SB Nation - Chone Figgins

The Top 5 Winners in the MLB Off-Season (so far)

doron — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:35:35 -0000

Which teams rank as the top 5 winners in the MLB off-season, so far?

After this memorable Hot Stove week, I figured it would be a great time to take a look at the big winners thus far in the MLB off-season. Which teams have made big splashes already, and which teams should be focusing on those remaining free agents? With that in mind, here are my picks for the top five winners thus far in the off-season.

5. Minnesota Twins

While by comparison to the names ahead on this list, the Twins off-season might seem quiet thus far, they’ve been helped by circumstance as much as they’ve helped themselves. The Twins made the first big acquisition of the off-season trading for shortstop JJ Hardy, and relinquishing Carlos Gomez, a trade that most believe favors the Twins. So long as JJ Hardy can recover from a down year in 2009, the Twins will be adding a great bat, with average, power and defense, at a premium position. Add to this the rumors that a Joe Mauer extension is in the works, the loss of Curtis Granderson and Placido Polanco by the Tigers, and the risky moves we’ve seen from the White Sox, and it seems that the Twins are a clear favorite to take the AL Central even with these small moves.

Next Steps: Extending Joe Mauer, and perhaps upgrades at third-base (Adrian Beltre?) or a mid-level starting pitcher.

4. Philadelphia Phillies

The Phillies have made some great baseball decisions this off-season. For starters, they declined their option on Pedro Feliz and replaced him with a better-defensive player who gets on-base at a better rate in Placido Polanco. Their other big move of course was upgrading staff aces by adding Roy Halladay, despite the loss of Cliff Lee. They gave up some great prospects in the deal, but were at least able to replace them with similar talents. Phillippe Aumont, in particular, may not be far away from being able to help the bullpen of the Phillies, if they decide to keep him in a relief role in the minors. With Doc under contract for the next four years, the Phillies are in a great position to start off the next decade with success.

Next Steps: Bullpen help for Brad Lidge

3. Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox off-season seems to have taken hints from the Seattle Mariners with their defense focus. They added Mike Cameron, who will be a gigantic defense upgrade over Jason Bay. They’ve also added solid shortstop Marco Scutaro, who is a versatile defender and, if he can replicate his 2009 season, will be a big offensive boost at the shortstop position that’s hurt them for years. They are also looking to move Mike Lowell to Texas, and rumors tell us that Adrian Beltre, one of the best defensive third-basemen in the game, would be their main target for third base in that case. On top of that, they added the markets best free agent pitcher in John Lackey, which gives them a very dominant looking rotation.

Next Steps: Perhaps signing Adrian Beltre if Lowell is traded, and those never-ending Adrian Gonzalez rumors.

2. New York Yankees

The Yankees have essentially made two substantial moves this off-season, and they’ve both been excellent. They made a massive splash by trading for Curtis Granderson, who will allow the outfield positions to shift and create a huge defensive upgrade over Johnny Damon. On top of that, his lefty-handed bat and power to right field will play perfect in Yankee Stadium, allowing most to think that he’ll have a terrific season in 2010. He’s also got the reputation of being a great guy, and that never hurts. This week, they also added Nick Johnson, who will likely replace DH Hideki Matsui. Johnson is what I like to refer to as an "OBP Monster", and while the 2-spot is unconventional for a DH, his propensity to take walks would look great in front of Mark Texeira and Alex Rodriguez.

Next Steps: It’s hard to imagine any, really. Unless they get crazy and try to add Jason Bay or Matt Holliday, their lineup of all-stars looks complete.

1. Seattle Mariners

At the beginning of the off-season, there were rumblings that the Mariners had a ton of cash to spend, but many dismissed that rumor. I don’t think anyone expected this type of off-season from Seattle. They picked up speedy Chone Figgins to provide great defense and get on-base with Ichiro at the top of the lineup, acquired Cliff Lee to give them baseball’s best one-two pitching punch, and now added Milton Bradley, who will give them a very good bat, so long as his attitude doesn’t get in the way. The man they call "Jack Z" is being essentially universally-praised these days, and with good reason. In less than two years, he’s taken the Mariners from a train-wreck to the clear-cut favorites to win the AL West. With the pitching they have, they may even be able to make a great run through the playoffs.

Next Steps: A power-bat in the middle of the lineup, though Jason Bay doesn’t fit their defense-minded approach. A slugging first-baseman should do the trick.

Poll

Who do you think has won the MLB Off-Season so far?

Now that Nick Johnson's off the market...

Grant — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:57:31 -0000

The slow progression of offseason hope-munching continues. The Giants lost out on Nick Johnson because they weren't willing to offer a second year. Remind yourself of this in May, when Johnson is on the DL for psoriasis or something. Or remind yourself in October, when he takes a bases-loaded walk to win a World Series game. I would have given a second year, but I understand why there wasn't a team willing to do so. I'm not going to blame the Giants for not going all in.

Chone Figgins was too expensive, and if he doesn't put up a couple more seasons like his last, he isn't going to be worth it. Matt Holliday is going to get $100M, and Jason Bay is going to get $90M to go with his sketchy defense. I can't complain about a team not wanting to commit to those sorts of luxuries. Those aren't the once-in-a-decade offensive forces the Giants are looking for, but they'll be paid like the are.

I'm not going to blame the Giants for not trading Madison Bumgarner for a pre-arbitration cleanup hitter who doesn't exist. I'm not going to blame them for not wanting to part with Thomas Neal or Jonathan Sanchez for Dan Uggla.

So I'll spend the rest of the offseason gritting my teeth about the Aaron Rowand and Barry Zito contracts, and just hoping that some how, some way, the Giants fall into an average offense next year. If they sign Mark DeRosa for three years, I'll weep a little bit, but then I'll hope he improves the team for next year, and next year only. If they sign Adam LaRoche for a huge contract, even though he's a marginal improvement over Ryan Garko, I'll grumble and spit, and then I'll hope LaRoche makes the Giants a better team in 2010.

What I'm trying to say is that I'm giving up any hope for a good offseason. There isn't a permutation of players that will result in sound short- and long-term planning. There isn't a magical wizard who is going to come down from the sky and bless the Giants with prudent-yet-aggressive decision making. This isn't Seattle. I'm expecting a disaster of a contract -- something that will end as messily as Randy Winn's deal. So now that I've resigned myself to that mess, I'm focused on hoping that there's at least one good season that the team can wring out of the player(s) in question.

I'm hoping for an average offense built on the backs of players likely to decline. Is that too much to ask? The "players likely to decline" part is a given, so I'm trying to find a way to still be slightly optimistic. Heck, it worked for me when I was trying to justify the Rowand deal!

Aaron Rowand is the parsley garnish for a franchise preparing to serve a gourmet meal. The Giants had a paper plate with a shapeless pile of room-temperature raccoon slurry. Now they have a piece of parsley for it. The Giants had just a fantastic offseason.

MLB Trade Rumors: Johnny Damon to the Braves?

raygu — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:00:20 -0000

by Eric Gay - AP

about 1 month ago: New York Yankees' Johnny Damon breaks his bat grounding out to first to drive in a run in the fifth inning of Game 5 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, in Philadelphia. Philies catcher Carlos Ruiz watches. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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Last night, we heard that the Yankees were closing in on signing Nick Johnson to be their DH in 2010. That begs the question? Is Johnny Damon's career as a Yankee over now? Some seem to think so. His agent Scott Boras has his work cut out for him for sure.

Newsday's Ken Davidoff seems to this so in a tweet last night"

Yes, I think this is the end for J. Damon and #Yankees. Cashman seems serious re: budget, youth, payroll management/roster flexibility.

This seems to support my theory that Jesus Montero will make his debut in Yankee Stadium this year,

So who are the list of suitors for Johnny Damon? I guess the Angels could be looking at Damon as they have lost Vladimir Guerrero and Chone Figgins this offseason. Damon could take Guerrero's DH spot, and play some left field on occasion.

Or how about the Braves? The Braves need a leadoff hitter, and a left fielder. Damon can do both. But he will cost them some money. I don't see Damon getting more than a two year deal from anyone this year. But he could fit in the Braves lineup nicely. Damon went 24-82-12-.282-.365-.489-.854 in 2009, but I don't see him hitting 20+ HRs anywhere but Yankee Stadium.

Poll

Is Johnny Damon a fit in Atlanta?

Could Braves' Lowe be heading to the Yankees... or the Jets... or the (fill in team name here)

gondeee — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:02:23 -0000

More photos » by Tony Dejak - AP

Could the Braves sound the horn for the Yankees' Nick Swisher?

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There has been quite a bit of silence on the Derek Lowe front for the last 24 hours. The latest incarnation of a destination for the Atlanta Braves starting pitcher has been conjured up by AJC beat writer David O'Brien:

Lowe-for-Swisher would be a strong outcome for the Braves in the whole Lowe situation. Big Money (Yanks) could make things all better.

He goes on to make an analogy about the Yankees being a rich uncle who is benevolently buying back the car which was too expensive that we (the Braves) got last year, blah, blah. Things have been so quiet the past 24 that I'm forced to re-print these twitter ramblings. Lowe might as well be headed anywhere at this point.

Lowe-for-Swish would be a decent deal, though I've consistently been on the fence about Nick Swisher. He seems like another in a long line of almost-stars who do a few things well, but have some holes in their game. But he knows how to hit a homerun and he knows how to take a walk, so that's a start. He's be a better option than Juan Rivera, who everyone and their brother keep trying to put us on.

I'm ready for something to happen. Damn the Braves patience.

[UPDATE: 4PM]

To add another thought here; with the Lee/Halladay deal now done, and the Mariners having already added Chone Figgins and Cliff Lee this off-season, and with John Lackey off to Boston, surely the Angels feel they need to respond. I think Derek Lowe would be a good beginning to that response, with the notion that he will likely pitch better back in SoCal.

Teams already interested Garrett Atkins

Eli Greenspan — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:44:38 -0000

More photos » by Ben Margot - AP

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The Rockies decided to cut ties with third baseman Garrett Atkins after weeks of trying to move the .289 career hitter.

Atkins lost his spot to young up-and-comer Ian Stewart, and had the opportunity to contend to take over at first base, but a disappointing .226 average reduced his time significantly.

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2009 - Garrett Atkins	126	354	37	80	12	1	9	48	41	58	0	0	.226	.308	.342

While teams are interested, sources say the teams that are pursuing him will only have him on "their own terms." Atkins is just a .252 career hitter on the road, so teams may be hesitant when looking at him.

The Twins, Orioles, and Red Sox are interested in the third baseman, who can now sign with any team. While the Mariners have signed Chone Figgins, sources say they are exploring the possibility of bringing in another third baseman, moving Figgins to second, and sliding Jose Lopez over to first.

He went on to say, however, that that would only happen if the team fails to sign free agent first baseman Russell Branyan.

2009 Baserunning - Where Did The A's Measure Up?

baseballgirl — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:27:09 -0000

More photos » by Ben Margot - AP

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Are you looking to get to know one of our new players a little bit better? I have a hot tip from my Rangers fan friend that Beau Vaughan has a blog. It's funny, occasionally inappropriate, and everything you ever wanted to know about Beau and then some. We will continue to update the winter meetings if we add anyone else fun with a blog. Speaking of which, can someone get Beau on AN?

While I was thumbing through the pages of The Bill James Handbook (okay, after someone told me exactly what I was looking for), I came across the chapter titled "2009 Baserunning". Because of the A's late success in 2009 with the stolen base, I thought it warranted a closer look. The book is quick to point out that this chapter is not about basestealing, but rather baserunning.

The chapter opens by citing the polar opposites Chone Figgins and Prince Fielder, both of whom were on first base about forty times in 2009 when a single was hit. As you might expect, Figgins made it to third 23 out of 43 times, and Prince just once in his 45 times on first. Likewise, Figgins was on second base when a single was hit 31 times, and scored 26. David Ortiz scored just twice in his sixteen opportunities. It is important to note that these stats don't make Fielder and Ortiz bad baserunners; it just shows that they a) don't have the speed of Figgins b) play in a different home ballpark (think Fenway's shallow left field) (311).

On the other hand, Juan Rivera was thrown out 8 times in attempting first to third; yet many major league players went through the entire season without ever being thrown out advancing. The James handbook measures baserunning by first-to-third, second-to-home, first-to-home on a double, advancement on wild pitches, passed balls, balks, sac flies, defensive indifference and stolen bases, caught stealing and grounding into double plays. (311)

You might be asking what this has to do with the A's. It's a small detail, but a positive none the less; Kurt Suzuki was the best baserunning catcher in 2009, and Rajai Davis is as awesome as we thought.

In 2009, out of 30 teams, where do you think the A's were ranked in baserunning?

Last Thoughts on the Winter Meetings

Rev Halofan — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:22:07 -0000

After a decade of Bill Stoneman's Stonewalling, Angels General Manger Tony Reagins sure leaks to the press like a politician instead of a Ninja.

So what office is Tony running for? Wouldja believe Mayor of Lackeyville? Could all of the leaks of his meetings with Toronto be designed to light a fire under John Lackey to deal with the Angels?

Roy Halladay coming to Anaheim pretty much spells the end of the John Lackey era in L.A. of A, that is a fact. Does John's agent pick up the phone to get John back into Angel red faster when a truer ace is in the pipeline? With one suitor down he has less to deal with.

Meanwhile Toronto is taking its sweet time because it really doesn't want to deal Halladay to the Yankees or Red Sox unless it can put a dent in one or the other thru prospect extraction. Wouldn't you be stretching things out and allowing leaks to get other clubs to join the fray? Look, here come the Phillies, it looks like it worked!

The winter meetings are in the rear view mirror but they managed to garner enough headlines to put a Halo on Lackey and gave everyone else the chance to tell Vlad that he cannot get a job in their outfield or for more than one year. The Angels will sign Lackey before the new year so that he can get a fat signing bonus on this year's income statement and will ink Vlad to a one-year deal before February.

The only question then will be Darren Oliver, having basically spent the winter replacing Chone Figgins with Brandon Wood. Mission Accomplished?

Poll

Pick One:

Two Free Agents

DanUpBaby — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:00:19 -0000

by Charles Rex Arbogast - AP

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Current state of the official rumor of the weekend, that the Cubs were about to trade Milton Bradley and sign Mike Cameron: no no-comment. Cameron for Bradley isn't a major upgrade, but after a season in which Bradley was declared The Problem the Cubs are more or less forced to make it.

I don't doubt, at this point, that team chemistry is important in some vague capacity, and starting from that viewpoint it's impossible to avoid counting Milton Bradley among the members of the un-sainted Dick Allen class. But I think the Cubs—and the Red Sox, the Yankees, the Mets—have a particular disadvantage when dealing with ostensible clubhouse cancers. Everything Milton Bradley did for an entire disappointing year bounced around among the fans and the media and the postgame comments until his exit became inevitable. In less demanding markets it's easy for a bounce-back year or a winning team to obscure things like this, but Chicago needed stories, and Milton Bradley became the big one.

Cameron is, of course, one of the potential bargains of the offseason, and the Cubs, who trotted out three tweener corner outfielders last year, are in need of someone who can unquestionably handle center field. It would have been nice to see him playing right for the Cardinals, and spotting Colby, too young to be platooned, against the proverbial Tough Left-handers", but that was probably always wish-casting; I don't see any reason for him to play a corner so long as at least one suitor wants him in center.

Meanwhile: I'm not sure this is a good thing, but the decision to offer arbitration to Mark DeRosa*—uncertain after the Braden Looper non-move last year—is shaping up to be one of my favorite moves off the Cardinals off-season. Take a look at the friendly Rotoworld box and then follow the jump.

I could see DeRosa getting $27 million after his 2008 season, during which he became a Chicago folk hero; he's three years older than Chone Figgins, but until then DeRosa was the better super-utility guy. (I was surprised to learn that Figgins has played so little second base of late, and done it rather poorly; I can only guess that a player's perceived versatility goes up as he steals more bases.)

But Figgins's 2009 was a Fangraphs-watcher's dream, a career year on defense and a career high in walks; meanwhile DeRosa played just two innings at second base and had a poorly understood wrist injury. The end result is that Chone is the proud owner of USS Mariner's heart, and DeRosa's desired contract, on the heels of a smaller deal accepted by a better second baseman, Placido Polanco, seems a year too late.

Of course, if things play as they ought to, none of that is any concern of ours. DeRosa might be a minor upgrade to David Freese, but Julio Lugo is already making the minimum as designated Schumaker-platoon-partner-who-shouldn't-play-shortstop; whichever third baseman didn't earn the starting job would be basically irrelevant on the bench as it appears to be shaping up.

Things will hopefully be a little less nebulous after today's Winter Meetings begin in force. Am I remembering this wrong, or are they usually held in places a little more seasonally appropriate than Indianapolis?

Winter Meetings Primer, 2009

Jesse — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 00:15:52 -0000

More photos » by Jennifer Simonson - AP

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Sure, it's a rumor-filled week that generally leads to nothing. But it's still a rumor-filled week, and to me that equals fun.

Twins Needs

Second Base
Third Base
Starting Pitcher
Bench Depth
Joe Mauer Extension

Between LEN III and Joe C., the Twins have been tied to a few names already this off-season: Mark DeRosa, Rich Harden, Adrian Beltre, Jarrod Washburn and Orlando Hudson. There has been little speculation fueled by comments from the front office, although this has been commonplace during the Bill Smith era. Now entering his third Winter Meetings and in the best position to win since taking on the role of General Manager, it will be interesting to see if the rumors lead to anything concrete this season.

Obviously the Twins are still in the market for at least one infielder after picking up J.J. Hardy a few weeks ago, and the recent (and early) signings of Chone Figgins (four years, $36 million), Placido Polanco (three years, $18 million) and Marco Scutaro (two years, $12.5 million with an option for more) seem to set the market for starting infielders. Considering the combination of age and history I feel like all three teams overpaid, on either years or dollars or both.

Last season at this time there was a lot of talk surrounding Casey Blake and Garrett Atkins, and there's been nothing quite like that this season. This front office, and I've said it before, plays things notoriously close to the vest. Sure, it might not make for interesting discussion fodder, but it serves the best interests of the team.

A vast majority of the time all of the rumors and speculation lead to absolutely nothing during the week of the Winter Meetings. The common theme is for teams to read each other and, if possible, lay a foundation for things to happen over the following weeks. But that doesn't mean we won't hear some interesting tidbits over the next few days.

Names of Interest (after the break)

Adrian Beltre - With the Phillies signing Polanco, one of the Twins main competetors for the free agent third baseman may have just taken themselves out of the market. The biggest issue surrounding Beltre is Scott Boraas and his $10 million per year asking price. Even for his glove, I'm not sure Minnesota is going to fork out that kind of money for Beltre.

Mark DeRosa - He's also been rumored to be asking for nearly $10 million per season. Yikes.

Josh Johnson - The Marlins have said that Johnson won't be traded this off-season, but it's always hard to tell what's truth and what's posturing. If his name comes up this week, or at anytime over the next couple of months, I'll be listening.

Rich Harden - Along with Ben Sheets and Erik Bedard, it will be interesting to see how much teams are willing to gamble on these guys. Will the Twins maintain their interest in Harden?

Jed Lowrie - With the Red Sox the proud owners of a Scutaro, will he be on the block?

Carl Pavano - Will he accept arbitration?

Dan Uggla - The Marlins second baseman has been linked to about half of the teams in baseball at some point over the last couple of months, although no team has been connected more often than the Giants. His offense as a second baseman is superior, and in spite of his defense is still probably a three-win player.

In Closing

The Winter Meetings this season aren't set to be quite as interesting as they were the last couple of seasons, if only because the first thing on everyone's mind isn't really who else the front office can bring in but who can they sign to an extension. "General discussions" between the Twins and Mauer have begun, but nothing hard core so far, so stay tuned.

It's an exciting time of year. Be sure to keep checking back here for the latest rumblings and grumblings.

Poll

Make the call: what, if anything, will happen this week at the Winter Meetings for the Minnesota Twins?

Down on the Farm: Buster Posey to Start 2010 in AAA, Brandon Wood Finally Takes Over at 3B In LAA

raygu — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 14:00:17 -0000

More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP

5 months ago: Los Angeles Angels' Brandon Wood hits a two-run homer against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Saturday, July 11, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

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Be sure to check out John Sickel's Top 20 Baltimore Oriole prospects over at Minor League Ball. He is currently working on the Top 20 San Diego Padres as well.

I was listening to XM 175 running errands yesterday, and caught some of Jeff Joyce's interview with Baseball America's John Manuel. Manuel mentioned that Buster Posey was going to start the season in AAA. I had read that the other day, but did not know the reason. Manuel explained that Posey has trouble catching pitchers who throw heat. Apparently, while at Florida State, he mainly caught pitcher who threw sinkers and sliders, as that is what FSU preaches to their young pitchers. So, Posey needs more work on catching pitchers who throw alot of fastballs, as he has trouble actually catching the ball, and framing the ball for strike calls.

Manuel was asked who which prospects he thought could make an impact in the majors in 2010. One name he mentioned was the Ray outfielder Desmond Jennings. In AA and AAA in 2009, Jennings went 11-62-52-.318-.401-.487 with a sparkling 67-67 K/BB ratio. Jennings chipped in with 31 doubles and 10 triples in 2009. In his 4 year minor league career, Jennings has stolen 134 bases, been caught only 29 times, with a 175/148 K/BB ratio.

As a result of Chone Figgins signing with the Seattle Mariners, the Angels appear to be finally turning over 3B to prospect Brandon Wood. Wood has proven he can hit minor league pitching as evidenced by his HR totals over the last 5 years-43-25-23-31-22. Wood will finally get the chance to show he can hit major league pitching in 2010.