2005-2006 MLB Offseason thread

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Roger McDowell has no trepidations about replacing Leo Mazzone. He's simply thrilled that his first opportunity to be a pitching coach at the Major League level will come with the Atlanta Braves.

"Hot foot"'s and bubble-gum-bubbles-on-the-hats for everyone!

[devo 0]

Mets decline the option on Meintkiewicz and Looper but pick up Trachsel's.

 

I'm happy with all of those moves. Of course, now they just gotta hope they can pick up a closer, since there aren't many people in the Mets bullpen right now that can fill that void. There's only a couple good closers out on the market this year and I don't think the Mets are the only team looking for one. Also, I hope they don't go out and throw a bunch of money at a 1B (i.e., Konerko), because I believe that Jacobs is more than capable of playing the position.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Hall of Famer Al Lopez passed away at the age of 97.  Lopez was the oldest living member of the Hall, an honor that now passes to Phil Rizzuto.  Lopez managed the '54 Indians and the '59 White Sox to American League pennants, and his career .584 winning percentage is outstanding for a non-Yankees manager of his era.  In addition, Lopez played as a catcher from 1928-47, and played in two All-Star games.

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Rizzuto is exactly a month older than Lee MacPhail.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Mets decline the option on Meintkiewicz and Looper but pick up Trachsel's.

 

I'm happy with all of those moves. Of course, now they just gotta hope they can pick up a closer, since there aren't many people in the Mets bullpen right now that can fill that void. There's only a couple good closers out on the market this year and I don't think the Mets are the only team looking for one. Also, I hope they don't go out and throw a bunch of money at a 1B (i.e., Konerko), because I believe that Jacobs is more than capable of playing the position.

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I'm stunned they picked up Trachsel's option. Trachsel's not worth $7 million and this is not a team hurting for pitching depth (they finished third in runs allowed). Given the presence of Jae Seo, Aaron Heilman, Brian Bannister and Yusemeiro Petit, I don't know why the Mets would spend so much money on a fifth starter.

[The Czech Republic 0]

And it's not even as if he's Hispanic, either.

[devo 0]

Admittedly, seven million is too much for Trachsel, but if it leads to a rotation of Martinez/Glavine/Benson/Trachsel/Seo, then I think it's not too outrageous a price tag. Plus, since they hung onto Trachsel, they now have the option of either using Zambrano (or Seo, I guess) as trade bait or to make him a middle reliever and perhaps let Heilman become the new closer.

 

Edit: Actually, Trachsel's only gonna cost $2.5 million this year. Check it out.

 

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/new...t=.jsp&c_id=nym

 

"Trachsel, who underwent back surgery in March, will earn $2.5 million for 2006. He earned $6,782,500 for 2005 when he pitched merely 37 innings and qualified for none of the incentive clauses that would have dramatically increased his 2006 salary."

[Failed Bridge 0]

Octavio Dotel will be out for most if not all of next season.

 

Here's a better free agent site...

http://www.mlb4u.com/freeagent.html

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That's the site I use.

 

Here's a link you may or may not have though

 

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2004_12_2...ts_archive.html

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I view a site called hardballdollars.com, which is a new version of the Dugout Dollars blog.

 

Edit: Actually, Trachsel's only gonna cost $2.5 million this year. Check it out.

 

http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/new...t=.jsp&c_id=nym

 

"Trachsel, who underwent back surgery in March, will earn $2.5 million for 2006. He earned $6,782,500 for 2005 when he pitched merely 37 innings and qualified for none of the incentive clauses that would have dramatically increased his 2006 salary."

 

Thank you for that information. At $2.5 Million, Trachsel becomes a decent buy.

[Precious Roy 0]

some random stuff off Rotoworld (my comments in () ):

 

- Furcal would be willing to play 2nd for the Mets

 

(go get him Omar! Furcal and Reyes would be a dangerous combination)

 

- the Padres offered Hoffman 2 years/$10mil

 

(what the fuck!? the two years make sense, but that's a serious lowball on the cash, and stupid when Hoffman had already come out in the media saying he wouldnt offer a hometown discount and was prepared to test the market. Hell, maybe the don't want him back, but that'll piss off the loyal Padres fans to run him out of town with ass offers)

 

and the big one...

 

- Pat Gillick is set to become the Phillies' general manager, FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports.

 

(great move for the Phillies, Gillick has an excellent track record, at all his stops)

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I'd love to see the Phillies grab Trevor Hoffman, just so we can combine his entrance theme of Hell's Bells with the Liberty Bell.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The A's declined the option of Scott Hatteberg, making him a free agent.

[The Czech Republic 0]

some random stuff off Rotoworld (my comments in () ):

 

- Furcal would be willing to play 2nd for the Mets

 

(go get him Omar!  Furcal and Reyes would be a dangerous combination)

Do you think Omar Minaya will achieve his dream of an all-Latino 25-man roster by 2007? Pesky David Wright.

[Precious Roy 0]

Bobby V is interviewing with the D-Rays and the Dodgers. LORDHAVEMERCY!

[devo 0]

 

I won't lie, I miss the guy.

[tominator89 0]

- Pat Gillick is set to become the Phillies' general manager, FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports.

 

(great move for the Phillies, Gillick has an excellent track record, at all his stops)

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One of the guys on Comcast had a minor conspiracy theory today. Basically, to promote Ruben Amaro Jr. would be a PR problem since he'd be viewed as being from the same vein as Ed Wade. So, they hired a guy who is 68 years old. Give him 3 years or so, and if they don't get to the playoffs, either he's too old and retires or they use that as their excuse to promote Amaro.

 

Does this sound plausible or is it just stupid?

[Precious Roy 0]

eh, I don't really know Phillies politics, but it sounds pretty plausible to me. Gillick has a good chance at success, so it's win-win

 

what position is Ruben Amaro Jr in, head scout or something?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

eh, I don't really know Phillies politics, but it sounds pretty plausible to me.  Gillick has a good chance at success, so it's win-win

 

what position is Ruben Amaro Jr in, head scout or something?

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Officially, Amaro is the assistant GM.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Personally, I think the Padres have bigger issues to address than keeping Hoffman around. Having a lights out closer is certainly a perk, but what good is a great closer when you don't have the pitching or offense to optimize him?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

They have the offense, it's just hidden in that pitchers' haven. Their pitching however was truly putrid.

[therealworldschampion 0]

- Pat Gillick is set to become the Phillies' general manager, FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports.

 

(great move for the Phillies, Gillick has an excellent track record, at all his stops)

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One of the guys on Comcast had a minor conspiracy theory today. Basically, to promote Ruben Amaro Jr. would be a PR problem since he'd be viewed as being from the same vein as Ed Wade. So, they hired a guy who is 68 years old. Give him 3 years or so, and if they don't get to the playoffs, either he's too old and retires or they use that as their excuse to promote Amaro.

 

Does this sound plausible or is it just stupid?

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I'd rather have Amaro be trained by Gillick than by going with what Ed Wade taught him.

 

The bad: Gillick tends to destroy farm systems when building winners

 

The good: Phils don't have much of a farm system for Gillick to wreck

 

Even if Amaro becomes the GM in about 4-5 years, hopefully he learns enough from Gillick so that he can grow into the role instead of being the next Wade.

[tominator89 0]

Yeah, I get that feeling. I didn't think for an instant that the Phillies would pursue someone like Epstein or Cashman. The owner/management don't like the type of GM that would want to come in and change everything. Manuel should be happy about this.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I'm ok with Gillick for the time being. He has a huge track record of success, and he has experience working with the Dominican scouting network, something that has been a large component of the Phillies system in the past. We'll see.

[the pinjockey 0]

I am just praying that Gillick did not get the job by just going into the interview and telling them "oh, everything is great. this team is just fine and will only need a move here or there to be contenders." While there is talent on the team, there are plenty of issues that need to be addressed this offseason.

 

- The obvious issues in Thome/Howard and Bell (615 PAs netted a nice 0.3 VORP on the year) at 3B. I don't see them doing anything about Lieberthal.

 

- Centerfield. They need to decide if it is Victorino's job, platoon again, or bring someone in.

 

- The bullpen needs to be rebuilt. The chances of getting Wagner back probably took a hit, with Hunsicker not getting the job (especially if Hunsicker ends up in Boston). I think we can forget about Ugueth Vorhees coming back. I don't trust Cormier as far as I could throw him and I have some concerns about Madson's arm or if he'll be moved to the rotation (doubtful, but still something that has to be accounted for).

 

- A gutted farm system that needs to be rebuilt from scratch. Granted minor league records don't necessarily relate to quality of prospects, but being last place with every affiliate IIRC is not a good sign.

 

- Oh, and they need to trade Abreu while his value is highest. ::runs from Al:: (please note that was a joke. Granted if someone were to offer a blow away deal it should be considered, but it isn't something to actively pursue)

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

- The obvious issues in Thome/Howard and Bell (615 PAs netted a nice 0.3 VORP on the year) at 3B. I don't see them doing anything about Lieberthal.

 

There's not much they can do about Lieberthal, besides finding a defensive caddy. The Lieberthal and Bell contracts are unmoveable, and the only solution is to eat the contracts, release them, and sign replacements. At $7.5 and $4.5 Million respectively, you can imagine how well that will go over. If there is a silver lining, it is that Bell can not possibly be as bad as he showed last season. Lieberthal's iffy, but other teams are playing worse hitting catchers, including three of the four NL playoff teams.

 

- Centerfield. They need to decide if it is Victorino's job, platoon again, or bring someone in.

 

Jason Michaels really should be given a shot at the full time job.

 

- The bullpen needs to be rebuilt. The chances of getting Wagner back probably took a hit, with Hunsicker not getting the job (especially if Hunsicker ends up in Boston). I think we can forget about Ugueth Vorhees coming back. I don't trust Cormier as far as I could throw him and I have some concerns about Madson's arm or if he'll be moved to the rotation (doubtful, but still something that has to be accounted for).

 

Rheal Cormier, Aaron Fultz, Geoff Geary, Ryan Madson, Aquilino Lopez, and possibly Eude Brito, Robinson Tejeda or Pedro Liriano. They need a closer, something that they have demonstrated they are willing to spend for. The big issue is whether the Phillies fill out the bullpen with expensive names (the big pet peeve about Ed Wade), or inexpensive live arms who can surprise people.

 

- A gutted farm system that needs to be rebuilt from scratch. Granted minor league records don't necessarily relate to quality of prospects, but being last place with every affiliate IIRC is not a good sign.

 

The low minors have been promising in terms of prospects. It doesn't take much to build the minors. Just smart drafting really. I wish the Phillies would make more of an attempt to fill their minor league rosters with AAA veterans, instead of organizational longshots. The organization will almost certainly collect two extra first rounders in return for Billy Wagner, if he leaves (another advantage of going the BJ Ryan route).

 

And let me review that for anyone reading the first time. Wagner is 34. He had a K/9 rate of 10.77, and BB/9 rate of 2.31. He missed half of last season with injury. BJ Ryan had a K/9 rate of 12.8 and BB/9 rate of 3.33. Both are left-handed. BJ Ryan will cost a few million cheaper, provide similar production, and come with two first round draft picks.

[the max 0]

BJ Ryan being a free agent right now is going to be like him robbing a bank. Both the Red Sox and Yanks want him, so there's to be a bidding war there that teams like the Phillies will have to deal with. I don't think he's going to sign for cheap.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Rheal Cormier, Aaron Fultz, Geoff Geary, Ryan Madson, Aquilino Lopez, and possibly Eude Brito, Robinson Tejeda or Pedro Liriano.

No need to keep Cormier. He's had 2 bad years in a row. Really, he only had that 1 good year for the team. There's gotta be another lefty out there they can pick up to take his place.

[MikeJordan23 0]

I hope the Cardinals don't re-sign Matt Morris (Unless he's EXTRA cheap) or Tavarez. I'd try to move Marquis and a prospect for an outfielder, and sign another outfielder through free agency. Walker is done. Reggie is old too. I would leave the infield the same.

 

Rotation I'd like

 

Chris Carpenter

Mark Mulder

Jeff Suppan

Kevin Millwood

Anthony Reyes

 

The owner says he's putting about 15 million more on the payroll for this season.

[MikeJordan23 0]

BJ Ryan being a free agent right now is going to be like him robbing a bank. Both the Red Sox and Yanks want him, so there's to be a bidding war there that teams like the Phillies will have to deal with. I don't think he's going to sign for cheap.

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Money aside (And if the Mets and Red Sox involved it can't be but so much more money), I don't see why he'd sign with the Yankees. He'd just be Rivera's set up man for the next 3-4 years.

[Precious Roy 0]

BJ Ryan being a free agent right now is going to be like him robbing a bank. Both the Red Sox and Yanks want him, so there's to be a bidding war there that teams like the Phillies will have to deal with. I don't think he's going to sign for cheap.

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Money aside (And if the Mets and Red Sox involved it can't be but so much more money), I don't see why he'd sign with the Yankees. He'd just be Rivera's set up man for the next 3-4 years.

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He says he cares more about winning than closing. He'd be in line for the job barring a complete meltdown, and I'm not so sure Mo has 3-4 years left in his tank, the guy turns 36 later this month

[Failed Bridge 0]

Link

 

Angel General Manager Bill Stoneman's expected exploration of a bid for Boston slugger Manny Ramirez could get complicated.

 

According to baseball sources, trade talks probably will expand to include the Arizona Diamondbacks, who could send third baseman Troy Glaus to the Red Sox in a three-way deal. In exchange for Ramirez, the Angels could send first baseman Darin Erstad and a prospect or two to Boston and additional players and prospects to Arizona.

 

A representative of Ramirez, due to make $57 million over the next three years, informed Red Sox owner John Henry on Friday that Ramirez wants to be traded, and the outfielder's agent said that the Angels are "the most attractive option" for the outfielder, who in 2005 hit .292 with 45 home runs and 144 runs batted in after batting .308 with 43 homers and 130 RBIs in 2004

 

I'm a greedy bastard. I want Glaus, Kotchman, and Ervin Santana if a 3-way deal goes down. They could include Youkilis in the trade if both Glaus and Kotchman were coming in return. Include Arroyo if Santana was coming in return. I don't care how plausable that package is, its what I'd ask for.