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Off-Season Signings

Edgy DC Nov 13 2006 11:06 AM

Jim Edmonds returns to the Cards. Two years, $19 million. http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2006/11/13/ap/sports/baseball/d8las20g0.txt

HahnSolo Nov 13 2006 12:30 PM

So much for the notion that he and LaRussa couldn't stand each other. Maybe it's telling that there's no quote from Tony in that article.

HahnSolo Nov 13 2006 02:52 PM

Kaz Matsui re-ups with the Rockies for one year. Admire his persistence in staying in the US. I thought for sure he'd go back to Japan.

Edgy DC Nov 13 2006 03:04 PM

cool.

Yancy Street Gang Nov 13 2006 03:05 PM

He probably wants to return as a success, not as a failure.

Johnny Dickshot Nov 13 2006 03:09 PM

Kaz > Met 2Bman, 2007 Put it in the ar-friggin-chives.

metirish Nov 13 2006 03:56 PM

Good for Kaz,hope he has a great season.

willpie Nov 13 2006 04:22 PM

I think Dickshot's right about Kaz.

Frayed Knot Nov 13 2006 04:29 PM

]So much for the notion that he and LaRussa couldn't stand each other It was he and Rolen who had problems towards the end of the season. Don't remember anything with TLR & Edmonds. Also (it was brought up in another thread); Aramis Ramirez & Kerry wood re-up w/the Cubbies. Ramirez long-term, Wood for one year.

sharpie Nov 14 2006 04:14 PM

Mark DeRosa to the busy Cubs. 3 years/$13 million.

HahnSolo Nov 14 2006 05:24 PM

Rey Ordonez--Rey Ordonez!--signs a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.

Johnny Dickshot Nov 14 2006 05:30 PM

You go, Rey-rey.

metirish Nov 14 2006 06:25 PM

Damn,it was only last week someone here wondered what Rey was doing these days....

Edgy DC Nov 16 2006 10:32 AM

Wes Helms is a Phillie. Frank Thomas is reportedly close to signing with Toronto.

smg58 Nov 16 2006 11:50 AM

I was assuming Thomas had too good a year for Beane to just let him walk. You can't say the Jays aren't trying. Which makes me think they'd want major league value for Wells.

metirish Nov 16 2006 11:56 AM

Thomas's bat to replace Wells bat and Milledge to take his spot in the OF with Heilman in the Jays rotation.

Johnny Dickshot Nov 16 2006 12:04 PM

We could have offered them Delgado for Wells and saved them the need to go buy Thomas.

Vic Sage Nov 16 2006 12:08 PM

getting Wells is a pipedream. why would toronto trade a 28-year old gold glove CFer, who was one of the top offensive players in his league last season (and in 2003 as well). Its not like they're unwilling to spend the money to keep him. He's the kind of guy you build around (same for Willis). You can only get guys of this age, and of this calibre if either the team feels they won't be able to re-sign him, or there is some kind of personal issue, or if the organization is stupid, or if the acquiring organization overpays for him. do you really think Milledge and Heilman for Wells is a deal any reasonably sane Toronto GM makes, assuming they feel they can re-sign him and there are no skeletons in his closet? (ditto Willis) Put it another way... what would the Mets demand for David Wright?

Frayed Knot Nov 16 2006 01:28 PM

Apparently Toronto has reason to doubt that the Texas native will want to remain in Canada when he becomes free to choose on his own a year from now ... which is why speculation centers on them dealing him now (or at mid-season) and why much of it centers on him winding up in either Dallas or Houston. And, yes, it would take a king's ransom to get him.

DocTee Nov 16 2006 01:51 PM

Reports have Baltimore landing lefty relief specialist Jamie Walker (from Detroit); 3 yrs, $11.5 million

metirish Nov 16 2006 02:50 PM

Casey back with Detroit in a one year deal......

metirish Nov 16 2006 09:05 PM

Speizo back with the Cards

metirish Nov 17 2006 11:36 AM

Thomas to the Jays,two years - $18 million.

DocTee Nov 17 2006 11:43 AM

Thomas' departure could open the way for Bonds to become the DH in Oakland

Edgy DC Nov 17 2006 11:45 AM

Could they scratch together the sort of coin it takes to retain Barry Bonds?

OlerudOwned Nov 17 2006 05:57 PM

Edgy DC wrote: Could they scratch together the sort of coin it takes to retain Barry Bonds? The market for Bonds doesn't seem to have any sizzle, so I'm guessing it may become a bit of a staredown until one side relents on the price.

MFS62 Nov 19 2006 04:26 PM

Soriano a Cub. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AjGdyW307hVQMIoyTRdReR8RvLYF?slug=cubssoriano&prov=st&type=lgns That's a lot of money, AND years. Thoughts? Later

Rockin' Doc Nov 19 2006 08:04 PM

Well, no one can say the Cubs aren't trying. First they signed Pinella to manage the club. Now they are reportedly very close to adding Alfonso Soriano. They have previously signed Mark DeRosa while retaining Aramis Ramirez and Kerry Wood. If they can somehow keep Mark Prior healthy to team with Carlos Zambrano, they could be pretty good. Soriano should put up monster numbers hitting at Wrigley Field. However, eight years and $135 mil. is a huge commitment for any player, particularly one that will be turning (at least) 31 years old in January. Derrek Lee, Soriano, Ramirez, Michael Barrett, Jaun Pierre, Jacque Jones, and DeRosa gives the Cubs a pretty decent offensive core.

DocTee Nov 19 2006 08:20 PM

With DeRosa in the fold, does Soriano play LF?

DocTee Nov 19 2006 08:30 PM

Justin Spier to the Angels: 4 years!

Rockin' Doc Nov 19 2006 08:33 PM

I think so. The Cubs site lists DeRosa at second base. If the deal becomes official, then I think the Cubs line up pans out something like this: 1B - Derrek Lee 2B - Mark DeRosa SS- Cesar Izturis/Ronnie Cedno 3B- Aramis Ramirez LF- Alfonso Soriano CF- Jaun Peirre RF- Jacque Jones C - Michael Barrett Not a bad offensive line up. They should score some runs, particularly playing in Wrigley half the time. The question is whether they can stop their opponents from scoring. After Carlos Zambrano, their is no one that scares you in their rotation other than the seemingly always injured Mark Prior.

cleonjones11 Nov 19 2006 08:42 PM

Soriano should love his stay in Chicago lol...136 Million...I guess the Tribune is doing better or about to be sold... Man...Sorryanus is going to be tortured by the fans if they suck as usual...

Nymr83 Nov 19 2006 09:10 PM

maybe theres someone high up in the Cubs franchise that thinks Soriano can play SS?

A Boy Named Seo Nov 20 2006 11:13 AM

Stocks are up. [url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-dodgers20nov20,1,2410995.story?coll=la-headlines-sports]Nomar stays in LA[/url] for 2 years, $18.

metirish Nov 20 2006 11:52 AM

Alex Gonzalez to the Reds....3 years/$15M

attgig Nov 20 2006 12:15 PM

Rockin' Doc wrote: I think so. The Cubs site lists DeRosa at second base. If the deal becomes official, then I think the Cubs line up pans out something like this: 1B - Derrek Lee 2B - Mark DeRosa SS- Cesar Izturis/Ronnie Cedno 3B- Aramis Ramirez LF- Alfonso Soriano CF- Jaun Peirre RF- Jacque Jones C - Michael Barrett Not a bad offensive line up. They should score some runs, particularly playing in Wrigley half the time. The question is whether they can stop their opponents from scoring. After Carlos Zambrano, their is no one that scares you in their rotation other than the seemingly always injured Mark Prior. they're saying soriano could play center field.

Rockin' Doc Nov 20 2006 11:07 PM

I've heard rumors that the Cubs covet Cliff Floyd to play left field. Should they land Cliff, the plan is to move Soriano to centerfield. Even without Floyd, the Cubs may shift Soriano to center since Juan Pierre is a free agent (which I unfortunately forgot in my earlier post). The Cubs had best invest in some ground ball pitchers. Their outfield defense could be pretty ugly.

Frayed Knot Nov 20 2006 11:39 PM

Stanton to the Reds for 2 years! Pierre to the Dodgers for FIVE?!?!? Two sayings come to mind when I hear this kind of stuff: - one from Bill James about how too many teams overpay for talent because they fail to recognize that it isn't as scarce as they think it is - and the other from 'Moneyball' quoting Beane as saying that it's always easier to recover from the player you don't sign than it is to recover from the one you sign at the wrong price (or, I'll add, for the wrong length).

A Boy Named Seo Nov 20 2006 11:39 PM

Pierre's probably not a free agent anymore, nor was he free (looks like [url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2669903]5 years/$45 mils to the Dodgers[/url]). Damn, that's a lot of money for feckin' Juan Pierre. Furcal gets on base more, but I guess he'll probably drop to second. Nice illusion, but they still haven't replaced Drew's punch.

Edgy DC Nov 22 2006 11:52 AM

The Orioles, who never cease to leave me scratching my head, sign leftahanded relief specialist Jamie Walker from Tigers for three years. Dude picked the right season to be a freebie.

Frayed Knot Nov 22 2006 12:59 PM

Talkin' 'bout your well-timed breakout seasons: Gary Matthews Jr. to the Angels for 5x$10mil And realize also that this seemingly "young" player is already 32 y/o and is headed for his 8th team.

DocTee Nov 22 2006 01:25 PM

edgy-- see last post on page one of this thread

Vic Sage Nov 22 2006 02:59 PM

stop the insanity!

metirish Nov 22 2006 03:05 PM

This is the big bat Morano has promised fans to protect Vlad?.....I remember his very brieh time as a Met...

Nymr83 Nov 22 2006 10:25 PM

another deal that wasn't well thought out at all. this is looking more and more like a good time to "lay low" if you are a smart GM, the contracts so far this offseason have been out of control for questionable players.

patona314 Nov 22 2006 10:39 PM

stupid is as stupid does [URL=http://img175.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitledhw5.png][/URL] if i'm correct, this guy has been waived by at least 3 teams.

MFS62 Nov 23 2006 08:03 AM

I think this tells us its time to start testing GMs for drugs, too. Later

Nymr83 Nov 23 2006 11:14 AM

MFS62 wrote: I think this tells us its time to start testing GMs for drugs, too. Later those brownies that Boras sent out must have been funny brownies

cleonjones11 Nov 23 2006 08:24 PM

Ya know in the last 4 years Juan Pierre has had over 200 hits 3 times...220 stolen bases and has a lifetime avergage of .303...I had no idea..And ex-Met Matthews got more?

metirish Nov 24 2006 02:20 PM

ESPN is reporting that Carlos Lee to sign with Astros, six years for $100M..........glad the Phillies didn't get him...

DocTee Nov 24 2006 02:23 PM

I think Philadelphia must be getting antsy--they want a legitimate corner OFbat but have lost out on the top three (Soriano, Lee and Alou)..Drew is a non-entity given the bitterness there...where do they go from here? If they use their $$ on a starter insted (say Zito) that gives them so serious LHP--

MFS62 Nov 24 2006 02:29 PM

metirish wrote: ESPN is reporting that Carlos Lee to sign with Astros, six years for $100M..........glad the Phillies didn't get him... He should just LOVE hitting in that ballpark. Good signing by them. Later

TransMonk Nov 24 2006 02:36 PM

metirish wrote: ESPN is reporting that Carlos Lee to sign with Astros, six years for $100M..........glad the Phillies didn't get him... I'm glad we didn't get him. The Alou deal seems better and better to me with each FA signed.

metirish Nov 24 2006 04:18 PM

This also exposes the folly of trading for a guy that's going to be a FA after the season...so when you look at it Texas got Nelson Cruz,9 home runs with 35 RBI in trading for Lee,giving up four players.

Gwreck Nov 24 2006 04:25 PM

metirish wrote: This also exposes the folly of trading for a guy that's going to be a FA after the season...so when you look at it Texas got Nelson Cruz,9 home runs with 35 RBI in trading for Lee,giving up four players. You have a point, but I think you need to qualify the "folly." It might've been for Texas, as they probably weren't good enough to use Lee to take them to the playoffs. There are plenty of examples of these sort of trades working just great (ie. the team makes the playoffs).

smg58 Nov 24 2006 05:41 PM

The Astros also land Woody Williams for 2 years and $12.5M. A great deal if they can get 30+ starts out of him, but that's a huge if. Still looks like a decent deal, giving some hope that pitchers' contracts won't be as obscene as hitters' contracts. Like Soriano, Lee should be fine for the frst half of the deal. It's the rest of it that should have Astros fans worried.

patona314 Nov 24 2006 06:37 PM

DocTee wrote: I think Philadelphia must be getting antsy--they want a legitimate corner OFbat but have lost out on the top three (Soriano, Lee and Alou)..Drew is a non-entity given the bitterness there...where do they go from here? If they use their $$ on a starter insted (say Zito) that gives them so serious LHP-- screw the phillies and the phanatic. I hear von hayes is available...... oh yeah, and screw the yankees and their army of steinbrenner loving drones

HahnSolo Nov 24 2006 06:38 PM

That's not a bad deal for the Astros (the Williams one). 12.5 over 2 is pretty low for a guy who could, stress could, be a solid guy in the rotation.

patona314 Nov 24 2006 06:39 PM

HahnSolo wrote: That's not a bad deal for the Astros (the Williams one). 12.5 over 2 is pretty low for a guy who could, stress could, be a solid guy in the rotation. i like the deal because the mets smack him around and he stays in our league

metirish Nov 24 2006 07:23 PM

In 14 starts against the Mets Williams is W5 - L3.....4.63 ERA,10 homers given up and all three loses at Shea where his ERA is over 6....

Elster88 Nov 24 2006 11:02 PM

The insanity continues. Carlos Lee to the Astros: [url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2674398]6 years, 100 million[/url].

patona314 Nov 25 2006 09:43 AM

Elster88 wrote: The insanity continues. Carlos Lee to the Astros: [url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2674398]6 years, 100 million[/url]. mr. lee should send mr. beltran a thank you card

Rockin' Doc Nov 25 2006 03:19 PM

I've seen Carlos Lee, he's no Carlos Beltran. I much prefer having Beltran in a Mets uniform.

Edgy DC Nov 25 2006 11:35 PM

patona314 wrote: ="Elster88"]The insanity continues. Carlos Lee to the Astros: [url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2674398]6 years, 100 million[/url]. mr. lee should send mr. beltran a thank you card Mr. DC should send Mr. Minaya a Thank You card.

Edgy DC Nov 27 2006 09:29 AM

Five-year deal worth $50 million for ex-Met (1 AB) Gary Matthews. He picked a good time to have a career year. I'm guessing that the Anaheim Angels of Thunderstick regret that one soon. The Alou signing looks better every day.

metirish Nov 27 2006 09:45 AM

Danys Baez gets $19 million form the Orioles for three years pending a physical,crazy.

Vic Sage Nov 27 2006 10:43 AM

3 yrs at $6M+ per for a former closer / now set-up guy? This is not a good marketplace for Omar to try and fill holes. He's better off trading for guys.

Edgy DC Nov 27 2006 10:49 AM

But, to his credit, he got ahead of the game and signed his leftfielder and secondbasemen to relatively modest deals before the market exploded.

metirish Nov 27 2006 08:33 PM

Free agent pitcher Adam Eaton has reached preliminary agreement on a three-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies worth more than $24 million, a baseball source told ESPN.com.

Nymr83 Nov 27 2006 09:51 PM

I like Eaton but that looks like alot of money and worries me about Zito's price.

metirish Nov 27 2006 09:55 PM

Nymr83 wrote: I like Eaton but that looks like alot of money and worries me about Zito's price. It's gone crazy this year,hey will Pat Gillick get hammered in the press for signing Eaton to that deal like the Mets did when they signed Benson...

Frayed Knot Nov 27 2006 11:37 PM

metirish wrote: Danys Baez gets $19 million form the Orioles for three years Imagine what he would have gotten if he actually had a good season this past year?

Edgy DC Nov 28 2006 09:50 AM

David Dellucci to Cleveland, who supposedly promised him the leftfield job, for three years and 11.5 million Pittsburgh re-ups reliever Damaso Marte, $4.7 million, for two years. He will finish that contract as a Yankee. You heard it here first. Seattle utility guy Willie Bloomquist also re-enlists, at two years and $1.875 million. He will not finish that deal as a Yankee. You also heard that here first.

A Boy Named Seo Nov 28 2006 12:37 PM

Randy Wolf and his pack turn down Benson Bunch money to sign with the [url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers28nov28,1,4652251.story?coll=la-headlines-sports]Dodgers for 1-year/$7.5[/url] with a vesting option. Sez he wanted to live and play at home more than he wanted the big bucks.

metirish Nov 28 2006 01:46 PM

Zaun back with the Jays for two years after the Rod Barajas deal fell asunder.

metirish Nov 28 2006 04:03 PM

Free agent second baseman Adam Kennedy has reached agreement on a three-year, $10 million deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. The team is expected to announce the contract Tuesday afternoon.

DocTee Nov 28 2006 04:05 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Nov 28 2006 04:24 PM

Adam Kennedy to St Louis--3 years, $10 Million-- this means Ronnie Belliard is available, though not Rich Aurilia, whom local tabloids have returning to SF. -- Dave Roberts to the Giants, too, allegedly...and Oakland expressing interest in Mike Piazza as a replacement for Frank Thomas.

Frayed Knot Nov 28 2006 04:23 PM

Isn't that where Kennedy started? He, along with brief 20G-winner Kent Bottenfield, were the main bait for Jim Edmonds. On edit: Bottenfield won 18 for the Cards in '99 (and never as many as 9 before or after) and Kennedy was a former StL #1 (20th overall) draft pick.

metirish Nov 28 2006 04:27 PM

Frayed Knot wrote: Isn't that where Kennedy started? He, along with brief 20G-winner Kent Bottenfield, were the main bait for Jim Edmonds. from espn ] Kennedy was St. Louis' first-round pick and the 20th choice overall in the June 1997 draft. The Cardinals traded him to the Angels with pitcher Kent Bottenfield in 2000 in a deal for outfielder Jim Edmonds.

Vic Sage Nov 28 2006 04:39 PM

St.L thus reconstitutes the Angels' pepperpot Keystone Kombo of Eckstein/Kennedy. Not exactly Tinker to Evers, but not bad.

Edgy DC Nov 28 2006 04:42 PM

I'm glad I'm not a Kennedy.

duan Nov 28 2006 04:53 PM

metirish wrote: Free agent pitcher Adam Eaton has reached preliminary agreement on a three-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies worth more than $24 million, a baseball source told ESPN.com. I'd have bitten on that in a heartbeat.

sharpie Nov 28 2006 05:35 PM

Kip Wells to the Cards for $850,000. The Mets' Eli Marrero era is officially over as he signs a minorleague deal. also with the Cards.

patona314 Nov 28 2006 06:18 PM

Igawa will officially be a yankmee

metirish Nov 28 2006 07:26 PM

] Yankees win rights to Kei Igawa BY JIM BAUMBACH Newsday Staff Writer November 28, 2006, 6:11 PM EST The Yankees are expected to be named the winner of the bidding process for Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa in an announcement by Major League Baseball later this evening, according to a person familiar with the situation. The Yankees placed a bid "in the ballpark" of $25 million for the 27-year-old lefthander and team officials were confident in their chances as the 8 p.m. announcement neared. The posting process ended at 5 p.m. Monday and the Hanshin Tigers announced Tuesday morning they have accepted the bid without identifying the winning team. The Associated Press reported that the Mets placed a bid for about $15 million. The Yankees now have a 30-day window to negotiate a contract with Igawa's agent, Arn Tellem, who has a history of making deals with the Yankees. He is the agent for Mike Mussina, Jason Giambi and Hideki Matsui. Igawa went 14-9 last season with a 2.97 ERA and has a career record of 86-60 with a 3.15 ERA.

MFS62 Nov 29 2006 09:34 AM

]Barajas, a free-agent catcher, backed out of a deal with the Blue Jays on Monday, according to Ricciardi, and the Toronto general manager didn't like it. "Where I come from, your word means something and your handshake means something," Ricciardi said. "Unfortunately in this case it didn't. "We had more than a handshake. I'll leave it at that." A dramatic and bizarre 24 hours were capped Tuesday when Ricciardi announced the Blue Jays had signed Zaun to a US$7.25-million, two-year contract. The deal, which includes an option for a third season, was hammered out in only an hour after a $5.25-million, two-year contract with Barajas fell apart. All Barajas had to do was pass a physical on Monday to finalize his deal with the Blue Jays but he skipped his flight to Toronto Scratch one potential backup catcher from your list. Later

sharpie Nov 29 2006 09:36 AM

MFYs were interested in Zaun so I'm glad to see Jays keeping him.

metsmarathon Nov 29 2006 10:22 AM

sharpie wrote: Kip Wells to the Cards for $850,000. The Mets' Eli Marrero era is officially over as he signs a minorleague deal. also with the Cards. espn sez kip wells to the cards for $4M.

sharpie Nov 29 2006 10:41 AM

You're right. $850,000 is what they payed to re-up Gary Bennett.

cooby Nov 29 2006 10:48 AM

]Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2006 5:35 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kip Wells to the Cards for $850,000. ]Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2006 10:22 am Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- espn sez kip wells to the cards for $4M. He must have a really good agent.

Rockin' Doc Nov 30 2006 07:29 AM

Brewers sign Graig Counsell to 2 years at $2.8 mil. per year. Brewers hold a $3.4 mil. team option for 2009 with a $400 K buyout.

sharpie Nov 30 2006 12:39 PM

Stop the presses. Royce Clayton the Jays for 1 year/$1.5 mil.

metirish Nov 30 2006 03:18 PM

[url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2681244]Red Sox sign Japanese pitcher[/url]

sharpie Dec 01 2006 04:38 PM

Ray Durham re-ups with the Giants, 2 years at $14 million.

Johnny Dickshot Dec 01 2006 05:56 PM

sharpie wrote: Ray Durham re-ups with the Giants, 2 years at $14 million. Rats

metirish Dec 01 2006 06:05 PM

That's great value for money with Durham....

Nymr83 Dec 02 2006 12:10 AM

good deal for the Giants imo.

smg58 Dec 02 2006 12:19 PM

I agree. Given the year he had and the state of the market, I'd have assumed it would take at least three years and $27M. It's possible that Durham simply wanted to stay in SF, because I can't imagine that's his market value. It's certainly an offer I'd have tried to beat.

DocTee Dec 02 2006 01:39 PM

SF lands Rich Aurilia: 2 years, $8 and Dave Roberts: 3 years, $18 million

smg58 Dec 02 2006 09:56 PM

A couple more relative bargains the Giants, although it's not clear where Aurilia will wind up playing.

metirish Dec 02 2006 10:21 PM

Sabean is having a great off-season....

smg58 Dec 03 2006 09:50 AM

Roberto Hernandez and Aaron Fultz officially get one-year deals with the Indians. Kevin Millar gets $2.75M to spend another year in Baltimore. ESPN is reporting Jose Guillen to the Mariners for a year at $5M, plus a bunch of incentives and an option.

Frayed Knot Dec 03 2006 10:58 AM

I agree that the Durham deal was good, but it looks at odds next to the one for Roberts. Durham = 2 x $7 .. 2Bman, plays pretty much every day, had 63 XBHs!! (26 HRs), comes off a season w/.293/.360/.538, probably declining glove & speed skills 35 y/o last week Roberts = 3 x $6 ... a mostly corner OFer (some CF) w/33 XBHs (2 HRs), near identical (non-SLG) stats .293/.360/.393, still real good speed (49 of 55 SBs) 35 y/o in May I like that first deal a whole lot more than the second. Roberts has been a patch-in player for years at this point (SF will be 5th team since '01) so I'm at a loss to figure the need to lock him up to nearly age 38. Aurilia too I could take or leave but, as mentioned, not sure where he's playing or how he rates a 2-year deal.

cleonjones11 Dec 03 2006 08:38 PM

Mets close to Julio Lugo for 2B

Nymr83 Dec 03 2006 08:50 PM

hmm, platoon with Valentin or is he being supplanted after being resigned?

MFS62 Dec 04 2006 07:30 AM

That could have a ripple effect throughout the roster. Lugo to second Valentin to the bench (also read he could play left field) Easley to the outfield (in addition to infield) So, what happens to Milledge? To the outfielder they got from SD? I'm smelling trade in the winds. EDIT - saw JD's analysis in the second base thread. It seems to work out ok, as long as they don't d Later

metirish Dec 04 2006 11:45 AM

Newsday says that Boston is expected to announce soon that they signed Drew to a five-year, $70-million contract......seems crazy so I won't believe it till I see it.

Johnny Dickshot Dec 04 2006 12:14 PM

Tanyon Sturtze to the Braves!

Edgy DC Dec 04 2006 01:10 PM

Jose Guillen to Seattle for a year plus an option. Along with Ibanez, Sexson and Beltre, that could be a lot of unbridled power.

metirish Dec 04 2006 03:06 PM

From a blog on ESPN.. ] The Mets have signed former Mariners pitcher Clint Nageotte to a minor-league contract, with an invitation to spring training; the Phillies signed former Mets, Indians and Brewers reliever Kane Davis to a minor-league deal; and the Royals signed former Devil Rays No. 1 pick Dewon Brazelton to a minor-league contract.

Nymr83 Dec 04 2006 04:33 PM

Johnny Dickshot wrote: Tanyon Sturtze to the Braves! the over/under on the Mets homerun total for 2007 just went up

Frayed Knot Dec 04 2006 04:53 PM

I remember Nageotte's name from the prospect discussions from a few years back. Guess his star has fallen a bit since or else he wouldn't be so available but there was some worthwhile talent there at some point.

Johnny Dickshot Dec 04 2006 05:30 PM

Nageotte: Some beefy whiff numbers in the minors (and too many walks).

metirish Dec 04 2006 09:08 PM

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Free agent right-hander Vicente Padilla has reached a preliminary agreement on a $34 million, three-year contract with the Texas Rangers, a baseball source said Monday night. The deal is contingent upon Padilla passing a physical exam, which is expected to be administered in the coming days. Padilla, a 15-game winner for the Rangers last season, will fill the No. 2 spot in the rotation behind fellow right-hander Kevin Millwood. Padilla attracted interest from several National League clubs, but Texas moved quickly after losing Adam Eaton to the Philadelphia Phillies in free agency. The 29-year-old Padilla was 15-10 with a 4.50 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 200 innings in 2006. He had spent the previous five seasons in Philadelphia. Padilla is 66-61 in eight major league seasons.

smg58 Dec 04 2006 09:14 PM

Given the Eaton deal, that's great for the Rangers. I wonder how that will affect the Rangers' interest in Zito.

metirish Dec 04 2006 09:22 PM

Apparently the Mets made him a 3 or 4 year offer..so Jayson Stark blogged on ESPN from the meetings.

metirish Dec 04 2006 10:20 PM

The Cardinals announced a five-year deal with 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter on Monday, locking him up through the 2011 season for about $65 million. The deal also includes a club option for 2012 that would bring the total value to $77 million. It's no wonder Boras waits till the game plays it self out before his guy gets signed....

smg58 Dec 05 2006 08:47 AM

That's a good price for Carpenter. I'd have no problems making that offer to Zito, and Carpenter is a better (if older) pitcher.

metirish Dec 05 2006 08:58 AM

Several reports have the Rangers offering Zito 6 years at over $100 million.

soupcan Dec 05 2006 09:14 AM

Gosh that's a lot of money. Hmmmm, if I'm Barry Zito do I take all the money I can and lock myself into a team that hasn't sniffed the playoffs in years and probably won't any time soon even with me or do I take less money and maybe less years to play for a better team in a better market (which would give me additional financial opportunities)? Either way I'm gonna be filthy rich and my kids and grandkids will be set for life. What's the difference gonna be - maybe $10-$20 million from one offer to the other? Wow, $10-$20 million is a LOT of money to turn down and maybe I could be the guy that is able to take that not-so-good team to the playoffs. Tough choice.

duan Dec 05 2006 09:48 AM

smg58 wrote: That's a good price for Carpenter. I'd have no problems making that offer to Zito, and Carpenter is a better (if older) pitcher. except that the cards already had him undercontract for the next two years at about $7 million per. So in effect they've signed him for the years 2009, 2010, 2011 for $50 million. That's a lot to be on the hook for with a guy who's had a bunch of shoulder surgeries. Of course if he stays "as good as he is now" it may be a relative bargain, but I can't help think it's a bed bet.

DocTee Dec 05 2006 10:06 AM

Reds replace Rich Aurilia with Mark Loretta: 2 years, $6 million

Johnny Dickshot Dec 05 2006 10:06 AM

Giants sign Benji Molina for 3 years

Frayed Knot Dec 05 2006 10:10 AM

Sabean obviously decides that his Gigantes are not yet old enough or slow enough.

duan Dec 05 2006 10:50 AM

Johnny Dickshot wrote: Giants sign Benji Molina for 3 years seriously that's SUCH a bad idea it's unreal.

metirish Dec 05 2006 12:37 PM

soupcan wrote: Gosh that's a lot of money. Hmmmm, if I'm Barry Zito do I take all the money I can and lock myself into a team that hasn't sniffed the playoffs in years and probably won't any time soon even with me or do I take less money and maybe less years to play for a better team in a better market (which would give me additional financial opportunities)? Either way I'm gonna be filthy rich and my kids and grandkids will be set for life. What's the difference gonna be - maybe $10-$20 million from one offer to the other? Wow, $10-$20 million is a LOT of money to turn down and maybe I could be the guy that is able to take that not-so-good team to the playoffs. Tough choice. From the "buzz" blog on ESPN.... ]• While Texas and Seattle have been mentioned as potential landing spots for Barry Zito, there's rampant skepticism in Orlando that Zito would sign with either club. But it's a great way for Scott Boras to help drive up Zito's price with the Mets.

sharpie Dec 05 2006 01:22 PM

From Jayson Stark on that same blog: The Mets and Barry Zito's agent, Scott Boras, haven't talked money yet. But they clearly have a major philosophical difference about the potential length of Zito's contract, according to a source who spoke with both Boras and Mets GM Omar Minaya. Boras has told teams that Zito's deal needs to be at least six years. But the Mets don't want to go beyond four years. And it's nearly impossible to envision them extending past five years. This could be a gigantic obstacle, but an official of another team that has kicked Zito's tires said Tuesday: "I wouldn't believe any of that talk. I still think the Mets will do whatever it takes to get Zito, despite what everyone is saying now." • Another source who has spoken with the Mets advises us to discount reports that the club is actively pursuing Miguel Batista or any other free-agent starter besides Zito. The Mets were interested in Vicente Padilla before he re-signed with Texas. But with him off the board, the Mets are "not in on Batista or any of those guys at this time," the source said. "The only guy they have high-level interest in right now is [Zito]." Which seems like more confirmation that the Mets remain Zito's most likely destination. • No agent is more famous for overplaying his hand than Boras. So one GM joked last week that Boras had so little interest going in Zito this year that, other than the Mets, "it's all mystery teams. Usually, with Scott, you have four or five real teams and one mystery team. This year, it's one real team and all the rest are mystery teams." But that has changed since the meetings began. The Rangers, Mariners and Angels are all "definitely in" on Zito, according to one club that has been talking to Boras. However, Boras could be running into similar roadblocks with two of those teams that he has run into with the Mets. Because both Texas and Seattle are wary of being used to drive up some other team's price tag, neither wants to offer a contract longer than four years. The Angels' intentions are a little more mysterious. But one executive wondered "if they have any money left, after giving their center fielder (Gary Matthews Jr.) $50 million."

Edgy DC Dec 05 2006 01:50 PM

Blowing your bankroll on Gary Matthews after he has a career year at 31 two feet above the level he established over his previous seven years. Not a good plan.

smg58 Dec 05 2006 07:46 PM

Maddux goes to the Padres for one year and $10M. Drew to the Red Sox finally official at 5 years and $70M. This from ESPN.com: Why would the Reds offer Mark Loretta two years and $6 million when they already have a talented second baseman in Brandon Phillips? The Reds think Loretta can log enough at-bats as the right-handed first base complement to Scott Hatteberg to make the deal worthwhile. Does anybody see the logic in that?

metirish Dec 05 2006 08:26 PM

That Drew deal is nuts....he's not that good is he?

Nymr83 Dec 05 2006 09:41 PM

smg58 wrote: Maddux goes to the Padres for one year and $10M. Drew to the Red Sox finally official at 5 years and $70M. This from ESPN.com: Why would the Reds offer Mark Loretta two years and $6 million when they already have a talented second baseman in Brandon Phillips? The Reds think Loretta can log enough at-bats as the right-handed first base complement to Scott Hatteberg to make the deal worthwhile. Does anybody see the logic in that? the right-handed guy in a strict platoon gets 60% of the at bats, throw in some starts at 2B (while Phillips plays SS or sits) and 6 million doesnt look all that bad in this market. i wish the Mets had signed Loretta for $6 million instead of the crazy deal they are suppesedly giving to Lugo.

Edgy DC Dec 05 2006 09:47 PM

Nymr83 wrote: the right-handed guy in a strict platoon gets 60% of the at bats I may be misreading, but, in my experience, the righthander gets 30%

Nymr83 Dec 05 2006 10:00 PM

Edgy DC wrote: ="Nymr83"]the right-handed guy in a strict platoon gets 60% of the at bats I may be misreading, but, in my experience, the righthander gets 30% i was misreading, i thought he was batting against the righties. they have Phillips who can play 2B/SS and Encarnacion at 3B, is there another guy locked in at SS that I'm not thinking of or can they move Phillips there and play Loretta at 2B against righties?

DocTee Dec 05 2006 10:59 PM

Lugo to BOSOX 4 years, 36 million

Frayed Knot Dec 05 2006 11:02 PM

I still think that's high and long (and gone!!) but it does make more sense for a team that needs a full-time SS than for a team (Us!) that wants someone to share 2B

Nymr83 Dec 05 2006 11:07 PM

glad it wasn't us. thank you Epstein.

SteveJRogers Dec 05 2006 11:09 PM

Wow, Lugo, Drew, do the Sox actually have a plan or is all this just Epstein thinking that he has some sort of Midas touch? This can't all be Bill James' Sabermetric/Moneyball way of thinking, can it?

Nymr83 Dec 05 2006 11:13 PM

well, James and moneyball are two seperate things. i don't think beane would really want to pay so much for Drew or Lugo.

SteveJRogers Dec 05 2006 11:15 PM

Well, they could have had Johnny Damon

metirish Dec 05 2006 11:20 PM

Thank you Theo...boy genius to man fool..

Edgy DC Dec 05 2006 11:41 PM

It doesn't take Bill James to suggest that J.D. Drew is a better player and smarter investment than Johnny Damon.

Rotblatt Dec 06 2006 07:42 AM

metirish wrote: That Drew deal is nuts....he's not that good is he? Well, $14M a year sounds about right in this market (he's got a career 133 OPS+, after all), but 5 years is an awfully long time for a guy with his injury history. Over his last 5 years, he's averaged only 395 AB per year, and he turned 31 this year. I wonder if the Sox are hoping he'll stay healthy this year, then try to trade him to some suckers for prospects next winter. Either way, better the Sox than us.

metirish Dec 06 2006 07:21 PM

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Mike Piazza's days as a catcher in the National League appear to be over. Although he won't catch much in the American League, no other player has hit more home runs as a catcher than Mike Piazza: The former Mets, Dodgers, Marlins and Padres backstop agreed to a one-year, $8.5 million deal with the Oakland Athletics to become their designated hitter.

Elster88 Dec 06 2006 08:01 PM

Payton and Piazza together again. Maybe when Oakland visits Baltimore I'll have an excuse to finally go see Camden Yards. I'll just have to flip a coin on whether to wear 31 or 44.

Nymr83 Dec 06 2006 08:16 PM

that is a pretty good idea, i'll even get to piss people off (one of my favorite activities) rooting for hte road team!

metirish Dec 06 2006 08:17 PM

I don't think Payton is with Oakland anymore,unless he signed in the last few days..

metirish Dec 06 2006 08:42 PM

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Free agent pitcher Ted Lilly, who earlier in the day ruled out returning to Toronto, agreed Wednesday night to a $40 million, four-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.

Rockin' Doc Dec 06 2006 10:33 PM

metirish had previously reported That Schmidt and the Dodgers were nearing an agreement. ESPN is now reporting that Jason Schmidt has agreed on a deal to join the Dodgers for 3 years and $47 mil.

Johnny Dickshot Dec 06 2006 10:41 PM

Dodgers also sign Mike Leiberthal. Dude's been a Phille 4eva.

Frayed Knot Dec 06 2006 10:43 PM

Not signing but a significant trade: Freddie Garcia heads from Chicago's south side to Philly's south side in exchange for young hurler Gavin Floyd and a player to be named later. That'll take an option away from the Mets (and anyone else looking to trade for pitching). The ChiSox had made it known for a while that they were willing to deal an experienced pitcher due to the presence of young'un Brandon McCarthy. Now they've got two young'uns to choose from while presumably Buehrle, Contreras & Vazquez will stay put (at least for now).

patona314 Dec 06 2006 10:53 PM

Elster88 wrote: Payton and Piazza together again. Maybe when Oakland visits Baltimore I'll have an excuse to finally go see Camden Yards. I'll just have to flip a coin on whether to wear 31 or 44. you live in the area and never been to the yard? the place is beautiful! the crab cakes and boog's pork sandwiches are top notch (well maybe just the pork, the crab cakes are a bit on the skimmpy side).

DocTee Dec 06 2006 10:55 PM

gotta think we could've put together a better package than Gavin Floyd and Gio Gonzalez for 17 game winner Freddy G.

Frayed Knot Dec 06 2006 11:05 PM

Well, both Floyd & Gonzalez are/were considered pretty good prospects and remember also that Garcia is entering the final year before FA-gency. I don't know that this one will be universally praised in Phillyland. The few times I saw Garcia last year he wasn't looking all that good amid speculation that his velocity had dropped (his K-rates were down the last two years).

Johnny Dickshot Dec 06 2006 11:13 PM

Freddy is a guy who if the Mets got 'em, would make me a little nervous. That said, the move probably makes Philly a tougher customer for us next year.

Frayed Knot Dec 06 2006 11:24 PM

In the short term is almost certainly a good move for the Phils. But while we probably could have beaten that offer I'm not sure I would have liked it if we did. Braves also got into the trade market as they said all along they would: * LHP starter Horacio Ramirez to Seattle for RHP-reliever Raphael Soriano ... presumably to be their set-up man. Joe Borowski - closer for Florida last year - signs with Cleveland

smg58 Dec 07 2006 10:11 AM

The Sox wanted young pitching in return, and Minaya does not appear willing to deal Pelfrey. Like pretty much everybody else on the Sox staff, Garcia took a step backward last year, and the question is why. Plus he's homer prone and heading to Philadelphia, and the Phillies gave back the pitching prospect that was supposed to be the key to the Thome deal. This could work out well for the Phillies but there's no guarantee, and it will take more than Garcia to make the Phillies contenders.

sharpie Dec 07 2006 10:43 AM

Busy Dodgers sign Luis Gonzalez for 1 year/$7 million.

metirish Dec 07 2006 12:46 PM

Meche to KC for 5 years....$45 million.

Johnny Dickshot Dec 07 2006 12:51 PM

Good for the Royals!

patona314 Dec 07 2006 01:54 PM

Johnny Dickshot wrote: Good for the Royals! let the dynasty begin

Rotblatt Dec 07 2006 01:56 PM

]ESPN is now reporting that Jason Schmidt has agreed on a deal to join the Dodgers for 3 years and $47 mil. That seems like almost a steal in this market. I wouldn't be surprised if he were just as valuable as Zito during the life of his contract. I think Garcia was a great move by the Phillies. He's only owed $9M this year, and he's pretty much infinitely better than Meche and Lilly.

metirish Dec 07 2006 09:49 PM

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Atlanta Braves swapped a starting pitcher for bullpen help Thursday, sending oft-injured lefty Horacio Ramirez to the Seattle Mariners for reliever Rafael Soriano.

Yancy Street Gang Dec 07 2006 10:30 PM

BRAVES GET SORIANO!

Johnny Dickshot Dec 07 2006 11:10 PM

Break up the Royals: Reportedly sign Dotel 1 yr/$5 million.

smg58 Dec 08 2006 08:36 AM

Well hey, can't fault them for trying. They haven't made themselves contenders yet, but given the shape that franchise has been in lately, even buying themselves some dignity would be a step forward.

Edgy DC Dec 08 2006 08:40 AM

Better deal than the other one.

sharpie Dec 08 2006 09:24 AM

Barry Bonds re-ups with the Jints, 1 year/$16 million.

metirish Dec 08 2006 11:22 AM

sharpie wrote: Barry Bonds re-ups with the Jints, 1 year/$16 million. Watching ESPN last night it was kinda weird watching Steve Phillips chasing after Bonds in a hotel lobby with a mic looking for a quote....maybe weird is the wrong word but you go from running the Mets to chasing a player for a quote.

sharpie Dec 08 2006 01:58 PM

Steve Kline also re-ups with Jints. 2 years/$3.5 million.

Frayed Knot Dec 08 2006 04:14 PM

ESPN reporting: Pettitte sings with the Yanx - 1 year. Team not confirming

Yancy Street Gang Dec 08 2006 04:25 PM

="Frayed Knot"]ESPN reporting: Pettitte sings with the Yanx - 1 year. Team not confirming Maybe he'll sing with them, but will he pitch for them?

metirish Dec 08 2006 04:31 PM

Cue a wrong has been righted articles......

sharpie Dec 08 2006 04:37 PM

Then we get to have months of speculation about Roger Clemens.

metirish Dec 08 2006 04:48 PM

$16 million for 07 with a player option for the same money for 08.....

KC Dec 08 2006 05:01 PM

I really didn't miss having Rat Boy stare into my living room under his over- curved baseball cap like The Wicked Witch of the Bronx every fifth day when checking the Yankee score. This is a big story, maybe someone should start a Yankees 2007 thread.

metirish Dec 08 2006 06:10 PM

francesa..."this is a bad day for the yankee hater and a great day for the yankee fan".....

smg58 Dec 08 2006 08:26 PM

Is Pettite still worth what Schmidt (and presumably Zito) will get per year?

metirish Dec 08 2006 08:42 PM

smg58 wrote: Is Pettite still worth what Schmidt (and presumably Zito) will get per year? The Astros didn't think so,they offered $14 million,and alredy the talk of Clemens to the Bronx has started.

Nymr83 Dec 08 2006 08:51 PM

Pettite (34 years old on opening day) 2005- 17-9, 222.3 IP, 171 K, 41bb, 174 ERA+ 2006- 14-13, 214.3 IP, 178 K, 70bb, 108 ERA+ Zito (28yo) 2005- 14-13, 228.3 IP, 171 K, 89bb, 116 ERA+ 2006- 16-10, 221.0 IP, 151 K, 99bb, 116 ERA+ Schmidt (34yo) 2005- 12-7,172.0 IP,165 K, 85bb, 94 ERA+ 2006- 11-9, 213.0 IP,180 K, 80bb, 125 ERA+ Pettite suddenly started walking people last year, though still not at an alarming rate. I think they're all pretty equivalent. If you've gotta sign one of them long term Zito is the obvious choicebecause of age, but for 3 years Schmidt was a steal as was Pettite for 1 + the option. All things considered if I were the Mets I'd have matched the offer to Schmidt or the one to Pettite (though I'd have to think he was only really looking at the Yankees and Astros) and told Boras to run up Zito's price on someone else.

DocTee Dec 09 2006 12:09 PM

Jason Marquis to the Cubs: 3 years, $28 million. The optimist: he won 14 games for a division rival! The pessimist: he lost 16 games for the WS champs! With an ERA over 6.00 and fewer than 100 K's, he is the epitome of what Bob Murphy used to call a "contact pitcher".

Edgy DC Dec 09 2006 01:13 PM

I would've gone after Pettitte for one plus an option (compared to what I think the tag is on Zito). Would've taken him for two guaranateed. That doesn't mean I'm certain that the Mets would've gotten him for the same amount the Yankees did.

silverdsl Dec 09 2006 02:48 PM

I have mixed feelings about the Yankees re-signing Pettitte. On one hand, I'd rather Pettitte for a year or two than be locked in to Lilly long-term. However, I'm not overly thrilled that it's $16 million per year. It also continues to bother me that a month ago Pettitte said that if he had to make a decision about his career he would opt to retire. The Yankees are going to be depending on Pettitte to be a big-game pitcher and I'm not entirely comfortable with someone who recently seemed to have lost their desire to pitch. One things for sure is that you can't recapture the magic of the past - some fans think re-signing Pettitte is going to make it like 1996-2001 all over again, and that's not going to happen with the addition of just one player.

Edgy DC Dec 09 2006 03:18 PM

If Pettitte gives them two years, he has a good chance at passing both his old pitching coach and his new one, among other Yankee stars, on the team's all time win list. 1. White Ford 236 2. Red Ruffing 231 3. Lefty Gomez 189 4. Ron Guidry 170 5. Bob Shawkey 168 6. Mel Stottlemyre 164 7. Herb Pennock 162 8. Waite Hoyt 157 9. Andy Pettitte 149 10. Allie Reynolds 131

iramets Dec 09 2006 03:37 PM

I used to drive a white Ford. I think Pettitte's contract establishes a new expectations level--a victory per million. Pettitte's signed for 16 mil, and I think the Yankees will be happy if he wins 16 games. The Mets will take 16 wins from Zito gladly, and the Royals will settle for 11 Gil Meche W's, I'm sure. Of course you never have quite enough, and will always take more, but I think the numbers of wins is now approximately equal to the number of millions. Gosh, I hope Brian Bannister can win his half a game for KC this year.

Frayed Knot Dec 09 2006 04:25 PM

Of course the kicker is that the 40% lux-tax kicks in and turns Pettitte into an approx $22.4mil acquisition - or nearly $45 over two years. But, the team isn't tied up for multi-years and if the Yanx don't care what they're paying the fans shouldn't care too much either. After all, Pettitte merely becomes their 12th current $10mil+/yr player (and I believe 6th at $15mil or more) so it's not like it's this deal that'll throw everything outta whack. And then it allows the Japanese pitcher they just shelled out $25mil for the posting fee and the $10mil/yr Carl Pavano fight it out for the 5th starter's slot. The other fun part about this was his agents claiming that "everyone knows" that Andy won't activate the player option for year 2 if he gets hurt and unable to pitch at full effectiveness. Yeah ... OK. I remember making a prediction back when Kevin Brown first signed that 7yr/$105mil contract w/the Dodgers that he would NOT win 105 games over the length of that deal (that same $1mil per win standard). I won that one by a lot -- he reached 72 in the final year and then retired.

Nymr83 Dec 09 2006 05:54 PM

Since wins are a team thing in the first place its pretty hard to say how many wins you should expect/count on out of a pitcher. I'd expect any pitcher with Yankee run support to win 15 games, if he doesn't he's had a bad year. The Royals, on the other hand, would have a hard time making sure Roy Oswalt wins 15, nevermind Gil Meche.

MFS62 Dec 10 2006 10:22 AM

hail hail Later

Edgy DC Dec 10 2006 12:07 PM

That 4141 is one rugged bad-ass marine.

Elster88 Dec 10 2006 03:14 PM

Cower before Super Seaver.

sharpie Dec 12 2006 11:18 AM

Miguel Batista to the Mariners. 3 years/$24 million.

metirish Dec 12 2006 12:38 PM

The Rangers reportedly have lured a second player from the Dodgers in as many days. Le Journal de Montreal reports that former Dodgers closer Eric Gagne has agreed to a one-year, $8 million deal with Texas. The Rangers reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year, $6 million contract with former Dodgers center fielder Kenny Lofton on Monday.

Rockin' Doc Dec 12 2006 09:39 PM

ESPN is reporting that Jose Cruz, Jr. has agreed to a one year deal with the San Diego Padres for an undisclosed amount. I remember when he first came up with the Mariners in the late 1990's. Many writers and analysts touted him as a future star, but despite his pedigree, he has never fulfilled the hype.

MFS62 Dec 17 2006 03:48 PM

OOPS! http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=535&Itemid=42 Later

Rockin' Doc Dec 17 2006 06:08 PM

Perhaps, opting out of his Dodger deal wasn't so smart.

Edgy DC Dec 17 2006 07:18 PM

That's stunning.

Frayed Knot Dec 17 2006 09:50 PM

Stunning perhaps, but that 'Biz of Baseball' (whoever they are) report is also a bit misleading. Baseball Prospectus colleague, Will Carroll is reporting on BP Unfiltered that JD Drew has failed his physical with the Red Sox. No he isn't. [url=http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=103&PHPSESSID=fc9fe454f212f40542dfe722f17b0cc0]Carroll's piece[/url] (he tackles all the medical issues for BP) is adding detail onto a Boston Herald report as to why the Sox are delaying officially announcing the Drew signing. Carroll has learned there are questions about his shoulder - but also adds that it's unlikely to scuttle the deal. A bit less dramatic than the headline of DREW FAILS PHYSICAL

Edgy DC Dec 17 2006 10:02 PM

Well, you know, the priest's eyebrows shot up the day of my baptism when my mom told him that my middle name was Sucker. But I guess the old lady had some foresight.

Frayed Knot Dec 17 2006 10:14 PM

I just wish that these 3rd hand "news sources" (which, of course, aren't sources at all) would at least repeat the info they're stealing correctly if that's what they're going to do. Neither the Boston Herald nor BP said anything about Drew flunking or the contract being canceled. It's like whenever I read the words, "Rotoworld is reporting"; my first reaction is, 'no they're not'.

Rockin' Doc Dec 17 2006 10:56 PM

MLB.com on Drew's shoulder. Report: Drew to get second opinion Red Sox concerned about shoulder; deal not yet finalized By Mike Petraglia / Special to MLB.com BOSTON -- Monday could be a pivotal day in the effort to finalize J.D. Drew's five-year contract with the Red Sox. The Boston Globe reported Sunday that according to a Major League source familiar with Drew's background, the star outfielder is scheduled to have a second opinion after concerns arose last week about his shoulder during a team-mandated physical. The club and Drew's agent, Scott Boras, reached agreement on a five-year contract worth a reported $70 million on Dec. 6. Both sides have maintained that only language issues have kept the deal from being finalized. According to the paper, it's not known whether the physical issue could cause the deal to fall through or just require revision of the guarantees in the contract. Another possibility includes the Red Sox shortening the length of the contract or putting more incentives based on Drew's playing time. The Red Sox are declining comment for now. Drew also declined comment when reached at his Georgia home by the Globe. Drew's career has been plagued by a number of injuries over his career, including patellar tendinitis in his knee while playing for the Cardinals. He has also been forced to overcome injuries to his back, wrist and shoulder.

attgig Dec 19 2006 12:40 PM

Pad's are close to signing the younger giles. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2701521

Edgy DC Dec 19 2006 01:11 PM

Platoon-quality outfielder Jayson Werth (out all of 2006) goes to Philadelphia.

Edgy DC Dec 19 2006 04:34 PM

And Ryan Klesko to San Francisco. These look like the sort of bargains that would be available to the Mets now if they didn't move quickly on Alou.

Yancy Street Gang Dec 19 2006 04:45 PM

Ugh. Alou. That reminds me of why I'm not yet eagerly anticipating 2007. They need to make a transaction that I'll get at least a little bit excited about. I think that this is the first time in a while that we've gotten this far into the offseason without that happening.

Edgy DC Dec 19 2006 04:50 PM

That may be good, no?

Yancy Street Gang Dec 19 2006 04:54 PM

Only in that I'm not rabidly anticipating Opening Day, which is still kind of far off.

sharpie Dec 19 2006 05:07 PM

I'd take Alou over Klesko any day.

Edgy DC Dec 19 2006 10:32 PM

Sort of my point, though clearly not stated well. I've seen offseasons loaded with backpage-exploding deals --- such as in 1991-1992 and 2001-2002. I'll take one where the team has been building long enough for the coming season, that they are only motivated to do some fine-tuning.

SteveJRogers Dec 19 2006 10:59 PM

True, but why not have an 84-85 as well with a little splash with Hojo and getting a big gift in Carter before the holidays even started! BTW, the 85-86 one also was quite pedestrian. Granted we really didn't have a need for a big name the way certain media members and fans seem to think we do now, but did Bob Ojeda and Tim Teufel really wet your whistle in terms of heading into 1986? Oh wow! A lefty to augment the staff, great! Hey Wally really ought to have a decent platoon partner! Yes the returning team was the whistle wetter heading into the 86 season, but still, sometimes the best offseason moves aren't the big deals. Conversley though, I would like a move for a Zito as it would help the team in the long run, but not because I want to "win the offseason" Gee that sounds like a term a Yankee fan would use! Or maybe a Yankee owner =;) FWIW, Klesko has Giambi written all over him, and not in the productive ex-roider who may still be on roids way

attgig Dec 20 2006 02:22 AM

would've been nice to get giles though... seems like a better candidate for 2b than valentin.

sharpie Dec 20 2006 05:18 PM

Chris Woodward pulls a Kurt Abbott and goes to the Braves. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2704070

Yancy Street Gang Dec 20 2006 05:34 PM

Now we just need someone named Bernstein to pull a Costello.

Edgy DC Jan 02 2007 09:25 AM

Aubrey Huff, not even high-profile enough to be included in the Free Agent Prediction Contest, goes to Baltimore for three years and $20 million.

DocTee Jan 04 2007 12:39 PM

Mark Loretta to Houston: 1 year, 2.5 million

DocTee Jan 04 2007 02:22 PM

MLB.com reports the Bosox signing P Joel Piniero (1 year, $4.5 million) and are looking at him to close. Cross another one off the Mets list.

Edgy DC Jan 04 2007 02:24 PM

Hello, Jeff Weaver Tony Armas, 28 Bruce Chen, 29 Roger Clemens, 44 Shawn Estes, 33 Rick Helling, 36 Jason Johnson, 33 Brian Moehler, 35 Mark Mulder, 29 Tomo Ohka, 30 Ramon Ortiz, 33 Russ Ortiz, 32 Chan Ho Park, 33 Joel Pineiro, 28 Mark Redman, 32 Aaron Sele, 36 John Thomson, 33 Steve Trachsel, 36 Jeff Weaver, 30 David Wells, 43 Jerome Williams, 25 Jamey Wright, 32 Victor Zambrano, 31

Nymr83 Jan 04 2007 03:13 PM

i have a weird feeling that Weaver would get it done here. I'd rather take a shot on Mulder, yes he was horrible last year, but he's 29 and has more upside than anyone but the rocket on that list. I'd avoid talking to Clemens on principle (of course I'd have avoided Mota on principle too.)

Edgy DC Jan 04 2007 03:21 PM

Mike Piazza's Head: Where Principle Begins.

sharpie Jan 04 2007 04:06 PM

ESPN reporting that the Yankees lust for ex-Mets continues as they sign Doug Mientkiewicz.

Yancy Street Gang Jan 04 2007 04:16 PM

Him they can have. The Daily News speculated that Mientkiewicz' presence on the roster may cause there to be no room for Bernie Williams.

HahnSolo Jan 04 2007 04:17 PM

Rick Helling is only 36? Feels like he should be around 47.

metirish Jan 13 2007 04:42 PM

Oliver Perez signs for 1 year at $2.3 million..

metirish Jan 15 2007 08:40 PM

Dontrelle Willis reached agreement Monday on a one-year, guaranteed $6.45 million contract with the Florida Marlins, a day before he was scheduled to exchange salary arbitration figures with the club. Willis' deal includes $50,000 in incentives, a "sizable" advance on his salary, and bonuses if he makes the All-Star team or wins the Cy Young Award, Silver Slugger or National League Most Valuable Player Award, according to his agent, Matt Sosnick. If Willis stays healthy, he will be in position to surpass the $6.5 million salary earned by the Chicago Cubs' Carlos Zambrano in 2006. That's the most money ever for a starting pitcher in his second year of salary arbitration. "I'm very happy," Willis told The Associated Press on Monday night. "How can you not be? I'm very appreciative to go out and have the opportunity to play baseball." Willis is Florida's franchise leader with 58 victories and 15 complete games, and ranks second on the team's career innings pitched list behind A.J. Burnett. He won 22 games and was runner-up to St. Louis' Chris Carpenter in the 2005 NL Cy Young Award race, and went 12-12 with a 3.87 ERA for the Marlins last season while ranking fifth in the league with 223 1/3 innings pitched.

metirish Jan 17 2007 08:28 AM

Ramon Castro signs for one year $850,000.

Edgy DC Jan 21 2007 09:30 PM

Floyd Is Close to Signing With the Cubs By THE NEW YORK TIMES Published: January 22, 2007 The free-agent outfielder Cliff Floyd is close to signing a one-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, a person with direct knowledge of the contract confirmed yesterday. The Mets had made it clear that they had little interest in re-signing Floyd, 34, who is known for his powerful bat and upbeat personality. Floyd was hindered by injuries in his four years with the Mets. He played only 97 games last season, hitting .244 with 11 home runs and 44 runs batted in. Floyd will return to his native Chicago to play for a team that struggled for the past two seasons. The Cubs, however, hired Lou Piniella as manager and signed Alfonso Soriano as a free agent this off-season. With Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramírez and Soriano, the Cubs are loaded with powerful right-handed hitters. The addition of the left-handed Floyd would give Piniella more flexibility with his lineup. Floyd would probably share time in left field with Matt Murton. The Chicago Sun-Times first reported the deal yesterday. Floyd, who spent time on the disabled list last season for ankle and Achilles’ tendon injuries, returned to the Mets at the beginning of September. He caught the last out of their division-clinching game against the Florida Marlins on Sept. 18. The Mets signed Moises Alou to a one-year contract Nov. 20. Alou, who played right field in 81 of his 98 games with San Francisco, last season, will probably fill Floyd’s spot in left.

cleonjones11 Jan 21 2007 11:25 PM

Is Moises Alou an upgrade over Cliff Floyd?

smg58 Jan 21 2007 11:32 PM

I really don't see how anybody who's looked at their stats over the past three years could ask that question. At the very least, the Mets will get significantly more offense from left field than they got last year. I'm not certain the Mets can get more than 350 AB's from Alou, but I don't doubt that he'll hit when he plays.

metirish Jan 23 2007 09:16 AM

So the J.D. Drew deal is still not completed,WTF is going on with that? [url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/23/sports/baseball/23chass.html?_r=1&ref=sports&oref=slogin]Murray Chass on Drew and Bonds[/url]

Yancy Street Gang Jan 23 2007 09:19 AM

I don't expect it to happen, but I'd really love to see the Bonds deal fall through.

Frayed Knot Jan 23 2007 09:34 AM

Some question about Drew health (shoulder, I believe) cropped up and so there's still talk about the wording of the deal and installing certain "outs" for the Sox if this thing proves chronic. I suspect the Drew deal will still get done as the alternate choices - particularly for Drew/Boras - are much more limited now than they were back when he first scored that offer. The inevitability of Bonds deal I'm not so sure about. They're feuding over how much "freedom" Barry will get in the clubhouse; freedom meaning how many personal trainers and other hangers-on will get carte blanche. And, with the tide of public opinion in SF reportedly starting to turn against him (esp with the recent positive test for anphetamines), I could see the Giants finally deciding it's all not worth it and backing out.

Nymr83 Jan 23 2007 11:10 AM

I read somewhere that another problem in the negotiations was over how much (if anything) the Giants would owe him if he became unavailable at any point during the season do to legal proceedings stemming from the whole BALCO mess.

Johnny Dickshot Jan 23 2007 03:12 PM

Tomo Ohka + Blue Jays = TL4A (or one year + an option)

Edgy DC Jan 26 2007 10:20 AM

The Red Sox finally close with Drew.

Edgy DC Jan 29 2007 10:16 PM

One year, $15.8 million.

Edgy DC Jan 30 2007 08:11 AM

Looks like Sammy Sosa's minor-league deal has been finalized also.

sharpie Jan 30 2007 09:07 AM

Jeff Weaver, one year with the Mariners.

Edgy DC Jan 30 2007 09:15 AM

I guess the 2-3-year guesswork that we had on Weaver fell short. I'm thinking that the Mets signings of Sosa and Sele may have swung back the runaway sellers market.

Edgy DC Feb 02 2007 08:41 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Feb 02 2007 09:30 AM

Tony Armas gets one year and $3 million from the Pirates plus a $5 millon option for 2008.. That puts him and Shawn Chacon (at $3.8 million) competing for the fifth rotation slot. I think one of the minimum wagers among the first four gets bumped.

Frayed Knot Feb 02 2007 09:22 AM

Former StL & SF catcher Mike Matheny won't be signing with anyone as he retired due to lingering problems associated with concussions. Not sure that I've ever heard of that before with a baseball player (plenty in football & hockey). It probably has happened before - particularly in the pre-helmet days - but was never called that as, until recently, concussions were left either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

metirish Feb 02 2007 09:42 AM

Did Piazza ever have any mild concussions,I seem to remember some talk about a possible concussion....maybe after the Clemens thing?

ScarletKnight41 Feb 02 2007 09:53 AM

Yes - he did after that incident. Or should I say assault?

Yancy Street Gang Feb 02 2007 10:55 AM

I think he had more than just that one. I seem to remember another couple of concussions in the years that followed.

Yancy Street Gang Feb 03 2007 09:04 AM

From ESPN.com. I'm not an "insider" so I can't get the details: Rumor Central: Three NL teams interested in Trachsel

Frayed Knot Feb 03 2007 09:18 AM

Houston is one.

DocTee Feb 03 2007 10:59 AM

I remember Piazza caught a bat to the head (drew blood too) while catching. Not sure if it caused a concussion, but it sure looked like it hurt and he had to be replaced immedately.

metirish Feb 03 2007 12:15 PM

Yancy Street Gang wrote: From ESPN.com. I'm not an "insider" so I can't get the details: Rumor Central: Three NL teams interested in Trachsel ] Preferring the Senior Circuit Feb 2 - The Cardinals, Nationals and Astros appear to have emerged as the front-runners to sign Steve Trachsel, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark has been told by clubs that have inquired about Trachsel. Several AL teams also have expressed interest. But it's believed Trachsel prefers to stay in the National League

Yancy Street Gang Feb 03 2007 12:16 PM

I guess the Cardinals were impressed by what they saw of him in October.

Edgy DC Feb 03 2007 12:36 PM

I'm not sure, but I think the issue is not whether concussions are reported as such in baseball, but whether a player has previously packed it in because of repeated concussions.

*62 Feb 03 2007 06:53 PM

Concussions aren't all that ba ........ hey! Look! A bird!!