2005-2006 MLB Offseason thread

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he said that in an interview and while the Astros probably won't be offering Clemens arbitration (he'd make like $20-21mill) the Yankees would be wise to wait until around mid-December to even ask because they'd lose two draft picks for him. Of course, Clemens could be signed back up with the Astros by then...its a double-edged sword.

[mike546 0]

Great trade for the Sox. The Yankees need to trade away Pavano for Monroe, and sign AJ Burnett, instead of focusing on fucking Delgado.

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Yea seriously, why would we want another againg 1st baseman whos basically a permanent DH?

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Link

 

The Red Sox and Marlins have come to a tentative agreement on a trade that would send Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston for shortstop Hanley Ramirez, right-handed prospect Anibal Sanchez and a minor-league pitcher.

 

The deal is contingent on all players passing physicals. An official announcement is not expected for a day or two, which leaves open the possibility that it could still fall apart, sources outside the Red Sox organization have told ESPN's Peter Gammons.

 

The Red Sox have agreed to take on all $18 million of the money owed to Lowell over the next two seasons, a baseball official with knowledge of the discussions told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.

 

In return, the Red Sox would give up Ramirez, their much-ballyhooed shortstop prospect, and Sanchez. The Marlins originally had targeted left-hander Jon Lester, but Boston balked at including him in the trade, so the Red Sox agreed to add a second minor leaguer if Florida took Sanchez instead, Stark reports.

 

Over the weekend the Texas Rangers were considered the frontrunner to land Beckett, the MVP of the 2003 World Series. The Rangers were offering All-Star third baseman Hank Blalock and one of their two top pitching prospects, either Thomas Diamond or John Danks, for Beckett. Blalock, who turned 25 on Monday, hit .263 with 25 homers and 92 RBI last season and led AL third basemen in fielding.

 

New Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said he received a call Monday afternoon from Marlins GM Larry Beinfest, who told him "the Marlins are going to go in another direction with their trade."

 

Before Texas was told it was eliminated from the running, Florida asked the Rangers to expand their deal even further, to include hot shortstop prospect Joaquin Arias, along with Blalock and a pitcher. In return, the Rangers would want a second pitcher back -- possibly setup man Guillermo Mota.

 

The Marlins, if that deal would have been completed, then would turn around and trade Blalock, who would block Miguel Cabrera's return to third base if Florida kept him. Teams known to be interested in Blalock include the Twins, Phillies and Devil Rays.

 

Beckett went 15-8 with a 3.38 ERA last season, when he had problems with his shoulder and recurring blisters on his right middle finger.

 

Lowell hit .236 with eight homers and 58 RBI while winning the NL Gold Glove at third base last season. He averaged 24 homers and 94 RBI per season in the five years before that.

 

Beckett is expected to earn between $4 million and $5 million next season.

 

According to Rotoworld the minor league pitcher is 21 year old relief prospect Jesus Delgado. Florida got 3 good prospects here so I expect them to pay a small chunk of the Lowell contract.

[Mik 0]

It says right there in the article that Boston is paying the entire $18M. Since I'm on the almighty's ignore list, maybe someone else can inform him that he missed a paragraph.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

It says right there in the article that Boston is paying the entire $18M. Since I'm on the almighty's ignore list, maybe someone else can inform him that he missed a paragraph.

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Thereya go.

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Gammons said on a radio thing that money is being discussed now as well due to Jesus Delgado being involved. At first the PTBNL was suppose to be a pitcher not on the 40-man roster. Delgado was put on the 40-man roster to protect being taken in the Rule-V draft and the Marlins wanted him. Financial details and players passing physicals is supposedly all that needs to be figured out and done now.

[mike546 0]

Why in the hell would the Marlins agree to pay and of Lowell's salary when this whole trade for them is a salary dump?

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because they got 2 great prospects and one very good prospect too. In terms of prospects Boston is giving up alot, and those 3 players won't even cost a combined $1mill this year. I'm not expecting Florida to pick up much, maybe $3mill overall ($1.5 each year left in Lowell's contract).

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Gammons now saying that the Red Sox will absorb all the contract, move Youkilis to third base and Bill Mueller is close to signing with the White Sox.

[bob_barron 0]

Mik and Porter both said that a few posts up

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read the whole conversation bob

[Kahran Ramsus 0]

Last I heard, Burnett wanted to go to Toronto, his wife wanted to go to Baltimore. But it was Steve Simmons so take it with a grain of salt.

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link

 

The Yankees aren't likely to counter the Red Sox by adding starting pitching, but they are one of the clubs talking to the Marlins about first baseman Carlos Delgado, showing a possible willingness to part with second baseman Robinson Cano.

[mike546 0]

NO NO NO.

 

Are you on crack Cashman? PITCHING AND A CENTER FIELDER, please.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I'm staying out of the rumor talk. Let me just say that Jojima is a potential STEAL for the Seattle Mariners. Great signing.

[the pinjockey 0]

Al (semi-rumor related), do you think the Phils ought to be in the Blalock hunt? While his road splits are not great, CBP being a bandbox should compare with Arlington (even if they move the fences a few rows back it should still be a HR hitter's park). Considering any production from 3B would have gotten them to the playoffs this past year, do you give up a package including either Floyd or Madson, plus another prospect or two to get him?

[Guest]

I'm not Al, but the Phillies should not acquire Blalock. He'd do great at home, but when you look at the other parks in the NL East, he'd be practically invisible for those games. All of them have huge right-centerfield gaps, so his power would be neutralized.

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I'm not Al

 

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Al (semi-rumor related), do you think the Phils ought to be in the Blalock hunt?  While his road splits are not great, CBP being a bandbox should compare with Arlington (even if they move the fences a few rows back it should still be a HR hitter's park).  Considering any production from 3B would have gotten them to the playoffs this past year, do you give up a package including either Floyd or Madson, plus another prospect or two to get him?

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Judging by Floyd's performance this year, if a Floyd for Blalock offer came around I would seriously consider it. Blalock could perhaps platoon with David Bell for a season.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I'm not Al, but the Phillies should not acquire Blalock.  He'd do great at home, but when you look at the other parks in the NL East, he'd be practically invisible for those games.  All of them have huge right-centerfield gaps, so his power would be neutralized.

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There are issues with Blalock, but the bigger issue to me is the Phillies' lack of production at the position, combined with their complete lack of virtually anything resembling an infield prospect. The only major concern is that would load the lineup with four lefty sluggers (Howard/Thome, Utley, Blalock, Abreu). That's awfully lefty heavy, and a team with good lefty starters could exploit that weakness.

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that sure would give the Phills alot of left-handed hitters.

 

RF Abreu

3B Blalock

1B Thome/Howard

2B Utley

CF Lofton if he returns

 

if I'm missing any feel free to add them

[Guest]

I'm not Al

 

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I know. It's shocking.

 

There are issues with Blalock, but the bigger issue to me is the Phillies' lack of production at the position, combined with their complete lack of virtually anything resembling an infield prospect. The only major concern is that would load the lineup with four lefty sluggers (Howard/Thome, Utley, Blalock, Abreu). That's awfully lefty heavy, and a team with good lefty starters could exploit that weakness.

Looking at that, there aren't many lefty starters in the East. Relievers would likely be a bigger issue. As I stated, it's very hard to have many left handed power hitters in that division.

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see? Me and Al are on the same page sometimes! I'm going to bed. Goodnight you princes of TSM, you kings of the Interweb.

[Guest]

Does anyone know anything about Jim Fregosi besides that he's real old?

[the pinjockey 0]

Against the tough lefty starters you could give Abreu an off day and go with Bell at 3B, Victorino in center and Michaels in RF. So they would at least have some personnel to work around it. It isn't really the ideal, but Bell just killed them so badly this year they have to do something.

[KingPK 0]

I *guess* I like this trade, but hearing Beckett has shoulder problems scares me a bit. I'm glad they didn't put Lester in there, at least.

[devo 0]

I'm staying out of the rumor talk.  Let me just say that Jojima is a potential STEAL for the Seattle Mariners.  Great signing.

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What kind of drop-off do you think Jojima will have? Let's be honest, there hasn't been a single Japanese import (that I know of) to even approach the greatness they achieve in their home country.

[Guest StylesMark]

All I can say is "fuck delgado." That must be coming from the Tampa contingent. Figures...

 

They need to serve something up for Torre Hunter.

[Precious Roy 0]

The Marlins with a middle infield of Robinson Cano and Hanley Ramirez would be an affront to good taste

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Does anyone know anything about Jim Fregosi besides that he's real old?

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Fregosi managed the 1979 California Angels to an AL West championship and won a National League pennant with the 1993 Phillies. In his latest stint, he posted two above .500 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays.

 

I'm staying out of the rumor talk.  Let me just say that Jojima is a potential STEAL for the Seattle Mariners.  Great signing.

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What kind of drop-off do you think Jojima will have? Let's be honest, there hasn't been a single Japanese import (that I know of) to even approach the greatness they achieve in their home country.

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Besides Ichiro? I'm not quite adept at translating statistics. I can tell you that Johjima hit .338 this season with a .655 slugging percentage. He's hit 30 home runs three of the last four years. It'll take a significant drop-off for him to produce less than the other free agent catchers.