Dobbs 3K 0 Report post Posted January 7, 2009 I think Milwaukee would be a fine place to play give the quickly rising profile of the Brewers, but w/r/t living there the impression I get with Milwaukee is that you either fall in love with it or want to leave and never come back. Still, players would have a supportive fanbase and nice facilities. There are worse places to sign. Yeah, it's definitely a love it or hate it kind of place. You either like the semi-blue collar atmosphere, or hate the lack of stuff that larger metropolitan areas have. I've heard some MLB players say they hate going there because there's not much of a night club scene, etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HarleyQuinn 0 Report post Posted January 7, 2009 Some interesting non-MLB news... - According to the Kyodo News, the Lotte Mariners of Japan's Pacific League have offered free agent infielder Tadahito Iguchi a three-year contract. He had two really good years at age 28/29 in Japan and parlayed that into playing for the White Sox but seemed otherwise pedestrian. Do the Japanese leagues look at the really lower tier MLB free agents or do they really focus on home grown players whilst adding 1-2 gaijin a year, if that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boon 0 Report post Posted January 8, 2009 The Boston Red Sox were close to signing free-agent outfielder Rocco Baldelli on Wednesday night. It is expected to be announced at the Boston Baseball Writers Dinner, where Baldelli will be honored. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted January 8, 2009 Close on Smoltz too. 5.5 mil guaranteed with 4.5 in incentives. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted January 8, 2009 That's horrible that he's not retiring as a Brave Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted January 8, 2009 I'll always remember Smoltz as a Tiger. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YourKock'sReallyGreat 0 Report post Posted January 8, 2009 Trevor Hoffman signed with the Brewers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
snuffbox 0 Report post Posted January 8, 2009 Well I'll be damned. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dobbs 3K 0 Report post Posted January 9, 2009 Yeah, nice to see the Crew finally do something to add to the team. Not that exciting, but at least they don't have to go into spring training and have a "closer competition" or something. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Czecherbear Report post Posted January 9, 2009 If the rest of the team can keep putting the Brewers in save situations, now they're not going to blow them anymore. Significant improvement. This whole Milton Bradley thing is going to be a disaster, though. Third-place team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 9, 2009 Hoffman was homer prone playing in Petco Park. How's that going to look in Miller Park? And what's wrong with Milton Bradley? He's been a better hitter than Mark Teixeira the last two years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted January 9, 2009 I'm looking forward to the Bradley v. Pinella showdown on a hot july afternoon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Czecherbear Report post Posted January 9, 2009 Piniella has been relatively docile with the Cubs, actually. And what's wrong with Milton Bradley? He doesn't have any goddamn knees, and I'm loath to say this but black people have had a rough time at Wrigley Field. Dusty Baker was run out of town, LaTroy Hawkins and Jacque Jones didn't like playing there, and all Derrek Lee does is complain about how much he hates the fans. Of course, the common theme between those four guys is that they're all shitty at their jobs, so Bradley could be safe. Come to think of it, all that Fukudome stuff was pretty racist too. rough transcript of his interview with Boers & Bernstein today: "One of my concerns is that you may misinterpret Lou's gruffness as disrespect." "I'M DISRESPECTED THAT YOU WOULD THINK I WOULD DO THAT." So we're already off to a good start. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dobbs 3K 0 Report post Posted January 9, 2009 I'd be worried about the Cubs OF defense right now, if I was inclined to be concerned about that team right now. Big topic amongst Brewers fans right now is "Whither Ben Sheets?" It didn't sound like he wanted to come back to Milwaukee after the end of this past season, but if Melvin decides to make him an offer, he might not have a choice. It doesn't sound like hardly any teams are interested in him at all (probably due to all the recent injuries), and I would assume that if he was going to the Rangers, it would be done by now. I'm not a huge fan of the guy at this point, but the Brewers may as well make him an offer, as long as it's not for an insane amount of money. It's been interesting to see how many guys who would have been snapped up in the past are just sitting out there with hardly any buzz right now as far as rumors. Adam Dunn would be a prime example. Guy isn't even 30 years old, should be good for about 40 home runs, and it sounds like his signing options are extremely limited. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
devo 0 Report post Posted January 9, 2009 The Mets are apparently close to signing Tim Redding to a one year deal worth 2.25 to 2.5 million. http://www.metsblog.com/2009/01/09/startin...-close-to-deal/ Not the most exciting signing but it's a pretty low-risk deal for someone who could be a serviceable fifth starter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YourKock'sReallyGreat 0 Report post Posted January 9, 2009 Mets should be moving on the Manny sweepstakes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smartly Pretty 0 Report post Posted January 9, 2009 I still can't believe the Mets aren't talking to Ben Sheets. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Failed Bridge 0 Report post Posted January 9, 2009 If everybody gets healthy and stays healthy a potential rotation of Beckett Lester Smoltz Dice-K Penny looks real nice. I want to see Wakefield fade away already. Oh, and I love that they resigned Kotsay for next to nothing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mik 0 Report post Posted January 11, 2009 ESPN is reporting that Pedro Martinez is in talks with the Marlins. He would really serve the club as a #4 or #5 and to mentor Volstad, Nolasco, Johnson and such... Hopefully he isn't asking for too much money and hopefully it happens. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Czecherbear Report post Posted January 11, 2009 That "mentoring"/"coach on the roster" shit never works. Greg Maddux has shared a dugout with young pitchers who come out of the year as mediocre as they came in. If Greg Maddux can't teach kids to throw strikes, I'm not sure which Hall of Famers can. What's Pedro gonna teach them, how to be freaks of nature? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smues Report post Posted January 12, 2009 He can teach them where to find their own personal midgets. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2009 The Os signed Chris Gomez to a minor league deal and also signed Rick Dempsey's nephew Gregg Zaun to a deal as well. It just keeps getting better doesnt it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2009 It's not like either of those are bad signings. Zaun's a fantastic backup catcher, and you can't possibly fret about the players who are likely to play in Norfolk. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2009 It's not like either of those are bad signings. Zaun's a fantastic backup catcher, and you can't possibly fret about the players who are likely to play in Norfolk. coughbrianrobertstradecough Plus, Zaun will probably be the OD catcher since they dont plan on calling up Wieters until May (unless things change in ST).. also, I forgot to post that the Chicago Tribune thinks the Orioles are one of only 7 teams to improve this offseason. The most improved teams, in order: Yankees, Athletics, Giants, Mets, Indians, Orioles and Royals. Maybe they really meant "most moves made" and not "most improved" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
garfieldsnose 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2009 I wouldn't debate baseball with al. You won't win. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2009 Honestly, I'd be quite surprised if the Orioles finish worse this season. A lot of the things wrong with the team are easily fixed, like lack of production at first base. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2009 Honestly, I'd be quite surprised if the Orioles finish worse this season. A lot of the things wrong with the team are easily fixed, like lack of production at first base. Richie Sexson (who they are looking at signing to play 1B) is no better than Kevin Millar who they will probably end up bringing back anyway because no one else wants him. try again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naiwf 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2009 Honestly, I'd be quite surprised if the Orioles finish worse this season. A lot of the things wrong with the team are easily fixed, like lack of production at first base. Do you mean worse by record or position in the division? It must REALLY suck to be either a fan of Toronto or Baltimore considering you got used to Yankees/Sawx dominance, but when TB comes out of nowhere and makes your future prospects of ever winning a playoff berth that much more remote it may be time to find something else to watch from March/April to October. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2009 Honestly, I'd be quite surprised if the Orioles finish worse this season. A lot of the things wrong with the team are easily fixed, like lack of production at first base. Do you mean worse by record or position in the division? It must REALLY suck to be either a fan of Toronto or Baltimore considering you got used to Yankees/Sawx dominance, but when TB comes out of nowhere and makes your future prospects of ever winning a playoff berth that much more remote it may be time to find something else to watch from March/April to October. By record. Stranger things have happened though. One team gets a rash of injuries, and things can change in a hurry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geniusMoment 0 Report post Posted January 12, 2009 This has been a unique offseason, one where teams aren't really improving. A couple of things puzzle me, like the Cubs seemingly getting rid of DeRosa for Bradley. Bradley could put up better numbers if healthy, but I really don't think outdoor games in Chicago during April/May/September is what his hamstrings need. Plus, I really liked what DeRosa brought to the Cubs. Also, it is evident what GM's really think of Adam Dunn. I know Dunn has been perhaps the most polarizing sports figure in Cincy (and maybe on this board) in terms of what he brings to the table. I am curious as to what type of contract Dunn gets, and why he probably won't get near the money Tex got despite fairly similar offensive numbers. I guess the economy has really changed things unless you live in NY. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
