29
2011
Hot Stove Notes
An article by Former Writers
Over the past week and a half, the Hot Stove has been slowly heating up; with a top heavy free agent class, it will take a while for the market to form for players like Pujols, Fielder, Reyes, and Wilson. As we move closer to the Winter Meetings, the market for these top tier free agents will become clearer. For the time being, there have been some deals finalized between some free agents and between teams. Some of the deals that have had the biggest impact over the last 10 days are:
- Colorado Rockies trading Ty Wigginton to the Philadelphia Phillies
- Texas Rangers signing free agent closer Joe Nathan to two-year deal
- Minnesota Twins sign free agent catcher Ryan Doumit
- Cleveland Indians re-sign free agent outfielder Grady Sizemore
It may be clear to see why some of these transactions are important, but maybe not so much for the others. Let me clear up any confusion…
Ruben Amaro Jr. has definitely pulled off one of the smartest trades of the winter by acquiring Wigginton from the Rockies. Wigginton has proved during his nine years in the MLB that he can play just about anywhere and can produce some power. With a .265 career average and 158 home runs, he will adjust just fine to Citizens Bank Park and will be a great insurance plan while Philadelphia waits for Ryan Howard to come back and to give Placido Polanco a break at 3rd base. Oh, and they’re only paying half of Wigginton’s 2012 salary of $4 million. Genius, Amaro.
The Texas Rangers were deathly close to moving Neftali Feliz to the starting rotation at the start of 2011, but they decided against it. Now, after inking longtime Twins closer Joe Nathan to a two-year deal with approximately $14 million, the organization feels comfortable making the move. After missing 2010 to rehab from Tommy John surgery, Nathan struggled with an ERA nearing 5.00. However, his velocity returned; with 261 saves and a 2.87 ERA during his career, this was worth the risk. It will allow Texas to not panic if they can’t resign CJ Wilson.
In Minnesota, the most coveted player on their roster is Twins catcher, Joe Mauer. However, he’s not Superman and like 2011, was on the DL for a considerable amount of time. While Mauer was on the shelf, both of their backup options hit under .170. so, GM Terry Ryan decided to go out and sign Ryan Doumit to a one-year/$3 million deal. This works in multiple different ways for the Twins because it not only gives them a viable offensive backup at the catcher position, but it will allow Ron Gardenhire to keep Mauer’s bat in the line-up, but at the DH position, or even First Base.
Even though Grady Sizemore has only played just over 200 games over the last three seasons and hasn’t been the same player from 2005-2008, mostly because of injuries, he was an intriguing option for many teams. Why? Well, he will come at a low price in the short term, and has the opportunity to “over produce” his contract rather easily. Sizemore agreed to a one-year/$5 million plus incentives deal with the Cleveland Indians to hopefully do what Adrian Beltre did in 2010 with Boston. If he can stay healthy and produce in 2012, teams will be drooling over him next winter, willing to give him a multi-year deal…and he most likely won’t stay in Cleveland. If he has a strong first half and the Indians are not in the playoff picture, they could dangle him in front of teams before the trading deadline.
Like I said, there hasn’t been much action yet on the open market, but with the Winter Meetings fast approaching, expect teams to start wheeling and dealing.
About the Author: Former Writers
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Doumit was somebody I thought the Mets could have used. I was never really interested in paying big money for Sizemore, I’d just as soon keep Pagan.
Meanwhile in sabermoney land …………………………………………….
3 gm’s and all seem to be sleepwalking… amazing..
I would expect things to start picking up next week when the winter meetings kick off. Yes there’s been a few moves, but the cream of the crop is still unsigned and until those chips start to fall teams are in wait and see mode. That includes the Mets who won’t make too many moves until they know where they stand with Reyes. Patience is the word of the day.
Good post.
Patience is the word of the day”
typical sandy apologist… more patient?? really?
So in other words, just like every other year in MLB history, very little gets done by this time of year, yet the NY Mets have the same from the supposed fan base jumping off the ledge and making assumptions of what they think will or will not happen.
Adam Rubin
Ex-Met Pat Misch is now a Phillie, per @jaysonst
Wilson Valdez, Brian Schnieder, Nelson Figueroa, and now Pat Misch… they need to stop picking up the Mets cast-offs, it’s annoying.
The Phillies are stomping on the Mets grave
By getting Pat Misch and Ty Wigginton?
Hahahahahhah
Bayonne made a funny!!! That was a joke, I hope, right?
white sox are shopping a good player, thornton.. some say is salary dump. he’s owed $5.5 million with a $1 million buyout, i am sure people in here will come up with some excuse as to why he’s a no no for the mets since sandy has absolutely no interest in good players, just rejects.
I actually like Thornton, but heads up, he’s a bit of a roller coaster.
Right hander, 35 years old with 3.52 era and a whip of 1.28, prob an improvement but not by much.
Right hander??? matt thornton switched pitching side???? or you’re wrong!!!!!
I am wrong, my mistake. Good catch (That’s how grown ups handle mistakes.)
Like Pat Misch, Vilson Valdez and Nelson Figeroua?????
Hey Kay stop following me around and instigating. I want NO dialogue with you whatsoever and I do not want you responding to my posts.
All you are doing is instigating. It’s plain as day so go get something more to eat and get a man or something but STOP following me around on this board.
That is class right there.
Bayonne, don’t bite…. leave it alone man… YOU know is not worth it..
she’s a dirtbag and she’s nuts look at how she acts – a crazy woman and i guess she doesn’t get enough you-know-what if anything at all.
But i guarantee she will stop following me around.
You are the epitome of hypocrisy!
Hi Kay!!!
Stop flattering yourself, when you stop saying stupid things I will stop replying! Until you take full ownership of this site TOO BAD!!!!!!
Funny how the big boys can dish it out but………hahahahhahahaha
Kay, leave the little boy alone. He wants to fantasize and kvetch in private.
Des, you and you’re “Herrera is the real deal” after only 8 innings should stay out of my other business and SHUT THE HELL UP.
YOU especially. Because you have a long history here of INTENTIONAL DECEIT, purposely reporting erroneous and outdated information for the purpose of intentionally trying to mislead the readership and out and out pure LYING.
So you’re another one that should stop following me around and minding my business with other posters because I’ll come down HARD on you and keep reposting the evidence of your past intentional attempts to LIE and DECEIVE the readership out here again and again.
If you want to call me names and argue with me about a subject here that I comment on that’s fine and have no problem with that but if you’re going to continuously piggy back other people dealings with me when it NONE of your business than you’re asking for heaps of trouble.
And I will promise you heaps of trouble if you continue to insist. Because you are a proven LIAR and have been proven to engage in intentionally DECEPTIVE behaviour here time and time again although in the recent past you don’t do it like you used to. And that’s because I called you out on it. But keep on insisting old man and I’ll keep on reminding the readership about that stuff
heaps of trouble? thats sounds like a threat
oh you don’t know the amounts of lies this guy has perpetrated on this site before. He’s not as bad now cuz i THINK he’s learned his lesson but in the past this guy would pull some doozies
like what?
let it take it’s course Kramer67..and stop baiting
Oh, please, not this nonsense again.
not sure if you meant me but im not kramer
You sure are a tough guy behind a keyboard! Again until you own this site stop telling people who they can and cannot respond to!
How about Bay and Pagan and a prospect for Rios and Thorton?
Good idea, but then we will have another hole to fill.. who will play LF then?
Duda to LF, Fmart and a FA signing for RF. Rios in CF, Thorton to BP (possible closer?).
Overall the money is close to a wash.
could happen, is a good idea.. but …….. wishful thinking at this point…
Oh, I totally agree, definitely wishful thinking. To me, the only way this team gets better this year is via trades. Be it Wright, or Bay or Pagan or Pelf or whomever.
Although, Kenny Williams has gonads of steel and I could see him entertaining this.
Also, in more mets news: http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/36763/report-dotel-on-mets-radar
The Philllies ARE stomping and spitting on the Mets grave no matter WHO they sign. And stupid little Mets fans are laughing at this statement as IF they have anything at all to laugh about with their own HORRENDOUS leadership in the front office
The Phillies are a better team, but not because of signings like Pat Misch.
as soon as dotel signs with someone else, i am sure mets fan will say “he wasn’t any good or he wass to expensive at that price”…
Bayonne, I can assure you that Kevin with a capital “K” is not Kramer67. Neither is kevin with a lowercase “k”.
Why can’t we just talk baseball without all this other nonsense? I am always open for a good argument and I dont name call or insult.
That’s the $64,000.00 question JoeD. Why can’t the people who are regulars here just talk baseball without all the other bullshit. I don’t know how you allow the instigators on this site to remain.It has gotten to a point where you can’t simply give an opinion without an immature jackass insulting you because they have a difference of an opinion.If you wanna know how to keep this site as a forum for Met related baseball topics to be discussed or debated by adults in a respectful manor then you really need to weed out the disrespectful troublemakers.
I don’t think any of us are in a position to tell Joe how to run his site.