Coming off another World Series win with the Giants, free agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval is seeking a nine-figure contract, CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman writes. Sandoval would, however, like to remain in San Francisco. “He loves the city. He loves the team. He loves the fans,” says agent Gustavo Vazquez. “And he wants to stay.” Sandoval himself echoes those sentiments earlier today, and the Giants want him to return as well. The Red Sox are also expected to be among the teams bidding for Sandoval. Here’s more from the West divisions.
- Rangers GM Jon Daniels says starting pitcher Colby Lewis will test the free agent market, FOX Sports Southwest’s Anthony Andro tweets. The Rangers had previously indicated they were interested in re-signing Lewis, even though he posted a 5.18 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 170 1/3 innings in 2014 after missing the previous season due to elbow and hip injuries.
- The Dodgers ought to consider keeping Andre Ethier, Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times writes. Joc Pederson’s performance in a small sample down the stretch might indicate he’s not ready to start, Dilbeck argues, and Yasiel Puig, Carl Crawford and Matt Kemp might not be able to stay healthy. So the Dodgers might as well keep Ethier, particularly if the alternative is eating tens of millions of dollars in salary and not getting much back in return.
- The Angels are likely to have a quiet offseason, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register writes. They don’t have many free agents departing and not many clear needs, and since they want to stay under the luxury tax threshold, they don’t have much money to spend anyway. They do want bullpen and rotation depth, and a report earlier today indicated one way they might try to get it is by trading Howie Kendrick or David Freese.
“He loves the city. He loves the team. He loves the fans,” says agent Gustavo Vazquez. “And he wants to stay.”
Yet he’ll still gladly ride on right out of town if someone puts up more $$$.
You’d do the same thing if someone put enough money in front of you.
Did i say otherwise?
Of course i would, im human, i was just making the point all his agent was saying was hot air, we all know money talks and always will do.
How is it hot air? Sandoval probably does feel attached to SF and wants to stay and maybe finish his career with the Giants. That doesn’t mean he would not sign with another team when offered more money.
Exactly.
All that matters is the money…so the rest of it is hot air, no more than agent speak.
Whoever puts the most dollars on the table gets his services, his feelings towards San Fran are utterly irrelevant in context.
If Pablo does sign elsewhere, in spite winning 3 rings with this team and all the Kung Fu Panda fandom, it better be a much better deal than the Giants’ offer otherwise a true heartbreak..and a loss of faith in humanity lol.
think that is Tiger’s point. Money changes everything and talk is just talk.
The only real thing that we can glean from Joc Pederson’s 38 plate appearances is that he sees plenty of pitches. With that kind of discipline, he will inevitably have a good OBP (.351) but also get caught looking quite a bit. That’s what we saw in his brief trial, along with above average bat speed. He’s almost certainly going to start in AAA Oklahoma City…but it’s because of the outfield surplus, not those limited ABs.
He’s been tearing it up at Triple-A but especially coming from the PCL that doesn’t mean much. Still I don’t get Dilbeck. Puig hasn’t made a trip to the DL yet, Kemp looks healed up from his 2012-13 injuries, and so does Crawford. In reserve they still have Van Slyke, and in case of injury, Pederson in the minors. Ethier has to go, and no doubt he thinks so too.
We certainly cant take anything from Pederson’s performance in the PCL. Albuquerque is a mile high like Denver and its park is a launching pad and its not the only one in the PCL. Pederson is what he is, a prospect.
Tough call, but I’d say Giants should resign Pablo. He’s only 28, and he’s part of the core group that the Giants have now put together. After 2015, Lincecum’s 18 mil is off the books, so I think the payroll squeeze would only be for one year. That being said, no more than 5-6 years for Sandoval.
With the Red Sox in play? I think it will take more than 5 yrs, Probably 7. Boston desperately needs a 3B
If that happens, Red Sox can have him, then wait and see if his success even translates across leagues.
I don’t see why it wouldn’t. It’s a much friendlier offensive environment.
Yanks need Kendrick, they could give the Angels Phelps and Kelly.
No thanks, Prado can man 2nd if not then the Yanks should give Refsnyder a shot. The kid could be something special offensively despite his subpar D.
What really is amazing is how little Colby Lewis has played. You would think a 35 year old coming off that type of season would be winding down at least a decent career.
Add about 350 innings of sub 3 era with slightly over 9.0k/9 if you account for Japan. Still not an illustrious career, but still puts him over 1000inning mark.
It will be interesting to see how different the Panda and Headley deals are. Panda may sign for near double the Headley deal.
But Headley is the better player according to fWAR and there is no QO baggage attached.
The Angels will likely trade Kendrick for a back end starter and look for the lefty reliever via free agency.
Sandoval is going to be interesting. I believe him that he wants to stay, and I think the Giants will make a serious run at him. But if they stop at 5/90, and someone else offers a year more and $20 Million more, I’m not sure it will be enough. The history of potential free agents is that if they don’t agree to the extensions before FA, then tend to leave in free agency.
I don’t see the Yankees being in on either of the Angels players.
Best case the Yankees: Re-sign Headley for 3rd base and go with Prado at 2nd base.
Worst case the Yankees go with: Prado at 3rd base and Refsnyder at 2nd base.
Both situations are very workable for the Yankees.
Shortstop is the key position for the Yankees this winter. Do they just sign Drew for one year on a “pillow” contract and then hold their breath that they can sign Ian Desmond after the 2015 season when he should become a FA. Or do they go after either Asdrubal Cabrera or Jed Lowrie this winter. Or maybe try and see if a trade is possible with either the Diamondbacks or Cubs for a SS? Like I said shortstop is where the decision has to be made.
Can we get rid of Freese no matter what?
Why?