The Marlins gave Cody Ross away for nothing but salary relief this week, forfeiting the chance to trade him this winter. Let’s see what we can infer about Ross’ trade value from the Marlins' decision.
It doesn't seem like the Marlins believe Ross had trade value going into his final season of arbitration. If Florida had determined that teams valued Ross more than the estimated $5.5MM he would make through arbitration in 2011, they could have held onto him. They would have had to pay him $1MM or so between now and the end of the year, but could have flipped him for prospects this winter. Instead, the Giants pay the remainder of Ross’ 2010 salary and the Marlins save themselves $1MM.
Anyone who followed last week’s signing deadline knows that some highly touted draftees sign for $1MM or so. In theory, the Marlins could invest their savings in the draft or international free agency, but at this point, they don't have anything to show for Ross.
It’s noteworthy that the Marlins didn’t feel confident in their ability to peddle Ross for a more concrete return. They handed the 29-year-old and his .265/.316/.405 batting line over to the Giants despite his ability to play right and center (UZR suggests Ross is an competent defender) and a track record of success.
WAR, which measures a player’s contributions on defense and at the plate, suggests that Ross has been a league-average player in three of the past four seasons. In the other season, 2008, he posted 3.7 WAR, which is considerably above average. Clearly, the Marlins don’t think MLB teams perceive Ross to be anything special. Otherwise, they would have held on and traded him for more this winter.
They could of got at least a couple of solid, not spectacular, prospects for him in the Winter. Curious decision to say the least.
Anything so the owners can pocket money.
Or they just wanted to give him a shot with a contender so they could give Maybin a shot?
What a horrible article. What you should have inferred from the Ross move was…
The Marlins shipping him out had nothing to do with his trade value and everything to do with Cameron Maybin and someone dying to try to sell this kid to the fans. Maybin is out of options and was the selling piece for the Cabrera/Willis trade and has done nothing of value for the team. The frost office made it clear they were keeping Ross if a playoff push was probably/possible and that’s not happening. They’re sitting what, 10 games out of first with 40ish games left? Paulio gone, Coghlan is hurt, Ramirez looks like he’s human… playoffs are not happening, Loria wants his million from Ross and “Maybin is the future”
I have zero confidence in this kid, but I dearly hope I am proven wrong. I want to like him so badly, but he just continues to disappoint and make me cry deep down inside, knowing Miggy is tearing it up this year.
You still have Andrew Miller…..:-
Hey, we have Burke Badenhop, he’s been the only plus side to the trade.. and even he has his streaks of failure.
Marlins let Adrian Gonzalez go first lol. But hey, without doing so they might not have won the 03 World Series.
On the bright side you guys got a new ballpark opening up soon. You also have your top 2 players locked for while. And there is no way you will trade those two until, at least, the season after the park opens.
Coghlan will get better, so will Morrison, Stanton. You have a couple of quality players in Gaby Sanchez and Uggla. I also really like Clay Hensley’s stuff.
At least you guys are always yound and exciting….
Young loses the excitement when there’s always a trade in the back of your mind. There’s a lot of positive in the future of the Marlins, but sometimes, especially after this Ross thing and the leaked financial docs… it’s just hard to be a Marlin fan.
You guys got 2 more Rings than my team….
I will always supoport my team through thick and thin. I am sure as frustrating as it might be you will do the same.
I understand how you feel though. My team let Adrian Gonzalez and Chris Young go for Adam Eaton and Akinori Otutska.
Don’t forget about Termel Sledge! Wow, that trade really does go down as one of the worst of all time. Young was already better than Eaton when they traded him; that’s the saddest part of it all.
Wasn’t it just around the deadline that people were speculating the Marlins wanted Mike Minor for Cody Ross? I know it wasn’t official just hearsay, but how could you want one teams best lefty prospect and a month later you just give the guy away? I guess the Marlins didn’t want to trade within the division, or the Braves wanted the Marlins to pick up salary. Either way, just kind of weird all around…
I don’t remember seeing that anywhere at all. Minor for Ross would be an absurd proposition. Maybe it was out there, but if so, that’s the kind of thing you just have to laugh off. You can’t even believe the Marlins could make that offer and keep a straight face.
The Marlins could have kept Cody Ross or they could have gotten a new stadium, it’s that simple. David Samson said so. Or was that Cabrerra….??? Oh well, a million dollars is a million dollars, why waste it on Cody Ross when you won’t get anything particularly useful for him and he’s not going to help you reach the playoffs? In this case I think you can safely say the Marlins valued the million bucks more than any prospective talent they could have possibly gotten in return. The money means more to them than taking a chance on a young player or two. Given what little trade value Ross had that probably wasn’t a bad decision as long as the money goes toward development rather than lining Loria’s pockets, which isn’t a safe bet.
So the Giants are only on the hook for the rest of this year’s salary… Then in off season can choose to offer Ross arbitration and if Ross declines, they get a draft pick. If Ross declines, he becomes a free agent. Really no down side for the Giants.
Is there ANY way for the Giants to save money on Rowand’s contract? I don’t imagine there is ANY team willing to trade for him of claim him on waivers. Trade him for nothing and pay the team 75% of remainder of the contract and used the saved 25% to sign Ross. At this point, Ross has more upside than Rowand. No much, but still more.
John
Ross’ upside is SIGNIFICANTLY greater than Rowand’s. I don’t think there could possibly be any educated debate about that. He offers speed, above average defense, a gun for an arm, and has decent pop for a centerfielder. Rowand is zero threat at the plate and offers average defense at this point in his career. His best career moves were playing in hitter-friendly ballparks and splattering his face all over the centerfield wall in Philly – then parlaying it into a ridiculous, undeserved contract.
Cody Ross does not have a gun for an arm and his pop has all but disappeared this season. From watching him day in and day out, his swing has just gotten way too long.
Agreed about his arm, Ross is best suited for a LF role in all honesty.
I don’t think he hits enough too be much more than a fourth outfielder, at least not when considering the amount he’s regressed.
Think his power will come back somewhat in a stadium more power friendly, unfortunately, he just landed at one of the worst ones in that regard, other than San Diego.
He is still a vast improvement in many areas over Rowand, so doubt the Fans in Frisco will be complaining about his all out hustle style of play.
Well of course he’d have better numbers in a stadium like Philadelphia, but in most stadiums, I don’t think his power will come up much higher.
Not even Philly was what had in mind.. Was hoping he would slip past all NL tams and then AL to Boston was hoping. Damon reeks and never wanted his defensive liability self to start with and always liked Ross, plus Boston probably would have kept him around next year as the ultimate 4th OF.. But, just a busted pipe dream now…
I don’t know how he’d fare in the AL, but he’d be great as a fourth outfielder.
They could trade him and eat about 95% of his contract. This will save them like 5%, other than that there is no way, unless he punches his father in law, breaks a finger in the process. Then they may be able to void his contract.
The Giants wouldn’t get draft picks. He’s not even a type b if I remember correctly. He’s a nontender candidate.
Ross’ ranking doesn’t matter right now. He’s not eligible for free agency. He’s entering his final year of arbitration eligibility.
Oh, I know that. I just meant that if he wasn’t arb eligible I don’t think he’d be good enough to earn any status.
he would be a type b
No, Ross isn’t a pending free agent, he’s arb-eligible. They won’t get a draft pick for him. They have to tender him a contract, likely $5-6MM, or non-tender him and another team will sign him as a free agent.
2011 is Ross’s last year under team control. No draft picks if the Giants don’t offer him a contract.
The Giants have made a great season out of other teams trash. Huff, Burrell, Uribe and Torres were all pretty much throw aways by their previous teams and have done a great job in orange and black. Maybe Ross is the next to revive his career.
Nice call on Ross reviving his career. At the very least he gets a couple of million extra!!!!!
Cody Ross is good enough to have around for a couple of years until some nice AA players are ready for the Show. Guillan, Burrell, Renteria, and Uribe probably won’t be around next year. Torres is good now, but not too old and unsure for next year. Rowand is…Rowand. Currently there is really no one at AAA good enough for next year. You figure that the Giants might go Bat shopping in the off-season. In the meantime, Ross is a nice addition to the staff. When he goes you’ll have Belt (AAA), Ford and Neal (both AA), and Peguero (A) for the future.
2 months later he is wearing World Series ring…….
2 months later he is wearing World Series ring…….