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by Ryan on Oct 5, 2008 1:54 PM EDT
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PrintAcquired OF Michael Brantley (AA) from the Milwaukee Brewers as part of the CC Sabathia trade
When the trade was first made, Mark Shapiro emphasized the PTBNL as a legitimate prospect. Michael Brantley certainly fits that description.
The Brewers drafted Brantley in the 7th round of the 2005 Draft out of high school. Since then, he's moved up the minor-league ladder pretty much on schedule. He spent his third full season entirely at AA Huntsville. 2008 was Brantley's Age 21 season, so he's been young for his levels.
Good prospects usually have an unusual combination of skills or tools; Brantley's combination is plate discipline and baserunning. He's also consistently been a good average hitter (career .311), which compliments both his walk rates and stolen base rates. Too often you see a speed guy without the skills to utilize his physical gifts; that hasn't been a problem with Brantley. In 2008, he walked twice as often as he struck out, posted a .398 on-base percentage, and stole bases at a 78% clip. In a Baseball America survey, he was voted both the best baserunner and having the best strike zone judgment in the Southern League. Again, it's the combination of skills that makes him such an intriguing prospect.
Defensively, Brantley has played left field, center field, or first base. I'm pretty confident that he'll be sticking to the outfield from now on. And if he makes it to Cleveland, that means he'll be a left fielder. His routes could improve, but I don't think defense is going to be a major concern for the Indians. He will, however, need to hit for at least gap power along with playing to his current strengths to be an everyday player. He is young enough to expect some power to develop as he enters his mid-20s.
With Matt LaPorta, the Indians got an impact power bat who could be ready in 2009. Brantley could also be ready sometime in 2009, and as an eventual top-of-the-order player.
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From Joe Sheehan:
I can’t help but wonder, should the Brewers not win three straight games here, if it will have been worth it for them. Was it worth Matt LaPorta, a couple of other prospects, and the cash they paid Sabathia to have the September they had, and a couple of postseason home games? The cash will cancel out, so it just comes down to the question of whether the six years of LaPorta at below-market cost was worth it. We say, all the time, that flags fly forever; trading the future to win a championship is just something you have to do sometimes. But what happens when what you trade for is just a naked flagpole?
I think its was worth it. As a GM you have to put your team in a position to win. Its better to make the playoffs and fail than to miss the playoffs altogether,
Besides, its not like the Brewers system is barren after trading for Sabathia. Not even close. They still have several top flight prospects who are nearly ready to contribute to the major league club. And lets not forget the compensation picks they’ll receive from CC, and Sheets. After you throw in a potential Prince Fielder and/or JJ Hardy trade, the Brewers are probably going to have the base farm system in the league.
And if I’m a betting man, I take the odds of CC helping us make the playoffs/push deep into the playoffs over the odds of LaPorta being a good to even great player. This isn;t to say that LaPorta is unlikely to make an impact in the major leagues, I just think the probability of CC making an impact in the playoff run is much higher, to the point of absolute certainty.
by world dictator on Oct 5, 2008 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t disagree. And this is not a situation where Milwaukee might think, ‘well…maybe we would have made it even without CC.’ No. CC got them to the playoffs, and that’s it.
by APV on Oct 5, 2008 5:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah. Sure, the Brewers lost in the NLDS, but they didn’t know that Sheets would break down at the end of the season and they would limp into the playoffs. They had to take a shot at it, and they did. It didn’t work out, but at least they tried. They certainly would not have made the playoffs without CC.
The best thing probably is to hit [Grady] 2nd -- Jay
This talked-about Fielder-for-Matt-Cain trade would look good for the Brewers considering they’ve got Gamel in the wings.
Steel Nick
A man of his girth trudges rather than walks. Or maybe he lumbers.
by InfiniteMonkeyTypists on Oct 6, 2008 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
wouldn’t you love to see a foot race between Ryan Howard, Prince and CC?
proverbial "moron in a hurry"
that’s a whole new kinda weird. it might be equally entertaining though.
proverbial "moron in a hurry"
close behind for me are the racial draft and the s.t.d. puppets featuring Q-tip
by APV on Oct 8, 2008 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
i swear that show was brilliant
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Oct 8, 2008 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know why but an image of Chapelle on the can yelling, “Granny don’t!” is never far from my mind.
Steel Nick
Have you guys noticed that one of the Bud Light Drinkability spots involves what appears to be a Dave Chappelle impersonator?
by NickFantana on Oct 13, 2008 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe Sheehan mentions it elsewhere, but he is neglecting the compensation picks the Brewers are getting for CC. Judging by their current farm system, those picks could end up cancelling out what losing LaPorta and Brantley (obviously it won’t be a 1:1 ratio of comparison) meant to the franchise. Hell, they could actually IMPROVE over those guys. We won’t know for another 5-6 years … and even then it will be murky as hell to determine a “winner”.
Which is why I say this trade was a “win-win” for both organizations, either way you look at it. Both accomplished their goals before the trade was made.
Defensively, Brantley has played left field, center field, or first base. I’m pretty confident that he’ll be sticking to the outfield from now on. And if he makes it to Cleveland, that means he’ll be a left fielder.
Does that mean you’re assuming LaPorta is going to play 1B if both LaPorta and Brantley become starters in Cleveland?
I think based on skill set alone, Brantley will be sticking to the Outfield. I’m not much on the idea that certain numbers correlate to certain positions, but he’ll probably remain in Left. LaPorta will play where he can, it’s much more important to get his bat in the lineup first.
LaPorta will play where he can, it’s much more important to get his bat in the lineup first.
It depends on how the existing personnel are doing at the time. And if Hafner is Pronk or just Hafner, whether Shoppach is still around, and how Francisco and Garko are doing. In other words, if LaPorta is mashing at AAA, the Indians will figure out a way to get him in the lineup.
LaPorta would play RF if Brantley were in the other corner. With Choo, he’d play LF.
His arm is better than his range, and more balls are hit to LF than RF, and preventing htis is more important than holding baserunners.
Does that mean you’re assuming LaPorta is going to play 1B if both LaPorta and Brantley become starters in Cleveland?
Yeah, that’s my assumption.
I would assume that, too, but that still assumes that we have a bigger hole at 1B than we do in the outfield, when that time arrives.
I don’t know how all this sorts out if we have Mills and Weglarz also descending on the big-league club at the same time, all I know is, that would be a nice problem to have.
Hardly. Gamel was terrible in the second half, and LaPorta never reached Triple-A before or after being traded.
by Jay on Oct 6, 2008 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I still think the general principle of having a surplus in talent being close to the major leagues applies. (And the corollary of being able to use that surplus of prospects to trade for big league studs)
by world dictator on Oct 6, 2008 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions
if hafner keeps sucking, at some point will we have to trade him and pick up like 3/4 of his salary just to get the DH spot open for an excess – whether it be laporta, mills, etc – hitter?
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Oct 5, 2008 5:05 PM EDT reply actions
Quite possibly. Mills is in the 1b pipeline. I see LaPorta inheriting the DH job if we have to let Pronk go.
by ken from alexandria on Oct 5, 2008 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions
<blockquoteHafner’s extension hasn’t even started yet.
Man, that’s depressing to think about. Let’s hope he shows signs of life next year.
by cleveland teamer on Oct 5, 2008 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions
(end blockquote)
ehh, boy. guess I should note that I’m drinking and hoping Boston loses this game
by cleveland teamer on Oct 5, 2008 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
ugh
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Oct 5, 2008 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess that’s 50 million dollar question going into next year … how long can you allow a player to hit .220 with limited power in a DH spot? When almost anyone on your bench or at AAA level could match or beat those numbers?
Even the Dodgers sat Andruw Jones at some point (and will most likely do the same next year).
Also, if I hear Heegan/Hammy say “Maybe that’s the hit Pronk needs to get himself going..” anymore, I will break my radio.
by Toxicadam on Oct 6, 2008 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
best year evah
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Oct 6, 2008 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
no
Anti-Ben Fran before it was cool.
by Gradyforpresident on Oct 6, 2008 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Listen, at some point he gets cut loose if he can’t hit. It seems unthinkable, but it happens.
The Indians aren’t going to be swayed much by sunk costs — the money has already been spent. If they keep Hafner around, it’s going to be to recoup whatever ability they still think he has, not to recoup some fantasy of money that’s already gone. Once they decide his upside is limited and he’s not their best option to hold a roster spot, he will be moved.
by Jay on Oct 6, 2008 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, but when? Next year? The year after? There really isn’t any historical reference to predict exactly what this FO will do. Matt Lawton is the nearest example I can think of and they stuck with him the length of his contract.
If Hafner still does this into August/September of next year, but the Indians are successful (13+ over .500 and 5 games in first place), I don’t see them making a change. They will carry him along hoping he “figures it out”.
well in that scenario he’s likely DL’d like this season and the roster spot is used. They aren’t going to carry him around on the roster if he can’t hit enough to be above replacement level (for a DH) and doesn’t play defense (which he never has, so its starting DH or off the roster all together).
My guess is that if Hafner doesn’t rebound he’ll still have some decent stats allowing us to trade him, giving him a change of scenary.
by world dictator on Oct 6, 2008 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I said the first two years because I just don’t think it’s very likely that he will be cut during that time even if he hits like he did this past season. My frame of reference, also cited below, was Matt Lawton and Dellucci
OT: On the Rays-Sox broadcast, Harold Reynolds just declared “[for] the Indians, the window is closing.” That’s unfortunate, I suppose I should just give up now.
Yep. With LaPorta, Brantley, Mills, Weglarz, Huff, Laffey, SLewis, Adam Miller, and Wed Hodges all in the pipeline we’re screwed.
If only Victor Martinez, Grady Sizemore, Jhonny Perlata, Asdrubal Cabrera , Fausto Carmona, Shin-Soo Choo, were under 30 and still in their prime.
oh wait…
by world dictator on Oct 6, 2008 8:51 PM EDT up reply actions 16 recs
Hello Fios,
With all due respect to Reynolds, I think he misidentified the window.
That window sounds more like the team that got knocked out earlier today (White Sox) – most of their players are over 30, and their farm system has very little in it by most accounts.
As mentioned below, the Indians have some good, young talent at both the ML level and in the Minor League pipeline. While losing Sabathia from the rotation doesn’t help, it’s not a loss that can’t be overcome, especially if Lee can continue pitching at a high level (a reasonable chance of doing that, though perhaps not quite as good as 2008, but still well above-average) and if Carmona can stay healthy and find his 2007 form (a reasonable possibility, based on his youth and having a year to recover from the long 2007 season). Combine that with a surprise or two from a guy like Lewis, Huff, Sowers, Jackson, or Reyes, along with a rebound and some reinforcements (Sipp, Stevens, Meloan, Wagner, etc.) in the bullpen, and the Indians can be right there in 2009, so to me, the window is far from closing.
In fact, the window might be opening a bit more for the Indians going into 2009, while I think it IS closing on the White Sox, little by little at least with each passing season. As I said above, I think Reynolds misidentified the window. :-)
Just my 2 cents.
The "cream of the crop" doesn't always rise to the top.
I wasn’t sure where to post this, but I was reading ESPN.com’s baseball rumor section. One of the posts mentioned that the Braves would look to trade 2B Kelly Johnson this offseason given the Braves high opinion of Martin Prado. I don’t know much about Johnson since I don’t follow the national league, but he appears to have some solid numbers offensively and would be a potential upgrade at 2B if we were to move Asdrubal to SS. A cursory glance at his defensive statistics looks to put him about slightly above average.
Would anyone be able to offer additional insight into Johnson, someone that has seen him play more often than I? Also potentially what the Tribe would have to think about offering to acquire him. It would be nice to have two starters named Kelly going into next season
what do you think it would take to pry him away from the Braves.
by world dictator on Oct 6, 2008 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions
All I could find about Johnson’s D in terms of plus/minus was this line:
Although Oakland second baseman Mark Ellis and Atlanta shortstop Yunel Escobar grade extremely well in Dewan’s system, their double-play partners, Bobby Crosby and Kelly Johnson, do not.
Steel Nick
FWIW, according to BillJamesOnline, Johnson was -1 this year, and an even 0 last year. And he’s a career .273/.356/.440 hitter, and will be 27 next year. He’ll be arbitration eligible for the next three years.
Robinson Cano’s defense was -16 this year, +17 last year, and -4 in 2006. He’s a career .303/.335/.468 hitter, he’s a year younger than KJ, and he’s signed for the next four years for $27 mil guaranteed.
Cano has a higher ceiling, but there’s a good chance that, over the next 3-4 years, Kelly Johnson will be a better player than Cano. And he’ll be cheaper – both in terms of money, as well as what it would take to trade for him.
Then again, I am captain of the SS Mark Ellis. We should sign him.
by Peter Bendix on Oct 7, 2008 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I can’t believe I don’t have a subscription to Bill James Online yet.
I’m not too surprised by the variations in Cano’s defensive play. He has a reputation as a mediocre defender, someone who is subject to good years and bad years.
It’s interesting. You don’t really see many second basemen being paid superstar money. And yet here we are shopping for one at the worst possible time: when all the good options are on the verge of becoming $10M/year players.
Steel Nick
Good point about Cano. The truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.
The good thing about the 2B market seems to be supply: Mark Ellis, Orlando Hudson, Ray Durham, Mark Grudzielanek are free agents, and Brian Roberts, Robinson Cano, Kelly Johnson, Luis Castillo are all available via trade (and there are probably other options I am forgetting). Plus, there are not too many teams with glaring holes at 2B.
Unfortunately, it sounds like the Athletics are inclined to re-sign Ellis. But even if we cannot get him, I hope that the supply of 2Bs causes the price to come down somewhat. In fact, I believe this – coupled with the dearth of 3B options – is one of the main reasons why the Indians are considering moving Peralta to third.
by Peter Bendix on Oct 7, 2008 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
I know the Pirates are interested in Cano.
Rosenthal:
A large number of teams could seek to upgrade at second, including the Diamondbacks, Cubs, Padres, Dodgers, Mets, Cardinals, Indians and White Sox. Several of those clubs have long coveted [Brian] Roberts
Steel Nick
That’s true, but the Cubs, Cardinals, and Mets don’t need a 2B, they just want a different one. Same with the White Sox, actually.
I wonder if Adam Kennedy has anything left in the tank.
by Peter Bendix on Oct 7, 2008 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
Well there has to be some concern with Johnson’s decline this year from last season, in fact his .340 baBIP this year masked a 5% drop in his walk rate (8) with only a corresponding 2 in strikeouts (20%). He’s 26, is certainly a solid major leaguer, is probably a better defender than a guy like Dan Uggla, but not that great overall, particularly when a guy like Mark Ellis is potentially out there as a free agent. Point being I would be interested, but I wouldn’t want to overpay for him, and the Braves seem like an organization that “wins” most of the trades they make or at the very least aren’t fleeced.
They seem like such mainstream (in the box) options that I feel lazy for suggesting them, but other than Mark Ellis I’m interested in Cano or Roberts.
Cano’s going to be expensive, though.
Steel Nick
OMG I would simultaneously pee myself and order his jersey.
Burn on, big river, burn on...
by Turkmenbashi on Oct 6, 2008 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Haha. I wish
Think we could trade for Hank Blalock though? I heard the Rangers were looking to move him.
by world dictator on Oct 6, 2008 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Screw Blalock.
If Teixeira can still play a solid 3B — he did win a Gold Glove at 1B — it would be a smart value move to sign him to play there.
Smart as in impossible.
There’s no way we can outbid the Yankee’s and the Angels
by world dictator on Oct 7, 2008 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Who cares? Who asked Teixeira? I know I didn’t.
by fleerdon on Oct 7, 2008 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m just saying, 1B is arguably a little less demanding defensively and DHing is way less demanding. He’ll get offers to stay at 1B/DH, so why would he consider a change to 3B, other than a lot more money to do it. We aren’t going to be beating anyone else’s offer, so… I’m just playing straw man here.
-Erik
I doubt he’ll be DHing. I think most teams pretty well value his glove, even at 1B.
Burn on, big river, burn on...
by Turkmenbashi on Oct 7, 2008 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I meant that to sound more facetious than it did.
But my sentiment is real. I think you sign a contract to play baseball with a team, not to play a position. Common sense limits exist, of course, but in my mind Tex would have virtually no grounds to contest a move back to third. And given that he’s one of the premier position player free agents of this year’s class, it’s not as if he’s carpooling to work anyway.
by fleerdon on Oct 7, 2008 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Except that he’s a Boras client, and I fully believe that he would put a cause into a contract that states what position he would play, what days off he will get, how many autographs he will sign and what flavor ice cream he’ll be served on Tuesdays after 5:41 PM.
I understood your snarkiness, but it’s still an interesting point.
-Erik
Wouldn’t your ability to play multiple positions be a benefit to your marketability?
Back to the original point. I don’t think there’s enough proof that Tex would adamantly oppose a move back to 3B. Its not like its an unfamiliar position for him. And no one on this thread, knows what his preference his for defensive positions.
Most importantly, if by some miracle, the Indians did sign Tex, I would imagine that playing him at 3B was would be a topic of conversation before he and Boras signed the contract, making this point moot.
by world dictator on Oct 7, 2008 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Erik, there’s no such thing as a contract that stipulates a position, but that really misses the point — you don’t sign a free agent and then switch his position against his will right off the bat.
First, I don’t believe Teixeira would have any objection to playing third base, and it would increase his value long-term. Teixeira has won raves at first base and was developed as a third baseman, moving across the diamond only because the Rangers had Blalock coming up just one year behind him.
Second, I wouldn’t be surprised if Boras actually welcomed the idea and made it part of his marketing of the player. He made a big show of marketing J.D. Drew as a bona fide center fielder a few years ago, and that was his former position. He ultimately was signed to play right field, but the point was made: J.D. is a plus-defender in the outfield and he’s healthy.
Third, even once you have Boras marketing him as a third basemen, that doesn’t knock the Indians out. If all teams view him as a great first base option and a decent third base option (defensively), then he’s nonetheless more valuable to teams that want to use him at third base than to those who would use him at first base. Does that bring our bid up to the hypothetical Yankees bid? Maybe not, but maybe.
Jay, I’m going to have to disagree with you here. Tex is a TERRIBLE 3B. We’re talking Iron Glove Casey Blake All Stars. He was considered a butcher at GT and that was as a limber 20 year old. I doubt the age/time off as done him ANY good.
Of course, you’re correct about the positional flexibility increasing his value long term, but he’s after he signs his upcoming 10 year, $260m contract with the Yankees, who cares about long term positional flexibility as a 38 year old?
Don't be stupid. PUT IN MELOAN.
Maybe it’s not a contract stipulation, but Soriano sure made an awfully big stink about changing positions. That said, he eventually did it and probably realized that it was, in fact, to his advantage to play left in DC. I’m not saying that Teixeira would do that at all, he seems a lot more sane.
I can see how Boras might embrace such a notion for marketing Teixeira, that argument makes a lot of sense.
I disagree that we’ll be a player for Teixeira. That way, if we are players and actually land him, I’ll just be very pleasantly surprised.
-Erik
He actually was in a bind contractually. He was not eligible for free agency without playing another season, and the team could suspend him for refusing to play, which meant he wouldn’t accrue service time. Basically, he was property of the Nationals for as many years as it took for him to take the field.
Pride. He’d play third out of pride. It’s human nature. If the money is equal (also connected with pride), he wants to take the tougher position. I have no doubt that he’d eagerly move back, assuming someone wants him to and he still can play there.
If the money is equal he will want to play the position he’s most comfortable at, and the position he will flourish in.
Nonsense. He came up playing 3rd. Say you’re playing in a pickup game; you’re aware of the relative ranks of each position, and you naturally pick the most important one you can where there isn’t someone else in your way.
That’s why Soriano didn’t want to move. 2B > CF. He liked IF, but he learned that teams would pay him more to play OF (he didn’t have much of a choice though, as he wasn’t good at 2B).
Maybe so, but Tex hasn’t played 3rd to any significant degree in seven years, and counting the minors he’s played 100 of 987 games at third. How likely is it that he’s going to get a lot of interest from teams planning on moving him across the diamond? Does anyone really think of him as a third baseman anymore?
…because teams trade their #2 starters for unproven catchers all the time.
Travis Hafner is overrated. Clarity is underrated. David Dellucci is David Dellucci.
so you think we should get Beckett for Shoppach instead?
by Nat on Oct 7, 2008 7:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I guess you beat me to it but I’ve been rolling this around for the last week or so. He reminds me a lot of Vlad when he hit free agency-a guy who’s a premium defender at a not-so premium defensive position, is going to command a huge contract, and is a better than average bet to hit enough to make it worth it. Without actually running any VORP, Vlad got 70/5 and I have to think he’s been worth that.
I’d do the equivalent for Tex. Maybe 100/5-is that going to be anywhere in the ballpark?
Moving him to 3rd seems sort of nutty though.
Do you think we have $20 million a year to sign Tex?
by world dictator on Oct 7, 2008 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Not if Larry Dolan and I have the same stockbroker.
by ken from alexandria on Oct 7, 2008 8:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Tex reportedly turned down $140 million from the Rangers. Seven year deal I believe.
by world dictator on Oct 7, 2008 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s a lot. Looks like he’ll be doing something like 7 years, 160. So yeah. I’d say we’re out of the race.
Another outside the box idea. Trade for Jake Peavy who apparently is on the market, for some silly reason.
by world dictator on Oct 7, 2008 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
From Tex’s ridiculous cost in money to Peavy’s ridiculous cost in young talent.
We might just have to give LaPorta right back.
Steel Nick
Or trade Jhonny.
…I’m kidding. Mostly.
by world dictator on Oct 7, 2008 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Its an intriguing scenario. If Victor had a serious shot at playing 3rd I’d feel a lot better about it.
1B- Garko
2nd – FA
SS- Acab
3rd- Victor
But considering this scenario is unlikely, I think we’re one bat too and one middle infielder too short to make it happen.
Besides, definitely not the front office’s style.
by world dictator on Oct 7, 2008 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions
And how. But I’ve always gotten the impression that they don’t really want to replace him in SD. Is that incorrect?
Steel Nick
I think it is incorrect. Granted, the linked article doesn’t prove that they definitely want to get rid of him, but that coupled with his awful performance over the last few years can’t bode well for him.
Problem is, we’d still have to add a TON in addition to Peralta to land Peavy.
by Peter Bendix on Oct 8, 2008 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions
It would take Peralta and potentially a top pitching prospect and a top hitting prospect is my guess. I think Shapiro would have to offer Peralta, one of Laffey, Huff, Miller, and maybe even one of Mills, Weglarz. Definitely a steep price to pay, but my feeling is San Diego wouldn’t be inclined to move Peavy unless they get this type of haul in return
I think it would cost that much, top flight pitching prospect and top flight hitter, if Peralta were NOT involved.
by world dictator on Oct 8, 2008 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
That plus he’s 28.
If Peralta were included in the trade I think the quality of the additional prospects goes down significantly. I’m not saying we can give them junk, but I’d argue that a young, cheap, highly productive player (best offensive shortstop in the AL?), at a premium position position that you control for several years is arguably the very best player/prospect that you can ask for in a trade.
A Peralta/Shoppach/Decent prospect trade or two trade might go a lot further than you imagine.
We might, and I emphasize might, even be able to convince them to include Brian Giles considering they’re looking to shed payroll and giles makes 10 mil per year.
by world dictator on Oct 8, 2008 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
If half a season of Sabathia costs LaPorta, Brantley, and Bryson, then I think four seasons (granted, for $56 million) of Peavy is going to cost more than Peralta/Shoppach/decent prospect.
I’d LOVE to get Brian Giles. He may be the single most underrated player in baseball.
by Peter Bendix on Oct 8, 2008 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Peralta/Shoppach/Slewis/De La Cruz would snag him
Is that worth it? Hmmmm…its kind of hard to say no to four seasons of Jake Peavy.
by world dictator on Oct 8, 2008 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
The Padres would say no to that deal instantly.
by Peter Bendix on Oct 8, 2008 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions
It blows my mind that a non pitcher is getting that.
by world dictator on Oct 7, 2008 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
No pitcher has ever gotten that.
Only a few pitchers have ever gotten $100 million, most of them disasters. Premier hitters get the most cash in baseball.
by Jay on Oct 7, 2008 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe we could swing less years, more cash? Don’t think Boras would go for something like a 5/125 though, as that leaves him at age 34 in hi next walk year.
But really, is someone going to pay Mark Teixiera $25 mil a year?
Burn on, big river, burn on...
Even the Yankees have their limits. I will be very surprised if they sign both CC and Tex.
Burn on, big river, burn on...
I’m calling the Red Sox to sign Sabathia. I think they’re aiming for a dynasty.
by fleerdon on Oct 7, 2008 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions
With Lowell going down, Tex makes some amount of sense for the Sox. Push Youk over (or Tex) and sign Mark.
I assume the Red Sox have some OK prospect coming up at the corner but he’s not Mark Texiera.
The Sox have Laaahs Anderson, who’s supposed to be quite the prospect, in the pipeline. They’re also smart enough to find adequate short-term fillers if they so choose.
That being said, I think Tex is one of the few free agents who has a decent chance of being worth (almost) all of the money he will receive, a la Carlos Beltran.
by Peter Bendix on Oct 8, 2008 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
The Sox FO doesn’t have to be dumb to sign Tex. It’s the smartest way to spend the obscene amounts of money they have.
By the time Anderson is really ready, probably mid-season ‘10, they’ll be able to put him somewhere. Or just DH Tex full time.
Well, DHing Tex strips him of a significant amount of his value, as he’s an excellent 1B.
I’m not saying the Sox would have to be dumb to sign Tex – as I said, I think he’s one of the few big-money free agents who has a good chance to be worth the money. That said, they certainly have less need for him than the Yankees (or Angels, for that matter).
by Peter Bendix on Oct 9, 2008 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions
I’ve heard that with revenue from their new stadium, the Yankee’s revenue stream is virtually unlimited.
And with Abreu and Giambi coming off the books signing CC and Tex isn’t unreasonable.
by world dictator on Oct 7, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s what Olney reported about a week ago. He said there was no chance the Yanks would be outbid for CC
And Olney is almost always right.
To be fair, that was prognostication, whereas his thoughts about CC may be based on reporting (which he’s quite good at). The Yankees may not be outbid, but if the bids are close enough CC may opt for the west coast. Plus, with Brian Cashman in charge, we can’t necessarily expect the Yankees to spend as ridiculously as they otherwise might.
by Peter Bendix on Oct 8, 2008 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
If the Yankees do not sign both CC and Teixeira, they will have had a bad offseason. The only reason they did not trade for Santana, is they figured they could get Sabathia for slightly more money, but without giving up the young talent.
They are the Yankees. Sign them all! They have the cash.
I don’t necessarily disagree with this. However, Tex should be a far bigger priority than Sabathia. They need Tex, whereas they can still be a fantastic team without Sabathia.
by Peter Bendix on Oct 8, 2008 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions
What? Limits? New 2009 Contracts, NYY:
Sabathia: $135m/6
Teixeira: $260m/10
and…
and…
Manny Ramierz: $100m/4
Don't be stupid. PUT IN MELOAN.
Really? I mean, I figured that would be enough to get it done.
Certainly, they’re not going to go 7 years?
$150/6?
Don't be stupid. PUT IN MELOAN.
That would get it done for another team, but not for the Yankees. He wants to be near California, he wants to play in the NL, he wants to be with a group of guys he likes. He’s already got $140 million in the bag, the Yankees will have to pay extra.
Also, they’re the Yankees.
It’s what Lewis Black likes to call “The Douchebag Tax”. The extra amount of money you have to pay for certain things because you’re a douche.
by world dictator on Oct 11, 2008 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
YES! YES!! Finally, a question that I can respond to using my “I live in ATL” credentials.
First off, Kelly was brought up as an OF and moved to 2B when Marcus Giles stopped taking… er… using… er… suddenly became dramatically less effective. While he’s ok at 2B, I think he’s still learning the position. Currently, I’d say he’s average with a ceiling of slightly-above-average.
As for his bat, I’m kinda mixed on it. His minor league record is good-not-great and he’s had one solid season (832), one mediocre one (795), and one crappy one (731). For whatever reason, he forgot how to take a walk this season. I don’t know if he’s been hanging out with Francoeur or is “trying to go the other way” or whatever, but he seems to be regressing, if anything. Not good for a 26 year old in the NL.
If I had to guess what he’s look like in Cleveland, I’d say average defense without a many ugly errors, and a below average bat, say, .265/.345/.400.
The Braves have a HUGE need in OF and a pretty major need in their rotation; however, I doubt that Ben Fransico would be enough to get it done. I think Fransico/B-grade pitcher would be the minimum.
Don't be stupid. PUT IN MELOAN.
Oh, and judging by the way Indians 4th OF candidates pan out in the NL, I would guess Fransisco hits somewhere around .375/.425/.650 in the NL.
Don't be stupid. PUT IN MELOAN.
by gte619n on Oct 7, 2008 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
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