Just speculation, but is Kouzmanoff incoming?

[dagger]

Buster Olney speculating Jays may be a third team involved with SAN-OAK trade talks involving Chone Figgins.

Incoming would be Koumanoff to play third base, putting Bautista in right field.

No speculation on what would be outgoing.

Kouzmanoff will make $4.75 million in 2011 on a one-year deal.

[j127]

I don't know too much about him, but didn't Kouzmanoff fail with the A's?

[Avenger]

Kouzmanoff is a pretty good player, he's probably a slightly above average 3B but he has trouble staying healthy because of chronic back issues he's been dealing with in the last few years. That 4.75 million is great value and if the team wants they can hang on to him past 2011 because this was only his 2nd arbitration year.

[DonYon]

I remember his name being thrown around for gold glove contention in some odd year... that's about all I know.

[kelso]

Yuck. I mean, ok the guy has hit for power in the past, but he strikes out too much and doesn't do a good job getting on base. Stranger things have happened though.

[dagger]

Yuck. I mean, ok the guy has hit for power in the past, but he strikes out too much and doesn't do a good job getting on base. Stranger things have happened though.

I think the logic would be - 1) very reliable, high percentage fielder, would be a plus plus help for our young pitching staff and Adam Lind at first; 2) enough power to think he can break the 20 HR mark at Rogers making him EE with much superior D; 3) very affordable contract given the payroll reductions already effected.

[Avenger]

Just to add, BIlly Beane has gone senile ever since that Holliday deal. Why the **** would anyone be interested in an overrated piece of crap like Figgins, let alone at his 10 mil a year salary. There's no evidence to suggest Figgins will help them anymore than Kouzmanoff, if i ever saw an anti-moneyball move, this has gotta be it

[dagger]

Just to add, BIlly Beane has gone senile ever since that Holliday deal. Why the **** would anyone be interested in an overrated piece of crap like Figgins, let alone at his 10 mil a year salary. There's no evidence to suggest Figgins will help them anymore than Kouzmanoff, if i ever saw an anti-moneyball move, this has gotta be it

I presume offloading Kouzmanoff's salary (perhaps for a B-list or C-List prospect) would make some sense for this season, but for the longer term?

[Avenger]

Just to add, BIlly Beane has gone senile ever since that Holliday deal. Why the **** would anyone be interested in an overrated piece of crap like Figgins, let alone at his 10 mil a year salary. There's no evidence to suggest Figgins will help them anymore than Kouzmanoff, if i ever saw an anti-moneyball move, this has gotta be it

I presume offloading Kouzmanoff's salary (perhaps for a B-list or C-List prospect) would make some sense for this season, but for the longer term?

they don't even have to unload him, they could have cut him loose by not offering arbitration. He's not even that expensive at 4.75 million, that's about what Johnny Mac makes and Kouzmanoff is well worth the money. Everything about Figgins is overrated, his bat, his fielding, his character, this is the guy that attacked his manager because he got pulled.

[wlujaysfan55]

2007 - 136 games, 22 errors, 932 Fld%
2008 - 154 games, 11 errors, 974 fld%
2009 - 139 games, 3 errors, 990 fld%
2010 - 142 games, 12 errors, 968 fld%

pretty good & stable defensive 3B.

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?p ... ason1=2007

[Randle McMurphy]

He's a decent enough player. It's too bad he never learned how to take a walk, otherwise he would have been a great player.

[mikero]

Kouz would be a great fit. Over the past four years, he's transformed himself into an elite defender at third (UZR of +16.1 last year). Factor in Yunel/Hill, the starting rotation, and a deep bullpen and this would make the Jays tough to score against.

His offensive numbers don't look great but he's played in two pitchers parks in Oakland and SD.

[LBJSeizedMyID]

He's basically be Aaron Hill v. 2.0 offensively

[Skin Blues]

He's played in SD and Oakland, so he's had no help from his home park. Check his career home/road splits. He's possibly an 800 OPS third baseman with a great glove if he played a whole year in Toronto. his numbers look consistently aweful at first glance, and they are, but this is a good guy to take a crack at. He's controllable and could possibly fill a need as the team turns the corner towards contending in 2012. He had a great stint in AA/AAA before he hit the majors, so the talent is there. And if he sucks, bench him and give Brett Lawrie a shot.

[Purple Forever]

Probably rather have Chavez for 1yr plus an option. More proven if he can make it back from injury. Kouzmanoff looks like "just a guy" - he has hit average or a bit below for a third baseman for his career. We could probably have Lawrie or someone else from AA or AAA do that. Chavez has the possibility to be a low risk, high reward guy. Signed to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Actually exactly what AA said we would see is some minor league deals the rest of the way. Then keep the assets you would give up for Kouzmanoff for something better if we actually play well. If not let Chavez fill in till Lawrie or Hech are ready.

[LBJSeizedMyID]

Chavez is done. If Kouzmanoff doesn't cost the Jays much, it's a good deal. Decent bat, great defensive glove.

[J.Kim]

Eric Chavez is still floating around? I thought the numerous injuries and his penchant for swinging freely killed his career.

[DonYon]

If Kouzmanoff doesn't cost the Jays much, it's a good deal.

That would really depend on what we're giving up...