Palodios

The Red Sox seemed to be the front runners for Kuroda as well. I don't think any of those reports matter until someone actually gets a player. The Rangers have a very deep rotation already, and I just can't see them wanting both of those guys, unless they pull Feliz and Ogando back to the bullpen, which seems like a waste to me.

Not necessarily. If everything swings the right way, this team can do well. If they hit on a few low-risk signings, and their players stay healthy, this team could still win the division. Getting the next pieces are about having the depth to withstand the realistic expectations of bad luck. That being said, many of us do doubt the health and effectiveness of this top four, and that extra starter seems very important to this team.

I just don't see it. He had a relatively good season in the NL Central... but come on, its the NL Central, and even so, opposing batters hit .290 off of him. He went to the playoffs, and gave up a 5.60 ERA there.

Can someone please tell me what the hell the deal is with Edwin Jackson? Seriously, why on earth does he think he deserves 80 million? He has a career whip of close to 1.50. When he pitched for Tampa Bay, he had a 5.08 ERA, and in 2010, he was getting absolutely smoked in Arizona. He has a 7.36 ERA in Fenway Park in 7 games, 6.55 ERA in Yankees Stadium, 5.16 ERA in Camden Yards, 5.09 ERA in Tropicana Field.... This is just ridiculous, the only team who seemed remotely interested was the Yankees, and even they wanted to keep him to 1 year. Who is going to pay that much for a #5 type guy?

I'm sure a700 will object heavily to this one, but bullpens are year to year, and a big part about them is having faith that the team put together enough depth that they get lucky with some players. Between Jenks/Albers/Wilson/Doubront/Bowden, someone is bound to make an impact next year. I would be optimistic enough to believe that one low cost player adds value this year, and I would argue that with one more signing, this bullpen will come out looking like a strength. Melancon, Bailey, and Aceves are very good arms in the bullpen already, and I'm optimistic about Morales as well. Add one more guy from free agency, and that is a bullpen that is six-deep. Bullpen management was never Tito's strength, so a change in coaching could not hurt either.

I don't think the Yankees will be in on Fielder. Having Texieria, Fielder, and A-rod to split time between 1B/3B/DH seems like a collosal waste, especially considering that whatever they pay Fielder is essentially multiplied by 1.5x. Is Fielder worth 35 million a year to DH for six years?

Peter Gammons reported that Lackey might need Tommy John surgery in June of 2011. He continued to pitch for four more months.

This team's #3, #4 #5, and #6 starting pitchers on their depth chart were injured. When Bedard was obtained in order to replace one of them, he got injured as well. You don't replace that level of production.

We've discussed this pattern many times on here, and it scares me as well. But some have mentioned that part of that may be more about arrogance, pride, and preparation. Look at how things have gone for him... He has a good season in 2003, is coming off a World Series high and declines a bit in 2004. He has a good year with Florida in 2005, is traded to Boston, and-- like most players-- takes a year to adjust to his new team. He has a good year with Boston in 2007, declines a bit in 2008 after another World Series high. In 2009, he has a good year, and falls of the cliff at the end of the year, and it drags into 2010, where he is injured. In 2011, everyone is saying he is done, so he's motivated to have possibly the best year of his career. Personally, I think he's a lazy sack of s*** that takes every other year off. I have disliked him as a player since 2009, but when he is working hard, and he is on, there are very few better pitchers. There is so much pressure on him after he fell apart in 2011 that I believe that he's going to be motivated to succeed in 2012.

The facts are simple. Pineda is an excellent pitcher, who has five+ cheap cheap years in pinstripes to reach his prime. He cost Montero, perhaps the best hitting prospect in all of baseball, and Noesi, who seems to be a 6th/7th inning BP guy or maybe a #4/5/6 starter. When I heard this news, I actually was excited, because I figured it meant the starting pitcher market was wide open for the Red Sox to get Kuroda for themselves.... then, "oh s***". That being said, I want you to look at what I posted earlier. He's really only pitched well against AAAA offenses. I agree with what you said earlier-- he'll be a much bigger force in 2013 than 2012.

Seriously, if you don't believe me, take a look at this. Pineda has absolutely feasted on terrible offensive teams, and has gotten lit up by better teams. Bolded are the teams he has succeeded against, and the ones who have eaten him up are in italics. ------------ IP---ERA--WHIP-BAA--Offensive's rank vs. BAL 13.0 2.77 1.15 .255 #14 vs. BOS 4.1 14.54 2.08 .381 #2 vs. CWS 13.0 2.77 0.85 .182 #18 vs. DET 11.1 5.56 1.41 .261 #4 vs. KC 14.0 2.57 0.93 .174 #10 vs. LAA 5.0 12.60 1.60 .286 #17 vs. MIN 11.0 1.64 1.00 .209 #25 vs. NYY 5.0 5.40 1.60 .167 #1 vs. OAK 18.0 2.00 1.00 .185 #20 vs. TB 12.1 2.19 0.89 .175 #15 vs. TEX 19.0 4.74 1.05 .239 #3 vs. TOR 18.2 5.30 1.39 .243 #6 vs. ATL 6.1 5.68 1.42 .182 #22 vs. PHI 6.0 1.50 0.83 .105 #13 vs. SD 7.0 0.00 0.43 .087 #28 vs. WAS 7.0 0.00 0.71 .160 #23

Last year was Pineda's rookie season. He started out well, and ended in mediocrity. He needs to prove himself, and he definitely has #2/#1 potential, but a 4.40 ERA outside of Safeco, a .258 BABIP would make me concerned if I were you.

Pineda for Montero and Noesi? After all the Montero talk, I'm just glad he didn't fetch you guys a real #1/2. I am jealous of the Kuroda deal though... he was the real steal of this offseason.

Point is-- pitchers who throw 4.50 in the AL and 4.00 in the NL are not elite players. At no point will he get the 5 years that they're throwing around.

He hit .808 between AA and AAA last year.

Party at iortiz's place?