2005-2006 MLB Offseason thread

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

So we have both Thome AND Konerko? What happened to this smallball thing they were touting last season?

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

So we have both Thome AND Konerko? What happened to this smallball thing they were touting last season?

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Maybe they realized that it wasn't Smallball that won them the championship? Why complain about upgrading the team for another run?

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I'm fine with Konerko re-signing. He was big for us down the stretch. I could have done without Thome though. However, I'm not too upset about Rowand leaving so we'll see what happens in the OF.

[the pinjockey 0]

Gather round boys and girls, it's time for today's BOBBY ABREU RUMOR.......

 

:holds envelope:

 

Let's see what it is today.

 

:opens envelope:

 

....Bobby Abreu for Jason Schmidt

 

Today's entry was submitted by a Mr. Howard Eskin from Philadelphia, PA. Thank you Mr. Eskin for your entry.

 

Thankfully, given this entrants history we feel safe in disregarding this rumor.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I have been very impressed with Gillick's work so far. He's addressed almost every concern on this team and done so in an efficient manner. He cleared the first base logjam while adding a solid center fielder and minor league pitching depth in the process. He found an inexpensive platoon partner for David Bell. Now he's picked up a middle reliever for less than a million while everyone else goes nuts.

 

Santana pitched much better than his ERA would suggest last season. Other than occasional control issues, there's nothing not to like about this signing.

[tominator89 0]

Al: If Abreu is being shopped around, who would you accept as a trade for him? Or, what would you consider a remaining priority that should be addressed?

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

The hot rumor in Philly now is that Abreu is going to San Francisco for Jason Schmidtt.

 

That trade sucks. As much as I hate Abreu, Schmidtt or however you spell it isn't a bonafide #1 ace anymore.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Gillick is 1 for 2 thus far.

 

He let Wagner go, the best lefty closer in baseball. I know he wanted a ridiculous 4 years, but damnit, they should've just gave it to him and worried about 2 possible off years down the road. No salary cap, you got a new GM, and a new stadium, grow some balls. Now he's gonna kill us with the Mets. Wagner also made the Phillies look like assholes by ranting about how they're the kings of being happy with mediocrity.

 

Happy w/ the Thome move.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

I'm fine with Konerko re-signing. He was big for us down the stretch. I could have done without Thome though. However, I'm not too upset about Rowand leaving so we'll see what happens in the OF.

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Yeah but Thome is an upgrade over Carl Everett at DH and it was nice insurance in case they couldn't resign Konerko.

 

I've heard they have some prospect ready to play Center who they feel is better than Rowand. I don't know much about their system... maybe Al can fill in the blanks.

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Yeah they got some nice prospects but I'd take a proven player over a prospect when I open the season. Then if he declines and the prospect rips it up in AAA, then I simply call him up.

[the pinjockey 0]

No salary cap, you got a new GM, and a new stadium, grow some balls.

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IIRC, there have been some rumblings that they do have a salary cap based on their revenue as part of the stadium contract.

 

I'll have to dig around to find that, but regardless to say "grow some balls" is idiotic. Throwing around long term contracts isn't ballsy, it's moronic. They get killed now for having Lieby, Bell, Abreu and Burrell in high money long term deals. Plus they will still be spending over $90 million dollars. In the real world (read: not Red Sox, Yankees, Mets), that is big spending.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Gillick is 1 for 2 thus far.

 

He let Wagner go, the best lefty closer in baseball.  I know he wanted a ridiculous 4 years, but damnit, they should've just gave it to him and worried about 2 possible off years down the road.  No salary cap, you got a new GM, and a new stadium, grow some balls.  Now he's gonna kill us with the Mets.  Wagner also made the Phillies look like assholes by ranting about how they're the kings of being happy with mediocrity.

 

Happy w/ the Thome move.

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It's that kind of thinking that led us to the Thome contract situation in the first place. Wagner is 34, and has twice missed significant time thanks to injury. Paying $10.75 Million a season for a guy to pitch less than 80 innings a season is, in my opinion, the height of stupidity. Not only is it a bad deal 3-4 years down the road, it's a bad deal next year. You can collect a bunch of live arms and find a closer that way for much, much less money. And besides all that, the Phillies farm system just acquired two first round draft picks in return.

 

I'm fine with Konerko re-signing. He was big for us down the stretch. I could have done without Thome though. However, I'm not too upset about Rowand leaving so we'll see what happens in the OF.

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Yeah but Thome is an upgrade over Carl Everett at DH and it was nice insurance in case they couldn't resign Konerko.

 

I've heard they have some prospect ready to play Center who they feel is better than Rowand. I don't know much about their system... maybe Al can fill in the blanks.

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Two prospects actually. Brian Anderson played 118 games at AAA Charlotte, hitting .295 with 16 home runs and 44 walks. He appears MLB ready. The club also has Chris Young coming off a successful season at AA Birmingham. Young hit .277 with 26 home runs and 32 steals. Both can play center field. If neither work out immediately, the club can easily move Scott Podsednik to center and perhaps play Ross Gload in left field.

[Precious Roy 0]

Gillick is like one of the few rational GMs out there it seems. Giving all that money to Wagner for FOUR years is just fucking stupid. If the Phillies really want to spend on a big name closer they could probably get Hoffman for the same cash and less years. He's asking for 3 years 25 mil from the Padres, but he's also pissed at them because they're giving him lowball offers. If the Phillies came in with something like 8-9 mil for two years, with an option or few mil buyout on the 3rd they could probably have him. And they're going to end up offering close to that to Tom Gordon anyway, who's the same age, without the track record as a closer.

 

Gordon saying he'd be willing to setup for Foulke sounds like a negotiating ploy to get some more money out of the Yankees.

[the pinjockey 0]

I have concerns about paying any of the FA class of closers what they are looking for, not to mention losing a 1st round pick for them.

 

Thinking about it today, I'd love to see them try and pry Mike MacDougal away from KC. He is entering his arb. eligible years and might get too expensive for them in a hurry, since he will be getting the saves and lord knows cheap saves = $$$.

[Failed Bridge 0]

And they're going to end up offering close to that to Tom Gordon anyway, who's the same age, without the track record as a closer.

Tom Gordon has been a closer for Boston, The Cubs, and for the White Sox (after Billy Koch failed miserably in the 03 season).

[therealworldschampion 0]

Gillick is 1 for 2 thus far.

 

He let Wagner go, the best lefty closer in baseball.  I know he wanted a ridiculous 4 years, but damnit, they should've just gave it to him and worried about 2 possible off years down the road.  No salary cap, you got a new GM, and a new stadium, grow some balls.  Now he's gonna kill us with the Mets.  Wagner also made the Phillies look like assholes by ranting about how they're the kings of being happy with mediocrity.

 

Happy w/ the Thome move.

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I love how Wagner rants about being on a winning team, considering that if he didn't give up a home run to Craig Biggio in that September series, the Phillies are at worst in a one-game playoff with Houston for the wild card.

 

I've been impressed with Gillick's work as well, especially that the 2 signings he's made haven't made the Phils give up any picks.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Gillick is 1 for 2 thus far.

 

He let Wagner go, the best lefty closer in baseball.  I know he wanted a ridiculous 4 years, but damnit, they should've just gave it to him and worried about 2 possible off years down the road.  No salary cap, you got a new GM, and a new stadium, grow some balls.  Now he's gonna kill us with the Mets.  Wagner also made the Phillies look like assholes by ranting about how they're the kings of being happy with mediocrity.

 

Happy w/ the Thome move.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I love how Wagner rants about being on a winning team, considering that if he didn't give up a home run to Craig Biggio in that September series, the Phillies are at worst in a one-game playoff with Houston for the wild card.

 

I've been impressed with Gillick's work as well, especially that the 2 signings he's made haven't made the Phils give up any picks.

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They'd be in the playoffs outright. Getting Biggio out would've won the game, giving the Phils an extra win, and the 'Stros an extra loss.

[Hektik 0]

1090 in San Diego is reporting that Brian Giles has resigned with the Padres. The only other info is that it is a three year deal.

[Failed Bridge 0]

I'm really surprised the Braves didn't go after Giles. They could use a power hitting lefty bat in that line-up and you would have thought his brother would have campaigned to have him there.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I'm really surprised the Braves didn't go after Giles. They could use a power hitting lefty bat in that line-up and you would have thought his brother would have campaigned to have him there.

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I think all things considered, the Braves probably saw Furcal as a more pressing need. They have Andruw Jones and Jeff Francouer. All that's left is left field, and a Langerhans/Kelly Johnson platoon takes care of that. As for left handed power, Chipper Jones crushes right handed pitchers, and their new young catcher (Brian McCann) is a lefty as well.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Twins have new uniforms.

[Bored 0]

The deal for Giles is three-years, $30 million. Wow, the Padres lucked out. That's just about the best deal all offseason.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Man this is a weird offseason. Billy Wagner is only six months younger and has a history of arm trouble, and he makes $13 million more than the best player on the market? Color me shocked at this deal. HUGE bargain for the Pads.

[Failed Bridge 0]

I thought Furcal was the best player on the market with his age, speed, defense, and top of the line-up capabilities.

[treble 0]

I guess the Jays offered more than San Diego did, too, but apparently he really wanted to stay on the west coast.

[Fartsauce 0]

I wonder who the Jays will target now for a bat now that Giles has signed. Who's still out there? Also, any updates on A.J Burnett getting any offers? I read on the score a little while back that the Jays had made an offer to him but nothing has been confirmed.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

Twins have new uniforms.

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Got a snapshot? Haven't seen any at their site.

[Precious Roy 0]

And they're going to end up offering close to that to Tom Gordon anyway, who's the same age, without the track record as a closer.

Tom Gordon has been a closer for Boston, The Cubs, and for the White Sox (after Billy Koch failed miserably in the 03 season).

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I should have been more specific, I know he has closed, but he doesn't have the track record that Hoffman has

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I thought Furcal was the best player on the market with his age, speed, defense, and top of the line-up capabilities.

I'm simply ranking them by win shares. Here's each player over the last five seasons...

 

Giles: 29, 31, 25, 23, 32

Furcal: 9, 20, 25, 20, 26

 

Giles beats Furcal each year. Furcal is second though. Off the entire free agent market, only Giles, Furcal, Johnny Damon and Roger Clemens have averaged 20+ win shares a season. Furcal's a decent hitter, great defender and basestealing threat. Giles had a .423 OBP in the toughest hitters' park in the league.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

It's time for today's Bobby Abreu trade rumor. Rotoworld is reporting that the Red Sox and Phillies are discussing a Manny for Bobby trade.