The Hot Stove League Thread

[Bellsprout]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

What the **** is a Colin Balester?

[sweny5632]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

Balester is actually coming from the Nationals. Don't know too much about him though.

[rdnk]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

What the **** is a Colin Balester?

**** me I screwed up big time. I fixed it however.

[l3ulvl]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

From what I read Balester is a converted starter that did much better in relief. Should help us as in the middle innings, and I'm glad to be rid of Perry, but worth the gamble for the Nats.

[CabreraMVP]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

The Tigers top 6 bullpen arms were set already, and they are very good. Perry wasn't apart of that 6. The one guy we needed to fill out the rotation was a long reliever. Ballister is exactly that. A 4.50 ERA, good strikeout numbers, can go a few innings, what more can you expect from your long reliever?

Detroit traded a guy who didn't have a spot on their team, for a guy that plays a position they needed to fill.

Perry has a great arm, but has gotten worse every year since his good rookie campaign. He just can't throw strikes. He could still easily turn it around and be a great late inning guy for Washington.

[l3ulvl]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

Not only that, but we have a ton of guys arb eligible in 2012, Balester isn't eligible until at least 2013

[kehlis]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

I'm furious the A's traded Cahill.

I'm even more mad that I feel this is only the tip of the iceberg. Gio will probably be gone shortly as well. They had ONE thing going for this team, their pitching staff and they are getting rid of it for the sole purpose of getting a stadium.

Ridiculous.

[elTodd]

Really?

He won 2 World Series for you. Including this past year.

And then he left via free agency, which he's totally entitled to do.

What exactly did Pujols do wrong here? If you guys wanted to keep him, you should've offered him more money.

It's not like he forced his way out of St. Louis. You guys had 2 years to resign him and didn't. Be mad at the front office.

Pujols always wanted to go to free agency. He wanted to know how much he was worth.

Whether it was he who decided that, or his agent, we'll never know. But Pujols was dead set on becoming a free agent.

I for one have come to peace with the decision. I'm thankful for all he has done for the St. Louis Cardinals as well as the city. It was a pleasure to watch one of the greatest players in the history of the game in my hometown team's uniform.

I just hope this doesn't affect the Cardinals spending now. I hope they don't shell up and not make any big moves like they've been known to do.

[Mabster]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

I'm furious the A's traded Cahill.

I'm even more mad that I feel this is only the tip of the iceberg. Gio will probably be gone shortly as well. They had ONE thing going for this team, their pitching staff and they are getting rid of it for the sole purpose of getting a stadium.

Ridiculous.

Anybody not named Jemille Weeks should have their bags packed. me thinks Beane is trying to get #1 overall pick for the next three years.

[55]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

Rays lock up Matt Moore for the next 8 years.

Deal guarantees him 14 million over the next 5 years with a club option for another 3 years and 14 million.

[Chrisksaint]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

A new contract for Mike Stanton is being discussed possibly soon.

Marlins looked into the interest of Hanley Ramirez trade wise apparently

[TheMatrix31]

If I were Pujols, the difference of 30 million in offers would not deter me from re-signing in St. Louis. Especially considering the different in cost and taxes between CA and Missouri. I'd value the chance to absolutely own Baseball Heaven for the rest of my life over that increase. But hey, that's me. I'm not one of the best ever and he is. He has the chance to make such a decision.

That said, I'm glad that he took the increase and went to Anaheim rather than Florida. Baseball-wise anyway , it's a much better situation. And those saying Anaheim would regret it in five or six years are wrong. Assuming health (which you can't), even if his production "goes down", he will be chasing Bonds and various other records. The draw will be unbelievable and the team will make loads and loads of cash off it.



.... I'd probably kill myself if I were an As fan. This sell/trade-off of pitchers and players is disgusting.

[CabreraMVP]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

Just read that the Tigers are Dotel's 13th team, which is an MLB Record. #nowyouknow

[SoxFan01605]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

Furcal agrees to 2 year deal with the Cards

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/12/cardinals-furcal-agree-to-two-year-deal.html

[kodiak]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

The reason STL fans are upset is not because he left but what he said over the course of the last couple of seasons. "I want to retire a Cardinal, it's not about the money", etc.

Now I've said before that equal blame goes to the front office for not getting a deal done, but as was stated, ultimately Pujols was going to become a FA. But 10 yrs would never work in the NL for a 31+ player.

As a baseball fan, this sucks because outside of maybe Mauer and Kemp, gone are the days of stars staying on the same team their entire career. Once Jeter and Mo retire, gone are the days of Ripken, Brett, Mattingly.