Best offseason pickup in MLB as of now

Hands down Jim Thome to the ChiSox is the best pickup from last winter IMO...
Thome is on pace for 50+ HRs and half of his salary is being paid for by Philly.

Chicago did give up Rowand but CF is being handled well by the rookie Anderson

Some other players that are looking good in new spots this year include
M.Lowell hitting .330 7hrs 29rbi and leading the league in 2B's
BJ Ryan 11svs 0.77era 27k in 23ip
Soriano .301 18hrs 35rbi 12SB's
Beckett 7-1 3.80era 47K/64ip
Glaus .262 15hr 41rbi

I wouldn't say that Anderson is handling it "well", but there's no doubt that the Thome trade was by far the best pickup. Kudos to Kenny Williams for taking another risk.

I guess it's Thome so far, with his solid start. However, Mike Lowell must be the best trade throw in ever.

I agree that Thome has probably been the best player picked up. If take into account what was given up, I'm not sure I'd agree. But that's half the fun. Also, you can throw Nomar, Renteria and Delgado into the mix as well. They've all been huge for their teams.

Hanley Ramirez has been unreal. it's only been 2 months, but he was promising to start with

He's not a stat prospect by the way. He's a "tools" prospect, but the Sox didn't have any "tools" prospects except for him. Teh system lacks "tools" guys, and we traded our best one away. Fortunately Beckett hasn't been completely terrible and Mike Lowell... I don't want to know.

Jose Hernandez


Dude is an absolute monster!!!

Somebody say Jose Lima

Todd Jones has been solid..as good as Ryan at doing the job so far

Who is the worst offseason pick-up? Consider what was given up, as well as under performers.
Juan Pierre?
Rondel White?
I'm having trouble thinking of others...I'm sure there is worse than these two.

considering guys like Lima and Jose Hernandez were minor league free agents you cant really complain much about them, you cant buy a white castle burger and then ***** that it isnt Filet Mignon

It has to be Carlos Delgado. He has made that Mets lineup legit, especially by taking pressure off of Wright and Beltran.

Todd Jones has been solid..as good as Ryan at doing the job so far

Jones: 3.12 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, .313 opponents BA, 2.00 K/BB, 3.12 K/9

Ryan: 0.73 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, .159 opponents BA, 5.80 K/BB, 10.58 K/9

Not quite as good.

Jones: 3.12 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, .313 opponents BA, 2.00 K/BB, 3.12 K/9

Ryan: 0.73 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, .159 opponents BA, 5.80 K/BB, 10.58 K/9

Not quite as good.

Saves are all that matters...each has blown one i think...the closer's only job is to ensure a W

Saves are all that matters...each has blown one i think...the closer's only job is to ensure a W

I wouldn't say that. Who would you rather have, a closer that's going to go out and be the lights out closer you want him to be, or, a closer that might get the save, but will still allow a run or two?

As a Giants fan who has suffered the consequences of not having a real closer since the ending of Robb Nen's career, just give me someone who gets the 3 outs during the 9th inning. I'm sick of this Matt Herges (04)/Dustin Hermanson (04)/Benitez (05-06)/Tyler Walker (05) crap.

Tim Worrell in 2003 was a Godsend, and without him there's no way the Giants win 100 games. Letting him get away cost the Giants the division in 2004.

As a Giants fan who has suffered the consequences of not having a real closer since the ending of Robb Nen's career, just give me someone who gets the 3 outs during the 9th inning. I'm sick of this Matt Herges (04)/Dustin Hermanson (04)/Benitez (05-06)/Tyler Walker (05) crap.

Tim Worrell in 2003 was a Godsend, and without him there's no way the Giants win 100 games. Letting him get away cost the Giants the division in 2004.

Agreed.

Although Mando has looked pretty good so far this year, I'm still shaking when he's in there trying to get the final three outs. We look pretty good for the future though with all these kids coming up, i.e., Sanchez, Wilson, Accardo, Taschner, Correia, etc.

if that is supposed to be the future, then the future does not look good

if that is supposed to be the future, then the future does not look good

Ya kidding? Those guys have got some strong-*** arms. Wilson is being groomed to be the next closer. Sanchez has been rushed up from AA and put in the pen when he really belongs in the starting rotation.

We have some good young arms like Wilson, Sanchez, Valdez, and Cain. But our hitting future doesn't look too good. The good thing is that a whole lot of money comes of the books after this season, and we can build a team around those guys.

Thome
Glaus
Soriano
Ryan
Lowell

In that Order have been the best acquisitions.

I can tell you what the worst pickup has been...... AJ Burnett!

I can tell you what the worst pickup has been...... AJ Burnett!
Considering he didn't cost the Jays anyone off of their roster, why don't you let him pitch more than once before jumping to that conclusion?

Considering he didn't cost the Jays anyone off of their roster, why don't you let him pitch more than once before jumping to that conclusion?

I'm relatively sure he cost a draft pick.

As a Reds fan, I have to chime in here and mention Bronson Arroyo. I know the Reds are in a bit of a rough patch right now, but Arroyo has still been very good.

I'm relatively sure he cost a draft pick.
Considering he didn't cost the Jays anyone off of their roster, why don't you let him pitch more than once before jumping to that conclusion?
:teach:

Thome
Glaus
Soriano
Ryan
Lowell

In that Order have been the best acquisitions.

uh, How can you not include Delgado? He's def. 2nd behind Thome.

uh, How can you not include Delgado? He's def. 2nd behind Thome.


Because I completely forgot about him.

Duaner Sanchez has also been amazing as a set up man for the Mets.

I wouldn't say that. Who would you rather have, a closer that's going to go out and be the lights out closer you want him to be, or, a closer that might get the save, but will still allow a run or two?

Sure the players' stats look nice on a score sheet, but as long as he consistently gets me the save, I don't care how he does it. I would take either if they both get me a save - I eat well enough that I'm sure my heart can live with the guy who allows 2 runs in a 3 runs-to-tie save situation.

Mind you if you consistently allow hits and walks then its likely a matter of time before you blow some saves (see Valverde in ARI lately, or Dempster in Chicago). But veterans like Jones who has been a 40+ save guy in the past I know can battle through the odd hit or two in the ninth and still get me the save. He has done it just as well as Ryan so far, and therefore he has more or less been just as good of an acquisition (at less$) to this point.

I'll stress "to this point", because as we all know, the closer is the job in the MLB with the most turnover. Look at the fairly proven Cordero's and Lidges's this year. So its pretty ballsy to even throw big money at a closer and sign him in the free agent market. I prefer the 'Moneyball' strategy to find a pitcher internally and let him be glorified in the closer's role (if successful)...someone has to make these closer discoveries (case in point Gagne was a discovery as an unsuccessful starter, where a guy like Lidge grew into the closer's role 'naturally')...if you can find these guys its a good way to add value to your organization. No need to throw big money at a (risky) free agent, plus someone like Gagne goes from a borderline MLBer to a borderline Hall of Famer...think of the trade value if you can continually develop these guys.

As a Reds fan, I have to chime in here and mention Bronson Arroyo. I know the Reds are in a bit of a rough patch right now, but Arroyo has still been very good.

I agree, the BoSox are idiots for trading him away for Willy Mo

1) Thome - The guy is KILLING the ball :eek:
2) Nomar - Producing and is healthy
3) Ryan - Jays finally got a closer
4) Delgado - Another potent bat in that lineup
5) Soriano - Great hitter to the Nationals, that team is starting to turn it around.

I agree, the BoSox are idiots for trading him away for Willy Mo

Right now it may not look good but in a few years when Wily Mo is crushing 35 a season it will go down as a great trade for the BoSox.

Jim Thome

Right now it may not look good but in a few years when Wily Mo is crushing 35 a season it will go down as a great trade for the BoSox.

I like Wily Mo, wish we had nabbed him, but at the same time, they need pitching not guys who can mash, they have those.

Ryan was really not a great pickup for the Jays. They overpaid greatly for him, and the two teams that he struggles worst against are the Yankees and the Red Sox. Not great for an AL East team.

1) Jim Thome
2) Carlos Delgado
3) Nomar Garciaparra

Ryan was really not a great pickup for the Jays. They overpaid greatly for him, and the two teams that he struggles worst against are the Yankees and the Red Sox. Not great for an AL East team.


:huh:
Vs Boston this year : 5.2 Innings, 1Hit, 4Ks, 1Win, 1Save

Vs Yankees this year: 4 Innings, 1Hit, 1BB, 3Ks, 1Save

He's been outstanding

Ryan, Glaus and Overbay have all been great for the Jays this season.

The jury's still out on Burnett.

Considering he didn't cost the Jays anyone off of their roster, why don't you let him pitch more than once before jumping to that conclusion?

He still cost them a cute 55 million. That may be more important that losing anything on their roster. AJ Burnett is the most overrated pitcher in the league. He can't stay healthy, when he can he's great, but he's only pitched 200+ innings twice in his career, that is not something to award a 55 million dollar contract for. Despite all his brilliance when he's healthy, he's also never averaged a over 1 K/Inning, the mark of a true power pitcher.

The Thome deal wasn't bad for the Phils. I think a lot of people would take Ryan Howard over him right now, and it was a huge contract.

The Thome deal wasn't bad for the Phils. I think a lot of people would take Ryan Howard over him right now, and it was a huge contract.

Phils pay most of it don't they?

Overbay has been good...but Jays paid alot to get him...too bad they didn't deal Towers and keep Bush...Bush should be a decent pitcher...but I guess after Tower's start hindsight is 20/20

Ryan was really not a great pickup for the Jays. They overpaid greatly for him, and the two teams that he struggles worst against are the Yankees and the Red Sox. Not great for an AL East team.

I don't think Ryan has struggled at any point this year, he's been amazing for the Jays, one of the best closers in the AL (if not all of baseball right now).

As for the price, it might be an overpayment, but considering how bad the Jays needed a closer (especially one that gets Ks) to be a real contender, it was a move they had to make really, its not like he was the first closer to get an inflated free agent contract.

I wouldn't say that. Who would you rather have, a closer that's going to go out and be the lights out closer you want him to be, or, a closer that might get the save, but will still allow a run or two?
Well, Wickman is terrible at keeping runners off the basepaths, but he hasn't blown a save in like a year.

i'm happy with the new guys for the mets. delgado is having an unreal season, nady is showing why he deserved an every day spot all along, lo duca is having a terrific rebound season and providing leadership, wagner--a few shaky appearances aside, has been great. even chavez, franco and valentin have been good off the bench.

Duaner Sanchez has also been amazing as a set up man for the Mets.

yes, he has. jae seo is having a good year in LA, but the mets make this trade every time. sanchez has just been too good for us in the 8th.

http://cache.boston.com/images/bostondirtdogs//Headline_Archives/BDD_seanez_2003_ap.jpg

Those Marlins are looking good. Sarcasm aside, Hanley Ramirez is looking great. He looks like a stud at SS, with the bat and the glove. It's a good year for ex-Red Sox shortstops with Nomar, Hanley, and Renteria.

Ryan was really not a great pickup for the Jays. They overpaid greatly for him, and the two teams that he struggles worst against are the Yankees and the Red Sox. Not great for an AL East team.

Funny, he didn't struggle against the Red Sox tonight or last night.

For the Jays:

1. Glaus - With him in the line up it give Vernon Wells some much needed protection he's been needing. It give them a legitmate power hitter in the line up, He is 2nd in AL in homers. He has been great.

2. Ryan - He's been outstanding, the 2 runs he's given up have been pretty weak. He's only blown one save. He's always outstanding and dominating.

3. Overbay - He's been solid so far hitting behind Vernon Wells, Troy Glaus, He has solid power and has good on base% and is very good defensively.

4. Burnett - Well we havn't seen much of him. He's expected to return on June 21st against the Atlanta Braves. The Jays have been playing some solid ball lately and Bullpen aside from Spiers and B.J Ryan have been pretty weak. When Burnett returning he'll give the Jays push and will only make their rotation stronger.

Glaus, Overbay, Ryan FORSURE for the Jays guys have been unreal

:huh:
Vs Boston this year : 5.2 Innings, 1Hit, 4Ks, 1Win, 1Save

Vs Yankees this year: 4 Innings, 1Hit, 1BB, 3Ks, 1Save

He's been outstanding

And over three years (03-05)...

BOS: 3.38 ERA, 34 K, 27.2 IP

NYY: 3.91 ERA, 31 K, 25.1 IP

That's struggling against two quality teams? :huh:

I was waiting for someone to say Troy Glaus... I guess people forget he has 17 homers?

http://cache.boston.com/images/bostondirtdogs//Headline_Archives/BDD_seanez_2003_ap.jpg

You ready for a sweep tonight? Go Jays Go :handclap:

I was waiting for someone to say Troy Glaus... I guess people forget he has 17 homers?

I guess you missed the first post in this thread.

Those Marlins are looking good. Sarcasm aside, Hanley Ramirez is looking great. He looks like a stud at SS, with the bat and the glove. It's a good year for ex-Red Sox shortstops with Nomar, Hanley, and Renteria.
.....while Gonzalez floats just above the Mendoza Line....if it wasn't for his defense, (.001 behind Vizquel in MLB fielding % lead)...

Those Marlins are looking good. Sarcasm aside, Hanley Ramirez is looking great. He looks like a stud at SS, with the bat and the glove. It's a good year for ex-Red Sox shortstops with Nomar, Hanley, and Renteria.



Freddy Sanchez as well

.....while Gonzalez floats just above the Mendoza Line....if it wasn't for his defense, (.001 behind Vizquel in MLB fielding % lead)...

Fielding percentage is pretty useless.

Range factor (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/fielding?groupId=9&season=2006&seasonType=2&split=82&sortColumn=rangeFactor) and zone rating (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/fielding?groupId=9&season=2006&seasonType=2&split=82&sortColumn=zoneRating) are better. Not great, but better.

Fielding percentage is pretty useless.

Range factor (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/fielding?groupId=9&season=2006&seasonType=2&split=82&sortColumn=rangeFactor) and zone rating (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/fielding?groupId=9&season=2006&seasonType=2&split=82&sortColumn=zoneRating) are better. Not great, but better.
Oh man, just burst my bubble, eh?
:cry: :cry: :cry:

And over three years (03-05)...

BOS: 3.38 ERA, 34 K, 27.2 IP

NYY: 3.91 ERA, 31 K, 25.1 IP

That's struggling against two quality teams? :huh:

A 3.91 ERA for a starter would be great. For a closer it doesn't cut it at all. That means that he gives up more than a run in one out of every 3 outings against the Yanks and Sox.

He's been lights out this season so far. But I'm not sure that the Jays will want to be saddled with him at that contract once he gets into the game in September against New York or Boston.

Glaus was a much better aquisition for them.

A 3.91 ERA for a starter would be great. For a closer it doesn't cut it at all. That means that he gives up more than a run in one out of every 3 outings against the Yanks and Sox.

He's been lights out this season so far. But I'm not sure that the Jays will want to be saddled with him at that contract once he gets into the game in September against New York or Boston.

Glaus was a much better aquisition for them.

I never said it was good, however, it certainly isn't struggling when we're talking about two very good teams.

Glaus was not a much better acquistion. The Jays overpaid for Ryan, sure, but it was absolutely necessary, 100%. And so far he's been the second best closer in baseball. No way can you honestly say that Ryan hasn't been a good pick-up for a team that desperately needed a closer.

The Jays have gone through way too many guys like Aquilino Lopez, Juan Acevedo, Kerry Ligtenberg, Miguel Batista, and Jason Frasor. To compete in the AL East a real closer was an absolute must, by any means necessary. If that means overpayment, so be it.

Both have been good pick-ups, neither are substantially better than the other.

Closers are overrated.

Closers are overrated.

Closers are overpaid, but they definitely aren't overrated.

it certainly goes to my buccos for jeromy burnitz :shakehead :cry:

Fielding percentage is pretty useless.

Range factor (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/fielding?groupId=9&season=2006&seasonType=2&split=82&sortColumn=rangeFactor) and zone rating (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/fielding?groupId=9&season=2006&seasonType=2&split=82&sortColumn=zoneRating) are better. Not great, but better.
Range factor is possibly one of the worst stats ever.

Range factor is possibly one of the worst stats ever.

I like how you dug up a 3 week old post to make a statement you didn't back up.

I like how you dug up a 3 week old post to make a statement you didn't back up.
I wasn't aware the post was that old, and it doesn't need to be backed up. The fact of the matter is, it is simply calculated by put outs divided by innings. That simply tells us nothing about the player's defensive ability. There are way too many factors that decide how many put outs a player has such as what kind of pitcher is on the mound. Do you have a power pitcher who doesn't give up many ground balls? What about a guy with really sick movement who gets a lot of strikeouts? Both kinds of pitchers would hurt a guys range factor without the fielder having had to do anything.

I wasn't aware the post was that old, and it doesn't need to be backed up. The fact of the matter is, it is simply calculated by put outs divided by innings. That simply tells us nothing about the player's defensive ability. There are way too many factors that decide how many put outs a player has such as what kind of pitcher is on the mound. Do you have a power pitcher who doesn't give up many ground balls? What about a guy with really sick movement who gets a lot of strikeouts? Both kinds of pitchers would hurt a guys range factor without the fielder having had to do anything.

I didn't say it was flawless. I said that Range Factor AND Zone Rating are better than fielding percentage. It's really not that hard to understand.

OVERBAY still my vote in my mind he was a sleeper other than Glaus Molina and Ryan for the Jays Overbay has been awesome 2 Jacks and 5 RBIS what a day

Bronson Arroyo

Nomah

I didn't say it was flawless. I said that Range Factor AND Zone Rating are better than fielding percentage. It's really not that hard to understand.

I'll give you zone rating, but range factor I find totally useless. Fielding percentage I find more indicative of a fielder's ability. I know the concept of what's an error and what's a hit is often subjective, but range factor doesn't take into account the ability to actually make a play. It doesn't take into consideration how many **** ups you've made, just how many routine grounders you've thrown to first base. Another thing, say the shortstop makes an absolutly sickening diving grab, and strong arms it to first from his knees only for the first baseman to drop it. This would not help the shortstop's range factor because an assist wasn't made.

All range factor is is just a measure of busyness. It's worthless. An infielder on a team with flyball and K pitchers is going to have a worse RF than one on an extreme groundball team. Doesn't mean anything.

I'd put more stock in fielding%, as it at least tells you how sure handed the player is.

Hands down Jim Thome to the ChiSox is the best pickup from last winter IMO...
Thome is on pace for 50+ HRs and half of his salary is being paid for by Philly.

Chicago did give up Rowand but CF is being handled well by the rookie Anderson

Some other players that are looking good in new spots this year include
M.Lowell hitting .330 7hrs 29rbi and leading the league in 2B's
BJ Ryan 11svs 0.77era 27k in 23ip
Soriano .301 18hrs 35rbi 12SB's
Beckett 7-1 3.80era 47K/64ip
Glaus .262 15hr 41rbi


I can't believe this thread is 3 pages long and no one has mentioned Kenny Rogers of the Tigers. Sure Thome is having a great year, but didn't the White Sox win the World Series last year. Where were the Tigers last year (or the last decade). Sure Rogers did not single handely turn around the Tigers, but he is a key factor. Not only is he pitching great, but every game I watch on TV I see Rogers talking to Bonderman or Verlander or some other pitcher in the dugout. The Tigers have the best ERA in the American League, Rogers is the ace of the staff, and even more importantly the veteran leader to help teach the young Tiger staff.

Now, I know I'm a Detroit fan, but do others agree Rogers has been overlooked in this thread? Who thought the before the season started the Tigers would even finish .500%? Who has the best record at the break? imo Rogers not being mentioned in 3 pages of best offseason pickup is a travesty.

Nomar.

I can't believe this thread is 3 pages long and no one has mentioned Kenny Rogers of the Tigers. Sure Thome is having a great year, but didn't the White Sox win the World Series last year. Where were the Tigers last year (or the last decade). Sure Rogers did not single handely turn around the Tigers, but he is a key factor. Not only is he pitching great, but every game I watch on TV I see Rogers talking to Bonderman or Verlander or some other pitcher in the dugout. The Tigers have the best ERA in the American League, Rogers is the ace of the staff, and even more importantly the veteran leader to help teach the young Tiger staff.

Now, I know I'm a Detroit fan, but do others agree Rogers has been overlooked in this thread? Who thought the before the season started the Tigers would even finish .500%? Who has the best record at the break? imo Rogers not being mentioned in 3 pages of best offseason pickup is a travesty.

Rogers did it again. A no decision, but 6 strong innings in a HUGE 2-1 win over Contraras and the White Sox. Nice 5&1/2 game lead now. Do you think this is the week ESPN moves the Tigers over the White Sox in their power ratings.

Troy Glaus looks tremendous now at .242 and $10 million, doesn't he?:sarcasm:

All range factor is is just a measure of busyness. It's worthless. An infielder on a team with flyball and K pitchers is going to have a worse RF than one on an extreme groundball team. Doesn't mean anything.

I'd put more stock in fielding%, as it at least tells you how sure handed the player is.
Going by Range Factor, you'll see Derek Jeter has one of the bottom 5 ranges in the game at shortstop and I believe Ken Griffey Jr. ranks very poorly among center fielders.

It's a classic case of Bill James going too far with his made up statistics.

Well, Jeter ranks near the bottom of most metrics, and for good reason.

All you need to do to realize that Jeter has above average range is watch him play for about 3 games. He's pratically trademarked that play where he goes into the hole and makes a leaping throw to first base and I don't think that anybody will debate the fact that he is the best shortstop in baseball at making plays going back into the outfield.

All you need to do to realize that Jeter has above average range is watch him play for about 3 games.

Jeter has terrible range. Every metric that rates range has him as one of the worst SS in the game.

He's pratically trademarked that play where he goes into the hole and makes a leaping throw to first base

That's nice and all, but it doesn't compensate for his lack of range and his terrible footwork.

and I don't think that anybody will debate the fact that he is the best shortstop in baseball at making plays going back into the outfield.


Which is such a small part of a SS's fielding that unless two guys are essentially equal in groundball range, it doesn't matter. SS make a massive amount more outs via ground balls than they do pop ups.

All you need to do to realize that Jeter has above average range is watch him play for about 3 games.
Says you.

He's pratically trademarked that play where he goes into the hole and makes a leaping throw to first base
Well, he has to do it so often because of his poor range.

Says you.


Well, he has to do it so often because of his poor range.
:confused: I think that you are slightly confused about the meaning of the term "in the hole."

BTW going back to my discussion with Jonas Hoglund on pages 2 and 3 of this thread about BJ Ryan's value being lowered by his struggles against the Yankees and Red Sox, it's worth noting that he just coughed up a one run lead on a homerun to Jorge Posada.

:confused: I think that you are slightly confused about the meaning of the term "in the hole."
Um, no. An average defender would have time to set their feet and throw on most of those plays.

Um, no. An average defender would have time to set their feet and throw on most of those plays.
Unless they had the speed of a Luis Aparicio, then no.