One of the questions facing all teams in free agency is whether to pay for top talent or delve into the second tier for a bargain. Ben Lindbergh of Grantland lists five instances where the generic option could provide more financial value than the name brand asset. In the case of players like Pablo Sandoval, James Shields, and David Robertson, cheaper options probably won’t outperform them, but they could come close at less than half the guaranteed cost. Here’s more from the realm of free agency.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post picked destinations for 10 “hot MLB free agents.” Sherman thinks the Mets could be the surprise winners of the Yasmany Tomas sweepstakes, since the move would energize a depressed fan base. In my opinion, his oddest pick is Max Scherzer to the Brewers. Sherman reasons that Milwaukee has been aggressive under owner Mark Attanasio, but I’m not sure they can support a massive investment in a starting pitcher. Meanwhile, the Tigers could grab two trendy free agents with Sandoval to man third base and Andrew Miller to play the role of relief ace.
- For those who aren’t satisfied with MLBTR’s list of MLB free agents, Baseball America’s Matt Eddy has all the minor league free agents for your perusal. As we learned earlier this week via FanGraphs’ Kiley McDaniel, MiLB free agents represent a potentially under-exploited opportunity to buy value. To a stats analyst, not many names jump of the page. One I’ll be tracking, if only because he’s an interesting story, is Jason Lane.
Wow im not sure if I Agree with many of these choices at all
Me neither, it seems as if Sherman wanted to open some eyes with his picks.
From the article: “This does not mean I expect these players to end up there. Simply that I think the players fit what the teams need and I believe the teams have the resources to get it done”
Scherzer isn’t a fit outside the cliche of needing an ace. They have a rotation of guys who can’t be shipped to the minors and don’t seem like they’d be good relievers.
Aww, I see. Then my point is moot
The whole purpose of Sherman’s article wasn’t where he thought they WOULD end up, but where they SHOULD end up. He wrote ” This does not mean I expect these players to end up there. Simply that I think the players fit what the teams need and I believe the teams have the resources to get it done”.
Sherman and some of the other writers have shown on MLB network that they know what their talking about. It amazes me how they know so much about the game.
I’m not sure what you mean by that. Sherman himself in his own article said this was speculation more than prediction.
Scherzer to the Brewers is interesting and realistic. Brewers fell apart in late 2014, and Scherzer could be that extra push to add stability in their rotation.
If VMart doesnt stay with the Tigers, he’s going to the Mariners. The Ms would pay him and his close relationships with Austin Jackson and Lloyd McClendon would be the determining factor.
The Brewers spent the most they’ve ever spent last year at $109M. They’d have to commit 25% of their payroll to one player to bring him to Milwaukee seeing as I can see 6-7 big market clubs throwing $25M annually at him.With his agent being Scott Boras, he usually takes the highest bid and that’s unlikely to be a small market club.
Scherzer to Milwaukee isn’t very realistic although it would be cool since him out of the A.L helps everyone.
Im pegging Scherzer to go to either the Cardinals, Brewers, or Red Sox. (Cards and Red Sox are probably more likely taking into account your point about the $109 mil payroll)
If the funds are there, Id think that theyd be desperate enough to sign him if nothing more than the fact that he has a high chance of signing with the Cardinals.
It sure is tough to figure out where Scherzer will go. It isn’t like a big payroll player has just left a team and they could just plug him in. Cubs and Red Sox are the only big payroll teams with lots of playing cash. Tigers could still resign him.
I have him going to the Nats because they have the money and an aggressive owner. They have been on the cusp, Scherzer might put them over the top.
Cherrington built his world series team with middle of the road free agents, if that is his MO he won’t go after Scherer. He needs to land one of the big 3 to win next year.
The Crew is right around $110M now, with the pick-up of Ramirez’s option. So landing Scherzer would put them around $135M, their highest payroll ever.
However, it would be for only one season as they lose some huge contracts after next season, including Gallardo, Lohse, Ramirez, Broxton and owner Mark A. likes to make a splash…
Realistic? Don’t think that’s the right word, more like a good fit. I don’t think its realistic to see the Brewers sign him especially if some of the big horses decide to pony up.
Fair point.
Is a really good pitcher a good fit on any team? Sure, but the Brewers? They don’t need starting pitching.
I can see V-Mart going to the O’s or the Mariners, while I have can see Hanley going to the Tigers or staying in LA.
Hanley isnt going to the Tigers, they have Jose Iglesias. I doubt V-Mart would go to the Os due to payroll space. Plus, theyre probably in on Cruz
I don’t know why everyone wants to sign Sandoval to replace Castellanos at 3rd for the Tigers. HE’S HAD ONE SEASON IN THE BIG LEAGUES GUYS. Sure, it wasn’t a great season but my goodness he’s 22 years old and was our top prospect, huge upside. No point of signing Sandoval unless he would DH but that would kind of defeat his purpose since he’s a great 3rd baseman. I say he goes to the Red Sox.
22 year old had a mediocre rookie season as compared to Mike Trout? Pack it in. He’s done.
Castellanos is the ONLY Young Tigers player than has any value.
He projects to be a solid LIne Drive hitter and a poor defender. He was “awful” according Fangraphs in 2014. It is possible, he will upgrade to “well below average”…. but there is no doubt, that all the Tigers pitchers suffered because of him.
The Tigers should have kept him in AAA last year.
The biggest problem was they moved him off of third to LF when he had only played there for a season because they had him blocked by Cabrera. He basically learned third base on the job in 2014. Yeah, he could end up peaking at “below average” but he could become average and that has real value. It is tough to judge anyone on one season of defensive statistics, let alone one who hadn’t really played the position before.
Eye test proves he was really bad. He had moments of clarity though. I think the organization will give him the chance to improve, as they should. It’s too early to pull the plug on the experiment, especially considering the team’s aging, expensive players.
If I were the team’s GM, Scherzer would become an Oriole. They don’t have an ace and the world won’t know if prospect Dylan Bundy can be their ace until years down the road. If the Orioles are going to increase payroll, this is how I would spend it.
The O’s are in dire need of an ace pitcher, I’m just not sure they are willing to pull the trigger. Scherzer would be a perfect fit there, I like there position players.
It’s outlier trying to pick where free agents are going, that being said it’s a lot of fun! I have Scherzer going to the Nats, and Martin to the Cubs!
I think Scherzer to the Yankees and Martin to the Dodgers. These next four weeks should be fun.
ChiSox one of four teams to meet with Panda’s reps this week at the g.m. meeting’s. If the six years in the $100,000,000 neighborhood is accurate, I would definitely pass.
I think there’s more chance of me pitching for the Brewers next year than Scherzer. I really see no credence in that whatsoever.
As for Sandoval in Motown. . . well you won’t be surprised to know from my previous musings on this subject that id be utterly dejected were we to waste whatever free agent money we have this offseason on him.
Nooooo thanks.
I agree on your first point. The only argument for it is that the GM, Doug Melvin, loves signings and is at the end of his career. I could see him fantasizing about going out on top.
Yasmany Tomas is perfect for the Mets. Power hitter that plays RF exactly what the Mets need. They can move Granderson to LF where he belongs and don’t have to trade any of their pitchers. If they want the fan base back they need this move ,BUT these are the Mets and as long as they have this ownership they’ll be looking for the cheap alternative. And as a Mets fan all I can do is wait and see.