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Thursday, December 10, 2009

MLB: Royals release Mike Jacobs

Or to quote Dacron Moore from last year…“It’s safe to say that Mike Jacobs’ bat will be in the lineup every day.”

The Royals got the last day of the Winter Meetings off to a fast start, releasing designated hitter Mike Jacobs and lefty relief pitcher John Bale early Thursday morning.

Jacobs, obtained from the Marlins in a trade for reliever Leo Nunez, hit 19 home runs with 61 RBIs and a .228 average after a .247/32/93 line in 2008 in the National League.

Jacobs got off to a good start in his first 36 games, batting .270 with nine homers and 23 RBIs, but fell off rapidly. He began the season as the starting first baseman but quickly lost that job to Billy Butler and went into a designated hitter role.

Repoz Posted: December 10, 2009 at 04:13 PM | 40 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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1. Tripon Posted: December 10, 2009 at 04:29 PM (#3409095)

BUT THE HOMERUNS

2. RJ in TO Posted: December 10, 2009 at 04:38 PM (#3409102)

I too released a Mike Jacobs this morning. I'm pretty sure it was the result of too much bran.

3. Jimmy P Posted: December 10, 2009 at 04:38 PM (#3409103)

It's all part of The Process.

4. hokieneer Posted: December 10, 2009 at 04:44 PM (#3409108)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

5. Drew (Primakov, Gungho Iguanas) Posted: December 10, 2009 at 04:49 PM (#3409110)

The Royals should really consult with us more often. They picked up a guy based on a career year, and are now dumping him the following year after a down one.

6. The elusive Robert Denby Posted: December 10, 2009 at 04:49 PM (#3409111)

Fear not, Royals fans- the Royals will make up for this move by signing Jason Kendall, giving a bunch of Alberto Callaspo's at bats to Chris Getz, and playing Willie Bloomquist in the outfield.

Oh, and don't forget a full season of Yuni Betancorpse!

7. Greg Goosen at 30 Posted: December 10, 2009 at 04:54 PM (#3409116)

Time for Omar Minaya to bring Jacobs back to Flushing!

8. Cooper Nielson Posted: December 10, 2009 at 04:54 PM (#3409117)

At least this shows that Dayton Moore is willing to learn from his mistakes. Or something.

9. Tripon Posted: December 10, 2009 at 04:56 PM (#3409119)

Why don't the Royals trade Mike Aviles. I'd take him for JP

10. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: December 10, 2009 at 05:02 PM (#3409129)

Since I don't get the chance to say nice things about Moore too often, Osuna is at least a pretty credible Rule 5 pick.

11. Yeaarrgghhhh Posted: December 10, 2009 at 05:03 PM (#3409130)

Supposedly, MacPhail is asking for either Gordon or Butler for Felix Pie. Assuming that Butler is basically untouchable, how would Royals fans feel about a Pie (and maybe an ok pitching prospect) for Gordon swap? What are the expectations for Gordon at this point?

12. JPWF13

Posted: December 10, 2009 at 05:05 PM (#3409136)

Time for Omar Minaya to bring Jacobs back to Flushing!

I'm sure he could outhit Hessman....

Supposedly, MacPhail is asking for either Gordon or Butler for Felix Pie.

Not even Moore is dumb enough to trade Butler. Gordon needs a change of scenery in the worst way though, another lost year and Gordon will be only a slightly better version of Marte

13. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: December 10, 2009 at 05:26 PM (#3409163)

how would Royals fans feel about a Pie (and maybe an ok pitching prospect) for Gordon swap?

Anger. Despair. Frustration. And I like Pie.

Gordon's "disappointment" has been pretty overblown. He's been a 2.0 WAR player his first two years and was hurt most of last year. To give up on him now would be retarded.

14. Obi One Kenobi Nil (BFFB)

Posted: December 10, 2009 at 05:34 PM (#3409170)

Dayton Moore will be all over that move like tiger woods on a pornstar then...

15. Bobby Bonilla's Annuity (Matt) Posted: December 10, 2009 at 05:35 PM (#3409174)

Well, there is the Mets' new first baseman.

16. Saberseams Posted: December 10, 2009 at 05:50 PM (#3409195)

Does this mean that we can suspend the "Free the Kila Monster" campaign?

17. bfan Posted: December 10, 2009 at 05:55 PM (#3409201)

what about a competition between Jacobs and Canizares (sp?) for a 1B place-holder for the Braves for a year until Freddie Freeman is ready? They could even work as a RH/LH platoon with Freeman.

18. Van Lingle Mungo Jerry Posted: December 10, 2009 at 06:06 PM (#3409215)

Never say never, but it looks like the Jacobs, Petit and Psomas for Delgado deal won't come back to bite the Mets in the tuchus the way many thought it might both at the time and after 2008.

19. The elusive Robert Denby Posted: December 10, 2009 at 06:14 PM (#3409221)

Does this mean that we can suspend the "Free the Kila Monster" campaign?

No. At this moment, Willie Bloomquist is probably breaking in a first baseman's glove.

20. Brandon in MO (Yunitility Infielder) Posted: December 10, 2009 at 06:17 PM (#3409228)

Trey Hillman being a complete ####### moron in his usage of Jacobs probably didn't help matters. I can't wait for him to keep batting Josh Fields v. RHP

21. The Buddy Biancalana Hit Counter Posted: December 10, 2009 at 06:18 PM (#3409230)

what about a competition between Jacobs and Canizares (sp?) for a 1B place-holder for the Braves for a year until Freddie Freeman is ready? They could even work as a RH/LH platoon with Freeman.

The Royals played Jacobs at first for a week before deciding that they really needed Butler's glove out there. You don't want Jacobs in the field.

22. flournoy Posted: December 10, 2009 at 06:35 PM (#3409250)

what about a competition between Jacobs and Canizares (sp?) for a 1B place-holder for the Braves for a year until Freddie Freeman is ready?

Why not just cut to the chase and dig up Scott Thorman again? Granted, Jacobs is better than Thorman, but I see no reason not to at least try to get a real player. Canizares was outrighted off the 40-man recently and nobody claimed him, which should speak to his desirability.

23. The District Attorney Posted: December 10, 2009 at 06:40 PM (#3409256)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

C'mon, it at least beats not releasing him.

24. jwb Posted: December 10, 2009 at 06:52 PM (#3409271)

"We're going to release you, Mike, just in case we want a second AA mopup guy."

25. Brandon in MO (Yunitility Infielder) Posted: December 10, 2009 at 07:21 PM (#3409322)

I thought they released Bale to open up a spot for a AA loogy. After all, Bale is that bad

26. jwb Posted: December 10, 2009 at 07:42 PM (#3409342)

Yes, Jacobs was in case they wanted a second one.

27. Stratman01 Posted: December 10, 2009 at 08:00 PM (#3409359)

"Don't question the Plan"

28. Spute Posted: December 10, 2009 at 08:15 PM (#3409381)

This is not he "The Plan," stratman. You're thinking of Allard Baird's strategy for baseball domination. This is "The Process," something entirely different.

29. Brandon in MO (Yunitility Infielder) Posted: December 10, 2009 at 09:52 PM (#3409494)

Jacobs was in case they wanted a second one

sorry, I was pretty sure that the Royals already had a AA mopup guy before Rule V. If not, then what the hell is Farnsworthless' role on the team?

30. RJ in TO Posted: December 10, 2009 at 09:53 PM (#3409495)

If not, then what the hell is Farnsworthless' role on the team?

Enforcer.

31. zonk Posted: December 10, 2009 at 10:00 PM (#3409504)

Anger. Despair. Frustration. And I like Pie.

Who doesn't?

Felix, on the other hand...

He'll be 25 this year. I suppose last year's effort (99 OPS+) is actually pretty good for a supposedly plus CF defender (not so much for a LF), but I think that's pretty much where Pie is going to top out.

Like most toolsy Cubs/ex-Cubs prospects, I think Pie looks a lot better from afar than in person.

32. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: December 10, 2009 at 10:18 PM (#3409527)

I'd take a 99 OPS+ and terrific defense out of a cheap CF in a heartbeat. I thought Alberto Callaspo was a fair-ish deal, but apparently the O's wanted no part of him. I think Gordon is quite an overpay, or at least selling Gordon way too low.

If the O's wanted Millwood so badly, I thought maybe they'd be interested in Meche too. I'd probably give up Meche for Pie if the O's took on all the salary, or I'd kick in some money if they gave me a minor league arm in return.

33. zonk Posted: December 10, 2009 at 10:26 PM (#3409532)

I'd take a 99 OPS+ and terrific defense out of a cheap CF in a heartbeat. I thought Alberto Callaspo was a fair-ish deal, but apparently the O's wanted no part of him. I think Gordon is quite an overpay, or at least selling Gordon way too low.

Sure - but I think Pie only has one more year of cheapness left and my money is on that 99 OPS+ being a career high.

Though... I guess we agree - were I the Royals, I certainly wouldn't give Gordon for him.

34. Pops Freshenmeyer Posted: December 10, 2009 at 11:23 PM (#3409561)

Mike Jacobs is a career 104 OPS+ hitter. Yes, it's SLG heavy, and yes his defensive vaule is nil but he's a lefty with a severe platoon split. Used properly he could help a lot of AL teams.

35. ColonelTom Posted: December 11, 2009 at 03:16 AM (#3409698)

Does this mean that we can suspend the "Free the Kila Monster" campaign?

I wouldn't call it off yet. My money's on Callaspo starting at 1B.

36. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: December 11, 2009 at 03:21 AM (#3409701)

I guarantee Kila is not in the Royals 2010 plans.

37. Something Other Posted: December 11, 2009 at 04:03 AM (#3409725)

Never say never, but it looks like the Jacobs, Petit and Psomas for Delgado deal won't come back to bite the Mets in the tuchus the way many thought it might both at the time and after 2008.

Well, it did bite them, just not in the more obvious way we'd expect, by one or more of the three prospects they traded in order to pay Delgado a market-value contract panning out in a big way.

Instead, they wound up paying Delgado $56 million for two good seasons. That's a pretty big bite.

The injury without the added insult, I suppose.

38. Walt Davis Posted: December 11, 2009 at 04:07 AM (#3409729)

Sure - but I think Pie only has one more year of cheapness left and my money is on that 99 OPS+ being a career high.

But Pie won't make anything in arbitration, especially if he doesn't repeat that 99 OPS+. He hasn't even had 600 PA in the majors yet and has a 77 OPS+. You could probably buy out his 3 arb years for $5 M right now.

Mike Jacobs is a career 104 OPS+ hitter. Yes, it's SLG heavy, and yes his defensive vaule is nil but he's a lefty with a severe platoon split. Used properly he could help a lot of AL teams.

Not really. If he makes Butler look good defensively, he's restricted to DH. Carrying a platoon DH is hard to justify these days. There have to be some AAA 1B or OF who will give you equal offense and better defense.

39. CW hits the pinata for the candy Posted: December 11, 2009 at 04:11 AM (#3409731)

Mike Jacobs is a career 104 OPS+ hitter. Yes, it's SLG heavy, and yes his defensive vaule is nil but he's a lefty with a severe platoon split. Used properly he could help a lot of AL teams.

You have to hit better than that to stick around an MLB team if you can't play defense. And teams are very reticent to go with a straight platoon these days - if you're at best a platoon DH you still probably need to hit better than what Butler has the past three seasons.

40. Every Inge Counts Posted: December 11, 2009 at 04:44 AM (#3409747)

I like to see the Tigers grab him for a DH role. Any extra bats is a plus right now.

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MLB: Royals release Mike Jacobs

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