On this date 12 years ago, Tigers scout Ramon Pena signed 17-year-old Omar Infante out of Venezuela. Now, it's a make or break year for the Marlins' infielder, who is 29. Here are today's links…
- Some Cardinals fans are creating signs to encourage Albert Pujols to re-sign in St. Louis and donating the proceeds to the first baseman's foundation, Yahoo's Jeff Passan reports. Pujols is set to hit free agency after the season and Ron Heinz and his friends want to make sure he stays put.
- The Mets will likely have a payroll of about $120MM next year, according to Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog. Cerrone suggests the Mets haven't yet decided how seriously they'll consider trade offers for Jose Reyes this summer and points out that it's unclear if GM Sandy Alderson intends to offer the shortstop a long-term deal.
- ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick identifies nine key partnerships that have emerged so far this season, including Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp and Jose Bautista and Blue Jays hitting coach Dwayne Murphy.
Speaking of partnerships it sure would be nice if Mark Riggins formed one with the Cubs staff. With the way they’re throwing most nights I wonder if he’s even introduced himself to them yet. Never thought I’d miss Larry Rothschild.
I recently ran the numbers and I hope Reyes and Pujols/Fielder end up in Toronto for 2012. The best part is we will still have a payroll of under 100M even at 25-30 for Pujols/Fielder and 7-12 for Reyes. Imagine the line-up, Reyes, Escobar, Bautista, Pujols, Lind, Snider, Arencibia, Davis, Brett Lawrie. Potential for 120+HR from your 3,4,5 hitters. GET IT DONE AA!!
You couldn’t smooth a silk sheet if you had a hot date with a babe…
I lost my train of thought.
probably the best post i’ve ever read.
seriously
Thanks for your insightful reply
I would be shocked if Pujols signed with the Jays. I could see Fielder going to the Nats or one of the LA teams if he doesn’t go with the Jays. Assuming the Angels can increase their payroll or the Dodgers can resolve the mess they’re in now.
Agreed, Pujols is very very unlikely for the Jays. Fielder on the other hand I could see it happening. Then problem with it is that he is going to want a 7/154 like A-Gon or something like 8/170. With those numbers I wouldn’t want to take the gamble on him for 8 years. If he would take something like 5/125 I would feel better paying more every year for a shorter time frame.
I would be shocked as well but I can hope, there is a need here for Fielder or Pujols even if Lind has a great year at 1B, and the Jays have the money to spend.
Fielder needs to go to an AL team as a DH, that way he can finish off turning into the Goodyear blimp like his dad and won’t have to look so awful in the field in a couple of years.
I’m not sure I’d want Reyes. He is a year younger, but Escobar is a much better fielder, and is cheaper. Their K/BB rates are about the same too, if I’m not mistaken.
Reyes and Escobar would play SS and 2B, Hill would not have his options picked up in this situation, or would be the trade bait sent to the Mets mid-season, possibly with one of our pitchers without options or someone blocked in our farm system.
Although I’m not sure if its warranted at this point..
Dumping Hill for absolutely nothing would be a waste, chances are atleast one more option will be picked up so that he can try and restore some value and be traded
I’m assuming Reyes would be moved to 2B? In which case, he won’t sign with Toronto. If the Jays attempt to move Yunel to 2B he’d have an absolute fit. So either way, I don’t see a Reyes/Escobar combo up the middle in Toronto.
U do realize Reyes has his entire family here in NY…not just his wife and kids..but his OWN side of the family from DR + his inlaws…and they have been in NY for almost 10 years….NY has a growing vibrant Dominican community…Reyes can pretty much feel at home in any borough and various parts of Long Island…Toronto? not so much
You might want to check those stats. Calling Escobar a “much better fielder” is quite a stretch. Looking at fielding percentage alone, Reyes .974 for career, Escobar .976 for career. I’ll take Jose every time when comparing those 2 guys in any category.
haha
I love how you say, you might want to check the ‘stats’ again and then proceed to ‘school’ him with a) fielding percentage, which is almost always useless and b) a .002 difference in that weak stat.
Well done sir.
Escobar is a better fielder than Reyes?
ok
While we’re at it lets trade for Felix and roy Halladay back!
on first look I laughed but if you think about it thats a pretty powerful lineup. It won’t happen because its not AA’s style in that hes not ready to make 2 big signings right away for a short-term fix. Not to mention giving 7-8 years to fielder… and lets face it, pujols isn’t coming to toronto. A lineup of reyes escobar bautista fielder lind snider lawrie arencibia davis would make the playoffs, especially with an extra wild card next year.
Haha, talk about blowing up in Selig’s face if the added playoff spot goes to yet another AL East team.
Lol just imagine if the Rays, Yanks and Sox all made the playoffs, that would be too funny
Let us all hope that common sense prevails and they drop the talk of adding another wild card… No reason to make baseball as lame as the other 3 major sports
Too late. It was announced last week and will take place starting in 2012.
Several top players are against it. Could be vetoed by the MLBPA.
I highly doubt that would happen.
Where did you get this info anyway? Do you have a link?
I hadn’t seen that it had been announced. All I have seen is that it is being discussed and is (unfortunately) highly likely.
Yes
retraction and continued slumping attendance are much more attractive.
Ahh, the trend continues.
I haven’t come across too many people who are in favor of it. I don’t see it as a huge deal either way, but I’ve noticed that the vast majority of the fans in favor of a 2nd wild card team are Jays and Orioles fans. Certainly can understand why though.
I just love the arguement oh if you add another playoff team it will make the regular season boring!! arrhghghh
because the regular season is soooooo exciting for teams who are 15 GB with 81 games remaining.
it’s a ridiculous argument
It wouldn’t be the best third place team, it would be the second best second place team. Wouldn’t it?
I’m sorry sir but I think that you accidentally typed an r when you obviously meant a j
i don’t understand your comment Rays All The Way
You have much to learn my young grasshopper.
for the mets, 120mill is plenty to have reyes. In real terms, it is keeping the payroll the same as it is this year, once you discount the cuts they are paying (Castillo and Perez)
this off season, they drop off. Plus Beltran, and possibly K rod. even if it is just Beltran, that is another 20 or so. redirect part of that to a raise to Reyes, and use the rest of the 20 for other needs (arb raises, FA replacements, etc.)
now, if they want to cut down to 100 or below, that could be hard!