MLB Offseason Notes/Discussion

[Wolverine]

I'm in the mood to talk baseball (although when am I NOT in the mood to discuss America's Pastime?), so let's get it going...

- Any team that gives Brian Giles a four-year deal is going to regret the last two.  In fact, any deal beyond two years is going to turn into a giant headache for the franchise because they will be paying a 37-year-old close to (if not) 10 million a year.  The odds are very much against him to produce numbers worthy of that salary.  The rumors swirling around New York are that the Yankees are very interested in bringing the (likely) former Padre in to play center field, and if there was ever a team that could afford to overpay for a player, it is everybody's favorite team.  Of course, if they do sign him, they would want him in center field, which is like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.  Giles' agent has said that is no problem, but it remains to be seen if it will become one for the Yankees and their fans.  Prediction?  Next offseason the Yanks are searching for someone who can actually play center.

- The new steroid policy affords baseball some much-needed PR, but in reality, it is not as tough as it first appears.  It does not test for Human Growth Hormone, the samples collected are urine, not blood, and the details concerning offseason testing simply are not known.  And let us face the music folks: the cheaters are always ahead of the testers.  The NFL's policy is revered as being the best among American sports, but does anyone truly believe that the dozen or so athletes that test positive for it are the only steroid-users in the NFL?  Guys find a way to beat the system.

- I would expect more trade activity than in past offseasons, simply due to the free agent market being less-than-stellar.  Some names being tossed around as possible movers and shakers?  Juan Pierre, Troy Glaus, and Lyle Overbay.  These players in addition to Manny Ramirez and Carlos Delgado.  One other name I wouldn't be surprised to see traded?  Adam Dunn.  The Reds desperately need pitching, and this could be the year they finally smarten up.  If someone offers a major league-ready starter with a couple of top pitching prospects, expect Dunn to say adios to Cincy.

[Reality]

- I would expect more trade activity than in past offseasons, simply due to the free agent market being less-than-stellar.  Some names being tossed around as possible movers and shakers?  Juan Pierre, Troy Glaus, and Lyle Overbay.  These players in addition to Manny Ramirez and Carlos Delgado.  One other name I wouldn't be surprised to see traded?  Adam Dunn.  The Reds desperately need pitching, and this could be the year they finally smarten up.  If someone offers a major league-ready starter with a couple of top pitching prospects, expect Dunn to say adios to Cincy.

Florida in firesale mode?  While Bekket gets all the hype, i think Delgado can help lots of teams.

Ramirez is going nowhere.  

Guy I like a lot and said to be available, dont ask me why, is Hank Blalock of Rangers.  Only 23 or so, has consistently banged out around 30 HRs and 1000 RBIs a year.  

Skankees have lost the touch big time.  I am surprised Brian Cashman was kept.  His picks have sucked the past 3 years.  When you have unlimited spending power you have to deliver.

Cheapskate Padres continue to make me ill.  Only good thing that became of their new ballpark scam was the Rolling Stones concert a few weeks ago.

What are the Redbirds up to.  Now that is a team that knows how to pick in FA and trades.  What kind of elixer did they give to Wally Williams during his stint? :eek2:  

[westkoast]

I thought the Padres just dealt cameron for Nady?  And are suppose to bring back Eric young.  Either way they wont get lucky to where the giants and the dodgers both go down enough to where it leaves the division in their laps.

[Wolverine]

Florida in firesale mode?  While Bekket gets all the hype, i think Delgado can help lots of teams.

Ramirez is going nowhere.  

Guy I like a lot and said to be available, dont ask me why, is Hank Blalock of Rangers.  Only 23 or so, has consistently banged out around 30 HRs and 1000 RBIs a year.  

Skankees have lost the touch big time.  I am surprised Brian Cashman was kept.  His picks have sucked the past 3 years.  When you have unlimited spending power you have to deliver.

Cheapskate Padres continue to make me ill.  Only good thing that became of their new ballpark scam was the Rolling Stones concert a few weeks ago.

What are the Redbirds up to.  Now that is a team that knows how to pick in FA and trades.  What kind of elixer did they give to Wally Williams during his stint? :eek2:

According to ESPN, Josh Beckett is about to become a member of the BoSox.  This is a TERRIFIC move for Boston IF Beckett can stay healthy (for you non-MLB fans who might be reading this thread, think Baron Davis to GS).  When he's healthy, the young fireballer is truly one of the best (unlike a certain Chicago pitcher - not Mark Prior).

The Cardinals have surprised me by jumping into the AJ Burnett race.  This type of move is atypical of St. Louis.  Walt Jocketty normally does his best work under the radar, primarily due to the Cardinals' unwillingness to take part in a bidding war over top free agents.  They are very serious about their interest, but I can't see them offering a contract that would top another club.  If he ends up with the Cards (something I wouldn't count on), it'd be because of interests outside of money (willingness to win, fan base, geographical location - St. Louis is fairly close to the Arkansas town in which Burnett grew up).

Nice move by the Pads to pick up Mike Cameron.  You needed a big-time defensive centerfielder to fill the giant space in PetCo, and he's one of the best.

A couple of rumors heard through my connections (aka - ESPN's rumor page):
- Brian Giles might be staying with San Diego after all.  Although the Padres will have to top their three-year, 25.5 million offer (to compete with the Yanks), Giles could be willing to give SD a hometown discount.
- Carlos Delgado's future is still very much in the air, but the Mets could make a serious push to get him now that Cameron is off their books.  Other possible landing places?  Baltimore and Seattle.

[Reality]

According to ESPN, Josh Beckett is about to become a member of the BoSox.  This is a TERRIFIC move for Boston

The Cardinals have surprised me by jumping into the AJ Burnett race.

Nice move by the Pads to pick up Mike Cameron.  You needed a big-time defensive centerfielder to fill the giant space in PetCo, and he's one of the best.

A couple of rumors heard through my connections (aka - ESPN's rumor page):
- Brian Giles might be staying with San Diego after all.  Although the Padres will have to top their three-year, 25.5 million offer (to compete with the Yanks), Giles could be willing to give SD a hometown discount.
- Carlos Delgado's future is still very much in the air, but the Mets could make a serious push to get him now that Cameron is off their books.  Other possible landing places?  Baltimore and Seattle. [/quote]
 Bekkett for only two prospects.  Yes I would say that is scoring big time.  Why aren't a dozen teams after him?  Are his salary demand thru the roof?

Cameron is indeed a good pick up, provided he is healthy.   Of course the cheapskate Pads are going to say he is.  I hope for his sake he is.  We shall see.

Giles discounted a lot would be okay.  Still have Ryan Klesko extorting $9 mil a year and Trevor "make me the highest paid reliever in the game" Hoffman.  Stoopid Pads will go cheap on everyone else but pay these clowns.


Concur no way the Padres will be gifted the division again.
 

[Wolverine]

An update:

- Brian Giles signed a three-year, $30 million to stay with his hometown Pads.  Despite rumors to the contrary, the Cardinals never really went hard after Giles, and the RF didn't want to play in New York or Canada.  Consequently, it was either the Dodgers or Padres, and he stayed where he was most comfortable.  This is a good deal for San Diego, whose primary offensive cog is back for another couple of seasons.

- Where AJ Burnett lands is still way up in the air.  In St. Louis, the rumors are swirling (and I do mean swirling like a TORNADO) that Cards might break tradition and give a huge contract to a free agent (and a pitcher, no less).  They haven't yet made an official offer, but they are leaning towards offering him a five-year deal.  This would set up a (possible) rotation of: Carpenter, Mulder, Burnett, Reyes (our top prospect and I guy I think has the chance to be a really good pitcher now that I've seen him throw) and Suppan.  According to JP Ricciardi, GM of the Blue Jays, Toronto HASN'T offered a contract to the fireballer just yet.  Burnett's agent has said his client has received multiple offers, with each being for the desired five years.

- According to the New York Post, there have serious discussions between the BoSox and the Phils about a swap of outfielders, namely Manny Ramirez and Bobby Abreu.  

[Reality]

An update:

- Brian Giles signed a three-year, $30 million to stay with his hometown Pads.  Despite rumors to the contrary, the Cardinals never really went hard after Giles, and the RF didn't want to play in New York or Canada.

It's merely agent orchestrated drama when New York was mentioned in the mix.  NY can afford to offer much more, thereby agents use this scam to drive up their bidding power.  

Giles did do a good job last season with the Pads.  When you figure in his walks, he has a good OBP.  Overall game, defense etc is good.

The Pads ownership and management still suck tho.  Zero desire for a title, it's all ownership bull.  Bochy sold out a long time ago and it shows.