Comments on: Organizational Rankings: #22

By: Randy T.

Randy T. — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 12:45:38 +0000

I think it was an okay trade, and I have to say that Miguel Cabrera stopped hurting the team with his glove once he made the transition to first base. I have hated the fact that they threw in Dontrelle from the beginning, due mainly to the fact that he can’t perform and hes making more than anyone in the rotation.

By: Rob in CT

Rob in CT — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:59:10 +0000

Was DD responsible for the offer the Tigers made to Juan Gonzalez? That would’ve been awful, but Juan Gone saved them by rejecting it.

By: manifestus

manifestus — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 09:46:10 +0000

The whole point is that it comes down to talent evaluation combined with money. Jeff seems to continue to miss the blatantly obvious point that throwing chunks of money out there doesn’t solve anything when the (as he stated) not-so-stellar GM is still at the helm making those decisions. Yes, once in awhile even the dumbest GM can make an awesome signing by dumb luck. The extra 20 million you focus on is useless when you throw it at garbage. Given that based on past performance we shouldn’t expect said money to be used optimally, it’s a better bet that it’ll likely be a close-to-moot point. And what the heck is a number 2 starting pitcher? Someone quantify said fiscal value of this mystical concept …

Back to the GM point. You first mention that D.D. has an eye for talent, then note that he also extend stupid contracts … the contracts are stupid only if it doesn’t fit the talent level. Which indicates a not-so-great-eye-for-talent. That is, extending a Sizemore or Pujols to uber-contracts is a smart move. Extending Bloomquist on a monster contract is retarded. Approaching this like a gambler with deep pockets and an inability to differentiate Pujols from Bloomquist makes your “eye” for talent a bit humorous.

Money in the draft … well yes and no. They will be able to (or unable to) rebuild their farm system based on proper evaluation of talent and ability to sign and … a myriad of factors. And dumb luck as well. This isn’t exactly the NFL where every prospect jumps into the fray like Olerud. This can lead to spectacular flame-outs and so forth. Not to mention good teams will sign those players regardless. You mentioned Price; Tampa didn’t pass on Price for good reason, and they aren’t on your list of uber-money teams. If there is a legit surefire talent, you’d better bet on well-run teams signing those players.

I’d go on but my fingers are getting tired from typing the same obvious crap that everyone before me has seemingly already attempted to drill into your head.

PS. I apologize for coming off as a dick, but it’s unavoidable after having read the piles of nutty text.

By: Chip

Chip — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 19:03:26 +0000

I don’t understand the thinking that a GM can be great in the FA market, but terrible in re-signing his own players. Isn’t it basically the same concept, evaluating MLB veterans? I’m just wondering how much of the fact that DD has done noticeably better in the FA market than in re-signing his own players is just coin-flipping?

By: George

George — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 02:04:49 +0000

I think Dombrowski has a GREAT track record of picking what free agents to sign. It’s when he extends or resigns his own players that he makes mistakes. As Jeff pointed out, Dombrowski’s big name signings were Pudge Rodriguez, Kenny Rogers, and Magglio Ordonez, which I think were all good signings. Maggs and Pudge worked out better than anyone could have hoped. Rogers was good in ‘06 and was good before he got hurt in ‘07. He was horrbile in ‘08, but once again, he was resigned for 2008.

Dombrowksi = good free agents signings + horrible resignings and extentions + mixed trade results.

Some trades he made were great. Getting Polanco for a guy who is in a South American Prison! Others not so great. Giving up Jurrjens, a solid number 3 starting pitcher for Renteria in the year he decided to lose half his range and forget how to hit.

I personally think that this Jeff guy was right on some his points. The Lackey for $10,000,000 thing isn’t as laughable as some of you are letting on. What did Dunn sign for this year? Like 5 million per year? And he has hit 40 homers for like 5 years straight!!!!!!

By: vivaelpujols

vivaelpujols — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 06:49:09 +0000

that was a terrible, terrible trade

By: Ray

Ray — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 04:42:46 +0000

Agreed. 10 mil a year is carlos silva money

nuff said.

By: Ray

Ray — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 04:28:24 +0000

5 Flyball pitchers + the league’s worst fielding outfield = a .500 season (at best)

By: The Typical Idiot Fan

The Typical Idiot Fan — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 01:36:48 +0000

Jeff,

“Good relief arms” is not the same thing as “perceived premiere closers”. As important as having a bullpen ace is, you have to have 5 other dudes who can pitch as well.

The closer is the most overappreciated role player in the game. Just because some teams overspent to get one doesn’t make them more valuable.

Not to toot my team’s horn or anything, but the Mariners have been particularly good these last few seasons of just finding arms off the scrap heap and turning them into a bullpen. If you like, go hire Bill Bavasi. It was the one thing he was good at.

By: Wally

Wally — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 00:33:34 +0000

And I spent far too much riding Jeff’s ars. (yes that one’s for you Ddave) Now I’m working over the weekend….