71 responses to “Sanchez Resigned – 5 years for $80M”
Vince in MN
OK. Now Porcello and Boesch get traded for a decent RH OF bat and some prospects and we are good to go.
Steve
YEAH !!!!
Jeff Molby
I’m happy. He was expected to get $15m/yr all along. All he really managed to do was squeeze an extra year onto the original offer.
The Strategy Expert
I think you mean he squeezed an extra year onto the original expectation, not the original offer. The Tigers initially offered only 12 million per year on the 4 year proposal, which is 48 million total.
So Sanchez squeezed an extra year for an additional 32 million dollars on top of the original offer.
Vince in MN
Sanchez didn’t have to do any squeezing. Team owners are ponying up big time for “name” FAs this year and it is a windfall offseason for those players. DD and Illitch are probably wiping their brows and thanking the heavens that they were lucky enough to outbid the Cubs and get him so cheaply. Whether this makes any sense or not doesn’t matter. It’s the way it is.
A few of the commenters in the 1st article suggest that the Rangers would be interested in Porcello for Andrus. Rangers need to do something to keep up with the Angels, but I don’t see a snowball’s chance of that one happening, but it would be glorious if it did. Maybe Porcello and Castellanos for Andrus or Profar. I’d do that in a second.
Vince in MN
I get all my info from DTW (and there sure has been a lot to digest lately!), so there is no reason for me to refer to the Detroit News’ version of the Clown Show.
Kevin in Dallas
I’m really starting to think that Porcello to the Rangers could work. They just lost Mike Adams, and they already lost Uehara. Maybe Porcello, Castellenos and Rondon/Dotel for Profar or Andrus? The Rangers are planning on moving Kinsler to 1B already to put Profar at 2B, Castellanos could slide in nicely there. Problem is that Castellanos is likely a year away, and the Rangers need someone now.
Jeff Molby
Yeah, both Porcello and Castellanos are talented guys that don’t happen to fit well on our roster. It’s almost a guarantee that they’ll be moved. Good chance it happens in a big deal like you suggest. Not sure I’d want to help the Rangers, though.
Vince in MN
I think they hold off on dealing Castellanos for several reasons:
1) If he does well at Toledo his value goes up, in which case he can either be dealt for more at the trading deadline if need be, or perhaps next year. Or they could pencil him on the 25-man roster next year if he looks like he will reach the hoped for star status.
2) Martinez’ contract is up after this year, so they will need another DH and they could rotate him, again if he pans out, or Hunter, or Dirks there for the last season on Hunter’s contract.
3) Dirks could regress, turn out to be a one-year wonder, which they seem to be fearful of considering the desire to platoon him.
4) For cost reasons, at some point (sooner rather than later I think) they have to stop trading the top farm guys for $10M per year, long-term contract vets. Eventually the talent is going to have to be promoted from within the farm system. Whether the bucks stop with Castellanos or not, we’ll see.
As far as Porcello is concerned, I think the odds are that he gets traded. But I could also seeing them holding off on that through ST, waiting to see if Smiley or another invitee is competent to hold down the #5 spot or if P finally turns that corner all have been waiting for – there were some encouraging signs last year with a higher K rate, for example.
The Rangers being virtually shut out and bleeding players this winter could be a potential trade partner. If DD could take advantage of that scenario (e.g. TX looks over their shoulder at LAA and panics) that might work, but I don’t particularly want to see the Rangers helped either. And the Rangers may be reluctant to deal Andrus to the Tigers for the same reason.
Smoking Loon
I wouldn’t want to give up as much as it would take to pry Elvis Andrus loose. I’d go as far as prospect for prospect – Castellanos for Profar – and no further. I do think that Castellanos fits the Tigers’ plans, and this is the first scenario I’ve imagined where I’d part with him (and not very willingly at that).
Kevin in Dallas
I’d be ecstatic if Jon Daniels thought so highly of Castellanos. Who knows.
Smoking Loon
Is the general feeling here (I’m asking everyone) that Nick Castellanos might be a little overrated? Or merely that he doesn’t fit the plan soon enough to not use as a trade chip instead?
Kevin, since you are obviously more attuned to the Rangers than I, what is your take on how highly the Rangers value Profar relative to how the Tigers value Castellanos? I mean, Texas has Andrus. Doesn’t that kind of put Profar in the same boat as Castellanos if not more so?
I see the two as roughly equal with maybe a slight edge to Profar based on the position he plays. Highly touted as they are, they are still only prospects.
Smoking Loon
Oh, I misunderstood the Rangers situation. (Thanks, travisfrymanfan.) Profar isn’t necessarily “behind” Andrus at all. Never mind. Though Profar at 2B would also be of great interest to the Tigers.
I agree. I don’t think it’s a good time for the Tigers to be trading any starters, even Porcello and Smyly. There’s no gaping hole in the lineup that warrants trading away pitching for. Surplus pitching is a card I’d keep in my hand until late July.
Smoking Loon
I’m less enthusiastic about the signing of Anibal Sanchez than I would have been 6-7 weeks ago, but hey, it’s nothing to complain about. My doubts aren’t such that I could reasonably claim “I told you so” if it goes awry. For my idea of the worst-case scenario (other than catastrophic injury) with Sanchez, see A.J. Burnett 2006-2010. Not a disaster.
I don’t think the Tigers need to trade Porcello or Smyly. I’d keep ’em both, and keep ’em busy.
It freed up a spot on the 40-man. That’ll probably come into play at some point over the next couple months.
Smoking Loon
Jeff’s comment sounds about right to me.
The Strategy Expert
Yeah it’s definitely a head-scratcher not knowing the terms of the sale. Maybe Mitt Romney got a job to do consulting for the Tigers and explained to them how much profit there is in shipping jobs to Asia.
Vince in MN
That one might have been a mistake. Although Wilk did poorly in his brief stint with the Tigers early in the season, he was probably the best starter at Toledo last year. Since they didn’t bother to give him a recall after rosters expanded, maybe he was in the dog house for some reason. I thought he was at least a valuable trade chip, so this surprised me.
Interesting. Would be nice to see him make a comeback.
Jim Eggers USMC Rifle Expert 1971
The Mariner fan base (aka baseball’s least savvy BB fans) are not sure what to make of this, sounds like he is hungry, and in better shape… we will see
Great, now I can’t wait for the list of sexiest umpires.
travisfrymanfan
For once , soccer is better:Ana Paula de Oliveira, female referee posed for Playboy
The Strategy Expert
Yeah it helps to be a handsome man if you are going to bilk an old man out of a billion bucks or so. And DD is a handsome man! 😉
Smoking Loon
What I’d like to know is how Kevin Towers finishes ahead of Dave Dombrowski. Kevin Towers? Give me a break.
I think a deal with the Diamondbacks may yet be in the offing. The invisible precursor was DD agreeing to let Towers have half of his sexy votes in exchange for a discount on… well, who do we want from Arizona?
Not so interested in trading Porcello, but it’s worth contemplating what I (or you) might want (in terms of any trade) from those 3 teams rumored to be interested.
Mariners: Casper Wells, Brendan Ryan, (IF prospect) Nick Franklin
Orioles: J.J. Hardy, Jake Arrieta, Nolan Reimold
Padres: Huston Street, Everth Cabrera, Jesus Guzman
travisfrymanfan
Furbush? Wilhelsem?
Smoking Loon
Yes, if the trade with the Mariners had to involve Porcello, I’d want some pitching back, Furbush or Wilhelmsen at the least. Good call.
“The Tigers are reconsidering trading Rick Porcello, who has drawn attention from the Padres and several other clubs since Detroit re-signed Anibal Sanchez. If Porcello is available, Center feels it would take more than a rumored trade package of Luke Gregerson and Jesus Guzman for the Padres to acquire the right-hander.”
That’s interesting, especially the Gregerson part. True that the above mentioned package wouldn’t be enough for Porcello. Throw in Everth Cabrera and it would be. I’d do that, but I don’t know if the Padres want Porcello that badly. Who else to add to make it worthwhile for them? Santiago, maybe?
The Strategy Expert
Agreed, we should hold Porcello until a good deal comes along. I want to know what the Padres price is for Yasmani Grandal now that his stock took a hit due to being suspended 50 games for testosterone, plus the Tigers could live without those 50 games during what will be potentially a pointless regular season. That’s the deal I want from the Padres.
Smoking Loon
Grandal. Interesting.
The Strategy Expert
Yeah and I’m willing to offer to pay all of Brayan Pena’s salary so that should make him very enticing as a replacement catcher to add into the Porcello package.
We could then see if they also want Peralta or Infante or one of the many other expendable guys on the team and then seek a 3rd team to find an upgrade at SS or 2B, and keep building from there.
Beginning of a series on past prospects. Just goes to show ya how speculative this prospect business is. Makes me think twice about offhand comments (mine or anyone’s) having to do with dealing even average MLB talent for a “couple of prospects.”
Jeff Molby
True, though that’s partly biased by how incredibly bad the Tigers scouting department was during the Randy Smith era.
Smoking Loon
I’m inclined to believe that scouting has been better under DD. It could be that the most prominent evidence of that will be, not a higher percentage of successful careers (I would say Ramon Santiago was the one Class of 2000 success), but a better return in terms of prospects DD has traded away. I look forward to the other articles in the series as it moves forward in time.
Jeff Molby
Absolutely. You can argue all day about the organization’s priorities, checkbook, etc. but the bottom line is that they evaluate talent as well as anyone in the business.
In the Smith era, I was always hearing about such and such up and comers in the farm system that would “form the core” for the next decade while the national media remained politely silent about those mid-level prospects that we had mistaken for blue chippers.
That doesn’t happen to Chadd & Co. I don’t think it’s happened since Cornejo.
Smoking Loon
Make that two Class of 2000 successes. I overlooked Brandon Inge, arguably more of a (modest) success story than Santiago.
The Strategy Expert
Well don’t let a small sample size of ten names discourage you from appreciating the value of prospects. That’s just one tiny list in a sea of prospects and as Jeff pointed out arguably not a good list of researched and selected prospects anyhow.
I tend to think most GMs undervalue prospects more often than overvaluing them. And hence many teams give away good stuff for risky expensive players or guys who don’t produce efficient value. It’s a common mistake to undervalue prospects that can really set back a franchise or keep them from achieving greatness.
Smoking Loon
How many “Top 10” prospects, on average, all teams and all years, go on to – at a minimum – modest success in the majors over a career spanning at least 10 years? Take a guess. 5 in 10? 4 in 10? I would be surprised if it was more than 2 or 3 in 10.
A clue to the “absolute” value of Top 10 prospect status lies in the fact that at any given time there are 300 Top 10 prospects for 750 MLB roster spots.
I think MLB GMs know what they’re doing with prospects. They just lack prescience. So do we.
No need to wait on the aforementioned series on Tigers Top 10 prospects through the years. The data is there to be sliced and diced to your heart’s content. Most of it seems to be sliced and diced for you. Cool. Neat resource.
Smoking Loon
From Beck’s Blog:
Here’s an interesting twist, though: When asked if Sanchez left money on the table by accepting the Tigers’ offer, Mato said he did, but not from the Cubs.
“I can say he left money on the table at the Winter Meetings,” Mato said.
That offer came before Zack Greinke signed, a move that supposedly set the market for him. It was from a team other than the Tigers and Cubs, but it was a team where Sanchez didn’t want to play.
“He wasn’t comfortable with that team,” Mato said, “and it wasn’t the Cubs.”
Yankees? Rangers? Red Sox?
Smoking Loon
In other news, Ramon Santiago is doing well in Venezuela and DD says “Peralta is our shortstop.” Case closed, Peralta at SS and Santiago as infield bench to start 2013?
I… don’t think so.
travisfrymanfan
Ramón Santiago plays in the Dominican Republic
.345 /.421 avg. /OBP
Smoking Loon
Oops, and thanks for the correction. I am glad that Santiago’s doing well.
For some reason, I’ve come to believe that Swisher has been some kind of Tigers nemesis. But it’s not true.
Unless I’ve overlooked or forgotten something, it doesn’t seem like any of the other AL Central teams have added any “oh no, not that guy in our division” players so far. Except for maybe James Shields with the Royals, eh?
Coleman
Nobody to offset the removal of Denard Span, who is a career .342 hitter vs. Detroit (career .284 overall). That’s a Luke Scott-level difference.
Smoking Loon
There was a time when it seemed like everyone in the Twins lineup became better against the Tigers. I’m happy to see the Twins rebuilding, and may they continue to do so for the next 20 years. It would also be nice if Jeffrey Loria would purchase the White Sox but not move them to Florida.
Smoking Loon
Yeah, Luke Scott’s career split vs. Tigers is scary, incredible. But check out his career stats vs. current Tigers pitchers:
64 PA, 19 K
.161/.266/.286/.551 OPS
1 HR, 8 RBI
6 K in 8 PA, .000 OPS vs. Joaquin Benoit
Weird, huh? He must have really scorched some former Tigers.
Coleman
Nate Robertson appears to have been his favorite: 8 PAs, for 4 walks, 1 sac fly, 1 double, and 2 singles (the walks seem to have been a good idea). For those of you keeping score that’s a batting average of 1.000 with a 2.208 OPS.
Comments
71 responses to “Sanchez Resigned – 5 years for $80M”
OK. Now Porcello and Boesch get traded for a decent RH OF bat and some prospects and we are good to go.
YEAH !!!!
I’m happy. He was expected to get $15m/yr all along. All he really managed to do was squeeze an extra year onto the original offer.
I think you mean he squeezed an extra year onto the original expectation, not the original offer. The Tigers initially offered only 12 million per year on the 4 year proposal, which is 48 million total.
So Sanchez squeezed an extra year for an additional 32 million dollars on top of the original offer.
Sanchez didn’t have to do any squeezing. Team owners are ponying up big time for “name” FAs this year and it is a windfall offseason for those players. DD and Illitch are probably wiping their brows and thanking the heavens that they were lucky enough to outbid the Cubs and get him so cheaply. Whether this makes any sense or not doesn’t matter. It’s the way it is.
Merry Christmas!
Lynn Henning thinks the Tigers will move Porcello. http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121214/OPINION03/212140431/1129/sports0104/Rick-Porcello-obvious-odd-man-out-Tigers-will-look-trade-him
What do you guys think? Check out the comments, looks like Henning hasn’t been right in a while.
Think Tony Paul wants to take this back? http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121212/OPINION03/212120346#ixzz2F3C7qBXP
A few of the commenters in the 1st article suggest that the Rangers would be interested in Porcello for Andrus. Rangers need to do something to keep up with the Angels, but I don’t see a snowball’s chance of that one happening, but it would be glorious if it did. Maybe Porcello and Castellanos for Andrus or Profar. I’d do that in a second.
I get all my info from DTW (and there sure has been a lot to digest lately!), so there is no reason for me to refer to the Detroit News’ version of the Clown Show.
I’m really starting to think that Porcello to the Rangers could work. They just lost Mike Adams, and they already lost Uehara. Maybe Porcello, Castellenos and Rondon/Dotel for Profar or Andrus? The Rangers are planning on moving Kinsler to 1B already to put Profar at 2B, Castellanos could slide in nicely there. Problem is that Castellanos is likely a year away, and the Rangers need someone now.
Yeah, both Porcello and Castellanos are talented guys that don’t happen to fit well on our roster. It’s almost a guarantee that they’ll be moved. Good chance it happens in a big deal like you suggest. Not sure I’d want to help the Rangers, though.
I think they hold off on dealing Castellanos for several reasons:
1) If he does well at Toledo his value goes up, in which case he can either be dealt for more at the trading deadline if need be, or perhaps next year. Or they could pencil him on the 25-man roster next year if he looks like he will reach the hoped for star status.
2) Martinez’ contract is up after this year, so they will need another DH and they could rotate him, again if he pans out, or Hunter, or Dirks there for the last season on Hunter’s contract.
3) Dirks could regress, turn out to be a one-year wonder, which they seem to be fearful of considering the desire to platoon him.
4) For cost reasons, at some point (sooner rather than later I think) they have to stop trading the top farm guys for $10M per year, long-term contract vets. Eventually the talent is going to have to be promoted from within the farm system. Whether the bucks stop with Castellanos or not, we’ll see.
As far as Porcello is concerned, I think the odds are that he gets traded. But I could also seeing them holding off on that through ST, waiting to see if Smiley or another invitee is competent to hold down the #5 spot or if P finally turns that corner all have been waiting for – there were some encouraging signs last year with a higher K rate, for example.
The Rangers being virtually shut out and bleeding players this winter could be a potential trade partner. If DD could take advantage of that scenario (e.g. TX looks over their shoulder at LAA and panics) that might work, but I don’t particularly want to see the Rangers helped either. And the Rangers may be reluctant to deal Andrus to the Tigers for the same reason.
I wouldn’t want to give up as much as it would take to pry Elvis Andrus loose. I’d go as far as prospect for prospect – Castellanos for Profar – and no further. I do think that Castellanos fits the Tigers’ plans, and this is the first scenario I’ve imagined where I’d part with him (and not very willingly at that).
I’d be ecstatic if Jon Daniels thought so highly of Castellanos. Who knows.
Is the general feeling here (I’m asking everyone) that Nick Castellanos might be a little overrated? Or merely that he doesn’t fit the plan soon enough to not use as a trade chip instead?
Kevin, since you are obviously more attuned to the Rangers than I, what is your take on how highly the Rangers value Profar relative to how the Tigers value Castellanos? I mean, Texas has Andrus. Doesn’t that kind of put Profar in the same boat as Castellanos if not more so?
I see the two as roughly equal with maybe a slight edge to Profar based on the position he plays. Highly touted as they are, they are still only prospects.
Oh, I misunderstood the Rangers situation. (Thanks, travisfrymanfan.) Profar isn’t necessarily “behind” Andrus at all. Never mind. Though Profar at 2B would also be of great interest to the Tigers.
http://www.blessyouboys.com/2012/12/17/3773428/rick-porcello-tigers-trade-possibilities
I agree. I don’t think it’s a good time for the Tigers to be trading any starters, even Porcello and Smyly. There’s no gaping hole in the lineup that warrants trading away pitching for. Surplus pitching is a card I’d keep in my hand until late July.
I’m less enthusiastic about the signing of Anibal Sanchez than I would have been 6-7 weeks ago, but hey, it’s nothing to complain about. My doubts aren’t such that I could reasonably claim “I told you so” if it goes awry. For my idea of the worst-case scenario (other than catastrophic injury) with Sanchez, see A.J. Burnett 2006-2010. Not a disaster.
I don’t think the Tigers need to trade Porcello or Smyly. I’d keep ’em both, and keep ’em busy.
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/danny-knobler/21406822/could-josh-anibal-signings-set-up-an-angelstigers-trade
Not too interested in Bourjos or Trumbo myself.
Profar 2B ,Kinsler 2b, Andrus SS.
That wont change.
Porcello for Andrus ? Not way. Scherzer to begin talks
Kinsler OF
Toronto apparently was not/is not finished yet–they are getting Dickey from N.Y. There is a power shift underway in the East:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/reactions-to-ra-dickey-proposed-trade.html
A Blue Jays-Tigers ALCS would be cool. Return of the ancient rivalry.
Drew signs 1-year deal with Boston:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121217&content_id=40673116&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb
I think I’m relieved that the Tigers didn’t chase him harder.
Re-watching game 4 of the ALCS (I know, I know).
“…that’s why Jim Leyland said Avisail Garcia will be in right field every day next year.”
Yes, but he didn’t say WHICH right field, now did he. He might have meant the one in Toledo.
The Tigers released Adam Wilk, who is apparently going to Korea to play. That one has me scratching my head a little.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/tigers-sell-adam-wilk-outright-matt-hoffman.html
It freed up a spot on the 40-man. That’ll probably come into play at some point over the next couple months.
Jeff’s comment sounds about right to me.
Yeah it’s definitely a head-scratcher not knowing the terms of the sale. Maybe Mitt Romney got a job to do consulting for the Tigers and explained to them how much profit there is in shipping jobs to Asia.
That one might have been a mistake. Although Wilk did poorly in his brief stint with the Tigers early in the season, he was probably the best starter at Toledo last year. Since they didn’t bother to give him a recall after rosters expanded, maybe he was in the dog house for some reason. I thought he was at least a valuable trade chip, so this surprised me.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/mariners-sign-jeremy-bonderman.html
Interesting. Would be nice to see him make a comeback.
The Mariner fan base (aka baseball’s least savvy BB fans) are not sure what to make of this, sounds like he is hungry, and in better shape… we will see
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/rangers-to-sign-aj-pierzynski.html
What this means to me is that Geovany Soto is again available. The Tigers are presumably set after signing Pena… but you never know.
Just for you, TSE:
http://www.freep.com/article/20121220/SPORTS02/121220045/1050/rss15
Great, now I can’t wait for the list of sexiest umpires.
For once , soccer is better:Ana Paula de Oliveira, female referee posed for Playboy
Yeah it helps to be a handsome man if you are going to bilk an old man out of a billion bucks or so. And DD is a handsome man! 😉
What I’d like to know is how Kevin Towers finishes ahead of Dave Dombrowski. Kevin Towers? Give me a break.
I think a deal with the Diamondbacks may yet be in the offing. The invisible precursor was DD agreeing to let Towers have half of his sexy votes in exchange for a discount on… well, who do we want from Arizona?
Which reminds me:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/dbacks-working-to-trade-outfielder.html
http://www.motownsports.com/forums/detroit-tigers/99695-photoshop-dombrowski.html
More fun with DD.
Gustavo Nunez, SS prospect is back. Also:
http://www.freep.com/article/20121221/SPORTS02/121221016/1050/rss15
Not so interested in trading Porcello, but it’s worth contemplating what I (or you) might want (in terms of any trade) from those 3 teams rumored to be interested.
Mariners: Casper Wells, Brendan Ryan, (IF prospect) Nick Franklin
Orioles: J.J. Hardy, Jake Arrieta, Nolan Reimold
Padres: Huston Street, Everth Cabrera, Jesus Guzman
Furbush? Wilhelsem?
Yes, if the trade with the Mariners had to involve Porcello, I’d want some pitching back, Furbush or Wilhelmsen at the least. Good call.
From http://www.mlbtraderumors.com
“The Tigers are reconsidering trading Rick Porcello, who has drawn attention from the Padres and several other clubs since Detroit re-signed Anibal Sanchez. If Porcello is available, Center feels it would take more than a rumored trade package of Luke Gregerson and Jesus Guzman for the Padres to acquire the right-hander.”
That’s interesting, especially the Gregerson part. True that the above mentioned package wouldn’t be enough for Porcello. Throw in Everth Cabrera and it would be. I’d do that, but I don’t know if the Padres want Porcello that badly. Who else to add to make it worthwhile for them? Santiago, maybe?
Agreed, we should hold Porcello until a good deal comes along. I want to know what the Padres price is for Yasmani Grandal now that his stock took a hit due to being suspended 50 games for testosterone, plus the Tigers could live without those 50 games during what will be potentially a pointless regular season. That’s the deal I want from the Padres.
Grandal. Interesting.
Yeah and I’m willing to offer to pay all of Brayan Pena’s salary so that should make him very enticing as a replacement catcher to add into the Porcello package.
We could then see if they also want Peralta or Infante or one of the many other expendable guys on the team and then seek a 3rd team to find an upgrade at SS or 2B, and keep building from there.
http://www.blessyouboys.com/detroit-tigers-prospect-report/2012/12/21/3791290/a-look-back-baseball-americas-top-10-tigers-prospects-part-1-2000
Beginning of a series on past prospects. Just goes to show ya how speculative this prospect business is. Makes me think twice about offhand comments (mine or anyone’s) having to do with dealing even average MLB talent for a “couple of prospects.”
True, though that’s partly biased by how incredibly bad the Tigers scouting department was during the Randy Smith era.
I’m inclined to believe that scouting has been better under DD. It could be that the most prominent evidence of that will be, not a higher percentage of successful careers (I would say Ramon Santiago was the one Class of 2000 success), but a better return in terms of prospects DD has traded away. I look forward to the other articles in the series as it moves forward in time.
Absolutely. You can argue all day about the organization’s priorities, checkbook, etc. but the bottom line is that they evaluate talent as well as anyone in the business.
In the Smith era, I was always hearing about such and such up and comers in the farm system that would “form the core” for the next decade while the national media remained politely silent about those mid-level prospects that we had mistaken for blue chippers.
That doesn’t happen to Chadd & Co. I don’t think it’s happened since Cornejo.
Make that two Class of 2000 successes. I overlooked Brandon Inge, arguably more of a (modest) success story than Santiago.
Well don’t let a small sample size of ten names discourage you from appreciating the value of prospects. That’s just one tiny list in a sea of prospects and as Jeff pointed out arguably not a good list of researched and selected prospects anyhow.
I tend to think most GMs undervalue prospects more often than overvaluing them. And hence many teams give away good stuff for risky expensive players or guys who don’t produce efficient value. It’s a common mistake to undervalue prospects that can really set back a franchise or keep them from achieving greatness.
How many “Top 10” prospects, on average, all teams and all years, go on to – at a minimum – modest success in the majors over a career spanning at least 10 years? Take a guess. 5 in 10? 4 in 10? I would be surprised if it was more than 2 or 3 in 10.
A clue to the “absolute” value of Top 10 prospect status lies in the fact that at any given time there are 300 Top 10 prospects for 750 MLB roster spots.
I think MLB GMs know what they’re doing with prospects. They just lack prescience. So do we.
Whoa, too cool:
http://www.thebaseballcube.com
No need to wait on the aforementioned series on Tigers Top 10 prospects through the years. The data is there to be sliced and diced to your heart’s content. Most of it seems to be sliced and diced for you. Cool. Neat resource.
From Beck’s Blog:
Here’s an interesting twist, though: When asked if Sanchez left money on the table by accepting the Tigers’ offer, Mato said he did, but not from the Cubs.
“I can say he left money on the table at the Winter Meetings,” Mato said.
That offer came before Zack Greinke signed, a move that supposedly set the market for him. It was from a team other than the Tigers and Cubs, but it was a team where Sanchez didn’t want to play.
“He wasn’t comfortable with that team,” Mato said, “and it wasn’t the Cubs.”
Yankees? Rangers? Red Sox?
In other news, Ramon Santiago is doing well in Venezuela and DD says “Peralta is our shortstop.” Case closed, Peralta at SS and Santiago as infield bench to start 2013?
I… don’t think so.
Ramón Santiago plays in the Dominican Republic
.345 /.421 avg. /OBP
Oops, and thanks for the correction. I am glad that Santiago’s doing well.
Your welcome
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/indians-to-sign-nick-swisher.html
For some reason, I’ve come to believe that Swisher has been some kind of Tigers nemesis. But it’s not true.
Unless I’ve overlooked or forgotten something, it doesn’t seem like any of the other AL Central teams have added any “oh no, not that guy in our division” players so far. Except for maybe James Shields with the Royals, eh?
Nobody to offset the removal of Denard Span, who is a career .342 hitter vs. Detroit (career .284 overall). That’s a Luke Scott-level difference.
There was a time when it seemed like everyone in the Twins lineup became better against the Tigers. I’m happy to see the Twins rebuilding, and may they continue to do so for the next 20 years. It would also be nice if Jeffrey Loria would purchase the White Sox but not move them to Florida.
Yeah, Luke Scott’s career split vs. Tigers is scary, incredible. But check out his career stats vs. current Tigers pitchers:
64 PA, 19 K
.161/.266/.286/.551 OPS
1 HR, 8 RBI
6 K in 8 PA, .000 OPS vs. Joaquin Benoit
Weird, huh? He must have really scorched some former Tigers.
Nate Robertson appears to have been his favorite: 8 PAs, for 4 walks, 1 sac fly, 1 double, and 2 singles (the walks seem to have been a good idea). For those of you keeping score that’s a batting average of 1.000 with a 2.208 OPS.
Fellow Andy Dirks fans, take note:
http://www.blessyouboys.com/2012/12/26/3803396/detroit-tigers-play-of-the-year-andy-dirks-takeout-slide
In ex-Tiger news, former closer (and Placido Polanco trade bait) Ugueth Urbina gets an early release from prison:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8781625/ugueth-urbina-former-all-star-closer-released-venezuelan-prison
Interesting blog. Just stumbled upon it.
MYLES RAUCHER
It gets better. Slow times right now.
http://bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5774:2012-ends-with104-minor-league-baseball-drug-suspensions&catid=26:editorials&Itemid=39
Tigers had only one minor league drug suspension in 2012.
http://beck.mlblogs.com
Worrisome news about Bryan Villareal.