The 2012 Offseason Thread

[Epsteenie]

@jcrasnick: Nate Schierholtz has agreed on 1 year deal with Cubs, source says

[Hairyducked Idiot]

@jcrasnick: Nate Schierholtz has agreed on 1 year deal with Cubs, source says

 

I like him as a fifth outfielder. As the larger half of a RF platoon? Icky.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Honestly, I wouldn't be that upset if Theo bolted after 5 years for some reason. Assuming the plan works like its being set up, the infastructure of the entire organization will have been upgraded and presumably be among baseball's best. Even the most gung ho Theo fans would admit that the moves he made to keep the Red Sox as a contender were iffy for the most part, and his biggest strength lies in talent development.

 

What he's doing is putting himself in a win-win situation:

 

Best case scenerio (for him): We win a World Series or 2 during his tenure. He gets to be the guy who beat baseball's two most notorious curses. He either gets an extension or his pick of available FO positions in baseball.

 

Mid-range scenerio: when the contract comes to an end, we're still not yet contending, but we have top 10-15 farm system, solid young core, and plenty of available payroll. In this case, he's likely extended unless he chooses to move on. If he's not, he has no problem finding another GM or better job.

 

Worst case scnerio: most of the prospects bust or toil in mediocrity. he leaves an empty shell of a team, but left minimal money on the books so the next guy can spend, spend, spend. This and the fumes of his success in Boston is enough to get him another GM or front office job.

 

The only way I could see his credibility being hurt is if the team keeps tanking for another 2-3 years, and attendance continues to dwindle, causing ownership to panic and pressure him to build another Frankenstein. Even in this case, he likely lands another job, at least as a special consultant of some sort.

[Guest]

Wittenmeyer - Report of Cubs-Dempster talks grossly misrepresents their nature. Negotiations not happening. Reunion implausible. #courtesy

[Clem Fandango]

This sounds baseless, but if it's accurate then WTF

 

Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star believes that the Royals "won't hesitate" to trade Wil Myers for James Shields.

Not only that, but Dutton thinks it "probably would require more than Myers" to get Shields. It's clear that the Royals are dead set on adding a frontline starter, but they would be going overboard here. Dealing arguably the best hitting prospect in the game for two years of a very good but not elite starter wouldn't make much sense for any team, much less one that might not even contend in 2013.

 

If James shields is the measuring stick for acquiring Wil Myers then surely we have something that can trounce that

[Sammys Boombox]

Jason Grilli supposedly deciding by 10 AM (central??) between Cubs, Blue Jays, Giants, Padres.

[Little Slide Rooter]

This sounds baseless, but if it's accurate then WTF

 

Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star believes that the Royals "won't hesitate" to trade Wil Myers for James Shields.

Not only that, but Dutton thinks it "probably would require more than Myers" to get Shields. It's clear that the Royals are dead set on adding a frontline starter, but they would be going overboard here. Dealing arguably the best hitting prospect in the game for two years of a very good but not elite starter wouldn't make much sense for any team, much less one that might not even contend in 2013.

 

If James shields is the measuring stick for acquiring Wil Myers then surely we have something that can trounce that

 

Judging by the two teams involved, I'm sure that the fictitious deal would inculde a lot more pieces going both ways than one of the tope 3-5 prospects in baseball in exchange for 1 year and an option of a 31 year old pitcher. Even if it wasn't KC is looking for big league, front end starting pitching. The only thing that MIGHT trounce it would be Shark.

[davell]

Jason Grilli supposedly deciding by 10 AM (central??) between Cubs, Blue Jays, Giants, Padres.

Wants someone to go to 3 years. I'm fine with it, if we do.

[Guest]

Jason Grilli supposedly deciding by 10 AM (central??) between Cubs, Blue Jays, Giants, Padres.

Wants someone to go to 3 years. I'm fine with it, if we do.

 

Obvious statement is obvious, but it would all depend on the AAV for me. I have no idea what this guy is going to get.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Jason Grilli supposedly deciding by 10 AM (central??) between Cubs, Blue Jays, Giants, Padres.

Wants someone to go to 3 years. I'm fine with it, if we do.

 

I won't kick a dog if we do, but that does seem like a long time for a guy his age and brief success.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Wittenmeyer - Report of - talks grossly misrepresents their nature.

 

Thus is the the theme of every year's meetings. Every GM discusses a multitide of players with a multitude of agents to some degree. Meanwhile, the reporters sniff around for scoops, or anything resembling scoops that are going to generate the most interest, thus there's always a ton of rumors involving big market teams like the Cubs, Yankees, Dodgers, Red Sox etc. regardelss of how minor. For example, the Rockies/Astros trade that recently happned was fairly big, but largely under the radar. Had one or both of the teams involved been a big market team, it would have been big news.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Jason Grilli supposedly deciding by 10 AM (central??) between Cubs, Blue Jays, Giants, Padres.

Wants someone to go to 3 years. I'm fine with it, if we do.

 

Obvious statement is obvious, but it would all depend on the AAV for me. I have no idea what this guy is going to get.

 

I would guess something like 2/13. 5-7 million seems to be the rate for good relievers.

[apete6]

Jason Grilli supposedly deciding by 10 AM (central??) between Cubs, Blue Jays, Giants, Padres.

Wants someone to go to 3 years. I'm fine with it, if we do.

 

Obvious statement is obvious, but it would all depend on the AAV for me. I have no idea what this guy is going to get.

 

I would guess something like 2/13. 5-7 million seems to be the rate for good relievers.

 

Seems unnecessary for a team that likely won't be good this year to go a deal that big on a middle reliever who has had, what, 1 or 2 good years. Too fickle of a position to tie that money up in. But, hey, ticket prices aren't going down and they aren't spending much on anyone else, so what the hell.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Jason Grilli supposedly deciding by 10 AM (central??) between Cubs, Blue Jays, Giants, Padres.

Wants someone to go to 3 years. I'm fine with it, if we do.

 

I won't kick a dog if we do, but that does seem like a long time for a guy his age and brief success.

 

he's 36 and has a few useful seasons scattered throughout a ten year career. This being said, judging by the very reasonable price we paid for the somewhat highly touted Fujikawa, I can't imagine we'd overpay for him, so why not. And I had no idea that Grilli was a 4th overall pick many, many years ago.

[Guest]

Jason Grilli supposedly deciding by 10 AM (central??) between Cubs, Blue Jays, Giants, Padres.

Wants someone to go to 3 years. I'm fine with it, if we do.

 

I won't kick a dog if we do, but that does seem like a long time for a guy his age and brief success.

 

Marmol, QG Fuji, Grilli, Russell, Camp, Bowden?, Chapman?, Fields?

 

This could be one hell of an improved bullpen

[Guest]

Wow, Grilli has been around since 2000, and just made it to free agency by less than 3 weeks of service time.

[Sammys Boombox]

This sounds baseless, but if it's accurate then WTF

 

Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star believes that the Royals "won't hesitate" to trade Wil Myers for James Shields.

Not only that, but Dutton thinks it "probably would require more than Myers" to get Shields. It's clear that the Royals are dead set on adding a frontline starter, but they would be going overboard here. Dealing arguably the best hitting prospect in the game for two years of a very good but not elite starter wouldn't make much sense for any team, much less one that might not even contend in 2013.

 

If James shields is the measuring stick for acquiring Wil Myers then surely we have something that can trounce that

 

The Royals will only trade Myers for somebody they can sell to the fans as a true ace. James Shields is not an ace, but they will say that he is. I don't think the Royals should be making this deal, but I would not be surprised if it happens. They had very good attendance (for the Royals) the first part of last season. If they can contend into August or September and continue to sell the "we just need X to contend in 2014" especially if that X is a full healthy season of Danny Duffy and a RF. Which, I hope fans remember that they had a RF named Myers.

 

However, if I had to be money I would say the deal does not happen. The Royals do not add another good starting pitcher. Their excuse is the asking price for Shields was too much (it is) and they can't afford to pay a FA SP. I think the Dempster 2/$26MM would be good for them, but I don't blame them for not going for 3 years. If Glass wasn't such a cheapskate he'd be bringing in Anibal. The true answer is to open the purse strings in anticipation of the added national TV revenue. I'm not a fan of the Chiefs at all, but I follow the Royals closely since moving here a year ago. The owners in this city absolutely suck.

[Guest]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal

Source: FA reliever Grilli has two-year offers from #Pirates, #BlueJays, #Cubs, #SFGiants. Will stay in PIT unless another club goes three.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Seems unnecessary for a team that likely won't be good this year to go a deal that big on a middle reliever who has had, what, 1 or 2 good years. Too fickle of a position to tie that money up in. But, hey, ticket prices aren't going down and they aren't spending much on anyone else, so what the hell.

 

Every time someone gives up on a baseball season in early December, God punches a newborn kitten right in the face. Please stop.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

QG Fuji

 

QGFuG

[Guest]

QG Fuji

 

QGFuG

I like

[Guest]

Marlin Bystro:

 

I have a hard time believing that the Cubs will go 3 years on Grilli, but I also felt they were going to sign him last night.

 

Something has to give though since I'm almost certain Josh Fields is the Rule V pick.

[Cubswin11]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal

Source: FA reliever Grilli has two-year offers from #Pirates, #BlueJays, #Cubs, #SFGiants. Will stay in PIT unless another club goes three.

Enjoy PIT then, Jason

[Hairyducked Idiot]

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?topic_id=40172882&&content_id=25517943

[Guest]

Carrie Muskat ‏@CarrieMuskat

#Cubs expected to hang onto pick in Rule 5 Draft rather than let another team move up