2009 Baseball Season/Off-Season Discussion

[Falcon]

As for Johnny going to the M's...if they're willing to give him a 4 year, 13 million per deal.....they can have him.  He's just not worth that amount of money for that term.  Too risky.

My thoughts exactly, no way in hell I'd go anything over 2 years for Damon and surely not at the 13 per they're wanting...

Whatever they lose production wise with Johnson (if that's the direction they go) they may just make up with Granderson - he's got a chance to hit 40 at Yankee Stadium.

[pilferk]

As for Johnny going to the M's...if they're willing to give him a 4 year, 13 million per deal.....they can have him.  He's just not worth that amount of money for that term.  Too risky.

My thoughts exactly, no way in hell I'd go anything over 2 years for Damon and surely not at the 13 per they're wanting...

Whatever they lose production wise with Johnson (if that's the direction they go) they may just make up with Granderson - he's got a chance to hit 40 at Yankee Stadium.

The nice thing about getting Johnson in the lineup is it means you don't have to bat Granderson or Swisher (who both strike out a lot) in the two hole (again, assuming that Johnny's not coming back).  You drop Johnson in there, for one year, and he fits nicely.  It allows them to go with this lineup:

Jeter
Johnson
Tex
A-rod
Granderson
Posada
Cano
Swisher
Melky

That's one heck of an order, 1 to 9.  Granted, you slot Damon into the above 2 hole, and it would be BETTER.  But I'm not sure the difference is worth Damon's asking price. 

And you've lowered the payroll of that lineup by roughly 12 to 13 million for this year, and you're left with about 18 million per going into NEXT year to play with JUST from your lineup.

That' a long way toward signing someone like Mauer. 

[faldor]

Nick Johnson's not a bad player, he just always gets hurt.  Maybe you're right though.  DH'ing, could lessen his injury problems.  IF he can stay healthy, I agree, he's almost equal to Damon offensively.  But he's never been able to stay healthy, so I wouldn't count on him all of a sudden doing it now.

[Falcon]

Personally, I like the signing of Johnson.

He might not be the most reliable "everyday" guy option but in a DH role, he's a good fit.  He's gonna get on base (like a .425 OBP) and he's gonna score runs.

I think his signing also sends a message, the Yanks are not waiting on anyone.  They're making deals, not playing the waiting (Boras) game then making educated decisions on their timetable.

On a Phils note, heard an interview with Cliff Lee on MLB Hot Stove.  Sounded like a guy who wanted to stay in Philly big time.  Looks like a fifth year could've been the sticking point...

[Falcon]

According to Peter Gammons, the Sox apparently offered the following to Bay and Holliday before signing Lackey.

http://twitter.com/pgammo

"Boston ecstatic with Lackey. Before he stepped foward, Sox offered 4x$15M to Bay and 5x$16.5 to Holliday."
about 23 hours ago from web

[faldor]

According to Peter Gammons, the Sox apparently offered the following to Bay and Holliday before signing Lackey.

http://twitter.com/pgammo

"Boston ecstatic with Lackey. Before he stepped foward, Sox offered 4x$15M to Bay and 5x$16.5 to Holliday."
about 23 hours ago from web

Yeah, Buster Olney said the same thing.  They offered Holliday the same exact contract they gave to Lackey.  I guess they were pretty determined to get at least one of the big 3.

[Falcon]

Yeah, Buster Olney said the same thing.  They offered Holliday the same exact contract they gave to Lackey.  I guess they were pretty determined to get at least one of the big 3.

No doubt about it.

I like the Sox offseason philosophy as well, both they and the Yankees are getting their house in order and moving forward at their pace.

[pilferk]

Nick Johnson's not a bad player, he just always gets hurt.  Maybe you're right though.  DH'ing, could lessen his injury problems.  IF he can stay healthy, I agree, he's almost equal to Damon offensively.  But he's never been able to stay healthy, so I wouldn't count on him all of a sudden doing it now.

I agree, 100%.  I don't expect him to stay healthy...BUT, can see how he might considering his role as a DH.  He can also, on occasion, be pressed into duty in the OF, and he can spell Tex at 1B occasionally.  Gives them some flexibility. 

And they have Miranda waiting in the wings, should Johnson get hurt.  He can do a spell at DH, if necessary.

[faldor]

The Mike Lowell trade is now off and he'll be returning to Boston.  Or will he?  Can he?  I mean they've tried to trade him the last 2 years and he was basically out the door this time.  Now he's coming back, and the thumb injury that scared Texas off really isn't all that serious.  He's gonna have surgery and be ready for spring training.  I think they just got cold feet after taking some time to think about it and decided they didn't want him, even with the reported 9 million the Sox were willing to pay.

Personally I wouldn't mind having him back.  He can still hit, and would make the lineup a little stronger.  He can't move very well at 3B anymore though and may have to make the switch to 1B.  It could be an awkward situation though.  It's clear to everyone that the Red Sox really don't want Lowell anymore.  Aside from the trade talks he was upset with them last year for playing him too much out of the gate when he was recovering from hip surgery.  Then after they acquired Victor Martinez, he was upset he was part of a rotation and felt they didn't play him enough.  He's a standup guy, but it won't be easy for him to walk back through the door with a smile on his face as if nothing ever happened.