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The signing of Robinson Cano has got my mind back into the wondrous world of wishful thinking...


The Mariners signing of Cano brings to mind the second-base issues of the local squadron. While a Ryan Goins/Maicer Izturis platoon wouldn't be as "awful" as people think (underwhelming is the word), second base is a position in need of an upgrade. On that, lets keep our attention on those same Mariners and think us up a deal. As usual, I will not argue one way or the other, only provide facts and deliciously creamy speculation to provoke the discussion. Here goes:

Toronto trades SP J.A. Happ and RP Neil Wagner to Seattle for 2B/OF Dustin Ackley

Seattle's Perspective:

Contrary to quasi-popular belief, starting pitching is not a strength of the Mariners. Outside of Hernandez and Iwakuma, the 2013 Mariners trotted out the disheveled corpses of Aaron Harang and Joe Saunders in a sad, faint hope of getting quality innings. They do have the impressive three headed pitching prospect monster of Walker/Hultzen/Paxton arriving soon, but the Cano signing indicates an urgency to win now and all three of those guys are not going to be ready right away. Adding a pitcher like Happ, while certainly not ace level, would improve their rotation enormously without breaking the bank and bridge the gap to those young pitchers. The presence of Cano, Willie Bloomqvist and Nick Franklin also makes it hard for Ackley to have a role on this team. Wagner would also add some cheap depth to the bullpen.

Toronto's Perspective:

We all watched the 2013 Blue Jays. We can't unwatch it. Having at least an average defensive player at second base would solve many issues for this club, and by all accounts Ackley is better than average. It might seem a sideways move to trade Happ seeing as starting pitching is also a huge need of Toronto's (and 28 other teams, of course) but there really are too many options for the last two rotation spots and the loss of Happ would simplify that situation. The money saved in the deal could also be used in acquiring a free agent starter.

A closer look at Ackley:

A second overall pick in 2009, Ackley has come to the majors quickly (arguably too quickly). He began his professional career in AA and while he didn't set the world on fire there (.263/.389/.384) the Mariners promoted him to the video game-like confines of the PCL where he kicked butt. Ackley's numbers in the majors aren't anything special but he is still young (25) relatively cheap and a good glove man at second base. His numbers throughout his Mariner career are better on the road (more power) also. Interestingly, he has hit lefties and righties perfectly equally throughout his big league career.

A closer look at Happ/Wagner:

With Happ, you know what you're going to get. He can eat some innings for you, give you an occasional brilliant start but mostly he'll go five or six innings, give up three or four runs and walk more guys than you're comfortable with. A decent guy to have at the back of a rotation. The freak injury in Tampa Bay really threw his season off the rails as he probably could've been the third or even second best starting pitcher on this team (not saying much there). Throwing Wagner in allows the Blue Jays to deal from their one area of considerable strength: bullpen depth.

So what do you guys think? Does this make sense? Is it crazy but not "hah hah" crazy?

(By the way, with all the crazy contracts being handed out to free agent starting pitchers, does anyone else think that Happ might have significant trade value? Scott Feldman is getting 10 million a year. Scott Feldman! Happ at 5 million, with the 6.7 million option in 2015 might start looking like a bargain.)


Hypothetical Trade II | 51 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
CeeBee - Saturday, December 07 2013 @ 04:33 PM EST (#281345) #
Happ might put up pretty good numbers in Safeco but I'd do it for sure.
cybercavalier - Saturday, December 07 2013 @ 04:36 PM EST (#281346) #
Nice to read a proposal; the Jays shall try to trade Happ for Ackley, one-on-one as the base of this trade. Adding Wagner for PTBNL, a minor leaguer or money. Also, I just notice Jeremy Bonderman played as a Seattle AAA and has become a free agent. The Jays' may consider signing him to a minor league contract with invitation and use him out of the pen and as a starter in Buffalo: try to throw many former top prospects to AAA and see if some of them come back.
cybercavalier - Saturday, December 07 2013 @ 04:43 PM EST (#281347) #
More about Ackley, he walks more than striking out in the minors, especially in AA while sustaining a good .AVG and power. Although the PCL usually inflate offensive performance, he would have been considered likely candidate to start 2B for the Jays. Also, he tasted the reality of MLB, so both the Mariners and the Jays take some uncertainties of the two players in Happ going down on the DL again and perform so-so. Ackley would need another season in Buffalo to play in Toronto. Both organizations can absorb these uncertainties.
lexomatic - Saturday, December 07 2013 @ 04:58 PM EST (#281348) #
I mentioned this in the last thread, but I don't think Ackley is available unless we're sending back a CF option.
Currently he and Michael Saunders are the only CFers Seattle has, and Saunders is a tweener who needs to platoon. Maybe Seattle will sign someone to start in CF and this will be doable.
Also at the moment I don't see Seattle trading both Ackley and Franklin before the season starts.
Happ might be a good option

greenfrog - Saturday, December 07 2013 @ 05:06 PM EST (#281349) #
Happ seemed to figure something out with his delivery at the end of 2013. With a slightly lower arm slot (I think), he was getting better movement on his pitches. I think he could have a respectable year in 2014.

Interesting trade idea.
Richard S.S. - Saturday, December 07 2013 @ 05:35 PM EST (#281351) #
When Happ returned from the D.L. He was wearing a Knee Brace through all his Starts. He pitched better then.
Parker - Saturday, December 07 2013 @ 06:20 PM EST (#281353) #
Break out the knee braces for all Toronto starters!
greenfrog - Saturday, December 07 2013 @ 06:31 PM EST (#281354) #
Happ wasn't very good when he resumed pitching in August, knee brace or no knee brace. He was good in September (the usual caveat about September stats applies, of course). We'll see what he brings in '14.
92-93 - Saturday, December 07 2013 @ 08:28 PM EST (#281357) #
I'd give Happ away for the salary relief so I could go sign a Ubaldo/Garza.
ComebyDeanChance - Saturday, December 07 2013 @ 10:49 PM EST (#281359) #
If there is any free agent that may be worth it to the Blue Jays, I think it is Choo. While they would no doubt have to eat all or almost all of the $8 million they are foolishly paying the PED cheat in left field, that is the result of the "sheer idiocy" of believing that a PED cheat's performance was anything more than a fraud. Choo's OBP last year was 100 points higher (.423 vs. .322).

The free agent pitchers stand to be wildly overpaid, even if any of them were interested in playing in Toronto. It may well be that no one else would give Choo a 5/100 contract.

greenfrog - Saturday, December 07 2013 @ 10:52 PM EST (#281360) #
I liked the Kazmir deal. Better risk/reward profile than the 4-6 year contracts Ubaldo and Garza are likely going to receive. Has AJ Burnett truly retired? Maybe he can be signed for 2/26 or something.

I'm somewhat intrigued by Ubaldo (sparked by his second-half rebound last year), but should the Jays really be throwing $75M+ at a 180 IP (for now) guy who walks four per 9 IP and is one year removed from a 72 ERA+ season? He might get $90M or $100M if the bidding gets really heated (I doubt it, but you never know).

Garza also seems risky, what with the recent injuries and declining performance and more challenging AL environment.
katman - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 01:02 AM EST (#281361) #
Redmond might do very well in Seattle; really, he did fine here. Frankly, I'd be happy to trade Happ, plug Redmond into his place, and put $5 million/year toward a FA picher.

Starting pitching is both valuable and expensive. Really, Happ for Ackley straight up would be a fine deal for the Ms. Since they need a CF, Pillar and Happ for Ackley. Wagner only goes if pushed, and we get some kind of AA prospect back. I'd rather save Wagner as a throw-in for a pitcher trade. Do the Ms have any mid-level C, SS, or 1B prospects that would balance out a Wagner inclusion?

AA seems to think Hutchison's AFL performance will make him another Happ-equivalent or better candidate. That gives us #4 and #5, and leaves us with Drabek, Stroman, and Esmil Rogers as fallback options; maybe Nolin too by the 2nd half. I'm good with that. If we sign a FA pitcher like Colon, or trade for another starter, Redmond and Hutch compete for #5 and depth gets better.

Then I DFA Izturis (unless my hypno-ring can convince the Ms to take him) and sign Kawsaki for $750k - 1m. That gives us Ackley 2B, Kawasaki backing up SS/2B (better than Izturis, chemistry does matter and DeRosa is gone), Goins in AAA as reserve and will be up in 2015.

With that done, all remaining monies & deals can focus on a starter. Or 2. And we should have enough for at least 1 decent one, though my favorite option Kazmir is gone. I still see Colon as a fit, esp. if we suddenly have another $5M/year free.
Richard S.S. - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 01:31 AM EST (#281362) #
Ubaldo Jimenez has learned to pitch in the A.L., as some N.L. Pitchers learned to because they wanted to (Pedro Martinez comes to mind). He has Front of the Rotation potential that Ervin Santana and Matt Garza don't. I would go 5-6 years and $15.0 MM - $17.5 MM per year. To give him his best chance, I'd pitch him after Dickey in the Rotation.

These signings are waiting for Tanaka to be Posted or not to be Posted, and waiting for Tampa and Chicago (NL) to trade their Pitchers. Those three are better than any of the Free Agent pitchers available. So unless a GM panics, this might take next year to resolve.
jensan - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 08:09 AM EST (#281363) #
Trade Happ, Dustin McGowan or Delabar, and Pillar for Ackley and Paxson and Montero.

Starting Pitching with MLB experience at 2 years for 12 million is great value.

Figure the Angels would be interested in Happ plus Itzuris for Kendricks. Prefer the Seattle trade.

Than Seattle makes the trade for Price
cybercavalier - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 09:50 AM EST (#281364) #
greenfrog: The Kazmir's deal is a Beane's smart move but let us recall that Kazmir is out of MLB job in 2011. The Indians gave him a chance in 2013 after pitching for independent league in 2012.

jensan: IMO, McGowan, Redmond and Rogers are the second line trio after the frontline trio Dickey Buehrle and Morrow. Happ is bridging between the two trios. However I doubt Ackley will trade away Paxson and catcher Montero for H, D, and D. The Angels trade is better in terms of players involved.
Mike Green - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 10:04 AM EST (#281365) #
Choo is interesting.  He led the league with 26 HBP last year, and usually has been among the league leaders.  He was reasonably durable in his late 20s, but I would think that he, like Frank Robinson, is a good candidate to suffer from accumulated aches and pains that will keep him out of 20-40 games a year in his early 30s.   He is probably going to hit enough that you could move him to DH in a year or three to help with his durability.

5/100 seems steep to me, but it is true that adjustment to market realities can be difficult. It seems strange to note that Choo has added  more value to his clubs than Brian McCann has over the last 5 years,  but so it is.

bpoz - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 10:22 AM EST (#281367) #
I have seen our Jays have bad luck with poor performance & injuries. Izturis & Bonifacio (poor performance) and Reyes injuries. This could happen to Seattle. Then Ackley becomes very important.

I will assume that Seattle believes they can contend. Cano & F Hernandes are top players. Further contender type moves will convince me.

FAs are available so Seattle should go that route Tanaka &/or Garza. Price is an Ace, he makes anyone a lot better. 2 Aces Hernandez/Price or Weaver/Price for example IMO have to make those teams a perennial contender. So save all the prospects for a Price trade. After Price is gone to someone then Seattle should reevaluate their needs and what they still have to trade.

A contender still needs a v good bullpen. The guy I like is D Farquhar in Seattles pen. S Downs may be a FA so he can be targeted.
A J/M trade for a 2B makes sense for Seattle. They need reliable quality relief. So ask the Jays about Janssen, Cecil & Loup. Seattle should sweeten the deal if necessary. Insurance like Happ/S Nolin (BP or SP) is valuable, nobody has enough pitching. Louis Perez is in a numbers game & has no options left. Hultzen is injured but T Walker & J Paxton are available for Seattle as insurance or trade bait.
Richard S.S. - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 10:59 AM EST (#281369) #
MLB Trade Rumors site has an article: http://seattletimes.com/html/mariners/2022420240_mariners08xml.html#.UqP2PBEV2Rx.twitter
It describes the Seattle Front Office, and it's worth a read.
Mike Green - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 11:10 AM EST (#281370) #
Apparently, the Padres are interested in a left-handed reliever and are offering up Burch Smith.  There might be a match with the home nine.
lexomatic - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 11:27 AM EST (#281371) #
I read the summary, sounds like a messed up front office.

I've seen a lot of unrealistic trade idea floated in this thread. I think people should pretty much abandon the thought of getting Paxton or Walker unless we're throwing in a Sanchez/Stroman or Bautista/ Encarnacion as part of something bigger. Even with all the alleged troubles in Seattle, they aren't giving up cheap, ready, front-line SP prospects without getting value in return. I imagine only 1 of Franklin or Ackley gets traded, and Franklin probably has the most value.

I would love signing Choo, but not at the price/years he's going to command.
I think I would only go for U. Jimenez among the SPs, but not if he's pushing 100million+

The most palatable options for 2b are still the Kendrick and Phillips trade rumours... but that could change depending on what is asked/traded, even though I would be happy with Ackley.

jensan - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 11:33 AM EST (#281374) #
Seattle needs a solid CF as Ackley is not there,is it Goes plus Delabar for Ackley with a bigger plus such as Paxson., because the CF position is a higher Value than 2B.

Personally, I believe Towers is going to trade Bradley plus owings+ chaffin for Price.

ayjackson - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 11:45 AM EST (#281375) #
I'm wondering if Gose-Ackely wouldn't be a better fit.  I think Happ has some value to a large park team, though.
Richard S.S. - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 12:56 PM EST (#281376) #
Bautista does not have the same trade value for other GMs. Seattle might be different. Cano with Bautista behind him makes Seattle much better.

I could see Bautista, a top Reliever and Happ for Paxton or Walker, Ackley or Franklin and a prospect or two. That would free up $14.0 or more for A.A. to use. $30.0 Million available to sign Ubaldo and ??? anyone else he wants.
lexomatic - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 01:27 PM EST (#281378) #
IF Bautista is traded, then as far as I'm concerned we might as start the rebuild now. This is essentially what extending what should be a small deal for a blocked 2b to add a prospect like Paxton is. Especially when that prospect is likely to be on the major league roster. There is also no way to replace (close to) Bautista's offence without spending twice as much on the current market. That's not an efficient move, aimed at being currently competitive. A smart move is a small trade drastically upgrading one position that still leaves upside and doesn't remove from immediate call-ups/major league roster.
I also don't understand why people are so eager to dump Gose - the guy is (a young) 23! He may have had a really bad season at AAA, but he has a fair amount of experience for someone his age and tools that nobody else on the team close to the majors has. This would be selling low on Gose, and a bad move, imo.

eudaimon - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 01:55 PM EST (#281380) #
Blue Jays apparently interested in Jamey Carroll. He's a great clubhouse guy and a solid fielder who can play any position other than catcher but who's speciality seems to be 2b. He pitched a scoreless inning last year too.

He's getting pretty old (38) and is coming off a down year. It could be BABIP luck or perhaps just due to getting old or injuries. Generally has a good walk rate (.349 career OBP), though he posted his lowest BB% of his career last year as well. He has no power to speak of.

Either way, I definitely see him being the new Omar Vizquel / Mark DeRosa on the 2014 team. I wouldn't mind, I remember liking him way back when he was a part of the 03/04 Expos.

Chuck - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 03:16 PM EST (#281383) #
He's getting pretty old (38)

Actually, he'll be turning 40 over the winter so it's safe to say he's gotten pretty old. Can't believe he brings any more to the table than Maicer Izturis who's already under contract and taking up a roster spot.

Parker - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 04:11 PM EST (#281384) #
Am I the only one who doesn't think Happ really has any value in trade? He's owed almost $7M next year and has never even been an average starting pitcher. He strikes some guys out, but he also gives up a ton of hits and walks. Happ as the centrepiece of a trade that brings Ackley to Toronto sounds like madness to me.
Chuck - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 04:21 PM EST (#281385) #
[Happ] has never even been an average starting pitcher. He strikes some guys out, but he also gives up a ton of hits and walks.

His career ERA+ is 96, so the very definition of an average starting pitcher. Now, he hasn't put up a 96 since 2010, so an argument could be made that he ain't that guy any more. He also doesn't average 6 innings a start and is hurt a lot, so those are unattractive qualities as well.

I would be reluctant to look at "hits allowed" without context. That speaks to BABIP, a team's defense and K rate. If you are giving up a lot of hits and striking guys out, it's probably not your fault. However, if those hits are leaving the yard at an unpalatable rate, that is definitely on you.

I'm with those who don't see the present day Happ as anything more than a back-of-the-rotation starter. If other teams see him differently, a trade should probably be explored.

CeeBee - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 04:27 PM EST (#281386) #
Considering the apparent madness that is the Seattle front office one just never knows. Happ does appear to be pretty close to an average pitcher.... 5 WAR most of it in one season... pretty much around 0 for most years would be average, no?
CeeBee - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 04:29 PM EST (#281387) #
What Chuck said a lot better than I did. ^
Chuck - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 04:41 PM EST (#281388) #
pretty much around 0 for most years would be average, no?

No, 0 WAR means literally replacement level, i.e., freely available talent (generally speaking). 0 WAA (wins above average) would be literally average.

CeeBee - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 04:45 PM EST (#281389) #
So Happ, being -0.4 WAA for his career would be pretty much average?....Guess I'm not to old to learn a thing or 2.
ayjackson - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 04:53 PM EST (#281390) #
I think a more relevant question isn't the value of Happ, but the value of Ackley. It seems a close match to me.  Ackely is 25.  He's not the #2 overall pick anymore.
cybercavalier - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 05:33 PM EST (#281393) #
ayjackson; that is why a straight up Happ for Ackley would be fine. Or even Wagner plus another reliever would do ? Seattle AAA seems to have a few relievers to play MLB.
Hodgie - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 05:49 PM EST (#281395) #
"He's owed almost $7M next year and has never even been an average starting pitcher."

Considering Scott Feldman just received 3/$30M on the open market from Jeff Luhnow I would submit that in today's economy Happ is actually reasonably priced.

Parker - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 07:16 PM EST (#281398) #
Okay, that was a massive fail on my part - I don't know how I missed Happ's success for the Phillies. That said, he still hasn't been any good since 2010, he misses a lot of time, and he doesn't go deep into games. I thought it was an absolutely horrible trade that brought him to Toronto, and just because Anthopoulos thought it was a good move to give up multiple quality prospects to acquire Happ doesn't mean that other GM's would be as foolish as to overvalue him that much. Ackley might not be can't-miss anymore but I find it hard to believe that his stock has fallen this far, even in Trader Jack's eyes. At the very least, Ackley has shown he can be a starter at second base and has a pretty decent walk rate for a middle infielder.

If Ackley can be brought in for such a limited cost, I'm all for it. I just don't see it happening.
greenfrog - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 07:43 PM EST (#281399) #
multiple quality prospects

A lot of people rail about this trade, but what did the Jays give up, really? None of the prospects sent to Houston made BP's recent top ten list of Astros prospects (or BP's ancillary lists: top ten talents 25 and under, factors on the farm, or prospects on the rise).

Wojciechowski is probably the most interesting prospect of the bunch. The almost-25-year-old had a nice 2013 and could have been on the "factors on the farm" list (i.e., somewhere below the top ten), according to BP's Jason Parks.

I have no problem with the trade. To my mind it was a consolidation trade, dealing low-probability prospects to obtain an experienced back-end starter and address a roster crunch. Let's see if Happ can give the Jays 150 good innings in 2014.
Parker - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 08:02 PM EST (#281400) #
He's only reached 150 innings twice in his career, and the last time he did it, it was to the tune of a 5.35 ERA. I'd bet Morrow pitches 150 good innings in a season before Happ does it again.
greenfrog - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 08:24 PM EST (#281401) #
Right, and the time before that, he pitched 166 innings with an ERA+ of 144. His career ERA (4.25 / ERA+ 96) is more than a full run lower than it was in the season you selected.

I believe he has a shot at a respectable year as a back-end starter and 150 IP if he can stay healthy. He looked reasonably sharp with his modified delivery in September.
jensan - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 09:19 PM EST (#281402) #
How about if you trade Happ to the Mets straight up for Daniel Murphy 2B. Mets want a veteran starting pitcher for back end of their rotation. Throw in Itzuris as far as I am concerned.
cybercavalier - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 11:10 PM EST (#281403) #
Parker: IMO, I don't see a fail but a bit harshly realistic. Anyway Happ + Wagner for Ackley is okay. Basically AA shall sell high on Happ to buy Ackley when his value is low.
greenfrog - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 11:12 PM EST (#281404) #
What would it take to acquire Franklin from the M's, straight up? Seattle would probably start by asking for Stroman. I wonder if Happ and Nolin might get it done (too much to give up? Too little?). Those two arms would give Seattle pretty good rotational depth. Maybe they can get more pitching talent from the Royals or some other team - I don't know.
John Northey - Sunday, December 08 2013 @ 11:33 PM EST (#281405) #
Right now I think Seattle is clearly in a 'win at all costs' stage.  That crazy contract demands it. 20 games out of a playoff spot means a lot needs to improve though (Jays were 3 games ahead of them).  RF is clearly a need, thus Bautista would be a very, very tempting target for them but Gose would be of nearly no interest at this point - they'd be more likely to sign Davis instead. 

So for Bautista what would it take?  One of Paxton or Walker AA would demand for sure.  Franklin or Ackley as well.  Ji-Man Choi is a power hitting 23 year old 1B who has a few games catching and at 3B but is a 1B/DH now - catches me as a kid who would be a nice to sneak into a trade.  But trading Bautisa is a major, major risk and I don't see the Jays doing it unless they feel they won the trade in a landslide - like the famous 2 relievers (Tom Dodd and Dale Murray) for Dave Collins, Mike Morgan and Fred McGriff trade the Jays did in the 82/83 offseason.  Basically, any prospects they have will be available in the right trade if what I read is correct - that the front office is in chaos, mixed with the obvious desire to win now no matter what.  The GM is on thin ice and if they lose more than they win in 2014 his job is toast, and might be doomed unless they reach the playoffs.  Perfect time to step in and take advantage if possible, but it won't be easy as the Jays also want to contend in 2014 thus any kids need to be ML ready or the Jays need a secondary trade ready to go to fill in holes created.
cybercavalier - Monday, December 09 2013 @ 12:16 AM EST (#281407) #
eudaimon, Chuck: would you like Wil Rhymes in stead of Carroll ? Very godd BB/KK, play multiple IF positions, MLB performances show he roughly strikes out as much as he walks but as an IF utility, he would have chances to improve from coaching.
Richard S.S. - Monday, December 09 2013 @ 03:37 AM EST (#281408) #
Considering all GMs should have arrived at the Winter Meetings sometime Sunday, it's posturing as usual more than anything else will happen. It make me wonder if A.A. will do anything here, for the first time ever.

A.A. remarked how last year, he had to sign an entire AAA rotation. Right now, he had potentially: Romero, Jenkins, McGuire, Nolin, Stroman, Drabek and Hutchison, just to name a few, available.

He still has Cecil, Delabar (option remaining), Janssen, Jeffress, Loup (option remaining), McGowan, Perez, Redmond, Rogers, Santos and Wagner (option remaining) for the Bullpen. That's not including Starters Dickey, Buehrle, Morrow and Happ.

I can't see A.A. not doing deals to reduce the massive Pitching backlog he has for someone better. Questions will be asked if he doesn't, question he'll not want to answer.
Gerry - Monday, December 09 2013 @ 08:39 AM EST (#281409) #
Happ is a solid #4 or #5 starter. When I checked Fanfgraphs WAR he was in a bunch with guys like Carlos Villanueva, Chris Capuano, Jeremy Guthrie and Josh Collmenter.

That level of performance has value, maybe not a lot of value at $7M per year, but he is an "asset", as GM's say.
Hodgie - Monday, December 09 2013 @ 11:26 AM EST (#281417) #
Maybe I am missing something but according to Cots Happ's 2014 salary is $5.2M and it is the 2015 option that is $6.7M. Looking at the term and dollars that the likes of Feldman, Nolasco, Hughes, Vargas et el have signed for Happ is now probably undervalued in this market. Hell, the ghost of Dan Haren signed for $10M and was considered a great signing by the masses.
Lylemcr - Monday, December 09 2013 @ 11:36 AM EST (#281418) #

I think the GM of the Mariners is desperate to save his job.  I think they are going to go after a front line starter (david Price), another bat (choo) and some bullpen signing. 

I think with the Jays having some bullpen strength (and pitching depth), there is an opportunity for a trade.  Ackley would be a nice acquisition.  I know the people here are tired of him.  Montero as well.  I think the organization is messed up and you could pluck some gems out of it. 

MInd you... the Jays seem to have a lot of prospect busting as well.  So, if I was Ackley or Montero, I would pray for an organization like St Louis or Boston to trade for me....

John Northey - Monday, December 09 2013 @ 12:51 PM EST (#281424) #
Huh - totally forgot about Jesus Montero. That says something about how far he has fallen. A 97 OPS+ lifetime isn't what was expected at this point.  With just a 723 OPS in AAA and a 590 in the majors (110 PA in each) he isn't looking good. I'd certainly take him in a trade but wouldn't expect much - more of a project ala Travis Snider for Pittsburgh now (he was tendered a contract btw...sad that there was debate on that front).  He does bat right so he'd be a good platoon mate with Lind at DH and 3rd catcher/backup 1B (22 games in minors there).  If he recovers to his old potential he could be the prime bat the Jays could always use.
vw_fan17 - Monday, December 09 2013 @ 03:54 PM EST (#281433) #
Yeah, Montero for Pineda - that's a trade both teams would rather forget about (at least up to this point). Funny how it looked like such a huge trade at the time..
Thomas - Monday, December 09 2013 @ 05:44 PM EST (#281435) #
Jon Morosi is reporting that the Jays had agreed to a 3-team trade that involved sending Sergio Santos to Texas, but the deal fell through when another player involved failed a physical.
Hypothetical Trade II | 51 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.