Article: The Calm before the Storm

[Trevor0333]

One of the reasons I wanted Anderson so bad was to put a lefty with real stuff in the rotation.

 

I like Maholm a lot better than Pelfrey at the same contract especially.

 

If it's the years & not the $ the hello Chris Capuano.... I'd be ok with giving him 2/18 all day long.

[Trevor0333]

It always felt like Baker had no problem going on the DL ever. No interest here & thankfully sounds as if TR agrees.

[Trevor0333]

I couldn't agree more John, that's exactly the type of move they need to try& make.

[tobi0040]

I actually have the transcript from the calls between Terry Ryan and Scott Boras (Pelfreys agent):

 

Ryan: We are interested in bringing Pelfrey back, but only for one year.

 

Boras: He is fielding multiple offers, it will take two years. The other teams know what my client can do. Did you know his ERA was under 4.00 three years ago?

 

Ryan: Fine, we will go 2 years and $10M. We think Pelfrey can marginally improve upon his 5-13 record, 5.19 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 10.8 H/9, 6K/9, and .300 average against

 

Boras: We will settle for 2 years, but we have many teams calling so it is going to cost more

 

Ryan: How come I have not heard a single team linked to Pelfrey, even for a one year deal?

 

Boras: Many teams are out there, including teams in both leagues

 

Ryan: Ok, we will do 2 years and $12M. We need to get this ace locked up. We are particularly intrigued by his 5.00 ERA over the last two months. We feel like he really transitioned after the typical first few month’s struggles from TJ.

[Brandon]

I think if we sign Pelfry we may be trading Corriea by the end of spring training if someone isn't on the DL at that time.

 

Instead of signing Drew how about trading for one of Az's SSs. THey have 2 good young ones.

 

I hope Garza signs soon so we know where he'll be.

[twinsfan34]

I like Garza...but a little worried he'll require 4 years. How many pitchers are good for 4 years in a row? Or have any sort of consistency? It's just hard to be a pitcher.

 

I don't like Stephen Drew...$10-$12M for...maybe 1-1.5 more WAR? He's better than Florimon offensively (defensively, SABR says he's better, BaseballProjection says he's better, Fangraphs says Drew is better). Either way, for that kind of money I think we can see better upgrades at CF, RF, DH, #4 Starter, #5 Starter, & Setup RP. We have some real duds there and the WAR ROI is probably much better.

 

e.g. Pelfrey's $5M + that $10M for Garza.

 

Granted Garza has only averaged 2.32 WAR the past 6 seasons. Pelfrey has averaged 1.25 over that same 6 year span.

 

So maybe it's not that much better of an option. Arroyo is slightly better than Garza, but older.

 

I almost feel as though to be careful not to get caught up in the vice novelty this year. Sure, so and so is comparatively 'better' than what we have, but in even an average year, he's a below average player.

 

I'd be curious the average WAR per position and the average salary per position. And then look at what players are getting offered per their positional average value ($).

 

I think Tanaka is going to be good, btw. I think his sinker will play well in MLB. Maybe even Roy Halladay well. At age 25. I think he'll be comparable to Zach Greinke. The other influx of Japanese pitchers have done quite well in MLB. Ryu, Iwakuma, Kuroda, and even some of them for their first 2-3 years...Nomo, Matsuzaka. (I apologize if I butchered those names)

 

Matsuzaka, 4.1 and 5.3 WAR

Nomo, 4.7 and 4.6 WAR

Kuroda, 3.4, 3.1, 5.5, and 4.1 WAR in his full seasons

Iawakuma, 2.0 and 7.0 WAR

Ryu, 3.3 WAR

 

There's probably a few flops the past few years I don't know of. But maybe more success rate than the American FA crop...

[Rosterman]

Anderson from the A's. Essentially, almost, for something like Hendriks and, say, Berrios. I would think the Twins could have made an interesting offer better than the Rockies.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I actually have the transcript from the calls between Terry Ryan and Scott Boras (Pelfreys agent):

 

Ryan: We are interested in bringing Pelfrey back, but only for one year.

 

Boras: He is fielding multiple offers, it will take two years. The other teams know what my client can do. Did you know his ERA was under 4.00 three years ago?

 

Ryan: Fine, we will go 2 years and $10M. We think Pelfrey can marginally improve upon his 5-13 record, 5.19 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 10.8 H/9, 6K/9, and .300 average against

 

Boras: We will settle for 2 years, but we have many teams calling so it is going to cost more

 

Ryan: How come I have not heard a single team linked to Pelfrey, even for a one year deal?

 

Boras: Many teams are out there, including teams in both leagues

 

Ryan: Ok, we will do 2 years and $12M. We need to get this ace locked up. We are particularly intrigued by his 5.00 ERA over the last two months. We feel like he really transitioned after the typical first few month’s struggles from TJ.

 

I might have agreed with you until a couple weeks ago when Ryan started signing other guys. I think the Twins have the leverage now, especially considering Pelfrey's own stated interest in returning.

 

http://www.twincities.com/twins/ci_24704200/scott-boras-twins-gm-will-be-mad-if?source=rss

[DocBauer]

I also believe something, or a few something's are in the works. Now, I don't have the feeling it's sme big trade of prospects for:_________fill in the blank for top SP or position player. First, I've said before trading from so much depth is not smart RIGHT NOW when in the process of rebuilding. I think next season makes WAY more sense to move young talent for something proven.

 

Secondly, other than SS, what position do we trade for or make a major FA signing for that makes sense long term? If you believe in our talented young prospects at all, you have Pinto at C along with Herrmann as a talented athlete with quality defense and some position flexibility to help out. Mauer at first. Dozier at 2B and Soriano coming soon. ( though he could move to the OF again) Sano at 3B just around the corner. Buxton and Hicks and Arcia in the OF. So where do we trade for a position player that really improves us, sacrifice young talent, and not block someone other than SS?

 

I could still see a veteran C for depth and experience, a LH INF bat who can help a 1B and 3B like Tracy, Chavez or Betemitt. I wonder who else might still be available in the OF cheaply to compete wit Presley and insurance for Mastro?

 

Another SP is still the place to go I feel. I'd prefer Garza for now as well as the long term, but have no problem with Arroyo for the short while Gibson and Meyer and hopefully May establish themselves.

 

I don't have a problem with Pelfrey exactly, but I feel, not stuff but quality, is too much like adding another Correia to the staff. While I'd like a LHSP added, it's not an absolute must. But what about Gibson, Deduno, Worley and Diamond as options if we sign 2? Do we trade Correia come spring training?

[jokin]

I also believe something, or a few something's are in the works. Now, I don't have the feeling it's sme big trade of prospects for:_________fill in the blank for top SP or position player. First, I've said before trading from so much depth is not smart RIGHT NOW when in the process of rebuilding. I think next season makes WAY more sense to move young talent for something proven.

 

Secondly, other than SS, what position do we trade for or make a major FA signing for that makes sense long term? If you believe in our talented young prospects at all, you have Pinto at C along with Herrmann as a talented athlete with quality defense and some position flexibility to help out. Mauer at first. Dozier at 2B and Soriano coming soon. ( though he could move to the OF again) Sano at 3B just around the corner. Buxton and Hicks and Arcia in the OF. So where do we trade for a position player that really improves us, sacrifice young talent, and not block someone other than SS?

 

I could still see a veteran C for depth and experience, a LH INF bat who can help a 1B and 3B like Tracy, Chavez or Betemitt. I wonder who else might still be available in the OF cheaply to compete wit Presley and insurance for Mastro?

 

Another SP is still the place to go I feel. I'd prefer Garza for now as well as the long term, but have no problem with Arroyo for the short while Gibson and Meyer and hopefully May establish themselves.

 

I don't have a problem with Pelfrey exactly, but I feel, not stuff but quality, is too much like adding another Correia to the staff. While I'd like a LHSP added, it's not an absolute must. But what about Gibson, Deduno, Worley and Diamond as options if we sign 2? Do we trade Correia come spring training?

 

Do you know something about Alfonso Soriano?

[clutterheart]

I like this post - its like the old sethspeaks

A few exclamation marks, and just thoughts on my fav club

[tobi0040]

I might have agreed with you until a couple weeks ago when Ryan started signing other guys. I think the Twins have the leverage now, especially considering Pelfrey's own stated interest in returning.

 

http://www.twincities.com/twins/ci_24704200/scott-boras-twins-gm-will-be-mad-if?source=rss

 

All I keep hearing from multiple reports is that the Twins had an offer for 2/10 and have upped it to 2/12. I have a friend who works for the Twins who believes we will end up signing Pelfrey (he is five for five on these things). I give us kudos for signing Nolasco and Hughes, but this one is mind boggling. He is exactly why we needed better pitching. He was and is terrible. Second, you have three rotation spots set with Nolasco, Hughes, and Correa. Meyer, Deduno, and Gibson are all better and/or have more upside, and much cheaper than Pelfrey.

[DocBauer]

Do you know something about Alfonso Soriano?

 

Of course, I meant Rosario. I don't know if that was my own mental lapse, or my Ipad's spell check incompetance. LOL My apologies