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That line up is gonna be righty heavy like a mo'fo now
The Major League Baseball Offseason Post
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by wildkycat,
- Start date
That line up is gonna be righty heavy like a mo'fo now
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Proshares wrote:
$9mm for Beltre???
Beltre should play with a ski mask on
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Beltre should play with a ski mask on
While I agree that its a lot. This is baseballs fault. That was the "going rate" for him, which is ridiculous that a player who onlyplayed 111 games can demand that but that is how baseball is (and hes a BorASS client
I also like that we only gave him one year. So it still keeps the door open for a 1st baseman to come in next year (Gonz, Pujols) and move Youk over to 3rd.But something has to be done about the salary cap situation. Its getting out of hand with some of these contracts now.
THIS IS FOR YOU FB:
http:// [h3][/h3]
http:// [h3]Who's left after Beltre?[/h3]
8:48AM ET
[h5]Adrian Beltre | Mariners[/h5]
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[h5]Available free agent third basemen[/h5]
Adrian Beltre had visions of a huge payday, but the free agent seems to have settled for a discount when he agreed to a one-year contract with the Red Sox for a guarantee of only $10 million.
Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com writes that the signing of Beltre is a steal for the Red Sox. Several teams are still looking for a third baseman, including the Angels, Athletics, Giants and Twins, so it is surprising that no team came up with a more lucrative offer.
Beltre may have decided to take a one-year deal with the intention of re-entering the free agent market next winter. That approach worked last season for Bobby Abreu, who cashed in this winter offseason with the Angels.
http:// [h3]Tejada a fit in St. Louis?[/h3]
8:08AM ET
[h5]Miguel Tejada | Astros[/h5]
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While the Cardinals appear to be closing in on a deal for Matt Holliday, they may also be pursuing Miguel Tejada as their next third baseman.
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com predicts that if Tejada's price becomes more reasonable, he would be a solid fit in St. Louis, where the Cardinals may not be that comfortable with internal candidate David Freese, who was arrested earlier this offseason for driving while intoxicated.
http:// [h3]Cards on verge of Holliday deal?[/h3]
7:45AM ET
[h5]Matt Holliday | Cardinals[/h5]
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After weeks of waiting, the St. Louis Cardinals appear to be close to a deal with Matt Holliday, reports ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.
Buster adds that the talks between the Cards and agent Scott Boras center on a possible seven-year deal.
Among those who think a deal is on the horizon is St. Louis manager Tony La Russa, who expects a resolution this week. "I think we've made it clear how much we want to keep him," La Russa told Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch.
Strauss reports today that the two sides have discussed deals raging from five to eight years and that Boras is looking for a minimum average value of $18 million.
http:// [h3]Where will Lowell land?[/h3]
7:22AM ET
[h5]Mike Lowell | Red Sox[/h5]
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Now that Adrian Beltre is headed to the Red Sox, the rumor mill has the Red Sox actively trying to find a new home for third baseman Mike Lowell.
A source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick that the Red Sox have talked to the Mets about a possible Lowell-for-Luis Castillo trade. Crasnick adds there are several obstacles to the deal, and it's uncertain how motivated either team would be to make it happen.
Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal says that a Lowell-for-Castillo deal makes "zero sense" since the Mets already have David Wright entrenched at third base and the Red Sox have Dustin Pedroia at second. Boston would then have to trade Castillo again, and that would be difficult.
McDonald suggests a more plausible scenario for the Red Sox is to trade Lowell to one of the teams that was unable to land Beltre, such as Oakland, Minnesota or Seattle.
Lowell is recovering from thumb surgery, but is expected to be ready for spring training.
HOMERIFFIC
http:// [h3][/h3]
[h3]Agent: Three teams eye Mora[/h3]
9:57AM ET
[h5]Melvin Mora | Orioles[/h5]
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Third baseman Melvin Mora, who became a free agent after 10 seasons in Baltimore, has received notable interest from three teams, his agent told Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
The agent, Eric Goldschmidt, said Mora is waiting to see where other free agents land because he is looking for the best opportunity for playing time. One of the top free agent third basemen came off the board Monday when Adrian Beltre agreed to a deal with Boston.
Colorado was mentioned as a possible destination for Mora earlier this offseason. The A's and Twins are among the teams still looking for a third baseman.
http:// [h3]High praise for Liriano[/h3]
9:32AM ET
[h5]Francisco Liriano | Twins[/h5]
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Twins manager Ron Gardenhire hears that Francisco Liriano is bringing the heat in winter ball.
"I just got a report that he's throwing the living fire out of the ball down in the Dominican (Republic)," Gardenhire told the Pioneer Press. "He threw eight innings the other day, and his fastball was 92 to 94 (mph) and his slider was filthy. That's a really good thing, because he can be the bonus if we can get him on track."
The injury-plagued left-hander has yet to duplicate his rookie season of 2006 (12-3, 2.16), but a healthy Liriano would be a huge lift for a Minnesota rotation that was able to bring back free agent Carl Pavano.
http:// [h3]Plenty of interest in Wang[/h3]
9:06AM ET
[h5]Chien-Ming Wang | Yankees[/h5]
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Chien-Ming Wang became a free agent last month when the Yankees failed to offer him a contract. His agent now says the right-hander has drawn interest from 15 teams.
Alan Nero, Wang's agent, told Andrew Marchand of 1050 ESPN New York that the Yankees are among the interested parties. Wang won 19 games for the Yankees in 2006 and 2007, but has not been the same pitcher since suffering a foot injury while running the bases in June 2008.
A report on MLB.com in mid-December said that the Dodgers, currently managed by Joe Torre, Wang's former manager, might have some interest.
http:// [h3]Pujols to the Bronx?[/h3]
8:53AM ET
[h5]New York Yankees[/h5]
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Could you imagine the lineup in New York if Albert Pujols ended up in pinstripes? Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune wrote Sunday that the New York Yankees are keeping their DH spot open for the possibility of acquiring Pujols, via trade or through free agency.
Rogers also writes that the defending champs will monitor the situations of Joe Mauer, Prince Fielder and Adrian Gonzalez, as will the Boston Red Sox, and that both clubs are staying out of the Matt Holliday race this winter in order to retain the flexibility necessary to be a player for one of the four.
If it came down to free agency, it's a free-for-all where the rich get richer, but in a trade situation, the Yankees and Red Sox wouldn't be alone. The problem for the other 28 teams in the league, however, would be getting the player they are acquiring to agree to a contract extension before the farm is sold to bring him aboard.
Pujols in the Bronx, hitting behind Derek Jeter and ahead of Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira -- that's scary, as is the payroll tallies should the Yankees be able to pull it off.
As for King Albert's deal, right now he's got $16 million coming next year, with a $16 million (no-brainer) team option for 2011. But if there's no extension done by next fall, expect things to get really interesting.
[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
There are roadblocks, however
http:// [h3]Who's left after Beltre?[/h3]
8:48AM ET
[h5]Adrian Beltre | Mariners[/h5]
Top Email
[h5]Available free agent third basemen[/h5]
- Melvin Mora
- Miguel Tejada (if he moves from shortstop)
- Adam Kennedy
- Joe Crede
Adrian Beltre had visions of a huge payday, but the free agent seems to have settled for a discount when he agreed to a one-year contract with the Red Sox for a guarantee of only $10 million.
Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com writes that the signing of Beltre is a steal for the Red Sox. Several teams are still looking for a third baseman, including the Angels, Athletics, Giants and Twins, so it is surprising that no team came up with a more lucrative offer.
Beltre may have decided to take a one-year deal with the intention of re-entering the free agent market next winter. That approach worked last season for Bobby Abreu, who cashed in this winter offseason with the Angels.
http:// [h3]Tejada a fit in St. Louis?[/h3]
8:08AM ET
[h5]Miguel Tejada | Astros[/h5]
Top Email
While the Cardinals appear to be closing in on a deal for Matt Holliday, they may also be pursuing Miguel Tejada as their next third baseman.
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com predicts that if Tejada's price becomes more reasonable, he would be a solid fit in St. Louis, where the Cardinals may not be that comfortable with internal candidate David Freese, who was arrested earlier this offseason for driving while intoxicated.
http:// [h3]Cards on verge of Holliday deal?[/h3]
7:45AM ET
[h5]Matt Holliday | Cardinals[/h5]
Top Email
After weeks of waiting, the St. Louis Cardinals appear to be close to a deal with Matt Holliday, reports ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.
Buster adds that the talks between the Cards and agent Scott Boras center on a possible seven-year deal.
Among those who think a deal is on the horizon is St. Louis manager Tony La Russa, who expects a resolution this week. "I think we've made it clear how much we want to keep him," La Russa told Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch.
Strauss reports today that the two sides have discussed deals raging from five to eight years and that Boras is looking for a minimum average value of $18 million.
http:// [h3]Where will Lowell land?[/h3]
7:22AM ET
[h5]Mike Lowell | Red Sox[/h5]
Top Email
Now that Adrian Beltre is headed to the Red Sox, the rumor mill has the Red Sox actively trying to find a new home for third baseman Mike Lowell.
A source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick that the Red Sox have talked to the Mets about a possible Lowell-for-Luis Castillo trade. Crasnick adds there are several obstacles to the deal, and it's uncertain how motivated either team would be to make it happen.
Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal says that a Lowell-for-Castillo deal makes "zero sense" since the Mets already have David Wright entrenched at third base and the Red Sox have Dustin Pedroia at second. Boston would then have to trade Castillo again, and that would be difficult.
McDonald suggests a more plausible scenario for the Red Sox is to trade Lowell to one of the teams that was unable to land Beltre, such as Oakland, Minnesota or Seattle.
Lowell is recovering from thumb surgery, but is expected to be ready for spring training.
HOMERIFFIC
[h2]Beltre's price was right for Red Sox[/h2] [h3]Third baseman comes at a steep discount[/h3]
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Catch the ball and pitch. The next thing you know, the Boston Red Sox will rediscover the sacrifice bunt, as soon as the number crunchers demonstrate it is no longer an "inefficiency."
Run prevention rules at Fenway Park, which should take some of the pressure off Adrian Beltre, the team's new third baseman. The last time Beltre signed a free-agent deal, in the winter of 2004, he was going to a team, the Seattle Mariners, that had visions of his duplicating the 48 home runs he had smacked for the Dodgers in his previous season.
The Red Sox suffer no such illusions, and didn't pay for them, either. They want Beltre, who some contend trumps even Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria in his mastery of third base, to earn his keep by defending his territory with a Gold Glove élan that went south around here about the same time Mike Lowell's hip did.
Just hope Beltre doesn't mind working at a discount.
[+] Enlarge
Rob Grabowski/US PresswireAdrian Beltre is far removed from his offensive heyday, but the Red Sox aren't paying the Gold Glove third baseman for his bat.
After five seasons of nine-figure salaries from the Mariners, Beltre is coming to the Red Sox on short money: a one-year, $9 million deal for 2010, with his choice to stick around in 2011 for even less money, $5 million, or take a $1 million buyout. The guaranteed money totals $10 million, less than the $12.8 million he averaged while in Seattle, and less than he would have gotten had he accepted the Mariners' offer of salary arbitration.
Last month, agent Scott Boras likened Beltre in value to Jason Bay, who signed with the Mets for a package that could be worth $80 million; Beltre did indeed get Jason-like money: Jason Varitek, another Boras client who turned down salary arbitration a year ago with the Sox and wound up working for considerably less.
There's evidence that Beltre has a sense of humor -- or at least can take a joke: On his first trip to the plate this past summer after a weeks-long absence caused by his refusal to wear a protective cup and the extremely private damage that ensued from that miscalculation, Beltre was serenaded by "The Nutcracker Suite." That was the work, we hear, of prankster-in-residence Ken Griffey Jr.
But make no mistake: Signing Beltre is a steal for the Red Sox, and with the number of teams looking for a third baseman -- the Orioles, Angels, Athletics, Giants and Twins, to name a few -- it's startling that no one else was willing to cough up a few more bucks than the Sox did. Shoot, if he hadn't come as cheap as he did, the Sox were prepared to start the 2010 season with Kevin Youkilis at third and Casey Kotchman at first.
Disclaimer: Beltre was not Theo Epstein's Plan A. Neither was David Ortiz when the Sox brought him aboard as a nontendered part-timer in 2003. Beltre's detractors point to what a bust he was in Safeco Field; his supporters say that if you check Beltre's road performance with Seattle (.277/.326/.472/.79, he compares favorably to Lowell on the road while with the Red Sox (.288/.341/.453/.793).
Boras tried to cherry pick and took Beltre's middle three years in Seattle and compared them to Bay's last three seasons, but when looking at apples and apples, Bay (.281/.368/.544/.912) has greatly outperformed Beltre on the road since 2005, which goes a long way toward explaining the disparity in dollars.
But Epstein is nothing if not adaptable, and when he determined that Matt Holliday would be too expensive to sign and Bay was going to take more money from the Mets, the Red Sox general manager decided to take the club in another direction, signing the Angels' No. 1 pitcher, John Lackey, for the money Holliday turned down, and building an impregnable defense around him.
At least that's the plan, although Marco Scutaro became an every-day shortstop for the first time this past season after years as a utility guy; new center fielder Mike Cameron is 37, Beltre had left shoulder surgery as well as the previously referenced severely bruised testicle; and the new catcher, Victor Martinez, is known primarily for his offense.
On paper, that still represents a major defensive upgrade over this past year's revolving door at short and a game but crippled Lowell at third, and Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury should get to more fly balls than Ellsbury and Bay did this past season.
A word about Lowell: His departure can't be pinned on the new guy. As cold and bloodless as the process is, the Red Sox were committed to jettisoning Lowell, believing that even if he is healthier than he was this past season, he can't play third anymore. Lowell is a hugely respected character around here, and the Red Sox would not have won a World Series without him in 2007, but the Sox prefer to pay him to play elsewhere than to keep him around.
[h4]Red Sox blog[/h4]
Gordon Edes and the rest of the ESPNBoston.com team have you covered on the Red Sox. Blog
The deal with Texas fell through, but ESPN colleague Jerry Crasnick is already reporting that the Sox and Mets have talked about swapping Lowell for Luis Castillo, which can happen only if the Sox have another landing spot for the Mets second baseman.
Can the Sox win with their enhanced appreciation for defense as a necessary complement to their strong pitching staff? Here's the good news: Epstein, by signing Beltre, Cameron and Scutaro, has avoided any chance of repeating the Julio Lugo/Edgar Renteria fiascos.
This is the bridge to which Epstein was referring last month in Indianapolis. He never meant anyone to believe that the Sox would not be aiming to win in 2010. But this plan by design has a short shelf life. Change is a-comin' in a big way with this ballclub in the next few years. Ortiz, Josh Beckett and Martinez are all in the last guaranteed years of their deals (the Sox have an option on Big Papi). The captain, Varitek, is a backup in what is probably his last season. After 2010, J.D. Drew is one year from the end of his deal.
The kids -- Ryan Westmoreland, Jose Iglesias, Casey Kelly, Ryan Kalish, Josh Reddick, Anthony Rizzo, Reymond Fuentes -- are in the pipeline. Joe Mauer could be a free agent next winter. Adrian Gonzalez will be much discussed at the trading deadline. There is thunder on the horizon.
In the meantime, shine up the leather, boys. You're going to need it.
Gordon Edes is ESPNBoston.com's Red Sox reporter. He has covered the Red Sox for 12 years and has reported on baseball for 25 years. Follow him on Twitter or ask a question for his next mailbag.
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That would be crazy if Pujols went to Boston and I can see it happening if St. Louis doesn't sign Holliday. Albert wants to play for a teamthat is committed to winning the World Series every year, the Red Sox meet that criteria.
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Common Pro, they was reporting he was set to rack in 15/year. On top of that, reports are that he declined a 3 and 4 year deals with other clubs for moremoney. We did get him for a steal as far as the market was concerned. Whether his play warrants that kind of money, we shall see.
And I didnt know Prince was a FA next season. Should be another money throwin offseason next year for us and the Yankees. Just makin it rain on the league.
I like how you decided to stop the big text right before this tho
There are roadblocks, however
And I didnt know Prince was a FA next season. Should be another money throwin offseason next year for us and the Yankees. Just makin it rain on the league.
I like how you decided to stop the big text right before this tho
There are roadblocks, however
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I would retire this sn and quit watching baseball if Albert became a Yankee.
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\Blue Jays getting back to that 1990's player development system.
I'm not even trying to hear Buster Olney rain on my parade, that's why I stopped
.
I hope he does stay in St. Louis though. I'm a fan of at least attempting to create somewhat of an even playing field. Same reason I'd rather Mauerresign in Minnesota.
Besides, it would make not winning the WS completely unbearable on NT and the outside world. Don't worry FB you'd be good. I only posted that becauseI knew it'd piss you off to read it
I hope he does stay in St. Louis though. I'm a fan of at least attempting to create somewhat of an even playing field. Same reason I'd rather Mauerresign in Minnesota.
Besides, it would make not winning the WS completely unbearable on NT and the outside world. Don't worry FB you'd be good. I only posted that becauseI knew it'd piss you off to read it
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Yea I feel you. Its fun to say everyone is on your team. But it would make the season dull.
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Originally Posted by Proshares
I'm not even trying to hear Buster Olney rain on my parade, that's why I stopped.
I hope he does stay in St. Louis though. I'm a fan of at least attempting to create somewhat of an even playing field. Same reason I'd rather Mauer resign in Minnesota.
Besides, it would make not winning the WS completely unbearable on NT and the outside world. Don't worry FB you'd be good. I only posted that because I knew it'd piss you off to read it
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Beltre going to Boston is about the only place I like of his chances. He's definitely on the downside of his career despite being one of the betterdefensive 3rd basemen around.
Seattle was in no way a hitters park and I thought the year Beltre was having was his last hurrah, but hitting in Fenway is a much different story and Beltrecan give the illusion of career rejuvenation by putting up good HR numbers. He probably hits 25-30 because the power is still there, but will he stay healthy?
Seattle was in no way a hitters park and I thought the year Beltre was having was his last hurrah, but hitting in Fenway is a much different story and Beltrecan give the illusion of career rejuvenation by putting up good HR numbers. He probably hits 25-30 because the power is still there, but will he stay healthy?
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Austin Kearns AND Shelley Duncan.
Championship.
Championship.
jpzx
Supporter
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[h1]Are the Tigers, Twins, Mets targeting 2B Orlando Hudson?[/h1]
Orlando Hudson
Reports have said the Tigers are interested in having him replace Placido Polanco
The Minnesota Twins and New York Mets
The most recent team in the Hudson hubbub: the Mariners. ESPN reported this week that Seattle was interested in him.
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Holliday finally re-signed. Seven years, $120 million, full no-trade clause.
http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/bo.../05/report-sox-will-deal-kotchman-to-seattle/
http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/bo.../05/report-sox-will-deal-kotchman-to-seattle/
WEEI's Alex Speier says the Ms and Red Sox are close to a deal in which Boston would receive "a minor-league player to be named later, a major-league role player and cash" for Kotchman.
at Franklin Gutierrez getting the same kind of money asGrady Sizemore.
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That is a lot of money for Matt freaking Holliday.
TheGodFresco
formerly gsdoubleu
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Holiday resigned with the Cardinals
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Adrian Beltre getting $9 mil next season?
Is this really where we are at with MLB salary structure? (Wait sorry I asked)
Good grief.
Is this really where we are at with MLB salary structure? (Wait sorry I asked)
Good grief.
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Wow....mo came out the $+% with this deal.
All that mess about being a mid-level market and not having the mooney was bullcrap...I knew it.
Now...all we gotta do is wonder if albert is true to his word and doesn't care about the money as much as he does about winning.
They are paying him more than they are paying albert......do you guys think albert would accept anything less. (I actually think he would...PLUS he doesn'thave boras as his agent)
All that mess about being a mid-level market and not having the mooney was bullcrap...I knew it.
Now...all we gotta do is wonder if albert is true to his word and doesn't care about the money as much as he does about winning.
They are paying him more than they are paying albert......do you guys think albert would accept anything less. (I actually think he would...PLUS he doesn'thave boras as his agent)
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^You are crazy to think that Albert would accept LESS than Holliday. Period.
