2014 Offseason Thread

[sk7326]

The problem with Panda's price is that the Giants have a habit of paying their own guys market value. I see them going up to 5/60 to 6/80, and I would imagine the Red Sox will have to blow those numbers out of the water to make him leave such a great situation in San Fran.

 

Well that is the way with free agency generally - almost every contract is an "overpay" in the sense that you have to win an auction.

 

As noted earlier, my first call would be to Texas to see what it would take to get Beltre back (short contract, Texas might be rebuilding - or maybe not, but it doesn't hurt to ask). After that there are good reasons to sign (or not sign) any of the three guys on the market. I am genuinely unsure which door I'd step in if I were them.

[Spudboy]

Bring me Alex Avila. He's available via trade.

 

His stock is way down right now. Bring him in, let him play 50-60 games, mostly vs RHP while Vazquez plays 110. He's a very good defensive catcher. His offense isn't very good, particularly vs LHP, but his defense is excellent and you pair him with Vazquez, that's a very strong defensive C.

 

Probably can be had for next to nothing given that he's a FA after this season and they've publicly made him available.

 

How is he any better than Ross on a one year deal? Is his defense that much better? And will this be a significant benefit over 50-60 games? The Sox should trade for a catcher with good D and no bat when they can get about the same thing in FA?

 

I've seen Avila play. He does have good defensive skills. But nothing worth trading for if Ross can be had. Just my opinion.

[jd98]

The Lester deal AND the Panda deal get done soon. And the Sox will also be trading for an arm soon too (I am still projecting Samardzija in a deal around Marrero).

 

That's probably what will happen, and they'll add a backup C and RP and be done. Not my preference, but it should be good enough to compete as long as the entire offense doesn't underperform again.

[sk7326]

Ervin Santana wanted 100mm last year. What'd he get? A 1 year deal at around $13mm.

 

Just because a player WANTS something doesn't mean he'll get it. 6/120 will never, ever happen for Panda. He's probably getting an offer from the Giants of around 5/85 or 5/90 and the Sox will offer him 5/95 or 5/100.

 

An overpay? Yes. But the supply of good 3B is extremely dry, so the demand increases significantly. This doesn't prohibit the Red Sox from signing pitchers by any means. In fact, the Sox priorities were "two SP and a LHH 3B".

 

Panda is visiting Boston next week. Know what else is happening next week? The Red Sox ownership group is meeting with Lester's agent. Not Cherrington. The owners. I literally cannot remember the last time an ownership group met with a player for any team. It just doesn't happen.

 

The Lester deal AND the Panda deal get done soon. And the Sox will also be trading for an arm soon too (I am still projecting Samardzija in a deal around Marrero).

 

I am not sure a guy who might not be a starting middle infielder is a centerpiece to get a young starting pitcher.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I am not sure a guy who might not be a starting middle infielder is a centerpiece to get a young starting pitcher.

 

His trade value has skyrocketed from the AFL. Gammons reported that some scouts like him more than Lindor of the Guardians.

[jacksonianmarch]

The logic on the Samardzija "deal" is absolutely hilarious. The A's traded away Addison Russell, AKA the best SS prospect in baseball to get Samardzija. So they'll deal him to the sox for Marrero? Lets put this into perspective here. Marrero turns 25 next season, so he isn't exactly young. His MiLB career numbers offensively suck *******. .258/.338/.352. His minor league career OPS is under .700. "But he had a breakout last yr!!" Well, he really didn't. He hit .291 with Portland with an OPS of .804 in 68 games. The BA and OPS were far and away career bests. Well, he moved to AAA where he was an abysmal black hole of an offensive player, slashing .210/.260/.285 in 50 games. So in 1/3 of a season (still small, but not minute sample size) he was absolutely terrible. He does play good D, that much wont be debated by me. But he is pretty much a no hit, all glove SS who isn't young enough to expect major offensive improvements and you expect him alone to nab Samardzija? That's more rosy colored glasses out to lunch thought that I expect from sox fanboys. If Marrero is part of the deal, it is as piece #3 or 4, not a centerpiece by any stretch of the imagination. He profiles to be Brendan Ryan

[Dojji]

Not that there's anything wrong with Brendan Ryan. but I agree with jacko. Marrero has the ceiling of a really solid utility guy.

[jd98]

I wouldn't expect Marrero for Samardzija straight up. Wouldn't surprise me to see Cespedes go back to Oakland with Marrero and maybe Oakland include a mid-level prospect. That would be funny if Lester ends up back in Boston and Cespedes ends up back in Oakland.

[seabeachfred]

Ervin Santana wanted 100mm last year. What'd he get? A 1 year deal at around $13mm.

 

Just because a player WANTS something doesn't mean he'll get it. 6/120 will never, ever happen for Panda. He's probably getting an offer from the Giants of around 5/85 or 5/90 and the Sox will offer him 5/95 or 5/100.

 

An overpay? Yes. But the supply of good 3B is extremely dry, so the demand increases significantly. This doesn't prohibit the Red Sox from signing pitchers by any means. In fact, the Sox priorities were "two SP and a LHH 3B".

 

Panda is visiting Boston next week. Know what else is happening next week? The Red Sox ownership group is meeting with Lester's agent. Not Cherrington. The owners. I literally cannot remember the last time an ownership group met with a player for any team. It just doesn't happen.

 

The Lester deal AND the Panda deal get done soon. And the Sox will also be trading for an arm soon too (I am still projecting Samardzija in a deal around Marrero).

 

You can't remember when ownership got involved with a negotiation? How about late 2008 when they got into the Mark Teixiera talks and blew it all to hell. Remember that? I do.

[User Name]

The logic on the Samardzija "deal" is absolutely hilarious. The A's traded away Addison Russell, AKA the best SS prospect in baseball to get Samardzija. So they'll deal him to the sox for Marrero? Lets put this into perspective here. Marrero turns 25 next season, so he isn't exactly young. His MiLB career numbers offensively suck *******. .258/.338/.352. His minor league career OPS is under .700. "But he had a breakout last yr!!" Well, he really didn't. He hit .291 with Portland with an OPS of .804 in 68 games. The BA and OPS were far and away career bests. Well, he moved to AAA where he was an abysmal black hole of an offensive player, slashing .210/.260/.285 in 50 games. So in 1/3 of a season (still small, but not minute sample size) he was absolutely terrible. He does play good D, that much wont be debated by me. But he is pretty much a no hit, all glove SS who isn't young enough to expect major offensive improvements and you expect him alone to nab Samardzija? That's more rosy colored glasses out to lunch thought that I expect from sox fanboys. If Marrero is part of the deal, it is as piece #3 or 4, not a centerpiece by any stretch of the imagination. He profiles to be Brendan Ryan

 

While i wholeheartedly agree with all of this, you don't have the moral authority to call anyone a fanboy. Carry on.

[a700hitter]

While i wholeheartedly agree with all of this, you don't have the moral authority to call anyone a fanboy. Carry on.

This is funny.

[seabeachfred]

This is funny.

 

Well look who has finally shown his face Ted. I guess he thinks we've forgotten his stubborn support of Drew as a good signing and how he would be a big contributor to the cause, and I haven't forgotten how he tried to combat me when I hinted that Bogey could be a choker. Of course, there's more and if we get into it he better be sure I will remind of those and other things he said before he disappeared from the board from total embarrassment.

[User Name]

Oh hey Fred, i see you're still the embodiment of douchebaggery. I didn't stop signing in because i was embarrassed of anything. I stopped signing in because i started my own business (remember when you were grilling me because i was unemployed there for a while? I do) and also because some people, (and by some people i mean you), made this site utterly unreadable with their ********. I see some things don't change. Stop being an *******. It'll be good for your blood pressure.

 

Thanks for the acknowledgement btw, a700.

[jd98]

Oh hey Fred, i see you're still the embodiment of douchebaggery. I didn't stop signing in because i was embarrassed of anything. I stopped signing in because i started my own business (remember when you were grilling me because i was unemployed there for a while? I do) and also because some people, (and by some people i mean you), made this site utterly unreadable with their ********. I see some things don't change. Stop being an *******. It'll be good for your blood pressure.

 

[a700hitter]

Well look who has finally shown his face Ted. I guess he thinks we've forgotten his stubborn support of Drew as a good signing and how he would be a big contributor to the cause, and I haven't forgotten how he tried to combat me when I hinted that Bogey could be a choker. Of course, there's more and if we get into it he better be sure I will remind of those and other things he said before he disappeared from the board from total embarrassment.

The site has been peaceful and civil since he left. Good riddance to him. Of course he has an excuse for not being around to eat a whole murder of crows that he should have eaten for being a deaf, dumb and blind butt-boy for the FO. What were his excuses? A new business? The site is unreadable? Or maybe he is just a chickenshit? Lol!

[Dojji]

http://environmentalgeography.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/lggn0309chill-out-relaxing-polar-bear-poster2.jpeg

 

And we were doing such a good job at keeping the antagonism to a minimum...

[seabeachfred]

http://environmentalgeography.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/lggn0309chill-out-relaxing-polar-bear-poster2.jpeg

 

And we were doing such a good job at keeping the antagonism to a minimum...

 

Yes we were Dojii and we will keep it at a minimum if some people cool it with some intemperate nonsense. Again, for the last four months we have all gotten along real well. I think you know why. Well OK, let's see what transpires from here.

[a700hitter]

And good will and a civil exchange of ideas will continue.

[User Name]

If a700 and fred act their age i'll keep the exchange civil as well.

 

For the record, i don't have to make excuses or give explanations to anyone, but the amount of people who left the site should speak to itself. Seriously, act your ages and every little thing is gonna be alright. In the meantime, ignore for the both of ya.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Oh, joy. I missed these interactions between the three of you. Almost as much as I miss the ulcer I had, or new Dane Cook material.

[User Name]

I apologize. I put them on ignore and you won't hear another pip from me. Ive been lurking for a while, and i gotta say it sucks that you've been going through all that crap, Youk.

[Youk Of The Nation]

It's okay, I'm probably going to hang myself sometime in the next few months, so there's that.

[User Name]

You're due some good luck bro. Hang in there.

[Youk Of The Nation]

You're due some good luck bro. Hang in there.

 

Well done. That was YOTN-worthy, if I do say so myself. Dark, subtle, and funny.

[Spudboy]

In the Hope against Hope department, Edes says that Lester and his agents are due to speak with Sox ownership "within hours". But then he and his agents are off to Chicago to talk with Theo.

 

At this point if the Sox are really serious about bringing Lester back, they should make a "no walk" offer. In sales terms this means that the Sox offer should be sufficient to prevent Lester from further testing the FA waters as in Chicago. Get it done now because letting him leave town again is a loser move that lessens the Sox chances of signing him.

 

I'm not a Sox Front Office "Fanboy". Nor am I one that will constantly bitch about them being cheap and stupid.

 

However, the Sox have misplayed the Lester issue big time. This is probably their last chance to make good.

[a700hitter]

Oh, joy. I missed these interactions between the three of you. Almost as much as I miss the ulcer I had, or new Dane Cook material.

No worries. He has nothing that interests me, but he is a punk for not sticking around to take his medicine after being a hump for so long. That is all.

[a700hitter]

In the Hope against Hope department, Edes says that Lester and his agents are due to speak with Sox ownership "within hours". But then he and his agents are off to Chicago to talk with Theo.

 

At this point if the Sox are really serious about bringing Lester back, they should make a "no walk" offer. In sales terms this means that the Sox offer should be sufficient to prevent Lester from further testing the FA waters as in Chicago. Get it done now because letting him leave town again is a loser move that lessens the Sox chances of signing him.

 

I'm not a Sox Front Office "Fanboy". Nor am I one that will constantly bitch about them being cheap and stupid.

 

However, the Sox have misplayed the Lester issue big time. This is probably their last chance to make good.

Tickets go on sale in the first week of December with a Christmas at Fenway kick-off. They will want to sign a high profile guy before that to spur ticket sales at the kickoff.

[Spudboy]

Lol. From MLB Trade Rumors:

 

"Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada is expected to receive a bonus that will absolutely shatter the previous record for an amateur player — international or domestic — and intrigue surrounding him only figures to grow in the coming months. Here’s the latest on the 19-year-old phenom…

 

Fangraphs’ Kiley McDaniel has an outstanding breakdown of not only Moncada’s showcase in Guatemala yesterday, but of the puzzling, seemingly inexplicable way in which he came to leave Cuba. McDaniel writes that Moncada was seemingly granted permission by the Cuban government to leave the country for Guatemala and is free to return and leave again as he wishes (a bizarre phenomenon also noted earlier this month by MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez). Beyond that, Moncada is being represented by a CPA from St. Petersburg who has never negotiated a baseball contract before and will not enlist the help of any veteran MLB agents. In fact, two agents from the Boras Corporation attempted to attend Moncada’s showcase and were not only denied access, but escorted off the premises by armed guards, McDaniel reports. Moncada’s agent has no desire to make this a story about himself and therefore was not named, McDaniel adds."

 

Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!! Boras agents escorted away by armed guards!!! This sounds sort of like an old Chevy Chase movie!

[sk7326]

I think it will come down to the Sox or Cubs for Lester - it's pretty straightforward. Lester is the safest pitching option on the market - he will get 6 years (and that would probably be fair value overall).

[sk7326]

Lol. From MLB Trade Rumors:

 

"Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada is expected to receive a bonus that will absolutely shatter the previous record for an amateur player — international or domestic — and intrigue surrounding him only figures to grow in the coming months. Here’s the latest on the 19-year-old phenom…

 

Fangraphs’ Kiley McDaniel has an outstanding breakdown of not only Moncada’s showcase in Guatemala yesterday, but of the puzzling, seemingly inexplicable way in which he came to leave Cuba. McDaniel writes that Moncada was seemingly granted permission by the Cuban government to leave the country for Guatemala and is free to return and leave again as he wishes (a bizarre phenomenon also noted earlier this month by MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez). Beyond that, Moncada is being represented by a CPA from St. Petersburg who has never negotiated a baseball contract before and will not enlist the help of any veteran MLB agents. In fact, two agents from the Boras Corporation attempted to attend Moncada’s showcase and were not only denied access, but escorted off the premises by armed guards, McDaniel reports. Moncada’s agent has no desire to make this a story about himself and therefore was not named, McDaniel adds."

 

Hahahahahahahahahahaha!!! Boras agents escorted away by armed guards!!! This sounds sort of like an old Chevy Chase movie!

 

From what Keith Law noted, he did not take live BP at his workout ... the body and tools are there, but nobody has seen him hit since he came over. But there is a ton of market inflation for Cuba. It's an effect of the tons of money in the industry and limited ways to use it.