Quote from fenn68 on February 6, 2019, 12:49 pm

Quote from Booster SD on February 6, 2019, 12:22 pm

I still think Harper in SD is a pipe dream (nightmare), so why dont we just move on and spend some money on Moose and Kuechel. Actually fill 2 spots of need on the team and not create extra drama with proposed trades of OFers, and start the season. On a side note, MIA says that it wants to have resolution on the JTR trade by their Fan Fest, which is Saturday. So maybe by the end of the weekend we will realistically have JTR, Moose, and Kuechel in SD unis. We can start the season with an INF of Moose, Garcia, Kinsler, Hosmer, and JTR. And then by mid season, bring up Tatis and Urias.

 

Sounds like a reasonable strategy. Passing on the $30-35MM on Harper leaves a lot of room in the next 2-3 years to cover Moose, Kuechel, and even Realmuto then open the window to extend Realmuto.

Since it appears Miami (and others) are loving Mejia's bat but now see him more an OF than a C ... Hedges would likely be a piece going to Miami (OK with that). Not having Harper does allow a bit more to find out if Reyes, Renfroe, Cordero, Naylor are ML plus players and make their own determination if Mejia is a catcher or an OF.

Since Myers is likely around for 4 more years for one corner ... sorting thorough the others for the other corner (and DH) might be a smart value play since they only need to two to succeed. Plus in 2021 there will be a lot of open salary room for a Realmuto extension plus add more key pieces.

The alternative has some long range appeal in matching position players with the ascent (and control period) of the low cost top pitching prospects.

Quote from sportwarrior on February 6, 2019, 1:26 pm

I'm all in on signing pieces that, long term, fit our rebuild strategy (see: Hosmer, Harper, Machado). Count me out, however, for a high dollar older free agent pitcher with diminishing velocity and peripherals like Keuchel. He almost certainly can be an asset for another year or few, but the chances of him still pitching as well as he is now deep into our competitive window are not that great.

I would much rather sign a guy like Gio Gonzalez or Jeremy Hellickson or even Clay Bucholz. Someone that won't cost a lot, that will eat innings (Gio/Hell) or has some decent upside (Clay). There no sense in spending big money on a guy like Keuchel right now.

Quote from fenn68 on February 6, 2019, 3:03 pm

Quote from sportwarrior on February 6, 2019, 1:26 pm

I'm all in on signing pieces that, long term, fit our rebuild strategy (see: Hosmer, Harper, Machado). Count me out, however, for a high dollar older free agent pitcher with diminishing velocity and peripherals like Keuchel. He almost certainly can be an asset for another year or few, but the chances of him still pitching as well as he is now deep into our competitive window are not that great.

I would much rather sign a guy like Gio Gonzalez or Jeremy Hellickson or even Clay Bucholz. Someone that won't cost a lot, that will eat innings (Gio/Hell) or has some decent upside (Clay). There no sense in spending big money on a guy like Keuchel right now.

Doubt if they pursue Kuechel it is for more than 3 years ... agree that would make little sense. Moose more like 2 years. Basically a quality bridge until the prospects are up and producing.

Guessing though Kuechel going back to HOUSTON is the best bet and I am not that hyped about adding Kuechel on this team. Moose on the other hand will not be that costly ... fills a gaping hole at 3B and LH power that looks to exist for the next few years .... and by all accounts is a plus as a team player.

Actually not all that interest in adding a SP (not much FA to choose from) and would rather mix and match prospects during the seasons moving them up and down to AAA (and on the phantom DL) to handle the innings issue while exposing this wave of prospect to MLB (and getting a better read on how their stuff plays in ML).

 

Quote from sportwarrior on February 6, 2019, 3:21 pm

Completely agreed on Moose. The guy is too perfect a fit at something like 2/16, maybe with an option year.

I think an SP could be useful for some stability in the rotation. It'd be great if we could subsist on rookies this season but there may be too many innings limits, injury concerns, and performance issues to mix and match effectively all year long.

Quote from Booster SD on February 6, 2019, 5:29 pm

Since there is not much going on, I have been trolling more baseball sites than normal. Came across an interesting take on the MIA/SD trade of JTR. He was suggesting that MIA take Myers as part of the return for JTR along with money and an extra high ranked prospect. His thoughts is that MIA could return Myers to 1B and instantly replace JTR as there top bat and player. Conversely, in taking some of the Myers money to SD, that would add additional dollars for adding Harper and Moose. Thoughts?

Quote from sportwarrior on February 6, 2019, 5:53 pm

Quote from Booster SD on February 6, 2019, 5:29 pm

Since there is not much going on, I have been trolling more baseball sites than normal. Came across an interesting take on the MIA/SD trade of JTR. He was suggesting that MIA take Myers as part of the return for JTR along with money and an extra high ranked prospect. His thoughts is that MIA could return Myers to 1B and instantly replace JTR as there top bat and player. Conversely, in taking some of the Myers money to SD, that would add additional dollars for adding Harper and Moose. Thoughts?

I'm not seeing these things as concerns for this current management/ownership group. They seem ready to spend where they need and don't seem too concerned with the risk for a certain amount of waste (see: Mitchell). I don't think they're at all in a position where they'd be tempted to give away a better prospect simply to get rid of some Myers money. Especially not now, when Myers is still only owed something like $3m for 2019.

Quote from MrPadre19 on February 6, 2019, 6:03 pm

If we’re really interested in Moustakas,and I’m sure we are,what’s the hold up signing him?

Is it us.........or him?

Is it the possibility of signing Harper because of the money?

Is it Moose waiting on teams like Philly to make their minds up?

Thoughts?

Quote from sportwarrior on February 6, 2019, 6:05 pm

Quote from David Nevin on February 6, 2019, 6:03 pm

If we’re really interested in Moustakas,and I’m sure we are,what’s the hold up signing him?

Is it us.........or him?

Is it the possibility of signing Harper because of the money?

Is it Moose waiting on teams like Philly to make their minds up?

Thoughts?

Likely they're letting the Machado/Harper chronicles play out as long as they can before changing the channel. Perhaps once they're officially turned down for (or actually have) a meeting with Machado, they'll move on?

Quote from Booster SD on February 6, 2019, 6:26 pm

Quote from David Nevin on February 6, 2019, 6:03 pm

If we’re really interested in Moustakas,and I’m sure we are,what’s the hold up signing him?

Is it us.........or him?

Is it the possibility of signing Harper because of the money?

Is it Moose waiting on teams like Philly to make their minds up?

Thoughts?

I think it is Moose waiting for PHI/CHW to make up their mind based on Machado. The thinking that PHI/CHW will hopefully drive up the bidding for Moose if they are the ones to lose on Machado.