MLB: Hot Stove Time

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Deity Dude
Actually since Inge is such a good fielder and since Cabrera really isnt there is alot of talk right now of Cabrera going to left and Inge staying at 3rd.

That may be a silly thing to do. Inge really sucks with the bat. Cabrera is actually slightly above average with the bat. Jacque Jones is actually an excellent defensive LF (though he hasn't played LF since 03). Jones is a better hitter than Inge as well.

Have Inge as a defensive replacement or something.

[Arrian]

With the glove, you mean, Imran. Slightly above average with the glove.

I saw a defensive metric or two rated him above-average. I was surprised, given the descriptions of him as a total butcher. All he's gotta be is decent.

So yeah, Cabrera @ 3B, Jones in LF, Inge -> bench (or traded, especially since he's whining now).

-Arrian

[Imran Siddiqui]

Yeah, with the glove... sorry.

Cabrera, for all the crap thrown his way, actually happens to be above average in range factor. And he's got a decent arm as well.

I'd put Inge on the bench. And I agree, if he keeps whining, he should be dealt. I mean they just aquired Miguel Cabrera!! What is he expecting?

[Arrian]

He knows he's gonna be riding pine, and he wants out. He fancies himself a starter. I can't blame him for that part, although if I was running a team he wouldn't be a starter for my club.

Yankees sign LaTroy Hawkins - 1 year, $3.75 million.

Yawn. This is basically so they can waive goodbye to Luis Vizcaino and his demand for 3 years/$12 million. If Hawkins sucks (and he probably will), they can kick him to the curb without regret.

-Arrian

[Imran Siddiqui]

although if I was running a team he wouldn't be a starter for my club

And that's the rub. Where does he think he'll start? Especially for ~$5 mil a year.

If Hawkins sucks (and he probably will)

Why say that?

Since 2002 he's only "sucked" (as in was an average pitcher) in San Fran and Baltimore. Last year in Colorado seems to indicate that he's righted the ship a bit.

[Arrian]

He is essentially Luis Vizcaino. In that the team signed him for 1 year, while Viz is holding out for 3, I'm all for the move.

But he isn't very good. You're not just looking at ERA or ERA+, are you? Looking at more advanced stats that try to incorporate things like inherited runners and bequeathed runners into the whole, Hawkins was basically league-average last season. He also had a ridiculous groundball rate that is far, far above his career rate (mid-60%s, as opposed to fourty something normally). If he duplicates that... well, "swung on and grounded up the middle... past a diving Jeter and on into centerfield. Youklis scores, Pedroia scores..."

If he goes back to his normal GB/FB ratio, will those extra fly balls sail over the fence? Maybe some are doubles and singles. Maybe they're miraculously all caught. I dunno. I think it's a worthwhile attempt at replacing Vizcaino's decidedly mediocre performance. I don't see much upside, though.

-Arrian

[-Jrabbit]

It appears that the Fukudome sweepstakes are over. Local news in Chicago says it's a done deal: Kosuke Fukudome is signing a 4-year deal with the Cubs, and will play right field.

If he's half of what we're being told, his left-handed bat should be a great fit in the Cubs' righty-intensive lineup.

[Krill]

SC have a team left in this?

[Arrian]

The predictions for Fukudome are pretty optimistic, I feel. I think that it's likely his first year will entail quite an adjustment - like Hideki Matsui's first year (2003). Matsui had a very good year in 2004, but '03 was up & down (still good, but short of the projections).

I know nothing about him, other than he's projected to get on base, have decent power, and that he runs fairly well. Sounds like an asset to me.

-Arrian

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Arrian
he's projected to get on base

Doesn't sound like he'll fit in with the Cubs .

[reismark]

D-Day is about 25 1/2 hours away.

Mitchell to announce results of steroid probe at news conference

George Mitchell called a news conference for Thursday to announce the results of his 20-month investigation into drug use in baseball.

Bud Selig does not plan to attend the 2 p.m. ET news conference at a Manhattan hotel a few blocks from the commissioner's office.

Mitchell said Wednesday he will release his report then, and it will be posted online at MLB.com shortly after that. Selig will hold his own news conference 2½ hours after the one by Mitchell.

Let the fireworks begin.

[-Jrabbit]

Fukudome is a career .397 OB guy (.443 in 2006) with a career best of 36 HR (34 in '06) and a .305 (.351 in '06) BA. Has over 30 career triples, so he does have some speed; doesn't steal a lot. Supposedly a plus defender with a plus arm in RF. Bats left, throws right, turns 31 in April.

If he hits .280 with 20 HR and good OB, isn't damaged goods and has typical Japanese fundamentals, that would be IMHO an excellent first year.

[Arrian]

I'd agree with that.

Matsui had 50-HR power in Japan. His first year he hit 16 in the states. He topped out around 30 here.

Fukudome is not Matsui. The NL Central is not the AL East. Maybe he will adjust better, and have a first year that is more in line with his demonstrated ability. I'm just saying, if he takes some time to adjust, it wouldn't surprise me.

...

Giants sign Rowand for 5 years. I didn't even pay attention to the $$. That's still a terrible team.

-Arrian

[snoopy369]

Originally posted by Arrian
Giants sign Rowand for 5 years. I didn't even pay attention to the $$. That's still a terrible team.

Another Sox target gone

[Imran Siddiqui]

Be glad you didn't get him . It's 5 years for $60 mil. $12 a mil for a CF who may be decent in defence, but you aren't sure what offensive player will show up. Yeah, he had a very good offensive year this year and he was very good with the bat in 2004. But in 05 and 06 he was pretty bad.

Who is the real Rowand?