MLB DISCUSSION THREAD

[Luke]

This is what I should have put instead of adding a year  

[Luke]

The Yankees have re signed Derek Jeter to a 1 year deal. Not sure about this, if he returns to pre 2013 form ( where he was always injured),great signing with experience, who knows how to perform and at only $12 million cheaper than alot of options.

Boston Red Soxs have re signed John Lester for next year. Really glad fir him after an excellent season, and outstanding post season.

[kwinigolfer]

tiger,
The Jeter agreement is technically an upgrade (with plenty of add-ons) to a $9.5M contract for 2014 already in place.
Not sure why it was revised upwards after last year, but no doubt a new set of handcuffs have been applied.

I don't doubt that the Sawx will likewise be seeking to upgrade Lester's contract, which currently sees him as a free agent next November. Nice comeback from cancer whichever way you cut it.

[Luke]

Oakland, have picked up options on Coco Crisp & Brett Anderson for 2014 season.

[Luke]

Tampa Bay have picked up there options on Beñ Zobrest ($7.25m) & Yunel Escobar ($5m), for next year.

Kiwi

Do you think the Yankees will try to keep both Cano & Granderson? From what I've heard Cano is asking for a massive amount, and with the Yanks trying to lower there wage bill, can see them letting him go.

[kwinigolfer]

tiger,
I'd expect them to let Granderson go - unfortunately, as I like him a lot. His production the past two years hasn't been up to expectations.
But Cano is the post-Core-Four face of the franchise. No way will they allow him to leave, and I'm sure he doesn't want to. Who could afford him? Probably only the Dodgers. I'd say he'll be back, would put money on it.

[Luke]

Dodgers, Angels, Blue Jays are the only teams who could afford Cano, although others who want a Marquee signing (Nationals, Braves etc), Think the Yankees might will be setting a limit. And that Cano might test the market, but wouldn't be surprised if he was still with the Yankees next year.

Would take Granderson at the Orioles, help solidify the batting which was terrible after the all star game.

[kwinigolfer]

tiger,
Only thing I would say about Grandyman is that, since his home run burst 2011/2012 it's almost as if he forgot how to hit, striking out way too often and not getting "quality" at-bats. Back to basics for a very popular, very bright player.
32 and still a good outfielder, but not likely to get any better.

[kwinigolfer]

Smart move by the Tigers to hire Brad Ausmus as their new manager. He'll do for Detroit what Matheny has done for the Cards and Girardi for the Yanks.

Very very bright man and a wealth of Big League experience, just not in field management.

Barry Zito off to consider the meaning of life with an extra $7M in his pocket after the Giants declined their option for an 8th year. Not bad, just completed a 7-year $126M contract with a losing record and still gets a $7M pay-out. Money for nothing.

[kwinigolfer]

Qualifying offers made to free agents:
Yankees: Cano, Granderson, Kuroda
Saux: Napoli, Drew, Ellsbury: No offer yet to Catcher Saltalamacchia, but Red Sox still hope to sign him.

[kwinigolfer]

Lloyd McLendon takes over as the Seattle Mariners' manager, eight years after he left the Pirates dug-out. Good luck to him, always been highly respected and most recently Tigers' hitting coach for Jim Leyland.

High time the Mariners broke out of their under-performing funk.

[Luke]

Texas

Have signed catcher Geovany Soto to a 1 year $3.05 Million contract.

[kwinigolfer]

Ron Renteria to manage the Cubs?
Never 'eard of him Guv.
Good reputation as a coach so it will be interesting to see if he can bring success to Wrigley Field. Wouldn't bet on it.

[kwinigolfer]

Sounds like the Cardinals are organizing themselves for a blockbuster deal for short-stop help, either with the Rockies for Tulowitzki, or the Rangers for Elvis Andruz or Profar.
Speculation that Adams and plenty of pitching could go the other way.

[kwinigolfer]

Tim Hudson to the Giants for $23M over two years?
Pretty good deal you'd think.

Yankees rumoured to be in for Peralta. Why? To pick up ARod's drugs??

[Luke]

Joe Johnson joins the Padres for a year on $8 million.

Detroit & Texas rumoured to do be trading Ian Kinsler for Prince Fielder. Kinsler gets $57 Million for a 4 year deal, Fielder would get $168 million on a 7 year contract. If this goes through, Detroit definitely getting the better deal in my opinion.

And just who will give Cano his 10 year $300 million contract?

[kwinigolfer]

Looks like the Kinsler for Fielder deal is a GO!

Good; Fielder looked thoroughly dejected, almost unmotivated during the Play-Offs and Kinsler can at least be guaranteed to play 100%, 162 games a year.
Detroit's gain, and Cabrera back to First Base.

Can't see Cano going anywhere - and Rodriguez's performance yesterday probably assures a hefty suspension and some cash to be freed up, for 1 1/2 years at least.

[Luke]

Kansas sign left handed pitcher Jason Vargas to a 4 year $32 million contract.

[kwinigolfer]

David Freese (and Salas) to the Angels for Bourjos and a very promising arm - didn't see that one coming either!

[Luke]

The New York Yankees are on the verge of signing Catcher Brian McCann in a 5 year $85 million contract.

St Louis are believed to be closing in on short-stop Jhonny Peralta.

Don't now about you Kiwi, but in my opinion there have been some very impressive signings (if the these 2 come to fruition), next year alot more of the divisions should be closer.

[kwinigolfer]

Not sure about Peralta, I wouldn't touch the PED guys with a bargepole. But a good signing for the NYY's, though whether McCann will be able to catch 130 games a year for the next five years is highly questionable.

Assume Chris Stewart will depart and he'll do someone a great job as a dependable second-stringer.

Rich getting richer so far tiger; and Boston have kept their cards very close to their chest.

[Luke]

The Peralta deal has been completed, with him signing a 4 year contract believed to be worth $52 million.

The Angels have agreed a 3 year $15 million contract (providing he passes a medical), with reliever Joe Smith.

The Mariners are believed to be after both Cano & Ellsbury. Can't see them signing both, but 1 is certainly a possibility.

[kwinigolfer]

tiger,
Ellsbury for the Mariners is a natural - they need his speed and outfield excellence, and he's almost a local boy.
No chance of them snaring Cano.

[Luke]

Kiwi,
Agree out the 2, Ellsbury was always the 1 I was thinking of, he is like you say more what they need, and would be a great fit.

Dodgers have agreed a 1 year $15 million deal with Dan Haren.

[Luke]

The Chicago Cubs have acquired Catcher George Kottaras from Kansas, a and made Navarro a free agent (I'd have him at the O'S).

New York Mets have signed outfielder Chris Young on a 1 year $7.5 million contract.

Noteworthy first timers for the hall of fame ballet include Greg Maddux, Tom Galvine, Frank Thomas, Jeff Kent, Mike Massina.. In what is looking a strong ballet.
Personally I will be amazed if at least one of Maddux or Galvine is not inducted, probably both should be.

[kwinigolfer]

Maddux must be a dead cert.
Glavine a 75%'er.
Frank Thomas must surely be elected in his first couple of ballots.
Jeff Kent. No.
Mussina? No chance.

[Luke]

Minnesota have signed Ricky Nolasco. The deal is a reported 4 year (with club option for 2018), $49 million contract.

[Luke]

And the Twins have also agreed a 3 year $24 million contract with Phil Hughes.

[kwinigolfer]

Big upgrade to the Twinkies pitching - Phil Hughes always seemed to be the odd man out in New York, but reckon he's a top pitcher and could do very well in the Twin Cities. Good luck to him, hope he does well.

[kwinigolfer]

Well, I assumed Chris Stewart would leave the NYY's and now Pittsburgh has signed him - back-up to Russell Martin who the Yanks let go a year before. Deja vu all over again.
Who will the Yanks keep as back-up catcher now? Austin Romine or PED Cervelli?

Not sure why the NYY have signed Brendan Ryan to a 2-year deal for $5M with a player-beneficial option . . . . . but they have!!

[Luke]

The only reason I can think of with regards Stewart, is that Martin's in his last year of his contract, and the Pirates will let him go at the end, and give Stewart the number 1 spot, otherwise him going there makes no sense.

A few other deals.

The Nationals have signed Doug Fister (not sure about details), with pitchers IanKrole & Robbie Ray, with infielder Steve Lombardozzi all going to the Tigers.
Do the Nats no have the best starting rotation in baseball? Must be pretty close if not.

Oakland have signed pitcher Scott Kazmir to a 2 year $22million deal.

The Phillies have re-signed infielder Kevin Frandsen to a 1 year $900,000 contract.

[kwinigolfer]

I think Doug Fister's departure will be a big loss for Detroit; he's been a very steady performer for them, terrific in his post-season efforts and apparently a "character" guy.
Presumably something going on there, perhaps with his contract for 2015 but it's not immediately obvious how Detroit will replace his innings and record.

And then there's Baltimore trading closer Johnson, apparently for peanuts. Don't get that one either, but good for Oakland. Big money risk on Scott Kazmir though.

Yankees appear to have released David Adams and Jayson Nix and there's no rhyme or reason for those moves; both bailed them out at times in 2013 and neither commands a hefty contract. Hope they can be resigned.

tiger, Can't see Stewart ever being a #1 catcher - even last year he ran out of gas, both at and behind the plate, by mid August.

[Luke]

Apparently the Johnson trades to do with money in some aspects (he gets $10 million for another 50 save season), though to be honest not totally sure though be intresting to see how Weeks plays seeing how he's a top prospect.

Lot of players non tendered, be intresting to see what happens there. Navarro already gone to Toronto.

[kwinigolfer]

Ha! The "pest" goes to Boston!! Catcher AJ Pierzynski goes to the Red Sox on a one-year deal. He'll be 37 by the time the season starts; Beantown is full of aging catchers!
At least that confirms Saltalamacchia won't be back.

[kwinigolfer]

And it looks as if Detroit think Joe Nathan will be their closer for 2014.

[Luke]

Houston have acquired Dexter Fowler and a player to be named from Colorado, with Pitcher Jordan Lyles and outfielder Brandon Barnes going the other way to the Rockies.
Good trade in my opinion.

Oakland have acquired another pitcher, this time reliever Luke Gregerson from San Deigo, with the Padres getting outfielder Seth Smith in return.

Arizona,Tampla Bay & Cincinnati have pulled off a 3 team trade. With Tampa getting reliever Heath Bell & Catcher Ryan Hanigan. Cinncinati get pitcher David Holmberg. And Arizona get pitcher Justin Choate.

[kwinigolfer]

Oh no, not again!

Yankees reportedly picking up Jacoby Ellsbury for a 7-year $155M contract. Terrific, that makes him the second-best centre-fielder on the books and only a modest upgrade on Curtis Granderson.
He's always been fragile and he's 30! What's the point? We could have filled holes that needed filling for a fraction of that.

Will also be very surprised if Ellsbury thrives in New York. It takes a certain character and not every big money acquisition has been a good fit - starting with Rodriguez and a boatload of high-priced pitchers.

Red Sox must think this is a hoot.

[kwinigolfer]

All of a sudden it's as if someone turned on a light and revealed more prospective deals.
Current speculation has the Rays looking to trade David Price. Bizarre, but equally a statement as to how well placed they feel they are with four young starters.

And perhaps it's no longer a certainty that Cano will stay in the Bronx, with Seattle emerging as a strong suitor.

The Yankee faithful may have their patience tested beyond breaking point if the two big decisions are Ellsbury in, Cano out. Can you say "mutiny"?

Konerko re-upping with the pale hose makes sense, but is retirement in the offing?

[kwinigolfer]

It looks as if Robbie Cano has gone to the Mariners - $240M over 10 years.
Stunning.
The Yankees just got at least half a dozen wins a season worse - Kelly Johnson at Second Base?
Sounds as if Kuroda will return though.

Bitterly disappointed with the Yankees front office. Shameful really.

It's as if they don't want to deal with "core" players any more, and you can bet Robbie wanted to be their leader for the next ten years.

Lots of speculation that another loyal Yankee, Brett Gardner, will be used as trade bait in an effort to upgrade the starting rotation.

Yanks will be lucky to break .500 in 2014, and I bet they'll lose tens of thousands of fans also.

Sad day in the Bronx.

[kwinigolfer]

Can't keep up with the revolving door at Yankee Stadium:
Granderson out.
Beltran in.
Planning for the future again, I see.

[kwinigolfer]

Boone Logan gone now but Bartolo Colon back in the fold - now, if only he can keep away from the doughnuts and PED's.

Brian Roberts hired to replace Cano and someone called Matt Thornton signed for big bullpen bucks.

Grant Balfour off to Baltimore allegedly.

Perhaps the Yankees are trying to emulate Boston last year, collecting a rag, tag and bobtail of journeymen and hoping that they gel.
Message to Brian Cashman: Yankees don't have a Dustin Pedroia to serve as a spark plug. This lot could end up last in the East.

[Luke]

Kiwi,

May I wish you and Yours, a very happy Christmas, a good new year and an excellent 2014 (apart from with regards the baseball of course).

[Luke]

Texas continue to recruit/spend big, signing Shin-Soo Choo to a 7 year $130 million contract.

Also Balfours not going to Baltimore.

[kwinigolfer]

Thanks tiger,
Yup, Happys to you too.

Apparently Balfour failed his physical exam, not sure exactly what the issue was, but not auspicious for a free agent (tho' reminiscent of Napoli last year and things turned out alright for him).

Texas are spending big, but for just below-top-level talent I would think. Any team that was once owned by Dubya is never going to be my favourite!

[Luke]

James Loney (who spent last year at the Rays), has signed a 3 year $21 million contract to stay with the Rays.
Who once again are looking good, possible champs of the East.

About 107 ballots returned for the hall of fame, Maddux is on all of them, Galvine on about 97.5%. Both seem certain to get in.

[kwinigolfer]

tiger,
Not sure if you ever saw him pitch but Maddux was a pleaseure to watch, worked quickly, no fuss, unerringly accurate, a work of art.

One of the writers speculated that, with this year's ballot being so deep, and each write only being allowed to make a max of ten selections, there is a strong chance that at least one of the steroid-tainted candidates (McGwire, Sosa, Palmeiro to name but three) may not receive sufficient votes to remain eligible for next year and beyond.
Good!

Other top players include Frank Thomas, Craig Biggio, Bagwell, Jack Morris, Timmy Raines, etc.

You're spot on about Loney, good piece of business for player and club.

[Luke]

Kiwi,

Did see Maddux a few times, and agree he was a joy to watch. When I really got into baseball it used to be on channel 5, but they tended to mainly show Mets,Red Soxs and Yankees. Though one of the presenters was a Braves fan, so they were on a few times. Him and Galvine were a joy to watch when in full swing

[kwinigolfer]

tiger,
You probably saw this but I love this essay by Tim Kurkjian on Glavine and Maddux:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10227380/put-greg-maddux-tom-glavine-hall-fame-together

[kwinigolfer]

Hall of Fame doors open for Maddux and Glavine and also for Frank Thomas - a mild surprise to me, that, but not to most apparently.
Disappointed for Biggio, who misses out by two votes.

And I would have found a place for Jack Morris these past few years.

Bumper class though, with Torre, LaRussa, Thomas and the three Braves: Cox, Glavine and Maddux.

[Luke]

No suprise with regards Maddux & Galvine, or with the Coaches.

Don't know much about Thomas, but also feel for Biggio.

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