Sports Ill top 50 Free Agents

[Thegrin]

Here is the link to an interesting SI article on the top 50 Free Agents.  Which ones would you want ?

 

http://www.si.com/mlb/2014/11/03/reiter-50-free-agent-rankings-max-scherzer-jon-lester-james-shields

[old nurse]

The list thins out quickly. I think from the list the imports might be the best bet for the money on the length of the contract it would take to sign them.

[Thrylos]

Yasmani Tomas & Pat Neshek

[tobi0040]

Here is the link to an interesting SI article on the top 50 Free Agents.  Which ones would you want ?

 

http://www.si.com/mlb/2014/11/03/reiter-50-free-agent-rankings-max-scherzer-jon-lester-james-shields

 

The Yahoo one predicts salaries, has Tomas at over $100M.  I would not fault the Twins for balking at that, especially since it says his defense and on base skills are questionable. 

 

I think realistically, Ervin Santana is the target for a pitcher and Colby Rasmus for the OF.   

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/top-150-free-agents-134400203--mlb.html

[Thrylos]

The Yahoo one predicts salaries, has Tomas at over $100M.  I would not fault the Twins for balking at that, especially since it says his defense and on base skills are questionable. 

 

I think realistically, Ervin Santana is the target for a pitcher and Colby Rasmus for the OF.   

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/top-150-free-agents-134400203--mlb.html

 

Santana with a qualifying offer now, is not realistic... 

[Kirby_waved_at_me]

I would agree, although the Twins did offer Santana 3 yrs last year with the QO attached. I think if the Twins just change all the dates on that contract, then Santana might want to sign it.

[tobi0040]

Santana with a qualifying offer now, is not realistic... 

 

So we lose a second round pick right? Because our 6th pick is protected.  It should be realistic.

[tobi0040]

Apparently we already reached out to Torii Hunter.  He would be great from a club house perspective and I would not mind his bat......but ESPN or Yahoo had him as the worst defensive OF in the league last year and DH is already crowded. BR had his defense at -2.4 dWAR last year and -1.5 the year prior.  No thanks.

 

 

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/Twins_have_expressed_interest_in_free_agent_Torii_Hunter110314

[Physics Guy]

The Yahoo one predicts salaries, has Tomas at over $100M.  I would not fault the Twins for balking at that, especially since it says his defense and on base skills are questionable. 

 

I think realistically, Ervin Santana is the target for a pitcher and Colby Rasmus for the OF.   

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/top-150-free-agents-134400203--mlb.html

I agree on balking at Tomas.  He could be a nice player, but seems to be a repeat of Arcia.  Arcia is cheap and Tomas will not be.  We don't need two below average defensive OF.  I would rather spend the money on an OF who is above average on defense, although I'm not sure that guy is available (Melky scares me).  Maybe Rasmus as long as his salary is manageable.  

[Mike Sixel]

Wow, you thought the OF defense was bad before....adding Hunter isn't going to help it. They have enough offense.....they have enough offense.....they have enough offense. Go get some pitching and defense.

[tobi0040]

I agree on balking at Tomas.  He could be a nice player, but seems to be a repeat of Arcia.  Arcia is cheap and Tomas will not be.  We don't need two below average defensive OF.  I would rather spend the money on an OF who is above average on defense, although I'm not sure that guy is available (Melky scares me).  Maybe Rasmus as long as his salary is manageable.  

 

My ideal off-season that would be realistic.......Ervin Santana for 3-45 with an option and Colby Rasmus at 3-36, or 2-25 with an option. 

 

I think you improve the rotation.  Ervin is probably our second best pitcher and it forces a competition for rotation spots.   

 

Rasmus can play CF, so the odds of a disaster there go away.  Ideally he is your left fielder and if he posts a positive dWAR in center he provides plus defense in a spot that is lacking and 20 HR and 20 2B.  He is 28 and does not break the bank.  His OBP and K numbers are not ideal, but he is the only guy that may improve us defensively and offensively in OF.

[REPETE]

I think Hunter would be the perfect addition, as long as the price is right.  This would not be a "Bartlett/Kubel" signing, as we know he can at least still hit, even if he's not the OF he used to be.  But I think Molitor could use a guy like this on the bench, to set the example for the young guys coming up, and someone who's not afraid to get in their face, and teach them, you have to play hurt. 

[tobi0040]

I think Hunter would be the perfect addition, as long as the price is right.  This would not be a "Bartlett/Kubel" signing, as we know he can at least still hit, even if he's not the OF he used to be.  But I think Molitor could use a guy like this on the bench, to set the example for the young guys coming up, and someone who's not afraid to get in their face, and teach them, you have to play hurt. 

 

I think the club house thing is overrated.  Yelling at a guy in the dugout won't make Arcia a better outfielder or make Mike Pelfrey a good pitcher.

 

Last year, Arcia had 20 HR in 100 games, an OPS of .752 and a dWAR of -2.2 if you annualize it (-1.4 in 100 games).  He is likely going to improve a tad offensively and defensively.

 

Hunter had 17 HR, .765 OPS, and a dWAR of -2.4.

 

They are very similar players and Arcia is on the roster for $500K next year, no need to dump $10M plus on Hunter.  It makes zero sense to me.  If we had a whole at DH maybe, but we have guys there too.  We need pitching and OF defense.