Thread: 2008-09 MLB Hot Stove

The Red Sox are reportedly interested in disgruntled Rangers shortstop Michael Young.

The Atlanta Braves worked to bolster their rotation, closing in Tuesday on a $60 million, four-year deal with Derek Lowe, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.

AP source: Lowe and Braves nearing M, 4-yr deal - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

What is Lowe THINKING?!

Atlanta may be the fourth-best team in their own division. Their window of opportunity is shut after all those great years.

Originally Posted by SabresRule

What is Lowe THINKING?!

Atlanta may be the fourth-best team in their own division. Their window of opportunity is shut after all those great years.

What is Lowe thinking?! What is Frank Wren and the Braves thinking?! 4 years at $60 million!!!!

This guy is a 36 year old who went 14-11 last year. His stats are inflated by pitching in Dodger Stadium primarily against the horrible, horrible NL West.

I don't get why they'd give $15 million a year for Derek Lowe but can't pony up $5 million for John Smoltz, the face of the franchise the last 20 years.

Originally Posted by HD MM

Where does Paul Byrd fit into the Red Sox plans? The Indians would love to have that crafty veteran back for another year.

Here's an update on Byrd:

Paul Byrd isn't retiring. But he also will not be playing baseball at the start of the season.

Byrd, a free agent, says he will remain home with his family in Alpharetta, Ga., then possibly join a contender at midseason.

"I got some really nice offers. That's what made it hard," Byrd said. "Nice offers from very competitive, big-time teams that just need someone to fill in at the back end of their rotation. I also got an offer or two from small-market teams that said they wanted me to come in and be their No. 1 or 2 guy.

FOX Sports on MSN - MLB - Pitcher Byrd will sit out first half of MLB season

Originally Posted by HD MM

What is Lowe thinking?! What is Frank Wren and the Braves thinking?! 4 years at $60 million!!!!

This guy is a 36 year old who went 14-11 last year. His stats are inflated by pitching in Dodger Stadium primarily against the horrible, horrible NL West.

I don't get why they'd give $15 million a year for Derek Lowe but can't pony up $5 million for John Smoltz, the face of the franchise the last 20 years.

But if you look at it this way, he has been able to keep a VERY low ERA on a team that cannot hit to save their lives until they picked up Manny. To have an average of 14 wins, ERA around 3.40 and 210+ innings a year on a very crappy hitting team for the last 4 years....I can see why he got that.

Then again, I don't think players that play on every 4th day deserve that much...but I have already argue that point to not end.

Originally Posted by salsadancer7

Then again, I don't think players that play on every 4th day deserve that much...but I have already argue that point to not end.

Every fifth day....


Sandra

Pedro Martinez Rumors

By Tim Dierkes [January 14 at 2:28pm CST]
WEDNESDAY:
Jon Heyman weighs in

on Pedro Martinez. He says the Indians were considering an offer in the $7MM range but they're out now that they've signed Carl Pavano. Heyman confirms that D'Backs are still in on Pedro.
MONDAY:
Ben Shpigel of the New York Times

snagged a few quotes from Omar Minaya, who spoke on the Tim Redding conference call today. Minaya said Pedro Martinez is still an option for the Mets, but they're looking at other guys. The implication is that they'll only consider Pedro if they fail to sign Derek Lowe, Oliver Perez, or Randy Wolf. It's probably time for Pedro to move on.
Could he stay in New York?
River Ave. Blues


discusses the possibility of Martinez signing with the Yankees.
We know


Pedro has narrowed his choices to two teams in each league, and may have rejected a $7MM offer from an AL club. The Diamondbacks
could be another possibility


, but the Marlins
will pass


.

Rosenthal On Lackey, Dunn, Young, Isringhausen

By Tim Dierkes [January 14 at 1:03pm CST]
Here's a look at the latest from
Ken Rosenthal

.

• John Lackey is due up for extension talks with the Angels, as he'll be eligible for free agency after the '09 season. He'd easily be the
  best available starter
  
  
  
  . Rosenthal says talks with the Angels should occur before the beginning of the season, but the Halos may not be willing to offer A.J. Burnett money (five years, $82.5MM). [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=3714589&type=story"]ESPN.com- Supply outweighs demand when it comes to closers market[/ame], Jayson Stark said Lackey had been telling friends he expects to have an extension by Opening Day. That came after
  Lackey's confirmation
  
  
  he'd wait to see the Angels' offensive plans before re-signing.
• The Braves paid $60MM for Derek Lowe, though no one else made a comparable offer. This is a testament to Scott Boras (and perhaps the Braves' desperation), though Boras has more challenging work ahead in Manny Ramirez and Jason Varitek.
• The Red Sox have shown interest in Adam Dunn, one rival exec tells Rosenthal. Rosenthal considers the possibility a longshot - "a square peg in a round hole." The Sox could always make a midseason deal if their offense isn't cutting it.
• A Rangers official put Michael Young's chances of being with the team on Opening Day at at least 90%. The Rangers aren't interested in moving Ian Kinsler to left field and Young to second base.
• Rosenthal believes Xavier Nady is likely to garner Type A status when he becomes a free agent after the '09 season, but half of the equation (his 2009 stats) is missing.
• Jason Isringhausen is considering four teams, and he'd have a shot to close for those clubs. The Dodgers aren't terribly interested, while the Cardinals and Tigers are possibilities.
• Should the Mets sign Andy Pettitte as well as Randy Wolf or Oliver Perez? One rival exec suggested the idea.
• The Astros apparently made a three-year, $28.5MM offer to Wolf before pulling it back. Looks like he'll be settling for less.
• Rosenthal says a Rangers trade for Jermaine Dye is "not happening." They'll go with Hank Blalock's left-handed offense rather than sign an aging veteran. Blalock is headed into a contract year.
• If Todd Helton has a healthy spring, the Rockies could shop Garrett Atkins.
• The Red Sox and D'Backs are not close to a deal involving catcher Miguel Montero. Arizona will need to add a capable backup catcher if they do find a deal for Montero.