Off-season Hot Stove Thread

[example1]

Not a chance in the world that a player would sign in BOS without a spot already being secured.

 

Wakefield does not have to start IMO. He's got bullpen experience and is expendable in the rotation, if you're talking about adding a guy like Schmidt.

 

Of course, another option would be to leave Papelbon in the pen. I know they're moving him to the rotation for health reasons so him in the pen is not ideal, but I haven't written it off as a possibility in the next few years depending on his success as a SP.

[jacksonianmarch]

just remember, you need to convince that FA that there is a spot. I still remember Sterling Hitchcock signing with the yankees for 2yrs at 12mil total and being the 6th starter. He was not so happy and the yankees ended up eating salary to move him for nothing special. It isnt a bad problem to have mind you, but it will be tough to convince someone to come in with all 5 spots filled.

[BSN07]

Bill Hall the guy who hit 30 HRfor the brewers last season at 2nd, is said to be moving to the OF or will be traded. He is said to be good with the glove at either 2B SS or 3B. This was mentioned in another forum, but if Lugo falls threw would this guy be worth going after? I think he is 26 and pretty cheap salary wise. I mean he might not hit 30 HR in the AL, but 20 wouldn't be bad from our SS.

 

What does everyone think of maybe trying to trade for this guy? And what would we have to give up in return for him? Just thought I'd bring it up.

 

 

On a side note, I saw him on ESPN's Cold Pizza during the playoffs, and he doesn't seem shy at all, so I don't think he have a problem playing in BOS like so many other have had. During his week long stay on the show he seemed a little cocky( not too much tho, just enough), and said he likes the big spotlight and wished his team had made the playoffs, so that he could play in that sort of atmosphere. Hell every game at Fenway is like that:) Just a thought

[Bosoxwest]

BSN7, Hall's name has been talked (among us amateurs at least) about as a target, but it was speculated Milwaukee's asking price would be pretty steep (and in this market not sure that would change). Still, signing Lugo will cost a first-round pick if LA gives him arb, so trading some chips for Hall might be more attractive in light of Lugo's contract demands in that scenario. I definitely like him, myself. Good THT article on him here.

[elsrbueno]

I started a thread about this guy in the rumors section because I'm a big fan. Hall is a decent bat and could start at third, short, or second.

 

Given that we've got an unknown at second (Pedroia), No shortstop whatsoever, and Lowell at third this guy makes a TON of sense.

 

If I'm the Sox I try to put together a package of mid-level prospects for Hall.

[jacksonianmarch]

Bill Hall the guy who hit 30 HRfor the brewers last season at 2nd, is said to be moving to the OF or will be traded. He is said to be good with the glove at either 2B SS or 3B. This was mentioned in another forum, but if Lugo falls threw would this guy be worth going after? I think he is 26 and pretty cheap salary wise. I mean he might not hit 30 HR in the AL, but 20 wouldn't be bad from our SS.

 

What does everyone think of maybe trying to trade for this guy? And what would we have to give up in return for him? Just thought I'd bring it up.

 

 

On a side note, I saw him on ESPN's Cold Pizza during the playoffs, and he doesn't seem shy at all, so I don't think he have a problem playing in BOS like so many other have had. During his week long stay on the show he seemed a little cocky( not too much tho, just enough), and said he likes the big spotlight and wished his team had made the playoffs, so that he could play in that sort of atmosphere. Hell every game at Fenway is like that:) Just a thought

 

Bill Hall will not be traded unless the brewers can get young pitching in return. He is worth a Papelbon, not a couple of low level minor leaguers. The guy hit 30HRs this past yr while playing all infield positions and OF. He is fast and young as well. The guy is a 5tool fully versatile player with history and promise, expect any team that asks about him to be told that they will need to send major league top pitching in return.

[Fried Neckbones]

Bill Hall will not be traded unless the brewers can get young pitching in return. He is worth a Papelbon' date=' not a couple of low level minor leaguers. The guy hit 30HRs this past yr while playing all infield positions and OF. He is fast and young as well. The guy is a 5tool fully versatile player with history and promise, expect any team that asks about him to be told that they will need to send major league top pitching in return.[/quote']

 

I think Coco and Bowden/Bucholtz would do it. The Brewers need an OF, and one of those two is only a year or two away.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think Coco and Bowden/Bucholtz would do it. The Brewers need an OF' date=' and one of those two is only a year or two away.[/quote']

 

No, No, No. Not a chance in bloody hell. Hall is a 26 yr old guy who can play 7 positions, can hit .300 with 30+Hrs and 100+RBI as well as 20+SB. This guy is Soriano lite and there is no way he gets dealt for a slap happy LFer who is coming off a terrible yr and single A pitcher. No way in hell that gets done.

[Cocos Disciples]

I like him, but he's not on Soriano echelon at all...as noted in the Bill Hall thread, his power will probably come down to 20-25 homers. He had 8 steals last year. He had a damn good OPS, but strike out a lot, and he doesn't walk a lot.

[jacksonianmarch]

his .899OPS puts him 3rd out of all MLB SS behind Carlos Guillen and Derek Jeter. Yeah, Coco and a mid level will get that, right.

[mar_022]

I think Coco and Bowden/Bucholtz would do it. The Brewers need an OF' date=' and one of those two is only a year or two away.[/quote']

 

Ya they do need an outfielder, its not like they already have Mench, Nix, Hart, Jenkins, Clark, Gwynn Jr., (Hall).

 

I live in milwaukee, and Bill Hall is becoming the face of the team. They will ask for at least a package like crisp and bowden for him...but im not sure it wouldnt be worth it. Billy is my favorite brewer, and he improves every year. Hes a very solid player defensively wherever you put him and hes very young. Canon for an arm, quick soft hands, and hes got great power to all fields. Once he gets a little more plate discipline he will be a top-tier offensive player. And he is flexible with positions, so if we sign a SS next offseason, he could fill lowell's void.

[riverside sluggers]

I heard that the Cubs are asking Julio Lugo to play center field for just this season, then move back to his ss position with top prospect Felix Pie stepping in. Now if they get Lugo... would they be willing to work out a deal for Cesar Izturis?

[Rdsxmbnt]

I heard that the Cubs are asking Julio Lugo to play center field for just this season' date=' then move back to his ss position with top prospect Felix Pie stepping in. Now if they get Lugo... would they be willing to work out a deal for Cesar Izturis?[/quote']

 

Izturis is pretty bad though, hes really not much of an upgrade over Cora

[riverside sluggers]

Still an upgrade none the less, and made just 6 errors this past season

[Rdsxmbnt]

really small sample size for him as a SS last year, only 162 innings, made 2 errors. translates to around 18 over a full season

[example1]

How would Izturis be different from Gonzo? Other than being cheaper and perhaps younger, aren't they both the same offensively poor player? He has a .295 career OBP for crying out loud. Between Cora and Izturis we might as well have Schilling, Beckett, Matsuzaka, Papelbon and Wakefield hit (can you use a DH to pinch-hit for a SS?)

[riverside sluggers]

really small sample size for him as a SS last year' date=' only 162 innings, made 2 errors. translates to around 18 over a full season[/quote']

 

Small sample size because he only played in 54 games total. Most in a season he has made is 16. Hey Im just throwing out ideas while trying to avoid talking about Cora as our possible starting shortstop

[example1]

Small sample size because he only played in 54 games total. Most in a season he has made is 16. Hey Im just throwing out ideas while trying to avoid talking about Cora as our possible starting shortstop

 

amen brotherman

[Cocos Disciples]

Well most of the big FA's out there have been signed...here are some of the few top ones remaining, and where I think they'll end up:

 

Barry Zito-New York Mets

Roger Clemens-Houston Astros

Jeff Suppan-Pittsburgh Pirates

Trot Nixon-Pittsburgh Pirates

Kenny Lofton-Colorado Rockies

Mark Mulder-Arizona Diamondbacks

Eric Gagne-Texas Rangers

Aubrey Huff-Baltimore Orioles

Miguel Batista-St. Louis Cardinals

Cliff Floyd-Chicago Cubs

 

I expect lots of trades...I damn hope so to get me through this winter.

[Cocos Disciples]

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=79

 

BP article on the 47% market rise and the best and worst deals so far.

[Cocos Disciples]

Talk about hot stove...no other posts in 10 days.

 

Marcus Giles and Chris Reitsma are now FA's, as the Braves didn't tender contracts.

 

http://www.baseballdigestdaily.com/blog/2006/12/braves-non-tender-giles.html

[Cityofchampions33]

Giles looks rlllly nice, but Ill stick with P-droia

[jacksonianmarch]

Marcus Giles is a risky proposition. He is a guy who will be asking for and would get the moon in arbitration or as a FA, but he has nosedived lately.

[Cocos Disciples]

I'd stay away. Pedroia is basically a younger, cheaper version of Giles.