*** Official 2012-13 Hot Stove Thread (2 Viewers)

[Northern Voice]

Heyman:according to @Joelsherman1 report, deal on table is dickey/thole/prospect for d'arnaud/syndergaard/buck/prospect.10:50pm - 15 Dec 12Is AA losing his mind?

Nickeas and Becerra are the other two prospects.

 

[oso diablo]

Dickey's extension with Toronto reportedly includes a $12 million option for 2016.

for which side?

 

[Daywalker]

Dickey agrees to 2 year, $25 million extension with the Blue Jays.

How is Dickey basically getting what Dempster's getting.

@GrubersMullet $30M for the next 3 yrs of R.A. Dickey. Other 3yr FA contracts signed so far: J.Broxton 3yr/$21M; J.Guthrie 3yr/$25M; B.League 3yr/$22.5M

It is odd. Would think Dickey could have asked for $40mill over 3 years and no one would have batted an eye.What do you think he is worth on the open market?

 

[Good Posting Judge]

A's sign Nakajima for 6.5/2, with an option for 5.5.Here's the writeup from NBPTracker:

If Nakajima’s name sounds familiar, that’s probably because he was posted last offseason, and his negotiating rights were won by the Yankees. Nakaji and the Bombers failed to agree to a contract, so he hopped in his Ferrari and headed back to the Lions for another year, putting up a healthy .311/.382/.451 slash line. His batting average might have led the Pacific League had Lotte not gutlessly pitched around him on the last day of the season, but instead ended up a single point behind Katsuya Kakunaka. His OBP ranked second in the Pacific League, and his slugging pct was fourth , and well ahead of the next middle infielder. In the field he seems to make the play he gets to, but has lost some range, and the consensus is that he’s probably not a full-time MLB shortstop.Anyway, now Nakajima is back on the market as a free agent. I was a big fan of the idea of Nakaji in New York, acclimatizing himself to MLB while getting 300 or so at-bats spelling Derek Jeter at SS and Alex Rodriguez at 3B, but obviously that didn’t come to fruition. There were other MLB teams interested in Nakajima last time around, so I think there is little doubt he’ll find an MLB deal this year, but it will remain to be seen what kind of role he winds up in.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

A's sign Nakajima for 6.5/2, with an option for 5.5.Here's the writeup from NBPTracker:

If Nakajima’s name sounds familiar, that’s probably because he was posted last offseason, and his negotiating rights were won by the Yankees. Nakaji and the Bombers failed to agree to a contract, so he hopped in his Ferrari and headed back to the Lions for another year, putting up a healthy .311/.382/.451 slash line. His batting average might have led the Pacific League had Lotte not gutlessly pitched around him on the last day of the season, but instead ended up a single point behind Katsuya Kakunaka. His OBP ranked second in the Pacific League, and his slugging pct was fourth , and well ahead of the next middle infielder. In the field he seems to make the play he gets to, but has lost some range, and the consensus is that he’s probably not a full-time MLB shortstop.Anyway, now Nakajima is back on the market as a free agent. I was a big fan of the idea of Nakaji in New York, acclimatizing himself to MLB while getting 300 or so at-bats spelling Derek Jeter at SS and Alex Rodriguez at 3B, but obviously that didn’t come to fruition. There were other MLB teams interested in Nakajima last time around, so I think there is little doubt he’ll find an MLB deal this year, but it will remain to be seen what kind of role he winds up in.

Great signing. Love this move.

 

[Eephus]

A's sign Nakajima for 6.5/2, with an option for 5.5.Here's the writeup from NBPTracker:

If Nakajima’s name sounds familiar, that’s probably because he was posted last offseason, and his negotiating rights were won by the Yankees. Nakaji and the Bombers failed to agree to a contract, so he hopped in his Ferrari and headed back to the Lions for another year, putting up a healthy .311/.382/.451 slash line. His batting average might have led the Pacific League had Lotte not gutlessly pitched around him on the last day of the season, but instead ended up a single point behind Katsuya Kakunaka. His OBP ranked second in the Pacific League, and his slugging pct was fourth , and well ahead of the next middle infielder. In the field he seems to make the play he gets to, but has lost some range, and the consensus is that he’s probably not a full-time MLB shortstop.Anyway, now Nakajima is back on the market as a free agent. I was a big fan of the idea of Nakaji in New York, acclimatizing himself to MLB while getting 300 or so at-bats spelling Derek Jeter at SS and Alex Rodriguez at 3B, but obviously that didn’t come to fruition. There were other MLB teams interested in Nakajima last time around, so I think there is little doubt he’ll find an MLB deal this year, but it will remain to be seen what kind of role he winds up in.

Great signing. Love this move.

Player A: .346/.423/.482, 32 doubles, 11 HRPlayer B: .311/.382/.451, 29 doubles, 13 HRPlayer A was Tsuyoshi Nishioka for Chiba in 2010. In Nakajima's defense, Nishioka was coming off a career year in NPB. Nakajima has been more consistent over a longer period of time. I like the deal especially since there's no posting fee involved this year.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

A's sign Nakajima for 6.5/2, with an option for 5.5.

Here's the writeup from NBPTracker:

If Nakajima’s name sounds familiar, that’s probably because he was posted last offseason, and his negotiating rights were won by the Yankees. Nakaji and the Bombers failed to agree to a contract, so he hopped in his Ferrari and headed back to the Lions for another year, putting up a healthy .311/.382/.451 slash line. His batting average might have led the Pacific League had Lotte not gutlessly pitched around him on the last day of the season, but instead ended up a single point behind Katsuya Kakunaka. His OBP ranked second in the Pacific League, and his slugging pct was fourth , and well ahead of the next middle infielder. In the field he seems to make the play he gets to, but has lost some range, and the consensus is that he’s probably not a full-time MLB shortstop.

Anyway, now Nakajima is back on the market as a free agent. I was a big fan of the idea of Nakaji in New York, acclimatizing himself to MLB while getting 300 or so at-bats spelling Derek Jeter at SS and Alex Rodriguez at 3B, but obviously that didn’t come to fruition. There were other MLB teams interested in Nakajima last time around, so I think there is little doubt he’ll find an MLB deal this year, but it will remain to be seen what kind of role he winds up in.

Great signing. Love this move.

Player A: .346/.423/.482, 32 doubles, 11 HRPlayer B: .311/.382/.451, 29 doubles, 13 HR

Player A was Tsuyoshi Nishioka for Chiba in 2010.

In Nakajima's defense, Nishioka was coming off a career year in NPB. Nakajima has been more consistent over a longer period of time. I like the deal especially since there's no posting fee involved this year.

There's always a risk signing foreign players. Hoping this works out but it's worth the gamble. Worst case they'll plug some scrub into the position and get minimal production. Which is what they've been doing for what seems to be an eternity. A clip of Nakajima:

What's with the stuffed animal?

 

[Good Posting Judge]

A's sign Nakajima for 6.5/2, with an option for 5.5.Here's the writeup from NBPTracker:

If Nakajima’s name sounds familiar, that’s probably because he was posted last offseason, and his negotiating rights were won by the Yankees. Nakaji and the Bombers failed to agree to a contract, so he hopped in his Ferrari and headed back to the Lions for another year, putting up a healthy .311/.382/.451 slash line. His batting average might have led the Pacific League had Lotte not gutlessly pitched around him on the last day of the season, but instead ended up a single point behind Katsuya Kakunaka. His OBP ranked second in the Pacific League, and his slugging pct was fourth , and well ahead of the next middle infielder. In the field he seems to make the play he gets to, but has lost some range, and the consensus is that he’s probably not a full-time MLB shortstop.Anyway, now Nakajima is back on the market as a free agent. I was a big fan of the idea of Nakaji in New York, acclimatizing himself to MLB while getting 300 or so at-bats spelling Derek Jeter at SS and Alex Rodriguez at 3B, but obviously that didn’t come to fruition. There were other MLB teams interested in Nakajima last time around, so I think there is little doubt he’ll find an MLB deal this year, but it will remain to be seen what kind of role he winds up in.

Great signing. Love this move.

Player A: .346/.423/.482, 32 doubles, 11 HRPlayer B: .311/.382/.451, 29 doubles, 13 HRPlayer A was Tsuyoshi Nishioka for Chiba in 2010. In Nakajima's defense, Nishioka was coming off a career year in NPB. Nakajima has been more consistent over a longer period of time. I like the deal especially since there's no posting fee involved this year.

Nishioka BABIP'ed .395 that year. STOP TRYING TO MAKE US FEEL SAD.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

It's a pretty big deal when somebody hits a HR in Japan.

 

[Eephus]

It's a pretty big deal when somebody hits a HR in Japan.

 

[Brady Marino]

It's a pretty big deal when somebody hits a HR in Japan.

 

[Frostillicus]

Player A was Tsuyoshi Nishioka for Chiba in 2010.

:shudder:

 

[Doctor Detroit]

It's a pretty big deal when somebody hits a HR in Japan.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

F'in Shacho.

Giants buy out Casilla's last year in a 3/15 deal, because just sign average 32 year-old middle relievers with declining velocity to three-year contracts, then just win the World Series. YOLO?

 

[Good Posting Judge]

A's trade Collin Cowgill to the Mets for slap-hitting 3B Jefry (!) Marte, clearing a spot for Nakajima on the 40.

CC coming off a pretty bad year, but seems like they could've gotten more for him given his pretty strong pre-2012 track record. Hope Marte's nice with the glove, at least.

 

[Eephus]

A's trade Collin Cowgill to the Mets for slap-hitting 3B Jefry (!) Marte, clearing a spot for Nakajima on the 40.CC coming off a pretty bad year, but seems like they could've gotten more for him given his pretty strong pre-2012 track record. Hope Marte's nice with the glove, at least.

If Beane was as good as his reputation, he could have at least hung on to the extra consonant in Collin so Marte could have a proper first name.

 

[Premier]

Fausto Roberto Carmona Hernandez just got 3M from the Rays.

 

[RnR]

Fausto Roberto Carmona Hernandez just got 3M from the Rays.

After Fernando Rodney, I stopped questioning anything. I'm sure he'll win 15 out of the #5 spot next season.

 

[Premier]

Fausto Roberto Carmona Hernandez just got 3M from the Rays.

After Fernando Rodney, I stopped questioning anything. I'm sure he'll win 15 out of the #5 spot next season.

Yea seriously. I think he's going to play the Wade Davis Memorial Mediocre Swingman role next year. Almost definitely heading to the pen with a chance to fill in starting double headers or rainouts or whatever. They like his sinker in a relief role.

 

[Brady Marino]

Carmonandez gets 3 mil, but Mike Pelfrey gets 4 mil from the Twins, who seem to be on a quest to sign every mediocre starter they can this offseason.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Fausto Roberto Carmona Hernandez just got 3M from the Rays.

After Fernando Rodney, I stopped questioning anything. I'm sure he'll win 15 out of the #5 spot next season.

Rodney was wasted talent and the Angels just gave up on him. Guy has always had one of the best change-ups in the game and Tampa signed him to be a late inning arm, not the closer. Fausto Carmona is a different animal, he has almost no talent.

 

[Eephus]

Fausto Roberto Carmona Hernandez just got 3M from the Rays.

After Fernando Rodney, I stopped questioning anything. I'm sure he'll win 15 out of the #5 spot next season.

Rodney was wasted talent and the Angels just gave up on him. Guy has always had one of the best change-ups in the game and Tampa signed him to be a late inning arm, not the closer. Fausto Carmona is a different animal, he has almost no talent.

Carmona had a 19-8 season with a 3.06 ERA during the Bush administration

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Fausto Roberto Carmona Hernandez just got 3M from the Rays.

After Fernando Rodney, I stopped questioning anything. I'm sure he'll win 15 out of the #5 spot next season.

Rodney was wasted talent and the Angels just gave up on him. Guy has always had one of the best change-ups in the game and Tampa signed him to be a late inning arm, not the closer. Fausto Carmona is a different animal, he has almost no talent.

Carmona had a 19-8 season with a 3.06 ERA during the Bush administration

And then hitters started laying off the sinker and he was done.

 

[Raider Nation]

Great thing on the MLB channel right now about how unions changed baseball in the 60s.

 

[Premier]

Fausto Roberto Carmona Hernandez just got 3M from the Rays.

After Fernando Rodney, I stopped questioning anything. I'm sure he'll win 15 out of the #5 spot next season.

Rodney was wasted talent and the Angels just gave up on him. Guy has always had one of the best change-ups in the game and Tampa signed him to be a late inning arm, not the closer. Fausto Carmona is a different animal, he has almost no talent.

Carmona had a 19-8 season with a 3.06 ERA during the Bush administration

And then hitters started laying off the sinker and he was done.

I'm not saying he's going to be a stud, but I could see the Rays getting that guy to be a reliable arm out of the pen. Especially with their defense, which already makes him 20% better.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Fausto Roberto Carmona Hernandez just got 3M from the Rays.

After Fernando Rodney, I stopped questioning anything. I'm sure he'll win 15 out of the #5 spot next season.

Rodney was wasted talent and the Angels just gave up on him. Guy has always had one of the best change-ups in the game and Tampa signed him to be a late inning arm, not the closer. Fausto Carmona is a different animal, he has almost no talent.

Carmona had a 19-8 season with a 3.06 ERA during the Bush administration

And then hitters started laying off the sinker and he was done.

I'm not saying he's going to be a stud, but I could see the Rays getting that guy to be a reliable arm out of the pen. Especially with their defense, which already makes him 20% better.

He's worth a $3mm look, but I wouldn't expect much. He had games where I thought he could have walked the first ten hitters had they not swung at bad pitches, he can be as bad as a pitcher at that level can be. That sinker was nasty when he had it working, but he never really had a second pitch and he can't locate his average fastball.

 

[Premier]

Fausto Roberto Carmona Hernandez just got 3M from the Rays.

After Fernando Rodney, I stopped questioning anything. I'm sure he'll win 15 out of the #5 spot next season.

Rodney was wasted talent and the Angels just gave up on him. Guy has always had one of the best change-ups in the game and Tampa signed him to be a late inning arm, not the closer. Fausto Carmona is a different animal, he has almost no talent.

Carmona had a 19-8 season with a 3.06 ERA during the Bush administration

And then hitters started laying off the sinker and he was done.

I'm not saying he's going to be a stud, but I could see the Rays getting that guy to be a reliable arm out of the pen. Especially with their defense, which already makes him 20% better.

He's worth a $3mm look, but I wouldn't expect much. He had games where I thought he could have walked the first ten hitters had they not swung at bad pitches, he can be as bad as a pitcher at that level can be. That sinker was nasty when he had it working, but he never really had a second pitch and he can't locate his average fastball.

Yea I've seen him a lot. He was even a mess when he was good (2007?). I imagine the Rays think Molina-Zobrist-Escobar will be a big assist for him.He can certainly be wild though. I doubt he sees a lot of high leverage innings.

 

[RnR]

Fausto Roberto Carmona Hernandez just got 3M from the Rays.

After Fernando Rodney, I stopped questioning anything. I'm sure he'll win 15 out of the #5 spot next season.

Rodney was wasted talent and the Angels just gave up on him. Guy has always had one of the best change-ups in the game and Tampa signed him to be a late inning arm, not the closer. Fausto Carmona is a different animal, he has almost no talent.

Carmona had a 19-8 season with a 3.06 ERA during the Bush administration

And then hitters started laying off the sinker and he was done.

I'm not saying he's going to be a stud, but I could see the Rays getting that guy to be a reliable arm out of the pen. Especially with their defense, which already makes him 20% better.

He's worth a $3mm look, but I wouldn't expect much. He had games where I thought he could have walked the first ten hitters had they not swung at bad pitches, he can be as bad as a pitcher at that level can be. That sinker was nasty when he had it working, but he never really had a second pitch and he can't locate his average fastball.

Can we all at least agree to force him to change his name back to Fausto Carmona so I can quit thinking of THIS GUY every time he gets mentioned?

 

[Brady Marino]

Fausto Roberto Carmona Hernandez just got 3M from the Rays.

After Fernando Rodney, I stopped questioning anything. I'm sure he'll win 15 out of the #5 spot next season.

Rodney was wasted talent and the Angels just gave up on him. Guy has always had one of the best change-ups in the game and Tampa signed him to be a late inning arm, not the closer. Fausto Carmona is a different animal, he has almost no talent.

Carmona had a 19-8 season with a 3.06 ERA during the Bush administration

And then hitters started laying off the sinker and he was done.

I'm not saying he's going to be a stud, but I could see the Rays getting that guy to be a reliable arm out of the pen. Especially with their defense, which already makes him 20% better.

He's worth a $3mm look, but I wouldn't expect much. He had games where I thought he could have walked the first ten hitters had they not swung at bad pitches, he can be as bad as a pitcher at that level can be. That sinker was nasty when he had it working, but he never really had a second pitch and he can't locate his average fastball.

Can we all at least agree to force him to change his name back to Fausto Carmona so I can quit thinking of THIS GUY every time he gets mentioned?

Nice to see Roberto Hernandez back in a Rays uniform.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

I can't believe that scrumptrulescent wanted to get rid of Eephus. If I have the choice of getting rid of scrumptrulescent or keeping Eephus AND contracting syphillis, I would probably lean toward the latter.

This

How do you get rid of someone on a Forum? Besides, I love Eephus like a fat kid loves cake.I wish PSM nothing but good health in his future.

 

[Eephus]

I can't believe that scrumptrulescent wanted to get rid of Eephus. If I have the choice of getting rid of scrumptrulescent or keeping Eephus AND contracting syphillis, I would probably lean toward the latter.

This

How do you get rid of someone on a Forum? Besides, I love Eephus like a fat kid loves cake.I wish PSM nothing but good health in his future.

worst off-season baseball forum ifeud

 

[Frostillicus]

Carmonandez gets 3 mil, but Mike Pelfrey gets 4 mil from the Twins, who seem to be on a quest to sign every mediocre starter they can this offseason.

sigh

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Kendry(s) Morales traded for Jason Vargas. Both are meh. Both are FA's after this year.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Kendry(s) Morales traded for Jason Vargas. Both are meh. Both are FA's after this year.

I like this deal for Seattle a lot more than I like it for Anaheim. The Angels get a mediocre innings eater (which they desperately needed) and Morales was going to have trouble getting a lot of playing time, but I think this is an incredibly mediocre return - at best - for a guy who can hit 25ish home runs with a good average and decent to good obp.

 

[Eephus]

Kendry(s) Morales traded for Jason Vargas. Both are meh. Both are FA's after this year.

I like this deal for Seattle a lot more than I like it for Anaheim. The Angels get a mediocre innings eater (which they desperately needed) and Morales was going to have trouble getting a lot of playing time, but I think this is an incredibly mediocre return - at best - for a guy who can hit 25ish home runs with a good average and decent to good obp.

Two straight winters with Seattle making a pitcher for DH swap

 

[RnR]

Kendry(s) Morales traded for Jason Vargas. Both are meh. Both are FA's after this year.

I like this deal for Seattle a lot more than I like it for Anaheim. The Angels get a mediocre innings eater (which they desperately needed) and Morales was going to have trouble getting a lot of playing time, but I think this is an incredibly mediocre return - at best - for a guy who can hit 25ish home runs with a good average and decent to good obp.

Two straight winters with Seattle making a pitcher for DH swap

First one worked out alright.So does this mean more time at catcher for Montero? Kendry at 1B and Smoak losing time?

 

[Premier]

Surprised the Rays didn't get in on Morales.

 

[Eephus]

Kendry(s) Morales traded for Jason Vargas. Both are meh. Both are FA's after this year.

I like this deal for Seattle a lot more than I like it for Anaheim. The Angels get a mediocre innings eater (which they desperately needed) and Morales was going to have trouble getting a lot of playing time, but I think this is an incredibly mediocre return - at best - for a guy who can hit 25ish home runs with a good average and decent to good obp.

Two straight winters with Seattle making a pitcher for DH swap

First one worked out alright.So does this mean more time at catcher for Montero? Kendry at 1B and Smoak losing time?

If you believe fWAR, Montero was worth -0.2 wins in 2012. So the trade for Pineda may not have been as lopsided as all that.Montero and Smoak both put up sub-.700 OPS last year. I think there has to be some rebound there and the fences coming in will only help. But I don't think the M's have to look too far to find ABs for Morales, assuming he's healthy.

 

[RnR]

Kendry(s) Morales traded for Jason Vargas. Both are meh. Both are FA's after this year.

I like this deal for Seattle a lot more than I like it for Anaheim. The Angels get a mediocre innings eater (which they desperately needed) and Morales was going to have trouble getting a lot of playing time, but I think this is an incredibly mediocre return - at best - for a guy who can hit 25ish home runs with a good average and decent to good obp.

Two straight winters with Seattle making a pitcher for DH swap

First one worked out alright.So does this mean more time at catcher for Montero? Kendry at 1B and Smoak losing time?

If you believe fWAR, Montero was worth -0.2 wins in 2012. So the trade for Pineda may not have been as lopsided as all that.Montero and Smoak both put up sub-.700 OPS last year. I think there has to be some rebound there and the fences coming in will only help. But I don't think the M's have to look too far to find ABs for Morales, assuming he's healthy.

fWAR is nice, but there are some things to like about Montero's bat if he can manage to remain usable as a part-time catcher for the next few years. I certainly don't think he's tapped his power production after his 22 year old season.Point taken on Morales though, he's better than both. I was mostly concerned with what that did to the PA's and ultimately the fantasy value of Smoak/Montero/Morales next season.

 

[Eephus]

Kendry(s) Morales traded for Jason Vargas. Both are meh. Both are FA's after this year.

I like this deal for Seattle a lot more than I like it for Anaheim. The Angels get a mediocre innings eater (which they desperately needed) and Morales was going to have trouble getting a lot of playing time, but I think this is an incredibly mediocre return - at best - for a guy who can hit 25ish home runs with a good average and decent to good obp.

Two straight winters with Seattle making a pitcher for DH swap

First one worked out alright.So does this mean more time at catcher for Montero? Kendry at 1B and Smoak losing time?

If you believe fWAR, Montero was worth -0.2 wins in 2012. So the trade for Pineda may not have been as lopsided as all that.Montero and Smoak both put up sub-.700 OPS last year. I think there has to be some rebound there and the fences coming in will only help. But I don't think the M's have to look too far to find ABs for Morales, assuming he's healthy.

fWAR is nice, but there are some things to like about Montero's bat if he can manage to remain usable as a part-time catcher for the next few years. I certainly don't think he's tapped his power production after his 22 year old season.Point taken on Morales though, he's better than both. I was mostly concerned with what that did to the PA's and ultimately the fantasy value of Smoak/Montero/Morales next season.

It wasn't that long ago that Jack Z was touting defense as the new market inefficiency (maybe it was the Seattle media and fanbase that was doing the touting). Some of those moves worked out (Brendan Ryan) and others could have (Franklin Gutierrez). I don't remember what exactly Chone Figgins brought to the party. I suppose a willingness to adjust is a good thing but Montero and Morales are among the least capable defensive players.

 

[Frostillicus]

Terrible trade for LA. Vargas is Nick Blackburn in a bigger park.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Terrible trade for LA. Vargas is Nick Blackburn in a bigger park.

It really disgusts me that they have Trout.

 

[Eephus]

Terrible trade for LA. Vargas is Nick Blackburn in a bigger park.

He's not that bad. Vargas is an innings eater who strikes out more batters than Blackburn. He's also a lot more of a fly ball pitcher than Blackburn is. The smaller park in Anaheim will hurt him a bit but Trout/Bourjos/Hamilton will run down a lot of flies.I think this takes the Angels out of the running for the remaining free agent SPs. Weaver/CJ/Blanton/Vargas/Hanson doesn't seem like the rotation of the early favorites to win it all.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Terrible trade for LA. Vargas is Nick Blackburn in a bigger park.

He's not that bad. Vargas is an innings eater who strikes out more batters than Blackburn. He's also a lot more of a fly ball pitcher than Blackburn is. The smaller park in Anaheim will hurt him a bit but Trout/Bourjos/Hamilton will run down a lot of flies.I think this takes the Angels out of the running for the remaining free agent SPs. Weaver/CJ/Blanton/Vargas/Hanson doesn't seem like the rotation of the early favorites to win it all.

Pujols/Hamilton/Trout is a great foundation for the bats. Still not sure how this team is any better than last year. They still have a lot of bats who are allergic to walks. If someone in the rotation doesn't unexpectedly step it up this year the bullpen better be miles better than last year if they want to make the postseason. Scioscia may be on the hot seat this year. But it's not like Oakland and Texas are without their question marks so who knows how it'll shake out. If Albert hits the ground running and Trout avoids a big sophomore slump this team could be a scary one.

 

[Annyong]

Am I the only one who doesn't like Edwin Jackson? How does this guy get 50+mm over 4 years?

 

[TobiasFunke]

Terrible trade for LA. Vargas is Nick Blackburn in a bigger park.

It really disgusts me that they have Trout.

It will really help Trout's MVP candidacy when he moves to a corner OF spot to make room for Bourjos to play CF "for the good of the team." Value!

 

[Brady Marino]

Am I the only one who doesn't like Edwin Jackson? How does this guy get 50+mm over 4 years?

A couple reasons:1. He's only 29 (although it seems like he's been around forever)2. He's fairly durable, averaging 32-33 starts.3. He's a solid, if not spectacular pitcher. Count on an ERA somewhere around 3.75-4.25. 4. He doesn't have a huge problem with the long ball.I can go on, but in a nutshell, he's a reliable mid-rotation starter that can eat innings. With the way starting pitching is being extremely inflated, I can understand why he's looking at a big payday with his skillset.

 

[shadyridr]

Terrible trade for LA. Vargas is Nick Blackburn in a bigger park.

Vargas is not good. However, not good pitchers are still getting huge contracts (its crazy). Also, Angels rotation is dreadful. They lost Greinke, Santana, and Haren and Wilson is coming off surgery. I understand the trade from their perspective but I agree, Vargas was a stud in SEA, terrible everywhere else.

 

[shadyridr]

Am I the only one who doesn't like Edwin Jackson? How does this guy get 50+mm over 4 years?

Hes decent. Eats innings. Keeps his team in most games. A decent #3, great #4 starter. Unfortunately, thats how much #3 starters get now. Insane. He reminds me of AJ Burnett. Keeps his team in the game for 20 starts, dominates in 5 starts, and absolutely gets obliterated in 5 starts

 

[shadyridr]

Im kind of stunned nobody has signed Lohse yet.