offseason moves

[riverside sluggers]

mlbtraderumors.com: Cubs/Red Sox/Mariners Trade Possible

 

A reliable source told me today about a three-way deal that is "imminent." It's always risky to throw around "imminent," but I'm just quoting him here.

 

Here's the scenario:

 

BOS gives: Bronson Arroyo, Tony Graffanino, PTBNL

 

BOS gets: Jeremy Reed, Will Ohman

 

CHC gives: Corey Patterson, Ohman

 

CHC gets: Raul Ibanez, Graffanino, cash

 

SEA gives: Reed, Ibanez, cash

 

SEA gets: Arroyo, Patterson, PTBNL

 

Let's evaluate. There's no doubt the Cubs would be making out like bandits in this trade. Corey Patterson is useless to them, even as a fourth outfielder. 28 year-old lefty Ohman tossed a solid 43 innings this year, and seems recovered from his January 2002 Tommy John surgery.

 

But Chicago's bounty seems to outweigh the former phenom and useful southpaw. Ibanez is on the hook for just $4.25MM in 2006, and the 33 year-old is probably good for a .290/.350/.460 line in 2006. He played 55 games in left field for the Mariners in 2005. I've projected him at .288 with 21 HR, 84 RBI, 89 runs, and 8 steals for 2006. Graffanino could probably chip in with some decent on-base skills from 2B or a utility role.

 

My Arroyo projection has him leading the Red Sox in wins with 16. Arroyo does a good job limiting his baserunners and should have an ERA under 4. I don't think Safeco would have a major effect on his numbers. Reed should continue to improve all facets of his game in '06, and would be a nice pickup for the Red Sox.

 

There may be a holdup in the deal because the Red Sox want to trade before Graffanino and Arroyo hit arbitration, and the Cubs want to wait. The word is that Mariners GM Bill Bavasi is strangely infatuated with Corey Patterson. If that's the case, Hendry should strike while the iron is hot. I don't have any information on where Matt Murton would find himself if the proposed trade takes place, but he wouldn't have a starting gig for the Cubs.

 

I agree with most of what this guy says. But dude, Arroyo will lead the rotation in wins, eclisping Schilling and Beckett?... Thats one shady projection. My thinking if Beckett is able to stay healthy and pitch over 200 innings, 17-20 wins with an ERA of 3.80-4.00

[schillingouttheks]

Who's Will Ohman? I've heard nothing about this guy until the few sentences about him in the article.

[riverside sluggers]

Will Ohman had his first full season in the majors this past season, appearing in 69 games for the Cubs. A lefthanded reliever, he compiled a 2.91 ERA with 45 Ks in 43 innings

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6612/career;_ylt=AiGotXkRf2If2kYFW924RhOFCLcF

 

Overall this does sound like an intriguing trade and more inviting than Papelbon for Meche/Reed

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

I don't think I'm too excited about that deal. The reliever is average (although we could use a lefty) and I'm still not really excited about Jeremy Reed. I would rather have Corey Patterson in that deal who I still think could bounce back from last year. If you look at his numbers the previous two seasons were much better. I still think Fenway could be a blessing to his still young career. Reed just can't hit for power. Although I would welcome his defense but I think Arroyo could be very valuable in our bullpen and spot starter.

 

Not to mention I like Tony Graffanino and the depth he gives us for the infield.

[Soxfan1]

I don't like this deal at all. Giving up too much and getting too little.

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Its not happening according to Gordon Edes. He says its a rumor and it "Ain't happening"

[riverside sluggers]

boston globe

 

The Orioles have told the Red Sox they would not accept Ramírez and pitcher Matt Clement for Tejada; they clearly would prefer one of the Sox' pitching prospects (Jonathan Papelbon, Jon Lester) in the deal, but the Red Sox are not inclined to give up either.

 

I didnt think Id say this, but gotta love you Sox front office. Theyve locked away their elite prospects and hiden the key from interested teams

[a700hitter]

boston globe

 

 

 

I didnt think Id say this, but gotta love you Sox front office. Theyve locked away their elite prospects and hiden the key from interested teams

Although I would give them Lester, if we pulled Manny from the deal. Imagine a 3,4,5 of Papi, Manny and Miggy. Manny would probably want to stay for that.

[riverside sluggers]

Boston Globe: David Ortiz said last night he believes there is a good chance he will sign a long-term contract extension with the Red Sox before the start of spring training. "They haven't said for how long [the extension would run]," Ortiz said. "I have two more years. I'd like another four or five years more. I think that would be perfect. By that time I'd be 36, so we'll see." Yeah, we'll see. The Red Sox shouldn't be so desperate for PR that they'll go overboard here. All they need to do is think back to what happened when Mo Vaughn left. Ortiz is a bargain at $14.9 million over through 2007. Adding on years, even at $12 million-$13 million, would change that in a hurry.

 

Good to hear, lets lock up Papi. :thumbsup: He's a true Red Sox who believes in staying with 1 team for a long period of team like his curent teammates in Wakefield (entering 12th season), and Varitek (entering 9th season). Trot as well, who is so far likely entering his 9th & final season in a Red Sox uni. if he's not able to turn things around.

 

------------------------------------------------------

 

New York Post: The Mets no longer have any interest in Julian Tavarez, according to the New York Post. The Yankees also probably lost interest in the best free-agent reliever remaining with their signing of Octavio Dotel. If Tavarez can't get the three- or four-year deal he desires, maybe he'll take a lesser salary in order to close for the Braves, Orioles or Reds and then go back on the market in a year.

 

Talks between the Guardians and Braves regarding Ryan Langerhans have failed to result in a deal, though they aren't entirely dead yet, according to the Providence Journal. Two weeks after the possibility came to light, the Journal's Sean McAdam is still the only source on this story. The Guardians supposedly would be willing to trade Coco Crisp to Boston for Andy Marte if they could get Langerhans from Atlanta.

[ORS]

I'd like for every Chicken Little Sox fan and every trash talking Yankee fan, who think that the Sox don't respect their players by extending them before they hit FA, to remember this moment once the Sox do extend D.O. They are willing to do it for elite talent, something that Pedro and Johnny probably were going to lack the last two years of their contracts.

[riverside sluggers]

They also did the same for Wakefield last April, extending his contract by 2 years through 2007 to avoid him hitting free agency. Hearing that Ortiz could be locked up for 4 or even 5 more seasons gives me a lift in this otherwise frustrating off-season.

[Sox Fan on Cape]

They also did the same for Wakefield last April, extending his contract by 2 years through 2007 to avoid him hitting free agency. Hearing that Ortiz could be locked up for 4 or even 5 more seasons gives me a lift in this otherwise frustrating off-season.

Correct me if I wrong, but I think the same was also true for Trot a couple of years before. I also remember Trot acted as his own agent.

[ORS]

Good points RS and SFoC. Hopefully people can recognize that the FO is willing to do this, it just depends on the player. Wake, being a knuckleballer, is unlikely to suffer arm problems, so they wouldn't expect a decline. And with Trot, they extended him at 29 and just before his last arbitration year, keeping him after 3 straight 130+ game, 20+ HR seasons.

[riverside sluggers]

Sox sign Graffanino

By Steve Silva, Boston.com Staff

 

The Red Sox agreed to terms on a one-year contract with infielder Tony Graffanino. Terms were not disclosed. The 33-year old Graffanino, who had been eligible for salary arbitration, hit .319 with four homers and 20 RBI in 51 games for the Red Sox in 2005 after being acquired from Kansas City on July 19. Between the two stops, Graffanino hit .309 with seven home runs and 38 RBI in 110 games.

 

In all or part of 10 major league seasons with the Braves, the Devil Rays, the White Sox, the Royals and the Red Sox, Graffanino batted .268 with 42 home runs and 213 RBI in 759 games.

[Soxfan1]

I was going to post that, but I thought it would already been reported. A great move. I am glad to have Graff back.

[riverside sluggers]

I just hope that they dont end up trading him during spring training as previously reported. He's very valuable to this team, even if its as a utility guy. Hell, he could be the right handed hitting 4th outfielder to compliment Trot when there are left-handed starting pitchers.

[jsinger121]

If they need to trade graffanino to address shortstop and centerfield im pretty sure the red sox would.

[riverside sluggers]

Bronson Arroyo, who is eligible for arbitration with Josh Beckett and Mota, received a three-year offer Tuesday. Talks about Arroyo’s multiyear deal, as well as 2006 contracts for all three pitchers, will continue. If no deals are reached, arbitration figures will be exchanged Wednesday.

 

On WEEI, they indicated the contract signing of 3 years could make him more enticing for teams to trade with Boston. If thats not the reason, still good to lock him down. He had led the team this past season in quality starts, and is effective when he is used as a reliever

[guapo34]

Alright, if this Crisp trade becomes official, we are left with no major holes on our major league roster and we still have 7 potential starting pitchers.

 

Schilling

Beckett

Wakefield

Wells

Clement

Arroyo

Pappelbon

 

It appears less likely Pappelbon will be in the starting rotation to start the season. So between Wells, Clement, and Arroyo one of them needs to be traded or Arroyo needs to go to the bullpen. I think theres a good chance the team waits until spring training to trade one of them. If a team that expects to compete for the post-season has a pitcher go down then our SP trading chips will be at their most valuable. I don't think Arroyo will spend much of the season in our bullpen after the contract we just gave him. If we can get a solid 4th outfield option for one of them we could go for that, but i think we could do better.

 

 

Thoughts on what happens to our surplus of starting pitching?

[jsinger121]

I think they should trade some for prospects in order to get papelbon into the rotation.

[schillingouttheks]

I wouldn't complain if Wells and Clement were traded away in efforts to get a decent SS. Don't sign Alex Gonzalez, I'd much rather Cora. As much as I like Cora, if we can get a better everyday SS, go for it. If not, no big deal. But I would LOVE to see Papelbon in the rotation to start. If not, oh well, use him in the bullpen and as a spot starter.

[jsinger121]

alex gonzalez is nothing special especially if it comes at a high cost. he is not much of an upgrade over cora.

[schillingouttheks]

Yeah that's why I said don't sign him. He's not worth the money when we have someone like Cora who can play just as well, with potentially better defensive capabilities.

[guapo34]

I'd be surprised if gonzalez gets a lot of money from us if we do sign him as rumored. For 2.5 million hes not a terrible signing. If we go with Cora we don't really have a backup SS. Pedroia won't be on the major league team as a backup. Its much more valuable to keep him at Pawtucket where he'll get ABs regularaly. I don't think Graffanino is a viable back up option at SS or else he'd get the starting job cuz he can actually hit.

[schillingouttheks]

If we sign Alex Gonzalez, Cora will be the backup.

[guapo34]

Right, that was my point. Gonzalez is more valuable to us cuz then we'd have 2 guys that can play short.

[jsinger121]

graffanino will likely be gone if alex gonzalez is signed

[schillingouttheks]

graffanino will likely be gone if alex gonzalez is signed

Another reason why I don't want Gonzalez. We're fine as we are. If Cora goes down, we'll figure it out when that time comes.

[a700hitter]

I think they should trade some for prospects in order to get papelbon into the rotation.

I wouldn't trade too much of it right away. You never have enough pitching, and Schilling, Wells and Wake are all a little senior. Chances are that injuires will get Arroyo and Papelbon in the rotation sooner than later. The only pitcher I would move now would be Wells for prospects. But I would do that with a mind towards making a run at Clemens before the Yankees sign him in February and make us puke.

[jsinger121]

i think the rangers are the favorites to sign clemens now especially with hicks big connection to the university of texas. he has been wining and dining clemens all winter