The greatest time of the year will be coming to a close today; the baseball winter meetings. Ben Cherington has shown the new philosophy of the team going forward is to overpay for less years and it has caused a divide in the fan base. Let's take a gander at the signings so far:
DH David Ortiz 2/$26mil (escalators to turn it to $30mil)
C David Ross 2/$6.2mil
OF Jonny Gomes 2/$10mil
1B/C/DH Mike Napoli 3/$39mil
OF Shane Victorino 3/$39mil
What I love about all these deals - short term. Yes they overpaid for every single one of these guys, but the franchise is not handcuffed for the future.
[Another thing I love, Victorino turned down Cleveland's offer of a guaranteed 4th year and $5mil more to sign with Boston. He will be making more per season, but in baseball, guys tend to go for the longer contracts and the most money. This makes me love the "Flying Hawaiian" right off the bat-pun intended.]
The main point of this post is this; all the spin is that the Red Sox signed Victorino because they wanted a center fielder to play right field. But what if this deal turns out to be a part of a bigger plan for the team going into 2013 (and beyond)? There is a lot of talk going on about how the presence of Victorino now makes Jacoby Ellsbury expendable in a trade for pitching. Let's say a trade does come to fruition. Let's also say that Philadelphia doesn't sign Michael Bourn and they want a leadoff hitting center fielder. Cliff Lee is owed $75mil over the next 3 years and he was put on waivers last season (I know every team puts most every guy on waivers). I think you see where I'm going with this. Philadelphia has 3 pitchers right now who make over $20mil and Ryan Howard's contract is looking worse with each injury. Shedding Lee's salary would help the team financially and also give them a shot at re-upping Ellsbury at the end of the year, or even just take the draft pick if he walks.
So, in this hypothetical world where Boston trades Jacoby Ellsbury to Philadelphia for Cliff Lee, the rotation now looks like
1) Lee
2) Buchholz
3) Lester
4) Lackey
5) Doubront
But wait, now you have a hole to fill in right field since Victorino will be moving to center. Well, as luck would have it, on Monday Ben Cherington and John Farrell met with Josh Hamilton. What makes this even more intriguing of a story, is Farrell said in an interview that is planning to go meet with John Lackey in Texas in the next week or so. You know who also lives in Texas? That's right, Josh Hamilton. The team doesn't want to commit to long term contracts, but they are willing to overpay (as stated above). How about an overpay of 4/$112mil with an option for a 5th year? No way Texas will match that kind of offer. By signing Hamilton, you then have a line-up that could potentially look like this:
CF Victorino
2B Pedroia
RF Hamilton
1B Napoli
DH Ortiz
3B Middlebrooks
LF Gomes (vs lefties) / Nava vs righties
C Saltalamacchia / Ross
SS Iglesias
Wow. Everyone in the top 5 of the order has protection behind them. They will see pitches to hit and put up some absolutely gaudy numbers.
*I will admit, when the offseason began, I wanted no part of Hamilton because I thought it would take a 6 or 7 year pact. Now that I see that will not happen and the Ben's way of doing business, I love the idea of the former MVP in Boston more and more.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Friday, November 9, 2012
(Knuckle)Balls to the Wall
I definitely have a soft spot in my heart for anyone who throws a knuckleball. Maybe it's because I have the velocity in my throwing arm of a new born baby, or maybe it's because in MLB 2004 for Playstation I struck out many a foe with Tim Wakefield's Bugs Bunny-like pitch. Whatever the reason, I find the pitch fascinating and love to see it. If you could not yet tell by the title and opening to this post, it is about R.A. Dickey.
After his stellar CY Young-worthy 2012 season, the New York Mets are currently trying to work out a long-term deal with the pitcher. The team picked up his $5million option for 2013, but would like to have him for the long haul. According to "sources," the Mets are low balling the pitcher and want him to sign a team friendly deal. Here is the caveat, Dickey is 37 years old and has made a "modest" $8.6million in his career. He deserves a big payday, and the cash strapped Mets cannot afford to give him one along with franchise cornerstone David Wright.
The Mets are reportedly going to listen to offers on the knuckleballer, and some in the industry believe this is merely a ploy by GM Sandy Alderson to scare Dickey into signing a team friendly contract. Either way, it is being reported that the Mets primarily want help at the catcher and outfield positions and the Red Sox can definitely offer something enticing to the team from Queens. Here is what I would offer to the Mets (and I must preface this by saying, I'm very disappointed that the team bought Jason Bay out from his deal because the salary relief Boston could have offered the Mets could have gotten a deal done quicker).
C Ryan Lavarnway
OF Ryan Kalish
OF Brandon Jacobs
SP Stolmy Pimentel
SP Noe Ramirez
1) The package begins with power hitting catcher Ryan Lavarnway who is ready to play everyday. He may not last at catcher, but he would certainly be number one on their depth chart.
2) In his debut season, Kalish showed flashes of brilliance in the field. This past year, it appeared right field at Fenway ate him up and may have diminished his confidence. Kalish could play centerfield for the Mets and has the speed to steal 15-20 bases if given chances. In his minor league career, Kalish had a line of .279/.366/.429. All very respectable.
3) Brandon Jacobs once used to be one of Boston's most talked about prospects, but with the emergence of Jackie Bradley Jr. and Bryce Brentz, plus word that Xander Boegarts may need to move to an outfield slot, Jacobs appears to be blocked and forgotten. Getting out of Boston's system may be the best thing for the talented young outfielder. In 4 minor league season, Jacobs has a line of .270/.341/.445 and he has a .972 fielding percentage primarily in left field.
3) Stolmy Pimentel is kind of like Jacobs. Once regarded as a future staple in Boston, he regressed once being promoted to double-A last season. The fact remains, Pimentel is still only 22 years old and has his best years ahead of him. He averages 7.3 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 with a 4.37.
4) Noe Ramirez is basically a throw in to show the Mets they will be receiving 3 of Boston's top 40 prospects. Ramirez was drafted in the 4th round of the 2011 draft and has upside, but like I said before, he is basically a throw in to help the Mets farm club.
I would love to see another knuckleballer on the Red Sox staff...especially one who throws faster and harder than Tim Wakefield. Just think, the team could have two knuckleballers on their staff with Dickey and minor leaguer Steven Wright (acquired from Cleveland for Lars Anderson in this past season).
After his stellar CY Young-worthy 2012 season, the New York Mets are currently trying to work out a long-term deal with the pitcher. The team picked up his $5million option for 2013, but would like to have him for the long haul. According to "sources," the Mets are low balling the pitcher and want him to sign a team friendly deal. Here is the caveat, Dickey is 37 years old and has made a "modest" $8.6million in his career. He deserves a big payday, and the cash strapped Mets cannot afford to give him one along with franchise cornerstone David Wright.
The Mets are reportedly going to listen to offers on the knuckleballer, and some in the industry believe this is merely a ploy by GM Sandy Alderson to scare Dickey into signing a team friendly contract. Either way, it is being reported that the Mets primarily want help at the catcher and outfield positions and the Red Sox can definitely offer something enticing to the team from Queens. Here is what I would offer to the Mets (and I must preface this by saying, I'm very disappointed that the team bought Jason Bay out from his deal because the salary relief Boston could have offered the Mets could have gotten a deal done quicker).
C Ryan Lavarnway
OF Ryan Kalish
OF Brandon Jacobs
SP Stolmy Pimentel
SP Noe Ramirez
1) The package begins with power hitting catcher Ryan Lavarnway who is ready to play everyday. He may not last at catcher, but he would certainly be number one on their depth chart.
2) In his debut season, Kalish showed flashes of brilliance in the field. This past year, it appeared right field at Fenway ate him up and may have diminished his confidence. Kalish could play centerfield for the Mets and has the speed to steal 15-20 bases if given chances. In his minor league career, Kalish had a line of .279/.366/.429. All very respectable.
3) Brandon Jacobs once used to be one of Boston's most talked about prospects, but with the emergence of Jackie Bradley Jr. and Bryce Brentz, plus word that Xander Boegarts may need to move to an outfield slot, Jacobs appears to be blocked and forgotten. Getting out of Boston's system may be the best thing for the talented young outfielder. In 4 minor league season, Jacobs has a line of .270/.341/.445 and he has a .972 fielding percentage primarily in left field.
3) Stolmy Pimentel is kind of like Jacobs. Once regarded as a future staple in Boston, he regressed once being promoted to double-A last season. The fact remains, Pimentel is still only 22 years old and has his best years ahead of him. He averages 7.3 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 with a 4.37.
4) Noe Ramirez is basically a throw in to show the Mets they will be receiving 3 of Boston's top 40 prospects. Ramirez was drafted in the 4th round of the 2011 draft and has upside, but like I said before, he is basically a throw in to help the Mets farm club.
I would love to see another knuckleballer on the Red Sox staff...especially one who throws faster and harder than Tim Wakefield. Just think, the team could have two knuckleballers on their staff with Dickey and minor leaguer Steven Wright (acquired from Cleveland for Lars Anderson in this past season).
Sunday, October 21, 2012
If I Were in Ben Cherington's Shoes
The title of this post says it all. I love to play General Manager throughout the whole year and do so so often, sometimes to the displeasure of my wife, that I tend to think I know what could fix this team. In this post, I will try to give logical reasons on how to help this team win in the future, and even possibly as early as next year. This is not a complete list, just the things that I would do first-and-foremost.
Free Agency
1. Re-sign David Ortiz. Here is the caveat- There is no way I would give him the money he wants. I have no problem having him in Boston for two more years, but not at $14-15 million/year. More like a two-year contract worth $22 million. He's taking a pay cut, yes, but he gets the stability he wants. If he doesn't like it, let him walk with no qualifying offer. The last thing the team needs in this rebuilding phase is another year of Ortiz complaining about respect and how he still wants a two-year contract.
2. Re-sign Cody Ross. Ross showed a lot of promise in his year with the team, and up until Raul Ibanez's post-season heroics, was the best bargain in baseball. Ross has made it clear that he loved the atmosphere in Boston. In addition to his affinity for the town, he was a great presence in the clubhouse. I would offer the slugger 2 years (possibly even 3) at an average annual salary of $10-$11 million.
3. (If his option is not picked up) Sign "Big Game" James Shields. The guy would completely solidify Boston's staff. In his final start of the year at home, Shields walked off the field looking like he was holding back tears. Is this a symbol that he knows he will not be back with Tampa? I would go as high as 6 years with a total salary of $93 million if he hits the market.
4. Offer Brandon McCarthy a contract of 4 years with a total salary of $40-$45 million. He may have injury problems, but he is a heck of a pitcher, and before his concussion, was the player I wanted Boston to add at the deadline this past year.
5. Mike Napoli is very intriguing to me. I would not pay a king's ransom for the guy, but I would kick the tires. Because of his down year, interest may be slim/not what he was hoping for. In that case, it may be possible to get him in Boston on an Adrian Beltre deal (1 year for $10 million with a player option for a 2nd year) to help boost his value. Mike Napoli absolutely rakes at Fenway (in his down year of 2012 he hit .462/.500/1.231/1.731 with 3 HR & 8 RBI). If it would take a multi-year deal, something in the range of 3 years/$36 million. Nothing more than that.
Trade Ideas (obviously if one player is traded in one scenario, the others aren't applicable. I'm listing this in order of my preference).
Scenario One: Jacoby Ellsbury, Ryan Kalish, Mauro Gomez, Stolmy Pimental, and Pat Light for Tim Lincecum and Hunter Pence.
Lincecum will be entering the final year of his contract which will pay him $22 million. Hunter Pence is arbitration eligible for the final time in his career and should net a 2013 contract in the range of $12-$14 million. According to reports, the Giants will be listening to offers on Lincecum, so why not see if a deal can be struck. Everyone knows the Giants biggest hole is offense. That's where the package starts. In Ellsbury, San Francisco gets their lead-off hitting, base stealing, center fielder. Ellsbury would be the centerpiece of this proposal, and the parts thrown in would have to be enticing. In addition to Ellsbury, I would also include Ryan Kalish (who was once regarded a top prospect, but whose stock has fallen in Boston), Mauro Gomez (whose power numbers could be a welcome addition to San Francisco), Stolmy Pimental, and Pat Light. Kalish has lost his prospect status, but in the 3 other pieces included, the Giants receive 3 of Boston's top 25 prospects.
Scenario Two: Jacoby Ellsbury, Jon Lester, Garin Cecchini, Drake Britton, Alex Wilson and Brian Johnson for Justin Upton, Tyler Skaggs, and Brad Ziegler.
Hear me out on this deal. It may seem odd for Boston to deal 2 of their stars plus 4 of their top 15 prospects, but in return the team gets a star to man right field for the next 3 seasons at a very team-friendly contract. Skaggs is the number 2 prospect in Arizona's system, and could very well replace Xander Boegarts as Boston's number 1 prospect. I have always liked Brad Ziegler and decided that I wanted him in as part of this trade to help Boston's bullpen.
Scenario Three: Allen Webster, Mauro Gomez, Ryan Sweeney, Jeremy Hazelbaker, and cash for Ike Davis and Jason Bay.
Ike Davis is a power-hitting 1st baseman who would help solidify Boston's infield, whereas Jason Bay would be taken on as pure salary relief for the cash strapped Mets. By shedding the remaining dollars on Bay's contract the Mets would now be free to extend David Wright and R.A. Dickey. They would be getting a nice package centered around Allen Webster, who was the centerpiece in Boston's own salary dump with the Dodgers. The team will also receive power hitting first baseman Mauro Gomez and outfield prospect Jeremy Hazelbaker who burst onto the scene this year between AA Portland and AAA Pawtucket. Ryan Sweeney is basically a throw-in. He can play all 3 outfield positions and will hit for a very respectable average. *Elvis Andrus has been omitted from my trade scenarios due to the fact it would take way too much to pry him from Texas, and I like Xander Boegarts' upside more.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
He Hath Arrived
With Aviles out the door, it opens the question up of who will be the starting shortstop? Does the club hand the reigns over to José Iglesias and hope that he can hit above his weight (183)? Does Pedro Ciriaco get the bulk of the playing time after his strong second half to 2012, even though he swings at everything and doesn't walk? Do they start Xander Boegarts in Pawtucket and bring him to the big leagues come August? Or could the team try to get creative and work out a trade for a SS? In Texas, Elvis Andrus is blocking phenom Jurrickson Profar. Would they pounce on Colorado and offer the farm for Troy Tulowitzki? Would Billy Beane trade away Stephen Drew in the last year of his contract for a prospect?
There are also rumblings that in a salary dump, Toronto is sending Adam Lind. This move would solve the 1B question mark for next year in Boston (if true). While Lind is a veeeery streaky hitter and had an awful, injury plagued season last year, since his breakout season in '09 his peripheral stats look like this: .262 BA, 24 HR, 80 RBI, .317 OBP. It's JD Drew for half the money! There are also buyout clauses in his contract for the remaining years if he doesn't pan out. Free agent 1B on the market after next year include Michael Morse, Justin Morneau, and Mark Reynolds.
With all this being said, I'm happy a new manager is coming in this quickly. I like that Farrell knows the team and they know him. I'm also very happy that the compensation was only Mike Avilés (who I thought would be traded this off season anyway) and not a pitching prospect.
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