MLB Free Agency Thread.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

I don't see Wells staying long-term but at the same time, I can see the Jays being able to sign him to a short extension. There's rumblings I'm reading online that perhaps the Jays' payroll figure is higher than they are letting on - perhaps Rogers will let Riccardi go a little over the payroll salary in the next 2-3 years to sign wells and two starting pitchers, to sacrifice payroll around 2010? Just blindly throwing something out there.

But none of that matters if Wells doesn't want to stay. He'll command whatever dollar figure he wants when he becomes a Free agent so it becomes a matter of where he wants to play.

Normally players come up with the usual tripe statements "Well I want to stay in Toronto, but its a matter of finding a deal that works".

We haven't heard even that type of vague statement from Wells.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

But none of that matters if Wells doesn't want to stay. He'll command whatever dollar figure he wants when he becomes a Free agent so it becomes a matter of where he wants to play.

Normally players come up with the usual tripe statements "Well I want to stay in Toronto, but its a matter of finding a deal that works".

We haven't heard even that type of vague statement from Wells.

We have heard many statements saying he wants to reunite with Micheal Young.

We've also heard statements where he avoids the question of whether he will or wants to sign an extension. He'll usually just say I like playing here, and I'm still under contract.

[Antithesis]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

But none of that matters if Wells doesn't want to stay. He'll command whatever dollar figure he wants when he becomes a Free agent so it becomes a matter of where he wants to play.

Normally players come up with the usual tripe statements "Well I want to stay in Toronto, but its a matter of finding a deal that works".

We haven't heard even that type of vague statement from Wells.

I thought I had heard that from him ... and I see your point. I guess what I'm trying to get at is perhaps JP can overpay Wells in the short term for a 3-4 year contract. Maybe the money will overwhelm any homesickness or desire to play with Young. At the same time, maybe the Jays don't want to do that (and understandably so).

[Gravitykillr]

I heard him state on Best Damn Sports show that he'd like to stay in Toronto it was just a question of getting the figure's right, in other words he'll stay in T.O if they give him a whole boat load of money.

[Flickered Flame]

Looks like Bengie will be a Giant, and the BoSux are shopping Manny. Zito should be meeting with the Mets in the next day or so.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_yl...#mannymariners

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

I thought I had heard that from him ... and I see your point. I guess what I'm trying to get at is perhaps JP can overpay Wells in the short term for a 3-4 year contract. Maybe the money will overwhelm any homesickness or desire to play with Young. At the same time, maybe the Jays don't want to do that (and understandably so).

The media are saving it would take ~ 20M a year over 6 years (at least) to sign Wells.

In my opinion this has to be taken care of right away. Or this will be a major area of focus all year and it could cause problems.

[Flickered Flame]

Red Sox sign both JD Drew and Julio Lugo. I would think the Sox are really going to shop Manny now.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2687740

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2687827

[Antithesis]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

Red Sox sign both JD Drew and Julio Lugo. I would think the Sox are really going to shop Manny now.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2687740

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2687827

They weren't before?

I mean, it's been said before, but these signings seem to indicate that this time the Sox really mean it, and Manny's departure from Fenway is imminent. I hope that Angels fans enjoy life on Planet Man-Ram.

As for Wells, yes, I was thinking it would probably take a $20 million yearly salary to keep him in Toronto. An extension for Wells from the Jays (of that magnitude) would definitely be out of character for JP after all of the issues the Delgado contract caused him ... and this would be MORE money ... and probably a longer term.

That being said, what a sign of a commitment to win that would be, but I believe the Jays and their fans would be in for some lean times in 2-3 years when Rogers would then tighten the purse strings.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

They weren't before?

I mean, it's been said before, but these signings seem to indicate that this time the Sox really mean it, and Manny's departure from Fenway is imminent. I hope that Angels fans enjoy life on Planet Man-Ram.

Oh there is no question they have been shopping him, I guess my point was up until they didn't have a replacement for him, my guess would be that he gets moved for a closer. I believe the sox are planning on making Papelbon a starter this coming season.

OT-Eric Gagne's agent said today that Gagne is interested in pitching for the Jays.

[JiriHrdina]

Gagne eh? Well I guess as a cheap set up guy I could see it, but you can't throw much money his way given his injury concerns.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Gagne eh? Well I guess as a cheap set up guy I could see it, but you can't throw much money his way given his injury concerns.

Yeah, I agree with that. But how cheap is "cheap" with Gagne? And that would set up an interesting dynamic with BJ Ryan...

If he did come pretty cheap, I would take a flier on him. But if his salary influenced our ability to get another starter or 2, than I would say no.

[kipperfan]

I hope what we can land Lilly, but I also hope JP doesnt go out and sign 2 starters, whomever they may be. I think the Jays have enough solid young guys that one of them will be able to step up and take on the #5 starter role. The guy I want to see there is Brandon League, this kid is talented as hell and showed last year why he was such a high draft pick. He can throw it 100+ MPH and last year he proved he could control the fastball, and create some movement on it as well. I hope he gets a shot.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Gagne eh? Well I guess as a cheap set up guy I could see it, but you can't throw much money his way given his injury concerns.

Its an interesting risk to take, if Gagne all of sudden can stay healthy for a year. He could be a great signing.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

I hope what we can land Lilly, but I also hope JP doesnt go out and sign 2 starters, whomever they may be. I think the Jays have enough solid young guys that one of them will be able to step up and take on the #5 starter role. The guy I want to see there is Brandon League, this kid is talented as hell and showed last year why he was such a high draft pick. He can throw it 100+ MPH and last year he proved he could control the fastball, and create some movement on it as well. I hope he gets a shot.

I believe we will hear where Lilly and Meche will sign either today or tomorrow.

If I had to guess I bet Lilly signs with the Cubs and Meche signs with the Jays.

[Flickered Flame]

From everything I have read, Meche is going to get about 10 mill per season or I should say, should get that according to most MLB writers. Isn't that a huge overpayment for Gil Meche?

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

I hope what we can land Lilly, but I also hope JP doesnt go out and sign 2 starters, whomever they may be. I think the Jays have enough solid young guys that one of them will be able to step up and take on the #5 starter role.

As last year proved though you don't need 5 starters - you need 6 or 7 in the event of injuries. Last year if the rotation had stayed healthy it was good enough - but 3 starters missed significant time. The Jays have to be better prepared to deal with that possibility this year - thus the need for at least 2 more starters.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

From everything I have read, Meche is going to get about 10 mill per season or I should say, should get that according to most MLB writers. Isn't that a huge overpayment for Gil Meche?

Not really, it merely demonstrates how badly pitching is needed by almost every team.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

From everything I have read, Meche is going to get about 10 mill per season or I should say, should get that according to most MLB writers. Isn't that a huge overpayment for Gil Meche?

All of the Unrestricted players are getting over paid this off season. Look what Spier signed for.

There is not allot of quality players available and lots of teams need help. This will drive everything up but as for Meche he is a good pitcher if he signed with the Jays for 10M thats not to bad.

[JohnnyFlame]

Originally Posted by flambers

I believe we will hear where Lilly and Meche will sign either today or tomorrow.

If I had to guess I bet Lilly signs with the Cubs and Meche signs with the Jays.

Yeah I get the vibe that Lilly is just using the Jays to get more money from the Cubs.

[JohnnyFlame]

Originally Posted by flambers

All of the Unrestricted players are getting over paid this off season. Look what Spier signed for.

There is not allot of quality players available and lots of teams need help. This will drive everything up but as for Meche he is a good pitcher if he signed with the Jays for 10M thats not to bad.

And this is the one area where the Jays can't afford to get left out in the cold though they still have a potential Wells trade where they could land a couple of good arms.