http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/03/dodgers-willing-to-pay-half-of-ethiers-contract-in-trade.html

 

Dodgers are willing to pay half his salary to get rid of him.  (He'll make 18m the next 3 seasons + an option year).  He'll be 33 this year and his bat fell off a cliff last year but before that, he was a pretty decent hitter - ignoring defense, he was a pretty consistent 3 WAR hitter (sort of like Cuddyer but a touch better) and posted a 123+ OPS from 06-13.  Last year his playing time was cut, he only started 99 games, and now the Dodgers are trying to get rid of him.  Not sure he's a fit for the Twins (although I might think about it since I'm not sold on Vargas).

 

From the article: "Nonetheless, a return to form at the plate for Ethier would make him worth that ~$9MM annual value; from 2008-13, Ethier’s OPS+ never dipped below 121. In that time, he batted a healthy .286/.363/471, averaging 20 homers per season in a pitcher-friendly home park. While he’s at an age when many hitters do begin to decline, the thought of him enjoying another few productive seasons is far from outlandish. He’s not likely to contribute a significant amount of defensive value, but a team with a corner outfield need could make some sense, particularly one in the American League."

Edited March 5, 201511 yr by gunnarthor

The biggest issue is his vesting option that teams would still be frightened by.  You play him, and he actually does go back to previous form, then suddenly, he's due an $18M option when he's nearly 40.

I would not even consider it. 

 

We have no lack of corner OF options and we have young guys that need reps.  If Arcia an put up an OPS plus of 108 at 23 years old, I don't think an Arcia on the upswing and Ethier on the downswing have much room between them.  And if Arcia improves defensively a big they probably come close to even defensively as Ethier ages.  If Arcia can move to  competent level against lefties they are probably even right now.

 

I am pretty sure Rosario right now can run circles around Ethier in the OF.

I think the issue is, do the Dodgers expect talent too? If they just want to clear Ethier off the roster, 3/27 seems about right I guess.

No thanks... I'll go with Rosario, Hicks, Buxton and Sano/Plouffe, or whoever. 

A year ago? Maybe. Now with Buxton and Rosario close( r ) - Kepler (among many others) in the future and Arcia, Hunter on staff? Nope. Pass.

Edited March 5, 201511 yr by iTwins

Zero = Ethier's bWAR in 2014.

 

No thank you.  The Twins already have one aging and well below average fielding Right Fielder with declining bat skills. 

 

Might look good in Rochester, though

 

If the Dodgers are willing to eat all the $, might as well DFA him, since they are not getting anything back of value...

Edited March 5, 201511 yr by Thrylos

Zero = Ethier's bWAR in 2014.

 

No thank you.  The Twins already have one aging and well below average fielding Right Fielder with declining bat skills. 

 

Might look good in Rochester, though

 

If the Dodgers are willing to eat all the $, might as well DFA him, since they are not getting anything back of value...

 

I have to agree, they have been shopping him and I think it has always been common knowledge that they would eat salary

No more players over 30 please. 

 

Besides, let these deep pocket teams suffer from their mistakes.  They think, "Sure, we can afford to gamble on player X, we got money!"  Well last laugh is on them, because they still only have 25 roster spots.

Edited March 5, 201511 yr by nicksaviking