Free Agent Madness and Dictating Flow
Mon, Dec 4, 2006
by Geoff Young
My computer crashed hard this weekend, and I’m still recovering (took me most of Saturday to get it to boot one last time so I could retrieve all my files, then most of Sunday to build a new system). Today’s entry will be short and sweet as I try to restore some order to the Casa de Ducksnorts.
Actually, the main thing I wanted to discuss this morning is the current free agent market, which has gone completely haywire, and its impact on the Padres. Specifically, I’m fascinated at how the buying frenzy sucks in baseball executives and fans alike, and grateful that the folks in charge of the Friars seem to be exercising prudence so far. Spending solely to keep up with others who are spending isn’t a proactive strategy, it’s a reactive reflex based on fear and it’s a recipe for disaster. As in the course of nine innings, you never want to let your opposition dictate the flow of the game.
Via Gaslamp Ball comes the story of CEO Sandy Alderson laying into some of the contracts being handed out this winter. He primarily takes exception to the Alfonso Soriano deal and wonders if baseball owners have learned anything from the disastrous 2000-01 off-season (Darren Dreifort, Mike Hampton, Chan Ho Park, Alex Rodriguez, etc.). Alderson says a lot of things I find myself nodding my head in agreement with, but my favorite is this:
We still have a mandate to improve the team. It does no good to grouse about the circumstances. We still have to figure a way to improve the team within the marketplace that exists. In some cases it might be the best course of action to see what shakes out over the next week or ten days.
Forget on base percentage, forget drafting college players; this is the crucial lesson of “Moneyball”: finding ways to improve within the existing marketplace. This is also why, when maybe things don’t seem to be going the Padres’ way right now as we wait to see how things play out, I take comfort in knowing that the folks in the front office aren’t panicking or whining about their situation. And these are people with a serious track record, who have “been there and done that” so it’s not like they’re blowing smoke up our Asselstine.
The focus is, as it should be, on improving the organization. To become preoccupied with circumstances is, again, to let external forces over which you have no control dictate flow. I can’t think of a better way to put yourself or your organization at a competitive disadvantage than by spending energy fretting about what might be (or might have been) while the opposition remains engaged in trying to beat you. And I’m very glad that none of this describes what appears to be going on in the Padres front office right now.
It’s a simple process, really: Think about what you are trying to accomplish. Formulate a plan. Be firm, but make adjustments as necessary. Don’t be a slave to the marketplace. Succeed.
Picking up where last year's version left off, the Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual provides in-depth analysis of and commentary on the San Diego Padres. Get your copy today.
December 4, 2006 at 8:24 am
Geoff- I agree wholeheartedly with the solid, long-term thinking of the front office and would rather have that than free-spending craziness. I have a feeling this may have a negative short term impact…by not playing the game, we may lose some battles (i.e. next year’s Division title) while hopefully winning the war (solid, stocked farm system, robust Int’l development, homegrown pitching in abundance, plenty of salary room to sign hitters when needed, etc.). Just a tough off-season to be a smart, fiscally prudent team, but maybe KT can work some magic and we’ll be able to defend our title again.
December 4, 2006 at 10:15 am
Fox News says:
The Padres surprised rival clubs by offering salary arbitration to six free agents, including right-hander Chan Ho Park and outfielder Ryan Klesko.
The offers, however, were made with the condition that the players would not accept, according to a source with knowledge of the team’s thinking.
The Padres, then, protected their rights to draft-pick compensation, a move that was immediately rewarded when free-agent outfielder Dave Roberts signed with the Giants.
For losing Roberts, a Type A free agent, the Padres will gain a second-round choice plus a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds.
The offers to left-hander Klesko, Park and left-hander Alan Embree, meanwhile, won’t discourage other teams from signing those players; all are Type B free agents who would not cost their new teams draft picks. The Padres, however, would gain sandwich picks if they signed with other clubs.
Teams might resist signing infielder Todd Walker, a Type A free agent, knowing they would forfeit a draft pick. But the Padres probably don’t mind shrinking Walker’s market; they might want to keep him as their second baseman.
Left-hander David Wells, the final player to whom the Padres offered arbitration, also is a Type A free agent. The Padres stand the best chance of signing Wells if he returns next season; rival clubs probably won’t want to lose a draft pick to sign a 43-year-old pitcher with a history of injuries.
December 4, 2006 at 10:16 am
There’s an article in the UT that talks about all the extra draft picks the Padres will have due to all the free agents leaving. It also mentions Matt Bush was picked due to signability. Since all the big name free agents are so expensive this year is it a better strategy to pass on free agents and instead use the money to draft guys we normally would pass up? It would have been nice to have all this extra money when Jered Weaver was on the board.
I’m actually relieved that we didn’t commit to Soriano for 8 years or throw $10 million at Gary Mathews or Juan Pierre. I’m pretty bad about letting extra money burn a hole in my pocket, it’s good to know Sandy Alderson doesn’t have the same problem.
December 4, 2006 at 10:16 am
Also from Fox Sports:
Rival general managers are skeptical of the Padres’ claim that they plan to play Terrmel Sledge in left. The Padres are one of the teams interested in Barry Bonds, but ultimately they could sign a lesser free agent or make a trade for someone like the Brewers’ Geoff Jenkins.
December 4, 2006 at 10:23 am
The Padres have added four draft picks already, right? Not bad for “standing pat” and not doing anything stupid. And by January I am sure there will be some quality add in available.
December 4, 2006 at 10:30 am
Good write up, Geoff.
I think the FO’s plans is going just right and the long term vision of this organization is being tried much this off season and it’s comforting to see that the plans are being followed. No panic move, some adjustments to the plan.
As for defending the NL West title, as it stands today, I think neither the Giants nor the Dodgers improve themselves much from last season’s team. Nor do I think the Diamondbacks (despite their new uniform) or the Rockies are much of a threat.
Plenty of off-season still. Onward Padres.
I’m curious for what’s in the bag for Christmas.
December 4, 2006 at 10:32 am
Can the Yankees be practicing Moneyball this off season?
Regarding the free agent pitchers available:
“I don’t know what those guys will wind up getting,” Cashman said, “but I get a sense of where the market appears to be heading, and that’s what pushed us in the direction of Igawa and the non-taxable money. He’s not dissimilar to those players. And we think there might be better value there.”
December 4, 2006 at 10:47 am
re 7 - they alway have practiced their own version of Moneyball. It’s called, “Spend a ton of MONEY, then go play BALL”.
He’s probably right, though, but he may also be trying to C his A from the Yankee fan base if they don’t sign any other pitchers.
December 4, 2006 at 10:57 am
The padres have an offer out to a former Giants Outfielder!
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=2685697
December 4, 2006 at 11:01 am
Yep, Rotoworld was talking about us getting Jose Cruz, Jr. as a reserve OF also.
December 4, 2006 at 11:07 am
#9 Why in the world would the Padres want Jose Cruz Jr. What does he bring to the team? I hope this is just another worthless rumor.
December 4, 2006 at 11:10 am
Towers has always had a man crush on Jose Cruz Jr. Feels like we’ve been talking about him forever.
December 4, 2006 at 11:14 am
Royals signed former Devil Rays No. 1 pick Dewon Brazelton to a minor-league contract.
December 4, 2006 at 11:15 am
Re: #12 Towers still upset he picked Ben Davis over Jose Cruz Jr in the 1995 Draft.
December 4, 2006 at 11:15 am
Cruz’ list of similar players (headed by Mike Cameron) at B-R is intriguing. I’ll bet he won’t cost much either.
Richard (or anyone else), do we have a list of comparables for Cruz from Prospectus?
December 4, 2006 at 11:16 am
I like Cruz as a 4th OF, great glove, good for 9th inning replacement if the pads do land manny.
December 4, 2006 at 11:20 am
Cruz; Has some power, draws some walks. I have a feeling that I’ve heard that his defense has slipped over the years.
December 4, 2006 at 11:21 am
Re: 17 have not seen much of him since his SF or AZ days so im not sure about his D.
December 4, 2006 at 11:31 am
Maybe the yanks are taking a step back and saying we have burned a ton of money and dont want to make another Carl Pavaono signing.
December 4, 2006 at 11:33 am
Damon
Abreu
Jeter
Giambi
Matsui
Posada
Cano
Phillips
how much pitching do you need with that lineup.
December 4, 2006 at 11:43 am
Let’s hope this isn’t true. I don’t want Garza in our division:
ESPN.com - The Twins, looking for a starter to bolster their rotation, are focusing on the lower end of the free-agent market, but have also explored the possibility of swinging a trade with Colorado for Jason Jennings. The Rockies would no doubt want Minnesota’s top prospect, Matt Garza, as a centerpiece to such a deal. Given Minnesota GM Terry Ryan’s reluctance to trade his best prospects, that’s unlikely to happen.
December 4, 2006 at 11:51 am
Ha I would rather have him in colorado over any other NL west team.
Graza NCAA and ML stats
http://www.thebaseballcube.com.....arza.shtml
December 4, 2006 at 11:52 am
If we’re going after JC Jr for a 4th OF spot, does that make Sledge’s days numbered or is really going to be starting in LF?
December 4, 2006 at 11:53 am
also jennings is 4-0 with and ERA of 2.54 at petco I dont think it would be a terrible thing to get him out of the NL west.
December 4, 2006 at 11:56 am
Dec 3 - The Athletics are close to completing negotiations on a contract with free agent left-handed reliever Embree, reports Buster Olney of ESPN The Magazine. Embree was 4-3 with a 3.27 ERA in 73 games for San Diego last season. Assuming that Oakland is able to sign Embree, it would probably shift left-hander Joe Kennedy, who worked out of the bullpen last year, into the rotation.
December 4, 2006 at 11:57 am
Any chance we are resigning David Wells or is he retired for sure?
December 4, 2006 at 11:58 am
25 - uh oh. There goes our favorite LOOGY. Doesn’t reveal the offer, but I would have to think KT has an offer on the table as well, so Beane must be trumping it pretty solidly (unless Embree has some other reason to pick OAK over SD?)
December 4, 2006 at 11:59 am
BP top comps for Cruz (thru 2005):
Jim Russell, Tom Tresh, Wally Judnick, Dwayne Murphy, Jesse Barfield. Farther down the list you get to Chili Davis (7), Ellis Burks(8), Rick Monday (12), Jeremy Burnitz (14), Fred Lynn (15).
December 4, 2006 at 12:00 pm
In 21 career starts Jennings is 9-5 with an ERA of 4.51 against the pads. Which isn’t bad considering 14 of those starts were in Colorado.
December 4, 2006 at 12:10 pm
Wells supposedly was considering returning. It sounded like Wells’ agent left the ball in the Padres court.
I’d also heard that Cruz Jr’s “D” has declined over the years. But, he could be a useful 4th OF for sure.
December 4, 2006 at 12:14 pm
From Will Carroll’s update on the GM Meetings:
“GMs greeted each other and found quiet corners away from the bars to talk. Brian Cashman and Walt Jocketty may well be talking bass fishing. Kevin Towers and Steve Phillips might have been talking about transitioning to media or the relative value of the Doors versus the Stones — you’d have needed to see the T-shirts, trust me — but it’s enough to start rumors. ”
I think Steve Phillips is one of the last people I’d want KT listening to. Hopefully they’re old pals or something.
December 4, 2006 at 12:16 pm
KT may be using phillips as a smoke screen.
December 4, 2006 at 12:28 pm
I just re-read Carroll’s piece, and he name drops that he had dinner w/ Jenn Sterger, who is that self-promoting wondergirl of “FSU Cowgirl” fame. Tough job.
December 4, 2006 at 12:28 pm
Along the thinking of signing Cruz Jr., here’s what Pat Gillick said in an interview with Management by Baseball:
“The key difference is in the National League, you have to have a better bench because of the strategy around pitching changes.”
Remember the Bellhorn K with the bases loaded in the playoff? Yeah, me neither. I’m glad he’s not with the Padres. Maybe the Giants would want him to platoon with Pedro Feliz.
#32: when I first read that, I laughed at the image of KT puffing smoke behind Phillips. KT might be trying to do the opposite of whatever is Phillips proposing for trade ideas.
December 4, 2006 at 12:32 pm
34 - so, Phillips is KT’s personal George Costanza? Maybe Steve P. needs a job as the Padres’ Assistant to the Traveling Secretary…
December 4, 2006 at 12:35 pm
Looking at Fielding Runs Above Average and Fielding Runs Above Replacement - FWIW - he’s been all over the place. Didn’t he win a GG in San Francisco? His numbers in 2003 look really good. His ‘01 in Toronto and ‘04 in Tampa look about opposite. He’s been in the plus column the last two seasons in LA.
December 4, 2006 at 12:39 pm
About Barry Bonds from MLBTradeRumors.com
John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle looks at every MLB team and tries to see which might have interest in free agent outfielder Barry Bonds. Bonds is the top offensive threat remaining among free agents, and he’d probably command a low-risk one-year deal. If teams are truly all saying no, they are basically saying that Bonds’s baggage outweighs the extra wins he provides.
I am still not on board with popular opinion, which seems to be that a fan would rather see his or her baseball team lose than have a known steroid user join up. I suppose that’s the moral high ground, but personally I want my team to load up with the best available players even if they are the scum of the Earth. That’s just me. (I’m a Cubs fan, maybe losing makes me desperate).
According to Shea and various newspapers, the following clubs are out of the running:
Dodgers
Indians
Rangers
Red Sox
Angels
Blue Jays
Tigers
White Sox
Cubs
Yankees
Mets
Shea names the Giants, Padres, and Orioles as the main suitors, with the Red Sox and Angels perhaps considering it later after things settle. In a strictly baseball sense, I think the Twins, White Sox, Rangers, Braves, Marlins, Dodgers, and Cards should be in on him. Perhaps one of those clubs will stomach the cheating and emerge as a dark horse.
December 4, 2006 at 1:23 pm
Matt, I certainly don’t mean to question you or John Shea, but the list of “clubs that are out of the running” and then the following paragraph don’t seem to jive.
The list is given then many of the teams are listed as possible interested…??
December 4, 2006 at 2:47 pm
Wow the gaints were a great fit for Bochy look at his projected lineup and age.
1. Roberts CF 35
2. Winn RF 33
3. Vizquel SS 40
4. Bonds LF 42 (if he goes back)
5. Durham 2B 36
6. Aurilla 1B 36
7. Feliz 3B 32
8. Molina C 33 (rumored to have signed a 3 year deal)
They would have an average age of 36 years old.
December 4, 2006 at 3:00 pm
Looks like a “Youth Movement” up north…
December 4, 2006 at 3:07 pm
well compaired to the pads projected lineup
Giles - 36
Walker - 34
A-Gon - 25
Bard - 29
Cameron - 34
Greene - 28
Sledge - 30
Kouzmanoff - 26
for an average age of 30
December 4, 2006 at 4:10 pm
I heard Doc Roberts on XX this morning. He said his first choice would have been to keep playing for the Pads, but things didn’t work out. He didn’t say anything that could be considered sour grapes. He’s excited (not surprisingly with a 3 year $18) and says that one thing you try to do is set yourself and your family up financially while still playing the game.
While I know that we needed to get some muscle in left field, and I’m glad that SF paid that much for him, rather than us, I’ll still miss Doc. He was a class guy who represented SD well, having his career best years for his home town club. Given that, I hope his career years were here in San Diego and that his performance in SF goes back to being his norm. I’m glad to see DR get his money and glad he’s getting it from the Giants.
December 4, 2006 at 5:14 pm
Yeah, I’ll miss Doc too. He was good for the team while he’s here.
Good luck to him in SF.
I wonder if Sabean knew that his team was going to be so old and thus, picked Bochy as the next skipper.
December 4, 2006 at 6:10 pm
#16 …or Barry…
December 4, 2006 at 6:10 pm
Padres close on Maddux…
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6238114
December 4, 2006 at 6:23 pm
I’m pretty pleased. A rotation of Peavy-Young-Hensley-Maddux-??? is going to be one of the best in the National League. I still think that we’re going to need a big bat out of LF to make the offense work.
December 4, 2006 at 6:27 pm
43: Good luck to him when they’re playing the Dodgers and that’s about as far as I can go along with that sentiment.
December 4, 2006 at 6:27 pm
Padres currently have 7 picks in the first 3 rounds of next year’s draft. Assuming that Park, Klesko, and Embree sign elsewhere, we’ll end up with 10 picks in the first 3 rounds of the June draft. That’s a great way to revitalize a farm system!
December 4, 2006 at 6:30 pm
Scout.com has draft pick breakdown… Rich Aurillia is rated higher than Roberts, so the Reds get SF’s 2nd and the Padres get SF’s 3rd…
23rd PADRES
37th (for Roberts - but could drop up to 4 slots if 4 free agents sign with other teams)
49 (for Williams - could slide 10 slots)
17th pick in 2nd for Williams
23rd in 2nd - PADRES
10th in 3rd - for Roberts
23rd in 3rd PADRES
Currently 7 of top 125 or so with potentially 4 more suplemental picks (30-70)
December 4, 2006 at 6:30 pm
I’m stoked about the Maddux idea. If Wells came back as #5 that would be a hell of a rotation.
December 4, 2006 at 6:41 pm
I really like the idea of Maddux….he could be a really good fit for our young pitchers and at that point I’d like seeing Wells come back as well.
December 4, 2006 at 7:11 pm
51: Agreed. He’d be like a 3rd pitching coach.
December 4, 2006 at 7:14 pm
I think Mulder is still a possibility…
December 4, 2006 at 7:17 pm
A Hall vote for Gwynnposted: Monday, December 4, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
The labor wars of 1994-95 led to the cancellation of the 1994 World Series, that we know. But I’ll always believe it cost us the first .400 season by any hitter since Ted Williams batted .406 in 1941.
Tony Gwynn was the best hitter in baseball, having already racked up four batting titles in his career, and even by the absurdly high standard he had set for himself, the man was ridiculously hot. The Padres, the team I covered for the San Diego Union-Tribune, went through Chicago and Houston, and in every at-bat, Tony seemed to hammer the ball — not only through the infield, but between outfielders, with authority.
In his last 40 at-bats before the strike began, Tony had 19 hits in 40 at-bats, with five doubles and a home run, and had pushed his average to. 394. He smelled .400, locking in on that number, and his knees, which had been an annual problem for him, were actually feeling OK. He had come to know Ted Williams through their San Diego connection, he had a tremendous appreciation for what the accomplishment required and what it meant to the sport, and he loved the idea of the challenge.
If Tony had gone into September with an average around .400, the media scrutiny on him would have grown, day by day, and while most players would have been bothered by this, Tony would have enjoyed this. He loved talking with reporters, loved talking about the sport. The man was and is a reporter’s dream, because he speaks anecdotally. Tony paints word pictures, with his detail and his humor and his memory. He could remember every pitch, and seemingly every turn of every stitch on the ball, and could describe all of that to you.
Tony had a plan, too, for the last seven weeks of the season. He had a favorite bat that had very few grains — the fewer the grains, the better, because the bat composition is more stable — and he usually used this particular piece of wood only when he faced guys who didn’t throw hard, so the bat was at less risk of breaking.
In the last seven weeks, however, he intended to use his Nine Grains of Pain — that’s what he called it — in every at-bat.
But then the labor war started, and Tony Gwynn’s pursuit of .400 ended, with his batting average six points short. I wish history could be rewound, replayed, and we all could’ve seen an extraordinary feat.
We will see Tony on the podium in Cooperstown next summer. I mailed in my Hall of Fame ballot Monday, and my vote for Gwynn will probably be among almost 500 for him.
December 4, 2006 at 7:18 pm
I know that’s pretty long, but it was part of the ESPN insiders and I figured anyone that wasnt an insider would want to be able to read it….
December 4, 2006 at 7:23 pm
53: Mulder wouldn’t be a bad signing either.
December 4, 2006 at 7:44 pm
Mad Dog. Sweet.
December 4, 2006 at 8:11 pm
Padilla to the Rangers for 3/34. Something must be wrong with me…that deal almost sounds reasonable. Wait…I just looked at his career numbers–it’s not.
December 4, 2006 at 8:28 pm
MLB.com is confirming our taking a shot at Maddus at http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/.....;fext=.jsp
December 4, 2006 at 8:43 pm
Bingo!
The Burrell talk has legs.
In the same link as LaMar posted…
***
Terrmel Sledge has first call in left field to replace Dave Roberts (reunited with former Padres manager Bruce Bochy in San Francisco), but Towers said the club is still seeking a right-handed corner outfielder.
One big name making the rounds is Philadelphia’s Pat Burrell, whose discipline and power fit the San Diego profile. The Phillies are in pursuit of a reliever, an area where the Padres are well stocked.
“A lot of people are asking about [Scott] Linebrink,” Towers said, adding that he is disinclined to break up a deep, productive bullpen that remains the club’s greatest strength.
December 4, 2006 at 8:49 pm
I’ll revive an old rumor…
Joe Crede for Linebrink
From Aaron Gleeman @ NBCSports.com (yes, that Aaron):
“Things have been slow to develop on the rumor front, with most general managers locked away in their hotel rooms, but there’s some lobby speculation that Joe Crede continues to be in play regardless of whether the Angels remain the destination.”
From the one team w/ more than enough starting pitching and since they are moving a key bullpen arm to the rotation, they could use a solid set-up guy; Linebrink.
Oh, and we’d move Kouzmanoff to LF.
December 4, 2006 at 9:03 pm
61: Can he play left field?
December 4, 2006 at 9:12 pm
Probably better than Klesko did…
December 4, 2006 at 9:13 pm
http://www.hardballtimes.com/m.....jah-dukes/
Another old name (I know Paul R. and talked about this player) suggested as potential trade-piece (not specifically for us, but DEFINITLY worth looking at) is Elija Dukes…
December 4, 2006 at 9:17 pm
“If we would have signed Soriano, we probably would have had to made some other moves that would have allowed us to do what we wanted to do,” general manager Pat Gillick said on Day 1 of the Winter Meetings.”
“..WHAT WE WANTED TO DO.” Would you want to play for a team that didn’t want you? Wow!!!
&
Gillick was quick to point out that the Phillies have only four outfielders, and “can’t trade [Burrell] and not get somebody back.”
Linebrink & Sledge for Burrell, cash, and a prospect
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/.....;fext=.jsp
December 4, 2006 at 9:59 pm
65: I’d do that deal in a heartbeat.
December 4, 2006 at 10:37 pm
Re 54: Thanks Mark! That was a great read.
Maddux and Wells on the same team and in the same rotation. Talk about complete antitheses. Still it would be a pretty darn good 4 & 5 to go behind our “Big Three.” I would love to have the reality show rights to following Boomer and Mad Dog through the season with the Pads.
December 4, 2006 at 10:53 pm
Linebrink and Sledge for Burrell, cash, and Gavin Floyd…
Give Floyd, a former top prospect who has fallen out of favor a shot at the fifth spot under teh tutelage of what would have to be one of the best staffs to learn under in the majors. Buddy Black, Balsley, Maddux, a guy from Princeton, and the best closer in MLB history…yeah, he could learn something here.
Also, not all that excited about Crede. I think that Burrell is a much better fit here. I’d like to see what the K-man (Hey, it’s better than Kouz) can do at 3B. I think Crede just had his career year.
December 4, 2006 at 10:56 pm
U-T is saying the Cruz deal is done. Hard to argue with the price: $650k for 1 year.
December 4, 2006 at 11:05 pm
68: I’d also rather have Burrell than Crede, but I’m not sure if that’s warranted.
December 4, 2006 at 11:12 pm
I do love the Cruz signing as a 4th OF. Looks like Towers finally got his man.
December 5, 2006 at 5:24 am
Cruz is an excellent signing for us. We needed a reliable back-up CF.
December 5, 2006 at 5:54 am
Rotoworld is mentioning that the Padres and Reds are talking a Linebrink for Dunn or Freel deal. They think Freel is more likely, and that we’d play him at 2B.
Although they also mention that Todd Walker is likely to accept arbitration and stay with us for another year.
Personally I like the Burrell deal the best.
December 5, 2006 at 5:56 am
I don’t know about Liney for Freel. Even though Ryan would be the answer to the current speed-challenged lineup.
Check this out. I’d take Maddux:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/s.....mp;ATT=HMA
December 5, 2006 at 5:58 am
…although I’ll gladly go on the record saying that getting Elijah Dukes would be absolutely fantastic…
December 5, 2006 at 7:40 am
from ESPN
“Mark Loretta has been offered a two-year, $6 million contract from the Cincinnati Reds, according to a baseball source. “
December 5, 2006 at 8:01 am
That would seem to add legs to the Freel rumor…
December 5, 2006 at 8:37 am
77 - not necessarily, Freel wasn’t playing 2B with them anyway. They have Brandon Phillips there, with Freel out of position in RF.
December 5, 2006 at 9:21 am
From ESPN:
Updated: Dec. 5, 2006, 12:06 PM ET
The latest from the winter meetingsESPN.com
11:45 a.m., from Jerry Crasnick
• San Diego was making progress with Greg Maddux, but there’s some internal debate in the Padres’ front office over the proposed one-year deal with an option that’s being discussed. And rest assured that Maddux’s agent, Scott Boras, will get as many teams as possible involved rather than rush to sign a deal. The Padres, at least temporarily, have jumped into the mix on Jason Schmidt.
• San Diego, in the market for a second baseman, is talking to Ronnie Belliard’s agents. A trade with Atlanta for Marcus Giles remains a possibility, but the Padres have resisted giving up setup man Scott Linebrink for Giles straight up.
• The Rockies, priced out on Dave Roberts, have Darin Erstad, Kenny Lofton and Steve Finley on their radar screen as center field options. The Rockies appear to like Erstad the best, but have concerns over how he would hold up physically over a long season at Coors Field.
December 5, 2006 at 9:23 am
wow if Fins goes to the Rockies he would complete the NL west circuit.
has any player ever played for all 5 NL west teams?
December 5, 2006 at 9:29 am
Freel = younger, cheaper, IF version of DRoberts
I’d prefer him over all other 2B options, but I’m not sure it’s the best use of Linebrink.
December 5, 2006 at 9:32 am
Schmidt would be such a better signing than Maddux. Well, depends on what they get, of course. But I’d rather pay 4/60 for Schmidt than 1/10 for Maddux–am I crazy?
December 5, 2006 at 9:35 am
I’ve Heard Schmidt wants 3 years $45 mil which I think is fair.
December 5, 2006 at 9:37 am
Re: #81 I think Linebrink lost some value last year because he was 2 for 11 in save opportunities so most teams don’t view him as a closer.
December 5, 2006 at 9:51 am
Linebrink’s stats are misleading though, because he was doing it in a setup role. He also lead the league in Holds (I think), for what it’s worth.
Hell, lets sign Maddux AND Schmidt. Send Linebrink to Philly for Pat the Bat. And then playball.
December 5, 2006 at 9:15 pm
82: Damn crazy.
December 6, 2006 at 1:53 am
RE 81: M. Giles = younger, more expensive, but MUCH better version of Freel.