2014 Offseason Plans Thread Pt2

[WastinSomeTime]

He had a 3.8 the year before, and I consider Freese an upgrade over Callaspo. A change of scenery could do him some good or the Angels could destroy another talent.

Yeah, but not anything like that the years before. The Cards usually know what they are doing.

 

[Bmurph]

Their rotation should be be better but they are relying on some young guys (Santiago, Skaggs, Richards) so nothing is guaranteed there

A full season of Weaver would help a lot too, but after those guys it gets ugly quick (not to mention the uncertainty of the other 3 guys as is)

Any injuries to the starters and they will be in a bad way, they have virtually zero depth and nothing really on the farm at all to help if injuries occur to their SP

 

[RevSader]

Sadly, he's still probably an improvement over what they had last year, and it was a down year for him

Hopefully he plays 3rd full time and is as bad as he was last year. He was really really bad last season. Like last year of his career at 3B MY bad.

 

[Bmurph]

Sadly, he's still probably an improvement over what they had last year, and it was a down year for him

Pretty sure Freese was hurt most of last year and yeah I believe he will be upgrade even if he has a slightly better year than last year. Then they lose Trumbo and Bourjos, but it will be huge to see if Hamilton and or Pujols can have bounce back years and if Pujols can stay on the field

 

[Nightcrawler]

Pretty sure Freese was hurt most of last year and yeah I believe he will be upgrade even if he has a slightly better year than last year. Then they lose Trumbo and Bourjos, but it will be huge to see if Hamilton and or Pujols can have bounce back years and if Pujols can stay on the field

I question Pujols desire to win at this point. The guy has won 2 titles already....he's won an MVP as well? He got a huge 250 million dollar contract. I think he'll put up some numbers, but I don't think he'll be the monster the Cards had and the Angels paid for. What more does Pujols have left to prove or accomplish? He's already a hall of famer most likely.

 

[Bmurph]

I question Pujols desire to win at this point. The guy has won 2 titles already....he's won an MVP as well? He got a huge 250 million dollar contract. I think he'll put up some numbers, but I don't think he'll be the monster the Cards had and the Angels paid for. What more does Pujols have left to prove or accomplish? He's already a hall of famer most likely.

I tend to think he is just about done, he's probably older than what he claims to be and he will fake it as long as he can and stay on the field for parts of the next few years but his days of putting up huge numbers is over. He could put up another couple 35+ HR seasons but i doubt that happens as well. I think injuries will de-rail his career the last years of his contract and LAA made a huge mistake w him but I am just glad Texas didn't sign him.

 

[RevSader]

I tend to think he is just about done, he's probably older than what he claims to be and he will fake it as long as he can and stay on the field for parts of the next few years but his days of putting up huge numbers is over. He could put up another couple 35+ HR seasons but i doubt that happens as well. I think injuries will de-rail his career the last years of his contract and LAA made a huge mistake w him but I am just glad Texas didn't sign him.

I don't question him at all. If he can walk the dude will be in the lineup. I bet it killed him to miss the last part of the last season. If he is actually healed I would expect a rebound season.

 

[donaldson79]

I question Pujols desire to win at this point. The guy has won 2 titles already....he's won an MVP as well? He got a huge 250 million dollar contract. I think he'll put up some numbers, but I don't think he'll be the monster the Cards had and the Angels paid for. What more does Pujols have left to prove or accomplish? He's already a hall of famer most likely.

Why would you question his desire? Everything else you said here makes sense and is 100% right on. But a true professional doesn't rest on his laurels and I believe Pujols is one. You are attacking his character and I don't agree nor understand why you would question this.

I've seen nothing, heard/read nothing which gives any indication he's dogging it.

 

[Windingmywatch]

On Cruz and Morales. I have this feeling that there are three games going on.

1. SEA is playing like they are full in on Cruz which costs them a lower draft pick since they are protected ... knowing TEX doesn't want to give up a high pick if they were to take Morales. Morales is the better fit for them but by playing with Cruz they are trying to force TEX to act ... maybe they are running up the bidding for Cruz too.

2. Cruz prefers TEX if he can get the OF time ... so is dragging out the negotiations with SEA with an expectation of returning here and JD promising some PT.

3. TEX gives away Cruz locker, uniform number, old underwear to Choo to make it look like Cruz isn't coming back. If TEX wanted someone other than Cruz they could have had Morales as a switch hitting DH and 1b backup instead of a LH-only DH and 1b backup. So by being so out on Cruz ... they are really in on him because if you trade for Prince and spend a lot of money to get Choo ... why would you leave that hole behind Beltre?

SEA promised Cruz he can play OF ... but as long as Cruz drags his feet ... sooner or later SEA has to make a move to fill its own DH and backup 1b hole ... unless they expect Smoak to play 162 games. Morales is the better fit for them but if they do that too early then TEX gets Cruz cheap.

From the very moment that Cruz turned down his QO, Prince acquired, Mitch 'announced' as DH and Choo getting photographed wearing #17 ... the game has been on.

This may blow up for every one of them ... Cruz may cave in to a lower deal with SEA ... they sign him ... and TEX signs Morales 15min later. But by promoting Mitch as a solid everyday DH ... TEX sits at the table and doesn't blink.

The one guy who is clueless as to what is going on is ... (other than me perhaps) ... Morales. There are several games going on ... probably doesn't get sorted out until the week before camp ... which is next week.

 

[TheRangerDude]

I tend to think he is just about done, he's probably older than what he claims to be and he will fake it as long as he can and stay on the field for parts of the next few years but his days of putting up huge numbers is over. He could put up another couple 35+ HR seasons but i doubt that happens as well. I think injuries will de-rail his career the last years of his contract and LAA made a huge mistake w him but I am just glad Texas didn't sign him.

I think when its all said and done with, its going to be a toss up between Pujols and A-Roid for the worst contracts in the history of baseball. If Tannaka completely flops out on the Yankees then you might be able to throw his name into the hat as well. At least the other two actually had a pretty good run at one point or another.

 

[Bmurph]

I don't question him at all. If he can walk the dude will be in the lineup. I bet it killed him to miss the last part of the last season. If he is actually healed I would expect a rebound season.

Right the dude basically should have been playing with a walker while on the field last year, the first part of the season. The plantar injury basically hobbled him the entire year until he missed the latter part of the season. I don't discount the guys desire at all, just think his ability to perform to the contract he signed is unrealistic with age and injury issues. Just a bad contract for the Angels but he will definitely not just hang it up or mail it in the rest of the way

 

[RevSader]

Right the dude basically should have been playing with a walker while on the field last year, the first part of the season. The plantar injury basically hobbled him the entire year until he missed the latter part of the season. I don't discount the guys desire at all, just think his ability to perform to the contract he signed is unrealistic with age and injury issues. Just a bad contract for the Angels but he will definitely not just hang it up or mail it in the rest of the way

Yeah the first few years were the only hope they had of recouping any excess value on that contract. Sunk cost like a mother....

 

[donaldson79]

Yeah the first few years were the only hope they had of recouping any excess value on that contract. Sunk cost like a mother....

This is your quote:

"fake it as long as he can and stay on the field for parts of the next few years"

Now you're seem to be admiring him, giving him his due. So what did you mean by, "faking it?"

 

[donaldson79]

Yeah the first few years were the only hope they had of recouping any excess value on that contract. Sunk cost like a mother....

I agree with ya all the way. It's a terrible contract, one which LA already regrets, I'm sure.

But these insinuations of him not giving 100% and being somewhat of a fraud I find absurd at best.

 

[TheRangerDude]

On Cruz and Morales. I have this feeling that there are three games going on.

1. SEA is playing like they are full in on Cruz which costs them a lower draft pick since they are protected ... knowing TEX doesn't want to give up a high pick if they were to take Morales. Morales is the better fit for them but by playing with Cruz they are trying to force TEX to act ... maybe they are running up the bidding for Cruz too.

2. Cruz prefers TEX if he can get the OF time ... so is dragging out the negotiations with SEA with an expectation of returning here and JD promising some PT.

3. TEX gives away Cruz locker, uniform number, old underwear to Choo to make it look like Cruz isn't coming back. If TEX wanted someone other than Cruz they could have had Morales as a switch hitting DH and 1b backup instead of a LH-only DH and 1b backup. So by being so out on Cruz ... they are really in on him because if you trade for Prince and spend a lot of money to get Choo ... why would you leave that hole behind Beltre?

SEA promised Cruz he can play OF ... but as long as Cruz drags his feet ... sooner or later SEA has to make a move to fill its own DH and backup 1b hole ... unless they expect Smoak to play 162 games. Morales is the better fit for them but if they do that too early then TEX gets Cruz cheap.

From the very moment that Cruz turned down his QO, Prince acquired, Mitch 'announced' as DH and Choo getting photographed wearing #17 ... the game has been on.

This may blow up for every one of them ... Cruz may cave in to a lower deal with SEA ... they sign him ... and TEX signs Morales 15min later. But by promoting Mitch as a solid everyday DH ... TEX sits at the table and doesn't blink.

The one guy who is clueless as to what is going on is ... (other than me perhaps) ... Morales. There are several games going on ... probably doesn't get sorted out until the week before camp ... which is next week.

I'm not sure. I think you are presuming that both are at least interested in one of them. If the Rangers really are interested in either… they have fooled me but it wouldn't be the first time- so you could be right.

That being said, I think the Hart is penciled into the DH and backup 1B, RF role right now. Or at least that is what the current depth chart on mlb.com indicates. So, at least from this, it appears Hart is currently filling Morales' role.

Depth Chart | Mariners.com: Team

The idea for Cruz might just involve replacing Logan Morrison and rotating Hart and Cruz as the DH and RF. Also, Morrison plays 1B, he could be a backup plan if they give up on Smoak. Morales really doesn't play OF and RF at the moment is one of their weaker offensive positions.

I suppose they could just play Hart in RF and then use Morales in the DH role but if I recall correctly Hart has some knee issues or something that might limit him.. so they might not want to keep him on the field all the time.

I think what it would boil down to is you would either have a situation where it would be:
Cruz RF/DH, Hart DH/RF/1B, Smoak 1B
Morales DH/1B, Hart DH/1B/RF, Morrison RF/1B, Smoak 1B

 

[jta4437]

On Cruz and Morales. I have this feeling that there are three games going on.

1. SEA is playing like they are full in on Cruz which costs them a lower draft pick since they are protected ... knowing TEX doesn't want to give up a high pick if they were to take Morales. Morales is the better fit for them but by playing with Cruz they are trying to force TEX to act ... maybe they are running up the bidding for Cruz too.

2. Cruz prefers TEX if he can get the OF time ... so is dragging out the negotiations with SEA with an expectation of returning here and JD promising some PT.

3. TEX gives away Cruz locker, uniform number, old underwear to Choo to make it look like Cruz isn't coming back. If TEX wanted someone other than Cruz they could have had Morales as a switch hitting DH and 1b backup instead of a LH-only DH and 1b backup. So by being so out on Cruz ... they are really in on him because if you trade for Prince and spend a lot of money to get Choo ... why would you leave that hole behind Beltre?

SEA promised Cruz he can play OF ... but as long as Cruz drags his feet ... sooner or later SEA has to make a move to fill its own DH and backup 1b hole ... unless they expect Smoak to play 162 games. Morales is the better fit for them but if they do that too early then TEX gets Cruz cheap.

From the very moment that Cruz turned down his QO, Prince acquired, Mitch 'announced' as DH and Choo getting photographed wearing #17 ... the game has been on.

This may blow up for every one of them ... Cruz may cave in to a lower deal with SEA ... they sign him ... and TEX signs Morales 15min later. But by promoting Mitch as a solid everyday DH ... TEX sits at the table and doesn't blink.

The one guy who is clueless as to what is going on is ... (other than me perhaps) ... Morales. There are several games going on ... probably doesn't get sorted out until the week before camp ... which is next week.

Summed up very nicely, its basically Seattle & Cruz working against their own best interest and Morales and Texas are just waiting on them to figure out how stupid they are and waiting to reap the benefits

 

[jta4437]

I'm not sure. I think you are presuming that both are at least interested in one of them. If the Rangers really are interested in either… they have fooled me but it wouldn't be the first time- so you could be right.

That being said, I think the Hart is penciled into the DH and backup 1B, RF role right now. Or at least that is what the current depth chart on mlb.com indicates. So, at least from this, it appears Hart is currently filling Morales' role.

Depth Chart | Mariners.com: Team

The idea for Cruz might just involve replacing Logan Morrison and rotating Hart and Cruz as the DH and RF. Also, Morrison plays 1B, he could be a backup plan if they give up on Smoak. Morales really doesn't play OF and RF at the moment is one of their weaker offensive positions.

I suppose they could just play Hart in RF and then use Morales in the DH role but if I recall correctly Hart has some knee issues or something that might limit him.. so they might not want to keep him on the field all the time.

I think what it would boil down to is you would either have a situation where it would be:
Cruz RF/DH, Hart DH/RF/1B, Smoak 1B
Morales DH/1B, Hart DH/1B/RF, Morrison RF/1B, Smoak 1B

Point is, Seattle is a land of misfit toys especially those that play 1B/DH/RF

Their interest in Cruz is simply to keep us from having him, yet we're only trying to retain him on a discount

If they want to overpay, or if Cruz wants to take slightly more money to play on a worse team, we'll gladly take the pick, no worries

 

[Justinkm83]

SATURDAY: It's only "a matter of time" before the Mariners agree to terms with Cruz, industry sources tell Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune on Twitter.


Then do it already. It's actually starting to annoy me.

 

[TheRangerDude]

Point is, Seattle is a land of misfit toys especially those that play 1B/DH/RF

Their interest in Cruz is simply to keep us from having him, yet we're only trying to retain him on a discount

If they want to overpay, or if Cruz wants to take slightly more money to play on a worse team, we'll gladly take the pick, no worries

I wouldn't say their interest in Cruz is just to keep us from having him. That might play a small role but I think the larger role would be the more obvious one- upgrade the bat in RF and take Morrison out of the equation.

 

[jta4437]

I wouldn't say their interest in Cruz is just to keep us from having him. That might play a small role but I think the larger role would be the more obvious one- upgrade the bat in RF and take Morrison out of the equation.

Is the upgrade worth what they pay in the end? probably not, at least to me

But more power to them