MLB News & Notes (other than Cubs or Sox)

[funkster]

Everyone seems to be scratching their heads over this.

[rok]

Seriously, WTF? Rizzo de-pantsed Dumbrowski. How could the return on 2 years of a healthy Fister be lower (by a mile) than a couple of months of Garza (just off the DL)? And if this wrecks the market for Shark, who is inferior to both of the above, I'm gonna be mega-pissed.

[MickKelleherWasMyHero]

Could someone explain what the hell Billy Beane is doing in Oakland? Signing Kazmir for $11 million per year, then trading for Jim Johnson, who should get $8-11 million in arbitration, doesn't make a whole lot of sense for the A's. The two highest paid players shouldn't be a starter who hasn't pitched much more than 150 innings in a single season in a decade and a closer. What am I missing?

'

[rok]

And will Johnson even be their closer? There is talk that he is viewed more as a setup man.

[CFOrfan]

I love these moves. Kazmir is a steal and Johnson should be their closer, as Balfour won't be back. Colon probably won't be back and Kazmir > Colon. This probably spells the end for Anderson and trading him will save about $9mil.

[rok]

Not so sure about Kazmir being > Colon. He could be, but Colon has been extremely durable with great numbers the past few seasons. No one would argue their stuff is even close, but Kazmir still has a lot to prove though he is about 10 years younger. On Johnson though, his peripherals are pretty meh, but he should do ok in a bigger ballpark. They gave up very little to get him, so why not?

[CFOrfan]

Not so sure about Kazmir being > Colon. He could be, but Colon has been extremely durable with great numbers the past few seasons. No one would argue their stuff is even close, but Kazmir still has a lot to prove though he is about 10 years younger. On Johnson though, his peripherals are pretty meh, but he should do ok in a bigger ballpark. They gave up very little to get him, so why not?

Exactly. Weeks isn't a whole lot for a 50+ save closer. Beane probably didn't want to commit to Balfour for 3+ years.

 

I'm just going on my own gut feeling on Colon. How often have 40 year old pitchers pitched with great success? I would say Colon had one of the better season of any 39 year old + pitcher ever, if you take out Nolan Ryan. I'm skeptical if he can repeat that.

[MickKelleherWasMyHero]

Aren't saves kind of like wins? Johnson's conversion rate, WHIP, and KO/9 weren't all that great last year.

 

The why not for Johnson is his price tag. The A's could use an upgrade at DH and some competition for the RF spot if Reddick can't bounce back, and their BP seems solid without Johnson. The A's are potentially spending $20+ million for about 250 innings of work.

 

But the A's always seem to contend, so I'm likely wrong.

[CFOrfan]

None of his basic stats were great, but how can you really judge a closer on finishing games other than games finished/saves/blown saves?

[CFOrfan]

Also, looks like Ryan Hanigan to Tampa and Nathan to Tigers

[rok]

The $'s likely aren't as big of a concern as in the past to even a smaller market team since the new MLB TV contract money recently gave each franchise an extra $25m per year in revenue. I believe 2014 is when they all start to see it.

[Clapp]

<p style="font-size:12.222222328186035px;background-color:transparent;"> 

<p style="font-size:12.222222328186035px;background-color:transparent;">Royals acquired OF Norichika Aoki from the Brewers for LHP Will Smith.


Aoki is set to earn just $1.95 million in 2014 and has hit .287/.355/.399 with good speed and decent power in his first two major league seasons. He's a nice pickup for the Royals and his fantasy value should remain strong in the Kansas City lineup. Smith, 24, posted a 3.24 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 43/7 K/BB ratio in 33 1/3 innings (one start and 18 relief appearances) this past season for the Royals. Milwaukee will presumably try him as a starter.

[rok]

Unless they do convert him to a SP, that's not a great return for Aoki. At least he won't be dominating our asses anymore though.

[funkster]

Doc Halladay retired.  Shame it had to end on injuries.

[Butcher]

Doc Halladay retired.  Shame it had to end on injuries.

 

I'm a big fan of Doc's. That no-hitter against the Reds in the playoffs was one of my favorite postseason moments.