MLB Off-season discussion

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 9:55 pm

Say what you want about the Furcal deal but with an infield that includes Izturis in second, and J. Kent moving to first, Dodgers will be contenders. They just need a manager now.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 9:56 pm

Simply pathetic. It isn't like Miami has been very supportive of the Marlins, but to have to watch a promising/talented team be destroyed for the 2nd time in 10 years is painful.

Hopefully these minor leaguers will be contributing in the bigs by the time they get to Vegas. Knowing what they got for Castillo, I wouldn't be so sure of that...

Are we three years away from Bud Selig talking about another groundbreaking, revolutionary deal that signifies a new era of parity in baseball? There's no way the bottom half of the league can keep up at this pace.

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Sun Dec 04, 2005 10:40 pm

10spro wrote:Say what you want about the Furcal deal but with an infield that includes Izturis in second, and J. Kent moving to first, Dodgers will be contenders. They just need a manager now.

Izturis may miss half the season recovering from elbow surgery. He's a terrific fielder but he isn't much of a hitter. The Dodgers' big problem was a 3B, where they trotted out a bunch of guys, none of whom was able of keeping the job. Colletti has to come up with a solution at third.

Gagne's health is obviously key to the pitching staff. They need to either resign Jeff Weaver or find somebody else to eat some innings.

The Dodgers will contend just because the division is so fucksed.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:24 am

That Furcal deal is terrible. They just paid 13 million a year to a guy who's career averages aren't a whole lot higher than Neifi Perez's.

He's obviously a very talented SS, and a real value to any team he's on. But that is just stupid money, and teams that overpay for players like Furcal tend to regret it later.

And yes, I'm annoyed the Cubs didn't get him

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:27 am

Don't worry Brando, aren't the Cubs going after (or have acquired) the services of a Milton Bradley...hahaha..sorry

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:12 pm

Kinda excited about the Tribe signing Paul Byrd. With his 200-plus innings last year, he'll help fill the hole in rotation created by Millwood and Elarton leaving.

Interesting stat for the Tribe last year: their 5-man rotation accounted for 158 starts. They only missed 4 starts between them. Byrd should fit right in.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:50 pm

Exactly how is Furcal making 2 million more per year than Migueal Tejada? Wow...the Dodgers really are desperate.

lexbur · Post by **lexbur** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 1:55 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Exactly how is Furcal making 2 million more per year than Migueal Tejada? Wow...the Dodgers really are desperate.

It's all about timing. Free agents this year are like XBox 360s, people are paying WAY too much for them, just because there aren't alot of high-quality free agents out there.

The Tribe just payed 14 million for number three (maybe even fourth) starter.

It's a good year to be a mediocre free agent.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 2:07 pm

Furcal isn't mediocre...he's probably a top 5 short stop, but worth more than Miggy? No way in hell.

You're definitely right...timing is everything. The Dodgers are desperate and they threw a hellova lot more money at him. 3 mil more than anyone else to be exact. The Cubs offered 5 years at 10 per, and the Braves offered 4 years at 9 mil per. 13 mil won it. LOL...I have fun watching the Dodgers take the Braves FAs...that just means they will get hurt and the Dodgers will still stink (compared to the rest of the league, not their division which they will probably win).

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 2:33 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:Furcal isn't mediocre...he's probably a top 5 short stop, but worth more than Miggy? No way in hell.

You're definitely right...timing is everything. The Dodgers are desperate and they threw a hellova lot more money at him. 3 mil more than anyone else to be exact. The Cubs offered 5 years at 10 per, and the Braves offered 4 years at 9 mil per. 13 mil won it. LOL...I have fun watching the Dodgers take the Braves FAs...that just means they will get hurt and the Dodgers will still stink (compared to the rest of the league, not their division which they will probably win).

I agree with this. The Dodgers lost out on other free agents and figured the only way to land one was to go a little nuts. I was hoping the Cubs would sign Furcal but such is life.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 9:35 pm

A.J Burnett most likely will sign with the BlueJays on a 5 year deal, 55 million deal.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Dec 05, 2005 10:56 pm

10spro wrote:A.J Burnett most likely will sign with the BlueJays on a 5 year deal, 55 million deal.

Cardinal fans...mark my words. You will be very happy you didn't spend the 40 mil you were offering him for 4 years.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 12:58 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:
10spro wrote:A.J Burnett most likely will sign with the BlueJays on a 5 year deal, 55 million deal.
Cardinal fans...mark my words. You will be very happy you didn't spend the 40 mil you were offering him for 4 years.

He's a Jay by tomorrow or he's just using them as a bargaining chip to get more from the Cards on that all important five year deal he's looking for.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:34 pm

The sticking point with the Cards I believe is that 5th year. They don't want to commit beyond four years. This reminds me of the Mike Hampton sweepstakes about five years ago. I thought for sure he was coming to St. Louis, but in the end was using the Cards to drive up his price. He went to Colorado and was a disappointment.

Personally, I'm over joyed the Cardinals are not spending even 10 mil a year on a sub .500 pitcher. I'd much rather they resign Grudz and go after a decent outfielder. They can always trade for a pitcher around the trading deadline if need be.

The Blue Jays are investing too much money in a reliever who's only had one great year, and a pitcher who's had arm problems in the past who's nothing more than a number 2 or 3 starter. They're not going to have any more money to spend!

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:37 pm

sportdan30 wrote:This reminds me of the Mike Hampton sweepstakes about five years ago. I thought for sure he was coming to St. Louis, but in the end was using the Cards to drive up his price. He went to Colorado and was a disappointment.

Yeah but then he went on to Atlanta, only to be their best pitcher down the stretch for the last few years. Too bad he's out for a while with Tommy John surgery. The Braves got him for dirt cheap too...seeing as how Colorado and Florida were paying his salary for the first two years and only now are the Braves assuming much of that at all.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:38 pm

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2249623

LOL. The Jays have spent $102 mil on two pitchers. Ridiculous!

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:41 pm

102 mil on two average pitchers...that's even worse. It's understandable if you're getting a legit #1 and a lights out closer...they aren't.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:42 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
sportdan30 wrote:This reminds me of the Mike Hampton sweepstakes about five years ago. I thought for sure he was coming to St. Louis, but in the end was using the Cards to drive up his price. He went to Colorado and was a disappointment.
Yeah but then he went on to Atlanta, only to be their best pitcher down the stretch for the last few years. Too bad he's out for a while with Tommy John surgery. The Braves got him for dirt cheap too...seeing as how Colorado and Florida were paying his salary for the first two years and only now are the Braves assuming much of that at all.

That's true. He did fare quite well in Atlanta. But, what was he thinking by signing with Colorado? You can have the nastiest stuff, but that Colorado air not only screws with your pitches but also your mind. Quite possible pitching there was what caused his arm troubles. Just my take.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:45 pm

Money baby...same reason Furcal signed in LA.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:54 pm

Burnett will be #2 behind the doc Halladay. Jays lacked a top 1-2 pitcher for a while and they are hoping they find it in A.J. whom I don't think it's worth more than 8 million per, but he's still got that 98mph fastball.
He'll be getting 7 million the 1st year and 12 the next four. What the Jays really need is a good bat for the middle of the order.

They will talk to the Nationals about Brad Wilkerson, as well with the Brewers about Lyle Overbay and the Rangers about Kevin Mench.
B. Abreu's name was thrown in too, but he'll be too costly.

Other interest names, N. Garciaparra is on the block, including NY Yankees in the mix.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 1:55 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:102 mil on two average pitchers...that's even worse. It's understandable if you're getting a legit #1 and a lights out closer...they aren't.

I tend to disagree with you on BJ Ryan calling him an average pitcher...The guy has been pretty solid for a pretty weak Baltimore Orioles team.

He had a 2.28 ERA two years ago and a 2.43 this past year.

He also has over a strikeout per inning over his career and the last two years it has been about 1.3 an inning.

Did they overpay for him? Of course, but every player in the league is overpaid. The guy will only be 35 at the end of his contract and is left handed which is always a plus.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 2:08 pm

Here are OF left via FA (Very very few I would pay big money on.) The Cards are still interested in Jones. Gammons is also reporting that a deal between the Reds and Cards might go down by the end of the week. Marquis for either Kearns or Pena. Don't know what to think about that.

LF

Jeff Conine 39 Free Agent Florida --
Lenny Harris 41 Free Agent Florida --
Denny Hocking 35 Free Agent Kansas City --
Todd Hollandsworth 32 Free Agent Atlanta --
Brian Jordan 38 Free Agent Atlanta --
Eli Marrero 32 Free Agent Baltimore --
Orlando Palmeiro 36 Free Agent Houston --
Reggie Sanders 38 Free Agent St. Louis --
B.J. Surhoff 41 Free Agent Baltimore --
Rondell White

CF
Johnny Damon 32 Free Agent Boston --
Kenny Lofton 38 Free Agent Philadelphia --
Bernie Williams 37 Free Agent NY Yankees --
Preston Wilson 31 Free Agent Washington --

RF
Danny Bautista 33 Free Agent Tampa Bay --
Jeromy Burnitz 36 Free Agent Chicago Cubs --
Jacob Cruz 32 Free Agent Cincinnati --
Juan Encarnacion 29 Free Agent Florida --
Juan Gonzalez 36 Free Agent Cleveland --
Jeffrey Hammonds 34 Free Agent Washington --
Richard Hidalgo 30 Free Agent Texas --
Bobby Higginson 35 Free Agent Detroit --
Jacque Jones 30 Free Agent Minnesota --
Matt Lawton 34 Free Agent NY Yankees --
Sammy Sosa 37 Free Agent Baltimore --
Michael Tucker 34 Free Agent Philadelphia --
Larry Walker 39 Free Agent St. Louis --
Gerald Williams 39 Free Agent NY Mets

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 2:18 pm

Zlax45 wrote:

Did they overpay for him? Of course, but every player in the league is overpaid. The guy will only be 35 at the end of his contract and is left handed which is always a plus.

I mean really, which player, no matter which sports we are talking about, you guys don't consider it as overpaid?

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 2:22 pm

10spro wrote:
Zlax45 wrote:

Did they overpay for him? Of course, but every player in the league is overpaid. The guy will only be 35 at the end of his contract and is left handed which is always a plus.

I mean really, which player, no matter which sports we are talking about, you guys don't consider it as overpaid?

Fans of teams that lose a bidding war for a player they want/need tend to rapidly go with the "I'm glad my team didn't overpay for him" excuse.

Wish IMO is pretty silly considering most MLB players are vastly overpaid.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Tue Dec 06, 2005 2:41 pm

jLp vAkEr0 wrote:
10spro wrote:
Zlax45 wrote:

Did they overpay for him? Of course, but every player in the league is overpaid. The guy will only be 35 at the end of his contract and is left handed which is always a plus.

I mean really, which player, no matter which sports we are talking about, you guys don't consider it as overpaid?
Fans of teams that lose a bidding war for a player they want/need tend to rapidly go with the "I'm glad my team didn't overpay for him" excuse.

Wish IMO is pretty silly considering most MLB players are vastly overpaid.

I'm sorry, but a five year 55 million dollar contract is absurd. This guy has thrown over 200 innings twice. Twice! That's it. His record is 49-50 with a very competitive Florida team. He pitched like a$$ down the stretch last year. He's also had reconstructive surgery on his arm. He's also been a problem in the clubhouse that got him suspended at the end of the year. That's an awfully big risk to take.

Those are not excuses. Those are facts.