Hot Stove Thread 2014-15

Congratulations. You managed to shove two straw men into one very short post. That is quite impressive.

Now let's address what I actually wrote. In 2013, the Pirates got very little from right field until acquiring Marlon Byrd late in the season. Then they let Byrd leave via free agency without a solid option to replace him.

Part of the justification was the impending arrival of Polanco, but the Pirates chose not to bring him up even as he dominated in the minors for financial reasons. I did not say they were tanking. I did say they were being cheap. If they were going to keep him down to start the clock on him later, they should have kept Byrd or picked up some other viable veteran option to hold the position down. The team followed up its first playoff berth in over 20 years without viable options at first base or in right field and their grand solution at first was to give Ike Davis another opportunity to fail.

Unfortunately for the Pirates, Polanco faltered badly after a strong start. That said, I am not criticizing them for going with him as the starter to open the 2015 season. I never said they were foolish to rely on him. I said Snider has enough value that it was a mistake to unload him in a cost-cutting move and only part of that value is as insurance behind Polanco.

 

Okay. Football's done. Time to move this thread back up to the top and ask the legit question: Why the hell has James Shields not signed anywhere?

 

I'm wondering if his postseason shortcomings are scaring teams off.

 

Really? You think teams would put that much stock in such a short sample?

 

What's he asking for?

32 years old with eight consecutive 200+ IP seasons, only once had an ERA under 3.15 ... I don't see a lot of wisdom in going long on him. Big pitcher contracts don't pan out.

OTOH by him sitting out right now, he puts himself on speed-dial for anyone dealing with injuries or lack of recovery in spring. The Giants for instance have Hudson and Cain penciled in, and both of those guys are coming off significant operations.

 

He's 32 and probably asking for too much.

 

I think that's part of it. That and his age.

 

I wonder if the Pirates keep intentionally decide to lose.

 

There's been a pitcher like this the last two years: Kyle Lohse and Ervin Santana. Neither one signed before March 12.

Shields is probably the best of the three, but he's not a true No. 1 and pitched in two of the best pitching parks in the game in his career. He's not worth what he's reportedly been asking for ($110 million over five years).

 

Spring training can't come fast enough for me. Neither can spring.

 

Another knee surgery for Victor Martinez. Torn meniscus, so not as severe as torn ACL, but still might miss start of season:

Victor Martinez To Undergo Knee Surgery – MLB Trade Rumors

 

The Tigers have some serious issues. Seems like there is a chance that Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez could both be out of the lineup opening day and they seem to be counting heavily on Verlander bouncing back to pick up the rotation with Scherzer gone.