MLB Free Agency Thread.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by HitterD

I still think we will be fine. While Wells and Johnson were above career numbers, Glaus had an off year IMO, and will be better this year. Add in Thomas who will provide further protection in the lineup for Wells, and I think Wells will be setting new career highs this year anyway, especially for a contract year.

You do make a good point though, don't get me wrong, and I can certainly see how things could fall apart offensively if the RH bats cant hit RHP this year. Where do yuo suggest we get the LH power bat? possible trading Wells if contract talks break down?

You also mention Johnson having a year well above normal career numbers. What do you think about trading him? Selling high on Johnson might be a good idea to get a better power LH bat, especially if you don't feel he will replicate those numbers from 2006. Perhaps you could package Johnson and Chacin for some Starting Pitching?

Who knows, I love Reed Johnson but selling high might be smart.... just thinking out loud.

Chacin is someone you need to be very wary of dealing. He doesn't have the value usually associated with young pitchers who've had some measure of success, which he has. He had a great rookie season, but received no pub for it, and he pitched amazing down the stretch after about 3 awful games coming back from injury... i.e. looked the best he has in his young career. Trade him only if the return is good, I'm one of the few who thinks he can still have some solid upside.

I love the way Reed plays as well, but I feel teams know what to expect out of him as a leadoff hitter and he seemed to get pitched that way down the stretch and subsequently faultered. I'd trade Johnson, especially since he can be marketed as a very servicable CF.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Would set up the rotation nicely
Halladay
Burnett
Chacin
Meche
#5 To be won in camp

Course I think they are still one starter short.

Yup, I agree...one more starter. Even if they managed to keep lilly in there (which I doubt)...that would look a lot better. I'd be tempted to slot in Chacin down, lower, though...

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Trot Nixon. Coming off an injury plagued season, has an almost .900 OPS vs. RHP, could come cheap possibly on incentive deal. Cliff Floyd is another in kind of a similar situation.

Both of them would be ideal platoon partners in the field with Johnson or slotted in at the DH spot. Or you could always trade for someone...

Interesting idea. They would have to platoon in the OF though, as Thomas isn't going to be playing anywhere else but DH (I guess the absolute odd day off to give Lyle a break at first). Nixon is interesting, but he always seems to be injured...and Floyd, do you think that his time is done? I think it may be, the game to me appears to have passed him by. However, who knows, he could be a guy worth taking a chance on if he comes quite cheap. One word of caution with him though is his knees I believe; one of the reasons he didn't like Montreal was the astroturf....

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Chacin is someone you need to be very wary of dealing. He doesn't have the value usually associated with young pitchers who've had some measure of success, which he has. He had a great rookie season, but received no pub for it, and he pitched amazing down the stretch after about 3 awful games coming back from injury... i.e. looked the best he has in his young career. Trade him only if the return is good, I'm one of the few who thinks he can still have some solid upside.

I love the way Reed plays as well, but I feel teams know what to expect out of him as a leadoff hitter and he seemed to get pitched that way down the stretch and subsequently faultered. I'd trade Johnson, especially since he can be marketed as a very servicable CF.

Chacin - I don't know, like I said above to Jiri, I am hesistant with the guy...he seems to get a bit more praise than he actually should in my mind. His numbers aren't that good, except he does always seem to win despite that (and even when they reveal that he shouldn't). So maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt.

As for Johnson - I don't know what to make of him yet. I'm still not sold on him as an everyday starting outfielder, but I think that he is on the bubble - or at least enough of the bubble that other teams may consider him as a starter...


Anyways that said, is it just me or do the Blue Jays seem to be giving off a relatively good vibe this offseason? I don't know what it is, but they just seem to have a chance...maybe its just more of the agressive/assertive attitude, and a "we know what we want so we are going to go and get it" thing as well.

Cheers everybody

[moon]

Originally Posted by RedHot25

Anyways that said, is it just me or do the Blue Jays seem to be giving off a relatively good vibe this offseason? I don't know what it is, but they just seem to have a chance...maybe its just more of the agressive/assertive attitude, and a "we know what we want so we are going to go and get it" thing as well.

Cheers everybody

If I remember fans has the same good vibe last year in the offseason. It didn't turn out like they would like but it does look good for Jays fans that they finally have a GM and the money to go out and be active in the free agent market.

I am not a fan of what they have done this year but they haven't thrown around crazy money that will get them in trouble and if they can add a decent arm, even Meche, then they have an outside shot at the Wild Card I guess.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by moon

If I remember fans has the same good vibe last year in the offseason. It didn't turn out like they would like but it does look good for Jays fans that they finally have a GM and the money to go out and be active in the free agent market.

I am not a fan of what they have done this year but they haven't thrown around crazy money that will get them in trouble and if they can add a decent arm, even Meche, then they have an outside shot at the Wild Card I guess.

Well I for one was not overly impressed with last year's moves (we are talking before the season). I wondered about the amount of $$ given out, especially to ryan. Burnett too, but he intrigued me for some reason...if only he could stay somewhat healthy. If only.

I don't know I just sense something different this year, that's all...maybe its just me, I don't know, but something just seems a buzz.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by moon

If I remember fans has the same good vibe last year in the offseason. It didn't turn out like they would like but it does look good for Jays fans that they finally have a GM and the money to go out and be active in the free agent market.

I am not a fan of what they have done this year but they haven't thrown around crazy money that will get them in trouble and if they can add a decent arm, even Meche, then they have an outside shot at the Wild Card I guess.

I think even last off-season most of us were saying they could compete if the rotation stayed healthy they could compete.

But with Chacin, Burnett and Doc all missing significant time - they were fuggered. It will be the same this year. They need to stay healthy.

That being said, its worth noting the Jays had more wins than the eventual WC champion Cardinals. So its not like they were bad - just not good enough.

[rockstar]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I think even last off-season most of us were saying they could compete if the rotation stayed healthy they could compete.

But with Chacin, Burnett and Doc all missing significant time - they were fuggered. It will be the same this year. They need to stay healthy.

That being said, its worth noting the Jays had more wins than the eventual WC champion Cardinals. So its not like they were bad - just not good enough.

Exactly, just not quite good enough. There were stretched in there where they looked like world-beaters, though.

Also, STL didn't have to play NYY/BOS 38 times last season.

[moon]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

That being said, its worth noting the Jays had more wins than the eventual WC champion Cardinals. So its not like they were bad - just not good enough.

I think that number is not reflective of how good the Cards actually were. Not to get to apologetic for them, but before their injuries they were right up there in wins with the Mets in the NL and didn't get their guys back until the play-offs which meant the team that won the World Series was much better than the team that won only 89 games.

But yes the Jays did win more games and with a healthy line-up I think the Jays still would have been within 5-7 wins of the Cards. If they played in the NL they would have a much better chance of making the play-offs but I do think they were a step below a healthy Cardinals team and the team that won the WS.

[Super-Rye]

Astro's decline arbirtation on Clemens, Pettitte, Bagwell, Huff, and Springer.

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=186714&hubname=

[habernac]

good eye by Dave Hodge:

Dave Hodge, TSN: My thumb is down to the Toronto Blue Jays - to their advertising department, if no one else. Never mind Frank Thomas and especially never mind Royce Clayton. The biggest reason to watch the Blue Jays next season is still Vernon Wells, their best player. The four players the Jays use in their ticket advertising happen to be Roy Halladay, B.J. Ryan, Troy Glaus and Alex Rios. Does this mean Wells will be traded? Does it mean he won't be re-signed? Or does it mean the Jays advertise badly? If you believe the Jays, they don't know why Wells would be excluded. Oh, really? He's not in the ads? A wise ticket-buyer should ask if he'll be in centrefield.

[rockstar]

Originally Posted by habernac

good eye by Dave Hodge:

Dave Hodge, TSN: My thumb is down to the Toronto Blue Jays - to their advertising department, if no one else. Never mind Frank Thomas and especially never mind Royce Clayton. The biggest reason to watch the Blue Jays next season is still Vernon Wells, their best player. The four players the Jays use in their ticket advertising happen to be Roy Halladay, B.J. Ryan, Troy Glaus and Alex Rios. Does this mean Wells will be traded? Does it mean he won't be re-signed? Or does it mean the Jays advertise badly? If you believe the Jays, they don't know why Wells would be excluded. Oh, really? He's not in the ads? A wise ticket-buyer should ask if he'll be in centrefield.

Wow, kiss Vernon Wells good-bye, I guess.

If this was intentional, then it shows they really don't see Wells coming back, and will likely trade him or let him go.

If it was a mistake - and they're idiots for it - then how will this affect Wells? Kinda makes him feel like he's not in their plans, I'd say. I'd be insulted. He's by far their best player.

Yikes.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by rockstar

Wow, kiss Vernon Wells good-bye, I guess.

If this was intentional, then it shows they really don't see Wells coming back, and will likely trade him or let him go.

If it was a mistake - and they're idiots for it - then how will this affect Wells? Kinda makes him feel like he's not in their plans, I'd say. I'd be insulted. He's by far their best player.

Yikes.

Well VW hasn't really come out and said the Jays are in his plans either.

If they were to produce a campaign that featured Wells prominently and he was traded, it would be very costly to re-do. I see this as being nothing more than just good contingency planning from the marketing/advertising wing of the Jays.

[rockstar]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

Well VW hasn't really come out and said the Jays are in his plans either.

If they were to produce a campaign that featured Wells prominently and he was traded, it would be very costly to re-do. I see this as being nothing more than just good contingency planning from the marketing/advertising wing of the Jays.

So do you think he's gone before the start of the '07 season then, Jiri? If not, then shortly thereafter?

It just seems like the organization has already basically told the fans "We're not even gonna try to keep Wells." If I was a fan living in Toronto (in Calgary we're a bit removed from baseball, although I still follow intensely), I'd see this as kind of a kick in the nuts, if my favourite team told me they're not even going to try to keep their best player and a fan favourite.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by rockstar

So do you think he's gone before the start of the '07 season then, Jiri? If not, then shortly thereafter?

It just seems like the organization has already basically told the fans "We're not even gonna try to keep Wells." If I was a fan living in Toronto (in Calgary we're a bit removed from baseball, although I still follow intensely), I'd see this as kind of a kick in the nuts, if my favourite team told me they're not even going to try to keep their best player and a fan favourite.

To me it says, well we're not really sure about Wells. Which sounds about right.

It's a tough spot for the Jays, because the only thing worse than losing him is to sign him to a massive deal then regret it for half a dozen years.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by rockstar

So do you think he's gone before the start of the '07 season then, Jiri? If not, then shortly thereafter?

It just seems like the organization has already basically told the fans "We're not even gonna try to keep Wells." If I was a fan living in Toronto (in Calgary we're a bit removed from baseball, although I still follow intensely), I'd see this as kind of a kick in the nuts, if my favourite team told me they're not even going to try to keep their best player and a fan favourite.

MGMT reportedly offered him 4 yrs/48 million during the season and he turned it down.

Wells IMO does not want to be here.

[Pagal4321]

Wells doesn't want to be in Canada, that is the worst kept secret in the MLB. Will the Blue Jays still try to sign him? Sure, but only if it makes financial sense. And if Wells indeed wants Beltran type money(roughly 17 million a year)...then I don't think this team can sign him. BASED ON THE MARKET...I think 12-15 million is do-able, but compared to other sports, it's just stupid to pay one player that much money.

[socalwingfan]

There was some speculation on XM Radio this morning that Wells' agents want to make a name for themselves with his next contact and will push close to the $20 Million/Year mark. Take with a grain of salt as it was only Buck Martinez and others talking rumors.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Pagal4321

Wells doesn't want to be in Canada, that is the worst kept secret in the MLB. Will the Blue Jays still try to sign him? Sure, but only if it makes financial sense. And if Wells indeed wants Beltran type money(roughly 17 million a year)...then I don't think this team can sign him. BASED ON THE MARKET...I think 12-15 million is do-able, but compared to other sports, it's just stupid to pay one player that much money.

I haven't heard the Canada thing, just that we wants to be closer to home ... Texas.

I've always thought that they should hang on to him as long as they are contending. There's nothing you can get now that is worth more than having a all-star gold glover in a contract year ... this could very well be the best year of his career. The real focus should be on if the Jays are producing the next VWells in their system ... I don't see it.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by rockstar

So do you think he's gone before the start of the '07 season then, Jiri? If not, then shortly thereafter?

It just seems like the organization has already basically told the fans "We're not even gonna try to keep Wells." If I was a fan living in Toronto (in Calgary we're a bit removed from baseball, although I still follow intensely), I'd see this as kind of a kick in the nuts, if my favourite team told me they're not even going to try to keep their best player and a fan favourite.

I think that would only be the attitude of the casual fan.

I think most of the fans that follow the team with regularlity understand that the ball largely rests in VW's court and his failure to express any real desire to stay is what is creating the uncertainty.

Bottom line - I don't know when he'll be dealt, but I don't think he's staying long-term.

[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.

[RedHot25]

Not to derail the thread a bit off of Vernon, but thought that I would chuck this in here:

Jays seek pitching at winter meetings
http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=187155&hubname=


There were rumours aplenty swirling by the bar - including one that Ted Lilly had signed with the Chicago Cubs which had a shelf life of about 20 minutes - but little of substance going down for the Toronto Blue Jays at the baseball winter meetings Monday.

Aside from a face-to-face with the representatives for free agent starter Gil Meche, confirmed by two sources but denied by general manager J.P. Ricciardi, the Blue Jays suite was fairly quiet.

Ricciardi is hoping to re-sign Lilly (15-13, 4.31 ERA) and add Meche (11-8, 4.48 with Seattle) to bolster a starting rotation that already includes ace Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett and Gustavo Chacin.