2014 MLB Season: How Many Pitchers Will Die For Our Sins?

[Ar-Pharazon]

Whether Samardzija's "ace" material or not, he's a known commodity. They know he's not injury prone, they know what he can do.

Aside from the possibility he didn't want to stay at all, and that wasn't a sure thing, they're going to over-pay for someone, like they did for Jackson apparently.

He might have simply been tired of all the trade rumors, and like me, the seemingly never-ending rebuilding process. Every time they were out of the race, they dumped every bit of talent. You have to keep someone veteran at some point to build around.

If they'd made a serious offer, possibly earlier on, he might have signed a contract.

 

[Timby]

Whether Samardzija's "ace" material or not, he's a known commodity. They know he's not injury prone, they know what he can do.

Aside from the possibility he didn't want to stay at all, and that wasn't a sure thing, they're going to over-pay for someone, like they did for Jackson apparently.

Eh, Edwin Jackson was a whiff, admittedly -- which honestly surprised me, because until he came to Chicago he was one of the most reliable innings-eaters in baseball.

And the Cubs made their first offer to Samardzija more than 13 months ago -- after it became patently clear he wasn't going to stick around, you might as well get something for him. You're right that they know what they'd have with him, and what they'd have is a pitcher with a career OPS+ of 101 -- literally league-average. That's not a $20 million pitcher. He's getting by with a fair amount of smoke and mirrors this year (his HR/9 rate should be about double what it is, notably because he's generating ground balls at an otherworldly rate compared to his historic numbers).

Once Hoyer heard that Russell was on the market, I would have absolutely called Oakland and said "You get any two pitchers." Getting last year's first-round pick in McKinney and a cheap, cost-controlled back-of-the-rotation guy in Straily, on top of one of the top prospects in baseball, is gravy. Pitchers are highly fungible, but when you have the opportunity to add even more bats then you take it. The Cubs clearly know that Castro is not an MLB shortstop, so now they have an opportunity to see whether Baez or Russell should get the first shot at the job (and then stash the loser in the outfield to mash taters with Bryant).

Edit: I think it's fairly clear Beane overpaid in a weak pitching market to bolster his rotation in what's shaping up to be one of the tougher divisions in baseball, and that this is his all-in move. Considering we already know the Orioles and Cubs have talked about Samardzija, the fact that he wasn't already an Oriole was a pretty clear indication that Baltimore wasn't jumping at the chance to ship Dylan Bundy out of town for a league-average starter having a shiny first half.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

With Samardzija, at lease in the news, it went back and forth between "we want him" and "we're trading him". How much of that was the actual team's attitude vs. the usual Chicago media getting bored, we'll probably never know for sure.

Now of course, we have 3 top-tier shortstops. If they can get Castro to play 2nd well, where do they put Baez with Bryant being the 3B of the future? And then where do they put Russell?

I know, not a bad situation in itself, but they could've tried to get a top level pitching prospect or two, rather than another great position player, at least.

 

[Timby]

With Samardzija, at lease in the news, it went back and forth between "we want him" and "we're trading him". How much of that was the actual team's attitude vs. the usual Chicago media getting bored, we'll probably never know for sure.

Now of course, we have 3 top-tier shortstops. If they can get Castro to play 2nd well, where do they put Baez with Bryant being the 3B of the future? And then where do they put Russell?

I know, not a bad situation in itself, but they could've tried to get a top level pitching prospect or two, rather than another great position player, at least.

Ideally Baez ends up in right -- he has a really, really, really great arm that would be wasted at third.

The other thing is that this gives the Cubs a lot of flexibility moving forward -- they might be able to put together a package that frees David Price from Tampa, for example (they've always been looking for a top 10 global prospect and another nearly ready-to-go guy -- Oakland couldn't meet that price due to their near-barren farm, but Chicago can with any combo of Russell and Bryant / Baez / Soler). And by not having to pay Hammel and Samardzija's salaries, that opens them up to be players in the FA market after the season, when, as I mentioned earlier, Scherzer, Lester, Shields and a slew of lesser consolation prizes will be available. The Cubs are known to have interest in Scherzer and I wouldn't be unhappy if they gave Lester a raise to $12 or $13 million.

Edit: Also, they've already said they want this to be the last season they're obvious sellers and long-term it fits with "the plan" which seems to be low(er) payroll through 2019 - 2020 when the Wrigley renovations and new TV deals should be set (and then they'll sign Mike Trout to a $400 million deal). You'll have to blame Selig and human garbage Sam Zell for that one, since they were never going to allow someone like Mark Cuban to buy the team and aim a money cannon at it, so the team was going to come saddled with debt (and the Rickettses still had to leverage themselves pretty heavily in their purchase).

That said, if Dan Straily pops up this year and goes full Arrieta, I'm going to spend the winter constructing idols and shrines to Theo / Jed and their divine leadership.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

^ And if he doesn't, you'll burn them in effigy, if not in person?

 

[Yanks]

The question is, are the Yankees going to be buyers or sellers?

CC might be done for good!! Damn, that would suck.

 

[Timby]

The question is, are the Yankees going to be buyers or sellers?

CC might be done for good!! Damn, that would suck.

They don't have much down on the farm. Their top prospects are all at AA and below (and outside of Gary Sanchez they're no great shakes -- he's the closest thing the Yankees have to untouchable, and even he's a huge defensive question mark), and everyone is probably at least two years away from contributing, if not longer. But there isn't a lot out there on the market that they could realistically get -- I'm sure they'll kick the tires on Brandon McCarthy but Arizona won't sell him off for shit. They could certainly pry Schierholtz from the Cubs if Beltran continues to shit himself at the plate (don't count on that; he's old and shitty and will continue to get worse), or they could get Denorfia from San Diego since they appear willing to sell anything that isn't nailed to the walls at Petco ... but, again, they don't have much to buy with, and it's absolutely a seller's market.

Honestly, what they need is for Beltran, McCann, Jeter, Soriano and Roberts to stop being really bad at baseball.

 

[Yanks]

The question is, are the Yankees going to be buyers or sellers?

CC might be done for good!! Damn, that would suck.

They don't have much down on the farm. Their top prospects are all at AA and below (and outside of Gary Sanchez they're no great shakes -- he's the closest thing the Yankees have to untouchable, and even he's a huge defensive question mark), and everyone is probably at least two years away from contributing, if not longer. But there isn't a lot out there on the market that they could realistically get -- I'm sure they'll kick the tires on Brandon McCarthy but Arizona won't sell him off for shit. They could certainly pry Schierholtz from the Cubs if Beltran continues to shit himself at the plate (don't count on that; he's old and shitty and will continue to get worse), or they could get Denorfia from San Diego since they appear willing to sell anything that isn't nailed to the walls at Petco ... but, again, they don't have much to buy with, and it's absolutely a seller's market.

Honestly, what they need is for Beltran, McCann, Jeter, Soriano and Roberts to stop being really bad at baseball.

He's not "old and shitty" he playing hurt.

I think they need to "buy" one starter...

Just heard that Lester won't sign early... made....

Price might be in a trade for the right price....

But you're right, not much to deal accept cash...

If the east wasn't so pedestrian this year, I'd say deal. But even with the Yanks playing 500 ball, it's still within reach.

 

[Timby]

The question is, are the Yankees going to be buyers or sellers?

CC might be done for good!! Damn, that would suck.

They don't have much down on the farm. Their top prospects are all at AA and below (and outside of Gary Sanchez they're no great shakes -- he's the closest thing the Yankees have to untouchable, and even he's a huge defensive question mark), and everyone is probably at least two years away from contributing, if not longer. But there isn't a lot out there on the market that they could realistically get -- I'm sure they'll kick the tires on Brandon McCarthy but Arizona won't sell him off for shit. They could certainly pry Schierholtz from the Cubs if Beltran continues to shit himself at the plate (don't count on that; he's old and shitty and will continue to get worse), or they could get Denorfia from San Diego since they appear willing to sell anything that isn't nailed to the walls at Petco ... but, again, they don't have much to buy with, and it's absolutely a seller's market.

Honestly, what they need is for Beltran, McCann, Jeter, Soriano and Roberts to stop being really bad at baseball.

He's not "old and shitty" he playing hurt.

He's old and shitty because he's hurt. I seem to recall pointing out that Beltran's knees were shot, and a certain Yankees fan said "Nuh uh, he'll be fine."

Price might be in a trade for the right price....

The Yankees seriously and literally do not have the pieces to get Price. The Rays' demand is, and always has been, a top 10 global prospect, and another prospect who's pretty much ready to go to the majors tomorrow. There aren't a lot of teams that can meet that price (the Yankees sure can't; Gary Sanchez is the closest thing to "ready," and he's certainly not a Top 10 in all of baseball guy, nor will he realistically be good to go until '16), and Friedman isn't going to trade him inside the division.

 

[Timby]

But there isn't a lot out there on the market that they could realistically get -- I'm sure they'll kick the tires on Brandon McCarthy but Arizona won't sell him off for shit.

Well, I was half-right, as in a deal that makes no sense for Arizona, the Yankees just flipped Vidal Nuno (who is real, real bad) for McCarthy and cash. Additionally, Alfonso Soriano was flat-out DFA'd.

 

[Yanks]

He's not "old and shitty" he playing hurt.

He's old and shitty because he's hurt. I seem to recall pointing out that Beltran's knees were shot, and a certain Yankees fan said "Nuh uh, he'll be fine."

It's not his knees...

Price might be in a trade for the right price....

The Yankees seriously and literally do not have the pieces to get Price. The Rays' demand is, and always has been, a top 10 global prospect, and another prospect who's pretty much ready to go to the majors tomorrow. There aren't a lot of teams that can meet that price (the Yankees sure can't; Gary Sanchez is the closest thing to "ready," and he's certainly not a Top 10 in all of baseball guy, nor will he realistically be good to go until '16), and Friedman isn't going to trade him inside the division.

Just hoping they can "bank" a trade. We need a top flight starter something bad. You never know. The Dodgers are out spending us by leaps and bounds

But there isn't a lot out there on the market that they could realistically get -- I'm sure they'll kick the tires on Brandon McCarthy but Arizona won't sell him off for shit.

Well, I was half-right, as in a deal that makes no sense for Arizona, the Yankees just flipped Vidal Nuno (who is real, real bad) for McCarthy and cash. Additionally, Alfonso Soriano was flat-out DFA'd.

God Soriano has been horrible. I didn't expect him to maintain the bat-shit type pace he gave us last year when he came over, but hey.... the Cubs are still paying the bill.

Nuno I think could help out of the pen, but that's not what we need. Maybe McCarthy can give us some quality starts.

 

[Pondwater]

He's old and shitty because he's hurt. I seem to recall pointing out that Beltran's knees were shot, and a certain Yankees fan said "Nuh uh, he'll be fine." .

I haven't, I said he's raggedy.

 

[Timby]

Fucking at Jeter and his .651 OPS starting in the All-Star Game. Amazing that it wasn't Ramirez or Aybar.

God, I hate Chipper Jones for starting this "retirement tour" glory whore bullshit.

Edit: Ooh, maybe I'll get to hear "past a diving Jeter" one more time.

Edit 2: Oakland fans are awesome:

 

[Pondwater]

Aww, poor you.

Of course, Jeter would be selected to the 2014 ASG. Why not?

 

[Timby]

Aww, poor you.

Of course, Jeter would be selected to the 2014 ASG. Why not?

Oh, I get that it's a meaningless popularity contest. But it's not like he's even in the top ten in his position in the AL.

Edit: It annoys me because instead of talking about 60 really, really good players, the broadcast is going to spend 90% of the airtime talking about a guy who hasn't been good in five years.

 

[Yanks]

Aww, poor you.

Of course, Jeter would be selected to the 2014 ASG. Why not?

Oh, I get that it's a meaningless popularity contest. But it's not like he's even in the top ten in his position in the AL.

Edit: It annoys me because instead of talking about 60 really, really good players, the broadcast is going to spend 90% of the airtime talking about a guy who hasn't been good in five years.

5 years? (slaps forehead)

Look at his 2012 numbers.

AVG= .316OBP= .362SLG= .429OPS= .791

7th in MVP voting.

eeesh.....

I agree he's not the best SS in the game, but with all the PED crap that MLB deals with every year, they'd better damn well recognize someone that has done it "the right way".

Of course the same was done and said about Cal when he played his last game as an all-star.

It's not Jeter that tied this exhibition to the World Series.

And I'm one that says he needs to be moved from his #2 batting spot.

 

[1001001]

You know what would be great??

If the A's would fucking lose once in a while!!

 

[Jedi_Master]

You know what would be great??

If the A's would fucking lose once in a while!!

Chuckle. Don't worry, the Angels will most likely get the Wild Card this season.

The Shark looked good yesterday.

Great trade for the A's. Small market teams have to carefully marshal their resources, build up their farm systems, patch together cast - offs and a few marquee players and then strike at just the right time if they are going to win a World Series.

This year just might be our year. Now if someone could just fricking stand up in the AL Central and knock the Tigers out of the playoffs I would be eternally grateful.

 

[Timby]

There's a rumor that the Mets are kicking the tires on Starlin Castro. Additionally, Jed Hoyer was quoted as saying that he expects teams looking for offense to call him.

FUCKING DO IT HOYER TRADE HIM

TRADE HIM NOW

brb, furiously researching ancient Scandinavian rituals to see if there's a way to summon Zack Wheeler and Noah Syndergaard to Chicago

 

[Timby]

Tanaka is on his way back to New York for an MRI on his pitching arm.

That ... would not be good for the Yankees.