2012-2013 MLB Off-Season Thread

[Mordred]

Originally Posted by wirefan

Red Sox sign Mike Napoli to a 1 year/5mil deal (he can earn up to 13mil in incentives). I think they got lucky finding the hip issue which allowed them to tear up the 3/39mil deal

Sounds like if he stays off the DL he automatically gets the full 13MM.

[Deftones]

Looks like the trade offer is legit, and Teheran might be the starting point:

Confirmed that #Braves have indeed made offer to Dbacks for Justin Upton. I think Teheran plus 2-3 other prospects, but not sure

[DJariya]

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment...,2201738.story

So the Dodgers are reportedly close to moving from FOX to Time Warner. But, no they aren't going to be on TWCSN, which broadcasts the Lakers, they will apparently start their own fucking channel.

Great, another fight with Directv to get this channel added.

The deal is not 100% official yet.

How many fucking RSN's does the LA market need?

[Rob V]

Originally Posted by CRM114

That's a bit of an overstatement.

Ok, maybe long-snapper in the NFL is more replaceable? Aside from Rivera and maybe Lee Smith... name a guy who actually impacted the sport (for more than a season) at the CL position? These guys flame out faster than any other positon in sports.

[Goat3001]

Originally Posted by Rob V

Ok, maybe long-snapper in the NFL is more replaceable? Aside from Rivera and maybe Lee Smith... name a guy who actually impacted the sport (for more than a season) at the CL position? These guys flame out faster than any other positon in sports.

Trevor Hoffman
Dennis Eckersley
Billy Wagner
Bruce Sutter
Goose Gossage
Rollie Fingers

And while a lot of the players in the position flame out quickly that doesn't mean the role isn't important. If anything it goes to show just how difficult the role is when there are only a handful of players that did it their whole careers. In fact, it's not very often that a World Series team doesn't have a closer that was lights out, even if it only lasted a short period of time.

[Goat3001]

Originally Posted by CRM114

Phillies fans are anti-Semitic?

Well considering he's a fat anti-semite I can't imagine the Phillie faithfuls giving him too much slack if he sucks.

[starman9000]

"if"

[Deftones]

Looks like the Braves deal for Upton is nearing completion. I'll reserve judgment, but if we do get Teheran, I'd say that's a good step in the right direction. Also appears Randall Delgado is a a part of the deal.

[Deftones]

Deal is done. Delgado is a piece, Teheran is not. Rumors are that Martin Prado might be involved.

[Deftones]

Here's the deal reportedly? Source: Braves get Justin Upton and Chris Johnson from D-backs for Prado, Delgado, Ahmed and Spruill.

Edit: Dbacks also get Brandon Drury (A) player.

[Arpeggi]

Upton cost me my fantasy league last season so I hope he fails in ATL.

[Deftones]

Originally Posted by Arpeggi

Upton cost me my fantasy league last season so I hope he fails in ATL.

I think this is going to be interesting. Not quite the hitter friendly park as here in AZ, but he's playing with his brother. I think that will help him significantly.

[Deftones]

Dbacks are said to have a long term deal with Prado in the works, which was the only way this deal was done.

[wirefan]

Originally Posted by Goat3001

Well considering he's a fat anti-semite I can't imagine the Phillie faithfuls giving him too much slack if he sucks.

To be fair you have to give Young some credit... he managed to do something to make people forget he once threw a bat at an umpire over a strike call. When that is no longer the headliner, that's solid work on his part.

[Rob V]

He's also the Tigers all time post-season HR leader --- how the hell that happened, I'll never understand.

[wirefan]

Originally Posted by Deftones

Dbacks are said to have a long term deal with Prado in the works, which was the only way this deal was done.

It seemed like the early returns on the trade was that the DBacks did poorly, but I think they did pretty well. Especially when it appears like Towers was factoring in the probability of extending Prado.

At that point it's no longer 1 year of Prado vs 3 years of Upton and it's more like similar contract lengths (if they tack on 2-3 years). While I think Upton is the better player, that's where the prospects factor in to balance the trade out. The Dbacks significantly upgrade at their weakest position (3rd) and downgraded at one of their strongest positions (OF). They might be better overall next year even if Upton is better than Prado.

[Rob V]

Originally Posted by Goat3001

Trevor Hoffman
Dennis Eckersley
Billy Wagner
Bruce Sutter
Goose Gossage
Rollie Fingers

And while a lot of the players in the position flame out quickly that doesn't mean the role isn't important. If anything it goes to show just how difficult the role is when there are only a handful of players that did it their whole careers. In fact, it's not very often that a World Series team doesn't have a closer that was lights out, even if it only lasted a short period of time.

You kinda made my point. 100+ years and you can name a dozen greats. A closer can come from nowhere... I guess my point should have been that I don't put a lot of credence in paying a guy $15M when Craig Kimbrel comes in and does it for free.

[Deftones]

Originally Posted by Rob V

You kinda made my point. 100+ years and you can name a dozen greats. A closer can come from nowhere... I guess my point should have been that I don't put a lot of credence in paying a guy $15M when Craig Kimbrel comes in and does it for free.

there haven't been 100+ years of closers because it was an invented stat/position in the 1969. that's why you can only name a dozen greats.

[davidh777]

Shawn Marcum can only get a one-year deal?

[LurkerDan]

Originally Posted by Rob V

You kinda made my point. 100+ years and you can name a dozen greats. A closer can come from nowhere... I guess my point should have been that I don't put a lot of credence in paying a guy $15M when Craig Kimbrel comes in and does it for free.

your first sentence is silly. Your "point" makes sense, and is why teams generally only pay anywhere close to that money for the best of the best.

How many closers or guys signed to be closers are making 10+million? Mariano (who deserves it), but who else? Acoording to this site: http://www.spotrac.com/top-salaries/mlb/relief-pitcher/ 2 others.

And only 6 others even making 7 million+.

[Rob V]

Originally Posted by Deftones

there haven't been 100+ years of closers because it was an invented stat/position in the 1969. that's why you can only name a dozen greats.

I know... a made up ''rule'' where the starter can go 7 (or 100 pitches), a lefty specialist comes in for 2/3 innings, a RH setup man then the closer for 3 harrowing outs. I didn't say they don't have value, I feel they're overrated. You can have a rookie save 50 fucking games but some shithead like Soria wants $14M and gets it??

[LurkerDan]

Originally Posted by Rob V

I know... a made up ''rule'' where the starter can go 7 (or 100 pitches), a lefty specialist comes in for 2/3 innings, a RH setup man then the closer for 3 harrowing outs. I didn't say they don't have value, I feel they're overrated. You can have a rookie save 50 fucking games but some shithead like Soria wants $14M and gets it??

You can also have some rookie come in and almost win the MVP. The fact that a rookie was successful at it is irrelevant. It speaks to the quality of the rookie, not the irrelevancy of the position. That said, I wouldn't have paid Soria $14M.

[chrisih8u]

I've always wanted this to happen. Deadspin has an article where a lip reader deciphers manager ejections.

http://deadspin.com/5978810/a-lip-re...ium=socialflow

[chrisih8u]

Big story details a Balco-like operation out of Miami. A-Rod, Melky Cabrera, Manny Ramirez,Nelson Cruz, and Gio Gonzalez among the mentioned. Doesnt look good for A-Rod.



http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2013-01...biggest-names/

[Tarantino]

How much more tainted can Alex Rodriguez's legacy get?