A few late-night items of note as a thriller in the Bronx reaches its climax …
- Baltimore Sports and Life polled 17 analysts about the Orioles' odds of signing impending free agent Prince Fielder. Interestingly, opinions vary wildly about whether the O's should even pursue Prince, not to mention what kind of financial commitment it might take to procure his services.
- Cubs scouting director Tim Wilken will be watching a pair of his notable draft selections when Phillies co-ace Roy Halladay squares off against his Cardinals counterpart, Chris Carpenter, in Friday's NLDS Game 5, writes Carrie Muskat of MLB.com. Wilken tabbed both of those pitchers when he was scouting director in Toronto, and he provides some cool insight into how each hurler was regarded before they became household names.
- Andrew Stoeten of Drunk Jays Fans breaks down Toronto's outfield, replete with sound, humorous analysis and a spelling of "center" that looks odd to those of us in the States. Be sure to check it out.
While I’ll admit it’s possible, I just don’t see Prince Fielder going to the Orioles… it’s not just a matter of money; remember, they supposedly were willing to offer Teixeira a boatload after the 2008 season…it’s the whole “winning team” thing… I see him going to the Rangers or Blue Jays… And truthfully, I don’t think sticking with the Brewers is out of the question at this point, either; especially if they continue to go deeper into the postseason, or maybe win the WS…
As much as I’d love to see Fielder with the Jays, it just seems out of kilter with AA’s philosophy. Too much money and too many years committed to a glorified DH. I’d bet a blockbuster trade for Votto is more likely.
With the current Oriole fan base, how in the world could they (Peter Angelos) support that kind of salary? Why didn’t Baltimore Sports & Life survey real honest to goodness fans, instead of “Overrated” analysts who know nothing. As for me, I don’t want him!
Plus, the fact, I can’t understand as to why Prince Fielder wants to leave the Brewers, he’s got a good team out there. Our starting pitchers aren’t that good, certainly not of the same caliber of the Brewers and the fact our line up isn’t as strong as theirs. Foolishness on Prince’s part if you ask me if he decides to leave.
PS I know there are Orioles fans out there that do indeed want him, my question to you is have you actually watched him play over a long period of time (2 to 3 months) or do you simply watch the sports center highlights? Be honest!
Affording him is not an issue. Angelos makes a relatively decent looking penny on MASN, and MLB pays him several million dollars annually for having the Nats in their backyard. Besides, fan attendance isn’t high but we’re not talking A’s levels here.
From Highest to Lowest Payrolls in 2011:
* = Fitting Teams
NY: Teixeira, A-Rod(future dh)
Phillies: Howard
Boston: A-Gonz, Ortiz(assuming he re-signs)
Texas: Mitch Moorland, Mike Napoli
LA Angels: Mark Trumbo, Kendry Morales, Bobby Abreu
*Chicago WSox: Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko
***Chicago Cubs:
NY Mets: Ike Davis
**SF Giants: Aubrey Huff, Belt
*Twins: Morneau, Mauer
Tigers: Cabrera, Vmart, Avila
**St Louis: Albert
Dodgers: Loney
Rockies: Helton
Braves: Freeman
Mariners: Smoak, Mike Carp
*Brewers:
**O’s: Reynolds,
Reds: Votto
Astros: Brett Wallace
*Athletics:
Nationals: Morse, Adam LaRoche
*Toronto: Lind,
Marlins: Gaby Sanchez
*Diamondbacks:
**Indians: Hafner
**Padres:
*Pirates:
**Rays:
Royals: Butler, Hosmer
Interesting post. I can’t ever see him going any of the low-payroll teams, like Tampa or Pittsburgh. Maybe the Blue Jays make a run for Fielder, and I can see them going for him. Power bats in Fielder and Bautista will really improve that team, although starting pitching is a more pressing need.
Your right that pitching is much more of a need then offence, but if the jays could bring Prince into that lineup and trade Lind for some pitching, the Jays would be much better next season
Very true, but what kind of pitching can you get when you have Lind on the block? He’s no superstar, so can he get you the quality pitching that Toronto needs?
not unless he’s packaged with some quality prospects. His contract isn’t much though, keeping him around as a DH and part time LF/1B isn’t he worst idea
Lind isn’t enough to get back a major pitcher, but I think he could be an important piece of a package. There’s plenty to say in Lind’s favour: he’s a lefty, plays a very competent 1B, is still young, has a very cheap and flexible contract, and certainly has an elite bat when he’s switched on. It really wouldn’t surprise me to see him flourish in 2012 and beyond, whether with the Jays or another team.
Expect NL Central & NL West teams to view Jays players differently after the success had by Brewers and Diamondbacks with Hill and Marcum.
Probably wouldn’t get much for Lind though. I’d keep him because I think he has something left to prove.
I’d do this.
Vs. RHP
Escobar SS
Rasmus CF
Bautista RF
Fielder 1B
Lind DH
Lawrie 3B
Johnson 2B (assuming he’s retained)
JP Arencibia C
Snider LF
Vs LHP
Davis LF
Escobar SS
Bautista RF
Fielder 1B
Encarnacion DH
Lawrie 3B
Rasmus CF
Arencibia C
Johnson 2B
The Jays are looking at 4th place again!
I bet you hear that all the time about yourself
O Snap
I bet you hear that all the time about yourself
Im loving this potential lineup. (crossing fingers)
I like everything about it except the platoon of Snider. Either you commit to him and give him the chance to develop, or you look to moving him mid-season. It just doesn’t make sense to curb his development anymore.
yea davis is pretty garbage. not much reason to start him over snider, especially since what snider really needs are consistent mlb AB’s. plus, if davis ever does find his way into the starting lineup, he should bat 9th every time.
O rly?
Rajai Davis 2011- 288/367/463
Rajai Davis Career-292/350/411
From a speedster, I’d take that ANY day
protecting him against tough lefty starters isn’t really ruining his development. If anything it will help him develop and gain confindence..
I’d only protect him vs tough lefties with big fastballs, ie price, lester, sabathia, and i guess now moore..
He’ll still get .500 AB’s
Well as a Cubs fan U can count the Cubs out of the Fielder sweepstakes…the asking price is to high & with the Cubs having NO G.M & the Ricketts are so high on Epstein it’s like the guy is better then GOD himself…Look what happened this season to the Red Sox…I’m mean really…really..do we need a guy that allows a manager to let booze in the clubhouse and when the managers back is turned they sip & sip til it’s gone and so was there season..but BOOZE did not ruin the season it was injuries and some players are playing hurt and not letting the injury heal completely…they must redo their pitching staff their OLD and has a bunch of old has beens Buckholz and Burkett are maybe 1 and 2 stars on the staff…I have all the respect 4 the Red Sox…but I don’t think the Red Sox will do away with Epstein…they would be fools 2 do so…I think Cherington…maybe the right fit 4 the Cubs
No love for Lester?
In my last post a made a mistake and I never finished what I wanted…I’m Not a Red Sox fan but I did say I was alittle harsh on their pitchers…but look at the stats look at the injuries…NO Dice-K..Wakefield was ineffective and the lower part of the pitching staff…I forgot about Lester I had high hopes for the Red Sox 2 make the playoff”s and give the Yanks a run 4 their big ego’s and overpriced players…I’m a National league type of player….and Loves the Cubs
________________________________
burkett and buckholz
Adam Lind for Carlos Zambrano and a pile of cash. Then the Jays sign Cecil, Jr. What a devastating lineup the Jays will have then and Big Z could do with some time out of the searing spotlight of a major market city.
that does the Jays no favours. They must as well just keep Lind then.
So…..Who’s still up at this hour
/finishes 2nd 5 hour energy drink.
Hind sight 20/20 the Jays were stupid for getting rid of Halladay and Carpenter!
yes, because when they traded doc he was an unknown commodity.. The jays didn’t know what they had and he went to philly and flourished..
Honestly, how can people be this ignorant?
yes, because when they traded doc he was an unknown commodity.. The jays didn’t know what they had and he went to philly and flourished..
Honestly, how can people be this ignorant?
Halladay was going to leave anyway.
What does that tell you when the best pitcher in the league wants to leave your team?
That he wants to go somewhere expected to win before he retires?
That he realized he has maybe 4-5 years left of his career where he can win and Toronto wasn’t ready to compete?
… and there was a pretty good chance he would have signed in Boston or New York. The Blue Jays got good young players and were assured he wouldn’t come back to hurt them more than once a year. They did pretty well in that trade.
You can second guess them all you want for Carpenter… but saying they made a mistake for getting rid of Halladay just isn’t intelligent.
Ahhh…Halladay threatened to sit out the year if he wasn’t trading…however….letting Carpenter go was short-sighted by JP. A mistake not repeated by AA with Dustin McGowan.
What? Halladay didn’t threaten to sit out for the year. He just said he wouldn’t re-sign after his contract was up because he wanted to go to a contender.
That’s correct, because the Jays failed to build a good team around him.
AA did just trade Marcum to a team in the playoffs for the first time in many years! How are those Card’s pitchers doing?
No he didn’t. He said he wouldn’t accept a trade at the deadline and that he would not sign an extension.
The Jays had years to build a team aroung Halladay but failed to do so.
So what? Whether or not the Blue Jays failed to build a quality organization under JP isn’t what is being discussed. (Which they did fail at).
You said “Hind sight 20/20 the Jays were stupid for getting rid of Halladay and Carpenter.”
Which is half correct. In hind sight, getting rid of Carpenter was a horrible move and he and Halladay could have probably at least won a Wild Card together… but they had no idea if Carpenter was going to rebound from those injuries.
Losing Halladay was not stupidity. It was time for him to move on.
you are a brainless hater.
yes the jays were never quite good enough to make the playoffs with doc. it was a previous regime at a time when the division was getting extremely competitive (red sox, yankees, rise of tb). all this is known, so no one is going to argue with you.
carpenter was let go after much mediocrity and many bouts of injury. yes they would like to have that decision back.
and for your information, cause you obviously havent figured it out yet… EVERY ORGANIZATION HAS MOVES THAT IT LATER REGRETS.
I wouldn’t discount any team interested in Fielder. I definitely see him as a player who will chase the biggest contract regardless of the team’s ability to compete. I predict the Nationals or Marlins will break the bank on him.
At the same time, I’d like the Orioles to go after him. I don’t always argree with the Orioles chasing the big name free agent, but I think Fielder would be a good choice for them. He’s a bonafide clean up hitter, something they haven’t had for a decade. Given the O’s farm system, you can’t trade for that kind of talent and the O’s aren’t going to be able to develop that kind of talent any time soon. So go be the highest bidder. I’m not sure there are any other free agents I’d want to spend big money for.
I wouldn’t discount any team interested in Fielder. I definitely see him as a player who will chase the biggest contract regardless of the team’s ability to compete. I predict the Nationals or Marlins will break the bank on him.
At the same time, I’d like the Orioles to go after him. I don’t always argree with the Orioles chasing the big name free agent, but I think Fielder would be a good choice for them. He’s a bonafide clean up hitter, something they haven’t had for a decade. Given the O’s farm system, you can’t trade for that kind of talent and the O’s aren’t going to be able to develop that kind of talent any time soon. So go be the highest bidder. I’m not sure there are any other free agents I’d want to spend big money for.
Centre is the proper spelling.
Why would Fielder come to the Jays or O’s when he can play for a team like the Rangers?
Because the Rangers are already set at 1B and DH, just like most contenders.
Yes, but why would he choose to enter the bottom of the food chain in the toughest division in all of baseball?
ummm the same reason why any of the players on the yankees play in new york, its called money. and it rules everything around me.
Mitch Moreland is no Prince Fielder!
わ、cでゃっh
I’m guessing Wilken is a top scout……Influenced decisions on two pitchers who have been at or near the top of all starters in baseball for a decade plus, amazing.