Batter's Box Interactive Magazine - Warming Up the Hot Stove

OK, so you believe you know exactly what move(s) every GM in baseball should make in order to be next year's version of the '03 Marlins or '02 Angels.

Now's your chance to prove it with Da Box's One Move Challenge. Read on, make a move, mock the moves of others ... play along.

A former Jay in Beantown? A Hall of Famer headed to Wrigley? A salary dump DeepInTheHearta? You betcha. It's all in the magic of the Hot Stove's ONE MOVE.

OK, three simple rules:

- You can make ONE MOVE PER TEAM. A trade, a free agent signing, a managerial change, anything of that nature counts as your ONE MOVE.

- Your move MUST BE REASONABLE. "The Mets should trade Steve Trachsel to the Cardinals for Albert Pujols" does not qualify. Pay attention to budget considerations.

- Your move should not be about RE-SIGNING A TEAM'S OWN PLAYERS becuase, well, that's boring. "The Yankees should re-sign Andy Pettitte." Yeah, duh. "The Oakland A's should re-sign Miguel Tejada." Could be an argument there, but still a snoozer.

Remember, it's one move. "[Fill in team here] should trade player X for player Y then sign player Z to replace player X" is TWO moves. How the ONE move affects players currently on the team should be considered, and mentioning that a player currently on the team will have to change positions to accommodate the ONE move is OK.

Here are some starters:

The Dodgers should sign Vladimir Guerrero. Need offense? You can't spell "The Impaler" without "L.A." Hey, you can't spell "Vlad" without "L.A."! Shawn Green can play left. Or first, and Paul LoDuca can catch. Dodgers win the West.

The Yankees should trade Alfonso Soriano to Kansas City for Carlos Beltran. This already-rumoured deal would allow Bernie Williams to move to left and Hideki Matsui to play right; and since we won't break the rules here by expanding the ONE MOVE to include the Yankees signing a 2B to replace Soriano -- which would happen -- the idea of Aaron Boone and Erick Almonte splitting 2B and 3B duties with Enrique Wilson as the backup is not entirely unfathomable.

The Chicago Cubs should sign Greg Maddux. Sure, the future Hall of Famer has long been rumored headed home to San Diego, but fronting a Cubs rotation where Kerry Wood is your #3 guy ... that's scary. What Billy Goat?

The Boston Red Sox should name Paul Molitor manager. Yes, seriously.

The San Francisco Giants should sign Rafael Palmeiro. He wants to play in the field; he wants to play for a winner; Barry Bonds needs protection in the cleanup spot. Any questions?

The Minnesota Twins should sign Bartolo Colon. With the contracts of Kenny Rogers, Rick Reed and possibly Shannon Stewart coming off the books, this lands the Twinkies the ace pitcher Brad Radke and Eric Milton have never quite been and hurts a divisional opponent, the White Sox.

The San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers can help each other out ... the Padres, rebuffed in their bid for Maddux will want a drawing card to pair with Brian Giles in the new stadium while the Rangers want to cut payroll and get younger. The Padres should deal Dennis Tankersly and Khalil Greene to the Rangers for Alex Rodriguez. If Greene isn't ready until '05, Mike Young can play short while Hank Blalock mans second base and Mark Teixeira plays the hot corner.

In a similar cost-vs.-attraction move, the Seattle Mariners should suck it up and trade Rafael Soriano to the Cincinnati Reds for their new starting DH, Ken Griffey Jr.

I got a million of 'em ... and they're all brilliant. Reactions? Suggestions? Magic ONE MOVE revelations of your own? Speak up, ZLC-GMs.

Posted by Mick Doherty on Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 03:25 AM EST.

Warming Up the Hot Stove | 80 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.

_Steve Z - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 03:49 PM EST (#32867) #

Hmm, how 'bout the Jays resign the Cat for $2.3 million!!
No wait, that already happened:

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031028.wjays28/BNStory/Sports/

Craig B - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 03:54 PM EST (#32868) #

Thanks, Steve. This one's going on the front page.

_Shrike - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 04:00 PM EST (#32869) #

I would like to offer the following observations on some of Mike's suggested brilliant moves:

Beltran for Soriano: given the disparity in salary and service time, this could well be a win-win transaction for KC & NY. I take this view in large part on the merits of Beltran's defense in CF and Soriano's inability to handle 2B competently.

Griffey for the other Soriano: if there's one move the Mariners shouldn't make, this is it. There are a few acceptable ways for Seattle to bring back Griffey as a DH/1B; this isn't one of them. I'd suggest instead that the M's sign Palmeiro, honestly.

Craig B - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 04:04 PM EST (#32870) #

OK, I'll start with a one-move, I'll have more later when I get a chance to think.

Seattle should sign SS Kazuo Matsui.

Perfect move... Seattle strengthen their Japan connection, Matsui fills a hole in a trouble spot for the Mariners.

And I heartily endorse Mick's suggestion that the Giants sign Rafael Palmeiro. A match made in heaven.

_Jonny German - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 04:22 PM EST (#32871) #

Quibbles:

Shannon Stewart isn't coming off the Twin's books, he's coming off the Blue Jay books. Bartolo Colon may will be too expensive for Minny. Radke & Milton have never been true aces, sure, but there's this guy Santana that just may be.

Alex Rodriguez to San Diego - Why on earth would the Padres do this? Even if they could justify adding $25 million a year to the payroll for the next several years, they'd get better value spreading it out over 2 or more players and keeping Greene to play short.

_Nigel - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 04:25 PM EST (#32872) #

As scary as it is to say this, Vlad should be signed by the Yankees. The Yankees only other options for right field are Garcia and Matsui. To date, neither look to be able to produce at a level to justify a corner outfield spot. While Matsui looked to be decent defensively, Vlad is certainly a step up. Now, whether Vlad wants any part of the Big Apple, that's a different matter.

Coach - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 04:44 PM EST (#32873) #

I got a million of 'em ... and they're all brilliant.

Well, they're all interesting. I agree that Molitor should be managing somewhere, but I'm not sure that a contending team wants to risk hiring a rookie skipper who hasn't even done much coaching.

The Dodgers should sign Vladimir Guerrero.

First, they need to resolve ownership and GM issues, but this is a very good idea. Shawn Green (who was hurt all year) played right field like a first baseman in 2003.

The Yankees should trade Alfonso Soriano to Kansas City for Carlos Beltran.

Sure, but why should the Royals do this? Isn't the whole idea of moving Beltran to save money? Soriano's going to get very expensive.

Anyway, I'm with Craig. This one requires more thought, and I'll return to it. For now, here's the most obvious and essential single move for any team:

The Blue Jays must sign Roy Halladay to a four-year extension.

_Blue in SK - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 05:43 PM EST (#32874) #

Expos need a real owner. Failing that they need to re-sign Vladdy.

Gitz - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 05:48 PM EST (#32875) #

Rumors have Palmeiro going to Seattle, which makes a fair amount of sense, especially if Edgar retires and Olerud has permanently lost his ability to hit doubles and the occasional home run.

I will also think about this for a moment, though my most immediate reaction was that the A's should do whatever it takes to sign Vladimir Guerrero, Miguel Tejada, Bartolo Colon, Aaron Boone, and maybe a few others.

_Jonny German - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 06:12 PM EST (#32876) #

Vladimir Guerrero, Miguel Tejada, Bartolo Colon, Aaron Boone

Which of these is not like the rest?

Maybe he has a master plan involving trading Eric Chavez.

Gitz - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 06:28 PM EST (#32877) #

It's Vlad, isn't it?

_me aka not you - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 07:03 PM EST (#32878) #

the jays MUST sign Matsui. If he is as fun to watch as ICHIRO is he will get the Jays on the National (Canadian and American) radar. I assume he would translate into 30000 in ticket sales per game with the departure of the SARS scare. I don't know about Toronto, but other Canadian cities have large Japanese populations.

Leigh - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 07:51 PM EST (#32879) #

The Jays are not a team that can afford to be risky in their dealings. Kaz Matsui is simply not an option.

_Shrike - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 08:30 PM EST (#32880) #

Matsui might offer enough sound off-the-field reasons to sign him to a contract, even though his on-field performance might not warrant the contract from a pure production standpoint. In other words, he might prove to be a direct source of revenue that outstrips his on-field contribution to winning ballgames.

My two cents.

_Jacko - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 08:41 PM EST (#32881) #

Yankees:Soriano to CF, Jeter to 3B, Williams to LF, Godzilla to RF. And then sign Kaz Matsui or Miguel Tejada to play SS
Red Sox:Sign Miguel Batista. Sorry folks, the Red Sox are going to outbid the Jays for his services.

Mike Green - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 09:31 PM EST (#32882) #

Jacko, interesting solution for the Yankees middle of the diamond defence issue. I'd give it a go. And you're probably right about Batista. So, who will be left for us?

_Jacko - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 10:39 PM EST (#32883) #

And you're probably right about Batista. So, who will be left for us?

That's the huge problem with pitching this year. There's no middle class, so the demand for "middle class" guys like Batista pushes up their cost. My prediction for Batista is a 3-year deal for around 15 million.

It's pretty thin out there. The "mid priced" free agent pitcher is becoming an endangered species.

Pat Hentgen (who's been mentioned around here a lot)
Brian Anderson (though I hate finesse lefties)

Who knows, maybe the Jays will be willing to pay the price for Batista. He's not quite as good as Escobar, but he's a much better risk for a long term contract.

_Blue in SK - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 11:14 PM EST (#32884) #

Rotoworld claims the O's aren't going to excercise Pat's option at $4M. I would love to see Pat come back for his final year(s). He would be a great influence for our younger pitchers and he had some good numbers for the second half of the season. A solid #4/5 for the Jays, if we can get him for the right price. Also related to the O's, does anyone think that Litenburg would help our bullpen?

robertdudek - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 11:17 PM EST (#32885) #

Chris Gomez's option was not picked up by the Twins. I think he could share the shortstop job with Woodward and it would give the Jays acceptable production.

_Jacko - Tuesday, October 28 2003 @ 11:42 PM EST (#32886) #

Chris Gomez's option was not picked up by the Twins. I think he could share the shortstop job with Woodward and it would give the Jays acceptable production.

Julio Lugo has been tossed around as a possibility before, with some questioning his defensive ability. According to ESPN, he was 4th in range factor and 10th in zone rating (out of 22 players). If Tampa buys out his 1.75 MM option, he would certainly be an improvement over Woody.

Lugo had some legal difficulties last year -- what exactly did he do?

One other thing -- amongst qualifiers, Derek Jeter was dead last in _both_ zone rating and range factor. Time to move to 3B Mr. Clutch!

_mathesond - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 12:25 AM EST (#32887) #

The Jays should trade Orlando Hudson to the Cubs for Juan Cruz. The Cubs are young on the mound but old in the field. Cruz got knocked around last season, but he does throw heat, and is capable of finding the strike zone on occasion. Perhaps a consistent role for him would straighten him out. The Jays can use Cat to play 2nd, which helps free up the outfield logjam.

robertdudek - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 12:45 AM EST (#32888) #

Cat playing 2nd is like putting out a fire with gasoline: the infield defence is shaky as it is.

Hudson is a far more valuable commodity than Cruz is IMO. How many relatively young, inexpensive above-average fielding 2B's are there that can hit major league pitching (at least from the left side)?

_mathesond - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 01:05 AM EST (#32889) #

Using Cat as a stopgap while Adams/Hill develop and the team is still building towards contention isn't so ghastly, IMO. We already know Hudson won't bring Jeremy Affeldt in return, but I think Cruz is much better than his 2003 numbers. Without looking up his splits, I would venture to say that a consistent role would go along way to establishing Juan as a productive major league pitcher. But if Hudson can bring a better pitcher than Cruz in return, I'm all for it. Perhaps Orlando and Werth could be packaged for a Zambrano-calibre pitcher? (living a mile from Wrigley, I am more familiar with the Cubs roster than other teams)

Craig B - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 08:42 AM EST (#32890) #

Lugo's legal difficulties were over a scuffle with his ex-wife in which he knocked her head on the hood of a car in the parking lot at Enron Field. Nasty and unfortunate business, but he was found not guilty, so the matter is closed. His ex-wife said in court that the injuries were unintentional and that the scuffle was her fault, not his.

He's a fine defender who a lot of scouts always thought could improve with the bat, and he was terrific at the plate with the Rays. If Lugo was signed, I think he would start and Woodward would recede to his natural role as a Dave Berg with more power and slightly better defence.

I agree that Gomez could be a good one-year signing, but he seems to have lost a step in the field (he was a pretty good defender two, three years ago). Instead of signing Gomez, I'd be happier just starting Woody, pushing Berg to the #1 backup position, and either signing an all-glove man to play short or just use Howie Clark as the sixth infielder and put the cash into pitching.

I hope the Jays don't let go of Hudson... he's becoming a great favorite of mine.

_Cory Lidle - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 08:57 AM EST (#32891) #

Here are ten from me-

The Blue Jays should sign a starting pitcher better than me.
The Blue Jays should sign Mike Timlin and make him their closer.
The Blue Jays should try to trade for Byung-Hyun Kim.
The Mets should sign Luis Castillo.
The Chicago Bears should sign Drew Henson.
The Giants should sign Rafael Palmeiro.
The White Sox should sign Miguel Tejada.
The Mariners should sign Kaz Matsui.
The Yankees should sign Vlad Guerrero.
The Astros should sign Andy Pettitte.

_Cory Lidle - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 09:10 AM EST (#32892) #

The Texans should sign Drew Henson. They have his rights.

_Jays1fan1 - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 09:57 AM EST (#32893) #

The Blue Jays should sign a starting pitcher better than me. (Corey Lidle)

I think the more challenging proposition would be to find someone worse.

The Blue Jays should sign Mike Timlin and make him their closer.

Only if he takes a discount, I think someone may overpay for his services and I don't want it to be the Jays.

The Blue Jays should try to trade for Byung-Hyun Kim.

Agree 100%

The Yankees should sign Vlad Guerrero.

I think he will sign with Baltimore.

Craig B - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 09:58 AM EST (#32894) #

Please stop impersonating Cory Lidle, it's irritating and unfunny. Pick another handle, there are at least 10^20 good ones to choose from. Thanks.

_Tanyon Sturtze - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 10:03 AM EST (#32895) #

No problem. But, I don't think your handle is funny either.

_Jays1fan1 - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 10:14 AM EST (#32896) #

LOL!

Tanya Sturtze is much better!

May I also suggest John Wasdin, Doug Creek or Jeff Tam if you offend anyone with Sturtze.

_Jonny German - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 10:16 AM EST (#32897) #

As un-amusing as I find the Lugo situation, I do find it amusing that Craig the lawyer is the one who is willing to fully accept the acquittal and advocate him as a Blue Jay. I agree with what Mike Moffatt said in an earlier Lugo discussion, I wouldn't be able to root for the guy. Maybe his ex-wife is a bit of a psycho and Julio's a real stand-up, good-character guy. But it's more likley that he's a jerk at best.

I accidently posted this question in the wrong thread earlier: Salary being equal, would you rather have Chris Gomez (or equivalent) or Jose Hernandez? At the risk of infuriating Mike D again, I'll state that I'd like to see Hernandez in Toronto as a good glove man who has more potential than a typical glove man to have a good season with the bat. Because of his strikeout rep and his rotten 2003 season, I imagine he'll be quite cheap.

_Jays1fan1 - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 10:23 AM EST (#32898) #

I honestly believe that Jose Hernandez's days as a productive hitter are behind him. He couldn't even put up decent numbers in Colorado?

That being said, it is a relatively low risk move and I don't want to see Chris Woodward at SS everyday. Therefore I'd rather see a Hernandez signing than nothing.

Craig B - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 10:50 AM EST (#32899) #

In case you can't fathom the implications of what I asked, please don't impersonate the players. Thanks.

_Gil Patterson - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 11:03 AM EST (#32900) #

Fine. But, it would be nice if you responded to the baseball points instead of asking me to change my handle all of the time.

Craig B - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 11:12 AM EST (#32901) #

Will do. You're a real comedian.

Lugo's situation is pretty unfortunate. I'm not a big fan of violence; but it's not like he's had a history of this. It was one incident, and it took place off the diamond - this isn't Ben Christensen here.

The important thing in the Lugo matter was that he was found not guilty, and his ex-wife (the victim) did testify on his behalf that it was not his fault and was an accident. I know a hell of a lot less about the situation than the people in that courtroom did.

Mike Green - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 11:44 AM EST (#32902) #

In plotting your move, you may be interested in this. Tangotiger posted a fascinating study on Primer:http://www.baseballstuff.com/tangotiger/forecastFinal.html. The key finding, in my mind, is this: a large sample of informed baseball observers will not be able to project hitters' performance any better (actually they will perform much worse) than simply a mechanical calculation based on the hitters' past performance, using OPS and their age. On the other hand, a large sample of informed baseball observers will be able to project pitchers' performance better than Tango's mechanical calculation, using ERA.

Tango suggests that the intuitive element is more important in evaluating pitching performance. It may also be that ERA is a weaker mechanical projection tool than OPS, and that if the mechanical projection formula referred to K/W and K/IP ratios, the mechanical projection formula would annihilate the Primer readers for pitchers too. Kind of like refinements to Big Blue when it faced Kasparov.

_pete_the_donkey - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 12:22 PM EST (#32903) #

Here's a simple solution to the biggest hole in the Jays current lineup, Chris 'Sack Of [expletive deleted - ed.]' Woodward:

1. Seattle signs Kaz Matsui.
2. JP swoops in and picks up Carlos Guillen on the cheap. Seattle will be looking to dump him, and hopefully they'll pick up some salary. His numbers have been decent over the part three seasons, especially considering he's been hampered by nagging injuries. He's still young, and fairly cheap ($2.5M in '03). He'll play 120 games, leaving the rest for Bordick (yes...in my dreams he puts off retirement for one more year) and Berg in mop-up duty. It's a much better solution than the Strike-Out King Hernandez or the Wife-Beater Lugo.

Pepper Moffatt - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 12:27 PM EST (#32904) #

http://economics.about.com
Chris 'Sack Of [expletive deleted - ed.]' Woodward:

Dude, that's *really* harsh, considering he's an outstanding player for a one-millionth round draft pick and from everything I've heard he's a nice guy as well.

Mike

Craig B - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 12:43 PM EST (#32905) #

He is the biggest lineup "hole", I guess. But hardly a sack of anything. (Sweetener?) There are a number of teams who would love to have Woodward over what they've got at short.

He's not really any worse than Alex Gonzalez, who makes many, many millions of dollars a year. They hit about the same, and are about the same in the field - Woody might make a handful more errors a year.

_Spicol - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 12:46 PM EST (#32906) #

Julio Lugo has been tossed around as a possibility before, with some questioning his defensive ability.

Lugo's option was picked up today.

_pete_the_donkey - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 01:02 PM EST (#32907) #

Great. He's a nice guy. Isn't that heartwarming. So am I. But that doesn't make me a major league ball player. Being a nice guy doesn't make up for his awful range, penchant for committing grievous errors at key times in key games, and his atrociously streaky bat. I could live with the weak bat IF he was spectacular (or even solid) with the glove, but he's not. He's weak all-around. Oh, except we can't forget he's a nice guy.
Woodward is a AAAA player, AT BEST.
I can't imagine any of those 'number of teams that would love to have him over what they have at short' are playoff contenders.....Woodward will NEVER be an everyday player on a winning team. He should start checking the real estate pages in Milwaukee now.

_Spicol - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 01:12 PM EST (#32908) #

2. JP swoops in and picks up Carlos Guillen on the cheap. Seattle will be looking to dump him

I like this kind of thinking...taking advantage of the teams who covet the big names without paying attention to what they already have. But considering Jeff Cirillo is still in town, Seattle also doesn't have a 3B. Guillen could slide over there quite easily should Matsui sign with the M's.

_Jordan - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 01:44 PM EST (#32909) #

Three moves:

1. Houston trades Billy Wagner to Philadelphia, keeping $3M of his salary, and receives AA shortstop Andy Machado in return. Houston installs Octavio Dotel as their closer and clears $6M off their books; Machado might be ready for the majors by August. Philly says goodbye to Jose Mesa and gets a real closer.

2. Arizona trades Randy Johnson and most of his salary to the Chicago White Sox for Carlos Lee, Joe Borchard, Jon Rauch and Kris Honel. The Diamondbacks clear off tons of salary and pick up two young outfielders to replace their aging stars, as well as a promising young pitcher and a useable fourth starter in Rauch. The White Sox, who will probably part ways with Bartolo Colon, get an ace starter to challenge for the division crown.

3. St. Louis Cardinals sign Vladimir Guerrero to a multi-year contract worth less than what the Yankees and Red Sox offer, selling their strong fan base and smaller community. The Cards' outfield (Pujols, Edmonds, Guerrero) bashes opponents senseless (in a separate but related move, JD Drew is shipped off to Anaheim for Ramon Ortiz).

Craig B - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 01:45 PM EST (#32910) #

Woodward is a AAAA player, AT BEST

I'm sorry, I think that's stupid... we're talking about a middle infielder who has over 850 MLB at-bats with a slugging percentage over .400. Woodward would be a terrific backup infielder for practically any team in baseball. A capable defender at short, good at third, can handle other infield positions as well. He has some pop in his bat and can pinch-hit, and he's not old either, he's at his peak.

Look at the backup infielders (2B/SS/3B) on the eight playoff teams this year.

New York - Erick Almonte, Enrique Wilson
Boston - Damian Jackson
Oakland - Frank Menechino
Minnesota - Denny Hocking, Chris Gomez

San Francisco - Neifi Perez, Pedro Feliz
Atlanta - Mark DeRosa
Chicago - Ramon Martinez, Mark Bellhorn, Lenny Harris, Tony Womack, Jose Hernandez, Augie Ojeda, Vance Law, Tom Brookens, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Argenis Salazar, Kitchen Sink
Florida - Andy Fox, Mike Mordecai

Chris Woodward is better than almost every one of those guys. So there is no way he's a AAAA player. AAAA players are guys who can't cut it in the majors, and if Woodward stays healthy he will play for another five years or more.

Craig B - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 01:47 PM EST (#32911) #

But considering Jeff Cirillo is still in town, Seattle also doesn't have a 3B. Guillen could slide over there quite easily should Matsui sign with the M's.

In fact, I thought that was the whole point of the Matsui move. Kaz Matsui isn't going to replace Carlos Guillen, who the M's like; he's going to replace Jeff Cirillo, who has now made more enemies than Admiral Tojo.

Mike Green - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 01:57 PM EST (#32912) #

Craig,

I couldn't have said it better about Woodward. As far as I am concerned he's an average major league shortstop, a little short with the glove, a little better with the bat. And his major league performance is completely consistent with his minor league record.

The Jays had hoped that he would pull an Eckstein, and be a little better than average, and he might yet do that.

_Mick - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 02:00 PM EST (#32913) #

Craig -
A Tom Brookens sighting! Well, let me just say that I knew Tom Brookens, I was a fan of his, and Chris Woodward, you're no Tom Brookens!

Coach -
The Yankees should trade Alfonso Soriano to Kansas City for Carlos Beltran ... Sure, but why should the Royals do this? Isn't the whole idea of moving Beltran to save money? Soriano's going to get very expensive.

Because he's not expensive YET. And dealing Beltran for Soriano realizes a return for the Royals that the media will not totally crucify Allard Baird about. And yes, KC deals Soriano somewhere else in a couple of years.

Jacko -
Yankees:Soriano to CF, Jeter to 3B, Williams to LF, Godzilla to RF. And then sign Kaz Matsui or Miguel Tejada to play SS

I suggested something similar to this a few months ago, though I don't think I had another Matsui or Tejada in mind. And I suggested Jeter to CF and Soriano to 3B. But the caveat is this: Jeter ... the captain ... the MAN ... will never, ever move off of shortstop. You think it was tough for the Reds to get Larkin out of the infield?

_Chuck Van Den C - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 02:21 PM EST (#32914) #

The Blue Jays should try to trade for Byung-Hyun Kim.

With Grady Little gone, Kim is out of the doghouse, unless his bird flipping has the whole organization soured on him. I am guessing not, and that he figures prominently in the team's 2004 plans, most likely as a starter.

Arizona trades Randy Johnson and most of his salary to the Chicago White Sox

I am only speculating, but would Randy Johnson not likely have a no-trade clause? I believe his home is in Arizona and the main reason he went there in the first place.

Jeter ... the captain ... the MAN ... will never, ever move off of shortstop.

I agree for two reasons: (a) he probably doesn't want to and (b) I doubt there's any real perception that he should. Has anyone ever heard either the Yankees or the NY media hint that Jeter isn't perhaps such a great defensive shortstop? I do not ask rhetorically. Jeter's defensive play gets a lot of critiquing in stathead circles, but anywhere else?

Mike Green - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 02:36 PM EST (#32915) #

Mick, you're right. It is easy for the Yankees to blame Soriano for Jeter's defensive troubles, and move Soriano and Williams. Actually, it's not a bad half-solution- Soriano to CF, Williams to LF, Matsui to RF and acquire a second baseman.

With the loss of Clemens and Pettite, the Yankees can probably afford to acquire Schilling, Batista, Tom Gordon and a good second baseman.

_Jacko - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 02:39 PM EST (#32916) #

I suggested something similar to this a few months ago, though I don't think I had another Matsui or Tejada in mind. And I suggested Jeter to CF and Soriano to 3B. But the caveat is this: Jeter ... the captain ... the MAN ... will never, ever move off of shortstop. You think it was tough for the Reds to get Larkin out of the infield?

Well, the Orioles managed to convince Cal Ripken to move when Bordick came to town...

BTW, that plan I proposed also involves shifting Aaron Boone to 2B.

I was wondering if Jeter's defensive problems were related to his shoulder injury, so I checked back a few years. In 2001 and 2002, he was also the worst defensive SS in MLB.

Jeter has no trouble catching the ball and has a very strong throwing arm. He would be a natural at 3B.

_R Billie - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 02:42 PM EST (#32917) #

Are we sure that Pettite will leave NY? It would seem to me they'd want to re-sign a (relatively) young pitcher who won over 20 games for them, especially with a number of rotation spots coming free and Lieber's contributions next year uncertain.

_Chuck Van Den C - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 02:47 PM EST (#32918) #

Well, the Orioles managed to convince Cal Ripken to move when Bordick came to town...

Except that:
* Ripken was 36, Jeter will turn 30 mid-season in 2004
* Ripken was then perceived as a poor shortstop, when he probably wasn't while Jeter is perceived as a good shorstop, when he probably isn't

Mike Green - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 03:21 PM EST (#32919) #

R. Billie, No, we're not sure that Pettite will be leaving town. However, if he's not, it just means one less pitcher to buy.

_Barry - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 03:24 PM EST (#32920) #

Here is one that I think might spark some discussion:

The Jays should re-sign Cory Lidle. Before this year, he was 33-24, with a 3.96 ERA in 150 games. I'm not saying they should pay him $4 million a year, but he had a lousy year last year and JP might be able to get him cheap. As the prospects are not ready to start yet, he would be less of a gamble than relying on Towers, Hendrickson and Pete Walker to fill holes.

Craig B - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 03:26 PM EST (#32921) #

Let me add fuel to the fire by saying that I agree with Barry... IF Lidle's teammates are happy to have him back. I actually don't know of any reason why they wouldn't be.

Craig B - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 03:43 PM EST (#32922) #

I'll go division by division. First up : NL East

ATLANTA BRAVES

Re-sign Javy Lopez to a two-year deal. Hope that the market for Lopez is thin, and give Javy the big dollars he deserves, but don't get carried away and sign him to a long deal. Two years should squeeze the last juice out of Lopez, and fallign back on Johnny Estrada frankly isn't that great an option. Lopez should be able to give a hometown discount. I think Lopez's improvement is at least partly for real.

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Fire Larry Bowa. This one is obvious. Any attempt to move forward in a serious way in Philadelphia is going to depend on dumping Larry Bowa and replacing him with a manager who can coax year-round performance out of the Philly players. Even Jerry Manuel would be a better option, and fits right in with the clasic theory of hiring a thinker after a screamer.

FLORIDA MARLINS

Re-sign Jack McKeon. Already done.

Also, don't bother re-signing Pudge Rodriguez unless the price is really good. That money is better spent on outfielders; you have a good catcher already in Mike Redmond, use him.

MONTREAL EXPOS

Re-sign Vladimir Guerrero. Yes, it can be done.

NEW YORK METS

Sign Andy Pettitte. Pettitte should be quite effective in Shea, and you need EVERYTHING, so why be picky? Plus, bringing Pettitte over - a lifetime Yankee - would be a great coup for you over the Yankees.

_pete_the_donkey - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 04:07 PM EST (#32923) #

Craig,

I'm sorry, I think that's stupid...

I haven't been called stupid outright in years...are you sure you're not my father?...lol

Woodward would be a terrific backup infielder for practically any team in baseball

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE. However, Woodward is by no means a starting shortstop for a winning team, nor is he particularly solid in any aspect of the game. Look up mediocre in the dictionary, and there's Chris Woodward's shiny bald head smiling back at you. He shouldn't be starting at the major league level. That was my only point. He IS by far the weakest link in the Jays' lineup. There HAS to be a better solution. Those were my salient points.

Apologies to all BB readers for the Expletive.
My rage gets the better of me sometimes when discussing Dirtbag Woodward...just ask my friends.

_pete_the_donkey - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 04:10 PM EST (#32924) #

A capable defender at short

Sorry...I missed that one...I'm laughing too hard right now....WOODWARD....CAPABLE DEFENSIVELY????....you're a funny guy, Craig...that's a doozy....

_Steve Z - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 04:35 PM EST (#32925) #

Hijack: Wells and Delgado were both handed out Silver Slugger Awards today, as expected, but worth noting nonetheless.

Craig B - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 04:42 PM EST (#32926) #

I didn't call you stupid. I said that I thought what you said was stupid.

You called him a "AAAA Player". Now you're prevaricating. Fine.

Now you said "Woodward is by no means a starting shortstop for a winning team". Is a team that goes 86-76 a winning team?

I don't mind the expletives one bit. But we do expect people to defend the positions they take.

He IS by far the weakest link in the Jays' lineup

Not if Cash is the catcher, but with Myers in the fold, yes he is.

But in general, the lineup is not where problems need to be solved.

Later you laughed at the characterization of Woodward as a capable defender at short. Why wouldn't you thik he can handle the position? He was by no means "good", but he can handle himself there just fine. He's no Jeter.

_Mick - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 04:43 PM EST (#32927) #

David Wells won a Silver Slugger? Was it for that incident in the pancake joint in New York?

Pepper Moffatt - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 04:48 PM EST (#32928) #

http://economics.about.com
David Wells won a Silver Slugger? Was it for that incident in the pancake joint in New York?

Headline: Wells Wins Silver Slugger at Golden Griddle

Mike

Mike D - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 05:06 PM EST (#32929) #

Mick, you have no idea how many fans -- perfecly earnestly -- approached me at Yankee Stadium when I would wear my Jays t-shirt with WELLS 10 on the back to ask me if I realized that David Wells was "now a Yankee."

Gitz - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 05:12 PM EST (#32930) #

Quick show of hands: how many people know what "prevaricating" means lying? It's one of those words that sounds, for whatever reason, the complete opposite of what it means. Maybe it's that "varicate" is similar to "verify," which still does not mean "telling the truth" but rather "proving it's true or false." Yes, like Mike Moffatt, I have no life.

Apologies to all BB readers for the expletive. My rage gets the better of me sometimes when discussing Dirtbag Woodward ... just ask my friends.

I'd ask them if you had any.

Zing, zing!

Pepper Moffatt - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 05:16 PM EST (#32931) #

http://economics.about.com
Yes, like Mike Moffatt, I have no life.

Atleast I have an excuse. What's yours?

Mike

Gitz - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 05:20 PM EST (#32932) #

At least I have an excuse. What's yours?

English major?

Pepper Moffatt - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 05:22 PM EST (#32933) #

http://economics.about.com
English major?

I'm completely at a loss of how to respond to this. Good show.

_Mick - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 05:22 PM EST (#32934) #

His excuse is that he's a professional prevaricator.

(I'm a professional writer, too. So I know. We generally don't eschew obfuscation and resort to terminological officiousness in using terms like "prevaricator" to describe our work. I mean, our professional vocational option.)

_Mick - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 05:23 PM EST (#32935) #

Oh ... and I, too, was an English major. I minored in Philosophy, primarily to learn ways to cope with the fact that there are no jobs for English majors.

_EddieZosky - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 05:29 PM EST (#32936) #

I was an English major too, no joke. I did it for the chicks.

Gitz - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 05:34 PM EST (#32937) #

I didn't know students at Fresno State knew how to spell "English," yet alone have an English major.

Craig B - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 06:05 PM EST (#32938) #

It means no such thing. Shame on you, and brush up on your Latin.

"Prevaricate" actually means to make a false accusation, which is quite different from lying.

At any rate, I did NOT mean "prevaricate", and for that I apologise most humbly to Pete - sorry Pete! I meant "dissemble", not pervaricate, and I do sometimes mix those up.

Craig B - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 06:08 PM EST (#32939) #

I didn't know students at Fresno State knew how to spell "English," yet alone have an English major.

I'm just amazed that a USC grad figured out what one of these typewriter televisions is actually used for. Did you manage to get the white-out off the screen yet?

Craig B - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 06:11 PM EST (#32940) #

By the way, check out the awesomely helpful picture accompanying this story. Awe-inspiring.

_Ken - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 06:51 PM EST (#32941) #

hahaha, genius I tell you.
Way to grab the readers attention, someone needs a promotion at Yahoo, they must be as dodgy as the story itself. Which doesn't really merit reporting.

Gitz - Wednesday, October 29 2003 @ 07:12 PM EST (#32942) #

Pisser! I have a dictionary right next to my color-laded, picture-filled electronic gizmo. Perhaps I should use it once in a while.

I'm not blond, Craig. Duh! I can figure out how to get white out off the screen. Bleach works, right? I'm sure that can't hurt.

_S.K. - Thursday, October 30 2003 @ 02:31 AM EST (#32943) #

Didn't this website used to be about the 'base ball'?

Craig B - Thursday, October 30 2003 @ 09:02 AM EST (#32944) #

Division by division: NL West

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Put in a waiver claim for Manny Ramirez before midnight Friday. You get one more year... one more... to win the World Series and throw that monkey off your back. It's gotta be hell-for-leather, and he best way to start is to make the $100-million gamble. Ramirez will play for the right guy... who the Red Sox never, ever had. You have Felipe Alou, for whom Manny will go to the wall. Stick him in right field, hope for the best, bat him behind Bonds and watch the records fall.

Greatness come to those who do, not those who wait.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Trade Adrian Beltre to the Expos for Jose Vidro. A deal that works for both teams. You need a bat, a real one, and Vidro is a good start. Beltre won't make that much in arbitration as Vidro... less than half of Vidro's $7 million... so the deal allows the Expos to shed some salary and they pick up a third baseman, something they need desperately. I think they'll take that offer and make the gamble on Beltre returning to form.

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Try to figure out whether you need to rebuild from the bottom or not. If you do, and I think you probably have to given your finances, trade Randy Johnson to whoever will take him for gilt-edged prospects. Try at least to recapture what the Indians got for Bartolo Colon in the Expos deal; if you have to wait until in-season to do it, that's fine.

COLORADO ROCKIES

Try to improve that horrid offense. You know who will be the best guy for you to sign? Vladimir Guerrero. The Natural, the guy with no plan, who just goes out there and hits, is probably the guy that the Coors effect will hurt the least on the road.

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Is it too late to trade for Jason Kendall? You really need a catcher and top-of-the-order hitter. Kendall gives you both, and you should have picked him up when he was avaialble for peanuts during last year. If you'd pulled the trigger in June like you should have, Kendall's price was lower than ever - you might have been able to get him for free in the Giles deal. His scorching second half has raised the price again.

Oh, and let go of Trevor Hoffman. A closer isn't what you need yet.

_Jordan - Friday, October 31 2003 @ 08:52 AM EST (#32945) #

COLORADO ROCKIES

You know who will be the best guy for you to sign? Vladimir Guerrero.

Shame on you, Craig. Even for Halloween, that's too scary.

_Brad - Sunday, November 02 2003 @ 12:20 AM EST (#32946) #

Joe Madden should manage the Red Sox

Warming Up the Hot Stove | 80 comments | Create New Account

The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.