The Official 2010 Hot Stove Thread.

[a700hitter]

Here's a pretty useful chart I found that compares catcher defense in 2010. It looks semi-reliable.

 

Some notables.

1)Yadier Molina

2) Pudge

6) Torrealba

7) Red Sox target Rod Barajas

11) Mauer

20) Varitek

22) John Buck

25) Olivo

102) AJ Pier....

103)Bengie Molina

106) Suzuki

113)Napoli

114) VMart

117) Posada

119) Cervelli

 

 

http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2010/11/10/1803183/2010-beyond-the-box-score-catcher-defense-rankings

Barajas is much better than I would have expected. Offensively he has some good power.

[Palodios]

Barajas is much better than I would have expected. Offensively he has some good power.

 

Actually, that's not quite right. after looking, he has two different rankings, one for each of the team he was on. Averaged out, he has a 1.5 score, meaning he'd be closer to around 20s in ranking. But still solid.

[mvp 78]

But' date=' but, but, he's not as awesome as Werth![/quote']

 

Is Werth missing any teeth? The combination of that and his facial hair would probably make GB2011 cream if the Sox got him. And since he's white, he's def legal.

[Dipre]

AL MVP, Cy Young, Comeback Player of the Year, Gold Glove, Roberto Clemente, Rolaids Relief Pitcher of The Year, AL Rookie of the Year and Silver slugger winner Kurt Suzuki complimented his usually excellent offensive season (.669 OPS, 82 OPS + which is adjusted for ballpark variations) by ranking 106 out of 120 in the above list. SELL THE FARM!!!!

[SoxSport]

I figure one of Epstein's biggest headaches this year is to figure out where Cameron fits. Maybe as the RHd platoon DH with Papi. I don't expect Ellsbury to be back in LF this year. Bet Epstein wishes he had that one back.

 

I read the Tigers are going with VMart primarily as DH and lineup protector for Cabrera. That's smart money for a DH the Red Sox wouldn't pay to anybody not named Papi. But you have to wonder what they would have done if they let Papi walk.

[Dipre]

I figure one of Epstein's biggest headaches this year is to figure out where Cameron fits. Maybe as the RHd platoon DH with Papi. I don't expect Ellsbury to be back in LF this year. Bet Epstein wishes he had that one back.

 

He could serve as backup to Drew, Ellsbury and Papi versus tough left-handers. Plenty of AB's to go around.

 

I read the Tigers are going with VMart primarily as DH and lineup protector for Cabrera. That's smart money for a DH the Red Sox wouldn't pay to anybody not named Papi. But you have to wonder what they would have done if they let Papi walk.

 

I found it really stupid that they gave him all that money to DH. It kinda doesn't make sense.

[Palodios]

I found it really stupid that they gave him all that money to DH. It kinda doesn't make sense.

 

That's what I thought at first, but the more I think about it, it does make sense. I think they knew all along that they'd be losing Beltre/Vmart, and if the Ortiz negotiations dragged out, it could be a PR nightmare for them, costing tons in pre-season ticket sales. Plus, he's getting paid big for all the reasons Jeter wants 2x/3x his actual value, as a very big influence in the clubhouse. Losing Varitek, and with the end of Wakefield's career, Ortiz is the only significant member of 2004's team left.

[Dipre]

That's what I thought at first' date=' but the more I think about it, it does make sense. I think they knew all along that they'd be losing Beltre/Vmart, and if the Ortiz negotiations dragged out, it could be a PR nightmare for them, costing tons in pre-season ticket sales. Plus, he's getting paid big for all the reasons Jeter wants 2x/3x his actual value, as a very big influence in the clubhouse. Losing Varitek, and with the end of Wakefield's career, Ortiz is the only significant member of 2004's team left.[/quote']

 

I think you misunderstood my point, which makes sense seeing as i didn't make myself clear. What i thought was really stupid was the Tigers giving V-Mart 4/50 to be their primary DH. He's a very good hitter for a C, but as a DH, he's "good" on the scale. Why pay him like he was going to catch if he's actually not? I have no problem with Ortiz' option because it's overpaying for one year, and they still have a ton of money to play around with.

[Palodios]

Oh, my bad-- I misinterpreted that pronoun haha. I think VMart will play a good deal of 1B/C though. 60 games at C, they said, plus probably 30-60 more at 1B.

[example1]

I figure one of Epstein's biggest headaches this year is to figure out where Cameron fits. Maybe as the RHd platoon DH with Papi. I don't expect Ellsbury to be back in LF this year. Bet Epstein wishes he had that one back.

 

So many people making a big deal out of Cameron. I don't see what the big deal is. The Sox managed to have Mike Lowell on the roster for most of the year last year doing NOTHING despite being mostly healthy. If Cameron is healthy he will play regularly (CF against LHP maybe? a spot start here or there). Yeah, he might not be worth the money they paid him but not every move works out. Hell, he might even teach Ellsbury a thing or two about how to play a good CF. Best case scenario he's a more-than-servicable player who filles in when someone is injured of wins a starting job on his own. I can hope.

 

I read the Tigers are going with VMart primarily as DH and lineup protector for Cabrera. That's smart money for a DH the Red Sox wouldn't pay to anybody not named Papi. But you have to wonder what they would have done if they let Papi walk.

 

VMart's value drops hugely as a 1B or DH.

 

The Sox only paid Papi because they want him for 2011 not 2012. That seems obvious. They built that price into the original contract because it was tolerable if they had to swallow it; fortunately, the dude can still rake (at least vs. RHP) and they need a DH. I'm glad they were willing to spend a bit extra to get the guy and the contract they wanted.

[example1]

Manny Delcarmen probably going to be let go by Colorado:

 

http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2010/11/30/report-rockies-to-let-manny-delcarmen-go/

 

Could they sign him to some tiny creative incentive laden deal? We're talking like plan G here in terms of adding bullpen depth, but I bet Delcarmen would love to come back to Boston.

[sheffieldcelt]

i'd be in favour of this:

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2010/11/30/why_not_short_stop_with_red_sox_for_yankees_icon_derek_jeter/?page=1

 

What if the Red Sox decided to make Derek Jeter a contract offer? Abraham framed his piece in sheer speculation. He was just having a little fun. He wanted to know if Sox fans would tolerate such a notion.

 

In the fortnight since Pete’s preposterous proposal, things have gotten ugly between the Yankees and their captain. Jeter’s agent, Casey Close, said Jeter is the Yankees’ modern-day Babe Ruth, and general manager Brian Cashman dared Jeter to go find another bidder. ESPN New York is reporting that the Yankees have told Jeter and Close to “drink the reality potion.’’ Last week the New York Post ran a Photoshopped back cover featuring Jeter in a Red Sox uniform next to a headline that read, “Picture this.’’

 

Dissing Jeter is not a winning strategy, but the Yankees can get away with it because they know that no team is going to make a serious offer for the iconic shortstop.

 

Which brings us back to John Henry. Suppose the Red Sox step up and shock the world? There is simply no downside to making Jeter a massive offer. In the worst-case scenario he calls your bluff and you get the Yankees captain.

 

I don’t care if Jeter is way past his prime or if the Sox would have to wildly overpay a player of his diminished skills.

 

I say offer him the world. Forget about Jayson Werth. Blow Jeter away with dollars and years. At worst this would just mean the Sox would jack up the final price the Yankees must pay. It could be sort of like Mark Teixeira-in-reverse.

 

And if Jeter actually signed with Boston, the damage to the Yankees’ psyche would be inestimable.

 

Jeter finishing his career in a Red Sox uniform would be the 2004 American League Championship Series all over again for the hated New Yorkers. Think of how you’d have felt if the Knicks had signed Larry Bird at the end of his career.

 

The Jeter saga is back-page stuff in the Daily News and the Post just about every day. Jeter wants to be paid like Alex Rodriguez. The Steinbrenners have drawn a line in the Tampa sand. And Gotham is split.

 

Jeter is 36 and has made more than $205 million during his 15-year Yankees career. He is coming off his worst season, in which he hit .270 and tied for the major league lead in outs made. His on base percentage was .340 and he slugged .370, both career lows. Cashman has admitted the club has concerns with Jeter’s performance and his age. Jeter just completed a 10-year, $189-million deal.Continued...

 

Hal Steinbrenner went on the radio and said that the talks could get “messy.’’ He was right.

 

The Yankees have offered Jeter $45 million over three years. At that rate, Jeter would be making more than $3 million per year more than any big league shortstop. The Daily News reported that Jeter’s initial request was for six years and $150 million. Close said the report was untrue. Now the Daily News and the Times are reporting that Jeter wants 4-5 years in the $23-million to $24-million per range. Rodriguez is going into the fourth year of a 10-year, $275-million deal and Jeter wants to remind everybody that he’s the stand-up captain who never choked and never cheated.

 

Jeter can’t possibly spend all this dough, but athletes equate money with respect (remember Pedro Martinez?) and Jeter wants to feel some love at the end of his Hall of Fame career.

 

Any way you cut the figures, there’s a big gap here. The team is offering $15 million per year while the player wants at least $23 million per year. And more years.

 

This is where the Red Sox step in.

 

What’s the harm in offering Jeter $20 million a year over three years? If you can pay J.D. Drew $14 million per year . . . if you can pay a Japanese team $50 million just for the right to speak with Daisuke Matsuzaka . . . if you can buy a futbol club for $476 million, why not spend $60 million to bust pinstripe chops for all the ages?

 

Jeter is closing in on 3,000 hits. Imagine if he gets his 3,000th hit as a Red Sox . . . at Fenway . . . against Mariano Rivera?

 

Since we are pretty certain Adrian Beltre is gone, the Red Sox have a big hole at third base. Jeter could play third. Or you could trade Marco Scutaro and put Jeter at short.

 

This certainly would make the Sox less boring. In an era in which NESN ratings are routinely beaten by reruns of “Everybody Loves Raymond,’’ Derek Jeter could make the network more interesting.

 

Stir it up, Sox. Take a chance. Make Derek Jeter an offer he can’t refuse.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

I just don't understand why you would want to forget about Werth and get Jeter. Doesn't make any sense to me. I'm hoping that post was sarcasm.

[sheffieldcelt]

I just don't understand why you would want to forget about Werth and get Jeter. Doesn't make any sense to me. I'm hoping that post was sarcasm.

 

worth it to get one over the yankees

[BSN07]

i'd be in favour of this:

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2010/11/30/why_not_short_stop_with_red_sox_for_yankees_icon_derek_jeter/?page=1

 

What if the Red Sox decided to make Derek Jeter a contract offer? Abraham framed his piece in sheer speculation. He was just having a little fun. He wanted to know if Sox fans would tolerate such a notion.

 

In the fortnight since Pete’s preposterous proposal, things have gotten ugly between the Yankees and their captain. Jeter’s agent, Casey Close, said Jeter is the Yankees’ modern-day Babe Ruth, and general manager Brian Cashman dared Jeter to go find another bidder. ESPN New York is reporting that the Yankees have told Jeter and Close to “drink the reality potion.’’ Last week the New York Post ran a Photoshopped back cover featuring Jeter in a Red Sox uniform next to a headline that read, “Picture this.’’

 

Dissing Jeter is not a winning strategy, but the Yankees can get away with it because they know that no team is going to make a serious offer for the iconic shortstop.

 

Which brings us back to John Henry. Suppose the Red Sox step up and shock the world? There is simply no downside to making Jeter a massive offer. In the worst-case scenario he calls your bluff and you get the Yankees captain.

 

I don’t care if Jeter is way past his prime or if the Sox would have to wildly overpay a player of his diminished skills.

 

I say offer him the world. Forget about Jayson Werth. Blow Jeter away with dollars and years. At worst this would just mean the Sox would jack up the final price the Yankees must pay. It could be sort of like Mark Teixeira-in-reverse.

 

And if Jeter actually signed with Boston, the damage to the Yankees’ psyche would be inestimable.

 

Jeter finishing his career in a Red Sox uniform would be the 2004 American League Championship Series all over again for the hated New Yorkers. Think of how you’d have felt if the Knicks had signed Larry Bird at the end of his career.

 

The Jeter saga is back-page stuff in the Daily News and the Post just about every day. Jeter wants to be paid like Alex Rodriguez. The Steinbrenners have drawn a line in the Tampa sand. And Gotham is split.

 

Jeter is 36 and has made more than $205 million during his 15-year Yankees career. He is coming off his worst season, in which he hit .270 and tied for the major league lead in outs made. His on base percentage was .340 and he slugged .370, both career lows. Cashman has admitted the club has concerns with Jeter’s performance and his age. Jeter just completed a 10-year, $189-million deal.Continued...

 

Hal Steinbrenner went on the radio and said that the talks could get “messy.’’ He was right.

 

The Yankees have offered Jeter $45 million over three years. At that rate, Jeter would be making more than $3 million per year more than any big league shortstop. The Daily News reported that Jeter’s initial request was for six years and $150 million. Close said the report was untrue. Now the Daily News and the Times are reporting that Jeter wants 4-5 years in the $23-million to $24-million per range. Rodriguez is going into the fourth year of a 10-year, $275-million deal and Jeter wants to remind everybody that he’s the stand-up captain who never choked and never cheated.

 

Jeter can’t possibly spend all this dough, but athletes equate money with respect (remember Pedro Martinez?) and Jeter wants to feel some love at the end of his Hall of Fame career.

 

Any way you cut the figures, there’s a big gap here. The team is offering $15 million per year while the player wants at least $23 million per year. And more years.

 

This is where the Red Sox step in.

 

What’s the harm in offering Jeter $20 million a year over three years? If you can pay J.D. Drew $14 million per year . . . if you can pay a Japanese team $50 million just for the right to speak with Daisuke Matsuzaka . . . if you can buy a futbol club for $476 million, why not spend $60 million to bust pinstripe chops for all the ages?

 

Jeter is closing in on 3,000 hits. Imagine if he gets his 3,000th hit as a Red Sox . . . at Fenway . . . against Mariano Rivera?

 

Since we are pretty certain Adrian Beltre is gone, the Red Sox have a big hole at third base. Jeter could play third. Or you could trade Marco Scutaro and put Jeter at short.

 

This certainly would make the Sox less boring. In an era in which NESN ratings are routinely beaten by reruns of “Everybody Loves Raymond,’’ Derek Jeter could make the network more interesting.

 

Stir it up, Sox. Take a chance. Make Derek Jeter an offer he can’t refuse.

 

No Jeter. I think they would only be helping the Yankees.

 

No, no, no...

 

Why in Gods name do people want an old broken down, can't play SS, noodle batting 3B/LF Jeter, and over pay him? It will hurt the Yankees for like maybe a season. And that's only if he manages to be on the team that knocks out the Yankees. But what about hit 3,000 hit? Who cares? It will matter for about a week before it happens to about a week after. Shorter if there is some other big story in baseball. So now Jeter has 3,000 hits. Big whoop. What we are just supposed to tolerate his mediocrity now? "But we stole Jetuh from the Yankees". If they did this 10 years ago it would have been the steal of the century. Now he is shell of his formal self. Why foot the bill for a shadow of a player?

 

Only deal I would even consider is a 1 year deal(which he isn't taking). Haha he get's his 3K hit in a Red Sox uniform, then boot him out the door and let some other team pay for his "final tour".

 

 

It's like marrying Amy Reid when shes on her way out of the Adult biz. Ya your marrying a famous porn star which would be cool at first. But then when your supporting her bastard children from on the job mishaps and realizing your the 3,000 dude to throw his junk up in this chick who is a shell of her former self, the novelty wears off quick.

[The Celtbot]

i'd be in favour of this:

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2010/11/30/why_not_short_stop_with_red_sox_for_yankees_icon_derek_jeter/?page=1

 

What if the Red Sox decided to make Derek Jeter a contract offer? Abraham framed his piece in sheer speculation. He was just having a little fun. He wanted to know if Sox fans would tolerate such a notion.

 

In the fortnight since Pete’s preposterous proposal, things have gotten ugly between the Yankees and their captain. Jeter’s agent, Casey Close, said Jeter is the Yankees’ modern-day Babe Ruth, and general manager Brian Cashman dared Jeter to go find another bidder. ESPN New York is reporting that the Yankees have told Jeter and Close to “drink the reality potion.’’ Last week the New York Post ran a Photoshopped back cover featuring Jeter in a Red Sox uniform next to a headline that read, “Picture this.’’

 

Dissing Jeter is not a winning strategy, but the Yankees can get away with it because they know that no team is going to make a serious offer for the iconic shortstop.

 

Which brings us back to John Henry. Suppose the Red Sox step up and shock the world? There is simply no downside to making Jeter a massive offer. In the worst-case scenario he calls your bluff and you get the Yankees captain.

 

I don’t care if Jeter is way past his prime or if the Sox would have to wildly overpay a player of his diminished skills.

 

I say offer him the world. Forget about Jayson Werth. Blow Jeter away with dollars and years. At worst this would just mean the Sox would jack up the final price the Yankees must pay. It could be sort of like Mark Teixeira-in-reverse.

 

And if Jeter actually signed with Boston, the damage to the Yankees’ psyche would be inestimable.

 

Jeter finishing his career in a Red Sox uniform would be the 2004 American League Championship Series all over again for the hated New Yorkers. Think of how you’d have felt if the Knicks had signed Larry Bird at the end of his career.

 

The Jeter saga is back-page stuff in the Daily News and the Post just about every day. Jeter wants to be paid like Alex Rodriguez. The Steinbrenners have drawn a line in the Tampa sand. And Gotham is split.

 

Jeter is 36 and has made more than $205 million during his 15-year Yankees career. He is coming off his worst season, in which he hit .270 and tied for the major league lead in outs made. His on base percentage was .340 and he slugged .370, both career lows. Cashman has admitted the club has concerns with Jeter’s performance and his age. Jeter just completed a 10-year, $189-million deal.Continued...

 

Hal Steinbrenner went on the radio and said that the talks could get “messy.’’ He was right.

 

The Yankees have offered Jeter $45 million over three years. At that rate, Jeter would be making more than $3 million per year more than any big league shortstop. The Daily News reported that Jeter’s initial request was for six years and $150 million. Close said the report was untrue. Now the Daily News and the Times are reporting that Jeter wants 4-5 years in the $23-million to $24-million per range. Rodriguez is going into the fourth year of a 10-year, $275-million deal and Jeter wants to remind everybody that he’s the stand-up captain who never choked and never cheated.

 

Jeter can’t possibly spend all this dough, but athletes equate money with respect (remember Pedro Martinez?) and Jeter wants to feel some love at the end of his Hall of Fame career.

 

Any way you cut the figures, there’s a big gap here. The team is offering $15 million per year while the player wants at least $23 million per year. And more years.

 

This is where the Red Sox step in.

 

What’s the harm in offering Jeter $20 million a year over three years? If you can pay J.D. Drew $14 million per year . . . if you can pay a Japanese team $50 million just for the right to speak with Daisuke Matsuzaka . . . if you can buy a futbol club for $476 million, why not spend $60 million to bust pinstripe chops for all the ages?

 

Jeter is closing in on 3,000 hits. Imagine if he gets his 3,000th hit as a Red Sox . . . at Fenway . . . against Mariano Rivera?

 

Since we are pretty certain Adrian Beltre is gone, the Red Sox have a big hole at third base. Jeter could play third. Or you could trade Marco Scutaro and put Jeter at short.

 

This certainly would make the Sox less boring. In an era in which NESN ratings are routinely beaten by reruns of “Everybody Loves Raymond,’’ Derek Jeter could make the network more interesting.

 

Stir it up, Sox. Take a chance. Make Derek Jeter an offer he can’t refuse.

 

Would rather have Nomar out of retirement. / End of sarcasm

[Palodios]

VMart's value drops hugely as a 1B or DH.

 

Let's think about this for a minute. If what is reported is true, and he plays 60 games a year as a C for the next four years, that may not necessarily be a horrible thing. It would be the same as getting 120 games for two years before switching to 1B/C like we'd thought, except for two big factors.

 

1) He'll be much healthier, and odds are, more productive because he'll be spending far fewer consecutive games on his knees.

2) They can pick and choose when they want him to catch. Playoffs. Crucial divisonal games. Key matchups. And they pull him against teams with heavy run-orientated offenses.

 

It all depends on how the rest of their lineup is performing, but 4/50 for a guy who is #2 at his position (and will probably hit significantly better in this situation, and be a true middle of the order bat) is not horribly expensive, especially since he's still pretty young.

[sheffieldcelt]

alright celt bot?

 

jeter not a goer then:D

 

 

you keeping up to date with celtic fc?

 

referee's SFA caught cheating

[a700hitter]

As crazy as the sign Jeter thing seems, it could have some merit. I do think that losing Jeter would tear the guts out of the 2011 Yankee team. He is the centerpiece. If he could bounce back offensively, he would be a nice addition to the lineup, and he could finish his career at 3B where we currently have an opening. If it works out, it would have the added benefit of making every Yankee fan's head explode. If he flops, Sox fans could boo him mercilessly making the Yankee fans cry for their hero. That is a better downside than if we sign some other player and he flops.

[Dojji]

Bringing in Derek Jeter isn't something this team needs to be contemplating. We already have 2 decent answers at shortstop and one maybe two good prospects (depending on how seriously you take Yamaico Navarro) who are only a couple years out at most. I would be all in favor of bringing in a similar aged star as a one year stop gap in left field (paging Johnny Damon?) but not at short. besides, shortstop is kinda past Jeter at this point although everyone who matters is kinda turning a blind eye to that. Maybe he could be in the mix at third.

[Dojji]

I guess warped minds think alike, a700. We both saw Sheff's screed above and our first thought was "well maybe we could put him in the mix at 3B"

[a700hitter]

It would turn the baseball world upside down from the minute they signed him. The Red Sox would probably sell out their Spring Training and Regular Season within days of the tickets going on sale. It would probably re-engage Yankee fans in a big way as there would be wholesale changes there. They'd probably take the $ and sign both Lee and Crawford. It would be very very interesting, and after all, this is an entertainment business.

[a700hitter]

Daily Reminder to the FO:

 

Sign Carl Crawford!

 

. . .

 

Or Jayson Werth

 

. . .

 

Or even Derek Jeter.

 

Good God, do something!

[Meh]

worth it to get one over the yankees

 

If you want to give Jeter 25 million for 6 years. Be my guest. I wouldn't want to hold the Red Sox back.

 

700 hitter...

 

Crawford will probably be a Angel. Tigers have another 35 to 40 million to spend. I think they're going to sign one of them. I could see them giving Werth a Holliday type contract.

[PineRider]

Daily Reminder to the FO:

 

Sign Carl Crawford!

 

. . .

 

Or Jayson Werth

 

. . .

 

Or even Derek Jeter.

 

Good God, do something!

 

I about busted a gut laughing at this one. I totally agree!

[a700hitter]

If you want to give Jeter 25 million for 6 years. Be my guest. I wouldn't want to hold the Red Sox back.

 

700 hitter...

 

Crawford will probably be a Angel. Tigers have another 35 to 40 million to spend. I think they're going to sign one of them. I could see them giving Werth a Holliday type contract.

As interesting as it would be if the Sox were to sign Jeter, it would take one huge brass set to do it. I don't think anyone in the FO has what it takes to make such a bold move. John Henry, is a Hedge Fund guy. Everything in his world is driven by mathematics. No math would indicate doing this move. It would be counter intuitive to say the least. The Sox FO just doesn't take big risks or make bold moves. Theo is particularly risk averse. He made a bold move when he traded Nomar, but let's face it Nomar forced his hand and so did Manny. The last truly bold risky move the Sox made was the Beckett trade, and Theo wasn't involved in that. That was done by the old guy who has since retired. I give it about a 2% chance that the Sox even make Jeter an offer. There's no way they sign him. No balls.

[PineRider]

John Henry' date=' is a Hedge Fund guy. Everything in his world is driven by mathematics. No math would indicate doing this move. It would be counter intuitive to say the least.[/quote']

 

I ultimately agree with you a700. Jeter as a Sox seems next to impossible.

 

But, I can't help but wonder if "John Henry the Business Man" is looking at ticket sales, merch, NESN ratings, all that $$$ stuff, having the thought, "If we bring Jeter on board, wonder what that would do for our bottom line?"

[a700hitter]

I ultimately agree with you a700. Jeter as a Sox seems next to impossible.

 

But, I can't help but wonder if "John Henry the Business Man" is looking at ticket sales, merch, NESN ratings, all that $$$ stuff, having the thought, "If we bring Jeter on board, wonder what that would do for our bottom line?"

Maybe there is some math for the hedge fund guy.

[Dojji]

Probably not much, the team still should sell out next year no matter what, it's only in the next couple that there's any risk of that really changing. A team's prestige doesn't disappear with one bad season, we proved that in 2007.

[a700hitter]

Probably not much' date=' the team still should sell out next year no matter what, it's only in the next couple that there's any risk of that really changing. A team's prestige doesn't disappear with one bad season, we proved that in 2007.[/quote']BUt they went out and spent over $200 million on new players in the 2006 off season. That helped generate a lot of interest. The biggest expenditure was made on the mysterious man from Japan with the mysterious pitch. Talk about buzz. His first start in spring training was a huge event.