After a thrilling season in which the Red Sox finally put an end to their 86-year curse, it's time for another fun time for baseball fans: free agency. So who's sure to attract the most attention?
Pedro Martinez - Despite being New York's favorite target, the rumors of Pedro donning pinstripes persist. He's not what he used to be, but he can still get the job done and he'll be a hot commodity. POTENTIAL PLAYERS: Yankees, Angels, Red Sox
Carlos Beltran - This postseason saw Carlos Beltran rise to the status of superstar...meaning, naturally, the Yankees are ready to shell out some money for him. But I hardly think the Astros will roll over for King George, especially with Jeff Kent in talks to take a pay cut. POTENTIAL PLAYERS: Yankees, Astros
Carlos Delgado - He's swung a big bat for quite a while and there will be a lot of teams aiming for him. I can see Baltimore attempting to become a contender again. Any Orioles team can flourish with a Tejada/Delgado tandem. Alas, without pitching, they're once again doomed to fail. Also, with the Sosa situation becoming critical in Chicago, the Cubs may look to add a replacement bat. POTENTIAL PLAYERS: Blue Jays, Orioles, Cubs
Adrian Beltre - My biggest nightmare would be Adrian Beltre donning pinstripes, but with Jeter and A-Rod out there, it's unlikely. But look at the package here. 50 home runs in a pitcher's ballpark is nothing to sneeze at. And he's in his early 20's! Look for Scott Boras to get him top dollar...but for what team? POTENTIAL PLAYERS: Dodgers, Giants, Yankees, about 5 other teams who could use a good 3B
Other free agents to watch out for include Nomar Garciaparra, Troy Glaus, Derek Lowe, Jason Varitek, Carl Pavano. How's that offseason looking?
When the hell did SNITSKYMANIA start to run wild???
Originally posted by It's FalseCarlos Beltran - This postseason saw Carlos Beltran rise to the status of superstar...meaning, naturally, the Yankees are ready to shell out some money for him. But I hardly think the Astros will roll over for King George, especially with Jeff Kent in talks to take a pay cut. POTENTIAL PLAYERS: Yankees, Astros
Carlos Delgado - He's swung a big bat for quite a while and there will be a lot of teams aiming for him. I can see Baltimore attempting to become a contender again. Any Orioles team can flourish with a Tejada/Delgado tandem. Alas, without pitching, they're once again doomed to fail. Also, with the Sosa situation becoming critical in Chicago, the Cubs may look to add a replacement bat. POTENTIAL PLAYERS: Blue Jays, Orioles, Cubs.
The Cubs will be in the market for Beltran way more than Delgado. Delgado won't even be a blip on their radar screen, as he has nowhere to play, and moving Derrek Lee to make room for Delgado at first would be a collossall mistake. I think the Beltran Sweepstakes comes down to the Cubs and Yankees. Who he eventually ends up with is anyones guess...flip a coin.
Don't forget about the Mariners in the Beltran sweeps. They're a high-revenue club that will surey be looking to add someone over the winter.
If the Yanks sign Beltran, they need to offload one of their CF (which I am sure they can do), DH the other (ikely Bernie) and move Giambi to 1B full time. I wish them luck with that.
"You know what I'm happiest for? I'm happiest for Bill Buckner, Calvin Schiraldi, Bob Stanley, Johnny Pesky, Ted Williams, all of the Red Sox that played before us will now be remembered for the great players and great people they were instead of all the other crap." Curt Schilling
Peter Gammons has said that the Red Sox will try to get Lowe, Pedro and Pavano.
*salivates at idea of Schilling, Pedro, Pavano, Lowe and Arroyo in starting rotation*
For the Sox, the biggest guy is Varitek. He is the heart and soul of this team, and we would be insane not to bring him back.
(edited by gugs on 29.10.04 0424)
Originally posted by DEAN~!- Booker T stands like a statue in the ring. Paul London runs around the ring, bouncing off the ropes, jumps up and sticks his knees around Booker T ears and Powerbombs himself. London gets up and takes Booker T's hand and balls it up into a fist. He then extends Booker T's arm before hitting the ropes and smashing nose first into Booker T's fist. Paul, bleeding profusely, climbs onto Booker T's shoulders and dives into the second row- landing shoulder first onto the fixed chairs, getting more hardway color from his quickly sweeling upper lip. London runs into the ring and opens up Booker T's fist and raises it up to his face, as if Booker T was staring into his own hand. London when dives over the turnbuckle face first into the Spanish Announcers table. After the countout, London comes back into the ring and lays Booker T down on the ground while bending Booker's arms and legs and then spins him around. We go to a commercial for those burning Trojan condoms.
Originally posted by gugsPeter Gammons has said that the Red Sox will try to get Lowe, Pedro and Pavano.
*salivates at idea of Schilling, Pedro, Pavano, Lowe and Arroyo in starting rotation*
For the Sox, the biggest guy is Varitek. He is the heart and soul of this team, and we would be insane not to bring him back.
(edited by gugs on 29.10.04 0424)
While that would be nice, I think Lowe is most likely gone. If you end up replacing Lowe with Pavano then you're doing good.
I think if Pedro leaves he might go to Anaheim. He seems to pitch better in warmer weather so I could see him taking a look there. I didn't put LA on the list because I believe he still holds it against them that they traded him away early in his career.
Tek I think will be back. Theo knows he's a very important part of the team. The only think that might screw it up is that Tek has Scott Boras as his agent, and he's known as an agent that tries to get every last dollar for his clients.
Originally posted by PalpatineWDon't forget about the Mariners in the Beltran sweeps. They're a high-revenue club that will surey be looking to add someone over the winter.
Not likely. I doubt (1) the M's want to shell out that kind of dough, especially in light of Beltran's awesome playoff run, and (2) Beltran (or Scott Boras) has any interest in coming here. It's a nice thought, though.
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With Delgado, I can see him ending up in Seattle. No chance he returns to Toronto, and Baltimore went into their offensive money bag last off-season. Eventually, they might realize they have a dominant lefty in the pen and could actually compete with their offense if they had quality starting pitching. Dark horse team for Pedro is the Giants. Played for Alou in Montreal, and this would give the Giants two aces in the front of their rotation, and the easier design of N.L. line-ups would help Pedro. All depends on if ownership opens up the payroll, which, considering they pack the park every night, they should. The shortstop market is plentiful, meaning Garciaparra is going to make short money for short years from someone. And he actually thought he should make much more money/years than Tejada. I think Cabrera is going to price himself out of Boston and Omar Vizquel is going to be the Red Sox shortstop. Interesting thing could be some of the Central Division teams: Do the Indians add to their young nucleus by going after a Radke or desperately needed bullpen help? Do the new owners of the Brewers see the young players ready to reach the majors and bring in quality players to augment them and develop a winning atmosphere. Detroit probably goes after Lowe and another veteran in order to continue their improvement. Do the White Sox look up in the sky and see pretty clouds while getting passed by the rebuilt Indians and Tigers? Beltran will be a Yankee. The question in the A.L. East might be the trade market. When, not if, Steinbrenner goes thermonuclear and trades and eats contracts to get prospects to deal for Johnson, do the Red Sox counter by packaging Youkilis, Alvarez and another player to Oakland for whichever of Hudson/Zito the A's dump?
(edited by redsoxnation on 29.10.04 1501) Red Sox World Champions. Welcome back Kaiser.
Originally posted by redsoxnationDark horse team for Pedro is the Giants. Played for Alou in Montreal, and this would give the Giants two aces in the front of their rotation, and the easier design of N.L. line-ups would help Pedro. All depends on if ownership opens up the payroll, which, considering they pack the park every night, they should.
They should but probably won't. PacBell/SBC Park is privately financed, so the owners are more concerned with paying the mortgage and turning a profit than signing talent.
The shortstop market is plentiful, meaning Garciaparra is going to make short money for short years from someone.
I've heard that he's looking for a one year deal to prove that he can stay healthy and still produce. I think this would endear him to the Cubs.
Beltran will be a Yankee.
I hope not.
...do the Red Sox counter by packaging Youkilis, Alvarez and another player to Oakland for whichever of Hudson/Zito the A's dump?
You want Hudson out of those two, but they'll be more likely to move Zito. Zito scares me.
Dark horse team for Pedro is the Giants. Played for Alou in Montreal, and this would give the Giants two aces in the front of their rotation, and the easier design of N.L. line-ups would help Pedro. All depends on if ownership opens up the payroll, which, considering they pack the park every night, they should.
Actually, I think the Giants could be a dark horse team for Nomar. I heard on the radio that he was open to signing a 1yr deal to prove he's healthy. Maybe SF could give him 9 or 10M for next year only and see what happens. A healthy Nomar hitting behind Bonds would give Barry a lot more good pitches to see.
Here's how I see it. Which probably means none of it will happen.
Carlos Beltran - Yankees, I think the Cubs will be more concerned with getting Nomar to stay. The only way the Cubs get him is if the Yankees just blow it somehow.
Nomar - Cubs, if not them then the Angels.
Pedro - He'll be back in Boston
Carlos Delgado - Don't really have a clue, does anybody even want him?
Adrian Beltre - I say the Orioles take a shot at him to take another step towards the Yanks and Sox. If they don't get him he stays in LA.
Magglio Ordonez - Mets, PLEASE let the Sosa to Mets rumors be untrue.
Originally posted by GrimisI seriously hope the O's skip on Delgado....
Yeah, we've got enough offense to hold us. I think we need to make a run at Pavano and/or Clement to sure up rotation. Ponson, Lopez, Cabrera, and Bedard can fill out the starting 5 nicely if we get one or both of those guys.
Originally posted by GrimisI seriously hope the O's skip on Delgado....
Yeah, we've got enough offense to hold us. I think we need to make a run at Pavano and/or Clement to sure up rotation. Ponson, Lopez, Cabrera, and Bedard can fill out the starting 5 nicely if we get one or both of those guys.
Cabrera, for starters, put up a 5 ERA and walked 89 people to 76 strikeouts in 148 innings. That's pretty bad, you need to have dominant stuff to walk people like that, and he doesn't. I know he's only 23, but there was nothing about his line this year that suggested he's going to be any good, except his hits per nine, which is pretty offset by him walking everyone and their dog.
Lopez is decent, but not a front-end starter, which is what they need badly. If he's your fourth starter, you're fine. A lot of the good work he did this year was out of the bullpen. I'm not opposed to his existence, but there are more pressing needs than keeping Rodrigo Lopez happy or even on the team.
Ponson's second half was okay, but his conditioning is pathetic and they brought him back to be the ace, which he was nowhere near, and really never has been. Ponson's one real good year was fine enough for a two-starter behind a good offense, but it was also a bit of a career year for him so far.
Bedard is okay, maybe.
The offense they do have is okay, but there are holes. One, in particular, is the entire outfield. Larry Bigbie didn't have the type of year that makes me think he's ever going to be much better than he is now, and Gibbons and Matos are terrible.
What they need more than Delgado, who I also do not want, is Magglio Ordonez, but I don't know that they'll be at all in the running for him with the Cubs, Mets, Yankees and Red Sox all possibly being strongly in contention to make a move for him. The Dodgers, too, could move Bradley over to center with Finley gone and make a play for Ordonez to attempt to make a real offense sometime.
If they're going to try to sign a first baseman and have Palmeiro primarily be the DH, I don't know why they'd target Delgado rather than Sexson, who isn't going to be much more expensive, is younger, is just as good of a hitter right now, and has a better future ahead of him. Delgado is real good, but he's not great, and with a pretty small market of power hitting difference makers, he's going to get more money than he's worth. But they seem to want Delgado. I could do without him, but what can you do, I guess.
I want Benitez back to bring some mojo. But mostly I want Maggs and Matt Clement. I consider Beltran, Pavano, Beltre and a few other guys totally out of the question so I'm not even bothering to hope for them.
Originally posted by ScottChrist I'm not opposed to his existence, but there are more pressing needs than keeping Rodrigo Lopez happy or even on the team.
IF Lopez doesn't fit in the Orioles plans, I'd love to see the Red Sox slide him into their rotation. Of non-aces for opposing teams, he might be the pitcher that concerns me most in the American League. Remember this about Benitez: Of his saves this year, about 25% were against the Mets.
Gammons also suggests that Orlando Cabrera will want 4 years, $30m, and he's not getting that from his current employers, the World Champion Boston Red Sox.
SC: With Melvin's defense at 3rd base, do the O's leave him there?
JayJay: USS Mariner, an excellent Mariners blog, had some interesting speculation on Beltran to Seattle. Can be found here: http://ussmariner.com/index.php?p=2006
Not to say it's a definite, but I think it's certainly possibe.
"You know what I'm happiest for? I'm happiest for Bill Buckner, Calvin Schiraldi, Bob Stanley, Johnny Pesky, Ted Williams, all of the Red Sox that played before us will now be remembered for the great players and great people they were instead of all the other crap." Curt Schilling
Originally posted by PalpatineWSC: With Melvin's defense at 3rd base, do the O's leave him there?
They liked the way he settled in at the position over time, and part of it early on was that he was still using an outfielder's glove. Maybe they should call him Melvin Moron, bahaha. But he did end up with an above average range factor, which speaks well, and seven or nine or whatever of his 21 errors were in like the first week.
Anyway, I've thought about this too. If they could land Glaus or Beltre, moving Mora to center field (where he was good in '01 and '02) would make fine sense. Matos sucks and Majewski probably isn't ready to be an everyday contributor. But this is only if they can score a third baseman, which I doubt they can. If it were a few years ago, getting Joe Randa in this position would even be nice since his bat won't hurt you and he can field, but at this point if that's the option, then I figure don't bother, keep Mel at third, and find at least one outfielder, of which there are more to choose from.
Your darkhorse in the Pedro sweepstakes: The Texas Rangers.
Hicks after downsizing is going to want someone that they can market as an ace and to make a splash. He's also going to have more money to spend on baseball than he has since the offseason they signed A-Rod.
Originally posted by kazhayashi81Your darkhorse in the Pedro sweepstakes: The Texas Rangers.
Hicks after downsizing is going to want someone that they can market as an ace and to make a splash. He's also going to have more money to spend on baseball than he has since the offseason they signed A-Rod.
That would be a huge mistake. This is a team on the rise, not a team in a 'now or never' situation. Pedro is on the downside, as evidenced by the fact that he can't go more than 100 pitches into a game without melting down. The kind of money it would take to get Pedro would be better spent on a couple of young arms on the rise who could be there for the long haul when guys like Blalock and Texeira really hit their prime.
On the Pedro front, he filed for free agency today. Why did he wait a few days? I don't know. But as a Sox fan, the whole situation has me atwttier. Sentimentally, I don't want to lose him. Esp. to the Yankees. Rationally, I just don't know. His off-year this year only complicates matters further. Is that a statistical red herring? Oy.
"You know what I'm happiest for? I'm happiest for Bill Buckner, Calvin Schiraldi, Bob Stanley, Johnny Pesky, Ted Williams, all of the Red Sox that played before us will now be remembered for the great players and great people they were instead of all the other crap." Curt Schilling
Originally posted by kazhayashi81Your darkhorse in the Pedro sweepstakes: The Texas Rangers.
Hicks after downsizing is going to want someone that they can market as an ace and to make a splash. He's also going to have more money to spend on baseball than he has since the offseason they signed A-Rod.
That would be a huge mistake. This is a team on the rise, not a team in a 'now or never' situation. Pedro is on the downside, as evidenced by the fact that he can't go more than 100 pitches into a game without melting down. The kind of money it would take to get Pedro would be better spent on a couple of young arms on the rise who could be there for the long haul when guys like Blalock and Texeira really hit their prime.
Never said I really liked it. I've just been a fan of this team so long that I know how much Hicks loves overpaying for big names to emphasize something. But I certainly think this is going to be an interesting offseason for my Rangers. I think Tex will either be moved to a full time DH or outfield, since I don't think it would be smart to keep A-Train Gonzales down in AAA next year. The only two guys we signed last year that I can see us resigning are Nellie and Delucci, and I don't think either will go for much. I could see 2-3 500k-1.5 mil veteran position players, with most providing injury depth and maybe one going to a DH. I don't see us going after anyone in the bullpen since we had the best in baseball last year and the only one we might be losing only pitched a month and I think we'll resign anyways, although with that said, they'll surprise me. But the rest of the money has to go to to the rotation. Will Hart find another diamond in the rough as he did last year? Perhaps. But I can't see most Rangers fans being happy with this FA season without a big name. I'd honestly prefer Lowe.
Thread ahead: Stottlemyre, Mattingly to stay, New bench coach named Next thread: Jason Bay NL Rookie of the Year Previous thread: Goodbye, Montreal Expos. Hello, Washington Nationals.
Phillies trade four prospects for Hunter Pence (espn.go.com) I know it's about quality, not quantity, but when you see a 4 for 1 trade, I don't think many people would expect the 1 to be Hunter Pence.
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