Baseball Offseason

Ok I have a question. How do the Cubs have enough money to keep the team they have now, and to be a top contender for Carlos Beltran???? Foxsports, ESPN and the Sportingnews have all said that the Astros, Cubs, and Yankees are the teams with enough money to get Beltran. The Yankees are no surprise. But the Cubs??? Anyone know what their payroll is? i'm curious....

Beltran said he wants a 10 year contract! I just hope he stays in the National League, I like watching him play.

I'm worried bout my braves. J.D. Drew, Antonio Alfonseca, Jaret Wright, Russ Ortiz, and Paul Byrd are the main free agents from the Braves. Smoltz has always said he wants to return to the rotation, and Cox said no way jose...but now that its lookin like they will lose 2 outta 3 of their free agent starters, Cox has said "we are highly considering Smoltz as a starter again."

I hate how players always say "i love it here, they treat me great, i really want to stay"...then they leave for 1 or 2 mil more. I think the Braves might drop Alfonseca, Ortiz, and Byrd to keep Wright and Drew.

well... i don't care that much where Beltran goes... as long as he doesn't go to the Yankees... i would like to see him go to the Cubs... maybe they can break the curse if they keep everybody ans sign him... the Phillies need a center fielder but what the chance of Beltran coming here...

Both Troys won't be coming back to the Angels in 05. Most likely Troy Glaus will end up in the East coast. While Percy might get pick up by someone in the NL. Or he might retire early. As for Guillen...well, he says everything is forgotten about the suspension, but I have my doubts of him coming back to the Halos.

Well both my teams pretty much need the same thing.

A's- I don't think they need to change much hitting wise, even with Dye leaving because Moneyball first round pick Nick Swisher has better at bats than most veterans. Same with starting pitching. It's the bullpen that needs rebuilding, with three bullpen guys that are free agents. I still like Dotel in the closing role as if he's healthy which he wasn't last year he'll have a big year. There was a article in the Bee about a week ago talking about Hudson being traded to the Yankees for Posada. I would hate that move with a passion if it happened and if anyone would be traded it would probably be Zito.

Giants- On the Giants radio station it's always complaining and complaining about no big names batting behind Barry. But what killed the Giants wasn't no big name batting behind Barry as the Giants were one of the best offenses last year, it was the bullpen. I like Hermanson but he was only a closer, because the Giants were so desperate and he really did as good a job for the circumstance. I really think the Giants are going to take a big run at Percival. I would be very surprised if the Giants went after a big bat like Beltran as I expect smaller moves like last year, but I could be wrong. If they try to make the bullpen better I'll be happy.

Big Yankee fan here and not much needed well not too much since there meltdown.

Pitching-They need a dominate pitcher like Randy Johnson who doesn't want anything more then another ring and the closet too getting there with a team who's always contending is the Yanks.We need a pitcher who if they can't use there good pitches is able too use there secondary pitches and will do great.Diamondbacks might be interested in Javier Vazquez and are really interested in Jorge Posada which is not that fantasy.Carlo Pavano has said he might leave Marlins and his agent said New York is a maybe.They need a lefty as a starter and reliver Maybe Mike Myers(Red Sox has 17 free agents most is destined to leave)David Wells is also not likely to stay in San Diego and Pedro and Derek Lowe could be a possiblity.

Center Field-We need someone who has good defense and great hitting Carlos should be great at that and love Bernie Williams but he should be a DH.

Second base-Alfonso Soriano has horiible defense(second year with most errors in second base)but could hit great and has been a yankee before.Texas said there glad with him but can use his salary to pay for other positions and are interested in Javier Vazquez.Comebacks is a Yankee norm.

First Base-With Jason Giambi's 40 hyomeruns 120 rbi's are miss this season and with a big salary his owed and Olerud is good but it maybe like second base in 2004 two differant players playing on and off(Miguel Cairo,Enrique Wilson)but can Olerud and Tony Clark give results or maybe Crlos Delgado be a first basemen he wants to stay in Toronto but the club can use his salary for other things.

Originally posted by Dr. Strangelove
Well both my teams pretty much need the same thing.

A's- I don't think they need to change much hitting wise, even with Dye leaving because Moneyball first round pick Nick Swisher has better at bats than most veterans. Same with starting pitching. It's the bullpen that needs rebuilding, with three bullpen guys that are free agents. I still like Dotel in the closing role as if he's healthy which he wasn't last year he'll have a big year. There was a article in the Bee about a week ago talking about Hudson being traded to the Yankees for Posada. I would hate that move with a passion if it happened and if anyone would be traded it would probably be Zito.

Giants- On the Giants radio station it's always complaining and complaining about no big names batting behind Barry. But what killed the Giants wasn't no big name batting behind Barry as the Giants were one of the best offenses last year, it was the bullpen. I like Hermanson but he was only a closer, because the Giants were so desperate and he really did as good a job for the circumstance. I really think the Giants are going to take a big run at Percival. I would be very surprised if the Giants went after a big bat like Beltran as I expect smaller moves like last year, but I could be wrong. If they try to make the bullpen better I'll be happy.

Exactly. The Giants should have kept Joe Nathan and Felix Rodriquez. Why in the HELL did they trade Felix to the Phillies for Ricky Ledee??? Did he even play much for the Giants after he got there? The bullpen is definetely what they need to work on if they want to reach the postseason in 05

I was glad to read this morning that the A's possibly trading Hudson or Zito to the Sox for Trot Nixon was just a rumor. That would have been just retarded on the A's part.

Originally posted by Shaolin Monk
Exactly. The Giants should have kept Joe Nathan and Felix Rodriquez. Why in the HELL did they trade Felix to the Phillies for Ricky Ledee??? Did he even play much for the Giants after he got there? The bullpen is definetely what they need to work on if they want to reach the postseason in 05

I was glad to read this morning that the A's possibly trading Hudson or Zito to the Sox for Trot Nixon was just a rumor. That would have been just retarded on the A's part.

Well I actually don't hate those two moves as much. While Nathan put up good numbers for the Giants he was absolutely horrible in any big spot for the Giants. Now I don't think anybody expected Nathan to be that good once he got to the Twins and really I don't know if he puts those numbers if he's still with the Giants. I guess a change of scenery did him wonders.

The reason Felix was traded was because the Giants have a rookie with the same kind of stuff who actually isn't afraid to throw an off speed pitch. While Ledee didn't do jack for them, the Giants also got the Phillies hot prospect out of double AA, so it wasn't a terrible deal. I've never been a fan of Felix really; I guess to me he was always a wasted talent because he never tried to develop that second out pitch to go along with his great fastball.

What really pissed me off last off season was when the Giants didn't resign Worrell. I can take trading Nathan because they got a pretty good catcher in exchange, but to let go of Worrell when he was great at the closer spot two years ago and not knowing if Nen would even play was stupid. Also while the bullpen was blamed for not getting in the playoffs I can't blame them for everything, because through 3/4 of the season no starters could get past the 5th or 6th inning with the exception of Schmidt.

Originally posted by NiceGuynj
Let Randy Johnson use his last great years with a winning team it's sad to see a great pitcher pitch in meaningless games I know Randy brings the fans but there not alot and it may turn into the expos and not have almost any.Just too keep him and his salary and be a double a team and not trade for a couple of pretty good prospects is sad.They ain't going anywhere for a few years I say rebuild till you get better not have a great pitcher till he blows his arm and have nothing to show foir your fans.Get prospects build them up and at least have a winning season not 100 losses and one perfect game the diamondbacks got a new Manger(after firing one after 2 days)form the last one who hated the yankees and most pretty good teams.Randy didn't go to any other team because he wanted to go to the yankees.The dodgers had a great offer and he refused.He never said he wouldn't leave or stay but he has said doesn't want a Cy young or Be in the Baseball Hall of fame(he'll be there best lefty of all time.)but he wants a ring and he deserves that at least.

I say trade him he still has a couple years on him.Yes he was 15-14 but only because his team couldn't save games or score.Trade!!!!!!!!!

Originally posted by DanZeke25
well
1. Yes i feel he should be on a winning team.
2. I don't feel he should be on the Yankees they have enough already(unless they traded someone really good for him) either way i don't think the Yankees are gona win the WS next.. even though its way way too early to tell
3. He has a ring( remember when the D-Backs beat the Yankees that one year?)
4. Yes, this should be in the offseason thread.

Oakland A's shortstop Bobby Crosby named Rookie of the Year of the AL

Pittsburgh Pirates Left Fielder Jason Bay named Rookie of the Year of the NL

Gary Sheffield-Silver slugger award

"El Duque"-Comeback Picther

Jon Lieber-Runner-Up comeback pitcher

Derek Jeter-Cy Young Award in Short Stop

Can anyone name me a baseball player this year who is more better player with heart more then Derek Jeter????

a shortstop, or any position? I can name many ppl that have just as much as heart as jeter, and are better at their position...but i dunno if you just mean shortstop's or not

http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82~10835~2521324,00.html

I got this off of a A's message board. Interesting, although I don't how much of it is true but knowing Billy who knows. I think for the A's to get Percival they're going to have to get rid of Rhodes. Someone call Steinbrenner!!! I certainly would love to see a Streets or Bradford for 6th and 7th, Dotel for 8th and Percival for 9th.

That would be cool. Huston Street definetely lived up to the hype his last year with the Longhorns. When I heard about him, I thought it was all BS, and he was just gonna be another one of those guys that is talked about after a good performance, but then doesn't do crap...I was wrong. I did enjoy watching the Cal State Fullerton Titans win the College World Series though 😄

but ya, with Percival, Street, Bradford, and Dotel...damn, that'd be potent...I hope the A's can get Percival...you think they would give up Dotel though? I was reading on FoxSPORTS that if the A's wanted Percival, they better be ready to deal Dotel

I really don't think Billy would give up Dotel even if it's for getting Percival as Dotel to me is the more safer bet between the two with Percival starting to lose his velocity. I think Billy will try to get rid of Rhodes in a package deal, although it will be tough to find a taker as his contract is on a Chan Ho Park level. At least I think this is the last year of Rhodes contract so it will be somewhat easier to trade him although if they're two years left forget it.

Along with Streets they also have Garcia, a fire baller who I thought could throw 100 miles an hour from a tid bid from Rick sukcliff(sp?). Instead he throws more 94-96 with a pretty good slider. I think for the next two years they'll groom Streets or Garcia for the closer spot while Dotel or Percival close for now.

Originally posted by NiceGuynj

Can anyone name me a baseball player this year who is more better player with heart more then Derek Jeter????

curt schilling's got the heart (or just the entire red sox team)

Are you for real!!!!!!!

forumcrew Yankees went to a meltdown and Cardinals sucked and played good game expect tyhe wrold series Okay.You telling me if the Cardinals didn't bunt to schilling at all or make him run they wouldn't win.The Red Sox won becuase the Yankees and Cardinals didn't play well.

and the red sox did play well. and this wasnt about playing well it was about playing with heart.. comign back from getting hurt and getting your ass handed to you and pitching a must win game vs NY takes heart

coming back from a 3-0 deficit, all odds against you, shows heart too

Being a guy who doesnt like either the red sox or yankees I am an outsider looking in on this discussion so I can say both sides have made good points.It was pretty much a combination of both.The red sox did play with heart but the yankees helped them get there to the series by having a mental meltdown.