The 2012 Offseason Thread

[Formerly Snayke]

So all Soriano has to do is keep his strand rate 14 percent above league average with mediocre strikeout numbers and he'll be lights out. Great deal, Mr. Rizzo.

[Rob]

As a GM, Rizzo has very obvious strengths and even more obvious weaknesses.

 

I think he's more suited to a rebuilding team than a competing one.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

9.18 K/9 is mediocre?

[SouthSideRyan]

Heyman said Yankees not involved and Mets balked at 2/8 on Hairston. If so, I think he's a good get for us, especially at that price.

Some people think that price actually meant 8 million annual (obviously too much). Heyman's tweets aren't clear.

While true, he's been worth 7.7 WAR over the past 6 seasons. If you take away 10 and 11, its 7.3 over 4. At 2.0 last year, I could see 2/16 being his price. Not a bargain, by any stretch, but I wouldn't be pissed either.

 

Why would you take away 2 of his 3 most recent seasons?

[Formerly Snayke]

9.18 K/9 is mediocre?

 

Among relievers with at least 60 innings pitched it's something like 34th. So, maybe not mediocre, but pretty underwhelming.

[davell]

Heyman said Yankees not involved and Mets balked at 2/8 on Hairston. If so, I think he's a good get for us, especially at that price.

Some people think that price actually meant 8 million annual (obviously too much). Heyman's tweets aren't clear.

While true, he's been worth 7.7 WAR over the past 6 seasons. If you take away 10 and 11, its 7.3 over 4. At 2.0 last year, I could see 2/16 being his price. Not a bargain, by any stretch, but I wouldn't be pissed either.

 

Why would you take away 2 of his 3 most recent seasons?

Because it'd make my argument more feasible.

[RammyFanny]

BN linked an article saying Hairston is actually only wanting 4 annually for 2 years. And he was offerred 2 million annually.

[Cubswin11]

BN linked an article saying Hairston is actually only wanting 4 annually for 2 years. And he was offerred 2 million annually.

Alright 2 years for $6-7mm then. Get it done, Theo/Jed....

[Clem Fandango]

Heh heh

 

FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal report that the Mariners are close to acquiring Michael Morse.

The Washington Post's Adam Kilgore says it's a three-team deal that will send A.J. Cole to the Nats and John Jaso to the A's. Morse, who is under contract for $6.75 million in 2013 before hitting free agency, became expendable after the Nats traded for Denard Span and re-signed Adam LaRoche. The 30-year-old has batted .297/.343/.515 with 49 homers over the last two years for Washington. He'll slide into a corner outfield spot.

 

- The Nationals acquired Morse from the Mariners several years ago

- The A's traded Gio Gonzalez to the Nationals for a package that included A.J. Cole last year

- The Nationals are now trading Michael Morse to the Mariners

- The A's are now trading A.J. Cole to the Nationals for John Jaso (from the M's)

 

Derp.

[Guest]

And another Bourn suitor adds an outfielder.

[davell]

Does a couple things: Kind of sets baseline for Soriano deal and likely eliminates Bourn suitor. In Cameron's chat today, he guessed 3/42 on Bourn. Was asked specifically if Cubs could sign him AND Lohse, to possibly flip them later, he didn't dismiss it.

[toonsterwu]

Just a really superb offseason for the Nats. Cole had an up and down season, but he's still a quality young arm, and to get that quality for one year of Morse? Just a good deal. I don't know much about Treinen, but Cole himself made this a solid deal for them.

 

I get the deal for the A's. Up and down year for Cole. They get a decent player in Jaso, under control for a couple more seasons. He isn't great defensively, he probably doesn't repeat the power he showed last year, but some pop and good approach, plus catching depth ... I understand it. Don't love this deal for them, but understand it.

 

I like Morse, but I agree with all the M's fans that think that this was a bad deal for them, particularly considering their chances of competing in the next year seem slim.

 

Just a dang good offseason for the Nats. Upper level depth is a question mark if injuries happen ... but that's true for a lot of organizations. They get some minor league depth back to help restock the system (and gives them some potential chips if they need to make a midseason deal). They essentially swapped Morse and Meyer for Span and Cole this offseason ... which is a solid swap, IMO.

[BCVM22]

Garza signs for 1 year, $10.25 mil and avoids arbitration.

[Guest]

ABTY with an update:

 

Bourn rejected a Cubs offer three weeks ago... Garza has let it be known that he's willing to take a 'sweetheart' deal to stay long term- will not do so if traded... Hearing sides have discussed a 4 year deal... Cubs have not ruled out dealing Garza still as well...

[davell]

If Garza's willing to sign something like Edwin did, we need to keep him.

[jersey cubs fan]

If Garza's willing to sign something like Edwin did, we need to keep him.

 

If Garza is willing to sign something like Edwin did it does not bode well for his confidence regarding his health.

[KingCubsFan]

If Garza's willing to sign something like Edwin did, we need to keep him.

 

If Garza is willing to sign something like Edwin did it does not bode well for his confidence regarding his health.

Yeah, you can't sign him to an extension until he shows he's healthy. But if he wants to sign something like 4/60 in May after proving his health, the Cubs should do that.

[Banedon]

If Garza's willing to sign something like Edwin did, we need to keep him.

 

If Garza is willing to sign something like Edwin did it does not bode well for his confidence regarding his health.

Yeah, you can't sign him to an extension until he shows he's healthy. But if he wants to sign something like 4/60 in May after proving his health, the Cubs should do that.

 

Is May long enough to show he's healthy?

[davell]

If Garza's willing to sign something like Edwin did, we need to keep him.

 

If Garza is willing to sign something like Edwin did it does not bode well for his confidence regarding his health.

To clarify, if he's willing to sign for 4 years, even at 16ish per, I'd keep him. However, it seems like he wants a NTC. I wouldn't go down that road, if he insists. Seems like he loves Chicago though, maybe he's willing to give a legit discount. At any rate, a 2, 3, 4 of Shark, Garza, and Edwin sets up very well. Just have to find the 1.(Price)

[KingCubsFan]

If Garza's willing to sign something like Edwin did, we need to keep him.

 

If Garza is willing to sign something like Edwin did it does not bode well for his confidence regarding his health.

Yeah, you can't sign him to an extension until he shows he's healthy. But if he wants to sign something like 4/60 in May after proving his health, the Cubs should do that.

 

Is May long enough to show he's healthy?

Good point. I just threw it out there. I guess a decision should come closer to the trading deadline.

[Guest]

How many teams are potentially still in on Bourn at this point?

[Cubswin11]

How many teams are potentially still in on Bourn at this point?

Cubs, Rangers, Mets, Royals? I haven't heard anything about the Royals being interested but they could use another OF and with the Shields trade are trying to win now, Boras always gets his guys their money and Dayton Moore is, well, Dayton Moore.

[davell]

How many teams are potentially still in on Bourn at this point?

Texas, Philadelphia, Atlanta. I could see the White Sox being involved.

[questionmarkgrace]

did anyone see how much money Hunter Pence got? 13.8 mil in arb holy crap!

[jersey cubs fan]

Paul Sullivan ‏@PWSullivan

Cubs arb guys sign: Samardzija gets $2.64 mil and $125,000 in performance bonuses. Russell gets$1.075 mill.