2012 Winter Meetings – Day 1 Recap
Posted by Ian Riccaboni, Tue, December 04, 2012 09:22 AM | Comments: 21
Rumors, Transactions
The market for Hamilton is getting clearer. Photo: AP
Market For Hamilton Becoming Clearer
We learned yesterday that the Red Sox, Brewers, and Phillies are all on the sidelines, biding their time for Josh Hamilton while the Mariners have met with Hamilton the most recent. Jayson Stark Tweeted that the Phillies interest in Hamilton is “wary“. Jim Bowden of ESPN doesn’t think the Yankees should be counted out while Ken Rosenthal has heard that the Rangers have been the most aggressive suitor for Hamilton.
Pagan Gone
The Giants and center fielder Angel Pagan came to a four-year, $40 million contract agreement yesterday. We talked a bit about that here. Later in the day, Jim Salisbury of CSN reported that the Phillies don’t believe Michael Bourn‘s profile as a player is the best fit, that Cody Ross could be a good corner fit, and that they are “lukewarm” on a Shane Victorino reunion. We learned yesterday that Victorino has multiple three-year contract offers and at least one four-year offer on the table. Salisbury also reported that Ruben Amaro thinks the preferred method of acquiring a center fielder is via free agency rather than engaging in a trade.
Third Base
Yesterday afternoon, the Phillies were linked to Michael Young. Young is due $16 million for 2013 and was statistically the least valuable first baseman in baseball last year. This is not good news.
Granderson Now Available Via Trade
Buster Olney Tweeted yesterday that Curtis Granderson is available via trade. Granderson had a sharp increase in power but a sharp decrease in plate discipline (Ks up, BBs down) in 2012. The 31-year old center fielder is in the final year of his deal and is due approximately $15 million in 2013. Keep your eye on this one as a match for the Phillies.
The Mariners are Ready to… Do Something
One of the emerging stories of this offseason is the Mariners’ penchant to do something, or anything really. Yesterday alone, they were linked to signing Hamilton, trading for Justin Upton, and trading for Billy Butler. I think the Mariners could reasonable trade for just about any player they want; their warchest includes top prospects catcher Mike Zunino, pitchers Taijuan Walker, Danny Hultzen, and James Paxton, and infielder Nick Franklin. The Mariners also talked extension with Felix Hernandez, who has two years left on his deal, have been linked to trading for Brennan Boesch, trading for Mike Morse, and have been linked to signing Jason Bay.
NL East Divisional Moves/Rumors
The Nats engaged the Rays in talks about James Shields. Danny Espinosa and Mike Morse are two names according to Jon Heyman that may head to Tampa in a potential deal.
The Mets met with eight different teams on Monday to discuss trading R.A. Dickey with the asking price supposedly out-of-this world. The Mets reportedly asked the Red Sox for top prospects Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr. Yikes.
Yunel Escobar and Ricky Nolasco could be the next Fish headed out of Miami. The Rays, A’s, Cubs, and Yankees reportedly are interested in Escobar while Nolasco has simply voiced his displeasure at this point.
Posts: 0 Mike in NJ
Granderson on a 1 year deal would certainly be worth pursuing, as long as all sides understand this is a rental and the Phils don’t give up any top prospects. If the Phils think Gilles will be the long term answer in CF and think he will be ready in 2014, then this may be the best option. If not, then they’d be better off waiting out the market for Bourne or Hamilton, or trading for a CF somewhere else.
Posted: 10:03 AM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 0 rc
don’t think they can afford to give Grandy away with their OF, they would probably want Ruf.
Posted: 01:06 PM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 0 Scruff
The thought of Granderson in our outfield is compelling to me, as you’d think that his power numbers would remain up at CBP. However, one of the trends I’ve been seeing when talking about potential trades/free agent signings is ensuring that person brings strong plate discipline to the table. I know you mentioned his higher K rate and lower BB rate, but I wonder how he’d do in the NL, and if the new hitting coaches would have any effect.
That being said, who are our strongest trade bait on this team, and can we really afford to deal any of them at this point?
Posted: 10:08 AM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 2 medalistebailey
Rule 5 Draft Tomorrow – players that could help;
Conner Crumbliss – A’s, if you love Utley, this is your guy, OBP machine, great base runner, works pitchers, mediocre defensively, could be a great utility guy.
Ryan Chaffee – Angels, RHP, throws hard, plus slider, could help our pen
Josh Fields – Red Sox, RHP, could be an 8th inning set-up candidate
Chris McGuiness – Texas, power, great swing, great athlete, rbi machine
Nate Freiman – Rangers – RH power bat, 1B, could play left possibly
Ryan Buchter – Braves – LHP – flame throwing reliever
Josh Fellhauer – Reds – corner outfielder, hits, OBP, and a great leader, hard nosed player
Kenny Wilson – Toronto, played through a labrum injury, once repaired, was outstanding
Posted: 10:16 AM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 0 The Red McNertney
Bring back Ben Francisco. He can do it all. Let’s go after all the old, washed-up players we can get. Experience — you can’t teach it.
Posted: 11:38 AM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 0 Pops
Haren signed with the Nats. Not looking good for the Phighten Phil’s this offseason.
Posted: 11:57 AM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 0 rc
I don’t see Grandy as a “match” for the Phillies. Maybe if they get totally desperate but you need to explain the Phillies lineup vs lefthanders if you’re going to say that.
One of the highest strikeout rates and since he’s a lefty that makes it even worse
rental player
15 million contract
yankees would probably want Ruf, they have no OFs
hit mostly in 1-2 spot
might need to adjust to NL, not good for a rental player
was 3-33 in playoffs, 1 hr, 2 rbis, 0 dbls, 0 triples
What is your lineup with him
1. Rollins .218 vs LH
2. Granderson .218 vs LH
3. Utley .225 vs LH
4. Howard .173 vs LH
Posted: 12:54 PM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 0 Don M
Ken Rosenthal reporting that the Rangers and Josh Hamilton are “making progress on what would likely be a four-year deal”.. “However it is still possible another team beats the Rangers’ offer.”
…
I think the Phillies might be getting close to stealing Michael Bourn soon .. 3 years, $40-42 M is my guess, 4th year option at $10 M with a $2-3 M buyout
Posted: 02:34 PM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 0 hk
It looks like the Phils will be Bourn’s only remaining suitor although Boras will surely have Jon Heyman leak that a mystery team is interested. Once Hamilton signs, the Phils should make one take-it-or-leave-it offer to Boras for Bourn. If he turns it down, they should let him sign elsewhere and turn their sights to another OF.
Posted: 03:05 PM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 3567 Lefty
If there is any truth to this at all, I’ll bet it truly was awkward.
http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/12/03/4457381/hamilton-in-nashville-to-drum.html
Posted: 03:15 PM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 0 Ken Bland
well, it’s not the norm. Awkward? Maybe. Even probably. But I go back to when he had a slip up and had a few drinks the night he was out with Kinsler. Had a presser a day or 2 later, and apologized and vented. Now that mioght have been a PR move, who knows, all I know is it struck me as real gutsy after he screwed up. I’d think that would have been more awkward.
Didn’t hide behind a PR Dept’s writing, stood there head on to the lights, and seemed real. Hell, for all the baggage he brings, the man’s reversal to this date is one of the great stories ever. Maybe shooting up when you have all his athletic skill is what’s really awkward.
Posted: 03:42 PM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 0 Ken Bland
Here’s what cracks me up. Something seems REAL obvious, then you research it, and find 20,000 counter examples.
We all know Boras holds his clients out forever. Wonder if it’s possible that you could find a shocking number he has signed early. But the REPUTATION, in his case would counter your anticipation. I kinda feel like Ruben would be sort of panicing if it goes that way. I figure if he wanted Bourne, we’d have heard more rumors about contact to date. Does not mean they haven’t, of course, but it doesn’t feel like heartfelt interest’s been shown.
Having said all that, Bourne prolly inks soon.
Posted: 03:36 PM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 1099 Manny
If the Rangers are only offering 4 years to Hamilton, the Phillies should definitely match that (at least!).
Posted: 03:00 PM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 1099 Manny
This is probably the only good option for 3B in the free agent pool. If he’s going for only 8M, RAJ better have a good offer ready for him. There has been no mention whatsoever re Phillies and Keppinger, which is very disappointing.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/yankees-have-very-strong-interest-in-keppinger.html#disqus_thread
Posted: 03:57 PM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 0 schmenkman
He’s projected to OPS ~.734. I think Frandsen can at least come close to that, don’t you?
Posted: 04:22 PM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 0 Dave
Red Sox are supposedly close to signing Victorino. Giants are looking at Swisher. I have a feeling Amaro is going to come away with zilch. Teams know the Phillies have 3 unproven outfielders and are desperate. In fact, we may have the worst outfield in baseball.
Posted: 04:25 PM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 2593 Chuck A.
Jesus. Red Sox have offered Vic 3/37.5 …. 12.5 M AAV for Shane Victorino??? I wanted him back but at more of a “team-friendly” sort of deal…. maybe something like 3/24-27.
Posted: 04:31 PM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 0 schmenkman
It’s high, and yet not that crazy. He was an MVP candidate for most of 2011, and has the 5th highest WAR among all CF’s over the past 3 years:
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=cf&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2012&month=0&season1=2010&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0
Posted: 04:35 PM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 0 Don M
I said in March last year that I thought he would sign a 4 year/ $44 M contract somewhere… , I didn’t think he’d get to $12 M per season in a contract, but thought someone would go the 3-4 year range he was looking for
A lot of people were predicting $15 M per year contract for Victorino, and I only see teams handing out those deals for guys that have Power – or Age on their side .. Upton for $15 M . . .
Similarly, i don’t think that Bourn will sign for more than $15 M per season – I think he’s going to sign a 3-4 year deal for (3/$40 .. $4/50 .. etc) … he’s better than Vic defensively, but doesn’t hit HRs … we’ll see if that matters in his upcoming contract
Posted: 04:48 PM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 318 Ian Riccaboni
Would love to be in Nashville right now Ken, but instead I am resigned to writing paragraph after paragraph after reading Tweet after Tweet before and after, and sometimes during lunch, my day job.
Hamilton is the biggest mystery with some of the biggest question marks of any free agent in quite some time and I think that has a lot to do with a lot of the confusion. I don’t think the persons that are reporting the confusion, and the ones I cite, are doing anything they aren’t supposed to or getting anything wrong and you haven’t implied that either. Hamilton, however, is that intriguing, and confusing of a FA, that I truly believe teams change their minds on a daily basis.
Posted: 10:58 AM on December 4, 2012
Posts: 0 Ken Bland
You told the wrong person you’d love to be in N’ville. I went to the meetings last year, it truly fewlt like what image heaven carries. Sure, you get to rub elbows with big names, and it’s pretty easy to get in conversation with them (more relaxed in a way offseason?), but you meet people from all over ranging from tourists to job seekersRan into one dude who recalled the Phils glory years 76-83 better than I do, and he a lifelong Central Texan.
You think you’ve completed your resume when you’ve hit x ballparks, seen y post season games, whatever your individual criteria might be. I suppose most people would think the winter meetings way down on the list. I believe you’d thoroughly enjoy the experience should it fall your way, or if you choose to plan it.
Posted: 03:30 PM on December 4, 2012