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

[auright]

congrats to tim lincecum. had a great season.

 

[wildkycat]

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[h4]Angels play waiting game with Mark Teixeira[/h4]
The Angels hold exclusive negotiating rights to Mark Teixeira until midnight Thursday, but they are not expected to make an offer to the free-agent first baseman by then, and it could be days, or even a week or two, before they bid on the slugger. By no means is that a reflection of the Angels' interest in retaining Teixeira, who is their top priority this winter; it's simply a negotiating tactic they will likely take in pursuit of a premier player who will be in high demand once he hits the open market Friday. Agent Scott Boras, who represents Teixeira, has apparently made it clear to the Angels that his client plans to test the market, regardless of any offer the Angels make during the 15-day window in which they hold exclusive negotiating rights. Teixeira, 28, is expected to draw heavy interest from the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals, and he will likely command a deal between five and 10 years in length for at least $20 million a year. -- LA Times

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[h4]Big Unit to leave Arizona?[/h4]
The Diamondbacks are interested in bringing back Randy Johnson but aren't expected to offer a contract close to what he likely would get on the free-agent market. And it appears Johnson would prefer to remain with Arizona, though it is unclear how much of a "hometown discount" he might give. The Diamondbacks have something close to $10 million to spend this off-season and need a second baseman. -- Arizona Republic


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[h4]A's Holliday could be moved again at '09 deadline[/h4]
Considering Matt Holliday's contract status and the fact that the young A's are unlikely to be a favorite in the Angels-dominated AL West, there's a good possibility Oakland is acquiring Holliday with an eye toward moving him at the 2009 trade deadline. -- SF Chronicle


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[h4]Kerry Wood a lock to return to Wrigley?[/h4]
If the Cubs manage to re-sign Ryan Dempster and still have a shot at Jake Peavy, will they have enough money remaining in the budget for Kerry Wood? He ranked fourth in the National League with 34 saves and is expected to be pursued by the New York Mets, among others. Most take it for granted that Wood will return, based on his close relationship with Hendry and his 14 years in the Cubs organization. "I don't think he'd be happy anywhere else," former teammate Mark Grace said during the World Series. -- Chicago Tribune


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[h4]Manuel: Mets need K-Rod or Fuentes[/h4]
Although he offered few insights on what General Manager Omar Minaya might be up to this off-season, Jerry Manuel suggested the bullpen's struggles, which played an essential role in the Mets' losing eight of their final 13 games and failing to make the postseason, could be greatly eased by acquiring a top-end closer. That, Manuel indicated, would allow the other relievers to settle into more comfortable roles. "If we get the closer, then everybody else goes back to their own place," said Manuel, who lost closer Billy Wagner to surgery on Aug. 2 and will not have him available this season as he recovers from reconstructive elbow surgery. But which closer does Manuel want? How about Francisco Rodr�guez, the free agent who this season set a major league save record for the Los Angeles Angels with 62? "Oooh," Manuel said. "He'd put everybody in their normal place." Another free agent who would fit well, he said, was Brian Fuentes, the left-hander who closed for the Colorado Rockies in 2008. "Obviously, that was the thing we were lacking," Manuel said of the team's pitching, and particularly the bullpen. -- NY Times


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[h4]Twins manager Ron Gardenhire is sticking around[/h4]
Look for the contract extension that Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has agreed to sign (it hasn't been announced) to run through the 2011 season. Gardenhire's previous deal was through next season. The deal will be announced once contracts for Gardenhire's coaching staff are finalized, and that will be soon. -- Pioneer Press


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[h4]Toronto in mix for Dempster?[/h4]
There is a school of thought that says that the Blue Jays might have a shot at Ryan Dempster, the native of Gibsons, B.C., who is a free-agent after a 17-6 season with the Chicago Cubs, should the Cubs acquire Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres. -- Toronto Globe and Mail


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[h4]Giants to pass on on Manny Ramirez?[/h4]
In reality, the Giants likely will not make a run at Manny Ramirez, who already has a two-year offer worth more than $50 million to return to the Dodgers. Also, as Neukom said, "We're pretty excited about your young outfield right now. I don't think the outfield is our highest priority." Still, by declining to issue a flat-out "no" on Ramirez, Neukom is suggesting that even with the economy tanking and the stock market going Titanic, he has not yanked any money from Sabean ahead of the free-agent shopping season, which begins Friday. -- SF Chronicle


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[h4]Padres Peavy spends over $100k on golf membership in SD[/h4]
Jake Peavy recently filled out an application for membership at a luxury golf club near his San Diego home. The cost to the Padres ace would be well over $100,000. Does that mean Peavy is disinclined to approve a trade out of San Diego? Not at all, said his agent, Barry Axelrod. According to Axelrod, Peavy will maintain a residence in San Diego even if he is traded. "I could give you a laundry list of baseball players who play for other clubs than the Padres and have those kind of golf club memberships here in San Diego," Axelrod said yesterday. "Jake is going to make his home here whether he gets traded or not." -- San Diego Union-Tribune


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[h4]Halos could bid on Burnett?[/h4]
The Angels also plan to make a serious run at free-agent pitcher CC Sabathia, who could command a deal in the six-year, $120-million range, and they could bid on right-hander A.J. Burnett, who might receive a deal in the five-year, $75-million range. -- LA Times


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[h4]Braves McCann using offseason to work on career longevity[/h4]
With each passing year, the cry grows a little louder from a certain contingent of Braves fans: Why can't Brian McCann move from catcher to first base and play every day? It just makes McCann want to work that much harder to stay behind the plate. "I want to be a catcher," said McCann, who became only the seventh catcher in history to make the All-Star team each of his first three full seasons. "I want to play my whole career behind the plate. I don't even want to consider playing first base. I'd like to play every day, but at the same time, it's just something that comes with the position." So each offseason he's re-thought his workout regimen to gear it toward longevity and keeping his body strong all season. In the four weeks following the season, when he normally rests his body, he's also gotten lighter. McCann showed up for the grand opening of his father's new Windward Baseball Academy facility in Alpharetta on Saturday slim and trim. "I'm trying to be more athletic," McCann said. McCann has added jogging to the workout routine. He's taken to the streets around his new Suwanee neighborhood in recent weeks. Don't believe us? Ask his brother Brad McCann, who has been his workout partner and now accountability-on-the-diet partner. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

[h4]Nats deal 2B of future in Bonifacio[/h4]
By trading Emilio Bonifacio, Washington parted with a player it had acquired just months earlier from Arizona in exchange for relief pitcher Jon Rauch. Management had hailed Bonifacio as the second baseman of the future -- a regular and a leadoff man. But just weeks into his time with the Nationals, he was platooning at second and often hitting seventh or eighth. Anderson Hernandez, who hit .333 in 81 at-bats with Washington in 2008, likely will enter 2009 as the starting second baseman. -- Washington Post


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[h4]Will the Tigers pursue all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman?[/h4]
While it is not certain that Detroit has serious interest in Trevor Hoffman, Monday's development could impact the Tigers' off-season plans. At the very least, it made the right-hander a more plausible option on the open market. Hoffman is a client of the Beverly Hills Sports Council, which represents at least two other relievers (right-hander David Weathers and left-hander Arthur Rhodes) who fit the description of pitchers Detroit could pursue. Specifically: Given their ages, they are unlikely to demand long-term contracts. -- Detroit Free Press


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[h4]Mets Castillo could start in '09[/h4]
If the Mets are unable to trade Luis Castillo, who has three years and $18 million left on his contract, he would be penciled in as their starter, Manuel said. "Obviously, it was a difficult season for him," Manuel said. "As we sit here today, I'm sure being the competitor that he is, he'll try to do everything he can to impress the people in New York. Physically, he's got to be ready, but I also think for him, mentally, too, because of the kind of things he had to endure, dealing with not playing and dealing with the reception he got." -- NY Times


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[h4]Heath Bell next Padres closer[/h4]
Padres GM Kevin Towers has said that setup reliever Heath Bell would be the first candidate to replace Trevor Hoffman as the team's closer. -- San Diego Union-Tribune

[h4]Cards Encarnacion legally blind in left eye, files for free agency[/h4]
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Juan Encarnacion, who sustained a severe and vision-threatening injury to his eye late in the 2007 season, submitted the necessary paperwork Monday to file for free agency. The move is largely symbolic, a formality that all players do at the end of an existing contract. At the end of August 2007, Encarnacion was standing in the on-deck circle when a foul ball sped toward him and shattered his orbital bone, causing tremendous trauma and permament damage to his left eye. The injury has put more than his career in jeopardy -- it put his vision in question. Colleague Joe Strauss, who has done continuous reporting on this subject, and myself have spoken with people who say Encarnacion's vision has not returned to a point where he can drive a car. He was, at one point, described by a doctor as legally blind in the left eye. His vision was classified a year ago as 20/400 in his left eye. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch


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[h4]Wolf, Brocail top Astros' list[/h4]
That free-agent pitcher is Randy Wolf. He and Doug Brocail are the Astros' top two priorities heading into next month's winter meetings, especially until Friday. "That would be a continuation of a foundation of a very good club," Wade said. "Those would be seen as new faces." -- Houston Chronicle


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[h4]Cubs: Next bids due by Thanksgiving[/h4]
Tribune Co. has asked bidders for the Chicago Cubs to submit new offers before Nov. 27, Thanksgiving day, according to two people involved in the negotiations. The bids have to include details on how the prospective buyers will finance the purchase of the team. Chicago-based Tribune, which also owns the Chicago Tribune and other media properties, also is looking to sell Wrigley Field and a 25 percent stake in Comcast SportsNet, a regional sports network. Before the financial crisis gripped Wall Street, the package was once valued at more than $1 billion. Sam Zell's Tribune is seeking a heavily leveraged deal to minimize the capital-gains tax for the company. The company bought the Cubs and the landmark stadium for $20.5 million from the Wrigley family in 1981. The deadline leaves bidders less than three weeks to line up commitments from banks and other financiers. -- Chicago Tribune

 

[osh kosh bosh]

[h4]Toronto in mix for Dempster?[/h4]
There is a school of thought that says that the Blue Jays might have a shot at Ryan Dempster, the native of Gibsons, B.C., who is a free-agent after a 17-6 season with the Chicago Cubs, should the Cubs acquire Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres. -- Toronto Globe and Mail

That would be perfect.

 

[wildkycat]

i have no reason to believe Ryan Dempster will ever have another season like he just did.

 

[wildkycat]

Dodgers' offer reportedly has team option to make it $60M

Manny Ramirez could become the $60 million man if he stays in Los Angeles.

The Dodgers' initial offer to the slugger contains a club option for a third year that would make the total deal match that figure, the Los Angeles Times reported on Tuesday.

Ramirez

Citing a source close to the negotiations, the newspaper reported that Ramirez would earn $15 million next season, $22.5 million in 2010 and the same in 2011 if the team exercised its option. The final year can be bought out for $7.5 million.

The offer stands until Thursday when the Dodgers lose exclusive rights to negotiate with the free agent.

A source told the Times, however, that talks could continue and that the Dodgers would consider guaranteeing the third year of the deal.

Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, has already said that the length of the deal is not acceptable, according to the newspaper.

Ramirez hit .396 with 17 homers, 53 RBIs, 36 runs scored, 74 hits and 35 walks in 53 regular-season games with Los Angeles, leading the Dodgers to the NL West title.

He was even more potent in the postseason, hitting .520 with four homers, 10 RBIs, nine runs scored and 11 walks in eight playoff games.

The 12-time All-Star has hit 527 career homers, with another 28 in the postseason.

 

[osh kosh bosh]

Originally Posted by wildKYcat

i have no reason to believe Ryan Dempster will ever have another season like he just did.

I think you're right some othter blue jays fans have convinced me.

Reason #1 - Because he can't hang in the AL
With all of the requisite caveats about small sample sizes, let us just note that Dempster's career ERAs versus the Yankees (6.8 and the Red Sox (7.13)don't exactly inspire us. Dempster also got smoked for eight runs in 2.1 innings against the White Sox on June 27 last year. All that glove twitching andjunkballing might work against the Houstons and Cincys of the world, but we're guessing that once the boy is put into a man's league, his results mayvary.

Reason #2 - Because his arm is due to fall off sometime in early 2009
After four years in the bullpen and three years as a closer, Dempster pitched 206.2 innings last year. That's a year-over-year increase of140 innings from 2007 to 2008. Knowing that, is there anyone who would really want to hitch their wagon to him for four years at $50million?

Reason #3 - Because he's gonna be too damn expensive
As mentioned just above, the Cubs' "hometown discount" offer was apparently $50 million over four years (according toPaul Sullivan of the Tribune.) That's a lot of money for a guy who will likely never put up a season as good aslast year. A contract like that is fine for the Cubs, but if it were to go wrong for the Jays, it could hinder the team's ability to maneuver and adjustfor the next few years.

Reason #4 - Because we remember Corey Koskie
Sometimes, those stories of bringing home good Canadian boys to play for their "home team" just don't pan out. We've got a feeling thatDempster, the hometown boy who grew up 4,422 kilometres away from the SkyDome, might get a king's welcome to Toronto from the rather parochial sports pressin the Great White North. But we doubt that warm and fuzzies will do much for the Jays in the win column.

 

[wildkycat]

[h2]Cardinals Rumors: Hudson, Lopez, Kennedy[/h2]
The Cardinals have moved on from Matt Holliday for the time being; let's see what else is cooking. Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has the latest. Middle infield seems to be the primary concern now.

One option is to pursue a trade for Kelly Johnson or Yunel Escobar of the Braves, but that will probably require Ryan Ludwick. However, those talks must wait until the Braves resolve their chase of Jake Peavy.

On the free agent front, the Cardinals are interested in Orlando Hudson but not Felipe Lopez. Scott Boras seems to be aiming for a multiyear deal for Lopez.

Adam Kennedy wants out of St. Louis, and the D'Backs may be interested. GM John Mozeliak is said to be reluctant to eat a "significant piece" of Kennedy's $4MM. The D'Backs barely seem willing to spend that amount on Randy Johnson.

The bullpen is the other concern, but Trevor Hoffman is apparently not on the radar.

[h2]Phils Won't Listen On Rollins[/h2]
On Thursday, Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News spoke of "rumors that Philadelphia will listen to offers" for Jimmy Rollins. Todd Zolecki of the Philadelphia Inquirer ran this one by Phils GM Ruben Amaro Jr. Amaro called the rumor "ludicrous" and "unequivocally false." So, cross Rollins off your wishlist.

Jimmy Rollins

[h2]Tigers Rumors: Pudge, Varitek, Lugo, Thameshttp://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11555083[/h2]
http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11555083
Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press doles out the latest Tigers rumors.

• How will the Tigers resolve their catching situation? GM Dave Dombrowski calls an Ivan Rodriguez reunion a longshot, and Scott Boras is asking the moon for Jason Varitek. The Tigers may not have the goods to swing a trade for Gerald Laird. Morosi likes the idea of Henry Blanco, but says the Tigers have yet to contact his agent. Check out the other free agent options here.
• Morosi considers a bad contract swap for Julio Lugo a viable option for the Tigers. He notes that Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson have similar commitments. Lugo for Robertson does seem reasonable for both sides.
• Morosi believes the Tigers match up well with the Reds, who are looking for a power-hitting outfielder. Magglio Ordonez is the marquee name, but Morosi likes the fit with Marcus Thames.

i'll take Thames.

Jocketty talked to the Rockies about Matt Holliday, but it was a short discussion.

Brown says Jim Bowden is promising everyone the Nationals will be in on the Manny Ramirez bidding. With Josh Willingham, Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, Austin Kearns, Wily Mo Pena, and Willie Harris already under team control, where does Manny fit in? Bowden has already said he plans to use Willingham as an outfielder.

Manny to the Gnats.

[h2]Heyman's Latest: Manny, Martin, Jenkshttp://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11634414[/h2]
http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11634414
SI.com's Jon Heyman has some hot stove musings today.

• Heyman talked to one GM who asked (in reference to C.C. Sabathia), "When does anyone ever leave a dollar on the table, much less twenty or thirty million dollars?" I have heard this sentiment often but I do remember certain players leaving money on the table (often to play in California). Randy Wolf took less in '06 to sign with the Dodgers, and Brian Giles did the same for the Padres in '05. Kerry Wood turned down a multiyear offer from Boston last year. And how about Andre Dawson and the blank check in '87? Evan Longoria left a ton of money on the table too, but let's stick to free agents. Any other examples?
• Heyman still likes the Orioles as one of Manny Ramirez's suitors.
• Heyman describes the evidence as "fairly thin" that the Dodgers are looking to trade Russell Martin.
• White Sox GM Ken Williams is listening on Bobby Jenks, and the Mets are in on him. Javier Vazquez and Paul Konerko may also be available, though Konerko has full no-trade rights.

 

[tbone95860]

[h1]Braves Near Peavy Deal?[/h1]
By Tim Dierkes [November 12 at 10:37pm CST]

According to Scott Miller of CBSSports.com, the Padres are expectedto request Jake Peavy waive his no-trade clause to go to the Braves. The deal being discussed: Yunel Escobar,Gorkys Hernandez, Charlie Morton or Jo-Jo Reyes, and Blaine Boyer or oneof two minor league southpaws. Miller says the Padres are leaning toward Morton and Boyer.

The Braves want an answer by Friday, so they can figure out their free agent needs. Peavy is said to prefer the Cubs, but we'll see whathappens if the Padres approach him to waive the no-trade for Atlanta. It hasn't happened yet.

 

[kiddin like jason]

I can't believe the Nats dealt Bonafacio already.

 

[j steezzz]

Just get a closer and revamp the bullpen please Omar

Worry about 2B and LF after

 

[paul is on tilt]

Originally Posted by wildKYcat

Brown says Jim Bowden is promising everyone the Nationals will be in on the Manny Ramirez bidding. With Josh Willingham, Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, Austin Kearns, Wily Mo Pena, and Willie Harris already under team control, where does Manny fit in? Bowden has already said he plans to use Willingham as an outfielder.

Manny to the Gnats.

Reading that made me laugh too.

It's highly unlikely that Manny will head there but if he does, I'd be shocked.

 

[stringer bell 32]

Originally Posted by wildKYcat

i have no reason to believe Ryan Dempster will ever have another season like he just did.

I don't think his success will be nearly as great as it was in 2008 but I also don't think he's bound for a huge drop off

He took a lot of personal initiative to prepare himself for a starting role in 2008


I hope the Cubs pay him well and then hopefully his arm can fall off

 

[CP1708]

[h1]Sources: Cubs add Gregg to bullpen with trade from Marlins[/h1]
ESPN.com news services

Updated: November 13, 2008, 2:32 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs have acquired Florida Marlins reliever Kevin Gregg, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

Gregg

The Marlins received 22-year-old right-hander Jose Ceda in return, according to sources.

Gregg, who was Florida's closer for most of the 2008 season, saved 29 games last season and was 7-8 with a 3.41 ERA. He blew nine saves for the Marlins in 2008.

He is the fourth arbitration-eligible player traded by the Marlins this offseason, joining first baseman Mike Jacobs, who was traded to Kansas City, and outfielder Josh Willingham and starting pitcher Scott Olsen, who were traded to Washington.

Chicago's closer, Kerry Wood, is scheduled to become a free agent at midnight.

 

[CP1708]

Originally Posted by TBONE95860

[h1]Braves Near Peavy Deal?[/h1]
By Tim Dierkes [November 12 at 10:37pm CST]

According to Scott Miller of CBSSports.com, the Padres are expected to request Jake Peavy waive his no-trade clause to go to the Braves. The deal being discussed: Yunel Escobar, Gorkys Hernandez, Charlie Morton or Jo-Jo Reyes, and Blaine Boyer or one of two minor league southpaws. Miller says the Padres are leaning toward Morton and Boyer.

The Braves want an answer by Friday, so they can figure out their free agent needs. Peavy is said to prefer the Cubs, but we'll see what happens if the Padres approach him to waive the no-trade for Atlanta. It hasn't happened yet.

If he perfers us, what is it that is holding us back? Don't tell me it's samarjathscgdsa.

 

[N41D]

The Cubs traded Jose Ceda for an average bullpen arm?

Come on...

 

[j steezzz]

Cubs are in for a rude awakening with Gregg

I'm a Mets fan, but i live in Florida and i watch Marlins games too, and this dude is ultra Soft word to Downy

The Marlins are selling high on all their players because of the nice year they put together. They are notorious for doing this, they are just taking all goodprospects from teams for their good players that overachieved ( see Cameron Maybin for Dontrelle Willis)

 

[N41D]

Originally Posted by J Steezzz

Cubs are in for a rude awakening with Gregg

I'm a Mets fan, but i live in Florida and i watch Marlins games too, and this dude is ultra Soft word to Downy

I'm sayin... They probably could have brought Ceda up right now and he'd have been as good as Gregg...

Oh well... At least now I don't have to worry about the Rangers dealing one of their catchers for him...

OK JD... Now go offer Saltalamacchia or Teagarden for Clay Buchholz...

 

[osh kosh bosh]

I remember Bill Simmons said the next revolution in baseball will be the emphasis on player health.
At some point teams will have to realize paying big money or trading for guys with bad mechanics like Burrnett, Peavy, Hamels or even Max Scherzer is sounbelievably stupid.

 

[osh kosh bosh]

Originally Posted by J Steezzz

Cubs are in for a rude awakening with Gregg

I'm a Mets fan, but i live in Florida and i watch Marlins games too, and this dude is ultra Soft word to Downy

The Marlins are selling high on all their players because of the nice year they put together. They are notorious for doing this, they are just taking all good prospects from teams for their good players that overachieved ( see Cameron Maybin for Dontrelle Willis)

Maybin aint overachieved nothing dude will be a star. AlsoDontrelle just needs to fix his mechanics and he will be fine.

 

[ooiron manoo]

I remember Bill Simmons said the next revolution in baseball will be the emphasis on player health.
At some point teams will have to realize paying big money or trading for guys with bad mechanics like Burrnett, Peavy, Hamels or even Max Scherzer is so unbelievably stupid.
It is going to happen eventually, however, teams are so desperate for pitching that they make dumb moves all the time. You always have to watchout for these desperate teams just throwing money around and inflating the market (Mariners, Carlos Silva 4 years $48 million - !%+???).

Dempster is going to parlay one good season into a four year deal,

,whoever gets stuck with that contract is going to regret it.

Sabathia is going to get a huuuuuuuge deal from the Yanks,

. I have never been too happy about giving pitchers more than a 4-5 year deal. That Kevin Brownwas terrible, along with Mike Hampton, Darren Dreifort, Barry Zito, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if the Yanks throw a 7-8 year deal at CC,

. I wouldn't care, but that only changes the market for an agent like ScottBoras.

I hope we sign Manny, but if he wants more than 4 years, then I am fine with letting him walk. I hope we resign Furcal, but dude passed up on a 2 year $25-30million deal because he wants long term security,

. I want CC, but notat the price the Yankees are going to set. I like CC a lot, but is he really worth $20-$40 million more than Johan Santana, don't think so.

Baseball needs a cap, or non guaranteed contracts, Agents have way too much power in baseball.

 

[Retroballer]

Originally Posted by Osh Kosh Bosh

Originally Posted by J Steezzz

Cubs are in for a rude awakening with Gregg

I'm a Mets fan, but i live in Florida and i watch Marlins games too, and this dude is ultra Soft word to Downy

The Marlins are selling high on all their players because of the nice year they put together. They are notorious for doing this, they are just taking all good prospects from teams for their good players that overachieved ( see Cameron Maybin for Dontrelle Willis)

Maybin aint overachieved nothing dude will be a star. Also Dontrelle just needs to fix his mechanics and he will be fine.

also Maybin only went to Florida for Miguel. Dontrelle was a throw in

 

[N41D]

CC is going to be a Yankee... It's only a matter of how long it takes to get finalized... They're reportedly gonna call dude up tonight at midnightwith a 7 year, $150 million offer as their OPENING BID.

That'll just about price everyone else out before FA even gets started...

I'll be interested to see where that scumbag Teixeira goes... Turned down 7/$140 from the Rangers last year before he got traded, and swears it isn'tall about money... But I'd be SHOCKED if he left a dollar on the table...

I can't see the Dodgers letting Manny go... They've already offered 2/40 with an option that turns it into 3/60... Just guarantee 3 years, make the 4tha vesting option based on incentives that are relatively easy to reach...

And yeah, sooner or later teams are gonna realize that offering pitchers 7 year deals, or trading for guys with major workloads or bad mechanics just isn'tworth it... I'm so glad the Rangers, as badly as they need pitching, have realized this and aren't throwing money around on the Chan Ho Parks and KevinMillwoods of the free agency world anymore... They've finally realized the best way to solve those problems is through drafting and developing your ownkids, and they've got the best/deepest crop of minor league arms to show for it...

 

[dlo13]

Not Esco...

 

[ooiron manoo]

I can't see the Dodgers letting Manny go... They've already offered 2/40 with an option that turns it into 3/60... Just guarantee 3 years, make the 4th a vesting option based on incentives that are relatively easy to reach...
I agree, don't see him walking, but just in case.

The Yankee's are out of Boras hypothetical sweepstakes with the acquisition of Nick Swisher. The final offer to Manny is going to be in the neighborhoodof 3 years, $75 million with an option for year 4. I don't think another team can match.

 

[osh kosh bosh]

The Blue Jays could match...