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Scott Boras knows he can get Drew a better deal -- either back in LA, in Boston, in St. Louis -- in some other city that needs a RF with a good OBP who can drive in 85 runs.

Wed that to a game flush with confidence after the new CBA and both Boras and Drew know they can get more than 11 million for three years.

What a freaking mercenary, though.
 
Scott Boras knows he can get Drew a better deal -- either back in LA, in Boston, in St. Louis -- in some other city that needs a RF with a good OBP who can drive in 85 runs.

Wed that to a game flush with confidence after the new CBA and both Boras and Drew know they can get more than 11 million for three years.

What a freaking mercenary, though.

As little as a couple of weeks ago, Drew was saying he was happy in LA and planned on staying for the full five years. He really blind-sided a team that's done everything possible to make him happy. So anybody who signs him now has to know this about Drew in advance. I'm not convinced that he's going to get a lot more than the $11 million a year he's already making with the Dodgers as a free agent. He's good, but never was a real impact player. He could well end up with a non-competitive team, and it would serve him right.
 
I'm not convinced that he's going to get a lot more than the $11 million a year he's already making with the Dodgers as a free agent. He's good, but never was a real impact player.

You're right -- I was under the impression that he was making the 11 million over 3 years. It's going to be difficult for him to get more than 33 million for three years, unless he's aiming for significant incentives.

Seems right in character with the Drews and their approach to negotiation. :rolleyes:
 
You're right -- I was under the impression that he was making the 11 million over 3 years. It's going to be difficult for him to get more than 33 million for three years, unless he's aiming for significant incentives.

Seems right in character with the Drews and their approach to negotiation. :rolleyes:

He got a gold-plated contract from the previous management, including the opt-out clause he just exercised. The new hole in the outfield isn't good news of course, but it does give the Dodgers another $11 million to play with. The Dodgers will certainly be major players in the free agent market this year. I've heard speculation about Edmonds (assuming he's released by St. Louis), going after Nomar and Lofton again and moving Loney to the outfield. Except for Edmonds I don't like the sound of any of this. If I didn't have so much confidence in Ned Colletti I'd be worried.
 
Whoa. What's this about J.D. Drew opting out of his next three years with LA? Was he not a happy camper? I wouldn't mind seeing him back in STL.

Supposedly he was happy. According to the local press reports, he had the opt-out clause included mostly because he wasn't sure he and his wife would be happy living in LA. And apparently he'd told everyone all season that he wouldn't opt out, right up through the last week of the season. I guess Boras promised him a bunch more cash.

He really blind-sided a team that's done everything possible to make him happy. So anybody who signs him now has to know this about Drew in advance.

Did anyone not know he was a "show me the money" guy? I wonder if his next team will be as accomodating. Considering his injury history, this might eventually prove to be a blessing for the Dodgers. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth though.

He got a gold-plated contract from the previous management, including the opt-out clause he just exercised. The new hole in the outfield isn't good news of course, but it does give the Dodgers another $11 million to play with. The Dodgers will certainly be major players in the free agent market this year. I've heard speculation about Edmonds (assuming he's released by St. Louis), going after Nomar and Lofton again and moving Loney to the outfield. Except for Edmonds I don't like the sound of any of this. If I didn't have so much confidence in Ned Colletti I'd be worried.

It's suddenly a big concern. Right now our only proven power bat is Jeff Kent. Considering their hoard of young prospects, there are plenty of trade possibilities, but Colletti has already said he doesn't want to trade many young guys. There aren't many bats available, and that means they'll be really overpriced. And no one really knows what the Dodgers' payroll ceiling is.
 
Sheffield has been dealt to the Tigers for three right handed pitching prospects (Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whalen and Anthony Claggett).

Anybody know anything about these kids? I suspect Cashman must have wanted one of them or they wouldn't have held on to Sheffield for even this long.

The Tigers extended him two years, which means we get to see how that swing looks on a 40 year old.
 
It's suddenly a big concern. Right now our only proven power bat is Jeff Kent. Considering their hoard of young prospects, there are plenty of trade possibilities, but Colletti has already said he doesn't want to trade many young guys. There aren't many bats available, and that means they'll be really overpriced. And no one really knows what the Dodgers' payroll ceiling is.

A concern, yes -- but Drew wasn't ever so productive that he can't be replaced. As you say possibly a blessing in disguise. Given Drew's history of injuries we may well have gotten his best season. Quite a few potential free agents haven't filed yet so the pool will doubtless grow larger before it gets smaller. We're hearing a lot of names bandied about, but it's still very early so we need to sit tight for awhile, as tough as that may be. Go, Ned, go!
 
A concern, yes -- but Drew wasn't ever so productive that he can't be replaced. As you say possibly a blessing in disguise. Given Drew's history of injuries we may well have gotten his best season. Quite a few potential free agents haven't filed yet so the pool will doubtless grow larger before it gets smaller. We're hearing a lot of names bandied about, but it's still very early so we need to sit tight for awhile, as tough as that may be. Go, Ned, go!

Isn't it funny how baseball's offseason produces so much drama? Does any other sport produce so much intrigue when games aren't even being played? Maybe soccer in Europe and Latin America.
 
Isn't it funny how baseball's offseason produces so much drama? Does any other sport produce so much intrigue when games aren't even being played? Maybe soccer in Europe and Latin America.

Gives me a reason to open the sports pages during the winter, since I don't follow any other sport but baseball.
 
Jaret Wright reportedly will be staying in the AL East next season -- but not with the Yankees.

New York will trade the right-handed starting pitcher to the Baltimore Orioles, according to newspaper reports out of New York and Baltimore.

The Baltimore Sun, citing two Orioles sources, is reporting that Baltimore will send reliever Chris Britton to the Yankees for Wright and $4 million, the amount it would have cost the Yankees to buy out Wright's contract.


NEW YORK -- Goodbye, Shea Stadium; hello, CitiField.

The Mets and Citigroup Inc. have agreed on a 20-year sponsorship deal for the team's new ballpark that is worth more than an average of $20 million annually and includes stadium naming rights, a baseball official said Saturday. The source spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal will not be announced until Monday at the formal groundbreaking.
 
Further evidence that the Orioles are committed to fielding a team and not to winning.

I mean, Jaret Wright is freaking awful. Why would a team attempt to trade for him?
 
Further evidence that the Orioles are committed to fielding a team and not to winning.

I mean, Jaret Wright is freaking awful. Why would a team attempt to trade for him?
I don't care as long as he is out of NY.
 
Looks like the Big Hurt is headed to the Jays. It's too bad...I would have enjoyed having him back in an A's uniform.

Linkety
 
In a bit of irony fired Marlins manager Joe Girardi won NL manager of the year.

The Yankees and Mike Mussina have agreed on a new 2 year deal worth $22.5 million.
 
Hasn't happened yet, but now looking more inevitable...

Dodgers close to keeping Nomar

Garciaparra, the comeback player of the year, is expected to get a multiyear contract. Drew's departure makes his bat more valuable.

Nomar Garciaparra's desire to continue to report for work at Chavez Ravine has eroded reluctance within the Dodgers front office to the point that he is expected to agree to a multiyear contract as soon as today, baseball sources said.

The deal would be for two or three years and would call for a significantly higher base salary than he received last year, when he played for a guaranteed $6 million and earned another $2.5 million in incentives based on plate appearances.

Although Garciaparra successfully converted from shortstop to first base and was named National League comeback player of the year after batting .303 with 20 home runs, the Dodgers were hesitant to re-sign him because of his history of injuries and the development of promising rookie first baseman James Loney.

Even when right fielder J.D. Drew opted out of the last three years of his contract last week, leaving another gaping hole in the middle of the Dodgers batting order, General Manager Ned Colletti wasn't convinced Garciaparra was the right fit.

But the more Colletti thought about Garciaparra in the context of Drew's departure, the more he warmed to bringing him back. Colletti has high regard for players who want to wear the Dodgers uniform rather than simply seek the biggest contract on the market. Garciaparra, who grew up in Whittier and lives in Manhattan Beach, thoroughly enjoyed playing in front of his family and stated repeatedly that he wanted to return.

Colletti spoke with Manager Grady Little, who had coaxed an injury-free season out of Drew by giving him frequent days off. Should Garciaparra re-sign, they decided he would be treated similarly. That's the rationale behind a contract with a higher base salary and fewer incentives — the Dodgers don't want Garciaparra playing through an injury simply to accumulate plate appearances.

The exorbitant price of the handful of proven hitters on the free-agent market fueled Colletti's desire to put Garciaparra on the front burner.

He has been pursued by several other teams, including the San Diego Padres, who would have him play second base.

Arn Tellem, Garciaparra's agent, informed Colletti that his client would be willing to play a position other than first base — perhaps third or the outfield. However, the Dodgers believe Garciaparra has a better chance of staying healthy by remaining at first and would be reluctant to have him change positions. Loney would play first when Garciaparra rests and also compete for playing time in the outfield.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/dodgers/la-sp-dodgers17nov17,1,3603671.story
 
With Soriano, Derek Lee and Aramis Ramirez, the Cubbies look to be fairly potent this year. As always it'll likely come down to what Wood and Prior can give them.


I don't think thats really fair at all. The cubs are going to sign one or possible two more starting pitchers, and maybe one of those guys will be one of the top available.

Prior is going to be fighting ... mark my words, fighting for the fifth spot in the rotation. and Kerry Wood will be middle relief in the bullpen, hardly crucial to a team that has three solid relievers, he will not be closing games off the bat ... maybe down the road.

So lets say the Cubs ink two more SP's, i'm not saying top tier guys even, just guys to fill 2 and 3. Zambrano / 2 / 3 / Hill / (Prior / Miller / Marshall?) competing for that last spot.

I really think the organization is financially committed to winning and this latest move shows it, they're not depending on prior and wood, if they perform, good times, but sweet lou won't be tricked by the mirage and he won't be complaining about not having his horses.

Cubs are looking to turn around the organization ... I'm excited about it ... maybe excited enough to get MLB Extra Innings next year
 
I might have liked to see Soriano in a Dodger uniform, but for that sort of money and time, the Cubs can have him. An eight-year contract is a bad deal for any team. As for Garciaparra, I still don't know where the Dodgers are really planning on playing him. Third? With his legs?
 
I might have liked to see Soriano in a Dodger uniform, but for that sort of money and time, the Cubs can have him. An eight-year contract is a bad deal for any team. As for Garciaparra, I still don't know where the Dodgers are really planning on playing him. Third? With his legs?

First. No where else to play him without him dying.
 
First. No where else to play him without him dying.

He's fragile for sure, but I don't think the situation is that dire. When he signed with the Dodgers last year they were even talking about him playing some left field. The nice thing about Nomar is, he'll play anywhere he's asked to play. He's a wherever and whenever sort of ballplayer.
 
I might have liked to see Soriano in a Dodger uniform, but for that sort of money and time, the Cubs can have him. An eight-year contract is a bad deal for any team. As for Garciaparra, I still don't know where the Dodgers are really planning on playing him. Third? With his legs?


I agree. I can't think of any player that is worth the risk of an eight-year contract. I think six is about the maximum for a position player, if he were under 30 and proven to be durable. For pitchers, three or four, no matter how injury-free he's been in the past.

I know that at Dodger Thoughts, the idea was broached of having Nomar as a kind of super-utility player, playing anywhere in the infield when someone was given a rest day. But as you and others have pointed out, you can't really depend on his health anymore, and he was never a great fielding shortstop anyway. I think a lot will depend on Loney's development and whether he can play the outfield too. And when will Kent's range at 2B finally become a major liability? (Despite what some think, I don't think he was much less rangy this year than is assumed.)

I suppose you could put Nomar at 3B, but wouldn't other teams bunt on him a lot? And I have to admit he did field as well as you could hope for at 1B. We have too small a sample size on Betemit to know if he's the answer at third. And they need another outfielder with some power. To say it's a team in flux is an understatement.
 
I really think the organization is financially committed to winning and this latest move shows it, they're not depending on prior and wood, if they perform, good times, but sweet lou won't be tricked by the mirage and he won't be complaining about not having his horses.

Cubs are looking to turn around the organization ... I'm excited about it ... maybe excited enough to get MLB Extra Innings next year

I wonder how much they can improve in one year though. I think they lost 96 games last year, last in the NL. It's a big leap back to contention. On the other hand, Piniella has righted ships before.
 
I suppose you could put Nomar at 3B, but wouldn't other teams bunt on him a lot? And I have to admit he did field as well as you could hope for at 1B. We have too small a sample size on Betemit to know if he's the answer at third. And they need another outfielder with some power. To say it's a team in flux is an understatement.

Suddenly. The team still has a reasonably solid foundation, but it seems the departure of Drew is creating unexpected waves. I'm pretty certain that Beremit is not a Julio Lugo rental situation, but I don't think the Dodgers have him under contract beyond 2006. Either way I don't see him as a long-term solution at third, unless he comes into his own fairly quickly. He's still young enough for it to happen.
 
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