MLB Off-season discussion

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 2:45 pm

The Braves did alright with Farnsworth. It was basically a two month rental at the cost of two non-prospects. He helped them down the stretch but he's still Kyle Farnsworth.

The Yankees overpaid for him. That's OK, they can afford it. It'll be fun to watch him implode if/when his command goes away next summer.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 2:49 pm

If I were the Braves, I would not be that upset about losing Farnsworth. Seriously, that guy is overrated. He has an unbelieveable fastball, but he has problems finding the strike zone more times than not. Yankee fans will be cursing his name next season.

As a Cards fan, I'm a bit worried if the Cubs sign Furcal. They are at least making an attempt to get back to the top of the NL Central.

Is AJ Burnett worth ace money? 5 years, 50 mil is what he's looking for. That's ridiculous for a .500 pitcher, albeit one who has a boatload of potential. Still, I think it would be a mistake if St. Louis signs him to five years. I'd rather keep Morris and trade for a power pitcher at the trading deadline.

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 2:53 pm

jLp vAkEr0 wrote:Bobby Cox is going to have turn some tricks next year if they want to keep that division title streak alive.

So how many years in a row has this been said about the Braves? Probably every year since 2000 at least. At this point I'd trusts that Cox and company know what they are doing.

The Mets keep spending, while the Braves keep winning.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 2:55 pm

This is a horribly depressing time of year for Twins fans.

Nothing like having Tony Graffanino as one of your few realistic targets.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 2:59 pm

Dave wrote:This is a horribly depressing time of year for Twins fans.

Nothing like having Tony Graffanino as one of your few realistic targets.

Well, the Cards are considering Jauque Jones. Not much better IMO.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 3:14 pm

sportdan30 wrote:If I were the Braves, I would not be that upset about losing Farnsworth. Seriously, that guy is overrated. He has an unbelieveable fastball, but he has problems finding the strike zone more times than not. Yankee fans will be cursing his name next season.

You are correct...I'm not disappointed at all. In fact, I'm glad they didn't waste a lot of money on him. The Braves have too many arms that could be inserted into the closers role. Hell, even Dan Kolb will be back next year...maybe he can get himself straightened out. If not, guys like Macay McBride, Chuck James, Anthony Larew and Blane Boyer will all get a shot.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 3:40 pm

What's the status with R. Furcal?

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 3:41 pm

10spro wrote:What's the status with R. Furcal?

Jim Hendry's been buying him drinks and lap dances for the last 3 weeks, but I think he'll still end up staying a Brave.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 3:44 pm

RobVarak wrote:
10spro wrote:What's the status with R. Furcal?
Jim Hendry's been buying him drinks and lap dances for the last 3 weeks, but I think he'll still end up staying a Brave.

The Cubs are offering quite a bit more money than the Braves are though...the only way he stays is loyalty to the team that brought him up from the start. He'll be with the Cubs in the next day or two. Loyalty in MLB is dead.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 3:51 pm

If Furcal goes to the Cubs, the interest and market eyes will be on J. Lugo.

EDiddy · Post by **EDiddy** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 3:52 pm

Reds are making a run at AJ Burnnett. If the reds add a few more arms to the best offense statistically in the NL, they could be a wild card contender.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 3:55 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Well, the Cards are considering Jauque Jones. Not much better IMO.

At least he's been a full-time starter in the league. The Royals want Graffanino as a utility player and the Twins want him as a starter...ugh. It'd be nice to see them go after an impact player once in a while. The list of free agents signed by them over the last 10 years is downright pathetic.

Put it this way though, I'm glad they aren't bringing Jones back. Nothing like an extreme ground ball hitter who tries to hit everything out of the park.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 4:02 pm

10spro wrote:If Furcal goes to the Cubs, the interest and market eyes will be on J. Lugo.

The Braves have already inquired about Lugo and Angel Berroa of KC. You know...the backup plan.

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 4:14 pm

EDiddy wrote:Reds are making a run at AJ Burnnett. If the reds add a few more arms to the best offense statistically in the NL, they could be a wild card contender.

Maybe if those arms belong to Walter Johnson and Sandy Koufax

Some of their offensive strength is an illusion caused by their home park. The Reds' SLG and HR at home were way better than any other NL teams' home splits, including the Rockies. I agree their offense is sound though. Even away from the friendly confines of GAB, they can hit the ball.

But man, their pitching is ugly. Burnett would be a huge upgrade but he can't relieve for himself or start every day. As long as the Reds trot out Eric Milton on a regular basis, they're in some trouble.

Kazuya · Post by **Kazuya** » Thu Dec 01, 2005 11:17 pm

A.J. Burnett is an interesting pitcher in more ways than one, and might possibly be worth a big contract risk. Throw out win/loss, it's irrelevant unless you're trying to rob Johan Santana. Burnett's opponent's OPS, strikeout rate, and ERA are excellent. He's the hardest-throwing right-handed starter I've seen since pre-injury Kerry Wood (although Daniel Cabrera of the O's, who I haven't seen in person, might challenge that). He has an outstanding curve ball which can be unhittable. He's fairly young, of course. I guess the main concern is probably that he's similar to Chan Ho Park, a guy with great stuff putting up numbers in a pitcher's park.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 1:08 am

Wow...and I thought that the Blue Jays gave too much money to BJ Ryan...a 30 year old.

Phillies giving 18 mil over three years to a 38 year old Flash Gordon. Wow. Talk about a downgrade from Wagner. 6 mil a year...wow.

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 4:07 am

That's just crazy money for Tom Gordon. He'll be 41 at the end of the contract.

Burnett's an intriguing talent for sure. There are days where he is completely unhittable and he's come back from elbow surgery with velocity intact. But he really didn't capitalize on his contract year. He was inconsistent and his season ending diatribe at Marlins management showed a lack of maturity. He's the best starter available, both in terms of current ability and potential. But he has all the usual risks of a big money SP with a few to spare.

Chan Ho Park??? Welcome back Kazuya

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 4:15 am

I just don't get this fascination with Burnett. He's like 49-50 as a starter and his ERA isn't terribly impressive at 3.73 seeing as though he's played in a pitchers park for his entire career. The thing that bothers me is the win/loss record. Every year the Marlins are at least competitive...how can he not have more wins than losses? There is just something really wrong with that overall record...and I can't explain it. The guy has made over 25 starts a year ONLY three times...and he's never won more than 12 games. That is not a top of the line or even middle of the road starter if you ask me...especially one that has been in the bigs for 7 years already.

He will get 12 mil per, but he probably only deserves 8 or so...and that's based on potential, not previous results.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:14 am

Kaz,

Any chance you could change that avatar?

I'm digging it, but it's a bit too suggestive for us that log on at work.

EDiddy · Post by **EDiddy** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 9:56 am

Yes, the Reds would need more than burnett, but its a start. I think everyone thoughts on questioning Burnett is sound. But I do think he is still fairly young, which is a big deal. I dont think the reds could pull it off, though.

The mets are looking impressive, but ever year one of the major markets gets completly stacked through free agency. A lot of times it does not produce the big season. We will see.

If I was a non Angels A.L. fan, I would not want to see the angles have Vlad and Manny going back to back, that is an absurd duo, better than MAnny and Ortiz.

Kazuya · Post by **Kazuya** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:28 am

jLp vAkEr0 wrote:Kaz,

Any chance you could change that avatar?

I'm digging it, but it's a bit too suggestive for us that log on at work.

It's gone... I'll choose a different one later.

jLp vAkEr0 · Post by **jLp vAkEr0** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 10:34 am

Kazuya wrote:
jLp vAkEr0 wrote:Kaz,

Any chance you could change that avatar?

I'm digging it, but it's a bit too suggestive for us that log on at work.
It's gone... I'll choose a different one later.

Thx Kaz.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 2:47 pm

Rumors are starting to trickle in that the Cardinals may have inked AJ Burnett.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 2:49 pm

tjung0831 wrote:Rumors are starting to trickle in that the Cardinals may have inked AJ Burnett.

Enjoy. You will likely regret that if you paid him any more than 8 mil a year...like I mentioned previously.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Dec 02, 2005 2:50 pm

Here ya go Dave...a decent hitter:

The Florida Marlins have traded Luis Castillo to the Minnesota Twins for pitchers Travis Bowyer and Scott Tyler.