Some news items from the latest Full Count video clip from FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal…
- The Orioles are meeting with Matt Wieters’ agent Scott Boras this week to discuss a contract extension, though Rosenthal is doubtful Wieters will remain in Baltimore. The Nationals will have interest in signing Wieters if their own notable free agent catcher (Wilson Ramos) leaves, and Rosenthal also cites the Mets, White Sox and Braves as possible candidates to pursue Wieters. The Braves have perhaps a bit of a geographic advantage, as Wieters is from South Carolina and played college ball at Georgia Tech.
- The Cardinals aren’t likely to lose draft picks as punishment for the data breach of the Astros’ computer network. The league would have to negotiate a reduction of draft picks (and, perhaps most importantly, the Cardinals’ available draft bonus spending pool) with the players’ union since the draft rules are part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Rosenthal believes that the league could instead punish via the Cards via other methods, such as a fine.
- Nobody saw Sandy Leon’s slugging breakout with the Red Sox coming, including the Nationals, who dealt Leon to Boston in a minor cash deal in March 2015. Rosenthal notes that the Nats are hardly the only team who missed on Leon — literally any club could’ve claimed him when the Sox designated the catcher for assignment in July 2015.
- Cubs senior VP Jason McLeod (whose mother is from Samoa) is the only known minority candidate in the Twins’ front office search. Rosenthal figures more are probably in the mix, given that Minnesota has hired the same search firm used by Major League Baseball itself last year to prepare female and minority candidates for baseball operations jobs.
What is the accepted value of the (say) 16th pick in the draft? Between the player added, and the separate and added benefit of being able to pay the player to sign?
(A bit of a rhetorical question, I guess.)
Leon was guaranteed 270k to stick around at Pawtucket last season and not shop his services as a MiLB FA when designated. Not a bad payday and huge amount.. Not sure, but think story read was like 4x the amount he would/could have received as standard pay.
Part was insurance for aging Hannigan, TJ rehabbing Vazquez and youngster Swihart all part of the catching mix also of course.
With Joseph being such a great backstop and Sisco having one of the best hit tools in the minors, I don’t see the #Orioles spending on Weiters at the amount Boras will accept.
McLouth, Cruz, Trumbo….I would of said Desmond was the guy this year, but he lacks the glove Buck values even though he has the flexibility and power he also values.
Carlos Gomez can play all 3 OF spots and has power w/speed the #Orioles never have in the lineup. He could easily sign a 1yr deal and use Camden to regain his FA status.
Except Joseph has not been nearly as great this year as previous years. Defensively yes and that is a huge factor, however, he has not been able to reproduce what he’s done in recent years offensively. He was optioned to Norfolk for Pena in August if that tells us anything.
Additionally, Gomez is exactly who the Orioles do NOT need to add. The Orioles need OBP guys and Gomez is not that. If he’s only going to cost a minor league deal I suppose he’s worth a flyer but I would rather have Reimold any day (better clubhouse guy, better defense, lack of bonehead plays, better OBP, and better bat to ball contact skills). Gomez is definitely the upside play, but I don’t foresee him really helping a club apart from an occasionally dramatic HR or SB.
However, I do agree that Boris will probably be asking the O’s for too much for Wieters and I doubt they will give it to him, which is the right move. If I’m the Orioles, I go into camp with Sisco, Pena, Joseph, and FA pickup like Tyler Flowers (who is one of the games best pitch framers and Camden Yards would help his average bat). Desmond is another guy that will get way too much money this year, granted I hope he does get something. He deserves to reclaim some of the money lost off of not accepting the Nationals extension several years ago, especially after the year he has had this year. I still wish they would have chosen to pay for one of Nelson Cruz or Nick Markakis instead of Ubaldo’s contact …
Does anyone know if Weiters can be offered a QO again?
He can
Braves should sign A.Avila(platoon with Flowers) Trade with Cubs ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; M.Smith,Ruiz,Whalen,Jenkins and R.Sanchez FOR Soler,Baez, and Happ. TRADE Markakis and Webb to Balt. for Bundy. and Pearce.
Why would the Cubs take prospects when they’re in win-now mode?
Pearce is a FA after this year AND Baltimore is not giving up Bundy to get back Markakis.
i think the Ramos would fit well in chicago if they deside to buy AGAIN
You mean when they decide to buy again.