Arbitration

by Jerry on Dec 2, 2006 8:53 AM PST

I was just perusing the list of guys who were/weren't offered arbitration. Some interesting stuff:

Guys who were offered arbitration:
Gil Meche: Yeah. It was a no-brainer on offering him arbitration. But nice nonetheless. The M's pick up a supplemental pick. So if they do sign Schmidt or another Type-A guy, the loss of the second round pick isn't so painful.

Jason Schmidt: no suprise here. He is a type A, but probably worth losing a pick over.

Not Offered Arbitration:
Luis Gonzalez: The D-Backs weren't going to offer him arbitration because of his big salary in 2006. But now he definitely won't cost picks.

Aubrey Huff: this is the real interesting one. I figured he would probably be offered arbitration. His 2006 salary was only 7 million, so I am suprised the Astros didn't take a risk. I guess that the bloated contracts to Oswalt and Lee, and the possiblity of bringing back Clemens and Pettite played a part in that decision. IMO, this makes Huff a legit option for the M's. Picking him up would be a solid move. His versatility would help the M's with trades also, particularly moving Sexson.

Barry Bonds: Again, no big suprise here. He would have gotten a fortune in arbitation. I love the idea of picking him up. He is the only real big impact bat that makes sense for the M's.

I am hoping that the M's take draft pick compensation into consideration this offseason. It would be really nice to keep all the picks we have, plus the extra one for Meche. This draft class is looking like an excellent one, particulalry with highschool players. The M's could pick up a few really good, high-ceiling players this year if they don't piss away their picks.

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I had a dream we signed Huff

but it was I also hanging out with Jack Bauer all day in the dream.

by Scruffy Lefty on Dec 2, 2006 9:39 AM PST reply actions

my dreams are better than yours

by Matthew on Dec 2, 2006 10:09 AM PST up reply actions

Heh.

But Scruffy's are more likely to become true ;-)

Are we there yet?

by PositivePaul on Dec 2, 2006 10:47 AM PST up reply actions

we'll see

by Matthew on Dec 2, 2006 11:26 AM PST up reply actions

Hmmm

Huff I think would be better off elsewhere. I've always thought of him as one of these guys who only looks good by comparison.

I mean, when he was with TB, he looked like a kickass hitter because he was the only candidate. When he moved to Houston, he was pretty mediocre.

I don't know how a guy whose OPS barely breaks 800 is considered an impact bat. He doesn't really hit for average, and while he's got a decent walk rate, he actually sees fewer pitches per PA than Ichiro. Honestly he looks to me like Snelling in decline, with poor defense and much more costly.

This is all to say that I would rather see Bonds in a mariner uni next year than him, although I shudder as I say it.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Dec 2, 2006 9:54 AM PST reply actions

Huff sucks

Since when does being a poor defender at two or three positions make you versitile. Huff has had one really good year and its pretty far in his rear view. He is definitely in decline and I'll pass on 8 mil plus and multi-years that he'll want for his .800 or less OPS.

Also I hate the idea of Luis Gonzalez. This guy put up a .750 OPS last year a park that inflates offense, he's not a good defender now if he ever was. He's done, acquiring Gonzalez would be similar to getting Everett last year except he would probably cost more

by Grant H on Dec 2, 2006 11:33 AM PST reply actions

yeah

I hate those guys that put up OPS+s of:

132, 139, 124, 98, 106

the last 5 years.

He's an idea: trade Sexson, sign Huff. You've likely lost nothing on offense and since Huff seems to be undervalued right now you sure to save money over Sexson and it probably won't cost you more than 1 extra year.

by Matthew on Dec 2, 2006 11:54 AM PST up reply actions

Do you notice a trend in those numbers?

You see how they're getting smaller from right to left, that's called age-related decline. Huff will be 30 next season an age when many players start to feel the effects of getting older, but Huff's case this started two years ago.

Also you're not acknowledging the effect his defense will have on the team. PMR has him as the fourth worst 3B in the game. I guess you're putting him at 1B, but that can bode well for his defense there either.

I stick to my story Huff sucks.

by Grant H on Dec 2, 2006 1:05 PM PST up reply actions

It doesn't

Since when does being a poor defender at two or three positions make you versitile.

Not much, anyway. You have to be poor at seven of them to be worthy of the versatile tag given to Ballgame.

by Josh @ Lookout Landing on Dec 2, 2006 5:09 PM PST up reply actions

Beltre is the antagonist

People people o well he was doing a bit better in the seconed half. He costs just as much as sexon and atleast sexon can bring in runs. Richie had a 261 avg with risp but beltre had 256. You may not care but richie drove in 76 with risp beltre drove in 62. These were down years but i still expect richie to pick it up cause his career ba with risp is 280 compared to 270

Beak looks dumb but he is South Korean like me LOL

by ZeZetheX on Dec 3, 2006 12:18 AM PST reply actions

The fact that

You're being condescending while using stats like batting average with runners in scoring position and RBI to back up your stance on a player's run production is quite frankly disturbing.

And what the hell does this have to do with the topic, anyway?

by Graham MacAree on Dec 3, 2006 1:19 AM PST up reply actions