I think Griffey for Jeff Clement would be a good trade for both teams. Griffey, Vidro, and Wilkerson could all share time at DH and RF. Also, it limits Vidro's PAs so that his option doesn't vest. The Reds get a catcher of the future and open a spot for Jay Bruce.
tim i think you should do a post or whatever on mlb ballparks like which is the best looking, the worst, utilizing teh voting system. U could ask most fan friendly, best looking field, etc. idk i liked the video but i think it would be cool to do something on ballparks since thats where baseball does take place.
Nice to see someone listing off 2Bs who are actually going to be/already are on the table. I think the Cards could really use an Ellis. His popularity will soar as he can play up his heartland roots as South Dakota's finest power contributor in
MLB history. As an A's fan, I still hate to see him go. But go he must, as Beane is in full-on rebuilding mode.
Griffey to SEA? Personally I can't wait to see what Jay Bruce will do in the bigs. I don't see Hopper filling the shoes of any of CIN's starters in the OF.
I bleed Mariner blue and would love to bring Griffey back.
That said, there is no way Clement would be mentioned in such a deal. He is the #2 organizational prospect and given Kenji Johjima is a upcoming free agent, he is probably pretty untouchable. I would also say a guy like Balentien shouldn't be dealt given the lack of any good outfielders in the upper minors for Seattle. I can't see Junior getting a huge return in trade this summer. Think about it, you can't expect the reds to get a whole lot for half a season of Junior given his status and contract. Remember, the Reds have to pay Junior 16 million in '09 or buy him out for 4 million. If they could get out from under that, I think they would for less than an optimal return.
Again, Clement isn't going anywhere. I think Balentien shouldn't either. I believe he is the teams 3rd best prospect and is needed in LF or RF since Ibanez' legs are shot and Wilkerson is already looking like a bust. Juniors possible future in Seattle would be a 50/50 DH/RFer in my opinion.
I think thr33nil is right, there is no way that the M's move Clement unless they lock up Johjima first. IF that happens thou they could more than likely get more back for Clement, since catching seems to be in demand right now, and teams like the red sox are looking for a young catcher. The more teams that are willing to trade for him means the more the M's can get back for him.
In addition Griffey would be a nice story, but if they want true production out of the DH spot they could simply sign Bonds and getting over with.
Nice way to work Jason Grimsley into the Tommy John question, very slick.
Clement in Cincinnati could be SICK! Let's hope for the sake of my Strat=O-Matic team it happens :) Would be a nice way to let Junior finish up back in Seattle.
For half a year of Griffey when he would likely sign here in the offseason anyway when the Reds buy him out at the end '08... he is.
Given Johjima's pending free agency, Clement is pretty locked up in Seattle until thats settled either way. Even if Joh is re-signed, Clement could be moved to 1B or DH since the Mariners will do what they can to keep Vidro from getting his vesting option and Sexson is gone at years end. A power left handed bat like Clements is in short supply in Seattle at the moment.
(for fun) What could be in '09 if Joh re-signs...
CF Ichiro
2B Lopez
DH Griffey
LF Ibanez
3B Beltre
1B Clement
RF Balentien
C Johjima
SS Betancourt
i would place my bet that Junior doesn't go anywhere. For one, Griffey is finally on a club that looks like they are legit and he still wants to stay in Cincy. For '09, Griffey stays (with a restructured contract...drop the option and sign 3 year/ 30 million. Griffey brings fans and over the next 3 years will be passing willie mays.
Dunn will be traded at the deadline (whether the reds are winning or not...) the reds outfield in september will be Junior, Bruce, and Patterson and it will likely stay that way for at least a couple of years. Griffey could certainly end his career in seattle, but that won't be anytime soon.
I'm back after hietus... Miss me?! I didn't think so! So about this Griffey situation!
Thr33nil, you're right there is no way that Clement or Balentien get traded and I'll give you just one reason... Griffey's being 38 combined with nothing short of God requesting his continued pilgrimage to GABP keeping him a Red, and a ridiculously expensive contract make him almost untradeable for fair compensation. I mean no team short of Seattle would be able to turn his playing into revenue that would compensate justifiably for his contract and also has a real need for a rightfielder, considering he has neither the legs for CF or the familiarity with LF.
Coltholt, you're way off on your assumptions and here's why:
Griffey HATES Cincinnati because of the way the fans treated him and the way that Brennaman crapped all over him for the last few years, oh and then of course there was the tacky way in which they dismissed his father... I know, I lived in Cincinnati/NW Ohio for 3-4 years and only recently moved back to Seattle... I can tell he's not even a little happy except for spending time with his teammates! It wasn't by accident that he said he wanted to finish his career with Seattle, it was his way of asking out! Bank on it!
Right now the Mariners on paper have one of the best teams in the league and if it weren't for a thin bullpen, they'd be 8-4 or maybe 9-3. I know everyone talks about shoulda, coulda, woulda, but didn't... EXCEPT this was a team that was 77-0 when leading after 8 innings last year... Very uncharacateristic to blow three leads... 4 of the Mariners starters are on their way to competing for a spot on the All-Star team if they keep up their pitching and the Mariners are among the league leaders in homeruns and walks... The kicker is that with as much promise as this season holds, they aren't coming anywhere near selling out home games... The Mariners need Griffey to sell tickets... You bring back "the kid" and you sell out from here to October, guaranteed!
The argument can be made that the Mariners need Griffey as bad as the Reds need him out of Cinci. This makes it advantageous for both clubs and more importantly leaves no team with leverage as Griffey will only approve a deal to Seattle, guaranteed, which actually hurts the Reds position.
My guess is that the Mariners would make the Reds eat salary if they were to take on Griffey's 12.5MM deal... I would suspect that Vidro would become the Reds problem and for their troubles, the Mariners throw in Rob Johnson - C (NOT CLEMENT); Matt Tuiasosopo - 3B, SS, 1B; and a minor league pitcher from the AA staff, but no one top tier. The Reds dump salary, get a good bat off the bench, fill the HUGE hole at catcher, and they reload the minors with a couple promising prospects for a guy that would be a Mariners in 7 months anyway and they improve rightfield for next year when they are ready to compete by letting Bruce learn on the job this season!
Everyone may say where does Vidro play with no DH, probably 3B against righties, 2B as a back-up, and then pinch hitting, which would keep him from vesting and still give them a good hitter for 300+ ABs. The point is that the Mariners would still be eating an additional 6MM or so of Griffey's salary after everything is said and done and that's money they can roll over to next season's payroll in Cincinnati...
Hey silent, I didn't realize I was looking for your approval on length, if you don't like reading my stuff due to length than kick rocks! I'm sorry that I don't write 8 words and leave everyone in suspense over whatever it was that I just said!
I've been crapped on here because I wasn't thorough enough when making a bullet point, so I defend my answers ahead of time while the thoughts are fresh on my mind.
Oh and these MLB Roundups aren't pointless, Tim is just trying to get some face time to build up celeb points! Can you blame a guy for trying to get laid?!
Sounds valid enough for me and you obviously are still watching it! Ironically your point was the one without value it seems, well it was as pointless as showing up to a PETA rally in a fur coat!
Well done but the paper or whatever rustling around in the background was a bit annoying.
Posted by: fitz | April 11, 2008 at 05:27 PM
Yeah...I bought a Sony wireless mic a couple of weeks ago and so far it has not been great.
Posted by: Tim Dierkes | April 11, 2008 at 05:43 PM
I think Griffey for Jeff Clement would be a good trade for both teams. Griffey, Vidro, and Wilkerson could all share time at DH and RF. Also, it limits Vidro's PAs so that his option doesn't vest. The Reds get a catcher of the future and open a spot for Jay Bruce.
Posted by: Joe | April 11, 2008 at 05:50 PM
tim i think you should do a post or whatever on mlb ballparks like which is the best looking, the worst, utilizing teh voting system. U could ask most fan friendly, best looking field, etc. idk i liked the video but i think it would be cool to do something on ballparks since thats where baseball does take place.
Posted by: bleedcubbie | April 11, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Not a bad idea but a bit out of the scope of a hot stove website, I think.
Posted by: Tim Dierkes | April 11, 2008 at 06:42 PM
Nice to see someone listing off 2Bs who are actually going to be/already are on the table. I think the Cards could really use an Ellis. His popularity will soar as he can play up his heartland roots as South Dakota's finest power contributor in
MLB history. As an A's fan, I still hate to see him go. But go he must, as Beane is in full-on rebuilding mode.
Griffey to SEA? Personally I can't wait to see what Jay Bruce will do in the bigs. I don't see Hopper filling the shoes of any of CIN's starters in the OF.
Posted by: DoubleSteel | April 11, 2008 at 06:46 PM
I bleed Mariner blue and would love to bring Griffey back.
That said, there is no way Clement would be mentioned in such a deal. He is the #2 organizational prospect and given Kenji Johjima is a upcoming free agent, he is probably pretty untouchable. I would also say a guy like Balentien shouldn't be dealt given the lack of any good outfielders in the upper minors for Seattle. I can't see Junior getting a huge return in trade this summer. Think about it, you can't expect the reds to get a whole lot for half a season of Junior given his status and contract. Remember, the Reds have to pay Junior 16 million in '09 or buy him out for 4 million. If they could get out from under that, I think they would for less than an optimal return.
Again, Clement isn't going anywhere. I think Balentien shouldn't either. I believe he is the teams 3rd best prospect and is needed in LF or RF since Ibanez' legs are shot and Wilkerson is already looking like a bust. Juniors possible future in Seattle would be a 50/50 DH/RFer in my opinion.
Posted by: thr33niL | April 11, 2008 at 09:19 PM
I think thr33nil is right, there is no way that the M's move Clement unless they lock up Johjima first. IF that happens thou they could more than likely get more back for Clement, since catching seems to be in demand right now, and teams like the red sox are looking for a young catcher. The more teams that are willing to trade for him means the more the M's can get back for him.
In addition Griffey would be a nice story, but if they want true production out of the DH spot they could simply sign Bonds and getting over with.
Posted by: AirmanSD | April 11, 2008 at 09:37 PM
Nice way to work Jason Grimsley into the Tommy John question, very slick.
Clement in Cincinnati could be SICK! Let's hope for the sake of my Strat=O-Matic team it happens :) Would be a nice way to let Junior finish up back in Seattle.
Posted by: Sunny Reiser | April 11, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Best recent compensation pick: David Wright (compensation for the Mets not re-signing Mike Hampton)
Posted by: icedrake523 | April 11, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Clement's definitely not untouchable.
Posted by: Tim Dierkes | April 11, 2008 at 11:31 PM
Once he gets off the DL, Alex Gonzalez will probably be on the table.
Posted by: quantumfootball | April 12, 2008 at 01:25 AM
"Clements definitely not untouchable"
For half a year of Griffey when he would likely sign here in the offseason anyway when the Reds buy him out at the end '08... he is.
Given Johjima's pending free agency, Clement is pretty locked up in Seattle until thats settled either way. Even if Joh is re-signed, Clement could be moved to 1B or DH since the Mariners will do what they can to keep Vidro from getting his vesting option and Sexson is gone at years end. A power left handed bat like Clements is in short supply in Seattle at the moment.
(for fun) What could be in '09 if Joh re-signs...
CF Ichiro
2B Lopez
DH Griffey
LF Ibanez
3B Beltre
1B Clement
RF Balentien
C Johjima
SS Betancourt
Posted by: thr33niL | April 12, 2008 at 01:48 AM
Hey Tim,
Another top pick signed as compensation is bigger than Bucholtz....
When the Mets lost Hampton, they took David Wright in the draft as compensation, didn't they?
Posted by: wallybackman | April 12, 2008 at 10:37 AM
I second the comment about the paper noise...I had to stop it half way through. I love the Mailbag though! Keep up the good work!
Posted by: TheDuck | April 12, 2008 at 11:00 AM
i would place my bet that Junior doesn't go anywhere. For one, Griffey is finally on a club that looks like they are legit and he still wants to stay in Cincy. For '09, Griffey stays (with a restructured contract...drop the option and sign 3 year/ 30 million. Griffey brings fans and over the next 3 years will be passing willie mays.
Dunn will be traded at the deadline (whether the reds are winning or not...) the reds outfield in september will be Junior, Bruce, and Patterson and it will likely stay that way for at least a couple of years. Griffey could certainly end his career in seattle, but that won't be anytime soon.
Posted by: coltholt | April 12, 2008 at 01:33 PM
I'm back after hietus... Miss me?! I didn't think so! So about this Griffey situation!
Thr33nil, you're right there is no way that Clement or Balentien get traded and I'll give you just one reason... Griffey's being 38 combined with nothing short of God requesting his continued pilgrimage to GABP keeping him a Red, and a ridiculously expensive contract make him almost untradeable for fair compensation. I mean no team short of Seattle would be able to turn his playing into revenue that would compensate justifiably for his contract and also has a real need for a rightfielder, considering he has neither the legs for CF or the familiarity with LF.
Coltholt, you're way off on your assumptions and here's why:
Griffey HATES Cincinnati because of the way the fans treated him and the way that Brennaman crapped all over him for the last few years, oh and then of course there was the tacky way in which they dismissed his father... I know, I lived in Cincinnati/NW Ohio for 3-4 years and only recently moved back to Seattle... I can tell he's not even a little happy except for spending time with his teammates! It wasn't by accident that he said he wanted to finish his career with Seattle, it was his way of asking out! Bank on it!
Right now the Mariners on paper have one of the best teams in the league and if it weren't for a thin bullpen, they'd be 8-4 or maybe 9-3. I know everyone talks about shoulda, coulda, woulda, but didn't... EXCEPT this was a team that was 77-0 when leading after 8 innings last year... Very uncharacateristic to blow three leads... 4 of the Mariners starters are on their way to competing for a spot on the All-Star team if they keep up their pitching and the Mariners are among the league leaders in homeruns and walks... The kicker is that with as much promise as this season holds, they aren't coming anywhere near selling out home games... The Mariners need Griffey to sell tickets... You bring back "the kid" and you sell out from here to October, guaranteed!
The argument can be made that the Mariners need Griffey as bad as the Reds need him out of Cinci. This makes it advantageous for both clubs and more importantly leaves no team with leverage as Griffey will only approve a deal to Seattle, guaranteed, which actually hurts the Reds position.
My guess is that the Mariners would make the Reds eat salary if they were to take on Griffey's 12.5MM deal... I would suspect that Vidro would become the Reds problem and for their troubles, the Mariners throw in Rob Johnson - C (NOT CLEMENT); Matt Tuiasosopo - 3B, SS, 1B; and a minor league pitcher from the AA staff, but no one top tier. The Reds dump salary, get a good bat off the bench, fill the HUGE hole at catcher, and they reload the minors with a couple promising prospects for a guy that would be a Mariners in 7 months anyway and they improve rightfield for next year when they are ready to compete by letting Bruce learn on the job this season!
Everyone may say where does Vidro play with no DH, probably 3B against righties, 2B as a back-up, and then pinch hitting, which would keep him from vesting and still give them a good hitter for 300+ ABs. The point is that the Mariners would still be eating an additional 6MM or so of Griffey's salary after everything is said and done and that's money they can roll over to next season's payroll in Cincinnati...
Posted by: BaseballGuru | April 13, 2008 at 07:04 AM
BaseballGuru-- dude cut down the post...it is as pointless as Tim doing the mailbag in video, sorry Tim just don't like the videos
Posted by: silentearth6 | April 13, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Hey silent, I didn't realize I was looking for your approval on length, if you don't like reading my stuff due to length than kick rocks! I'm sorry that I don't write 8 words and leave everyone in suspense over whatever it was that I just said!
I've been crapped on here because I wasn't thorough enough when making a bullet point, so I defend my answers ahead of time while the thoughts are fresh on my mind.
Oh and these MLB Roundups aren't pointless, Tim is just trying to get some face time to build up celeb points! Can you blame a guy for trying to get laid?!
Sounds valid enough for me and you obviously are still watching it! Ironically your point was the one without value it seems, well it was as pointless as showing up to a PETA rally in a fur coat!
Posted by: BaseballGuru | April 14, 2008 at 09:42 PM