L.A. Times is reporting that L.A. is in talks with KC about Greinke. Probably nothing. But perhaps this Gwynn deal and the 2 million dollar deal for Padilla is a precurser for Ned to move some of the younger parts to try and grab a top tier pitcher like Greinke? Maybe he plans on sending Billingsley with either Loney or Kemp to nab Greinke? Probably just a bad rumor like most things this time of year.
Just a guess but I'd say the Royals would want both Kershaw and Kemp. They don't need Loney since they have the top 1B prospect in the minors and Billingsley is too inconsistent and will be costly. And I'd rather have Kershaw and Kemp.
what? why would dodgers do that? Kershaw is already a better pitcher then Greinke. I wouldnt trade Kershaw for Greinke straight up, much less add in Kemp as well.
Well why wouldn't Kansas City ask for those two over Loney and Billingsley? The Royals are going to ask for the mother load for Grienke because he's still young and still under contract for 2 more years. I don't think the Dodgers have enough in their farm system to even get a sit down with KC. If the Dodgers offered Loney and Billingsley KC would laugh for 5 minutes before hanging up the phone. He's probably going to end up in Texas or a wild card might be Atlanta. And I agree I'd rather have Kershaw and Kemp. I wasn't implying that I'd ever make that deal but if the Dodgers wanted him that would probably be the package to get him.
I am sure they will ask for it, although, Billingsley's numbers are actually pretty comparable to Greinke's, so getting him and on other player like Loney would be fair in my opinion. I was unaware of their first base prospect so that probably does nix that idea. Like I said, it was probably nothing more than feelers anyways. L.A> needs a bat more than starting pitching at this point.
The numbers may be close (although you have to factor in NL vs. AL, good teams vs. bad teams, pitcher's parks etc) but Billingsley isn't the pitcher Grienke is. Plus the main reason why the Royals are thinking about trading Grienke is because they know that probably won't be good until 2012/2013ish. Grienke's last year of his contract is 2012 and just quickly looking at Billingsley's service time it looks like he'd be a free agent after the 2013 season, so it wouldn't make sense to trade for a lesser pitcher for just 1 more year until team control. Same thing with Loney, even if KC didn't have Eric Hosmer in their system they probably wouldn't be interested because of the years under team control and also because Loney's stock has really fallen since he's basically an all glove 1B (I'm really not sure how much of a chip he could be anymore since he doesn't hit for any power). Kemp might not even make sense for them either due to service time and team control years (I didn't think he already had over 3 years of service time). The Royals are probably asking for prospects in the deal or for a young players (like a Kershaw who's still under team control for 4 or 5 years).
Lots of activity today.... Report: Pirates sign Matt Diaz to a two-year contract Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports that the Cubs have agreed to a deal with Carlos Pena. It’s believed to be for $10 million Bob Nightengale reports that the White Sox and Konerko have reached a three-year deal. The details: $37.5 million total, Padres sign Dustin Moseley to one-year, $900,000 deal Mariners sign A’s castoff Jack Cust to one-year contract Bob Dutton reports the specifics of the Jeff Francoeur deal from Royals: $2.5 million with bonuses that could be worth $500,000. There’s also a mutual option for 2012 at $3 million.
Like the moves Atlanta has made thus far. Linebrink and Sherill are relatively cheap pickups who could make us one of the best pen's in baseball. I think we've replaced Wagner and Saito and then some. We also have Teheran and Delgado in the minors.
oh they cut rowland-smith too!!! so exciting wait what's that? signed JACK CUST to a 1 year deal? OMFG let me go get season tickets SMH
Corey Brock of MLB.com reports that the Padres have acquired shortstop Jason Bartlett in a trade with the Rays. According to Brock, the Padres will send relievers Cesar Ramos and Adam Russell to the Rays in return.
Word is Red Sox signed Carl Crawford to a 7 year 142 million dollar deal. He's heading to Boston as soon as Thursday to take a physical and sign the contract. Wait what? That certainly happened fast and out of nowhere. If true that's a lot of money for him (and more than I think he's worth) but with J.D. Drew off the books next year, I guess it doesn't look so bad. Either way the Sox line up is going to be scary good next year. But the Sox do need to find another RHH OFer though.
Navarro will platoon with Barajas. He is a good defensive catcher, but not very good offensively at all. There really weren't too many options for them. Martin's hip is bad. I expect them to try and trade for a catcher with any type of bat if they are in contention at all. One thing to keep in mind with catchers is how they handle pitching staffs. Navarro has a pretty good reputation in dealing with them, just like Martin, and that can't be overlooked. But yeah, this move isn't going to set anyone on fire for L.A.
I hope for your sake as a fan, that Crawford holds up. That is an awful lot of money for a guy who, in my opinion, isn't a premier player nad has a very suspect injury history. The A-Gonzo move was a great one. This one? I feel like Crawford's agent duped a lot of teams and ultimately settled on the best deal possible. Which was VERY good...for Carl Crawford. I assume this means Cliff Lee is headed to New York as well.
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AjbsSpar3f2MtsuiUumpmzI5nYcB?slug=ti-crawfordredsox120810 This article argues that signing Gonzo and Crawford shifts power temporarily to Boston. I think both are excellent pickups (a little too much money for crawford though). But I'm not sure, how exactly is it shifting anything when they are (as the article points out) replacing two good bats? I mean, is crawford THAT much better than Victorino? Gonzo and Beltre are a wash, however ... Beltre was proven in the AL. Gonzo is good enough he'll adjust. but they replaced the production they had already. Yeah I know, Beltre mr. one hit wonders, but still
he had a 4 hour dinner meeting with Cashman away from the Winter meetings on Tuesday night.... Last question, When are the Sox going to start wearing pinstrips, and move into their new ballpark? Thing is Sam yeah it is alot money, but for how he fits into that lineup, I think it will be worth it...that lineup is sick sick sick...
On the surface, this seems like a massive overpay. Crawford's an excellent defender, unfortunately his defensive value will be negated by patrolling LF at Fenway for 81 games a year. OPS+ starting in his first full year: 81 105 111 113 117 89 116 134 $20M AAV over 7 years seems excessive, especially for a guy who has had struggles getting on base throughout his career (although, he's improved that aspect of his game over the last 2 years).
In other news....... Royals sign Melky Cabrera to one-year, $1.25M contract The Phillies sign reliever Dennys Reyes
7:47am: The deal appears close but not done, tweets Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.......... this is the Melky deal as of this morning...not totally done yet...
It is a a ton of money but it's not like the Sox gave it to just anyone. Crawford has played in 150+ games in 6 out his 8 full seasons and 143 and 107 the other 2. Not exactly injury prone. He is a great defender with awesome speed, and his WAR was 5th best in the AL behind Hamilton, Baustista, Beltre, and Longoria last year. I think you have been watching to much NL baseball, Crawford is a beast..
What history past? Since he became an everyday player in 2003, he's played over 150 games every year but 2 which was 2007 when he played 143 games and in 2008 when he played 109 games due to I believe it was a broken bone but I'm not 100% positive. I do agree that it's a lot of money for him and that he's not an elite guy but he's a game changer entering his prime. Worth the gamble I think, especially with Drew's contract coming off the books next year. It's December 9th to say anyone is the best team is getting ahead of themselves. But I do think the additions of Gonzalez and Crawford make the Red Sox better and are upgrades over Victor Martinez and Adrian Beltre. I think Victor Martinez is a very good hitter but defensively as a catcher his days are numbers and he loses a lot of value if he becomes an everyday 1B or catcher. I think it's very telling that Detroit spent so much money on him only to make him their DH and back up catcher. As for Beltre, he was great last year, one of the top 10 most valuable players in the game when you factor in everything, but he's a guy that would make me nervous and I've been on record numerous times on this site that I didn't want to give him a long term deal because his track record is pretty inconsistent. As good as he was last year he could easily turn into a major disappointment, especially due to the way he approaches at bats being a free swinger. Dude if the Red Sox could build a state of the art ball park exactly like Fenway Park is now (same field lengths, look etc) only with better seating, parking etc. I'd press the button to destroy the old park. Seriously I love Fenway but they need a new park as soon as possible.
The only thing that worries be about Crawford is his splits vs. LHP. A lot of his overall career numbers don't look that great because of his earlier years. He's improved in a lot of those areas as he has gotten older.
This entire deal just worries me. He had a fantastic year last year, but I don't see him as being a sure bet to repeat it. He's a great defender that's going to be hamstrung in Fenway's tiny LF for 81 games a year. He also strikes out a ton and doesn't walk. A career .781 OPS corner outfielder just doesn't do it for me. You said yourself he's not an elite option. I guess $20M/yr doesn't buy you much these days. I don't think its unreasonble at all to question Theo's judgement on this one. Though I will say one thing -- the pink hat-ers will love it!
Just because Fenway has a tiny LF doesn't mean he's going to be any less of a defender there. But yes people can certainly question the deal and they wouldn't be right or wrong. It's a gamble. I don't think he's worth that money by any means because he's not a power guy but if he gives the Sox his 2010 stat line for the next 5 years along with plus defensive I'll be more than happy.
