The Official MLB Offseason Topic

[Big McLargeHuge 0]

-Twins traded Dustan Mohr to the Giants for a PTBNL.

...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay.

[Bored 0]

One other move...Expos trade Michael Barrett to the A's for a PTBNL.

 

Ummm...yippee? Woo hoo look at that Melhuse/Barrett catcher platoon rest of the league!

[King Kamala 0]

Carl Everett is a nice choice to replace Vladimir Guerrero. He isn't half as good as Vlad but it's a lot better than putting a random back up in the place of Montreal's best player since the mid 90's. I like to see that the MLB isn't just letting Montreal lay down and die.

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

Damn, I wished I followed a good baseball team. Looking at all of those free agents I realize Cincy will not sign anyone.

Please, do not complain. I AM FROM PITTSBURGH.

[King Kamala 0]

Pittsburgh doesn't sign good baseball stars. What about Derrek Bell and his brilliant "Operation Shutdown" , he hit .300 that year, hit 40 homers and 120 RBIs and lead the Pirates to 100 wins and a run deep into the playoffs. I can't believe they let that guy go. That's what screwed the Pirates, not that Barry Bonds guy....oh wait.

[Dr. Tom 0]

Os Projected Lineup

 

2B Hairston/Roberts

SS Tejada

RF Guerrero

1B Gibbons

C I Rod

DH Cust/Cordova (if Cordy doesn't lock himself in a tanning booth again)

3B Mora

LF Bigbie

CF Matos

I don't think Gibbons is a cleanup hitter, at least not in that lineup. I'd stack them up this way:

 

2B Roberts/Hairston

3B Mora

SS Tejada

RF Guerrero

C IRod

1B Gibbons

DH Cust/Cordova

LF Bigbie

CF Matos

 

If Mora sucks (and let's face it, he's not going to hit .330 again, though he should be able to find some success with Rejada, Vlad, and I-Rod behind him), then I-Rod can move into the #2 hole, Mora goes to 9th, and everyone else slides up one spot. Tejada has hit .319 at Camden Yards since 2001, so he makes a pretty good 3-hole hitter.

 

The pitching staff is what scares me. Going out and getting all these hitters is great, but if we don't have the pitching, we still finish 4th. Ponson would be nice to bring back, and I guess he'd become the ace by default. I'm not sold on Rodrigo Lopez AT ALL, nor on the collection of Kurt Ainsworth, Eric Dubose, and Matt Riley behind him. THe O's have a young pitching staff, and that's the reason I'd rather get I-Rod than Javy Lopez: you don't need your pitchers getting demoralized because they gave up stolen bases. Rodriguez keeps the running game in check, which will help the younger pitchers.

[Cartman 0]

Catchers handling the Pitching staff is overrated? Watch the marlins this year and say that again.

 

Look what happened to Boston the year Varitek missed.

[2GOLD 0]

Catchers handling the Pitching staff is overrated? Watch the marlins this year and say that again.

 

Look what happened to Boston the year Varitek missed.

 

I tried to say this earlier when the Marlins decided to let I-Rod walk in the first place.

 

Last year, the O's staff pitched surprisingly well but they couldn't hit the ball. This was a team that really DID need bats to go with a young talented staff. Lopez should be ok now that he has recovered from injuries and if they can land Ponson and I'm sure they can find another hidden gem of an arm, perhaps in a trade involving Hairston/Roberts (hoping Roberts), then they can run right in this division and maybe even sneak into the playoffs.

[MrRant 0]

M's Cut Deal With Spiezio, Trade Colbrunn

 

By RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer

 

NEW ORLEANS - The Seattle Mariners (news) reached a preliminary agreement on a three-year contract with first baseman Scott Spiezio and acquired outfielder Quinton McCracken from the Arizona Diamondbacks (news) for infielder Greg Colbrunn on Monday.

 

Spiezio, 31, was a key player in Anaheim's 2002 World Series (news - web sites) victory. He hit .265 with 16 homers and 83 RBIs that season.

 

His deal cannot be finalized until he passes a physical. While there was no announcement by the Mariners, the agreement was confirmed by a baseball source who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

 

In addition to reacquiring Colbrunn, Arizona agreed to an $800,000, one-year contract with catcher Brent Mayne.

 

McCracken, a 33-year-old switch-hitter, batted .227 with no homers and 18 RBIs in 203 at-bats last season, appearing in 115 games but making just 39 starts.

 

He has a .280 career average in nine seasons with Colorado (1995-97), Tampa Bay (1998-2000), Minnesota (2001) and Arizona (2002-03).

 

"I had Q in Arizona in 2002, and I know what kind of player he is," Mariners manager Bob Melvin said. "I think he's a great fit for our club and our clubhouse."

 

Colbrunn, 34, played for the Diamondbacks from 1999-2002 and was injured for most of last season. He played in 22 games, batting .276 with three homers and seven RBIs in 58 at-bats.

 

Colbrunn was on the disabled list from June 16-27 because of a strained right oblique muscle and from July 3 to the end of the season because of torn cartilage in his right wrist.

 

Mayne, 35, spent the past 2 1/2 years with Kansas City and hit .245 last season with six homers and 36 RBIs. He also has played for the New York Mets (news), Oakland, San Francisco and Colorado, compiling a .268 career average.

 

Colorado Swaps Pitchers With Seattle

 

NEW ORLEANS - The Colorado Rockies (news) traded Chris Buglovsky to the Seattle Mariners (news) on Monday for Allan Simpson in a swap of right-handed pitchers.

 

Buglovsky, 24, went 10-10 last season with a 4.83 ERA for Double-A Tulsa.

 

Simpson, 26, spent the year with Triple-A Tacoma, finishing 2-5 with one save and a 4.16 ERA in 43 relief appearances.

 

Also Monday, Colorado waived outfielder Luke Allen and infielder Pablo Ozuna, making room for infielder Luis Gonzalez and lefty Matt White, who were both selected in the winter meeting draft of players not protected on 40-man rosters.

 

In addition, the Rockies acquired right-hander Sandy Nin from Toronto to complete Sunday's three-team trade that sent left-hander Mark Hendrickson from Toronto to the Devil Rays, left-hander Joe Kennedy from Tampa Bay to the Rockies and right-hander Justin Speier from Colorado to the Blue Jays.

 

Nin was 7-8 with a 2.89 ERA in 23 starts for Class A Charleston last season and 0-1 in one start for Double-A New Haven.

[MrRant 0]

Expos Get Everett

 

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - The Montreal Expos (news) acquired all-star outfielder Carl Everett Monday, Major League Baseball's winter meetings ending in flurry of deals as teams engaged in some last-minute shopping before heading home.

 

Faced with losing slugger Vladimir Guerrero to free agency, the Expos made a pre-emptive move to replace his bat, signing Everett to a two-year deal worth a reported $7 million.

 

"By signing a player of Carl Everett's stature, we have added a much needed power bat to the middle of our lineup," said Montreal general manager Omar Minaya.

 

"We look forward to having Carl in Montreal. His bat will help us replace the loss of Guerrero."

 

Everett split last season between the Chicago White Sox (news) and Texas Rangers (news) hitting .287 with 28 homers and 92 RBIs.

 

A two-time American League (news) all-star (2002 and 2003), Everett is one of the Major League's most explosive hitters and volatile personalities.

 

In an 11-year career that included stints with the Florida Marlins (news), New York Mets (news), Houston Astros (news) and Boston Red Sox (news) as well as the Rangers and White Sox, Everett has .278 with 161 homeruns, 637 RBIs and 101 stolen bases.

 

But he his career is also been marked by a series of altercations with managers, umpires and the media earning the reputation as difficult and disruptive presence in the locker room.

 

"Most of the teams we've talked to spoke highly of him," said Minaya. "They liked his work ethic and felt he was a great team mate."

 

Phillies Add Reliever Roberto Hernandez

 

NEW ORLEANS - The Philadelphia Phillies (news) agreed with free agent Roberto Hernandez on a one-year contract Monday, adding yet another reliever to their rebuilt bullpen.

 

Hernandez must pass a physical, expected to be taken Wednesday, before the deal is finalized. The contract guarantees him $750,000, with bonuses based on performance.

 

The Phillies have already added All-Star closer Billy Wagner in a trade with Houston and signed free agent Tim Worrell this offseason.

 

"They had strong arms last year. They got stronger with Wagner and Worrell. Hopefully I can get my two cents in with this bullpen, not just with performance but experience," Hernandez said.

 

Hernandez, 39, ranks ninth on the career saves list with 320. But he did not have any as a right-handed setup man for the Atlanta Braves (news) last season, when he was 5-3 with a 4.35 ERA. He walked 43 and struck out 45 in 60 innings.

 

Hernandez said uneven use contributed to his problems.

 

"Funny things happen when you lose your groove," he said. "I lost my release points, my snap on my split and my slider."

 

Along with Wagner and Worrell, Hernandez will join lefty Rheal Cormier in relief. The Phillies cut loose relievers Jose Mesa, Terry Adams, Turk Wendell and Mike Williams after the season ended, and Dan Plesac said he was retiring.

 

"There isn't one guy I'd be afraid to go to. It's a veteran bullpen that's been through the wars," manager Larry Bowa said.

 

Hernandez made his major league debut with the Chicago White Sox (news) in 1991 — the only season in which he had not recorded a save until 2003.

 

Hernandez had 43 saves for Tampa Bay in 1999.

 

The two-time All-Star also has pitched for San Francisco and Kansas City. He is 53-54 with a 3.30 ERA lifetime.

 

The Phillies, who faded in the wild-card race in late September, had trouble finding a closer last season. They filled that need by trading for Wagner, who had 44 saves.

 

Worrell also was a closer last season in San Francisco after Robb Nen had season-ending shoulder surgery in May. Worrell had 38 saves for the Giants.

 

Hernandez said he was fine with any role the Phillies had for him. He said he enjoyed setting up Braves relief ace John Smoltz last season.

 

"I'm not looking to close at any cost," he said.

 

Hernandez began thinking about the Phillies when Atlanta visited Philadelphia during the final weekend of the season. At the Braves' hotel, Hernandez ran into former minor league teammate Ruben Amaro Jr., now the Phillies' assistant general manager.

 

"We talked at the hotel bar about the possibilities," Hernandez said. "I didn't know my situation in Atlanta.

 

Amaro was glad to add Hernandez.

 

"We are pleased to have another quality arm for our bullpen," he said. "He has had tremendous success on the back end of the bullpen, and will add to what we already consider a strength for our team."

 

Cardinals Reach Deal With Suppan

 

By BEN WALKER, AP Baseball Writer

 

NEW ORLEANS - Free agent Jeff Suppan and St. Louis agreed Monday to a two-year contract, The Associated Press learned, giving the Cardinals a much-needed pitcher for their depleted rotation.

 

The $6 million deal was finalized after Suppan took a physical, a baseball source familiar with the negotiations told the AP on the condition of anonymity.

 

Suppan, 29 next month, went 13-11 with a 4.19 ERA for Pittsburgh and Boston. The right-hander has pitched at least 200 innings for five straight years, and a durable starter is exactly what the Cardinals needed.

 

St. Louis faded late last season, finishing three games behind the Chicago Cubs (news) in the NL Central. The Cardinals made it through the year despite a patchwork rotation, with ace Matt Morris continuing to battle injuries.

 

Since the season ended, the Cardinals have parted ways with starters Garrett Stephenson, Brett Tomko and Sterling Hitchcock.

 

Woody Williams and Morris are the only full-time regulars remaining from the rotation. The Cardinals also have spot starter Jason Simontacchi and Dan Haren, who made 14 starts as a rookie.

 

Suppan is 62-75 with a 4.90 ERA for the Red Sox, Arizona, Kansas City and Pittsburgh.

 

He was traded from the Pirates to Boston last July 31. At the time, Suppan had won five straight decisions for Pittsburgh, including a pair of shutouts.

 

With the Red Sox, he went 3-4 and made 10 starts. He was left off the roster for Boston's first-round AL playoff series against Oakland and then added for the AL championship series, but did not pitch in the seven-game loss to the New York Yankees (news).

 

He became a free agent after the season and Boston did not offer him salary arbitration, meaning he could not have re-signed until May 1. The Red Sox had declined a $4 million option, choosing to pay a $500,000 buyout.

 

Suppan made his major league debut with Boston in 1995 at age 20. He spent all but 13 games of his career in the AL before signing with the Pirates for the 2003 season.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Catchers handling the Pitching staff is overrated? Watch the marlins this year and say that again.

 

Look what happened to Boston the year Varitek missed.

 

There's really no correlation proven between catchers and pitchers preformances. Besides, if I-Rod is so crucial to the pitching staff than why couldn't the Rangers pitch the last few years he played there?

 

On another note, the Phillies just got rid of Jose Mesa (finally). Why in the living hell did they need to pick up Jose Mesa II? He walked 43 batters in 60 innings. That's TERRIBLE. He was damn lucky to end up with a 4.35 last year, and he's a ticking time bomb. The Phillies have 3-4 guys with the Red Barons who could pitch better.

[sfaJack 0]

Catchers handling the Pitching staff is overrated? Watch the marlins this year and say that again.

I assume you're referring to my post above with this. If so, perhaps you should reread what I wrote because I talked specifically about the Marlins.

[Cartman 0]

Yea, I read it. I'm saying that I bet they won't win nearly as much without Pudge this coming season.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

They will lose more, but it'll be due more to his hitting.

[Bored 0]

Why are sports fans morons?

 

Having to listen to A's fans rip Billy Beane for getting Michael Barrett and some how that means he wanted him more than Paul Lo Duca and Jason Kendall. WHAT THE FUCK???? I just don't get it sometimes. Gee I think if Beane could have pulled off a trade for Lo Duca or Kendall he'd have done it. Of course if they traded their prize prospect Joe Blanton for either of them they'd all be ripping Beane for that.

 

God this shit gets annoying.

[the pinjockey 0]

There is a part of me, probably the Philly fan syndrome, that is glad they signed Roberto Hernandez. The offseason was going too well and if they went into the season with all of that good karma I would be concerned something would happen during the season.

 

Look at last year. Signed Millwood, Bell, and Thome. Nothing bad that I can recall. Millwood underachieves, Bell is a cripple, Burrell god only knows what happened.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Look at last year. Signed Millwood, Bell, and Thome. Nothing bad that I can recall. Millwood underachieves, Bell is a cripple, Burrell god only knows what happened.

 

I undoubtably pissed on the Bell signing at some point soon after it happened. I mean, his OBP the previous year was .333, a career high.

[the pinjockey 0]

But he was known for getting clutch hits.

 

:runs from al:

 

He does seem to be a decent recruiter though. Helping talk to Thome and Worrell.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I don't even have to react. You guys are getting the hang of this.

 

I did pick up the Bill James Handbook a few days ago. Its essentially the old Stats Inc. Handbook, which disappeared and was replaced by a crappier version a couple years ago. Its got every current player's career major league stats, and career minor league stats for the rookies. Alot of other cool stuff in it too. Its great for me because I don't have to go to 4 different sites to tracks down minor league stats for say....Rich Harden.

[the pinjockey 0]

I just picked up the James Historical Abstract last week. That damn thing is going to tide me over for a good few months. I did enjoy seeing John Kruk as the 73rd best 1B ever.

[2GOLD 0]

Not to mention Michael Barrett is a damn good catcher, possibly one of the best young catchers in baseball that you have never really heard of.

 

He may not be Hernandez, but he is very good at gunning down runners and he does have the ability to become a much better hitter.

 

He is highly underrated and A's fans will be singing praises for the kid next season.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Barrett's iffy. He had a great 2002, and a poor 2003. I honestly don't know what to expect out of him myself.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Rule 5 Draft Results:

 

First Round

 

Drafting Team Player, Position, Former Team

 

Detroit Chris Shelton, c/1b, Pittsburgh

San Diego Rich Thompson, of, Pittsburgh*

Tampa Bay Alec Zumwalt, rhp, Atlanta

New York (NL) Frank Brooks, lhp, Pittsburgh**

Milwaukee Jeff Bennett, rhp, Pittsburgh

Baltimore Jose Bautista, 3b, Pittsburgh

Cincinnati David Mattox, rhp, New York (NL)

Texas Chris Mabeus, rhp, Oakland

Colorado Matt White, lhp, Cleveland

Kansas City Jason Szuminski, rhp, Chicago (NL)*

Montreal Andy Fox, if, Texas

Toronto Talley Haines, rhp, Tampa Bay

Chicago (AL) Jason Grilli, rhp, Florida

St. Louis Hector Luna, ss, Cleveland

Boston Lenny Dinardo, lhp, New York (NL)

Houston Willy Taveras, of, Cleveland

 

Second Round

Detroit Mike Bumatay, lhp, Colorado

Colorado Luis Gonzalez, if/of, Cleveland

Boston Colter Bean, rhp, New York (AL)

 

Third Round

Detroit Lino Urdaneta, rhp, Cleveland

 

* The Padres traded Rich Thompson to the Royals for Jason Szuminski and cash.

** The Mets traded Frank Brooks to the A's for a player to be named

 

 

The Os got a 3B, which is nice. Pittsburgh lost 5 players in the first 6 picks.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?id=1686868

 

John Sickels checks in with an overview of the players.

[Bored 0]

I don't know what Michael Barrett is going to do for the A's and I wouldn't be surprised if Adam Melhuse beats him out for the starting job. But that's not the point, its just the mentality of fans to think because a GM traded for Player A (Barrett), that means they didn't make an effort to trade for Player B (Lo Duca) and that they could have had the better Player B without any problems. Its just inability to see the big picture that bothers me. Hey if Beane could sign Ivan Rodriguez he would but because of the owner he works for he can't. If Beane could have completed a trade with Paul Lo Duca without giving up a shitload of talent he would have. This certainly hasn't been Beane's best offseason but he just doesn't have much to work with.

 

Personally I think Beane should leave the A's as he can't win here anymore with this ownership. Every year there is going to be somebody leaving (Chavez 2004, Hudson 2005, Zito and Mulder 2006) and there is absolutely nothing he can do about it because the owner will not allow him to spend the money to keep these players. Because of this he now has a growing group of fans, who were spoiled by his great moves of the past, who scapegoat him for these player's leaving and his inability to replace them with equal or better players. You'd think even the dumbest fan could figure out that its hard to replace a Miguel Tejada with someone just as good or better than him at a much lower price but apparantly that's not the case.

 

I don't want him to leave but if I were him I would with such an ungrateful fanbase and an ownership that handcuffs his ability to do his job.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Just a cool thing about Barrett and Vazquez. I saw them both about 10 times back in 1996 when they played A Ball for the then Montreal Expos affiliated Delmarva Shorebirds. Vazquez still holds the Shorebirds record for wins with 14 that year (and 173 Ks), even though the team reafilliated with the Orioles in 1997. There were a couple other players too (Cabrera and a couple of pitchers) We just missed Guerrero playing here, he was in either AA or AAA after playing A Ball in 1995.

[2GOLD 0]

Just a cool thing about Barrett and Vazquez. I saw them both about 10 times back in 1996 when they played A Ball for the then Montreal Expos affiliated Delmarva Shorebirds. Vazquez still holds the Shorebirds record for wins with 14 that year (and 173 Ks), even though the team reafilliated with the Orioles in 1997. There were a couple other players too (Cabrera and a couple of pitchers) We just missed Guerrero playing here, he was in either AA or AAA after playing A Ball in 1995.

 

No kidding Marv?

Same here man and Barrett was actually pretty decent. Vazquez just screamed "ALL STAR" in every start I saw him.

 

And Vlad had JUST been called up to AA by the time Delmarva got the team so that did suck. But that Expos organization was loaded with talent that year.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I don't know what Michael Barrett is going to do for the A's and I wouldn't be surprised if Adam Melhuse beats him out for the starting job. But that's not the point, its just the mentality of fans to think because a GM traded for Player A (Barrett), that means they didn't make an effort to trade for Player B (Lo Duca) and that they could have had the better Player B without any problems. Its just inability to see the big picture that bothers me. Hey if Beane could sign Ivan Rodriguez he would but because of the owner he works for he can't. If Beane could have completed a trade with Paul Lo Duca without giving up a shitload of talent he would have. This certainly hasn't been Beane's best offseason but he just doesn't have much to work with.

 

Personally I think Beane should leave the A's as he can't win here anymore with this ownership. Every year there is going to be somebody leaving (Chavez 2004, Hudson 2005, Zito and Mulder 2006) and there is absolutely nothing he can do about it because the owner will not allow him to spend the money to keep these players. Because of this he now has a growing group of fans, who were spoiled by his great moves of the past, who scapegoat him for these player's leaving and his inability to replace them with equal or better players. You'd think even the dumbest fan could figure out that its hard to replace a Miguel Tejada with someone just as good or better than him at a much lower price but apparantly that's not the case.

 

I don't want him to leave but if I were him I would with such an ungrateful fanbase and an ownership that handcuffs his ability to do his job.

Well the A's are still defending champions. They haven't been beaten yet. Besides, even if they do decline after losing those guys, how many teams win 90+ four years in a row? That's a great run. But the way I see it, they'll take all the draft picks they gain from Tejada and Foulke, and they'll build up new stars to replace the old ones.

[Guest Choken One]

damn it, Cincy...

 

SIGN SOMEONE!

 

ANYONE!

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the Cards signed Reggie Sanders to a two year contract. Good move for the Cardinals. An injury prone right fielder is just what they needed to put them over the top. No seriously, they shore up right field, avoiding the hilarity of seeing Kerry Robinson as an everyday player.