Quick mid-day notes from the AL East
Posted by: Chad Jennings - Posted in Misc on Nov 08, 2012 
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A few nuggets from elsewhere in the American League East…
• The Red Sox are reportedly interested in Tino Martinez to fill their hitting coach vacancy. A source told ESPN Boston that the Red Sox have already had some discussions with Martinez. This would be a good place to insert a joke about Boston also needing Martinez to play first base.
• The Rays are believed to be one of the front-runners to land Justin Upton. Of course, they first need Upton’s brother B.J. to decline his qualifying offer. Ken Rosenthal reports that the Rays don’t have enough money for both Uptons.
• The Blue Jays made a couple of moves today. They acquired reliever Jeremy Jeffress from the Royals, and they signed free agent infielder Maicer Izturis to a three-year deal.
Tino in a Red Sox uniform? Ouch.
Don’t do it Tino.
Let’s make K-Long LOOK like TIno, using a good Scooby-Doo-villian-mask
We give them “Tino” on a silver platter, and then we sign the real thing to be OUR coach
This would be a good place to insert a joke about Boston also needing Martinez to play first base.
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He’s better than James Loney.
I got over seeing Mike Stanley in a Boston uniform, I’ll get over this too.
RAB had suggested Izturis as utility infielder. He wanted three years.
For the AROD optimist among us, his OPS has declined for three straight years. Please explain what in recent times makes one think that will change.
austinmac November 8th, 2012 at 3:06 pm
RAB had suggested Izturis as utility infielder. He wanted three years.
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I see no reason to ever give a utility player a multi-year deal.
Joe (Chicago)
Keith, who has the better tools between Slade Heathcott and Mason Williams?
Klaw (2:15 PM)
Heathcott. But Williams is much more advanced as a player and less likely to injure himself by trying to demolish a brick wall with his shoulder.
blake November 8th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
Joe (Chicago)
Keith, who has the better tools between Slade Heathcott and Mason Williams?
Klaw (2:15 PM)
Heathcott. But Williams is much more advanced as a player and less likely to injure himself by trying to demolish a brick wall with his shoulder
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Seems reasonable.
edwardarthur (Illinois): Maury, Is there any way to play games with options and the luxury tax? For example, could the Yankees give Josh Hamilton 2 years for 30M, with a player option for another 5/145 after 2014, thus giving Hamilton the money he wants and helping keep the Yankees under the luxury tax threshold for 2014?
Maury Brown: Sure. You can work extra years into a deal with creativity (read: option years, either club, player, or mutual). It requires the sides to want to allow that to happen so you don’t often see more than one or two option years in a deal. The one thing you *won’t* see is using marketing type clauses. Things tied to achievements or adding service contracts into the deals like we saw with A-Rod, Pujols, and Zimmerman. That is now forbidden as part of the CBA.
It would have to be a club option though Id think and that’s risky for Hamilton
Wonder if the Yankees would have the guts to buy out Alex the way the Mets bought out Bay. Make him a free agent, agree to pay every dime but deferred over multiple years.
If for no other reason than to just clear the headache.
Again, the goal is to be under the cap from 2014-2016.
Chip,
The Yankees could buy out AROD, but then they are still out the money with another gaping hole. He doesn’t seem to be a distraction as a teammate as far as I know so I see no benefit.
Red Sox are interested in trading for both Choo and Masterson. Not sure what they have to offer, but they’re interested.
I’d love to see a 2016 Yankee OF of Slade in LF/ Mason in CF/ and Ravel Santana in RF…That would be incredible to see that type of athleticism on display on a nightly basis in the bronx.
champ809 November 8th, 2012 at 3:20 pm
I’d love to see a 2016 Yankee OF of Slade in LF/ Mason in CF/ and Ravel Santana in RF…That would be incredible to see that type of athleticism on display on a nightly basis in the bronx.
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Doubt it will happen.
RHP Mike Adams sums up why I want nothing to do with Josh Hamilton:
Josh is a special talent and sometimes you have to let Josh figure it out himself. He’s a different guy sometimes. Every day you hope that Josh comes to the ballpark, shows up and plays like Josh Hamilton. Sometimes he shows up and you don’t know which Josh is going to show up at the ballpark. It’s nothing to be negative about toward Josh; that’s just the way it is. That’s what you get with Josh.
Santana had a pretty bad year in low A last year. Hopefully, it was because he was still recovering, but he is a million miles away from consideration.So far he has had one-half a good year in rookie ball.
Let’s all hope Slade stays healthy because he seems to have a lot of ability. He could be the best of the pack. He is still only 22.
Chip,
I heard Adams interview on MLB radio. He also responded when asked if the Rangers should sign him, he said he wasn’t sure.
He’s probably going to look for a regular gig, but how about Jonny Gomes at $3/year as a RH platoon bat?
So far I haven’t seen any coach or player the Red Sox aren’t in on. It’s almost comical. Boston Globe had them in on Upton and then liek an hour late they were out. Now in on Choo and Masterson, Anibel Sanchez, everybody. Would love if they started blowing the money they saved.
Ichiro Granderson and Gardner even at the ages is a pretty impressive group of athletic players in the OF as well.
I think the Sox would trade Ellsbury for Choo and masterson as they’re not likely to resign Ellbury for 100+MM with Jackie Bradley maybe ready as early as mid-2013 to take over in CF and Bryce Brentz right there with him to be in LF.
I could also see them moving Middlebrooks in the right deal with Xander Bogarts ready for AAA next season and most likely a 3B in the future although playing SS right now.
Phranchise November 8th, 2012 at 3:32 pm
So far I haven’t seen any coach or player the Red Sox aren’t in on. It’s almost comical.
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Boston has lots of money and lots of holes – makes sense.
Random Question:
Now that Giambi has been turned down by the Rox for their managerial gig; will he continue playing? Would he be a good candidate for the Yankees as a LH DH?
Are the Red Sox with many holes and much money worse off than the Yankees with fewer holes and no money?
Happy Vent Day, everyone.
This will not be a regular occurrence, but I have a message to pass on.
Bret The Hitman says “Hamilton is not happening, quit boring me with such banter (I’m looking at you Blake and G-love”
That was probably more timely when it was written yesterday than it is now, but there you go.
Chip, I think I would rather have Ibanez again.
@DSzymborski
Do you know what’s really overlooked? HRs went back up to 2007-2009 levels, offense still low in ’12 because of lower *BA* and walks.
Every day I hope Arod comes to the ballpark, shows up and plays like Arod.
Nick,
Tell Bret we miss him. Of course, one could ask, what does that say about us?
Oh, he also sent his regards to you, collectively. That should have been included too.
Does Giambi want to be our hitting coach? That’s like big hairy monster x2.
austinmac November 8th, 2012 at 3:37 pm
Are the Red Sox with many holes and much money worse off than the Yankees with fewer holes and no money?
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Depends – if the Red Sox use the same decision making process that got them into this mess in the first place then they’ll just wind up back here with big contracts and no wins to show for it.
In both cases the key to success or failure will be the organization’s willingness to re-evaluate the way they do business.
Why is Bret not allowed to post?
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11.....&_r=0
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Great piece on Martin which includes chicken and beer in Swisher’s suite as a tease.
If the Sox signed Hamilton, Swish and Greinke… they’ll at least be good in 2013.
….One would think.
@DKnobler
Exec also said the sense is that September roster rules will be changed by next year
Chip,
Bret got banned for some apparent late night comments. They were deleted so I don’t know what they were.
I agree on your comparative assessments of the teams. Either can succeed or miserably fail dependent upon decisions they make.
Chip November 8th, 2012 at 3:46 pm
Why is Bret not allowed to post?
——————
He made some unseemly remarks about domestic abuse and refused to apologize when given the opportunity, I believe.
“I think the Sox would trade Ellsbury for Choo and masterson as they’re not likely to resign Ellbury for 100+MM with Jackie Bradley maybe ready as early as mid-2013 to take over in CF and Bryce Brentz right there with him to be in LF.”
Why would the Indians do that…. ellsbury is a made of glass almost FA and masterson is a good young pitcher
“Both of his thumbs were jammed. He could barely hold the bat.”
———————
What was Martin’s excuse for the rest of the season……?
I don’t see the Indians doing that trade with Ellsbury a free agent next year whom they likely can’t sign. I fthey trade these guys it would be for a cost controlled player.
@jonmorosi: Last offseason, many observers did not expect Hiroki Kuroda to leave #Dodgers. He did. #RedSox loom as an intriguing possibility this time.
Yea Ellsbury does nothing for the Indians…..they need young controllable players and lots of them
If they lose Kuroda, they are officially screwed. It creates a shortage of starters to go with the offensvie holes. Terrific.
I can’t see Kuroda going to Boston ….
@YESNetwork: YES named seventh most valuable sports business in the world http://t.co/QxeUPHsu
Budget !
If they lose Kuroda, it opens the door for Greinke. They need a #2 for 2014 anyway.
Kuroda is gonna be a Yankee, a Dodger, or back in Japan.
Wasn’t there a quote from some writer saying Kuroda said it’s either NYY or Japan?
If they won’t spend on offense they won’t spend on Greinke…..,if Kuroda doesn’t come back then prepare yourselves for a bad Matt garza trade
We’ll know by tomorrow.
Let Kuroda walk, sign Loshe, Sanchez, or Greinke to a 4-5 yr deal so that we can have stability in the rotation beyond this year
If Trevor Bauer is available the Yanks really should check on him….I know he struggled last year but he’s only 21 and they sorta rushed him….. He’s legit
Yankees have the 7th most valuable sports enterprise and the #1 most valuable franchise.
Blake-
With Towers rep as an excellent judge of pitching talent you’d have to wonder why Bauer would be available ?
Tino, please don’t get a job for the Red Sox.
I can’t imagine what Tino would look like wearing that uniform.
Weren’t Bauer and Gerritt Cole teamates ?
“With Towers rep as an excellent judge of pitching talent you’d have to wonder why Bauer would be available ?”
Rumor is they don’t like his attitude
MTU says:
November 8, 2012 at 4:23 pm
Weren’t Bauer and Gerritt Cole teamates ?
Yea
Blake-
That’s a ridiculous reason to let a taelnted 21 yr. old pitcher go.
I have a hard time believeing his attitude could be that bad.
Anyway, we’ll take him.
“That’s a ridiculous reason to let a taelnted 21 yr. old pitcher go. ”
That’s what I’m saying….if he’s really out there then get him
Blake-
maybe the attitude problem is in the D’backs front office ?
@ajcbraves: Am hearing Towers would take starting pitcher as centerpiece in deal for J.Upton, but would have to be good young starter. And others.
Rumor is they don’t like his attitude
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Big shock, a 21 yr old is immature! D-backs are dumb if they get rid of Bauer so soon
Blake-
If the Yankees are not in on JU then they’re dumber than I thought.
Or cheaper.
They have a natural pipeline to the guy. They have to explore it.
Wonder if Hughes, Nova, or Phelps are good enough for KT…..maybe if you added the right other guys
Wonder if Hughes, Nova, or Phelps are good enough for KT…..maybe if you added the right other guys
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Any of those 3 would be a solid middle of the rotation or better starting pitcher in the NL West. But you would definitely need to add some high end prospects to sweeten a deal for Bauer or Upton
Blake-
Absolutely. any of the 3. Give ‘em Betances too.
Other teams like the Braves or Rats could offer better pitchers…..but don’t know if they have a Mason Williams to toss in with them
@DanBarbarisi: Persons close to Kuroda say if he doesnt take qualifying offer, then its not just Yankees or Japan, as some said; he has a list of teams.
What pitcher has a contract expiring next year? That will be the aim.
Blake-
Best way to do these things is to offer Towers a list of guys to choose from.
Let him pick.
austinmac says:
November 8, 2012 at 4:38 pm
What pitcher has a contract expiring next year? That will be the aim.
Garza
” Persons close to Kuroda say if he doesnt take qualifying offer, then its not just Yankees or Japan, as some said; he has a list of teams.”
Not surprising. Not everyone is going to be like Andy or Mariano. If you want the guy, you have to pay. Plenty of teams will open the wallet for him on a 1 yr deal
Even if Kuroda turns down the QO it does not necessarily mean he’s lost to the Yankees.
It just means he’s a FA and we have more competition.
We could still up the offer.
MTU,
Id say ok
Pick one of : Phelps, Hughes, Nova
Pick one of : Mason, Austin, Heathcott
Pick one of : Nunez, Adams, CoJo
If I’m Kuroda’s agent I’m pushing for him to start a bidding war… everyone knows he likes those one year deals and it makes him more valuable as opposed to less.
If Kuroda declines then you have to consider if you can get somebody else as good or better….because if you can then you can get that player plus a draft pick for Kuroda
Blake-
1 from column A
1 from column B
1 from column C
Chinese menu style.
If he declines do you roll the dice on a Haren and take the pick for Kuroda?
Hi guys,
Thinking here on hindsight. It would have been better to give Cano a longer term deal when they extended him, so his deal would have ended by age 34 or 35. It would have probably helped in this situation the team is in. You either give long term contracts to young and upcoming stars or short term very high paid contracts to thoswe pasr this point
Blake-
That would be a good fallback plan IMO.
Not sure the Yankee want to move Nunez w Jeter’s injury.
Nix could sub but Nunez is the better stick and is younger and faster.
Thinking here on hindsight. It would have been better to give Cano a longer term deal when they extended him, so his deal would have ended by age 34 or 35.”
In hindsight yea….but the deal they got was awesome
And if the Rangers offer Andrus + it’s over anyway.
You’d like to think the Yankees had planned for 189 but you have to wonder.
If Kuroda wants more than one year, maybe they could make a deal, but he’s not worth more than that qualifying offer. I can’t see him turning down that contract to pitch elsewhere in the US… unless he really misses the Dodgers.
I’m not as convinced as some that Haren is done…. He’s only like 32 and he was much better in the 2nd half….Id rather have Kuroda…but if he declines the QO and it’s gonna take like 2/25 or something to sign him then Id almost prefer to try to get Haren on a one year deal then take the pick for Kuroda (assuming Harens back isn’t broken ….which it might be)
Or if his family really likes Philadelphia..
mTU,
Maybe towers would trade us Andrus in a year or two
blake-
I like your Haren plan as the fallback option.
I don’t think he’s done yet either.
The back is a concern though considering his rotation spot.
too bad we don’t know what Pineda will be able to give us.
Blake,
No doubt that the deal they gave Cano was very good for the Yankees. Just wondering if giving him a longer contract would have enable the Yankees a little more flexibility when Cano’s contract was up. Like in the case of Jeter did.
About Kuroda, I would take a flyer on Haren if Kuroda declines and we are not able to keep him. There isn’t much out there to choose from. Although, I would try Greinke first.
Blake-
I don’t think KT would let go of Andrus if he got him.
He’s good. SS who can do what can are hard to find.
Only reason the Rangers would move him is because of Profar.
“I don’t think KT would let go of Andrus if he got him.”
He may not be able to sign him though
Hello MTU,
Good to see you around with your upbeat attitude.
Greinke is not a good fit for NYC IMO.
MTU says:
November 8, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Greinke is not a good fit for NYC IMO.
Nah …. He’s too young
I don’t think Kuroda would reject for more years…. I think he’d reject for more money.
Too bad we can’t afford him on a two year pact! I’d do it in a heart beat just to know we had two starters signed for 2014.
I don’t think Kuroda wants more years. I think he may want more money for a one year deal. Probably somewhere around 16 mil
Hola luis.
good to see you around.
Actually my attitude has not been upbeat.
I’m kind of frustrated by the # 189.
It’s like a set of handcuffs.
I do not expect the Yankees to do much this OS unless they trade for it.
We are now team thrifty.
luis November 8th, 2012 at 5:04 pm
I don’t think Kuroda wants more years. I think he may want more money for a one year deal. Probably somewhere around 16 mil
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100% with you.
Okay folks, let the commuting begin! Catch ya on the flip side… bring your drama, tomorrow is a big day! (sorta, kinda, not really.)
New thread —–>
Mac,
Please excuse me for my bad joke. I hope I didn’t offended you with it. You just make too much sense.
Yeah and this says it all about Minor League Martin
“In my mind, I was a first-round draft pick,” Martin said. “I was like, how can these people not see it? I wasn’t going in the 35th round.”
HAH.. just like swinging for grand slams with nobody on base every dang AB !
He’s nothing special, he jsut thinks he is.