starter. He was shut down a bit early in 2011, more as a precaution than anything, and he missed the month of June in 2012 with a sore right knee, but, assuming he's healthy, seeing him in Seattle's rotation soon is not out of the question.
Franklin is the team's #3 prospect. The switch hitting shortstop has made an impression. After going 20-20 in his first full season, everyone was excited to see what Franklin would do in year No. 2 with the Mariners. But the 2011 season really never got going full-bore for the infielder because he was hit in the face with a bat during batting practice in June. He did eventually return and played well in the Arizona Fall League, named the No. 14 prospect there by MLB.com. He then hit .322 over 57 games at Double-A Jackson to start the 2012 season before being bumped up to Tacoma, where he split time evenly between shortstop and second base, perhaps signalling the beginning of his transition away from short.
Furbush is a lefty reliever that went 5-2, 2.72 ERA in 48 games for Seattle last season. Pryor was also a reliever who went 3-1, 3.91 ERA in 26 games last season.
The package from the Mariners was two good middle relievers plus two of their top 5 prospects in return for Upton.
The reason for the high cost is that Upton is just 25 years old, Upton has played five full major league seasons, so his best years could well be ahead of him. Last season he hit .280 with 17 home runs and 67 RBIs but did score a career-high 107 runs. In 2011, while helping Arizona to its surprising NL West crown, Upton hit .289, with 31 home runs and 88 RBIs, the latter two categories are career bests. Overall, he's a career .278 hitter with 108 home runs.
The younger brother of major leaguer B.J. Upton, Justin was the first overall pick in the 2005 amateur draft. He has three years and $38.5 million left on his contract, making him highly affordable by today's salary standards.
The Cubs do not have the top pitching prospects to turn a deal for a player like Upton. The Cubs list their top five prospects as Baez, Almora, B. Jackson, A. Vizcaino (who is injured) and Soler. Of those prospects, only Baez seems to be blocked by Castro. However, Baez has more upside than the other four. As for major league ready relief pitchers, only Russell would seem to fill that role for other clubs.
The Associated Press reported this morning that Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton vetoed a trade to the Seattle Mariners, a person with knowledge of the situation said Thursday.
Upton's contract gave him the power to turn down a trade to a short list of cities, Seattle included.
The Diamondbacks have a glut of outfielders and Upton, a former All-Star, is by far the most marketable. He is coming off a subpar season in which he was bothered by a thumb injury.
Upton's rejection of the trade first was reported by FoxSports.com, which said Seattle offered four players in the deal - relievers Charlie Furbush and Stephen Pryor, infield prospect Nick Franklin, and one of three pitching prospects; James Paxton, Danny Hultzen or Taijuan Walker.
From the Mariner's web pages:
Walker is the Mariner's #1 prospect. The way Walker pitched in his first full season, in 2011, helped the Mariners forget they didn't have a first-round pick in 2010. The SoCal high school product was a multi-sport star and, as a result, is really focusing on pitching full time for the first time as a professional. So far, so good, as Walker was dominant in the Arizona League in 2010 and the Midwest League in ’11 and then held his own in ’12 at Double-A Jackson, where he pitched most of the season at age 19. The stuff is there, with a mid-to-high 90s fastball and excellent curve. His change-up is rapidly improving. That three-pitch mix, his size and athleticism could all add up to a front line starter in the future.
Hultzen is a lefty handed starter and the Mariners #2 prospect. While most thought Seattle would go after Anthony Rendon with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2011 Draft, the Mariners had their sights set on Hultzen all along. The University of Virginia product is the kind of college lefty expected to move quickly, but he's more than just a command/pitchability type. Hultzen's velocity increased in his junior season, giving him a plus fastball from the left side as well as a plus changeup. His slider isn't quite as good as those first two, but it's a serviceable pitch and Hultzen will work to improve it. He has indeed moved quickly through the Mariners system, pitching in the Arizona Fall League in 2011, then Double-A and Triple-A in his first full season in 2012.
Paxton is another lefty starter and ranked the Mariners #5 prospect. Paxton didn't sign with the Mariners until March 2011, but he made up for lost time quickly by double-jumping from Class A to Double-A during the season, pitching well at both levels. He followed that up with a very solid season at Double-A Jackson. Paxton's two best pitches are his fastball, a truly plus offering he can crank up into the upper 90s, and an excellent power breaking ball. The improvement he's shown with his changeup is a big reason the Mariners are even more excited about his potential as a Major League starter. He was shut down a bit early in 2011, more as a precaution than anything, and he missed the month of June in 2012 with a sore right knee, but, assuming he's healthy, seeing him in Seattle's rotation soon is not out of the question.
Franklin is the team's #3 prospect. The switch hitting shortstop has made an impression. After going 20-20 in his first full season, everyone was excited to see what Franklin would do in year No. 2 with the Mariners. But the 2011 season really never got going full-bore for the infielder because he was hit in the face with a bat during batting practice in June. He did eventually return and played well in the Arizona Fall League, named the No. 14 prospect there by MLB.com. He then hit .322 over 57 games at Double-A Jackson to start the 2012 season before being bumped up to Tacoma, where he split time evenly between shortstop and second base, perhaps signalling the beginning of his transition away from short.
Furbush is a lefty reliever that went 5-2, 2.72 ERA in 48 games for Seattle last season. Pryor was also a reliever who went 3-1, 3.91 ERA in 26 games last season.
The package from the Mariners was two good middle relievers plus two of their top 5 prospects in return for Upton.
The reason for the high cost is that Upton is just 25 years old, Upton has played five full major league seasons, so his best years could well be ahead of him. Last season he hit .280 with 17 home runs and 67 RBIs but did score a career-high 107 runs. In 2011, while helping Arizona to its surprising NL West crown, Upton hit .289, with 31 home runs and 88 RBIs, the latter two categories are career bests. Overall, he's a career .278 hitter with 108 home runs.
The younger brother of major leaguer B.J. Upton, Justin was the first overall pick in the 2005 amateur draft. He has three years and $38.5 million left on his contract, making him highly affordable by today's salary standards.
The Cubs do not have the top pitching prospects to turn a deal for a player like Upton. The Cubs list their top five prospects as Baez, Almora, B. Jackson, A. Vizcaino (who is injured) and Soler. Of those prospects, only Baez seems to be blocked by Castro. However, Baez has more upside than the other four. As for major league ready relief pitchers, only Russell would seem to fill that role for other clubs.
June 19, 2012
TRADE MARKET
A quick view of the standings will show who will most likely be Sellers at the trade deadline.
The Blue Jays have been traders, but roster builders. The Red Sox are traders as contenders, but are pretenders this season. The Royals, Brewers and Diamondbacks are on the fence. The Phillies may be surprise sellers because of their lost season. The Twins are sellers in rebuild mode around a core of aging and injured veterans. The A's are perennial sellers looking more at the new stadium than roster moves. The Mariners are catch and release sellers (with teams like the Cubs making waiver claims off their roster). The Astros could be reluctant sellers because they have little to trade. The Rockies are probable sellers. The Padres as team is literally still for sale. And the Cubs are in full fire sale, garage sale mode.
The teams that are most likely sellers are Twins, A's, Mariners, Phils, Astros, Rockies and Cubs. Each team's likely trade bait (current salaries included in millions):
The Twins could have a pitching swap meet. Starters Pavano (9), Baker (6.5), Liriano (5.5), reliever Capps (4.5) and possibly utility-catcher Doumit (3.5).
The A's could unload relievers Balfour (4) and Fuentes (5) but more likely Inge (5.5) or Suzuki (5).
The Mariners could possibly salary dump Figgins (9.5), Guiterrez (5.8), League (5) and Vargas (4.8).
The Rockies have already shopped starter Guthrie (8.2) and have no long term need for Giambi (1).
The Astros also could dump salary in Carlos Lee (19), reliever Myers (12) or starter Wandy Rodriguez (10.5), a consistent lefty on a bad team.
The Phils could either hold pat for next season or play mega-dealer. Hamels (15) is heading for free agency so he is a rent-a-player candidate. Veterans Polanco (6) and Wiggington (4) could command interest for a team rounding up a strong bench.
As set forth earlier in this blog, the Cubs block includes Dempster, Garza, LaHair, Soriano and Barney. So the Cubs are probably in the middle of the pack as buyers evaluate the available talent pool.
If you look at all the trade candidates above, it is not really a strong talent market. Either the players are expensive or on the downside of their careers. But that is partially negated by the moment; some teams need to win now and will overlook those concerns.
The Blue Jays have been traders, but roster builders. The Red Sox are traders as contenders, but are pretenders this season. The Royals, Brewers and Diamondbacks are on the fence. The Phillies may be surprise sellers because of their lost season. The Twins are sellers in rebuild mode around a core of aging and injured veterans. The A's are perennial sellers looking more at the new stadium than roster moves. The Mariners are catch and release sellers (with teams like the Cubs making waiver claims off their roster). The Astros could be reluctant sellers because they have little to trade. The Rockies are probable sellers. The Padres as team is literally still for sale. And the Cubs are in full fire sale, garage sale mode.
The teams that are most likely sellers are Twins, A's, Mariners, Phils, Astros, Rockies and Cubs. Each team's likely trade bait (current salaries included in millions):
The Twins could have a pitching swap meet. Starters Pavano (9), Baker (6.5), Liriano (5.5), reliever Capps (4.5) and possibly utility-catcher Doumit (3.5).
The A's could unload relievers Balfour (4) and Fuentes (5) but more likely Inge (5.5) or Suzuki (5).
The Mariners could possibly salary dump Figgins (9.5), Guiterrez (5.8), League (5) and Vargas (4.8).
The Rockies have already shopped starter Guthrie (8.2) and have no long term need for Giambi (1).
The Astros also could dump salary in Carlos Lee (19), reliever Myers (12) or starter Wandy Rodriguez (10.5), a consistent lefty on a bad team.
The Phils could either hold pat for next season or play mega-dealer. Hamels (15) is heading for free agency so he is a rent-a-player candidate. Veterans Polanco (6) and Wiggington (4) could command interest for a team rounding up a strong bench.
As set forth earlier in this blog, the Cubs block includes Dempster, Garza, LaHair, Soriano and Barney. So the Cubs are probably in the middle of the pack as buyers evaluate the available talent pool.
If you look at all the trade candidates above, it is not really a strong talent market. Either the players are expensive or on the downside of their careers. But that is partially negated by the moment; some teams need to win now and will overlook those concerns.
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