2008-09 MLB Hot Stove
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[ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3892759"]Philadelphia Phillies, Ryan Howard agree on three-year, $54 million deal - ESPN[/ame]
Agreed. Someone wrote last week that it is a shame the likes of Bobby are just sitting out there with little interest.
Rangers Ink Andruw Jones
By Nat Boyle [February 8 at 8:31pm CST]
8:31pm: Tony Jackson of the Los Angeles Daily News reports that the Dodgers will receive half of the money Jones makes with the Rangers in '09.
8:01pm: Manager Ron Washington seems to think Jones will find success with the Rangers. This quote comes via Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
By Nat Boyle [February 8 at 8:31pm CST]
8:31pm: Tony Jackson of the Los Angeles Daily News reports that the Dodgers will receive half of the money Jones makes with the Rangers in '09.
8:01pm: Manager Ron Washington seems to think Jones will find success with the Rangers. This quote comes via Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
"[Hitting coach] Rudy [Jaramillo] liked what he saw in his swing and thinks he can help him be consistent," said Washington."He could be an impact. He was an impact for 12 years in Atlanta... I'm excited to have him. I think it's a big challenge for him. We're looking forward to seeing what he may still have and how he can help us."
Cafardo's Latest: Manny, Sheets, Glavine
By Nat Boyle
The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo shares some notes on Manny Ramirez and around the league. Let's have a look, bullet-point style:
By Nat Boyle
The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo shares some notes on Manny Ramirez and around the league. Let's have a look, bullet-point style:
- He cites an AL Exec who says, "I'll be honest, I never thought Ramirez would walk away from... one year, $25 million. That's better than the $20 million option he had torn up... If he has another great year, he gets another $25 million for one year? Or maybe a team then decides, 'OK, this guy has behaved himself for a while, continues to produce at a high level now, let's commit for another two years to him.' Unless a team like the Yankees comes in at the last minute and gets it done, I just don't see where he's going to make more than $25 million." Cafardo adds that "Brian Cashman insists it won't happen."
- A quote from Rich Hill on his being traded to the Orioles: "[Cubs general manager] Jim Hendry really took care of me. He wanted to create an opportunity for me that he told me probably didn't exist in Chicago, so I'm grateful. I know Baltimore tried to deal for me last year and it didn't work out, but this time they made it work." Hill also adds that he's over his back injury and will rediscover his control.
- Ben Sheets not signing anywhere until June hurts the Brewers two-fold: they may have to foot the bill for the surgery and won't receive a first round draft pick for losing a Type-A free agent. Sheets has a torn flexor tendon, as revealed by an exam with the Texas Rangers. On the other hand, MLBTR has noted that in June, after his surgery, he won't cost a draft pick to sign.
- Andruw Jones on playing in Boston: "It's too cold there. There's too much stuff going on."
- Bobby Abreu may have to settle for a one or two year deal at $3MM. Cafardo lists the Angels, Mets, Braves, Dodgers, and Mariners.
- Expect an incentive-laden deal for one year between Tom Glavine and the Braves. As MLBTR has noted, their latest offer was between $1-2MM with no incentives.
- Mark Mulder could be a useful back end starter and he's almost ready to put himself on display to teams.
- Shea Hillenbrand is 32 and receiving no interest. Cafardo wonders if he's "being punished for past transgressions?"
- Cubs, White Sox, and Dodgers are lined up for Orlando Hudson; however, the transfer of ownership may have temporarily tied the hands of Jim Hendry to do anything until Tom Ricketts takes over.
- The A's are continuously interested in Orlando Cabrera, Adam Dunn, and Abreu.
Bill,
Do you think the Red Sox are done for now or do you expect them to pursue anyone else before opening day ?
Jimbo
Do you think the Red Sox are done for now or do you expect them to pursue anyone else before opening day ?
Jimbo
Personally, they cannot be too thrilled with the catching situation....You being a Red Sox guy, are YOU as a fan, happy with what you have behind the plate?
I thought they would have gotten one of the guys from Texas by now.
For that matter, I think the Tigers took the wrong Rangers catcher as well ... I'm not thrilled with that move either, but we'll see.
Jimbo
I'm not Bill, but I have an answer- no.
They're fine with who they have- they'll have Bay for the entire season.
In fact, I will make another one of my famous bold predictions (I picked Browns over Giants, Texas Tech over Texas, and the Cardinals to make the Super Bowl):
Jason Bay will be the starting left fielder for the AL in the 2009 All-Star Game.
You heard it here first.
Please name 5-10 LF'ers so we have someone to compare too.
Remember the all star game doesn't care what field you play.
I expect both Curtis Granderson and Grade Sizemore to be 2 of the what 6 all star outfielders.
Jimbo
Jimbo,
I think they are done FOR NOW.
Like Salsa said, I'm concerned about their catching situation.
Is Varitek going to hit his weight?
Is Bard all of a sudden going to be able to handle Wakefield's knuckleball (something he couldn't do 3 years ago when they jettisoned him to San Diego)?
Also, will Mike Lowell's hip hold up? With Kotsay out until at least May, who plays first if Youkilis has to be moved to third? Brad Wilkerson?
I am VERY happy about the pitching staff: Beckett, Lester, Dice-K, Wakefield and Penny is a very good starting five, and they have an ace in the hole with Smoltz hopefully by June.
The bullpen is the biggest improvement on the team: Papelbon is well, Papelbon. Masterson, Delcarmen and Okajima are for the most part solid. Plus they've added two good arms in Ramirez and Saito.
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I hope you're right.
I LOVE that guy. That's the Sox next priority, sign Jay Bay to a multi-year contract.
Depending how long, I suppose they would go with Big Papi, or Wilkerson.
I did not realize that Bard was the same guy they sent packing a few years back.
This is NOT good.
I would guess that they would make sure that Varatek plays when Wake pitches.
Jimbo
Yes, Josh Bard is the same guy they got from the Indians in that Coco Crisp/Kelly Shoppach/Andy Marte trade.
He hit VERY well for the Sox, but just couldn't handle the knuckler. He lasted about six weeks with the Red Sox. He got traded to San Diego (along with pitcher Cla Meredith) for Doug Mirabelli. Mirabelli had just left the Red Sox in the offseason, and signed with the Padres.
You may remember, this trade was the morning of a Yankees-Red Sox game ( with Wakefield starting). Mirabelli had to fly cross country into Logan Airport. He got in a cab from there, changed into his Red Sox uniform in the cab, had a police escort to Fenway and got there literally minutes before the start of the game.
BTW, Varitek catching Wakefield is out of the question. At least it has been in the past.
Yes, Josh Bard is the same guy they got from the Indians in that Coco Crisp/Kelly Shoppach/Andy Marte trade.
He hit VERY well for the Sox, but just couldn't handle the knuckler. He lasted about six weeks for the Red Sox. He got traded to San Diego for Doug Mirabelli (and pitcher Cla Meredith). Mirabelli had just left the Red Sox in the offseason, and signed with the Padres.
You may remember, this trade was the morning of a Yankees-Red Sox game ( with Wakefield starting). Mirabelli had to fly cross country into Logan Airport. He got in a cab from there, changed into his Red Sox uniform in the cab, had a police escort to Fenway and got there literally minutes before the start of the game.
BTW, Varitek catching Wakefield is out of the question. At least it has been in the past.
Yes, I remember the trade well.
Whats Mirabelli up to ?
Jimbo
I just got this off wikipedia:
Coaching Career
On January 5th, 2009, Doug Mirabelli was named the new head baseball coach at St. Francis High School (Traverse City, Michigan).[4].
He lost his Red Sox backup job, last spring training, to Kevin Cash.
I think he may have retired after that.
Kevin Cash,
I take it he didn't work out and doesn't catch the knuckleball either ?
I see he hit .225 last year, I'm guessing he's back in the minors ?
Jimbo
Cash actually did an admiral job catching Wakefield last season.
However, he was a liability at the plate.
I heard this week that he signed a minor league deal with the Yankees.
