2007-2008 Offseason Acquisition Guide

[Cocos Disciples]

That he does. His numbers have dropped significantly and rapidly.

 

In 2004: .301 AVG, 42 HR, 111 RBI, 1.061 OPS

In 2005: .263 AVG, 29 HR, 89 RBI, .918 OPS

In 2006: .257 AVG, 19 HR, 70 RBI, .821 OPS

In 2007: .252 AVG, 12 HR, 53 RBI, .728 OPS.

 

He also hasn't had a full season since 2005, when he played 142 games.

[26 to 6]

Jim Edmonds sucks.

He may be seriously on the decline, but something that nobody can deny about jim Edmonds is that he plays the game the right way, and does it well. Plus the clubhouse presence...

[26 to 6]

Updated with Kuroda, Floyd, and the rest of today's action

[TheKilo]

He may be seriously on the decline' date=' but something that nobody can deny about jim Edmonds is that he plays the game the right way, and does it well. Plus the clubhouse presence...[/quote']

 

I'd rather have a player who plays the game well, rather than suck.

[26 to 6]

why are you always so confrontational and argumentative? I have a feelng that it's because of the team I root for, but who knows. An undeniable truth is that every person gets older, and subsequently their talent decreases (unless you are Roger Clemens or Barry Bonds). To say Jim Edmonds sucks isn't fair. He's ot the player he once was, but he can still bring a lot to the table. He's 10 tmies the center fielder that either of your teams CF options have ever been. Note the italics, as I presume Ellsbury will surpass him one day.

[TheKilo]

why are you always so confrontational and argumentative? I have a feelng that it's because of the team I root for' date=' but who knows. An undeniable truth is that every person gets older, and subsequently their talent decreases (unless you are Roger Clemens or Barry Bonds). To say Jim Edmonds sucks isn't fair. He's ot the player he once was, but he can still bring a lot to the table. He's 10 tmies the center fielder that either of your teams CF options have[i'] ever been[/i]. Note the italics, as I presume Ellsbury will surpass him one day.

 

Edmonds is 10x what Crisp is?

 

Crisp 2007 - .268/.330/.382/.712

Edmonds 2007 - .252/.325/.403/.728

 

And which had the historically good defensive season? And one cost twice as much.

 

BTW, you claiming someone out for being argumentative is awesome due to your inability to conduct intelligent discourse with members on this board.

[26 to 6]

Edmonds is 10x what Crisp is?

 

Crisp 2007 - .268/.330/.382/.712

Edmonds 2007 - .252/.325/.403/.728

 

And which had the historically good defensive season? And one cost twice as much.

 

BTW, you claiming someone out for being argumentative is awesome due to your inability to conduct intelligent discourse with members on this board.

In 2007 obviously Crisp and Edmonds were comparable. Remember the pont I made about age and decline in talent (with the excetions of Bonds and Clemens)? In their primes, Crisp or Edmonds? If you say Crisp I can never take another word you say seriously.

[TheKilo]

In 2007 obviously Crisp and Edmonds were comparable. Remember the pont I made about age and decline in talent (with the excetions of Bonds and Clemens)? In their primes' date=' Crisp or Edmonds? If you say Crisp I can never take another word you say seriously.[/quote']

 

Edmonds, without question. But what is the point of arguing that? The Padres didn't trade for Edmonds in his prime. They traded for a player that sucks.

[riverside sluggers]

Dodgers signed catcher Gary Bennett, who had been with the Cardinals, to a one-year, $850,000 contract.

 

Bennett finds work as Russell Martin's backup despite admitting last week that he took HGH in 2003 after being outed in the Mitchell Report. Martin will again be among baseball's busiest catchers if healthy, so Bennett will start three or four times per month.

 

Braves signed catcher Javy Lopez to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

 

Lopez, who starred from the Braves from 1992-2003, was out of the league last year after being cut by the Rockies in mid-March. He'll compete with Clint Sammons and Brayan Pena for a spot backing up Brian McCann in Atlanta. Perhaps he can still be useful enough against lefties to contribute in a limited role.

[26 to 6]

I wonder if Pena, who is on the Major League 40 man roster, gives up his number 8 for Javy in the Spring.

[riverside sluggers]

Mets signed RHP Matt Wise, who had been with the Brewers, to a one-year contract.

 

The Brewers liked Guillermo Mota better, so they traded for him last month and then non-tendered Wise last week. Our guess is that Wise is the more effective pitcher next season, and the Mets are probably getting him for less than half the $3.2 million Mota was due to make. He'll work in middle relief.

 

Astros signed RHP Chad Paronto, who had been with the Braves, to a one-year contract.

 

Another mediocrity for Houston's pitching staff. Paranto went unclaimed on waivers in October before becoming a free agent and only figured to receive minor league offers this winter, but the Astros have no shortage of 40-man roster spots to use in order to tempt some of the borderline guys. While Paronto, 32, had a 3.57 ERA in 40 1/3 innings for Atlanta last season, that came with a 1.64 WHIP and just 14 strikeouts. If the Astros pick up enough of these guys, odds are that one or two will turn in good seasons and be useful in middle relief.

 

Padres signed second baseman Tadahito Iguchi, who had been with the Phillies, to a one-year, $4 million contract.

 

There's a good chance Iguchi will hit second for the Padres, but even that probably wouldn't make him worth using in shallow mixed leagues with Petco Park sure to take a heavy toll on his power numbers. If he bats sixth or seventh instead, he'd be someone to avoid in all formats.

[Cocos Disciples]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/other_mlb/view.bg?articleid=1054811

 

SEATTLE - Desperate to bolster their rotation, the Seattle Mariners are closing in on a deal with pitcher Carlos Silva, one of the top arms in a weak free-agent market.

 

Talks between the sides have intensified, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Mariners are not discussing the talks publicly.

 

The 28-year-old right-hander was 13-14 last season with a 4.19 ERA — better than every Mariners starter other than hard-throwing Felix Hernandez.

 

 

With a rotation that includes Hernandez, Jarrod Washburn and Miguel Batista, Seattle wouldn’t count on Silva to be a No. 1 starter, but likely would slot him third or fourth in the rotation. The Mariners are believed to be actively pursuing a trade with Baltimore for left-handed ace Erik Bedard.

 

Seattle is seeking two upgrades for a rotation that struggled with an inconsistent Jeff Weaver and Horacio Ramirez at the back end last season. The Mariners had hoped to sign Hiroki Kuroda, who agreed last weekend to a $35.3 million, three-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

Progress on Silva’s talks was first reported by foxsports.com.

 

Silva spent four seasons in Minnesota, and his first season with the Twins was his best, when he went 14-8 with a 4.21 ERA in 33 starts. He was 9-8 with a 3.44 ERA in 2005, but struggled the last two seasons, going a combined 24-29.

 

Silva does regularly pitch deep into games, something desperately missing from the Mariners’ rotation last season, as Seattle’s talented bullpen wore down late in the year. Silva pitched at least six innings in 24 of his 33 starts in 2007, including a pair of complete games. Seattle had just six complete games as a staff, three from Weaver.

 

Seattle briefly led the AL wild-card race late in the season before losing 15 of 17 in late August and early September. The Mariners finished 88-74, their best record since 2003.

[26 to 6]

Updated it today, and even added Silva to the M's. I know he hasnt signed yet, but it looks imminent and I didn't want to have to update it again either later tonight or tomorrow. If it falls through I can always remove him.

 

Also of note to Yankee fans, the Yanks are bringing Nick Green back on a minor league deal after he spent last season in the Seattly organization. He was with the Yanks in '06.

 

Also, I've seen on a lot of blogs reportings of Minor League signings all over baseball. Ones that I wasn't aware of (for instance the one that popped out at me was quicker than lightning former Oriole & Nat Bernie Castro signing with the Yankees). That being said, anyone have a good source for minor league signings? I know Baseball America is usually on top of it, but they're kinda sloppy with it sometimes, and it would literally take me a week or so to do all of that, as they don't list a signee's former organization, and to have to research each player individually would take HOURS.

 

Maybe with no classes for a little while I'll try to find some time to do that, but still, if anyone knows of a good MiLB transaction page, please let me know.

[riverside sluggers]

I just really use rotoworld

 

According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, the Cardinals have agreed to terms with infielder D'Angelo Jimenez on a minor league contract.

 

The newspaper reports that Jimenez will get $600,000 if he makes the team and can opt for free agency if he's not called up by July 1. He figures to compete with Brendan Ryan for the utility man job behind starters Cesar Izturis and Adam Kennedy.

[KeepTheFaith1229]

Lol my boy D'Angelo Jimenez. First autograph at ST '06

[26 to 6]

I just really use rotoworld

Yeah me too. But appearantly they've missed quite a few Minor signings. Other than that rotoworld is GREAT.

[riverside sluggers]

Chad Durbin has picked the Phillies over the Pirates, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

 

Durbin gives the Phillies some Adam Eaton insurance, but it'd be nice if the team could still do a little better. Ideally, Durbin wouldn't be needed as more than a middle reliever.

 

Sources told FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal that Ron Mahay and the Royals have agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract.

 

Mahay was also pursued by the Yankees, Rays, Giants and Astros. He doesn't get the three-year deal it looked like he would a few weeks ago, but $4 million per season isn't bad at all.

[BoSox21]

is that the only time the Royals have ever beaten out the Yankees for a free agent?

[riverside sluggers]

The deals for Mahay and Durbin are now official. Jenkins playing in Philly will definitely up his offensive stats.

 

Phillies signed outfielder Geoff Jenkins, who had been with the Brewers, to a two-year, $13 million contract with a mutual vesting option for 2010.

 

We just have to face it that we live in an era in which even 33-year-old platoon corner outfielders coming off back-to-back mediocre seasons get multiyear deals. It only takes one out of 30 GMs to think a player is worth it. Jenkins isn't a terrible signing. He still covers a fair amount of ground in the outfield, and he complements Jayson Werth well in a platoon situation. Plus, with where the Phillies are, the extra win he might provide over Brad Wilkerson could make all of the difference int he NL East. He just would have been a much better gamble for one year. The Phillies figure to hit him sixth, putting him right behind three guys with the potential for .400 OBPs in Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell. Sure, two of them are extraordinarily slow, but that could still leave him with a mess of RBI opportunities and give him more fantasy value than he's had since 2005.

 

Phillies agreed to terms with RHP Chad Durbin, who had been with the Tigers, on a one-year contract.

 

Unless GM Pat Gillick can do better, Durbin will compete with Adam Eaton for a rotation spot in spring training. The 30-year-old right-hander is 25-37 with a 5.75 ERA in 75 starts and 39 relief appearances as a major leaguer. He's a better pitcher now than he was when he came up with the Royals, but he's hardly a strong option to fill a rotation spot.

 

Royals signed LHP Ron Mahay, who had been with the Braves, to a two-year, $8 million contract.

 

The 36-year-old Mahay will join Jimmy Gobble and perhaps John Bale as lefties in Kansas City's bullpen. Bale is expected to compete for a rotation spot, and this move would make it easier for the Royals to use him as a starter if he shows he deserves it.

 

The Padres have agreed to terms with outfielder Jeff DaVanon on a minor league contract, according to the San Diego Union Tribune.

 

With Jim Edmonds set to start in center field for the Padres, DaVanon figures to be at most a bench bat and could begin the season at Triple-A.

 

According to the San Diego Union Tribune, the Padres have agreed to terms with first baseman Robert Fick on a minor league contract.

 

The Nationals non-tendered Fick earlier this month after he hit .234/.309/.305 in 221 plate appearances. He'll get an invite to spring training and hope to win a spot on the Padres' bench.

[riverside sluggers]

Doube Post

 

 

The White Sox and Alexei Ramírez have agreed to a four-year contract, a source told ESPN Deportes.

The source said Ramirez had individual workouts with the White Sox, Red Sox, Guardians, Reds, Cubs, Mets, Yankees, Twins and A's before making his choice. Ramirez has experience at second base, shortstop and in center field, giving the White Sox plenty of options in how to use him. He'd make the most sense for the team in center field right now, though it's possible he'll need some time in the minors before he gets his shot. The supposed 26-year-old played only briefly in the Dominican Republic this winter, going 1-for-14.

 

The Rangers and Reds have agreed to a Josh Hamilton trade, with Edinson Volquez and a minor league pitcher going to Cincinnati.

It's expected to be announced later today. Hamilton couldn't fetch a more established pitcher as hoped, so the Reds instead will gamble on an arm with big-time upside in Volquez. Hamilton becomes the Rangers' primary center fielder for now. A move to right might be necessary in a year or two, but the Rangers have little to lose by keeping him in the middle now. Marlon Byrd is the favorite to start in right over David Murphy, Nelson Cruz and Jason Botts. Ideally, one of the younger players will eventually overtake him. The Reds could pursue Mike Cameron as a replacement for Hamilton.

 

Daniel Herrera is the second pitcher going to Cincinnati along with Edinson Volquez for Josh Hamilton, according to the Dallas Morning News.

Herrera was a nice story in 2006 after being taken in the 45th round and getting off to an awesome start, but he's not more than a decent relief prospect for Cincinnati.

 

Rockies signed RHP Luis Vizcaino, who had been with the Yankees, to a two-year contract with a club option for 2010.

Vizcaino had an awful September for the Yankees, causing him to finish with an ERA over 4.00 for the first time since 2003, but for a three-month span begining in June, he was one of the AL's best relievers and it's likely fatigue -- he made 30 appearances between July and August -- had something to do with his collapse. At about $3.5 million per season, this looks like one of the better relief bargains of the winter, and it makes up for GM Dan O'Dowd's poor decision not to exercise his half of LaTroy Hawkins' option after the World Series.

 

The Rangers and free agent Eddie Guardado are reportedly close to a deal.

Guardado would have a better chance of extending his career in the NL, but it's hard to count him out completely, especially after he finished well for the Reds in September. The Rangers would still have at least two or three better candidates to close after signing him.

 

EDIT: I found this on mlb.com, wasnt reported on rotoworld

 

Notes: Bucs sign four to Minors deals

Velandia, Thompson among quartet invited to Spring Training

By Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com

 

PITTSBURGH -- In an effort to continue infusing depth into the organization, the Pirates have signed four players to Minor League contracts for 2008, all four with a guaranteed invite to Spring Training. Returning to the Pittsburgh organization is Jorge Velandia, a middle infielder who played for the Pirates' Triple-A Indianapolis affiliate back in 2005. After hitting .277 with 22 doubles and 39 RBIs in 105 games for the Guardians, Velandia signed with the White Sox for the 2006 season and then with Tampa Bay in 2007.

 

The 32-year-old Velandia spent the majority of last season playing in Triple-A, where the infielder hit .249 with 33 extra-base hits, while committing just nine fielding errors in 120 games. Velandia also played in 14 games as a September callup for Tampa Bay and contributed with 16 hits and 11 RBIs in 50 at-bats. The 2008 season will mark the Venezuelan native's 17th season in professional ball, which includes seven different stops in the Majors. He is also currently playing winter ball in Venezuela, where he has posted a .269 average and 16 RBIs in 34 games so far.

 

Among the new additions include pitcher Mike Thompson, a right-handed starter who began last season with the Padres before spending the majority of the year playing for the team's Triple-A club. He appeared in seven big league games in 2007, going a combined 0-1 with a 6.89 ERA. A fifth-round Draft pick by San Diego back in 1999, the 27-year-old Thompson pitched in 23 games (22 starts) for the Padres' Triple-A club last year, going 4-11 with a 6.29 ERA. In 132 2/3 innings, the right-hander struck out 71 and walked 40. He first broke into the Majors a year earlier, when in 2006 he posted a 4-5 record and a 4.99 ERA in 19 appearances (16 starts).

 

After losing catchers Humberto Cota and Carlos Maldonado this offseason, the Pirates needed to bring some additional catchers into their Minor League system, and they did so by signing both Miguel Perez and Michel Hernandez. Adding Perez gives the Pirates a young backstop who combined to hit .322 with eight homers and 25 RBIs in 42 games last season split among three different Minor League levels. The 24-year-old Perez was originally signed by the Reds as a non-drafted free agent in 2000 and has appeared in just two big league games in his career.

 

For Hernandez, Pittsburgh will be the sixth organization for which he has played, with the 29-year-old native Cuban having spent the most recent season in Tampa Bay's farm system. In 51 games behind the plate at Triple-A Durham last year, Hernandez hit .276 with 19 RBIs. These four players are the first to have signed Minor League contracts with the Pirates so far this offseason. Pittsburgh has, however, agreed to terms with other Minor League free agents but is waiting to finalize contracts with those players before making additional announcements.

[26 to 6]

Working on finding and adding ALL the minor league transactions I can find. Tires now, gonna go to sleep, look for the update within the next few days..

[stocker323]

A's trade Nick Swisher to White Sox for 3 minor leaguers. I would think that Swisher would play center field for them and they'd put Quentin in left but this eliminates the most likely of destinations for Coco (besides Minnesota). Though Oakland could get into the discussions as they seem to be high on Coco.

[a700hitter]

Matt Clement signs with the Cardinals.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/

[Cocos Disciples]

Not acquisitions, but Carlos Pena re-signed with the Rays for 3/24, and Mark Teixiera signed a 1/12.5 extension with the Braves.

 

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/HeadLines.aspx?sport=MLB&hl=228179

 

MLBTR gives a link to a site reporting Octavio Dotel to the White Sox, but nobody else has confirmed it.

 

EDIT: And Willy Aybar to TB. http://blogs.tampabay.com/rays/2008/01/rays-trade-for.html

 

DOUBLE EDIT: No Dotel deal.

[26 to 6]

MAJOR UPDATE

 

...took MUCH longer than I expected, but I wanted to make sure I had EVERYTHING in there, including all of the minor league transactions this offseason. Couldn't be more complete than this. Enjoy.

 

Sorry for the delay..

[Cocos Disciples]

Thanks a lot. This is really helpful.

[26 to 6]

there ya go...sorry it took so long between updates, busy with a ton of s*** lately.

 

Now it's February..the fun part starts as pitchers and catchers will begin to report to camps shortly and then we get to start seeing these guys in their new uniforms. As well as all of the movement that comes with Spring Training....

 

the most wonderful time of the year...

[riverside sluggers]

Not acquisition but here 's a list of players who are Still free agents...

 

Catcher

Damian Miller

 

1st Baseman

Tony Clark, Eric Hinske, Ryan Klesko, Doug Mientkiewicz, Greg Norton, Mark Sweeney

 

2nd Baseman

Tony Graffanino

 

Shortstop

Royce Clayton, Neifi Perez

 

3rd Baseman

Russell Branyan, Jeff Cirillo

 

Outfielders

Barry Bonds, Shawn Green, Jerry Hairston Jr, Bobby Kielty, Kenny Lofton, Trot Nixon, Orlando Palmeiro, Corey Patterson, Reggie Sanders, Shannon Stewart, Rondell White, Preston Wilson

 

Designated Hitters

Mike Piazza, Sammy Sosa, Mike Sweeney

 

Starting Pitchers

Tony Armas, Kris Benson, Bartolo Colon, Josh Fogg (Twins might sign him, those poor Twins fans), Freddy Garcia, Livan Hernandez, Byung-Hyun Kim, Kyle Lohse, Rodrigo Lopez, Eric Milton, Russ Ortiz, Odalis Perez, Aaron Sele, Steve Trachsel, John Thomson

 

Relief Pitchers

Antonio Alfonseca, Armando Benitez, Shawn Chacon, Ray King, Jose Mesa, Trever Miller, Ron Villone, Jay Witasick, Bob Wickman

[BSN07]

They should just make a team of FA every yr and plug them into a division LOL Maybe change it every yr. Everyone gets 1 yr contracts. Make a 25 man roster out of the remaining FA and they can't be any worse then the Royals or Pirates LOL

 

For fun heres mine,

 

C Miller

1B Minky

2B Graffanino

SS Perez

3B Branyan

OF Wilson,Lofton,Stewart

SP Colon,Garcia,Fogg,Hernandez,Lohse

RP 6 out of the 9, no particular order

DH Bonds

 

Sanders,Patterson,Hinske, Cirillo, Clayton on bench.

 

They would atleast be entertaining to watch LOL.

[26 to 6]

What would we call them? lol