Don't worry, their free agent choices this decade haven't gotten them too far, have they??This isn't fair! Wahhhh
2008-09 MLB Hot Stove
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Marlins get a steal for Gregg
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Getting Jose Ceda for one year of Kevin Gregg is a heist for Florida, and could really end up as a disaster for the Cubs, given how they intend to realign their pen.
The Cubs say they're going to move Carlos Marmol into the closer role, removing him from the seventh-eighth inning role where Lou Piniella was willing to stretch him out to get more than three outs in a single appearance. It also increases the chance that Marmol will be wasted in save situations where the Cubs have a three-run lead (that is, a relatively low-leverage save situation).
They may use Gregg in the setup role, even though there's not much reason to anticipate he'll be more than a middle reliever in performance. Gregg has an average arsenal, sinker-slider-split, and other than occasionally running the fastball up to 94 doesn't have a plus pitch. His control is below-average, with 72 unintentional walks over the last two years in 152 innings, and only a fluky-low home run rate in 2008 kept his ERA under 4. He's not quite Antonio Alfonseca redux, but he's no replacement for Kerry Wood, either.
The Marlins, meanwhile, have picked up another free arm for a player they simply didn't want or need for 2009, and this arm is very good. Ceda sits in the mid-90s with a sharp slider with hard diving action, and he has a good track record of missing bats in the minors, including 42 strikeouts in 30 AA innings this year. His stuff would play in the majors right now, and the Marlins aren't afraid to promote guys with big velocity quickly.
You don't give arms like Ceda away for one year of a middle reliever's time. Nothing is guaranteed with pitchers and especially not with pitching prospects, but I could see Gregg posting a 4.50 ERA and leaving as a free agent while Ceda becomes a star reliever in Florida for the next six years.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Getting Jose Ceda for one year of Kevin Gregg is a heist for Florida, and could really end up as a disaster for the Cubs, given how they intend to realign their pen.
The Cubs say they're going to move Carlos Marmol into the closer role, removing him from the seventh-eighth inning role where Lou Piniella was willing to stretch him out to get more than three outs in a single appearance. It also increases the chance that Marmol will be wasted in save situations where the Cubs have a three-run lead (that is, a relatively low-leverage save situation).
They may use Gregg in the setup role, even though there's not much reason to anticipate he'll be more than a middle reliever in performance. Gregg has an average arsenal, sinker-slider-split, and other than occasionally running the fastball up to 94 doesn't have a plus pitch. His control is below-average, with 72 unintentional walks over the last two years in 152 innings, and only a fluky-low home run rate in 2008 kept his ERA under 4. He's not quite Antonio Alfonseca redux, but he's no replacement for Kerry Wood, either.
The Marlins, meanwhile, have picked up another free arm for a player they simply didn't want or need for 2009, and this arm is very good. Ceda sits in the mid-90s with a sharp slider with hard diving action, and he has a good track record of missing bats in the minors, including 42 strikeouts in 30 AA innings this year. His stuff would play in the majors right now, and the Marlins aren't afraid to promote guys with big velocity quickly.
You don't give arms like Ceda away for one year of a middle reliever's time. Nothing is guaranteed with pitchers and especially not with pitching prospects, but I could see Gregg posting a 4.50 ERA and leaving as a free agent while Ceda becomes a star reliever in Florida for the next six years.
This isn't fair! Wahhhh
Well that would put the Yankees payroll OVER 300 M, will it ever end?
I thought thaty said last year they were going to bring up homegrown players and not get into the big FA push.
Jimbo
Tigers looking at Hoffman, Sherrill and Putz !
I'm leaning toward the Sherrill or Putz idea, I would prefer Putz myself.
Jimbo
I'm leaning toward the Sherrill or Putz idea, I would prefer Putz myself.
Jimbo
You stay away from Hoff. He's ours.
I prefer a younger guy myself for the closer role, we don't need a end of career closer, we just went thru that ....
Both are 10 years younger than Hoffman
Jimbo
Good! Now maybe they'll stay away from Tex!
We'll make you guys a deal. You can have Giambi. Tex stays in Anaheim!!! We got the weather and the cool factor. What are you gonna offer him? a serenade by the Dropkick Murphy's???
Jake Peavy Rumors: Monday
By Tim Dierkes [November 17, 2008 at 8:27pm CST]
MLB.com's Corey Brock has the latest on Jake Peavy, after speaking to Padres GM Kevin Towers.
It doesn't sound like much is going on with the Yankees, despite Ken Rosenthal's report of numerous discussions. Towers says he's had "no direct conversations with Cashman about Peavy over a period of time." Towers is currently focused on the Cubs, but admits that a third or even fourth team would need to be involved. He hasn't talked to the Angels about Peavy.
By Tim Dierkes [November 17, 2008 at 8:27pm CST]
MLB.com's Corey Brock has the latest on Jake Peavy, after speaking to Padres GM Kevin Towers.
It doesn't sound like much is going on with the Yankees, despite Ken Rosenthal's report of numerous discussions. Towers says he's had "no direct conversations with Cashman about Peavy over a period of time." Towers is currently focused on the Cubs, but admits that a third or even fourth team would need to be involved. He hasn't talked to the Angels about Peavy.
Rafael Furcal Rumors: Monday
By Tim Dierkes [November 17 at 8:04pm CST]
8:04pm: Furcal is "shocked and excited" about possible interest from the Braves, though Yunel Escobar would have to be traded first. Furcal already has a three-year, $39MM offer on the table from an unknown team. Kinzer says it might be a few weeks before his client signs.
MLB.com's Chris Haft says the Giants are also considering Orlando Cabrera and Edgar Renteria as shortstop options. However, those players might cost the Giants their second-round draft pick (Furcal wouldn't). The Giants are also still pondering making a play for one of the Big Three free agents, according to Jon Heyman.
1:26pm: Mychael Urban of MLB.com talked to Rafael Furcal's agent Paul Kinzer this morning. Kinzer says six teams have contacted him about Furcal since free agency opened Friday. The A's have yet to make an offer, but Kinzer's comments imply that the Giants might have. Both teams have very strong interest in the 31 year-old shortstop, who could sign before the winter meetings. When asked about the reported four-year, $40MM demand for Furcal, Kinzer said it was in the ballpark.
It's hard to peg the other four suitors, but the Cubs, Blue Jays, and Orioles are possibilities. The Cardinals and Dodgers may be out, while the Royals, Tigers, and Dodgers may balk at the salary or term. Presumably the Braves are backing off given the state of the Jake Peavy talks. Kinzer and Furcal will narrow it down to three teams soon.
By Tim Dierkes [November 17 at 8:04pm CST]
8:04pm: Furcal is "shocked and excited" about possible interest from the Braves, though Yunel Escobar would have to be traded first. Furcal already has a three-year, $39MM offer on the table from an unknown team. Kinzer says it might be a few weeks before his client signs.
MLB.com's Chris Haft says the Giants are also considering Orlando Cabrera and Edgar Renteria as shortstop options. However, those players might cost the Giants their second-round draft pick (Furcal wouldn't). The Giants are also still pondering making a play for one of the Big Three free agents, according to Jon Heyman.
1:26pm: Mychael Urban of MLB.com talked to Rafael Furcal's agent Paul Kinzer this morning. Kinzer says six teams have contacted him about Furcal since free agency opened Friday. The A's have yet to make an offer, but Kinzer's comments imply that the Giants might have. Both teams have very strong interest in the 31 year-old shortstop, who could sign before the winter meetings. When asked about the reported four-year, $40MM demand for Furcal, Kinzer said it was in the ballpark.
It's hard to peg the other four suitors, but the Cubs, Blue Jays, and Orioles are possibilities. The Cardinals and Dodgers may be out, while the Royals, Tigers, and Dodgers may balk at the salary or term. Presumably the Braves are backing off given the state of the Jake Peavy talks. Kinzer and Furcal will narrow it down to three teams soon.
Dempster Stays a Cubbie
Looks like Ryan Dempster will remain with Cubs for awhile. I'm glad for him. He likes it there. They like him there. He is a fine, upstanding citizen who deos much for the military and less-fortunate. Baseball needs more like him!
FOX Sports on MSN - MLB - Dempster, Cubs agree to $52 million, 4-year deal
Looks like Ryan Dempster will remain with Cubs for awhile. I'm glad for him. He likes it there. They like him there. He is a fine, upstanding citizen who deos much for the military and less-fortunate. Baseball needs more like him!
FOX Sports on MSN - MLB - Dempster, Cubs agree to $52 million, 4-year deal
ESPN reports that the Red Sox have traded Coco Crisp to the Royals in exchange for Ramon Ramirez.
Here's the link.....
[ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3712531"]Boston Red Sox deal Coco Crisp to Kansas City Royals for reliever Ramon Ramirez - ESPN[/ame]
Looks like a pretty decent trade for both teams. Not too familiar with Ramon, but just looking at it, his numbers look pretty good. On the other hand, Boston will be losing a great club house guy and a gold-glove center fielder that hits above .280.
The Sox have freed up some money for some other potential moves (> $5 M), and this acquisition possibly could be a sign that Justin Masterson is moving to the starting rotation.
The Royals are one of baseball's worst franchises- haven't made the playoffs in two decades- REBUILDING SINCE 1985!!
