MLB Offseason 2014

[Palodios]

I was reading that Washington doesn't have an income tax for people working there who don't live there. So, he'll save 10s of millions there alone.

[iortiz]

A reasonable price tag IMO. I think you were right about the Red Sox offering him $200 million after Lester signed with the Cubs. $200 million over 7 years would have gotten it done easily -- maybe even $190.

 

Yeah! A 190-200 M take it or leave it offer could have worked out at the time, I'm pretty sure as well.

 

At the same discount rate it would have meant a NPV of 97 M with a cash flow of 20 M/10 Y.

[Bellhorn04]

I was reading that Washington doesn't have an income tax for people working there who don't live there. So, he'll save 10s of millions there alone.

 

That's a good point too. You need a CPA to figure some of this stuff out.

[seabeachfred]

I'm not commenting on each team's ability to spend big bucks. I am just saying that the price ( no pun ) for pitching has become exorbitant. The ass clowns that decided to pay Scherzer millions for years after he retires have made a huge mistake. That was just bad business. The type of business that governments run.

 

I guess I should be happy that my team has the money to play this game. And to some extent, I am.

 

However these recent salaries are ridiculous. It is highly unlikely that any pitcher will perform up to a 7 year deal, let alone for many years after his playing is done. It sets a bad precedent. And before long there will be other deals like this.

 

The big revenue from television will evaporate eventually. A la carte cable is growing almost each day. It will be interesting to see how that effects players wages.

 

That's the market Spud and good pitching costs money, big money, and it really pisses me off when the Red Sox front office cries poverty under the phony guise that they can't or won't match the going rate. Henry is a billionaire and to me it is utterly insane that he spends mucho dollars on two solid hitters and then decides he going to depend on a pack of stiffs for his rotation. I mean look at the five......not an ace among them. Maybe Porcello will emerge and then we will have to sweat out whether Prune Face wants to pay him next fall when he becomes a free agent. Buchholz????? Anyone really think we can depend on this guy? Masterson? Better for the pen. Maybe Kelly if he finally steps up and shows his talents. Miley is a 500 pitcher and we need something a little more effective than that. No argument that Scherzer's contract was ridiculous but we haven't made a real move on that pitcher we need to head our staff, rumors about Zimmermann to the contrary. I'm just saying we're taking a big chance trying to make with our current starting rotation if that is Henry's master plan.

[Spudboy]

That's the market Spud and good pitching costs money, big money, and it really pisses me off when the Red Sox front office cries poverty under the phony guise that they can't or won't match the going rate. Henry is a billionaire and to me it is utterly insane that he spends mucho dollars on two solid hitters and then decides he going to depend on a pack of stiffs for his rotation. I mean look at the five......not an ace among them. Maybe Porcello will emerge and then we will have to sweat out whether Prune Face wants to pay him next fall when he becomes a free agent. Buchholz????? Anyone really think we can depend on this guy? Masterson? Better for the pen. Maybe Kelly if he finally steps up and shows his talents. Miley is a 500 pitcher and we need something a little more effective than that. No argument that Scherzer's contract was ridiculous but we haven't made a real move on that pitcher we need to head our staff, rumors about Zimmermann to the contrary. I'm just saying we're taking a big chance trying to make with our current starting rotation if that is Henry's master plan.

 

Has this really happened? Did the Sox announce that they could not afford top tier pitching???

 

I do agree that the two splash signings were a surprise given that pitching had to be seen as the number one need after the 2014 deadline.

 

I have not given up hope that the Sox will make a move. I will scratch my head if they don't.

[iortiz]

That's the market Spud and good pitching costs money, big money, and it really pisses me off when the Red Sox front office cries poverty under the phony guise that they can't or won't match the going rate. Henry is a billionaire and to me it is utterly insane that he spends mucho dollars on two solid hitters and then decides he going to depend on a pack of stiffs for his rotation. I mean look at the five......not an ace among them. Maybe Porcello will emerge and then we will have to sweat out whether Prune Face wants to pay him next fall when he becomes a free agent. Buchholz????? Anyone really think we can depend on this guy? Masterson? Better for the pen. Maybe Kelly if he finally steps up and shows his talents. Miley is a 500 pitcher and we need something a little more effective than that. No argument that Scherzer's contract was ridiculous but we haven't made a real move on that pitcher we need to head our staff, rumors about Zimmermann to the contrary. I'm just saying we're taking a big chance trying to make with our current starting rotation if that is Henry's master plan.

Since Lackey, who has been our top dollar pitcher in recent years?

 

No one has emerged from the farm since then either. It's time to spend on quality arms for once and for all.

[Northern Star]

Just saw that Arod has met with Bonds for hitting tips. Right, hitting....

[cp176]

Has this really happened? Did the Sox announce that they could not afford top tier pitching???

 

I do agree that the two splash signings were a surprise given that pitching had to be seen as the number one need after the 2014 deadline.

 

I have not given up hope that the Sox will make a move. I will scratch my head if they don't.

 

I to will do some serious scratching. We have a ways to go but I will have a hard time understanding the rationale if they don't get that top pitcher. Certainly Porcello was a start but is that it? I hope not. Hope the talk about Zimmerman picks up some steam. You have those two signed for a while throw in Kelly and Miley, Masterson in some role along with their youngsters and you might not have to worry about starting pitching for a good period of time. Young and strong. Note I did not mention Buccholtz - who knows with him.

[Kimmi]

Has this really happened? Did the Sox announce that they could not afford top tier pitching???

 

I do agree that the two splash signings were a surprise given that pitching had to be seen as the number one need after the 2014 deadline.

 

I have not given up hope that the Sox will make a move. I will scratch my head if they don't.

 

 

I will also be surprised if the Sox don't sign a top pitcher.

 

That said, right handed power (and offense in general) was another need, right behind pitching, so it's not that surprising that Hanley and Panda were signed. But I agree. It would be surprising that they spent big bucks on their offense, and stopped a little short on the pitching front.

[Northern Star]

I will also be surprised if the Sox don't sign a top pitcher.

 

That said, right handed power (and offense in general) was another need, right behind pitching, so it's not that surprising that Hanley and Panda were signed. But I agree. It would be surprising that they spent big bucks on their offense, and stopped a little short on the pitching front.

 

Well basically there's Shields and.... who else is out there that could be called a top pitcher?

[Northern Star]

http://espn.go.com/blog/jayson-stark/post/_/id/1056/seven-year-deals-for-pitchers-big-trouble

 

Here's a good article about how crazy these contracts are for pitchers. It's nice to see a GM actually admit it.

[Kimmi]

Well basically there's Shields and.... who else is out there that could be called a top pitcher?

 

Sorry, I should have said "acquire" a top pitcher, not "sign".

 

Shields is the only top free agent left, but there are still other options available via trade.

[Spudboy]

http://espn.go.com/blog/jayson-stark/post/_/id/1056/seven-year-deals-for-pitchers-big-trouble

 

Here's a good article about how crazy these contracts are for pitchers. It's nice to see a GM actually admit it.

 

A fan can justify these long expensive contract in any wish they would like.

 

The plain fact is that they are never worth it.

 

Oh but "it's not my money. The rich owners can afford it!"

[Northern Star]

The teams are locked into the same death spiral as public company boards of directors. When hiring a CEO they want to pay above the average, so that bumps up the average, and the whole thing repeats over and over again.

[iortiz]

Seems like Padres aren't done yet, they are after Moncada as well.

[mvp 78]

BJ Upton now wants to be known by his legal name: Melvin. BJ stood for Bossman Jr (due to his dad's nickname).

[iortiz]

I still do not understand why Atlanta gave that contract to this guy.

[User Name]

Does the new name come with an OPS above .650?

[Spudboy]

I still get the brothers confused.

 

LOL!

[seabeachfred]

I still get the brothers confused.

 

LOL!

 

Simple really!!!!!! Justin is a decent hitter who can drive in runs and be a threat at the plate much of the time. BJ is horse s*** that even the Rays no longer wanted.

[Spudboy]

Yeah, I know. I just have to stop and try to remember.

[Ogden]

I still do not understand why Atlanta gave that contract to this guy.

 

 

Rex Barney saw him catch a foul ball.

[Bellhorn04]

I still do not understand why Atlanta gave that contract to this guy.

 

Carl Crawford and BJ Upton - 2 guys that looked like princes in Tampa Bay and turned to pumpkins when they got paid. It's a funny old game.

[seabeachfred]

Rex Barney saw him catch a foul ball.

 

Are we talking about the same Rex Barney, the pitcher who threw as if the plate were high and inside, but when he had his control could be a devastating pitcher?

[User Name]

Carl Crawford and BJ Upton - 2 guys that looked like princes in Tampa Bay and turned to pumpkins when they got paid. It's a funny old game.

 

The signs were there with BJ though. Even his name made allusion to the fact that he sucked.

[iortiz]

If I remember well they could have signed Bourn for less money and let him walk.

[Northern Star]

Josh Hamilton facing discipline from MLB - relapse?

[iortiz]

Seems like it is something worse than PED use.

[Kimmi]

Josh Hamilton facing discipline from MLB - relapse?

 

 

Unfortunately, that what it appears to be.

[Northern Star]

Unfortunately, that what it appears to be.

 

Relapse involving cocaine, apparently. Some disagreement on whether he'll be treated as a first time offender as his suspension was before he was on MLB roster.

 

I can't exactly cast the first stone - I know of the power of addiction, having worked in the field of addiction treatment. Also, given how he fell off the charts at the plate the last couple of seasons, it's not entirely surprising to hear he relapsed. Just very disappointing.