nilodnayr

The only problem is that the going rate for a 4.8 ERA pitcher is 11M. NOTE: Except Tomo Ohka

2014?

No, but when he's really expensive, counts double because of the luxury tax, is very old and brittle and coming off two down years (no matter how unlucky they may have been) - including poor postseasons, hearing that he's not 100% committed to your team could easily be justification for getting rid of a guy. Oh sure. And the fans don't like him either. It'll actually be a popular move when he is traded. I'm not sure how much luxury tax relief NY will get, though, as the rumor is Arizona will demand NY pay a big chunk of Johnson's salary this year if they give up two prospects. Does anyone know whether NY would have to pay the tax on that amount? I don't know, but I'm guessing they would. Even if they pay $10m of $16m, that's $6m in savings, and an additional 40% ($2.4m) in luxury tax. If they are paying the vast majority of the contract, then it's really stupid. Yeah, but when the Yanks sign Clemens for 20M the saving on the lux tax will be a moot point. I can't believe the Yanks do this move without being absolutely sure that Clemens will play with them before June 22nd. And now I feel double dirty, because I'm concerned about the Yank's moves but I coaxed Clemens in a keeper fantasy trade last year based on the assumption he wasn't going to come back.

working the count to get a good pitch>walking>swinging at the first pitch If that were the case then guys who walk and strike out a lot should have the highest LD%s. Last season LD% and (BB+SO)/PA had an r of -0.06157, so nope on that one. BB/PA? 0.06227. So really no. That's not the point of working the count. It's to get the pitcher to throw extra pitches so he tires further down the road. Yeah it's easy, and too glib IMO, to just say "walking trumps everything". Of course it does if you only look at the surface (it's like the Piniella line about sending 8 midgets up to walk every AB). I think kctigers is forgetting one thing about why people walk: they tend to be dangerous hitters so the pitcher doesn't want to throw strikes. I also don't get why what MrWood said should imply a high correlation between K+BB rate and LD%. Interesting to note that of the top 40 guys in BBs, only 22 of them had 25 or more HRs. Power hitters definitely walk more than non-power hitters, but there are plenty of guys who don't have to be a big threat to hit the long ball to coax a walk.

working the count to get a good pitch>walking>swinging at the first pitch If that were the case then guys who walk and strike out a lot should have the highest LD%s. Last season LD% and (BB+SO)/PA had an r of -0.06157, so nope on that one. BB/PA? 0.06227. So really no. That's not the point of working the count. It's to get the pitcher to throw extra pitches so he tires further down the road. Yeah it's easy, and too glib IMO, to just say "walking trumps everything". Of course it does if you only look at the surface (it's like the Piniella line about sending 8 midgets up to walk every AB). I think kctigers is forgetting one thing about why people walk: they tend to be dangerous hitters so the pitcher doesn't want to throw strikes. I also don't get why what MrWood said should imply a high correlation between K+BB rate and LD%. Interesting to note that of the top 40 guys in BBs, only 22 of them had 25 or more HRs. Power hitters definitely walk more than non-power hitters, but there are plenty of guys who don't have to be a big threat to hit the long ball to coax a walk.

Other options were also to not have added others to the 40 man, wasting spots on crap players like Walrond, Bynum, Pagan, and Womack.

Has Pie's power potential suddenly decreased? If the cubs wanted him to be a corner OF last year, then they would put Soriano in CF this year and would have found a suitable corner OF. They didnt do that because they promised Soriano that they wouldn't move him around. And if Hendry did envision resigning Pierre, then surely he would have made more of a play for him. Pierre didn't do anything in 2006 that we didn't expect of him. We really never seemed interested in him. Although that could just be because Soriano was our #1 and we got him. If we still had Nolasco and Pinto we would have been much more comfortable trading some of our prospects and most likely Nolasco would have received starts last year and significantly increased his value. Its all fine and good to take risks and trade prospects, but for garbage like Pierre, theres very little reward.

I think a Wilson/Jacque platoon would be quite productive. I think he could still play CF defensively 1/3rd of the time. I dunno. Wilson was the 2nd worst defensive CF in baseball from 2003-2005 according to the Fielding Bible, and I don't think his knees are getting any better. I do like the idea of platooning Jacque in CF, though. A lot of people are in favor of platooning him, and a lot are in favor of playing him in CF, but I haven't seen many advocating both. Oh, I didn't mean he could play CF well, or even average, or even just below average. But like with most players there are pros and cons. His defensive deficiencies are much more tolerable A) when hes only playing 1/3rd of the time and B) when it is offset by his offensive prowess vs lefties.

ZIPS projection if Finley were a Giant in 2007: .227 .291 .335 Yikes. The projection sees his power vanishing this year. Meaning he had power last year? :D

Though Bonds in 2001 came very close to changing that balance for himself. And Mizzou: I'll take a team that can draw a walk every time to one that can make solid contact every time - every time. Actually a team that can draw a walk every time will never get out of the first inning if they dont make any outs on the bases. After about 3 business days and about 675432 runs scored the MLB would have to step in with a slaughter rule. But think of the advertising revenue. And if Bonds was involved, ESPN would cut to ever AB of his, making the ad billboard behind home plate quite profitable. Don't forget also that steroids would no longer be an issue. :P Didn't they say that steroids enhances eyesight though? If that is the case then being able to recognize pitches and taking them would be affected by steroids. growth hormone enhances eyesight Did you end up going to optometry school? (Seriously)

The only reason why the Yankees are going to be mentioned, is simply because they are the Yankees. Otherwise, they may get a conversation or two, but I don't see NYY being a big cog in negotiations for Santana. IMO, Minny will do one of two things with Santana: 1. Signed him long-term or 2. Trade him to the NL. I mean outside of Hughes/Tabata there's not to much talent the Twins would want for Santana, and I hope they re-signed him before this discussions becomes legitimate. I (like you) would like to see the Twins resign Santana, but its just not possible for them to fit that salary in their budget. Yes they will have a lot more room once Hunter leaves, but its not like they have a cheap in house alternative to replace him and his production in CF. If Liriano is able to come back strong and with Garza, Baker, and Bosner on the cusp, coupled with the fact that Mauer and Morneau will become much more expensive in a couple years, it makes the most sense for the Twins to trade Santana after next season for an unprecedented bounty. If he has to go to the NL, then the Dodgers or the D'backs (if they up payroll past the 2006 level) probably have the best shot. Imagine if for one year the D'backs had Webb, Santana, and Johnson in their rotation!

As much as I love A-Rod, I'd forget he ever existed if the Cubs could somehow spin an elaborate trade to snag Cabrera. Why would anyone want A-Rod over Baby Pujols? IMO for the cubs, ARod is actually a better fit than Miggy. We already have ARam at third. ARod at short over Izturis > Miggy at left over Murton. Especially given the amount of talent one would need to give up to acquire either player. Don't get me wrong, I love Miggy.

I think a Wilson/Jacque platoon would be quite productive. I think he could still play CF defensively 1/3rd of the time.

I've heard they were going to use Rauch as their closer. Great trade KW. They should make him a starter instead I wonder if they have concerns about his shoulder.

Who? Kemp or Either? I hope you say no so I don't throw up. I don't really believe naming names will accomplish much. It would depend on who would have needed a CF/lead off hitter enough to give up a decent prospect to get Pierre. Julio Lugo was traded for Joel Guzman and Sergio Pedroza. Mark Hendrickson and Toby Hall were traded for Dioner Navarro and Jae Wong Seo. David Wells was traded for George Kotteras. I can sit here and make speculations, but Hendry and/or Dusty felt it was much more important to attempt to salvage a horrible season by not trading some guys who had value on the market at the trade deadline. It was another poor decision piled on top of poor decisions. I have to disagree with you on this one. Hendry made the trade for Pierre on the assumption that he would sign a reasonable extension; just to have him come back and say he wanted Furcal money because leadoff men were so valuable. At that point he was not going to be here for 2007, as evidenced by Hendry’s lack of pursuit this off season. I also don’t recall any serious pursuit by any team for him mid-season. He came into July with a .303 obp (granted a better June and July). What would we have received better then the #31 in this years draft? Who would we have received it from? Considering Pie has been the prize of the org and Hendry said this offseason that he didn't want to acquire anyone long term for the CF hole, either Hendry is a complete idiot or he didn't intend to keep Pierre.

I agree. If the Twins are going to trade Santana (I hope for the future of their club, they don't) they are going to ask for Phillp Hughes AND Tabata to begin any negotiations. But as I mention earlier, I believe the Dodgers/Angels have better shots at landing Santana, due to their deeper farm systems. While the Dodgers and Angels definitely have deeper systems, its going to be more about quality than quantity for Santana. A team is probably only going to be eligible if they have 2 top 25 prospects. Both must be included along with other quality prospects (Owings and Sanchez are also top 50). Theres a big drop off from Wood to whoever is considered the #2 Angels prospect. The Dodgers have the high end and depth necessary. Obviously the Dodgers and Angels and have major league pieces such as E. Santana and Billingsley that they could provide as well. I didn't mean to say that they wouldnt be eligible partners, just that the Yanks are also.

I agree. If the Twins are going to trade Santana (I hope for the future of their club, they don't) they are going to ask for Phillp Hughes AND Tabata to begin any negotiations. But as I mention earlier, I believe the Dodgers/Angels have better shots at landing Santana, due to their deeper farm systems. While the Dodgers and Angels definitely have deeper systems, its going to be more about quality than quantity for Santana. A team is probably only going to be eligible if they have 2 top 25 prospects. Both must be included along with other quality prospects (Owings and Sanchez are also top 50). Theres a big drop off from Wood to whoever is considered the #2 Angels prospect. The Dodgers have the high end and depth necessary.

I've heard they were going to use Rauch as their closer. Great trade KW.

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=174781 Nats are asking for a lot and in my opinion, rightfully so. I would love for us to enter in the middle of this deal with some of our pitching prospects and possibly relievers. Either crisp or church could be had.

There goes the credibility. ? In case you didn't know the Dodgers sorta have a good farm system.

See my post on page 2 :)

His 2006 season netted him 17 wins because he had hands-down the best offense in the game behind him. As of now, they're rotation consists of Mussina, Pettitte, Wang, Johnson, and Pavano. It's a strong 1-3, but if they could net a decent #4 pitcher who isn't facing the injury risks and performance decline Johnson is, or if they feel that Jeff Karstens is ready to start full-time, all while getting rid of his $15M+ contract, it's a no-brainer on their part. IF Johnson is healthy theres a very very good chance he will be the #1 pitcher in that rotation. Nate Silver agrees. Thats why AZ would do this. Plus he might help revenue, just a bit. And if AZ gets into the playoffs Webb and RJ would be tough to beat.

My thoughts...the whole stockpiling talent for Santana/Willis thing isn't for this offseason, its for next offseason. And depending on what happens this year, I really think the Yanks are not going to trade Hughes. Which means, they still don't have enough for Santana. They could probably get Willis though, for what they have now. Tabata's stock could go way up this year.

Exactly. Boras' whole strategy is playing teams off one another (or the appearance of playing teams off of one another). His main goal is to get to the open market ASAP. While he and the Whitesox do not have the best relationship, if its best for his client and best for his own pocketbook, he will do it. Moving to one of the best HR hitters parks in the league will definitely help his case in free agency. Its not probable, but its possible. But he stilll need the White Sox cooperation, cause everybody knows Kenny Williams will rarely, if ever now, deal with him. Not even Boras could convince teams that the White Sox are interested in A. Jones, when everybody in MLB knows of Williams dislike of Boras. So, I seriously doubt, Williams is going to play along with Boras. A) Williams deals with Boras every year on Crede B) Boras doesnt care if the white sox are interested in Andruw once he becomes a FA. At that point it doesnt matter who Andruw played for in 2007. He can sign with any team. I don't see why he needs the white sox cooperation. One of Kenny Williams' assistants actual negotiates with Boras over Crede. He stays out of it. Semantics. Fine then one of KW's assistants can tell Boras that the White Sox are kicking in a bonus for the waiving of the NTC.

i'd take zambrano over any of those three, and that's probably what the yankees are thinking too. I dont think many would disagree, but that still doesnt mean they have to trade Johnson. You can say that again (oh, wait; you DID say that again). :D :D Rumor has it that the Yanks believe they can lure Clemens for a full year and in order to do so had to get rid of Johnson since they are not the best of friends. And that they are stockpiling prospects for a Santana/Willis trade. Although, I think they have quite a ways to go unless they are going to give up hughes on that front. Both teams are going to want quality over quantity. And right now other than Hughes thats Tabata and Duncan and thats it. Owings and Nippert would help, but they probably still need to get more. But at least Cashman has a plan here.