Tomorrow is the beginning of the NBA free agent period, and after the abortion that was the mav's draft (prince abu-abu?), the only hope for retooling the Mav's roster now lies in the hands of Donnie Nelson and Mark Cuban to open up the pay check and find some guys that will help get this team back to the elite level.
Nobody knows, and I haven't even heard many rumors about the Mav's off season plan. They may be playing it close to the vest, as they hope not spoil their big plans, or they may still think Dirk + Guys = Championship, but lord I hope not.
The Free Agent crop this year is good, but not great, and the Mav's have a (mostly) full mid level, and with Kidd's money coming off the books, a sign and trade could most deff happen. I don't expect them to get a top tier guy, but there are lot of helpful players out there. Here is what I would do.
Top Priority:
Secure the Point Guard. Either resign Jason Kidd, or get ready to roll with JJ and Terry running the point with a few min to the kidd from France they just drafted. If Kidd leaves, which he might, there are a few guys out there that could be had as stop gaps and play a decent roll, but none are on Kidds level. Guys like Jarrett Jack or the ageing Andre Miller. Either one of those guys, plus JJ would get you by, but it doesn't make you better even in the slightest.
Top Priority #2:
Find a Slasher who can score.
This has been the bane of the Mavericks as long as I have been watching them. They haven't had anybody (outside of one or two good years from Stack) that has no problem going to the rim, taking a foul, and the dreaded "create their own shot" ability. There aren't many guys in the league that can do this, so to say the pickings are slim would be an understatement, but there is most def room to improve here.
Lamar Odom or Trevor Ariza from LA could help, as they probably won't keep them both. Odom has the ability to be a top 15 guy, but lacks the discipline, and while Ariza's ceiling is lower, he works harder and plays good defence.
Ron Artest is another guy who can bring inconsistent play, but would add an air of toughness to this team that it lacks. The thought of him being apart of this class was almost unthinkable, but with the recent news of Yao Ming's foot possibly keeping the big man on the bench for another year, Artest may not want to stay in Houston if they have no chance at winning a title.
After these three, there is a slew of good role players, that would be about the same level as a healthy focused Josh Howard, but probably cost too much. Guys like Hedo Turkoglu(ball handling and jump shot,) Shawn Marion (defense and shooting), Hakim Warrick (rebounding and defence), and Marvin Williams (athleticism and rebounding). While all those guys are nice, they arn't worth the money they would command, except for maybe Williams, he might could be had on the cheep.
Pressing Needs #1
Back Court back up's.
Dirk is Dirk, and will be for the next several years, and we all know what we are going to get out of Damp, and with that in mind, the mav's need to have people behind these two guys to spell them some minutes and when Damp fouls way to much. Project one would be resigning Brandon Bass, but he might think he could start somewhere. If he leaves, guys like Charlie Villanueva, Antonio McDyess, and everybodys favorite Chris Andersen. I would take any of these four guys, as long as the price is right, and they don't' get locked into a bad contract.
Now that you know what I'm thinking, let me tell you what I would do.
PG - Resign Jason Kidd. 2 or 3 year deal, keep the Kidd - Dirk tandem as your core to make another push over the next 3 years.
SG - Marquis Daniels. Off him part of the mid level, share his min with the streaky Terry.
SF - Ron Artest. Trade Josh Howard away to Houston in a sign and trade, where they would use Howard to pair with T-Mac and get rid of the disgruntled star.
PF - Dirk
C - Damp
Bench - Just for the sake of it being easy, i would slightly overpay Bass to stay a mav.
Thought Number Two. If the Mav's can't resign Kidd, I go after Jarrod Jack or Andre Miller with my mid level, then go after Lamar Odom as had as I can. If that worked out, then the starting line up would be Jack, Howard, Odom, Dirk, Damp. that would at least be a step forward.
But we all know this wont happen. With Donnie running the ship, I'm pretty sure Memo Okur will end up on this team. Watch .
Showing posts with label Free Agents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Free Agents. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
NFL Free Agency already makes no sense
I'd make fun of him, but Cowboys fans aren't much better
So, NFL free agency started a day or so ago, and already there have been some things that have made me stop what I'm doing to blink a few times and wonder why people that aren't me get to be NFL general managers.
I think the case we're all looking at is the Cowboys's favorite rival in our nation's capitol, the Washington Redskins.
7 years, $100 Million for Albert Haynesworth
6 years, $54 Million for DeAngelo Hall
5 years, $26 Million for Derrick Dockery
Dan Snyder and Vinny Cerrato are the only two people on the planet that make Jerry Jones look like fucking Ron Wolf. Who are we kidding? Albert Haynesworth? This is Dana Stubblefield 2.0! DeAngelo Hall? The guy got kicked out of Oakland. OAKLAND! Derrick Dockery? I didn't like that guy when he was at Texas, and he underwhelemed a tortured fan base in Buffalo for a few years already.
Look, part of me is happy that Washington is going to be the paper champs again and die a slow slow death at the bottom of the division again, but you gotta be kidding me that people are going to keep putting up with Dan Snyder's dipshittery. Has he made a good acquisition in the past forever? I mean the best move this guy ever made? Sean Taylor, and he's dead.
If you ever scratch your head and wonder what the hell Jerry Jones is doing, never fear, Dan Snyder is always there to make you feel better.
Monday, November 12, 2007
MLB Free Agent Watch...
So, the Hot Stove season is upon us, I thought it'd be relevant to take a look at the 10 biggest names available through free agency, and then take a look at the Ranger impact going into next season.
My Top 10 Free Agents:
1) Alex Rodriguez
Ahh yes, who is willing to "pull a Tom Hicks" and cripple their franchise for 10 years in dropping what might go up to $350 million to sign the Dan Marino of baseball. My money is on the Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles Southern California
2) Jorge Posada
He'll stay in New York, let's not argue the issue.
3) Mike Lowell
After winning the world series in Boston, will they pay him? If they won't, do you think he'd seek greener (dollars) pastures and go to another AL East team that happens to need a 3B to play beside a older, herpes-ridden Derek Jeter? (I think he stays put in Douchetown, USA)
4) Torii Hunter
You know, Pat Lackey over at Fanhouse thinks signing Hunter is a bad idea. I disagree. Thought it's true, Hunter is 31 and is not exactly in the upswing of his career, you can't argue that he is one of the best center fielders in baseball, and he's worth the $15 million a year. Will he stay in the AL Central and go to the ChiSox or maybe he wants to come home?
5) Mariano Rivera
Mo Rivera is an interesting figure. When you think of the greatest closers of all time, doesn't Rivera's name come in with the biggest names in history? However, hasn't he been losing his killer instinct as of late? Used to be, you heard "Enter Sandman" and it was like "Hell's Bells" and Trevor Hoffman in San Diego, game over. Now? Not so much. In the end? He's staying in New York.
6) Barry Bonds
Ahh yes. San Fransisco doesn't want him. He doesn't want to "just be a DH". Who wants that PR nightmare? The Rangers picked up Sosa last year and he produced for them with limited distraction, but I don't think that'll fly with Bonds. I really can't put Bonds anywhere, but I don't see him DH-ing for Kansas City or something retarded like that.
7) Carlos Silva
Interested in a young, starting ground ball pitcher? I thought you were. Silva's going to have too many suitors to count, and it's going to be a pissing contest of dollars. Don't be surprised to see the east coast jump into the fray...Mets, Yankees, Orioles, etc.
8) Andrew Jones
Another Boras guy. Another quality center fielder, but one that had a down year last year in Atlanta. He'll stay in the National League. I could see him maybe going to play in Washington with Dmitri Young or out in LA with the Dodgers.
9) Kosuke Fukudome
This year's hot Japanese import. A quality defensive outfielder (corners or center), but this guy in an on-base machine with speed. Seeing as he is this year's Matsuzaka, you'll see a lot of teams going after him. Think of teams who need outfielders.
10) Fransisco "Coco" Cordero
When Coco was in Arlington, he was one of those closers who appeared to let team's come back to make it seem interesting and then he's close it out. Then he'd go cold and everyone would hate him. Then Jon Daniels traded him and Shrek for what amounted to Nelson Cruz. He'll stay in Brew town.
The Rangers need to go for....
Well, well, well, seems that now the Rangers have a bit of cash to play around with.
A-Rod opts out that gives $21.3 million to play with, Wilkerson's contract, Lofton's contract, just to name a few.
All in all, I'd say that Daniels and Hicks have about $40-50 million to play with this year.
Question is, what do they do?
Well, they can push Saltalamachhia to first and leave Laird at catcher, and that fills two holes. If they decide to put Salty at catcher, then they'll trade Laird and get pieces that way. They have a glaring hole in the outfield, questionable third base stamina with Blalock, and the normal pitching issues.
My hopes? The Rangers go to Japan and get Bobby Valentine to tell them who to get:
1) Kosuke Fukudome OF- They can get him significantly cheaper than Torii Hunter, he's younger, an on-base machine and how can you pass up his last name? Sure, it's really pronounced "Foo-koo-doe-may", but I will call him "Fuck You Do Me".
2) Hiroki Kuroda SP - He's not a guy who could start in front of Millwood, but he'd be a solid 3 or 4. The question is, isn't that where you want the Rangers to develop their own guys? Loe, McCarthy, Tejeda, Gabbard, Volquez, Diamond, etc. This is debatable
3) Hitoki Iwase CP - Gagne is gone and Otsuka is a decent setup guy. I'd rather get a younger, more polished closer and let Otsuka remain the setup guy. If you can get your starters to roll through 6 innings, then go Littleton - Otsuka - Iwase, I'd be happy.
The problem with all these Japanese guys is that Trey Hillman got hired in Kansas City. Trey Hillman is one of those up and coming managers and he's been in Japan slowly building his resume. He knows who to go for, and they'd be comfortable playing for him.
4) Torii Hunter CF - He's a local guy. He's proved what he can do. Fans love Torii Hunter. The Rangers have the money. Come on, it's too perfect not to do it.
5) Richie Sexon 1B - He's not a free agent, but the Rangers need some help at first if they aren't going to move Salty out there. Blalock has been working with Washington at third, so I'm not a fan of shifting Blalock over. Sexon might work out better in that role at first. He had a shitty year last year, so it ain't like he can't get better.
My Top 10 Free Agents:
1) Alex Rodriguez
Ahh yes, who is willing to "pull a Tom Hicks" and cripple their franchise for 10 years in dropping what might go up to $350 million to sign the Dan Marino of baseball. My money is on the Anaheim Angels of Los Angeles Southern California
2) Jorge Posada
He'll stay in New York, let's not argue the issue.
3) Mike Lowell
After winning the world series in Boston, will they pay him? If they won't, do you think he'd seek greener (dollars) pastures and go to another AL East team that happens to need a 3B to play beside a older, herpes-ridden Derek Jeter? (I think he stays put in Douchetown, USA)
4) Torii Hunter
You know, Pat Lackey over at Fanhouse thinks signing Hunter is a bad idea. I disagree. Thought it's true, Hunter is 31 and is not exactly in the upswing of his career, you can't argue that he is one of the best center fielders in baseball, and he's worth the $15 million a year. Will he stay in the AL Central and go to the ChiSox or maybe he wants to come home?
5) Mariano Rivera
Mo Rivera is an interesting figure. When you think of the greatest closers of all time, doesn't Rivera's name come in with the biggest names in history? However, hasn't he been losing his killer instinct as of late? Used to be, you heard "Enter Sandman" and it was like "Hell's Bells" and Trevor Hoffman in San Diego, game over. Now? Not so much. In the end? He's staying in New York.
6) Barry Bonds
Ahh yes. San Fransisco doesn't want him. He doesn't want to "just be a DH". Who wants that PR nightmare? The Rangers picked up Sosa last year and he produced for them with limited distraction, but I don't think that'll fly with Bonds. I really can't put Bonds anywhere, but I don't see him DH-ing for Kansas City or something retarded like that.
7) Carlos Silva
Interested in a young, starting ground ball pitcher? I thought you were. Silva's going to have too many suitors to count, and it's going to be a pissing contest of dollars. Don't be surprised to see the east coast jump into the fray...Mets, Yankees, Orioles, etc.
8) Andrew Jones
Another Boras guy. Another quality center fielder, but one that had a down year last year in Atlanta. He'll stay in the National League. I could see him maybe going to play in Washington with Dmitri Young or out in LA with the Dodgers.
9) Kosuke Fukudome
This year's hot Japanese import. A quality defensive outfielder (corners or center), but this guy in an on-base machine with speed. Seeing as he is this year's Matsuzaka, you'll see a lot of teams going after him. Think of teams who need outfielders.
10) Fransisco "Coco" Cordero
When Coco was in Arlington, he was one of those closers who appeared to let team's come back to make it seem interesting and then he's close it out. Then he'd go cold and everyone would hate him. Then Jon Daniels traded him and Shrek for what amounted to Nelson Cruz. He'll stay in Brew town.
The Rangers need to go for....
Well, well, well, seems that now the Rangers have a bit of cash to play around with.
A-Rod opts out that gives $21.3 million to play with, Wilkerson's contract, Lofton's contract, just to name a few.
All in all, I'd say that Daniels and Hicks have about $40-50 million to play with this year.
Question is, what do they do?
Well, they can push Saltalamachhia to first and leave Laird at catcher, and that fills two holes. If they decide to put Salty at catcher, then they'll trade Laird and get pieces that way. They have a glaring hole in the outfield, questionable third base stamina with Blalock, and the normal pitching issues.
My hopes? The Rangers go to Japan and get Bobby Valentine to tell them who to get:
1) Kosuke Fukudome OF- They can get him significantly cheaper than Torii Hunter, he's younger, an on-base machine and how can you pass up his last name? Sure, it's really pronounced "Foo-koo-doe-may", but I will call him "Fuck You Do Me".
2) Hiroki Kuroda SP - He's not a guy who could start in front of Millwood, but he'd be a solid 3 or 4. The question is, isn't that where you want the Rangers to develop their own guys? Loe, McCarthy, Tejeda, Gabbard, Volquez, Diamond, etc. This is debatable
3) Hitoki Iwase CP - Gagne is gone and Otsuka is a decent setup guy. I'd rather get a younger, more polished closer and let Otsuka remain the setup guy. If you can get your starters to roll through 6 innings, then go Littleton - Otsuka - Iwase, I'd be happy.
The problem with all these Japanese guys is that Trey Hillman got hired in Kansas City. Trey Hillman is one of those up and coming managers and he's been in Japan slowly building his resume. He knows who to go for, and they'd be comfortable playing for him.
4) Torii Hunter CF - He's a local guy. He's proved what he can do. Fans love Torii Hunter. The Rangers have the money. Come on, it's too perfect not to do it.
5) Richie Sexon 1B - He's not a free agent, but the Rangers need some help at first if they aren't going to move Salty out there. Blalock has been working with Washington at third, so I'm not a fan of shifting Blalock over. Sexon might work out better in that role at first. He had a shitty year last year, so it ain't like he can't get better.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
