The Official MLB Offseason Topic

[Bored 0]

Well you could compare to a certain extent since interleague started in '97. I mainly just included overall since I figured someone would ask.

 

Oh and for the lazy people that never look at the previous page of a topic:

 

Let's look since division play start in 1969 at the Series champs and where they ranked in their league and where they ranked overall in terms of record (league rank, MLB rank).

 

'69 Mets 100-62 (1st, 2nd)

'70 Orioles 108-54 (1st, 1st)

'71 Pirates 97-65 (1st, 3rd)

'72 A's 93-62 (1st, 3rd)

'73 A's 94-68 (2nd, 4th)

'74 A's 90-72 (2nd, 4th)

'75 Reds 108-54 (1st, 1st)

'76 Reds 102-60 (1st, 1st)

'77 Yankees 100-62 (2nd, 3rd)

'78 Yankees 100-62 (1st, 1st)

'79 Pirates 98-64 (1st, 2nd)

'80 Phillies 91-71 (3rd, 5th)

'81 Dodgers 63-47 (3rd, 4th) - strike season with division playoffs

'82 Cardinals 92-70 (1st, 4th)

'83 Orioles 98-64 (2nd, 2nd)

'84 Tigers 104-58 (1st, 1st)

'85 Royals 91-71 (3rd, 6th)

'86 Mets 108-54 (1st, 1st)

'87 Twins 85-77 (5th, 9th)

'88 Dodgers 94-67 (2nd, 3rd)

'89 A's 99-63 (1st, 1st)

'90 Reds 91-71 (2nd, 4th)

'91 Twins 95-67 (1st, 2nd)

'92 Blue Jays 96-66 (1st, 2nd)

'93 Blue Jays 95-67 (1st, 4th)

 

Wild Card added

 

'95 Braves 90-54 (1st, 2nd)

'96 Yankees 92-70 (2nd, 3rd)

'97 Marlins 92-70 (2nd, 4th)

'98 Yankees 114-48 (1st, 1st)

'99 Yankees 98-64 (1st, 3rd)

'00 Yankees 87-74 (5th, 9th)

'01 Diamondbacks 92-70 (3rd, 6th)

'02 Angels 99-63 (3rd, 4th)

'03 Marlins 91-71 (3rd, 7th)

 

See the last four years teams have who won were not among the elite, as in top two or three teams in baseball, during the regular season although Angels with 99 wins in many years would be good enough for the best record.

 

Also notice only 8 out of the 34 years since division play started did the team with the best record in baseball win the World Series and 18 of 34 have had the best record in their league but since the Wild Cards only 3 out of the 9 champs have been the best team in their league during the year. Only been two years where a team won the World Series without one of the top 3 records in their league ('87 Twins, '00 Yankees) and six that have not been in the top 5 in MLB although three of those have come in the last four years.

[the pinjockey 0]

Just wanted to add I am surprised Arizona didn't offer Miguel Batista arbitration. I think there would be a bit of a line forming with his agent, so I don't see the "don't offer then sign him for less" situation working here.

 

Unless they figure since they got Fossum they can take a chance.

[Bored 0]

Breaking news...ESPN reports the Angels have agreed on a deal with Bartolo Colon for 4 years at $48 million pending he passes a physical.

[the pinjockey 0]

Christ, Millwood is probably going to hold out for a 5yr/50-60mil deal now.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I'm surprised by the Angels' aggressiveness this offseason. First Escobar, and now Colon. This gives them a rotation of Colon, Escobar, Washburn, Ramon Ortiz, and John Lackey. Combine that with Troy Percival, K-Rod, and Brendan Donnelly, and that pitching staff is absolutely killer. They'll still need to upgrade their offense however.

[2GOLD 0]

So much for that "free agent market won't be offering as high of salaries this year" that ESPN predicted.

[Guest Anglesault]

They'll still need to upgrade their offense however.

 

Nomar

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Yes, but they'd have to give up Garret Anderson to do it.

[the pinjockey 0]

They could get Mike Cameron, to replace the deteriorating Erstad.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I doubt it. The Angels owe Erstad $24 Million over the next three years.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Good article from Rob Neyer today, pointing out that Michael Tucker's road stats have been abysmal (.225/.294/.372 the last three years) and he's moving into one of the worst hitters' parks in the National League.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Angels wont have the money to sign Vlad now. And they were one of maybe 3 or 4 teams including the Os that would have the money to offer Vlad a long term contract.

 

Vlad will be an Oriole, yet another step towards it..

[Bored 0]

So much for that "free agent market won't be offering as high of salaries this year" that ESPN predicted.

Well the Angels seem to wanna buck the trend as they probably overpaid for Escobar and I think they overpaid for Colon especially at four years but hey its their money.

[Cartman 0]

NEWS FLASH!!!!

 

Manny Ramirez and Nomar Graciapparra will both remain with the Boston Red Sox despite media misinformation.

[Mik 0]

From mlb.com...

 

When the Marlins head into the Winter Meetings this weekend in New Orleans, they will be in the market for relief pitching. The team also could be prepared to make a pitch for the top free agent on the market, All-Star outfielder Vladimir Guerrero.

 

Guerrero has ties to Marlins ownership from their days together in Montreal. In fact, Marlins senior vice president and director of international operations Fred Ferreira originally signed Guerrero to the Expos.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Guerrero has ties to Marlins ownership from their days together in Montreal.

 

I would like to think any Montreal player would beat the living hell out of Loria and Samson thanks to those ownership ties.

[treble 0]

Oh, FUCK NO. I'd rather Vlad go to the Yankees than the fucking Marlins.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Guerrero has ties to Marlins ownership from their days together in Montreal.

Um, that's a BAD thing. Guerrero should use his ties to Jeff Loria to kick that sniveling, ugly, Expo-wrecking, opportunistic suckbag in the balls so hard that they explode on impact. Any player or staff member of the Expos, and any citizen of Montreal who had faith in their team should do the same.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Any guarantee Colon will even pass his physical?

 

Anyone who isn't an Expo fan. Should really keep quite about Loria. He's resigned Castillo, and Lowell. At least offered Pudge a decent deal, and may get involved in the Guerrero sweepstakes.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Anyone who isn't an Expo fan. Should really keep quite about Loria. He's resigned Castillo, and Lowell. At least offered Pudge a decent deal, and may get involved in the Guerrero sweepstakes.

 

He's keeping the payroll intact. Let's give him a freakin' medal. Jeffrey Loria rolled into Montreal with a lot of promises, did shit with the team, couldn't negotiate a goddamned simple tv package, and when attendance went South, he bolted for a new team. In the meantime, he completely cleaned out the Expos offices and took EVERYTHING with him to Florida. And he left Montreal to rot.

 

Why does this concern me, a non-Expos fan? Because its downright embarassing to the sport of baseball. Its not far to the Expos, or their remaining loyal fans. As well, its a severe conflict of interest that a team is effectively owned by the other 29.

 

Fuck Jeff Loria. Fuck Bud Selig for facilitating this nonsense.

[2GOLD 0]

What I want to know is, why the HELL the Marlins couldn't afford Pudge but they can afford Vlad? I'm sorry but the Marlins need a catcher who can keep their young arms calm and focused and no one in the game is better at that than Pudge.

 

Solid hitting defensive catchers are a dime a dozen while power hitting outfielders seem to appear every 20 minutes.

 

Vlad is an amazing player but he isn't what the Marlins needed. They needed a veteran catcher to stablize the arms, not a power hitter.

[Damaramu 0]

*wants to watch Baseball this season*

 

*realizes he knows jack shit about the actual rules of baseball, the players, or even when the season starts......cries*

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

What I want to know is, why the HELL the Marlins couldn't afford Pudge but they can afford Vlad? I'm sorry but the Marlins need a catcher who can keep their young arms calm and focused and no one in the game is better at that than Pudge.

 

Solid hitting defensive catchers are a dime a dozen while power hitting outfielders seem to appear every 20 minutes.

 

Vlad is an amazing player but he isn't what the Marlins needed. They needed a veteran catcher to stablize the arms, not a power hitter.

Because Pudge is on the wrong side of 30, and wanted too many years on his contract. Vlad meanwhile is in his prime, and is a monster hitter. His .588 Slugging percentage is 10th all time, and his most comparable player at his age is Willie Mays. Vlad is a special player.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

*wants to watch Baseball this season*

 

*realizes he knows jack shit about the actual rules of baseball, the players, or even when the season starts......cries*

Opening day is April 5th.

[2GOLD 0]

What I want to know is, why the HELL the Marlins couldn't afford Pudge but they can afford Vlad? I'm sorry but the Marlins need a catcher who can keep their young arms calm and focused and no one in the game is better at that than Pudge.

 

Solid hitting defensive catchers are a dime a dozen while power hitting outfielders seem to appear every 20 minutes.

 

Vlad is an amazing player but he isn't what the Marlins needed. They needed a veteran catcher to stablize the arms, not a power hitter.

Because Pudge is on the wrong side of 30, and wanted too many years on his contract. Vlad meanwhile is in his prime, and is a monster hitter. His .588 Slugging percentage is 10th all time, and his most comparable player at his age is Willie Mays. Vlad is a special player.

 

But Pudge just proved that he can still catch, can still hit with power and the pitching staff seemed to connect with him.

 

If Pudge had shown any sign of downgrade, then yeah I say this is a good move. But now you are going to count on a young catcher to control a young staff.

 

It just feels like the wrong move considering the guy helped them win the World Series.

 

I love Vlad but if you ask me, if you have a young staff then the MVP is a veteran catcher. You can bet the Cubs will go charging after him now.

[Damaramu 0]

*wants to watch Baseball this season*

 

*realizes he knows jack shit about the actual rules of baseball, the players, or even when the season starts......cries*

Opening day is April 5th.

*still knows nothing*

 

Hey like I said before...if you want to send me an "Idiots Guide to Baseball" type thing then PM it to me. I'll gladly read and profusely thank and be grateful to whoever takes the time to do it.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I love Vlad but if you ask me, if you have a young staff then the MVP is a veteran catcher. You can bet the Cubs will go charging after him now.

 

So if he helped the Marlins, then obviously he should've had the same effect on the Texas Rangers. Catchers' influence on pitchers is overrated, and its certainly not worth overpaying for.

 

Hey like I said before...if you want to send me an "Idiots Guide to Baseball" type thing then PM it to me. I'll gladly read and profusely thank and be grateful to whoever takes the time to do it.

 

I could certainly come out with something, but it might take me a bit, at least until finals week is over. If and when I do, I'd be glad to share it.

[Damaramu 0]

I love Vlad but if you ask me, if you have a young staff then the MVP is a veteran catcher. You can bet the Cubs will go charging after him now.

 

So if he helped the Marlins, then obviously he should've had the same effect on the Texas Rangers. Catchers' influence on pitchers is overrated, and its certainly not worth overpaying for.

 

Hey like I said before...if you want to send me an "Idiots Guide to Baseball" type thing then PM it to me. I'll gladly read and profusely thank and be grateful to whoever takes the time to do it.

 

I could certainly come out with something, but it might take me a bit, at least until finals week is over. If and when I do, I'd be glad to share it.

Excellent...I'd be much obliged if you did. Or if you even knew of a website.

[2GOLD 0]

I also think it's a little bit of doubt placed on IROD every season. And actually, Pudge DID get the Rangers into their only playoff series IIRC but was sidelined many of the AROD years because of injuries that obviously have healed.

 

It just seems every year that Pudge gets doubted because of his age and every season he proves people wrong by coming through in a big way.

 

Plus I'm sure the Giants wish the Marlins didn't have him last season when that play at home happened.

 

I love Vlad but if I had to choose who the Cubs could get, I would take Pudge in a heartbeat. You go with needs and the Marlins are not in a hitters park and Vlad will not excel in Florida.

[Big McLargeHuge 0]

Plus I'm sure the Giants wish the Marlins didn't have him last season when that play at home happened.

 

I love Vlad but if I had to choose who the Cubs could get, I would take Pudge in a heartbeat. You go with needs and the Marlins are not in a hitters park and Vlad will not excel in Florida.

Yup. Fuck Pudge. Straight to hell.

 

Vlad as a marlin...? Just doesn't seem right. And going to the Os may just end up being another Rangers/Arod debacle. Yeah, they're the front runners, but c'mon, does he really want to play for non-contender, and be in the same division as the Bosox and Yanks?