MLB 2006-2007 Offseason Thread

[CNM]

Todd has been injured the last two years. Two years ago he had back problems and last year he got so ill that he had to be hospitalized and ended up losing 10-15 lbs. That's why his power numbers have been down. This guy would hit anywhere though, don't let the fact that Coors is a hitters park fool you.

[YOUR Hero]

Helton was (is?) the real deal.

[BCWWF]

Was there a point to that post?

[SammyG]

Weaver is a fucking idiot.

[MVP]

I could see Jared Weaver getting signed for that much money, but not Jeff. He is garbage in the regular season, but his value went up cause of his playoff performance.

[SammyG]

True. But WHY would he wanna go to SEATTLE. Srsly now.

[YOUR Hero]

Was there a point to that post?

ketchup is better in Canada

[BCWWF]

Catsup down here (well, down there, ususally)

[Splaya]

Tigers are favored to win the Central this year

[BCWWF]

Hope that works out for them. Twins were favored in 05, White Sox in 06, neither won. Central can be a fucked up division, but I have faith the Twins can make a good push to the playoffs again because other than the back four of the rotation, we are among the best in baseball.

I think Rick Anderson can get a lot out of Bonser, Garza, Silva, Baker, and the two new guys so that we will be right in the mix.

[Gertner]

gonna be tough for the twins. Tigers and Sox are gonna be good again this year.

[BCWWF]

Tigers were good last year, better than the Twins probably. Now they are putting all of their money on a second year pitcher and Gary Sheffield. White Sox are about the same. I'm not saying the Twins are the favorites, I'm saying there are three teams who all have a good chance to win it.

[Gertner]

Gonna be interesting in the AL this year. White Sox, Red Sox, Jays, A's, Tiger, Twins, Yanks, and Angels should all be good this year.

[BCWWF]

Well, I would expect A's to fall off with Piazza instead of Thomas. I don't know why the Angels would be drastically better than last year, and really, the Red Sox are a big shot in the bucket again this year. I wish the Jays did a bit more to improve this year though.

[MVP]

Kansas City is gonna emerge as this year's Detroit Tigers, and Gil Meche will lead them to an AL Central Division title with his $11 million contract.

[BCWWF]

Honestly, KC could contend for this division in a year or two. Not because of Gil Meche, but they have some promising your guys.

[FakeLaser]

They won't lose 100 games this season.

[YOUR Hero]

99

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Not sure how accurate it is but some Korean news site is reporting the Mets have signed Chan Ho Park for 3 mil a year :|

Have yet to hear anything about it on the Mets website though. Hope its wrong.</font>

[Splaya]

The Tigers are so much better than the Twins.

Starting pitchers:
Kenny Rogers
Jeremy Bonderman
Nate Robertson
Justin Verlander
The returning Mike Maroth

Bullpen
Wilfredo Ledezma
Fernando Rodney
Joel Zumaya
Todd Jones
And a load of other pitchers

Startling lineup
Curtis Granderson (bound to have less strikeouts this year
Carlos Guillen
Placido Polanco
Magglio Ordonez
Gary Sheffield
Brandon Inge
Craig Monroe
Sean Casey
Pudge Rodriguez.

You wanna judge pitchers thats fine. Name me a better 9 fielders and batters than those 9

[FakeLaser]

Yeah, the Tigers are going to be nasty again. They have the same exact team as last year, plus Gary Sheffield. Their already amazing pitching staff should improve as well.

[BCWWF]

The Twins aren't any worse. They came back from like five games down to win the division without Radke or Liriano.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Boston Red Sox

[MVP]

Honestly, KC could contend for this division in a year or two. Not because of Gil Meche, but they have some promising your guys.

Yeah I was just being sarcastic about KC this year, but I agree they could be good in a few years.

[Gertner]

Boston Red Sox

gonna get molested again by he Jays. Get used to being 3rd in the east

[FakeLaser]

Chan Ho Park will be guaranteed $600,000 in his deal with the Mets and can earn an additional $2.4 million in incentives based on innings pitched.

Under the terms of his deal with the A's, Shannon Stewart will earn $200,000 when he reaches 200 at-bats and $200,000 if he receives Comeback Player of the Year honors.

Dan Johnson developed double vision last year, possibly part of the root of his struggles for the A's.

After failing to impress the Dodgers during a Feb. 2 workout, 44-year-old Jeff Fassero has decided to call it a career.

[YOUR Hero]

very smart pick up by the A's with Stewart. He could flat out hit at one time.

[BCWWF]

If Stewart wasn't constantly injured, he is one of the most reliable leadoff hitters there is.

[YOUR Hero]

yeah, he served the Jays well in his time and if I remember helped boost the Twins in his time there

[BCWWF]

He was arguably the MVP of the season in I think 2003, when he was the catalyst for the Twins coming back like eight games to win the division. Since then he had been a real important part of the team, but he just kept getting injured and then Castillo came around.

[YOUR Hero]

He was always a good guy too, no compalints ever from team mates or reporters or fans. I hope he continued like that with the Twins. I'd imagine he did. Soft spoken guy, hope he rebounds.

[BCWWF]

Yeah, he was always soft spoken, never caused a stir over there. I imagine if he is healthy he can contribute to a team again.

[YOUR Hero]

I read that Bernie will not accept the Yankee's offer. He's still working out, getting ready for the season. I'd have to say if this is true, he's willing to play elsewhere.


I read the Twins signed Mauer for 4 more years. Didn't they lock up Morneau earlier this off season? Good on them.

[BCWWF]

Yeah, not sure how long Morneau was locked up for, but that is a huge move. I just hope we figure out some way to keep Santana, because those three players are going to be amazing in the next 10 years.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Hero, pretty sure Bernie turned down a minor league deal.

Its a major league deal with the Yankees or nothing..from what I understand anyway

[YOUR Hero]

That's what I thought and understood too, Stima. But the story I read left it open that he was open to playing elsewhere.

[BCWWF]

The story on ESPN.com didn't directly say he was open to playing elsewhere, but it implied that he was staying in shape to do that.

[FakeLaser]

He doesn't want to play elsewhere and will likely retire, are my feelings.

[Hardkore Kidd J]

Yeah, not sure how long Morneau was locked up for, but that is a huge move. I just hope we figure out some way to keep Santana, because those three players are going to be amazing in the next 10 years.

I don't know about the Twins keeping Santana. I thought I read somewhere about the Twins moving to a new ball park too. So I don't know if the Twins can keep Santana. I would guess Morneau probably got a 4 year contract like Mauer. And If I'm not mistaken Santana's a free agent in November 2008. Amazing in the next ten years? Santana is all ready amazing he's a 2 time Cy Young pitcher. And Morneau and Mauer are awesome.

[BCWWF]

The Twins are scheduled to move into a new stadium in 2010. That would increase revenue, which would also increase payroll.

Morneau is on a one year contract through arbitration, and he cannot be a free agent until 2009.

Santana is probably not going to get the same contract that Zito did. They are going to work on locking him up during the next season on a fair but modest deal. He easily could leave, but at this point Terry Ryan is confident that he will have him. Twins were able to keep Kirby Puckett the same way.

[Hardkore Kidd J]

The Twins are scheduled to move into a new stadium in 2010. That would increase revenue, which would also increase payroll.

Morneau is on a one year contract through arbitration, and he cannot be a free agent until 2009.

Santana is probably not going to get the same contract that Zito did. They are going to work on locking him up during the next season on a fair but modest deal. He easily could leave, but at this point Terry Ryan is confident that he will have him. Twins were able to keep Kirby Puckett the same way.

One year for someone like Morneau? I would have thought that he'd get at least 3 years.

[BCWWF]

He cannot leave until 2009, so he can either take what the Twins give him or file for arbitration. In arbitration he got 1 year 4.5 million. Same case next year.

[SammyG]

Benson out for the year. Tough blow for the Orioles.

[Splaya]

The Twins are scheduled to move into a new stadium in 2010. That would increase revenue, which would also increase payroll.

Morneau is on a one year contract through arbitration, and he cannot be a free agent until 2009.

Santana is probably not going to get the same contract that Zito did. They are going to work on locking him up during the next season on a fair but modest deal. He easily could leave, but at this point Terry Ryan is confident that he will have him. Twins were able to keep Kirby Puckett the same way.

I am in no way whatsoever comparing Johan to Ben Wallace, but we in Detroit were confident that we would keep him as well. When the price is right, anyone can leave.

[BCWWF]

The main difference with that is that Ben Wallace was very unhappy with Flip Saunders.

[Dragon]

Ron Villone re-ups with the Yanks on a minor-league deal.

Kind of suprising noone picked him up, probably because he was asking for a multi-year deal. He was awful towards the end of the season but was instoppable that first half, Torre pretty much drove him into the ground the first half. Hopefully he can rebound nicely.

The Yankees have a lot of options pitching wise (bullpen and rotation). Gonna be interesting to see what happens. Their AAA rotation is pretty stacked so when someone inevitably gets injured they have plenty of options.

[FakeLaser]

That's pretty shocking that Villone had to sign a minor league deal. The only reason he sucked was becaus Torre overused him like he does with everyone.

For once I feel really good about our pitching.

[Dragon]

I dunno, our rotation still has questions I think. The big difference is that we have options to step in this year from the minors. Can't wait for the season to start though, this part of the year is definitely the worst. No sports to follow between football and baseball.

[FakeLaser]

Oh, yeah, the rotation has question marks, but I am feeling pretty good about it, mainly for the reason you said, we're stacked in the minors. Also, the bullpen looks to be the deepest it's been since the Nelson/Stanton/Lloyd days so that takes a huge load off the starters.

Wang is the only guy without any real question marks. He should be even better this year with Mientkiewicz at first, Cano constantly improving and HOPEFULLY A-Rod improving as well.

Mussina will be good if he can stay healthy. We need around 200 innings from him. I think he will do it. He needs these last few years if he wants to make a Hall of Fame bid. He wants a World Series.

Pettitte should give us 200 quality innings. Obviously there's no guarantee here though. I'm optimistic looking at his 2nd half stats last year, also, he has come back strong from injury so I think that's behind him, and we know he can pitch well in New York.

I have faith that Igawa will be a dependable 4th or 5th. If anything he's young and can eat innings.

Pavano... I don't know why, but I have a gut feeling that he'll be alright this year. Maybe it's just wishful thinking. If I were him I would be working my ass off to prove that I'm not a worthless piece of shit this year.

[BCWWF]

Don't forget Clemons...You can pretty much pencil him in right now.,

[FakeLaser]

I'm not too sure about that.

[BCWWF]

Clemons know he still has the stuff, and he would have just about every reason to play for the Yankees: Good friends with Pettite, he has already been a Yankee, they are going to contend for the World Series, probably preseason favorites.

Houston, at this point, only offers the staying-at-home advantage.

[Dragon]

Pavano is supposedly in the best shape of his career, went early to camp, etc...so hopefully he just stays healthy. It would be huge for us if he just doesn't get injured again.

As for Clemens, I think the Yankees are the logical choice for him. But that might just be a Yankees fan bias. Houston might not even contend and while he could go to Boston and "end it where it all started" or whatever I don't know if he would; well hopefully not.

[BCWWF]

From a non-Yankees fan standpoint, it makes a lot of sense for him to return, and if he does the only team that makes sense is the Yankees.

[Splaya]

AL is gonna be stacked this year

[VonErichLives]

Dice-K is gonna be fun. There is sooooo much press following him the Red Sox have to do press release for spring training to announce every time he wipes his butt (ok, not that extreme).

But, they released a press statement today with whattime he would be at the park, he'd be available for press photos on his walk, no interviews and he may or may not work out.

The Sox are going out of their way to acomodate the forign press.

[Hardkore Kidd J]

In one way I'm happy that Clemens is going to be on the team in another way I feel we should keep the spot open for Phillip Hughes . The guy's only 21 years old. And the Yankees want him to do a little limited pitching in the MLB this year. But on the other hand we could always bring him in when Pavano gets injured. Most of the reason I want Clemens basically is so the Red Sox can't.

With the additon of Doug Meintkewitz and Igawa who's supposed to be good and Pettite and the potential of getting Clemens . I am really looking forward to the baseball season.

[DaveWadding]

Zambo has threatened the Cubs by saying sign me now or I'll walk. Cubs will resign, and they'll end up saving like $50 mil (and Zambo will be out of that) by not waiting a couple years.

[BCWWF]

Personally, I don't know much about Phillip Hughes, but a 21-year old pitcher is kind of early to bring into a rotation. He might be better served starting in the minors and then taking the long-reliever role until somebody gets injured or he start dominating. That is how Johan and Liriano came up at least, so I am biased towards that method.

[VonErichLives]

In one way I'm happy that Clemens is going to be on the team

Did I miss something, when did he make a decision?

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

http://images.sportsline.com/u/photos/baseball/mlb/img9995223.jpg

[Hardkore Kidd J]

Did I miss something, when did he make a decision?

That was just a mistype I meant to write "In one way I'm happy that Clemens is a possibility on the team"

[Hardkore Kidd J]

Personally, I don't know much about Phillip Hughes, but a 21-year old pitcher is kind of early to bring into a rotation. He might be better served starting in the minors and then taking the long-reliever role until somebody gets injured or he start dominating. That is how Johan and Liriano came up at least, so I am biased towards that method.

He is in the minor leagues right now he's at Double A or Triple A.He's been a minor leaguer probably for a year or 2. And a lot of Yankee fans think extremely high about this guy because he is so dominant in the minors.

[FakeLaser]

Hughes is the best pitching prospect in baseball. He should spend another year in the minors. I'd rather they brought Sanchez up and let Hughes build up to 200 innings in the minors.

[Dragon]

Yeah, it would be for the best if he stayed the whole year in AAA. Last year he reached his career high in innings pitched and was on quite a short leash with how much they let him pitch. Staying in AAA for the year and just adding some innings under his belt before the jump to the majors seems like the best scenario. He still isn't even 21 so there really shouldn't be any rush.

[BCWWF]

If he is still in Double A, I would be real surprised if they brought him into the starting rotation at the beginning of the season. It is such a big transition. Last year Matt Garza was dominant through A, AA and AAA, so they brought him up to the Majors and he got rocked. Bringing somebody up to start the season is a big risk, in my opinion, especially somebody that young.

[Dragon]

There's not any chance of him starting the season in the rotation I've heard. I think Cashman said even if he dominates in spring training he probably won't start the season with the club, which is good. But pretty much every article about him has said he'll be here by the All-Star break.

[Hardkore Kidd J]

If he is still in Double A, I would be real surprised if they brought him into the starting rotation at the beginning of the season. It is such a big transition. Last year Matt Garza was dominant through A, AA and AAA, so they brought him up to the Majors and he got rocked. Bringing somebody up to start the season is a big risk, in my opinion, especially somebody that young.

They were never thinking of bringing him in full time. As far as I know if he had come to pitch he would only be able to pitch a certain amount of innings. And the earliest he'd start in MLB is probably June or July at least. I don't want him on the starting rotation either just yet If he's as good as he is in the minors by 08 or 09 he'll be ready to be a starter. This what he's doing this year is kinda more like a test on how he'd end up when he's a starter. He's the type of person you bring in if Pavano or Igawa get injured.

[BCWWF]

Agreed.

[FakeLaser]

The way things have gone for Yankees pitching these past few years, both Philip Hughes and Humberto Sanchez will be pitching for the club by July.

[Loose Cannon]

yea seriously. And Torre will run them into the ground.

[VonErichLives]

Keith Foulke retired.

He opted out of his sox contract that would have paid him I think like 7mil.

Signed with the indians for less.

Said he had elbow pain recently, so he's done.

What a shame, the guy was as much responsible for the sox winning the WS in 2004 as Ortiz, and he was never a power pitcher.

The problem was, his heart was never in it, he had said many times he wish he was as talanted with a stick as he was a ball so he could have been in the nhl, he likes hockey a lot...

He got blasted here, said some stupid things, couldn't handle the pressure of the Boston Media...

Anyway, Good luck and thank you for what you did!

[YOUR Hero]

VEL, you interested in playing fantasy baseball? -

Foulke, I remember once stated he doesn't even like baseball. LOL. Ah well.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Foulke doesn't care what Billy from Burger King thinks about him, yet he flips out about it on the field

He did have a ridiculously good year and post season when the Red Sox won it all

[FakeLaser]

lol, what, wasn't he supposed to close for the Indians this year?

[VonErichLives]

VEL, you interested in playing fantasy baseball? -

Foulke, I remember once stated he doesn't even like baseball. LOL. Ah well.

Don't really have time, but then again... I didn't have time last time and I was like 2nd or 3rd?

so yeah, shoot me a link.


lol, what, wasn't he supposed to close for the Indians this year?

Not sure, but the Indians did give up a draft pick since the red sox had tendered him an offer and they don't get the pick back.

[SammyG]

Dodgers lookin to make a big move, offering Penny.

[FakeLaser]

MESA, Ariz. -- Oft-injured Kerry Wood is out again -- this time because of a flub in a hot tub.

The Chicago Cubs pitcher is not expected to throw off the mound for a few days after he slipped this week getting out of a hot tub at home. Wood landed on his stomach and chest.

LOL

[BCWWF]

Lol saw that too

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Well I guess Foulke could have collected the money by showing up to spring training but then retire, so you gotta give him some credit there

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Haha, a new rule calls for a pitcher to be charged a ball for every time he takes longer than 12 seconds to throw a pitch with no one on base.

Steve Trachsel will be pissed.</font>

[YOUR Hero]

that's a stupid rule.

I guess next they charge the batter with a strike if he steps out of the batter's box to adjust his elbow pad or whatever.

[ClockShot]

Here's the a write up of the rules right here.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2768949

[YOUR Hero]

I'm all for speeding up the game, but it can't be one sided. Mind you 12 seconds shouldn't be an issue.

[ct2k]

So dya think Barry Bonds will just hit the 22HR and retire already?

[SammyG]

Dodgers have the best rotation in the National League.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Is A-Rod ever going to stop talking?

[Adder]

People keep coming at ARod with the same questions, what he's done I think is pretty smart, it puts some of the onus on Jeter. If Jeter stays quiet, then he too can stay quiet. If Jeter wants to discuss things to the media (I doubt it) then ARod can feel free to do so himself. Thing is, at least in my opinion. ARod will still carry on talking. But tactically (LOL) he's set it up properly.

[BCWWF]

One article I read said they were best friends in like 2002, I didn't even know they knew each other before A-Rod became a Yank.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

You sure about that article BCWWF? Pretty sure A-Rod called out Jeter in 2001 saying "he doesn't have to hit in the 3 spot like me" and then brought up how poeple worry about Bernie and Paul O'Neil when facing the Yankees, not Jeter. That's how this whole thing started really (plus A-Rod disappears in the playoffs...and all of a sudden sucks at defense)

Pressure has nothing to do with it though, players just play no matter what.

[BCWWF]

Lol, where is the Miz anyway?

But yeah, I am not sure about the article. I think either I read it wrong or the article was wrong, because I don't see how the two could have been good friends back then.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Manny reported to camp today and Lester is reported as looking "fine" are treatment to remove cancer last season.

RED SOX BABY

[SammyG]

Derek Lowe
Jason Schmidt
Brad Penny
Randy Wolf
Chad Billingsley

[Loose Cannon]

lol, come on now.

[YOUR Hero]

Derek Lowe
Jason Schmidt
Brad Penny
Randy Wolf
Chad Billingsley

IE; There's always next year

[Supreme Olajuwon]

so apparently Josh Hamilton (former #1 pick, out of league because of drugs) has been unreal so far in spring training and has impressed everyone who's seen him

that'd be a pretty cool The Natural scenario if he becomes good

the movie scenario not the book btw

[Supreme Olajuwon]

A pharmacy got raided in Orlando over steroid scandals and one of the names on their list of clients was Gary Matthews Jr. Shocking

[Splaya]

Derek Lowe
Jason Schmidt
Brad Penny
Randy Wolf
Chad Billingsley

Kenny Rogers
Justin Verlander
Jeremy Bonderman
Nate Robertson
Mike Maroth

IE; AL central champs this year

[MVP]

Curt Schilling
Daisuke Matsuzaka
Jonathan Papelbon
Josh Beckett
Tim Wakefield

:shifty:

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

I can see Papelbon back to the pen and Lester moved into the rotation if he's ready/the potential closer canidates shit the bed

[SammyG]

Red Sox should be mad good this year.

[BCWWF]

Boof Bonser
Matt Garza
Sidney Ponson
Ramon Ortiz
Carlos Silva
Scott Baker
J.D. Durbin

[Supreme Olajuwon]

TWINS ARE GOING DOWN TONIGHT

[FakeLaser]

Chien-Ming Wang
Mike Mussina
Andy Pettitte
Kei Igawa
Roger Clemens :shifty:

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Daisuke Matsuzaka baby 2 shout out innings againest Boston College!!!! WOOOO

[Loose Cannon]

is Papelbon starting or closing? I have him in as my top relief pitcher in fantasy

[MVP]

As of right now Papelbon is in the starting rotation.

He pitched 2 innings and struck out the side both times today. Looking real good his first innings back since the shoulder scare.

[Loose Cannon]

yea, saw that.

[Dragon]

Just the fact that Pavano pitched today was good news. Igawa is going next so should be interesting to see how he does.

[FakeLaser]

Shit, Igawa pitches tomorrow? Hell yeah, game is televised.

[Dragon]

Igawa's first inning he gives up 3 walks and strikes out 3 giving up 1 run. He wasn't missing by much on the walks, but he didn't look really sharp at the start.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

If Sheffield connected with that first pitch I think the ball would have ended up in Georgia

[Dragon]

Sean Casey is definitely the goofiest runner in baseball

[Splaya]

Kei Igawa is definitely the most overrated pitcher in baseball

[Splaya]

Also, even though it's spring training, I can tell you the one thing this Detroit team will have this year that is different from last year.

PATIENCE AT THE PLATE

[Dragon]

Actually, Kei Igawa has been predicted to fail by pretty much everybody so that really makes no sense.

[Loose Cannon]

If Sheffield connected with that first pitch I think the ball would have ended up in Georgia

lol. he's gonna tear it up this year. I can see him torching the Yankees.

[Loose Cannon]

Actually, Kei Igawa has been predicted to fail by pretty much everybody so that really makes no sense.

yea, what are you talking about Splaya. Do you mean the Dice-K?

[Splaya]

In all honesty, I mean both. I mean according to ESPN when I was watching the Tigers Yankees game today, they have Dice-K as the 12th best pitcher in baseball this year.

GET FUCKING SERIOUS

[Loose Cannon]

who said Kei Igawa was going to be good?

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Yeah I heard Kei Igawa was simply a expensive risk

[Dragon]

Yeah, the best case scenario for him was a #4 guy on the Yankees. Worst case is going to the pen. I think he could be a decent #5 guy but who knows. I mean Randy Johnson had over a 5.00 ERA last season and won 17 games for us.

[Splaya]

OFFENSE.

[SammyG]

I really wanna see Matsuzaka throw a gyro ball

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I keep getting a weird sense of deja vu whenever people talk about the Yankees throwing a bunch of money at a mediocre 27 year old Japanese pitcher but I don't quite know why.

HMMM....

http://www.g21.net/ngrax/irabu.gif

OH YEAH now I remember

[Supreme Olajuwon]

oh well I'm sure at least he'll be better than Tsuyoshi Shinjo

[YOUR Hero]

In his grapefruit game he was really nibbling on the corners. If he gets a bit more agressive in the strike zone, he should do alright.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Matsuzaka threw 3 scoreless NICE

Jon Lester threw for the first time since getting treated for Cancer the other day, guess he hit over 90 once or twice and a 89 a few other times. Hopefully he'll bounce back, he is projected to start at Triple A but he'll probably be one of the first people to be brought up if the Red Sox need a starter if everything works out

[BCWWF]

Shinjo was the man

[Hardkore Kidd J]

Yeah I heard Kei Igawa was simply a expensive risk

Actually I could be mistaken but I think the Yankees got him at a good price We got him for only 20 million dollars. And judging how other people in the free agency got more especially pitchers I think that was a pretty good price. I'm not gonna deny that it was a risk cause it was. But I think Igawa could be a 4 or 5th starter or a reliever. Matsazuka was an expensive risk IMHO. Noiw I'm not saying anything bad amout Mats truth is He was an ace in Japan. And he may just as well be an ace for the Red Sox too. But the fact still remains that it was an expensive risk when you don't really know how he'll out mid season.

[SammyG]

2 weeks away from Opening Day.

[Evil Vito]

2 weeks away from Opening Day.

<font color=goldenrod>Yep, I'm pumped beyond belief. Gonna be the longest 2 weeks ever.</font>

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Manny is selling a $4,000 grill on Ebay lol, this guy is the fuckin man

[Dragon]

Hi, I'm Manny Ramirez. I bought this AMAZING grill for about $4,000 and I used it once. ... but I never have the time to use it because I am always on the road. I would love to sell it and you will get an autographed ball signed by me. Enjoy it, Manny Ramirez

[ct2k]

Manny is the only Red sock I will ever tolerate unless I get another one on my fantasy team.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

2007 MLB Payrolls incase anyone is interested...

1 Yankees $196,028,578
2 Mets $136,584,148
3 Red Sox $130,809,632
4 Astros $120,332,109
5 Dodgers $110,696,279
6 Mariners $106,799,333
7 White Sox $105,991,167
8 Giants $103,705,787
9 Cubs $103,691,855
10 Tigers $102,029,037
11 Cardinals $98,856,529
12 Braves $94,595,876
13 Angels $86,812,500
14 Orioles $79,811,416
15 Reds $79,031,361
16 Rockies $76,528,833
17 Twins $71,424,415
18 Phillies $68,076,333
19 Rangers $67,720,229
20 Brewers $67,257,593
21 Blue Jays $66,887,500
22 Athletics $65,934,279
23 Royals $62,223,700
24 Padres $58,617,899
25 Indians $57,639,700
26 Nationals $53,356,000
27 Diamondbacks $48,528,427
28 Pirates $45,251,650
29 Devil Rays $24,692,700
30 Marlins $22,186,000

[FakeLaser]

Marlins - $22

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

lol hilarious that there are guys in the major making more then the entire Marlins roster

[FakeLaser]

I think this year, A-Rod is the only guy who will make more than the Marlins. The Marlins are breaking bank this year.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Yeah I think Manny is "only" making like 17 or 18 mil this year

[FakeLaser]

Jeter and Giambi both make about 20 million this year too, I think.

I forget what Soriano is getting per year from the Cubs. I think Manny-type money though.

[FakeLaser]

Watching Matsuzaka pitch against the Pirates right now, he has been pretty impressive. It's the Pirates, but yeah, looks good anyway.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

There is two 20 million dollar team options for '09 and '10 coming up on Manny's contract, but the Red Sox aren't going to pick those up obviously.

Just read in the Hearld today that Manny wants to stay in Boston for the remander ('07, '08) of his contract then move on after that. So hopefully there won't be any "trade me" demands, but who knows...Its Manny Ramirez

[BCWWF]

There is a good thing on USA Today's Web site where you can look up all the salaries. Too lazy to look it up myself, but I believe there are four or five players above $20 million.

Also, it's funny how many bad teams have higher payrolls than the Twins.

[ClockShot]

A bit of bad news for Cardinals fans.

Tony La Russa arrested for DUI.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2807935

[Dragon]

Papelbon back in as the Sox closer.

Jonathan Papelbon-S-Red Sox Mar. 22 - 1:47 pm et


ESPN is reporting that the Red Sox will announce after Thursday's game that Jonathan Papelbon is going to be shifted back to the bullpen.

Even though Papelbon has been publically enthused about the move to the rotation, it sounds like he's requesting the return to the closer's role. A switch would settle a situation that has been a major issue in camp
- rotoworld

[Boondock Saint]

Works for me.

[YOUR Hero]

I purposely stayed away from Papelbon in the fantasy drafts because I didn't feel too good about his chances as a starter. Now I'm feeling a bit pissed off! :mad: :mad:

Those mad faces were more for comedic emphasis, I'm not really that mad.

[BCWWF]

Twins are going to do the exact same thing as last year and it will probably make Terry Ryan look good again. Matt Garza was optioned down to AAA today, leaving Carlos Silva in the rotation to start the season.

Last year, Gardy shockingly decided to start Bartlett in AAA and Liriano in the pen. Liriano struggled a bit, but when the time was right they moved him to the rotation and he would have won the Cy Young if he stayed healthy. Bartlett came back up and his well above 300 and played every game of the year.

Like last year with Battista and Castro, the Twins are going to risk starting this year shitty with Silva, Ortiz and Ponson, but soon enough they will bring Garza, Perkins and Slowey in and it will be fine.

[YOUR Hero]

Since the season has begun, I'm going to unstick this topic.