Offseason Rumors

[SouthSideRyan]

If it happens, I still hope it's the Royals and Zimmer is involved.

I hope it's the Royals too, but I do like Ventura more than Zimmer, size be damned. Ventura and Duffy would probably be my favorite package not involving Bradley or Taillon.

 

The Royals should be desperate enough at this point to give us Zimmer AND Ventura.

 

Something along those lines is the only way we should be trading Samardzija.

[imb]

I havent thought experimented this out all the way, but are we reaching the point where years of cost-effective team control is valuable to the point that it's prohibitive to even move the guy?

[Clem Fandango]

I know I keep bringing him up ad nauseum, but I really want Jedd Gyorko. My kind of dream scenario is:

 

- Trade Samardzija & Barney to San Diego for Gyorko & pitching prospect. Max Fried or Casey Kelly comes to mind (not sure how valuable Samardzija is in this deal given Gyorko's position and control, though.)

- Go with an infield of Rizzo, Gyorko, Castro, and Olt in 2014

- Pray to the baseball Gods that Castro and Olt bounce back and have good years

- Depending on when Baez and Bryant are ready (trade deadline of 2014 or beginning of 2015), trade Olt and Castro for MLB ready/upper minors pitching (who, I don't know); or use Alcantara as bait if he continues to progress (or Gyorko if Alcantara has a better long term outlook at the time).

- Go into 2015 with Rizzo, Gyorko, Baez, and Bryant in the IF. Rizzo helps the others defensive shortcomings with his glove, and we enjoy an infield of potential 30+ HR hitters for the next 5+ years and the oldest one of them (Gyorko) is 26 (and doesn't reach arb until 2016).

 

Not gonna happen, but that would be my dream infield. I'd prefer MLB hitting for Samardzija first before pitching, but I know I'm in the minority on that.

[Guest]

I havent thought experimented this out all the way, but are we reaching the point where years of cost-effective team control is valuable to the point that it's prohibitive to even move the guy?

 

I'm not sure what you're saying here.

[Guest]

Also, I will be shocked if we give up real assets for an infielder. By next March at the latest, you'll have Rizzo, Castro, Baez, Bryant, Olt, and Alcantara all competing for 4 spots. Olt is the oldest at age 25, all have at least 6 years of team control. Put another way, Mike Olt could be fixed and be the potential monster people thought he was in 2012, and he still might be the 5th best infielder.

[SouthSideRyan]

I havent thought experimented this out all the way, but are we reaching the point where years of cost-effective team control is valuable to the point that it's prohibitive to even move the guy?

 

I'm not sure what you're saying here.

 

I'm guessing he thinks Samardzija has more years left than he does.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Rizzo, Castro, Baez, Bryant, Olt, and Alcantara

 

Awesome, Sucks, Awesome, Outfielder, Sucks, Borderline

 

Plenty of room for an infielder in there if there's one we like.

[Guest]

Rizzo, Castro, Baez, Bryant, Olt, and Alcantara

 

Awesome, Sucks, Awesome, Outfielder, Sucks, Borderline

 

Plenty of room for an infielder in there if there's one we like.

 

Now do the OF and SP options in the next 12 months and compare.

 

But don't really if you're going to put effort into it like that.

[Guest]

quit stabbing yourself in the crotch

[imb]

I havent thought experimented this out all the way, but are we reaching the point where years of cost-effective team control is valuable to the point that it's prohibitive to even move the guy?

 

I'm not sure what you're saying here.

 

I'm guessing he thinks Samardzija has more years left than he does.

 

I'm not necessarily talking about Samardzija really. Just seems like the team trading the cost-controlled player values that team/cost control above all else, to the point where the asking price in a trade is unrealistic.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Rizzo, Castro, Baez, Bryant, Olt, and Alcantara

 

Awesome, Sucks, Awesome, Outfielder, Sucks, Borderline

 

Plenty of room for an infielder in there if there's one we like.

 

Now do the OF and SP options in the next 12 months and compare.

 

But don't really if you're going to put effort into it like that.

 

I'm not denying that other positions make *more* sense. But right now, I have no clue at all what the front office is thinking for 2014. Nothing would surprise me.

[Clem Fandango]

And so begins the offseason...

 

Scott Boras told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that he has already received 11 calls from general managers about free agent center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury.

ESPN's Buster Olney reported Thursday that Boras and Ellsbury asked for a $130 million contract extension from the Red Sox after the 2011 season. It's now two full years later, but Ellsbury will likely be seeking a similar sum on the open market. The 30-year-old hit .298/.355/.426 with 52 stolen bases in 134 games this season. The Mariners and Rangers are thought to be the early favorites.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Dodgers decline their option on Mark Ellis. If nothing else, that might dampen any market for Darwin Barney.

[ConstableRabbit]

@CubsDen: Cardinals looking for SS and MLB radio saying sources say they could "kick tires" on Starlin Castro (h/t @bbqgoat1968)

 

I'd be very surprised if Castro was moved, let alone in the division. That said, I'd be pretty sad to see him go to St. Louis.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

@CubsDen: Cardinals looking for SS and MLB radio saying sources say they could "kick tires" on Starlin Castro (h/t @bbqgoat1968)

 

I'd be very surprised if Castro was moved, let alone in the division. That said, I'd be pretty sad to see him go to St. Louis.

 

I can't decide if this would be amazing or horrifying.

[Cubswin11]

@CubsDen: Cardinals looking for SS and MLB radio saying sources say they could "kick tires" on Starlin Castro (h/t @bbqgoat1968)

 

I'd be very surprised if Castro was moved, let alone in the division. That said, I'd be pretty sad to see him go to St. Louis.

Well they certainly have intriguing pieces

[TruffleShuffle]

i don't even know where to start that conversation. probably taveras and martinez, then whoever their best starter is in the low minors (assuming that miller and wacha are not being moved).

[Guest]

Taveras, Miller, and Jay

 

And then say no and hang up after they agree to it.

[imb]

starlin castro isn't worth taveras, miller or martinez by themselves

[Guest]

Taveras, Miller, and Jay

 

And then say no and hang up after they agree to it.

Exactly.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

starlin castro isn't worth taveras, miller or martinez by themselves

 

This. Or at least for Taveras for sure.

[Clem Fandango]

starlin castro isn't worth taveras, miller or martinez by themselves

 

I agree. Castro is signed long term to a fairly team friendly salary, but the other three are super cheap with just as many years of team control and as good of an opportunity to out produce Castro as anyone else.

[Guest]

i don't even know where to start that conversation. probably taveras and martinez, then whoever their best starter is in the low minors (assuming that miller and wacha are not being moved).

 

I think you forgot that there's a pretty decent chance that Starlin Castro is terrible.

[Guest]

MLB network just showed us as one of the teams that Heyman says are interested in Ellsbury.

 

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS 2h

#nationals among teams that could look at ellsbury. (others listed here, as well) http://cbsprt.co/17A68nJ

[Guest]

starlin castro isn't worth taveras, miller or martinez by themselves

 

Rats, guess we'll have to keep him then.