The MLB 2007 Thread

[Superman79]

Ok, since winter meetings are in full swing and there are a lot of rumors and (hopefully) trades going on, I figured we needed to get this thread started for next spring...

I mean with Sheff gone form the Yanks, the Dodgers making moves, and of course my Red Sox spending $51million to TALK to a great Japanese pitcher...theres stuff going on.

Personally, I'm not sure what to make of sigining JD Drew for 5 years and $70 Mil...almost seems a bit steep. Plus we got Julio Lugo for 4 years (I hope this isn't a Renteria type deal...)

[Fran]

Sheff is with MY DETROIT TIGERS! :up:

[Gotendbz-2]

I hope the O's can get a good LF, but there isn't any really good free agents left.

[Fran]

Barry Bonds is available.

[Gotendbz-2]

Just like how Sammy Sosa was!

[Fran]

Barry Bonds without steroids isn't really crap, though. He's still decent.

[Gotendbz-2]

Here in Baltimore, we hate Barry Bonds.

[Ben Urich]

Go Yankees! :csad::up:

[Gotendbz-2]

I don't get why J.D. Drew got $70 million, he's not that good. 20 Homers? .283 avg?

[Immortalfire]

My Braves can only improve from this past season, mainly they need pitchers who won't blow a lead. I look for Mike Hampton to be back in action in '07 after surgery kept him out this year, he's a great one.
We could have gotten Tom Glavine back, but nooo.

[Fran]

Braves had their run, they're in rebuilding.

Sorry 'fire :csad: :up:

[Dodger]

Dodgers just signed jason Schmidt.....ummmm I dont know how I feel about that.

Anyone else feel these contracts are getting a little bit out of hand? It,s not my money but 45million for three years for an 11-9 pitcher? (schmidt)

Jd drew getting 70 million! he's making more than big papi and man-ram. He only hit 20hrs last year and only played in 150 games twice!

[Fran]

WHA????? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! :down

[Fran]

They are CLOSE to signing Schmidt, not finalized yet.

[Ben Urich]

Yankees better swipe him :cmad:

[Fran]

Hell to the no.

I heard Dodgers or White Sox.

[DBella]

Mariners desperately need new pitchers and... a new manager. Especially a new manager.

[Dodger]

The dodgers aren't confirming it because he needs to pass a physical. here's the article,

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Dodgers apparently are on the verge of acquiring the power pitcher they've coveted, as free-agent right-hander Jason Schmidt on Wednesday told former Giants teammates he accepted a three-year, $47 million offer to pitch in Los Angeles.

In acquiring Schmidt, Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti would succeed in a key step of his offseason Plan B -- accumulating surplus starting pitching that not only improves his starting rotation, but could lead to the culmination of Plan A, a power hitter.

The club would not confirm the deal, which would be contingent on Schmidt passing a physical exam. Schmidt's physical condition is no secret to the Dodgers, who recently hired his trainer with the Giants, Stan Conte. Colletti also has familiarity with Schmidt, having helped acquire him as the Giants' assistant general manager.

In Schmidt, the Dodgers not only would get an ace, but take one away from the Giants, a National League West rival. Schmidt, who turns 34 in January, went 11-9 with a 3.59 ERA in 2006, making 32 starts and throwing 213 1/3 innings. He had three complete games, more than the entire Dodgers' staff. In 12 Major League seasons, he has a 127-90 record and 3.91 ERA.

The three-time All-Star would head a rotation that includes Derek Lowe, Brad Penny, Chad Billingsley and Randy Wolf. In addition, the Dodgers have starters Mark Hendrickson, Hong-Chih Kuo and Brett Tomko on their roster. Speculation is bound to include Penny and/or Hendrickson in future talks for a hitter.

The Dodgers apparently won a bidding war that included the Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals. Schmidt's best seasons were 2003-04, when he went 17-5 with a league-leading 2.34 ERA and 18-7 with a 3.20 ERA. He is coming off a contract that paid him $10.5 million in 2006.

so, it's pretty much a done deal. I hope.

Also, on the Dodgers forums theres an article about the dodgers getting Manny. Manny, for Penny, broxton and a third blue chip prospect. Whether, thats Loney, laroche or kemp I don't know. Theo Epstein said he turned down a deal with kemp. So i dont think it's going to happen.

[Fran]

Mariners = Eew.

Nice to see you Bella :)

[cyborg ninja 14]

The market for free agents is ridiculous. Gary Matthews Jr. got 50$ million from the Angels when if he doesnt make that crazy catch in August, no way he makes that much money. But JD Drew making 70 million, wow. Scott Boras must be a negociating genius.

[Superman79]

I don't get why J.D. Drew got $70 million, he's not that good. 20 Homers? .283 avg?

Boston seemed desperate i think...that or Theo knows smoething we don;t (Which is usually the case)

I just can't wait to get Matsuka...it'll be great!

[Ben Urich]

****. :cmad:
That's two pitchers we should have had. :cmad:
I will have Bryan Cashman's head on a stick if he doesn't get Barry Zito. :cmad:

[DBella]

Mariners = Eew.

Nice to see you Bella :)
Yeah... I know you hate all the teams I love. :mad: :(
Btw, I love the Yankees too. :o

[Superman79]

****. :cmad:
That's two pitchers we should have had. :cmad:
I will have Bryan Cashman's head on a stick if he doesn't get Barry Zito. :cmad:

I don't think you want him Ben...he's on the downhill...I mean even the BoSox wouldn't go after him, and we technically REALLY needed a pitcher...

[Superman79]

Yeah... I know you hate all the teams I love. :mad: :(
Btw, I love the Yankees too. :o

Yeah, but we can find a way to see past that...;) :p

[DBella]

Oh, I would so post news about the Mariners but I doubt anyone would care since they suck. :heart:

[DBella]

Yeah, but we can find a way to see past that...;) :p
As long as you don't abuse them in my presence, all is forgiven. ;)

[Superman79]

As long as you don't abuse them in my presence, all is forgiven. ;)

well there is no need since the season hasn't started yet, but I make no promises for when the Sawx and Yanks are head ot head...but I'll try to behave :D

[DBella]

well there is no need since the season hasn't started yet, but I make no promises for when the Sawx and Yanks are head ot head...but I'll try to behave :D
I'll have to cover my eyes then. :(

[DarthRekal]

SCHMIDT TO THE BLUE CREW!:woot: :wow: :up:

[NewYorkSpider]

Go Yankees!!!!!!!

[cyborg ninja 14]

Schmidt's deal is probably the most practical all offseason to this point in terms of pitchers.

[NewYorkSpider]

Schmidt's deal is probably the most practical all offseason to this point in terms of pitchers.

Maybe the NL West will be good for a change. No more .500 avg seasons from each team.:woot:

[Future Prez]

I'm ticked off that Theo gave Drew more than he ever offered Damon. Sure we can't predict what Damon will be like at the end of a contract, but odds are he'll still be better than Drew at a comparable point in their careers.

Getting Drew also makes the Wily Mo deal seem idiotic. We have so many promising outfielders (a Coco-comeback, David Murphy, Jacoby Ellsbury) that Theo refuses to trade, but he again pushes Wily Mo out of the line-up. Does anyone else realize how much of a boost to the team Bronson would have been at the low lights of '06?

[DBella]

Go Yankees!!!!!!!
:up: :up:

[Spidey-Bat]

They should get rid of Crisp. He sucks as an everyday player.

My Mets have made some good movies. Picked up Alou and Easley for a good price (in today's market), re-signed Glavine, El Duque, and Valentin (Valentin got a lot, but most is compensation for being a steal last year). Since Texas has dropped out of the Zito bidding, it seems the Mets will be the highest bidder on him. If we don't get him they will most likely go after Mulder (will probably be a project like Oliver Perez) or Gil Meche or trade (Peavy's name has come up). Hopefully it will be another productive season for the good NY team.

[Ben Urich]

No Mets. :cmad:
Yankees :cmad:

I don't care if it's a 2-year, $800 million deal. We need pitching. :cmad:

[Spidey-Bat]

The Mets did better than the Yankees

And the Yanks may be getting Pettite back. They should work on getting rid of Pavano. He's a bum (then again, thats what makes him fit for the team).

[Dodger]

possible 3 team deal going down....

There has been no official word, but there has been plenty of talk and speculation about Devil Rays centerfielder Rocco Baldelli throughout the day Wednesday at the winter meetings.

Among the more interesting rumors are potential deals with a) the Braves, who could offer up lefty Chuck James as part of a package; b) the Orioles, who could offer a combination of Daniel Cabrera, Hayden Penn and Adam Loewen; and c) Dodgers, who could offer any of several top young pitchers, such as Chad Billingsley, and might be more willing to do so after signing top free agent Jason Schmidt.

Other interested teams include the White Sox and the Tigers, though they seem less likely to match up with the Rays. And Florida remains a possibility despite breaking off talks earlier.

But the most interesting chatter was about a potential three-way blockbuster in which Baldelli would go to the Braves, All-Star Andruw Jones would go to the Dodgers and the Rays would end up with a pair of elite young pitchers.

This will continue to develop as the night goes on. It will be interesting to see if the Rays make one of these deals.

Dodgers are shopping penny around too. Maybe were not out of the zito chase after all. It seems to be down to the mets and the dodgers

[NewYorkSpider]

If the dodgers end up with Andruew Jones. Then i believe they will be a contender to win the National Leauge. They will be right up there with the Mets.

[Spidey-Bat]

The Dodgers aren't getting Zito. There is no way any team will be able to sign the top 2 FA pitchers.

[NewYorkSpider]

The Dodgers aren't getting Zito. There is no way any team will be able to sign the top 2 FA pitchers.

Zito will end up in New York with the Mets. I don't see him going to Texas.

[Dodger]

Aj is not worth givin up billisngley. no way. i would give them kuo and elbert and if they throw someone else in maybe tomko or hendrickson...but he would give us some powerman im so glad im not a gm.

[cyborg ninja 14]

Maybe the NL West will be good for a change. No more .500 avg seasons from each team.:woot:

I wouldnt go that far. Now if Manny Ramirez has been traded to SF or LA then it wouldnt be different.

[Dodger]

The Dodgers aren't getting Zito. There is no way any team will be able to sign the top 2 FA pitchers.


Yeah, I kinda just came to that. i just figured if were willing to let go of penny and bills maybe we can get zito? But then I remembered the devil is his agent and with schmidt getting 47 million boras is going to ask for crazy numbers.

[Spidey-Bat]

Zito will end up in New York with the Mets. I don't see him going to Texas.

I think Texas has dropped out. If they haven't, it will be tough for a team to get him. The Texas GM is an idiot. Look at the contract he gave A-Rod.

Yeah, I kinda just came to that. i just figured if were willing to let go of penny and bills maybe we can get zito? But then I remembered the devil is his agent and with schmidt getting 47 million boras is going to ask for crazy numbers.

Fortunately Borass'* reputation as a dangerous agent has gone down. He has no leverage on Matsuzaka. Zito's production has been going down, and it's been 4 years since his Cy Young so no team is getting that Zito. I've heard the Mets are willing to give him the money he wants, but not the years.

*(I am aware of the extra 's')

[El ASESINO]

My Braves can only improve from this past season, mainly they need pitchers who won't blow a lead. I look for Mike Hampton to be back in action in '07 after surgery kept him out this year, he's a great one.
We could have gotten Tom Glavine back, but nooo.

I'm glad the BRAVES didn't sign Glavine

In my opinion
The BRAVES should extend Andrwu's contract
Sign some good vetreran relivers
thats all

[Fran]

Yeah... I know you hate all the teams I love. :mad: :(
Btw, I love the Yankees too. :o

Loving the Yankees is even worse. :( :down

[Superman79]

Maybe the NL West will be good for a change. No more .500 avg seasons from each team.:woot:

Oh C'mon that might be too much to ask :p ;)

[triplefive]

i don't know how the jays are going to pick up enough pitching now that ted lilly's closed the door on them.

hopefully they can pick up gil meche. i don't know if i see that as a possibility though.

they'll probably lose vernon wells too -- unlikely that the jays will shell out the $10 mill/season he "should" be getting.

[Superman79]

YOu guys do realize that Lilly is not that great right?? I mean look how bad he did with the Yanks

[triplefive]

YOu guys do realize that Lilly is not that great right?? I mean look how bad he did with the Yanks
he's a 3-4 kind of guy, but he's a lefty.

the jays' rotation pretty much ends after halladay and burnett... and burnett can't really be relied upon.

[Fran]

A chick that likes baseball is hawt.

[Superman79]

A chick that likes baseball is hawt.

True that :up:

And Triplefive, two things:

1) Good to see you babe!

2) There are other lefty's out there in farm systems...you could easily find one that ptiches as well as Lilly and with thier youth, they could get better making it a finer investment. IMHO

[triplefive]

True that :up:

And Triplefive, two things:

1) Good to see you babe!

2) There are other lefty's out there in farm systems...you could easily find one that ptiches as well as Lilly and with thier youth, they could get better making it a finer investment. IMHO
but the jays want to make the playoffs tomorrow, you know?

good to see you too :cwink: also, you WISH you were bond!

[Superman79]

but the jays want to make the playoffs tomorrow, you know?

good to see you too :cwink: also, you WISH you were bond!

Fair enough, but Lilly won't get oyu there.

And I DO look like Bond! IN case you missed it, Bond is Blonde now like myself...plus I look BADASS in a tux ;) :p

[triplefive]

Fair enough, but Lilly won't get oyu there.

And I DO look like Bond! IN case you missed it, Bond is Blonde now like myself...plus I look BADASS in a tux ;) :p
lol... when your picture came up on the news feed, i was like, HE WISHES! :D
i still haven't seen it. i'm working on it.

anyway, the jays aren't going to get there by signing the big hurt and royce clayton :dry:

i've heard that gagne is interested in coming to toronto... but we already have ryan, and he performed well last season. gagne barely even threw last year.

[Superman79]

lol... when your picture came up on the news feed, i was like, HE WISHES! :D
i still haven't seen it. i'm working on it.

anyway, the jays aren't going to get there by signing the big hurt and royce clayton :dry:

i've heard that gagne is interested in coming to toronto... but we already have ryan, and he performed well last season. gagne barely even threw last year.

lol!! Like I said...damn good in a tux ;)

Now Gagne could be a valuable addition...I just would be very wary of Lilly if I were you...of course, I should say take him so the Bluebirds are guranteed to finish below the Sawx ;) :p lol

[Spidey-Bat]

I'm glad the BRAVES didn't sign Glavine

In my opinion
The BRAVES should extend Andrwu's contract
Sign some good vetreran relivers
thats all

If you extend Jones' contract, you won't have money for any vet relievers.


Also the Phillies traded Gavin Floyd and PTBNL for Freddy Garcia.

[triplefive]

lol!! Like I said...damn good in a tux ;)

Now Gagne could be a valuable addition...I just would be very wary of Lilly if I were you...of course, I should say take him so the Bluebirds are guranteed to finish below the Sawx ;) :p lol
ah, what i meant earlier was that lilly said today that toronto is no longer on his list of possible destinations.

this is their year :cmad:

(it's really probably not. i'll vary between cautious optimism and pessimism.)

[Ben Urich]

Watch the Jays come out of nowhere like the ****ing Jazz. :o :huh:

[Gotendbz-2]

I really hope the O's don't sign Luis Gonzalez, we don't need any old people! Plus, he only had like, 3 good years... 5 years ago....

The O's need to trade for a good LF. Or else it'll be 10 years straight that we haven't been a real threat.

[DBella]

i don't know how the jays are going to pick up enough pitching now that ted lilly's closed the door on them.

hopefully they can pick up gil meche. i don't know if i see that as a possibility though.

they'll probably lose vernon wells too -- unlikely that the jays will shell out the $10 mill/season he "should" be getting.
What makes you think the Jays will pick up Meche? I think the Ms has a weak bullpen and Meche is one of the better pitchers we've got so I doubt he'll be going anywhere. Keep your blue bird claws off my Ms. :mad: :)

[triplefive]

What makes you think the Jays will pick up Meche? I think the Ms has a weak bullpen and Meche is one of the better pitchers we've got so I doubt he'll be going anywhere. Keep your blue bird claws off my Ms. :mad: :)
it was just announced that he went to kansas today. :down

[Immortalfire]

Atlanta gets Rafael Soriano from Seattle for Horacio Ramirez. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AqwVvQ7_p3sKbyNibLF6k8UR0bYF?slug=braves marinersdeal&prov=st&type=lgns

[Mike059jig]

Barry Bonds, Zito
Mets really need to pick and grab someone big this off season...Zito

Bonds....I can't believe no one has picked him up yet...He really healthy....

[DBella]

it was just announced that he went to kansas today. :down
Yeah, I just found out. He was doing alright earlier last season but was sucking toward the end. I can't believe the Ms let go of Moyer instead of Pinero. :down: They just acquired Sean White from the Pirates. He better be good! They also got Horacio Ramirez from the Braves.

[Fran]

The Cardinals want Barry Bonds :huh:

[Mike059jig]

No...cards are not interested in him...

[DBella]

Atlanta gets Rafael Soriano from Seattle for Horacio Ramirez. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AqwVvQ7_p3sKbyNibLF6k8UR0bYF?slug=braves marinersdeal&prov=st&type=lgns
Yep. I like Soriano. How's Ramirez?

[Fran]

Stooop talking about the Mariners!!!

Go Tigers!

[Immortalfire]

Yep. I like Soriano. How's Ramirez? Pretty good, he was 12-4 this past season if I'm right. Our starters were ok, but it was our relievers who kept blowing the games. They had a lot to do with our not-so-hot season. I look forward to Soriano giving us a hand :)

[DBella]

Stooop talking about the Mariners!!!

Go Tigers!
Just because you asked so nicely... I'll do the exact opposite. ;)

Yeah... Go Tigers indeed! Especially Jim Leyland. Go Jim Leyland! Go to Seattle!! :up:

[DBella]

Pretty good, he was 12-4 this past season if I'm right. Our starters were ok, but it was our relievers who kept blowing the games. They had a lot to do with our not-so-hot season.
So Ramirez was a starter? He sounds pretty good alright. Looks like the Ms got a good deal. And so did the Braves coz Soriano is a good reliever, imo.

[Erzengel]

Just wanted to make an appearance here.

Woo, Go Yankees!!

I'll be back once football's over.

[Spidey-Bat]

Since Meche and Schmidt have been signed, Zito is going to get more offers. Hopefully the Mets are his top choice.

[cyborg ninja 14]

A rotation of Zito, Glavine, Pedro, um...Oliver Perez(?) and John Maine(?) would be effective if not the just the first three.

[Spidey-Bat]

Their rotation would be:

Zito
Glavine
El Duque
Maine
Perez

Once Pedro comes back, they will probably bump Duque to the bullpen. Pedro will probably be #2 or #3 pending upon how he has recuperated.

[Mike059jig]

I don't care what any one say pedro career is done...he is useless...mets should let him go after next year when his contract is up.......he not the same anymore and he is getting old.....and his arm strenght is gonna be decreaed dramatically next season....thats why the mets missed out big time on Schmidt....I really wanted Schimdt and Zito...but hopefull mets offer will get Zito....

[cyborg ninja 14]

Ah yes of course, I forgot that Pedro's shoulder is healing. LA Dodgers signed Luis Gonzalez for 1 year 7 million:csad: As a D-Backs fan I hoped he would stay out of NL West for revenge purposes. But Gonzo most likely wouldnt have wanted to stay for the new ass uniforms the team got. So much for original colors, now they'll just look like the Nationals.

[Spidey-Bat]

I don't care what any one say pedro career is done...he is useless...mets should let him go after next year when his contract is up.......he not the same anymore and he is getting old.....and his arm strenght is gonna be decreaed dramatically next season....thats why the mets missed out big time on Schmidt....I really wanted Schimdt and Zito...but hopefull mets offer will get Zito....

Pedro is not done. He is only 35 which is not old. He was incredibly unlucky to have 3 injuries at once. He is already recovering well and may be back sooner than expected. We only have him for 2 more seasons and we have Pelfrey and Humber in the farm to replace him. You are making Pedro sound like Steve Trachsel.

And there was no way in hell that one team would sign BOTH Schmidt and Zito.

[Gotendbz-2]

Why the heck did Meche get $55 million? He's an 11-8 picther with a 4.48 ERA. :huh:

[triplefive]

Why the heck did Meche get $55 million? He's an 11-8 picther with a 4.48 ERA. :huh:
there weren't many (any?) A-list pitchers on the market but a lot of teams needed arms

[DBella]

Why the heck did Meche get $55 million? He's an 11-8 picther with a 4.48 ERA. :huh:
Royals can afford to pay that much coz they're... Royalty? :confused:

Does any team want Joel Pinero? I am selling him on behalf of the Ms.

[Gotendbz-2]

there weren't many (any?) A-list pitchers on the market but a lot of teams needed arms

That doesn't explain why an average pitcher is getting payed $55 million though. I guess the Royals really wanted him and the only way they could sign him was to pay that much because they're the worst team in the AL.

[triplefive]

That doesn't explain why an average pitcher is getting payed $55 million though. I guess the Royals really wanted him and the only way they could sign him was to pay that much because they're the worst team in the AL.
yes it does.

it's supply and demand. simple economics.

three teams were in a bit of a bidding war for his services and his agent did a good job pitching them against each other.

[Spidey-Bat]

The Royals have the money to get him and the whole market has become inflated. People were saying Beltran's contract was ridiculous and now it's a steal.

[Superman79]

The Royals have the money to get him and the whole market has become inflated. People were saying Beltran's contract was ridiculous and now it's a steal.

Market? Inflated? Nawww? :dry: :whatever:

It's been inflating every year since 1980...I blame Steinbrenner for that trend...:o

[Gotendbz-2]

yes it does.

it's supply and demand. simple economics.

three teams were in a bit of a bidding war for his services and his agent did a good job pitching them against each other.

Yeah. But still, people shouldn't get payed that much.

[Spidey-Bat]

Market? Inflated? Nawww? :dry: :whatever:

It's been inflating every year since 1980...I blame Steinbrenner for that trend...:o

This year is especially bad. Gary Matthews Jr getting 5 yr/$50M? Soriano is getting 8 yr/$136M? It's sick.

[cyborg ninja 14]

This year is especially bad. Gary Matthews Jr getting 5 yr/$50M? Soriano is getting 8 yr/$136M? It's sick.

No Kidding, this makes *that crappy overweight pitcher who was on the D-Backs and O's last year*4 year 33 million look weak:csad:

[Gotendbz-2]

Russ Ortiz

Do not speak of that abomination.

[cyborg ninja 14]

Do not speak of that abomination.

Consider it done.

[Superman79]

This year is especially bad. Gary Matthews Jr getting 5 yr/$50M? Soriano is getting 8 yr/$136M? It's sick.

don't forget $70M to JD Drew...WTF Theo??? Wtf??? :huh:

[cyborg ninja 14]

don't forget $70M to JD Drew...WTF Theo??? Wtf??? :huh:

No worries, like in LA Drew will opt out of his contract within a year or two:o

[Superman79]

No worries, like in LA Drew will opt out of his contract within a year or two:o

haha...thanks for the comforting words CN :woot:

And who knows...maybe he's like Mike Lowell was last year and is due for a career year.

[Future Prez]

haha...thanks for the comforting words CN :woot:

And who knows...maybe he's like Mike Lowell was last year and is due for a career year.

Yeah, if he stays healthy and gets enough ABs. BTW, what does that mean for Lowell? (Nowhere but down?)

I was thinking, and the Sox rotation will probably go like this:
Schilling
Beckett
Matsuzaka
Papelbon
Wakefield/Lester(?)

I don't have clue how the second half will go, but the first three sound pretty well placed, IMO. Someone's getting bumped to BP, unless they want a six-man rotation.
Meh, we learned the hard way in '05 and '06 that its better to have to0 much pitching than too little.:o:up:

[Spidey-Bat]

I doubt they will sign Matsuzaka. They have like a week left and too much money riding on him.

[NyteWing]

I think something's in the water in Beantown. Beckett isn't good enough to justify his contract, Papelbon is lights out as a closer and they're moving him, and I seem to recall that Japanese pitchers don't translate to the major leagues that well (Irabu was a disaster. Nomo had 2-3 good years I think).

Manny contract is very affordable right now. If you kept him for all these years, now that it's a decent contract, why trade him?

[Superman79]

Yeah, if he stays healthy and gets enough ABs. BTW, what does that mean for Lowell? (Nowhere but down?)

Sadly...yes...that is what I am really afraid of :csad:

I was thinking, and the Sox rotation will probably go like this:
Schilling
Beckett
Matsuzaka
Papelbon
Wakefield/Lester(?)

Sounds good to me...Wakefield has always been cool with bullpen work (and really quite good at it given the huge change it would mean to game tempo and batter's rhythms going from fastballers to a knuckleballer...

I don't have clue how the second half will go, but the first three sound pretty well placed, IMO. Someone's getting bumped to BP, unless they want a six-man rotation.
Meh, we learned the hard way in '05 and '06 that its better to have to0 much pitching than too little.:o:up:

Amen...I just hope we get Matsuke signed soon...everybody but Boras (and the Yanks) seems to want it to happen...I'm sure it'll happen the very last eligible day...

I think something's in the water in Beantown. Beckett isn't good enough to justify his contract, Papelbon is lights out as a closer and they're moving him, and I seem to recall that Japanese pitchers don't translate to the major leagues that well (Irabu was a disaster. Nomo had 2-3 good years I think).

Manny contract is very affordable right now. If you kept him for all these years, now that it's a decent contract, why trade him?

Beckett just needs Varitek to reign him in and he'll be fine (not spectaular, but at least above average)

Papelbon is being moved because he was always meant to be a starter and the closer thing was just temporary, and it will be easier on his shoulder only having to pitch every 5th day...and I thin khe should be great...think Fransisco Liriano style stuff here...

Matsuka (who as I said before will be a stroke of midnight deal I'm sure) could very well buck that MLB/Japanese slump I mean this guy is GOOD...add to that the fact no one on our side of the pond has seen him, AND he is willing and eager to learn more about his 'art' I think he'll be great.

As for Manny...its getting to be a holiday tradition. The day after Thanksgiving, people put up Chirtmas decorations, start shopping for presents, and Manny demands a trade...Its a holiday tradition. I'm convinced no matter how much talk comes out, they will never get rid of Manny...he's too good and is too perfect to follow Ortiz in the lineup. You lose him, and I don't care who replaces him, Ortiz will rack up 200+ walks a season gurranteed...you gotta keep Manny, but you gotta make him happy by making him think you at least tried to honro his wishes. you keep him happy and he'll play for you same as always the next spring. It's just Manny being MAnny. :whatever:

[PatAttack]

This offseason has been outrageous. I am an avid Cardinals fan and if the Cards sign Barry Bonds I will be pissed.

[Spidey-Bat]

The Giants already gave Bonds a 1 year/$16M deal

[cyborg ninja 14]

haha...thanks for the comforting words CN :woot:

And who knows...maybe he's like Mike Lowell was last year and is due for a career year.

Perhaps, it also helps if Big Papi and Manny are still producing. But really its all Scott Boras in this case. Its no question he convinced Drew to bolt LA for Boston, and plus hes also in negociations for Matsusaka.

[Gotendbz-2]

Dang it! Pettitte signed with the Yankees! NOOOOO!!! The O's will never have a chance! ....Well I guess they never did have a chance....

[triplefive]

Dang it! Pettitte signed with the Yankees! NOOOOO!!! The O's will never have a chance! ....Well I guess they never did have a chance....
it'll be a tight race for fourth in the AL east again.

[Gotendbz-2]

it'll be a tight race for fourth in the AL east again.

Yeah, and here I thought we had a chance at 3rd! :csad:

[Superman79]

Dang it! Pettitte signed with the Yankees! NOOOOO!!! The O's will never have a chance! ....Well I guess they never did have a chance....

Dammit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:cmad::cmad::cmad:

[Spidey-Bat]

The Yankees aren't getting the Pettitte that left them 3 years ago.

[Superman79]

The Yankees aren't getting the Pettitte that left them 3 years ago.

true, but he's still better than the crap they had...

[Spidey-Bat]

Not by much.

[Badger]

Yeah. But still, people shouldn't get payed that much.

Let me first state that I am a die hard Royals fan, which is hard to be these days. I go to about 30 games a years.

The reason Meche got that big of contract has less to do with his ability and more do to with Dayton Moore (new GM) sending a message to all free agents that the Royals have loosened their purse strings, they overpaid on purpose. Which may not make sense to you or me, but makes perfect sense to free agents and their agents.

Also, the Royals just signed Octavio Dotel to a one year $5 million contract to be the Closer. Who picked the Royals over the Red Sox and the Yankees.

My outlook for this years Royals; much better than last season (not hard to do), finishing around .500 and hopefully not in last place in the central.

[Superman79]

^^ I hope so. I have a rather warm spot in my heart for the boys from KC :D

[Spidey-Bat]

Does anyone remember trades? It was that crazy thing where teams would exchange players.


EDIT: reworded it to be more clear.

[Gotendbz-2]

Does anyone remember trades? It was that crazy thing teams used to do where they give players to one team in exchange for other players.

Uh Wha...? :huh:

[Fran]

He's joking, dude.

There has been a HUGE absence of the trades. It's just odd.

[Gotendbz-2]

I was joking too.

[Spidey-Bat]

I reworded that post. Not because I thought you didn't get it, but because I could have said it simpler.

But damn, there are no trades. The biggest trade has been Freddy Garcia to the Phillies. Other than that the big players have been signed and only bench players or relievers have been traded.

[cyborg ninja 14]

Andy Pettitte signed a 1 year 16$ million with the Yankees. yay:huh:

[NewYorkSpider]

Andy Pettitte to the Yanks!!!! Thank You Brian Cashman!!!!

[Ben Urich]

Andy Pettitte :up:
Now, we just need to sign the Rocket and dump Pavano's sorry ass. :o

[NewYorkSpider]

Pavano is always on the DL. He is worthless.:cmad:

[Spidey-Bat]

Andy Pettitte :up:
Now, we just need to sign the Rocket and dump Pavano's sorry ass. :o

They won't sign Rocket. They have Igawa and a bunch of arms in their farm system.

[Badger]

^^ I hope so. I have a rather warm spot in my heart for the boys from KC :D

Actually think they are turning the corner and will contend for the AL Central title in a couple years. Hopefully your Cornhusker, Alex Gordon, makes it do KC this year.

[Gotendbz-2]

Andy Pettitte :up:
Now, we just need to sign the Rocket and dump Pavano's sorry ass. :o

Pavano still plays? :huh:

[Future Prez]

But damn, there are no trades. The biggest trade has been Freddy Garcia to the Phillies. Other than that the big players have been signed and only bench players or relievers have been traded.

Now that most of the big name free agents have been signed, save for Gagne, we'll see the trade market heat up. I'm certain the Sox will be at the forefront, as they continue their search for a closer. (I'm still hoping a Wily Mo, Craig Hansen deal attracts the Nats to trade Cordero.) Don't be surprised if they Yanks put together an attractive package to get a decent 1B. I'm also expecting a couple of deals involving the Marlins, who want a little more relief pitching and an outfielder.

[Superman79]

Actually think they are turning the corner and will contend for the AL Central title in a couple years. Hopefully your Cornhusker, Alex Gordon, makes it do KC this year.

He should...but only time will tell.

Personally, I think he can be better than (former Husker) Darrin Erstad, if he tries...

[Superman79]

Now that most of the big name free agents have been signed, save for Gagne, we'll see the trade market heat up. I'm certain the Sox will be at the forefront, as they continue their search for a closer. (I'm still hoping a Wily Mo, Craig Hansen deal attracts the Nats to trade Cordero.) Don't be surprised if they Yanks put together an attractive package to get a decent 1B. I'm also expecting a couple of deals involving the Marlins, who want a little more relief pitching and an outfielder.

NOOO!!

We gotta keep Wily. I tell you another year of teaching form Ortiz and Manny, and that kid has the potential to be the second coming of Big Papi...IMHO

[Spidey-Bat]

Now that most of the big name free agents have been signed, save for Gagne, we'll see the trade market heat up. I'm certain the Sox will be at the forefront, as they continue their search for a closer. (I'm still hoping a Wily Mo, Craig Hansen deal attracts the Nats to trade Cordero.) Don't be surprised if they Yanks put together an attractive package to get a decent 1B. I'm also expecting a couple of deals involving the Marlins, who want a little more relief pitching and an outfielder.

Zito and Clemens are still out there. Zito can't really make a move since Borass is stubborn and is tied up with Matsuzaka. Clemens is attractive to any team in desperate need of pitching.

NOOO!!

We gotta keep Wily. I tell you another year of teaching form Ortiz and Manny, and that kid has the potential to be the second coming of Big Papi...IMHO

You must mean in terms of power because I don't think ANY player will be as clutch as Ortiz is.

[Superman79]

You must mean in terms of power because I don't think ANY player will be as clutch as Ortiz is.

yeah, that's what I meant :woot:

[NewYorkSpider]

They won't sign Rocket. They have Igawa and a bunch of arms in their farm system.

Yeah, i see Roger either hanging the glove up or re-signing with the Astros.

[Spidey-Bat]

If Zito goes to the Mets (please!!), I could see Texas making an offer to Clemens since they need pitching.

yeah, that's what I meant :woot:

Pena definitely has the potential to be a heavy hitter but he needs more plate discipline.

[Future Prez]

Zito and Clemens are still out there. Zito can't really make a move since Borass is stubborn and is tied up with Matsuzaka. Clemens is attractive to any team in desperate need of pitching.


I don't think Zito would be a good fit in Boston. He's benefited in his career from the spacious dimensions of Mcafee, and and would be hurt big time in Fenway. Most of his outs come via the flyball, which leave Fenway a lot sooner than it leaves Mcafee.

NewYorkSpider
Yeah, i see Roger either hanging the glove up or re-signing with the Astros.



That's never the situation with the Rocket. Especially the last couple years, when both the Sox and :ugh: the Yanks were on his shortlist. If the Red Sox offered him a lucrative contract, I'm almost certain he'd be back in Boston.

ESPN.com
fter all the hoopla surrounding the $51.1 million bid the Red Sox posted to talk to Daisuke Matsuzaka, it appears a contract may not materialize.
Negotiations between the team and the Japanese star pitcher have nearly broken down, the Boston Herald reported Sunday. A source familiar with the situation told the Herald late Saturday that unless "there is an abrupt change of course," the Red Sox will not strike a deal with Matsuzaka before the deadline midnight Thursday.
Attempts to reach Matsuzaka's agent, Scott Boras, were unsuccessful. The source blamed Boras for a lack of interest in the negotiations.
Matsuzaka signed with Boras in October and was posted for bidding in early November.
Matsuzaka was 17-5 with a 2.13 ERA and 200 strikeouts for his Japanese team, the Seibu Lions, this year. He throws in the high-90s, has good off-speed pitches and is known for his deceptive "gyroball," which has been likened to a screwball.
The Lions will not receive any of the $51.1 million if Matsuzaka does not sign. The initial offer made by the Red Sox was believed to be between $7-8 million a year for four-six years, but Boras was reportedly asking for nearly $15 million a year.
Though the Herald's source admitted that there is time for the outlook to change, as of Saturday night the team and Matsuzaka weren't close to finding a common ground.




Just thought it was an important article...

[triplefive]

That's never the situation with the Rocket. Especially the last couple years, when both the Sox and :ugh: the Yanks were on his shortlist. If the Red Sox offered him a lucrative contract, I'm almost certain he'd be back in Boston.
If Clemens leaves the state of Texas, it'll be to join Pettitte in New York.

Also, 7-8 million to Matsuzaka is a really low-ball offer, IMO, especially considering what Meche just signed in KC.

[NewYorkSpider]

[quote=Future Prez]That's never the situation with the Rocket. Especially the last couple years, when both the Sox and :ugh: the Yanks were on his shortlist. If the Red Sox offered him a lucrative contract, I'm almost certain he'd be back in Boston.[quote]

If the Red Sox sign Matsuzaka, which it doesn't look like it is going to happen. Then i can't see him re-signing. The Red Sox have already got a powerful rotation with Schilling, Beckett, Clement, Papelbon and Wakefield. I don't see the need for the Rocket to come to Boston just for one more year.

[Superman79]

^^ Clement is all but gone. He's never been the same since taking that liner to to face (and who can blame him??)

I am tenative about the Matsuzaka deal...Boras has a way of holding out til the very last second, that and as much as Matzu. and his team what it to happen, don't be surprised if Boras bends at the last possible moment.

As for Roger being back on Beantown for only one year...remember, he's one of those baseball history types, to him it could be a story-book ending for his career, coming back to where it all began to officially finish his career (and possibly win a World Series). Not saying it will happen, just that It's never out of the realm of possibility with the Rocket.

[NewYorkSpider]

The only teams i see him coming back to is Yankees or Astros.

I also think if he started all of last season. The Astros would have won the divison over the St.Louis Cardinals.

[Spidey-Bat]

I don't think Zito would be a good fit in Boston. He's benefited in his career from the spacious dimensions of Mcafee, and and would be hurt big time in Fenway. Most of his outs come via the flyball, which leave Fenway a lot sooner than it leaves Mcafee.

Boston was never an option for Zito to begin with. He was either going to the Dodgers, Giants, Padres, or Mets. Now it has come down to the Rangers and Mets. Every analyst has expected him to go to the Mets and Zito's people are encouraging that as well.

[Future Prez]

The only teams i see him coming back to is Yankees or Astros.

I also think if he started all of last season. The Astros would have won the divison over the St.Louis Cardinals.

The 'Stros had too little offense to win anything last year. They were out of the race completely until St. Louis had that September meltdown.

BTW, a New Yorker predicting that Clemens will either go to the Yanks or Astros, how classic:whatever:. I'll admit there's a chance he'll end up there, but I think the Sox will want him more, espcially if the Daisuke deal fails.

You're right that the rotation is strong, save for Clement, but the Red Sox front office found out the hard way last season that the more, the merrier; that's why they went after Daisuke in the first place, they don't want to take any chances of an '05/06 repeat.

[Spidey-Bat]

The Red Sox have no bullpen though. They really should keep Papelbon in there and sign Clemens to take his spot.

[NewYorkSpider]

BTW, a New Yorker predicting that Clemens will either go to the Yanks or Astros, how classic:whatever:. I'll admit there's a chance he'll end up there, but I think the Sox will want him more, espcially if the Daisuke deal fails

Ok, I can see Roger Clemens signing with the BoSox, but Clemens said that he wanted to stay in the state of Texas where is family is. If he did come and pitch for the Red Sox or Yanks, it would add to another dramatic effect of the rivalry they have. It seems to never end with those two teams and probably never will.

[Spidey-Bat]

It'd be more dramatic if he signed with the Red Sox. Imagine all the hype surrounding the Pettitte vs. Clemens match up.

[Superman79]

It'd be more dramatic if he signed with the Red Sox. Imagine all the hype surrounding the Pettitte vs. Clemens match up.

And that is EXACTLY why he might do it. Clemans LOVES drama and spectical, especially if they help to further cement him into the baseball history he (and really ALL real fans) loves so much.

[phil]

Pettite in NY scares because of ther Roger factor. The Sox was his second choice last summer I was suprised when I read that. I would love it if he came back it would make it cool if them two went to opposite teams to finish it up, but I can see them wanting to hang out and travel together even more
:(

[Future Prez]

The Red Sox have no bullpen though. They really should keep Papelbon in there and sign Clemens to take his spot.

As much as I'd support keeping Paps in the bullpen, they won't do it. The reason they moved him in the first place was his health; don't forget he got a shoulder subluxation in September, and the team doctor felt it was due to overuse. If anybody, they'll put Lester there so he can be eased back in after all the chemo.

BTW, do you guys think Rog will get in to the HoF w/ 99 or 100% of the votes? I have a feeling he will.

[Spidey-Bat]

He will. It's just a matter of when.

[Gotendbz-2]

Boooo. The O's signed Jay Payton. We have no power hitters, and we wanted a power hitting LF. :down:cmad:

[Spidey-Bat]

Eric Gagne signed a 1 yr/$6M contract with the Rangers. Now it seems the Red Sox will need to find another closer. Also this could impact where Zito goes since Texas now has another arm and less money.

[Superman79]

Wow...anybody check this article on ESPN.com...sounds like this could be an almost certainty...which is NOT a problem in my book :D

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove06/columns/story?id=2693833

[Future Prez]

Eric Gagne signed a 1 yr/$6M contract with the Rangers. Now it seems the Red Sox will need to find another closer. Also this could impact where Zito goes since Texas now has another arm and less money.

I heard the Sox have three ideas for closer right now:

1. Get Gonzo from the Pirates
2. Get Akinori from Texas
3. Give it to Devern Hansack

I'd most approve of the first, but I'd give Hansack a shot.

BTW, the Rangers are still in the Zito race, and big time. Somehow, they're still bidding over $100 million.

[Spidey-Bat]

The Rangers have been backpeddling a lot. Signing Padills and Gagne improves their pitching and they are looking at signing Vernon Wells for next year so they may not be as willing to throw sacks of money at Zito like they did A-Rod. I am still pretty confident Zito will sign with the Mets after he has toured NYC this week.

[Superman79]

So, I'm convinced no man in the world, not even Steinbrenner, is more greedy than Scott Boras...he won't even let D-Mat talk to Epstien because he knows D-Mat would take less than the 100 million Boras wants...what an ass :mad:

[Superman79]

OK, if this article is right...I am currently one of the happiest men on the planet :D


Red Sox, Matsuzaka headed to Boston
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2696321

[triplefive]

you'll still be in third place!!!! :cmad::cwink:

[DBella]

you'll still be in third place!!!! :cmad::cwink:
Haha! :up: :D

Oh, I'll be going to Mariners Fan Fest on January 27th.

Good news that I'd like to share... not that anyone cares for my stinky Mariners but anyway...

"The Joel Pineiro era in Seattle officially ended on Tuesday when the Mariners opted not to tender him a contract offer for the 2007 season..."

Whoo-hoo!!! About time!!!! :up: :up:

The Ms are also close to signing Miguel Batista from the Diamondbacks. He has a 4.48 ERA. Can't they find someone better? :( Looks like another losing season to me.

[Fran]

Da Tigers.

[DBella]

Da Tigers.
That's all you've got? Pfft! :down:
;)

[triplefive]

The Ms are also close to signing Miguel Batista from the Diamondbacks. He has a 4.48 ERA. Can't they find someone better? :( Looks like another losing season to me.
That's about as good as free-agent pitching gets this year.


Some people might care to hear this... rumour has it the Jays have offered Vernon Wells a US$126-million, seven-year contract extension.

[Excel]

yes! sox add drew, lugo, now matzaka!!! now lets go get us a closer!!

[DBella]

That's about as good as free-agent pitching gets this year.


Some people might care to hear this... rumour has it the Jays have offered Vernon Wells a US$126-million, seven-year contract extension.
Whoa!! That's like $18 mil a year!! :eek:

What's with all these ridiculous price tags?
I think he's a pretty good pitcher and I like him. Ms could use someone like that in their bullpen but is he really worth that much?

[Superman79]

you'll still be in third place!!!! :cmad::cwink:

BRING IT ON BLUEBIRD!!!!! ;) :p

[Fran]

That's all you've got? Pfft! :down:
;)

I think I can conjure up some more, Bella. :yay:

Detroit Tigers Starting Line-Up
C- Ivan Rodriguez
1B- Sean Casey
2B- Placido Polanco
SS- Carlos Guillen
3B- Brandon Inge
LF- Craig Monroe
CF- Curtis Granderson
RF- Gary Sheffield
DH- Magglio Ordonez
SPs- Kenny Rogers, Jeremy Bonderman, Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson, Zach Miner
Closer- Todd Jones

Seattle Mariners Starting Line-Up
C- Kenji Johjima
1B- Richie Sexso
2B- Jose Lopez
SS- Yuniesky Betancourt
3B- Adrian Beltre
LF- Raul Ibanez
CF- Ichiro Suzuki
RF- Jose Guillen
DH- Ben Broussard
SPs- Jarrod Washburn, Felix Hernandez, Horacio Ramirez, Jake Woods, Cha Seung Baek
Closer- J.J. Putz

I don't really have to explain it anymore... :o

Da Tigers. :yay: :up:

[Dodger]

Eric Gagne signing with the Rangers does not make the rangers better. the last two years he only pitch 2 innings. He's had four surgeries. 2 on his arm, one on his knee one on his back. I love the guy, he was the best dodger to come around in a long time. But he is way injury prone.

In has last surgery they took out his ulnar nerve(i think that was the name correct me if im wrong here.). he would pitch with numbness but no more discomfort. After one inning in the summer, he complained of a burning sensation, with no nerve? weird right.

he cant throw 95 anymore, he just has offspeed pitches, and with the heat, his career is going to end. Shame. He couldve stayed in LA, we would of loved him with 50 blown/saves. Good luck gagne =)

[DBella]

I think I can conjure up some more, Bella. :yay:

Detroit Tigers Starting Line-Up
C- Ivan Rodriguez
1B- Sean Casey
2B- Placido Polanco
SS- Carlos Guillen
3B- Brandon Inge
LF- Craig Monroe
CF- Curtis Granderson
RF- Gary Sheffield
DH- Magglio Ordonez
SPs- Kenny Rogers, Jeremy Bonderman, Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson, Zach Miner
Closer- Todd Jones

Seattle Mariners Starting Line-Up
C- Kenji Johjima
1B- Richie Sexso
2B- Jose Lopez
SS- Yuniesky Betancourt
3B- Adrian Beltre
LF- Raul Ibanez
CF- Ichiro Suzuki
RF- Jose Guillen
DH- Ben Broussard
SPs- Jarrod Washburn, Felix Hernandez, Horacio Ramirez, Jake Woods, Cha Seung Baek
Closer- J.J. Putz

I don't really have to explain it anymore... :o

Da Tigers. :yay: :up:
Much better but...

You make my team look bad!!! :mad: :(

[Dodger]

I want to throw in my 0.02 cents about the sox's.

I feel they made awful signings. Awful. the jury is still out on the matsuzaka deal. he has great stuff no doubt. But are the expectations to high for him? If he's not god like his first outing how will he react to boston nation turning on him? I do wish him luck, him succeding here can make baseball the global game IT should be.

But with the signing of the former dodgers. There paying a bench player, a BENCH player 8 million? Julio Lugo can't play. He has nice speed and a good bat but no glove. and drew? i know he fits into moneyball and that method won you guys a world series, but drew is not loyal, is injury prone, bad base running and in a clutch situation will just look at strike 3.

yeah, he can protect ortiz and manny, yes they will see alot of pitches, but thats if drew is healthy, which i really doubt he would be =(

Well, either way good luck Bo'soxs

[Spidey-Bat]

Eric Gagne signing with the Rangers does not make the rangers better. the last two years he only pitch 2 innings. He's had four surgeries. 2 on his arm, one on his knee one on his back. I love the guy, he was the best dodger to come around in a long time. But he is way injury prone.

In has last surgery they took out his ulnar nerve(i think that was the name correct me if im wrong here.). he would pitch with numbness but no more discomfort. After one inning in the summer, he complained of a burning sensation, with no nerve? weird right.

he cant throw 95 anymore, he just has offspeed pitches, and with the heat, his career is going to end. Shame. He couldve stayed in LA, we would of loved him with 50 blown/saves. Good luck gagne =)

Gagne does improve their pitching since it was horrible to begin with.

[Superman79]

I think I can conjure up some more, Bella. :yay:

Detroit Tigers Starting Line-Up
C- Ivan Rodriguez
1B- Sean Casey
2B- Placido Polanco
SS- Carlos Guillen
3B- Brandon Inge
LF- Craig Monroe
CF- Curtis Granderson
RF- Gary Sheffield
DH- Magglio Ordonez
SPs- Kenny Rogers, Jeremy Bonderman, Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson, Zach Miner
Closer- Todd Jones

Seattle Mariners Starting Line-Up
C- Kenji Johjima
1B- Richie Sexso
2B- Jose Lopez
SS- Yuniesky Betancourt
3B- Adrian Beltre
LF- Raul Ibanez
CF- Ichiro Suzuki
RF- Jose Guillen
DH- Ben Broussard
SPs- Jarrod Washburn, Felix Hernandez, Horacio Ramirez, Jake Woods, Cha Seung Baek
Closer- J.J. Putz

I don't really have to explain it anymore... :o

Da Tigers. :yay: :up:

How about 'no' Scott??? :cwink:

Boston Red Sox Starting Line-Up
C- Jason Varitek
1B- Kevin Youklis
2B- Alex Cora
SS- Julio Lugo
3B- Mike Lowell
LF- Manny Ramirez
CF- Coco Crisp
RF- JD Drew
DH- DAVID ORTIZ
SPs- D-Mat, Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Johnathan Papelbon, Tim Wakefield, (and Jon Lester when he's healthy).
Closer- Mike Timlin (for now)

Da Red Sox!! :woot:

[Spidey-Bat]

They should have dumped Coco Crisp :down:

[Superman79]

WHOOOHOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Well I LOVE that dirty water....ahhhh...Boston you're my home!!!"

RED SOX SIGN MATSAZUKA FOR 6 YEARS!!!!

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/baseball/mlb/12/13/matsuzaka.signs/index.html

Life is good. :woot: :woot:

[Superman79]

They should have dumped Coco Crisp :down:

yeah, i woulda been happier with Damon or even Andruw Jones, but hey, maybe Coco will play up to his potential this year...

[Spidey-Bat]

Great news since this won't cost the Red Sox much and has little to no impact on Zito's salary.

yeah, i woulda been happier with Damon or even Andruw Jones, but hey, maybe Coco will play up to his potential this year...

Damon is a horrible CF. Coco Crisp is a bench player and only has a glove, he cannot hit. They better dump his ass next year to pick up either Wells, Hunter, or Jones. Hunter would be the best of those.

[Superman79]

I am convinced with some work, Papelbon and D-Mat could be the Manny and Ortiz of pitching...man, wouldn't that be great!!!

[Spidey-Bat]

I doubt they will be that dominate. Papelbon hasn't pitched 5-6 innings and D-Mat hasn't even pitched one in the MLB. Their starts will be something to see.


I'm looking forward to the Mets season. If they can sign Zito or at the very least Mulder, they will get a good lead on the division. I like how the National League has decided to get better.

[Superman79]

I doubt they will be that dominate. Papelbon hasn't pitched 5-6 innings and D-Mat hasn't even pitched one in the MLB. Their starts will be something to see.


I'm looking forward to the Mets season. If they can sign Zito or at the very least Mulder, they will get a good lead on the division. I like how the National League has decided to get better.

I can HOPE can't I??? Why you gotta go stompin of my positive vibe man!! :cmad:
F**k, fine! you just sit in your tower and judge!! Gotta kill off a mans hopes!! Dammit!! :cmad:

HAHA...j/k :woot::woot::oldrazz:

I probably AM getting my hopes a bit high, but you never know...

As for the NL...yeah, they are picking up steam, hell in a couple years they're gonna have a crop of good teams rather than a handful, and personally I hope the Mets do well...Pedro still has a special place in my heart...

[Snipershot]

wait, isnt matt clement still on the redsox roster? if not, we still have 5 nice starters. im just waiting for my mets to sign Zito already. theyve had a bust so far... they need him!!

[Spidey-Bat]

I can HOPE can't I??? Why you gotta go stompin of my positive vibe man!! :cmad:
F**k, fine! you just sit in your tower and judge!! Gotta kill off a mans hopes!! Dammit!! :cmad:

HAHA...j/k :woot::woot::oldrazz:

I probably AM getting my hopes a bit high, but you never know...

I could be wrong. We shall see.

As for the NL...yeah, they are picking up steam, hell in a couple years they're gonna have a crop of good teams rather than a handful, and personally I hope the Mets do well...Pedro still has a special place in my heart...

I love him too. He is the best modern pitcher ever. Look at some of his records; Best winning pct. with 1 team (117-37), lowest ERA of an active pitcher, lowest WHIP since the deadball era, highest K/BB ratio of modern pitcher, there is a lot more but I don't want to put it all. All he is missing is credit for his perfect game.

[Superman79]

^^ True...the man is HOF all the way :D

(Hopefully as a Red Sox ;) :p)

[Future Prez]

wait, isnt matt clement still on the redsox roster? if not, we still have 5 nice starters. im just waiting for my mets to sign Zito already. theyve had a bust so far... they need him!!

Yes, he's still on the roster, though I don't think for long. They may bring him into the season, but they'll probably trade him shortly thereafter. They won't get anyone great (or even good), but it'll probably be a AA pitcher/1B.

BTW, no one should say Coco is a bench player. Before last season, which was injury plagued for not just him, but the entire team, Coco was a very solid leadoff man. Offhand, I believe he had career averages of .300 15-20 HRs, and around 65 RBIs. I'd rather see Drew leave for someone like Wells or Jones before Coco. I'll give him a chance to redeem himself.

[Ben Urich]

"The Joel Pineiro era in Seattle officially ended on Tuesday when the Mariners opted not to tender him a contract offer for the 2007 season..."

I dated his sister :up:

[Spidey-Bat]

Like Clemens, he hasn't done as much outside of Boston. Unless Pedro gets over 20 wins and has an ERA under 2 the rest of his career and gets resigned with the Mets to end his career as one, he will go in as a Red Sox no question. The Red Sox should break their rules and retire his number. The man deserves it more than Clemens.

Oh, I also love him b/c by signing with the Mets, he put the team on the map. It's really because of him that they got Beltran, Lo Duca, and Delgado.

BTW, no one should say Coco is a bench player. Before last season, which was injury plagued for not just him, but the entire team, Coco was a very solid leadoff man. Offhand, I believe he had career averages of .300 15-20 HRs, and around 65 RBIs. I'd rather see Drew leave for someone like Wells or Jones before Coco. I'll give him a chance to redeem himself.

Coco is not the caliber of player that other CFs are. He is reckless with his defense. Look at some of the catches he made. He sacrifices his body which often causes more harm than good. Look at what it did to Griffey. The Red Sox would be wise to trade him to the NL where he would get better numbers for some much needed relief.

[Spidey-Bat]

EDIT: Double Post

[Gotendbz-2]

Probably the only good thing that will happen for the O's in 2007 is Cal Ripken Jr. getting in the Hall Of Fame.

[Excel]

papelbon & dmat=next glavine/madux

[Spidey-Bat]

More like Smoltz and Maddux.

[Superman79]

^^Either way I LIKE IT :D :up:

[Spidey-Bat]

D-Mat is #18. Which is good news for my sister since we got her a #18 jersey months before Damon signed with the Yankees.

[Future Prez]

D-Mat is #18. Which is good news for my sister since we got her a #18 jersey months before Damon signed with the Yankees.

Yeah, I thought about that when I saw a news story about him signing. For some reason, they were in a store that had number 18, nameless jerseys hanging up and said to myself, "I wonder if those were they leftover Damon jerseys that were being sold for fifty bucks last week?":whatever:

[El ASESINO]

With Vernon Wells Getting a seven year contract of $126 million dollars

No way is Andruw staying a BRAVE after 2007:csad:


GO BRAVES!

[triplefive]

as if the jays actually signed a franchise player!

[Excel]

red sox win world series 2007:woot:

my predictions-

104-58

avg. hr. rbis
1. youkilis -.306 12 86
2. coco- .305 11 64 100 + runs
3. papi- .324 60 151 new protection=bigger numbers
4. manny .316 43 143 WILL GET HIS 500TH HOMER THIS SEASON!
5. Drew .284 25 92
6. Lugo .283 16 58
7. Tek 275 21 81
8. Lowell .301 15 60
9.Pedroia .245 2 23

starting fivwe

1. matzaka-21-5
2. schilling-20-8
3. beckett-18-10
4. papelbon-16-3
5. lester-15-9

Hansen/delcarmen closing-41 saves
we forgot lester.

MATZAKA+PAPELBON+LESTER = sox starting pitching domination for a longgggggggggggg time.

[Future Prez]

red sox win world series 2007:woot:

my predictions-

104-58

avg. hr. rbis
1. youkilis -.306 12 86
2. coco- .305 11 64 100 + runs
3. papi- .324 60 151 new protection=bigger numbers
4. manny .316 43 143 WILL GET HIS 500TH HOMER THIS SEASON!
5. Drew .284 25 92
6. Lugo .283 16 58
7. Tek 275 21 81
8. Lowell .301 15 60
9.Pedroia .245 2 23

starting fivwe

1. matzaka-21-5
2. schilling-20-8
3. beckett-18-10
4. papelbon-16-3
5. lester-15-9

Hansen/delcarmen closing-41 saves
we forgot lester.

MATZAKA+PAPELBON+LESTER = sox starting pitching domination for a longgggggggggggg time.

No offense, because that is a wet dream for every Sox fan, but lets not get ahead of ourselves, espcially because some of the facts you put forth are most likely going to be incorrect.

1. The Line-up is wrong, they've already announced Lugo will lead-off, which changes the whole dynamic of it. My best prediction is this:
Lugo
Youkilis
Papi
Manny
Drew
Tek
Lowell
Coco
Pedroia/Cora

2. The rotation is also going to be different. They're not going to rush Lester back into it, even at #5. Anyway, they're not going to disrespect Curt by bumping him down now that we have D-Mat, especially in his retirement year.

Schill
Beckett
D-Mat
Paps
Wakefield

3. Finally, I don't expect Craig Hansen to start the season in the MLB, nor do I forsee DelCarmen as being our closer. With recent acquisitions (Romero, Donnely) and developments (I've heard the name Hansack thrown around), it'll probably be a horserace during spring training.

The Red Sox do have a much improved chance of making the play-offs, though. One big thing, and I hoped we learned this last year, is that in order for this to happen we need to see almost everyone remain healthy, especially the new guys, such as JD Drew.

[Spidey-Bat]

The Defense and Relief of the Red Sox is really weak. And they have no LHSP until Lester comes back. I'm predicting they will move Papelbon into the BP after blowing so many games in the 8th and 9th and then signing Clemens so he can finish his career with them.

I really do not see the Red Sox getting to the World Series again or even the playoffs.


As far as my team goes, I'm very happy with:

Zito*
Glavine
El Duque/Pedro
Perez
Maine
(Pedro will replace El Duque who will move to the BP. If no Zito, then Pelfrey and/or Humber will start until Pedro gets back)

Jose Reyes (Best SS in baseball)
Lo Duca
Beltran
Delgado
Wright (just needs more consistency with power)
Alou (old, but he can hit)
Green
Valentin (needs to bat left only)

[Gotendbz-2]

HOLY CRAP!!! Vernon Wells gets signed to a 7 year $126 million contract!!?? :wow: He's good, but thats just insane!



1.matzaka-21-5
2.schilling-20-8
3.beckett-18-10

Highly unlikely, theres no way Schilling will get 20 wins, I think more like, 16.

This is how I see it

Matzuka - 17-9
Schilling - 14/15-11
Beckett - 13-10

But maybe thats because I'm an O's fan.

[Spidey-Bat]

Yours are more realistic. D-Mat won't get 21 wins. No one gets 20+ wins these days.

[Dodger]

Has anyone seen this gyro-ball that d-mat has?

[DarthRekal]

dodgers win world series.. dont you guys know its always someone who creeps in and isnt favored


dodgers in 07!:woot:

and spidey bat no offense but i hate your team:oldrazz:

[Spidey-Bat]

dodgers win world series.. dont you guys know its always someone who creeps in and isnt favored

dodgers in 07!:woot:

and spidey bat no offense but i hate your team:oldrazz:

Some years it ends up being the underdog, other times it's obvious.

I can imagine why. If it's any consolation, the Dodgers were better than the Cardinals. They could have won in a 7-game series.

[DarthRekal]

recently what has it been ? the cards.. i think the tigers were avoredcorrect me if im wrong)


the year before that the sox

the year before that the marlins

the year before that the other sox

the year before that the angels

a trend i see


tell me if any of you bet on any of those teams at the beginning of the year


.
re: the mets

naw y'all were a better team last year and i gotta love loduca i hate we traded him! but its just a rivalry thing!

i remember the eighties we always had to get by you guys to go and it was hit and miss

[Ben Urich]

Dice-K will be lucky to get to 15 wins. That's a tough number for a no. 3 pitcher to get, especially since he'll probably only get 35 starts or so.

[Spidey-Bat]

recently what has it been ? the cards.. i think the tigers were avoredcorrect me if im wrong)


the year before that the sox

the year before that the marlins

the year before that the other sox

the year before that the angels

a trend i see

It's been:
Cards - kinda underdog (they had momentum after the Mets and the Tigers were off a week)
White Sox - favored
Red Sox - favored
Marlins - underdog
Angels - even
D-Backs - underdog



tell me if any of you bet on any of those teams at the beginning of the year
Betting on baseball teams is mad difficult. The favored teams never live up and those that aren't favored do tremendously well. How many people expected the Braves' dynasty to end?

re: the mets

naw y'all were a better team last year and i gotta love loduca i hate we traded him! but its just a rivalry thing!

i remember the eighties we always had to get by you guys to go and it was hit and miss

It's been a rather quiet rivalry but I hope to see it get revived again. Especially since there are so many ex-Dodgers on our team.

BTW, thanks for Piazza and Lo Duca. Want to continue the trend with Martin? :)

[DarthRekal]

your stating the odds of the opponents in the series

im saying at the beginning of the year were they favored to take it all

and thats what makes baseball mad difficult to predict



as far as the catchers ..at least we didnt pull a shaq and trade away a title:cwink:


but i think we'll keep martin you can have lieberthal though:word:

[Spidey-Bat]

I wish April would get here already :(

[Future Prez]

Dice-K will be lucky to get to 15 wins. That's a tough number for a no. 3 pitcher to get, especially since he'll probably only get 35 starts or so.

Yeah, but if Beckett can still manage to get sixteen wins in a season in which he posted a 5.01 ERA, anything is possible.

dodger
Has anyone seen this gyro-ball that d-mat has?


Yeah, I've seen footage. Supposedly, it breaks down and in on righties. That should help him get a lot of Ks over here.

This is a normal guy throwing one. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df01-1tAjKk)
Here's Daisuke. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sboi0EWp8ao&mode=related&search=)

BTW, can anyone photoshop a pic of Daisuke and put him in a Sox uni?

[Spidey-Bat]

The gyroball isn't real. Matsuzaka even said it isn't real. If anything, it is just a nasty slider.

[Superman79]

^^Really, in all honesty, who cares what it is as long at it gets people out :D

[Dodger]

Yeah, but if Beckett can still manage to get sixteen wins in a season in which he posted a 5.01 ERA, anything is possible.



Yeah, I've seen footage. Supposedly, it breaks down and in on righties. That should help him get a lot of Ks over here.

This is a normal guy throwing one. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df01-1tAjKk)
Here's Daisuke. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sboi0EWp8ao&mode=related&search=)

BTW, can anyone photoshop a pic of Daisuke and put him in a Sox uni?


Dam, that sick. I really hope the miles on his arm don't break him down.

[Dodger]

It's been:
Cards - kinda underdog (they had momentum after the Mets and the Tigers were off a week)
White Sox - favored
Red Sox - favored
Marlins - underdog
Angels - even
D-Backs - underdog




Betting on baseball teams is mad difficult. The favored teams never live up and those that aren't favored do tremendously well. How many people expected the Braves' dynasty to end?



It's been a rather quiet rivalry but I hope to see it get revived again. Especially since there are so many ex-Dodgers on our team.

BTW, thanks for Piazza and Lo Duca. Want to continue the trend with Martin? :)

We didn't give you lo duca or piazza....the Marlins did =D. So if we ever (pray to god that it never happens ) trade R. Martin to the marlins, then yes, youre getting him.

[Spidey-Bat]

Thanks for trading them so we could get them.

[Spidey-Bat]

J.D. Drew needs a 2nd opinion on his shoulder before passing a physical and officially join the team.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061217&content_id=1763164&vkey=hotstove2006&fext=.jsp

[Future Prez]

J.D. Drew needs a 2nd opinion on his shoulder before passing a physical and officially join the team.

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061217&content_id=1763164&vkey=hotstove2006&fext=.jsp

I hope this tears the deal apart, though I doubt it. The most we can expect is less years or less guranteed cash. For some reason, Theo thinks Drew=Jesus.:huh:

[Superman79]

I dunno if you guys read Bill Simmons, but the man is a great and hilarious sports writer...here's a couple of his Mailbag answers from this week (SG is his handle as he is reffered to as the "Sports Guy":

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/061215

Thoughts on Matsazuka:
Q: For some reason I've started calling Daisuke "Mr. Zero." I have no reason but it sounds fairly sinister and like an anime bad guy. I think it came from this woman my brother was dating. We were dropping her off at her car and when she pointed it out she said, "There it is, the silver bullet." After she got out of the car my brother's friend Daryl said, "Do you think she knows her car's black?" From then on every nickname I've given someone/thing makes no sense. It's almost like her statement completely scrambled my brain waves. Maybe if Mr. Zero has an affinity for shutouts he'll prove me as prophetic. But odds are I'm now as crazy as that woman my brother was dating, which is a bit disconcerting.
--Sean, Washington

SG: Maybe you better stop talking for a while, Champ. But you're right -- Mr. Zero makes for a great nickname for someone. I just don't think Daisuke needs one when we can call him "Dice." As long as we don't call him D-Mat, I'm happy -- especially since that greasy used car salesman, Scott Boras, was the one pushing that nickname. Let's settle on "Dice" and call it a day.

And speaking of Dice, I'm excited to have the Japanese Pedro on my team but have two concerns going in. First, I'm disappointed that he doesn't look a little more villainous than he does. I like my mysterious Japanese pitchers with unpronounceable names to have cold eyes, a blank stare, a 20-hair fu manchu and the same icy look that Sato's nephew had while he was trying to destroy Daniel-San at the end of "Karate Kid II." Those are the guys who would be terrifying in the ninth inning of a 1-0 game. Dice looks much more happy-go-lucky and friendlier than I expected, like one of those giddy exchange students in college who tries to join a frat and ends up having his stomach pumped on the second night. I'm not sure this is a good thing. And second, it's always a little scary when the Red Sox spend $103 million on a pitcher who owns the same winter jacket as my wife. No, really. Check out the picture to the right. How do you say, "I will now light myself on fire" in Japanese?

[Superman79]

THOUGHTS ON JD DREW::

Q: You have NO idea how much you will hate J.D. Drew.
--Dave Geeting, St. Louis

SG: Uh-oh, looks like we're entering the "If you're a Red Sox fan, you're about to be in a terrible mood reading all these J.D. Drew e-mails" portion of the mailbag. You knew it was coming. Just humor me.

Q: I just wanted to congratulate you on your team becoming the new Mets. You know, the team that overspends on guys who sound good on paper, but who will totally flop under the pressure of their ridiculous contracts and the city's overbearing media. I'm sure Drew and Lugo will be very happy on their new teams in a year or two when the Sox have to dump their stupid contracts for 30 cents on the dollar.
--Ben Teaford. Rocky Hill, Conn.

SG: (Punching myself in the face.)

Q: As a Dodgers fan, I was upset when I heard Drew opted out. Then I remembered how much money he was giving up and thought he was crazy -- after all, no one would pay $11 million a year for a corner outfielder who hits .280 with 20 HRs and looks like he doesn't care. Not once in his Dodger tenure do I remember going, "Wow. J.D. Drew really came up big for us last night." Good riddance.
--Josh, Santa Barbara, Calif.

SG: (Slamming my hand in a door.)

Q: The day Drew opted out of his Dodger contract was like the feeling I had on Christmas morning when I was 7 and got my first pair of skates … an utterly joyous occasion. This man has no passion or love for the game of baseball and plays the game accordingly. It is fitting that he will be playing for Boston fans who will hate this guy with a passion by the second spring training game. As a fan of the game, I am sad that any other fans have to watch this guy -- except maybe Yankee fans; I was hoping Steinbrenner would overpay him. Good luck, this is your worst nightmare!
--Tom Rowe, Long Beach, Calif.

SG: (Repeatedly ramming my body into my Christmas tree.)

Q: Just a stellar quote from Epstein about the J.D. Drew signing: "Virtually every player is a collection of strengths and weaknesses." Equivalent to when your buddy has a new girlfriend, and you know she's nuts, and he knows she's nuts, and she does something crazy like ask him for his e-mail password "just to prove that he trusts her," and the buddy tries to laugh it off by saying "but all women are a little crazy, you know, right?" It's never a good sign when the fans of the team that a player left are happier than the fans of the team that that player signed with.
--Sam, Los Angeles

SG: (Ramming a candy cane into my eye.)

Q: I am a lifelong Dodgers fan and having one of the greatest laughs of my life watching the Red Sox sign J.D. Drew. I couldn't believe the Dodgers gave that bum $11 million a year to play sucky, injury-plagued, emotionless baseball. I was even more stunned when he OPTED OUT of that goldmine contract, although very happy because he was a joke. So, you can only imagine once I heard that he was getting $14 million a year from another team, I laughed my a$$ off! What was your thought process during this whole scenario?
--David S., Toledo, Ohio

SG: Thanks for asking. I haven't been this horrified by a big move from a Boston team since the Celtics traded for Vin Baker four summers ago. The Sox just signed someone who, by all accounts, plays without any semblance of passion or intensity. He's the exact type of player that Boston fans have always hated. We have a century-long track record of proving this point. That's the part I don't get. It's not like Theo is from France -- he's from freaking Brookline. He should have known. Arrrrrrrrrgh. One last e-mail about Drew …

Q: What did Bono say to the Yankees fan after hearing about the J.D. Drew and Julio Lugo signings?

"Well, tonight thank God it's them instead of you!!!!!"
--Michael Rupp, Fairfield, Conn.

SG: Now that's comedy. Well done. :woot: :csad:

[Spidey-Bat]

Is he really comparing Dice-K to Pedro? ................Wow

And I think that one guy confused the Mets with the Yankees since our guys over 30 did very well in the post season.


Also, this isn't real news but I found these articles on The Onion about Soriano to be pretty funny:

Alfonso Soriano Regrets Joining 40-40 Club After Meeting Other Members (http://www.theonion.com/content/node/53084)
Alfonso Soriano: 'I Am Excited To Play For $136 Million' (http://www.theonion.com/content/node/55653)

[Future Prez]

www.si.com

The Red Sox will sign Roger Clemens. The contract will pay Clemens $12 million to join a six-man rotation anchored by Daisuke Matsuzaka, and he'll sign it on June 1, just before a home game against the Yankees. Boston will also agree to retire the Rocket's number 21 at the end of the season. Clemens will then announce (again) that he's retiring.

Frank Thomas, Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez will hit their 500th home runs. That will make nine players to join the 500 Home Run Club in nine years. Before 1998 only 15 players had reached 500.

Tom Glavine will win his 300th game in late August. That will prompt the media to ask whether Glavine is the last of the 300-game winners, just as they did when Clemens won his 300th in 2003 and when Greg Maddux won his 300th in '04, and as they will again in '08 when Randy Johnson wins his 300th (with the Diamondbacks).

Barry Bonds will pass Hank Aaron as the alltime home run leader with number 756 on Sept. 7 in San Francisco against the Dodgers. After hitting number 755 in Washington on Sept. 1, Bonds will sit out four consecutive road games because of what the Giants call "tightness in his hamstring," thus avoiding the embarrassment of being booed upon breaking the record. The Giants, mired in last place, will hold a 20-minute ceremony immediately after his milestone homer, but neither Aaron nor commissioner Bud Selig will appear.

The Mitchell Report will name names ... but not new ones. On Feb. 12, when Major League Baseball releases the summary of the 12-month investigation into the Steroid Era by former senator George Mitchell, it will reveal -- surprise! -- prevalent use of performance-enhancing drugs throughout the game from 1988 through 2003. The only users named will be Jose Canseco, Ken Caminiti, Rafael Palmeiro, Jason Grimsley and Barry Bonds, who won't be disciplined because his documented usage occurred before penalties were in place. No club official interviewed in the report will confirm having first-hand knowledge of steroid use. Privately, owners will be steamed at the tens of millions of dollars spent by Mitchell and his squadron of lawyers on a glorified fact-checking mission.

Ryan Howard will blast 66 home runs, with Albert Pujols right behind at 62. After a reprise of the Great Home Run Race of 1998 -- only this time it's for real (or so we like to think) -- Howard will be generally, if unofficially, treated as the new Home Run King.

The Cubs will win the National League Central. But just before the first pitch of the Division Series, 18-game winner Mark Prior burns three fingers on his pitching hand when he moves a space heater in the Chicago dugout. The Dodgers sweep the series.



Just a few predictions posted on Si.com . I think some of them are likely, such as Bonds surpassing Aaron, and slugfest involving Ryan Howard (although I don't know if Pujols will be the challenger). I highly doubt that Mark Prior will win 18 games, though; I'm not gonna contest the Cubs to win the Central, I think they have a very good chance.

Rocket+Boston=:woot: x infinity

[Spidey-Bat]

Johnson won't win 300. He's breaking down already. If Pedro stays healthy, in the NL, and has more Pedro seasons, he could come close to 300.

My predictions:
After blowing 10 leads in the 8th and 9th innings during April, the Red Sox will move Papelbon back to the bullpen and sign Roger Clemens to take his position. Papelbon will accumulate 50 saves throughout the season.

Barry Bonds will become the first player to be hit by a pitch or walked 500 times in the season. He will not get a home run in a single one of his ABs.

The Cubs will win the NL Wild Card (2nd to Cardinals). With 2 wins under their belt, they will lead 8-5 going into the 9th inning. Kerry Wood will attempt to close the series and bring the Cubs to the NLCS. After getting 2 outs, the bases will be loaded and the next batter will end the game with a walk off grand slam.

[Fran]

The Barry Bonds prediction... I hope you're joking.

[Spidey-Bat]

I wish it could be true :(

[Future Prez]

I'm certain the Red Sox will have a closer before the season starts, whether it be an outsider (Mike Gonzalez?) or someone already on the team. I think Donnely has a shot, as well as Timlin, DelCarmen and maybe even Okajima. Papelbon will take his role as a future ace of the team, probably throwing between 180 and 220 innings next season.




How many more days until April 1?

[Superman79]

Rocket+Boston=:woot: x infinity

I'd almost agree. If Clemans wasn't so much of a Benedict Arnold-preJohnny Damon, traitorous scab.

Still, he could redeem himself a little if he would come back to beantown.:woot:

[Future Prez]

:woot: I like the idea of Doug Mientkievicz (I don't know how to spell his name, so don't bother me about it) playing first for the Yanks. He'll hurt 'em more than Loretta, their other choice.:cwink:

[Superman79]

^^ Meh, Doogie holds a special place in my heart by being a part of the 04 team...no matter who he might hurt now...so I'd rather not see him as a (regular) Yankee

[Spidey-Bat]

My prediction of Barry Zito signing with the Mets this week didn't happen.

After reading an interview with him in an SF paper, I'm pretty sure he wants to be a Met but hasn't signed because
A) Boras is making him wait and meet with all other teams.
B) The Mets haven't given him an official offer.

Hopefully they get him soon.

[Spidey-Bat]

Anyone think the NL will win the All-Star Game this year?

[Future Prez]

If the NL can continue to land good talent, and some fresh faces make the game from it, then their chances will greatly improve. Well, I shouldn't say that; they almost won last year, as it came down to the 9th. Paps make come in and shut 'em down, though.:oldrazz:

[Spidey-Bat]

Unless he is pitching when the AL is losing. It's a shame the All-Star Game isn't important. It was better when it didn't determine home field advantage.

[Future Prez]

It'll be a good All-star game this year. Most interesting will be which first-timers make it back. Daisuke better make the cut.

[Spidey-Bat]

I doubt it. He will probably bomb his first few outings and then start getting better. If he does get in the ASG, no way will he start.

One good thing this year is Ozzie Guillen isn't managing, so every backup player won't be a White Sox starter.

[Ben Urich]

Is the MLB All-Star roster determined by fan vote? Because Dice-K should be a lock if that's the case.

[Spidey-Bat]

The starting position players are chosen by fans. the pitching staff and bench is chosen by the managers.

[Ben Urich]

Dice-K will probably get in based on the fan vote, then.

[Spidey-Bat]

I just said the pitching staff is chosen by the managers :confused:

[Future Prez]

I doubt it. He will probably bomb his first few outings and then start getting better. If he does get in the ASG, no way will he start.

One good thing this year is Ozzie Guillen isn't managing, so every backup player won't be a White Sox starter.

Yeah, but Terry Francona did the same thing the year before, so you can't blame him. I think Leyland may be above doing that, too. He's a man who believes that any privileges one gets should be earned.

As far as Daisuke is concerned, "Never say Never". :cwink:

[Spidey-Bat]

Yeah, but Terry Francona did the same thing the year before, so you can't blame him. I think Leyland may be above doing that, too. He's a man who believes that any privileges one gets should be earned.

As far as Daisuke is concerned, "Never say Never". :cwink:

But Guillen chose Konerko and Thome over Hafner who was having a much better season at that point.

I don't see Leyland doing that. La Russa will probably do it.

[cyborg ninja 14]

My D-backs have decided to discuss Randy Johnson trading senarios with the Yankees. Even on christmas that makes me feel sick:csad:

[Future Prez]

But Guillen chose Konerko and Thome over Hafner who was having a much better season at that point.

I don't see Leyland doing that. La Russa will probably do it.

As Francona had brought along Matt Clement and Trot Nixon.

cyborg ninja 14
My D-backs have decided to discuss Randy Johnson trading senarios with the Yankees. Even on christmas that makes me feel sick:csad:


I hope the Yanks get stuck w/ him for another season. He's beyond his prime, and IMO, should retire.

[Spidey-Bat]

Barry Zito just pissed his career away to sign a $126M 7yr deal with the Giants. Nice move. Now the Giants have two idiots named Barry who care about money.

[Superman79]

Barry Zito just pissed his career away to sign a $126M 7yr deal with the Giants. Nice move. Now the Giants have two idiots named Barry who care about money.

whoa SB...bitter much?? Though I do feel for you man.

On the plus side though, I'm glad that Steinbrenner didn't steal Zito from under the Mets' noses like ESPN kept saying he would do...

[Spidey-Bat]

I wanted him to be a Met b/c there was so much going here for him and he just blew it all away for money. He could have had his control problems fixed by working with Peterson again, won another Cy Young and WS ring, and probably gotten better numbers for HOF consideration. But it just shows that he cares far more about making $126M in 7 years than being remembered for a lifetime. Plus I really wanted to get a Zito shirt b/c his name is so cool.

This signing is the equivelant of A-Rod getting traded to the Yankees. You guys wanted him on the Sox as the SS where he would have prospered and finally gotten the WS ring. Now he is just rotting at 3rd with the Yankees. Zito is the Met's A-Rod now.

Oh well, Carlos Zambrano will look nice in a Mets uniform next offseason. That is unless the Cubs give him Soriano/Zito money. Until then, not much unless the Marlins or Padres can give up Willis or Peavey, respectively.

[Superman79]

^^Blowing going to a great place in favor of barrels of cash...the story of baseball circa 2007...it is truly sad. But hey, good attitude, you might definatly get Zambo. next year, and I have a feeling Zito is gonna prove he is highly overrated this season.

[Spidey-Bat]

Yep. You need to stay positive. Unfortunately being depressed won't keep Zito signing on the dotted line.

[Superman79]

Yep. You need to stay positive. Unfortunately being depressed won't keep Zito signing on the dotted line.

meh, look at it this way, the Giants will still suck, regardless.

It's not like they locked up a WS slot with that signing.

[Spidey-Bat]

meh, look at it this way, the Giants will still suck, regardless.

It's not like they locked up a WS slot with that signing.

It is comforting to know they will suck and will be stuck with him when his arm blows out (which it most likely will since his mechanics are similar to Koufax).

Another good thing is that now experts will be less likely to predict the Mets to win the World Series which is always a good thing :up:

[Superman79]

Another good thing is that now experts will be less likely to predict the Mets to win the World Series which is always a good thing :up:

always better to be an underdog I always say :up:


Now I just hope my Sawx don't become too full of themselves, or too much the favorites...then they'd be too much like the Yanks :(

[Future Prez]

Until then, not much unless the Marlins or Padres can give up Willis or Peavey, respectively.

I know D-Train will be a free agent next year, though I'm not sure about Peavey. Willis will be packing his suit case, as I don't expect the Marlins to be anywhere near the salaries other teams will be offerring.

BTW, I heard a rumor once that the Red Sox had their choice between Willis and Beckett back in '05. Can anybody here confirm that they heard something similar?

[rdh007]

Andrew Eugene Pettitte is back where he belongs. :up:

[Spidey-Bat]

I know D-Train will be a free agent next year, though I'm not sure about Peavey. Willis will be packing his suit case, as I don't expect the Marlins to be anywhere near the salaries other teams will be offerring.

Peavy will probably stick around but a trade involving him was rumored some time ago.

BTW, I heard a rumor once that the Red Sox had their choice between Willis and Beckett back in '05. Can anybody here confirm that they heard something similar?

I never heard anything but I seriously doubt that was the case.

[Ben Urich]

Andrew Eugene Pettitte is back where he belongs. :up:

Yup. :up:
If we can dump Johnson I think we'll be in awesome shape. Getting Clemens to pitch the second half of the season would be awesome, too. :up:

[Spidey-Bat]

Yeah. You'll be in shape to win 2 playoff games this year :up:

[NewYorkSpider]

Yup. :up:
If we can dump Johnson I think we'll be in awesome shape. Getting Clemens to pitch the second half of the season would be awesome, too. :up:

I hope Clemens comes to pitch in New York for one more season. Randy Johnson is washed up.

[Superman79]

BTW, I heard a rumor once that the Red Sox had their choice between Willis and Beckett back in '05. Can anybody here confirm that they heard something similar?


ummmm.....:huh:

[Superman79]

Yeah. You'll be in shape to win 2 playoff games this year :up:

Oh SNAP!