GreenMonster

Gordon to the Phillies... 3 year $18M...

http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9072482

edit: Yumchah posted it on the last page... Gibson, you need to read the prior page like me

GreenMonster

Thomas would look good in a Red Sox uniform

... but I did say the same thing about Konerko...

I wonder if Thomas is going to retire ? The sox might be interested, but probably in only a 1 year deal / invitation to spring training deal.

GIBSON6594

It's one of those rumors you hear all the time, you know like the Kevin Costner was cheating with Ripken Jr.'s wife and Ripken caught him and they got into a fight causing Ripken to almost miss record tying game.

If you google around you will find all the same rumors about him. He always wears long sleeves because he has a swastica (sp) tattoo on his arm. He was a raging alcoholic. His father is in the arian nation. You know...all that fun stuff

If anyone has ESPN insider here is the article about him:

Bobby Jenks

Here is another one:
http://www.sptimes.com/2005/10/25/Co...ast_life.shtml

Who knows if they are really true

Dfreder2

If I remember correctly (which may not be the case), the White Sox paid Frank Thomas $17 million for a seven year contract. Somehow, I can see myself retiring on 17 million dollars, without too much discomfort.

Ol Blue Eyes

to bad thomas' spending habits wouldn't allow him to retire on 17mill.

it doesn't help either that he has a devil for an ex-wife which he has 3 kids from

Yumcha

My, my...Guess the Yanks have a problem! Says in the article that they lost $50M to $85M in 2005...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2247401

Yumcha

It's pretty much official now. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200....ap/index.html

I just don't understand the zaniness of the offseason signings sometimes...Closers are now earning more per inning than A-Wad, and now, they sign a meh player like Furcal who is really just known for his defense and speed for that much.

TLover

The Mets are trade happy. Now it looks like they landed Lo Duca.

2001AudiS4

I wouldn't necessarily say so. Omar Minaya claimed he needed to improve on three positions and then went and followed through on what he said. I think the Mets are in a peculiar position that no other team in baseball has been in. They play in the same market as the Yankees which is the biggest market in sports, more or less. During the last decade, the Yankees have spent more money then most small to medium sized countries. The Mets on the other hand have tried to build winning clubs with youth and their farm team. I think a couple more years and this would have worked as you can see a few of their players have really been star quality. I can't blame them really though. The franchise has taken many knocks for not spending money while the cross town rivals spent a lot of money and ended up winning a few championships.

gocubsgo55

:sigh:. rid me of my misery, please

TLover

I just meant that Minaya has been busy this offseason, and the winter meetings haven't even started yet.

2001AudiS4

I know you didn't mean anything in a malicious way, sorry if my reply seemed to imply that. I just meant to point out that I think the mets have be forced in a way into a position that they really have to make moves. As far as them making the moves early, I guess the earlier the better for them. If they wait, they will end up throwing more money at players that are a lesser caliber.

Scottman111

Last line...

And what's the deal with Gonzalez and Encarnation?? I'm guessing money and/or the prospects?? And I guess they have absolutely nothing at 3B down on the farm? I thought Cabrera was a decent outfielder, so they could release Conine, keep Cabrera in left and bring up a prospect for 3B since they will be rebuilding anyways for the next ten years or so :wink: seems what I would do...

Doom878

Cabrera originally played 3B but was moved to the OF since we had Lowell. He wasn't really the best OF so in some games in August and September, Cabrera started at 3B and Lowell rode pine. Plus I just read and forgot we have Jeremy Hermida, Willingham, and I forgot the other OF. Hermida was the guy last year who got his first major league at-bat with a pinch hit grand slam. I keep hearing that Conine will come back for dirt cheap since he has major roots down here so he'll most likely be the most experienced OF.

Carny and Gonzalez are free agents and will command too much. Look for Gonzalez to sign soon now that Furcal is going to LA. He has an AWESOME AWESOME glove. His bat is meh. He hit for a decent average this year but no power. More power in 04 but no average. We're talking 20 bombs and sub-.240 average. Carny had a pretty good year. For whatever reason we just love dumping him just like in 03. He got mad steals in 03. This year he had good power numbers but ok average. Plus he's a great OF and I think has a great arm (can't remember). He might be a nice bargain pick up.

Don't fret Cubs fans. Pierre is still around. You guys should get Damion Easley for SS. He backed up both 2B and SS for the Marlins and was a great bat. He's already older but he had some nice seasons for Detroit.

Yumcha

Well, it's official now. Burnett signs a crazy@$$ deal with the Jays...

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2249623

Scottman111

^^ your a Jays fan right?? Are you happy or pissed.

I don't think he's worth it if you ask me

Yumcha

Hells no. ChiSox and Cubs fan here...

CL Platano

The Jays are trying to make a run this year bout time..

Yumcha

With Burnett and Ryan as their big signings?

I have my reservations but hey...stranger things (like the ChiSox winning it all ) have happened!

Scottman111

Trader to your own country huh?

And I don't think the Jays have a good enough offense to make a run, but I guess I said the same thing about the Sox last season so I'll just stfu now :wink:

Yumcha

Spent a giant chunk of youth in Chicago...so, not really a traitor.

Besides, I'm not living in Toronto and frankly don't like any of the TO teams. ( from the large Toronto AZ delegation...)

Doom878

Toronto was playing good in the beginning of the year but some of the hitters got in nasty slumps. They could make a run but they have to do better than the Yanks and Sox. The Orioles were hot in the beginning too.

Scottman111

This post might find it's way into it's own thread


For flaming purposes of course

gocubsgo55

Baker is pursuing Milton Bradely like the idiot both of them are. Bradely is a watered down, baseball version of TO. Also, the Reds offered Austin Kearns for Sergio Mitre and a PTBNL.

:SIIGHH:

GO BEARS

Yumcha

Bradley sucks. And he makes TO seem like an angel. At least Owens doesn't throw stuff at fans or beat his wife.

And Kearns is damaged goods with his injury history. The rumors of Hendry's pursuit of the trio from Tampa seems like a better scenario. Here's hoping Bradley does NOT sign with the Cubs.

gocubsgo55

im prepping for the worst. it always happens, it always will, and we've learned to deal with it.

Yumcha

Well, as long as the pitchers stay healthy, the Cubbies have a shot.

Scottman111

luckily for us Wily Mo Pena has developed nicely and Kearns had a decent year in '05 so he made himself trade worthy again...

Doom878

So you Reds are trusting Griffey?

GIBSON6594

Looks that way,

Casey to the Pirates

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2250330


They will put Dunn at 1st, and have an outfield of Griffey, Kearns, and Pena

gocubsgo55

The NL Central is stacked this upcoming year.

Doom878

Okay Cubs fan, a local radio station is reporting that Pierre is going there. We get Mitre and 2 AA players not yet known.

GIBSON6594

Looks that way, Pierre for a package including prospects Ricky Nalasco and Renyel Pinto

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/a...2005&fext=.jsp

GIBSON6594

On a even bigger note, my buddy just called me and told me that ESPN radio announced that Zito will be a Met

Yumcha

NICE! The Cubbies have a leadoff hitter!

==============

Report: Cubs trade for Pierre
ChicagoSports.com

December 7, 2005, 9:56 AM CST

The Cubs are expected to announce today that they have acquired center fielder Juan Pierre from the Florida Marlins, according to the Cubs' Web site.

The site is reporting that the Cubs would get Pierre for a package that includes Double-A pitching prospects Ricky Nolasco and Renyel Pinto.

Pierre hit .276 with 57 stolen bases and 96 runs scored for the Marlins in 2005.

Scottman111

I don't know how to think about this Casey to Pittsburgh trade. The only complaint people had about him was he was slow on the basepaths and didn't hit for enough power. But he was consistent, good glove, and usually stayed healthy.

I guess it was good to get Dunn out of left, he isn't exactly fast or incredibly athletic but neither is Pena or Kearns. And not to mention Kearns and Griffey are injury prone.

Now our best hitter average-wise is gone and we have two strike-out prone guys in Dunn and Pena. And the worst part is we didn't really get anything back even close to what Casey was worth, yes we needed another starting pitcher but I think we could've done better.

Sorry for the small rant... I guess I would've traded Kearns

Doom878

I think they figured that Casey wasn't going to be all that. I remember when he came from Cleveland that big things were expected but I think he had one semi-monster year and are counting on Kearns to stay healthy.

Doom878

See I told ya so.

Yumcha

You seem awfully cheerful given the dismantling of your team...!

Scottman111

That's very true he was highly regarded when we got him I remember. But I think he sacrafices power for average and that hurts him. But keep in mind that we had the same expectations for Kearns and for the most part he's failed to develop and stay healthy.

Don't get me wrong, I would hate to see Kearns go since he is talented (and a nice guy, I see him and Dunn at bars all the time), but I think I'm more pissed that we didn't get more out of Casey since we're paying a bunch of his 8.5 M contract next year.