MLB Offseason Thread

Beltran is dreaming. The guy is massively talented but he needs to realize 7 at about 20 mil a year will be the best he's offered.

Yea.

When I saw he wanted 10 years I was stunned. Only New York and Chicago can cover that. Houston couldn't because he'll be useless if they can't resign Oswalt and get quality pitching. I'm just glad Beltran has a shady agent who only wants money cuz that's a good way for the Cubs to get him.

A question for Angels fans. Is Troy Percival done? Has he lost his stuff. He's rumored to be a Cub so just curious if he can still get people out. Saw a stat of his where his ERA was in the 3's at noght and like 1.20 in the daytime.

Yep what Canuckle said. Still he is injury prone and if not on his game can let a few games go. He'd probably help more than hurt though.

GREAT NEWS. A Sosa for Shawn Green trade is in the works. If the Dodgers are dumb enough to take this cancer like they did Todd Hundley I'll be thrilled. Hopefully the Cubs can schedule a day game if at home on Friday for Yom Kippor(Sp?) and Greeny can play a Sat game.

That is an awful trade I can't see it happening. If so the Cubs get a steal. The Dodgers continue to baffle.

Far from it. Alot of people were worried when he started having hip trouble last year and arm trouble this past season, but his ability to change little things about his delivery to compensate really needs to be seen to be believed. Yes, this year he blew a few save opportunities (more than we're used to seeing), but After the All Star Break, he looked like the Troy of old (meaning the past 3, 4 or 5 years). I'd definitely say he's got another 2, possibly 3 and maaaaybe 4 years if he's not pushed to hard. You've also got to consider the fact that we've got Frankie ready to assume the role of Closer now. Hell, any 19 year old that can come uo 2 weeks before the postseason and win 5 games DURING THE PLAYOFFS without ever pitching in the Majors before, definitely deserves a shoit at being the closer. Thar, and we're paying him about $300,000 a year now, and he won't be eligible for arbitration until 2006, i believe. Nonetheless, i'd have liked to see Percy retire an Angel, seeing as he grew up, played high school and college ball, and Pro ball all within 20 minutes of each other.

That's good to hear. I don't mind the Cubs spending big money on a closer as long as he's healthy and can save 85-90% of his chances.

If Hendry can dump Hundley he can unload anyone.

As long as he's not dumping em on the Mets, I'm good.

Another thing about Percival, After the hip and arm trouble he had, changed his delivery style to lessen the strain on his hip, and mastered his off-speed stuff, giving him another weapon on top of the heat he already brings. I'll tell you another thing, with a close scoring game on the line, there's nobody i'd rather have going for me in the 9th inning. I'd even venture to say i'd much rather have him coming in to a close game than Mariano Rivera.

Do the postseason awards go in this thread or the other one?

This. We can all bitch about Derek fuckin' Jeter getting the gold glove for SS.

Becareful what you wish for Dusty
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/m..._chc&fext=.jsp
A former pitcher with no thought of managing is better than a former manager who might want another job.

As a Yankee fan there are two hot stove items I'd like to see confirmed:

Kevin Brown playing for absolutely anyone else

and Tino Martinez back in pinstripes.

Everything else is gravy.

Personally happy to see Sheets at least got a mention in the Cy Young balloting (one 3rd place vote); the guy was near-dominant this year and would've had near 20 wins on a team with an offense.

The only off-season noise my Jays are making, besides token Delgado contract offer, is contacting Corey Koskie. They really want him to play third, then dump off Hinske to someone. Current rumor has him and $$ going to San Diego for Xavier Nady.

Which is all nice and good, but they still need a #2 starter.. and a #3... and a #4...

Boras is off his rocker thinking Tek's going to get 5 years and a no-trade clause. Hell, Pudge couldn't get that, fresh off of his WS winning year, and he put up better offensive numbers. I'd hate to lose Tek, but I'd also hate to give him an insane contract just because Scott Boras is an asshole.

Who's going to get the MVPs?

Bonds and Guerrero, shouldn't even be close.

Sammy Sosa has asked the Players Union to void the automatic kick in year of his contract if he's traded. If this happens Sosa will be traded and most likely to the Mets. This will also open up Carlos Beltran who wants to be a Cub. He loved hitting here when ever hit he had was a HR or double to the gap. Please Players Union make this happen. Baseball guys on the radio seem to think they will do this because unlike AROD Sosa is not guarenteed the money. Sosa is probably willing because he knows the Cubs won't pick up the option next year so there is no point to staying when you want out.

i really don't think boras means 10 guaranteed years. i think he's including voidable years in the contract. if a team signed him to a 10 year contract they're incredible stupid. beltran is a great player but he is in fact overrated. he has all the talent in the world but batting .270 isn't good enough for me.

Well, apparently Eric Milton will be wearing pinstripes next season.

Now, I understand that the NY Yankees need a lefthander, but Eric Milton didn't exactly wow anybody last year. He led the NL in homeruns allowed (43, one behind Jamie Moyer for the Major League high), and contrary to popular belief, pitched considerably better at home than he did on the road.

And for a kick, here's the top five "luckiest" pitchers in the majors last season according to Baseball Prospectus:

Shawn Estes - 15-8
Mark Mulder - 17-8
Derek Lowe - 14-12
Eric Milton - 14-6
Kenny Rogers - 18-9

(prospective free agents listed in bold)

I wonder where Derek Lowe will end up?

As for Milton.. He's young so he isn't washed up i'll say that. Seems like ol Georgie is getting more and more desperate in his old age.

Looks like Anaheim is in the hunt for Randy Johnson, Beltran and Nomar Garciaparra. Amazing.

Well Omar Visquel is a Giant now. 3 year deal.

Al Leiter is now a free agent. If only he was free to club Tim McCarver over the head with a trout on the next Fox MLB telecast.

Sosa still in chicago.

The NY Daily News is reporting that the Players Union would ok the voiding of Sosa's option if he were to be traded, bringing the NY Mets one step closer to pissing me off, and several more away from reeling in Carlos Beltran.

Thank you for making my day.

Here's to hoping the Mets deal Piazza to the Angels for Guillen and Erstad. That way, I wont have to worry about Slammin' Sammy being anywhere near flushing for more than three games a year.

I'm pretty sure he just went to get his ass kissed, he does have quite the ego. For good reason though.

I love the guy.

http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/20593.htm
Sorry Monk, it looks like a done deal.

Sosa has been a cancer in the clubhouse and walked out the last game of the year. Even Dusty Baker who had to deal with Barry Bonds is sick of the guy. Plus Sosa is a baby. He said hitting 6th was an embaressment because of what he has done in the past. He felt he should hit 3rd or 4th even though he was in a major slump and even his outs weren't productive.

As for the trade it's mostly about salaries. The Mets would love to dump Piazza on the Cubs but he needs to go to the AL to DH because he can't catch much anymore and is a lousy 1st baseman. Floyd makes 6.5 million and w/ Sosa's buyout next year Sosa stands to make 21.5 million. Cubs would probaby have to give the Mets 5-10 million to make the deal or take another big contract.

With Floyd being an injury waiting to happen the Cubs will still need a big bat in the outfield. Alou may be back but he is old. Beltran is a strong possibility but he has many suitors. The fact that Beltran hit around .700 at Wrigley this year w/ 4 or 5 bombs gave him the idea that playing here might be alot of fun(and the Cubs are 1 of about 5 teams that can pay him).

But the Cubs still need a closer(Percival), SS, 2B(Womack?). Womack could also solve the lead off spot. SS could be Renteria or Cabrera and an outside shot at Nomar.

Probably 2 things. 1 Tigers offered the most money. 2 Tigers were the best team available that offered him the best deal.

1) Since when is having one quality arm in the pen reason to forego adding another?

2) This is just too easy, money.

What you should be asking is why the Cubs didn't make signing Percival a priority, I mean, getting beat out by the Tigers? Something is seriously wrong with this picture.

The Cubs may be troubled by his age and injury history and his last 10 games as an Angel. Percival didn't visit the Cubs so he probably knew he wasn't going to get 6 mil a year from the Cubs.

Benitez is still out there for the Cubs. Chacon of the Rokies has been floated for a trade.

I think the Cubs are on hold till they trade Sosa.

Oh, my poor Motor City Kitties. Well, I gues for the years we spent dwelling in the cellar of the A.L. Central, comments like these are deserved. But it still hurts to read this.

I am pleased about the signing of Perci for a few reasons: We need bullpen help. Adding Perci gives us options of what to do with Urbina (who I liked very much). He didn't say a bad thing about the city (something that is very common to hear; I love the city to death but outsiders hate it and hate our sports teams.)

Urbina is available but there are complications surrounding him. His mother is kidnapped and has been for some time. No one knows when the situation will be resolved and many teams are afraid to bid or offer for him at this time. I like the idea of the tigers going into the season with him in the pen and trading him as the season progresses. Dave Dombrowski is no slouch and will make sure he gets maximum value for a good closer.

The Tigers are also expressing interest in Jeff Kent, Steve Finley, Troy Glaus, Matt Clement, Carl Pavano, and Derek Lowe (Dearborn Edsel High grad). As much as these players excite me it leaves me puzzled. Kent, Glaus, and Finley are all older or has a history of injuries and none really adresses a need (with the exception of Glaus - we need a 3B bad!). I would take Pavano or Clement over Lowe any day. I would love to have Pavano but I think we will be priced out of his services, even though the Tigers do have ties to him.

A question for Texas Rangers fans: How serious are the Rangers about acquiring Mike Maroth? I like Mike Maroth alot and would hate to see him go, but if we can get more than he's worth I say go for it (Maroth will be elgible for arbritation soon, and many people in the Det media think that he will be moved at some point due to this, that and we have a lot of lefties coming up).

This has been an exciting off-season so far. And not just because of the Tigers activity. With the potential blockbuster trades looming and free-agents signing, this could be very, very interesting.

Aaaaaaah What a Rusch. Glendon Rusch that is. Cubs resigned their all purpose lefty as a starter/reliever.

And the TV booth is set up.
http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/m..._chc&fext=.jsp

Bob Brenley and Len Kasper of the Marlins. I'm just glad Joe Carter is nowhere to be found.

Nice resign by the Cubs.

As for Guillen they really could have done better for a guy who nearly had 30 HR's and over a 100 RBI last season. This was primarily a money move it looks like. They save 3 million. We did get Cesar Izturis brother outside of Juan (I am so good no one wants me) Rivera. Really weak deal and I have to say Stoneman has been a great GM but this move and picking up Raul Mondesi were both terrible. Very dissapointing for Halo fans. Thankfully we're still in the hunt for Beltran, Big Unit and Nomah.

Congrats on landing Percy. It's the 20th and I still am emotional over it. The guy grew up, played little league, high school, college and Pro ball all within a 15-20 mile radius. If he's one-tenth the leader for you guys that he was for us out here, then you guys got yourself a winner. He will be sorely missed. Honest to God, it feels like a death in the family

Money? Really? I thought it was Guillen's attitude, I mean, with the money he's making he's a bargain.

The Washington Nationals? I'd get on them for the stupid name, but it's not like being named after a World's Fair is any better.

It's an odd but original name that fits perfectly with the city - like the Metropolitans, Twins, or Astros.

I agree with GFC and I like it a lot more than the Senators.

As for Guillen considering what a cancer he was in the clubhouse the Angels quickly moved him and dumped his salary. The money was certainly a factor but not more than his problems which if that was what you were referring to Monki than I agree. Beltran is in their sights now.

The fires have certainly died down quite a bit since then, with the major sticking point being Omar has zero interest in offering Sammy an extension. Suddenly the sun is shining, the birds are singing, and all is right with the world.

Are any other teams knocking on the door for Sosa?

[Update: "The A's and Pirates nailed down a trade Wednesday that will send two of Oakland's bigger contracts, pitchers Mark Redman and Arthur Rhodes, to Pittsburgh in exchange for hot property Jason Kendall." I have got to say, that if this is true, it's a steal by Beane]