The Official 2010 Hot Stove Thread.

[Keeper]

I'll bet if he had played short when he was younger he could do it now, or at least fake it. He's built like Uribe.

[Dipre]

I'll bet if he had played short when he was younger he could do it now' date=' or at least fake it. He's built like Uribe.[/quote']

 

He did, in summer leagues, when he was 15-16. That's why he throws like some young Latin shortstops (from a semi-sidearm position) from 3B. He's the most stubborn son-of-a-bitch in history.

[Poopsicle]

Did we sign Tony Fossas yet?

 

WE NEED A LOOGY!

 

:ortiz:

 

Hit that won out of the park.

[jacksonianmarch]

So the A's go from probably a massive 5 year deal for Beltre to looking at one year contracts for fringe MRs? I can't even imagine what the reaction would be if a story like that was run in Boston.

 

The fans would spin it kinda like they did when the sox went out and signed over the hill Smoltz and fat Penny. The A's are gonna be tough draw for offense. Their park is cavernous and definitely affects hitters negatively. For players looking for prime offensive numbers so they can get prime dollars, going to Oakland is a negative move. Matt Holliday would have lost 50 million if he stayed in the Bay for all of 2009.

[SoxFanForsyth]

I think I've finally come across the dumbest baseball fan in the history of the sport.

 

Now, before I get into this, let me tell you, I've seen some idiotic fans. People thinking we can "trade JD Drew and Manny DelCarmen for Justin Upton" type fans.

 

Oh, no. This guy here takes the cake.

 

I read an article on ESPN regarding texts between Tex and Pettitte, and that Pettitte is now leaning toward retirement (I'm sure most of you have seen the article). Well I scroll down to the comments section and get into it with this guy. His name is Cabfareisonthecounter, if anyone wants to go read his posts.

 

He is actually, legitimately arguing, that a teams bullpen is more important than your starting pitching, and that starting pitchers entire role these days is to just 'eat up innings', but that the wins come from the bullpen.

 

Now, don't get me wrong. I know, especially after last season, that the bullpen needs to be solid. But to say that it's the most important position?

 

He went on to ask me if I could name 1 team who's starting rotation won 65 games last year. After I named 7, he started backtracking.

 

He said "Anyone who watched the post season last year will tell you that the Giants won on bullpen". :wtf:

 

My dear God. Where do these people come from?!?

 

Oh - and I guarantee you that if the Yankees got Cliff Lee, he'd be preaching all day about how the Yankees are going to win the WS this year because of their SP. :wetodd:

[jacksonianmarch]

He's a dumbass. A bullpen is only good if they are given leads to protect

[SoxFanForsyth]

Exactly.

 

He was a Yankee fan too. Can't you control your boys, Jackso?!?

 

Who let that guy out of his room? He's going to kill himself without padded walls.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Exactly.

 

He was a Yankee fan too. Can't you control your boys, Jackso?!?

 

Who let that guy out of his room? He's going to kill himself without padded walls.

 

[Will617]

I find that 98% of all comments posted on ESPN or Yahoo articles aren't worth the time it took to read them.

[a700hitter]

Rangers, Yankees, Guardians Interested in Bartolo Colon

By Nick Collias [December 30 at 3:31pm CST]

 

Bartolo Colon's work in the Dominican winter league has continued to draw the attention of major league teams, and the 37-year-old starter sounds eager to sign. According to an AP story out of Santo Domingo, Colon told reporters in the Domincan Republic yesterday, "Texas, Cleveland, and the Yankees are interested in me" (link in Spanish).

 

The Guardians had been known to be watching Colon's progress, and Colon had previously mentioned that he "maintains conversations" with the Yankees, but the Rangers' interest hadn't been previously reported. Asked if he had a preference among the three clubs, Colon simply said, "I'll go with the one that signs me."

 

More background on Colon's return to action on the international stage can be found here. Over the ensuing month of winter ball, he has continued to look impressive, managing a 1.47 ERA over his seven starts in the Domincan League's regular season for the Aguilas Cibae?as.

 

The 50-game Dominican regular season has ended and Colon's team's season is over, but the right-hander was the first player selected overall in the postseason draft, and went to the reigning champion Leones del Escogido (in the Dominican winter league, postseason teams are allowed to draft from among the eliminated teams' rosters). In his one postseason start with the Leones, Colon avoided the loss but wasn't as sharp, giving up four runs on 12 hits in 5 2/3 innings.

 

I hope the Yankees get this pig Colon.

[italstallianion]

We can call him Bartolo Calzone.

[a700hitter]

The Rays & Brian Fuentes

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [December 30 at 4:35pm CST]

 

Multiple reports have linked the Rays to Brian Fuentes since Tuesday, so their interest in the left-hander appears legitimate. Let's start to determine whether there's a fit here by analyzing the Rays' needs and Fuentes' asking price:

[alphilip77]

I find it intriguing that a team with a low budget and a desire to play their young prospects have significant interest in a guy who seems set on making $5+ mil/yr, is 35, AND wants 3 yrs.:dunno:

[Will617]

I find it intriguing that a team with a low budget and a desire to play their young prospects have significant interest in a guy who seems set on making $5+ mil/yr' date=' is 35, AND wants 3 yrs.:dunno:[/quote']

 

It could be pretty good trade bait, if he was going to settle for 1-2 years. The Pirates robbed the Twins when they traded Dotel for Wilson Ramos. Of course, that is assuming that he settles for 1-2 years; I don't think teams would be willing to take on 3 years of Fuentes, even if they were desperate.

[Dipre]

It could be pretty good trade bait' date=' if he was going to settle for 1-2 years. The Pirates robbed the Twins when they traded Dotel for Wilson Ramos. Of course, that is assuming that he settles for 1-2 years; I don't think teams would be willing to take on 3 years of Fuentes, even if they were desperate.[/quote']

 

Dotel was not traded for Ramos, and the trade wasn't made with the Pirates either. It was Ramos for Capps with the Nationals, and Ramos was blocked by Mauer anyways.

[Will617]

Sorry, my bad, Capps with the Nationals. I think the Pirates got some sort of return for Dotel that was decent.

Being blocked shouldn't affect a player's value, IMO. Imagine what would happen if the Sox traded Kelly for Capps, and how people would react to that. Well, okay, most people would be like "Matt Capps sucks, but at least we just gave up some prospect to get him". But the point is, you're not getting the full value of your prospect just trading him for a reliever.

[Dipre]

Sorry, my bad, Capps with the Nationals. I think the Pirates got some sort of return for Dotel that was decent.

Being blocked shouldn't affect a player's value, IMO. Imagine what would happen if the Sox traded Kelly for Capps, and how people would react to that. Well, okay, most people would be like "Matt Capps sucks, but at least we just gave up some prospect to get him". But the point is, you're not getting the full value of your prospect just trading him for a reliever.

 

Not according to a700, who would have been fine with giving up prospects for a reliever like Capps to "salvage" 2010.

 

The reason you don't see me opposing the Ramos-Capps trade is because i think Ramos was a terribly overrated prospect. A lot of scouting reports refer to him as an average receiver with a solid arm, but he doesn't have any sort of plate discipline whatsoever, even though he has above average power. That describes a ton of MLB catchers (Miguel Olivo) and it's really not that valuable IMO, and the fact that he was indeed traded for Capps reflects that.

[Palodios]

The reason why I wanted Olivo so bad was because we'd have a pretty good idea of what we'd be getting with him. With Salty, he might be decent... but he might also be completely horrible while Varitek is on the DL. I heard someone describe this lineup the other day as "Having an incredibly awesome tux on, well-groomed hair, nice tie, cuff-likes... but wearing a really grungy pair of sneakers".

[example1]

The reason why I wanted Olivo so bad was because we'd have a pretty good idea of what we'd be getting with him. With Salty' date=' he might be decent... but he might also be completely horrible while Varitek is on the DL. I heard someone describe this lineup the other day as "Having an incredibly awesome tux on, well-groomed hair, nice tie, cuff-likes... but wearing a really grungy pair of sneakers".[/quote']

 

I understand having these concerns. Neither of us have probably seen enough of Salty to have much faith in him.

 

However, the Red Sox have. They like him and are willing to take a shot with him. I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that this guy will bring something positive to the table.

[a700hitter]

Not according to a700' date=' who would have been fine with giving up prospects for a reliever like Capps to "salvage" 2010.[/quote']Come on Bro, why you looking to pick a fight? Am I involved in this discussion. I never suggested trading Kelly for Capps, so cut it out.:thumbdown

[Dipre]

I'm not picking a fight. I'm trying to drive the point home of how bad it can look when you trade a prospect for a rental. In this case, Ramos was blocked by Mauer and they needed a RP so they were a better fit, but still overpaid, now, trading a guy like Kalish or Rizzo or any other upper-tier prospect might have either caused the Sox to not be able to trade for Gonzales, or lose a player they could use to fill up a position on the cheap or closed the door on a future trade. That's why you don't use your best trading chips for quick fixes.

 

You advocated for this, i'm telling you were wrong, and providing an example of why. No reason to fight over it.

[a700hitter]

I'm not picking a fight. I'm trying to drive the point home of how bad it can look when you trade a prospect for a rental. In this case, Ramos was blocked by Mauer and they needed a RP so they were a better fit, but still overpaid, now, trading a guy like Kalish or Rizzo or any other upper-tier prospect might have either caused the Sox to not be able to trade for Gonzales, or lose a player they could use to fill up a position on the cheap or closed the door on a future trade. That's why you don't use your best trading chips for quick fixes.

 

You advocated for this, i'm telling you were wrong, and providing an example of why. No reason to fight over it.

I'm not shy about entering a discussion. I don't need you trying to drag me into it.

[Will617]

Come on Bro' date=' why you looking to pick a fight? Am I involved in this discussion. I never suggested trading Kelly for Capps, so cut it out.:thumbdown[/quote']

 

I didn't know bro was in your lexicon.

[italstallianion]

I'm not picking a fight. I'm trying to drive the point home of how bad it can look when you trade a prospect for a rental. In this case, Ramos was blocked by Mauer and they needed a RP so they were a better fit, but still overpaid, now, trading a guy like Kalish or Rizzo or any other upper-tier prospect might have either caused the Sox to not be able to trade for Gonzales, or lose a player they could use to fill up a position on the cheap or closed the door on a future trade. That's why you don't use your best trading chips for quick fixes.

 

You advocated for this, i'm telling you were wrong, and providing an example of why. No reason to fight over it.

 

 

I don't know man, going out of your way to throw a700 under the bus and constantly remind him that he's wrong (which may or may not be the case) seems like a combination of trolling and/or picking a fight. While I support your research to the fact that a700 indeed isn't right all of the time, the fact that you continually brought his name up into situations that a700 wasn't involved in pretty much guarantees that you're looking for a fight.

 

Not to mention your general MO as a poster here. You're a fighter. I'm a fighter, A700 is a fighter, nearly half of this site can be considered fighters. We all know that you were/are looking for a fight.

[Dipre]

I don't know man, going out of your way to throw a700 under the bus and constantly remind him that he's wrong (which may or may not be the case) seems like a combination of trolling and/or picking a fight. While I support your research to the fact that a700 indeed isn't right all of the time, the fact that you continually brought his name up into situations that a700 wasn't involved in pretty much guarantees that you're looking for a fight.

 

Not to mention your general MO as a poster here. You're a fighter. I'm a fighter, A700 is a fighter, nearly half of this site can be considered fighters. We all know that you were/are looking for a fight.

 

First off, don't white knight, it doesn't suit you.

 

With that out of the way:

 

I'm entertaining legitimate discussion here. I want to prove an instance where he admits he's wrong, and i'm doing it without demeaning him or calling him names. He's a big boy, and can provide evidence of why he was right or wrong in this instance. If he doesn't wanna respond or something, he won't. Stay out of it.

[a700hitter]

I didn't know bro was in your lexicon.

I didn't know that lexicon was in your lexicon.

[Will617]

I didn't know that lexicon was in your lexicon.

 

Touche.

[Dipre]

Touche.

 

Goddamnit, he'll never admit he was wrong about something if you keep distracting him!

 

Go plan your re-draft picks dude!

[Will617]

Goddamnit, he'll never admit he was wrong about something if you keep distracting him!

 

Go plan your re-draft picks dude!

 

I did, but all my good targets keep getting taken. Got everyone down but the DH and the pitchers, and I don't really know what I'm planning to do in terms of pitcher targets. Probably just end up throwing money at it until it gets solved, since I'm on target to end up with giant wads of cash.

[a700hitter]

Goddamnit, he'll never admit he was wrong about something if you keep distracting him!

 

Go plan your re-draft picks dude!

I guess you don't understand the meaning of "schtick." I don't know if you are familiar with Jack Benny the comedian. He lived until age 80, but as part of his schtick he always maintained that he was only 39. My schtick is that I claim to be always right. Sometimes I claim to be "almost always entirely right." Thank goodness you were not alive to see Jack Benny, because you probably would have researched his birth certificate and run up on stage waving it in his face. I am occasionally wrong. Your sig proves that I was wrong as recent as 2006. Of course that was the year that Theo offered Manny to the Mets for Lastings Milledge, Aaron Heilman and some guy named Petit. Thankfully, the Mets turned it down. 2006 was a tough year to be right.