It discourages them from targeting an outfielder in free agency because there is no spot open... Hence why they have discussed moving Gomez. It also discourages in the sense that $16,000,000 that were potentially available are no longer available. Ultimately less money and positional flexibility exists.
I think you're right that it discouraged another OF signing, but not spending in general. A short term deal should not negatively impact a long term deal. I think The Beard nailed it in his last post.
I'm not saying I called it but.... <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thrice today I had execs say "watch the Astros on Cespedes." 5th best HR park in MLB in '15. Good lineup. OK, I'm watching</p>— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) <a href="https://twitter.com/pgammo/status/688850738022354944">January 17, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
If it is Cespedes, what's the next domino? Gomez out at low value? Springer out at high value (b/c of potential) for someone who has been injured too often so far? Marisnick out and split the ABs equally amongst the 4?
If that happens, then one of these 3 things happen: 1. Springer is traded for a great young pitcher 2. Gomez is traded and Springer moves to cf 3. Gattis is not going to be our regular DH and maybe becomes our backup catcher or is traded What team could use Gattis: Baltimore
Fernandez obviously being the only one who qualifies for #1. I'd say #2 would be 99% likely, #1 1%, with a 0% chance that they sign Cespedes without moving either of the 2 (#3).
I could see Marisnick being moved if Cespedes came in on a LT deal instead of a 1 year--assuming solid value back for Jake. Could get all 4 OF's 500+ ABs...that would be fine in a rotation I would think.
Gomez likely out. Cubs need a CF. Seems Astros looking at other OFs. Marisnick likely stays as he is cost controlled.
I'm not sure Gomez out and Cespedes in makes us better this year though I would guess it would be Gattis on the move and Cespedes gets most of the DH at bats And damn that would be a hell of an offense
Depending on the haul Gomez nets you, I think it could definitely make us much better. I'm just not sure what value Gomez holds after a shaky season and heading into his final year of club control.
Cespedes from last year was awesome, but the previous 2 years he wasn't anything spectacular. Unless he can repeat last season, moving Gomez and adding him seems like at best a lateral move. The 2 years prior he posted a combined .744 OPS. I just don't see how he makes us better this season. And guys like him are always available in free agency, so we can add a LF next season if it's a move to replace the departing Gomez.
all of these things. I think Cespedes to the Astros either precedes Springer for Jose, or it's agent-agenda being pushed through the orgs and media to pump up his value given that a lot of money and OFs are off the board
Agree But if it's Cespedes in and Gattis out, or Cespedes in and one of that group at 1B That makes us better
It feels like marginal improvement--especially given that Gattis has room for improvement based on ATL stats / end of last season, and Cespedes has room to fall based on his previous 2 years. When you add in that the swap = big increase in spending (which means taking money away from spending elsewhere), I have a hard time going that direction. Putting one of them at 1B is fine, but that means we're not evaluating Reed/White/Singleton. Which is ok...but everyone needs to be ok with trading either Reed or White in that scenario. I feel like there would be some uproar if that happened
Is he for sure a better hitter than Gattis? In 2 of the last 3 seasons Gattis was better. It would depend on what Cespedes we would get. He had 2 great offensive seasons, and 2 meh offensive seasons.
Agent/media driven. Just like the media linked them to Chris Davis Just like they were the "mystery team" for Jose Fernandez. Nothing to see here. 70 year old Peter Gammons? When's the last time this geezer broke a story or was right? <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NO! (sell below this time) <a href="https://t.co/nr2XzQ5FpD">https://t.co/nr2XzQ5FpD</a></p>— Brian McTaggart ⚾️ (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/688893145552007173">January 18, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Gomez has been the one they have been discussing for the last 2-3 weeks, no idea as to whether it is selling low or for FMV.
Another option could be moving Jake for something of value And having Rasmus and Gattis in a platoon at DH/LF with Rasmus in LF when he plays and Cespedes splitting time between LF and DH
what if they now consider him too big of an injury risk and have no plans to keep him past this season? a lateral move for cespy makes sense in that scenario. there's nothing gained by entering the season with gomez and no plans to bring him back.
