metirish

No Pete Rose ?

Nothing special Nym83, they are the same....I'll post Buster Olny's blog form today... ] Appeasing Red Sox Nationposted: Tuesday, November 22, 2005 | Feedback At the highest levels of the Red Sox front office, the executives wouldn't be doing their jobs if somebody didn't raise an obvious political point in the midst of these negotiations for Josh Beckett: If we do this deal, then the conversation in Red Sox Nation will change. The hand-wringing over Theo Epstein's departure will be alleviated. The concern that the front office is in chaos will end. The question of whether the Red Sox can conduct business without Epstein will end. Executives from other teams may have wondered if they would be wasting their time in discussing trades with Boston; no more. The Red Sox are moving on, and in a big way, by making the deal for a guy with the stuff and the makeup to lead the Boston staff for years to come. Assuming the Beckett deal is completed, it's a terrific trade for the Red Sox to make, right now. We have learned in the last three years, in particular, is that there is reason to fret over National League pitchers switching to the American League (Javier Vazquez, Carl Pavano and Matt Clement, among them). Beckett has never averaged more than 99.5 pitches per start in his career, as compared to Curt Schilling, who has averaged more than 100 pitches per start in every year since they started keeping that statistic; 95 pitches can translate into five innings after you apply the NL-to-AL exchange rate. It's not a slam dunk that Beckett is going to rack up 18- and 20-win seasons, or that he won't be hit by the kind of arm problems that have hampered the early part of his career. It could be that Hanley Ramirez or Anibal Sanchez will turn out to be great players. It could be that Mike Lowell's decline in 2005 was an accurate barometer of his physical state, and that the Red Sox will pay $18 million over the next two seasons for little production from a guy playing a power position. It's possible that Beckett will struggle to adapt to the intense atmosphere around the Red Sox. But it also may be that he thrives on it, after pitching too many games in front of too few fans in Florida, and it is very rare that you land a 25-year-old power pitcher with a strong World Series r�sum� and perhaps a decade of great days ahead of him. There's no doubt that he makes Boston a better team for 2006, on paper. Schilling could rebound and still be the de facto ace of the Red Sox, but Beckett has the ability to be the horse that hauls the staff, throwing consistent innings, taking pressure off the bullpen, Schilling and the other starters with outings of six and seven innings. He worked six or more innings in 23 of the 29 starts he made in 2005. If the Red Sox make the playoffs and Beckett is healthy, he can match up against any power pitcher that any other AL team throws out there, whether it's Johan Santana or Rich Harden or Randy Johnson or Bartolo Colon. His performance against the Yankees in Game 6 of the 2003 World Series was probably the most dominating outing against New York in its last decade of playoff baseball; Beckett raised the level of his command and intensity, and they had no chance, even while hitting in Yankee Stadium. Executives with other teams have wondered if the departure of Epstein would mean a change in the recent Red Sox philosophy of minor-league development, and if a front office led by Larry Lucchino would be more inclined to swap highly rated prospects for star power. Time will tell if, in a moment of midseason desperation in 2006, they are willing to discuss trading Jonathan Papelbon or Craig Hansen, two pitchers with great potential who should be stored away with 'UNTOUCHABLE' labels across their foreheads, like canned fruits. But the Beckett deal is the first evidence that the Red Sox will continue to be an aggressive, methodical and diligent organization, even without Theo Epstein. Tony Massarotti breaks down the deal. Gordon Edes notes the history of physical problems with Beckett. The Red Sox may or may not have a general manager in place for the winter meetings. Ken Davidoff has a line in his story that the Red Sox are interested in signing Tom Gordon. The Marlins are ready to move some of their other pricey stars, as well, and as Juan Rodriguez writes, they had some concerns about Hank Blalock as part of the package offered by Texas. Joe Capozzi notes in his story that the Marlins want to leave Miguel Cabrera at third base. The Dodgers have been involved in trade talks with the Marlins, as well. Dave George wonders if you can call Jeffrey Loria a quitter. It could be that this fire sale clinches a Marlins' move out of South Florida, and perhaps to Las Vegas. This is a strategy that obviously is not going to help the team's frustrated efforts to get a new ballpark, and by the time the team is ready to win again -- in 2008 -- they'll be in a better position to go someplace else. ********** Blog reader Drew B., from Pasadena, asked a great question: Did Joe Girardi know the Marlins were going to drastically reduce the payroll and go into rebuilding mode when he signed on? In hindsight, he might have been better off in Tampa, or maybe even with the Dodgers. Buster: Drew, that was the reason that I thought all along that Joe would go someplace else, because while he will have some good young talent to work with in the next couple of years, he will be consigned to losing for the first year or two, when first impressions on managers are formed. ********** � The Angels might move if they don't get some satisfaction from the city of Anaheim, writes Bill Shaikin. � The plan for the Twins' new park -- not yet approved -- continues to be nudged along. � The Pirates have traded Bobby Hill to the Padres. � Top Colorado prospect Ryan Shealy is thriving. � One scout tells Bob Finnigan that the new Seattle catcher is a lot like Dan Wilson. John Levesque thinks the Mariners have taken a good risk in filling what has been a black hole for them. � Jim Fregosi denies that he's been offered the job of Dodgers manager. � Tampa Bay sets its coaching staff. � A lot has changed for Jeff Cirillo in the last year. � The Busch Stadium demolition is ahead of schedule. � If Pete Rose ever gets into the Hall of Fame, it won't be the writers who put him there. � The Cubs already have landed Scott Eyre, and now they're going after Bobby Howry. � Minnie Minoso's Hall of Fame chances are still alive. � The marketing of Johnny Damon has begun. Having seen the Boras binders in the past, I think the sales job is aimed more at the media than interested teams, because most of the numbers provided by the agent can be found on the internet. The buzz on a client stems largely in part by what's written in the papers, and every time Boras has a major client, he unveils his binder to a New York reporter. I received one when Bernie Williams became a free agent in 1998, and a typical page would include a listing of his Gold Gloves, with 90 percent of the page filled with blank space. I don't think that Johnny Damon's prowess as a hitter -- and the inevitable concerns about whether his production will decline with age -- are a mystery to anybody in baseball. � Billy Wagner is being wined and dined in New York, and in Philly, there is concern. He's the real deal, writes Mike Lupica. � Mark Hale and Joel Sherman write that the Mets are looking at a couple of other catchers: Paul Lo Duca and Toby Hall. � The Yankees keep playing phone tag with Brian Giles.

Bob Klapisch thinks the Mets are naive... ] Like a high school senior being recruited by a major college program, Billy Wagner got the full-metal-jacket tour of greater New York on Monday - surveying the Westchester and Connecticut suburbs with Tom Glavine and Jeff Wilpon in the afternoon, before being whisked off to a four-course meal in Manhattan with all the firepower the Mets could muster. By nightfall, Wagner was being courted by five organizational elders, including general manager Omar Minaya, assistant Tony Bernazard and manager Willie Randolph. It was a cosmetically perfect event for the Mets, but otherwise useless in their courtship of Wagner. The closer is in town for one reason only - to find out how much cash, not dinner, the Mets can put on the table. Indeed, that's the most pressing question of this young off-season: Will the Mets go to a fourth year to nail down the game's hardest-throwing lefty? One club source says, "We're not there yet," which could doom the courtship. Wagner told friends he could see himself living in New York, but it won't happen unless the Mets outbid the Phillies by plenty. To get there, Minaya will have to clone the dollar-orgy that pried Pedro Martinez away from the Red Sox last year. Pedro got the same one-on-one recruitment from the Mets - Minaya actually went to his home in the Dominican Republic during Thanksgiving - but it wasn't until the GM coughed up a fourth year that Pedro finally said goodbye to Red Sox Nation. It had nothing to do with the fact that Minaya and Martinez, both Dominicans, spoke in their native tongues. It wasn't New York that sold Pedro. Not once did Martinez mention the theater district or the Statue of Liberty as the reason for turning his back on the world champion Red Sox. The Mets simply wrote a bigger check. That's why the Wagner Tour, so touchingly publicity-conscious, is also so stunningly na�ve. Do the Mets really think a sightseeing tour possibly would influence where Wagner plays in 2006? He's a 34-year-old man, not some pale, gawking teenager on his first trip to New York. Wagner has been in the big leagues since 1995, long enough to know a) Manhattan is busy, the suburbs are green and c) this is the biggest stage in the baseball universe - loud and obnoxious, passionate and utterly committed all at once. Some can handle the fury here. Many cannot. Wagner is at least interested enough to hear what the Mets have to say later today, when the offer from the Wilpon family finally is handed down. If the Mets are stuck at three years at, say, $30 million-$31 million, the tour will have been a waste of time, money and gasoline. Wagner likely will head back to the Phillies, who are trying to convince him that newly hired GM Pat Gillick can end the 12-year postseason drought. The Mets are working on a much shorter dry spell, but they're still recovering from the effects of the Art Howe dark age. It was the Phillies, not the Mets, who missed the playoffs by one game this past season, and the only way the Mets - who finished six games behind in the wild card and seven behind the Braves in the East - can gloss over that deficit is to pay. And pay. Getting better players helps, too. Minaya is interested in Carlos Delgado and Luis Castillo, both of whom are ready to be dealt by the dollar-starved Marlins. Already, the gutting has begun in Florida, where Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell may be headed to the Red Sox in a deal that will drive the Marlins to their ultimate goal, a $40 million payroll. If Beckett, who suffers from chronic blister problems, can somehow stay healthy, the Yankees have every reason to sweat. But the Marlins aren't blindly generous. The Mets think there's little chance they'll be able to land Delgado or Castillo, not as long as Florida has other options such as the Orioles. "No way they want to send either guy, especially Delgado, within the division," is how one Met executive put it. Manny Ramirez is another possibility, but that quest will take weeks, if not a month or perhaps two, depending on whether the Sox are able to re-sign Johnny Damon. That's why the Mets are looking for closure with Wagner soon - this week, if possible. They have other options, including B.J. Ryan and Danys Baez, although the size and scope of Monday's Tour De Big Apple tells you who the Mets really covet. It's Wagner and his 100-mph fastball. It's his savage hits-to-innings ratio (45 to 75) and his ability to strike out more than a batter an inning. Those are the qualities that make managers dream of the postseason. And, conversely, it's what drains a GM's coffers. Later today, the world will find out exactly what Wagner is worth to the Mets, when the offer finally becomes real. By then, the limousine ride to the suburbs will be history. The dinner in Manhattan will be digested and forgotten, too. There's only one recruitment tool that matters now - the old-fashioned, old-school offer that Wagner can't refuse. E-mail: klapisch@northjersey.com

oops you're right, the article below it is an "insider"...damn

Because I have access to "Insider" through my magazine subscription and because I know some of you want to know what Stark and co are writing I'll start this thread and will post any relevent articles or any that you guys want to read. Today is good news from Jayson Stark and it concerns the Mets among others. ] Mets, many others, can enjoy tax-free offseasonBy Jayson Stark ESPN.com Archive Since finals are approaching, it's time for a little baseball-economics quiz to help us make sure you're fully educated on a key development in the 2005-06 offseason: If the Mets' payroll inflates to, say, $150 million next season, how much luxury tax would they have to pay -- if the 2006 tax threshold is $136.5 million? A) $3.04 million (22.5 percent)? $4.05 million (30 percent)? C) $5.4 million (40 percent)? D) Way more than that, just because they're making Bud Selig really nervous? E) Zero dollars (nada percent), because of a little-known technicality in the Basic Agreement? OK, kids. Pencils down. All those answering "E" pass this test. And if you answered that correctly, either you've spent way too much time reading the Basic Agreement online (and feel free; it's here) ... or you cheated. But it's true. No matter how much cash the Mets insert in the wallets of free agents, Manny Ramirez, Carlos Delgado or all those talented and charming players they already have added this winter, their luxury tax next year is guaranteed to be exactly ... zilch. Same with the Angels, who were No. 4 (just behind the Mets) in the 2005 payroll standings. Or the Phillies, who were No. 5. Or any other team not known as the Yankees or Red Sox. That's because -- as first noted by CNN.com's Chris Isidore -- back in the crazed pre-agreement hours leading to the 2002 labor deal, the frenzied labor negotiators inserted a mysterious clause into the impending deal. That clause says, essentially (in language way more complicated than this) that any team that didn't pay luxury tax in the 2005 season is 100 percent off the hook in 2006. Doesn't matter by how much that team blows by the payroll threshold. Doesn't matter how many different tax rates are listed in the agreement for next season. Doesn't matter whether that team paid the luxury tax in any previous season. None of that matters. So, unbeknownst to most of the sport, the only teams that face a potential tax bill next year are the Yankees (guaranteed to be taxed at 40 percent, as four-time offenders) and the Red Sox (who paid this year but probably won't pay next year unless their payroll goes up by $13 million). But that's it. All righty then. We know what you're thinking: How the heck did a strange rule like this find its way into this labor agreement -- with just about nobody noticing? Well, here's the story, as we've heard it: You might remember that in the previous labor deal -- the first one to contain one of these payroll taxes -- the last year of the agreement was completely tax-free. OK, even if you don't remember, trust us. It was. Well, because of that wrinkle in the old deal, the union was pressing for the same free ride to be included in the current agreement. The idea was to give the market a year to adjust, in case the tax turned out to suppress player salaries more than anticipated. Oh, and one more thing: That one-year gap was supposed to establish the principle that the two sides weren't necessarily committed to this tax forever and ever. So naturally, as negotiations heated up, this issue remained a thorny little tug o' war. The owners didn't want any year to have no tax. The union was digging in. So in the end, they did what negotiators are supposed to do: They compromised. And this was the compromise: No matter how much tax a team paid in 2003 or 2004, if it dipped under the threshold in 2005, it was safe from the tax man in 2006. "I admit it's kind of quirky," says one baseball man who was involved in those talks. "But that's the compromise we came up with." So now here we are, more than three years later. And here's that compromise, ready to take hold for this, the final year of the labor deal. But when we polled high-ranking officials of four teams last week, only one had ever even heard of this rule. Why? Because MLB never mentioned it at the time the deal was done -- and hasn't advertised it since, even now that the time to apply that rule has arrived. Matter of fact, MLB has never even advised the Mets (or the Angels or Phillies, either) that it could directly affect them -- and save them millions of bucks. Why? Because it obviously was hoping nobody would bother to read the fine print. Oops. Somebody did. We didn't mean to blow anybody's cover. But someone needs to read this stuff -- and let the world know the rules. Sorry about that. Meanwhile, there's one more reason this rule could be even more significant than it might appear: We've been hearing murmuring beneath the surface that enough people in the sport are so happy with the current labor deal that they'd be interested in taking advantage of another clause in the agreement -- a clause that allows the two sides simply to extend the deal for 2007. But if they just extend it, they would be extending another tax-free year along with it (a potentially monstrous advantage for the Red Sox in 2007 if they pay no tax in 2006). Or they could negotiate yet another compromise on that particular issue. Now it isn't likely the Mets will actually add enough dollars to their payroll (which was about $101 million this year) to have this wrinkle kick in. But it's possible. Which means that, with a new TV network ready to hit the air, Mets GM Omar Minaya and his good friends, the Wilpons, have been handed the right to go on their very own fun-filled free-agent supermarket sweep. All thanks to the Wacky World of Labor Deals. Gotta love it. Jayson Stark is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

] I don't recall swinging at balls well out of the strike zone being a particular issue with Matsui.] IIRC he was pretty bad hitting leftie. abogdan Nov 23 2005 08:44 AM Daily News sez Delgado could be a Met by tomorrow. Edgy DC Nov 23 2005 01:53 PM Due to a craptastic archiving error, I inadvertantly split the last 14 posts into a new thead. Sorry about that. Here they are: Elster88 118) Wally Whitehurst RP, SP,1989-1992 Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 4662 Location: Connecticut Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 9:15 am Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Matsui is going to hit .315 next year with 48 doubles. Mark it down. _____________________________ AN ALMIGHTY 119) KEVIN ELSTER POST Back to top smg58 470) Bill Latham SP, RP, 1985 Joined: 07 Jun 2005 Posts: 311 Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 9:20 am Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- But what if he doesn't spend the whole year in Norfolk? Back to top abogdan494) Bill Short RP, 1968 Joined: 07 Jun 2005 Posts: 74 Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:48 am Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Omar isn't done. Latest rumor in the Post: Benson and Bannister for Vazquez. Back to top Yancy Street Gang 32) Todd Hundley C, OF, 1990-1998 Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 6990 Location: The Baxter Building Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:51 am Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This hasn't been a typical offseason so far, and I guess the Marlins have a lot to do with it. Usually the trades don't start happening until after the prominent free agents have signed. But the Mets have already made a deal with San Diego, and the Marlins now look like they've made two big ones. Back to top metirish 122) Frank Thomas OF, 1B, 3B,1962-1964 Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 4590 Location: NY Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 11:01 am Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'd hate to see Anna Benson traded to Arizona, and especially for Vazquez, he's owed a lot of freaking money the next few years.. Back to top Edgy DC Site Admin Joined: 05 Nov 2002 Posts: 4916 Location: DC Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 11:11 am Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Minaya needs to take a time out. _________________ K Back to top Valadius 371) Darrin Jackson OF, 1993 Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 1306 Location: Washington, DC Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 12:04 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Finish up with Nightcrawler first, Omar, please. _________________ "Buy the ticket, take the ride" -- Dr. Hunter S. Thompson Creator of "Jake-Monster" Back to top seawolf17 171) Mo Vaughn 1B, 2002-2003 Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 3617 Location: LI Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 12:20 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hey, as long as Valadius gets one nickname out of this off-season, he's a happy man. Back to top Rotblatt 227) Tim Harkness 1B, 1963-1964 Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 2747 Location: Brooklyn Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 12:20 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vazquez is still being subsidized by the Yankees, so he's actually not that expensive. I'll see if I can find out how much they're paying him then post it here . . . Back to top Elster88 118) Wally Whitehurst RP, SP,1989-1992 Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 4662 Location: Connecticut Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 12:32 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I would LOVE to have an effective player on the Mets and have part of the bill sent to the Bronx. _____________________________ AN ALMIGHTY 119) KEVIN ELSTER POST Back to top sharpie 206) Roger Mason RP, 1994 Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 2952 Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 12:50 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 'Course if we get Vazquez it would wreck our "no-former-Yankees" quest. Back to top Elster88 118) Wally Whitehurst RP, SP,1989-1992 Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 4662 Location: Connecticut Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 12:52 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- sharpie wrote: 'Course if we get Vazquez it would wreck our "no-former-Yankees" quest. It would be beautiful for us to get a guy who was traded for an old man with a bad back and have him pitch lights out. It would also knock out some of those people who are all about the pressure of New York. _____________________________ THE LAST ALMIGHTY 119) KEVIN ELSTER POST (until I reach 11,000). Until then, O greatest shortstop of all time. Back to top Rotblatt 227) Tim Harkness 1B, 1963-1964 Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 2747 Location: Brooklyn Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 12:53 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Okay, so it looks like Vazquez is owed $23M over the next two years, BUT the Yankees are paying $6M of it. So basically, he'd be getting $8.5M per year. Benson is getting $7.5M per year and has $7.5M option for 2008 with a $.5M buyout. Vazquez is two years younger. Neither have been particularly good lately but Vazquez would seem to have a much higher ceiling, having posted ERA+s of 135 & 154. Benson has never broke 120. Vazquez is much more of a strikeout pitcher and has better control. The only real advantage that Benson has is HR/9--0.98 to 1.22--and Vazquez should be able to get away with being a fly ball pitcher at Shea. Vazquez has also been far more durable than Benson. If we can get Vazquez for Benson & Bannister, I'd do that in a heartbeat. Back to top Elster88 118) Wally Whitehurst RP, SP,1989-1992 Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 4662 Location: Connecticut Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 12:54 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Excellent analysis, Rotty. I was thinking this but it's much easier to let someone else do the heavy lifting. Edit: Wally Whitehurst was NOT more valuable to this franchise than Kevin Elster. _____________________________ This post had the designation 118) Wally Whitehurst Back to top Nymr83 363) Dan Norman OF, 1977-1980 Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 1386 Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2005 1:42 pm Post subject: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Elster88 wrote: Matsui is going to hit .315 next year with 48 doubles. Mark it down. Hideki Matsui maybe Centerfield Nov 23 2005 01:56 PM Wow...great analysis Rotty. Willets Point Nov 23 2005 02:21 PM Edgy DC wrote: Due to a craptastic archiving error, I inadvertantly split the last 14 posts into a new thead. You're a craptastic archivist. You better prepare yourself for an ink bath when Squiddy learns you've been messing around on his turf! Johnny Dickshot Nov 23 2005 03:26 PM Buster Olney on the radio reporting the Phils close to sending Thome to the White Sox for Rowland. seawolf17 Nov 23 2005 03:29 PM ="Johnny Dickshot"]Buster Olney on the radio reporting the Phils close to sending Thome to the White Sox for Rowland. Kelly Rowland? That's a helluva deal for the Phils. I didn't know the White Sox had her rights. metirish Nov 23 2005 03:31 PM Super deal for us, with the Yanks looking/needing a center fielder that's one more gone...I assume you mean Rowan..yes? Valadius Nov 23 2005 03:32 PM You mean Aaron Rowand? MFS62 Nov 23 2005 03:40 PM Johnny Dickshot wrote: Buster Olney on the radio reporting the Phils close to sending Thome to the White Sox for Rowland. Now I understand why my friend the Chisox fan told me they had interest in acquiring Juan Pierre. I couldn't see how they could have both Rowand AND Pierre in the same lineup. The GO-GO Sox were so forty-five years ago. Later abogdan Nov 23 2005 04:02 PM White Sox could move Podsdnik to center, they also have prospect Brian Anderson waiting in the wings. They could still sign Konerko to play 1B and have Thome DH. abogdan Nov 23 2005 04:04 PM Oh yeah, great deal for the Phils. Thome was ridiculously overpaid and they had no place for him to play with Howard at 1B. That they got someone they could plug into their lineup, let alone a top CF just entering his prime, is amazing. Rotblatt Nov 24 2005 07:57 AM So apparently, we're no longer considering Soriano. Good. We're also no longer considering Manny unless his price drops (I'm assuming in prospects) and/or we clear out some salary. Good. I'm pretty happy about our offseason so far. According to the Daily News, the D-Backs are the ones who proposed the Vazquez for Benson & Bannister trade. If that's true, I seriously hope we're talking to the D-Backs. Maybe we can get them to take someone other than Bannister or maybe if they're high on Bannister, we can swap Zambrano for Benson. smg58 Nov 24 2005 10:15 AM Javy's last two years weren't that good, and the fact that he was already chased out of New York once, and that a second team wants to get rid of him after one year, is really discouraging. Although Benson hasn't pitched to his promise either. I don't see much separating the two, honestly. If they can be persuaded to part with Chad Tracy or one of their young outfielders like Carlos Quentin or Conor Jackson, I'd be willing to trade Trachsel and Bannister and take on the extra money. Otherwise it's like trading Bannister for nothing. Edgy DC Nov 24 2005 10:52 AM Vazquez wasn't chased out of New York, and Arizona, by all reports, doesn't want to get rid of him. That said, I see Benson as comparable right now, but it's hard to forget that Vazquez at his best was in a stratosphere Benson has never sniffed. Johnny Dickshot Nov 24 2005 11:27 AM Vazquez must have been awfully frustrating for MFY fans. He'd pitch lights out for a few innings, then KABOOM. Seemed like he'd give up a 3-run homer in every start he made. Pitchers who consistently cough up the longball make me nervous. Nymr83 Nov 24 2005 03:45 PM i'll take Vazquez over Benson and Bannister isn't good enough that he should stop you from making a deal. Vazquez has more upside and i believe a better strikeout rate (which is good when the infield D isn't looking so good) his love of fly balls won't hurt him at Shea where that monstrous wind seems to kill everything in the air for 2/3 of the season. Valadius Nov 24 2005 07:57 PM If we're building for the future, though, we should keep in mind that a new ballpark is on its way. Nymr83 Nov 24 2005 08:22 PM i'm not really willing to look that far into the future when it comes to building a team, if it was opening in 2007 maybe i'd take it into account foir 2006, but considering that it won't be for several years after that its pretty much irrelevant right now. OlerudOwned Nov 29 2005 10:20 AM Phillies look to replace Wagner with Tom Gordon http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=2239894 ]The Phillies have stepped up their efforts to sign Gordon in recent days, according to two sources who have spoken with them. What is still unclear is whether they are willing to give Gordon the three-year contract he is looking for at age 38. Also ]And since the Phillies need to add setup men in addition to a closer, that would free up money to reel in both. And the Phillies are also actively chasing setup men. They would have been interested in Gordon regardless of whether they signed Wagner. And they made a run at Bobby Howry before he agreed to a three-year, $13-million deal with the Cubs. They're now believed to be honing in on deals with Wagner's predecessor with the Mets, Braden Looper, and former Brewers right-hander Rafael Santana -- both of whom would be used to set up. I'd love to see Philly suffer Looper Cardiac Syndrome Yancy Street Gang Nov 29 2005 10:22 AM Rafael Santana? Edgy DC Nov 29 2005 10:32 AM Guess he means Julio. Jayson crashes on autopilot. Elster88 Nov 29 2005 10:42 AM Johnny Dickshot wrote: Vazquez must have been awfully frustrating for MFY fans. He'd pitch lights out for a few innings, then KABOOM. Seemed like he'd give up a 3-run homer in every start he made. Pitchers who consistently cough up the longball make me nervous. Like Pedro? Frayed Knot Nov 29 2005 11:11 AM Say what?!? I didn't realize that a HR every 11.5 innings (19 in 217 IPs) was a lot. Elster88 Nov 29 2005 11:18 AM Oops. I read the numbers wrong. Thanks for the double check, LFK. Elster88 Nov 29 2005 11:38 AM With Wagner gone, the Phillies may look to Flash. Willets Point Nov 29 2005 12:51 PM Elster88 wrote: With Wagner gone, the Phillies may look to Flash. Better them than us. OlerudOwned Nov 29 2005 01:23 PM Edgy DC wrote: Guess he means Julio. Jayson crashes on autopilot.I dont know if it was him, but one of them refered to Wagner as a dominant righty. I guess they're slipping. OlerudOwned Nov 29 2005 08:56 PM Phillies make another move, and are involved in a biiiig rumor. 1st, the real stuff: Free-agent infielder Abraham Nunez and the Phillies agreed Tuesday to a $3.35 million, two-year contract ]A native of the Dominican Republic, Nunez will likely platoon at third with David Bell, who hit just .199 against right-handers last season. Nunez hit .277 against right-handers last year. Now for the rumor, from none other than Mark Healey and Gotham Baseball: ]http://www.gothambaseball.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1607 The Yankees have been abnormally quiet these past few weeks, but that doesn't mean they haven't been hard at work. Last week's reported interest in Philadelphia's Jason Michaels may have sown the seeds of a blockbuster type of deal that would send Carl Pavano, Eric Duncan and Jorge Posada to the Phillies in exchange for Bobby Abreu and Mike Lieberthal. The Phillies feel Pavano can be inserted right into their rotation, Eric Duncan is their third baseman of the future, and Posada can be an upgrade over Lieberthal. The Yankees, who have begun to shop Gary Sheffield quite actively in hopes of dealing him during the winter meetings, want to add the suddenly very available Abreu to both their lineup and in RF. We'll keep you posted Does this mean they think Duncan is ready for some point this coming season? Frayed Knot Nov 29 2005 10:21 PM ]Does this mean they think Duncan is ready for some point this coming season? If they do they're the only ones. Duncan actually regressed somewhat this past year before having a good AFL. There's also some question about his defense and about whether he'll even be a 3rd baseman in the future or need to move across the diamond. I don't believe that rumored trade for a second. Posada has an option for next year that kicks in at a very reachable # of games (90-some games started). IOW, he'll almost certainly be very expensive ($20mil or so) over the next 2 years. I don't see Philly taking on his $20 and Pavano's $30+ just to get Eric Frickin Duncan. Lieberthal's out after this year (I believe) and Abreu's reasonable. Edgy DC Nov 29 2005 10:25 PM Such a deal would look good for the Mets, I think. ScarletKnight41 Nov 29 2005 10:27 PM Eric Duncan & Friend Willets Point Nov 30 2005 12:36 PM It think the Mets should go hard after Carlos Guillen, Carlos Lee and Carlos Baerga so that they may corner the All-Star Carlos market in MLB. Centerfield Nov 30 2005 02:42 PM It's almost 3 p.m. How come we haven't signed a player today? Yancy Street Gang Nov 30 2005 02:53 PM They could at least give us a Tike Redman press conference. Yancy Street Gang Nov 30 2005 04:35 PM I like what Marty Noble is saying today on MLB.com: ]Heilman, Milledge not going anywhere 11/30/2005 11:30 AM ET By Marty Noble / MLB.com NEW YORK -- The Winter Meetings are on the immediate horizon, and the Mets, reveling in the momentum of their recent successes, say they are not done remodeling. That may make those without trade protection or primary roles a bit uneasy, but Aaron Heilman and Lastings Milledge need not be. Indeed, the Mets' second-most valuable reliever and their primary prospect are in position to buy some green bananas. Neither will be changing career paths anytime soon. That became increasingly evident during the Mets' trade negotiations with the Marlins for Carlos Delgado. Heilman and Milledge would have made a more appealing package than Mike Jacobs and Yusmeiro Petit, even though Heilman would have been in position to earn more from the cost-conscious Marlins than Jacobs. As much as general manager Omar Minaya wanted Delgado's left-handed power, he wouldn't deal either. Moreover, the Mets' reluctance to deal Heilman or Milledge was reinforced Tuesday by members of the club hierarchy as they basked in the glow of the team's signing of closer Billy Wagner. One said neither will be involved in a deal that would import Manny Ramirez, making such an acquisition even less likely. And another expressed confidence the Mets could make the trades they need to make without dealing Heilman or Milledge. "There's nothing -- no one -- we have in mind that we think will require us to move either [Heilman or Milledge]," another person said. "We think we can make the moves we want without hurting ourselves at other positions." The club still needs to define its catching assignments and now is more inclined to do so by trade than by signing either of the high-profile, high-priced free agent catchers -- Bengie Molina or Ramon Hernandez. The Mets believe neither would be enough of an acquisition to warrant the projected price tag. They have made offers to each, but the offers were designed to determine what the catchers won't accept. In the unlikely event Molina or Hernandez accept the Mets' offer, the club would be pleased. But the more likely and preferred scenario is to trade for a catcher who will share the assignment with Ramon Castro and put the money not spent on a new backstop toward importing a free agent reliever. The Mets have their eye on Toby Hall of the Devil Rays to share the work with Castro, but the Rays are hesitant about dealing unless Heilman is involved. The value Heilman has to the Mets could decrease if a left-handed reliever were obtained, but probably not to the degree at which the Mets would feel comfortable dealing him. At this point, he is their most effective setup reliever against left-handed hitters. And with Heilman increasing his arm strength as a starter in winter ball, he is, more than ever, the one setup reliever manager Willie Randolph can use in challenging situations without regard for left-handed or right-handed hitting. That would mean fewer pitching changes and less need for relievers to warm up. Johnny Dickshot Nov 30 2005 04:43 PM I don't think the Mets will deal Milledge either. I mean, I like to think that, but even assuming Omar is a retarded child attracted to big shiny things, which is how most mediots tend to discuss him, he'd have to be especially retarded to move Milledge in a Manny deal now, considering how positive the reports are, how willing the Bosox appear to be, and importantly, how the hell he's ever going to sustain the team financially in the event they do all that and still need something else, which they will. Not only are Milledge (and Heilman) good and good bets get better, but they're assured of being good and cheap. Trading either now is dumb with a capital J. OlerudOwned Dec 02 2005 05:52 PM MLB.com: Rangers have offer ready for Dotel http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20051201&content_id=1274820&vkey=hotstove2005&fext=.jsp ]The Rangers have an offer out to reliever Octavio Dotel. Dotel was the Oakland A's closer in 2004 and he held that position until he had season-ending Tommy John surgery earlier this year. Dotel was with Houston before Oakland and had developed into one of the game's premier setup men, a role the Rangers would like for him to reprise in 2006 ahead of closer Francisco Cordero. Don Horwits, the agent for Dotel, told the Dallas Morning News that his client is looking for a one-year, incentive-laden deal that would allow Dotel an opportunity to prove himself coming off surgery. Centerfield Dec 05 2005 10:59 AM Combining a couple of ideas in other threads.... Right now, our 6 through 9 looks like this: 6. Nady 7. LoDuca 8. Matsui 9. Pitcher Pretty shitty. Assuming LoDuca isn't flipped for Vazquez, he's more or less locked in at catcher. With Castillo now off the table, I'm not sure there's much out there that would significantly improve us over Matsui (plus we'd have to eat his contract anyway). That leaves only RF as a viable option for an offensive upgrade. I'm not sure this has been discussed yet, but if Philly is looking to deal Abreu (and it's unlikely he'll get traded for Manny), why not talk to them and see who they'd need? I realize it's in the division, and they're actually looking to compete next year unlike Florida, but it would seem the two sides match up fairly decently. We could offer pitching, such as Benson, and they could take their pick of Diaz or Nady. Valadius Dec 05 2005 11:04 AM Taking Abreu would probably end up shifting our lineup this way: 1. Reyes 2. Abreu 3. Beltran 4. Delgado 5. Wright 6. Floyd 7. Lo Duca 8. Matsui 9. (Pitcher) smg58 Dec 05 2005 12:06 PM I'd be shocked if the Phillies offer us Abreu, but I'd certainly ask about him. Valadius Dec 05 2005 12:15 PM Apparently he's being shopped rather vigorously. Rotblatt Dec 05 2005 12:19 PM I don't mind that 6-8. Nady/Diaz should be good for .800 OPS or over, and Lo Duca should be better than .700. Matsui might suck, but we can carry one black hole in our lineup. And consider, we had a killer #6-8 last year, mostly because Willie was slow in advancing Wright. Mientkiewicz (.970 OPS), Woody (.875 OPS), Diaz (.884 ops) & Jake (1.248 ops) all beat the shit out of the #7 spot as well: 6. .779 OPS 7. .843 OPS 8. .766 OPS Our problem was our 1-3, which we've significantly upgraded: 1. .671 OPS 2. .658 OPS 3. .774 OPS Replacing Cairo with Beltran improves us dramatically, as does replacing Beltran with any of Wright, Floyd or Delgado. seawolf17 Dec 05 2005 12:23 PM ]Sosa claims several teams want to sign him SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- Outfielder Sammy Sosa said he's talking with several teams interested in signing him for next season. The Baltimore Orioles said last month they wouldn't bring back Sosa or fellow slugger Rafael Palmeiro, both of whom struggled this past season. Sosa declined to say which teams he's talking to, but said he'll make an announcement about where he'll play sometime after the annual winter baseball meetings, which begin Monday. "We're negotiating with several teams," Sosa said in comments published Sunday in the daily newspaper HOY, in his native Dominican Republic. "We're going to make it a surprise." Some have speculated that Sosa could join the New York Mets, whose general manager, Omar Minaya, signed Sosa to his first professional contract in the 1980s when Minaya was a scout for the Texas Rangers. "Sammy only needs an opportunity to play and show that he's recovered" from nagging injuries that hurt his play this year, Minaya was quoted as saying in the Sunday edition of El Nacional, another Dominican daily. The 37-year-old Sosa came to the Orioles in a February trade with the Chicago Cubs for second baseman Jerry Hairston and two minor leaguers. Sosa was expected to provide the Orioles with a powerful bat in the cleanup spot, but ended up hitting only .221 with 14 homers and 45 RBI in 102 games during an injury-shortened season. Sosa said he's confident of signing with another team and playing well. "I'm at peace because I trust in what I've done in the past. I'm Sammy Sosa and everyone remembers it," Sosa was quoted as saying in HOY. Yikes. Edgy DC Dec 05 2005 12:28 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Dec 07 2005 01:45 PM I think he may have broken Roger Clemens record for the Hall of Famer who generated the most ill will upon leaving the team he's most associated with. For entries before that, we have to go back to what --- the twenties with Rogers Hornsby? Did bad feelings over his departure linger? It'll be interesting to see him try and rehab his reputation before his induction speech in 2012 or so. OlerudOwned Dec 05 2005 07:59 PM Blue Jays closing on Burnett to the tune of 5 years, 55 million http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2248966 Reminding us all that they have a baseball team still. They even won 2 W.S. In a row! Yancy Street Gang Dec 05 2005 08:38 PM When a team in the AL East decides to go for it, I'm happy. Centerfield Dec 06 2005 06:10 PM As business hours come to a close on Day 2, I have to say, the Mets whirlwind of activity isn't quite as whirlwindy as they said it was going to be... Elster88 Dec 07 2005 01:26 PM Gammons: ]Mets GM Omar Minaya asked Beane about Zito on Tuesday. "He told me he's not moving him," said Minaya. MFS62 Dec 07 2005 01:29 PM M&MD just reported that the A's have allowed the Mets to talk to Zito about a contract extension. Later soupcan Dec 07 2005 01:33 PM But Minaya says Beane's not moving him! Who the crap do you believe? Yancy Street Gang Dec 07 2005 01:34 PM If the Mets have really been granted permission, we'll hear about it. The commissioner's office has to approve of that permission. metirish Dec 07 2005 01:35 PM I was at a winter( union) meeting today at work and some guys there told me Zito will be a Met before sunrise.... soupcan Dec 07 2005 01:36 PM I'm guessing that means sayonara to Milledge. Lastings we hardly knew ye. Elster88 Dec 07 2005 01:47 PM soupcan wrote: I'm guessing that means sayonara to Milledge. Lastings we hardly knew ye. It's too bad, I guess, but I'll trade him for the existence 2006 WS ring with the words "Mets" and "Zito". I am getting very excited. Put back the countdown until opening day, ye gods, er mods. Frayed Knot Dec 07 2005 01:50 PM ="MFS62"]M&MD just reported that the A's have allowed the Mets to talk to Zito about a contract extension. I was listening and didn't hear them say that. They said "there are reports" that it may be the case, and that the team would want to talk to him before any deal since you'd only be trading for 1 season but, rumors aside, they didn't say the process was already ongoing. ]If the Mets have really been granted permission, we'll hear about it. The commissioner's office has to approve of that permission. Egg-Zactly! Also, fans also seem to think this is a lot more common than it actually is. I can't remember the last time a player - at least one w/o veto power over a trade like Unit or Schilling - willingly gave up his FA rights to pre-negotiate a deal before a trade. seawolf17 Dec 07 2005 01:59 PM metirish wrote: I was at a winter( union) meeting today at work and some guys there told me Zito will be a Met before sunrise.... Irish apparently is in the same union as Valadius's dad. metirish Dec 07 2005 02:02 PM LOL...anyway form David Lennon in Newsday.. ]DALLAS -- Frustrated by the complexity of a megadeal for Manny Ramirez, the Mets have ramped up their discussions involving Barry Zito, and the club already has inquired about the possibility of signing him to an extension as part of any trade with the Athletics. Johnny Dickshot Dec 07 2005 02:12 PM Ken Rosenthal sez: Braves get D-baggs relievers Cormier and Villareal for C Johnny Estrada. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5147106 Pads get Ray P Dewon Brazelton for Burrroughs: http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5144382 Edgy DC Dec 07 2005 02:12 PM Yeah, because the key is not to improve your team, but to have a "meagadeal." metirish Dec 07 2005 02:14 PM WOW, Estrada for those two...they have that kid catcher though, right? soupcan Dec 07 2005 02:25 PM Johnny Dickshot wrote: Pads get Ray P Dewon Brazelton for Burrroughs: Wow, Pods finally give up on Burroughs. Frayed Knot Dec 07 2005 02:28 PM ]Ken Rosenthal sez: Braves get D-baggs relievers Cormier and Villareal for C Johnny Estrada. Interesting. Risky for DBacks because Estrada was really messed up by that collision at the plate w/Erstad (they hit so hard their shirts switched names) and wasn't the same after. Supposedly he's on the mend. Braves pen was a real problem last year. They drafted a college closer (Foster) who they were breaking in in September, plus they have the kid catcher (McCann) plus another they like even better (Saltalamacchia -- can they fit that name on a shirt?) rushing through the minors. One more market closes for the 2 FA catchers. ]Pads get Ray P Dewon Brazelton for Burrroughs: A couple of disappointments swapped for each other. sharpie Dec 07 2005 02:31 PM At the bottom of the Estrada story it said that Ramon Hernandez is about to sign with the Orioles. If true, there goes one of them. soupcan Dec 07 2005 02:33 PM Excuse me but doesn't Javy Lopez catch for the O's? Frayed Knot Dec 07 2005 02:35 PM With the steroid boys - Sammy & Raffy - gone, I think Javy will be a DH more often than not from here on out. soupcan Dec 07 2005 02:36 PM I guess so. seawolf17 Dec 07 2005 02:52 PM The Pirates ended the season with two Redmans; they will begin 2006 with none, as lefty Mark Redman was dealt to KC for a minor leaguer. Adding a guy who went 5-15 last year to a team that lost 100 games ain't gonna be pretty. Valadius Dec 07 2005 03:41 PM Padres 3B Sean Burroughs has been traded to Tampa Bay for RHP Dewon Brazelton. Valadius Dec 07 2005 04:17 PM Ken Rosenthal was right - Estrada to D-Backs for Cormier and Villarreal. Also, the Red Sox have acquired 2B Mark Loretta from San Diego for C Doug Mirabelli. Johnny Dickshot Dec 07 2005 04:39 PM Why would the Pads trade Loretta for Mirabelli? Do they have a knuckleballer in need of a catcher? smg58 Dec 07 2005 07:13 PM They must think Mirabelli can start. I wonder if that means the Red Sox plan on keeping Shoppach after all. The Padres are making room for Josh Barfield at second, and I'm guessing will give Ben Jonson a shot in left while putting Klesko back at first. As for Loretta, he's still a solid defender and OBP guy, but his power just vanished last year. He could bounce back or nosedive. Speaking of the Padres, they just brought back Trevor for two years and $13.5M. I don't think he's as good now as he was in his prime, but given the market for relievers that's still a bargain. Regarding the Braves deal: Villareal had a fantastic season in 03, but I'm not sure whose brilliant idea it was to ask a 21-year-old rookie reliever for 98 innings. While he hasn't been right since, he only just turned 24 and wouldn't be Mazzone's first successful reclamation project. Valadius Dec 07 2005 07:33 PM Except Mazzone's now pitching coach of the Baltimore Orioles. Nymr83 Dec 07 2005 07:36 PM good deal for the redsox. Loretta can leadoff if Damon leaves town. Valadius Dec 07 2005 07:38 PM The Cubs, in their second move of the day, have agreed to terms with John Mabry, formerly with the Cardinals. DocTee Dec 07 2005 07:43 PM I'd have preferred Omar land Loretta than Nady for Mike C. He's rock-steady, and solid if unspectacular Hell, I'd have almost prefer Mirabelli over LoDuca. IMO, Loretta and Mirabelli>>LoDuca and Nady Johnny Dickshot Dec 07 2005 07:51 PM Braves trade Danny Kolb back to Milwaukee for lunchbucket picther Wes Obermuller. Valadius Dec 07 2005 08:07 PM Braves closers (with the exception of John Smoltz) haven't turned out well recently, have they? smg58 Dec 07 2005 09:15 PM Valadius wrote: Except Mazzone's now pitching coach of the Baltimore Orioles. Forgot about that! So I guess his reclamation project is LaTroy Hawkins. We'll see if Kolb can remember how to pitch back in Milwaukee GYC Dec 07 2005 09:23 PM soupcan wrote: Excuse me but doesn't Javy Lopez catch for the O's? I was reading earlier in the offseason that they may try Javy Lopez at 1st a bit... I'll see if I can dig it up. GYC Dec 07 2005 09:25 PM GYC wrote: ="soupcan"]Excuse me but doesn't Javy Lopez catch for the O's? I was reading earlier in the offseason that they may try Javy Lopez at 1st a bit... I'll see if I can dig it up. Here we go - faster than I thought - but it looks more like it was just speculation. http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.orioles03nov03,1,4352124.story?coll=bal-sports-baseball&ctrack=1&cset=true ="On November 3rd, 2005, it was"]The Orioles also are expected to talk to Eric Goldschmidt, the agent for Padres catcher Ramon Hernandez, who is one of the Orioles' top targets, according to a team source. The signing of either Hernandez or the Los Angeles Angels' Bengie Molina could result in the Orioles' moving Javy Lopez to first base, filling a hole there. DocTee Dec 07 2005 09:31 PM Late Wednesday, another rumor popped up, with the Phillies said to have offered outfielder Bobby Abreu, catcher Mike Lieberthal and pitching prospect Gavin Floyd for lefty Barry Zito and catcher Jason Kendall. metirish Dec 07 2005 11:16 PM The Redsox are apparently looking to trade Renteria to the Braves in a three-team deal that would send Devil Rays shortstop Julio Lugo to Boston. http://www.prosportsdaily.com/mlb/mlbrumors.html Rotblatt Dec 08 2005 10:24 AM That's a great deal for Boston, even if they pay half. Marte was being heralded as the next Wright just a year ago, and Renteria was pretty bad last year. Lugo should be an average shortstop offensively and he's supposed to be pretty good defensively, IIRC. Lowell at first, Marte/Youkilis at third? They might look to trade Lowell or Youkilis for a 1B . . . Gwreck Dec 08 2005 01:04 PM First half of that Renteria deal is complete, with Renteria to Atlanta for Andy Marte. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2252297 Nymr83 Dec 08 2005 01:19 PM renteria is overpaidm good job by boston, i hope Marte turns out to be david wright now rpackrat Dec 08 2005 02:02 PM Desperation move by the Bravos. This is shaping up as the year the Braves finally collapse. Yancy Street Gang Dec 08 2005 02:09 PM ="rpackrat"]Desperation move by the Bravos. This is shaping up as the year the Braves finally collapse. Heard that before. Valadius Dec 08 2005 02:09 PM Far too often. But one can hope. Valadius Dec 08 2005 02:31 PM In other news: Jose Mesa signed with the Rockies. Tony Womack was traded to Cincy with cash for two minor leaguers. DocTee Dec 08 2005 03:20 PM Ray King to Colorado for Larry Bigbie. In the rarefied air of Coors Field, how long till opponents are raking Ray King? (sorry) smg58 Dec 08 2005 09:04 PM Not sure what the Reds need Womack for. Those two prospects better not have any value. metirish Dec 08 2005 09:08 PM I should stop digging up old threads about trades. Elster88 Dec 09 2005 09:59 AM Tejada wants out I'm guessing no one is going to like this idea, but I'd give up Reyes and a superfluous pitcher in a heartbeat for Tejada. Hell, depending on who else they want I'd consider moving Milledge. Edgy DC Dec 09 2005 10:00 AM Your buddy Nymr already pitched it. Elster88 Dec 09 2005 10:01 AM Where? I should RMPL. Nymr and I are more like Internet Acquaintances than buddies. On edit: wow, a full day late on this one. This is why everything should be kept in one thread. GYC Dec 10 2005 11:59 AM Cairo still going to be in NY Cairo still going to be in NY http://www.nypost.com/sports/yankees/59339.htm ] CAIRO MAY BE BACK IN BRONX By MARK HALE and GEORGE KING Email Archives Print Reprint December 10, 2005 -- For the second straight offseason, Miguel Cairo appears as if he will be joining a different team in the same city. Cairo, the free-agent veteran who played this past year with the Mets and played in 2004 with the Yankees, looks to be headed back to The Bronx. The Yankees are getting close on a one-year deal with the infielder. The 31-year-old Cairo would be a backup infielder for the Yankees. Cairo had one of his best seasons with the Yankees two years ago after coming over from the Cardinals. In 2004, he played 122 games with the Yanks, batting .292 with six homers, 42 RBIs, 11 steals and a .346 on-base percentage in 360 at-bats. This past year with the Mets, though, Cairo struggled. He batted only .251 in 100 games with two homers, 19 RBIs and a .296 OBP in 327 at-bats. Cairo did tally 13 steals. Cairo can be a versatile player. He played five different positions with the Mets last year. He spent 82 games at second base but also played eight at first, three at third, two in left field and one in right. The Yankees are believed to be interested in free agent Eduardo Perez, who hit .255 with 11 homers and a .368 OBP in just 161 at-bats with Tampa Bay this past year. The 36-year-old Perez, a right-handed hitter who played mostly first base in 2005, hit 10 of those homers in 137 at-bats against lefties. He also clobbered the Yankees this past year, going deep four times in 17 at-bats. He just doesn't go away. smg58 Dec 10 2005 12:11 PM The Yankees' loss is our gain. sharpie Dec 12 2005 03:14 PM Phils trade Vicente Padilla to Texas for a PTBN. MFS62 Dec 12 2005 03:26 PM Vicente will be happy to know that they're moving the fences back in Philly just in time for him to leave for another band box. But for a PTBNL? He was a regular starter. That would have to be a pretty good player. The draft is over and the rosters prettywell secure. Why the wait? Hmmmm, could be it will be a player they will be receiving in a soon-to-be- announced deal. Later Valadius Dec 12 2005 06:44 PM Kenny Rogers signed with Detroit for 2 years, $16 million. I don't know why anybody would take such a temperamental guy. Valadius Dec 12 2005 07:47 PM Ricardo Rincon has signed with the Cardinals for two years for $2.9 million. Also, Damion Easley has signed a 1-year, $700,000 contract with Arizona. Valadius Dec 12 2005 08:27 PM Devil Rays obtain right to negotiate with Japanese pitcher ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Shopping for bullpen help, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays obtained the right to negotiate with Japanese League All-Star reliever Shinji Mori of the Seibu Lions. The Devil Rays said Monday that they have until Jan. 11 to sign the 31-year-old right-hander to a contract. Mori, a Pacific League All-Star three of the past four years, is 44-44 with a 3.39 ERA in nine seasons with Seibu. He became a full-time reliever in 2000 and was 2-2 with a 4.22 ERA in 48 appearances last season. smg58 Dec 12 2005 11:05 PM Valadius wrote: Kenny Rogers signed with Detroit for 2 years, $16 million. I don't know why anybody would take such a temperamental guy. Because there isn't nearly enough pitching to go around. It could pay off if he keeps his head in check. And comes within a foot of the strike zone when the season absolutely depends on it. (Not that I harbor lasting grudges or anything...) MFS62 Dec 13 2005 11:00 AM Redarding the Padilla for a PTBNL trade: And from the outgoing president of the BBWA, from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram - TR Sullivan ] The Texas Rangers acquired right-handed pitcher Vicente Padilla on Monday from the Philadelphia Phillies for a player to be named later. One of the players on the list for the Phillies to choose from is right-handed pitcher Ricardo Rodriquez. He was 2-3 with a 5.53 ERA for the Rangers last season. Imagine, being traded for Ricky Ricardo. Later Rotblatt Dec 13 2005 11:08 AM That's a great trade by Texas. They have a new GM now, right? He seems to be doing a pretty good job. Valadius Dec 13 2005 12:39 PM Washington has signed utilityman Robert Fick and pitcher Joey "Frankenstein" Eischen to one-year deals and signed catchers Mike DiFelice, Alberto Castillo, Wiki Gonzalez and Brandon Harper to minor league deals. Also, the Soriano trade has been made official. Edgy DC Dec 13 2005 12:51 PM Get back to work on your papers Get through your papers, then you can goof off over break. Get thorugh college then you can goof off at work. Valadius Dec 13 2005 03:39 PM Royals pursuing Mientkiewicz By DOUG TUCKER, AP Sports Writer December 13, 2005 KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Kansas City Royals are attempting to sign Doug Mientkiewicz, the Gold Glove first baseman best known for taking the ball from the final out of Boston's World Series win in 2004. "We definitely have an interest and we are pursuing it," Kansas City general manager Allard Baird said Tuesday. "I do not get the feeling that anything is imminent." Mientkiewicz, who turns 31 in June, is a career .268 hitter with 55 home runs and 305 RBIs. A good contact hitter and a top defensive first baseman, he has only 25 errors in 6,377 chances. He spent last year with the New York Mets. Slowed by a hamstring injury, he hit .240 with 11 homers and 29 RBIs in 275 at-bats. His best year was 2001 with Minnesota, when he hit .306 with 15 homers and 74 RBIs and won a Gold Glove. In 2003, he hit .300 with 11 home runs and 65 RBIs. Mientkiewicz would bring stability to one of the many positions where the Royals were lacking in consistency last season while losing a franchise-record 106 games. He could also provide better defense at first than the Royals have had for many seasons. All-Star Mike Sweeney, one of several players the Royals put at first base last year, would not become a fulltime designated hitter. "Mike would still get time in the field. We are not thinking of doing anything else," Baird said. The Red Sox filed suit last month, asking a judge to let the team keep the infamous ball, whose ownership has been in dispute since pitcher Keith Foulke flipped it to Mientkiewicz for the out that gave Boston its first World Series since 1918. After he was traded to the New York Mets in January, he loaned the ball to the Red Sox for one year. He would get it back "unless the ultimate issue of ownership has been otherwise resolved," the agreement said. "The Red Sox continue to assert that their former employee, Mientkiewicz, obtained the baseball through the course of his employment, that he acquired no ownership interest and that the Red Sox are the rightful owners of the baseball," the team stated in its suit. The Royals are have a preliminary agreement on a $700,000, one-year contract with free-agent catcher Paul Bako, a career .239 hitter who would be a backup to John Buck. He played 13 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year and underwent surgery on June 24 to repair his anterior cruciate ligament. "I'd still like to find a starter and improve the outfield situation as well," Baird said. Elster88 Dec 13 2005 03:47 PM Enjoy! Valadius Dec 13 2005 06:21 PM A's Get Milton Bradley http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-athletics-dodgerstrade&prov=ap&type=lgns smg58 Dec 13 2005 08:53 PM An interesting deal, two major leaguers for one prospect, and not necessarily an elite one either. LA's got a long way to go to patch up their lineup. Perez was probably their best third base option for this year, too, and there's still no guarantee they'll get Meuller. As for Bradley, who knows maybe he'll get tired of wearing out his welcome everywhere he goes. Or maybe not. abogdan Dec 14 2005 09:38 AM I don't get that Dodgers/A's deal at all, unless they were really that desparate to get rid of Bradley. WFAN was reporting it incorrectly all day yesterday, as Bradley for Perez/prospect, they probably couldn't believe it either. The biggest surprise is how much money the A's are taking on this offseason. $7 million for Loaiza, at least $5 million for Bradley in arbitration, and rumored to be going after one of Piazza/Thomas. smg58 Dec 14 2005 09:48 AM The latest report says they're signing Thomas. Apparently the league as a whole is doing very well right now, which makes what Loria has done with the Marlins that much harder to defend. GYC Dec 14 2005 11:16 AM If you don't want to read RUMORS with unnamed sources, don't read the following: ]11:08 AM EST- Buzz: Mets, Marlins, Rays 3-Way for RHP Baez posted by Matthew Cerrone �our buddy, jake, at draysbay.com, an excellent tampa bay devil rays blog, e-mailed to tell me that a rumor has been floating around on the local tampa sports radio station about a deal in the works between the mets, rays and marlins in which the mets would land RHP Danys Baez, the rays would get LHP Scott Olsen and SS Kaz Matsui, and the marlins would get OF Joey Gathright, among other swaps� �how awkward would it be if the mets were to send RHP Victor Zambrano back to tampa bay� �the thing is, something seems off with this deal�it doesn�t shake out right� �either way, from what i can gather, there is definitely a new buzz coming from shea about baez�the mets want him badly�it sounds like the team is concerned about LHP Billy Wagner�s durability�so, the thinking seems to be, that having baez and RHP Aaron Heilman, together, as set-up men would help ease the load on wagner� �now, if the mets can some how get matsui to tampa bay, even with a suit-case full of money, i�d be impressed�and if baez comes in return, with heilman staying, i�d be even more impressed� Subsequently, in the St. Petersberg Times, Marc Topkin writes that �the Devil Rays have held advanced talks with the Marlins, Dodgers and an unidentified team and could be on the verge of a trade,� for Gathright� No place in Topkin�s report does he mention the Mets, however�. http://www.metsblog.com/blog/_archives/2005/12/14/1449426.html Vic Sage Dec 14 2005 11:37 AM i wouldn't mind having Baez, and I certainly wouldn't miss Matsui, but its just absurd to think such a 1-sided deal could ever happen. Elster88 Dec 14 2005 11:57 AM I think I'll put out a press release: An unnamed CPF insider stated that it was "absurd" to believe that a one sided trade such as the proposed three way deal between the Mets, Marlins, and Devil Rays would happen. Which is more believable? This or the article two posts above? Common sense tends to trump unnamed sources. Valadius Dec 14 2005 01:16 PM Bill Mueller has signed with the Dodgers. abogdan Dec 14 2005 02:27 PM Kaz Matsui for Danys Baez? That's a WATP if I've ever heard one. Valadius Dec 19 2005 01:42 PM Danny Graves has signed with Cleveland, as has Steve Karsay. Johnny Dickshot Jan 08 2006 10:00 AM Murray Chass throws a high hard one: ]Keep It Real If Manny Ramirez indeed has changed his mind about wanting to be traded by the Red Sox, he will pull the plug on a journalistic cottage industry that has mushroomed the past couple of months, with its operators breathlessly playing general manager and relentlessly creating multiple-team trades that have strayed far beyond the imaginations of actual general managers. That's probably why general managers are general managers, and reporters are reporters. Mark Healey Jan 09 2006 10:50 AM Johnny Dickshot wrote: Murray Chass throws a high hard one: ]Keep It Real If Manny Ramirez indeed has changed his mind about wanting to be traded by the Red Sox, he will pull the plug on a journalistic cottage industry that has mushroomed the past couple of months, with its operators breathlessly playing general manager and relentlessly creating multiple-team trades that have strayed far beyond the imaginations of actual general managers. That's probably why general managers are general managers, and reporters are reporters. Murray is apparently still sorer about that line drive I hit off his knee in the NY Press League a couple of summers ago... :-)

]The league has to be careful. If they allow Loria to dismantle two different franchises, that will look really bad. It's one thing to keep payroll in order, but it's in MLB's best interests to let Loria know, in no uncertain terms, when to stop. Loria from what I read no longer controls the team,he lost control to his ex's son. ]Can we make this the off-season deals thread? I thought we had one?

It must be a slow day if Williams is getting this much ink...Faith $ Fear in Flushing were not happy when Gerald was recalled.. http://faithandfear.blogharbor.com/blog/_archives/2005/6/20/958632.html

I've nothing against Williams, from all I've read he's a great guy, however Elster asked a question ... ] what player, that Willie has worked with, was given an opportunity that he didn't deserve? Williams came to mind straight away,I can remember plenty of complaining about him being on the roster, hell he didn't play for what seemed like weeks at a time, Willie being his friend could have played a part in that, some speculated that's why he wasn't cut.

]I don't remember when Ice and Willie were together before this year, maybe I'm just forgetting. you are correct, I don't think they ever were team mates but Williams was drafted by the Yanks in 87 and he and Willie are tight,I'm not saying that's why he was on the roster, just trying to answer the quesation you posed.

Gerald Williams, although he was hardly given an oppertunity but some felt he was taking a roster spot a younger lad should have had.

That's good work,Tom Gordon figures to screw with this I would think.

I think KC posted that one before Doc, damn fuuny pic.

Good point and very true, Nady figures to get a chance next season to be a regular ,where is the question.

They are correct in calling Nady a utility player, between Cameron's believe in the good Lord and Kevin Towers believe in fate this should be a great season for the Padres...

Jesus Cleon could you be a bit sensitive with the caps and japs...my people are telling me that Molina has weight problems, who hasn't that problem though.

Thanks Edgy and Scarlett for putting names on faces.

We had a thread at the old place about Seaver being a prick,one of the guys here met him at an airport and got the Seaver don't come near me look...

I'm sorry to see him go but very happy for Marlon, he was great wasn't he?, and he gave us a season hightlight with his inside the park home run, blowing bubbles as he rounded 2nd was just brilliant.

who's who in that picture, or the main players at least?

and it has evolved...

]Then it should be cheap to pick him up in a trade and bat him leadoff. not likely, word is that the Yankees are going to go over $30 million for 3 years...at the expence of not playing Diaz I just don't think Giles is worth it.

Gay-Rod will do anything to fit in.........

Diaz is on the up while Giles is on the way down, and the slide is fast..I hope the MFY's get him....

The profile on Mr.Met was harsh....