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Re: The MLB Thread
Although it disappoints me to see ARam leave the Cubs after all this years (he's been a Cub since mid-2003 and was apart of that 2003 "near World Series" Cubs team), Ramirez despite still being capable of posting .300/25/90-type numbers, is increasingly showing VERY SLOW starts for the first half of the season more and more.
His 2010 was especially atrocious. I think his batting average was in the .170-.190 range at the All-Star Break, despite being a full-time player.
Despite what i'm saying it's actually a good deal for the Brewers and the Cubs, both. Ramirez actually took a pay cut going to Milwaukee, as the Cubs offered him a 2012 option worth $16 million (his new deal with Milwaukee only pays him around $12mil a season). But Ramirez wanted a contender and longer terms due to his age. He saw this as a last chance opportunity to get a multi-year deal, and he was right. The Brewers also have a deeper bench, in case of injury or lack of ability with Ramirez, unlike the Cubs.
The Cubs can now not worry about paying an aging 3B $16mil a year. BUT if the Cubs DO NOT get Prince Fielder, they will have a HUGE hole offensively. Rumor has it the Cubs will not give Fielder a deal worth more than 6 years, nor will they give Carlos Pena a multi-year deal, as well as trying to trade Soriano on a daily basis.
A 2012 Cubs team without Ramirez, Pena & Soriano, and with no real replacements to their power, will be a guarantee Houston Astros/Cubs rivalry for last place in the NL Central.
The Brewers however NEEDED Ramirez. Losing Fielder, and now Braun assumingly for the first 50 games of the 2012 season will be a BIG BLOW to their offense.
I gurantee you on top of that Ramirez starts slow. Despite the fact that the Brewers will be the favorite in the NL Central, I expect them to get off to a VERY slow start offensively, unless a Christmas miracle happens and MLB overturns Braun's positive test.
Re: The MLB Thread
Despite what i'm saying it's actually a good deal for the Brewers and the Cubs, both. Ramirez actually took a pay cut going to Milwaukee, as the Cubs offered him a 2012 option worth $16 million (his new deal with Milwaukee only pays him around $12mil a season). But Ramirez wanted a contender and longer terms due to his age. He saw this as a last chance opportunity to get a multi-year deal, and he was right. The Brewers also have a deeper bench, in case of injury or lack of ability with Ramirez, unlike the Cubs.
The Cubs can now not worry about paying an aging 3B $16mil a year. BUT if the Cubs DO NOT get Prince Fielder, they will have a HUGE hole offensively. Rumor has it the Cubs will not give Fielder a deal worth more than 6 years, nor will they give Carlos Pena a multi-year deal, as well as trying to trade Soriano on a daily basis.
A 2012 Cubs team without Ramirez, Pena & Soriano, and with no real replacements to their power, will be a guarantee Houston Astros/Cubs rivalry for last place in the NL Central.
The Brewers however NEEDED Ramirez. Losing Fielder, and now Braun assumingly for the first 50 games of the 2012 season will be a BIG BLOW to their offense.
I gurantee you on top of that Ramirez starts slow. Despite the fact that the Brewers will be the favorite in the NL Central, I expect them to get off to a VERY slow start offensively, unless a Christmas miracle happens and MLB overturns Braun's positive test.
Ramirez was the best remaining guy for the Brewers to get. I think they overpaid a little for a 33 year old who is declining a little. But they were up against it with the Braun suspension.
I think the Cubs screwed the pooch last year when they didn't trade Sean Marshall and to a lesser extent Carlos Marmol. Marshall would have probably gotten the package that the Padres got for Mike Adams. Actually I think he would have gotten more since he still had a year to go on his deal. Marmol would have been trickier as he has these bouts of shittiness that drives his value down. Marmol's salary also jumps from 3 million in 2011 to 7 million in 2012.
To be honest, I have no idea who the clear favorite in the NL Central is going to be. I think the Reds could sneak in there assuming Dusty doesn't blow out the remaining pitchers on the Reds staff.
That Braun test isn't going to get overturned. From what I read, he got flagged on the 1st test. They sent it to another independent lab to get tested a second time. The second test came up positive as well. Those excuse he is using are pretty much just CYA.
If you want a bat for the Cubs, Carlos Beltran is still out there and isn't gathering that much interest.
They traded for Ian Stewart of the Rockies but that seems like a reclamation project and he's looking at a pay raise since he close to arbritration. It's not like they gave up a lot for him. I guess Stewart will start because they really don't have that many options at 3b.
Re: The MLB Thread
Theo Epstein stated right out of the gate to baseball that everybody on the team is tradeable. No one is untouchable. I do believe the time to trade Marshall was 2011. It was the best time because his trade value was at it's peak. But keeping him ain't bad either. He's probably the best setup man in the NL.
Marmol is a problem. There's been talk of the Cubs re-signing Kerry Wood and re-aligning the bullpen back into it's 2008 NL Central Division Champ version, where Marmol sets up Wood, as the closer. But I doubt that with what Marmol makes. Marmol was one of those darlings of Jim Hendry. This wet dream of his that Marmol was gonna be the next "Angels version" KRod, is just not gonna happen. He lacks control and command of the plate, and has become so reliant on his slider that he throws a dead ass fastball now that would make myself look like Nolan Ryan. The guy imo needs to be reworked into a setup guy. He used to be one of the best in baseball at that level. I don't understand why they don't just plug Wood back into the closer role. Wood is about the same prescence pitching-wise, but the significant numbers are the fact that Wood gives up LESS Earned Runs than Marmol, and the biggest is Wood's Bases On Balls is 50% LESS than Marmol per season. That's reason enough ALONE to have me demote Marmol, and promote Wood back to his old job.
According to the Cubs, Stewart is their starting 3B. Now I don't know if they're gonna keep someone in mind, or not.
I agree with you that Stewart seems more like a reclamation project. I personally think the Cubs will look elsewhere. I seriously doubt they're gonna run out a 2012 Chicago Cubs with Ian Stewart at 3B, and a rookie Brian LaHair at 1B.
They could try to get Hanley Ramirez from the Marlins, if they're serious about trading him. Move Castro to 2B, and have a Stewart/Jeff Baker platoon at 3B.
If they did do that, the Cubs middle infield would be the worst defensive infield in the NL, if not all of baseball.
The Cubs are not gonna give a multi-year deal to a guy like Michael Cuddyer either, who's basically the Twins' Aramis Ramirez, with less offensive ability. Plus last I heard, he's either gonna be a Rockie or stay with the Twins.
As for Beltran, that's an interesting theory. I frankly have been shocked like alot of people at the lack of interest in Beltran. But once again... would the Cubs give a (in 2012) 35 year old LF/RF a multi-year deal?
I like the idea of Beltran in a Cubs uniform. Really like it. But the Cubs would have to move some pieces to make that happen.
Firstly Soriano would have to be traded to the Orioles (rumored), and then the Cubs could probably go after Beltran for LF. If Beltran would accept a significant paycut, incentive-laden deal that was only good for maybe 2 years with a mutual option for a 3rd, worth maybe $10 mil in 2012, $12 mil in 2013, and $14 mil in 2014.
Pull that trigger.
But I think the OF is set, without any outside help.
Rumor now is Soriano will be traded to the Orioles for prospects, the Cubs will re-sign OF Reed Johnson, do a DeJesus/Johnson platoon in RF, Marlon Byrd will move to LF, and the Cubs will place highly-touted rookie Brett Jackson in CF IF he's ready in Spring Training.
So even if the Cubs do make a new outfield move, they might sit on their hands until March/April to see how Jackson progresses, and just focus on plugging up the massive offensive holes in the infield, and the major pitching issues.
Re: The MLB Thread
Josh Willingham, Twins agree on 3-year / $21 million deal
by John Krawczynski / AP Baseball
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)—The Minnesota Twins welcomed Josh Willingham to the team on Thursday, a move that had many bracing for a wave goodbye to Michael Cuddyer.
Willingham agreed to a $21 million, three-year contract, giving the Twins a player with strikingly similar offensive numbers to Cuddyer’s over the past six seasons.
Twins GM Terry Ryan was unavailable for comment on Thursday and the team planned to hold an introductory conference call with Willingham on Friday. Ryan said earlier in the week the team had not ruled out Cuddyer returning, and it’s no secret that both Ryan and manager Ron Gardenhire would love to keep the versatile veteran around both for production on the field and leadership in the clubhouse.
Adding Willingham, a right-handed hitting outfielder to help balance out a lefty-heavy lineup, would help ease the sting if Cuddyer doesn’t return. The 32-year-old hit .246 with a career-high 29 homers and 98 RBIs for the A’s last year.
Cuddyer hit .284 with 20 homers and 70 RBIs last season, earning an All-Star bid for the first time in his 11-year career. Over the past six seaons, Cuddyer has hit .266 with 66 homers while Willingham has hit .257 with 69 home runs.
Willingham has played mostly left field throughout his career, but the Twins would likely have to move to him right field if Cuddyer goes, so the weak-armed Ben Revere could play left field.
Willingham will make $7 million per season for each of the next three years. If he reaches 525 plate appearances in 2013, his 2014 salary would increase to $8 million. He has only reached that plateau one time in that last four years, with Oakland Athletics last season.
The Twins were looking for more power from the right side of the plate to help balance a batting order that has lefties Denard Span, Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau near the top. Willingham has topped 20 homers four times in six full major league seasons, and the hope is he will have similar success at spacious Target Field, one of the most difficult ballparks to hit it over the fence.
If Cuddyer does leave, the Twins would receive two draft picks as compensation.
He has been a Gardenhire favorite for years because of his hustle, discipline, dependability and versatility. Cuddyer has played right field, center field, first base, second base, third base and DH over the last few seasons for the Twins, filling in for numerous injuries the team has endured.
But the Twins are also determined to keep the payroll at around $100 million, meaning Cuddyer would likely have to take a decent paycut from the four-year, $33 million contract he just finished to stay in Minnesota.
Re: The MLB Thread
Michael Cuddyer, Rockies agree on 3-year / $30 million deal
by Thomas Harding / MLB.com
DENVER -- The Rockies are putting the final touches on a three-year, $31.5 million contract with outfielder Michael Cuddyer, a Major League source confirmed to MLB.com on Friday morning.
Colorado general manager Dan O'Dowd declined to comment.
The right-handed-hitting Cuddyer, 32, hit .284 with 20 home runs and 70 RBIs for the Twins last season. He has hit at least 20 homers three times in his career, including a career-high 32 in 2009. In 1,139 career games, all with the Twins, Cuddyer is a .272 hitter with 141 homers and 580 RBIs.
Cuddyer figures to fit in the lineup in left field, but also could move to first base on days Todd Helton is not in the lineup. The Rockies could use him in the No. 5 spot behind shortstop Troy Tulowitzki or at No. 6 if the Rockies want the left-handed-hitting Helton to continue to bat behind Tulowitzki.
Cuddyer also offers versatility, with experience in both corners of the outfield, third base and first base.
The Rockies also were looking to remake the flavor of the clubhouse after finishing 73-89 last season and not showing the toughness that had become a trademark of the club in recent seasons. The team has added a pair of veterans via free agency: catcher Ramon Hernandez for two years and $6.4 million and Cuddyer.
The Rockies still aren't likely done rebuilding their 2012 roster. Left-handed-hitting Seth Smith, who figures to be supplanted by Cuddyer, is the team's main chip in its attempts to fill other holes. There is a key need for a starting pitcher who is capable of throwing 200 innings, with left-hander Jorge De La Rosa having to come back from Tommy John surgery and out until sometime around June.
The Rockies rid themselves of $7 million in salary by dealing relief pitcher Huston Street to the Padres and further trimmed the payroll of a projected $2.6 million when they sent arbitration-eligible third baseman Ian Stewart to the Cubs as part of a four-player trade, helping the club achieve enough payroll relief to make an offer to an outfielder like Cuddyer.
The Rockies began pursuing Cuddyer early in the free-agency period, but needed the market to fall into place. That occurred on Thursday, when outfielder Josh Willingham signed a three-year deal with the Twins.
But signing Cuddyer means the Rockies will not be able to continue to pursue Hiroki Kuroda, a right-hander reportedly looking for a one-year deal in the $13 million range.
Re: The MLB Thread
To be honest, I prefer the Williamgham deal for the Twins. Similar players but Twins get to sign him for less and get two picks. The signing of Cuddyer puts the Rockies out of the Beltran race. I would have signed Beltran for 2 yrs at the same amount instead of Cuddyer.
Blue Jays have been rumored to have won the Yu Darvish posting sweepstakes. They bid close to 50 million to win the rights to negotiate with Darvish. And they're in on Beltran as well.
Is it true that the Orioles are looking into acquiring Soriano? That's hilarious to me. Guess they didn't learn from the Sammy Sosa trade. Typical Orioles--overspend on a guy who used to be good. They'll be in last place for a while.
Cubs are close to signing Paul Maholm, LH starter who used to pitch for the Pirates. As long as he has a good defense around him, he'll be a good #3 or #4 starter. If their defense stinks, he'll have a losing record. Curious about how much he'll get, Pirates as usual released him because he was supposed to make 9+ million dollars this year. If Theo gets him for like 3 years and 21-27 million that's pretty good. He's not an all star but just a competent pitcher who'll get 10+ wins and eat up innings.
Re: The MLB Thread
Maholm is "the new Ted Lilly".
Middle rotation guy, eats innings, anything more is a benefit. But he very easily can get BOMBED if you get to him early.
And you're right, the Willingham deal is ALOT better than Cuddyer.
Rockies are WAY overpaying. He is NOT Michael Young. More like 'prime era' Mark DeRosa.
Re: The MLB Thread
Reds acquire P Mat Latos from Padres for 4 players
by Joe Kay / AP Sports
CINCINNATI (AP)—The Reds acquired right-handed starter Mat Latos from San Diego on Saturday for a package of four players, including infielder Yonder Alonso and right-handed starter Edinson Volquez.
Cincinnati wanted to acquire a front-of-the-rotation starter in free agency. Latos went 9-14 with a 3.47 ERA for the Padres last season, finishing among the NL leaders in ERA and strikeouts.
The Reds gave up two of their top prospects—first-round picks Alonso and catcher Yasmani Grandal—in order to get Latos in their first deal of the offseason. He joins a rotation that includes right-handers Johnny Cueto and Bronson Arroyo.
“Mat is a big, strong young pitcher with electric stuff,” general manager Walt Jocketty said. “We consider him to be a potential No. 1 starter who, contractually, we have under control for four more years. To acquire a pitcher who is ready to fit into the top of a rotation, you have to give up talent.”
Latos tied a major league record by allowing two or fewer runs in 15 consecutive starts in 2010. Last season, he held right-handed batters to a .204 average and made 20 quality starts, tied for most on the Padres.
“Our young starting pitching depth allowed us to make a move like this,” Padres general manager Josh Byrnes said. “We’ve added four credentialed young players who can help us win in the short and long term.”
Alonso, the seventh overall pick in 2008, didn’t have a place to play with Joey Votto a mainstay at first base. The Reds moved him to left field briefly last season, but he struggled defensively. The 24-year-old Alonso batted .330 with five homers and 15 RBIs in 47 games.
Volquez was coming off a disappointing season, going 5-7 with a 5.71 ERA. The Reds got him from Texas in the trade for Josh Hamilton in December 2007. Volquez went 17-6 with a 3.21 ERA in 2008, when both he and Hamilton made the All-Star teams. Volquez needed reconstructive elbow surgery the following year and has never gotten back into form.
Grandal, the 12th overall pick in 2010, batted .305 with 14 homers and 68 RBIs at Class A, Double-A and Triple-A last season, making a quick rise through the farm system.
The Reds also gave up right-handed reliever Brad Boxberger, who went 2-4 with 11 saves and a 2.03 ERA last season at Double-A and Triple-A.
This is a GREAT GREAT pickup for the Reds.
