With a national television deal in place and labor peace established, MLB teams are ready to spend. Some people in the commissioner’s office are nervous about the possibility of more lavish free agent contracts, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. Here are more notes from Rosenthal on the day before free agents can sign with any team…
- The Angels want to sign Zack Greinke, but so do their biggest rivals, the Dodgers and the Rangers.
- Rosenthal points out that the offseason could unfold more quickly this year, partly because of the new MLB calendar. Teams won’t have to wait as long to determine which free agents are linked to draft pick compensation, which should accelerate the free agent market. I discussed the possibility in this week’s MLBTR chat.
- Rosenthal expects almost every free agent who receives a qualifying offer to reject it.
- MLB officials expect the trade market to remain “hot” throughout the winter, according to Rosenthal.
I honestly believe the Angels will end up winning his services! The ideal place for him IMO
Why is that?
I agree with Jonathan. It’s a big market team with a small market media and it’s a low pressure area (compared to high pressure east coast cities) so his anxiety won’t be an issue. The Big A is also a neutral/slight pitcher’s park and he has other big time stars here to take the bulk of the attention away from him, which also helps with the anxiety.
“It’s a big market team with a small market media” I would have said that except for switching the order around 180 degrees.
I think his ideal team is ironically the same team that makes the largest bid.
See ya back in KC Zack!!!
Lol
Greinke will certainly be the most sought after starter in FA this year, but i have a strong feeling that whoever gets him will end up paying well above market value. That used to mean he’d most likely end up with the Yankees or Red Sox but no more. Now it seems there are 6 to 8 teams willing to overpay.
NYY/BOS? He’s not worth the luxury tax.
Boston isnt even close to the luxury tax after that Dodger trade
Yeah, you’re right. Sorry. I’ve gotten so used to writing that.
I have a feeling of absolutely certainty that whomever gets him will pay exactly the market value.
It’s a Heim bidding war…Guggen vs. Ana.
It made me laugh.
only 1 season in his career has he topped ERA+ of 125. if it gets to 130 million in 6 years the winner will be the team that doesn’t sign him.
In 2007 he had 124 and 2008 125 so he came close.
Milwaukee signing Greinke was a major franchise mistake. He was essentially one and done – The Royals, in that trade, acquired a startiung shortsop and outfielder who would play for them for years.
Not sure if Greinke will ever “fit” anywhere
And with Greinke the Brewers got a trip to the NL Championship Series and a reasonable shot of getting to the World Series. The Brewers gave up what could potentially be a lot, but until we see how the careers of some of those young players pan out, I don’t think we can fully judge a winner or loser in that trade. Everyone said the Brewers gave up a lot for C C Sabathia, butt in hindsight Matt LaPorta seems to be overrated, Zach Jackson is nothing special and only Michael Brantley has remotely performed. I’d be more concerned about Milwaukee giving up Brett Lawrie for 2 years of a middle of the rotation type like Marcum.
I don’t think “seems” is the right word to describe the overrated-ness of LaPorta. The Sabathia trade turned out horribly for the Indians. A MLB average OF for a Cy Young winning ace? Even if Sabathia didn’t help the Brewers win the world series that year, in the end the Brewers essentially gave up nothing of any real value. As an Indians fan, the Sabathia, Cliff Lee, and potentially the Jimenez trade really really hurt. When a backup catcher (Marson) has so far been the highlight of the deal for Cliff Lee something went horribly wrong somewhere in the talent evaluation department.
Hi, They did get one trip to the postseason. They wanted more than that for what they gave up. What they discovered was Greinke was unsignable.
As far as the Royals, I don’t think anybody regrets trading a malcontent who admitted he didn’t try his last season for what they got in return.
Zach does as Zach does and the Angels may be finding that out soon enough.
Don’t forget Odorizzi! That trade turned out very well for the Royals.
But the Royals just released Jeremy Jeffress today, another piece of the Greinke trade.
Yes, but what does Milwaukee have left to show for that trade? One trip to the post season
Which is one more than KC has. They also have a starting infielder (Jean Segura) that they’re very high on, plus two promising young arms.
Hi, Milwaukee is a much better team than the Royals and a better front office too, in my opinion. Probably have better prospects as well. and will definitely be back to Post season before the Royals and many more times as well.
But they got too little in return in the Grienke trade. They gambled and lost
Again, I respectfully disagree. The Brewers got 25-9 out of a year and two thirds of Greinke, They got 6 extra playoff games and the revenue that goes with them. Then they swapped Greinke and got a starting shortstop (Segura) who was the number one prospect in the Angels system plus two up and coming arms (Hellweg and Pena).
Look, I like Escobar, but I doubt he ever hits as well again as he did in 2012 (and even then he was only 98 OPS+). Cain is a platoon outfielder at best and Jeffress has been waived. That leaves Odorizzi who is young with a ton of upside, but certainly no lock to duplicate even what Greinke accomplished with the Royals. I really think he will be the key as to who “wins” this trade, but it’s way to early to gauge what his career in KC will look like.
You could be right, but I don’t see the upside to the to the Brewers you do.
Escobar doesn’t have to hit much to anchor the infield for may years. As for Odorizzi – there is no such thing as a pitching prospect.
Bottom line, Zach is always going to be a project. Brews found it out, I suspect the Angels will too.
Greinke was never anything less than a consummate pro during his time in Milwaukee. The Brewers wanted him to stay and offered 5 years $100 mil, but Greinke knows he can get more than that on the open market. No hard feelings. Business is business.
According to Rosenthal: MLB teams are ready to spend!
According to Lefty: Just not the Orioles! =(
I don’t believe the Angels would’ve traded Santana and actively trying to unload Haren unless they knew they were close to a deal with Greinke. Dipoto is one of the better GM’s right now.