Heyman: Ten Teams That Could Add Payroll

the only thing the red sox need to do to add payroll is simple:

pay bay!

Does anyone feel like there's some karma going on here with Beltre's walk year?

In his last walk year, he blew up so hard that it was a joke. He posted a freaking .334/.388/.629 line with 48 home runs, 121 RBI and 200 hits. Combine that with his +23.3 UZR/150 that year, and you're looking at a 10.0 WAR performance for Beltre in 2004.

Think of it this way. Ever since they started keeping track of WAR, guess how many times anyone has posted a 10.0+ WAR season?

FOUR.

And guess who posted the other three? Barry Bonds.

2004 Beltre was one of the best performances in recent history. He turned that single year into a monster contract with Seattle, which he quietly lived up to, thanks to his brilliant defense.

But his offense has totally fallen apart this year, the opposite of what happened to him in his last walk year. His walk rate has dropped from 8.3% to 3.5%, and his HR/FB ratio has plummeted.

Someone could still use Beltre because his defense is so good and the offensive upside is still there, but the hopes of landing a haul for Beltre this summer are likely gone.

I could definitely see some sort of deal with the White Sox to add Beltre, with Gordon Beckham moving over to second base, which would improve the team all around.

Would something like Fields/Getz, Dexter Carter and John Shelby for Beltre work? Not enough?

"With Giants being in the Wild Card lead, I hope Sabean doesn't make a lame decision.."

Do you mean like giving Barry Zito $126 million dollars lame? Or Aaron Rowland $60 million dollars lame? Or the famous Nathan, Liriano, Bonser for Pierzynski trade lame?

Any way you look at it, you can count on Sabean doing something stupid.

The Red Sox have no significant needs?

Did I miss them adding a SS recently?
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Did I miss Nick Green hitting a walk off home-run? Not to mention posting pretty gawdy offensive numbers, and consistently improving defensively. Plus, they've invested years into developing Jed Lowrie. Don't you think if they didn't believe he was the SS of the future they would be a bit more aggressive in acquiring another established well-rounded SS? JJ Hardy seems like the only obvious answer and I don't see them letting go of any of their up and coming rotation or relief pitching studs.

I can see Brian Sabean's 'major' move being getting Gary Matthews, haha. That would never happen, but I think I'd piss myself laughing because he's the only GM out there who could even consider that.

But I digress...Lowrie and Green are nice, and there's no one worth dealing for. Green is a cheaper Jack Wilson.

Beltre could probably be had for the package Scribbletone mentioned.

"Boston Globe is reporting that the Reds are dangling Arroyo. Could mean that they're trying to free up some salary to add a bat."

Unfortunately, Arroyo has sucked this year.

4.85 K/9, 1.52 HR/9, 5.42 FIP

I can't imagine that he would land them much of anything, especially if they want to shed salary as well.

Not sure who would take on Arroyo's contract unless the Reds took on a ton of money as well.

They'd be better off trying to deal Harang. they'd get a ton more and wouldn't have to pick up any of his contract.

Though dealing Harang would most likely end any chance they have this year of competing...but could set them up well in 2010-2011....

"And Green has 9 errors in 41 starts at SS.....he may be improving, but that's still terrible"

Knew this was coming :-)

Green's errors were all earlier this season, most of his games last few seasons have not been at SS and his play at SS last few weeks has been rock solid.

I know sabean isn't the best gm but even he wouldn't trade for Gary matthews jr
and I don't blame him for the zito contract
if he can trade for a power bat without trading bumgarner or alderson that would be great

I would like to see the Giants improve the right side of the infield, some how some way. Whether it be Nick Johnson, Felipe Lopez, Chad Tracy, Freddy Sanchez, or Adam LaRoche I could care less I just don't want to watch Ishikawa and Matt Downs at 1st and 2nd the whole year.

I agree, Recca. I'd love to see them go for Huff and Tracy the most. Who knows if the Dbacks will just bend down and let a division team take Tracy, though.

I think Derosa is a good fit for the Giants. Can either play 2B or play 3B allowing Sandoval to move to 1B full-time.

Makes only $5.55M this year so only gonna add about $2.5-3M to the payroll.

The Giants wouldn't have to give up one of their top pitching prospects. But Sanchez wouldn't work either. sure something could get worked out though.

Ryan Garko is another guy I could see fit for the Giants. His numbers dont' look great on the surface but he hits with RISP and did drive in 90 runs last year, plus set a ML record for most RBIs in a season in which the player played 50 or fewer games (he had 45 RBIs in only 50 games in 2006).

Can play the cOF spots now too and is improving defenisvely out there. Again, wouldn't have to give up a top 2-3 prospect for him but a decent ML ready pitcher (again, NOT Sanchez) could get that deal done.

Of course the Giants could get a big bat by dealing Cain.....but that would set them back a year at least. Though if their 2 young guns can get to the show quickly, maybe not as much as some think....

Yes, but Beltre makes a ton and isn't worth it right now. Maybe if he heats up some but the Sox would be better off looking elsewhere right now.

If Sabean adds GMJ, I hope there are riots on the streets of SF. Seriously. No.

Why not some package deal for Adam LaRoche and Freddy Sanchez? The Giants would have to give up quite a bit, but they'd have 1B and 2B covered. What would the Giants have to give up for that?

Or something like Henry Sosa for LaRoche straight up.

I'm very, very hesitant about trading Alderson/Bumgarner/Posey/Villalona though, if I'm Sabean.

"If Sabean adds GMJ, I hope there are riots on the streets of SF. Seriously. No."

Yeah, people need to realize that Gary Matthews Jr. is a bad ballplayer. He's a negative.

It shocks me that this guy had one good, not great, season, landed a big deal, and suddenly everyone forgot how freaking mediocre he was for a half dozen years before the breakout year.

GMJ doesn't belong on a ML roster, and he wouldn't be there if not for his salary.

"Why not some package deal for Adam LaRoche and Freddy Sanchez? The Giants would have to give up quite a bit, but they'd have 1B and 2B covered. What would the Giants have to give up for that?

Or something like Henry Sosa for LaRoche straight up."

This could definitely make some sense, so long as the price is right for San Francisco.

If the Pirates are expecting any of the big four (Posey, V, Alderson, Bumgarner), then walk away laughing.

But a deal that includes guys like Sosa, Noonan, Ishikawa, Adrianza, and/or Joaquin isn't totally out of the question.

The Giants can't hurt their bright future to try to win the wild card this year though.

I think Alderson may have to be included in some of these deals......

I don't think Sosa for LaRoche is even close to enough.

Not saying Alderson for LaRoche, but more than just Sosa would be needed (despite how good he's been at AA).

I wouldn't deal Alderson for anyone that's a free agent after this season....but if you get a nice bat that you can control for a while, it could be worth it. You'd still have Lincecum and Cain for 2.5 more years plus Bumgarner (I will butcher that name so many times over the next few years, lol) and Zito.

not a bad rotation still.

wayne,

you are certainly right about the contract, especially in the current economy. I was more just sticking up for Arroyo, who gets a bad rap, than saying the Reds could get a lot for him.

Kind of off topic, but does any one think the WhiteSox will look to acquire Carl Crawford this off-season? I am not too sure if the Rays are really going exercise his option with the way Zobrist has been playing.

As for the Beltre deal, i like it, but you would probably have to take out Getz and add maybe a Brent Lillibridge. Otherwise it would be too much for a half a year rental. Getz is destined to the Utility role anyways, and they could really use that Getz,Nix combo to solidify the infield.

"Kind of off topic, but does any one think the WhiteSox will look to acquire Carl Crawford this off-season? I am not too sure if the Rays are really going exercise his option with the way Zobrist has been playing."

If the Rays want to move Crawford, they would be MUCH better suited exercising his option and then trading him for a haul.

The Red Sox need to dump Lugo and eat most of his salary. Seattle could be a good match, given Lugo can play the outfield, and if he is package with Saito, and the Mariners need relief help. However, I don't see much that Seattle can offer the Sox, (even though taking Lugo would be more than a blessing for the Sox) Beltre would be nice, but unless Lowell is out of the year.

Clay Buchholz would be a great fit for the Brewers but Boston doesn't want to move him and a package of Hardy and Jeffress might not get it done...

A couple of names that might be interesting and possibly available would be Arroyo and Guthrie. Arroyo is a great second half pitcher and the Reds might be eager to move his contract (even within the division). But that would be a lot of money to take on for this year and next year.

Guthrie will be arbitration eligible for the first time this winter and has a very small salary this year. Therefore, Baltimore doesn't need to trade him but probably would for a strong package because of the very high quality pitching they have in AA and AAA right now. They would most likely ask for Escobar so Doug Melvin would have to work around that.

With the assistance of Gillick, Ruben Amaro, Jr. has been using up some long distance minutes with the boys in the Mariners front office. With Bedard and Washburn on the table as the deadline approaches and the Phils in desperate need of at least one starter, this is no surprise. And...its no surprise that the strengths of the Phillies farm system match up very well with the M's needs: OFs, Catchers, Pitching prospects. The following names are surely on the M's wish list: Dominic Brown, Michael Taylor, Lou Marson, Kyle Drabek and Carlos Carrasco. But...here is a twist that has not been discussed. What if the M's wanted to completely address all needs with one big move? A move that could bring 4 or 5 blue chips back that could be under the M's control for the next 5 years. And...what if the M's made this move to avoid an anticipated contract battle with a soon-to-be one of the top five highest paid players in the game. A player more likely to be leaving Seattle via free agency.
The Phils would find their rotation anchored by two of the most talented young arms in all of baseball while the core of their championship team is still together. A one/two punch of Hamels and Hernandez at the top of the rotation would be very tough to beat in the playoffs. A blockbuster move like this is exactly what the fans want.

AshburnAlley, I don't think you can fathom what kind of deal it would take to get Felix out of Seattle right now with still 2 years of team control left. They would have to INCLUDE Hamels and continue adding to the list to even get anyone to take them seriously. He won't move before July 2011, if at all.

As far as our tradeable pitchers, Bedard or Washburn or both will move. What is probably going to happen is Washburn moving to Milwaukee with or without Beltre. Sam Perlozzo is probably going to block any attempt by Philadelphia to get Bedard by telling the front office how difficult he is to deal with and what a head case he is (not to mention spending half of every season on the DL) and I actually anticipate Bedard resigning with Seattle as he actually likes it here most likely because we the fans are more lax out here and will put up with his crap for the most part.

As a Mariners fan I would like to see Z try and loot the Brewers system by sending them Washburn and Beltre, both pieces they desperately need to make a run this year. That makes sense for both teams.

To anyone who EVER believes that the Yankees would not add a player because of $$$ concerns.....I have a nice plot of land in Centralia for sale (google it)