Stone on Winter Meetings
Larry Stone’s full of tidbits.
For one thing, the Mariners are expected to make a formal offer to Jacque Jones today, something that will make Eddie Guardado happy, and probably bring smiles to the collective face of USSM as well.
In other “reasons to smile” news, Stone says no deal with Carl Everett is imminent.
Buried near the bottom of the story — probably because most discussions don’t get past the inquiry stage — is this:
On the trade front, there was word the Mariners had at least inquired into Boston’s Trot Nixon (and possibly pitcher Matt Clement) and Milwaukee’s Lyle Overbay.
Immediate impressions: I would have liked the idea of Trot Nixon’s swing in Safeco a lot better a few years ago, pre-back problems; I love the idea of Clement, but think there’s no way the Red Sox would trade him for anything the M’s would give up; and am underwhelmed by Lyle Overbay in general, even if there weren’t the problem of where to put him.
Comments
59 Responses to “Stone on Winter Meetings”
The bit that I enjoyed about the article:
Free-agent reliever Jeff Nelson, who appeared in 49 games for Seattle last year but won’t be back, is in Dallas trying to interest clubs in his services.
I have to asssume trying to interest clubs in his services include trying to throw that loopy wiffle-ball slider into a tire 60 feet, 6 inches from the destination.
#47– I found this: PI, Sep 6, 2004– “Jamie Moyer, who started and took the loss yesterday at U.S. Cellular Field, already has a contract for next year, but the amount the Mariners will pay him is still in the process of being determined. Moyer’s base salary will be $1.5 million, but he can make as much as another $1.5 million based on making more than 30 starts. On top of that, he can make as much as another $4.5 million based on innings pitched, getting the full amount if he gets to 210 innings.”
Um, I thought the whole idea behind re-signing Moyer was that we would do so at about $4 million, which would be appropriate for what we were getting (a 40-plus junkballer who really should be a home starter but does plug a hole) and leave us money to plug other holes. I’d forgotten that last year’s $8 million was incentive-laden and not base salary, but that’s too much for us right now.
I don’t know that paying Moyer $8mill for another year like last year is worth it. If that much money may go to another SP I’d rather see it be someone a little younger.
how about Hee So Choi, there is a cheap left-handed bat with some potential, would the Dodgers be willing to give him up?
55 – They might be willing to move him with the log jam on the right side of the infield, but the price will be high. Word is they are talking about trading a top of the line starter (Penny, Lowe) for Abreu, so they might be in the mood to talk. Although, they would likely want more than Meche or Piniero.
Is Burnitz at $4 mil for one year just not popular? No one talks about him as an option in left, even though he wants to return to the west coast and might even make himself cheaper for the M’s. With him on a one year deal, we could make a running at the real left handed power in next year’s FA class: J.D. Drew, Cliff Floyd, Jay Gibbons, David Dellucci, or even a guy like Derek Lee…
#51: I have to asssume trying to interest clubs in his services include trying to throw that loopy wiffle-ball slider into a tire 60 feet, 6 inches from the destination.
Don’t sell Jeff Nelson short. He can also beat up groundskeepers when your team visits Fenway. Get Karim Garcia too and you can make it a reunion tour.
Derrek Lee is right handed.
I don’t think a player like Derek Lee comes along very often…right or left-handed you sign him if you have the money