MLB 2005-2006 Offseason Thread

[Joey Slugs]

Wednesday, December 14
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Nomar Garciaparra Cubs	Astros Yankees Dodgers? Indians?	Four-team race for Nomar Dec 14 - Nomar Garciaparra's agent, Arn Tellem, said Wednesday that Garciaparra hopes to make a decision on his next destination "by the end of the week," and might decide as early as Thursday, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports. Garciaparra, who is testing free agency for the second straight winter, is "zeroing in on four teams," Tellem said. The Yankees, Indians and Astros are known to be three of them. The Dodgers could be the fourth. The Yankees view him as a guy who could bounce between first base and DH. The Indians want him to play right field. In Houston, he has been told he would play left field. The Dodgers are still interested in him at first base, left field or possibly both. It's believed Garciaparra is willing to take a one-year deal for between $6 million and $8 million, plus incentives.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Mark Grudzielanek Cardinals	Royals? Mets? Red Sox? Rangers?	Royal welcome Dec 14 - The Royals are closing in on a contract with second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, reports ESPN.com Insider Jerry Crasnick. "It's not a done deal yet," said Kansas City general manager Allard Baird. "But we're looking to upgrade our defense and help our pitching staff. And the mental toughness of the players is important, too." The Royals are also working to sign free agent Doug Mientkiewicz and revamp the entire right side of their infield. Grudzielanek hit .294 in 137 games with St. Louis last year and combined with shortstop David Eckstein to help the Cardinals turn a major-league-leading 196 double plays.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Javier Vazquez White Sox	White Sox Cardinals Mets? Tigers Nationals	Vazquez to White Sox Dec 14 - The White Sox have traded for starter Javier Vazquez, ESPN.com Insider Jerry Crasnick reports. The Diamondbacks will send Vazquez and cash to Chicago for pitchers Orlando Hernandez and Luis Vizcaino, and outfield prospect Chris Young. The deal is contingent on the players passing physical exams and the commissioner's approval.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Rondell White Tigers	Astros	White visits Houston Dec 14 - The Astros confirmed Tuesday that they recently met with outfielder Rondell White at Minute Maid Park, The Houston Chronicle reports. "He was in town, and we had a very good discussion with him, and we'll see where that leaves us," Astros owner Drayton McLane told the newspaper.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Joe Randa Padres		Hot corner help for Bucs Dec 14 - Now that the Pirates have lost out on Bill Mueller, they plan to turn their attention to Joe Randa, ESPN Insider Jerry Crasnick reports. The Pirates view Randa as a reasonably priced, dependable veteran who will help bring some stability to a young lineup. The team would like to play current third baseman Freddy Sanchez in more of a utility role.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Frank Thomas White Sox	Athletics? Twins? Angels?	Worried about the Hurt Dec 14 - The Orioles have not made first baseman/DH Frank Thomas an offer because they're unsure about his health, The Baltimore Sun reports. The Twins and A's also have expressed interest in the right-handed slugger.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Sidney Ponson Orioles	Phillies? Rangers? Cardinals?	Suitors for Ponson Dec 14 - According to the Baltimore Sun, the Cardinals, Rangers and Phillies are reportedly interested in Sidney Ponson, whose contract was terminated by the Orioles in August after his third arrest for drunken driving. The Rangers have coveted Ponson before. They nearly signed him to a deal when he was a free agent before the 2004 season, but Ponson instead returned to the O's.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Kris Benson Mets	Giants? Nationals? Tigers? Cardinals? Rangers	To deal or not to deal? Dec 14 - The Mets will continue to listen to trade offers for Kris Benson, The New York Post reports. The Diamondbacks and Royals no longer are interested, but the Rangers, Giants, Cardinals, Nationals and Tigers might be. Benson wants to remain a Met. "I understand the business and the rumors and [Mets GM Omar Minaya's] desire to put together a winning team," Benson told the newspaper. "I hope I'm part of it." Last week, Anna Benson, the right-hander's wife, phoned Mets COO Jeff Wilpon to address any misunderstandings after her recent incendiary comments. She also made a personal plea to Wilpon to keep her husband in New York.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Scott Hatteberg Athletics	Orioles?	Baltimore calling? Dec 14 - The Orioles are looking for a good defensive first baseman who could split time with Javy Lopez, and Scott Hatteberg's name has been discussed, the Baltimore Sun reports.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Julian Tavarez Cardinals	Mets? Yankees?	New York, New York Dec 14 - The Mets are interested in Julian Tavarez, the New York Daily News reports. While Tavarez could command a four-year contract, a Mets insider said the team has not yet made a four-year offer. "The market for these guys is three or four years," agent Scott Boras told the newspaper. "I don't think there's any question. All the teams that are interested are in that range." Tavarez had lunch with Yankees GM Brian Cashman on Monday in Washington Heights. Yankee sources said the team will not go beyond three years on Tavarez.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Octavio Dotel Athletics	Cardinals? Yankees? Dodgers? Twins? Mets? Astros? Rangers?	Dotel in NY? Dec 14 - The Yankees have shown interest in Dotel, Julian Tavarez and Rudy Seanez, sources told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark, and one source said they are "very high" on Dotel, but they understand he is not likely to be ready by Opening Day. Dotel had Tommy John surgery June 6 and won't rush his rehab just to be ready for Opening Day. "This recovery process will take at least a year," Dotel told La Caribe, "and I don't want to do anything to interrupt it." According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals GM Walt Jocketty is seeking more bullpen help, concentrating for the moment on right-handers Dotel and Braden Looper, both of whom had arm surgery this year. Dotel already has received multiple offers. Earlier this winter, he named four interested teams -- the Astros, Mets, Twins and Dodgers.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Chicago		Long-term pitch Dec 14 - Two White Sox starters, right-handers Jon Garland and Jose Contreras, will be eligible for free agency after next season, but GM Ken Williams doesn't want to wait until then to have their futures decided, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. "I don't have any desire to break up the rotation," said Williams, who has discussed long-term deals with the agents for both players. "That said, both Jose and Jon will be given the opportunity to stay beyond 2006. Should either rebuff that opportunity and decide to test the market, I'll respect that and move forward with our own agenda. That quest for impact players will never stop." Williams said Garland and Contreras "will know when it's time to get serious" in contract talks, but he added, "It's getting to be about that time. Especially with an exploding pitching market that is nonsensical, our first priority is compromise. We'd fortify [the pitching staff] before doing anything else. "We're not looking to break up anything. We're looking to add to it and get better for a long period."
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Doug Mientkiewicz Mets	Royals	Defensive specialist Dec 14 - The Royals are attempting to sign 30-year-old Gold Glove first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. "He's got a lot of teams interested," GM Allard Baird told The Kansas City Star. "But, yes, we have definite interest."

[Joey Slugs]

Thursday, December 15
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Miguel Tejada Orioles	Mets? Angels? Cubs? Red Sox?	Mig fighters Dec 15 - The Baltimore Sun, citing industry sources, says Miguel Tejada's representatives have not backed down from the shortstop's trade request. But the Orioles, having met with Tejada's agents on Wednesday, remain confident that he'll remain with the team. Baltimore would have to be completely overwhelmed to deal Tejada, the newspaper reports. The Red Sox reportedly offered outfielder Manny Ramirez for Tejada, but they were informed that it would take more than that to complete the deal. Boston rejected a counterproposal that included Ramirez and two pitchers. The O's reportedly aren't interested in dealing for prospects.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Joey Gathright Devil Rays	Marlins	Young arm for Gathright? Dec 15 - The Marlins may send pitching prospect Scott Olsen to the Devil Rays for center fielder Joey Gathright, MLB.com reports. Olsen appeared in five games (four starts) for the Marlins last season, going 1-1 with a 3.98 ERA. He had 21 strikeouts in 20.1 innings.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Johnny Damon Red Sox	Angels? Dodgers? Orioles? Red Sox Yankees? Cubs?	Damon not sold on Red Sox Dec 15 - Johnny Damon, according to a person who has spoken to him recently, is wary of returning to the Red Sox because of the turnover in their front office, the Newark Star-Ledger reports. The person said that staying in Boston would be Damon's top choice sentimentally, but he expects Damon to sign with whichever contending team makes the best offer. The Yankees have told agent Scott Boras they are willing to sign Damon, 32, for four years, but Boras has said publicly Damon seeks a seven-year deal. Boras has told the Yankees he has teams interested in giving Damon five or more years, but that is a typical Boras negotiating tactic, so the Yankees are skeptical of the claim. Before departing for Italy on Tuesday, Yankees manager Joe Torre made a recruiting call to Damon, Newsday reports. Damon, the newspaper says, will travel to Los Angeles this weekend to meet with the Dodgers. In addition, sources have told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that the Angels may be interested in Damon.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Rudy Seanez Padres	Rangers Braves Devil Rays Red Sox	Enough incentive for Seanez? Dec 15 - The Red Sox have made an incentive-laden one-year offer to right-handed reliever Rudy Seanez, the Boston Herald reports. The 37-year-old Seanez also has received offers from the Braves, Devil Rays and Rangers.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Manny Ramirez Red Sox	Orioles Phillies? Mariners? Mets? Angels?	Longshot at best Dec 15 - Baltimore would have to be completely overwhelmed to trade shortstop Miguel Tejada to Boston for outfielder Manny Ramirez, The Baltimore Sun reports. The Red Sox reportedly offered Ramirez for Tejada, but they were informed that it would take more than that to complete the deal. The Red Sox rejected a counterproposal that included Ramirez and two pitchers. The O's reportedly aren't interested in dealing for prospects.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Kenny Lofton Phillies	Diamondbacks Dodgers Orioles	Westward ho? Dec 15 - The Orioles reportedly made Kenny Lofton a one-year offer Wednesday, but the veteran outfielder may be leaning toward signing with the Diamondbacks or Dodgers, The Baltimore Sun reports. The Dodgers, The Los Angeles Times reports, have made an offer.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Jeff Conine Marlins	Orioles	Final touches? Dec 15 - The Orioles and Jeff Conine's agent, Michael Watkins, are still discussing a variety of contract structures, The Baltimore Sun reports. A one-year deal worth between $1.75 million and $2.5 million is likely. At least three other teams are interested in Conine, though the Orioles appear to be the favorite. "We certainly made a lot of progress in the last 24 hours," Watkins told the newspaper. "But I wouldn't characterize it as close to being done. We all want to make sure he fits with the club. It's nice that the Orioles want him back so badly. He is very excited about it. Jeff loves Baltimore."
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Reggie Sanders Cardinals	Dodgers Blue Jays? Royals?	Welcome to Chavez Ravine? Dec 15 - The Dodgers have offered 38-year-old outfielder Reggie Sanders a contract, The Los Angeles Times reports.

[The Miz]

lol, that's the Kenny Williams of old, trading El Duque/good prospect for crap and Rowand for an inevitable 60-day DL stint

[The Miz]

But ROFL @ Steve Phillips saying Chicago has one of the best rotations of all time. WHAT A FUCKING DUNCE. Not even #1 in the AL.

[Joey Slugs]

Originally Posted by The Miz lol, that's the Kenny Williams of old, trading El Duque/good prospect for crap and Rowand for an inevitable 60-day DL stint

El Duque & Contreras were "crap" when they got to Chicago. People are saying the same for Vazquez.

That's the beauty of having the best pitching coach in the game.

Originally Posted by The Miz But ROFL @ Steve Phillips saying Chicago has one of the best rotations of all time. WHAT A FUCKING DUNCE. Not even #1 in the AL.

Again, Don Cooper is what makes that statement true. The Sox now have 5 legitimate 20 game winners. They just have to find something for McCarthy to do while he's on the team. That makes 6 starters.

95% of the teams out there would drool to have our "problems".

Hey Miz... can you honestly name me one other team that has the chance to have five 20 game winners? I can't think of anyone.

[Joey Slugs]

Starters:
Buehrle
Garcia
Contreras
Vazquez
Garland

Bullpen:
Cotts
Politte
Sanders
McCarthy
Hermanson
Bajenaru
Tracey

Closer:
Jenks

-----------------

I'm sorry, that is just fucking sick. Five #1 starters, two of the top set-up men in the game and a 100mph flamethrowing closer.

[The Miz]

Originally Posted by Joey Slugs El Duque & Contreras were "crap" when they got to Chicago. People are saying the same for Vazquez. That's the beauty of having the best pitching coach in the game.

El Duque went 17-9 with a 4.12 ERA in 1999 while winning ALCS MVP, he also had an ERA of 3.13 along with 12 wins in only 21 starts in 1998.

Who are these "people", btw?

Originally Posted by Joey Slugs Again, Don Cooper is what makes that statement true. The Sox now have 5 legitimate 20 game winners. They just have to find something for McCarthy to do while he's on the team. That makes 6 starters. 95% of the teams out there would drool to have our "problems". Hey Miz... can you honestly name me one other team that has the chance to have five 20 game winners? I can't think of anyone.

Is this a joke?

You don't have "five legitamite 20 game winners". You have a 16, 14, 15, 18, 9 and an 11 game winner. You seriously do not have a chance to have more than 2.

Do you realize how hard winning 20 games is? 4 people did it last year, only 1 in the AL. Colon, Willis, Oswalt, and Carpenter are all each way better than your 2-5 starters.

Sure I can name a team that has a chance for five 20 game winners. Oakland A's. It won't happen, but that doesn't matter, the White Sox are highly unlikely to even have 2 anyway.

Barry Zito: 23-5 in 2002, one of most durable starters in MLB, has never missed a start.
Rich Harden: 10 wins in 19 starts in '05, dominated every time he was healthy, will have at least 1 Cy Young if he stays healthy
Dan Haren: won 14 games in his first year as a starter even after an awful first-half
Joe Blanton: easily AL's best rookie starter, 12 wins despite being in top 5 in worst run suport in AL.
Esteban Loaiza: 21-9 2001, consistenlt starts 30+ games

Out of this group, probably only Harden will do it, but out of yours, it will only be Buehrle. I am willing to bet my house that Vazquez, Contreras, Garcia, and Garland (he'll be traded anyway) will not win 20 games. Even if they did, so what? That would just be a tribute to Chicago's offense scoring alot of runs and their bullpen not fucking up. Do you dare to say all 5 starters will have ERA's under 4?

The pitching coach argument is stupid. A great pitching coach can't turn crap into not crap. Do you have a reason why every shitty starter Chicago had from 1988-2004 wasn't magically turned into Doc Gooden by Don Cooper? Vazquez was an above average NL pitcher and got raped in the AL. I don't want to judge him off one bad year in New York, but he had a 4.42 and a 1.25 WHIP in the NL and a pitcher's park. I guarantee you you will not see his Montreal lines again.

Chicago's pitching staff his great, no doubt. They have a 20-game win/Cy young caliber ace and 4 very solid starters. But, they're pitching staff is worse than 2005's (this may be too close to call, Garland is on the move) and they do not feature the AL's best rotation. They are not even close to an all-time top rotation.

Oakland starters > Chicago starters, in '06

[The Miz]

Originally Posted by Joey Slugs Starters: Buehrle Garcia Contreras Vazquez Garland Bullpen: Cotts Politte Sanders McCarthy Hermanson Bajenaru Tracey Closer: Jenks ----------------- I'm sorry, that is just fucking sick. Five #1 starters, two of the top set-up men in the game and a 100mph flamethrowing closer.

Name me some quality teams that would feature Freddy Garcia, Jose Contreras, Javier Vazquez, and Jon Garland as their aces.

Don't say KC Royals. Mark Redman is technically a #1 starter.

[Joey Slugs]

Originally Posted by The Miz But, they're pitching staff is worse than 2005's (this may be too close to call, Garland is on the move) Oakland starters > Chicago starters, in '06

Garland on the move? He'll be resigned before spring training starts.

2006:
Chicago = Playoff team
Oakland = 2nd place if they are lucky.

[RoXer]

(Vasquez was technically the D-Backs ace, Miz.)

[RoXer]

Hey, remember that time the A's beat the White Sox 5 out of 6 times?

[The Miz]

Do you pay attention? Garland has turned down a 3-year offer. He has stated he wants to test the market in 2006. http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/sp....asp?id=132181

Oakland is so much better than the Angels right now its ridiculous. 2nd place if they're lucky? I know you probably won't but I'd loved to be humored with a reason why Texas or Seattle could finish ahead of them. Anyway, the topic wasn't standings, it was pitching staffs. Any comments about Oakland's?

Nice job ignoring 90% of my post, btw.

[The Miz]

Originally Posted by Joey RoXer (Vasquez was technically the D-Backs ace, Miz.)

I know. That's why I said name a quality team.

[RoXer]

Touche.

[Joey Slugs]

Originally Posted by The Miz El Duque went 17-9 with a 4.12 ERA in 1999 while winning ALCS MVP, he also had an ERA of 3.13 along with 12 wins in only 21 starts in 1998.

That was in 98 and 99. What did he do 2000-2004? Yet, I'm not the only one giving Cooper praise for what he did with that staff this past season.

Originally Posted by The Miz Barry Zito: 23-5 in 2002, one of most durable starters in MLB, has never missed a start. Rich Harden: 10 wins in 19 starts in '05, dominated every time he was healthy, will have at least 1 Cy Young if he stays healthy Dan Haren: won 14 games in his first year as a starter even after an awful first-half Joe Blanton: easily AL's best rookie starter, 12 wins despite being in top 5 in worst run suport in AL. Esteban Loaiza: 21-9 2001, consistenlt starts 30+ games

Again. What Zito did was in 2002 not last year.

Harden? You said it yourself, "If he stays healthy". Sounds like the faith that the Cubs put in Prior: "He can be the greatest pitcher ever, if only he could stay healthy"

Haren hasn't proven that he can put together a complete season. Time will tell.

Blanton is the only one I can see having a shot at 20 wins, just not with the A's.

And Loaiza? I'll admit, it was amazing what he did for us in '01 but he'll never come close. His time with the Yankees & Nationals proved as much.

[Joey Slugs]

Originally Posted by The Miz Nice job ignoring 90% of my post, btw.

Sorry, I'm not as impatient as you. I took my time.

[Joey Slugs]

Originally Posted by Joey RoXer Hey, remember that time the A's beat the White Sox 5 out of 6 times?

Hey, remember that time that the Sox won the World Series and those loses in Oakland didn't mean shit? Oh yeah. I do.

[RoXer]

Too bad they're not better than Oakland though.

[RoXer]

Because if they were, they should have won more than once.

[Joey Slugs]

Originally Posted by The Miz Do you pay attention? Garland has turned down a 3-year offer. He has stated he wants to test the market in 2006. http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/sp....asp?id=132181

I was going based on an article I read last night that was talking about how Williams was set on the idea of locking both Garland and Contreras to long terms deals. I'm looking for the link now.

[Loose Cannon]

okay saying that's one of the greatest rotations of all-time like 4 months before start time is ridiculous. That's a real bold statement.

And five guys winning 20 is about as dumb as Eric Burnes (sorry Burnsie ) That's never happened or hasn't come close to happening in the history of baseball.

[The Miz]

Originally Posted by Joey Slugs That was in 98 and 99. What did he do 2000-2004? Yet, I'm not the only one giving Cooper praise for what he did with that staff this past season.

You said he had always been crap and Cooper magically turned him to gold. I was simply stating he had been great before he met Cooper.

Originally Posted by Joey Slugs Again. What Zito did was in 2002 not last year.

You're right, and let's look at what Zito did last year:
228 IP, 14-13, 171 K, 3.86 ERA, 1.20 WHIP.

Good enough to be better than three of your five "20 game winner/#1 starters"[/quote]

Originally Posted by Joey Slugs Harden? You said it yourself, "If he stays healthy". Sounds like the faith that the Cubs put in Prior: "He can be the greatest pitcher ever, if only he could stay healthy"

Prior has had 4 seasons to prove himself and has been injured in all 4. Harden has had 2 seasons as a starter, was fine in 04 and got injured in 05.

Originally Posted by Joey Slugs And Loaiza? I'll admit, it was amazing what he did for us in '01 but he'll never come close. His time with the Yankees & Nationals proved as much.

The whole point of all that was to show that A's had five 20-win quality starters. They do. Loaiza is one, hell, he's done it before. 20-game winners are all about the offense. Do you think Paul Abbott is a legitimate 17-game winner? No, he had an awesome offense.

[Joey Slugs]

Originally Posted by Joey RoXer Too bad they're not better than Oakland though.

2005.

Chicago 99 63 .611
Oakland 88 74 .543

That would pace Oakland around 11 games back if they were in the same division? Hmmm.

[Joey Slugs]

Originally Posted by Loose Cannon okay saying that's one of the greatest rotations of all-time like 4 months before start time is ridiculous. That's a real bold statement. And five guys winning 20 is about as dumb as Eric Burnes (sorry Burnsie ) That's never happened or hasn't come close to happening in the history of baseball.

For the record, I never said that I agreed that the Sox have one of the greatest rotations ever and I never said that all 5 guys would win 20 games. I did say that they have a good shot at doing it.

[The Miz]

How many times did Chicago have to play LAA or go pitch in Texas? How many times did Oakland get to play the Tigers and Royals? Regular season records aren't fair to compare when the division quality is so unbalanced.

There's no doubt that Chicago > Oakland in 2005, but I'm talking about 2006.

[RoXer]

Paul Abbott? Wasn't he the guy with one hand?

[The Miz]

Originally Posted by Joey Slugs I did say that they have a good shot at doing it.

Which is also very wrong

[RoXer]

We're all posting at the same time here

[The Miz]

Originally Posted by Joey RoXer Paul Abbott? Wasn't he the guy with one hand?

Nah, Jim Abbott.

[Joey Slugs]

Originally Posted by The Miz You said he had always been crap and Cooper magically turned him to gold. I was simply stating he had been great before he met Cooper.

No, I didn't say he was ALWAYS crap. I did say that he was "crap" when he got here. Cooper helped turn El Duque & Contreras around.

[RoXer]

Originally Posted by The Miz Nah, Jim Abbott.

THERE IT IS

[Joey Slugs]

Originally Posted by The Miz There's no doubt that Chicago > Oakland in 2005, but I'm talking about 2006.

2006 hasn't happened yet, but the Sox are holding together their team from 2005 (adding to it to make it better).

Going just based on that the Sox would have to be better than Oakland again.

[Joey Slugs]

Originally Posted by Joey RoXer We're all posting at the same time here

I do love a good debate.

[The Miz]

Added:
SP Javier Vazquez
1B Jim Thome
3B Rob Mackowiak

Lost:
OF Aaron Rowand
1B Frank Thomas
SP Orlando Hernandez
DH Carl Everett
RP Damaso Marte
3B Geoff Blum
RP Luis Viscaino

Not really sure where they got better

[Joey Slugs]

Lost:
OF Aaron Rowand - the trade can go either way right now
1B Frank Thomas - didn't play much, not as big of an impact anymore
SP Orlando Hernandez - hurt
DH Carl Everett - Thome will hit better
RP Damaso Marte - don't get me started.
3B Geoff Blum - no huge loss, he did come through when we needed it though
RP Luis Viscaino - again, no huge loss

[The Miz]

No huge loss, you're right, I asked where they got better. Thome is way too risky to give up one of your best players. Hernandez/McCarty > Vazquez

[Joey Slugs]

Originally Posted by The Miz No huge loss, you're right, I asked where they got better. Thome is way too risky to give up one of your best players. Hernandez/McCarty > Vazquez

Rowand might of been the heart and soul of the team, but he wasn't exactly one of our best players. You never know, maybe Anderson has that same selfless mind in the outfield.

Vazquez is an improvement of over Hernandez (still unproven but El Duque lost too many games due to injury). A healthy Thome is an improvement over Thomas/Everett. And from what I have seen, Mackowiak is an improvement as a backup role for Crede (incase his back acts up again).

Add to that what Garland or Contreras can pull in the trade market (if that's what it comes to).

[BCWWF]

All that matters is that Tony Batista is back in the US of A.

[VonErich Lives]

Slugs, I know "last year was last year", but only one team had more then 100 wins and you think you'll have 5 starters with 20wins?

Yeah, it's possible, so it David Ortiz hitting a home run in ever single at bat, I wouldn't bet on it, but it "could" happan.

You have a good rotation, and that's about it.

The questions with Duqe and Contrares are age, no one knows their real age, and how injuries will effect them.

If you get .500 record and a sub 4.25 ERa from Vazquez be very happy.

[The Miz]

Why did the Cards blow $15.9 million on Ricardo Rincon and Braden Looper, the most useless relievers of all time?