Hot Stove thread

[Koodauw]

I meant it was a bad moves for the Sox, great move for the Phils, except they're still paying about 1/2 of Thome salary.

So it looks like Giles and Konerko are staying put too. That leaves the talent pool rather dry.

Wow, I didnt realize a 3.01 average 15 hrs, and 83 RBI's was worth 10 mill a year, Maybe Wagner was a steal!

 

[macbaseball]

Honestly, how can you not put Wagner in that group (I can understand Ryan)? As you said, smoltz is no longer a closer. Gangne has been injured so much that you don't know what he'll be like. Rivera is probably the best in the game, but he seems to be slipping slightly. Wagner is the second best closer in all of baseball at this current moment. How can you overpay the 2nd best player at a position?

I got to agree with you on this one. Wagner is a left hander that throws 100 MPH. That's worth 10 million dollars right there. You can count guys who can do that on one hand.

 

[Sayhey]

You too?

We don't even have a manager.

But you have an ex-Giant GM and that's a start. In fact if I was Colletti I'd rehire Tracy in a minute. The Dodgers problems were mainly from a GM who fell in love with new theories and wouldn't pay for proven talent.

On a different note, I understand the Dodgers might make a run at Furcal. They would have to convince him to play at second or third, because Izturis' glove is too valuable at short. If the could sign him it would sure help the start of their lineup.

 

[IJ Reilly]

But you have an ex-Giant GM and that's a start. In fact if I was Colletti I'd rehire Tracy in a minute. The Dodgers problems were mainly from a GM who fell in love with new theories and wouldn't pay for proven talent.

On a different note, I understand the Dodgers might make a run at Furcal. They would have to convince him to play at second or third, because Izturis' glove is too valuable at short. If the could sign him it would sure help the start of their lineup.

Too late for Tracy -- he's happy to be in Pittsburgh (somebody has to be). As for who wouldn't pay for proven talent, we're about to find out whether it was the GM or the owner.

I'm not sure what the Dodgers would do with another first-string shortstop, assuming of course that Izturis comes back from Tommy John surgery. Robles actually did a decent job filling in for him at the end of the season. And second? I'd like to think that the position is not available, even if Kent has made noises about wanting out. Possibly he goes to first if they get Furcal, and Izturis goes to second.

I'm hoping we get an experienced manager, which seems to leave out everybody but Jim Fregosi.

 

[Sayhey]

Too late for Tracy -- he's happy to be in Pittsburgh (somebody has to be). As for who wouldn't pay for proven talent, we're about to find out whether it was the GM or the owner.

I'm not sure what the Dodgers would do with another first-string shortstop, assuming of course that Izturis comes back from Tommy John surgery. Robles actually did a decent job filling in for him at the end of the season. And second? I'd like to think that the position is not available, even if Kent has made noises about wanting out. Possibly he goes to first if they get Furcal, and Izturis goes to second.

I'm hoping we get an experienced manager, which seems to leave out everybody but Jim Fregosi.

Whoa, missed that one! When did tracy sign with the Pirates? At Fregosi, color me unimpressed. I know he worked in the Giants organization, but he was never a favorite of mine.

With Furcal, I'd move him to third because of his arm. I'm not that impressed with Furcal's glove, but Izturis, on the other hand, if healthy, is an amazing defensive shortstop. The only reason to put Izturis at second instead of Furcal or Kent is if his arm is shot. If they put Furcal at second I could see Kent sliding over to first. He has never had much range at second, but is pretty sure handed with what he can get to.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Whoa, missed that one! When did tracy sign with the Pirates? At Fregosi, color me unimpressed. I know he worked in the Giants organization, but he was never a favorite of mine.

With Furcal, I'd move him to third because of his arm. I'm not that impressed with Furcal's glove, but Izturis, on the other hand, if healthy, is an amazing defensive shortstop. The only reason to put Izturis at second instead of Furcal or Kent is if his arm is shot. If they put Furcal at second I could see Kent sliding over to first. He has never had much range at second, but is pretty sure handed with what he can get to.

Tracy was hired by the Pirates within days of being released by the Dodgers. One of the reasons Tracy was able to give the Dodgers an ultimatum over extending his contract at the end of the season, even after losing 91 games, was because of the interest from the Pirates. He already had somewhere else to go.

The entire Dodger organization is an unholy mess right now. They tried to get Giles, but he decided to re-up with the Padres for less money. Now what does that tell you? Rumor has it Furcal is leaning towards signing with the Cubs. Nothing good is happening so far, but who know maybe Colletti will pull off a miracle at the winter trade meetings.

Either way, I think we're going to be looking at lots of rookies next season. Some of them are actually pretty good, but raw talent is still raw talent.

Izturis is probably not going to be back until mid-season. Kent was actually a pleasant defensive surprise. He played some first last season so I don't think this is out of the question as a reassignment. It might actually be a wise move for a guy his age.

 

[Counterfit]

I'd love to see Zito go to the Sox and Konerko (I know it probably won't happen). If I'm still in my dream land, I want to see caberra come back as well as Mickenwitz (sp??). Oh yeah, how about a GM too??

I'd love to see Zito in Red, we'd only need Konerko if Manny actually leaves. Having O-cab (that's my nickname for him ) back would be cool, but you'd have to find some team willing to accept Renteria's fielding (which has been good, and bad) or move him to third á-la Valentin and A-Rod, and having a first baseman again (Currently only Youklis and Petagine are listed) would be nice. I wish the management would stop dicking around with Youk, and give him somewhere to play before he gets too frustrated and wants out.





edit: Wow, can't believe I missed that flub.

 

[IJ Reilly]

A little good news on the Dodger Blue front (for a change): we got Furcal for three years. Finally, a reliable lead-off hitter (for the first time since Brett Butler?) and some speed on the base paths (none since losing Dave Roberts). If/when Izturis comes back, he'll play second and Kent will move to first. Now all we need is third base, a productive outfielder, a couple of starters, a left-handed middle reliever...

 

[Kwyjibo]

The kent thing is speculation, Izturis doen't have the best offensive numbers and thats going to play a factor when he's ready to come back ...

 

[Sayhey]

Congrats, IJ, on some significant action by the new "boys in blue" regime. Furcal will help, but I still say a healthy Izturis is by far and away a better shortstop. If the arm doesn't come back and he plays second you will still have some great defense up the middle, with the best range in baseball. And, Kwyjibo, you haven't watched Izturis play much have you? Besides being a top glove man, he has developed into a pretty good hitter. Check his last full year stats.

Now, if the Giants would just get off their duffs and sign some starting pitchers we might have the makings of some real competition.

 

[Apple]

Dang i cant believe the braves have given up farnsworth and furcal. I thought farnsworth showed some promise last year when he got up to 99 and got to 100 a couple of times. I never thought we would even think about giving up furcal.

 

[eva01]

damn furcal not on red sox. i can hope for Burnett now as another pitcher for the Sox.

hmm i really want a second baseman badly....

and we best sign Damon or it will be me as pissed off as over the Thorton deal

 

[Sayhey]

There should be a lot of action between now and Wednesday when clubs have to decide on their own free agents or be locked out of negotiating with them. Of course, maybe we are seeing that the clubs have already made up their minds on their own players and we will have to wait until after Wednesday when the new clubs will start picking up players. Now, I've confused myself and don't know why I posted this nonsense. Damn.... will the Giants just sign somebody already!

 

[IJ Reilly]

People tend to overlook Izturis for some odd reason, especially where his bat is concerned. He was hitting well over .300 before the All Star break but still remained out of the top ten in fan voting by mid-June. His plate performance really fell off in the second half of the season, but I think we know now why that happened. Best infield glove in game, if you ask me (but I am not unbiased). As far as Kent is concerned, he played a bit of first last season, and supposedly the Dodgers weren't even going to sign Furcal if Izturis wasn't comfortable playing second and Kent first.

 

[Kwyjibo]

Dang i cant believe the braves have given up farnsworth and furcal. I thought farnsworth showed some promise last year when he got up to 99 and got to 100 a couple of times. I never thought we would even think about giving up furcal.

Being a cubs fan I have seen the majority of Kyle Farnsworth's career, and I think he probably has the best stuff of any cubs pitcher i've ever seen, he just doesn't know how to pitch. ( I do compare this to the likes of prior and wood) BUT as I said, he needs to learn when to throw which pitches and to control his curve. If Mariano can teach him a better theory to the game he's going to be one awesome closer in the future, with the potential to scare anybody, AND he's huge

 

[Sayhey]

OK, Burnett signs with Toronto, which leaves Washburn, Byrd, Morris, or maybe a trade for Zito as solutions to the Giants pitching woes. I'm starting to get depressed already. So far we have a 38 year old retread (Worrell) and the trade of a hard throwing righty set-up man (Hawkins) for a so so lefty set-up man (Kline.) I'm not inspired.

P.S. - Hey, IJ, you have a new manager! Grady Little? I don't know what to think.

 

[IJ Reilly]

OK, Burnett signs with Toronto, which leaves Washburn, Byrd, Morris, or maybe a trade for Zito as solutions to the Giants pitching woes. I'm starting to get depressed already. So far we have a 38 year old retread (Worrell) and the trade of a hard throwing righty set-up man (Hawkins) for a so so lefty set-up man (Kline.) I'm not inspired.

P.S. - Hey, IJ, you have a new manager! Grady Little? I don't know what to think.

Me either, but I'm happy a decision was made. Finally.

 

[Koodauw]

OK, Burnett signs with Toronto, which leaves Washburn, Byrd, Morris, or maybe a trade for Zito as solutions to the Giants pitching woes. I'm starting to get depressed already. So far we have a 38 year old retread (Worrell) and the trade of a hard throwing righty set-up man (Hawkins) for a so so lefty set-up man (Kline.) I'm not inspired.

P.S. - Hey, IJ, you have a new manager! Grady Little? I don't know what to think.

I think Byrd signed with the indians didnt he?

I think Millwood is still available.

 

[thedude110]

Did the sox really just get Mark Loretta for the very low price of Doug Mirabelli?

I'll give up a guy who can catch a knuckleball for a big time number two hitter any day.

 

[eva01]

Did the sox really just get Mark Loretta for the very low price of Doug Mirabelli?

I'll give up a guy who can catch a knuckleball for a big time number two hitter any day.

And we may be trading Renteria away too and trying to get Cabrera back ^_^

 

[macbaseball]

OK, Burnett signs with Toronto, which leaves Washburn, Byrd, Morris, or maybe a trade for Zito as solutions to the Giants pitching woes. I'm starting to get depressed already. So far we have a 38 year old retread (Worrell) and the trade of a hard throwing righty set-up man (Hawkins) for a so so lefty set-up man (Kline.) I'm not inspired.

P.S. - Hey, IJ, you have a new manager! Grady Little? I don't know what to think.

Don't get too discouraged yet - the Giants have a 2 year 8+ million dollar offer to Morris, which Morris is leaning towards accepting.

 

[Counterfit]

Did the sox really just get Mark Loretta for the very low price of Doug Mirabelli?

I'll give up a guy who can catch a knuckleball for a big time number two hitter any day.

Well, I hope Shoppach can catch a knuckler, because 'tek probably still can't. I'm more interested in who's going to play first. Petagine? Youklis? Millar wasn't offered arbitration, and Olerud retired, so we need someone there for every day work, not just NL games.

 

[Sayhey]

Don't get too discouraged yet - the Giants have a 2 year 8+ million dollar offer to Morris, which Morris is leaning towards accepting.

I'm perpetually discouraged with the Giants, but that comes with the territory. I'll take Morris in a minute, but I won't hold my breath waiting for it to happen.

btw, the news they didn't offer JT arbitration doesn't help my mood any either. Right now we're looking at Lance Niekro starting at first and that's not good. Besides, Snow was my daughter's favorite player, and I hate having to break the news to her tomorrow.

PS - Koodauw, you're right about Byrd. Another of the frenzied transactions I missed because the Giants are again NOT INVOLVED.

 

[macbaseball]

btw, the news they didn't offer JT arbitration doesn't help my mood any either. Right now we're looking at Lance Niekro starting at first and that's not good. Besides, Snow was my daughter's favorite player, and I hate having to break the news to her tomorrow.

Although, I'm going to miss JT's great defense, and to some extend clutch hits, I actually think it's a good sign they didn't sign him. Sabean must have something up his sleeve, because they wouldn't have let him go with Lance and Pedro in mind. I have a feeling they're going to upgrade that postion with more power, but you never know as Sabean will not overpay for anyone ever since that 4 year 28 million dollar deal he gave to Alfonzo...

 

[IJ Reilly]

The big news of the day is that Houston didn't offer arbitration to Roger Clemens. Will he retire? Will any other club take a chance on him lasting another year?