Division Opponents in 2014-2015 Offseason

[Frayed Knot]

G-Fafif wrote: Max reportedly getting $180 million for seven years in D.C., or $26 million more than the Tigers offered to keep him off the market.

Reports now saying that it's 7 years - at $210 mil!!

One continues to wonder how Boras gets these owners (and it IS often the owners he gets into these negotiations rather than GMs) to bid against themselves and drive the price seemingly beyond reason, but he does exactly that year after year.
Maybe the fact that he's been tight with both the aging owners of Washington and Detroit in recent years he was able to convince each that the other was on the verge of winning the bid and so the idea of throwing in an extra $30 mil or so is worth it for those in a quest to 'Get one before I die'.

That's not only 'Verlander money' it's practically Kershaw money only it's going to a guy who's four years older than Kershaw, with fewer CYs, and with a contract that last an extra year (2021 vs 2020)

[Edgy MD]

"Listen, I'm meeting with the Nationals owner... yeah, I got the GM to rope the owner into this meeting. I dunno, apparently he can't tie his shoes without Lerner's permission. But listen, exactly eight minutes after I go in, I need you to call me. I'm gonna pretend you're the Yankees. What's that? Nah, you don't have to say anything. I probably won't even pick up. But my phone will be on the table and I've got it set to flash the Yankees logo and play the Yankees' song when you call. I'll be too polite to pick up. They'll shit their pants right there in the room. Works every time. You make that call at just the right time, it's good for another $20 million."

[Ceetar]

and apparently they're going to pay him that money over 14! years.

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Crazy!

Cool Scherzer facts:

-- He's a proud (fellow) University of Missouri guy. Quiz: Which of your favorite ex-Mets also is a Mizzou guy?

Each of his eyes is a different color.

[Edgy MD]

Wasn't that smartypants physics guy from the Mets' early years from University of Missouri?

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Edgy MD wrote: Wasn't that smartypants physics guy from the Mets' early years from University of Missouri?

Do you mean Jay Hook? He went to Northwestern.

This is a guy you've no doubt seen in person.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Schoeneweis?

[metirish]

WOW, the money, the years? it's crazy , do teams(owners) ever learn?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Mets Guy in Michigan wrote: Each of his eyes is a different color.

How many does he have?

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Mets Guy in Michigan wrote: Each of his eyes is a different color. How many does he have?

At least two.

[Frayed Knot]

Don't it make his brown eye blue.

[fimg=320:1fwwmiqe]http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/visual/whatshot/MaxScherzerEyes.jpg[/fimg:1fwwmiqe]

[Edgy MD]

Whoah! It's chubby David Bowie.

[G-Fafif]

Tempered optimism for the talented Marlins from Jonah Keri.

Turning those playoff ambitions into reality won�t be easy, of course. The Nationals made a loaded roster even stronger when they broke the bank for Max Scherzer; the Padres and Cubs should be much improved; the Dodgers, Cardinals, and Pirates could be serious threats once again; and the reigning champs are always a factor. But if the Marlins really have turned a corner and are now prepared to operate like something approaching a normal baseball team, there�s reason to believe in their talent, the potential for more upgrades if they�re in the race come July, and even a sustained run of success behind their possibly-signed-for-life superstar.

Not mentioned among those with playoff ambitions, a loaded roster, much improvement or serious threats...well, you know.

But we did sign Michael Cuddyer, so watch out everybody.

[Frayed Knot]

Jonny Gomes to the Braves for one year plus a vest for '16
This is the non-Brazilian Gomes (Yan is the one from SA) just turned 34, hits RH, has been with like six teams over the last decade including being one of the furry crew in Boston two years back.
Will likely platoon in LF plus PH & DH

[Edgy MD]

Here's a rosy picture which lets some of the air out of the Scherzer tires (to mix a metaphor).

Nationals Pitching Will Get Worse in 2015 Even With Scherzer

[Frayed Knot]

Ichiro to Marlins for one year.

[Frayed Knot]

Braves reach a four year deal (plus option for 2019) with Cuban OF Dian Toscano.
The 25 y/o is considered relatively unknown as he didn't play for the national team recently. Limited stats seem to indicate a high BA but lack of power and throwing arm.
And that's what $25.5 million buys you these days.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

For $1.5M plus bonuses, Chad Billingsley drags his elbow eastward, to Philadelphia. (Unfortunately for Ruben, liniments and duct tape sold separately.)

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

'15 Phillies reminding me of that shit Mets team that gambled with Shawn Marcum and Chris Young, whatever year that was.

[Edgy MD]

Danny Espinosa has decided to give up on switch hitting before the Nats give up on him.

[Edgy MD]

The Nats "win" offseason polls for �Worst Free Agent Signing� and �Most Outrageous Contract.�

Considering that pool is of MLB execs, you have to think it's meaningfully informed (on one hand), but queered by at least some degree of wishful thinking on the other. Who doesn't want to see the rich kid's toys break?

Anyways, it's nice to see at least the suggestion that somebody else's contract will eclipse Bobby Bonilla's with regard to the long tail of the payment obligations.

[Frayed Knot]

"I just want to win. That's all any competitor wants. And I know it's not going to happen here." -- Cole Hamels, not exactly mincing words about his desire to be traded.

[Edgy MD]

I don't understand how anybody gets away with that crap.

[Frayed Knot]

Oh and it gets worse.

"When I signed my contract, the Phillies told me they would contend. They told me they would contend every year. But things happen.''


So you took that as essentially a guarantee and therefore the current condition represents some sort of breach?

[Edgy MD]

Heath Bell, in camp on a minor league dealio with the Nats, has dropped 40 pounds.

He may well be in the best shape of his life!

[Edgy MD]

I'm Danny Espinosa. Beards are bullshit.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Now there's a baseball goodfellow.

I mean, a baseball goodfellow who looks like he's recently been to a kid's party with fun favors, but still.

[Frayed Knot]

Edgy MD wrote: Heath Bell, in camp on a minor league dealio with the Nats, has dropped 40 pounds. He may well be in the best shape of his life!

But none of that prevented him from being cut yesterday ... and then announcing his retirement today.
I wonder if he ever stopped to realize that maybe not gaining the 40 pounds in the first place would save him the trouble of then having to lose it seemingly ever other year.

No word on whether or not he blamed any of this on Rick Peterson.