The official MLB offseason thread!

[John la Rock]

Originally Posted by The Miz Tigers signed Troy Percival

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

[House of Pancakes]

Yeah. I guess when the team publicly announces that they want Francisco Rodriguez, the best non-closer relief pitcher in the game and only 22 years old, to close, and that they probably weren't going to re-sign Percival, it really makes you think why he went somewhere else.

[BCWWF]

Percy has always been lights out against the Twins too

[Jerichoholic]

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

[The Miz]

Whoa

Anaheim gets:
Juan Rivera OF
minor leaguer

Washington gets:
Jose Guillen OF

DAMN. I am liking this Expos team

[Loose Cannon]

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.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Originally Posted by Jerichoholic If you are going to lose Varitek, why not just start Mirabelli?

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.

[ct2k]

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

[VonErich Lives]

Originally Posted by sTiMa34 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.

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... 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.

[The Miz]

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.

[BCWWF]

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

[MVP]

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.

[John la Rock]

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

[BCWWF]

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

[VonErich Lives]

Martinez had lunch or dinner w/ Arod last week.

Sox signed Mirabeli...

[BCWWF]

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

[VonErich Lives]

Originally Posted by BCWWF 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.

[BCWWF]

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.

[VonErich Lives]

Originally Posted by BCWWF 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.

[VonErich Lives]

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.

[MVP]

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

Yeah I was talking about Tino.

Isn't his contract up with the Devil Rays?

[BCWWF]

I think it is MVP. I read on ESPN.com's Page 2 something about him coming back to the Yankees or something, so its a possibility.

[John la Rock]

From mlb.com:

The Mets have offered Pedro a 3 year 37.5 million dollar contract.

[VonErich Lives]

yep, been talking on the radio about that all day.

it's expected the sox will counter w/ a gaurented 3rdyr rather then an option.

Then if the Mets go to 4yrs the sox will let him go.

I also thought I heard the Yanks offered Lieter a 1yr deal?

[VonErich Lives]

So, couple Boston rumors today.

if Valentin doesn't take Arbitration the sox are interested.

The guys got power, but he strikes out a lot, not sure I like him and Bellhorn in the same lineup.

Also, the sox are talking the the diamondbacks about Randy Johnson, the "rumor" Arroyo and prospects.

Word was Randy didn't have Boston on the list of places he would go. That he didn't get along w/ Curt and other stuff...Maybe the sox are just trying to drive up the price to block him from going to the Yanks...

So, what's the local chatter where others are?

[Splaya]

I have heard Randy Johnson to the Bosox for Arroyo and prospects.


Tigers- Detroit, from where I am from. Met with Jeff Kent and possibly KEvin Millwood this week. I heard a possibility of Glaus getting in here within the next 2 weeks for a round of negotiations as well.

[BCWWF]

Nothing cool, but Joe Randa apparently said that he would love to play for the Twins, so if Koskie doesn't resign then theres a possibility. Valentin was also rumored to the Twins, without Guzman and such. Radke should sign, they are just working on the money part now. The hot prospect who was supposed to start next year, Jason Kubel, injured his knee real bad in the offseason and will miss most of next season, so Jacque Jones might not be traded afterall. I don't think the Twins are going to be very good next year

[The Icon of Elisim]

Jays are interested in Corey Koskie, it'll probably be a pretty quiet season for Jays fans

[VonErich Lives]

D-baks are saying the Sox and St. Louis don't have the pitching they want, rumor is Randy to the Yanks for Vazquez and Gordon.

Sox talking to Glauss, I'd assume he plays 3rd and Miller goes to 2b if that happens.

interesting Mirabelli said he turned down starting offers to come back to boston as a backup, although his contract has a clause that doubles if he becomes the starting catcher (wonder if that's injury effected or how exactly it's written).

[Terra Ryzin]

as of today they are reporting the Yanks are out of the Randy johnson sweepstakes. D-Backs asking to much. Most likely they yanks are gonna focus back to Pedro.

real good chance Pedro is in NY next season, with one team or another.

Mets also made an offer to Sexson, wich i would love if they picked him up

San Fran sighned Benitez. As a Mets fan ill say this, awesome dominate closer, but chokes hard in big spots time and time again. He holds the record for most blown saves in the playoffs, 6 blow saves in 10 chances OUCH!

[PsychoSport]

Apparantly the Diamondbacks were asking for Javier Vazquez, Tom Gordon and Brad Halsay. Plus, they wanted NYY To pay them 18.5M to cover Vazquez's contract

That's a pretty ridiculous price for a 41 year old pitcher, even if it is Randy Johnson.

If I were a Yanks fan I'd be pretty pissed off that they need to do all that for RJ, yet the BoSox got Schilling for free (basically.)

[BCWWF]

The thing is, thats what Randy Johnson is worth, at least to the Yankees. If they had Randy Johnson in the playoffs last year, you can pretty much bet that the Red Sox fans would still be moaning. Javier Vazques is a good pitcher, but if the Yankee's lose him it won't affect them much at all. I don't really see why Tom Gordon is in there though, I think he's the reason the deal didn't go through. Gordon is huge for the Yanks, but I don't think he would have the same affect on a rebuilding Diamondbacks. If they asked for some other random guy, I am sure the Yanks would do it.

Is there any talk about Randy to the Cardinals anymore? Also, why aren't the Diamondbacks talking with the teams that actually have prospects?

[PsychoSport]

I agree. Take out Gordon and the Yankees probably take that deal.

I haven't heard anything about Randy to the Cardinals. During the season didn't Randy say that he would only consider a trade to the Yanks? Remember, he is a 10-and-5 guy.

[BCWWF]

Last season I thought it was only the Yanks or the Cards because they were the only teams that were guaranteed playoff teams. I heard that St. Louis had the prospects to deal a few weeks back, but I haven't heard much since. Peter Gammons is the one who said that though, so there must be somethign behind it.

[VonErich Lives]

Last season it was just the Yanks, now in the offseason he expanded his list.

I heard the report the yanks are out it was on espn radio "The Yankees say they're out of the RJ sweepstakes, but it's probably just a ploy to drive down his price"


Great news for the sox if Gordon goes cause that hurts the middle relief more.

I really don't see Pedro going to the Yanks, I think it's either the Mets or Sox. The smart move for Pedro would be the Mets, but it wouldn't shock me to see him come back to the sox.

[Hardkore Kidd J]

Originally Posted by VonErich Lives Last season it was just the Yanks, now in the offseason he expanded his list. I heard the report the yanks are out it was on espn radio "The Yankees say they're out of the RJ sweepstakes, but it's probably just a ploy to drive down his price" Great news for the sox if Gordon goes cause that hurts the middle relief more. I really don't see Pedro going to the Yanks, I think it's either the Mets or Sox. The smart move for Pedro would be the Mets, but it wouldn't shock me to see him come back to the sox.

I expect Pedro will go to the mets. I heard the Mets are offering more money and a 3 year deal as of this moment. SO he's probably going to go the Mets. I hope Yankees get someone though. It would be great if they got Ramimez or Lowe. He's a free agent right?

[VonErich Lives]

Originally Posted by Hardkore Kidd J I expect Pedro will go to the mets. I heard the Mets are offering more money and a 3 year deal as of this moment. SO he's probably going to go the Mets. I hope Yankees get someone though. It would be great if they got Ramimez or Lowe. He's a free agent right?

Last I heard (rumor) the Sox are willing to gaurentee the 3rd year, but no 4th, not even a 4th option, but the Mets are willing to give a 4th option.

Who knows, he could just be doing this to get the 3rd year from the sox.

If I was him, he has his ring, and he'll be a better pitcher in the NL, it's a tough call.

Lowe is a free agent, which Ramirez do you mean? Manny isn't, he's got 5? more years left on a huge deal, the sox did try to waive him last year to free up the money but I don't see them doing that again this year.

[Hardkore Kidd J]

Originally Posted by VonErich Lives Last I heard (rumor) the Sox are willing to gaurentee the 3rd year, but no 4th, not even a 4th option, but the Mets are willing to give a 4th option. Who knows, he could just be doing this to get the 3rd year from the sox. If I was him, he has his ring, and he'll be a better pitcher in the NL, it's a tough call. Lowe is a free agent, which Ramirez do you mean? Manny isn't, he's got 5? more years left on a huge deal, the sox did try to waive him last year to free up the money but I don't see them doing that again this year.

I did mean Manny. I thought he was free. Does anyone know what team Garciapalla plays for now? Cause if he's free I think the Yankees would be real good for him. But, any Boston player I'd be happy to see on the Yankees. Oh man just think how the boston fans will treat Pedro if he does go to the Mets.

[Loose Cannon]

Pedro's not going to the Mets. Nomaaaaaaa is free, but he's not going to the Yanks. Johnson will probably come to the Yanks.

[Splaya]

Johnson will go to the Yanks, Pedro will end up in beantown and Noma will end up in NY as well.