MLB Free Agency Thread.

[JohnnyFlame]

Originally Posted by Saint Troy

Well Caramon will be happy, G&M reporting that Meche has told the Jays he is going to sign elsewhere, most likely K.C according to Ken Rosenthal from fox sports. Tough break for the Jays, nothing left out there really, spark up the Wells rumours bigtime now.

No kidding eh? What other options do they even have besides inserting guys into the rotation who are big question marks?

[Sylvanfan]

Yikes over 11 million a year for a guy like Gil Meche....Than again consider that the Jays rotation is shaping up to look like Halladay, Burnett, Chacin, Markum and Towers and I think you can see why thats happening. I guess Meche must pay attention to the splits and all that hulluhbaloo as Kauffman Stadium would seem a pretty pitcher friendly park.

If I'm a MLB GM I honestly would draft nothing but pitchers for the next 5 years.

[JiriHrdina]

update here: http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=187475&hubname

Includes the Jays picking up some guy named Jason Smith as their backup middle infielder.

Also makes a good point questioning Meche's competitiveness if he signs with the Royals over the Jays. Obviously he doesn't care much to have a chance at winning.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

If I'm a MLB GM I honestly would draft nothing but pitchers for the next 5 years.

This is a big reason why the A's have been so successful. Billy Beane and the scouts seem to find good young pitchers. Once they develop, the A's move them and get good arms in return, the Mulder deal comes to mind.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

update here: http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=187475&hubname

Includes the Jays picking up some guy named Jason Smith as their backup middle infielder.

Also makes a good point questioning Meche's competitiveness if he signs with the Royals over the Jays. Obviously he doesn't care much to have a chance at winning.

I was thinking that as well. Who on earth would sign in KC (unless they were a local) if they wanted a chance at actually winning?

[flambers]

With the Jays losing out on both Meche and Lilly makes a person wonder what is the problem with the Jays? Both players seem to sign for the same money but choose another City.

This is definetely a major blow to the Jays camp. I would guess their only option is too make a trade but the key question is will it force JP to shop Wells around?

I sure hope JP does not make a desperate trade and move a guy like Lind.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by flambers

With the Jays losing out on both Meche and Lilly makes a person wonder what is the problem with the Jays? Both players seem to sign for the same money but choose another City.

Well lets face it a lot of Americans aren't exactly keen on playing in Canada and having to deal with customs everytime you go on or return from a road trip, and having to pay Canadian taxes. An extra 10% of 10 million bucks a year adds up to a lot of money.

[HitterD]

Originally Posted by flambers

With the Jays losing out on both Meche and Lilly makes a person wonder what is the problem with the Jays? Both players seem to sign for the same money but choose another City.

This is definetely a major blow to the Jays camp. I would guess their only option is too make a trade but the key question is will it force JP to shop Wells around?

I sure hope JP does not make a desperate trade and move a guy like Lind.

I think J.P was smart to not go to $11 million to sign either of these two pitchers. Some reports are saying the Meche is going to sign for 5yrs/$55 million.... way too much.

I think the trade route will be the best option, as long as we don't have to trade Rios (it might take that to get Rich Harden, for instance)

I'm okay with trading wells for the right deal, but I'd rather keep him. This basically boils down to what you suggested, though. You need to give to get, and I think Lind and some of our young arms in AAA are about the only players we are willing ot part with that other teams may want.

If the Jays want to contend this year, we need to trade some young prospects for pitching. If the Jays want to contend in the future, we need to trade wells for prospects and possible pitching for this year. No matter what happens, I don't think we will contend this year without Wells.

I heard an interesting suggestion today. Trade Glaus back to the Angels along with some prospects to get Lackey. what do you guys think? (Caramon???) can this be done? would the Angels go for it? Which prospects would it take?

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by HitterD

I think the trade route will be the best option, as long as we don't have to trade Rios (it might take that to get Rich Harden, for instance)

I hope you don't really think that the A's would trade Harden. With Zito signing elsewhere the A's will not move Harden.

[flambers]

I would rather see the Jays trade Wells and keep their better prospects. They have done way to many crappy trades in the past for older pitchers which involved giving up young talented prospects. JP needs to seriously look at his division and say to himself can they really contend against the RedSox and Yankees? If the answer is no then trade Wells for young guys.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by flambers

I would rather see the Jays trade Wells and keep their better prospects. They have done way to many crappy trades in the past for older pitchers which involved giving up young talented prospects. JP needs to seriously look at his division and say to himself can they really contend against the RedSox and Yankees? If the answer is no then trade Wells for young guys.

I agree completely. I really think Wells is overrated when it comes to MVP status. Surely he's a good bat, and excellent defensively, but at the end of the day, he's an outfielder. They're a dime a dozen. No one position in baseball can win games alone...except for starting pitching. I'm really hoping they deal Wells for a solid starting pitcher. This is a necessity. Hopefully they offer Wells a $16M contract so he can reject it and they can merrily move on.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by fleury

I agree completely. I really think Wells is overrated when it comes to MVP status. Surely he's a good bat, and excellent defensively, but at the end of the day, he's an outfielder. They're a dime a dozen. No one position in baseball can win games alone...except for starting pitching. I'm really hoping they deal Wells for a solid starting pitcher. This is a necessity. Hopefully they offer Wells a $16M contract so he can reject it and they can merrily move on.

I really like Wells as a player but the reason I mention him as the guy to trade. Is I do not believe the Jays can sign Wells. Try to move him now while he has value.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Yikes over 11 million a year for a guy like Gil Meche....Than again consider that the Jays rotation is shaping up to look like Halladay, Burnett, Chacin, Markum and Towers and I think you can see why thats happening. I guess Meche must pay attention to the splits and all that hulluhbaloo as Kauffman Stadium would seem a pretty pitcher friendly park.

If I'm a MLB GM I honestly would draft nothing but pitchers for the next 5 years.

Jays are poised to have a lot of high draft picks this year though.

Speier, Cat, Lilly will be yielding some.

Now, does JP buck up and spend the money on some of the more premium talent (Boras clients) or is it back to the status quo of "money picks".

[HitterD]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

I hope you don't really think that the A's would trade Harden. With Zito signing elsewhere the A's will not move Harden.

I, personally, don't think they will.

That said, a few reports have suggested the opposite. Since the possibility has come up in previous conversations, I thought I would mention it.

[flames_1987]

There has been reports about the A's shopping Harden, I don't beleive them either, but there has been speculation.

I wanted Meche myself, but losing him for 5 years 55 million dollars is not the worst thing by any means. Lilly was gone before the offseason even started, almost everyone knew it.

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

There has been reports about the A's shopping Harden, I don't beleive them either, but there has been speculation.

Well my buddies that work in the A's front office usually let me in on these small little tidbits. Though I haven't heard from them since the meetings started.

[flames_1987]

The media during the winter meetings will jump on anything, even just a name being overheard and whamo there's a rumour.

I must say Burnett's contract does not look bad at all right now with the money being thrown around for arms.

[OILFAN #81]

Isn't Jeff Suppan still available? If so the Jays should take a run at him.

[flames_1987]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Isn't Jeff Suppan still available? If so the Jays should take a run at him.

JP has said that Suppan and Redman were both guys they had in there Plan B and they will be talking to them. The big thing about Suppan is lots of people don't think he could pitch in the AL where the offense is just so much more powerful then the NL, especially the AL east.

[flames_1987]

ESPN.com reporting the Dodgers are intrested in Vernon Wells, with Jason Schmidt, LA has pitching and prospects to deal.