Winter Meetings thread

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Winter Meetings thread

I just want it confirmed and done with, please!

[oakfan162]

Re: Winter Meetings thread

A's and Piazza are official, no link but just saw it on SC.

[GBrushTWood]

Re: Winter Meetings thread

I'd be surprised (and disappointed to be honest)if the Red Sox do not come in over the top and bury that rumored Horacio Ramirez offer to Seattle. There is no reason the Red Sox should not be in the hunt for him.

[bravosfan]

Re: Winter Meetings thread

I'd be surprised (and disappointed to be honest)if the Red Sox do not come in over the top and bury that rumored Horacio Ramirez offer to Seattle. There is no reason the Red Sox should not be in the hunt for him.

That's what I'm thinking. Now that this has leaked, if it's not official there's gotta be teams lining up to make a better offer.

[rsox]

Re: Winter Meetings thread

At this point i think the Mariners are desperate to get a starting pitcher. They lost out on Jason Schmidt, Adam Eaton, Vicente Padilla and Gil Meche will definitly not be returning.
One starter they have talked to that they should have a good chance of signing is John Thomson, but even he could become in demand as the offseason moves along and teams look to fill out their rotations.

The Mariners are probably going to have to hope that Joel Piniero and Jarrod Washburn can return to past form and that Felix Hernandez continues where he left off last season and try and pick some pitchers out of the bargain bin (Ryan Drese, Joe Mays, Shawn Estes etc.) and hope they can give them something. At this point Bavasi is looking like a total fool getting punked out of every player he tries to sign.

[Brandon13]

Re: Winter Meetings thread

I'm beginning to wonder about the Soriano deal. It's been a while since that report and there's been no further confirmation.

Shanks reported it as a done deal, so there is a good chance that it isn't a done deal.

[bravosfan]

Re: Winter Meetings thread

Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says:

ANYWAY, yes, this HORACIO for SORIANO thing is very close to happening, and it would be a HUGE deal for the Braves. Unless and until Horacio develops into a stady starter, the Braves would have won that deal by getting a nasty, nasty setup guy with closer potential.

They’re still waiting word on Gonzalez’s elbow, and this Ramirez/Soriano trade would NOT preclude the other from happening. If they get both, the Braves could go from on of the worst to perhaps the BEST NL bullpen, and that’s no exaggeration. And be set at setup and closer even after 2007 when Wickman’s gone. Wow. What a day.

http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/braves/entries/2006/12/06/braves_topheavy.html

[rsox]

Re: Winter Meetings thread

Some more rumors floating around...

The Blue Jays are reportedly close to signing OF Matt Stairs

Luis Gonzalez is mulling over offers from the Cardinals, Dodgers and Orioles

The Mariners and Cubs are interested in Cliff Floyd

The Twins are trying to convince Brad Radke to play next season

The Padres are interested in Shannon Stewart to replace Dave Roberts in LF and bat leadoff

The Orioles and Giants are interested in Ryan Klesko

The Dodgers are reportedly now shopping Brad Penny

The Indians are interested in IF Chris Woodward

[mjb2124]

Re: Winter Meetings thread

Why would Gonzalez be content as a LOOGY/set-up guy when he has a closers job with the Pirates? I can understand getting Soriano here, but Gonzalez is a bit of a head scratcher.

Gonzalez really doesn't have a choice in the matter. I think he'd be happy to get out of the Pirates organization though. What's the point of a closer when the team is rarely leading after 9?


Oddly enough, I saw one person on a Pirates board state that if the deal goes through, the Pirates gave up too much for Laroche. Amazing. I already know this guy isn't the smartest person I've ever talked to, but this one takes the cake.

[bravosfan]

Re: Winter Meetings thread

You just better hope LaRoche brings his ADD medicine.

[mjb2124]

Re: Winter Meetings thread

You just better hope LaRoche brings his ADD medicine.

Ironically, that was the main reason this guy didn't want him and thought it was a bad trade for the Pirates (that and he's an idiot). He stated that Giles got fed up with LaRoche because he had to keep reminding him how many outs there were and that LaRoche was always thinking about hunting during the games. I don't know if there's any truth to that.

My comment to him was to look at LaRoche's stats last year. Doesn't appear his ADD had much affect on him, but I don't really know as I haven't seen enough of the guy.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Winter Meetings thread

Yeah, that crazy Adam, he can get pretty wild!

[SPTO]

Re: Winter Meetings thread

Rsox the Stairs to Toronto deal is done. They're just not announcing it until after the Rule V draft tomorrow.

Anyways here's a Toronto-centric post so if you don't care about them then don't read on:

• Jeff Blair of the Toronto Globe and Mail spoke to JP Ricciardi at 2:30 and asked about Meche. JP's response: "my gut tells me we're not getting him."
  
• At 6:30 Blair spoke to Jays management and it appears they're making a late charge at Meche after talks between Meche and the Cubs broke off.
  
• We will know within a couple of hours if Meche is a Blue Jay or not.

Now for the Doomsday Scenario:

If the Jays lose out on Meche they have to find a pitcher and BADLY. The Jays need to replace 200 innings and the general consensus is that if Josh Towers is within spitting distance of the Rogers Centre then the Jays' chances of the playoffs are kaput.

Seeing that they need to get pitching Blair speculated that if no Meche then they'll go to the Rockies and offer OF Reed Johnson and some spare parts for SP Jason Jennings.

If THAT doesn't work out then it's truly desperation time. Another speculated trade idea would be sending OF Vernon Wells to the Dodgers for C Russ Martin, an OF and a young SP who's had ML experience.

Either way, if the Jays don't sign Meche this would be the time for rival GMs to call on JP for Vernon Wells as the Jays would be desperate to get starting pitching and a bat in return.

In closing, JP has made a huge gamble here and if goes Snake Eyes then it's going to be a LOOONG season for him and the Jays both in the standings and in the public perception of JP's job performance.

[bravosfan]

Re: Winter Meetings thread

Ironically, that was the main reason this guy didn't want him and thought it was a bad trade for the Pirates (that and he's an idiot). He stated that Giles got fed up with LaRoche because he had to keep reminding him how many outs there were and that LaRoche was always thinking about hunting during the games. I don't know if there's any truth to that.

My comment to him was to look at LaRoche's stats last year. Doesn't appear his ADD had much affect on him, but I don't really know as I haven't seen enough of the guy.

I don't remember the Giles story, but LaRoche has actually admitted that he sometimes forgets how many outs there are.

He's also been prone to some "boneheaded" plays that some have blamed on his ADD. There was a play last year against Washington where there was a ball grounded to him, and he just casually jogged to 1st with his head down, all the while Nick Johnson is busting it down the line and beats LaRoche to the bag.

Nats ended up scoring like 4 or 5 runs after that and the Braves lost the game.

He's actually a very good defensive first baseman, but occasionally he'll just have a lapse. Don't know if that's ADD or just a regular screw-up...

FWIW, his offense really picked up when he started taking the ADD meds.

[mjb2124]

Re: Winter Meetings thread

I don't remember the Giles story, but LaRoche has actually admitted that he sometimes forgets how many outs there are.

He's also been prone to some "boneheaded" plays that some have blamed on his ADD. There was a play last year against Washington where there was a ball grounded to him, and he just casually jogged to 1st with his head down, all the while Nick Johnson is busting it down the line and beats LaRoche to the bag.

Nats ended up scoring like 4 or 5 runs after that and the Braves lost the game.

He's actually a very good defensive first baseman, but occasionally he'll just have a lapse. Don't know if that's ADD or just a regular screw-up...

FWIW, his offense really picked up when he started taking the ADD meds.

Thanks for the info! I'd still be very happy if the trade went through. The Pirates need the offense and LaRoche would fill one of their voids nicely. I hate to see Gonzo get traded as he's been pretty darn good over the years, but ya gotta trade talent to get talent.