2009 MLB Thread

[scratchbomb]

That the Braves, one of the shrewdest organizations in the game vis a vis talent evaluation, didn't want him any longer should tell you something.

Exactly. The Braves are geniuses when it comes to trading guys at their exact high water mark. If anything, they held onto him too long.

The Mets front office is just rock-stupid, and has been pretty much since the latter days of the Frank Cashen regime.

[nec13]

It looks as if Pedro Martinez will be signing with the Phillies, provided he passes the team physical. I don't know how much he has left in the tank. Moreover, he isn't what they need, which is a #2 starter behind Cole Hamels. Perhaps they don't want to give up the necessary prospects to obtain Roy Halladay. Otherwise, I don't get this move.

[scratchbomb]

It looks as if Pedro Martinez will be signing with the Phillies, provided he passes the team physical. I don't know how much he has left in the tank. Moreover, he isn't what they need, which is a #2 starter behind Cole Hamels. Perhaps they don't want to give up the necessary prospects to obtain Roy Halladay. Otherwise, I don't get this move.

He can't be any worse than their current, non-Cole Hamels starters.

Wait, yes he can. Especially in that ballpark. Nope, I don't get it either, other than an extended middle finger to the Mets.

[Wes]

It looks as if Pedro Martinez will be signing with the Phillies, provided he passes the team physical. I don't know how much he has left in the tank. Moreover, he isn't what they need, which is a #2 starter behind Cole Hamels. Perhaps they don't want to give up the necessary prospects to obtain Roy Halladay. Otherwise, I don't get this move.

He can't be any worse than their current, non-Cole Hamels starters.

Wait, yes he can. Especially in that ballpark. Nope, I don't get it either, other than an extended middle finger to the Mets.

J.A. Happ is 6-0 with a 2.90 ERA and a complete game shutout this season. Aside from Chan Ho Park's excellent beard, he's been the best thing about their staff. On the other hand, everybody pronounces his name as "Jaaaaaay Happ" instead of "Jay Ay" or even just "Jay" (it's a subtle but important difference) and I don't know if I'm OK with that.

I would prefer no Pedro, though, and would probably rather see them continue with the trend of bringing somebody up for the fifth spot who then dies a week or two later.

[chrisfoll577]

Good thing for the Phillies is that Pedro has a massive chip on his shoulder from the lack of interest from the rest of Baseball...  Bad news is that same shoulder is torn to shreds.

But anyway, I'm all for the signing... 1 yr at 4 mil for a flyer on Pedro is a pretty good deal. From 1998 to 2004, Pedro's gave me some of my favorite Baseball memories and I want to see him pitch in the big leagues for as long as he's able.

[scratchbomb]

Good thing for the Phillies is that Pedro has a massive chip on his shoulder from the lack of interest from the rest of Baseball...  Bad news is that same shoulder is torn to shreds.

But anyway, I'm all for the signing... 1 yr at 4 mil for a flyer on Pedro is a pretty good deal. From 1998 to 2004, Pedro's gave me some of my favorite Baseball memories and I want to see him pitch in the big leagues for as long as he's able.

I'm sure Pedro can still pitch on pure guile alone. But only for 5 innings.

[nec13]

Good thing for the Phillies is that Pedro has a massive chip on his shoulder from the lack of interest from the rest of Baseball...  Bad news is that same shoulder is torn to shreds.

But anyway, I'm all for the signing... 1 yr at 4 mil for a flyer on Pedro is a pretty good deal. From 1998 to 2004, Pedro's gave me some of my favorite Baseball memories and I want to see him pitch in the big leagues for as long as he's able.

I'm sure Pedro can still pitch on pure guile alone. But only for 5 innings.

Yeah, Pedro is basically finished. He's no better than a #5 starter at this point. But I loved the guy when he was a Met. I think Phillies fans will like him, as well.

But I think this portends a trade for Roy Halladay. The Phillies have the prospects and a need for another frontline starter and the Blue Jays probably want to get rid of his salary.

[scratchbomb]

Good thing for the Phillies is that Pedro has a massive chip on his shoulder from the lack of interest from the rest of Baseball...  Bad news is that same shoulder is torn to shreds.

But anyway, I'm all for the signing... 1 yr at 4 mil for a flyer on Pedro is a pretty good deal. From 1998 to 2004, Pedro's gave me some of my favorite Baseball memories and I want to see him pitch in the big leagues for as long as he's able.

I'm sure Pedro can still pitch on pure guile alone. But only for 5 innings.

Yeah, Pedro is basically finished. He's no better than a #5 starter at this point. But I loved the guy when he was a Met. I think Phillies fans will like him, as well.

But I think this portends a trade for Roy Halladay. The Phillies have the prospects and a need for another frontline starter and the Blue Jays probably want to get rid of his salary.

I kinda think the opposite. Doesn't seem like you'd bother signing Pedro if you thought you had a chance at Halladay. Plus, the Blue Jays say they won't allow a window to sign him to an extension. So anyone who trades for him has to take the chance that he won't wanna sign and they'll lose him to free agency anyway, all for a half-year rental.

[nec13]

All valid points, scratchbomb. Should they sign Pedro, their rotation would consist of (probably not in the correct order):

Hamels
Happ
Moyer
Blanton
Pedro

That's not a bad rotation. However, if they add Roy Halladay, this becomes a great rotation. In the post-season, a 1-2 of Hamels and Halladay would be nearly unbeatable. Moreover, the Phillies have a deep enough farm system whereby they could afford to trade for Halladay without killing their depth. If the cost is too much, which it may very well be for the Phillies, then Amaro should walk away. But I think the Phillies at least need to consider a trade for Halladay.

[scratchbomb]

I think the Phillies are definitely considering it, and I think the Blue Jays would be more inclined to trade him to Philly than they would an in-division team like the Red Sox. But Halladay's also got a no-trade clause, so he can basically dictate where he wants to go.

Sounds like the Blue Jays are in no hurry to trade him and wanna be bowled over by an offer. The Phillies have some prospects, but I have a feeling Toronto doesn't just want major league ready guys. They probably want stars or near stars and big prospects.

[nec13]

IMO, I don't think the Jays will move Halladay unless they get a team to massively overpay. Ideally, the Blue Jays would get a return similar to what the Rangers got from the Braves for Mark Teixeira. Or they could settle for a lesser return, if they were able to move Vernon Wells' albatross of a contract along with Halladay. Those are really the only ways that a Halladay trade would be worthwhile for the Jays.

[scratchbomb]

IMO, I don't think the Jays will move Halladay unless they get a team to massively overpay. Ideally, the Blue Jays would get a return similar to what the Rangers got from the Braves for Mark Teixeira. Or they could settle for a lesser return, if they were able to move Vernon Wells' albatross of a contract along with Halladay. Those are really the only ways that a Halladay trade would be worthwhile for the Jays.

Pretty much. And there aren't too many teams who could absorb Wells' contract in the current economic climate. I'd heard the Jays are basically willing to give him away as long as someone takes his contract off their hands.

[jbissell]

So anyone who trades for him has to take the chance that he won't wanna sign and they'll lose him to free agency anyway, all for a half-year rental.

I thought he wasn't a free agent until after next season, so they'd be trading him now to maximize his value.

[nec13]

You are correct, jbissell. He is a free agent after the 2010 season. But teams have asked the Blue Jays for a window to negotiate a long-term extension with Halladay, a request that the Jays have flatly rejected. It's another reason why I don't think Halladay will be moved this season.

[scratchbomb]

So anyone who trades for him has to take the chance that he won't wanna sign and they'll lose him to free agency anyway, all for a half-year rental.

I thought he wasn't a free agent until after next season, so they'd be trading him now to maximize his value.

You're correct. Shoulda looked that up earlier.

I don't understand why you'd wanna trade him. He's not making a ton of money and he's basically their only box office draw. And you're never gonna get equal value for him. In all likelihood, you're just gonna get a bunch of guys who may or may not be superstars someday.