My 2014 Moves (If I only owned the Team Edition)

[NWinAZ]

If I could spend the M's money, it would look something like this:


1B/DH- Napoli
RF- Choo
1B/DH- Hart
SP- Hughes


Trade Franklin and Ramirez to KC for Gordon
Make small tweaks to the bullpen.


C- Zunino
1B- Napoli
2B- Ackley
SS- Miller
3B- Seager
LF- Gordon
CF- Saunders/Guti (at a discounted deal)
RF- Choo
DH- Hart
SP- Felix
SP- Kuma
SP- Hughes
SP- Walker
SP- Paxton


Choo over Ellsbury because of $ and injury history. Hart is a good buy-low candidate. Napoli has proven he can hit and stay healthy. Hughes could come cheap and benefit from a pitchers park. Not sure if we could get Gordon, but that type of veteran player. Maybe even Bautista cold be available for a Franklin/Ramirez/Maurer type deal. Bring back Guti under a one year, incentive type deal would be fine with me. This also means letting Smoak and Morales go. Add Smoak to a deal for a OF.


Napoli 3 year, $30M
Choo 5 year, $75M
Hughes 1 year, $6
Hart 2 year, $12M
Gordon 3 year, $35M (remaining deal)
+$34.2M current 2014 payroll
--------------------
$81M


If my numbers are right, we could still add Ellsbury for CF at $19M per year (maybe high, but close) putting us at $100M which is still a low payroll for the AL West.


It is fun spending other peoples money.

 

[cezero]

To fix the massive offensive and defensive holes on this team (at least a dozen) and have a chance to contend in the next decade, the M's will have to trade some pitching. Building up pitching on the farm is the only thing that idiot Z has gotten partially right.

 

[NWinAZ]

I think 4 good signings and a trade could have them competing next season. It will cost them big money, but they can use all that money they have collected over the years and use it now. For around $100-$110M, they can do it in one season. They won't of course, but could.

 

[Baseballnut77]

like your moves except hughes. That guy is no mlb pitcher. we could lose guti/saunders and not get hughes and have plenty for ellsbury

 

[cezero]

I think 4 good signings and a trade could have them competing next season. It will cost them big money, but they can use all that money they have collected over the years and use it now. For around $100-$110M, they can do it in one season. They won't of course, but could.

Yeah. We'll see. They have another guaranteed $100 million coming from the Root deal every year for the next 20 years.

The Astros are in a similar position with their rebuild and the new tv deal they just signed. They seem intent on investing the revenue right back into the team with the farm, trades, and FA signings. I'm betting they put together a contending team before the M's. It's all about intent of owners and front offices for these teams.

 

[NWinAZ]

Don't get me wrong, these are moves I like. I truly believe we will make the same B.S. moves we always make.

I still think Hughes on a one ear deal is worth it. He can fight for a spot or be moved to the pen if needed and he shouldn't cost a whole lot. I think he is the best free agent for the money. The others will cost more per year and will require a 3 to 5 year commitment which I am not big on unless you are talking a real stud which we can't afford. The cheaper pitchers on the market just are not worth the time imo.

 

[Baseballnut77]

obviously we need to put some money into the bullpen and there are some attractive pieces on the market. As for the starters I think they are not done giving maurer a shot nor should they be. He has some good stuff and certainly 5th starter stuff. I watched several of hughes starts this year and even in the few he won the fastball was as flat as can be. I just don't think he will ever amount to everything.

 

[Thisnamewasntaken]

For once I like one of these posts. I question the length of Hart though. I don't think Napoli would want to come here but i kinda don't want him. I agree with Choo, Hughes and I've actually changed my stance on Jacoby. Not down to trading Franklin though, not in that type of deal anyway. I really think we need to make a splash in the international signing area! Not Tanaka though (although it would be nice to pry him away from a rival and have Iwakuma to take him under his wing.) the price will be too high though. Also on Hart isn't he a Z guy from the past?

 

[seahawksfan234]

AZ, I like your moves/ideas but do you really think we could get Corey Hart for a 2 year $12m deal?

He's just 31, has hit 87 HRs in the past three seasons all while hitting above .270 each year. IMO he is one of the more underrated players in the league and I just cannot imagine a guy coming off of a 30 HR season while hitting above .270 would settle for a 2 year $6m per season deal.

His current deal was 3 years $26.5m and he was coming off of a much less impressive 3 year span.

EDIT: Completely forgot he was coming off of season ending surgery. Still think he would get more than $6m per year over 2 years.

 

[seahawksfan234]

I also have a feeling Morales might be returning to Seattle.

The Mariners have stated they are likely to give him a qualifying offer and I'm not sure how willing teams would be to give up a 1st round pick in exchange for a full time DH.

 

[cezero]

I also have a feeling Morales might be returning to Seattle.

The Mariners have stated they are likely to give him a qualifying offer and I'm not sure how willing teams would be to give up a 1st round pick in exchange for a full time DH.

Morales has said he will turn down a 1-year QO from the M's. They were prepared to offer 1 year at about $14 mill.

He's looking for a longer term contract, even if it's for a little less money per year, I'm assuming. If Seattle breaks down and gives it to him, he might stay.

 

[NWinAZ]

AZ, I like your moves/ideas but do you really think we could get Corey Hart for a 2 year $12m deal?

He's just 31, has hit 87 HRs in the past three seasons all while hitting above .270 each year. IMO he is one of the more underrated players in the league and I just cannot imagine a guy coming off of a 30 HR season while hitting above .270 would settle for a 2 year $6m per season deal.

His current deal was 3 years $26.5m and he was coming off of a much less impressive 3 year span.

EDIT: Completely forgot he was coming off of season ending surgery. Still think he would get more than $6m per year over 2 years.

Not really sure. Just a guess on my part because of the knee injury. It had to be severe because it kept him out all year after initially saying he would only be out a month or two. I guess he stays with Brewers for that kind of money, but I would go even a little higher say up to 2/$20M with incentives to get it that high.

 

[NWinAZ]

Morales has said he will turn down a 1-year QO from the M's. They were prepared to offer 1 year at about $14 mill.

He's looking for a longer term contract, even if it's for a little less money per year, I'm assuming. If Seattle breaks down and gives it to him, he might stay.

I like Morales, but not sure at what price. $14M on a one year deal isn't bad, but then what? Do you then deal him at the deadline for something which wouldn't be a whole lot? For a multi-year deal I would go maybe 3/$32M +/-. I still worry about his leg injury log term. Knees seem to last longer after injury than bones...imo.

 

[unlvmariners]

I like Morales, but not sure at what price. $14M on a one year deal isn't bad, but then what? Do you then deal him at the deadline for something which wouldn't be a whole lot? For a multi-year deal I would go maybe 3/$32M +/-. I still worry about his leg injury log term. Knees seem to last longer after injury than bones...imo.

Honestly I like your 3/$32M idea. I think its reasonable money, I don't like the idea of bringing him back on a 1 year deal it doesn't make much sense and I also think 3 years should be the maximum length.

 

[unlvmariners]

I think 4 good signings and a trade could have them competing next season. It will cost them big money, but they can use all that money they have collected over the years and use it now. For around $100-$110M, they can do it in one season. They won't of course, but could.

Agree with you although I would do it a little bit differently. I like Choo and Corey Hart. I would take Napoli if we didn't keep Morales but I think Morales is a better hitter than Napoli.

Wouldn't bring in Hughes... I would rather have Jack Z bring in his yearly Kevin Millwood. Or have Ramirez take that spot. I do think a FA SP should be brought in so you don't have to rely on the Paxton or Walker and then have another Brandon Maurer situation.

I also wouldn't trade for Alex Gordon either. Specifically Gordon because I think his trade value would be overrated for what he actually provides.

 

[NWinAZ]

Agree with you although I would do it a little bit differently. I like Choo and Corey Hart. I would take Napoli if we didn't keep Morales but I think Morales is a better hitter than Napoli.

Wouldn't bring in Hughes... I would rather have Jack Z bring in his yearly Kevin Millwood. Or have Ramirez take that spot. I do think a FA SP should be brought in so you don't have to rely on the Paxton or Walker and then have another Brandon Maurer situation.

I also wouldn't trade for Alex Gordon either. Specifically Gordon because I think his trade value would be overrated for what he actually provides.

I think Hughes could be the 'Millwood' type pickup except he would be a lot younger. Saunders was $6.5M for this year so basically he would be taking his spot. I really think he still has a good future. Not All-Star level, but a solid #3 or #4. Plus, with him he wouldn't be holding back any of the youngsters since he wouldn't cost much, in my scenario, and he could be moved to the pen if things didn't work out.

As far as Gordon goes, he is actually ranked 6th among LF's in WAR from 2010-2013. Braun is ranked 2nd if you are a gambler and think the PED's didn't enhance his numbers much. Would be an interesting gamble IF the price was right.

Good talking with you again UNLV.

 

[cezero]

Love most of what NW put out.

Bullpen is a giant concern as well. A good 4-5 pieces missing there, alone.

Basically, a completely new outfield, a real bullpen, and a real offense hitting in the lineup from 2-5, and maybe, just maybe, this team could get to .500 again. Needs a lot more to contend for anything.

As of right now, it's nothing more than re-arranging turds on the field.

 

[cezero]

I like Morales, but not sure at what price. $14M on a one year deal isn't bad, but then what? Do you then deal him at the deadline for something which wouldn't be a whole lot? For a multi-year deal I would go maybe 3/$32M +/-. I still worry about his leg injury log term. Knees seem to last longer after injury than bones...imo.

Yeah, it's a tough one.

Basically, to keep him, the M's would probably have to do a 3-4 year deal at $12-ish per year. For most other teams, committing that much to a hobbled/slow DH who is a liability anywhere on the field would be a no-go. Boras must have sniffed out another team willing to do it, though. Given how historically terrible the M's are, and the fact that Morales is the closest thing to a good hitter we've had for a long time, it might be worth it. What a ridiculous predicament for a "major league" team to be in. LOL.

HowChuck and Nintendo have an extra $100 million reasons guaranteed every year to not give a shit.

 

[SeattleCoug]

Hughes is an interesting idea.

Obviously huge potential awhile ago but it never worked out in NY. Does he just need a change of scenery or is he really not worth most of the hype he was given? I think he comes a little cheaper then Linecum but I have a feeling we may go for Timmy but Im not sure.

As for the bullpen its tough to figure out as those guys are always hit or miss. Gotta figure out the closer situation and go from there. I gotta think the Bartender is done closing. Leaves the choices as Farq, Pryor or a FA like Benoit or Rodney. I think not having Pryor really hurt the bullpen all year, put more pressure on Capps which he obviously couldnt handle.

 

[seahawksfan234]

Braun is ranked 2nd if you are a gambler and think the PED's didn't enhance his numbers much. Would be an interesting gamble IF the price was right.

I would love to make a move for Braun although I would not love what it would probably take to get him.