Diamondbacks ownership sees Johnny Cueto as a “special case” who is worth a franchise-altering investment, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal (links to Twitter). The team’s six-year, $120MM offer to Cueto would’ve been above the D’Backs stated comfort zone of a $15MM-$18MM average annual salary for a pitcher, yet Rosenthal notes that Arizona has been willing to stretch payroll in recent years. The D’Backs gave their largest contract in club history to an unproven rookie in Yasmany Tomas, and they were also prepared to give Masahiro Tanaka a huge contract after posting a bid to negotiate with him in the 2013-14 offseason. Cueto, meanwhile, rejected Arizona’s offer in order to further explore his options. With Jordan Zimmermann now off the market, it’s indeed possible that Cueto could perhaps surpass that offer from the Snakes. Here’s some more from around baseball…
- The Mariners privately acknowledge that Robinson Cano will inevitably be moved from second to first base, according to Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune (Twitter link). The question now may be how many more seasons can Cano remain at the keystone. Cano just turned 33 last month and his defensive metrics (-7.3 UZR/150, minus-9 Defensive Runs Saved) plummeted. Since Mark Trumbo could be traded or non-tendered, the M’s may have an opening at first as early as 2016, though I’d guess the club is probably more likely to give Cano at least one more year at second and obtain a short-term first baseman if Trumbo is indeed moved.
- Byung-ho Park is set to arrive in Minneapolis today to continue negotiating, and perhaps finalize, a contract with the Twins. Park spoke to Korean media (including Yonhap News) before departing, saying “there are some things we need to go over with the club. I hope to be able to return with a positive result….I am approaching (the upcoming contract talks) with a positive mind.” Park also discussed transitioning to MLB, speaking to former teammate Jung Ho Kang and his willingness to be a designated hitter in Minnesota if that’s how the club feels he is best used.
- The reliever market is widely expected to heat up this week, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick explains in a series of tweets. Part of the logjam has been due to the fact that two star closers (Aroldis Chapman and Mark Melancon) are on the trade block, so teams are exploring trade options before looking at free agents. Over a third of league is currently looking for relief pitching help — Crasnick lists the Astros, Athletics, Blue Jays, Braves, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Mets, Nationals, Pirates, Red Sox, Royals and Tigers.
- Several bits of Indians roster speculation are discussed by Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer in his latest reader mailbag. Highlights include Hoynes’ belief that Lonnie Chisenhall will still be with the Tribe next season rather than be traded or non-tendered this winter, doubt that Jay Bruce would be a legitimate Indians trade target and the idea that Wilin Rosario might be of some interest to add pop to Cleveland’s lineup.
- Would a reunion with Bartolo Colon be a good move for the Athletics? Joe Stiglich of CSNBayArea.com looks at the pros and cons Oakland faces in signing the veteran right-hander.
Robinson Cano was injured all year and had surgery for a sports hernia right after the season. His defensive metrics are quite likely to bounce back.
Except he’s getting older and his defensive metrics typically are below average.
Seriously…what the hell are the Diamondbacks doing?
9th in OPS in the majors (offense), 2nd in SB (speed/athleticness), 1st by far in Defensive Runs Saved (Defense). These are by far not the only measurements of a team’s success, but its a strong showing nonetheless.
Not to mention that they will only get better with their young position players maturing into everyday major leaguers or hitting their prime with guys such as Pollock and Peralta.
As bad as their pitching was in 2015, they have very key and high ceiling pieces in Corbin and Bradley. If they do indeed land Cue to or maybe Maeda and trade some of their excess of young cost-controlled position players for a Quintana/Salazar/Matz type then they become a very strong team. Pick up a mid tier reliever and a higher-end one (linked to Chapman talks aswell) and their strong NL West contenders.
Who makes up this “excess of young, cost-controlled position players?”
And unless they’re giving up one of their top two players I don’t think they’re getting any of those pitchers. Certainly not without giving up one of their top four guys.
They should have just held on to Bauer.
Goldschmidt, Perlata, Pollock, Inciarte, Ownings, Ahmed, Tomas (he isn’t cheap but he’s still young) and Drury are all up in the Majors and I believe some of their top prospects also have reached Triple-A.
I’m pretty sure Matz is nearly untouchable. Dangle Goldy….then obvious the Mets would have to think about it (read: take it in 2 seconds), but outside of moving a guy like Goldy…Matz or any of the 3 (4 w. Wheeler) young Met arms are not moving.
They are trying to get better. I’m not sure if throwing $20m/yr at a player is the first choice…but at least they are trying.
Dbacks around keep themselves out of trouble by just putting in the high bod for John Lackey. I’m sure he’d rather play for a number of other teams but if they come strong with 3/55 or so he’d probably take it and they would avoid owing some guy $20m+ six years from now when he’s probably no longer effective, which is a mistake only a big market team can afford.
There are only a dozen or so legit aces in the league; Lackey would be a perfectly respectable #1 for many fine teams- he was for a 100-win team last year.
The only potential issue is Arizona’s high, unprotected pick. But considering their attitude in the Toussaint deal they probably shouldn’t care too much about the pick. Plus, if they gave up the pick quickly it would leave them in better position to act opportunistically when some of the many protected free agents remain unsigned late in the offseason. Pick up Kennedy or Gallardo on the relative cheap without worrying about giving up a high draft pick.
3-$55 for a 37 year old pitcher? But U may be right. Some nutty things happen with these teams and their offers.
They are probably limited to 2nd and 3rd tier talent bc of budget needs. To avoid a true re-tred/cannon fodder type player, they may need to make an offer to an older pitcher like Lackey.
I’m curious what makes Cueto a “special case” for the Diamondbacks. Looking at the crop of free agent starters this year, Cueto was 13th in xFIP and 8th in K-BB%. Those stats are solid, perhaps, but hardly “special,” and it’s not like Cueto has an unblemished injury history or is so young as to set himself apart from other free agents in those areas. Perhaps the DBacks see something in their scouting evaluations that doesn’t necessarily show up in the numbers?
They get to keep their Draft Pick with Cueto they have the 13th Pick
That’s a good point, but if they’re concerned about keeping their draft pick, why not look at Price? If I’m going to make a “franchise altering investment” in a starting pitcher, I’d easily choose Price over Cueto.
I could give you about 100 million reasons.
comment on moving Cano to first ?
at 33 I would like to think he has the ability to play 3-4 more years
ala Derek JETTER at ss or many players…Cano must be better next year at second but has his declined been this quick other wise
Seattle made a huge mistake…and never saw this coming
It’s not like Cano has been bad but obviously not what the M’s thought they were getting when they gave a 31 year old player a 10 year contract.