The Toronto Blue Jays and Free Agent George Springer agree to a 6 year $150M contract.
Springer and Jays agree at $150M for 6 years
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13 comments:
Anybody kicking the tires on FA CF Danny Santana even though he is recovering from elbow surgery?
I believe Albert Almora is still available? He can come in the 6th inning for defense and move Nimmo to left and Smith to 1st. You never know he may be able to find his stroke with the bat that he had a few years ago?
Or maybe they announce the DH finally and we sign Wong and Turner for 2nd and 3rd base and move McNiel to center?
Zozo - McNeil in CF that is one idea I had not heard before. Very interesting.
Albert Amora has not only seen his offense decline over the past few years but his defense as well. He was 10+ in Defensive Runs Saved in 2018 but -5 in 2019 and 0 in 2020. The Cubs brought in Billy Hamilton as an improvement. He could be worth the gamble but at this point I would only bring him in as a Minor League Free Agent.
Roy Hobbs - Danny Santana could interest the Mets as he can play all over and can switch hit but as you said coming off an injury it might not be an option.
Heyman said the Mets were very involved with Kiki Hernandez. Maybe that will pan out.
FYI, one insider told me that the Jays offered around $115M initially, then the Mets countered with about $135M for 7 and the Jays came back with the $150 for 6 years.
I guess the Jays felt that they needed to blow the Mets out of the water in order to sign Springer, and they may have been right. Hernandez is interesting, but I don’t know enough about the guy.
I’m very glad they didn’t blow up the present and future budget to get a luxury piece like Springer. Now they can still get Hand and I’m not out on Paxton. Then, maybe trade Matz for Lorenzo Cain?
Disappointed about Springer, but I understand.
Not at all a fan of Kiki Hernandez. He can't hit. I've long held a theory that role players on championship teams tend to be overrated. He's the most recent example. Put him on the Pirates and everybody would shrug.
Angels sign Quintana for 1/$8 and, again, it really makes me wonder about the decision to tender Matz and Gsellman for a combined $6.5 (approx).
We will see what happens now.
Jimmy
Lots of good points made, gents. I will say this: when I interviewed McNeil in May 2018 when he was in Binghamton and I discussed what I thought his role might be in the majors (as a true super sub), he said this:
"I have the versatility to play out there just about everywhere. I played a lot of center field early in college before moving to 2nd base and the infield. I feel very comfortable playing the outfield."
Maybe he can do that now. And, of course, he is far better than a super sub, as it turns out.
At the time, a number of readers here were essentially not high on him still (age - too old, etc.) and felt essentially he might be another Eric Campbell. Instead, he is one of the top 25 or so hitters in baseball.
Jimmy, I did an article a few months ago on Quintana once I realized he had once been in the Mets' system. I only hope Lucchesi is better, but I agree, I would have let Matz and Gsellman go if we could have had a Quintana for the same $$.
Tom, it's not about Quintana for me, he's just an example of the current market and the type of pitchers who are available.
Maybe Sandy is right about Matz and Gsellman. But both have a high level of risk attached to them. Woudn't you rather have $7 million to spend right now?
I think it's absurd to suggest that Jeff McNeil should be our CFer. Have we learning NOTHING?
BTW, when McNeil was in minors he was always injured. Just snake bit. The bat seemed good but he couldn't stay on the field. Years went by. When he arrived, I was surprised -- I had assumed he was Black for some reason!
I do still worry about his ability to stay healthy, intact. Second base is a tough position in that respect. I also think he might be a guy who doesn't really have a position. But the bat plays. I love his drive and energy and refreshing approach at the plate (sort of the anti-Sandy approach, who much prefers the Nimmo way). I think it takes all kinds to make a team, that you can't pour players into a mold (God, Dave Hutchins sure tried).
You were right to tout McNeil. At the same time, you tend to tout everybody!
Jimmy
Jimmy, let me tout you as one of our favorite commenters!
If you asked me about having that $7 million to spend elsewhere I would reply with a resounding "Yes". Matz after his 11-1 career start, and Gsellman after his surprise 2016 debut, have been way sub par. Spend the money on those who aren't.
Jeff McNeil needs to be put at 2B and play there full-time. He is not a 3B or CF. Saw enough of Jeff at third last year. He does not have the throwing arm for third. Same problem with J.D. Davis.
Actually, I believe that arm strength is not JD's problem. Defensively, he has limited agility and throwing accuracy problems. The arm is quite strong -- and for that reason I think there's some reason to hope he can improve (somewhat) at 3B. Remember, he didn't even get a Spring Training last season at the position. He was scrambling to figure out LF (not ideal) when they pulled him back to 3B mid-season.
As I've said before, I'd be willing to start the season with him at 3B, and prioritize other areas. I believe in the bat. But a back-up plan might be a good idea!
Jimmy
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