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MLB Hot Stove 2008

IJ Reilly

IJ Reilly

macrumors P6
Original poster
Jul 16, 2002
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I thought it might be too early to talk about the hot stove season as we just start to move onto the World Series, but I'm hearing enough talk about free agents already to make it interesting.

Who are some of the big free agents of 2008, and how much do you think they will be worth per season? Starting with the Dodger team members at the end of their contracts:

Rafael Furcal ($13 m). Could be worth more, but his history of injuries has to reduce his value, and it hardly helps to make three errors in one inning of your last game before free agency. Today, Furcal says he really wants to stay in LA and the Dodgers are saying they want him back.

Manny Ramirez ($24 m). Probably he will get his best offers from the AL. Can't hurt his prospects to have hit over .500 during the post-season, not to mention having been a model citizen for the past three months.

Derek Lowe ($15 m). He became one of the most reliable starters in the NL this year.

Jeff Kent ($0). He will retire, almost without a doubt.

Nomar Garciaparra ($?). Says he's considering retirement. If he does come back, it will have to be as a pinch-hitter and utility infielder.

Casey Blake ($10 m). His age argues against him getting much more.

Brad Penny ($12 m). Even journeymen starting pitchers earn $10 million these days, so Penny could be worth more, even after having missed most of 2008. The Dodgers have an option on him for next year, which they probably won't pick up.

Greg Maddux ($?). Says he's considering retirement, but why? If he does retire, somebody better snatch him up fast as a pitching coach.
 
Watching Maddux get slapped around last night was depressing. That guy was one of my hero's as a kid and now he's basically lousy.

edit - I just googled it and his ERA with the Dodgers is above 5. Some people should just retire with grace (I'm looking at you, Jordan and Favre)
 
IJ Reilly said:
Rafael Furcal ($13 m). Could be worth more, but his history of injuries has to reduce his value, and it hardly helps to make three errors in one inning of your last game before free agency. Today, Furcal says he really wants to stay in LA and the Dodgers are saying they want him back.
Click to expand...

Furcal has been fantastic for the Dodgers when he's been healthy, but there's the rub. If I were L.A., I'd offer him three years max, like last time.


IJ Reilly said:
Manny Ramirez ($24 m). Probably he will get his best offers from the AL. Can't hurt his prospects to have hit over .500 during the post-season, not to mention having been a model citizen for the past three months.
Click to expand...

The local media seems to think McCourt won't pony up for Manny and I'm inclined to agree. I would offer him two years (with maybe an option year) for ridiculous money, but not any longer than that. You want him to be motivated and there's not much to reason to think he will be if he's got a long-term deal. My guess is that the Mets get him. They have the cash, he grew up in NYC, and would fit right in.


IJ Reilly said:
Brad Penny ($12 m). Even journeymen starting pitchers earn $10 million these days, so Penny could be worth more, even after having missed most of 2008. The Dodgers have an option on him for next year, which they probably won't pick up.
Click to expand...

He hasn't been healthy in quite a while. Frankly, there's not much reason to be confident in him and his recent attitude has been annoying.


IJ Reilly said:
Greg Maddux ($?). Says he's considering retirement, but why? If he does retire, somebody better snatch him up fast as a pitching coach.
Click to expand...

I somewhat selfishly want to see Maddux pitch for one more year. Why? So he can pass Warren Spahn on the all-time wins list. And why Warren Spahn? Because Spahn has the most wins of anyone whose career began after the dead ball era. Even if he doesn't win another game, he played mostly in a time of five-man rotations instead of four like Spahn did. One can make a pretty good case that Greg Maddux is the greatest pitcher of the last 50 years.
 
I also read today that Jake Peavy might be available, if the Padres decide to free up some money for rebuilding efforts. He would waive his no-trade clause for only five teams, of which the Dodgers are one. I have a strong feeling that even if Peavy was to part company with San Diego, that the Padres would be loathe to trade him to any team in the NL West, and especially to the Dodgers.

If Maddux does play next season, I don't see him getting many starts. Even on a good day he has a tough time pitching enough innings to qualify for a win. Wins are an abstraction anyway.

I give better than 50/50 odds on Furcal remaining with the Dodgers. They don't have anyone coming up to replace him, not many other teams will be willing to take a chance on him, and I think he feels he's got unfinished business here.

I'd give 10-1 odds on Manny coming back. The Dodger outfield is way too crowded for them to pay him the kind of money he will fetch. The trick will be to find another certified big bat to replace him. Who will be on the market? It probably has to be someone who plays second or third.
 
IJ Reilly said:
I also read today that Jake Peavy might be available, if the Padres decide to free up some money for rebuilding efforts. He would waive his no-trade clause for only five teams, of which the Dodgers are one. I have a strong feeling that even if Peavy was to part company with San Diego, that the Padres would be loathe to trade him to any team in the NL West, and especially to the Dodgers.

If Maddux does play next season, I don't see him getting many starts. Even on a good day he has a tough time pitching enough innings to qualify for a win. Wins are an abstraction anyway.

I give better than 50/50 odds on Furcal remaining with the Dodgers. They don't have anyone coming up to replace him, not many other teams will be willing to take a chance on him, and I think he feels he's got unfinished business here.

I'd give 10-1 odds on Manny coming back. The Dodger outfield is way too crowded for them to pay him the kind of money he will fetch. The trick will be to find another certified big bat to replace him. Who will be on the market? It probably has to be someone who plays second or third.
Click to expand...

I'm generally not a dodger fan but I have a huge crush with the sweet team of garvey, cey, sutton, lopes, dusty, etc...but I must say that manny was a huge boost to the overall brand of the dodgers. I hope they resign him for 2 yrs
 
At his age, I bet Manny is looking for four years. This argues strongly for him signing with an AL team. So, sadly, I think this rules out the Dodgers. If he was willing to take two years, that makes a big difference.
 
IJ Reilly said:
At his age, I bet Manny is looking for four years. This argues strongly for him signing with an AL team. So, sadly, I think this rules out the Dodgers. If he was willing to take two years, that makes a big difference.
Click to expand...
Scott Boras.

I heard he wants 25 a year for 4 years.
 
Are you kidding me???
Ramirez could be looking for six-year deal on open market

LOS ANGELES -- There are some early signs that the Dodgers' negotiations involving Manny Ramirez, who almost single-handedly lifted the storied franchise to the postseason, will not necessarily go smoothly. Ramirez is believed to be seeking a six-year deal for as much as $25 million per year, and Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is said to be skeptical that the competition will be keen for the controversial but ultra-productive superstar he acquired for virtually nothing a minute before the trade deadline.
Click to expand...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/jon_heyman/10/15/heyman.manny/index.html?eref=writers

Has to be posturing by Boras..I can't see a sane GM signing off on that deal.

Pierre seeks playing time via trade
Agent asks Dodgers to find 'better fit' for speedy outfielder

By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com
LOS ANGELES -- Juan Pierre wants to play.

And if the Dodgers won't play him, he wants them to find a team that will.

With Pierre's second season in Los Angeles complete, the displaced outfielder's agent said he's hopeful the complex offseason maneuverings the club faces include addressing Pierre's awkward situation.

"Juan has never questioned the players Joe Torre has put on the field," said Mark Pieper of SFX, Pierre's agent. "The team was winning with them out there. That's not the issue. He understands the situation, he understands why those are the players that have been playing. It's just an unfortunate situation as it relates to Juan.
Click to expand...

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp...2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb&partnerId=rss_mlb

For the Red Sox,Varitek is a free agent.
Tonight could be end for Varitek
Contract expiring; status is in doubt
Jason Varitek wouldn't acknowledge it yesterday, but tonight's game at Fenway Park could be the team captain's last in a Red Sox uniform. Given a contract that expires after this season, and a markedly poor offensive year, there could be a parting of the ways between Varitek and the only major league team he has played for.
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http://www.boston.com/sports/baseba...0/16/tonight_could_be_end_for_varitek/?page=1

Boras is his agent.He'll probably be asking for big $$$,esp considering the thin market for free agent catchers. Offensively,this year and last have been below par not to mention the amount of passed balls he's had in the post season. Sox only have one catcher in their farm system and he's at least a couple years off. They may have to bite the bullet on him for a couple more years...
 
I would not put too much stock in early rumors where Manny is concerned. I doubt very much that anyone will want to give him six years at his age. Only a limited number of teams can afford him anyway, and even fewer are prepared to lock up that kind of salary for that many years. If the Dodgers find a way to move Juan Pierre, I think that puts them in a better position to make Manny an offer he might accept. Even better if they find a way of getting rid of that excess baggage called Andruw Jones.
 
Boras can always ask. I seem to recall that he thought he could get A-Rod money for Carlos Beltran too, but it didn't happen.

Supposedly, Andruw Jones isn't eager to face the LA fans next year, but I bet he isn't unhappy enough to give up $18 million for next season.

Although I was pleased to see Pierre ride the pine for much of the season, the downside is that his trade value is even lower than it was a year ago. The Angels would like his style of play, but 1) they have a crowded outfield too, and 2) they rarely make big trades with the Dodgers.
 
fotografica said:
Sox only have one catcher in their farm system and he's at least a couple years off. They may have to bite the bullet on him for a couple more years...
Click to expand...

**** that, kevin cash is better than varitek. dusty brown and/or george kotteras would be too. use them as a bridge to get to Luis Exposito (currently at advanced-A) or trade Buchholz or Bowden for someone like Jeff Clement (Seattle, AAA) or Bryan Anderson (St Louis, AAA).
 
aloofman said:
Boras can always ask. I seem to recall that he thought he could get A-Rod money for Carlos Beltran too, but it didn't happen.

Supposedly, Andruw Jones isn't eager to face the LA fans next year, but I bet he isn't unhappy enough to give up $18 million for next season.

Although I was pleased to see Pierre ride the pine for much of the season, the downside is that his trade value is even lower than it was a year ago. The Angels would like his style of play, but 1) they have a crowded outfield too, and 2) they rarely make big trades with the Dodgers.
Click to expand...

Considering the number of variables, it's hard to make predictions, but I'm going to take a flyer and guess that the Dodgers give Jones $9 million and send him packing. As for Pierre, I think he's got more trade value than you do. The value of free agents hasn't exactly taken a nosedive over the last two years, and Pierre's numbers this year have to take into account his part-time status. If they choose to do it, I think the Dodgers could deal Pierre without taking a hit. The good news for the Dodgers is that they don't have to decide that issue in a hurry. They can wait until they've made other moves.
 
IJ Reilly said:
Considering the number of variables, it's hard to make predictions, but I'm going to take a flyer and guess that the Dodgers give Jones $9 million and send him packing. As for Pierre, I think he's got more trade value than you do. The value of free agents hasn't exactly taken a nosedive over the last two years, and Pierre's numbers this year have to take into account his part-time status. If they choose to do it, I think the Dodgers could deal Pierre without taking a hit. The good news for the Dodgers is that they don't have to decide that issue in a hurry. They can wait until they've made other moves.
Click to expand...

My worry is that a team that takes on Pierre's contract will demand one of the Dodgers' young players too.
 
aloofman said:
My worry is that a team that takes on Pierre's contract will demand one of the Dodgers' young players too.
Click to expand...

I really doubt this would happen. The Dodgers would certainly prefer to give up cash, but I question whether even that would be necessary. A number of teams were interested in Pierre two years ago when the Dodgers signed him, the value of free agents continues to climb, and the three years left on his contract is certainly more manageable than four. I know how much you dislike Pierre, but I think you'll find that if the Dodgers do decide to move him that he won't be a boat anchor. Andruw Jones, now there's a boat anchor.
 
2008 MLB Free Agents

First Basemen
Rich Aurilia SF
Ben Broussard NYY
Carlos Delgado * NYM
Nomar Garciaparra LAD
Jason Giambi * NYY
Wes Helms PHI
Kevin Millar BAL
Richie Sexson NYY
Mark Teixeira LAA
Frank Thomas OAK
Daryle Ward CHC

Second Basemen
Jamey Carroll * CLE
Ray Durham MIL
Mark Ellis OAK
Marcus Giles COL
Mark Grudzielanek KC
Orlando Hudson ARZ
Jeff Kent LAD
Felipe Lopez STL
D’Angelo Jimenez STL
Pablo Ozuna LAD
Nick Punto MIN
Jose Valentin NYM
Jose Vidro * SEA

Shortstops
Orlando Cabrera CWS
Alex Cintron CWS
Alex Cora BOS
Craig Counsell * MIL
Adam Everett MIN
Rafael Furcal LAD
Cesar Izturis STL
Ramon Martinez LAD
Edgar Renteria * DET
Juan Uribe CWS

Third Basemen
Casey Blake LAD
Hank Blalock * TEX
Joe Crede CWS
Morgan Ensberg NYY
Chipper Jones * ATL
Corey Koskie MIL
Greg Norton TB

Catchers
Rod Barajas TOR
Henry Blanco * CHC
Johnny Estrada WAS
Toby Hall * CWS
Adam Melhuse TEX
Mike Redmond * MIN
Ivan Rodriguez NYY
David Ross BOS
Javier Valentin CIN
Jason Varitek BOS
Vance Wilson DET
Gregg Zaun * TOR

Outfielders
Bobby Abreu NYY
Moises Alou NYM
Garret Anderson * LAA
Rocco Baldelli TB
Willie Bloomquist SEA
Emil Brown OAK
Pat Burrell PHI
Endy Chavez NYM
Carl Crawford * TB
Adam Dunn ARZ
Jim Edmonds CHC
Cliff Floyd TB
Brian Giles * SD
Ken Griffey Jr. * CWS
Vladimir Guerrero * LAA
Raul Ibanez SEA
Jacque Jones FLA
Mark Kotsay ATL
Rob Mackowiak WAS
Kevin Mench TOR
Jason Michaels * CLE
Craig Monroe MIN
Jay Payton BAL
Scott Podsednik COL
Manny Ramirez LAD
Juan Rivera LAA
Rondell White MIN

Starting Pitchers
Kris Benson PHI
A.J. Burnett TOR (may opt out)
Paul Byrd BOS
Ryan Dempster CHC
Jon Garland LAA
Tom Glavine ATL
Mike Hampton * ATL
Orlando Hernandez NYM
Jason Jennings TEX
Randy Johnson ARZ
John Lackey * LAA
Esteban Loaiza CHW
Braden Looper STL
Derek Lowe LAD
Pedro Martinez NYM
Mike Mussina NYY
Jamie Moyer PHI
Mark Mulder * STL
Carl Pavano NYY
Brad Penny * LAD
Odalis Perez WAS
Oliver Perez NYM
Andy Pettitte NYY
Mark Prior SD
Horacio Ramirez CHW
C.C. Sabathia MIL
Ben Sheets MIL
John Smoltz * ATL
Julian Tavarez ATL
Steve Trachsel BAL
Brett Tomko SD
Claudio Vargas MIL
Randy Wolf HOU

Relief Pitchers
Jeremy Affeldt CIN
Tony Armas Jr. PIT
Luis Ayala WAS
Joe Beimel LAD
Joe Borowski CLE
Juan Cruz ARZ
Brendan Donnelly BOS
Alan Embree * OAK
Scott Eyre CHC
Kyle Farnsworth DET
Casey Fossum DET
Brian Fuentes COL
Aaron Fultz CLE
Tom Gordon * PHI
LaTroy Hawkins HOU
Mark Hendrickson LAD
Trevor Hoffman SD
Bobby Howry CHC
Jason Isringhausen STL
Steve Kline SF
Brandon Lyon ARZ
Damaso Marte * NYY
Tom Martin COL
Julio Mateo PHI
Guillermo Mota MIL
Will Ohman CHC
Darren Oliver LAA
John Parrish SEA
Chris Reitsma SEA
Dennys Reyes MIN
Juan Rincon CLE
Francisco Rodriguez LAA
Brian Shouse MIL
Rafael Soriano ATL
Jorge Sosa NYM
Mike Stanton * CIN
Salomon Torres * MIL
Derrick Turnbow MIL
Oscar Villarreal ATL
David Weathers CIN
Dave Williams NYM
Matt Wise NYM
Jay Witasick TB
Kerry Wood CHC

* means the player has a 2009 option

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2002/02/2008-09-free-agents.html
 
Players' association says teams acted in concert to not sign Bonds

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3647779
NEW YORK -- The baseball players' union says it has found evidence teams acted in concert against signing Barry Bonds but it reached an agreement with the commissioner's office to delay the filing of any grievance.

The union expressed concern in May about the lack of offers to the home run king. Filing a grievance would trigger proceedings before arbitrator Shyam Das.

Union general counsel Michael Weiner confirmed the deal with Major League Baseball, which was first reported by murraychass.com.

"There were numerous things that occurred that made me believe that the clubs were acting in concert," Bonds' agent, Jeff Borris, said Thursday. "When I testify as a witness in the case, I will delineate each and every one of them."
Click to expand...
What team would want Bonds in the first place. Now he is going to probably get 40 million in a settlement.

The union has way to much power in protecting the dirty players.

TAMPA, Fla. -- Hank Steinbrenner says Joba Chamberlain likely will return to the New York Yankees' rotation at the beginning of the 2009 season.

"The plan as of right now is Chamberlain is going to be a starter," the Yankees co-chairman said Thursday after five hours of organizational meetings at the team's spring training complex. "Everybody's pretty much in agreement with that."
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3647638
Click to expand...

As the New York Yankees began a round of scouting meetings this week to discuss the future of the team, they know that veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte intends to pitch in 2009, and his intention is to pitch for them.

Sources said on Wednesday that Pettitte's agent, Randy Hendricks, has informed the Yankees of this recently.
No contract for 2009 has been negotiated between the pitcher and the team, but he has made it clear that he wants to play for the Yankees and the Yankees have made it clear that they want Pettitte, who went 14-14 with a 4.54 ERA for New York this season. Pettitte made $16 million last season.
Pettitte, 36, has sometimes felt the pull of retirement, but late this season, as the Yankees played their final games in their home of more than eight decades, he spoke wistfully of wanting to play in the new Yankee Stadium in 2009.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3645977
Click to expand...

The Yankees are one of several teams that have had preliminary discussions with the San Diego Padres about a possible trade for 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy. According to a person familiar with the substance of Thursday's organizational meetings in Tampa, Peavy was a hot topic as word has begun to circulate around baseball that the Padres are interested in shopping Peavy. The person said the Yankees had a feeling the Padres might be further down the road in discussions with other teams, such as the Atlanta Braves. And even a very strong offer might not be enough to get Peavy, since his contract includes a no-trade clause. But if the Yankees decided to make young pitchers such as Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy available, they believe they could put together an attractive package for the Padres to at least consider.
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/mlb
Click to expand...
 
IJ Reilly said:
What makes you think so? Just because some lawyer makes a statement on behalf his client? That's absolutely meaningless.
Click to expand...
From what I understand someone found a letter saying that the teams were talking about not signing Bonds. MLB is now trying to get the union to hold off on the grievance.
 
MacNut said:
From what I understand someone found a letter saying that the teams were talking about not signing Bonds. MLB is now trying to get the union to hold off on the grievance.
Click to expand...

A letter from whom? To whom? The point is, they have to be in possession of strong evidence of collusion, or they've got nothing bankable. You asked the right question: Who would have wanted him?
 
IJ Reilly said:
A letter from whom? To whom? The point is, they have to be in possession of strong evidence of collusion, or they've got nothing bankable. You asked the right question: Who would have wanted him?
Click to expand...
No team wanted him but the fear is that the clubs talking about not signing him might be enough to scare Selig into a settlement.
 
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