08-09 Offseason: Minor Moves

[BoSox21]

How frustrating must it be to be a Braves fan this off-season? There were reports that the team was very close to signing Furcal, Burnett and Griffey yet all three went elsewhere. Not to mention the Peavy trade talks that fell through.

[rician blast]

To be honest I'm not sure how much the addition of Griffey will help the M's. To me it is more window dressing than anything...an emotional homecoming kind of thing.

 

That said I would like to see him have a very productive season, although I suspect he'll be quite average. Here's a part of a write-up done on a Mariner's site http://ussmariner.com/2009/02/13/projecting-new-mariner-griffeys-offense/:

 

Let me start with the obvious stuff, and then get into refinements. Over the last three years, Griffey’s averaged 132 games a season, 482 at-bats, and put up about a .260/.350/.470 line, which is a little over league average but not that good for a corner outfielder (2008 AL LFers hit .271/.350/.453, NL .267/.336/.430). His speed on the basepaths is entirely gone now, along with any remnant of defensive value. So the team’s not going to get any value out of sticking him left part-time.

 

And as we’ve mentioned before, left-handed pitchers have owned him for years. You really don’t want him out there against southpaws if there’s any way to avoid it (last year, he hit .202/.299/.350).

 

There’s good news there, though. Here’s his split v. RHP for the last three years

2006: .278/.346/.523

2007: .300/.402/.540

2008: .272/.379/.462

 

That’s where you want to get your value: 400 or so quality plate appearances against right-handed pitching.

 

The write-up is somewhat amateur, but it makes sense...the guy will be 39 this year and IMO can't be expected to bring a helluva lot to the table.

[BoSox21]

If nothing else, it may bring some of the fans back that left when the team went to s*** in 2004

[rician blast]

True BS21 and I suspect that's a big part of why they signed him...it's a feel good story at the least, and maybe he brings a little magic to the squad.

[BoSox21]

And maybe the Yankees are hoping the Mariners want another feel good story and send Ichiro, King and Clement for A-Rod

[26 to 6]

And maybe the Yankees are hoping the Mariners want another feel good story and send Ichiro' date=' King and Clement for A-Rod[/quote']

 

Unrelated to the Griffey talks I just came across this little tidbit for anyone that cares. Lastings Milledge has surrendered his #44 with the Nats to Adam Dunn, who was issued #32. Instead Milledge, who's worn 44 since coming up with the Mets in honor of Reggie Jackson, will now wear #85, the year in which he was born.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090219&content_id=3852332&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb

[BSN07]

#85

 

Can he be anymore of a tool?<_>

[BoSox21]

Arizone Republic is saying Orlando Hudson will sign with the Dodgers

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

#85

 

Can he be anymore of a tool?<_>

How's that toolish?

[msubulldogs21]

Arizone Republic is saying Orlando Hudson will sign with the Dodgers

 

Apparently a 1 year 3.8M deal for the O-Dawg. Nice signing by LA.

[diony]

A #17 overall pick for signing O-Dog on a one-year deal. Wow.

 

Stupid move, considering they already have Mark Loretta, Blake DeWitt and even Chin-Lung Hu could move to 2B.

[BoSox21]

Crede is a Twin for 1/2.5, incentives could take it up to 7

 

Stupid move, considering they already have Mark Loretta, Blake DeWitt and even Chin-Lung Hu could move to 2B.

 

The talk is DeWitt will head to Triple A

[BoSox21]

Vernon Wells strained his hammy today and will miss at least a month. Gonna be a rough season for the Jays...

[italstallianion]

Maybe it's just their way of ensuring that they get a high draft pick next year...

[diony]

The talk is DeWitt will head to Triple A

 

I read he will be used as an utility infielder.

 

I know the Dodgers now have one the best defensive middle infields on the majors. But the move is kinda overkill.

[BoSox21]

Loretta is the utility infielder

[YazsTripleCrown]

The rookie kid from last year Blake DeWitt seems to be the odd man out. He will be sent back to AAA.

[Dipre]

The only problem with the Hudson signing is the draft pick, he's an elite defensive 2B who's above average offensively and was signed for an extremely low amount of cash.

 

P.S: LOL@ switching Hu to 3rd. I will take it as a joke.......

[riverside sluggers]

http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090228&content_id=3897376&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

 

Juan Cruz finally has a uniform to wear, Kansas City. He has signed a 2 year deal with an option year for 2011

[BoSox21]

Orlando Cabrera's 2009 salary: $4 million

 

Julio Lugo's 2009 salary: $9 million

 

just saying...

[CrespoBlows]

Orlando Cabrera's 2009 salary: $4 million

 

Julio Lugo's 2009 salary: $9 million

 

just saying...

 

Economy in 2006 - Good

Economy in 2009 - Bad

 

Just sayin'.

[BoSox21]

I see your point. I'm just sayin'

[CrespoBlows]

I see your point. I'm just sayin'

 

What should we take from your point?

 

We should have waited until the housing bubble burst to get WSHEROWOCAB04 for $5 million less than Lugo?

[Cocos Disciples]

Cabrera kinda sucks, though.

[CrespoBlows]

Cabrera kinda sucks' date=' though.[/quote']

 

Cabrera - '04 WSCHAMP

 

Lugo - bum

[TheKilo]

Cabrera = awesome handshakes:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

lugo = intestinal parasites:(

[BoSox21]

none of you would take Cabrera over Lugo right now?

[TheKilo]

I'd rather have Lowrie over all of them

[CrespoBlows]

none of you would take Cabrera over Lugo right now?

 

Yeah, but that wasn't your point.

[BoSox21]

My point was the disparity in salary between two guys who differ significantly in talent. I know it's different economic times but a lot of guys are still cashing in big so the fact that Lugo makes more than twice what Cabrera makes surprises me a bit