2014 Offseason

[romeo212000]

Here's what Mike Petriello of ESPN says about Cepedes. For anyone who had interest in seeing him in a Ranger uniform.

Cespedes' value

Over the course of his three-year career, Cespedes has a 115 wRC+, making him 15 percent better than the average hitter in that span. It's also true that much of that came in his debut season with the A's in 2012, because after a 136 wRC+ that year, he has put up only a 106 mark, with a .298 on-base percentage, in two seasons since. In other words, he has been slightly better than an average hitter over the past two years.

This is the problem, really. For all the positives that Cespedes brings -- we'll get to those in a second -- there's more than a few downsides that come, as well. Despite the fact he has played only three years in the big leagues, he's older than you likely think of him as being, with his 30th birthday less than 11 months away. In addition, his contract states that he cannot be extended a qualifying offer when his deal ends, which limits his value for teams hoping to recoup a draft pick when he leaves.

There's also the fact despite the shiny highlights he often produces, his overall performance has been headed in the wrong direction. As you can see in the charts below, since that first year, Cespedes has walked less often each season.

The thought of getting Cespedes has never interested me.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

Rangers right now are still in 3rd or 4th in the division IMO. A's still leapfrog them even with the Donaldson trade

Don't see it and it is just not in their nature to pick up someone like Upton unless they are using him for a trade chip later. They are making moves for the future which the A's do from time to time. They were not at the top just a few years ago for the same reasons. I think the moves they made at the end of last season caught up to them as they made a do it now or never move(s).

 

[WastinSomeTime]

The thought of getting Cespedes has never interested me.

Based on the info just supplied by donaldson I am not too interested either.

 

[donaldson79]

The thought of getting Cespedes has never interested me.

Nor I.

He'll be 30 next season, to make matters worse.

 

[donaldson79]

I remember there had been some interest expressed here about Melky Cabrera. Pretty interesting article from yesterday re: the good and bad with him.

Half-full, half-empty: Melky Cabrera - SweetSpot Blog - ESPN

 

[scotsman1948]

Rangers right now are still in 3rd or 4th in the division IMO. A's still leapfrog them even with the Donaldson trade

afraid right now i don't agree with you. i put the Rangers a shaky 4th at best and more likely 5th in the division

 

[scotsman1948]

The thought of getting Cespedes has never interested me.

agree with you don't want him

 

[Nightcrawler]

Seems like a quiet offseason for the Rangers so far. Admittedly, I haven't been keeping up with it ( football / holidays)

 

[Hambombs]

Are you guys crazy? I would be interested in cespedes all day depending on the price

 

[Hambombs]

A's were shit without cespedes

 

[DT LUNA]

afraid right now i don't agree with you. i put the Rangers a shaky 4th at best and more likely 5th in the division

Little early to predict for me. One cof and #3/4 pitcher could happen and make things look better. Then the intangibles loom for each team as we experienced last year. I'm not predicting yet but believe we will surprise some people with a piece or two.

 

[DT LUNA]

Are you guys crazy? I would be interested in cespedes all day depending on the price

Sometimes things are not always what they seem. Why would the A's let such a player like that go?

 

[RevSader]

Sometimes things are not always what they seem. Why would the A's let such a player like that go?

They couldn't afford the contract he was going to merit and their OF was crowded at the time. They also procured one of the best starting pitchers in all of baseball.

 

[RevSader]

afraid right now i don't agree with you. i put the Rangers a shaky 4th at best and more likely 5th in the division

What exactly have the Astros done to become better? Texas having everyone healthy should be good for 3rd by itself.

 

[DT LUNA]

They couldn't afford the contract he was going to merit and their OF was crowded at the time. They also procured one of the best starting pitchers in all of baseball.

He is soon to be 31 yr old w/ downward stats. See Donaldson's comments.

 

[RevSader]

He is soon to be 31 yr old w/ downward stats. See Donaldson's comments.

31 isn't a death sentence in baseball though. Adrian Beltre was signed to a 5 year deal with the Rangers at that age. You just have to be smart with which guys that age you target.

 

[darrylgann]

He is soon to be 31 yr old w/ downward stats. See Donaldson's comments.

You get enough turkey there, DT?

 

[scotsman1948]

Little early to predict for me. One cof and #3/4 pitcher could happen and make things look better. Then the intangibles loom for each team as we experienced last year. I'm not predicting yet but believe we will surprise some people with a piece or two.

not predicting. right now with the nothing that has been done i see the Rangers a shaky 4th maybe 5th behind the Angels, Mariners and A's

 

[scotsman1948]

What exactly have the Astros done to become better? Texas having everyone healthy should be good for 3rd by itself.

afraid not the Angels, Mariners and A's are better than us

 

[RevSader]

afraid not the Angels, Mariners and A's are better than us

The A's just dumped their best player and 40% of their starting rotation is gone to FA, and they are looking to trade Kazmir or Shark. That would leave Gray Chavez and Pomeranz. The A's are getting worse.