2013 Offseason non-Sox MLB Discussion

There may be another team out there, but Texas doesn't seem like a fit. The Rangers already have three pretty good middle infielders and some serious holes at first, outfield and catcher. I suppose they could flip Kinsler, but his contract isn't something every team will be willing to take on.

The Cubs could be a dark horse. They only have $45 million in committed 2014 salary. Not sure a second baseman over 30 is someone Theo is going to throw money around at, but they may be primed to make a splash this offseason. Cano would be a fairly substantial upgrade over Darwin Barney.

Think his new rapper agent scared everyone away already with his "loose lips sink ships" talk that has leaked out regarding the money they are looking for.

This is a case where IMO Boras might actually have *helped* a situation over another agent, especially with that cartoon character Cano hired.

Texas can keep Kinsler, get 2/3+ of the production, decent defense and pay "just" 15m AAV over the next 4 years and both guys are right at the same age.

I only see the Tigers as a new team, flying off the deep end with Ilitch making a move and somehow moving Scherzer, along with a miracle dump of Fielder somehow? There really isn't a team that Cano alone could save by himself and put into contention that isn't already burdened, or pays anyone.

Would be a great topic here though.

Don't count out the Tigers. Ilitch desperately wants to win and Omar Infante is a free agent. After the collapse of the vaunted Tigers offense in the postseason, ownership will likely be looking to pick up a position player. Whether that means Cano or Ellsbury or Choo (or a trade) is yet to be seen, but they're one of the few teams with both an opening and the checkbook to afford him. Still, the Yankees are heavy favorites for obvious reasons.

Illitch is 84, owns the team and wants a championship badly. 2019 doesn't matter to him. He'll be 90, if he's even alive. I doubt a guy like him is thinking that far ahead. Baseball wise, it doesn't make a lot of sense when put into the terms you've done and if it were any other team, I'd agree. However, considering his age and how bad he seems to want to win, I'm not so sure he cares about the distant future.

I don't know; I think Detroit could get something for Fielder + Scherzer. The team getting the players may insist on a contract extension being worked out with Mad Max, but that's entirely possible. I'm just not so sure why you'd do that if you were Detroit, unless you knew you weren't resigning Scherzer. If anything, resign Scherzer and use Anibal to dump Fielders contract if you want to get out from under it so bad. After all, isn't 4 years of Sanchez more valuable then 1 of Scherzer?

what the heck are you talking about? All anyone is saying is don't be shocked if Illitch is reckless with his money because he seem somewhat desperate for a WS before he dies.

There have been rumors about Detroit considering dealing Scherzer. It makes sense if they can get a good return, sell at the highest point and avoid the risk of paying a pitcher a ton of money. The Tigers are well on their way to becoming the new Phillies and really ruining their long term future, only they don't even have a WS to show for it. Fielder's contract is one of the worst in the game and he isn't even a good fit for their roster right now. Cabrera and Vmart should be filling the 1B/DH roles. If they were able to flip one season of Scherzer into real financial flexibility to add necessary depth to their roster they'd probably be a much better team, as constituted they are very flawed and can't overcome injuries to their top heavy roster. I'm sure many teams would be interested in Anibal coming off a great year, but it's a real stretch to think any team would take on him and Fielder even if it was just a cash dump. Stranger things have happened I guess, but it certainly wouldn't be easy.

That's just it. Detroit needs Sanchez and verlander to anchor the rotation over the next several years and I am fairly certain that both will be more than able to do that. Sanchez was a fine pitcher himself for the marlins, only many never bothered to watch him playing for those pitiful teams and now has much more attention, it is apparent to those now what a fine #2-3SP he truly is when healthy and has been for 3+ seasons.

Ilitch, if his team over this winter attempts to make a deal for Cano is 1st of all going to shed some salary, or be forced to allow Cabby walk after the 2015 season should they not find a way to quickly move Fielder to offset any Cano contract. Sanchez plays too important a part for any success the Tigers to package together and is signed for probably less than Scherzer, not to mention IMO is a better pitcher.

Cano is a stud. And Texas would be lucky to have him. They just already have a logjam of middle infielders a bit with Kinsler who is signed long term and Andrus who signed a big deal before the season and no place to really play profar with 3b already occupied by belter. Who knows though, you find or make a spot for a player like that.

That Lincecum deal is awful but at 2 years it's certainly not a disaster. The guy should be making the Eckersley transition, there is no shame in that. Heck, maybe he will.

Super-Two cutoff was announced today as 2.122. Felix Doubront misses by two days.

espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9899471/felix-doubront-boston-red-sox-misses-arbitration-cutoff-2-days

It's crazy because of the Steinbrenners' history with Tampa. I guess Hal and Hank don't feel a connection to the area? That stadium is definitely big for the area though. (Clearwater is still there though, right? LOVE that stadium.)

Tough to justify having a minor league team so close to a major league one though, particularly when it's for a different franchise. But I know a lot of folks in the area still felt Yankee loyalty.