2011-2012 Offseason Thread

[Meh]

I hear you. But this is Beane and he knows he has the upper hand. If nobody offers him a good deal' date=' he just lives with having a good closer and sees what he can get at the deadline[/quote']

 

Exactly, Beane is holding all the cards at the table.

[Palodios]

Exactly' date=' Beane is holding all the cards at the table.[/quote']

 

The Athletic's current outfield had 3 home runs combined last year, and their starting first baseman hit .212. Five cost-controlled years of Reddick and Anderson, plus two guys who could probably start in the AL West. If you think that isn't in the right ballpark for a guy who has averaged 25 saves the last three years, you're crazy.

[Meh]

The Athletic's current outfield had 3 home runs combined last year' date=' and their starting first baseman hit .212. Five cost-controlled years of Reddick and Anderson, plus two guys who could probably start in the AL West. If you think that isn't in the right ballpark for a guy who has averaged 25 saves the last three years, you're crazy.[/quote']

 

So if you were to deal bard, you'd take quantity over quality?

[jacksonianmarch]

Anderson is completely worthless for anyone but another flier. Reddick is not a big time prospect and was obviously overexposed last yr. The best time to move him has passed. They arent dealing Bailey for Reddick and Anderson.

[Palodios]

So if you were to deal bard' date=' you'd take quantity over quality?[/quote']

 

Quantity over quality has been my motto this offseason. This team has been too focused on getting really great players that they've forgotten about depth. Bard isn't the best example because the team is so desperate for pitching, but I've been very vocal about trading Ellsbury, and I have mentioned trading him for a large package of middle tier, cost controlled players.

[jacksonianmarch]

Pal, you need great players, depth and a lot of luck. The sox had 1 of the three last yr. If you deal away your superstars and bring in a bunch of average to above average players, then you end up a .500 team at best.

[Meh]

Pal' date=' you need great players, depth and a lot of luck. The sox had 1 of the three last yr. If you deal away your superstars and bring in a bunch of average to above average players, then you end up a .500 team at best.[/quote']

 

Yeah I don't think you'll ever see a yankee fan saying let's trade cano for a bunch of second tier players. To each their own tho. I do think Palo is one of the more level headed and smart red sox fans on here, but we just disagree on this.

[a700hitter]

Quantity over quality has been my motto this offseason. This team has been too focused on getting really great players that they've forgotten about depth. Bard isn't the best example because the team is so desperate for pitching' date=' but I've been very vocal about trading Ellsbury, and I have mentioned trading him for a large package of middle tier, cost controlled players.[/quote']I believe that a handful of great offensive players planted at the top of your lineup make everyone else better. good players become very good because of their presence and it makes mediocre players good. Salty was actually playing well in the middle of the season when everyone in the middle of the lineup was doing their thing. When Youk went down and D Mac and Reddick started batting 5th behind Ortiz, Salty's game went straight to hell.

 

A team full of middle tier players without stars would IMO be a middle tier team that would also be boring to watch. I don't see how if you take last years team that imploded and finished 3rd subtract Papelbon, Ortiz, Beckett and Ellsbury and expect to finish higher than 4th place. This seems to be what some people are recommending-- (or some comb of 3 of the 4). I think the 2011 team had a leadership problem-- in the dugout and the clubhouse. I think the FO management had made many mistakes too. I was all for changing the manager, coaches and the FO, but I don't think last year's roster was very far from being a strong playoff team. Gutting 3 or more of the stars will leave us out of serious playoff competition for the next 2 seasons. I don't get the strategy.

[DeadHorseSociety]

Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reports that the Red Sox have "checked in" on Brad Lidge.

He also says they've looked into Jon Rauch, but Rauch is about to sign on with the Mets. Lidge has also drawn interest from the Mets, and the Rockies are likely to court him, as well. The 34-year-old right-hander would probably like to close, but, realistically, should have to settle for a setup role.

 

 

Wouldn't mind Lidge on a 1-2 yr deal.

[a700hitter]

Mets Agree To Two-Year Deal With Francisco

By Luke Adams [December 6, 2011 at 9:04pm CST]

 

The Mets appear determined to fill out their entire bullpen before the night is out. The team has agreed to a two-year deal with Frank Francisco, pending a physical, tweets Ken Davidoff of Newsday. Francisco is the third reliever the Mets have added to the fold tonight, following their signing of Jon Rauch and their trade for Ramon Ramirez. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports (via Twitter) that Francisco's two-year contract will earn the right-hander $12MM.

 

Francisco will close for the Mets, with Rauch setting up, tweets Davidoff. The Blue Jays employed a similar set-up in their bullpen for much of the season, and will receive compensation picks for both Francisco and Rauch. In his lone season in Toronto, Francisco posted a 3.55 ERA with 9.4 K/9 and 17 saves.

[jung]

The Sox are checking in with this one and looking at that one....what a bunch of BS. They have themselves boxed by the stupid arbitration offer to Ortiz and are stuck on pins and needles waiting to see what he does....dumb....dumb....dumb

[boy racer]

Quantity over quality has been my motto this offseason. This team has been too focused on getting really great players that they've forgotten about depth. Bard isn't the best example because the team is so desperate for pitching' date=' but I've been very vocal about trading Ellsbury, and I have mentioned trading him for a large package of middle tier, cost controlled players.[/quote']

[jung]

The Sox have been focusing on star signings that make for big PR for years now. That is how they got into this mess. The best evidence that this was only in part Theo's doing is that they are still doing it now.

 

Giving Ortiz arbitration was the Christmas present of a lifetime and the idiot FO move of all time.

[Palodios]

Yeah I don't think you'll ever see a yankee fan saying let's trade cano for a bunch of second tier players. To each their own tho. I do think Palo is one of the more level headed and smart red sox fans on here' date=' but we just disagree on this.[/quote']

 

Thanks! Cano is a good example of a similar player, but I think the Yankees simply have much more depth right now, and are not as desperate as the Sox should be right now. The Sox don't have that much for trade chips or money, and Ellsbury is their best sell high opportunity.

[Meh]

There's Cordero, K-Rod, Madson, Isringhausen, Lidge and Aardsma left out there.

 

Rockies and Red Sox are looking at Lidge.

Reds are looking at K-Rod

Angels are hot after Madson, as well as SP CJ Wilson.

Red Sox are looking at CoCo Cordero.

Izzy and Aardsma are kind of just there.

Dotel is being courted by the Rangers and the Cards

 

Twins could use a set up man as well. M's are looking into trading League and might be in the market for a closer if that happens.

 

Bailey and Street are also on the trading market. Mets added Ramirez, Fracisco and Raunch last night, but I think they still might take a chance on a secondary piece like re-signing Izzy or going after Aardsma.

[a700hitter]

There's Cordero, K-Rod, Madson, Isringhausen, Lidge and Aardsma left out there.

 

Rockies and Red Sox are looking at Lidge.

Reds are looking at K-Rod

Angels are hot after Madson, as well as SP CJ Wilson.

Red Sox are looking at CoCo Cordero.

Izzy and Aardsma are kind of just there.

Dotel is being courted by the Rangers and the Cards

 

Twins could use a set up man as well. M's are looking into trading League and might be in the market for a closer if that happens.

 

Bailey and Street are also on the trading market. Mets added Ramirez, Fracisco and Raunch last night, but I think they still might take a chance on a secondary piece like re-signing Izzy or going after Aardsma.

Izzy is brutal. He cannot pitch back to back nights without blowing up.

[a700hitter]

6:39am: The A's asked the Red Sox for third base prospect Will Middlebrooks, writes the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo. It's probably safe to assume that Middlebrooks, 23, is not one of the prospects mentioned in Gammons' proposal.

Not for that elbow.:thumbdown

[a700hitter]

8:49am: The talks are not that far along and the A's have not asked for Middlebrooks, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney. The A's would need more, but WEEI's Alex Speier tweets that they've liked Lars Anderson, Raul Alcantara, and Brandon Workman. Things are currently quiet on the Bailey-Red Sox trade front, tweets Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.

[SoxSport]

Cafardo didn't say anything about Bailey in his video report this morning.

 

If they can get Bailey for Anderson as the main piece, that would be a great fit.

Beane likes Anderson, apparently. Middlebrook they should keep.

 

Cafardo sounded disappointed they didn't go after Santos in their meeting with the White Sox.

But maybe they are focussing on Bailey.

[SoxSport]

The Sox are checking in with this one and looking at that one....what a bunch of BS. They have themselves boxed by the stupid arbitration offer to Ortiz and are stuck on pins and needles waiting to see what he does....dumb....dumb....dumb

 

Offering arbitration to Papi was a big mistake. There is no market for him.

[Meh]

If they can get Bailey for Anderson as the main piece

 

[a700hitter]

@jonmorosi

Jon Morosi #RedSox have re-signed Andrew Miller.

 

5th Starter?

Start printing the playoff tickets!!

[a700hitter]

If the Sox have any thought of KRod in their pen, they had better look into it quickly, because he'll be a Brewer if he accepts arbitration today.

[a700hitter]

Twins Sign Matt Capps

By Luke Adams [December 7 at 9:08am CST]

 

The Twins announced today they've re-signed reliever Matt Capps to a one-year deal with a club option for 2013. According to an AP report, the deal will pay Capps $4.5MM in 2012 and includes a $6MM option for 2013. With a $250K buyout on the option, Capps is guaranteed $4.75MM. He's represented by Wasserman Media Group.

 

Capps was acquired by the Twins in July of 2010 at the high price of Wilson Ramos, and enjoyed a successful final two months of the season, posting a 2.00 ERA and saving 16 games. He was less effective in 2011, with a 4.25 ERA and by far the lowest K/9 mark of his career (4.7). For fantasy analysis on the signing, check out Bryan Grosnick's latest at CloserNews.

 

In late November as part of the collective bargaining agreement, Capps was downgraded from a Type A free agent to Type B, and it was decided the Twins would not have to offer him arbitration to receive a supplemental draft pick in return. So, re-signing him comes at an extra cost, since they would have gotten a free, unexpected draft pick by letting him leave.

Another reliever comes off the boards. I don't like Capps, but the once crowded field of relievers is starting to look a little thin. Earth to Ben, we have no bullpen... none, zilch, nada. Do something!!

[Meh]

Izzy is brutal. He cannot pitch back to back nights without blowing up.

 

Yeah but Mets could find him to be useful still.

 

In other news Street might be headed to the Padres soon.

[a700hitter]

9:59am: The Padres are very close to getting Street from the Rockies, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.

Another reliever about to come off the board and Benny is sitting on his thumb.

[a700hitter]

Padres Acquire Huston Street

By Tim Dierkes [December 7 at 10:12am CST]

 

The Padres found their Heath Bell replacement, acquiring closer Huston Street from the division-rival Rockies for a minor leaguer. MLB.com's Thomas Harding tweeted the agreement, while Danny Knobler, Scott Miller, and Buster Olney contributed to the breaking story. Harding says the Padres will pay most of the $8MM owed to Street.

 

Street, 28, posted a 3.86 ERA, 8.5 K/9, 1.4 BB/9, 1.54 HR/9, and 34.9% groundball rate in 58 1/3 innings for the Rockies this year, saving 29 games in 33 attempts. He had a DL stint for triceps soreness in August, during which the Rockies realized Rafael Betancourt could be an effective closer. The move appears to be mostly a salary dump for Colorado.

Benny Boy is still at the breakfast buffet.

[jopete19]

Benny Boy is still at the breakfast buffet.

 

I don't know what the eff they are doing? Another closer gone!

[SoxSport]

The Sox have been focusing on star signings that make for big PR for years now. That is how they got into this mess. The best evidence that this was only in part Theo's doing is that they are still doing it now.

 

Giving Ortiz arbitration was the Christmas present of a lifetime and the idiot FO move of all time.

 

Cherington better have something up his sleeve. It's beginning to look like the world is passing him by.

[a700hitter]

Cherington better have something up his sleeve. It's beginning to look like the world is passing him by.

Breakfast Buffet is closed. He's waiting to be seated for the lunch buffet.