Mariners-Hamilton Talks

[Lord Snow]

The Mariners, who are largely seen as the frontrunner for Josh Hamilton, are reportedly offering a 3-year deal in the the $60-75M price range (if you can believe Ken Rosenthal).

 

If that is the case I am praying to God that Ben Cherington signs Hamilton. The Sox better not pass him up over 3-years $75M. That's a relatively small commitment to a #3/4 hitter who is still in his prime.

[onlybereaved]

Let's hope that Hamilton would want to play in Boston over Seattle. Assuming of course that we could deal Elsbury and that we even made an offer to Hamilton.

 

Boston might rather just pass on Hamilton altogether and look into making a deal to strengthen the rotation.

 

For all we know, Boston isn't interested in Hamilton, and Hamilton isn't interested in Boston

[NativeBostonian]

I don't think Josh is going to go to Seattle. I don't believe he wants to be the savior of that franchise. I believe he would want to be on the team is well established and has a chance of winning.

[Lord Snow]

Let's hope that Hamilton would want to play in Boston over Seattle. Assuming of course that we could deal Elsbury and that we even made an offer to Hamilton.

 

Boston might rather just pass on Hamilton altogether and look into making a deal to strengthen the rotation.

 

For all we know, Boston isn't interested in Hamilton, and Hamilton isn't interested in Boston

 

Right. Up until 2012 Boston was one of the most desirable free agent destinations.

 

Even given the poor front office management of the club you have to believe it's still more desirable than Seattle.

[mvp 78]

There are several other places this could have gone rather than as a new thread.

 

Back to the Night's Watch with you!

[Orange Juiced]

I hope Cherington's message to Hamilton was this: Go out there and get your best offer. Once you've gotten it, come back to us and we'll see if we can top it. If we can't, then you have got yourself a great deal. If we can, then you've got yourself an even better one. But don't sign until you've called me first.

[Lord Snow]

There are several other places this could have gone rather than as a new thread.

 

Back to the Night's Watch with you!

 

Lord Snow thought it deserved it's own thread to highlight Ben Cherington's incompetence.

[rjortiz]

Lord Snow, do you die in Book #5?

[NativeBostonian]

Lord Snow thought it deserved it's own thread to highlight Ben Cherington's incompetence.

 

Who do you think you are Bob Dole? Bob Dole likes to talk about Bob Dole.

[mvp 78]

Lord Snow thought it deserved it's own thread to highlight Ben Cherington's incompetence.

 

It should then be in the Ben thread rather than adding yet another thread to the front page about a topic that is being discussed ad nauseum.

[Palodios]

Is it just me, or is it really obnoxious when people put up signatures about how awesome they are?

[Emmz]

Lord Snow thought it deserved it's own thread to highlight Ben Cherington's incompetence.

 

Awwww, isn't that adorable. He's pretending he has confidence.

[SoxSport]

Hamilton will probably stay in Texas if the Rangers don't sign Upton and Greinke. That would be his first choice. If he has to choose between Seattle and Boston, I would guess Boston--the better team and more competitive division. But you don't know if the Red Sox will step up to the plate if Texas passes.They might not. Or maybe they have a deal for Ellsbury set up in case Hamilton becomes available.They are maintaining contact with Hamilton, so that shows maybe they're interested if Texas passes. I don't think the Red Sox will get involved unless Texas passes. But then other teams might get involved, too, besides Seattle. The Red Sox are set up to go either way.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Is it just me, or is it really obnoxious when people put up signatures about how awesome they are?

 

He's looking for all sorts of ways to get attention: idiotic posts, multiple pointless threads, signature, etc. He's definitely getting his wish.

[YAZMAN]

He's looking for all sorts of ways to get attention: idiotic posts, multiple pointless threads, signature, etc. He's definitely getting his wish.

 

Wait.......is he also in a marching band?

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Does that mean we're trading Suns for Jacksionianmarch? All praise the GM Yeszir!!

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Unless it's a 1 year deal or a 2-3 year deal with a 10 or less AAV, I want no part of Hamilton.

[BSN07]

Unless it's a 1 year deal or a 2-3 year deal with a 10 or less AAV, I want no part of Hamilton.

 

JE that's ridiculous lol

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

He's past his prime, he has a history of substance abuse problems, and Boston's an incredibly high pressure situation after what happened last year. That's a recipe for disaster. We cleared a lot of bad contract money off the decks in August, turning around and pissing it all away again on Hamilton is a dumb move. Let Hamilton go vanish in Seattle, go after Swisher and other pieces instead.

[BSN07]

He's past his prime, he has a history of substance abuse problems, and Boston's an incredibly high pressure situation after what happened last year. Recipe for disaster. Let him go vanish in Seattle, go after Swisher instead.

 

This guys since coming back to the Majors has had like two little hiccups with alcohol which he immediately called press conferences to confess. They guy seems to be trying to do the right thing. Yes there is risk. But at on 3-4 years and some possible language in the contract it's not as bad. He's earned some trust, albeit not enough for like 5+ year deals. I guess we just draw the line at different places when it comes to how much his addiction issues effect his value.

 

Also something to consider, Mickey Mantle played for the Yankees will being a full blown alcoholic, played hungover like daily and I'm willing to bet played at least one game in his career drunk lol

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Arlington is not Boston. If there's one city in the league that could drive him to a hard relapse, this is the one. Let somebody else roll the dice on him. Preferably Seattle, that way we'll never hear from him again.

[iortiz]

I'd get Bourn and a couple of arms...

[BSN07]

Arlington is not Boston. If there's one city in the league that could drive him to a hard relapse, this is the one. Let somebody else roll the dice on him. Preferably Seattle, that way we'll never hear from him again.

There are plenty of cities with greater chances of relapse, actually Seattle is probably at the top of the list. And clearly you have never done the bar scene in Arlington? Arlington is an awesome bar town.

I'd get Bourn and a couple of arms...

 

Bourn is going to be waaaaay to expensive. He wants 100M on a long term deal. Crawford 2.0 no thanks.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

There are plenty of cities with greater chances of relapse, actually Seattle is probably at the top of the list. And clearly you have never done the bar scene in Arlington? Arlington is an awesome bar town.

Completely missed the point. Arlington doesn't have a fraction of the media pressure as Boston does. Last year the Red Sox became the Boston media's whipping boys thanks to their underachieving ways, and it clearly did a number on everybody. Absolute worst situation in the league for a guy like Hamilton. And there's no reason to think that atmosphere would change with Hamilton in tow, since even with him we would be very fortunate to make the playoffs.

 

How about instead of constantly blowing our load early looking for the quick fix, we take the time to actually build a foundation for once.

[a700hitter]

Completely missed the point. Arlington doesn't have a fraction of the media pressure as Boston does. Last year the Red Sox became the Boston media's whipping boys thanks to their underachieving ways, and it clearly did a number on everybody. Absolute worst situation in the league for a guy like Hamilton. And there's no reason to think that atmosphere would change with Hamilton in tow, since even with him we would be very fortunate to make the playoffs.

 

How about instead of constantly blowing our load early looking for the quick fix, we take the time to actually build a foundation for once.

Hamilton is exactly the type of young talent that you build a team around.

[a700hitter]

Yankees Checking In On Josh Hamilton

 

Posted by Ben Nicholson-Smith on Friday Dec 7th at 7:41am

 

The Winter Meetings are over and the top free agent position player remains unsigned. Josh Hamilton has drawn serious interest from the Mariners and Rangers, and the Red Sox continue checking in on the outfielder. As it turns out, there's at least one other American League team interested... A rival general manager says Yankees people other than GM Brian Cashman are quietly running a background check on Hamilton, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports (on Twitter). Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio recently suggested the Yankees should be viewed as a potential destination for Hamilton. However, the team aims to lower payroll below $189MM by 2014, so some creativity would be required to add a premium player such as Hamilton. Joel Sherman of the New York Post "will only believe the Yankees are truly out" on Hamilton when he's at a press conference wearing another team's jersey. While GM Brian Cashman has discussed the importance of remaining patient, Sherman senses that the Yankees are "incredibly touchy" to recent criticism and could pursue the slugging outfielder.

If the Sox are targeting this guy, they had better lock him down. When the Yankees go stealth like this, they strike like a cobra.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Hamilton is exactly the type of young talent that you build a team around.

31 years old is not 'young talent'. Try again.

[SoxSport]

Looks like the Yankees might get involved-- though you don't know if this is being driven by the NY-based media. In their eyes, the Yankees are a bottomless pit of money used to buy up stars as they become available. I think that's becoming less true with all the contracts they have, but they could weasel out of ARod's contract. They have the power to do almost anything they want in MLB --being the main media team.

 

Remember a couple of years ago, Hank stepped in and signed Soriano--over Cashman's objections?

Turned out to be a damned good move--only made because the Yankees don't have a budget, and the Steinbrenners are obsessed with winning. But they were willing to go $15 mil per yr for a setup guy--crazy for everybody else. Trouble is, it sets the bar higher.

 

Seems like everybody is waiting patiently for Texas to decide on Hamilton. If they pass, I expect a lot of competition for him which will leave the Mariners in the dust. Maybe even if they don't pass.

[BSN07]

If the Sox are targeting this guy, they had better lock him down. When the Yankees go stealth like this, they strike like a cobra.

 

I mean the Yanks are always a threat. I just don't see how they do it with the payroll goals.

 

Regardless is the Yankees are in it or not the Sox shouldn't got more the 3-4(5 is absolute max and I'm iffy there). This is the kind of guy you want, but not for a massive overpay. They have to show some restraint with him.

[a700hitter]

31 years old is not 'young talent'. Try again.

He's not a pitcher. He is in his prime years.