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.