Off-season Hot Stove Thread

[Gom]

Boras is a pig. He wants as much as he can get as fast as he can get it. He's not planning for 4 years down the road for this one guy. His players roll into FA year after year. He tries to max out the value each year. He's going to take the contract with the highest present value whether that be 3 years or 5 or 6 years.

 

For once, I completely agree with a700. He will take the highest present value of a contract. That's how this guy gets paid.

 

I have commended the Sox on getting Matsuzaka, and as a baseball fan [not a Yankee fan], I would tell you to be wary of pitchers with pedigrees from other leagues. We fell for it with Contreras, who is a decent, but unspectacular pitcher. The game here is much different in Japan. Remember that the other teams like Japan, Cuba, etc., had prepared for this WBC a lot more than we did. Our guys were still in spring training.

 

I think a lot of you are buying the hype and giving him the Cy Young award before he pitches in the AL. I see him as being an upgrade from Contreras, but not by much.

 

Anyways, I think it's funny that I said that he would get at least 15 million, and everyone here laughed at me for saying so. I remember reading that the Sox were going to offer him 8 million or so from other posters here. I guess that went out the window.

 

I kind of hope this free agency thing kind of goes away anyways. I miss the days of old-fashioned trades. Ones that weren't salary dumps. Even though my team, the Yankees, have benefited the most, it would be fun to see an honest trade again.

[TheKilo]

For once, I completely agree with a700. He will take the highest present value of a contract. That's how this guy gets paid.

 

I have commended the Sox on getting Matsuzaka, and as a baseball fan [not a Yankee fan], I would tell you to be wary of pitchers with pedigrees from other leagues. We fell for it with Contreras, who is a decent, but unspectacular pitcher. The game here is much different in Japan. Remember that the other teams like Japan, Cuba, etc., had prepared for this WBC a lot more than we did. Our guys were still in spring training.

 

I think a lot of you are buying the hype and giving him the Cy Young award before he pitches in the AL. I see him as being an upgrade from Contreras, but not by much.

 

Anyways, I think it's funny that I said that he would get at least 15 million, and everyone here laughed at me for saying so. I remember reading that the Sox were going to offer him 8 million or so from other posters here. I guess that went out the window.

 

I kind of hope this free agency thing kind of goes away anyways. I miss the days of old-fashioned trades. Ones that weren't salary dumps. Even though my team, the Yankees, have benefited the most, it would be fun to see an honest trade again.

 

The way Contreras has pitched over the last two years, I would certainly take it if matsuzaka is an upgrade over that.

[BSN07]

Contreas became a pretty good pitcher once out of NYY. I say he's a solid 3 and as hi as a #2. He broke down a little late last year cause stupid ozzie guillen road his starters so much the last couple of years. So if Matsuzaka is a step or two above him, then he's a frontline starter for sure.

 

And all this crap about Boras and the Sox not coming to an agreement is retarded at best. If a deal does not get done, the Boras will never get another Asian client. In Matsuzaka's culture it would almost be a dishonerable thing to come back to japan because a deal could not be made. Besides when have you seen Boras let his client talk in the papers and be seen out in public(lakers game) with his would be team? A deal will get done, it's in the best interest for both sides for it to happen. All this worrying is just RSN having nothing better to do and worrying about conspiracy's. Those conspiracy's are being helped by some NYY fans on here that keep wheeling them out!LOL And all the sports reporters keep trying to make a story out of this and add all these weird angles and plots like this is some Hollywood drama. The only reason there doing it is because they have nothing else to go on since the deal is being done hush hush and out of the spotlight. Which in this day in age, reporters aren't used to. There used to everything being public and up for debate, and usally one side or the other is using the media to bump up the contract value.

[jacksonianmarch]

The way Contreras has pitched over the last two years' date=' I would certainly take it if matsuzaka is an upgrade over that.[/quote']

 

I think Contreras' problem was in makeup, which is strange for a guy coming from a country where the dictator is a ruthless ******* and his presence was guarded by guns all day long. Go figure. If Matsu has the composure, he will realize his talent. Thus far, we have heard great things about his composure, but we will see how he reacts to being booed the first time he gets roughed up against the yankees (if he gets roughed up mind you).

[ORS]

From what I read, Mel messed around with Jose. Didn't want him to throw from so many different arm slots. Tried to get him to throw sinkers, you know, like Mel. In fact, I think the biggest knock on Mel was that he tried to make everyone pitch like Mel. Jose's problem wasn't makeup. It was having him get away from what made him great in the first place. It should come as no surprise that he's been excellent the last two years when he's been allowed to do what works for him. Hopefully, the Sox don't tinker with Matsuzaka and just let the pony run.

[BSN07]

And I think a strong factor might be as well is his family joined him after he left the NYY. Now i'm not a family man yet, but I would assume that that can play a great deal on your mind. I remember them having a story about that on espn about it when he really started to pitch well. I'm sure theres alot of little things that where changed and then everything came together for him. He's a solid pitcher, and I think would be welcomed on most pitching staffs in the league.

[jacksonianmarch]

From what I read' date=' Mel messed around with Jose. Didn't want him to throw from so many different arm slots. Tried to get him to throw sinkers, you know, like Mel. In fact, I think the biggest knock on Mel was that he tried to make everyone pitch like Mel. Jose's problem wasn't makeup. It was having him get away from what made him great in the first place. It should come as no surprise that he's been excellent the last two years when he's been allowed to do what works for him. Hopefully, the Sox don't tinker with Matsuzaka and just let the pony run.[/quote']

 

Contreras didnt trust his stuff. He couldnt locate a fastball and he only had faith in that folly floater of a splitter, which he'd locate about half the time. Every now and then he'd have to come down the middle with a cookie and he'd get hammered. His problem may have been Mel, but at the same time, he had no faith in himself in NY. Anyone could see that.

[jacksonianmarch]

And I think a strong factor might be as well is his family joined him after he left the NYY. Now i'm not a family man yet' date=' but I would assume that that can play a great deal on your mind. I remember them having a story about that on espn about it when he really started to pitch well. I'm sure theres alot of little things that where changed and then everything came together for him. He's a solid pitcher, and I think would be welcomed on most pitching staffs in the league.[/quote']

 

his family joined him in his final half season in NY. They were in NY for the first half of that season and he still was putrid.

[BSN07]

Woops my mistake. It's been awhilse since that all happened and I thought his family was with him when he got to CHW. Thanks for setting it straight.

[seabeachfred]

Red Sox: The Boston Herald reported that the Red Sox have expressed preliminary interest in outfielder Richard Hidalgo. The Angels signing of Matthews, in all likelihood, eliminates one suitor for Sox slugger Manny Ramirez.

 

Jesus please tell me there not serious about Hidalgo. I'd rather have the horse Hidalgo.

 

Knowing how the Boy Blunder has lost his marbles the last two-Plus off seasons, I'm not surprised he would sign R. Hidalgo. What can you expect for a lame brain who takes Jason Johnson and Kyle Snyder, and Bryan Corey off the waiver list after KC of all teams get rid of them? Hidalgo is a s***** player, strikes out like Pena, and has the most rotten attitude of just about any player in the Majors. Apparently, just the type of guy Epstein wants on his team. I sometimes wonder if he isn't a fifth columnist working to sabatoge our team. He simply cannot be that stupid. If Hidalgo, not the horse, makes the Red Sox, you will know that we are heading towards rock bottom.

[BSN07]

I think whoever wrote the colum took some of my stash i've gathered here in holland, Smoked it then wrote his colum. Thats the only way I see him really thinking it a possibility that the sign Hidalgo. For F sake, sign Nixon back and platoon him with WMP in RF. Or just platoon WMP and Hinske. Isnt hidalgo a RH hitter? WTF would he be good for to us? I think the writer has some serious mental issues. It would be the worst siging since Heathcliff Slocumb.:thumbdown

[a700hitter]

I think whoever wrote the colum took some of my stash i've gathered here in holland' date=' Smoked it then wrote his colum. Thats the only way I see him really thinking it a possibility that the sign Hidalgo. For F sake, sign Nixon back and platoon him with WMP in RF. Or just platoon WMP and Hinske. Isnt hidalgo a RH hitter? WTF would he be good for to us? I think the writer has some serious mental issues. It would be the worst siging since Heathcliff Slocumb.:thumbdown[/quote']They cannot play Hinske in the OF as part of a platoon. He is a worse fielder than WMP. He looks like a tank on an Indy track in the OF.

[BSN07]

Both of them piss in the wind on defense, but one of them or both will be playing this season in RF. Drew is gonna want a contract the FO is not going to want to give. So there will be a black hole in RF where the ball will disapear to the unknown.

[TheKilo]

Contreras didnt trust his stuff. He couldnt locate a fastball and he only had faith in that folly floater of a splitter' date=' which he'd locate about half the time. Every now and then he'd have to come down the middle with a cookie and he'd get hammered. His problem may have been Mel, but at the same time, he had no faith in himself in NY. Anyone could see that.[/quote']

 

 

He "had no faith in himself"? That explanation seems very thin.

 

Tinkering with mechanics could lead to a loss of confidence. Tinkering with mechanics can lead to douct over the quality of a pitcher's stuff.

 

Simply "not having faith" to explain pitching troubles is kinda weak.

[jacksonianmarch]

He "had no faith in himself"? That explanation seems very thin.

 

Tinkering with mechanics could lead to a loss of confidence. Tinkering with mechanics can lead to douct over the quality of a pitcher's stuff.

 

Simply "not having faith" to explain pitching troubles is kinda weak.

 

You know the look that Hansen had on the mound when he came into a game? The deer in the headlights look? That is what Contreras had in NY. When he came back and dominated, he looked like a horse. If you show the other team you are defeated before the game begins, you will not win. Baseball is a very mental game, likely the most mental as it is the toughest game in the world to master. A quarter inch is the difference between success and failure most of the time. If you doubt yourself and show it, it psyches the other team up just enough to beat you. Ask anyone who has played at a high enough level to have something riding on their games. If you go into a baseball game defeated, you will end up that way. Contreras was defeated in NY before any games began.

[Gom]

Contreas became a pretty good pitcher once out of NYY. I say he's a solid 3 and as hi as a #2. He broke down a little late last year cause stupid ozzie guillen road his starters so much the last couple of years. So if Matsuzaka is a step or two above him, then he's a frontline starter for sure.

 

And all this crap about Boras and the Sox not coming to an agreement is retarded at best. If a deal does not get done, the Boras will never get another Asian client. In Matsuzaka's culture it would almost be a dishonerable thing to come back to japan because a deal could not be made. Besides when have you seen Boras let his client talk in the papers and be seen out in public(lakers game) with his would be team? A deal will get done, it's in the best interest for both sides for it to happen. All this worrying is just RSN having nothing better to do and worrying about conspiracy's. Those conspiracy's are being helped by some NYY fans on here that keep wheeling them out!LOL And all the sports reporters keep trying to make a story out of this and add all these weird angles and plots like this is some Hollywood drama. The only reason there doing it is because they have nothing else to go on since the deal is being done hush hush and out of the spotlight. Which in this day in age, reporters aren't used to. There used to everything being public and up for debate, and usally one side or the other is using the media to bump up the contract value.

 

It's not like playing in Boston is a piece of cake, either.

 

Although I do think that Matsuzaka will sign, if Boras doesn't like the offer [play along with the line of thinking for a second], there is nothing that will stop him from letting the time frame expire and then going to the Seibu Lions and negotiation a buyout himself, then put him on the open market. He is pretty much sure to get close to 100 million at this point with the salary explosion.

 

Like I said, I don't think it will happen, but the possibility exisis.

[seabeachfred]

Both of them piss in the wind on defense' date=' but one of them or both will be playing this season in RF. Drew is gonna want a contract the FO is not going to want to give. So there will be a black hole in RF where the ball will disapear to the unknown.[/quote']

 

Bosox, if the front office accepts that be assured t hat our season is as good as done. Theo had better realize he has to sign Drew if for no other reason than he will get to and catch a fly ball out there, not to mention that he will probably hit between 25-30 homers, hit around 300 or better and drive in about 100 runs. There is no way we can win with those two bums out there.

[a700hitter]

Bosox' date=' if the front office accepts that be assured t hat our season is as good as done. Theo had better realize he has to sign Drew if for no other reason than he will get to and catch a fly ball out there, not to mention that he will probably hit between 25-30 homers, hit around 300 or better and drive in about 100 runs. There is no way we can win with those two bums out there.[/quote']While I am no JD Drew fan, I gree that he is a must sign for RF. He is great RF, and the two guys we have now are horror shows. WMP will hve to lern to play 1B or be satisfie with being the 4th OF.

[a700hitter]

It's not like playing in Boston is a piece of cake, either.

 

Although I do think that Matsuzaka will sign, if Boras doesn't like the offer [play along with the line of thinking for a second], there is nothing that will stop him from letting the time frame expire and then going to the Seibu Lions and negotiation a buyout himself, then put him on the open market. He is pretty much sure to get close to 100 million at this point with the salary explosion.

 

Like I said, I don't think it will happen, but the possibility exisis.

The Japanese league will not allow the seibu to flout it's league rules. Any thought to the contrary is pro-Boras propaganda. I' m sure that he is letting word of such tactics leak back to the Red Sox FO. I just hope that they are not stupid enough to believe it. Borass has nowhere else to go. Matsuzaka will be signing with the Red Sox or everyone involved loses a payday.

[a700hitter]

Just heard on WEEI that Matsuzaka gave a farewell statement to Japanese fans. Hmmm. What does that say about Borass's leverage?

[Gom]

The Japanese league will not allow the seibu to flout it's league rules. Any thought to the contrary is pro-Boras propaganda. I' m sure that he is letting word of such tactics leak back to the Red Sox FO. I just hope that they are not stupid enough to believe it. Borass has nowhere else to go. Matsuzaka will be signing with the Red Sox or everyone involved loses a payday.

 

It's not breaking the rules. The player can negotiate a buyout with team. I doubt that Boras will offer Seibu the amount of money the Red Sox did, but like I said, it's possible. Guys, he has leverage. More than you think. I've been saying this all along. If he goes to the Lions, tells them they want to negotiate a buyout for 25 million or he will come back to Japan, leave next season for nothing, what do you think the Lions will do? Don't you think the Yankees/Mets/Rangers will pony up 3 years, 60 million? They were willing to post in the 30 million range. Don't you think a team will offer a 7 year, 100 million contract? Come on, guys, I know you can see this. Out of all the parties involved, Boras has the MOST leverage. He can use the threat of going back to Japan, costing the Lions 51 million and the Red Sox complete embarrassment. I would be extremely surprised if he doesn't use this threat of going back and buying out the last year of Matsuzaka's contract. With Soriano signing for 136 mil, Lee for 100 mil, Matthews for 50 mil, etc., I think the Sox are dreaming if they think they can get away with a 3 year 30 million deal like what has been posted here.

 

Either way, we shall see.

 

Did anyone see this salary explosion coming? To be honest, I didn't.

[Fried Neckbones]

Just a thought, but it is also in Boras' best interest to get a deal done for Matsuzaka for the benefit of his other high-profile FA pitcher this year. If he can get, say, $14 mill for 3-4 years in the next week or so for a guy who has never thrown an MLB pitch, imagine what he will be saying about Zito's contract.

[Gom]

Well, the fact that Boras is also Drew's agent, I think he has the Red Sox over the proverbial barrel more than the other way around. You don't think he's going to use that?

 

Look, I think the Red Sox will get both players. I just think it's not going to be cheap.

[a700hitter]

Well, the fact that Boras is also Drew's agent, I think he has the Red Sox over the proverbial barrel more than the other way around. You don't think he's going to use that?

 

Look, I think the Red Sox will get both players. I just think it's not going to be cheap.

No one is cheap this off-season, except Manny.

[jacksonianmarch]

I have a feeling Drew ends up outside of Boston. I think it is in the sox best interest not to get involved on Drew until they sew up the Matsuzaka situation, and I think Drew will have signed by then.

[ORS]

You know the look that Hansen had on the mound when he came into a game? The deer in the headlights look? That is what Contreras had in NY. When he came back and dominated' date=' he looked like a horse. If you show the other team you are defeated before the game begins, you will not win. Baseball is a very mental game, likely the most mental as it is the toughest game in the world to master. A quarter inch is the difference between success and failure most of the time. If you doubt yourself and show it, it psyches the other team up just enough to beat you. Ask anyone who has played at a high enough level to have something riding on their games. If you go into a baseball game defeated, you will end up that way. Contreras was defeated in NY before any games began.[/quote']

It's interesting you bring Hansen up. Last year, he didn't have that look and he was better than what we saw this year. Then they dicked with his mechanics. He came into this year with a much different delivery and practically no slider. The look came with those. I'm sure every pitcher will have that look when they are out on the mound thinking, "The way they want me to throw makes my pitches suck". I stand by my original point. Contreras got f***ed up by coaching, not psychology. They changed his approach - that's obvious, he's a much different pitcher in Chi - and his stuff suffered for it. When his stuff sucked, he got hit, and he lost his confidence, but that is a moot point. Confident or not, s***** stuff gets drilled.

[scaffolds]

I think Contreras' problem was in makeup' date=' which is strange for a guy coming from a country where the dictator is a ruthless ******* and his presence was guarded by guns all day long. Go figure. If Matsu has the composure, he will realize his talent. Thus far, we have heard great things about his composure, but we will see how he reacts to being booed the first time he gets roughed up against the yankees (if he gets roughed up mind you).[/quote']

 

While i do agree that Castro is a MF ASS HOLE, i disagree that Contrera's problem was his make up, the problem might had be a concentration one, but not from his make up, but when you don't know what is going on with your family who is hundreds miles away not one can pitch like they normally would, that is why when his family came over to the states he was a different pitcher.

[jacksonianmarch]

While i do agree that Castro is a MF ASS HOLE' date=' i disagree that Contrera's problem was his make up, the problem might had be a concentration one, but not from his make up, but when you don't know what is going on with your family who is hundreds miles away not one can pitch like they normally would, that is why when his family came over to the states he was a different pitcher.[/quote']

 

not true. His family came over at the beginning of his last season in NY. He had a couple good games against inferior competetition, then he flat out blew and was dealt.

[scaffolds]

I can't tell you exactly when his family came over to the States, but he was a different pitcher when they came over than before.

[example1]

Rotoworld is reporting that the Pirates and Rockies are discussing a swap of Paul Maholm and Brad Hawpe.

 

I like Hawpe a lot and would love to see him as the Sox RF. Why not try to package a few players (like WMP perhaps) for a deal including Hawpe?