2011 - 12 offseason for other teams

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Supposedly Boston is trying very hard to stay below the lux tax threshold this year.  Trading for rather than buying relievers seems to be their approach.  This might point them towards Andrew Bailey rather than Ryan Madson.   I like the move for Houston and think it was a sell high moment.  At least Melancon has 5 years of team control, two at MLB minimum.  Lowrie has his faults, not the least of which is his injury history and platoon splits for a switch hitter.  I like him, but he was a bit of a spare part in Boston, especially after exercsing Scutaro's option and bringing back Aviles.

[imref]

Bowden's 5 blockbuster trades that should be made, they all seem pretty reasonable.
http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-gms-office/post?id=2863
---

Trade 1: Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics
Red Sox acquire: LHP Gio Gonzalez
A's acquire: 3B Will Middlebrooks, RHP Anthony Ranaudo, OF Ryan Kalish

Trade 2. New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners
Yankees acquire: RHP Felix Hernandez
Mariners acquire: RHP Ivan Nova, C Jesus Montero, RHP Dellin Betances

Trade 3. Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles
Braves acquire: OF Adam Jones, 3B Josh Bell
Orioles acquire: RHP Jair Jurrjens, 3B/OF Martin Prado

Trade 4. Tampa Bay Rays and Cincinnati Reds
Rays acquire: 1B Yonder Alonso, C Yasmani Grandal
Reds acquire: RHP Wade Davis, OF B.J. Upton

Trade 5. Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres
Royals acquire: RHP Mat Latos
Padres acquire: RHP Aaron Crow, RHP Jake Odorizzi, RHP Blake Wood

He notes that if Seattle couples the Yankees deal with signing Fielder, they are a hugely improved team.

[imref]

Mark Melancon for Jed Lowrie and Kyle Weiland.

that seems like a steal for Boston, or am I missing something?

[MarquisDeSade]

If the Mariners trade King Felix they might as well go ahead and fold up the team and ship it to Portland.

[imref]

If the Mariners trade King Felix they might as well go ahead and fold up the team and ship it to Portland.

that's not a bad haul though, maybe they could get Banuelos instead of Betances though?

[MarquisDeSade]

that's not a bad haul though, maybe they could get Banuelos instead of Betances though?

And those guys are going to draw people to Safeco? 

[Slateman]

And those guys are going to draw people to Safeco? 

Winning will.

[MarquisDeSade]

Winning will.

Just look at Atlanta.

[HalfSmokes]

Just look at Atlanta.

and tampa

[JCA-CrystalCity]

IF Heyman is right, the Red Sox are signing Nick Punto for 2 years, $3MM.  A better defender than Lowrie but weaker offensively.  money is close to the same for 2012.  Viewed from that perspective, this probably helps in 2012 quite a bit.

[PatsNats28]

Just look at Atlanta.

Ya but it's not the South. If you have a winning team in a city like Seattle, they'll support the team.

[MarquisDeSade]

Ya but it's not the South. If you have a winning team in a city like Seattle, they'll support the team.

The Seattle Supersonics would like to have a word with you.

[PatsNats28]

The Seattle Supersonics would like to have a word with you.

The team didn't move because of lack of fan support. First of all, they weren't winning at the time, so they weren't filling the stands, but the support was fine for a crappy team.

The reason they got moved was because they couldn't build a new stadium since the taxpayers of Seattle rightfully refused to fund the freaking thing.

[MarquisDeSade]

The team didn't move because of lack of fan support. First of all, they weren't winning at the time, so they weren't filling the stands, but the support was fine for a crappy team.

You're right on the second part but they were in the playoffs a few years prior to the move.  He said "winning" not winning it all. 

[PatsNats28]

I was responding to the Atlanta/Tampa part. Both of those teams are consistent contenders (the Rays more recently, but their success has been more pronounced than the Braves'). I dont think the Sonics making the playoffs a few years prior in a league where more than half the teams make it is a noteworthy accomplishment.

[Minty Fresh]

The Seattle Supersonics would like to have a word with you.

That's because people in Seattle know that basketball sucks.

[DPMOmaha]

Source: #Reds acquire Latos from #Padres. Yonder Alonso among those headed to Pads. #MLB

[PatsNats28]

Damn. I wonder what else Cincy gave up... my initial instinct is to say Cincy won the deal - Alonso is a good hitter, but he doesn't really have a position, and I guess this means they're giving up on Rizzo unless Alonso plays LF?.

[hammondsnats]

Damn. I wonder what else Cincy gave up... my initial instinct is to say Cincy won the deal - Alonso is a good hitter, but he doesn't really have a position, and I guess this means they're giving up on Rizzo unless Alonso plays LF?.

all very good questions.

[PatsNats28]

Edinson Volquez is going to the Padres too. That makes it a bit better...

[Lintyfresh85]

The Reds also gave up Grandal.

So Alonso, Grandal and Volquez is quite the haul.

[Mr Clean]

Looks like Rizzo might be available. Will Rizzo bite?

[Lintyfresh85]

Looks like Rizzo might be available. Will Rizzo bite?

Apparently heading to TB.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Apparently heading to TB.

That was my first thought when I saw the Alonso deal.  He is a Freidman player. 

[Slateman]

Damn. I wonder what else Cincy gave up... my initial instinct is to say Cincy won the deal - Alonso is a good hitter, but he doesn't really have a position, and I guess this means they're giving up on Rizzo unless Alonso plays LF?.

He plays left field about as well as Morse. I'd expect him to play first in SD. But if not, Maybin is quite the rover out their in center.

Good deal for.both squads. Latos is Zimmermann type potential and age.


In other news ....

 http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7362574/2011-mlb-free-agency-jimmy-rollins-philadelphia-phillies-agree-three-year-deal-source-says

Phillies re-sign Rollins