Interestedobserver

Sometimes guys just lose it. Although it’s more likely he reverts to a 4.0 WAR player. The aberration was 2010.

Why offer arby on Ortiz?

The Braves have Bourn and don't need a center fielder. They also don't want to take on expensive players and will probably trade Jurgens this year. They won't give up Heyward, especially after a down year. The Mariners would want young controllable players if they ever traded Felix, not guys two years from FA. Unless the Sox could spin Ellsbury for prospects and package them. But it would take a HAUL to get Felix.

IIRC, it adds half a run to come to the AL. Quality pitchers will be fine in either league. Zambrano is a head case. Stay away. The Mets look to be aiming for contending in 13 or 14. They may be willing to listen to offers for Dickey. He's signed to a cheap contract, is a knuckleballer, and may be available for some decent minor league prospects. He's gone against the Yankees, and he has AL experience. His era over the last two years is something like 3.08.

I live in San Francisco. Lincecum is arguably the face of the franchise and his picture is all over billboards. They're not trading him.

IMO teams that try and dig out of a hole by signing more FAs are going to find themselves in a death spiral. Put the money into the draft and trade some of those guys for younger guys about to become more expensive. You want pitching, take a chance on either Hanson or JJ from the Braves. Both good arms, but injury risks. Odds are the Braves need to trade one since they're entering more expensive years. They'll cost prospects, but should be available. Cain from the Giants is a FA in a year. I'm not sure they would trade him, but they can't sign everybody and they need hitting. He wouldn't be cheap, though.

How is Ellsbury who was buried in the doghouse last year a sure thing and Lincecum who has rings and shiny pitching trophies not?

Of course they could afford it. I think Bay and Crawford make about the same for the next two years, so payroll wouldn't change. After that, it's a question of how much cash the Red Sox would have to kick in.

I don't know, but they're not happy with him and Crawford fits their ballpark. How much cash goes back would be a big sticking point. Bay came on at the end of the year and they're lowering the fences. But Sandy still wants him gone.

Pitching is what built their championship. They're not given up Lincecum. They have money, so they may resign Beltran, and maybe another hitter. They'll get Posey back, but really, their championship was half fluke.

I can't even begin to imagine what they would want for him.

Giants never make that deal.

What about trading Crawford back for Bay plus pay half the out years in the contract? ie, the four years that Crawford is owed money that Bay is not. Both players may need a change of scenery and Bay was good in Boston.