Hughes & Montero should get it done. But I want Seattle to eat some money.

/wishful thinking

no way on Hughes. They would just be trading one good pitcher for another. Hughes is not as good as Felix is right now, but I think he will be an Ace is a few years.

Trading Hughes for Felix just puts them back where they are.

Exactly. And Cano....yeah that's not happening.

The Mariners are not going to trade Felix. I think they'd rather trade Ichiro.

It'd be stupid for Seattle to trade one of the two main draws they have, can't stop me from dreaming.

I might even trade Hughes for Hernandez. But, it either or if you want Montero package you can't have Hughes and if they want a Hughes package they can't have Montero. Cano is out of the question.

We do have a lot of good young pitching talent so if all they wanted was like Hughes and maybe 1 or 2 single A guys it's kinda stupid not to do it.

Let's say the Mariners came up and said Hughes straight up for Hernandez ? I'd do it because we do have quite a few good minor league pitchers who'd do us good in the rotation. I love Hughes. But this is King Felix we are talking about.

But, it's never gonna happen that way.................ever.

Derrek Lee to the Padres

I have no idea who the Orioles are going to have at 1B

Rich Harden to the A's. 1-year, $1.5 mil.

Matt Guerrier to the Dodgers. 3-years, $12 mil.

Randy Choate to the Marlins. 2-years, $2.5 mil.

Wow, didn't know the Red Sox got Joe Blanton. That might turn out to be a good deal for Boston.

Bob Feller passes away at 92.

Where did you see this? I am checking all around and don't see any links.

Bob Feller was/is the fucking man

Ok, the deal fell through. They had conversations, but it never materialized.

The information came as a result of Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

http://www.nesn.com/2010/12/report-r...-phillies.html

I wonder if Joe Blanton will be traded before the season starts. If the Phillies want to get rid of Blanton how much prospect wise ya think it will cost the Yankees? Or do you think they should steer clear of him?

Yankees should try to get him, I mean...if they take get Blanton, and somehow convince Pettitte to come back, their rotation won't be bad at all.

Sabathia, Burnett, Pettitte, Blanton, Hughes.

Not bad.

Also, puzzling as to why they'd sign Mark Prior and Russell Martin. I don't get those two deals. Prior's arm couldn't handle the NL, I don't think he'll do well in the AL, unless he becomes a reliever.

Can't hurt really since he has a minor league deal. I would have said Prior could be an 8th inning guy but Kerry Wood has been doing Ok at that. I don't pay much attention though for all I know Wood is a free agent.

And don't worry if things go right Romine, or Montero will have more time as catcher then Martin.

Wood is a free agent still, I think.

[quote=Aguakate;3358036]Wood is a free agent still, I think.[/quoted]

Yes, the White Sox tried to sign him on a 2 year deal. But I think that died after they got Jesse Crain. They needed a 7th, and 8th, inning guy who could sometimes pitch the 9th. And Crain seems to be that guy.

Kerry Wood is close to coming back to the Cubs!!!!!!!!!!!

And was sad to hear about Bob Feller. Great guy.

Well they could still go after LaRoche I think. How good are Mahoney and Snyder? Maybe they have a lot of faith in one of them.

MLB Network spent a few good minutes discussing how the Yankees could make a move for Carlos Zambrano either this offseason or next year.

The biggest issue is Yankees don't want to eat up most of the $55 million left since the Cubs won't be willing to pay and his price range as a #3 starter since they don't see him fitting as a #1 or #2.

Only reason it came up was due to Yankees making deals for Pryor and Zambrano hinted if he had to leave, Yankees would be a good option.

I wonder how fans from both sides of this would feel about AJ Burnett straight up for Zambrano.

I want Zambrano gone. And even better, out of the NL

I hope Wood does become a Cub again.

You do? I hope he stays with the Yankees as our 8th inning guy. But we do have quite a few ready minor leaguers or Prior who could do an ok job as 7th, and 8th guy I guess.

I hope Zambrano never leaves the Cubs.

In a way I hope that too. The Cubs is really the place where he should be.

Zambrano to the Yankees is a terrible idea. Walking 4 batters per 9 in the AL East is a great way to a 5 ERA

I should rephrase. I hope Zambrano never stops sabotaging the Cubs.

Tigers sign Magglio Ordonez to a 1 year 10 million dollar deal.

Red Sox sign Bobby Jenks to 2 year $12 million deal with incentives to become a full-time closer should Papelbon end up being traded or looses his spot as the closer during Spring Training.

Its expected for now he will be the setup man or at least split time with Bard for the spot.

Papelbon, we'll give you ten dollars and #41.

I like this since last year it seemed like Bard and/or Papelbon had to pitch almost every game cause Okajima and Ramirez made 5 run leads turn into 1-2 run leads. Hopefully Papelbon doesn't pull a hissy fit this time like he did when the Red Sox acquired Eric Gagne and again when they acquired Billy Wagner.

You know before everyone thought when the Red Sox offered Mariano a contract that it was a ploy for the Yankees to pay more for him. Now, I see they did w ant him so Papelbon could be gone. I say by the trading deadline Papelbon is traded any takers?

Let's say Hypothetically Papelbon is traded at the dead line. You think Jenks will be the closer? I think Bard may not be ready for the closer role yet.

Now, The Red Sox scare the shit out of me.

Twins agree to terms with japanese player Tsuyoshi Nishioka. 3-years, $10 mil.

Chien-Ming Wang goes back to the Nationals. 1-year, $1 mil. with incentives that could get him up to $5 mil.

A few details of Zach Greinke's contract came out for those interested in trading up for him. He has block power on 15 teams. With the Yankees, Red Sox and Nationals included. Tigers, Angels, and the Rangers are not.

And finally, with all pretty much a signing each day, the Red Sox pass the Yankees for highest payroll in MLB. Remember, they still gotta hammer out a deal with A-Gon in the spring.

My guess is that if Jenks is pitching well he'd be the closer, but Bard has been touted as the closer of the future since he came up in 2009 so I don't think Jenks would have the role permanently.

<font color=goldenrod>One of my Yankee fan friends feeld like the Red Sox offering Mariano a deal gives him a new reason to hate them.

Yeah, fuck them for trying to make their team better! I'm sure they knew he wouldn't accept, but no harm in trying since it made the Yanks offer more anyway.</font>

Yeah because the Yankees would never do that or anything. (see: Johnny Damon)

I know ! Trust me I have seen how Bard is. But, in my honest opinion that would be like making Eduardo Nunuz leap into being a short stop for the season. How old is Bard like 21? He's still got some time to being the closer. They should switch them from time to time. And then by the time of Jenks contract ends in 2012 Bard will be an amazing closer.



One question, do you think that some Red Sox fans didn't feel the same way when the Yankees signed Johnny Damon? I know, it's not really the same thing but, I bet you that gave some of them a new reason to hate the Yankees.

<font color=goldenrod>I don't see why that would make the Red Sox fans hate the Yankees as much as it would make them hate Johnny himself. Being a beloved player and jumping to your top rival is perfectly reasonable grounds to put the player on your shitlist (especially in Damon's case when he had said throughout that season that the Yanks weren't his kind of team). But the team can hardly be faulted for wanting to make their team better.

Much like Jeter, seeing Mo in a Red Sox uni would have been a total mindfuck. No doubt either man would become public enemy #1 and get booed mercilessly at the first game in New York. It'd all be forgiven once they retired, though.</font>

You bring up a very valid point. Now that I think about it you're absolutely right. If Mo or Jeter did go to he Red Sox I don't think I'd hate the Red Sox anymore.

I might hate PLAYING the Red Sox cause they looked so good. I would most likely be very sad. I would also most likely be very angry with said player. And a bunch of questions would be going through my head like "Why the Fuck would Mo/Jeter do something like that?"

<font color=goldenrod>Pedro Feliciano to the Yankees. 2 years, $8 million plus an option.

Farewell Pedro. :( It's been a great run but $4 million is a lot to pay a LOOGY who has logged 266 appearances over the past 3 seasons. Thanks for declining arbitration so the Mets can get a sandwich 1st round pick. :cool:

Could see the Mets grabbing Joe Beimel or something when camp opens up. Basically the same numbers but he can likely be had for around $1 million.</font>

I bet Feliciano will be happy to not have to pitch the middle innings every night.

<font color=goldenrod>I do wonder how much Girardi will use Pedro. Dude is money against lefties. Think his workload won't be as heavy though once Marte comes back.</font>

Last I heard about Marte he might be missing the whole season.

Girardi will use him alot. He loves working matchups to the point where it gets a little crazy.

Zack Greinke wants out of Kansas City for sure. He's gotta be going to New York.

But hey...watch out for the Phillies. I bet right now, his salary is low...and if they have prospects to trade, they could probably unload Hamels or Oswalt after this season to give Greinke good money

Dayton Moore will likely ask for a king's ransom. However, if I were GM of a smart team, the smart team not being on Greinke's no-trade list and from a small market, I'd place a call. Rangers could probably work something out...

Phillies gotta be all but maxed out on the black amex by now. They're looking at $157 mil. going into 2011. They'll probably add a cheap bat or bullpen arm. But that's it.

There were initial fears of the Royals mimicking what Toronto did by basically giving away 2 players for nothing but supposedly there is plans to ensure it won't happen.

Initial plan is to only accept teams Greinke approves to do offers and ask for players in spots the Royals need the most. At the same time, he's leaving the door open for other teams and allowing the demands to be flexible to prevent low-balling by big market teams.

Its a smart plan since Royals guaranteed either a few big names or enough middle-tier names to fill out depth and positions they wanted.

Phillies have completely gutted their farm system over the past two years. They have no one to trade.

Doesn't Greinke have Block Power over the Yankees as one of the teams?

They should just trade Cole Hamels for Zack Greinke, straight up.

<font color=goldenrod>Dan Wheeler to the Red Sox - 1 year, $3 million plus a $3 million option.

Looks like the Red Sox are trying to buy their championship!!1!!</font> :shifty:

Cubs sign Kerry Wood to a 1 year deal. "Kid K" is back!

Yeah, but I heard he might change his mind



So happy. He passed up double the money and double the years too.

Don't talk to me about Cliff Lee giving up years and money, while he's still getting paid $24 Million a year.

Talk to me about Kerry Wood giving up years and money, while he's getting paid $1 Million for only one year.

That was Lee's main goal this offseason in getting a contract that would get him as close to $25 million a year that he wanted. Next goal was to get a 6-7 year deal with 7 being the ideal number of years.

Yankees closet offer was $23.3 million but refused on giving him CC quality money and #1 spot while the Rangers varied around $22-$23 million with their multiple offers.

Red Sox just got another player from the Devil Rays, Relief pitcher Dan Wheeler. Looks like it's a fire sale in Tampa. Back to the bottom of the ALE for them!

Who did the Red Sox give up for him?

None since he was a free agent but it looks like the Red Sox were willing to let Bill Hall go to the Astros instead of offering him a new deal (also a free agent).

It might be an even trade off in terms of money since Hall is getting $3 million from the Astros.

Red Sox do save some money since Hall was paid $8 million last season and save $5 million from letting him go for Wheeler.

Too bad Hall was a great ult. guy last year. Really stepped up when Youk and Pedroia got hurt.

Only three million bucks? That's too bad I thought he could have cashed in a little bit more for the solid season he had. I think he pitched once during the season making him one of the only people in the MLB who have played every position except catcher.

<font color=goldenrod>Sounds like the Brewers could be getting close to landing Zack Greinke.

The rumor making the rounds is Greinke, Yuniesky Betancourt, and about $2 million for Alcides Escobar, Lorenzo Cain, and Jeremy Jeffress</font>

Greinke AND Betancourt? Wow.

Betancourt is awful.

The Brewers' main focus this offseason should be going back to their old unis

Kinda agree! Now, if it was Greinke AND Soria in a trade that's unbelievable.

It's official... wowwwwwwwww

Brewers def have a shot in the NL Central now. Greinke/Gallardo/Marcum/Wolf is a pretty solid 1-4. Should be quite a slugfest between the Reds, Cards and Brewers now. I wonder if that means Prince won't be traded. Isn't he a free agent after this season? Maybe he has one more year. Or maybe they'll just trade Greinke and Fielder if they fall out of contention early and really rebuild. The prospects they gave up for Greinke weren't anything incredibly spectacular.

Marlins trying to trade Ricky Nolasco. Looks like the only other "big fish" (ah cha) on the market for the Yankees now. Dunno how much faith I'd have, big K guy but can't seem to get it figured out, which is weird because he doesn't really walk too many guys. Prone to the long ball though. Not sure how that would play at Yankee Stadium.

Yankees haven't had much success with ex-Marlins pitchers either.

So the Brew Crew gets Greinke. Why they needed Betancourt along for the ride boggles me.

NL Central is gonna be a warzone next year.

Probably to match the salaries being swapped around since Brewers are also getting some cash in the deal.

The Rangers and Yankees must have been putting too many of their players on a no-touch list since it doesn't appear the Royals got the mega-deal they wanted from trading Greinke.

I thought Betancourt was a top notch Defensive SS? Am I wrong? Surely it assists in his offensive shortcomings

Watch Betancourt come out and have a decent year with the Brewers.

Luis Vizcaino signed to a minor league deal. Scranton-Wilkes Barre is gonna be stacked this year...

He had a decent year last year with the Royals

Austin Kearns goes back to Cleveland.

Rick Ankiel to the Nationals.

And, the Orix Buffaloes out of Japan Chan Ho Park. This will probably do it for his career.

Right, but since everyone's all like "Betancourt sucks", it'd be nice if he came out and played well.

LOL

I speculate that Marcum (if he stays healthy) will have a better era and overall numbers than Grienke.

If that's why the Jays didn't get Greinke, that would make sense, because the Jays were front runners right out of the gate this off season. I didn't think Greinke wouldn't want to play for T.O. The Jays are rebuilding themselves fast.

I think Greinke probably didn't want to play in a big city, tbh. He has very severe social anxiety disorder

orly???

He's medicated and all better now. Just ask him. *twitch*

Brewers pitching vs. Cardinals hitting is the story to look out for in the NL Central

Supreme is rolling in his grave after that post.

Cashman says he's operating under the assumption that Andy Pettitte will not return next season.

So right now, we're looking at a rotation of:

CC Sabathia
AJ Burnett
Phil Hughes
Ivan Nova
Sergio Mitre

*shivers*

Vasquez is looking pretty good right about now, huh?!

Not after the season he had last year. They should be able to find someone to put up a 5.30 ERA. Hopefully.

They already did. He's your #2 starter.

Yup I can't wait till that epic Zack Greinke/David Freese showdown. Yovani Gallardo vs. Skip Schumaker? Yes please!

I'm kidding of course. We all know everyone will be waiting for that Brewers/Cardinals game when Milwaukee's pitchers go toe to toe with the reigning MVP. OH WAIT A MINUTE!

I don't think "Mitre" I have heard it will be someone else like Brackman, Betances, or Noesi. I think those are 3 of the people Cashman are considering if I read his statement correctly.

ANDREW BRACKMAN!

Guy went to my rival high school. Nasty nasty stuff. Thought his arm was gonna give out on him before he got to the show. Glad to see he's still fighting .

No, no, no, no, no. Killer B's ain't ready yet. I'm hearing MAYBE one might get to the bigs around mid-season. Yankees asked for Freddy Garcia's medical records, but haven't heard nothing new for a few days. I don't know what Cashman can do. Take another spin with Carl Pavano, fly down to Texas and beg Pettitte to come back, pray to god that Mark Prior hasn't lost it? We're in tight spot.

Rangers, Nationals, and "a mystery NL Central team" are fighting for Brandon Webb's services right now. Let the speculation begin.

I don't think Andy Pettitte wants to go back to New York, for some reason. It wouldn't shcok me if he decides to pitch for the Rangers, since they're a good team, it's close to home, and he won't have to deal with whatever is going on in New York. I just don't see him showing interest in the Yankees, for some reason.

Hmm, well I could def see the Astros or Cubs going after him out of need. He's a Kentucky kid so he could have interest in the Reds, but I dunno where he'd fit. It's not out of the question that the Brewers are going all in this season and they'd sign him as their #4 or 5 guy.

Interesting...

It was said early on that the Cubs were interested in him...so maybe it's the Cubs.

I don't really know where you get this from. He's already said he's either retiring or pitching for the Yankees. Seems like he's leaning more towards retiring though.

"Realmente"?

You don't think he'd accept a deal from the Rangers if it was right? He already left New York once to pitch with the Astros, so...I wouldn't completely throw it out the window. It's already been reported (briefly) that the Rangers had contacted him, and that it infuriated the Yankees.

Yeah, Betances and Banuelos aren't close to ready. I could see Brackman up mid-season though. He's gonna be 25 next year so they should start pushing him some. And I think they're only looking at Prior in the bullpen.

Anything can happen but I highly doubt it. He's already said if he pitches next year it will be with the Yankees and it'd be his last year. I just doubt he wants to spend his last year chasing a ring on a team he's never been on before. Especially when the Yankees are obviously pushing him to come back and he pretty much will get a blank check if he does decide to return.

And another thing is at his age he may not wanna pitch every five days in Texas. For some people pitching every five days where it's very hot or very cold could be really bad. I don't know how he felt about pitching in Houston so I don't know. But, that could be one of the factors.

And it does look like right now the Rangers are more inclined to get Webb. It looks like they are pushing for him hard. Ya think they will get Webb and Pettitte?

Better hope that Offense carries your team

Ha. Well personally I don't see the Reds repeating, and Pirates and Astros and my Cubs will suck.

The middle of that Cardinals lineup, if Berkman can stay healthy, is pretty formidable.

And I was only talking about one division