2011-2012 Offseason Thread

[iortiz]

Free Agencies Separated At Birth: Jackson & Schmidt

By Howard Megdal [January 31 at 12:42pm CST]

It is fairly astonishing that we are entering the month when teams report for Spring Training, and Edwin Jackson remains as homeless as Thomas Jane in Arrested Development.

 

This is particularly true when we compare Jackson's free agency to the one enjoyed ten offseasons ago by Jason Schmidt.*The year was 2001. The Diamondbacks had just beaten the Yankees in the World Series. George Harrison died. Anthrax was in the air.

 

But none of that stopped Jason Schmidt. The righty, about to enter his age-29 season, had put up an ERA+ of 107 while pitching for two teams. For his career, his ERA+ stood at 99, with career walk rate of 3.8 per nine innings and a strikeout rate of 6.9 per nine innings. He was rewarded with a five-year, $41MM contract from San Francisco.

 

Fast forward ten years, and look at Edwin Jackson. The righty, about to enter his age-29 season, has just put up an ERA+ of 106 while pitching for two teams. For his career, his ERA+ stands at 97, with a walk rate of 3.7 per nine innings and a strikeout rate of 6.7 per nine innings. And he can't find a job.

 

If Schmidt is any indication, today's teams are missing an opportunity for a bargain. Over his next five seasons, Schmidt pitched just over 1,000 innings at an ERA+ of 127. He made three All Star teams, finished in the top four of Cy Young voting twice, won an ERA title in 2003, and reduced his walks to 3.2 per nine while elevating his strikeouts to 9.0 per nine. He was well worth that $41MM investment.

 

Chances are good that Jackson won't approach Schmidt's contract length, and his annual salary could dip below Schmidt's as well, even adjusting for the decade that has passed. Why? Teams fear getting stuck with the other Schmidt deal -- the three-year, $47MM contract he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers prior to the 2007 season. For that money, Los Angeles received 43 1/3 innings of 6.02 ERA pitching.

[iortiz]

One-Year Deal Likely For Edwin Jackson

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [January 31 at 1:09pm CST]

Edwin Jackson has multiple three-year offers, but clubs are being told that the free agent right-hander is much more likely to sign a one-year deal than a multiyear contract, Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports. The Orioles like Jackson and have made him an offer, but Connolly suggests it won't be enough to sign him.

 

The Orioles would consider a four-year deal for Jackson, though they seem more comfortable with a three-year deal that includes a fourth option year, Connolly writes. If Jackson seeks a one-year deal, Baltimore would seem to be an unlikely destination given its hitter-friendly park, remote chances of contending and division.

 

Howard Megdal compared Jackson and Jason Schmidt earlier today, suggesting that Jackson could be a bargain signing.

[iortiz]

if he only wants 1 Y he probably is asking 12-15 M

[Bellhorn04]

Matsuzaka threw a 21-pitch bullpen with no apparent issues. Sounds like he might be back a little earlier than had been expected.

[a700hitter]

Matsuzaka threw a 21-pitch bullpen with no apparent issues. Sounds like he might be back a little earlier than had been expected.

He threw off a mound?

[a700hitter]

2:45pm: The Red Sox offered a one-year deal in the $5-6MM range and remain in the hunt for Jackson, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports.

[a700hitter]

Jason Bartlett has been available this winter and the Red Sox could pursue him, Stark writes. However, the shortstop will earn $5.5MM in 2012 and the Red Sox aim to stay below the luxury tax threshold.

This doesn't make a lot of sense.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

He threw off a mound?

 

No, I read it was just short distance throwing.

[redsoxrules]

This doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

Yeah , I dont understand WTF he's doing if he's dumping Scutaro for Bartlett

Scutaro is better of the 2 .

 

I dont see this happening

[SoxSport]

Boras may be looking for a one-year deal now for Jackson, but he isn't going to get $10 mil from Boston for him. He has Jackson way overpriced, and it's hard to see anybody paying that much at this point...

[iortiz]

Even If the offer is 5-6 plus 5 in incentives I really doubt that it could work it out. Maybe for Oswalt (injury concerns; btw that offer seems that didn't work it out) but for Jackson? I really doubt it.

[mvp 78]

Even If the offer is 5-6 plus 5 in incentives I really doubt that it could work it out. Maybe for Oswalt (injury concerns; btw that offer seems that didn't work it out) but for Jackson? I really doubt it.

 

It depends upon what incentives are (starts, k's, etc).

[Spitball]

It depends upon what incentives are (starts' date=' k's, etc).[/quote']

 

It won't be Ks or wins or any statistic based on performance. A pitcher can receive a bonus only for things like game appearances, games started, and probably innings pitched.

 

 

As Major League Rule 3((5) states: "No Major League Uniform Player's Contract or Minor League Uniform Player Contract shall be approved if it contains a bonus for playing, pitching or batting skill or if it provides for the payment of a bonus contingent on the standing of the signing Club at the end of the championship season."

[SoxSport]

This doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

Don't think the Red Sox want Scutaro back--which is what Bartlett amounts to. Bobby V. said in an interview--pretty much--that the job belonged to Aviles, unless he meant Iglesias. He wants somebody full-time at the position. No platooning.

[Station 13]

Sun Life Frozen Fenway 2012 was a huge success.

 

Boston mayor Thomas M. Menino announced Tuesday via press release that the 16 days of high school and college hockey on Yawkey Way generated $28.8 million in revenue, according to the Greater Boston Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

 

Eighty-three percent of the spending came on Jan. 7 and 14 while another $17.9 million came from direct spending. The other $10.9 million came from indirect spending.

 

"The Sun Life Frozen Fenway games and events helped provide our Boston economy with a good start in 2012," said Menino. "We thank Fenway Sports Management and the Red Sox for organizing such a successful event that not only provided a fun winter activity for families from Boston, but also helped generate millions for our area businesses."

 

Aside from the hockey games, FSM, the Red Sox and the City of Boston gave more than 18 hours of free ice time to be used for two public skating events. Some of that time was donated to help raise money for local non-profit organizations and USA Hockey.

 

More than 80,000 tickets were sold for the hockey games and more than 10,000 people attended the event's free public skating sessions.

 

hmmm so how do you spend that?

[iortiz]

I just read that Aceves is asking 1.6 and Boston offered him 900 K. They will go to arbitration. I think that Ben is going to lose this one and probably will win Ortiz case. We'll see.

[a700hitter]

Don't think the Red Sox want Scutaro back--which is what Bartlett amounts to. Bobby V. said in an interview--pretty much--that the job belonged to Aviles' date=' unless he meant Iglesias. He wants somebody full-time at the position. No platooning.[/quote']Did Bobby V really have an issue with Scutaro. He seemed like a Bobby V type player - smart and hard working. Was it something that went back to their Mets days?

[Station 13]

I just read that Aceves is asking 1.6 and Boston offered him 900 K. They will go to arbitration. I think that Ben is going to lose this one and probably will win Ortiz case. We'll see.

 

 

 

Aceves should easily win this.

[Station 13]

Did Bobby V really have an issue with Scutaro. He seemed like a Bobby V type player - smart and hard working. Was it something that went back to their Mets days?

 

Scutaro is a good guy and good player. i can't see the problem there. He played hurt through 2010. And rebound in 2011, even after Lowrie booted him to the bench in April, we hear nothing. We lose a guy who hit .299 last year, and is a pain in the rear end for any pitcher to face.

[Palodios]

I think it is about time to meet in the middle and resolve arbitration with Aceves, give Ortiz a 13 million dollar take-it-or-leave it, and put out a 8 million dollar offer to both of the good remaining pitchers. Bargain with the Cubs to take 2-3 million of Jenks salary with Epstein if you have to, just get it done. It just seems like this has been more complicated than it needed to be.

[FredLynn]

Quote:

Jason Bartlett has been available this winter and the Red Sox could pursue him, Stark writes. However, the shortstop will earn $5.5MM in 2012 and the Red Sox aim to stay below the luxury tax threshold.

 

Where does this come from? Some here contend that they are already over the cap. Stark thinks we are under it.

No one really knows, it seems.

[Palodios]

Quote:

Jason Bartlett has been available this winter and the Red Sox could pursue him, Stark writes. However, the shortstop will earn $5.5MM in 2012 and the Red Sox aim to stay below the luxury tax threshold.

 

Where does this come from? Some here contend that they are already over the cap. Stark thinks we are under it.

No one really knows, it seems.

 

So... the Red Sox drop a 6 million shortstop who hit .300 and are pursuing a guy who costs 5.5 million who hit .245 last year? Ridiculous. No way this happens.

[a700hitter]

So... the Red Sox drop a 6 million shortstop who hit .300 and are pursuing a guy who costs 5.5 million who hit .245 last year? Ridiculous. No way this happens.

This would make no sense. I don't know how this story got started, but I have seen other blurbs about the Sox being in the market for a full time SS. Scutaro was a full time SS. If they weren't sure that they could cover SS internally, why the heck would the dump Scutaro. Was there an issue between Scutaro and Bobby V.

[jacksonianmarch]

This had to be about the money. Scutaro was a minus defensively, but not enough to overlook his offense. The guy was a pest who could actually fly as a leadoff hitter if you didnt have an MVP candidate in that spot.

[a700hitter]

This had to be about the money. Scutaro was a minus defensively' date=' but not enough to overlook his offense. The guy was a pest who could actually fly as a leadoff hitter if you didnt have an MVP candidate in that spot.[/quote']Scutaro was with the Mets in 2002 in Valentines last year as Mets manager. Maybe Scoots offended Bobby V.:dunno:

[seabeachfred]

As you are probably aware' date=' I did not spend much time paying attention to baseball last year. What happened to Doubront? He showed very good potential. I would like to think that potential is still there but I have no knowledge of his health. Can someone clue the old man in?[/quote']

 

Hey Spudboy, stuff the old man s***. You're still a swinging kid of 56. Now me, well 71 and I am the senior on this board and don't you forget it. I can't.

 

Doubrant had arm trouble all last year and I'm afraid he regressed somewhat as it seems a lot of our so called prospects do when they reach Double or Triple A, but he is young enough to bounce back. He has above average stuff and as a lefty has a built in advantage. If he could suddenly get his s*** together he could be a big help to us this year, but that is a questionmark right now. Congratulation on your upcoming nuptials. Please, don't tell me this is only your first time down the aisle.:harhar::harhar::harhar::harhar:

[seabeachfred]

He's not even invited to Spring Training and I doubt that he can hold down a spot on AAA Pawtucket. They shouldn't even waste their time with guys like this. In the time they spend paying attention to wastes like this maybe they are diverting their attention away from more important matters like the fact that Wheeler would sign for $900 k or that Sergio Santos was available.

 

Oh why do we even bother trying to figure this stuff out my friend. It's like we never get tired of banging our heads against the wall wondering what the hell is going on and getting more confused about developments by the hour. Some of these signing just make no sense to me 700. If I were playing my role of perverse agitator I would almost suspect that these signing were designed to fail so the call would go out for Wakefield to be signed to save the day. Now how much more perverse can you get than that.

 

I swear 700 the Red Sox put me through a torture test just about every day.

[Palodios]

Doubrant had arm trouble all last year and I'm afraid he regressed somewhat as it seems a lot of our so called prospects do when they reach Double or Triple A' date=' but he is young enough to bounce back. [/quote']

 

I don't think its fair to say he regressed. Doubront got hurt, but its not like he hit any roadblocks besides that. All signs still point to him being a major league caliber player.

[Bellhorn04]

Oh why do we even bother trying to figure this stuff out my friend. It's like we never get tired of banging our heads against the wall wondering what the hell is going on and getting more confused about developments by the hour. Some of these signing just make no sense to me 700. If I were playing my role of perverse agitator I would almost suspect that these signing were designed to fail so the call would go out for Wakefield to be signed to save the day. Now how much more perverse can you get than that.

 

I swear 700 the Red Sox put me through a torture test just about every day.

 

Fred, the Yankees just signed your old pal Delcarmen, and he didn't even pitch in the majors last year. Doesn't that say it all about signings like John Maine? They scoop these guys up thinking there's a chance in hell they might get some use out of them. This s*** goes on all the time. In the days before the internet we wouldn't even hear about transactions like that. Now we're all over every little news flash. You have to ignore some of this stuff.

[seabeachfred]

Yeah , I dont understand WTF he's doing if he's dumping Scutaro for Bartlett

Scutaro is better of the 2 .

 

I dont see this happening

 

I don't see it happening either RS Rules, but you have to admit it wouldn't shock us if something stupid like this went down. There's been a lot of stuff that has made me wonder WTF Cherington and Company have been doing all off season and that picture of Pedro and that expression could pass for all of us this winter. He looks like he's asking the same thing of his old team......WTF ARE WE DOING??????:rolleyes::rolleyes: