Alex Rios claimed on waivers by ... ?

by RyanFromBonas on Aug 7, 2009 5:18 PM PDT

Buster Olney reported this afternoon that Jays OF and former Beane man-crush Alex Rios has been claimed on waivers by an unknown team.

Various reports have said neither the Giants, Red Sox nor the Mets are among the teams. The A's would have one of the first shots at Rios, at least among AL teams.

The Jays are looking at dumping salary and have three options at this point:
1) Let the claiming team take over the remaining 60MM on his contract, dumping a boatload of salary but receiving nothing in return.
2) Retract the claim and keep him for the rest of 2009.
3) Work out a deal with the claiming team, which, if it's A's, would have to include Toronto taking in decent chunk of the 60 MM.

I know we already have a logjam of OF for the next handful of years and Rios is currently in a down year at 1.25 WAR from his former 5.0. However, he's still young and in his supposed peak years. While coming to a pitcher's park would do him no favors, depending on how much Toronto picked up, I don't think this would be a bad buy-low lotto ticket to purchase.

What would a package include? Probably Buck, who needs a change of scenery like Mischa Barton needs rehab. Speaking of Barton's, I wouldn't be shocked to see Daric in such a deal as well. Maybe Sweeney, who would be SOL upon Rios' arrival. Or perhaps Cunningham?

Purely speculation, but wanted to get others' thoughts.

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Interesting. I'd be surprised if it was the A's due to Rios' behemoth (at least for the A's) contract

It would definitely be a buy low opportunity. Rios currently sports a wOBA of .325, but ZiPS projects it to be about .347 from here on out. He’s got a BABIP about .30 points less than his career average, and his value according to FanGraphs has taken a hit this year due to his defense.

However, UZR is prone to severe fluxes over the short term, so it’s best to go by career numbers when looking at UZR. In chronological order, his defense has been worth 17.4, 8.4, 9.3, 8.9, 23.9, 0.0 RAR. He’s probably not a 4 WAR based on his defense alone, but he’s probably above average. It would definitely be realistic to expect that to return to about 10 RAR.

RyanFromBonas referred to the logjam of OF we have next year. Currently, out outfield depth chart probably looks like this:
Hairson LF-CF
Sweeney CF-RF
Davis CF
Cust RF (Could easily be permanent DH…actually should probably never ever see the field)
Here’s where it gets iffy
Cunningham (not in Oakland because there aren’t any spots for him to play every day)
Buck RF (not sure what he did but it’s anyone’s guess if he’ll get another chance in Oakland)
Doolittle (this year might as well be a lost year for him – I’d like to see him get another year to develop before throwing him out there)

I’d like to see Cunningham get a chance, as well as Buck next year, but the A’s may not be sold on either of them. If they don’t think they will perform well, perhaps it was the A’s that claimed him, but I’d be surprised.

I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing an outfield of Rios in RF, Davis in CF, Hairston in LF, with Sweeney as the 4th OF and Cust DHing full time.

by NateHST on Aug 7, 2009 5:48 PM PDT reply actions

+ this

I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing an outfield of Rios in RF, Davis in CF, Hairston in LF, with Sweeney as the 4th OF and Cust DHing full time.

The only problem is what would we have to give up? If they just let him go I am all for it, (even with his contract) but if they want something like Vin+Buck+3rd round pick I would not do that.

PREPAREDNESS_Because those goddamn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves

by adragon on Aug 7, 2009 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions

3rd round pick???

Solace: Law says he's a fourth OFer
PaulThomas: I think Keith Law is only a fourth analyst

by hero66 on Aug 7, 2009 7:20 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't know, I was just thinking of what they might ask for

I would do it for Buck/Sweeny + 3rd round pick

Hell I would even throw in Springer/Casilla, (crappy RP of there choice)

PREPAREDNESS_Because those goddamn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves

by adragon on Aug 7, 2009 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions

You're not allowed to trade draft picks

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Aug 7, 2009 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions

+1 (for NateHST's 2010 OF of Hairston, Davis & Rios)

- 1 for the fact that, in addition to not being able to trade draft picks, adragon didn’t realize his contract is worth 60MM when picking him up.

http://www.myspace.com/ryanmac10

by RyanFromBonas on Aug 7, 2009 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions

I know the numbers

That is why I don’t think the A’s would take him

PREPAREDNESS_Because those goddamn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves

by adragon on Aug 7, 2009 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions

my bad

PREPAREDNESS_Because those goddamn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves

by adragon on Aug 7, 2009 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions

maybe it's the giants considering brian sabean almost traded LINCECUM for the guy...

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones."
-BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Aug 7, 2009 5:58 PM PDT reply actions

oh, "neither"

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones."
-BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Aug 7, 2009 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions

It's more likely someone claimed him to block a trade

You know, like the White Sox claiming him to block a trade to the Tigers.

by ozzman99 on Aug 7, 2009 6:28 PM PDT reply actions

Where does it say

that the Giants would not be the team to claim him, all it said on espn.com was that the Giants went after him a couple of years ago but didn’t want to give up Lincecum. Show the link and then i’ll believe you.

by duballers23 on Aug 7, 2009 6:36 PM PDT reply actions

Says it on MLBTR

Solace: Law says he's a fourth OFer
PaulThomas: I think Keith Law is only a fourth analyst

by hero66 on Aug 7, 2009 6:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Bobby Evans, VP of Baseball Operations for the Giants, “Hinted Strongly”, that the Giants did not claim Rios.

www.mlbtraderumors.com

by ByrnesWhenIPeavy on Aug 7, 2009 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions

He did not get through the AL

PREPAREDNESS_Because those goddamn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves

by adragon on Aug 7, 2009 7:10 PM PDT up reply actions

I’d love to see the A’s claim, and get Rios…

by ByrnesWhenIPeavy on Aug 7, 2009 6:59 PM PDT reply actions

MLB TV says he was claimed by an AL team

he did not make it to the NL

PREPAREDNESS_Because those goddamn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves

by adragon on Aug 7, 2009 7:00 PM PDT reply actions

Not the Mariners either.

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Aug 7, 2009 7:01 PM PDT reply actions

Three teams that I think would pick him up

1) KC, (they get first crack and they need OF help)
2) DET, (they were looking for a hitter at the trade deadline)
3) BOS, (he is a huge upgrade over J. D. Drew and the don’t care about the money)

PREPAREDNESS_Because those goddamn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves

by adragon on Aug 7, 2009 7:02 PM PDT reply actions

I wouldn’t be surprised at all if KC claimed him…

by ByrnesWhenIPeavy on Aug 7, 2009 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions

I would be suprised if it was the A's because of his contract

PREPAREDNESS_Because those goddamn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves

by adragon on Aug 7, 2009 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions

KC can't pay him though..

"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."

by lenscrafters on Aug 8, 2009 12:00 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm guessing it's the Yankees

Granted, the Tigers need corner OF help worse than the Yankees do, but you have to figure the Tigers are feeling overextended financially, even if they are fortunate enough to have an owner who is willing to lose money to win.

Reasons why I think Yanks:
*They did virtually nothing at the deadline. And Cashman was more vocal than anyone with his public comments that “this year’s July 31st deadline is more soft than ever before, because of all the players that will be available on waivers.”
*The Yankees are the team that can best assert their leverage by taking on other team’s onerous contracts. Rios’ contract is bad for the Jays, but not really bad for a $205M payroll team.
*They have $40 million coming off the books this offseason, including $26 million in corner outfielders (Matsui & Damon). Rios could be acquired with an eye toward replacing those guys.
*They never really intended Swisher to be their starting RF; they acquired him prior to Nady being out for the year. Getting Rios would give them the luxury of making Swisher an outstanding “10 starter”/4th outfielder, which is a nice answer to all the bench depth the Red Sox have added.
*It allows the Yankees to stay out of the Holliday bidding if they don’t want to, or if the bidding for him gets insane from the Mets/Cardinals/Angels. With Rios, the Yanks have the luxury to take a pass on Holliday, and enter the year with Gardner/Melky/Swisher/Rios/Austin Jackson(?) as their 5 outfielders, even if they eschew the outfield Free Agent crop altogether. That’s a nice luxury to have.
*Swisher has obviously re-built some value this season. The Yanks could once again use him as trade bait this offseason, given the depth Rios helps create.

The more I think about it, the more I think it’s the Yanks.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Aug 7, 2009 7:12 PM PDT reply actions

The did get Swisher before Nady, but they also got him before Tiexiera

Dating girls is like starting pitching depth, you think you have a good full rotation, even too many starters, then in an instant as soon as you trade your depth away injuries decimate your rotation and you are forced to start Sidney Ponson.

by designatedforassignment on Aug 7, 2009 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Say it ain't so

If the A’s have the money to pick up Rios’ contract, why didn’t they pay a few MM more per year and sign Texeira last winter? Rios’ numbers the last 1 1/2 yrs are appalling, consdering what his salary is. He looks like an above average player maing superstar money

by batterbatter on Aug 7, 2009 7:26 PM PDT reply actions

A. Rios is a studish -

Let the Bluejays eat 1/3 to 1/2 and I would take him….we’re sheddin cash next season and its time for this team to spend some cash. Its not like its coming out of your pocket or mine….Spend the cash, get a stud – give them trash in return. doubles machine – 5 tool player.
Would rather have him then sweeney, buck, or whatever trash we throughout there

by ryanmoser on Aug 7, 2009 7:34 PM PDT reply actions

really?

In 6 seasons, Rios only has 1 season where he hit more than 20 dingers. His salary is low this year but moving forward, his contract becomes an albatross tied around this team for years to come. If he can hit .280 with 25 HRs, he’s worth the money. But he hasn’t prove he can do that.

by batterbatter on Aug 7, 2009 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Bring him in!

I agree Beane and JP can work out that the Jays pickup 40-50% of the deal and ‘s trade a couple prospects…win-win deal IMO. No decent FA’s will come here unless the A’s overpay anyways. Stick Rios in CF which would be a huge upgrade.

by Asfan4ever723 on Aug 7, 2009 8:00 PM PDT reply actions

for the entire contract?

The Jaya aren’t chipping in 30-40M as incentives for another team to take him. They’d rather roll the dice with Rios than to pay 30M to the A’s.

by batterbatter on Aug 7, 2009 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Olney now says that the White Sox are the “most likely” team to have made the claim.

The artist formerly known as HigherPie.

by vegAN ryAN on Aug 7, 2009 8:11 PM PDT reply actions

I doubt the whitesoxs have the prospects for Rios

s/p the Peavy trade + with a tone of large contract. But they do need a CF -

Bring him to Oakland!

by ryanmoser on Aug 7, 2009 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions

they do have thome/dye as FA's

so they will need some offense

but would they commit to taking on 100+ mill in contracts for peavy/rios?

by Asfan4ever723 on Aug 7, 2009 10:13 PM PDT reply actions

Kenny Williams doesn't always make the logical moves.

So, who knows.

"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT

by travdog6 on Aug 7, 2009 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions

+1!!!! KW the idiot mittens GM will most likely give up Beckham for him or something.

by PL78 on Aug 7, 2009 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions

KW: Most underrated GM on AN?

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 Aug 8, 2009 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions

He's a good GM

but every now a move that makes everyone scratch their heads.

"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT

by travdog6 on Aug 8, 2009 5:17 PM PDT up reply actions

I totally agree with that

Your analysis, which I think is fair, is very different from the “ZOMG he’s such a moran!!!111” I often see here. Apparently, fielding a playoff team half the time, including a World Championship, and being in the thick of the race again this year is the work of an idiot.

I mean among teams that don’t spend ridiculously, you have the Marlins, who win a WS but then blow the team up and suck for years, and you have the A’s/Twins, who can’t get to that point, and you have the White Sox, who win a WS, are back to the playoffs soon after, and now continue to be decent going forward.

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 Aug 8, 2009 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Yup.

I think a lot of us (well, at least me) fall into the trap of grading a GM on a few bad moves and ignoring the good ones. And Kenny Williams has made a LOT of good moves. But things like the Swisher trade make me instantly forget about those, and grade Williams (and others) unfairly.

"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT

by travdog6 on Aug 8, 2009 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions

So then...

what were his “good moves”? Quentin for Chrisr Carter? uhhh Carters about to make that move look bad. What else?

by PL78 on Aug 11, 2009 1:02 AM PDT up reply actions

Just because Carter might work out,

doesn’t mean it was a bad move. It helped them contend, and props to him for buying low. Look at the year they won the series. Lots of good pickups for that year. Vazquez comes to mind. Freddy Garcia for Gavin Floyd/Gio was a good trade too.

"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT

by travdog6 on Aug 11, 2009 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions

It's nice to have a $100M payroll in a mediocre division, though.

The White Sox and Twins have a perpetually easier path to the playoffs than the A’s, and an easier path than quite a few teams (the “other three” of the AL East, the Royals, the A’s…)

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Aug 9, 2009 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions

So Im alone in not wanting an expensive OFer with a hole in his swing and terrible defense???

Ill take Raj over this clown any damn day of the week..

by PL78 on Aug 7, 2009 11:23 PM PDT reply actions

Like seriously people, Rios isnt very good at baseball, at all.

Id rather we spend $60M on things we need not bad players who would block better ones.

by PL78 on Aug 7, 2009 11:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Correction: He isn't very good at baseball THIS year.

The past three years, Rios has been a very good baseball player. It seems like a lot of his offensive problems this year is luck related and he projects well going forward. And he’s only 28.

"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."

by lenscrafters on Aug 8, 2009 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree

Before all star break last year he was a +5WAR player

PREPAREDNESS_Because those goddamn zombies aren’t going to kill themselves

by adragon on Aug 8, 2009 12:16 AM PDT up reply actions

Im betting these “good years” were outliers and he never comes close to them again.

by PL78 on Aug 9, 2009 6:58 PM PDT up reply actions

What?

Bad defense? Most people seem to agree that Rios is a CF playing RF. UZR agrees with the eyes: Rios has never put up a negative UZR over a full season.

Holes in his swing? Rios K’s 17.6% of the time. You know who’s K% is similar? Raj. He’s at 17.9%.

Expensive? Ok, you got me there. But guess what? Rios has been worth 12.1, 18.9, and 24.6 million the previous 3 years.

I would LOVE if the A’s could somehow pick him up. And, guys, I really hope Raj continues hitting as well as he has, but he’s not that good. He’s exciting but he’s a nice 4th OF. Not more. Rios is.

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by vignette17 on Aug 8, 2009 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions

A's well stocked with 4th outfielders -- Rios is big upgrade

This guy is the full package: defense, offense, speed, power. The last OF in the A’s organization with those skills was Ethier. Just because the A’s have a bunch of guys with OF gloves doesn’t mean they are everyday MLB worthy.

by BlueMoon on Aug 8, 2009 6:34 AM PDT reply actions