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[Joe]

for almost all the teams in the mlb it has officially been the off-season for a little while now.

here's what's happened recently...

the florida marlins want to hire joe girardi as their bench coach (bastards!) and want to trade mike lowell

jermaine dye is no longer with the A's (once i heard this i immediately thought of the mets picking him up).

cristian guzman is no longer a twin! (what phenom do they have lined up?)

carl pavano's agent said the rumor of pavano not wanting to play in new york is false.

Carlos Beltran isn't sure if the New York Yankees will pursue him this winter.

But he made it clear he'd like to play for Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

"When I see an owner who cares about winning, I like it," Beltran said before the Houston Astros played the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series on Thursday.

"As a player, you want to be in this situation every year," Beltran said. "You like to see what plans a team has for the future.

according to buster olney (espn.com) the thought of people in the know is that the angels will be the most aggresive towards signing pedro martinez which would make the angels very scary.

edit: Changed title because the bad spelling was just killing me inside.

 

[Triumph]

Go ahead and put the fucking Red Sox in this group, too.

Bunch of fucking quitters.

Anyhow, the Braves have also announced that they will NOT be cutting payroll any further. It will stay at 82 million, which will keep them competitive I'm pretty sure.

 

[Willco]

One of the following players will end up in Baltimore:

Pedro Martinez.
Carl Pavano.
Jermaine Dye.
Mike Lowell.

Where was the Nu-Senators will be lucky to sign Jose Offerman! I pray to God that Selig won't plan a Beltway rivalry for a year or two, to give Washington enough to time to build a club to compete with Baltimore.

... AND EVENTUALLY CRUSH THEM.

 

[BigJonsson]

We all know that all the big names will be signed by the Yankees

This thread is useless

 

[Fifty]

The Jays are increasing their budget to $10 this year.

 

[Joe]

oh and the expos moving to washington dc is not yet finalized which is just pure craziness.

The Jays are increasing their budget to $10 this year.

you can thank two dollar tuesdays for that.

 

[Willco]

oh and the expos moving to washington dc is not yet finalized which is just pure craziness.

Uh, it's finalized. The votes and such are pretty much a formality. The only thing they're waiting on is this lawsuit to block the team from moving. And that probably won't even go to court, because it'll be settled in arbitration.

 

[Fifty]

you can thank two dollar tuesdays for that.

:lol :lol

I hate you.

The Yankee games in Toronto are the biggest draws of this season...that's fine. But not because they're a division rival, because all the idiot Yankee bandwagon fans in T.O come out, and tons of real Yankee fans bus to Toronto to see the Yanks play....because they can actually get tickets to a game here. Nothing worse than trying to lead a "Go Jays" cheer with my buddy, and being drowned out by Yankee fans in our own fucking stadium. Get some backbone, Jays fans.

 

[BigJonsson]

Yea

Cleveland games in Toronto also used to be nuts

 

[Miguel]

Beltran, Clemens, Biggio will remain Astros. Kent...only if he takes a MASSIVE paycut.

If RICHAR FUCKING HIDALGO can get a 15 mil contract...we can sure as hell give Beltran 16-18 million.

 

[Joe]

supposedly the higher-ups within the yankee organization are saying they dont expect giambi to ever be the player he once was ever again due to his physical illnesses. also steinbrenner is looking for a way to void the last 4 years of his contract. all rumors though.

 

[Scoobert]

Marlins want more out of Girargi than just a bench coach.

Girardi options on rise

Joe Girardi finds himself in one of the great positions anyone ever could hope to be in. It's always nice to be wanted, and Girardi, a Chicago product, is apparently wanted by three different organizations in two different capacities. Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria wants Girardi to come aboard as bench coach, with the understanding he would succeed Jack McKeon when the 73-year-old manager decides to step down. That could be as soon as next year. The idea of managing is enticing for Girardi, but he never imagined it would come so soon. Because he has two young children at home in Chicago, Girardi has been reluctant to take on a full-time baseball job requiring him to be away from them so much. That's why his broadcasting/spring training coaching gig with the Yankees has been such a perfect one. The critical acclaim Girardi has gotten for his broadcasting work has not gone unnoticed by the Yankees and the YES Network honchos who, if anything, would like to get him additional air time next year. Meanwhile, there is at least one - and possibly two - broadcasting vacancies with Girardi's original team, the hometown Cubs, who would like to bring him back. The betting here is that Loria, a New Yorker who has made a habit of bringing ex-Yankees into the Marlins organization, will make Girardi an offer he can't refuse.

 

[Joe]

rot in hell marlins

 

[olimario]

The Astros need to keep this exact team into next year.
Kent can sacrifice pay for a year and be just fine.
Andy should be healed by then, too.

 

[BigJonsson]

I wonder where Delgado will end up

 

[Mashing]

Beltran, Clemens, Biggio will remain Astros. Kent...only if he takes a MASSIVE paycut.

If RICHAR FUCKING HIDALGO can get a 15 mil contract...we can sure as hell give Beltran 16-18 million.

Beltran is going to have to get an A-ROD like deal to stay in Houston I'm afraid. 20-25 million a year easy.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

why do you guys think Kent will take a paycut? Are baseball players even allowed to take paycuts? (wasnt this the snag that stopped the ARod to Boston deal? He wanted to take a paycut but the Players Association wouldn't let him)

 

[Triumph]

why do you guys think Kent will take a paycut? Are baseball players even allowed to take paycuts? (wasnt this the snag that stopped the ARod to Boston deal? He wanted to take a paycut but the Players Association wouldn't let him)

I think they're implying that Kent is a free agent and that he won't be resigned at his current rate of pay, equaling a pay cut.

I think.

 

[Joe]

carl pavano
matt clement
pedro martinez
roger clemens
randy johnson
david wells
al leiter
kevin millwood
eric milton
matt morris

yankees choices this off season. i highly doubt roger will make a ny comeback but i wouldnt be suprised to see david wells come back.

We found (Tanyon) Sturtze, I think he's going to be a huge piece of the pitching staff. He's developed into someone you count on late in the game. He's special, he really is. He could be a big part of it. < Torre

im happy for sturtze he was great down the stretch (for the most part).

and someone from newsday made a great suggestion..john smoltz! he says the braves are "financially strapped" and is dieing to start again.

hmmmm javier vazquez for randy johnson straight up...thats a tough one. if vazquez straightens out he can be one of the games best for a long long time. randy johnson could explode on any given pitch. HMMMM

 

[Triumph]

Keep dreaming about Smoltz. The Braves payroll is going to be the same next year as it was this year, so there's no problem keeping Smoltz.

And who the fuck are you gonna trade to get all these non-free agents? You guys are approaching critical mass. Soon there will probably not BE any Yankees farm clubs. Yeah, PLEASE deal a pitcher in his mid 20's with his entire career ahead of him for a guy with another year or two left in him. That's why you guys are where you are now, because you haven't developed/stuck with any young players. Seriously, who's the last big Yankee star that came from your farm system? Jeter? Yeah.

 

[Agent Dormer]

Not the off-season for me yet! Go Sox!

 

[Joe]

Keep dreaming about Smoltz. The Braves payroll is going to be the same next year as it was this year, so there's no problem keeping Smoltz.

And who the fuck are you gonna trade to get all these non-free agents? You guys are approaching critical mass. Soon there will probably not BE any Yankees farm clubs. Yeah, PLEASE deal a pitcher in his mid 20's with his entire career ahead of him for a guy with another year or two left in him. That's why you guys are where you are now, because you haven't developed/stuck with any young players. Seriously, who's the last big Yankee star that came from your farm system? Jeter? Yeah.

alfonso soriano ring a bell?

and if the yanks eat half of kevin browns contract theres at least a CHANCE the braves might consider trading smoltz for him especially if it means financial relief for the braves.

 

[Eminem]

white sox have Beuhrle, Garcia, Contreras, Garland locked up. One of those pitchers will be signed...

Jose Valentin is a free agent. No chance in hell he returns. Pick up a new shortstop(Garciaparra, Renteria?). Nah, we're too cheap for that. I'd love to see Renteria though. Ordonez's injury may have helped him resign with the sox...but who knows. Need a TON of bullpen work. Offense could use some work if Big Frank can't come back. but if he does, the offense is just fine.

 

[Incognito]

well, too early to tell about the reds, but i'll say this about our opponent, the esteemed astros:

back to mediocrity you go! clemens, beltran, kent. bye-bye! hello 4th place-- right above the reds!

 

[DJ_Tet]

well, too early to tell about the reds, but i'll say this about our opponent, the esteemed astros:

back to mediocrity you go! clemens, beltran, kent. bye-bye! hello 4th place-- right above the reds!

Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Supersonics, Florida State Seminoles, who am I forgetting?


And how did you end up a fan of teams all over the country? I'm genuinely curious.




edit: Oh yeah, Washington Redskins. How could I forget that you abandoned the "avatar" five weeks into the season in which you pleaded for others to take your avatar and sport it every week. Hope they don't make a comeback for your sake LS.

 

[Willco]

HEY I'M STICKING TO IT.

EDIT: Also, Alfonso Soriano is not a product of the Yankees' farm system. Just because he played in the minors, doesn't mean the Yankees drafted and groomed him. They were in a bidding war for him and - surprise! - they won because they had the most cash for him.

 

[Triumph]

Yeah, there's also the little troublesome fact that HE'S NO LONGER A YANKEE.

And if you think Schuerholz is dumb enough to trade Smoltz for Brown Joe, well I can't even really come up with a disparaging enough remark. Smotlz for Vasquez, now...

 

[speshylives]

Speaking of Soriano, I had a discussion with a Dominican guy I work with who seems to believe Showalter is trying to rid the Rangers of Fonsy the K machine. Something about the lack of a heart.

 

[Incognito]

Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Supersonics, Florida State Seminoles, who am I forgetting?


And how did you end up a fan of teams all over the country? I'm genuinely curious.




edit: Oh yeah, Washington Redskins. How could I forget that you abandoned the "avatar" five weeks into the season in which you pleaded for others to take your avatar and sport it every week. Hope they don't make a comeback for your sake LS.

hey, i'll be sporting the avatar once the election is over. it's a bye week anyway, so all is good.

you forgot my favorite college basketball team, the north carolina tar heels. as for why i like the teams i do, i've lived within minutes of tallahasse, cincinnati, DC, and unc's campus. my father was in the military for 20 years, so lots of moving.

never lived near seattle, though. just a huge fan of gary payton.

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

Keep dreaming about Smoltz. The Braves payroll is going to be the same next year as it was this year, so there's no problem keeping Smoltz.

And who the fuck are you gonna trade to get all these non-free agents? You guys are approaching critical mass. Soon there will probably not BE any Yankees farm clubs. Yeah, PLEASE deal a pitcher in his mid 20's with his entire career ahead of him for a guy with another year or two left in him. That's why you guys are where you are now, because you haven't developed/stuck with any young players. Seriously, who's the last big Yankee star that came from your farm system? Jeter? Yeah.

i agree with you completely. there's nothing else to say. i jjst hope the front office pays attention.

 

[Mike Works]

Go ahead and put the fucking Red Sox in this group, too.

Bunch of fucking quitters.

heh

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

alfonso soriano ring a bell?

and if the yanks eat half of kevin browns contract theres at least a CHANCE the braves might consider trading smoltz for him especially if it means financial relief for the braves.

really now joe, get a grip man.

 

[Joe]

i remember very well when rumors of a jeff weaver for kevin brown trade first surfaced, peoples remarks were similar to this.

 

[Triumph]

heh

It should be noted that I am a Godless drunk.

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

It should be noted that I am a Godless drunk.

and that's why we love you. *not that way, though*

 

[Joe]

steinbrenner and his troops had their first meeting yesterday in tampa. "According to a baseball official with knowledge of the discussion" steinbrenner wants cashman to talk to arizona about randy johnson even if it means giving up javier vazquez. he also wants to know the yankees chances of signing pedro and he wants cashman to find out the availability of tim hudson and barry zito.

and if the yankees can pull it off. id MUCH rather see the yankees get soriano back from the rangers (who want to trade him) and move him to center field. i would without a doubt rather see that than the yankees sign beltran.

man i miss soriano

BRING BACK SORI!!!!

 

[Desperado]

well, too early to tell about the reds, but i'll say this about our opponent, the esteemed astros:

back to mediocrity you go! clemens, beltran, kent. bye-bye! hello 4th place-- right above the reds!

:lol you don't actually believe the bullshit you spew, do you?

 

[Desperado]

Kent out. Bidge stays.

HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros announced today that the club has exercised its 2005 option on the contract of outfielder Craig Biggio. The Astros have also declined the 2005 option on second baseman Jeff Kent's contract. Both announcements were made by general manager Gerry Hunsicker.

Biggio made his franchise-record 16th Opening Day start for Houston this season and batted .281 (178x633) with a career-high 24 home runs. He also added 47 doubles and 63 RBI, and hit seven leadoff home runs. He is the franchise career leader in games (2,409), hits (2,639), runs (1,603), at-bats (9,221), singles (1,790), and doubles (564). In August, he became the first Astro to reach the 2,600-hit plateau, and he has played in more games than any active player who has spent his entire career with one team. Biggio also batted .269 (14x52) with two home runs and five RBI during the postseason this year.

Kent played the last two seasons in an Astros uniform, batting .289 (156x540) with 27 home runs and 107 RBI in 2004. He hit his 27th homer of the season on Oct. 2 to become the all-time leader in home runs hit as a second baseman with 278. His 107 RBI also tied the Major League record for most career 100-RBI seasons by a second baseman with seven. Kent was voted the starting second baseman for the 2004 All-Star Game at Minute Maid Park and set a club record with a 25-game hitting streak from May 14-June 11. Over 13 seasons in the Majors, he has batted .289 (1910x6604) with 302 home runs and 1,207 RBI.

Not real surprising to me.

On a related note, Bidge is 361 hits from 3000.. He'll very likely get 2800 by the end of next season...and will pass 600 doubles as well. nice.

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

Speaking of Soriano, I had a discussion with a Dominican guy I work with who seems to believe Showalter is trying to rid the Rangers of Fonsy the K machine. Something about the lack of a heart.

bullshit.

 

[Triumph]

Hmm... I take it back. It looks like Smoltz COULD be starting next year- FOR THE BRAVES!!! SUCK IT DOWN JOE!!!(if you haven't jumped off of a high building yet. where you been the past few days, man?)

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1910512

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

steinbrenner and his troops had their first meeting yesterday in tampa. "According to a baseball official with knowledge of the discussion" steinbrenner wants cashman to talk to arizona about randy johnson even if it means giving up javier vazquez. he also wants to know the yankees chances of signing pedro and he wants cashman to find out the availability of tim hudson and barry zito.

and if the yankees can pull it off. id MUCH rather see the yankees get soriano back from the rangers (who want to trade him) and move him to center field. i would without a doubt rather see that than the yankees sign beltran.

man i miss soriano

BRING BACK SORI!!!!

of course steinbrenner is going to say that. but it doesnt mean that it'll happen. face facts joe, the yanks need to start rebuilding their farm system.
they didnt win world series because they had A-rod and giambi and sheffield in their line-ups. they won cause they had a strong core of farm hands and the RIGHT free agent signings and trades (knoblauch for eric milton ring a bell?)

that said, i do miss soriano.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

the rumor i was hearing around the end of the season had Soriano to the Mets for Jese Reyes.

 

[brooklyngooner]

Well I am a Met fan, and after the sterling list of names the front office has come up with to manage the club, I can't wait to see what wheeling and dealing the Coupons have in mind. Maybe we can offer Reyes for Sosa. Or how about Wright for Dreifort? Then convert Trachsel to centerfield and lead off for us. Bold moves such as these, because we Met fans deserve a winner!

 

[brooklyngooner]

the rumor i was hearing around the end of the season had Soriano to the Mets for Jese Reyes.

Yes, both Gammons and Kurkjian were talking about Minaya wanting to sign Cabrera to play short and dealing Reyes to the Rangers for Soriano and putting him in right. For fuck's sake.

 

[firex]

Peter Gammons says Pedro should go to the NL and obviously the cards would want a good starting pitcher. But there's also the giants, astros (could you imagine how sick that starting order would be?) and maybe even the cubs who could go after him.

 

[Joe]

i still cant believe they traded scott kazmir for zambrano. and reyes' stock is dropping. so far in his early career he's been injury prone and takes forever to heal.

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

the rumor i was hearing around the end of the season had Soriano to the Mets for Jese Reyes.

but reyes gets injured so often i doubt it'll happen. and if i recall that rumor had been around since before spring training.

Well I am a Met fan, and after the sterling list of names the front office has come up with to manage the club, I can't wait to see what wheeling and dealing the Coupons have in mind. Maybe we can offer Reyes for Sosa. Or how about Wright for Dreifort? Then convert Trachsel to centerfield and lead off for us. Bold moves such as these, because we Met fans deserve a winner!

dont undersestimate trachsel. he's a speedy one he is.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Peter Gammons says Pedro should go to the NL and obviously the cards would want a good starting pitcher. But there's also the giants, astros (could you imagine how sick that starting order would be?) and maybe even the cubs who could go after him.

I predict that if Pedro still demands number 1 starter type money, Boston will let him walk and he'll sign with the Angels. That new owner they have doesn't seem to sweat breaking the bank.

 

[Triumph]

Pedro will either stay in Boston or go to the Angels. If he goes to the Angels, Boston will sign Carl Pavano(hell, they may do that anyhow). The Yankees will do something extraordinarily stupid, like trade Vasquez for the last 2 years of Randy Johnson's career and sign Russ "No Game" Ortiz.

The Braves will re-sign Jaret Wright, move Smoltzie to the head of the rotation and win a 14th straight division championship, then promptly be eliminated in the first round by somebody. Anybody.

 

[brooklyngooner]

i still cant believe they traded scott kazmir for zambrano. and reyes' stock is dropping. so far in his early career he's been injury prone and takes forever to heal.

That's true about Reyes, but Soriano is the most overrated player in recent memory. If they really want to deal Reyes, get someone else. I'd rather get rid of Matsui who is terrible, but no chance at his money.