Key '09 Free Agents: Where Will They Go?
by notsellingjeans on Oct 17, 2008 3:58 AM PDT
168 comments
After last night's incredible Red Sox comeback, baseball fans are left without a playoff game until the action resumes Saturday with Game Six at Tampa Bay.
Since Friday's my assigned AN posting day, I thought a quick league-wide free agent discussion could be a bridge until game-time tomorrow.
In the comments section, please pick ~10 of the top free agents and make a prediction as to where they will sign this offseason. If you want, you could add a quick analysis of why you think they'll land at that particular destination.
Here's mine:
Sabathia - Yankees. Not his ideal choice (NL, West Coast), but money talks (eight years, 150MM).
Burnett - Yankees. Largest deal on table. Yanks rotation becomes Sabathia/Wang/BurnettPettitte/Mussina, with Hughes and Kennedy as #6 and #7. Inevitably Hughes will be needed most of the year as a terrific injury fill-in. Joba remains in pen and pitches 80 healthy, high-leverage innings. (This scenario won't happen, but it would make them a playoff team again if it did. Instead they'll enter the year thin, with Joba as their #4 and Hughes as their #5, and no depth. One or both will get hurt, there's no depth behind them, and that's how you get Sidney Ponson starting 10 games for a $210MM team).
Sheets - Red Sox. Takes a slight discount in years/money. Sox don't need 200 innings thanks to their depth - just 140-150 good ones, and a guy who is a playoff starter in Wakefield's place. Sheets is also good insurance against a badly injured Beckett or completely ineffective Wakefield in the '09 regular season, which would torpedo a BoSox playoff berth.
Lowe - Dodgers. He pitched well in LA, likes it there, and needs the NL. Best deal on the table. Yanks/Red Sox wisely take a pass.
K-Rod - Mets. Largest deal on the table, good clubhouse fit, great area of need for NY.
Fuentes - Brewers. Brewers miss out on Sabathia, have money to burn, and decide they need a closer. Best deal on the table.
Furcal - Dodgers. Mutual interest, enough cash available to keep other suitors at bay. Even after a three-error game in the clincher, Torre and brass didn't throw him under the bus.
Giambi - Yankees. To me, no one's writing that the smart play is to either exercise the option or get him to agree to a slightly cheaper one-year deal. Why does it make sense for the Yankees to let him walk? Let me get this straight: The Yankees sign aging vets who can hit almost every year. It's smart business - money is their best available resource. But those guys eventually need to take res idence at the lowest rungs of the defensive spectrum. So instead of keeping those lower rungs open for their aging hitters for years to come, they're gonna sign...a first baseman who will marginally outperform Giambi offensively to an 8-9 year contract? Think about this: What position is A-Rod going to be playing on defense when he's 39, 40 years old? What are they going to do with Jeter in his late-30s, when they want him to retire as a Yankee but his shortstop defense is intolerable? I think the Yanks should try to bring Giambi and Abreu back for a year and leave those lower defensive rungs (LF, 1b) open for the long-term. With the pitching additions I mentioned above, that team could absorb having a bad defense. If their starting nine is Posada-Giambi-Cano-Jeter-A-Rod-Nady-Damon-Abreu-Matsui, AND they have the rotation I mentioned above, that's a playoff team, terrible defense and all.
Teixiera - Angels. Somehow I have a feeling that Tex would crumple like Shawn Bradley taking a charge if he signed in New York. He belongs in LA, and they obviously traded for him anticipating it could become a long-term relationship. They'll get him, make a minor pitching addition or two, and become a 90-91-win team on paper again, ensuring them yet another playoff berth in a weak West.
Manny Ramirez - Mets. What other team wants to make a 4-5 year commitment to him? If there's one clubhouse in baseball where he can both feel comfortable long-term, AND be disciplined if necessary without alienating him, it's this one. This signing, along with K-Rod and one or two of the second-to-third-tier starters, would return them to the playoffs.
Adam Dunn - Cubs. Obscene cash gets him to accept less-than-favorite destination and likely position switch (RF). They've done it before (Soriano). They need a left-handed bat and this is the best one left. I guess I could see Raul Ibanez going here instead, and Soriano moving (yet again!) to right field. By the time he's 38, Soriano will be catching Monday through Friday and pitching left-handed out of the bullpen on weekends.
Pat Burrell - Phillies. I couldn't find a better fit for him. Philly's a tough place to play, and he's already won that battle, and the fans. Good vibes and plenty of revenue from getting to the World Series. Fills two voids that would be created if he left (righty power bat, left field). Might as well pencil him in there, even though his deal will probably look Eric Byrnesian by the end of it.
Those are my predictions on 12 top free agents. I intentionally left out Orlando Hudson, the second-best middle infielder, because I think he's overrated.
If the Yankees and Red Sox gobble up that much free agent pitching, it'll force other contenders to take some serious gambles. Some team is going to take an expensive multi-year flier on Oliver Perez; another team is going to bank on 30 decent starts from Carl Pavano. I could see the Mets getting one of those guys, and the Cubs re-signing Dempster and Wood. Paul Byrd and Jon Garland would make sense for budget-conscious NL contenders like the Brewers or Cardinals, since they can't be more than a No. 5 in the AL at this point in their careers. That covers pretty much every relevant starter, and also covers the pitching needs of every contender, since they'll be the ones who drive the market.
Two quick trade predictions: Peavy to the Dodgers, Huston Street to the Cardinals. The Blue Jays, as the fourth-best team in the AL East for the foreseeable future, should perhaps consider trading Roy Halladay and extracting max value for one of the five best pitchers in baseball...but I don't think they will, even though they could get 6-7 prospects and instantly have one of the top 5 farm systems in the game on the basis of that one trade if they did.
Leave your own ideas and scenarios below!
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Sabathia -- Yankees, Teixeira -- Yankees, Dunn -- Yankees, Lowe -- Yankees (money talks as you say)
Burnett — Cubs
Sheets — Rangers
Rodriguez — Mets
Ramirez — Mets
Fuentes — Mets
Furcal — Cubs
Giambi — Angels
Burrell — Dodgers
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 17, 2008 6:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Henderson #24 -- Athletics
to coach 3rd…..
"What do we do with Crosby? Well, in my neighborhood, trash goes out on Mondays." ~ Nico
by MMunoz33 on Oct 18, 2008 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm
Sabathia- Dodgers (I think Ned Colletti will offer just as much as Steinbrenner will)
Sheets- Rangers (they have bid high for pitching before, probably will do it again, although I can’t understand how their bullpen did a 360 between 07 and 08).
Teixeira- Yankees
Burnett- Yankees
Dunn- Cubs
Sheets- Rangers
Lowe- Braves (NEED starter, have cash to burn)
K-Rod- Angels/Mets
Fuentes- Brewers/Cardinals
Manny- Mets/Dodgers if they miss out on CC
Burrell-Phillies
Giambi- Angels
Carlos and Victor Zambrano have exactly the same number of career postseason wins. Who would have thought?
by Blicks on Oct 17, 2008 6:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Although, it will be hilarious when the Mets' bullpen sucks with K-Rod in it.
Carlos and Victor Zambrano have exactly the same number of career postseason wins. Who would have thought?
by Blicks on Oct 17, 2008 6:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
wouldn't the Rays look good with
Street right about now? wonder why they didn’t make that trade
Lowe – Yankees
Manny – Yankees
Sabathia – Angels
Sheets – Dodgers
Teixeira – Orioles
Giambi – A’s
Burnett – Yankees
Furcal – Dodgers
F@#$#K Rod – Mariners
Burrell – oooh would be nice with the A’s. Maybe braves?
Let's have our Piazza and eat the Cust too - SPWC
by closetasfan on Oct 17, 2008 6:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Tex
Many an O’s fan would love to see that happen. I think it would be a mistake to divert so many resources to one roster-spot for a team that is (relatively speaking) small-market – especially when that position is 1B.
Although Wieters, Tex, Markakis, and Jones would make for quite a lineup.
by CapgrasDelusion on Oct 17, 2008 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can't see the a
NOT re-signing Manny. He’s become a sensation down here and Frank McCourt only cares about public perception. There would be a lot of backlash if he didn’t and McCourt is not strong enough to take the public beating. Course I think that means that Furcal is gone because I don’t think they can re-sign both. Maybe I underestimate them.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Oct 17, 2008 7:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
doesn't it seem like
they’re pretty cheap though? I know they signed Andruw and Pierre, but I get the sense that they were pretty adamant about not adding salary during the season, so I wonder how they’ll be about having to actually pay to have Manny play for them
Let's have our Piazza and eat the Cust too - SPWC
by closetasfan on Oct 17, 2008 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only reason they were able to aquire Manny is because Boston paid the rest of his salary.
That said, I’ve got a feeling that Uncle Frank will okay the dollars for him.
by mikev on Oct 17, 2008 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
He’s not one to take harsh criticism from the press without wilting like a dried leave under a microscope on a sweltering day.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Oct 17, 2008 1:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They aren't going to raise their payroll
The team is already cash-strapped as it is (witness the need for Boston to eat Manny’s entire salary). I calculate them having about $21 million in ready cash. Enough to sign Manny, but if they do they aren’t adding a thing otherwise.
My God, they have a metric ton of dead money on that roster this year.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Oct 17, 2008 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What's your gut?
Do they keep him? I’m thinking they get priced out.
I'm here to talk about the past.
by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 17, 2008 6:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My gut says, they keep him and try to piece together a rotation from Kershaw, Billingsley, and some bailing wire
My gut also sees Arizona winning the division next year, FWIW.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Oct 17, 2008 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's exactly what mine says
They will do what it takes to keep Manny, all else be damned. Maybe I’m alone, but living down here, they got so much press and attention from Manny that McCourt is addicted to it. Even if that means going with youth elsewhere. I could be wrong, but everything I’ve learned about McCourt is that he loves the attention.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Oct 17, 2008 7:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gee, notselling ...
You didn’t exactly go out on a limb with anyone, did you??
The A’s are gonna sign somebody, Beane has already admitted that . Here’s mine, and I’ll try to be a little “crazy”.
Sabathia – Indians … back to the future.
Burnett – Yankees … stays in the division.
Sheets – Red Sox … dammit.
Lowe – Mets … stays in NL
K-Rod – Mets … nice fit, makes too much sense.
Fuentes – Astros
Furcal – A’s … nice pick, Nico
Giambi – Yankees … they’ll sign him cheap.
Texeira – Rockies … Helton’s replacement
Manny – Dodgers … L.A. would riot if they let him walk.
Dunn – Giants … need bats
Burrell – A’s … Beane’s new Durazo.
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
by Vacafan on Oct 17, 2008 7:49 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Helton
is still on contract for several more years.
Getting Teixeira would be utterly dumbass for Rockies. With pitching, they would’ve easily made the playoffs this year.
Carlos and Victor Zambrano have exactly the same number of career postseason wins. Who would have thought?
by Blicks on Oct 17, 2008 8:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rockies, ERA+ 97
OPS+ 97.
Their pitching and defense looks worse than it is because of the park. Their offense looks better than it is because of the park.
An offense that scores 4.61 runs per game in that home park, is not a good offense.
And they finished 10 games out of first. “Easily” is a huge stretch.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on Oct 17, 2008 8:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Even then, signing a 1B is a horrible idea.
Helton is a monster, and even then, he’s still back for the remainder of that contract, and absolutely untradable.
Carlos and Victor Zambrano have exactly the same number of career postseason wins. Who would have thought?
by Blicks on Oct 17, 2008 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lowe doesn't really "need" the NL.
vs the AL, from 2005-2008:
118.5 IP, 52 ERs, 3.95 ERA.
2005-2008, vs everyone:
850.1IP, 339 ERs. 3.58 ERA.
He was worse vs the AL, but a 3.95 ERA vs the AL, where during that same period, league average runs per game has been around 4.76-4.97, is still pretty damn good.
Also, the Mets need a starting pitcher more than they need Manny. The only sure thing starting pitchers they have right now are Santana and Pelfrey.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on Oct 17, 2008 7:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed on the SP.
They need a starting pitcher and a bullpen.
Carlos and Victor Zambrano have exactly the same number of career postseason wins. Who would have thought?
by Blicks on Oct 17, 2008 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure
But Lowe has said that he doesn’t want to play in New York. And I’m also surprised that you’d cite 118 decent innings pitched over four years(!) as an indicator that he can still be good in the AL. Can an interleague play sample size determine that?
I’m looking at the shellacking he took in Boston his final year, five years ago, as well as the negative trend that had started the year before.
I could see him signing with a few different NL contenders…but he makes little sense to Boston or to Yankees.
And the Mets do need an SP more than Manny. But if they don’t get Sabathia, which I doubt they will, they’ll have to settle for a few lower-tier ones, which is what I suggested.
"Some of the men didn't wait for the women and children to jump off the sinking ship that is our season." - 67MARQUEZ
by notsellingjeans on Oct 17, 2008 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
* shrug *
So there’s little evidence either way whether Lowe can or cannot play in the AL. An interleague sample might not be able to determine anything, neither can a season 5 years ago, in front of a lousy defense.
As for the Mets, you have Sabathia and Burnett going to the Yanks, Sheets to the RS, Lowe to the Dodgers. What other lower tier ones are there left? Minaya has never shown much interest in the Lohses, Silvas, Suppans, etc of MLB. His modus operandi re starting pitchers appears to go for the big names, and then round out the rotation with young pitchers, cheap journeymen.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on Oct 17, 2008 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
Could be Pavano, could be Byrd, could be Garland, with Perez being a pricier option. Perhaps they should even sign two from that group, or that “tier”.
"Some of the men didn't wait for the women and children to jump off the sinking ship that is our season." - 67MARQUEZ
by notsellingjeans on Oct 17, 2008 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
league doesn't matter for Lowe
as much as having good infield defense behind him…..
"Lefty relievers are like the different Mountain Dew flavors. New ones keep appearing, and people are willing to buy, but in the end most of them suck." - Gallagher's Watermelons
by scatterbrian on Oct 17, 2008 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll give it a shot.
Sabathia – Giants — I think they’re dumb enough to think they can compete with “one more big signing” and they’ll play up the Bay Area homecoming bit with Cookie Cookie. Oh, and they’ll throw him $20M per year, because after his arm falls off he’ll just convert to first base and be the best left handed hitter in the lineup.
Burnett – Yankees — After losing out on CC, they go for the next best starter. His 5 year deal is Hampton-esque, though.
Sheets – Brewers — Milwaukee can’t handle losing both CC and Sheets, and there was never any intention of retaining CC. They’ll get their picks for Sabathia and then do what’s necessary to keep Sheets around – $16-18M per year or so.
Lowe – Mets — trying to keep up with the Yankees in the hot stove spending spree, Lowe actually gives the Mets a pretty solid front 3 with Santana and Pelfrey surrounding him.
Rodriguez – Angels — The slegnA keep their ZOMG SAVES RECORD HOLDER! around for Mariano Rivera money, and we all get to laugh as he continues to be the most overrated pitcher in baseball and his mechanics keep getting worse and worse.
Fuentes – Mets — They need a bullpen arm really, really bad. They don’t have really ANY trading chips, but they can spend money. Here’s the solution.
Furcal – YOUR OAKLAND ATHLETICS — I’ve gone over this, but I think we’re making a play for him. 2 years, 25M with an optional 3rd year get the A’s a legit leadoff hitter and a replacement for Crosby. Who sucks.
Giambi – Angels — They’re losing Teixeira and need another bat. Yes it’s weird because Vlad is gonna need to DH too, but they’ll find room somehow.
Teixeira – Yankees — Duh. Since when have the Yankees not been going after the premier free agents every year?
Manny – Dodgers — He’s staying put. He likes LA, LA likes him, and LA has the money to spend. Ownership will open the pocketbooks to keep him after he hit like .800 after being traded.
Dunn – Diamondbacks — The NL West sucks, and a full season of Dunn would put Arizona right back into contention.
Burrell – Cubs — They’ll throw heaps of money at him and have the worst defensive outfield in baseball.
by mikev on Oct 17, 2008 8:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Cookie, Cookie
LMAO
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
by Vacafan on Oct 17, 2008 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Tex winds up in Baltimore
He grew up there and Angelos wants to make a splash again.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Oct 17, 2008 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Burell and Soriano in the same outfield, ouch.
by mattman on Oct 18, 2008 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Soriano is a pretty good defensive outfielder.
Fast, good range, strong arm.
ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524
by rfloh on Oct 18, 2008 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
K-Fraud
I want and hope that he will be a Halo for years to come (so he can blow save after save against the A’s), but then, the Mets are too stupid to realize that signing one big-name FA will NOT fix that LOLpen.
Carlos and Victor Zambrano have exactly the same number of career postseason wins. Who would have thought?
by Blicks on Oct 17, 2008 9:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Any relevant predictions where Ellis ends up????
What about some ramblings about Bonds being shafted by all GM’s and filing a grievance?
BBeane should publicly offer him a 1ys $500,000 minor league contract to see if he bites.
I’m interested to see where Big Frank ends up? (If he intends to play)
Pray that Embree is gone along with Foulke and BoCro!!!!!
Women and children can be careless, but not men!
by MMunoz33 on Oct 17, 2008 10:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ellis I think will be back.
He likes it there, and I don’t think anyone will offer a starting spot to him coming off surgery.
Let's have our Piazza and eat the Cust too - SPWC
by closetasfan on Oct 17, 2008 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Burnett to the Rangers!!!
C.C. to the Dodgers
Manny to the Yankees…….
Women and children can be careless, but not men!
by MMunoz33 on Oct 17, 2008 10:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
what would you want from cards?
for street?
i dont know i’m not too convinced on freese/craig as a centerpiece. they have some solid pitching depth, but no one beter than the A’s already have. they dont have much middle infield depth either. kozma is their best there and he projects maybe a younger pennington right now
if they wanted freese/raig i dont think it would take much…maybe one of the expendable relievers like casilla or an equally regarded prospect in the lower bottom of the A’s top 10
by Asfan4ever723 on Oct 17, 2008 10:35 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree with Asfan4ever723
Street makes more sense for the Indians maybe for Cabrera. Maybe the Mets maybe for Murphy.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 17, 2008 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm that's a lot of maybes
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 17, 2008 6:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Mets for Murphy.
Carlos and Victor Zambrano have exactly the same number of career postseason wins. Who would have thought?
by Blicks on Oct 18, 2008 11:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
big hurt projects as a type B
do you offer him arby?
would his market even be that hot?
by Asfan4ever723 on Oct 17, 2008 10:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I can't see any AL team wanting Frank Thomas to be their DH...
and yet, he obviously can’t field or run the bases, either.
Could he possibly sign in the NL as nothing more than a pinch-hitter, and get 100-120 at-bats, making $500-750K?? Maybe. He’d basically be a slightly less useful version of Tony Clark, and Tony Clark still has a million-dollar big league career.
I’d say that’s Frank’s best chance of playing in ‘09. NL pinch-hitter. But it’s going to take an NL team believing that it’s a worthwhile use of a roster spot to carry a right-handed hitting guy who can’t play the field and needs to be pinch-run for in high-leverage situations. Does any NL team feel that way?
"Some of the men didn't wait for the women and children to jump off the sinking ship that is our season." - 67MARQUEZ
by notsellingjeans on Oct 17, 2008 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Frank would be an upgrade over a few AL DHs
Even if he does only end up playing half a season.
by thejd44 on Oct 17, 2008 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is really never any excuse to not offer arbitration to a player with compensable status
Players HATE taking arbitration. They always think they can do better elsewhere. And worst case scenario, if Thomas is around for another season, it’s hardly the end of the world (and he’s not likely to make a lot of money given his injury-plagued 2008).
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Oct 17, 2008 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But players offered arbitration generally don't see pay cuts
that they might see if they declined and went on the market.
A guy like Frank Thomas, who’d make 10MM++ in arbitration based solely off his 2008 salary (the Blue Jays paid most of it), and 5MM on a 1 year deal TOPS in the open market would be very moronic not to take arbitration
Carlos and Victor Zambrano have exactly the same number of career postseason wins. Who would have thought?
by Blicks on Oct 17, 2008 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is no way on God's green earth that Frank Thomas is going to be awarded $10 million
He’d be insanely lucky to get half that. Free agent arbitration is not subject to the rules on salary decreases. If you have a horrible, injury-plagued season, you will be paid a LOT less the next season.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Oct 17, 2008 5:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK but even $3M is a lot for him.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 17, 2008 6:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
OK, so, he gets $3 million
Bring him to camp, see if he’s done. If he is, you cut him and you’re only out $500K. If he isn’t, you picked up a useful player for a non-exhorbitant amount.
And that’s basically the worst case scenario.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Oct 17, 2008 6:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What did you see last year that made you think he's not done?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2008 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was injured... not quite the same thing as "done"
If he’s healthy again, who’s to say he isn’t going to continue to be useful?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Oct 18, 2008 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds like an NRI not a arbitration offer
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2008 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Other than a small portion of their salary guaranteed,
there’s very little functional difference between an NRI and a free agent who takes arbitration.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Oct 19, 2008 10:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm
Has Burnett even opted out yet?
Also, no way the Cubs bring in Dunn. Not with the questions about the sale of the team.
by thejd44 on Oct 17, 2008 11:29 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, they emphatically want a left-handed bat.
Could be Abreu, could be Ibanez, could be Dunn. None are an ideal fit, but there really isn’t an ideal fit on the FA market for their needs.
"Some of the men didn't wait for the women and children to jump off the sinking ship that is our season." - 67MARQUEZ
by notsellingjeans on Oct 17, 2008 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is that a list of lefthanded bats, or the competitors in the "MLB's Most Inept Outfielder" skills challenge?
All of those guys should be DHing.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Oct 17, 2008 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And yet they were all OF's in 2008
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 17, 2008 6:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know
Baseball is an odd game.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Oct 17, 2008 6:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmmmm
Sabathia- Thaaaa Yankees
Tex- Yankees …The Angels will get picks if Tex walks
Giambi- Athletics
Ramirez- Dodgers
Sheets- Cardinals
Furcal- Dodgers
Lowe- Boston …making a return
Fuentes- Mets
K Rod- Angels
O. Hudson- Mets
Burrell- Phillies
Dunn- Cubbies
Crede- Giants
Bradley- Angels
Abreu- Yankees
Burnett- Orioles
Randy Johnson- Diamondbacks
O. Perez- Royals
Kerry Wood- Brewers
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Oct 17, 2008 1:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Trades
just a throw in…
Street traded to Cardinals
Peavy Traded to Braves
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Oct 17, 2008 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Macha to the Brewers as manager
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Oct 18, 2008 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ellis resigns...I cheated
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Oct 19, 2008 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wood to the Brewers!
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 17, 2008 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
is that a yay, or a nay?
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Oct 17, 2008 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's a "The Cubs fan base will crucify him"!
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2008 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know where Bradley would be playing in LAA???
DId you have him taking over the DH role?
Women and children can be careless, but not men!
by MMunoz33 on Oct 18, 2008 6:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
or if GA is gone
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Oct 18, 2008 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
RE: Key '09 Free Agents: Where Will They Go?
Sabathia: Giants
Giants want to make a big FA splash to fix the Zito blunder…. they pay bi bucks to land the local boy and move Cain + others to bring in Fielder.
Teixeira: Orioles
Angelos opens the pocketbook to bring in the best bat on the market who doubles as another local boy going home.
Manny: Dodgers
No way they don’t resign him. The Dodgers will pay any amount to keep him in LA
K-Rod: Mets
They don’t have the prospects to make a move to bring in a legit closer, so they’ll throw money at the best closer in the game
Burnett- Yankees
The Yanks will be throwing money around to try and get back to the postseason ASAP.
Sheets- Phillies
They will lose the series b/c they don’t have enough starting pitching, which will lead them to adding Sheets.
Lowe- Dodgers
Was their best starter this postseason and they will want to bring back a team they thought should have gone to the World Series.
Dunn: Angels
Bring in the next biggest power bat after losing Teixeira.
Giambi: A’s
Giambi’s stock is down and the A’s need power.
Fuentes: Indians
Indians still think they’re a bullpen away from contention.
Furcal: Cardinals
SS is a major hole on this team, and Dodgers have Hu waiting to take over for Furcal.
Burrell: Phillies
He loves it there, they love him. They find a way to make it happen.
by jclay09 on Oct 17, 2008 1:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The popular choices:
Sabathia: Yankees
Teixeira: Yankees
K-Rod: Mets
Manny: Red Sox (just kidding) Mets/Dodgers
Up in the air:
Burnett- Mets
Giambi: A’s
Fuentes: Brewers
Furcal: Who knows?
Lowe: Dodgers (or maybe the Padres??? if they trade Peavy)
Throw it out there:
Sheets- Braves (Unless they land Peavy)
Dunn: Angels
Burrell: maybe Dodgers, if they lose out on Manny?
witty remark
by dtownmbrown on Oct 17, 2008 4:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Dunn to the Halos makes sense, if they lose out on Tex, and find a solid 1B...
Vlad can DH and Dunn can take right field.
witty remark
by dtownmbrown on Oct 17, 2008 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is free agency a draft with Yankees always going 1st, 2nd, 3rd ...
until their lawyers getting too tired from signing contracts?
then Red Sox go, then Mets go, then the Angels go.
by asfansince1989 on Oct 17, 2008 4:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think it will be that this year. They've got about $125M to spend.
Their main problem is going to be management resources, ie. how many negotiations can Cashman do at once.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 17, 2008 6:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought it was more like 70MM to spend for the Yanks
Carlos and Victor Zambrano have exactly the same number of career postseason wins. Who would have thought?
by Blicks on Oct 17, 2008 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
They've got $75MM coming off the payroll in Pettitte, Mussina, Giambi, Pavano and Abreu
Plus a new stadium that is likely to increase revenues massively. It wouldn’t surprise me if they had a $300M payroll next year. The problem isn’t that they don’t have $300M to spend, it’s that there aren’t enough players to take it.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 17, 2008 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Their current contracts for 2009:
A-Rod $32m
Jeter $20m
Rivera $15m
Posada $13.1m
Damon $13m
Matsui $13m
Cano $6m
Molina $2m
Arbi
Wang ($4m)
Nady ($3.35m)
Buyouts:
Giambi $5m
Pavano $1.95m
Marte $.25m
That’s a total of close to $135m for 10 players, plus a few others who will make minimum wage … they have a TON of money to spend …
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
by devo on Oct 17, 2008 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My prediction:
Sabathia
Burnett
Sheets
Lowe
Furcal
Giambi
Texeira
Manny
Dunn
Burrell
All to the A’s.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Oct 17, 2008 6:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
You're insane.
No way the A’s go after Lowe.
I'm here to talk about the past.
by 67MARQUEZ on Oct 17, 2008 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Those are two interesting points
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Oct 18, 2008 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
burneTT
shEEts
maNNy
duNN
buRReLL
all to the Twins
sAbAthiA
furcAl
giAmbi
texeirA
all to the A’s
Lowe…doing home improvement
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Oct 17, 2008 6:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
In an Ideal World
K-Rod stays with Angels for 200 million per.
They cannot sign Teixeira.
Vladdy needs knee surgery
Gary Matthews bats 3rd
Torii Hunter scales the wall in ST and disappears
Mike Scioscia eats too much Pizza on off-season and doesn’t show up
Lackey has sex with a bull and gets trampled
The A’s young pitching arrives early and throws 5 no hitters against Angels during course of year
Bobby Crosby gets bit by a rattler in ST and his left foot is amputated
Hannahan is traded to Anaheim for a small rock from the rockpile
I think we are in good shape
May The Red Sox and all their fans get food poisoning and all collectively crap their pants
by Trainman on Oct 17, 2008 7:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Unless we re-sign Embree
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Oct 17, 2008 8:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I forgot about him
I was so overjoyed with Crosby being snake bit and Hannahan traded for a rock that I let Embree slip on by.
May The Red Sox and all their fans get food poisoning and all collectively crap their pants
by Trainman on Oct 17, 2008 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would be happy with just:
The Lackey scenario!!!!
HAHA!!!
Women and children can be careless, but not men!
by MMunoz33 on Oct 18, 2008 6:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Angels sign Mike Timlin and Alan Embree.
Carlos and Victor Zambrano have exactly the same number of career postseason wins. Who would have thought?
by Blicks on Oct 18, 2008 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think they've learned their lesson after Justin Speier
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2008 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I must have to say I'm a little dissapointed
For all the talk on here thats been about who the big free agent (that Beane said he will sign) will be that we bring in this year, there weren’t many contributers that predicted Oakland would sign one of the “big” free agents. I applaud the few that stuck to there guns and were not being hypocritic by predicting the signing of a Furcal or Giambi. With that being said I don’t believe it will happen, it’s one of those things that I will believe it when I see it. History has shown that BB doesn’t like to bring in high priced free agents. I don’t think we will sign Giambi and if we do I think it will be a mistake. Obviously we all know JG is not what he used to be, and lets keep in mind his numbers in NY have been inflated with the short porch in right. What is he going to do in the pitching friendly confines in Oakland?? Oakland gets a 10 mill. a year .240 hitter, 15 HR, and 60 RBI guy. BB can spend the teams money more wisely than that. Even if Giambi would put up decent numbers he is not we are looking for, we have some left handed pop in our lineup, we need to had a right handed bat in this lineup. We have a farm system that is loaded with prospects, I would much rather see a trade of a few of our prospects for a “legitimate” bat that might increase our salary rather than signing one of the available free agents this off season. With that being said, I would hate to see a Cahill or Anderson be traded, but I think we can swing a deal for a really good player without having to give up either one of those guys. Although a potential FA I wouldn’t mind seeing in Oakland, as long as it’s at reasonable salary, is Burrell. He just seems like a BB guy and a guy that pay off huge dividends for us. I’m sure there are som huge holes in my theories and I’m sure several of you will be quick to point out the holes in my theories, but I enjoyed rambling on anyway. Here’s to the A’s in ’09!!
by bdemartin on Oct 17, 2008 9:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I would expect Giambi to hit more than 15 HRs if he played for the A's
He’s still good for 25 HR and that would be second on the A’s this year, 10 ahead of the rest. Put another way, he would immediately become the A’s best hitter – anyone who slots in as your best hitter is a pretty good addition.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Oct 17, 2008 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You might be right, but...
The only way he gets those AB’s is by taking away AB’s from Cust who is our leading HR hitter. At least that’s assuming you don’t want Giambi playing 1st, because I don’t, he is way too much of a liability in the field. So thinking about it that way, he is not really adding to anything we have, unless we somehow get rid of Cust. It would be like adding half of a Cust for 10 mill.
And I know what you are thinking, play Cust in the field and let Giambi DH, but I don’t think that will benefit this team in the long run, because all that does is take AB’s from our young OF’s, CGon, Sweeney, Cunningham, Buck, we already have a crowded OF, why bother throwing Cust into the mix. I know Burrell also plays OF but at least he could add some pop from the right side of the plate.
I love Giambi, I really think sometimes people forget just how GREAT of a hitter he was in Oakland, but right now, for this team, he’s not the guy we need, imo.
by bdemartin on Oct 17, 2008 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he were signed I'd put him at 1B and Barton in AAA till he proved he's too good for AAA
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2008 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
at least 25 HR's was what I was thinking.
I’m pretty sure Giambi has at least one more year of 30 HR pop in him.
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Oct 18, 2008 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bobby Crosby is finally going to put it all together and
show you (ANers) that Peter Gammons was dead on the money “bout ole Bobby” !!!
BoCro will bat third and BB will bring back Emeal to bat cleanup and “DH”
Women and children can be careless, but not men!
by MMunoz33 on Oct 18, 2008 6:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Designated Hater?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Oct 18, 2008 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
are you serious, or joking?
i sure hope you’re joking
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Oct 18, 2008 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's suggesting that Emil Brown bat cleanup
You decide…
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Oct 18, 2008 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
well he did do it 93 times this year...
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Oct 18, 2008 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blame Geren, Beane, and Bernanke!
What do we do with Crosby? Well, in my neighborhood, trash goes out on Mondays. ~ Nico
by MMunoz33 on Oct 18, 2008 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Canada
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2008 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wonder if
the A’s would take a flyer on Pavano, or bring back Kotsay possibly to play first base even
Let's have our Piazza and eat the Cust too - SPWC
by closetasfan on Oct 18, 2008 9:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Depends on how much that flyer would cost the A's.....
Pavano’s “Yankee Flyer” cost them a pretty penny!
Kotsay coming back seems outta the rebuilding equation because it’s taking AB’s away from the youngsters.
I still do not understand why Brown wasn’t DFA?
"What do we do with Crosby? Well, in my neighborhood, trash goes out on Mondays." ~ Nico
by MMunoz33 on Oct 18, 2008 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's hard to DFA your team's RBI leader?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2008 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the R.B.I. leader was
Cust, then Crosby, then DFA…
"What do we do with Crosby? Well, in my neighborhood, trash goes out on Mondays." ~ Nico
by MMunoz33 on Oct 19, 2008 6:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My turn
Sabathia – Angels
Burnett – Yankees
Sheets – Blue Jays
Lowe – Rangers
K-Rod – Mets
Fuentes – Cardinals
Furcal – White Sox
Giambi – Angels (A’s don’t even kick the tires!)
Teixiera – Yankees
Ramirez – Dodgers (Blez’s hometown knowledge convinces me.)
Dunn – Mets (Toughest pick, I can see the Giants making a play here.)
Burrell – Phillies (He’s already said he’d prefer to stay.)
Trades:
Peavy to the Cardinals
Greinke to the Braves
Street to the Rays (Tampa makes a run at K-Rod but NY $$$ makes them come to their senses.)
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Oct 18, 2008 10:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
You have the A's signing... nobody?
That’s pessimistic even by AN standards. They’re going to sign someone, maybe not one of the 4 or 5 biggest names but Beane and Wolff have both said that the state of the offense is unacceptable.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Oct 18, 2008 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not necessarily
If Tex somehow stays in LA then the A’s might take a pass at Giambi.
Besides, I only listed the same 12 FA’s nsj wants to pick on. Blake, Abreu and Ibanez (a guy the A’s liked a few years back and we know how Beane nurses his crushes) are still available!
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Oct 18, 2008 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So is Rivera
I don’t see any way the A’s sign any of the “Big 12”.
"Some of the men didn't wait for the women and children to jump off the sinking ship that is our season." - 67MARQUEZ
by notsellingjeans on Oct 18, 2008 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
except Giambi
And he’s not really one of the best 12 free agents if we’re looking at their life-of-the-contract value.
"Some of the men didn't wait for the women and children to jump off the sinking ship that is our season." - 67MARQUEZ
by notsellingjeans on Oct 18, 2008 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Furcal probably isn't one of the "Big 12" either.
If you’re looking at size of contract that will be given. His injuries have really lowered his stock; he won’t get more than 1-2 years.
Big 12: not in any specific order.
1. CC
2. Tex
3. Manny
4. K-Rod
5. Sheets
6. Burnett
7. Fuentes
8. Dunn
9. Burrell
10. Lowe
11. Oliver Perez
12. Garland
Carlos and Victor Zambrano have exactly the same number of career postseason wins. Who would have thought?
by Blicks on Oct 18, 2008 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry
Furcal is guaranteed to get more than 1-2 years. Look at the lack of FA options at the position.
"Some of the men didn't wait for the women and children to jump off the sinking ship that is our season." - 67MARQUEZ
by notsellingjeans on Oct 18, 2008 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
or the general lack of talent at the position
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Oct 18, 2008 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
the Yanks only get one top FA? steinbrenner said he's probably going to try to get at least two of them
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Oct 18, 2008 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Burnett + Teixiera
And the rumor is the Yankees want to sign 2 of Sabs, Lowe, Burnett.
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Oct 18, 2008 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
To the A's
Giambi would be a nice Pick, and I think Beane will make a play for him, but I think he doesn’t want to wear the Green and Gold again…
There is a name that would make sense for the A’s, NOMAR GARCIAPARRA, Injury prone, Can play 3rd and 1st, and he even played 31 games at SS this year, RH Bat, veteran looking for 2-3 years….
by Olijerez77 on Oct 18, 2008 10:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Nomar's production is not acceptable from a corner infield position
and his defense is not acceptable in the middle infield.
He really should retire at this point.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Oct 18, 2008 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aside from being an asshat that played for Boston, it's really too bad about Nomar.
He was on a HOF career path and got wrecked.
by mikev on Oct 18, 2008 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
**** happens
I feel bad for the guy, but that doesn’t mean I want him on my team.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Oct 18, 2008 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nor did I.
But as a baseball fan, it always sucks to see an elite level player fall off like that.
by mikev on Oct 18, 2008 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
what got him on that career path, though?
Nomar’s injuries and performance pre-to-post-2005 look slightly chemical at this point.
"Some of the men didn't wait for the women and children to jump off the sinking ship that is our season." - 67MARQUEZ
by notsellingjeans on Oct 18, 2008 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Based on what?
He’s had injury problems his entire career, missing time every year from 98 to 00 before a completely lost 2001. He got healthy for 02 and 03 but then missed half of 04. 2000, before a serious wrist injury cost him 2001 was his last great season. It looks to me like he just never recovered from that injury and since then has followed a relatively normal aging pattern.
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
by devo on Oct 18, 2008 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Forget Nomar, get Furcal
Furcal fits the A’s “injury-type” players meld.
More than one year for Nomar is overkill.
Carlos and Victor Zambrano have exactly the same number of career postseason wins. Who would have thought?
by Blicks on Oct 18, 2008 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My Mets fan friend showed me this, and I found this funny.
btw, i was randomly reading a message board of A’s fans who were trying to predict free agency next year. Every single one notes that the Mets will sign K-Rod, and they all lament that b/c as they put it "the A’s wont get to face the most overrated closer in baseball" who "is getting worse and worse and will blow a ton of saves next year"…….
Per MetsBlog (Mets fan site).
Carlos and Victor Zambrano have exactly the same number of career postseason wins. Who would have thought?
by Blicks on Oct 18, 2008 11:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
AN is not a mere "message board"
Remind me to crush the impudence out of this knave should I cross paths with him.
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Oct 18, 2008 11:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was probably Omar.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
by alox on Oct 18, 2008 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The bastard
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Oct 18, 2008 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How I see it:
Sabathia— Yankees
Sheets— Red Sox
Lowe— Cubs
Burnett— Yankees
K-Rod— Mets
Teixeira— Yankees
Abreu— A’s (think about it)
Furcal— Red Sox
Giambi— Rangers
Dunn— D-Backs
Manny— Dodgers
Burrell— Giants
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Oct 18, 2008 11:09 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Hm, I seem to have the Angels signing nobody
Let’s say they add Ryan Dempster and Casey Blake.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Oct 18, 2008 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You really want to keep that 83 win prediction, don't you?
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Oct 18, 2008 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, that would up them to about 86-87
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Oct 18, 2008 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dempster is worth 3-4 wins?
Too bad the Cubs won’t let him leave.
I like Blake but he’s 35, I’m not sure he’s got much left in the tank.
The monster at the end of this blog.
by grover on Oct 18, 2008 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Over Garland, yes.
Since Garland will probably leave, Dempster taking Garland’s spot will probably add 3-4 wins over Garland.
I really think he had a career year this year, and won’t replicate his stats next year.
Carlos and Victor Zambrano have exactly the same number of career postseason wins. Who would have thought?
by Blicks on Oct 18, 2008 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Abreu to the A's more than Giambi to the A's,
although him and Cust in the same OF should only count for one OF.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2008 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
they have roughly equivalent run value/600 PA's
and at least Abreu kind of plays defense, or at least plays a position other than DH. Not to mention, Abreu is a 20 HR hitter with high OBP and a knack for staying healthy, which unlike Giambi, is appealing. The more I think about it, the more I think Abreu makes more sense, except that his price is bound to be higher than Giambi’s.
'That's something we do...thirteen hits and not score'-Terrence Long
by DyeLongJustice on Oct 18, 2008 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Abreu is DHing in my scenario most of the time
You may or may not believe me on this, but Cust is actually a better outfielder.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Oct 19, 2008 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is Abreu worth a draft pick?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 20, 2008 2:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm glad you said that!
That’s something I wanted to mention in the FaNpOsT/diary, but forgot to: I was trying to make my projections in a way that all the big-market teams realistically spent some money.
When we all create our lists of top 10/top 12, it’s probably good to take a look and make sure that the Yankees grabbed at least one of them, same with the Mets, etc. You know what I mean?
"Some of the men didn't wait for the women and children to jump off the sinking ship that is our season." - 67MARQUEZ
by notsellingjeans on Oct 18, 2008 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nomar
I know you are right, but like Frank Thomas, Nomar is the type of players that Beane would sign, If you are thinking in Furcal, Burrell, Dunn, Teixeria etc please think again…
And maybe Nomar’s production is not acceptable from a corner infield position, but remember that we had Hannahan and Barton the whole year…A “HEALTHY” Nomar is a lock for a .800 OPS season…
by Olijerez77 on Oct 18, 2008 11:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Reasoning by false analogy
When have the A’s signed a player that “big” before? Never. But… when have the A’s had this much money to spend freely? Um, never.
I think they will at least attempt to sign a number of those guys. Not Teixeira.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on Oct 18, 2008 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why would anyone want to play for the A's?
They are probably not going to give you the most money, and they obviously aren’t a winning team at this point, I don’t think anyone actually realizes nobody wants to be here that is a marquee player.
by mattman on Oct 18, 2008 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's see:
- West Coast
- team on the rise, likely very good soon
- great clubhouse reputation
The chance to play for a good team in a good atmosphere in a good place to live. That’s three reasons right off the top.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Oct 18, 2008 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Those are three very good reasons
May The Red Sox and all their fans get food poisoning and all collectively crap their pants
by Trainman on Oct 18, 2008 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not really. If you're a premier FA, there's only one good reason.
Unless your A-Rod apparently.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2008 3:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What about my A-Rod?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Oct 18, 2008 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's see:
the sporting world is run off of the east coast
in a what have you done for me lately the A’s aren’t good
chemistry only means something if you are a winning ball club
by mattman on Oct 18, 2008 1:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is it possible that you have the A's confused with:
the Oakland Raiders???
"What do we do with Crosby? Well, in my neighborhood, trash goes out on Mondays." ~ Nico
by MMunoz33 on Oct 18, 2008 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's a succinct rebuttal, mattman:
Plenty of West Coast teams have signed competitive free agents, the A’s figure to win in the near future, and point three is covered by point two.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Oct 18, 2008 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure, but when has a premier FA taken less money to play on the West Coast?
In fact Damon, Giambi and Foulke all took similar offers to play on the East Coast despite having experienced the ambience of A.
Also what premier FA cares about winning in 2010?
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2008 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think plenty of FAs can look more than one year ahead,
especially if they’re signing a 4-5 year deal. Carl Crawford is an example of a player who wanted to stay in Tampa Bay even when they were in last place, believing (correctly as it turned out) that they would be good.
As for FAs taking less money to play on the West Coast, I think it’s more a matter of taking the same money. And when the offers are competitive I think the quality of the city (where the Bay Area rates well) and the quality of the organization and its track record of winning (where the A’s rate well) are factors.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Oct 18, 2008 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It really doesn't matter to a player what coast they are going to play on,
the two things they mainly care about are: playing for a world series caliber or winning ball club and money.
by mattman on Oct 18, 2008 8:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I there is a coast that rules the sporting world, it is the east coast.
Does that mean the A’s can’t sign a marquee player, of course not. My point is merely that east coast west coast, none of this really matters. This is simply not an attractive team to play for and we can’t pay as much as the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Mets and pratically all of the other teams in the league besides a select group.
by mattman on Oct 18, 2008 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
+10,000
Why would anyone not wanna come to the NorCal baby?
by mrod on Oct 18, 2008 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This was meant to support the "pro" west coast theory by the way
As far as the A’s not being a team that a marquee FA not wanting to come and play for? Try this…
First thing: The bay area is one of, if not the nicest, places to live, anywhere. Climate, entertainment, food, and the unmistakable coolness and laid back vibe that is Northern California.
Second: There is a reason that the A’s have been a very competitive team this decade, give or take a few seasons so far………..Billy Beane.
Third: The A’s have both money to spend and a nice collection of talent coming thru the ranks. Plus it isn’t that far fetched that with a few stealth moves in the off season, a little luck on the injury side of things (gasps!), and some good performances from said talent in the ranks, the A’s just might be a nice looking place to sign on for as a FA for a few years……..to win and make money.
There you go champ! Go A’s!!!!!!!!
by mrod on Oct 18, 2008 11:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think most are working under the assumption ...
that the A’s would be paying fair market value for any top talent they might sign. Not overpaying, like, say, Colorado for Mike Hampton or Texas for Chan Ho Park, but paying fair market value.
I think BB could make a reasonably good case that the team was bound for contention last year, but injuries derailed the season and that when the team gets back to form in 09 and 10, the big name free agent will be seen as the hero and potential MVP candidate.
“nobody wants to be here that is a marquee player.”
Based on? The A’s have pursued two big time free agents during BB’s tenure — Giambi and Foulke. Giambi ended up signing for about 50% more money than BB offered and Foulke got more money, too and ended up coming back to Oakland.
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
by devo on Oct 18, 2008 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You say that last bit like it's a good thing.
:-(
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Oct 18, 2008 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It shows that he didn't have anything against playing in Oakland ...
though Oakland probably should have had something against playing him.
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
by devo on Oct 18, 2008 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He did state when he left that he wanted to play for a championship team
The A’s also made a competitive offer to Damon and were left at the altar, and they had to sign Chris Singleton.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2008 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that was just a PR move, since just taking the money doesn't exactly sound good ...
I didn’t recall the A’s making an effort to get Damon … and I can’t find any old articles reflecting that … I assume the Red Sox still offered more … and, besides, Damon is a douche … he’s a special case …
"It's for your own good. Big strong Devo knows whats best for Poppy" -- Mossback
by devo on Oct 18, 2008 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
BBeane needs to sign Rickey Henderson...
and have him coach third base with #24 back in the green and gold!
Kurt Suzuki can give up the number outta respect.
That’s Oakland’s 2008 free agent signing that I’m excited to see brought in!
"What do we do with Crosby? Well, in my neighborhood, trash goes out on Mondays." ~ Nico
by MMunoz33 on Oct 18, 2008 12:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He needs to be hitting coach AND 3B coach.
Carlos and Victor Zambrano have exactly the same number of career postseason wins. Who would have thought?
by Blicks on Oct 18, 2008 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And SS
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
by Nico on Oct 18, 2008 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think of Rickey more as #35.
It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver
by WaddellCanseco on Oct 18, 2008 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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