Hot Stove 2009-2010

[Guest Edgy DC]

Millwood, in my mind, was always destined for the O's, since the day he came up. In fact I half think he's played for them already a few times.

I was wondering once upon a time whether Millwood had a chance to become the weakest pitcher to win 200 games. He still does, I guess, but I stumbled upon a lot of 1800s guys, like Silver King, who blew their arms out Charles Radbourne style with one glorious insane iron man season and then limped their way to 200 wins from there.

[smg58]

I'm surprised the Rangers couldn't do better than that for Millwood. I'd have committed to one year of him before three years of Wolf or Piniero. Harden, of course, can more than make up for it if he's healthy most of the year.

[MFS62]

When are the Mets going to hold their press conference?

Wilpon should remind Omar that its Chanukkah coming up, not Pass Over.

Later

[Guest Edgy DC]

Don't be a silly entitled Mets fan. We have enough of them and they only get the organization in trouble. The three big free agents are still on the board, so it's no time to act all aggrieved.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I understand that we're all hungry for news, but there's no point in hurrying to get something done. Transactions made in December have no more impact than those made in February. Either way, the newly acquired player isn't going to be in a game that counts until April.

[MFS62]

Edgy, Ben, I know. I know.

But I thought of that line a while ago, and this is the only time of year I can use it.

Better I should have provided a rim shot?

Later

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Braves trade Soriano to the Rays for Jesse Chavez. Chavez is the x-Pirate reliever.

[Frayed Knot]

Mike Lowell headed to Texas for Max Ramirez - a just-turned-25 y/o mostly minor league catcher.
Deal still needs approval from MLB as the Sox will need to kick in much of Lowell's ~$12mil money for the final year of his contract.
Texas expected to use Lowell as 1B/DH

[MFS62]

KC released Mike Jacobs today.
Anyone here want him back on, say, a one year deal?
A show of hands, please.

Later

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Edgy DC wrote: ... I stumbled upon a lot of 1800s guys, like Silver King, who blew their arms out Charles Radbourne style with one glorious insane iron man season and then limped their way to 200 wins from there.

Silver King? Didn't John Astin play him on "Batman?" Or am I thinking of Eli Wallach?

[TransMonk]

MFS62 wrote: KC released Mike Jacobs today. Anyone here want him back on, say, a one year deal? A show of hands, please.

If he was right handed then it would make sense.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

MFS62 wrote: KC released Mike Jacobs today. Anyone here want him back on, say, a one year deal? A show of hands, please. Later

He hammers fastballs from righties, and does absolutely nothing else of value. (Baseball-wise; for all I know, he's got a fantastic clam sauce recipe and the pipes of an angel.)

As anything more than a "Holy crap, we could use a home run here, and we've used all our GOOD pinch-hitters" option, no.

[metirish]

Joe Posnanski of SI and The Kansas City Star imagines what Jacobs would say if you asked him about his swing , this imagining occurred while watching Jacobs take some swings at an imaginary pitch after the opening day game in Chicago got snowed out last season.

You know, I know, everyone here knows that I have some holes in my swing. And you know, I know, everyone here knows where those holes are located. I'm not going to hit the good fastball up and in. I'm not going to hit the sharp breaking ball. I'll probably chase a pitch when behind in the count -- let's face it, I can't really help myself, those pitches really look good. So, yeah, let's be perfectly honest here: If you throw good pitches, you're probably going to strike me out. And if you're left-handed, you don't even need to throw especially good pitches, you're probably going to get me. "But ... "Actually, BUT -- it's a big BUT ... "But if you make a mistake, I'm going to freaking hit the ball 700 miles."

Article was about why Jacobs is his favorite player.


a fun read

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/joe_posnanski/04/20/mike.jacobs/index.html

[smg58]

The thing that's always puzzled me about Jacobs is that he's been such a poor defensive first baseman, you have to wonder if he really would have been any worse behind the plate.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

smg58 wrote: The thing that's always puzzled me about Jacobs is that he's been such a poor defensive first baseman, you have to wonder if he really would have been any worse behind the plate.

Yes, but a lot more balls get thrown toward home plate.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Still, there's probably too few people in the Lombardi-Torre-Piazza-Posada family: catchers who are poor defenders but game enough to keep at, with a team who tolerates their presence because of batsmanship that outclasses all or most of catchers in the league.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

The difference, Edge, is those bats outclass most or all hitters in the league, regardless of position. Jacobs is a one-trick pony offensively-- his OBP was worse than FatBengie's last year.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Yeah, but that's also the reason why nobody needs him at first.

Maybe at catcher he has a chance to stick for a little while as, I don't know, Mackey Sasser.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Edgy DC wrote: Still, there's probably too few people in the Lombardi-Torre-Piazza-Posada family: catchers who are poor defenders but game enough to keep at, with a team who tolerates their presence because of batsmanship that outclasses all or most of catchers in the league.

Mike (and I'm sorry for even bringing up the bastard) Scioscia.

[A Boy Named Seo]

metirish wrote: Rafael Soriano to the Rays , Rich Harden to the Rangers for $7.5M Kevin Millwood to the Orioles for Chris Ray.

Would've happily paid that moolah to roll the dice on Harden.

[Guest Swan Swan H]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Still, there's probably too few people in the Lombardi-Torre-Piazza-Posada family: catchers who are poor defenders but game enough to keep at, with a team who tolerates their presence because of batsmanship that outclasses all or most of catchers in the league. Mike (and I'm sorry for even bringing up the bastard) Scioscia.

Mike Scioscia could really block the plate. He was one plate-blockin' son-of-a-gun. Yessir, when it comes to blocking the plate nobody blocked the plate like Mike "Mr. Plate Blocker" Scioscia blocked the plate.

[ashie62]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Braves trade Soriano to the Rays for Jesse Chavez. Chavez is the x-Pirate reliever.

Would you rather have Rafael Soriano or Francisco Rodriguez as your closer?

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Would've happily paid that moolah to roll the dice on Harden.

Seconded, eh? There's still Sheets. And last year's primary suitor just settled for the Canuck who actually pitched last year, so...

Ashie62 wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Braves trade Soriano to the Rays for Jesse Chavez. Chavez is the x-Pirate reliever. Would you rather have Rafael Soriano or Francisco Rodriguez as your closer?

Onfield, it's a push-- Frankie was better, but he's hemorrhaging value at this point, while Sori's only mildly diminishing. But in the end, probably Sori. Why?



"SEE MY VEST!"

[Guest Edgy DC]

Pedro Feliz to the Astros. One year.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Edgy DC wrote: Pedro Feliz to the Astros. One year.

They also tossed a Schoeneweisian $15M/3 years at Brandon Lyon... after supposedly losing out on Latroy Hawkins because of their reluctance to give HIM a third year.

Ladies and Gentles... Ed Wade!

[smg58]

The Royals make a bunch of minor-league signings that include Bruce Chen, Vance Wilson, and Adam Bostick. Bostick bugs me, as it would have only cost a spot on the 40 to keep him.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

FWHOOPS.

Edited December 11, 2009 by Guest

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

DOUBLE FWHOOPS.

Edited December 11, 2009 by Guest

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

As per Verducci in SI:

How sharp are the Yankees operating these days? On the day he handed in his World Series roster before Game 1, New York GM Brian Cashman called Detroit GM Dave Dombrowski, who was so stunned by the timing he had to ask Cashman, on the eve of the World Series, "Why are you calling me?" Even with his team in the World Series, Cashman was beginning his offseason diligence in an attempt to make the Yankees' outfield younger and more athletic. That conversation with Dombrowski was the start to Curtis Granderson becoming a Yankee. It's reminiscent of how John Schuerholz ran the Braves in the 1990s, getting a jump on the market and refusing to play the stalking horse in postseason bidding.

If true, that's pretty damn impressive. I'm pretty certain that the only guys making phone calls in a similar situation are-- maybe-- Epstein and Ruben Amaro*.

*I REALLY wish the Phils hadn't fired Ed Wade.

Edited December 11, 2009 by Guest

[metirish]

Jeez I can feel Verducci's hard on from here......anyway I agree about the Phillies.....SI ,maybe even Verducci has them as the faveorite to get Halladay.

Edited December 11, 2009 by Guest