2007-08 Baseball Offseason

[miami_fan]

Looks like Joe Girardi ius going to be the Yanks new manager. It will be interesting to see how he works with the youngsters on the pitcing staff since that was one of the things his critics pointed to when he was with the Marlins. Along with that, Don Mattingly won't be back on the coaching staff.

And on the left coast, is Grady Little going to be replaced by....Joe Torre?

[lordscarlet]

I would love to see Mattingly get a job outside of the Yankees organization and outside of an NL East team that is not the Nationals. OK. And not the O's.

[Young Drachma]

Baseball needs a revenue model that is fair and gives mid-market teams a chance to truly compete. The Rockies are already talking of expanding payroll to $70 million. I have a bad feeling that it's not going to buy them much of what they need to succeed and now that the fans are going to be expecting the team to win, it'll be interesting to see how O'Dowd and company respond on the market.

Me thinks it'll be a few ill advised signings to show they're "serious" about winning and of course, dangling an overzealous extension to Matt Holliday, the same way they did to Todd Helton, making the latter -- and soon, the former -- virtually untradable. Yeah, he's their hero and crap, but...I can't deny that it would've been a lot better to have dealt him and that albatross of a salary to Boston when they had the chance, for an everyday player and two prospects that could've helped them.

Because I can't see a legitimiate reason to pay him $16.6 million per year. And this entire post-season have proven my point related to his lack of offensive production short of a Coors-aided .320 batting average.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

I would love to see Mattingly get a job outside of the Yankees organization and outside of an NL East team that is not the Nationals. OK. And not the O's.

He ought to go to the Rockies. I know that it's not vogue to talk about firing a guy after his team gets to the World Series, but...no one is signing with the Rockies to play for Clint Hurdle.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

Because I can't see a legitimiate reason to pay him $16.6 million per year. And this entire post-season have proven my point related to his lack of offensive production short of a Coors-aided .320 batting average.

While $16.6 mil is steep, Helton did have a 133 OPS+, which is very good. It wasn't that he was just this average player without Coors.

[Young Drachma]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

While $16.6 mil is steep, Helton did have a 133 OPS+, which is very good. It wasn't that he was just this average player without Coors.

No, I know. I was being a bit crazy. He's the team's icon and a guy who will be the first number they retire. The psychological effect of keeping him was well worth it, I think.

It's just...I'm thinking that in future years -- he's still owed quite a bit on that 11-year/$151 million deal he signed in 2001.

He's going to cost them a lot of money in the later years of that deal that are gonna sting when they want to get another arm in here or a spare bat or two. He walks a ton and his career batting average is nuts. So I realize he's a great player and the lack of hype is due to where he plays more than anything.

But...given how cheap the team's ownership tends to be, I just wonder if it's going to hamper them down the road. But I guess it's a little early to say, seeing we don't know what they'll do.

[ISiddiqui]

Completely understandable, and I think those are relevant concerns. With a team like the Rockies, how much is that large salary going to cut into need buys in the future? Especially a few years down the road. It may be very painful.

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

He ought to go to the Rockies. I know that it's not vogue to talk about firing a guy after his team gets to the World Series, but...no one is signing with the Rockies to play for Clint Hurdle.

I think it would be smart to go with a team with lower expectations (e.g. the Rockies) than a storied franchise like the Yankees. The Rockies have proven they have a lot of potential, but if they fall off after a year or two people won't think much of it. However, I don't see them getting rid of an NLCS winning manager anytime soon. Although, being a winning team didn't stop the Marlins from getting rid of Girardi.

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by Dark Cloud

No, I know. I was being a bit crazy. He's the team's icon and a guy who will be the first number they retire. The psychological effect of keeping him was well worth it, I think.

It's just...I'm thinking that in future years -- he's still owed quite a bit on that 11-year/$151 million deal he signed in 2001.

He's going to cost them a lot of money in the later years of that deal that are gonna sting when they want to get another arm in here or a spare bat or two. He walks a ton and his career batting average is nuts. So I realize he's a great player and the lack of hype is due to where he plays more than anything.

But...given how cheap the team's ownership tends to be, I just wonder if it's going to hamper them down the road. But I guess it's a little early to say, seeing we don't know what they'll do.

I remember hearing the contract was heavily backloaded. If I remember correctly, he's due to make somewhere around $24 million in the last year of the contract.

[DeToxRox]

Didn't take long for the first trade

Detroit gets Edgar Renteria from the Braves for Jair Jurrjens and Gorkys Hernandez, two of our better prospects.

[Young Drachma]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drm...445540,00.html

I found a breakdown elsewhere. That article just talks about the team from back at the start of the season.

Here's Helton's salary hit from this year to the end of the deal.

2007: $16.6M
2008: $16.6M
2009: $16.6M
2010: $16.6M
2011: $19.1M
2012: Team option $23.0M or $4.6M buyout

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Didn't take long for the first trade

Detroit gets Edgar Renteria from the Braves for Jair Jurrjens and Gorkys Hernandez, two of our better prospects.

While I have a rule that states "the team that gets a guy named "Gorkys" always wins the trade", I don't trust Jurrjens - once you have arm trouble, you always have arm trouble.

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

While I have a rule that states "the team that gets a guy named "Gorkys" always wins the trade", I don't trust Jurrjens - once you have arm trouble, you always have arm trouble.

It's okay though since we have Deik Scram

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

It's okay though since we have Deik Scram

Woah. I really hope Deik Scram makes it to the majors soon. I don't have a Tiger at the moment, since My Tiger, Sean Casey, is no longer with the team.

I need a Tiger.

[Crapshoot]

I think Renteria is a pretty good player, but I don't know if this was the best use of those prospects, especially in this era (young players = cost control). And I think the defensive difference between Renteria and Guillen is not that big - why couldn't they have left G at SS?

Also, so much for the A-Rod rumors - where Detroit looked like it could be a major player.

[Terps]

The O's should definitely get rid of Tejada (one year late, IMO), see if Erik Bedard wants to sign an extension, if not, he needs to be traded also. If both of them go, Brian Roberts needs to go too and have a complete rebuild in effect.

[bulletsponge]

Originally Posted by Terps

The O's should definitely get rid of Tejada (one year late, IMO), see if Erik Bedard wants to sign an extension, if not, he needs to be traded also. If both of them go, Brian Roberts needs to go too and have a complete rebuild in effect.

whoa wait... the O's havnt been rebuilding?

[Terps]

If you consider rebuilding going with aging vets every season for the past 10 years then, sure.

[Big Fo]

It's just...I'm thinking that in future years -- he's still owed quite a bit on that 11-year/$151 million deal he signed in 2001.

Damn, I never knew about the 11-year contract, that's nuts.

Detroit gets Edgar Renteria from the Braves for Jair Jurrjens and Gorkys Hernandez, two of our better prospects.

As a Braves fan, was this a good trade? I know Renteria cost around $10m p/y and that Yunel Escobar should do pretty well at shortstop, are these two guys we got any good?

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by Big Fo

Damn, I never knew about the 11-year contract, that's nuts.





As a Braves fan, was this a good trade? I know Renteria cost around $10m p/y and that Yunel Escobar should do pretty well at shortstop, are these two guys we got any good?

Jair has had small arm problems but I think he'll be a solid #3 man. Hes only 22, has amazing command of his FB, and just knows how to pitch. His FB hits low 90's but as I said, he spots it.

Gorkys is young and raw. A CF, he wasn't gonna play there with Maybin and Granderson but he was our #2 prospect as far as players. He stole 50 bases in A/AA and he is perfect in the NL. Solid average, steals bases, awesome D, only 19 or 20, the power will come.

[korme]

Hey, did anyone know the Boston Red Sox won the World Series?

I don't think ESPN got the memo. All day today was 2 topics on ESPN: A-Rod opts out, and Girardi offered the job. Seriously, that's all I saw on Sportscenter today- the Sox are less than 24 hours removed from winning their 2nd championship in 4 years and there's hardly a mention of it, rather coverage of Yankees things.

Why play the season? Let's just always talk about the Yankees and their chances for the next title.

[DeToxRox]

The series was over after Game 2. Boston just had it, so it was a foregone conclusion, like the Spurs winning last year, so we went right to the draft hype.

[Big Fo]

I read this article on Baseball Prospectus on the Renteria trade, basically saying it's good for both teams. It seems that Jurrjens is ready to be a #4 level starter next season, the Braves' starters are weak after Smoltz and Hudson.

[DanGarion]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

The series was over after Game 2. Boston just had it, so it was a foregone conclusion, like the Spurs winning last year, so we went right to the draft hype.

Spurs? Is that one of the minor league teams?

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by dangarion

Spurs? Is that one of the minor league teams?

Trying to make an NBA comparison for Shorty, since I know hes a hoops man. My B for lack of clarification.

[DanGarion]

Originally Posted by DeToxRox

Trying to make an NBA comparison for Shorty, since I know hes a hoops man. My B for lack of clarification.

I was being a smart ass .

[CU Tiger]

Renteria gone to clear room for A-rod?

[miami_fan]

Grady Little know when he is not wanted

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3087421

All the talk was about Joe Torre managing the Los Angeles Dodgers. Only problem was Grady Little was still the manager.

That's not a problem anymore. Little announced on Tuesday night that he was resigning as manager.

During a conference call, Little responded to reports of ill will between himself and Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti.

"Ned and I have been in constant communication since the end of the season and decided mutually that this was the best move for the Dodgers organization to take," Little said.

Colletti said, "I wanted Grady Little back. I encouraged him a handful of times to think it through,"

The general manager said that he knew resignation was on Little's mind at the end of the season.

When asked if rumors of Torre taking over had an influence on his decision, Little replied, "None whatsoever."

"I have my personal reasons," he said.

He added: "It's nothing in particular. It's just a decision we've come to. This is all personal. There's a lot of belief I've been dealt an injustice here. That couldn't be further from the truth. My plans? To play with my grandkids."

Little had one year remaining on his contract with a club option for a second year.


Little, the Dodgers' skipper the past two seasons, managed the Boston Red Sox in 2002-03 before being fired despite leading the team to the American League Championship Series in 2003.

The Dodgers had baseball's best record in July but faded down the stretch to finish with an 82-80 record, good for fourth place in the NL West.

Clubhouse unrest surfaced between veterans and young players during the season's final two weeks, when the Dodgers lost seven straight games to the Colorado Rockies while falling out of contention.

Little's resignation comes amid multiple media reports that Torre will be named the Dodgers' next manager. The Los Angeles Times reported on Tuesday that the Dodgers and the former Yanks manager had agreed to terms of a contract but were resolving issues related to the coaching staff and player personnel moves.

It has been widley reported that Torre would bring his former bench coach, Don Mattingly, with him to Los Angeles. In a conference call on Tuesday, the former Yankees great did not deny or confirm a prospective move to L.A. his son Preston was drafted by the Dodgers in 2006.

Colletti would not confirm whether Torre was the leading candidate to take over.

"We've talked to other people a little bit to gauge their level of interest because talking to Grady at the end of the season I wasn't sure he was coming back," he said.

When pressed to name the candidates, Colletti said, "We'll talk about where we go from here at a later date."

As for reports that the Dodgers were negotiating with Torre, Colletti said, "That's not accurate."

Torre's agent, Maury Gostfrand, declined comment.


Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

I agree with Jayson Stark on the treatment of Grady Little by the Dodgers. There is something a bit dirty about the way they conducted a managerial search while Little was still their manager. Oh well I am sure it was nothing personal, just business.

[Big Fo]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

Renteria gone to clear room for A-rod?

No way. Yunel Esocar will play shortstop, the Braves will use that money somewhere else, presumably on a center fielder.

[molson]

I hope Torre spurns the Dodgers and they end up with Butch Hobson.

[Buccaneer]

Does anyone believe anything written in that article about Little?

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

Does anyone believe anything written in that article about Little?

I believe this line is factually correct: "Little, the Dodgers' skipper the past two seasons, managed the Boston Red Sox in 2002-03 before being fired despite leading the team to the American League Championship Series in 2003."

Not what you meant?

SI

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

Renteria gone to clear room for A-rod?

The braves couldn't afford half of A-Rod's contract.

[miami_fan]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

Does anyone believe anything written in that article about Little?

Are you trying to say he does not plan on playing with his grandkids?

[miami_fan]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- Mike Cameron, the Padres' Gold Glove center fielder, was suspended for the first 25 games of next season on Wednesday after testing positive a second time for a banned stimulant.

Cameron, who plans to file for free agency, said he believes he took a tainted supplement.

"The one thing I wanted to make sure was explained is, no steroids," Cameron told AM 1090, the Padres' flagship radio station. "I never took nothing like that before in my life. That would be 50 games, and that would affect me a whole lot more."

Cameron issued a statement through his agent, saying doctors for the players' association helped him narrow down what triggered the positive test.

"After all of the analysis and testing, I can only conclude that a nutritional supplement I was taking was tainted," he said `Unfortunately, the actual supplement is gone, and therefore cannot be tested. Without the actual supplement in hand, the rules are clear, and I must accept the suspension.

Players who initially test positive for a stimulant receive counseling. Suspensions begin only with a second positive test.

The only other player suspended for testing positive for stimulants under Major League Baseball's drug plan was Detroit infielder Neifi Perez, who received a 25-game suspension on July 6 following his second positive test, and an 80-game suspension on Aug. 3 following his third positive test.

Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[Atocep]

"I took a tainted supplement"

"I need it for my health"

"There's something wrong with the testing. Its a false positive."

"My trainer gave it to me"

[korme]

Free-agent market could be kind to Cubs' Wood

By Paul Sullivan
Tribune staff reporter

October 30, 2007, 11:35 PM CDT

When Kerry Wood filed for free agency last winter, he'd already said he felt an "obligation" to return to the Cubs and had "something to prove" after long stints on the disabled list.

When the Cubs bought out his $13.5 million option for $3 million, the right-hander kept his word and re-signed for $1.75 million plus incentives, agreeing to go to the bullpen for the sake of the team and his career.

After returning in August and making 22 appearances out of the bullpen, Wood looked at times like the Wood of 2003, which should make him a name to watch on the free-agent market.

But whether Wood wants to return to the Cubs or seek greener pastures in a new town is a question only he can answer. Wood filed for free agency Tuesday, beginning the guessing game again.

General manager Jim Hendry has had a strong relationship with Wood since the organization drafted him in 1995, which bodes well for the possibility of Wood's return. Wood, 30, turned down much more lucrative offers so he could stay with the Cubs last season but figures to receive even more interest in this year's market for various reasons.

Wood's fastball was clocked as high as 98 m.p.h. toward the end of the season, and he was unscored on in 18 of 22 appearances. Now, with 4 1/2 more months of rest for his rehabbed shoulder, Wood's arm strength might give him the option of starting or relieving in '08.

Name recognition alone could make Wood a hot commodity, and with old friend Joe Girardi now managing the New York Yankees, the chances of Wood wearing dark blue pinstripes are probably decent if he bolts the Cubs. Other teams that figure to be interested include Texas, Houston, Arizona, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston and Cincinnati, which is now managed by his former Cubs skipper, Dusty Baker.

In an Associated Press report Tuesday, Baker denied a published report that he had had recent conversations with Wood, squelching the suggestion he was recruiting his former pitcher. Baker told the AP that Wood had sent him a text message to congratulate him on his new job, as had several other former players, including Cubs pitcher Mark Prior, who is eligible for arbitration and might not be tendered a contract.

Sources said Baker told Reds officials he had spoken to Prior and Cubs outfielder Jacque Jones to ask about their homes and families after last week's wildfires spread close to their San Diego residences. Both players told Baker their houses had been left standing and their families were safe, and the Cubs have not accused Baker of tampering.

[miami_fan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3090054

DETROIT -- Tigers reliever Joel Zumaya is expected to be sidelined until midseason after injuring his throwing shoulder while moving items during the California wildfires.

Zumaya had surgery Wednesday on his right shoulder in San Diego. His residence is listed as south of the city, in Chula Vista.

Zumaya, whose 100 mph fastballs helped Detroit reach the 2006 World Series, will rest his shoulder for six weeks. He is not expected to begin a throwing program until March.

The Tigers said Zumaya was hurt while moving personal items, but did not release additional details. Known for his fastballs, Zumaya has giant flame tattoos on both of his arms.

Surgery on a tendon in his middle finger limited him to just 28 games last season. He was 2-3 with a 4.28 ERA.

As a rookie in 2006, Zumaya was a key reason the Tigers won the AL championship for the first time since in more than two decades. He was 6-3 with a 1.94 ERA, and struck out 92 in 62 games appearances.

Zumaya's injury seems to make re-signing Todd Jones, a free agent, or acquiring another closer even more of a priority. The Tigers went 88-74 this season and finished second in the AL Central.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

First, Guitar Hero and now this?

[DeToxRox]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3090054



First, Guitar Hero and now this?

Mark Fidrych anyone?

Love Zoom, but he is just like a Liriano type. I don't think he'll ever be the same and it's sad but true. Hope he recovers but now money needs to be thrown somewhere, or a deal for Chad Cordero, though I can't see him coming here without losing something big, and after the Edgar deal, I don't see it.

[Rizon]

The Oakland A's will collect a bunch of utility outfielders and infielders who have a high OBP but can't hit the ball worth shit. And we'll fall short again.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by miami_fan

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3090054

First, Guitar Hero and now this?

Well, you beat me to the story as I was going to post this. In the AP story, it mentions "tried to salvage a few things for his father". I commented to a friend of mine "yeah, he tried to salvage his Guitar Hero guitar and saved games"

SI

[Young Drachma]

Baseball Prospectus off-season plans report. I particularly like what they said about the Rockies in the NL West, because it's a lot of what we said here. Which is that they ought to use the NL pennant season as a building block to sell high on a few guys, like dealing Garrett Atkins for for a hurler (figuring that people coming short from A-Rod will bite.

rather than keeping the same team in place, as Montfort the cheapskate owner wants to do.

Should be interesting....

[lordscarlet]

Can't see what they say about my Nationals.

[Young Drachma]

It's not shorter. It's exactly the same, actually. Good catch.

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Dobbs2

They cross-posted this stuff to cnnsi.com, probably shorter, but hey.

hxxp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/10/29/bp.nleast/index.html

Thanks!

Can someone explain to me how the Marlins have no one contracted for next year but Miguel Cabrera is a free agent in '09?

[TazFTW]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7403260?MSNHPHMA

Boras wanted $350 million?!?!?

[Atocep]

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

Thanks!

Can someone explain to me how the Marlins have no one contracted for next year but Miguel Cabrera is a free agent in '09?

What they're saying is every player on the roster right now is still in the team controlled 6-year window. They don't have a single player on the roster that has received a contract extension or was signed as a free agent.

[henry296]

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

Thanks!

Can someone explain to me how the Marlins have no one contracted for next year but Miguel Cabrera is a free agent in '09?

To add on to Atocep's comments, all players contracts expired at the end of the season, but they are still controlled by the Marlins because they have less than six years of MLB experience. In the case of Cabrera, he is arbitrition eligible but isn't signed yet for 2008.

[bulletsponge]

Originally Posted by TazFTW

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7403260?MSNHPHMA

Boras wanted $350 million?!?!?

LOL whos the moron that will pay mr overrated that much?

[Young Drachma]

And you can best believe they did that on purpose. Jeffrey Loria sucks.