2011/12 MLB Offseason Thread

The Braves usually don't jump in the free agent fray, at least not the big name free agents.  I hope we do make some kind of move in left field, though.

And no way Albert leaves St. Louis; it would do irreparable harm to his image (and to the Cards' image for letting him go.)

Well Halo fans are breathing easier these days now that Tony Reagins is history as GM. Guy made some terrible moves Vernon Wells for Juan Rivera and Mike Napoli (Then Napoli being dealt to the Rangers aye yi yi) being his last one.

Dipoto well he has a scouts back round which feels good considering Reagins fired our main scout Bane last season (scouted Weaver, Trout, Trumbo) but I wonder how well he will really do? Seems like a smart cat and anyone will be better than Reagins at this point.

Many consider the GM position a lackluster one with how Arte Moreno and Scioscia run things but I don't know. Lot of questions need answering down here.

Bright spot this year was Rookie of the Year Mark Trumbo outside of that it wasn't that great a season.

Personally would love for the Angels to fill the gaping hole at 3rd base with Ramirez or get another big bat. Kendrys Morales who knows if he will come back or even be the player he was. He's a free agent after this year and Scott Boras being his agent I doubt we will be able to afford him.

We need a lot of help to beat Texas and contend for a World Series.

uote:

Originally Posted by Ben W 

The Braves usually don't jump in the free agent fray, at least not the big name free agents.  I hope we do make some kind of move in left field, though.

 

And no way Albert leaves St. Louis; it would do irreparable harm to his image (and to the Cards' image for letting him go.)

 

Pujols problem is that most of the big spenders have first based locked up (that said if Steinbrenner were still alive Pujols would be a Yankee by the end of the week) so I don't know how Boras will try and drum up a bidding war for his services - unless the Cubs are in play?

My team (Philly) has some issues that need addressing and some money coming off the books (Oswalt, Ibanez) but will need to eventually lock up Hamels long-term.  I'd give Rollins a 2 year deal with a club option for a third MAX (cue to Washington throwing a 5 year deal at him) given his age and recent injuries.  I'm assuming Bastardo will be the closer next year because Madson is going to leave for greener pastures (another Boras client), and doubling down on pitching got this team nowhere.  You need clutch hitting in the post-season and no one stepped up.  Utley's another year older and Howard probably won't be close to 100% until mid-2012 at the earliest.  It's going to be a tough off-season and I'm not sure what tricks Amaro has up his sleeve.

And the Braves make a move that I didn't think was possible: trading Derek Lowe without having to eat his entire $15 mil. contract.  Great move, Frank Wren!

Good going Cleveland, a fourth groundball pitcher for the rotation, really the only element you were missing! I want to implode right now.

The Giants actually traded for Melky Cabrera?  And it cost them Sanchez AND another player?  How the fuck did that happen?

Maybe a half drunk Sabean just glanced at the trade proposal, saw "M. Cabrera", and signed off on it?

Sanchez wasn't in their long term plans anymore. There were grumblings the Giants weren't even gonna offer him arbitration for this year. At least they got something for him and while Cabrera has not had a consistent career he's a better option in center than Andres Torres right now.

Wilson Ramos kidnapped:

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22297882/33210483

Hear that Venezuela? Be on the lookout for a green car.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moltisanti 

Sanchez wasn't in their long term plans anymore. There were grumblings the Giants weren't even gonna offer him arbitration for this year. At least they got something for him and while Cabrera has not had a consistent career he's a better option in center than Andres Torres right now.

 

 

Melky's 2011 was fluke of the highest order; his value over Andres Torres is debatable.  And the Giants could afford to let Sanchez go but as fan of a team that had previously traded for him (Braves), it just shocks me that anyone would want him on their team.  I'm pretty sure Cabrera's only contribution to the game is being the subject of one of John Sterling's most idiotic nicknames (THE MELKMAN!)   

The awards are handed out so late that I have little interest in them when they are finally revealed; I almost forget who is even in the running by the time they are announced.  They should be announced during the playoffs like they do in the NBA and the NFL.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben W 

Melky's 2011 was fluke of the highest order; his value over Andres Torres is debatable.  And the Giants could afford to let Sanchez go but as fan of a team that had previously traded for him (Braves), it just shocks me that anyone would want him on their team.  I'm pretty sure Cabrera's only contribution to the game is being the subject of one of John Sterling's most idiotic nicknames (THE MELKMAN!)   

 

Based on recent performance the choice between Torres and Cabrera is not debatable. Love what Torres did in '10 and it was a great underdog story but last year he proved he's at best a 4th outfielder. Cabrera is coming off his best season, he's 6 years younger than Torres, and this'll be a contract year for him so if he's looking for a sweet multi-year deal after 2012 he'll need to keep up his 2011 pace.

Now if this is the biggest move the Giants make in the off-season then that's a problem. But if they can add an upgraded stick in left to go with Cabrera in center then I'm liking their chances to maybe eek out a whopping 3 runs a game.

Almost a done deal: Jose Reyes to Marlins.

As a Mets fan, I can only say KILL ME. FUCKING KILL ME. DO IT. I DON'T WANT TO LIVE.

The great and powerful Ozzie.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabe T 

Almost a done deal: Jose Reyes to Marlins.

 

As a Mets fan, I can only say KILL ME. FUCKING KILL ME. DO IT. I DON'T WANT TO LIVE.

Wait until they trade David Wright.

And imagine having to be in the dugout with Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes and Ozzie Guillen.  Logan Morrison has nothing on those three nutjobs.  

rumor has it that Prince's agent wants 8 years for 200.  YEAH RIGHT

Couldn't imagine any team, specially a NL team giving a guy with that build, that long of a contract.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickP 

rumor has it that Prince's agent wants 8 years for 200.  YEAH RIGHT

Couldn't imagine any team, specially a NL team giving a guy with that build, that long of a contract.

It just takes one dumb GM...

One would assume Prince would put up the numbers they're expecting for at least half of that contract.  Around thee years of dead weight on the back end seems like a bargain by today's free agent market.

Wilson Ramos has been found alive!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben W 

Wait until they trade David Wright.

I like you but fuck you for saying this.

Chortle.

If Reyes leaves (which was probably guaranteed this past spring when Wilpon gave that interview), the Mets are going to be in full-on rebuilding mode.  They might not trade Wright but he is going to be a ghost after next season when he hits free agency.  They'll be left with two untradeable contracts (Bay and Santana) and a bunch of kids; might as well trade him and get some guys who will be able to help after the 4-5 years it will take for the Mets to get their shit together. 

I find myself playing devil's advocate for this Papelbon signing with different people, which is funny because I really don't care about it or the Phillies.  They were going to sign Ryan Madson, who is the same age btw, for 4 years @ 44 million.  That's the market right now, apparently.  If they think Papelbon is slightly better... /shrug.

Their payroll pushes 200 million dollars.  Paying their best FA option at closer 3-4 million more a year than he might be worth is not something they're really going to notice.

Yes, but if they told Madson he was only worth 7 million a year, or Pap he was only worth 8, and they both sign elsewhere, then where are they?  Auditioning closers on a team that has to win right now.  Not a good position to be in either.

It's such a tricky, even mercurial position, it's certainly a risk.  But they obviously see an expensive known quantity as less of a risk than an inexpensive, unknown one.

Marlins buying another ring?  

That Papelbon signing was beyond stupid. The Phillies are over $200 million with payroll, and that is one problematic, aging, injury-prone team.

Cards select Mike Matheny. Did not expect that, but I like it. He's great with pitchers, and game management. Should be interesting, and please God let Dave Duncan be staying.

I'm thinking that everyone forgot about what it was like to have Bobby Valentine as a MLB manager because it seems that every media outlet keeps stating that the guy is a baseball genius.

Although the best part about his hiring is watching Al Leiter and Mitch Williams talk about Valentine when it is painfully obvious that they both just fucking HATE the guy.  I don't think I have ever seen a sports media member make absolutely no effort to hide their contempt for a person that they are covering.

Did you know Bobby Valentine claims to have invented the wrap sandwich?  So weird.

Anyway, yeah, it has the potential to be a bad hire, flame-out situation.  He better win early, that's for sure.

Look who's back!

Reyes to Marlins for real this time.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7316606/miami-marlins-agree-six-year-deal-jose-reyes

No no no no no no no no no no NO.

Fuck EVERYTHING.

FUCK SHIT COCKSUCKER FUCK DICK SHITBALLS ASSFUCK BASTARD BITCH SHITFUCK DICK COCKSUCKER.

So, the Marlins signed Heath Bell, Jose Reyes and are supposedly still going hard after Albert Pujols?  

And they still receive revenue sharing money?  

And they play in a city where they have had nearly 20 years to develop a fanbase yet they have failed miserably?

And they tried this same garbage 15 years ago and they had to dismantle the team after one good season?

This is an almost NBA level of stupid ownership moves.

The Florida Marlins yet one more black eye for baseball to go with the dozens and dozens it already has.

So, Prince, got a question for you.  You have been quoted in saying, that you want to be on a team that is competitive, and has great talent on it.. So, with you asking for 200 million, how does that NOT handcuff a team?  You do realize that by you signing that contract, you have cost them the ability to sign "better" players.  Yes, there is the draft, but it takes years to get those kids ready to play. 

Yea, I know he's not coming back to the Brewers, but just admitt big fella, you want the money more then the ring.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickP 

So, Prince, got a question for you.  You have been quoted in saying, that you want to be on a team that is competitive, and has great talent on it.. So, with you asking for 200 million, how does that NOT handcuff a team?  You do realize that by you signing that contract, you have cost them the ability to sign "better" players.  Yes, there is the draft, but it takes years to get those kids ready to play. 

 

Yea, I know he's not coming back to the Brewers, but just admitt big fella, you want the money more then the ring.

Come on.  How many athletes are going to take less to make a GM's job easier, or to save an owner some money?  Especially in baseball, where there's no cap?  There's getting your money, and then there's fielding a competitive team, and for most athletes the two things are not mutually exclusive.

The agents drive these numbers up. You have to be a VERY forceful personality to contradict Scott Boras saying, "We're going to get you the most money possible!"

The enemy, in that case, is the stupid owner who opens up his checkbook to spend that cash. The day when a player asks for $200 million and gets maybe half is the only way anyone will learn.

Russell Crowe once said something to the effect of that he wants to make good movies, but he's not in the business of charity for studios, so he is not going to take a pay cut to increase the money they have available for other aspects of the production.  I think the same thing applies to players like Fielder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bailey 

Come on.  How many athletes are going to take less to make a GM's job easier, or to save an owner some money?  Especially in baseball, where there's no cap?  There's getting your money, and then there's fielding a competitive team, and for most athletes the two things are not mutually exclusive.

With that mindset, how can any GM sign any decent player?  It's not making a GMs job hard, Fielder or Albert basically make the GMs job impssible in regards to signing good players.  In todays world, unless you are the yankees or red sox... you either have one elite player... or a team of good players.  I'm just referencing how stupid Fielders stance is.

Hah, old Russ may regret saying that one day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabe T 

Hah, old Russ may regret saying that one day.

Just to be clear, he was talking about big budget studio films.  He didn't say he wouldn't take a pay cut for a truly independent film.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickP 

With that mindset, how can any GM sign any decent player?  It's not making a GMs job hard, Fielder or Albert basically make the GMs job impssible in regards to signing good players.  In todays world, unless you are the yankees or red sox... you either have one elite player... or a team of good players.  I'm just referencing how stupid Fielders stance is.

It's just like the NBA.  If a contract is too big, don't pay it.  It's not the player's fault.  You can't expect a player to not take the best offer given to him like anyone else would in any other walk of life.  It's ridiculous.  At some point a player is not worth the money, and it's a GM's job description to know what that point is.

I don't begrudge Prince for seeking the max money deal but I've got a feeling that were looking at Texas/ARod 2.0.  Too bad the Mets can't get involved in the bidding ...

The Mets can't even bid for shit on Ebay right now.

Fuck shitballs hell cocksucker shitfuck.

Yeah but it would be awesome if they got locked into ANOTHER bad contract.*

*As a Braves fan, I am contractually obligated to hate every other team in the NL East.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben W 

I don't begrudge Prince for seeking the max money deal but I've got a feeling that were looking at Texas/ARod 2.0.  Too bad the Mets can't get involved in the bidding ...

I understand, I would do the same, that's because I'm looking out for #1 first.  BUT, don't say you want to play for a "competitive" team, then handcuff them at the same time.  That's all I'm saying.

If he wanted to be competitive, he'd stay in Milwaukee.  They just offered him 125 for 6 years.