MLB 2010-2011 Off Season Thread

[Splaya]

Official Thread...yeah. Mad props go out to Lincecum and Posey.

What do you think are the big stories headed into the off season?

[Splaya]

Oh yeah, congrats Giants

[YOUR Hero]

Cliff Lee can't win when it matters the most.

[YOUR Hero]

...so off to the Yankees he goes.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah, Lee is definitely going to the Yankees. People will make excuses ala Sabathia as to why he won't go there, but the money will talk.</font>

[Innovator]

And your 2011 free agents are...



First Basemen
Lance Berkman NYY *
Russell Branyan SEA
Adam Dunn WAS
Jason Giambi COL
Troy Glaus ATL
Aubrey Huff SF
Nick Johnson NYY *
Paul Konerko CWS
Mark Kotsay CWS
Derrek Lee ATL
Adam LaRoche ARZ
Mike Lowell BOS
David Ortiz BOS *
Lyle Overbay TOR
Carlos Pena TB
Mike Sweeney PHI
Jim Thome MIN
Ty Wigginton BAL

Second Basemen
Willie Bloomquist CIN
David Eckstein SD
Mark Ellis OAK *
Orlando Hudson MIN
Adam Kennedy WAS
Akinori Iwamura OAK
Jose Lopez SEA *
Julio Lugo BAL
Kaz Matsui COL
Aaron Miles STL

Shortstops
Orlando Cabrera CIN *
Craig Counsell MIL
Alex Gonzalez ATL *
Cristian Guzman TEX
J.J. Hardy MIN
Jerry Hairston Jr. SD
Omar Infante ATL *
Cesar Izturis BAL
Derek Jeter NYY
Jhonny Peralta DET *
Edgar Renteria SF *
Jose Reyes NYM *
Jimmy Rollins PHI *
Juan Uribe SF
Ramon Vazquez HOU
Chris Woodward SEA

Third Basemen
Garrett Atkins FA
Adrian Beltre BOS *
Geoff Blum HOU
Miguel Cairo CIN
Jorge Cantu TEX
Eric Chavez OAK *
Pedro Feliz STL
Bill Hall BOS *
Brandon Inge DET
Maicer Izturis LAA
Melvin Mora COL
Nick Punto MIN *
Aramis Ramirez CHC *
Miguel Tejada SD
Chad Tracy FLA
Omar Vizquel CWS

Catchers
Brad Ausmus LAD
Rod Barajas LAD
Josh Bard SEA
Henry Blanco NYM
John Buck TOR
Ramon Castro CWS
Ramon Hernandez CIN
Reed Johnson LAD
Gerald Laird DET
Jason LaRue STL
Victor Martinez BOS
Chad Moeller NYY
Jose Molina TOR
Miguel Olivo COL *
A.J. Pierzynski CWS
David Ross ATL
Yorvit Torrealba SD *
Matt Treanor TEX
Jason Varitek BOS
Gregg Zaun MIL *

Outfielders
Alfredo Amezaga LAD
Rick Ankiel ATL *
Rocco Baldelli TB
Pat Burrell SF
Frank Catalanotto FA
Carl Crawford TB
Coco Crisp OAK *
Michael Cuddyer MIN *
Johnny Damon DET
Jim Edmonds CIN
Jody Gerut SD
Jay Gibbons LAD
Vladimir Guerrero TEX *
Jose Guillen SF
Bill Hall BOS
Willie Harris WAS
Brad Hawpe TB
Eric Hinske ATL
Brad Hawpe TB
Andruw Jones CWS
Gabe Kapler TB
Austin Kearns NYY
Jason Kubel MIN *
Hideki Matsui LAA
Kevin Mench WAS
Xavier Nady CHC
Magglio Ordonez DET *
Corey Patterson BAL
Jay Payton COL
Scott Podsednik LAD
Manny Ramirez CWS
Matt Stairs SD
Fernando Tatis NYM
Marcus Thames NYY
Jayson Werth PHI
Randy Winn STL

Starting Pitchers
Bronson Arroyo CIN *
Erik Bedard SEA *
Kris Benson ARZ
Jeremy Bonderman DET
David Bush MIL
Chris Capuano MIL
Bruce Chen KC
Kevin Correia SD
Doug Davis MIL
Jorge De La Rosa COL
Justin Duchscherer OAK
Jeff Francis COL *
Freddy Garcia CWS
Jon Garland SD *
Aaron Harang CIN *
Rich Harden TEX *
Hiroki Kuroda LAD
Cliff Lee TEX
Ted Lilly LAD
Braden Looper MIL
Rodrigo Lopez ARZ
Noah Lowry SF
Kevin Millwood BAL
Brian Moehler HOU
Jamie Moyer PHI
Vicente Padilla LAD
Carl Pavano MIN
Brad Penny STL
Andy Pettitte NYY
Nate Robertson PHI
Ben Sheets OAK
Ian Snell SEA *
Jeff Suppan STL
Hisanori Takahashi NYM
Javier Vazquez NYY
Brandon Webb ARI
Jake Westbrook STL
Dontrelle Willis SF
Chris Young SD *

Relief Pitchers
Jeremy Affeldt SF
Grant Balfour TB
Miguel Batista WAS
Joe Beimel COL
Joaquin Benoit TB
Randy Choate TB
Jose Contreras PHI
Jesse Crain MIN
Elmer Dessens NYM
Octavio Dotel COL *
Scott Downs TOR
Chad Durbin PHI
Kelvim Escobar NYM
Kyle Farnsworth ATL
Pedro Feliciano NYM
Randy Flores MIN
Frank Francisco TEX
Jason Frasor TOR
Brian Fuentes MIN
Chad Gaudin NYY
Kevin Gregg TOR
Matt Guerrier MIN
Mike Hampton ARZ
Aaron Heilman ARZ
Mark Hendrickson BAL *
Trevor Hoffman MIL *
Mike Lincoln CIN
Mike MacDougal STL
Ron Mahay MIN
Guillermo Mota SF
Will Ohman FLA
Darren Oliver TEX *
Chan Ho Park PIT
J.J. Putz CWS
Chad Qualls TB
Jon Rauch MIN
Dennys Reyes STL
Arthur Rhodes CIN
David Riske FA
Mariano Rivera NYY
J.C. Romero PHI *
Bobby Seay DET
Scot Shields LAA
Brian Shouse TB
Rafael Soriano TB
Jorge Sosa FLA
Russ Springer CIN
Matt Thornton CWS *
Koji Uehara BAL
Jeff Weaver LAD
Dan Wheeler TB
Kerry Wood NYY *
Jamey Wright SEA

[Triple Naitch]

I hope the Red Sox get Carl Crawford. Can't see them re-signing V-Mart if he really wants 5 years.

[Loose Cannon]

what's the star mean?

[Innovator]

players whos current contract includes an option for this year.

[Boomer]

I think it means they have an option the teams can pick up. The Braves are almost certain to pick up A-Gon's, just because its cheap.

[Splaya]

U can take inge off the list as he reupped with Detroit for like 2 years 11 million

[Innovator]

Anyone want Joba?

[McLegend]

I really hope Padres and the Royals make the World Series. Everyone will want to see that exciting matchup.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>In an odd contractual clause, the Mets only have until Friday to re-sign Hisanori Takahashi or else they wouldn't be allowed to re-sign him until May 15th.

I want him back but I just can't see Alderson giving him the 2 years he is seeking. Hoping he'll settle for 1 with a vesting option.</font>

[OssMan]

Looking for the NATS to sign some big names this year :y: :y: :y: :y: :mad: :wavesad:

[ClockShot]

A day after the World Series, the one of many "all hell breaks loose" news days. Let's get right down to it.

Yorvit Torrealba declines his end of the option for the Padres. Which leads us to.....

Padres picking up Adrian Gonzalez's $6.2 mil. option for '11. As of right now, the sole person on the team.

Tigers decline Jhonny Peralta's option.

The Red Sox hire Curt Young as their new pitching coach.

Brewers hire Ron Roenicke as manager. I thought Bobby Valentine had it all locked up.
They also decline the options of Trevor Hoffman, Gregg Zaun, and Doug Davis.

White Sox excercise Scott Podsednik's option. But he has the option to take it, or become a free agent. White Sox also re-sign Omar Vizquel to a 1-year, $1.75 mil. deal. He's 44 in April.

Yankees outright Chad Gaudin and Royce Ring.

Mets hire J.P. Riccardi as a special assistant to Sandy Alderson.

D'Backs decline Adam LaRoche's option.

and finally....

Marlins hire Edwin Rodriguez as manager.

[Aguakate]

The most intriguing story, to me, is who will become the new Mets manager. I want to see if Joe Torre gets hired, or if Bobby Valentine gets another crack.

[McLegend]

Going to The Mets would be a moronic move for Joe Torre. He would become exposed.

I wouldn't be surprised if he got the job though.

[McLegend]

Also the Mets would have to pay Joe Torre some ridiclious amount of money. It would be a terrible move for The Mets to.

So it probably will happen.

[Aguakate]

Joe Torre shouldn't manage again. Bobby Valentine should get another crack at managing the Mets with Sandy Alderson as GM. The team needs a person who will come in and energize them, who will give 'em a kick in the pants when needed, and a person who can handle the New York spotlight.

[Triple Naitch]

Mets are gonna hire a no-name guy. They don't want anybody bigger than the team.

[Jeritron]

I hope the Red Sox don't get Carl Crawford. He'd be a great addition, but I'd much rather see them add other players.
Either way they need to make some serious pick-ups and changes

[McLegend]

I want 2 right handed bats and Davy Lopes to come back and or be resigned.

Don't understand why they can't pay Davy Lopes 250-300k to be 1st base Coach.

[Jeritron]

I wish Adrian Gonzalez was coming to Boston. I'd be happy with Adam Dunn too

[Droford]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hd3qdc3nWUA/SkwFFbWkpbI/AAAAAAAANw4/2OdU1utzCMI/s400/90presleybk.jpg

Orioles new Hitting Coach (replaces the Crow, Terry Crowley who needed to go)

[Triple Naitch]

I want 2 right handed bats and Davy Lopes to come back and or be resigned.

Don't understand why they can't pay Davy Lopes 250-300k to be 1st base Coach.

This is a fucking crime. How do you not pay this guy $300k when Sam Perlozzo makes that much being an awful 3rd base coach.

[McLegend]

Yeah it's pretty stupid.

[Joey Slugs]

Red Sox pick Ortiz' $12.5M option for 2011

[Triple Naitch]

RIP Sparky Anderson

[Skippord]

I hope Giambi stays with the Rockies so badly

[Loose Cannon]

so am I hearing this right, Jeter's asking for 6 years right now? lol, maybe 4 as a player and 2 as a bench coach

[Innovator]

Yeah does the last 2-3 years include time as the manager?

[Loose Cannon]

they'll work it out. you know his agent is coming in high.

[Dragon]

Anything more than 3 years is crazy. 2 would be ideal.

I imagine they'll offer something around 15M a year. If he honestly thinks that's a slap in the face (which would not surprise me) then it'll get messy. Hal already said the deal has to be good for both sides, so they aren't handing him a blank check.

There's not any other team out there offering Jeter 10M or more a year. Not with his age, defense and year he had offensively last year.

[ClockShot]

R.I.P. Sparky Anderson.

Rangers decline Vlad's option. They also give Ron Washington a 2-year extension.

Award dates have been announced.

Nov. 9th: AL Gold Gloves.
Nov. 10th: NL Gold Gloves & Silver Sluggers.
Nov. 15th: Rookie of the Year, both AL and NL.
Nov. 16th: NL Cy Young & Manager of the Year.
Nov. 17th: AL Manager of the Year.
Nov. 18th: AL Cy Young Award.
Nov. 22nd: NL MVP.
Nov. 23rd: AL MVP.

[Nicky Fives]

Congratulations New York Mets fans..... good luck with J.P. Ricciardi..... at least in NY he'll have more money to blow on useless players....

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Sparky :(

[Emperor Smeat]

Giants bought out Renteria's contract for $500,000 instead of taking the $9.5 million option he would have received for next season. Renteria isn't upset since he was considering retiring anyways and the team gets to save $9 million for next year.

[ClockShot]

Blue Jays aquire Miguel Olivo from the Rockies for cash or PTBNL. And shortly after, they declined his option.

Hmmm. Bit of a head scratcher.

[Innovator]

Word on the street is that the Yanks really want to bring up "Baby" Jesus Montero.

[McLegend]

How was Sparky Anderson only 76 years old?

[Triple Naitch]

Blue Jays aquire Miguel Olivo from the Rockies for cash or PTBNL. And shortly after, they declined his option.

Hmmm. Bit of a head scratcher.

The Blue Jays will get a draft pick for him if another team signs him. They pretty much bought an extra pick in the draft.

[FakeLaser]

I want Lee but I'm afraid that he's going to want 6 years or something ridiculous.

[YOUR Hero]

Sad news to hear about Sparky Anderson.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Hisanori Takahashi will not return to the Mets in 2011 :(

Gonna miss him, but I applaud Sandy for not caving in and giving a multi-year deal to a reliever who will be 36 by Opening Day</font>

[Loose Cannon]

yea, I thought Sparky was in his 90's. his hair was white in his 30's.

[Loose Cannon]

I want Lee but I'm afraid that he's going to want 6 years or something ridiculous.

that's what I'm thinking.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Mets are interviewing a shitload of candidates for manager. Seems like teams rarely interview this many guys:

Wally Backman*
Terry Collins*
Chip Hale*
Clint Hurdle
Dave Jauss*
Bob Melvin*
Ken Oberkfell*
Don Wakamatsu

* = Internal candidate

A lot of internal interviews, which is fine as there aren't too many external choices I'd want (I heard Ken Macha mentioned but thankfully he hasn't set up an interview) plus I figure the new GM wants to talk to everybody currently in the organization.

Backman is the one I want most, but the only ones I really don't want are Melvin or Collins.

Unfortunately, I feel like Melvin is the front-runner along with Hurdle and Wakamatsu. Sounds like Alderson wants a manager with recent big league managing experience so they are the only ones that fit. I guess I have to trust him...but ugh, Melvin.</font>

[ClockShot]

Open Season on all free agents kicks off in roughly 8 hours.

CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>So glad they changed the rules this year. There used to be a period of like 2 weeks after the World Series where teams had exclusive rights to sign their free agents. Would be boring as hell, glad it got shrunk to 5.</font>

[Emperor Smeat]

Giants want to resign Huff and Uribe but won't do it as soon as free agency starts since they want to see how much interest both players have to return with the team.

Jeter will enter free agency just to raise his new contract's value since one of the problems involve the Yankees refusing to let him match the age A-Rod is allowed (39 vs 42) and a clause that demotes him in the lineup.

Cliff Lee is expected to only last until the December meetings before being delt and the Yankees are going to be the first team to talk to him the minute free agency starts.

[ClockShot]

Bidding for the services for Hisashi Iwakuma has closed. And reports are coming out that the Rangers, Mariners, and the A's have submitted bids. The Golden Eagles were looking for $16-$17 mil. to talk, and Iwakuma prefers the west coast.

Tigers and Jhonny Peralta are close to a 2-year, $11.25 mil. deal.

And finally, the Astros have came out and said they won't try to bring Lance Berkman back.

[glanville6]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hd3qdc3nWUA/SkwFFbWkpbI/AAAAAAAANw4/2OdU1utzCMI/s400/90presleybk.jpg

Orioles new Hitting Coach (replaces the Crow, Terry Crowley who needed to go)

Looking at his stats- should be able to teach the fine art of striking out and not walking. Not that anyone could help the Orioles anyway

[glanville6]

I'm still totally pissed the Cubs hired Quade and not Sandberg. Super pissed. Again, not that anyone could help the Cubs.

[Aguakate]

I'm still totally pissed the Cubs hired Quade and not Sandberg. Super pissed. Again, not that anyone could help the Cubs.

It's mind-boggling. Sandberg asks Hendry what he has to do in order to someday manage the Cubs, so he starts managing Class A ball, moves up to Doble A, then goes to Triple A, takes the team to the playoffs, gets named Manager of the Year...and then when the managerial opening materlializes...he doesn't get the job. It's a slap to the face, really. He's a former All Star, is a Hall of Famer, spent his whole career with the Cubs, yet they don't even give him a chance.

[Triple Naitch]

Anybody wanna play tpww Free Agent Frenzy? Choose where you think these guys will wind up.

Cliff Lee
Carl Crawford
Jayson Werth
Adrian Beltre
Adam Dunn
Victor Martinez
Rafael Soriano
Mariano Rivera
Derek Jeter
Paul Konerko
Hiroki Kuroda
Jorge de la Rosa
Carl Pavano
Jake Westbrook
Aubrey Huff
Juan Uribe
Carlos Pena
Jim Thome
Vlad Guerrero
Manny Ramirez
Magglio Ordonez
Orlando Hudson
Derrek Lee
Lance Berkman
Andy Pettite
John Buck
Javier Vazquez
Brian Fuentes
Adam LaRoche
Brandon Webb
Miguel Tejada
Jason Varitek

Include some other ones you can think of.

[RoXer]

Cliff Lee - Cleveland
Carl Crawford - Kansas City
Jayson Werth - San Diego
Adrian Beltre - Washington
Adam Dunn - Seattle
Victor Martinez - Japan
Rafael Soriano - Milwaukee
Mariano Rivera - Oakland
Derek Jeter - Pittsburgh
Paul Konerko - Isn't he dead?
Hiroki Kuroda - Milwaukee
Jorge de la Rosa - Toronto
Carl Pavano - San Diego
Jake Westbrook - Dodgers
Aubrey Huff - Retired
Juan Uribe - San Francisco
Carlos Pena - White Sox
Jim Thome - Arizona
Vlad Guerrero - Retires
Manny Ramirez - Pittsburgh
Magglio Ordonez - Kansas City
Orlando Hudson - Arizona
Derrek Lee - Cubs
Lance Berkman - Seattle
Andy Pettite - Kansas City
John Buck - Toronto
Javier Vazquez - Detroit
Brian Fuentes - Florida
Adam LaRoche - Detroit
Brandon Webb - Kansas City
Miguel Tejada - Toronto
Jason Varitek - San Francisco

[RoXer]

Some of those are joke answers, some are not.

Figure out which ones!

[RP]

The FA class is loaded this year. I need to Cubs to make a run at Jayson Werth. I dont think they'll get Cliff Lee, but Werth is a PTP'er as Vitale would say. Move Tyler Colvin ( the F'ing man ) to 1st base and put Werth in RF. Ship Kosuke back to japan.

[SammyG]

I look forward to the Dodgers not doing ANYTHING even though we have 20 more million to spend this offseason.

[ClockShot]

A's win the bidding for Hisashi Iwakuma.

Mets hire Paul DePodesta as V.P. of Scouting and Player Development.

[FakeLaser]

Jon Miller and Joe Morgan out as the announce team for Sunday Night Baseball. About time Morgan got the axe. Miller is ok, I guess.

[Innovator]

the "Fire Joe Morgan" campaign won out.

[Innovator]

Joe Morgan, Wade Phillips, who's next to go? Norv Turner better watch his ass

[FakeLaser]

Mets making some nice front office moves.

[ClockShot]

Hall of Fame Veterans Committee ballot has been released.

THE BOSS George M. Steinbrenner III
Billy Martin
Marvin Miller
Vida Blue
Dave Concepcion
Steve Garvey
Ron Guidry
Tommy John
Al Oliver
Ted Simmons
Rusty Staub
Pat Gillick

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Liking the front office moves the Mets have made. Also liking the way Alderson has been up front about the fact that he won't be spending much money this offseason. I don't blame him. Next offseason will be fun with the horrendous Perez and Castillo contracts off the books, plus Beltran and likely K-Rod.</font>

[FakeLaser]

The Boss and Marvin Miller should both be in. Can't see any of those players getting in. I guess Tommy John is famous for his surgery and he did win 288 games. I don't think he's in though. Feels way too much like a "counting stats" guy, who didn't even reach the big 300.

Billy Martin was a great manager, I'm a Yankee fan though so of course I am sort of biased towards him. Definitely a "famous" figure in baseball though. Lots of demons that kind of work against him.

Vida Blue had some HOF quality years but not enough of them. Concepcion was a great shortstop but not great enough. Steve Garvey is solid but doesn't have any of the numbers. Gator had some filthy years but again, not enough of them. No way Al Oliver or Rusty Staub have a chance. Ted Simmons maybe because he's a catcher with decent numbers and a lot of longevity which counts a lot at such a physically demanding position. I still don't think he's a HoFer though.

Pat Gillick maybe has a chance. Kind of hard to evalute GMs for the HOF. He pretty much made baseball in Canada, putting together those great Blue Jay teams wthat won 2 World Series, oversaw the Orioles before they started to suck, lead the Mariners to their ridiculous 120 win season and won another World Series with the Phillies, who are now an NL juggernaut. Not a bad GM to consider... pretty much everything he has touched has turned into absolute gold.

[McLegend]

If Pat Gillick doesn't get into the Hall of Fame then the Hall of Fame is really dumb.

[FakeLaser]

Cliff Lee - Yankees
Carl Crawford - Angels
Jayson Werth - Red Sox
Adrian Beltre - Red Sox
Adam Dunn - Cubs
Victor Martinez - Red Sox
Rafael Soriano - Diamondbacks
Mariano Rivera - Yankees
Derek Jeter - Yankees
Paul Konerko - White Sox
Hiroki Kuroda - Dodgers
Jorge de la Rosa - Nationals
Carl Pavano - Twins
Jake Westbrook - Cardinals
Aubrey Huff - Giants
Juan Uribe - Giants
Carlos Pena - Nationals
Jim Thome - Rangers
Vlad Guerrero - Rays
Manny Ramirez - A's
Magglio Ordonez - White Sox
Orlando Hudson - Cardinals
Derrek Lee - Orioles
Lance Berkman - Blue Jays
Andy Pettite - Yankees
John Buck - Blue Jays
Javier Vazquez - Nationals
Brian Fuentes - Pirates
Adam LaRoche - Orioles
Brandon Webb - Nationals
Miguel Tejada - Padres
Jason Varitek - Red Sox

[ClockShot]

Moreso the vets who get to vote on this ballot, Legend.

Which is made up of:

Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Whitey Herzog, Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer, Tony Perez, Frank Robinson, Ryne Sandberg and Ozzie Smith are on the veterans committee with Chicago White Sox (http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/chw/chicago-white-sox) owner Jerry Reinsdorf, Baltimore Orioles (http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/bal/baltimore-orioles) President Andy MacPhail, former Phillies owner Bill Giles, Royals owner David Glass, Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun, Tim Kurkjian of ESPN, Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated and retired Los Angeles Times reporter Ross Newhan.

[Loose Cannon]

Jon Miller and Joe Morgan out as the announce team for Sunday Night Baseball. About time Morgan got the axe. Miller is ok, I guess.

:( this sucks. really liked both of them. they've been there forever that it will be weird watching without them.

[Loose Cannon]

yea, and no player on that HOF list is really worthy enough to get in

[Emperor Smeat]

ESPN source inside the Yankees are saying the team will overpay for Jeter and expect it to be a "Ryan Howard"/mega-bucks type boost compared to his declining stats.

Red Sox officially join the Jayson Werth bidding war and expect to go hard to get him after other teams joined in the bidding. If they do get him, Cameroon might end up as the 4th outfielder or Ellsbury gets released since he's in arbitration.

Former Mariners manager, Wakamatsu, joins the Blue Rays for next season.

[Aguakate]

Jon Miller and Joe Morgan out as the announce team for Sunday Night Baseball. About time Morgan got the axe. Miller is ok, I guess.

Wow, horrible. It won't be the same watching Sunday Night Basebll without those two.

Regarding the Veteran's Committee Hall of Fame Ballot, it would only be fitting that George Steinbrenner goes in with Billy Martin.

[DaveWadding]

What the hell. How can Santo not be on the Veteran's Committee ballot? Fucking hate the Hall.

[Aguakate]

What the hell. How can Santo not be on the Veteran's Committee ballot? Fucking hate the Hall.

It's going to be very, very sad if Ron Santo dies and THEN gets elected to the HOF, after all the heartache he has gone through the last couple of years trying to get in and not getting the nod. If he doesn't get elected when he's alive, and when he's able to actually attend the Induction Ceremony, and when he's able to see the fruits of his patience, then they shouldn't elect him at all after he dies, because it would have no sense. Same goes for Pete Rose, by the way.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Reds are going to give Arroyo two more years on his deal for about $26 million. Ehhhhhhh I'm not so sure. I love Bronson and everything he brings to the table, but $13 million a year seems really expensive for a guy who's going to be 37 at the end of the deal and it's entirely possible that in two years he won't even be one of the 5 best starting pitchers on the team.

[Skippord]

that seems like a lot for Arroyo

[The Gold Standard]

Derek Lowe is owed $30 mil over the next 2 years and is 38. The Braves are looking to trade him. Are there any teams looking at Lowe.

I mean I know he is old and has a horrible contract, but the guy is still a decent pitcher. Since he was a relief pitcher in the beginning of his career, he doesn't have as much stress on his arm that a normal 38 year old pitcher has.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>AL Gold Gloves:

P Mark Buehrle
C Joe Mauer
1B Mark Teixeira
2B Robinson Cano
3B Evan Longoria
SS Derek Jeter
OF Ichiro Suzuki
OF Franklin Gutierrez
OF Carl Crawford

lol Jeter again. Joke award.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Not saying Buehrle isn't a great fielder, but him winning it was obvious with the way everybody whored his Opening Day play. He probably has it locked up for however long he continues pitching ala Maddux.</font>

[Emperor Smeat]

<font color=goldenrod>AL Gold Gloves:

P Mark Buehrle
C Joe Mauer
1B Mark Teixeira
2B Robinson Cano
3B Evan Longoria
SS Derek Jeter
OF Ichiro Suzuki
OF Franklin Gutierrez
OF Carl Crawford

lol Jeter again. Joke award.</font>

If Youkilis didn't get hurt near the end of the season, he probably would have taken the award at 1B.

SS is the only spot where it should have been someone else. If anything it gets Jeter a few more millions out of his new deal.

[Triple Naitch]

Buehrle deserved the award. It's his third Glove. He's proven he is the best at his position, fielding wise, in the league.

[Loose Cannon]

that play he made like a couple games into the season was insane

[Supreme Olajuwon]

To be fair, no shortstop played gold glove defense in the AL this year. Maybe Alexei Ramirez. But there's no way Jeter deserved it.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

BTW Yankees fans, the guy with the best defensive metrics in the league, Brett Gardner, didn't win a gold glove.

[Triple Naitch]

Jeter actually led AL shortstops in fielding percentage this year, was 8th in Range Factor, and 2nd in Zone Rating. This may have been the one year he actually deserved it.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

He also turned in a -1.1 dWAR and a -4.7 UZR. He was well below average.

[McLegend]

Yeah Derek Jeter isn't good at SS.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

His defensive WAR was the 24th worst in the majors. Or to put it another way, his defensive WAR was 1,134th best in the majors.

GOLD GLOVE

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah. Ridiculous. He'll probably keep getting Gold Gloves after he's retired.</font>

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2010-specialpos_ss-fielding.shtml#players_standard_fielding::13

[Evil Vito]

Buehrle deserved the award. It's his third Glove. He's proven he is the best at his position, fielding wise, in the league.

<font color=goldenrod>He did deserve it. I'm just saying the award is so fickle that some voters probably penciled his name in for Gold Glove automatically after it.

Hell, BSPN labeled it the play of the year.....on Opening Day. Every Web Gem for the rest of the year was compared to it.</font>

[McLegend]

Obviously being The Captain of Yankees is the number 1 reason he wins Gold gloves. Number 2 reason probably is because can many people even name another AL Shortstop? I have a lot of trouble trying to.

[Triple Naitch]

Jeter will make one sick play all year and the managers will all agree that he deserves the award. Buehrle may be a victim of this too though.

[Dragon]

Jeter definitely didn't hit well enough this year to deserve another GG.

[Triple Naitch]

What?

[Innovator]

Yeah I don't know about the Gold Glove.

[Skippord]

might go on some kind of shooting rampage if Tulo doesn't win the Gold Glove

[Supreme Olajuwon]

He's got everything going for him. He was the best hitting shortstop in the NL this year and the guy who won the last 3 gold gloves missed half the season.

Also he's a really good fielder, but that never matters much when they vote for GGs.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

The way the gold gloves usually work out, Jay Bruce won't win one this year because he's not a name. They'll probably give Justin Upton one cause he's pretty well known. But after that I have no idea who's gonna get the OF spots. Angel Pagan deserves it but he's a no namer too.

Probably give one to stupid ass Shane Victorino because everyone knows who he is.

[McLegend]

He is a stupid ass.

[Adder]

Cliff Lee - Phillies
Carl Crawford - Angels
Jayson Werth - Boston
Adrian Beltre - Angels
Adam Dunn - Texas
Victor Martinez - Boston
Rafael Soriano - Tampa
Mariano Rivera - Yankees
Derek Jeter - Yankees
Paul Konerko - ChiSox
Hiroki Kuroda - Pittsburgh
Jorge de la Rosa - Toronto
Carl Pavano - Yankees!
Jake Westbrook - San Diego
Aubrey Huff - San Fran/retire
Juan Uribe - KC
Carlos Pena - Tampa
Jim Thome - Yankees
Vlad Guerrero - Twins
Manny Ramirez - Twins
Magglio Ordonez - Cubs
Orlando Hudson - Twins
Derrek Lee - Atlanta
Lance Berkman - Angels
Andy Pettite - Yankees/retire
John Buck - Houston
Javier Vazquez - Twins
Brian Fuentes - Toronto
Adam LaRoche - Toronto
Brandon Webb - San diego
Miguel Tejada - Baltimore
Jason Varitek - Cleveland/retire

[Aguakate]

Jeter definitely didn't hit well enough this year to deserve another GG.

...Well, look at what you wrote:

"Jeter definitely didn't HIT WELL (Offense) enough this year to deserve another GG (Defense)".

The Gold Glove award is about DEFENSE, not OFFENSE...that's what the Silver Slugger Award is for.

However, i must agree Jeter didn't deserve a Gold Glove Award. He's not the best shortstop in the AL. But, his NAME is pretty big, so, he got the nod.

[Dragon]

...Well, look at what you wrote:

"Jeter definitely didn't HIT WELL (Offense) enough this year to deserve another GG (Defense)".

The Gold Glove award is about DEFENSE, not OFFENSE...that's what the Silver Slugger Award is for.

However, i must agree Jeter didn't deserve a Gold Glove Award. He's not the best shortstop in the AL. But, his NAME is pretty big, so, he got the nod.

The GG award has become about offense just as much as defense. Look at the winners this year - every one is a great hitter except probably Gutierrez. Most of those guys are solid fielders but the best at their positions? I don't think so.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

NL Gold Gloves:

P - Bronson Arroyo
C - Yadier Molina
1B - Albert Pujols
2B - Brandon Phillips
3B - Scott Rolen
SS - Troy Tulowitzki
OF - Carlos Gonzalez
OF - Michael Bourn
OF - Shane Victorino

[Droford]

Tejada isnt coming back to Baltimore.

But they do need a 3b, SS, 1B and a couple pitchers.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>NL's list makes a lot more sense, Victorino is a moron though.

Couldn't help but chuckle at the Mets fans who thought Ike Davis was actually going to win it at 1B with so much more star power at the position (not to mention the NL 1B are generally really good, deserving defenders).

Since most of the awards are voted on by the same people, I'm willing to bet that everybody who voted Votto for MVP put down Pujols for GG and vice versa. That's the way these awards work as long as the runner-up is a halfway competent defender at the same position as MVP.

So yeah, Votto as MVP = confirmed</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Royals get:
RHP Vin Mazzaro
LHP Justin Marks

Athletics get:
OF David DeJesus</font>

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Really surprised Rolen beat Zimmerman. Phillips beating Utley was a shocker too.

[Jeritron]

I think the pilot was lit on the hot stove today

[ClockShot]

Royals get:
RHP Vin Mazzaro
LHP Justin Marks

Athletics get:
OF David DeJesus

I guess Mazzaro drew the short straw. Now let's see how much Billy Beane pays up for Iwakuma.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>New Nationals uniforms:

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8678/76006463151052113565920.jpg

Bet they only switched because they couldn't spell out "Nationals" consistently.</font> :shifty:

http://www.sportsrubbish.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/washington-natinals.jpg

[glanville6]

Cliff Lee- Rangers
Carl Crawford- Angels
Jayson Werth- Red Sox
Adrian Beltre- Red Sox
Adam Dunn- Nationals
Victor Martinez- Cubs
Rafael Soriano- Braves
Mariano Rivera- Yankees
Derek Jeter- Yankees
Paul Konerko- White Sox
Hiroki Kuroda- Mariners
Jorge de la Rosa- Rockies
Carl Pavano- Twins
Jake Westbrook- Twins
Aubrey Huff- Giants
Juan Uribe- Giants
Carlos Pena- A's
Jim Thome- Twins
Vlad Guerrero- Rangers
Manny Ramirez- Indians
Magglio Ordonez- Tigers
Orlando Hudson- Reds
Derrek Lee- Cubs
Lance Berkman- Rangers
Andy Pettite- Yankees
John Buck- White Sox
Javier Vazquez- Mets
Brian Fuentes- Twins
Adam LaRoche- Orioles
Brandon Webb- Dodgers
Miguel Tejada- Pirates
Jason Varitek- Red Sox
AJ Pierzynski- Brewers
Ryan Theriot- Dodgers

Jon Garland- Cubs
Kerry Wood- Cubs
Scott Podsednik- Brewers
Johnny Damon- Royals

Thats me thinking that some players will go back to where it started- although I know Pods really started with the Mariners, but really got his start with Milwaukee. And I know Garland never pitched for the Cubs, but was drafted by them.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>The voice of the Mariners, Dave Niehaus, has died at age 75.</font>

[glanville6]

<font color=goldenrod>The voice of the Mariners, Dave Niehaus, has died at age 75.</font>

Wow. I heard the name, but I was reading this thread, I saw some Ron Santo love, and I have this preminition that he won't last that much longer, sadly. Love the guy.

RIP Dave Niehaus

[DaveWadding]

Ron Santo will live forever.

[Triple Naitch]

New Nationals uniforms:

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8678/76006463151052113565920.jpg

Bet they only switched because they couldn't spell out "Nationals" consistently. :shifty:

http://www.sportsrubbish.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/washington-natinals.jpg

I always like the DC uniforms best. Shame they got rid of them.

http://presidentsrace.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/new-nationals-uniforms-dc.jpg

[Triple Naitch]

Royce Clayton has been casted to play Miguel Tejada in the Moneyball movie.

[Loose Cannon]

Your WS Champions. LOL

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs947.snc4/74038_164902373540377_100000618471267_355499_5669098_n.jpg

[Aguakate]

Royce Clayton has been casted to play Miguel Tejada in the Moneyball movie.

What's this movie about? The Mitchell Report or something?

[Loose Cannon]

Billy Beane and his methods of building a team. and more

[Aguakate]

They should've had Miguel Tejada play...Miguel Tejada. In an early 90's Baseball movie (Little Big League, perhaps), they had Major League Baseball players as themselves.

[Triple Naitch]

Chris Pratt from Parks & Rec is gonna play Scott Hatteberg. :heart: him.

And Philip Seymour Hoffman is gonna play Art Howe.

[Aguakate]

http://i52.tinypic.com/316ks3k.jpg

http://i54.tinypic.com/34dr24h.jpg

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>A's claim Edwin Encarnacion off waivers.

So they get the worst defensive 3B in the league and now have to pay him more than Kouzmanoff who is better both offensively and defensively. That Billy Beane sure is a genius!</font>

[Droford]

The Os, Rays and Red Sox are apparently interested in Mets SS Jose Reyes but Tampa probably cant afford to eat his $11 million contract for next year and I doubt the Orioles are willing to part with enough to get him for just one year unless they can get him to agree to sign an extension (he's FA after 2011). So likely he'll be playing in Boston..yippee

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I highly doubt that Sandy trades away Reyes. He'd have to be overwhelmed.</font>

[Aguakate]

<font color=goldenrod>I highly doubt that Sandy trades away Reyes. He'd have to be overwhelmed.</font>

Remember that during his tenure with the A's, that's what Alderson did, trade away the good players. So this would be right up his alley.

[Droford]

I highly doubt that Sandy trades away Reyes. He'd have to be overwhelmed.

Sources tell Matt Pignataro of 7 Train to Shea that the Mets "have put out word to teams" that Jose Reyes is available and will look to trade him at the upcoming winter meetings.

It's easy to be skeptical here, but despite a down year, Reyes remains one of the game's best shortstops and could bring back real value in a trade. Besides, it would be silly for new Mets GM Sandy Alderson to say any player is untouchable. According to Pignataro, the Red Sox, Orioles and Rays have all kicked the tires on the situation. Reyes, 27, is under contract for $11 million next season, after which he will become a free agent for the first time in his career.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>When Alderson came in, he said every player is open to be moved. Doesn't mean they likely will be.</font>

[Aguakate]

Sounds like Alderson wants to begin a "rebuilding process" with the Mets. I'm not sure the fans can handle that.

[Droford]

I would love to have Reyes play SS for the Os but I dont see it happening. It would be much better than the black hole at SS that they've had for the last 3 years (Juan Castro, Freddie Bynum, Alex Cintron, Brandon Fahey, Luis Hernandez, Eider Torres - all in 2008, and Cesar Izturis for the last 2 years)

Some people have speculated that Adam Jones, who played SS in the Mariners farm system, might get moved to SS and then the OF consists of Markakis in RF, Pie in CF and someone in LF. Adam Jones hitting stats would put him in a top tier of SS offensively but I would suspect his defense would be low middle to bottom tier at best.

[ClockShot]

Braves send Kenshin Kawakami down to their Double-A club in Mississippi. He's got a year to go in his deal, but I guess Frank Wren wants to send him back to Japan one way or another.

Hiroki Kuroda will be back with the Dodgers. 1-year, $12 mil.

Padres aquire Cameron Maybin from the Marlins for Ryan Webb and Edward Mujica.

[Evil Vito]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Cubs-break-Harry-Caray-statue-102-more-years-of?urn=mlb-285182

<font color=goldenrod>lol Cubs</font>

[Evil Vito]

Sounds like Alderson wants to begin a "rebuilding process" with the Mets. I'm not sure the fans can handle that.

<font color=goldenrod>They in all likelihood won't be doing a full rebuild. Pretty much everybody acknowledges that this will be a transition year with a roster that will most likely not change much between now and Opening Day.

I'm expecting a small under-the-radar trade and a couple quick 1-year stopgap signings to fill out the roster.

They are locked in with Davis, Reyes, Wright, Bay, Beltran, and probably Pagan right now. I'd think they are inclined to let Thole grow at catcher as well, although if they would be able to get Ramon Hernandez or somebody on a 1-year deal as ST gets closer (sorta like what happened with Barajas this year), I could see them doing that.

At 2B they will probably either go with young guys like Ruben Tejada or Daniel Murphy, or they'll sign David Eckstein or somebody to fill the spot for a year. No way can Luis Castillo be on the team next year. Then in the rotation Perez has also gotta be gone. Dickey, Pelfrey, and Niese should be locks for the Opening Day rotation with Santana likely to miss a month or two. Again, maybe a short-term stopgap deal.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Holy loopholes, Batman!

Apparently the Reds claimed Hisanori Takahashi last week, setting up a 5-day window in which to negotiate a contract. It didn't work out, so Takahashi is now a free agent.

It's possible that since the Reds claimed him, THEY now can't sign Takahashi until May 15th which would mean the Mets can jump right back in to get him. Fucking crazy clauses in that guy's contract.</font>

[Aguakate]

The Mets need to get Bengie Molina to be their catcher and work with that pitching staff.

[Triple Naitch]

Bengie Molina already said he's retiring. Mets could easily get Varitek.

[glanville6]

Sandberg is going to manahe the Phillies Triple A team. God I hate the Cubs. But hey, we have Mike fucking Quade.

[ClockShot]

Buster Posey and Neftali Feliz are your Rookies of the Year..

[Nervous Ferret]

Droford, how are you going to fix the Cubs?

[Emperor Smeat]

Buster Posey and Neftali Feliz are your Rookies of the Year..

ESPN had a nice stat where since 1951, the AL ROY and NL ROY end up facing each other in a World Series almost exactly once every 30 years (1951, 1981, 2010).

[MVP]

Roy Halladay is expected to be announced as the NL Cy Young winner today. Can't argue with that.

[RP]

tack on another 100 years

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Cubs-convert-Wrigley-for-football-paint-it-Nor;_ylt=Al1lcq0_h0mU3lhA2EAYPZA5nYcB?urn=mlb-285981

[Emperor Smeat]

I think cracking a statue of one of their most famous people from the team would have more of a "curse" effect than having the field and sign be used as a football game for 1 week.

[Boomer]

Braves get Dan Uggla for Omar Infante and Mike Dunn.

Awesome deal. I doubt Omar will ever match his totals from last year.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Marlins seem to be the only team in baseball that never seems to mind sending superstars to teams in their division.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>That trade is just really horrible. A run-of-the-mill reliever and a utility guy whose season was probably a fluke for a middle infielder who consistently goes for 30/100.

Their front office has fucking lost it. It's not too late for them to do that Mike Stanton-for-Ozzie Guillen swap.</font>

[ClockShot]

Braves just commited robbery. Dan Uggla may just put them over the top for next year.

Marlins are working on signing John Buck to a 3-year, $18 mil. deal.

Cardinals re-sign Jake Westbrook to a 2-year deal with a mutual option for '13.

[YOUR Hero]

OMG, What happened to The Jays and Uggla? Where all our players and prospects too good for the deal?!

[The Gold Standard]

I can't believe how easily Uggla was traded. I knew the Marlins wanted to sell low, but this is super low.

[McLegend]

Thats highway robbery. I'm not happy right now.

[Emperor Smeat]

ESPN believes Felix Hernandez will win the AL Cy Young and make it two years in a row where the voters picked ERA and other stats over wins. He would also break record for fewest wins by a Cy Young as well.

Buster Olney believed based on his stats had Felix picthed on a better team, he would have won 20+ games.

[Aguakate]

Buster Olney believed based on his stats had Felix picthed on a better team, he would have won 20+ games.

Could be true. However, there's something to be said for a pitcher who, even on a losing team, wins 20 games a couple of times, and is a Cy Young Award winner, like Roy Halladay with the Jays. In Felix's case, maybe it's not ALL on the Mariners.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

No, it was definitely all on the Mariners. Felix led the AL in ERA, opponent avg, opponent OPS, innings pitched, quality starts and was second in WHIP and Ks.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>No arguments with Roy winning obviously.

That being said, I remember when the Phillies first got him everybody was christening him the Cy Young immediately. "He's in the NLol, of course he'll rape" and I was one of the few people saying you know, they still need to actually play the games.

Guess those words were more out of hope than anything else. :( Congrats Roy.</font>

[Triple Naitch]

Kinda glad the Red Sox didn't overpay for John Buck.

[RP]

Great move by the Braves. They have to be the favorites in the NL at this moment

[YOUR Hero]

Seriously boggled still at the Uggla deal.

[YOUR Hero]

It's as goofy as giving Rios away for nothing.

[Triple Naitch]

At first they asked for Prado. Then settled for Infante. That's like asking for steak and being served meat loaf.

[YOUR Hero]

Is Larry (Chipper) Jones retiring?

[McLegend]

I don't think he is. It seems to be a very unmarlins like move. Maybe the Marlins know something? I don't know I'm grasping at straws here


Roy Halladay is incredible and absolutly deserved the Cy Young.

[Evil Vito]

Bengie Molina already said he's retiring. Mets could easily get Varitek.

<font color=goldenrod>Forgot to respond to this. Don't think Varitek fits at all.

I think they should give Thole a full year of starting, possibly batting 2nd. He's a really good contact hitter and would benefit from seeing extra fastballs with Reyes on base.

As for the backup, I'd fully support bringing Henry Blanco back for another year. He's about to turn 39 but he could start a game a week and provide really good defense on top of being a good mentor for Thole.

SS Reyes
C Thole
3B Wright
CF Beltran
LF Bay
1B Davis
RF Pagan
2B Tejada/Murphy/Veteran stopgap

Could be a pretty formidable lineup if Bay gets his shit together.</font>

[Boomer]

Is Larry (Chipper) Jones retiring?

We won't find out until Spring Training, but I'm pretty sure everyone expects him to be back. That actually forces the Braves to move Prado to left field, which means the Braves defense will be pretty poor overall.

But yeah, I'm pretty floored at how this deal went down so easily. Braves lineup looks pretty good for the most part. Will probably be:

Prado
Heyward
Chipper
McCann
Uggla
Freeman
AGon
McLouth

That bottom of the lineup certainly doesn't look amazing right now. Gonna need an improved year from McLousy for sure.

[Triple Naitch]

I was only referring to Varitek being a backup. He could mentor Thole and the young pitchers better than any pitching coach they can get.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Without looking at stats, does he suck shit at throwing out runners? Because Blanco's got somewhat of a cannon.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Fucking hate the New York media. Sandy Alderson said that the final four candidates for the Mets' job (Terry Collins, Bob Melvin, Chip Hale, Wally Backman) are all on level ground.

So of course Joel Sherman outright comes out and says it's rigged and that Collins and Melvin are really the only two being considered.

It probably WILL be Collins, which to me is by far the most uninspiring choice, but he seems to fit most of the criteria Sandy is looking for. But still...

Feel like the majority of the reporters who cover the Mets (namely Adam Rubin and Joel Sherman) just try their best to put a negative spin on everything Mets-related.</font>

[Splaya]

Tigers sign Jaquain Benoit for 3 years 15.5 million.

Tigers also front runner to get Adam Dunn now, as he has entered serious talks with the Tigers

[ClockShot]

Twins' Ron Gardenhire and Padres' Bud Black are your Managers of the Year.

Worth noting: Bud Black beat out Dusty Baker by 1 vote. This is Ron Gardenhire's first award.

[Triple Naitch]

Hard to believe Gardenhire has never won before today. Seems like he is always in the top 3 voting.

[Jeritron]

Crawford and Werth are going to get way more money than they deserve. Pretty shit crop of free agents this year.
The problem I would have with the Red Sox signing Werth is that they passed on Jason Bay, to hold out for a better option. They'd be turning around and giving similar (or more) money to a player who is equally, or even less talented.

I wouldn't even blame the Red Sox if they just decided not to pay any of these guys this year and waited another season to make any big changes.
Still, they need to make big changes to improve, so it's hard to say.

Adrian Gonzalez would be nice but it keeps getting less likely.

[YOUR Hero]

Bay didn't want to stay in Boston.

[Emperor Smeat]

Originally he wanted to be closer to home in Seattle and even hinted at offering the Mariners a "home town" discount when they were really building up (ex. Cliff Lee deal) but at the last minute decided to take the Mets money and years.

His family mostly lives in Seattle during the year while he also owned houses depending on where he played.

A lot of players do the same thing with short deals until they get the extension or get persuaded by the family to stay in the current place.

[Jeritron]

tack on another 100 years

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Cubs-convert-Wrigley-for-football-paint-it-Nor;_ylt=Al1lcq0_h0mU3lhA2EAYPZA5nYcB?urn=mlb-285981

It boggles my mind how they'd allow this, but they won't put light up signs or scoreboards in the park.

[RP]

The appeal of playing a football game in a baseball stadium boggles my mind period. I dont get it.

[Triple Naitch]

King Felix takes the Cy.

[Skippord]

I'm happy he won

love Felix

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Yeah really happy he won. Shows the voters were paying attention to the right things. Also sets a great precedent for future Cy Young votes.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Nice, well-deserved. Hard to imagine how many wins he would have had on a team with a halfway competent offense.</font>

[MVP]

Yeah especially since he had 30 quality starts. 30!!!

[YOUR Hero]

So what do you gays think about the playoffs being expanded to include more teams?

[Triple Naitch]

Not for it. Playoffs are long enough as is.

[Emperor Smeat]

Its a good idea on paper but Selig already said the owners are completely against shortening the season down to the old 154-156 game schedule and the first round would only be a 1-game playoff in his view. Another idea was to make it 7 games all rounds or at least a 5,5,7,7 for series.

Players don't want to go into very late October to early November again for games either.

[YOUR Hero]

It's all about generating more revenue, so I understand why the owners wouldn't want to shorten the season and also why they'd want to make all the rounds best of 7.

IMO, 8 teams is already too many, but acceptable. This format seems to work.

[Aguakate]

All they really have to do is shorten Spring Training by like, a week, and cut down on the days off during the playoffs. That's it.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

That means having more games in March. It's colder in March than it is in November.

[Jeritron]

Expanding the post-season would be stupid. There are plenty of teams as it is. Having more than 8 teams make it is too much.
There usually aren't even many more than 8 good teams. Only a few competitive teams are left out, if that, and that's an exciting part of the sport since it creates September pennant and wild-card chases.

Leave it alone.

[Aguakate]

That means having more games in March. It's colder in March than it is in November.

The other thing would be just cutting down on the off days during the season, even if that means having the All Star Game after the season ends, in the South (Florida, Texas) or out West (California, Arizona), like the NFL does with the Pro Bowl. I think that'd be great for baseball, to have a "All Star Weekend" after the World Series, as a way to end the season with a festivity.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah it's fine the way it is. The proposed idea I believe is to add a 2nd wild card for each league and have them meet in a one-game playoff with the winner advancing and being the "official" Wild Card.

Although 2 one-game playoffs would be intense, you could have a good but not playoff-caliber team force their way into the playoffs. The point of series is to diminish those odds. Hell as it is some think the DS should expand to 7 games because 5 games can still allow "fluky" teams to advance.</font>

[screech]

The other thing would be just cutting down on the off days during the season, even if that means having the All Star Game after the season ends, in the South (Florida, Texas) or out West (California, Arizona), like the NFL does with the Pro Bowl. I think that'd be great for baseball, to have a "All Star Weekend" after the World Series, as a way to end the season with a festivity.

I would never watch the All-Star Game if it was after the season. I never watch the Pro Bowl because it's after the season [it is different now, but not very].

Once a champion is crowned, it closes the book on the season and opens up Hot Stove.

[screech]

Also, Jeritron put my thoughts quite nicely.

[Triple Naitch]

Nobody watches the Pro Bowl after the season ends.

And cutting down the off days during the season is terrible. They get like one day off every two weeks.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Why is there a four day gap between the Cy Young and MVP announcements? They've had the votes for months. Let's go.

Also can't believe the D'Backs are shopping Justin Upton. I know they're rebuilding and nowhere close to competing, but it still seems way too early to be getting rid of a 23 year old budding superstar. Heard talks about the Reds giving up Yonder Alonso, Mike Leake, and Devin Mesoraco (top C prospect) for him. I'd be fine with that.

[Triple Naitch]

Shin Soo Choo leads South Korea to the gold medal in the Asian games. He can now be exempt from conscription in the military. Love watching him play.

[YOUR Hero]

That means having more games in March. It's colder in March than it is in November.
Not where I live!

[YOUR Hero]

Also can't believe the D'Backs are shopping Justin Upton. I know they're rebuilding and nowhere close to competing, but it still seems way too early to be getting rid of a 23 year old budding superstar.

Well they might get 2-3 22 year old prospects!
Unless there is something else we don't know, that would be a very stupid move.

[Triple Naitch]

Dbacks could get a lot of good young guys in return. Bard and Ellsbury from the Red Sox, Morrison and Nolasco from Florida were thrown around.

[Droford]

This is going to be a really depressing offseason for an Orioles fan.
I dont think they're going to get anyone of any major significance.

[Innovator]

I'd be pumped if I was on Orioles fan considering how the Orioles finished up last season.

[ClockShot]

News and notes:

Anybody wanna buy a team? Houston Astros are up for sale. Forbes valued the team at $453 mil. back in April.

Yankees are prepared to offer Derek Jeter a 3-year, $45 mil. deal. They're also interested in J.C. Romero. Johnathan Albaladejo got released too. :wavesad:

The Orioles are gonna bid in the Tsuyoshi Nishioka auction.

And coming over the wire, Larry Rothschild is the new pitching coach for the Yankees. He was previously pitching coach for the Cubs.

[DaveWadding]

As a D'Backs fan, I want to curl up into the fetal position and die. This Justin Upton trade talk makes me sick.

[ClockShot]

Jim Leyritz aquitted of DUI Manslaughter charge in Florida

Wow.

[Triple Naitch]

Wasn't it pretty obvious that he was guilty?

[Aguakate]

Wasn't it pretty obvious that he was guilty?

Yeah...sometimes in cases where it's pretty obvious someone is guilty, they'll either get a slap on the wrist, or off the hook completely.

...sometimes Justice IS blind.

[Triple Naitch]

K, just read about it last night. Supposedly she was drunk too and there were conflicting testimonies on who had the green light. Nevertheless, he still has to serve 15 months for DUI.

[Aguakate]

(From ESPN.COM)

"However, Leyritz was convicted on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence, which carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail. Leyritz had faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the manslaughter charge."

He hasn't been sentenced yet, and even then, it's only a 6 month jail sentence at the most.

"Two witnesses testified that Veitch had the green light at an intersection before Leyritz's Ford Expedition hit her vehicle, causing a rollover crash that ejected her onto the pavement. But under cross-examination, those same witnesses were less definitive about whether Leyritz's light was red or yellow.

Defense expert witnesses also said Veitch's lights may have been off and that Leyritz did not appear to be speeding. They also raised questions about the reliability of Leyritz's blood tests and suggested he may have suffered a slight concussion that caused his body to absorb alcohol more slowly.

Prosecutors insisted that Leyritz was too drunk to react to the traffic light or avoid the collision with Veitch's Mitsubishi Montero. They said he consumed the equivalent of between 11 and 12 shots of liquor in the three hours before the crash, which happened at about 3 a.m. ET.

Florida law provides for a DUI manslaughter conviction when a person's actions either caused or contributed to the cause of someone else's death."

So basically, you could say that he got acquitted only because there was doubt about what happened, based on the testimony of the witnesses.

So, Leyritz will serve 6 months at the most...and Veitch's two kids will not get their mom back.

[Triple Naitch]

Don't get me wrong, I feel sorry for her children. But her BAL was twice the legal limit in Florida. You would think that a responsible mother would not put herself in danger like that.

[Emperor Smeat]

Seems odd the witnesses wouldn't know if he had a yellow or red light since it would be impossible for him to have a yellow if she had a green light especially at an intersection.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Mets pick Terry Collins.

Ugh. He was the last guy I wanted. I'll give him a chance, but I just don't like the idea of hiring a guy who hasn't managed in the majors in 11 years. He's gotten rave reviews for his work in player development - which is good for all the young guys that will be on the team. Not sure the veteran players can get behind it though.

He's also meant to be somewhat fiery...which is a bit better than a guy like Bob Melvin who barely had a pulse.

If the Mets suck under Collins though, Alderson will be raked over the coals for not taking Wally Backman.</font>

[ClockShot]

I'm reading it's only a 2-year deal, Vito. I wouldn't worry too much.

[ClockShot]

Was reading that Hisashi Iwakuma was looking for a 7-year, $126 mil. deal to play in Oakland and talks have broken off.

Ballsy move, but he's going back to Japan. And Oakland is down a pitcher after trading away Mazzaro.

Suckers.

[Evil Vito]

I'm reading it's only a 2-year deal, Vito. I wouldn't worry too much.

<font color=goldenrod>Wonder if the Mets told Backman the job could very well be his soon with that short deal. I mean Collins is 61 already so it's possible he wanted something short-term.

Then again, if he actually WANTED a short-term deal that worries me that he won't be all that motivated. Bah. We'll see.</font>

[YOUR Hero]

Good of you to give him a chance, Vito.

[Emperor Smeat]

<font color=goldenrod>Wonder if the Mets told Backman the job could very well be his soon with that short deal. I mean Collins is 61 already so it's possible he wanted something short-term.

Then again, if he actually WANTED a short-term deal that worries me that he won't be all that motivated. Bah. We'll see.</font>

It could also mean he's smart enough to know if the Mets struggle again, he doesn't want to get involved with all the bickering and craziness the past managers and GMs been involved last few years.

I think Girardi's initial deal was the same since he knew how crazy management can be if they struggle even if its just a week.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Joey Votto wins NL MVP

Ryan Howard received a second place vote. Whoever gave him that should be tracked down and banned from ever voting again.</font>

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Most Vottoest Player

[ClockShot]

Reds to sign Dontrelle Willis to a minor league deal.

[Emperor Smeat]

<font color=goldenrod>Joey Votto wins NL MVP

Ryan Howard received a second place vote. Whoever gave him that should be tracked down and banned from ever voting again.</font>

Good choice for NL MVP and for a while was in the hunt for the Triple Crown against some quality hitters.

ESPN is predicting Josh Hamilton for AL MVP but also said if he didn't win it was because of him being hurt in September (2 games played).

[DaveWadding]

<font color=goldenrod>

He's also meant to be somewhat fiery...which is a bit better than a guy like Bob Melvin who barely had a pulse.

</font>

Now now, you're being too nice. Honestly it amazes me he could read or write enough to fill out a lineup card.

[YOUR Hero]

Great boost for Canadian baseball to have another MVP crowned from Canada. West side(Morneau) and east side (Votto) representing.

[YOUR Hero]

Not to mention Lary Walker back in the mid 90's.

Holla

[Innovator]

Cmoooooon Cano

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Tigers sign Victor Martinez. 4 years, $50 million</font>

[Triple Naitch]

Big blow to the Red Sox offense but they just couldn't meet V-Mart's demands.

[Triple Naitch]

Huff Daddy is getting a big raise in San Fran. Going from $3 mil last year to agreeing on a two year $22 mil contract today.

[DaveWadding]

D'Backs finally concede that Upton will most likely be in Arizons's lineup on Opening Day. Thank God.

Orioles talking to D'Backs about Mark Reynolds. That's more like it.

[Aguakate]

Huff Daddy is getting a big raise in San Fran. Going from $3 mil last year to agreeing on a two year $22 mil contract today.

They're overpaying him, but, hey...they won the WS.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Josh Hamilton wins AL MVP

Cliff Lee didn't get a single vote yet Soria and Soriano did.</font>

[Triple Naitch]

Good for Josh.

Lee hit a rough patch in the middle of the season. Probably why he didn't get a vote.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Really impressed with Terry Collins after his press conference and interviews today. Sounds like a huge change of pace from the guys that have been in there recently, and certainly nothing like I'd read in news articles that claimed he'd be the same.

Sounds like he's on the 2-year plan no matter what. His job will be to come in, clean up, and get the team going in the right direction for the next man in 2013.</font>

[Jeritron]

Big blow to the Red Sox offense but they just couldn't meet V-Mart's demands.

Yes they could. They just didn't want to

[Droford]

D'Backs finally concede that Upton will most likely be in Arizons's lineup on Opening Day. Thank God.

Orioles talking to D'Backs about Mark Reynolds. That's more like it.

the Os really need a below the mendoza line (198/.320/.453) 3B who will be getting $11 million in 2012 on his current contract.

I can hardly wait.

Bring back melvin mora!

[Triple Naitch]

Yes they could. They just didn't want to

I'm not saying they should have. Victor will be 36 when that contract is up. I really wanna see how Jarrod Saltalamacchia can do with a change of scenery. Supposedly he had the yips in the minors last year and couldn't even throw the ball back to the pitcher for a period. Possibly bring back Varitek and mentor him; something he never mad in the majors. Same goes for Andrew Miller. He could be this winter's steal.

[YOUR Hero]

Anyone think Jeyter and Mo might sign elsewhere?

NEW YORK (AP)—Hank Steinbrenner has a message as the New York Yankees negotiate to re-sign Derek Jeter(notes) and Mariano Rivera(notes).

“As much as we want to keep everybody, we’ve already made these guys very, very rich, and I don’t feel we owe anybody anything monetarily,” the Yankees co-chairman said Tuesday. “Some of these players are wealthier than their bosses.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AuR4xwoWhv4o0fu9_aXeeZARvLYF?slug=ap-yankees-jeter

[Aguakate]

Anyone think Jeyter and Mo might sign elsewhere?

NEW YORK (AP)—Hank Steinbrenner has a message as the New York Yankees negotiate to re-sign Derek Jeter(notes) and Mariano Rivera(notes).

“As much as we want to keep everybody, we’ve already made these guys very, very rich, and I don’t feel we owe anybody anything monetarily,” the Yankees co-chairman said Tuesday. “Some of these players are wealthier than their bosses.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AuR4xwoWhv4o0fu9_aXeeZARvLYF?slug=ap-yankees-jeter


I don't know if they'll sign elsewhere, but I'm surprised it has come to this. I thought they would resign Mo and Jeter pretty quickly.

[Hanso Amore]

The way the Yankees blow money like it is nothing, you would think they would not fight over a few million when it comes to their two greatest players of the last 50 years.

[Aguakate]

The way the Yankees blow money like it is nothing, you would think they would not fight over a few million when it comes to their two greatest players of the last 50 years.

Exactly, that's why I didn't think it would get to the point where the Yankees are basically saying "Either you sign the proposal we gave you, or go somewhere else". We're talking about Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. The Yankees have blown money on Carl Pavano, AJ Burnett, Javier Vazquez, among others, so I didn't expect them to be this "strict" with DJ and Mo.

[Nightwing]

<font color=goldenrod>Tigers sign Victor Martinez. 4 years, $50 million</font>

This makes me sad.

We traded him for peanuts, and we could have signed him to this deal all along, which is a bargain. I hate the Dolans so much.

[Triple Naitch]

$40 mil for Kei Igawa, $82 mil for Burnett, but nickel and dime the faces of the franchise?

[Splaya]

The problem is is that even though Daddy Steinbrenner through his money around, this is Hank's team now.

Change in ownership, change in the way money is thrown around.

AND YES I'M AWARE THEY THREW 140 MILLION AT CLIFF LEE YESTERDAY

[Dragon]

The way the Yankees blow money like it is nothing, you would think they would not fight over a few million when it comes to their two greatest players of the last 50 years.

I don't think Rivera is gonna be a problem at all. I think soon they'll give him two years at around what his last contract was. The first I even heard about Mariano this offseason was yesterday.

Its not a couple million though for Jeter. The Yanks offered him 45M over 3 years - which for a 36 year old SS who put up a season similar to Marco Scutaro last year is a lot. I really believe thats more than any other team would offer so the Yankees really shouldn't have to pile on more money.

I've read a lot lately about what Jeter wants (who knows how much is true), but he doesn't want any paycut at all. He wants to be making 20+M a year and get a ton of years. On the radio today they said the Yankees and Jeter are something like 50-100 million dollars apart on a deal. I find that unlikely but who knows.

As a Yankee fan I'm obviously a huge Jeter fan, but signing an aging SS to $20M a year over 5-6 years is not a smart move, no matter if he's Derek Jeter or not.

[Dragon]

$40 mil for Kei Igawa, $82 mil for Burnett, but nickel and dime the faces of the franchise?

They're really not nickel and diming him though. They're offering Jeter 15M a year until he's almost 40.

[Loose Cannon]

yea really, just because they are the faces of the franchise doesn't mean they get whatever they want. it's still a business and if the guy's production has gone down then they are stupid to throw that kind of money at him

[Emperor Smeat]

I think a big problem was the Yankees tend to over pay players by a lot compared to their market value or range other teams are willing to pay. It bites them in the end since now they have players other teams can't afford to carry and it makes negotiations harder for them.

Can't really blame Jeter for going after a big value deal since the same thing happened to Riveria and A-Rod where the team over paid both of them by a lot compared and in Riveria's case, want him to take a pay cut even though he's still productive but is old.

Stupid move by management to make it public since they are trying as hard as possible to make it seem like Jeter is the bad guy and lessen public backlash should Jeter leave.

[Triple Naitch]

Interesting how the Steinbrenners called Jeter this generation's Babe Ruth. Ruth retired after playing for the Braves.

[YOUR Hero]

Maybe we should all send food stamps to Jeter

[ClockShot]

D-Backs aquire Zach Duke from the Pirates for a PTBNL.

Wasn't his best season. Maybe a change of venue will do.

[Droford]

The Orioles are stupid enough to throw huge piles of money at Jeter. Someone wrote a column in the Baltimore Sun about why they should do it. You watch..