offseason moves

[26 to 6]

Adam Hyzdu has signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers

where did you read that? Ive been trying to find a site that covers minor league-ish transactions (ESPN, FOX, etc do not cover all transactions. Baseball America does but they dont update daily). I had a place last year, but I cant find it now.

 

The reason being is that I maintian a database I guess you could call it, of all the free-agent signings/trades/waivers/etc that take place during the offseason.

 

Thanks

[riverside sluggers]

i was just browsing the "Notes & transactions" section in yahoo sports. Hyzdu was listed as minor league contract purchased by texas

[Soxfan1]

How bout bringing old Lou Merloni back as a utility infielder this year? Also Tim worrell could help the bullpen. (both free agents)

[stocker323]

Rotoworld is usually my source for all baseball activity, rumors and such.

[ksushi]

Tim Worrell isnt as good as some of the other options out there like Eyre and Taveras or the top teir guys like Ryan and Wagner and Hoffman

[yankeessuck013]

phillips ranked the top 50 free agents and predicted where they'd end up.:

 

Top 10:

Konerko - Red Sox

Damon - Red Sox

Clemens - retires

Furcal - Cubs

Wagner - Phillies

Ryan - Mets

Burnett - Blue Jays

Matsui - Yankees

Giles - Cubs

Hoffman - Padres

11 through 20:

 

Farnsworth - Braves

Millwood - Guardians

R. Hernandez - Mets

Molina - Padres

Morris - Orioles

Washburn - Rangers

Wickman - Guardians

T. Jones - Marlins

Gordon - Diamondbacks

Weaver - Angels

21 through 30:

 

Grudzielanek - Cardinals

A. Gonzalez (FLA) - Braves

Nomar - Dodgers

P. Wilson - Orioles

Piazza - Angels

F. Thomas - Guardians

J. Jones - Tigers

Sanders - Cardinals

K. Rogers - Dodgers

Burnitz - Padres

31 through 40:

 

Rincon - Yankees

Tavarez - Mets

Howry - Yankees

C. Everett - Nationals

Mueller - Dodgers

Lofton - Padres

Ausmus - Astros

Olerud - Mets

Durham - Mariners

Randa - Dodgers

41 through 50:

 

Elarton - Nationals

Loaiza - Nationals

Moyer - Mariners

Dotel - Mets

Encarnacion - Nationals

B. Williams - Orioles

Sosa - Devil Rays

Millar - Twins

Byrd - Reds

Eyre - Red Sox

[yankeessuck013]

ESPN Insider

 

Aaron Rowand, Chicago White Sox

 

He plays hard, he plays hurt and he gives the White Sox lots of energy, but Chicago has enough prospects in its system for GM Kenny Williams to listen carefully if somebody calls on Rowand. The Sox think Brian Anderson is ready for the big leagues, and the Double-A Birmingham team was stacked with outfield prospects -- Chris Young, Jerry Owens and Ryan Sweeney -- this year.

Young looks like the best of the bunch. He hit 26 homers and stole 32 bases for Birmingham and could be ready for the majors with a half season in Triple-A.

 

Rowand lacks plate discipline (310 strikeouts and only 96 walks in the big leagues) and took a step backward this year in terms of power. Still, his career on-base percentage is a respectable .337. He's a good defensive outfielder and might be a nice fit on a team like Boston or the Yankees, where he could bat seventh or eighth. Of course, if the Red Sox lost Johnny Damon and added Rowand, they'd need to find someone to hit leadoff.

[Soxfan1]

If Damon moves on I would try to get kenny lofton. He is a speedy leadoff guy. He can replace damon and free up sonme money to sign Konerko.

[yankeessuck013]

If Damon moves on I would try to get kenny lofton. He is a speedy leadoff guy. He can replace damon and free up sonme money to sign Konerko.

 

I would either try to trade for juan pierre, or sign preston wilson or jacque jones

 

lofton was out for most of last year with a hamstring injury so that would worry me, and if needed renteria can bat leadoff

[riverside sluggers]

yeah but Lofton is gonna be like 38/39 next year and is known to be an injury prone player

[ksushi]

Yeah, I think that damon may end up back here, for the longest time i was convinced otherwise, but now im thinking maybe he will. He seems backed into a corner, no one will give him 5 years. The sox also seem backed into a corner, they really don't have a viable center field option to fall back on. So, I think the sox give him a front loaded 4 years 45 million contract and he comes here and hopefully with gum and glue can maintain his health 3 years from now.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

[crazy idea]

 

Move Edgar to CF, only if Manny is traded to LA for O.Cab(and others).

 

[/crazy idea]

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

[crazy idea]

 

Move Edgar to CF, only if Manny is traded to LA for O.Cab(and others).

 

[/crazy idea]

 

that is a crazy idea. I guarantee it wouldn't happen though. You can be sure Edgar Renteria is playing SS for us this next year and probably throughout his contract.

 

I'm not sure if its just me but I don't see Juan Pierre, Preston Wilson, or Kenny Lofton being a fit for us. If those are the choices I would bet the Red Sox throw the money at Johnny. Those players have all established themselves (what you see is what you get) and none are better than Damon so I don't see it happening; at least I hope. Kenny Lofton would be used as a bench player for us, Preston Wilson reminds me too much of Jay Payton, and Juan Pierre doesn't have enough power to be in the Red Sox lineup. With a ballpark like Fenway I'm still a fan of how the Red Sox play offense. I wouldn't mind speed but we still need power.

[26 to 6]

I wouldn't mind speed but we still need power.

Milton Bradley?

[SchillingIsTheNatural]

Milton Bradley?

 

good lord NO!! haha

 

thats like the New England Patriots signing Terrell Owens.

[jimmycarter05]

good lord NO!! haha

 

thats like the New England Patriots signing Terrell Owens.

 

hahaha

[26 to 6]

good lord NO!! haha

 

thats like the New England Patriots signing Terrell Owens.

he fits the description though

[riverside sluggers]

a surpus of possible offseason moves according to Boston.com

 

The Sox hope to get into the hunt for free agent Billy Wagner (they invited him to Boston this week, but he couldn't make it), though the money is already getting crazy. They don't want to inhibit Craig Hansen and Manny Delcarmen, but when will they be ready? The Sox have taken two huge steps toward protecting themselves in case Hansen needs more seasoning by signing Mike Timlin and acquiring Mota. If Keith Foulke can regain his effectiveness, the Sox could have a very strong bullpen. While everyone hears good things about Foulke, as Wallace put it, ''Until you see him throw and perform, you never know for sure."

 

The more you think about it, the more you have to like Peter Gammons's idea of a Matt Clement-for-Derek Lowe swap. The contracts are similar, and in Lowe, you have a proven end-of-the-season pitcher who can deal with the trappings of Boston

 

The Sox have been inquiring about young first basemen -- Texas's Adrian Gonzalez and Milwaukee's Lyle Overbay. Both the Rangers and Brewers need starting pitching, so the obvious names; Clement and Bronson Arroyo have popped up. Kevin Youkilis might be developing a complex. First the Sox acquire Lowell, knocking him off of third base, and now they're pursuing a young first baseman of the future

 

The Sox would love to anoint Dustin Pedroia their starting second baseman when spring training is over, but they are protecting themselves by keeping Alex Cora around and possibly re-signing Tony Graffanino or inking Cardinals free agent second baseman Mark Grudzielanek (who hit .294 last season). The Sox are trying to make things as comfortable as possible for Edgar Renteria, hoping he'll be in synch with his middle-infield partner and have a consistent target at first base.

 

While the Sox will try to accommodate Manny Ram?rez's trade request, they may make one more attempt to persuade him to stay. If that should fail, Anaheim still appears to be the best landing spot. Though Ram?rez's former agent, Jeff Moorad, runs the Diamondbacks, and a Troy Glaus deal could be hammered out, there's much doubt that Arizona would take on the remaining $57 million on Ram?rez's contract. Sox principal owner John Henry is on record saying he doesn't like to pay for players not on the roster. Don't rule out the Mets just yet, even though Ram?rez has indicated through his agents and to David Ortiz that he wants to play on the West Coast. The Mets have acquired Carlos Delgado and want to add another bat.

 

The Sox will intensify their negotiations with Johnny Damon this week, making re-signing him a top priority. Dragging talks out close to Christmas -- as agent Scott Boras did with Jason Varitek last year -- likely won't happen in this case. The Sox may go as high as a four-year, $40 million offer, but don't be surprised if the Sox eventually kick some tires on Minnesota center fielder Torii Hunter. After all, they do have some chips in Youkilis, in whom the Twins had some interest last season, and Arroyo, a bargain end-of-the-rotation starter

 

The Sox have been pushing a deal for David Wells, but the Padres aren't showing a lot of urgency in making it happen. The Sox are trying to get the Angels and Dodgers involved, in part to get the Padres to move quickly. The most mentioned name is former Sox outfielder Dave Roberts, but the Sox will likely want more.

[Beckett95]

Keith Foulke On The Block

 

33 year-old closer Keith Foulke was battered around in 45 innings in 2005. He's undergone surgeries on both knees and was said to have lost some velocity near season's end. Adding insult to injury, the Red Sox are now thinking about trading him.

 

My Boston source is telling me Foulke will get some attention as a setup man this offseason after the free agent market runs dry. Despite the surgeries, several teams feel that Foulke's problems in 2005 were largely mechanical and can be fixed. The Sox are looking to shed Foulke, and may be willing to pay half of his $7.25MM 2006 salary. Foulke has a $7.5MM option for 2007 that could vest with a strong 2006 performance (53 games finished would do the trick). The recent of Guillermo Mota makes Foulke slightly more expendable.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2005/11/keith_foulke_on.html

[jimmycarter05]

for the right person i'd do it

[Beckett95]

From-Newsday

Baseball officials worked through the holiday weekend, and the action figures to pick up even more this week. The Red Sox could extend an offer to Billy Wagner as soon as today, and Brian Giles is back on the Yankees' radar screen.

 

Wagner, who already has offers from the Mets and Phillies in hand, could have interesting third and fourth options in the Red Sox and Braves. Bean Stringfellow, Wagner's agent, said yesterday that he expects to speak with both clubs early this week, although there are no face-to-face meetings planned with either team. The Braves, given their budget restraints, would have to rely on Charlottesville, Va., resident Wagner accepting a hometown discount of sorts. But the Red Sox, whose closer, Keith Foulke, had an injury-filled 2005, certainly can match the Mets when it comes to financial firepower. They signed Foulke to a four-year deal (for $24 million) two offseasons ago, so they have established a precedent of committing four years to a closer.

 

The five-year, $47-million contract that B.J. Ryan has agreed to with Toronto will help Wagner, especially if the Red Sox throw themselves into the Wagner sweepstakes. The Mets have offered Wagner a three-year, $30.25-million contract, with a $10-million team option for 2009 that automatically becomes vested if Wagner finishes 60 games in 2008. The Phillies have made a similar offer, only without the fourth-year option. It figures that the Mets will have to go a fourth guaranteed year with Wagner.

[riverside sluggers]

that would be just sick if Boston acquired Wagner, but thats a big if. On weei they had reported the Red Sox's "GM by Comittee" will be presenting an offer to Wagner today.

[guapo34]

that would be just sick if Boston acquired Wagner, but thats a big if. On weei they had reported the Red Sox's "GM by Comittee" will be presenting an offer to Wagner today.

 

If the sox have the money to sign Wagner does anyone else think that money would be better spent somewhere else? We'd be lucky to sign him for 3 years and $30 million since hes already reportedly had an offer like that from the Mets that had a 4th year option. I think i'd rather see the Sox trade for Troy Glaus who could probably be had for cheap since he has a big contract and stick him at first base, or sign Brian Giles, play him in center, and move him to right next year to replace Trot.

[yankeessuck013]

If any of the Foulke rumors are true....and we get Shields in return.....

 

BP:

Long: Arroyo/DiNardo

Lefty Specialist: Myers

Mid-Relief: Bradford/Otsuka

Mota/Delcarmen/Hansen

Set-Up: Timlin & Shields

Closer: Wagner

 

-Hopefully Mota puts it back together after a rough year but either way I can't wait until Delcarmen and Hansen establish permanent (and hopefully long-term) spots in this pen.

- Timlin is getting up there so Shields sharing the set-up load could do wonders for both....if we don't sign Wagner I wouldn't mind seeing Shields close until Hansen is ready. Shields has some NASTY stuff.

[Beckett95]

If any of the Foulke rumors are true....and we get Shields in return.....

 

BP:

Long: Arroyo/DiNardo

Lefty Specialist: Myers

Mid-Relief: Bradford/Otsuka

Mota/Delcarmen/Hansen

Set-Up: Timlin & Shields

Closer: Wagner

 

-Hopefully Mota puts it back together after a rough year but either way I can't wait until Delcarmen and Hansen establish permanent (and hopefully long-term) spots in this pen.

- Timlin is getting up there so Shields sharing the set-up load could do wonders for both....if we don't sign Wagner I wouldn't mind seeing Shields close until Hansen is ready. Shields has some NASTY stuff.

 

I agree. that be a nasty bullpen

 

wered you hear about shields??

[ksushi]

Yeah, you can't expect to trade foulke for shields. I don't think you can get a guy of that ilk in return although if the angels want to do it, I'd do it.

[RedSoxRooter]

Mets have landed coveted closer Billy Wagner in a four-year deal worth $43 million.

 

The deal could be worth as much as $50 million as it includes a fifth-year option for the Mets worth $10 million. But if the team declines the option, Wagner gets a $3 million buyout which is considered part of the original $43 million deal.

Wagner was 4-3 with 38 saves and a 1.51 ERA last season for Philadelphia, which wanted to re-sign him. After spending most of his career with Houston, his two seasons with the Phillies showed the left-hander he could handle pitching in a tough city.

"I think if I had an opportunity to play in New York four or five years ago, I probably wouldn't have been as receptive to it," Wagner said last week. "After the trade of going to Philadelphia and playing there, I believe that's made it that much easier to handle the media, the pressures." Before the signing, the Phillies had already targeted Yankees set-up man Tom Gordon as a possible replacement for Wagner.

 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5117698

[riverside sluggers]

Wells narrowed down the teams some to where he wants to be traded, it supposedly has to be only an NL team thats on the West Coast.

 

Boston Herald: Boomer lookin’ for out

By Jeff Horrigan

Saturday, December 3, 2005 - Updated: 12:53 AM EST

 

A frustrated David Wells has been telling friends that he has no intention of returning to play for the Red Sox, but club management is offering no guarantees that the left-handed pitcher will be traded during the up-coming winter meetings in Dallas.

 

Wells, who went 15-7 in 30 starts (and also left three games with leads subsequently blown by the bullpen), has another year on his contract but the 42-year-old felt uncomfortable with his lack of privacy in Boston and has asked to be traded closer to his native San Diego. It was believed that the Sox discussed a deal with the Padres prior to former general manager Theo Epstein’s Halloween departure, but Wells has become frustrated by the apparent lack of progress. Boston was believed to be discussing a swap for outfielder Dave Roberts and/or relief pitcher Akinori Otsuka.

 

If nothing is resolved before spring training, Wells has told friends that he definitely will not be reporting to the Sox. If a trade with the Padres (for whom he went 12-8 in 2004) can’t be worked out, he would be happy with the San Francisco Giants. Wells does not want to remain in the American League. Sox executive Craig Shipley said that he’s not concerned that Wells and Manny Ramirez, who has made a similar request to be traded to the West Coast, will become disruptions if they are still with the team in 2006.

 

“We continue to monitor the situations and we’ve let them know we hear their requests, and if the right deal comes along, there’s a chance we could fulfill their requests,” said Shipley, who is sharing GM responsibilities with Bill Lajoie, Jed Hoyer, Ben Cherington and Brian O’Halloran. “They’re both veteran players and they’re professionals, and when the time comes to go to work, when they cross the lines, they’re serious, and they’re going to be professionals.” Lajoie said the team will make an honest effort to accommodate them.

 

“They’ll know if we make a proper effort to move them because their agents will see to that,” he said. “If we make that effort and it cannot be done, I think they will understand and return, and I don’t think they will be disruptive.”

[example1]

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2005/12/03/ramirez_wells_bring_interest/

 

According to this article, Mark Loretta would likely be part of a Wells to SD deal, as would Mirabelli:

 

SD Gets Wells and Mirabelli

BOS Gets Loretta and Otsuka or Williams

 

This would be fine with me, except I worry about Wakefield without Mirabelli. Can Shoppach just step in? He's supposedly very good defensively. If so I would be happy to get Loretta.

 

Tex gets Manny

Sox get Soriano?

 

I'm not so sure about this one. Perhaps if the Sox got another player and/or a good prospect or two it would be worth doing to get away from all this manny talk. I don't necessarily like Soriano in LF, and I don't like him as a cleanup hitter. I do like him as a 2 hitter, or a 6/7 hitter. I want to see Pedroia ASAP, so they shouldn't burden themselves with a long term Soriano deal as a 2nd baseman.

 

I like this deal a lot more if we somehow work a deal with Phi/Bal for Abreu. That would be a nice upgrade all around. Say... Clement and Nixon. (mentioned in another thread). Sox lineup would be something like

 

CF-Damon (hopefully)

SS-Renteria

DH-Ortiz

RF-Abreu

C -Varitek

LF-Soriano

3B-Lowell

1B-Youkilis

2B-Graff/Pedroia

 

That looks pretty good to me. I imagine that's the type of double deal they will be looking for. If we can't keep Manny we should get a few very good players, perhaps by giving up a little more than Manny.

 

This year's hotstove is pretty crazy. There are players flying all over the place.

[Beckett95]

I like the wells and mirrabelli for lorreta and otsuka. gives us more bullpen depth and a 2B who was in the allstar game 2 years ago.