Assorted Quick Monday Morning Bullet Points
by Jeff Sullivan on Dec 14, 2009 10:48 AM PST
in Miscellaneous
- Ed Price and now Ken Rosenthal are reporting that John Lackey has taken a physical for the Red Sox. Taking a physical doesn't mean that Lackey and Boston have agreed on a contract, but it does strongly imply that they're close, which would mean a handful of things:
-Boston's moving on from Jason Bay
-Lackey would be off the table for us and the Angels
-Clay Buchholz could be available in a trade
Lackey going to Boston wouldn't be the worst thing in the world - even though the Red Sox are one of two teams that could absorb his contract no problem, he's not a great fit here at his expected cost. What this would do, however, is change the shape of the offseason, for both us and our closest rivals. We'd end up with one less high-level option, and the Angels would probably step up their pursuit of Roy Halladay. To be honest, now that Harden's off the board, I have no idea what the front office is planning. He seemed like such a great fit that I gave little attention to devising a Plan B. But with him disappearing and Lackey maybe being next, Zduriencik is going to have to get creative. That's fun, but I'd be lying if I said it isn't also a little scary. Almost as scary as paying John Lackey what he wants.
Update: $85m/5yr for Lackey
- There's a rumor flying around that Mike Lowell could need surgery on his trick thumb, which would jeopardize that trade with the Rangers that still hasn't gone through. It seems like kind of a long shot, but given that Lowell going away frees obvious room for Adrian Beltre to become a Red Sox, I'm clinging to far more hope than I ought to. When my first serious girlfriend broke up with me, I spent the next several days reading far too much into any indication that she might change her mind. This is that, because I steadfastly refuse to learn my lesson. Adrian Beltre isn't gone until he's dating someone else, god dammit.
- After talking with a few people last week and gaining a great deal of clarity on the matter, I feel very, very comfortable that the M's and Felix Hernandez are going to be able to work something out.
I'm not gonna lie
I am loving the schadenfreude I am feeling from reading the reactions on Halos Haven
ManifestDestiny - December 14, 2009
That last bulletpoint makes me happy.
Eyeball Kid - December 14, 2009
No kidding! I am also refusing to say goodbye to Adrian just yet.
Sec 108 - December 14, 2009
After the initial freak out about Harden signing on elsewhere
I’m sort of settled down and at peace with the idea. He rocks, but he doesn’t rock for very long and there are plenty of options out there.
Our rotation as it stands really only needs one above average pitcher to be a real asset with upside for dominance. Morrow may grow into an Edwin Jackson sorta guy. Snell might pull his head out of his ass. RRS is already, in my mind, consistently average but pitching in an extremely favorable environment.
We just need to add a pitcher X to slot in between Morrow and Felix to make everything a little prettier. Honestly, Derek Lowe would be very tempting if he werent so old, or Chein Ming Wang if he weren’t so broken. I’m pretty excited to see what Z has cooking in that shiny head of his.
Bearskin Rugburn - December 14, 2009
The Felix bullet point is my favorite bullet point of all time.
Robert - December 14, 2009
Mine as well.
Kirk - December 14, 2009 via mobile
It's up there for me also.
royalcurve - December 14, 2009
Only if he signs long term....
Otherwise it is the worst (non-intentional) tease of all time. Please let it be a foreshadowing bullet point.
skwid206 - December 14, 2009
So what's the M's wish list look like for the rest of the offseason?
My version.
1) Sign Felix to an extension
2) Acquire another (potential) top-flight starter (Sheets?)
3) Acquire a 1B/DH (/LF) option or two
4) Find an above replacement level catching option should Rob Johnson not be healthy to start the season
I think #3 is where the most variability enters the plan. There is the Branyan and/or Nick Johnson option. The resign Beltre and shift Jose to 1B option. The trade Jose for a 1B and resign Beltre option. And probably at least a few dozen more options and permutations.
But I’m really hoping that #1 happens. If nothing else happens this offseason, I’d be okay with the team for 2010.
CMC_Stags - December 14, 2009
So do the Angels push hard for Roy now?
I honestly don’t get it. Halladay alone isn’t going to make them favorites for the World Series. Even with him, isn’t it safe to assume their outlook for 2010 looks worse than 09? I can accept Morales having a breakout year, but Aybar and Izturis have never put up seasons like that before, even with limited playing time they never looked close to being THAT good. So, just for the sake of this situation, assuming those two regress, is that offense plus Jered and Halladay good enough to contend with the Yankees and Red Sox? I don’t understand why they’d take the risk now, the trade deadline was their absolute best shot.
OceanBird - December 14, 2009
Yayyy Felix
OlSalty - December 14, 2009
Looks like Matsui is going to LAA for $6.5 mil.
Link here
ManifestDestiny - December 14, 2009
They like old Yankee DH types.
Kirk - December 14, 2009
I hope Matsui pulls a Cirillo on them
Or, any other old players we signed that backfired on us. Of course he’ll probably have an MVP.
OceanBird - December 14, 2009
I kind of wanted Matsui to come here and be our DH.
But no such luck obviously. Now I hope he burns in hell forever.
Kirk - December 14, 2009
FUCKING ANGELS
Kirk - December 14, 2009
Pretty good deal for the Angels, kind of sucks for us.
Well, it DOES push Abreu to the OF full time which is pretty awesome.
lailaihei - December 14, 2009
Well yeah that is pretty awesome.
I am going to love watching Abreu “running” for fly balls next year.
Kirk - December 14, 2009
Meh
Outside of Yankee Stadium he’s probably just an average DH. Factor in the runs they lose with Abreu in the field every day and it’s not such a great signing.
OlSalty - December 14, 2009
Probably wasn't gonna come here with Ichiro here anyway.
BrettJMiller - December 14, 2009
I still don't see the problem between them being a huge issue.
It happened so long ago.
Kirk - December 14, 2009
I don't think Matsui ever forgave Ichiro though.
Sec 108 - December 14, 2009
Sorry, but what is this incident?
Matsui can’t forgive Ichiro for being the way more exciting player?
Bearskin Rugburn - December 14, 2009
Search the archives. It has been discussed a bunch around here.
Sec 108 - December 14, 2009
Good on the Angels
Poochie - December 14, 2009
MEANWHILE
Roy Halladay is in Philly for a physical/extension talks, and there is a non-zero possibility of a three-team trade for Cliff Lee involving the Mariners
ManifestDestiny - December 14, 2009
Don't do it Jack.
Kirk - December 14, 2009
There is a 0 chance.
lailaihei - December 14, 2009
Hmmm...
Don’t you just love hindsight?
cwel87 - December 14, 2009
Hey....shut up.
:P
OlSalty - December 14, 2009
Wouldn't Philly just want to keep both?
Poochie - December 14, 2009
Also, this is what the rumor thread is for
Poochie - December 14, 2009
I think you have to pay attention to the language they use in these rumor articles before you spread them around
The only content in this article is that “The Mariners need pitching and Cliff Lee is a pitcher”. It’s only in the writers opinion that it makes sense and sportwriters are often stupid.
OlSalty - December 14, 2009
What would be the worse case outcome here
Z trading for Lee?
Texas trading some of thier excess for Lee to build a Lee/Harden 1/2
orthe Angels trading for Lee to replace Lackey?
laxtonto - December 14, 2009
It all depends on what the cost is
Poochie - December 14, 2009
Since he would likely cost more than he's worth for 1 year
Z trading for Lee.
OlSalty - December 14, 2009
Thank you.
I feel like he isn’t really that good. I’m not sure why I think this, maybe it’s his contract.
Kirk - December 14, 2009
He's pretty fucking good
Bearskin Rugburn - December 14, 2009
tRA under 4.00 the last two years, FIPs of 2.83 and 3.11
He’s a legitimate ace.
BrettJMiller - December 14, 2009
He's good but it doesn't make sense for us specifically for several reasons
If we were selling the farm to try to win it all this year maybe but we’re trying to build for the future and stay competitive at the same time. We wouldn’t be getting enough years of him and we’d be giving up premier prospects with many years of team control for one year of him. And we’re extending Felix so it’s not like we would be throwing Lee the huge contract he’s going to want next year if we tried to extend him as a condition of the trade.
OlSalty - December 14, 2009
We could afford to extend Lee, but I don't see how realistically we can do that without doing something retarded
Poochie - December 14, 2009
He's a great fit for the park though.
And what all would you have to give up? Philly wants prospects supposedly to flip to Toronto. It could be Morrow/Aumont from us and two of Philly’s top prospects going to Toronto, Lee to us, and Halladay to Philly, if I understand why exactly the Jays and Phils want a third team involved. Instead of spending budget money to sign a free agent pitcher, use that to extend Lee, extend Felix, get your 1B and DH with what’s left, call it an offseason.
It’s not exactly what I would do per se, but it’s a doable plan that could be a long-term help.
BrettJMiller - December 14, 2009
Lee has a big payday coming next year, though
Maybe I’m overestimating his value on the market but I’d imagine it’s rather inflated and he’s going to reflect that in his extension.
OlSalty - December 14, 2009
I'd be curious to know whether Lee would want to be on the west coast.
JY - December 14, 2009
We can afford Lee.
The team has plenty of money. Our payroll was well north of 100M before Bavasi was canned, and Silva is coming off the books soon which will absorb the Felix extension and then some. I don’t like the idea of tying up so much payroll in pitchers but those two would be alright I think.
Bearskin Rugburn - December 14, 2009
Not saying we couldn't, I'm saying that money is better spent elsewhere
Lee is going to command an above market value contract in all likelihood when he hits free agency. And we don’t get Holliday if this happens, obviously.
OlSalty - December 14, 2009
All true
Bearskin Rugburn - December 14, 2009
Would Bucholz be good enough to trade for? I remember hearing good things about him when he first came up, but I don't know if that was just a product of the same hype machine that makes Ellsbury sound like the second coming.
HARRYP09 - December 14, 2009
Yes, he is very good
Jeff Sullivan - December 14, 2009
Good enough that the Padres seem willling to part with Gonzalez for him
Bearskin Rugburn - December 14, 2009
Just..... exactly.
royalcurve - December 14, 2009
Please try to keep this thread on topic, people
There are rumor threads for a reason.
Jeff Sullivan - December 14, 2009
I would rec this a thousand times for the last bullet
Fett42 - December 14, 2009
I attempted to do a similar thing.
Robert - December 14, 2009
How many times did you unrec it and re-rec it then?
Kirk - December 14, 2009
It's a figure of speech dumbass
Robert - December 14, 2009
Without divulging too much information about your sources
What gave you hope that Felix and the team would come to an agreement?
OlSalty - December 14, 2009
Gaining insight into the nature of negotiations so far
Jeff Sullivan - December 14, 2009
Well this makes me very happy
OlSalty - December 14, 2009
I don't want to convey the impression that it's a sure thing
I just feel a lot better.
Jeff Sullivan - December 14, 2009
Can you express this impression in graph form?
Matthew - December 14, 2009
Sure thing
Jeff Sullivan - December 14, 2009
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