The latest out of the AL Central…
- The White Sox have recently been linked to a pair of high-profile free agents in third baseman Mike Moustakas and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, but there’s “very little, if anything” to suggest they’re truly interested in either player, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times tweets. As things stand, the Pale Hose are projected to enter the season with Yolmer Sanchez at third and Avisail Garcia, Leury Garcia and Nicky Delmonico at corner outfield/designated hitter – either of which could be spots for Gonzalez if the team does pursue him. However, general manager Rick Hahn suggested a couple weeks back that he’s content with the rebuilding club’s in-house DH choices.
- The Twins aren’t in any rush to sign young right-hander Jose Berrios to a contract extension, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press writes. Berrios informed Berardino that the Twins haven’t approached him about a new deal, which makes sense considering they’re in no imminent danger of losing him. The 23-year-old won’t even be eligible for arbitration until after the 2019 campaign, and then he’s slated to go through the arb process three times. While Berrios is already under Minnesota’s control for the long haul, he’d still understandably welcome the security of an extension. “This is the team that drafted me (in 2012) and gave me the opportunity to play in the major leagues,” said Berrios. “If they want to (sign) me for a long time, I’d be excited about that.” A first-round pick in 2012, Berrios endured a disastrous debut in 2016 (8.02 ERA, 7.65 K/9, 5.4 BB/9 in 58 1/3 innings), but he rebounded last year to log a 3.89 ERA with 8.59 K/9 and 2.97 BB/9 over 145 2/3 frames.
- Trade interest in Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera has been nonexistent, even though they’re “willing to assume some of the financial burden” of his contract, per Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. Given that Cabrera owns one of the majors’ most onerous deals, doesn’t play a premium position and posted a shockingly poor 2017, his age-34 season, it’s no surprise he’s immovable. The future Hall of Famer is guaranteed a whopping $192MM through 2024, thanks to the eight-year, $248MM extension he signed in 2014. Cabrera was an MVP-caliber player when Detroit gave him that ill-fated pact, but he’s now coming off a season in which he batted a meager .249/.329/.399 with a noticeable power outage (16 home runs, .149 ISO) in 529 plate appearances.
Worth noting that while Cabrera was an MVP at the time of the extension, it wasn’t his walk year. The extension came when he was already under contract for a couple more years. It was signed early in the 2014 season and didn’t start until 2016.
Yeah there was no need for Detroit to offer that extension at that time; undeserved MVPs or not
Undeserved MVP? He won the batting triple crown…
Is this sarcasm or 1932? At best Miggy was the best hitter in baseball but an atrocious defender and runner while Trout was the best overall player in the game.
All around player is more valuable than one trick pony.
Is that sarcasm or are you a homer?
Except there was plenty of reason. The team had just lost the world series, there was talk of them tearing down everything, and Cabrera was the best hitter in baseball. It was extremely unclear that MLB would change the ball composition to allow for more home runs/power, which essentially sapped Cabrera of any future value. It was obvious he wouldn’t hold up in the field but at DH nobody saw the huge decline coming.
…and somehow also sapped Cabrera of his power, too
All his value came from the batters box. Once his bat speed slowed down a hair he would be done.
He’s big papi without the roids.
But none of those are reasons to offer an above market rate contract 2 years early. That’s just extra risk for no benefit at all. Even ignoring the unforeseen declines it is Bad management.
I’m not even a fan of the red Sox, but the David Ortiz steroid allegations are just so childish.
He failed a test, his head doubled in size, and his bat aged better than Bonds.
He also admitted to getting test results in the mail several times a year. Only positive results are mailed out.
Hey, hey, hey – don’t jump off a bridge here! One bad season doesn’t make a bust contract, he had a 38hr, .316 BA in 2016. Seems to be in better shape. 2015 he was recovering from core surgery. PUMP THE BREAKS!
He was put on the list twice for a reason ! Where there’s smoke, there’s fire!
Wonder why teams are not dealing out the big contracts anymore. Pujols. Cano. Miggy.
Wait till next offseason when Machado, Harper and Kershaw are free agents
More big contracts coming, but Machado and Harper will be 26 and Kershaw has earned it. Those would be better big contracts than the previous 3 and Kersh won’t get 10 years.
Cabrerra earned it too.
Paying someone to play baseball until they are 41 is probably not a good idea, regardless of earning it. 30-36 as an ace, ok.
Cano is still a good player. He puts up 3-4 WAR each year which isn’t bad, he can still play second although he isn’t great there anymore and he is unbelievably durable, which is worth something. He’s going to the Hall of Fame, as are Cabrera and Pujols, but both those guys are breaking down and Pujols was the worst player in baseball last season. I wouldn’t put those guys in the same cohort.
I hope the White Sox do add Moustakas and CarGo. It would be good to have a couple of extra “adults” in the clubhouse and on the field in the short term. Yolmer Sanchez is nothing more than a back up. Plus the lineup needs some LH punch. Obviously the Sox aren’t ready to compete for titles yet, but still it wouldn’t hurt to add some veteran talent that can help the team be somewhat competitive now instead of 3 yrs from now.
Adding either of these two does nothing for the future of the franchise. Argument could be made for a long-term deal for Moose, but CarGo doesn’t help in the slightest. I think the youngsters would benefit from playing time, rather than have Moose and CarGo eat innings that aren’t meaningful.
And Moose would cost a second round pick (in a deep draft) and $500K in intl $. No Thank You.
Could trade them mid season.
Not a White Sox fan but agree that signing either of those players and have them take away at bats from the young core is just not a good move
What is going on with Jiminez? He hasn’t played all spring?
Tendinitis in his (Eloy Jimenez) knee. The White Sox are just handling him with “kid gloves” at the moment. No reason to rush him. Especially for meaningless Spring Training games.
Yolmer is a viable starting option. He posted a 3.5 WAR last year- and is an above average defender. He’s only 25. He will get better. He’s also cheap and the Rockies probably won’t be able to afford Arenado after 2019. Stay the cheaper option and wait patently to try and grab Arenado for 2020, when you are in contention. By that time, Eloy, Robert and possibly, Adolfer, will be here to give us one of the nastiest outfields in baseball- and good players will actually want to sign here again. It’s a long shot- but one you have to be ready to take. Wasting money on Moustakas is a total Kenny Williams move. Same goes with CarGo.
Rick Hahn was probably just checking in on those players to get a rough idea of when they’ll get to the point of working for food. He has a couple cases of Cup Noodles in his office just in case 😉
That’s probably the first time Moustakis and the word adult have been used in the same sentence.
Dude is a meathead bro.
I’m all for a moustakas signing but leave cargo alone. I believe his career is done. I like moustakas on a 3 yr 25 Million dollar deal. With incentives. Who says no?
I do think Moose is overrated and can see his faults. But I think he says no. He’d probably take a one year deal in that 8-10 million dollar range, but I doubt a three year deal. But who knows, maybe it’d be the only offer he gets? I don’t know what his real value is after this offseason.
There’s very little upside for either the club or moustakas on a 1 year 8 million dollar deal. The club has to punt a 2nd round pick and give up 500k in international bonus money. IMO it makes the most sense for a team like the orioles who aren’t going to use that money anyway. Losing the pick sucks but he gives you an option at 3rd for the next couple years and provides a left handed bat. The team isn’t going to suddenly prioritize OBP so it is what it is there. I can’t see any advantages to moose on a one year deal. He’d face a tougher market and the team would have to give up too much to make that happen.
Both.
I hear the pundits singing the praises of Cargo, but the man couldn’t even put up decent numbers at Coors the past couple years, so what’s his production gonna be like somewhere else. Yeah, I’ll pass on Gonzalez all day long.
No thanks on either. Better to see if Cordell is a hidden gem or Engel can hit at the ML level in case of CarGo. Lackluster OBP/declining D/loss of draft pick for Moustakas. Current rotation meant to lose with 2 young guys who will have ups/downs, an okay journeyman, gas can in Shields to eat innings and maybe Santiago as a modest flip candidate.
Matt Davidson at 3B.
Miguel Cabrera is the best hitter of the last generation. Bar none. He’s the best.
Great hitter.
The White Sox are barely into their rebuild. More injuries are likely to befall their prospects and flameouts are also going to occur. They need to continue to acquire as many top draft picks that they can over the next few years to offset these likely rebuilding setbacks. Signing any significant FA agent this season would be detrimental to the rebuilding effort. Winning 5 more games won’t put more butts in seats and will only hurt their quest for the #1 draft pick. Quite frankly, it would be stupid and that is why I am confident that Rick Hahn won’t be signing either player.
Also, I believe you underestimate Yolmer Sanchez’s value.
I see 2020 as the year to really start having real expectations for the White Sox.
Sox suck.
What are you, 12 years old?
Seeing the big drop off in Cabrera is exactly why teams are hesitant to offer long term expensive contracts to older stars. Cabrera will be getting long after he is done on the field. When is/was Bonilla day this year?
Cabrera was hurt last year.
Your right. I take back that moustakas signing. But just what if the whitesox are good this year. Getting mouse on the cheap and the whitesox competing in 2018 is not as ridiculous as it sounds. That’s why I say sign mouse on the cheap then if we are not good trade him at the deadline
Don’t worry about 2018 — Find a hobby to preoccupy yourself until next offseason, then hope they sign Machado.
Yes, the White Sox being in contention, if that’s what competing means, is ridiculous. What is their starting rotation in April?
Cargo might not be a bad pickup for a team like the Sox at this point. It would most likely be a Minor league deal. If he makes the club and plays decently, maybe they can flip him for a lotto pick to a team who suffers an injury. Don’t think theyd have to give him every single at bat to get that done.
The White Sox don’t need any multi-tear free agent deals right now, especially if it costs draft picks. They’re growing the minor league system to contend for several years, not just 2018.
OK, if Detroit would pay half of the $192 Million and kick in Michael Fulmer and Jeimer Candelario along with Miguel Cabrera, the Braves would return Scott Kazmir, Nick Markakis and Drew Lugbauer, a slugging first baseman highly rated prospect from Michigan.
Lol
Well Backatit I would say its easy to guess you are not a member of any front office
Age is so overrated… Miggy will bounce back being the star he’s always been, no doubt….
Mugs was injured. Besides he isn’t just a home run hitter, he also sprays it all around.
Miggy may surprise us all this year. I saw him in Toronto last year and he blasted one easily way out to deep left field.
He will hit til 40.
I think it’s pretty ridiculous to even print the White Sox ‘interest’. I believe there’s zero interest and it’s just pure speculation. Just my humble opinion. I wish I could get back that minute I spent reading it. And writing this.
You look back at the deal Dombrowski gave Cabrera and know exactly why he is no longer there. That’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Cabrera’s contract could very well become he Mother of all Albatrosses if it isn’t already. I heard he has 3 herniated discs in his back (someone correct me if I’m wrong, please), and the likelihood of him returning to form isn’t the greatest.
‘La Maquina’ is one of the cooler athlete nicknames I’ve heard. Hopefully Berrios lives up to it.
Realistically, Detroit paying “some of the financial burden” isn’t going to do it. There’s a net cost to the acquirer where it might be worth taking a gamble, but it’s going to be quite low. Yanks can’t get anyone interested in Ellsbury, and he can still be a somewhat useful player,
Berrios is filthy but the reality is it doesn’t make sense for small market teams to lock up young pitchers long term. The rate of injury and attrition means you will lose more often than you win and the “wins” aren’t big enough to justify the losses. Unless you can buy out multiple free agent years at a real bargain rate, it’s better to just go year to year and accept the arb awards for the pitchers who do make it.
Otherwise, I’d be pounding the table for a Jameson Taillon extension in Pittsburgh.
Miggy will be the comeback player of year. Bet the house on it
People are saying the same things about miggy that they did about Verlander before last season(he’s hurt, he won’t ever be the same, he’s done) but look how that turned out for Verlander. Miggy WILL win comeback player of the year take it to the bank
Miggy goes to DH full time after this year, he actually is an ok guy to keep around there.
Miggy is an above average first baseman. He gets no credit for it but is way above average on defense
I hope Miggy has a great comeback season. Us Tiger fans don’t have much this year in terms of positivity to look forward to, other than likely Fulmer and hopefully Nicky C. Would be great if V Mart went out with a great season as well.
I think jeimer candalario can be a stud. And James McCann can really grow into a solid power hitting catcher
Candelario WILL be a stud, but McCann is a dud.
Just bring moose back to KC for one year.
Probably doesn’t make sense for Royals. At this point they would likely rather have the draft picks
Yes but if nobody signs Moustakas they won’t get the pick … lol
“At this point they would likely rather have the draft picks.”
First of all, if a player signs for less than 50 million dollars, the team that made the qualifying offer that was rejected doesn’t get a pick in the first three rounds, and I’m not sure that they get any kind of draft pick if it’s a really low contract.
I don’t see Moose getting anywhere close to 50 mil. He will not even approach the qualifying offer he and Boras turned down.
Secondly, after a certain point in the season (I believe June 1st), unsigned free agents can sign with any club for any price, and the former club that extended the QO gets zilch in the way of draft picks.
In other words, it is a 99.9 percent likelihood that KC gets zilch in the way of draft pick compensation for Moose. Hey, could have been worse for KC…Moose could have made the wise, rational choice of accepting the qualifying offer (18 million dollars plus for 2018 season), which in my opinion would have been an overpay for a guy that was just over 1 and a half WAR in 2017…his “best ever” season.
Angels trade pujols for cabrera straight up? From detroits standpoint they would get out of a bad contract two years sooner. From angels prespective they can hope on a bounce back from miggy.
White Sox should sign the
both and trade them mid-season.
What do these agents tell the ball players when the season starts and they don’t have a contract….. sorry tried to get 200 million when your only worth 50 sucks to be you
At some point one of these guys is going to fire Boras, and I’m surprised it hasn’t happened yet.
*This is in regard to backatit’s post, it won’t let me reply to that one directly*
I still can’t tell if you are a troll or just a huge homer. If you are a troll, nice work, the other ones here should take notes from you.
No intent to troll, writer implied that Miggy was un-tradeable. He produced 0.0 WAR in 2017 despite 529 plate appearances. Lets say he produces 1.1 War (average of lowest three years) until he is 38 years old and released in 2022. for 4.4 total. That is valued at a maximum of $40 Million. If the Tigers kick in 96 of the 192 he is owed, this leaves a deficit value of $56 Million and that is just to break even. Markakis and Kazmir are projected to generate 2.9 WAR in 2018 at a cost of $26 Million which is just about push using same WAR value as used for Cabrera. So what are Fulmer and Candelaria worth in excess value? Maybe the $56-70 Million that need to be made up. Now isn’t Drew Lugbauer the best slugger UM has produced in twenty years? Hard to think how this proposal could be considered trolling. Michiganders are so stuck on themselves it gives America a stomach ache. Meanwhile Miggy is stunting the rebuild due to his financial burden.
Where on earth would ATL play Cabrera? You realize there is no DH in the NL right?
Yeah, I don’t think Freddy Freeman will be quite as willing to move to 3B this time. No way would any NL team even think about dealing for Cabrera at this point no matter how much of that contract DET eats.
Doesn’t make sense to me. They are practically, the same player at this point. Miggy is a little younger, and a better hitter when healthy.
That’s not a good trade. Kazmir and Markakis are done.
If you were 6’5 250 lbs, do you think you’d be a speed demon, and athletic running the bases? Miggy is a big guy, don’t handicap him for his size. Still the best hitter of his generation, including Trout.
Cabrera is 40 when they stop paying him unless he finishes in the top 10 in MVP voting. It’s odd that no one ever errors by making Miggy younger than he will be when the contract expires. It’s consistently older than reality.
If you think he is an atrocious defender, then you haven’t seen him play. When he was healthy he was a Gold Glove finalist. I trust the opinions of the league’s coaches and managers a lot more than I do flawed defensive metrics.
Cabrera has already generated 68.8 WAR for Dombrowski’s Marlins and the Tigers. DD will make a huge profit on his investments in Miggy. He may not make a profit or even break even in the last 2-3 years, but he will have no regrets.
Cabrera was hurt in 2017. That makes all your calculations worthless.
Arod got slammed for failing the 2003 drug test so why not Ortiz? Arod got caught again but he was already not going to make the HoF because of the 2003 failed test expose in 2009.
The difference how the two are treated is remarkable.
He only failed a test, had his head double in size and do things not even Barry Bonds did as he approached and turned 40.
No suspicion there at all.
As someone else pointed out, Cabby was a gold glove finalist. He is not worth as much defensively as an all world CF like Trout but he is hardly a liability. He is also a smart base runner. Having seen him plan many times I can say that he never hurts himself or his team by making baserunning errors. Again, Trout is on a different plateau but let’s be objective. Cabby earned his MVP.
The extension? That likely was Mr. Illich, a former Tiger farm hand and the last of the old school owners, trying to ensure his biggest star went to Cooperstown as a Tiger. Besides, as forgettable as 2017 was, he’s likely to bounce back to being a .300/25 hr. 850+ OPS hitter, especially in 2019 and beyond when he can DH full time. He will have an Indian summer that won’t be worth $28,500,000 but he will deliver plus value for a while longer. Besides, until the kids are sorted out, watching the milestones fall will be one of the better reasons to put paying butts in seats in Detroit for a couple of years. In that sense, Cabby is still ‘worth it,’ too.
Unbeknownst to the baseball world until recently, Cabrera has been embroiled in a child support battle with a woman he fathered two children with behind his wife’s back. This must have taken a mental toll on him last season. Add in the injuries, and this was just not a year in which you could have expected much better. My belief is that he’ll bounce back to typical Cabrera performance; perhaps motivated by a chance to be traded.