the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2005 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. How is Ruiz defensively? Capable enough for the job or do they need to bring in someone and hold Ruiz off until 07? Jason Michaels really should be given a shot at the full time job. I would love to see that for a couple reason. First and foremost, doing that would show a legitimate organizational change in mindset. I think it is pretty apparent that to this point he has been viewed as a tweener and probably not capable of handling the job full time. If he got the job it would show someone who can look at the players with a different eye. Also, put his OBP in the leadoff or two slot and watch Utley/Howard/Abreu/Burrell drive him in 125 times. Finally, he would get thrown out of about 40 games for arguing balls and strikes if he were to play full time, which is always fun. 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. Or, if they lose a 1st rounder in FA, actually go out on a limb and spend some money out of slot position. Take the money you would have paid a 1st rounder and pick up a couple players that fall for salary reasons. A 1st round pick should try and be replaced instead of throwing up your hands and saying "oh well, that pick is gone" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
devo 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2005 Saw Roy comment on this earlier... Yes, Minaya should go out and get Furcal. Cairo's on the way out, Matsui shouldn't play more than ten games a year, and anyone else currently on the team would only ideally be a temporary solution. There's a bunch of money freed up now that the Mets aren't paying Piazza, Mientkiewicz or Looper and paying Trachsel about four and half million less. I wouldn't be opposed to throwing $6 million or so Furcal's way (I believe he made $5.6 million last year with Atlanta). And as I look over the Mets' payroll, I can't believe they're still paying Mo Vaughn. Sigh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Failed Bridge 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2005 Mets don't have to pay Mo Vaughn anymore. 05 was the last year of his contract. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
devo 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2005 Really? Maybe I'm reading this incorrectly. http://russells.freeshell.org/ddollars/tea...=mets&name=Mets Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Failed Bridge 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2005 Really? Maybe I'm reading this incorrectly. http://russells.freeshell.org/ddollars/tea...=mets&name=Mets <{POST_SNAPBACK}> you are, and I was wrong if that's correct. According to that his last year on the Mets books was the 2004 season. Regardless he's not on the Mets books for the 06 season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
devo 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2005 I was mistaken, but I'm not that far off. Vaughn received a $2 million buyout this year to put an end to his contract. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2005 Pinjockey How is Ruiz defensively? Capable enough for the job or do they need to bring in someone and hold Ruiz off until 07? Ruiz hit .300 in AAA and he turns 26 in January. If he's ever going to be ready, he's ready now. I'm not sure if he'll be a quality hitter, but his defense is considered to be an asset. He was solid when I watched him play. A quality backup at least. Spiff 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. Cormier's owed $2.5 Million and I'm not sure they can get rid of that. The question is whether they can accept placing that kind of salary in a lesser role and using say Aaron Fultz in crucial situations. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike546 0 Report post Posted November 2, 2005 Matt Lawton has been suspended ten days for being caught on steroids. He is the supposed playoff member who got caught, even though he wasn't on the Yankee playoff roster. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therealworldschampion 0 Report post Posted November 3, 2005 Ugueth Vorhees <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Allright, this one made me laugh Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0 Report post Posted November 3, 2005 I forgot how good of a deal the Yanks got on A-Rod. When the deal was made, he was still owed $179 million with 7 years left, and Texas picked up $67 mil of it. $112/7 not too shabby compared to what Texas would've been paying up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mik 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2005 Jason Giambi has signed an endorsement deal with Reebok. Everybody gets a second chance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Failed Bridge 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2005 Maybe they can parody that Nike commercial and have him wear a giant syringe on his head. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted November 4, 2005 HOT STOVE~!! - Yankees named Ron Guidry pitching coach and Joe Kerrigan bullpen coach. (LOUISIANA LIGHTNING!!!!!!11) - Padres acquired third baseman Vinny Castilla from the Nationals for RHP Brian Lawrence and cash. - White Sox agreed to terms with catcher Chris Widger on a one-year, $650,000 contract. - Dodgers re-signed outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. to a one-year contract ($3.21 million) with a club option for 2007 - White Sox exercised a $3.5 million buyout on the contract of designated hitter Frank Thomas (I want him on the Yankees, I don't care if it's intelligent, it would be so cool!!!) - The Twins have had discussions with the Phillies about Jim Thome, who is owed $43.5 million over the next three years - The Rockies are looking at Marquis Grissom and Jeff Conine as they search for a fourth outfielder. (watch Marquis hit 30 homers in Coors) - The Mets are considering signing Julio Franco to platoon with Mike Jacobs at first base. - Indians exercised second baseman Ronnie Belliard's $4 million club option for 2006. - Several Mets executives, including GM Omar Minaya, traveled to Virginia yesterday to meet with Billy Wagner at his home. - The Mariners have joined the Rockies in contacting the agent for right-hander Matt Morris. - Mariners, Cards, Indians have all been in contact with Brian Giles' agent Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2005 - Yankees named Ron Guidry pitching coach and Joe Kerrigan bullpen coach. (LOUISIANA LIGHTNING!!!!!!11) I'm wary of the Yankees' coaching situation. They seem to have adopted their roster strategy of big names for their coaching staff, now with Guidry, Larry Bowa, Tony Pena, and Lee Mazzilli now on board. A great player does not necessarily make a great coach. - Dodgers re-signed outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. to a one-year contract ($3.21 million) with a club option for 2007 Great move. No free agent center fielder had a better year at the plate than Jose Cruz. Look it up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2005 Also, looking over the transaction page of Espn.com, the Red Sox re-signed Mike Timlin to a one year deal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Failed Bridge 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2005 - Dodgers re-signed outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. to a one-year contract ($3.21 million) with a club option for 2007 Great move. No free agent center fielder had a better year at the plate than Jose Cruz. Look it up. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I hope to god that's sarcasm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted November 5, 2005 He did play really well (for him) all year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2005 - Dodgers re-signed outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. to a one-year contract ($3.21 million) with a club option for 2007 Great move. No free agent center fielder had a better year at the plate than Jose Cruz. Look it up. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I hope to god that's sarcasm. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It's not. Cruz collected a 118 OPS+ last year. Compare that to Johnny Damon (113), Bernie Williams (81), Kenny Lofton (107), and Preston Wilson (103). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therealworldschampion 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2005 - The Twins have had discussions with the Phillies about Jim Thome, who is owed $43.5 million over the next three years <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The reports are that the Twins only want to pay $7 million of the deal. Gillick better make them fork over some prospects if the Phils are on the hook for $36 million. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2005 $7mil TOTAL??! You sure it's not annual? They'd have to give up MAD prospects for that deal to be fair Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Failed Bridge 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2005 - Dodgers re-signed outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. to a one-year contract ($3.21 million) with a club option for 2007 Great move. No free agent center fielder had a better year at the plate than Jose Cruz. Look it up. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I hope to god that's sarcasm. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It's not. Cruz collected a 118 OPS+ last year. Compare that to Johnny Damon (113), Bernie Williams (81), Kenny Lofton (107), and Preston Wilson (103). <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Where are you looking that you see that? His OBP was .364 and his SLG was .473 for 2005. That doesn't add up to 118. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2005 OPS+ compares a player's OPS (adjusted for park factors) to the league average, and produces a percentage. 100 is average. 118 would be 18% above the league average. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
devo 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2005 Thanks for the news, Roy. HOT STOVE~!! - The Mets are considering signing Julio Franco to platoon with Mike Jacobs at first base. - Several Mets executives, including GM Omar Minaya, traveled to Virginia yesterday to meet with Billy Wagner at his home. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> - Meh...I wouldn't be opposed to a one-year deal for a solid first baseman while Jacobs is still learning the position, but anything more than that is just asking to be screwed. - Cool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike546 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2005 - Yankees named Ron Guidry pitching coach and Joe Kerrigan bullpen coach. (LOUISIANA LIGHTNING!!!!!!11) I'm wary of the Yankees' coaching situation. They seem to have adopted their roster strategy of big names for their coaching staff, now with Guidry, Larry Bowa, Tony Pena, and Lee Mazzilli now on board. A great player does not necessarily make a great coach. - Dodgers re-signed outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. to a one-year contract ($3.21 million) with a club option for 2007 Great move. No free agent center fielder had a better year at the plate than Jose Cruz. Look it up. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The whole Guidry/Kerrigan situation is kind of dumb. Kerrigans going to help Gudry with helping pitchers with their mechanics and such, with Gudry doing everything else. Doesn't make much sense to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2005 Several Mets executives, including GM Omar Minaya, traveled to Virginia yesterday to meet with Billy Wagner at his home. Wagner's hardly a prime candidate for Republica Dometica. what gives, Omar? Don't give up the dream. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2005 I wonder what a meeting at the Wagner house is like. I'm thinking Miller High Life on ice, and Omar excusing himself to slip in a lime Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2005 "Well...do you at least speak any Spanish?" "No" "This meeting is over." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
devo 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2005 Listen, if he wanted a Latino closer, he'd have to go after Ugueth Urbina or Jose Mesa. Minaya's got more sense in his head than that. I think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Failed Bridge 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2005 OPS+ compares a player's OPS (adjusted for park factors) to the league average, and produces a percentage. 100 is average. 118 would be 18% above the league average. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Its a misleading stat then, because Jose Cruz Jr is not the best CFer out on the market. Not with his back and hamstring problems along with deteriorating skills. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Failed Bridge 0 Report post Posted November 5, 2005 Several Mets executives, including GM Omar Minaya, traveled to Virginia yesterday to meet with Billy Wagner at his home. Wagner's hardly a prime candidate for Republica Dometica. what gives, Omar? Don't give up the dream. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Its just to make sure David Wright has somebody to talk to on team flights. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
