One of FZ's stated goals for the offseason is to acquire a RH bat for the OF. One potential target for the role, Starling Marte, is off the market as the Mets took out their frustrations with the Steven Matz negotiations by signing 3 position players including Marte, Mark Canha OF and Eduardo Escobar IF. Marte is coming off his career year(so far) and is 33 years old. The deal is reportedly for 4 years/$78 M Which seems like a great deal from the Mets perspective, albeit possibly 1 year longer than ideal. Canha and Escobar are also 33 yo. They got 2 year deals for $26 M and $20 M respectively.
The MLBTR analysis speculates that Dominic Smith OF, J.D. Davis and/or Jeff McNeil could now be trade candidates. Davis seems to fit the profile of the type of player FZ prefers.
Marte, Canha and Escobar are 3 good players and probably upgrades for the Mets, but I don't see them changing the balance of power in the NL East and they do not address the Mets biggest need which is pitching.
From the pace of free agent signings, it appears both players and teams want certainty before the looming potential lockout, which raises the question of what's in a lockout for either side? Are we really going to see an industry that is swimming in money for all sides self immolate once again?
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The Giants signed Arquimedes Gamboa SS to a minor league contract with a spring training invitation. Here is the breakdown on Gamboa:
DOB: 9/23/1997. B-S, T-R. 6'0", 190 lbs. 2021 Minors(2 levels): .231/.346/.377, 10 HR, 10 SB, 382 PA. Gamboa is a defense-first SS prospect with a bit of both power and speed. His main claim to fame as a hitter is extreme patience at the plate producing walk rates of over 14% which gives him solid OBP's despite low BA's. He will serve as utility IF depth in AAA, especially if the Thairo Estrada is the UT IF for the Giants next year.
The Giants also signed Peter Tago RHP to a minor league deal. Tago was a highly regarded HS pitching prospect out of SoCal drafted by the Rockies who struggled in pro ball and has yet to see MLB action at age 29. He posted decent numbers last year in a relief role with the White Sox at AA/AAA levels.
How high and long should the Giants go for Kevin Gausman?
ReplyDeleteEstimates from MLBTR to Ben Clemens @ Fangraphs span an incredible range of $$ and a wide range of years.
The SP's are signing early with prediction that Gausman will join them and commit before December 1.
Should FZ go 5 years for anyone? 6?
Who would help the Giants the most if he does: Gausman? Bryant? Castellanos? Stroman? Suzuki?
If the Giants believe in Gausman as a top of the rotation SP, they should be willing to go up to 6 years. if not, they should not sign him at all.
DeleteWell, the Mets have gone officially WILD. Add Scherzer AAV to the Mats payroll and the estimate I saw puts the Mets at around $275 million. Maybe the Mets know something about the to-be-negotiated CBA and competitive balance penalties, or lack thereof, that has them running up the tab?
ReplyDelete