MLB Offseason Thread

[bluejays]

Michael Bourn for $12M/year? I like it. Cleveland's one of those teams that are slowly building and creep up from nowhere.

[dustyanddaflames]

I just can't see Cleveland becoming any sort of a threat in the next three-five years. Yeah, they got Santana - but other prospects like Lonnie Chisenhall, Michael Brantley, Matt LaPorta haven't really developed as planned. Their staff is abysmal with Jimenez/Masterson... I don't know, I had high hopes for Cleveland as well two years back, thinking alot of these prospects would make the jump - but I have grown sour of them, and fully turned my attention to the Royals now

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by dustyanddaflames

I just can't see Cleveland becoming any sort of a threat in the next three-five years. Yeah, they got Santana - but other prospects like Lonnie Chisenhall, Michael Brantley, Matt LaPorta haven't really developed as planned. Their staff is abysmal with Jimenez/Masterson... I don't know, I had high hopes for Cleveland as well two years back, thinking alot of these prospects would make the jump - but I have grown sour of them, and fully turned my attention to the Royals now

If they get Lohse, does that improve anything?

[dustyanddaflames]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

If they get Lohse, does that improve anything?

For me, no - though I it tightens the gap... There are still far too many holes in that club to compete with the Tigers/White Sox. Again, this is just my opinion - but I don't think Swisher is going to resemble anything we got used to seeing in NY, Jimenez is a shadow of his former self, Bourn really slumped the last half of last season (I know small sample size, but ya never know), Masterson is a solid #3 (and the addition of Lohse would put Masterson in his proper place).

Trading Choo had to happen, but really didn't like the return in Stubbs/Bauer. Stubbs is even more redundant with the addition of Bourn, as he doesn't really project as a corner outfielder. They really lost a lot of thump in the middle of that lineup with Choo leaving for Cincy - and I don't think they have anything to replace that. I guess I just never like trading the best player in the deal, who is a consistant producer - and getting a couple question marks in return. Do I think Bauer has the tools to be a 1/2 guy - ya, sure. But until he puts it all together, it is all prospect buzz.

Summary - they don't have the arms, nor bats, to hang with Detroit or Chicago. So that leaves them looking for a wild card spot, and I don't think they are any closer to the Yankees, Blue Jays, Angels/Rangers, heck even the Athletics.

[Drake]

And our first very bizarre injury to start the new season belongs to Joel Peralta and sandwiches. Is just me or do baseball players always end up with the most bizarre injuries?

Here's one for the weird spring injury lists @jaysonst: #Rays Peralta hurt his neck getting out of car when he stopped for sandwiches.

It has a happy ending though....

#Rays Peralta was still able to get the sandwiches, by the way, and said they were good. Shouldn't miss much time.

https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Rays/sta...37937329086464

[fundmark19]

I specifically went into this season hoping Peralta would have the will power to stay away from sandwiches and play a healthy 2013! I guess the temptations were just to much for him

[GirlySports]

Carl Pavano, holy ####

[Finny61]

Got notice of my MLB TV subscription renewing. Spring is almost here!

[fundmark19]

I'm surprised he didn't get a sharp pain in his shoulder. When I lacerated my spleen I had the worst pain ever on the top of my shoulder that dr later said is normal for spleen injuries. If it wasnt for that pain I would have skipped the Dr as well

[troutman]

http://www.sfgate.com/giants/shea/ar...gs-4285078.php

The Giants finished eight games ahead of the Dodgers, the A's five ahead of the Angels. But money changed how the Southern California teams are perceived, and they've become clear division favorites by oddsmakers, one of whom opened the Dodgers' over/under win total at 90, the Angels' at 89.5.
Giants: 86.
A's: 83.

Since the 2012 opener, when the Dodgers' payroll was $95 million, they've added Greinke and South Korean lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu to a mix of players they picked up during last season: Hanley Ramirez, Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett and Brandon League.

Let's not forget Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier. Now the payroll's $225 million.

$ changes everything.

[troutman]

I missed this:

The Mets were not impressed by Brian Wilson

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/20...-brian-wilson/

According to a baseball source Tuesday, the veteran closer didn’t impress the Mets during his workout at UCLA on Saturday and wasn’t deemed worthy of a major league contract at this point in his rehab from Tommy John surgery. Wilson, the source said, wasn’t interested in a minor league deal.

“Physically, he’s not ready,” the source said. “He’s got a ways to go.”

[Finny61]

If my Padres finish higher in the standings than the Dodgers I just might have to buy you guys a round of beers. Would be an awesome stat.

[dustyanddaflames]

I am really hoping your are right Finny - would love to see the Pads surprise some clubs out west. They have the home park to remain competitive for awhile.

[dustyanddaflames]

Vernon Wells will be 35 years old when his $126MM contract expires following the 2014 season, at which point he expects to retire. The outfielder told Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com that his playing career will end after two more years.
Wells told Gonzalez that he intends to spend more time with his kids once he retires. Yet the three-time All-Star still expects to be involved in baseball. Wells hopes to own an MLB team at some point, and he plans to work with former teammate Torii Hunter. They plan on starting with a minor league team and progressing from there.
"It's definitely something we're interested in doing once we're both done playing," Wells told Gonzalez. "It's fun, man. Instead of playing fantasy GM, you're actually putting together your own team and learning what it takes to pretty much make money in an organization, especially in the minor leagues.”

Whaaaaat?

[bluejays]

That's an interesting idea. I don't get it, but it makes you wonder how teams write off expenses to make it worthwhile to own a franchise. From the outside, it seems like a great way to lose money.

[Drake]

As someone who hates all things with the Yankees, I'm going to miss him though.

TAMPA, Fla. -- The greatest closer of all-time, Mariano Rivera, will retire at the end of the 2013 season.

In a news conference at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Saturday morning, the 43-year-old Rivera made the expected announcement official with his family, Yankee owner Hal Steinbrenner and all his teammates, led by Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte, at his side.

"After this year, I will be retiring," said Rivera, flanked by his wife, Clara, and his two sons.

Before making the announcement, Rivera joked that general manager Brian Cashman broke team policy and gave him a three-year deal.

It's not too easy when you come to a decision like this," Rivera said, turning serious. "After this year, I will be retired. ... Now you're hearing it from me. It's official now."

Rivera said he would have retired at the end of last season if he had not gotten hurt.

Asked how he wanted to end his career, Rivera said, "The last game I hope will be throwing the last pitch in the World Series.

"Winning the World Series, that would be my ambition."

With his retirement, Rivera will become the final major leaguer to wear No. 42. Rivera cherished the fact that he would be the last player to have the number because of what Jackie Robinson represented.

After 2013, Rivera plans on taking some time off to vacation with his family. He will devote even more time to his work with his church and eventually would like to mentor Yankee minor leaguers.

"I didn't want to leave like that," he said. "I felt like I wanted to give everything."

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/stor...rn-2013-season

[bluejays]

Thought the Yanks have had their set of nose in the air ego's over the years, Rivera has been a great, down to earth person. Now at least they're going to be much easier to cheer against and play. Rivera is probably a top 3 closer of all time, so it's going to be a pretty big loss going forward.

[Drake]

Brian Cashman is all kinds of awesome. He has an an ancient roster to begin with.

I love his thinking of making it more ancient as he wants Cipper Jones and Derrek Lee to come outta of retirement to help his ancient and depleted injured roster. Can't forget Scott Rolen also as Brian Cashman wants him. Did Scott Rolen officially retire yet?

[dustyanddaflames]

Mariano Rivera is everything an up-and-coming baseball player should aspire to become.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Finny61

Got notice of my MLB TV subscription renewing. Spring is almost here!

If I already have a MLB subscription, do I have to pay more to be able to watch on an iPad now? Watched last year on computers.