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Baseball Off-Season Thread (2 Viewers)

Furps

Footballguy
Red Sox Assistant GM Josh Byrnes named General Manager of the Arizaona DiamondBacks.STL OF Larry Walker expected to retire.NYY GM Brian Cashman re-signs for 3 years/$5 million (?).

 
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You heard it here first. Larry Walker retires. Cardinals sign Brian Giles to play Right Field. We also sign a tough lefty to come out of the pen.

 
CIN decline options on P R.Ortiz and INF Rich Aurilia.SFG pick up options on P Jason Schmidt and OF Randy Winn.BOS reportedly sign P Mike Timlin to 1 year/3.5 million.

 
ManRam wants a trade. I really hope my BoSox can get something decent in return for him. Obviously we have a few needs, such as starting pitching and a middle of the lineup bat.

 
My Met wishlist:1. Closer (Wagner or Ryan)2. 1st basemen (Overbay in a trade?)3. Catcher/2nd basemen (Not sure which Id prefer. I might take Castro behind the plate over Cairo/Matsui at 2nd, so 2nd basemen might be more a priority)

 
My Met wishlist:

1. Closer (Wagner or Ryan)

2. 1st basemen (Overbay in a trade?)

3. Catcher/2nd basemen (Not sure which Id prefer. I might take Castro behind the plate over Cairo/Matsui at 2nd, so 2nd basemen might be more a priority)
I have to think they'll at least make a pitch for Paul Konerko. He'd be a perfect fit as the four hole thumper in that lineup. They'll have to outbid the Yankees though, and I don't know if they have the stones for another all out "mines bigger than yours" battle with Big Stien.Chalk me up as being wrong on the whole Matsui thing. I don't know what happened to the guy...I watched some tape of him in his J-League days, and he was incredible. One of those lightning quick "playmaker" types. He looks like a completely different player now. There isn't a lot of second base help on the free agent market (it's filled with Rey Sanchez types) so they'll probably stick with the devil they know.

Depending on what they want to do payroll wise, Ramon Hernandez is a free agent this offseason, and he's a pretty good lil catcher.

 
Braves Wishlist1.) STAY HEALTHY2.) Starting Pitching: Hampton is done for next season as well so the braves have the dinero- and need for a #3 pitcher. Horacio and Jorge Sosa need to move into the rotation as well.3.) SS: Furcal is rumored to be leaving; resigning him definately would be the best option but if not, Garciparra comes to mind. Revenue :thumbup: as well. Not sold on Betemit yet. But a solid option if strapped for cash. 4.) Middle Reliever (hearing farnsworth is taking over closer duties :thumbup: )5.) Corner outfielder(Left): Kelly Johnson and Langerhans are adequate fillers in this case but (wistful thinking) I hear theres a big bat out there that plays left field. The braves need another big bat to compliment the Jones'.6.) Relieve Franco of everyday duties. LaRoche is an adequate 1b

 
My Met wishlist:

1. Closer (Wagner or Ryan)

2. 1st basemen (Overbay in a trade?)

3. Catcher/2nd basemen (Not sure which Id prefer. I might take Castro behind the plate over Cairo/Matsui at 2nd, so 2nd basemen might be more a priority)
I have to think they'll at least make a pitch for Paul Konerko. He'd be a perfect fit as the four hole thumper in that lineup. They'll have to outbid the Yankees though, and I don't know if they have the stones for another all out "mines bigger than yours" battle with Big Stien.Chalk me up as being wrong on the whole Matsui thing. I don't know what happened to the guy...I watched some tape of him in his J-League days, and he was incredible. One of those lightning quick "playmaker" types. He looks like a completely different player now. There isn't a lot of second base help on the free agent market (it's filled with Rey Sanchez types) so they'll probably stick with the devil they know.

Depending on what they want to do payroll wise, Ramon Hernandez is a free agent this offseason, and he's a pretty good lil catcher.
There's no chance whatsoever that the Yanks go after Konerko. Not in a million years. Their needs are:1) CF

2) RPs

3 defensive 1B

 
My Met wishlist:

1. Closer (Wagner or Ryan)

2. 1st basemen (Overbay in a trade?)

3. Catcher/2nd basemen (Not sure which Id prefer. I might take Castro behind the plate over Cairo/Matsui at 2nd, so 2nd basemen might be more a priority)
You think Heilman could be a cheap effective closer?
 
CHC exercise team option on 2B Todd Walker.CHC exercise team option on P Scott Williamson.CHC decline team option on OF Jeremy Burnitz.WDC P Esteban Loaiz declines player option. He is now a free agent.PIT decline team option on P Jose Mesa.ESPN's Peter Gammons reports (guesses?) that BOS GM Theo Epstein will re-sign with the Red Sox, with an announcement expected Monday.

 
BOS reportedly sign P Mike Timlin to 1 year/3.5 million.
Do you think Foulke moves back in to the closer role again, Timlin remains closer until Hansen's ready, or they sign someone else?
 
Do you think Foulke moves back in to the closer role again, Timlin remains closer until Hansen's ready, or they sign someone else?
Good question. I think it will be open competition between Foulke & Timlin for the closer's role throughout Spring Training and into the beginning of the season. In the end, I think it will be Timlin. Best guess is the Boston bullpen opens the season as such (not considering any potential trades):FoulkeTimlinPapelbon/DiNardoDelcarmen/HansenLOOGY (Myers or Eyre)BradfordEDIT: Clarity, and to directly answer shadyridr's question.
 
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The Dodgers announced today that they have fired GM Paul DePodesta.Certainly unexpected as he was just hired about 20 months ago. Must have been major fallout between he and McBankrupt.I wonder IF the Dodgers have gleaned that there is any opportunity to get a more highly regarded GM or whether the working relationship between owner and GM just got to be too much.They have been interviewing to hire a new manager and the interviewees had been cut down to three: former Dodger pitcher Orel Hershiser; farm Director Terry Collins; and former Tiger star and manager Alen Trammell. The three were told that the GM would be hired before they resumed interviews, leading to speculation that the new GM might add his own candidate.

 
Brewers Outlook:C: D. Miller1B: Fielder2B: Weeksss: Hardy3B: HallLF: JenkinsCF: ClarkRF: LeeBench:CirilloHartSP: SheetsSP: DavisSP: OhkaSP: CapuanoSP: ?????BP: EvelandBP: Helling (Hopefully)BP: WiseBP: CapellenBP: AdamsBP: BennettCL: TurnbowNow what we need is this. We should trade Overbay for a 5th starter, 3rd baseman, or catching help. Prospects will work as well if we go the FA route. Also, Ohka might be on the block as well as Jenkins because of age, streakiness, and salary. Also, bench help and a another lefty in the pen would work. Here is my ideal solution to it all.Grab Washburn as a FA. He did say he had a strong desire to come home yo Wisconsin so a hometown discoun t might come into play. With that you have 4 good lefties, a dominant righty, and Ohka who is a very servicable number 5. I would then bring back both Branyon and Cirillo and give Hall 3 days a week at #B, one at SS, and one at 2B. The other days at 3B can be platooned between Cirillo and Branyon. An Overbay trade can then go for a prospect of immediate need like Shopplach from Boston who can split with Miller who is getting older. All in all it is a good time to be a Brewer fan compared to the last 12 years.

 
My Met wishlist:

1. Closer (Wagner or Ryan)

2. 1st basemen (Overbay in a trade?)

3. Catcher/2nd basemen (Not sure which Id prefer.  I might take Castro behind the plate over Cairo/Matsui at 2nd, so 2nd basemen might be more a priority)
I have to think they'll at least make a pitch for Paul Konerko. He'd be a perfect fit as the four hole thumper in that lineup. They'll have to outbid the Yankees though, and I don't know if they have the stones for another all out "mines bigger than yours" battle with Big Stien.Chalk me up as being wrong on the whole Matsui thing. I don't know what happened to the guy...I watched some tape of him in his J-League days, and he was incredible. One of those lightning quick "playmaker" types. He looks like a completely different player now. There isn't a lot of second base help on the free agent market (it's filled with Rey Sanchez types) so they'll probably stick with the devil they know.

Depending on what they want to do payroll wise, Ramon Hernandez is a free agent this offseason, and he's a pretty good lil catcher.
There's no chance whatsoever that the Yanks go after Konerko. Not in a million years. Their needs are:1) CF

2) RPs

3 defensive 1B
Hmmm...Yanks have a hole at first and Konerko is the biggest name on the free agent market...but I'll admit I'm probably not as close to the Yanks situation as you are. I just can't see Stienbrenner letting the biggest free agent on the market go to his cross-town rival.(He was dead right about Beltran though...whatta stiff)

 
According to The Boston Globe, BOS P David Wells could be traded to SDP for P Brian Lawrence or P Akinori Otsuka.

 
I think the teams that would be interested in Konerko are the White Sox, Mets, Angels, and Red Sox.
Angels are loaded down on the farm with 1B types (Kotchman, Kendry Morales, etc) so I don't know if they'll put all their eggs in Konerko's basket. If Washburn books, I can see them making a push for Burnett (who is just going to make a boatload of cash).He would be a crushing loss for the Sox, so I anticipate they'll make every effort to keep him there. The Sox could have avoided all this and stepped up to the plate before the season started and inked him to a somewhat reasonable deal. I'd say they cost themselves roughly 18 million extra dollars they're going to have to pay him in order to stay.

FWIW, Paulie's brother is an actor who lives in NY.

 
Brewers Outlook:

C: D. Miller

1B: Fielder

2B: Weeks

ss: Hardy

3B: Hall

LF: Jenkins

CF: Clark

RF: Lee

Bench:

Cirillo

Hart

SP: Sheets

SP: Davis

SP: Ohka

SP: Capuano

SP: ?????

BP: Eveland

BP: Helling (Hopefully)

BP: Wise

BP: Capellen

BP: Adams

BP: Bennett

CL: Turnbow

Now what we need is this. We should trade Overbay for a 5th starter, 3rd baseman, or catching help. Prospects will work as well if we go the FA route. Also, Ohka might be on the block as well as Jenkins because of age, streakiness, and salary. Also, bench help and a another lefty in the pen would work. Here is my ideal solution to it all.

Grab Washburn as a FA. He did say he had a strong desire to come home yo Wisconsin so a hometown discoun t might come into play. With that you have 4 good lefties, a dominant righty, and Ohka who is a very servicable number 5. I would then bring back both Branyon and Cirillo and give Hall 3 days a week at #B, one at SS, and one at 2B. The other days at 3B can be platooned between Cirillo and Branyon. An Overbay trade can then go for a prospect of immediate need like Shopplach from Boston who can split with Miller who is getting older.

All in all it is a good time to be a Brewer fan compared to the last 12 years.
Do you think Nelson Cruz will get a shot to make the team. He was named the minor league player of the year and when i was working with the Huntsville Stars he was awesome- 4.5 tool player (not great speed but enough to get by)
 
The Angels may have a lot of 1B types - you forgot Erstad (who is under contract for one more year), BUT if they have a chance to sign Konerko and improve the team they will - they can always trade some other players.You mentioned - if Washburn leaves - color him gone and it was not his decision - he would like to stay, but the Angels are not willing to pay him what the market will.BTW the Dodgers (a former Konerko team) are also very interested in signing him.

 
Brewers Outlook:

C: D. Miller

1B: Fielder

2B: Weeks

ss: Hardy

3B: Hall

LF: Jenkins

CF: Clark

RF: Lee

Bench:

Cirillo

Hart

SP: Sheets

SP: Davis

SP: Ohka

SP: Capuano

SP: ?????

BP: Eveland

BP: Helling (Hopefully)

BP: Wise

BP: Capellen

BP: Adams

BP: Bennett

CL: Turnbow

Now what we need is this. We should trade Overbay for a 5th starter, 3rd baseman, or catching help. Prospects will work as well if we go the FA route. Also, Ohka might be on the block as well as Jenkins because of age, streakiness, and salary. Also, bench help and a another lefty in the pen would work. Here is my ideal solution to it all.

Grab Washburn as a FA. He did say he had a strong desire to come home yo Wisconsin so a hometown discoun t might come into play. With that you have 4 good lefties, a dominant righty, and Ohka who is a very servicable number 5. I would then bring back both Branyon and Cirillo and give Hall 3 days a week at #B, one at SS, and one at 2B. The other days at 3B can be platooned between Cirillo and Branyon. An Overbay trade can then go for a prospect of immediate need like Shopplach from Boston who can split with Miller who is getting older.

All in all it is a good time to be a Brewer fan compared to the last 12 years.
Do you think Nelson Cruz will get a shot to make the team. He was named the minor league player of the year and when i was working with the Huntsville Stars he was awesome- 4.5 tool player (not great speed but enough to get by)
I was a little leary about putting Cruz in there because I would like to see him play everyday. There are three possibilities I like for Cruz (none of them being rotting on the bench, thats what Hart is for)1) Give him another year at AAA and wit to see what happens with Lee/Jenks

2) Trade him for younger propects

3) Trade away an outfielder this year and let he and Hart battle for the position.

And yes, Melvin is one of the better GMs and the best the Brewers have had in many years.

 
My Met wishlist:

1. Closer (Wagner or Ryan)

2. 1st basemen (Overbay in a trade?)

3. Catcher/2nd basemen (Not sure which Id prefer. I might take Castro behind the plate over Cairo/Matsui at 2nd, so 2nd basemen might be more a priority)
You think Heilman could be a cheap effective closer?
They have already stated that Heilman will not be a closer. He will be in the 5 man rotation opening day next year
 
My Met wishlist:

1. Closer (Wagner or Ryan)

2. 1st basemen (Overbay in a trade?)

3. Catcher/2nd basemen (Not sure which Id prefer. I might take Castro behind the plate over Cairo/Matsui at 2nd, so 2nd basemen might be more a priority)
I have to think they'll at least make a pitch for Paul Konerko. He'd be a perfect fit as the four hole thumper in that lineup. They'll have to outbid the Yankees though, and I don't know if they have the stones for another all out "mines bigger than yours" battle with Big Stien.
I dont want Konerko. His power will be cut big time in Shea, and we will all be crying when hes at .265/25/75 in September. Overbay is a better hitter that will be able to find the gaps better.
 
My Met wishlist:

1. Closer (Wagner or Ryan)

2. 1st basemen (Overbay in a trade?)

3. Catcher/2nd basemen (Not sure which Id prefer.  I might take Castro behind the plate over Cairo/Matsui at 2nd, so 2nd basemen might be more a priority)
I have to think they'll at least make a pitch for Paul Konerko. He'd be a perfect fit as the four hole thumper in that lineup. They'll have to outbid the Yankees though, and I don't know if they have the stones for another all out "mines bigger than yours" battle with Big Stien.
I dont want Konerko. His power will be cut big time in Shea, and we will all be crying when hes at .265/25/75 in September. Overbay is a better hitter that will be able to find the gaps better.
Lyle Overbay at Shea = Doug Mientkiewicz at Shea (IMO)I've been able to see a lot of Konerko, having lived in Illinois the previous 3 years, and he's really grown as a hitter. You can just tell in his approach at the plate that he's one of those dangerous type hitters that you absolutely want no part of. He's the only FA in this years class that I see being worth huge money.

.....but I'd be leery fantasy wise of any 1B that the Mets sign. There's not a good history there.

 
10/31 5:30 PM.Boston media reporting Theo Epstein has not re-signed. That, in fact, he has "quit."Wow.

 
seems like the redsox ownership group is becoming a little too big for their britches. I hate the sox with a passion, but you have to give theo credit for building that team. They are gonna miss him big time

 
There's no chance whatsoever that the Yanks go after Konerko. Not in a million years. Their needs are:

1) CF

2) RPs

3 defensive 1B
Konerko - 1BGiambi - DH

Lawton - CF

That's probably a step-up over the 2005 Giambi/Tino/Williams/Sierra/Womack circus.

The Yankees need an everyday 1st basemen to let Giambi DH, not necessarily a defensive specialist. Sure, you've identified the Yankees needs, but a good GM makes the most of what's available in the market. It's not like if they can't directly address their needs they shouldn't do anything.

 
seems like the redsox ownership group is becoming a little too big for their britches. I hate the sox with a passion, but you have to give theo credit for building that team. They are gonna miss him big time
Theo made some good moves and some awful moves. Sure, he won them the championship, but it's really selling Dan Duquette short to give him no credit. People here know I'm no Theo Epstein fan, but he really gets a lot more credit than his moves would seem to indicate. The Red Sox salary allowed him a lot of leeway (Byung Yung Kim, Ramiro Mendoza, getting rid of Orlando Cabrera, Pedro, and Lowe all at once, the Wade Miller project, etc.)

But hey, he won the world series, and that can't be denied. If I were an owner, I'd be looking for a guy like him.

 
So will Epstein take over the Dodgers or the Phils?Unrelated news - Cubs resign Glendon Rusch for 2 yr/6 mill. Good signing if he is a starter. Not many lefties out there to be had.White Sox decline option on Carl Everett. They may resign him but doubtful. There is no doubt that Konerko will resign with White Sox. Sox will probably buy out Frank Thomas contract for $3.5 mil and try to bring him back to take Everett's place.

 
NYM exercises option on P Steve Traschel.NYM declines options on P Braden Looper and 1B Doug M.TPB exercises options on P Danys Baez and SS Julio Lugo.

 
There is no doubt that Konerko will resign with White Sox.
I have doubt. I have serious doubt.
I'd be surprised if the White Sox don't sign Kornerko long-term.There is a mutual desire for both sides to work a deal out - as long as some team doesn't offer an insane deal, the White Sox should get him back.

 
So will Epstein take over the Dodgers or the Phils?

Unrelated news - Cubs resign Glendon Rusch for 2 yr/6 mill. Good signing if he is a starter. Not many lefties out there to be had.

White Sox decline option on Carl Everett. They may resign him but doubtful. There is no doubt that Konerko will resign with White Sox. Sox will probably buy out Frank Thomas contract for $3.5 mil and try to bring him back to take Everett's place.
The White Sox cannot depend on Frank Thomas to be their DH - if he proves them wrong, so be it, but I think what they do is go with Brian Anderson, whom GM Kenny Williams says is ready to play full-time next season. He'll probably rotate into each of the OF spots, giving Podsednik, Rowand, and Dye plenty of rest, and could also keep Thomas, should he resign, from being overworked.
 
Some of the names reported as potential successors to Theo Epstein in Boston:Ben CheringtonPaul DePodestaDave DombrowskiDavid ForstGrady FusonPat GillickJed HoyerGerry HunsickerDoug MelvinBrian SabeanKevin TowersPeter WoodforkEDIT: Forgot to add Dombrowski.

 
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Some of the names reported as potential successors to Theo Epstein in Boston:

Ben Cherington

Paul DePodesta

David Forst

Grady Fuson

Pat Gillick

Jed Hoyer

Gerry Hunsicker

Doug Melvin

Brian Sabean

Kevin Towers

Peter Woodfork
I think I read on SoSH that Jesus Christ himself is considering the position.
 
I'd have to say this is one of the best SPorts Guy columns I've ever read.

I agree with everything on there (except maybe the "he's a good guy" thing ;) )

 
I'd have to say this is one of the best SPorts Guy columns I've ever read.

I agree with everything on there (except maybe the "he's a good guy" thing ;) )
I've read in a lot of places that it all came down to that article in the Boston Globe.I see this Shaughennesy guy on ESPN every once in awhile but don't know much about him. Was this is an inside hatchet job on Epstein?

Boston homers have any insight?

 

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