The official MLB offseason thread!
 

Let's start the rumors...

big unit, small brain to the yanks?

Pedro to the dodgers?

Clemens to the?

Beltran?

Lowe? (only guy to win all 3 clinching games... ALDS, ALCS, WS)

Teck?

the list goes on...

Boston will get Lowe back next year i think.

Beltran...Who knows. Everyone's gonna want a piece.

Beltran: Yanks. That's the one I'm pretty sure about because when it comes down to it, only like 4 teams can probably afford him.

BUT....The Yanks need pitching, so they might just skip him and get 2 solid starters.

Expect the Braves to turn over at least a third of their roster in the offseason, just as they do every year. Key free agents are RF J.D. Drew, RHP Jaret Wright and RHP Russ Ortiz.

I think Yankees will spend a ton of money on Beltran and screw themselves over.

I heard rumors that Pedro might reuinte with Felipe Alou and become the Giants closer

VEL, remember when we both made the same topic and we got in a huge battle? Thats all overwith now right?

Actually, it wasn't a huge battle, it was just you getting pissy because I posted a major story outside of your thread and yes, I did this to discuss the offseason and to poke you w/ the taunting stick :p

(actually, I couldn't remember who the poster was, but I knew they would be anal enough to bring it up!) :p

yeah, Pedro's a 5-7IP pitcher, but I can see him taking a home town discount if the sox want him and Pedro's 5-7 is better then most.

I think Lowe's going to get a ton of money and Borus will make sure of it, I don't see the sox going for him.

Tek they'll go after, but it depends on how much he wants or can get... I don't see the sox breaking the bank for him... I would love to see him stay, but I don't think they'll make him one of the top 10 paid players in the league.

OC I think wants to stay and so does Pokey.

I agree, Beltran is a perfect fit for NY to replace Bernie and Bernie can still hit, so could go to DH and save his knees.

Pavano is the real wild card...

There's also Clemens, does the 'Backs try and move the big dumb unit (he wanted to go to ny). I think Wells may also be a FA...

Some other big free agents are Nomar, Beltre, Delgado, Sexson, Ordonez, Odalis Perez and Armando Benitez. Peter Gammons said that the Cardinals are going after Randy Johnson, but I don't think Arizona is going to part with him, especially if they re-sign Sexson. I see Nomar not getting any deals cuz he really had bad luck getting injured and playing poorly for his standards in his contract year. So perhaps a 1 year deal in Anaheim or Chicago. Beltre is most likely going to stay with the Dodgers. Delgado is definitely gone from Toronto. New York could be a place for him, but the Yanks are already pretty loaded with lefty 1st basemen if Olerud stays around. Ordonez is the forgotten man. He's a huge hitter and can be like the Vlad Guerrero of last year as Beltran is to Sheffield. Everyone is going after Beltran but Ordonez could make even a bigger impact.

All of them to the Yankees.

today the Cubs said they wont resign Moises Alou

Astros won't pick up Jeff Kent's option. They want him to come back for less.

As much as I would love to see Carlos stay with the Jays he won't :(

I can see Delgado going to the Braves. They can afford his salary and he's a huge upgrade over Laroche

<font color=goldenrod>I'm still anxiously waiting to find out who the new Mets manager for next season is gonna be. Apparently the announcement will likely be next week sometime.</font>

Keep him. ;)

Mueller wasn't a free agent, sox had an option for 2.1mil, they picked it up.

Nomars saying he only wants a 1yr deal so he can prove he can stay healthy, smart move on his part.

Delgado to LA

<font color=goldenrod>Here's the way I see things panning out with the Red Sox:

<b><u>Probably Returnees</u></b>

Jason Varitek: No brainer here. One of, if not the best catcher in the game.

Doug Mirabelli: He's the one that always has to catch for Wakefield and he swings a good bat coming off the bench. One of the better back-up catchers in the league.

Bill Mueller: Team option likely to be excercised. If Bellhorn isn't back, there's always a possibility that he'll end up filling in at 2B to make room for Kevin Youkilis at 3B.

Alan Embree: Team option, and Francona's preferred lefty out of the bullpen.

Mike Timlin: Team option and stalwart of Boston's middle-reliever corps. He'll likely be back.

Scott Williamson: Tremendous ability, so he'll likely be re-signed. Although, he likely won't get to play again until 2006 as he's still recovering from elbow surgery.

Orlando Cabrera: No premium shortstops on the market, and he might be willing to sign a below-market deal.


<b><u>Probable Goners</u></b>

Derek Lowe: Added millions to his price tag with his performances in the post-season. But remember, that doesn't change the fact that he played poorly during the regular season. He'll likely go to a team that really needs the starting pitching.

Ramiro Mendoza: Meh. I'm certain he'll go take his act elsewhere.

Pokey Reese: Highly replaceable, and he didn't really contribute much.

Curtis Leskanic: Health issues and ineffectiveness. Career could be over.


<b><u>Undecided</u></b>

Pedro Martinez: Extremely pricy, but still an awesome pitcher. It's a toss-up here.

Mark Bellhorn: Good hitter for position, but he has his defensive shortcomings. Also, his post-season performance will likely drive his price way up.

Gabe Kapler: Eh, he's good against lefties and can play all threee outfield positions. 50/50 chance here.

Mike Myers: Limited utility, but is skilled at his core job, which is one-batter outings against left-handed hitters.</font>

Dunno, the more I think about it, the more I think Tek is gone.

Tek's 32, Borus his agent is probably going to want a 5yr deal for huge bucks.

that would make him 37... don't see the sox doing that... especially w/ a great catching prospect in the minors.

If Tek's willing to take a 3yr deal, maybe a club option 4th, I could see it... but I bet someone else is willing to pay more...

Part of it will come down to Tek taking a hometown discount.

on the others.

Doug Mirabelli: Depends, his age/skill someone might offer him a start catcher position, and the pay... can't see him passing that up, also if they spend big bucks on Tek, expect them to bring up that prospect to catch behined him and learn.

Bill Mueller: Team already picked it up.

Alan Embree: Don't see him listed as a Free agent.

Mike Timlin: is not a free agent or an option, if he had one it was long ago picked up. (according to the espn list, he's not listed and they list players w/ options).

Scott Williamson: He's gone, he wants to close, he wont here.

Orlando Cabrera: Word is he likes it here, liked manny and ortiz, but he could fetch top dollar, don't see the sox breaking the bank for him, when there are a few SS prospects in his talent range... I think the sox will want him back, but there's only so much money to go around.


Derek Lowe: Such a tough call, w/ his age and all... but he also has Borus, I think he gets the deal of his life and goes for the highest bidder.

Ramiro Mendoza: Don't see him getting top dollar and pithced well down the stretch when needed... could stay around for low money.

Pokey Reese: Did you call pokey Highly replaceable? Anyway... he'll be back, unless he wants the money in NY. He's great defensively and the sox proved you need that. He had wanted to play here for years, and wouldn't be shocked to see him take a home town discount to stay. That being said, word is George wants him to backup on the Yanks and will pay him.

Curtis Leskanic: Yeah, he's probably done for a year for surgery.

Pedro Martinez: 100pitch pitcher, I can see him staying here... but I could also see him taking top dollar in a less press area like Anehiem.

Mark Bellhorn: Don't see him listed either

Gabe Kapler: See Mirabelli, if he takes backup pay, he stays, if he wants to start and someone will give him the option, he's gone.

Mike Myers: I can't see the sox going nuts for setup guys they can pickup before the trade deadline.

Few others you didn't have.

Terry adams - see setup guys
Pedro Astacio - see setup guys
Ellis Burks - Retires.
Rickey Gutierrez - not a big factor, could depends on reese and OC.
Dave McCarty - Sorry, nice having an emergency pitcher, but we don't need 4 1st baseman.

Already talk that Barry Larkin wants to come to Boston cheap as a backup.

not a bad guy to have on the bench, his better days are behined him, but could will in 2nd or SS and good clubhouse guy.

Larkin would be a great pickup in the clubhouse sense, he's seen it all pretty much.

I really hope the Yankees go after some pitching. For me Mussina, Lieber and i guess El Duque are the only solid starters they have right now. Brown was very hit and miss after coming back, Vazquez had a fantastic first half but just seemed to lose it Mulder-style second half.

I saw Carl Pavano mentioned...He'd be an absolute gem of a pick-up if he's free.

He is, original thoughts is he ends up in NY or Boston.

He's from Connecicut, both teams know how valuable pitching is and have the money to spend. Last year, the yanks seemed to forget the pitching and went after the hitting... if they do that again, I could see Pavano coming here.

<font color=goldenrod>I dunno about Carl Pavano. No doubt he had a CY Young-quality season, but it should also be noted that this was the first good year he's had. Any team picking him up could be taking a big risk, IMO.</font>

LaRoche will be huge next year.

Pavano has been consistent since the 2nd half of '03, including the notable dominance of the Yankees in Game 4 of the WS. I don't think he's much of a risk.

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah, but still ya never know.

Ah well, he'd still be a more than welcome addition to the Mets should they decide to not pick up Al Leiter's option.</font> :yes:

Randy Johnson is of course going to leave the Diamondbacks, as this is probably his last season and the D-Backs know it is just a disgrace to his talent to keep him. For the same reason the Yankee's couldn't get him at the deadline, they won't get him this summer. He will be going to the Cards because they are returning the heart of their lineup (losing Renteria, Womack, and Matheny most likely), keeping Pujols, Edmonds, Rolen, and Walker. They are going to be a World Series contender again next year, he wants to go to a contender, and the D-Backs wan't prospects.

I could see the Cards putting a bid on Cristian Guzman, he would fit into their speedy lineup quite well. If they do, the Twins are messed up.

I doubt he goes anywhere till the trading deadline, I think he waits to see who is still in contention then, rather then risk an early move.

Which, from MY understanding, the Cardinals don't really HAVE any prospects.

Well according to Peter Gammons they have the pitching in the minors to trade and the Yankee's already proved last fall that they don't have the prospects to do it. The Cards have a real good pitching prospect, but I don't know if they'd give him up. They have a lot more coming up than the Yankees.

Twins... all the way next year... Santana is the man!

Chros, stick to the one name. :p

Lol, that guys the man. I only have that one other name though.

He even advertises for efeds like you.

He knows whatsup

yeah, if this were 1998.

La Times reports a rumor of Shawn Green for Sammy Sosa... As a Dodger fan, I don't really care, but I'd prefer to keep Green. Both are over the hill sluggers, but at least Shawn is a better fielder.

Sammy Sosa is awful now. And he seems to get more and more egotistical as his career drags on/down.

Not sure I understand that.

I hate the Dodgers. I'd cry if Sammy ever donned Dodger blue.

Sosa should hang up the corked bat. JK... Sammy has had a good run... but i think his years are numbered.

Is Randy Johnson looking for another trade this year?

1. I like your avatar

2. According to Gammons Sosa could be headed to the Mets or the Dodgers I think, in a deal involving Shawn Greene if I am not mistaken.

3. Also according to Gammons, Randy wants to be traded asap, but if he is not by the season he will play it out and resign next year. He apparantly thinks he can still go for another four or so years.

4. I believe theres an offseason topic somewhere?

There should be, why don't you start one? :p

I don't see Johnson going anywhere but NYY.

He didn't want to come to the Sox last season, if he changes his mind, there's talk the sox could go after him if they let Pedro and Lowe walk as a short term 1yr fix till they get a younger pitcher.

I think the real question again will be,

1) Will the Backs deal w/ the Yanks

2) Do the Yanks have any prospects to deal?

Rumor's are the Yanks trading Posada for Randy. The Yanks have a halfway decent catcher in the minor's ( i forget his name). I think the Yanks should pull the trigger on that trade. Posada is good, don't get me wrong, but his number's are gradually starting to go down. IMO a catcher is probably one of the easiest positions to replace, and a left-handed starter is hard to come by, and Randy Johnson still has some year's left in the tank.

I still see Randy pitching in the red and white St. Louis Cardinals uniforms next season. The heart of their amazing offense is still intact and they have the prospects to deal.

I dunno, watching this offseason, they remind me of the Pirates when they had Bonds, Bonilla, Van Slyke. Get to the playoffs and the bats go silent.

Are there any numbers being talked about yet? I know he made 700,000 last year and I can't see anybody signing him for that much. He'd be a nice pickup though.

Haven't heard, at this point everything's a rumor...

ESPN keeps a list of free agents and possible teams, for Nomar all they have his the Cubs...

heh... poor nomie... guess Mia better go back to work!

The fact remains that the Yankee's have little to nothing that the Diamondbacks would want. Why would the D-Backs ever trade Randy Johnson for Jorje Posada? It makes no sense. The D-Backs are a young team now, they want young talent, not old washed up Yankee.

Was just reading theres talk of Oakland dealing one of the big 3, peferable Zito and the Sox are in the mix, plus they're talking to Pavano, may talk to Radke, but everyone thinks he'll stay in minnesota.

Also the sox offered Pedro 2 yrs 25mil/yr w/ a 3rd option (I assume the sox) for 13mil and 2mil in bonuses... so it could be 40mil over 3yrs.

I wouldn't be suprise to see Pedro take it... while the thought is he wants a 3-5year deal... I could see him wanting to be around 2 yrs (schil has 2yrs on his deal I think) and try and win another and then go spend the rest of his life under a forrest of mango trees.

The talk in the Minnesota newspapers is that Radke wants to come back and pretty much will. The other rumor for him was Tampa Bay, only because he lives there in the offseason :yawn: I don't know, Radke has been a real solid pitcher for the Twins in his career, if he finishes his season there his # will for sure get retired, but he just doesn't seem to have big games in him. I hope the Twins can sign somebody good for a #2 starter and then have Radke be the third.

I don't remember which thread it was in, but I was saying that the Yankee's didn't have the same feel that they did when they were good...now somebody speaks my language.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2...enfield/041109

Martinez :love:

That'd be the day though. Weren't people in New York counting the days until he left?

I've heard a few talks that the Yanks may actually have a budget this year.

I know I heard Stienbrenner in an interview last season say, he'd go into the 220mil range.

However, because they keep going over the cap, their luxury tax next year (assuming they're over again) is 40%, that means they're spending $1.40 for every $1.00.

That and w/ Arod, Jeter, Giambi and I think Bernie, they have 4 players who will take up (or maybe next year) around 100mil.

They were saying the Yanks have no one in the farm system to trade, they would like to deal Porsada, because they will live w/o his bat and at his age/innings caught, he probably is going to hit his downside soon.

Borus was on the radio yesterday (maybe day before) said Teck has kids and wants security and wants 5yrs and a no-trade to stay w/ the Sox. The radio guys asked him "do you really expect to get a no-trade clause when the Sox don't give those" (The only one who has close is Manny, but his says his no-trade only kicks in, if someone else gets a no-trade... I think Trot may have the same deal).

Borus went on to say how Henry was an owner when Johnson got a no-trade deal (and he left out johnson went bust)... (someone correct me, that catcher in Florida, johnson doesn't sound right, let me know if I have he name wrong).

How Warner was in SD when they gave one to Gwynn and Lucchino gave one in Baltimore (I forget to who, but it was a bust).

Anyway, I don't see the sox giving a no-trade clause to anyone, and I don't see them giving 5yrs to a early 30's catcher... Don't get me wrong, I like Teck, calls a great game, good defense, silently leads the team... but that's too much... I can see a 3yr w/ a 4th option, or maybe a 4th option based on playing time and a club option 5th.... but I doubt a 5yr gaurenteed.

So, here's a flash back... Think the Sox would have won the WS if they had signed these guys before the season so they weren't free agents?

Teck, Pedro, Lowe, Nomar...

I think it worked out.. Lowe had a bad year and a great playoffs.

Nomar got you 2 keys to win the WS.

(the sox had offered Nomar and Lowe contracts they turned down).

Teck, I don't think it mattered much, but his value did go up, for defense and calling the pitches for this staff.

Pedro, I think it motivated him, no long DL stint and most IP's in a few years (possible career).

What other teams did the right and wrong thing on free agents?

Its hard to say the Twins did the right thing with Guardado and Hawkins (who both left simply for more money, but blamed it on timing of negotiations) but obviously the front office knew their stuff. Nathan was one of the top closers in the league, Rincon and Romero were real good setting up for most of the year, and Jesse Crain and Grant Balfour came up and got the job done. So basically, the Twins kept their payroll, still made the playoffs, and the other guys got their money.

So, the 1st FA signed a deal today. Omar Vizquel to the Giants for 3 yr/$12.25 mil.

More baserunners for Bonds.

More importantly, a real shortstop for the Giants

Good, I'm glad he didn't sign with the White Sox

So, Pavano is going w/ Theo to Curts house to "talk"...

a few others... (these are from radio or papers).

Their's a Reports that Pedro was picked up at the tampa airport by a NYY exec and is having lunch w/ George today.

talk that the NYY have offered Vazquez for Randy Johnson.

it better be Vazquez and that kid Navarro.

Cristian Guzman signs with the Expos :'(

Castilla signed in Washington :eek:

There goes his offensive production

radio reports "Angels top off-season priority is Red Sox catcher Jason Variteck"

Well it was pretty apparant that last year was going to be <i>the</i> year for the Red Sox, and it was. Now they have like 20 free agents and are going to have to start over. Enjoy last season, I don't want to think about next season :shudders:

Wow, Washington made some good pickups. They need a superstar in that city though to draw fans.

What color are they going to be? I hope they aren't teal or some pussy shit. Washington DC needs to be something badass like brown or gold.

Well, they can go back to the old Senators Uniforms and do Black and White. Black jersey, with a White "W"

Hey what color represents liers. Cause you have a lot of liers in Washington.

Brown, as in shit?

You know it's funny. The St Louis Browns were like the worst team ever, (Senators could be argued) but they had the coolest logo ever. Go figure.

Go Expos

So, Pedro met w/ George and the Sox gave a contract offer to Damian Miller, They wont say the details but sounds like the Sox offered 2yrs and Miller wants 3.

If the Sox are going to lose Teck, I'll take Miller for 2 years, great defense, decent hitter, I wonder what influence Schill might have.

Damian Miller will not play 2 more years

Well, the Sox offered him a 2yr deal and he wants a 3yr deal.

He's only (I think) 3yrs older then Tek who wants a 5yr deal.

I haven't really followed Miller, but his defensive stats are great and his offense is "ok"... Are his knees really bad that you don't think he'll last 2yrs?

What will keep Tek from coming back to the Sox is if he pushes for a no trade clause, the sox will never do it.

Tigers signed Troy Percival

I think the Twins are going to have to be even luckier than last year now with all of these signing problems.

fucked up shit. I thought for sure he'd stay in Anaheim

Percy has always been lights out against the Twins too :eek:

If you are going to lose Varitek, why not just start Mirabelli?

Whoa

Anaheim gets:
Juan Rivera OF
minor leaguer

Washington gets:
Jose Guillen OF

DAMN. I am liking this Expos team

They're doing exactly what they need to do right now. They need to build a contender right away. They are competing with the Orioles within that state and drawing fans is going to be a problem if they don't win. They realized the Orioles were last in the East last year and they seem to be making good moves. Like I said before though, they need someone whom they can market to the fans. They need someone whom the fans can put a face to the organization. They Need.......SAMMY SOSA. haha, nah, but they do need a recognizable name.

Hes a FA too, plus they probably don't think Mirabelli would be a capable everyday catcher. I think they would rather pick up Miller or resign Tek and then re-sign Mirabelli as a backup. Atleast thats what I saw in the paper the other day.

I don't know, I don't see Veritek leaving but you never know. He wants a no trade clause, team policy for the Sox is no no trade clauses in contracts so we'll see. It would be wierd to see him playing for a different team though. I really don't understand why he'd want to leave Boston anyways, I don't think he'd be as good as a fit anywhere else. I think he might just be shopping around other teams for the Sox to give him more money, atleast thats what I hope he is doing. I don't want to him to sign elsewhere.

I hope Varitek doesn't leave Boston, just so A-Rod can cap his ass next year *ahem*

Everything still seems to point to the no trade clause, Tek's statments about "what's best for my family" yeah, cause people never move and kids never change schools... :roll: He's reading statements out of the Scott Borus school of public relations and nothing else.

The word I last heard on Mirabeli is a few teams do want him as a possible stater of DH, he's good defensively (not great) can catch Wakefield which is difficult and has a good bat, possible better then Tek's, but the last talk I heard was Mirabeli would rather stay here as Tek's backup for less money then go elsewhere... but I'm sure if he's looking at 1mil vs. 3mil it makes a difference.

Pittsburgh gets:
Arthur Rhodes RP
Mark Redman SP

Oakland gets:
Jason Kendall C

Great deal for the A's IMO, Kendall is an "A's type" player. Rhodes and Redman were huge dissapointments last year.

Yeah I definately like that deal for the A's aswell, and its not like Pittsburgh is getting a bad deal either

I'm really hoping the Yankess don't get Martinez and Randy. Beltran doesn't bother me as much cause he's not gonna make a significant impact, but Randy is a big step up even if they trade Vasquez for him, and Martinez had a .362 last year, highest in the league for 1st basemen I think.

on the TSN website it says that the Seattle Mariners are interested in Carlos Delgado as their # 3 hitter

MVP are you talking Tino Martinez? I saw his name mentioned on a Page 2 thing, is there real possibility of him returning?

Martinez had lunch or dinner w/ Arod last week.

Sox signed Mirabeli...

Pedro Martinez did, yes, but MVP was hinting at Tino wasn't he? He was saying something about OPS for firstbasemen?

Dunno, been away a few days so was just adding the pedro news, not in refrence to the previous post.

Also, today they said Pedro met w/ the Mets GM in the dominican.

The sticking point w/ Pedro seems to be a gaurenteed 3rd year.

I dunno, for some reason I really think Pedro is just playing with the Yankees, and kind of vise versa. We know the Yankees really want Randy J, and it seems unlikely to obtain probably the two best pitchers overall in the past five or six years at the same time. I think if they were going to go for one, it would be Randy, and they are just hoping Pedro is still around.

I don't think the Yankees forgot a few year (4-5?) when the Sox got in the Bernie biddings and caused his price to sky rocket, some people claim Bernie almost came to Boston, others claim he just used the sox to get what he wanted from the Yankees.

I do think the Mets are serious, people don't think Pedro would go to NY because of the media, but ya know what? He delt w/ the media in Boston and for 3 more years of big bucks, plus being back in the NL which is weaker hitting, that wouldn't shock me.

Interesting on Teck, he becomes a 10/5 player in I think 2yrs, which means regaurdless of the contract terms, in 2yrs he can't be delt w/o his ok, so the no-trade clause is kinda a moot point, the rumor is the sox offered 4yrs in high 30's and Teck wants (or Borus) wants 5yrs 55mil.