Earlier tonight we had some West and Central links, so now let's complete the trifecta with some notes from baseball's two East divisions…
- The Red Sox and David Ortiz are still "not very close" to a new contract, reports Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe. The two sides have reportedly been discussing a new two-year deal recently.
- The Yankees have some interest in Torii Hunter, reports Mark Feinsand of The New York Daily News (on Twitter). Since the Angels are unlikely to make Hunter a qualifying offer, it wouldn't cost a draft pick to sign him.
- Earlier today the Blue Jays exercised their $3MM option for Darren Oliver, but Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com hears that the veteran left-hander is still leaning towards retirement (Twitter link).
- The Marlins looked into trading for Ervin Santana before the Royals acquired the right-hander earlier today, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter).
- Bob Brookover of The Philadelphia Inquirer listed the pros and cons of some free agent corner outfielders who could be of interest to the Phillies.
Funny how about 2 weeks ago it was reported that Ortiz and the Sox were pretty close and they had agreed on the 2 years part of it…
Torii Hunter to the Yankees would be ideal. If Ichiro is resigned the Yankees would have 3 left handed hitting outfielders and a righty like Hunter would be the perfect compliment to all of them. I would love this move, Hunter is still a great defender as well.
Yeah, thats what the Yanks need, to get older!
Cashman said himself, he doesn’t care about age he cares about production. Hunter posted a 5 WAR last season and hit .313 with a .365 OBP and drove in 90 Runs. He’ll be 37 but he’s great on a short term deal.
You think so Dan? I understand the Right handed ability, and he is a good defender. But I have personally found Hunter to be more of a liability the past few years with his play and off field issues. I know someone will prove me wrong with a WAR statistic or something else, but I don’t see him being a fit here..On the other hand, I think the Yankees should make it a point to Sign Ichiro, as I for one would love to see what he could do with a full year in the Bronx.. Be well
His off field issues were related to his son if Im not mistaken and it didn’t stop him from putting up his numbers last year. Andruw Jones hit .197 with a .294 OBP and a .701 OPS for the Yankees last year as their right handed compliment bat. Hunter put up far better statistics and is in better shape at 37 than Jones is at 35 so the defense will be there and the numbers will be as will if healthy. The Yankees would be just fine with Hunter in Right. I agree completely on Ichiro. I love his makeup and how he carries himself as a humble professional.
I really don’t like a Hunter deal as the first option, People see his 2012 numbers, but look past his pretty bad year in 2011. I think in all odds Hunter will regress substantially. in 2012 his BB% was about 30% lower, K% was higher, and he largely benefited from a pretty great .389 BABIP, which is over 0.8 higher than his career average. That is where his avg was able to bop up to .313, which was the first time ever in his career that his average was over .300. He is worth a look, but only after they at least kick the tires on Hamilton, Swish, and Ichiro.
His WAR is also pretty misleading, because his UZR was very good after being negative for the past 6 years.
I really want the Yankees to look into ortiz. It will mean some fewer games for other players, but can’t be worse than the 70 games that ibanez, and jones were starting.