[Sox to Make Hard Push for Granderson]

I think Hahn is going make trades and not sign any more major free agents at least this winter.

This would go along with what he had said after the Abreu signing.

[2013-14 off season player movement thread]

But still, they could use the production. Their offense underperforms even considering the park factor.

 

Their payroll last year was only $72 million, that's down from $106 million just over 5 years ago and even down $15 million from the year before. Throw in new TV money and they've got the room and the need.

Oh ya, I agree they need the help badly. I should have specified Cano's HR totals will drop, at least the home games anyway. Otherwise he'll be fine.

[2013-14 off season player movement thread]

Looks like Jack Z is in desperation mode to try and save his job.

I'd say JayZ and Mariners both in desperation mode. Looks like Seattle wants to make an offer that for now, nobody will contend with. All this for a guy who's numbers WILL drop hitting in that park.

[2013-14 off season player movement thread]

Seattle looking to make some noise...

 

Per MLBTR...

 

"Mariners Willing To Pay Cano $230-240MM

By Steve Adams [December 5 at 3:21pm CST]

Robinson Cano flew to Seattle to meet with the Mariners in person today, and the team has informed him that they are willing to pay as much as $230-240MM on a 10-year contract, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com (Spanish link).

 

It was reported yesterday that the Mariners may have topped the Yankees' offer of roughly $170MM, but if true, the reported $230-240MM offer would shatter the Yankees' highest bid. The Mariners met with Cano's representatives on Tuesday, according to multiple reports, but this appears to be the first instance of Cano traveling to Seattle to meet with club officials.

 

Cano and agents Jay-Z of Roc Nation Sports and Brodie Van Wagenen of CAA are said to be seeking something in the neighborhood of $252MM. The Yankees reportedly will not offer Cano more than $200MM, and in the wake of that news, the offense-starved Mariners appear to have emerged as major players in the Cano sweepstakes."

 

 

[Sox to Make Hard Push for Granderson]

He is saying $20 mill total, as in like 3/$27, or $9 mill a year. I think Granderson ends up with a $48 mill deal - $15 mill per year with a team option for $18 in the 4th or a $3 mill buy out, or something along those lines.

OK, that makes more sense.

[Sox to Make Hard Push for Granderson]

The $64 million is what he was asking for, not necessarily what he will get. Considering he turned down the qualifying offer of $14 million, that shouldn't be so shocking.

Guess I figured given his age he turned it down to get a long term deal around the 14m range which is still rich for my taste.

[Sox to Make Hard Push for Granderson]

When I thoguth that 3/$40 was about a fair asking price for him, I assumed he'd beat that, which is why when people were talking about him in the $20's last week I was surprised and was saying go for it.

Guess I underestimated the market as well as teams that are desperate, big time. I'm surprised people would go that high (20's) for Granderson. Call me crazy but I would pay Ellsbury 20+ before Granderson.

[Sox to Make Hard Push for Granderson]

Really thought the Red Sox would be all over Choo this offseason and play him with Bradley and Victorino in the OF.

Their outfield is set with Victorino, Nava and Bradley Jr. Unless they shifted Victorino to Cf with Choose in left and Bradley Jr as a rotating 4th outfielder off the bench to keep guys rested and Jr atbats.

 

Back to Granderson, I don't think anyone saw this asking price coming. Bloody hell!

[Sox to Make Hard Push for Granderson]

You can put this thread to sleep now.

 

Per MLBTR...

 

"Granderson Seeking Four Years, $64MM

By Steve Adams [December 5 at 2:42pm CST]

Yesterday it was reported that talks between Curtis Granderson and the Mets have intensified, and the Mets are becoming increasingly optimistic about their chances to land him. The Red Sox reportedly haven't ruled him out. The Diamondbacks, though they strongly desire a corner outfield bat with some power, aren't likely to be able to afford him. We'll keep track of today's Granderson rumors here...

 

Newsday's Marc Carig reports (via Twitter) that Granderson has been seeking a four-year deal worth $16MM annually.

Earlier Updates

 

A guaranteed fourth year is still up for debate in Granderson negotiations, tweets Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. In a second tweet, he adds that the Mets may have to go four years to land him but aren't resigned to that yet.

Granderson's talks with the Mets are more advanced than they are with other teams, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Other teams remain in the mix, however.

Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald tweets that the Red Sox are more interested in right-handed outfield bats to complement Jackie Bradley Jr., so they don't see Granderson as a great fit"

 

ALRIGHTY THEN!

[Paul Konerko Returning to White Sox]

And if we release Keppinger...then the cost of signing Paul Konerko this season is now over $10 million.

Thanks for pissing in my cheerios man! Damn...

 

Just another reason why I don't like this signing.

[Paul Konerko Returning to White Sox]

Any smart organization would look at the white sox roster and think there's a better chance Keppinger just gets released and the White Sox eat his entire contract after Konerko was signed. Just like with Dunn, if I had any interest in him before this signing, the price I'd pay just went down, not up.

Hadn't thought of it that at but it could make sense to release him. I guess since Paulie is signed and will be on the bench, the best we can hope for is a trade where we eat salary and get pretty much nothing but the open roster spot in return. I still hold on to the hope of that twelver and preferably silver bullets.

[Paul Konerko Returning to White Sox]

It's not ideal, and they won't be short a pitcher, but what it means is a guy like Leury or Elmore or another guy they acquire who can play both the infield and outfield will be on the bench instead of someone who is strickly an infielder or an outfielder. You also improve your pinch hitting, as Paulie, even when depleted, has hit lefties, and if a tough lefty starts and they go to a righty, Dunn will be available. Right now, I would guess the guys on the bubble because of this are Keppinger and Jordan Danks. Not exactly franchise changing players.

2 things. 1: does Danks have options left? 2: what do we do with Keppinger? Obviously trading him is best case scenario but who would be interested? I suppose the clerk at the liquor store might give up a twelver but would the clerk take on that salary?

[Marcus Semien]

IMO, the smart move with the current roster is to start Semien at AAA and hope Beckham has a solid first half, trade him by the deadline and call up Semien to play 2b. Right now I just dont see much of a market for Keppinger/ Gillespie so third base is tied up for the moment.

 

An interesting scenario would be if both Semien and Sanchez perform well at AAA, who would get the call. I realize Semien will likely play 3b at AAA.

[Paul Konerko Returning to White Sox]

I have to say don't agree with this one bit. Assuming Gillespie, Alexei, Gordon and Abreu is the infield that leaves Garcia, Paulie, Keppinger, Jordan and a backup catcher on the bench which shorts the pen an arm they will most likely need. Not signing Paulie adds an arm to the pen with Keppinger as a backup 1B. I guess what I'm saying is do we really need another backup 1B on the bench? Seems a waste to me.

[Paul Konerko Returning to White Sox]

Use konerko's bench spot for an extra arm in the pen.

[Sox to Make Hard Push for Granderson]

The Winter Meetings are next week. The Sox will make some moves before spring training. I would bet they make several.

This is something we can agree on for sure. I have to remind myself daily that its a long off season, but the anxiety/anticipation still rears its ugly head at times.

[Sox to Make Hard Push for Granderson]

It did surprise me to see the Sox mentioned with him yesterday, but a lot of that could be trying to drive his price up, as it was reported the Sox at least had a lot of interest earlier before Abreu signed

Indeed they did. What will we all discuss once this is settled? Lol. There are obviously two sides to the Granderson discussions but at least we've had something to discuss in a very boring off season ( outside of Abreu of course).

[Sox to Make Hard Push for Granderson]

FWIW, per MLBTR

 

"Curtis Granderson Rumors: Thursday

By Steve Adams [December 5 at 12:13pm CST]

Yesterday it was reported that talks between Curtis Granderson and the Mets have intensified, and the Mets are becoming increasingly optimistic about their chances to land him. The Red Sox reportedly haven't ruled him out. The Diamondbacks, though they strongly desire a corner outfield bat with some power, aren't likely to be able to afford him. We'll keep track of today's Granderson rumors here...

 

Granderson's talks with the Mets are more advanced than they are with other teams, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Other teams remain in the mix, however.

Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald tweets that the Red Sox are more interested in right-handed outfield bats to complement Jackie Bradley Jr., so they don't see Granderson as a great fit"

 

No mention of the white Sox.

[Masahiro Tanaka]

Uh oh!

 

"Rakuten Golden Eagles president Yozo Tachibana addressed the Japanese media today and indicated that the team may not necessarily post Masahiro Tanaka in light of the new posting system's $20MM maximum bid, according to a report from Sponichi (Japanese link). Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times elaborates in his most recent article and offers translated quotes from Tachibana.

 

"There's a possibility we won't take the next step," said Tachibana. As Newsday's David Lennon noted on Twitter today, the Golden Eagles may think that retaining Tanaka is more valuable than the $20MM maximum posting fee, which is a mere fraction of the $75MM+ posting fee that was rumored under the old system.

 

Hernandez notes that the Golden Eagles will be under "immense public pressure" to post Tanaka despite the new rules. That wouldn't guarantee anything, however. Tanaka failing to hit the market after this long, drawn out process would be a major impact to interested teams who are now dreaming of their increased chances to land the highly touted ace. The Yankees have been prioritizing Tanaka but would have to turn elsewhere to fill out a rotation in need of a significant boost.

 

Should Tanaka stay in Japan, the cases for Ervin Santana, Matt Garza and Ubaldo Jimenez would only be strengthened, as their primary competition would be off the market."

 

Per MLBTR.

 

reminds me of a Cartman move. " screw you guys, I'm going home".

[Jonathan Mayo Mock Draft]

I find myself flip flopping back and forth between Hoffman and Kolek at this time. I lean towards Kolek but he is committed so I would hate to waste a #3 pick on a kid that goes to college.

 

Spring will bring another season of college and HS baseball so who knows how the draft pick status will change. Some likely rise and some likely fall.

[Sox to Make Hard Push for Granderson]

Simply put, how can a farm as bad as the Sox, with very limited tradable mlb talent to help restock the farm rebuild by giving away draft picks?

 

As far as the argument of will that #2 pick help as much as Granderson would? There's no answer at this time since that pick has yet to be drafted and developed so its mere speculation on both sides. Would that pick help now? No. Would Granderson help this team now? Doubtful with the current roster. Would that pick help in the future when the sox have a better chance of contending? Quite possibly and I'm willing to take a chance on that possibility. Especially with a deep 14' draft.

[Sox to Make Hard Push for Granderson]

No, but Granderson's age and the quality of the White Sox should.

Not to mention the 14 draft is supposed to be a very deep draft too. Also, pointing out all these #53 picks could also mean bad selections by teams at the #53 pick. I admit it is a crap shoot but one I'm fine with.

[$20 million max posting fee looks to be coming for Japanese posti]

Come on uncle jerry open up your wallet , it is Xmas after all.

[Sox to Make Hard Push for Granderson]

+1

 

 

+2. Sox second pick is currently sitting at #53 with a likely chance of moving up to 50 or higher. I'd much rather have a chance to go after top 50 talent in this draft than Granderson.

Well said guys and couldn't agree more.

[Sox to Make Hard Push for Granderson]

Thing is, didn't they almost already do just it last year?

 

If he and PK weren't broken down(both were dealing with injury) down the stretch they very well could have won the division.

Point taken. They sucked so bad in 13 I forgot about almost winning the division in 12. But in 12 we had a much better hitting catcher, a proven RF (I do have faith in Avi, he's just young is all), Youk at 3rd with Tank and Gordon healthy and hitting better. Is just hard for me to see them competing in 14. I hope like hell Hahn makes me eat those words!