Offseason moves?

[sph274]

we aren't in the market for him, so this is just curiosity, but what is the reasoning behind Boston not giving Salty a QO?

he isnt worth $14 million. if he wants to sign an extension great but they have other options. they will definitely try and resign him but for something far less than $14 mil a year

[Mr Clean]

Morneau and Burnett available with no strings.

[Slateman]

he isnt worth $14 million. if he wants to sign an extension great but they have other options. they will definitely try and resign him but for something far less than $14 mil a year

For real. If Salty got a 14 mil offer, he'd sighn that before the Sox realized what a colossal blunder it wqs.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

It is not clear, but the thinking probably starts with he's not a $14MM catcher.  2 highest catcher salaries going into 2013 were Mauer around $20MM, then Yadi at $14.2MM.  Posey I think is about to go up to $20MM and montero is about to go up to $12.5MM.  The .372 BABIP also looks high relative to 2011 and 2012. Actually had a drop in power this year while his BA / OBP went up.   

They probably would not mind giving him something like 3/ $30MM, which they may try, but once he's making $14.1MM, he's probably not going to want to bargain that away for a pay cut in AAV.  If he turns back into the <2 AR guy he's been, then they would have a hard time getting him to stick around.

[TigerFan]

As a Tiger fan yourself, would you think that Rendon, Storen, Detwiler and Leon would enough for Max?  Storen and Detwiler are relatively cheap and can bolster the pen quite a bit, moving Smyly into the rotation.  Rendon and Iglesias in the MI would surely be a strong DP tandem, and Rendon is cheap and controlled for the future, a good move for the Tigers.  I'd still say that Verlander, Sanchez, Fister, Smyly and Porcello are a great rotation, and if the Tigers aren't sold on Porcello, they could non-tender him and bring in a vet like Hudson or Arroyo.

Personally I would love to see Rendon in an olde English D hat would be awesome.  Personally I think Brayan will be back as the backup catcher.  I would rather see another bullpen arm instead of Leon.  I liked what I saw from a healthy Detweiler as well as what Storen had in 2012 and late last year.  I would be very tempted to take that, or a similar offer if I were DD.

[Slateman]

You can have Soriano

[TigerFan]

You can have Soriano

No way in hell the Tigers are that desperate I'd hope.  Witnessing Valverde for parts of the last two years was enough.

[HalfSmokes]

Morneau and Burnett available with no strings.

I wouldn't mind Morneau as a bench bat

[Slateman]

No way in hell the Tigers are that desperate I'd hope.  Witnessing Valverde for parts of the last two years was enough.

Actually, for all intents and purposes,  Detwiler is a bullpen arm

[Mattionals]

Actually, for all intents and purposes,  Detwiler is a bullpen arm

Yup, and dealing him to Detroit means Smyly becomes a starter.

Sometimes Boras clients sign extensions, and we have to remember that he works for them and not the other way around.  Also a six year extension for 144 million with an opt out after three years would work.  Trade Jordan Zimmermann next offseason and recoup the loss of prospects.

[mach1ne]

Tim Dierks thinks we get Garza - http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/11/2014-top-50-free-agents-with-predictions-1.html

The projected contract seems high for a guy who has had an injury history.  We already have a question mark with Detwiler not being able to stay healthy.  I think they need to go after a pitcher that will be out there every fifth day.

[cmdterps44]

Let's get two pitchers!

[houston-nat]

Garza's decent but unspectacular. Scott Kazmir would probably be a good bargain alternative with a chance to be even better.

And I know this is a minority (sabermetrics) position on the board, but Josh Johnson would be good to have around.

[HalfSmokes]

Garza's decent but unspectacular. Scott Kazmir would probably be a good bargain alternative with a chance to be even better.

And I know this is a minority (sabermetrics) position on the board, but Josh Johnson would be good to have around.

what does sabr have to do win injury riddled? If he can string together a complete season he's good, but two out of the last three years, that hasn't happened

[houston-nat]

what does sabr have to do win injury riddled? If he can string together a complete season he's good, but two out of the last three years, that hasn't happened

Well he had an ERA of like 6 this year but his FIP was about 3.50. Don't quote me, I'm not looking at his chart, but it was something like that.

[HalfSmokes]

Well he had an ERA of like 6 this year but his FIP was about 3.50. Don't quote me, I'm not looking at his chart, but it was something like that.

he pitched 81 innings, he's averaging 114 over the last three years- if he'd agree to the Haren or Jackson deal, great, otherwise he's not worth the rotation spot he'd occupy

[MorseMythology]

Well he had an ERA of like 6 this year but his FIP was about 3.50. Don't quote me, I'm not looking at his chart, but it was something like that.

4.62 actually. So close!

[houston-nat]

he pitched 81 innings, he's averaging 114 over the last three years- if he'd agree to the Haren or Jackson deal, great, otherwise he's not worth the rotation spot he'd occupy

He's actually stated that he will only accept a one-year deal, and only if the team will agree ahead of time to make no qualifying offer, so he's ASKING for the Haren/Jackson deal.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/11/starter-notes-johnson-nolasco-jimenez-twins-dodgers.html

4.62 actually. So close!

3.58 xFIP. Right number, wrong stat

[HalfSmokes]

He's actually stated that he will only accept a one-year deal, and only if the team will agree ahead of time to make no qualifying offer, so he's ASKING for the Haren/Jackson deal.

In that case great, but only if they're bringing in someone else too (I'm starting to agree with Slate that Detwiler just isn't a full time starter)

[sph274]

he is essentially ross ohlendorf before this year with waaaay more success. why not? he isnt getting any fat deal

edit: as in ohlendorf has had a whole string of injury problems and been god awful. johnson had a really crappy year, and injury shortenede other ones but was freaking great when he played outside of the AL East.

[TigerFan]

I guess they have to start somewhere, but I'd be shocked if Josh gets anywhere near what he and his agent are expecting.  They think they will command near a qualifying offer on the open market.  Take a one year deal and prove you've still got it.

[sph274]

I guess they have to start somewhere, but I'd be shocked if Josh gets anywhere near what he and his agent are expecting.  They think they will command near a qualifying offer on the open market.  Take a one year deal and prove you've still got it.

lol they have to be crazy? well i guess some team gave dan haren $13 million...

[houston-nat]

In that case great, but only if they're bringing in someone else too (I'm starting to agree with Slate that Detwiler just isn't a full time starter)

I agree. I'm all for bringing in Josh Johnson, but only if we also bring in someone like Scott Kazmir or Bronson Arroyo. Of course, Kazmir's a gamble too. With Arroyo, there is no doubt what you're getting, even if it's not all that great. Sort of like a Corolla.

[blue911]

I think we'd have better luck with a Norwegian Blue

[rbw5t]

Do we have any info on what/how Espi is doing this offseason?  Fall or winter ball?  Surgery?  Is he expected to be competing for a job in spring training?  On the trading block?

Somehow I feel convinced that he doesn't fit with Nationals anymore, but that he is likely to go on to be a star somewhere else as soon as we give him away for almost nothing.