*** Official 2012-13 Hot Stove Thread (1 Viewer)

[Good Posting Judge]

Third baseman Chone Figgins has signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins with an invitation to their major league camp beginning next week.Figgins, who signed Friday, hit .181 in 66 games with Seattle last season. He's a .277 career hitter with 337 stolen bases in 11 seasons, all in the American League.Placido Polanco, 37, is expected to be the Marlins' starting third baseman.

Institute relegation IMO.

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

Going to the Babe Ruth Birthday party at the museum in Baltimore tonight. Hopefully he and Chris Hoiles want to do some shots.

Ex-players I never would have thought of for the remainder of eternity for $500, Alex.

Chris Hoiles was no Marc Hill.

 

[Daywalker]

Listened to Jim Leyritz being interviewed on the radio today. Interesting tidbit from him was that no one liked pitching to Pudge Rodriguez because he would always call fastballs with runners on so he could throw them out.

 

[Michael Brown]

Listened to Jim Leyritz being interviewed on the radio today. Interesting tidbit from him was that no one liked pitching to Pudge Rodriguez because he would always call fastballs with runners on so he could throw them out.

Yup that was a story going back to his Texas days. What a POS

 

[Eephus]

Listened to Jim Leyritz being interviewed on the radio today. Interesting tidbit from him was that no one liked pitching to Pudge Rodriguez because he would always call fastballs with runners on so he could throw them out.

Yup that was a story going back to his Texas days. What a POS

Still not as big a POS as Leyritz

 

[RnR]

Listened to Jim Leyritz being interviewed on the radio today. Interesting tidbit from him was that no one liked pitching to Pudge Rodriguez because he would always call fastballs with runners on so he could throw them out.

Yup that was a story going back to his Texas days. What a POS

Still not as big a POS as Leyritz

Funny that Leyritz feels the need to throw judgement out there on ANYONE. Complete doosh.

 

[shadyridr]

Listened to Jim Leyritz being interviewed on the radio today. Interesting tidbit from him was that no one liked pitching to Pudge Rodriguez because he would always call fastballs with runners on so he could throw them out.

Yup that was a story going back to his Texas days. What a POS

Still not as big a POS as Leyritz

Funny that Leyritz feels the need to throw judgement out there on ANYONE. Complete doosh.

seriously. Hes lucky the other woman was drunk too or hed be rotting in jail

 

[Michael Brown]

For some reason i read leyritz as leyland. But yeah no question he's also a pos

 

[Plorfu]

TIMMY

He was great in Rushmore and The Chronicles of Brunette Ellen DeGeneres.

 

[Eephus]

The Seattle Mariners still are working through issues before finalizing Felix Hernandez's new seven-year, $175 million contract, but will not comment on a report that Hernandez's recent physical raised concerns."We've had a code of silence all along on this, and that hasn't changed,'' said Alan Nero of Octagon, which represents Hernandez. "We're dealing with a lot of issues.''ESPN, citing sources involved in the negotiations, reported Sunday that concern over Hernandez's elbow emerged during a physical examination.Hernandez did inform Venezuelan officials from the World Baseball Classic on Friday that he is pulling out of the tournament. Yet, he said it was for family reasons, and not health concerns.When reached by USA TODAY Sports, Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik said: "We don't comment on negotiations."

 

[shadyridr]

Ruh roh

 

[Limp Ditka]

Ruh roh

He's a pitcher. If Seattle went into this deal not thinking he was going to miss the majority of at least 1 season, I don't know what to say.

 

[shadyridr]

Ruh roh

He's a pitcher. If Seattle went into this deal not thinking he was going to miss the majority of at least 1 season, I don't know what to say.

The deals not official

 

[Limp Ditka]

Ruh roh

He's a pitcher. If Seattle went into this deal not thinking he was going to miss the majority of at least 1 season, I don't know what to say.

The deals not official

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Our long, national Michael Bourn-related nightmare is over. 4/48 to Clevo. Clevo gives up their #69 pick.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Our long, national Michael Bourn-related nightmare is over. 4/48 to Clevo. Clevo gives up their #69 pick.

Not as good as 5/75Not sure what Cleveland is up to but they'll hit a lot. I thought they were just going to finally fold the franchise but the Naps are back!

 

[MAC_32]

Our long, national Michael Bourn-related nightmare is over. 4/48 to Clevo. Clevo gives up their #69 pick.

Not as good as 5/75Not sure what Cleveland is up to but they'll hit a lot. I thought they were just going to finally fold the franchise but the Naps are back!

Smarter spending, before this move payroll matched 2012. Not giving money to pronk, grady, fausto, and lowe this year.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Ten worst moves of the off-season:http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-10-worst-transactions-of-the-off-season/

 

[shadyridr]

Ten worst moves of the off-season:http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-10-worst-transactions-of-the-off-season/

The moves the Dbacks made this offseason (except for the McCarthy signing) are simply baffling. They basically got rid of Upton, Bauer, & Young and replaced them with Prado, Ross, Bell, and a bunch of SS's who cant hit.

 

[oso diablo]

Our long, national Michael Bourn-related nightmare is over. 4/48 to Clevo. Clevo gives up their #69 pick.

could CLE turn right around and trade Bourn? can't help but wonder if some other team wanted Bourn, but didn't want to give up a 1st rounder, and found a loophole of sorts with CLE's situation.

 

[Captain Hook]

Our long, national Michael Bourn-related nightmare is over. 4/48 to Clevo. Clevo gives up their #69 pick.

could CLE turn right around and trade Bourn? can't help but wonder if some other team wanted Bourn, but didn't want to give up a 1st rounder, and found a loophole of sorts with CLE's situation.

I suggested this some time ago and there is a point of contention about whether Cleveland CAN trade him - it's legalese about MLB agreements but I wouldn't be surprised if we see Bourn traded soon

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Ten worst moves of the off-season:http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-10-worst-transactions-of-the-off-season/

The moves the Dbacks made this offseason (except for the McCarthy signing) are simply baffling. They basically got rid of Upton, Bauer, & Young and replaced them with Prado, Ross, Bell, and a bunch of SS's who cant hit.

I don't disagree with any of this. I think it goes back to Gibson's preference for "grinders", whatever that means, and Towers is drinking the Kool-Aid. Good for the rest of the NL West, I suppose.

 

[Captain Hook]

I think some of you may be surprised by how many games the DBacks win this year.And "grinder" is a bad term over-used .... Gibson just wants players to hustle all the time - not give away out or fail to get the most they can all the time ......as Lasorda once said - playing for the Name on the front of the jersey - Not the Name on the back of the jersey.

 

[Wrigley]

Ten worst moves of the off-season:http://www.fangraphs...the-off-season/

Figured Swisher signing for 4/56M would have been number one.Who the #### was CLV bidding against?

 

[the moops]

Interesting to read that guy's list of best transactions from last year. He whiffed on quite a few.http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-10-best-transactions-of-the-winter/

#10 – Phillies Sign Jimmy Rollins for 3/$39M#9 – Reds Sign Ryan Madson for 1/$8.5M#8 – Acquire Brad Peacock, Derek Norris, A.J. Cole, and Tom Milone for Gio Gonzalez#7 – Yankees Acquire Michael Pineda and Jose Campos for Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi#6 -Yankees Sign Hiroki Kuroda for 1/$10M#5 – Nationals Sign Edwin Jackson for 1/$11M#4 – Someone Signs Roy Oswalt For Something#3 – San Diego Padres Acquire Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal, Edinson Volquez, and Brad Boxberger for Mat Latos#2 – Marlins Sign Jose Reyes for 6/$106M#1 – Cardinals Sign Carlos Beltran for 2/$26M

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I think some of you may be surprised by how many games the DBacks win this year.And "grinder" is a bad term over-used .... Gibson just wants players to hustle all the time - not give away out or fail to get the most they can all the time ......as Lasorda once said - playing for the Name on the front of the jersey - Not the Name on the back of the jersey.

I'll bet up to $200 that they will have a lower run differential in 2013 than they did in 2012 (+46).

 

[Captain Quinoa]

Our long, national Michael Bourn-related nightmare is over. 4/48 to Clevo. Clevo gives up their #69 pick.

could CLE turn right around and trade Bourn? can't help but wonder if some other team wanted Bourn, but didn't want to give up a 1st rounder, and found a loophole of sorts with CLE's situation.

I suggested this some time ago and there is a point of contention about whether Cleveland CAN trade him - it's legalese about MLB agreements but I wouldn't be surprised if we see Bourn traded soon

If anything they will trade Stubbs, not Bourn.

 

[dparker713]

Interesting to read that guy's list of best transactions from last year. He whiffed on quite a few.http://www.fangraphs...-of-the-winter/

#10 – Phillies Sign Jimmy Rollins for 3/$39M#9 – Reds Sign Ryan Madson for 1/$8.5M#8 – Acquire Brad Peacock, Derek Norris, A.J. Cole, and Tom Milone for Gio Gonzalez#7 – Yankees Acquire Michael Pineda and Jose Campos for Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi#6 -Yankees Sign Hiroki Kuroda for 1/$10M#5 – Nationals Sign Edwin Jackson for 1/$11M#4 – Someone Signs Roy Oswalt For Something#3 – San Diego Padres Acquire Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal, Edinson Volquez, and Brad Boxberger for Mat Latos#2 – Marlins Sign Jose Reyes for 6/$106M#1 – Cardinals Sign Carlos Beltran for 2/$26M

Other than Oswalt, I think that list is pretty good. Couldn't predict Madson would blow his arm out and it was only a 1 year committment.

 

[Captain Hook]

Our long, national Michael Bourn-related nightmare is over. 4/48 to Clevo. Clevo gives up their #69 pick.

could CLE turn right around and trade Bourn? can't help but wonder if some other team wanted Bourn, but didn't want to give up a 1st rounder, and found a loophole of sorts with CLE's situation.

I suggested this some time ago and there is a point of contention about whether Cleveland CAN trade him - it's legalese about MLB agreements but I wouldn't be surprised if we see Bourn traded soon

If anything they will trade Stubbs, not Bourn.

I was talking about whether they already had a sign/trade dealIF not I doubt they trade either one - move Swisher to 1B and Reynolds to part time DH

 

[Michael Brown]

I think some of you may be surprised by how many games the DBacks win this year.And "grinder" is a bad term over-used .... Gibson just wants players to hustle all the time - not give away out or fail to get the most they can all the time ......as Lasorda once said - playing for the Name on the front of the jersey - Not the Name on the back of the jersey.

Yeah but baseball is a sport where playing for the individual usually benefits the team. In football or hoops, being a me-first guy can hurt everyone else and negatively affect their roles around you. In baseball, if all you ever try to do is hit home runs and get on base, more often than not you are going to help the team.It sucks to say, but a .300 hitter who doesn't hustle is infinitely more valuable to wins than a .260 hitter who busts his ### on every play.

 

[Captain Hook]

I think some of you may be surprised by how many games the DBacks win this year.And "grinder" is a bad term over-used .... Gibson just wants players to hustle all the time - not give away out or fail to get the most they can all the time ......as Lasorda once said - playing for the Name on the front of the jersey - Not the Name on the back of the jersey.

Yeah but baseball is a sport where playing for the individual usually benefits the team. In football or hoops, being a me-first guy can hurt everyone else and negatively affect their roles around you. In baseball, if all you ever try to do is hit home runs and get on base, more often than not you are going to help the team.It sucks to say, but a .300 hitter who doesn't hustle is infinitely more valuable to wins than a .260 hitter who busts his ### on every play.

So your version of baseball doesn't care how the guy plays defense in the field?

 

[Eephus]

I think some of you may be surprised by how many games the DBacks win this year.And "grinder" is a bad term over-used .... Gibson just wants players to hustle all the time - not give away out or fail to get the most they can all the time ......as Lasorda once said - playing for the Name on the front of the jersey - Not the Name on the back of the jersey.

Gibson hustled all the time as a player and missed 30 games a year due to various injuries because of it. He was also basically finished as an everyday player at the age of 31. In trying to go all out all the time, he ended up hurting his career and his teams.Bill James wrote this about Butch Hobson but it also applies to Gibson.

Remember what they always used to say about Butch Hobson up in Boston? The fullback attitude. Get it? He's a football player; he is the poorest percentage player of our time. He's all-out, into the wall, take out the baseman, dive for everything. Butch always plays as if there were no game tomorrow. The problem with that is that there is a game tomorrow, and one the day after. I will never understand why baseball fans admire a player who runs into walls. Running into walls is a stupid waste of talent. Playing hard in baseball is so much admired that people make up lists of players who play hard, with the implication that this is a good to be sought after in its own right. The problem is that 80% of the people on those lists are dyed-in-the-doubleknit losers. And the ones who aren't losers are players like George Brett and Paul Molitor who spend a third of the season on the disabled list.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

I think some of you may be surprised by how many games the DBacks win this year.And "grinder" is a bad term over-used .... Gibson just wants players to hustle all the time - not give away out or fail to get the most they can all the time ......as Lasorda once said - playing for the Name on the front of the jersey - Not the Name on the back of the jersey.

Gibson hustled all the time as a player and missed 30 games a year due to various injuries because of it. He was also basically finished as an everyday player at the age of 31. In trying to go all out all the time, he ended up hurting his career and his teams.Bill James wrote this about Butch Hobson but it also applies to Gibson.

Remember what they always used to say about Butch Hobson up in Boston? The fullback attitude. Get it? He's a football player; he is the poorest percentage player of our time. He's all-out, into the wall, take out the baseman, dive for everything. Butch always plays as if there were no game tomorrow. The problem with that is that there is a game tomorrow, and one the day after. I will never understand why baseball fans admire a player who runs into walls. Running into walls is a stupid waste of talent. Playing hard in baseball is so much admired that people make up lists of players who play hard, with the implication that this is a good to be sought after in its own right. The problem is that 80% of the people on those lists are dyed-in-the-doubleknit losers. And the ones who aren't losers are players like George Brett and Paul Molitor who spend a third of the season on the disabled list.

Distilled simply to one play, it's a question of whether the pitcher should reach out his bare pitching hand to try and field/knock down a hit back up the middle. The wise thing is to not do it.

 

[Limp Ditka]

Hey shady, can we talk about the M's getting into that deal with Felix now?

 

[Eephus]

It had to happen.Brandon Inge to the Pirates

 

[shadyridr]

Hey shady, can we talk about the M's getting into that deal with Felix now?

What do u wanna talk about?

 

[Doctor Detroit]

It had to happen.Brandon Inge to the Pirates

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Jim Bowden ranks the offseasons for all 30 teams. You'll never guess who finished 30th!

1. Toronto Blue Jays | GM: Alex Anthopoulos

Acquired: RHPs R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson, LHPs Mark Buehrle, Darren Oliver, SS Jose Reyes, C's Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas, IFs Emilio Bonifacio, Maicer Izturis, OF Melky Cabrera

Analysis: Anthopoulos had a tremendous offseason, making two of the biggest offseason trades in baseball history. It cost him some prospects, and when the dust settled the Blue Jays added three top-of-the-rotation starters to complement Ricky Romero and Brandon Morrow to give the Jays the best five-man rotation in the division -- on paper. They now have the veteran leadership, speed, energy and enthusiasm to be a legitimate World Series contender.

2. Los Angeles Dodgers | GM: Ned Colletti

Acquired: RHP Zack Greinke, LHP Ryu Hyun-Jin, IF Skip Schumaker, re-signed RHP Brandon League

Analysis: Owner Magic Johnson made it clear in his expectations that anything short of a World Series in 2013 will be considered a failure. The Dodgers improved their chances, adding Greinke and Hyun-Jin to a starting rotation that already boasted Clayton Kershaw. The bench and bullpen also now have added depth with Schumaker and League. These moves, coupled with the Dodgers' blockbuster trade with the Red Sox in July, have put them in position to pass the Giants or secure one of the two wild-card berths.

If LA's really got a bottomless pit of cash, I guess this makes sense, but they brutally overpaid for Hyun-Jin and League.

3. Los Angeles Angels | GM: Jerry Dipoto

Acquired: OF Josh Hamilton, LHPs, Jason Vargas, Sean Burnett, RHPs Tommy Hanson, Ryan Madson, Joe Blanton

Analysis: After signing Albert Pujols in his first season as GM, Dipoto stayed aggressive this winter and pounced on Hamilton, the best player available. Dipoto jettisoned unproductive players such as Ervin Santana, and added innings to the starting rotation. However, Madson suffered a setback in his rehab after elbow surgery and won’t be ready for the start of spring camp.

Hamilton's in, but Greinke is out. Hanson's in, but Haren's out. I dunno, seems like they're treading water here.

4. Atlanta Braves | GM: Frank Wren

Acquired: OFs B.J. Upton, Justin Upton, 3B Chris Johnson, RHP Jordan Walden

Analysis: Though Chipper Jones’ retirement and Michael Bourn’s departure via free agency left a void, Wren did a terrific job in replacing them in the lineup. B.J. Upton is a comparable defender to Bourn and provides more power, with the capability for a 30/30 year. Justin should at least replace Jones’ production, if not surpass it. Walden is a health risk but adds depth to what is already one of the league’s best bullpens.

"B.J. Upton is a comparable defender to Bourn" is completely untrue.

5. Detroit Tigers | President/GM: Dave Dombrowski

Acquired: OF Torii Hunter, re-signed RHP Anibal Sanchez

Analysis: After finishing just four wins away from a World Series title, Dombrowski signed Hunter and upgraded the defense in right field and in the No. 2 hole. Hunter also gives them a vocal leader who will have a positive impact and teach their young outfielders. But the Tigers gain the most from within as Victor Martinez returns from injury and rookie Bruce Rondon -- he of the 101-mph fastball -- will be given first shot at the closer’s role.

Martinez is back, but a lot of teams are getting injured players back. And I wouldn't assume that Rondon's going to be an asset.

6. Cleveland Indians | GM: Chris Antonetti

Acquired: RHPs Brett Myers, Trevor Bauer, Bryan Shaw, Matt Albers, OFs Michael Bourn, Nick Swisher, Drew Stubbs, 1B Mark Reynolds, Manager Terry Francona

Analysis: Antonetti’s trade to acquire Bauer, Stubbs, Shaw and Albers ranks as one of the best trades of the offseason. The Indians’ lineup possesses better left-right balance, while Bourn’s on-base percentage and speed should create more fastballs for Jason Kipnis and Asdrubal Cabrera. Swisher, Stubbs and Reynolds all add significant power.

Drew Stubbs' lifetime slugging percentage is .386.

7. Washington Nationals | GM: Mike Rizzo

Acquired: OF Denard Span, RHPs Dan Haren, A.J. Cole, re-signed 1B Adam LaRoche

Analysis: Despite owning the best record in the major leagues last season, Rizzo did not rest. Trading for Span solves Washington’s two biggest needs -- a defensive improvement in center field and a leadoff hitter, while Haren replaces Edwin Jackson’s workload cheaply with a one-year deal. However, shrewdly convincing LaRoche to take a two-year deal was Rizzo’s best move. LaRoche maintains important left-right balance in the middle of their order.

I really like what Washington did.

8. Boston Red Sox | GM: Ben Cherington

Acquired: RHPs Ryan Dempster, Joel Hanrahan and Koji Uehara, OFs Shane Victorino and Jonny Gomes, Cs David Ross and Mike Napoli, SS Stephen Drew, Manager John Farrell

Analysis: The Red Sox finished in last place in the AL East last season and were just as bad in clubhouse. Cherington replaced manager Bobby Valentine with John Farrell and loaded up in free agency, acquiring not only talent, but character that will provide a positive clubhouse culture. However, many of those free agents also have either injury or decline risk. Cherington’s best moves could be a simple return to health for his team’s established stars.

I don't know what that last sentence means. The Victorino deal was brutal, the Hanrahan trade was horrific, and catcher is a logjam. I wouldn't mistake a lot of activity for a "good" offseason.

9. Tampa Bay Rays | GM: Andrew Friedman

Acquired: OF Wil Myers, SS Yunel Escobar, RHPs Kyle Farnsworth, Joel Peralta, Roberto Hernandez, 2B Kelly Johnson, 1B James Loney, DH Luke Scott

Analysis: The Rays bid adieu to three homegrown players, in Upton, James Shields and Wade Davis. However, Friedman continues to show why he’s one of the game’s best, dealing Shields and Davis for super-prospect Myers and starter Jake Odorizzi. Friedman always has a good feel of when to trade a player for maximum return. Acquiring Myers alone makes it a successful offseason for Friedman.

I'd put TB higher than this on the strength of the Myers trade.

10. Kansas City Royals | GM: Dayton Moore

Acquired: RHPs James Shields, Wade Davis, Ervin Santana, re-signed RHP Jeremy Guthrie

Analysis: Tired of having a great farm system and yet never contending, Moore decided to go all out and trade the organization’s best prospects to finally contend in 2013. Moore built a new rotation by committing $74 million over the next couple of years to a rotation of Shields, Guthrie, Santana, Luke Hochevar, Bruce Chen and Davis. If the new rotation works, the Royals might just have their first winning season since 2003.

Similarly, I'd put KC in the bottom five. I also don't understand how getting rid of Santana for the Angels is a good thing, but it's not a bad thing for the Royals to sign him?

11. Philadelphia Phillies | GM: Ruben Amaro

Acquired: OFs Ben Revere, Delmon Young, 3B Michael Young, RHP Mike Adams, LHP John Lannan

Analysis: The Phillies needed a leadoff hitter/center fielder and acquired Revere on the last day of the winter meetings. Revere brings high energy and serves as the table-setter they so desperately needed. Michael Young will solve their short-term issue at third base and adds more leadership to the clubhouse. Delmon Young could hit 25 or more home runs in Citizens Bank Park. However, both Youngs hamper the Phillies’ defense.

This is a loose definition of the word "solve." Neither Young should be an everyday starter at this point.

12. Oakland Athletics | GM: Billy Beane

Acquired: OF Chris Young, SS Hiroyuki Nakajima, IF Jed Lowrie, C John Jaso

Analysis: Beane gutted the middle of his infield as Drew left via free agency and Cliff Pennington was traded. Both moves were surprising, considering the A’s had won the AL West mainly thanks to their range up the middle. But with Young, Lowrie, Jaso and Nakajima -- who scouts say has average range but soft hands and a solid arm -- the A’s are actually better and deeper up the middle than last year.

I thought the savvy trade of Tyson Ross was worth a mention.

13. Minnesota Twins | GM: Terry Ryan

Acquired: RHPs Alex Meyer, Vance Worley, Trevor May, Mike Pelfrey, Kevin Correia

Analysis: Coming off a dismal 66-96 season, the Twins were 13th in the league in ERA and yielded more hits than any other AL team. Improving the starting rotation was the priority, and a former first-rounder such as Meyer is a good start. Worley is ready to go now, and May is a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter in the future.

Bleh.

14. Seattle Mariners | GM: Jack Zduriencik

Acquired: 1B/DHs Kendrys Morales, Michael Morse, OFs Jason Bay, Raul Ibanez, IF Robert Andino, LHP Joe Saunders

Analysis: The Mariners spent the offseason trying to find ways to improve their offense and might have accomplished that feat. Zduriencik added veteran bats -- sure there’s a lot of age and decline, but they will be crucial to developing the young Mariners hitters. And he did it without sacrificing any of his young pitching depth. Felix Hernandez’s extension should be finalized soon and, if he stays healthy, is a club-friendly deal.

Yes, it's important to have old guys to teach the young guys how to hit. Jaso for Morse was awful. Bay, Ibanez, and Saunders are all terrible. Not enough DH spots.

15. St. Louis Cardinals | GM: John Mozeliak

Acquired: LHP Randy Choate, IF Ty Wigginton

Analysis: Choate and Wigginton fill gaps, but the Cardinals' offseason was about improving through development of their best young prospects. Young pitchers Trevor Rosenthal, Shelby Miller and Joe Kelly will be expected to fulfill the confidence Mozeliak showed in them by allowing Kyle Lohse to leave via free agency. The Cards’ farm system does have one of the game’s best prospects in outfielder Oscar Taveras, and second-base prospect Kolten Wong is nearly ready.

Not sure how maintaining status quo is worse than the Royals setting fire to their team.

16. New York Mets | GM: Sandy Alderson

Acquired: RHP Noah Syndergaard, RHP Brandon Lyon, OF Collin Cowgill, Cs Travis d’Arnaud and John Buck

Analysis: The Mets' offseason continued to build for the long term as Alderson sent NL Cy Young Award winner Dickey to the Blue Jays in exchange for arguably the game’s best catching prospect in d’Arnaud, future middle-of-the-rotation starter Syndergaard and a short-term solution at catcher in Buck. They missed out on Bourn, but trading a Cy Young winner to get d’Arnaud was a gutsy move.

Agreed.

17. Cincinnati Reds | GM: Walt Jocketty

Acquired: OF Shin-Soo Choo, re-signed RHP Jonathan Broxton

Analysis: Manager Dusty Baker finally got the leadoff hitter he’s been seeking in Choo. He brings loads of offensive ability, but can he play center field? He was a right fielder for the Indians and known for some bad jumps and angles. Choo also is in his walk year, and prospect Billy Hamilton should be ready to take over both leadoff and center in 2014. The Reds already had a World Series-caliber team, so they didn’t have to do much.

No, he can't. I think they'd be better off just letting Hamilton run with it

18. San Francisco Giants | GM: Brian Sabean

Acquired: Re-signed OF Angel Pagan, 2B Marco Scutaro, LHP Jeremy Affeldt

Analysis: After winning the World Series two of the past three years, the Giants' offseason game plan was simple: retain their players. Pagan, Affeldt and Scutaro all represent huge financial risks, but after two World Series championships, who should question Sabean and his loyalty to the players who have given him the rings?

Building a team based on sentiment is usually a great idea. All three of those guys were pretty serious overpays.

19. Texas Rangers | GM: Jon Daniels

Acquired: RHPs Joakim Soria, Josh Lindblom, OF/1B Lance Berkman, C A.J. Pierzynski

Analysis: Consider for a moment the players the Rangers lost this offseason: Josh Hamilton, Michael Young, Mike Napoli. Then they missed on signing Greinke and trading for Justin Upton. But, like the Cardinals, the Rangers hope to improve through their farm system, with rookies Mike Olt, Martin Perez and Jurickson Profar. Soria, who is still recovering from 2011 Tommy John surgery, could be the sleeper move of the offseason.

20. New York Yankees | GM: Brian Cashman

Acquired: 3B Kevin Youkilis, DH Travis Hafner, re-signed OF Ichiro Suzuki, re-signed LHP Andy Pettitte, RHP Hiroki Kuroda

Analysis: This might have been the Yankees’ worst offseason in the past decade, between the departures of Rafael Soriano, Russell Martin and Swisher, as well as Alex Rodriguez’s hip surgery and more PED accusations. Signing Youkilis and Hafner might help a little, as will Mariano Rivera’s return from a knee injury. At least on paper, the Yankees went from a 95-win team to an 85-90 win team this offseason.

21. Chicago Cubs | President: Theo Epstein/GM: Jed Hoyer

Acquired: RHPs Scott Baker, Scott Feldman, Carlos Villanueva and Edwin Jackson, Kyuji Fujikawa

Analysis: The Cubs were active this offseason, but most of their moves were to stockpile talent to trade at the July deadline. They did sign a couple of long-term pieces such as Jackson and Fujikawa, but the Cubs’ best "moves" probably will be the return to health of right-hander Matt Garza and the continued development of first baseman Anthony Rizzo, shortstop Starlin Castro and starter Jeff Samardzija.

22. Arizona Diamondbacks | GM: Kevin Towers

Acquired: SS Didi Gregorius, OF Cody Ross, RHPs Brandon McCarthy, Heath Bell, IFs Cliff Pennington, Martin Prado, Eric Chavez, and Eric Hinske, LHP Tony Sipp

Analysis: They traded three high-ceiling players in Upton, Bauer and Young and instead gambled that McCarthy and Bell would return to form. They completely remade their infield with Prado, Gregorius and Pennington. How all these moves will play out remains a question, but this team certainly has been rebuilt with the gritty style Towers and manager Kirk Gibson wanted.

Bottom 5 along with Florida and KC.

23. Milwaukee Brewers | GM: Doug Melvin

Acquired: RHP Burke Badenhop, LHPs Tom Gorzelanny and Mike Gonzalez

Analysis: For the second year in a row, first baseman Corey Hart required surgery on his right knee, and he will be sidelined for at least four months. Also, Ryan Braun’s name has emerged amid the recent PED news. Still, the Brewers wanted to improve a bullpen that led the majors in blown saves with 29, and they acquired three solid relievers. They are eyeing free agent Kyle Lohse in case his price falls.

24. Pittsburgh Pirates | GM: Neal Huntington

Acquired: RHP Mark Melancon, LHPs Francisco Liriano, Jonathan Sanchez, C Russell Martin, IF Ivan De Jesus, OF/1B Jerry Sands

Analysis: The fact that they were above .500 at the All-Star break last season is some small consolation. However, the Pirates’ offseason has been a mixed bag of reclamation projects in Liriano, Sanchez and Melancon. But they did improve their catching with Martin, who will slow down the running game and add 15-20 homers.

Don't get Sanchez, but Liriano's a good pickup for cheap and the trade with Boston was uncharacteristically savvy.

25. Houston Astros | GM: Jeff Luhnow

Acquired: RHPs Alex White, John Ely, Brad Peacock, 1B Carlos Pena

Analysis: Astros GM Luhnow continues to wheel and deal as he has since taking the job, though stockpiling more quantity than quality. He has picked up some quality young arms such as White, Ely and Peacock. The Astros are still a long way from contending and have an excellent chance at the first overall pick in the 2014 draft.

No mention of Chris Carter? Weird

26. Chicago White Sox | GM: Rick Hahn

Acquired: Re-signed RHP Jake Peavy, IF Jeff Keppinger

Analysis: Hahn’s rookie year as a general manager got off to a great start with the Peavy signing, but he soon watched an exodus of talent as Youkilis, pitchers Brett Myers, Phil Humber, Liriano and Pierzynski all left via free agency. Hahn signed only infielder Keppinger, who the Sox hope will be at least adequate defensively at third base.

27. San Diego Padres | GM: Josh Byrnes

Acquired: RHPs Tyson Ross, Jason Marquis, Freddy Garcia

Analysis: The Padres' offseason was extremely quiet, with the biggest trade being the Andy Parrino and Andrew Werner deal for Ross. The Padres also signed free-agent pitchers Marquis and Garcia. However, the Padres continue to build with scouting and player development, so their lack of movement was expected.

If they see something in Ross that nobody else has been able to tap into, that's great, but they got smoked on this deal.

28. Baltimore Orioles | GM: Dan Duquette

Acquired: IF Alexi Casilla, 3B Danny Valencia

Analysis: The Orioles had a very quiet offseason marked by signing Duquette and manager Buck Showalter to long-term deals. They increased their payroll by approximately $20 million because of arbitration. But this left Duquette very little room to maneuver. A team that went from 93 losses in 2011 to 93 wins in 2012 did very little to continue the momentum.

29. Colorado Rockies | GM: Dan O’Dowd/Bill Geivett

Acquired: RHP Wilton Lopez, 3B Ryan Wheeler, manager Walt Weiss

Analysis: The Rockies are hoping Weiss and a return to health for Troy Tulowitzki and Jorge De La Rosa will be enough to contend. They also need the further development of lefties Drew Pomeranz and Christian Friedrich. Otherwise, watch for an active July trade deadline.

30. Miami Marlins | President: Larry Beinfest/GM: Mike Hill

Acquired: OF Juan Pierre, 3B Placido Polanco, RHP Henderson Alvarez

Analysis: It was only last offseason that Miami’s future looked so bright. In one year, their manager was fired and the trio of free agents signed at the winter meetings got traded away. The Marlins took such a bad public relations hit in South Florida that just a handful of fans were in line when single game tickets were put on sale last week.

 

[Eephus]

7. Washington Nationals | GM: Mike RizzoAcquired: OF Denard Span, RHPs Dan Haren, A.J. Cole, re-signed 1B Adam LaRocheAnalysis: Despite owning the best record in the major leagues last season, Rizzo did not rest. Trading for Span solves Washington’s two biggest needs -- a defensive improvement in center field and a leadoff hitter, while Haren replaces Edwin Jackson’s workload cheaply with a one-year deal. However, shrewdly convincing LaRoche to take a two-year deal was Rizzo’s best move. LaRoche maintains important left-right balance in the middle of their order.I really like what Washington did.

Odd that Bowden mentions AJ Cole and doesn't say a word about Rafael Soriano

 

[TobiasFunke]

7. Washington Nationals | GM: Mike RizzoAcquired: OF Denard Span, RHPs Dan Haren, A.J. Cole, re-signed 1B Adam LaRocheAnalysis: Despite owning the best record in the major leagues last season, Rizzo did not rest. Trading for Span solves Washington’s two biggest needs -- a defensive improvement in center field and a leadoff hitter, while Haren replaces Edwin Jackson’s workload cheaply with a one-year deal. However, shrewdly convincing LaRoche to take a two-year deal was Rizzo’s best move. LaRoche maintains important left-right balance in the middle of their order.I really like what Washington did.

Odd that Bowden mentions AJ Cole and doesn't say a word about Rafael Soriano

If Bowden had ever been the GM of your favorite team you wouldn't find any of his mistakes "odd."

 

[guru_007]

8. Boston Red Sox | GM: Ben Cherington

Acquired: RHPs Ryan Dempster, Joel Hanrahan and Koji Uehara, OFs Shane Victorino and Jonny Gomes, Cs David Ross and Mike Napoli, SS Stephen Drew, Manager John Farrell

Analysis: The Red Sox finished in last place in the AL East last season and were just as bad in clubhouse. Cherington replaced manager Bobby Valentine with John Farrell and loaded up in free agency, acquiring not only talent, but character that will provide a positive clubhouse culture. However, many of those free agents also have either injury or decline risk. Cherington’s best moves could be a simple return to health for his team’s established stars.

I don't know what that last sentence means. The Victorino deal was brutal, the Hanrahan trade was horrific, and catcher is a logjam. I wouldn't mistake a lot of activity for a "good" offseason.

I think he is referring to the likes of Pedroia, Bucholz and Ellsbury...not saying I'm agreeing with him, but those three guys could all be impact guys.I'm not sure I would rank the Red Sox 8th either. After freeing up a boatload of cash, the best they can do is get a few dh type guys in Ross, Napoli and Gomes, a mid-30's overpaid OF in Victorino and a few mid-tier relievers?

I do like the Dempster signing though, SP needed some bolstering. Bullpen needed help, but not sure I want to tie up 7+ million in one year of Hanrahan (not to mention giving up a few pieces to get him), just a year after going out and signing Bailey for 4 mil. That's just a personal preference though, I don't love spending a ton of money on closers. Red Sox had problems in their BP, but they have quite a bit of depth back there.

Biggest impact will be new manager, imho. Valentine was a disaster, I don't think I love the idea of trading players or money for a manager, but tbh, a good manager will make a huge difference and I think Farrell can turn this ship around.

Red Sox have some decent pieces, unfortunately they will be overmatched in an extremely competitive AL East. I think they overachieve this year, but it will be hard for them to come in higher than 3rd.

 

[shadyridr]

20. New York Yankees | GM: Brian Cashman Acquired: 3B Kevin Youkilis, DH Travis Hafner, re-signed OF Ichiro Suzuki, re-signed LHP Andy Pettitte, RHP Hiroki Kuroda Analysis: This might have been the Yankees’ worst offseason in the past decade, between the departures of Rafael Soriano, Russell Martin and Swisher, as well as Alex Rodriguez’s hip surgery and more PED accusations. Signing Youkilis and Hafner might help a little, as will Mariano Rivera’s return from a knee injury. At least on paper, the Yankees went from a 95-win team to an 85-90 win team this offseason.

Youk basically replaces ARod. Rivera basically replaces Soriano. So hes saying Nick Swisher & Russell Martin are worth 10 wins? Wow

 

[shadyridr]

Also, I dont understand everyones fascination with the Angels this year. I still think the Rangers have a more complete team than them

 

[Grahamburn]

Also, I dont understand everyones fascination with the Angels this year. I still think the Rangers have a more complete team than them

Putting arguably the top 3 offensive players in baseball in one lineup can do that.

 

[shadyridr]

Also, I dont understand everyones fascination with the Angels this year. I still think the Rangers have a more complete team than them

Putting arguably the top 3 offensive players in baseball in one lineup can do that.

But they also lost Torri Hunter, Kendrys Morales, Zack Greinke, & Dan Haren

 

[TobiasFunke]

20. New York Yankees | GM: Brian Cashman Acquired: 3B Kevin Youkilis, DH Travis Hafner, re-signed OF Ichiro Suzuki, re-signed LHP Andy Pettitte, RHP Hiroki Kuroda Analysis: This might have been the Yankees’ worst offseason in the past decade, between the departures of Rafael Soriano, Russell Martin and Swisher, as well as Alex Rodriguez’s hip surgery and more PED accusations. Signing Youkilis and Hafner might help a little, as will Mariano Rivera’s return from a knee injury. At least on paper, the Yankees went from a 95-win team to an 85-90 win team this offseason.

Youk basically replaces ARod. Rivera basically replaces Soriano. So hes saying Nick Swisher & Russell Martin are worth 10 wins? Wow

No mention of Gardner, whose return is far more important than Rivera's.I don't know why you guys continue to express amazement at errors or oversights in Bowden's analysis. The guy is not very sharp. He's a 90s GM whose analysis is stuck in that era. The game has passed him by.

 

[shadyridr]

I also disagree with his idea that the Jays have the best rotation in their division. Dickey may have had a career year but Ill give them the benefit of the doubt that they have an ace there, but Johnson is not the same pitcher and always hurt, Beuhrle is nothing special, Morrow still hasnt taken the leap, and Romero was god awful last year. I still think the Yanks have a great rotation and the Rays staff may dropoff a little but Id still take their staff over the Jays too.

 

[Captain Hook]

I also disagree with his idea that the Jays have the best rotation in their division. Dickey may have had a career year but Ill give them the benefit of the doubt that they have an ace there, but Johnson is not the same pitcher and always hurt, Beuhrle is nothing special, Morrow still hasnt taken the leap, and Romero was god awful last year. I still think the Yanks have a great rotation and the Rays staff may dropoff a little but Id still take their staff over the Jays too.

Yanks have a great rotation?Please explainBuster Olney (and the industry folks he consulted) couldn't put them in the Top 10 and Tampa was better than Yankees in that listhttp://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog/_/name/olney_buster/id/8795627/detroit-tigers-washington-nationals-two-10-best-starting-rotations-mlb

 

[fred_1_15301]

It had to happen.Brandon Inge to the Pirates

I guess it gives them some depth but I don't see him taking away much playing time from Pedro.

 

[Eephus]

It had to happen.Brandon Inge to the Pirates

I guess it gives them some depth but I don't see him taking away much playing time from Pedro.

Inge's career numbers against LHP are better than Alvarez'.