Here's the latest on the arms race from around the majors…
- Edwin Jackson and John Danks have comparable numbers over the last three years, which is why Mike Axisa of the River Ave Blues blog thinks Scott Boras will use Danks' recent extension with the White Sox as a model for Jackson in free agency. "Now I know hearing five years and $65M+ for Jackson is a little wacky, just because he [doesn't] come off as the type of pitcher deserving of that kind of commitment…but I refuse to bet against Boras," Axisa writes.
- "Anytime you hear a pitcher's name, you can safely say the Marlins are in," a National League source tells Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. Matt Garza, Roy Oswalt, Wandy Rodriguez and Joe Saunders are all mentioned as possibilities for the Fish, though if the Marlins didn't have the minor league talent to acquire Gio Gonzalez and Mat Latos, it's hard to see them being able to deal for Garza. Rodriguez is a possibility since I'd guess Houston's larger concern is getting his salary off the books rather than obtaining a large haul of prospects.
- Speaking of Saunders, he talked to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic about the negotiations between he and the Diamondbacks. Arizona offered Saunders a two-year, $12MM deal and Saunders' camp countered with a three-year, $27MM deal. The D'Backs never made a counter, and though Saunders said he then offered to take a two-year contract worth around $16MM, the club non-tendered him and moved on. I've got to side with the D'Backs in this case — with the rest of their rotation so cost-controlled, if you're going to splurge on a starter, you can spend your money on a better pitcher than Saunders (perhaps Hiroki Kuroda).
- The Mariners not only shouldn't trade Felix Hernandez, argues Shannon Drayer of ESPN 710 Seattle, but if the team absolutely feels the need to swap a starter, they should deal Michael Pineda instead. Dreyer calls Pineda "replaceable…There is a very good chance that by the end of next season Danny Hultzen could be Michael Pineda on the hill in regards to development, path, and what he brings to the rotation."
- Kevin Goldstein of ESPN (Insider subscription required) presented 10 Major League scouts and executives with a field of Matt Garza, Zack Greinke, Ian Kennedy, Ricky Nolasco and Justin Verlander and asked the question, "Based on talent alone, would you take Yu Darvish ahead of this pitcher?" Aside from the Verlander comparison, Rangers fans will heartily enjoy the other answers.
I guess you proof-read Mike’s latest post, but Mike just…
I wonder what a package for Pineda might need to look like.
Pretty godlike, though his away splits definitely show that Safeco helped him out. If he gets traded, it’s more likely to happen at the trade deadline, IMO.
I can’t see Pineda being moved this season. Neither side would know what they truly have. I’d say it’ll either be him or Felix moved next winter.
It would have to be pretty significant. He has insane stuff. I don’t want the M’s to get rid of him. If they were to move him now they might not get as much value. Another solid season in the AL under his belt and his value will be sky high… Like Felix Hernandez type of value.
lol he had a great season, but he has a ways to go before being near Felix’s value.
The League kinda figured him out but for a rookie he was showing ‘ace like’ stuff. For a while it seemed like he WAS the ace of the pitching staff. I love Felix but Pineda deserves props for his first season in the Majors. Like I said. If he can do it again AND improve next season he will be worth a LOT more than he is now.
No doubt. Which is why they shouldn’t trade him (if at all) until his value is higher in a year or two.
I got to see his very first start this season when the M’s came to Texas. It was an awesome game (Pineda v. Ogando). Both guys making their first starts and they both looked amazing. I’d give Pineda the leg up obviously for only giving up 3 runs in a 3-2 game against our line-up.
if yankess were to do it, it would be dellin batances,austin romine and ramiro pena.
and Jesus Montero
doubt they will trade 2 catchers i might even add nunez or gardner
there’s only one catcher in that package
Pass on Betances. His walk rate is way too high. Seattle wants/needs offense…
Well looking at what Gio Gonzalez got, as an M’s fan, you’d assume it would be quite a large haul, which is pretty excited to see what we would get. Plus with Hultzen, Paxton and Walker in the wings, our pitching depth is solid.
rangers should trade dervish 4 lincecum or cane
Someone please respond to this serious post.
They won the bidding for Dervish? Awesome! Jays still have a chance for Darvish!
haha
I see you’re trolling on all of the pages.
Makes no sense for the Rangers if it’s just a one for one swap. One of Brandon Belt, Pill, or Buster Posey needs to be included.
Not unless Sabean hates his job…
You know, in the ’30’s, they called this an Uncle Spinny Dervish
-Tom Tucker
I love when players can just be called by their first names. Like Edwin and Gio.
Way more fun.
I like when my General Managers have faces.
This made me giggle one of those awkward giggles where it has a second wave to it after I thought I was done. Just thought I’d share.
He used to have a face, but then he took an arrow in the knee.
Thats sort of the point of my name. Im no GM, I’m just a faceless person who thinks i could run a franchise better than anyone just like a lot of people on here. I can say whatever i want and propose any trade i want, cuz I’m faceless.
I went to a few Arizona Fall League games and sat next to scouts while Hultzen was pitching. Let’s just say the consensus is that while he’s polished and could be in the big leagues quickly, he doesn’t have near the upside of a guy like Pineda, who the M’s should be building around barring some ridiculous offer.
When I say “ridiculous”, I’m talking Montero, Banuelos, and Betances.
were the scouts talking about pineda too, or is that your comparison? i am not a huge fan of pineda personally
I wish I had access to the Goldstein subscription just to read what the scouts thought of the IPK vs Yu D question. I would think Yu would win easy but I’ve always liked IPK’s ability. I still think others will dismiss his success on the NL West competitiveness until he has a couple of more years like 2011.
IPK?
Ian Patrick Kennedy
…why didn’t you just say ‘IAN’.
Just always known as IPK.
Edwin Jax can’t get a full season in on one team, much less 5 years. How many ways are there to say…not happening?
He should really hold out for a no trade clause, lol
Edwin Jax? You can’t do that. It’s either E-Jax or Edwin Jackson. You can’t just say ‘Edwin Jax.’ It’s un-American!
can someone with insider access tell us what the results were for the darvish vs. (pitcher) poll?
Darvish voted over Nolasco 10-0
Darvish voted over Garza 7-3
Darvish voted over Kennedy 7-3
Darvish tied with Greinke 5-5
Verlander voted over Darvish 10-0
How’d they pick the pitchers. Because I’m wondering why they chose to put Nolasco and Verlander in there. Seems like they’re a pretty sure bet to go 10-0 and 0-10.
my guess was to run the spectrum of decent to superb inorder to gauge where Yu is seen?
If anyone had picked Nolasco, then that’s saying Darvish is going to be a total bust
Are these scouts dumb? Why the hell would anyone want Justin Verlander over Yu Darvish? Doesnt make sense
The funny thing is, Ian Kennedy, or “IPK” as that yankees fan said a few posts above, is better than Zack Greinke
Darvish vs:
Nolasco, Darvish 10-0
Kennedy, Darvish 7-3
Garza, Darvish 7-3
Greinke, Tie
Verlander, Verlander 10-0
I had proposed five years of Michael Pineda, one year of Brandon League, two-plus years of Chone Figgins and cash to Cincinnati or two years of Edinson Volquez and six years each of Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal. I’m not sure how that compares with the Reds’ trade for Mat Latos.
BTW, the Seattle beat reporter is Shannon DrAyer.
Why would the Reds want Figgins? Even if the Mariners sent $16 mil to cover his salary…
Boras is not John Dank’s agent. John Danks left Boras last year.
So true. Boras’ many unsigned clients should contemplate that.
Danks got 5/$65. He didn’t pack his bags. He stays in the place he evidently wants to pitch.
Maybe he could have gotten more, you say? We’ll never know, but if he hadn’t fired Boras the Sox would have peddled him already, safe in the knowledge that NO Boras client extends his contract.
And that would make him a gypsy like EJax, multiple teams in two years as teams sought to recover some value for a wasting asset.
Enjoy Christmas, Boras clients! This uncertainty and anxiety is what you signed up for. Maybe you’ll cash in for more than your old teams would have extended you for. Maybe.
reply fail
Double fail. Tonight’s not my night.
If there’s a “good chance” that Hultzen will become Pineda by next season, that does NOT mean you trade Pineda. That makes negative sense! You don’t trade a cheap, young, ace type pitcher just because you have another coming up. That should give you even more reason to keep him.
Felix/Pineda/Hultzen is absolutely incredibly dangerous. You might be able to “replace” Pineda short-term, but not long term. Don’t get that idea.
Did you even read what it said?
Unless it gets you hitting, which the Mariners need. Plus James Paxton is nearly ready as well and he has a very high upside as well.
It’d better be several high upside hitters, because Pineda is a beast of a young pitcher.
It would have to be something like what the Reds gave up for Latos.
I’m a fan of Edwin Jackson, but he’ll be massively overpaid this offseason. 10 million a year should be the absolute maximum for him.
Agreed on both parts.
I think there would be the possibility of him performing well to a contract around 4/52 or so. Would be fair for both sides and the possibility of surplus value unless he implodes.
Seattle are doing the right thing… sticking to their plan. In 3 years from now my Seattle team will be great and full of young talent. I know we are not going to win in 2 years… I can wait that long, as long as i can see it happening. J-Z is doing a good job. (except Figgins)
I think Seattle should look at Billy Butler.
I think Seattle should sign Hiroki Kuroda.
Anyone still feel Hultzen was an overdraft?
“Trust me, guys.”
Red Sox need to go after jackson, everywhere hes been he is pretty successful and he would be another relatively young arm in the rotation
” everywhere hes been he is pretty successful”
Excuse me.. But exactly where has he been pretty successful? Mediocre at best, or flat out awful is more like it and his better seasons have been in pitchers parks, not in places like cozy Fenway.
Really doubt Cherrington & Co. will even bother giving a cursory nod over the list of available SP this off season.
sorry boss the key word was “pretty” successful, would you rather have Edwin Jackson or John Lackey pitching for you? Jackson has been on some mediocre teams, thats part of the reason for his .500 record. Im just saying hes an option and i know he is better than lackey or any of the other back of the rotation options the Sox had this season.
Is the package the Reds gave up for Latos better than what the Yankees would be offering for Felix/offered for Cliff Lee?
No.
Yes it is.
Wow – Saunders – That seems like alot to ask.
I think the Jays should deal prospects maybe 1 good starter, 1 hitter and cash to Seattle for Pineda. Add 2 more prospects and bring League over too, though dealing him is probably less possible. I dunno.. just idea’s lol we already lost on Gio and who knows who else we are targeting next for a starter… or at all. seems like relief is our mindset now, though…
After what the Reds and Nationals gave up, for Pineda you’re probably staring down the barrel of Gose, d’Arnaud, and Drabek for Pineda.
Brian Wilson too. Texas needs a back end piece.
What are you, an M’s minor league specialist?
Unless smoak turns into Texeira like scouts all predicted, and Ackley fulfills his potential to be a Pedroia.
Even so, they still need a power bat to contend.
Sign Prince and pry smoak and ackley are real deals.
Sabean doesn’t know a good deal when he sees it.
Power would be nice, but consistent hitting is all we’ll need if our pitching pans out. We’ll get 25+ homers from Wells, Carp and Smoak (not together smartasses) next season. Maybe 15- 20 from Guti (I hope) and Ackley. I think we’ll be much better next season.
Yeah, maybe Pineda would be worth that by himself, but Figgins has IMMENSE negative value at this point, meaning that if you want to include him, you actually have to offer more than if you didn’t.
top closers? in blowing saves and having a high ERA?
Yeah, a 2.79 ERA is just sooooooooo high.
So you think he’s Jason Vargas? Really?