Archive of SportingNews.com's old SOM Baseball forum

Wait for it...

[url]http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/prince-fielder-detroit-tigers-nine-year-deal-214-million-mlb-free-agency-hot-stove-012412[/url]

GM says no thanks. Owner looking to sign anyway. Boras selling the snake crack. Hmmm; seen this before.

Incredible. Three DH's (counting Victor) on one team, at a staggering amount of money. How to lose at baseball without really trying. I guess they move Miggy back to 3B when Victor gets healthy.

Mo Vaughn - part II

Straight madness for 2013 and 2014.

Sweet! Fielder envy from the Yankee fans.

comps - Luzinski, Hrbek, and Powell

[quote:4a7df21f7b="djmacb"]Sweet! Fielder envy from the Yankee fans.[/quote:4a7df21f7b]
:)
Was it that obvious?
:wink:

What's more disturbing to me is Russell Martin on the Yanks signing for $7.5 million.

Really? A .230 BA is worth that much?


visick

With Martin you have to look beyond the BA. He did supply some pop with 18 HRs and 65 RBI. But many believe the real value in a catcher is how well he calls a game and gets the most from pitchers. Catcher is a position where defense is not always recognized but is extrememly important.

This Yankee fan brings this idea to the market.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/?page_id=162

Miguel Cabrera is signed through 2015. He makes $21M in 12 and 13, $22M in 14 and 15. He plays first, DH, and there are rumors that he can play third, but since he's about -10 defensive runs at first, I'm not sure that those rumors are to be believed.

Prince Fielder is signed through 2020. He makes $23.9M in average annual value. Details of the spread have not been released yet. He plays first and could DH. He was -1 defensive runs last year at first, but -13 the year before. And he is generously described as fluffy.

Victor Martinez will not play this year. But he will be paid $13M next year and $12M the year after that. He plays catcher (not well), first base (acceptably by the standards of the organization), and DH (which lets you know what the Tigers think of his fielding).

Alex Avila has two years of MLB service. That gives the team 4 more years of control, through the end of 2016. He makes small money, but will be arb eligible next year, and probably due for a raise. He plays catcher (very well). He could also theoretically play first or DH.

Brandon Inge is signed for this year and the club has an option on his for next. He plays third base well.

Let's assemble that data. This year, Fielder and Miggy split 1B/DH appearances with Avila catching and Inge at third.

Next year, 2013, V-Mart returns. He has limited trade value due to his lack of position, large contract, and because he missed the past year with injury. He has no spot at catcher. There is no room at 1B or DH unless Miggy moves back to third or someone moves to the outfield. So, pay Inge the $.5M to walk, and move Miggy (a very bad firstbaseman) to third (where he was never really a good fielder). And that's it for two years until VMart is loose.