The Official MLB Offseason Topic

[Guest Mosaicv2]

News is slow, so I now present Pedro Martinez and his Jheri Curl.

That ain't nuthin' but Ultra Perm.

SLO GLO!!!

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Sportscenter is running something next segment about Billy Wagner being out, but Im betting its just a couple weeks early in spring training..

[the max 0]

Something with his throwing hand, I read it on Yahoo sports.

[MrRant 0]

I really hope the curl isn't making a comeback... because you know we will see white boys with it too.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Some news from today thanks to the usual suspect

 

Tom Glavine has been picked to start on Opening Day for the Mets.

Al Leiter, Steve Trachsel and Jae Seo will occupy the next three spots in the rotation, though not necessarily in that order. Manager Art Howe might choose to split up the lefties.

 

Brandon Webb is working on a cut fastball to complement his sinker.

"I started getting the feel for it," he said. If Webb can master the pitch, he'll stand a better chance of matching his 2.84 ERA from a year ago.

 

Unlike previous years, the A's have no plans to skip their fifth starter when they have off days this season.

The A's want Rich Harden to get regular work and take some stress off the "Big Three" at the same time. "We anticipate Rich being here for a number of years. We might as well start that development process now," GM Billy Beane said. "I think to skip him puts him in a little bit of a confused state. Unless something changes, I think that's the way we're going to go."

 

Kazuhisa Ishii has overhauled his delivery to create better balance and rhythm.

Ishii said he has changed his windup so his elbow and knee no longer touch and altered his follow-through so his lead leg no longer is as stiff. If the changes seem to lead to better control this spring, Ishii would be someone to move up on draft lists.

 

An official announcement isn't expected until mid-March, but Brian Anderson likely will start on Opening Day for the Royals.

Darrell May was the superior pitcher last year, but he's expected to act as the No. 2 starter. The rest of the rotation should be filled by Jeremy Affeldt, Jimmy Gobble and Miguel Asencio, with Kevin Appier set to displace one of the youngsters once healthy.

[DerangedHermit 0]

Aaron "Fuckin'" Boone released by the Yanks, not surprising, though.

 

Yankees release Boone with 'termination pay' of over $900K

 

 

Feb. 26, 2004

SportsLine.com wire reports   

 

 

 

TAMPA, Fla. -- Third baseman Aaron Boone was released Thursday by the New York Yankees, nearly six weeks after hurting his knee in a pickup basketball game. 

 

The injury, which could sideline him the entire season, set the stage for the Yankees to acquire Alex Rodriguez from Texas last week. Boone, an NL All-Star last season, becomes a free agent.

 

"It's a tough situation we're all in," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "You have to move on. We'd like to continue discussing the possibility of keeping him within the Yankees' fold in some form or fashion that would manifest itself with him maybe being a player for us next year."

 

Boone, 30, was hurt Jan. 16 and had surgery last week to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. He already had agreed to a $5.75 million, one-year contract, but the Yankees contend Boone violated the guarantee language, which prohibited basketball.

 

New York says he is entitled to just 30 days of termination pay, which comes to $917,553 over the Yankees' 188-day season.

 

"We're exercising our rights in the contract," Cashman said. "Would we want to pay him the full salary despite the injury? That wouldn't make any sense whatsoever from a business perspective."

 

Boone hit the 11th-inning homer off Tim Wakefield that won Game 7 of the AL Championship Series against Boston. He batted .254 with six homers and 31 RBI last year for the Yankees, who acquired him from Cincinnati on July for left-handers Brandon Claussen and Charlie Manning. Overall, he hit .287 with 24 homers and 96 RBI last year.

 

"He'll get back from this injury," Cashman said. "He'll be down for almost the entire year, if not the whole season. We're looking toward next year, maybe. We don't have anything in place, but I do volunteer that we would be interested."

 

AP NEWS

The Associated Press News Service

 

Copyright 2004, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved

[DerangedHermit 0]

I'd actually like to see the Red Sox sign Boone just for the torture (to Boone).

 

/just kidding

[Guest OctoberBlood]

I can see Seattle signing Boone.

[Bored 0]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1745069

TAMPA, Fla. -- Bernie Williams was scheduled for surgery Thursday to remove his appendix, and Yankees manager Joe Torre said the center fielder most likely will miss Opening Day.

 

Williams, New York's starter since 1992, began experiencing discomfort Wednesday night, Torre said, and was sent to St. Joseph's Hospital for tests Thursday. Doctors determined the 35-year-old Williams needed an appendectomy.

 

"It would be a long shot for him to start the season," Torre said. "It will be three weeks before he can get back into the flow of things. It wouldn't be fair to rush him."

 

Kenny Lofton, signed as a free agent and expected to challenge Williams for the starting job, takes over in center field.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

I can see Seattle signing Boone.

I think Bret Boone is a FA after this year, so I could see Seattle signing Arron to play SS as incentive for Bret to stay.

[JasonX 0]

I can see Seattle signing Boone.

Seattle most definately will sign him, given how it's been said that Brett Boone threw a huge ass temper tantrum when Seattle refused to try and get him last fall...

[MrRant 0]

ESPN Preseason Rankings.

 

The 2004 preseason rankings as voted on by 10 ESPN.com baseball experts. First-place (and last-place) votes in parenthesis. Comments by ESPN The Magazine senior writer Buster Olney. Also, select your own Power 10 and Bottom 5 in SportsNation's Power Rankings.

 

ESPN.com Power 10

Rank  Team  Olney's comment

1.  Yankees (5) We've already had the dissection of the A-Rod/Jeter relationship. Imagine what will happen in the dead week if the Yankees lose two in Japan.

2.  Red Sox (3) Nomar Garciaparra says through gritted teeth he's ready to play. We'll see.

3.  Phillies They're loaded, with Wagner ready to close. The question is whether they will implode.

4.  Cubs (2) Dusty Baker compares steroid talk to McCarthyism. One notable difference: mostly there was no truth to the charges of communism.

5.  Astros They've got the pitching, no question; when's the last time run support was a question.

6.  A's The burden of expectations rest solely on their starting rotation, because the bullpen and the offense could be erratic.

7.  Angels A dangerous team, if Colon and Escobar make the expected impact. And that's a big If.

8.  Marlins It's hard to imagine, but the defending world champions will go into the season as a sleeper. Again.

9.  Blue Jays Jays will cause problems for the Red Sox and Yankees, but a couple of pitching injuries would be devastating.

10.  Mariners The injury to Rafael Soriano is particularly unnerving, with the team's late-inning situation unsettled.

11.  Diamondbacks No player in either league will be as integral to his team's success -- or failure -- than Randy Johnson. If he's good, they could be.

12.  Twins Their bullpen was decimated by free agent movement, but they catch the ball and they play the game well. In this division, that might be enough.

13.  Royals Added Santiago, Gonzalez, some pitching; they're going for it, for the first time in a decade. Small-market hope.

14.  Braves No Maddux, no Glavine, no Sheffield. No longer.

15.  Padres They could vault to the top of the NL West standings if their young pitchers are even adequate and Hoffman comes back.

16.  Giants Barry says the balls were softer. Sure, that conspiracy theory makes a lot of sense: Baseball really wants those home run totals down.

17.  Cardinals Even if Matt Morris rebounds, there will still be lots of questions about how their pitching will stay healthy.

18.  White Sox They lose Colon, they fail to finish the deal for Nomar. And now they're looking at a summer of everyone anticipating a deal for Ordonez.

19.  Indians Poised to make a move upward, once young players like Sizemore and Lee blossom. Might finish 1st, might finish 4th.

20.  Rockies The more things change, the more they stay the same: Pitching questions, and a strong offense at home.

21.  Dodgers The most prolific free agent market has closed for business, trade talks are done, spring training has opened -- and the offense still looks pathetic.

22.  Mets Defense better, pitching younger, but so many strikeouts in the lineup; they are doomed to play in the shadows of the Bronx.

23.  Orioles Their post-season rush fizzled when Vlad signed with Anaheim and the pitching wasn't improved that much.

24.  Devil Rays Should be much improved, although it'll be hard to tell sometimes because of their competition.

25.  Rangers At least they've got a chance to move forward. Their payroll would've been paralyzed with A-Rod.

ESPN.com Bottom 5

Rank  Team  Olney's comment

26.  Expos Baseball figures it will address this homeless problem by midseason.

27.  Reds (2) No pitching, no buzz, no Pete. It's going to be a long summer.

28.  Pirates (2) They are reduced to plucking the free agent leftovers every year, like Mondesi. If the Pirates were a movie, they'd be Caddyshack 4.

29.  Brewers (2) The most interesting statistic will be the empty-seat count, because that could impact any bids on the franchise.

30.  Tigers (4) They need to be at least competitive early, to keep their fans -- and Pudge Rodriguez -- interested

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Once again, I have to ask why the Cubs are ranked over the Astros.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

I can see Seattle signing Boone.

I think Bret Boone is a FA after this year, so I could see Seattle signing Arron to play SS as incentive for Bret to stay.

The Orioles are taking a look at Boone to, with the situation at 3rd (Mora) it could be worth looking into for next year.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Once again, I have to ask why the Cubs are ranked over the Astros.

I'm Astros fan. But I can't disagree. The starters are pretty much a wash. However the Astros have more holes in their lineup. Biggio hasn't produced in 2 years, Hidalgo was good last year but he had 3 poor hitting seasons previously, Ausmus is the worst NL hitting catcher, Bagwell hasn't been able to stay healthy enough to produce. The Cubs aren't great everywhere...but you have more of an idea of how they'll produce if they stay healthy.

[Guest Mosaicv2]

ill laugh my ass off at the Yankees if the Sox sign Boone next season... seriously I will

[Vern Gagne 0]

Why would the Yankees care if the Red Sox signed Boone? They released him.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I'm Astros fan. But I can't disagree. The starters are pretty much a wash. However the Astros have more holes in their lineup. Biggio hasn't produced in 2 years, Hidalgo was good last year but he had 3 poor hitting seasons previously, Ausmus is the worst NL hitting catcher, Bagwell hasn't been able to stay healthy enough to produce. The Cubs aren't great everywhere...but you have more of an idea of how they'll produce if they stay healthy.

 

Ausmus sucks, no question. But Michael Barrett sports a career .310 OBP. He's not much better. Jeff Bagwell has missed a total of ten games over the last five seasons. In his worst season (last year) he hit .278/.373/.524. That's still good. Hidalgo had 2 below par seasons beforehand, but that he turned 27 is an indicator that his improvement is for real. Morgan Ensberg emerged last season, and should continue to produce. The Astros simply have more firepower than the Cubs.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

Michael Barrett vs. Brad Ausmus: Even.

Derek Lee vs. Jeff Bagwell: Even.

Alex Gonzalez vs. Adam Everett: Even. Slight power edge to Gonzo.

Aramis Ramirez vs. Morgan Ensberg: Even.

Mark Grudzielanek & Todd Walker vs. Jeff Kent: Kent.

Moises Alou vs. Lance Berkman: Even last year, but Berkman will have the edge this year. Berkman.

Corey Patterson vs. Craig Biggio: Patterson..

Richard Hidalgo vs. Sammy Sosa: Sosa[.

 

Mark Prior vs. Roy Oswalt: Even when Oswalt is healthy.

Kerry Wood vs. Andy Pettitte: Wood.

Greg Maddux vs. Roger Clemens: Maddux.

Matt Clement vs. Wade Miller: Even.

Carlos Zambrano vs. Tim Redding: Zambrano.

 

Joe Borowski vs. Octavio Dotel: Even.

 

Mike Remlinger vs. Brad Lidge: Mike could be on a decline, but right now - Even.

Kyle Farnsworth vs. Ricky Stone: Even.

LaTroy Hawkins vs. Dan Miceli: Hawkins.

Kent Mercker vs. Mike Gallo: If Gallo can pitch like he did last year, then even - maybe even a slight edge to Gallo, but for now - even.

Juan Cruz vs. Brandon Duckworth: Even.

Todd Wellemeyer vs. Jeriome Robertson: Robertson.

Sergio Mitre vs. Kirk Saarloos: Saarloos.

 

Lineup: 4 Evens. 2 Astro. 2 Cubs. Verdict? Even.

Rotation: 2 Evens. 3 Cubs. Verdict? Cubs rotation is better.

Closer: Even. Verdict? Hard to tell with a first time closer, but we'll say Even.

Bullpen: 4 Evens. 2 Astrso. 1 Cub. Verdict? More even IMO, but we'll give it to the Astros for their depth. Cubs have more experience and vetern relievers.

 

That's, just my opinion. I see the Cubs finishing above the Stros, but it'll be a dogfight to the end, no doubt.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Kerry Wood signed a three year extension with the Cubbies

[Guest Anglesault]

ill laugh my ass off at the Yankees if the Sox sign Boone next season... seriously I will

Why?

 

In other news, Bernie Williams died or something. He should be back by the Japan games.

[2GOLD 0]

ill laugh my ass off at the Yankees if the Sox sign Boone next season... seriously I will

Why?

 

In other news, Bernie Williams died or something. He should be back by the Japan games.

 

I always thought the plan was to have Lofton in center with Williams at DH and Giambi full time at first anyway?

 

Are they really considering changing all of that for Travis Lee???

[Guest Anglesault]

That would be rather pointless, considering he'll be back for the first game.

[2GOLD 0]

But Lofton as lead-off and in center made sense, allowing Bernie to DH and just knock the crap out of the ball.

 

Coulda swore the Yankees planned to DH Bernie which is why Jason lost all of the weight to play first full time and allow the set-up of Bernie at DH.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Manager Buck Showalter's plan is for Mark Teixeira to bat fifth in the Rangers' lineup.

Good news for Teixeira. It looked like he might bat sixth, putting him behind Brian Jordan. Instead, it appears that Jordan will hit sixth against righties. Against lefties, Jordan should be moved into the cleanup spot in place of Brad Fullmer.

[sfaJack 0]

Mark Prior vs. Roy Oswalt: Even when Oswalt is healthy.

Are you mad? Oswalt isn't as good as Prior. Period. And Oswalt's health issue is a pretty big issue, since he's yet to stay healthy for a full year.

 

Joe Borowski vs. Octavio Dotel:  Even.

No way. I'm a die-hard Cubs fan and it pains me to say it, but Borowski was garbage for much of his career until last year. Dotel's had three solid seasons in the bullpen. Advantage Dotel here, though I'm interested to see how he handles closing full-time.

 

Mike Remlinger vs. Brad Lidge: Mike could be on a decline, but right now - Even.

Lidge has better stuff, obviously, so I'd say advantage Lidge here. Only caveat is that Lidge has never had two straight injury-free years in his history. You'd be better off comparing LaTroy Hawkins with Lidge though, since they're pencilled as the setup guys on their teams. In that case, it's pretty even, with a very slight edge to Hawkins, IMO.

 

Kyle Farnsworth vs. Ricky Stone: Even.

Stone was bad last year. Have you ever actually seen him pitch? Farnsworth had a good year, but isn't elite or anything. Advantage Farnsworth.

 

LaTroy Hawkins vs. Dan Miceli: Hawkins.

Absolutely Hawkins, because Miceli sucks. This is where Remlinger should be, though.

 

Kent Mercker vs. Mike Gallo: If Gallo can pitch like he did last year, then even - maybe even a slight edge to Gallo, but for now - even.

Don't be shocked if Gallo doesn't even make the team. The Astros got Brandon Backe from Tampa, and I wouldn't be surprised if he bumps Gallo back to AAA. Gallo's nothing special anyway. Even matchup here.

 

Todd Wellemeyer vs. Jeriome Robertson: Robertson.

Sergio Mitre vs. Kirk Saarloos: Saarloos.

Wellemeyer and Mitre have so little major league experience that it's hard to judge them. Robertson is perhaps the most overrated young pitcher in the NL after last year - he won 15 games, sure, but his ERA was over 5.00 and he averaged nearly 7 runs of support per start. Most guys could win 15 games with that many runs behind them. Saarloos and his 87 mph fastball are not effective over the course of a full season. The guy just isn't that good. Too hard to call these matchups.

 

The Cubs and Astros are pretty even. My own Cubs fandom aside, I'll take them over the Astros because the rotation is a bit better and the Astros have more holes in their lineup than people want to acknowledge:

 

Biggio is done as a good leadoff guy and is terrible defensively.

Bagwell's shoulder is hanging together with two clothespins and some chicken wire...don't be shocked if his production drops dramatically this year.

Kent has a wrist issue that he admitted the other day could flare up at any time.

After his red-hot start last year, Ensberg only hit about .240 after the ASB; let's see if he can do it for a full year.

Hidalgo is an enigma; who knows if you'll get 2000 Hidalgo or 2001 Hidalgo. Jason Lane could really push him to play well, though.

Plus, their 7-8-9 (Ausmus/Everett/Pitcher) of their lineup is awful.

And Berkman better hit more than 25 homers this year.

 

I get the feeling that most people have fallen in love with the Astros just because of Clemens and Pettitte signing there. This team has a few issues, and I think they might end up missing Billy Wagner before the year is over.

 

NL Central:

1. Cubs

2. Astros

3. Cardinals

4. Pirates

5. Reds

6. Brewers

[Guest OctoberBlood]

Are you mad?  Oswalt isn't as good as Prior.  Period.   

Wrong. They are pretty even. All of their numbers are almost exactly the same. I would take Prior over Oswalt because of health, but that being the only reason. Plus, Oswalt pitches in Coors field 2.0.

No way.  I'm a die-hard Cubs fan and it pains me to say it, but Borowski was garbage for much of his career until last year.  Dotel's had three solid seasons in the bullpen.  Advantage Dotel here, though I'm interested to see how he handles closing full-time. 

Wrong again. Borowski has only pitched 2 full seasons (Meaning more than 20something games). In those two seasons, he has been very very good. Last year being his first as a closer, he was one of the best. In his previous 2 small stints in the big leagues (around 20 games each) he pitched decently, but nothing special. Since 2002, he has been the Cubs best reliever. Dotel has been dominate his whole young career, and will probally excell as a closer, but as I was doing for this whole thing, based on last years stats, they were pretty even. We'll see how Dotel handles the pressure of the 9th inning.

Lidge has better stuff, obviously, so I'd say advantage Lidge here.  Only caveat is that Lidge has never had two straight injury-free years in his history.  You'd be better off comparing LaTroy Hawkins with Lidge though, since they're pencilled as the setup guys on their teams.  In that case, it's pretty even, with a very slight edge to Hawkins, IMO.

I was going by MLB.com depth charts.

Stone was bad last year.  Have you ever actually seen him pitch?  Farnsworth had a good year, but isn't elite or anything.  Advantage Farnsworth.

Stone was not bad last year, he was pretty solid. Actually, he was great the whole year despite 2 bad months. Yes I have seen him pitch (who hasnt?) and he was good stuff and has been good for the first three years of his career. And just beacuse Stone doesn't strikeout alot, doesn't mean he is not, or can't be elite. Farnsworth ptiched good last year, but according to his career numbers, he's due for another 6+ ERA year in 2004, heh. No, I don't believe he will, but I don't think hes that much better than Stone right now. They are two very different pitchers, and Farnsworth can be more vaulable because of the strikeouts, I'll give you that, but with either man in your bullpen - you'll be safe. That's why I say even.

Absolutely Hawkins, because Miceli sucks.  This is where Remlinger should be, though. 

Miceli does suck, and like I said above - I'm going by the MLB.com depth charts.

Don't be shocked if Gallo doesn't even make the team.  The Astros got Brandon Backe from Tampa, and I wouldn't be surprised if he bumps Gallo back to AAA.  Gallo's nothing special anyway.  Even matchup here.

But it's not like either pitcher is anything special. Gallo had a surprisingly good year last year.

 

You having the Pirates ahead of the Reds is hilarious. They are awful in every aspect. Offense, Bullpen, and Rotation.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Wrong. They are pretty even. All of their numbers are almost exactly the same. I would take Prior over Oswalt because of health, but that being the only reason. Plus, Oswalt pitches in Coors field 2.0.

 

Oswalt's great, but Prior's unbelieveable. 250 Ks in 211.3 IP. A 5:1 K ratio. I don't think there's a pitcher in the National League who matches up with Prior. And this is from the guy arguing FOR the Astros.

 

Wrong again. Borowski has only pitched 2 full seasons (Meaning more than 20something games). In those two seasons, he has been very very good. Last year being his first as a closer, he was one of the best. In his previous 2 small stints in the big leagues (around 20 games each) he pitched decently, but nothing special. Since 2002, he has been the Cubs best reliever. Dotel has been dominate his whole young career, and will probally excell as a closer, but as I was doing for this whole thing, based on last years stats, they were pretty even. We'll see how Dotel handles the pressure of the 9th inning.

 

You can predict future performance based on a single year. Dotel here, because he's pitched at this level three consecutive years.

 

Aramis Ramirez vs. Morgan Ensberg: Even.

 

On what planet? You said you used last season's stats. Ensberg's OBP was 50 points higher, and his slugging percentage was higher. He's got better career numbers as well.

 

As for stajack.....

 

I get the feeling that most people have fallen in love with the Astros just because of Clemens and Pettitte signing there. This team has a few issues, and I think they might end up missing Billy Wagner before the year is over.

 

I started a thread on Christmas Day listing the Astros as the best in the league, before the Clemens signing. Here's why. Pythagorean Win Percentage....

 

Pythagorean winning percentage is an estimate of a team's winning percentage given their runs scored and runs allowed. Developed by Bill James, it can tell you when teams were a bit lucky or unlucky. It is calculated by

 

 

(Runs Scored)^1.83

---------------------------------------------------------

(Runs Scored)^1.83 + (Runs Allowed)^1.83

 

The traditional formula uses an exponent of two, but this has proven to be a little more accurate.

 

In other words, Pythagorean Win/Loss records estimates wins and losses using runs scored and allowed. Its an excellent way to measure the true quality of a team. Using that stat, the Astros had 94 wins, while the Cubs had 85. So basically, the Astros start out nine wins ahead. I don't see what the Cubs have done to cover that.

[Guest Mosaicv2]

Why would the Yankees care if the Red Sox signed Boone? They released him.

I know... I would just like to see it... but I dont think the Sox would pick him actually

[Guest OctoberBlood]

On what planet? You said you used last season's stats. Ensberg's OBP was 50 points higher, and his slugging percentage was higher. He's got better career numbers as well.

Career numbers? He's had 1 full season. Anyways, yes - OPS and Slugging is better, but you can easily contribute that to Coors Field 2.0. Ramirez and Ensberg have similar production.

Oswalt's great, but Prior's unbelieveable. 250 Ks in 211.3 IP. A 5:1 K ratio. I don't think there's a pitcher in the National League who matches up with Prior. And this is from the guy arguing FOR the Astros.

An out is an out. Both Oswalt and Prior are great young pitchers even with just a few years under their belts. Oswalt pitches in Coors Field 2.0 (as mentioned above) and still matches Priors numbers. In WHIP and ERA, both of these guys are close to equality great. I am not trying to take away the importance of a strikeout, but the differnce between these two in that category is about 2! So yeah, give me a break. Both of these guys are fantastic, and pretty damn close to being the same guy. You make it sound like Prior is so much better than Oswalt, that it shouldn't even be discussed.