Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has a new Full Count video up, so let's recap…
- Don't be surprised if the Twins consider trading Justin Morneau. The first baseman is owed $14MM both this season and next, and Minnesota likely needs the position for Joe Mauer long-term. Denard Span, Matt Capps, and Carl Pavano could also be on the block, but Morneau offers hard-to-find power. He has a no-trade clause but the extent is unknown.
- The Phillies hold a $5MM option for 2013 on catcher Carlos Ruiz and an extension is warranted, but at 33 years old, Chooch is three years older than Yadier Molina and four years older than Miguel Montero. They aren't contract comparables.
- This year's crop of free agent center fielders stand to benefit from Adam Jones' new six-year, $88.5MM extension, but age will again be a factor. B.J. Upton will be 28 next season and is two years younger than Michael Bourn and four years younger than Shane Victorino. All three will hit the open market after the season.
- Josh Hamilton is unlikely to sign a contract extension with the Rangers, and the lack of comparable players (both on and off the field) make him even more likely to hit the open market. It's possible the only way to determine his actual value is to let other teams bid for his services as a free agent.
Are the Twins going to hold a fire sale or not? I really would love to see Liriano in an O’s uniform. I would love to see Headley and Volquez wearing the Orange and Black even more. Denard Span, Matt Capps and Carl Pavano who are these guys and why would anyone want them? They aren’t going to trade Morneau and if they do, I will believe it when I see it.
Chooch is awesome, I didn’t realize that he was what 28 when he was a rookie? It’s a shame he a bit of a late bloomer, but he really is one of the best clutch hitters the Phillies have these days.
Josh Hamilton is even more awesome, that walk off of his tonight was really something. Frasor might not be the best reliever out there, but for Hamilton to hit that ball to the deepest part of the stadium was unreal.
Span is batting over 300 and is a great player. You would be crazy to not want him!
Mauer is a good athlete. Any chance he could learn to play third?
I was thinking that too. He certainly has the arm. It seems a shame to waste his arm and athleticism on 1B and DH once he moves off of catcher.
Morneau to the jays makes too much sense.
and no not because he’s canadian.
Because he is Canadian and likes hockey?
…because he likes bacon!
canadian bacon?
Pretty funny movie…
Bingo!
As long as he is healthy. I have no idea what he could fetch though. Even healthy, you still have some concerns, he is also owed a lot of money and I’m not sure if there is a big market out there for 1st baseman since most top teams have a 1st baseman locked in for a long time. Jays are seriously lacking another middle of the order bat.
It’s too bad he got injured in the first place. He was having a pretty special season that year and would have given Hamilton a run for his money.
Jays have some serious arms and can spare a few..
I’d say it would be a package built around a young high end arm, and marisnick.
At this point I do it. I give the twins what they want as long as its not Gose or D’arnaud
I can’t see Morneau costing THAT much.
An A arm and an A outfielder is not that much.
Agreed, if he can stay healthy and is close to or the same hitter of old. Thee Jays could really use that extra juice in the lineup
Morneau to the Dodgers also makes sense.
jays would be able to offer more in prospects than the dodgers.
I may be wrong… But the Orioles’ extending Jones have done the Rangers
a service. Firstly they pretty much took themselves out of the running in Hamilton sweepstakes, so that’s one less team to go up against. Secondly Texas will be able to use the years and the money given to Jones as a guideline to re-sign Hamilton. Granted, Josh is a superior player to Jones and will garner a better contract, but not an overwhelmingly lucrative one.
My reasons are the following, MLB’s new economics, Hamilton’s history, his baggage and the number of teams that will actually get involved in the bidding. Like it or not, the ‘Salary Cap’ is coming, and everyone will make certain to adhere to it, particularly
at it’s inception. Big long term contracts will hinder the ability for a GM to make moves
Teams like NYY, Bos,LAA,Det,LAD,Was,Phi,NYM, the historical spenders won’t get involved in the the bidding this time around. Most of the mid-market teams such as the Reds,Brewers,D-Backs, and Cards are locking up their inexpensive young talent while they can.
Throw into that Hamilton’s injury history which is part of his resume and that will scare away many potential bidders. Injuries are part of the game and can be looked as part of ‘doing business’, but when a player has a rep for getting hurt and will make huge money, anyone has to think twice about signing him.
Then we have the ‘Baggage Issue’. Everyone knows the deal with Hamilton, as well the relapses and the accommodations the Rangers have made for him. Not certain a new owner would pay him big money, spend additional monies on ‘Baby Sitting’ services and hope he can stay healthy.
There’s no doubt Hamilton’s a major talent and exciting as hell to watch, but I really think Texas will re-sign him at good but not outrageous money. He and his agent will be somewhat surprised at the few teams that will offer that hugemongus contract they’re expecting.
Better than Adam Jones for sure, but not close to Pujols or Fielder in years or cash.
“the Orioles’ extending Jones have done the Rangers
a service. Firstly they pretty much took themselves out of the running in Hamilton sweepstakes”
Angelos offering a large, multi year contract to any FA (not from the metro area) is not going to happen anyway IMO. Granted, he made an exception and made a much less FA offer to tex (local player) when he was available, but nothing serious really since.
The ghost of Albert Bell (and his hip) still haunt Angelos.
Hamilton will probably be moved to RF or LF to lessen his workload on the field so the O’s can still make a run for him. No serious team will use Jones’ new contract to begin negotiations, if they do they won’t go past the first phone call/meeting. If anything, Werth and Crawford deals will be used instead but even those are lowball offers. Hamilton will place himself in a whole different level if he continues this production and will break some team’s bank.