- Henderson Alvarez- Yes, the shoulder injury is scary, but this guy knows how to pitch. I'd be pitching a one year deal with a team option for a second year. Something like a $2.5 million first year, $8.5 million team option. Get him into the system, let him work his way back, and see if you can pick up a potential Ace on the cheap.
- Other names I'm keeping an eye on are Mat Latos and Justin Masterson, the former more than the latter.
- Garin Cecchini screams "post-hype sleeper" to me, and I'd be doing everything I could to get him onto my roster, deciding if he fits better at 3b or 1b (I see a more athletic Scott Hatteburg type here), telling him to get ready, and letting him compete for a roster spot out of spring training.
- Eric Stamets would be the top of my rule 5 draft board. He's a terrific defensive middle infielder, who can do a little pinch running. Whoever picks him up won't be disappointed.
Some other baseball thoughts:
- The Red Sox signed David Price to a HUGE contract. I'm sure they know what they're doing, and I'll happily root for the laundry on this one. But boy, if it were my money, I'd have split the cost in half and tried to pick up both Mike Leake and Wei-Yin Chen. I don't think Boston is one strong pitcher away from being a playoff team. I hope I'm wrong.
- I don't love the trend of athletes announcing retirement early or during a season. David Ortiz and Kobe Bryant (man, the Red Sox fan in me hates putting those two in the same group for anything), have both turn their last season into farewell tours of sorts, and while the Lakers don't exactly have anything to play for, the Sox signing of Price makes it look like they're panning to compete this year. Why build in a distraction to start the season?
- Also, David Ortiz is the most ferocious hitter I've ever seen in the batter's box. Thanks for all the memories David. You literally changed the outlook on life for millions of Red Sox fans.
- Fangraphs said it best about the Shark signing: Giants invest in Jeff Samardzija, Dave Righetti. I know that Rick Peterson is somewhat famous (infamous?) for talking about how quickly he'd be able to "fix" Victor Zambrano, but it's awesome to see an organization put tons of faith in a coach who's rewarded them over and over again.
- I think Orioles fans will be disappointed with the offseason as the team heads into spring training, but Dan Duquette is a smart GM who regularly finds under-the-radar talent. Don't be surprised to see the O's lose Chris Davis and Wei-Yin Chen, picking up a couple of draft picks to go along with a few quiet signings, and somehow ending up in the tick of things again next year.
- It may be Duquette's parting gift, after the way Peter Angelos has kept him from seeking promotions this offseason. Duquette deserves better, and hopefully can find a new role next year.
