Just as MLBTR did last week, Jon Heyman of SI.com runs through the items remaining on each team's offseason shopping list. Along the way, he presents some rumors; here they are:
- The Yankees appear to have at least “a modicum” of interest in Freddy Garcia and Kevin Millwood.
- Heyman reports that the Nationals were prepared to offer Zack Greinke an extension worth about $18MM per season for five seasons or so if he accepted a trade to Washington.
- Word is that Chris Young’s medicals don’t look great and he’s willing to accept a deal that guarantees him less than $2MM. The Mets deny that they have made the right-hander an offer, but they appear interested in his services. ESPN.com's Buster Olney recently reported that the Mets had offered a deal that's likely worth over $1MM.
- The Giants are saying that they only need a backup infielder at this point in the offseason. They have resumed talks with World Series MVP Edgar Renteria.
Did he really use the word ‘modicum’ ??
$10 bucks says Word of the day TP.
modicum = a small portion; a limited quantity
good word
Wow. Greinke really didn’t want to go to the Nats.
Not really, if he gets to free agency he stands to make a lot more than a 5/90 contract.
He “stands” to but certainly a lot can happen so that he doesn’t. Big market teams might still have questions about his ability in those markets (not saying it’s valid) and might be leary of investing $100 mil in him. Of course if he has two more years closer to his 2009 performance vs his 2010 performance then that will change things.
If that were the case there would be no free agency and players would all sign long term contracts at below market costs. The reality is, yes there is a chance, his arm could fall off tomorrow, but its a chance he has to take.
Also your big market comment is nonsense for two reasons, 1- many big market teams were in on trying to acquire him, but his no trade and desire to play in the NL nixed it. And B- big market teams aren’t the only ones with the money, point and case the nats already offered him 90 million. If he has 2 decent seasons, he will find a 6-7 year contract worth 125-150 easy..
Not just Greinke…
One of the reasons for overpaying Werth was to make the team more attractive to other players. So far, that idea has been a total wash.
I think that will change. DC is an attractive place for many to live. They have two great prospects to build on in Stras and Harper. They have shown the willingness to spend money. This years targets might be dissapointing, aside from Werth, but I can see it changing in another 2 years. The Nats just need to be careful and avoid signing mediocre stars to elite level contracts. Go short term on the vets and mediocre stars and shoot for the moon on the elite level guys. Greinke would’ve been decent because he would still be relatively young and in his prime once they were ready. Cliff Lee would’ve made them somewhat respectable but far from true contenders. If I were them I would play it safe for the next two years. Other than Fielder, Pujols, AGonz, Molina or Jackson I would pass on all other 2011-12 FA as well and wait unti the 2012-13 when class when they should have a more solid base and guys like Jered Weaver, Zack Greinke, Matt Cain, Cole Hamels, Francisco Liriano, John Danks, Shaun Marcum, Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Sanchez, Jeremy Guthrie and Anibal Sanchez should be FA if they don’t sign extensions. A potential rotation of any of those two plus Stras and Zimmerman can be pretty good. Not sure what position players might be available but that year as well but they can build and then buy themselves into a really good team.
That’s the problem: they’re overspending for mediocre and good players. A guy like Werth isn’t a superstar; he shouldn’t get that kind of contract. The Nationals are AT LEAST two years away from… maybe not getting another 90 losses. They shouldn’t be taking such huge risks when they have so many holes right now. I think they should have waited to see if Strasburg can successfully come back from TJ and waited to see if Harper is the real deal. How many times have we’ve seen prospects fizzle out or be plagued by countless injuries?
They should have waited for their prospects and at least post a winning season first. If it was Cliff Lee or Grienke, then maybe… but Werth?
Okay, who else just dictionary’d modicum besides me?
Chris Young doesn’t look good anymore? Francis it is…
LOL at “modicum”.
Giants only need to raise the banner!! 🙂
It’s going to be a glorious opening day too
kind of a stagnant offseason to say the least, but i guess there wasnt much options
I’m glad they handled it like they did. The pickings were slim, so they kind of just stayed pat. I’ll take that over overpaying anyday
I really wish Greinke went to the Nats
Wonder if Alderson will now be able to push for both Young AND Francis. Young was initially seeking $5 mil (as was Francis). But now if Young is willing to accept a 1.5mil offer, could the payroll be there to pay for Francis as well?
Yankees ‘interested’ in Kevin Millwood? Why?
Isn’t Kei Igawa still in the organization?
At least it’s only a modicum of interest.
When they say modicum, it scares me.
If they said minute, it would make me feel a tiny bit better.
When they say modicum, it scares me.
If they said minute, it would make me feel a tiny bit better.
Yankees ‘interested’ in Kevin Millwood? Why?
Isn’t Kei Igawa still in the organization?