MLB Hot Stove 2012-2013

[Palodios]

Two bad years, and a bunch of injuries. It's not "Low risk, high ceiling", it's "Low cost, moderate ceiling". I'm not one for hyperbole.

 

Why go for crappy depth signings when they could have had a guy like Marcum for cheap and then figure out the rest along the way? You know, since Marcum has always had success as a soft tosser (in the AL East to boot) and doesn't have diminishing velocity and a pitful K rate.

 

Woah, woah there. Marcum is in a different class than JJ. Marcum wouldn't be a depth signing, he'd be a major league signing, no doubt. There is a significant difference in talent between Marcum and JJ, and I want to make that clear. But if the Red Sox are only signing depth, JJ would be at the top of my list of depth signings.

[User Name]

Woah, woah there. Marcum is in a different class than JJ. Marcum wouldn't be a depth signing, he'd be a major league signing, no doubt. There is a significant difference in talent between Marcum and JJ, and I want to make that clear. But if the Red Sox are only signing depth, JJ would be at the top of my list of depth signings.

 

Why sign depth when you can upgrade for a price that's not significantly higher?

[Palodios]

Why sign depth when you can upgrade for a price that's not significantly higher?

 

Do we have terms on Marcum yet? I anticipated 10 million for signing him, which would be significantly higher.

[User Name]

Do we have terms on Marcum yet? I anticipated 10 million for signing him, which would be significantly higher.

 

I doubt it's that much, given Mets financial constraints.

[jacksonianmarch]

1yr $4 mil with incentives

[BSN07]

1yr $4 mil with incentives

 

The base isn't bad but I wonder what the incentives can bring it to.

 

Hopefully this doesn't get me called a honk, but honestly if your a SP looking to build value and given the choice between the Mets and Red Sox, your probably going with the Mets. Easier NL, pitchers park(for the time being, will see how the new alignment works out), much better shot at making the Mets rotation.

[Palodios]

Well s***. What a bargain for the Mets. He must have serious injury concerns.... I had considered him the second best pitcher available this offseason.

[jacksonianmarch]

Well s***. What a bargain for the Mets. He must have serious injury concerns.... I had considered him the second best pitcher available this offseason.

 

He had tendonitis in his elbow after having his second TJS procedure in 09, so there were concerns. He returned and was throwing as well as he did prior to those issues, though. I thought he was a prime candidate for a 2 yr deal, but on a 1 yr pillow contract, I thought he suited the sox well. I get why he went to the Mets, if he shows he's healthy and gets back to what he was doing, then he's a prime candidate for a 3-4 yr deal at big money after 2013. But I thought the sox situation could have been tempered with his effectiveness and history of durability

[Palodios]

He had tendonitis in his elbow after having his second TJS procedure in 09, so there were concerns. He returned and was throwing as well as he did prior to those issues, though. I thought he was a prime candidate for a 2 yr deal, but on a 1 yr pillow contract, I thought he suited the sox well. I get why he went to the Mets, if he shows he's healthy and gets back to what he was doing, then he's a prime candidate for a 3-4 yr deal at big money after 2013. But I thought the sox situation could have been tempered with his effectiveness and history of durability

 

It seems very surprising to me that the Mets don't find themselves with more pitchers looking for pillow contracts. The Mets have a good market size, plus guaranteed primetime subway series games. It is a division that isn't awful to pitch in like the ALE, but won't get the scorn of the NLW teams for huge stadiums.

[a700hitter]

Lazy Lars finds a home.

White Sox Claim Lars Anderson

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [February 1 at 1:29pm CST]

 

The White Sox announced that they claimed first baseman Lars Anderson off of waivers from the Diamondbacks. Chicago's 40-man roster is now full. Arizona had designated Anderson for assignment last week.

 

The Diamondbacks originally acquired Anderson from Cleveland in a three-team trade earlier in the offseason. The 25-year-old appeared in six games for the Red Sox last year, but Boston traded him to the Guardians for Steven Wright at the non-waiver trade deadline last July. Anderson, a left-handed hitter, spent most of the 2012 season at Triple-A, where he posted a .250/.353/.396 batting line in 470 plate appearances.

[a700hitter]

Athletics Acquire Jed Lowrie In Five-Player Deal

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [February 4 at 5:02pm CST]

The Astros announced that they sent shortstop Jed Lowrie to the Athletics in a five-player trade.*The Astros acquire first baseman*Chris Carter, starting pitcher*Brad Peacock and catching prospect*Max Stassi from the A's in the deal, which sends right-handed reliever Fernando Rodriguez to Oakland along with Lowrie.

 

The Astros are trading Lowrie approximately one year after acquiring him from the Red Sox. Astros GM Jeff Luhnow maintained throughout the offseason that he didn't want to trade Lowrie unless he could obtain impact players in return.

 

“This trade gives us power, pitching and catching,”*Luhnow said in a statement released by the team. “Three valuable commodities that will help improve our organization.”

The Stros got a lot more value for Lowrie than the Red Sox got with Melancon.

[jacksonianmarch]

So the Astros turned a lame Lance Berkman with an expiring contract into Jimmy Paredes, Max Stassi, Brad Peacock, Kyle Weiland, and Chris Carter. They must be ecstatic

[Palodios]

Its official-- the Oakland A's will be the team to beat in the AL West.

[BSN07]

The Orioles have yet to finalize their one-year, $1.5MM agreement with Jair Jurrjens, and there’s a chance the deal will fall through. The Orioles were still receiving medical evaluations on Jurrjens as of last night, Encina reports. It’s becoming unclear whether the deal will be completed and it doesn’t seem to be headed in a positive direction. Orioles executives have long-standing concerns about Jurrjens’ health.

 

I wonder what the hold up is? If it falls through I'm still of the side where I think the Sox should offer him a minor league deal.

[Palodios]

I wonder what the hold up is? If it falls through I'm still of the side where I think the Sox should offer him a minor league deal.

 

Agreed.

[Station 13]

Hearing Crawford might play opening day. I'm glad for him. Seems like a good player but wasn't a fit for us. Where he hits in the lineup is a constant struggles. He wasn't confident here. But thanks LA for taking that gigantic contract off our hands.

[Palodios]

Cleveland just signed Michael Bourne for 4/48. Wow. What an offseason!

 

Adding a 2x World Series manager, two all-star outfielders, a pretty solid centerfielder in Drew Stubbs, and a top-notch pitching prospect in Trevor Bauer.... all without losing any major pieces, or paying exorbitant prices.

 

The Guardians look like the winner of the offseason to me, in terms of cost versus gain.

[Station 13]

Wonder how much Tito managing affect them spending this off-season?

[iortiz]

Cleveland just signed Michael Bourne for 4/48. Wow. What an offseason!

 

Adding a 2x World Series manager, two all-star outfielders, a pretty solid centerfielder in Drew Stubbs, and a top-notch pitching prospect in Trevor Bauer.... all without losing any major pieces, or paying exorbitant prices.

 

The Guardians look like the winner of the offseason to me, in terms of cost versus gain.

 

Of course we couldn't match offer, geez! 48/4? Wow

[iortiz]

BJ Upton 70+/5 and Bourne 48/4? Oh boy, poor braves LoL

[jacksonianmarch]

Cleveland just signed Michael Bourne for 4/48. Wow. What an offseason!

 

Adding a 2x World Series manager, two all-star outfielders, a pretty solid centerfielder in Drew Stubbs, and a top-notch pitching prospect in Trevor Bauer.... all without losing any major pieces, or paying exorbitant prices.

 

The Guardians look like the winner of the offseason to me, in terms of cost versus gain.

 

Shin Soo Choo is a big loss for them. They arent close to competing right now as their pitching staff is in shambles. They need Ubaldo to return to his 2010 form, Masterson to return to his 2011 form and Bauer to fulfill his potential. I find the Guardians to be as perplexing as any team this offseason. They took 2 steps forward, a step back and a few steps sideways. I dont see the logic in loading up on expensive contracts for guys on the wrong side of 30 when their team is a few yrs away from contributing. They're going to go from doormat to .500

[Palodios]

Shin Soo Choo is a big loss for them. They arent close to competing right now as their pitching staff is in shambles. They need Ubaldo to return to his 2010 form, Masterson to return to his 2011 form and Bauer to fulfill his potential. I find the Guardians to be as perplexing as any team this offseason. They took 2 steps forward, a step back and a few steps sideways. I dont see the logic in loading up on expensive contracts for guys on the wrong side of 30 when their team is a few yrs away from contributing. They're going to go from doormat to .500

 

Choo has been underperforming/injured the last two years, and they sold high on him. I agree that their pitching needs some luck, but they added an elite pitching prospect, and a pile of very good players at reasonable contracts.

[Station 13]

They're in a mediocre division. They could make noise if the pitchers jacko mention perform.

[BSN07]

They're in a mediocre division. They could make noise if the pitchers jacko mention perform.

 

I wouldn't call the division mediocre. Minnesota is a door mat, but KC has improved, CWS always sticks around and the Tigers are one of the best teams in the league.

[Palodios]

Is it just me, or does Cleveland also seem like the best destination for Kyle Lohse? He's a guy who may end up looking for a one year pillow contract, that no one is willing to give up a draft pick for.

 

The Guardians would have to give up a 4th round draft pick, and maybe $5-10 million. The Guardians have a good number of question marks in their rotation, and seem like they've had a very good eye for bargains this offseason.

[BSN07]

Is it just me, or does Cleveland also seem like the best destination for Kyle Lohse? He's a guy who may end up looking for a one year pillow contract, that no one is willing to give up a draft pick for.

 

The Guardians would have to give up a 4th round draft pick, and maybe $5-10 million. The Guardians have a good number of question marks in their rotation, and seem like they've had a very good eye for bargains this offseason.

 

Makes sense on the surface.

[Lucienbel]

Is it just me, or does Cleveland also seem like the best destination for Kyle Lohse? He's a guy who may end up looking for a one year pillow contract, that no one is willing to give up a draft pick for.

 

The Guardians would have to give up a 4th round draft pick, and maybe $5-10 million. The Guardians have a good number of question marks in their rotation, and seem like they've had a very good eye for bargains this offseason.

 

He makes sense for them at the least. If they picked him up and the rest of their rotation could get closer to performing like they have in the past they'd be a decent team. Assuming Lohse would perform good as well.

[a700hitter]

Kyle Lohse Expected To Sign Soon

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [February 14 at 8:48am CST]

 

The Nationals, Angels, Brewers, Red Sox and Cardinals seem to be distancing themselves from Kyle Lohse, publicly suggesting they aren't likely to reach a deal with the free agent right-hander. Lohse, the last remaining impact free agent, would represent an upgrade for most rotations around MLB. It’s just a question of which team will reach a deal with agent Scott Boras. Here’s the latest on Lohse...

 

•Within a piece focused on Zack Greinke, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that Lohse is “almost certain to sign with a team soon.”

•Rosenthal also notes that Lohse would no longer be linked to draft pick compensation if he were to wait until after the amateur draft takes place in June. By the way, the entire FOX Sports piece is worth a read for insight into Greinke’s love of baseball. The Dodgers right-hander was interested in the compensation rules for Lohse, which prompted Rosenthal to inquire

The Guardians haven't been linked to him in any rumors, but that would not surprise me as they have had a very active off season. Of the teams on the list, I would say that the Cards would be most likely after losing Carpenter. The Red Sox would be the least likely, because Cherries likes our starting pitching.

[Palodios]

The Guardians haven't been linked to him in any rumors, but that would not surprise me as they have had a very active off season. Of the teams on the list, I would say that the Cards would be most likely after losing Carpenter. The Red Sox would be the least likely, because Cherries likes our starting pitching.

 

Cardinals sound uninterested-- they probably prefer the draft pick.

[a700hitter]

Cardinals sound uninterested-- they probably prefer the draft pick.

They have a number of young pitchers who they would like to work into their rotation.