Misc. Free Agent News

[Clem Fandango]

For news/reports that don't deserve a separate thread...

 

Joe Nathan's agent David Pepe said his client will seek an opportunity to close as a free agent this winter.

The Twins declined Nathan's $12.5 million option this week, though they hope to re-sign him at a lesser salary. The veteran right-hander returned from Tommy John surgery this season and posted a 4.84 ERA, 14 saves and a 43/14 K/BB ratio over 44 2/3 innings. He should draw interest around the league, but his velocity isn't what it was before surgery and the market will be crowded with veteran closer-types.

 

 

Aaron Hill is now represented by Legacy Sports Group.

Hill was previously represented by Beverly Hills Sports Council. The Diamondbacks are expected to decline his $8 million option for 2012, but have expressed interest in bringing him back at a lesser salary. The 29-year-old played well in a small sample after being acquired from the Blue Jays in August, batting .315/.386/.492 over 33 games while playing solid defense at second base.

 

Hill intrigues me, but mostly because I dislike Darwin Barney as a legitimate 2B option for the Cubs. Hill provides some sort of bounce-back, buy-low candidate but like most of you, I would imagine, I'm not sold on the possibility of a bounce back for him. Not much of a chance to prove himself in the NL though, but he did perform well. He did however have a good hitters park, though.

[rocket]

i love how after i read sneakpower's posts, it looks like tony larussa can't believe what i just read.

 

edit: OMG WHERE DID SP'S POST GO

Edited October 26, 2011 by rocket

[Rob]

In the last four years, Aaron Hill has one season where he put up a better WAR than Darwin Barney's 2.2 from last year.

 

Is 2B a spot where we could potentially upgrade? Yeah. But we've got bigger problems with our starting rotation, corner infield, and outfield right now. It doesn't make a lot of sense to sink resources into a 2B upgrade when we've got an acceptable (if somewhat uninspiring) and extremely cheap option there.

 

That said, if another team out there really overvalues Barney and including him in a package would solve some of our more pressing issues, I think his production would be pretty easy to replace internally with some combination of Marwin Gonzalez, DJ LeMahieu, and Ryan Flaherty.

 

But I just don't see acquiring Aaron Hill as being a good move for us.

[sneakypower]

Barney's wOBA this season was better than Hill's for both this season and last season

[Clem Fandango]

Admittedly, I haven't really paid much attention to Barney's defense. Didn't realize it was that solid

[Guest]

What is considered the best place to look for defensive WAR?

 

Is BR's generally considered to be good?

[sneakypower]

i love how after i read sneakpower's posts, it looks like tony larussa can't believe what i just read.

 

edit: OMG WHERE DID SP'S POST GO

who is this crazy guy here

[Rob]

Admittedly, I haven't really paid much attention to Barney's defense. Didn't realize it was that solid

 

He was considered a pretty slick defensive SS and he was moving down the defensive spectrum. Even if the scouting reports on him were a little generous, I was expecting him to be above average defensively at 2B.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Admittedly, I haven't really paid much attention to Barney's defense. Didn't realize it was that solid

 

Barney has been advertised as a strong defensive player all along. It's the offense that has been in question. He was pretty solid, but I still se him as a career utility guy and would prefer an upgrade when one comes along.

[Clem Fandango]

Goes to show you how much I bothered to pay attention to this season's team #-o

[sneakypower]

That said, if another team out there really overvalues Barney and including him in a package would solve some of our more pressing issues, I think his production would be pretty easy to replace internally with some combination of Marwin Gonzalez, DJ LeMahieu, and Ryan Flaherty.

i'd love to try robbing Minnesota of Liriano* for something like Barney and Marmol

 

yeah, it'd be a pretty uneven proposal, but they love Barney types (Punto) and proven closers over there and their pitch-to-contact conversion didn't work out too well with Liriano

 

*if his shoulder checks out

[davearm2]

What is considered the best place to look for defensive WAR?

Theo's laptop

[Clem Fandango]

I think the Twins still place a lot of value on Liriano. I seem to recall the Yankees inquiring about him but they were asking for like Jesus Montero or some crazy, irrational demand. I like Liriano probably more than any other person on this board, and last season appeared to be his breaking out season (despite his solid, but average standard numbers, he had one of the highest WAR's and lowest FIP/xFIP's of any MLB pitcher), but this year he regressed pretty badly and even I'd be skeptical to give up too much or him

 

But with Nathan leaving perhaps Marmol would entice them? And yeah Barney seems to fit their mold of traditional player. Might not be a bad idea. Marmol can easily be replaced by Marshall or Wood (if they resign him), and like others have said Barney has his comparables who can fill in in a pinch

Edited October 26, 2011 by The Logan

[rocket]

What is considered the best place to look for defensive WAR?

Theo's lap

 

agreed

[Clem Fandango]

The Indians are holding strategy meetings this week to decide whether or not they'll exercise the 2012 contract options on Grady Sizemore and Fausto Carmona.

Sizemore is the more pressing of the two decisions because he's eligible for free agency if the option isn't picked up, whereas Carmona would still be under control. At the crux of the issue is Sizemore's health. While other teams will view him an attractive free-agent gamble, the Indians do not appear to have the payroll to carry him, plus a wing man, on the roster. If Sizemore does become a free agent, he would not be Type A or B, so the Indians wouldn't be compensated with draft picks

[Cubswin11]

The Indians are holding strategy meetings this week to decide whether or not they'll exercise the 2012 contract options on Grady Sizemore and Fausto Carmona.

Sizemore is the more pressing of the two decisions because he's eligible for free agency if the option isn't picked up, whereas Carmona would still be under control. At the crux of the issue is Sizemore's health. While other teams will view him an attractive free-agent gamble, the Indians do not appear to have the payroll to carry him, plus a wing man, on the roster. If Sizemore does become a free agent, he would not be Type A or B, so the Indians wouldn't be compensated with draft picks

What injury(s) did Sizemore have this year? Based on his recovery/extent of injuries he wouldn't be a bad gamble for RF, if they deem Jackson needs another year or half year in the minors.

[dew1679666265]

What injury(s) did Sizemore have this year? Based on his recovery/extent of injuries he wouldn't be a bad gamble for RF, if they deem Jackson needs another year or half year in the minors.

 

He started the year after surgery on his left knee, then he injured his right knee and suffered a sports hernia on the same play in July. He might be an ok gamble on a very cheap, 1-year deal but nothing more, I don't think.

[Guest]

Sizemore seems like a very Epsteinian acquisition. I could see him being brought on to help mitigate injury/performance risks with Soriano and performance risks with Jackson. Or they could end up trading Soriano or Byrd and using Sizemore to start.

[KingKongvs.Godzilla]

I think most teams will look to pounce on Sizemore bouncing back, but I think he's a decent gamble for less than 8...hopefully/maybe way less than 8. Maybe try him in RF to lessen the defensive role.

[Guest]

What is considered the best place to look for defensive WAR?

Theo's lap

 

agreed

 

 

Nah, Theo's got his own proprietary stuff.

[kylescubs23]

Any chance the Yanks don't pick up Swisher's option? I think they would be stupid not to, but I would love to get Swisher if they do.

[davell]

I'd be shocked if the Yanks didn't pick up Swisher's option. I'd love to take a shot on Sizemore. Probably the absolute epitomy of risk/reward at it's best.

[sneakypower]

Sizemore seems like a very Epsteinian acquisition. I could see him being brought on to help mitigate injury/performance risks with Soriano and performance risks with Jackson. Or they could end up trading Soriano or Byrd and using Sizemore to start.

he does love gambling on rebounds from injury risks

 

Smoltz

Baldelli

Jenks

Cameron

Bedard/Harden

Hermida

 

not a great track record with those but most were, i thought, good acquisitions; i'm similarly very intrigued by Sizemore

[Cubs Fan Dan]

Without looking at the numbers I would rather have Kelly Johnson than Hill or Barney, I believe KJ is a free agent as well correct?

[Guest]

Without looking at the numbers I would rather have Kelly Johnson than Hill or Barney, I believe KJ is a free agent as well correct?

 

 

These are the types of signings I don't want us to blow resources on anymore.