<font color=goldenrod>Tony Sipp goes back to the Astros. 3 years, $18 million.

Blimey...I would have liked to have Sipp back but that feels like an awful lot for a good, not great, middle reliever. Good on him for managing to pull that kind of money.</font>

Rays lost some OF depth....Never heard of Biangini that Jays picked up, doubtful he'll not be returned....

Rule 5 draft lost a lot of luster when they pushed the cutoff out an extra year. Unlikely you'll see the likes of Dan Uggla or Yohan Santana again.

Never understood how some of these teams could afford to tie up a spot on the 25 man roster all year for one of these guys. I remember the cubs drafted David Patton who had never pitched above A ball and just used him in garbage time. Eventually he got "hurt" and was on a minor league rehab for what felt like forever.

The Padres have had moderate success in their rule 5 history. In the early 90s, the picked up Bip Roberts, who, despite injuries, was a solid contributor.

Everth Cabrera had a few decent seasons as well.

The guy they picked up from Oakland has 4A outfielder written all over him. Mid 20s who smashed minor league pitching. I doubt he sticks.

In other Padres news, Ken Rosenthal reports that the Padres and Braves are finishing up a deal that would send former top 100 catching prospect Christian Betancourt to San Diego.

If that deal goes down, the Padres then have 4 catchers who could take a spot on the big club in Norris, Hedges, recently claimed Josmil Pinto and now possibly Betancourt. I'd have to think Norris is being dealt if this move goes through.

<font color=goldenrod>Last year was the most successful Rule 5 draft to date for what it was intended to do. Gave guys like Mark Canha, Delino DeShields, and Odubel Herrera a chance to play regularly. Moreover though, 9 of the 14 guys picked ended up getting a full year of big league pay (either from being on the 25 all year or on the DL). Additionally 2 of them served suspensions but are still with the teams that claimed them, with the Rule 5 restrictions still in place for next year. Guys who were stashed on the DL for long periods, like Daniel Winkler on the Braves, will still have the Rule 5 restrictions next year too.

I think your best bet to stick is to make it as a reliever though. Every team keeps at least 7 relievers at all times, so it's the cleanest route to try to earn a job.</font>

some OF/IF with speed will stick more on the NL side of things coming off the bench....Herrera in Philly had a pretty good season last year, probably not a starter on the better teams but he could turn out to be pretty valuable if he continues to develop with big-league experience....

<font color=goldenrod>O's reportedly offered Chris Davis a 7-year, $150 million deal. Davis countered with a 8-year, $200 million demand. O's then retracted their offer altogether.

Good going there, Boras.</font>

Some team will pony up the dough. For all we know, he may have upped the offer with the intention of scaring off Baltimore all together.

Davis could have a preference of teams he'd like to go to and perhaps Baltimore isn't one of them.

I'd be very happy to keep watching Herrera do baseball things here. Love that dude.

Jason Heyward got a $200 mil. offer on the table right now. The Nationals are gunning for him, but they weren't the ones who made the offer. Cubs & Cardinals are the front runners for his services.

The Os DFAed Junior Lake and signed Edgar Olmos who was released by the Cubs.

So that Tommy Hunter trade was pointless

Well he was a career mediocre pitcher who wasn't very good. Not sure what you were expecting there.

Jake Arrieta

"Lol who would give Jason Hayward 200 mil? Lol. He has like 50 RBIs. Lol"

Sore point in perpetuity for Orioles

O's Starters had a 4.47 FIP, fourth worst in baseball. That's with Chen as their best pitcher.

Welcome to Chicago Jason Heyward. Wow

Orioles rotation looks like
Jiminez
Tillman
Gausman
Gonzalez
TBD FA (Kazmir or Gallardo?)

Kazmir is almost same as Chen if not a bit better with less HR and more Ks.

Think he slots in at CF or do the Cubs make another move?

Both are possible. They have no room for baez as it stands....

V happy with this but interesting that they chose to spend big. It's been the downfall of the two previous regimes that they have a plan to build, then can't help but spend that big market money.

You could deal Baez for pitching I guess. Possibly push Hammel out of the rotation. Or he's part of a package that includes Hendricks and/or Soler or Schwarber that brings back a CF too.

Mega deal for Chris Sale and Adam Eaton? :)

Schwarber, Baez, Hendricks, Almora and a PTBNL?

Jon Heyman reported the deal is less than $200million, and that the Nationals offered at or v close to that.

I'm interested to see what they do next. Soler has been linked to trade rumors, I'm thinking those pick up now.

lol Sale and Eaton defecting would be nuts. Make it happen.

Also I accidentally clicked on Facebook comments section on this deal. Hate everyone rn

Yeah. Everyone should take one look at the lineup and know that they have parts to move. You'd imagine it wouldn't take long for a deal to materialize under those circumstances but it's only December so they don't have to rush it. Could play the market and see who misses out on their FA choices.

<font color=goldenrod>There's still plenty of offseason left but it's tough to see the Cubs not coming out of it looking like the team to beat in 2016.

We'll see how it plays out.</font>

Agreed re: playing the market. Think it'd be better if they waited for at least Upton and Cespedes to sign. Someone will get "desperate" after they go.

Deal is reportedly 8/$184 per MLB. Club hasn't confirmed.

Wow Frank and I were pretty close to what Heyward actually got paid. Wonder what the Padres have to give up to acquire either or both of Soler and Baez.

Flip John Jay? Haha

<font color=goldenrod>So that leaves Upton and Cespedes as the big outfielders left on the market. Cards and Nats were supposedly the other two teams that went in on Heyward, so it's fair to think the Cards and Nats will be in on the other two.

I know I said Cespedes probably won't be worth what he ends up getting paid, but I'll probably cry if he is wearing a Nats uniform next year :'( especially if he ends up going for less than expected (like 4 years, $85 million)</font>

Cards rumored to be going after Alex Gordon to replace Jason Heyward. Also looking at Chris Davis and Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez as possible replacement options.

Seph has to eat a shit brick.

Per Ken Rosenthal on the tweeter, Heyward can opt out after 3 or 4 years, depending on "certain plate appearance thresholds."

For what it's worth, ESPN projecting Schwarber/Heyward/Soler from left to right.

Are the Rockies still actively trying to move Gonzalez? Or does he still want out, rather?

Seems to be more on the Rockies side for trading. A big chunk of money is still owed to him but he's also at his highest value for them right now. Market for him and his position has been hot this offseason.

They could risk keeping him for next season hoping he plays even better but could also backfire big time and they'd get stuck with $37 million in dead weight.

<font color=goldenrod>I'd be hard pressed to blame CarGo if he still wants out. That franchise is a trainwreck.</font>

If Cespedes goes to the Nats, Vito can bask in the glory of a 250/300 avg/un base hitter who can't draw enough walks or make enough contact into his mid 30s to go yard.

It'll all be ok Vito.