With the recent Hall of Fame voting out of the way, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe looks at the case for former Red Sox star Manny Ramirez. Obviously, his offensive performance was magnificent, although lousy defense sapped his overall value. With confirmed PED violations after the so-called Steroid Era, voters may find it hard to select Ramirez. He also had a prickly reputation with the phrase “Manny being Manny” coming to represent his often oblivious frame of mind.
Here’s more from Cafardo’s column:
- The Red Sox could consider signing free agent outfielder Justin Upton. Club president Dave Dombrowski is comfortable with a starting outfield of Jackie Bradley Jr., Mookie Betts, and Rusney Castillo, but there’s certainly risk involved with relying upon Bradley and Castillo. Either or both players could conceivably fail to produce at a league average rate. The Sox do have depth in the form of Chris Young, Brock Holt, and possibly Travis Shaw. However, Upton would give them a superstar presence in the middle of the lineup, and he won’t have the same difficulty in adjusting to left field as Hanley Ramirez.
- Yovani Gallardo may be the next starting pitcher to sign. Scott Kazmir’s three-year, $48MM contract is a potential comparable. The teams involved in his market are hoping for a bargain on a two- or three-year contract, per Cafardo. He sees the Orioles, Blue Jays, Pirates, Royals, and Cubs as the best fits.
- Fellow free agent starter Wei-Yin Chen has scared some teams away with a five-year, $100MM asking price. The Nationals and Cardinals “have taken a good hard look.” Chen, 30, can point to success in the always difficult AL East as justification for a nine-figure asking price.
- Ten teams have inquired about Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna, but Miami coaches Barry Bonds and Don Mattingly are campaigning to keep Ozuna. They believe they can shape Ozuna into a star player. While owner Jeffrey Loria is said to be the impetus behind the club’s attempts to trade Ozuna, it’s also plausible he would defer to his newly hired, high profile personnel.
- Some scouts still think there’s something left in Ike Davis’ tank. The Mets’ former top prospect has played for three teams over the last two seasons with exactly zero WAR in 666 plate appearances. Davis will likely sign a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
- The Tigers and Mets are monitoring the market for Yoenis Cespedes. Based on Cafardo’s report, it sounds like both clubs hope to pounce if a strong suitor doesn’t emerge.
- Meanwhile, Dexter Fowler could end up as a bargain. Cafardo predicts a three-year contract below the $31MM signed by Denard Span. He suggests the Rockies (if they make a trade) and Tigers as possible fits. Personally, I disagree with the valuation on Fowler. Like Span, he has a history as a high OBP, top-of-the-order hitter. The draft pick compensation tied to him is a deterrent, but he’s been much healthier than Span in recent seasons.
- Talks between Chris Davis and the Orioles may have a drop-dead date. While the Orioles prefer a big left-handed bat, they may dip into the market for Upton or Cespedes. Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is also a potential fit.
stymeedone
I would have preferred Span to Fowler, but if it’s a 2 year with options, I guess giving up a pick for a leadoff hitter wouldn’t be too bad. Under that scenario, I would actually prefer Cespedes. Keep the pick. Build the farm.
Larry D.
Sign both and you have a nice (albeit expensive) platoon.
JKeyhasblueballs
If PED users get voted in then so should the best hitter of all time, Pete Rose.
eedwards027
lol the Pirates aren’t going to spend that kind of money
Ray Ray
They spent nearly that much (3/$39M) on Francisco Liriano, so it’s really not that laughable.
kbarr888
Agree that the Pirates could be in as long as the price doesn’t creep up over $50 mil……..Yes they are a very tight spending club, but the market is changing and they need to make a small adjustment (upward) with their spending habits. If Gallardo’s price get’s anywhere near what they gave Liriano, they’ll bite.
Ray Ray
I would love to get Dexter Fowler back where he belongs in Colorado. My only concern is that he left on very bad terms with former GM Dan O’Dowd, who publicly threw Fowler under the bus. If the bad terms were only with O’Dowd, then there shouldn’t be a problem, but the current GM Bridich was O’Dowd’s assistant, so I have to wonder if there are any remaining hard feelings there. I heard a rumor yesterday of Blackmon to the Angels for Tropeano and Bedrosian which I could get behind if Fowler is signed to something like a 4/38M deal. I’d rather get the 4th year since the Rox would lose a Comp A pick for a sign.
kbarr888
Fowler is not signing for 4/38……..3/36 possibly, but someone will bite if his price drops from 4/60 down to 4/48…….after Cespedes & Upton…..He’s probably the best OF left! (CF w/speed, good defense, healthy OBP, leadoff hitter……)
Ray Ray
The story said that Fowler would possibly come in below Span’s 3/$31M deal so that’s what I was going by. Although to be honest, I would be okay with as high as a 4/44M. Anymore than that and I would hope my Rox would just pass. He is a bit too much of an underachiever (IMO) for any more than that. If he can get more, then more power to him, but I wouldn’t go any higher. You also have to remember that the outfield market has not taken off like the pitching market this off season. They are even talking about Upton having to settle for a 1 year deal.
kbarr888
Gotcha…..and I agree. I think Blackmon is at least as good as Fowler, and you guys should probably just stand pat. But if they can shed CarGo’s $20 mil, and pay somebody under $10 mil…..maybe they bite? But if they want a good return in a CarGo trade, they may have to pay some of his salary.
Do you know roxman4ever? He’s a buddy of mine………
Ray Ray
I don’t know him, but he is on a couple of boards that I post to. He seems like a good guy.
bmoregmr
Why do the rockies and fans want to trade blackmon? Is he overrated?
Ray Ray
No, not necessarily overrated. But it probably would be selling high on him. I don’t necessarily WANT to trade him, but of the three outfielders he is the one I think would be the best combination of most easily replaceable and highest trade return.
moe 3
Blackmon would cost more than Cargo??? The Cardinals could use one of them
Ray Ray
No. I said Blackmon is a better combination of being easily replaceable and getting a good return than CarGo. I think CarGo would get a bigger return in a deal to the right team. I think you could get Blackmon for Marco Gonzales & a #15-#25 prospect. I doubt you get CarGo for less than two of Alex Reyes, Matt Adams, and Gonzales along with a low-level lottery ticket.
kbarr888
If the Rox would take Adams, Marco, and a low-level lottery ticket……for CarGo……..I think they should do that Pronto!
moe 3
Agreed!!
mookiessnarl
There are some definite question marks in the Red Sox outfield, but no more big contracts please. Save some cash for next season. If you need to make another signing they could use a lefty for the bullpen. But that’s a much bigger need than another 7 year deal. You have to stagger these things or you a handcuffed by them. They certainly have enough depth with Shaw, Holt and Young to get through this season.
nixon07
Next seasons free agent list is pretty bare, minus Jose Bautista/Carlos Gomez the outfielders up next season are all mediocre at best.. No need to save money for next season.
mookiessnarl
Yeah Jose Bautista is terrible. Wouldn’t want him. So wait until the season after that. Or just promote Benintendi. They have plenty of outfielders. All they need is two of the five options they have to play well within the next two seasons. Much better option than getting saddled with another 7 or 8 year contract.
kbarr888
2018-19 is the biggest collection of talent that we might ever see in a FA winter. Of course, some may sign extensions, but right now, the list is incredible……….Harper, McCutchen, Harvey, J. Fernandez, Kershaw, Donaldson, Adam Jones, Machado, Gordon, Pollock, Brantley……plus Heyward and Price have opt-out options that winter. If Davis, Cespedes, and Upton take deals deals with 3 year opt-outs, they’ll be there too (which might be the hold-up with Davis’ contract w/the Orioles….)
The FA market is thin for the next 2 winters, but after that…..it’s nuts!….LOL
912boy
That’s when. The Braves will strike and should resign Kimbrel after 2018
Aoe3
@ Mookie’s lip..
Calling Joeybats a terrible baseball player, who easily is in the top 12 in the last 5yrs… Last 6months months I’ve come to respect a few of your posts.. But now your credibility has completely unraveled in one post.
mookiessnarl
It was a joke. I know I should have added the sarcasm marks. Bautista is fantastic outfielder that absolutely rakes at Fenway. They’d be lucky to have him.
gmenfan
Time to check the batteries in your Sarcasm Detector.
redsox2323
Big sox fans i follow them 24/7 andi think if they get upton it has to be a three year deal or less so hes gone the same time as hanley an pablo and they need to unload custillo or bradley first
redsox2323
The sox will only sign upton because the markets slow wich meanstbey could get a 2 -3 year deal for him
kbarr888
I’m curious about the paragraph that says:
“The Tigers and Mets are monitoring the market for Yoenis Cespedes. Based on Cafardo’s report, it sounds like both clubs hope to pounce if a strong suitor doesn’t emerge.”
……is this based on some official statement?….or is it someone’s way of “continuing the false hope” just to make headlines? Everything that I have heard (officially), says that the Mets are really Not Interested in Cespedes……Thoughts?
bobbleheadguru
You are correct. Cafardo has a tendency to project hope. Usually it is for his beloved Red Sox. More rare to do it for other teams.
n13gmlb
Orioles should go ahead and try to get Cargo, I mean he is younger, they got the cash, less years, above average outfielder, won’t cost a draft pick. Why not? Even though his defense has been down last couple of years. Orioles should knock on the door.
bmoregmr
What players do you think would entice Colorado?
Ray Ray
I just don’t see the deal happening without Gausman being involved. The Rox have been pretty adamant (stubborn?) about getting him for the last two years. If they won’t give him up, then they will either look elsewhere or keep him and QO him when the time comes.
bleacherbum
Speaking of the Red Sox, what are they going to do with Allen Craig and his contract just sitting in AAA doing nothing for them? Honestly, they should accept a low level prospect and just move him somewhere, they will have to eat money but it would be worth it to part ways.
I think the perfect situation would be sending him to San Diego to reunite him with old hitting coach Mark McGwire to try she re-develop his swing. He could play first and they could move Myers back to left. The padres aren’t contending this year anyways so I test like this wouldn’t be the worst thing. Craig used to feast on Left Handed pitching and with the rotation the dodgers have now, Bumgarner, Corbin, Robbie Ross, J. De la rosa, etc. it could make some sense to see if they could catch lightning in a bottle and resurrect his career, only 31 years old.
Anybody else feel the same?
start_wearing_purple
Well trading him right now means eating all of the $21M he’s owed and getting nothing back. I think they’re accepting him as AAA reinforcements with the hope that he’ll rediscover his form in order to get anything back for him.
bleacherbum
Okay, makes sense.
Maybe they could do a bad salary for bad salary deal, change of scenery for both players. Kind of like the Michael Bourn + Nick Swisher for Chris Johnson.
Allen Craig for Melvin Upton
Craig is owed 21M and Upton 28M. Both for 2 more years, maybe Boston takes that hit? With Ramirez, Shaw and Ortiz at first they have enough depth to deal with injury there and wouldn’t need Craig as a minor league reinforcement. Upton Jr. would be the 5th outfielder and Chris young would be the 4th.
Ray Ray
I could see an Allen Craig for Jose Reyes deal possibly working. Reyes is owed more money, but he has a lot more value as well. He would be great as a utility guy/pinch runner/injury insurance for Boston. At least they would get more big league value than Craig. Of course there is the domestic violence thing over his head, but the longer the suspension the less money he would be paid as well. It might be worth the gamble.
bruinsfan94 2
How would that work for the Red Sox? Reyes is owed 48 million, is no longer a star player, injury concerns and a domestic violence rap hanging over him. Craig is owed 21 million, not even on the 40 man so he’s not hurting payroll beside the fact hes making 21 millon. The Red Sox really wouldn’t even have room for Reyes on the MLB team. Bogarts at short, PD at 2nd. Holt,Shaw,Hanigan, Young on the bench and Marrero who is MLB ready. The trade just hurts Boston. Craig is a sunk cost already. No reason to add almost 30 million on the the payroll for a bench player that clogs up a spot a younger player would make better use of. Best move is to hope he has a big spring training or does something in the minors so they could get some value from him.
thecoffinnail
Getting off that turf in Toronto will probably help with the injuries to Reyes. I think he is a good candidate for a bounce back season. The domestic violence hanging over his head has probably soured the few suitors he had though. He would be a good bad contract swap candidate with San Diego though. They need a SS badly. Perhaps Kemp for Reyes? I know Kemp was their best offensive player last year but they have Renfroe who is almost ready.
Ray Ray
The Rox don’t need another OF, but I wonder if the Padres would consider Reyes for Shields?
thecoffinnail
That is a solid option. I just landed on Kemp because of his contract. I agree Shields is a much better option and he will probably opt out after this year if he is traded to the Rockies. Colorado could then shed the Reyes salary plus recoup a pick. Solid trade for both teams imo. When Reyes contract is up one of the Padres kids should be ready.
PhilliesFan012
Do you think San Diego could move in on this though? Make it a three team bad salary swap ? Each team moving one player? Craig to San Diego so they have a first baseman, Reyes to San Diego to fill Shortstop and Melvin Upton to Boston so they have a fourth outfielder?(they have depth but want to add more). Or do you think it would stay between two teams
PhilliesFan012
I meant Craig to Colorado so they have first base and outfield depth*
moe 3
That’s a good idea McGwire may be his best chance. Craig was so good but after he hurt his ankle….nothing. It’s a shame
rmullig2
Craig will play out his entire contract in the minors. He is baseball’s version of Wade Redden.
lonestardodger
Makes some sense. It’s Robbie Ray though on the Dbacks btw. Ross is in Boston
fanofcards
Fortunately, I see the Cardinals are trying to beef up its pitching department. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen them go after a true clean-up hitter. That was the problem in 2015. Therefore, the Cardinals pitching had better have a combined ERA of under 2.00. Because, last years offense couldn’t drive in runs with a string of singles. I expect to seeing the current offense in 2016 to be about the same as 2015. Even with Grichuk and Piscotty for a full season. Also, unfortunately, speaking first hand about thumb ligements
hanks1hammer
The Cards have been the winningest team for the last 3 years and they have never ranked higher than 25th in home runs during that time. In the last 3 years, the Royals only placed in the top 20 in home runs once and that was the year they didn’t make the playoffs.
The point is don’t go fixing problems that aren’t there. Pitching ad defense is what the Cardinals do and I am really grateful to see the Braves going back to that formula.
fanofcards
(Continued) torn thumb ligaments are extremely hard to come back from. Especially on both hands. So don’t expect to see the same Yadi we’ve been accustom to seeing, hitting or catching. The Cards need to acquire Lucroy and let both split the season, thus letting both rehab through part time starts.
moe 3
The cards r banking on good health all year. If that happens they will b ok but what r the odds??…not good
ohiocat5908
Fowler and the Indians make a ton of sense if he in fact lowers to that price. 3/30 with an option year at 12M.
nrd1138
Why are there writers insisting on talking about the PED bums getting into the Hall. If you are suspected then the writers have the right to not vote you in. If you are confirmed as a cheater (via a blood test or other evidence) then they should be outright banned. This argument of ‘well others were doing it’ makes me want to respond ‘well if everyone was jumping off the Brooklyn bridge, would you?’
No excuse. How many average to decent players increased their stats with this stuff? More to the point, how many above average/good players not taking PEDs were thought of as average, and therefore not allowing on a MLB staff, because of this garbage? The other argument of ‘well baseball had to have known’ does not work either IMO.. I think the more operative phrase was ‘well the union did not stop it, nor wanted it stopped, because their guys could make more money with this stuff”
In the end, cheating is cheating. Will these guys get in someday? Maybe when they are dead and gone to not allow them the satisfaction of seeing themselves get in the hall (which is what I’m guessing will happen when Rose dies).
twitchwashere 2
Whether or not you feel they deserve to get in or not is on you, but the overly simplistic, patronizing lecture ain’t helping your cause any.
bobbleheadguru
Unlike Dombrowski, who is typically full of surprises, Avila has been very straightforward so far. He says what he is going to do, then he does it, methodically.
That being stated, if you look at the Luxury Tax situation, the Tigers can probably afford to go over one time, but not twice in a row. If there is a 1 year deal on the table, they will be very tempted. But they probably need to get the “leftover” from Cespedes and Upton. They cannot be choosy.
tuner49
My understanding is the Luxury Tax will go up after this year in the new contract that will be created next winter. They could still squeek under if it goes over $200MM and they do buyouts,non tenders, and or trades for 2017. Then 2018 has Kinsler and Sanchez as buyout opportunities.
BlueSkyLA
If a prickly reputation was a big problem with the HoF voters, Mike Piazza would still be on the outside looking in.