MLB Chatter Thread

[E_D_Guapo]

Why would they not go after Scherzer? He can't cost any more than Lester and would be an instant ace. If they don't sign a FA soon then I bet they look hard at the trade market. The Cubs seem more focused on MLB ready talent...which I get because they have been gathering assets for a long time.

I don't know that they won't but nothing I have read suggests he's a consideration for them. Maybe that will change if they miss on Lester, assuming Scherzer remains unsigned at that time. Scherzer turned down 6/$144M from Detroit last year so I assume he's looking for quite a bit more than that. I don't know how high the Cubs are willing to go. I would expect that they end up trading for Hamels if they miss on Lester, even if it means giving up a prospect like Baez.

 

[E_D_Guapo]

He's not an ace anymore, but I think Madden would like to reunite with Shields.

If they miss on Lester I think Shields is a Cub. Definitely not an ace anymore but for a reasonable 4 year deal he can still give them 200 good innings. If they sign him and trade for Hamels that's not a bad 1-2, considering Arrieta looked like an ace last year.

The Cubs are also one of the teams interested in Justin Masterson, who was really good in 2013 and a disaster last season. He kind of shot his value in the ass but some team will give him a pretty nice deal on the chance he can return to 2013 form. He's another guy Theo/Hoyer have ties to because they drafted him during their time with Boston. I wouldn't mind him as a back of the rotation guy.

They might be content just to sign Shields and Masterson this season and then someone next season. David Price will be a free agent, so they might want to sit on some money to be able to throw towards this time next year. I would think having Maddon at the helm might help recruit him if they are willing to be competitive in the bidding.

 

[1bigfan13]

Lester to the Braves?

 

[Carp]

A's sign Billy Butler...seems like an Oakland type.

 

[Deuce]

A's sign Billy Butler...seems like an Oakland type.

3 years, $30M. That's a lot for an aging hitter but I've always liked the player.

 

[Carp]

Lester to the Braves?

Red Sox Make Offer To Jon Lester

By Jeff Todd [November 19, 2014 at 7:29am CST]


The Red Sox have an offer on the table to free agent lefty Jon Lester, according to a report from Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com. Lester is expected to take his time considering the proposal, and still has several other clubs with significant interest to explore.

Lester, the club’s once — and possibly future — ace, seems to be the top starter whose market is moving fastest at present. Clubs with reported interest also include the Cubs, Braves, Blue Jays, Royals, and Cardinals. There continue to be whispers that the Yankees could get involved, though concrete reports are lacking. A recent report suggests that six teams could be in the game.

Meanwhile, things remain quiet for the other top two starting arms, but that may not be surprising. James Shields could be a consolation prize for several teams in the mix for Lester, while Max Scherzer‘s agent, Scott Boras, has a well-documented reputation for not pushing the market with his premium players.

 

[Carp]

As an aside...I think as soon as Boston signs Lester that the Yankees go all in on Scherzer.

 

[E_D_Guapo]

As an aside...I think as soon as Boston signs Lester that the Yankees go all in on Scherzer.

I think the NYY are the most likely team to go all in on Scherzer. Really starting to seem like Lester is going back to Boston but it's either there or Chicago. Neither the Braves nor the Cardinals will outbid the Red Sox or Cubs.

Starting to accept that for the Cubs it's probably going to be Shields and either J.Masterson, J. Hammel, B. McCarthy, J. Peavy, etc.. I'm good with that if they go all in on David Price next offseason. There are some other solid starters who will be free agents this time next year (unless they sign extensions), including D. Fister, M. Latos, & J. Zimmerman.

Or they still may trade for C. Hamels but sounds like the Phillies asking price is too high for any team to consider right now.

 

[Carp]

I think the NYY are the most likely team to go all in on Scherzer. Really starting to seem like Lester is going back to Boston but it's either there or Chicago. Neither the Braves nor the Cardinals will outbid the Red Sox or Cubs.

Starting to accept that for the Cubs it's probably going to be Shields and either J.Masterson, J. Hammel, B. McCarthy, J. Peavy, etc.. I'm good with that if they go all in on David Price next offseason. There are some other solid starters who will be free agents this time next year (unless they sign extensions), including D. Fister, M. Latos, & J. Zimmerman.

Or they still may trade for C. Hamels but sounds like the Phillies asking price is too high for any team to consider right now.

The Cubs set themselves up nicely to be aggressive this winter, but it may be best to sit out this one and come hard after it next year. I'd hate to see them overpay for a lesser FA. They are in a weird spot though now where they don't really need to accumulate prospects, they either need to deal from that pool or just let them play.

I do wonder if eventually the Mets and Cubs get back together for a deal and talk SS for D'Arnaud or Plawecki.

 

[Carp]

Red Sox Make Offers To Lester, Sandoval

By Jeff Todd [November 19, 2014 at 7:11pm CST]


7:11pm: The Red Sox have shown a willingness to continue negotiating after their initial offer, reports Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.

4:44pm: Boston’s offer to Lester is in the $110-120MM range over six years, according to Cafardo (on Twitter). While that’s a notable step up in terms of their offer from last offseason, it’s still less than most expect Lester to accept.

11:28am: The club has indeed extended an offer to the Sandoval, tweets Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

10:00am: Boston is also lining up an offer for third baseman Pablo Sandoval after his visit with the club yesterday, Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com reports.

The Lester offer is “aggressive” and is of at least five years in duration, McAdam adds.

7:29am: The Red Sox have an offer on the table to free agent lefty Jon Lester, according to a report from Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com. Lester is expected to take his time considering the proposal, and still has several other clubs with significant interest to explore.

Lester, the club’s once — and possibly future — ace, seems to be the top starter whose market is moving fastest at present. Clubs with reported interest also include the Cubs, Braves, Blue Jays, Royals, and Cardinals. There continue to be whispers that the Yankees could get involved, though concrete reports are lacking. A recent report suggests that six teams could be in the game.

Meanwhile, things remain quiet for the other top two starting arms, but that may not be surprising. James Shields could be a consolation prize for several teams in the mix for Lester, while Max Scherzer‘s agent, Scott Boras, has a well-documented reputation for not pushing the market with his premium players.

 

[E_D_Guapo]

Red Sox Make Offers To Lester, Sandoval

By Jeff Todd [November 19, 2014 at 7:11pm CST]


7:11pm: The Red Sox have shown a willingness to continue negotiating after their initial offer, reports Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.

4:44pm: Boston’s offer to Lester is in the $110-120MM range over six years, according to Cafardo (on Twitter). While that’s a notable step up in terms of their offer from last offseason, it’s still less than most expect Lester to accept.

No way in hell that number stands. Pretty sure the Cubs would easily heap a good $20-$30M on top of that. Lester has stated that it isn't really about the money since he's going to get a boatload no matter what, so if he has more or less decided to stay in Boston then there is nothing any other team can really do about it. But if nothing else the Cubs will put a larger deal on the table and force the Red Sox to up their offer by quite a bit, IMO.

 

[E_D_Guapo]

FWIW:

 

[Deuce]

I hope the Cubs sign Lester, Shields, Masterson and then Price next year. I also hope all their high end hitting prospects pan out. I also hope they get Bartman'd every year until all those players retire and Maddon walks away a failure.

 

[Rev]

I hope the Cubs sign Lester, Shields, Masterson and then Price next year. I also hope all their high end hitting prospects pan out. I also hope they get Bartman'd every year until all those players retire and Maddon walks away a failure.

You sicko.

 

[Deuce]

You sicko.

Vindictive much?

 

[E_D_Guapo]

I hope the Cubs sign Lester, Shields, Masterson and then Price next year. I also hope all their high end hitting prospects pan out. I also hope they get Bartman'd every year until all those players retire and Maddon walks away a failure.

Well, at minimum all of that would happen in a classic stadium in the middle of the city, with the seats full of fans, and plenty of money to spend on payroll instead of having to trade away all their players before they hit free agency.

 

[Deuce]

Well, at minimum all of that would happen in a classic stadium in the middle of the city, with the seats full of fans, and plenty of money to spend on payroll instead of having to trade away all their players before they hit free agency.

Not one of those things bother me. Never have. Tampa is a small market team and being relevant in the hardest division in baseball for 7 years is more than one could ask for. At some point the stadium issue will be resolved and a new one will be built in a city where fans will actually want to go to.

 

[E_D_Guapo]

Not one of those things bother me. Never have. Tampa is a small market team and being relevant in the hardest division in baseball for 7 years is more than one could ask for.

Sure. Nice run but it's over and the Rays have nothing to show for it, really.

At some point the stadium issue will be resolved and a new one will be built in a city where fans will actually want to go to.

I'm pulling for San Antonio, because of its proximity to me.

 

[Deuce]

Sure. Nice run but it's over and the Rays have nothing to show for it, really.



I'm hoping for San Antonio, because of its proximity to me.

There's no reason to believe the run is over. We made a run further without Price than we did with him so it's plausible. We still have good pitching, Longo and some solid players built around. Managing will take a step back, but for as good as Joe was he wasn't above making bad decisions. We aren't going to suddenly lose 90 games because he isn't in charge anymore.

I'm pulling for Lakeland, FL. Just east of Tampa, but easy to get to from there without having to travel 3 hours back in traffic. Right next to the Hard Rock Casino and only 45 minutes from Orlando. Tap both those markets and fans.

 

[E_D_Guapo]

There's no reason to believe the run is over. We made a run further without Price than we did with him so it's plausible. We still have good pitching, Longo and some solid players built around. Managing will take a step back, but for as good as Joe was he wasn't above making bad decisions. We aren't going to suddenly lose 90 games because he isn't in charge anymore.

They lost 85 this past season and lost their ace, their GM, and their manager. I know losing Maddon alone is not going to set them back a ton, but all 3 of those things in the span of a few months is going to tough to overcome. When I said that run is over I essentially meant in the form of the Friedman/Maddon era. The Rays can be successful again but it isn't a given that it will happen right away. It might, as the AL East isn't what it once was, but the franchise has definitely entered the unknown as far as their execs and manager/coaches go. Assuming that the new regime can replicate the sustained success the organization had under Friedman/Maddon is presumptuous.

For your sake and for the sake of small-market teams in general I hope they keep rolling along the way they have been (prior to last season), but I certainly would not assume that it will be smooth sailing.