Misc. Free Agent News

[Backtobanks]

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.

 

I suggested a trade (under "Trading Zambrano") - Zambrano + Russell + Byrd/Colvin + Jay Jackson for Swisher + Hughes.

[dew1679666265]

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?

 

This has been brought up a few times on here. Johnson posted a 2.2 WAR last year, Barney posted a 2.2 WAR. Johnson will be 30 next year, Barney 26. Johnson will probably command $5-8+ million, Barney will be super cheap.

[sneakypower]

and the year before for Johnson?

[dew1679666265]

and the year before for Johnson?

 

5.9, which was considerably higher than any other season in his career. He's had WARs of 1.7, 3.6, 2.7, 5.9, and 2.2. One of those is a clear outlier from the rest.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Same as with the Cabrera thread: The Cubs have enough real holes to fill without using their finite resources to try to upgrade positions that aren't holes.

 

Even if we assume that Jackson takes over CF, then this team needs a starting 3b, a starting 1b, and at least one, probably two starting pitchers. It will take all of our offseason resources to fill those spots well. We don't have the money or tradeable assets to be trying to marginally upgrade a settled position like 2b.

[sneakypower]

he still projects pretty well to be something like a 3.5-4 win player; if he doesn't get much attention he could be a great value

 

i like Barney for his cost, but he might be even more useful as a trade piece (my point becomes, i'd prefer Liriano, KJ, rookie RP than Barney, Marmol and an extra $8-10M, if the dichotomy exists)

 

Same as with the Cabrera thread: The Cubs have enough real holes to fill without using their finite resources to try to upgrade positions that aren't holes.

 

Even if we assume that Jackson takes over CF, then this team needs a starting 3b, a starting 1b, and at least one, probably two starting pitchers. It will take all of our offseason resources to fill those spots well. We don't have the money or tradeable assets to be trying to marginally upgrade a settled position like 2b.

what this team needs most is talent

 

if you have the opportunity sign KJ for something like 2/18M + 6M player option, you take it and be better off

[dew1679666265]

he still projects pretty well to be something like a 3.5-4 win player; if he doesn't get much attention he could be a great value

 

I'm having trouble seeing that. Maybe he can reach that as the upside, but he's only hit 3.5+ WAR twice in his career. I don't see him being a good bet to do that as he gets past 30.

 

i like Barney for his cost, but he might be even more useful as a trade piece (my point becomes, i'd prefer Liriano, KJ, rookie RP than Barney, Marmol and an extra $8-10M, if the dichotomy exists)

 

I'm not opposed to trading Barney if we can get good value for him, I was responding to Cub Fan Dan saying he would sign Johnson with, presumably, Barney still on the team.

[sneakypower]

he still projects pretty well to be something like a 3.5-4 win player; if he doesn't get much attention he could be a great value

 

I'm having trouble seeing that. Maybe he can reach that as the upside, but he's only hit 3.5+ WAR twice in his career. I don't see him being a good bet to do that as he gets past 30.

i guess it depends how you project his defense; '07 & '08 were weighed down by him being new to the position at 2B, holding him back from that threshold, but turning just 30 next year, he should still retain athleticism to keep him at least average, which he's been the past three seasons

 

the fans projection on FG with 150 G, .276/.351/.449 and neutral fielding puts him at 3.7 wins, all of which seem reasonable

 

he was victimized by a low babip (before the trade) this year which greatly depressed his value, and why you can probably buy low on him

[dew1679666265]

i guess it depends how you project his defense; '07 & '08 were weighed down by him being new to the position at 2B, holding him back from that threshold, but turning just 30 next year, he should still retain athleticism to keep him at least average, which he's been the past three seasons

 

the fans projection on FG with 150 G, .276/.351/.449 and neutral fielding puts him at 3.7 wins, all of which seem reasonable

 

he was victimized by a low babip (before the trade) this year which greatly depressed his value, and why you can probably buy low on him

 

That makes sense, my concern is likelihood. He's been all over the board with so many stats that it's hard to pin down what "most likely" is. There's no way I'd have any interest if we keep Barney, but if he's dealt then I might have interest in Johnson. I'd rather see a 1 year deal than two, however.

[KingCubsFan]

Speaking of 2B, I wonder if the White Sox would trade Beckham for Darwin Barney.

[Clem Fandango]

According to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian, the Indians are expected to decline Grady Sizemore's option and pick up the $7 million option on Fausto Carmona.

The Indians held strategy meetings earlier this week and may have concluded that the $9 million option on Sizemore was not an affordable risk, given the progression and versatility of Michael Brantley and Shin-Soo Choo. While Bastian cautions that nothing has been made official, it's an interesting turn as many believed he would ultimately be retained. Still only 29, Sizemore hit .224/.285/.422 with 10 homers in 268 at-bats last season. His health and durability have limited to just 210 games in the last three years combined.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Speaking of 2B, I wonder if the White Sox would trade Beckham for Darwin Barney.

 

No. No they wouldn't.

[davell]

I want Sizemore. Trade Byrd, if necessary. I'm not sure it's even necessary though. Sign Grady as the 4th OFer and let things sort themselves out.if Brett struggles, that's who he replaces. If Grady looks like he's back, then trade Byrd to make room for him. He's going to want a one year deal anyway, so I really hope he's on our radar now.

[Guest]

I think Sizemore might merit his own discussion instead of being stuck under miscellaneous free agents.

[RammyFanny]

Speaking of reclamation projects, Chris Young (pitcher) is a FA. He's coming off a torn shoulder capsule, but he's saying he expects to be 100% at spring training. Even coming off of the injuries, he's been pretty dominant when he's been out there. Given his last contract was just over 1M, i'd expect his next contract to be in that neighborhood.

[Guest]

Speaking of reclamation projects, Chris Young (pitcher) is a FA. He's coming off a torn shoulder capsule, but he's saying he expects to be 100% at spring training. Even coming off of the injuries, he's been pretty dominant when he's been out there. Given his last contract was just over 1M, i'd expect his next contract to be in that neighborhood.

Has he ever been that dominant outside of SD?

[Guest]

He's had two 3-win seasons, one with Texas and one with San Diego, but the most recent of those was 5 years ago now, and he turns 33 next year. I don't know if there's a lot of upside there. Maybe if he'd want to try his hand as a reliever.

[Little Slide Rooter]

For what little it's worth, in the 8 games and 44 innings he's pitched over the past 2 years he has a 3-0 record with a 1.43 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. Doesn't he walk a lot of guys though?

 

Another possible mid rotation reclamation project is Chris Capuano.

[Rob]

If we're going for a middle or back end of the rotation type, I'd either pay for Paul Maholm or go cheap with Chris Rusin. I'm not convinced any of the Capuano, Young, etc... types that will be available at the prices in between those two will provide enough value to make sense.

[Little Slide Rooter]

I'd be all about Maholm, but he'd be more expensive than one of the reclamation guys. Also, I'd try Jackson and even Samardzjia before Rusin.

[dew1679666265]

I just can't get behind the Maholm idea. He'll cost more than he should because of last year, and the likelihood is that he won't repeat last season. He may, but there's little I've seen pointing to it being a likelihood.

[Guest]

Rusin is undersold as a back of the rotation option, btw.

[Clem Fandango]

Brewers declined RHP Francisco Rodriguez's $17.5 million option for 2012.

As expected. K-Rod will get a $3.5 million buyout instead and will try to land a multi-year deal as a closer somewhere else. His fastball isn't nearly what it was, but Rodriguez can still get by with an effective changeup and curveball, as he held a 2.64 ERA while striking out over a batter per inning this season.

[Guest]

Brewers declined RHP Francisco Rodriguez's $17.5 million option for 2012.

As expected. K-Rod will get a $3.5 million buyout instead and will try to land a multi-year deal as a closer somewhere else. His fastball isn't nearly what it was, but Rodriguez can still get by with an effective changeup and curveball, as he held a 2.64 ERA while striking out over a batter per inning this season.

As they say, it's definitely what was expected.

 

The only downside for the Cubs is that it every additional closer that's available reduces the trade market for Marmol if they decide to go that route.

[dew1679666265]

Rusin is undersold as a back of the rotation option, btw.

 

You think he's ready?