jud6312

I'm hoping this is the text chain between Falvine and Sanchez now.

I'm not sure the Sanchez signing has become "official" yet - pending physical and what not. Until that's all done, it likely doesn't require a spot be opened. My guess would be May when the time comes.

Honestly, there's not a name that's been thrown around that I'd include Kepler in a deal for. I think he's on the verge of a big breakout offensively, and the fall-off from his defense in RF to Grossman or even Granite would be huge. If the Rays offered Odorizzi for Kepler, I'd hang up the phone. Same with Julio in Atlanta. If it was Archer, I'd listen, but I don't see him as the sure-fire ace most everyone else on this site seems to, so including Max would have to make the rest of the prospect give a lot lower. I view him as a strikeout pitcher who throws a lot of innings, but didn't have a ton of success in a hitters ballpark in front of a good defense. A definite #2, but not a true ace.

http://autobinaryrobots.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/robot.png It's fine, you guys. Whoever they bring it, I'm sure it'll work out just fine. Missing out Darvish simply takes this team from 95 wins to 92 or 93.

I'd take him over Odorizzi in a heartbeat. Archer would be a decent move (depending on the give) although I still think "ace" is a bit of a reach. I'm with Dave - bring in Lynn or Cobb.

If taking on Span's contract is the piece that gets it done to get Archer, fine. If it's a requirement (along with trading Kepler) to land Odorizzi, no chance.

Seems a bit risky ... unless you're talking 5/100 with a chance to get 10 more though incentives

Honestly, I'm just glad it's over so we can stop hearing about it. Now we just need them to not settle for someone like Tillman or Garcia on the FA or offer up someone like Kepler for someone like Odorizzi.

Arrieta is the least offensive to the senses, but giving up a high(ish) draft pick on a big 1-year contract isn't preferable. Honestly, if these are the options out there after the top guys, I'd rather just roll the dice with Gonsalves/Romero/Jorge/May. Guys like this, and in some cases these exact guys, will be available down the line either off the scrap heap or trade wire.

That's the dream,

No thank you. Not because I don't agree that depth is important, but because I'm not sure he's an upgrade over anyone in line to get starts this year. Certainly not Santana and Berrios, and probably not Gibson or Mejia. I think May, Jorge, Gonsalves, Romero, Littel, etc. probably offer up just as much short-term help as this guy.

That would've been ideal. If he does decide to walk, hopefully Gordon proves ready to step in and Polanco continues to progress. They obviously won't have Dozier's power, but they could make for an entertaining double play combo. Javier is the one I'm most excited for of the bunch - Lewis included.

Hard to argue with much on the list so far, but I have a hunch that Javier will be quite a bit higher later on in the year.

Not sure I'd go 5 years on Dozier, but I'd definitely go 3 at $15 per. Maybe add a mutual option or two if it helps get the deal done. We're seeing a lot of guys tail off and/or break down around 34-35, particularly those that play all-out. I think Dozier would qualify for that.

Yeah, but did Ernie Banks have one of these? http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Qp-alJ6_OHg/S9bFbV5bGsI/AAAAAAAAD5Y/oNsO1PD2DJo/s1600/Joe%20Mauer%20Quick%20Swing%20Baseball%20Training%20Machine.jpg

Celery is mean-spirited? Really? Actually, there's nothing wrong with celery, it's just pretty bland. Joe is good, but let's face it - he's not exactly charismatic or engaging or memorable outside of Minnesota. People remembered "Let's play two," but will they remember "nobody wants to hear me rap"? Nobody - or very few - beyond our fair borders will care that's he local or played for only one team or his "ah shucks" nature. They'll remember the early brilliance and the decline into a solid defensive and below average offensive corner infielder. As much as we hate to admit that the "antiquated" counting stats don't count, they still do - at least the "big" ones. Joe might have comparable OPS, OPS+, WAR, etc. to several HOFers, but his lack of "glory" numbers, major milestone numbers, and post-season mediocrity is going to outweigh a lot of those more favorable metrics. Celery is a good source of fiber, but when given the option a lot of people are going to choose the burger or slice of pizza instead.

Ernie also had the HRs, a second MVP award, personality and a big media market to aid his candidacy. Joe's essentially a singles swatting piece of celery in flyover country. On top of that, he's been virtually invisible in the postseason and the team has never won a playoff game with him on the roster. While the latter is a team thing, it will almost certainly weigh on the minds of some on-the-fence Joe voters. IMO he's gonna need a few more years of solid production to be the shoe-in some seem to think he is. I wouldn't be surprised or disappointed if he gets in, but I certainly won't get all worked up like I suspect many a Twins fan will.

Maybe Tommy John and Joe can get in together for their contributions to the medical side of MLB.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, via I Would Be Doogie, it's a big league contract, with the $1.5 to $2 million that's been thrown around. Maybe $1.5 base and another $500k in incentives?

The problem I see in "crediting" them on their transparency, is how do we know how strong the interest is? When I needed to buy a new car, I was interested in a Mercedes - I looked in the windows, read about them on the internet, and even told my friends what I was interested in. The reality, however, is that while I was interested, I wasn't able to make it a reality and I basically knew that all along. I ended up with a used Chrysler instead. In this offseason scenario, Darvish is the Benz, Duke the Chrysler, and Rodney the 1994 Toyota Carrolla with 486,227 miles on it that your Uncle Jeff can't stand to send to the scrap heap so it gets handed down from generation to generation forever.

This. At least with the old regime it was never really hinted/suggested/stated/etc. that something would be done before they did nothing. The expectations were low or non-existent, so we could be disappointed, but not surprised at their lack of moves. I think it's at least been suggested that things are going to be different. But so far the Wonder Twins' powers have activated to bring in a defensive-minded catcher whose defense took a step backward; a Rule 5 who was good enough to take up a roster spot for most of the season, but not good enough to stick in the end; a closer who's the human form of trying to stomp out a forest fire with a dried out Christmas tree; a "flamethrower" Rule 5 who is seemingly afraid of the strike zone; and an aging lefty who pitched OK in an injury-shortened 2017. Who/what did I miss? As someone said above, one or two of these types of signings is fine, but it's quickly becoming the norm. I'm less offended by the Duke move, because he likely won't be in as high leverage positions as Rodney will. I just fear that if one or both of these guys falter, low financial investment or not, they won't be able to pull the trigger on releasing or demoting them because they're too concerned about making their "signature" cheap move. The only move that's made a ton of sense and strayed from the same old pattern is Pineda. Now, if they were to go do the same thing with Rosenthal, I'd be less concerned about these bullpen "upgrades" they've made this year.

I think it's a case that if they're going to roll the dice on a big arm with questions they'd rather it be "their" big arm with questions, rather than someone else's big arm with questions. They seem determined to leave their mark. Hopefully they don't get so blinded by that effort that they make poor and/or rash decisions. I was encouraged by what they did in the draft as a whole - using the "saved" Lewis money to get Enslow helped that - but I'd call the first year of free agency mediocre at best and this postseason so far has been a bust. Hopefully they either redeem themselves quickly or fall on their faces before they can do too much long-term damage.

Given what Rodney said on a conference call, he's been told he'll be stepping into that role. As a depth move, I'd have no problem with this. As a closer, he's a recipe for disaster if he's given a long leash.

You humble me, good sir.

Hopefully the $1.5 million is $1 million to get rid of the invisible bow and arrow, and the other $500k is to turn his hat straight. That'd be worth it.