Hot Stove

[Guest undisputedjericho]

Big names that have moved already were Jim Thome to Philly, Glavine and Floyd to the Mets, Maddux remains a Brave, while Kent moves to the 'Stros. Unproven in the US, the Yankees have signed Hideki Matsui and Jose Contreras. Superstar Ivan Rodriguez is looking for a new home, Mark Grace is back in Pheonix, while Colon remains north of the border. The big thing early in this off season was the manager musical chairs game. Sweet Lou a Devil Ray? 'Series manager Dusty moves on to the Windy City, Bobby V is canned by the Mets and get Art Howe, as the A's promote Ken Macha and Seattle steals the D-Backs' bench coach, while ex Yank/Snake Showalter is headed to the Ballpark in Arlington. Bosox? The youngest GM in MLB history and are wooing ex Yankee Mendoza, a quiet go-to-guy out of the pen. Trades have been minimal, though Milwood was shipped up the east coast to the Phillies while that team continues to make waves. A four team deal was made that landed the A's Eurbiel Durazo. Could Colon still be on the move? Where will the Expos cut nessasary pay? What is going on with your team? New superstar, departed one, or nothing at all? I must say I'm not happy with the Yankees' wheeling and dealing thus far at the very least.

[Guest geniusMoment]

Reds are probably going the get brad penny from florida

[Guest bob_barron]

My team has lost starter 1 and 3 and three of their best middle relievers while at the same time importing a guy with the worst ERA all of last year.

 

It's gonna be a long season

[Guest Vern Gagne]

The Yankees gave 7 million to Godzilla, and 8 million to a Cuban pitcher. With Ichiro's and Sasaki's successes, I can see the contract for the Japanese player, but when has a Cuban pitcher lived up to the hype?

[Guest bob_barron]

Orlando Hernandez was okay for the Yanks- he pitched really well in the postseason.

 

I know Livan Hernandez also has a very good postseason record

[Guest Vern Gagne]

They've had solid careers. But have they lived up to the hype? Reports had these two in the class with Martinez, Maddux, and other elite pitchers.

[Guest alkeiper]

For what its worth, Contreras is supposively better than any other Cuban pitcher who's ever come over.

[Guest undisputedjericho]

Contreras was something like 120-50, and an under 2.00 ERA in seven or so years in Cuba, and they say he is 31, I'm more optimistic for him than Matsui. I believe he has an Olympic medal and when Cuba played Baltimore a few years ago, he threw 7 or 8 shutout innings.

[EL DANDY~! 0]

And now...the official lookout for the A's and Giants, as compiled by yours truly, sports buff of the bay area smarks, EL DANDY~!:

 

A's: While losing Ray Durham to free agency, this team still has one helluva future. It signed Orioles CF Chris Singleton, a man who is heavy on defense, but soft on offense. It resigned Scott Hatteberg, a man who down the stretch, made a helluva effort to help the team. 20 homers and 80 RBIs were plenty. They decided not to resign Olmaedo Saenz, Jeff Tam, or Greg Myers. They traded away Billy Koch for three players and cash to the White Sox, including Keith Foulke and touted minor leaguer Joe Valentine. However, they made a MAJOR trade and picked up the DH they have been looking for. They found Erubiel Durazo. Now, with the best threesome in baseball pitching, getting younger on the bats, and then add the MVP of the AL for 2002, and there you have it: The starting lineup for the A's as of right now:

 

Chris Singleton 2B, Scott Hatteberg 1B, Miguel Tejada SS, Eric Chavez 3B, Erubiel Durazo DH, Jermaine Dye RF, Terrence Long LF, Mark Ellis 2B, Carlos Hernandez C

 

Rotation: Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder, Barry Zito, Cory Lidle, Keith Foulke

 

Analysis: Look for the A's to get to the playoffs again, as they stay pretty much the same team, they gain a bat, gain defense, get that fifth starter, and they go out and keep the players they needed to keep. Look for another 100-win season from the boys on the east side of the bay, and if all three pitchers get 20 wins, a World Series birth will come as well.

 

Giants: So you trade Russ Oritz...you send Kent, Reggie Sanders,David Bell, AND Baker packing, yet people are telling you that you have a shot to make the playoffs and... WIN THE WEST? That's right, because the Giants got their 3B in Edgardo Alfonso, their 2B in Neifi Perez, their corner outfielder in Ray Durham, their CF in Marquis Grissom, and their LEFT HANDED STARTER in Damian Moss, the same lefty that people say would be...the next Tom Glavine. You give up a consistent 100 RBI guy in Kent, and a good offensive outfielder in Sanders, yet they have a leadoff guy in Durham, a number two guy in Alfonso, meaning Aurillia can get major fastballs in the 3 spot, and then you get Perez and Grissom to support Santiago and Snow in the bottom of the order. They're faster, they hit for a better average, and the way that new manager Felipe Alou runs things, look for hit and runs aplenty:

 

Ray Durham RF, Edgardo Alfonso 3B, Rich Aurillia SS, Barry Bonds LF, Benito Santiago C, JT Snow 1B, Marquis Grissom CF, Neifi Perez 2B, Pitcher's Spot

 

Rotation: Jason Schmidt, Kirk Reuter, Livan Hernandez, Damian Moss, Ryan Jensen

 

Analysis: They still are the best team in the West, as the Diamondbacks are still a day late and a dollar short with their aging. They will win the West, but by a slim margin. A different team, yes. A better team? Yes. World series shot? Of course not. Lose in five to the Astros in the Division Series on a 9th inning Jeff Kent homer in Game 5...just to rub it in our faces...he'll hit in San Francisco...

[Guest Vern Gagne]

For what its worth, Contreras is supposively better than any other Cuban pitcher who's ever come over.

Sorry to be so pessimistic, but they say that about every Cuban pitcher. If Contreras does live up to the hype than I'll admit, I was wrong.

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

The orioles have signed SS Deivi Cruz to replace Mike Bordick, and they lost Chris Singleton to FA although he really didn't do anything last year so losing him isn't that big of a deal.

 

The O's haven't adressed the problems with the offense (or lack thereof) and the need for at least 2 Starting Pitchers. They stalled negotiations with I-Rod, and Im actually glad they did.

[Guest alkeiper]

and then you get Perez and Grissom to support Santiago and Snow in the bottom of the order.

 

I hate to be pessimistic here, but when has Neifi Perez EVER supported an offense?

[Guest cartman]

and then you get Perez and Grissom to support Santiago and Snow in the bottom of the order.

 

I hate to be pessimistic here, but when has Neifi Perez EVER supported an offense?

couple years ago in Colorado he was decent...

[Guest alkeiper]

Exactly. Coors Field could make Rey Ordonez look halfway decent.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Who did Bordick sign with?

[Guest geniusMoment]

Off topic but how old is peter gammons? I have some upper deck baseball cards from 1992 that were a peter gammons subset and he looks the same now as he did then, old. Is he one of those people who age early or is he that old.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Off topic but how old is peter gammons? I have some upper deck baseball cards from 1992 that were a peter gammons subset and he looks the same now as he did then, old. Is he one of those people who age early or is he that old.

Peter Gammons is the kind of person that could be anywhere between late 40's to early 60's. But if I had to guess, probably around 55.

[Guest alkeiper]

Mike Bordick signed a one year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. Also, I'm fairly sure Gammons is indeed in his 50s.

[Guest geniusMoment]

The one thing I don't get about this offseason is why I-Rod can't find a home. If you are worried about him getting hurt play him at first base. He is a good athlete and if he works at it all spring he should be able to pick it up. He certainly would be better than Eric Karros, god why did the cubs trade for him.

[Guest DerangedHermit]

Deranged's Mets Crystal Ball Analysis:

 

10/1 - fire Bobby V

The catalyst for the busy offseason and genarally overlooked as that Floyd, Glavine and Stanton might have not signed with the Mets if he was still there

 

10/24 - hire Art Howe

The guy's a decent manager. I liked Pinella but the M's were asking too much.

 

12/5 - sign Tom Glavine

They bolster their rotation with this signing *understatement alarm goes off* It was weird seeing him in the Mets uni

 

12/15 - Giants sign Edgardo Alfonso

The Mets lost a consistent hitter in him but he was plagued with injuries

 

12/15 - trade Rey Ordóñez to the Devil Rays for Russ Johnson and Josh Pressley

OUCH! No wonder the D-Rays are the worst team in the league. Ordonez is probably their best hitter now

 

12/16 - sign Mike Stanton

Takes the place of Guthrie but is much better than Guthrie

 

12/20 - sign Cliff Floyd

The Mets got him for pretty around what the Yanks paid for Matsui. Floyd is proven and the jury's out on Matsui

 

12/27 - sign Rey Sanchez

Decent hitter when he wants, good defender, good veteran influence on Jose Reyes. They got him for cheap too.

 

Future?

- may sign Jose Hernandez

Just another Brewer whiff machine

 

- may trade for Denny Neagle or Preston Wilson

Neagle's washed up and Wilson's huge contract should make the Mets shy away

 

Lineup as of now:

C: Mike Piazza

1B: Mo Vaughn

2B: Roberto Alomar

SS: Rey Sanchez/maybe Jose Reyes

3B: ???

LF: Cliff Floyd

CF: Timo Perez/Roger Cedeno/???

RF: Jeromy Burnitz/???

SP: Tom Glavine

SP: Al Leiter

SP: Pedro Astacio

SP: Steve Traschel

SP: whoever proves it in spring training

RP: Armando Benitez

RP: John Franco (in May/June)

RP: David Weathers

RP: Scott Strickland

RP: Jaime Cerda

RP: Grant "Tokie" Roberts

various others

 

It looks good, but everybody said that last year. I think they'll win the NL East or get the Wild Card.

[Guest DerangedHermit]

Gammons is 57 (born in April of 1945).

[Guest alkeiper]

The one thing I don't get about this offseason is why I-Rod can't find a home. If you are worried about him getting hurt play him at first base. He is a good athlete and if he works at it all spring he should be able to pick it up. He certainly would be better than Eric Karros, god why did the cubs trade for him.

 

I-Rod is asking for more than teams think he's worth. Half his value is that he's a catcher. Play him at first, and he's just another hitter. As for the Cubs, they aquired Karros in order to dump Hundley, and Heep Soo Choi is probably better than Karros or Rodriguez anyway.

 

Future?

- may sign Jose Hernandez

Just another Brewer whiff machine

 

Look beyond the strikeouts. Hernandez was one of the best shortstops in the national league last year.

[Guest DerangedHermit]

Future?

- may sign Jose Hernandez

Just another Brewer whiff machine

 

Look beyond the strikeouts. Hernandez was one of the best shortstops in the national league last year.

He's got good defensive skills, but the Mets have too many whiffers (examples being Vaughn, Burnitz)

[Guest geniusMoment]

Its Hee Sop Choi, and I agree with you that I-Rod is asking for too much money, especially because his offensive stats are so high mainly because he plays in Texas. I just felt that at least one team would take a chance on him.

[Guest the pinjockey]

It would be ridiculous for a team to pay Pudge the 10 mil/yr. he is looking for. Especially considering the lack of market value his price will drop very much very soon.

[Guest DrTom]

I agree with you that I-Rod is asking for too much money, especially because his offensive stats are so high mainly because he plays in Texas.

He could probably do well in another hitters' park like Camden Yards, which is why the Orioles should sign him. They shouldn't expect him to play catcher 130 or so games, but even 90-100 there would be good. The rest of the time, he can DH or play first. They already have a lot of 1B/DH types, but none with the track record of Pudge. If they can get him for four years at $8 or $8.5 million per, it'd be a good deal.

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

I agree with you that I-Rod is asking for too much money, especially because his offensive stats are so high mainly because he plays in Texas.

He could probably do well in another hitters' park like Camden Yards, which is why the Orioles should sign him. They shouldn't expect him to play catcher 130 or so games, but even 90-100 there would be good. The rest of the time, he can DH or play first. They already have a lot of 1B/DH types, but none with the track record of Pudge. If they can get him for four years at $8 or $8.5 million per, it'd be a good deal.

I would rather them not sign Pudge just because I see it ending up being another bust. I don't think he has but maybe 2-3 years left, and even so I don't see him playing more than 100-115 games as a Catcher this year and that number falls off over the next few years. I think Gil might manage to give them some good offensive numbers this year and not fall completely off the wagon midseason ike he did last year (which, If Im not mistaken was probably due to the fact that he played mexican league ball or something like that over the winter, so he had very little off time and I don't think hes doing that this year..)

 

The Orioles desperately need at least one Starting Pitcher, although two would be better.

 

Os possible Rotation baring any FA signings:

 

R. Lopez - He's their obvious OD starter, although quite honestly I expect him to be a bust this year...

S. Ponson Should be better than 7-9 last year, but then again he could be wearing out early due to being an innings hog..

J . Johnson - I know if he'll lose 14 games again, last year he was hurt a lot, but hopefully this year he'll be healthy..

T. Driskill - pleasant surprise last year late, but I doubt he has enough to go the whole season..

S. Erickson - I feel bad for him, but I think he should just retire..at this point he's a #5 at best whenever he is able to come back from this new injury. He is the reason the O's need to sign at least one Starting Pitcher.

 

A couple of FA Starters available - Kenny Rogers, James Baldwin and Omar Daal are the only ones that are probably worth signing (and sadly I haven't heard anything about them being interested in signing a Pitcher..)

Of course, I've heard all along that if they don't sign Pudge, they would be willing to Trade Ponson or Johnson for a good hitter, which will only make their Starting Rotation suck even more, since they would be asking Lopez to pretty much carry it all..and then I know he will be a bust..

 

and I read somewhere that the Orioles are interested in Jose Cruz Jr who the Blue Jays released..he is sorta like Batista (who they also got from the Jays), hes a free Swinger, has some power but strikes out a lot and hits for a low average..

[Guest geniusMoment]

Damn I thought I had it bad with the reds, Baltimore brings new meaning to the term crappy ownership.

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

Damn I thought I had it bad with the reds, Baltimore brings new meaning to the term crappy ownership.

Peter Angelos used to have a bottomless wallet, and the Orioles were big time players in the Free Agent market, but pretty much every free agent they signed ended up being a bust (see Albert Belle, Will Clark, etc..) and it seems as if he is not as willing to do anything anymore to try to improve the team anymore unless its absolutely necessary in fear of this.

 

I have a really bad feeling that the Orioles could easily finish in last place, something that the Devil Rays have saved them from doing the last 4 years..because the Devil Rays have actually made a couple of deals, got a new manager, and could probably finish with a better record than the Orioles.

[Guest alkeiper]

Anything more than two years for I-Rod is a mistake, in my opinion. Who knows how long he'll last.

 

As for the Orioles, they've got John Stephens in AAA, who should be more than ready for the big club this year. Rodrigo Lopez is a good bet for 2003 I think. Chuck Finley is still available. For their offense, I think they should pick up Jose Cruz. He hit 30 home runs twice in a row before last year, and he can play center field.

 

Damn I thought I had it bad with the reds, Baltimore brings new meaning to the term crappy ownership.

 

All incompetant ownership begins and ends with the Royals, who traded away Jermaine Dye for Neifi Perez, and gave up Johnny Damon for Roberto Hernandez. They've also finished under .500 9 years in a row now. At least the Reds have Kearns and Dunn.

 

I have a really bad feeling that the Orioles could easily finish in last place, something that the Devil Rays have saved them from doing the last 4 years..because the Devil Rays have actually made a couple of deals, got a new manager, and could probably finish with a better record than the Orioles.

 

The Devil Rays gave up their all-star, and aquired Rey Ordonez. I'd be surprised if they don't lose 100 games again. They have some nice young talent, but they're very young, and not ready yet.