marcosantinia12

Holy **** man, I love Eppler's aggressiveness (sarcastic). He came out super strong with the Simmons trade, but since then this guy is just sitting back on our biggest needs for 2016. Walker gone, Cabrera gone, and to another extent (if we wanted to pay a bit more) Zobrist is gone - and for a really good prize. Not really bummed by Lawrie, but recently I was leaning on Walker/Cabrera. Unless we make a surprise trade for an Enrique Hernandez/Tomlinson type (doubt we can get Kike) I'm hoping Kendrick. On the trade market, the other obvious options left are Escobar and Prado.

This is kind of off-topic, but I was wondering about the value of Trout. Seeing the Miller deal, I think the D-backs made the right move. Goldy is a FA in 4 years, Pollock is controlled for a similiar time period, and Greinke will more than likely have his last great years within the next 2-4 years. They needed to be as competitive as possible within this time period and therefore traded the future for the present (within 3 years). However, I do think that the pay was very steep. I would say it was an overpay, except that every deal recently has looked like an overpay. Perhaps, this is just what the market is turning into. Just looking at Fernandez' asking price of Pederson, Seager, Urias, got me thinking... what haul of players would Trout net? NOT proposing we trade Trout, before anyone accuses me of that lol , just wondering. BTW: That Braves system is looking extremely appealing. Imagine us having Swanson, Newcomb, Albies, Blair, Toussaint, Allard, etc.

I'm on the Howie>Murphy train aswell

Forget the comment, I enjoyed reading your evaluation on each player. I have a pretty identical evaluation on them myself. For the same reasons that I can see a productive 3b tandem and the fact that Giovotella doesn't really fit as Simmon's shortstop, I'll upgrade at 2nd. Gio was a solid player for us this year, he provided table-setter production. I just feel like he will regress a bit offensively, not to mention his horrible defense.

I like this possibility as well

"Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times suggests on Twitter that Hector Santiago would make for a “good fit” in Pittsburgh, but I’d have to think the Bucs would need to add to Walker to pry him free." -MLBTR So... Neil Walker John Holdzkom Stephen Tarpley for Hector Santiago Johnny Giavotella No need for Gio if we get Neil Walker (Pennington as back up). Pirates could use him for depth though. We also would get 2 RP prospects, 1 ML ready and a lefty with upside.

Very interesting that they would want him for that stadium. I don't really see a fit though, unless maybe for some relief pitching. I'm not too familiar with that assessing that market myself... would there be anything of interest there that they would willingly trade?

I'd personally take Kendrick. I'm usually weary of the age factor, but in this case I'll bet on Kendrick's consistency (even in decline) over what Castro COULD turn into. I feel like as a team we already have question marks and would rather get the veteran presence of Kendrick. Although he's predicted at 3/39, I think Kendrick would sign back in Anaheim for 3/33. I feel comfortable to say we would get an average of .280/.320/.400 from Kendrick's 32-35 years... He's THAT consistent. I don't think he's the type to regress steeply either because he doesn't rely on power or speed on his game. As for Castro, I'd LIKE to see him hit for an average of.280/.320/.400 and think he's capable of it and possibly more.. But I wouldn't bet my money on it. Castro @ 4/40 10AAV < Kendrick @ 3/33 11AAV As for as the pick, I've thought about it but honestly at this point I want to have the best possible team on the field through 2020. We will have those 5 years to rebuild the farm. Edit: Plus, while Castro has no pick attached, you certainly won't get him for free from Chicago. I would think Santiago + Morin/Bedrosian does it. Not that I wouldn't part with those pieces, but we could certainly use them for another return in other areas of need (3B/RP). And to be honest, I don't think they'd have a need for Santiago anyways. They have that pitcher in Hammel/Hendricks. Any SP improvement would be for a higher-caliber guy.

Interesting to know where Zobrist fits in. Even if they trade one of Baez/Castro, which I think they will (Castro, not Baez), they have excess infielders. They're also lacking a true CF, and neither Zobrist, Schwarber, or Soler will play CF. Here's a crazy proposition/prediction... 3 team trade (Cubs, Indians, New York) Cubs Acquire Carlos Carrasco Indians Acquire Brett Gardner (Yankees pay 3 mil per) Kyle Schwarber Jason Hammel Yankees Acquire Starlin Castro Jacob Hannemann Cubs then sign Span and replace their 1-2 hitters in Fowler-Schwarber w/ Span-Zobrist and create a sick rotation or Arrieta,Lester,Carrasco,Lackey,Hendricks

2.Upton 3.Trout 4.Pujols 5.Calhoun 6.Cron I would love to pick up a 2B or 3B that can lead off with solid obp and preferably some speed. Maybe Walker (although not very fast)? What other legitimate leadoff options do we have? Btw, Gio fits the profile... I just feel like he might regress, plus I don't think he fits Eppler's defensive route.

I was reading some of the Fernandez deal comments and I think its worth mentioning... Fernandez Splits: Home: 17-0, 1.40 ERA, 0.901 WHIP Away: 5-9, 3.78 ERA, 1.170 WHIP The dude has amazing stuff without a doubt, but thus far is mediocre outside Miami. Don't know if that's enough to be a factor to teams giving up elite talent, especially those in the AL

The deal didn't go through... missing Almora ! lol Edit: my fault, cubs said no not the other way around.

I'm on board with this.

Ehh

I'm a big supporter of bring Cabrera in. He's not the player to turn the team around but a very solid veteran option that covers 2 positions of need 2b/3b. Plus, staying cheap and humble on our 2b/ 3b solutions allows us to bring in Heyward/Upton. Bring in Cabrera for 3B and package Santiago + Bedrosian for Walker at 2B. Sign JHey, or JUp. Sign Maeda and flip CJ for RP help.

I'd be all over that Chuck, but I'm not sure that nets us Baez. I'm not saying that is fair value, because it is... I just feel like Chicago would rather trade Castro and if they were giving up Baez it would be in a package for more of an impact player. I could see a fit with Chicago sending Baez, Almora, + for Shelby Miller For instance.

Fister would be great to take a flyer on for a 1-2 year contract. And I'm also starting to grow on Gallardo. His predicted amount looks like a bargain by today's standards (4/52). He's been a consistently good pitcher under the radar at 11% above league average in his career and 24% better last year. I would much rather put my money into this guy than Freese for instance, who will most likely get 3/30. He will be 30 in 2016 but I feel confident in getting years 30-33 out of a pitcher who doesn't rely on over power I g stuff or a violent delivery.

I don't think anybody would walk away from 50 million. If the increase in salary was marginal like if the dodgs had offered 6/196 to the Dbacks' 6/206 then ok, but 50 million?? No matter how much money you've made you simply don't pass on that - if you "don't need it" there always the ability to make a change in the world by putting that to good use. So I think the whole "how much money can one need" argument is weak. Plus , whose to say the diamondbacks won't be better than the dodgers or SF next year? They most likely aren't done this winter break. You don't just sign greinke and call it an off season. They have more holes and obviously have made a commitment to winning. There is rumors that they are in on Leake even after signing Greinke. I think they'll miss on him but pick up Chen/Gallardo. Make a bold trade with their excess OF/INF and prospects for a Salazar/Wheeler/Miller type. Now you have a rotation of Greinke, Corbin, Salazar, Chen, Bradley/DeLaRosa along with one of the best offenses, defenses, and baserunning in the league. Edit: of course, revamp their BP with 2/3 new arms via FA & trade

Thank god. I was about to say... That would've been a putrid of a signing

Great...20 AAV on this guy

Damn... That's a bummer.

You make a good point lol

Not a bad deal at all. I have a feeling Lackey is going to be their #4 starter. I think Cubbies will be able to work out a trade for a young SP like Carrasco/Salazar/Quintana/Wheeler. There's even the rumor of the Braves wanting Miller for Soler. They have a wealth of prospects, this is the time for them to deal them correctly. Can you imagine, 1. Arrieta 2. Lester 3. Miller 4. Lackey 5. Kendrick/Hammel

Santiago for Prado has been mentioned here, I think that is a great fit. Also considering that Prado is the 2nd most expensive player on the Marlins (behind Stanton) at 10 million AAV, or 7 considering that the Yankees are paying 3 million in salary, we may be able to acquire him on the cheaper side. I think Tropeano and his years of control + maybe a low level prospect will do. They get rid of the $7 million they owe him which to them is a lot, and require an MLB starter for cheap and years of control. I think I would rather keep Tropeano than 1 year of Prado personally, but its another scenario. Maybe even Smith who should be in the majors this coming year + Kubitza + Mahle. Obvviously Prado isn't a salary dump, but low market teams like the Marlins have to be creative and make every penny worth. They have stronger needs in the pitching department and for a non-contending team it is illogical to keep Prado and his 7 million salary while he becomes FA next offseason. Even the scenario of Smith + Kubitza + Mahle works out for them, as they let go of unnecessary salary, and pick up a couple of cheap, team-controlled pieces that may be able to contribute to their team in the next 2 years. Personally I give Santiago or the Smith package. I'd hold on to Trop.

I absolutely agree with this. Personally, I would go out ad explore any options available Hwang, Escobar, Prado, etc. I think these players can be had at a small price. As far as getting Freese though, I don't think that Cowart and Kubitza's drop off is worth paying for him. You mentioned that they had troubles last year. I think we can dismiss Kubitza's limited PA's (Trout's 2011 is a testament to that). As for Cowart, his bat definitely is a concern, but his stats were pretty skewed with strong splits against righties. I think a platoon with Kubitza would boost his numbers immensely. Cowart vs RHP in 2015: .303/.381/.493 in 387 PA's Kubitza vs LHP in 2015: .258/.367/.444 in 177 PA's That's a combined (averaged out) OPS of .824 between the two. They have their concerns, and those numbers won't translate equally to the MLB level... but given that, do you really rather pay Freeze 10 mil per? And that's not even touching on defense and age. EDIT: I think I just convinced myself to roll with that combo and focus on 2B and their other holes instead. I'd like to see what they can do if used properly.