Free Agent Profile: Grady Sizemore

OVERVIEW: Sizemore became the Indians best and most popular player after coming up in 2004.  He could do it all and was one of the top young players in the AL Central and AL.  He can still help a team out a ton but after getting injured in August 2009 he was unable to stay healthy.  One injury after another ha derailed the past 3 years of his career.  He’s only 30 and he can still play center field well but after being injured all of 2012, he will have to settle for a smaller contract.  For the production he can put up I’m kind of surprised that a team hasn’t taken a flyer on Sizemore yet.  He can still hit and could regain his old form for a couple of years.  Sizemore can help a team out if he can stay healthy and he’s worth a look even if you have a packed outfield.
STATS: In a full season he could hit 25-30 HR and get at least 70 RBI, it all depends on where you put him in the line-up.  Near the top he could be a big run scorer too.  If he stays healthy for a whole year, his numbers could closely resemble his old numbers.  The only thing is his average has dipped and he won’t likely bring it up a ton, but he could still not have an atrocious average and he can get on base well.
FITS
Rangers- This is his perfect fit, he could hit well here and help Texas stay competitive since they lost Hamilton and need an OF BEST FIT
Indians- He is one of their better players in the past 10 years
Yankees- Seems like a place he could do some damage but he would be more of a role player
Cardinals- He would be a decent fourth outfielder in St. Louis
Orioles- They missed out on Nick Swisher, but he may be a bargain if they get him
Rays- They just lost J Upton, a sleeper fit for Sizemore
IDEAL CONTRACT: 1 year, 4-6 Million 3-5 Million in incentives
CAN HE STAY HEALTHY?: That’s a matter of luck and how your body is built.  Sizemore can stay healthy for a whole year as he’s played 162 games more than once and if he does, he could put a little bit of fear back into pitchers
BOTTOM LINE: A former All-Star CF, who might just still be one.  Pick him up

Tigers Odds and Ends

• The Tigers should trade Porcello rather than Smyly if they trade a starter.  Smyly looks more promising but Porcello could still bring in a good return.  Smyly is also a lefty and he looks promising and I think he could get off to a quick start in 2013
• I still believe Porcello could pan out and be a really good starter and I’m totally for keeping Porcello as a number fie and Smyly as a swing man for right now
• Peter Bourjos is my number one target for the Tigers in a trade or Joel Hanrahan is worth it too
• Bruce Rondon could be a good closer if the Tigers stick with him
• I see Brennan Boesch being a great fifth outfielder for the Tigers this year
• I would still target a guy like Scott Hairston to be a fourth outfielder.  Hairston is suck a great fit in Detroit.  Jeff Baker and Ben Francisco could also be worth a look
• I see Ramon Santiago winning the spot over Danny Worth and I believe he is better than Worth and is a very much more ready to help the Tigers in 2013
• Avisail Garcia and Nick Castellanos could always sneak their way on this team too and they’re both extraordinary talents

Tigers Sign Brayan Pena

The Tigers have signed Brayan Pena to a one-year deal to replace Gerald Laird as the Tigers back-up catcher,  He will have competition from Bryan Holaday but I’d say that Pena is a heavy favorite to win the job.  The Tigers catching staff looks good and Pena is an experienced back-up, who even though he only has 14 career HR I feel could provide pop and be a god replacement at the bottom of the line-up in the 45 or so games Avila get off this year.  Pena fits well with Detroit and his contract is a no lose situation.  Pena won’t be the best guy of defense but he isn’t a slouch either.  The only thing is I don’t think you’ll be seeing him pinch run for Avila that often, or at least it wouldn’t be smart because Avila wins in that category.  I’ve always like Pena though and even tough it’s not a big move at all this helps fill in the team and I’m thrilled they got a guy like him.  It could be an under the radar pick-up for the Tigers that helps them out a lot.  The fact that he’s a switch hitter too only helps the Tigers.  I expect a good year from Pena and him just to help the Tigers, like Laird did only in a slightly different way.

Red Sox Sign Mike Napoli

The Red Sox and Mike Napoli have a agreed to a three year contract that will pay Napoli 39 million.  Napoli is expected to play mostly at first base in the first year of his contract.  Napoli provides much needed power for the Red Sox and should hit very well at Fenway.  It’s a great fit for both sides and I think the Red Sox will enjoy their three years of Napoli.  His power should go back up to the 30 HR territory he was in during 2011 and his batting average should go way up in Fenway.  He should also do well against teams like the Yankees.  The Red Sox line-up is starting to look a little bit scarier now.  Napoli should be a guy like Beltre who really, really benefits from Fenway an the Red Sox were smart to lock him up for more than one year.  He’s a step in the right direction for the Sox too and though he won’t probably hit as high as .300, he won’t hit lower than .260-ish.  He can still play well enough to stick behind the plate for Boston if they need it at times this year, but I would keep Ross and Salty if I were Boston and go keep Napoli at first, as it’s best for their offense.  Napoli, who will be a below average defender but I don’t think he will hurt them a ton at first on defense.  His numbers in Boston should look impressive in the end at the very least.  Very good and needed signing for the Red Sox.

1. CF Jacoby Ellsbury
2. 2B Dustin Pedroia
3. DH David Ortiz
4. 1B Mike Napoli
5. RF Jonny Gomes
6. 3B Will Middlebrooks
7. C Jarrod Saltalamachhia
8. LF Daniel Nava
9. SS Jose Iglesias

 

Mariners trying to make Felix “Mariner For Life”

In the no-duh move of the day, the Mariners are trying to lock up Felix Hernandez to a large contract extension that would keep him a “Mariner for Life” and be their ace for the rest of his career.  Felix Hernandez has pitched for the Mariners since he was 19 in 2005 ad would be only 28 at the end of his current contract.  Hernandez has been involved in many trade rumors over the years but has remained a Mariner.  he is a true ace and irreplaceable tot he Mariners.  His career has already been very impressive and he seems Hall of Fame bound.  If I was Seattle I would give him a 10 year, 250 million dollar contract, he may get less years and less money, but he’s worth it at this point.  Hernandez’s best years are still ahead of him too, and if he hits the market he will be one of the better free agents ever.  The Mariners really need go through with this and lock him up as soon as they can.

Nationals Sign Dan Haren

In the latest 2012 Winter Meetings signing, the Nationals signed Dan Haren to a one year, 13 million dollar deal.  Haren will take Edwin Jackson’s place in the rotation.   This move is similar to what the Nats did with Jackson last year.  They’re taking a great starter with  good track record who is coming off of a bad year by their standards and taking him in on a short term, low risk deal.  I think Haren could do even better than Jackson did last year, even though he isn’t as powerful.  Haren will be a great number four starter for the Nationals this year though and I expect a full rebound from him, especially in Washington.  The losers here are the Padres because this was the perfect fit and a potential ace for them, but the Nationals will benefit a ton.  This is more than a great deal for the Nats.  I would predict a year close to 3.30-1.06-180.  Haren can handle the NL East well and his value should skyrocket throughout this year.  He made a great choice by going to Washington as he fits well with the team and he can manhandle the NL at times.  Haren could finally have a very special year at any time too, he may be getting older but he can still hold offenses well and he will itch many great games for the Nats, who made a smart move here.

Giants Re-Sign Angel Pagan

The San Francisco Giants have re-signed Angel Pagan to a 4-year, 40 Million dollar contract.  Now, Pagan is a great player and tends to fly under the radar and he helped the Giants win the World Series and in the postseason by his work last year, but I think this deal is one year too much and a little bit too much money.  Pagan will be a great hitter agin next year for the Giants though.  He m not repeat his numbers and play exactly but it should be close and the Giants need him to try to repeat their success from 2012, as Pagan was a key part.  The Giants also couldn’t live without his speed, his stolen bases and triples at the top of the order helped them a lot.  They also too him off the market as a great and cheap option in center field for NL rivals.  The first two years should be good because he should repeat most of his 2012 success but the last two years may not look as good, but the Giants did what they needed to do in getting him back, and it’s a pretty good deal all-around.  Pagan is a key signing for the Giants and I like how he played last year a lot for them, they’re the best fit for each other it seems and he should do a good job overall for the Giants, especially in 2013.

Rays Sign Loney to Play 1B

The Tampa Bay Rays have signed their new first baseman and as I predicted it will be James Loney, on a one-year, two million dollar deal.  Loney will replace Carlos Pena, who returned to Tampa last year and was a huge disappointment after having really good years in Tampa from 2007-09 and having  bad year in 2010 in which he left for the Cubs.  In 2011, when Pena was with Chicago, the Rays use first baseman Casey Kotchman who had a breakout season and helped the Rays make it into the playoffs.  Loney is similar to Kotchman, a former top prospect who had a bit of power and was expected to be a top hitter and defender and Kotchman showed he could do that in his year with the Rays and I think Loney could too.  Loney had a disappointing campaign in 2012 but had one or two good moments for the Red Sox and now has just a little AL East experience.  I think this deal could be a potential steal and Loney could put up a .300-12-65 type year and be a decent hitter at the bottom of the line-up.  If he does bust out again, he will not be a huge bust as he can help the Rays on defense and the contract is pretty much a no lose situation for the Rays.  Loney can hit .280-ish too like he did in 2011.  Loney has gotten a lot of grief in his career but truthfully he has had some pretty good years and he’s young enough to recover from all o that and be a classic Tampa Bay Rays signing.  I really like this deal all-around too because I feel the Rays will give Loney a very good shot to have a career year and maybe even go on a tear for some of the season this year.  The Rays should be optimistically excited about this deal.

The Tigers and Boesch

Brennan Boesch exploded onto the scene for the Tigers in April of 2010, becoming an offensive force as a rookie with tremendous power.  Power that he still has.  He finished the second half off terrible and rebounded in 2011 before an injury and then this past year he had his worst year yet, falling out of favor.  Now look, I don’t think Boesch is a starter, but I know that even if he is inconsistent he could help the Tigers a lot from the bench.  He may have only hit 12 homers last year, but that number is bound to go up.  I know players such as Chase Headley who have increased their power.  Now I know  Boesch is no Chase Headley but he has power like him.  If the Tigers do trade Boesch, they’ll be getting a bunch of low grade, low level prospects and for a guy like Boesch, a guy who could possibly help out the Tigers like he did just two short years ago that’s not enough.  To just let him go isn’t smart either. I’d hold onto him at least through Spring Training and see how it goes with him.  If he can tweak his swing some, he could be a decent fourth or fifth outfielder and I think he’s waiting to help the Tigers out in 2013 and he could surprise you.  Boesch has a brighter future ahead if himself than 2012 no matter what and he will get off to a fast start somewhere if given the chance.  So, if the Tigers do trade him, they should ask for at least one half way decent prospect who has a shot.  Boesch has been a special talent I’ve watch move up in the system with his power  His defense may not be there but if he improves just a little, I can see him going on to be a great player who can play a few different roles.

Angels Sign Ryan Madson

The Angels have signed closer Ryan Madson to a one year deal for an undisclosed amount of money probably in the $4-7 million range that he got last year, I would guess.  This creates a bit of competition in Angels camp now since Ernesto Frieri has closing experience and did a good job last year and Madson was a great closer before getting hurt last yea.  It only takes one bad year for a closer to become a permanent middle reliever but Madson is probably the better fit for the closing job to start the year off and Frieri to be a setup man along with Scott Downs.  This makes the Angels better as a whole and this move is adding just another quality player to the Angels for the year.  The Angels bullpen will benefit from this move a lot as Madson should lower their numbers and as a full time closer, I could see 35-40 saves in Madson future very easily.  Madson should have a year like some of the ones he had in Philly.  He’s not out of his prime yet and more teams should have went for him and should go fro players like him even with the risk after surgery.  Teams like the Tigers could’ve also gotten him and had a great closer, but this should just work out for all and be a great signing.