Thread: 2008-09 MLB Hot Stove

Free agency begins tonight at midnight! Things should get interesting right off the bat! (no pun intended).

From ESPN Insider.....


The Dodgers' initial offer to [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=2974"]Manny Ramirez Stats, News, Photos - Los Angeles Dodgers - ESPN[/ame] includes a club option for a third year that could increase the value of the contract to $60 million, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.

The offer stands until Thursday, the final day of the Dodgers' exclusive negotiating window with Ramirez, but indications are that their pursuit of the outfielder will extend beyond then. Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, has made it clear that the proposed deal isn't long enough.

Exactly how far Dodgers owner Frank McCourt would go to re-sign Ramirez remains uncertain. One team source said McCourt is open to improving the offer by guaranteeing the third year of the contract.

The option for 2011 in the initial offer is worth $22.5 million and can be bought out for $7.5M. Ramirez would earn $15 million next season and $22.5M in 2010.

Meanwhile, according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants would not rule out the possibility of making a serious run at Ramirez.

"Player payroll is going to depend on two things," Giants managing partner William Neukom said. "First of all (is) the best thinking of our baseball guys. What does that optimal 2009-and-beyond roster look like? How do you build that roster? That's going to have a price tag to it. The other major influence is, what can we afford?"

The Mets bullpen was a mess last season. [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5357"]Francisco Rodriguez Stats, News, Photos - New York Mets - ESPN[/ame], who set the single-season saves record this past season with the Angels, is available. Seems like a perfit fit, says K-Rod's agent. "(There are three to four teams in the running) besides the Mets," Paul Kinzer, Rodriguez's agent, said in a radio interview on WFAN in New York, which was then reported in the New York Post. "It's a good fit because he likes pitching in the big games on the big stage and you definitely have that in New York. I think it's a good fit for everybody. We have some other teams involved, but we are intrigued by that fit."

The Indians, in search of a closer, could puruse [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=2817"]Trevor Hoffman Stats, News, Photos - Milwaukee Brewers - ESPN[/ame] now that the Padres pulled their offer to the all-time saves leader off the table, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reported. "When negotiations between Trevor Hoffman and the Padres didn't work out, he became an alternative for us," Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro said. The Indians are also expected to look into the availability of [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6175"]Huston Street Stats, News, Photos - Colorado Rockies - ESPN[/ame] once Street is officially dealt to Colorado as part of the deal that will send [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5940"]Matt Holliday Stats, News, Photos - St. Louis Cardinals - ESPN[/ame] to Oakland.

The Indians, in search of a closer, could puruse
Trevor Hoffman

now that the Padres pulled their offer to the all-time saves leader off the table, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reported. "When negotiations between Trevor Hoffman and the Padres didn't work out, he became an alternative for us," Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro said. The Indians are also expected to look into the availability of
Huston Street

once Street is officially dealt to Colorado as part of the deal that will send
Matt Holliday

to Oakland.

TAKE HIM! HE'S BETTER THAN BOROWSKI EVER WAS!

Originally Posted by SabresRule

TAKE HIM! HE'S BETTER THAN BOROWSKI EVER WAS!

Cleveland offered Hoff $11 million just last year. Just a few days ago, the Padres withdrew a $4 million offer.

Do I think that we should offer him a five-year deal? No chance. But now that we know what his own team is offering (or in this case, not offering), it would be a huge gaffe to not capitalize on this.

Originally Posted by HD MM

The Mets bullpen was a mess last season.
Francisco Rodriguez

, who set the single-season saves record this past season with the Angels, is available. Seems like a perfit fit, says K-Rod's agent. "(There are three to four teams in the running) besides the Mets," Paul Kinzer, Rodriguez's agent, said in a radio interview on WFAN in New York, which was then reported in the New York Post. "It's a good fit because he likes pitching in the big games on the big stage and you definitely have that in New York. I think it's a good fit for everybody. We have some other teams involved, but we are intrigued by that fit."

Once again , Of course the agent is going to say he's a good fit, he's trying to sell him to them

That said, they may be a good fit, but for an agent to say that is a no brainer.

Jimbo

Originally Posted by HD MM

Cleveland offered Hoff $11 million just last year. Just a few days ago, the Padres withdrew a $4 million offer.

Do I think that we should offer him a five-year deal? No chance. But now that we know what his own team is offering (or in this case, not offering), it would be a huge gaffe to not capitalize on this.

He's what, 42 ?
Offer him, a 2 year contract then.
3 if you feel lucky

Originally Posted by Jimbo

He's what, 42 ?
Offer him, a 2 year contract then.
3 if you feel lucky

Just turned 41 last month.