Good afternoon, everyone! Sorry this is a little late getting started, but it took a while to walk back up here from the Picabu Buffeteria, where I ran down to grab some lunch. Winter Meetings involves a lot of running around, a lot of sitting and waiting, a lot of ear-bending, a lot of tape-cutting, a lot of everything. Not much time to eat, so I'm going to try to answer your questions while throwing down a lovely salad and burger - only $20.
Already today we've had the news conference to announce Pat Gillick has been elected to the Hall of Fame - congrats to him, you can read all about it on my regular blog. Later I'm expecting the Jays and Brewers to jointly announce the Shaun Marcum/Brett Lawrie trade. After this chat, which is set to run a couple of hours, I'll try to post some pictures of what things look like here at the Swan and Dolphin!
In my mind that's pure speculation. The Jays aren't gearing up for a run at Zack Greinke. Alex Anthopoulos saw an opportunity to get an elite-level talent with all-star potential.
His numbers this year may have been similar to Luke Scott's, but you can't compare the two of them. Werth has defensive capabilities and speed that Scott doesn't bring to the table and has done it more than once. That said, the Werth contract is ridiculous.
As much as I would love to see Hudson back here for a year, I don't think it's going to happen. I think Aaron Hill stays at second and Jose Bautista is going to play third next season.
It may well be.
I appreciate you all giving me a chance to eat, but don't worry about me - keep the questions and comments coming.
No rumours floating around down here about Downs yet.
I'm sure that everyone is sad to see Marcum go, I am, for sure. He's a terrific pitcher, does so many things well and by all accounts is a great teammate. But if you want to bring in a elite young player who is controllable for 6+ years, you have to give up good stuff.
Sure - though I think the Rangers would do the A-Rod deal again if given the opportunity.
I have no idea, and anyone who says they can project what a 20 year-old who has never played above AA with any semblance of accuracy is nuts. That said, the baseball community at large seems to be pretty sure this guy can hit.
Nope
They haven't replaced Martinez yet, so who knows where they'll go there. But if Gonzalez has the same year that Beltre did and the Red Sox get healthy seasons out of Youkilis, Pedroia and Ellsbury, they'll be fine.
Nope
I would love to see it. I'd say the odds favour it, but I don't know if I say that with my heart or my head.
Greinke is two years younger, has a Cy Young in his back pocket and has incredible stuff. Marcum doesn't have great stuff or great size - people don't fall in love with a guy with an incredible change-up, But who's to say the Royals will get more for Greinke?
Everyone is tradeable, but other big chips, I guess, would be Snider, Drabek and Bautista.
No, I wouldn't say that at all. That said, I never thought they were likely to contend for a wild card in 2011. 2012 is a whole 'nother story, though. A healthy Jesse Litsch is more than capable of putting up the numbers that Marcum did this past season.
Nope
As I said in the blog at 2 AM, I also think they'll take a step back, but in the hopes of taking two steps forward. I think Litsch is likelier to replace Marcum's numbers, probably as the 4th starter behind Romero, Morrow and Cecil and ahead of Drabek.
Very good - but one along the lines of what Kevin Gregg was last winter.
No, I don't think that had anything to do with it. Don't look for things to worry about.
Maybe, but I don't think Marcum was really "shopped." I don't think Alex was trying to create a market for him, I think he wanted Lawrie and that's what it cost.
