MLB Free Agency Thread. - Page 10 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

JiriHrdina · 12-08-2006, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kipperfan

Towers is a horrible pitcher with horrible stuff, if he is in the rotation any chance of the playoffs is dramatically decreased.

Two seasons ago he wasn't bad at all though.

Bottom line is that the Jays have to pay him this season whether he be in the rotation, in the pen, or in the farm.

I have no problem with him being given a chance to earn the #5 spot in camp, but the Jays should not be counting on him.

flambers · 12-08-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Two seasons ago he wasn't bad at all though.

Bottom line is that the Jays have to pay him this season whether he be in the rotation, in the pen, or in the farm.

I have no problem with him being given a chance to earn the #5 spot in camp, but the Jays should not be counting on him.

My only problem is if the Jays count on Towers as their 5th starter that is a major league mistake. JP should consider Towers a long shot at best to make the roster. If Towers for some reason finds his stuff again thats great news for the Jays.

HitterD · 12-08-2006, 10:54 AM

Here is an interesting article from today, with quotes from JP and his reaction to the winter meetings.

Looks like he's warming to the idea of trading Wells.

"I think, by the new year, we'll know whether we can sign him," said Ricciardi. "If we can't, then we've got to explore trading him. It's plain and simple. We'd be doing the team a disservice if we weren't thinking about that."

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...l=970081600908

This is quite the contrast to JP's earlier comments saying that he would just take the draft picks if he can't re-sign Wells.

Sylvanfan · 12-08-2006, 10:55 AM

Yeah, with the price of pitching these days the Jays are going to need someone from within the organization move into a role in the rotation. Maybe going after a top end guy like Zito with 18 million and than getting a guy like Gagne for like 7 to be the set up guy and trying Brandon League in the starting rotation is what they need to look at? Either way they'll need to try and get creative one way or another. Although I'm beginning to think that losing out on paying guys like Lilly and Meche that type of money wasn't as bad as the media is making it out to be.

Flickered Flame · 12-08-2006, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedHot25

I'm not 100% sold on Zito, either. Don't get me wrong, he's an upper-echoleon pitcher, but....there's just something about him...

Ok maybe I am a bit off, just checked his stats and he really had that one crapper year in 2004 - a 4.50 ERA. I'm not sure then where my hesitation comes from with him, but its there a bit.

Maybe some A's fans on here can comment about him a little bit more - are my concerns unfounded? (Again, I realize he is a fantastic pitcher...but there's just something about him).

But that said, I gotta go and pick up the wife!

Cheers.

I would say Zito's biggest issue is his lack of control. When he is on, he is very very good but fairly often he struggles to find the strike zone, which leads to giving the opposition free base runners with high walk totals.

JiriHrdina · 12-08-2006, 11:07 AM

JP's comments re. Meche are spot on:

""I mean, when you're talking to guys (Meche and his agents) about coming to a place that's very close to winning and they're telling you how important winning is to them — and then he chooses a place like that ... well, that might've been an eye-opener for us."

HitterD · 12-08-2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

I would say Zito's biggest issue is his lack of control. When he is on, he is very very good but fairly often he struggles to find the strike zone, which leads to giving the opposition free base runners with high walk totals.

Is Zito more of a fly-ball pitcher or ground-ball type of pitcher??

I've heard he is a fly-ball pitcher, but I'm not sure how accurate that is. If so, I'm a little worried given the launching pad the Rogers Centre is.

Flickered Flame · 12-08-2006, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HitterD

Is Zito more of a fly-ball pitcher or ground-ball type of pitcher??

I've heard he is a fly-ball pitcher, but I'm not sure how accurate that is. If so, I'm a little worried given the launching pad the Rogers Centre is.

Without looking up those stats, I would also say fly ball.

flambers · 12-08-2006, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

JP's comments re. Meche are spot on:

""I mean, when you're talking to guys (Meche and his agents) about coming to a place that's very close to winning and they're telling you how important winning is to them — and then he chooses a place like that ... well, that might've been an eye-opener for us."

Thats a great quote....says allot about Meche.

JohnnyFlame · 12-08-2006, 11:17 AM

There are still alternative plan B options for the Jays like Suppan. Just wonder what there is out there for Wells. Sure he is a very good player but the teams willing to give up starting pitching can't be a long list for a guy only signed for one year.

Flickered Flame · 12-08-2006, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlame

There are still alternative plan B options for the Jays like Suppan. Just wonder what there is out there for Wells. Sure he is a very good player but the teams willing to give up starting pitching can't be a long list for a guy only signed for one year.

Well I did read somewhere that one possibility is the Dodgers. Apparently they would like to move Penny. Wells for Penny?

flambers · 12-08-2006, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

Well I did read somewhere that one possibility is the Dodgers. Apparently they would like to move Penny. Wells for Penny?

I read that as well, I would bet the Dodgers would have to add some prospects in the deal.

JiriHrdina · 12-08-2006, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flambers

I read that as well, I would bet the Dodgers would have to add some prospects in the deal.

Penney would certainly slot it nicely wouldn't he?

Doc-Burnett-Penney-Chacin-Schlub

That works. Though stories of his attitude problems are a concern.

But yeah I would hope that they would have to add in a prospect as well. But its tough to say. Baseball deals are very strange to anticipate, at least for me.

Flickered Flame · 12-08-2006, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flambers

I read that as well, I would bet the Dodgers would have to add some prospects in the deal.

And with the Dodgers already adding Gonzalez and Pierre to the outfield, maybe that Ethier kid is one possibility to be included. Or possibly Matt Kemp.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/player...e?statsId=7710

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/player...e?statsId=7780

HitterD · 12-08-2006, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlame

There are still alternative plan B options for the Jays like Suppan. Just wonder what there is out there for Wells. Sure he is a very good player but the teams willing to give up starting pitching can't be a long list for a guy only signed for one year.

I like Suppan, but not for $10 million, which he is rumored to be asking for.

As for the Wells news, it looks like the Mets have already had discussions with JP about Wells

http://www.nj.com/mets/ledger/index....520.xml&coll=1

for some reason you can only read the first page of the article, and then you have to fill out a small survey to see the second page, but the entirety of the article was posted on the Jays message board to I'll post it if anyone needs proof.

Anyway, the Mets are said to be offering:

Lastings Milledge (replacement OF for Wells, tonnes of potential, but may have attitude problems)

Aaron Heilman (very good reliever, lekely to be a starter on many other teams, possible #3??)

and either Mike Pelfrey or phillip Humber (both of which are potential stud pitchers)

I think I'd take this deal. Milledge is a very good hitter, perfect for the leadoff spot, and heilman can probably become a starter. If not, make him the setup guy and make League the starter.

HitterD · 12-08-2006, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

And with the Dodgers already adding Gonzalez and Pierre to the outfield, maybe that Ethier kid is one possibility to be included. Or possibly Matt Kemp.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/player...e?statsId=7710

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/player...e?statsId=7780

I've heard Kemp in most rumors, which doesn't really mean much. My opinion is the Dodgers would prefer to hold on to Ethier. Either way, I like both players.

Flickered Flame · 12-08-2006, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HitterD

I
Anyway, the Mets are said to be offering: Lastings Milledge

For the record it seems that every rumor out of NY has Milledge being the bait. Big rumors from Oakland have the A's sending Joe Blanton to the Mets for Milledge.

HitterD · 12-08-2006, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

For the record it seems that every rumor out of NY has Milledge being the bait. Big rumors from Oakland have the A's sending Joe Blanton to the Mets for Milledge.

Blanton too??

why are the A's rumored to be possibly trading Hardon and/or Blanton as well??

I could maybe see Harden becasue of his injuries but why Blanton?

Flickered Flame · 12-08-2006, 11:40 AM

Well the A's biggest weakness is hitting but in order to land a good bat they are going to have to give up one of their starters. I can't see them moving Harden, he is the ace of the staff with Zito gone, Blanton is good but the A's always seem to have more then enough pitching to stay competitive.

Flickered Flame · 12-08-2006, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

And with the Dodgers already adding Gonzalez and Pierre to the outfield, maybe that Ethier kid is one possibility to be included. Or possibly Matt Kemp.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/player...e?statsId=7710

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/player...e?statsId=7780

I found this as I was browsing espn.

The Dodgers have shown a strong interest in Vernon Wells, the Toronto Sun reports. By adding Jason Schmidt to the rotation, L.A. can now trade Brad Penny and prospects (Matt Kemp, Andy LaRoche, James Loney or Andre Ethier) to get a deal done

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove06/index