MLB 2013-14 Off-Season Thread

[Flickered Flame]

Furcal and Saltalamacchia to the Marlins.
Feldman to the Astros
Kuroda close to going back to the Yankees who also signed Kelly Johnson.

[Flickered Flame]

Eight names who could be traded at the winter meetings according to Jim Bowden of ESPN:

1. David Price-possible suitors: Dodgers, Mariners, Diamondbacks, Rangers, Braves

2. Matt Kemp-possible suitors: Red Sox, Rangers, Mariners, Reds

3. Jeff Samardzija possible suitors: Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Orioles, Angels, Mariners, Braves

4. Brandon Phillips possible suitors: Royals, Mariners, Yankees, Braves, Blue Jays

5. Billy Butler possible suitors: Rangers, Mariners

6. Andre Either possible suitors: Mariners, Mets, Orioles

7. Chase Headley possible suitors: Dodgers, Marlins, Yankees, Indians

8. Howie Kendrick possible suitors: Royals, Braves, Blue Jays, Yankees, Reds

Full article but you might need to be an insider to access:
http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/the-...e/post?id=8453

[Drake]

The Los Angeles Angels, Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a three-team trade that would send Mark Trumbo to Arizona, Adam Eaton to Chicago and pitchers Hector Santiago and Tyler Skaggs to Los Angeles.

Arizona also will receive a player to be named -- likely withheld because at least one will be exposed in Thursday's Rule 5 draft -- or cash from each of the other clubs.

In addition, the Diamondbacks have offered a one-year deal to right-hander Joba Chamberlain for close to $3 million, a source told ESPN's Buster Olney.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10...angeles-angels

[Drake]

MLB rules committee votes to end home- plate collisions

A busy day of meetings that will result in significant differences in the way baseball games will be governed on the field was capped off Wednesday with an announcement that the Playing Rules Committee has voted overwhelmingly to outlaw home-plate collisions between runners and catchers.

That followed a morning meeting at which managers and general managers were briefed on the proposal for expanded instant replay, which could end up looking much different from what was being discussed just weeks ago at the last Owners Meetings.

The decision to eliminate collisions didn't become a serious topic of conversation until last month at the General Managers Meetings, but the idea quickly caught fire. Managers Mike Matheny of the Cardinals and Bruce Bochy of the Giants, both former catchers, led the push. Both spoke on the subject and others in attendance were asked for their input before the measure was passed.

The exact language of the new rule has not been written. The final draft will be approved by the Rules Committee and then submitted for a vote at the next quarterly Owners Meetings in January. Finally, it must be approved by the Major League Baseball Players Association. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, chairman of the committee, is confident all that can be accomplished before the 2014 season opens.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/...&vkey=news_mlb

[Drake]

Free-agent outfielder Shin-Soo Choo has reached agreement on a seven-year, $130 million contract with the Texas Rangers, two baseball sources confirmed to ESPN.com.

http://espn.go.com/dallas/mlb/story/...oo-7-year-deal

[nik-]

Maddux, Glavine and Thomas to the Hall on first ballot.

No surprises. Loved Frank Thomas growing up, him and Griffey were my favourite non-Jays.

[GirlySports]

16 people didn't vote for Maddux.

Biggio 74.8% so close, he'll get in next year.

Piazza went up a bit. The PED guys went backwards

[nik-]

How do you not vote for Maddux? I get wanting to be strategic because you know he's gonna get in and you want your votes to help someone else, but jesus.

[GirlySports]

here's one example

http://mlb.si.com/2014/01/07/greg-ma...-of-fame-vote/

won’t vote for any player who “played during the period of PED use.”

[nik-]

Yeah, that guy is getting crapped on all over the place and justly. So he won't for Ken Griffey Jr. either? ... moron.

[GirlySports]

And he voted for Morris only.

Morris and Maddux career overlaped by NINE years!

Idiot.

[Trolleydodger]

When did the PED era start?
Is it just steroids, because they go back in baseball a lot further than Bonds, Canseco and company. There are stories of player usage going back into the 1960's.

Then there are amphetamines. Those were widely used for decades. The HOF is full of guys who used those. Gurnick and those who use the same reasoning need to give up their votes because they will not be voting for anybody for the forseeable future.

[looooob]

Well congrats to the 3 new HOFers- all deserved of course

as a big Tim Raines booster, bummed to see his votes go down, but of course this was a ridiculously stacked ballot- too bad Biggio didn't get in (barely missed) as he also deserves it and would have freed up next year's ballot a bit more

some big names do drop off next year- the 3 new HOFers, Morris and Palmeiro amongst others

[moon]

Good to see Glavine and Maddux get in. Of course Maddux should have been 100% but not worth it to go over all that garbage.

Can't stand Thomas but his number are impressive.

Piazza should have been a no doubter. Stupid he gets thrown in with trash like Bonds and Clemons.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by moon

Stupid he gets thrown in with trash like Bonds and Clemons.

And McGwire. And Pujols. And most of the power hitters and pitchers of the last 25 years.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Maddux was my favourite pitcher when I was a wee lad. 4 straight Cy Youngs, part of that insane Braves pitching staff. He was a no brainer, same with Glavine, agree with Moon Piazza should be in.

[moon]

Originally Posted by troutman

And McGwire. And Pujols. And most of the power hitters and pitchers of the last 25 years.

I am not sure why Pujols he isn't linked to steroids other than a stupid comment from a radio guy.

And McGwire not close to scum like Binds and Clemons.

[troutman]

Just checking. Who is trash and who is not trash seems wildly inconsistent.

[moon]

Originally Posted by troutman

Just checking. Who is trash and who is not trash seems wildly inconsistent.

Not trash= Guys I like

Trash= Guys I dont

[troutman]

Originally Posted by moon

Not trash= Guys I like

Trash= Guys I dont

Awesome - you do have a sense of humor!