I’m not big on Scutaro. Before this year I had no idea who he was, suddenly he performs in a contract year plus he is 34 years old. I say avoid him at all costs.

I’d like to sign one of the free agent pitchers, sure Lackey would be nice but I bet that one of Harden or Sheets would probably do just as well with the rotation we already have, we probably need a 6th starter knowing the injury history of Wake. Maybe Padilla or Bedard even (just an idea)?

I don’t know a whole lot about Chapman but I heard the Cuban’s messed up his delivery or something to that affect.

Holliday over Bay IMHO.

I don’t know who is available but we could also use a new relief arm as well.

He’s aging, coming off a career year, and since he’s a Type A, will cost us a draft pick. Stay away from him unless he comes cheap AND the Blue Jays stupidly don’t offer him arbitration.

I’d absolutely love Harden, my favorite out there, otherwise Sheets or Duscherer is probably best. Lackey wants too much money and very publicly hates pitching at fenway, plus is worse than any of those guys healthy.

I absolutely do not think that a 34 year old shortstop with one good year is worth even a draft pick, never mind a 3 year deal. I’ll be very disappointed if we end up with him.

Bay is fair for 4/$60 million, if that won’t do it, maybe a player option for a 5th year/$10 million. Not worth more. I’d go much further on Holliday, maybe 6/$110 (with less in 2010 than future years because there’s not a ton coming off this year). Probably more than that and I’d rather give platooning low risk guys rather than committing a giant chunk of payroll for years to come.

Chapman I think Theo is trying to drive up the price on. It just doesn’t look like we have the payroll flexibility to commit $20 million extra for a question mark. But then, I don’t have access to the financial records. I’m guessing that Theo would like to try to save a lot for next year, when there’s a fantastic FA class. I won’t be disappointed if we sign him, sounds like he has a ton of potential (100 mph lefty starter can’t be bad, as long as we can coach some control into him, though I’m sure he won’t be ready in 2010 except maybe a couple of spot starts later on), just surprised.

Yes (though I think I’d prefer the idea someone else had of trading for Jayson Werth if the Phillies), hell no, yes, yes, and hell yes.

Bay is barely worth $15M/year and he’s going to ask for more, so if we could swing a reasonable deal for a younger but similar player with less notoriety, we should do it. Scutaro has had exactly one good year; I’d rather take our chances on Lowrie. Harden and Wake could probably split the fifth spot in the rotation very effectively. And Chapman is a good long-term investment if he can learn better feel and control of his pitches.

Let’s not forget about the non-tender market that could net some great players that are younger and at a more payroll friendly price. Regarding the free agents:

1B – Adrian Gonzalez is everyone’s first choice. If a trade can’t be worked out, I would kick the tires on Branyan, look at Atkins (if non-tendered) or stick with Kotchman (backing up Youkilis).

SS – Scutaro doesn’t make sense unless the Jays don’t offer arbitration. Otherwise I look for a 2 year deal with Jack Wilson or incumbent Alex Gonzalez.

LF – Holliday is my first choice but Bay’s contract may make more sense.

SP – Anyone of the high upside reclamation projects (Sheets, Harden, Bedard, Duc) make sense to me as a #5.

RP – I think they need to bring in another quality arm, whether it’s bringing back Saito or pursuing Putz.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/10349688/Sources:-Tigers-looking-to-shed-payroll,-Jackson

He had a great first half, but slowly became unraveled as the season went on. Detroit may worry about him breaking down further next year, but they have slight payroll issues as well. He won’t cost as much as King Felix, but he’s young and under control for a while which means he won’t be cheap. I don’t think I’d make a trade, but it’s another alternative.

Word on mlbtr is that the Reds are looking to slash payroll to less than $70 million, they already have around $65 million committed to just 10 players so it looks like they may be dealing. Would it be worth it, and what would it take to say take Harang off of their hands and also in exchange for taking the bad contract throw Joey Votto into the deal as well? This would give us a back of the rotation starter and a very solid 1B that would allow us to move Youk over to third. Votto plays OK defense, his UZR/150 last season was +10.5, this year it was -2.1.

This may be a bad comment, but how about Tajeda? I haven’t seen much of him since he went to Huston, but he hit .313, 14 hr, 86 rbi. Those numbers are much better than anything we’ve thrown on the field in awhile. Nothing long term, but no talk about him at all. I’m sick of seeing no production out of the position, and filling the hole with guys like Nick Green. People are also really down on OC, but when he came back to Boston with the A’s last year he tourched us.