Killeverything's (New)NeverEndingBaseballThread

[thejuggernaut]

Epstein is turning out to be quite the incompetent.

He'd better wrangle a deal for Gonzalez with his buddy for a reduced rate, or try to pry Cabrera cheaply by playing the economy card, and he'd better open the books to Holliday with none of this ceiling bullshit that cost them Tex last year if he wants Boston to have a prayer.

Otherwise, he'll continue on his path to becoming Dan Duquette V 2.0.

Oh, and if someone is on his Facebook or Twitter page, can somsone remind him the steroid era is over ie players in their 30s now are like they were pre steroid era - busted up, broken down and unreliable.

Bay is useless - they should let him walk.

And John Lackey ? Really ? Good they didn't go after Halladay, as his arm will fall off any day now, but Lackey is one good post season (7 years ago) and a decent season a few years back. The rest of his career, he's been hittable and injured. Who knows, maybe Lackey will be allright as a #3 guy.

[Machado]

Things are getting very interesting the past 24 hrs.

I like it.

[Machado]

FUCK YOU Bud Selig and MLB Offices!

Why would MLB schedule 2 east coast teams(Yankees vs sox) to open the season against each other?
Imagine the weather conditions for the 1st pitch that day!



I understand that not every east coast team can open on the road and not every team will have decent/warmer weather in April, but how about a little bit of effort from MLB Offices???

[WhiteHouseSubsAC]

Juan Pierre to White Sox

The Halladay deal is done pending physicals. According to Jayson Stark, the reason that Lee became expendable was that he wanted to test the FA market after his option year and the Phils wanted him to commit. On the surface it seems like the Phillies are giving up a lot of good prospects, but Stark says they are getting some really good ones back from Seattle.

[WOLF]

Juan Pierre to White Sox

The Halladay deal is done pending physicals. According to Jayson Stark, the reason that Lee became expendable was that he wanted to test the FA market after his option year and the Phils wanted him to commit. On the surface it seems like the Phillies are giving up a lot of good prospects, but Stark says they are getting some really good ones back from Seattle.

I've heard that the Aumont kid, from the 'burbs of Montreal, is included in the deal. First he was rumored going to the Jays, but now I hear it's to the Phils. The guy can throw some serious heat, and get philthy with the best of them, but he has a violent throwing motion. He'll be a good one, but not for long if he doesn't get help with his mechanics.

[killeverything]

Rosenthal is reporting that there is no way a Adrian Gonzalez to Boston deal doesn't get done. Goodbye Jacoby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Machado]

Last I heard from the Yankees offered Damon a 2 yr, $16 million contract. Are the numbers right? Now I'm not sure.
did some research. reports are Boras told the Yankees he wants at least 3 yrs and no less than $13 million per.
Anyway, I would prefer to have Damon back.
He can DH for the most part and play some LF when needed.
Makes a lot of sense.

Damon has to decide if he wants to return for the money or test the market to get a longer deal with some other team???

[Facedown]

Is the Halladay deal really a 3 team deal? Is Toronto getting anything from Seattle or vice versa?

[thejuggernaut]

Rosenthal is reporting that there is no way a Adrian Gonzalez to Boston deal doesn't get done. Goodbye Jacoby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do they think Kalish will be ready to take center ?

[bighairdiscs]

Rosenthal is reporting that there is no way a Adrian Gonzalez to Boston deal doesn't get done. Goodbye Jacoby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do they think Kalish will be ready to take center ?

They think Mike Cameron will be the stop-gap in center.... and I guess they take a shot with Hermida in left.......

[thejuggernaut]

Rosenthal is reporting that there is no way a Adrian Gonzalez to Boston deal doesn't get done. Goodbye Jacoby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do they think Kalish will be ready to take center ?

They think Mike Cameron will be the stop-gap in center.... and I guess they take a shot with Hermida in left.......

Good lord.

[killeverything]

I'm not sure how they're going to have the OF play out. The funny thing is Jacoby just isn't a good fielder. I know he has a SportsCenter diving catch highlight and all, but for every one of those there's 50 bloop singles that fall in front of him. Having a noodle arm doesn't help either.

Losing him means you lose speed on the basepaths. That's about it.

Like I said I'm not sure their plan, but I think they're going with a platoon this season if they can't sign Holliday, or bring Bay back.

[Machado]

I'm not sure how they're going to have the OF play out. The funny thing is Jacoby just isn't a good fielder. I know he has a SportsCenter diving catch highlight and all, but for every one of those there's 50 bloop singles that fall in front of him. Having a noodle arm doesn't help either.

Losing him means you lose speed on the basepaths. That's about it.

Like I said I'm not sure their plan, but I think they're going with a platoon this season if they can't sign Holliday, or bring Bay back.

ESPN is reporting bay and the mets are in serious talks. not sure if bay wants to wear that red sox uniform again.

[killeverything]

I'm not sure how they're going to have the OF play out. The funny thing is Jacoby just isn't a good fielder. I know he has a SportsCenter diving catch highlight and all, but for every one of those there's 50 bloop singles that fall in front of him. Having a noodle arm doesn't help either.

Losing him means you lose speed on the basepaths. That's about it.

Like I said I'm not sure their plan, but I think they're going with a platoon this season if they can't sign Holliday, or bring Bay back.

ESPN is reporting bay and the mets are in serious talks. not sure if bay wants to wear that red sox uniform again.

He wants more years than Boston is willing to give him. I hope he doesn't go to NY. If he does, their top pick is protected ( not sure how it works ). So they won't get a #1 pick compensation for losing a type-A Free Agent.

[SkyDog112046]

The Sox are exploring bringing Crisp back to play center. They are also said to be putting together a package for Adrian Gonzalez. I think Ellsbury and Buchholz are going to SD. Youkilis moves back to 3rd. If that is the case then signing Lackey and Cameron makes perfect sense. If it doesn't happen then that lineup is going to be anemic as hell. But having a combo of Youk, Martinez, Gonzalez, and Ortiz in the middle of the lineup with Cameron and Drew 6 & 7 isn't that bad behind a rotation featuring Lester, Beckett and Lackey 1-2-3. I guess that would make Pedroia leadoff.

If Varitek has to catch for Beckett they should petition MLB to have Beckett bat and let the DH sub for Tek. Beckett is a better hitter.

[Facedown]

Yankees are talking to Nick Johnson.

[tin00can]

Apparently, the Angels are trying to get Javier Vasquez from the Braves for Juan Rivera. Obviously, the Braves would rather dump Lowe, but if the Angels can get Vasquez...nice. Trade Rivera plus an AA prospect, sign Gomes or Nady to replace Rivera, get a bully arm and call it an offseason.

[killeverything]

Apparently, the Angels are trying to get Javier Vasquez from the Braves for Juan Rivera. Obviously, the Braves would rather dump Lowe, but if the Angels can get Vasquez...nice. Trade Rivera plus an AA prospect, sign Gomes or Nady to replace Rivera, get a bully arm and call it an offseason.

Anaheim has a pretty deep Farm system with position players, they're not too far out of contention.

The Sox are exploring bringing Crisp back to play center. They are also said to be putting together a package for Adrian Gonzalez. I think Ellsbury and Buchholz are going to SD. Youkilis moves back to 3rd. If that is the case then signing Lackey and Cameron makes perfect sense. If it doesn't happen then that lineup is going to be anemic as hell. But having a combo of Youk, Martinez, Gonzalez, and Ortiz in the middle of the lineup with Cameron and Drew 6 & 7 isn't that bad behind a rotation featuring Lester, Beckett and Lackey 1-2-3. I guess that would make Pedroia leadoff.

If Varitek has to catch for Beckett they should petition MLB to have Beckett bat and let the DH sub for Tek. Beckett is a better hitter.

Beckett has stated he's not giving a home-town discount this time around. I think they'll get something worked out soon.

I was a fan of Coco when he was here. The problem is I don't know how well he's going to play now, he's certainly injury prone, and will be more so now. I think they might just have to pass on that one.

There is no way and hell both Jacoby and Buchholz go in the same deal. It is against all rational FO thought. Theo wouldn't do that. As it stands right now, Kotchman is going to be the first baseman. Apparently they've dropped off the Beltre talks. They really aren't dealing with Boras anymore. Which means he loses a serious player in his dealings with other teams. Good. Gonzalez could very well be on his way to Boston, just don't hold your breath.

They'll have a competitive team this season. I still think 2010 is like 2006, a rebuilding year. Even though they can't admit it, since they just fucking raised ticket prices again.

The Rangers signed Harden, who is too much of risk IMO. If there is any injury-prone pitcher to take a look at, it's Ben Sheets......not John Smoltz.....you hear me Theo?

And the Cardinals upped their offer to Holliday of 8/126. Boras will probably still try to get 136, because that's the Soriano standard. Fat Penny also signed with St. Louis.

[thejuggernaut]

I'm not sure how they're going to have the OF play out. The funny thing is Jacoby just isn't a good fielder. I know he has a SportsCenter diving catch highlight and all, but for every one of those there's 50 bloop singles that fall in front of him. Having a noodle arm doesn't help either.

Losing him means you lose speed on the basepaths. That's about it.

Like I said I'm not sure their plan, but I think they're going with a platoon this season if they can't sign Holliday, or bring Bay back.

He can get better, for sure, but the kid hasn't come close to tapping his potential and he's already above average as a player, and a top notch base stealer.

The Sox philosophy is to run counts up to burn through starters; having someone on the basepaths to terrorize pitchers and catchers is an added bonus.

They need a bat, in a serious way, and if it means giving up Ellsbury, so be it.

Personally, I'd rather see them give up Anderson and maybe Reddick or Kalish instead of Ellsbury.

[JakeYonkel]

Apparently, the Angels are trying to get Javier Vasquez from the Braves for Juan Rivera. Obviously, the Braves would rather dump Lowe, but if the Angels can get Vasquez...nice. Trade Rivera plus an AA prospect, sign Gomes or Nady to replace Rivera, get a bully arm and call it an offseason.

You don't want any part of Javier Vazquez, especially in the AL. Check his numbers witih the Yankees a few years back. Really, he racks up a ton of Ks everywhere but he's not great.

Then again, with the Angels' recent pattern of bringing in former Yankees, maybe so.

[Machado]

Yankees are talking to Nick Johnson.

I don't understand this at all.
Nick is a 1B/DH. That's it. Nothing else. Signing him for one year does not seem like a better option than having Matsui as the DH for 1 yr.

Tex will play 1B every day. It's not like that spot is a platoon situation.

No comprende

[Facedown]

That's what they want him for (DH) since they don't want to pay Damon the 13mil he wants.

[Machado]

That's what they want him for (DH) since they don't want to pay Damon the 13mil he wants.

Cashman has said over and over that the team wants the DH spot to sort of be a revolving door. A position that will give the team opportunities to rest Posada, Tex, A-Rod, etc....but still have their bat in the line-up.
Someone like Johnson will strictly be a DH-Full time DH?


Damon and his 13 mil quote is a joke and Boras is writing the damn punchline. Who is going to give him 13 mil?

[killeverything]

That's what they want him for (DH) since they don't want to pay Damon the 13mil he wants.

I thought the issue with Traitor wasn't the money ( it's the fucking Yankees for crissakes ), it's the years.

It seems ( aside from premiere FA Holliday ) that Boras is losing his market. Boston won't play his game with Beltre. He wants 65 million, Figgins got 36 so the market is set. Traitor won't get a big contract.

I think it would be sweet to have more teams just quit dealing with Scott. Chicago won't, Boston probably won't. He'll lose his players, and it could push him out of the game.

[Machado]

That's what they want him for (DH) since they don't want to pay Damon the 13mil he wants.

I thought the issue with Traitor wasn't the money ( it's the fucking Yankees for crissakes ), it's the years.

It seems ( aside from premiere FA Holliday ) that Boras is losing his market. Boston won't play his game with Beltre. He wants 65 million, Figgins got 36 so the market is set. Traitor won't get a big contract.

I think it would be sweet to have more teams just quit dealing with Scott. Chicago won't, Boston probably won't. He'll lose his players, and it could push him out of the game.

I like the sound of that. The sooner Boras is out of the game, the better the game will be.

[Facedown]

From what I heard today, the Yanks were willing to go 8 or 9, not 13.

[JakeYonkel]

There was a Damon quote from himself, not Boras, today saying he wouldn't take a paycut. Good luck with that Johnny. He pointed to Pettitte's raise (from $5.5M base salary in '09 to roughly $12M in '10) and didn't think he deserved to make less money.

Personally if I'm the Yankees I offer him 2 years, $20M, take it or leave it. Which they may have already done, who knows. There's not a ton of risk in Damon on a 2-year deal, I don't think. OR, maybe I consider bringing him back on a 1-year gig for the same $13M. No long-term commitment and he gets his money. If he DHs most of the time he'll stay healthy, and he can still hit. Just keep him out of the outfield.

I wouldn't have a problem with Nick Johnson. He'll only make about $5-6M and would slot nicely in the 2-hole. Yeah, he always gets hurt, but by DHing you're limiting the chances of his getting injured. Plus, $5M or so isn't a huge gamble.

And yeah, I'm aware that Matsui signed for that same amount, but a) he offers NO positional flexibility and b) I highly doubt he would have signed for that same amount with the Yankees or else Cashman was caught sleeping. These guys always want more from the Yankees.

[Machado]

There was a Damon quote from himself, not Boras, today saying he wouldn't take a paycut. Good luck with that Johnny. He pointed to Pettitte's raise (from $5.5M base salary in '09 to roughly $12M in '10) and didn't think he deserved to make less money.
good luck is right. listen, gone are the days when multiple teams are bidding on big time free agents. Damon might want $13M, but that does not mean there is a team willing to give him that. especially that price for 3-4 yrs.

Personally if I'm the Yankees I offer him 2 years, $20M, take it or leave it. Which they may have already done, who knows. There's not a ton of risk in Damon on a 2-year deal, I don't think. OR, maybe I consider bringing him back on a 1-year gig for the same $13M. No long-term commitment and he gets his money. If he DHs most of the time he'll stay healthy, and he can still hit. Just keep him out of the outfield.
oh sure, as if Damon will take a 1 yr deal. that won't happen at all. minimum, he will accept a 2 yr deal. no way he is signing a 1 yr deal. that is a dream.

I wouldn't have a problem with Nick Johnson. He'll only make about $5-6M and would slot nicely in the 2-hole. Yeah, he always gets hurt, but by DHing you're limiting the chances of his getting injured. Plus, $5M or so isn't a huge gamble.
picturing Johnson in the #2 hole worries me. he has no wheels as opposed to Damon who can still run, steal bases and hit for more power.
And yeah, I'm aware that Matsui signed for that same amount, but a) he offers NO positional flexibility and b) I highly doubt he would have signed for that same amount with the Yankees or else Cashman was caught sleeping. These guys always want more from the Yankees.

[Machado]

Yankees update for the masses:

To quote Hal Steinbrenner specifically, he said he is “excited” about Curtis Granderson, and raved how the Yankees “all love Johnny Damon.” But when it comes down to it, the club simply has placed a different value on the left fielder than the one Damon and his agent Scott Boras have suggested.

“He was a big part of the reason we won that championship,” Steinbrenner said. “But I think right now there’s just a difference of opinion of what the pay is, quite frankly.”

Steinbrenner said the club still hopes to add a pitcher and a bat. He, Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi all expressed a willingness to find a pitcher first. That partly because Phil Hughes will have an innings limitation next season, according to Cashman, while Joba Chamberlain will not. Girardi said that does not mean Hughes is the more likely young pitcher to find himself in the bullpen.

[killeverything]

Yankees update for the masses:

To quote Hal Steinbrenner specifically, he said he is “excited” about Curtis Granderson, and raved how the Yankees “all love Johnny Damon.” But when it comes down to it, the club simply has placed a different value on the left fielder than the one Damon and his agent Scott Boras have suggested.

“He was a big part of the reason we won that championship,” Steinbrenner said. “But I think right now there’s just a difference of opinion of what the pay is, quite frankly.”

Steinbrenner said the club still hopes to add a pitcher and a bat. He, Brian Cashman and Joe Girardi all expressed a willingness to find a pitcher first. That partly because Phil Hughes will have an innings limitation next season, according to Cashman, while Joba Chamberlain will not. Girardi said that does not mean Hughes is the more likely young pitcher to find himself in the bullpen.

Mark my words. If Phillip Hughes comes even remotely close to his potential, he'll be a Cy Young winner.

Joba's going to keep falling. The League is catching up to him.