2009-2010 Offseason Thread

[riverside sluggers]

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/baseball/story/1432626.html

 

Marlins signed Uggla to $7.8 million in arbitration this year. But they will continue to shop him, only for the right price tho

[Imperial59]

Looks like Felix Hernandez will be staying in Seattle for the timebeing. Good for Seattle, it's about time they started being a competitive force in the AL West. Not sure the terms, but it is reported here:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4837939

 

I was very hopeful he would have become available until the Sox got Lackey. At that point it wouldn't have been as necessary. In any case, Felix is a tremendous talent.

 

Sweet, it would have been incredibly annoying to see the Yankees sign him to some ridiculous 8 year contract. If we can only extend Beckett now, we'll be in a position of strength going into the next offseason with 3 elite starters under contract and none available through free agency.

[example1]

Sweet' date=' it would have been incredibly annoying to see the Yankees sign him to some ridiculous 8 year contract. If we can only extend Beckett now, we'll be in a position of strength going into the next offseason with 3 elite starters under contract and none available through free agency.[/quote']

 

With the exception of the "big bat" that the Sox obviously need, I would love it if the trend were moving toward teams being able to resign their stars. So, hopefully Mauer, Pujols, Fielder or Gonzalez end up being extremely selfish and want to play for an east-coast contender, and then all the rest of the good players just resign. That would be the Sox best chance against the Yankees moving forward.

[italstallianion]

Emmz, looks like Target Field released its new menu

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Target-Field-s-signature-food-item-Walleye-on-a?urn=mlb,214455

[Dipre]

Emmz, looks like Target Field released its new menu

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Target-Field-s-signature-food-item-Walleye-on-a?urn=mlb,214455

 

That woman loves Walleye with a passion.

[Keeper]

The Giants re-signed Bengie Molina for 1 year. Color me surprised. Thought for sure he'd end up on the Mets.

[riverside sluggers]

The Giants have a better chance of contending and he knew it. The Mets have no rotation beyond Johan, and the offense hinges on players being healthy (Carlos Beltran will already start the year on the DL)

[26 to 6]

A bit of news today, but the one minor move that caught my attention was Lo Duca coming to terms with the Rockies on a deal that should be finalized tomorrow. I've always liked the way LoDuca played the game and enjoyed watching him here with the Mets. His decline over the past few years which culminated in him not getting any opportunities to play last year definitely makes him strictly a bench player, but with the ability to play first base and in the outfield on top of his catching abilities make him valuable versatile bench piece. He was named in the Mitchell Report and his PED usage surely had something to do with his declining performance the past few years that he was active, but with this new opportunity coupled with his familiarity with Jim Tracy from their Dodger days hopefully he'll be able to get back on the map and be a productive role player.

[26 to 6]

Heyman tweeted that according to Edmonds' agent it's better than 50/50 that he signs with the Cardinals by next week.

 

Also, idk if it's been mentioned here, but after being released by Milwaukee last March and then starting for Quebec in the CanAm league Eric Gagne will (or has) work(ed) out for the Phillies today.

 

Also, in other minor news claimed Brandon Jones off waivers from Atlanta after he was DFA'd to make room for Hinske.

[msubulldogs21]

Heyman tweeted that according to Edmonds' agent it's better than 50/50 that he signs with the Cardinals by next week.

 

lol

 

Please let this happen.

 

Also' date=' in other minor news claimed Brandon Jones off waivers from Atlanta after he was DFA'd to make room for Hinske.[/quote']

 

...Claimed by who?

[26 to 6]

lol

 

Please let this happen.

 

 

 

...Claimed by who?

oops, Pirates.

 

Also, the D-backs have released Eric Byrnes after DFAing him last week, and the Blue Jays acquired hard-throwing righty Merkin Valdez, once a highly-touted prospect in the Giants system for cash considerations after San Fran DFA'd him to make room for Aubrey Huff

 

And Jayson Stark is reporting that Preston Wilson is hoping to receive a Spring Training invite. He hasn't played in the bigs since 2007 but played for the LI Ducks in the Atlantic League this past season. In 48 games he hit .302/.344/.474 while missing time with a broken eye socket and a separated shoulder. He suggests that the Yankees may want to give him a look in spring training being that they're looking for a cheap right-handed platoon partner for Gardner.

[Keeper]

First Jim Edmonds. Now Preston Wilson. Who's next, Jacque Jones? What's with these has-beens trying to come back? I guess it's hard to let go of the game.

[riverside sluggers]

First Jim Edmonds. Now Preston Wilson. Who's next' date=' Jacque Jones? What's with these has-beens trying to come back? I guess it's hard to let go of the game.[/quote']

 

LaRussa also hopes that McGwire can pinch hit for them

 

 

Joel Pineiro signs with the Angels for 2 years/$16 million... he shouldve stayed in the NL, especially with his K/9 sitting at like 4 I believe. This is yet another shot at the Mets who targeted him as top choice for FA starting pitcher.

 

EDIT:

Cross Doug Davis off the list. He's going back to the Brewers, which was expected really. 1 year deal with an option

[26 to 6]

The Mets are f***ed. Another abysmal, embarrassing soap opera of an offseason in Queens. The worst part is that Manuel and Minaya are gonna be on the hot seat, and it's gonna be a real short fuse. Now I could care less about Manuel, I think he's a crackhead and would love to see Bobby V back with the Mets, but I really think Minaya's a very good GM who was plagued with the misfortune of working for the Mets -- the place where career's go to die.

[msubulldogs21]

Now I could care less about Manuel' date=' I think he's a crackhead and would love to see Bobby V back with the Mets, but I really think Minaya's a very good GM who was plagued with the misfortune of working for the Mets -- the place where career's go to die.[/quote']

 

I hope Manuel gets a lifetime contract to manage the Mets... or someone. That man never fails to make me laugh. Do you not find him hilarious?

 

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/msubulldogs21/jerrymanuel-2.jpg

 

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c214/msubulldogs21/jerrymanuel2.jpg

[26 to 6]

He's hilarious. But as a baseball manager for a starved fanbase he's a joke! His quotes never cease to amuse though, I'll give him that. But at least Bobby V is hysterical and a baseball genius all at the same time.

[26 to 6]

Rockies signed Jay Payton today picking up another piece off the scrap heap.

[MDF3530]

Pirates sign Octavio Dotel

 

Link

 

So he'll be a Cub by the trading deadline.

[Keeper]

Jay Payton, now there's a name I haven't heard in awhile. Didn't even know he was still around.

[MDF3530]

Jay Payton' date=' now there's a name I haven't heard in awhile. Didn't even know he was still around.[/quote']

Wasn't he one of the Orioles' top prospects a few years ago?

 

EDIT: Nevermind, he came up through the Mets organization.

[riverside sluggers]

http://twitter.com/TBrownYahoo/status/8057671391

 

The only team that was known to have interest in him was the Pirates. The Royals sign Rick Ankiel to a 1 year $3.25 million deal, option year worth $6 million

 

Mets trade Brian Stokes to the Angels for Gary Matthews Jr

[Plumpamania]

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Angels will eat $21.5 million of the $23.5 million remaining on Gary Matthews Jr.'s contract.

 

The Angels agreed to ship Matthews to the Mets on Friday morning in exchange for reliever Brian Stokes. As long as the Mets don't let their new outfielder cut in on Angel Pagan's playing time, it seems like a fine transaction. Matthews, 35, hit .250/.336/.361 last season while Stokes, 30, posted a 1.56 WHIP and a 45/38 K/BB ratio over 70 1/3 innings.

[Keeper]

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Angels will eat $21.5 million of the $23.5 million remaining on Gary Matthews Jr.'s contract.

 

Ouch, that was a ghastly contract.

 

Now that Rick Ankiel is on the Royals, I wonder how long it will take for Dojji to pine for him. I kid, I kid.

[26 to 6]

Well this is interesting. Grant Desme, ranked #8 prospect in Oakland's system has decided to retire from baseball to become a catholic priest.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/A-s-prospect-leaving-baseball-for-call-of-the-pr?urn=mlb,215238

[YanksHater213]

Well this is interesting. Grant Desme, ranked #8 prospect in Oakland's system has decided to retire from baseball to become a catholic priest.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/A-s-prospect-leaving-baseball-for-call-of-the-pr?urn=mlb,215238

 

I saw that earlier and chuckled a bit, thought it was funny.

 

Not sure how much money is in being associated with the church, but you gotta respect a guy who goes after his passion before the money.

[26 to 6]

Lets just hope his passion is god and not little boys.....

[26 to 6]

Wow, that was bad. I'm a catholic though, so I can joke like that. For real though, you definitely gotta respect someone like that who does something for love and not money.

[Keeper]

Ugh, religion over baseball. What a bad decision. He'll regret it in a few years.

[26 to 6]

Probably lol. I know for me though baseball=religion, so it wouldn't be an issue if I were in his shoes. The money plus the fact that I wouldn't be forbidden from having sex ever again would be a plus too.

[Keeper]

Truer words were never spoken.