Off-Season Signings

[Guest Edgy DC]

Jim Edmonds returns to the Cards. Two years, $19 million.

http://www.casperstartribune.net/articles/2006/11/13/ap/sports/baseball/d8las20g0.txt

[HahnSolo]

So much for the notion that he and LaRussa couldn't stand each other. Maybe it's telling that there's no quote from Tony in that article.

[HahnSolo]

Kaz Matsui re-ups with the Rockies for one year.
Admire his persistence in staying in the US. I thought for sure he'd go back to Japan.

[Guest Edgy DC]

cool.

[Guest Yancy Street Gang]

He probably wants to return as a success, not as a failure.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

Kaz > Met 2Bman, 2007

Put it in the ar-friggin-chives.

[metirish]

Good for Kaz,hope he has a great season.

[willpie]

I think Dickshot's right about Kaz.

[Frayed Knot]

]So much for the notion that he and LaRussa couldn't stand each other

It was he and Rolen who had problems towards the end of the season.
Don't remember anything with TLR & Edmonds.




Also (it was brought up in another thread);
Aramis Ramirez & Kerry wood re-up w/the Cubbies. Ramirez long-term, Wood for one year.

[Guest sharpie]

Mark DeRosa to the busy Cubs. 3 years/$13 million.

[HahnSolo]

Rey Ordonez--Rey Ordonez!--signs a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

You go, Rey-rey.

[metirish]

Damn,it was only last week someone here wondered what Rey was doing these days....

[Guest Edgy DC]

Wes Helms is a Phillie. Frank Thomas is reportedly close to signing with Toronto.

[smg58]

I was assuming Thomas had too good a year for Beane to just let him walk. You can't say the Jays aren't trying. Which makes me think they'd want major league value for Wells.

[metirish]

Thomas's bat to replace Wells bat and Milledge to take his spot in the OF with Heilman in the Jays rotation.

[Guest Johnny Dickshot]

We could have offered them Delgado for Wells and saved them the need to go buy Thomas.

[Vic Sage]

getting Wells is a pipedream.

why would toronto trade a 28-year old gold glove CFer, who was one of the top offensive players in his league last season (and in 2003 as well). Its not like they're unwilling to spend the money to keep him. He's the kind of guy you build around (same for Willis).

You can only get guys of this age, and of this calibre if either the team feels they won't be able to re-sign him, or there is some kind of personal issue, or if the organization is stupid, or if the acquiring organization overpays for him.

do you really think Milledge and Heilman for Wells is a deal any reasonably sane Toronto GM makes, assuming they feel they can re-sign him and there are no skeletons in his closet? (ditto Willis)

Put it another way... what would the Mets demand for David Wright?

[Frayed Knot]

Apparently Toronto has reason to doubt that the Texas native will want to remain in Canada when he becomes free to choose on his own a year from now ... which is why speculation centers on them dealing him now (or at mid-season) and why much of it centers on him winding up in either Dallas or Houston.
And, yes, it would take a king's ransom to get him.

[DocTee]

Reports have Baltimore landing lefty relief specialist Jamie Walker (from Detroit); 3 yrs, $11.5 million

[metirish]

Casey back with Detroit in a one year deal......

[metirish]

Speizo back with the Cards

[metirish]

Thomas to the Jays,two years - $18 million.

[DocTee]

Thomas' departure could open the way for Bonds to become the DH in Oakland

[Guest Edgy DC]

Could they scratch together the sort of coin it takes to retain Barry Bonds?

[Guest OlerudOwned]

Edgy DC wrote: Could they scratch together the sort of coin it takes to retain Barry Bonds?

The market for Bonds doesn't seem to have any sizzle, so I'm guessing it may become a bit of a staredown until one side relents on the price.

[MFS62]

Soriano a Cub.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AjGdyW307hVQMIoyTRdReR8RvLYF?slug=cubssoriano&prov=st&type=lgns

That's a lot of money, AND years.

Thoughts?

Later

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Well, no one can say the Cubs aren't trying. First they signed Pinella to manage the club. Now they are reportedly very close to adding Alfonso Soriano. They have previously signed Mark DeRosa while retaining Aramis Ramirez and Kerry Wood. If they can somehow keep Mark Prior healthy to team with Carlos Zambrano, they could be pretty good.

Soriano should put up monster numbers hitting at Wrigley Field. However, eight years and $135 mil. is a huge commitment for any player, particularly one that will be turning (at least) 31 years old in January.

Derrek Lee, Soriano, Ramirez, Michael Barrett, Jaun Pierre, Jacque Jones, and DeRosa gives the Cubs a pretty decent offensive core.

[DocTee]

With DeRosa in the fold, does Soriano play LF?

[DocTee]

Justin Spier to the Angels: 4 years!