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Poll: Which Team Will Sign Brandon Webb

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Brandon Webb is drawing serious interest from the Rangers and Nationals and the Cubs are in the mix, too. Best of all, there's a mystery team involved. Either the Cardinals, Reds, Brewers, Pirates or Astros also entered the bidding for Webb, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.

The right-hander made just one start in the past two seasons because of shoulder troubles, but he was one of the league's top pitchers from 2006-08, when he posted a 3.13 ERA with 7.2 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 while averaging 233 innings per season. Some team is going to get a high-risk, high-reward starter – which one will it be?

Which team will sign Brandon Webb?
Rangers 27.22% (4,291 votes)
Cubs 18.17% (2,864 votes)
Other 11.25% (1,774 votes)
Nationals 11.00% (1,734 votes)
Cardinals 10.45% (1,647 votes)
Reds 7.12% (1,123 votes)
Brewers 6.53% (1,030 votes)
Pirates 5.60% (882 votes)
Astros 2.65% (417 votes)
Total Votes: 15,762

Poll: Joakim Soria’s Future

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The Royals completed a franchise altering trade today, sending Zack Greinke to the Brewers for a package of four young players. Earlier this offseason they shipped David DeJesus to Oakland, the team’s longest-tenured player at the time. As much as Kansas City would love to unload the $12MM left on Gil Meche’s contract, it simply won’t happen. If GM Dayton Moore wants to continue purging his roster of veterans, could closer Joakim Soria be the next to go?

The old axiom says that bad teams don’t need a good closer, and the Royals are expected to be among the league’s worst clubs in 2011 while Soria is once again one of the game’s top closers. Compared to the multiyear contracts handed out to non-elite relievers this offseason, Soria’s $4MM salary for 2011 with club options for 2012 ($6MM), 2013 ($8MM), and 2014 ($8.75MM) is a bargain. Trade interest would be plentiful, and the Royals could expect several young players in return.

Because his contract is so team friendly, Moore could also hold on to Soria and see how the trade market develops before the deadline. We can’t forget the fans in KC either, Moore might not want to alienate them anymore by dealing his All Star closer so soon after trading away Greinke. The Padres reportedly kept Heath Bell for similar reasons. 

A radical, albeit unlikely, third option would be to convert Soria into a starter. He started in the Mexican League for quite some time, throwing a perfect game in his first start after the Royals selected him in the 2006 Rule 5 Draft. PitchFX data available at FanGraphs tells us that he still throws four pitches regularly (cutter, curveball, changeup, slider), so the repertoire is certainly there. It’s just a matter of health and getting stretched out. Like I said, it’s an unlikely move, but it wouldn’t be unprecedented. Just look at C.J. Wilson. What do you think the Royals should do with Soria?

What should the Royals do with Joakim Soria?
Keep him and trade him before the deadline 36.18% (4,061 votes)
Trade him this offseason 32.46% (3,643 votes)
Turn him into a starting pitcher 17.66% (1,982 votes)
Keep him and don't trade him before the deadline 13.70% (1,537 votes)
Total Votes: 11,223

Poll: Where Will Carl Pavano Sign?

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Cliff Lee is off the free agent market. The trade market's best and most available starter, Zack Greinke, has found a new home in Milwaukee. As unlikely as it would've seemed two years ago, Carl Pavano finds himself in a position to be the best option left for many teams looking to upgrade their rotation.

After a disastrous four-year stint with the Yankees that saw Pavano pitch only 145 2/3 innings combined, the right-hander has revitalized his career in the AL Central with the Indians and Twins. From 2009-2010, Pavano totaled 420 1/3 innings and posted a respectable 4.39 ERA in the process. His 2009 season was marred by some bad luck, but his FIP and xFIP over the past two seasons have both settled in right around the 4.00 mark, and he's totaled 6.9 WAR in that timeframe.

Pavano's 2010 saw him become a slightly different pitcher, as he traded in some strikeouts for groundballs. While he's never been one to miss too many bats, his K/9 was a full-season career low 4.76. However, he posted full-season career bests in both BB/9 (1.51) and GB% (51.2%).

Pavano, 35 next month, has told Minnesota teammates and club officials that he'd like to return. As the best free agent option though, he could also be in line for a three-year deal from another suitor. We've heard that the Twins may not need to match the best offer to retain Pavano, who has also been linked to the Brewers (though their acquistion of Greinke may remove them from the running), Nationals, and Rangers. The Tigers, who are looking at starters, say they aren't in on Pavano for now, but they've certainly got the money to spend. So where does Pavano end up? Let's take a vote:

Where will Carl Pavano sign?
Twins 45.81% (5,088 votes)
Rangers 15.83% (1,758 votes)
Nationals 14.16% (1,573 votes)
A different team 11.40% (1,266 votes)
Brewers 6.98% (775 votes)
Tigers 5.83% (647 votes)
Total Votes: 11,107

Poll: The Padres’ Opening Day First Baseman

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The Padres lost their best player when they traded Adrian Gonzalez to the Red Sox for three prospects earlier this month, and GM Jed Hoyer is still trying to find someone to replace him at first base. Hoyer recently told XX1090 sports radio that the team’s next first baseman will come via free agency (as opposed to trade), and it would also be a one-year solution only.

Derrek Lee, who was originally drafted by the Padres back in 1993, seemed like a logical fit, but yesterday we heard they were unlikely to pursue him after signing Orlando Hudson. Jorge Cantu, Brad Hawpe, and Adam LaRoche are on the team’s list of options instead. Another solution could be free agent Troy Glaus, who Tom Krasovic of AOL FanHouse reminds us was a client of Padres CEO Jeff Moorad’s back in his agent days (Twitter link). The free agent pool also offers guys like Russell Branyan and Casey Kotchman.

Kyle Blanks would have been an ideal candidate if he wasn’t out until midseason after having Tommy John surgery. Who do you think will be manning first base for the Padres when the season starts?

Who will be the Padres' Opening Day first baseman?
Jorge Cantu 16.60% (1,797 votes)
Troy Glaus 15.82% (1,713 votes)
Derrek Lee 15.30% (1,657 votes)
Adam LaRoche 13.04% (1,412 votes)
Someone not listed 11.74% (1,271 votes)
Casey Kotchman 10.96% (1,187 votes)
Russell Branyan 9.68% (1,048 votes)
Brad Hawpe 6.85% (742 votes)
Total Votes: 10,827

Poll: Which Team Will Trade For Zack Greinke?

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Former AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke has been mentioned as a trade candidate all offseason, but yesterday we learned that the right-hander unequivocally asked the team for a trade. He can block a trade to 15 teams, including the Yankees, Red Sox, and Nationals, but not the Tigers, Angels, or Rangers. The Blue Jays have been perhaps the most aggressive team in pursuit of the right-hander.

There are 30 teams out there that would love to have Greinke to their rotation, but it will take a substantial prospect package to land him. Kansas City owns the game’s best farm system, loaded with pitchers (especially left-handed) and players at the corner positions, so they could seek help up-the-middle in a trade. Earlier today we learned that they wanted second baseman/shortstop Danny Espinosa from the Nationals in a package, supporting that theory.

The Yankees are reluctant about pursuing Greinke, but if the price drops far enough they’ll almost surely entertain the idea after losing out on Cliff Lee. The Rangers have already made at least one offer. Greinke has said he’s willing to go anywhere, but the Royals say they won’t trade him within the division. Where do you think he’ll end up?

Which team will trade for Zack Greinke?
Another team not listed 23.23% (6,241 votes)
Rangers 18.18% (4,884 votes)
Yankees 14.23% (3,823 votes)
Blue Jays 8.30% (2,230 votes)
He won't be traded 7.15% (1,920 votes)
Phillies 6.47% (1,739 votes)
Angels 5.97% (1,605 votes)
Red Sox 5.97% (1,603 votes)
Nationals 5.77% (1,549 votes)
Tigers 4.73% (1,271 votes)
Total Votes: 26,865

Poll: Multiyear Deals For Relievers

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Multiyear contracts are on the rise in general, and one group in particular has benefitted from the trend: relief pitchers. As MLBTR's free agent tracker shows, 11 relievers have signed multiyear deals so far this offseason. Many of these relievers will pick up saves in 2011, but only one of them – Mariano Rivera – is sure to be his team's closer next year. 

Yahoo's Jeff Passan argues that GMs "make the same silly mistake year after year" when they sign relievers to multiyear deals. Dave Cameron of FanGraphs recently explained convincingly that other than Rivera, relievers on multiyear deals have simply not produced.

But if a GM refuses to offer multiyear deals, the best free agents will sign elsewhere. Teams with money can often afford to gamble on relievers, even though their performance is volatile.

Look at the GMs who have signed relievers to multiyear deals: Ned Colletti and Tony Reagins have led their clubs to the League Championship Series in recent years. And every other GM who has signed a reliever to a multiyear deal this winter has led a team to the World Series. It would be overly simplistic to say these executives don't know what they're doing, but we can still ask the question…

Would you offer a multiyear deal to a non-elite reliever?
No 75.66% (4,427 votes)
Yes 24.34% (1,424 votes)
Total Votes: 5,851

Poll: Top Remaining Free Agent

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The top free agents – Cliff Lee, Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth – have signed their nine-figure deals, but many players are still available. The question is, which of the remaining unsigned players is the top free agent available? (Players listed alphabetically).

Who is the top remaining free agent?
Adrian Beltre 59.01% (16,239 votes)
Rafael Soriano 16.21% (4,461 votes)
Magglio Ordonez 6.76% (1,861 votes)
Vladimir Guerrero 5.64% (1,551 votes)
Andy Pettitte 5.11% (1,406 votes)
Carl Pavano 4.55% (1,251 votes)
Jim Thome 1.62% (447 votes)
Other 1.10% (303 votes)
Total Votes: 27,519

Poll: Who Will Sign Magglio Ordonez?

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Magglio Ordonez’s season came to an abrupt end on July 24th, when he fractured his ankle sliding across home plate. He had been hitting .303/.378/.474 in 365 plate appearances up to that point, and appeared to be on his way to having his $15MM option for 2011 vest. The injury changed everything and Magglio is a free agent for just the second time in his career.

Agent Scott Boras said that Ordonez has completed the rehab required for his ankle and has “returned to full workout routines.” He also held a private work out for the Tigers last week. The Rangers have interest in Magglio and the Red Sox did as well, at least until they traded for Adrian Gonzalez and signed Carl Crawford. Tim Dierkes examined Ordonez’s free agent stock last month, speculating that the Rays, Blue Jays, and Athletics could have some interest in a DH role. 

With the big free agent outfielders off the board, the market for Magglio should heat up very soon. Where do you think he’ll land?

Which team will sign Magglio Ordonez?
Tigers 39.43% (4,021 votes)
Another team not listed 20.37% (2,077 votes)
Blue Jays 10.26% (1,046 votes)
Rangers 8.67% (884 votes)
Red Sox 8.52% (869 votes)
Rays 6.92% (706 votes)
Athletics 5.83% (595 votes)
Total Votes: 10,198

Poll: Will The Rays Trade Matt Garza This Offseason?

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The trade talk surrounding Rays right-hander Matt Garza began to heat up this week as teams looked to fortify their pitching.  The Brewers and Rangers have talked to Tampa Bay about a possible swap but the Cubs were said to have the strongest bid. 

Texas is one club that is eyeing Garza as a Plan B if they are unable to land Zack Greinke in a trade.  The asking price for the 2009 AL Cy Young award winner is said to be sky-high and Garza could obviously be had for less.  Meanwhile, the Rays are flush with pitching and have holes to patch up elsewhere.

When considering Tampa Bay's needs and Garza's rising value, it seems like Garza is a strong trade candidate this offseason.  However, prior to the winter meetings, Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times opined that the Rays will hang on to their pitchers until this summer unless the offers are exceptionally strong.

Will The Rays Trade Matt Garza This Winter?
Yes 59.29% (6,424 votes)
No 40.71% (4,410 votes)
Total Votes: 10,834

Poll: Where Will Rafael Soriano Sign?

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The Rays acquired Rafael Soriano from the Braves exactly one year ago today, but right now it’s a little unclear where he’ll be playing in 2011. The Angels were widely considered a natural fit, but GM Tony Reagins told Dan Woike of The Orange County Register (Twitter link) that he’s satisfied with his bullpen following the Scott Downs signing.

While all 30 teams can use a pitcher of Soriano’s caliber, only a few can realistically afford him financially and give him their closer’s job. Remember, saves equal dollars both now and down the road, so Soriano will likely have to be blown away to join a team as a setup man. As if things aren’t complicated enough, a team would need to surrender a high draft pick to land the soon-to-be 31-year-old, which some clubs simply aren’t willing to do. Time to vote…

Which team will sign Rafael Soriano?
Angels 26.25% (3,467 votes)
Another team not listed 25.46% (3,362 votes)
White Sox 13.21% (1,744 votes)
Nationals 10.46% (1,381 votes)
Blue Jays 9.34% (1,233 votes)
Orioles 7.88% (1,041 votes)
Rangers 7.41% (978 votes)
Total Votes: 13,206
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