2011 Trade Deadline Thread

[snydersminipretzels]

The Wilpons also have substantial real estate holdings which are illiquid and which they don't want to convert to cash at this time. The fact they made a deal where they lose control of the organization could also indicate they are confident in two year’s time that this clause will not be used. However, there are conflicting reports whether that story on those conversion terms is even true. Be very careful of making statements about finances with no knowledge of either the underlying data or how those figures are calculated. They may very well have a clause that their new owner must share in any payroll expenses.

 

Are you a P.R. spokesman for Sterling Equities? Why do you think Wilpon can't convert his real estate holdings into cash? Why can't he borrow against those substantial assets to acquire a loan to shore the Mets finances? Oh, because Sterling Equities is a major real estate investment firm. I wonder what direction that market has headed the last four years? The $70 million they made in outright fraud from Madoff will be taken from them by a court settlement, and the honest investments they made in real estate are already worthless. I do agree that the Mets are probably sound financially, but that leads into the next point..

 

Can you link to a legit source that says Wilpon's being forced to sell the Mets?

 

Wilpon isn't being forced to sell the Mets. He's using his only valuable asset (that and SNY, but Wilpon doesn't own SNY) to raise cash to stave off the twin crisis that are rocking the rest of his empire. Why else would he sell 33% of his baseball team for pennies on the dollar? Why else would he agree to sell the Mets for an actual dollar? Even if Einhorn loses his bet, he still owns 1/3 of a baseball franchise valued at close to $800 million. Desperate people do desperate things.

[Interestedobserver]

Do your own research Dutchy. He has also been reported to have lost $700 million in the Madoff Ponzi scheme. That will put a crimp in the style of a billionaire.

 

Fact is that he had to take on a partner. The partner is hoping to gain a controlling interest in the team. Do you think he took on the partner because he was looking for a lunch buddy? The stories about his financial woes have been out there for over 2 years.

 

The Mets financial problems are well publicized. However, to say a team cannot afford to pay a $6 million contract AFTER they sold a $200 million chunk of the team doesn’t account for the facts. Also, the Mets are being sued because they MADE MONEY off of Maddoff. If they had lost money, there would be no lawsuit. Apparently all the original reporting was wrong. However even after reporters discovered this fact, the stories never changed from Mets are in financial trouble.

 

None of which changes some simple facts. Beltran has a trade value. They owe him $6 million. If a team wants to pay the $6 million, the price in prospects is less. If a team does not want to pay the contract, they need to come up with better prospects. Beltran has an ops near 900 and has been hot. He’s not going to be given away.

[Interestedobserver]

Wilpon's problem is he is a close friend of Madoff' date=' and one of the few who made a lot of money with Madoff in spite of Madoff's scams. Consequently, the losers are suing him as well to get their money back. One of his friends has kept the Mets solvent by buying a minority ownership. If you read up on Wilpon, you find that he is obsessed with owning the Mets, and won't give up controlling ownership unless he is forced out.[/quote']

 

Hmm, friend doesn't quite cover Einhorn. Think of two scorpions in a bottle. My prediction is Einhorn will be the one scorpion left in a couple of years. Einhorn has a couple of billion dollars and should be a better long term owner.

[Dojji]

You know, if what you want is a bottom of the rotation starter, and you're sick of Miller, give some thought to Bruce Chen of the Royals. He's been solid in the AL Central the last couple years, and while he pitches in a large ballpark, he also pitches for the Royals so I kinda figure that that balances out.

 

I wouldn't call Chen a great pitcher, but he'd be a nice complimentary fit at the bottom of the rotation who'd help make sure we weren't rolling out total stiffs, and he appears healthy for the first time in awhile, so he might be worth a modest price at the deadline.

[SoxSport]

It will be a rhd hitter. maybe Cuddyer, Francouer, Beltran or Pence.

lotta talk about Beltran--a sign it might be someone else. I think Cuddyer or Francouer.

Pence is a franchise player--doubt Houston will deal him.

 

Between Cuddyer and Francoeur. I said I saw Cuddyer huddling with Red Sox players at the all-star game. Better OBP than Francouer, but Francouer is a former Red Sox minor leaguer with better RF defense.

It will be one of those two--both cheaper than Beltran and better as platoon players.

[BornToRun]

f*** Cuddyer, guy's a horrid defender and RF at Fenway is a very tough area to play.

[Interestedobserver]

It will be a rhd hitter. maybe Cuddyer, Francouer, Beltran or Pence.

lotta talk about Beltran--a sign it might be someone else. I think Cuddyer or Francouer.

Pence is a franchise player--doubt Houston will deal him.

 

Between Cuddyer and Francoeur. I said I saw Cuddyer huddling with Red Sox players at the all-star game. Better OBP than Francouer, but Francouer is a former Red Sox minor leaguer with better RF defense.

It will be one of those two--both cheaper than Beltran and better as platoon players.

 

Francouer? You don’t want any part of him. Trust me. Beltran is the real deal and as a switch hitter you don’t have to platoon him. Every board has a thread on Pence, but he ain't moving.

[MNSoxChief102]

f*** Cuddyer' date=' guy's a horrid defender and RF at Fenway is a very tough area to play.[/quote']

 

Yep. I'm not really interested in him... not great defensively and I can see the pressure cooker of Boston getting to him more so than Beltran. Playing in Minnesota is a hell of a lot easier, in terms of pressure from the media and the fans, than playing in Boston.

 

Plus there's almost no chance the Twins deal him unless they lose a bunch of games in the next two weeks. They're within striking distance of the division lead and trading Cuddy now would be stupid. He's the only guy on the team that's produced consistently all season long, loves playing here, and he's a fan favorite... not the kind of guy you trade even with his contract expiring after this season.

[Palodios]

Francouer? You don’t want any part of him. Trust me. Beltran is the real deal and as a switch hitter you don’t have to platoon him. Every board has a thread on Pence' date=' but he ain't moving.[/quote']

 

These are Francouer's splits against lefthanded pitching -- .310/.348/ .607/.955

 

He has also been exceptional defensively. He is signed for 2 million this year, and there is a 4 million option next year. Kansas City is very focused on building their team's future, and Francouer will already be on his way out when that comes to pass.

 

I could see a Reddick + 1 deal happening. It is cheap enough that it lets the Red Sox do other things if necessary, he's solid defensively, he gives Kalish another year to develop as a fourth outfielder next year, and he doesn't hit right handed pitching well enough to warrant too high a cost.

[d-money]

The cubs stink!!They should unload some of their pitchers including Garza

[BornToRun]

I really want Garza, the Cubs say they aren't interested but I hear Jim Hendry is quite retarded so maybe a package that lands us both him and Baker?

[d-money]

I would give them Kalish, Weiland and another prospects for Garza.

[BornToRun]

That's one deal I would give up good prospects to make. Baker and Garza. Garza is young, under control for more than just this season, an innings eater, and can pitch well in the AL East while Baker hammers lefties at a fantastic rate but on the other hand, his defensive seems substandard. Still, I'd give up some solid pieces to get Garza, not Kalish though.

[d-money]

Which prospects are u willing to give up?

[BornToRun]

I'd give them Weiland, Reddick, and maybe Lavarnway. Depends on what they want. I'm just reluctant about Kalish because I think he's the team's starting RF'er next season.

[d-money]

Damn.I dont wanna give up Reddick.What about Lars Anderson?I thought this kid would be something by now.

[BornToRun]

I don't think Reddick's as good as he's hitting right now. He used to be a top prospect then disappeared and has been a sub-standard hitter in the minors. Anderson is interesting because the Cubs aren't exactly locked down at first base and it isn't a guarantee that they'll land Pujols or Fielder but he hasn't been hitting that well in AAA the past 2 years but he's still just 23 years old and it wasn't long ago that he was being spoken of as our 1st baseman of the future. Scouting report says his defensive is meh but he's not awful and he projects as a decent power threat in the bigs. Has some kinks to work out but he's got potential. I think he could be part of a deal.

[SoxSport]

These are Francouer's splits against lefthanded pitching -- .310/.348/ .607/.955

 

He has also been exceptional defensively. He is signed for 2 million this year, and there is a 4 million option next year. Kansas City is very focused on building their team's future, and Francouer will already be on his way out when that comes to pass.

 

I could see a Reddick + 1 deal happening. It is cheap enough that it lets the Red Sox do other things if necessary, he's solid defensively, he gives Kalish another year to develop as a fourth outfielder next year, and he doesn't hit right handed pitching well enough to warrant too high a cost.

 

Plus he came up in the Red Sox farm system. has a good arm. Hits with power,but never a high BA. He could be another Bay in Fenway.

Reddick's value will never be higher. Reddick for Francouer in a minute.

 

You gotta be impressed with MacDonald--the way he parked that Price 95 FB last night.

He'll stick around as long as Tito is manager. loves him.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

You guys hear how Beltran wants to finish his career with the Mets?

[BornToRun]

Why would anyone wanna do that? Did he hang out with Ron Washington during the break?

[Palodios]

Between today's news about Buchholz and Reddick hitting yet another home run, a starting pitcher may be a better plan than it did last week.

[AtWork]

Mets are insisting on a top prospect for Beltran...

 

http://twitter.com/#!/Buster_ESPN/status/92147346997116929

 

...and are willing to eat most of his salary.

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/video/MLB?vid=5ee77070-edda-437c-a6dc-dec2c5d8f3d2

 

The idea that they'll just give him away to a team that takes on his salary continues to look like wishful thinking.

[Palodios]

Until someone actually gives them a top prospect, it remains to be seen.

[a700hitter]

The Mets financial problems are well publicized. However, to say a team cannot afford to pay a $6 million contract AFTER they sold a $200 million chunk of the team doesn’t account for the facts. Also, the Mets are being sued because they MADE MONEY off of Maddoff. If they had lost money, there would be no lawsuit. Apparently all the original reporting was wrong. However even after reporters discovered this fact, the stories never changed from Mets are in financial trouble.

The sold a portion of the team because they were having trouble making payroll. They had received money from MLB in 2010 to help their liquidity problems. They came back the following year and MLB told them that they were cutting them off and left them with no alternative other than to take on a partner. The $200 million they got from the new partners is not a sign of financial health. It is quite the opposite. They have to repay the $200 in 2 years or lose control of the team. It is estimated that they will lose $79 million this year. The facts are pretty clear. They need money, not prospects.

[d-money]

They are nuts!!!Beltran is not a young guy.I doubt anyone will give them a top prospect.

[example1]

If the Mets got a prospect the caliber of Reddick for Beltran they should be delighted, regardless of the salary going back/forth.

 

I don't know what is meant by "top prospect". I doubt the Sox can compete with some teams to give away a guy who is destined to be an MLB every-day player without a doubt. I could see a team like San Francisco risking more than it is worth to get Beltran for the stretch run, while I don't think the Sox would.

 

If nobody is willing to overpay then the Sox should be in great shape, as they actually have to free up some room on their 40-man roster moving forward and have quite a bit of potential MLB/AAAA talent to move (players of the Weiland, Reddick, Wilson, Lin, Lavarnway mold). Even some of those guys (Reddick, Weiland, Lavarnway) might play into the Sox future plans and be too much to move.

[redsoxbeatz]

I don't think Reddick's as good as he's hitting right now. He used to be a top prospect then disappeared and has been a sub-standard hitter in the minors.

 

Why doubt Reddick's abilities? 66 AB with 3 HR and 17 RBI and 1.095 OPS. Sub-standard in the minors and wicked awesome in the majors.

 

I wouldn't want to give up Reddick (+ some more?) for a SP yet though. We need to see how Kalish does after his injury, if he ever freakin heals up.

[jacksonianmarch]

They are nuts!!!Beltran is not a young guy.I doubt anyone will give them a top prospect.

 

He's the best available hitter during another "year of the pitcher" at the trade deadline. As long as the Mets are willing to assume half of the remaining contract, they will get a solid prospect.

[jacksonianmarch]

I think the sox may need to get a pitcher. Miller has turned out to be an absolute bust. Lackey had one good start this month, but still carries a July ERA of 7. Last night he sucked. Buchholz is still out and cannot throw off the mound because his back still hurts. Beckett's knee will be a ??? until he shows he can throw off the mound tonight without leaving early or being shaky. And Lester is on the DL, although it sounds like he could be back soon. With Buchholz having no timetable, you effectively have 2 viable starters going forward with three questionmarks and both of the viable starters have health concerns at the moment. I think the sox will definitely be looking into a starter who, while not necessarily needing to be dominant, can give innings to keep the pen off the mound. I think Ryan Dempster is at the top of that list. Most people will cringe at his overall numbers, but if you look at the splits, you'll see he's been very effective since an abysmal April. His ERA in April was 9.58. Since then, his ERA has been 3.13 or lower in each month and he's shown improved BAA, BB and K numbers

[SoxSport]

Cafardo at the Globe this morning is drumming up Reyes. He says think big. They may have the pieces

with Iglesias, Reddick et al., provided the Mets will deal Reyes. I don't think they will. Besides, the Red Sox are not a speed team. They still haven't figured out how to use two speed guys--much less three.

Theo picks these FAs like fruit off a tree, without much regard for chemistry and his manager's laid back, big-ball style.

 

So I don't know about Reyes. I do know they need another RHd bat in that lineup--to take some pressure off their LHd hitters. And it probably should reside in RF since Papi's ego would never allow a DH platoon. The latter could be Papi's undoing in Boston--besides a multi-year contract.

 

The other mention was the Yankees going after Jiminez. Figures they will definitely get another starter.

Age is a problem which may catch up with them this year (see Jeter, ARod).

 

Epstein can go in different directions. Most likely a RHd bat is the priority, as reported. But it really depends on what trade opportunities present themselves--what other teams want and what the Red Sox are willing to give up.