Steve J

Is that you Dick Bremer?

I don't think Sano and Delmon are comparable. Delmon's minor league OBP was driven largely by a batting average, Sano's by a high walk rate.

I say yes. Don't see his return getting higher, and we're looking at a logjam in the OF.

I don't think I'm comfortable with having this many players on the list that were drafted last year. I don't think that's a sign of a strong system.

Not interested. He profiles long term as a good #3 starter, the kind of pitcher to look to draft, develop, and let go when their salary gets over about 7M in arbitation.

Or have 2 years and 440 innings of very good pitching, then throw him a qualifying offer at the end... Or just resign him...like right away... What would Shield's motivation to do that be? just so he can give you a discount in exchange for years he would probably be health through, given his history?

Or have 2 years and 440 innings of very good pitching, then throw him a qualifying offer at the end...

You aren't going to get Haren for eleven million, and probably not for only 3 years of comittment. And why in the world would Texas trade away Andrus for a B-list outfield prospect? That makes no sense for Texas at all. Andrus one of the best SS in the American League, is young, and not too expensive. And since TX isn't shopping him, you would have to pay very high to get him. Even if this works out, your payroll looks like it will be over 100M

Here's mine. It's not complete and I'm still missing a shortstop and another utility player. I would also like more options in the bullpen. It comes in at $90M currently including the legacy costs of Blackburn, etc. Offseason blueprint: Trade Justin Morneau for a C+ Prospect and pick up $4M of his salary. After LaRoche, Morneau is the second best 1b option probably available. I’m looking for about $10m in budget relief and a low-minors pitching arm. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for a one-year rental. Trade (Denard Span OR Ben Revere) and Michael Tonkin and Josmil Pinto to TB for SP James Shields. I think TB would prefer the cheaper, healthier, pre-arb Ben Revere to even Span’s team-friendly contract. We’re giving up a lot, but getting a very good player. If we can’t resign him after his contract lapses, he’s the type of guy we could probably give a qualifying offer to and win either way. This gets Tampa a solution in center, catcher, and a minor leaguer with a good arm. Actually, if we can substitute Tonkin for some other pitcher, that would be great. I'm just trying not to make this a deal a homer. Sign SP Roy Oswalt to a one-year $6m contract. I don’t think he’s retiring and his peripherals from last season indicate he can still pitch at a high level. I hear he held out last season as he wanted to pitch close to his Mississippi home and MN isn’t that far (and he may be giving up on that requirement). He enjoys hunting and MN is a good state for an outdoorsman. If he still insists on being closer to home, he may sign with STL or KC, but MN remains an option. At least he’s got to know that MN won’t bench a veteran after a few bad starts. Re-sign SP Scott Baker. For an incentive laden contract with a base of 2M and incentives up to 6M with a 11m team option for ’14. He’s a full free agent now, but I can see this working out as he likes it here. Offer a minor league deal with an invite to spring training to P Jonathan Sanchez. This is a reclamation project that could work out for both parties. Sign OF Grady Sizemore to a one-year deal for $2.5M + incentives based on AB up to $5.5m. I have a hunch he is going to be a “hidden gem” about a dozen other teams are going to be offering an deal with incentives to, but MN might be only one in the AL Central where he’s used to playing. Sign LHP Mike Gonzalez to a one year $1.5M contract C: Mauer, $23M 1b: Parmelee $ .5M 2b: Carroll $3.75M 3b: Plouffe $.5M SS: LF: Willingham $7M CF: Span $4.75M RF Sizemore $5.5M DH: Doumit $3.5M IF: Florimon $.5M OF: Mastriaonni $.5M C: Butera $.6M SP: Shields* $9M SP: Oswalt* $6M SP: Baker* $6M SP: Diamond $.5M SP: who really cares if we get the first four, I suppose Gibson, DeVries, Henricks, etc $ .5M RP: Perkins (L) $2.5M RP: Burton ® $2M RP: M. Gonzalez (L)* $1.5M RP: Burnett ® $.5M RP: Fien ® $.5M RP: Slama ® $.5M RP: Duensing (L) $.6M Legacy Costs RHP: Blackburn $5.5M, justin morneau $4M (salary picked up from his trade) STAY AWAY: from junk throwing middle aged "Innings Eaters". I'm talking about the Millwoods, Guthries, and Saunders of the market. We would be buying no-upside players with lots of downside potential on multi-year contracts, and you can get innings from anywhere.

If that's what the Rays are asking, they can keep Shields. He's a good, not great, pitcher who is due to make ~$22m over the next two seasons. It doesn't make sense to pay significant prospects for a guy who isn't priced much below what he'd get on the free agent market. Fangraphs values his performance the past two years as $21.9m and $19.3m respectively. It's quite plausible his value exceeds $18m each of the next two seasons. The going rate on the FA market is about $10m for a decent #3 starter, and usually with a comittment of at least three years. Shields looks very much like a 'number 1', is only 30 years old, and the type of pitcher he is doesn't seem to be prone to suddenly falling off a cliff in their early 30's. TB is looking for pitching because every team is always looking for pitching. I'm just not sure they'll like what we have.

Of course, as usual Scott Boras says something self service and a bit ridiculous. Question, this $25 million teams are seeing next year, how is this free money? doesn't this in part replace other TV deals at least some of the teams are seeing revenue from now?