2006-2007 Baseball Offseason Thread....

[Neuqua]

Dusty and Cubs Part Ways... (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2610405)

Cubs, skipper Baker part ways after 66-96 season
Associated Press

CHICAGO -- Dusty Baker is out as the Chicago Cubs' manager following a last-place finish and a failure to take the team to the World Series in his four years.

The Cubs made the announcement Monday, a day after team president Andy MacPhail resigned and the club finished with a 66-96 record.

"I wish we could have gotten it done but we didn't," Baker said. "You see four years come to pass very quickly."

Baker was in the last season of his $14 million-to-$15 million deal and had hoped to resurrect the franchise that hadn't been in the World Series since 1945 and hadn't won one since 1908. He compiled a 322-326 record during his time in Chicago.

Baker said he talked to the players on Sunday.

"I just urged them yesterday just to learn from some of the things that they might have understood, and some of the things that they didn't understand," he said. "Just retain it and perhaps some day they can use it on being better ballplayers, and being, you know, better family men and just being better people, period."

Known for his toothpicks and wristbands while managing from the dugout, Baker was popular with his players and in his 14th season as manager.

Baker left the San Francisco Giants after leading them to the 2002 World Series, and almost guided the Cubs there in 2003.

Chicago was five outs away from reaching the World Series in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series. But with Mark Prior on the mound, the Cubs blew a three-run lead in the eighth inning against Florida.

The Marlins scored eight times, helped when Cubs fan Steve Bartman touched a foul fly ball before Chicago left fielder Moises Alou had a chance to catch it. It will easily be the most-remembered inning in Baker's tenure in Chicago.

The next night, the Cubs lost Game 7 with Kerry Wood pitching.

They came back the next season, led the NL wild card by 1½ games, only to stumble again on a final homestand and not make the postseason.

The 2004 season also marked the end of Sammy Sosa in Chicago. Sosa left the clubhouse before the end of the season finale, and the fading slugger later accused Baker of blaming him for the club's failures. Sosa was subsequently traded to Baltimore.

Injuries to Prior and Wood dogged the Cubs the last three seasons. Nomar Garciaparra tore a groin muscle and missed much of the 2005 season as the Cubs fell to 79-83, Baker's first losing season since 1996.

The swoon continued this year as Prior and Wood started the season on the disabled list again. NL batting champion Derrek Lee later broke his wrist and from there, the collapse was staggering.

Baker was the latest victim in the Cub's history of losing.

MacPhail offered no excuses on Sunday, but acknowledged the Cubs hadn't developed position players as well as pitchers and pointed to the team's uncanny stretch of injuries and poor health.

Baker has said he does not regret coming to the Cubs but wished he'd been the one to turn the longtime losers around. That's what he expected upon his arrival following 10 seasons as skipper of the Giants, where he was a three-time manager of the year.


And also Andy McPhail quit yesterday as Cubs Team President. Looks like the organization is going to completely revamp itself. Here's hoping for the better.

[dervack]

I'm not crazy about a Marketing guy taking over as team president though. I guess we'll see how it works though. Joe Girardi is the clubhouse leader for Manager, but I wouldn't mind waiting a while to see what other teams are looking for a new manager, too.

[Puddy]

Another expected move...Felipe Alou won't return to the Giants as their Manager next year....

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2610590

[Toddzilla]

The Cubs got worse every year under Baker, and his "I guess you gotta blame someone" bullshit is as fitting as anything else he's said since coming to Chicago. The fact is, with the team the Cubs had for 4 years and the payroll they had, Baker is more to blame than anyone else in the organization. Whoever else hires this buffoon gets what they deserve, because Dusty Baker is one of the worst managers in recent history. His teams have won is spite of Dusty, not because of him. Good riddance you obstructionist fuckwad.

[Young Drachma]

The Cubs got worse every year under Baker, and his "I guess you gotta blame someone" bullshit is as fitting as anything else he's said since coming to Chicago. The fact is, with the team the Cubs had for 4 years and the payroll they had, Baker is more to blame than anyone else in the organization. Whoever else hires this buffoon gets what they deserve, because Dusty Baker is one of the worst managers in recent history. His teams have won is spite of Dusty, not because of him. Good riddance you obstructionist fuckwad.

So I'm guessing he won't get a Christmas card from you, eh?

[Young Drachma]

Now if the Blue Jays can hire a manager capable of not fighting with his players....perhaps we can improve on that 2nd place finish.

[Toddzilla]

So I'm guessing he won't get a Christmas card from you, eh?I got to go to a game at Wrigley this year, and in the middle of the game - which the Cubs were losing - I walked past the ushers and went down the aisle down the 3rd base line near the Cubs dugout. I told the seatholders I wanted to take a picture (which I did), but when Dusty came out of the dugout, I started screaming at him, telling him what a worthless POS he was, how much he sucked, etc. The usher finally came to escore me out and I told the people sitting there I was sorry for the rant. One old guy said, "If I knew you were going to yell at Dusty like that, I'd have invited you to stay for a few innings". My kind of people.

[lordscarlet]

I'm not crazy about a Marketing guy taking over as team president though. I guess we'll see how it works though. Joe Girardi is the clubhouse leader for Manager, but I wouldn't mind waiting a while to see what other teams are looking for a new manager, too.

Girardi hasn't been released yet, has he? I was overseas and I'm totally out of sorts.

[Mr. Wednesday]

The Red Sox fired Dave Wallace and Ron Jackson (hitting & pitching coaches). There were rumblings of discontent recently from "veterans" about Jackson's performance this season. (Seems to me that in order for it to have gotten him booted, veterans would have to be one or more of Ortiz, Varitek, and Ramirez.)

[dervack]

Girardi hasn't been released yet, has he? I was overseas and I'm totally out of sorts.
Not yet. Rumor has he's going to be let go tomorrow, and if not, he has an out clause in his contract for the Cubs job.

[Johnny93g]

Now if the Blue Jays can hire a manager capable of not fighting with his players....perhaps we can improve on that 2nd place finish.

I believe the early injury to AJ Burnett and Josh Towers really cost us this year. If Burnett is healthy all season and Towers pitches anything close to his last 3 years, then it aint t he offseason for Toronto. Looking forward to next season. Should be a interesting one in Toronto. Lots of players up for free agency

[Toddzilla]

And the second shoe falls - well, shoe 1 1/2 - as Joe Girardi gets the axe. I hope Joe kept his realtor in Chicago on retainer.

[MylesKnight]

The Marlins Brass.... WOW!

Everytime the Fish do something positive, they throw a flipping Atom Bomb at it and blow it to smitherines..

[dawgfan]

The Marlins Brass.... WOW!

Everytime the Fish do something positive, they throw a flipping Atom Bomb at it and blow it to smitherines..
We'll see. There were a lot of rumblings from within the Marlins organization about how difficult Girardi was to work with, and how if it were completely up to him, a lot of the younger players that starred for Florida this year wouldn't have seen the field - Beinfest and company had to insist.

Should be an interesting case study to see how well Girardi does from here on out, and how well the Marlins do with a new guy as manager. I think a big portion of the praise in Florida for how well they did this year has to go to Beinfest for getting so many talented prospects back in his trades.

[dervack]

Will be the 8th manager for the Marlins so far.

[MylesKnight]

Good points DawgFan. I was speaking from more of a historical viewpoint of the Florida Marlin Franchise..

The dismantling of World Championship Teams... and now the shaking up of what was a good baseball team that achieved very good things this season in contrast to what was expected.

I don't know the behind the scenes stuff... The Marlins just can't seem to keep things right once they achieve positive goals.

[dervack]

And the Marlins have named their new manager, Freddi Gonzalez.

[Ksyrup]

And the second shoe falls - well, shoe 1 1/2 - as Joe Girardi gets the axe. I hope Joe kept his realtor in Chicago on retainer.

Rumor is Pinella is more likely in Chicago and Girardi in DC.

[Toddzilla]

Actually word here in DC that Dusty is on the short list for the Nats. I also have to believe that, if Chicago is truly interested, they will not be outbid for Girardi.

[SFL Cat]

Interesting how all the negative stuff about Girardi was "leaked" to the press by management starting about three to four weeks prior to the end of the season...when the Marlins were still in the hunt for a wild card. No distractions there, boyo!

That alone puts me more on Girardi's side in this thing.

[dawgfan]

Interesting how all the negative stuff about Girardi was "leaked" to the press by management starting about three to four weeks prior to the end of the season...when the Marlins were still in the hunt for a wild card. No distractions there, boyo!

That alone puts me more on Girardi's side in this thing.
Well, it was certainly a very fucked-up situation, and I think Loria is an ass. I think it was rather thin-skinned of the front office as well to leak that stuff as well - it reeks of "Hey, that guy's getting too much credit! Look at us, look at us!"

Still, I wonder whether Girardi will be able to live up to his lofty reputation elsewhere. I also suspect that his popularity may actually be a hinderance to him getting the job with the Cubs - he'd instantly be a hero there, and poor peformance next year would likely first be blamed on Hendry, who's probably already on the hot seat.

[oykib]

Well, it was certainly a very fucked-up situation, and I think Loria is an ass. I think it was rather thin-skinned of the front office as well to leak that stuff as well - it reeks of "Hey, that guy's getting too much credit! Look at us, look at us!"

Still, I wonder whether Girardi will be able to live up to his lofty reputation elsewhere. I also suspect that his popularity may actually be a hinderance to him getting the job with the Cubs - he'd instantly be a hero there, and poor peformance next year would likely first be blamed on Hendry, who's probably already on the hot seat.

I think Hendry should already be out.

[oykib]

Well, it was certainly a very fucked-up situation, and I think Loria is an ass. I think it was rather thin-skinned of the front office as well to leak that stuff as well - it reeks of "Hey, that guy's getting too much credit! Look at us, look at us!"

Still, I wonder whether Girardi will be able to live up to his lofty reputation elsewhere. I also suspect that his popularity may actually be a hinderance to him getting the job with the Cubs - he'd instantly be a hero there, and poor peformance next year would likely first be blamed on Hendry, who's probably already on the hot seat.

Hendry should already be out.

[zums]

Hendry should already be out.

why?

[Toddzilla]

why?
Because he sucks.
Because he sat on his fat putrifying ass for 3 years and watched the Cubs rot and didn't do a goddamned thing to help.
Because he let Dusty Baker run the team into the ground and never canned his sorry ass.
Because he's taken a farm system, once the top farm system in baseball, and turned into one of the worst - not able to produce a single major-leage worthy position player EVER.
Because he continually trades good young pitching talent for crap.
Becasue he signed Neifi Perez and 15 guys just like him.
Because he didn't trade Mark Prior when he could. For Miguel Tejada! AAAUUGGH!
Because he believes OBP and walks are overrated, and this filters down to the farm system, producing no players who can get on base consistently.


I could go on for fucking forever

[dawgfan]

Before you can Hendry, you don't mind if the M's grab Angel Guzman for a bucket of balls and some rosin bags do you?

[Poli]

Hey, he brought Matt Lawton in AND Phil Nevin, didn't he? ;)

[PineTar]

I heard Hendry three years ago on Tribune owned WGN state that he believes the most important stat in baseball is Runs Batted In. Case closed.

Cubs should have cleaned house, but the problem there is that the new President is not a baseball guy. He needed to retain a 'solid' baseball guy like Hendry, who appears poised to have complete say in the construction of the roster. His track record isn't so hot.

Relying on Wood, Prior and Zambrano for three consecutive seasons after Baker whipped those mules for all he could in 2003 was a complete and utter mistake (I realize Zambrano has stood the test of time, but just watch his career arc - it will look a lot like Alex Fernandez (http://www.baseball-reference.com/f/fernaal01.shtml). Not to mention holding on to prized prospects like Corey Patterson til they proved beyond a doubt that there was nothing to the hype and lost all trade value.

The Cubs have a deeply flawed roster and free agency alone can not salvage this team. It won't happen in a million years, but I believe the steps the Cubs could take are:

1) Fire Hendry and bring in someone competent.

2) Fire sale (trade Zambrano at his career peak value, trade Lee if someone will trade value for him even though he was severely injured last season - Lee's 31 and we've seen his peak too Cubs fans, dump Ramirez whom will lose all inspiration once they pick up his option, Prior should stay only long enough so that potential suitors can see he's capable of staying healthy for 10 consecutive starts). The Cubs need to seed their farm system with actual talented players. This would be a start. A schlock team on a low budget would be every bit as capable of producing the NL's worst record, just like the 90+ million payroll 2006 squad)

3) Sell the team - The Tribune Company's in trouble and has been rumored to be contemplating just such a move. Pull the trigger after you've slashed payroll by 50-60%. They'll be more attractive. The big drawing card of the franchise has always been Wrigley, so a barebones roster shouldn't detract too much from the market value of the franchise.

4) profit :)

[Poli]

Cub fans would still come out to Wrigley no matter who they put on the field...so that's a plus if they slash payroll.

[dervack]

Because he sucks.
Because he sat on his fat putrifying ass for 3 years and watched the Cubs rot and didn't do a goddamned thing to help.
Because he let Dusty Baker run the team into the ground and never canned his sorry ass.
Because he's taken a farm system, once the top farm system in baseball, and turned into one of the worst - not able to produce a single major-leage worthy position player EVER.
Because he continually trades good young pitching talent for crap.
Becasue he signed Neifi Perez and 15 guys just like him.
Because he didn't trade Mark Prior when he could. For Miguel Tejada! AAAUUGGH!
Because he believes OBP and walks are overrated, and this filters down to the farm system, producing no players who can get on base consistently.


I could go on for fucking forever

The only point I disagree with is the farm system. Yes, I know it sucks now. But he's one of the main reasons why it was good at a time.

[Poli]

Missed the Perez comment. Solid statement. Who was the outfielder they signed from the Twins? That wasn't a wise move or well received by Cub fans as I recall.

[dervack]

Jacque Jones? Talk is that he's going to demand a trade this offseason because he came here for Dusty. I hope it's true.

[Ragone]

Fire Buddy Bell! err

[Ksyrup]

Jacque Jones? Talk is that he's going to demand a trade this offseason because he came here for Dusty. I hope it's true.

Maybe he can transfer to a D-II team so he won't have to sit out a year...

[Toddzilla]

Cub fans would still come out to Wrigley no matter who they put on the field...so that's a plus if they slash payroll.
Good news! Wrigley was mostly emply the last 2 weeks of the season - the first time that has happened in decades. The management spoke about how shocked they were that the fans - who had already purchased the tickets - chose to stay away rather than go to the games. A bold statement by the fans IMO.

However your arguement is right on the nose - there is no reason why the Cubs should be spending more than $25M tops on payroll if they can sell 3M tickets a year. Shit, how much do you have to spend to have the worst record in the NL?

[Toddzilla]

The only point I disagree with is the farm system. Yes, I know it sucks now. But he's one of the main reasons why it was good at a time.Actually, he's not. Hendry inherited a very very good farm system, but he's in love with the high school pitcher, and the results bear this out. Hendry decimated a good system, he didn't build it up first.

[Toddzilla]

Triple-motherfucking-dola-play:


Because it has been 36 hours and he hasn't hired Joe Girardi yet.


Because he sucks.
Because he sat on his fat putrifying ass for 3 years and watched the Cubs rot and didn't do a goddamned thing to help.
Because he let Dusty Baker run the team into the ground and never canned his sorry ass.
Because he's taken a farm system, once the top farm system in baseball, and turned into one of the worst - not able to produce a single major-leage worthy position player EVER.
Because he continually trades good young pitching talent for crap.
Becasue he signed Neifi Perez and 15 guys just like him.
Because he didn't trade Mark Prior when he could. For Miguel Tejada! AAAUUGGH!
Because he believes OBP and walks are overrated, and this filters down to the farm system, producing no players who can get on base consistently.


I could go on for fucking forever

[Toddzilla]

Jacque Jones? Talk is that he's going to demand a trade this offseason because he came here for Dusty. I hope it's true.Quad-dola-phenia

He had quite the impressive year, but if he wants a trade, I'm all for it. Make room for Manny! Or Carlos! or Alfonso!

Shit, who am I kidding?

Make room for Marlon Byrd!

[hoosierdude]

While the Tribune company has control of the Cubs, no one will win a division title or World Series. They need to cut bait and sell to someone that will allow the team to join the 21st century.

When all they care about is attendance, no one can win in that atmosphere. NO one. The Cubs of the 80 and 90's is LONG gone.... the one year where they almost made it was just a blip in the loser radar. I have been watching them for almost 30 years and it tears the soul to see them like this.

[PineTar]

Actually, he's not. Hendry inherited a very very good farm system, but he's in love with the high school pitcher, and the results bear this out. Hendry decimated a good system, he didn't build it up first.

Baseball America marks the decline under the Hendry regime here (http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/26854.html).

Felix Pie: The 2nd coming of Corey Patterson?

[watravaler]

I heard Hendry three years ago on Tribune owned WGN state that he believes the most important stat in baseball is Runs Batted In. Case closed.

Cubs should have cleaned house, but the problem there is that the new President is not a baseball guy. He needed to retain a 'solid' baseball guy like Hendry, who appears poised to have complete say in the construction of the roster. His track record isn't so hot.

Relying on Wood, Prior and Zambrano for three consecutive seasons after Baker whipped those mules for all he could in 2003 was a complete and utter mistake (I realize Zambrano has stood the test of time, but just watch his career arc - it will look a lot like Alex Fernandez (http://www.baseball-reference.com/f/fernaal01.shtml). Not to mention holding on to prized prospects like Corey Patterson til they proved beyond a doubt that there was nothing to the hype and lost all trade value.

The Cubs have a deeply flawed roster and free agency alone can not salvage this team. It won't happen in a million years, but I believe the steps the Cubs could take are:

1) Fire Hendry and bring in someone competent.

2) Fire sale (trade Zambrano at his career peak value, trade Lee if someone will trade value for him even though he was severely injured last season - Lee's 31 and we've seen his peak too Cubs fans, dump Ramirez whom will lose all inspiration once they pick up his option, Prior should stay only long enough so that potential suitors can see he's capable of staying healthy for 10 consecutive starts). The Cubs need to seed their farm system with actual talented players. This would be a start. A schlock team on a low budget would be every bit as capable of producing the NL's worst record, just like the 90+ million payroll 2006 squad)

3) Sell the team - The Tribune Company's in trouble and has been rumored to be contemplating just such a move. Pull the trigger after you've slashed payroll by 50-60%. They'll be more attractive. The big drawing card of the franchise has always been Wrigley, so a barebones roster shouldn't detract too much from the market value of the franchise.

4) profit :)

I agree with everything except your opinion on Carlos Zambrano, his numbers put Alex Fernandez to shame, and you simply don't deal a stud pitcher who should get you a win everytime he takes the mound. If the Cubs doctors think they know something, so be it, deal him, but I don't see how one can expect Zambrano to wear down at age 25.

[JeeberD]

Astros extended Phil Garner's contract and fired their pitching coach...interesting moves.

[PineTar]

I don't see how one can expect Zambrano to wear down at age 25.

A 25 year old w/ 977 major league innings pitched averaging over 107 pitches a start.

*tick* *tick* *tick* *tick* (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6559)

I did find a better comp for Z. Kevin Appier (http://www.baseball-reference.com/a/appieke01.shtml), who did go on to have a full and mostly productive career, but there was a four year stretch in the middle of his career where he lost a season to injury and was league average for the next three (cummulative effect of the overuse in his formative years???). It is possible Zambrano might not explode. I'm just saying if I'm the GM, I certainly couldn't possibly be suprised if he does.

[JS19]

Twins picked up Hunters 12M option for next yr. I'm pretty surprised by this move, I thought they were gonna let him walk.

[bulletsponge]

Twins picked up Hunters 12M option for next yr. I'm pretty surprised by this move, I thought they were gonna let him walk.


better to trade him midseason

[Ksyrup]

Looks like Pinella will be officially announced as Cubs manager with a 3-year deal.

[vtbub]

A's fired Ken Macha

[JS19]

Phillies extend Moyer at 10.5M for two yrs. Seems like a dumb move to me, being that he turns 44 next month.

[Ksyrup]

Ridiculous. They must have reasoned that since he doesn't throw hard to begin with, he won't completely lose it like Big Unit is going to.

[sterlingice]

That's a move I just don't understand at all...

SI

[oykib]

And people wonder why the Phils keep falling short of the playoffs...

[TazFTW]

Bochy is the new Giants manager.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2640133

[JS19]

Bochy is the new Giants manager.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2640133


I wonder what he was making with San Diego and whether this was a matter of money or not. I'm sure he has his own criteria, but I wonder why someone would leave what seems to be a young and rising team to go to a very old and seem to be going nowhere fast team. I may be mistaken, but wasn't he very well liked throughout SD?

[Ksyrup]

Better question is why SD didn't care that he wanted to look elsewhere.

[sterlingice]

Better question is why SD didn't care that he wanted to look elsewhere.

Yeah, that was the odd thing in this story to me. I thought they were fairly happy with Bochy in San Diego, but I guess not.

SI

[Toddzilla]

Wow - the Pads must have really wanted Bochy and his size 9 1/2 head out of Sd in a hurry. First they offered him to Chicago, then he's offered, interviewed, and signed in SF in about 25 minutes.

Is there feeling that Bochy was underacheiving in San Diego? From everything I saw, he took that team a lot further the last 5 years than the talent would otherwise indicate possible.

[Ksyrup]

And got them to a WS in 1998, I think it was. He seems to be a solid manager, though I really haven't paid much attention to the Pads to have an accurate read on his abilities.

[stevew]

RE: Moyer.

I don't think it's that horrible of a signing as some. I think his professional approach to the game will be beneficial to have around the clubhouse for guys like Hamels and Myers. I doubt they will be able to land an "Ace" type this offseason anyways. Maybe you bring back Wolf and Leiber and your rotation is already set. It's not the greatest in the world, mind you, but Hamels and Myers can both be the type of top of the rotation guys you need.

I think if you can pick up an above average 3b and a big bat, that next year looks solid for the team.

[stevew]

NEW YORK -- Gary Sheffield (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=4268) was told Wednesday that the New York Yankees (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=nyy) will pick up his $13 million option for next season, according to a newspaper report.

Sheff's apparently quite pissed at this news as well.

[RedKingGold]

RE: Moyer.

I don't think it's that horrible of a signing as some. I think his professional approach to the game will be beneficial to have around the clubhouse for guys like Hamels and Myers. I doubt they will be able to land an "Ace" type this offseason anyways. Maybe you bring back Wolf and Leiber and your rotation is already set. It's not the greatest in the world, mind you, but Hamels and Myers can both be the type of top of the rotation guys you need.

I think if you can pick up an above average 3b and a big bat, that next year looks solid for the team.

Agreed on Moyer. Although he is ancient, he is a slowball pitcher and could probably pitch until his mid-40's if he wanted to. At the very least, he will be an excellent mentor for Bret Myers and Cole Hamels; both of whom have great potential. I have three hopes for the Phillies this season:

1. Get rid of Pat Burrell. I don't care how and I don't care what you get. Just get rid of him.

2. Sign a solid 3rd baseman. While I'd love to get Armaris Ramieriz, I fear his price tag will be too high. However, as long as they can improve over Tomas Perez, it is an improvement.

3. More bullpen help. The bullpen was just to sketchy last year. Gordon will be another year older. Rhodes is injury prone. Ryan Madson is too inconsistent. They need to go out and sign another reliever (or two, or three!)

On starting pitching, I think/hope/and they probably will stay away from Zito and Schmidt. Maybe this is crazy, but I think the Phillie's could potentially have the best rotation in the National League next season if they can just get Gavin Floyd right and Randy Wolf stays healthy.

If the Phillie's can get a Myers-Hamels-Wolf-Moyer-Floyd rotation; I'd be extremely confident next season that the Phils will be the front runner in the NL East (with Pedro out for the Mets; Braves rebuilding; Nationals in neutral; and Marlins being the Marlins).

Actually, I'd fear the Marlins more than any other team next season.

[Ksyrup]

Plan aims to tame wild cards
<!--subtitle--><!--byline-->By Troy E. Renck
Denver Post Baseball Beat Reporter
<!--date-->Article Last Updated:10/27/2006 12:44:48 AM MDT

St. Louis - When the general managers meet in Naples, Fla., in two weeks, there will be a lively discussion about taming the wild card.

Commissioner Bud Selig has broached the idea of making it more difficult for wild cards to win the World Series. As it is, four times in the first 11 years since the playoff format expanded, the cards have walked away with all the chips.

There is growing buzz that baseball may try to create fewer home games for wild cards. So instead of hosting two in the first round, they would get only one - the first game followed by four on the road. That would have splattered Ragu on the Tigers' plans this October, since their entire rotation has been mapped out to have Kenny Rogers pitch at Comerica Park.

"I am not in agreement with that, even though I know some people are," said general manager Dave Dombrowski, whose Tigers earned the AL wild card. "With the unbalanced schedule, you might have the second-best team in the league and be a wild card because the division is so strong. Why should you be at a disadvantage?"

Joe Garagiola Jr., an assistant to Selig, understands the reluctance to change the system. But he thinks the concerns merit a debate.

"I don't think it's a concept you can just reject out of hand," Garagiola Jr. said. "I will be interested to see what the group of GMs thinks about it."

Without being specific, it's clear MLB officials have been watching the NFL playoffs. Football's wild cards go on the road to reach the Super Bowl, as the Pittsburgh Steelers did last season.

"You can't equate football with baseball. A series is one game in football," Cardinals outfielder Preston Wilson said. "I think it's just sour grapes from teams that got sent home by wild cards. You play well at the end and you win. If you don't, you go home."

[JS19]

In regards to making it harder for the wild card to win, why not just make the 1st round a best of 7 series? More revenue for the teams, and if the division winner cant beat the wild card in a 7 game set, than maybe, just maybe, they aren't the better team. (and i am being hipocritical here bc i still feel the Mets were the better team against the Cards, but they didn't get the job done so maybe not)

In response to Moyer, it's obviously not a move thats really gonna bite them in the ass like Burrell did, but I just tthink that 5M a yr coulda been spent elsewhere.

And with Sheffield, I saw some comment he made last night, its not word for word but it's along the lines of "If I am playing for a team just for one yr next season, there's going to be a problem".

[Ksyrup]

They can't move to a 7 game series because they don't want to push the playoffs into November. As it is, under the new TV contract, the WS is now going to start on a Tuesday, and rather than make it earlier, MLB is likely going to push it back to the following Tuesday. So we likely will have November baseball anyway. Adding a longer series would make it even worse.

Sheffield, I think, will ultimately come around. But they've got a problem with him right now - clearly, they see him as a 1B, and he doesn't want to play 1B. And if he gets traded, he wants an extension. Probably to play 1B for the Yankees he's going to want an extension. Given his past, this could blow up. But I have a feeling he'll stay right where he is. And honestly, I hope the Yanks give him an extension...

[Ksyrup]

According to Newsday, Yankees GM Brian Cashman already has an acceptable deal in place for Gary Sheffield, though he's still hoping something better comes along.


Whether it's true or not, just throwing it out there could help increase demand. The Yankees have until Sunday to officially exercise Sheffield's $13 million option for 2007. It looks like they'd prefer to have the deal done by then, just to get Sheffield out of town. The Phillies, Cubs, Indians and Rangers are among the teams thought to be pursuing him. Oct. 31 - 9:34 am et

[Ksyrup]

:eek:

In an initial meeting with the Orioles, Alfonso Soriano's agent reportedly laid out a proposal for a contract similar to the seven-year, $119 million deal Carlos Beltran received from the Mets prior to the 2005 season.

Soriano would have a better argument for such a pact if not for the fact that he was turning 31 in January. Beltran was entering his age 28 season when he got his seven-year deal. Although another inflated market is likely, Soriano belongs somewhere around $80 million over five years. Maybe it's not ideal, but it should keep him off welfare. Oct. 31 - 9:12 am et

[miami_fan]

Plan aims to tame wild cards
<!--subtitle--><!--byline-->By Troy E. Renck
Denver Post Baseball Beat Reporter
<!--date-->Article Last Updated:10/27/2006 12:44:48 AM MDT

St. Louis - When the general managers meet in Naples, Fla., in two weeks, there will be a lively discussion about taming the wild card.

Commissioner Bud Selig has broached the idea of making it more difficult for wild cards to win the World Series. As it is, four times in the first 11 years since the playoff format expanded, the cards have walked away with all the chips.

There is growing buzz that baseball may try to create fewer home games for wild cards. So instead of hosting two in the first round, they would get only one - the first game followed by four on the road. That would have splattered Ragu on the Tigers' plans this October, since their entire rotation has been mapped out to have Kenny Rogers pitch at Comerica Park.

"I am not in agreement with that, even though I know some people are," said general manager Dave Dombrowski, whose Tigers earned the AL wild card. "With the unbalanced schedule, you might have the second-best team in the league and be a wild card because the division is so strong. Why should you be at a disadvantage?"

Joe Garagiola Jr., an assistant to Selig, understands the reluctance to change the system. But he thinks the concerns merit a debate.

"I don't think it's a concept you can just reject out of hand," Garagiola Jr. said. "I will be interested to see what the group of GMs thinks about it."

Without being specific, it's clear MLB officials have been watching the NFL playoffs. Football's wild cards go on the road to reach the Super Bowl, as the Pittsburgh Steelers did last season.

"You can't equate football with baseball. A series is one game in football," Cardinals outfielder Preston Wilson said. "I think it's just sour grapes from teams that got sent home by wild cards. You play well at the end and you win. If you don't, you go home."


Here is an idea. How about the teams who already have the homefield advantage and supposedly have the best team in the respective leagues play like they are the best teams in the league? I saw nothing in the Tigers- Yankees series that led me to believe that the Yankees would have beaten the Tigers if all the games were played in the Bronx. What's next, the "best" team will not have to play any games if they are missing their top two starters? What if Rogers were at his best on the road? Would they have forced the Tigers to host three games so they would be at a disadvantage? Hell the team that had the best record and homefield advantage in the World Series did not play well enough to win and they got beat. I agree with Preston Wilson. Sounds like a whole lot of sour grapes.

[dervack]

Yeah that doesn't sound like a great plan. I think once you get to the playoffs, you start from scratch.

[ctmason]

I think people (not necessarily those on this thread) are really underestimating how well the Wild Cards have to play to make it to the postseason in the first place.

If you consider, forgetting the records, how well a wild card has to play in relation to every other team in their League, I don't think its so bad that the Wild Card wins a Series, even if it is more than they "should" be winning.

If you really want to solve this problem give a bye to the Number 1 divisional winner (which I would have no problem with) or follow the NBA model. The NBA model basically says to create a fourth division in baseball by expanding so much that you have 3-4 teams in each league winning less than 40 games a year. Sounds like fun!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Just roll the regular season back to 156 games and expand the 1st round to best of seven. Works for me.

(won't work for the clubs unless they get the three home games revenue back, but it still works for me).

[oykib]

Well... I don't have a problem punishing the wildcards.. But the leagues also need to go back to the balanced schedule. Right now, the wildcards are not fairly chosen.

Also, they need to get rid of interleague rivals and just rotate it randomly by division. There's a point where a sport has to forego short-term profits and just do what's best for its competetive integrity.

I really don't get the "it's not fair..." arguments about the wildcard either. These teams were all beaten out during the longest season in pro sports. I don't care if your team won 100 games--- if another team in your division won 101, you've got nothing to cry about.

[JS19]

I don't see anything wrong with the way it is right now. If the "better" team cant win, than tough shit and better luck next yr. And if MLB doesn't like that, than get rid of the wild card if you dont want them winning a World Series. Also, what's the origin of having division winners make the playoffs rather than the best 4 records in each league going to the playoffs?

[Buccaneer]

I still don't know what's the deal between SD and Bochy. He's been there for 12 years and that's an awfully long time. Alderson did tell him that they were not going to extend his contract beyond next season so I guess they allowed him to walk, giving him the opportunity to get a nice multi-year deal while his stock is up.

[lungs]

Why not more double headers? Besides the players not liking it.

[stevew]

Just roll the regular season back to 156 games and expand the 1st round to best of seven. Works for me.

(won't work for the clubs unless they get the three home games revenue back, but it still works for me).

Hell, they could even run 159 games, and have a bunch of "if necessary" type game setups for the final weekend after the playoffs start. Start games 1 and 2 of the WC round while the rest of the non-playoff teams are burning off the rest of the regular season.

[Cards4ever]

I'm all for it, it's about time they discussed the WC situation. If you can't win your division, you should lose a home game. If they do that, I think they should just have 1 play 4 also.

[ISiddiqui]

If the Phillie's can get a Myers-Hamels-Wolf-Moyer-Floyd rotation; I'd be extremely confident next season that the Phils will be the front runner in the NL East (with Pedro out for the Mets; Braves rebuilding; Nationals in neutral; and Marlins being the Marlins).

Errr... did you miss that Pedro was basically a .500 pitcher for the Mets this year? I don't think anyone else aside from the Mets are going to be the 'front runners' in the NL East next season... especially if they end up getting Zito or Schmidt in the offseason.

[ISiddiqui]

I'm in favor of the WC losing a home game. I mean if you can't win your division who are you to ask for additional benefits? Actually I think I like Costas' idea to get rid of the WC and just give the #1 team in the league a bye for the first round of the playoff. Get the other division winners to play in the LDSs. Though I doubt that'll happen (less money).

I also do agree with a balanced schedule. Perhaps have that as well as the WC losing a home game. That may be more feasible.

[stevew]

Phils are supposedly hot for Soriano, offering like 75/5 or thereabouts. He would be great protection for Howard.

[TazFTW]

Guillermo Mota has been suspended for 50 games.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2645976

[JS19]

Claims that the Mets and Glavine are in talks of a 2 yr, 25M deal. Being a Mets fan, not so sure what i think of this if it goes through. Seeing the way he pitched this yr, he kind of re-invented himself and it kinda seemed like maybe he can go another couple of yrs. But, that 12.5M a yr might be more useful in other areas, although SP is the number 1 concern.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2645628

[sterlingice]

Guillermo Mota has been suspended for 50 games.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2645976

Hm... that might go a long way to explain his erratic performance.

SI

[dawgfan]

Errr... did you miss that Pedro was basically a .500 pitcher for the Mets this year?
Please tell me you're not judging a pitcher by his W/L record? Pedro has slipped from his heyday, and he slipped a bit more last year, but he was still one of the top 10-15 starters in the NL when healthy.

[ctmason]

Just to be a homer for a minute, although Giles is probably gone and the Braves lineup still has some holes, with relatively little offseason activity, and the prospect of a Smoltz, Hudson, Davies and a healthy Mike Hampton rotation isn't anything to sneeze at. That could be a very good rotation.

[ISiddiqui]

Please tell me you're not judging a pitcher by his W/L record? Pedro has slipped from his heyday, and he slipped a bit more last year, but he was still one of the top 10-15 starters in the NL when healthy.

In claiming that the Mets are not favorites or front runners for the NL East as a result of losing a starting pitcher, that pitcher's W/L record during the preceding year has some weight. I mean the fact that Pedro was a .500 pitcher indicates that he was not central to their success in winning games this finished season. If you are claiming a 12 game swing between the two teams you need more than a pitcher who went 9-8 for the team isn't going to be playing much next season.

Furthermore, Pedro Martinez had an ERA+ of 96 this past season. Indicates that he wasn't exactly the key to their number of wins.

[dawgfan]

In claiming that the Mets are not favorites or front runners for the NL East as a result of losing a starting pitcher, that pitcher's W/L record during the preceding year has some weight. I mean the fact that Pedro was a .500 pitcher indicates that he was not central to their success in winning games this finished season. If you are claiming a 12 game swing between the two teams you need more than a pitcher who went 9-8 for the team isn't going to be playing much next season.

Furthermore, Pedro Martinez had an ERA+ of 96 this past season. Indicates that he wasn't exactly the key to their number of wins.
But the discussion was about prospects for next season, and judging Pedro by his W/L record this year is a very poor way to project the Mets chances with him presumably back next year.

ERA+ does a great job of showing he did, but it's not the best predictor of future performance. I'm assuming you know of DIPS theory and what events over which a pitcher has the most control - xFIP is a very good metric measuring these factors. Based off of xFIP, Pedro was among the upper echelon of NL starters - had he had enough innings to qualify, he would've ranked 11th in xFIP.

The biggest factor with Pedro obviously is his health - how much will he pitch next year, and will his recent injuries along with another year of wear and tear on his arm degrade his performance? If the Mets get the Pedro they had last year for 30 starts, he'll be their best starter.

[ISiddiqui]

But the discussion was about prospects for next season, and judging Pedro by his W/L record this year is a very poor way to project the Mets chances with him presumably back next year.

Yes, it is about prospects for next season and saying that because Pedro won't be back for many games next year as a reason why the Mets won't be front runners in the NL East is silly considering how much he actually contributed (which, yes, focuses on the fact that he got only 9 wins and the Mets finished 12 games ahead of the Phils).

So basically, Pedro being 'out' for the Mets is not that major a deal since he didn't do all that much this year and they finished so far ahead of anyone else in the NL East. Pedro had a 9-8 season with a below average ERA+ and the Mets STILL won the division by 12.

[dawgfan]

So basically, Pedro being 'out' for the Mets is not that major a deal since he didn't do all that much this year and they finished so far ahead of anyone else in the NL East. Pedro had a 9-8 season with a below average ERA+ and the Mets STILL won the division by 12.
Pedro actually pitched reasonably well - the Mets just didn't score a ton of runs for him. If he pitches about the same as he did last year (in terms of the factors he has a great deal of control over - K rate, walk rate, flyball ratio), he'll probably have a better ERA than he did this year.

Look at it this way - the Mets scored a certain amount of runs when he pitched. Had Pedro not pitched as well as he did, they would've lost more games than they did. A pitcher's W/L record is a mix of the pitcher's performance and the hitters.

Looking at the pitching metrics that best predict future performance, Pedro should be the Mets most effective starter next season, presuming he's not spending most of his time on the DL. If that turns out to be true, he'll by definition be a critical component to their ability to repeat as a playoff team. To characterize him as a ".500 pitcher" is selling him short.

Now, whether the Mets will need him to be great is another story. Their lineup is great, with the only real question revolving around whether Reyes' big season was an aberration. Given his youth, you'd think he should still be pretty good next year. The rotation isn't as great, but I expect they'll make some plays for a big-name pitcher. I don't know if the other NL East teams can match them for pure fire-power, but baseball's a funny game - a real good team can have a down year while a lesser team has everything going right.

Bottom line though, the Mets will definitely be a better team if Pedro is healthy.

[ISiddiqui]

whether the Mets will need him to be great is another story.

... and kinda what the discussion was about all along (actually RedKingGold speculated Pedro would be 'out', but even if Pedro didn't pitch next year, the Mets would be the front runners).

[dawgfan]

... and kinda what the discussion was about all along (actually RedKingGold speculated Pedro would be 'out', but even if Pedro didn't pitch next year, the Mets would be the front runners).
Perhaps - depends on what they do this offseason to address the rotation. I'd argue that they are heavily dependent on their lineup right now, and they may not be able to get away with that next year.

My main point was to dispute the idea that Pedro was merely a '.500' pitcher, which suggests that he's just an average pitcher. He's much better than average is what I'm arguing.

[ISiddiqui]

But last year he WAS average, mostly due to injury... and the Mets still beat down the rest of the field in the NL East.

[dawgfan]

But last year he WAS average, mostly due to injury... and the Mets still beat down the rest of the field in the NL East.
The Mets were a bit lucky last season - they beat their Pythagorean expected W/L total by 5 games, and other teams in the NL East underperformed their Pythagorean expected records.

Add to that the big jump the Mets made overall, Pythagorean or not, and the reality that such big jumps are usually followed by some regression.

Yes, Pedro's actual results were average - but as I've said, when measuring the factors he had the most control over, he was quite a bit better than average (and the best starter on the Mets), and so it's reasonable to conclude he was somewhat unlucky last season and if he pitches exactly the same next year as he did last year his actual results will improve.

They may be able to win the NL East again with little to no contributions from Pedro, but they'll be a lot better off and a lot more likely to repeat if they get a fairly full season of Pedro as he was last year.

[ISiddiqui]

they'll be a lot better off and a lot more likely to repeat if they get a fairly full season of Pedro as he was last year.

Of course, but no one said that they wouldn't.

[Ksyrup]

Isn't getting a "fairly full season of Pedro" pretty much out of the question for 2007? He's out until June or July at least, I thought. And that's if he comes back at all. This is the same injury that effectively ended his brother's career. So it's possible that even if he comes back, he'll suck for a few starts and be shelved permanently.

For him to give the Mets more than he gave them this year, he'd have to pull a Roger Clemens 2006 (with the added issue of overcoming the injury), which I'm not sure he's capable of.

[k0ruptr]

Liriano OUT for 2007! that hurts. Hope he makes a full recovery, but I dunno.

hxxp://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AjE8YlY7sR0kQ5CEckVsygc5nYcB?slug=ap-twins-lirianosurgery&prov=ap&type=lgns

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota Twins pitching sensation Francisco Liriano will have major surgery on his left elbow and is likely to miss the 2007 season.

Liriano, who went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA as a rookie, will have Tommy John surgery on Monday in California, the team said Friday.

The ligament transplant procedure usually takes at least a year for recovery.

Liriano pitched only six innings over the final two months because of pain in his left elbow. With veteran Brad Radke expected to retire, the AL Central champions will need help to bolster their rotation.

[dawgfan]

Liriano OUT for 2007! that hurts. Hope he makes a full recovery, but I dunno.

hxxp://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AjE8YlY7sR0kQ5CEckVsygc5nYcB?slug=ap-twins-lirianosurgery&prov=ap&type=lgns

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota Twins pitching sensation Francisco Liriano will have major surgery on his left elbow and is likely to miss the 2007 season.

Liriano, who went 12-3 with a 2.16 ERA as a rookie, will have Tommy John surgery on Monday in California, the team said Friday.

The ligament transplant procedure usually takes at least a year for recovery.

Liriano pitched only six innings over the final two months because of pain in his left elbow. With veteran Brad Radke expected to retire, the AL Central champions will need help to bolster their rotation.
Watching his pitching motion, this isn't a shocker. He's very, very talented, but his pitching motion is an injury waiting to happen.

[PineTar]

3) Sell the team - The Tribune Company's in trouble and has been rumored to be contemplating just such a move. Pull the trigger after you've slashed payroll by 50-60%. They'll be more attractive. The big drawing card of the franchise has always been Wrigley, so a barebones roster shouldn't detract too much from the market value of the franchise.


Well, they didn't get the payroll slashing part of my plan right (yet), but the Chicago Cubs are for sale (http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-tribune2nov02,1,4234586.story?coll=la-headlines-business&ctrack=1&cset=true).

[ISiddiqui]

Yikes... bad news for the Twinkies. The baseball gods giveth and then they taketh away.

[Bad-example]

Bud Black is the Padres new manager.

[Ksyrup]

Barfield to Indians for Kouzmanoff, Triple-A pitcher

<!-- end pagetitle --><!-- begin bylinebox -->ESPN.com news services

<!-- begin presby2 -->
<!-- end presby2 -->
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<!-- begin text11 div -->
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD style="PADDING-TOP: 10px" vAlign=top><!-- begin leftcol --><!-- template inline -->SAN DIEGO -- Josh Barfield (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7295), who hit .280 for the San Diego Padres (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=sdg) last season, was traded Wednesday to Cleveland for Triple A prospects Kevin Kouzmanoff (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7864) and Andrew Brown (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7625).

http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/mlb/profiles/players/65x90/7295.jpg
Barfield


Barfield had 13 home runs, 32 doubles and 21 stolen bases in his rookie season for San Diego.

The Padres, however, were content to deal Barfield because of Kouzmanoff, who hit .389 in Double A last season and .353 in 102 at-bats at Triple A Buffalo. He hit a grand slam on his first pitch for the Indians in September.

He finished with a .214 batting average and three home runs in September duty with the Indians, but the Padres saw enough to deal Barfield.

Brown was 5-4 with a 2.60 ERA in 62 innings for Buffalo a year ago.

The trade was first reported on the Web site of the San Diego Union-Tribune, which noted that Marcus Giles (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6624), currently the second baseman for Atlanta and brother of Padres outfielder Brian Giles (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5543), might attract the Padres' attention.

The Padres are also considering Japanese third baseman Akinori Iwamura, a third baseman who could move to second, according to the Union-Tribune. Iwamura plays for the Yakult Swallows.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[CraigSca]

The Orioles signed a lot of 25-year old AA players and got turned down in their quest to obtain a 38 year old outfielder (Sheffield) via trade.

It must be so easy to be an Orioles beat writer. You can basically write your articles about them your first year on the job and then just change the date each succeeding year because they're like a broken record of misbegotten futility.

[Buccaneer]

As B-e brought up, a crisis was averted for the Pads. The worse fear would have been Dusty Baker, Alan Trammel or (ugh) Tony Muser as manager. I couldn't even contemplate what horrors Baker would have done to this young team.

[Bad-example]

J.D. Drew decided to opt out of his deal with the Dodgers. He was due 33 million over the next 3 seasons. I am guessing most Dodger fans will not be too heartbroken. Rumor has it he will be signing a new deal with Kaiser Permanente soon.

[Crapshoot]

As B-e brought up, a crisis was averted for the Pads. The worse fear would have been Dusty Baker, Alan Trammel or (ugh) Tony Muser as manager. I couldn't even contemplate what horrors Baker would have done to this young team.

You're telling me - we got your crap manager, and instead of replacing him with a Brenley or a Muser, you got a young "unproven" guy. The horror!

[miami_fan]

CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Indians are close to hiring former Rangers manager Buck Showalter as a senior adviser to team general manager Mark Shapiro and manager Eric Wedge, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Friday.

"We're negotiating with Buck and he's negotiating with us," Shapiro told the Plain Dealer.

Previously, Shapiro has brought in former big-league managers Terry Francona and Mike Hargrove as advisers. This time, the stakes may be higher: Shapiro and Wedge are both entering the final year of their contracts, and the Indians are coming off a disappointing season.

But Sharpiro dismissed any suggestion of Showalter, who previously managed the New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks, being a manager-in-waiting should the Indians falter out of the gate again. "I wouldn't even dignify that with a comment," Sharpiro told the newspaper.


A deal is expected to be announced after next week's GM meetings in Naples, Fla., the newspaper reported.


Sharpiro may not want to say it but I will. The writing is on the wall Eric

[Neuqua]

Outside the Lines just reported the Yankees trade Sheffield to the Tigers.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

Outside the Lines just reported the Yankees trade Sheffield to the Tigers.
The Detroit Tigers have acquired Gary Sheffield from the New York Yankees for three righthanded pitching prospects, the Tigers announced Friday.

In return for Sheffield, the Tigers sent Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett to New York. Detroit agreed to a two-year contract extension with Sheffield through the 2009 season.

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Ksyrup]

Wow. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

[Ksyrup]

Oh, and you missed the paragraph they tagged onto the story a couple of minutes later...

"The moves comes a aday after Sheffield angrily blasted Yankees management and said Bobby Abreu, the player who took his place in New York's lineup, isn't a good a player as he is."
<!-- A veteran of 19 seasons at the major league level with the Milwaukee Brewers (1988-91), San Diego Padres (1992-93), Florida Marlins (1993-98), Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2001), Atlanta Braves (2002-03) and New York Yankees (2004-06), Sheffield has compiled a .297 batting average, 455 home runs and 1,501 RBI over the course of 2,229 games during his career.

"We have been able to add one of the biggest bats in baseball," Tigers Manager Jim Leyland said. "I have a great relationship with Gary Sheffield and I have the utmost respect for him. I'm happy to add a bat of this magnitude and that he'll be a Tiger."
A nine-time all-star selection during his career, Sheffield is sixth among all active major league players with 1,501 RBI and seventh with 455 home runs.

Sheffield has hit .316 (651x2062) over the course of his career with runners in scoring position, including a .350 mark (230x658) since the start of the 2002 season. His .350 batting average with runners in scoring position since 2002 is fourth-best among all major league players. -->

<!-- begin sponsored links --><!-- content story sport mlb-->

[GreenMonster]

Schilling, Beckett, Papelbon, Matsuzaka.. Ya i might enjoy that rotation although I think this is the year Schilling really goes south..

[Ksyrup]

In FOF terms, I'd rate that rotation's Volatility factor at 92%.

Schilling could turn into Randy Johnson at any point (and to some degree, already has).

Beckett may never be as good as he was in the WS a few years back due to his stubborn insistence to keep throwing fastballs instead of learning how to pitch.

Papelbon proved he could close, but how that translates to starting is anyone's guess.

Matsu might need some adjustment time, but could be the steadiest starter they have.

I guess Wakefield will be the #5 if Matsu is signed.

[Crapshoot]

The Yankees just robbed the Tigers - I have no clue what DD was thinking there.

[stevew]

I dunno who any of those guys are. But sheff being gone is good enough for me.

[highfiveoh]

Is Sheffield going to be the Tigers hitting coach or something? 3rd base coach?

[M GO BLUE!!!]

The Yankees just robbed the Tigers - I have no clue what DD was thinking there.
How do you figure?

I really know nothing about the pitchers, but Shef will make a great DH and platoon in RF with Ordonez. He might even help Mags have another healthy season...

[Router Help]

Sheffield should be good for the Tigers, but losing Sanchez really hurts. He is supposed to be really really good. I would have liked to see Sanchez put in a year of long relief from the bullpen and then take Kenny Rogers spot in the rotation in 2 years. Oh well.

[Crapshoot]

How do you figure?

I really know nothing about the pitchers, but Shef will make a great DH and platoon in RF with Ordonez. He might even help Mags have another healthy season...

He's 38 - and they gave him a 2 year extenstion. He's got no defensive ability left, and his hitting (while above average) is simply not that great. I think going after JD Drew and signing him (say for 4/52) is a heck of a better bet than trading for a 38 year old coming off a bad year - plus you get to keep the prospects, which are the single greatest chip in the game today (Sanchez was essentially a major league ready pitcher, though there's some evidence he might end up in the pen). The Tigers are sacrificing the long-term horizon for a short term one, and when they need to extend Guillen next year, they might well sight the money spent here as a reason not to.

[Schmidty]

The Tigers are sacrificing the long-term horizon for a short term one, and when they need to extend Guillen next year, they might well sight the money spent here as a reason not to.

Ilitch will spend as much money as he can now that the team has proven that they're a contender. I am very, very confident that they'll re-sign Gullen.

As far as Sanchez, he had one good year in the minors, and ended up getting hurt at the end of the season. In 2005, he had like a 5 + ERA in AA. He has talent, but the jury's still out since he hasn't shown anything consistant in the minors.

The Tigers have a plethora of young pitching in the majors and the minors. There was no way that Sanchez would crack the rotation anytime soon, with guys like Miller, Bonderman, Verlander, Robertson, and ever Jordan Tata ahead of him. In fact, the best player the Tigers gave up was Whelan, but Zumaya's the future closer, so it really wasn't much of a loss.

I think it was a good move for both teams, and I certainly don't think either team was robbed.

[Crapshoot]

Schmidty, I understand dealing Sanchez (and I think it makes sense for the Tigers do deal from a surplus), but I would have at least tried to see if you could get someone younger. Sheffield is going to be a burden who can't play the field, and I don't know if that is a good strategy.

[Schmidty]

Schmidty, I understand dealing Sanchez (and I think it makes sense for the Tigers do deal from a surplus), but I would have at least tried to see if you could get someone younger. Sheffield is going to be a burden who can't play the field, and I don't know if that is a good strategy.

I honestly think that Sheffield will DH or maybe even moved to 1st. Monroe, Magglio, and Granderson aren't going to go anywhere (unless they trade Monroe).

[Router Help]

Dombrowski pretty much said on the radio today that he would primarily be a DH, and that they were not looking for him to play first. He also said they were talking to Casey about staying to play 1B.

[Toddzilla]

w00t!

The Cubs re-sign Aramis Ramirez and Kerry Wood. Woody isn't the big proze, obviously, as Aramis was getting much attention from the big spenders this offseason. Ramirez leaves a bunch on money on the table to stay in Chicago. Wow...

The Cubs got a two-for-one special on Sunday, re-signing free agents Aramis Ramirez and Kerry Wood.

Ramirez agreed to a 5-year, $73 million deal on Sunday with a mutual option for 2012, ending a months-long saga about his future. Wood agreed to a one-year, $1.75 million deal loaded with incentives that could add another $6 million to his salary.


Intense negotiations over the weekend sealed the Ramirez deal, which was announced on Sunday afternoon, hours after the Cubs exclusive negotiating window ended.

Ramirez's agent, Paul Kinzer, believed Alfonso Soriano and Ramirez would be the top two available free agent hitters, and was going to seek a contract on par with Carlos Beltran's seven-year, $119 million deal with the New York Mets.

General manager Jim Hendry said Ramirez left as much as $30 million on the table to return, while Wood also came for less than he could've made on the open market.

"At the end of the day (Ramirez) really did want to be here," Hendry said. "it's not much secret that the figures being bantered around in his situation would've been much higher. I think that as good a deal as this obviously is for any player, I certainly believe there were six-or-seven-year deals out there for him, that certainly would've paid him $20-$30 million more than he got, guaranteed. He was the lucky beneficiary of being a free agent at a time when his services were certainly going to be needed by some quality clubs and some major market clubs.

"I think the people in Chicago would be glad to know that at the end of the day, he did leave a lot."

Over the last four seasons, Ramirez has combined for 132 home runs and 420 RBIs, as opposed to 148 homers and 381 RBIs by Soriano, who has primarily batted leadoff over that span. Carlos Lee, the third big-name, free agent outfielder, has 131 homers and 442 RBIs over the last four seasons.

The Los Angeles Angels were poised to sign Ramirez on the first day, but the Cubs beat them to the punch. Wood will return as a reliever, hoping to regain his arm strength after rehabbing a rotator cuff injury since August. He said in September he felt an "obligation" to return, and lived up to his word.

"Despite his physical problems, there was a lot of action on Woody that probably would've given him a base (salary) of almost twice as much as we did," Hendry said, referring to interest from suitors like Texas, Boston and Houston. "I think as well as Woody's been paid the last couple of years, Woody did show a great amount of loyalty here by coming back."

Wood has incentives on games finished in his contract, which will likely lead to speculation he'll replace Ryan Dempster as the closer in 2007. Hendry said the incentives were not unusual, and that Bob Howry and Scott Eyre, the Cubs' primary set-up men, also have similar incentives. He said manager Lou Piniella and pitching coach Larry Rothschild are in agreement that Dempster can return to form as a closer, following a disappointing season in '06.

[Fouts]

Amazing. I thought Ramirez would move to a winner.

[Cuckoo]

w00t!

The Cubs re-sign Aramis Ramirez and Kerry Wood. Woody isn't the big proze, obviously, as Aramis was getting much attention from the big spenders this offseason. Ramirez leaves a bunch on money on the table to stay in Chicago. Wow...

Very good news. I had almost given up hope on Ramirez, figuring he'd go for the payday. Nice to see this, though. Makes me a much bigger fan of his.

Same for Wood, in fact. I've been a huge Wood fan from the beginning, and I really liked it when he said that he feels like he "owes" the Cubs something after collecting such big salaries while being injured. He'll always be a "what could've been" kind of story, but he still has the potential to be a valuable contributor in the coming years for Chicago.

[sterlingice]

w00t!

The Cubs re-sign Aramis Ramirez and Kerry Wood. Woody isn't the big proze, obviously, as Aramis was getting much attention from the big spenders this offseason. Ramirez leaves a bunch on money on the table to stay in Chicago. Wow...

5/$14M per- left quite a bit on the table but can't put a price on liking where you play. I still don't quite understand why more players don't do this.

SI

[Ksyrup]

Orioles pick up of Jaret Wright was a pretty good deal for them. The Yanks eat $4M of his $7M salary. For $3M, the Orioles should get their money's worth. At least, he should be marginally better than Russ Ortiz...

[Ksyrup]

FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports that Aramis Ramirez's five-year contract with the Cubs is actually worth $75 million, not $73 million, and that he has an out clause after 2010.

The extra $2 million comes in the form of a buyout for his 2012 option. Rosenthal also reports that Ramirez received full no-trade protection for the first four years of his deal and his contract stipulates that any team that acquires him in the fifth year will be obligated to exercise his sixth-year option.

[Ksyrup]

According to the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo, the buzz around the GM meetings is that the Red Sox have already made an offer to J.D. Drew.

Sox officials didn't issue a denial when asked. If the Red Sox signed Drew, they'd have the flexibility to trade either Coco Crisp or Wily Mo Pena. They could potential keep both, but they do need bullpen help and subtracting an outfielder might be the key to getting it.

[spleen1015]

Orioles pick up of Jaret Wright was a pretty good deal for them. The Yanks eat $4M of his $7M salary. For $3M, the Orioles should get their money's worth. At least, he should be marginally better than Russ Ortiz...

Remember what Mazzone and Wright did together back in 2004! The Orioles are going to the World Series!

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, but for the money, it's not a bad investment. What the Orioles may have screwed up on was giving up a legit young reliever for him. Honestly, I am embarrassed to admit I'd never heard of the guy, and he apparently threw 50+ innings last year. That was probably a bad idea.

I like what the Yankees have done with these 2 trades. Ironically, they've kinda followed the Marlins' plan of dealing players for young pitching. Except instead of trading good players, they're trading old and/or crappy players, and instead of building their roster around the young talent, they're likely going to use them to trade for starting pitching. It wouldn't shock me to see Sanchez moved in a deal for one of the White Sox starters.

[Chief Rum]

I don't want to hear any Red Sox fans talking about the "Evil Empire" anymore.

$42 M? And that's just to negotiate with a guy who has never thrown a major league pitch.

[Galaril]

I don't want to hear any Red Sox fans talking about the "Evil Empire" anymore.

$42 M? And that's just to negotiate with a guy who has never thrown a major league pitch.


Actually, it is for 51 mill.

[Mr. Wednesday]

$51 million is insane.

[stevew]

They can still be low budget scrappy underdogs in my book.

[Young Drachma]

Besides, it's a lot of money..but the alternative is letting the Yankees get him. After losing A-Rod years ago, I guess they figure they have to outbid them when they can.

[stevew]

I thought the alternative would have been to make fat deals to Zito and/or Schmidt. What's this guy going to be making now? Like 100 million on his first 6 year contract?

[Mr. Wednesday]

He doesn't get the $51 MM -- it goes to Seibu as a transfer fee if he signs. (Although, AFAIK, there's nothing stopping them from kicking some of it too him under the table, and I've seen speculation that might happen if he gets reticent about signing, because they really need the money.)

[spleen1015]

It wouldn't surprise me at all if it was just a ploy by the Red Sox to prevent the Yankees from getting him. They could offer him $1 over 6 year and the guy will go back to Japan next year instead of play here and the Red Sox get their money back.

The Red Sox are crazy.

[stevew]

yeah, 100 million in addition to his 51m transfer fee.

[stevew]

It wouldn't surprise me at all if it was just a ploy by the Red Sox to prevent the Yankees from getting him. They could offer him $1 over 6 year and the guy will go back to Japan next year instead of play here and the Red Sox get their money back.

The Red Sox are crazy.


I don't think the commish's office is going to let them tubgirl the process like that.

I wouldn't have doubted that the Rangers had the 2nd highest bid either. They are crazy too. The Yankees have not been ones to set the market all too often.

[Mr. Wednesday]

It wouldn't surprise me at all if it was just a ploy by the Red Sox to prevent the Yankees from getting him. They could offer him $1 over 6 year and the guy will go back to Japan next year instead of play here and the Red Sox get their money back.
I believe the posting agreement allows MLB to step in and open negotation with the second-place club if the Sox don't negotiate in good faith. I'm confident they'll offer a reasonable* contract.


* for a suitable definition of reasonable, I'm sure you or I would consider it reasonable but Boras might disagree.

yeah, 100 million in addition to his 51m transfer fee.
With the Sox not bidding against anyone but themselves, it won't be that high. He projects well, but not that well.

[molson]

$51 million may seem insane, but you can't compare the investment in Matsuzaka in dollar for dollar terms with any domestic player. As Gammons pointed out today, this is partially a marketing investment. All of Matsuzaka's games will be televised in Japan, and the Red Sox will become the most prominent MLB brand in Asia.

[Chief Rum]

$51 million may seem insane, but you can't compare the investment in Matsuzaka in dollar for dollar terms with any domestic player. As Gammons pointed out today, this is partially a marketing investment. All of Matsuzaka's games will be televised in Japan, and the Red Sox will become the most prominent MLB brand in Asia.

Not so sure about that. Will it help? Of course. But I doubt the Red Sox will pass the Mariners or Yanks for being a prominent brand out there. They may not even pass the Dodgers, as they are just too far away and have too little connection to Asia in the past. On top of that, I don't think there's a huge Asian population amongst the Red Sox nation faithful, so it probably won't bring many benefits at home either.

Not to say this won't be beneficial to the Red Sox, but I don't know that it's a lock they will get their investment back, much less make money on it.

[oykib]

It'll be worth a lot to the Sox in terms of revenue from Japan. But they won't pass the Yankees or Mariners.

You wouldn't believe how much the Yanks are all over the place here in Osaka. And Osakans generally hate the Yomiuri (Tokyo) Giants from which Matsui came.

[spleen1015]

Good news...

The Yankess signed Mussina to a 2 year deal. So, they'll go another 2 years without winning the World Series! The curse of Mike Mussina continues!

[lordscarlet]

Man, where's the love? I was expecting that someone would have already posted that the Washington Nationals signed Manny Acta, Mets' third-base coach, as their new manager.

[ctmason]

AP reports Girardi, Leyland are voted Managers of the Year...

http://tinyurl.com/y4e4vz

______________________________________________________________
Fired Girardi named NL's top skipper
Tigers' Leyland wins AL's manager of the year award

NEW YORK (AP) -- Six weeks after he was fired by Florida, Joe Girardi won the NL Manager of the Year award Wednesday for keeping the rookie-laden Marlins in contention nearly all season. Jim Leyland took the AL honor after a quick turnaround with the Detroit Tigers.

A rookie skipper himself, Girardi beat out Willie Randolph of the New York Mets by a comfortable margin to become the first manager to win the award with a losing record.

"It's nice that people who watch the game every day understood what we accomplished," Girardi said, adding he wasn't particularly surprised to win. "We had a lot of good things happen."

Girardi received 18 of 32 first-place votes and totaled 111 points in balloting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Randolph got eight first-place votes and 81 points.

Leyland turned around the long-moribund Tigers in his first year with the team, leading them to the World Series and their first winning season since 1993. He received 19 of 28 first-place votes and 118 points to top Minnesota's Ron Gardenhire, who was listed first on nine ballots and totaled 93 points.

"I knew that we had something here. I thought it would take longer than it did. This team started believing," Leyland said. "We had good players going into spring training, but we didn't have a very good team. We made ourselves a good team and that's something I'm very proud of."

Playing 22 rookies, Girardi guided the Marlins to a 78-84 finish and had them in the playoff race until late September -- a surprisingly competitive performance for a team that was expected to lose at least 100 games. Florida had a $15 million opening day payroll, the lowest in the major leagues by more than $20 million.

Still, he was fired two days after the season ended following a rift with owner Jeffrey Loria. Girardi has since agreed to rejoin the New York Yankees' broadcast booth, rather than seek another managing job.

"I don't know if vindication is a good word, just because as a manager you want to manage," Girardi said.

"I don't believe in this case perception is reality," he added. "I wanted it to work out but it never got worked out, for whatever reason. ... We move on to bigger and better things."

After the announcement, the Marlins were ready with a statement.

"We are pleased for Joe and we wish him well," the team said.

Girardi, who replaced Randolph as Joe Torre's bench coach with the Yankees in 2005, is the second Manager of the Year to be fired that year. The other was Baltimore's Davey Johnson, the AL winner in 1997.

"To rehash that, I don't think that does anyone any good," Girardi said. "Obviously, I'm not there, and I don't know how they feel about it. A manager wants to manage. I didn't want to leave Florida."

The 61-year-old Leyland, on the other hand, appears firmly entrenched in Motown after winning his third Manager of the Year award -- and first in the AL. He also won with Barry Bonds and the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1990 and '92.

"It's obviously a big thrill for me. These are individual honors but it's a combination of a lot of things," Leyland said. "I really share this award with the entire organization because that's what it really stands for."

Leyland returned to the dugout last season following a six-year hiatus, taking over a foundering Tigers team that went 71-91 in 2005. Two seasons before that, Detroit lost an embarrassing 119 games -- an AL record.

But with a deft touch and demanding approach, the cigarette-puffing Leyland led the surprising Tigers to a terrific start. They struggled mightily down the stretch and squandered the AL Central title, losing out to Gardenhire's Twins on the final day of the regular season.

But Detroit captured the wild card for its first postseason berth in 19 years, then upset the Yankees in the first round of the playoffs before sweeping Oakland in the AL championship series.

Finally, the run ended. Playing in the World Series for the first time since 1984, the Tigers lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in five games.

"I could go on and on and on with praise about him," Detroit outfielder Craig Monroe said. "His fun spirit, passion for the game and a straight-shooting style made you want to go the extra mile for him."

Though the Tigers finished behind Minnesota, that didn't prevent Leyland from beating out Gardenhire, a runner-up for this honor three of the past four years.

"It's well-deserved because he did a great job of stepping right in and giving our club the leadership it needed," Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said. "He communicated very well with our players and made good decisions, showing again that he's one of the best managers in the game, if not the best."

Leyland is the third manager to win the award in both leagues, joining four-time winners Bobby Cox and Tony La Russa.

"Anytime you're mentioned in that company you've got to feel awful good about it," Leyland said.

Oakland's Ken Macha came in third and Torre finished fourth.

In the NL, San Diego's Bruce Bochy, now manager of the San Francisco Giants, finished third with five first-place tallies. Los Angeles' Grady Little also got a first-place vote and was fourth.

La Russa became the first manager to win a World Series and not receive a vote. Leyland got just one third-place vote when he led Florida to the 1997 title.

Voting is completed before the postseason and tabulated on a 5-3-1 basis.
________________________________________________________________


Not sure how I feel about the Girardi decision. He certainly did an incredible job, but at the end of the day didn't have a winning record.

That whole case really puzzles me. He manages for a year, by all accounts is a success, is fired (setting the organization back at least 2-3 seasons) and almost immediately rejoins the broadcast booth as if no one was interested in hiring him.

What is wrong with him? Difficult to play for? Difficult to manage him? I confess I just can't figure it out because there was little doubt in my mind he has the skills to build a winner at almost any club.

[Maple Leafs]

Jays apparently will sign Frank Thomas.

No terms yet but my source says it's $23M over two years.

[bbor]

Free-agent designated hitter Frank Thomas is close to agreeing to a two-year contract with the Blue Jays, FOXSports.com has confirmed.

The deal, first reported by ESPN.com, would be worth at least $20 million. It also would include a club option for a third season, according to major-league sources.
Thomas, 38, batted .270 for the A's last season with 39 homers and 114 RBIs. The A's, who had negotiated with him for several weeks, were confident of re-signing him.

The Blue Jays lacked a full-time DH last season; seven different Jays had 40 or more at-bats in that role, led by Shea Hillenbrand, who was traded to the Giants in July.

One question for Thomas with the Jays will be how well his surgically repaired left ankle will hold up on the artificial turf of the SkyDome, which is considered to be among the least forgiving surfaces in the majors.

Thomas appeared in only 108 games with the White Sox during the 2004 and '05 seasons before signing a one-year, $500,000 contract with the A's last season. He earned an additional $2.6 million in incentives.

[SackAttack]

I'm surprised the A's aren't making a push to keep him.

[miami_fan]

Not sure how I feel about the Girardi decision. He certainly did an incredible job, but at the end of the day didn't have a winning record.

That whole case really puzzles me. He manages for a year, by all accounts is a success, is fired (setting the organization back at least 2-3 seasons) and almost immediately rejoins the broadcast booth as if no one was interested in hiring him.

What is wrong with him? Difficult to play for? Difficult to manage him? I confess I just can't figure it out because there was little doubt in my mind he has the skills to build a winner at almost any club.

The simple answer is that Girardi could not get along with key members of the front office in particular Larry Beinfest, the GM. So the owner had to make a choice between Girardi and Beinfest. Girardi lost. It would be kind of hard for another GM to hire a guy who MAY put that GM's job in jeopardy.

[Oilers9911]

One question for Thomas with the Jays will be how well his surgically repaired left ankle will hold up on the artificial turf of the SkyDome, which is considered to be among the least forgiving surfaces in the majors.



Wow, whomever wrote this piece doesn't keep up very well. The Jays have switched to field turf and dont use the old cement turf anymore. Plus he is a DH, how much will he be on the turf anyway?

[stevew]

Wow, whomever wrote this piece doesn't keep up very well. The Jays have switched to field turf and dont use the old cement turf anymore. Plus he is a DH, how much will he be on the turf anyway?

Yeah, seriously. I know he will have to run the bases, but last year he only was on base like 160 times(walks plus non homers), and figure half of the time he'll be on the road anyways.

[highfiveoh]

Wow, whomever wrote this piece doesn't keep up very well. The Jays have switched to field turf and dont use the old cement turf anymore. Plus he is a DH, how much will he be on the turf anyway?

You.. uh.. don't think he'll be running the bases that much? He shunned the Twins last year in part to their having field turf in the Metrodome, so...

[Ksyrup]

Hey Bucc...your thoughts? :D





<TABLE class=bdy cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=770 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>Padres interested in signing Bonds
<SCRIPT> function BlogThisStoryTools() { var headline = "Padres interested in signing Bonds"; var url = document.location.href; var destination = "http://blogs.foxsports.com/BlogThis.aspx?r_title=" + escape(headline) + "&r_url=" + url; //alert(destination); //return; window.location.href = destination; } </SCRIPT><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR align=middle><TD style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px" align=left></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD></TR><TR align=middle><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=440 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD>Ken Rosenthal (http://msn.foxsports.com/writer/archive?authorId=162) / FOXSports.com
<!-- Meta Tag For Search --><!-- meta name="author" content="Ken Rosenthal"--><!-- meta name="source" content="FS"--><!-- meta name="eventId" content=""--><!-- meta name="contentTypeCode" content="1"--><!-- meta name="editorContentCode" content="1"--><!-- meta name="blurb" content=""--><!-- meta name="modDate" content="November 16, 2006 05:38:59 GMT"-->Posted: 12 hours ago<SCRIPT> // front-end hack to remove postedTime from Rumors page until a better way can be determined if (document.URL.indexOf("/name/FS/rumors") != -1) document.getElementById("postedTime").style.display = 'none'; </SCRIPT>

</TD><TD width=10></TD><TD align=right><!--this is for sponsorships or brandings--><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><!-- workingCategoryId: 49--></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=bdy cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=770 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=5></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=bdy cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=770 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD width=10></TD><TD width=440><!-- search:</noindex> --><SCRIPT> if(fanid.length > 0 && typeof(nflDefaultLeague)!= "undefined") { leagueId = nflDefaultLeague; //find teamId of default league (if exists) for(var i=0; i < teamsInfo.length; i++){ if(teamsInfo[4] == leagueId){ defaultTeamId = teamsInfo[0]; } } var fantasyLeaguePlayerJsPath = 'http://msn.foxsports.com' + '/nugget/200002_' + leagueId + '|||' + fanid; } </SCRIPT>All those who thought the Giants would be the only suitor for Barry Bonds, think again.

[I]<TABLE class=emailBoothFields style="BORDER-RIGHT: #b3b3b3 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #b3b3b3 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #b3b3b3 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: #b3b3b3 1px solid; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #eee" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=205 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>BlogJam ...
Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Padres have expressed an interest in signing Barry Bonds. Is this a good fit? Here's your chance to voice your opinion (http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/BlogJam/2006/11/15/Rosenthal_Padres_interested_in_Bonds).
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=200 align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://msn.foxsports.com/id/6176822_36_1.jpg (http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/BlogJam/2006/11/15/Rosenthal_Padres_interested_in_Bonds)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=caption></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><HR width="50%">Also...
ROSENTHAL: Cubs' makeover (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6174052)
ROSENTHAL: MLB hot stove (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6168854)
ROSENBERG: Stop whining (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6173822)
GORDON: Free-agent guide (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6148922)



</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Specifically, think about Bonds hitting the 22 home runs he needs to break Hank Aaron's all-time record in a Padres' uniform.

The Padres, one of the Giants' NL West rivals, have expressed interest in Bonds, according to a major-league source.

Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, refused to confirm the identities of any teams pursuing Bonds, but said the interest in his client was growing.

The A's, who are about to lose free-agent designated hitter Frank Thomas to the Blue Jays, could be another possibility for Bonds, though it is unclear whether Oakland could afford him.

"There are some teams that are being very aggressive in their pursuit of Barry and they're turning up the heat," Borris said.

"There are teams that want answers and they want them quickly. There are some owners who have requested meetings with Barry."
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width=225 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>http://msn.foxsports.com/id/6175980_36_2.jpg</TD></TR><TR><TD class=caption>The Padres have an interest in bringing Barry Bonds south for the summer. (Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images)</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Padres general manager Kevin Towers would not confirm or deny his team's interest in Bonds.
"I'm not going to comment on any of the free agents that we're in discussion with," he said.
The threat of Bonds joining the Padres, the two-time defending NL West champions, or the A's, who also play in the Bay Area, could spur the Giants to intensify their efforts to re-sign their controversial left fielder.

Bonds, 42, would satisfy the Padres' desire to add a slugger on a short-term contract. The Padres, who tried to trade for Gary Sheffield before the Yankees sent him to the Tigers, also are pursuing free agent Moises Alou, major-league sources say.

Bonds has hit more home runs against the Padres — 80 — than any other club. The team's more statistically minded executives, club president Sandy Alderson and special assistant Paul DePodesta, surely are attracted by his still-gaudy numbers.

Bonds' .999 on-base/slugging percentage last season would have ranked fourth in the National League if he hadn't fallen nine plate appearances shy of qualifying for the batting title. His numbers at pitcher-friendly Petco Park, however, aren't as impressive – a .185 batting average and .769 OPS, with only three homers in 65 at-bats.
Ken Rosenthal is FOXSports.com's senior baseball writer


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Ksyrup]

Tigers lost Jamie Walker to the Orioles. Sorry to see him go, but 3 years, $11.5M for a 35 year old coming off a career year as a lefty specialist? Nice decision-making, Mike Flanagan.

[miami_fan]

What about the fan who threw the syringe at Bonds opening week?

[Buccaneer]

His numbers at pitcher-friendly Petco Park, however, aren't as impressive – a .185 batting average and .769 OPS, with only three homers in 65 at-bats.


'Nuf said.

[Chief Rum]

What about the fan who threw the syringe at Bonds opening week?

He'll be traded to the A's and allowed to throw water bottles at Milton Bradley.

[JS19]

Big Hurt deal is done. 2 years, 18M with an option for a 3rd. It;s kind of a hit or miss on what Frank Thomas you are gonna get, but the Toronto fans should be happy knowing their owner is willing to spend the money (AJ Burnett and BJ Ryan last yr) to win.

On another note, don't think it's been mentioned, but the Mets re-signed Valentin (1 yr/3.8M) and Hernandez (2 yr/12M). Since it's the Mets, and i'm sure they have the $$$, I guess signing these two wont hurt, but if it was another club, i might question giving El Duque that deal.

[RedKingGold]

Rumors are the Phils are going to get 3B Wes Helms from the Marlins. If it comes to pass, its another solid deal by Pat Gillick. Helms played really well last year, and at the very least gives a decent offensive bat on the hot corner to team with Perez. Helms can also play first base every once in a while should Howard need a break.

Also, I like that Gillick is steadfastly declining to offer Soriano a no-trade clause. No-trade clauses are horrendous and it almost completely erases leverage from the team should circumstances change (which they always do). If it means the Phils lose out on Soriano to the Angels or Cubs (IMO, the only other two real threats to sign him), its worth it rather than caving in to the no-trade request.

[Oilers9911]

You.. uh.. don't think he'll be running the bases that much? He shunned the Twins last year in part to their having field turf in the Metrodome, so...

Yeah but it isn't like he is out there patrolling CF. And seriously, if you can't run the damn bases on field turf then maybe its time to retire.

[JS19]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2667558

Claims the Mets are close to a 2 yr deal with Alou.

Being a Mets fan, i'll put my $.02. It's a tad bit odd because I was under the impression Milledge would be the starting LF, joining Beltran and Green in the OF. But than again, I think it's a 50/50 shot Milledge will even be in the Mets organization next yr. I've always liked him because as he gets older he stays productive. The one worry I have is that if it does happen, they would be replacing Floyd with Floyd, just that he goes by the name of Alou.

[JeeberD]

Astros are going after Carlos Lee, Alfonso Soriano, and Woody Williams...

[TazFTW]

Cubs close to landing Soriano

Ken Rosenthal (http://msn.foxsports.com/writer/archive?authorId=162) / FOXSports.com
Posted: 8 minutes ago


The Cubs are on the verge of signing free-agent outfielder Alfonso Soriano, FOXSports.com has learned.

<!-- FOXBITE -->
Soriano, 30, is believed to be seeking an eight-year deal for approximately $17 million per season, which could put the total value of his package in the range of $135 million.

The Astros, Phillies and Angels also had been pursuing Soriano.

The Cubs have talked about playing Soriano in center field, but it's possible they would use him on one of the outfield corners, depending upon what else they accomplished in the off-season.

Whether Soriano would continue to hit leadoff also is unclear.

The Cubs have pursued free-agent center fielder Gary Matthews and pondered the notion of signing free-agent infielder Julio Lugo to play center. Both are leadoff hitters.

The addition of Soriano would be the latest in a flurry of off-season moves by general manager Jim Hendry.

The Cubs opened the off-season by re-signing third baseman Aramis Ramirez to a five-year, $75 million contract and re-signing right-hander Kerry Wood to a one-year, $5.25 million deal.
They also have signed free-agent infielder Mark DeRosa to a three-year, $13 million contract and re-signed free-agent catcher Henry Blanco to a two-year, $5.25 million deal.

[JS19]

I would love for Soriano to sign with the Cubs. Put perhaps the best free agent on a shitty team, one less guy the teams looking to contend have to worry about. This would be a much better scenario than him signing with Philly or Houston, unless of course you are a Philly or Houston fan.

[Toddzilla]

w00t!

[Sweed]

Cubs close to landing Soriano

Ken Rosenthal (http://msn.foxsports.com/writer/archive?authorId=162) / FOXSports.com
Posted: 8 minutes ago


The Cubs are on the verge of signing free-agent outfielder Alfonso Soriano, FOXSports.com has learned.

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Soriano, 30, is believed to be seeking an eight-year deal for approximately $17 million per season, which could put the total value of his package in the range of $135 million.

The Astros, Phillies and Angels also had been pursuing Soriano.

The Cubs have talked about playing Soriano in center field, but it's possible they would use him on one of the outfield corners, depending upon what else they accomplished in the off-season.

Whether Soriano would continue to hit leadoff also is unclear.

The Cubs have pursued free-agent center fielder Gary Matthews and pondered the notion of signing free-agent infielder Julio Lugo to play center. Both are leadoff hitters.

The addition of Soriano would be the latest in a flurry of off-season moves by general manager Jim Hendry.

The Cubs opened the off-season by re-signing third baseman Aramis Ramirez to a five-year, $75 million contract and re-signing right-hander Kerry Wood to a one-year, $5.25 million deal.
They also have signed free-agent infielder Mark DeRosa to a three-year, $13 million contract and re-signed free-agent catcher Henry Blanco to a two-year, $5.25 million deal.



My son called me from college and told me this. Couldn't believe I heard it from him before I read it here :) Great news for the Cubs with hopefully more to follow.

[Bearcat729]

The Reds tradeed Jason Larue to the Royals for the player to be named later. At least the Reds won't have 3 catchers on the Roster.

[sterlingice]

The Reds tradeed Jason Larue to the Royals for the player to be named later. At least the Reds won't have 3 catchers on the Roster.

Woo! The Royals made their big move for the offseason. Backup catcher worth -4 VORP last year. Then again, with what I expect to be the insanity in this market, may be best to stay home this offseason.

SI

[Bearcat729]

Woo! The Royals made their big move for the offseason. Backup catcher worth -4 VORP last year. Then again, with what I expect to be the insanity in this market, may be best to stay home this offseason.

SI

And a 5.25 million dollar a year contract to boot. Which it seems to Reds won't have to pay any of. It's a pure salary dump on Cincinnati's side so I'm expecting the return to be a bag of balls.

[Crapshoot]

Reports now say that the Reds are paying part of that. This move makes no sense whatsoever for the Royals.

[miami_fan]

ESPN is reporting Lee to the Astros. 6 yrs $100 mil complete no trade for the 1st four years then limited the last two

[bulletsponge]

ESPN is reporting Lee to the Astros. 6 yrs $100 mil complete no trade for the 1st four years then limited the last two

which Lee are you talking about?

[miami_fan]

which Lee are you talking about?

Carlos

ESPN.com news services


Carlos Lee is staying in Texas, but not with the Rangers.

A source told ESPN's Jayson Stark that the Houston Astros were set to announce Friday afternoon that they have signed the free-agent slugger to a six-year, $100 million deal. The only significant non-monetary clause in the contract is that Lee will have a complete no-trade clause for the first four years of the contract and a limited no-trade for the final two years.

The Astros were one of several teams bidding for Lee, joining the Philadelphia Phillies, who failed to land Alfonso Soriano; Baltimore Orioles, who Stark previously reported had made serious overtures to Lee; and San Francisco Giants.

"We're in the mix, definitely," Orioles vice president Jim Duquette said Tuesday.

Lee batted .300 with 37 homers, 116 RBI and 19 steals with Texas and Milwaukee this year.

"He's a nice-looking player, someone who would definitely draw some interest," Phillies GM Pat Gillick said Monday, adding he has spoken to Lee's representatives.

Lee earned $8.5 million last season. Soriano's deal with the Chicago Cubs, which averages $17 million per year.

The 30-year-old outfielder has averaged 33 homers and 111 RBI over the last four seasons. He's also been durable, having played at least 150 games in six of his eight seasons in the majors.

Lee is listed at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds and there have been questions about him being out of shape, but Gillick said his size isn't a concern.

"Lee is a heck of an athlete," Gillick said.


Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[Atocep]

I don't know which is worse, this or Soriano. Lee performed at the 90th percentile of his '06 forcast and his top comparables are Kevin McReynolds and Ivan Calderon, both of which tanked shortly after reaching 30.

It'll be interesting to see what kind of money the pitchers get. I'm sure agents are waiting on someone to sign first and set the market and I can definitely see guys like Ted Lilly and Vicente Padilla getting paid a whole lot more than their worth once Zito and Schmidt get signed.

[JS19]

With these signings so far, it leads me to believe that the money is there to be had and maybe they aren't as outrageous as we believe. To me that's the only explanation.

I think it's far too much for Lee, but like I said, the money must be there, but it is nice to see the Astros addressing their biggest need.

[RedKingGold]

I'm just glad that the Phillies have refrained from this crazy signing.

[Philliesfan980]

I'm just glad that the Phillies have refrained from this crazy signing.

Yeah, in the long run its great, but its depressing knowing that because they haven't improved their team, they'll finish slightly above .500 again next year. I'm not sure if they'll be able to keep up with the Mets in the upcoming years. Marlins will be a force next year as well.

Here's hoping that Hamels is the savior.

[miami_fan]

With these signings so far, it leads me to believe that the money is there to be had and maybe they aren't as outrageous as we believe. To me that's the only explanation.


This is the real question. Is the money there? It would bother me if the Marlins have $50-75 million that could be spent on players (while not ruining the organization of course) and decided to keep the money in their pockets. I don't know if this signing is going to ruin the Astros (or the Cubs, the Dodgers etc.) for years to come. Baseball seems to have recovered from the "financial difficulties" of the past.

[Philliesfan980]

This is the real question. Is the money there? It would bother me if the Marlins have $50-75 million that could be spent on players (while not ruining the organization of course) and decided to keep the money in their pockets. I don't know if this signing is going to ruin the Astros (or the Cubs, the Dodgers etc.) for years to come. Baseball seems to have recovered from the "financial difficulties" of the past.

For the Marlins, the issue is tough because we don't get to look at their financials. Sure, they get more from revenue sharing than they spend on payroll, but what about other factors? Namely their terrible stadium situation. By only drawing 12K a night and not having good sponsorship/luxury seating, its probably eating away at the excess of revenue sharing over payroll.

Then again, Loria could just be a bastard.

[miami_fan]

Well I sat in Dolphin Stadium with about 3,000 other people for a couple of games this summer so I suspect they don't have the cash;) . I am looking more at the teams that have signed the huge deals so far. How long have Cubs fans be waiting for the team to get open up their wallets? The Astros have talked for years about the financial impact that having Clemens made to the organization. Even your Phillies have made a bit of change over the last couple of years with the new ballpark. Now the questions as to whether these are smart signings or not is debatable. I think all of the big money signings have been flawed so far. I don't think there is any doubt that more teams either have more money to spend or have more of a willingness to spend money this year.

[RedKingGold]

Yeah, in the long run its great, but its depressing knowing that because they haven't improved their team, they'll finish slightly above .500 again next year. I'm not sure if they'll be able to keep up with the Mets in the upcoming years. Marlins will be a force next year as well.

Here's hoping that Hamels is the savior.

I do not think the Phillies are done with free agency at all and will still improve their team for next season.

Still, I would rather spend the $15 million a season on complementary players than blowing it all on a Soriano or Lee.

I'm still holding out hope that they'll go after a Mark Mulder type player and re-sign Randy Wolf. Yeah, they are both injury prone. But so was Chris Carpenter when he signed with the Cardinals three years ago. It would be less of a risk compared to the reward should both players come back close to their former potential,

Pitching, pitching, and more pitching will always get a team through. That was why the Marlins were in contention late in the season. As it stands, Myers and Hamels should be a nice 1-2 punch next season. Moyer is a better 4th-5th type guy and they need another starter or two. Plus, they should really try to trade for some bullpen help.

The Phils already have the offense to compete with the majority of the NL. Honestly, with Pedro on the shelf and Glavine close to re-signing with Atlanta; I fear the Braves more than any other team in the NL next season.

I don't think the Mets will even make the playoffs next year (takes cover for fear of rock-throwing)

[Atocep]

This offseason is somewhat similar to the '01 offseason in the sense that owners assumed then that MLB was going to be become a cash cow and salaries would continue to go up. They were wrong then, 5 of the 6 biggest contracts in MLB history still come from that offseason: A-Rod, Jeter, Manny, Helton, Hampton, and Jeter's contract is probably the only one that hasn't been regreted by someone.

One thing that does seperate the '01 offseason from this one is A-Rod, Jeter, Manny, Helton, and Hampton were all relatively young and either in their prime or approaching it. Jeter, Manny, and A-Rod are still 3 of the most productive players in baseball. Lee and Soriano are already 30 and will be paid long after they quit being productive players.

[Mr. Wednesday]

I'd say Manny's contract has worked out the best of the six, actually.

[Philliesfan980]

I think FA will be changed drastically going forward. I think we're going to start seeing premium players being locked up by their original teams more and more. For example, the Mets took an agressive stance with Wright and Reyes this year, signing them to long term deals way before they HAD to. I think we're going to start seeing this more and more.

*edit*
and personally, I like it. It places a greater emphasis on drafting and minor league development.

[stevew]

I think FA will be changed drastically going forward. I think we're going to start seeing premium players being locked up by their original teams more and more. For example, the Mets took an agressive stance with Wright and Reyes this year, signing them to long term deals way before they HAD to. I think we're going to start seeing this more and more.

*edit*
and personally, I like it. It places a greater emphasis on drafting and minor league development.

I would hope that they try to sign Utley and Howard as soon as possible.

[Chief Rum]

I think FA will be changed drastically going forward. I think we're going to start seeing premium players being locked up by their original teams more and more. For example, the Mets took an agressive stance with Wright and Reyes this year, signing them to long term deals way before they HAD to. I think we're going to start seeing this more and more.

*edit*
and personally, I like it. It places a greater emphasis on drafting and minor league development.

The Angels have been doing this for years. Lackey, K-Rod and Figgins (off the top of my head) are signed to contracts like this currently. In the past, they signed Kennedy, Glaus, Washburn and others to contracts like this before they were even arbitration-eligible.

They actually got it from the Indians in the 90s. The Indians did this with Manny when he was young, Carlos Baerga, I think Colon and/or Nagy, etc. I remember thinking when the Angels started doing it in the late 90s, that that was pretty smart and wasn't surprised the Indians had started it (they seemed like a pretty well-run franchise then).

[Ksyrup]

Re: the Phillies' lack of participation...it isn't for fear of trying. They'd have spent as much on Soriano or Lee if those guys actually wanted to play in Philly. They have been saved from themselves (so far).

As far as money in the system, according to Gammons, the "low payroll/small market" teams are making a minimum of $60M in combined revenue sharing, national TV contract, and MLB.com revenues. Whether someone like Luria is losing $40M a year and just using the $60M to cover losses and a minimum payroll, or whether he's pocketing the cash and relying on a great front office to allow him to field a competitive $20M team...who knows.

[JeeberD]

Astros are going after Carlos Lee, Alfonso Soriano, and Woody Williams...

Two out of three ain't too bad... ;)

[Ksyrup]

As long as the Astros don't have money issues, I guess Lee's signing is alright. But for a team that pretty much burned bridges with Bagwell over $15M, considering what he means to the franchise, and has been slow to give out big bucks (they should have resigned Beltran), Lee's signing, from that perspective, looks as bad as the Rockies' signing of Denny Neagle a few years back. Here's wishing for you Astros fans that in 3 years, when he's not worth half his yearly salary and the team can't wait for the interleague games so they can DH him, that he hires a couple of prostitutes and gets arrested. Maybe the morals clause will shave a few million off of what they will owe him.

[Jonathan Ezarik]

As far as money in the system, according to Gammons, the "low payroll/small market" teams are making a minimum of $60M in combined revenue sharing, national TV contract, and MLB.com revenues.

The Pirates have said that payroll will be "around" $50 million. This makes me sick. The owners pocket $10 million before the season even begins. I know that there are other costs involved in running a club, but come on. If they're not even going to try to make the team better, why the hell did we build them a new stadium (and a beautiful one at that)?

Does it even matter if the fans don't show up? If the owners are making money before the first ticket is even sold, why should they care if people come to the games? What incentive do they have to field a competitive team?

[Ksyrup]

In their defense, there's more to running a baseball team than is reflected in payroll. Building a farm system, having good scouts, and hiring people for your front office costs money, too.

[Young Drachma]

This is the real question. Is the money there? It would bother me if the Marlins have $50-75 million that could be spent on players (while not ruining the organization of course) and decided to keep the money in their pockets. I don't know if this signing is going to ruin the Astros (or the Cubs, the Dodgers etc.) for years to come. Baseball seems to have recovered from the "financial difficulties" of the past.

There is no question the Marlins have money to spend. Loria isn't just inept, I think he's broke and really can't afford to spend. Too bad he's blowing all the money he gets in revenue sharing on his ad campaign to move the team no one wants elsewhere.

Selig is too much of a goon to get rid of him when he had the chance in Montreal, but lest he upset his pal John Henry who wanted to own the Red Sox.

I'm so sick of baseball's cartel. More than any other sport's owners. In basketball, you have guys like Mark Cuban and in football, Jerry Jones. Even in the old days, you have Al Davis, who you know love their franchises.

In baseball? Steinbrenner would be the closest thing you'd have to someone like that, but..I think he's just happy he bought the Yankees on the downturn and either way, he's not really running the team much these days. Wilpon with the Mets clearly cares about baseball, but no one listens to him.

Whatever the story is, the current cartel is really running the game into the ground. But instead of strikes this time, they are overpaying -- which doesn't bother me -- except when the season starts half the teams can be sure that they have no realistic shot to get out of their rut they are in. I don't socialism is the answer in the way of more revenue sharing, but...talk about a sport that needs to be invigorated in markets that truly love the game.

Or at least, with owners who give a damn.

[Schmidty]

I would strongly argue that Mike Ilitch of the Tigers "gives a damn", big time.

[Jonathan Ezarik]

In their defense, there's more to running a baseball team than is reflected in payroll. Building a farm system, having good scouts, and hiring people for your front office costs money, too.

I know, but looking at the Pirates that money isn't going into the team. Hell, last year was the first year they had an advance scout. They are just now getting scouts into Latin America. The farm system is a joke. Littlefield is one of the worst GMs in sports and he got a freakin' extension last year. The owners don't give a damn about this team. They just want the money. Once the cash flow dries up, they'll sell. But I don't see this happening any time soon.

[Young Drachma]

I would strongly argue that Mike Ilitch of the Tigers "gives a damn", big time.

Yeah, he owns the Red Wings too and they at least have a recent history of winning. So clearly, he knows what he's doing. Not enough of those guys. I guess you could say Tom Hicks does. Or the folks in Houston. Or Arte Moreno in LA..er..Orange County.

But...it's different.

[Ksyrup]

According to SI.com, the Dodgers and Randy Wolf have agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract.


A $9 million option for 2008 is also believed to be included. Wolf probably could have gotten $20 million over three years elsewhere, but he preferred to head home to Southern California and maybe try the market again in a year. It's a nice signing for the Dodgers.


Good signing. I have always been a big Wolf fan and think Philly will miss him. He may not become what it looked like he would a few years ago, but he's above-average.

[TazFTW]

So the Red Sox are going to sign JD Drew and trade Manny. Uhhh, that is an upgrade?

[Philliesfan980]

According to SI.com, the Dodgers and Randy Wolf have agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract.


A $9 million option for 2008 is also believed to be included. Wolf probably could have gotten $20 million over three years elsewhere, but he preferred to head home to Southern California and maybe try the market again in a year. It's a nice signing for the Dodgers.


Good signing. I have always been a big Wolf fan and think Philly will miss him. He may not become what it looked like he would a few years ago, but he's above-average.


Wolf's real hit or miss, but when he misses, he's never terrible. At worst, he's a 4 IP, 6 R type guy, at best, he can go 7 or 8 and give up a run. At the same money, I'd rather have Wolf than Eaton.

[pennywisesb]

Wolf's real hit or miss, but when he misses, he's never terrible. At worst, he's a 4 IP, 6 R type guy, at best, he can go 7 or 8 and give up a run. At the same money, I'd rather have Wolf than Eaton.

Now he'll be in a very pitcher friendly ballpark for half of his starts though, so I see this as a very nice deal for the Dodgers. If he's healthy, I can see him as a 15 game winner with around a 4 ERA....

[Atocep]

So the Red Sox are going to sign JD Drew and trade Manny. Uhhh, that is an upgrade?

Definitely not an upgrade, but I think the Red Sox are looking for more financial flexibility after post $51 million for Matsuzaka and they still have to work out a contract with him.

They have some really bad contracts and word is they're talking to the Giants (which would effectively end Bonds' time as a Giant if they make that deal). The Giants don't have much in terms of prospects to offer so the tradeoff would be the Giants also taking Clement's contract on as well. The other rumor is Manny going to the Dodgers (veteran hitter on the market you better believe Colletti will be all over him and dangle prospects to get him).

[Bad-example]

Now he'll be in a very pitcher friendly ballpark for half of his starts though, so I see this as a very nice deal for the Dodgers. If he's healthy, I can see him as a 15 game winner with around a 4 ERA....

Is Dodger stadium still a pitcher's park after they reduced the amount of foul ground a couple years ago?

[sterlingice]

According to SI.com, the Dodgers and Randy Wolf have agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract.


A $9 million option for 2008 is also believed to be included. Wolf probably could have gotten $20 million over three years elsewhere, but he preferred to head home to Southern California and maybe try the market again in a year. It's a nice signing for the Dodgers.


Good signing. I have always been a big Wolf fan and think Philly will miss him. He may not become what it looked like he would a few years ago, but he's above-average.

To counteract the bad signing of Pierre was last week, this is a good start. Wolf at Dodger Stadium should play well and with one year and an option, minimal risk. Especially next to Eaton's contract, this looks like a bargain and will continue to do throughout the offseason.

SI

[sterlingice]

I'm sure this won't be the most popular post in the thread but I found this trade over the weekend a little interesting:

PHOENIX -- The Milwaukee Brewers (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=mil) acquired catcher Johnny Estrada (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6720) from the Arizona Diamondbacks (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=ari) for left-hander Doug Davis (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=6299) in a six-player deal between the teams on Saturday.

Right-handers Greg Aquino (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7361) and Claudio Vargas (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7125) also went to Milwaukee, while the Diamondbacks obtained a pair of youngsters, left-hander Dana Eveland (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7600) and outfielder Dave Krynzel (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7441).

I don't know much about Eveland except that he's an ok lefty prospect or Krynzel other than that he used to be a highly rated prospect and haven't heard much from him of late but Milwaukee seems to have acquired three regulars for Doug Davis. Estrada's not great but he's a pretty good starting catcher, Aquino has flirted with that closer's spot for a bit in Arizona and is a decent bullpen arm, and Vargas is a slightly below average righty SP.

That's just the type of deal which should fill some holes for a young team looking to move forward after a disappointing step back in 2006. If they could snag a stud pitcher to go along with Sheets and something, anything, to put in the outfield to replace Lee and keep someone like Brady Clark or an aging Geoff Jenkins from getting too many at bats, this would be everyone's favorite dark horse for 2007. However, lots of teams have similar designs and I'm not sure the Brewers have the stomach for this type of market.

SI

[Buccaneer]

I think the Pads are in the same boat as the Phillies - waiting for a sane contract instead of over-paying. The Pads finally got rid of the $10 million albatrosses in Nevin/Park and Klesko and have some money to spend. But they don't want to be saddled with long-term $10 million contracts of mediocre players as they had been.

[Buccaneer]

I take back saying the Pads are in the same boat as the Phils. The Phils have gone ape-shit like a few other teams.

[Mr. Wednesday]

So the Red Sox are going to sign JD Drew and trade Manny. Uhhh, that is an upgrade?
Not in isolation, but you can't consider this in isolation. There's WMP to find at-bats for -- they really can't afford to have both him and Manny in the outfield at the same time -- plus whatever they're getting back for Manny in other positions.

Now, I can't say that I'm sold on Drew plus WMP for Trot plus Manny, but I can at least see where it's coming from.

What would be really interesting to see is whether they would go unconventional and put WMP in center (where, from what I've seen, metrics have him being about average defensively) and Crisp in left (where, from what I've seen, metrics have him being way above average defensively whereas he's below average in center).

[Arles]

I'm sure this won't be the most popular post in the thread but I found this trade over the weekend a little interesting:

I don't know much about Eveland except that he's an ok lefty prospect or Krynzel other than that he used to be a highly rated prospect and haven't heard much from him of late but Milwaukee seems to have acquired three regulars for Doug Davis. Estrada's not great but he's a pretty good starting catcher, Aquino has flirted with that closer's spot for a bit in Arizona and is a decent bullpen arm, and Vargas is a slightly below average righty SP.
Vargas is a bullpen killer. He barely gets 5 innings a start and allowed 27 HR. He was Arizona's 4th starter and drove fans out here crazy. One day he would go 8 innings with 2 ER. Then, he would have 3 straight starts where he didn't make the 5th inning. Aquino used to be a touted prospect, but he's now 28 and still struggles with control and has just one pitch. If you consider both those guys starters, that's a pretty low bar.

I see the deal as a nice 3/4 starter for a nice starting catcher. Vargas and Eveland (who averaged over 1K per inning in AAA as a lefty starter) could both be #5s, but neither are much at this point. Seems like a decent deal for both teams as Arizona was stocked at catcher and righty reliever and Milwaukee had some extra starting pitching arms. I would give the DBacks the edge as a decent lefty starter is a much more valuable commodity than an above average catcher.

[sterlingice]

Yeah, that insight into Vargas is the problem with the birds eye view that most of us have. Thanks for chiming in, Arles.

Either way, it looks like a win-win for both teams, provided past performance is indicative of future results.

SI

[Hammer755]

Vargas is a bullpen killer. He barely gets 5 innings a start and allowed 27 HR. He was Arizona's 4th starter and drove fans out here crazy. One day he would go 8 innings with 2 ER. Then, he would have 3 straight starts where he didn't make the 5th inning. Aquino used to be a touted prospect, but he's now 28 and still struggles with control and has just one pitch. If you consider both those guys starters, that's a pretty low bar.

I see the deal as a nice 3/4 starter for a nice starting catcher. Vargas and Eveland (who averaged over 1K per inning in AAA as a lefty starter) could both be #5s, but neither are much at this point. Seems like a decent deal for both teams as Arizona was stocked at catcher and righty reliever and Milwaukee had some extra starting pitching arms. I would give the DBacks the edge as a decent lefty starter is a much more valuable commodity than an above average catcher.

Estrada is not an above-average catcher - Bank One just made him look like one last year. The BOB tied Coors Field for the best hitters park in the NL last season. This deal hinges on Davis, and it's pretty low risk for Arizona. If he can bounce back, then it's a nice pickup for the Snakes. If not, they didn't really give up anything to get him.

[Ksyrup]

At the same money, I'd rather have Wolf than Eaton.

Oh good God yes. But I think Wolf wanted to be near home, so we weren't going to get him anyway. I may be crazy in saying this, but I've viewed Wolf as a Poor Man's Chris Carpenter. I think he could put it all together post-surgery and have an 18 win season. Unfortunately, if he does, it won't be with the Phillies.

[Neuqua]

I heard on sportsradio this morning the Cubs offered Schmidt a 3 year/$45 million dollar contract.

[Atocep]

I heard on sportsradio this morning the Cubs offered Schmidt a 3 year/$45 million dollar contract.

I don't think that will be enough to get him away from the west coast. Seattle is reportedly prepared to offer something in the ballpark of 4 years and $60 mil.

[oykib]

The Yanks just secured the rights to Igawa from the Hanshin Tigers, my local team, for $25 million. He's almost certainly the best lefthander in Japan. He led the Central League in strikeouts last year-- his third title.

[Logan]

The Yanks just secured the rights to Igawa from the Hanshin Tigers, my local team, for $25 million. He's almost certainly the best lefthander in Japan. He led the Central League in strikeouts last year-- his third title.

Read a scouting report earlier today that pegged him as an innings-eater, a 4/5 type who will give you 3rd starter type numbers every few outings. If I was committing that money to him, I would rather just double it and at least get the potential of the other Japanese guy.

[sterlingice]

I don't think that will be enough to get him away from the west coast. Seattle is reportedly prepared to offer something in the ballpark of 4 years and $60 mil.

Considering other deals out there, I would think this is an absolute bargain.

SI

[SackAttack]

I'm torn on the Wolf signing. Certainly he gives us some rotation balance, but I hope signing him doesn't mean Maddux doesn't stay.

I'd make the time to go to probably six Dodger games next year if Maddux is pitching.

If he's not in a Dodger uniform, I wouldn't necessarily go to fewer games but I sure wouldn't bend over backwards to get the time off.

[oykib]

Read a scouting report earlier today that pegged him as an innings-eater, a 4/5 type who will give you 3rd starter type numbers every few outings. If I was committing that money to him, I would rather just double it and at least get the potential of the other Japanese guy.

I would disagree from having seen him a fair amount. I think he's a solid #3 with an upside of being a #2 in a good season. Those guys do very weel in the Bronx-- see Cheng-Ming Wang and Andy Pettiete.

[JonInMiddleGA]

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2006/12/01/1202glavine.html

Glavine says he's returning to Mets
Left-hander had been considering return to Braves

By DAVID O'BRIEN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/01/06

Tom Glavine's flirtation with the Braves is over and he's decided to return for a fifth season with the New York Mets, the veteran left-hander confirmed this afternoon to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

It's believed to be a one-year contract, though Glavine didn't get into details in a brief conversation. An announcement by the Mets was expected shortly.

Glavine is 10 wins shy of being the 23rd pitcher to reach 300, and had hoped to come back to Atlanta to get those 10 wins with the team he was with for his first 242 wins during 1987-2002.

But the Braves, with less need for a top starter and less money to spend for one, couldn't compete with the Mets' offer, believed to be worth at least $11 million.

Glavine notched five 20-win seasons won two Cy Young Awards with the Braves, and was also the 1995 World Series MVP.

After struggling for 2-1/2 seasons with the Mets, he revamped his approach and was 26-14 with a 3.22 ERA in his past 53 starts, including 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA in three during the 2007 postseason.

He was 15-7 with a 3.82 ERA and 198 innings pitched in 32 starts during the regular season.

The Mets told Glavine they'd wait while he explored returning to the Braves. He still lives in Alpharetta and desired to be home during the baseball season instead of flying his family to New York on weekends and visiting them on the Mets' days off.

[Ksyrup]

From everything I've read, that Glavine article puts a nice face on what appeared to be a lack of interest (either because of money or tensions between the GM and Glavine) on the part of the Braves. He kept putting the Mets off, hoping for a decent offer so he could retire in Atlanta, but I don't think he even got an offer.

[JS19]

Good to hear Glavine is staying with the Mets, especially if it's only a 1 yr deal. As Kysyrup pointed out, it was pretty obvious he wanted to return to Atlanta and I assumed he was as good as gone.

I remember reading an article that the Braves wouldn't offer a no trade clause, maybe thats why he didn't sign.

[Logan]

I'm a Met fan, so anyone can view this in a "tooting their own horn" manner, but give the Mets a lot of credit for how they handled this situation. They knew Glavine wanted to go back to Atlanta so they didn't stand in his way. They could've picked up his option, but instead bought him out for $3 million. Then they didn't offer him arbitration so it wouldn't cost Atlanta anything but money to get him back. And then when it didn't work out, they brought him back to make the total with the buyout to be the same as the original option.

[Neuqua]

Supposedly now the Cubs are hot after Ted Lilly, offering him around $9mill a year...

[Atocep]

Peter Gammons reported that the Giants offered Carlos Lee $113 million and are trying to come up with something to get Manny now. Apparently they'll go back to Bonds as a last resort and hope that no arbitration along with no interest from other teams drives his price down.

He also reported that Mike Hampton told the Atlanta front office he was willing to rework his deal to get Glavine in Atlanta and the front office never got back to him about it and never made an offer to Glavine.

[Ksyrup]

That's what I assumed happened with Glavine and Atlanta. Again, I think the articles about his re-signing with the Mets were written to allow him to save face, when it was apparent he wanted to win his 300th game in Atlanta but they didn't want him.

[Ksyrup]

I can't wait to hear Bonds' version of Conseco's "I've been blackballed!" whining.

[Fouts]

Looks like the Giants have signed Benji Molina, and brought back Pedro Feliz and Rich Aurilia. Not sure how the Giants are going to be an improved team next year, especially without Schmidt.

[Crapshoot]

Why the hell are they signing every goddamn old fart they can find? Molina ? Feliz? Why not bring back Matt Williams?

[Bad-example]

Feliz is a very good defender at 3B but fairly clueless at the plate. I wouldn't mind him coming back as a utility player but if the plan is to give him another 500+ at bats...well, I am less than thrilled.

Aurilia is going to be the Giants 1B? I like his versatility and also think he would be fine as a utility player, but at 1B it is hard to see him being worth 8M/2years.

[SackAttack]

Is Dodger stadium still a pitcher's park after they reduced the amount of foul ground a couple years ago?

Yes-but.

It is, and probably always will be because the air sort of kills fly balls; in other words, the reduced foul ground gives hitters a lot of extra chances, but it's not a triples/homers ballpark to begin with. You'll see more singles, more doubles (possibly), and a minor increase in offense associated with the two, but Manny probably wouldn't be a 45-140 guy if LA got him.

[Fouts]

Wow, Padres reportedly close to a 1 year, 10M dollar contract with Greg Maddux.

JD Drew signs 5yr, $70M deal with Red Sox (bye Manny?). Mets might get Zito.

[Galaril]

Red sox just signed SS Julio Lugo according to ESPN.

[SackAttack]

Wow, Padres reportedly close to a 1 year, 10M dollar contract with Greg Maddux.

JD Drew signs 5yr, $70M deal with Red Sox (bye Manny?). Mets might get Zito.

Maddux: what I hear is 1 year, $6m + incentives based on # of innings pitched.

Drew: I still have no idea if the Dodgers are entitled to a draft pick since he was a Type A free agent. Did we have to offer him arbitration because he voided the contract? No? I'm so confused.

[SackAttack]

Red sox just signed SS Julio Lugo according to ESPN.

And amazingly, Lugo was ALSO a Type A free agent, so we get two draft picks for HIS signing. A first-round sandwich pick, and probably their first rounder since the only other Type A they've signed so far is Drew (which means we'd get the 1st either way. Either we get it for Drew, or for Lugo, unless they sign another, more significant, Type A between now and the end of the free agent period).

[SackAttack]

I'm pretty sure there was language in Drew's contact where he could void the contract and the Dodgers could not offer him arbitration.

Wouldn't doubt it a bit.

But if that's the case, I have to wonder why he'd even be classified as a Type A or Type B free agent, since such classification is solely for compensation for the team losing said free agent.

Unless they couldn't offer him arbitration but ARE entitled to compensation for his loss.

As I said, I'm so confused.

[Crapshoot]

They couldn't offer arb to Drew as part of his contract - either way, they got the draft picks for Lugo.

[SackAttack]

They couldn't offer arb to Drew as part of his contract - either way, they got the draft picks for Lugo.

stevew was saying earlier to me that if Drew had signed before the arbitration deadline, LA would have gotten compensatory picks for him, as well, and that's why he was classified as a Type A free agent despite his status.

Still fuckin' weird.

Also, I just realized earlier that Dave Roberts is a Type A free agent.

Did the Padres offer him arbitration?

[Crapshoot]

stevew was saying earlier to me that if Drew had signed before the arbitration deadline, LA would have gotten compensatory picks for him, as well, and that's why he was classified as a Type A free agent despite his status.

Still fuckin' weird.

Also, I just realized earlier that Dave Roberts is a Type A free agent.

Did the Padres offer him arbitration?

Yeah, the Pads get the Giants 2nd round pick (because the 1st isn't eligible since its top half). If you sign an arb player before the deadline, you give up the pick no matter what - that's part of the reason Boston waited.

[SackAttack]

I thought the 1st rounders weren't eligible if it was 1-10, not 1-15.

Did that change with the recent CBA?

[TazFTW]

The Braves signed Tanyon Sturtz...

Is Arthur Blank still interested in buying the team?

[ISiddiqui]

Why?!

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2687857



The New York Mets (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=nym) have agreed to a deal with the Kansas City Royals (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=kan) that will send right-handed starter Brian Bannister (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7703) to Kansas City for right-handed reliever Ambiorix Burgos (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=7528), ESPN's Steve Phillips reports.

Bannister, 25, was 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA in eight appearances (six starts) last season. Burgos, 22, recorded 18 saves in 68 appearances, striking out 72 in 73 1/3 innings.
The deal is expected to be announced on Wednesday.

I don't like this deal at all... I'd much rather have Bannister at this point than Burgos.

[Crapshoot]

I thought the 1st rounders weren't eligible if it was 1-10, not 1-15.

Did that change with the recent CBA?

Nope - it was always "top half of the draft", as it were.

[JS19]

Why?!

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2687857



I don't like this deal at all... I'd much rather have Bannister at this point than Burgos.

Yea I don't really understand this deal. Don't know much about this Burgos guy so maybe he has a lot of potential and can help fill the bullpen needs, but why get rid of Bannister who looks as if he can be an end of the rotation guy who can hold his own?

[Ksyrup]

Burgos has much more upside, although he might not find it for a year or three.

[ISiddiqui]

Perhaps, but the Mets have shown they desperately need some starters (in addition to an ace!!). Bannister did ok in the role this past season.

[Ksyrup]

SI.com is reporting that the Mets are going to be talking to the A's about Rich Harden. I find that hard to believe. I've heard Joe Blanton's name come up, but not Harden.

[Atocep]

Yea I don't really understand this deal. Don't know much about this Burgos guy so maybe he has a lot of potential and can help fill the bullpen needs, but why get rid of Bannister who looks as if he can be an end of the rotation guy who can hold his own?


This was a smart deal by the mets. They picked up a promising, young reliever for a pitcher that is already nearing his peak and who's peripherals suggest he should have had an ERA over 5 last year.

Burgos has very good upside as a middle reliever/setup man. Bannister actually hasn't proven much at all. He pitched 38 innings, walked 22, and struck out only 19. That 4.26 ERA was a fluke and he'll eventually fall back to being the 4A pitcher he's been projected to be.

One thing Minaya deserves credit for is building a bullpen. He recognizes the importance of not only having a reliable bullpen, but also the importance of not spending to get one.

[Ksyrup]

Looks like the Dodgers will sign Jason Schmidt. Nice job - he's got better stuff than Zito and the contract will likely be 2 or 3 years less (not to mention about half the money).

[Crapshoot]

Looks like the Dodgers will sign Jason Schmidt. Nice job - he's got better stuff than Zito and the contract will likely be 2 or 3 years less (not to mention about half the money).

I hate Ned Colleti. Why couldn't he tend towards his usual incompetence?

[SackAttack]

I hate Ned Colleti. Why couldn't he tend towards his usual incompetence?

He signs Juan Pierre, you celebrate. He signs Jason Schmidt, you hate him.

That doesn't sound like 'incompetence' to me. That sounds like 'inscrutability.'

:D