The Official MLB Offseason Topic

[NYU 0]

Vlad is getting screwed.  IMO he's the best player to become a free agent since A-Rod...and his suitors are Baltimore and Florida.

Well, you can't overlook Vlad's ridiculous proposition of "There must be hispanic people on the team, or else I won't play."

 

Vlad also doesn't have a strong interest in playing in a big city, so that takes teams like New York (both) and Boston out of the equation. Coincidentally, these teams would probably wind up being the teams that give him the most money.

 

Not to mention the guy doesn't speak English. He's been in North America for how long - and yet the man refuses to learn English? He's playing in America and Canada. I'm sorry, as politically incorrect as this may be, if he refuses to learn English OR French, he shouldn't make as much money as someone who does and is near the same level in terms of skills. For someone who's been in this part of the world for so long, it shows such disrespect and lack of effort to make no attempts to speak the home languages.

 

Vladimir Guerrero has no one else to blame but himself for his suitors this season. He made his bed with all these provisions he requested, and now he has to lie in it.

[CanadianChris 0]

Gibbons hit .277, 23 HR's and a .456 SLG.

An outfielder with an OPS under 800 does not impress me at all. Then again, on that team, that almost merits a raise.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

He's improved his OBP each season(He's only played 3 though) and was also still .040 better then the league OPS

[CanadianChris 0]

He's improved his OBP each season(He's only played 3 though) and was also still .040 better then the league OPS

But he's below the average OPS for an outfielder. And his OBP has improved only from "dreadful" to "poor."

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Also for all of those downing Lopez. He is a marked improvement over whatever catcher Baltimore has ever had and he was cheaper than I-Rod. Personally I wanted I-Rod but it frees up money for either pitchers or Vlad by signing Lopez.

 

Oh certainly. But he could easily turn into another dvd if he starts hitting like he did in 2002.

 

Well, you can't overlook Vlad's ridiculous proposition of "There must be hispanic people on the team, or else I won't play."

 

Vlad also doesn't have a strong interest in playing in a big city, so that takes teams like New York (both) and Boston out of the equation. Coincidentally, these teams would probably wind up being the teams that give him the most money.

 

I still don't put stock in any of these arguments. If Vlad's offered five years somewhere, he'll bite regardless of who offers it.

 

Not to mention the guy doesn't speak English. He's been in North America for how long - and yet the man refuses to learn English? He's playing in America and Canada. I'm sorry, as politically incorrect as this may be, if he refuses to learn English OR French, he shouldn't make as much money as someone who does and is near the same level in terms of skills. For someone who's been in this part of the world for so long, it shows such disrespect and lack of effort to make no attempts to speak the home languages.

 

Ok. This is the first time I've heard he doesn't speak English. Why? Because its not part of his job description. Really, why should it matter? His language has no bearing on his job skills. His job is to hit .340, not to speak English.

[Dr. Tom 0]

I have some serious reservations on this deal. Three years and $8 million per is an awfully big risk to put in a catcher after one big season. It could come back to bite the Orioles.

Definitely. Javy is an upgrade over scrubs like Brook Fordyce and Geronimo Gil, but people expecting a .300+ average and 40 homers are likely to be disappointed. Hell, I'd love to see him do it, but I just don't see it happening. If he hits .275 with 30 homers, though, that'll be a nice addition to the team.

[Vern Gagne 0]

I doubt Guerrero can't speak English. He probably just doesn't want to talk to the media. Yao Ming is the same way for the Rockets.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

The 5pm deadline will most likely pass with nothing occuring. John Henry and the Red Sox are perfectly content going into the season with Nomar and Manny and aren't going to cave to Tom Hicks demands. If Tom Hicks gives up on the wanting of extra cash then the trade goes through, if not it will probably be revisted in Spring Training. Even though Magglio Ordonez would be gone the Red Sox could trade Nomar to Houston for Richard Hidalgo or a corner outfielder like that and prospects.

 

Source is the Boston Herald because you bastards don't believe me

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I've really gotten completely apathetic to the "deadline" at this point. Alot of good one did the last time they trumpeted it. Wake me up if they actually make a damn trade. Otherwise, I just don't care anymore.

[the pinjockey 0]

Phils are going to the World Series now. They signed Shawn Wooten to a 1yr/575 grand deal.

[Cartman 0]

The 5pm deadline will most likely pass with nothing occuring. John Henry and the Red Sox are perfectly content going into the season with Nomar and Manny and aren't going to cave to Tom Hicks demands. If Tom Hicks gives up on the wanting of extra cash then the trade goes through, if not it will probably be revisted in Spring Training. Even though Magglio Ordonez would be gone the Red Sox could trade Nomar to Houston for Richard Hidalgo or a corner outfielder like that and prospects.

 

Source is the Boston Herald because you bastards don't believe me

Take a look back at my posts in this thread and you'll see I said all this already weeks ago

[sfaJack 0]

Report: Cubs reach agreement with Todd Walker

December 23, 2003

 

CHICAGO (Ticker) - ESPN Radio in Chicago is reporting that the Chicago Cubs have reached an agreement with infielder Todd Walker, who had a career year last season for the Boston Red Sox.

 

The Cubs are expected to officially announce the signing on Tuesday.

 

ESPN Radio is reporting that Walker will receive $1.75 million in 2004.

 

Walker was Boston's starting second baseman last season and batted .283 with 13 home runs and 85 RBI. However, he was a liability in the field and was often replaced in the late innings.

 

--------

 

Not a great acquistion by the Cubs, but Walker is a step up from Tony Womack and/or Augie Ojeda. But what do they do with Ramon Martinez now?

[Cartman 0]

Breaking News!!

 

As I have said countless times A-Rod is staying in Texas. No deal will happen.

 

Boston.com

[Guest O.J. Hart]

It was just announced that my team, the Pirates, signed Chris Stynes to a 1 year deal worth $500 K.

 

Overall, with the Pirate's amount of money available, it's not a bad signing. Stynes will most likely play 3B for the team this year, but I'd prefer him in a back-up/pinch hitter role. But overall, I've finally seen a good move by Dave Littlefield this offseason.

[2GOLD 0]

Please, A-Rod will be dealt. This deadline is a load of crap.

 

And if it doesn't....who is playing short in Boston?

 

Also, all I expect out of Lopez is over .280 and somewhere between 20-30 homers. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

With the Cubs' luck, Walker's season last year was a fluke. What position does he play, 2nd or SS? With Grudzielanek resigned, and now Walker, looks like there's little room for the aformentioned infielders. Did I miss something or do they still have Alex Gonzalez?

[2GOLD 0]

With the Cubs' luck, Walker's season last year was a fluke. What position does he play, 2nd or SS? With Grudzielanek resigned, and now Walker, looks like there's little room for the aformentioned infielders. Did I miss something or do they still have Alex Gonzalez?

 

I think Walker is just an off the bench guy and I highly doubt they put his worthless glove at shortstop.

 

I'm shocked they aren't pushing for Aurilla...but then I realize who the owners are and my shock fades.

 

They better get that contract extension to Wood this season or trouble comes next season.

[Guest O.J. Hart]

Other Signings Today-

 

-Yankees sign CF Kenny Lofton

 

-Red Sox sign 2B Pokey Reese

 

-Cubs sign 2B Todd Walker

 

-Diamondbacks sign Pitchers Shane Reynolds and Steve Sparks

[the pinjockey 0]

Well, Grudzialanek played SS for pretty much the first half of his career. So I don't know if they are going to dump Gonzalez and move him over or just use all three in a rotation. It doesn't really make sense to get Walker and not play him. And I can't really see Walker going for being a bench bat.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Despite bobbling one of the easiest grounders of all-time, Gonzalez is an excellent SS. If they're keeping him, I'd just use Walker off the bench, cause lord knows that the Cubs' bench lacked serious depth last season.

[geniusMoment 0]

Lets see, the reds sign fucking no one. I am sick of the shit going on with this team. I really got into the cubs last season, perhaps its time I switched over. The only problem is the cubs don't broadcast as many games over WGN as they used to. How much does that season ticket pass cost if I want to watch the cubs games this year?

[the max 0]

Depends on your cable/satellite provider, but it's usually 140$-150$ for the season. Not really that bad considering that you get up to 8 games a night.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

I'm quite sure I'll be biting the bullet and plunking down the heavy costs for the MLB season package, for the same reason that genius is considering doing it for--WGN doesn't broadcast nearly as many games as they used to. Plus, it is worth it, as you get basically all of the games around MLB everyday, which can be quite nice around August, when the pennant chases get really intense.

[The Czech Republic 0]

WGN's been showing too many Sox games and not enough Cubs games. Probably becuase they can make money whoring the Cubs out to Fox Sports and make money from Reinsdorf by carrying the Sox.

[2GOLD 0]

WGN's been showing too many Sox games and not enough Cubs games. Probably becuase they can make money whoring the Cubs out to Fox Sports and make money from Reinsdorf by carrying the Sox.

 

Actually no, it was MLB that ordered WGN to carry less CUBS games.

 

The Cubs are a HUGE money maker for MLB and if WGN is carrying all the games then they lose the revenue for FSN and the MLB package since Cubs fans knew they could just click on WGN.

 

So, MLB placed WGN into the same situation they will soon force TBS into.....shorten the number of games you show or lose the rights to cover MLB period.

 

Baseball....catch the fever.....the greed fever that is.

[The Czech Republic 0]

WGN's been showing too many Sox games and not enough Cubs games. Probably becuase they can make money whoring the Cubs out to Fox Sports and make money from Reinsdorf by carrying the Sox.

 

Actually no, it was MLB that ordered WGN to carry less CUBS games.

 

The Cubs are a HUGE money maker for MLB and if WGN is carrying all the games then they lose the revenue for FSN and the MLB package since Cubs fans knew they could just click on WGN.

 

So, MLB placed WGN into the same situation they will soon force TBS into.....shorten the number of games you show or lose the rights to cover MLB period.

 

Baseball....catch the fever.....the greed fever that is.

Ah screw you Selig. The Chicago Cubs and Channel 9, two standards of the city, are meant to be together for all time. Now more than ever, since they've, you know, owned the team for the last 25 years.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

With the Cubs' luck, Walker's season last year was a fluke. What position does he play, 2nd or SS? With Grudzielanek resigned, and now Walker, looks like there's little room for the aformentioned infielders. Did I miss something or do they still have Alex Gonzalez?

 

Walker's numbers have been consistant the last several years, so I doubt there will be much decline. I'd be much more worried about Grudzielanek being the fluke.

 

I'm shocked they aren't pushing for Aurilla...but then I realize who the owners are and my shock fades.

 

Aurilia is HIGHLY overrated. He had an outstanding year when he hit 37 home runs. In no other year has he slugged more than .450. You can't count on a guy to repeat a fluke year.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Another consideration about Grudzielanek and Walker. Here are their career hitting splits (2003 stats in parenthesis).

 

Todd Walker

 

vs. LHP 251/289/353 (234/282/373)

vs. RHP 300/360/454 (301/352/448)

 

Mark Grudzielanek

 

vs. LHP 294/344/411 (360/444/470)

vs. RHP 283/324/380 (302/344/402)

 

Walker's better against righties, and Grudzielanek's better against lefties. I would platoon the two.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

So, MLB placed WGN into the same situation they will soon force TBS into.....shorten the number of games you show or lose the rights to cover MLB period.

Not going to happen. Ted Turner is broadcasting HIS team on HIS network. If Selig has plans for that he's going to have to pony up some real money to Ted.

[2GOLD 0]

Aurilia is HIGHLY overrated. He had an outstanding year when he hit 37 home runs. In no other year has he slugged more than .450. You can't count on a guy to repeat a fluke year.

 

I'm not, but when I find out that Todd WALKER might be a short...I tend to get confused.

 

If they don't have Gonzo then they need to move on Aurilla as he is a decent hitting shortstop who will give them at least 15 homeruns and a mid .280 batting average.