Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted January 22, 2004 Well, at least now Orosco can go back into that Iowa cornfield. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DerangedHermit 0 Report post Posted January 22, 2004 John Franco said earlier this offseason that he wanted to follow the actions of Jesse Orosco (who wanted to come back w/ the Dbacks). Now, Johnny Boy, please retire (but stay w/ the Mets in some form) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted January 22, 2004 Jays lock up Halladay The Toronto Blue Jays will announce today that Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay has signed what sources say is a four-year, $42-million (U.S.) contract. Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi, who said signing Halladay to a multiyear contract was his top off-season priority, declined comment yesterday. The club's president and chief executive officer, Paul Godfrey, would say only, "We're still working away on it." But both the Blue Jays and Halladay were optimistic on Tuesday that a deal would be struck, after the sides exchanged salary figures at baseball's arbitration deadline. A source said that the contract was "80-per-cent finished" on Tuesday, even before a formal exchange of salary arbitration figures. Halladay asked for $9-million and the Blue Jays offered $6.5-million. Halladay gave up a little at the front end of the contract in order to receive a little more in the final two years. He will make $6-million this season and see his 2005 salary jump up to $10.5-million. Halladay, who is still two years away from free agency, will be paid $12.75-million in each of the final two years of the contract, which takes into account that he would be eligible for free agency after the 2005 season. Halladay is believed to have forgone a signing bonus, a generous gesture, even in what has been a tight marketplace. The richest free-agent contract signed by a pitcher this winter is the four-year, $51-million package that the Anaheim Angels gave Bartolo Colon, who will make $9-million this season. Andy Pettitte's free-agent contract with the Houston Astros is worth $31.5-million over three years, with $17.5-million deferred to the final year of the contract. Pettitte, who turned down $39-million from the New York Yankees, is a Houston native and gave the Astros a hefty hometown discount. He will earn $5.5-million this year. Javier Vazquez, who signed a four-year, $45-million contract with the Yankees after his trade from the Montreal Expos, will make $8.5-million this year and receive a $2-million signing bonus. But even though he is a year ahead of Halladay in free-agency eligibility, Vazquez will make less than the Blue Jays' ace in the final two years of his contract, earning $11.5-million in 2006 and $12.5-million in 2007. Halladay, who will turn 27 on May 14, made $3.825-million in 2003, when he set a franchise record and led the major leagues with 22 wins. He lost seven games and had an earned-run average of 3.25. Eleven of Halladay's wins came in consecutive starts from May 1 to June 22, setting a club record. Two years removed from being sent down to Single-A Dunedin to rebuild his delivery and his confidence, Halladay had 15 consecutive victories over 18 starts from May 1 to July 27, tying Roger Clemens's club record, set in 1998 and falling one short of the American League record. He led the American League with 266 innings pitched. His 41 wins since the start of the 2002 season are the most in the major leagues. Derek Lowe of the Boston Red Sox is next with 38, followed by Barry Zito of the Oakland Athletics with 37. The Blue Jays now have considerable cost certainty, with six players signed beyond this season (Halladay, Vernon Wells, Eric Hinske and off-season acquisitions Miguel Batista, Ted Lilly and Kerry Ligtenberg). Halladay, Wells and Hinske are signed through 2007. Good news, especially since it seems like they got him under market value, considering the contracts that Vazquez and Colon got. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted January 22, 2004 SI.com has the arbitration salary figures up: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/base...ration.figures/ Ignore Roy Halladay's figure of course since he signed a new deal today. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted January 22, 2004 Red Sox are still working on a 3 year deal with Ortiz from what I know...hopefully there will be no need for arbitration. The owners will deffinately win on the Pujols and Gagne cases. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2004 Given a mere $750,000 difference, I think the Sox and Ortiz will come to a pre-arbitration agreement. Pujols is a special case. There has NEVER been a player of his caliber up for his first year of arbitration. I honestly think the Cards and Pujols will agree to a three year deal before this heads to arbitration. He could honestly win his case if it comes to that, because he's established a high level of production over three seasons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2004 Isn't Pujols one of three players to hit 30+ homers, drive in 100+ and hit .300+ in his first 3 seasons? Who are the other two to do that? *looks at al* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2004 Perhaps he's the only one? I'm hard pressed to find anyone else who's done it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2004 I looked it up and I had it mixed up. Pujols is the only player in Major League history to bat .300 or better with at least 30 home runs, 100 runs scored and 100 RBI in his first three Major League seasons. I had it mixed up with him tying Ralph Kiner for most homeruns in his first three seasons (114), and Pujols passed Joe DiMaggio (107) and Eddie Mathews (112). I don't know why I had it mixed up, but hey, I'm weird like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2004 Good. I was worried that I was losing my touch about these sort of things. Not that it means much. Make the criteria 29 home runs instead of 30, and Ted Williams makes the cut. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OctoberBlood Report post Posted January 23, 2004 Rays signed Moss. I wrote about it, here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2004 Moss to the Rays..that sucks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2004 To whom? the Devil Rays? That K/BB ratio is killer. No pitcher puts up thoses numbers on a consistant basis and remains successful. NO ONE. In 2002, his success was due to luck, and Andruw Jones. After he left Atlanta his ERA collapsed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2004 It sucks for the D-Rays. The D-Rays pitching staff sucks and this is almost a degrade instead of an upgrade for them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OctoberBlood Report post Posted January 24, 2004 I review and preview the Devil Rays, here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted January 24, 2004 Moss is a flyball pitcher and Baldelli, Crawford, and Jose Cruz Jr. are all very, very capable of catching the ball. Just keep that in mind. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 24, 2004 I kept that in mind, and compared it to everything we've learned from pitchers over the last 100 years. NO pitcher can maintain a successful career with those kind of ratios. You don't walk people, not strike them out, and get away with it. Its not going to happen. I don't care if there's eight gold glovers on the field. Moss's type just does not get it done. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention the success Moss had with Jose Cruz Jr. behind him last season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Kamala 0 Report post Posted January 24, 2004 I review and preview the Devil Rays, here. I predict about the same for the Devil Rays this year, 70 games seems just about right. If they were in AL Central I could easily see them win about 75+ games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OctoberBlood Report post Posted January 24, 2004 I review and preview the Devil Rays, here. I predict about the same for the Devil Rays this year, 70 games seems just about right. If they were in AL Central I could easily see them win about 75+ games. Yep. I had to take that into alot of consideration. The AL East is gonna be nasty next year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted January 24, 2004 Here's an article about the bizarre right field wall in the new San Diego ballpark: http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/sulli...4sullivan.html# Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 24, 2004 I had read somewhere that the new Phillies park had a crooked outfield fence that went further and closer alternatively. I have no idea if that's true, but in any case, these new ballparks are getting too cute for their own good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 24, 2004 Reed signs with Pirates The award for most dillusional quote goes to Reed's agent, Phil Tannenbaum...... "I'm only sorry I didn't call Mr. [Fred] Wilpon or Jeff [Wilpon] because they would have called me back in a heartbeat," he continued. "I can assure you this will definitely be reflected in the [Mets'] win-loss column this year." Yes, because passing up a 38 year old pitcher with a 5.07 ERA who would've had to fight to make the rotation is the kind of thing that kills a team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted January 24, 2004 I had read somewhere that the new Phillies park had a crooked outfield fence that went further and closer alternatively. I have no idea if that's true, but in any case, these new ballparks are getting too cute for their own good. From the Phillies official website: To have a Ballpark that's world-class includes having field dimensions that are entertaining for fans and a playing field that's fair to both pitchers and hitters. Taking this into account, the Phillies encouraged architects Ewing Cole Cherry Brott (ECCB) and HOK Sports+Venue+Event (HOK SVE) to develop a uniquely shaped outfield wall that creates a new and fun dynamic to fielding balls. The outcome includes a distinctive shape in the wall just left of center field, where unique angles create a corner with distances that extend from 381' to 385' and reduce to 369' at the left field power alley. Just left of center field, the angled center field wall that is 6' high creates a corner with a wall that is 19' high - establishing the deepest part of the field at 409'. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 24, 2004 Thank you Bored. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DerangedHermit 0 Report post Posted January 24, 2004 Reed signs with Pirates The award for most dillusional quote goes to Reed's agent, Phil Tannenbaum...... "I'm only sorry I didn't call Mr. [Fred] Wilpon or Jeff [Wilpon] because they would have called me back in a heartbeat," he continued. "I can assure you this will definitely be reflected in the [Mets'] win-loss column this year." Yes, because passing up a 38 year old pitcher with a 5.07 ERA who would've had to fight to make the rotation is the kind of thing that kills a team. Yeah really.....Jim Duquette's no Steve Phillips. I believe the Mets also offered a similar type of contract (1 year minor league w/ invite to ST) to Shane Spencer (who would be an okay pickup for the Mets) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted January 24, 2004 Will Clark is coming back to the Os for ST as a hitting instructor or something of the like. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2004 AP - CARACAS, Venezuela -- Free-agent pitcher Ugueth Urbina has been arrested for allegedly firing gunshots into the air in an upscale Caracas neighborhood. Police arrested Urbina early Friday morning for firing a gun out the passenger window of an SUV, Chacao police chief Leonardo Diaz Paruta said in comments published Saturday in El Nacional newspaper. A Chacao police spokeswoman confirmed the remarks. Diaz Paruta was not immediately available for further comment. Urbina finished last season as the closer for the World Series champion Florida Marlins. Diaz Paruta said Urbina and a friend, Cesar Diaz, were intoxicated when they were detained. Police seized a 9 mm revolver from the pair, who were charged with possession of a weapon without a license and misuse of a firearm. It was not clear whether the two were still in custody. Urbina could not immediately be reached for comment. The two were arrested after residents called police to complain about the gunshots, Diaz Paruta said. The police chief said Urbina could not explain why he had allegedly fired his gun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2004 Well, that was the smart thing for an unsigned free agent to do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrRant 0 Report post Posted January 25, 2004 He also wants a crap load of money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 26, 2004 Offseason Power Rankings I want to point out this line, about the Giants..... Felix Rodriguez's career numbers: 10 saves, 20 blown saves. That's a load of crap. Set-up men don't have the opportunity to close games often, and thus don't collect saves. However, they can accumulate blown saves because coming in the game in the 7th with the lead (3 runs or less) is TECHNICALLY a save situation. Lets look at Rodriguez's numbers another way. Rodriguez has pitched for 8 years, 422 games, and 459 innings. He's given up the lead in 20 of those. Meanwhile, he's collected 10 saves, and 108 holds. So in games where he entered in a save situation, he has an 86% success rate. That doesn't look too bad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
