Official MLB Offseason Thread

I just keep telling myself we're still the best in the West and I dont feel too bad

 

Dodgers turning to Dunn?

http://fantasysportsexperience.blogspot.com/2008/12/dodgers-dunn-with-manny.html

 

Eh, I think I'll pass unless he comes cheap and Andrew Jones leaves. Below average fielding, horrendous BA, good OBP (which we're good enough anyways and that didn't help pre-Manny). You'll have better luck shipping Jones to the Mets (which had been rumored here) than having Dunn adequately replace Manny's production. Frankly, I'd rather have Manny.

 

The Red Sox after losing out on Tex, offered the Marlins Ellsbury, Bucholtz and pieces for Hanley Ramirez. That would be interesting to say the least, the writers in Boston would eat it up..

 

They already are as well as fans thinking the Marlins would make that deal right now.

 

Of course not. The Marlins would be straight up crazy if they got rid of Hanley.

Btw, does this rumor have any legs?

 

It was reported by ESPN and the Boston papers..

 

No, it has no legs because it's not happening. It was reported that both the Red Sox and Marlins talked about a trade involving Hanley Ramirez but it went nowhere. To me these are the sillest things that get reported. If you're a GM and doing your job you're suppose to call up teams and checking on which players are available and what it would take to get them.

 

Of course not. Why would they trade him now? In 2 years let's talk but right now they have no reason to.

Plus a deal with Ellsbury and Buchholz is certainly not enough for a top 10 (maybe even top 5) player.

 

Do the Cubs look for another SP now, or do they have someone waiting to fill the spot?

 

Cubs have Zambrano, Harden, Dempster, and Lilly. And could use Sean Marshall or Jeff Samardzija as a 5th starter. They also have Rich Hill in the minors who was good in 2007 but couldn't find the strike zone in '08. Of course they could always make a trade for Peavy or sign a random 5th starter type. Guys like Paul Byrd, Carl Pavano are still out there.

 

Marlins turned the deal down, Hanley is staying put. Which is fine with me: Boston wants Hanley back? Give us Beckett back.

 

Just for laughs did anyone else read the quote in the SF chronicle the other day about Barry Zito's commenting on the Yankees spending? Oh the irony.

Some other news...

The Diamondbacks and Tony Clark have reportedly come to terms on a one-year, $800,000 contract.
It was only a matter of time. If Eric Byrnes stays, then Clark will be used primarily as a pinch-hitter by the Diamondbacks.
Source: ESPN.com

Andruw Jones-OF-Dodgers Jan. 2 - 3:26 pm et
According to SI.com, the Dodgers and Andruw Jones have agreed to a restuctured deal that likely will result in the outfielder's departure.
Jones has reportedly agreed to defer more than half of his salary, an arrangement that could save the Dodgers $12 million in 2009 and facilitate the return of Manny Ramirez. As much money as the Dodgers have subtracted by jettisoning Derek Lowe and Brad Penny and by backloading Rafael Furcal's contract, there's no excuse for them not to get Ramirez re-signed. They may even have enough left over to bring in a veteran starter.
Source: SI.com
Related: Manny Ramirez

 

lol@Zito.

Not bad. Hopefully it does lead to Ramirez's signing. Not much left in terms of veteran starters. Pettitte? Perez? Sheets? Smoltz? Martinez? Wolf? Latter two were ex-Dodgers though.

 

Milton Bradley 3/30 w/ the Cubs

Pat Burrell 2/16 w/ the Rays.

And a Giambi to Oakland deal is "imminent".

I really like the Burrell signing for the Rays.

 

The Cubs signing Milton Bradley is a dumb move. The guy is a complete wacko that can't stay healthy. The Cubs would have been better off keeping Derosa and using the money on Bradley to get Abreu or make the deal for Peavy.

 

He has always struggled in the DH or pinch hit role so I'm interested to see how this turns out

 

JC Romero suspended for 50 games.

If his story is true they need to change things

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3812334

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3813706


Yankees sign Jason Johnson; DFA Shelly Duncan

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/01/yankees-sign-ja.html

Andy Pettitte turns down 10 million offer from yanks

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

 

How smart do the yankees look now, not offering Abreu 18 - 20 mill in arbitration.

 

At any period in time why would the Yankees want to pay Abreu that much for .290 20 100. On top of being 34 and declining on defense.

 

Because the guy always carries ridiculous peripherals. Always carries a great OBP, ton of walks, good slugging, sees more pitches per AB then anyone in baseball last year.

Personally if the Mets dont get Manny, Abreu is a pretty good consolation prize. Ya, his D is in decline, but lets face it, thats never been what Abreu gets paid for.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=txdodgershoffmanoffer&prov=st&type=lgns

Veteran closer to take over the Maddux role in the pen. Good stopgap I guess.

As for Manny to the Mets, Dodgers can offer more money and Mets are stupid if they offer more than 3 years considering they're in the NL too. Only bidders so far are just the Dodgers (maybe Giants if you believe the Boras-aided press).

 

The Brewers are very interested as well per the North County Times this morning.

 

Red Sox are close to signing Rocco Baldelli, I already voiced my thoughts about Baldelli as I like him as a player (he obviously fits with the Sox very well as he's a right handed hitting OFer than can play all 4 positions) but wouldn't touch him because of his illness. I would assume the Sox did a lot of tests and research on it though so whatever I'm on board I guess. I'd still like them to sign Gabe Kapler too.

It also looks like the Sox are close to signing John Smoltz too, which I would love! I know he's 41 and it's possible he won't be able to pitch at all but it's the type of gamble that could be huge in October. The guy is an ultimate pro, a work horse and clutch. I hope they sign him, especially for the rumored 1 year 5 million dollars. Low risk, high reward... typical Theo.

Also Peter Gammons was on WEEI in Boston today and said that it will be interesting to see how Arod and Teixeira will get along because they apparently didn't get along at all in Texas. Not sure if this is Gammons just being a Boston fan boy or he's reporting actual facts. Either way it wouldn't shock me and I doubt it would make any difference what so ever.

 

RedSox close to signing Smoltz

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3817694

That would be a great move for the Sox. A rotation of

1. Beckett
2. Lester
3. Dice K
4. Smoltz
5. Penny/Wakefield/Bucholz/Masterson

Shapes up really nice. Also of note in the article is that this signing could allow them to trade one of their young SPs (bucholz) for Saltalmaccia

 

I think you guys are envisioning a much larger role than that. The article says Broxton would move to the setup role, does that mean they expect Hoffman to close?

 

I think this is gammon being a bit bitter. It wouldnt shock me either as it seems that Arod doesnt really get along with many people.

He also said in the same interview that brad penny and aj burnett are essentially the same pitcher. I dont care who you are a fan of, brad penny and aj burnett are not the same, except maybe if they both are on the DL.

I love the signings for boston - I was really hoping the yanks would jump in on Baldelli.

 

It's moot now but they're trying to find someone to compete with Broxton or share the duties. Kuo's been mentioned by several Dodger coaches as a possibility.

 

Color me officially worried about the Red Sox lineup. I look up and down it, and see nothing but gigantic question marks. You know you're going to get solid production from Pedroia, Youkilis and Bay.. but can Pedroia and Youkilis duplicate their career numbers from a year ago? They must, if this offense wants to put up runs in bunches.

Now take a look at the rest of the lineup (excluding catcher, which will be a black hole offensively if they're planning on going into the season with a platoon of Varitek and Bard. That would change if they can land Saltalamacchia, but at this point, it looks unlikely). If Ortiz is in fact headed down the road of Mo Vaughn, where is the production going to come from?? Especially if Ellsbury struggles to get on-base with any type of consistency at the top. Scouts love Lowrie's bat, but at this point you can't expect any type of significant production from a guy that has a year of experience under his belt.

Don't get me wrong, I love the rotation and bullpen... but if this team wants to get to October, that lineup has to step up.

 

Sox signed Mark Kotsay. I like their bench right as it has a lot of depth.

 

They'll need the depth when Baldelli and Drew are on the DL.

In all seriousness though, I like the Kotsay signing. He was huge for us down the stretch last year and his defensive flexibility is invaluable.

 

I agree all around a good guy to have on the team, he can play all 3 outfield spots plus 1st. We will have a pretty solid group of bench players and pitchers to pick from to start the season. We had a few outfield starts from some real gems last year.