2011 MLB Season Thread

[bluejays]

^ Perhaps a gentleman's agreement with AA and Hill not to do so, so Toronto can get him back?

[Machiavelli]

God, I hope not. The Hill era is over, and for the better.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by fleury

^ Perhaps a gentleman's agreement with AA and Hill not to do so, so Toronto can get him back?

I bet Hill ressigns with the Diamondback's.

[dustyanddaflames]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

God, I hope not. The Hill era is over, and for the better.

Unless Anthopoulous cares to venture into the trade market, there is really nothing ahead of Hill and Kelly Johnson in terms of free agent second basemen. Hill hit reasonably well while in Arizona, I believe he was over .300, and looked like he had some life in his body again. If AA finds the trade market to have dried up, I wouldn't be surprised to see Hill back for a substantial less amount of money.

[habernac]

MySecondEmpire Chris Jones



I wish sports teams were publicly traded. Imagine the Red Sox Corp. since August. It would look like Enron stock.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by dustyanddaflames

Unless Anthopoulous cares to venture into the trade market, there is really nothing ahead of Hill and Kelly Johnson in terms of free agent second basemen. Hill hit reasonably well while in Arizona, I believe he was over .300, and looked like he had some life in his body again. If AA finds the trade market to have dried up, I wouldn't be surprised to see Hill back for a substantial less amount of money.

AA has already said his perferred method of acquiring players is via the trade market.

[burn_this_city]

http://www.boston.com/sports/basebal...ason_collapse/

[dustyanddaflames]

Originally Posted by flambers

AA has already said his perferred method of acquiring players is via the trade market.

I know that he said he is going to explore the trade market - but lets take a look at what 2nd basemen could be available via trade that would be worth parting with prospects/roster players and would be an upgrade over Hill/Johnson. Keep in mind, this is without knowing contract status, and minor league systems.

For sure unavailables - Pedroia, Cano, Phillips (possible I suppose is Cozart moves over to 2nd, but I don't know the Reds well enough to know who would fill ss), Weeks, Kinsler, Uggla (may be available, but doubtful), Utley.

Potential trade targets - Kendrick, Infante, Barney, Walker (tho I think he just re-signed in Pitt, but I really like this kid), Zobrist, Ellis (could be a potential target), Espinosa (has some serious pop in his bat and it awfully young too - needs to learn the strike zone), Gordon Beckham (could be a target, needs to bounce back to his 2009 season), Giavotella (pipe dream), Kipnis (pipe dream), Ackley (pipe dream), Altuve (doubtful for a rebuilding Astros), Freddy Sanchez in SF.

I just don't know if there is a deal that can be had with the latter 5 or 6, as these are rebuilding teams with budding superstars at 2nd base. Unfortunately I think the best option that is quite plausable is Mark Ellis out of Colorado - guy is a good stop gap for next year. This is all unless Anthopolous wants to trade some key pieces out of his farm system and get a high-ceiling prospect like Kipnis or Ackley (both of which are highly unlikey to move).

[Cheese]

SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman by neiladams

can confirm epstein has deal in place with #cubs. believed to be worth $15M over 3 yrs plus $3.5M "transfer buyout''

[habernac]

Buster_ESPN Buster Olney



Still waiting for someone to establish link between Francona's medication and how BOS played. If link not there, its nobody's business.

Buster_ESPN Buster Olney



And without link established between medication/Bos play, leaked information on Francona's painkillers is pure character assassination.

[habernac]

more on the Red Sox collapse:

http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/...ty-report-says

[Flickered Flame]

After a Napoli single to break the tie, Nelson Cruz launches another bomb. 7-3 Rangers top of 11.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

I almost puked

In the words of my fellow east coasters "oh me nerves"

7-3 top of 10, 1 out, Feliz is probably warming up as I type

[burn_this_city]

Well I feel like puking. I knew they should have put a runner on for Cabrera in the 8th.

[burn_this_city]

With all the injuries I'm not holding my breath they can come back down 3-1. Although it looks like 10 teams have done it in MLB history.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Well I feel like puking. I knew they should have put a runner on for Cabrera in the 8th.

My heart sank when the ball was popped to right field. As it was in the air I thought "well I don't think Cabrera is that fast of a runner, and Cruz has a good arm" and then I prayed, and my prayer was answered.

Kelly just grounded out.

1 win away from seeing my team return to the World Series.

burn_this_city I'm terrified every time your Tigers are up at the plate, and I'm NOT looking forward to Verlander tomorrow.

Whatever happens, it's been an intense series, and what more can you really ask for?

[burn_this_city]

I'm proud that the Tigers made it this far, especially after everyone wrote them off playing in the weakest division.

If Texas wins I'll be ok with it. I like Washington, Andrus, and a lot of the players on that team. I'm thankful it's not the Red Sox or Yankees still in it, especially with the 24/7 blow job the media gives those teams.

[VERVE]

Originally Posted by dustyanddaflames

I know that he said he is going to explore the trade market - but lets take a look at what 2nd basemen could be available via trade that would be worth parting with prospects/roster players and would be an upgrade over Hill/Johnson. Keep in mind, this is without knowing contract status, and minor league systems...

Maybe a stop gap at second base as you said. I was surprised at how well Escobar played ss after arriving from the Braves then perhaps Hechavarria could play second base or vice versa. Some say that the Cuban ss could move to the outfield like Soriano. Perhaps it may be a waste since Gose maybe coming up in a year or two/three. Rasmus has deceptive speed and was surprise at how well he plays cf.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by VERVE

Maybe a stop gap at second base as you said. I was surprised at how well Escobar played ss after arriving from the Braves then perhaps Hechavarria could play second base or vice versa. Some say that the Cuban ss could move to the outfield like Soriano. Perhaps it may be a waste since Gose maybe coming up in a year or two/three. Rasmus has deceptive speed and was surprise at how well he plays cf.

Honestly, I would be somewhat surprised if Marco Scutaro wasn't a jay again next year. Would be a decent 2B, that would be good for a single season. We wouldn't have to give up anything other than the $ for his contract, and wouldn't lose the pick that we'll get when KJ signs elsewhere or the assets that we'd need to move to get another 2B.

Stats from last year (KJ and Hill are with T.O only)
Scutaro - .299, .358, .423 - .781 OPS
Hill - .225, .269, .348 - .616 OPS
Johnson - .270, .364, .417 - .781 OPS

[VERVE]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

Honestly, I would be somewhat surprised if Marco Scutaro wasn't a jay again next year. Would be a decent 2B, that would be good for a single season. We wouldn't have to give up anything other than the $ for his contract, and wouldn't lose the pick that we'll get when KJ signs elsewhere or the assets that we'd need to move to get another 2B.

Stats from last year (KJ and Hill are with T.O only)
Scutaro - .299, .358, .423 - .781 OPS
Hill - .225, .269, .348 - .616 OPS
Johnson - .270, .364, .417 - .781 OPS

As a stop gap, Scutaro would be a nice addition and familiarity for the Jays. He is versatile enough and can play ss. Good point.