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The call with Hart's reps didn't yield much interest. They claim they have a solid offer from the Mariners - how are apparently going for it - for around 6-years at $85 Million. They told us it would take 6-years, $14.94 Million/year to get something done. Hart is a good player and can play two positions - but they are two positions that we are rather deep at. First base and right field. While it would take pressure off Tavares to jump in and start right away, and provide some nice pop that we're still looking to replace with Beltran leaving, he just doesn't seem like the right fit.
I told them that we wouldn't be matching that but if it came down or something changes, to let us know, we may jump back in.
I'm at a bit of an impasse. We still need to replace Beltran's bat in this lineup. But where do we do it? Can we rely on what we have and expect bounce back years from Holliday, Craig and then expect Tavares to live up to expectations? I think we could, but there has to be something I'm missing here. It doesn't have to be right field. It may have to come via trade. I tasked our pro scouts and DK to come up with some upgrades in the outfield. Jay still isn't thrilled with his role. So, could it be a trade that includes Jay to upgrade in center field? Or, could Hart be the answer in right field, Tavares moving to center, where he can play?
What about Matt Holliday? At 33 years old he had (by far) his worst year. He's making $17 Million/year and has three more guaranteed years at that rate. Would anybody want him?
The fact is that there is still a move to be made. I'll just have to find the right place to do it.
THREE TRADES COMPLETED FRIDAY IN MLB
Rangers-Padres; Mets-Rockies; Brewers-Cubs all reach agreements.
By: Matthew Lurch, MLB.com
Perhaps the remnants of talks taking place during the Winter Meetings, six teams agreed to trades Friday as the MLB hot stove continues through the winter months. No "big" names changed hands in these deals, but each GM is jockeying their rosters for position as the free agent landscape begins to work itself out.
First, the busy Rangers completed a trade to acquire utility outfielder Chris Denorfia from the Padres. Padres GM Josh Byrnes has been shopping Denorfia, who hit .236 with 23 RBI in limited at-bats in San Diego last year, for quite some time. The Rangers gave the Padres three lower-level prospects. Denorfia is expected to battle with recently acquired Adron Chambers for the final bench spot for the World Champions.
In a rare inter-division trade, the Cubs acquired 27-year old center fielder Logan Schafer from the Brewers in exchange for closer Kyuji Fujikawa, who closed out 33 games for the Cubs in 2013. Schafer is known for his plus-speed and defense and should be plugged in right away as the starting center fielder in Chicago. The Brewers, desperately looking to upgrade the bullpen, got Fujikawa to battle with Burke Badenhop for the closer duties.
Finally, late on Friday, the Rockies traded for starting pitcher Dillon Gee from the Mets for minor-league catcher Tom Murphy. The Mets are apparently stockpiling catchers. Already possessing Travid D’Arnaud, they drafted A.J. Jimenez in the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday and now have turned Gee - who was 12-10 with 3.13 ERA last year - into Murphy. Murphy, 22, hit .245 with nine homers and 66 RBI last year at the Rockies’ Hi-A affiliate. The Mets believe he could end up moving from behind the plate to first base in time.
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I’ve tasked my people to come up with some options as I am currently drawing a blank. Maybe we are good the way we are? Sometimes, the best move you can make is not to make any. We’ll see what comes back.
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