The Mets want a reliever, but they’ll patiently wait for one to fall into their lap, writes Mike Puma of the New York Post. Antonio Bastardo and Tyler Clippard are both options, but GM Sandy Alderson doesn’t want to go beyond a one-year contract for either. Bastardo is asking for three-years while Clippard’s demands are unknown. Alderson has a history of finding relievers during Spring Training, and the club does possess decent, if unproven, depth at the position.
Here’s more from around the league:
- Preliminary contract extension talks have occurred between the Cubs and President Theo Epstein, tweets 670 The Score. Cubs owner Tom Ricketts says the two sides are “generally on the same page,” with regards to the talks. Epstein is entering the final season of a five-year, $18.5MM deal signed in 2011.
- Using Wins Above Replacement (WAR), Grant Brisbee of SB Nation analyzed the Giants’ offseason to date. He figures the additions of Johnny Cueto, Jeff Samardzija, and Denard Span over Tim Hudson, Tim Lincecum, Chris Heston, and Nori Aoki add up to eight wins on paper. Brisbee uses 2016 projections for the newly added Giants and compares them to the actual 2015 performance of the outgoing players. The upgrades cost a bundle of money, putting to rest complaints that the front office is stingy.
- There is a feeling the Padres may be nearing an end to their shortstop search, writes Corey Brock of MLB.com. The club has used 18 shortstops since 2009, and their best prospects at the position are at least two years away. Free agents Ian Desmond and Alexei Ramirez have been most closely tied to the Padres. Desmond is coming off an ill-timed down season, and he has a history of suspect defense. When asked about what he wants from a shortstop, GM A.J. Preller said “I think in an ideal world, you want someone who is an intelligent player, a leader and captain of your infield, the ability to make the plays on the move, on the run, up the middle, in the hole. Someone, when the ball is hit to him late in the game, it’s an out.” While that may not sound like a taut fit for Desmond, Ramirez also had a choppy defensive season in 2015. While Brock doesn’t mention him, I wonder if the Padres might not be looking at Jimmy Rollins. He’s arguably the most sure-handed of the bunch.
Prioritizing Peavy and Cain over Heston is a mistake. I like the signings but they should trade one of these veterans and let Heston hone his talents.
Peavy pitched well last year and no one is taking Cain. Nothing was ever expected of Heston, so expecting him to become the same guy in the first half of 2015 isn’t reasonable. And besides who becomes the long man? Why pay someone millions for that when you got Heston for league minimum?
I agree, although I’d keep Peavy. I feel Cain is done which is unfortunate because I love the horse.
Did you see Cain’s last start? I think he is far from done.
Heston can continue to hone his talents and build his stamina as the #6 option/long man. Then in the next couple of years he can step into a starting job as a more seasoned pitcher.
There’s nothing to say Heston can’t start a bunch of games this year. While I hope it is not the case, he very well could be used to start in case of injury.
Vogelsong wasn’t brought in to be a starter last year and he started 22 games.
Wow. 18 SS since 2009? I wonder what that breakdown is regarding starters vs. platoon? Anyhoo, what sort of value defensively do all of you put on that position? I say 3rd behind Catcher and CF, but I’d like to know everyone else’s opinion.
Catcher and CF are probably the top two most important defensive spots, but after that it depends on the park and type of pitcher (groundball vs flyball). LF/RF/SS/2B would all be the next most important defensive positions (not necessarily in that order) for me. Whichever is third is probably more dependent on the park and type of pitcher. I think you could get away with subpar corner outfielders if your pitcher is a groundball pitcher and the same could be said of subpar infielders if your pitcher is a flyball pitcher.
I’d say the defense value of shortstop versus centerfielder is partially dependent on the park and if your pitcher is more prone to giving up grounders or flies.
I would have to disagree with the other 2 commenters and say besides catcher, shortstop is the most important defensive position. On average the ball is hit to them more than any other position. CF is closely behind though. With the way teams are using the shift heavily the past couple of years I might rethink my position though but it would take some research.
Thanks, fellas. All very good points.
Up the middle defense is critical and all equally important. C, SS, CF.
I don’t imagine the Mets offering enough in a one year deal to entice Bastardo or Clippard to sign (I’m guessing it would have to be 1.5-2 times what they would normally ask for annually in a multi-year deal; as in if Bastardo wants $4-$5 AAV, a one year deal worth $6-$10 counting incentives). A pillow deal is possible if both are unsigned come Spring Training, but I don’t imagine those two having to wait that long for a contract.
U rly think clip will take a 1 yr deal?
Thought that was a weird thing to even suggest as a possibility as well.
They (Padres) should be fine in a couple of years when/if Guerra’s bat develops. His glove looked pretty slick at greeneville this past season games watched on MiLB tv. Kid’s got tremendous range and errors i saw him make were hurry up ones. That guy can pick it. Don’t expect the power (HR) total to last in San Diego. Greeneville is HR friendly park, as are many Sally league places and we know how petco is. Kid can pull the ball pretty good for a youngster, but…
Epstein to the Dodgers! They need a 6th GM, please!
I wish Alderson would have been as patient with CF as he’s being with RP. De Aza at that price was a reach, he’d have been better off trading for Revere or signing one of these 2nd tier OF now that the market is weakening.
De Aza has played much in CF since 2012 but are the Mets planning on using him there?
sorry hasn’t is what I meant to write.
Could the Padres offer Alexi Ramirez a 3 year 45 million dollar deal with a club option for year 4 worth 15 million? Gives the Padres a quality stop gap who is only one year removed from being an AL AllStar and winning the silver slugger while waiting for the young top shortstops to develop.
$15 per is WAY too much for Alexi
Heck…. It’s a little much for Desmond
I actually hope Alexi is who they sign but I would think a 2/18 would do it with maybe an option year added on.
If anything it might be less than $9 mil per