Will the Bucs sign a free agent during Spring Training

fjk090852-7 · Post by **fjk090852-7** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 1:45 am

Last year the Bucs signed Matt Joyce and David Freese during the early stages of spring training and I have to wonder if they can sign a player or two during this years camp. This off season has been so quiet except for the Nova and Hudson signings, and I think they need at least one more veteran pitcher,and possibly one more bench player before Opening Day in Boston.

Quail · Post by **Quail** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 3:18 am

I look at mid to late Spring Training signings like the old department store bargain basement. It was mostly filled with worthless junk but every once in a while a valuable item was overlooked and could be had at a great price. I'll bet NH is already salivating with anticipation. I think there's a good chance of him signing a player or two.

mouse · Post by **mouse** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 11:11 am

Or players holding out for more money, just realizing that it isn't coming.

OrlandoMerced · Post by **OrlandoMerced** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 12:59 pm

Maybe bring Doug Fister back to the NL?

DemDog · Post by **DemDog** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 2:11 pm

Hey what about Pedro? Huh Dog?

mouse · Post by **mouse** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 4:08 pm

Here's the guy - experienced pitcher

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/bria ... all-020917

dogknot17@yahoo.co · Post by **dogknot17@yahoo.co** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 4:32 pm

43626A436860070 wrote: Hey what about Pedro? Huh Dog? ;)

I would go after the other Oriole: Matt Weiters.

Why is he still out there? I know he is a Boras guy, but he is still better than a bunch of starting catchers.

Would he accept a back up role? He is better than Stewart. Weiters defense has always been good too. Not many passed balls.

He is also a switch hitter. Played a few innings at 1B (I think). He also worked well with a bunch of young pitchers in Baltimore. The Pirates should have drafted him, now they can just sign him.

(I would take Pedro, but it isn't going to happen)

DemDog · Post by **DemDog** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 4:42 pm

4A41494540415A1F196E574F464141004D412E0 wrote: Hey what about Pedro? Huh Dog? ;)

I would go after the other Oriole: Matt Weiters.

Why is he still out there? I know he is a Boras guy, but he is still better than a bunch of starting catchers.

Would he accept a back up role? He is better than Stewart. Weiters defense has always been good too. Not many passed balls.

He is also a switch hitter. Played a few innings at 1B (I think). He also worked well with a bunch of young pitchers in Baltimore. The Pirates should have drafted him, now they can just sign him.

(I would take Pedro, but it isn't going to happen)

Well Dog, your suggestion is just that. I think Weiters wants to start and be paid for that. His versatility is okay but not great. Can't speak for his defense but his hitting has taken a dip the last couple years. For now I say pass.

SammyKhalifa · Post by **SammyKhalifa** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 4:49 pm

A little primer:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/03/2 ... gents.html

Updated 2-8-17

Catchers

Steve Clevenger (31)

Dioner Navarro (33)

A.J. Pierzynski (40)

Matt Wieters (31)

First Basemen

Ryan Howard (37)

Chris Johnson (32)

Adam Lind (33)

Jerry Sands (29)

Second Basemen

Aaron Hill (35)

Kelly Johnson (35)

Tyler Ladendorf (29)

Chase Utley (38)

Third Basemen

Aaron Hill (35)

Shortstops

Alexei Ramirez (35)

Left Fielders

Jeff Francoeur (33)

Jonny Gomes (36)

Craig Gentry (33)

Cole Gillespie (33)

Angel Pagan (35)

Ryan Raburn (36)

Nolan Reimold (33)

Center Fielders

Michael Bourn (34)

Sam Fuld (35)

Right Fielders

Marlon Byrd (39)

Franklin Gutierrez (34)

Designated Hitters

Pedro Alvarez (30)

Billy Butler (31)

Jonny Gomes (36)

Ryan Howard (37)

Adam Lind (33)

Justin Morneau (36)

Starting Pitchers

Henderson Alvarez (27)

Jorge De La Rosa (36)

Nathan Eovaldi (27)

Doug Fister (33)

Matt Harrison (30)

Edwin Jackson (33)

Mat Latos (29)

Colby Lewis (37)

Tim Lincecum (33)

Jon Niese (30)

Jarrod Parker (28)

Jake Peavy (36)

Alfredo Simon (36)

Jered Weaver (34)

Jerome Williams (35)

C.J. Wilson (36)

Travis Wood (30)

Right-Handed Relievers (Italics denote active closers)

Aaron Barrett (29)

Joe Blanton (36)

David Hernandez (32)

Luke Hochevar (33)

Tommy Hunter (30)

Edwin Jackson (33)

Kevin Jepsen (32)

Seth Maness (28)

Peter Moylan (38)

Jonathan Papelbon (36)

Carlos Villanueva (33)

Chien-Ming Wang (37)

Tom Wilhelmsen (33)

Jerome Williams (35)

Left-Handed Relievers (Italics denote active closers)

Chris Capuano (38)

Charlie Furbush (30)

Travis Wood (30)

Not sure how accurate the list is, but of those I think bringing back Joe Blanton might be a reasonable idea. We've been linked to Eovaldi too but I thought he was already accounted for.

dogknot17@yahoo.co · Post by **dogknot17@yahoo.co** » Thu Feb 09, 2017 4:55 pm

Among catchers, he was still above average with his down year. He is better than Stewart for sure. Probably better than a handful of other teams' starting catchers too (Mets, nationals, Rockies, Rays, Angels, Diamondbacks, White Sox, Orioles). And even more back ups.

I would rather see him pinch hit (I think back up catchers should be used more for pinch hitting in general) than Jaso and Hanson. Maybe even Frazier at times/situations.