10/11 offseason

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Not that anyone cares... but today during a Fangraphs chat, Dave Cameron speculated that Greinke will end up being traded to the Nats.

Dave who?  Never heard of him.

Before I even read the chat or more posts, I assume he figures we put in a middle infielder and a couple other pieces.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Joe Pawlikowski from yesterday:
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/getting-out-of-the-cellar-kansas-city-royals/

This is where I think Greinke becomes the most useful. We’ve seen teams cling to their prospects recently, and middle infield prospects are among the most coveted. If the Royals want to pry one away from a team, Greinke offers them their best shot. Then again, there are guys like Johnny Giavotella and Christian Colon on the farm who could also potentially fill those slots. But since there are no sure things it would probably behoove the Royals to acquire at least one middle infielder if they’re going to trade Greinke.

[Potomac Cannons]

It's going to be Pudge with Ramos/Flores backing him up until sometime in May at which time it'll be close to a platoon until sometime in July in which Pudge will be backing up Ramos/Flores.  The Ramos/Flores battle will be a huge storyline in the spring, I'm predicting unless one of them gets traded.

Ramos is putting up a 1.105 OPS so far in the VWL.  He really hit well for a C until last season and even then showed some flashes.  If it comes down to him or Flores then old 1 shoulder's got to go.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

I would do backflips if the Nats were to get Greinke.  Seriously.

That's actually a much, much better move than trying to outbid the Yankees for Cliff Lee.

[Potomac Cannons]

Joe Pawlikowski from yesterday:
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/getting-out-of-the-cellar-kansas-city-royals/

If it is one, I'd prefer it to be Desmond.  Greinke would be a massive deal.  An extension for him would be even better. 

Desmond and one of our cheap SP, KC ain't taking payroll back, as the starting offer would be nice.  Espinosa to SS, a one year deal for someone like Bill Hall at 2B, and monitor Lombardozzi's progress closely.

[Potomac Cannons]

I would do backflips if the Nats were to get Greinke.  Seriously.

That's actually a much, much better move than trying to outbid the Yankees for Cliff Lee.

Especially since Dayton Moore is the type of GM that might sell him for half a box of Ritz crackers.

[PANatsFan]

If it is one, I'd prefer it to be Desmond.  Greinke would be a massive deal.  An extension for him would be even better. 

Desmond and one of our cheap SP, KC ain't taking payroll back, as the starting offer would be nice.  Espinosa to SS, a one year deal for someone like Bill Hall at 2B, and monitor Lombardozzi's progress closely.

Batcrap crazy Orlando Hudson or even Adam Kennedy.

[The Chief]

Especially since Dayton Moore is the type of GM that might sell him for half a box of Ritz crackers.

Weren't you the one just defending him the other day saying what an awesome job he did restocking their farm?

[Potomac Cannons]

Weren't you the one just defending him the other day saying what an awesome job he did restocking their farm?

Great drafting.  The second someone shows they're "getting it" he gets viciously harmed in trades.  Love their farm system (Moustakas, Hosmer, Duffy, Dwyer, Lamb, Montgomery and even Smith are all studs at AA or higher) but have no faith any of those guys are there past their arb years.

[cmdterps44]

If it is one, I'd prefer it to be Desmond.  Greinke would be a massive deal.  An extension for him would be even better. 

Desmond and one of our cheap SP, KC ain't taking payroll back, as the starting offer would be nice.  Espinosa to SS, a one year deal for someone like Bill Hall at 2B, and monitor Lombardozzi's progress closely.

Sign me up.

[hammondsnats]

royals came out recently said they aren't trading greinke anytime soon.

[PANatsFan]

royals came out recently said they aren't trading greinke anytime soon.

That's because he hasn't given him his no trade list. Rizzo needs to lay low until he does, and then go after him like crazy.

[UMDNats]

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101112&content_id=16086018&vkey=news_was&c_id=was

WASHINGTON -- Add the Nationals to the list of teams interested in free-agent left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, according to a baseball source.

Last season, De La Rosa missed most of the first half because of a finger injury, but he still went 8-7 with a 4.22 ERA in 20 starts for the Rockies. He also recorded 113 strikeouts in 121 2/3 innings. Even more impressive was that he allowed just three runs or fewer in 13 of his last 14 starts.

De La Rosa's best season was in 2009, when he went 16-9 with a 4.38 ERA for Colorado, and that was after he started the season 0-6. He also struck out 193 batters in 185 innings.

Washington is also in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes, but a baseball source said the club would not get into a bidding war like it did with first baseman Mark Teixeira after the 2008 season. Washington offered Teixeira the most money, but he elected to sign with the Yankees.

[HalfSmokes]

Washington is also in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes, but a baseball source said the club would not get into a bidding war like it did with first baseman Mark Teixeira after the 2008 season. Washington offered Teixeira the most money, but he elected to sign with the Yankee

What does that even mean, "we're in it, but only through the first round of biding, after which we'll claim the price is no longer fair, hold our heads high, and finish fifth in the n.l. east with a team of properly compensated players"

[DPMOmaha]

They should be interested in De la Rosa.  Still not that #1 though.

[Lintyfresh85]

De la Rosa looks like he could be the next Oliver Perez to me... tread with caution.

[HalfSmokes]

De la Rosa looks like he could be the next Oliver Perez to me... tread with caution.

or carlos silva or gil meche. He's really lucky to be a free agent in a year where there is only one good starter and there will be a lot of disappointed bidders

[UMDNats]

What does that even mean, "we're in it, but only through the first round of biding, after which we'll claim the price is no longer fair, hold our heads high, and finish fifth in the n.l. east with a team of properly compensated players"

"We're in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes so that fans think we're trying, but once he actually gets real offers, we'll drop out."

[UMDNats]

or carlos silva or gil meche. He's really lucky to be a free agent in a year where there is only one good starter and there will be a lot of disappointed bidders

Bill Simmons and Buster Olney talked about this on his podcast. It's a really interesting phenomenon. In FA there are actually really good players and teams all want him, but once he's gone, teams panic and overpay for the 3rd or 4th best option (e.g., Carlos Silva). I actually hope we don't do that.

[Potomac Cannons]

They should be interested in De la Rosa.  Still not that #1 though.

Front of the rotation.  Rizzo never said #1.  That was Ben putting words in his mouth.

[HalfSmokes]

Front of the rotation.  Rizzo never said #1.  That was Ben putting words in his mouth.

this

in a team loaded with number 4s and 5s De la Rosa is front of the rotation

[Potomac Cannons]

or carlos silva or gil meche. He's really lucky to be a free agent in a year where there is only one good starter and there will be a lot of disappointed bidders

And Gil Meche put up two very good years for KC before Trey Hilliman overpitched him and ruined his arm.

Silva was bad in Seattle.  He had three good years in Minnesota and was good for the Cubs last year.

De La Rosa is a solid #2 SP.  My only real concern would be his BB/9 rate.  Everything else is good.  Gotta like those numbers in a home park like Colorado.

[HalfSmokes]

De La Rosa is a solid #2 SP.  My only real concern would be his BB/9 rate.  Everything else is good.  Gotta like those numbers in a home park like Colorado.

no wonder you seem to think every prospect in our organization is a number 2

[DPMOmaha]

Front of the rotation.  Rizzo never said #1.  That was Ben putting words in his mouth.

either way.  It doesn't (shouldn't) qualify.  He'd be a quality guy to have back there, and maybe he turns into a FEOR guy, but he's not there yet.

[Potomac Cannons]

Bill Simmons and Buster Olney talked about this on his podcast. It's a really interesting phenomenon. In FA there are actually really good players and teams all want him, but once he's gone, teams panic and overpay for the 3rd or 4th best option (e.g., Carlos Silva). I actually hope we don't do that.

Which is why the potential options of Greinke/Shields/Garza are helpful this offseason.  They should keep teams from that big overpay for a SP that happens often.

Lee is phenomenal.  Greinke is a notch below.  Shields/Garza/Pavano/Kuroda/De La Rosa are all good options.