MLB Offseason Thread

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Offensively it looks like Konerko and Giles are the only middle of the rotation bats available on free agency. Damon is a solid leadoff hitter, but he's 32 I think and looking for a 4 year deal. I wonder how much money he'll get, since I'd be hesistant to give 10+ million a year to a guy who'll probably be a liability in CF for most of his contract. On the trade market bats like Dunn, Griffey, Huff, Delgado, Hunter, Cameron, and Wells could be probably be had at the right price. Also, Ramirez has demanded another trade, but being a 10-5 guy he has veto power.

The class of starting pitchers isn't amazing this year. Burnett has the stuff to pitch at the front of the rotation, but down the stretch lost a lot of games for Florida. Millwood had a great season for Cleveland, and guys like Washburn and Morris are solid, but not amazing, starters. Zito is a guy that could be had in a trade in Beane decides to deal him before he becomes a free agent, like he did with Hudson and Mulder last summer.

This year's group of relief pitchers looks a lot better than the starters with Wagner, Hoffman, Ryan, and Gordon probably being the most sought after guys.

Anybody have predictions on who could end up where? Or just any news you've heard on free agents or trades.

In Toronto there's a lot of buzz around A.J. Burnett. He visited Toronto yesterday, and was seen at the Raps game with Roy Halladay. He also said the difference between Toronto and Florida was like night and day.

[Mel]

I think one really unexpected situation was Theo Epstein's exit out of Boston. To come in as the youngest GM in MLB history and lead that franchise to end an 86 year championship drought.... and then walk away from it all one year later. I've read the various comments and something's not adding up. Whatever really went wrong is not being said.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Javier Vazquez has filed a formal trade request. Arizona has until March 15 to trade him, or he'll become a free agent.

[wildboy26]

Has Joe Crede been offered a contract by the White Sox yet? I would rather have him at 3rd base in TO than either Hill or Koskie personaly. I would take either Washburn or Morris over Josh Towers or Dave Bush personaly, although I know Bush is young and they are probably giving him time to develop.

[Newfie John]

Josh Towers resigned with the jays for 2 years/5.2 mil.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Has Joe Crede been offered a contract by the White Sox yet? I would rather have him at 3rd base in TO than either Hill or Koskie personaly. I would take either Washburn or Morris over Josh Towers or Dave Bush personaly, although I know Bush is young and they are probably giving him time to develop.

Joe Crede probably is staying put in Boston. I don't see them trading him.

As for Washburn and Morris over Towers and Bush, it's not really a fair comparision since the first two are capable of being front line starters on some teams in the league, while the latter two are 4th and 5th starters.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Mets dealt Mike Cameron to the Padres for Xavier Nady, pending a Cameron physical.

A good deal from the Padres perspective. Petco is a big ballpark, so having a center fielder that can cover as much ground as Cameron is always a huge plus. As for the Mets, I'm not sure why they would gamble on a guy like Nady. After Damon, the CF market is weak this winter and I thought more would be on the table for a gold glover like him. Although, I guess more teams probably have interest in Torii Hunter, or ambitions of prying Vernon Wells away from Toronto. However, Nady does have some potential, and, if given regular at bats, could be a 25 homerun hitter in the bigs.

[wildboy26]

Joe Crede probably is staying put in Boston. I don't see them trading him.

As for Washburn and Morris over Towers and Bush, it's not really a fair comparision since the first two are capable of being front line starters on some teams in the league, while the latter two are 4th and 5th starters.

Umm, you mean Chicago when it comes to Joe Crede. Also he has a puny salary last year, something like $500,000, dont you honestly think he is going to demand a huge raise, something like atleast a $3 million per year raise?

I agree Washburn and Morris could be front line starters on some teams, but with Halladay and up and comer Chacin here they would not be on the Blue Jays, but I guess the dilemna is they might expect to be payed like a front line starter, whereas Towers and Bush would not. :wicked:

[Mel]

Jason Bay gets a raise...

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051117&content_id=1269482&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

4 year $19 million extension

(current salary = $350K)

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Umm, you mean Chicago when it comes to Joe Crede. Also he has a puny salary last year, something like $500,000, dont you honestly think he is going to demand a huge raise, something like atleast a $3 million per year raise?

3 million dollars a year for your starting 3rd basemen isn't a lot. Secondly, he's not a free agent. Crede is arbitration eligible, but I doubt the ChiSox won't work something out with him. His numbers weren't anything special last year, so he should be affordable for them (even though Boras is his agent lol).

[Newfie John]

Jays offered Burnett a 5 year 50 million dollar contract.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

There's been rumours about a potential Ranger-Marlin swap. It would send Blalock and a top pitching prospect to Florida, and in return the Rangers would get Beckett and Lowell.

[LiAmTrAnSdEmOn]

Well LFL, Peter Gammons is reporting that the Marlins are trading Beckett and Lowell to the Red Sox for some minor leaguers: Hanley Ramirez and either Anibal Sanchez or Jon Lester. Both are very good minor leaguers, or so I read.

[KB in Kelowna]

Mets get Delgado, another Jeffery Loria fire sale amidst the noise about the Mrlins relocating stop me if you have heard this before in Montreal. An intresting take on the miniYanks, I mean Mets : http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5108284

[J.R.]

Mets get Delgado, another Jeffery Loria fire sale amidst the noise about the Mrlins relocating stop me if you have heard this before in Montreal. An intresting take on the miniYanks, I mean Mets : http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5108284BWAHAHAHA.

Finally Carlos Delgado becomes a Met. I was disappointed last season when Omar Minaya couldn't sign him as a free agent, so I'm excited about him joining the team. Unfortunately Manny Rameriez will not also be coming to Queens...at the start of the season. We'll see what happens when the deadline rolls around again. ;)

C - R. Castro.
1B - C. Delgado.
2B - K. Matsui.
3B - D. Wright.
SS - J. Reyes.
LF - C. Floyd.
CF - C. Beltran.
RF - X. Nady/V. Diaz.

That's impressive, but it's hardly a "Yankee" lineup.

That said, Ken Rosenthal is an idiot - always has been.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

I wouldn't be shocked if the Mets signed Furcal. He said the Mets are the one team he'd switch to second base for, so clearly there is interest on his part in wanting to be in NY.

[Canucklehead]

Reports: Jays, closer Ryan agree to 5 years, $47M
Associated Press

NEW YORK -- B.J. Ryan and the Toronto Blue Jays have reached a preliminary agreement on a $47 million, five-year contract, a high-ranking baseball official told The Associated Press Friday.

B.J. Ryan
Relief Pitcher
Baltimore Orioles

2005 SEASON STATISTICS
GM W L BB K ERA
69 1 4 26 100 2.43

Ryan, a left-hander who turns 30 next month, is getting the largest deal given to a reliever, topping the $39.99 million, four-year contract Mariano Rivera had with the New York Yankees from 2001-04. Rivera just completed the first season of a $21 million, two-year deal with the Yankees.

The baseball official spoke on condition of anonymity because Toronto had not yet announced the agreement.

"We're still talking to him," Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. "To me, this whole thing is premature."

Ricciardi said he did not anticipate any announcements during the weekend. Pat Rooney, the head of the Chicago office of Ryan's agent group, declined comment. Rooney's partner, John Courtright, is negotiating the deal.

Ryan's agreement with Toronto was first reported by the New York Daily News on its Web site.

Ryan had 36 saves in 41 chances last season for the Baltimore Orioles and went 1-4 with a 2.43 ERA. He had a $2.6 million base salary, earned $200,000 in performance bonuses based on games finished and $25,000 for making the AL All-Star team.

After he became a free agent, the Yankees inquired whether he would want to become Rivera's setup man, but Ryan chose to remain in the closer's role.

Ryan's contract might have repercussions on Billy Wagner's negotiations with Philadelphia and the New York Mets. Wagner earned $33 million over four years in a contract he agreed to with Houston before the 2002 season.

The Mets have offered just over $30 million for three years, a deal that contains a 2009 option that could raise the value to $40 million. The Phillies also are trying to re-sign him. ot make an announcement until next week.



It would be nice to have an reliable closer, but almost 10 mil/year is a lot of money to be spending on a relief pitcher.

[Newfie John]

It would be nice to have an reliable closer, but almost 10 mil/year is a lot of money to be spending on a relief pitcher.

The signing of Ryan attracs other FA's, possibly Burnett. I'd like to know who our 2 new hitters will be.

[wildboy26]

BWAHAHAHA.

Finally Carlos Delgado becomes a Met. I was disappointed last season when Omar Minaya couldn't sign him as a free agent, so I'm excited about him joining the team. Unfortunately Manny Rameriez will not also be coming to Queens...at the start of the season. We'll see what happens when the deadline rolls around again. ;)

C - R. Castro.
1B - C. Delgado.
2B - K. Matsui.
3B - D. Wright.
SS - J. Reyes.
LF - C. Floyd.
CF - C. Beltran.
RF - X. Nady/V. Diaz.

That's impressive, but it's hardly a "Yankee" lineup.

That said, Ken Rosenthal is an idiot - always has been.

That is a pretty good team but I am not sure if it is a playoff team.
Delgado and Beltran will have to have great great years.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

The signing of Ryan attracs other FA's, possibly Burnett. I'd like to know who our 2 new hitters will be.

Exactly. By signing Ryan it shows other FAs that the Jays are ready to compete with the big boys, and will make Toronto a more attractive place to come. Don't you think a pitcher like Burnett would rather sign here with a guy like Ryan closing out the games over Batista;) As for the contract itself, I'm not thrilled giving any pitcher a 5 year deal, but in a weak free agent market you'll always end up overpaying because of the bidding that gets created.

As for the bats, I've heard Batista for Mench rumours. The Rangers would turn Batista back into a starter to help their rotation. Lyle Overbay is another name that has come up, since he's expendable with Prince Fielder ready to see full-time duty. Guys like Dunn, Kearns, and Huff could probably be had in the right trade as well. I really like Brian Giles too, but I think he'll end up in St. Louis.

[Newfie John]

I doubt Huff is coming here as I think JP doesn't like want him, IIRC it was an in article, not sure though. I've heard Mench and Overbay, but I'd have to think that the jays would go for some bigger guys. Jeremy Burnitz? Dunn would be nice too.

[J.R.]

That is a pretty good team but I am not sure if it is a playoff team.I'm as big a Mets' fan as anyone and I'm not sure if they are either. I still think they're a year away until they're true contenders (i.e. in 2007). That will be Willie Randolph's third season as manager.

The pitching rotation is nothing to slouch at though, so they may be able to give the Braves a run for that division.

1. P. Martinez
2. T. Glavine
3. K. Benson
4. J. Seo
5. S. Trachsel

If nothing is done before the season starts, the middle bullpen will be weak once again.

[Newfie John]

It's official, BJ Ryan has signed with Toronto. I just watched the News Conference and JP said that he is pursuing AJ Burnett and Brian Giles, and he said that he will be pursuing things via trade aswell. I think Batista is on his way out.

[charlio lemieux]

The Jays have a closer!The Jays have a closer!The Jays have a closer!The Jays have a closer!The Jays have a closer!The Jays have a closer!The Jays have a closer!The Jays have a closer!The Jays have a closer!The Jays have a closer!

Maybe now we will have a real shot at the wildcard or the division.
We have some good young arms on the team now I hope JP doesn't ruin some by getting too many free agents.

[Newfie John]

Our bullpen is great right now. If we could trade Batista for a good bat, and sign Brian Giles I think we're right there with the Yanks and the Bo Sox.

[leaferfan87]

B.J Ryan is the highest paid reliever in the history of baseball. Wow, JP gets this new cash and look what he's out doing? Hopefully he produces.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

B.J Ryan is the highest paid reliever in the history of baseball. Wow, JP gets this new cash and look what he's out doing? Hopefully he produces.

Well in total salary he makes the most, but per year guys like Rivera and Wagner get more. A lot of it is his signing bonus too. His base salary next year is only 2 million bucks.

[Newfie John]

I have a question. Why are the jays concentrating on Giles so much? I heard the Jays offered him a 5 yr 50 million dollar deal!! If we're willing to shell that kind of dough out, why don't we go after Paul Konerko? I think a 5 year 60 million deal could get him here.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

I have a question. Why are the jays concentrating on Giles so much? I heard the Jays offered him a 5 yr 50 million dollar deal!! If we're willing to shell that kind of dough out, why don't we go after Paul Konerko? I think a 5 year 60 million deal could get him here.

There are probably various reasons. The first being maybe Konerko doesn't wanna come to Toronto. The second is, Brian Giles with his career .413 OBP and .954 OPS would look very attractive to JP. Thirdly, I think a read in an article about a month ago that Giles wouldn't mind playing in Toronto. Now of course, I would certainly hope JP doesn't sign him for five years (unless the contract is frontloaded) because I doubt Giles will be a number 3 hitter when he's 40.

[LiAmTrAnSdEmOn]

Luis Castillo was traded to the Twins today. The Marlins got pitchers Travis Bowyer and Scott Tyler in return.

Also the Phils signed former Yankee pitcher Tom Gordon. I think they said he would be the closer.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Luis Castillo was traded to the Twins today. The Marlins got pitchers Travis Bowyer and Scott Tyler in return.

When Loria blows a team up, he doesn't do it half-assed. That's for sure.

[LiAmTrAnSdEmOn]

So what is the over under on the amount of days left for Juan Pierre???

[leaferfan87]

So what is the over under on the amount of days left for Juan Pierre???

Well Lo Duca went to the Mets today so it may not be long before Mr. Pierre goes. The MLB should ban Loria from owning a team.

[Mel]

Wow! $100 million invested into a starter and a closer.

sounds like a boss I know in the Bronx. :)

[LiAmTrAnSdEmOn]

So it only took 5 days after the Castillo trade for Pierre to be gone.

Juan Pierre was traded to the Cubs for right-hander Sergio Mitre and Double-A pitchers Ricky Nolasco and Renyel Pinto.

Hmmmm......is Miguel Cabrera safe???

[Amoroq]

Pitchers David Bush and Zach Johnson, and OF Gabe Goss traded to Milwalkee for Lyle Overbay.

[THE HACK]

My team finally did something today! The SF Giants have signed pitcher Matt Morris to a 3yr-27 million dollar deal.I like this signing but the price is too high imo.Morris,Schmidt,Lowry,Cain and Tomko as our 5 starters is pretty damn solid!:)

Cheers

[Mel]

My Mother (a die-hard RedSox fan) is telling me that Johnny Damon signed on with the Yankees... but I can't find confirmation anywhere

[KB in Kelowna]

Nomar is now a Doger according to "the Score"

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

My Mother (a die-hard RedSox fan) is telling me that Johnny Damon signed on with the Yankees... but I can't find confirmation anywhere

Neither can I, but I wouldn't be surprised if it happens. I can't see the Yankees going into another season without a centerfielder.

[Mel]

Neither can I, but I wouldn't be surprised if it happens. I can't see the Yankees going into another season without a centerfielder.
My mother says he has no arm... but I say neither did Bernie so it's a perfect fit. :nod:

If it happens, you watch - One of Boston's most beloved athletes will became one of it's most hated, overnight.

(He'll have to cut off all that hair of his too. The Boss forces his players to be clean cut.)

It would be very good in that Damon could lead off, allowing Jeter to move a spot or 2 back where he belongs.

[Newfie John]

Johnny Damon as a Yank? Just doesn't seem right. Like seeing Sundin in a Sens uniform.

*vomit*

[Mel]

That's what they said about Wade Boggs and Roger Clemens, both of who won WS with the Yanks. But I agree with you... it would be weird to see Damon in pinstripes.

Here's an update... http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051219&content_id=1283974&vkey=hotstove2005&fext=.jsp

It doesn't look all that certain he'll be a Yankee anyway, there's about 5 teams still in the hunt. And it says he's looking for a 7 year deal! At 32 years old? He ain't that good.

Bubba Crosby could step up, but he's hardly the batter Damon is.

However he does have some wheels, and a better arm than Damon.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

My mother says he has no arm... but I say neither did Bernie so it's a perfect fit. :nod:

If it happens, you watch - One of Boston's most beloved athletes will became one of it's most hated, overnight.

(He'll have to cut off all that hair of his too. The Boss forces his players to be clean cut.)

It would be very good in that Damon could lead off, allowing Jeter to move a spot or 2 back where he belongs.

His arm is a huge concern. That's why he hasn't been signed yet, because everybody knows he can hit, but in a few years he'll likely be a huge defensive liabilty playing a prime defensive position. Having Scott Boras as an agent doens't help either.

[swflyers25]

Associated Press

12/20/2005 11:03:50 PM

NEW YORK (AP) - The New York Yankees grabbed centre-fielder Johnny Damon away from the rival Boston Red Sox, reaching a preliminary agreement Tuesday night on a $52-million US, four-year contract.

Details of the deal were still being negotiated and Damon must pass a physical, a baseball official said on condition of anonymity because negotiations were not yet final.

Damon fills a double void for the Yankees, giving them a speedy centre-fielder who can cover ground and a leadoff hitter to top a star-studded lineup that also includes Derek Jeter, Gary Sheffield, AL MVP Alex Rodriguez, Hideki Matsui and Jason Giambi.

Bernie Williams' defence declined significantly over the past four seasons. And while Damon's arm is not much better, he does cover a lot of ground, which is important in Yankee Stadium.

Agent Scott Boras had been seeking a seven-year contract for Damon. The offer Damon accepted was essentially the same as the deal Matsui agreed to with the Yankees last month.

TSN (http://tsn.ca/mlb/news_story.asp?id=147736)

[Newfie John]

4 year deal? Wasn't he going to get at least a 5? Possibly 7?

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

4 year deal? Wasn't he going to get at least a 5? Possibly 7?

Nobody would give that long a deal to a weak-armed centerfielder. Can't blame him for trying though:thumb:

[Newfie John]

Nobody would give that long a deal to a weak-armed centerfielder. Can't blame him for trying though:thumb:

With the Yanks in the picture I thought he'd get 7. :laughing:

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

With the Yanks in the picture I thought he'd get 7. :laughing:

Not after suffering through Bernie Williams the last two years.