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Post by Insomniac on Nov 14, 2009 18:15:51 GMT -5
I didn't see it mentioned, but Kenji Johjima opted out of the last 2 years of his contract with Seattle. He basically gave up $16M to go back to Japan, which is HUGE for the Mariners. Not only was he lousy, but now that money can spent on either free agents or to help pay King Felix's arbitration numbers.
I think if Seattle should go after anyone, it should be Lackey. There are issues with him (shoulder injuries), but they don't come close to the problems with Harden. If I'm a GM in this league, I don't give Rich Harden anything more than 2 years. He simply hasn't earned it. And Lackey would love pitching at that ballpark and with that defense behind him.
The one thing that confuses me about Seattle's offseason so far is re-signing Junior. Seems a bit pointless to give him a $2M deal to take up a roster space/DH spot when he can't do much of anything these days.
BTW, 2/$8.4M for Jack Wilson is a terrific deal. Best defensive SS in the game.
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Post by The Line on Nov 14, 2009 18:25:18 GMT -5
The Jojima news is only good if seattle goes out there and signs a deal for a STARTING catcher. If Rob "Passed Ball" Johnson goes into opening day as our starting catcher, than we've got problems.
The Griffey deal is more for merchandising/locker room morale than it is for offensive output. Its no secret that he is by far the most loved guy in the club house, and I'm sure he makes the team far more money than they're spending on him, especially with this year looking to be his last.
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Post by Sajoa Moe on Nov 14, 2009 21:04:54 GMT -5
The Jojima news is only good if seattle goes out there and signs a deal for a STARTING catcher. If Rob "Passed Ball" Johnson goes into opening day as our starting catcher, than we've got problems. The Griffey deal is more for merchandising/locker room morale than it is for offensive output. Its no secret that he is by far the most loved guy in the club house, and I'm sure he makes the team far more money than they're spending on him, especially with this year looking to be his last. Take Kelly Shoppach. Please.
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Post by toddpolt on Nov 14, 2009 21:11:00 GMT -5
The Jojima news is only good if seattle goes out there and signs a deal for a STARTING catcher. If Rob "Passed Ball" Johnson goes into opening day as our starting catcher, than we've got problems. The Griffey deal is more for merchandising/locker room morale than it is for offensive output. Its no secret that he is by far the most loved guy in the club house, and I'm sure he makes the team far more money than they're spending on him, especially with this year looking to be his last. Starting or a bench player, Griffey is a great asset to have.
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Post by Insomniac on Nov 14, 2009 21:36:10 GMT -5
The Jojima news is only good if seattle goes out there and signs a deal for a STARTING catcher. If Rob "Passed Ball" Johnson goes into opening day as our starting catcher, than we've got problems. Well there isn't much available out there in terms of starting catching, but Johjima leaving is nothing but a blessing. There is no way that it's anything but good news. He posted a sub-.300 OBP and is regarded as an awful defensive catcher, and he was set to make about $16 million over the next two years. Seattle got bailed out big time. You could plug Rob Johnson into his spot and see no real difference in Seattle's wins/losses. Adam Moore will probably sneak in and take the starting job, though. And I just can't see how Griffey Jr is an asset to the Mariners. As far as I know, all merchandise sales amongst the 30 ML teams is divided up evenly between all the teams. And whatever his clubhouse presence/leadership may be worth, I can't see how it could justify 100-120 games of below average play out of the DH spot. They should've spent a little more and gone after someone like Hank Blalock or Nick Johnson to be their DH.
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Post by The Line on Nov 15, 2009 5:40:01 GMT -5
The Jojima news is only good if seattle goes out there and signs a deal for a STARTING catcher. If Rob "Passed Ball" Johnson goes into opening day as our starting catcher, than we've got problems. Well there isn't much available out there in terms of starting catching, but Johjima leaving is nothing but a blessing. There is no way that it's anything but good news. He posted a sub-.300 OBP and is regarded as an awful defensive catcher, and he was set to make about $16 million over the next two years. Seattle got bailed out big time. You could plug Rob Johnson into his spot and see no real difference in Seattle's wins/losses. Adam Moore will probably sneak in and take the starting job, though. And I just can't see how Griffey Jr is an asset to the Mariners. As far as I know, all merchandise sales amongst the 30 ML teams is divided up evenly between all the teams. And whatever his clubhouse presence/leadership may be worth, I can't see how it could justify 100-120 games of below average play out of the DH spot. They should've spent a little more and gone after someone like Hank Blalock or Nick Johnson to be their DH. Rather than trying to improve the aspects of the team that need the most work, Jack Z seems to be going off of our current strengths, and making them stronger. Defense and Pitching were Seattle's two positives last year, so rather than keeping those the same and making Offense into something average, the front Office seems to be trying to make their pitching and defense some of the best in baseball. Its a ballsy strategy, but one that I can see working, since Seattle plays in a pitcher's park in a 4-team division. They make their pitching and defense lights out, then it might not matter. And if the Halos and Rangers have not-so-good off-seasons, Seattle could be playoff bound. For the first time I can remember, Seattle is actually dropping players at the appropriate time rather than keeping them on way after they've worn out their welcome. Its awesome.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2009 10:57:24 GMT -5
Pirates are willing to trade Ryan DoumitShocking, right? I've said over and over that the only reason he didn't get traded last year was his injury. They apparently want to create a new team with new players that will...hopefully...be around a while. Isn't that the faith that the club puts into the team every year? I swear that the Pirates and the Nationals exist just to bring up good players so they can sign with other teams. It's like the ECW of MLB. I was REALLY into Bonds and Bonilla back in the 90s. I wish Pittsburgh would be a better franchise than it has been recently. I submit that the old Kansas City A's are alive and well and living in Pittsburgh. (The Nationals are just extending the tradition of the old Montreal Expos by doing the same thing; but it appears that they're actually trying to build a halfway competitive team nowadays.) There has always been a team or two that treated their roster like a clearance sale at Family Dollar. The aforementioned A's were just a major-league farm team for the Yankees; the two traded players something like 51 times in KC's illustrious 14-year history. (The White Sox did manage to snatch one gem from KC; they traded a catcher for a second-baseman named Nelson Fox.) Bill Veeck used to say "word had it, before you dropped a player at the garbage dump, stop by St. Louis and see if the Browns want him".
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Post by The Line on Nov 15, 2009 13:19:40 GMT -5
Eh, nothing substantial so far today. But Nick Cafardo(Boston Globe) said that Seattle is 'interested' in Jason Bay. That is quite interesting, because about a week or two ago, I read a report that Seattle really wasn't interested. I guess with Kojima's money coming off the books, we changed our minds.
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Post by Biggtone23 on Nov 15, 2009 15:26:16 GMT -5
The Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates have traded Hi A Affiliates for the 2010 season. The Reds will take over the Lynchburg Hillcats in the Carolina League, while the Pirates buy the Sarasota Reds of the Florida State League from Cincy and will move them to Bradenton, FL. The new Bradenton team has not yet been given a name.
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Post by andrew8798 on Nov 15, 2009 15:28:45 GMT -5
FOXSports.com reports that the Nationals have been drawing strong trade interest for Josh Willingham.
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Post by andrew8798 on Nov 15, 2009 15:29:13 GMT -5
According to FOXSports.com, the Brewers didn't want Ryan Doumit in exchange for J.J. Hardy.
They weren't interested in Matt Capps, either. Instead, the Brewers asked for one of two left-handed starters, Zach Duke or Paul Maholm. The Pirates declined, so the the Brewers went on to trade Hardy to the Twins in exchange for 23-year-old center fielder Carlos Gomez. It's clear that the Pirates are willing to swap Doumit in the right package. The 28-year-old catcher is set to earn $3.55 million in 2010 and $5.1 million in 2011, with club options for two additional seasons.
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Post by Vampiro138 on Nov 15, 2009 16:57:08 GMT -5
according to paul sullivan a possible deal between detroit and chicago for granderson involves jake fox, mike fontenot, sean marshall and 2 prospects. and the cubs would take on about half of his contract. however, the cubs wont be making a move for him untill bradley is shipped out so that we know how much we have to take on a granderson trade. looks to still be bradley to texas for millwood as the strongest of the rumors.
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Post by ani on Nov 15, 2009 19:13:04 GMT -5
according to paul sullivan a possible deal between detroit and chicago for granderson involves jake fox, mike fontenot, sean marshall and 2 prospects. and the cubs would take on about half of his contract. however, the cubs wont be making a move for him untill bradley is shipped out so that we know how much we have to take on a granderson trade. looks to still be bradley to texas for millwood as the strongest of the rumors. I know Granderson's young and all but that seems like a lot to give up for him.
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Post by mysterydriver on Nov 16, 2009 1:14:16 GMT -5
Random Pirates Update~~Some quotes from Matt Capps On the Closer's father, who passed away in October: "He wasn’t one of those Little League dads who always pushed me, but he was always supportive. He was always there, always helping with all the leagues I was in. It puts things in perspective when you lose someone that close to you.” " On the Pirates and his Future on the Team: “I really like playing for the Pirates, and I think we’re in the beginning stages of something special. We’ve got a lot of good young players and more good ones coming in the farm system. We’re on the right track, and I think we’re going to start winning in the not-too-distant future. I want to be a part of it....And Pittsburgh is like a second home to be. I love Pittsburgh, and I’m not looking to leave.” ~~The Meek Shall Inherit the Mound. Evan Meek, a reliever that the Pirates haven't traded, was cleared by doctors to begin throwing and should be 100% by spring training. ~~ Andy LaRoche spent a month in the Florida Instructional League learning how to play second base, only to see the Pirates trade for Akinori Iwamura. LaRoche claimed he was not upset by the trade and realizes being able to play another position only enhances his versatility and value. (Reading between the lines: He'll be better trade-bait for good teams!) ~~"Double V" Virgil Vasquez was dropped to Triple A. He was 2-5 last season. ~~"It is what it is. There’s really nothing more I can say.”— Delwyn Young, on losing his starting second base job when the Pirates acquired Akinori Iwamura from Tampa Bay
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Post by Brandon Walsh is Insane. on Nov 16, 2009 2:10:58 GMT -5
~~The Meek Shall Inherit the Mound. Evan Meek, a reliever that the Pirates haven't traded, was cleared by doctors to begin throwing and should be 100% by spring training.
This is both a sad and funny comment.
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Post by ani on Nov 16, 2009 14:13:30 GMT -5
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Post by andrew8798 on Nov 16, 2009 17:32:42 GMT -5
The Yankees are not interested in signing Matt Holliday, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.
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Post by The Line on Nov 16, 2009 17:46:36 GMT -5
although it says neither offer is really anything serious, both are definitely interesting.
The Mariners are interested in Tigers starter Edwin Jackson, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. However, though names have been exchanged, a source tells the writers the talks are "not all that serious." The FOX writers say the Ms also like Curtis Granderson, who'd be used in left field. Rosenthal and Morosi downplay this rumor as well.
The cost for Jackson is young, affordable pitching, of course. The Brewers, Yankees, and Mets are three other clubs thought to be interested. Jackson is due an arbitration raise on this year's $2.2MM salary. He is one of a handful of well-paid Tigers who actually has strong trade value.
Man, what a strange offseason it is shaping up to be, at least for the AL West. Texas and Seattle, for the first time in what seems like a good decade, are actually going out and trying to make big moves(and for rival teams' ex-players, in some instances). Kinda sad that the two or so weeks of the off-season have already been more exciting than Seattle's last two seasons combined.
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Post by Insomniac on Nov 16, 2009 17:55:00 GMT -5
I'm not sold on Jackson at all. He has a great slider and got off to a strong start last year, but completely flamed out in August and September. He's not as good as his 3.62 ERA may indicate, but I don't think he's as bad as his August/September might suggest. Perhaps somewhere in between. As long as he keeps his walks down, he'll be a respectable pitcher, but nothing close to an ace.
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Post by andrew8798 on Nov 16, 2009 20:14:29 GMT -5
Pedro Martinez's agent, Fern Cuza, told FOXSports.com Monday that his client intends to pitch a full season in 2010.
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