jacksonianmarch

So Tanaka is getting posted and it looks like we aren't going to let him go. Lets say we sign Tanaka, is that enough to be playoff bound? I still think we need one more pen arm, but adding Tanaka plus retaining Kuroda and getting healthy should help. If we close the deal on this kid, I think we end up making it back to the October tournament

Decidedly inferior? Maybe he doesn't throw as hard, but he isn't decidedly inferior. Tanaka did go undefeated with a miniscule ERA through a full season. Their numbers are very similar. Tanaka has a deeper arsenal whereas Darvish has the harder FB and strikeout capability. I think both end up as front line starters

You guys couldn't be funnier. Seriously, giving 10 years to Robinson Cano was not a mistake? How can anybody think that? The guy is going to be 31 years old prior to the season. He is going to finish his contract at 41 years old. Have we not learned our lesson for 10 year contracts on players that are past the age of 30? How did that Alex Rodriguez deal look? Let's try and be consistent. The person in question is 31 years old. He may be a great player, he is even an MVP caliber player. But he is not worth a 10 year contract. The Yankees offered a higher average annual value, connoted the increase guaranteed money. And how stupid is it to offer Robinson Cano 30 million a year for seven years? That is quite possibly the dumbest thing I've ever heard. The counteroffer that the Yankees were given was a 10 year $235 million deal. The Yankees were right in making the decision that they did. The Mariners offer this contract in an attempt to draw it premier player to Seattle. They are fully aware that the player is not going to be worth it for the last half of the contract, but they don't care. I do find it rather hilarious that the same people who were complaining about the long-term deals given to Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez are recommending the Yankees do the same for Robinson can know. A little consistency would help

The signing of high ticket players definitely hurts, although the majority of our hay has been made on players after round 1. Take a look at our history from 2007 to 2011 and tell me why we should be keeping our #1's. Hence why the org is demolishing itself right now and we just released 50 players, some of which had some upside

He doesn't have much of a choice. Eventually, they need to fill in some holes with veterans, but his core is still developing. I think eventually, he plans to have Baez, Bryant, Rizzo, and Castro in his infield, which will be insanely good. I am surprised he is so keen on dealing Samardzija, as he looks like a nice piece to keep. But they're 3 yrs away and need another 2 solid drafts.

I heard Che Hsuan Lin might be available, lol

Why deal Carp when he's your only LHH infielder of note?

The Cubs are paying $13 mil of Soriano's $18 mil salary in 2014

Theo took over a loaded team and completed the final piece to win a title. He had one title under his belt from some of his homegrown guys and consistently put out good drafts. Seeing as the Cubs were a heaping pile of s*** when he took over, you're gonna need to give him 5 yrs or so.

Beltran in Yankee Stadium will be interesting. I just hope Girardi can massage these guys into the lineup without completely blowing anyone out. If Beltran plays 140 games, he's in trouble. We need to use him and Soriano for around 120 games apiece with a lot of DH time

I don't need a puff piece to make me feel better. I need Roberts to not end up on the DL if someone breaks wind in his direction. We still don't know what player he is if he stays healthy. He's old as f*** now and is 4 yrs removed from being relevant. And a big part of his game was his speed, which I expect is likely gone with the fact that he's running on rubber bands that are tied back into place.

I just cannot fathom Brian Roberts being anything but a utility guy. If we're going into the yr with him pegged as our second baseman, then we're asking for it. Last yr, we lost Jeter, ARod, Granderson, and Teixeira for most of the yr, 4 guys who have been pretty healthy throughout their careers. These injuries happen, but letting Cano walk and filling his spot with a guy who'll get hurt if you look at him crosseyed is asking for it. I know we have some minor league IF talent, but none that should be expected to contribute in 2014. The idea that we're effectively guaranteeing a need there is really interesting. I still think our offense will be better, but we're gonna have 130 games or so of Brendan Ryan that we're gonna need to stomach. And we still haven't done enough on the mound.

I was purely talking about his offense, as behindenemylines noted, he thinks Bradley will be on par with him in a couple years.

So you see Bradley as a guy who can hit .300 with a .400+OBP who also is a 20-20 player? He never will be. I see Bradley as a guy who can get on base well, but he's not a power-SB player. Choo is decidedly better offensively and likely will be even after Bradley hits his prime

Not really sure what you're talking about. Selig is a businessman, and while he's made it harder for the average family of 4 to attend a game, he has increased the revenue of his constituents as commissioner. That's his job. His double standard on PEDs is a major stain on his record and if anything, he's made it possible for teams like the Marlins and Astros to stay relevant by instituting revenue sharing and a luxury tax. Selig has been bad for the average fan, but he's been great for the owners and the players in terms of bottom line. Also, while baseball may have been losing market share in the past, you're starting to see a shift in the American population going away from football and to baseball. 2013 was the first year where Pop Warner enrollment has gone down, and with the whole concussion issue, I expect baseball to indirectly benefit. Also, the expansion of baseball to include he entire globe has helped talent influx immensely. So, in the end, Selig has been great for the MLB, but not so great for you and I

You are right UN, not sure what I typed there. I think the Yankees are expecting one of their kids to be the fire in the pen. I always said we needed one lefty and one back end pen arm. If we don't get the back end guy, we're going to be leaving a lot up to the young pups out there. I know these kids have talent, but to throw them into the 8th inning role in April is a bit much. Very strange offseason for sure

Mo was amazing. I'm glad I can say I was there for his final appearance. What he have us was stability. He was a 90% save guy who was there every yr sans 2012. Guys have had better seasons (Gagne, Okajima) but it's the body of work that stands out for Mo. That and the playoff resume. He was absolutely and totally amazing in the playoffs. It's a downgrade for sure. Guys can imitate Mo for a year or two, but we likely will never see a pitcher dominate for 19 seasons again. It's a big loss, although one that needs to be replaced by the pen on the whole. We have the talent in the minors to rebuild the pen, but we'll never have a Mo again

It's $3.5 mil per year, the going rate for a lefty who doesn't outright suck on this market

I thought they would have as well. They must have faith in K-Rob. The guy has the stuff, lets see if he has the balls

Thornton is a serviceable guy. He's not very good, but he'll at least carry a left arm that can throw a ball. Thus far, I am underwhelmed with what we have done the last 24 hours

What the f*** is that? Do they plan to cover the guy in bubble wrap? I know he had upside 4 yrs ago, but the guy has played 176 games the last 4 yrs. this better not be it in the IF

Sarcasm doesn't project well over the internet my friend. If we need to rely on Johnson for anything more than 1 WAR, then we're f***ed

Kelly Johnson is a power hitting middle infielder who provides lefty power, some OBP and almost no defense. If he can find his power stroke in NY, he will be valuable. If he doesn't, then he'll be a liability

Knowing Levine, that means they already have a trade partner. That guys is f***ing shady

Yeah, our IF defense will be interesting. I'd expect a fair amount of Brendan Ryan at SS, especially vs lefties which should shift Sori to LF and Gardy to the bench