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[HarryDemeanor]

Astros sign Jesse Crain to a one-year deal.

woot.

Solidify that bullpen.

Ned fucked up. I wanted the Crain Man.

 

[Friggz]

Astros sign Jesse Crain to a one-year deal.

woot.

Solidify that bullpen.

nice signing, wish the yankees werent sleeping on some of these bull pen arms. they have a few spots to fill out there.

 

[CygnusXS]

I want to sarcastically wish the Astros a merry 90 loss season, but that would actually be a 21 win improvement and a great accomplishment.

 

[Sanjuro]

Have a good new years everyone. May you all have a great baseball signing, like Shane Victorino.

 

[Y2Kev]

I would sign Garza 9 times out of 10 instead of Ubombo I think.

 

[sf2fanatic]

Happy New Years and enjoy lots of Ketchup, Mustard and Relish!!!

 

[Windu]

Have a good new years everyone. May you all have a great baseball signing, like Shane Victorino.

In BJ we trust.

 

[HarryDemeanor]

Happy New Years and enjoy lots of Ketchup, Mustard and Relish!!!

Booooooooooooooooooooooo

 

[Branduil]

I would sign Garza 9 times out of 10 instead of Ubombo I think.

That's like saying you'd rather get kicked in the shins than poked in the eye.

 

[Corran Horn]

Happy New Years and enjoy lots of Ketchup!!!

.

 

[KidA Seven]

Happy New Years and enjoy lots of Ketchup, Mustard and Relish!!!

 

[The Frankman]

Fuck you heathens. Even Pikachu loves ketchup

 

[HarryDemeanor]

Fuck Pikachu and fuck ketchup!

Mustard, hooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

 

[Windu]

 

[Blackace]

Fuck you heathens. Even Pikachu loves ketchup

キモイ

 

[Dmncnby2k9]

Damn you Windu! Happy new years everyonez,

 

[Rafa=FedKilla]

Whys that Ketchup bottle bleeding spaghetti sauce?

 

[jello44]

I want to sarcastically wish the Astros a merry 90 loss season, but that would actually be a 21 win improvement and a great accomplishment.

I'll take it!

 

[The Frankman]

キモイ

you're the biggest heathen of all.

 

[RBH]

Reported.

 

[CygnusXS]

http://www.baseballnation.com/2013/12/9/5191112/shin-soo-choo-rumors-projections#202930849

1. Trade Ian Krol, Luis Castillo, James McCann, Blaine Hardy, Ben Guez, Justin Miller & Corey Knebel to the Jays for Jose Bautista & re-sign Bautista to a 10-year, $202M deal. 2. Trade Jose Iglesias, Jose Alvarez, Jose Valdez, Francisco Martinez, Hernan Perez, Argenis Diaz, Dixon Machado & Eugenio Suarez & to the Dodgers for Matt Kemp, Hanley Ramirez & $10M, & re-sign Ramirez to a 7-year, $140M deal. (The Dodgers eat $96M of the $128M left on Kemp’s contract.) 
3. Trade Nick Castellanos, Devon Travis, Rick Porcello & Casey Crosby to the Marlins for Giancarlo Stanton, Jose Fernandez & Steve Cishek.
4. Trade Tyler Collins, Jose Ortega, Andy Dirks & Don Kelly to the White Sox for Chris Sale. 

5. Trade Melvin Mercedes, Phil Coke, Daniel Fields & Al Alburquerque to the Baltimore Orioles for Matt Wieters. 6. Trade Austin Jackson, Victor Martinez & Jonathan Crawford to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Mark Melancon. 7. Trade Jordan Lennerton, Jake Thompson, Steven Moya & Tyler Stohr to the Braves for Dan Uggla. 8. Sign Francisco Rodriguez to a 2-year, $12M deal.
9. Sign Brennan Boesch to a 1-year, $1.3M deal.
10. Sign Jesse Crain to a 2-year, $7M deal. 11. Sign Matt Thornton to a 1-year, $3M deal.
12. Sign Placido Polanco to a 2-year, $3.2M deal.
13. Re-sign Max Scherzer to a 6-year, $138M deal.

14. Re-sign Miguel Cabrera to a 7-year, $210M deal.
The 2014 Tigers lineup (with predictions for the 2014 season)

1. Matt Kemp CF – .324 AVG., 37 HR, 117 RBI, 48 SB

2. Hanley Ramirez SS – .331 AVG., 31 HR, 111 RBI, 31 SB
3. Giancarlo Stanton DH – .316 AVG., 46 HR, 139 RBI, 9 SB

4. Miguel Cabrera 1B – .364 AVG., 64 HR, 164 RBI, 4 SB

5. Jose Bautista RF – .306 AVG., 51 HR, 143 RBI, 11 SB
6. Dan Uggla 2B – .306 AVG., 36 HR, 106 RBI, 6 SB
7. Matt Wieters C – .275 AVG., 25 HR, 95 RBI, 2 SB
8. Torii Hunter LF – .317 AVG., 20 HR, 92 RBI, 8 SB 

9. Ian Kinsler 3B – .286 AVG., 21 HR, 93 RBI, 23 SB
Bench:
Placido Polanco – IF – .262 AVG., 2 HR, 32 RBI, 2 SB 
Brennan Boesch – OF – .251 AVG., 6 HR, 33 RBI, 1 SB 

Steve Lombardozzi – UT – .246 AVG., 3 HR, 26 RBI, 3 SB

Alex Avila – C – .235 AVG., 8 HR, 45 RBI, 2 SB
The 2014 Tigers rotation (w/ predictions for the 2014 season)
1. Max Scherzer – 25-5, 1.97 ERA, 319 K, 257 IP
2. Jose Fernandez – 22-6, 2.32 ERA, 252 K, 232.2 IP

3. Justin Verlander – 21-7, 2.63 ERA, 239 K, 221.1 IP

4. Chris Sale – 19-8, 2.87 ERA, 227 K, 219.1 IP
5. Anibal Sanchez – 17-8, 2.95 ERA, 215 K, 212.2 IP
Bullpen:
Drew Smyly – MR – 1-2, 1.88 ERA, 74 K, 4 SV
Matt Thornton – MR – 1-3, 2.97 ERA, 49 K, 1 SV 

Jesse Crain – LR – 1-1, 2.35 ERA, 65 K, 2 SV
Mark Melancon – LR – 1-2, 2.73 ERA, 56 K, 1 SV

Steve Cishek – SU – 3-2, 1.86 ERA, 86 K, 6 SV
Francisco Rodriguez – SU – 3-1, 1.72 ERA, 92 K, 8 SV 

Closer: Joe Nathan – 3-0, 1.26 ERA, 103 K, 51 SV
My 2014 MLB predicted standings: AL Central: 

z-Detroit – 117-45

Cleveland – 89-73 

Kansas City – 88-74 

Chicago – 78-84 

Minnesota – 77-85
AL West:

x-Texas – 96-66 

y-Los Angeles – 92-70 

Oakland – 91-71 

Seattle – 87-75 

Houston – 51-111
AL East:
x-Boston – 98-64 

y-New York – 94-68 

Tampa Bay – 90-72

Baltimore- 83-79 

Toronto – 69-93
NL Central:

x-Cincinnati – 98-64 

y-St. Louis – 94-68 

Pittsburgh – 91-71 

Milwaukee – 76-86 

Chicago – 75-87
NL West: 

x-San Francisco – 96-66 

y-Los Angeles – 92-70 

Arizona – 90-72 

Colorado – 86-76 

San Diego – 72-90
NL East:
z-Washington – 100-62 

Philadelphia – 89-73 

Atlanta – 85-77

New York – 73-89 

Miami – 66-96
2014 MLB Playoffs: 

AL Wild Card Game: NYY beats LAA, 4-2; NL Wild Card Game: STL beats LAD, 3-2 ALDS: DET beats NYY, 3-0; BOS beats TEX, 3-2
NLDS: WAS beats STL, 3-1; CIN beats SFG, 3-2
ALCS: DET defeats BOS, 4-1; NLCS: WAS beats CIN, 4-2
WS: DET beats WAS, 4-2
AL MVP: Miguel Cabrera (DET) – .364 AVG., 54 HR, 164 RBI, 4 SB 

NL MVP: Joey Votto (CIN) – .337 AVG., 37 HR, 128 RBI, 7 SB 

AL CYA: Max Scherzer (DET) – 25-5, 1.97 ERA, 319 K, 257 IP 

NL CYA: Clayton Kershaw (LAD) – 22-6, 2.38 ERA, 255 K, 229.2 IP 

AL ROTY: Xander Bogaerts (BOS) – .314 AVG., 23 HR, 87 RBI, 8 SB 

NL ROTY: Oscar Taveras (STL) – .320 AVG., 25 HR, 92 RBI, 12 SB

AL MOTY: Brad Ausmus (DET) – 117-45
NL MOTY: Matt Williams (WAS) – 100-62 


 

[aFIGurANT]

1. Max Scherzer – 25-5, 1.97 ERA, 319 K, 257 IP

I lol'd. And Cinci taking the division over STL? Come off it.

Otherwise, yes....

 

[El_Chino]

http://www.baseballnation.com/2013/12/9/5191112/shin-soo-choo-rumors-projections#202930849

"DET 117-45" lmao

 

[jello44]

So.. with the small improvements that the Astros have made... this guy thinks they will finish the same record?

ok.gif

(Now, I'm not saying they won't finish in last, but I think they'll miss the 100+ loss mark at least)

 

[matthewwhatever]

So.. with the small improvements that the Astros have made... this guy thinks they will finish the same record?

ok.gif

(Now, I'm not saying they won't finish in last, but I think they'll miss the 100+ loss mark at least)

He also thinks the Jays would trade Bautista for a couple of middling prospects, relievers and an old second baseman. I'm thinking you should probably not take the rest of the guy's predictions as being based in reality.

 

[eznark]

Every Day Fat Juan keeping the club out of last!

We're finishing in last. By a lot.

 

[BFIB]

Every Day Fat Juan keeping the club out of last!

We're finishing in last. By a lot.

That Ike Davis trade is bound to happen at some point.

 

[Opiate]

Why would you predict the Reds to win 8 more games in 2014 than 2013? They lost Choo and have no notable upgrades to compensate for that ~3-4 WAR deficit. Even if we predict banner / turnaround years for some of the Reds' players, that would need to be a huge jump in performance.

 

[BFIB]

Why would you predict the Reds to win 8 more games in 2014 than 2013? They lost Choo and have no notable upgrades to compensate for that ~3-4 WAR deficit. Even if we predict banner / turnaround years for some of the Reds' players, that would need to be a huge jump in performance.

I think those 8 wins are based on a manager that actually manages.

 

[thefro]

I think those 8 wins are based on a manager that actually manages.

Yep 2002 Giants went from 95-66 to 100-61 in 2003 post-Dusty

2007 Cubs went from 66-96 to 85-77 post-Dusty

 

[Purple Cheeto]

http://www.baseballnation.com/2013/12/9/5191112/shin-soo-choo-rumors-projections#202930849

I was like WTF, and then I clicked the link and saw Grant Brisbee wrote it.

Its a humor piece people.

 

[Friggz]

Why would you predict the Reds to win 8 more games in 2014 than 2013? They lost Choo and have no notable upgrades to compensate for that ~3-4 WAR deficit. Even if we predict banner / turnaround years for some of the Reds' players, that would need to be a huge jump in performance.

not terribly far fetched, even last year their actual record was 3 games short of their pythag record. they can get a full year of starts from Cingrani and Cueto, and im still waiting for jay bruce to have 900 ops season. they might be able to make up that 8 win difference.

 

[Opiate]

not terribly far fetched, even last year their actual record was 3 games short of their pythag record. they can get a full year of starts from Cingrani and Cueto, and im still waiting for jay bruce to have 900 ops season. they might be able to make up that 8 win difference.

Keep mind that's 8 wins if we assume Hamilton is as valuable as Choo was last year. Which doesn't seem at all likely.

If we assume a 3 WAR drop off (which I think is realistic), then that's 11 wins to make up.

 

[CygnusXS]

I was like WTF, and then I clicked the link and saw Grant Brisbee wrote it.

Its a humor piece people.

Grant wrote the article, not the comment. I do think there's a good chance the comment is a joke, but what makes it amazing is the complexity of it.

 

[Fox318]

I'd hate to see what spicy brown would have done

 

[Purple Cheeto]

Grant wrote the article, not the comment. I do think there's a good chance the comment is a joke, but what makes it amazing is the complexity of it.

Ohhh, okay. I didn't really read through enough to see that.

 

[Friggz]

Keep mind that's 8 wins if we assume Hamilton is as valuable as Choo was last year. Which doesn't seem at all likely.

If we assume a 3 WAR drop off (which I think is realistic), then that's 11 wins to make up.

hamilton can be a 4 win player on defense and base running alone. he probably wont reach the offensive standards of choo next year (or ever) whatever he adds can be a plus.

 

[lastflowers]

Astros gonna win 100 games this year. Choo Choo

 

[CygnusXS]

Astros gonna win 100 games this year. Choo Choo

You know there are two teams in Texas, right?

 

[Opiate]

hamilton can be a 4 win player on defense and base running alone. he probably wont reach the offensive standards of choo next year (or ever) whatever he adds can be a plus.

Assuming that Hamilton will be a 4-5 WAR player right off the bat is extremely optimistic.

 

[Talon]

It was me.

With the luger.

In the kitchen.

 

[JABEE]

Phillies and @CSNPhilly have finalized a new TV deal. http://t.co/RqSMG86CCJ

https://twitter.com/ByDavidMurphy/status/418906580185149440

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/...ision-partnership-with-Comcast-SportsNet.html

No word on numbers.

 

[jello44]

He also thinks the Jays would trade Bautista for a couple of middling prospects, relievers and an old second baseman. I'm thinking you should probably not take the rest of the guy's predictions as being based in reality.

Oh god, I didn't even realize it was some guy's comment on a SBN blog. I thought it was someone's article.

Not that I am taking it seriously, of course.

It was me. [Austin]

AWWW SON OF A BITCH

 

[jello44]

.

 

[Little Green Yoda]

Keep mind that's 8 wins if we assume Hamilton is as valuable as Choo was last year. Which doesn't seem at all likely.

If we assume a 3 WAR drop off (which I think is realistic), then that's 11 wins to make up.

I like the 2014 Cards' chances at winning the division but I doubt they will reach 97 wins again next season so the gap likely won't be that large. STL/PIT/CIN probably all take a step back or three in terms of win totals.

 

[lastflowers]

You know there are two teams in Texas, right?

hell, when I got a job at Microsoft I thought I would have a team to root for in the American league. Then Bud Selig happened and I went....shit, I can't root for the home team at all now because they play in the same division as my 'Stros. But at least I can go see a game or two now.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

General question re: salary strategies. If you were in the market for a big time bat, similar to a Cano this offseason, similar resume and age, would you prefer to give him a 10 year deal with a $25 million AAV, or a 5 year deal with an AAV closer to $40 million. If you were the GM which would you choose? Assume you are on a fairly big market team with cash to spend.

 

[Purple Cheeto]

General question re: salary strategies. If you were in the market for a big time bat, similar to a Cano this offseason, similar resume and age, would you prefer to give him a 10 year deal with a $25 million AAV, or a 5 year deal with an AAV closer to $40 million. If you were the GM which would you choose? Assume you are on a fairly big market team with cash to spend.

Depends upon how close I thought my team was and if I thought removing flexibility for 4 years was worth having more in 5.

Considering the shortness of tenure most GMs have I wouldn't want to go so all in unless I was sure I was that close.

 

[El_Chino]

General question re: salary strategies. If you were in the market for a big time bat, similar to a Cano this offseason, similar resume and age, would you prefer to give him a 10 year deal with a $25 million AAV, or a 5 year deal with an AAV closer to $40 million. If you were the GM which would you choose? Assume you are on a fairly big market team with cash to spend.

I've thought the same. I would do the $40 BUT it would just cause huge controversy and will be hugely frowned upon.

 

[Dmncnby2k9]

General question re: salary strategies. If you were in the market for a big time bat, similar to a Cano this offseason, similar resume and age, would you prefer to give him a 10 year deal with a $25 million AAV, or a 5 year deal with an AAV closer to $40 million. If you were the GM which would you choose? Assume you are on a fairly big market team with cash to spend.

5 year, 40 million fo sure. damn 10 year contracts.