The Major League Baseball Off-Season Post Vol. 24 days until Opening Day 2009

[dland24]

Originally Posted by Osh Kosh Bosh

Originally Posted by 23ska909red02

And what have I always said regarding the high-dollar signings of pitchers and batters?

I'd take the pitcher.

Every time.

So take Teix. Trust me, I love the dude. Him on my team was one of those rare times in sports where a guy you genuinely liked... ended up on your team. I liked Teix in Tex, I liked Teix in ATL, and I was so freaking happy hearing that he was an Angel.

But take him. Given a choice between the two, I'd choose CC every time.

Aren't his postseason numbers pretty crappy though? Teix wasn't outstanding for us, I know that. Not terrible. Not great.

This doesn't make sense to me at all. Tex will have a larger effect on the teams success then CC ever could merely by the virtue of Tex being an everyday player.
Also that offense is mediocre as hell without Tex, how many teams go far in the playoffs without an elite hitter? Plus that infield defense is what made alot of your ground ball pitchers so effective and Tex is the best fielding 1st baseman in the game.

In this situation, I couldnt disagree with you more. Sure to an average team, a great hitter is more important than a great pitcher, for the simple fact ofplaying everyday (which you said). But the Yankees and the Angels have very good lineups already. They have tons of pop in their lineups. CC would 100% have alarger effect on the Yankees and Angels success than Tex would.

Oh yeah...and Vladdy isnt an elite hitter?

 

[Retroballer]

The Pirates just signed two Indian players. they have no baseball experience, but they won a contest where they were the only ones to throw strikes above 85mph

 

[air 23 aj]

I'd take CC over Tex but Yankees would love to have both spend that cash

 

[osh kosh bosh]

Originally Posted by dland24

Originally Posted by Osh Kosh Bosh

Originally Posted by 23ska909red02

And what have I always said regarding the high-dollar signings of pitchers and batters?

I'd take the pitcher.

Every time.

So take Teix. Trust me, I love the dude. Him on my team was one of those rare times in sports where a guy you genuinely liked... ended up on your team. I liked Teix in Tex, I liked Teix in ATL, and I was so freaking happy hearing that he was an Angel.

But take him. Given a choice between the two, I'd choose CC every time.

Aren't his postseason numbers pretty crappy though? Teix wasn't outstanding for us, I know that. Not terrible. Not great.

This doesn't make sense to me at all. Tex will have a larger effect on the teams success then CC ever could merely by the virtue of Tex being an everyday player.
Also that offense is mediocre as hell without Tex, how many teams go far in the playoffs without an elite hitter? Plus that infield defense is what made alot of your ground ball pitchers so effective and Tex is the best fielding 1st baseman in the game.

In this situation, I couldn't disagree with you more. Sure to an average team, a great hitter is more important than a great pitcher, for the simple fact of playing everyday (which you said). But the Yankees and the Angels have very good lineups already. They have tons of pop in their lineups. CC would 100% have a larger effect on the Yankees and Angels success than Tex would.

Oh yeah...and Vladdy isn't an elite hitter?

Not last year he wasn't not at all. What Vlad does statistically speaking is freakish maintaining such a high OBP while swinging so freely.When he loses the some bat speed his decline is going to happen fast...he was good last year but he wasn't elite, That was his lowest OBP and walk totalrecorded since his rookie year...

IMO Vlad is going to go softley into that good night sooner rather then later.

 

[darthska]

Osh Kosh Bosh:

---

23ska909red02:

---

And what have I always said regarding the high-dollar signings of pitchers and batters?

I'd take the pitcher.

Every time.

So take Teix. Trust me, I love the dude. Him on my team was one of those rare times in sports where a guy you genuinely liked... ended up on your team. I liked Teix in Tex, I liked Teix in ATL, and I was so freaking happy hearing that he was an Angel.

But take him. Given a choice between the two, I'd choose CC every time.

Aren't his postseason numbers pretty crappy though? Teix wasn't outstanding for us, I know that. Not terrible. Not great.
This doesn't make sense to me at all. Tex will have a larger effect on the teams success then CC ever could merely by the virtue of Tex being an everyday player.
Also that offense is mediocre as hell without Tex, how many teams go far in the playoffs without an elite hitter? Plus that infield defense is what made alot of your ground ball pitchers so effective and Tex is the best fielding 1st baseman in the game.
For me, it comes down to big games. In a big game, Teix will get 3-4 ABs and will only have a chance to make defensive plays that are in hisvicinity. In a big game, if the rotation can be worked out to put C on the mound for that game, he gets the ball against every batter in every inning he'sin.

 

[tbone95860]

[h1]Boras Has Offers For Teixeira[/h1]
By Tim Dierkes [November 25 at 11:17pm CST]

According to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times, ScottBoras has received "a number of offers" for Mark Teixeira. These are formal offers that Tex has the right to accept. The Angelshaven't made an offer; we can only speculate on which clubs did submit early bids.

 

[wildkycat]

http://

[h4]Reds' Dusty Baker wants to manage Kerry Wood again[/h4]
Kerry Wood answered the call from the bullpen last season for the Cubs, reinventing himself as a capable closer with 34 saves. Will he pick up the phone when Dusty Baker from division foe Cincinnati calls him? The Cubs decided to pass on offering Wood a multiyear deal to retain his services, so Baker says he plans to give Wood a call to check on his possible interest in signing with Cincinnati. "We have a closer already in [ Francisco] Cordero, who we have under contract for a few more years," Baker said Monday. "But somebody can use Kerry Wood. I am going to call him. I like Kerry Wood as a person, not just as a ballplayer, but as a person. I will give him a call and see what's up." Baker plans to consult with Reds general manager Walt Jocketty as the annual winter meetings commence next week in Las Vegas. "We will probably address that while we are down there. It depends on a lot of stuff," Baker said. "I have to talk to Kerry first. He did a pretty good job for the Cubs." -- Chicago Tribune

http://

[h4]Jake Peavy would prefer trade to Cubs?[/h4]
Padres GM Kevin Towers yesterday spoke more bearishly about the prospects of a Jake Peavy trade than he has since talks began three months ago. "Atlanta has a club policy that's been in place that no one will have full no-trade protection," he said. "I don't see them bending the rules for Jake. At this point in time, that's not going to happen unless Jake changes his position on that." Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar would be part of a Peavy deal and could end up at second base if the Padres keep shortstop Khalil Greene. Some close to Peavy have expressed doubt that he would OK a trade to Atlanta, saying he would prefer the Cubs. -- San Diego Union-Tribune


http://

[h4]Pirates pursue free-agent veteran Loretta[/h4]
The Pirates are trying to acquire a longtime nemesis. General manager Neal Huntington has had two conversations aimed at acquiring free-agent infielder Mark Loretta, agent Bob Garber confirmed yesterday, and the parties plan to communicate further. -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


http://

[h4]Bobby Abreu to Cubs or Mets?[/h4]
Bobby Abreu is seeking a multiyear deal, and according to a source close to the outfielder, there was "no chance" he would have accepted arbitration. The Yankees apparently didn't feel the same way, as team officials feared the market would not be there for Abreu, who could have reached out for the arbitration safety net. Sources say the Mets and Cubs have reached out to Abreu's agents, and now that they won't have to give up a pick to sign him, things could move quickly with either team. -- NY Daily News


http://

[h4]Cards not interested in Randy Johnson?[/h4]
The Cardinals are not among "nine or 10" teams that have expressed interest in five-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson, according to Johnson's agent, Barry Meister. Johnson, 45, is seeking a one-year deal after the Arizona Diamondbacks publicly renounced interest in re-signing the 295-game winner. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch


http://

[h4]Ben Sheets could opt to accept Brewers arbitration[/h4]
Ben Sheets, unhappy that the Brewers didn't try to re-sign him before he hit the market, went 13-9 with a 3.09 earned run average and five complete games in 31 starts last season. That performance could earn him a raise from his $11 million salary in arbitration despite suffering a torn muscle near his elbow near the end of the season. If no club makes an acceptable multiyear offer to Sheets, he could opt to accept arbitration and play for the Brewers in 2009 with hopes of a bigger payday on the market next winter. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel


http://

[h4]Dunn will depart Arizona without any compensation[/h4]
Adam Dunn's case was difficult. Part of the Diamondbacks justification for giving up the young players -- including big-league starter Micah Owings -- it did for Dunn was the expectation of two draft picks when Dunn departed as a free agent, but the downturn in the economy led the team to this decision, meaning Dunn will depart without any compensation. -- Arizona Republic


http://

[h4]Carpenter's health key to Cards offseason plans?[/h4]
Cardinals GM John Mozeliak arrives in Las Vegas on Sunday for baseball's winter meetings and acknowledges his course will be affected by the outcome of a nerve conduction test performed later this week on ace Chris Carpenter. "It's going to give us a pretty good idea whether Carp's making real progress or not," said Mozeliak, speaking of Carpenter's recovery from a season-ending nerve condition that affected muscles supporting his right shoulder. "If it's something we need to protect for we may have to do something sooner than later. If it's encouraging, it buys another month." -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch


http://

[h4]Royals Grudzielanek offered arbitration, likely to decline[/h4]
Don't look for veteran second baseman Mark Grudzielanek to return next season to the Royals despite being offered arbitration just hours before Monday's deadline. Grudzielanek said he is "95 to 98 percent sure" that he will decline the offer and instead become a free agent eligible to negotiate with any team for a salary to be determined by the market. "I'm going to be a little spoiled," he said, "and try to go to somebody with a better (chance) to reach the World Series." Assuming Grudzielanek, 38, doesn't change his mind before the 11 p.m. deadline Sunday, and succeeds in signing with another team, the Royals would receive a sandwich pick between the first and second round of next year's new-player draft as compensation. -- KC Star


http://

[h4]Rangers want Milton Bradley back[/h4]
The Texas Rangers are prepared for Milton Bradley to sign elsewhere as a free agent, but if he goes the club will at least receive a memento of his time in Texas. ... The club can continue to negotiate with all four, if it so chooses. The Rangers do have interest in bringing Bradley back on a one- or two-year deal, but general manager Jon Daniels has said for weeks he expected Bradley to fully explore the free-agent market. The club does have interest in bringing Jennings back on a minor league contract if he proves he is finally healthy. Bradley, who signed a one-year deal worth $5 million last year, hit .321 in 126 games for the Rangers. It was only the second time in his nine year career he played in more than 101 games. Bradley led the AL in on-base percentage (.436) and was fourth in slugging (.563). His .999 OPS was 34 points better than runner-up Alex Rodriguez. -- Dallas Morning News


http://

[h4]Rockies' Brian Fuentes will talk with Mets[/h4]
Brian Fuentes intends to meet face-to-face with the Mets, either in Las Vegas during next week's winter meetings or afterward in New York. Fuentes, 33, went 1-5 with 30 saves in 34 chances and a 2.73 ERA for the Rockies last season. He converted his final 17 saves of 2008, the third-longest streak to close the season in the majors. Fuentes, a lefthander, also struck out 54 of the final 117 batters he faced. Fuentes was offered salary arbitration Monday by Colorado, ensuring the Rockies will receive two compensatory picks in next year's amateur draft if he signs with another team. Fuentes is a Type A free agent and has until Sunday to accept the arbitration offer. The Mets also have been interested in meeting with Angels free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez, but K-Rod's agent Paul Kinzer has suggested that dialogue won't begin until next week in Las Vegas. -- NY Daily News


http://

[h4]Twins offer lefty reliever Dennys Reyes arbitration[/h4]
The Twins would receive an extra draft pick between the first and second rounds next June if Dennys Reyes signs with another team this winter. Minnesota guaranteed itself that compensation Monday by formally offering arbitration to the left-handed reliever. Reyes, a Class B free agent under baseball's compensation system, has until Sunday to agree to arbitration -- which would make him a member of the Twins again next year -- or reject it and continue negotiating with any team he chooses. -- Pioneer Press

[h4]Hampton turns down Braves, signs with Astros[/h4]
Mike Hampton, 36, went 3-4 with a 4.85 ERA in 13 starts for the Braves this season, after missing nearly three years recovering from two elbow surgeries and other injuries. He finally got healthy last summer and posted a 3.72 ERA with eight quality starts in his last nine games. The pitching-thin Braves hoped to re-sign him to an incentive-laden one-year contract. Instead, Hampton opted for a slightly lesser deal with Houston that includes an opportunity to make about $2 million in additional incentives based on staying healthy and making starts, according to the two people familiar with the situation. He is going through a divorce and wanted to be closer to his children in Arizona. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

[h4]Dodgers want Rafael Furcal back at less money[/h4]
Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said Rafael Furcal's days with the team aren't necessarily over. "We obviously have interest in the player and the player has interest in being here," said Colletti, adding that he spoke over the weekend to Arn Tellem of Wasserman Media Group, which represents Furcal. But the Dodgers' refusal to offer him arbitration is further evidence that Furcal's demand for a four-year deal isn't the only point of contention in their negotiations. The Dodgers are also reluctant to re-sign him at the average annual salary of $13 million he made over the three years of the contract he completed this year, and an arbitration hearing might have resulted in a raise. -- LA Times


http://

[h4]Halos could still bring Anderson back[/h4]
The Angels spent $3 million to buy out the $14-million option on Garret Anderson's contract, but Monday's decision doesn't necessarily mean Anderson's 15-season career with the Angels is over. The team can still negotiate with the outfielder, who has hired Scott Boras as his agent. -- LA Times


http://

[h4]Padres Hoffman open to all 29 clubs[/h4]
Padres General Manager Kevin Towers has been the club's point man in the Trevor Hoffman negotiations. Asked yesterday if he has had any talks with Hoffman since he told Hoffman on Nov. 10 that the offer was off the table, Towers said he "bumped into" Hoffman at a social function on Saturday. "We talked briefly; it was non-business," Towers said. Towers and Hoffman describe each other as friends. The GM has negotiated a few contracts for Hoffman, a six-time All-Star for the Padres. Hoffman, a resident of north San Diego, has said he is open to all 29 clubs and is prepared to move his wife and three sons to another city. -- San Diego Union-Tribune


http://

[h4]Sources: Phillies don't offer salary arbitration to Burrell, Moyer[/h4]
Conventional wisdom had it that, if nothing else, the Phillies would offer salary arbitration to at least lefthander Jamie Moyer. Conventional wisdom whiffed. National League sources confirmed that last night's midnight deadline to offer arbitration passed with the Phillies passing on all four of their players eligible for free agency: Moyer, leftfielder Pat Burrell and righthanders Tom Gordon and Rudy Seanez. That doesn't mean the defending world champions have closed the door on bringing back any of the affected players, although it is considered unlikely that Gordon or Seanez will be re-signed. -- Philadelphia Daily News


http://

[h4]Cardinals pitcher Russ Springer is unlikely to return[/h4]
The likelihood of veteran reliever Russ Springer's return to the Cardinals greatly diminished Monday when the club declined to offer arbitration to him and its other seven free agents. Citing a need to maintain roster flexibility and a crush of returning righthanded relievers, general manager John Mozeliak thought the risk of Springer being awarded a big contract in arbitration was not worth the reward -- two premium draft picks -- the club would have received had Springer turned down arbitration and signed elsewhere. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch


http://

[h4]Former Braves prospect Thorman joins Brewers[/h4]
The Brewers signed first baseman Scott Thorman to a minor-league contract and invited him to big-league camp in the spring. Thorman, who will be 27 on Jan. 6, had played in Atlanta's system since being drafted in the first round in 2000. Thorman, a left-handed hitter, saw action with the Braves in 2006 and 2007, batting .222 with 16 home runs and 50 RBI in 175 games. He played at Class AAA Richmond in 2008, hitting .251 with 19 homers and 56 RBI in 101 games. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel



i'm also hearing Jermaine Dye to be involved in a trade to the Reds.

 

[bkmac]

I don't like the idea of Abreu to the Mets or Cubs at all. I want him back in RF for the Yankees.

 

[tbone95860]

[h1]Braves To Acquire Javier Vazquez[/h1]
By Tim Dierkes [December 2 at 5:34pm CST]

5:34pm: Rosenthal says anannouncement could come Wednesday or Thursday. He says Lillibridge is in the deal along with a young starter, but it's not Reyes. Additionally, highlyregarded catcher Tyler Flowers mightbe the third prospect (which would improve the trade quite a bit for the Sox). BaseballProspectus' Kevin Goldstein says Flowers profiles as an offense-first catcher, but there are questions about his ability to stay behind the plate. Dave O'Brien notes thatSox GM Ken Williams saw Flowers play in Arizona and "practically drooled over him."

Let's take a look at the latest from Yahoo's Tim Brown.

• C.C. Sabathia has had no conversations with the Dodgers in recent weeks.
• Casey Blake opened negotiations with the Twins at three years and $20MM. That's not a price the Twins are willing to pay, rightfully so. The Indians have cooled on Blake as well.

 

[dlo13]

Cox has had a man-crush on Vazquez since he was in Montreal years ago.

He's been rumored to be traded to Atlanta damn near every year. I guess it finally happened...

 

[wildkycat]

Word leaked in reports last week that the Reds and White Sox have discussed making a trade that would bring outfielder Jermaine Dye to Cincinnati, possibly with fading pitching prospect Homer Bailey as part of the return to Chicago. Although 35, the righty-hitting Dye would fit the bill of someone the Reds are seeking. Last season, he batted .292 with 34 home runs, 96 RBIs and a .344 on-base percentage.

 

[auright]

griffey jr. back to the mariners.....maybe

 

[Retroballer]

Hey we got got hampton back. Maybe he can win us 22 games again

 

[tbone95860]

[h1]Reagins Debunks Sabathia Rumors[/h1]
By Tim Dierkes [December 2 at 9:41pm CST]
MLB.com's LyleSpencer talked to Angels GM Tony Reagins, who said Mark Teixeira remains the team's top priority (and they're not concerned abouthis knee). Reagins said there was nothing to reports of the Halos shifting their focus to C.C. Sabathia.

CC..... you know what to do.

 

[ooiron manoo]

I tell you this as a way of saying no matter what CC Sabathia or Mark Teixeira get this offseason, I will again have no qualms. But I will if Andy Pettitte takes money from any team not named the New York Yankees. If Pettitte signs elsewhere, regardless of the dollar figure, he should be viewed as a world-class phony forever around here. There should be no more pardons. He should receive no invites to future Old-Timers Games, hear no cheers when the dynastic teams reassemble. In his moment of need, when it was revealed Pettitte was both a liar and cheater, the Yankees stood by him last season. At that time, Pettitte was only too happy to say the Yankees were the only team he ever wanted to play for any more. He did not say he only wanted to play for the Yankees unless they offer him a paycut.The Yanks have indeed offered that cut. Pettitte made $16 million last year and, according to sources, he was offered $10 million to return in 2009. So far, Pettitte has rejected that bid while his camp has done nothing to dispel reports linking him to Joe Torre and the Dodgers.
I found this funny, from a NY Post writer,

.

The Yanks poach players from every ballclub, because they have the means to do so, now Pettite is thinking of bouncing (again) and he should be disowned,

 

[CP1708]

Why are the White Sox dealin players away instead of adding guys?

They just tryin to sell high on the vets and get some youth in return?

 

[tbone95860]

[h1]Giants Closing In On Renteria[/h1]
By Tim Dierkes [December 3 at 3:42pm CST]

3:42pm: Jon Heyman chimes in; he also thinks a two-yeardeal could be completed soon. Heyman says the Giants have yet to decide whether to target C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, orManny Ramirez. Are we seeing a shift back to the win-now plan in San Francisco?

1:53pm: ESPN'sJerry Crasnick talked to Renteria's agent Barry Meister, who said they're "much, much closer" to a deal with the Giants but "nothingis done." Crasnick's source says it could be in the two-year, $18MM range.
[h1]Braves Preparing Five-Year Offer For Burnett[/h1]
By Tim Dierkes [December 3 at 2:07pm CST]

2:07pm: Dave O'Brien of the AtlantaJournal-Constitution believes the Braves will probably guarantee a fifth year to Burnett, at a salary of $15-16MM per.

9:56am: Will the Braves be the team to commit five years to A.J. Burnett? According to Mark Feinsand of the NewYork Daily News, they're preparing such an offer. Feinsand wonders if Burnett will jump at this offer without waiting to see what C.C.Sabathia does.

SI.com's Jon Heyman seems to agree with Feinsand's report. Helearned from Braves GM Frank Wren that the Braves are in on Burnett but not Jake Peavy, and heard talk that the Braves might consider a fifthyear. Wren described talks for Peavy as "pretty much" over.

Dave O'Brien of the AtlantaJournal-Constitution says the Braves are one of six teams in negotiations with Burnett. Heyman believes the other teams to be the Yankees, Red Sox, BlueJays, Orioles, and Nationals.

 

[trillipinotrapstar]

Not really sold on the Vazquez trade. Braves just gave up young potential talent in return for a 32-year old guy that can choke the game up at times.

Braves getting Burnett if they do would be

 

[dr 715]

I like the Renteria signing - I'd much rather have him for 2 years than Furcal for 4 years.

Granted he's getting up there in age but we played with a 78 year old Omar Vizquel last season and got absolutely nothing offensively from the shortstopposition.

P.S. I've liked Renteria ever since he did this Cleveland:

 

[stringer bell 32]

Originally Posted by TrillipinoTrapstar

Not really sold on the Vazquez trade. Braves just gave up young potential talent in return for a 32-year old guy that can choke the game up at times.

Braves getting Burnett if they do would be

He had a rough 2008 but look at his 2007 numbers. He should feast on against NL teams. Javy is a workhorse very capable of going deep into ballgames andsaving bullpens.

Its just that he has way too much money due to him over the next two seasons and he really lacks a competitive spirit

 

[N41D]

Other than choking one off every time he pitches in big games, Javier Vazquez isn't a bad pitcher... His ERA this year was more inflated by bad luck thanit was anything else...

 

[mfr3shm]

Braves traded away Tyler Flowers who is regarded as a power hitter i thought they could've given him up to get Peavy.

Will be interesting if the Braves could get AJ Burnett.

 

[stringer bell 32]

I heard Flowers isn't really known for his skills behind the plate and the earliest guess that he would be with the team is 2010

I heard this in an interview with someone from Baseball America and they'd rank Flowers 4th in the Sox organization right now

 

[trillipinotrapstar]

Thanks Stringer.

Tyler Flowers was beasting in the Winter league tho; after this trade the Braves are pretty short of catcher prospects, plus I haven't seen a lot of ClintSammons filling in for McCann.

And good riddance that Mike Hampton is gone to Houston. Could've gotten rid of that bum last year.

 

[mfr3shm]

Yeah Flowers is said to be only a power hitter but he is not the best Catcher. They say he is too big to be a Ccatcher he is 6'4.

Braves also gave up Brent Lillibridge a SS really skinny kid has good defense, but has no power he has speed though.

and 2 others Jon Gilmore and Santos Rodriguez don't know about them.

Stringer does Vazquez still have good stuff? and what do you know about Boone Logan?