Killeverything's (New)NeverEndingBaseballThread

[killeverything]

Choo signs a 7/140 deal with Texas.

[killeverything]

Tanaka to be posted tommorrow. Bidding teams have 30 days to negotiate so we'll know where he plays by February. Here's what we do know:

He chose an agent, Casey Close ( who also reps Jeter and Kershaw ).
He want's to play on the west coast.
He's a former teamate/homey of Iwakuma.
LAD has an endless supply of money, but is luxury tax deep for about a decade and has Kershaw's contract coming up.
LAA has a ton of cash, is paying 50 a year to two players and really can't make another big splash.
Seattle has a ton of cash, Japanese owned/ties, former teamate on the roster and needs to make one more splash.

Watch it be San Diego that lands him

Damn near every team is in. I expect Epstein to make a big push. With the MFY ( who are going to contradict themselves again ) going balls out. I don't think the Yankees get their man.

[demolition23]

Tanaka to be posted tommorrow.

Watch it be San Diego that lands him.

Don't even joke. I dream of the day when the Padres show signs of at least trying to compete.

[killeverything]

Happy 59th B day Wizard!

[WhiteHouseSubsAC]

RIP Paul Blair. Got to see him play with the Yankees when I was a kid.

[killeverything]

Happy 30th B day Cole Hammels.

Reports are Tanaka won't sign for less than 17m a year. The first year includes the posting fee so that's 37m . The speculation is sky high about where he ends up by 01/24. The MFY will throw everything they have at him. There's reports that Chicago is going to go all in too. Epstein's got them on the right track, but they need an ace and have the cash. Aside from Yankee homers like Ken Rosenthal the media is finally starting to pick up that Seattle's the darkhorse.

Most of the guessing is between NY and Chicago. I still think it could be a west coast team. The Dodgers have been surprisingly quiet, but remember his agent also represents Kershaw and Greinke. Knowing Kershaw was rumored to have already turned down a 300m contract with LA, will they go nuts on Tanaka too? One more year till Kershaw's FA....

[tin00can]

Happy 30th B day Cole Hammels.

Reports are Tanaka won't sign for less than 17m a year. The first year includes the posting fee so that's 37m . The speculation is sky high about where he ends up by 01/24. The MFY will throw everything they have at him. There's reports that Chicago is going to go all in too. Epstein's got them on the right track, but they need an ace and have the cash. Aside from Yankee homers like Ken Rosenthal the media is finally starting to pick up that Seattle's the darkhorse.

Most of the guessing is between NY and Chicago. I still think it could be a west coast team. The Dodgers have been surprisingly quiet, but remember his agent also represents Kershaw and Greinke. Knowing Kershaw was rumored to have already turned down a 300m contract with LA, will they go nuts on Tanaka too? One more year till Kershaw's FA....

The Angels really want him but I don't think he'll end up here. It's not really about money, but where Tanaka wants to pitch. I like Seattle as a dark horse because of the location and their established ties with Japanese baseball. Of course, the Yankees will throw out more money than any other team so if he wants to go there he'll be there.

I just hope to hell that A-Rod's salary is on the books for the Yankees this year. However, I have no doubt that MLB will continue to blow them and will suspend A-Rod for the year.

[killeverything]

Happy 30th B day Cole Hammels.

Reports are Tanaka won't sign for less than 17m a year. The first year includes the posting fee so that's 37m . The speculation is sky high about where he ends up by 01/24. The MFY will throw everything they have at him. There's reports that Chicago is going to go all in too. Epstein's got them on the right track, but they need an ace and have the cash. Aside from Yankee homers like Ken Rosenthal the media is finally starting to pick up that Seattle's the darkhorse.

Most of the guessing is between NY and Chicago. I still think it could be a west coast team. The Dodgers have been surprisingly quiet, but remember his agent also represents Kershaw and Greinke. Knowing Kershaw was rumored to have already turned down a 300m contract with LA, will they go nuts on Tanaka too? One more year till Kershaw's FA....

The Angels really want him but I don't think he'll end up here. It's not really about money, but where Tanaka wants to pitch. I like Seattle as a dark horse because of the location and their established ties with Japanese baseball. Of course, the Yankees will throw out more money than any other team so if he wants to go there he'll be there.

I just hope to hell that A-Rod's salary is on the books for the Yankees this year. However, I have no doubt that MLB will continue to blow them and will suspend A-Rod for the year.

Everything that I've heard from the suspension arbitration is that they won't be able to. Even potentially being without his salary Arod still has a lot of money and attorneys that will fight it all the way. His legal team even mentioned going before the supreme court. I don't think the MFY are going to win this one, I originally had.

I also really would be surprised if Tanaka signs with NY. The advantage they have is only financial. In Japan the most popular MLB team is Boston in terms of sales. Remember that while Matsuzaka was a bust in MLB he's still Micheal Jordan in Japan. Unless Tanaka's decision is purely financial he doesn't sign there.

[killeverything]

LA Dodgers jackass Yasiel Puig was arrested today for reckless driving. He was going 110mph.

I can't wait for this motherfucker to come crashing down to earth next year. St. Louis learned he can't handle inside heat in the playoffs, make adjustments or the league will adjust to you. I'm looking forward to seeing his pose when he strikes out again.

26 and counting.

[UtahRatt]

LA Dodgers jackass Yasiel Puig was arrested today for reckless driving. He was going 110mph.

I can't wait for this motherfucker to come crashing down to earth next year. St. Louis learned he can't handle inside heat in the playoffs, make adjustments or the league will adjust to you. I'm looking forward to seeing his pose when he strikes out again.

26 and counting.

Clearly I'm a dodger fan and I'm telling ya, I don't like this dude. I don't like his snot nose personality but I've got a feeling he's going to have more issues.

[killeverything]

LA Dodgers jackass Yasiel Puig was arrested today for reckless driving. He was going 110mph.

I can't wait for this motherfucker to come crashing down to earth next year. St. Louis learned he can't handle inside heat in the playoffs, make adjustments or the league will adjust to you. I'm looking forward to seeing his pose when he strikes out again.

26 and counting.

Clearly I'm a dodger fan and I'm telling ya, I don't like this dude. I don't like his snot nose personality but I've got a feeling he's going to have more issues.

People are getting sick of him. I'm thinking the issues are going to continue to pile up too.

According to a paper in Japan ( I'll provide the link if needed ) Atlanta has or is going to offer Tanaka 20m per for at least 6. I don't believe anyone would see that coming. There's a lot of speculation being tossed around that concerning his IP so far ( over 1300 by age 24 ) and his decling K/9 rate, that he's not going to get the Matsuzaka-esque contract some are expecting. Check out his K/9 here:

age 22, 9.6 k/9
age 23, 8.8 k/9
age 24, 7.8 k/9 

Now he has excellent control to combat his decrease in velocity and it's a little unfair to compare every Japanese pitcher to Dice K. His signing was poor research by the Boston FO because the "red flags" were there. With that knowledge in hand plus more published scouting reports that see him peaking as a #2 or 3, the general thinking is he won't get Dice money.

[killeverything]

Here's some emails between Arod and Randy Levigne. They're pretty eye opening from their statements ( refered to as "jokes" ). Why is Levigne emailing players? He's not one of the trustafarians, the GM or a coach. That organization is more fucked than I thought.

http://teamstre.am/19DbPlu Read the Alex Rodriguez and Randy Levine E-Mails -- New York Magazine via ble.ac/teamstream-

I still think he wins his case and the MFY are stuck with that contract. One side show the Yankees FO was well aware of his juicing and well aware of their roid fueled 2009 ring too.

[UtahRatt]

Here's some emails between Arod and Randy Levigne. They're pretty eye opening from their statements ( refered to as "jokes" ). Why is Levigne emailing players? He's not one of the trustafarians, the GM or a coach. That organization is more fucked than I thought.

http://teamstre.am/19DbPlu Read the Alex Rodriguez and Randy Levine E-Mails -- New York Magazine via ble.ac/teamstream-

I still think he wins his case and the MFY are stuck with that contract. One side show the Yankees FO was well aware of his juicing and well aware of their roid fueled 2009 ring too.

HEY CHIP!

I like how it goes from Buddy ole Pal to strictly business. When someone is guilty and going down whats your normal reaction? To distance yourself. That's what those emails show me. A-Roid is clearly guilty and now on a hook so Levine is backing away. At the same time I don't know what Levine is to the Yankees. Attorney's are the snakes who know everything in every structure of society so I'm guessing he's got some power within organization?

What's the best case scenario? I want the Yankees to be stuck with his contract but A Roid never to see the field again. Not sure what I want more.

[killeverything]

Mark Mulder and Anaheim agree to a minor league deal. Mulder hasn't pitched in the majors since 2008.

I think it's worth taking a flier on him. The pitcher I expect to have the comeback season though is Josh Johnson with San Diego.

[killeverything]

Happy B day Edgrrrr Martinez!



The HOF vote is going to be released in a few days and Martinez is on it. His candidacy is borderline ( basically being a career DH ) and I support his eventual inclusion, although it's up to debate because of his DH status which we know won't be too much of an issue when Ortiz is eligible

Anyways I bring this up because aside from the (should be ) 3 sure things: Maddux, Glavine and Thomas there's talk from idiots like Murray Chass that Jack Morris gets in. Jack Morris? Are you fucking kidding me?

Hopefully Martinez gets the consideration he deserves and Morris ( on his final year of eligibility ) stays out.


*I just read that Morris has a shot this time* Unreal.

[killeverything]

Here's ANOTHER analysis for Masahiro Tanaka. This is from fangraphs in which numbers wise and scouting he projects ( at best ) to be a #2 or 3. Yet the general consensus is that he'll get 6/120 not including the posting fee. That means more $ than Darvish, whom we all know he is NOT better than. The market is a funny thing. Keep in mind he is only 25.

The Mariners had success with Iwakuma because they kept him in the pen for so long much to the anger of the fanbase. Looking back ( also according to Iwakuma himself ) it was a smart move for his transition. Japanese players use a smaller ball and have 6 days of rest between starts, Darvish obviously didn't need it, Dice K probably could have.

Which is interesting for Tanaka and where he ends up. He has 1300 innings on his arm already will a team use him sparingly the first one or two seasons like Seattle has, or will he be counted on to be the ace like NYY will?

The sweepstakes are exciting but I expect another Matsuzaka.


http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/looking- ... ro-tanaka/

[WOLF]

Happy B day Edgrrrr Martinez!



The HOF vote is going to be released in a few days and Martinez is on it. His candidacy is borderline ( basically being a career DH ) and I support his eventual inclusion, although it's up to debate because of his DH status which we know won't be too much of an issue when Ortiz is eligible

Anyways I bring this up because aside from the (should be ) 3 sure things: Maddux, Glavine and Thomas there's talk from idiots like Murray Chass that Jack Morris gets in. Jack Morris? Are you fucking kidding me?

Hopefully Martinez gets the consideration he deserves and Morris ( on his final year of eligibility ) stays out.


*I just read that Morris has a shot this time* Unreal.

If closers (i.e. specialists) are starting to get recognized, DH's should too. Edgar set the bar for the position and should eventually make it in, IMO.

Jack Morris is going to get a lot of "synpathy votes" as he nears the end of his eligibility.

Also, I say it every year, so I'll say it again: TIM FUCKIN' RAINES! Do people not realize how good, and complete a ball player he was. If Lou Brock is in, Raines is in. He was just a notch below Rickey Henderson and was a team player. Also never padded his stats with needless steals. After Vladamir Guerrero Raines may be the best player I saw live, growing up an Expos fan.

[killeverything]

Happy B day Edgrrrr Martinez!



The HOF vote is going to be released in a few days and Martinez is on it. His candidacy is borderline ( basically being a career DH ) and I support his eventual inclusion, although it's up to debate because of his DH status which we know won't be too much of an issue when Ortiz is eligible

Anyways I bring this up because aside from the (should be ) 3 sure things: Maddux, Glavine and Thomas there's talk from idiots like Murray Chass that Jack Morris gets in. Jack Morris? Are you fucking kidding me?

Hopefully Martinez gets the consideration he deserves and Morris ( on his final year of eligibility ) stays out.


*I just read that Morris has a shot this time* Unreal.

If closers (i.e. specialists) are starting to get recognized, DH's should too. Edgar set the bar for the position and should eventually make it in, IMO.

Jack Morris is going to get a lot of "synpathy votes" as he nears the end of his eligibility.

Also, I say it every year, so I'll say it again: TIM FUCKIN' RAINES! Do people not realize how good, and complete a ball player he was. If Lou Brock is in, Raines is in. He was just a notch below Rickey Henderson and was a team player. Also never padded his stats with needless steals. After Vladamir Guerrero Raines may be the best player I saw live, growing up an Expos fan.

No arguement on Raines. Jack Morris though? The guy pitched a good game in the WS. ONE. You can argue Mussina, I say "no" personally, but he is borderline. My point is this...he's more deserving than Jack Morris.

You're an Expos fan did you get to see them with Pedro? When he was with them he was in the process of becoming the most dominate pitcher in history. I remember in 2004 he dedicated his part of the WS to Montreal, because if the strike wouldn't have happened we would have won the World Series that year. Hard to debate against that.

[WOLF]

Happy B day Edgrrrr Martinez!



The HOF vote is going to be released in a few days and Martinez is on it. His candidacy is borderline ( basically being a career DH ) and I support his eventual inclusion, although it's up to debate because of his DH status which we know won't be too much of an issue when Ortiz is eligible

Anyways I bring this up because aside from the (should be ) 3 sure things: Maddux, Glavine and Thomas there's talk from idiots like Murray Chass that Jack Morris gets in. Jack Morris? Are you fucking kidding me?

Hopefully Martinez gets the consideration he deserves and Morris ( on his final year of eligibility ) stays out.


*I just read that Morris has a shot this time* Unreal.

If closers (i.e. specialists) are starting to get recognized, DH's should too. Edgar set the bar for the position and should eventually make it in, IMO.

Jack Morris is going to get a lot of "synpathy votes" as he nears the end of his eligibility.

Also, I say it every year, so I'll say it again: TIM FUCKIN' RAINES! Do people not realize how good, and complete a ball player he was. If Lou Brock is in, Raines is in. He was just a notch below Rickey Henderson and was a team player. Also never padded his stats with needless steals. After Vladamir Guerrero Raines may be the best player I saw live, growing up an Expos fan.

No arguement on Raines. Jack Morris though? The guy pitched a good game in the WS. ONE. You can argue Mussina, I say "no" personally, but he is borderline. My point is this...he's more deserving than Jack Morris.

You're an Expos fan did you get to see them with Pedro? When he was with them he was in the process of becoming the most dominate pitcher in history. I remember in 2004 he dedicated his part of the WS to Montreal, because if the strike wouldn't have happened we would have won the World Series that year. Hard to debate against that.

Agree with you completely on Morris.

I like Mussina's longevity and consistency. I heard someone on radio call him a lock and I just don't see it. He's borderline, and I wouldn't be offended if he got in, but he's not in Maddux territory.

I grew up at Olympic Stadium, starting with the 1979 pennant race, until I moved to the Bay area in 1999. I moved back in 2003, just in time for the Expos, demise. I was there for the amazing run in 1981, when Steve Rogers beat Steve Carlton TWICE, to put us in the NLCS, only to suffer through Blue (Rick) Monday.

The 1994 Expos were the most complete baseball team I've ever seen. They were expertly managed by Felipe Alou, who used all 25 guys to become a juggernaut. They could hit for power, hit in the clutch, run, play defence, play small ball. They also had a great pitching staff, and Jeff Fassero, Mel Rojas, and John Wetteland in the 7th, 8th, 9th were almost unhittable. You can never say a team would DEFINITELY win the World Series, but they looked damn good when the strike hit.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_Montreal_Expos_season

Pedro is the best pitcher I've ever seen pitch live. He was philthy back then. Potential no-hit stuff every game. Only guy I ever saw close to him was sitting behind home plate watching Dwight Gooden his rookie year, before drugs got the better of him.

The Expos also had sick scouting and terrific GMs: Dombrowski, Duquette, Kevin Malone, Bill Stoneman for a bit... all very shrewd.

Jonah Keri from Granland has a book coming out on the Expos. He grew up here, was a hardcore fan, and talked to EVERYBODY (except Loria and Samson who won't talk). It's supposed to be a great read.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFX92ALqxlk

[UtahRatt]

Closers and relief pitchers are utilized by MLB in both leagues.

DH isn't.

A HOF vote only AL players are eligible for? It's not right no matter how much I like Martinez. The DH rule is half a player.

I've been injured and played DH a number of games and that's how I felt, like half a player, more like a fan who got up off the bench 4 times to take a piss.

[MurrayFiend]

Man, the DH should be the rule across baseball. Fuck pitchers hitting, even if the only thing standing between R.A. Dickey and a perfect game is Cole Hamels.

As Ortiz has said, baseball created the position.

[killeverything]

Yeah I don't blame the players for them having the job, and personally think baseball's cooler without it. Arguements for Martinez ( and eventually Ortiz ) is that they did the job they were signed for and put up HOF numbers in the process. It can be argued Martinez revolutionalized the DH position actually.

As for being MVP eligible in 2005 I was for Arod over Ortiz ( remember this is before the PED knowledge ). While Papi was a greater threat at the plate, I think it should go to a great ( or even solid ) position player first.

Question, I personally am for starting pitchers being eligible for the MVP. Which is more valuable in voting a pitcher or DH?

[MurrayFiend]

Question, I personally am for starting pitchers being eligible for the MVP. Which is more valuable in voting a pitcher or DH?

That's a tough one.

As a fWAR guy, I feel I have to go with a good SP over a good DH any day.

Defense fucking matters, it's just that baseball feels more complete to me with a DH and a pitcher not swinging.

Obviously Ellsbury/Bautista should've won out over Verlander in 2011; if either was a DH this would be less true.

[killeverything]

The Phillies sign a 25 year 2.5 billion dollar deal with Comcast. Wow. Guess they can afford that Pappelbon contract now.

[killeverything]

Dodgers and Mattingly agree to contract extension through 2014, details forthcoming.

[Machado]

It's starting.
One HOF voter refused to vote for Maddux.
WTF!!!!
The voter should have his credentials burned and he should be banned from MLB for life


Greg Maddux won't be a unanimous selection for the Hall of Fame.
Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, a former reporter for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, says the only player he voted for was pitcher Jack Morris. Morris is on the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot for the 15th and final time after falling 42 votes shy last year.

Greg Maddux, a 355-game winner who claimed four Cy Young Awards during his brilliant career, won't be a unanimous selection to the Hall of Fame.
Gurnick said Tuesday that he excluded "everybody from the Steroid Era."

"I just don't know who did and who didn't," Gurnick said, adding: "Some people quibble over when the era starts, but the bulk of his career was in my opinion well before all of the widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs."

[killeverything]

It's starting.
One HOF voter refused to vote for Maddux.
WTF!!!!
The voter should have his credentials burned and he should be banned from MLB for life


Greg Maddux won't be a unanimous selection for the Hall of Fame.
Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, a former reporter for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, says the only player he voted for was pitcher Jack Morris. Morris is on the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballot for the 15th and final time after falling 42 votes shy last year.

Greg Maddux, a 355-game winner who claimed four Cy Young Awards during his brilliant career, won't be a unanimous selection to the Hall of Fame.
Gurnick said Tuesday that he excluded "everybody from the Steroid Era."

"I just don't know who did and who didn't," Gurnick said, adding: "Some people quibble over when the era starts, but the bulk of his career was in my opinion well before all of the widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs."

*shakes head*

Jack Morris, semi decent mlb pitcher that pitched a ( meaning ONE ) really good game in his career. I've been looking forward to Ken Griffey Jr.'s HOF induction for some time now. I've been planning to make the trek to Cooperstown for it, meaning it's already set.

If Morris' semi decent ass gets in I will officially boycott the Hall ( not that it matters ). Seriously though there is discussion of a movement/boycott against the Hall if he gets in. People are pissed about the lack of integrity.


Actually if Morris gets in then I should get in. Think about it. I started this thread on Sludge which has run for a while now and been posted on by at least 5 different people. That accomplishment is on par with his eligibility and since induction is as meaningless as a plaque in Monument Park. I should get in.

*edit*

No player has been inducted with 100% before. Think about that. Take your time. Not Ruth, Cobb, Young, Mays, Henderson, Aaron, Williams, etc.

Seriously.

[Bob Sacamano]

Asinine logic. PEDs have been prevalent in the MLB for the better part of a half century. If he was truly anti PEDs, like he claims he would submit a blank ballot and find another line of work because it bothers him so much.


The only way somebody with Jack Morris' career should get into the baseball hall of fame is if he buys a ticket like everybody else. There are way too many people in the HOF to begin with, and if people like Jack Morris get in, the bar gets even lower and lower every year and pretty soon some committee will be voting in the likes of Chuck Rainey or John Mabry.

[killeverything]

Asinine logic. PEDs have been prevalent in the MLB for the better part of a half century. If he was truly anti PEDs, like he claims he would submit a blank ballot and find another line of work because it bothers him so much.


The only way somebody with Jack Morris' career should get into the baseball hall of fame is if he buys a ticket like everybody else. There are way too many people in the HOF to begin with, and if people like Jack Morris get in, the bar gets even lower and lower every year and pretty soon some committee will be voting in the likes of Chuck Rainey or John Mabry.

......or killeverything

[UtahRatt]

Arguements for Martinez ( and eventually Ortiz ) is that they did the job they were signed for and put up HOF numbers in the process.

Arguments against. They wouldn't put up HOF numbers at the plate if they were everyday players in the field throughout their career. I'd be fine if Cooperstown had a section to honor DH players like the football HOF has different displays apart from just the HOF inductees room. But to have DH players in the ring? No way.

I like the way things are with the DH in one league but would rather it abolished before watching it added to the NL.