From this morning's ESPN chat with Texas GM Jon Daniels:
Q: How does the catching situation look with an injured Salty? Will he be ready for the season? Is there money to sign a veteran catcher like John Buck?
A: We made Buck an offer but Toronto offered him more, and they were able to guarantee him the starting job. We're still looking at other options for catching depth.
More cold water on the Angels trade scenario (at least, involving Napoli/Mathis - in which case....is there really a deal to be made?), or simply a matter of a GM saying what he needs to in order to acquire a player's services?
I'm thinking the latter, but still....
Often Irreverent, Mostly Rational Blog for Fans of the Toronto Blue Jays. One Day, We'll Be Perfect.
Sounds about right. Buck's OPS last season, albeit in limited action, was .782. Barajas came in with a .661, which is fucking sad.
ReplyDeleteI'm on board with Buck.
I doubt they actually "guaranteed" Buck the starting job, and if they did, they were probably lying. We still have 4 months of offseason left to go... it's be ridiculous to guarantee almost anybody a starting job at this point, on any team, let alone this one. I think I remember Johnny Mac being guaranteed the starting job when he signed his two-year deal before the '08 season, before it was handed to Eckstein.
ReplyDeleteI'm obviously just trying to convince myself an Angels deal isn't in the offing. Obviously.
ReplyDeleteLike I said, I know it's just bullshit management talk to get the guy to sign the contract, but kind of a curious way for AA to start the "we want to make this an organization where people want to play" era, no?
"Hey Buck, you're our guy. Guaranteed."
(2 months later)
"Yo Buck, you'll see some AB against LHP when the Napster needs a rest, deal?"
....actually, since The Manager is returning.....all bets are off regardless of who might be acquired before now & April.
If the Jays were seriously considering the Angels offer, why would they have just signed 2 catchers and 2 shortstops? Add to the fact that the Angels don't have any high ceiling players involved in any of the reported offers, I find it unlikely that southern California the destination for Halladay.
ReplyDeleteBut that could be just my wishfull thinking.
If John Lackey has indeed signed with the Red Sox, then shit will get more interesting.
ReplyDeleteAngels have also come to terms with Matsui apparently. One year, $6.5 million.
HUGE NEWS!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Phillies are apparently talking contract extension with Roy Halladay's agent!!!
The story gets even stranger, apparently the Phillies may trade Cliff Lee to get the prospects the Jays want?
ReplyDeleteLee to the Yankees for Montero?
http://www.csnphilly.com/pages/landing_09?Fever-Pitch-Trade-Talks-for-Halladay-Hea=1&blockID=103216&feedID=704
Worth noting is that Handsome Tony V hasn't been around; presumably because he's hard at the negotiation.
ReplyDeleteThat, or he's simply a Tao-only fan. Either way, understandable.
Look, I`m really busy at the moment. Trust me.
ReplyDeleteHTV
I'M READY, MAN. I'M READY. LET'S GET THIS SHIT DONE WITH. GOODBYE DOC!!!!!1
ReplyDeleteAssuming the Cliff Lee rumours are also true, which I doubt, here's my dream scenario:
ReplyDeleteTo Toronto - Carlos Truinfel SS, Domonic Brown, and Kyle Drabek
To Philly - Roy Halladay and Brandon Morrow
To Seattle - Cliff Lee
It's done. End of an era, boys.
ReplyDeleteI'm going into radio silence until tonight.
ReplyDeleteMore later (unless the Tao checks back in.....)
I think we're all going into our respective bunkers tonight. I'm headed straight to the LCBO after work.
ReplyDeleteJim Beam ... here I come!
ReplyDeleteso much for drabek, brown and truinfel. mlbtr says aumont, d'arnaud and taylor.
ReplyDeletethe internet tells me aumont has top of the rotation potential, let the prospect pornographying begin!
ReplyDeleteanybody remember aumount's clutch performance in the WBC?
ReplyDeletethat kid is Canadian AND he's got some serious talent
its a win in my books
@ Anonymous 6:46: You're Richard Griffin, aren't you?
ReplyDeleteAck, GM AA said that he wanted the best front office guys to say that Toronto was the best place to work- not the players.
ReplyDelete