I personally think it's posturing. Saying "We're looking to trade him and move his salary" lowers his value compared to saying "He's likely our closer next year"

 

 

In agreement. Going into the off season I didn't think there was any way Leo would be on this team come ST. Heck, by Christmas. And I thought for sure that Hopper would sign here.

 

Still do. I think Leo's price tag is going to be more than he is worth to us (notice the wording) and just the opposite for Hopper.

If we sign another starter and move Sanabia to the pen then Badenhop's gone.

Ugh. I was personally hoping Hensley or one of our new guys would take the 9th.

 

 

You're not the only one with those thoughts.

Who's the long guy if Badenhop is traded, we pick up a 2nd lefty, and Sanabia goes to AAA?

 

 

Why trade the Hopper?

I personally think it's posturing. Saying "We're looking to trade him and move his salary" lowers his value compared to saying "He's likely our closer next year"

 

 

 

I hope it is posturing, lol

Who's the long guy if Badenhop is traded, we pick up a 2nd lefty, and Sanabia goes to AAA?

 

 

Why trade the Hopper?

 

If, and it's a big if, we both signed Vazquez/another starter AND kept Leo:

Then you have: Leo, Hensley, Webb, Mujica, Sanches, and Dunn who would be 6 locks to make the bullpen. That leaves 1 spots.

Beinfest has said he'd want a 2nd lefty. If he gets one, that would fill the bullpen.

 

Badenhop is arbitration-eligible and will get a bit of a raise, and he'll only get more expensive in 2012+. Sanches could probably do some long-relief, and maybe Mujica, too, as Erick pointed up. So Burke would be expendable.

I personally think it's posturing. Saying "We're looking to trade him and move his salary" lowers his value compared to saying "He's likely our closer next year"

 

 

In agreement. Going into the off season I didn't think there was any way Leo would be on this team come ST. Heck, by Christmas. And I thought for sure that Hopper would sign here.

 

Still do. I think Leo's price tag is going to be more than he is worth to us (notice the wording) and just the opposite for Hopper.

 

I'm inclined to agree. I only think Hopper goes if we sign another lefty AND keep Leo, or if we sign a starter and only get one of 1) lefty, or 2) starter.

 

It's not like he can't get DFA'd before 2012 if necessary, and I don't think his trade value is anything special.

Dominguez will NOT come up to platoon.

He's going to get full-time ABs wherever he is, and there's no need to start his arbitration clock up here unless he's the everyday starter.

 

 

 

Yeah, this. Coghlan's not a platoon player, either.

 

yeah but if dominguez isn't ready then you have bonifacio manning 3rd base. do we seriously want to see that again. we should have a serious backup plan who can play centerfield if dominguez isnt ready and coghlan can't adjust smoothly to a new position

How much will Nunez make in 2011 roughly?

 

$4 million

 

Here's a snapshot

 

C John Buck $6,000,000 (includes signing bonus)

1B Gaby Sanchez $420,000

2B Omar Infante $3,250,000 (projected PA incentives)

3B Bonifacio/Dominguez $420,000

SS Hanley Ramirez $11,000,000

LF Logan Morrison $410,000

CF Chris Coghlan $600,000

RF Mike Stanton $420,000

B Bonifacio/Dominguez $410,000

B John Baker $430,000

B Wes Helms $1,000,000

B Veteran Lefty $410,000

B Veteran Outfielder $410,000

 

SP Josh Johnson $7,750,000

SP Ricky Nolasco $6,000,000 (projected arbitration)

SP Chris Volstad $430,000

SP Anibal Sanchez $2,250,000 (projected arbitration)

SP Sanabia/West $420,000

RP Leo Nunez $4,000,000 (projected arbitration)

RP Clay Hensley $1,750,000 (projected arbitration)

RP Edward Mujica $1,000,000 (projected arbitration)

RP Brian Sanches $430,000

RP Ryan Webb $430,000

RP Mike Dunn $410,000

RP Veteran Lefty $410,000

 

$50,460,000

 

This team is without three guys - Paulino, Badenhop, and Veras

 

So we're give or take $50 million right now. They've said payroll is going to be $53-55 and they want to add a starter. Take away Nunez, and we have up to $9 million to spend, so if we can get Javy for $7 million, then buy Ohman, and a legitimate bench player, looking pretty good.

 

I can't see how they choose to get 65 innings pitched out of Leo for that money, when they can use that money for better things.

Who's the long guy if Badenhop is traded, we pick up a 2nd lefty, and Sanabia goes to AAA?

 

 

Why trade the Hopper?

Because unlike the previous few years, we have to guarantee him money. It's not a lot, but he's not exactly a world beater and we will likely have much better RP options this year. He is 100% gone. I will be shocked if they keep him.

Dominguez will NOT come up to platoon.

He's going to get full-time ABs wherever he is, and there's no need to start his arbitration clock up here unless he's the everyday starter.

 

 

 

Yeah, this. Coghlan's not a platoon player, either.

 

yeah but if dominguez isn't ready then you have bonifacio manning 3rd base. do we seriously want to see that again. we should have a serious backup plan who can play centerfield if dominguez isnt ready and coghlan can't adjust smoothly to a new position

 

But who wants Boni as an everyday player???

Dominguez will NOT come up to platoon.

He's going to get full-time ABs wherever he is, and there's no need to start his arbitration clock up here unless he's the everyday starter.

 

 

 

Yeah, this. Coghlan's not a platoon player, either.

 

yeah but if dominguez isn't ready then you have bonifacio manning 3rd base. do we seriously want to see that again. we should have a serious backup plan who can play centerfield if dominguez isnt ready and coghlan can't adjust smoothly to a new position

 

 

If Dominguez doesn't make the team, the 3B would be Infante.

Dominguez will NOT come up to platoon.

He's going to get full-time ABs wherever he is, and there's no need to start his arbitration clock up here unless he's the everyday starter.

 

 

 

Yeah, this. Coghlan's not a platoon player, either.

 

yeah but if dominguez isn't ready then you have bonifacio manning 3rd base. do we seriously want to see that again. we should have a serious backup plan who can play centerfield if dominguez isnt ready and coghlan can't adjust smoothly to a new position

 

 

If Dominguez doesn't make the team, the 3B would be Infante.

 

 

Actually it may very well be Bonifacio, Infante is likely to be at 2nd base

Who's the long guy if Badenhop is traded, we pick up a 2nd lefty, and Sanabia goes to AAA?

 

 

Why trade the Hopper?

Because unlike the previous few years, we have to guarantee him money. It's not a lot, but he's not exactly a world beater and we will likely have much better RP options this year. He is 100% gone. I will be shocked if they keep him.

 

I'd almost agree with you except saying that he's 100% gone. In the past few years of our very inconsistent bullpens, the Hopper has been one of the few relatively constant performers. The fact that he's still here says alot. And that alone tells me he at least has a shot at one more year with us. His good track record might net him the reward of one higher paying year with us.

Dominguez will NOT come up to platoon.

He's going to get full-time ABs wherever he is, and there's no need to start his arbitration clock up here unless he's the everyday starter.

 

 

 

Yeah, this. Coghlan's not a platoon player, either.

 

yeah but if dominguez isn't ready then you have bonifacio manning 3rd base. do we seriously want to see that again. we should have a serious backup plan who can play centerfield if dominguez isnt ready and coghlan can't adjust smoothly to a new position

 

 

If Dominguez doesn't make the team, the 3B would be Infante.

 

 

Actually it may very well be Bonifacio, Infante is likely to be at 2nd base

 

 

The team has been consistent in saying that if Dominguez doesn't make the team, Infante will play 3B; Bonifacio would more than likely play 2B.

This team is without three guys - Paulino, Badenhop, and Veras

 

So we're give or take $50 million right now. They've said payroll is going to be $53-55 and they want to add a starter. Take away Nunez, and we have up to $9 million to spend, so if we can get Javy for $7 million, then buy Ohman, and a legitimate bench player, looking pretty good.

 

I can't see how they choose to get 65 innings pitched out of Leo for that money, when they can use that money for better things.

 

I agree because I just don't think Leo is coming back. "Overplay their contract" is the club motto. At or near $4 mil is alot of playing, and too much for him to overplay. Veras I agree with. Hopper is the one to return, IMO. But kinda tough to tell without inside info on who they are looking at for trades. Both coming and going.

 

Paulino I'm more on the fence over. The team has been pretty consistent in giving those suspended with drug related violations a second chance. And with Baker coming off TJS and not very good behind the plate to begin with, I see him going away (keeping with the "Pitching, defense, speed" mantra). But right now, who knows. They could just decide to keep someone like Hayes for a fill in catcher. Good glove, knows the pitchers, not alot of bat. The very definition of a back up catcher. I do believe this will come down to a late ST decision. Sure would be a nice surprise, and not unheard of, if one of those AAA catchers got a bat for Christmas.

 

Now "they've" got payroll 53-55. "They" being defined as the experts, I presume. At least "they" have raised the lower end of their newest "prediction". Love those experts predictions. Start real low, raise it almost weekly while never admiting they were wrong and hope everyone forgot their other mistakes along the way. Without knowing how season ticket sales developed for next season (still haven't heard from my new sales rep, guess we will meet at the Holiday Party) I still think "they" are low.

I really believe Beinfest was pumping up Leo to enhance his trade value...I agree with Lou in that we are gonna try to trade Leo and use those 4 mil to try and reel in Javy Vazquez...the team is shaping up really well...

And with Baker coming off TJS and not very good behind the plate to begin with, I see him going away (keeping with the "Pitching, defense, speed" mantra).

 

 

I think you often make way too much out of those comments, from the front office. Offense matters, too.

Now "they've" got payroll 53-55. "They" being defined as the experts, I presume. At least "they" have raised the lower end of their newest "prediction". Love those experts predictions. Start real low, raise it almost weekly while never admiting they were wrong and hope everyone forgot their other mistakes along the way. Without knowing how season ticket sales developed for next season (still haven't heard from my new sales rep, guess we will meet at the Holiday Party) I still think "they" are low.

 

Don't know why you get so saucy with the newspapers reporting the salary ranges. They do have legitimate connections with the front office you know even if they are mildly retarded.

 

Regardless, $53-55 comes from either the Herald or Sentinel. I feel that's about right, but would be thrilled if they pump it to $60 million. Adding those 2-3 extra veterans would really be helpful.