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Saturday, June 12, 2004 |
Baby, You Can Drive My Carlos
It's all over but the crying for Royals fans, as Allard Baird announces he's willing to play "Let's Make A Deal" for Carlos Beltran, KC's star centerfielder. The Royals need major-league-ready guys from AAA who can make a difference tomorrow. The Angels don't have any of those to spare, and besides they have a full outfield, so that's not gonna happen.
First, let's eliminate some prominent names. The Yankees and Red Sox are both out of this, both having minor league systems as bare as Mother Hubbard's cupboard. I have similar feelings, in varying degrees, about San Francisco, San Diego, and Oakland as well. Moneyball may have canonized Beane to super genius status, but he can't invent top prospects drafting as low as he does. I also eliminate Seattle, for lack of minor league players. Detroit, whose minor league system is a shambles, is also a non-Carlos-contender, especially because of their presence in the same league and division. (I also put Minnesota in that uh-uh category despite the number of quality prospects in their minors.)
Here's some educated guesses:
- DePodesta might be able to make something happen for the Dodgers, but I'm skeptical; the team's best hitters are all in the low minors, and depleted anyway thanks to the Milton Bradley trade, while the best pitching is either untouchable (Jackson, Miller, Hanrahan) or having injury problems one way or another (Miller, Hanrahan).
- The Brewers, only three games out of first in the amazingly competitive NL Central, could be a surprise candidate. They just cleared a mess of payroll room by unloading the now-injured Richie Sexson, they're actually in contention for their division, and they've got the talent in the minors. Question: would Beltran want to go to a perennial loser like Milwaukee? Not that he has anything to say about it -- and would Milwaukee make a move on an impact player like that who's got no guarantees of returning after the season when they have a farm system full of stars-in-the-wings? I don't think so, and that's why I'm uncomfortable suggesting it. Still, the pieces are all there.
- The Cubs could package Cory Patterson with some of their pitching to make a deal; this would solidify their offense immensely, but their bullpen remains a question mark, and as with the Dodgers, dealing too much from that depth can leave the team suddenly staring at a hole.
- The Braves might just have the ace here. Their pitching isn't great, but they haven't effectively replaced Gary Sheffield; Beltran might end up being that guy for Atlanta. With the keystone players they need, a trade now could vault them over the Phillies, who just can't seem to put the pieces together.
Comments:
You forget McCourts comments in the LA times today that he is going to lower payroll, saying he doesn't see it going below $80M ( that means it won't be a penny over $80M). That being the case, I don't know why we trade for someone we can't sign to an extension.
He is somehow under the impression he can field a boring team, charge more to see it, and somehow sell more tickets. Go figure.
He is somehow under the impression he can field a boring team, charge more to see it, and somehow sell more tickets. Go figure.
# posted by 
: 6/12/2004 12:09:00 PM
: 6/12/2004 12:09:00 PM
Yeah, it could happen. But if McCourt is in fact McCheap, it just prolongs the day of reckoning. On the other hand, he's said he wouldn't object to increasing the team's payroll if that's what it took to field a winner midseason. Beltran could be the piece of the puzzle for us.
Rob - Seattle is out of the picture because they have not need for Carlos for three months.
I do expect that Seattle will be a MAJOR bidder for Beltran this offseason; possibly the Yankees primary competition.
I do expect that Seattle will be a MAJOR bidder for Beltran this offseason; possibly the Yankees primary competition.
Stephen -- whoever gets Carlos will have to first long-term him. The lack of available money for a title run was the problem KC had, but I don't think it will be an issue for any team that picks him up. Some combination of a good farm system plus dollars wins here.
Boras has made it very clear that he's looking to test the free-agent market this off-season. He even compared Beltran's upcoming payday to A-Rod's in a recent interview. This could just be more talk from Boras, but I would bet that Beltran is rent-a-player for whoever grabs him, which makes KC's asking price awfully steep.
Carlos' agent is Boras, and Boras has been clear that Carlos will be a free agent this winter; they are not going to do a deal with any team that picks him up for the remainder of this season.
So, while the Mariners are not going to trade with KC for him, I think they will pursue him in the offseason.
The only thing that wins in dealing for him with KC is talent and a willingness to take on the balance of his contract for this season.
Any team, irrespective of the state of their farm system, can have him long-term after this season, if they are willing to pay enough.
So, while the Mariners are not going to trade with KC for him, I think they will pursue him in the offseason.
The only thing that wins in dealing for him with KC is talent and a willingness to take on the balance of his contract for this season.
Any team, irrespective of the state of their farm system, can have him long-term after this season, if they are willing to pay enough.
Tom,
That was me not Rob writing.
Here's what McCourt says:
1) Ticket prices are going up.
2) He doesn't see a huge decrease in payroll.
3) Doesn't mention seeing payroll staying the same or going up.
4) Says he doesn't see payroll going below $80M
I don't see any way to read that other than he will raise ticket prices and lower payroll. Now, how much will he lower payroll, I don't know. However, with McCourts history of untruthfulness (Evans is a serious candidate for the GM position, we will have a $100M payroll this year, we will get a big bat before the season starts, I had nothing to do with VG not getting signed, etc etc), I actually gave him the benefit of the doubt and assumed he would stick by his $80M basement. However, it wouldn't surprise me if he drops it even more.
I guess we will have to see.
That was me not Rob writing.
Here's what McCourt says:
1) Ticket prices are going up.
2) He doesn't see a huge decrease in payroll.
3) Doesn't mention seeing payroll staying the same or going up.
4) Says he doesn't see payroll going below $80M
I don't see any way to read that other than he will raise ticket prices and lower payroll. Now, how much will he lower payroll, I don't know. However, with McCourts history of untruthfulness (Evans is a serious candidate for the GM position, we will have a $100M payroll this year, we will get a big bat before the season starts, I had nothing to do with VG not getting signed, etc etc), I actually gave him the benefit of the doubt and assumed he would stick by his $80M basement. However, it wouldn't surprise me if he drops it even more.
I guess we will have to see.
# posted by : 6/12/2004 10:06:00 PM
: 6/12/2004 10:06:00 PM
Tommy,
One more thing: who in their right mind would take Shawn Green at $17M a year? He's stuck with us the next two years. Hopefully, we'll finally move his rally killing, GIDP, King butt out of the cleanup spot, but I doubt it
One more thing: who in their right mind would take Shawn Green at $17M a year? He's stuck with us the next two years. Hopefully, we'll finally move his rally killing, GIDP, King butt out of the cleanup spot, but I doubt it
# posted by : 6/12/2004 10:08:00 PM
: 6/12/2004 10:08:00 PMNewer› ‹Older
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