Dempster is staying with the cubs..


Looks like the Red Sox are dealing CoCo to the Royals for Ramon Ramirez. KC radio is saying it's already a deal while Boston won't comment on it. Ramirez isn't arbitration eligible and should give a good inning or two late in ballgames. Boston is supposedly also trying to buy A.J. Burnett.. and so are the yanks. Should be interesting.

Yanks are also after CC and Lowe. If they get CC, Lowe and Burnett, they could be a force to reason with again.. at least in the regular season ;)

So now, where does this leave Peavy?? Peavy probably won't have room in Chicago, and Boston probably won't make much of a play for him.. so I'm guessing the yanks will make an offer for him, but with the 140 mil they offered up to CC I don't know how much they are willing to offer Peavy.

Boston is in the mix for Tex as well. Although that causes some juggling with Youk and Lowell. Theo is pretty good at thinking outside of the box, so I'm sure some solution will come up if they can land Tex from LA.

And.. then there's Pedro. While he doesn't have what he used to have I'd like to see him go out on a good note. I think he deserves one more season.


Boston is also looking to trade Lugo.. Detroit is supposedly in the mix for him. Which give Jed Lowrie the spot with Alex Cora still the backup. There's some talk in Red Sox nation about the possibility of Lowe coming back to Boston. He likes pitching there.. but it's going to be a numbers game.. how much does he want and how much are the Red Sox really wanting to spend on him.

I think Pedro is good for one more year. When he came back from his hamstring injury, he didn't seem to have any lingering problems, and his stuff was still good. I think alot of his poor performance had to do with his ailing father and I don't think his head was really in the game after he died, despite his assertions otherwise. I think that now that he's had enough time to sufficiently mourn his passing, he'll be a bit closer to how he pitched his first year with the Mets.

ha nice.. I went the red sox route and somehow it ended with mark cuban buying the cubs after holding manny hostage and then signing manny to six at 180 mil. and still no WS championship.

Tazawa headed to Boston. Interested in seeing how this kid can perform in the majors. He's got a decent fastball, a forkball and a slider. He'll be stuck in the minors for a year probably. Only cost them 3 million though..so not a big deal if he doesn't work out.

Pedroia signs a 6 year $40 million dollar contract. Kudos. Glad to see he's staying a while.

Looks like Renteria is going to San Fran and Vasquez to Atlanta. Not that notable in my book..

Now if Boston can sign Texiera things will be wonderful.

Boston is brilliant for getting Pedroia signed to that deal. All arbitration years AND two free-agent years for $6.667 million a year for a guy who is already a rookie of the year, MVP and possibly the best all-around second baseman in the American League (and I'm a Brian Roberts guy).

If they can get a couple other guys signed like this, like Youkilis and Lester, they will be set for a long, long time.

Ain't gettin' Tex, though :lol:

yes the Pedroia deal is brilliant. That's what happens when Theo is in charge.

I think they are waiting on signing Youk to something similar until after they see what they need to do with Tek and Tex. If they sign Tex, then they'll ship Lowell off and sign Youk to a 5 or 6 year contract and keep him at third base and keep Tex at first.

I almost fainted when you said that Pedroia was the best second baseman in the AL

I don't see what he Youkilis has to do with the others, though. Either way he's going to be there, at first or third.

Varitek will be very interesting. He'll be 37 a week into next season, his numbers fell off a cliff last year, and when old catchers are done there is very little chance for a revival to their career.

Boras' demand for a Posada-like deal (which was moronic on a level that even a Steinbrenner should be above) is probably the most-ridiculous thing he has ever suggested. I don't care how good he is in the clubhouse (most of which is hot air anyway, in my mind; in general, not specifically in his case).

As for Roberts, he's fantastic. But it took him four years to get established (though to be fair he did have Jerry Hairston fighting with him for his first couple seasons in the majors) and he is in his prime now. Pedroia is where he is...and is going to get BETTER.

He comes off as a little too cocky, and I think he's getting a little TOO much attention for his MVP (in a year where there wasn't a real good candidate), but I can't deny that he's good.

The Pedroia signing was brilliant. He is such a spark plug for the team, and his numbers on both sides of the ball are fantastic. The Tex signing will be a tough one any way you look at it. I have yet to hear anything negative about the guy ever (well except for his choice of agent) but you can't really trade Lowell right now, as he has to prove he can come back from the hip injury, and it also sets kind of a bad precedent, as far as not respecting the veteran players.

Tek's numbers did fall off a cliff, however, he makes up for it behind the plate. He can manage a game like no other catcher. His ability to get the veterans on track and the kids calmed down is amazing. I don't know who or how Boston could replace that right now. I would imagine they would have to keep Tek for a couple of years and make sure that his replacement is already in the clubhouse and ready to go when he walks.

I know it's bad to see Lowell go in a sense.. but Theo is always about making the team better. When you have a guy like Youk who can play third just as well as Lowell, and the chance to get a guy like Tex, you simply have to do what you have to do. Sure they could keep Lowell around next year for sentimental reasons and the ability to switch players when needed..but I don't see it happening.

Tek is undoubtedly a superior game caller, but you can't even call him a good defensive catcher. Kevin Cash actually had a better caught stealing% catching Tim freakin Wakefield. I would like to see them continue to keep him, while they find a suitable replacement. As long as it isn't on a 3 year contract.
The Lowell thing is a little more complicated. As much as I love the dude, I recognize you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet, or however that saying goes. Problem is, his salary is kind of steep for some teams, and wouldn't be a big deal if he was healthy, but no one will give you shit for a big contract and the thought of Bo Jackson's hip. I just don't see them being able to prove that he's healthy enough to move before they need to move on the Tex deal.

Looks like K-rod will be in a Met's uni for 2009.

I didn't expect that, but it's a natural fit for the Mets.

CC is playing ball with the yanks and dodgers and possibly SF. Eh whatever. I'm more interested in where Peavy goes. Cubs are trying to get a third team in the discussion.

Now that the Mets have K-Rod signed, they can focus on getting the rest of their bullpen in order. They still need another setup guy or two to work the late innings. It'd be nice if they manage to sign somebody like Trevor Hoffman.

Heard on the wire that Boston is now heavy in the mix for Burnett. I wonder if Theo is just trying to make the yankees trigger happy?

The yanks sign burnett and maybe CC and that leaves less money for them to sign Texiera.

Of course if Boston could sign Burnett and Tex .. I doubt we'd see Tampa Bay winning the division again ;)

Baltimore trades catcher Ramon Hernandez and cash to Cincinnati for Ryan Freel and two prospects.

Not a huge deal nationally, but there's a lot of psyched Orioles fans out there right now. Hernandez isn't the most popular guy, and Matt Wieters will be the Rookie of the Year anyway.

Now...just need to get Teixeira signed. And rumors are that Burnett wants, and his wife is trying to influence him, to pitch as close to his off-season home as possible (that would be just north of...you guessed it :lol:)

Man, I have no idea why I get so damn optimistic this time of year :D

:lol:

You just sent all the cash you had to Cinci

If baltimore signs either Burnett or Teixeira, I'll wear a yankees cap for a day.

Burnett says his most important thing in making a decision is a chance to win. He wants to go where he can win.. that means Boston baby ;)

Tex well.. he wants to be on a good club, but I have a feeling he's more about money, but with Boston's good relationship with Bora's, Boston is a front runner in his future.

Dodgers sign Casey Blake to 3 year deal. Its good and all, but we lost half our pitching staff and MANNY. I want to see some big names. I want the owners to stop worrying about money. WIN and they'll make a profit, no matter how much they spend on players.

I think the Dodgers will crack and resign Manny when the meetings are over. They probably just want to see what they will have to shell out for CC first.

edit: nvm, looks like C.C. is going to be wearing pinstripes

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...2008&fext=.jsp


whole lot of cash for a playoff bum. oh wait.. that's what the skanks are good at.

Yeah, it shouldn't surprise you that the Yanks shelled out big dough for a flash in the pan.

Well the yanks are hot on Lowe also.. so if the dodgers are going to make a move they better be prepared to offer years..

Boston is a heavy hitter for Burnett .. don't think the dodgers are even looking at him but you never know what's going on in these meetings.

I don't know who's all in the mix for Manny, I know the Yanks have looked at him and he is a beast at yankee stadium, but all of that doesn't matter since they are in a new building. I really wouldn't be surprised to see Manny back in LA. He's comfortable there and can do what he wants without so much media attention.. LA just has to relax the hair rule :lol:

You like apples?

We just signed Cesar Izturis.

How you like THEM apples?


(I don't like them apples, not one bit...)

Yankees offer Burnett a 5 year deal.. probably around $90 mil.

Nats offer Tex 8 years $180 mil.

You just made me LOL.
Word on the street is that McCourt and the Dodgers are short on money and may not be as big a player as people think they are. We'll see.

Baseball in Ohio may have just picked up.

The REDS got Ramon Hernandez for Freel, great trade there.

The Reds may end up with Jr. again at a very LOW salary. I see one more major trade in Cincy for a SP.

NEVER underestimated Jocketty. Rumors are hot for Dye but is Cincy in his no trade clause?

Hermida with the right leadership and in good health maybe an option. Cincy has a good fan base and the city as a whole usually stays healthy during bad economic times, unlike Cleveland, Detroit, Houston, and so on. So while Cincy is no NY I don't see them dirt poor either, especially with JR and Dunn gone, there's some money there to be used for an impact player or 2. THeir biggest need though is pitching and they need it badly.

The INDIANS just signed Wood (20 mill for 2yrs + option 3rd year) and traded for I'm hoping 2 young decent RP. Trading Guitierrez though is NOT good UNLESS they plan on hmmmm signing Manny, who hasn't really had any bids of late or someone else maybe Dunn. Or have a really big trade coming. I have a feeling we'll see something BIG out of Cleveland before the weekend. They are needing to show fans that they want to compete and sell tickets. While Wood is a very good signing, I just don't think they would give up on Franklin G (who is loved in Cleveland) for 2 maybe decent RP, without someone major coming in. There are rumors Furcal maybe coming but again that is just not quite enough. Of course, if they brought in Burnett, Peavy or a very strong SP.... that would sell tickets even in this economy.

Dolan needs to show something before Christmas to get those tickets sold. Otherwise, the only thing selling in Cleveland will be Dolan selling the Tribe for much less than the 323 MILLION he paid for it.

Hmmmmmm Maybe the Lerners will take the Indians also. Randy knows how to spend money.... doesn't know how to hire good GM/Coaches though. But this is baseball, give Shap some money to play with and good things could happen.

Looks like Baltimore offers Tex 6 years $150 mil.

Boston is "progressing" in the deal with Tex. (whatever that means)

And the Padres have put a deadline to the Cubs to get a Peavy deal done.

Just so you know, all of us here in Baltimore are saying the same thing about our side of the deal. You know, a fourth-outfielder/fifth-infielder and two middling prospects :lol:

Just be prepared for the inevitable DL stint in July when Ramon has to get surgery to have Dusty Baker's foot removed from his...well, you know where that is going...:p

Boston made an offer to Varitek but no details are available.. the Boston Herald is saying it's a 2 year deal. No info on if he's been approached by any other teams.

It's doubtful that Boston will make an offer to Burnett that tops the Yankees offer. Other than Matsuzaka, they just don't go out on a limb with big contracts or over 4 years with pitchers.

So basically, all eyes are focused on Teixeira now for Theo from what I'm reading. They are also looking at some bullpen guys. Boston really needs some bullpen help.

Boston is looking at Smoltz and I dare say Sheets as well. Smoltz could fit in well at Boston, but I have a feeling Smoltz will end up in Detroit.


And Peavy isn't going to the Cubs.. that deal is DEAD. Hrmm could Peavy be in a Boston uni next season? Door is wide open at this point.

Putz is in a Mets uni which seems like it would work well with K-rod following him.

Edit: I just read that the yankees are considering trading Melky Cabrera to the Brewers for Mike Cameron.

can anyone say Bull in the china shop? :lol:

Freel is a DH resident also. Plus he has some DUI problems and may be a bit of a basket case.

Hernandez, while his better days are pretty much gone, is still better than LaRue and Ross were the past few years.

He's no Johnny Bench but he could be a great help to a team that has had no offense in the Catcher's position for a while.

Pan: I have to say I'm pleased to see that you're excited about baseball. When I saw that you had posted, I will admit that I thought you might be ranting about the C.C. contract.

I also was prepared to tell you that Pedroia signed for alot less money than he could have in Boston because that's just where he wants to play. He loves it there. Loyalty like that is hard to find these days..

but now you've gone and messed it all up with your posts :p

Goodbye, Mr. Heilman.

Goodbye, Mr. Smith.

We'll miss you, Senor Chavez.

Vargas, we hardly knew ye (we really didn't).

Phase One of The Great Purge is nearly complete. Now, if we can do something about 2B and LF, I'll really be happy.

What Pedroia did deserves a lot of respect. That is a rarity these days. Let's hope he maintains that style of play.

As for CC.... supposedly the 3 yr opt out clause was the highlight to him. I have heard that he was willing to take less money to play in LA but the union basically told him to sign for the Yankees, sets the market etc etc. Much the same as they did to Thome with Philly.

I see CC and whoever else NY breaks banks with pretty much not doing much. CC won't be happy and in 3 years he's gone. Burnett, Sheets, Lowe... sure you can pay millions for them but when the egos and attitudes start top flare up and all these "aces" start acting like kids demanding the same treatment as .... (insert Yankee pitcher's name here) it's over. With no Torre to keep egos in check, I look for NY to have what it has had in years past, a locker room full of overpaid egos that can't or won't perform up to their talent. Plus the pressure will truly hurt some of them... can you say CC.

But if all that money makes CC happy and the Yanks want to think they will buy a winner.... then go Yanks go. The Bosox, Rays and O's will keep passing you up and the locker room you have will still be miserable.

Ibanez to the Phillies.. this is a great move for the phillies.

too bad they won't win again because Boston is winning it next year :p

Yeah, you're right. I mean, the Rays are young and improving, the Yankees have added upgrades, but the Red Sox have added...um...hold on...wait a second...;)

Boston doesn't need to upgrade.. plus they will get Tex.

they are on the lookout for bullpen help also.

Fuck what the yankees have added. or will add. CC is a bum in the playoffs.. wang never stays healthy..and Burnett has health problems as well..

but you may be right because Boston just switched up their road uni's to the old 80's look

*bleh*

Red Sox change up road uniforms with head nod to the '80s - Big League Stew... - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

There are some really strong underground rumblings that Peter Angelos is NOT letting Teixeira go anywhere other then Baltimore. And the Orioles recently have been insanely tight-lipped about most-everything they do, whether it was the trades last year up to no one knowing the team had even met with Teixeira earlier this month until the winter meetings when they practically had to put it in a press release :p

By the way, shouldn't the Sox have had Bob Stanley and Bill Buckner modeling those jerseys?

I don't see how Angelos has any say so in the matter. The gorilla in the room is Boston.. and I don't think he can outspend the red sox.

If he does..kudos. We don't have to have Tex. From what I hear though, Tex isn't that concerned with going back home. He wants to go to a contender..and even the Baltimore GM said they were handicapped when it comes to that.

Yeah I thought the same thing when I saw the jerseys.. Buckner.


edit: Burnett is going to the Yanks. 5 years, 82.5 million. Seems like an awful lot of years on cash to spend on someone who you really don't know how healthy they are going to be.

Boston isn't interested in Lowe from what I hear... and obviously they weren't interested in Burnett that much. Theo won't go over 4/$40mil for a pitcher in free agency.

Just remember one thing. Baltimore has a confirmed offer, Washington has a confirmed offer, and now Anaheim has a confirmed offer. Boston doesn't.

That doesn't mean there aren't things going on behind-the-scenes, in fact I would be stunned if there weren't from all parties in the rumors. Just that with the insane Boston media and the leaky faucets in the offices of the Sox and Boras SOMETHING probably would have leaked.

The Orioles have made a specific effort over the MacPhail era so far to keep things as quiet as possible. I don't think that has ever fit the Boston front office under the Former-Orioles or not.

Fawewell, Mr. Schoeneweis.

don't believe all the confirmed hype. Boston is really tight lipped about these things. you should know from experience that when it comes to Boston and free agency it always appears to come out from nowhere.. so now that anaheim has offered 8 years.. you'll see what Epstein is going to offer in the next day or so. Boras and Boston have a good relationship so don't count the chickens before they hatch. I don't think you see tex anywhere other than Boston or Anaheim.

He wants to win..and those are the clubs that get him to that level.. if he wants to get out of the first round..well he has to go to Boston :D

And if he wants to get out of the second-round, he has to go to Tampa Bay ;)