2005-06 MLB Offseason Thread

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The Phillies expressed interest in Mike Piazza. This would be a great fit. Piazza could spell Lieberthal for a time and also platoon with Ryan Howard against tough lefties. He would also provide a credible right handed bat to slide between Abreu, Utley and Howard.

 

Yeah, Piazza struggled at first base in 2004, but he tried to make the move inseason. He would likely improve with some practice in Spring Training.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

The Coco Crisp to Boston deal appears to be off at the moment due to Mota failing his physical. I'm not sure that's necessarily a deal-breaker, but the ancillary parts will have to be re-adjusted.

 

Oh, and Theo's officially back as GM. Sucks to be Hoyer or Cherington.

[Guest OKCoyote]

MLB.com reports the deal as Crisp, David Riske, and Josh Bard for Mota, Marte, and Kelly Shoppach.

 

It is also noted that if Mota failed the physical, he could be replaced with Manny Delcarmen.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

This Baseball Classic thing is starting to look like a joke. I can understand some of the concerns, especially for pitchers. But guys like Hudson and Bonds dropping out now, a week after the final rosters had to be in, is really bush league. What, they didn't know they didn't want to do it last week? Bonds comes off as extremely shady here.

[the max 0]

I don't want to lose Delcarmen. Maybe Seanez. Seanez is a bit older than Mota, but has been solid for a longer period of time.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I don't want to lose Delcarmen. Maybe Seanez. Seanez is a bit older than Mota, but has been solid for a longer period of time.

The Sox would not be able to trade Seanez until mid-season without Seanez's approval, since he's a new acquisition.

[the max 0]

Dammit.

 

I like the deal as is. I'm not too warm on giving up Marte/Shoppach/Delcarmen for Crisp/Riske/Bard. I really hope they can get someone added into the deal instead of Delcarmen, like Chad Bradford.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Dammit.

 

I like the deal as is. I'm not too warm on giving up Marte/Shoppach/Delcarmen for Crisp/Riske/Bard. I really hope they can get someone added into the deal instead of Delcarmen, like Chad Bradford.

I don't think Delcarmen's such a player that he's a dealbreaker. If Delcarmen pans out, you have a player roughly the caliber of David Riske. Many fans get paranoid about dealing minor league prospects, but sometimes you're better off dealing your less than elite prospects for established major leaguers. It isn't like Boston will sweat the added salary.

[the max 0]

I'm not saying dealbreaker, I just hope they can still make the trade without dealing Delcarmen.

[Guest OKCoyote]

I think the Sox already cut Bradford loose.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Os signed Jay Gibbons for 4 years $21.1 million.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Os signed Jay Gibbons for 4 years $21.1 million.

The hell?! Are they worried Gibbons will leave via free agency and they won't be able to find another corner outfielder who can post a .315 OBP? No wonder this team sucks.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I don't think I've ever seen Al this mad!

[strummer 0]

I think the Sox already cut Bradford loose.

 

 

He signed with the Mets.

[Bored 0]

A's signed Frank Thomas to a one-year, $500k deal. He can earn up to $2.6 million in incentives.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

A's signed Frank Thomas to a one-year, $500k deal. He can earn up to $2.6 million in incentives.

 

If he stays healhly (a huge if), this is a great deal for the A's. They are starting to look like a team that could make a major run next year.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I hope the A's get back into the playoff picture. I can't get excited about the Texas Rangers, and I hate the Los Angeles Angels.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Rangers can't win until Showalter is fired.

[Precious Roy 0]

Rotoworld is reporting that the Indians are now asking for Marte, Shoppach, Mota AND Declarmen for the original package of Crisp, Riske and Bard. Boston came back with two lesser prospects in place of Declarmen, Cleveland declined. Not sure how true that is, but I'd imagine it's the dealbreaker for Boston, and will probably nix the Rhodes for Michaels deal as well.

 

Also, what's up with Cleveland gutting their bullpen? They lost Howry and are looking to trade Rhodes and Riske. That doesn't leave them with a whole lot of depth, unless they're bringing in some can't miss kids. Wickman had a good 2005 but is still an injury risk, and Betancourt is real good, but hasn't performed well as a closer.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Rotoworld is reporting that the Indians are now asking for Marte, Shoppach, Mota AND Declarmen for the original package of Crisp, Riske and Bard. Boston came back with two lesser prospects in place of Declarmen, Cleveland declined. Not sure how true that is, but I'd imagine it's the dealbreaker for Boston, and will probably nix the Rhodes for Michaels deal as well.

 

Also, what's up with Cleveland gutting their bullpen? They lost Howry and are looking to trade Rhodes and Riske. That doesn't leave them with a whole lot of depth, unless they're bringing in some can't miss kids. Wickman had a good 2005 but is still an injury risk, and Betancourt is real good, but hasn't performed well as a closer.

Keep an eye on Fernando Cabrera. He dominated AAA, got promoted and didn't miss a beat. He's 24 and he's got 35 Ks in 34 innings under his belt, with 12 walks and one home run. 1.75 ERA. That's better than he can maintain, but it's a hell of a start.

[Guest Princess Leena]

Os signed Jay Gibbons for 4 years $21.1 million.

The hell?! Are they worried Gibbons will leave via free agency and they won't be able to find another corner outfielder who can post a .315 OBP? No wonder this team sucks.

 

And he's really ugly!

 

He's why I hate playing the Orioles in baseball video games. Tejada doesn't help either with his retarded smile.

[the pinjockey 0]

Well I guess I have to root for a Michaels for a "proven veteran" reliever deal now.

 

From a mlb.com chat with Gillick

 

Christopher_Huling:

11:28 am If a veteran setup man can not be acquired, will the team rely on a young pitcher like Robinson Tejada in the bullpen or will Madson revert back to the bullpen?

 

 

phiguest:

11:28 am Gillick: Madson would be back in the bullpen.

 

I was holding out hope that one move was going to be unconnected to the other, but apparently that was a pipe dream. If it means getting Madson a legit shot in the rotation go ahead and move Michaels for whatever reliever is available.

 

Another brilliant move:

unclemilty:

11:19 am Mr. Gillick, thanks for the time. Russ Branyan may have been an ideal platoon partner for David Bell. Was Branyan "on your radar" at any point?

 

 

phiguest:

11:20 am Gillick: Yes, but our manager, Charlie Manuel, had Branyan in Cleveland and felt with the number of strikeouts we have at the moment that adding another 100 would not be the way to go.

 

Yes, who would ever want those strikeouts when you can trot David Bell out there to throw a .199/.260/.287/.547 line against righties, but by golly he only struck out 53 times in those ABs against RHP. Branyan is obviously not the perfect 3B solution and his Ks would be problematic in the Phils line up, but come on. Compared to the other options currently available this was a no-brainer.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Who are we to doubt Charlie Manuel?

[the pinjockey 0]

"We gon' hit"

 

Rhodes is reportedly in Philly for a physical.

http://www.cleveland.com/newslogs/plaindea..._01.html#108231

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Not a bad chat altogether. The thing with GM comments is you have to remember that in addition to Public Relations, they're also positioning themselves in regards to dealing with the other 29 teams. If a GM comes out and says, "we're desperate for this type of player," it puts him in a poor negotiating position.

 

I was pleased to hear Carlos Ruiz has a shot to win a backup job, as well as Matt Kata. I'm also glad to hear that Dan Haigwood will likely begin the year in Scranton.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

Phillies I think are gonna be a big suprise and a World Series contender next year.

[the pinjockey 0]

The thing with GM comments is you have to remember that in addition to Public Relations, they're also positioning themselves in regards to dealing with the other 29 teams. If a GM comes out and says, "we're desperate for this type of player," it puts him in a poor negotiating position.

 

I hear what you are saying, but I don't know how it applies in this case. In Branyan's situation he could be had for a song, so there isn't really a need to protect negotiating leverage. I would think he would jump on 400-500 ABs in Philly at whatever price, as opposed to a minor league deal with Tampa.

 

Plus, if the rumblings are anywhere near accurate, Gillick has been begging for a pitcher (starter or back end of the pen) all offseason.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Os signed Jay Gibbons for 4 years $21.1 million.

The hell?! Are they worried Gibbons will leave via free agency and they won't be able to find another corner outfielder who can post a .315 OBP? No wonder this team sucks.

He had already said that he hadn't even started to look at other options, that he wanted to play for the O's.

 

Honestly, with Tejada's complaining this offseason, I think Gibbons will end up being the most popular player on the team, ahead of Brian Roberts and Melvin Mora.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The thing with GM comments is you have to remember that in addition to Public Relations, they're also positioning themselves in regards to dealing with the other 29 teams. If a GM comes out and says, "we're desperate for this type of player," it puts him in a poor negotiating position.

 

I hear what you are saying, but I don't know how it applies in this case. In Branyan's situation he could be had for a song, so there isn't really a need to protect negotiating leverage. I would think he would jump on 400-500 ABs in Philly at whatever price, as opposed to a minor league deal with Tampa.

 

Plus, if the rumblings are anywhere near accurate, Gillick has been begging for a pitcher (starter or back end of the pen) all offseason.

I'm just talking in generalizations. It's safe to beg for pitching. Everyone thinks they need it. I really do think the Phils missed the boat on Russell Branyan. But then again, the Phils gave guaranteed money already to Abraham Nunez, and I think Gillick's also worried about crowding out players he just acquired.

 

I don't know how patient the Philly media would be if Branyan started out hitting .210-.220, no matter how many walks and home runs he collects. Branyan hit .257 last season, and that was a career high. It's not a make or break deal for the Phillies, and while I would've pulled the trigger, I can see the opposite argument.

[the pinjockey 0]

Well, given my disdain of the Nunez signing, you can imagine how great I think passing up a good signing to leave room for him is.

 

I'll disagree with you on the idea that it is not a make or break signing. If they got anything at all from 3B last year, they make the playoffs (anything respectable and they might be there handily).