MLB Hot Stove 2012-2013

[jacksonianmarch]

I'm cool with the Yankees not being the highest spending team, especially when you see what it's gotten us. Since we really started going over the edge (2004), we've won 1 title in 9 yrs. We have also seen some of our farmhands turn into solid to all star caliber players on other teams while chasing "the last piece" of a title run that wasnt meant to be. Part of me hate the idea that this really will be the last hurrah this season, while another part of me is glad to see us usher in a new stage of Yankee greatness. But we have to do this, otherwise, we'll start having $25 mil a yr players on the bench in the playoffs......Wait, that already happened

[a700hitter]

Indian Close To Signing Mark Reynolds

By Daniel Seco [December 9, 2012 at 6:59pm CST]

The Guardians appear to be close to signing infielder Mark Reynolds, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). There is still ground to cover, but Cleveland is out in front for the power-hitting veteran's services.*

I guess this means we will be seeing Youks in a Yankee uni. That is going to grate on me.

[a700hitter]

Guardians To Sign Mark Reynolds

By Daniel Seco [December 9, 2012 at 7:19pm CST]

The Guardians have reached an agreement with*Mark Reynolds*on a one-year contract worth $6MM, says Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com (via Twitter) after Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com first reported that a deal was imminent (on Twitter). With Reynolds manning first base, the Guardians will turn to Lonnie Chisenhall*as their starter at the hot corner, which may eliminate any possibility of Kevin Youkilis heading to Cleveland, writes Heyman (Twitter*link).

 

The 29-year-old Reynolds batted .221/.335/.429 with 23 long balls for the Orioles this year in a roller coaster season. Reynolds had just a .681 OPS on Aug. 5 before exploding to bat .284/.399/.610 with 13 of his 23 homers over the next 40 games. He then slumped to finish the season, collecting just six hits in his final 48 trips to the plate.

[Lucienbel]

I'm cool with the Yankees not being the highest spending team, especially when you see what it's gotten us. Since we really started going over the edge (2004), we've won 1 title in 9 yrs. We have also seen some of our farmhands turn into solid to all star caliber players on other teams while chasing "the last piece" of a title run that wasnt meant to be. Part of me hate the idea that this really will be the last hurrah this season, while another part of me is glad to see us usher in a new stage of Yankee greatness. But we have to do this, otherwise, we'll start having $25 mil a yr players on the bench in the playoffs......Wait, that already happened

 

I think that's the attitude everyone needs to go in it with. I'm certainly trying to keep an attitude like this with the Sox rebuilding now. The more and more I look at this year, the more and more it's definitely a bridge into the next year or two when some of our better prospects are ready to come up. None the less, it'd be nice if they could still pick up a pitcher or two to help the team a long.

[iortiz]

Between Greinke and Ryu, the Dodgers spent $208.7 million on two pitchers this weekend and will have a 2013 payroll of at least $225 million, a Major League record.

 

Wow! This is just insane.

[Palodios]

Well s***, the Royals just got Shields and Davis from the Rays.

[DeadHorseSociety]

Further proves why Ben's not cut out to be the GM of the Boston Red Sox. The guy's a great talent evaluator, but that's where it ends with Ben. The Royals would've done this deal a week ago for Lester which would have given Boston a 3-4 of Xander and Myers for years to come but Ben fell asleep at the wheel. But hey, at-least he got Victorino before team X did.

[lospunchados]

Further proves why Ben's not cut out to be the GM of the Boston Red Sox. The guy's a great talent evaluator, but that's where it ends with Ben. The Royals would've done this deal a week ago for Lester which would have given Boston a 3-4 of Xander and Myers for years to come but Ben fell asleep at the wheel. But hey, at-least he got Victorino before team X did.

 

It wasn't quite that simple. Most reports had the Royals wanting young outfield help (probably Jackie Bradley)back and would send pitching ( like a bullpen arm). It wasn't myers for lester straight up.

 

Good dealfor both teams though as the rays need hitting and got some more young arms to stock pile.

[jacksonianmarch]

The Rays just restocked their farm system in one deal, wow, and 3 of the 4 are big league ready. They likely fill Davis' shoes with Montgomery in the pen, to get his feet wet. Odorizzi moves into the rotation to take Shields' spot. And Myers takes RF while taking up residence in the middle of their order. This Leonard kid they got isn't bad either, he's another power hitter who'll end up in long season A this yr

[BSN07]

Well s***, the Royals just got Shields and Davis from the Rays.

 

Great now we have to watch Myers tear it up in the AL East firsthand...

 

Other then that it looks like a great trade for TB. They won't miss a beat with all their SP depth and added a huge piece to the middle of the order that makes peanuts.

 

KC's end is not bad but Shields is not a #1 and they had to give up the best hitting prospect in baseball + to get him. That dooms all hope of the Red Sox trading for some front line guy IMO. They won't be willing to give up the prospects it's going to cost. There best hope is going to be trading Saly now and maybe Ells at some point. There are still a few one year guys I think could fit too, Marcum, Hernandez, some others maybe.

[a700hitter]

Great now we have to watch Myers tear it up in the AL East firsthand...

 

Other then that it looks like a great trade for TB. They won't miss a beat with all their SP depth and added a huge piece to the middle of the order that makes peanuts.

 

KC's end is not bad but Shields is not a #1 and they had to give up the best hitting prospect in baseball + to get him. That dooms all hope of the Red Sox trading for some front line guy IMO. They won't be willing to give up the prospects it's going to cost. There best hope is going to be trading Saly now and maybe Ells at some point. There are still a few one year guys I think could fit too, Marcum, Hernandez, some others maybe.

I'd given up hope of acquiring a #1 this year. As Ex1 and I discussed yesterday there is no way of predicting when a #1 becomes available and whether we have what irt would take to get him in a trade. FA costs are prohibitive too, so we probably would get outbid. They need to strengthen the back end of the rotation and build good depth to deal with injuries.

 

As for Myers, we just didn't have the pitching depth to allow us to make the trade. The Royals wanted 2 pitchers. If we traded Lester, we would be down to 3 starters, including a sophomore and a TJ post op. We'd have definitely found ourselves in the cellar again-- maybe worse than last season. Although Davos is just a marginal starter, do we even have a comparable guy to throw in with Lester. On the Rays side, maybe this guy Myers turns out to be the next Pujols, but in the short run they will miss Shields. He put up innings and worked deep into games. At times he was spectacular. He's a good on--maybe not an ace, but very good. IMO, you never have enough pitching, and when you think you have a surplus to trade you are usually mistaken. I am not looking to start a stat war regarding Bronson Arroyo, but we traded him when we thought we had depth, and we have not had thin rotations since then that we have had to patch together with an assortment of bums. I think the Rays have weakened themselves in the sort run. If we get Jackson and Marcum, we have a reallly good chance of vaulting over them this season. However, after trading Shields, the Rays may compete with us for those guys.

[BSN07]

I'd given up hope of acquiring a #1 this year. As Ex1 and I discussed yesterday there is no way of predicting when a #1 becomes available and whether we have what irt would take to get him in a trade. FA costs are prohibitive too, so we probably would get outbid. They need to strengthen the back end of the rotation and build good depth to deal with injuries.

 

As for Myers, we just didn't have the pitching depth to allow us to make the trade. The Royals wanted 2 pitchers. If we traded Lester, we would be down to 3 starters, including a sophomore and a TJ post op. We'd have definitely found ourselves in the cellar again-- maybe worse than last season. Although Davos is just a marginal starter, do we even have a comparable guy to throw in with Lester. On the Rays side, maybe this guy Myers turns out to be the next Pujols, but in the short run they will miss Shields. He put up innings and worked deep into games. At times he was spectacular. He's a good on--maybe not an ace, but very good. IMO, you never have enough pitching, and when you think you have a surplus to trade you are usually mistaken. I am not looking to start a stat war regarding Bronson Arroyo, but we traded him when we thought we had depth, and we have not had thin rotations since then that we have had to patch together with an assortment of bums. I think the Rays have weakened themselves in the sort run. If we get Jackson and Marcum, we have a reallly good chance of vaulting over them this season. However, after trading Shields, the Rays may compete with us for those guys.

 

Ya I get what you guys are saying about not knowing when a #1 will be available. Part of me is glad the team is pushing to contend this season. part of me wishes the Sox would have done that Package for Lester(if it was offered that way, I think Friedman just worked KC so maybe the Sox wouldn't have got as much?). If they punted on this season or filled the rotation with stop gap one year guys, next season they would have had a major pipeline of Arms at the cusp of being ready. Barnes, De le Rosa, Webster, Workman, Odorizzi(KC MiLB P of the year), and Montgomery(top 30 prospect in baseball) plus Will Myers in the OF.

[a700hitter]

Ya I get what you guys are saying about not knowing when a #1 will be available. Part of me is glad the team is pushing to contend this season. part of me wishes the Sox would have done that Package for Lester(if it was offered that way, I think Friedman just worked KC so maybe the Sox wouldn't have got as much?). If they punted on this season or filled the rotation with stop gap one year guys, next season they would have had a major pipeline of Arms at the cusp of being ready. Barnes, De le Rosa, Webster, Workman, Odorizzi(KC MiLB P of the year), and Montgomery(top 30 prospect in baseball) plus Will Myers in the OF.

 

Friedman is a top notch GM. Gentle Ben is still unproven. Friedman may have out maneuvered our guy in this instance. Gentle Ben has to rear up on his hind legs and start making some noise soon.

[BSN07]

Friedman is a top notch GM. Gentle Ben is still unproven. Friedman may have out maneuvered our guy in this instance. Gentle Ben has to rear up on his hind legs and start making some noise soon.

 

The more I look into the deal the more I believe TB absolutely robbed KC Friedman is a man beast. If he ever went to an organization that had money he would dominate baseball until the day he retired hahaha

[BSN07]

TB also has tons of pieces to go get more offense. I can see them trading for Choo.

 

CF Jennings

2b Zobrist

3B Longoria

RF Choo

SS Escobar

LF Joyce

1B Loney

C Molina

 

That's a good lineup, Myers will be up mid season and rotate in the OF and DH probably. TB is gonna be good next year. They are the current favorites in the East right now IMO.

[DocHolliday]

TB also has tons of pieces to go get more offense. I can see them trading for Choo.

 

CF Jennings

2b Zobrist

3B Longoria

RF Choo

SS Escobar

LF Joyce

1B Loney

C Molina

 

That's a good lineup, Myers will be up mid season and rotate in the OF and DH probably. TB is gonna be good next year. They are the current favorites in the East right now IMO.

 

They're certainly the favorites right now, but they will miss Shields production and innings. They will need Hellickson and Moore to step up and help fill that void.

 

The key for them has been their ability to compliment the SP with a lights out bullpen built from scratch every year. I'm not convinced Rodney can have the same kind of year he had last season. If he's the same guy, then they certainly will be tough to beat.

[Lucienbel]

They're certainly the favorites right now, but they will miss Shields production and innings. They will need Hellickson and Moore to step up and help fill that void.

 

The key for them has been their ability to compliment the SP with a lights out bullpen built from scratch every year. I'm not convinced Rodney can have the same kind of year he had last season. If he's the same guy, then they certainly will be tough to beat.

 

The way that they're able to build their bullpen every year like that is amazing even. Rodney certainly won't be the same guy he was last year, that was an absolutely outrageous year when it comes to closing. Still, I think he's going to be pretty good. Some of the beauty of Tampa's pen every year too is that they never have to log too many innings....their starting pitching is always able to go deep enough to keep the pen fresh all season. Losing Shields will certainly effect that some, but at the end of the day I think they'll find a way to replace the innings he put up.

 

As for them being the number one team in the East right now, I don't like to say it but this is quite possibly true. At least for the very moment. Though, if Toronto can stay healthy (and this seems like a big if) I'd certainly be nervous about them too. Especially if Romero can find a way to pitch to his potential.

[BSN07]

They're certainly the favorites right now, but they will miss Shields production and innings. They will need Hellickson and Moore to step up and help fill that void.

 

The key for them has been their ability to compliment the SP with a lights out bullpen built from scratch every year. I'm not convinced Rodney can have the same kind of year he had last season. If he's the same guy, then they certainly will be tough to beat.

 

No they won't feel the lose of Shields. They are one of the few fortunate organizations that can trade SP and not feel the pinch. They have some great young arms that should be able to replicate Shields production this year and might even be better. This team knows pitching. if they felt comfortable trading Shields and Davis they must feel like those other guys are ready to step up.

 

There's a reason they stay competitive year in and year out with no payroll. If this team or Friedman gets backed with a payroll.... good night lol

[Palodios]

No they won't feel the lose of Shields. They are one of the few fortunate organizations that can trade SP and not feel the pinch. They have some great young arms that should be able to replicate Shields production this year and might even be better. This team knows pitching. if they felt comfortable trading Shields and Davis they must feel like those other guys are ready to step up.

 

There's a reason they stay competitive year in and year out with no payroll. If this team or Friedman gets backed with a payroll.... good night lol

 

I'm starting to feel less and less convinced that the Rays have good pitching, and more convinced that they simply have a very good park for pitchers. Shield's ERA at home is 3.33, and away it is 4.54.

 

Price? 2.61/3.72.

Hellickson 2.84/3.32.

 

Oakland seems to do the same exact thing... trade away mediocre pitching that looks like gold in their park, and bring in a pile of great prospects. Maybe all the more reason to get rid of Fenway and build a bigger park.

[Lucienbel]

I'm starting to feel less and less convinced that the Rays have good pitching, and more convinced that they simply have a very good park for pitchers. Shield's ERA at home is 3.33, and away it is 4.54.

 

Price? 2.61/3.72.

Hellickson 2.84/3.32.

 

Oakland seems to do the same exact thing... trade away mediocre pitching that looks like gold in their park, and bring in a pile of great prospects. Maybe all the more reason to get rid of Fenway and build a bigger park.

 

Except that will never happen. It's designated a historic landmark. Even with LL being such a charmer, I dunno if he'd be able to talk the city into that one.

[BSN07]

I'm starting to feel less and less convinced that the Rays have good pitching, and more convinced that they simply have a very good park for pitchers. Shield's ERA at home is 3.33, and away it is 4.54.

 

Price? 2.61/3.72.

Hellickson 2.84/3.32.

 

Oakland seems to do the same exact thing... trade away mediocre pitching that looks like gold in their park, and bring in a pile of great prospects. Maybe all the more reason to get rid of Fenway and build a bigger park.

 

Could very well be true. Whatever the case is they usually seem to have enough SP. And I would take any of them on the Sox right now hahaha Splits be damned!!

[a700hitter]

No they won't feel the lose of Shields. They are one of the few fortunate organizations that can trade SP and not feel the pinch. They have some great young arms that should be able to replicate Shields production this year and might even be better. This team knows pitching. if they felt comfortable trading Shields and Davis they must feel like those other guys are ready to step up.

 

There's a reason they stay competitive year in and year out with no payroll. If this team or Friedman gets backed with a payroll.... good night lol

I think the Rays will feel the loss of Shields, especially in the second half of the season. I don't think you can trade a quality pitcher that throws 200+ innings without feeling it. His loss will really be exacerbated if their staff suffers any injuries. I think they will look to pickup some of the guys we are targeting to fill that gap.

[BSN07]

I think the Rays will feel the loss of Shields, especially in the second half of the season. I don't think you can trade a quality pitcher that throws 200+ innings without feeling it. His loss will really be exacerbated if their staff suffers any injuries. I think they will look to pickup some of the guys we are targeting to fill that gap.

 

They didn't miss a beat with Kazmir, Garza, Jackson. were traded away. All 3 were big contributing parts of the rotation prior to being traded. I think it could argued they got better upon trading these players.

[a700hitter]

They didn't miss a beat with Kazmir, Garza, Jackson. were traded away. All 3 were big contributing parts of the rotation prior to being traded. I think it could argued they got better upon trading these players.

Kazmir only hit 200 innings once. He was not the same kind of horse. When they lost Jackson they went from 1st place to 3rd place. When Garza left they dropped from 96 wins to 91 and then 90. It had an effect.

[jacksonianmarch]

They are deeeeep in the rotation. Chris Archer is a stud

[a700hitter]

A number of us have been coveting Bauer. He has been landed by the Guardians while Ben sits with his thumb firmly planted in his ass.

[User Name]

I've never understood the fascination with Bauer.....but that's just me.

[Spitball]

CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Guardians traded outfielder Shin-Soo Choo to the Cincinnati Reds and acquired prized pitching prospect Trevor Bauer from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-team deal Tuesday night.

 

Center fielder Drew Stubbs was sent from Cincinnati to Cleveland as part of the nine-player swap.

 

In addition to Stubbs, the Guardians received Bauer, the No. 3 pick in the 2011 draft, and right-handers Matt Albers and Bryan Shaw from the Diamondbacks.

 

Cleveland shipped Choo, infielder Jason Donald and about $3.5 million to the Reds, while sending left-handed reliever Tony Sipp and first baseman Lars Anderson to Arizona.

 

The Diamondbacks also received shortstop prospect Didi Gregorius from Cincinnati.

 

Unless I am missing the math here, it looks like the D-backs really over-paid for Gregorius.

 

I had forgotten Lars Anderson had been traded. In fact, I saw a post recently where someone suggested a trade involving Anderson.

[DocHolliday]

A number of us have been coveting Bauer. He has been landed by the Guardians while Ben sits with his thumb firmly planted in his ass.

 

I'd say that many of us may not have coveted Bauer specifically, but the type of player Bauer represents. If they were going to be able to get any type of impact pitcher in this offseason via trade, it was going to have to be a close to ML ready prospect with a high ceiling. The player the Guardians gave up is essentially in the same quality and future payroll obligation as the Sox biggest trade piece in Ellsbury.

 

When you also consider the package that was given up to acquire Bauer, it makes the lack of Sox involvement (at least on the pirifiral) an issue. With the way this organization has handled things in recent years, they have ALOT to prove to win the majority of the fans trust back. Seeing a deal like this that makes sense in so many ways go down without any involvement on their part, certainly doesn't help win that trust.

[BSN07]

A number of us have been coveting Bauer. He has been landed by the Guardians while The Sox FO as a whole sits with their thumb's firmly planted in their ass's.

 

Fixed that for ya Other then that I'm in total agreement with you. The Guardians traded junk for a top SP prospect....