Clem Fandango

FWIW

Rotoworld says... I personally don't see why the Red Sox have a negotiating window in order to make this deal work. The guy is still signed to one more year on his current contract. Whether or not he signs an extension should have no effect on whether or not he can be traded to the team. Unless the reason they're holding off is because if they find out they won't be able to sign him they want to adjust the players sent over in the deal? Otherwise, I don't understand why they are telling themselves they only have a small negotiating window... wouldn't this window technically be able to last between now and the end of next season before he becomes a free agent?

If this were to happen this would almost certainly make Alex Gordon instantly expendable, fwiw That's a similar package to Archer and Colvin (along w/ another prospect or two). If I'm the Cubs, I'd get into the talks. I wouldn't offer Archer, but I'd pitch them a deal of Carpenter, Dolis, and Colvin, with maybe another lesser talented player thrown into the deal. Youd offer Carpenter, Dolis, and Colvin for Zach Greinke? Really? Kyle Drabek is one of the top prospects in baseball. I like Archer a ton, but he'll need at least a repeat performance in 2011 before hes on the same level as Drabek as a prospect. Wed probably have to offer more like Archer, McNutt, and Colvin, probably throw in someone like Carpenter or Dolis if we want Greinke. Drabek's pretty good, but it all depends on what those other 1 or 2 prospects from the Blue Jays are rumored to be. Colvin and Snyder are pretty even, with Colvin being 2 years older, but with more ML success (though Snyder's minors numbers are better). I think Cashner compares pretty well to Drabek. Drabek was BA's 25th rated prospect before last year. And while Cashner was 95, he had a 75 grade compared to Drabek's 70. So, I think you can trade 1 prospect as good as Drabek to match that deal, or you can trade 2 prospects that may be greater than Drabek combined to match it. Carpenter and Dolis may be debateable if they have more combined value than Drabek, but I was just throwing it out there. If the Cubs have no intention of using Cashner as a starter I'd like to float him around the league to see how other teams value him. If we include him in a trade for a SP like Greinke I probably would not miss him, especially if the Cubs brass decided he was to be a bullpen lifer

I think the reports said that Upton was merely being thrown out there to get some feelers and that the D-Backs were asking for a King's ransom in return

I'd take either, to be honest. I think the upside for Johnson is a bit better and he'll be a bit cheaper (and more of a certainty to accept a 1 year deal), but you do make a good point on Pena's power ability. And I'm tending to talk too much about the first base situation too, I think. Well when 3 of the better/best options get taken off the board over the course of a day or two I suppose it becomes priority #1. I honestly think the Cubs are going to make a move as quickly as they can. If they sit back and let someone else snatch up Pena I'm going to be very upset.

If this were to happen this would almost certainly make Alex Gordon instantly expendable, fwiw

Nick Johnson is still out there as well. He's the best option if he could stay healthy, but that's a really big if. Johnson's ability to draw walks is tremendous, but Pena is no slouch in that regard either. Definitely not better than Johnson, but still very good. If Johnson could prove he could stay healthy for 130 games or so like he did a couple of years ago, you then need to ask yourself whether you want Johnson and his ability to hit for better average or Pena and his ability to hit for better power. I think we need the power bat more, plus since Johnson is a near lock to miss more games than he starts I think Pena looks like a more attractive option by the minute. I feel like I keep talking about Pena in every thread. *checks* Yup I kinda am. Sorry

Or Carlos Pena, who is a better option

I'd rather have Pena to help with Aramis' defense than have Aramis [expletive] up Beltre's

Great, now Dave Duncan is going to turn him into a 50HR machine!!!!!11

Likewise. Legit power, great plate discipline, great defense. His BABIP was 57 points lower than his career average this year, that AVG is clearly an aberration. I would think he would bounce back nicely prdouction wise. He'll probably only bat in the .240-.270 range somewhere, but I would think he would hit better being in a weaker division. I like the idea of Davis, and as Rob said in the Davis thread, the two are not exclusive and we could just as easily sign Pena and trade for Davis and have them both, but if we are a legit power hitting 1B and a pitcher or two away from playoff contention, I think Pena is the clear cut way to go in terms of providing that production in the lineup while also helping the team's playoff chances.

Why? Sell me on it...because based on the numbers he doesn't look like a particularly good player. Decent power but no patience, he's been a negative with the glove in all 3 seasons he's been on the Rangers, and negative offensive numers 2 of the 3 years. He spent most of the year in the minors this year and didn't make the postseason roster for them this year. And now he's gonna the starting 1B for the Cubs? The upside is Davis has strong minor league performance, has some MLB success, is still only 25 this May, and is supposedly mobile/athletic to make a solid 1B defensively. Also, he'd come at a pittance compared to other options. He's not as good a buy low option as some others like Ka'aihue, but personally I like him better than say, Pena. Do you prefer Davis over Pena because of age and cost? Just curious.

This pretty much seems like just a reiteration of the rumor that was published a few weeks ago

Butler would not be the worst option and its possible his HR totals could reach the low to mid 20's. He is young and has a great bat, possbily with hitting him between Ramirez and Soriano (whoever hits 5th) could be beneficial for him. He'd be the perfect project for Jaramillo. He hits a ton of doubles, and is a big guy, so it's not out of the question he could hit around 30 homers. Why on Earth would the Royals want to trade Billy Butler? He's not some ruined failed prospect who needs a change of scenery, he's actually good and he's still well below his prime and he's entering his 1st year of arbitration so he's going to still be affordable for the Royals. They have no reason to trade him

Also, why are the Red Sox so quick to push Papelbon out the door because of one off year? He's been one of the most dominating closers prior to 2010, but he has one bad year and they're willing to ditch him already? Seems a like they're overreacting with him, and it doesn't seem like it's about money since they were willing to sign Rivera for $15 million a year

Well who does Boston have that they're centering around in this package? Lars Anderson and Casey Kelly I'm assuming?

OF... and I'm pretty sure he was one of the worst in baseball. Like Adam Dunn bad

I would take a flier on him for sure. Maybe Rotshchild can fi...... aww crap. Seriously though, I would take a chance on Miller. His performance will dictate a very cheap contract so it wouldn't be that much of a risk to give it a shot

Partialy on a previously discussed topic, but it looks like the White Sox did re-sign Pierzinski, and the Blue Jays did not get him as previously reported

A crappier day gets even crappier. RIP Ron. :bye:

We need Jack Cust so he can teach the team the importance of drawing walks

This throws a stick into the bicycle spokes of my dynasty team's future. As if J.P. Arencibia needed another over the hill catcher to block him at the MLB level.

If they don't get Carlos Pena after all this, then what's the point in wasting any more money trying to build through free agency?

Not sure if this was posted elsewhere, but Rotoworld did a profile on several AFL players and discussed Chris Carpenter briefly.

I seriously doubt the Rockies were like "Can we afford this contract for Tulo? What? No? [expletive] it, let's give it to him anyways".