What will we spend our money on this offseason?

[davell]

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4616&position=C

 

That's Russell Martin's Fangraphs page. He'll be 32 next year. Will the Pirates give him the qualifier? If we finish with an unprotected pick, will we pay for a guy that we lose our pick for? Not trying to start a fight here either, I think it's a legitimate question.

 

If we've got 50-55 mill in commitments and have 100 mill to work with, plus the rolled over Tanaka savings, what do you see us investing in?

 

Personally, I think the Tanaka money goes towards spending big on IFA's next year. Penalties eat into that fairly heavily, but I could see us spending 10 mill or so there and add in the penalties-that money is gone. Especially if the Hammel and Bonifacio signings came from that pool. Which we don't know.

 

Bullpen? I wouldn't mind if we didn't sign a single guy to a guaranteed contract. But my guess is we'll add one, but not expensive.

 

Bench? I doubt we add anything here either, since we'll soon have Ruggiano, Coghlan, Sweeney, and Valbuena all as bench parts.

 

The Outfield- Could definitely see us adding something here. Veteran bat on a 2-3 year deal or something like that. Markakis has always been my top option, but no clue if he hits FA or not.

 

The Infield-Don't see anything happening here at all.

 

Catching- It's why I brought up Martin. I doubt we'd spend on a solid OF, C, and SP, but I think it'll be 2 of the 3. I was always a Castillo fan, but at this point, I'd have to label him a stopgap, right?

 

Starting Pitching- Obviously we're doing something here, but with Theo and Jed bringing up the 18-24 month thing, it's certainly possible we don't add a TOR guy this offseason. Although I suspect we'll add 2 of them within 24 months. Of course, we've also got the ability to add two THIS offseason, if we want to.

 

So, how do you guys see the money being distributed this offseason?

[Clem Fandango]

Buy Lester and McCarthy. Trade for Stanton.

 

Offseason over.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm going to guess they will not be playing the intl signing bonus penalty game any longer. They did it when they were tanking and it was a new idea, others are doing it now. My guess is they will either try and play it more straight up or the league will just make another rule that makes it even less likely to work.

[Cubswin11]

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4616&position=C

 

That's Russell Martin's Fangraphs page. He'll be 32 next year. Will the Pirates give him the qualifier? If we finish with an unprotected pick, will we pay for a guy that we lose our pick for? Not trying to start a fight here either, I think it's a legitimate question.

 

If we've got 50-55 mill in commitments and have 100 mill to work with, plus the rolled over Tanaka savings, what do you see us investing in?

 

Personally, I think the Tanaka money goes towards spending big on IFA's next year. Penalties eat into that fairly heavily, but I could see us spending 10 mill or so there and add in the penalties-that money is gone. Especially if the Hammel and Bonifacio signings came from that pool. Which we don't know.

 

Bullpen? I wouldn't mind if we didn't sign a single guy to a guaranteed contract. But my guess is we'll add one, but not expensive.

 

Bench? I doubt we add anything here either, since we'll soon have Ruggiano, Coghlan, Sweeney, and Valbuena all as bench parts.

 

The Outfield- Could definitely see us adding something here. Veteran bat on a 2-3 year deal or something like that. Markakis has always been my top option, but no clue if he hits FA or not.

 

The Infield-Don't see anything happening here at all.

 

Catching- It's why I brought up Martin. I doubt we'd spend on a solid OF, C, and SP, but I think it'll be 2 of the 3. I was always a Castillo fan, but at this point, I'd have to label him a stopgap, right?

 

Starting Pitching- Obviously we're doing something here, but with Theo and Jed bringing up the 18-24 month thing, it's certainly possible we don't add a TOR guy this offseason. Although I suspect we'll add 2 of them within 24 months. Of course, we've also got the ability to add two THIS offseason, if we want to.

 

So, how do you guys see the money being distributed this offseason?

I see no way we spend that kind of money

[Clem Fandango]

But seriously I think pitching is the focus and it's obvious. They could use a corner OF but they won't be sunk without one either. But pitching is an issue that needs to be addressed, regardless of how well the current guys are doing. Adding a Lester or a McCarthy (or both) would go a long way to helping the team both on the field and off it (making other guys expendable for trade packages).

 

And obviously Stanton is the dream acquisition, but if he can't be had then a guy like Markakis (or others I'm too lazy to look up) would do in a pinch.

 

I'm also super intrigued by Tomas, but not sure when he's gonna be available. But if we can't get Stanton, he'd be my 2nd choice for a corner OF acquisition.

 

Bullpen has been good and if we buy pitching a couple starters would move there. Not sure if we need a bullpen guy but adding more never hurts.

 

Catcher is iffy. I like Castillo, and he shows signs of being a good catcher but he's kind of meh. Maybe the Cubs trade for one? I mentioned it off hand in the Jax for Upton thread, but it would be splendid if the Cubs could acquire Bethancourt from the Braves in an expanded deal, though I'm sure they're overly attached to him. Not sure what to think about catcher otherwise. Maybe the M's are down on Zunino?

[davell]

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4616&position=C

 

That's Russell Martin's Fangraphs page. He'll be 32 next year. Will the Pirates give him the qualifier? If we finish with an unprotected pick, will we pay for a guy that we lose our pick for? Not trying to start a fight here either, I think it's a legitimate question.

 

If we've got 50-55 mill in commitments and have 100 mill to work with, plus the rolled over Tanaka savings, what do you see us investing in?

 

Personally, I think the Tanaka money goes towards spending big on IFA's next year. Penalties eat into that fairly heavily, but I could see us spending 10 mill or so there and add in the penalties-that money is gone. Especially if the Hammel and Bonifacio signings came from that pool. Which we don't know.

 

Bullpen? I wouldn't mind if we didn't sign a single guy to a guaranteed contract. But my guess is we'll add one, but not expensive.

 

Bench? I doubt we add anything here either, since we'll soon have Ruggiano, Coghlan, Sweeney, and Valbuena all as bench parts.

 

The Outfield- Could definitely see us adding something here. Veteran bat on a 2-3 year deal or something like that. Markakis has always been my top option, but no clue if he hits FA or not.

 

The Infield-Don't see anything happening here at all.

 

Catching- It's why I brought up Martin. I doubt we'd spend on a solid OF, C, and SP, but I think it'll be 2 of the 3. I was always a Castillo fan, but at this point, I'd have to label him a stopgap, right?

 

Starting Pitching- Obviously we're doing something here, but with Theo and Jed bringing up the 18-24 month thing, it's certainly possible we don't add a TOR guy this offseason. Although I suspect we'll add 2 of them within 24 months. Of course, we've also got the ability to add two THIS offseason, if we want to.

 

So, how do you guys see the money being distributed this offseason?

I see no way we spend that kind of money

 

Really? Goony brings up a good point on the IFA's, but Kiley has kind of brought it up already, so I think it's a distinct possibility. Or using it as the posting fee for Maeda. But a signing of Lester or Scherzer and one of Markakis or Martin basically spends the vast majority of 40-45 mill as it is.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

A starting pitcher, a reliever, a veteran outfielder, a veteran bench infielder, a veteran catcher.

[davell]

Yasmani Grandal would be a nice buy low catcher, if we go the trade route, in my opinion.

[UMFan83]

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4616&position=C

 

That's Russell Martin's Fangraphs page. He'll be 32 next year. Will the Pirates give him the qualifier? If we finish with an unprotected pick, will we pay for a guy that we lose our pick for? Not trying to start a fight here either, I think it's a legitimate question.

 

If we've got 50-55 mill in commitments and have 100 mill to work with, plus the rolled over Tanaka savings, what do you see us investing in?

 

Personally, I think the Tanaka money goes towards spending big on IFA's next year. Penalties eat into that fairly heavily, but I could see us spending 10 mill or so there and add in the penalties-that money is gone. Especially if the Hammel and Bonifacio signings came from that pool. Which we don't know.

 

Bullpen? I wouldn't mind if we didn't sign a single guy to a guaranteed contract. But my guess is we'll add one, but not expensive.

 

Bench? I doubt we add anything here either, since we'll soon have Ruggiano, Coghlan, Sweeney, and Valbuena all as bench parts.

 

The Outfield- Could definitely see us adding something here. Veteran bat on a 2-3 year deal or something like that. Markakis has always been my top option, but no clue if he hits FA or not.

 

The Infield-Don't see anything happening here at all.

 

Catching- It's why I brought up Martin. I doubt we'd spend on a solid OF, C, and SP, but I think it'll be 2 of the 3. I was always a Castillo fan, but at this point, I'd have to label him a stopgap, right?

 

Starting Pitching- Obviously we're doing something here, but with Theo and Jed bringing up the 18-24 month thing, it's certainly possible we don't add a TOR guy this offseason. Although I suspect we'll add 2 of them within 24 months. Of course, we've also got the ability to add two THIS offseason, if we want to.

 

So, how do you guys see the money being distributed this offseason?

I see no way we spend that kind of money

 

Really? Goony brings up a good point on the IFA's, but Kiley has kind of brought it up already, so I think it's a distinct possibility. Or using it as the posting fee for Maeda. But a signing of Lester or Scherzer and one of Markakis or Martin basically spends the vast majority of 40-45 mill as it is.

 

You think our payroll for next year is going to be ~$170 million? (55m commit, 100 mil added, ~15 mil rollover savings from Tanaka)?

[davell]

A starting pitcher, a reliever, a veteran outfielder, a veteran bench infielder, a veteran catcher.

 

Between the OF and C, are you seeing 2 starters?

[rawaction]

 

You think our payroll for next year is going to be ~$170 million? (55m commit, 100 mil added, ~15 mil rollover savings from Tanaka)?

 

You didn't read that right.

[SouthSideRyan]

If our 1st rounder isn't protected, I see no way we give up the pick.

[davell]

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4616&position=C

 

That's Russell Martin's Fangraphs page. He'll be 32 next year. Will the Pirates give him the qualifier? If we finish with an unprotected pick, will we pay for a guy that we lose our pick for? Not trying to start a fight here either, I think it's a legitimate question.

 

If we've got 50-55 mill in commitments and have 100 mill to work with, plus the rolled over Tanaka savings, what do you see us investing in?

 

Personally, I think the Tanaka money goes towards spending big on IFA's next year. Penalties eat into that fairly heavily, but I could see us spending 10 mill or so there and add in the penalties-that money is gone. Especially if the Hammel and Bonifacio signings came from that pool. Which we don't know.

 

Bullpen? I wouldn't mind if we didn't sign a single guy to a guaranteed contract. But my guess is we'll add one, but not expensive.

 

Bench? I doubt we add anything here either, since we'll soon have Ruggiano, Coghlan, Sweeney, and Valbuena all as bench parts.

 

The Outfield- Could definitely see us adding something here. Veteran bat on a 2-3 year deal or something like that. Markakis has always been my top option, but no clue if he hits FA or not.

 

The Infield-Don't see anything happening here at all.

 

Catching- It's why I brought up Martin. I doubt we'd spend on a solid OF, C, and SP, but I think it'll be 2 of the 3. I was always a Castillo fan, but at this point, I'd have to label him a stopgap, right?

 

Starting Pitching- Obviously we're doing something here, but with Theo and Jed bringing up the 18-24 month thing, it's certainly possible we don't add a TOR guy this offseason. Although I suspect we'll add 2 of them within 24 months. Of course, we've also got the ability to add two THIS offseason, if we want to.

 

So, how do you guys see the money being distributed this offseason?

I see no way we spend that kind of money

 

Really? Goony brings up a good point on the IFA's, but Kiley has kind of brought it up already, so I think it's a distinct possibility. Or using it as the posting fee for Maeda. But a signing of Lester or Scherzer and one of Markakis or Martin basically spends the vast majority of 40-45 mill as it is.

 

You think our payroll for next year is going to be ~$170 million? (55m commit, 100 mil added, ~15 mil rollover savings from Tanaka)?

 

No, 100 mill TOTAL, plus the Tanaka savings. Meaning 45-50 mill max of spending ability, plus the Tanaka money.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The Tanaka money is long gone and funding some Nebraska senate race or something by now along with the extra groundskeeper savings.

[SouthSideRyan]

I think the Tanaka money is a myth.

[davell]

If our 1st rounder isn't protected, I see no way we give up the pick.

 

If we DID, I think we'd use up both our 1st and 2nd round slot and get 2 guys. But I think the possibility is very slim we do that THIS year. Making Lester the clear cut favorite addition out of the really big names.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

A starting pitcher, a reliever, a veteran outfielder, a veteran bench infielder, a veteran catcher.

 

Between the OF and C, are you seeing 2 starters?

 

Probably not. The OF will be a tweener type who doesn't mind not starting every day, and there are never any good Cs so mineaswell keep Castillo there.

[davell]

The Tanaka money is long gone and funding some Nebraska senate race or something by now along with the extra groundskeeper savings.

 

Theo mentioned it again yesterday at least. He's fighting to keep it anyway.

[davell]

A starting pitcher, a reliever, a veteran outfielder, a veteran bench infielder, a veteran catcher.

 

Between the OF and C, are you seeing 2 starters?

 

Probably not. The OF will be a tweener type who doesn't mind not starting every day, and there are never any good Cs so mineaswell keep Castillo there.

 

Not a Martin fan?

[SouthSideRyan]

If our 1st rounder isn't protected, I see no way we give up the pick.

 

If we DID, I think we'd use up both our 1st and 2nd round slot and get 2 guys. But I think the possibility is very slim we do that THIS year. Making Lester the clear cut favorite addition out of the really big names.

 

I think we get outbid on Lester, and wind up with a Hammel type. I'm expecting payroll around 80-85M with a promise that money was held back for midseason additions if we contend.

[davell]

If our 1st rounder isn't protected, I see no way we give up the pick.

 

If we DID, I think we'd use up both our 1st and 2nd round slot and get 2 guys. But I think the possibility is very slim we do that THIS year. Making Lester the clear cut favorite addition out of the really big names.

 

I think we get outbid on Lester, and wind up with a Hammel type. I'm expecting payroll around 80-85M with a promise that money was held back for midseason additions if we contend.

 

I can see that, I'm just hoping for a better outcome than that. Still, adding 30 mill of talent to what we have is intriguing, as I don't see them frittering it away like Hendry would.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Not a Martin fan?

 

I'd take him, but

 

a) He's just one guy on the market, and I doubt we'll ever be a "get that one guy" type of team. We love value too much.

 

b) He's got a jacked-up version of Castillo's fWAR inflation. Last year it was a silly defensive number and this year's a crazy BABIP.

[SouthSideRyan]

If our 1st rounder isn't protected, I see no way we give up the pick.

 

If we DID, I think we'd use up both our 1st and 2nd round slot and get 2 guys. But I think the possibility is very slim we do that THIS year. Making Lester the clear cut favorite addition out of the really big names.

 

I think we get outbid on Lester, and wind up with a Hammel type. I'm expecting payroll around 80-85M with a promise that money was held back for midseason additions if we contend.

 

I can see that, I'm just hoping for a better outcome than that. Still, adding 30 mill of talent to what we have is intriguing, as I don't see them frittering it away like Hendry would.

 

I'll say De La Rosa, Rasmus, and bench pieces.

[Guest]

I think the Tanaka money is a myth.

 

I think it's real, but it's just not very significant. You can't just up the payroll by 15 million dollars because 15 million didn't get spent last season, the only way I could see something like that happening is if they get to late January and some guy wants to sign a 1/10 deal to get right. The most directly useful use for that money is covering the release fee if they do sign Maeda, otherwise you're talking about a difference that's not worth mentioning given how much room they have already. Having 50 million to spend is just not that much better than 45 given the current roster's construction.

[SouthSideRyan]

Are we all just assuming any bump from a new TV deal(assuming we don't just broadcast half our games radio exclusive) is going to be insignificant?