Let's name players we hope AA will AVOID signing or trading for

by TrueBlue4Ever! on Nov 10, 2011 9:20 PM EST

The purpose for this post is simple - Who do you really hope that AA stays away from this offseason?

Me personally, I shudder about the thought of AA dealing with the Astros for Wandy Rodriguez (http://twitter.com/#!/JimBowdenESPNxm/status/134749234451841024)

I also happen to fear the possible return of Aaron Hill, should Kelly Johnson rebuff any offer he may receive from AA . Don't cry for Aaron Hill, however, as it appears the Dodgers are looking to add him to a multiple year contract. I also hope AA stays away from sub-par Second Basemen like Clint Barnes or (insert name here). I get concerned when my mind drifts to the possibility of KJ going elsewhere, to be honest... there aren't a lot of other quality options.

As speculation builds that Toronto is a preferred destination, some fans think David Ortiz would help create a good veteran atmosphere with his All-Star buddy Jose Bautista, and a pre-existing relationship with John Farrell bolsters those rumors. Despite these positives, those who want AA to avoid signing Ortiz also have a good point - signing Ortiz would cost the Jays a coveted draft pick. This is a tough call and I would like to hear from you if Ortiz is someone that AA should avoid.

I also hope that the Jays stay away from making any roster moves with teams in their division. I would hate to trade a guy like Thames, Snider, or one of our young pitching prospects to the Rays, for example, only to have them be a thorn in our side down the road - and I can see a guy like Snider being a serious thorn in our side if we trade him to any team in the AL, to be honest with you...

What about those who DON'T think we should sign Yu Darvish? I have great expectations for the Blue Jays if the Nippon Ham Fighters (why do I love saying that?) actually decide to post Mr. Darvish, but I also realize there are strong feelings that cut the other way... let's hear about it!

There are many other names out there. Feel free to throw out the name or two that you absolutely DO NOT want to see involved in a transaction with the Jays this offseason.

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This is hard

way too many candidates. I would be against signing Fielder, Pujols, Darvish, and Wilson

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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 9:31 PM EST reply actions

Why dont you just say you are against fun and be done with it :P

I think you'll find I'm universally recognised as a mature and responsible adult.
Twitter is the thing with all the tweets...

by JohnnyG on Nov 10, 2011 9:33 PM EST up reply actions

you know what would be fun

trading for Daric Barton

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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 9:38 PM EST up reply actions

No, that would be boring

Hic sunt fortuna dracones

by JaysfanDL on Nov 11, 2011 9:44 AM EST up reply actions

really?

Darvish?

I tweet.

by benk on Nov 10, 2011 9:38 PM EST up reply actions

well, to be honest

yeah. The posting fee is likely to be above $40M, and there’s a high likelyhood the full deal goes past $100M, maybe even push $120M. That’s not a good investment

Illuminate My Heart, My Darling!
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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 9:39 PM EST up reply actions

It's not our money...

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by TonyFernandezSavedMyLife on Nov 10, 2011 9:40 PM EST up reply actions

:D

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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 9:40 PM EST up reply actions

depends how much the content and the ability to open up asian markets is worth to Rogers

by Matthew Mueller on Nov 10, 2011 9:41 PM EST up reply actions

Investment is debatable.

Given Darvish status in Japan. Any time are likely to receive a large amount of residual revenue coming in just by signing him.

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Twitter is the thing with all the tweets...

by JohnnyG on Nov 10, 2011 9:46 PM EST up reply actions

we also don't know how well his skills will translate

if he’s a 5 win player, could be worth it. who knows?

I tweet.

by benk on Nov 10, 2011 9:48 PM EST up reply actions

According to a recent espn.com article ...

… the longer it takes for Darvish to post, the cheaper he’ll be, since many teams will have spent all their free-agent money by late December (which is the earliest negotiations are projected to begin).

“We’re already into free agency,” one AL executive said. “So when is he going to post? If he waits much longer, by the time he’s ready to negotiate, teams won’t have any money to spend.”

If the Jays really want him, then they might get a good deal after all.

by Defense Counts! on Nov 11, 2011 5:06 AM EST up reply actions

I bet they don't post him at all.

psych!

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by TonyFernandezSavedMyLife on Nov 11, 2011 9:19 AM EST up reply actions

CJ Wilson, Pujols, Heath Bell.

And Daric Barton :)

by yescobar on Nov 10, 2011 9:50 PM EST up reply actions

Eww. Totally forgot about Daric Barton

Sorry Pikachu and Benk. I love arguing with you guys, but definitely couldn’t see that one.

by Matthew Mueller on Nov 10, 2011 9:53 PM EST up reply actions

I actually don't like Barton really

once in a blue moon, Pikachu and I disagree

I tweet.

by benk on Nov 10, 2011 9:55 PM EST up reply actions

why not?

I’m genuinely curious

Illuminate My Heart, My Darling!
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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 9:55 PM EST up reply actions

I once knew a Barton in school.
Big ol Jerk.

I think you'll find I'm universally recognised as a mature and responsible adult.
Twitter is the thing with all the tweets...

by JohnnyG on Nov 10, 2011 9:55 PM EST up reply actions

My middle name is Barton actually

by Matthew Mueller on Nov 10, 2011 9:58 PM EST up reply actions

2010 looks like an enormous outlier

almost like – drumroll please – Adam Lind. Barton’s only been very marginally better, is already under contract, and doesn’t require giving up assets

I tweet.

by benk on Nov 10, 2011 9:57 PM EST up reply actions

except he's always been good at walking and defending

with a much higher pedrigree as a prospect. He also reached the majors at a young age. He’s the best flyer you could take this winter.

Illuminate My Heart, My Darling!
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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 9:59 PM EST up reply actions

Lind wasn't a big prospect?

900 OPS at AA and 1093 OPS at AAA at 22? (serious question)

I tweet.

by benk on Nov 10, 2011 10:01 PM EST up reply actions

He was

but Barton was better, in my opinion. 4 time top 100 prospect, 3 time top 50, 1st rounder.

Illuminate My Heart, My Darling!
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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 10:07 PM EST up reply actions

how do you find those things

I tweet.

by benk on Nov 10, 2011 10:22 PM EST up reply actions

baseball reference minor league?

Illuminate My Heart, My Darling!
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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 10:24 PM EST up reply actions

ahh okay cool

I always had thought they were on the main player page. now I know why I couldn’t find them

I tweet.

by benk on Nov 10, 2011 10:35 PM EST up reply actions

Its not really that I think he is bad

It is more that Lind and Teehan’s contract are guaranteed and if we grab Barton they are stuck wasting roster spaces, and I still think Lind’s ceiling is higher

by Matthew Mueller on Nov 10, 2011 10:01 PM EST up reply actions

well lind's best season was still worse than barton's best season

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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 10:07 PM EST up reply actions

not to mention Lind is 2 years removed, while Barton just 1.

Also 2 years younger.

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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 10:08 PM EST up reply actions

Neither of those clear up my first concern

I don’t want to waste the roster space on a marginal upgrade.

by Matthew Mueller on Nov 10, 2011 10:11 PM EST up reply actions

And the Barton debate

RESURRECTED

by yescobar on Nov 10, 2011 10:15 PM EST up reply actions

But seriously

I am a fan of Barton, but only if the price is right

by yescobar on Nov 10, 2011 10:18 PM EST up reply actions

He's a DFA candidate

though it’s likely the A’s sign him back. With the surplus of 1B/DH types the A’s have, I can’t imagine they won’t listen on him.

Illuminate My Heart, My Darling!
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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 10:24 PM EST up reply actions

what is your definition of a marginal upgrade?

I think Barton could be a 3~4 WAR player, and that’s a pretty significant upgrade over Lind, who I think could be a 1~2 WAR player at best. If it doesn’t work out, you can just release Barton.

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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 10:16 PM EST up reply actions

I think maybe 1 WAR difference (if that)

but I think it would be a wash it means one less pitcher or the ability to bring a guy off the bench late in games to exploit favorable matchups.

by Matthew Mueller on Nov 10, 2011 10:22 PM EST up reply actions

at best?

a simple BABIP regression puts him at 3.5 WAR. not that that’s everything, but neither is a crazy defensive metrics-inflated season

I tweet.

by benk on Nov 10, 2011 10:23 PM EST up reply actions

really?

his xBABIP shows him to have 30 batting runs? I find that a little hard to believe

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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 10:26 PM EST up reply actions

yeah

it called for like a 130 wRC+ IIRC. he should have a very good BABIP (like .330? can’t remember the exact numbers)

I tweet.

by benk on Nov 10, 2011 10:36 PM EST up reply actions

Whatever though

Barton will be have an MVP caliber season and I’m going to laugh at all of you. :D

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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 10:28 PM EST up reply actions

Yes. I can't wait for him to turn into Bartista under the tutelage of Murphy.

by Matthew Mueller on Nov 10, 2011 10:30 PM EST up reply actions

Strikes me more as a John Olerud

with a little lower AVG

Illuminate My Heart, My Darling!
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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 10:34 PM EST up reply actions

and power

I guess

Illuminate My Heart, My Darling!
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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 10:34 PM EST up reply actions

I could see that. Coop could by that guy too.

by Matthew Mueller on Nov 10, 2011 10:38 PM EST up reply actions

but cooper doesn't have nearly the defese, in my opinion

Illuminate My Heart, My Darling!
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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 10:43 PM EST up reply actions

scouts too

I tweet.

by benk on Nov 10, 2011 10:45 PM EST up reply actions

when did the minor leagues start?

Olerud was drafted in 1989 and won the ROY in 1990. That’s crazy!!!

by Matthew Mueller on Nov 10, 2011 10:47 PM EST up reply actions

I don't think he ever played a minor league game

Illuminate My Heart, My Darling!
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by Pikachu on Nov 10, 2011 10:57 PM EST up reply actions

He was never ROY either.

by JaysSaskatchewan on Nov 11, 2011 12:16 AM EST up reply actions

He seems more like a Lyle Overbay type to me

Hic sunt fortuna dracones

by JaysfanDL on Nov 11, 2011 9:48 AM EST up reply actions

minus the defense

I tweet.

by benk on Nov 11, 2011 10:32 AM EST up reply actions

plus the defense

Illuminate My Heart, My Darling!
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by Pikachu on Nov 11, 2011 2:04 PM EST up reply actions

oh oops

thought we were talking about Cooper for some reason

I tweet.

by benk on Nov 11, 2011 2:11 PM EST up reply actions

Your interest in this player is verging on obsession

What’s the deal?

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by TonyFernandezSavedMyLife on Nov 11, 2011 9:22 AM EST up reply actions

I think the whole idea of trading for Gio is ridiculous

Definitely cringed when I saw two posts about trading for him.

by Matthew Mueller on Nov 10, 2011 9:39 PM EST reply actions

100% agree with this statement

His numbers against the Yankees and the Red Sox were disgustingly bad, by the way. Not a good idea for the Jays. Stay away, AA!!!

by TrueBlue4Ever! on Nov 11, 2011 9:48 AM EST up reply actions

+1

by Alan F. on Nov 11, 2011 2:03 PM EST up reply actions

Players to avoid this off season

Vernon Wells
Adam Dunn
Brad Penny
Alex Rios

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by TonyFernandezSavedMyLife on Nov 10, 2011 9:48 PM EST reply actions

Rios

reclamation project!

also, Chone Figgins

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by benk on Nov 10, 2011 9:49 PM EST up reply actions

Chone Figgins -highest paid bench player ever.

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by TonyFernandezSavedMyLife on Nov 11, 2011 9:16 AM EST up reply actions

I wonder how much we could get the Angels to pay if we took Wells back

by Matthew Mueller on Nov 10, 2011 10:29 PM EST up reply actions

Papelbon, Hill, Overbay, Cabrera, Tejada and almost any free agent starting pitcher

by REMO on Nov 10, 2011 9:51 PM EST reply actions

uh oh

I see an “almost” in there!

I tweet.

by benk on Nov 10, 2011 9:55 PM EST up reply actions

well, if they want to bump up their payroll match the big spenders, then I'd be OK with Wilson

and I wouldn’t mind taking a flyer on Bedard, if he’s extremely cheap

by REMO on Nov 11, 2011 7:00 AM EST up reply actions

Bedard had a nice bounceback year. Definitely worth a shot.

by Defense Counts! on Nov 11, 2011 9:42 AM EST up reply actions

Avoid all free agents

except for Darvish, Reyes, and relievers not named heath bell, jonathan pap, or ryan madson

by Chris McC on Nov 10, 2011 11:06 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Brian Tallet

Corey Patterson

I wouldn’t name them except that Tallet already came back once.

by JaysSaskatchewan on Nov 11, 2011 12:18 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

A.J. Burnett

Vernon Wells unless a lot of money is sent with him ($80M or so).

by JaysSaskatchewan on Nov 11, 2011 12:19 AM EST up reply actions

I would hate to trade a guy like Thames, Snider, or one of our young pitching prospects to the Rays, for example, only to have them be a thorn in our side down the road – and I can see a guy like Snider being a serious thorn in our side if we trade him to any team in the AL, to be honest with you…

I’ve never understood the reasoning behind this “logic”. The players we get in the trade may also come back to bite the teams that traded them to us. It works both ways. You’ve got to have some faith in AA.

by Defense Counts! on Nov 11, 2011 5:09 AM EST reply actions

Your first error is trying to find logic in my writing.

But my main point was that I could see Snider hurting us down the road as he would have something to prove when he played the Jays. That point was mostly for filler, to be honest. I wanted to get 500 words but was pretty tired when i posted. I think it only ended up being 450 or something like that.

by TrueBlue4Ever! on Nov 11, 2011 9:45 AM EST up reply actions

Heath Bell

Is someone we should also DEFINITELY avoid. I do not see him ``transitioning`` well to the American League East. I have to admit i got a kick out of him sprinting to the mound at the all-star game – apparently he does that each time he takes to the mound. He can move for a bigger dude!

by TrueBlue4Ever! on Nov 11, 2011 9:46 AM EST reply actions