Miguel Batista - to STL or KC?

Kodiak · 12-05-2006, 03:14 PM

I'm so excited

Quote:

Ken Rosenthal / FOXSports.com
Posted: 60 minutes ago

The Royals have offered free-agent right-hander Miguel Batista a three-year, $24 million contract, but Batista also is receiving strong interest from the Cardinals, FOXSports.com has learned.

By signing the 35-year-old Batista, the Cardinals would protect themselves against the possible loss of one of their two free-agent right-handers, Jeff Suppan and Jeff Weaver.
The Royals, who also are pursuing free-agent right-hander Gil Meche, are seeking a veteran stabilizer for their rotation. Meche is expected to land with the Cubs or Blue Jays.

I could think of a lot better ways to blow that kind of money. Let the Royals overpay for him. This guy will cost twice as much (yearly) as Kip Wells (when pitchers get these big deals it makes me so glad we've got Walt on our side. That Wells signing was pure genius)? What is this world coming to!!!

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6239412

Kodiak · 12-05-2006, 03:20 PM

Also taken from the Fox Sports website....

Quote:

Pitching
No pitcher shook off Blue Jays catchers more than Batista, who throughout his career has alternated between falling too much in love with his fastball and cut fastball and not using them enough. Batista can hit 95 MPH with his four-seam fastball and has a wide repertoire, but his sinking fastball and cutter should be his bread and butter. Ultimately, his success as a closer will depend on his ability to decide which offspeed pitch he best throws and then sticking with it.

Defense
Batista is a good athlete who is quick off the mound and seems more self-confident and less prone to brain cramps than earlier in his career. He uses a slide step with men on base and continued to improve markedly in that phase of the game, allowing just nine of 20 opposing baserunners to steal successfully in 2004.

Visions of Jason Marquis flash in my mind. Could Duncan get through to Batista what he failed to do with Marquis? If we sign him then hopefully he'll actually listen to Dunc.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/playerS...tegoryId=85967

BleacherBum593 · 12-05-2006, 03:24 PM

For $2 mil more a year we could get Soup back.

Trade Juan "The Glider" Encarncion and we'll have the money. Bunch of teams looking for corner OF'ers (Padres are the latest) and Juan is realitively cheap by FA standards this year.

Kodiak · 12-05-2006, 03:31 PM

That would make too much sense Bleach...

BleacherBum593 · 12-05-2006, 03:37 PM

That figures. They must have used all those dollars and "senses" in the Carpenter contract extension and don't have any left over.

Kodiak · 12-05-2006, 03:40 PM

HAHAHAHA

Codered · 12-05-2006, 03:45 PM

For that kind of money I hope the Cards sign him. The market is flat out insane this off-season!

GoCrazyFolks · 12-05-2006, 04:34 PM

The same sentiment is echoed here http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotsto...ory?id=2686831

Quote:

2:55 p.m., from Jerry Crasnick
• A source at the meetings said that St. Louis and Kansas City are both going hard after free-agent righty Miguel Batista.

I'm with the majority, I hope these talks work out...for the Royals.

Nighthawk · 12-05-2006, 07:23 PM

Once again, I find myself pulling against management. Go KC!

12-05-2006, 03:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
Codered Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 148	For that kind of money I hope the Cards sign him. The market is flat out insane this off-season! __________________ Save us Jay Cutler....

12-05-2006, 07:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
Nighthawk Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 2,612	Once again, I find myself pulling against management. Go KC! __________________ "Whenever the word 'fair' features so prominently in legislation, the odds are that it is economically illiterate" -Rich Lowery What am I doing with your tax money? Sustaining the realm according to caprice.

12-05-2006, 03:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
BleacherBum593 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Louis (LF Bleachers) Posts: 1,833	For $2 mil more a year we could get Soup back. Trade Juan "The Glider" Encarncion and we'll have the money. Bunch of teams looking for corner OF'ers (Padres are the latest) and Juan is realitively cheap by FA standards this year.

12-05-2006, 03:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kodiak Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 746	That would make too much sense Bleach...

12-05-2006, 03:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
BleacherBum593 Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: St Louis (LF Bleachers) Posts: 1,833	That figures. They must have used all those dollars and "senses" in the Carpenter contract extension and don't have any left over.

12-05-2006, 03:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kodiak Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 746	HAHAHAHA