Misc. Free Agent News

[Little Slide Rooter]

When I referred to him as the possiblity of being our Ortiz, it doesn't mean that he'd be as good as Ortiz. That it could be a cheap signing that pays off big. I know he's 32 but assuming that we are back in contention in 2-3 years, he'd be 34-35 and could still be a part of the picture. Pulling a guy like Ortiz for something like 1.5 mil as Theo originally signed him is more of a once in a lifetime type of thing. However, if Hawpe could give us something like his .288/.384/.518/.902, the average of his '06-'09 seasons with around 25 HR on a minor league deal, would that not be a huge win?

 

Again, while there's currently no obvious spot for him, he's still worth the risk considering the fact that the majority of our outfield is very disposable. Say we trade Soriano. The season opens with an outfield of Hawpe, Byrd, DeJesus with 2 of Sappelt, Johnson, Campana as the 4-5. Assuming Jackson starts out well in Iowa, trade Byrd and call him up. That gives us 3 lefties starting in the outfield, plus a lefty 1st and 3rd basemen. A lot of lefties Then you have Sappalt and Johnson on the bench when facing the tougher lefties. Also, if LaHair looks awful in the first months of the season but Rizzo not quite ready, put Hawpe at 1st.

 

This is all assuming that Hawpe looks good in spring training.

 

:shock:

 

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

 

This is the quintessential WSR post. He makes some stupid offhanded remark, everyone calls him on why it's [expletive], and then he follows up with a rambling post like this, trying to cover his tracks.

 

Eh, criticism from the Robs and Tigers of the world who are known for their knowledge of advanced stats is one thing, but from a guy who dedicates 95% of his posts to bitching about things doesn't quite phase me.

[Rob]

Hell, give yourself a cyber concussion for all I care. That's not going to make me change my point of view no matter how many people piss on it.

 

From the moment Theo and Jed came on board they have preached about how poor defensively the Cubs have been and how they wanted to change that. And Hawpe actually makes Soriano look like a fantastic LF by comparison. There is absolutely zero chance that the front office would ever seriously consider Hawpe for an outfield role. None. Zip. Zilch. Nada. You can keep talking about how they might, but it is in no way realistic even in the slightest.

 

1B, maybe. I can see a confluence of circumstances that might, however unlikely, allow Hawpe to be the stopgap until Rizzo is ready.

 

But the idea that we might ever acquire Hawpe to play the OF is about as likely as luring Barry Bonds out of retirement. And that's not hyperbole.

[TruffleShuffle]

However, if Hawpe could give us something like his .288/.384/.518/.902, the average of his '06-'09 seasons with around 25 HR on a minor league deal, would that not be a huge win?

 

yes, if he hit like he did when he was a few years younger in his prime, playing half his games in the best offensive environment in baseball, during an era where offense was significantly easier to come by, and the past two years of bad production are not a signal that he's no longer good, then it could be a huge win. assuming that his defense is not too wretched to give away most of those positive offensive contributions.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Hell, give yourself a cyber concussion for all I care. That's not going to make me change my point of view no matter how many people piss on it.

 

From the moment Theo and Jed came on board they have preached about how poor defensively the Cubs have been and how they wanted to change that. And Hawpe actually makes Soriano look like a fantastic LF by comparison. There is absolutely zero chance that the front office would ever seriously consider Hawpe for an outfield role. None. Zip. Zilch. Nada. You can keep talking about how they might, but it is in no way realistic even in the slightest.

 

1B, maybe. I can see a confluence of circumstances that might, however unlikely, allow Hawpe to be the stopgap until Rizzo is ready.

 

But the idea that we might ever acquire Hawpe to play the OF is about as likely as luring Barry Bonds out of retirement. And that's not hyperbole.

 

I'm really digging the fact that pretty much everyone we've acquired this offseason has been at least a slightly above average defender. Stewart, Sappelt, Rizzo.

[Little Slide Rooter]

However, if Hawpe could give us something like his .288/.384/.518/.902, the average of his '06-'09 seasons with around 25 HR on a minor league deal, would that not be a huge win?

 

yes, if he hit like he did when he was a few years younger in his prime, playing half his games in the best offensive environment in baseball, during an era where offense was significantly easier to come by, and the past two years of bad production are not a signal that he's no longer good, then it could be a huge win. assuming that his defense is not too wretched to give away most of those positive offensive contributions.

 

That's why you give him a minor league deal with invite. Looks like you kind of, sort of, but don't really agree with me but I'll take what I can get.

[Illini Iceman]

However, if Hawpe could give us something like his .288/.384/.518/.902, the average of his '06-'09 seasons with around 25 HR on a minor league deal, would that not be a huge win?

 

yes, if he hit like he did when he was a few years younger in his prime, playing half his games in the best offensive environment in baseball, during an era where offense was significantly easier to come by, and the past two years of bad production are not a signal that he's no longer good, then it could be a huge win. assuming that his defense is not too wretched to give away most of those positive offensive contributions.

 

That's why you give him a minor league deal with invite. Looks like you kind of, sort of, but don't really agree with me but I'll take what I can get.

 

It just seems like it never ends....

[fan_in_China]

Howie Kendrick just signed a 4 year extension. I would have enjoyed him being a Cub in 2013, but we can still hope for Phillips/Barney actually becoming as good as a lot of fans think.

[Sammy Sofa]

Howie Kendrick just signed a 4 year extension. I would have enjoyed him being a Cub in 2013, but we can still hope for Phillips/Barney actually becoming as good as a lot of fans think.

 

Damn. First Kemp; now Kendrick. STOP DENYING ME, CALIFORNIA.

[davell]

Orioles on verge of multi year deal with Wei Yen Chen.

[Clem Fandango]

Orioles on verge of multi year deal with Wei Yen Chen.

 

For a pretty good price it would seem, too.

 

The Orioles reached an agreement with lefty Wei-Yin Chen on a three-year deal worth less than $12MM, tweets Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.

[dew1679666265]

Orioles on verge of multi year deal with Wei Yen Chen.

 

For a pretty good price it would seem, too.

 

The Orioles reached an agreement with lefty Wei-Yin Chen on a three-year deal worth less than $12MM, tweets Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.

 

Disappointing. This has the potential to be an excellent signing if Chen can simply stick in the rotation (seems likely). As many good moves as Theo/Hoyer's made so far this offseason, missing on Chen and signing Maholm may be the worst.

[Guest]

The purpose of signing Maholm is stability. Chen would be similar to Wood/Volstad, as far as acquisitions go. I'm not sure we need another "3 starter if things work out" type guy, especially for 3 guaranteed years at several million dollars.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Martinez, Herrera On Waivers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [January 9 at 3:50pm CST]

Former top prospect Fernando Martinez and left-handed reliever Danny Herrera are on waivers, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. The Mets need to clear 40-man roster space for Scott Hairston and Ronny Cedeno.

 

 

1st off, how on earth is Martinez only 23 years old? It seems like he's been a prospect for eternity. We know that Theo is all about those young, former top prospects. As young as Martinez still is, is he too far removed from those days to be deemed salvageable? He was considered a top 100 guy as recently as pre-2010.

[davell]

I was a proponent of signing Chen as well. That said, if he signed for that little AND with the Orioles, on top of that, makes me think we didn't miss out on too much. Seriously, I doubt the Orioles were anywhere near where he envisioned going. If we didn't think any more of him than that, I'm perfectly fine with letting him go elsewhere. Especially when all the other large market teams must have felt the same as we did.

[davell]

Fernando Martinez was put on waivers today. He's still just 23. Any interest? I know we're prospect heavy for CF, but still, he's very young.

[KingCubsFan]

Fernando Martinez was put on waivers today. He's still just 23. Any interest? I know we're prospect heavy for CF, but still, he's very young.

Yeah, I'd definitely give it a shot. My guess is that there's something behind the scenes we don't know about, though.

 

Edit: Looks like he has an arthritic knee.

[dew1679666265]

The purpose of signing Maholm is stability. Chen would be similar to Wood/Volstad, as far as acquisitions go. I'm not sure we need another "3 starter if things work out" type guy, especially for 3 guaranteed years at several million dollars.

 

Maholm is a "3 starter if things work out" as well, but he'll probably cost a lot more than Chen and is 4 years older. I can see where there's concern over whether Chen would even work out as a starter, but pitchers on the wrong side of 30 (even just barely on the wrong side) are no sure bet either.

 

Considering there's also the even slim possibility that Chen regains the velocity he lost and becomes a 3 starter at worst, I see very little benefit to taking Maholm over Chen.

[dew1679666265]

I was a proponent of signing Chen as well. That said, if he signed for that little AND with the Orioles, on top of that, makes me think we didn't miss out on too much. Seriously, I doubt the Orioles were anywhere near where he envisioned going. If we didn't think any more of him than that, I'm perfectly fine with letting him go elsewhere. Especially when all the other large market teams must have felt the same as we did.

 

There's merit to this point of view, but did Chen really sign for that much less than was expected? I thought the rumors all along were in the $4-6 million per year range (actual AAV is $4 million) over 3 years. That's why I was so interested in him - decent to potentially good production at a cheap price. If Theo/Jed simply didn't see anything in him they liked, then I understand passing on him. But with the information we have now, it seems odd to sign an older, more expensive version of Chen when certainty of production isn't nearly as important for the next year or two.

[davell]

I think Chen was shooting for 4/20, if I remember correctly. He's certainly younger, but IS an unknown, to an extent. I'm not going to get worked up over taking Maholm over him, unless we're giving Maholm more than 2 years. My guess on Maholm is either 1/6 with incentives and a mutual option or 2/12. I can't see us going more than that year or money-wise for him.

[dew1679666265]

I think Chen was shooting for 4/20, if I remember correctly. He's certainly younger, but IS an unknown, to an extent. I'm not going to get worked up over taking Maholm over him, unless we're giving Maholm more than 2 years. My guess on Maholm is either 1/6 with incentives and a mutual option or 2/12. I can't see us going more than that year or money-wise for him.

 

If that's the deal we sign Maholm to, I don't have much of a problem with it. I'd still probably prefer Chen for the upside, but the difference is probably negligible at that point.

 

My main concern, though, is that we'll give him 3 years with an AAV of $8-10 million in an effort to have a steady veteran in the rotation until we're likely to be competitive again. If that's the case, I'd take Chen hands down.

[davell]

I think Chen was shooting for 4/20, if I remember correctly. He's certainly younger, but IS an unknown, to an extent. I'm not going to get worked up over taking Maholm over him, unless we're giving Maholm more than 2 years. My guess on Maholm is either 1/6 with incentives and a mutual option or 2/12. I can't see us going more than that year or money-wise for him.

 

If that's the deal we sign Maholm to, I don't have much of a problem with it. I'd still probably prefer Chen for the upside, but the difference is probably negligible at that point.

 

My main concern, though, is that we'll give him 3 years with an AAV of $8-10 million in an effort to have a steady veteran in the rotation until we're likely to be competitive again. If that's the case, I'd take Chen hands down.

Nah, I'm not worried about that kind of deal for Maholm. Not out of our guys right now. They're tip toeing in the shallow end for now. Other than the Cubans, I see no chance at us handing out more than a 2 year deal this offseason. My gut tells me we're going to get him for one and an option.

[dew1679666265]

Nah, I'm not worried about that kind of deal for Maholm. Not out of our guys right now. They're tip toeing in the shallow end for now. Other than the Cubans, I see no chance at us handing out more than a 2 year deal this offseason. My gut tells me we're going to get him for one and an option.

 

One and an option would be a solid deal, as it'd position us to get a decent return at the deadline. And as smart as Theo/Jed are, it would seem to me that'd be the max length deal they'd give a mediocre veteran like Maholm. My primary concern comes in the pitching market, however, as with as early as we're signing him - early considering guys like Jackson, Oswalt, and others are still on the market - I'm afraid his asking price may not have come down enough.

 

I'm hoping you're right, though, and your logic is sound.

[sneakypower]

Mets placed Fernando Martinez on waivers

 

yes please!

[jersey cubs fan]

He is a very young guy with no service time. The Mets aren't saving any money on this deal, do they really just not have any space?

 

 

I like that BR.com lists his position as outfield and pinch hitter.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Mets outfielder Fernando Martinez will be claimed shortly by an NL Central team, tweets ESPN's Enrique Rojas. The team appears to be the Astros, based on this tweet from Rojas.

Baseball America named Martinez one of the top 100 prospects in the game before each of the 2007-10 seasons, and at age 23, he's worth a 40-man roster spot for some teams.