Winter 2009/2010

[Andy_bluejay]

So, where does everyone think everyone will end up? It's a jigsaw - every time someone finds a home, the next piece falls into place. How do you think your team will do? What's their needs? Who do you think they will target? Trade or Free Agency?

Something i found enjoyable was the offseason outlooks on mlbtraderumors:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/offseason_outlook/

Gives a good insight into team commitments, payroll, needs and flexibility. :thumbup:

[rmonsta]

I think the yankees are going to make the trade for Doc. It will give us a deadly rotation for years to come. I think we may go for Figgins for LF with Damon back as DH.

[Andy_bluejay]

I agree with you with regard to Roy Halladay. The Jays GM is after the best possible deal and will trade within his own division and allow other GMs to talk with Doc about a contract extension. You're going to have to give up something to get him though. He's on a reasonable $15million for 2010 and being a shoe-in for a type-A free agent next season, he'll guarantee two top picks if he does test the open market. Therefore it is going to take a minimum of two players, probably three. One will be a major league ready pitcher (i think the J's will demand either Joba or Phil Hughes) and the other will be one of the organisations top prospects (either Montero or Jackson). Who is your top prospect at short as we need someone with Scutaro leaving?

I think that damon will come back, possibly on a one-two year deal, and Pettite will probably return on his usual one-year contract. I'm pretty sure Matsui will leave. That will free up some payroll to pay Doc the contract extension and also allow Damon to play DH full-time. That leaves one issue - LF. Will the Yankees go after Figgins? It makes sense if they give up their speed-demon (Jackson). Jeter and Damon are good at the top of the order, but the Yankees really miss someone with phenomenal speed who can get on base. Figgins is a demon at both of those!

Will the Red Sox let the Yankees add another superstar to their rotation? Will the Phillies pass up on Figgins when they know they can win now? It's going to be interesting.

[rmonsta]

The way I see it is we know we need to dangle either Joba or Hughes but lets be honest its worth it. One thing we have in abundance in our farm is catchers. U guys have a need so I think Montero will be in the deal. I am a bit dissapointed as this guy will be a star. Who knows who else will go in. I would rather we maybe went with Melky and keep Montero. Regards a SS Pena is our best bet at that position theres also Nunez no idea wot he is like tho. Figgins makes a lot of sense for this team. He can play LF with Damon in DH. But can also spot for ARod at 3rd with Damon taking LF. I dunno how ready Jackson is but I would let him n Gardner share CF this year if Melky gets traded!

Ur last point if wot makes me sure we will go all out for Doc. Theres no way we can risk him going to Boston.

[Andy_bluejay]

You think you will give up Joba Chamberlain, Melky Cabrera and Montero to get him? Lets be honest, he's worth trading everything for if you can tie him down long term first. He's not placed outside the top 5 in Cy Young in the last five years or something.

However, with Tim Lincecum due for arbitration (and i hear his agent is asking for $23,000,001 per year to make him the highest paid pitcher in baseball), would it be worth a phonecall to say:

"How much do you want for us to take that contract off your hands???":eek:

[rmonsta]

You have got me thinking now. Wot worries me is that lot lining up with Doc, Beckett and Lester. Seems a scary thot. But I guess if they blow all their cash on DOc with so many other holes to fill, and we bring in a guy like Lincecum then I wouldent be as worried. I do think Doc fancies NY his old mate is already here. Josh Johnson is another who would ease the blow and cost a whole lot less if the Marlins liked the package. I doubt we would let Joba Melky and Montero go in one move. It would be either Melky or Montero IMO. I will be sick if we give up Montero the guy has amazing numbers. Prob better than Pujols at this age!

My perfect senario would be the dodgers to land Doc and us bring in a guy like Johnson:thumbup:

[Andy_bluejay]

I see what you're saying, but this isn't about winning in the regular season (yankees v red sox), this is about winning in the postseason (yankees v the rest). I agree that you can win the whole thing with the group of players and rotation you have just now - you just did. However, the yankees are an organisation that aren't content with winning, they want to dominate.

By getting the best pitcher in baseball, you can really scare a lot of teams - every day. At the moment the yankees have a great 1-2 (possibly 1-3), but so do a lot of teams. What Cashman wants is to have a pitcher every day that can go out and give the side a great chance. Has Joba proven himself? Can you really rely on Wang?

[rmonsta]

I doubt we will pick up Wangs contract mate. The thinking will be to bring him back on an incentive ladden contract but other teams will then be in the running. It seems to me Wang might favour to make a comeback out of the NY spotlight. I do get where you come from with the rotation it gives us with Doc but the factor will always be the cost and the age of him. We need to give him 5 years as well as trade away our top young talent to get him. IMO we will pass on him and I think the Sox will do the same. Theres too many gaps in the Boston squad needing filled to commit so much to one guy. I do think both teams will feature heavy in the Lackey talks. The big thing at the moment is the look of the FA market next year. Its loaded this makes me think the Yanks will do the best they can this year without commiting too much to leave us primed for next winter. I could see a chance being taken on Sheets.

[Andy_bluejay]

A lot of teams should take a chance on Sheets. Superb upside...the guy was an all-star 18 months ago, right?

As for Wang, on the contrary i read he would rather take a paycut to stay in the spotlight of NY. He would lose so much of his Yankee related promotions in Taiwan if he left.

[rmonsta]

A lot of teams should take a chance on Sheets. Superb upside...the guy was an all-star 18 months ago, right?

As for Wang, on the contrary i read he would rather take a paycut to stay in the spotlight of NY. He would lose so much of his Yankee related promotions in Taiwan if he left.

I would be delighted if wang could come back on less wages. He should come back in a long relief role first then try him back into the rotation. He could be a very good number 5 starter behind CC, AJ, Pettite,Joba/Hughes:thumbup:

The more I read about the Halladay trade the less I think it will happen mate!

[Andy_bluejay]

So you think you'll just go with the same rotation? I doubt Cashman will stand still if the Red Sox start talking Halladay/Lackey. They already have an outstanding rotation with Beckett, Lester, Matzusaka.

However, you're right in saying they have so many holes to fill that they may not go with one of the available aces. In my opinion the Red Sox are way behind the Yankees in batting potential and need to upgrade there.

Whatever is left after that could be spent on the rotation but that may only leave enough for a mid-level guy. They aint had much success with it with Smoltz and Penny but if one of these guys turns out to be a bargain then it will all have been worth it.

[rmonsta]

So you think you'll just go with the same rotation? I doubt Cashman will stand still if the Red Sox start talking Halladay/Lackey. They already have an outstanding rotation with Beckett, Lester, Matzusaka.

However, you're right in saying they have so many holes to fill that they may not go with one of the available aces. In my opinion the Red Sox are way behind the Yankees in batting potential and need to upgrade there.

Whatever is left after that could be spent on the rotation but that may only leave enough for a mid-level guy. They aint had much success with it with Smoltz and Penny but if one of these guys turns out to be a bargain then it will all have been worth it.

I just dont see them giving up Bucholz(sp) and Kelly along with some other prospects its to heavy a price to pay along with all the salary. They have so many needs just now it would be madness to make this move. The Lackey one makes much more sense but theres a lot of teams in for him. If we could get it done with Joba or Hughes along with Jackson and a catching prospect who isnt called jesus or francisco then I would be happy. But the idea of losing Jackson and Montero along with one of the pitchers seems way too much for me. Although I do have a lot of confidence in Kennedy and Aceves:thumbup:

[mic99]

I just dont see them giving up Bucholz(sp) and Kelly along with some other prospects its to heavy a price to pay along with all the salary. They have so many needs just now it would be madness to make this move. The Lackey one makes much more sense but theres a lot of teams in for him. If we could get it done with Joba or Hughes along with Jackson and a catching prospect who isnt called jesus or francisco then I would be happy. But the idea of losing Jackson and Montero along with one of the pitchers seems way too much for me. Although I do have a lot of confidence in Kennedy and Aceves:thumbup:

It will be interesting to see what Toronto does...the price keeps going down and they have to trade him. They could end up fucking it up like the Twins did with Santana. The Sox have some interesting decisions to make and it is not a great class of free agents.

to kill some time...great quiz!

http://www.sporcle.com/games/redsoxroster_2004.php

[rmonsta]

It will be interesting to see what Toronto does...the price keeps going down and they have to trade him. They could end up fucking it up like the Twins did with Santana. The Sox have some interesting decisions to make and it is not a great class of free agents.

to kill some time...great quiz!

http://www.sporcle.com/games/redsoxroster_2004.php

I would hate you to get Halladay but if u do and have to give up so much, and cannot fill the rest of the gaps then I wont be so worried providing we can bring in another top starter. The FA market next year is loaded:thumbup:

Dont like that game much:D

[mic99]

I would hate you to get Halladay but if u do and have to give up so much, and cannot fill the rest of the gaps then I wont be so worried providing we can bring in another top starter. The FA market next year is loaded:thumbup:

Dont like that game much:D

Great site...lots of baseball quizzes

[rmonsta]

Great site...lots of baseball quizzes

More to the point how do u see Boston lining up in 2010?

[mic99]

More to the point how do u see Boston lining up in 2010?

Impossible to say. I would be shocked if they traded for Halladay. I don't think they want to overpay for Bay/Holliday but if they don't sign either, they create another hole (Bay is terrible in the field and Holliday is still a huge question in the AL nevermind a market like Boston). They also seem desperate to dump Lowell who is now a disaster in the field and are even talking about moving Pedroia to SS.

A ton of issues and not a great market to fill them. Most of their top prospects are a ways off from helping as well. The could decide to make small moves this offseason and prepare for the next one but the fans would not be happy. I think Beckett is up at the end of the year as well. Teixeira solved most of our problems unfortunately...

[rmonsta]

Impossible to say. I would be shocked if they traded for Halladay. I don't think they want to overpay for Bay/Holliday but if they don't sign either, they create another hole (Bay is terrible in the field and Holliday is still a huge question in the AL nevermind a market like Boston). They also seem desperate to dump Lowell who is now a disaster in the field and are even talking about moving Pedroia to SS.

A ton of issues and not a great market to fill them. Most of their top prospects are a ways off from helping as well. The could decide to make small moves this offseason and prepare for the next one but the fans would not be happy. I think Beckett is up at the end of the year as well. Teixeira solved most of our problems unfortunately...

There was rumours of a trade for Hanley Ramirez I would be gutted if that went ahead. Holliday will end up in Boston IMO.

[Andy_bluejay]

Boston are in pretty bad shape just now. That will all change with a couple of nice signings but they just seem so far behind the Yankees and Phils in my opinion. Ortiz's loss of form, Lowell's injuries and Manny leaving (i know that was a while ago) have taken away the danger in the team. They still have a good side, just not as dangerous as others.

There are so many holes to fill. How do you do it? I think Scutaro is a nice pick up for a short term fix and he'll have a nice partnership with Pedroia in the middle of the infield. Youk is dynamite, V-Mart is great and the rotation is good. However, You need an upgrade at third (possibly at first if you shift Youk to third), someone in at left-field, and i don't rate J.D. Drew. You could also do with another good starter and a couple of bullpen arms. Something like:

A trade for Manuel Cabrera - that will allow Youk and Cabrera to share 1 and 3 and they can have an off day when V-Mart plays 1st to allow Youk to catch. He also brings the massive bat to the order. The Tigers will be looking to get rid of that contract and may take on Mike Lowell's in a trade.

Bring back Jason Bay.

Sign someone like Bedard to a short term deal who had great success in the AL East.

Do you have enough payroll?

[mic99]

Boston are in pretty bad shape just now. That will all change with a couple of nice signings but they just seem so far behind the Yankees and Phils in my opinion. Ortiz's loss of form, Lowell's injuries and Manny leaving (i know that was a while ago) have taken away the danger in the team. They still have a good side, just not as dangerous as others.

There are so many holes to fill. How do you do it? I think Scutaro is a nice pick up for a short term fix and he'll have a nice partnership with Pedroia in the middle of the infield. Youk is dynamite, V-Mart is great and the rotation is good. However, You need an upgrade at third (possibly at first if you shift Youk to third), someone in at left-field, and i don't rate J.D. Drew. You could also do with another good starter and a couple of bullpen arms. Something like:

A trade for Manuel Cabrera - that will allow Youk and Cabrera to share 1 and 3 and they can have an off day when V-Mart plays 1st to allow Youk to catch. He also brings the massive bat to the order. The Tigers will be looking to get rid of that contract and may take on Mike Lowell's in a trade.

Bring back Jason Bay.

Sign someone like Bedard to a short term deal who had great success in the AL East.

Do you have enough payroll?

I think we will be ok...not as good as NY heading into the season but favorites to win the wild card. They won 95 games last year without Dice K (most of the year) and without a SS. Lowell and Ortiz were terrible and I think we will upgrade at 3rd. They also have VMart for the entire season and Ellsbury should continue to improve. Scutary isn't all that good but he is a huge improvement over what we had last season.

Lester Beckett Buchholz Dice Wake is pretty nasty

Drew was the best player on the team last year (highest OPS in the AL post all-star break)

[Andy_bluejay]

You make a good defence. With the addition of Scutaro i think you've already improved over last year. But only if you retain the players you did last season. Jason Bay has left a big hole in the order, the bullpen isn't as strong going into this season as it was going into last, and wakefield is older. When you have the concerns over lowell and dice-k also it does leave a little room for pessimism.

You're defo favourites for the wild card, but is that enough?

[rmonsta]

You make a good defence. With the addition of Scutaro i think you've already improved over last year. But only if you retain the players you did last season. Jason Bay has left a big hole in the order, the bullpen isn't as strong going into this season as it was going into last, and wakefield is older. When you have the concerns over lowell and dice-k also it does leave a little room for pessimism.

You're defo favourites for the wild card, but is that enough?

The current rotation should be good enough for the wild card for sure. And being honest its possible it could get them further. They have a great pen too. Theres a LF out there without a team who would appreciate the short LF at Fenway. I just pray we get him signed up!!

[Andy_bluejay]

So the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays all improve their rotation. Who will be the most successful? Morrow? I wont hold my breath.