Off-Season Player News: Bring Your Opinions

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 4:55 am

Mariners re-signed LHP Erik Bedard to a one-year contract

Hey, you never know. He missed all of last season, but is expected to be ready for spring training. His last full season was 2007, so that's a major concern, but in this park and with a sound arm Bedard could surprise. You never know.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 5:05 am

White Sox decide not to tender Bobby Jenks a contract

It makes sense as Jenks was scheduled to make around $9 million this year if the Sox tendered him. Don't be surprised if Matt Thornton is your new closer on the South Side. The big lefty struck out 81 hitters in less than 61 innings last year and is capable of exceeding in this job. But remember that he's also 34 and there's a reason he didn't get this role before now. But I like him.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Dec 03, 2010 5:15 am

White Sox reportedly sign 1B Adam Dunn to a four-year, $56 million deal

This would be a great signing for the White Sox, who also resigned A.J. Pierzynski yesterday. Dunn provides the power bat the White Sox will need if they lose Paul Konerko. The 31-year-old has been consistent and healthy since 2004. Look at these numbers:

2004: .266-46-102-6-105

2005: .247-40-101-4-107

2006: .234-40-92-7-99

2007: .264-40-106-9-101

2008: .236-40-100-2-79

2009: .267-38-105-0-81

2010: .260-38-103-0-85

His OBP during that time has been .388, .387, .365, .386, .386, .398, .356. Solid.

They can DH him enough to keep him healthy and he should thrive in that ballpark. I don't see him hitting below .250 again and you can pencil in 40 homers and 100 RBIs a year. This is a good signing for Dunn and for Chicago.

poopy tooth · Post by **poopy tooth** » Sat Dec 04, 2010 11:27 am

I read other teams didn't like the mri on garland's shoulder. I was thinking same thing, decent late flyer. Not sure now.

rkulaski · Post by **rkulaski** » Sun Dec 05, 2010 3:39 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

Rockies acquired 3B Jose Lopez from the Mariners for RHP Chaz Roe

This is a small, but interesting move. Talk about going from one park extreme to another, wow. Lopez was horrible last year during his fulltime move to 3B and hit just .239-10-58 in 150 games. I can't see the Rockies using him at second base in place of EYJ, so maybe he's just an insurance policy there. Anyway, he's still only 27 and if he gets himself in shape anything is possible in that park. Not a small trade to remember for later on.

Anyone see any hope here for Lopez? Greg,

Regarding your previous post about the Barmes trade and EY Jr... I think the Lopez trade muddles 2b more so than 3b. EY Jr ABs are far from guaranteed at this point. Could Young find some more ABs in the OF ? Tough with 2 OF spots locked up and a platoon in the other.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Sun Dec 05, 2010 3:49 am

Ian Stewart hit .231 and two home runs against lefties.

He could be a platoon mate for Stewart, as well as insurance for Young Jr.

The Rockies new Melvin Mora.

Schwks · Post by **Schwks** » Sun Dec 05, 2010 3:51 am

I dont get why everyone so down on Lopez. He is one season removed from being a 25-95 guy on the rise. According to 2010 Prospectus he had 30-100 upside for 2010. The he threw up a stinker in terrible park, with awful surrounding cast and while switching positiions. I say bet on talent and will say he gets 500 abs next year. I will own Lopez next year even though he brned me in 2010. EYJ has to show that he can hit...something that he has had mixed results with on ML level.

rkulaski · Post by **rkulaski** » Sun Dec 05, 2010 8:34 am

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:

Ian Stewart hit .231 and two home runs against lefties.

He could be a platoon mate for Stewart, as well as insurance for Young Jr.

The Rockies new Melvin Mora. He could definitely platoon with Stewart although Stewart hit LHPs better this past year than in '09. Still not as good as Lopez though.

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Sun Dec 05, 2010 12:24 pm

Some signings just smell bad from the start. Even to the casual fan. The Milton Bradley deal, the Soriano deal (sorry Cubs and Jim Hendry), the AJ Burnett deal, and the Gil Meche deal...

The Jayson Werth deal stinks as bad. He'll be near 40 when he is done soaking the Nats for over 100 million dollars.

Werth comes from a bandbox of a park.

Werth was the dominant righty in a heavily weighted (sorry Ryan Howard) left handed lineup.

Werth has been playing for a big contract for two years.

Werth has played on a contender.

Werth will have none of those things going for him in Washington...

It is easy to see Werth becoming a 'fat cat'. A player who has 'made it' and has little else to prove between trips to the bank.

A seven year year contract for a 32 year old is like buying a seven year warranty after receiving news from a doctor that we only have two years left to live.

Washington has spent money like crazy this year. Our politicians can be blamed. The Nats seemed to have gotten guidance from the pork spending policy makers(sorry Obama) next door, before making this decision.

The Nats have been dying to show their fan base that they want to win. Instead, in two years, they will be tethered to a player that will not be playing up to his contract for the next five years.

When/if young players like Jordan Zimmerman, Strasburg, Storen, Desmond, and Espinoza begin coming into their own over the next couple of years, Werth becomes a drag on payroll and the money to extend contracts for these players becomes tighter.

Fantasy-wise, Werth takes a hit as well. Bigger ballpark, smaller lineup. No left handed bopper around him to be seen.

The deal for the Nats, will look a lot like my fantasy teams next year, Werth-less.

[ December 05, 2010, 06:26 PM: Message edited by: DOUGHBOYS ]

Spartacus · Post by **Spartacus** » Sun Dec 05, 2010 1:23 pm

Sheesh, they could have bought two Dunns' for that price! Adding to your comments Dan, I can't help but mention that Werth hit.362 with 5 HR's, 13 ribbies, and scored 15 runs against the Nats last year. Now he gets to face the Philly staff instead. But, I'm happy for his family

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 2:44 am

The only player happier about Jayson Werth's contract other than Jayson Werth is Carl Crawford!!

Wow, if Werth is worth $126 million, then Crawford has to be "Werth" $160 million. Baseball's finances are crazy again.

BEF · Post by **BEF** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:08 am

And what a shock, Werth's agent is Scott Boras. I thought that after he failed with a number of his free agent players last winter that the owners had finally gotten wise to him and were starting to shut him down a bit, but obviously not.

This is like the Pedro signing by the Mets. His signing jolted the team and convinced other free agents to come aboard. He gave them 1.5 years of pretty good service. Unfortunately it was a 4 year contract...

That said, I did read one interesting comment this past month about Werth and that is he's not really a typical 32 year old player because he's really only been playing full-time 3 seasons due to his wrist and other injuries. Plus he's an outstanding athlete (Olympian mother, professional ballplayers on father's side), and those two things combined indicate that he can perform at a higher level later in his career than some others who might have already put in 15+ years by the time they hit their late 30s.

Yes, a ridiculous contract, but I can at least understand their thinking a little bit.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 5:12 am

Brewers trade for Shaun Marcum

This is very, very interesting. The Brewers get a control pitcher who missed all of 2009 but had a solid 2010 season. Heck, he was the Jays' Opening Day starter last year who went went 13-8 with a 3.64 ERA last year. He is 37-25 with a 3.85 ERA in 120 career appearances, all with Toronto.

The Brewers desperately need affordable pitching help and starters who can throw strikes and keep the ball in play. Marcum fits the bill all around. I like it. But I was surprised that they gave up top prospect Brett Lawrie. He played here in Appleton a few years ago and last year he hit .285 with eight home runs and 63 RBIs at Double-A Huntsville. He's from Langley, British Columbia, and played for Team Canada in the 2008 Olympics.

The Brewers must feel good about signing Rickie Weeks to a long-term contract because Lawrie was being groomed for second base. I like it, as long as Weeks is signed this off-season.

What's your thoughts on Marcum going to the NL and out of that power-hitting division he was pitching in. It has to help him, doesn't it?

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 8:31 am

Orioles acquire 3B Mark Reynolds from the Diamondbacks for RHP David Hernandez and RHP Kam Mickolio.

The Orioles finally have some power in their lineup, but obviously at a cost of batting average. I doubt that much will change with Reynolds in Baltimore. Who starts now in Arizona at 3B and do either of these guys have any long-term value for the Diamondbacks?

If the D-Backs sign Melvin Mora as expected, that fills third base. But at 39, what does Mora do for Arizona?

[ December 06, 2010, 02:35 PM: Message edited by: Greg Ambrosius ]

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 8:03 am

Mariners sign C Miguel Olivo to a two-year, $7 million contract.

Olivo goes from a hitter's park to a pitcher's park, so beware. And remember that after a huge first half last year, Olivo hit just .193-3-16 during the second half. He also hit just .211-4-16 on the road and .318-10-42. Congrats for the big contract Miguel and good luck in Seattle.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 8:10 am

Orioles acquired SS J.J. Hardy, INF Brendan Harris and cash considerations from the Twins for RHPs Brett Jacobson and James Hoey

Wow, whatever happened to good ol' JJ? He hit 26 home runs in 2007 and 24 HRs in 2008 and now he's nothing more than a slap hitter. The move to Baltimore won't resurrect his career and the Twins got little in return. Wow.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Fri Dec 10, 2010 8:14 am

Boston signs OF Carl Crawford to seven-year, $142 million contract

Take that Yankees!! Wow. It looked like Crawford was going to sign with the Angels, but the Red Sox came through with a guaranteed seventh year and more money. He's going to be sensational in Beantown.

Now what happens in the Red Sox outfield? Where does Jacoby Ellsbury go or do they keep him in center field? Lots of decisions in Beantown after this one, but also a lot of good options. Wow.

What do you think will happen to Crawford and the Red Sox?

Cowboy Joe · Post by **Cowboy Joe** » Tue Dec 14, 2010 4:54 am

love, Love, LOVE what the Rox have done this off season (but I'm a biased fan). Such a pleasure to see a team strive for continuity, and how the world has changed now that pitchers actually want to stay in Denver. I think Lopez and Wigginton give them tremendous versatility which is important to Tracy.