***Official 2012-13 MLB HOTSTOVE OFF-SEASON THREAD***

Justin Upton rejected a trade to Seattle. The other three teams on his NTC for this year are Boston, Toronto and Chicago Cubs.

 

Do you like him for Boston?

Hmm, he is in that sort of sweet spot age wise, but I'd think you need more.

BTW, MLB announced random, in season HGH testing for 2013.

 

Pshh. I know more things. Go Pope yourself

 

that, and in an odd way, the HoF also validates memories of the fans via enshrining players.

For example Jack Morris tossing a slew of shut out innings to win a WS final game 1-0 coupled with his track record.

Before that gets twisted, Bucky Dent is NOT a HoFer, Carlton Fish was a relatively avg C but he has that dramatic Hr v the Reds in the WS coupled with a long and productive career.

 

Cannot be the pope unless he has the hat..

 

Not sure, he kind of worries me as he seems to be regressing a bit at such a young age. Perhaps his shoulder is a bigger issue. And most importantly depends on who they would have to give up.

I don't see Boston as being realistic players for him.

 

that and thought Boston's problem really was more about starting pitching.

I also think they should add some speed, not lead the league in Sb speed rather just more athletic guys, seemed like when they were going good they had guys who could run.

 

Yes they definitely need more/better SPing.

They added Victorino and hopefully have a fully healthy year from Ellsbury and Pedroia. But yes I'd like to see them get more athletic at other positions but there just aren't those guys available on the FA market.

 

Its damn funny actually as they turned down an offer from the Rangers right before they made the deal with Seattle that Upton blocked. Dont you think you would discuss with Upton if he would accept the trade to a team or what it would take for him to accept before you piss off another team?

 

How is the best hitting catcher of all time not getting in on the first ballot not a big deal? And for no reason other then suspicion of steroid use which is something you can say about anyone from that era sans Frank Thomas and Griffey Jr. Im not sure I have any use for the baseball HOF anymore. Piazza (and Biggio and Bagwell) deserved to have his day yesterday and because of the ego's of a few jackass writers he has to wait another year, maybe 2-3? If there was some kind of proof? Yeah I could go along with that. Back acne isnt proof though.

 

It's my understanding that it's not unusual for teams to have a deal on principle before asking the player whether he will waive his NTC. It happens a lot. Just last summer the Braves/Cubs had a deal in place for Ryan Dempster but he vetoed it.

 

That doesn't solve anything though, besides the illegal nature of doing something like that, nor would it or should that list be the be all end all list. No one is dumb enough to believe it was only those 150 or so names that have ever took PEDs.

Again PEDs weren't illegal in 2003 when the test took place. You're punishing guys after the fact. Whether you agree or disagree with whether of not guys who took PEDs should or shouldn't be in the HOF there were no rules against it at that time.

Bottom line is the HOF is simply a museum of baseball history, it's not a church or holy grounds. We are not electing saints here, just ball players. I can't see how ignoring some of the best players in baseball history because they may or may not have taken a substance that wasn't illegal at the time makes sense. And again if those voters want to take that stand then shouldn't they start throwing guys out of the HOF that used greenies or any drugs? Because those substances are now illegal too and if guys use them they get suspended. I mean the HOF isn't a collection of saints or guys with high moral character to begin with. The whole thing is just so incredibly silly.

And don't let Selig or the owners or players fool you. Everyone knew what was going on but everyone was too busy getting rich and counting their money to care about the problem. If congress and the US government didn't step in nothing would have changed.

 

Mike Piazza was not on the 150 Mitchell Report:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3153646
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major_League_Baseball_players_named_in_the_Mitchell_Report

 

He's talking about the anonymous PED player test done in 2003 where the player's union agreed but only if the names were never released, not the Mitchell Report. Thinking back I actually think about 100 players failed that test, not 150. The only names that popped up that mad the list were off the top of my head were Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Alex Rodriguez and Sammy Sosa.

 

According to most scouts Wheeler is actually better than Harvey and Niese. If I were the Mets I'd pass on trading Wheeler. They have a nice young core of Harvey/Niese/Wheeler. Yeah they need help on offense but it's easier to get offenses help then solid good young pitching.

 

I dont get the Mets interest in Upton honestly. They have a chance to develop and have a young starting rotation that will be cost controlled.

 

i wouldnt trade any of those guys for upton. We arent doing squat this year anyway.

 

I do. I believe we're set to win about 75 games. Cant be more then that til we get 3 actual outfielders. All we have out there is Duda and crap and as we saw Duda is no sure thing

 

Crap Fink I knew how much you wanted him in the Sox rotation....

 

The only thing that could have made the 2012 Boston Red Sox season better for me would have been rostering Jeff Francoeur, Melky Cabrera and Jeff Karstens, while keeping Nick Punto. Good to see that dream gone.

 

Hey hey....I will take it...out of the Top 10....got to give Boras credit here, he got him his money...

 

I told you not to doubt the man. The Nationals lose their 1st round pick (#29 overall) and the Yankees gain the #32rd pick overall.

 

I will be more impressed when he gets Bourn 18 million

 

Francoeur is an electrician now?

 

The Nationals have had an amazing off season.

 

Has Seattle made a good trade in the past 10 years? I'm honestly trying to think of one.

 

HK is going to lose his junk.....

 

9:12am: The Braves get Upton and third baseman Chris Johnson for third baseman Martin Prado, right-hander Randall Delgado, shortstop prospect Nick Ahmed and right-handed pitching prospect Zeke Spruill, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports (on Twitter).

Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#V6Wv8Ocx1vIORXfs.99

Braves got quite the steal.
​

 

I'm not sure they got a steal. Prado alone is pretty damn good and cheap he's underrated.

 

prado was going to be asking for more money as of next year I believe. Still hate to see him go though.

 

The Braves won this deal IMO.....

 

the prospects are eh though....

and Upton>Prado....

 

He was really versatile, and a good player.

Still would take Upton over Prado though, and now we have a hole at 3rd.

 

he was which is why I'm not a huge fan of the deal. We got chris johnson in the deal also so not really a hole but not great at 3rd I'd say.

 

Eh, losing Chipper and Prado though?