Comments on: Why I Don’t Trust Rookie-League Numbers

By: Didi

Didi — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 19:26:44 +0000

Thanks Geoff for the numbers. This is great. Can't wait to read them in the book.

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By: Tom Waits

Tom Waits — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:42:25 +0000

82: There’s still a problem with a sizable percentage of the picks, particularly their fascination with the (college arms + marginal stuff + decent command) cohort. When the D&F was available they could occasionally land a younger high-octane arm without violating slot.

Not that a high-octane arm can’t be found in the college ranks, but they often go quick, sooner than we will hopefully be drafting in the future. There’s just no rationale for almost completely avoiding 50% of the draft-eligible players. Picking them with no intention of compromising on bonuses isn’t very different than not picking them at all.

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By: Mark Ase

Mark Ase — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:01:34 +0000

About the drafts, I think it would be helpful to try and separate what they’ve done since they hired Fuson from what was done before he was here. While the last 2 drafts could have been better(think Porcello instead of Schmidt) that doesn’t seem like a problem with the guy making the draft choices, but is a problem with the guy(s) making the draft budgets.

By the way the offer to Fuckodome is 3/30(at least) so I’m not sure where the 8M a year came from.

Additionally, probably shouldn’t believe what the article says about the Royals: they have said publicly that they won’t be bringing in another outfielder now that they signed Guillen.

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By: Steve C

Steve C — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:25:17 +0000

They are offering him less than Brian Giles money, they are not serious.

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By: Anthony

Anthony — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:12:34 +0000

3/24M is not nearly enough to get Fukudome. MLBTraderumors is reporting that he’s narrowed his choices to the Royals or the Cubs. KT offering $8 million a year sounds more like they were targeting Fukudome based on what they thought would be a bargain, not that he would be a good fit in CF. I guess we weren’t serious after all. If we don’t get Fukudome I think our best case scenario is DeJesus but I still feel like we’ll see Cameron back next year, unless KT has something in the works that we haven’t even considered yet.

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By: Tom Waits

Tom Waits — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:27:17 +0000

74: It’s a better system than it was, but we still didn’t have the prospects to even consider being involved in the big trade discussions this year. I can’t recall an offseason in which so many big names were on the block, and we’re not able to compete. Detroit’s willingness to pay over slot allowed them to land one of the 5 best hitters in the game and a fine mid-rotation starter, and they’re plenty willing to reload the farm next June.

Baseball America is not gospel, but they have not ranked any of the Fuson drafts as a Top 5 effort. The Pads are doing a better job of executing their plan, which seems to be acquiring as much college talent as possible. That’s partly because they believe college players are less risky, partly because college players are more likely to sign for slot. That plan, even perfectly executed, is not going to produce as much talent as one that allowed even one above-slot bonus per year, let alone two or three.

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By: Nick G

Nick G — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:40:20 +0000

"as high" -- two words

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By: Nick G

Nick G — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:39:51 +0000

Dejesus would be great. I'm not ashigh on Gathright.

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By: Didi

Didi — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 06:55:20 +0000

I'm thinking more and more that either DeJesus or Gathright has a good chance to end up a Padre. The Royals splurged on Guillen and they offered arbitration to Emil Brown. With the two CF, Teahen at RF, Gordon at 3B, Butler at DH, it looks like the Royals would have too many OF. Unless they are going to platoon CF or move Teahen to 1B, one of those players are going to the bench. Hmm.....anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

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By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 05:36:26 +0000

well, middling. re:70 I agree - looking at some of the other articles about fukudome, 10-12/year seems reasonable.... basically what Cameron was asking for the beginning of last year.

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