NL East winter moves 2011-12

[Benjamin Grimm]

Jurrgens is represented by Scott Boras, and the Braves may be thinking that he'll be gone after two years, so in this scenario they'd be trading two years of Jurrgens for six or more years of Nunez.

[smg58]

The Marlins trade John Baker (backup catcher) to the Padres for pitcher Wade LeBlanc.

[Edgy MD]

Tim Hudson of the Braves undergoes surgery for a herniated disc.

[Ceetar]

Jayson Stark (salt grains here..) reporting Heath Bell to the Marlins pending physical for 3/27.

I like. Let the Marlins blow their cash on 60ip guys instead of NL batting champs or other such things that make them way better.

[metirish]

Ceetar wrote: Jayson Stark (salt grains here..) reporting Heath Bell to the Marlins pending physical for 3/27. I like. Let the Marlins blow their cash on 60ip guys instead of NL batting champs or other such things that make them way better.

(AP) MIAMI - All-Star closer Heath Bell has agreed to a $27 million, three-year contract with the Miami Marlins, sources have confirmed to CBSSports.com. The agreement, which is subject to a physical, is the first free-agent deal for the Marlins since they began courtships last month with several top players. The deal was first reported by ESPN. Bell had more than 40 saves each of the past three seasons for the San Diego Padres. This year he had 43 in 48 chances with a 2.44 ERA.

read elsewhere about a vesting option on a fourth year....

[metsmarathon]

wow. that's not a wholly unreasonable contract for a closer.

[Ceetar]

metsmarathon wrote: wow. that's not a wholly unreasonable contract for a closer.

And Closers sell tickets to a new stadium right? everyone buys tickets for the guy that will pitch one inning less than half the time right?

[Guest attgig]

damn. i picked the wrong closer for the marlins in the FA prediction contest.

but yeah, heath bell and his sliding and antics could help sell some tickets.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

F him.

[Benjamin Grimm]

The Marlins won the World Series in 2003 and still couldn't sell tickets. I don't know why they're so sure that the new stadium is going to be that much of a draw, especially once the novelty wears off.

[Ceetar]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: The Marlins won the World Series in 2003 and still couldn't sell tickets. I don't know why they're so sure that the new stadium is going to be that much of a draw, especially once the novelty wears off.

the location of it's much better supposedly.

[Edgy MD]

I'm just surprised and delighted to see ceets suddenly pooping on the notion of the importance of a big shot closer.

[Ceetar]

Edgy DC wrote: I'm just surprised and delighted to see ceets suddenly pooping on the notion of the importance of a big shot closer.

Nothing's changed in my evaluation.

And a year ago I was operating under the assumption the payroll would be 120-130, which would basically fit K-Rod's option on top of what we're gonna end up having now.

[Frayed Knot]

the location of it's much better supposedly.

Also the roof and hence lack of rainouts.

Not that I think south Florida is ever going to be the greatest of sports locations for any sport -- but there was one year a few seasons back where somewhere around 1/4 of Marlins' home games were either: rained-out, had the start rain-delayed, or had a game rain-interrupted while in progress.
Games are long enough in this sport w/o having those things thrown at you and even the most die-hard fans had to find it tough to commit to heading for the stadium where there's a decent chance the game either won't happen or will still be happening as you approach midnight.

So, yeah, the novelty of the stadium itself will wear off but I figure it's still going to be a positive for them in the long run.

[Edgy MD]

Ceetar wrote: Edgy DC wrote: I'm just surprised and delighted to see ceets suddenly pooping on the notion of the importance of a big shot closer. Nothing's changed in my evaluation. And a year ago I was operating under the assumption the payroll would be 120-130, which would basically fit K-Rod's option on top of what we're gonna end up having now.

Oh, poop.

[Ceetar]

Edgy DC wrote: Edgy DC wrote: I'm just surprised and delighted to see ceets suddenly pooping on the notion of the importance of a big shot closer. Nothing's changed in my evaluation. And a year ago I was operating under the assumption the payroll would be 120-130, which would basically fit K-Rod's option on top of what we're gonna end up having now. Oh, poop.

btw, Sandy says he thinks they would've finished above .500 if they'd kept him.

[Edgy MD]

Maybe. They would have done even better if they kept Beltran.

[Ceetar]

Edgy DC wrote: Maybe. They would have done even better if they kept Beltran.

They were only two games behind the Wild Card winners when they traded Beltran. You just never know.

[Edgy MD]

No, I certainly don't.

[Frayed Knot]

Laynce (learn to spell will ya) Nix - 350 ABs w/the Nats last season - to the Phils for two years pending a physical and all that jazz.

[Edgy MD]

Every time I think about Laynce Nix, I want to stick around and want to get my kicks.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Phils trade arb-eligible reserve Ben Francisco to the Jays for a minor league tomato can.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Phils sign Dontrelle Willis.

yeah, that's whachu talkinbout

[Edgy MD]

David Wright's eyes just lit up. He's always hit Willis, hasn't he?

[Ceetar]

Edgy DC wrote: David Wright's eyes just lit up. He's always hit Willis, hasn't he?

does he own a bat? he does? then yes, he hits Willis.

[metirish]

Edgy DC wrote: David Wright's eyes just lit up. He's always hit Willis, hasn't he?

Will Willis see the rotation?

numbers


Nice Numbers

[Ceetar]

metirish wrote: Edgy DC wrote: David Wright's eyes just lit up. He's always hit Willis, hasn't he? Will Willis see the rotation? numbers Nice Numbers

be shocked if he does. Although he did have a 'bounceback' year last year with the reds, almost got his WHIP down to Oliver Perez ranges.

The worst part about that bat_vs_pitcher list is that b-r still considers Jose Reyes a 'current Met'.

[nymr83]

Best career OPS vs. Willis (minimum 20 plate appearences)? Moises Alou!

[Edgy MD]

Willis is kind of a certain breed o' pitcher --- I count Oil Can Boyd and Jos� Lima among them --- that experience a period of success early in their careers, and develop a public persona as a successful pitcher who brings a level of panache to his game. When continuing that success proves elusive, these guys enter these long, slow, pretty declines, with brief puffs of the old goods --- but they have the dignity to fail with no less panache than they succeeded with.

When folks, say, "Hey, you know, maybe you should cut that crap out --- show a little humility, and awareness that you're not doing so well, for God's sake," they seem to resond with, "You think this just about pimping out my success? This is ME, babies!" And they continue to wear their sox just so, cock their brim just slightly that way, pause mid-motion in their leg kick for just that long, even as they slide from the National League to the American League to the International League to the Mexican League to the Domincan Winter League to the Northern League to the Atlantic League. They know, no matter what uniform is on their backs, that the minute they stop looking and playing the part of a star is the minute they stop being a star.

I get the idea that the Japan League has a bunch of these guys. Guys who get released at age 39 from their fourth team with a 6.90 ERA, and their first statement to the press is something along the lines of, "I disagreed with their decision. As disappointing as the results may seem, I am still the Raven, and had they paid attention to my last few starts, I was just coming fully in contact with my Mystical Raven Power Spirit for the first time in years. I have spoken to my agent and he has advised me to climb Mt. Fuji, meditate, harness the mystic bird, and await further instructions. Truly another team will want the Raven to wear their uniform soon, but I understand that they may fear unleashing all this power immediately."

[seawolf17]

Willis had a 2.63 ERA in 13 starts (70 innings) in AAA last year, and he's only 30 in January. I'm not saying he hasn't had issues, but he's not exactly a lost cause.