MLB News & Notes (other than Cubs or Sox)

[VanSlawAndCottoCheese]

Unless you can guarantee Ramirez's health, I'd rather have Cespedes in the OF.

[1060Ivy]

Mariners lock up Seager for 7 years, $100 MM.

 

3rd season that Mariners have signed a player to $100 MM + contract - King Felix, Cano and now Seager.

 

Kyle would have been eligible for Free Agency in 2018 so deal buys out 3 arbitration years.

 

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/119304...e-mariners

[rok]

That's a strange deal, but I suppose that's what a good defense/ok offense 3B costs these days.

[funkster]

I don't know what to think about all this.  I'm already pessimistic about landing one of the arms this off season, but I don't know that I agree with Ace that this make it more likely that Boston gets Lester.

[rok]

Apparently the Boston offer to Lester was for only 5 years but $120 mil. We could and probably will beat that in years, but another nutty team will likely give him a 7th year for similar AAV. Caution seems to have little place in this FA market.

[nakedman1664]

Unless you can guarantee Ramirez's health, I'd rather have Cespedes in the OF.

I second this. I have some strange feeling that it's going to be some stupid injury that gets Ramirez out early next year.

[Mikey]

My guess is they will try to trade Cespedes.

[Coldneck]

Why do people seem to love Cespedes? Outside of the hot start of his career he's been mediocre at best. He'll hit 25 HRs and get on base about 30% of the time. He's had his own injury trouble as well.

[Butcher]

He won the HR derby, too. Don't forget about that.

[rok]

It's all about the power shortage around the league. Had he been around 10 years ago, Cespedes would be Wily Mo Pena.

[VanSlawAndCottoCheese]

So who loves Cespedes? He's two years younger than Hanley, has been healthier, has played the position before, still produces better than league average, and would cost less. Of the two, I chose Cespedes.

[Coldneck]

So who loves Cespedes? He's two years younger than Hanley, has been healthier, has played the position before, still produces better than league average, and would cost less. Of the two, I chose Cespedes.

Cespedes is under control for only one season and then a FA. Hanley, when healthy, is one of the best RH hitters in the league. His career slash line is .300/.373/.500. That's a higher slugger % than Cespedes by 36 points. Hanley just signed a 4 year deal that only goes through his 34 year old season, so mostly peak years. Cespedes>Hanley on OF defense for sure (well I assume since I've never seen Hanley play OF). But Hanley also can be used as a backup infielder or fulltime SS or 3B if necessary due to injury, trade, etc. They're both giant pains in the ass based on numerous media reports. Of the 2, I choose Ramirez, and it wasn't particularly close. 

[VanSlawAndCottoCheese]

Well, I'd argue that in the "post-cream-and-clear" era, ages 31-34 are squarely not peak years.

 

If you take away his half-season of wonderment that was 2013 (yes, I'm slightly cherry-picking), Ramirez's stats from 2011 on aren't all that different from Cespedes. All things being equal, of course I'd rather have Ramirez. However, considering his recent injury history, I'd go so far as to say that the Red Sox having Ramirez on the roster in two years will hurt them more than not having Cespedes.

[Coldneck]

Well, I'd argue that in the "post-cream-and-clear" era, ages 31-34 are squarely not peak years.

 

If you take away his half-season of wonderment that was 2013 (yes, I'm slightly cherry-picking), Ramirez's stats from 2011 on aren't all that different from Cespedes. All things being equal, of course I'd rather have Ramirez. However, considering his recent injury history, I'd go so far as to say that the Red Sox having Ramirez on the roster in two years will hurt them more than not having Cespedes.

 

I would agree with your analysis if the subject were Sandoval, but not so for Ramirez. Ramirez will be great in Fenway Park. His line drive contact is perfect for that field. Coming from Dodger Stadium to Fenway will look a lot like Beltre coming from Safeco to Fenway several years before. I love that signing for the Red Sox and I'm surprised it only took a 4 year commitment. 

 

And in regards to peak years, your point is taken. What I should have said is the contract ends prior to his skills completely falling off - like the A-Rod, Pujols and Hamilton deals.

[1060Ivy]

ESPN reporting Diamondbacks sign Tomas - 6 years $68.5 MM



http://m.espn.go.com/mlb/story?storyId=11943647