The 2013-2014 MLB Hot stove Thread

After watching the Red Sox win I don't see the Yankees holding to their 189 plan. I see them blowing out the budget next year.

MacNut said:

After watching the Red Sox win I don't see the Yankees holding to their 189 plan. I see them blowing out the budget next year.

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You would think after seeing two teams in the World Series who built their teams with home-grown talent and signing high-character glue guys instead of over-priced all-stars the Yankees would realize that breaking the bank to sign a few Jacoby Ellsbury's this year won't win them another championship.

zioxide said:

You would think after seeing two teams in the World Series who built their teams with home-grown talent and signing high-character glue guys instead of over-priced all-stars the Yankees would realize that breaking the bank to sign a few Jacoby Ellsbury's this year won't win them another championship.

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They will over pay for Cano, a lot hinges on the A-Rod outcome.

And I don't think they over paid for Jeter, 12 million is a good deal for the Yankees since he is the one that fills seats.

MacNut said:

They will over pay for Cano, a lot hinges on the A-Rod outcome.

And I don't think they over paid for Jeter, 12 million is a good deal for the Yankees since he is the one that fills seats.

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That's not a bad deal for Jeter.

I'm just waiting for Cashman to throw $200 million at a top-tier UFA (Ellsbury maybe?) like they did with Tiexeira, AJ Burnett, Sabathia, etc a few years back.

MacNut said:

They will over pay for Cano, a lot hinges on the A-Rod outcome.

And I don't think they over paid for Jeter, 12 million is a good deal for the Yankees since he is the one that fills seats.

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Yeah, they're in a tough spot at the moment. The minors aren't exactly overflowing with young talent, and they are not going to sit back and suck until that happens. I think $12 million for Jeter is high, but considering his "intangibles" probably fine for them. Pedroia will be making $12.5 million in 2014.

That said, I think they sign Cano, too. It makes too much sense for them and there aren't many better free agents out there.

The Red Sox will likely re-sign Napoli and I'm happy about that. I think he's a good fit, especially on a 1 or 2 year deal (essentially the original contract). I'm too much of a fan to be totally levelheaded about free agent decisions, because I really wish we could retain Ellsbury. I know pretty much everyone has conceded he's gone, but I hope that's not the case. I do think a 7 or 8 year deal for a 29/30 year old is dumb. Either way, I think the front office has learned from the Crawford fiasco and I trust their approach.

There are also rumblings that the Dodgers will try and trade for David Price. Yay for getting him out of the AL East, but man that would really tip the scales for the Dodgers, in my opinion.

$12mil for one year for an injury riddled 39 year old SS that will probably play 50 games AT MOST? I realize he is a legacy guy and an icon for the franchise...but the "he fills seats" excuse can't really be used here since those seats are going to be filled regardless.

Being a Brewers fan, a team which has ONE player on the entire roster than makes $12mil or more, it's hard to wrap my head around paying a guy this much $$ just because he's a beloved figure in the franchise. I'm just not sure exactly what they're paying for here. If he isn't batting .280+ and playing 100+ games, I don't see how he is worth $12mil.

sdilley14 said:

$12mil for one year for an injury riddled 39 year old SS that will probably play 50 games AT MOST? I realize he is a legacy guy and an icon for the franchise...but the "he fills seats" excuse can't really be used here since those seats are going to be filled regardless.

Being a Brewers fan, a team which has ONE player on the entire roster than makes $12mil or more, it's hard to wrap my head around paying a guy this much $$ just because he's a beloved figure in the franchise. I'm just not sure exactly what they're paying for here. If he isn't batting .280+ and playing 100+ games, I don't see how he is worth $12mil.

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I think you are overlooking the other intangibles that Jeter brings with him.... not only is a he classic "classy" baseball player, but he's also the veteran leadership. Plus when you are a franchise that just prints money, you get to be a little loose with valuation of players.

*sniff* Beltran is no longer a good fit for the Cardinals......

The fur is flying and A-Rod is swinging.

Freese and Salas for Bourjos and prospects from the Angels.

St. Louis will always remember Freese for Game 6, but he was brutal this year. And we finally get a real center fielder, oh, and we no longer have to hold our breath when Salas comes in to pitch the 8th. I'd say it's a win for us. Now it's time to go shopping for a shortstop.

Can't complain about the Giants' moves so far. Re-sign Tim Lincecum and Javier Lopez, add Tim Hudson to the rotation. The elder Tim surely has much wisdom and insight to impart to the younger Tim, and I'm sure he'll love pitching in ATT Park.

Not sure where the left fielder is going to come from, but there are not a lot of appetizing (or affordable) options out there.

Yankees get McCann,

NEW YORK -- After wooing Brian McCann during a visit to the Bronx this week, the New York Yankees have agreed to a five-year, $85 million contract with the catcher that includes a vesting option for a sixth season that could push the total to $100 million, a source has told ESPNNewYork.com.

The deal will have a full no-trade clause, according to a source.

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http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/sto...es-five-year-85-million-deal-new-york-yankees

And are in Talks to resign Kiroda.

Cards sign Peralta pending physical.

Interesting moves over there. I like the signing, but the lack of offensive uptick in Center has me confuzzled.

Also what is going to happen with Adams? With 4 outfielders (Holliday, Bourjos, Jay, Taveras, and Craig if you count him).... I'm not sure what they are doing with him other than letting his bat waste on the bench. I think the writing is on the wall that Craig stays at First and Adams on the bench.... unless they think he can play third????

See PED's can make you more money.

SporkLover said:

Cards sign Peralta pending physical.

Interesting moves over there. I like the signing, but the lack of offensive uptick in Center has me confuzzled.

Also what is going to happen with Adams? With 4 outfielders (Holliday, Bourjos, Jay, Taveras, and Craig if you count him).... I'm not sure what they are doing with him other than letting his bat waste on the bench. I think the writing is on the wall that Craig stays at First and Adams on the bench.... unless they think he can play third????

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My guess is Jay's on the way out, leaving Craig and Taveras to platoon in right and Adams at first. If Taveras can perform in the majors the way he has in the minors, than on any given day, you have Craig, Adams or Taveras on the bench - a huge upgrade over what we've had for the bench.

If Wong doesn't start hitting though, perhaps Peralta moves over to 3rd, Carp back to second, and Jay and Wong are part of a package for another shortstop.

Also curious to see what becomes of Kozma and Descalso. No room on the roster for both. Descalso's worse at short, but I think I'd keep him around because he can play third and second (unsure if Kozma plays anything besides short), and of the two, has the better bat, granted, Kozma hasn't exactly set the bar high in that department.

MacNut said:

See PED's can make you more money.

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Something A-Rod knows all about.

yg17 said:

My guess is Jay's on the way out, leaving Craig and Taveras to platoon in right and Adams at first. If Taveras can perform in the majors the way he has in the minors, than on any given day, you have Craig, Adams or Taveras on the bench - a huge upgrade over what we've had for the bench.

If Wong doesn't start hitting though, perhaps Peralta moves over to 3rd, Carp back to second, and Jay and Wong are part of a package for another shortstop.

Also curious to see what becomes of Kozma and Descalso. No room on the roster for both. Descalso's worse at short, but I think I'd keep him around because he can play third and second (unsure if Kozma plays anything besides short), and of the two, has the better bat, granted, Kozma hasn't exactly set the bar high in that department.



Something A-Rod knows all about.

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Last year I was pretty enamored with Adams. Now that I've had some time to objectively go through some of his stats, I'm not sure that he isn't our next Chris Duncan. Adams can crush a fastball, but struggles with other pitches, and he chases and misses outside the zone.

Given that, my prediction is Craig is the opening day starting RF'er, Adams starting 1B, until Taveras is ready for his summer (june) call up. Then Taveras is back to RF, Craig to first, and Adams to bench. As a bench lefty that can't hit lefties, I suspect he is trade bait in July. Jay/Bourjos will platoon center with Bourjos getting the lion share of the playing time.

It's too bad the Cards didn't trade freese sooner in the offseason.... had they done that it would have afforded them an opportunity at Schumaker/Punto as bench utility infielders in case Wong doesn't start hitting like he did in Memphis.