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Mariners might sign Delgado and Sexson. Keep in mind, with Edgar Martinez AND John Olerud gone, they need a DH and first baseman. Latest news has the Mariners signing BOTH, playing Delgado as their DH. However, the Orioles seem to be in on both players, even though Sexson looks like he's signed (or at least agreed) with Seattle. I guess until things are official, this is going to be confusing.

Crap. Wells better not be hungover on opening day... we need him now!

Pedro's gone, Wells is in. This is what the Red Sox need to do (in my opinion). Let Varitek persue his demands elsewhere. Jason: You've been awesome in a Red Sox uniform, but there's a difference between being loyal and being stupid. Jason Varitek is a mediocre offensive player away from Fenway Park, and there are better defensive choices out there. You're demands are simply too high. Needs: Catcher-- Go after Brian Schneider again. He's got better defense than Tek, could put up good numbers moving from Olympic Stadium to Fenway. Shortstop-- Let Renteria go. Pick up Orlando for 4 years, $32 million. Yes, he's more pricey than Polanco, but I don't have confidence in Polanco as an everyday shortstop. Shift Orlando to second when Hanley Ramirez is ready. #2 pitcher -- One thing to keep in mind is that this team already has an ace. Curt Schilling can and will be the man to lead this staff. The Red Sox do not NEED a #1 pitcher. They do, however, need a #2. Pavano would have been nice, and I'm not high on Clement. It doesn't seem that Hudson is going to work out with LA and Atlanta offering more talent. Who's left? Kevin Millwood- No. He's simply not the same when he isn't under Leo Mazzone. AJ Burnett- No. Hasn't proven enough for me. Not a whole lot, actually. Theo's got his work cut out for him. His only hope is to pick up someone who's been underacheiving to date, but has the talent. My best guess: He may try again to rescue Jason Jennings from Colorado. My worst fear: He gives the #5 starter spot to BK Kim.

I say both clubs got a decent deal. Lee's a very consistent power and RBI man, but Podsednik is very fast. I like what Chicago did here.... I say they got the advantage.

I say 15ish. He's still a very good pitcher and will be a huge factor for Atlanta's playoff hopes.... but I really doubt he'll win 20 games. Even in his prime he only won 20 games once.

4 years, $56 million is far more than the Red Sox have been willing to offer Martinez. They've been saying all along that they won't offer the fourth year, and now the Mets are calling their bluff.... If the Red Sox are serious about sticking to their guns, he's gone..... The question I've got to ask is: Is Pedro Martinez worth $14 million per year?

Anything's possible in the NL East. Besides, the Mets have Tom Glavine (who pitched well last year), Kris Benson, and Victor Zambrano in their rotation. Add Pedro Martinez to that mix, and they could compete with any team in the NL East.

I see Youkilis as probably a utility guy in the big leagues. He doesn't seem to have enough power to play every day at third base (although neither does Mueller, so I could be way off base here) but if Youk could learn to play first and second, he could be a very useful guy off the bench playing 3 positions. If the Red Sox don't sign Mueller after 2005, Youk would probably take over. He's got a good ability to get on base and hit for average, and solid defense.

I agreed that $10 mill is too much. I don't think he's worth $10 mil per season... but he'd be a heck of a lot better than Barry Larkin, Royce Clayton, or really any of the other options besides.... Orlando Cabrera. I'd rather see the Sox guarantee 4 years of Orlando at more like $7-$8 million than Renteria at $10. We know Orlando can perform in the playoffs, can perform in Boston, plays excellent defense, etc. When Hanley makes it to the bigs, Orlando can shift to second base.

I would hate this deal as a Red Sox fan. I am one of the biggest Manny Ramirez bashers on the planet, but I don't like this deal at all. Piazza is NOT good defensively behind the plate. Piazza hasn't played a lot of first base. Ramirez is younger. Ramirez is capable of playing the outfield. The Red Sox would essentially be trading a below average defensive OF and one of the top hitters in the game for a decent hitter with no position, making him a DH. The Red Sox already have Ortiz who is a DH. The major questions: Where would Piazza play? Please don't say catcher. Who would play left field?

I'm not one for insulting people, so I'm staying clear of THAT portion of this thread. HOWEVER: I think the idea of signing Renteria is good, I think the cost is high though. I don't think Hanley should be traded, instead move Edgar to second once he's ready. Renteria is a gold glove shortstop and a decent bat. I'd say sign him, but at $10 mil I'm not so sure. I understand a lot of people are high on Ramirez, but in Sarasoxfan's defense, there are no guarantees in baseball. So many can't-miss prospects have not panned out as expected. What's wrong with a little insurance policy?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1944230 According to ESPN, Wright passed his second physical and will be a Yankee for $21 mil over 3 years. He's got good stuff and a lot of potential, but pitchers who leave Atlanta almost always decline: Denny Neagle, John Burkett, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine Yes, all of these guys were older than Wright when they left... and Jason Schmidt (traded for Neagle actually) is one of the top pitchers in the game. BUT, I think the Yankees overpaid.

I don't like this trade. The Red Sox trade Roberts, a cheap, speedy backup for Payton, a slower, more expensive backup? Yes, he's got more power... but I still don't like it.

Yez, On that note, is it possible to make posts in this thread uneditable? Not that we don't trust everyone here..... but it's happened before with the trade debacle in the sim league

I like the Dye signing. If he can stay healthy, he'll be a bargain at $5 million. He's a solid hitter and a decent outfielder. And a much cheaper replacement for Ordonez.

The Dodgers needed a bat, and they got one. I'm not high on Kent myself, but this might be good for the Dodgers. Plus, Kent hates Bonds doesn't he? So that'll ad a sub-plot to the LA/SF games next year.

Hey Yeszir: This would be a neat contest to have. If even the winner just gets his/her own custom text like Yankshater. Here's mine. Cabrera -- Angels Pedro -- Red Sox Varitek -- Red Sox Lowe -- Tigers Beltran -- Yankees Delgado -- Mariners Pavano -- Orioles Beltre -- Dodgers Drew -- Phillies (wild guess) Mags Ordonez -- Mets Renteria -- Cardinals Sexson -- Orioles Clement -- Guardians Radke -- Didn't he already sign with the Twins? Benitez -- Didn't he already sign with the Giants? Alou -- Giants

Personally, I think the Glaus signing puts pressure on Arizona to win now. Otherwise, why pay Glaus a ton of money to play on a crappy team?

IF this is true, I'll be thrilled. Plain and simple. Sarasoxfan: The last I heard RE: the Yankees 1B situation was that they were looking at Tino Martinez as a potential backup. HOWEVER. If they sign Beltran, Bernie Williams may move to first base. Stay tuned on that one.

Youk, To be honest, I'd LOVE this team. I was one of the biggest fans of Orlando, but I think the team you've assembled here is championship quality. Pavano > Lowe Arroyo > ANY 5th starter in baseball A full year of Trot Nixon > Last year's RF situation The only spot where I see a downgrade is Orlando to that shortstop platoon, but Pokey's D and someone like Larkin/Relaford to share time with would be a good enough # 9 hitter. The 2004 Yankees were devastating offensively. The 2004 Cardinals were devastating offensively. The 2004 Red Sox were very good offensively, and had GREAT pitching with Pedro/Schill, and yes, Lowe when it really counted. This team would be very similar. Not quite as good offensively, but with a good rotation 1-5, and that bullpen, this team will have a real shot at finally winning the AL East.

Wow. Arizona spent a LOT of money on a .270ish hitter with a history of injuries. Does this mean Arizona's interested in winning NOW, and is planning a run WITH Johnson?

Yes. This IS good news all around considering the Yankees were figured to be in on both Lieter and Lieber. Lieber was the best Yankee starter in the ALCS last year, so it's nice to see him out of town... To Philly, where we won't have to face him. Woody Williams to San Diego makes them a contender, especially if they can resign David Wells Lieter to Florida-- They MUST believe they can take the NL East in 2005 because Al's retiring after next year. Glad he's going to an NL team that we also won't have to face.

On ESPN's Free Agent tracker, they are reporting what ILWV said: 1 year, $750,000 http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/features/freeagents Matt Mantei is capable of being an elite reliever when healthy. He's got a chance in one of the biggest baseball markets (Boston) to prove he's healthy and able to return to his old form. Best case senario: The Red Sox get an incredible setup man for $750,000. Worst case senario: Mantei gets hurt and the Sox waste $750,000. Overall, seems like a low risk, high reward signing.

I have to agree. Wright was once considered a GREAT young pitcher with Cleveland, but struggled since 97 after he pitched Clevlend's game 7 loss. (not necessarily related) His career was resurected last year in Atlanta, but I can think of far better pitchers (Weaver, Vazquez, Kenny Rogers) who have come to the Yankees and didn't pitch well. Seems like a big risk here.

One would imagine, yes. The same article speculated that Jon Lieber was close to signing with the Phillies....