Killeverything's (New)NeverEndingBaseballThread

[JakeYonkel]

Give him away to whom? Not without eating practically all of his contract. Even then teams would probably want a couple bags of balls too. Then that would piss me off. That's our bag of extra balls Goddamnit. Get your own.

Well, you know what I meant. He doesn't really fit in their plans, I could see them trading him to like the Nationals for a live arm or something if they'd eat some payroll.

As for play like 7 positions. What? Okay in that logic anyone with a glove could play anywhere, if you don't play ANY of them good. Ortiz could stand in CF or stand at 3rd base. Would you want him too?

Lugo was a SS with Tampa but the year he was traded to LA at the deadline I think he played 2B, 3B, SS, RF, and LF. Maybe even center, too.

He may not be great defensively but at least he's a serviceable utility guy - probably has more value in the NL, though.

[killeverything]

The Diamondbacks have a deal in place for Jon Garland.

The Diamondbacks' already-formidable rotation is about to get even stronger.

Arizona has agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent right-hander Jon Garland, the Arizona Republic reported on its Web site. Garland will join a rotation headed by 2006 Cy Young winner Brandon Webb, two-time All-Star Dan Haren and Doug Davis.

While terms of the deal were not immediately available, the Republic reported that the guaranteed money is for somewhere between $6 million and $8 million, and contains an option year for 2010.

Do you think that will make LAD push harder for Manny? With the Dbacks and SF's rotations. The weakest division in baseball got a lot better. Both Arizona and San Fran have the pitching in place.

Do they have to push for him at this point? Who really wants this guy.

Except for the Mets fans but ownership made it clear that's not happening.

What I meant by "push for him", was push for him with Boras. His time is certainly running out. I know that teams can still pick him up halfway through the season, but his ego won't let him. Manny was the only reason LA went as far as they did. With AZ and SF's improvements, much less the Dodgers hard-on for anything Boston. I'm surprised it hasn't happened already.

Manny must have really really really pissed off the entire MLB, with his sitting down on the team in Boston last season. I want him back behind Ortiz, but I love seeing him "reap what he sows."

[Machado]

Jeter has trailed off defensively, seriously. And he did not have a good year last year, at all. He came around at the end, but he didn't have the important hits you usually get from him. So we'll see.

Damon can't even play CF anymore. He has a lot of miles on his wheels, I could see him being worthless to great. But at least he's on his last year.

And Pettite fucking sucked last year. Everyone waited for the big second half, it never came, and that's why he's back with an incentive laden contract.

Posada's 2007 was his career year. He most likeley won't do that again, but its good to have a DH. Plus he's an ass kicker. Let's see if he can throw again.

Why are you even talking about Damon and CF? He's in LF now. Where he belongs. If Damon plays CF this year, that would mean a couple players would be injured. We don't want that!!

Pettitte did struggle in the 2nd half
Was it conditioning? Was it an injury? Who knows. I think coming into '09, he will be much more prepared for the season.

[killeverything]

Jeter has trailed off defensively, seriously. And he did not have a good year last year, at all. He came around at the end, but he didn't have the important hits you usually get from him. So we'll see.

Damon can't even play CF anymore. He has a lot of miles on his wheels, I could see him being worthless to great. But at least he's on his last year.

And Pettite fucking sucked last year. Everyone waited for the big second half, it never came, and that's why he's back with an incentive laden contract.

Posada's 2007 was his career year. He most likeley won't do that again, but its good to have a DH. Plus he's an ass kicker. Let's see if he can throw again.[/quote

Why are you even talking about Damon and CF? He's in LF now. Where he belongs. If Damon plays CF this year, that would mean a couple players would be injured. We don't want that!!

Pettitte did struggle in the 2nd half
Was it conditioning? Was it an injury? Who knows. I think coming into '09, he will be much more prepared for the season.

Pettite struggled in the second half because it's a 162 game season and he's old.

He'll be a serviceable 4 or 5.

[Machado]

Jeter has trailed off defensively, seriously. And he did not have a good year last year, at all. He came around at the end, but he didn't have the important hits you usually get from him. So we'll see.

Damon can't even play CF anymore. He has a lot of miles on his wheels, I could see him being worthless to great. But at least he's on his last year.

And Pettite fucking sucked last year. Everyone waited for the big second half, it never came, and that's why he's back with an incentive laden contract.

Posada's 2007 was his career year. He most likeley won't do that again, but its good to have a DH. Plus he's an ass kicker. Let's see if he can throw again.[/quote

Why are you even talking about Damon and CF? He's in LF now. Where he belongs. If Damon plays CF this year, that would mean a couple players would be injured. We don't want that!!

Pettitte did struggle in the 2nd half
Was it conditioning? Was it an injury? Who knows. I think coming into '09, he will be much more prepared for the season.

Pettite struggled in the second half because it's a 162 game season and he's old.

He'll be a serviceable 4 or 5.

A serviceable 4 or 5 is all we need from him in '09. Asking anything more would be foolish.

Who else is surpised that both abreu and dunn still do not have a contract for '09???

Amazing!!!!

[killeverything]

Dunn is the most surprising to me. Especially since he backed off his 100m contract wants.

[JakeYonkel]

Why are you even talking about Damon and CF? He's in LF now. Where he belongs. If Damon plays CF this year, that would mean a couple players would be injured. We don't want that!!

Wait and see what happens when Melky and Gardner both sputter in spring training. All of a sudden Damon's back in center, flanked by Swisher in LF and Nady in RF.

Not impossible.

[JakeYonkel]

Dunn is the most surprising to me. Especially since he backed off his 100m contract wants.

I don't know, anybody that's not a stat-head thinks he's a waste, more or less. His defense blows so that almost limits him to DHing, and most AL teams already have that spot filled. Plus, unless you're absolutely elite, nobody wants to lock up a player who's ONLY a DH for a long period of time.

I'm more suprirsed by Abreu, to be honest. I felt for sure he'd wind up with the Cubs. Abreu will wind up signing a one year deal for about $8M pretty soon somewhere, and the Cubs are going to wish they could void every cent of the 3 year $30M deal they gave Milton Bradley.

[Machado]

Why are you even talking about Damon and CF? He's in LF now. Where he belongs. If Damon plays CF this year, that would mean a couple players would be injured. We don't want that!!

Wait and see what happens when Melky and Gardner both sputter in spring training. All of a sudden Damon's back in center, flanked by Swisher in LF and Nady in RF.

Not impossible.

Here we go again. Another poster that can see the future.

[killeverything]

Dunn is the most surprising to me. Especially since he backed off his 100m contract wants.

I don't know, anybody that's not a stat-head thinks he's a waste, more or less. His defense blows so that almost limits him to DHing, and most AL teams already have that spot filled. Plus, unless you're absolutely elite, nobody wants to lock up a player who's ONLY a DH for a long period of time.

I'm more suprirsed by Abreu, to be honest. I felt for sure he'd wind up with the Cubs. Abreu will wind up signing a one year deal for about $8M pretty soon somewhere, and the Cubs are going to wish they could void every cent of the 3 year $30M deal they gave Milton Bradley.

Well for Dunn he can hit. I think he'd be wise to sign a small one year deal, and then retest the market. It seems no teams are looking for an RBI-only guy though.

Thinking about Abreu. Is high contract demands too high? He certainly fell off after the HR derby. I'm kind of shocked he's still out there too actually.

[thejuggernaut]

What's truly amazing is Machado's Yankees worship exceeds Lickety's New England worship, so much so, that he is the only person in the world, outside of Hank and Hal's meeting room, who cannot understand that the Yankees nearly destroyed Joba's career last year.

Take it easy.
I'm the type of person that says, "let's see what happens". While some people here are quick to judge and come to a conclusion that a player has been ruined.
What's the point?
Let Joba return to the mound, get comfortable again with starting and see how well he does, see how his arm/shoulder holds up and then we can judge.

We all know there were specific reasons why Joba was inserted as a reliever and why he was then asked to be a starter. These reasons have
been discussed here many times.

Nobody is saying his is ruined.

They are saying he WILL be ruined if they continue with the same nonsense.

Big difference.

[JakeYonkel]

Why are you even talking about Damon and CF? He's in LF now. Where he belongs. If Damon plays CF this year, that would mean a couple players would be injured. We don't want that!!

Wait and see what happens when Melky and Gardner both sputter in spring training. All of a sudden Damon's back in center, flanked by Swisher in LF and Nady in RF.

Not impossible.

Here we go again. Another poster that can see the future.

Sorry, I know you have a tough time reading Yankee-related posts unless they involve pom-poms.

[killeverything]

Sorry, I know you have a tough time reading Yankee-related posts unless they involve pom-poms.

Yay!

Pom poms!

[Machado]

Sorry, I know you have a tough time reading Yankee-related posts unless they involve pom-poms.

you are the funniest fugazi-Yankees fan in florida
take a bow!!!

[JakeYonkel]

I'm not getting into a pissing match here but I'd reckon I'm a bigger Yankee fan than you are. I happen to be a realist.

Saying "we" a lot and not recognizing any fault in your team does not make you a great fan, you know. In fact it's probably the opposite.

[Machado]

I'm not getting into a pissing match here but I'd reckon I'm a bigger Yankee fan than you are. I happen to be a realist.

Saying "we" a lot and not recognizing any fault in your team does not make you a great fan, you know. In fact it's probably the opposite.

Believe me, I am not getting into a pissing match either.

And I am also somewhat of a realist. What I avoid is predicting the outcome of a season before the season is over, let alone before
ST has begun.

It's been a long time since 2000 and the Yankees have pissed away chances to win at least 2 more WS titles since.

I like the team. I cheer for the team and I am also critical, when necessary.

[JakeYonkel]

The Yankees deserve a lot of criticism. However, if they spread those WS victories out over the last 12 years instead of just banging them out so quickly, there wouldn't be any discussion.

Yup, but as it is they won, got frisky, and dumped millions (probably a billion) on free agents that's brought them no championships since then.

I cringe over Brett Boone striking out against Florida. And JOe Torre getting tighter than a virgin's pussy in 2004. But in 2001, if it wasn't for that melting Korean guy, that series would not have been close.

I hear ya on 2001. It's funny to watch all these shows on the '01 World Series, especially when they juxtapose it with 9/11 - then all those game-winning home runs and shit, it's just a set up for the Yankees winning the World Series in the ultimate tale of New York triumphing just a month and a half after getting attacked... but no, the fucking Diamondbacks win. It's almost like history fucked that one up.

2003 was tough. For the Marlins it was their "once every 10 years" team that was built just for that time so Beinfast could sell them all off after the year. Yankees should have won that series, though.

2004 was inexcusable, obviously. A strike away from winning Game 4, sweeping the Cardinals, and destroying the notion of post-2004 "Red Sox Nation," pink hats, green t-shirts, and then somehow overtaking Yankee fans as the most obnoxious fans in baseball. So close!

[MickeyG]

2003 was tough. For the Marlins it was their "once every 10 years" team that was built just for that time so Beinfast could sell them all off after the year. Yankees should have won that series, though.

Wasn't the Marlins payroll still low though in 2003? I mean, it wasn't like they spent a ton to get to the WS that year, did they?

Also, they didn't even win their division that year and finished 10 games behind Atlanta. So it wasn't like they were taking baseball by storm.

[Machado]

The Yankees deserve a lot of criticism. However, if they spread those WS victories out over the last 12 years instead of just banging them out so quickly, there wouldn't be any discussion.

I cringe over Brett Boone striking out against Florida.

When I think of the WS vs the marlins, I have that image of jeff weaver pitching and giving up a cheap-ass solo home run to that frikkin ss.
S.O.B.

[killeverything]

2003 was tough. For the Marlins it was their "once every 10 years" team that was built just for that time so Beinfast could sell them all off after the year. Yankees should have won that series, though.

Nope. The Red Sox should of beat NY. I'm glad they didn't. I got over Boone's HR pretty quickly, because I knew Florida would've beaten either team. Better pitching. Plus, were you really so confident after the knock down drag out in the ALCS, that they'd even have the energy to face a bunch of hungry kids?

Your throwing up post season bitch Roger Clemens against AJ Burnett. Plus there's that Josh Beckett guy. Even though no one knew what he was capable of in the Post-season yet, he still threw 98+ consistently, with a wicked curveball.

It's a miracle it wasn't a sweep. Even if they faced Boston I would've said the same thing.

[JakeYonkel]

2003 was tough. For the Marlins it was their "once every 10 years" team that was built just for that time so Beinfast could sell them all off after the year. Yankees should have won that series, though.

Wasn't the Marlins payroll still low though in 2003? I mean, it wasn't like they spent a ton to get to the WS that year, did they?

Also, they didn't even win their division that year and finished 10 games behind Atlanta. So it wasn't like they were taking baseball by storm.

$54M payroll in '03 - considering much of their team were young guys not making a ton of scratch, ya know.

They were assembled well though - they had Pudge on a one-year deal with something to prove, a great defensive infield (Lowell, Lee, Gonzalez, Castillo), a young Miguel Cabrera, Juan Pierre back when he was actually a major league roster-worthy player, and then of course Beckett, Burnett, Penny, and (shudder) Carl Pavano.

[JakeYonkel]

A note on Varitek, from Boston.com:

According to a baseball source, the deadline by which Varitek must accept or decline the Red Sox’ latest contract offer is set for 8:30 a.m. Friday, leaving less than a day for the matter to play out. According to the same source, Varitek is seriously considering the option of sitting out the 2009 season and/or retiring rather than accepting the contract offer made to him last week.

Wow. Yeah, I'm sure the markte for a 38 year old catcher that can't hit will be much better than a 37 year old one. What an arrogant asshole.

[killeverything]

A note on Varitek, from Boston.com:

According to a baseball source, the deadline by which Varitek must accept or decline the Red Sox’ latest contract offer is set for 8:30 a.m. Friday, leaving less than a day for the matter to play out. According to the same source, Varitek is seriously considering the option of sitting out the 2009 season and/or retiring rather than accepting the contract offer made to him last week.

Wow. Yeah, I'm sure the markte for a 38 year old catcher that can't hit will be much better than a 37 year old one. What an arrogant asshole.

I read that earlier. Is the guy's ego that huge really?

I'm not sure if it's true or not. If it is, good luck with your life, Captain. You've got three kids, are getting divorced.....you know she gets half right? Are trying to comeback for more money, a year away from the game after a dismal offensive season, and a year older?

Wow.

Oh I just ran across this. I think it's fake, but it's funny as all hell:

In an effort to jump start contract negotiations between the Red Sox and captain Jason Varitek, Boston has reportedly agreed to promote their longtime catcher to "super captain." Varitek, who has been captain of the Sox since re-signing with the team in 2004, would have an "S" (not a "C") on the chest of his uniform. Certain Sox executives think the gesture is silly, but Scott Boras, Varitek’s agent, suggested it as a way for Varitek to save face after a long, protracted negotiation, one that has reportedly cost Varitek millions of dollars at the bargaining table.



http://newengland.comcastsportsnet.com/ ... r-captain/

[Machado]

A note on Varitek, from Boston.com:

According to a baseball source, the deadline by which Varitek must accept or decline the Red Sox’ latest contract offer is set for 8:30 a.m. Friday, leaving less than a day for the matter to play out. According to the same source, Varitek is seriously considering the option of sitting out the 2009 season and/or retiring rather than accepting the contract offer made to him last week.

Wow. Yeah, I'm sure the markte for a 38 year old catcher that can't hit will be much better than a 37 year old one. What an arrogant asshole.

i think manny has been talking to the captain lately.
let's say tek does not re-sign, can josh bard handle the staff?
do the red sox lose a very important member of the team, ultimately affecting the pitching staff?

i saw tek is calling the red sox bluff. who is going to blink 1st

[killeverything]

A note on Varitek, from Boston.com:

According to a baseball source, the deadline by which Varitek must accept or decline the Red Sox’ latest contract offer is set for 8:30 a.m. Friday, leaving less than a day for the matter to play out. According to the same source, Varitek is seriously considering the option of sitting out the 2009 season and/or retiring rather than accepting the contract offer made to him last week.

Wow. Yeah, I'm sure the markte for a 38 year old catcher that can't hit will be much better than a 37 year old one. What an arrogant asshole.

i think manny has been talking to the captain lately.
let's say tek does not re-sign, can josh bard handle the staff?
do the red sox lose a very important member of the team, ultimately affecting the pitching staff?

i saw tek is calling the red sox bluff. who is going to blink 1st

Bard can't handle anything. They have the Rangers on speed dial, if he doesn't accept their offer.

I think the effects will be felt on the team, but they'll adjust. Tek declined arbitration, they made a very fair offer. If he still declines searching for a non-existent market, the FO doesn't look bad.

As for handling the pitching staff. The guy has some "intangible" skills with that. There is a reason he's caught 4 no nos. The team will be fine, after an adjustment is made.

[Machado]

Please report to me when your boy schilling give
his 2 cents on the subject.

You know his fingers are anxious to type!!!

[killeverything]

Please report to me when your boy schilling give
his 2 cents on the subject.

You know his fingers are anxious to type!!!

He has been repeatedly. He thinks it's going to happen. He typed up this piece on what he would do if he was the Sox GM. I think his offer to Tek was a little too high for my blood, then he goes on about how integral Varitek has been to the club, etc. etc.

He prefaces it by stating this is not my money, this is hypothetical about where Schill asigns value.

Here's some of it:

The Boston Red Sox would like to announce the signing of catcher Jason Varitek to a one-year, $8 million contract that contains a performance/mutual option for the 2010 season. If Jason is healthy and performs to standards he has achieved in years prior to 2008, he can earn a total of $10.5 million during the 2009 season.


It's only slightly above what the FO offered. And incentive laden too.

Do you think if Tek walks away from this deal it will be stupider than Nomah, when he left 4/60 on the table, because he wanted the same as Jeter? He got nowhere near that somewhere else. What the fuck is it with these guys?

[Facedown]

and then somehow overtaking Yankee fans as the most obnoxious fans in baseball. So close!

Nuh-uh.
You just can't stop, can you.

[JakeYonkel]

and then somehow overtaking Yankee fans as the most obnoxious fans in baseball. So close!

Nuh-uh.
You just can't stop, can you.

C'mon, you know I'm cool with all you guys. The most obnoxious Red Sox fan here is about to get banned anyway!

[Machado]

espn.com is reporting the following:

The Friday morning deadline for Jason Varitek to accept the Boston Red Sox's "final" contract offer doesn't actually exist, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.


The Red Sox have told Varitek's agent, Scott Boras, they wanted an answer Friday to their one-year, $5 million offer, which could also contain an option for 2010.


But the source referred to the 8:30 a.m. deadline -- which has been characterized of late as being 8:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time; Boras' headquarters are in California -- as being "kind of a media creation."

So the wait for Varitek to respond goes on, with no assurance the Red Sox will even get the answer they've asked for by the end of the day.

The Red Sox are trying to resolve their catching situation before pitchers and catchers report to spring training on Feb. 12. They signed backup Josh Bard this offseason but reportedly will pursue a trade if Varitek does not return for his 13th season with the team.

Since Varitek declined the Red Sox's offer to go to arbitration, his desirability to other clubs decreased because the offer of arbitration requires a club to give up a draft choice if it signs the catcher.