Andruw;s Defense is average at this point, 12+ years of Day to day play has worn him down. Add his huge weight gain the last 6 years.

He has fallen too far. The best hitting coach in the world, Don Mattingly, Could save him in LA.

Jason Marquis for Luis Vizcaino trade is in the works and almost complete.

:wave: Marquis

Mets pitch their offer to Derek Lowe. 3-years, $36 mil.

Earlier in the offseason, he was asking for 5-years and $90 mil. So let's see how this goes.

<font color=goldenrod>I don't see it happening, but I would be ecstatic if Lowe signed for that price and Perez' price drops too to the point where he's a reasonable signing.

Santana
Lowe
Pelfrey
Perez
Maine

Now THAT'S a rotation.</font>

Breaking News:

Brian Fuentes and the Angels agree to a 2-year, $17.5 mil. deal.

Indians aquire Mark DaRosa from the Cubs for 3 players to be named later.

:wavesad: DeRo

WOw, angels lose Teix and K rod, and only gain Fuentes. They are still going to be a top team, but with another year old Vlad and Hunter, and no Garrett Anderson, they have some holes to fill.

Not to mention they have no 1st baseman.

What I don't quite get with the Angels is they trade Kotchman to get Tex. Now Kotch wasn't setting the world on fire, but he wasn't a slouch and was only going to get better.(I think) Anyway they give him up and then let Tex walk.

The funny thing is that Braves fans aren't thrilled at all about Kotch. He has potential and he's fairly young, but you just can't tell about him right now.

And the Braves need some power in their lineup, which most teams find from a 1st baseman.

Lowe gives a :n: to the Mets' offer.

Reports flying around are that the Giants are going after Manny hard.

Scott Proctor signs with the Marlins.

Stay here Lowe.
Stay here Manny.

Tried to get all the horses to make a run at the World Series last year.

I get that, but if you're going to give up the future for the present, the present is also today.
Know what I mean?

What?!?!

Sometimes it works (see Celtics or CC) sometimes it doesnt. It usually boils down to how hot the GMs seat is.

Dear Atlanta Braves,

Wake the fuck up. Do something.

Sincerely,

Boomer

lol if this rumor is true... oh my god. I guess we are reworking Andruw's contract, so that will free up a shitload of money to give to Manny. No Andruw and Yes Manny? AMAZING.

Jones is in winter ball working out his mechanics. Wonder if he'll get anywhere.

No way. He is done.

never know.

No I don't get what you are saying. They put everything into last season thinking it was their best shot, without thinking about this season. They probably thought half a season of Tex (and having their aging stars a year younger) was more likely to lead to a World Series than two seasons of Kotchman (with their aging stars a year older)

They were probably pretty confident that they could re-sign Tex. And also felt that a team like the Yankees wouldn't blow everyone else out of the water.

OK, I guess my thoughts on it weren't complete, I appologize. The Angels are abig market team and can afford to spend. Why they would give up a wanted prospect and then let Tex go doesn't make sense. They can afford to pay, even overpay for Tex. They are not say, Toronto taking a run at things and then having to fall back.

Andruw Jones restructures his deal so he can be traded or released from the Dodgers.

Derek Lowe wants $16 mil. per season. Other than the Mets, the Red Sox, Phillies, Braves, and a mystery team are also involved in talks.

Vasquez to the Braves.

He gets his K's and eats up a lot of innings. He should be better than he is, not sure why he's never made it as an 'elite' pitcher. Still not a bad signing.

I was reading that the Giants are front runners for Manny now.Don't know if this is Boras trying to pressure the Dodgers or not.

For what I understand they offered him a pretty huge deal but I also read in SI that he said hes an "east coast guy" so that might have been up there with what he wanted from his contract (big money with a contender on the east coast) and the Angels can really only offer 2 of those 3 things.

Well CC was a west coast guy, but he ended up on the East coast. Stories about east coast - west coast are just that stories. Guys play for money and/or championships, then they play for 'the hometown'.
I wouldn't doubt that SI story was all about Baltimore or Washington landing him. What I hear was both those teams were going to offer him up a ton of dough but he didn't sign with either of them. Anyway, doesn't matter now. He's a Yankee and he'll pull a quad in spring training and suffer all season, people will they critisize him and he'll demand a trade by this time next year.

little fact and ficton rite thur

Pat Burrell signs with the Rays. 2-years, $16 mil.

Milton Bradley signs with the Cubs. 3-years, $30 mil.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia signs an extension going into 2012.

Really surprised Burrell signed for $16 mil. He turned down offers between $10-12 million a year in the past from the Phils, and is now going to make much less. Bad move on his/his agent's part.

Good for Scioscia, he's one of the best around.

Wow, Burrell as a steal to the Rays, great move by them.

With Price coming into the rotation, they are reloading. Good for them.

Phillies didn't want him back.

Well of course not, they already signed Ibanez a month ago. But last spring they tried to sign him to an extension, but he turned them down. Now he will make significantly less.

Dodgers continue to do nothing. Awesome.

Maybe he hated Filthydelphia like everyone else?

And Arizona is so much better? What with all that sand that they have and shit?

I don't live on the fucking beach, chief.

Burrell loves Philadelphia. So many Urban legends about him at bars and various other establishments in the City.

They don't have sand in deserts?

I don't remember this.

Phillies | Burrell turned down deal
Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:08:18 -0700

The Philadelphia Inquirer's Paul Hagen reports Philadelphia Phillies OF Pat Burrell turned down a two-year, $22 million offer to stay with the team.

I know I heard it somewhere during Spring Training, this was the best I could find.

<font color=goldenrod>JC Romero suspended for 50 games</font>

Thought it was 30? wow. for what, what did he do

hopefully a's can sign jason giambi. loved that guy when he used to play here.

DODGERS RE-SIGN MANNY AND LOWE! WOO!!

Oh wait no we didn't because we are not doing jack shit this offseason and Coletti can suck my nuts. Boras, too.

Yankees P Sergio Mitre suspened 50 games for steroids.

N.Y. Times is reporting Andy Pettitte turned down the Yankees' 1-year, $10 mil. offer.

I wonder if they're gonna give Hughes one last chance for a starter spot. Or go grab someone cheap.

<font color=goldenrod>I hope they are in the minority...but a bunch of my Yanks' fan friends are all pissed off at Andy, accusing him of not having loyalty and being all about the money :|

The irony of this is astounding.</font>

You have stupid friends, Vito. Good for Pettitte though. The Yanks are willing to overpay everybody else but then want to cut his salary by 40%. I'd be mad too.

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah they are pretty stupid when it comes to baseball...everytime a free agent turns down the Yankees (didn't happen much this offseason so far) they act shocked as though every single player in the Major Leagues WANTS to play there no matter what. Get the fuck out.

As for Andy, wouldn't be surprised to see the Dodgers make a run for him. The need is obviously there, plus Torre is at the helm. Could be a good fit...just depends if he's willing to go somewhere other than NY or Houston.</font>

Pettitte in Dodger blue. Be good.

Indians reportedly agree to a contract with...Carl Pavano!

Yankees sign journeyman pitcher Jason Johnson.

A's and Jason Giambi appear destined for a reunion

I wouldn't mind Petitte

Exactly.

http://naturalpatriot.org/wp-content.../11/sahara.jpg


Welcome to Phoenix, Arizona!

Gotta love how people are calling Pat Burrell a steal for the Rays at $8 million a year but nobody wants Adam Dunn on their team.

yeah what's up with Dunn. Is it his attitude? I thought I heard or read something about him saying he doesn't really care about baseball?? - something like that? I dunno, fill me in.

10 million was more than fair for Pettitte. I mean they've been overpaying him the last two years as one of the highest paid pitchers when he clearly wasn't. After the season he had last year I don't really think he can expect much more than 10 million from any team in baseball. Maybe another million or two but thats it.

Still can't believe the Yankees got Tex. As for the other pick ups, I really don't think Burnett will hold up and I'm curious to see how C.C. does with the pressure of playing in NY (his track record isn't very good) but with the addition of Tex their offense is downright ridiculous, especially if Cano returns to form.

Red Sox really aren't looking too hot right now either, still haven't picked up a catcher - curious to see how that turns out. Also lost Coco Crisp so they are lacking outfield depth right now (which is a huge issue since JD Drew seems to also be pulling muscles or having spasms or some shit)

From all accounts, Dunn is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. But apparently his good ole country boy attitude gets in the way of his win at all costs attitude. Like he's fine just where he is and if he doesn't win a World Series he'll be perfectly fine in life.

I dunno, if a guy who's not obsessed with baseball can hit 40 homers and drive in 100 runs, imagine what he could do with a manager who could motivate him.

But how can the Yankees justify that? They've obviously put forth an offseason plan that disregards paying for value so why should they then shun one of the faces of their franchise?

So we're halfway through the MLB Offseason and there are still a ton of good names available. Let's play a game and give your predictions on who's going where

Manny Ramirez:
Ben Sheets:
Derek Lowe:
Adam Dunn:
Oliver Perez
Ken Griffey Jr.:
Ivan Rodriguez:
Trevor Hoffman:
Bobby Abreu:
Orlando Hudson:
Jason Varitek:
Joe Crede:
Orlando Cabrera:
Jon Garland:
Jeff Kent:
Eric Gagne:
Pedro Martinez:
Mark Mulder:
Omar Vizquel:
Rocco Baldelli:

Big Name to be Traded:

Manny Ramirez: Dodgers
Ben Sheets: Rangers
Derek Lowe: Mets
Adam Dunn: Nationals
Oliver Perez: Mets
Ken Griffey Jr.: Mariners
Ivan Rodriguez: Orioles
Trevor Hoffman: Dodgers
Bobby Abreu: Cardinals
Orlando Hudson: Giants
Jason Varitek: Red Sox
Joe Crede: Giants
Orlando Cabrera: Athletics
Jon Garland: Brewers
Jeff Kent: Retired
Eric Gagne: Brewers
Pedro Martinez: Dodgers
Mark Mulder: Athletics
Omar Vizquel: Padres
Rocco Baldelli: Red Sox

Big Name to be Traded: Brian Roberts

<font color=goldenrod>Perez' asking price has been so ridiculous so far that I could see him being this year's Kyle Lohse: Boras has him wait too long and he ultimately has to settle on a one-year deal.

Santana-Lowe-Pelfrey-Perez-Maine</font>

:drool:

Baldelli is a free Agent? Not that he will be missed or even play much, but I thought he had some years left.

I would not mind the Yanks giving Mulder a 1 year deal and let him fight for the 5 spot.

He wants 16 million. No team in baseball is giving him that. The only thing I can say is that Sabathia and Burnett actually had productive seasons last year. Pettitte was pretty bad. They already overpayed him the last two years for things he's done in the past, they shouldn't have to overpay him again.

Oh well, you can't blame him for trying. I'm sure he's banking on the rotation staying thin on the back end and the Yankees eventually caving in.

And 14 wins and a 4.54 ERA is hardly a "pretty bad" season.

I'd like to see Rocco Baldelli on the Sox, I think it could be a nice fit as the 4th outfielder - would be an instant fan favorite too due to the fact he's from New England.

:| @ the lack of FA catchers though, really starting to think the Sox are gonna go into the season with Bard as their #1...

Nah, you guys will get Pudge

Yankees sign Angel Berroa to a minor league deal. He'll compete with Cody Ransom for the utility man spot.

Orioles sign Koji Uehara.

Reds sign Jerry Hairston Jr.

Red Sox appear close to deals with John Smoltz and Rocco Baldelli.

Trevor Hoffman expected to choose between the Dodgers and Brewers tomorrow.

I anticipated Baldelli signing with Boston, but Smoltz is a bit of a surprise. He gives them some flexibility with their rotation and hopefully clears the path for them to trade a young talented pitcher for a young talented catcher.

Smoltz? Thought for sure he'd be back with the Braves, out of any of the marquee Braves pitchers of the 90's to come to Boston I figured it'd be Tom Glavine since he's from the area.

I'll be upset if Smoltz leaves, but I won't blame him if he had to. It was like Warrick Dunn with the Falcons. Old but still productive, but the team has to move on and work on getting some younger blood.

Still would have liked him around the clubhouse though.

Trevor Hoffman is a Brewer.

Wow, GOod pickup for Angel berroa as a possible utility man, I like him on the bench.

Will Hoffamn be their closer or the 8th inning guy?

Salomon Torres retired. Oh.

I guess Brian Cashman flipped a coin. He wants to keep Nick Swisher and trade off Xavier Nady.

I hope they only trade one of them if they get something good in return. They shouldn't feel forced to trade one of them just for the sake of it.

If they do trade one, Nady is the smart one to move. Yankees need outfielders past next year and out of Nady, Damon, Matsui and Swisher; Swisher is the only one under contract.

Mets are close to signing Tim Redding to a 1 year deal for 2.25 mil with incentives.

He is nothing to brag about but its nice depth being added to the starting staff. I wish we had got Wolf.

Mets <3 Nationals rejects

<font color=goldenrod>God I can't wait until Rickey Henderson's HOF speech...gonna be hilarious.</font>

Red Sox signed Takashi Saito today. So this is their bullpen as of today:

Jonathan Papelbon
Takashi Saito
Ramon Ramirez
Justin Masterson
Hideki Okajima
Manny Delcarmen
Javier Lopez
Tim Wakefield (?)

Pretty strong bullpen if you ask me. I think they're looking to make a big trade given all the signings they've made this week. Whether that move is going to be in the offseason or at the trade deadline I'm not sure.

Braves win the Kenshin Kawakami sweepstakes. 3-year deal.

These are the commemorative sleeve patches that will be worn by the Yankees and Mets for their new stadiums this year:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3128/...1087cc87_o.png

Is it really any wonder why people don't take the Mets seriously?

It looks like the Sam's Club Logo

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah that patch is really pathetic. They make it sound like the 2009 season is the first season ever for the Mets. I can only hope it says "Citi Field" right above it in different stitching or something.</font>

LOL @ The Mets patch...give me a break

I don't think they legally can put the citi name anywhere on their jerseys. It violates the rules about advertising on major league apparel or something like that. So yeah I think that patch is exactly how its gonna look

<font color=goldenrod>Shit, forgot about that rule. I would rather not even bother with a patch at that rate. I do wonder who was in charge of coming up with the logo to Citi Field, which is exactly the same as the patch anyway.

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/ran...FIELD-LOGO.jpg

Not only is the logo boring looking...but it's clearly unoriginal as it looks all too similar to:

http://tenminutesports.com/blog/wp-c...minos-logo.gif

---

Maybe Domino's Pizza is the backup sponsor if CitiBank folds.</font> :o

Michael Young wants out of Texas after discovering that the team plans on having him play 3B this year.

<font color=goldenrod>Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice are the headlining Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2009 inductees</font>

LOL Mets.

Fixed. ;)

Young and Wells are really good, if not best friends. Wonder if the Jays can sign him. Here's me hoping for good things again :n:

Absolutely the most fucking hilarious thing i've ever read in my life

lol at the Mets

:y:

<font color=goldenrod>Supposedly Billy Wagner is ahead of schedule in his rehab and is shooting for a return in late August.

Holy shit, the thought of going into September with K-Rod, Putz, and Wagner in the back of the bullpen is pretty amazing.</font>

The Blue Jays are probably the best fit for Young. He would slot in nicely and help them compete in the AL East. I don't know if the two teams can match up on an offer.

Rickey is the best leadoff hitter ever. I'm looking forward to induction speech. I'm so glad Jim Rice made the Hall. I just wish my dad was able to see him finally make it. :'(