He's Back! Return of the Kid - Series Thread

[PositivePaul]

Originally Posted by bedir than average

He's got it right, a Griffey addition can't be the only move.

No, definitely not. But the 95 M's OPS+, even w/Edgar having an MVP season (~.500 OBP, ~.675 SLG), is exactly the same right now as the 2007 M's. Throwing' Griffey's 141 OPS+ in place of Guillen's 99 or Vidro's 95, would do wonders, I would think. Plus, you know, Sexson's 2nd half surge, which is sort of showing signs of happening...

I 100% agree that pitching is a must. But, it's also a must for everybody. Ditching Guillen and shifting Raul --> DH, and bringing Jones up, plus adding Griffey (even though he's average, at best, in the OF) would immensely improve the OF defense, which, of course, also improves, the 'pitching' (more like the run prevention side of the total equation).

But, yeah. Add Griffey and a solid SP (Lilly, Arroyo, Buehrle, etc...) and Griffey could lead the "Screw the wild card!" charge this time around...

[Goose]

A couple of things I took from that interview that caught my eye.

1.He still hates having the roof open. I remember in 99 that he always whined about that. Seems nothing has changed on that front.

2. If he comes back, it won't be in trade, it'll be in signing. He sounds like he wants to finish his time in Cinncinati first, which I completely agree with.

For one thing, trading for him is likely going to cost more talent than the Mariners should be giving up. Especially for an area that isn't a glaring problem(offense). For another, it just isn't realistic or feasible. Your not going to make Jose Vidro a bench bat with the money he's making. Your just not. And before you say "Well we can just trade Guillen". Well that doesn't work either, because then your blocking Adam Jones permanently. Ichiro flat out said that Griffey was his hero when he was a teenager, so if you bring Griffey back, Ichiro stays. Which means Jones is blocked till at least 2009. And I am not willing to trade Adam Jones for Griffey(essentially).

Which is why if your going to do it, you should sign him as a FA.His contract runs out after the 2008 season, and the Reds have a 2009 option with a $4.5 Million buyout(I believe, correct me if I'm wrong). So at the most he's a FA after 2009. By then, Vidro is gone and Ibanez is gone. Now you have somewhere to put him. And by then Adam Jones has likely established himself as an everyday player. Another reason to sign him, is that you could potentially get him at a cheaper price. If he's really serious about retiring as a Mariner, if I'm Bavasi(or whoever is our GM is 2009), I'm telling him "Look, we want you to come back, you want to retire here, let's make it happen. However, your 39 years old, in a decline, and are highly injury prone. We're not paying you what the Reds paid you." If he really wants to come back, he'll take a discount. If not, then he shouldn't be here anyways.

[Timberwolf]

There is a lot of deferred money in his contract. The Reds would have to pay him off at the time of the trade. I'd love to have him back tomorrow if the Reds were giving him away, but that isn't happening. We waited eight years to see this weekend. we can wait another year and a half to welcome him home permanently.

[bedir than average]

Goose, I said it somewhere else, but I should say it here as well.

If the Mariners are to deal for him, they should do so as if he is an aging 37 year old corner outfielder who has a long history of injury and though resurgent hasn't been good for a while. That is his price. They should not deal for him as if he's The Kid, that's just a side benefit.

Plus with his 10-5, just maybe he's about to play a familiar tune, in reverse.

And I've stated this as well, but just to be clear I want to find a way that the OF is Jones-Ichiro-Griffey with Ibanez as the DH. I am a fan of recognizing sunk costs and hope this organization figures that theory out (particularly with a Vidro and Weaver)

As for the deferred money, it is my understanding that by contract the deferments had a certain amount (somewhere around 3.5M$) in escrow by the team that has him under contract at that time. There is also a one time payout of ~30M$ due in like 2020 or somesuch.

If the Mariners acquired him it would only be with 1.5years worth of deferments, at 6M$ to payout, but he would only be paid about 6M$ per year, as well as a the likely buyout at the end of 2008

[Chris]

This team needs a number 3 hitter. Griffey is a true number three hitter.

[Wiggen]

I'd love to have Griffey's bat in the lineup on a daily basis. As a DH. He's an average outfielder now, at best, and a risk for the DL every time he runs after a fly ball.

I'd love to see an outfield next year of Jones, Ichiro, and Balentien, as long as Ichiro doesn't cost silly money.

[bedir than average]

Wiggen, you'd put Ibanez where?

[coachjeff]

The Answer is K.

It's probably a stupid baseball move. An aging, 37 year old, injury-prone, expensive outfielder. I don't care. K is my favorite player ever and my heart rules my head on this issue. K can still put fans in the seats and balls over the fence. He is an upgrade in our lineup on Guillen, and is miles better than Vidro.

Keep Ibanez in left. Rotate DH and RF with Griffey, Vidro and Guillen.

The only "drawback" is that it might cost WFB playing time if we acquire another outfielder. Oh wait, that's not a drawback.

Bedir is right about the price to pay. Cincinatti is looking for salary relief, so we do not send Jones or Clement as part of any deal. Balentien and a B pitching prospect is fair market value for K. If we can deal a pitching prospect Ryan Rowland-Smith? instead of Balentien, then fine. If it brings K home, I'm all for it.

[bedir than average]

From the Cinci Enquirer

A reporter asked if Griffey wanted to go back to Seattle. "I can't answer that without getting myself in trouble," Griffey said.

Mateo would have value to the Reds, and if a deal is done he deserves a second chance, as does his family.

[bedir than average]

Rumor out of cinci, with some Timmy Kirkjian corroboration is that the teams are talking.

Griffey to Seattle? - RedsZone.com - Cincinnati Reds Fans' Home for Baseball Discussion

Prospect Insider - » PI Party Details

It wouldn't be the deadline without this kind of thing.