MLB Free Agency Thread.

[kipperfan]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

Speaking of jays commentators, I've really enjoyed jamie campell overall. He's not overlyexcited and has really improved from 2 seasons ago.

Couldnt agree more. When the guy started I thought he was just terrible.....but over the last few years he has improved a ton. He has that calm, old style "day at the park" kinda demenour that is rare in annoucers these days. He is amazingly knowlegable in all aspects of the game, in fact I find when he works with Rance he tends to be able to "spin alot more yarns" then ol' Rance ever does.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

Really?

Ugghh I hate Rance, I think he is terrible.

Maybe it is just because I can't stand people like Tabler who treat others like idiots. The guy played for a substantial time and offers very little insight into his playing career, what circumstances were like about things behind closed doors that the public wasn't privy to. Not things about specific people, but even general things. He treats his baseball background as some sort of pox which shall never be spoken of.

His commentary is often rhetoric, very tired, boring, and I often find himself talking way too much. I think he enjoys the sound of his own voice too much.

Rance on the other hand is not yet experienced as a CC, he WILL improve and right now he only gives thoughtful answers. He doesn't talk as much as the other guys, but I think he is very intellegent and actually offers insight about his baseball past. He isn't afraid to bring it up and he doesn't talk down to the audience either.

I think as time goes on, Rance does have some upside in this regard.

[Resolute 14]

Agreed. When it comes to the colourman, I'll take substance over style any time.

[Sylvanfan]

Yeah, I find that Mullinicks does offer some pretty good stories about his playing days and relates them to situations pretty well. Baseball isn't exactly a fast paced game and you get tired of hearing the same old drabble pretty quick. So a CC has time to talk of an experience he had as a player. Darrin Fletcher aslo will tell a story or two as well which adds something to the telecast in my opinion. I'd rather hear a good story from a CC than a guy who just sits there and tells me that left handed hitters have an advantage matchup on right handed pitchers or that when the bases are loaded the pitcher usually has to throw strikes.

[flames_1987]

Weaver gets close to 9 mill for a 1 year with the mariners

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

Weaver gets close to 9 mill for a 1 year with the mariners

Disgusting. This guy was waiver fodder the entire year and if it wasn't for the Cardinals picking him up and only paying a fraction of his salary, he'd have had to sign a minor league contract and pitch in AAA.

He had a terrible regular season ERA, then turned it on in the post season.

I guess that 2.43 ERA in 29 innings gets you from signing a minor league contract to close to 9 million a season. What a short memory these GMs have.

[flames_1987]

The mariners sure have been throwing a crap load of money around these past offseasons, Beltre,Sexson,Weaver, just to name a few

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by flames_1987

The mariners sure have been throwing a crap load of money around these past offseasons, Beltre,Sexson,Weaver, just to name a few

Yeah as crazy as it sounds they'd have done better to just keep A-Rod and not bother with the rest of that crew.

[RedHot25]

for the M's, a lot of the idiotic stuff has to do with Bill Bavasi, their GM. Absolutely horrid. How he has a job I do not know...

[ben voyonsdonc]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Yeah, I find that Mullinicks does offer some pretty good stories about his playing days and relates them to situations pretty well. Baseball isn't exactly a fast paced game and you get tired of hearing the same old drabble pretty quick. So a CC has time to talk of an experience he had as a player. Darrin Fletcher aslo will tell a story or two as well which adds something to the telecast in my opinion. I'd rather hear a good story from a CC than a guy who just sits there and tells me that left handed hitters have an advantage matchup on right handed pitchers or that when the bases are loaded the pitcher usually has to throw strikes.

Bring back Dan and Buck!! I can't remember a better duo. I think Rance is the king of pointing out the blatantly obvious.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by ben voyonsdonc

Bring back Dan and Buck!! I can't remember a better duo. I think Rance is the king of pointing out the blatantly obvious.

I like the duo's now. Dan and Buck were really good together, but are you going to be paying them a million bucks to come back here? Those days are over. The good thing about baseball is if you don't have the skill, you can keep your trap shut and get away with it...while it's good advice, most never follow it. Toronto though has been lucky with some pretty good ones. Rance has a classic voice which I take over what comes outta his mouth sometimes.

[Flickered Flame]

Slammin' Sammy gets a minor league deal from the Rangers.

[kipperfan]

Jays sign SP Victor Zambrano to a minor league deal.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/art...30_202310_4904

Another low risk, potentially high reward move that I like a lot. This guy will cost the team next to nothing and if he can stay healthy he might be able to be an effective #4-5 starter if needed.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by RedHot25

for the M's, a lot of the idiotic stuff has to do with Bill Bavasi, their GM. Absolutely horrid. How he has a job I do not know...

I love IIIIIIIICHIRO! but he's being wasted in Seattle. I hope someone fleeces Bavasi and gets him cheap so he can be on a contender.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

Jays sign SP Victor Zambrano to a minor league deal.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/art...30_202310_4904

Another low risk, potentially high reward move that I like a lot. This guy will cost the team next to nothing and if he can stay healthy he might be able to be an effective #4-5 starter if needed.

Good deal for the Jays...and makes it even worse (if that was even possible) for the Mets, who had dealt Scott Kazmir for him....

Ouch.

[flames_1987]

the market being what it is, good move by jp. The percentages tell us one of the pitchers brought in will have a decent year.

[flames_1987]

So a quick list which players are welcme to add to for the jays 4th 5th starters.

Ohka
Thompson
Zambrano
Jannsen
Downs
Towers
Gonzalez
Marcum

[socalwingfan]

I know most of you will laugh at me but I'm hoping for Josh Towers to finally turn it around - he played ball at the local high school here and got my wife's grandmother (huge Jays fan) a Corey Koskie autographed ball.

[bluejays]

Originally Posted by socalwingfan

I know most of you will laugh at me but I'm hoping for Josh Towers to finally turn it around - he played ball at the local high school here and got my wife's grandmother (huge Jays fan) a Corey Koskie autographed ball.

I am about to laugh. "Har!". That is enough. Anyway, Towers appears to be a nice guy, but at the end of the day, he can't get his stuff right, and worse is that he can't forget bad outings (as for him, every outing). He has no confidence whatsoever. I don't see the obsession with throwing him in the rotation. I'm glad JP's loading up on these other guys...they're a heck of a lot better gambles than Towers.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by socalwingfan

I know most of you will laugh at me but I'm hoping for Josh Towers to finally turn it around - he played ball at the local high school here and got my wife's grandmother (huge Jays fan) a Corey Koskie autographed ball.

I won't laugh, but not sure how likely it is.

If he can come back and pitch good enough say to get the #4 or #5 spot, then I am all for it....the best couple of guys should get those rotation spots (based out of all the ones JP has brought in). So if he can do that - although I think its highly unlikely - then good for him, and good for the Jays....