Sit in the bleachers, Section 203

Couple of MLB news today:
Padres were rumored to have been the frontrunners to get James Shield but something supposedly happened within the past 24 hours that they might have lost out on him.


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>MLB to use bidding to determine ASG host <a href="http://t.co/FAfFIeyfvR">http://t.co/FAfFIeyfvR</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/BBTN">@bbtn</a> No day passes without Manfred expressing something mind-opening</p>&mdash; Peter Gammons (@pgammo) <a href="https://twitter.com/pgammo/status/563835821430939648">February 6, 2015</a></blockquote>
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New MLB commish believes the Hall of Fame needs some tweaking in regards to how they've handled the Roid Era candidates. Currently thinks the Hall voters are too biased with assumptions in determining who was or wasn't a roid player and using it as the sole reason to not vote for someone.

http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/2015/2/6...-fame-steroids

<font color=goldenrod>lol @ Shields. there's always gotta be somebody who gets completely fucked over by the qualifying offer.</font>

I hope the Padres sign him. There's a ton of questions heath wise in the current rotation.

Padres ended up signing James Shield to a 4 year deal with an option for a 5th year. Money amount wasn't revealed but rumored to be in the $72-76 million range.

Dear God this is the greatest off-season of my life.

<font color=goldenrod>Padres win the Shields-for-Myers trade.</font>

Well Big Game Shields is dead.

Shields being abit overpaid wouldn't you say? No way you invest 72-75 mil on a 2 or 3 guy

That's his market value. He was expected to get a deal in the $20 mil per year range. He's durable, eats a ton of innings and puts up above average production. I think the fact that he settled for a deal far below what was expected is a plus.

<font color=goldenrod>I can't wait to see what the Padres do this season. Recent history (Boston '11, Miami '12, Toronto '13) shows that going crazy in the offseason is far from a sure thing for success...but it definitely will get a fanbase interested.</font>

Even if they're only marginally over.500, say 82-84 wins, that's a vast improvement over last season. By a mile.

I still see nothing about the Padres. They still won't beat the Giants. Maybe they have a slim shot to beat out the Dodgers, but that don't mean a wild card spot.

The NL central might be the most stacked division in the National League assuming the Cubs actually contend. We're talking Pirates, Cards. Who knows about the Reds. Pretty sure the Brewers are mailing it in after trading Galladro.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" lang="en"><p>THIS JUST IN: 2017 All-Star Game will be played at Marlins Park in Miami. (via <a href="https://twitter.com/MiamiHerald">@MiamiHerald</a>) <a href="http://t.co/EzHPJaQVJz">pic.twitter.com/EzHPJaQVJz</a></p>&mdash; SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/565345574506209281">February 11, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<font color=goldenrod>NL gets 3 straight years from 2015-2017. Cincy, SD, Miami.</font>

Could have been 4 in a row had MLB given last year to Wrigley in honor of its 100th anniversary.

Then again they missed out on celebrating Fenway's 100th with the All-Star game a couple of years ago.

Well at least some good players will get to be the home team there for once.

I love Wrigley, but they weren't given that old piece an All Star game. Maybe after the renovations.

A-Rod and the Yankees had a sit down meeting yesterday. He apologized for being a fuck up the last couple years.

"There was an honest and frank discussion on all of the issues. As far as the Yankees are concerned, the next step is to play baseball in Spring Training."

Belichickian statement there.

we're looking ahead to grapefruits

Turns out the reason why the Padres talks with Shields stalled a bit before getting a deal done was due to them making a last ditch effort to get Cole Hamels instead.

Hamels agent and the Phillies refused so the Padres went right back to negotiating with Shields to get a deal done.

Phillies rumored to be interested in making a deal with the Red Sox for Hamels but the asking price is likely going to be too high to get anything done (Mookie Betts or Blake Swihart as the basis).

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/0...le-hamels.html

Ruin Tomorrow is gonna end up with his hands in his pockets. The starting pitcher market is ridiculously deep next year. If he doesn't move Hamels by the deadline he's fucked. Nobody is going to give up top prospects and take on that contract this time next year when they just go and sign Johnny Cueto or Jordan Zimmerman.

<font color=goldenrod>Pitchers and catchers report next week. :cool:

This feels like it's been the longest damn offseason ever but then again the Mets' only real significant move was signing Cuddyer and that was way back in November.

I'm still higher on that move than most. Yes losing the draft pick is unfortunate but they still have a top 5 farm system, badly needed an outfielder, and there were no realistic trade options. Since free agency was the way they were looking to go I'd much rather roll the dice on Cuddyer staying healthy/not declining a lot over the relatively inexpensive 2 year deal and not block Nimmo/Conforto when they're ready than give 4 or 5 years and a lot more money to Nelson Cruz.</font>

Buster Oloney just said Verlander put on 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason. If that's true, steroids is a helluva drug.

<font color=goldenrod>Even though the NL will host the All Star Game for 3 straight years from 2015-17, the AL will bat last in 2016 and be the "home" team in San Diego. Manfred is basically taking a Super Bowl approach to it now and no longer considering NL/AL difference. Any city can bid for the All Star Game and the official home team will strictly alternate as it's the only potential competitive advantage.

He also sees no reason to get rid of the stipulation that the winning league gets home field advantage in the World Series. Even though it's an exhibition game that a shitload of players pull out of playing in.

Manfred sucks.</font>

<font color=goldenrod>The Yankees are retiring Pettite, Posada, and Bernie Williams' numbers in different ceremonies this year, bringing their total number of retired numbers to 20. Jeter's number retirement hasn't been announced but is inevitable, so that'll bring it to 21.

Jesus christ.</font>

They might have to ask to have 3 numbered players.

Double zero?

white sox baby

maybe they are accounting for the 20 lbs of fat that are kate upton's tits that should be permanently attached to his face, if he is smart

<font color=goldenrod>Victor Sanchez, one of the Mariners' top pitching prospects, was in a boating accident. Was swimming in Venezuela and ended up getting hit in the head by a boat propeller. In critical condition. Terrible.</font>

Well played.

<font color=goldenrod>BJ Upton is now going to be introduced by his birth name of Melvin Upton, Jr.

Looks like he was tired of blowjob jokes.</font>

Red Sox expected to announce later today that they signed Yoan Moncada to a deal. No years or total amount was revealed yet but he's getting around $30 million as a signing bonus.

<font color=goldenrod>Supposedly the Red Sox' offer was $31.5 million. But with the 100% tax it was really a $63 million gamble.

Yankees offered $25 million with a willingness to go to $27 million.</font>

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The Red Sox pitching staff.

Really gonna try to get back into baseball this year. Don't think I watched a single game last year.

Reasons given by one of ESPN's New York reporters on why the Yankees didn't bother getting Moncada.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>There was a feeling from some that Moncada wanted to be a Yankee, team viewed it as too risky to spend a total of $60M-$70M for a prospect</p>&mdash; Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewMarchand/status/569882188499578880">February 23, 2015</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Yanks feeling was they can buy a proven MLBer for $60M or $70M</p>&mdash; Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) <a href="https://twitter.com/AndrewMarchand/status/569882835068293120">February 23, 2015</a></blockquote>
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So the Red Sox signed this hot shot Cuban prospect who can play 2B and 3B.

You got Dustin Pedroia locked up for the foreseeable and plays 2B.

They signed Kung Fu Panda this offseason and plays 3B.

So, what's the point of this signing, I don't know. Unless Cherington is just gonna sit on him and flip him when they need a good arm.