2009-10 Hot Stove Baseball

**SandraC** · 11-10-2009 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by ramy

Still no Reds on the list, that's good.

It's only good if you like the players you've got!

Sandra

**BillD1984** · 11-10-2009 09:20 AM

The Red Sox were busy Monday, picking up catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez's $7.1 million team option, declining catcher Jason Varitek's $5 million team option, and tearing up pitcher Tim Wakefield's team option and replacing it with a two-year agreement.

The team also confirmed it was not picking up a $6 million option on Alex Gonzalez, which had been reported Sunday.

V-Mart was obviously a no-brainer, and I'm not surprised that the Sox don't want to pay $5million to what essentially will be a backup catcher.

I am, however, suprised at the team giving Wakefield another two year deal (what with all his recent physical ailments and his age).

As far as Gonzo goes, I wish the Sox would keep him. He's a very dependable fielder, and more to the point, I'm sick and tired of the Nomar/O-Cab/Renteria/Gonzalez/Lugo/Lowrie/Green/Gonzo rotation since 2004. Pick a SS already!

**Ramy** · 11-10-2009 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by SandraC

It's only good if you like the players you've got!

Sandra

I actually do. From mid August the Reds had the best record in baseball. I know it doesn't mean didly for last year, but it gives some hope for next year.

**skysurfer** · 11-11-2009 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by ramy

Still no Reds on the list, that's good.

No Reds because not that many players are eligible.

Only Kip Wells was eligible to become a free agent and apparently hasn't filed yet.

Ramon Hernandez became a free agent because the
Reds declined an option.

**skysurfer** · 11-12-2009 07:02 AM

according to an article at mlb.com, gregg zaun and jason schmidt were the only two players for file for free agency on wednesday.

**BillD1984** · 11-16-2009 08:50 PM

Mariners Interested In Edwin Jackson, Curtis Granderson

By Tim Dierkes [November 16 at 4:36pm CST]
The Mariners are interested in Tigers starter Edwin Jackson,
according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports

. However, though names have been exchanged, a source tells the writers the talks are "not all that serious." The FOX writers say the Ms also like Curtis Granderson, who'd be used in left field. Rosenthal and Morosi downplay this rumor as well.
The cost for Jackson is young, affordable pitching, of course. The Brewers, Yankees, and Mets are three other clubs thought to be interested. Jackson is due an arbitration raise on this year's $2.2MM salary. He is one of a handful of well-paid Tigers who actually has strong trade value.

**AntAltMike** · 11-16-2009 10:53 PM

Originally Posted by BillD1984

I am... suprised at the team giving Wakefield another two year deal (what with all his recent physical ailments and his age).

I love the guy, but... having him controls not only who your back-up catcher is but also, when you get to use him. If your main catcher is banged up or if you have a day game after a night game, but Wakefield's turn is two days away, then you can't just use your back-up catcher to spell your regular catcher for one game because he will have to catch two successive games. I've read that the Red Sox keep a couple of knuckleballers in the minor leagues just so they will have catchers with some experience at catching them available if necessary.

**skysurfer** · 11-21-2009 05:37 AM

171 of 183 possible MLB free agents filed. Now it's open season to negotiate/sign free agents.

Final Free Agent Count: 171 Players Elect, Market Opens at Midnight

If anyone cares about minor league free agents, lmk and I'll post a blog link about which ones in the minors elected to become free agents.

**skysurfer** · 11-29-2009 11:14 AM

anybody home?

First deal I see is White Sox sign Andruw Jones for $500,000 plus the ability to make $1m more in incentives.

**BillD1984** · 11-30-2009 07:22 PM

Do Red Sox Prefer Holliday Over Bay?

By Tim Dierkes [November 30 at 3:34pm CST]
3:34pm:
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe

says Bay is still a top priority for the Red Sox, who are "trying to build on" their rejected $60MM offer. Cafardo says that offer was over five years, though most have reported it to be over four.
8:30am: How much do you trust the information of "one rival executive?" Such a source makes for the basis of the latest blog post from
Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports

. This exec told the FOX writers that the Red Sox prefer Matt Holliday over Jason Bay, and do not intend to re-sign Bay despite ongoing negotiations.
The writers go on to explain that the Red Sox would stand to gain a draft pick by signing Holliday instead of Bay. They'd lose their #29 pick to the Cardinals by signing Holliday, but would get a pick back from the team that signs Bay and would also receive a supplemental pick. Furthermore, the writers believe Bay will not be signed by a team with a protected first-round pick (such as the Mets).