Winter Signings of 2012-2013

[Edgy MD]

Torii Hunter becomes Torii Tiger-Hunter.

[Frayed Knot]

Was rumored to be a target of the Yanx to be their designated old outfielder for 2013.
Guess you can't always get what you want.

[smg58]

I guess Torii would rather play for a winner.

[Ceetar]

long time Twin, I assume Tigers fans will need some time, in fact, the one I know:

Did that happen? I like him, but I don't get it Too many outfielders... I want more Tigers with misspelled first names

[ashie62]

Frayed Knot wrote: Was rumored to be a target of the Yanx to be their designated old outfielder for 2013. Guess you can't always get what you want.

Too classy to be an MFY.

[Frayed Knot]

On the other hand, the Tiggers paid a shit-load for him.
I wouldn't have thought he'd get anywhere near 2x$13 considering that he'll turn 38 mid-season 2013

[Ceetar]

Melky Cabrera to the Blue Jays, 2 years, $16. seems like a good deal to me. I'd have taken him for that.

[TransMonk]

Ceetar wrote: Melky Cabrera to the Blue Jays, 2 years, $16. seems like a good deal to me. I'd have taken him for that.

I think you would have a better chance of affording that pricetag than the Wilpons do.

The Jays have some winning to do. Do they have a manager yet?

[Ceetar]

TransMonk wrote: Ceetar wrote: Melky Cabrera to the Blue Jays, 2 years, $16. seems like a good deal to me. I'd have taken him for that. I think you would have a better chance of affording that pricetag than the Wilpons do. The Jays have some winning to do. Do they have a manager yet?

that fits the Mets budget pretty easily, depending what they plan to do about the other outfield spots and a RH catcher and some bullpen.

nope, no manager yet.

[TransMonk]

Ceetar wrote: that fits the Mets budget pretty easily, depending what they plan to do about the other outfield spots and a RH catcher and some bullpen.

I'll believe it when I see it.

[smg58]

Right, I have no idea how much money the Mets are willing to spend. But I wouldn't have spent it on Cabrera.

[ashie62]

If the Mets only have money to go after one or maybe two guys I'd lie to see them shoot higher than Melky Cabrera.

[Ceetar]

Ashie62 wrote: If the Mets only have money to go after one or maybe two guys I'd lie to see them shoot higher than Melky Cabrera.

at least free agent wise, there might not BE higher. (Angel Pagan?) Especially if you're only buying two years of Cabrera's prime, versus probably haven't to buy more of someone you think will be better.

Even if they swing a trade for Justin Upton, that's 3/40.

[smg58]

I'm not convinced that that the Mets couldn't get Napoli if they offered him that contract and a full-time catching job.

In other news, the Marlins signed Juan Pierre for a year and $1.6M. I've never been huge on the guy, and the Mets are saturated with left-handed hitters, but for that price I'd have given him a look.

[Ceetar]

smg58 wrote: I'm not convinced that that the Mets couldn't get Napoli if they offered him that contract and a full-time catching job. In other news, the Marlins signed Juan Pierre for a year and $1.6M. I've never been huge on the guy, and the Mets are saturated with left-handed hitters, but for that price I'd have given him a look.

no interest in Juan Pierre whatsoever. Rather keep Torres.

did Napoli get an offer/sign somewhere? I wouldn't overpay for him, but Napoli would be a nice addition.

[ashie62]

Ceetar wrote: Ashie62 wrote: If the Mets only have money to go after one or maybe two guys I'd lie to see them shoot higher than Melky Cabrera. at least free agent wise, there might not BE higher. (Angel Pagan?) Especially if you're only buying two years of Cabrera's prime, versus probably haven't to buy more of someone you think will be better. Even if they swing a trade for Justin Upton, that's 3/40.

After the PED's do we know what Melky's ceiling is?

[Ceetar]

Ashie62 wrote: Ashie62 wrote: If the Mets only have money to go after one or maybe two guys I'd lie to see them shoot higher than Melky Cabrera. at least free agent wise, there might not BE higher. (Angel Pagan?) Especially if you're only buying two years of Cabrera's prime, versus probably haven't to buy more of someone you think will be better. Even if they swing a trade for Justin Upton, that's 3/40. After the PED's do we know what Melky's ceiling is?

we don't even know if the PEDs had any effect.

[smg58]

Chone Figgins, whose performance post-signing made the Mariners wish they got Jason Bay instead, is DFA'd.

Also DFA'd is Bryan LaHair, who was actually an All-Star for the Cubs last year. LaHair slumped after the midway point, but he was already getting pushed out of the way by Anthony Rizzo and then by Brett Jackson. He still finished with a .784 OPS last year, which makes it puzzling that he's apparently looking to latch on in Japan.

[Ceetar]

smg58 wrote: Chone Figgins, whose performance post-signing made the Mariners wish they got Jason Bay instead, is DFA'd. Also DFA'd is Bryan LaHair, who was actually an All-Star for the Cubs last year. LaHair slumped after the midway point, but he was already getting pushed out of the way by Anthony Rizzo and then by Brett Jackson. He still finished with a .784 OPS last year, which makes it puzzling that he's apparently looking to latch on in Japan.

I think it's because his first half was fueled by un-replicatable things and a lot of power by running into a couple. 14 HR in the first half, 2 in the second. .600 BABIP in April which was his real good month. Otherwise he's basically a 30 year old Quad-A player.

[smg58]

Jonny Gomes gets 2 years and $10M to aim for the Green Monster. Generous for a righty platoon player whose natural position is DH. That might set the market for Hairston uncomfortably high.

[Farmer Ted]

Happy negotiations, Sandy. David and his agents will surely refer to this in the very near future.


The Rays have announced a contract extension for third baseman Evan Longoria worth $100 million over six seasons with a club option in 2023.

In effect, the Rays picked up their three options and added another six guaranteed years. The additional years are tacked on to the end of Longoria�s current contract � considered one of MLB�s most team friendly deals � that had his salary increasing from $6 million in 2013 to $11.5 million in 2016.

Longoria will be 37 years old if he plays out the extension through the 2022 season.

Longoria batted 289/.369/.527/.896 with 17 home runs and 55 RBI in a 2012 season in which injuries limited him to 273 at-bats in 74 games.

[ashie62]

Brian Lahair is officially turning Japanese.

[Frayed Knot]

Ashie62 wrote: Brian Lahair is officially turning Japanese.

You really think so?

[TransMonk]

Frayed Knot wrote: Ashie62 wrote: Brian Lahair is officially turning Japanese. You really think so?

Brian Lahair on his palms, maybe.

[Frayed Knot]

Ryan Madson - formerly of the Phillies and, on paper anyway, a member of the 2012 Reds although he sat out the entire year with TJ surgery after signing a large contract, looks like he's headed to Disneyland to close and/or set-up for the Angels.

[smg58]

Ernesto Frieri had a 2.30 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 68 innings, but why settle for him when you can pay for a more "experienced" closer coming off an injury?

Both LA teams are hoping that a seemingly infinite amount of cash can overcome a very finite amount of baseball sense. It hasn't happened yet.

[Ceetar]

smg58 wrote: Ernesto Frieri had a 2.30 ERA and 90 strikeouts in 68 innings, but why settle for him when you can pay for a more "experienced" closer coming off an injury? Both LA teams are hoping that a seemingly infinite amount of cash can overcome a very finite amount of baseball sense. It hasn't happened yet.

if they're thinking about madsen as closer, I hope Sandy's on the phone with the Angels about Frieri right now.

[MFS62]

According to ESPN.com

Barring a last-minute trade that did not appear likely or other reversal, the Mets plan to non-tender three players by the Friday night deadline -- right-handers Mike Pelfrey and Manny Acosta and center fielder Andres Torres, according to major league sources.

Do you agree with those moves?

Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

Absolutely.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

If I never see Torres again I'd be a happy boy. I can't put my finger on it, but something about him chafed me like few Mets ever have.