Offseason News & Rumors

[devilfan02]

Reds GM Wayne Krivsky hasn't wrenched his back yet trying to move Dunn, but lots of people say he's in full-fledged listening mode.

Dunn hit 40 homers for the third straight season, and the tape-measure jobs still generate oohs and ahs. But his combined on-base/slugging percentage has dipped from .957 to .855 since 2004, and some people think his heart went out of it a little bit after the Reds traded his buddy Austin Kearns to Washington. He never projected a tremendous amount of fire before that.
"He's a very strange package," said an American League executive. "The power is incredible, obviously, and he does walk a lot. But the defense is brutal and the strikeouts are brutal. I think they'd move him if they could."
Krivsky spent a lot of years in Minnesota, where the Twins stressed pitching and defense, and Dunn doesn't fit that philosophy. Cost is also a concern. Dunn will make $10.5 million in 2007, and the Reds have a $13 million option for 2008. That's a lot of money for a DH -- especially in a league where the position doesn't exist.
Pittsburgh makes some sense, given the short right field at PNC Park and the team's need for a lefty power hitter. But it's hard to see the Pirates shelling out the coin for Dunn. They're more likely to focus on a younger, less costly bat, such as Arizona's Chad Tracyor Florida's Mike Jacobs.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2661411

This is a great article, I encourage everyone to check it out.

I know we went throught the Adam Dunn rumors last winter and they might start up agian. Obvioulsy Byrnes will prob not be interested but since we're in need of a power bat, I figured I'd post it. I'm not interested in him due to his K's and Gonzo type D but his bat is intriguing. I also find it very interesting that Chad Tracys name keeps popping up with Pittsburgh

 

[devilfan02]

The Red Sox won the U.S. rights to Daisuke Matsuzaka with a winning bid of $51 million .

MLB accepted bids on behalf of the Lions last week for the Most Valuable Player of Japan's victory this past March in the first World Baseball Classic that were in the $20 million to $50 million range. Only the top bid was presented to the Lions. The Angels, Yankees, Mets, Cubs, Diamondbacks and Rangers had also reportedly made bids.

In addition to the posting price, the Red Sox will undoubtedly have to pay Matsuzaka a contract worth about $12 million a year for the next three or four years, placing the entire deal in the $80 million to $100 million range.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/...ontent_id=1739983&vkey=hotstove2006&fext=.jsp

 

[Diamondback Jay]

The Red Sox won the U.S. rights to Daisuke Matsuzaka with a winning bid of $51 million .





http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/...ontent_id=1739983&vkey=hotstove2006&fext=.jsp

Jesus, that's insane.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Chances are very good this guy won't be worth $20M+ a year.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Chances are very good this guy won't be worth $20M+ a year.

I'd be willing to bet as much.

Sorry, but to me, this would be like giving a prospect who dominated at AAA ball $12 million dollars a year. I understand Matsuzaka has been dominant on the international level, however the question looms-- can he do it on the Big League level?

Let's not forget that for every Ichiro, there's a dozen Irabus.

 

[HooverDam]

I would love if the Dbacks could trade Tracy for 2 of Pitts starting lefties. 2 young starting pitchers would be great, even if one doesn't pan out, you'd still have the insurance of the other.

Having Tracy and CoJack on the same squad just seems silly to me. Their skill sets are so redundant. They are both terrible defenders, but good line drive, hitting for average type guys. The Dbacks need more power at one of the corners (or I'd even take speed, just not twins at the corners).

Also, if the Dbacks moved Tracy, would they maybe be able to make Upton the 3B of the future? His original position was SS, so perhaps it wouldn't be too much of an adjustment. This would relieve the possible future log jam in CF, and allow us to take the Mike D'Antoni approach of putting your best players out there at one time.

I don't know who would start at 3B for the Dbacks in the time being, but wow...Im really liking the idea of that trade, too bad it probably wont happen.

 

[The Commish]

My guess is that he will be a lot like Hideo Nomo. When he first came into the leagues he had his "forkball" that nobody had ever seen nor could hit. Two years later he was getting shelled. The problem with Nomo was that he didn't have any other great pitches. I haven't really seen this guy pitch other than some highlights of his one "crazy" pitch. I just hope for his sake that he has other good pitches. Big league players learn quickly.

 

[Espo]

I'd be willing to bet as much.

Sorry, but to me, this would be like giving a prospect who dominated at AAA ball $12 million dollars a year. I understand Matsuzaka has been dominant on the international level, however the question looms-- can he do it on the Big League level?

Let's not forget that for every Ichiro, there's a dozen Irabus.

I think their motive had more to do with getting NESN into the Japan market just like the Yankees got the YES network into Japan when the got Matsui. NESN is owned by the Red Sox and they don't have to share that with any other team. They could probably make that money back easily in the Japanese market.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

I think their motive had more to do with getting NESN into the Japan market just like the Yankees got the YES network into Japan when the got Matsui. NESN is owned by the Red Sox and they don't have to share that with any other team. They could probably make that money back easily in the Japanese market.

That much makes sense, however what happens if he flops and becomes another Hideki Irabu? The Yankees were able to overcome the lousy signing of Irabu by picking up Matsui, however are the Red Sox going to be able to recover should he bomb out?

I know I'm probably putting the cart before the horse here, and if he becomes as good as advertised, he and Josh Beckett will form a hell of a rotation, however with all "prospects" (and until I see it on the big league level, thats what I consider international stars) you gotta take each signing with some skepticism.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

I would love if the Dbacks could trade Tracy for 2 of Pitts starting lefties. 2 young starting pitchers would be great, even if one doesn't pan out, you'd still have the insurance of the other.

I know there's a lot of love for Tracy on here, and I too am one who thinks the guy still has yet to see the best of his career, however if Pittsburgh offered up either Malholm or Gorzelanny, Mike Gonzalez and Jose Bautista for Tracy, I'd be very tempted to consider that a fair offer and jump on it.

 

[Espo]

That much makes sense, however what happens if he flops and becomes another Hideki Irabu? The Yankees were able to overcome the lousy signing of Irabu by picking up Matsui, however are the Red Sox going to be able to recover should he bomb out?

I know I'm probably putting the cart before the horse here, and if he becomes as good as advertised, he and Josh Beckett will form a hell of a rotation, however with all "prospects" (and until I see it on the big league level, thats what I consider international stars) you gotta take each signing with some skepticism.

You have to remember too that if they can't reach a contract it costs them nothing and they kept him from the yankees.

 

[devilfan02]

Chances are very good this guy won't be worth $20M+ a year.

I agree. Espo brought up a good point regarding the marketing standpoint of this deal but I still think this is a desperation move. IMO, they couldn't afford for the Yankees to grab another Japanese star so they bid an outrageous amount of money- almost double of the closest bidder. I also find it interesting that the Diamondbacks bid $20+ million dollars for his rights.

There is a good chance (based on the WBC and his japanese stats) that he'll pan out, but this is a HUGE risk that could put even the Red Sox in a hole if it doesn't work.

 

[devilfan02]

I haven't really seen this guy pitch other than some highlights of his one "crazy" pitch. I just hope for his sake that he has other good pitches. Big league players learn quickly.

I have not seen him pitch either but here are some scouting reports on him. It sounds like he has very good stuff, plus he's only 26.

BTW, the $51.1 million posting fee just to negotitate with him is more than the 2006 Opening Day payrolls in Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Colorado, Tampa Bay and Florida.

Matsuzaka was 17-5 with a 2.13 ERA and 200 strikeouts for the Lions this year. He throws in the high-90s mph, has good off-speed pitches and is known for his deceptive "gyroball," which has been likened to a screwball.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2662193

"I love him," said a National League scout who has watched Matsuzaka pitch at least six times. "He has great makeup, a great feel for pitching, and he can field his position. I've seen him throw six pitches that are above average at one time or another. It's unbelievable."

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2662289

 

[Mulli]

Maybe that scout should have watched more than six pitches.

 

[The Commish]

Maybe that scout should have watched more than six pitches.

I think he meant that he has 6 quality pitches.

 

[Mulli]

I think he meant that he has 6 quality pitches.

He should have watched him pitch more is all I am saying. Must scout for the Devil Rays.

 

[devilfan02]

He should have watched him pitch more is all I am saying. Must scout for the Devil Rays.

Read the quote again. It's from a National League scout, obvioulsy not a Rays scout, who has seen 6 of his starts. I'm sure he saw plenty of his 6 pitches in that time

 

[Mulli]

Read the quote again. It's from a National League scout, obvioulsy not a Rays scout, who has seen 6 of his starts. I'm sure he saw plenty of his 6 pitches in that time

Why read it again? I was kidding. That explains the smiley. Sheesh Loueeesh.

 

[devilfan02]

I understand that but Redstripe doesn't. In your response to him you said it must be a Rays scout, I wasn't sure if you were being sarcastic or just hadn't read thequote correctly. It's hard to sense sarcasm on this thing

 

[Mulli]

I understand that but Redstripe doesn't. In your response to him you said it must be a Rays scout, I wasn't sure if you were being sarcastic or just hadn't read thequote correctly. It's hard to sense sarcasm on this thing

I know I played it up a bit in my response. I was giving him grief.

 

[The Commish]

The smile does me no good. I need the wink to detect sarcasm. Normally I'm not this thick-headed.

 

[Espo]

I agree. Espo brought up a good point regarding the marketing standpoint of this deal but I still think this is a desperation move. IMO, they couldn't afford for the Yankees to grab another Japanese star so they bid an outrageous amount of money- almost double of the closest bidder. I also find it interesting that the Diamondbacks bid $20+ million dollars for his rights.

There is a good chance (based on the WBC and his japanese stats) that he'll pan out, but this is a HUGE risk that could put even the Red Sox in a hole if it doesn't work.

If he doesn't pan out it could mark the end of Theo Epstein or at least his golden boy image.

 

[boondockdrunk]

If he doesn't pan out it could mark the end of Theo Epstein or at least his golden boy image.

I seriously doubt that. Maybe it would cause so disgust from the common fans, but most still view him as the savior who lifted the curse off of Boston Baseball.

 

[Espo]

I seriously doubt that. Maybe it would cause so disgust from the common fans, but most still view him as the savior who lifted the curse off of Boston Baseball.

You give Red Sox fans too much credit.

 

[hafey]

Just minor league stats, Japanese league stats, when properly corrected and analyzed, have been shown to be a reasonablely relaible predictor of major league success. I believe this guy will be very good for the Sox next year.