MLB 2009-2010 Off Season Thread

[Emperor Smeat]

<font color=goldenrod>Red Sox top prospect Ryan Westmoreland to have brain surgery. Damn.</font>

The good news is its not cancer and doctors diagnosed the condition quickly so its treatable but the bad news is any damage done during the surgery could end his career and complicate his normal life or death

[Vox Populi]

<font color=goldenrod>lol one of my favorite baseball moments ever:</font>

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The true "highlight" here is how he makes that idiot Tim McCarver eat his words as they're coming out of his mouth.

[YOUR Hero]

Your're a real man Dion

[FakeLaser]

http://tpww.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=148&pictureid=1102

[Splaya]

Phillies: We will trade you Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols

Cardinals: Throw in some draft picks and another player and it will happen.

Phillies: Deal.




Believe it, rumors are going around that Howard for Pujols might be happening

[Dragon]

Except you can't trade draft picks.

[Dragon]

And there is no reason at all for the Cards to trade Pujols for a guy thats gonna be a free agent the same time as him. They don't gain anything.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

well they gain strikeouts and errors

[Supreme Olajuwon]

and the Cards get to add salary too I believe

and all they have to give up is the greatest hitter of the generation for a slightly better version of Adam Dunn

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

lol splaya

[DaveWadding]

and the Cards get to add salary too I believe

and all they have to give up is the greatest hitter of the generation for a slightly better version of Adam Dunn

Except Adam Dunn can take a walk.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah, Pujols would only ever be traded at the 2011 deadline and that's only if he tells the Cards "I want -insert massive amount here-" and they realize there's no way they could re-sign him.

If he went to the Phillies that would guarantee them the pennant for the next couple of years.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>lol god bless the NY media. Killing John Maine all day for admitting that he "wasn't into it" during his appearance yesterday as he entered in relief and promptly got rocked.</font>

[McLegend]

Lot of hate going on in here.

[Hardkore Kidd J]

I was getting a bit worried when I saw that Pujols rumor on my cell.But, IMHO He like Joe Mauer is going nowhere.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Holy shit. Somebody said in the Auction draft yesterday that scouts have described Ben Sheets as looking like he "hasn't pitched in years".

His line today: 0.0 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 8 ER

This might be one of the few times in history one of us might be RIGHT if they said they could do better than a professional athlete.</font>

[YOUR Hero]

Yeah I've heard Ben Sheets has looked bad 3 times now (including your line) Maybe he'll get it together, but at this point I'd rather draft a hot prospect

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Actually, messed up the numbers on the line.

Sheets (L, 0-2) 0.0 8 10 9 1 0 1 31.15</font>

[ClockShot]

*whistles wooooooooo*

Damn. I've heard of setbacks, but this is really big. Alot teams that were in on making a move on Sheets are probably breathing a sigh of relief now.

[Droford]

http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/si_online/covers/images/2010/0315_large.jpg

Not sure whether to be happy or sad right now. Last Os player on the Cover of the actual weekly SI was Rick Dempsey in 83 after the WS.

[Droford]

LOL

After Asking Him To Appear On Their Cover, Sports Illustrated Asked For Permission To Rename Their Magazine "Matt Wieters Sports Illustrated"; Wieters Declined Saying He Didn't Want To Limit Himself To Just Sports.

http://image.spreadshirt.com/image-server/image/composition/4951032/view/1/producttypecolor/95/type/png/width/280/height/280

[RP]

Starlin Castro has been amazing for the Cubs in spring training so far. He might win a spot on the team.

[Triple Naitch]

They already said he was going to start at AAA so he can play every day.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>lol Ron Washington failed a cocaine test last year

Nationals release Elijah Dukes, and say it has nothing to do with off-field issues. Bullllllllshit.</font>

[Triple Naitch]

I semi-believe the Nationals. He sucked. He hit .230 with 30 home runs in three years. This was a guy who was supposed to be a 5-tool phenom.

[ClockShot]

Cliff Lee is suspened the first 5 games of the season for throwing at D-Backs catcher Chris Snyder's head.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Starting pitchers typically get the shaft with these suspensions. MLB's thinking is that a 5 game suspension for a starting pitcher = 1 game suspension for an everyday player, as it usually guarantees the pitcher misses a start. The difference is that the starting pitcher is docked 5 games worth of pay as opposed to just 1. :o

Don't really see why MLB can't change the suspension rules to just be "so and so will not be allowed to pitch the next time his turn comes up in the rotation".</font>

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Because you could move him to long relief. What they could do is just say he's suspended for 5 days with a 20% salary deduction. That works out to losing 1 game's pay. But whatever pitchers get paid for not doing anything anyway.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Chapman went 3 innings and have up 1 run on 1 hit with 5 k's yesterday. He threw a 2 seam sinkerball that the coaches didn't know he knew how to throw.

[YOUR Hero]

Jays trade Halladay

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>There's been some talk of refurbishing the Grapefruit League and trying to bunch more teams closer together as they are doing in Arizona with the Cactus League. Right now there is so much divide in Florida. Once the Dodgers went to Arizona and the Orioles relocated there is now a 5 team group (Mets, Marlins, Cards, Nats, Braves) almost exclusively playing amongst themselves for a month with a few lengthier trips sprinkled in here and there.

The NL East teams aren't exactly thrilled that they have to spend almost all of camp playing each other before the season. I don't know for sure but I'd have to guess that might also be true for the other half of Florida because it seems like the Yanks, Rays, Jays, and Orioles are playing constantly. Wouldn't be a bad idea to bunch the teams up or at least do some reshuffling.</font>

[ClockShot]

John Smoltz gets a job as a TBS analyst during the regular and post-season.

However, he's not really gone from the game. His contract gives him an out if he has that urge to pitch again.

[DaveWadding]

Cubs/Dodgers set a Cactus League attendance record today. 13,391 at Camelback Ranch today. Still haven't gotten over there to see a game yet though. :(

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>So let me get this straight, not only did Omar give Alex Cora a $2 million contract despite the fact that no other team would offer him even $1 million...but he also threw in a completely unnecessary $2 million vesting option for 2011 if Cora makes 80 starts this season. And now he is likely the Opening Day SS and is going to be working towards getting that option.

It amazes me how badly Omar can fumble on the small moves sometimes. As much as I hate Jon Heyman, he said it best. "Breakdown of Cora's contract: $500k for performance, $1.5m for being a nice guy"</font>

[Evil Vito]

Chapman went 3 innings and have up 1 run on 1 hit with 5 k's yesterday. He threw a 2 seam sinkerball that the coaches didn't know he knew how to throw.

<font color=goldenrod>Chapman's looked fucking awesome in every highlight I've seen. Is there a chance he actually cracks the Opening Day roster?</font>

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I really don't want to say yes, because this is just spring training, he's going to hit a wall eventually, and I'd rather he do that in the minors, but he's been so dominant and the other candidates for the 5th starting spot have been so mediocre that it very well may happen.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

So let me get this straight, not only did Omar give Alex Cora a $2 million contract despite the fact that no other team would offer him even $1 million...but he also threw in a completely unnecessary $2 million vesting option for 2011 if Cora makes 80 starts this season. And now he is likely the Opening Day SS and is going to be working towards getting that option.

It amazes me how badly Omar can fumble on the small moves sometimes. As much as I hate Jon Heyman, he said it best. "Breakdown of Cora's contract: $500k for performance, $1.5m for being a nice guy"

Looks more and more likely that Wayne Krivsky will be the Mets' GM next opening day.

[Evil Vito]

Looks more and more likely that Wayne Krivsky will be the Mets' GM next opening day.

<font color=goldenrod>I hope so. I wouldn't say Omar is a completely terrible GM, because he's brought in some good talents, but that might speak more to have payroll availability than anything else. It also speaks volumes to me that with a few exceptions like Heath Bell, most of the prospects the Mets have dealt away that Omar initially got have wound up being total crap.

Plus he can't speak, fumbles through his press conferences, and seemingly no longer has the final say in player transactions. I have to think that Manuel and Minaya will both be out the door after 2010 unless the Mets shock everybody and make the playoffs.</font>

[Evil Vito]

I really don't want to say yes, because this is just spring training, he's going to hit a wall eventually, and I'd rather he do that in the minors, but he's been so dominant and the other candidates for the 5th starting spot have been so mediocre that it very well may happen.

<font color=goldenrod>I think he should get the nod. I try not to put much stock into overall Spring Training results and look more at the pitchers' actual stuff. And his stuff is awesome. I don't think there'd be much harm in letting him start the year in the bigs. If/when he struggles he can head down to the minors to hone his craft and then come back up when he "finds it" again or as a September call-up.

I feel the same way about Jenrry Mejia. If he keeps it up the rest of spring I'd throw him into the Opening Day bullpen, Mets have so little room for error they have to take the best pitchers they can. But most Mets fans feel he should be starting in the minors and they are afraid the Mets will "Joba" him and change him from starting to relieving a million times.</font>

[Skippord]

Jorge De La Rosa might win 20 games this year

probably not but he could do it

[Hardkore Kidd J]

Here's a question is Strasburg gonna make it to the bigs on the Opening Day Roster as well? I think Strasburg is doing quite well in Spring Training.

[Triple Naitch]

I doubt it. He still has a few things to work on, like building up his secondary pitches. He'll probably have a few starts in AA, then go to AAA til around June. And I think there's a money thing involved, where the Nats will save tens of millions if he stays in the minors until late May.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Royals scored 24 runs yesterday. Really should have saved that for the season, I doubt they score 24 runs total during April.</font>

[Triple Naitch]

Da Meat Hook quietly hung it up this week. He was never a top player, but he deserves recognition for getting through addiction and diabetes to make it back as an All-Star.

[Hanso Amore]

Here's a question is Strasburg gonna make it to the bigs on the Opening Day Roster as well? I think Strasburg is doing quite well in Spring Training.

Lol literally 4 hours later after this post he goes to AA


CURSE OF THE HARDCORE KID

[Hardkore Kidd J]

Lol literally 4 hours later after this post he goes to AA


CURSE OF THE HARDCORE KID

LOL it's true. But, the kid is gonna be huge for the Nats, I can feel it.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>And it's now official. Joe Nathan out for 2010.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Joe Mauer gets his extension. 8 years, $184 million. Holy fuck.</font>

[Hardkore Kidd J]

Holy Shit. Thank You Minnesota now I don't have to worry about the Red Sox picking him up.

[Dragon]

Wow, thought he'd stay with Minnesota but didn't think he'd get that much from them. Glad he stayed there though. Can't even imagine what the uproar would have been if he came to NY or even went to Boston.

[Big Fat Mike]

holy fuck that's alot of money

[Heros Welcome]

Great for baseball. Great for Minnesota. This had to get done and I'm glad it did. I didn't want to see him hit the market and end up in Boston or New York.

For me I always like seeing the truly great players of the game remain with one team for their majority/entire career.

[ClockShot]

A hitting catcher. 'Tis a rare thing in baseball these days.

Good for Mauer. Twins keeping him there will put butts in Target Park for years to come.

[Loose Cannon]

tomorrow morning, the Yankees will purchase the Minnesota Twins, thereby giving the contract of Joseph Mauer to the NY Yankees

[ClockShot]

I heard last week on Francesa that Girardi is gonna announce the 5th starter, outfield situation, etc. on/by March 26th.

Gonna be a interesting week.

[Big Fat Mike]

5th starter is gonna be Chan Ho Park. Watch.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Really is a good thing for baseball that Mauer stayed. Hope he can be the Twins' version of Jeter instead of their version of Vernon Wells. Definitely saw another Yanks/Sox bidding war for Mauer.

Now in the world of contract extensions, all eyes are officially on the Cardinals for the next two seasons.</font>

[Emperor Smeat]

Cardinals fans might be a bit more worried about Pujols than Twins fans with Mauer since even if it was fake, once news of the Pujols for Howard swap was released, it made a lot of people compare the stats, salary costs, and value for the team between both players.

[Heros Welcome]

I really don't think the Cards fans should worry. I mean yes its going to cost them a pretty penny to hold onto Pujols, especially after giving Holliday the contract they did, but I think the Cards are one of the better run organizations in the league and they know how important Pujols is to that franchise for the present and going forward.

From whats been said Pujols wants the Cards, and we know the Cards feel the same way. I'll bet he ends up staying and signs for a contract in between the 2 A Rod contracts. So I'll say a deal in the neighborhood of 10 years 280 mil. I mean I understand Pujols is going to make sure he gets his money, but I also expect him to make sure his deal is friendly enough to make sure it doesn't restrict the team from making other moves to better the club. Which is why signing Holliday was very important.

[Hanso Amore]

<font color=goldenrod>Joe Mauer gets his extension. 8 years, $184 million. Holy fuck.</font>

Holy shit fuck

Only n to A Rod right?

[Cooler Tom Schuler]

Holy shit fuck

Only n to A Rod right?

His $184 million deal trails only the 10-year deals for Alex Rodriguez ($275 million in 2008, $252 million in 2001) and Derek Jeter ($189 million in 2001).

And the only players to have a higher average salary than Mauer's $23 million are Roger Clemens ($28,000,022 prorated deal with the Yankees in 2007) and Rodriguez, who had average salaries of $25.2 million from 2001-07 and $27.5 million in a deal that runs through 2017.

Yankees ace CC Sabathia also has an average salary of $23 million in his deal that runs from 2009-15.

Mauer's contract is also the largest signed by a catcher, beating out Mike Piazza's $91-million contract with the Mets that ran from 1999-2005.

[ClockShot]

Dodgers release Eric Gagne.

I can see some sucker team picking him up. But his career is all but over, sadly.

[Innovator]

Cashman, NO GAGNE

[Skippord]

Pretty excited to watch the Reds/Rockies game today

Chapman vs De La Rosa will be cool

[DaveWadding]

De La Rosa is ridiculously overrated.

[Skippord]

not when he's pitching well

[Emperor Smeat]

Dodgers release Eric Gagne.

I can see some sucker team picking him up. But his career is all but over, sadly.

His career was basically over once he got outed for using steroids and then sucking on the Red Sox soo much that the joke was the Red Sox won the 2007 title despite Gagne giving away a lot of wins.

[Hardkore Kidd J]

Whoever gets this Bryce Harper guy is gonna be real lucky. The kid is only 17 years old and is the top prospect for the draft. How nuts would it be if the Nats signed him too? Two first draft 2 years running? That would be nuts. I think the kid has a very bright future.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Whoa, that came out of left field. Jose Reyes' thyroid levels have returned to normal and he's been cleared to begin baseball activities again. :love:

Gonna be cautious here, because who knows if it's something that can come back...but if it doesn't he might be back for Opening Day. Awesome news.</font>

[Big Fat Mike]

Jose Reyes is safe to resume baseball activities in the same manner that Korey Stringer was safe to play football.

[ClockShot]

Yanks put Chad Gaudin on waivers. Ssssssssssssssssergio Mitre dodges a bullet for now.

[Innovator]

Didn't mind Gaudin, not enough room I guess

[Skippord]

Jose Reyes is safe to resume baseball activities in the same manner that Korey Stringer was safe to play football.
too soon

[FakeLaser]

Gaudin is 8 billion times better than Mitre

[RoXer]

Or Chacon

[Big Fat Mike]

Gaudin could sit on his ass all summer and still collect about $700,000 from the Yankees.