Here are some links from baseball's two central divisions…
- The White Sox have been shopping left-hander John Danks in advance of the winter meetings, reports Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. He won't come cheap though, with one of Cowley's sources saying: "[ChiSox GM Kenny Williams] asked for everyone on our roster in return."
- Yesterday we heard about the Twins' interest in retaining Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel, and today Joe Mauer told MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger that he's willing to help recruit free agents to Minnesota. "I told [GM Terry Ryan] and everybody here that I'm here to do everything I can to help out," said Mauer. "I want to be part of the solution that gets us back to where we need to get to."
- The Indians are not expected to bid on any Japanese players going through the posting process, reports Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain-Dealer (on Twitter). That would include Hiroyuki Nakajima (who was posted on Monday) and possibly Yu Darvish.
- ESPN's Buster Olney says (on Twitter) that the Royals are looking to a utilityman, preferably someone that hits left-handed. As our Free Agent Tracker shows, players like Andres Blanco, Craig Counsell, and Willie Harris are available.
- Paul Sullivan of The Chicago Tribune reports that the Cubs have hired Chris Bosio to be their new pitching coach. President of baseball operations Theo Epstein confirmed that the rest of the coaching staff would be announced at the winter meetings next week.
This is the first time I’ve heard the Twins are trying to resign both Kubel and Cuddyer. If that is case than I’d prefer them to sign Kubel and Willingham.
This. I’d prefer to let Kubel go and sign just Willingham, but I’m fine with this too.
It would be nice to have Kubel and Willingham in the lineup, but also not very realisted budget wise. It would make more sense to sign either Willingham or Cuddyer and let Kubel go. Sign either Edwin Jackson, Mark Beurhle, or Roy Oswalt. Sign Frank Francisco and either Matt Capps or Jon Rouch as middle relievers. Sign a solid closer, preferably Francisco Rodriguez. I just really don’t want to see Matt Capps or Jon Rouch in the closer spot.
John Danks is so overrated. Kenny Williams needs to get real.
Perhaps im bias, but I wouldn’t go as far to say he is overrated.
Kenny Williams is crazy, though. His asking prices for players are ridiculously high.
Everyone always talks about Danks like he is a #2 though, and he just isn’t. His only really good season was 4 years ago. Every year since then he’s just been decent. It kills me that so many people think the Rangers will trade for him back, and that they think we would actually give up Holland or Ogando or Perez for him…it’s nonsense.
I seem to recall him beating a good offensive Twins team in game 163 a couple of years ago.. no?
Why not ask for a ton in return for Danks? Especially because I don’t think Williams minds keeping him for another half of full season. The worst case scenario is if the Sox don’t trade and keep him to open the season, maybe they find themselves in the thick of things in the central. And if they are not in, which is the likely of the two scenarios, his trade value could be as high or higher than his current value to a team in the playoff hunt in July…there will be at least a handful of teams need of a solid left-handed starter come midseason. He is not overrated just valuable in this market…he pitches with guts and confidence which is makes any pitching staff better.
I get why they’re asking alot, because they just want to see if someone will offer too much.
ya, you’re right pitchers who can give you 200+ innings of sub 4.00 FIP in the AL aren’t that good…
Thats just incorrect, Danks was pretty damn good this season and received ZERO offense to back up his work. A similar story could be said about several of his seasons. It is ridiculous how many 3-2, 2-1, games he got the loss for last season. So no, he has a great amount of value and should be shopped high.
Danks to the Orioles for Reimold, Tillman, and Bridwell
Shouldn’t you guys be, uh well, rebuilding?
Danks is only 26 years old, so he could be a part of a rebuilding team. Honestly this isn’t much to give up from an orioles standpoint, for a guy that has shown to be consistent. I believe reimold is gonna be a good player, but for some reason the O’s don’t give the guy a shot. Tillman is a guy who could probably use a change a scenery, to see if he can figure it out. And bridwell is an arm with good upside, but I’d rather have the known quantity in danks. And if things don’t work out, flip him at the deadline for some more prospects
John Danks + Matt Thornton and half his contract to the Yankees for Austin Romine, Hector Noesi, Brandon Laird, and Melky Mesa
What constitutes a good season? Two season ago seems to be more than a decent year to me…15 wins, 200+ innings, almost 200k are above average numbers. These also came on an average (as best) Sox team in 2010. He is a solid #3 on any staff no more no less and if the Sox can afford (meaning Kenny doesn’t half to trade him) to ask a ton with the hope someone will bite, why not! Its a smart business move getting the most out of an asset.201025CHWAL1511.5773.7232320110213 ip189 K’s
What constitutes a good season? Two season ago seems to be more than a decent year to me…15 wins, 200+ innings, almost 200k are above average numbers. These also came on an average (as best) Sox team in 2010. He is a solid #3 on any staff no more no less and if the Sox can afford (meaning Kenny doesn’t half to trade him) to ask a ton with the hope someone will bite, why not! Its a smart business move getting the most out of an asset. 2010 CHW AL 15 wins 11 losses 3.72 era 213 ip 189 K’s
Betemit back to KC then? He’s a utility guy.
What constitutes a good season? Two season ago seems to be more than a decent year to me…15 wins, 200+ innings, almost 200k are above average numbers. These also came on an average (as best) Sox team in 2010. He is a solid #3 on any staff no more no less and if the Sox can afford (meaning Kenny doesn’t half to trade him) to ask a ton with the hope someone will bite, why not! Its a smart business move getting the most out of an asset. 2010 CHW AL 15 wins 11 losses 3.72 era 213 ip 189 K’s
After the fact note: KyleB, just saw your note below seeing my point about trying to maximize trade value by asking for the moon. Its a business that sometimes don’t make any sort of sense.
At least it’s not as bad as it is in Oakland lol. God only knows what craziness Beane is requesting in return for Gio, Cahill, and Bailey. To be fair though, I do believe those guys have pretty big value.
HAHAHAHAHA “Joe Cowley’s sources”
If Mauer is helping recruit players, hopefully it will be done via confrence call from the weight room. Just focus on you Joe. And see if Morneau will join you for a few reps now & then too.
If Mauer were really concerned about helping the Twins organization and leading them to a WS title, then he wouldn’t have held their feet to the fire by demanding a contract paying him 25% of the projected annual payroll.
What he’s saying is a prime example of the figure of speech “have one’s cake and eat it too.”
Idk what happened to Cahill. He went downhill in a hurry after starting the season off great.
Obviously that isn’t a realistic time frame for the O’s, but I was stating that he’s young enough you could extend him. He should still be in his prime when Machado, Schoop, And the Bundy brothers, etc make it to the show