MLB Offseason Discussion...HOT STOVE, SSSSSSSSS!!!

[brettmojo]

Source: Dodgers contact Dunn (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3798366)

If Dodgers sign Dunn, what happens to Manny?
(besides probably firing Boras)
Staaaarrrrrttttt spreading the neeewwwssssss..........

[NYHCmikeX]

Staaaarrrrrttttt spreading the neeewwwssssss..........

Unless we trade Deki I dont think that'll happen. And I'd rather have Matsui's less production and no headaches.

[Snoogans]

Unless we trade Deki I dont think that'll happen. And I'd rather have Matsui's less production and no headaches.

or the mets sign him

[NYHCmikeX]

or the mets sign him

I think the Mets will be his next choice. Omar loves him cause he speaks the right language.

LOS METS!

[epo]

Here is my question: Can Scott Boras get somebody to give Manny 4 years?

If so, he's the smartest agent ever.

[Snoogans]

Here is my question: Can Scott Boras get somebody to give Manny 4 years?

If so, he's the smartest agent ever.

at this point id be shocked if he can get 3 years

[NYHCmikeX]

Here is my question: Can Scott Boras get somebody to give Manny 4 years?

The Nationals maybe? They have money to spend and need a bat.

[brettmojo]

Unless we trade Deki I dont think that'll happen. And I'd rather have Matsui's less production and no headaches.
Yeah, and I'd rather have his defense over Manny's.

But it would be worth it if they made him cut his hair.

[Snoogans]

Yeah, and I'd rather have his defense over Manny's.

But it would be worth it if they made him cut his hair.

Hank dont give a shit about his hair

[Snoogans]

Andruw Jones to Mets? (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3798671)

Andruw Jones, coming off a disastrous first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been the subject of trade talks between L.A. and the New York Mets, according to sources.

Jones, who turns 32 next spring, hit .158 with 76 strikeouts in 209 at-bats for the Dodgers in 2008 -- just two years after he mashed 41 homers and drove in 129 runs for the Braves. There is a perception within the industry that Jones, who played the first 12 years of his career in Atlanta, was just never comfortable with the Dodgers.

[cougarjake13]

Andruw Jones to Mets? (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3798671)

Andruw Jones, coming off a disastrous first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been the subject of trade talks between L.A. and the New York Mets, according to sources.

Jones, who turns 32 next spring, hit .158 with 76 strikeouts in 209 at-bats for the Dodgers in 2008 -- just two years after he mashed 41 homers and drove in 129 runs for the Braves. There is a perception within the industry that Jones, who played the first 12 years of his career in Atlanta, was just never comfortable with the Dodgers.

if they dont give up much i'd give him a shot

[Snoogans]

if they dont give up much i'd give him a shot

he will make 18 million

[cougarjake13]

he will make 18 million



still ??


fuck that then

[epo]

Two Cuban players defect: (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3798491)

Right-hander Yadel Marti, Cuba's best pitcher in the first World Baseball Classic in 2006, and outfielder Yasser Gomez left the island and are in an unknown location before attempting to reach the Dominican Republic to seek an MLB career, sources told ESPNdeportes.com.

Players' relatives and friends in Cuba confirmed their departure, without disclosing details of the planned route.

Marti and Gomez, members of the popular team Industriales de la Habana, were kicked off the team's payroll for the current National Series tournament "for having committed a serious [infraction]," according to the Cuban baseball authorities.

[HBox]

Two Cuban players defect: (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3798491)

Omar Minaya is already on a plane with bags of money.

[Puggle_kicker]

That's an absurd line. Where is the "if the Washington Nationals were willing to spend $180 million on Teixiera, then why aren't they.........?"

But to the Milwaukee case they aren't spending the extra money because:

A. They aren't going to sign a hitter. That would serve absolutely zero purpose.

B. Sabathia was their free agent. Hence it would cost them zero compensation picks, which is the lifeblood of a mid-to-small market team.

C. Sabathia was a "special" free agent to them. His popularity in the Milwaukee market was so large (no pun) that he was proven to expand revenues to the point in which expanding their payroll was possible. Sabathia was a unique case, even in this economy.
It doesnt have to be Milwaulkee insert any team in that scenario. "Special free agent" . . . . . are you fucking high? If you need pitching you get pitching, you dont go home and sit on a bunch of money and not get pitching cause your "special" guy didnt pan out. Its people like you defending these stupid teams that are bad for baseball, not the Yankees.

[epo]

Omar Minaya is already on a plane with bags of money.

Don't the White Sox try to sign all of the Cuban defectors?

[Puggle_kicker]

So your solution is "If you cant sign the biggest free agent you want, overpay lesser worth free agents".

You truly are a Yankees fan.

All Im saying is just try. If its overpay or dont be in the game, maybe you should overpay.

[underdog]

Don't the White Sox try to sign all of the Cuban defectors?

The White Sox sign all the Yankees defectors.

[underdog]

All Im saying is just try. If its overpay or dont be in the game, maybe you should overpay.

That could be one of the dumbest things I've ever read.

[Snoogans]

All Im saying is just try. If its overpay or dont be in the game, maybe you should overpay.

and then bury yourself under shitty contracts later? I dont know about that

[Puggle_kicker]

Here is my question: Can Scott Boras get somebody to give Manny 4 years?

If so, he's the smartest agent ever.

I wouldnt go any farther than two years with a mutual option for 3. He is just such a head case and he's getting older.

[epo]

All Im saying is just try. If its overpay or dont be in the game, maybe you should overpay.

Mid-to-small market teams don't have the luxury of overpaying for free agents in dollars or years.

[Puggle_kicker]

That could be one of the dumbest things I've ever read.

If giving a AJ Burnett an extra year and a few more millions gives you one or two seasons that are better than the crap you would have without him . . . . . tell me how dumb that would be?

Most teams refuse to spend money. Thats my case in point.

[Puggle_kicker]

Mid-to-small market teams don't have the luxury of overpaying for free agents in dollars or years.

Example: Pittsburgh Pirates . . . . new stadium and TV deal. Where is that money? It certainly isnt going to the players.

[Puggle_kicker]

Mid-to-small market teams don't have the luxury of overpaying for free agents in dollars or years.

Then do they deserve the players? Seems to me like you're asking for all the reward without any risk at all. Not how it works.

[epo]

It doesnt have to be Milwaulkee insert any team in that scenario. "Special free agent" . . . . . are you fucking high? If you need pitching you get pitching, you dont go home and sit on a bunch of money and not get pitching cause your "special" guy didnt pan out. Its people like you defending these stupid teams that are bad for baseball, not the Yankees.

Lets look at my "special" free agent description

C. Sabathia was a "special" free agent to them. His popularity in the Milwaukee market was so large (no pun) that he was proven to expand revenues to the point in which expanding their payroll was possible. Sabathia was a unique case, even in this economy.

Sabathia to them was a proven case in which expanding the payroll would pay for itself in their market. That then made him "special" economically as I described.

As for Milwaukee being a "stupid team" sitting "on a bunch of money" that's just stupid. They expanded their payroll nearly $10 million during the season to win, from $81M to about $90M. That is a huge jump and an obvious example of not sitting on their asses.

[Puggle_kicker]

I think any good player would have the same effect.

[epo]

Example: Pittsburgh Pirates . . . . new stadium and TV deal. Where is that money? It certainly isnt going to the players.

So FSN Pittsburgh is paying as well as the YES Network?

[Puggle_kicker]

Of course not, the difference in market is huge, but it just seems like thats a team that has "some" money and makes NO effort to bring players in.

[epo]

I think any good player would have the same effect.

Not really. A solid, yet boring player is great for a team, yet not always great for the teams revenues. Merchandising, ticket sales, etc....must all be factored into the decisions.

Does anybody really think that Derek Lowe's value to a team is $15M/year?

[epo]

Of course not, the difference in market is huge, but it just seems like thats a team that has "some" money and makes NO effort to bring players in.

Wouldn't the major part of the problem for a team like Pittsburgh be not in the payroll, but in their player development? Seriously, if you are producing shitty players it puts the front office in an impossible situation for adding mid-level free agents.

[Puggle_kicker]

Derek Lowe's best years are behind him. Pitchers make too much money.

[Puggle_kicker]

Wouldn't the major part of the problem for a team like Pittsburgh be not in the payroll, but in their player development? Seriously, if you are producing shitty players it puts the front office in an impossible situation for adding mid-level free agents.

Im afraid that comes down to money too. Pay for scouts that know whats going on.

[Kevin]

Wouldn't the major part of the problem for a team like Pittsburgh be not in the payroll, but in their player development? Seriously, if you are producing shitty players it puts the front office in an impossible situation for adding mid-level free agents.

KC, Pitt, and others have been losing for far longer than the Rays.

Rays drafted well, and started to contend.

These others are not only cheap, but shitty at their jobs

[epo]

Im afraid that comes down to money too. Pay for scouts that know whats going on.

It certainly does. You wouldn't find many fans that would disagree that the Pittsburgh organization is god awful.

[Snoogans]

stop your complaining. you think you have it bad. Cant you see the Red Sox clearly cant compete with the yankees anymore? John Henry knows, the sox barely make enough to get by, and they are just gonna be BURRIED by this

[IMSlacker]

stop your complaining. you think you have it bad. Cant you see the Red Sox clearly cant compete with the yankees anymore? John Henry knows, the sox barely make enough to get by, and they are just gonna be BURRIED by this

Snoogans, I see you've gotten a hold of some good pain killers. I hope you're feeling better.

[Snoogans]

Snoogans, I see you've gotten a hold of some good pain killers. I hope you're feeling better.

HA. Not at all, I just wanted to see if anyone actually believed that horseshit

[Kevin]

stop your complaining. you think you have it bad. Cant you see the Red Sox clearly cant compete with the yankees anymore? John Henry knows, the sox barely make enough to get by, and they are just gonna be BURRIED by this
I mean yea, your team is only worth 1 Billion dollars. How can you compete with that chump change.

[cougarjake13]

I mean yea, your team is only worth 1 Billion dollars. How can you compete with that chump change.

teams cant compete unless they have at 2 billion


everyone knows that

[Snoogans]

I mean yea, your team is only worth 1 Billion dollars. How can you compete with that chump change.

plus our city wont pay our players for us

[epo]

Bobby Abreu also on the Dodger's radar. (http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/12/dunn_abreu_on_dodgers_radar.html)

[Kevin]

plus our city wont pay our players for us

They are too busy spending 14bil on shitty 2bil tunnel.

[Kevin]

Bobby Abreu also on the Dodger's radar. (http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/12/dunn_abreu_on_dodgers_radar.html)

Is he gunna take Bowa's # again?

[brettmojo]

I think any good player would have the same effect.

Manny's by his phone.

KC, Pitt, and others have been losing for far longer than the Rays.

Rays drafted well, and started to contend.

These others are not only cheap, but shitty at their jobs

Exactly.

Bobby Abreu also on the Dodger's radar. (http://hotstove.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/12/dunn_abreu_on_dodgers_radar.html)
That'd be a nice fit.

[Puggle_kicker]

Abreus a good hitter but just questionable defensively.

[TripleSkeet]

Abreu is what I like to call "World Series Kryptonite".

[PD]

KC, Pitt, and others have been losing for far longer than the Rays.

Rays drafted well, and started to contend.

These others are not only cheap, but shitty at their jobs

Rays started doing well when ownership changed, and they brought in new staffs.
its a shame, because Pitt is a good baseball town

[foodcourtdruide]

Rays started doing well when ownership changed, and they brought in new staffs.
its a shame, because Pitt is a good baseball town

So is KC.

[Snoogans]

So is KC.

Everyone knows that if a state doesnt border an ocean, its worthless

[midwestjeff]

So is KC.

Yeah, one weekend a year when the Cardinals and their fans blow into town.

[foodcourtdruide]

Yeah, one weekend a year when the Cardinals and their fans blow into town.

Well, with the current state of baseball why on Earth would anyone care about baseball in Kansas City?

[foodcourtdruide]

Everyone knows that if a state doesnt border an ocean, its worthless

That's not true and it's really unfair. They have to border the Ocean and not be in the south.

[midwestjeff]

Well, with the current state of baseball why on Earth would anyone care about baseball in Kansas City?

They are all too busy gambling and eating good BBQ to pay attention to baseball.

It has nothing to do with salary caps.

[TheMojoPin]

I just don't see the idea like we NEED a cap now as if it wasn't necessary in the past. Since MLB has been around there's always been some teas that reguarly kick ass combined with a bunch of teams that are cellar-dwellers for years or decades and then a rotating cast in between. Hell, the "problem" of the same teams aways winning and dynasties and shit was much worse back in the day than it has been over the last 30 years.

[brettmojo]

Well, with the current state of baseball why on Earth would anyone care about baseball in Kansas City?
The cool fountains.

[PD]

Well, with the current state of baseball why on Earth would anyone care about baseball in Kansas City?

Royals never should have let John Schuerholz leave.

[PD]

I just don't see the idea like we NEED a cap now as if it wasn't necessary in the past. Since MLB has been around there's always been some teas that reguarly kick ass combined with a bunch of teams that are cellar-dwellers for years or decades and then a rotating cast in between. Hell, the "problem" of the same teams aways winning and dynasties and shit was much worse back in the day than it has been over the last 30 years.

not just talent; in the 50's for example, the Yankees would always buy the best players from other teams; they always joked the Kansas City Athletics were the Yankee's minor league system.


1959: After another dreadful 7th Place 66-88 season the Athletics anger their fans, and increase their reputation as the Yankees farm club by trading away their up and coming slugger Roger Maris, and 2 others to the Bronx Bombers. In exchange the A's receive Hank Bauer (who only plays 2season before becoming the A's manager), Don Larsen (who in a little over one season goes 2-10) Norm Siebern (who becomes an adequate OF for the next 4 years), and Marv Throneberry (who only plays 144 games in 1 and half season with the A's).

(and no, I was not born in the 50's)

[Snoogans]

1959: After another dreadful 7th Place 66-88 season the Athletics anger their fans, and increase their reputation as the Yankees farm club by trading away their up and coming slugger Roger Maris, and 2 others to the Bronx Bombers. In exchange the A's receive Hank Bauer (who only plays 2season before becoming the A's manager), Don Larsen (who in a little over one season goes 2-10) Norm Siebern (who becomes an adequate OF for the next 4 years), and Marv Throneberry (who only plays 144 games in 1 and half season with the A's).

the funny part is, today, this would happen the opposite way.

[epo]

Red Sox made play for SS Ramirez (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/12/29/heyman.verducci.hanley.red.sox/index.html)

At one point this winter, the Red Sox made a play to re-acquire Marlins superstar Hanley Ramirez, league sources tell SI.com. But while the Marlins listened to Boston's overtures, talks were quickly scuttled and it appears there's very little chance they will be revived as Florida isn't anxious to trade its best player.

The Marlins were said to be most interested in a centerfielder, and it's believed Boston's promising young centerfielder Jacoby Ellsbury and talented pitching prospect Clay Buchholz were among those mentioned in a potential package for Ramirez, who began in Boston's organization before being traded to the Marlins after the 2005 season in the deal that sent Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to the Red Sox.

I can't even believe the Marlins GM took that call.

[Snoogans]

i would give elsbury and buckholtz tomorrow for hanley

[Kevin]

i would give elsbury and buckholtz tomorrow for hanley



Yanks are gunna now swoop in and take him too.

[Snoogans]

Yanks are gunna now swoop in and take him too.

for who melky and hughes? GET OUTTA HERE

You guys can only get FAs

[Kevin]

for who even hughes? GET OUTTA HERE

You guys can only get FAs



Hank didnt even know who he was untill now.. HE MUST HAVE HIM NOW!

[brettmojo]

Hank didnt even know who he was untill now.. HE MUST HAVE HIM NOW!
That'd be hilarious if it wasn't probably true.

[cougarjake13]

i would give elsbury and buckholtz tomorrow for hanley

Yanks are gunna now swoop in and take him too.

for who melky and hughes? GET OUTTA HERE

You guys can only get FAs

Hank didnt even know who he was untill now.. HE MUST HAVE HIM NOW!

That'd be hilarious if it wasn't probably true.



jeter to dh and backup ss/1b


sounds bout right

[epo]

Rockies agree to trade Vizcaino for Cubs Marquis (http://blogs.denverpost.com/rockies/2008/12/30/rox-agree-to-ship-vizcaino-to-cubs-for-marquis/)

The Rockies and Cubs have agreed in principle on a deal that would send Luis Vizcaino to Chicago for starter Jason Marquis, according to multiple baseball sources.

The deal, first reported by ESPN, likely won’t become official until next week. The Rockies made the math work to get a starter they have coveted for a month, while removing a setupman who asked to be dealt at season’s end after expressing unhappiness with his role.

Is this the definition of "my shit for your shit"?

[Kevin]

Rockies agree to trade Vizcaino for Cubs Marquis (http://blogs.denverpost.com/rockies/2008/12/30/rox-agree-to-ship-vizcaino-to-cubs-for-marquis/)



Is this the definition of "my shit for your shit"?

Somewhere Mojo is jacking while reading this.

[midwestjeff]

Rockies agree to trade Vizcaino for Cubs Marquis (http://blogs.denverpost.com/rockies/2008/12/30/rox-agree-to-ship-vizcaino-to-cubs-for-marquis/)



Is this the definition of "my shit for your shit"?

Marquis will hit at least 2 hrs a game at Coors.

Unfortunately, he will give up 8-10.

[epo]

Mets Make 3-Year Offer For Lowe (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/sports/baseball/31mets.html?_r=2)

After methodically studying the starting pitchers left on the free-agent market, the Mets have determined that Derek Lowe would be the best addition to their club. The Mets have shown that by offering Lowe a three-year contract for about $36 million, according to people who have been briefed on the discussions.

If those numbers hold up, the free agent dollars are going to dry up quickly.

[Snoogans]

Mets Make 3-Year Offer For Lowe (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/sports/baseball/31mets.html?_r=2)



If those numbers hold up, the free agent dollars are going to dry up quickly.

you KNOW the yankees will still give him 3 years 45 mill at least

[epo]

Cubs Close to Deal with Bradley, Marquis Gone? (http://csnchicago.com/pages/new_landing/?Cubs-Close-to-Deal-with-Bradley-Marquis-=1&blockID=34322&feedID=661)

According to CSN's David Kaplan, the Cubs are close to a multi-year deal with switch-hitting outfielder Milton Bradley.

The deal is expected to be announced next week after the new year.

Is it crazy that Bradley is the OF that I want the Cubs to add?

[Marc with a c]

Is it crazy that Bradley is the OF that I want the Cubs to add?

bradley is a stud when he isn't hurt.

[epo]

bradley is a stud when he isn't hurt.

Or self-destructing.

[TheMojoPin]

Or self-destructing.

He doesn't really. He's almost always really popular with the players and coaches...it's just the media and shit that gripes about him and his antics. I love the signing, so long as they plan for him to get about 130 starts, tops. I wanted them to get him for a few years now.

Great move with Marquis, too, shedding $5 million. Now when they get Peavy sometime between now and the deadline, I'll be satisifed.

[epo]

He doesn't really. He's almost always really popular with the players and coaches...it's just the media and shit that gripes about him and his antics. I love the signing, so long as they plan for him to get about 130 starts, tops. I wanted them to get him for a few years now.

Great move with Marquis, too, shedding $5 million. Now when they get Peavy sometime between now and the deadline, I'll be satisifed.

Bradley has all of the tools in the world, he just comes off as a head case to me. Injuring himself going after an ump? Going into the press box after a TV announcer?

[TheMojoPin]

Bradley has all of the tools in the world, he just comes off as a head case to me. Injuring himself going after an ump? Going into the press box after a TV announcer?

The injury in the ump incident was a total fluke. And the call he was arguing was bullshit.

And besides, what sports announcer doesn't deserve that?

Look, the guy definitely has his tantrums, but IMO his onfield performance far outweighs any of that. I'm also less worried about guys like that when they have a great reputation amongst teammates. They need a good LH bat in the OF, and he fits the bill. Sold.

[El Mudo]

The injury in the ump incident was a total fluke. And the call he was arguing was bullshit.

And besides, what sports announcer doesn't deserve that?

Look, the guy definitely has his tantrums, but IMO his onfield performance far outweighs any of that. I'm also less worried about guys like that when they have a great reputation amongst teammates. They need a good LH bat in the OF, and he fits the bill. Sold.

Bradley OPS'd .999 in 509 PA's last year...that's pretty goddamn good. He also had an EqA of .339 and has a career EqA of .290.

He puts up those numbers, he can wipe his ass and throw it Charles Haley style for all I care

[El Mudo]

And just because I will take any opportunity to make fun of Dusty Baker


Reds sign Willy Taveras (http://nationalpost.pa-sportsticker.com/default.aspx?s=mlb-news-display&nid=A27283191230398594A)



:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:



gotta love a guy with a career EqA of .248, who's NEVER had an OPS + of over 100, and had an OPS + last year of 56 in 538 PAs

Why is this man employed? You could say "well, he steals bases" but (a) stolen bases aren't worth the risk and are dumb, and (b) if his OBP CAREER is .331, he's never getting on to steal any bases anyway

And knowing Dusty, I can see him eagerly penciling in this guy to hit leadoff

Sorry Reds fans, but its just too easy a target to point out

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Kevin]

And just because I will take any opportunity to make fun of Dusty Baker


Reds sign Willy Taveras (http://nationalpost.pa-sportsticker.com/default.aspx?s=mlb-news-display&nid=A27283191230398594A)



:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:



gotta love a guy with a career EqA of .248, who's NEVER had an OPS + of over 100, and had an OPS + last year of 56 in 538 PAs

Why is this man employed? You could say "well, he steals bases" but (a) stolen bases aren't worth the risk and are dumb, and (b) if his OBP CAREER is .331, he's never getting on to steal any bases anyway

And knowing Dusty, I can see him eagerly penciling in this guy to hit leadoff

Sorry Reds fans, but its just too easy a target to point out

:lol::lol::lol::lol:



Poor Gvac

[IMSlacker]

The Cubs have signed Aaron Miles (http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1356723,cst-spt-cubs-miles31.article) and traded Mark DeRosa to the Indians (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3802342) for three minor league pitchers. It looks like they plan to use the pitchers as bait for Jake Peavy.

edit: The pitchers are Jeff Stevens (http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/S/Jeff-Stevens.shtml), Chris Archer (http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/A/Christopher-Archer.shtml) and John Gaub (http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/G/John-Gaub.shtml).

[epo]

Angels sign Brian Fuentes (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3802316)

The Los Angeles Angels appear to have found their new closer.

The Angels and free agent left-hander Brian Fuentes on Wednesday agreed to a two-year, $17.5 million contract. The contract includes a club option for the 2011 season.

Fuentes will earn $8.5 million for 2009 and $9 million for 2010, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. The contract includes a $9 million vesting option for 2011, based on games finished.

Those contracts since the premium guys seem to be getting drastically shorter & smaller.

[Kevin]

Angels sign Brian Fuentes (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3802316)



Those contracts since the premium guys seem to be getting drastically shorter & smaller.

It was a terrible year to be a FA closer. The big teams did not need one, and there were 2 or 3 out there.

[midwestjeff]

Alright. This sucks. Angels take Fuentes and the Cubs signed Miles. I was hoping to see Miles take over the closer duties if the Cards couldn't get Fuentes. Seriously, Miles will be missed. He was a HUGE bench guy.

My solution for Cards management: Go to the one of the young guys or a combination of them for the ninth and get Tony the power hitting clean-up hitter he has been asking for for the last three years.

[TheMojoPin]

I was initially pissed over the Miles signing because he sucks, but he has shown respectable splits against lefties so platooning him at 2B ad SS with Theriot and Fontenot over the season ideally makes him useful.

Sad to see Derosa go. Seemed like a good guy and is versatile as hell and put up 2 great years as a Cub...good pickup for the Indians.

This all seems to be gettin the Peavy talks going again. That will please me.

[epo]

A little something from Baltimore..............

Cubs trade sure to raise antennae in Baltimore (http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck/2008/12/cubs_trade_sure_to_raise_anten.html)

The Chicago Cubs just traded second baseman Mark DeRosa to the Cleveland Indians, and you all know what that means.

Well, you don't really, but some of you are asking if this means that the on-again, off-again trade talks involving Brian Roberts and the Cubs might be on again. The Cubs just signed versatile infielder Aaron Miles to a two-year deal, and he can play second base, but it's fair to wonder if the big-payroll Cubs will try to recover more of the offensive production they just sent to Cleveland.

Keep in mind, however, that the Cubs are on the verge of dealing pitcher Jason Marquis to the Rockies to get some payroll relief and are thought to be close to signing outfielder Milton Bradley to a three-year, $30 million contract. That could mean they are trying to revive the Jake Peavy deal rather than the Brian Roberts trade that fell through a year ago.

Call me nuts, but I don't get where Roberts would have more value than a Peavy for the Cubs.

[IMSlacker]

A little something from Baltimore..............

Cubs trade sure to raise antennae in Baltimore (http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck/2008/12/cubs_trade_sure_to_raise_anten.html)



Call me nuts, but I don't get where Roberts would have more value than a Peavy for the Cubs.

Yeah, I can't see it happening. Everything else I've read is that they traded DeRosa to free up payroll for Bradley. It looks like they'll go with a platoon of Fontenot and Miles at second.

[midwestjeff]

Are the Cardinals slowly becoming part of the Cubs farm system?

[cougarjake13]

A little something from Baltimore..............

Cubs trade sure to raise antennae in Baltimore (http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/sports/schmuck/2008/12/cubs_trade_sure_to_raise_anten.html)



Call me nuts, but I don't get where Roberts would have more value than a Peavy for the Cubs.



you're nuts

[TheMojoPin]

Yeah, I can't see it happening. Everything else I've read is that they traded DeRosa to free up payroll for Bradley. It looks like they'll go with a platoon of Fontenot and Miles at second.

Roberts would be great, but they're not pursuing that avenue again. Angelos made it clear he has a psycho mancrush on Roberts and won't allow any deal that isn't hugely overpaying for him. Going after Peavy makes much more sense given the corner Towers is backed into and that they just picked up a bunch of pitching prospects to push for him.

The Fontenot/Giles platoon at 2nd in't a bad thing, but it makes me even more wary of the hole at SS. Theriot's numbers last year were hinged almost totally on dribbler singles. A couple shifts and he's totally useless. His defense at SS is horrible, he's almost 30 and he's a hideous baserunner. The guy actually has LESS power than Neifi Perez and Juan Pierre. Ronnie Cedeno has had a much spottier run in the bigs, but he's outperformed Theriot offensively in every level of the minors, he's much younger, he's infinitely better defensively, has (relatively) a ton more power and is much faster. Since the market for a SS is practically non-existent, the Cubs need to choose between Cedeno and Theriot at SS, and I hope they give Cedeno the shot in 2009 with Theriot as the backup. If he struggles at first, let him play through it. He's tearing up winter ball right now.

[cougarjake13]

according to espn

the san fran giants are pursuing man ram

[lleeder]

according to espn

the san fran giants are pursuing man ram

Doggie must be jacking right now. Say something funny Manny.

[cougarjake13]

Doggie must be jacking right now. Say something funny Manny.

hey in that shit division manny and the big unit might be enough to win the division

[PD]

according to espn

the san fran giants are pursuing man ram

one of the Giant Broadcasters was on Wed with Joel Sherman on XM 175- and Sherman said it would be perfect move for them.

I'm watching now MLB network- Larsen's perfect game.

nice to have.
(of course since my father in law was a brooklyn Dodger fan, I could never tell him it was on....)

[epo]

Giants willing to take chance on Crede (http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/hot_stove/posts/37062-giants-willing-to-take-chance-on-crede)

The Giants appear to be taking a close look at free-agent third baseman Joe Crede. They've reviewed Crede's medical report and don't appear discouraged about pursuing Crede, a terrific third baseman who's been hampered at times by back trouble.

Crede, instrumental in the White Sox's 2005 World Series championship, hit .248 with 17 home runs and 55 RBIs in 2008, when he missed significant playing time with back woes. The Giants have been by far the most aggressive team in the NL West and are making a bid to steal a winnable division with their moves this winter.

This actually could be a great move for the Giants. I'm a big fan of the low risk/high-reward free agent pickups.

[epo]

Dodgers rework deal, Andruw likely gone (http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/hot_stove/posts/37244)

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Andruw Jones have agreed to rework his contract to save the team $12 million off its 2009 payroll, SI.com has learned. The deal likely will lead to Jones playing elsewhere next year.

The Los Angeles Times reported Friday that the sides were working on such an arranagement.

With Jones agreeing to defer more than half his $20 million salary to aid the team, it stands to reason that the team will agree to part ways with him at some point. Jones expressed a desire to the Dodgers that he'd like to play elsewhere in 2009.

I guess my question would be....who the hell takes him off the Dodgers hands?

[cougarjake13]

Dodgers rework deal, Andruw likely gone (http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/hot_stove/posts/37244)



I guess my question would be....who the hell takes him off the Dodgers hands?



maybe that mets trade is back on

[IMSlacker]

Dodgers rework deal, Andruw likely gone (http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/hot_stove/posts/37244)

Won't the players union have a problem with this?

[cougarjake13]

Won't the players union have a problem with this?

as long as he's getting the same money as before just over a diff amount of time i dont think its a problem

[TheMojoPin]

OH. MY. GOD. The video game baseball nerds have been dying for. (http://2ksports.com/games/mlbmanager)

It could very easily suck (NFL Head Coach anyone?), but it's given me a baseball-boner.

[cougarjake13]

OH. MY. GOD. The video game baseball nerds have been dying for. (http://2ksports.com/games/mlbmanager)

It could very easily suck (NFL Head Coach anyone?), but it's given me a baseball-boner.



head coach sucked

so i'll do with this what i did with h.c. i'll rent it first

[underdog]

head coach sucked

so i'll do with this what i did with h.c. i'll rent it first

I was so fucking excited for head coach and it sucked so fucking hard.

Have you played the newest Head Coach?

[Snoogans]

I was so fucking excited for head coach and it sucked so fucking hard.

Have you played the newest Head Coach?

I played it. Same garbage. Its everything you can do in madden, except with no game

[led37zep]

Giants offer Manny a 4 year contract...I'm on my phone so I can't post the link.
This isn't out of the ordinary for my beloved Giants...multi year contracts to people in their late 30's.

[Kevin]

Giants offer Manny a 4 year contract...I'm on my phone so I can't post the link.
This isn't out of the ordinary for my beloved Giants...multi year contracts to people in their late 30's.

He is still a little too young to be a Giant pos player. Nice to see the Giants going with a youth movement.

[cougarjake13]

I was so fucking excited for head coach and it sucked so fucking hard.

Have you played the newest Head Coach?




no, had no idea that they made another one

[cougarjake13]

He is still a little too young to be a Giant pos player. Nice to see the Giants going with a youth movement.



well they never replaced bonds production in the lineup

[HBox]

OH. MY. GOD. The video game baseball nerds have been dying for. (http://2ksports.com/games/mlbmanager)

It could very easily suck (NFL Head Coach anyone?), but it's given me a baseball-boner.

head coach sucked

so i'll do with this what i did with h.c. i'll rent it first

I was so fucking excited for head coach and it sucked so fucking hard.

Have you played the newest Head Coach?

You people need to check out Out of the Park baseball.

[TheMojoPin]

You people need to check out Out of the Park baseball.

I've heard good things about it. Do you play it?

[underdog]

You people need to check out Out of the Park baseball.

I used to play a management sim on the computer all the time. I can't for the life of me remember what it was called, though. I'll have to check out Out of the Park.

Baseball Mogul. That was it.

[ope]

Moorad resigns from D-backs to try to buy Padres (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gpuEXCVMlAsesNduiEJYhOjVaUYQD95FAQ3G0)

PHOENIX (AP) — Jeff Moorad resigned as chief executive officer of the Arizona Diamondbacks to pursue ownership of the San Diego Padres.

The team promoted team president Derrick Hall to chief executive officer, Diamondbacks managing general partner Ken Kendrick said Friday.

Moorad will maintain his share of Diamondbacks ownership but would have to sell that if his effort to purchase the Padres is successful, Kendrick said.

I wonder if that takes Peavy off the market?

[cougarjake13]

Moorad resigns from D-backs to try to buy Padres (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gpuEXCVMlAsesNduiEJYhOjVaUYQD95FAQ3G0)



I wonder if that takes Peavy off the market?



dunno


whats moorads finances like ??

[TheMojoPin]

I used to play a management sim on the computer all the time. I can't for the life of me remember what it was called, though. I'll have to check out Out of the Park.

Baseball Mogul. That was it.

Between OotP and the upcoming game, hopefully we can get a RF.net league going.

[ope]

On Peavy according to Buster Olney: (http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=olney_buster&univLogin02=stateChanged&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fesp n%2fblog%2findex%3fname%3dolney_buster%26univLogin 02%3dstateChanged)

How will the proposed sale affect the future of Jake Peavy? A goal for the Padres in the Peavy trade talks was to collect young talent, but the conversation was largely pushed along by the need of Moores to strip down the club for sale. Well, that dynamic seems to have changed, and Moorad would ease the concerns of the Padres' faithful -- many of whom are currently in the process of deciding whether to renew their season tickets -- by publicly taking Peavy off the trade market. The Padres figure to struggle in 2009, one way or the other, but Peavy has become an important symbol for the organization.

My only concern with that assessment is that Olney is a terrible writer and seems to be wrong more than even Peter Gammons.

[sailor]

My only concern with that assessment is that Olney is a terrible writer and seems to be wrong more than even Peter Gammons.

he really nailed the end of the yankee dynasty at a point most people thought was premature. hate to admit it, but it's true.

[cougarjake13]

he really nailed the end of the yankee dynasty at a point most people thought was premature. hate to admit it, but it's true.

even blind squirrels find a nut

[brettmojo]

OH. MY. GOD. The video game baseball nerds have been dying for. (http://2ksports.com/games/mlbmanager)

It could very easily suck (NFL Head Coach anyone?), but it's given me a baseball-boner.
Meh.

[ope]

Derek Lowe rejects Mets offer, wants more cash (http://www.metsblog.com/2009/01/03/starting-pitcher-lowe-wants-16-million-per-year/)

Tonight on the MLB Network’s Hot Stove Live, SI.com’s Jon Heyman said Derek Lowe rejected Omar Minaya’s three-year, $36 million offer, because he is seeking $16 million per season.

According to Heyman, the Phillies and Braves are Minaya’s ‘biggest threat for Lowe,’ while the Red Sox and a ‘mystery team,’ like the Brewers, are showing interest as well.

Later in the show, Minaya was interviewed and acknowledged having interest in Lowe, as well as Randy Wolf, among other free-agent starting pitchers.

Don't do it Brewers....it's a trap!

[spoon]

I hate to play the role of Death Metal Moe in here, but who the fuck cares about baseball at this point with the fucked up stupid system they run.

Seriously, the MLB should be renamed whatever the yank owners want they get league. Selig is a fucking douche and the last 10 years keep getting worse.

[TheMojoPin]

Derek Lowe rejects Mets offer, wants more cash (http://www.metsblog.com/2009/01/03/starting-pitcher-lowe-wants-16-million-per-year/)



Don't do it Brewers....it's a trap!

Goddamn Lowe and Boras. Lowe is old and has benefited huge from playing out west in those caverns. He's decent, but nowhere near being worth those years and money.

[TheMojoPin]

I hate to play the role of Death Metal Moe in here, but who the fuck cares about baseball at this point with the fucked up stupid system they run.

Seriously, the MLB should be renamed whatever the yank owners want they get league. Selig is a fucking douche and the last 10 years keep getting worse.

Is the system really that worse now than it aways has been? How is this Selig's fault? The Yankees being big spenders and grabbing talent is nothing new...it's been that way for almost a century.

[ope]

Goddamn Lowe and Boras. Lowe is old and has benefited huge from playing out west in those caverns. He's decent, but nowhere near being worth those years and money.

I'll say this though...as a fan I hate Boras. If I were a player, I would hire him in a heartbeat.

[TheMojoPin]

I'll say this though...as a fan I hate Boras. If I were a player, I would hire him in a heartbeat.

Definitely...and a lot of times, it makes sense in a way for the player to be pushing for a big payday because they are THAT good. Lowe is not one of those guys. He's decent, but he's nowhere near the level of the guys who get paid and you kinda go, "yeah, he's worth it."

[spoon]

Is the system really that worse now than it aways has been? How is this Selig's fault? The Yankees being big spenders and grabbing talent is nothing new...it's been that way for almost a century.

Yes it is worse when the yankees spend 1/2 a billion dollars on three players in one year. And Selig is the fucking commish, it's his job to protect the league, not three fucking teams. There's a reason the NFL is huge and exciting versus MLB's bullshit. Seriously mojo, it's fucking the same thing over the last 10 years or so, but you don't think this is getting out of hand?! And the Jays only get a third round pick for losing AJ. Enough.

[sailor]

Yes it is worse when the yankees spend 1/2 a billion dollars on three players in one year. And Selig is the fucking commish, it's his job to protect the league, not three fucking teams. There's a reason the NFL is huge and exciting versus MLB's bullshit. Seriously mojo, it's fucking the same thing over the last 10 years or so, but you don't think this is getting out of hand?! And the Jays only get a third round pick for losing AJ. Enough.

hasn't the yankees' payroll gone down so far this off-season?

[Tuff Daddy Cool]

Yes, the Yankee payroll has gone down by about $25M this offseason, even after signing CC, AJ, and Teixiera. They had a lot of large contracts come off the books this off-season (Giambi, Mussina, Pettitte, Abreu, et al), and this gave them some flexibility to fill needs (offensively, defensively, and in the rotation), which they did. I read an interesting article recently from a baseball blog that said this may have been Cashman's strategy all along. I wish I had the link to it, but the gist of the article was that the Yankees didn't pursue Santana last off-season as hard as they could with the thought being that they could keep their prospects, throw money at CC (a lesser, but still top-tier pitcher) this season and use the prospects to possibly trade for Matt Holliday at the trade deadline, and then sign him long-term. Makes sense, actually. No way Oakland ponies up to keep Holiday, and, if they're out of it by the end of July, they will likely try to get something for him. Additionally, the Yankees have Austin Jackson ready for the big league centerfield job by next year, and the contracts of Damon, Matsui, and Nady come off the books next off-season, creating room for Holliday. Then, they would try to sign another corner outfielder type and can move Posada to the DH spot full-time. John Lackey is also out there next off-season, and Mariano Rivera is getting older. Possibly signing Lackey would allow Joba Chamberlain to be moved to the bullpen so he can be groomed to replace Mo. By that time, a young pitcher like Hughes may be ready to step up and complete the rotation. Rick Ankiel is a free agent after next season, and if the Yankees can trot out a young outfield like Holliday, Jackson, and Ankiel, they might be even better than expected. By, in essence, taking 2008 as a house money year, they may have set themselves up much better for the future.

[brettmojo]

Derek Lowe rejects Mets offer, wants more cash (http://www.metsblog.com/2009/01/03/starting-pitcher-lowe-wants-16-million-per-year/)



Don't do it Brewers....it's a trap!

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Derek Lowe is not the answer for losing CC.

I hate to play the role of Death Metal Moe in here, but who the fuck cares about baseball at this point with the fucked up stupid system they run.

Seriously, the MLB should be renamed whatever the yank owners want they get league. Selig is a fucking douche and the last 10 years keep getting worse.

Jesus christ enough already. What they've wanted is another World Series win in the last 8 years, and they haven't got it. Holy crap it's like a broken fucking record.

The system works, competition-wise. Compensation-wise is another story.

Yes it is worse when the yankees spend 1/2 a billion dollars on three players in one year. And Selig is the fucking commish, it's his job to protect the league, not three fucking teams. There's a reason the NFL is huge and exciting versus MLB's bullshit. Seriously mojo, it's fucking the same thing over the last 10 years or so, but you don't think this is getting out of hand?! And the Jays only get a third round pick for losing AJ. Enough.
HE'S NOT GONNA' DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT'S NOT HURTING THE LEAGUE!!! Holy fuck. Show me exactly where it's hurting the league? Are they causing attendance to drop? No, they have had record attendance at their own park over the last few years and they're usually the top drawing road team in the league. Are they dominating the league every year? No, they didn't even make the fucking playoffs last year. Are other teams unable to compete? Let's see, last year it was the PHILLIES and the RAYS. Year before that, ROCKIES and RED SOX. Year before that, CARDINALS and TIGERS. Before that, ASTROS and WHITE SOX. Before that, CARDINALS and RED SOX. Then, OOOPS... UH OH, YOU'RE RIGHT. THE FUCKING YANKEES AND MARLINS AND THE YANKEES JUST DESTRO... OH WAIT, THEY DIDN'T WIN THAT ONE DID THEY? Before that, GIANTS and ANGELS. Then you have the last World Series victory by the New York Yank... OH WAIT THEY DIDN'T WIN THAT ONE EITHER!!! THE DIAMONDBACKS BEAT THEM? HOLY SHIT! Man those Yankees certainly are ruining baseball with all their post season losing these past 8 years. Wow they might as well call it Yankees League Baseball... Yikes. Not a lot of competition in a league with 13 different teams playing for the championship over the course of 8 years.

[K.C.]

HE'S NOT GONNA' DO ANYTHING BECAUSE IT'S NOT HURTING THE LEAGUE!!! Holy fuck. Show me exactly where it's hurting the league? Are they causing attendance to drop? No, they have had record attendance at their own park over the last few years and they're usually the top drawing road team in the league. Are they dominating the league every year? No, they didn't even make the fucking playoffs last year. Are other teams unable to compete? Let's see, last year it was the PHILLIES and the RAYS. Year before that, ROCKIES and RED SOX. Year before that, CARDINALS and TIGERS. Before that, ASTROS and WHITE SOX. Before that, CARDINALS and RED SOX. Then, OOOPS... UH OH, YOU'RE RIGHT. THE FUCKING YANKEES AND MARLINS AND THE YANKEES JUST DESTRO... OH WAIT, THEY DIDN'T WIN THAT ONE DID THEY? Before that, GIANTS and ANGELS. Then you have the last World Series victory by the New York Yank... OH WAIT THEY DIDN'T WIN THAT ONE EITHER!!! THE DIAMONDBACKS BEAT THEM? HOLY SHIT! Man those Yankees certainly are ruining baseball with all their post season losing these past 8 years. Wow they might as well call it Yankees League Baseball... Yikes. Not a lot of competition in a league with 13 different teams playing for the championship over the course of 8 years.

For the most part, I tend to agree with this point of view.

It's not very common that a team buys a World Series (at least lately), and the system still benefits teams that build quality organizations from the bottom up.


But the one thing I will say, is that I think over a 162 game season, you play enough bad teams, and have such a large sample size of games, that a team can buy its way into the playoffs, and the Yankees and Red Sox do kind of pull that off, for the most part.

And that's where it has to suck for someone like Spoon, because there's not much room for a team like Toronto in the AL East, despite spending about $100 million annually.

Once you get to the playoffs, though, it's a crap shoot.

The Yankees are just as likely to win 100+ games and lose in the first round of the playoffs, then they are to go anywhere, because a five game, and a seven game series is pretty unpredictable.

That's why if you're the Blue Jays, you've really got to revamp your business model. Reinvest in scouting, ditch the high price contracts over the next couple years, and sign your stars out of the minor league system very early in their MLB service time.

Toronto should really model itself after the Phillies. That's their best shot to get back in the thick of things, but it begins with the scouting.

[cougarjake13]

Derek Lowe rejects Mets offer, wants more cash (http://www.metsblog.com/2009/01/03/starting-pitcher-lowe-wants-16-million-per-year/)



Don't do it Brewers....it's a trap!



no way in hell i give him 16 mil a yr


minaya should take that money and re sign ollie

[cougarjake13]

I hate to play the role of Death Metal Moe in here, but who the fuck cares about baseball at this point with the fucked up stupid system they run.

Seriously, the MLB should be renamed whatever the yank owners want they get league. Selig is a fucking douche and the last 10 years keep getting worse.

as has been mentioned

the yanks have only won 1 world series (2000)
and made 2 others (2001,2003)


and since that last win they've spent like they did in the 80's and didnt win any titles

meanwhile arizona, anaheim, florida, boston twice, chi white sox, cardinals, and the phillies have won the world series


league seems fine to me

[TheMojoPin]

Yes it is worse when the yankees spend 1/2 a billion dollars on three players in one year. And Selig is the fucking commish, it's his job to protect the league, not three fucking teams. There's a reason the NFL is huge and exciting versus MLB's bullshit. Seriously mojo, it's fucking the same thing over the last 10 years or so, but you don't think this is getting out of hand?! And the Jays only get a third round pick for losing AJ. Enough.

Again, how is more "out of hand" now than over the course of baseball history? This is how the Yanks have typically been since getting Ruth. On top of that, though the Yanks' have a ton of rings, it's not like they win year after year. Sure, they have their little runs like they did at the end of the 90's, but look at who has won the WS over the last 30 years. It's a pretty wide mix of teams. The size of the contracts now is jut economic evolution coupled with infaltion, but the practice is nothing new. There have aways been teams that opt nto to spend and those that do. That's baseball. That's how it was 70 years ago and that's how it is today.

[cougarjake13]

Yes it is worse when the yankees spend 1/2 a billion dollars on three players in one year. And Selig is the fucking commish, it's his job to protect the league, not three fucking teams. There's a reason the NFL is huge and exciting versus MLB's bullshit. Seriously mojo, it's fucking the same thing over the last 10 years or so, but you don't think this is getting out of hand?! And the Jays only get a third round pick for losing AJ. Enough.

last i checked the yanks arent giving all that money up front


but yeh it sucks that the jays get a shittier pick b/c of the yanks signing 3 major guys

why cant they give the jays a 1st rd pick if thats what aj is worth in another years draft ?? or just give the jays an extra first rounder

[ope]

last i checked the yanks arent giving all that money up front

but yeh it sucks that the jays get a shittier pick b/c of the yanks signing 3 major guys

why cant they give the jays a 1st rd pick if thats what aj is worth in another years draft ?? or just give the jays an extra first rounder

That to me is a far more interesting conversation than the fiscal end of it. Since the Yankees signed 3 Type "A" free agents, 2 teams (Milwaukee, Toronto) got jobbed out of first-round compensation picks. Yet the system has the Yankees with a first-rounder due to them not signing last year's pick. Why not "unprotect" that pick in future situations?

[TheMojoPin]

That to me is a far more interesting conversation than the fiscal end of it. Since the Yankees signed 3 Type "A" free agents, 2 teams (Milwaukee, Toronto) got jobbed out of first-round compensation picks. Yet the system has the Yankees with a first-rounder due to them not signing last year's pick. Why not "unprotect" that pick in future situations?

Now this makes sense. Griping about money is pointless, but the comp system is fucked.

[ope]

Now this makes sense. Griping about money is pointless, but the comp system is fucked.

And that's the one thing for competitive balance purposes that needs to be right. Imagine how pissed right now the Toronto GM is that he lost AJ Burnett to his division rivals and is only getting a 3rd rounder rather than a 1rst as compensation.

[Marc with a c]

i saw a stat somewhere that said in the last four years twenty of the thirty teams have made the playoffs. that seems like a pretty good system to me.

[TheMojoPin]

i saw a stat somewhere that said in the last four years twenty of the thirty teams have made the playoffs. that seems like a pretty good system to me.

And one of the ones that didn't was Canadian, so they don't count and nobody cares.

[cougarjake13]

For the most part, I tend to agree with this point of view.

It's not very common that a team buys a World Series (at least lately), and the system still benefits teams that build quality organizations from the bottom up.


But the one thing I will say, is that I think over a 162 game season, you play enough bad teams, and have such a large sample size of games, that a team can buy its way into the playoffs, and the Yankees and Red Sox do kind of pull that off, for the most part.

And that's where it has to suck for someone like Spoon, because there's not much room for a team like Toronto in the AL East, despite spending about $100 million annually.

Once you get to the playoffs, though, it's a crap shoot.

The Yankees are just as likely to win 100+ games and lose in the first round of the playoffs, then they are to go anywhere, because a five game, and a seven game series is pretty unpredictable.

That's why if you're the Blue Jays, you've really got to revamp your business model. Reinvest in scouting, ditch the high price contracts over the next couple years, and sign your stars out of the minor league system very early in their MLB service time.

Toronto should really model itself after the Phillies. That's their best shot to get back in the thick of things, but it begins with the scouting.



the way the yanks and sawx spend doesnt hurt baseball but it does hurt the al east


like you said they cant compete spending wise with them and more often than not the yanks and sawx are the div winner and wild card


the other divisions dont have to worry as much as they only have to compete for the div title and maybe get lucky that the yanks or sawx are in a down year or they beat up each other and allows an al central team to sneak in as a wild card


and like you said once you get to playoffs anything can happen


the rays had a nice team but it also helped that the yanks starting pitching got fucked besides moose's great year, they didnt have wang for a good part of the year and still only finished 8 games back, and the sawx had a few injuries as well

so everything fell right for them

i dont see that happening again this year, they may win 85+ games but they'll finish 3rd in division and if they get breaks again may have a shot at the wild card

[cougarjake13]

That to me is a far more interesting conversation than the fiscal end of it. Since the Yankees signed 3 Type "A" free agents, 2 teams (Milwaukee, Toronto) got jobbed out of first-round compensation picks. Yet the system has the Yankees with a first-rounder due to them not signing last year's pick. Why not "unprotect" that pick in future situations?

how did they decide which type a free agent was the most valuable and that team got the pick ??

[ope]

how did they decide which type a free agent was the most valuable and that team got the pick ??

I believe Elias Sports Bureau ranks the free agents (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/10/31/elias.rankings/), then classifies them as A, B or unranked. If a team signs two players in the "same ranking class", then the higher ranked player warrants the pick from the round.

So for example the Yankees signed Sabathia, Burnett, then Teixiera. The compensation will go:

1rst - Anaheim for Teixiera
2nd - Milwaukee for Sabathia
3rd - Toronto for Burnett

[cougarjake13]

I believe Elias Sports Bureau ranks the free agents (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/10/31/elias.rankings/), then classifies them as A, B or unranked. If a team signs two players in the "same ranking class", then the higher ranked player warrants the pick from the round.

So for example the Yankees signed Sabathia, Burnett, then Teixiera. The compensation will go:

1rst - Anaheim for Teixiera
2nd - Milwaukee for Sabathia
3rd - Toronto for Burnett


damn so milw was getting the first rounder until the yanks signed tex ?? that burns

[TheMojoPin]

the way the yanks and sawx spend doesnt hurt baseball but it does hurt the al east


like you said they cant compete spending wise with them and more often than not the yanks and sawx are the div winner and wild card


the other divisions dont have to worry as much as they only have to compete for the div title and maybe get lucky that the yanks or sawx are in a down year or they beat up each other and allows an al central team to sneak in as a wild card


and like you said once you get to playoffs anything can happen


the rays had a nice team but it also helped that the yanks starting pitching got fucked besides moose's great year, they didnt have wang for a good part of the year and still only finished 8 games back, and the sawx had a few injuries as well

so everything fell right for them

i dont see that happening again this year, they may win 85+ games but they'll finish 3rd in division and if they get breaks again may have a shot at the wild card

Maybe. The Sox are obviously a very good team, but the Yanks still have some pretty obvious flaws. The starting rotation i obviously impressive, but the bullpen is pretty questionable, and the hitting lineup is filled with guys getting older and with a lot of recent DH time and declining performances. The 1-2 punch of ARod and Tex is probably the best baseball has seen since Manny and Ortiz, but6 surrounding them are a lot of "if's" and guys getting older, slower, less effective and more hurt. The Rays have a really good shot to be in the thick of it.

The Orioles could compete like they used to if Angelos decided to stop being a cheap dickwad.

[ope]

damn so milw was getting the first rounder until the yanks signed tex ?? that burns

Yea. Sabathia was the 2nd overall ranked free agent and the only way they wouldn't get a first-rounder is if Sabathia & Teixiera ended up on the same team.

Thanks Cashman, you asshole.

[cougarjake13]

Maybe. The Sox are obviously a very good team, but the Yanks still have some pretty obvious flaws. The starting rotation i obviously impressive, but the bullpen is pretty questionable, and the hitting lineup is filled with guys getting older and with a lot of recent DH time and declining performances. The 1-2 punch of ARod and Tex is probably the best baseball has seen since Manny and Ortiz, but6 surrounding them are a lot of "if's" and guys getting older, slower, less effective and more hurt. The Rays have a really good shot to be in the thick of it.

The Orioles cold compete like they used to if Angelos decided to stop being a cheap dickwad.

no i agree theres some flaws but non al east teams dont really have to care too much what the yanks or sawx or any team that would spend like that does

cause the only time it really matters is the playoffs and they'd all love to be there and have to worry about and for some of those teams thats good enough



but the one thing the rays did that im no sure if the yankees have is depth

every time a rays guy went down, someone else jumped in and filled in nicely

theres just too much of a drop off betw yankee starters and yankee bench, whereas the rays guys all pretty much had similar stats so not much of a production drop off

[K.C.]

Hopefully Lowe goes to the Braves and Manny goes to the Giants.

That way, both can wallow in obscurity and not affect playoff races.

[cougarjake13]

Hopefully Lowe goes to the Braves and Manny goes to the Giants.

That way, both can wallow in obscurity and not affect playoff races.



i can live with that

[spadanko]

I'll worry about lowe going somewhere else when another team actually shows interest and it is not just John Heyman's opinion. "Hmmm Braves offered Burnett money well, they MUST want Lowe... oh and so do the Phils even though they have 7 starters"

"Does that sound good scott? I get 5% right?"

He has to be on Boras' payroll to make up this stuff. I love how he jsut picked the Brewers out of the air as a team that would be interested last night.

[cougarjake13]

I'll worry about lowe going somewhere else when another team actually shows interest and it is not just John Heyman's opinion. "Hmmm Braves offered Burnett money well, they MUST want Lowe... oh and so do the Phils even though they have 7 starters"

"Does that sound good scott? I get 5% right?"

He has to be on Boras' payroll to make up this stuff. I love how he jsut picked the Brewers out of the air as a team that would be interested last night.

wasnt completely out of thin air


they did lose 2 starters or at least one depending on where sheets goes

[epo]

I love how he jsut picked the Brewers out of the air as a team that would be interested last night.

wasnt completely out of thin air

they did lose 2 starters or at least one depending on where sheets goes

It was completely out of thin air. There is no way in bloody fuck that the Brewers sign Derek Lowe or any other Class A free agent....other than possibly Ben Sheets.

[cougarjake13]

It was completely out of thin air. There is no way in bloody fuck that the Brewers sign Derek Lowe or any other Class A free agent....other than possibly Ben Sheets.

whether they would or wouldnt doesnt matter


theyre a team thats in need of starting pitching, lowe is available


so not out of thin air

[epo]

whether they would or wouldnt doesnt matter

theyre a team thats in need of starting pitching, lowe is available

so not out of thin air

Except for the fact that Brewers GM Doug Melvin has publicly stated that he's now waiting for the money to cool off and he isn't interested in Class A free agents after he got dinged by the Sabathia/compensation deal.

So that means that Heyman made it up and he's a shitty writer.

[Kevin]

After the Tex fiasco, i don't believe a single rumor. These guys don't know shit. Just gossip girls, the lot of them.

[cougarjake13]

Except for the fact that Brewers GM Doug Melvin has publicly stated that he's now waiting for the money to cool off and he isn't interested in Class A free agents after he got dinged by the Sabathia/compensation deal.

So that means that Heyman made it up and he's a shitty writer.



ahh didnt know that

[Snoogans]

After the Tex fiasco, i don't believe a single rumor. These guys don't know shit. Just gossip girls, the lot of them.

We all pretty much stopped listening after it was done that ARod was going to the Red Sox. Besides, any time I hear a FA being brought up in a rumor where he will sign, no matter what they say my brain just hears YANKEES

[spoon]

Listen, if you seriously think ruling out half the league every year is a good system, then I can't help you. People say money doesn't win championships, and I say that's bullshit, especially out of the AL East and the AL overall. Sure injuries, pitching and players being hot for the teams that do make it from other divisions can upset a team with a high payroll.

Yet the money almost ALWAYS puts a team in the playoffs and hence they get the shot. And using teams like Tampa as an example of the lesser teams is funny too. Sure, a decade of being in the cellar will give you a rush of young talent, but how often will they come together at the same time like last year and how long until half of them are in Boston or one of the NY teams? And at what cost? They sucked for so long that their local population is highly composed of NYY/Boston fans and other teams. And that's by design too, bc the league basically puts a HUGE emphasis on core teams based on location, not yearly talent. Then again, a few teams are basically all-star teams anyway so surprise surprise that kids and bandwagoners jump on to them. Sure there are and always will be NE transplants in Florida, but it's in Pitt, KC, and pretty much everywhere more and more.

Long gone are the days of Brett in KC, Molitor in Mil, Gwynn in SD and the likes. They'll all eventually end up in NY, Boston or whoever else is throwing money around in an effort to compete with the others.

I find it funny that most here happy with the system seem to be fans of either NY team or another big market with money. Even Philly is a decent market, and they just won so they feel like all is well. I actually was pulling for them too, but I'm amazed that they think the system is fine. I'd love to see how many people would feel the system was fine if they had to come out of a division with Boston and the yankees. I'm sorry, it's worse then ever (it pretty much started in the mid 90's too). I'm all for some player movement and I'm sure the MLBPA is a huge stumbling block in a cap of any sort, but this one way transition is terrible for the game. Sure it's not bad for yankee attendance and games they play on the road, but how has it been for other teams?

And like I said on the compensation, it's just like most rules in this league, there are loopholes for the rich teams and that's what they want. MLB thinks it can't survive without the likes of the big 4, while the NFL thrives with or without them.

[spoon]

And what the fuck is this subway jared break on cbs!?

Fucking awful.

[epo]

ahh didnt know that

Which is fine...but my point is that its Heyman's job to know that kind of shit. He obviously doesn't know it or doesn't care....either way it means he's a hack.

[TheMojoPin]

Listen, if you seriously think ruling out half the league every year is a good system, then I can't help you. People say money doesn't win championships, and I say that's bullshit, especially out of the AL East and the AL overall. Sure injuries, pitching and players being hot for the teams that do make it from other divisions can upset a team with a high payroll.

Yet the money almost ALWAYS puts a team in the playoffs and hence they get the shot. And using teams like Tampa as an example of the lesser teams is funny too. Sure, a decade of being in the cellar will give you a rush of young talent, but how often will they come together at the same time like last year and how long until half of them are in Boston or one of the NY teams? And at what cost? They sucked for so long that their local population is highly composed of NYY/Boston fans and other teams. And that's by design too, bc the league basically puts a HUGE emphasis on core teams based on location, not yearly talent. Then again, a few teams are basically all-star teams anyway so surprise surprise that kids and bandwagoners jump on to them. Sure there are and always will be NE transplants in Florida, but it's in Pitt, KC, and pretty much everywhere more and more.

Long gone are the days of Brett in KC, Molitor in Mil, Gwynn in SD and the likes. They'll all eventually end up in NY, Boston or whoever else is throwing money around in an effort to compete with the others.

I find it funny that most here happy with the system seem to be fans of either NY team or another big market with money. Even Philly is a decent market, and they just won so they feel like all is well. I actually was pulling for them too, but I'm amazed that they think the system is fine. I'd love to see how many people would feel the system was fine if they had to come out of a division with Boston and the yankees. I'm sorry, it's worse then ever (it pretty much started in the mid 90's too). I'm all for some player movement and I'm sure the MLBPA is a huge stumbling block in a cap of any sort, but this one way transition is terrible for the game. Sure it's not bad for yankee attendance and games they play on the road, but how has it been for other teams?

And again, how is this different than it's always been? It's not just the Yankees or Red Sox getting all the good players. They're not the only ones winning WS. There's always been a few teams at the very top in terms of resources, then the big middle pack, then a selection of cellar-dwellars. That's how it's always been. You cannot find a time when it hasn't been like that. The spread of teams that win the WS and make the playoffs is very wide...your complaint seems to boil down to you don't like your team being in the same division as the Red Sox and Yankees.

Basebal is stroner than it's ever been in terms of money, attendence and in terms of how many different teams make the playoffs and win it all.

[K.C.]

Listen, if you seriously think ruling out half the league every year is a good system, then I can't help you.

It's just not true. The system favors teams that build from the bottom up, and teams have numerous opportunities before free agency, before arbitration, to sign players long-term.

And that's what the Rays did with Longoria, and the Marlins have done with Hanley Ramirez.

And organizations are stupid for not doing it more.

And you can't tell me they can't afford it. The cost of a long-term contract for a player who is still under club-control, as opposed to a player who is in arbitration is SIGNIFICANTLY more affordable, no matter who the player is.

At the end of the day, players like those I just mentioned are better than 95% of the players in free agency on any given year.

Long gone are the days of Brett in KC, Molitor in Mil, Gwynn in SD and the likes. They'll all eventually end up in NY, Boston or whoever else is throwing money around in an effort to compete with the others.


Kansas City, Milwaukee, and San Diego have developed some of the best players in baseball over the last decade.

Beltran, Damon, Dye, Fielder, Braun, Peavy, Young...San Diego ran a very good organization up until the owner gutted it this offseason because of his divorce.

Milwaukee is still in great shape...Kansas City is in better shape long-term than every team in the Central except maybe Minnesota; another small-market team.

[cougarjake13]

Which is fine...but my point is that its Heyman's job to know that kind of shit. He obviously doesn't know it or doesn't care....either way it means he's a hack.

yeh in that respect he should


or maybe he did know and just said fuck it in the sake of writing a blog or column

[TheMojoPin]

I really wish they'd cut down the divisions and just have east and west in each league again.

[Puggle_kicker]

Yes, the Yankee payroll has gone down by about $25M this offseason, even after signing CC, AJ, and Teixiera. They had a lot of large contracts come off the books this off-season (Giambi, Mussina, Pettitte, Abreu, et al), and this gave them some flexibility to fill needs (offensively, defensively, and in the rotation), which they did. I read an interesting article recently from a baseball blog that said this may have been Cashman's strategy all along. I wish I had the link to it, but the gist of the article was that the Yankees didn't pursue Santana last off-season as hard as they could with the thought being that they could keep their prospects, throw money at CC (a lesser, but still top-tier pitcher) this season and use the prospects to possibly trade for Matt Holliday at the trade deadline, and then sign him long-term. Makes sense, actually. No way Oakland ponies up to keep Holiday, and, if they're out of it by the end of July, they will likely try to get something for him. Additionally, the Yankees have Austin Jackson ready for the big league centerfield job by next year, and the contracts of Damon, Matsui, and Nady come off the books next off-season, creating room for Holliday. Then, they would try to sign another corner outfielder type and can move Posada to the DH spot full-time. John Lackey is also out there next off-season, and Mariano Rivera is getting older. Possibly signing Lackey would allow Joba Chamberlain to be moved to the bullpen so he can be groomed to replace Mo. By that time, a young pitcher like Hughes may be ready to step up and complete the rotation. Rick Ankiel is a free agent after next season, and if the Yankees can trot out a young outfield like Holliday, Jackson, and Ankiel, they might be even better than expected. By, in essence, taking 2008 as a house money year, they may have set themselves up much better for the future.
Damn man, you had me until you said Ankiel . . . thats where you lost all credibility.

[Snoogans]

Damn man, you had me until you said Ankiel . . . thats where you lost all credibility.

ankiel can hit man, and has a cannon. Plus he took HGH, so he is perfect for the yankees

[TheMojoPin]

Damn man, you had me until you said Ankiel . . . thats where you lost all credibility.

Yeah, Ankiel is bad news. You give him anything with any movement and he can't hit it. And sure, he's got the arm in the field, but he's a horrible defender otherwise...takes some of the worst routes I've ever seen, he's slow and he positions himself horribly. If they get him as a DH, MAYBE, but again, he can't hit anything but fastballs.

[cougarjake13]

I really wish they'd cut down the divisions and just have east and west in each league again.



how many wild cards ?? 2 ?? 1 for east 1 for west ??

[Snoogans]

how many wild cards ?? 2 ?? 1 for east 1 for west ??

0

[cougarjake13]

0

so you wanna go all the way back old school


2 division winners for al and nl

then world series ???




it'll never happen, too much money in extra playoff series

[epo]

so you wanna go all the way back old school

2 division winners for al and nl

then world series ???

it'll never happen, too much money in extra playoff series

The other problem is ticket sales in the regular season. As playoff possibilities expand deeper into the regular season, the more tickets are sold. Now that the owners have seen those dollars, they aren't going to give them away.

[brettmojo]

blah blah blah hate the yankees hate the yankees blah blah blah

Ah, I see.

All they should do to change the playoffs is eliminate the 5 games division series and make it 7.

[Puggle_kicker]

ankiel can hit man, and has a cannon. Plus he took HGH, so he is perfect for the yankees

He is also a nutcase that melts down under pressure. Not something that the Yankees need.

[TheMojoPin]

so you wanna go all the way back old school


2 division winners for al and nl

then world series ???




it'll never happen, too much money in extra playoff series

I wouldn't have a problem with 2 Wild Card winners in each league. Those 2 teams have to face each other in a 5-game series while the division winner gets the time off and automatically gets homefield advantage.

[cougarjake13]

I wouldn't have a problem with 2 Wild Card winners in each league. Those 2 teams have to face each other in a 5-game series while the division winner gets the time off and automatically gets homefield advantage.

what about the other div winner ??

al east winner
al west winer

al east wc
al west wc

[TheMojoPin]

what about the other div winner ??

al east winner
al west winer

al east wc
al west wc

Oh yeah. I screwed up and was thinking that there was just one true winner from each league and forgot that there were still two divisions. Nevermind. Still, two WC's in each league, they play each other while the two division winners play each other. Get rid of the five-game series and make all of them seven games.

[cougarjake13]

Oh yeah. I screwed up and was thinking that there was just one true winner from each league and forgot that there were still two divisions. Nevermind. Still, two WC's in each league, they play each other while the two division winners play each other. Get rid of the five-game series and make all of them seven games.

thats not fair

you're gonna give one of the wild card teams an automatic alcs or nlcs spot ??


if done it should be div winner vs wc

either in div or opp, al east div vs al west wc

[TheMojoPin]

thats not fair

you're gonna give one of the wild card teams an automatic alcs or nlcs spot ??


if done it should be div winner vs wc

either in div or opp, al east div vs al west wc

I'd rather ensure you see the divison winners play each other.

[cougarjake13]

I'd rather ensure you see the divison winners play each other.

yeh but then you might have a situation where it would be better for you to tank a few games towards the end of a season and not win the division to get a more favorable match up


plus whats the incentive to win the division if you have to play the 2nd best team in the first rd and not the LCS ??

[TheMojoPin]

yeh but then you might have a situation where it would be better for you to tank a few games towards the end of a season and not win the division to get a more favorable match up


plus whats the incentive to win the division if you have to play the 2nd best team in the first rd and not the LCS ??

The incentive to win is to get into the playoffs. Plus, whichever team has the better record gets home field advantage, as per usual. That's plenty of incentive right there. Also, you'd see the winners of the playoff spots less watered down. With just east and west, that makes it far less likely that crappy teams sneak in like they do with the tiny smaller divisions when the division stinks and there has to be a winner. Besides, it would be stupid to purposely "tank" anything unless you had other teams working with you.

[cougarjake13]

The incentive to win is to get into the playoffs. Plus, whichever team has the better record gets home field advantage, as per usual. That's plenty of incentive right there. Also, you'd see the winners of the playoff spots less watered down. With just east and west, that makes it far less likely that crappy teams sneak in like they do with the tiny smaller divisions when the division stinks and there has to be a winner. Besides, it would be stupid to purposely "tank" anything unless you had other teams working with you.

you're still rewarding a non div winning team with an automatic lcs berth

[TheMojoPin]

you're still rewarding a non div winning team with an automatic lcs berth

I know. Like I said, I'd rather ensure we see the division winners play each other.

[spadanko]

for you heyman you fucker

Before they re-signed Jamie Moyer, the Phils had interest in free-agent Derek Lowe. But they weren't positioned to counter the Mets' three-year, $36 million offer to the right-hander because of their expected commitment to their arbitration-eligible players.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20090104/SPORTS01/90104 0336/1002/sports

Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports that the Braves are interested in Lowe, but not his price tag. Bowman says the Braves are "keeping tabs on Lowe," but also states that the Braves would be reluctant to even make a larger offer than the three-year, $36MM deal that he rejected from the Mets.

[spoon]

Originally Posted by spoon
blah blah blah hate the yankees hate the yankees blah blah blah


Ah, I see.

All they should do to change the playoffs is eliminate the 5 games division series and make it 7.

blah blah blah I'm the new bulldogcakes blah blah blah I like a system bc it makes my team artificially good blah blah blah

Oh and look how well you developed pitching last year without the use of free agency. Right, yankee dynasty my ass. Look it up, it's called a monopoly.

[spoon]

And of course you'd change that, it has hurt the yanks in the past. Unreal.

[underdog]

Oh and look how well you developed pitching last year without the use of free agency. Right, yankee dynasty my ass. Look it up, it's called a monopoly.

Just so you know, you're not helping your "yankees are hurting baseball" cause with this.

[razorboy]

Pat Burrell to Rays pending physical.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/05/rays-verge-signing-burrell/

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9031336/Sources:-Rays,-Burrell-near-two-year,-$16M-deal

[hexy68]

Pat Burrell to Rays pending physical.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/05/rays-verge-signing-burrell/

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9031336/Sources:-Rays,-Burrell-near-two-year,-$16M-deal

2 yrs 16 mil...not bad ..but not the $$ he was looking for

[Knowledged_one]

Brian roberts to chicago?
could happen just not the cubs but the white sox for gavin floyd

[midwestjeff]

Brian roberts to chicago?
could happen just not the cubs but the white sox for gavin floyd

I thought Gavin Floyd was a Philly.

Guess not.


EDIT*--Nevermind. I knew that.

[Jujubees2]

2 yrs 16 mil...not bad ..but not the $$ he was looking for

Wait for it...

The Yankees have emerged as the new leader with Burrell. Eighth years, $165 million and he gets his own show on YES.

[spadanko]

Absolute steal for Burrell

[spoon]

Go Montclair Jackals!

[razorboy]

Absolute steal for Burrell

Agreed. I guess he figures a couple of good years concentrating on the DH role will net him some good DH money in two years. I know he loves it down here and has a home Clearwater and Friedman just has a knack for pulling these deals seemingly out of nowhere. Anyway, I'm stoked. The lineup should be very very good this season.

[spadanko]

Cubs sign Bradley

According to ESPN Radio's Bruce Levine, the Cubs signed Milton Bradley to a three-year, $30MM deal. Bradley had a monster .321/.436/.563 line this year for the Rangers, but he spent only 165 innings in the field.

[cougarjake13]

Agreed. I guess he figures a couple of good years concentrating on the DH role will net him some good DH money in two years. I know he loves it down here and has a home Clearwater and Friedman just has a knack for pulling these deals seemingly out of nowhere. Anyway, I'm stoked. The lineup should be very very good this season.

he'll still see plenty of time in left i'm sure

[razorboy]

he'll still see plenty of time in left i'm sure

As long as Crawford is healthy, why on Earth would he? He was bad in the field in Philly and the Trop has a considerably harder left to field.

[PerryWinkle]

Pat Burrell to Rays pending physical.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/05/rays-verge-signing-burrell/

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9031336/Sources:-Rays,-Burrell-near-two-year,-$16M-deal


good luck in TB Pat , the Phils will be sure to send you your WS ring

[cougarjake13]

twins owner carl pohlad


dead at 93

[cougarjake13]

As long as Crawford is healthy, why on Earth would he? He was bad in the field in Philly and the Trop has a considerably harder left to field.

just cause they like to tweak the lineup


so maybe carl gets a day rest at dh and burell plays the field

[razorboy]

just cause they like to tweak the lineup


so maybe carl gets a day rest at dh and burell plays the field

I know Maddon likes to tinker with his lineups and give scheduled days off, but remember even when Crawford was out for an extended stretch last year he kept Floyd exclusively at DH. I think Maddon has pretty much resigned himself to using Zobrist as his super sub.

[cougarjake13]

I know Maddon likes to tinker with his lineups and give scheduled days off, but remember even when Crawford was out for an extended stretch last year he kept Floyd exclusively at DH. I think Maddon has pretty much resigned himself to using Zobrist as his super sub.

well cause floyd was too banged up to play field


im not saying he'll play 100 games there

prob 25-50 if theres no crawford injury

[scottinnj]

good luck in TB Pat , the Phils will be sure to send you your WS ring

He'll always be a Phighting Phil to me. Good luck in TB bro!

[PerryWinkle]

He'll always be a Phighting Phil to me. Good luck in TB bro!

i agree. i wish TB played in philly this year, the stadium would go crazy when he came to the plate

[NickyL0885]

ESPN has is that Phils J.C Romero suspended 50games for testing positive. Muahaha.

[K.C.]

ESPN has is that Phils J.C Romero suspended 50games for testing positive. Muahaha.

He's getting screwed big time.

The guy buys a supplement at GNC that both MLB and the Players Association tell him is fine and should not influence testing (which they are now changing their opinion on in light of this).

I guess from MLB's point of view, you can't just throw out a positive test, because there's probably no way to definitively prove the legal supplement caused the positive test. So I guess I get that.

But he's pretty pissed off, reading the article on this.

Sounds to me like he has a right to be.

[PerryWinkle]

ESPN has is that Phils J.C Romero suspended 50games for testing positive. Muahaha.

thats a shame. i hope his WS ring still fits once he's off the juice

[spoon]

He's getting screwed big time.

The guy buys a supplement at GNC that both MLB and the Players Association tell him is fine and should not influence testing (which they are now changing their opinion on in light of this).

I guess from MLB's point of view, you can't just throw out a positive test, because there's probably no way to definitively prove the legal supplement caused the positive test. So I guess I get that.

But he's pretty pissed off, reading the article on this.

Sounds to me like he has a right to be.

Come on man, that excuse was old when SD's Merriman used it.

[El Mudo]

Yes it is worse when the yankees spend 1/2 a billion dollars on three players in one year. And Selig is the fucking commish, it's his job to protect the league, not three fucking teams. There's a reason the NFL is huge and exciting versus MLB's bullshit. Seriously mojo, it's fucking the same thing over the last 10 years or so, but you don't think this is getting out of hand?! And the Jays only get a third round pick for losing AJ. Enough.


The NFL is exciting?

[spoon]

The NFL is exciting?

yes

[epo]

Brewers targeting Hoffman (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/37143694.html)

The Brewers need a closer and general manager Doug Melvin has targeted all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman as his choice to fill that role.

I just spoke on the phone with Melvin, and he said he's trying to find out as soon as possible -- perhaps even by the end of today -- what the chances are of signing Hoffman. The 41-year-old right-hander became a free agent when San Diego decided not to offer him salary arbitration because of budgetary restrictions.

Accordingly, Hoffman would not require the Brewers to forfeit a draft pick even though he is a Class A free agent.

"Right now, he is (our top choice)," said Melvin, who spoke with Hoffman's agent, Rick Thurman, yesterday and plans to do so again today. "We've talked parameters. I'd like to know sooner than later."

This is a move that I would absolutely love.

[El Mudo]

yes



Sure...because watching mediocrity in action is always entertaining

[midwestjeff]

This is a move that I would absolutely love.

Do they still have Gagne under contract?

Not that I am saying they should use him I just wondered.

[Knowledged_one]

Do they still have Gagne under contract?

Not that I am saying they should use him I just wondered.

i thought torres did an outstanding job last year

[Knowledged_one]

Sure...because watching mediocrity in action is always entertaining

i know you are jaded because you are a hockey fan but football is anything but mediocrity in action

[NYHCmikeX]

Sure...because watching mediocrity in action is always entertaining

Watching the clouds move across the sky is more entertaining than watching the Nationals, Wizards or Redskins. If you had real sports teams maybe things would be more fun for you.

[Knowledged_one]

Watching the clouds move across the sky is more entertaining than watching the Nationals, Wizards or Redskins. If you had real sports teams maybe things would be more fun for you.

go fuck yourself dc has real teams and fans then johnny come lately ny fans

[NYHCmikeX]

go fuck yourself dc has real teams and fans then johnny come lately ny fans

Well, you're from Ohio. So if you have to compare DC to Cleveland, the biggest loser sport city in history, then yes, they are excellent teams.

Oh yeah, How Bout them Buckeyes?

[IMSlacker]

Do they still have Gagne under contract?

Not that I am saying they should use him I just wondered.

I think Gagne was a one year deal.

[NYHCmikeX]

I think Gagne was a one year deal.

It was. 1 year/10 million

[El Mudo]

i know you are jaded because you are a hockey fan but football is anything but mediocrity in action


Didn't say football was mediocrity in action....said the NFL was mediocrity in action


Watching the clouds move across the sky is more entertaining than watching the Nationals, Wizards or Redskins. If you had real sports teams maybe things would be more fun for you.


When exactly did I bring up anything regarding the denigration of the City of New York or its sports teams? And I could GIVE two shits about the Bullets or the Redskins. Hell...I rail about the stupid Redskins all the time because Jason Campbell can't take a shit without 40 sycophantic sportswriters from the Post describing its color, size and shape, and that's partly the reason I despise the NFL.


And if anything, ive spent the last few posts i've made in here DEFENDING the stupid Yankees and how they spend money, particularly that one in response to Spoon's saying the NFL is "huge and exciting" whereby i'm making the statement that artificially creating "competitive balance" through a salary cap like in the NFL isn't an answer to the perceived "competitive balance problem" in baseball because it leads to a dogshit, mediocre product (like the NFL has). In the words of my good friends at FireJoeMorgan..."fuck the heck?"

Go shit in your hat.

[PD]

Watching the clouds move across the sky is more entertaining than watching the Nationals, Wizards or Redskins. If you had real sports teams maybe things would be more fun for you.

shoulda kept the name "Bullets"

[El Mudo]

shoulda kept the name "Bullets"

Ashraf Amaya FTW

[NYHCmikeX]

Go shit in your hat.

Relax. It was a joke. A 500 word diatribe was not needed. People make too much out of "parity" in the NFL. The same teams still suck every year, while the good teams largely remain the same.

shoulda kept the name "Bullets"

fuck yeah they shoulda. they still would suck, but at least they would have a cool name. the Wizards is just stupid. I get it, it starts with W and so does Washington...

[El Mudo]

Relax. It was a joke. A 500 word diatribe was not needed. People make too much out of "parity" in the NFL. The same teams still suck every year, while the good teams largely remain the same.



fuck yeah they shoulda. they still would suck, but at least they would have a cool name. the Wizards is just stupid. I get it, it starts with W and so does Washington...



No hard feelings Mike....just got a little fired up about that one :innocent:

[NYHCmikeX]

No hard feelings Mike....just got a little fired up about that one :innocent:

Its cool. It did come off much more dick than I meant.

And my hockey fan buddy just told me the Washington hockey team was nasty, so what do I know?

[Snoogans]

No hard feelings Mike....just got a little fired up about that one :innocent:

Its cool. It did come off much more dick than I meant.

And my hockey fan buddy just told me the Washington hockey team was nasty, so what do I know?

awww how cute


FUCK THAT SHIT. Its a sports argument, you are supposed to offend each other and get over angry

[Kevin]

awww how cute


FUCK THAT SHIT. Its a sports argument, you are supposed to offend each other and get over angry

On the next Snoogans "Grinds My Gears"

How to have a sports argument.

[Snoogans]

On the next Snoogans "Grinds My Gears"

How to have a sports argument.

THATS NOT THE FUCKIN NAME OF IT

[PD]

He's getting screwed big time.

The guy buys a supplement at GNC that both MLB and the Players Association tell him is fine and should not influence testing (which they are now changing their opinion on in light of this).

I guess from MLB's point of view, you can't just throw out a positive test, because there's probably no way to definitively prove the legal supplement caused the positive test. So I guess I get that.

But he's pretty pissed off, reading the article on this.

Sounds to me like he has a right to be.

Rob dibble has diff opinion.
a) as far as buying from GNC, remember it was McGwire's andro that came from GNC that started all of this.
b) dibs said - who did he ask in the union? probably a lawyer

Dibble "I'd only get call up Bud Selig to get approvals for Supplements"

[NYHCmikeX]

Carl Pavano has signed with the Indians.

Linkage. $1.5M guaranteed with $5.3 available via incentives (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3813706)

[PD]

Carl Pavano has signed with the Indians.

Linkage. $1.5M guaranteed with $5.3 available via incentives (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3813706)

yeah, john haymen just said that on WFAN.

Francessa "someone took him??"

[NYHCmikeX]

I knew he would get signed, but I was at least hoping he would get banished to kansas city or pittsburgh or someone of that ilk. Although, being in Cleveland I guess he has just as good a chance at winning it all as those other two teams.

[brettmojo]

Sources: Giants can't afford Manny (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3814396)


As hard as Scott Boras may be trying to portray the San Francisco Giants (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=sfo) as serious bidders for Manny Ramirez (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=2974), it's even harder to find executives in baseball who believe that.

According to one source familiar with the Giants' thinking, just about every recent rumor connecting the Giants with Manny is "unfounded" or "baloney." "If a million things came together over the next few weeks, would it be possible? Maybe," the source told ESPN.com. "But for where [Boras] is right now and where the team is right now, it doesn't make sense economically and it doesn't make sense for how the team fits together."

[Knowledged_one]

Well, you're from Ohio. So if you have to compare DC to Cleveland, the biggest loser sport city in history, then yes, they are excellent teams.

Oh yeah, How Bout them Buckeyes?

another ignorant ny fan without a fucking clue so i will break it down for you living somewhere doesnt mean you are from that place.
get a clue it may help you in the future
and the nationals have won as many titles in the past 5 years as the yankees not that im a nats fan as the smart people here know whn i root for

[Knowledged_one]

And yeah what about those buckeyes since i hate them

[Kevin]

Carl Pavano has signed with the Indians.

Linkage. $1.5M guaranteed with $5.3 available via incentives (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3813706)

Carl Pavano for CC Sabathia..

I like that deal. Great move by Cashman!

[Knowledged_one]

Pavano 2009 al cy young winner

[TheMojoPin]

Carl Pavano has signed with the Indians.

Linkage. $1.5M guaranteed with $5.3 available via incentives (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3813706)

Makes me wonder if anyone is gonna bother to take a chance on Prior this year.

[NYHCmikeX]

Makes me wonder if anyone is gonna bother to take a chance on Prior this year.

I cant see why someone wouldnt at least offer him a minor league deal. (I dont think he has any offers at all right now, but Im not sure) Whats the worst that could come of it?

the smart people here know whn i root for

How about I dont give a fuck about you or who you root for. You are a nameless tool who talks alot of shit and your opinion about anything means less than nothing. Now go run along little boy.

[Kevin]

Makes me wonder if anyone is gonna bother to take a chance on Prior this year.

I think prior is pretty much done. But stranger things have happened.

[TheMojoPin]

I cant see why someone wouldnt at least offer him a minor league deal. (I dont think he has any offers at all right now, but Im not sure) Whats the worst that could come of it?

Exactly. I doubt he has much left in him as a starter, but I wonder if he could still be an effective reliver.

How about I dont give a fuck about you or who you root for. You are a nameless tool who talks alot of shit and your opinion about anything means less than nothing. Now go run along little boy.

Let's keep this cool.

[Knowledged_one]

I cant see why someone wouldnt at least offer him a minor league deal. (I dont think he has any offers at all right now, but Im not sure) Whats the worst that could come of it?



How about I dont give a fuck about you or who you root for. You are a nameless tool who talks alot of shit and your opinion about anything means less than nothing. Now go run along little boy.

good one potsie you prove your ignorance then use this canned response as a comeback
way to prove my point

[Knowledged_one]

I think prior is pretty much done. But stranger things have happened.

are there any pitchers in recent history who have missed major time only to make a nice comeback

[Kevin]

KO can be a little much at times, but he is generally fair when you make valid points

And i am INCONSOLABLE that him and Mojo did not deem me important enough to wish me a happy birthday.

[Knowledged_one]

KO can be a little much at times, but he is generally fair when you make valid points

And i am INCONSOLABLE that him and Mojo did not deem me important enough to wish me a happy birthday.

that son of a bitch peter abraham was supposed to jump out of a cake for you and it cost me ten grand
so since he didnt happy belated birthday

[Kevin]

that son of a bitch peter abraham was supposed to jump out of a cake for you and it cost me ten grand
so since he didnt happy belated birthday

He just gave me a shitty mostly eaten cake he got free from the BDC Bakery!!!

[IMSlacker]

are there any pitchers in recent history who have missed major time only to make a nice comeback

Chris Carpenter

[spoon]

Sure...because watching mediocrity in action is always entertaining

We're not talking about your Caps and that sissy Semin. Slap fight anyone!?

[Knowledged_one]

We're not talking about your Caps and that sissy Semin. Slap fight anyone!?

yeah but ovechkin is russian machine he wont break

[Kevin]

yeah but ovechkin is russian machine he wont break

But he will break you!




sorry...

[spoon]

Makes me wonder if anyone is gonna bother to take a chance on Prior this year.

Well, the Jays already signed Matt Clement to a Minor League contract with an invite to Spring Training, so why not? I don't think they have many other options and I've heard his name thrown around by JP more than once.