Some links as Friday turns into Saturday…
- There has been no progress in contract talks between the Brewers and reliever Jose Veras, reports MLB.com Adam McCalvy. As our Arbitration Tracker shows, the right-hander filed $2.375MM while the team countered with $2MM. Club negotiator Teddy Werner told McCalvy that he expects to return to Florida for a hearing.
- Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com hears that the Cubs will continue to shop Matt Garza in Spring Training. The two sides avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $9.5MM today, and Knobler says the salary doesn't figure to hurt their chances of moving him.
- "We'll be cautious yet open-minded," said Nationals GM Mike Rizzo to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com when asked about the possibility of Bryce Harper making the team out of Spring Training. "If he gives us the best chance to win, we'll keep an open mind and see where it takes us."
- Talks continue between the union and management about expanded playoffs for 2012, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The deadline for resolution is March 1st.
2 wild cards is a horrible idea.
I disagree.
There are lots of good teams who don’t make it each year and teams often would rest players knowing they could have the wildcard. Now, winning the division is imperative.
I disagree. Winning the division is now even more meaningful and wild card teams get penalized. Second, there will most likely be meaningful season games in September. Plus, more teams actually have a chance to get into the playoffs that normally wouldn’t. Though, I want it to be a 3 game series but since the schedule won’t allow for it this season maybe they can do it for the 2013 season.
The 9.5 that Garza has should actually help the Cubs move Garza since his price tag is pretty cheap. I’d rather pay that then paying Kuroda 10M.
The problem I have with the 2 Wild Cards is there won’t be the same late season magic as there was last season.
I do like that it gives more teams a chance, but what if the top WC team has 92 wins and the second WC team has 87. That’s not fair to the team that had 92, if they both get an equal shot.
Seems like the potential for magic merely shifts its focus to the second wild card team which should expand the number of teams/cities involved down the stretch. Teams should always be fighting for the division title so the added WC slot and the 1 game playoff adds true significance to actually winning the division.
Plenty of potential for late season magic, instead of looking at the Rays and Red Sox, we could possibly have put the Angels into that category, same with the Giants.
Salary was never an issue. I’m not sure what you mean by Kuroda since he was a FA. They aren’t comparable at all. The Cubs wanted the farm for Garza. Obviously, you would rather have Garza at 10 mil but then you have to give up up your top prospects for him. He also wouldn’t be just 9.5 mil if he was a FA.
Kuroda didn’t cost prospects.
Fernando, except the problem with your argument is Garza will cost the acquiring team at least 2 high end prospects and another mid or low range prospect (3 in all) plus $9.5MM in 2012 and $11MM plus in 2013. That’s a lot to pay and a lot to give up. For at most 2 years of team control.
Kuroda, was a free agent the only thing he cost the Yankees was his agreed salary in this case $10MM for the 2012 season.
I agree
i agree since its 1 game if its 3 im fine with it a team like the rays, red sox or yankees can have 95 wins i think this is good 4 the al since the red sox had 91 or 90 wins but doesnt make it its a 163 game basically in the nl i dont like it since the braves can have 93 wins get a wc spot but plays the reds,giants,brewers,cards,nats,marlins with 85 wins and they lose bcause the nats have strasburg pitch and the braves have hanson and the nats get in 3 games i have no prob wit
Playoffs! Don’t talk about playoffs! You kiddin’ me? Playoffs!
Allen Iverson tone of voice?
that’s my cousin’s ringtone.
I sort of want the Red Sox to make the move for Garza but at the same time I don’t really want them to deal with Theo since he knows their farm. I’m really on the fence about this team this year, they have a lot of holes and question marks. Perhaps they will just hope for the best this year and make a run at one of the free agent SP next offseason. Either way it should be interesting to see how the season unfolds.
Plus, the Red Sox’s farm system is pretty dry right now isn’t it? Especially after acquiring Bailey.
The red sox are a better team now that papolbon is with philly and also lackey is gone for the year thats a huge plus right there. I’d rather keep garza til the cubs are out of the race in May. If hes not signed long term by then. Trade him with a package of soto and marmol and get good players for garza with other two being basically cash conderations
Why trade great prospects for Garza if Oswalt is out there and will practically give you the same exact thing for no prospects? Of course there are minor upsides, like length of controllability for Garza, but really. The Rangers and Cards obviously don’t need him so he will have to look elsewhere. If I were him i’d be giving the Royals a call.
Because it isn’t 2004-2007. Oswalt, while still serviceable, is a shell of his former self.
Why trade great prospects for Garza if Oswalt is out there and will practically give you the same exact thing for no prospects? Of course there are minor upsides, like length of controllability for Garza, but really. The Rangers and Cards obviously don’t need him so he will have to look elsewhere. If I were him i’d be giving the Royals a call.
I still think that DD pulls off a Garza trade. Theo won’t get a better pitching prospect than Jacob Turner. Theo said it himself, the way to re-build, is to get young starters. Throw a package at them involving Turner, Oliver, and a couple other prospects and I think it gets done. If they want Smyly, then throw in Marmol and cash. That’s my oppinion. Detroit gets a great starter, a good reliever and Chicago gets a great pitching prospect and a very good pitching prospect, and a decent pitching prospect.
That’s too much. I wouldn’t make that trade. I think DD will wait to see what develops during the season. Maybe a deadline deal if the situation warrants it.
How is that too much? Garza will net Turner. I just don’t want to lose both JT and NC.
JEEZ… how much do you think he’s worth!?! Also, would you really want to trade Turner for for Garza? I wouldn’t do it.
My gut tells me Harper stays in the minors till June/July
he should I think.
Bryce hit .256/.329/.395 in 147 AB in AA last year. Not ready for the big leagues yet.
Can’t wait for Bryce Harper and his attitude to be humbled by top tier pitching. He is going to have a hard time in the NL East.
Every good hitter is hitting less in today’s less offensive environment. Ten years ago, Miguel Cabrera would be hitting 50 homers with a .695 SLG instead of 30/.595. He’s an advanced enough bat to make adjustments more precisely during his at-bats than many major leaguers.
Sorry double post.
Garza doesn’t need to be traded. He’s a good club house guy and wants to be in Chicago.. granted they will be out of contention in may again this year. Which means if Jed and Theo are smart they will let rookies play because they have nothing to lose by doing that. And we all know everyone is smarter then Jim hendry