2006-07 MLB Offseason Thread

[devo 0]

Well, the Hernandez deal I'm kinda ambivalent about, and I imagine the Floyd contract will be something similar to what Frank Thomas got last year (low salary, lots of incentives). Valentin's apparently going to replace Woodward as the utility guy, with Minaya still searching for someone to start at second next year.

[vivalaultra 0]

Los Mets trade relievers Royce Ring and Heath Bell to the Padres OF Ben Johnson and reliever Jon Adkins. With my limited knowledge of both teams, I'm not sure if this is a good trade or bad trade.

 

Edit: The Astros have finally won an MLB award. Screw the Cy Young or the Gold Gloves, Craig Biggio won the 2nd annual 'Heart and Hustle' award. Needless to say, Biggio has alot of heart, but how much hustle is left in his 40 year old legs, I'm not sure...

[CanadianChris 0]

Joe Girardi and Jim Leyland won NL and AL Manager of the Year today.

 

I hope Girardi takes his award to Miami and shoves it up Jeff Loria's ass.

[devo 0]

Adkins is a fairly good reliever and Ben Johnson appears to have decent upside, even if he isn't very good right now. While Royce Ring is good right now and has shown signs of becoming great, I'm of the opinion that Heath Bell is a perpetual AAAA reliever and is of no real value to the Mets. Seems like a pretty even deal.

[devo 0]

In a shocking example of voters actually getting one right, Brandon Webb is your NL Cy Young Award winner.

 

http://firejoemorgan.blogspot.com/2006/11/...-hat-trick.html

 

"It was pretty big emotions. We were very excited for it. It's with you forever."

 

Webb sounds like a Japanese advertising executive.

[Mik 0]

After the Sox won the posting for Matsuzaka it had occured to me that the Yankees would enter the bidding for Willis. I'd much prefer him over Zito, younger cheaper and better IMO, and I wouldn't be opposed to trading Sanchez and an OF prospect etc. for him. If we could pull that off we'd basically be flipping Sheff and some prospects for Willis.

 

I don't understand what Minaya is doing. Valentine killed them in the playoffs, Duque is great but he's 41 and can't last a full season, and Floyd is Floyd. Bringing their whole team back isn't getting them any closer to a championship.

 

You wouldn't be opposed to trading Sanchez and an OF prospect? HA! An injured Humberto Sanchez and what prize Yankee OF prospect would be able to land Dontrelle Willis? If you're going to dream - at least be realistic. With the demand on Dontrelle - you'd be sending Hughes and Tabata...bare minimum.

[Brett Favre 0]

That's laughable as well.

 

We need to find middle ground.

[naiwf 0]

As far as I know, the Marlins don't want to trade Willis so unless someone blows them away they won't give him away for an injury prone prospect and a lesser one to boot.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

I think if the Marlins were going to part with Willis, the package would start with Philip Hughes and Humberto Sanchez, and probably include one or two other guys as well (Melky Cabrera probably).

 

For the Red Sox to acquire Josh Beckett last year, they had to give up two top prospects (Ramirez, Sanchez) and two other high upside guys, in addition to taking on Lowell's ridiculous contract. Willis is a better pitcher and one would think he'd require an even larger package.

[Brett Favre 0]

Then no trade will happen if that's the case. Philip Hughes is as untouchable as you can get.

[Guest Felonies!]

Then no trade will happen if that's the case. Philip Hughes is as untouchable as you can get.

More than Eliot Ness's men?

[Brett Favre 0]

Yes, and even moreso than these men as well.

 

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The Phils have signed Wes Helms for two years, $5.5 Million to fill their hole at third base. Helms signed for an everyday job. In any event, this is an absolute STEAL. Kudos to Pat Gillick.

[treble 0]

NAPLES, Fla. -- The Toronto Blue Jays are closing in on a deal with free agent designated hitter Frank Thomas, two sources at the general managers' meetings told ESPN.com.

 

Thomas, 38, batted .270 with 39 homers and 114 RBI last season for the Oakland Athletics. The Texas Rangers had also made a serious push to sign him.

 

It's believed that Thomas will sign a two-year deal with the Blue Jays. He played for a base salary of $500,000 this season, plus $2.6 million in incentives, after coming back from an ankle injury.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2663691

 

I'm not sure how I feel about this. I guess it depends on how much it's for (obviously more than what he made last year), but I don't think he'll match what he did last season.

[Bored 0]

edit: treble beat me to it

 

ESPN.com is reporting that the Blue Jays are close to signing Frank Thomas to a two-year deal. It'd be very dissapointing for him not be back with the A's next season. Sure it is a risk by any team signing him that he'll be healthy back-to-back seasons but I was hoping for the chance to possibly see him hit his 500th homerun in person next year. A's are also risking taking a major p.r. hit right now with the Oakland loyalists out there who are mad about the Fremont move, the eventual loss of Zito, and now possibly not bringing the Big Hurt back. Nevermind the p.r. hit the but also losing Thomas would once again give them a complete lack of a serious homerun threat in the line-up.

[treble 0]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6177240

 

Free-agent designated hitter Frank Thomas is close to agreeing to a two-year contract with the Blue Jays, FOXSports.com has confirmed.

 

The deal, first reported by ESPN.com, would be worth at least $20 million. It also would include a club option for a third season, according to major-league sources.

 

Thomas, 38, batted .270 for the A's last season with 39 homers and 114 RBIs. The A's, who had negotiated with him for several weeks, were confident of re-signing him.

 

The Blue Jays lacked a full-time DH last season; seven different Jays had 40 or more at-bats in that role, led by Shea Hillenbrand, who was traded to the Giants in July.

 

One question for Thomas with the Jays will be how well his surgically repaired left ankle will hold up on the artificial turf of the SkyDome, which is considered to be among the least forgiving surfaces in the majors.

 

Thomas appeared in only 108 games with the White Sox during the 2004 and '05 seasons before signing a one-year, $500,000 contract with the A's last season. He earned an additional $2.6 million in incentives.

[Precious Roy 0]

After the Sox won the posting for Matsuzaka it had occured to me that the Yankees would enter the bidding for Willis. I'd much prefer him over Zito, younger cheaper and better IMO, and I wouldn't be opposed to trading Sanchez and an OF prospect etc. for him. If we could pull that off we'd basically be flipping Sheff and some prospects for Willis.

 

I don't understand what Minaya is doing. Valentine killed them in the playoffs, Duque is great but he's 41 and can't last a full season, and Floyd is Floyd. Bringing their whole team back isn't getting them any closer to a championship.

 

You wouldn't be opposed to trading Sanchez and an OF prospect? HA! An injured Humberto Sanchez and what prize Yankee OF prospect would be able to land Dontrelle Willis? If you're going to dream - at least be realistic. With the demand on Dontrelle - you'd be sending Hughes and Tabata...bare minimum.

 

Sanchez isn't injured. He had an injury. There's a difference.

 

Personally I think something like Sanchez, Tabata and Cox is about fair and I can't see any team in baseball giving up more than that.

[Brett Favre 0]

For those wondering, Tabata is our best position player prospect. Well, not for those wondering, but before going "NO WAY MAN!".

[devo 0]

Free-agent designated hitter Frank Thomas is close to agreeing to a two-year contract with the Blue Jays, FOXSports.com has confirmed.

 

The deal, first reported by ESPN.com, would be worth at least $20 million. It also would include a club option for a third season, according to major-league sources.

 

Guh. The Jays would be really pushing their luck with a deal like that.

[treble 0]

Now ESPN.com's saying: "While it's uncertain whether Thomas' deal is for three years or two with an option, a source said the total value could exceed $30 million."

 

I think this means Vernon Wells is going to be traded for a pitcher and/or a middle infielder sometime this off-season.

[Precious Roy 0]

Now ESPN.com's saying: "While it's uncertain whether Thomas' deal is for three years or two with an option, a source said the total value could exceed $30 million."

 

I think this means Vernon Wells is going to be traded for a pitcher and/or a middle infielder sometime this off-season.

 

I can't believe that Thomas' value could be that high. As great a hitter as he is, at his age and with his injury history, I'm sure the official number is less than that. If Thomas can get that much how much is Bonds worth on the open market?

[Annabelle 0]

riccardi should be fired. his team had more than enough fire power, they needed to concentrate on their pitching. maybe this means that vernon wells will be traded for pitching, but thats still an awful trade off for them. i understood when the a's gave thomas an incentive-laden contract, but to flatout pay gaurenteed money for thomas when they have so many other concerns is beyond preposturous.

[Bored 0]

Okay if it really is $10 million/year with a possible third year then the best of luck to him because that's just too much even in this insane free agent market where everyone is going to be overpaid.

[Guest Felonies!]

Oof. Ricciardi is the worst of the pseudo-Beane GMs.

[treble 0]

In his defence, everyone thought he overpaid last year for Ryan, Burnett and everyone, but those turned out pretty well (once Burnett finally got healthy).

 

I wish they hadn't signed him so early, though. I'd like more pictures of Roy Halladay with free agents at Raptors' games.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Oof. Ricciardi is the worst of the pseudo-Beane GMs.

 

It's weird that he still gets labeled as a "Moneyball" guy when he hasn't really employed any of the principles that one might associate with that philosophy. They overpay for name talent, they have no player development system to speak of and they haven't really found any productive bargain guys.

 

Frank Thomas is a bad buy, especially at two years with an option for a third. He's going to be lucky to make it to the All-Star break playing on that surface in Toronto. Does this mean that they won't try to resign Justin Speier and Ted Lilly? I'd try to flip Wells to LAA for E. Santana and Wood (or Aybar). That deal would make sense for both squads.

[treble 0]

It's weird that he still gets labeled as a "Moneyball" guy when he hasn't really employed any of the principles that one might associate with that philosophy. They overpay for name talent, they have no player development system to speak of and they haven't really found any productive bargain guys.

Frank Catalanotto (who is probably gone now) and Gregg Zaun (who may be gone, too) come to mind.

 

Frank Thomas is a bad buy, especially at two years with an option for a third. He's going to be lucky to make it to the All-Star break playing on that surface in Toronto. Does this mean that they won't try to resign Justin Speier and Ted Lilly? I'd try to flip Wells to LAA for E. Santana and Wood (or Aybar). That deal would make sense for both squads.

The fieldturf they have now is apparently easier on the body (which is why Troy Glaus waived his no-trade clause last year). Speier was probably leaving, anyway, since they think Brandon League and Jeremy Accardo can do just as good a job as a set-up guy and are cheaper. The Wells to the Angels trade is one I've been hoping they would make since the end of the year if he needed to be traded.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

riccardi should be fired. his team had more than enough fire power, they needed to concentrate on their pitching. maybe this means that vernon wells will be traded for pitching, but thats still an awful trade off for them. i understood when the a's gave thomas an incentive-laden contract, but to flatout pay gaurenteed money for thomas when they have so many other concerns is beyond preposturous.

The Blue Jays were 7th in runs scored but 5th in runs allowed. Plus, they have a opening for a designated hitter, with Shea Hillenbrand gone.

[Failed Bridge 0]

Philip Hughes is as untouchable as you can get.

Just like Colter Bean?

 

No prospect is untouchable.

[Brett Favre 0]

You're comparing Philip Hughes to Colter fucking Bean? Are you serious? Or being sarcastic? Ha-ha?