HOT FUCKING STOVE

Nationals and Rafael Soriano agree to deal. 2 years, 28 mil.

ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssizzle

WOW!

Best rotation, best bullpen in baseball. No team comes even close.

Thanks for the draft pick, Nats.

Nvm, Braves have the best bullpen. Guess that's why they play the games, right lads?

Love how the Nats are being intelligently aggressive in improving their team and trying to win now. I typically find free agent reliever deals to be a waste of resources, but a two year deal for Soriano, the best reliever on the market, is a steal if he can replicate his success from Tampa and last year with the Yanks.

It probably will have a key or something to make sure the manager is the only one who can take it out.

Ok, so here's Soriano's deal with the Nationals.

2-years, $28 mil.

$7 mil. in 2013, $7 mil. in 2014.

The other $14 mil.? Spread out in deferred payments between 2018 - 2025.

He totally read the Bobby Bonilla book on how to milk a team for every single dollar.

Either that or the Nats learned how to do one properly considering the Mets was like 10-12 years of interest and then 25 years of actual payments with interest.

SMELLY MEATBALL POST
 

Looks like the Nats have learned how to do deferred payments considering they signed Soriano through 2025.

It's being said that the Rangers and Braves still match up best with the D-Backs for an Upton trade, however there is speculation now that both teams may hold onto their prospects in hopes of making a Stanton push either this summer or next offseason.

So if the Braves bring back Bourn for a year (seems probable since nobody wants to lose a 1st round pick for Bourn) and the Rangers don't want to move their prospects - maybe the DBacks lower their asking price if they really are determined to get rid of Upton.

Landing Upton while keeping Harvey, Wheeler, and d'Arnaud would be a dream. Not trying to get my hopes up, but I can dream.

Vicente Padilla and Jo-Jo Reyes join the growing exodus to Asia.

Padilla signs a 1-year, $3.25 mil. deal withe the SoftBank Hawks in Japan.

The Angels gave Jo-Jo Reyes his uncondtional release ane he signs with SK Wyverns in South Korea.

For the Braves, I'd say trading for Upton is probably more likely than Bourn. Either way, sick defensive outfield.

3-team trade just went down between the Nats, Mariners, and the A's.

Mariners get Michael Morse
A's get John Jaso
Nationals get A.J. Cole, a "good" prospect from one of the teams, and a PTBNL.

For Michael Morse's sake, I hope the Mariners are in fact bringing in the fences over at Safeco.

If Ackley can get out of his Sophomore Slump, the Mariners might actually have a good offense this year.

Who will the Yankees closer be if Rivera doesnt pan out in his return?

Robertson?

I could see them signing K-Rod to a one year deal as insurance.

They could also look into Brian Wilson.

Edit: Nevermind. He's got a beard.

Buck Showalter will be in Baltimore through 2018

good news

That means Baltimore will go to the 2019 World Series. Good for them.

Most likely Hi-sox. Unless Joba finds himself again.

Realized I've never seen what Michael Morse looks like despite owning him in several fantasy leagues:

http://www.rotoworld.com/images/headshots/MLB/4026.jpg

Shades of Ryan Klesko.

Joba should be publicly executed.

Orioles sign Buck Showalter through 2018.

Darren Oliver coming back for a 20th season. Thank God! He was amazing last year.

Darren Oliver in 2006 had to be one of Omar Minaya's best signings. Picked him up off the scrap heap, he barely made the Opening Day roster, and he's been experiencing a career rejuvenation ever since.

Conversely, not bringing him back after his 2006 season was one of Omar's biggest fuck ups. Didn't wanna hand out multi year deals to re-sign Oliver or Chad Bradford because he didn't think non-closing relievers should get multi years deals. Then he gave out a 3 year deal to noted terrible pitcher Scott Schoeneweis. :mad:

Michael Morse would of been a great Cub. He's well on his way to deserving a statue outside Wrigley along side Carlos Lee and Adam LaRoche.

Red Sox and Mike Napoli finally agree on a new deal which ends up being a 1 year, $5 million deal. Another $8 million is included as incentives making the deal worth up to $13 million.

The original deal was for 3 years and $39 million but was reworked once he failed his physical and other teams dropped their 3-year offers as well.

I was hoping the Sox would get Morse, but Napoli for $5 mil guaranteed is PrettyCool.

Think the Nats were asking for too much for a potential trade at the time even after they resigned Adam LaRoche. Probably the best the Red Sox were willing to offer was whatever they gave from their recent trade with the Pirates.

Curt Schilling is strapped for cash yet again. He's putting the "bloody sock" from the '04 world series up for auction.

<font color=goldenrod>Your Team USA starting rotation for the World Baseball Classic:

R.A. Dickey, Ryan Vogelsong, Kris Medlen, Derek Holland

Ouch.</font>

Spain has a team in the World Baseball Classic. Wut?

Still love the Napoli move for the Red Sox. Think he will do great there.

The Mets have not signed a Major League free agent in 376 days...pathetic.

Still better than almost every other country. Did you watch Medlen last year?