OT: Thoughts on rumored Mike Jacobs deal and the potential impact for us

by toonsterwu on Oct 30, 2008 1:21 AM CDT

Wanted to put an off-topic discussion in. Per Joe Frisaro of the Marlins mlb.com site and Bob Dutton of the Star, the Marlins are close to shipping Mike Jacobs off for Leo Nunez.

This one surprises me. Yes, we all knew that, despite the rhetoric about how they didn't have to deal anyone, the Marlins likely would (particularly since they have some ready chips to slot in - Gaby Sanchez at first should be fine).

Jacobs carried a .247/.299/.514 line last year. He hammered righties to a tune of .257/.315/.542 and hit better on the road with a .258/.325/.547 line. Not exactly a stud first baseman, but certainly a guy that, if utilized correctly, could be a nice piece on a club. He had an interesting 2007 as well (although the statistics were a bit different in some noticeable areas).

Thus, I'm a bit surprised that the return if Leo Nunez. Decent pen arm, runs it up there in the mid-90's, but really, a run of the mill middle reliever as of now. My reaction is, that's it?

So what does this have to do with us? No, I'm not suggesting we should've made a run at Jacobs. We have Micah for a reason. Rather, I'm wondering what it says about the Hermida market. Certainly, as always, each trade needs to be judged within it's own environment, but you can certainly draw some inferences on value. Furthermore, the Marlins might not even move Hermida, and a corner OF with upside certainly has more value than an average 1st baseman in his prime.

That said, I can't help but wonder if this is some sort of signal that the price on Hermida might not be that high. I certainly still hope that we push hard on Hermida, as I think he fits for what we need (cheap RF lefthanded option) and has upside to boot.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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somewhere

i read that loria was increasing payroll enough to cover the arb raises.

I BELIEVE!!!! GO CUBBIES!!!!!!!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Oct 30, 2008 6:28 AM CDT reply actions

yes

they are bumping it up to 40 mil, but they are still likely to clear some guys, with Kevin Gregg likely next to be moved. They’ll probably wait on the Hermida situation, and Uggla seems less likely than ever to be moved.

by toonsterwu on Oct 30, 2008 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions

Jacobs

Bad fielder and can’t hit a pitch above the waste.

I wouldn’t read too much into what they get for him.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 30, 2008 6:45 AM CDT reply actions

*waist

gah

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 30, 2008 6:45 AM CDT up reply actions

I've only been following this...

in passing, but it’s struck me as akin to the Lee-esque dump. Most teams were not high on Jacobs, and I don’t think the Marlins wanted to get stuck with him in arbitration. I mean, it would help if the guy took a walk once in a while, and I’d argue he’s at best average defensively.

Hermida is a bit different. The Marlins may still be forced to sell low, but I’d expect a more robust market for him. There’s a feeling that Jacobs is a finished product, while Hermida is still developing, and viewed as having more potential.

by Damen Jackson on Oct 30, 2008 8:10 AM CDT reply actions

Don't disagree

Hence why I think we can only draw some inferences, as noted in the post. I’m not suggesting Hermida will only cost a Nunez return, rather I’m wondering if the return is going to be less than expected.

Keep in mind that the scouting reports on Hermida were universally poor this year, despite his home/away split. Stuff about him not being passionate and not developing.

by toonsterwu on Oct 30, 2008 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions

Those are the very reports

that I fear will scare off a Lou-appeasing Hendry.

I do think you’re right and I wonder if a straight swap of Pie-Hermida is doable. Gloriously better would be a Theriot-Hermida swap if Uggla is also traded.

The author of this post is not a certified scout, doctor, agent, statistician, manager, or journalist, nor was he ever a very good player, though he tried very hard to be like Ryne Sandberg and was about as scrappy as it gets (in T-ball). Any opinion expressed above should in no way be confused with fact, truth, or reality and is hereby qualified in the following ways: 1) The author does not know as much about baseball as Lou Piniella. 2) The author does not know as much about baseball as Jim Hendry. 3) The author does not know as much about baseball as either Dusty or Darren Baker.

by DGU on Oct 30, 2008 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions

OT:The Popups

Now these things are going across the main text of the fanposts and sometimes there is no way to close/move them. The only way that I can rid of them is by reloading the page and sometimes I have to do it multiple times. Is anybody else experiencing this? Usually, you can close the ads by for some reason I have not gotten that option in some cases. Stop the Insanity…

"Sports are a crazy business. If there was a template, we'd all be champions, right? But there's one winner and 29 or 30 losers; one guy wins, everybody else is tied for last. That's the way it works" -- Mark Cuban

by TheRiot Police on Oct 30, 2008 8:25 AM CDT reply actions

The ads...

… are blocking posts on almost every page. It’s not just BCB, it’s on almost all the SBN sites. I have sent an email to the tech people to let them know.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Oct 30, 2008 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions

We've been invaded!!!!!

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Oct 30, 2008 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions

They're working on the problem.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Oct 30, 2008 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks Al...

It seems to be better at the moment…

by TheRiot Police on Oct 30, 2008 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions

The trade is done...

Jacobs is a Royal. I could see him still being flipped, though. Not sure I want his .299 OBP in my lineup.

In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this? -Oysterband

by Ross on Oct 30, 2008 11:54 AM CDT reply actions

Jacobs...

… is a lifetime .271/.337/.495 hitter away from Miami. In Kauffman Stadium, that likely instantly makes him a better hitter.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Oct 30, 2008 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm here right outside of KC...

…and the sports radios are full of chatter that say both (1) congrats to the Royals for making this deal, it instantly makes their anemic offense better, and (2) everyone’s wondering if there’s a larger trade in the works here.

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Oct 30, 2008 12:24 PM CDT reply actions

Wow, for Leo Nunez?

The Marlins clearly are still in salary-dump mode. Nunez is a decent reliever, but Jacobs — who seems well suited for DH — could become a real star in KC.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Oct 30, 2008 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

You think Gordon could move?

I know he’s not their primary 1B, but they have Teahen who can play 3B. The Royals have a lot of 1B, but most are young and unproven, so a “larger trade” to me would imply one with a bigger-name player, not Shealy or Butler.

Or could Teahen be on the move?

by varrys on Oct 30, 2008 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions

KC radios had the owner on today

and he said Gordon, Soria, Meche, and Bannister were untouchables; I think his actual words were “staying put” or something to that effect. Hard to believe he didn’t mention Greinke or Aviles, who really was more than a blip on the radar this year (I think he was second in VORP behind Soto for rookies). No one here likes Guillen – surprise – and Butler’s job may be in question now that Jacobs is here. I see Jacobs really blossoming in this place, but we have a whole off-season to discuss that.

Dan

Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.

by dtpollitt on Oct 30, 2008 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions