Time for some links from baseball's two West divisions…
- "I think so," said Dodgers GM Ned Colletti when asked if he was done with his free agent shopping, reports Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times (on Twitter). They re-signed Mike MacDougal to a one-year deal today, the tenth free agent they've signed this winter.
- The Rangers continue to have dialogue about long-term contract extensions with core players like Ian Kinsler and Derek Holland, reports Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas. "Our general feeling is to try not to negotiate during the year, but we've made exceptions," said GM Jon Daniels.
- Daniels also refused to comment about the Rangers' talks with Yu Darvish, reports MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. "It's best for us to lay low," said the GM. "The less noise around that, the better."
- Athletics GM Billy Beane told MLB.com's Jane Lee that he has some interest in a few free agent outfielders, and he's also exploring trade possibilities (Twitter link). Bullpen help is another possibility, says Joe Stiglich of The Bay Area News Group (on Twitter).
- Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik said they are "still keeping our ears open" regarding veteran starters even after signing Hisashi Iwakuma, reports Shannon Drayer of MyNorthwest.com (on Twitter).
- ESPN's Buster Olney says (on Twitter) that the union calculated the value of Albert Pujols' contract with the Angels at $246,841,811. Ronald Blum of the AP has a breakdown of the perks in the contract, such as a suite on road trips.
- Troy Renck of The Denver Post has the details of Wil Nieves' minor league contract with the Rockies (on Twitter). The backstop will earn $700K in the majors and $14K per month in the minors. He's also been invited to Spring Training.
Daniels also refused to comment about the Rangers’ talks with Yu Darvish, reports MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan. “It’s best for us to lay low,” said the GM. “The less noise around that, the better.” What kind of answer is that? This is a load of BS. When the Rangers were in contention back in 2010 and were in position to acquire Cliff Lee from the Mariners. I didn’t see Nolan Ryan dancing around, creating confusion and general procrastination. He woke up that morning and called up the Mariners Gm and said I would like Cliff Lee, please! The Mariner Gm told he what he wanted in return and Ryan said done and done. So why are they horsing around with Darvish? As I have said before, I wouldn’t have given this pitcher another thought! End of Story!
You are mistaken. Jon Daniels is the GM of the Rangers, not Nolan Ryan. The Rangers traded for Lee when they knew he was about to go to the Yankees, they made Justin Smoak available. Smoak is who the Mariners wanted all along and that is what got the deal done, not Nolan bowing to another team’s demands.
The Rangers were after Cliff Lee since they knew he was available. They decided to add Smoak, and that’s why the deal was done so abruptly. It wasn’t as you suggested that they just woke up and decided to call the M’s all of a sudden.
Everyone will talk badly about Darvish, but if he comes here and performs very well, people will start saying they wish they had him. It works both ways. If JD and Co. thought Darvish was worth it then i’m 100% behind them. They know what they’re doing and have access to much more info than anyone on here.
The Rangers had been after Cliff Lee for a while. Once rumors that the Yankees were willing to trade Montero, Texas put a deal together around Smoak and got it done. Which is an entirely different thing than discussions to sign a contract. JD is going to overpay just to get it done, he and Darvish and his agent will find a contract everyone is comfortable with, which likely means a deal doesn’t happen for another week at the earliest.
If Beane wants to dabble in free agents, go sign a starting pitcher or two. All the young prospects need AA/AAA seasoning (IMO, the only one who should be up in 2012 is Milone), you have to assume McCarthy is gone at the deadline or sooner, and the Coliseum is known to inflate the stats of pitchers.
The pitchers either eat innings or bring back prospects at the deadline, both of which are good outcomes.
There is no upside and plenty of downside (blocking Taylor/Reddick/Cowgill) to signing another outfielder.
agreed, focus on pitchers like jeff francis, zach duke, or any youngish flyball pitcher (the cavernseum will, as you said, inflate their stats and hide their flaws)
Rumors have it at 100 million for 6 years plus 52 million posting fee so about 25.333 million per year for someone who has not thrown one ML pitch……wow
Our GM got a bankrupt club to a World Series and took them back the year after. Your GM got fired.
Hmmmm never saw where he insulted Daniels…
Probably should have made a comment about his GM signing a 38…err 34 year…32? year-old first baseman to a 10-year deal.
You are right, there are plenty of snide remarks that would fit fine there.
ouch that hurts.. how do you expect him to sleep tonight after that personal attack
Don’t know what kind of rumors your reading… It’s gonna cost around a total of 100 mil. Including the posting fee and contract.
It will definitely exceed 100 million
Darvish isn’t going to sign for less AAV than Dice k did and will probably want a year or 2 extra for being younger.
I think the absolute floor for the deal will be a 5/75
anything less than that and he might as well stay in japan, he makes good money there
Don’t know what kind of rumors your reading… It’s gonna cost around a total of 100 mil. Including the posting fee and contract.
Hahahaha, what rumors are you hearing? Not a single legitimate rumor has it that high.
The M’s might just continue to add Japanese players as an alternative to more costly MLB free agents. Lefty Wei-Yin Chen might be another target for the starting rotation, making Beavan possible trade bait.
I don’t know where you heard $100m for 6 years, that’s absurd. Jon Daniels knows how not to overpay. That’s a number Scott Boras and Jon Heyman would be talking about. Just plain silly talk.
I’d much rather see the A’s work out a trade than sign a free agent outfielder.
i have a funny filling the A’s are going to trade for seth smith and the outfild will be reddick,crisp,and smith with taylor or cowgill has the 4th outfilder
i hope not, he’s the opposite of the direction beane’s going (crisp being the exception to the rule, and we didn’t have to give up anything to get him)
maybe balfour for an outfielder under control for at least 5 years?
Do NOT want Seth Smith.
Beane, step away from the veteran outfielders.
edit: forgot all caps was banned now.
can’t even imagine who else beane would want that would provide a solid upgrade. the only one that could come close to providing an upgrade would be cody ross, and that wouldn’t be enough of an upgrade to want to sign him
edit: i also wonder why there’s no mention of the athletic’s three international signings that happened today
can’t even imagine who else beane would want that would provide a solid upgrade. the only one that could come close to providing an upgrade would be cody ross, and that wouldn’t be enough of an upgrade to want to sign him
edit: i also wonder why there’s no mention of the athletic’s three international signings that happened today
Posting in all caps is banned? Haha, that rules! Justice is served…
You should go to the dentist if you have a funny filling.
i have a funny filling the A’s are going to trade for seth smith and the outfild will be reddick,crisp,and smith with taylor or cowgill has the 4th outfilder
Sorry iPhone issues. You know me I just don’t want to be stuck watching Miguel Olivo be teams power source.
There better be one hellofa’ end game for Jack Z. to want to hoard all the pitchers… and it better be a HUGE GROUP of premium hitters as the result!
There better be one hellofa’ end game for Jack Z. to want to hoard all the pitchers… and it better be a HUGE GROUP of premium hitters as the result!
The more and more I read about Pujol’s contract the more ticked off I get. Hotel Suites on road trips, 4 season tickets for the next 10 years, a 10 year contract AFTER his 10 year contract expires. I’m not bitter, it just seems so ridiculous. Congrats on them being creative though.
the hotel suites and season ticket business is pretty much standard stuff with these larger contracts. Holliday has them too.
MLB players get tickets to games. How does the season ticket perk differentiate from what other players get.
I feel sorry for Cards fans. It isn’t like they have a World Series championship to feel good about. Wait a sec… DAMN!
The more and more I read about Pujol’s contract the more ticked off I get. Hotel Suites on road trips, 4 season tickets for the next 10 years, a 10 year contract AFTER his 10 year contract expires. I’m not bitter, it just seems so ridiculous. Congrats on them being creative though.
im hearing the the A’s may trade tyson ross or josh outman to the rockies for seth smith i would want him over ross,jackson and ludwick he would also be the best power hitter on the team has well
where are you hearing this? i hope all this is false and they focus on just signing low risk pitchers
Yeah, like Rich Harden and Erik Bedard!
hah would love eric bedard, however, he’s been signed by the pirates
rich harden (low risk high reward if healthy) and jeff francis (low risk low reward) would be good
Harden would be a good back up plan but Francis or Maholm is better. Both would excell under Cyrt Young and the pitchers park.
Yeah, like Rich Harden and Erik Bedard!
Bad idea hotline, how may I help you?
No to any OF over the age of 27.
Yes to any SP/RP wanting to rebuild value in a pitchers park. My #1 FA target right now would be Zumaya.
Yes to trading Suzuki, Balfour, Fuentes & Moscoso ASAP.
Ned’s offseason strategy: 10 pennies = 1 dime.