Offseason Rumors

[Hairyducked Idiot]

We avoided arbitration with Samardzija. Did this really go a day without being mentioned?

 

I'm pissed that it's even looked at as news honestly. I don't care if we had to pay him 4.4 or 6.2 or anything in the middle. The tone of some pieces prior to him signing acted like this was a "major" commitment. If a 5ish mill salary is a "major" commitment, it's pitiful. But, in fairness, with our 85 mill payroll, I guess it is.....

 

It makes him the third-highest player on the roster.

[Guest]

4th actually, but only because of the more hilarious fact that Hammel is 2nd.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

4th actually, but only because of the more hilarious fact that Hammel is 2nd.

 

Are you looking at Cot's? Because they are including part of Castro's signing bonus, which is how the luxury tax is calculated. But for actual salary in 2014, I think Samardzija is above him.

[Guest]

4th actually, but only because of the more hilarious fact that Hammel is 2nd.

 

Are you looking at Cot's? Because they are including part of Castro's signing bonus, which is how the luxury tax is calculated. But for actual salary in 2014, I think Samardzija is above him.

 

I generally consider signing bonuses amortized unless it's really obvious from the structure that it was meant to be considered all up front.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Huh. I'd rather go on a cash-out-this-year basis, but that's just me.

[jersey cubs fan]

4th actually, but only because of the more hilarious fact that Hammel is 2nd.

Wait.

 

 

 

Really?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

4th actually, but only because of the more hilarious fact that Hammel is 2nd.

Wait.

 

 

 

Really?

 

Yes. Jackson at $11m (or $13m if you prefer to prorate the signing bonus) and then everyone else $6m or less.

[jersey cubs fan]

Which guy drives the bus?

[Clem Fandango]

With the D-Backs signing Arroyo, their rotation is currently looking like Corbin, Arroyo, Miley, Cahill, and McCarthy. Bradley probably isn't going anywhere. I imagine he'll switch out with McCarthy if he stumbles down the road again. But that makes Randall Delgado the odd man out, provided they keep him as a starter and don't put him in the bullpen. What would it take for Delgado at this point given the D-Backs clearly aren't that high on him as a starter, even though he performed quite well last year, all things considered?

[Guest]

That would depend on Towers' BAC.

[Cubswin11]

With the D-Backs signing Arroyo, their rotation is currently looking like Corbin, Arroyo, Miley, Cahill, and McCarthy. Bradley probably isn't going anywhere. I imagine he'll switch out with McCarthy if he stumbles down the road again. But that makes Randall Delgado the odd man out, provided they keep him as a starter and don't put him in the bullpen. What would it take for Delgado at this point given the D-Backs clearly aren't that high on him as a starter, even though he performed quite well last year, all things considered?

With Towers probably anything ranging from Barney to Samardzija+Baez+Bryant.

Edited February 10, 2014 by Cubswin11

[Bryants Disco Ball]

With the D-Backs signing Arroyo, their rotation is currently looking like Corbin, Arroyo, Miley, Cahill, and McCarthy. Bradley probably isn't going anywhere. I imagine he'll switch out with McCarthy if he stumbles down the road again. But that makes Randall Delgado the odd man out, provided they keep him as a starter and don't put him in the bullpen. What would it take for Delgado at this point given the D-Backs clearly aren't that high on him as a starter, even though he performed quite well last year, all things considered?

 

I believe Delgado is out of options, so if he doesn't make the rotation and they don't trade him, he's 100 percent going to the bullpen.

 

He'd be a cool guy to trade for.....again.

[Clem Fandango]

Mariner's are reportedly interested in Samardzija. BN did a piece on it here: http://www.bleachernation.com/2014/02/11/resumed-mariner-interest-in-jeff-samardzija-lingering-hope-for-an-extension/

 

So it is with a Tribune report, in which a source tells Mark Gonzalez that the Mariners have emerged (or re-emerged, depending on what you thought of December’s rumor mill) as a possible Samardzija trade destination. With a top-heavy rotation, potential financial limitations (as it relates to signing a free agent starter, anyway), and a go-for-it type offseason (especially if they add Nelson Cruz), adding a starter like Samardzija could be an enormous boon to the Mariners’ near-term playoff chances. Having reportedly struggled to find a fit in a David Price trade when the Rays insisted on the inclusion of top pitching prospect Taijuan Walker, maybe the Mariners would indeed be willing to fall back to Samardzija.

[Guest]

With Walker apparently untouchable and Hultzen's injury, it'll be tough to make a deal work, especially if Russell is tossed in there too like Loxas suggested. Paxton would be a must, and if Ackley can actually play a capable CF with some work that might be a strong second piece. Maybe Paxton, Ackley, Hultzen? I dunno.

[Post Count Padder]

With Walker apparently untouchable and Hultzen's injury, it'll be tough to make a deal work, especially if Russell is tossed in there too like Loxas suggested. Paxton would be a must, and if Ackley can actually play a capable CF with some work that might be a strong second piece. Maybe Paxton, Ackley, Hultzen? I dunno.

I had the same thoughts on Hultzen. I'd love to have him but we played the injured prospect card already on Vizcaino and he still hasn't thrown a pitch for us. I'd love to buy low on Ackley, too. Getting Ackley and Paxton would be nice, but I'm not sure the Mariners would do it. I think I would rather just hold of until the deadline.

[Tracer Bullet]

With Walker apparently untouchable and Hultzen's injury, it'll be tough to make a deal work, especially if Russell is tossed in there too like Loxas suggested. Paxton would be a must, and if Ackley can actually play a capable CF with some work that might be a strong second piece. Maybe Paxton, Ackley, Hultzen? I dunno.

 

Why not Ackley at 2B? Are we figuring Baez comes up later this year and he or Castro has to move to 2B?

 

I'd like Paxton and Ackley if we could find another piece.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Ackley at 2B is bad because he's a horrible 2B.

[Guest]

With Walker apparently untouchable and Hultzen's injury, it'll be tough to make a deal work, especially if Russell is tossed in there too like Loxas suggested. Paxton would be a must, and if Ackley can actually play a capable CF with some work that might be a strong second piece. Maybe Paxton, Ackley, Hultzen? I dunno.

 

Why not Ackley at 2B? Are we figuring Baez comes up later this year and he or Castro has to move to 2B?

 

I'd like Paxton and Ackley if we could find another piece.

 

Ackley at 2B is fine too, but the need for MLB PAs to sort out the IF is a potential concern even without Ackley. At a certain point it feels like forcing a square peg into a round hole just because they showed interest in Samardzija. It's too bad neither of the M's or the Orioles have an MLB ready OF prospect worth anything, they'd be a good potential match with Paxton+Hultzen and Gausman/Bundy. As it stands, I think finding a way to get AA into prospect dealing mode in Toronto is the best bet to get strong value for Samardzija before July. Stroman, Gose, and Nolin looks good to me.

[Guest]

Ackley at 2B is bad because he's a horrible 2B.

 

Why do you say that? Both UZR and DRS have him as well above average every year of his career. It's CF where he's scored very poorly, possibly because he can't play it and/or possibly because he's never been an OF before last year.

[Post Count Padder]

Hisashi Iwakuma won't throw for 4-6 weeks due to a strained tendon in his right hand.

 

So he could miss the beginning of the season? May make the Mariners more interesting in a move of some sort.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

A bunch of different reporters have said that one of the 40-man spots we cleared today was for James McDonald, which is odd because he got a minor-league deal supposedly.

[Tracer Bullet]

Ackley at 2B is bad because he's a horrible 2B.

 

Um I don't think that's true.

[Guest]

A bunch of different reporters have said that one of the 40-man spots we cleared today was for James McDonald, which is odd because he got a minor-league deal supposedly.

wait, what?

 

Who left the 40 man today?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

A bunch of different reporters have said that one of the 40-man spots we cleared today was for James McDonald, which is odd because he got a minor-league deal supposedly.

wait, what?

 

Who left the 40 man today?

 

Raley and Marshall were both claimed on waivers.

[NOLA]

We should start a transactions thread.