The Hot Stove League Thread

[SPTO]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

I'm hopeful for Francona but I think It will be Maddux because Theo and Jed they seem to like pitching Coaches based on their history. Just my Gut.

Mike Maddux would be a very interesting choice as manager. I can actually see it. He'd probably make decisions 10x better than Ron Washington as well. Maddux would give the Cubs pitchers some accountability and spread the gospel of working through rough patches rather than slavishly sticking to pitch counts.

I think Furcal would be brought into play 2nd base in Toronto, since Kelly Johnson is a free agent and I don't think they are very high on him. Escobar is still there and one of the best shortstops in the game.

Bang on, Escobar isn't a natural lead off guy but his OBP and what he brings at the plate is also a huge asset. I do think that he needed a change in atmosphere though as Cox and Chipper probably made life difficult for him. Escobar has developed a great rapore with Bautista as they constantly talk to each other on the field or on the bench. It's quite neat to watch actually. Even when Escobar was backsliding towards bad habits in the field that he developed in Atlanta he was coached back up in a way that didn't make him feel like it was all his fault and he was costing the team.

The Blue Jays really did their homework in acquiring him IMO.

[CabreraMVP]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

The Blue Jays really did their homework in acquiring him IMO.

Can't believe they got him so cheap. He has great range and his arm is so very strong also. And offensively he's so solid, driving the ball the other way. and hitting .300. I loved him ever since he came up in '07. I thought Atlanta messed up big time from day 1.

He's always been kind of a "hot dog" as they say, but he can play.

[philliesfan136]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

Phillies agree to terms with Jim Thome on a one-year deal.

[Chaos81]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

Those talks stalled when the Braves, after offering to include infielder Martin Prado, asked the Royals to surrender minor-league outfielders Lorenzo Cain and Wil Myers.

Yay!

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/11/04/3248127/royals-efforts-to-acquire-the.html

[Dog]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

Jim Thome to Phils

[CabreraMVP]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

Hopefully somebody reminds Thome to go buy a glove, I don't think he has one anymore.

Edit: Last time he played more than 3 games at first base was 2005.

[rdnk]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

Just what we need, to have to face our mistake (trading Jurrjens) multiple times a year. Although maybe the Royals see a chance in the AL Central, I think they have the bats, they just need MLB ready pitching. As a Lions fan, I know how they feel.

[Reaman]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

So Jim Thome will get the chance to get his revenge on Ryan SUBWAY Howard.

[The Big Squeezy]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

Somebody remind Thome that the NL doesn't have a DH.

[snepp]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

Somebody remind Thome that the NL doesn't have a DH.

Someone needs to remind Amaro.

[philliesfan136]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

Someone needs to remind Amaro.

Somebody remind Thome that the NL doesn't have a DH.

Somebody needs to remind the both of you that he might not even have to play 1B if the Phillies get Cuddyer too:

http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/news/Source-Thome-agrees-to-deal-with-Phils-C?blockID=588498&feedID=704

[The Kid 24]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

Phillies are at it again I see... Thome & possibly Cuddyer... Come on Doug we gotta keep up with those Phils!!

[CabreraMVP]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

Somebody needs to remind the both of you that he might not even have to play 1B if the Phillies get Cuddyer too:

http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-ph...498&feedID=704

Then Thome would be a pinch hitter?

[philliesfan136]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

Then Thome would be a pinch hitter?

That's what I'm hearing. Utley, Howard, Rollins, and Vic are the only LH hitters in the starting lineup so Thome helps there but also as a late-inning spark, a good clubhouse guy, and a mentor to the team's younger players.

I've also read that Thome is gonna use some ST time to work on playing 1B again though.

[roadman]

Re: The Hot Stove League Thread

Do we know that for sure though? Prince is going to be around for 20 million a season. Look around the league, Cabrera, Gonzalez, Texeria, Howard, etc. (all the elite first basemen) are making right around 20 million per season.

And it sounds like Reyes is going to get 20 million, or extremely close to it. I would be weary on him. He's so attractive with his skill set, but he hasn't played close to a full season in 4 years and his legs are shot.

Lets say Reyes starts off his 1st year with like 17-18 million...and Fielder is at 21 or 22. Wouldn't the Brewers just scrap together that 5 million, and keep the guy who is extremely durable/young opposed to the guy who is beaten up?

Fielder is going to get more years than Reyes, but I think they will both be in the 20 million range. And if that's the case, and the Brewers can pay that much to a player, shouldn't it be to Fielder?

Fielder rejected 5 yrs@ 20 million last year with the Brewers. He has Boras Boras for an agent. So, Prince won't stay in Milw. for an extra million or two. I've heard him and his agent are looking for around the $25 million area.

Braun told the NY Times that he was recruiting Reyes at AS break to play for the Brewers because he will cost much less than Fielder will.