2006 OFFICIAL MLB OFFSEASON DISCUSSION THREAD! [Archive] - Page 5

Crippler

11-14-2006, 05:06 PM

goreds2 wrote: WEDNESDAY: 10/15/06 on XM173 (WLW) 6PM-7PM EST: CINCINNATI REDS HOT STOVE LEAGUE WITH TOM GAMBLE What does Bubba Crosby’s arrival mean to Adam Dunn’s future? <a href="http://www.700wlw.com/pages/programming.html" target="_blank">http://www.700wlw.com/pages/programming.html</a>found on 700WLW.com: MIDNIGHT-5AM AMERICA’S TRUCKIN’ NETWORK  Hosted by Steve Sommers.  The Schmoozer, double-dipping...with trucker talk?!But to answer the question posed about Adam Dunn, until Bubba can hit 50 HRs to go with the .225 average both he & Dunn usually have, I wouldn't be too worried.  The Reds will field offers for him from AL teams who want him to DH, but I doubt they'll get enough to want to let his power go.ps: the "tools" still suck balls 

This message was edited by Crippler on 11-15-06 @ 10:40 AM

goreds2

11-14-2006, 05:22 PM

Crippler wrote: goreds2 wrote: WEDNESDAY: 10/15/06 on XM173 (WLW) 6PM-7PM EST: CINCINNATI REDS HOT STOVE LEAGUE WITH TOM GAMBLE What does Bubba Crosby’s arrival mean to Adam Dunn’s future? <a href="http://www.700wlw.com/pages/programming.html" target="_blank">http://www.700wlw.com/pages/programming.html</a>   found on 700WLW.com:  MIDNIGHT-5AM AMERICA’S TRUCKIN’ NETWORK  Hosted by Steve Sommers.  The Scmoozer, double-dipping...with trucker talk?!But to answer the question posed about Adam Dunn, until Bubba can hit 50 HRs to go with the .225 average both he & Dunn usually have, I wouldn't be too worried.  The Reds will field offers for him from AL teams who want him to DH, but I doubt they'll get enough to want to let his power go.ps: the "tools" still suck ballsThis message was edited by Crippler on 11-14-06 @ 9:09 PMSteve Sommers is the son of THE TRUCKIN BOZO.  <a href="http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/04/22/loc_bozo22.html">http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/04/22/loc_bozo22.html</a>It will be interesting to at least hear what offers we get for Dunn.

spoon

11-15-2006, 12:04 AM

Seriously, was that Crosby/Dunn question real?  And I'll deal with his .225 avg with that type of power as a DH in the 5/4 spot. 

spoon

11-15-2006, 02:31 AM

Look at the group of GMs that went bowling.  It reminds me of that scene in "Fever Pitch" when he saw the players eating after the game.  Don't these guys know they're supposed to hate each other!!?? "Epstein said he scored the second-highest individual total among the GMs who went on a mid-day bowling expedition. The trip, organized by the Yankees’ Brian Cashman and the Braves’ John Schuerholz, was made to try “to get a collegial feeling back,” Epstein said. <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td height="8"></td></tr></table>    The Brookline native said he and fellow New England GMs Mike Flanagan (Baltimore), J.P. Ricciardi (Toronto) and Dave Littlefield (Pittsburgh) “were hedging our bets before it started, saying we’d kick everyone’s (butt) if it were candlepins.” <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td height="8"></td></tr></table>    Epstein said there was not a lot of shop talk at the bowling lanes."

cougarjake13

11-15-2006, 02:30 PM

spoon wrote: Look at the group of GMs that went bowling.  It reminds me of that scene in "Fever Pitch" when he saw the players eating after the game.  Don't these guys know they're supposed to hate each other!!?? "Epstein said he scored the second-highest individual total among the GMs who went on a mid-day bowling expedition. The trip, organized by the Yankees’ Brian Cashman and the Braves’ John Schuerholz, was made to try “to get a collegial feeling back,” Epstein said. <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td height="8"></td></tr></table>    The Brookline native said he and fellow New England GMs Mike Flanagan (Baltimore), J.P. Ricciardi (Toronto) and Dave Littlefield (Pittsburgh) “were hedging our bets before it started, saying we’d kick everyone’s (butt) if it were candlepins.” <table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0"><tr><td height="8"> </td></tr></table>    Epstein said there was not a lot of shop talk at the bowling lanes." only difference is the gm's have to work with each other, players on different teams dont so its not as bad as jeter hanging out with nomar back in the day

spoon

11-15-2006, 09:05 PM

The Big Hurt in Toronto?  If it's for a few years at 20 million it's not that bad but he is getting old and has injury concerns.  He'll surely be the DH and add a heavy bat so I can't get too worked up about it.  Yet last year he was a huge bargain even though his incentives landed him around 3 million on top of his 500k salary.  He hit .270 with 39 homers and 114 rbis coming off an injury so he did bounce back bigtime.  We'll see if it comes through and at what price before I take a side here.<a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061115&content_id=1741454&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor">http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061115&content_id=1741454&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor</a>

spoon

11-15-2006, 09:07 PM

Lilly up for grabs, but may return??  At almost 10 million, is he worth it as a #3??  He is a lefty with a NY history so I bet he's leaning toward NY teams and a possible run to the NL to garner better stats as he ages.<a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061115&content_id=1741472&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor">http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061115&content_id=1741472&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor</a>

This message was edited by spoon on 11-16-06 @ 1:07 AM

Kevin

11-15-2006, 09:40 PM

<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2663691" target="_self">Sources: Blue Jays closing in on deal with Thomas</a> While it's uncertain whether Thomas' deal is for three years or two with an option, a source said the total value could exceed $30 million.  Spoon...... Comment?

This message was edited by Kevin on 11-16-06 @ 1:42 AM

spoon

11-15-2006, 09:55 PM

Already did.

Kevin

11-15-2006, 10:01 PM

spoon wrote: Already did. Yea did not look, i am an idot.      I'm punching out.

crb1

11-16-2006, 03:57 AM

spoon wrote: Lilly up for grabs, but may return??  At almost 10 million, is he worth it as a #3??  He is a lefty with a NY history so I bet he's leaning toward NY teams and a possible run to the NL to garner better stats as he ages.<a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061115&content_id=1741472&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor">http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061115&content_id=1741472&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor</a>This message was edited by spoon on 11-16-06 @ 1:07 AM Lilly's going to pull in a nice contract this year, but I have no clue where he'll end up.  I think he'll have a lot of teams talking to him.  I didn't see him pitch much with Toronto, but he seems to have good stuff.  However, he can be inconsistent enough to drive you insane.  I seem to recall him having an "across the body" throwing motion, where he stepped toward first instead of toward the plate.  Every pitcher I've ever seen throw like that has had problems being consistent.  I suppose the advantage of that motion is that it hides the ball from the hitter for a little bit longer, but I'd rather him be more consistent than sneaky.

Bulldogcakes

11-16-2006, 01:39 PM

spoon wrote: The Big Hurt in Toronto? If it's for a few years at 20 million it's not that bad but he is getting old and has injury concerns. He'll surely be the DH and add a heavy bat so I can't get too worked up about it. Yet last year he was a huge bargain even though his incentives landed him around 3 million on top of his 500k salary. He hit .270 with 39 homers and 114 rbis coming off an injury so he did bounce back bigtime. We'll see if it comes through and at what price before I take a side here.<a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061115&content_id=1741454&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor">http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061115&content_id=1741454&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor</a>   Would be a good move by the jays and adds a legit cleanup hitter (I know, he walks alot. Doesn't bother me) they've lacked in recent years. Thomas is one of the truly underrated players of the past 15 or so years. One of the pioneers of the "patience and power" hitters that were so in vogue in the early to mid 90's. If he stayed healthy, he'd have Ted Williams type numbers and would be a shoo-in 1st ballot HOFer. Will still get in, but if he stayed healthy throughout his career we'd be talking about him as one of the all time greats. Again, great move if they make it. When healthy he's a real force in the lineup.

Bulldogcakes

11-16-2006, 02:17 PM

<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2662193" target="_self" title="Devil Rays get 3B Iwamura">Devil Rays get 3B Iwamura</a>Bidding closes Friday for Akinori Iwamura, a third baseman with the
Central League's Yakult Swallows, but sources told ESPN's Peter Gammons
that <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=tam">Tampa Bay Devil Rays</a>
have posted a winning bid of $4.5 million for the rights to negotiate
with Iwamura. Iwamura, 27, batted .312 with 32 homers for Yakult in
2006.

spoon

11-16-2006, 06:19 PM

Bulldogcakes wrote: <a title="Devil Rays get 3B Iwamura" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2662193" target="_self">Devil Rays get 3B Iwamura</a> Bidding closes Friday for Akinori Iwamura, a third baseman with the Central League's Yakult Swallows, but sources told ESPN's Peter Gammons that <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=tam">Tampa Bay Devil Rays</a> have posted a winning bid of $4.5 million for the rights to negotiate with Iwamura. Iwamura, 27, batted .312 with 32 homers for Yakult in 2006.      Nice sneaky move here by TB.  I can't believe nobody else made a run at this guy for a little more money.  Sure the power numbers  will come down, but still not a bad move or risk.

johnniewalker

11-16-2006, 06:31 PM

spoon wrote: Bulldogcakes wrote: <a target="_self" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2662193" title="Devil Rays get 3B Iwamura">Devil Rays get 3B Iwamura</a> Bidding closes Friday for Akinori Iwamura, a third baseman with the Central League's Yakult Swallows, but sources told ESPN's Peter Gammons that <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=tam">Tampa Bay Devil Rays</a> have posted a winning bid of $4.5 million for the rights to negotiate with Iwamura. Iwamura, 27, batted .312 with 32 homers for Yakult in 2006. Nice sneaky move here by TB. I can't believe nobody else made a run at this guy for a little more money. Sure the power numbers will come down, but still not a bad move or risk. 20 million for Kaz Matsui, for 4.5 thats a steal.  I was just as surprised,  why not the Red Sox or 10 other teams?

kellermcgee21

11-17-2006, 08:05 AM

Frank Thomas has signed a two year deal worth 18 million with the blue jays <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2665836">http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2665836</a>

Bulldogcakes

11-18-2006, 04:24 AM

<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2666306">Bidding starts for Japanese pitcher Igawa's MLB rights</a>The Hanshin Tigers made Igawa available for posting Friday, and big league clubs have until 5 p.m. EST on Nov. 27 to submit offers for the right to negotiate a contract with the 27-year-old left-hander.If his Japanese club accepts the highest bid by Dec. 1, the big league team that made it would then have 30 days to reach a deal with him.Igawa went 14-9 last season with a 2.97 ERA in Japan. He struck out 194 to tie for the Central League lead, adding to the strikeout titles he won in 2002 and 2004.Igawa's career mark is 86-60 with a 3.15 ERA. He would have had to play in Japan for three more seasons before he could become a free agent. It'll be interesting to see how far this goes, especially among the teams that lost out on Matsuzaka.

spoon

11-18-2006, 09:55 AM

Interesting, 3 years youngers, throws heat (I'm assuming) and will be much cheaper too.  He's a starter in Japan but if I were a team with a closer need I'd see if this guy was game.

spoon

11-18-2006, 10:42 AM

As for the Thomas signing, I think I see a pattern to JP's game which really seems to be working for this ballclub.  The signing of a top free agent and filling a need early is the key here, not really the name so to speak.  What I think he's trying to do here once again is showing the team, the team's free agents and other free agents out there that the Jays are serious about becoming a better team and making a run at this.  In the past, the Jays may have made a signing or two, but very late seemingly a last ditch effort to show they at least tried.  Now however they've been using early signings to lure other top talent to the team based on their efforts.  See BJ Ryan who was offered the same contract earlier then when he signed with the Jays.  He only signed with them after the AJ pitching move, Overbay trade, and Glauss moves.  Once he saw this, he changed his mind showing it wasn't all about money, but the direction and dedication of the team to the immediate, next few seasons.

HBox

11-18-2006, 10:47 AM

spoon wrote: Interesting, 3 years youngers, throws heat (I'm assuming) and will be much cheaper too. He's a starter in Japan but if I were a team with a closer need I'd see if this guy was game. He doesn't throw heat, he's a junkballer.EDIT: Alright, I got him confused with someone else, he's not exactly a junkballer but his fastball tops out at 91. 

This message was edited by HBox on 11-18-06 @ 2:52 PM

spoon

11-18-2006, 11:11 AM

I can't find much on his pitching style either, but 91 isn't exactly a flamethrower.  Still, it all depends on arm angle, his changeup and how good his out pitch (and what it is) is.

Kevin

11-19-2006, 12:00 PM

<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2668465">Report: Cubs agree to $136M deal with Soriano</a>  Mojo............. Comment?? Your team is infuckingsane.  136mil???

This message was edited by Kevin on 11-19-06 @ 4:01 PM

Kevin

11-19-2006, 12:00 PM

Holy double post Batman. 

This message was edited by Kevin on 11-19-06 @ 4:02 PM

TheMojoPin

11-19-2006, 12:25 PM

Kevin wrote: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2668465">Report: Cubs agree to $136M deal with Soriano</a>  Mojo............. Comment?? Your team is infuckingsane.  136mil??? This message was edited by Kevin on 11-19-06 @ 4:01 PM That is batshit crazy.I mean, I'm happy that they got him, but Jesus 'effin' Christ.  There better be some buyout clauses or something in there.And they better not act like this is all they need to do.  I still want them to sign JD Drew and trade for another pitcher.  THEN I'll call it an off-season.

spoon

11-19-2006, 12:26 PM

Kevin wrote: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2668465">Report: Cubs agree to $136M deal with Soriano</a>  Mojo............. Comment?? Your team is infuckingsane.  136mil??? This message was edited by Kevin on 11-19-06 @ 4:01 PM This year is all out AROD crazy right now!  If the league doesn't see a problem now, it's fucking blind and it's time to put it out of it's misery.  Holy fuck.

El Mudo

11-19-2006, 12:33 PM

I'm upset my Nats didn't re-sign him...

But I'm also glad they didn't sign him to a ridiculous deal like that....yikes

Fonso's great, but I wouldnt have signed him at 8 and 136...maybe 5 and 90

TheMojoPin

11-19-2006, 12:38 PM

El Mudo wrote: I'm upset my Nats didn't re-sign him... But I'm also glad they didn't sign him to a ridiculous deal like that....yikes Fonso's great, but I wouldnt have signed him at 8 and 136...maybe 5 and 90 I agree...but that's the nature of the market.  Most people were thinking he was getting at least 6 years.  It's a thin FA season and teams are going to have to overpay to get what they want.  I just hope they keep him at leadoff...ideally, I'd want his numbers lower in the order, but check his career stats.  He's no good when not hitting #1.Wow...I'm still kinda drunk from the Bears game, and this hasn't really hit me.  The Cubs have signed potentially the biggest free agent out there this season (domestically, at least).  That has never happened in my lifetime.  Wow.

johnniewalker

11-19-2006, 12:40 PM

That just made having a job in chicago next summer a little nicer.  Insane, but it should be fun to watch next year.  The middle infield has been punchless for a while now,  A much needed boost to that offense.

cougarjake13

11-19-2006, 12:44 PM

El Mudo wrote: I'm upset my Nats didn't re-sign him... But I'm also glad they didn't sign him to a ridiculous deal like that....yikes Fonso's great, but I wouldnt have signed him at 8 and 136...maybe 5 and 90 and thats why they should have traded him at the deadline and got something for himthey now basically gave away brad wilkerson, and the other 2 for nothing

TheMojoPin

11-19-2006, 12:44 PM

johnniewalker wrote: That just made having a job in chicago next summer a little nicer.  Insane, but it should be fun to watch next year.  The middle infield has been punchless for a while now,  A much needed boost to that offense.  I think odds are they have him playing CF unless they somehow also sign Drew.

cougarjake13

11-19-2006, 12:46 PM

article didnt say but what position will he play ???

spoon

11-19-2006, 12:47 PM

Wait, CF?  No fucking way. 

cougarjake13

11-19-2006, 01:03 PM

spoon wrote: Wait, CF?  No fucking way.  who do they have at 2nd, de rosa ???

El Mudo

11-19-2006, 01:16 PM

<hr color="cococo" align="left">
and thats why they should have traded him at the deadline and got something for him

they now basically gave away brad wilkerson, and the other 2 for nothing
<hr color="cococo" align="left">

(a) Wilkerson's not really that big of a loss, he strikes out about 200 times a year, and Escobar and Church are upgrades over him at this point, ESPECIALLY Escobar...who's awesome if he can stay healthy...and don't sleep on Nook Logan either, who played really well for us when we got him from Detroit

(b) The other two players we gave up were Terrmel Slegde and Armando Galarraga....I rest my case

Besides, if they had dealt him at the deadline, he wouldn't have even entertained any offer they made at him in the offseason, so at least in this way, they still had a shot at him

And

(c) our biggest need right now is pitching, pitching, pitching...we've got enough bats now with Kearns, Nick Johnson, Zimmerman (who didn't get named Rookie of the Year for some baffling reason) and Lopez, plus Brian Schneider had a career year last year

This message was edited by El Mudo on 11-19-06 @ 5:17 PM

spoon

11-19-2006, 01:16 PM

They do now.

cougarjake13

11-19-2006, 01:19 PM

El Mudo wrote: and thats why they should have traded him at the deadline and got something for him they now basically gave away brad wilkerson, and the other 2 for nothing (a) Wilkerson's not really that big of a loss, he strikes out about 200 times a year, and Escobar and Church are upgrades over him at this point, ESPECIALLY Escobar...who's awesome if he can stay healthy...and don't sleep on Nook Logan either, who played really well for us when we got him from Detroit (b) The other two players we gave up were Terrmel Slegde and Armando Galarraga....I rest my case Besides, if they had dealt him at the deadline, he wouldn't have even entertained any offer they made at him in the offseason, so at least in this way, they still had a shot at him And (c) our biggest need right now is pitching, pitching, pitching...we've got enough bats now with Kearns, Nick Johnson, Zimmerman (who didn't get named Rookie of the Year for some baffling reason) and Lopez, plus Brian Schneider had a career year last year that was the lesser part of my pointthe main part is what you could have gotten for soriano at the deadline, now you got nothing and he's still gone

TheMojoPin

11-19-2006, 01:19 PM

cougarjake13 wrote: spoon wrote: Wait, CF?  No fucking way.  who do they have at 2nd, de rosa ???Looks like DeRosa backed by Ryan Theriot, which I have zero problem living with if another bat is added.And I take back the CF...based on some VERY inside sources I know of, Soriano will be playing RF, bet on it.I don't know how great an idea that is...RF is a bitch to play at Wrigley with all those day games.And it looks like the crux of the deal is 6 years in the mid 90's with 7th and 8th year options.  If that's true, I LOVE this signing.

cougarjake13

11-19-2006, 01:22 PM

TheMojoPin wrote: cougarjake13 wrote: spoon wrote: Wait, CF?  No fucking way.  who do they have at 2nd, de rosa ???Looks like DeRosa backed by Ryan Theriot, which I have zero problem living with if another bat is added.And I take back the CF...based on some VERY inside sources I know of, Soriano will be playing RF, bet on it.I don't know how great an idea that is...RF is a bitch to play at Wrigley with all those day games.And it looks like the crux of the deal is 6 years in the mid 90's with 7th and 8th year options.  If that's true, I LOVE this signing.if that is the deal then its a good signing, are those options player or team though ?? hopefully team especially if he starts to decline in production toward the end of the contract

TheMojoPin

11-19-2006, 01:24 PM

cougarjake13 wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: cougarjake13 wrote: spoon wrote: Wait, CF?  No fucking way.  who do they have at 2nd, de rosa ???Looks like DeRosa backed by Ryan Theriot, which I have zero problem living with if another bat is added.And I take back the CF...based on some VERY inside sources I know of, Soriano will be playing RF, bet on it.I don't know how great an idea that is...RF is a bitch to play at Wrigley with all those day games.And it looks like the crux of the deal is 6 years in the mid 90's with 7th and 8th year options.  If that's true, I LOVE this signing.if that is the deal then its a good signing, are those options player or team though ?? hopefully team especially if he starts to decline in production toward the end of the contractIt's reported they're team options.  I hope they are.Oh, Spoon.  Check's in the mail.  Sorry, I completely forgot about that.

El Mudo

11-19-2006, 01:29 PM

that was the lesser part of my point

the main part is what you could have gotten for soriano at the deadline, now you got nothing and he's still gone

No one wanted to meet Jim Bowden's price, and no one they could have dealt him to would have given up much anyway, because they wouldn't have been able to re-sign him...

Basically, Bowden was looking for a Bartolo Colon deal, like when that jackass Omar Minaya ruined this franchise when he dealt Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips and Grady Sizemore for Colon at the deadline a few years ago...

Considering how good Soriano was, could you really blame him for trying to get as much as possible?

And as ive said before, IF THEY HAD DEALT HIM, HE WAS NOT GOING TO COME BACK AS A FREE AGENT

They felt they still had a shot at him in the FA, and that would have rooned it

Kevin

11-19-2006, 01:42 PM

El Mudo wrote: that was the lesser part of my point the main part is what you could have gotten for soriano at the deadline, now you got nothing and he's still gone No one wanted to meet Jim Bowden's price, and no one they could have dealt him to would have given up much anyway, because they wouldn't have been able to re-sign him... Basically, Bowden was looking for a Bartolo Colon deal, like when that jackass Omar Minaya ruined this franchise when he dealt Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips and Grady Sizemore for Colon at the deadline a few years ago... Considering how good Soriano was, could you really blame him for trying to get as much as possible? And as ive said before, IF THEY HAD DEALT HIM, HE WAS NOT GOING TO COME BACK AS A FREE AGENT They felt they still had a shot at him in the FA, and that would have rooned it He was not coming back anyway once he reached the open market. a lot of teams were after him. Angels, Phillies, Mets maybe, and a few others.

Kevin

11-19-2006, 01:50 PM

spoon wrote: Kevin wrote: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2668465">Report: Cubs agree to $136M deal with Soriano</a>  Mojo............. Comment?? Your team is infuckingsane.  136mil??? This message was edited by Kevin on 11-19-06 @ 4:01 PM This year is all out AROD crazy right now!  If the league doesn't see a problem now, it's fucking blind and it's time to put it out of it's misery.  Holy fuck.with an new agreement just signd, its not ending anytime soon.

Bulldogcakes

11-19-2006, 03:45 PM

cougarjake13 wrote: El Mudo wrote: I'm upset my Nats didn't re-sign him... But I'm also glad they didn't sign him to a ridiculous deal like that....yikes Fonso's great, but I wouldnt have signed him at 8 and 136...maybe 5 and 90 and thats why they should have traded him at the deadline and got something for himthey now basically gave away brad wilkerson, and the other 2 for nothing And somehow Mister DWI still has a job. I dont care how little you wee offered at the trade deadline, it beats getting nothing. You guys paid 8/136 ? Shit, you could have got an unproven Japanese pitcher for 30 mil less.

Bulldogcakes

11-19-2006, 03:50 PM

El Mudo wrote:IF THEY HAD DEALT HIM, HE WAS NOT GOING TO COME BACK AS A FREE AGENT   Sure. Because every free agent wants to rule out teams so there will be less bidders for his services. Do you even read your own posts?

K.C.

11-19-2006, 03:54 PM

Damn, I was hoping the Phillies would land Soriano, but not for that kind of contract. He's good, but he'll never live up to those kind of numbers.

El Mudo

11-19-2006, 05:55 PM

Bulldogcakes wrote: El Mudo wrote:IF THEY HAD DEALT HIM, HE WAS NOT GOING TO COME BACK AS A FREE AGENT Sure. Because every free agent wants to rule out teams so there will be less bidders for his services. Do you even read your own posts? 

Of course I do...those were Fonso's precise words, that if they traded him at the deadline, he would not entertain their offers in the offseason

And Bowden still has his job because (a) as ive pointed out, they really didn't give up anything for Soriano and (b) he positioned himself behind the new owners a long time ago

This is essentially a brand new franchise with a brand new stadium coming...I don't think they want to spend a gazillion on a guy who just turned 30, especially when their pitching is so decrepit right now, as I've pointed out in my other posts.

The offense will be fine without Fonso, their bigger concern is pitching right now, as it should be

El Mudo

11-19-2006, 05:56 PM

edit: never mind

This message was edited by El Mudo on 11-19-06 @ 9:56 PM

Kevin

11-19-2006, 06:55 PM

<h1><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2668883">Rangers, Catalanatto agree to 3-year, $13 million deal</a></h1> I always liked Catalanatto, Spoon, what do you think? Should the Jays have kept him?

whiskyriver

11-19-2006, 07:07 PM

Kevin wrote: <h1><a
href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2668883">Rangers,
Catalanatto agree to 3-year, $13 million deal</a></h1>ÿI always liked Catalanatto, Spoon, what do you think? Should the Jays
have kept him?

the Jays should have kept him,this guy would kill the red sox every game. good
bench or platoon guy. and a pretty good fielder.

i wish the sox went after soriano i've allways like the kid,even when he was
with the yanks. hopefully he dosen't go to hell on the cubs.

cougarjake13

11-20-2006, 12:41 PM

El Mudo wrote: Bulldogcakes wrote: El Mudo wrote:IF THEY HAD DEALT HIM, HE WAS NOT GOING TO COME BACK AS A FREE AGENT  Sure. Because every free agent wants to rule out teams so there will be less bidders for his services. Do you even read your own posts?   Of course I do...those were Fonso's precise words, that if they traded him at the deadline, he would not entertain their offers in the offseason And Bowden still has his job because (a) as ive pointed out, they really didn't give up anything for Soriano and (b) he positioned himself behind the new owners a long time ago This is essentially a brand new franchise with a brand new stadium coming...I don't think they want to spend a gazillion on a guy who just turned 30, especially when their pitching is so decrepit right now, as I've pointed out in my other posts. The offense will be fine without Fonso, their bigger concern is pitching right now, as it should be so if thats true why not trade him and get something , anything, say how about some pitching prospects, who cares if they never pan out, because getting nothing will never pan out, at least here you gamble smartlywe've heard reports and rumors that he was looking for a beltran type deal well before the trade deadline, maybe even in spring training, hell just for what he put you through in the offseason should have been warrant enough to trade him, he even made things easier for you to trade him by finally agreeing to move and them performing out his assim sure everyone in the world knew he would at least test free agency and on the open market there was no way the nats would be able to keep him, at the very least the yanks, mets and angels could have trumped their offer, and obviously the cubs surprised people by jumping inall im saying is while he said there was no way he would entertain coming back if traded you still have an obligation to the franchise to improve the team if possible and unless they were prepared to match any offer made by another team regardless of contract terms then a trade should have been made

TheMojoPin

11-20-2006, 02:44 PM

I heard on ESPN Radio that the Cubs are going hard after Schmidt now.I figure all bets are off at this point.  They still need another bat, though.  I'm still forseeing a shocker trade for ARod.

cougarjake13

11-20-2006, 02:47 PM

TheMojoPin wrote: I heard on ESPN Radio that the Cubs are going hard after Schmidt now.I figure all bets are off at this point.  They still need another bat, though.  I'm still forseeing a shocker trade for ARod.man imagine soriano,lee,rameriez and arod in the same lineupmojo you can stop drooling

TheMojoPin

11-20-2006, 02:50 PM

cougarjake13 wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: I heard on ESPN Radio that the Cubs are going hard after Schmidt now.I figure all bets are off at this point.  They still need another bat, though.  I'm still forseeing a shocker trade for ARod.man imagine soriano,lee,rameriez and arod in the same lineupmojo you can stop droolingSadly, I'd miss the inevitable WS due to my being dead of a massive joy-induced heart attack.

Kevin

11-20-2006, 02:54 PM

TheMojoPin wrote: cougarjake13 wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: I heard on ESPN Radio that the Cubs are going hard after Schmidt now.I figure all bets are off at this point.  They still need another bat, though.  I'm still forseeing a shocker trade for ARod.man imagine soriano,lee,rameriez and arod in the same lineupmojo you can stop droolingSadly, I'd miss the inevitable WS due to my being dead of a massive joy-induced heart attack.Give up on the Arod dream Mojo, After Sori, it aint happenin, it was not happenin anyway.

TheMojoPin

11-20-2006, 03:00 PM

Kevin wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: cougarjake13 wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: I heard on ESPN Radio that the Cubs are going hard after Schmidt now.I figure all bets are off at this point.  They still need another bat, though.  I'm still forseeing a shocker trade for ARod.man imagine soriano,lee,rameriez and arod in the same lineupmojo you can stop droolingSadly, I'd miss the inevitable WS due to my being dead of a massive joy-induced heart attack.Give up on the Arod dream Mojo, After Sori, it aint happenin, it was not happenin anyway.What would the Soriano signing have to do with not attempting to get a player like ARod?  The Cubs still have $25-$30+ million to spend, and they're looking to shed about $10-12 million worth of payroll in trades.  Payment isn't a problem.  If it's not happening because the Yankees aren't trading him, fine.  But signing Soriano doesn't mean they can't pick up anyone else.  Shit, there's talk of them trying to trade for Manny Ramirez.

cougarjake13

11-20-2006, 03:02 PM

TheMojoPin wrote: Kevin wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: cougarjake13 wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: I heard on ESPN Radio that the Cubs are going hard after Schmidt now.I figure all bets are off at this point.  They still need another bat, though.  I'm still forseeing a shocker trade for ARod.man imagine soriano,lee,rameriez and arod in the same lineupmojo you can stop droolingSadly, I'd miss the inevitable WS due to my being dead of a massive joy-induced heart attack.Give up on the Arod dream Mojo, After Sori, it aint happenin, it was not happenin anyway.What would the Soriano signing have to do with not attempting to get a player like ARod?  The Cubs still have $25-$30+ million to spend, and they're looking to shed about $10-12 million worth of payroll in trades.  Payment isn't a problem.  If it's not happening because the Yankees aren't trading him, fine.  But signing Soriano doesn't mean they can't pick up anyone else.  Shit, there's talk of them trying to trade for Manny Ramirez.maybe they'll do a arod for soriano trade part 2

Kevin

11-20-2006, 03:07 PM

TheMojoPin wrote: Kevin wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: cougarjake13 wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: I heard on ESPN Radio that the Cubs are going hard after Schmidt now.I figure all bets are off at this point.  They still need another bat, though.  I'm still forseeing a shocker trade for ARod.man imagine soriano,lee,rameriez and arod in the same lineupmojo you can stop droolingSadly, I'd miss the inevitable WS due to my being dead of a massive joy-induced heart attack.Give up on the Arod dream Mojo, After Sori, it aint happenin, it was not happenin anyway.What would the Soriano signing have to do with not attempting to get a player like ARod?  The Cubs still have $25-$30+ million to spend, and they're looking to shed about $10-12 million worth of payroll in trades.  Payment isn't a problem.  If it's not happening because the Yankees aren't trading him, fine.  But signing Soriano doesn't mean they can't pick up anyone else.  Shit, there's talk of them trying to trade for Manny Ramirez.Unless your giving up Zambrano for a straight up deal, it aint happening. I do not think so at leat. Maybe a 3 way with us getting Willis and u giving up prospects to Fla. But i do not think we give up anyone but Arod.

spoon

11-20-2006, 03:26 PM

Kevin wrote: <h1><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2668883">Rangers, Catalanatto agree to 3-year, $13 million deal</a></h1> I always liked Catalanatto, Spoon, what do you think? Should the Jays have kept him?Just above avergage fielder, above average arm and a very patient hitter at the plate.  In the clubhouse he's also one hell of a guy so of course he'll be missed a lot.  However, he in a platoon at left with Reed Johnson and he's now the everyday LF.  In right, which he really never played, Rios is going to play full-time as well which leaves only DH.  He ended up playing there for most of the second half when Rios came back from the infection (Johnson played right for Rios and Cat played left), but he isn't the normal power threat teams look for in a DH.  I guess this was the case, even though he did well in the DH spot, as the Jay went out and got Thomas just last week.  That to me was the sign Cat was gone bc the Jays don't have the money to pay a player 4 mil to be a rotational outfileder/DH, especially since he wanted to play everyday and deserves to.  I wish him well and he definitely gives a team options compared to Thomas who can really only play DH or first.  Playing him at first is like putting an expensive painting in the sun, it can get ruined doing something it's not here for.  Keep Thomas in the DH spot.

spoon

11-20-2006, 03:29 PM

cougarjake13 wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: Kevin wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: cougarjake13 wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: I heard on ESPN Radio that the Cubs are going hard after Schmidt now.I figure all bets are off at this point.  They still need another bat, though.  I'm still forseeing a shocker trade for ARod.man imagine soriano,lee,rameriez and arod in the same lineupmojo you can stop droolingSadly, I'd miss the inevitable WS due to my being dead of a massive joy-induced heart attack.Give up on the Arod dream Mojo, After Sori, it aint happenin, it was not happenin anyway.What would the Soriano signing have to do with not attempting to get a player like ARod?  The Cubs still have $25-$30+ million to spend, and they're looking to shed about $10-12 million worth of payroll in trades.  Payment isn't a problem.  If it's not happening because the Yankees aren't trading him, fine.  But signing Soriano doesn't mean they can't pick up anyone else.  Shit, there's talk of them trying to trade for Manny Ramirez.maybe they'll do a arod for soriano trade part 2Wouldn't the yanks just signed the free agent themselves and get someone else for Arod?

cougarjake13

11-20-2006, 03:58 PM

spoon wrote: cougarjake13 wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: Kevin wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: cougarjake13 wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: I heard on ESPN Radio that the Cubs are going hard after Schmidt now.I figure all bets are off at this point.  They still need another bat, though.  I'm still forseeing a shocker trade for ARod.man imagine soriano,lee,rameriez and arod in the same lineupmojo you can stop droolingSadly, I'd miss the inevitable WS due to my being dead of a massive joy-induced heart attack.Give up on the Arod dream Mojo, After Sori, it aint happenin, it was not happenin anyway.What would the Soriano signing have to do with not attempting to get a player like ARod?  The Cubs still have $25-$30+ million to spend, and they're looking to shed about $10-12 million worth of payroll in trades.  Payment isn't a problem.  If it's not happening because the Yankees aren't trading him, fine.  But signing Soriano doesn't mean they can't pick up anyone else.  Shit, there's talk of them trying to trade for Manny Ramirez.maybe they'll do a arod for soriano trade part 2Wouldn't the yanks just signed the free agent themselves and get someone else for Arod?  yeh but maybe they didnt want to add sorianos contract to the payroll without getting rid of a rod first and maybe their isnt any other deals out there they want to makeand maybe the cubs just said hey we'll sign sori and then trade him to u in a deal for a rod

HBox

11-20-2006, 05:37 PM

<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=4486" target="_blank">I think this is even more insane than the Soriano deal: Juan Pierre signs a 5 year 45 million dollar contract with the Dodgers.</a>

TheMojoPin

11-20-2006, 05:38 PM

Kevin wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: Kevin wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: cougarjake13 wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: I heard on ESPN Radio that the Cubs are going hard after Schmidt now.I figure all bets are off at this point.  They still need another bat, though.  I'm still forseeing a shocker trade for ARod.man imagine soriano,lee,rameriez and arod in the same lineupmojo you can stop droolingSadly, I'd miss the inevitable WS due to my being dead of a massive joy-induced heart attack.Give up on the Arod dream Mojo, After Sori, it aint happenin, it was not happenin anyway.What would the Soriano signing have to do with not attempting to get a player like ARod?  The Cubs still have $25-$30+ million to spend, and they're looking to shed about $10-12 million worth of payroll in trades.  Payment isn't a problem.  If it's not happening because the Yankees aren't trading him, fine.  But signing Soriano doesn't mean they can't pick up anyone else.  Shit, there's talk of them trying to trade for Manny Ramirez.Unless your giving up Zambrano for a straight up deal, it aint happening. I do not think so at leat. Maybe a 3 way with us getting Willis and u giving up prospects to Fla. But i do not think we give up anyone but Arod.How many times do I have to clearly say that a trade that gets ARod to the Cubs would almost have to have to involve 3 or more teams total?  Of course there's next to no chance that the Cubs and Yanks do that directly.Dodgers signed Pierre for 5 years and $45 million.  That not only makes the Soriano signing look better, but it officially makes the Dodgers dangerously retarded.  Thanks for the draft pick, suckers!

Kevin

11-20-2006, 05:42 PM

HBox wrote: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=4486" target="_blank">I think this is even more insane than the Soriano deal: Juan Pierre signs a 5 year 45 million dollar contract with the Dodgers.</a> WOW! They did give Furcal 3 39 so they seem to have no fucking idea. They get bailed out by Drew opting out and the do this???

This message was edited by Kevin on 11-20-06 @ 9:44 PM

HBox

11-21-2006, 10:07 AM

<a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15825427/">Justin Morneau wins the MVP.</a>Bullshit. Way to pick the third best player on that team assholes.

This message was edited by HBox on 11-21-06 @ 2:08 PM

Kurtis9

11-21-2006, 10:24 AM

Does any of the MVP voting ever makes sense or shed the right light?

ralphbxny

11-21-2006, 11:22 AM

Kevin

11-21-2006, 11:56 AM

HBox wrote: <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15825427/">Justin Morneau wins the MVP.</a>Bullshit. Way to pick the third best player on that team assholes.This message was edited by HBox on 11-21-06 @ 2:08 PM More reason for Jeter to dislike Arod. Him winning it last year hurt Jeter this year. They were not giving it to a Yankee 2 years in a row. I would have rather had Rivera win the Cy Young over fat basterd Colon last year and Jeter win MVP this year than aROD WINNING IT LAST YEAR.

HBox

11-21-2006, 12:34 PM

Mike and the Mad Dog interviewed the MVP voter who had Jeter 5th. I didn't hear the interview but apparently he said, and you might want to sit down before you read this, that Cano and A-Rod were more valuable to the Yanks last year and better hitters in the clutch.So he had no idea what he was talking about.

Crippler

11-21-2006, 02:55 PM

HBox wrote: Mike and the Mad Dog interviewed the MVP voter who had Jeter 5th. I didn't hear the interview but apparently he said, and you might want to sit down before you read this, that Cano and A-Rod were more valuable to the Yanks last year and better hitters in the clutch. So he had no idea what he was talking about. While I'm not devistated that Morneau won over Jeter, to have Jeter any lower than 3rd (assuming you mark out for Thomas & Morneau's impressive years, plus their big time performances in September to get their teams into the playoffs) is absolute lunacy.

Marc with a c

11-21-2006, 03:26 PM

no way jeter should've won.you take morneau, thomas, dye, ortiz off their respective teams they would've been considerably worse.yankees would've been in first place with spoon at short.

cougarjake13

11-21-2006, 03:40 PM

Marc with a c wrote: no way jeter should've won.you take morneau, thomas, dye, ortiz off their respective teams they would've been considerably worse.yankees would've been in first place with spoon at short.i dont know if the other teams would be considerably worse, morneau had mauer and torii hunter, thomas had chavez and nick swisher, dye had thome, konerko, credeortiz had man ram and lowell but none of those guys had posada, A Rod, cano, matsui, sheff, giambi,damon,abreu, and bernie, which is why im surprised a rod won last year

spoon

11-22-2006, 01:03 AM

HBox

11-23-2006, 09:46 AM

<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2672448" target="_blank">The bar for stupid keeps on getting raised. Gary Matthews signs for 5 years and $50 million with the Angels,</a>

TheMojoPin

11-23-2006, 09:48 AM

The Soriano signing is looking more brillianter by the day.

cougarjake13

11-23-2006, 10:42 AM

HBox wrote: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2672448" target="_blank">The bar for stupid keeps on getting raised. Gary Matthews signs for 5 years and $50 million with the Angels,</a> this guy isnt worth 10 mil a year he's a 4th outfielder at best<a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/matthga02.shtml">http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/matthga02.shtml</a>

Kevin

11-23-2006, 10:46 AM

TheMojoPin wrote: The Soriano signing is looking more brillianter by the day. Come on Mojo, one of those teams is the Dodgers, thats like feeling better about yourself because a team you lost to lost to the 98 Yankees. Dodgers give out big money deals to mediocre players like Paris gives out BJ's.

Bulldogcakes

11-23-2006, 05:04 PM

<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2672610">Ex-D-Backs owner Colangelo interested in buying Cubs</a>   CHICAGO -- Former <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=ari">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> owner Jerry Colangelo would be interested buying the <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=chn">Chicago Cubs</a> if Tribune Co. puts his hometown franchise up for sale.Colangelo, chairman of the NBA's Phoenix Suns and former controlling owner of both the Suns and Diamondbacks, said Wednesday he has held "preliminary discussion" with unspecified other people who share his interest in buying the Cubs.He declined to say whether he had spoken to Tribune Co. or the Cubs about his interest but said: "You can speculate that.""If in fact the Cubs become available, and that's a big if, I've stated that I would have great interest," he told The Associated Press. "I'm just trying to keep my options open at this point, that's all."Colangelo said he had spoken with two different groups of prospective bidders. However, he added, "I have my own interest, not necessarily tied to any particular group."

Bulldogcakes

11-23-2006, 05:08 PM

<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?id=2669360">Sean McAdam: Trade market could heat up</a>  The free-agent spending spree is roughly only a week old, and already, the deals are staggering. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6154">Alfonso Soriano</a> got $136 million. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6014">Aramis Ramirez</a> got $75 million. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6117">J.D. Drew</a> is looking for $56 million. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=4527">Frank Thomas</a> got $18 million. The money is enough for some clubs to rethink their offseason strategy. "The market is forcing some teams into trade talks," said Boston general manager Theo Epstein. "The most aggressive teams in this market are the teams that can take a broader view because so many teams are trying to fill holes, the free agent market is so expensive and the teams that can lose something off their big league team and can fill the hole for somebody else can get back a lot of value."  Interesting. Makes sense, the bargains are the players who are already signed. Hopefully will include the Yankee 3B, who at 16 mil per is also a bargain.

cougarjake13

11-24-2006, 10:32 AM

carlos lee may be getting a 6 yr deal worth 100 mil from the astros espn is reportingno linky yetis he really worth 16 mil a year ??? i think not,  these contracts are getting crazy

Kevin

11-24-2006, 10:53 AM

cougarjake13 wrote: carlos lee may be getting a 6 yr deal worth 100 mil from the astros espn is reportingno linky yetis he really worth 16 mil a year ??? i think not, these contracts are getting crazy I have to start agreeing with Mojo, That Sori deal is looking better by  the day.

cougarjake13

11-24-2006, 11:02 AM

Kevin wrote: cougarjake13 wrote: carlos lee may be getting a 6 yr deal worth 100 mil from the astros espn is reportingno linky yetis he really worth 16 mil a year ??? i think not, these contracts are getting crazy I have to start agreeing with Mojo, That Sori deal is looking better by  the day.heres the linky<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6203010">http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6203010</a>but i dont agree with the sori deal looking good, in fact it may be why these other guys are getting these contracts

Kevin

11-24-2006, 11:42 AM

cougarjake13 wrote: Kevin wrote: cougarjake13 wrote: carlos lee may be getting a 6 yr deal worth 100 mil from the astros espn is reportingno linky yetis he really worth 16 mil a year ??? i think not, these contracts are getting crazy I have to start agreeing with Mojo, That Sori deal is looking better by the day.hereshereslinkyhttpyrymsn.foxsports.comtmlbree <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6203010"></a> with the sori dedontooking good, in sori it may be why these other guys are getting these contracts I mean yea, is it a terrible deal?? But what were the Cubs supposed to do? They needed a big bat Sori got other offers from Soris, Cubs needed to go that high. So yea the deal is not good but you have to do what you have to do. Its not like Hicks and Arod,Its not idiot hicks was Bidding against himself. Or the Juan Pierre Ridiculous deal. Sori was in high demand. Lee is a DH 100mil for him is a awful deal. He is one dimensional. 

This message was edited by Kevin on 11-24-06 @ 3:45 PM

Bulldogcakes

11-24-2006, 03:49 PM

All the big hitters off the board. Hmmmm that leaves the TRADE market for teams that need a big bat. . . . and interestingly enough, Manny's contract doesn't look bad anymore, and A-Rod is a flat out STEAL at 16 mil.

cougarjake13

11-24-2006, 06:27 PM

astros also sign woody williamsi wonder if this will help clemens and pettite with their decisions<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6203010">http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6203010</a>

spoon

11-24-2006, 10:51 PM

Kevin wrote: cougarjake13 wrote: carlos lee may be getting a 6 yr deal worth 100 mil from the astros espn is reportingno linky yetis he really worth 16 mil a year ??? i think not, these contracts are getting crazy I have to start agreeing with Mojo, That Sori deal is looking better by  the day.You all should start agreeing with me along with MLB and fix itself before it gets worse.  It does every fucking year.  Almost everyone is getting close to Arod money now.  Pitchers who suck can work out muti-million dollar deals.  And don't even think about the hit you take if you want a lefty pitcher.  WTF!?

spoon

11-24-2006, 11:37 PM

Here's a way to gauge the market with this insane deal pending for the Jays.<a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061124&content_id=1745869&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor">http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061124&content_id=1745869&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor</a>Two years at around 3 million per for a guy who hit .240 over his career with limited power, shitty mobility and average D!  Why?

Bulldogcakes

11-25-2006, 04:05 AM

<a href="http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=168959&format=&page=2" title="Manny moving? ">Manny moving? </a>Complicating matters for the Red Sox’ ability to trade Ramirez, besides his veto power, is the potential availability via trade of two other outfielders. Toronto’s Vernon Wells and Atlanta’s Andruw Jones, both of whom are free agents after next season, can reasonably be seen as safer long-term investments than Ramirez based on age. Wells will be 28 next season and Jones will turn 30 next April, while Ramirez turns 35 in May. <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td height="8"></td></tr></tbody></table>    Other names from the outfield (or with big bats) who could become available include Texas’ Mark Teixeira, Philadelphia’s Pat Burrell and Tampa Bay’s Carl Crawford or Rocco Baldelli. <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td height="8"></td></tr></tbody></table> I for one, will do handstands if he's traded. Fucking guy hit about .500 against the Yanks last year.

Bulldogcakes

11-25-2006, 04:47 AM

<a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/4358835.html" target="_blank"> More challenges ahead for Astros</a> The Astros have made it clear they would like an answer from Pettitte, 34, soon. They again expect to be forced to wait until next year for a decision from Clemens, 44. "You'd like to add to your pitching staff," Purpura said. "Whether we can do that or not, I don't know. We've certainly had open dialogue with the Hendricks brothers (Clemens' and Pettitte's agents) about Roger and Andy ... " There had been speculation both players could be waiting to see what upgrades the Astros made before announcing plans, but agent Randy Hendricks said via e-mail Friday there was nothing new to report. The Astros have more than $50 million tied up in five players — Lee, Williams, Roy Oswalt, Lance Berkman and Craig Biggio — next year, so adding an impact player via free agency seems unlikely.<a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/story/474458p-399104c.html" target="_blank"> Astros' signings may steer Andy</a>  The Lee signing can have a few effects on the AL East. It tightens the market for big bats, which can mean trades for Manny or A-Rod. And it can mean the Astros will be reaching their payroll limits soon, which could mean Pettite is out. If they lose Andy, they still have Clemens as a back up plan in May.

Kevin

11-27-2006, 09:25 AM

* class="pagetitle" style="width: 480px"><h1>The Ramirez trade talks</h1>posted: Monday, November 27, 2006 | <a href="http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=6999">Feedback</a> | <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=2677060&type=blogEntry">Print Entry</a> The market for Manny Ramirez continues to be robust. The Red Sox are <a href="http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/27/SPGBSMKD521.DTL" target="_new">talking with the Giants seriously about Manny</a>, writes Henry Schulman, a trade that would have many ramifications -- not the least of which is that the acquisition of Manny would end any chance of Barry Bonds re-signing with the Giants. You have to wonder how the Giants can get a deal done for Manny, because they have almost nothing to offer up in a deal; San Francisco would never talk about Matt Cain, so from Boston's perspective, left-handed pitcher <a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/stats/player.php?id=456043" target="_new">Jonathan Sanchez</a> would almost certainly have to be included to anchor the trade. The Red Sox talked with the Indians about Ramirez, but those conversations are dead. The proposals were unworkable from Cleveland's end because of Ramirez's salary and because of the level of prospects the Indians would have had to surrender. Ramirez would have been a perfect fit in the middle of the Indians' lineup, batting behind Travis Hafner and giving him the same kind of protection he gave David Ortiz in Boston. And because Ramirez played in Cleveland before, he might have asked for less money to accept the trade. But for a team that opened last season with a <a href="http://asp.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/salaries/teamresults.aspx?team=5" target="_new">$56 million payroll</a>, Ramirez would've been an incredibly expensive bauble -- and, going forward, the Indians will have to have money available to pay Hafner. One way for them to do that will be to continue to develop and maintain a steady pipeline of prospects, and Ramirez would have cost them some of their best (and cheapest) talent. Stay tuned; you get the sense that the Red Sox are increasingly comfortable with the idea of moving Ramirez even if they aren't offered a perfect package in return. It may be that the team has just grown weary of Manny Being Manny. • The Orioles are making a serious effort to <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.orioles27nov27,0,2102040.story?coll=bal-sports-headlines" target="_new"> rebuild their bullpen</a>, agreeing to a deal with Danys Baez after signing Jamie Walker, as Jeff Zrebiec reports. Baez becomes the second-highest paid setup man in the game now, behind Kyle Farnsworth. • The Red Sox and Daisuke Matsuzaka are far apart in their <a href="http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=169222" target="_new">contract negotiations</a>, writes Tony Massarotti, and this was to be expected. Boras wants his client to be paid as if he's a free agent with a lot of leverage, and the Red Sox, the only team negotiating with Boras, want to pay Matsuzaka like he's got little leverage. The pressure on Boras will increase day to day, because the only real card he can play now to squeeze the Red Sox for more money is to take his client back to Japan -- and it seems like nobody, from the pitcher to the Seibu Lions, wants this to happen. To repeat: The negotiating tactics used by the Red Sox are precisely those that would have been employed by other teams that placed bids, according to rival executives. And if anyone thinks the Red Sox might lose negotiating rights to another team in this case, that's probably not happening, because an annual offer of $7 million to $8 million per year is hardly bad-faith

crb1

11-27-2006, 09:55 AM

Manny to the Giants makes no sense at all to me.  Their best young player is Matt Cain, whom they won't trade.  So, what are they going to give up for him?  And even if they had the young prospects to deal, I don't understand this move.  They are an older team, in need of an overhaul.  You can't overhaul a team with one player.  They don't look like they'll be contenders for a few years, since it doesn't seem like they have much of a plan and/or young talent at the high levels of the minors.  Trading whatever high level prospects you have for a guy signed for only two more years is just pointless.  They need to think longer term, and more flexible.  Trading for a one dimensional player making over $20 million a year doesn't fit that mindset.

TheMojoPin

11-27-2006, 12:44 PM

I get the Giants wanting Manny to replace Bonds, but they don't really have anyone they'd likely be willing to give up that comes close to any kind of value for a player like Manny.  Boston would have to be REALLY desperate to deal with them team to team.  I'd expect another team or two involved if Manny goes to SF.

cougarjake13

11-27-2006, 02:34 PM

mark andro mcgwire is on this yrs hall of fame ballotany chance he gets in ???i dont think he'll get enough votes but i dont think he'll get zero votes either

Bulldogcakes

11-27-2006, 02:45 PM

I dont care what anyone says. The Red Sox dont sign him, this was a block all along.  And Manny being traded is music to my ears. Ortiz will never see a pitch in the strike zone again.

Kevin

11-27-2006, 03:02 PM

Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please tell me that the Redsox are going to trade Manny and they give JD drew 13-15per year. 3rd place again.

johnniewalker

11-27-2006, 03:06 PM

Don't be sorry Kevin, I love reading the insider stories you post. Please keep doing it. The Brewers trading Doug Davis makes me sick. I went to school in Milwaukee and the stadium is great there, the fans are alright, and there was some promise w/ the team. If you look at the roster at the beginning of last year, it looked like they had a chance at contending at a wild card. Looking at it this year it looks like this is a set back. Its going to be a rough one in Mil this year. Time to put my party like its 82' shirt back in the closet for another time. 

This message was edited by johnniewalker on 11-27-06 @ 7:12 PM

Kevin

11-27-2006, 03:10 PM

<table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" class="tablehead"><tbody><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="oddrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/5132.jpg" border="0" alt="Manny Ramirez" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5132">Manny Ramirez</a></div><div>Red Sox</div></td><td><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=sfo">Giants</a></div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=laa">Angels</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=tex">Rangers</a>?</div></td><td><div class="bi">Red Sox in a hurry to move Manny?</div><div>Nov 27 - The Red Sox are aggressively shopping outfielder Manny Ramirez now, according to major league sources, at a time when the slugger's trade value has peaked, and there is a sense among some executives that their trade talks are gaining momentum, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports. "I wouldn't be shocked if the Red Sox traded him by Saturday," says one big league official. By Saturday, Boston's negotiations with free agent outfielder J.D. Drew are expected to finish officially with a multiyear agreement. The Giants are among the teams in serious talks with the Red Sox about Ramirez, The San Francisco Chronicle reports. Ramirez, who can veto any deal, has $38 million left on his eight-year deal with Boston. One source told the newspaper that the Giants and Red Sox have discussed a trade between the teams and possible three-way deals.</div></td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/photo/2006/1102/mlb_w_matsuzka_65.jpg" border="0" /></div><div class="bi">Daisuke Matsuzaka</div></td><td> </td><td><div class="bi">Talk, talk, talk ...</div><div>Nov 27 - Preliminary indications are that the Red Sox and Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka are far apart in both money and years in contract talks, the Boston Herald reports. Boston's initial proposal, the newspaper reports, was roughly half of what the pitcher's agent, Scott Boras, proposed, putting the Red Sox's offer somewhere in the neighborhood of $7 million to $8 million annually while Boras came in at roughly $15 million, the newspaper speculates. Boras reportedly wants a three-year deal for Matsuzaka, but under the terms of the agreement between MLB and Japanese baseball officials, the Red Sox would own Matsuzaka's rights for six years.</div></td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="oddrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/6305.jpg" border="0" alt="Dave Roberts" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6305">Dave Roberts</a></div><div>Padres</div></td><td><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=sfo">Giants</a></div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=atl">Braves</a></div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=mil">Brewers</a></div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=tex">Rangers</a></div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=nym">Mets</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=chc">Cubs</a>?</div></td><td><div class="bi">Roberts finalizing deal with Giants</div><div>Nov 27 - The Giants and the agent for center fielder Dave Roberts are working

spoon

11-27-2006, 11:10 PM

johnniewalker wrote: Don't be sorry Kevin, I love reading the insider stories you post. Please keep doing it. The Brewers trading Doug Davis makes me sick. I went to school in Milwaukee and the stadium is great there, the fans are alright, and there was some promise w/ the team. If you look at the roster at the beginning of last year, it looked like they had a chance at contending at a wild card. Looking at it this year it looks like this is a set back. Its going to be a rough one in Mil this year. Time to put my party like its 82' shirt back in the closet for another time. This message was edited by johnniewalker on 11-27-06 @ 7:12 PM I can't agree more with the Brewers comment (and the Kev posts too).  The league will only continue to have teams unable to keep players and get dismantled every time they get to the edge of competing.  I for one wanted to see the Brew Crew back in form with the likes of Lee and that strong/young pitching staff.  Yet here we are again with a team losing all the players it develops.  Time to just get rid of the team in Mil, Pitt, Wash, KC, Florida, TB and many more if this is what the league wants.  It just conitnually cycles for the shit teams while the others pick off all their hard work.  It really takes a perfect storm or a spending spree to get a team back into races these days.  I miss the Molitor, Robin Y. and Brett days of old when a team could keep it's big prospects turned all-star players.  Now these teams are in essence farm teams to the rich MLB core.

spoon

11-27-2006, 11:19 PM

With Barajas in limbo, Jays eye Zaun One free agent's agreement falls through; one closes in <a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061127&content_id=1746723&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor">http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061127&content_id=1746723&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor</a>I can't tell you how happy this news makes me.  I like Zaun a lot and he works very hard every off-season to be ready and healthy for the season since catching takes it's toll every year.  I guess this explains how he can play so well late in his career after getting his shot so late.  He continues to add to his power numbers while not sacrificing his good average for a catcher and really good OB%.  Also, he knows the pitching staff very well and that's a huge thing for any battery going into a big race in the AL East.  Catchers on all three AL East teams right now truly act as leaders and losing Zaun would hurt.  Zaunbie nation returning back to Toronto in 2007 would be good news!

This message was edited by spoon on 11-28-06 @ 3:20 AM

Kevin

11-28-2006, 08:08 AM

The first starting pitcher to change teams was a bit of a surprise, as Adam Eaton was expected to trail the market, signing after the Ted Lilly-Gil Meche-Vicente Padilla class signed and set the market. Instead, we now have a reference point on the floor end for those pitchers, whose agents will almost certainly all be seeking $9-10 million per year on four-year deals, pointing to Eaton as their justification. Eaton steps in as the nominal fourth starter, likely pushing Jamie Moyer to the fifth spot in the Phillies' rotation. Eaton has been a slightly below league-average starter for much of his career, and he's only topped 140 innings pitched in two major league seasons. Moreover, Citizens Bank Park isn't a very good fit for Eaton, who is a slight flyball pitcher with a chronic home run problem. Citizens Bank Park was <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/parkfactor">plus-20 percent for home runs last season</a> and plus-29 percent in '05; Eaton gave up 11 bombs in just 65 innings in '06, and has been homer-prone for his entire career despite spending 2004 and 2005 in one of the best pitchers' parks in baseball (San Diego's Petco Park). When Chase Utley and Ryan Howard start earning stratospheric salaries through arbitration in 2008, Eaton's contract is just going to put the Phillies back in the financial bind they tried to escape when they gave Bobby Abreu to the Yankees. Eaton will need to put up the best performances of his career to make this a good investment for Philadelphia.  <div class="subhead">Wolf a sensible deal for Dodgers</div> Randy Wolf signed the first real bargain contract of the offseason, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Dodgers for a reported $8 million, plus a buyout (value unknown) on a 2008 option. The Dodgers needed to add one starter even if they plan on re-signing Greg Maddux. Their other starters include Brad Penny, who saw limited action late in the season due to injury; Chad Billingsley, who is still a top prospect but was wild enough in 2006 that the Dodgers can't count on him to be more than a fifth starter just yet; Hong-Chih Kuo, who has a substantial upside but has just five big-league starts under his belt. Wolf showed good velocity and a plus curve in his first season back from Tommy John surgery, and while his command wasn't good, that's often the last thing to return after the "zipper" -- and it helps that Wolf's command was good before he went under the knife. He's a flyball pitcher headed to what has typically been a good pitchers' park (although it didn't play as one this year). But the best part about this deal is its length: One year. Although a lot of commentary is focusing on the high dollar amounts of the free-agent contracts so far this winter, the real story is the length of those contracts; they involve projecting player performance farther out into the future than anyone can do reliably, and they dramatically increase the likelihood that age or injury or just plain bad results will turn any given contract into an albatross. Dodgers GM Ned Colletti has, in this deal, avoided that: If Wolf doesn't come back strong, the Dodgers can let him walk after the season and chalk it up to a smart gamble that didn't pay off. With the option, Los Angeles can even double down if its bet on Wolf proves correct. It's one of the most sensible deals we've seen so far.

spoon

11-28-2006, 04:33 PM

<a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor">http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor</a>Zaun stays in Toronto and I'm so stoked about the move. And Kev, that info on the starters is crazy.  Looks like bad news for teams like my Jays in their efforts to sign one.  Look for the Jays to possibly only get one pitcher and no middle infielder of value or a lesser pitcher and lesser infielder.  They just don't have the budget for it unless they make some changes to their plans.

HBox

11-28-2006, 04:43 PM

spoon wrote: <a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor">http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor</a>Zaun stays in Toronto and I'm so stoked about the move. And Kev, that info on the starters is crazy. Looks like bad news for teams like my Jays in their efforts to sign one. Look for the Jays to possibly only get one pitcher and no middle infielder of value or a lesser pitcher and lesser infielder. They just don't have the budget for it unless they make some changes to their plans.I think the Jays got real lucky on this one. I have no idea why they were after Barajas in the first place, I think he's inferior to both Molina and Zaun. But I read on the Newsday Yankee blog that Zaun's agent was about to go to NY and was optimistic they'd get a contract worked out with the Yanks but the Jays called just before.

Kevin

11-28-2006, 05:12 PM

spoon wrote: <a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor">http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor</a>Zaun stays in Toronto and I'm so stoked about the move. And Kev, that info on the starters is crazy.  Looks like bad news for teams like my Jays in their efforts to sign one.  Look for the Jays to possibly only get one pitcher and no middle infielder of value or a lesser pitcher and lesser infielder.  They just don't have the budget for it unless they make some changes to their plans.Yea one team fucks shit up for everyone. Funny thing is Yankees are usualy never the ones that set the market in FA. They usualy trade for those crazy contracts. The 2 past huge markets that were set Were Texas with Arod, and the Cubs with Sori. That Eaton contract with Philly is just retarded.

Kevin

11-28-2006, 05:18 PM

HBox wrote: spoon wrote: <a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor">http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor</a>Zaun stays in Toronto and I'm so stoked about the move. And Kev, that info on the starters is crazy. Looks like bad news for teams like my Jays in their efforts to sign one. Look for the Jays to possibly only get one pitcher and no middle infielder of value or a lesser pitcher and lesser infielder. They just don't have the budget for it unless they make some changes to their plans.I think the Jays got real lucky on this one. I have no idea why they were after Barajas in the first place, I think he's inferior to both Molina and Zaun. But I read on the Newsday Yankee blog that Zaun's agent was about to go to NY and was optimistic they'd get a contract worked out with the Yanks but the Jays called just before. Whats  up On Benji Molina? He is a prime example of greed and over estamting your value. He had a pretty decent 4 year deal on the table with the Mets, and he slept on it. Now i do not hear anything about him. I wonder if he would be a good fit on the Yankees. Spoon can answer this one, Is there truth of the stuff that i heard about his D and arm really taking a step down? I don't know i think i heard that on a Yankee Jay game this year, i could be wrong.

spoon

11-28-2006, 07:13 PM

HBox wrote: spoon wrote: <a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor">http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor</a>Zaun stays in Toronto and I'm so stoked about the move. And Kev, that info on the starters is crazy. Looks like bad news for teams like my Jays in their efforts to sign one. Look for the Jays to possibly only get one pitcher and no middle infielder of value or a lesser pitcher and lesser infielder. They just don't have the budget for it unless they make some changes to their plans.I think the Jays got real lucky on this one. I have no idea why they were after Barajas in the first place, I think he's inferior to both Molina and Zaun. But I read on the Newsday Yankee blog that Zaun's agent was about to go to NY and was optimistic they'd get a contract worked out with the Yanks but the Jays called just before. Zaun is his own agent and has been throughout his career.  And I highly doubt he'd go to the yanks to be a backup catcher at this stage in his career.  He would have used it solely as a chip to future discussions with teams that need a starter.  Also, what a dumb move be Barajas.  I bet he gets less then 6 million/2 years from anyone else.  He pulled a Molina.

HBox

11-28-2006, 07:18 PM

spoon wrote: HBox wrote: spoon wrote: <a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor">http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor</a>Zaun stays in Toronto and I'm so stoked about the move. And Kev, that info on the starters is crazy. Looks like bad news for teams like my Jays in their efforts to sign one. Look for the Jays to possibly only get one pitcher and no middle infielder of value or a lesser pitcher and lesser infielder. They just don't have the budget for it unless they make some changes to their plans.I think the Jays got real lucky on this one. I have no idea why they were after Barajas in the first place, I think he's inferior to both Molina and Zaun. But I read on the Newsday Yankee blog that Zaun's agent was about to go to NY and was optimistic they'd get a contract worked out with the Yanks but the Jays called just before. Zaun is his own agent and has been throughout his career. And I highly doubt he'd go to the yanks to be a backup catcher at this stage in his career. He would have used it solely as a chip to future discussions with teams that need a starter. Also, what a dumb move be Barajas. I bet he gets less then 6 million/2 years from anyone else. He pulled a Molina.<a href="http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/blog/2006/11/hold_the_phone_1.html">According to this his agent is named T.R. Lewis and is based out of Atlanta.</a>

spoon

11-28-2006, 07:19 PM

Kevin wrote: spoon wrote: <a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor">http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor</a>Zaun stays in Toronto and I'm so stoked about the move. And Kev, that info on the starters is crazy.  Looks like bad news for teams like my Jays in their efforts to sign one.  Look for the Jays to possibly only get one pitcher and no middle infielder of value or a lesser pitcher and lesser infielder.  They just don't have the budget for it unless they make some changes to their plans.Yea one team fucks shit up for everyone. Funny thing is Yankees are usualy never the ones that set the market in FA. They usualy trade for those crazy contracts. The 2 past huge markets that were set Were Texas with Arod, and the Cubs with Sori. That Eaton contract with Philly is just retarded.No way, as the yanks have paid plenty for a ton of free agents in the off season or during trades as you stated.  Think Pavano, Brown, Johnson, Shef, Giambi, Mussina as well as all the other players you kept with big contracts (Posada, Mo, Jeter).  Now you have a #4/#5 at the price of a #2 or #1.  It might turn out to be a bigger waste than the Sox deal if it happens.  Stop blocking pitchers for the Mets.  And one should make a note of the crazy form of money ball that the yanks now seem to be employing.  They now have a history of picking up a lot of middle ground talent above the normal price in an effort to hit someone about to break or come back.

LOAF

11-28-2006, 07:20 PM

Hey Kev BRAVO to you for posting those insider stories!!! Keep up the good work<img src="/messageboard/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/clap.gif" border="0" width="28" height="30" />

spoon

11-28-2006, 07:23 PM

HBox wrote: spoon wrote: HBox wrote: spoon wrote: <a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor">http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor</a>Zaun stays in Toronto and I'm so stoked about the move. And Kev, that info on the starters is crazy. Looks like bad news for teams like my Jays in their efforts to sign one. Look for the Jays to possibly only get one pitcher and no middle infielder of value or a lesser pitcher and lesser infielder. They just don't have the budget for it unless they make some changes to their plans.I think the Jays got real lucky on this one. I have no idea why they were after Barajas in the first place, I think he's inferior to both Molina and Zaun. But I read on the Newsday Yankee blog that Zaun's agent was about to go to NY and was optimistic they'd get a contract worked out with the Yanks but the Jays called just before. Zaun is his own agent and has been throughout his career. And I highly doubt he'd go to the yanks to be a backup catcher at this stage in his career. He would have used it solely as a chip to future discussions with teams that need a starter. Also, what a dumb move be Barajas. I bet he gets less then 6 million/2 years from anyone else. He pulled a Molina.<a href="http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/blog/2006/11/hold_the_phone_1.html">According to this his agent is named T.R. Lewis and is based out of Atlanta.</a>"Zaunie was our first choice all along," Ricciardi said. "We just hit a snag there at one point. We called him last night and said, 'Zaunie, if you want to be a Blue Jay, we have to make it happen now.' He was great and we were able to work it out. We're really happy that he's back." Zaun turned down Toronto's previous two-year offer worth $6 million last week. That's when the Jays focused on Barajas. When Toronto chose to move in a different direction, Zaun expressed to a number of publications his disappointment in how contract talks had gone with Toronto. Zaun, who made $1 million in 2006, acted as his own agent during much of this offseason. Zaun's comments didn't bother Ricciardi. "We have no problem with Gregg. We have a good relationship," Ricciardi said. "One thing Gregg probably realized after handling the situation himself is that sometimes it's not personal, it's business. "I've had a lot of talks with Gregg Zaun. He's a good guy," he added. "He wears his heart on his sleeve and I don't take his comments personal. I take it as he was just trying to defend himself." That's a little surprising to me as it's been known a long time that he takes care of that himself do to his interest in the field.  However, as the highlighted area in the article I posted above says we're both kind of right.

spoon

11-28-2006, 07:27 PM

Kevin wrote: HBox wrote: spoon wrote: <a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor">http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor</a>Zaun stays in Toronto and I'm so stoked about the move. And Kev, that info on the starters is crazy. Looks like bad news for teams like my Jays in their efforts to sign one. Look for the Jays to possibly only get one pitcher and no middle infielder of value or a lesser pitcher and lesser infielder. They just don't have the budget for it unless they make some changes to their plans.I think the Jays got real lucky on this one. I have no idea why they were after Barajas in the first place, I think he's inferior to both Molina and Zaun. But I read on the Newsday Yankee blog that Zaun's agent was about to go to NY and was optimistic they'd get a contract worked out with the Yanks but the Jays called just before. Whats  up On Benji Molina? He is a prime example of greed and over estamting your value. He had a pretty decent 4 year deal on the table with the Mets, and he slept on it. Now i do not hear anything about him. I wonder if he would be a good fit on the Yankees. Spoon can answer this one, Is there truth of the stuff that i heard about his D and arm really taking a step down? I don't know i think i heard that on a Yankee Jay game this year, i could be wrong.They were definitely right on his d being less than what they expected.  I think he's slowed down a ton (being a Molina is that even possible?), but he is a good guy, clubhouse leader, great hitter against lefties and now average behind the plate.  He's very patient as a hitter too, but not even close to worth the contract he wanted last year or even what he ended up with.  But then again, who is in this league any more?

Kevin

11-28-2006, 07:30 PM

spoon wrote: Kevin wrote: spoon wrote: <a href="http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor">http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061128&content_id=1746844&vkey=n ews_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor</a>Zaun stays in Toronto and I'm so stoked about the move. And Kev, that info on the starters is crazy. Looks like bad news for teams like my Jays in their efforts to sign one. Look for the Jays to possibly only get one pitcher and no middle infielder of value or a lesser pitcher and lesser infielder. They just don't have the budget for it unless they make some changes to their plans.Yea one team fucks shit up for everyone. Funny thing is Yankees are usualy never the ones that set the market in FA. They usualy trade for those crazy contracts. The 2 past huge markets that were set Were Texas with Arod, and the Cubs with Sori. That Eaton contract with Philly is just retarded.No way, as the yanks have paid plenty for a ton of free agents in the off season or during trades as you stated. Think Pavano, Brown, Johnson, Shef, Giambi, Mussina as well as all the other players you kept with big contracts (Posada, Mo, Jeter). Now you have a #4/#5 at the price of a #2 or #1. It might turn out to be a bigger waste than the Sox deal if it happens. Stop blocking pitchers for the Mets. And one should make a note of the crazy form of money ball that the yanks now seem to be employing. They now have a history of picking up a lot of middle ground talent above the normal price in an effort to hit someone about to break or come back. Agreed on them spending a lot on FA also. What I am asking is, have they ever put the market all out whack by just spending a shit load more on the player than anyone ever thought. Like Giambi and Manny deals were both a Residue of the crazy Arod deal, or the crazy Carlos Lee deal as the Residue of the Soriano deal. Edit: Also the Mussina deal was the residue of the Pedro deal (Much deserved) And that crazy ass Kevin Appier deal that the Mets shelled out 4 42(wayyyyy not deserved) 

This message was edited by Kevin on 11-28-06 @ 11:38 PM

Kevin

11-28-2006, 07:49 PM

<table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" class="tablehead"><tbody><tr class="colhead"><td width="65"> </td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="oddrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/5132.jpg" border="0" alt="Manny Ramirez" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5132">Manny Ramirez</a></div><div>Red Sox</div></td><td><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=lad">Dodgers</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=sdg">Padres</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=sfo">Giants</a></div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=laa">Angels</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=tex">Rangers</a>?</div></td><td><div class="bi">Red Sox in a hurry to move Manny?</div><div>Nov 28 - The Red Sox are aggressively shopping outfielder Manny Ramirez now, according to major league sources, at a time when the slugger's trade value has peaked, and there is a sense among some executives that their trade talks are gaining momentum, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports. "I wouldn't be shocked if the Red Sox traded him by Saturday," says one big league official. By Saturday, Boston's negotiations with free-agent outfielder J.D. Drew are expected to finish officially with a multiyear agreement. The Dodgers are interested in Ramirez, but the current asking price may be too high. According to The Los Angeles Times, the Red Sox want three players in return from the Dodgers, including outfielder Matt Kemp, L.A.'s top outfield prospect. The Padres, The Boston Globe reports, have been identified as "an interested party" by a team source.</div></td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/photo/2006/1102/mlb_w_matsuzka_65.jpg" border="0" /></div><div class="bi">Daisuke Matsuzaka</div></td><td> </td><td><div class="bi">Financial relief from Seibu Lions?</div><div>Nov 28 - The Red Sox have made an offer to pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka that Red Sox president Larry Lucchino describes as "fair" and "comprehensive." Lucchino, in Tokyo on Tuesday after meeting with representatives of Matsuzaka's Seibu Lions, said the Red Sox have taken the next step toward signing the Japanese star. "We have sent a formal offer to Matsuzaka and his agent Scott Boras," Lucchino said. "I believe it is fair and comprehensive, and offers a great deal of security and a substantial level of compensation." If the Red Sox don't sign Matsuzaka, his rights returns to the Lions. To avoid that, Seibu could reduce the bid to help the sides reach a deal. </div></td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="oddrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/5340.jpg" border="0" alt="Jason Schmidt" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5340">Jason Schmidt</a></div><div>Giants</div></td><td><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=chc">Cubs</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=sea">Mariners</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=lad">Dodgers</a>?</div></td><td><div class="bi">Cubs shelling out for Schmidt?</div><div>Nov 28 - According to The San Francisco Chronicle, the Cubs have offered free-agent star

spoon

11-28-2006, 08:58 PM

Lugo needs to rethink this Boston thing....I hope.  Who am I kidding, he's off the market.  Now I hear the Cubs are really close to signing Schmidt.  If they do, including the manager how much did the spend this year so far??  Holy fuck!

Kevin

11-28-2006, 08:59 PM

spoon wrote: Lugo needs to rethink this Boston thing....I hope. Who am I kidding, he's off the market. Now I hear the Cubs are really close to signing Schmidt. If they do, including the manager how much did the spend this year so far?? Holy fuck!  The exact # would be 239 million.

spoon

11-28-2006, 09:05 PM

With Schmidt or not?

Kevin

11-28-2006, 09:06 PM

Without.

This message was edited by Kevin on 11-29-06 @ 1:07 AM

spoon

11-28-2006, 09:11 PM

Wow,  look out yanks and boston!  It's no wonder Mojo changed his tune on the japanese contracts and more.  He's become one of you!!!! 

Kevin

11-29-2006, 07:50 AM

<table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" class="tablehead"><tbody><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="oddrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/5132.jpg" border="0" alt="Manny Ramirez" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5132">Manny Ramirez</a></div><div>Red Sox</div></td><td><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=phi">Phillies</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=lad">Dodgers</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=sdg">Padres</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=sfo">Giants</a></div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=laa">Angels</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=tex">Rangers</a>?</div></td><td><div class="bi">Manny on the minds of many</div><div>Nov 29 - Where's Manny Ramirez going? The Padres are among the many suitors, The Boston Globe reports. San Diego is offering major league players for Ramirez, a package that presumably would have to include setup man Scott Linebrink or ace Jake Peavy, the newspaper reports. The Red Sox also are interested in first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. According to The Globe, there are strong indications that the Red Sox would consider paying a portion of Ramirez's salary. The Dodgers are interested in Ramirez, but the current asking price may be too high. According to The Los Angeles Times, the Red Sox want three players in return from the Dodgers, including outfielder Matt Kemp, L.A.'s top outfield prospect. "I wouldn't be shocked if the Red Sox traded him by Saturday," a major league official told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. </div></td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/5340.jpg" border="0" alt="Jason Schmidt" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5340">Jason Schmidt</a></div><div>Giants</div></td><td><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=chc">Cubs</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=sea">Mariners</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=lad">Dodgers</a>?</div></td><td><div class="bi">Not so fast! </div><div>Nov 29 - The Cubs shot down a report Tuesday that they were offering free-agent starter Jason Schmidt as much as $45 million for three years, The Chicago Tribune reports. </div></td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="oddrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/6117.jpg" border="0" alt="J.D. Drew" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6117">J.D. Drew</a></div><div>Dodgers</div></td><td><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=laa">Angels</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=chc">Cubs</a></div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=bos">Red Sox</a></div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=tex">Rangers</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=chw">White Sox</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=hou">Astros</

Kevin

11-29-2006, 12:46 PM

* class="pagetitle" style="width: 480px"> <h1>The Manny X factor</h1>posted: Wednesday, November 29, 2006  |  <a href="http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=6999">Feedback</a>  |  <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=2679636&type=blogEntry">Print Entry</a> Spoke with an official Tuesday who said that on a scale of 1 to 10, the chances of the Red Sox dealing Manny Ramirez are "a 9." The Dodgers remain in the best position to make the trade, if they become devoted to the idea of landing Ramirez, and Michael Silverman reports that the Red Sox are <a href="http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=169536" target="_new">close to getting what they want</a> for Ramirez. But remember this: Boston GM Theo Epstein could do all kinds of work in these trade talks and reach an agreement, and the whole thing could still blow up. Manny could be Manny one more time. After repeatedly requesting a trade, Ramirez could look at his possible destination and say, "No thanks." Or he could effectively kill the trade talks by demanding a large contract extension in return for approving the deal. Some executives interested in Ramirez are talking to the Red Sox because they like the current price for Ramirez -- $38 million over the next two years, a nice bargain in an offseason when Alfonso Soriano got $136 million and Carlos Lee got $100 million. But if Ramirez were to demand another two years in his contract, another $30 to $40 million, some teams could back out of talks or greatly reduce their offers of players to Boston, effectively saying, Hey, we'll take his contract off your hands, but we'll give you nothing for him and you'll like it. The ratio is direct; the more money Ramirez asks for to approve the deal, the less the Red Sox will get in the trade package for the slugger. And would anybody be really surprised if Ramirez did a complete 180 degree turn and say he doesn't want to be traded? Would it surprise anybody if he were to decide that he wants a contract equal to that of Soriano, a younger player who has never approached the kind of production put up by Ramirez? Would it surprise anybody if Ramirez came to believe he should get as much as J.D. Drew in his financial package? (The Red Sox's proposed deal with Drew is <a href="http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2006/11/29/sox_drew_close/" target="_new">for about $70 million</a>, writes Gordon Edes. By the way: David Ortiz told El Diario that if Manny is traded, it is <a href="http://www.eldiariony.com/deportes/detail.aspx?Id=1532597" target="_new">not a problem</a> (for those who speak a little Spanish -- El Diario is a Spanish-language daily in New York City). • The Yankees made <a href="http://www.nypost.com/seven/11292006/sports/yankees/yan_kei_yankees_george_king.htm" target="_new">the winning bid</a> for lefty Kei Igawa, writes George King. The Yankees <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/29/sports/baseball/29chass.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin" target="_new">got the poor man's Matsuzaka</a>, writes Murray Chass. Heard that the Mariners might have finished second in the Igawa bidding, and the Mets definitely finished third. The Igawa deal effectively takes the Yankees out of the Jason Schmidt and Ted Lilly markets -- although they'll probably keep a toe in the water, just to drive up the price for somebody else. • Tom Glavine wants to go back to the Braves, writes David O'Brien, but there's just one holdup -- the Braves <a href="http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/braves/entries/2006/11/29/no_braves_offer.html" target="_new">haven't made an offer to Glavine</a>. •

Kevin

11-29-2006, 02:41 PM

Espn insider had a Chat with Jim Callis Of Baseball America. 

This message was edited by Kevin on 11-29-06 @ 6:44 PM

Kevin

11-29-2006, 02:42 PM

.................................................. .................................................                                                              AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNND

This message was edited by Kevin on 11-29-06 @ 9:03 PM

Kevin

11-29-2006, 02:44 PM

<h1>Chat with Jim Callis </h1><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td valign="top"><table border="0" align="right"><tbody><tr><td><img src="http://www.espn.go.com/i/columnists/bball_america_fpo.gif" border="0" width="162" height="37" /></td></tr></tbody></table>Welcome to The Show! On Wednesday, Baseball America's Jim Callis will chat it up with SportsNation as the MLB offseason continues. He'll talk about the sudden influx of Japanese pitchers, the Hot Stove season and much more. Ask any question and Jim will try to answer. <hr width="80%" size="1" noshade="true" />Chris ( S.I. N.Y.): Jim do you see Humberto Sanchez in the NYY 2007 Rotation at any point during the year? <img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/sn2.gif" border="0" alt="SportsNation" width="24" height="11" /> Jim Callis: I don't, at least not for very young. He's close to ready, but the plan seems to be go with Wang, Mussina, Johnson, Igawa and then Pavano/Karstens until Hughes is ready (I think he's ready now). I don't see much of an opportunity for Sanchez this year, at least not as a starter. <hr width="80%" size="1" noshade="true" />Bill, Boston: So who is this, Jim, John, or Chris????? <img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/sn2.gif" border="0" alt="SportsNation" width="24" height="11" /> Jim Callis: Yeah, could that intro be any more confusing? It's Jim . . . really, it's me. I can prove it the first time someone asks a Jack Bauer or Jessica Alba question.  <hr width="80%" size="1" noshade="true" />Soren (LA): Jim: What can you tell us about Igawa? <img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/sn2.gif" border="0" alt="SportsNation" width="24" height="11" /> Jim Callis: Sounds like a No. 3-5 starter, depending on how much benefit of the doubt you want to give him. Good but not great stuff, looks like he has walked more than his share of guys. <hr width="80%" size="1" noshade="true" />Bill, Boston: Travis Wood - is he still the #2 pitching prospect in the Red's system? <img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/sn2.gif" border="0" alt="SportsNation" width="24" height="11" /> Jim Callis: I don't have our pending Reds list in front of me, but Jose Cueto has to be right behind Homer Bailey, doesn't he? <hr width="80%" size="1" noshade="true" />Rodney (Palo Alto, CA): Can you break down this Brewers/Diamondbacks trade for me? I'm baffled why the Brewers would give up 200+ innings for spare parts. <img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/sn2.gif" border="0" alt="SportsNation" width="24" height="11" /> Jim Callis: From an on-the-field standpoint, I was too. I think the Brewers didn't want to pay Davis' salary this year and needed a catcher. I wouldn't have made that trade if I were them. <hr width="80%" size="1" noshade="true" />Jimmy (MD): I just started watching 24 for the first time on DVD. Jack Bauer is the MAN!!! <img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/sn2.gif" border="0" alt="SportsNation" width="24" height="11" /> Jim Callis: What took you so long? See, it is me. <hr width="80%" size="1" noshade="true" />Bo (Honlulu, HI): Hi Jim. The A's just acquired Donnie Murphy from the Royals. What can you tell me about the kid? <img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/sn2.gif" border="0" alt="SportsNation" width="24" height="11" /> Jim Callis: Offensive-minded second baseman, not sure he'd hit enough to be a regular. But the A's got him for cash, and he's worth taking a flier on. <hr width="80%" size="1" noshade="true" />John (Boston): Jim, ESPN News is reporting that the Red Sox have been talking to the Pads abou

spoon

11-29-2006, 07:36 PM

Nice job Kev, keep it up.• The Blue Jays <a href="http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061128.wsptmeche28/GSStory/GlobeSportsBaseball/home" target="_new">wined and dined</a> Gil Meche at Tuesday's Maple Leafs game, writes Jeff Blair. And the Jays are serious about signing Meche, J.P. Ricciardi acknowledges. This would make me very happy to land Meche.  I've seen him a few times and he seems ready to break out and become almost a number 2 type quality pitcher.  He'll probably be our #4 or #5 as well if the Jays get him (Halladay, Burnett, Chacin, "Meche/Lilly?", Marcum/Jansen?).  Not bad, but imagine if they had the money to keep Lilly and acquire Meche as well.  Let's just hope the recent pitching move by the yanks take them out of the arms race here and the cubs focus on untouchables for the Jays of Schmidt and Zito.

spoon

11-29-2006, 08:28 PM

Here's some more info on the agent issue H.  Thanks for the insight as well.  Zaun was thrilled to hear from Ricciardi. Zaun represented himself in negotiations with Toronto and allowed an agent to deal with other teams. The deal was agreed to in an hour after Ricciardi called and said Zaun had to make an immediate decision. "I thought he called to tell me the deal with Barajas was done and we were not going to be working together any more, but I sure was pleasantly surprised," Zaun said. "I can't tell you how much I feel at home here. This is where my career turned around. I was kind of spinning my wheels as a major league player for a long time." Zaun says he'll never represent himself again. "This is always where I wanted to be, but it was tough. I think I'll give up the agent business that's for sure," he said. "I found out that these guys play rough in the deep end. I think I'll go back to being a baseball player."

spoon

11-29-2006, 08:32 PM

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6215542">http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6215542</a>Interesting info here.  I bet they did try to reduce the fee after seeing how off they were compared to the other bids.  Also, if they do sign this guy they'll be crippled overall on the market for some time.  Whatever they do spend on top will surely be less than their normal activity.

Kevin

11-29-2006, 08:38 PM

Why should they be able to have the bid reduced? You made the bid, either suck it up and pay it, or do not sign him. If they did reduce it, i would not think they could go under the 42 the Mets gave, it would be unfair to no end. but i do not think they should be able to period. Suck it up bitches!!!!!!!! Though i am kind worried about shady side deals. Whats going to stop these ham an eggers from saying give us the full check and we will return the money on the side?

This message was edited by Kevin on 11-30-06 @ 12:40 AM

spoon

11-29-2006, 08:41 PM

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6215542">http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6215542</a>Clayton??  Not happy about this one with the exception that it keeps Hill in his better position at 2nd.  However, this isn't really a good upgrade at the position in terms of D or O.  How does a guy get a year older, slower, lose defensive range and lower his batting average yet claim a 500k raise the next year?  I just don't get it.  At least Gonzalez is a top notch fielder and well worth it at such a key position.  With the likes of Halladay and Burnett being huge gb pitchers, this will continue to hurt us up the middle.

Kevin

11-30-2006, 04:43 PM

Let's take a deep breath, everyone. The winter meetings are next week, and if you think the millions have been flying around like dimes, you haven't seen anything yet. According to Keith Law's rankings, nine of the top 11 free-agent starting pitchers are still available, and if <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6314">A.J. Burnett</a> was worth $12 million per season a year ago, we can imagine what the likes of <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6394">Barry Zito</a> and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5340">Jason Schmidt</a> will be worth now. When Zito and Schmidt get their $15 million (or more) per season, there's going to be a great deal of teeth-gnashing and hair-pulling and brow-furrowing. Somebody will say that none of this free-agent class deserve the big contracts they're getting. And further, that all these deals are going to destroy the sport or, at the very least, make life impossible for the lower-revenue franchises that can't afford to play the free-agent game with any seriousness. Don't worry, though; the sky is not falling. Salaries are going up, but that's nothing new. For a few decades now, salaries have increased by roughly 10 percent per season. It has not been a linear progression, of course; sometimes they go up two percent, and sometimes they go up 20 percent. But the trend is ever-upward, which won't change unless the U.S. suffers an economic collapse. And it's completely natural. Are the numbers we've seen big? They sure look big. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6154">Alfonso Soriano</a>'s new contract is worth $17 million per season. But his contract runs for eight seasons. And as <a href="http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/present-value/" target="_new">David Gassko points out</a>, if we assume that salaries will continue to increase by roughly 10 percent per year, "the present value of [Soriano's] deal is a little under $100 million over eight years. $12.5 million a year does sound more palatable than $17 [million]." That's in 2007 dollars, and paying Soriano $12.5 million per season for eight seasons really doesn't seem so outlandish, does it? OK, so maybe it does. Maybe Soriano's a bad example, considering his age (almost 31) and his on-base percentage (usually embarrassing). The point is that when you're looking at these deals, especially the deals that run more than three or four seasons, you have to remember that $17 million in 2014 simply isn't the same as $17 million in 2006. Also, the teams are spending the money because they've got it. If you're the Cubs and you have all those millions in the bank, are you just going to leave them there? Or perhaps lower ticket prices at the ballpark? Hardly. Most owners are hoping merely to break even, so they're going to spend what they've got. And when 30 teams are trying to spend all their money on a few dozen free agents, you're generally going to overpay or be left out of the party. And nobody likes to be left out. So the salaries are here to stay, as are the annual increases. That said, it's foolish to think that all the deals are good ones, just as it's foolish to say, "They're getting it, so they must be worth that much." That would be true only if every team were perfectly rational and had perfect knowledge of the future. Which of course isn't the case, at all. And I have to say that while I do understand the impact of salary inflation, and while I do understand that teams have plenty of money to spend, I still don't understand some of the bigger deals. All of the bigger deals, really. Is <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6161">Carlos Lee</a> really worth $100 million over the next six years? Before you answer, a few facts: 1) Lee's career slugging percentage is .495, and be

Kevin

11-30-2006, 04:44 PM

<div class="pagetitle" style="width: 480px"><h1>Intriguing, unsigned free agents</h1></div>posted: Thursday, November 30, 2006  |  <a href="http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=6999">Feedback</a>  |  <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=2680899&type=blogEntry">Print Entry</a> If I were a general manager, these are guys still unsigned who would intrigue me, three weeks into the free agent season: 1. Ray Durham Had a really strong season at the plate in 2006 (26 homers, 93 RBI, .898 OPS) while hitting in the Giants' spacious park. He's 34, he's played the outfield, and you don't have to pay him Alfonso Soriano money or J.D. Drew money. A potential bargain for a two- or three-year deal. A perfect fit for the Orioles, perhaps, as their left fielder, especially since Baltimore has already given up its draft pick in the second round (for the signing of Chad Bradford). If the O's sign Durham, he costs them, in effect, only a pick after the second round. A thought completely out of the box: Durham, with his 1.063 OPS against left-handed pitchers, could be a sleeper solution for the Yankees at first base. 2. Luis Gonzalez Left-handed hitter coming off a good season, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=4576" target="_new">with a .352 OBP</a>, a great guy, great guy for your team. Depending on the dollars, would make a lot of sense, <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.orioles30nov30,0,7480581.story?coll=bal-sports-headlines" target="_new">maybe for the O's or the Rangers</a>, teams that are looking for outfielders. 3. Russ Springer He had <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/splits?playerId=2670" target="_new">a WHIP last year of 1.04</a>, opposing batters hit .211 in 72 games, and right-handed batters .187. Plus he's known as a good guy, and a good team guy. There are two drawbacks: First, he allowed 10 homers in 59.2 innings last season, and secondly, he is a Type A free agent, so if you sign him, he'll cost you a draft pick. It would probably make a lot of sense for the Astros to offer him arbitration; on a one-year deal in the current market, he's worth an arbitration decision. 4. Darren Oliver Living here in New York, I saw a lot of him with the Mets last season and he did a lot of nice things for them, filling in as a starter, taking the ball in long relief when necessary (picked up the pieces left behind by Steve Trachsel in the NLCS, for example). As a No. 6 starter/long relief guy, a really good fit, and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5127" target="_new">had a 1.12 WHIP</a> -- plus lefties hit just .208 against him. 5. Craig Wilson He's <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6642" target="_new">shown some pop</a> in most seasons, although he had a .446 slugging percentage last season. Can be a DH/1B/corner outfield type of guy if you're looking for some right-handed balance (.843 OPS against lefties in a down year), for the right price. 6. Miguel Cairo As a pure, cheap utilityman, a nice fit if you are looking for defense and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5586" target="_new">a contact hitter</a>. Has always played better than his numbers indicate. If you need your utilityman to do some damage offensively, probably not your guy. 7. Jose Mesa An oldie but goodie. He takes the ball, he's pitched in every role in the bullpen. He's not spectacular, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=4143" target="_new">but he's steady</a>, and he won't require a three- or four-year commitment. 8.

Kevin

11-30-2006, 04:47 PM

<table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" class="tablehead"><tbody><tr class="stathead"><td colspan="3">Thursday, November 30</td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="oddrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/4122.jpg" border="0" alt="Tom Glavine" width="65" height="90" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=4122">Tom Glavine</a></div><div>Mets</div></td><td><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=atl">Braves</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=nym">Mets</a>?</div></td><td><div class="bi">Your move, Atlanta</div><div>Nov 30 - As Tom Glavine nears a decision on where he wants to play next season, the left-hander has yet to receive a contract offer from the Braves, a development that has increased the likelihood he will return to the Mets. Glavine's agent, Gregg Clifton, said the two-time Cy Young Award winner has told the Mets he would make a decision by the winter meetings, which start Monday. Clifton said he has spoken with Braves GM John Schuerholz several times about Glavine. "He can't even evaluate that they really want him if he doesn't have an offer," Clifton said Wednesday. "The bottom line is, we're waiting to see if Atlanta wants to make a proposal to us." </div></td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/5523.jpg" border="0" alt="Rich Aurilia" width="65" height="90" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5523">Rich Aurilia</a></div><div>Reds</div></td><td><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=cin">Reds</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=sfo">Giants</a></div><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=lad">Dodgers</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=phi">Phillies</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=nym">Mets</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=nyy">Yankees</a>?</div></td><td><div class="bi">Back in San Fran?</div><div>Nov 30 - The Giants may announce the signing of free-agent infielder Rich Aurilia before GM Brian Sabean departs for the winter meetings in Orlando on Sunday, The San Francisco Chronicle reports. Aurilia is waiting to see if the Reds offer him salary arbitration by Friday's deadline, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports. It's doubtful the Reds would -- since Aurilia hit .300 with 23 homers and would probably be too expensive for Cincinnati -- but that's still a possibility. </div></td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="oddrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/4718.jpg" border="0" alt="David Weathers" width="65" height="90" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=4718">David Weathers</a></div><div>Reds</div></td><td><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=sfo">Giants</a>?</div></td><td><div class="bi">Weathers fond of Bochy</div><div>Nov 30 - The Giants are talking to the representatives for free-agent reliever David Weathers, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. Weathers has spoken to manager Bruce Bochy and GM Brian Sabean, The San Francisco Chronicle reports. "

Don Stugots

11-30-2006, 04:49 PM

what people have to remember is that Baseball has a character clause on getting into the hall of fame which can be over ridden (or over rode, which ever is correct, FEZPAUL, you damn grammer Nazi).  so, even if a player is the greatest of all time but was ever suspected of cheating in any way he doesnt have to be allowed it.  also, do not forget that this is all decided on by a bunch of sports writers that i am sure have an ax to grind against someone. 

Kevin

12-01-2006, 10:02 AM

<h1>Addressing the major needs for each team</h1> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-top: 10px"> <table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" width="100%" class="tablehead"> <tbody> <tr class="stathead"> <td colspan="2">AMERICAN LEAGUE EAST</td></tr> <tr class="colhead" valign="top"> <td>TEAM</td> <td>NEED</td></tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td><img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/bal.gif" border="0" /></td> <td>The O's still need an impact bat, but aren't likely to find one unless they're willing to trade some of their young pitching. </td></tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td><img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/bos.gif" border="0" /></td> <td>Aside from needing a break from the drama, acquiring a shortstop and some relief pitching for high-leverage situations are the primary needs.</td></tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td><img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/nyy.gif" border="0" /></td> <td>Assuming they're going to sign Kei Igawa, the Yanks only need a first baseman and possibly a middle reliever.</td></tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td><img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/tam.gif" border="0" /></td> <td>The same answer as the one from a year ago, and a year before that, and a year before that: pitching, especially starting pitching.</td></tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td><img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/tor.gif" border="0" /></td> <td>The Jays need at least one starting pitcher, but have filled all of their other major needs.</td></tr> <tr class="stathead"> <td colspan="2">AMERICAN LEAGUE CENTRAL</td></tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td><img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/chw.gif" border="0" /></td> <td>Chicago could roll into 2007 with the same club with which it ended 2006, but the White Sox are looking for a left-field thumper, and are dangling Joe Crede because of the presence of Josh Fields.</td></tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td><img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/cle.gif" border="0" /></td> <td>A little bullpen help might be it. They'd probably like an upgrade on Paul Byrd as well.</td></tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td><img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/det.gif" border="0" /></td> <td>The pennant winners added Gary Sheffield to address their one major need. Everyone who matters is returning.</td></tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td><img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/kan.gif" border="0" /></td> <td>Plenty of needs, but they're focused on the long term. They will need to add at least one starter just to get through the season.</td></tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td><img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/min.gif" border="0" /></td> <td>A designated hitter, preferably one who hits for power. If Jason Kubel isn't going to get a shot in left, they could stand to acquire someone to play there as well.</td></tr> <tr class="stathead"> <td colspan="2">AMERICAN LEAGUE WEST</td></tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td><img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/laa.gif" border="0" /></td> <td>First and probably third base are both areas in need of help.</td></tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td><img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/oak.gif" border="0" /></td> <td>A designated hitter to replace Frank Thomas. The A's will lose Barry Zito but will almost certainly fill the hole from within.</td></tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td><img src="http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/sea.gif" border="0" /></td> <td>One starter to replace Gil Meche, perhaps another to allow them to dump Joel Pineiro or move him to the bullpen. The lineup contai

Kevin

12-01-2006, 10:05 AM

<div id="mainthing"> <div class="pagetitle"> <div class="pagedate">Updated: Dec. 1, 2006</div> <h1>Bar has been set, so let the spending begin</h1></div> <div class="bylinebox" style="margin-top: 8px">  </div>  <div class="text11" style="background: #ffffff none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"> <tbody> <tr> <td valign="top" style="padding-top: 10px"> <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6484">Adam Eaton</a>, the pride of Snohomish, Wash., made a lot of people happy when he agreed to terms with the <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=phi">Philadelphia Phillies</a> this week. And this was before he passed his physical exam. When Eaton signed off on a three-year, $24.5 million deal with an option for a fourth year, his fellow pitchers and their agents rejoiced. The corresponding response, naturally, was a negative one from executives who viewed it as a springboard to fiscal insanity. "He's a latter-day <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6167">Kris Benson</a>," an American League executive said, "except that he's not healthy and he doesn't have Kris Benson's track record." In November 2004, Benson helped define the market by signing a three-year, $22.5 million contract with the Mets. He had just posted a 12-12 record with a 4.31 ERA in 200 innings for the Pirates and New York. Although Eaton has a world of potential, he's 29 years old and has yet to pitch 200 innings in a season. This year he missed two months because of surgery to repair a finger injury, and returned to go 7-4 with a 5.12 ERA in 13 starts for Texas. That's not exactly a killer "platform" year entering free agency. But it's the closest thing we have to a benchmark, and it'll be a prime topic of discussion over lunch menus as baseball officials and agents gather at the 2006 winter meetings Monday at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort in Orlando, Fla. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6154">Alfonso Soriano</a>, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6161">Carlos Lee</a>, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6241">Gary Matthews Jr.</a> and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6550">Juan Pierre</a> are off the board and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6117">J.D. Drew</a> is moving closer to a deal with Boston, but the starting pitching market remains constipated. A cursory check of the 30 big-league rosters shows that at least 16 clubs are interested in a starter. But at this point, only Eaton, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6248">Randy Wolf</a> (Dodgers), <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6301">Kip Wells</a> (Cardinals) and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5025">Woody Williams</a> (Astros) have agreed to deals with new teams. Texas, Seattle, Washington, St. Louis, San Diego and the Cubs are among the clubs looking to add two or more starters. Even Minnesota, a traditionally pitching-rich organization with a wealth of young talent, is dabbling. General manager Terry Ryan wants to add a veteran to stabilize the rotation and consume innings while <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7823">Matt Garza</a> and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7711">Glen Perkins</a> gain experience and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7504">Francisco Liri

Kevin

12-01-2006, 10:09 AM

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td valign="top"><h1>Some GMs should take a pass</h1>posted: Friday, December 1, 2006  |  <a href="http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=6999">Feedback</a>  |  <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=2682424&type=blogEntry">Print Entry</a> This might be the perfect winter for some general managers to swallow hard and tell their owners: Save your money. The best thing we can do is ... nothing. The contract numbers have exploded, as we all have seen. Alfonso Soriano turns 31 years old in 38 days, and the Cubs guaranteed him $136 million over the next eight years. Adam Eaton has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, never won more than 11 games in any season, and the Phillies signed him to a $24.5 million deal. Gary Matthews Jr. has been cut, traded, waived, had one very good season in his career, and he got $50 million from the Angels. And those were some of the better players in what is widely viewed as one of the worst classes of free agents in the 31-year history of free agents. There are some terrific players available, and a lot of the players will be well worth the money paid to them. But there are a whole lot of players who will get overpriced deals and not make a bit of difference to whether their team wins or loses in 2007. And it may be better to simply take a pass -- save your money for next year, when the free agent class could be better, when there might be some kind of market correction, when other teams are beginning to realize they've made mistakes and start trying to unload their players. Consider the case of the Texas Rangers. It has not been a good winter this offseason for the Rangers, who have lost slugger Carlos Lee, utilityman Mark DeRosa, Eaton and Matthews from a roster that was thin to begin with. Texas has big holes in its major league team, in its rotation, in its bullpen, in its outfield, and the only way the Rangers can fill them through trades is to deal from the core of young pitching talent that floundered last year. They should not trade their young pitchers; they should give them time to develop, perhaps with the Rangers, or perhaps as trade assets. So perhaps the only way that Texas might become a contender next season would be to throw around cash at the remaining players in this year's market. The Rangers <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061130&content_id=1748414&vkey=h otstove2006&fext=.jsp" target="_new">met</a> with Barry Zito yesterday, as T.R. Sullivan wrote. Now, if the Rangers really believe that Zito is worth the kind of contract he's probably going to get -- maybe $90 million, maybe a little less, maybe as much as $100 million, if the Mets dive in -- then they should pursue the 28-year-old lefty. But if they're ambivalent about how good Zito will really be in 2009 and 2010, as he loses a little bit more off his fastball, then they should take a pass. Because they probably are not going to win in 2007. They've got too many problems, too many holes, and Oakland and the Angels are set up much better for 2007. Rangers owner Tom Hicks is a competitive guy, and the conversation would be difficult, but maybe the best advice that Rangers GM Jon Daniels can give to Hicks is this: Stand down. The Rangers can save their money for next winter, when Vernon Wells will probably become a free agent; better to overextend themselves on a bid for a young star center fielder than on many of the current free agents. Another year will give the Rangers time to develop that young pitching, to sort out Mark Teixeira's situation, to figure out what they will do with Hank Blalock</st

Kevin

12-01-2006, 02:22 PM

<table border="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td><div class="tablexlrg bi" style="padding-right: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-top: 10px">MLB Rumor Central: Zito visits Rangers</div></td><td align="right"><div class="tablesm">Other Rumors: <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/features/rumors">NBA</a> | <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/features/rumors">NFL</a> | <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/features/rumors">NHL</a></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" class="tablehead"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><div>You are signed into Insider <img src="http://espn.starwave.com/i/in.gif" border="0" width="11" height="11" /> and have access to this premium feature.</div></td></tr></tbody></table><div id="noadc"><table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" class="tablehead"><tbody><tr class="oddrow"><td colspan="3">Select Team: AllArizona DiamondbacksAtlanta BravesBaltimore OriolesBoston Red SoxChicago White SoxChicago CubsCincinnati RedsCleveland IndiansColorado RockiesDetroit TigersFlorida MarlinsHouston AstrosKansas City RoyalsLos Angeles AngelsLos Angeles DodgersMilwaukee BrewersMinnesota TwinsNew York YankeesNew York MetsOakland AthleticsPhiladelphia PhilliesPittsburgh PiratesSan Diego PadresSan Francisco GiantsSeattle MarinersSt. Louis CardinalsTampa Bay Devil RaysTexas RangersToronto Blue JaysWashington Nationals</td></tr><tr class="stathead"><td colspan="3">Friday, December 1</td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="oddrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/6394.jpg" border="0" alt="Barry Zito" width="65" height="90" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://null/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6394">Barry Zito</a></div><div>Athletics</div></td><td><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://null/mlb/clubhouse?team=tex">Rangers</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://null/mlb/clubhouse?team=sdg">Padres</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://null/mlb/clubhouse?team=nym">Mets</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://null/mlb/clubhouse?team=nyy">Yankees</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://null/mlb/clubhouse?team=lad">Dodgers</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://null/mlb/clubhouse?team=laa">Angels</a>?</div></td><td><div class="bi">Zito visits Rangers</div><div>Dec 1 - Free-agent pitcher Barry Zito and his agent, Scott Boras, met with Rangers officials on Thursday. Zito expressed interest in Texas last month after Ron Washington, an Oakland coach the past 11 seasons, became the Rangers' new manager. </div></td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/4576.jpg" border="0" alt="Luis Gonzalez" width="65" height="90" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://null/mlb/players/profile?statsId=4576">Luis Gonzalez</a></div><div>Diamondbacks</div></td><td><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://null/mlb/clubhouse?team=sea">Mariners</a></div></td><td><div class="bi">Mariners to meet Gonzo</div><div>Dec 1 - The Mariners are interested in Luis Gonzalez and plan to meet with the 39-year-old outfielder's agents at the winter meetings next week in Orlando, Fla., The Seattle Times reports. Terry Bross, one of Gonzalez's representatives, said "four or five teams" have inquired about Gonzalez. </div></td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="oddrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/5132.jpg" border="0" alt="Manny Ramirez" width="65" height="90" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://null/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5132">Manny Ramirez</a></div><div>Red Sox</

Bulldogcakes

12-02-2006, 04:07 PM

<a href="http://www.nypost.com/seven/12022006/sports/yankees/yankees_likely_wont_turn_to_lilly_yankees_george_k ing.htm" title="Lilly likely to sign with Cubs ">Lilly likely to sign with Cubs </a> The Yankees have until Dec. 28 to sign Igawa or the 27-year-old lefty returns to Japan and the Yankees get their $26 million posting fee back. However, he is expected to sign a four- or five year deal at about $4.5 million per season. By the time Igawa is a Yankee, Lilly could have a four-year deal from the Cubs in the $36 million to $37 million range. "We have an offer for four years in the Jarrod Washburn [range] (four for $37 million)," O'Brien said of the lefty who signed with Seattle before last season.

TheMojoPin

12-02-2006, 04:17 PM

*Grumbles*If they follow it up with a trade for someone like Westbrook, fine.If not...*Grumbles louder*

Bulldogcakes

12-02-2006, 04:28 PM

"Grumbles" twice? Mix it up a little, please. *Harumph**Sheesh* *Uuuugh*or in the holiday spirit *Bah Humbug*

Kevin

12-02-2006, 10:36 PM

TheMojoPin wrote: *Grumbles*<img src="http://freespace.virgin.net/richard.amuzu/Russell/Sideshow_Bob.jpg" border="0" width="320" height="240" />If they follow it up with a trade for someone like Westbrook, fine.If not...*Grumbles louder*<img src="http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/1745/bobsideshow0hx.jpg" border="0" width="186" height="201" />  This from a guy who's team just spent 242 freakin million dollars this off season, and is looking to near 300mil.And he is not happy and wants more. This goes to prove that most Yankee haters are jealous hypocrites, and were only bitching because they were jealous that their team did not spend like the Yankees. This Just goes to prove that people that bitch the most are exactly like the guys that they are bitching about, and are jealous that you either can’t be like them, or can’t openly be like them, but share the exact same desire as them. I,E, Foley, Haggart, Yankee haters 

This message was edited by Kevin on 12-3-06 @ 2:56 AM

TheMojoPin

12-03-2006, 03:49 AM

Kevin wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: *Grumbles*<img src="http://freespace.virgin.net/richard.amuzu/Russell/Sideshow_Bob.jpg" border="0" width="320" height="240" />If they follow it up with a trade for someone like Westbrook, fine.If not...*Grumbles louder*<img src="http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/1745/bobsideshow0hx.jpg" border="0" width="186" height="201" /> This from a guy who's team just spent 242 freakin million dollars this off season, and is looking to near 300mil.And he is not happy and wants more. This goes to prove that most Yankee haters are jealous hypocrites, and were only bitching because they were jealous that their team did not spend like the Yankees. This Just goes to prove that people that bitch the most are exactly like the guys that they are bitching about, and are jealous that you either can’t be like them, or can’t openly be like them, but share the exact same desire as them.I,E, Foley, Haggart, Yankee hatersThis message was edited by Kevin on 12-3-06 @ 2:56 AM When have I ever repeatedly complained about how the Yankees spend?And don't try and act like the Cubs are spending near $300 million all at once right now...the annual payroll is hovering around $120 million and will probably top off around $135 million.And I don't want my team to spend like the Yankees...I want them to spend smart.  And I'm not sure they're doing that.

Gvac

12-03-2006, 06:04 AM

The Reds introduced their new uniforms this past week and I absolutely love them.  They're a classic, traditional look and they even brought back "Mr. RedLegs" on the sleeve. <img src="http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20061202/capt.846f6868f6214d1791884572787b2e5d.reds_uniform s_baseball_ohab102.jpg" border="0" /> <img src="http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20061202/capt.2bd6345ffcb3429baa451475d87ffcfb.reds_uniform s_baseball_ohab105.jpg" border="0" /> <img src="http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20061202/capt.2733f0d32a3d4bf1b953049a74f36670.reds_uniform s_baseball_ohab106.jpg" border="0" /> The road uniform - <img src="http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20061202/capt.373b3e29d00c46ed81994978580addad.reds_uniform s_baseball_ohab102.jpg" border="0" />

TheMojoPin

12-03-2006, 01:46 PM

I hate the Reds but I will admit that those uniforms are pretty sharp, especially the white ones.  I love any baseball uniforms that have a "classic" look to them.

Kevin

12-03-2006, 04:19 PM

<div class="pagetitle" style="width: 480px"><h1>Red Sox don't know Manny market</h1></div>posted: Saturday, December 2, 2006  |  <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=2684053&type=blogEntry">Print Entry</a> ORLANDO, Fla. -- Look, the Red Sox don't even know if Manny Ramirez will be or can be traded at the winter meetings, so no one does.  They don't know if they can get the Dodgers and Angels in a marketing war and end up with something close to what they want. They don't know if the Mariners would trade rookie center fielder Adam Jones and pitching. What they do know is that Jake Peavy ain't walkin' through the Manny Price is Right door.  Heck, they don't even know why Ramirez has asked to be traded through his agent Greg Genske, and, since he hasn't talked to anyone with the club they don't know if he'll even go if they do get something done. It would shock no one if, after weeks of bartering, the Red Sox got a deal with a team like the Dodgers and Manny exercised his 10/5 rights or held up the deal, pressuring Genske to get 2009 and 2010 guaranteed at the $20 million per year, per the contract option.  The club has told Genske in no uncertain terms that if they accede to his trade request and the deal gets held up, Ramirez will have to sit in Boston for the remainder of the deal.  The sense around the Red Sox is that while they may reach for the antacid they aren't going to roll over if Ramirez comes back; if Julio Lugo were to sign (for less than the Cubs' or Mets' offers so he could play short and be with his old friend David Ortiz), then the Lugo/Coco Crisp/Ortiz/Ramirez/J.D. Drew front five would be extremely powerful. And it's not as if owner John Henry wants Manny bagged.  "There will not be enough hours in these meetings for Theo [Epstein]," says one NL GM. "He's got a ton of work and talking to do."  It is assumed that Epstein will complete the Drew deal (my analogy is that J.D. Drew equals Fred Lynn), try to sign Lugo and find a closer. Would Seattle deal J.J. Putz for Manny? Dubious. Scott Boras would like to get Eric Gagne to Boston; problem is, are the medicals real or off the set of General Hospital? Joe Borowski has been calling now that his medicals were declined in Philly.  Oh yes. Epstein will have to continue his negotiations on Daisuke Matsuzaka, which will likely go right down to the Dec. 13 deadline.<hr width="50%" />  Jonathan Papelbon's recent MRI was precisely the same as the one he took when he first signed out of Mississippi State, so they are very encouraged by his progress and convinced he will be a 200-innings horse.<hr width="50%" />  Mike Hampton told Tom Glavine that he, Hampton, informed the Braves that he would restructure his contract to see if they could have the two lefties for something close to the $15M Hampton gets in 2007. No interest, and Glavine never got an offer from Atlanta.<hr width="50%" /> The Giants offered Carlos Lee $113M, and they are trying to get into the Ramirez thing … anything to not take Barry Bonds back. Boston has no interest in Bonds. Oakland wants Mike Piazza. If he doesn't go back to the Giants, this could be a long winter with constant threats of collusion, etc.  Bruce Bochy's many friends back in San Diego kid him about having so many familiar faces in San Francisco: Dave Roberts and Mark Loret

TheMojoPin

12-03-2006, 07:33 PM

I would sign Bonds in a heartbeat.  Jerk/cheat or not, the guy is said to be going for $10-$12 million for one year, and that's a steal with his projected offensive output.  Man, Derrek Lee, Barry Bonds and Aramis Ramirez...that would be a brutal 4-6.  And with Soriano, that would give them 4 guys who would likely give you 30+ homeruns a year.  He's probably play about 100 games and Matt Murton could spell the rest.Oh, it's so unlikely, but I would kill to have him.  I hate him, but I love that bat.  Fuck integrity...I want a goddamn World Series.

Fallon

12-04-2006, 12:59 AM

Kevin

12-04-2006, 09:30 AM

Fallon wrote: Gvac wrote: The Reds introduced their new uniforms this past week and I absolutely love them. They're a classic, traditional look and they even brought back "Mr. RedLegs" on the sleeve. <img src="http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20061202/capt.846f6868f6214d1791884572787b2e5d.reds_uniform s_baseball_ohab102.jpg" border="0" /> Everyone on the team should be required to have mustaches. And as they are rounding the bases they should be required to say lalalalala laaaaaaa HELLLLLOOOOOOO!

OGC

12-04-2006, 11:50 AM

Kevin wrote: Heck, they don't even know why Ramirez has asked to be traded through his agent Greg Genske, and, since he hasn't talked to anyone with the club they don't know if he'll even go if they do get something done. It would shock no one if, after weeks of bartering, the Red Sox got a deal with a team like the Dodgers and Manny exercised his 10/5 rights or held up the deal, pressuring Genske to get 2009 and 2010 guaranteed at the $20 million per year, per the contract option. I don't know any more about this than anyone else but it seems stupid to me that the Red Sox would even bother talking seriously to any teams unless they have already ok'ed the team with Manny and his agent. Sure they may talk to drive up the price with other teams, but they must already know where Manny will or will not agree to go.

TheMojoPin

12-04-2006, 01:43 PM

Supposedly the Red Sox have already scared off the Dodgers with their demands for Manny:<a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-dodgers5dec05,0,4461056.story" target="_blank">The Red Sox want three of the top six Dodgers prospects, including outfielder Matt Kemp and potential closer Jonathan Broxton. The names of James Loney, Andy LaRoche, Chad Billingsley and Scott Elbert also came up.</a>Yikes.I know Manny is going to net them at least some quality in return, but they need to stop like they're not doing this because of a personel issue.

Bulldogcakes

12-04-2006, 02:28 PM

TheMojoPin wrote: Supposedly the Red Sox have already scared off the Dodgers with their demands for Manny: <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-dodgers5dec05,0,4461056.story" target="_blank">The Red Sox want three of the top six Dodgers prospects, including outfielder Matt Kemp and potential closer Jonathan Broxton. The names of James Loney, Andy LaRoche, Chad Billingsley and Scott Elbert also came up.</a> Yikes.I know Manny is going to net them at least some quality in return, but they need to stop like they're not doing this because of a personel issue. If you're going to give up anything CLOSE to a package like that, it wont be for someone with Manny's attitude problems.      It will be for a good citizen who plays 3rd for a certain NY team. Seriously, I've always thought the Dodgers are the best fit to make an A-Rod deal, if one ever happems. And I still believe one will.

Kevin

12-04-2006, 05:28 PM

<table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" class="tablehead"><tbody><tr class="stathead"><td colspan="3">Monday, December 4</td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="oddrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/6026.jpg" border="0" alt="Bengie Molina" width="65" height="90" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://null/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6026">Bengie Molina</a></div><div>Blue Jays</div></td><td><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://null/mlb/clubhouse?team=sfo">Giants</a>?</div></td><td><div class="bi">Molina, Giants moving closer</div><div>Dec 4 - The Giants are closing in on a three-year deal with free-agent catcher Bengie Molina, The San Jose Mercury News reports. The contract language is still being worked out, and the deal -- worth about $15 million -- is expected to be slightly back-loaded, the newspaper reports. </div></td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/5931.jpg" border="0" alt="Richie Sexson" width="65" height="90" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://null/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5931">Richie Sexson</a></div><div>Mariners</div></td><td><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://null/mlb/clubhouse?team=atl">Braves</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://null/mlb/clubhouse?team=fla">Marlins</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="http://null/mlb/clubhouse?team=sfo">Giants</a>?</div></td><td><div class="bi">Let's make a deal?</div><div>Dec 4 - Trading first baseman Richie Sexson may be an option for the Mariners, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports. Raul Ibanez, the current left fielder, could be moved to first base as part of the shakeup if Sexson is dealt to lure an upgrade in Seattle's starting rotation. Some possible trade partners include the Giants or Braves. San Francisco might be willing to part with lefty Noah Lowry in the right deal, and Atlanta would have no trouble dealing Tim Hudson. A long shot is acquiring Dontrelle Willis from the Marlins. For that kind of a trade, Florida would almost certainly want the Mariners to pick up a hefty part of the $14 million coming to Sexson in 2007.</div></td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="oddrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/6327.jpg" border="0" alt="Vernon Wells" width="65" height="90" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://null/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6327">Vernon Wells</a></div><div>Blue Jays</div></td><td> </td><td><div class="bi">The $20M man?</div><div>Dec 4 - Center fielder Vernon Wells expects to be with the Blue Jays next season, The Toronto Globe and Mail reports. "I think I'm going to be back in Toronto this year," Wells told the newspaper. "Actually, I started going online a lot more last year -- because the team was doing so much. But I don't pay much attention to any of the rumors involving me. The fact is, you never really know what's being discussed." Wells isn't eligible for free agency until the end of next season, but the Jays haven't begun to discuss a contract extension with him. It is believed that his agents, Brian Peters and Greg Genske, want to use Wells to make their mark -- that they want him to be the next player to threaten the $20-million annual threshold. Many of the big-name contracts they manage were actually inherited from Jeff Moorad, who sold his s

Kevin

12-04-2006, 05:28 PM

Bulldogcakes wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: Supposedly the Red Sox have already scared off the Dodgers with their demands for Manny: <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-spw-dodgers5dec05,0,4461056.story" target="_blank">The Red Sox want three of the top six Dodgers prospects, including outfielder Matt Kemp and potential closer Jonathan Broxton. The names of James Loney, Andy LaRoche, Chad Billingsley and Scott Elbert also came up.</a>  Yikes.I know Manny is going to net them at least some quality in return, but they need to stop like they're not doing this because of a personel issue.If you're going to give up anything CLOSE to a package like that, it wont be for someone with Manny's attitude problems. It will be for a good citizen who plays 3rd for a certain NY team. Seriously, I've always thought the Dodgers are the best fit to make an A-Rod deal, if one ever happems. And I still believe one will.     Good Point BDC. LA has  the Young Tallent it would take for getting Arod.

kellermcgee21

12-04-2006, 09:11 PM

<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2686240">http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2686240</a> Cardinal resigned Chris Carpenter through 2011, with a club option for 2012, in a move that I am very very happy about.  He could have hit free agency after this upcoming season if he declined his option which I'm sure he would have.  Now lets bring in a couple more starting pitchers and I'll be ready for spring training.

Kevin

12-05-2006, 11:53 AM

<table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" class="tablehead"><tbody><tr class="colhead"> <td width="65">WHO</td> <td>INTERESTED</td> <td>THE SKINNY</td></tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td align="center"> <div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/5132.jpg" border="0" alt="Manny Ramirez" /></div> <div class="bi"><a href="/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5132">Manny Ramirez</a></div> <div>Red Sox</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="/mlb/clubhouse?team=sea">Mariners</a>?</div> <div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="/mlb/clubhouse?team=phi">Phillies</a>?</div> <div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="/mlb/clubhouse?team=lad">Dodgers</a>?</div> <div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="/mlb/clubhouse?team=sdg">Padres</a>?</div> <div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="/mlb/clubhouse?team=sfo">Giants</a></div> <div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="/mlb/clubhouse?team=laa">Angels</a>?</div> <div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="/mlb/clubhouse?team=tex">Rangers</a>?</div></td> <td> <div class="bi">The price for Manny? A closer</div> <div>Dec 5 - The Red Sox are focusing on getting a closer in return for Manny Ramirez, The Boston Globe reports. In talks with the Dodgers, the Red Sox were asking for 22-year-old Jonathan Broxton. In talks with the Angels, they wanted closer Francisco Rodriguez or setup man Scot Shields. J.J. Putz and Rafael Soriano were discussed with the Mariners. A rumored three-way deal involving the Nationals (Chad Cordero) and the Giants was tossed about, the newspaper reports.</div></td></tr> <tr class="colhead"> <td width="65">WHO</td> <td>INTERESTED</td> <td>THE SKINNY</td></tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td align="center"> <div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/7253.jpg" border="0" alt="Adam LaRoche" /></div> <div class="bi"><a href="/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7253">Adam LaRoche</a></div> <div>Braves</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="/mlb/clubhouse?team=laa">Angels</a>?</div></td> <td> <div class="bi">Angels inquire about Braves' LaRoche</div> <div>Dec 5 - Angels GM Bill Stoneman is believed to have met Monday night with Atlanta GM John Schuerholz to discuss a trade for Adam LaRoche, The Los Angeles Times reports. The 27-year-old first baseman hit .285 with 32 home runs and 90 runs batted in last season. According to the newspaper, the Angels believe they can swing a deal for him without giving up pitching. </div></td></tr> <tr class="colhead"> <td width="65">WHO</td> <td>INTERESTED</td> <td>THE SKINNY</td></tr> <tr class="oddrow" valign="top"> <td align="center"> <div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/6246.jpg" border="0" alt="Jacque Jones" /></div> <div class="bi"><a href="/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6246">Jacque Jones</a></div> <div>Cubs</div></td> <td> <div style="margin: 2px 0px"><a href="/mlb/clubhouse?team=col">Rockies</a>?</div></td> <td> <div class="bi">Three-way calling</div> <div>Dec 5 - The Cubs are considering a three-way trade with the Rockies and Pirates involving Jacque Jones, Jason Jennings, Brad Hawpe and young pitchers, the Denver Post reports. Chicago offered Jones, who formally requested a trade at season's end, and pitcher Carlos Marmol or Angel Guzman for Jennings, the Rockies' Opening-Day starter. Under one scenario, the Rockies, who prefer Marmol, would keep Jones and ship Hawpe to the Pirates for starter Paul Maholm. Jones has a partial no-trade clause, but Colorado is not on the list. </div></td></tr> <tr class="colhead"> <td width="65">WHO</td> <td>INTERESTED</td> <td>THE SKINNY</td></tr> <tr class="evenrow" valign="top"> <td align="center"> <div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/6327.jpg" border="0" alt="Vernon Wells" /></div> <div class="bi"><a href="/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6327">Vernon Wells</a></div> <div>Blue Jays</div></td> <td> <div styl

Kevin

12-05-2006, 04:06 PM

johnniewalker

12-05-2006, 04:09 PM

Wow 5 years at age 31, and fairly injury prone.  Ehhh.

cougarjake13

12-05-2006, 04:09 PM

Kevin wrote: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2687740">T</a><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2687740">hey gave JD Drew 14mil per year</a><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2687740">.</a> and they used to complain about the yankeesATTENTION BOARD MEMBERS !!!!!!!!!!spoon now has a new focus for his hatred and it is and will be you, the red sox fanall i can say is heed my warning and run, run far, run fast, and dont look back

Kevin

12-05-2006, 04:11 PM

johnniewalker wrote: Wow 5 years at age 31, and fairly injury prone. Ehhh. Like is said................   <img src="http://forum.m1911.org/images/smilies/laughing-horse.jpg" border="0" width="146" height="200" />

TheMojoPin

12-05-2006, 05:08 PM

Cubs supposedly have an offer on the table to Schmidt for 4 years and $15 million per.I doubt it because there's no way he says no to that unless he REALLY wants to play on the west coast.I hope it's somehow true because otherwise we're gonna get shit like Suppan and Meche instead.

johnniewalker

12-05-2006, 05:12 PM

joeyballsack

12-05-2006, 05:31 PM

<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2687740">http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2687740</a>The Red Sox sign JD Drew to a 5 year/ 70 million contract. So long Trot. If they keep Manny, the 3, 4, and 5 slots in the lineup are solid.

crb1

12-05-2006, 05:45 PM

TheMojoPin wrote: Cubs supposedly have an offer on the table to Schmidt for 4 years and $15 million per.I doubt it because there's no way he says no to that unless he REALLY wants to play on the west coast.I hope it's somehow true because otherwise we're gonna get shit like Suppan and Meche instead.You may be better off with Meche for 3-4 years at $9-10 mil/per.  Schmidt has been good the past two seasons, but his k/9 are declining while his BB/9 is going up and he's been giving up more HR's the past few years.  From what I've read, he's lost a couple mph on his fastball, which would explain most of the stat decline.Meche, on the other hand, seems to be a guy on the brink of becoming an established 2-3 starter.  I only saw him pitch a couple of times this year, but he seemed to gave a very solid assortment of pitches.  Over the course of the next 3-4 years, I'm willing to bet he outperforms Schmidt.

crb1

12-05-2006, 05:50 PM

joeyballsack wrote: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2687740">http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2687740</a>The Red Sox sign JD Drew to a 5 year/ 70 million contract. So long Trot. If they keep Manny, the 3, 4, and 5 slots in the lineup are solid.  What the F are they thinking with that deal?  They must be in love with OBP too much to see things clearly.  The guy is never healthy, he's hit 30+ HRs all of one time (2004), and he has a reputation for playing with little or no intensity (which I can't imagine going over well in Boston).

Bulldogcakes

12-05-2006, 05:52 PM

I am so happy with the Red Sox off season so far. Now just trade Manny and I'll be thrilled.

TheMojoPin

12-05-2006, 06:55 PM

crb1 wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: Cubs supposedly have an offer on the table to Schmidt for 4 years and $15 million per.I doubt it because there's no way he says no to that unless he REALLY wants to play on the west coast.I hope it's somehow true because otherwise we're gonna get shit like Suppan and Meche instead.You may be better off with Meche for 3-4 years at $9-10 mil/per.  Schmidt has been good the past two seasons, but his k/9 are declining while his BB/9 is going up and he's been giving up more HR's the past few years.  From what I've read, he's lost a couple mph on his fastball, which would explain most of the stat decline.Meche, on the other hand, seems to be a guy on the brink of becoming an established 2-3 starter.  I only saw him pitch a couple of times this year, but he seemed to gave a very solid assortment of pitches.  Over the course of the next 3-4 years, I'm willing to bet he outperforms Schmidt.  Meche is a piece of shit.OK, that's harsh, but in this era of bloated contracts, he's one of the ones nowhere near worth what they're getting.  Schmidt is having a "natural decline" with age...nothing drastic, just what's expected as someone gets older.  He's still a lock #3 pitcher on pretty much any team and a solid #2 on a lot of 'em.  Meche is solid #4 at best.  I'd take Lilly or Suppan over him any day of the week, and that's not saying much.  I'd much rather see the Cubs try and trade for Westbrook as it's been rumored.

This message was edited by TheMojoPin on 12-5-06 @ 10:56 PM

Kevin

12-05-2006, 07:04 PM

Nixons Career avgs<table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" width="100%" class="bgBdr"><tbody><tr class="bgHdr1"><td colspan="18">CAREER AVERAGES (per 162 games played)</td></tr><tr class="bgHdr2" align="center"><td class="hed">AB</td><td class="hed">R</td><td class="hed">H</td><td class="hed">2B</td><td class="hed">3B</td><td class="hed">HR</td><td class="hed">RBI</td><td class="hed">BB</td><td class="hed">SO</td><td class="hed">SB</td><td class="hed">CS</td><td class="hed">OBP</td><td class="hed">SLG</td><td class="hed">OPS</td><td class="hed">AVG</td></tr><tr class="bgC" align="center"><td>542</td><td>90</td><td>150</td><td>34</td><td>5</td><td>22</td><td>86</td><td>75</td><td>102</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>.366</td><td>.478</td><td>.844</td><td>.278</td></tr></tbody></table> <table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" width="100%" class="bgBdr"><tbody><tr class="bgHdr1"><td colspan="18">MORE BATTING STATS</td></tr></tbody></table> JD Drews <table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" width="100%" class="bgBdr"><tbody><tr class="bgHdr1"><td colspan="18">CAREER AVERAGES (per 162 games played)</td></tr><tr class="bgHdr2" align="center"><td class="hed">AB</td><td class="hed">R</td><td class="hed">H</td><td class="hed">2B</td><td class="hed">3B</td><td class="hed">HR</td><td class="hed">RBI</td><td class="hed">BB</td><td class="hed">SO</td><td class="hed">SB</td><td class="hed">CS</td><td class="hed">OBP</td><td class="hed">SLG</td><td class="hed">OPS</td><td class="hed">AVG</td></tr><tr class="bgC" align="center"><td>533</td><td>102</td><td>153</td><td>27</td><td>6</td><td>27</td><td>86</td><td>89</td><td>116</td><td>12</td><td>4</td><td>.393</td><td>.512</td><td>.905</td><td>.286</td></tr></tbody></table> Is that any better that Nixons avg? Nixon would make what 7mil tops?

crb1

12-06-2006, 07:47 AM

TheMojoPin wrote: Meche is a piece of shit.OK, that's harsh, but in this era of bloated contracts, he's one of the ones nowhere near worth what they're getting.  Schmidt is having a "natural decline" with age...nothing drastic, just what's expected as someone gets older.  He's still a lock #3 pitcher on pretty much any team and a solid #2 on a lot of 'em.  Meche is solid #4 at best.  I'd take Lilly or Suppan over him any day of the week, and that's not saying much.  I'd much rather see the Cubs try and trade for Westbrook as it's been rumored.You wouldn't mind the Cubs spending $15 million a year on a guy going through a "natural decline?"  He's only going to get worse over the course of the contract.  I think he would be a lock #3 starter in 2007, but I wouldn't depend on him pitching at that level after next season.Meche has a chance to get better, and will probably cost around $9 mil per for 3-4 years.  He's younger, cheaper, and has better stuff than his numbers have shown.My thinking is that Meche is the guy with an upside, whereas you'll have to pay Schmidt for his 2004 numbers, which he isn't going to reach again.

TheMojoPin

12-06-2006, 08:19 AM

crb1 wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: Meche is a piece of shit.OK, that's harsh, but in this era of bloated contracts, he's one of the ones nowhere near worth what they're getting.  Schmidt is having a "natural decline" with age...nothing drastic, just what's expected as someone gets older.  He's still a lock #3 pitcher on pretty much any team and a solid #2 on a lot of 'em.  Meche is solid #4 at best.  I'd take Lilly or Suppan over him any day of the week, and that's not saying much.  I'd much rather see the Cubs try and trade for Westbrook as it's been rumored.You wouldn't mind the Cubs spending $15 million a year on a guy going through a "natural decline?"  He's only going to get worse over the course of the contract.  I think he would be a lock #3 starter in 2007, but I wouldn't depend on him pitching at that level after next season.Meche has a chance to get better, and will probably cost around $9 mil per for 3-4 years.  He's younger, cheaper, and has better stuff than his numbers have shown.My thinking is that Meche is the guy with an upside, whereas you'll have to pay Schmidt for his 2004 numbers, which he isn't going to reach again.    All pitchers not named Roger Clemens naturally decline.  Just because someone like Schmidt isn't as good as he was doesn't mean he's bad...far from it.  He's still an excellent pitcher.  Meche's projections don't even touch Schmidt's projections over the next few years.Meche isn't the end of the world, but even in this limited FA market there are better options than him.  I'd rather see them settle on Lilly or Suppan than Meche.

TheMojoPin

12-06-2006, 09:56 AM

Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK.Dodgers sign Schmidt for 3 years and $47 million.Though it's said that this frees them up to trade Bard Penny, which I would be all about.  2 of Penny, Westbrook, Jennings and Lilly, please.  No Meche.  Thank you.

crb1

12-06-2006, 10:06 AM

TheMojoPin wrote: Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, FUCK.Dodgers sign Schmidt for 3 years and $47 million.Though it's said that this frees them up to trade Bard Penny, which I would be all about.  2 of Penny, Westbrook, Jennings and Lilly, please.  No Meche.  Thank you.Is Penny on the market?  It sounds like the Cubs are close with Lilly, but it seems like Lilly wants to pitch for the Yankees.  I guess he liked NY the first time he pitched there, but the Yankees don't seem like they're all that into signing him.  That may change if Pettitte either retires or goes to Houston.

crb1

12-06-2006, 10:14 AM

TheMojoPin wrote: All pitchers not named Roger Clemens naturally decline.  Just because someone like Schmidt isn't as good as he was doesn't mean he's bad...far from it.  He's still an excellent pitcher.  Meche's projections don't even touch Schmidt's projections over the next few years.Meche isn't the end of the world, but even in this limited FA market there are better options than him.  I'd rather see them settle on Lilly or Suppan than Meche.The point I was trying to make is that Schmidt is only going to get worse, so you can look at an average as the past couple years as the best you'll get from him. He's going to be paid like an ace, and pitch like a #3 (maybe worse in the last couple of years of his contract).I was using Meche more as an example of someone that will give you better value (ie 80-90% of Schmidt's stats at 60-70% of his price).  I think Lilly fits into this category too.

cougarjake13

12-06-2006, 02:31 PM

a's reportedly sign mike piazza<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6245152">http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6245152</a>one less spot for barry and here's hoping no one wants him and he cant break the record

Marc with a c

12-06-2006, 02:33 PM

the a's were looking at bonds? i heard they might have some interest in cliff floyd.

cougarjake13

12-06-2006, 02:40 PM

Marc with a c wrote: the a's were looking at bonds? i heard they might have some interest in cliff floyd.yeh i read a few articles on espn and foxsports that they were interested

Kevin

12-06-2006, 04:32 PM

<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2688676">Happy Mojo?</a>

Don Stugots

12-06-2006, 04:33 PM

Kevin wrote: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2688676">Happy Mojo?</a> i'm not.

HBox

12-06-2006, 07:25 PM

<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2689303" target="_blank">Phillies trade for Freddy Garcia.</a>

TheMojoPin

12-06-2006, 08:27 PM

STUGOTS1 wrote: Kevin wrote: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2688676">Happy Mojo?</a>  i'm not.Yeah, I am...sort of.  As long as they're planning to use him no higher than as a #3 in the rotation, cool.  If they're expecting him to be anything more, no good.  I'm still holding out for a Schmidt miracle (still no confirmation, only talk that he mantioned to someone he's signing with LA), but other than that the Cubs are gonna have to find their #2 through a trade.  If Schmidt goes to LA, that likely makes Penny available.  Like I said before, Jennings or Westbrook would be nice, too, but all 3 would have to be had in trades.Ideally, Prior ends up pitching at least somewhat like the Prior of 2002-2005 and Rich Hill keeps pitching like he did the 2nd half of last year...then the #2 slot looks much more secure.  And hopefully Wade Miller can pull off being the #5.  Lotta "if's," but I am happy they're planning for Miller and Prior at this point to be #5's at best right now and trying to have something resembling an alternative plan.

A.J.

12-07-2006, 03:06 AM

Kevin wrote: Nixons Career avgs<table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" width="100%" class="bgBdr"><tbody><tr class="bgHdr1"><td colspan="18">CAREER AVERAGES (per 162 games played)</td></tr><tr class="bgHdr2" align="center"><td class="hed">AB</td><td class="hed">R</td><td class="hed">H</td><td class="hed">2B</td><td class="hed">3B</td><td class="hed">HR</td><td class="hed">RBI</td><td class="hed">BB</td><td class="hed">SO</td><td class="hed">SB</td><td class="hed">CS</td><td class="hed">OBP</td><td class="hed">SLG</td><td class="hed">OPS</td><td class="hed">AVG</td></tr><tr class="bgC" align="center"><td>542</td><td>90</td><td>150</td><td>34</td><td>5</td><td>22</td><td>86</td><td>75</td><td>102</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>.366</td><td>.478</td><td>.844</td><td>.278</td></tr></tbody></table> <table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" width="100%" class="bgBdr"><tbody><tr class="bgHdr1"><td colspan="18">MORE BATTING STATS</td></tr></tbody></table> JD Drews <table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" width="100%" class="bgBdr"><tbody><tr class="bgHdr1"><td colspan="18">CAREER AVERAGES (per 162 games played)</td></tr><tr class="bgHdr2" align="center"><td class="hed">AB</td><td class="hed">R</td><td class="hed">H</td><td class="hed">2B</td><td class="hed">3B</td><td class="hed">HR</td><td class="hed">RBI</td><td class="hed">BB</td><td class="hed">SO</td><td class="hed">SB</td><td class="hed">CS</td><td class="hed">OBP</td><td class="hed">SLG</td><td class="hed">OPS</td><td class="hed">AVG</td></tr><tr class="bgC" align="center"><td>533</td><td>102</td><td>153</td><td>27</td><td>6</td><td>27</td><td>86</td><td>89</td><td>116</td><td>12</td><td>4</td><td>.393</td><td>.512</td><td>.905</td><td>.286</td></tr></tbody></table> Is that any better that Nixons avg? Nixon would make what 7mil tops? I'd be interested in a comparison of their time spent on the DL.And I'd like to see Johnny Damon's numbers.

crb1

12-07-2006, 04:06 AM

A.J. wrote:Nixons Career avgs<table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" width="100%" class="bgBdr"><tbody><tr class="bgHdr1"><td colspan="18">CAREER AVERAGES (per 162 games played)</td></tr><tr class="bgHdr2" align="center"><td class="hed">AB</td><td class="hed">R</td><td class="hed">H</td><td class="hed">2B</td><td class="hed">3B</td><td class="hed">HR</td><td class="hed">RBI</td><td class="hed">BB</td><td class="hed">SO</td><td class="hed">SB</td><td class="hed">CS</td><td class="hed">OBP</td><td class="hed">SLG</td><td class="hed">OPS</td><td class="hed">AVG</td></tr><tr class="bgC" align="center"><td>542</td><td>90</td><td>150</td><td>34</td><td>5</td><td>22</td><td>86</td><td>75</td><td>102</td><td>5</td><td>2</td><td>.366</td><td>.478</td><td>.844</td><td>.278</td></tr></tbody></table> <table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" width="100%" class="bgBdr"><tbody><tr class="bgHdr1"><td colspan="18">MORE BATTING STATS</td></tr></tbody></table> JD Drews <table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2" width="100%" class="bgBdr"><tbody><tr class="bgHdr1"><td colspan="18">CAREER AVERAGES (per 162 games played)</td></tr><tr class="bgHdr2" align="center"><td class="hed">AB</td><td class="hed">R</td><td class="hed">H</td><td class="hed">2B</td><td class="hed">3B</td><td class="hed">HR</td><td class="hed">RBI</td><td class="hed">BB</td><td class="hed">SO</td><td class="hed">SB</td><td class="hed">CS</td><td class="hed">OBP</td><td class="hed">SLG</td><td class="hed">OPS</td><td class="hed">AVG</td></tr><tr class="bgC" align="center"><td>533</td><td>102</td><td>153</td><td>27</td><td>6</td><td>27</td><td>86</td><td>89</td><td>116</td><td>12</td><td>4</td><td>.393</td><td>.512</td><td>.905</td><td>.286</td></tr></tbody></table> Johnny Damon <table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0" width="99%" style="background: white; margin-left: 6.6pt; width: 99.52%" bgcolor="#ffffff"><tbody><tr><td colspan="17" width="99%" style="width: 99.68%; background-color: transparent; border: #d4d0c8; padding: 2.25pt">Seasonal Averages (per 162 games played)</td></tr><tr><td width="9%" style="width: 9.98%; background-color: transparent; border: #d4d0c8; padding: 2.25pt">YEARS</td><td width="5%" style="width: 5.46%; background-color: transparent; border: #d4d0c8; padding: 2.25pt">G</td><td width="5%" style="width: 5.46%; background-color: transparent; border: #d4d0c8; padding: 2.25pt">AB</td><td width="5%" style="width: 5.48%; background-color: transparent; border: #d4d0c8; padding: 2.25pt">R</td><td width="5%" style="width: 5.48%; background-color: transparent; border: #d4d0c8; padding: 2.25pt">H</td><td width="5%" style="width: 5.3%; background-color: transparent; border: #d4d0c8; padding: 2.25pt">2B</td><td width="5%" style="width: 5.3%; background-color: transparent; border: #

A.J.

12-07-2006, 04:23 AM

crb1 wrote: And as far as injury history:  Damon's never played LESS than 145 games in a season.  Drew's played 145 games or more (his highest was 146 in 2004) twice.Thanks.But I was referring to a comparison of injury time between Nixon and Drew.  The knock against Trot was that he was oft-injured and on the downside.

crb1

12-07-2006, 08:08 AM

<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2689724">http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2689724</a>Wow, even the Royals are spending this offseason.  I heard they were in the mix for him, but I can never see them signing any FAs.  I thought he was headed to the Jays.

crb1

12-07-2006, 08:18 AM

A.J. wrote: Thanks.But I was referring to a comparison of injury time between Nixon and Drew.  The knock against Trot was that he was oft-injured and on the downside.<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="210" style="width: 158pt; border-collapse: collapse"><tbody><tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt"><td class="xl22" width="64" height="17" style="width: 48pt; height: 12.75pt; background-color: transparent; border: windowtext 0.5pt solid"> </td><td class="xl23" width="82" style="border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; width: 62pt; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; background-color: transparent">Trot Nixon</td><td class="xl23" width="64" style="border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-left: windowtext; width: 48pt; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; background-color: transparent">JD Drew</td></tr><tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt"><td class="xl24" width="64" height="17" align="right" style="border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; border-left: windowtext 0.5pt solid; width: 48pt; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; height: 12.75pt; background-color: white">1999</td><td class="xl25" width="82" style="border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; padding-bottom: 2.25pt; border-left: windowtext; width: 62pt; padding-top: 2.25pt; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; background-color: white">124</td><td class="xl25" width="64" style="border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; padding-bottom: 2.25pt; border-left: windowtext; width: 48pt; padding-top: 2.25pt; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; background-color: white">104</td></tr><tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt"><td class="xl24" width="64" height="17" align="right" style="border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; padding-bottom: 2.25pt; border-left: windowtext 0.5pt solid; width: 48pt; padding-top: 2.25pt; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; height: 12.75pt; background-color: white">2000</td><td class="xl25" width="82" style="border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; padding-bottom: 2.25pt; border-left: windowtext; width: 62pt; padding-top: 2.25pt; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; background-color: white">123</td><td class="xl25" width="64" style="border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; padding-bottom: 2.25pt; border-left: windowtext; width: 48pt; padding-top: 2.25pt; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; background-color: white">135</td></tr><tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt"><td class="xl24" width="64" height="17" align="right" style="border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; padding-bottom: 2.25pt; border-left: windowtext 0.5pt solid; width: 48pt; padding-top: 2.25pt; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; height: 12.75pt; background-color: white">2001</td><td class="xl25" width="82" style="border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; padding-bottom: 2.25pt; border-left: windowtext; width: 62pt; padding-top: 2.25pt; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; background-color: white">148</td><td class="xl25" width="64" style="border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; padding-bottom: 2.25pt; border-left: windowtext; width: 48pt; padding-top: 2.25pt; border-bottom: windowtext 0.5pt solid; background-color: white">109</td></tr><tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt"><td class="xl24" width="64" height="17" align="right" style="border-right: windowtext 0.5pt solid; border-top: windowtext; padding-bottom: 2.25pt; border-left: windowtext 0

Kevin

12-07-2006, 09:54 AM

crb1 wrote: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2689724">http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2689724</a>Wow, even the Royals are spending this offseason. I heard they were in the mix for him, but I can never see them signing any FAs. I thought he was headed to the Jays. A certain boooaaaad memba named after a utensil should not be happy with this move. He had his heart set on Meche signing with his team that shall we say, does not play in the United States of America.....   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`Who can it be?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kevin

12-07-2006, 02:05 PM

<table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" class="tablehead"><tbody><tr class="stathead"><td colspan="3">Thursday, December 7</td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="oddrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/6327.jpg" border="0" alt="Vernon Wells" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6327">Vernon Wells</a></div><div>Blue Jays</div></td><td><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=phi">Phillies</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=lad">Dodgers</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=laa">Angels</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=chw">White Sox</a>?</div></td><td><div class="bi">Thinking Blue?</div><div>Dec 7 - The Dodgers have shown a strong interest in Vernon Wells, the Toronto Sun reports. By adding Jason Schmidt to the rotation, L.A. can now trade Brad Penny and prospects (Matt Kemp, Andy LaRoche, James Loney or Andre Ethier) to get a deal done. Wells has one year left on his contract and isn't likely to re-sign with Toronto, so GM J.P. Ricciard, who likes Penny, could be open to trading the center fielder. According to The Toronto Globe and Mail reports, agents Brian Peters and Greg Genske hope to use Wells to make their mark -- and want him to be the next player to threaten the $20-million annual threshold. Many of the big-name contracts they manage were inherited from Jeff Moorad, who sold his sports management business in 2004 to become the CEO of the Diamondbacks. </div></td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/6342.jpg" border="0" alt="Eric Gagne" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6342">Eric Gagne</a></div><div>Dodgers</div></td><td><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=sfo">Giants</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=cle">Indians</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=bos">Red Sox</a>?</div></td><td><div class="bi">Game over in L.A.?</div><div>Dec 7 - Closer Eric Gagne spurned an offer to stay with the Dodgers and will shop around for a better deal, the Los Angeles Times reports. Gagne's agent, Scott Boras, turned down a guaranteed one-year, $4-million offer with incentives that could have increased the value to $10 million. Although the Dodgers don't appear willing to increase the offer, Boras plans to speak to GM Ned Colletti again before Gagne signs with another team. The market for Gagne has increased to more than $5 million guaranteed, with the same kind of incentives the Dodgers are offering. The Red Sox still need a closer and have inquired about Gagne, the Boston Herald reports. </div></td></tr><tr class="colhead"><td width="65">WHO</td><td>INTERESTED</td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="oddrow" valign="top"><td align="center"><div><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/5331.jpg" border="0" alt="Andy Pettitte" /></div><div class="bi"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5331">Andy Pettitte</a></div><div>Astros</div></td><td><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=nyy">Yankees</a>?</div><div style="margin: 2px 0pt"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=hou">Astros</a>?</div></td><td><div class="bi">Back in the Bronx?</div><div>Dec 7 - Don't be surprised if Andy Pettitte r

cougarjake13

12-07-2006, 04:46 PM

Kevin wrote: crb1 wrote: <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2689724">http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2689724</a>Wow, even the Royals are spending this offseason. I heard they were in the mix for him, but I can never see them signing any FAs. I thought he was headed to the Jays.A certain boooaaaad memba named after a utensil should not be happy with this move. He had his heart set on Meche signing with his team that shall we say, does not play in the United States of America..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`Who can it be?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  would that be theTokyo Yakult Swallows ???

cougarjake13

12-07-2006, 04:53 PM

<table border="0" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="3" class="tablehead"><tbody><tr class="colhead"><td> </td><td>THE SKINNY</td></tr><tr class="evenrow" valign="top"><td align="center">*><img src="http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/mlb/sml/trans/nym.gif" border="0" alt="New York Mets" width="50" height="50" /> * class="bi"><a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=nym">New York</a> </td><td> </td><td>* class="bi">Arms race *>Dec 7 - In addition to pursuing Barry Zito, GM Omar Minaya is also exploring the trade front, The New York Daily News reports. While speculation has swirled about the Mets' interest in Oakland's Rich Harden, it's actually fellow A's starter Danny Haren who intrigues New York. The A's love Mets outfielder Lastings Milledge, though it's debatable whether Oakland can lose Zito to free agency and Haren via trade without getting a starting pitcher in return. A's GM Billy Beane is known to value Aaron Heilman as a starter, too. </td></tr></tbody></table>  if we were offering lastings and heilman for zito last season and now beane wants the same for haren, is haren really on the par of zito ??? i know lastings stock dropped a little but i dont agree with the trade as currently constructed

BoondockSaint

12-07-2006, 05:13 PM

But Haren is also younger and way, way cheaper.

spoon

12-07-2006, 05:17 PM

TheMojoPin wrote: Kevin wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: *Grumbles*<img src="http://freespace.virgin.net/richard.amuzu/Russell/Sideshow_Bob.jpg" border="0" width="320" height="240" />If they follow it up with a trade for someone like Westbrook, fine.If not...*Grumbles louder*<img src="http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/1745/bobsideshow0hx.jpg" border="0" width="186" height="201" /> This from a guy who's team just spent 242 freakin million dollars this off season, and is looking to near 300mil.And he is not happy and wants more. This goes to prove that most Yankee haters are jealous hypocrites, and were only bitching because they were jealous that their team did not spend like the Yankees. This Just goes to prove that people that bitch the most are exactly like the guys that they are bitching about, and are jealous that you either can’t be like them, or can’t openly be like them, but share the exact same desire as them.I,E, Foley, Haggart, Yankee hatersThis message was edited by Kevin on 12-3-06 @ 2:56 AM When have I ever repeatedly complained about how the Yankees spend?And don't try and act like the Cubs are spending near $300 million all at once right now...the annual payroll is hovering around $120 million and will probably top off around $135 million.And I don't want my team to spend like the Yankees...I want them to spend smart.  And I'm not sure they're doing that.And not to mention it proves nothing.  You said the same shit to me when the Jays finally had a little money last year and signed a few players after years of losing good home grown talent, something the yanks will never have to know (or their fans).  After all of that, the Jays didn't even get over 70 million since they were so low at the time.  So give it a rest.  I, like some others here want a little more equality in the overall function in this league since competition within is the true, overall product.  If all teams were at least withing around 50 million of each other as least then it would be somewhat competitive overall.  But right now we have teams in the 30/40 million area and then others way over 100, and one over 200 (possibly a few more soon).  That's what the problem is and why fans get sick of 50 10 million dollar players/all-stars on one team.  And sweet point on the spending smart, not like the most recent yankee teams Mojo.  Shake and bake!  I said shake and bake!

Bulldogcakes

12-07-2006, 05:36 PM

spoon wrote: And sweet point on the spending smart, not like the most recent yankee teams Mojo.  How dumb were they? They've won their division every year for the past 10 years. They're not spending it that badly.

cougarjake13

12-07-2006, 05:38 PM

BoondockSaint wrote: But Haren is also younger and way, way cheaper. but doesnt have the track record of zitohere's haren Year Ag Tm  Lg  W   L   G   GS  CG SHOGF SV   IP     H    R   ER   HR  BB   SO  HBP  WP  BFP  IBB  +--------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+------+----+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+-----+--- 2003 22 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/2003.shtml">STL</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL_2003.shtml">NL</a>    3   7   14  14   0   0   0  0   72.7    84   44     41    9   22   43    5    3   320   0       2004 23 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/2004.shtml">STL</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL_2004.shtml">NL</a>    3   3   14   5    0   0   2  0   46.0    45   23     23    4   17   32    2    1   195   2       2005 24 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2005.shtml">OAK</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL_2005.shtml">AL</a>  14  12  34  34   3   0   0  0  217.0  212  101    90  26   53  163   6    6   897   5      2006 25 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2006.shtml">OAK</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL_2006.shtml">AL</a>  14  13  34  34   2   0   0  0  223.0  224  109  102  31   45  176  10  10   930   6    heres zito's first four years Year Ag Tm  Lg  W   L   G   GS  CG SHO  GF SV   IP     H    R   ER   HR  BB   SO  HBP  WP  BFP  IBB  ----------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+------+----+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+-----+---+---2000 22 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2000.shtml">OAK</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL_2000.shtml">AL</a>    7    4   14  14   1   1   0  0    92.7   64   30   28   6    45    78   2    2   376   2     2001 23 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2001.shtml">OAK</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL_2001.shtml">AL</a>  17    8   35  35   3   2   0  0  214.3  184   92   83  18   80  205  13   6   902   0   2002 24 <a href="http://www.base

Bulldogcakes

12-07-2006, 05:41 PM

Both Haren and Harden are great pitchers. #1 type starters when healthy. Haren fucking OWNS the Yanks.

spoon

12-07-2006, 05:58 PM

Gvac wrote: The Reds introduced their new uniforms this past week and I absolutely love them.  They're a classic, traditional look and they even brought back "Mr. RedLegs" on the sleeve. <img src="http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20061202/capt.846f6868f6214d1791884572787b2e5d.reds_uniform s_baseball_ohab102.jpg" border="0" width="276" height="410" /> <img src="http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20061202/capt.2bd6345ffcb3429baa451475d87ffcfb.reds_uniform s_baseball_ohab105.jpg" border="0" width="258" height="409" /> <img src="http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20061202/capt.2733f0d32a3d4bf1b953049a74f36670.reds_uniform s_baseball_ohab106.jpg" border="0" width="298" height="409" /> The road uniform - <img src="http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20061202/capt.373b3e29d00c46ed81994978580addad.reds_uniform s_baseball_ohab102.jpg" border="0" width="225" height="410" /> Nice to see they totally embraced their inner gay with the runway show too.  That's right up there with G's hat.  I starting to see a pattern.

cougarjake13

12-07-2006, 05:58 PM

Bulldogcakes wrote: Both Haren and Harden are great pitchers. #1 type starters when healthy. Haren fucking OWNS the Yanks. dont get wrong i would love to have harenjust saying i dont see how they can give up the same guys for haren that they were for zito

cougarjake13

12-07-2006, 06:05 PM

espn news is reporting that barry bonds has signed a one year deal with the giantsno linky yet

spoon

12-07-2006, 06:19 PM

crb1 wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: Cubs supposedly have an offer on the table to Schmidt for 4 years and $15 million per.I doubt it because there's no way he says no to that unless he REALLY wants to play on the west coast.I hope it's somehow true because otherwise we're gonna get shit like Suppan and Meche instead.You may be better off with Meche for 3-4 years at $9-10 mil/per.  Schmidt has been good the past two seasons, but his k/9 are declining while his BB/9 is going up and he's been giving up more HR's the past few years.  From what I've read, he's lost a couple mph on his fastball, which would explain most of the stat decline.Meche, on the other hand, seems to be a guy on the brink of becoming an established 2-3 starter.  I only saw him pitch a couple of times this year, but he seemed to gave a very solid assortment of pitches.  Over the course of the next 3-4 years, I'm willing to bet he outperforms Schmidt.  Still catching up here and I couldn't agree more with this post.  Yet it stings for me bc the Jays didn't land him and actually lost Lilly too.

HBox

12-07-2006, 06:27 PM

KC also signed Octavio Dotel.

spoon

12-07-2006, 06:30 PM

Bulldogcakes wrote: spoon wrote: And sweet point on the spending smart, not like the most recent yankee teams Mojo.  How dumb were they? They've won their division every year for the past 10 years. They're not spending it that badly.   Yes, yes they have.  They have had no plan outside of sign everything and block the Sox or take their players.  I could go out and GM better than that with 200 million easy.

johnniewalker

12-07-2006, 06:31 PM

Wow way to make a push towards 60 wins K.C.!

crb1

12-07-2006, 06:35 PM

HBox wrote: KC also signed Octavio Dotel. And they're also after Miguel Batista.

BoondockSaint

12-07-2006, 06:36 PM

cougarjake13 wrote: [quote]BoondockSaint wrote: But Haren is also younger and way, way cheaper. but doesnt have the track record of zitohere's haren Year Ag Tm  Lg  W   L   G   GS  CG SHOGF SV   IP     H    R   ER   HR  BB   SO  HBP  WP  BFP  IBB  +--------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+------+----+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+-----+--- 2003 22 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/2003.shtml">STL</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL_2003.shtml">NL</a>    3   7   14  14   0   0   0  0   72.7    84   44     41    9   22   43    5    3   320   0       2004 23 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/2004.shtml">STL</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL_2004.shtml">NL</a>    3   3   14   5    0   0   2  0   46.0    45   23     23    4   17   32    2    1   195   2       2005 24 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2005.shtml">OAK</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL_2005.shtml">AL</a>  14  12  34  34   3   0   0  0  217.0  212  101    90  26   53  163   6    6   897   5      2006 25 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2006.shtml">OAK</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL_2006.shtml">AL</a>  14  13  34  34   2   0   0  0  223.0  224  109  102  31   45  176  10  10   930   6    heres zito's first four years Year Ag Tm  Lg  W   L   G   GS  CG SHO  GF SV   IP     H    R   ER   HR  BB   SO  HBP  WP  BFP  IBB  ----------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+------+----+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+-----+---+---2000 22 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2000.shtml">OAK</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL_2000.shtml">AL</a>    7    4   14  14   1   1   0  0    92.7   64   30   28   6    45    78   2    2   376   2     2001 23 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2001.shtml">OAK</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL_2001.shtml">AL</a>  17    8   35  35   3   2   0  0  214.3  184   92   83  18   80  205  13   6   902   0  <br

cougarjake13

12-08-2006, 05:10 AM

BoondockSaint wrote: [quote]cougarjake13 wrote: [quote]BoondockSaint wrote: But Haren is also younger and way, way cheaper. but doesnt have the track record of zitohere's haren Year Ag Tm  Lg  W   L   G   GS  CG SHOGF SV   IP     H    R   ER   HR  BB   SO  HBP  WP  BFP  IBB  +--------------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+------+----+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+-----+--- 2003 22 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/2003.shtml">STL</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL_2003.shtml">NL</a>    3   7   14  14   0   0   0  0   72.7    84   44     41    9   22   43    5    3   320   0       2004 23 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/2004.shtml">STL</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL_2004.shtml">NL</a>    3   3   14   5    0   0   2  0   46.0    45   23     23    4   17   32    2    1   195   2       2005 24 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2005.shtml">OAK</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL_2005.shtml">AL</a>  14  12  34  34   3   0   0  0  217.0  212  101    90  26   53  163   6    6   897   5      2006 25 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2006.shtml">OAK</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL_2006.shtml">AL</a>  14  13  34  34   2   0   0  0  223.0  224  109  102  31   45  176  10  10   930   6    heres zito's first four years Year Ag Tm  Lg  W   L   G   GS  CG SHO  GF SV   IP     H    R   ER   HR  BB   SO  HBP  WP  BFP  IBB  ----------+---+---+---+---+---+---+---+--+------+----+----+----+---+----+----+---+---+-----+---+---2000 22 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2000.shtml">OAK</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL_2000.shtml">AL</a>    7    4   14  14   1   1   0  0    92.7   64   30   28   6    45    78   2    2   376   2     2001 23 <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/2001.shtml">OAK</a> <a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL_2001.shtml">AL</a>  17    8   35  35   3   2   0  0  214.3  184   92   83  18   80  205  1

goreds2

12-08-2006, 05:51 PM

Former MLB SS Uribe Dies in Crash <hr size="1" />RIP Jose Uribe, who spent eight of his 10 major league seasons with the San Francisco Giants, died Friday morning in a car accident 30 miles west of Santo Domingo. Friday, December 8, 2006 Sports Photos: Check out new pics of everything going on today in the world of Sports. San Francisco, CA (Sports Network) - Jose Uribe, who spent eight of his 10 major league seasons with the San Francisco Giants, died Friday morning in a car accident 30 miles west of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. The 47-year-old Uribe was traveling alone in a Mitsubishi SUV at the time of the accident while driving on the Nizao-San Cristobal Highway. Uribe began his career with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1984 and played with the Giants from 1985-1992 before finishing his career with the Houston Astros in 1993. He had a career .241 batting average with 19 home runs, 219 runs batted in and 74 stolen bases in 1,038 games. <a href="http://www.700wlw.com/pages/sportsNews.html?feed=104670&article=1552081" target="_blank">http://www.700wlw.com/pages/sportsNe...rticle=1552081</a> *-- / message -**-- sig -**>__________________

This message was edited by goreds2 on 12-8-06 @ 9:52 PM

cougarjake13

12-09-2006, 01:27 PM

hey mojo any thoughts on marquis ???<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6255034">http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6255034</a>

TheMojoPin

12-09-2006, 02:18 PM

cougarjake13 wrote: hey mojo any thoughts on marquis ???<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6255034">http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6255034</a>SO.FUCKING.BAD.3 years and $28 million fucking dollars for Jason fucking Marquis?!?  This is what I was talking about when I wanted my team to spend smart...THIS IS NOT SPENDING SMART.Marquis' numbers last year weren't just bad...they were DISGUSTING.Supposedly it was all some mechanical flaw that he and the coaches have worked worked out, but what the fuck ever.  I'll believe it when I see it.  In the meantime, this pisses me off so fucking much.  Hendry better work his fat ass off to get a huge bat.

Kevin

12-09-2006, 02:40 PM

TheMojoPin wrote: cougarjake13 wrote: hey mojo any thoughts on marquis ???<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6255034">http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6255034</a>SO.FUCKING.BAD.3 years and $28 million fucking dollars for Jason fucking Marquis?!?  This is what I was talking about when I wanted my team to spend smart...THIS IS NOT SPENDING SMART.Marquis' numbers last year weren't just bad...they were DISGUSTING.Supposedly it was all some mechanical flaw that he and the coaches have worked worked out, but what the fuck ever.  I'll believe it when I see it.  In the meantime, this pisses me off so fucking much.  Hendry better work his fat ass off to get a huge bat.Well its being reported that they are after Cliff Floyd.

Bulldogcakes

12-10-2006, 05:50 AM

• Lou Piniella on choosing the Cubs and not going back to the Yankees: "First of all, Joe [Torre] should be the manager of the Yankees. But if I were to go back and we won, it would have been what we were supposed to do. If we win with the Cubs, it will be one of the great moments of all time."

BoondockSaint

12-10-2006, 06:17 AM

Bulldogcakes wrote:  • Lou Piniella on choosing the Cubs and not going back to the Yankees: "First of all, Joe [Torre] should be the manager of the Yankees. But if I were to go back and we won, it would have been what we were supposed to do. If we win with the Cubs, it will be one of the great moments of all time."   That's what every manager choosing t between the two teams should feel.  The fans dictate it.

TheMojoPin

12-10-2006, 06:20 AM

BoondockSaint wrote: Bulldogcakes wrote:  • Lou Piniella on choosing the Cubs and not going back to the Yankees: "First of all, Joe [Torre] should be the manager of the Yankees. But if I were to go back and we won, it would have been what we were supposed to do. If we win with the Cubs, it will be one of the great moments of all time."   That's what every manager choosing t between the two teams should feel.  The fans dictate it.That's a hell of a crap shoot, though.  How many mangers have thought over the last century, "I'M gonna be the one?"  That's a long list, Lou.

This message was edited by TheMojoPin on 12-10-06 @ 10:20 AM

BoondockSaint

12-10-2006, 06:29 AM

TheMojoPin wrote: BoondockSaint wrote: Bulldogcakes wrote:  • Lou Piniella on choosing the Cubs and not going back to the Yankees: "First of all, Joe [Torre] should be the manager of the Yankees. But if I were to go back and we won, it would have been what we were supposed to do. If we win with the Cubs, it will be one of the great moments of all time."   That's what every manager choosing t between the two teams should feel.  The fans dictate it.That's a hell of a crap shoot, though.  How many mangers have thought over the last century, "I'M gonna be the one?"  That's a long list, Lou.This message was edited by TheMojoPin on 12-10-06 @ 10:20 AM Well, how many had to choose between the two?  But, if you did have the choice, you are also replacing a legend in NY.  If he wins the division and has a decent playoff deries in Chicago it's a not great but pretty good year.  Do that in with the Yanks and it's a failure.

cougarjake13

12-10-2006, 06:54 AM

BoondockSaint wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: BoondockSaint wrote: Bulldogcakes wrote:  • Lou Piniella on choosing the Cubs and not going back to the Yankees: "First of all, Joe [Torre] should be the manager of the Yankees. But if I were to go back and we won, it would have been what we were supposed to do. If we win with the Cubs, it will be one of the great moments of all time."   That's what every manager choosing t between the two teams should feel.  The fans dictate it.That's a hell of a crap shoot, though.  How many mangers have thought over the last century, "I'M gonna be the one?"  That's a long list, Lou.This message was edited by TheMojoPin on 12-10-06 @ 10:20 AM Well, how many had to choose between the two?  But, if you did have the choice, you are also replacing a legend in NY.  If he wins the division and has a decent playoff deries in Chicago it's a not great but pretty good year.  Do that in with the Yanks and it's a failure.which is exactly why it will be hard for any manager to come in and replace torreanything less then a world championship is a failure

BoondockSaint

12-10-2006, 07:38 AM

cougarjake13 wrote: BoondockSaint wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: BoondockSaint wrote: Bulldogcakes wrote:  • Lou Piniella on choosing the Cubs and not going back to the Yankees: "First of all, Joe [Torre] should be the manager of the Yankees. But if I were to go back and we won, it would have been what we were supposed to do. If we win with the Cubs, it will be one of the great moments of all time."   That's what every manager choosing t between the two teams should feel.  The fans dictate it.That's a hell of a crap shoot, though.  How many mangers have thought over the last century, "I'M gonna be the one?"  That's a long list, Lou.This message was edited by TheMojoPin on 12-10-06 @ 10:20 AM Well, how many had to choose between the two?  But, if you did have the choice, you are also replacing a legend in NY.  If he wins the division and has a decent playoff deries in Chicago it's a not great but pretty good year.  Do that in with the Yanks and it's a failure.which is exactly why it will be hard for any manager to come in and replace torreanything less then a world championship is a failureThey would give Mattingly and now Girardi a pass.  Even if they came in last, they would get a second year.

TheMojoPin

12-10-2006, 08:38 AM

BoondockSaint wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: BoondockSaint wrote: Bulldogcakes wrote:  • Lou Piniella on choosing the Cubs and not going back to the Yankees: "First of all, Joe [Torre] should be the manager of the Yankees. But if I were to go back and we won, it would have been what we were supposed to do. If we win with the Cubs, it will be one of the great moments of all time."   That's what every manager choosing t between the two teams should feel.  The fans dictate it.That's a hell of a crap shoot, though.  How many mangers have thought over the last century, "I'M gonna be the one?"  That's a long list, Lou.This message was edited by TheMojoPin on 12-10-06 @ 10:20 AM Well, how many had to choose between the two?  But, if you did have the choice, you are also replacing a legend in NY.  If he wins the division and has a decent playoff deries in Chicago it's a not great but pretty good year.  Do that in with the Yanks and it's a failure.Look at the careers of managers who left the Cubs without a WS.  It's pretty desolate.  Most of them end up not managing again.  We're THAT soul-crushing.

kellermcgee21

12-10-2006, 01:05 PM

TheMojoPin wrote: cougarjake13 wrote: hey mojo any thoughts on marquis ???<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6255034">http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6255034</a>SO.FUCKING.BAD.3 years and $28 million fucking dollars for Jason fucking Marquis?!?  This is what I was talking about when I wanted my team to spend smart...THIS IS NOT SPENDING SMART.Marquis' numbers last year weren't just bad...they were DISGUSTING.Supposedly it was all some mechanical flaw that he and the coaches have worked worked out, but what the fuck ever.  I'll believe it when I see it.  In the meantime, this pisses me off so fucking much.  Hendry better work his fat ass off to get a huge bat.I cant wait to see Marquis pitch against the Cardinals in Wrigley.  I'll have to make sure I'm off work that day.

kellermcgee21

12-10-2006, 01:07 PM

Bulldogcakes wrote:  • Lou Piniella on choosing the Cubs and not going back to the Yankees: "First of all, Joe [Torre] should be the manager of the Yankees. But if I were to go back and we won, it would have been what we were supposed to do. If we win with the Cubs, it will be one of the great moments of all time."   You have to respect Pinnella taking a chance and trying to leave his mark.  He will definatly be remembered forever if the cubs do win the series under him.  He probably doesn't have too many years left coaching so why not go for the job that would leave the biggest impact.

Bulldogcakes

12-10-2006, 01:13 PM

TheMojoPin wrote:Look at the careers of managers who left the Cubs without a WS. It's pretty desolate. Most of them end up not managing again. We're THAT soul-crushing.Mojo, after the lowly Cards won this year, anything can happen.  Yes, even that.    well. . ..     Nah, who am I kiddin. The Cubs will never win.

cougarjake13

12-10-2006, 02:06 PM

BoondockSaint wrote: Well, how many had to choose between the two?  But, if you did have the choice, you are also replacing a legend in NY.  If he wins the division and has a decent playoff deries in Chicago it's a not great but pretty good year.  Do that in with the Yanks and it's a failure.which is exactly why it will be hard for any manager to come in and replace torreanything less then a world championship is a failureThey would give Mattingly and now Girardi a pass.  Even if they came in last, they would get a second year.  they would get a pass but the expectations would still be high

BoondockSaint

12-10-2006, 02:37 PM

Bulldogcakes wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: Look at the careers of managers who left the Cubs without a WS. It's pretty desolate. Most of them end up not managing again. We're THAT soul-crushing.Mojo, after the lowly Cards won this year, anything can happen.  Yes, even that.    well. . ..     Nah, who am I kiddin. The Cubs will never win.  Aren't the Cards #2 in World Series wins like 11 or 12?  I 'm not busting chops, just wondering.

Kevin

12-10-2006, 02:41 PM

BoondockSaint wrote: Bulldogcakes wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: Look at the careers of managers who left the Cubs without a WS. It's pretty desolate. Most of them end up not managing again. We're THAT soul-crushing.MojoMojo, after the lowly Cards won this year, anything can happen.  Yes, even that.    well. . ..     Nah, who akiddinddin. The Cubs will never win. Aren't the Cards #2 in World Series wins like 11 or 12? I 'm not busting chops, just wondering. Yea they are #2 at 10 titles now. they took sole posetion of 2nd from the A's who also had 9 before the Cards win. 

This message was edited by Kevin on 12-10-06 @ 6:52 PM

BoondockSaint

12-10-2006, 02:50 PM

Thanks Kevin.  I just wanted to know who we need to pass until we catch the Yanks.  Go Mets.  Run the table for the next 25 years.  I can see it now.  Game 7.  Mets.  Yanks. It's all on the line for #27.  Clemens vs. Clemens, III.

Bulldogcakes

12-10-2006, 02:53 PM

BoondockSaint wrote: Bulldogcakes wrote: TheMojoPin wrote: Look at the careers of managers who left the Cubs without a WS. It's pretty desolate. Most of them end up not managing again. We're THAT soul-crushing.Mojo, after the lowly Cards won this year, anything can happen.  Yes, even that.    well. . ..     Nah, who am I kiddin. The Cubs will never win. Aren't the Cards #2 in World Series wins like 11 or 12? I 'm not busting chops, just wondering.Yeah, I think they are. I was just talking about this year and the fact they only won 83 games and yet won the WS. BTW-Which I still think makes the MLB regular season a joke.

K.C.

12-10-2006, 03:52 PM

I'm in the process of putting together roster spreadsheets of each MLB team, as a reference source for this fantasy baseball league I play in (it's still a few months before it starts, but it's easier to start now and update the rosters of each team as stuff happens).Anyway, I just finished the NL teams...looking at the rosters, at this point, there's only a handful of good teams at best. The Dodgers and Phillies are the two most complete teams...if the Mets land Zito, they'll also be in that category...if not, their starting pitching is a concern. After that, it's anybody's game...and yes, that actually includes the Cubs. 

This message was edited by K.C. on 12-10-06 @ 7:53 PM

cougarjake13

12-11-2006, 01:57 PM

with all the moves the cubs made plus houston losing pettite and maybe the rocket as well, cards lost marquis no big deal but might lose mulderi wouldnt be surprised if the cubbies won the division, they'll at least in theory compete for the wild card

K.C.

12-11-2006, 04:32 PM

The NL Central is really wide open. The Cubs may in fact be the favorites at this point. But if you're looking for a dark horse in that division, though, don't overlook Milwaukee, especially if they get Jon Lieber as is rumored. They've got a nice young team that started to come together last season and some of those guys could be ready to take the next step similar to Detroit last year. The only thing we can say for sure about that one is that the Reds and Pirates are awful.

A.J.

12-12-2006, 03:15 AM

TheMojoPin wrote: Look at the careers of managers who left the Cubs without a WS.  It's pretty desolate.  Most of them end up not managing again.  We're THAT soul-crushing. They become bench coaches and they eventually cheer themselves up.<img src="http://i23.ebayimg.com/03/i/05/e5/c5/eb_1.JPG" border="0" width="309" height="400" />

Kevin

12-12-2006, 12:49 PM

Boston wants Matsazuka to lower his price because the Redsox bid was so high. My question is why the fuck should Matsazuka give a shit what the Redsox payed to get him? He is not getting any of that money, so why should he lower his price? Boras had a good point. He said that by signing Pettite the Yankees will have to pay 7 extra mil in Luxury tax, You didn't hear the Yankees demanding that Andy sign for less money because of it. Face it, it was a block move and the Redsox have no intention of paying that 51.1 mil, all this bullshit flying in to Cali to talk to Boras is strictly cosmetic to hoodwink the Redsox fans saying, hey.... look we tried, they were unreasonable. There are just over 500 or under 500 pitchers getting 11-14 mil, why should he demand any less? And definitely not because the bid a ridiculous bid. Nobody put a gun to their heads saying bid that much.

cougarjake13

12-12-2006, 03:07 PM

eric gagne signs with the texas rangers for a one year deal, mostly incentive <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6264540">http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6264540</a>astros get jennings from colorado for taveras, bucholz and hirschcant believe they gave up that much for him, hopefully for them his talent is more than what he was able to show in the mile high city<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6265388">http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6265388</a>

MHasegawa

12-12-2006, 03:26 PM

fuck, we may be in trouble if Zito goes to texas and not the mets

cougarjake13

12-12-2006, 04:00 PM

MHasegawa wrote: fuck, we may be in trouble if Zito goes to texas and not the mets i'm hoping that the fact that shea is a pitchers park and texas is hitter friendly, plus the exposure of being in new york, and being reunited with rick peterson is enoughplus the money we can offer wont hurt

Bulldogcakes

12-12-2006, 04:11 PM

Kevin wrote: Boston wants Matsazuka to lower his price because the Redsox bid was so high. My question is why the fuck should Matsazuka give a shit what the Redsox payed to get him? He is not getting any of that money, so why should he lower his price? Boras had a good point. He said that by signing Pettite the Yankees will have to pay 7 extra mil in Luxury tax, You didn't hear the Yankees demanding that Andy sign for less money because of it. Face it, it was a block move and the Redsox have no intention of paying that 51.1 mil, all this bullshit flying in to Cali to talk to Boras is strictly cosmetic to hoodwink the Redsox fans saying, hey.... look we tried, they were unreasonable. There are just over 500 or under 500 pitchers getting 11-14 mil, why should he demand any less? And definitely not because the bid a ridiculous bid. Nobody put a gun to their heads saying bid that much. Exactly. How the fuck can anyone claim the Red Sox made their bid in good faith? The minute they made the bid, they tried to get the Seibu Lions to eat some of the money (clearly against the rules) now they're trying to get Boras to accept less than half of what he's decided Matsuzaka is worth. Its as if they went "Ooops! we bid too much, now we need you guys to bail us out" Either they are incredibly incompetant, and didn't know the rules and the agent they'd be dealing with. Or their bid was a complete sham, and they willfully disregarded the consequences knowing they get their bid money back. And more importantly (to them), keep Matsuzaka away from the Yanks. But here's who's getting screwed. THE METS. THEY HAD THE #2 BID, NOT THE YANKS. If anyone should be pissed about this, its Omar.  Selig is no fool, they will catch hell from him. And he will be getting an earful from Japan, a market he's trying to do lots of business with.

cougarjake13

12-12-2006, 04:20 PM

Bulldogcakes wrote: Kevin wrote: Boston wants Matsazuka to lower his price because the Redsox bid was so high. My question is why the fuck should Matsazuka give a shit what the Redsox payed to get him? He is not getting any of that money, so why should he lower his price? Boras had a good point. He said that by signing Pettite the Yankees will have to pay 7 extra mil in Luxury tax, You didn't hear the Yankees demanding that Andy sign for less money because of it. Face it, it was a block move and the Redsox have no intention of paying that 51.1 mil, all this bullshit flying in to Cali to talk to Boras is strictly cosmetic to hoodwink the Redsox fans saying, hey.... look we tried, they were unreasonable. There are just over 500 or under 500 pitchers getting 11-14 mil, why should he demand any less? And definitely not because the bid a ridiculous bid. Nobody put a gun to their heads saying bid that much.  Exactly. How the fuck can anyone claim the Red Sox made their bid in good faith? The minute they made the bid, they tried to get the Seibu Lions to eat some of the money (clearly against the rules) now they're trying to get Boras to accept less than half of what he's decided Matsuzaka is worth. Its as if they went "Ooops! we bid too much, now we need you guys to bail us out" Either they are incredibly incompetant, and didn't know the rules and the agent they'd be dealing with. Or their bid was a complete sham, and they willfully disregarded the consequences knowing they get their bid money back. And more importantly (to them), keep Matsuzaka away from the Yanks. But here's who's getting screwed. THE METS. THEY HAD THE #2 BID, NOT THE YANKS. If anyone should be pissed about this, its Omar.  Selig is no fool, they will catch hell from him. And he will be getting an earful from Japan, a market he's trying to do lots of business with.    dont know if selig has the power or ability to prove it but if they were able to prove that the red sox werent making an honest bid could selig just award the new winner in this case the mets or have a new bidding process ????

OGC

12-12-2006, 04:30 PM

Kevin wrote: ...... There are just over 500 or under 500 pitchers getting 11-14 mil, why should he demand any less? .... Well, maybe because he hasn't won even one game in the Major Leagues.  Sure there are plenty of pitchers being overpayed in MLB, but at least they have shown that they can play in the Majors.

Kevin

12-12-2006, 04:37 PM

richg0404 wrote: Kevin wrote: ...... There are just over 500 or under 500 pitchers getting 11-14 mil, why should he demand any less? .... Well, maybe because he hasn't won even one game in the Major Leagues.  Sure there are plenty of pitchers being overpayed in MLB, but at least they have shown that they can play in the Majors.No pitcher who is worth anything should demand any less than Gil Mech. Start at 12 a year. The agent should start every convo with Gil Mech and go on from there.

This message was edited by Kevin on 12-12-06 @ 8:39 PM

OGC

12-12-2006, 04:53 PM

Here we go again. Since we are all dealing on speculation here anyway, I'll sum it up the way I have read it in the Boston papers (I know, not an un-biased source). They are reporting that weeks ago the Sox made their initial offer to Boras, admitedly a lo-ball offer, and they NEVER got a reply, so they raised their offer and still got no reply, so they flew out there to talk face to face.Sure, maybe the Sox are blowing smoke up our asses to make themselves look good, but isn't it at all possible that Boras (as speculated in the papers) doesn't really want Matsuzaka to sign (unless they get blown out of the water by an offer) so that they can challenge the posting process in the courts ?

OGC

12-12-2006, 04:57 PM

Kevin wrote: No pitcher who is worth anything should demand any less than Gil Mech. Start at 12 a year. The agent should start every convo with Gil Mech and go on from there.So since one team was stupid and overpaid a pitcher every team should follow ?

Kevin

12-12-2006, 04:58 PM

richg0404 wrote: Here we go again. Since we are all dealing on speculation here anyway, I'll sum it up the way I have read it in the Boston papers (I know, not an un-biased source). They are reporting that weeks ago the Sox made their initial offer to Boras, admitedly a lo-ball offer, and they NEVER got a reply, so they raised their offer and still got no reply, so they flew out there to talk face to face.Sure, maybe the Sox are blowing smoke up our asses to make themselves look good, but isn't it at all possible that Boras (as speculated in the papers) doesn't really want Matsuzaka to sign (unless they get blown out of the water by an offer) so that they can challenge the posting process in the courts ?That's because their offer was like 7 mil a year. Boras did not even bother.

BoondockSaint

12-12-2006, 05:01 PM

Kevin wrote: richg0404 wrote: Kevin wrote: ...... There are just over 500 or under 500 pitchers getting 11-14 mil, why should he demand any less? .... Well, maybe because he hasn't won even one game in the Major Leagues.  Sure there are plenty of pitchers being overpayed in MLB, but at least they have shown that they can play in the Majors.No pitcher who is worth anything should demand any less than Gil Mech. Start at 12 a year. The agent should start every convo with Gil Mech and go on from there.This message was edited by Kevin on 12-12-06 @ 8:39 PM So you'll be fine if the Yankees give Igawa 13mil per year?