It'll probably involve some creativity, unless they can find a good match for a player who is useful but kind of overpriced, like Shields. But there are any number of package arrangements that could be imagined. Really hard to predict.

I don't know, but I like where your head is at asking for guys like Velasquez and McCullers. Not likely you'll get them, but maybe you can pry loose their equivalent that hasn't yet reached the majors.

Every reason to aim high for Giles. I don't think he's quite worth that, mind you -- those two guys might be stud relievers themselves if they dont' stick in the rotation -- but why not try?

Tim and Zach will be there. REPORTING LIVE ... or, more likely, enjoying drinks in the hotel lobby.

Probably neither.

I see them as the best fit for Ian Desmond. Unless or until something changes -- e.g., some other club makes a trade that lines them up -- I like that fit best. Not saying it's perfect, but it's the most plausible IMO.

As I understand it, when a former arb player ends up dropping back in salary b/c they are released or non-tendered and then sign for a lower amount, and then is tendered later on down the line, that sets up a matter for discussion/negotiation: what is the right base #? Seems they did go with his original number in this case, and you are right that our projection assumed they'd use the more recent amount.

Won't count it out after hearing Mr. Money Bags Illitch's comments recently. Maybe they'll make a run at corner OF. Honestly I'm not real sure how to handicap that at this point, but if he's really willing to go over the luxury tax level, then sure, they could.

Believe they should. He'd bring back something good. I'm thinking you could legitimately ask for a couple of significant prospects. Like, the Craig Kimbrel return is the type of package I guess I'd have thought more likely for a guy like Frazier than for Kimbrel.

No idea! But it's fun to feel the tension all day long, isn't it?

I liked him to the Red Sox. Now? I wonder if the Dbacks could still end up being the spot. He decided to look for more $, but maybe they still have the best offer at the end of the day. Or maybe they find a way to increase it.

Otherwise, could still see the Giants or Dodgers chasing him if they miss on Greinke -- not that I'd expect it necessarily. Maybe Cubs or Cards, though that doesn't feel right for some reason.

Market value.

They have come up in so many rumors with different teams on the controlled starters, especially Carrasco, that I kind of think they'll get something done. Now, maybe it's just a staring contest between them and the Braves with Shelby Miller -- who'll bite first on what's out there for the taking -- but I feel like other teams will be more motivated to get Carrasco. So I still see CLE in the driver's seat there.

The Marlins LOVE Dee Gordon. No chance. Especially when both arms are injured.

I feel like I answered this question already at some point. But it bears emphasis.

Seems to be sitting behind Zobrist in the pecking order. Haven't heard anything specific, so the same analytically-inspired matches (e.g. Angels) still are the best I can offer on him.

Pollock. Much better recent history, CF.

They already signed three starters. Likely pretty quiet from here on out. Sorry, you got your excitement in Oct and Nov.

Maybe they'll trade Ben Revere at some point?

I think they're rolling with Sano in the corner OF. Ryan was fairly clear about that recently. Don't see them chasing Bruce.

I've begun thinking about the Pirates more and more, and they look really interesting to me. They've got Walker and (even more likely) Melancon to deal. Alvarez off the books. Need starters especially. Should be fun to see what they do.

As for a Walker return, I'd think maybe a good, reasonably priced reliever? A high-upside lower-level prospect? Near to the bigs prospect that has had injury issues or scuffled a bit?

With one year and at his price, there isn't huge value. But some teams would rather trade for him than give the same or more annually to a guy like Kendrick or Murphy over 4 years.

I see him pitching his way into my heart.

Seriously, I'm excited to see what happens. Was very surprised at all the jokes today about him going to Japan or getting a minor league deal, if he's lucky.

Cliff Lee is amazing. He was amazing at all times in recent memory. He had the injury, tried to come back, had a major setback. This isn't a guy who has a lengthy, constant track record of unreliability. He's not an old dude who's been gone for like 3 years. He was really good in 2014!

No sure thing, but there's so much upside that there will be lots of interest, I expect.

What should he have been doing, pitching terribly with a serious injury? He tried to come back. The surgery, if he had it, wasn't exactly going to give him time to reestablish value and become a big trade chip.

Sorry, that's just the risk they took when they signed him. And the $12.5MM buyout on the option? Well, that's what happens when you push money to the back of a deal.

I still like the idea of a reverse Clippard deal. I.e., he gets a solid but not cheap reliever. Nats just need a lot of pen arms.

Could see clubs like the Whie Sox and Angels having interest. He's not all that valuable, but he's useful, esp because he can play SS and thus kind of reduces the need for a pure utility guy.

You want Kelly Johnson to play first base for the Mets for three years? Sounds risky.

Seriously, though, I don't see them moving Duda. He's a nice fit right now in terms of salary and production. Could see Lagares going back to another club in a deal to add a regular CF, though his value is obviously down.

Nope.

Flexible situation. They can let that all work itself out. If Bourjos emerges, could be a trade chip. He could help shore things up if Odubel stumbles. Nice guy to have on that roster right now.

Yeah, let's not underestimate the value of a guy like that. Not far removed from 3+ win seasons.

Perkins. They paid him for that job. They should add a good set-up arm or two, though.

I do, good upside play. Not much risk. They can always reverse course on the Sano-in-OF experiment and trade Plouffe if need be.

When you engineer a much-hyped transition and were already considered a star exec before that, and market prices are driving north, you have to set the market, right? I bet he will.

Not sure if it'll happen, but I think that's the right value range for an Ozuna return. Maybe there's a bit too much uncertainty with Paxton, but if the Marlins felt good about his work in the AFL, maybe it could work.

Of course, not sure the M's are lined up to do that now after adding multiple OFers.

See! It's not prejudice. I'm doing my best, everyone.

Only way to learn is by trying.

That would be quite a haul. I'd certainly pull the trigger if Dombrowski offered that to me.

You know, that's a tough rumor to judge, but I'd be stunned if he's getting any offer of more than 6 years. Still think he's a five year guy. As for how much $? I don't know. We'll see. We're hearing a lot of big numbers, but we also heard some Ervin Santana $100MM chatter a few years back.

Will wait to even think about that until I hear some reasonable suggestion of how/why.

Nope

That's a big package, but did you just say Mike Trout? Yeah sign me up, Mike. No way you'll get it done, but you've done amazing work if you even got Eppler/Moreno thinking about moving a guy who might be one of the greatest players of all time in mid-prime.

Yeah, the Sox look like the next most likely team to SDP at this point. But his market is still quite murky, best I can tell.

I wouldn't expect any teams to come calling with a huge return to offer, if that's what you're wondering. Sure, he's a sneaky valuable guy, but not someone (as things stand) who I'd expect to generate any kind of bidding war.

Is a lefty or right pitching for the other team?

Nah.

No, I don't think he is.

I think Gordon is a 95-105MM type of value player right now. Not sure I see BAL giving out a team record deal to a guy who is that old.

My guess right now is the Nats. He has ties to the region, they have the need. Though I'm not sure if they are really going to go to four years. Maybe someone else has a higher offer and they are hoping he'll take a slight discount.

Sounds like Wil Myers will slot in at first. A Davis signing would be a stunner.

Sure. He's not even been posted yet, though, so we don't have a very good idea of his market.

I was emailing about this with Tim and Steve recently. Here's the thing: all of the rules are unfair in one way or another. MLB is rich and the players have a strong union, so they are able to balance it out fairly well, but that still mostly benefits established big leaguers.

For smaller leagues like the KBO -- much like, say, Major League Soccer -- there are a lot more controls on salaries and player movement and the players just have less sway. That's in large part b/c the league, somewhat rightly, needs the control to get by.

In this case, the root unfairness of the KBO posting comes from the really long control rights that KBO teams get. These guys can't just say "fine, then I'll wait til next year and I'll be a free agent at 27 years old." So, it's more complicated bc there are domestic implications in Korea

That being said, it would be nice if they moved to something like the new Japanese system.

I know there was a report suggesting they might be leaning against, but I don't think the market is shifting that quickly. I think they probably will. It's far from certain, but it seems like there's some good momentum towards a deal.