MLB Hot Stove League 2012-13

[JSngry]

[Tim McG]

Jesus Christ

We sign Dice K

Jesus has a better slider.

So, the object of the game should be for the pitchers and the defense to get as many batters out in succession as possible?

That's how the Giants do it.

Just sayin'.

Edited February 12, 2013 by GoodSpeak

[Blue Train]

Potential bummer about King Felix: http://www.mlbdailyd...ers-in-jeopardy

The deal (yet another terrible signing) was finalized. If he's worth $175 million just imagine what Clayton Kershaw will get with the Dodgers spending money like drunken sailors. I really don't get these seven-year contracts for any position...let alone a pitcher. You're pushing your luck at 5-years. Has there really even been one that didn't turn out to be a disaster in the long run?

Edited February 12, 2013 by Blue Train

[Quincy]

Potential bummer about King Felix: http://www.mlbdailyd...ers-in-jeopardy

I really don't get these seven-year contracts for any position...let alone a pitcher. You're pushing your luck at 5-years. Has there really even been one that didn't turn out to be a disaster in the long run?

Ack! A couple of the best signings I could think of off the top of my head (and then looking up the contract) were Maddux by the Braves and Reggie by the Yankees. Both were 5 year deals though. Barry Bonds was signed for 6 by the Giants when he joined them so they got their money's worth there. But 7 years...for a pitcher? I suppose the comforting thought is that longterm big ass deals don't seem to make trades impossible.

To change the mood back to springtime bliss, by jove Felix will anchor a staff of young up & coming pitchers, Jesus will rise to Johnny Bench levels (with the LF fence moved in), Jason Bay will rediscover his Pittsburgh years mojo and the M's will have the deepest outfield in the AL. Ackley rebounds from the sophomore slump, Seager heads towards early prime production and the M's shock the West! Gotta love the hope around spring training.

*Edit - The Cards signed Pujols to 7 years in 2004. He was only 24 when the deal was signed. Brilliant! As Blue Train mentions, it's very hard to find long term deals that have proven to be wise investments. In the NBA the Spurs had a now expired 7 year deal with Tim Duncan which worked well for both parties.

Edited February 13, 2013 by Quincy

[Tim McG]

This is only a Wiki source, but it does list several 7-year plus contracts that have had a positive impact:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_sports_contracts

[Blue Train]

If you limit it to the sports with guaranteed contracts which isn't the NFL, which are more hype than anything....and those who actually finished the full 7+ years. It's a really a small list. Take out the NBA and it's just Jeter and the first Pujols....but teams keep handing them out.

Edited February 13, 2013 by Blue Train

[Tim McG]

Good point.

The Giants are a perfect example of a team which is still stinging over that 7-year deal for Zito, that is, his last year's performance notwithstanding. I'm not a fan of multi-year contracts either. Especially for pitchers.

[Blue Train]

Just think of what Kershaw (who is 2-years younger, a much better pitcher, and a lefty) + the drunken sailors that are the Dodgers will now get?

Edited February 13, 2013 by Blue Train

[Tim McG]

They are definitely spending money like there's no tomorrow.

I hope it bites them in the butt.

[Brad]

Potential bummer about King Felix: http://www.mlbdailyd...ers-in-jeopardy

I really don't get these seven-year contracts for any position...let alone a pitcher. You're pushing your luck at 5-years. Has there really even been one that didn't turn out to be a disaster in the long run?

Ack! A couple of the best signings I could think of off the top of my head (and then looking up the contract) were Maddux by the Braves and Reggie by the Yankees. Both were 5 year deals though. Barry Bonds was signed for 6 by the Giants when he joined them so they got their money's worth there. But 7 years...for a pitcher? I suppose the comforting thought is that longterm big ass deals don't seem to make trades impossible.

To change the mood back to springtime bliss, by jove Felix will anchor a staff of young up & coming pitchers, Jesus will rise to Johnny Bench levels (with the LF fence moved in), Jason Bay will rediscover his Pittsburgh years mojo and the M's will have the deepest outfield in the AL. Ackley rebounds from the sophomore slump, Seager heads towards early prime production and the M's shock the West! Gotta love the hope around spring training.

*Edit - The Cards signed Pujols to 7 years in 2004. He was only 24 when the deal was signed. Brilliant! As Blue Train mentions, it's very hard to find long term deals that have proven to be wise investments. In the NBA the Spurs had a now expired 7 year deal with Tim Duncan which worked well for both parties.

For Bay's sake, I hope so. He had several rough years with the Mets; they're still paying for this year.

[JSngry]

Australia?

http://www.lonestarball.com/2013/2/15/3992410/todd-mcdonald-australian-outfielder-475000-dollar-bonus-texas-rangers

Who knew?

[Quincy]

Australia?

http://www.lonestarb...s-texas-rangers

Who knew?

Yankee fans. Lefty Aussie middle reliever Graeme Lloyd got a couple of rings with them vs. ATL & SD. There's a wikipage about Aussies in the MLB.

[Matthew]

Q: When is a Trout as big as a whale?

A: When it's Mike Trout! Bawahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[Tim McG]

Bochy's son is trying out for the Giants this week.

As a Dad myself, that would be pretty darn cool.

[JSngry]

This is the year that Derek Holland stops clowning around, gets serious, and truns into the proven performer we all want him to become.

His first step down this new path:

[Tim McG]

Well, if nothing else, you have to admire David Price's chutzpah:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/david-price-says-wouldn-t-sign-yankees-because-175723554--mlb.html

[Matthew]

Nice article on the best defense seasons and players in the modern era.

[Tim McG]

Nice article on the best defense seasons and players in the modern era.

Cool article.

I just linked to the website.

Thanks, Matthew!

Edited February 24, 2013 by GoodSpeak

[Matthew]

Nice article on the best defense seasons and players in the modern era.

Cool article.

I just linked to the website.

Thanks, Matthew!

It is nice. I tend to downplay Ivan Rodriguez, but maybe I shouldn't......

[Dan Gould]

Does anyone else think this might be the first October in recent memory with neither the Red Sox nor the Yankees in the post season?? The Yankees are beat up and old and I'm not sure if the Red Sox have the talent to compete with the Jays and the O's.

And the Yankees have lost Curtis Granderson for the first month of the season with a broken forearm.

Will probably make replacing the 100 or so HRs that left in the off-season that much tougher.

[JSngry]

It is nice. I tend to downplay Ivan Rodriguez, but maybe I shouldn't......

Pudge in his prime was totally freakin' awesome. Then he had an injury, after which he was still very, very good, but...

btw...that article was written by "James" Gentile...I remember Jim Gentile as a not-spectacular gloveist, so who is this guy to talk, eh?

[Matthew]

Put this in the "Just How Dumb Do You Think I am?" file:

Jeffrey Loria says: "I'm interested in making this successful"

[Tim McG]

A man of few words.

[JSngry]

whoa....

http://mlb.sbnation.com/2013/2/28/4040560/mlb-tv-auto-renewal-policy

I cried until I could cry no more.

And then I cried some more.

Because I am The Sensitive Motherfucker.

[Tim McG]

Dodgers arrogance rears its ugly head yet again...Dodgers president and owner predict a dynasty:

ttp://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/dodgers/2013/02/28/dodgers-mark-walter-stan-kasten-bold-predictions/1955315/

Now I'm REALLY hating on the Dodgers this year.

Grrrr