My thoughts on baseball

[the pinjockey 0]

You could always trade Byrd and move Abreu to CF. He has played it some before.

 

I would rather see them use their efforts to go after Foulke, trade for Vazquez and get another upper level reliever.

 

Burrell and Bell are fucking it all up though. You can't replace them since there is too much tied into them. If they didn't have Bell to all that money I would say sign Luis Castillo and put Polanco at third full time.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Why bother with Castillo when Chase Utley is on the team? Travis Chapman is lurking around as well, and he can play third. Here's what I figure.....

 

C- Lieberthal

1B- Thome

2B- Utley

SS- Rollins

3B- Polanco

LF- Burrell

CF- Byrd

RF- Abreu

 

Good enough lineup there. Offense isn't the problem. What the Phillies need is a solid starter, and a relief ace.

[the pinjockey 0]

I like Castillo to be the slap hitting speed threat at the top of the order. The role Rollins should be playing. If Byrd is going to start stealing some more bases then I wouldn't bother, but just watching the way Juan Pierre caused havoc just by being on first base I want that and I think Castillo would provide that.

 

I think Utley is going to end up traded.

[Bored 0]

I would rather see them use their efforts to go after Foulke, trade for Vazquez and get another upper level reliever.

Vazquez is a free agent. Why go after Foulke? What the Phillies aren't going to pick up Jose Mesa's option?

 

I had typed out an almost complete list of free agents...and accidently deleted it. Maybe later I'll type out the major names but definently not gonna bother with a complete list again.

[the pinjockey 0]

I think Vazquez is arbitration eligible isn't he? Thus if the Expos make a qualifying offer they own his rights.

[Bored 0]

I think Vazquez is arbitration eligible isn't he? Thus if the Expos make a qualifying offer they own his rights.

No he's played six years (debuted in '98) so he is eligible for free agency. Player's who have played five years are arbitration eligible. There are some variables like how much the player played and such but that's a pretty good guideline to go by.

[the pinjockey 0]

"In Vazquez's case, there is the chance that his vagabond days may be over. He is a fifth-year arbitration-eligible player with a likely offseason price tag somewhere between $9 million and $10 million"

 

"Because he is 27 and possibly going out into the trade market, Vazquez may be free of the trailer park baseball has created. It is likely that he -- more than Colon, Kevin Millwood, Hall of Famer Greg Maddux or Andy Pettitte -- will be the most sought-after pitcher this winter."

 

From Peter Gammons column September 9th

[the max 0]

I would love to see either Millwood or Colon in Boston

[the pinjockey 0]

I would love to see Millwood in Boston as well.

[Mik 0]

I have a feeling that the Marlins are going to resign free agents for once. So, except Pudge, I think you'll be seeing the same lineup on the field next year.

[treble 0]

I like Vasquez and all, but $9/10 million a year? No way he's shown that he's worth that.

[Bored 0]

"In Vazquez's case, there is the chance that his vagabond days may be over. He is a fifth-year arbitration-eligible player with a likely offseason price tag somewhere between $9 million and $10 million"

 

"Because he is 27 and possibly going out into the trade market, Vazquez may be free of the trailer park baseball has created. It is likely that he -- more than Colon, Kevin Millwood, Hall of Famer Greg Maddux or Andy Pettitte -- will be the most sought-after pitcher this winter."

 

From Peter Gammons column September 9th

Fifth-year? But he's played six. I think Gammons might be wrong. Just by example Mike Lowell also debuted in '98 and is a free agent. Another example is Erubiel Durazo who debuted in '99 and is arbitration eligible.

 

Edit: I'm trying to dig up sources on all of this but specifically for Vazquez, Lowell, and Carlos Beltran (all debuted in '98) I've seen different sources say they are arbitration eligible and other say they are free agents. Any Expos, Marlins, or Royals fans wanna clear this up?

Edited October 8, 2003 by Bored

[Guest Choken One]

I don't see how Pudge CAN'T be the hottest and most sought after Free Agent, He became a leader to a team that was for all acounts dead in the water and revived them...

 

I hope he sticks to Florida just to say "You thought I was Done? Fuck You..." Though I doubt it and he'll likely sign with some big market like Baltimore or something...

 

I'm banking that BoSox will fall short of winning the damn thing again and will get one of the big names like Millwood or Colon to give Pedro and Lowe a break.

[treble 0]

As for the Vazquez sitation, I found this article,, where it says this:

 

Sources close to the situation have indicated that the Phillies' preferred replacement is Expos righthander Javier Vazquez. The snag, of course, is that he still has a year before he can become a free agent.

 

And, at least for the moment, the official word out of Stade Olympique is that he won't come cheap.

 

-But, there's no way that he's worth $9 million. Sure, he's played for some bad teams in his career, but the Expos have had winning records for the past 2 years, and I think he's been under .500 himself both those times.

[Bored 0]

Hmmm seven years to become a free agent? Damn I seriously never would have guessed it took that long to become a free agent.

[Vern Gagne 0]

One rumor is the Twins trading A.J. Pierzynski for relief help, and having Joe Mauer start his Twins career 1 year earlier. This is supposed to be the best catching prospect in baseball, and the kid picked ahead of Mark Prior.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Bored- I can help you out here. I rule is six FULL years in the major leagues. SO if you were on the big league roster on opening day in your rookie year, you're eligible for free agency. Otherwise, you become a free agent after seven seasons.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

As for Vazquez, he had a 3.24 ERA, and a strikeout rate better than 1 per inning. He just entered his prime as well. I would LOVE to see him on the Phillies.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

You could always trade Byrd and move Abreu to CF. He has played it some before.

Trade Byrd? No way, once he got going, he was one of their best hitters. I think he hit .300+ each of the last 4 months or so.

[the pinjockey 0]

Oh, I wouldn't want to trade Byrd either. The idea was feasible ways to accomodate Vlad. That was just an idea if you wanted him, I wouldn't want to do that. I personally would rather trade Abreu than Byrd.

 

As for Vazquez, I would give him 9 or 10 mil in a heartbeat and sit back happy that I got him for that much.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

If you're going for a free agent hitter, why not target Miguel Tejada instead? I think shortstop could use the upgrade more than the outfield.

[the pinjockey 0]

I can't imagine them going after any big hitter. Once they spend the Millwood money on his replacement, I don't see them adding too much more payroll after they get a closer.

 

Of course if they go through with their plan of getting Tom fucking Gordon then they will have a little more payroll flexability. Seriously, have I just missed it, has Tom Gordon proven that you can go into a season counting on him being there all year.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The Phillies actually have alot of money to play with this year. Besides the $10 million they paid Millwood, they have around another $10 million from Mesa, Mike Williams, and a few other relievers whose contracts are up. I'd shore up the bullpen myself, and aquire another starter. Not a #1 necessarily, but someone who's consistant.

[the pinjockey 0]

You think they are going to resign Wendell? I would personally, because until that stretch where the starters sucked, making the bullpen run out there everyday he was great. Hopefully Pleasac comes back as well.

 

If you have a pen centered around

Cormier

Wendell

Pleasac

with Silva bouncing around at the end of the pen

That is a good start. I would say Adams if it wasn't for the bone chips he had. I wouldn't mind seeing them trade for Billy Wagner if he becomes available, like he thinks he is going to.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I would absolutely not re-sign Turk Wendell. Look at his BB/K numbers. He walked more batters than he struck out. That's absolutely terrible. When you see numbers like that, you know the pitcher's luck is going to run out. Its only a matter of time before he collapses if he keeps that up.

 

Plesac I keep. Oddly enough, he's 9th All Time in K/9 innings.

 

What I thing the Phillies can and should do is stock the bullpen with their AAA guys. Wayne Gomes, Geoff Feary, Josh Hancock, Eric Junge, and Dan Giese should be good enough to fashion a decent reliever or two.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

What's Abreu making per year? I know it's a lot, but is it comparable to what Vlad would probably be offered?

[the pinjockey 0]

I liked Junge the few times I saw him.

 

I agree on the AAA front. With a new closer, the four I mentioned, one more good bullpen FA, then the kids I think that works.

[the pinjockey 0]

IIRC, Abreu is at 12 mil. Which is why I wouldn't mind trading him, but also the reason I doubt you could trade him.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

MLB contracts

 

Bobby Abreu makes $10 million next year.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Oh yeah, he's got a no trade clause as well.