The Official MLB Offseason Topic

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

via Rotoworld:

 

Royals sign Juan Gonzalez

 

1 year, 4 million

(up to 6 million if Juan stays healthy)

[MrRant 0]

Don't know if that is good.... or bad for KC.

[DerangedHermit 0]

Don't know if that is good.... or bad for KC.

It's just there. It could be bad, it could be good. Who knows? The amount of money is about good enough to not make it a total wash if Juan gets injured.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I can't see it as anything BUT good for the Royals. It's a one year deal, so no long term liability issues. Gonzalez has the potential to hit 40+ home runs in a year, and if he's injured the whole year, then the Royals are only back where they started. Roto fans take note, as KC has been a great park for hitters the last several seasons.

[Dr. Tom 0]

Don't know if that is good.... or bad for KC.

How could it be bad? If Gonzalez plays 145-150 games, we know the kind of numbers he'll produce. He's a bargain at $6m if he does that. If he misses significant time due to injury, then he'll produce while he's in the lineup, and the Royals didn't invest much, so they don't really take a loss on it. Every contract is something of a gamble, but the positive expectation here is very high. Excellent deal for the Royals, IMO.

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

My ideal fantasy lineup for 2004

 

C- LeCroy (as long as he's classified as a catcher!)

1B- Sweeney

2B- (any suggestions?)

3B- Castilla (Cooooors!)

SS- Berroa

OF- Pujols

OF- Ichiro

OF- Juan Gonzalez

 

Pitchers- Vazquez, Weaver (Dodger Stadium!), i'm sure some others will come up too. I had Nomo on my Yahoo team in 2003. And Clemens and Wells.

 

I also got Sweeney, Ichiro and Pujols on my team. (Along with Griffey and Gonzalez, and Pokey Reese)

[Guest FrigidSoul]

2B could be Bret Boone, Jose Vidro, Alfonso Soriano, Marcus Giles, Luis Castillo, and maybe Orlando Hudson.

[MrRant 0]

Don't know if that is good.... or bad for KC.

How could it be bad? If Gonzalez plays 145-150 games, we know the kind of numbers he'll produce. He's a bargain at $6m if he does that. If he misses significant time due to injury, then he'll produce while he's in the lineup, and the Royals didn't invest much, so they don't really take a loss on it. Every contract is something of a gamble, but the positive expectation here is very high. Excellent deal for the Royals, IMO.

I just don't think Juan is worth it IMO.

 

Edit: Just now saw it was 4 mill to 6. My bad... thought it was 6 million.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Its $4 Million, but it could go up to $6 Million with incentives, if Gonzalez meets a games played requirement, from what I understand.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

My ideal fantasy lineup for 2004

 

C- LeCroy (as long as he's classified as a catcher!)

1B- Sweeney

2B- (any suggestions?)

3B- Castilla (Cooooors!)

SS- Berroa

OF- Pujols

OF- Ichiro

OF- Juan Gonzalez

 

Pitchers- Vazquez, Weaver (Dodger Stadium!), i'm sure some others will come up too. I had Nomo on my Yahoo team in 2003. And Clemens and Wells.

 

I also got Sweeney, Ichiro and Pujols on my team. (Along with Griffey and Gonzalez, and Pokey Reese)

Steer away from Vinny Castilla. Ideal 3B would probably be Eric Chavez, or the Rangers pair, Mark Teixeira and Hank Blalock. Teixeira played 15 games at thrid, so he might be eligible depending on your league.

 

At second, its Soriano all the way. Most fantasy leagues don't count walks or defense. They do count home runs and stolen bases.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Yanks, Vazquez close to 4 Year Deal

 

NEW YORK (AP) -- Javier Vazquez and the New York Yankees were close to agreement Sunday on a $45 million, four-year contract.

 

The 27-year-old right-hander, acquired from Montreal on Dec. 4, is eligible for free agency after next season, and the Yankees wanted a multiyear contract.

 

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and Vazquez's agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, were working Sunday on finalizing the deal, a baseball official said on the condition of anonymity. The agreement could be announced Monday or Tuesday, the official said.

 

New York sent first baseman Nick Johnson, outfielder Juan Rivera and left-hander Randy Choate to the Expos for Vazquez. Right after the trade, the pitcher said he hoped to have a lengthy stay in New York.

 

``I want to be a Yankee for more than a year,'' Vazquez said.

 

Vazquez went 13-12 with a 3.24 ERA and 241 strikeouts last season. He is part of the Yankees' new-look all right-handed rotation, a group that includes Mike Mussina, Kevin Brown, Jose Contreras and Jon Lieber.

 

Vazquez was among three Yankees eligible for salary arbitration, a group that also includes second baseman Alfonso Soriano and left-hander Gabe White, who became a free agent and then accepted New York's arbitration offer.

 

The Yankees currently are leaning toward trying to negotiate a one-year contract with Soriano, eligible for arbitration for the first time. He made $800,000 last season, when the Yankees renewed his contract.

 

New York also is trying to finalize an agreement with free agent Tony Clark, who would become the backup to Jason Giambi at first base.

 

Like I've been saying, Vazquez is one of the best pitchers around. Barring a complete meltdown, Yankee fans should be pleased with the results.

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

when it comes to relief pitching, on Yahoo in 2003, they counted holds, so it was worth some points to have a middle-reliever, just to get some holds.

 

when it comes to players, I factor in that some players are going to be taken early. If it's a live draft, then it's better. But, a list-draft doesn't really justify putting all the big guys on the list like it's Santa's gift list.

 

Soriano would be a good pick though.

 

Pujols will probably be eligible for LF and 1B. I think he was eligible for third base in 2003.

 

Weaver isn't an insane pick, right? he is going to be pitching in Dodger Stadium.

 

I think Jose Lima should try and get himself signed in a good pitchers park. Like with the Marlins. Do the Mariners have a need for Lima Time?

[Vern Gagne 0]

Wait to see if Joe Mauer ends up has the starter for the Twins.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Weaver is a good late round pick, but I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

 

Avoid drafting Jose Lima at all costs. That 26/32 BB/K ratio is gonna bite hard.

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

Vern.. oh yeah, I can draft Pierzynski.

 

Al, no way would I draft Lima. While his BB:K ratio was bad this year. Lima usually doesn't walk too many and he was good against right-handed hitting. I was just mentioning it'd be good for him to go to a pitchers park. Preferably one where lefties are at a disadvantage. (Red Sox! )

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

I cant wait for fantasy baseball. Its my overall favorite fantasy sports game (over football and basketball).

 

And I think this year is going to be all about Pitching.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Here are some sleepers since I won't be playing in a league with any of you most likely

 

Injured last year, back this year so they won't be at the top of the list: Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling, Rob Nenn, Trevor Hoffman, Eric Milton (I have no clue on the dimensions of the Phillies new ballpark...but playing in the NL will lower his ERA, still he should be a 4th starter for any team), Darren Dreifort(when healthy he's a K machine), Phil Nevin, Austin Kearns, and of course Griffey Jr is always good for a look in the late rounds.

 

Impact rookies: Edwin Jackson, Freddy Sanchez, Joe Mauer(probably don't need to say), and possibly Joe Thurston

[Guest FrigidSoul]

The Yanks and Vasquez deal is official now

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

With my scanner.. I am able to show you this drawing of an idea for a Mets stadium.

 

 

The gray is the roof, the blue is the upper deck, the purple/brown is the lower deck. The thing behind the right field fence is a street. And there's seats on a building (a bar/restaurant-ish place owned by the team) on the other side of the street, which connects to the stadium over that street.

 

The restaurant/bar would be open for visitors during Mets away-games and in the offseason.

 

and yes, there will be a big fence in right field and a shot of people hitting shots onto the street.

 

I have no idea what the dimensions would be.

 

Any thoughts?

[Guest OctoberBlood]

Couple of good signings (MLC) for the Indians today getting Luther Hackman, Carl Sadler and Jeff D'Amico. All three I wanted the Reds to look at, too bad. I really wanted Salder, as I think he can be a good lefty reliever in the future. Rookie season in about 20+ games was decent, last year in only 18 games was real good. Reds are desperate for a lefty in the pen. Not much left, maybe we'll get Sauerbeck.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

With my scanner.. I am able to show you this drawing of an idea for a Mets stadium.

 

Any thoughts?

Too much foul ground, especially behind homeplate...baserunners will be able to grab two bags if it hits the backstop

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

If they ever build a new Mets' home field, they should model it after Ebbets Field, except with the fences moved back. The right field looks in that direction.

[Guest Anglesault]

With my scanner.. I am able to show you this drawing of an idea for a Mets stadium.

 

 

The gray is the roof, the blue is the upper deck, the purple/brown is the lower deck. The thing behind the right field fence is a street. And there's seats on a building (a bar/restaurant-ish place owned by the team) on the other side of the street, which connects to the stadium over that street.

 

The restaurant/bar would be open for visitors during Mets away-games and in the offseason.

 

and yes, there will be a big fence in right field and a shot of people hitting shots onto the street.

 

I have no idea what the dimensions would be.

 

Any thoughts?

Seems a little big for a team that averages six fans a game.

 

Last thing they need is something that showcases how empty it is.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Now now. Studies have shown that new ballparks increase attendance, leading to an increase in payroll, and a BOOM period for the team and its fans. Just ask Cincinnati. And Pittsburgh. And Milwaukee.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

M's trade Cirillo to Padres

 

The Seattle Mariners have reached agreement to trade third baseman Jeff Cirillo to the San Diego Padres for pitcher Kevin Jarvis, catcher Wiki Gonzalez and infielder Dave Hansen, The Associated Press learned Monday night.

 

The deal was to be announced Tuesday, according to a baseball source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

 

Cirillo, who has struggled mightily since joining the hometown Mariners, blocked a deal last month to the New York Mets that would have sent outfielder Roger Cedeno to Seattle.

 

Cirillo, a two-time All-Star, said he would rather be a backup with the Mariners than have an uncertain role with an East Coast team.

 

But now he's headed back to the National League, where he flourished with Milwaukee and Colorado, batting over .300 in four consecutive seasons.

 

But he's been a bust in Seattle since being acquired in a trade with the Rockies following the 2001 season.

 

Cirillo, 34, hit only .249 with six homers and 54 RBIs in 2002, then lost his starting job last season when he dropped to a career-low .205 in 258 at-bats.

 

His contract contained a limited no-trade clause that allowed him to block deals to about 10 teams.

 

The Padres have been active this offseason, signing left-hander David Wells away from the New York Yankees, plus two other starting pitchers in Sterling Hitchcock and Ismael Valdes.

 

The Mariners get Jarvis, a 34-year-old right-hander who went 4-8 with a 5.87 ERA in 16 starts last year. His best season was 2001, when he went 12-11.

 

Hansen has long been one of the best pinch-hitters during his 13-year career. A .265 career hitter, he batted .244 with two homers and 15 RBIs in 135 at-bats with San Diego last year.

 

Gonzalez hit .200 with no homers and 10 RBIs in 65 at-bats before being sent to Triple-A Portland in May.

 

Essentially a salary trade. Jarvis makes about $4.5 million next season, but his contract runs out. I don't get this trade from the Padres perspective. They already have Sean Burroughs. Why bother getting Cirillo? Still, they give up no real talent. Same with the Mariners. This trade is essentially a push for both teams, although watching Scott Spiezio field at third could get interesting.

[DerangedHermit 0]

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/6982746

 

D-Backs sign Robbie Alomar. What's with Arizona's obsession with former Indian infielders (Jay Bell, Matt Williams, Carlos Baerga, Richie Sexson, Roberto Alomar)?

[Guest FrigidSoul]

maybe they'll trade for Omar Vizquel

[Mik 0]

Braden Looper is the new Mets closer.

 

Good luck Mets fans.

[Dr. Tom 0]

Yet Ugueth Urbina, who's far more proven, still lacks a job.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

on the mets ballpark thing, wasnt one of their plans to do a retractable dome with a field that slid out so they could use the dome for other events and not tear up the REAL grass.

Its sorta like what they are doing for the Arizona Cardinals new football stadium but that was all I had heard of that design.

 

http://www.ballparksofbaseball.com/future/...etsBallpark.htm

 

That site by the way, is an awesome site for sports stadiums.

 

It looks from their list as if the only teams left in line for new stadiums (besides the Yankees and Red Sox) are the A's, Twins, Cardinals, Mets and Marlins.