Bartlett vs 2011 SS Market

by thewb on Nov 19, 2010 12:18 AM EST

Seeing recent headlines of both Bartlett and Scutaro on the trade market, I wanted to see how these two compare to a relatively weak FA crop available on the open market & what kind of a return they might bring.

Here is how the 2011 SS Market shapes up:

Free Agents with atleast cummulative 5 WAR over last 3 years:

Player, Age (2008 WAR, 2009 WAR, 2010 WAR)

- Derek Jeter, 37 (3.7, 7.1, 2.5) - Type A, should sign with Yankees

- Miguel Tejada, 37 (3.3, 2.8, 1.3) - Type A, will Padres risk Arbitration offer?

- Juan Uribe, 31 (0.2, 2.8, 3.2)

- Orlando Cabrera, 36 (3.5, 0.8, 1.3)

- Jerry Hairston, 35 (2.6, 0.9, 1.9)

- Nick Punto, 33 (2.5, 1.3, 1.4)

- Hiroyuki Nakajimi, 28 (Japan)

Available via Trade:

- Jason Bartlett, 31 (1.8, 4.9, 0.7) - Arb3, 2010 Contract $4mil

- Marco Scutaro, 35 (3.1, 4.3, 2.1) - 2011 $5.5 mil + $1.5 mil 2012 buyout

Breaking Down the Market

Beyond Jeter, who will likely sign with the Yankees for some absurd contract paying for past production, it looks like Uribe is the best option for a team looking for a SS, as he would just require $ and not player or draft pick compensation in return.

After these two, the Rays and the Red Sox seem poised to pounce on a weak SS market offering up Bartlett and Scutaro with Brignac and Lowrie waiting in the wings.

Both the Rays and the Red Sox seem to be shopping their SS for bullpen help.

What could the Rays expect in return?

The Process Report noted the Rays had discussed a Bartlett for David Hernandez deal with the Orioles.

Given the departure of Joaquin Benoit, the likely departure of FA Rafael Soriano, and the uncertain future of FA's Grant Balfour & Randy Choate adding a high upside, cost controlled arm could make sense.

If a potential non-tender candidate like Barmes can net a high upside arm like Felipe Paulino, could Friedman turn Bartlett into one of the following?

- Cincinnati (Nick Massett, Bill Bray)

- San Fransico (Sergio Romo, Dan Runzler)

- Baltimore (David Hernandez, Jim Johnson, Kam Mickolio)

- San Diego (Joe Thatcher)

- St Louis (Jason Motte, Kyle McClellan)

- Pittsburgh (Evan Meek, Joel Hanrahan)

Who would you target? Who do you think is the best fit? Who sounds realistic?

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Comments

I really like that Runzler kid, he rocketed through the minors, I didn't follow him last year, but it looks like a ton of Ks and Walks

to go with that good fastball, needs to work on his slider which is not something we do here so probably a bad fit.

Hell yeah it is.
Any amount of points can be scored week to week. well, besides 1 point. Any number is as likely to be reached as another, since there’s only one of each number, each has the same chance to be hit. IT’s how the syetemof averages works.
by waltermercier on Sep 21, 2010 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 19, 2010 9:35 AM EST reply actions

If AF traded Bartlett to the Giants

I would guess it would most likely be for Runzler, since he has less service time than Romo.

Aaron King is still my homeboy... iffy mechanics and all

by baetown415 on Nov 21, 2010 4:39 AM EST up reply actions

Thatcher = Howell

by thewb on Nov 19, 2010 10:03 AM EST reply actions

Thatcher is a lefty that can neutralize LH and RH batters, similar to Howell in that regard and is probably 4th on the Padres bullpen chart behind Heath Bell, Mike Adams, Luke Gregerson. Padres interest would probably hinge on whether they re-ink Tejeda & where they see Evereth Cabrera fitting in. If they believe they can make another shoe-string run, maybe Barty could fit into their plans.

A revamped Rays pen with McGee, Thatcher, & Howell coming from the left side would be pretty wicked.

by thewb on Nov 19, 2010 10:07 AM EST up reply actions

I wish we had done Paulino for MVB.

by rglass44 on Nov 19, 2010 10:51 AM EST reply actions

oh man, if only we had shopped Bartlett after his 4.9 WAR season instead of now, after his 0.7 WAR season

even if we didn’t get proper value for him then, i doubt it would be less than what we’ll get for him now. phuck phriedman

by daveh33 on Nov 19, 2010 11:40 AM EST reply actions

I'm sure we shopped him.

I wish we had traded him for whatever was on the table.

by rglass44 on Nov 19, 2010 2:33 PM EST up reply actions

no doubt, i forgot to remove that word from the headr

but i’m sure phriedman was his usual jew-self and tried to ask 4 2 much

by daveh33 on Nov 19, 2010 2:58 PM EST up reply actions

Yanks initial offer to Jetes is 3/$45. Please go to 4/$70...

by rglass44 on Nov 19, 2010 2:33 PM EST reply actions

Giants blog breaking down SS market & suggesting Bartlett as solution

Smashing Pumpkins SF Blog
Solid writeup from the perspective of a team in the SS market.

by thewb on Nov 19, 2010 4:26 PM EST reply actions

There comes a time..

When you have to trade need for immediate need. Rays need a closer now if they have any chance to compete in 2011. Bartlett will be gone after next season and won’t net much at the deadline if they wait until then to move him or for a possible draft choice next winter. Heath Bell, and I think the Pads will move him, if they can get a SS in return(their need for 2011). Same salaries, Rays get a closer and he could bring a better return next season(if the rays fall out of the race) or getting draft picks next winter.

by budman3 on Nov 21, 2010 10:23 AM EST reply actions

You do realize that proven closer

Heath Bell had been in the league for 5 years before he “proved himself” with 42 saves. In those 5 years he had accumulated 2 saves total, zero the year before 2009 when he became proven. He was part of a package trade sent to San Diego along with Royce Ring for Jon Adkins and Ben Johnson. At the time of the trade he was making the minimum salary.

I have no objection to trading Bartlett, not even if the return is simply a good relief pitcher. If the Rays think they don’t have to save money on a Bartlett trade, Bell would be a terrific acquisition. But I doubt the Padres would even consider it, at least not straight up, nor would any other team with a reliever the caliber of Bell. So my guess is the Rays will be satisfied with someone they think can produce in the bullpen, proven closer be damned.

by bobr on Nov 21, 2010 10:40 AM EST up reply actions

Headshot

I don’t see the point of giving any reliever $4M+ when you could give that to 10 AAAA players that are hungry to get paid down the road. Performance is so volatile from one year to the next that I’d prefer we have a bunch of guys given a shot and see how it shakes out. Without fail half the guys will be unusable, but one of the other 5 should establish himself as very reliable with 2-3 others proving to be serviceable.

I’m with Bob that we need good relievers, period.

by Andy Hellicksonstine on Nov 21, 2010 11:10 AM EST up reply actions