The Official MLB Offseason Topic

[Guest FrigidSoul]

The Dodgers plan to invite Jose Canseco to Spring Training. Canseco hasn't played since 2001 and is now 39 years old.

Isn't he under house arrest? If so are they gonna give him a room at Dodger Stadium along with a blue and grey ankle bracelet?

[Bored 0]

Fred McGriff signed a minor-league deal with the Devil Rays.

 

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/02/10/Rays/Coming_home.shtml

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

No real surprise there, as McGriff was reluctant to leave Tampa Bay in the first place. He won't get a starting nod, but he'll be a valuable bat off the bench.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Bringing the content from Today as of 5:02 and Yesterday

 

Credit Rotoworld

 

Nick Johnson lost his arbitration case and will make $1.25 million this year.

Johnson had asked for $1.68 million. Teams are now 2-0 in arbitration this year.

 

Free agent Russ Springer has decided to retire after failing to draw interest from teams close to his home in Louisiana.

Springer, 35, was offered a minor league deal by St. Louis, but he wanted to play for Atlanta, Houston or Texas.

 

Free agent Lance Painter has opted for retirement after undergoing shoulder surgery over the winter.

Painter might try a comeback if he feels healthy next year, but if not, he finishes his career with a 25-18 record and a 5.24 ERA in 28 starts and 286 relief appearances over 10 seasons.

 

Phillies signed RHP Kevin Millwood to a one-year, $11 million contract.

Millwood is settling for a $1.1 million raise. He had asked for $12.5 million in arbitration and been offered $10 million by the Phillies.

 

Cubs signed RHP Hector Carrasco to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

After a one-year absence, Carrasco made it back to the majors with Baltimore last year and had a 4.93 ERA in 40 relief appearances. The Cubs have a superior bullpen and plenty of young arms for depth, so they shouldn't need him at any point during the season.

 

Cubs signed outfielder Calvin Murray to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Murray, a reserve outfielder for the Giants in 2000 and 2001, hit .260/.322/.385 for Triple-A Las Vegas last season. He should be just a part-time player for Triple-A Iowa this year.

 

Red Sox signed LHP Ed Yarnall to a minor league contract.

Yarnall was viewed as a deep sleeper at this time last year, but he had some arm troubles and didn't see any time in the majors with the A's. He ended up going 3-3 with a 3.76 ERA, 72 H and 46/30 K/BB in 64 2/3 IP for Triple-A Sacramento. The Red Sox will take a look at him this spring and then send him to Triple-A Pawtucket before the season starts.

 

Red Sox signed RHP Paul Rigdon to a minor league contract.

Rigdon, a University of Florida product and former Brewers' fifth starter, has missed much of the last 2 1/2 years with shoulder problems. He won't have an easy route back to the majors with the Red Sox. If he shows he's healthy, he'll probably be a part of Triple-A Pawtucket's rotation.

 

Red Sox signed infielder Jesus Medrano to a minor league contract.

Medrano, who had spent his entire career in the Marlins organization, was viewed as a candidate to eventually replace Luis Castillo after a 2002 season in which he hit .297/.411/.413 for Double-A Portland. He wasn't nearly so impressive last season, batting .251/.356/.351 in 73 games for Double-A Carolina and .228/.310/.298 in 31 games for Triple-A Albuquerque, and the Marlins elected not to protect him on their 40-man roster. The Red Sox are curious to see whether he can turn it around this year, but his record prior to his excellent 2002 would seem to indicate that it probably won't happen.

 

Marlins signed RHP Nelson Cruz to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Cruz, an adequate middle reliever for the Astros in 2001 and 2002, is coming off a disastrous 2003 in which he posted a 7.21 ERA in seven starts and 13 relief appearances for Colorado. He should have an opportunity to win a spot in the Florida bullpen, but he has little in the way of upside.

 

Marlins signed outfielder Armando Rios to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Rios, who hit .323/.389/.510 in 45 games after being sent down by the White Sox last season, may still be worthy of a bench spot in the majors. He'll compete with Brian Banks, Abraham Nunez, Gerald Williams and Ryan Christenson for two vacancies on Florida's roster.

 

Marlins signed outfielder Mike Colangelo to a minor league contract.

Colangelo would have at least turned into a solid reserve outfielder if he could have stayed healthy after being drafted by the Angels in 1997. The 94 games he played in for Triple-A Syracuse last season was the second highest total of his career. He hit fairly well (.281/.375/.413), but the Marlins probably won't give him much of a chance to make this year's team as a fifth outfielder.

 

Royals signed RHP Doug Linton to a minor league contract.

Linton, one of the best pitchers in the minors while with Triple-A Richmond in 2002, went 2-10 with a 5.28 ERA for Triple-A Syracuse last season. The Royals will give him an invitation to spring training, but the 38-year-old right-hander is not going to be a serious contender to make the club.

 

Royals signed outfielder Adrian Brown to a minor league contract.

Brown hit .282/.347/.359 in 122 games for Triple-A Pawtucket before joining the Red Sox last September. His solid defense in center field would make him a decent fifth outfielder for Kansas City, but the Royals are likely to use Rule 5 pick Rich Thompson in that role.

 

Athletics signed RHP Steve Woodard to a minor league contract.

Woodard, still just 28 years old, is going to need to pitch well in Triple-A before he gets another chance in the majors. That's especially true since he picked the A's to sign with. The former Brewer had a 4.69 ERA in 11 starts and 20 relief appearances for Triple-A Pawtucket last season.

 

Twins signed outfielder Brian Simmons to a minor league contract.

Simmons, who spent half-seasons in the majors with the White Sox in 1999 and the Blue Jays in 2001, bounced around last year, playing in 42 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, 10 games for Triple-A Portland and nine games for the Atlantic City Surf of the Atlantic League. He'll contend for a spot on Triple-A Rochester's roster.

 

Padres signed RHP Justin Kaye to a minor league contract.

The 27-year-old Kaye had a 2.49 ERA in 31 relief appearances for Triple-A Pawtucket and a 7.20 ERA in 20 appearances for Triple-A Iowa last season. He's always had pretty good stuff, but it doesn't look like he's ever going to refine his control enough to allow him to become a successful major league reliever.

 

Padres signed LHP Tim Byrdak to a minor league contract.

Byrdak, who spent time in the majors with the Royals from 1998-2000, had a 3.78 ERA in 15 starts while pitching in indy ball last year. The 30-year-old won't be anything more than a candidate for a spot in Triple-A Portland's bullpen.

 

Devil Rays signed RHP Chad Gaudin and LHP Jon Switzer to one-year contracts.

Gaudin and Switzer are similar talents who were rushed to the majors last season and are expected to begin this year in the minors. They each figure to take turns in the rotation before season's end, but neither is a particularly good sleeper for fantasy purposes.

 

Mariners signed LHP Ron Villone, who had been with the Astros, to a one-year, $1 million contract.

Villone had success as a starting pitcher for the Astros last season, but his ERAs the three previous years were 5.43, 5.89 and 5.81. Since he's no better against lefties than versus righties, the Mariners are probably going to be disappointed with his performance as a reliever.

 

Twins signed infielder Jose Offerman to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Offerman hit .295/.383/.466 in 98 games in the Atlantic League last season and .276/.347/.390 in 28 games in the Dominican Winter League. Since he's no longer much of an option at second base, he should be through as a major leaguer.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

OOTP 5 Season of the Week(2/5/04): Rube Foster in 1920(32-5 Record, 2.38 ERA, 362.1 IP, 303 HA, 263 K's, 67 BB's(3.9:1), 31 CG's, 5 SO's and a Cy Young Award) for the Chicago Cubs

 

That's Rube Foster from the negro leagues and not the Boston pitcher, correct?

 

As an aside, I really hope we don't see a OaO Baseball season thread.

[Vern Gagne 0]

I didn't think the negro leagues kept stats.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Correct Al and it's a baseball simulator Vern. It can found at www.ootp5.com

[Slovakia 0]

I echo the sentiments of not having another OAO league thread. Do we really need to continue a precedent set by Johnson??? It's stupid to confine entire sports to just one thread.

[the pinjockey 0]

As long as the OaO threads consist of chatter about a game you might be watching or something I see no problem with them. But anything resembling news should have it's own thread.

[treble 0]

Yeah. There might be something you want to discuss that probably doesn't warrant it's own thread, so I see no real problem with 'Baseball Discussion' thread or something along those lines.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The problem is all discussion ends up in these threads. And the OaO threads were only meant to consolidate mass amounts of threads for one event. We shouldn't have that problem with baseball. Confine OaO threads to Opening Day, the All Star Game, etc.

[treble 0]

Ok, but say there's a nice play in some game, like a diving catch or something. Someone may want to bring it up, but it's kind of pointless starting a thread saying, 'Hey, did you see that catch?' when it can all be contained in a larger thread containing discussion of minor events.

 

I understand what you're saying, though, but I don't really want to see the Sports folder littered with threads like, 'Back-up 3rd baseman sent to AAA' or 'That was a nice game'.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

The problem is all discussion ends up in these threads. And the OaO threads were only meant to consolidate mass amounts of threads for one event. We shouldn't have that problem with baseball. Confine OaO threads to Opening Day, the All Star Game, etc.

Agreed.

 

Off-Season, that's fine .. whatever .. but Regular Season? No way.

[Bored 0]

Newsday reports the Yankees are about to sign Travis Lee.

 

http://www.nynewsday.com/sports/baseball/y...hort-navigation

 

Now why did they waste 750k to sign Clark? Not that it will cripple the Yankees either way. Good move for them as Lee is very good defensively and can spell Giambi late in games. He's also coming off the best offensive season of his career and I still don't get why the Devil Rays felt they had to get Tino Martinez and not keep Lee.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Signing Clark was a bad idea from the start, and this will improve the team. Of course, they could have done the sensible thing and just kept Fernando Seguignol, but that would have made sense.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Some more news from Rotoworld

 

Free agent Randy Keisler, back throwing in the high-80s again after being limited in 2003, is expected to sign this week.

The Mets are one of the teams interested in him. "He really wants to be back in New York," agent Greg Genske said yesterday. "There's a good chance it could happen with [the Mets], but the other teams in the bidding may be more serious." Keisler would be a bit of a sleeper this year if he's back to where he was before hurting his shoulder two years ago.

 

The Tigers are considering signing free agent Pedro Astacio.

Astacio is a risk as he comes back from shoulder surgery, but he's a better bet than pitchers like Scott Erickson and Todd Ritchie to make an impact in fantasy leagues. The Tigers have nothing to lose by pursuing him.

 

Mariners signed outfielder Eric Owens to a minor league contract.

Is it too late to take back the Quinton McCracken-Greg Colbrunn trade? Owens and McCracken are similar players, so there's no reason for the Mariners to keep both. Still, they might do so unless they can find another right-handed bat.

 

Mariners signed LHP Terry Mulholland to a minor league contract.

There's no way Mulholland should make the Mariners after this week's addition of Ron Villone, but if he does, he'll get a one-year, $600,000 contract.

 

Comments: Astacio could be a decent #4/#5 for the Tigers if he can manage a decent record. His ERA has never been that great though he possesses a career 7K/9 IP and 3 BB/9 IP record which if he can manage to cut down on the walks, should make him solid. Mulholland probably won't and shouldn't make the Mariners roster. His career ERA's barely better then Astacio's(4.37 to 4.58) and he has a .476 winning percentage for his career plus he's going on 41. Eric Owens could be a decent/solid bench player as he has a career .264 batting average in 9 seasons, 3 of which he had less then 60 AB's and the other 6 he's had 200+ AB's. He doesn't K that much but also doesn't walk that much. He could be a good pinch runner if the need be arises though, 126 steals in 174 chances for a 72% success rate.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Keep in mind those ERA numbers include a few years in Colorado. Assuming he's healthy, he'll provide a nice boost to the Tigers.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Not including the Colorado Seasons or the 4 game stint with Houston after the Colorado trade or the 7 game stint with the Mets last year, he has a career 3.77(3.772) ERA in 7 seasons which is pretty good actually. Detroit would get a hell of a bargain there if Astacio can stay healthy and be solid throughout the season.

 

Seasons used: 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97(Only when he was with the Dodgers, started 24 games) and 2002

[Bored 0]

A's assistant GM and Moneyball co-star Paul DePodesta is expected to named the Dodgers new GM this weekend.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1731996

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

They were interviewing Ruben Amaro from the Phils, so I'm glad they took someone else. Great move from the Dodgers. If DePodesta can bring a sabermetric attitude to the Dodgers, they'll turn their fortunes around.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

They were also interviewing Jim Bowden. I' would've laughed and cried for Dodger fans if they got him. Good news for LA, they didn't.

 

Anyways, some Red "news".

According to Forbes.com's "Forbes 400" ranking of the world's wealthiest people:

 

In 2001Uncle Carl was ranked #381 with a net worth of $650 million.

 

In 2002 Uncle Carl was ranked #350 with a net worth of $675 million.

 

For 2003 Uncle Carl was ranked #179 with a net worth of $1.3 billion.

Yeah. Linder, the Reds owner. Yet, every year we have to cut payroll. God I wish someone would kill the old fuck and a real, smart, baseball loving owner would buy the Reds. I am getting sick of his cheap ass. He has the money to compeat with the Chicago Tribune and the Cubs, yet he chooses to only spend a penny each year.

 

Yet, my ass continues to buy Cincy tickets. Can't help it. I love my team.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

I laugh at the Yankees wanting to sign Beltre, but then I realize that the Os came close to trading for him at the deadline last year..

[HarleyQuinn 0]

How many teams are/have Saber minded GM's? I can think of...

 

Oakland(Billy Beane and his crew)

Boston Red Sox(Theo and his crew)

Toronto Blue Jays(J.P. Ricardi)

Possibly Los Angeles Dodgers(Paul DePodesta)

 

About time it started moving out towards the west heh. I was beginning to wonder if it'd turn into an AL Saber League vs NL Traditional League

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Some more news from my fav. source

 

Mets signed RHP Ricky Bottalico to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.

Bottalico spent most of last year in Triple-A and had a 3.66 ERA in 39 1/3 IP for Tucson. He did make two appearances for Arizona, giving up one run in 1 2/3 innings. The Mets will give him a chance to compete for one of the open spots in their bullpen. He's probably no longer capable of being an above average reliever, but he might not be a bad fit as the 11th or 12th man on a pitching staff.

 

Rangers signed RHP Willie Banks to a minor league contract.

Banks had a 3.07 ERA and 20 saves in in 56 relief appearances between the Triple-A affiliates of the Yankees and Cubs last season. He picked a better situation to join this year, but he's still not likely to make the Rangers out of spring training.

 

Dodgers signed RHP Guillermo Mota to a one-year, $1.475 million contract.

Mota, who had a 1.97 ERA in 105 innings last year, had asked for $1.75 million in arbitration and been offered $1.2 million. In both real and fantasy baseball, he's one of the valuable setup men around.

 

Cubs signed RHP Kyle Farnsworth to a one-year, $1.4 million contract.

Farnsworth had asked for $1.7 million in arbitration and been offered $1.1 million, so the two sides settled at the midpoint. The addition of LaTroy Hawkins to the Cubs bullpen means that there's almost no chance that Farnsworth will do any closing this season. Still, as an asset in three categories, he should be fairly valuable in NL-only leagues.

 

Orioles signed LHP B.J. Ryan to a one-year, $1.275 million contract.

Ryan, eligible for arbitration for the second time, had asked for $1.55 million and been offered $1 million. Used more strictly as a specialist than ever before, Ryan amassed the best numbers of his career last season, finishing with a 3.40 ERA in 76 appearances. Since the Orioles have another lefty ready to join the pen in john Parrish, there's a good chance that either Ryan or Buddy Groom will be traded this summer.

 

Comments: Bottalico could be a decent reliever but he issues too many walks for the amount of innings that he pitches. Also a career 4.25 ERA(4.248) in 8 seasons(Didn't include last year, 2 games or 94'(3 games)) however that's horrible. Also gives up a lot of hits so IMO, the Mets could've done a lot better. Banks has an even worse ERA at 4.81(4.806) in 6 full seasons and nearly gives up as many hits as innings pitched. Had a career year in 2002 although I'd be wary if having him on my pitching staff.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

How many teams are/have Saber minded GM's? I can think of...

 

Oakland(Billy Beane and his crew)

Boston Red Sox(Theo and his crew)

Toronto Blue Jays(J.P. Ricardi)

Possibly Los Angeles Dodgers(Paul DePodesta)

 

About time it started moving out towards the west heh. I was beginning to wonder if it'd turn into an AL Saber League vs NL Traditional League

You can add Cincinnati's Dan O'Brien to that list, though he says hes half and half.

[A Happy Medium 0]

ootp baseball? Free downloads there?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

How many teams are/have Saber minded GM's? I can think of...

 

Oakland(Billy Beane and his crew)

Boston Red Sox(Theo and his crew)

Toronto Blue Jays(J.P. Ricardi)

Possibly Los Angeles Dodgers(Paul DePodesta)

 

About time it started moving out towards the west heh. I was beginning to wonder if it'd turn into an AL Saber League vs NL Traditional League

You can add Cincinnati's Dan O'Brien to that list, though he says hes half and half.

The Yankees' Brian Cashman is along sabermetric lines, but not completely.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

How many teams are/have Saber minded GM's? I can think of...

 

Oakland(Billy Beane and his crew)

Boston Red Sox(Theo and his crew)

Toronto Blue Jays(J.P. Ricardi)

Possibly Los Angeles Dodgers(Paul DePodesta)

 

About time it started moving out towards the west heh. I was beginning to wonder if it'd turn into an AL Saber League vs NL Traditional League

You can add Cincinnati's Dan O'Brien to that list, though he says hes half and half.

The Yankees' Brian Cashman is along sabermetric lines, but not completely.

Too bad George is in charge now and Cashman really has next to no say now. Well...too bad for Yankees fans that is.

[Bored 0]

Milton Bradley is going directly to jail. He can't pass Go and can't collect $200.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-i...ov=ap&type=lgns

 

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio (AP) -- Cleveland Indians outfielder Milton Bradley pleaded guilty Wednesday to a reduced charge for leaving the scene of a traffic stop and was ordered to serve three days in jail.

 

Bradley was charged with driving 52 mph in a 25-mph zone in August. He also was charged with failure to comply after police said he drove away without signing his speeding ticket.

 

Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Judge Lisa Coates dismissed the speeding violation Wednesday. The failure to comply charge was reduced to obstructing official business, a second degree misdemeanor.

 

Bradley will begin his jail sentence Tuesday, a week before he is to report for spring training. Coates also ordered Bradley to pay a $250 fine plus $177 in court costs and serve 40 hours of community service.

 

Bradley apologized to police officers Wednesday in court.

 

The 25-year-old was on the Indians' disabled list when he was arrested at 2:50 a.m. on Aug. 30.

 

The police report said Bradley claimed he was being profiled because he was a black male driving a car with California license plates.

[2GOLD 0]

Wow, they showed Milton the letter of the law.

 

 

Also, I think the O's will trade Buddy Groom since teams love lefty veterans for some reason and the O's would have to be crazy to trade the young lefty and hold onto Groom. Trade Groom, and continue to ummm groom Ryan to at least a possible set-up role.