Minneapolis Star-Tribune on Lack of Quality FA this Year

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The Torii Hunter issue, as well as other trade possibilities, is brought up in this article in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

 

This offseason could produce several blockbuster trades. A thin free-agent class figures to drive up the market for stars already under contract.

 

Among the pending free agents, the top names include Johnny Damon, Paul Konerko, Hideki Matsui, Rafael Furcal and A.J. Burnett.

 

Teams looking for outfield help will have a few select free-agent choices. After Damon and Matsui, there's Brian Giles, Preston Wilson, Reggie Sanders and the Twins' Jacque Jones.

 

Hunter is under contract for $10.75 million next year and has a $12 million option (with a $2 million buyout) for 2006. Would there be a market for him? Probably. Two possibilities include the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees.

 

Interesting that the Cubs were the first names mentioned there. Everyone seems aware that the Cubs MUST do something to address the outfield this offseason.

 

There's also speculation that Radke could be had in a trade, but I doubt we'd have any interest.

 

Other guys that could be moved this offseason are Delgado and Thome.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

We certainly need to do something in CF. Hunter for a year or two until Pie comes along would be nice (i realize he isn't a stud offensively nor is he going to be a web gem master with Wrigley's brick wall). Hairston plays CF well enough for an infielder, but he makes the routine plays difficult with his lack of OF instincts.

 

I don't mind overpaying for Hunter. We're going to overpay in this market, whether it is via FA or trade. It happens when you don't develop enough low cost / high talent position players in your farm system.

Edited September 18, 2005 by Meat&PotatoesMan

[abuck1220]

matsui and giles, please.

 

thank you.

[AAApittsburgh]

Why would the Yankees let Matsui go? Do they think they can get Giles?

[Jazz]

Hunter is a perfect fit here to fill the spot until pie gets here. Id also try to pry jesse crain off them to be a setup. Trade them Patterson, Wellemeyer, and Mitre, and agree to take on all of the contract.

 

Then put Murton in Left, and sign Giles for RF. Rotate Nomar, Cedeno, and Walker in the Middle Infield. Keep the bullpen like it is, and go after either milwood or washburn in FA. If neither sign, then stick williams rusch or hill in the 5th starter role.

 

2B Walker - 3M

SS Garciaparra - 2M +incentives

1B Lee 8.7M

RF Giles 13M

3B Ramirez 10.5M

CF Hunter 10.75M

LF Murton .3M

C Barrett 4M

 

SP1 Prior 2M

SP2 Zambrano 5M

SP3 Wood 12M

SP4 Millwood 9M

SP5 Maddux 9M

 

RP1 Rusch 2M

RP2 Ohman .5M

RP3 Novoa .3M

RP4 Wuertz .5M

RP5 Crain .5M

CL Dempster 4M

 

Bench

C Blanco 1.8M

IF Cedeno .3M

IF Fontenot .3M

OF Mark Sweeney 1M

OF Pie (midseason) .3M

Util Hairston .5M

 

A little over 100M

[katway]

The article doesn't even mention Nomar :-k