November 3, 2014

News/views: Pirates offer Martin, Liriano

by Dejan Kovacevic • News/views • Pirates

DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS

News: The Pirates extended qualifying offers today to Russell Martin and Francisco Liriano, each for the mandated one year at $15.3 million. They have a week to accept or reject.

Views: The Martin offer was a no-brainer, just as it will be a no-brainer for him to reject.

The Liriano offer is infinitely more interesting, as it’s far from clear which way he’ll go and, as a result, which way Neal Huntington will go toward addressing starting pitching. I’ve made the case that I’d be OK with Liriano being offered, but I’d rather have seen that money go toward two years of Edinson Volquez. Now, Volquez is thrown into flux and might be better off looking elsewhere, knowing he’ll have to wait until Liriano lands here or elsewhere. No way the Pirates will pay both.

Here are all 12 players given qualifying offers around Major League Baseball. In the first two years this system was used, all 22 offers were rejected.

Baseball’s free agency opens at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.

102 Comments Newest to oldest

DemonDachshund

11-3-2014, 6:03 pm

Liriano's QO has to be acted on within the week, I believe, so I don't see this affecting Volquez too much.

Have to wonder if this is a sign that the Bucs know they aren't getting Martin. Can't see them putting 30% of their payroll into 2 guys not named Cutch.

DemonDachshund

11-3-2014, 6:06 pm

To clarify, won't affect Volquez much in terms of him having to wait until Liriano decides. Obviously if Frankie accepts, Volquez is unlikely to get a decent offer from them.

zidanesdagger

11-3-2014, 6:51 pm

The Pirates did what they can. I still can't see how they win the Martin bidding derby. Now they can say they aren't cheap and they did their best.

supernatural187

11-3-2014, 7:35 pm

can you really say that? If they know Martin isn't taking it they're nuts not offering it so they can say "we tried" just hope it's someone outside the protected picks who signs him so at least we get a pick back

Dejan Kovacevic

11-3-2014, 8:23 pm

This isn't the offer. It's a qualifying offer. Colossal difference. This is a technicality, not the actual attempt to keep the player.

William Maloni

11-3-2014, 8:28 pm

ZD--I disagree.

BN's end of year words were window dressing. He has a chance to make good on it, here's how.

If the PBC's $15.3 gets upped by competitors, their bid isn't high enough.

To prevail, they need to go more years and more $$$. Anything less, BN's a BSer.

Gamardo

11-3-2014, 8:01 pm

Smart baseball move.

Milo Hamilton

11-3-2014, 8:06 pm

That is the greatest avatar in the history of this site.

Milo Hamilton

11-3-2014, 8:11 pm

I want Russell Martin back. But if they do somehow sign him & do nothing to improve their rotation then I think they will have made a mistake. Now, there is enough money to do both, but we know how they operate. Again, let's see how serious they are.

James Schmitt

11-3-2014, 9:02 pm

I think there's a decent chance Liriano accepts the $15.3. With his history of inconsistency and health concerns, he may not get any big longer term offers. That would mean EV is gone, as DK suggested, and they'll need to sign at least one more bargain starter.

JAL

11-3-2014, 8:21 pm

Martin100%certain to reject the QO, Liriano closer to 75%

DemonDachshund

11-3-2014, 9:16 pm

Think it's that high with Liriano? I'd think with the attached draft pick cost plus his injury history, teams might be reluctant to give him over 2 years, and teams would be reluctant to give 2 years or under when it costs a draft pick.

Robert

11-3-2014, 9:31 pm

Remember AJ? Bucs called cheap cause he took $16M per from PHI instead of $13M Bucs offered. If (for example) Bucs offer Martin multi-year at 17 per & Russ gets 19 per from LAD, it doesnt = cheap. It means they were outbid. Big difference. The QO's are insurance if that happens.

DemonDachshund

11-3-2014, 9:40 pm

The Bucs were called cheap because for another $2M, they could have made a QO and gotten a draft pick in return, not because they didn't outbid the Phillies.

Milo Hamilton

11-3-2014, 9:55 pm

AJ has declined his $12.75 million option. His agent says he will pitch next year, for a contender. I can't see anybody paying him anywhere near that much. And I know what you're thinking. No, it wouldn't shock me.

James Schmitt

11-3-2014, 10:18 pm

I just read that also. You're right, Milo. He's not getting close to $12.75M. Must be nice to be able to consider $12.75M beneath you. Yep, he could end up back with the Bucs for about $5M. Wouldn't surprise me.

cmat0829

11-4-2014, 9:57 am

Philllies and Ruben Amaro owe AJ big time for not excercising that ridiculous option.

theplanisworking

11-3-2014, 10:40 pm

Martin and Liriano will reject the QO's.
This ensures that at least the Bucs will get "sandwich" picks.
.
Now let us see how serious they are about signing the players.
.
I don't like the odds of either player returning.

Biz

11-3-2014, 10:47 pm

I'm thinking Frankie will sign for a three year, at least double QO price with the Bucs

Dejan Kovacevic

11-4-2014, 8:06 am

Yeah, but it's early, Biz. No reason to get too high. Or too low. :)

James Schmitt

11-4-2014, 8:48 am

I honestly don't think the Pirates would pay $30 million to a guy who only pitches 160 innings in his best years. And, I think they are planning on multiple pitching reinforcements from the minors in the next 2 years. I don't see them offering more than 2 yrs for FL.

Steelkings

11-4-2014, 8:21 am

Keep in mind that teams with money always seem to want what other successful teams are cooking. A lot of the Pirates success could be attributed to Martin, Liriano and Volquez. teams will over pay through the nose Of all cities, Pittsburgh sports fans should understand that.

Steelkings

11-4-2014, 8:25 am

Cont.
*
Let me jog your memory.
1. Burnett
2. Randell El
3. O'donnell
4. Sanchez
On and on and on.......
This isnt any different. Sometimes it just isnt smart to try and keep up with the Jones.

Steelkings

11-4-2014, 8:36 am

Here is the plan:
The Blue Jays are the front runner for Martin. The Jays have really strained their minor league system as of late. (22nd rated) If they acquire Matin, then trade both QO picks for Dioner Navarro who is signed through 2015. .275 hitter with 12 dingers.

James Schmitt

11-4-2014, 8:45 am

I read that, too, Steel. And, I know he's originally from Toronto. But, I also know he has gotten used to being on winning teams. That becomes more important the older a guy gets. I don't see him going to Toronto unless their offer is far greater than all the others.

Alex

11-4-2014, 8:54 am

No one wants to consider the scary thought that Frankie might actually be 1 of the first players to accept a QO. $15.3 mil would almost double his career earnings in one season. Even though LH SP market is small this year, that is a lot of money to pass on.

James Schmitt

11-4-2014, 9:01 am

I think a lot of people are considering that possibility to be very real, Alex. I don't think it is a given that he receives a lucrative multi-yr deal. He is a health/durability/control risk every yr. Still, though, it only takes one wealthy team to take the gamble.

Robert

11-4-2014, 9:45 am

Prediction: Martin ends up getting neighborhood of 4/$76M and goes to Cubs.

Robert

11-4-2014, 9:50 am

Probably with front loaded value, 20 - 20 - 19 - 17 for example.

Steelkings

11-4-2014, 9:54 am

That would be the ultimate Ugh for Pirates fans. However with the curse over there, I can almost guarantee he will be hurt before the break.

cmat0829

11-4-2014, 9:59 am

If the Cubs pay that, then that is the most massive overpay in a while in MLB. Seriously.

bryanhajos

11-4-2014, 10:53 am

DK , how realistic is it to assume Diaz will be up next spring? Are you as optimistic as the pirates FO seems to be?

Thanks for the memories Russell Martin.

Milo Hamilton

11-4-2014, 3:22 pm

Factoring in arbitration raises, the current payroll stands at $65 million. About $9 million will be subtracted from that with likely non tenders of Ike, Gaby, Morel etc. So the Pirates will enter the off season at about $56 million.

Milo Hamilton

11-4-2014, 3:25 pm

Coonelly says in the PG that there's room to get to $90 million (KC spent $95 this year).
.
Now, we wait.

Steelkings

11-4-2014, 3:57 pm

If Cuddyer excepts the QO that was silly'ly offered to him. And he most assuredly will. (and yes I made up a word) then I would immediately inquire about a trade for Morneau. Great gap fill until Bell arrives in 2016

Steelkings

11-4-2014, 4:01 pm

Rumor: MLBTV: Burnett wants to come back to Pittsburgh. Also possibley Boston. Would accept 1 year in the 5-6 million range.

What the heck is that?

James Schmitt

11-4-2014, 5:15 pm

So, it's not always, always, always about the money, Steel? I agree that it is about the money a high % of the time. But, if a guy has already made big dough, sometimes they just want to win and be comfortable.

Steelkings

11-4-2014, 4:30 pm

Roto reports the Cubs are hard for Martin. Martin is seeking a 5 year deal.

No wonder Martin was in such a great mood at the end of the season. Nothing like being a free agent defensive wizz catcher who hit .290

Dejan Kovacevic

11-4-2014, 4:40 pm

Rotoworld is an aggregator. Doesn't report anything on its own. Collects the work of others.

James Schmitt

11-4-2014, 5:13 pm

5 years at big money seems crazy to me for a catcher going into his 32 year old season.

Milo Hamilton

11-4-2014, 4:49 pm

One more time. Liriano, Volquez & Morton represent more than half of the Pirates starts last year. The rotation has to be the #1 priority.

Milo Hamilton

11-4-2014, 5:45 pm

Dunlap just tweeted he's "been told" Neil Walker will make about $8.5 mil in arbitration. If by "been told" he means he read it on MLB Trade Rumors or Pirates Prospects then I guess I've "been told" that too. What a clown.

Steelkings

11-5-2014, 5:36 am

Clowns scare me, Milo

News/views: Pirates offer Martin, Liriano

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