Full Version: MLB 2007-2008 Offseason Thread
It should be interesting to see how Matsuzaka turns out, he's got some freakish stuff with a slider that breaks like a screwball and the nastiest splitter I've seen in years. But pitchers in Japan don't pitch half as much as starters do over here in the MLB the OVERALL talent level is minor league in comparison so Matsuzaka wasn't exactly dealing with a lot of elite hitters. He could be the next Hideo Nomo (he has the potential to be better) or the next Shinji Mori (who is still on the DL to this day.)
I'm thinking he's gonna be better than most, because he's coming over at a younger age, though still with alot of miles on his arm.
Does picking up Matsuzaka make Boston the best in the AL? I still don't think they've signed a closer yet.
QUOTE(kyle @ Dec 13 2006, 08:09 PM) 
Does picking up Matsuzaka make Boston the best in the AL? I still don't think they've signed a closer yet.
No way in hell, Yankees have a great pitching staff (yet to be proven but still great), Matsuzaka is unproven.
QUOTE(Insignificant Other @ Dec 13 2006, 11:02 PM)
No way in hell, Yankees have a great pitching staff (yet to be proven but still great), Matsuzaka is unproven.
If Wang started every game for them that MIGHT be true but they still got an over the hill and banged up Randy Johnson, Andy Pettite who had a 4.20 ERA in the worst division in baseball last year (that does not bode well for him in a hitters division), Mussina while good is 38 and lands on the 15 day DL once per season, and no 5th starter.
And yeah the Red Sox don't have a good looking pitching rotation next year either, Lester has cancer, Josh Beckett had a freaking 5 point ERA, Wakefield is turning 41 spent a chunk of the year on the DL with a broken rib and finished with 4.6 ERA, Curt Schilling is turning 40, and Papelbon is gonna be the closer again.
Despite their lackluster World Series performance the Tigers still look to be the best over all, especially with Mike Maroth coming back next year.
QUOTE(Scorched Earth Policy @ Dec 14 2006, 12:04 AM)
If Wang started every game for them that MIGHT be true but they still got an over the hill and banged up Randy Johnson, Andy Pettite who had a 4.20 ERA in the worst division in baseball last year (that does not bode well for him in a hitters division), Mussina while good is 38 and lands on the 15 day DL once per season, and no 5th starter.
And yeah the Red Sox don't have a good looking pitching rotation next year either, Lester has cancer, Josh Beckett had a freaking 5 point ERA, Wakefield is turning 41 spent a chunk of the year on the DL with a broken rib and finished with 4.6 ERA, Curt Schilling is turning 40, and Papelbon is gonna be the closer again.
Despite their lackluster World Series performance the Tigers still look to be the best over all, especially with Mike Maroth coming back next year.
We got Pettitte had a crap first half, and a 7-4 second half with a 2.something ERA, I agree with you on Randy Johnson, and Muss still makes people look silly when ARod doesn't blow wins for him. Pavano needs to prove himself, so we'll see and then there is Igawa/Karstens/Rassner... a lot to look forward to.
QUOTE(Insignificant Other @ Dec 14 2006, 01:48 AM)
We got Pettitte had a crap first half, and a 7-4 second half with a 2.something ERA, I agree with you on Randy Johnson, and Muss still makes people look silly when ARod doesn't blow wins for him. Pavano needs to prove himself, so we'll see and then there is Igawa/Karstens/Rassner... a lot to look forward to.
A-Rod blows wins? I thought Mariano Rivera was your closer. Yankee fans are letting nostalgia get the best of ythem with Pettitte. They really should have thought about filling a 5th spot with Humberto Sanchez or Philip Hughes, they have too many rookies sitting in the minor leagues because they feel the need to tender contracts to aging players who are well past their prime.
QUOTE(Scorched Earth Policy @ Dec 14 2006, 12:04 AM)
If Wang started every game for them that MIGHT be true but they still got an over the hill and banged up Randy Johnson, Andy Pettite who had a 4.20 ERA in the worst division in baseball last year (that does not bode well for him in a hitters division), Mussina while good is 38 and lands on the 15 day DL once per season, and no 5th starter.
And yeah the Red Sox don't have a good looking pitching rotation next year either, Lester has cancer, Josh Beckett had a freaking 5 point ERA, Wakefield is turning 41 spent a chunk of the year on the DL with a broken rib and finished with 4.6 ERA, Curt Schilling is turning 40, and Papelbon is gonna be the closer again.
Despite their lackluster World Series performance the Tigers still look to be the best over all, especially with Mike Maroth coming back next year.
Yeah, the division that got the WS champ is the worst. They may not have the stats, but they have something better: INTANGIBLES!
QUOTE(Scorched Earth Policy @ Dec 14 2006, 02:36 AM)
A-Rod blows wins? I thought Mariano Rivera was your closer. Yankee fans are letting nostalgia get the best of ythem with Pettitte. They really should have thought about filling a 5th spot with Humberto Sanchez or Philip Hughes, they have too many rookies sitting in the minor leagues because they feel the need to tender contracts to aging players who are well past their prime.
I remember one game in augest vs. your White Sox where an Arod error that could have ended an inning led to 3 unearned runs.
QUOTE(Insignificant Other @ Dec 14 2006, 09:37 AM)
I remember one game in augest vs. your White Sox where an Arod error that could have ended an inning led to 3 unearned runs.
Really? Then maybe the Yankees shouldn't sign fantastic shortstops just to keep the Red Sox from getting them, then proceed to move them to a position that he's never played before just to make Jeter look good.
But you're right, it's all A-Rod's fault. Blame it on the guy who led the league in home runs 4 times, who's 6th in career slugging percentage, 4th all-time in hits. Every Yankees loss has been A-Rod's fault. Not just this year, either. Every time the Yankees have lost, EVER, it's been A-Rod's fault, even years where A-Rod didn't play for the Yankees. Lou Gehrig's disease? A-Rod manufactured it and injected it into Gehrig. Boston's comeback in 04? A-Rod started batting for the Red Sox. The trade for Babe Ruth? A-Rod thought it was a bad idea. The fact that the Yankees have the league's highest payroll, yet failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs? Oh man, A-Rod made SURE that happened. Cory Lidle? A-Rod was flying that plane. He left unharmed.
QUOTE(The Clown @ Dec 14 2006, 11:26 AM)
Really? Then maybe the Yankees shouldn't sign fantastic shortstops just to keep the Red Sox from getting them, then proceed to move them to a position that he's never played before just to make Jeter look good.
But you're right, it's all A-Rod's fault. Blame it on the guy who led the league in home runs 4 times, who's 6th in career slugging percentage, 4th all-time in hits. Every Yankees loss has been A-Rod's fault. Not just this year, either. Every time the Yankees have lost, EVER, it's been A-Rod's fault, even years where A-Rod didn't play for the Yankees. Lou Gehrig's disease? A-Rod manufactured it and injected it into Gehrig. Boston's comeback in 04? A-Rod started batting for the Red Sox. The trade for Babe Ruth? A-Rod thought it was a bad idea. The fact that the Yankees have the league's highest payroll, yet failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs? Oh man, A-Rod made SURE that happened. Cory Lidle? A-Rod was flying that plane. He left unharmed.
I'm not blaming everything on A-Rod, he's a great player, but plenty of times when Mussina was starting, A-Rod errors have led to many unearned runs.
QUOTE(The Clown @ Dec 14 2006, 11:26 AM)
Really? Then maybe the Yankees shouldn't sign fantastic shortstops just to keep the Red Sox from getting them, then proceed to move them to a position that he's never played before just to make Jeter look good.
But you're right, it's all A-Rod's fault. Blame it on the guy who led the league in home runs 4 times, who's 6th in career slugging percentage, 4th all-time in hits. Every Yankees loss has been A-Rod's fault. Not just this year, either. Every time the Yankees have lost, EVER, it's been A-Rod's fault, even years where A-Rod didn't play for the Yankees. Lou Gehrig's disease? A-Rod manufactured it and injected it into Gehrig. Boston's comeback in 04? A-Rod started batting for the Red Sox. The trade for Babe Ruth? A-Rod thought it was a bad idea. The fact that the Yankees have the league's highest payroll, yet failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs? Oh man, A-Rod made SURE that happened. Cory Lidle? A-Rod was flying that plane. He left unharmed.
Active career slugging is 6th yes, but with hits....what the hell are you talking about.
The Twins have the best pitching staff in the AL, tons of young guys who will be taking charge this year. Plus, Santana. Who do the Yankees have, a closer and Wang? That's not enough to win you games based on pitching, the Yankees just have the offensive prowess.
EDIT - and I agree with SEP about the Red Sox rotation, they have some serious holes and I tend not to even watch when Beckett starts.
EDIT - and I agree with SEP about the Red Sox rotation, they have some serious holes and I tend not to even watch when Beckett starts.
QUOTE(igotit4cheap @ Dec 14 2006, 06:33 PM)
The Twins have the best pitching staff in the AL, tons of young guys who will be taking charge this year. Plus, Santana. Who do the Yankees have, a closer and Wang? That's not enough to win you games based on pitching, the Yankees just have the offensive prowess.
EDIT - and I agree with SEP about the Red Sox rotation, they have some serious holes and I tend not to even watch when Beckett starts.
I don't know about that, Bonser and Garza aren't fully developed yet, Silva stinks and Liriano is out for the whole next season. They definitely have the best bullpen Neshek, Reyes (people thought Papelbon had a low ERA), Crain, and Nathan who was the best closer last year in my book even though he wasn't tops in saves but all his other stats across the board were amazing.
QUOTE
HOUSTON -- Jeff Bagwell retired Friday after 15 years with the Houston Astros, ending a career in which he hit 449 home runs but was forced from the field after the 2005 season because of a shoulder injury.
Along with Craig Biggio, Bagwell led the Astros to four division titles and the team's first NL pennant in 2005. The 38-year-old Bagwell retires as Houston's leader in homers, RBI (1,529), walks (1,401) and extra-base hits (969). He finished with a .297 career average.
The four-time All Star and winner of the 1994 NL MVP award will remain with the Astros as part of a personal-services agreement struck with the team this week. Bagwell is expected to work with Astros hitters, assist in the front office and make appearances for the team.
"I had a tough time in those last four or five years in my shoulder. It took a lot out of me both on the field and off the field," he said. "This is a day that I knew was coming. I'm OK with it. I feel blessed to have known all of you."
Astros owner Drayton McLane praised Bagwell's contributions to the team on and off the field.
"Jeff has been the heartbeat of the Houston Astros," McLane said.
Despite his unique and highly unorthodox batting stance, Bagwell displayed remarkable power at the plate, ranking among the top 15 players in home runs and RBI throughout the 1990s. His final tally of 449 home runs leaves him three behind his childhood idol, Carl Yastrzemski.
Former teammates and colleagues routinely described Bagwell as a "blue-collar guy" and "one of the guys" who accepted the fame and celebrity of his career only reluctantly.
"For as great a player as he was, he was also one of the most humble people I've ever been around," Gerry Hunsicker, the Astros' general manager from 1996 to 2004, told the Associated Press. "He really let his play do his talking for him. He was just one of the guys, so to speak."
A native of Boston, Bagwell's minor-league contract was owned by the Boston Red Sox until August 1990, when he was traded to the Astros for pitcher Larry Andersen. Astros manager Art Howe switched Bagwell from third base to first base to accommodate Astros third baseman Ken Caminiti, soon to become one of Bagwell's closest friends.
Bagwell's impact was immediate, and he was named the National League rookie of the year in 1991, hitting .294 with 15 homers and a club rookie record of 82 RBI.
He went on to win three Silver Slugger awards and one Gold Glove while being named to four All Star teams.
But it was in the strike-shortened season of 1994 that Bagwell had perhaps his best season, hitting .368 over 110 games, slamming 39 home runs and knocking in 116 runs to lead the Astros within a half-game of Cincinnati before a players strike ended the season on Aug. 12. As a result of his season, Bagwell was unanimously named the National League's most valuable player.
But Bagwell's career also was marred by personal and professional tragedies as well, with two of his teammates dying unexpectedly within two years of each other.
Darryl Kile, a gifted pitcher who joined the Astros with Bagwell in 1991, died of coronary disease while a member of the St. Louis Cardinals in June 2002.
The death hit Bagwell hard.
"Even after we weren't teammates, we were together all the time playing golf and hanging out," he told USA Today in 2003. "He's one of the closest people I've ever had pass away. You lose a friend like that, it's a tough thing. I'll never get over it."
Then came the death of Caminiti from an accidental drug overdose in October 2004.
"He took me under his wing when I got here," Bagwell told the AP at the time. "I have nothing but great memories of Cammy, nothing bad."
By 2005, the arhtritic right shoulder that periodically bothered Bagwell had slowed his powerful swing and took the zip off his infield throws. It finally betrayed him entirely. He had surgery on the shoulder, but was able to play in only 39 games that year. It was clear by spring training of 2006 that the pain would end his career.
As it happened, his last at-bat was a pinch-hit ground out for Brandon Backe in the seventh inning of Game 4 of the 2005 World Series.
Bagwell will be eligible for induction into baseball's Hall of Fame in five years, and Hunsicker says there's "no question" Bagwell will be selected. Even more likely is a ceremony next year to officially retire Bagwell's No. 5 jersey from the Astros.
"If any number should be hanging up there in those rafters (at Minute Maid Park), it should be No. 5," said Hunsicker. "Jeff was a leader because of the way he played the game, the way he carried himself on and off the field and the way he treated people."
Barry Axelrod, Bagwell's longtime agent, said Bagwell is one of the last of a generation of players who retain great respect for baseball's history and traditions. Bagwell, he said, was "one of the blessings of my [30-year] career."
Along with Craig Biggio, Bagwell led the Astros to four division titles and the team's first NL pennant in 2005. The 38-year-old Bagwell retires as Houston's leader in homers, RBI (1,529), walks (1,401) and extra-base hits (969). He finished with a .297 career average.
The four-time All Star and winner of the 1994 NL MVP award will remain with the Astros as part of a personal-services agreement struck with the team this week. Bagwell is expected to work with Astros hitters, assist in the front office and make appearances for the team.
"I had a tough time in those last four or five years in my shoulder. It took a lot out of me both on the field and off the field," he said. "This is a day that I knew was coming. I'm OK with it. I feel blessed to have known all of you."
Astros owner Drayton McLane praised Bagwell's contributions to the team on and off the field.
"Jeff has been the heartbeat of the Houston Astros," McLane said.
Despite his unique and highly unorthodox batting stance, Bagwell displayed remarkable power at the plate, ranking among the top 15 players in home runs and RBI throughout the 1990s. His final tally of 449 home runs leaves him three behind his childhood idol, Carl Yastrzemski.
Former teammates and colleagues routinely described Bagwell as a "blue-collar guy" and "one of the guys" who accepted the fame and celebrity of his career only reluctantly.
"For as great a player as he was, he was also one of the most humble people I've ever been around," Gerry Hunsicker, the Astros' general manager from 1996 to 2004, told the Associated Press. "He really let his play do his talking for him. He was just one of the guys, so to speak."
A native of Boston, Bagwell's minor-league contract was owned by the Boston Red Sox until August 1990, when he was traded to the Astros for pitcher Larry Andersen. Astros manager Art Howe switched Bagwell from third base to first base to accommodate Astros third baseman Ken Caminiti, soon to become one of Bagwell's closest friends.
Bagwell's impact was immediate, and he was named the National League rookie of the year in 1991, hitting .294 with 15 homers and a club rookie record of 82 RBI.
He went on to win three Silver Slugger awards and one Gold Glove while being named to four All Star teams.
But it was in the strike-shortened season of 1994 that Bagwell had perhaps his best season, hitting .368 over 110 games, slamming 39 home runs and knocking in 116 runs to lead the Astros within a half-game of Cincinnati before a players strike ended the season on Aug. 12. As a result of his season, Bagwell was unanimously named the National League's most valuable player.
But Bagwell's career also was marred by personal and professional tragedies as well, with two of his teammates dying unexpectedly within two years of each other.
Darryl Kile, a gifted pitcher who joined the Astros with Bagwell in 1991, died of coronary disease while a member of the St. Louis Cardinals in June 2002.
The death hit Bagwell hard.
"Even after we weren't teammates, we were together all the time playing golf and hanging out," he told USA Today in 2003. "He's one of the closest people I've ever had pass away. You lose a friend like that, it's a tough thing. I'll never get over it."
Then came the death of Caminiti from an accidental drug overdose in October 2004.
"He took me under his wing when I got here," Bagwell told the AP at the time. "I have nothing but great memories of Cammy, nothing bad."
By 2005, the arhtritic right shoulder that periodically bothered Bagwell had slowed his powerful swing and took the zip off his infield throws. It finally betrayed him entirely. He had surgery on the shoulder, but was able to play in only 39 games that year. It was clear by spring training of 2006 that the pain would end his career.
As it happened, his last at-bat was a pinch-hit ground out for Brandon Backe in the seventh inning of Game 4 of the 2005 World Series.
Bagwell will be eligible for induction into baseball's Hall of Fame in five years, and Hunsicker says there's "no question" Bagwell will be selected. Even more likely is a ceremony next year to officially retire Bagwell's No. 5 jersey from the Astros.
"If any number should be hanging up there in those rafters (at Minute Maid Park), it should be No. 5," said Hunsicker. "Jeff was a leader because of the way he played the game, the way he carried himself on and off the field and the way he treated people."
Barry Axelrod, Bagwell's longtime agent, said Bagwell is one of the last of a generation of players who retain great respect for baseball's history and traditions. Bagwell, he said, was "one of the blessings of my [30-year] career."
Hall of Famer for sure.
QUOTE
A three-team trade reportedly is in the works that would send outfielder Melky Cabrera from the New York Yankees to the Atlanta Braves.
The deal, an unnamed baseball official told The New York Times, also would send left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Yankees, and first baseman Adam LaRoche from the Braves to the Pirates.
The Yankees also were close to completing a five-year, $20 million deal with Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa. The Yankees and Igawa are close to finalizing a deal, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports, and an agreement likely would be announced early next week.
The Times, citing the baseball official, reported that the Igawa deal was expected to be completed Sunday, pending a physical.
The Yankees won the bid to negotiate with Igawa on Nov. 28 and have 30 days to negotiate a contract. If no deal is struck before the deadline, Igawa can return to pitch in Japan and the Yankees will get back their bid money.
One concern for the Yankees in the three-team scenario is the hard-throwing Gonzalez, who had tendinitis in his left elbow and was placed on the 15-day disabled list in August. The Yankees can afford to part with Cabrera because their outfield is set with Hideki Matsui in left, Johnny Damon in center and Bobby Abreu in right.
The deal, an unnamed baseball official told The New York Times, also would send left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez from the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Yankees, and first baseman Adam LaRoche from the Braves to the Pirates.
The Yankees also were close to completing a five-year, $20 million deal with Japanese pitcher Kei Igawa. The Yankees and Igawa are close to finalizing a deal, ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports, and an agreement likely would be announced early next week.
The Times, citing the baseball official, reported that the Igawa deal was expected to be completed Sunday, pending a physical.
The Yankees won the bid to negotiate with Igawa on Nov. 28 and have 30 days to negotiate a contract. If no deal is struck before the deadline, Igawa can return to pitch in Japan and the Yankees will get back their bid money.
One concern for the Yankees in the three-team scenario is the hard-throwing Gonzalez, who had tendinitis in his left elbow and was placed on the 15-day disabled list in August. The Yankees can afford to part with Cabrera because their outfield is set with Hideki Matsui in left, Johnny Damon in center and Bobby Abreu in right.
I am disappointed.
QUOTE(Insignificant Other @ Dec 18 2006, 03:42 PM)
I am disappointed.
I don't know why you would be disappointed, a very good reliever for a bench player. He will be a better choice than Farnsworth as a setup man. You can never have enough good pitching, and you don't really need Cabrera with Damon, Matsui, and Abreu.
QUOTE(Scorched Earth Policy @ Dec 18 2006, 03:26 PM)
I don't know why you would be disappointed, a very good reliever for a bench player. He will be a better choice than Farnsworth as a setup man. You can never have enough good pitching, and you don't really need Cabrera with Damon, Matsui, and Abreu.
I am a fan of Melky, and I thought he could be used more than as just a 4th outfielder.
hahahaha JD Drew fails his physical.
Any news report on it?
Brad Radke retired, if he kept on pitching his arm was gonna fall off and he obviously didn't want to get surgery on it (for some reason)
The White Sox traded away Brandon McCarthy for three pitching prospects from the Rangers after they opened up a spot for him in the starting rotation when they dealed Freddy Garcia to the Philliesfor a bust and an old prospect they gave away for the Thome trade last year.
Shit happens, and they still haven't filled their CF void.
QUOTE(Shawn @ Dec 23 2006, 04:29 PM)
Shit happens, and they still haven't filled their CF void.
I know, I didn't realize the White Sox needed this much pitching though. If they were going to get rid of him they could have at least picked up Baldelli (likely) or Crawford (not likely) who could fill that role which the Devil Rays are shopping around for.
Randy Johnson back to D-backs?
I can only hope Pres
And did anyone know that Gabe Kapler retired?
And did anyone know that Gabe Kapler retired?
QUOTE(Shawn @ Dec 26 2006, 12:43 AM)
I can only hope Pres
And did anyone know that Gabe Kapler retired?
Yeah, he's gonna coach some Boston Triple-A team.
Gabe Kapler always sucked.
QUOTE(Insignificant Other @ Dec 18 2006, 02:42 PM)
I am disappointed.
I don't know why the Yankees would want Gonzalez. He's a good prospect, sure, but the only thing he's excelled at is closer, and they have Rivera. Oh well, I'll still be happy if the Pirates get LaRoche. What good is a stellar closer if you can't get a lead? Plus, the bullpen is one of Pittsburgh's few areas with good depth.
Giants sign Barry Zito 7yrs/126 mil, option for 8th.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2710389
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2710389
Fuck you beat me to it.
my god, imagine how much a real top tier pitcher would go for in this sort of market like Johan Santana wopuld go for
Are you saying Zito's not a real top-tier pitcher?
QUOTE(The Clown @ Dec 28 2006, 09:28 PM)
Are you saying Zito's not a real top-tier pitcher?
pretty much, he benifited majorly from being in a pitcher friendly stadium and he lead the AL in walks last year. this isn't the 2002 Zito we are talking about
it wasn't a good pitchers market at all this offseason and everyone knew it
Johan would have gotten 18 mil, he has no Boras to talk for him. He's good, but a reasonable guy...
Walk mean nothing when Zito has the INTANGIBLES~!
QUOTE(The President @ Dec 30 2006, 04:03 PM)
Walk mean nothing when Zito has the INTANGIBLES~!
QUOTE(The President @ Dec 30 2006, 11:03 AM)
Walk mean nothing when Zito has the INTANGIBLES~!
And that's something Joe Morgan would say to your FACE!
EXACTLY.
I wonder what is up with the JD Drew contract, he was supposed to be signed despite the revealing of his fucked up shoulder in his exam (surprise surprise) they were just going to reword it
I gather Boras is still trying to hold up the original contract but that will be impossible with since hes fucking injured before the thing got done!
I gather Boras is still trying to hold up the original contract but that will be impossible with since hes fucking injured before the thing got done!
FUCK YES
Yankees have deal to send Johnson back to Arizona
Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Randy Johnson is headed back to the Arizona Diamondbacks after two unfulfilling years with the New York Yankees that began with a nasty sidewalk confrontation and ended with a messy playoff loss.
Randy Johnson
Johnson
The Yankees reached a tentative agreement with Arizona on Thursday to trade Johnson to Arizona for reliever Luis Vizcaino and three minor leaguers, a move that allows the Big Unit's agents to get him a contract extension.
Arizona general manager Josh Byrnes confirmed what he called "an agreement in principle" but did not identify the players that would go to the Yankees.
New York would receive Vizcaino and minor league right-handers Ross Ohlendorf and Steven Jackson, and shortstop Alberto Gonzalez, a baseball official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Yankees also would pay $2 million of Johnson's $16 million salary this year.
Teams are granted a 72-hour window by the commissioner's office to close tentative deals, and the Yankees and Diamondbacks must finalize the trade by 5 p.m. ET Sunday.
Newsday reported Thursday that Johnson had agreed in principle through "back-channel conversations" to a $10 million contract extension for 2008.
"We're going to start talking tomorrow," said Alan Nero, who represents Johnson along with Barry Meister. "We have a conference call set up."
Johnson, a five-time Cy Young Award winner, never seemed to fit in during two seasons with the Yankees, starting with when he put his long right arm up to block a television camera and said "Get out of my face, that's all I ask" as he walked from his midtown Manhattan hotel to his physical.
He was jovial during spring training but often turned taciturn when games that counted began. At 6-foot-10, he stands out in any clubhouse, especially so at Yankee Stadium, where he seemed to be a loner during times reporters were allowed in.
He went 34-19 during the regular season with New York, pitching much of the time with back pain that caused him to have surgery in October. But unforgiving fans focused on his 0-1 record with a 6.92 ERA in three postseason appearances for a franchise that expects to win every World Series.
Last year, he lasted just 5 2/3 innings and gave up five runs in Game 3 of New York's first-round series against Detroit. The Yankees lost 6-0, fell behind 2-1 in the best-of-five series and were eliminated the following day, sparking days of speculation that manager Joe Torre would be fired.
Johnson's return to Arizona could jumpstart a team that went 76-86, tied with Colorado for last in the NL West. The Diamondbacks drew 2.09 million fans at home, just 32,000 above the franchise low set in 2005, and Johnson's presence could spark interest.
Arizona has had an otherwise quiet offseason. The only major move was to acquire left-hander Doug Davis from Milwaukee in a six-player deal that sent catcher Johnny Estrada to the Brewers. Right-handers Greg Aquino and Claudio Vargas also went to the Brewers, while the Diamaondbacks obtained a pair of youngsters, left-hander Dana Eveland and outfielder Dave Krynzel.
Johnson pitched for the Diamondbacks from 1999-2004 and deferred parts of his salaries during those years. Now, Arizona must pay him slightly more than $44 million, including accrued interest, from 2007-12 and might want to rework those payments as part of the extension.
Johnson, who lives in the Phoenix area, went 103-49 with the Diamondbacks and helped them beat the Yankees in the 2001 World Series, going 3-0 against New York.
With a 17-11 record and a 5.00 ERA last season, the 43-year-old left-hander is coming off back surgery on Oct. 26. Although he has gone 34-19 during the regular season in two years with the Yankees, he is 0-1 with a 6.92 ERA in three postseason appearances.
In another move, first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz and the Yankees reached a preliminary agreement on a $1.5 million, one-year contract. Mientkiewicz, who spent 2005 with the crosstown Mets, must take a physical for the deal to be finalized.
Vizcaino, a 32-year-old right-hander, was 4-6 last season with a 3.58 ERA in 70 games. He has a 25-23 career record with a 4.24 ERA in eight seasons, playing for Oakland, Milwaukee, the Chicago White Sox and Arizona.
Ohlendorf, a 25-year-old who went to Princeton, was 10-8 with a 3.29 ERA at Double-A Tennessee last season and 0-0 with a 1.28 ERA at Tucson.
Gonzalez, a 24-year-old right-handed hitter, batted .290 in 129 games with Tennessee with six homers, 50 RBIs and 20 doubles. He also hit .200 (3-for-15) in four games with Tucson.
Jackson, 24, was 8-11 with a 2.65 ERA in 24 starts at Tennessee.
New York's projected rotation includes Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte and Kei Igawa. The Yankees also have oft-injured right-hander Carl Pavano and hope Roger Clemens can be persuaded to follow Pettitte back to New York. Clemens hasn't decided whether to pitch this year. If he does, the 44-year-old right-hander might follow his 2006 schedule and not start his major league season until mid-June.
Yankees have deal to send Johnson back to Arizona
Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Randy Johnson is headed back to the Arizona Diamondbacks after two unfulfilling years with the New York Yankees that began with a nasty sidewalk confrontation and ended with a messy playoff loss.
Randy Johnson
Johnson
The Yankees reached a tentative agreement with Arizona on Thursday to trade Johnson to Arizona for reliever Luis Vizcaino and three minor leaguers, a move that allows the Big Unit's agents to get him a contract extension.
Arizona general manager Josh Byrnes confirmed what he called "an agreement in principle" but did not identify the players that would go to the Yankees.
New York would receive Vizcaino and minor league right-handers Ross Ohlendorf and Steven Jackson, and shortstop Alberto Gonzalez, a baseball official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Yankees also would pay $2 million of Johnson's $16 million salary this year.
Teams are granted a 72-hour window by the commissioner's office to close tentative deals, and the Yankees and Diamondbacks must finalize the trade by 5 p.m. ET Sunday.
Newsday reported Thursday that Johnson had agreed in principle through "back-channel conversations" to a $10 million contract extension for 2008.
"We're going to start talking tomorrow," said Alan Nero, who represents Johnson along with Barry Meister. "We have a conference call set up."
Johnson, a five-time Cy Young Award winner, never seemed to fit in during two seasons with the Yankees, starting with when he put his long right arm up to block a television camera and said "Get out of my face, that's all I ask" as he walked from his midtown Manhattan hotel to his physical.
He was jovial during spring training but often turned taciturn when games that counted began. At 6-foot-10, he stands out in any clubhouse, especially so at Yankee Stadium, where he seemed to be a loner during times reporters were allowed in.
He went 34-19 during the regular season with New York, pitching much of the time with back pain that caused him to have surgery in October. But unforgiving fans focused on his 0-1 record with a 6.92 ERA in three postseason appearances for a franchise that expects to win every World Series.
Last year, he lasted just 5 2/3 innings and gave up five runs in Game 3 of New York's first-round series against Detroit. The Yankees lost 6-0, fell behind 2-1 in the best-of-five series and were eliminated the following day, sparking days of speculation that manager Joe Torre would be fired.
Johnson's return to Arizona could jumpstart a team that went 76-86, tied with Colorado for last in the NL West. The Diamondbacks drew 2.09 million fans at home, just 32,000 above the franchise low set in 2005, and Johnson's presence could spark interest.
Arizona has had an otherwise quiet offseason. The only major move was to acquire left-hander Doug Davis from Milwaukee in a six-player deal that sent catcher Johnny Estrada to the Brewers. Right-handers Greg Aquino and Claudio Vargas also went to the Brewers, while the Diamaondbacks obtained a pair of youngsters, left-hander Dana Eveland and outfielder Dave Krynzel.
Johnson pitched for the Diamondbacks from 1999-2004 and deferred parts of his salaries during those years. Now, Arizona must pay him slightly more than $44 million, including accrued interest, from 2007-12 and might want to rework those payments as part of the extension.
Johnson, who lives in the Phoenix area, went 103-49 with the Diamondbacks and helped them beat the Yankees in the 2001 World Series, going 3-0 against New York.
With a 17-11 record and a 5.00 ERA last season, the 43-year-old left-hander is coming off back surgery on Oct. 26. Although he has gone 34-19 during the regular season in two years with the Yankees, he is 0-1 with a 6.92 ERA in three postseason appearances.
In another move, first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz and the Yankees reached a preliminary agreement on a $1.5 million, one-year contract. Mientkiewicz, who spent 2005 with the crosstown Mets, must take a physical for the deal to be finalized.
Vizcaino, a 32-year-old right-hander, was 4-6 last season with a 3.58 ERA in 70 games. He has a 25-23 career record with a 4.24 ERA in eight seasons, playing for Oakland, Milwaukee, the Chicago White Sox and Arizona.
Ohlendorf, a 25-year-old who went to Princeton, was 10-8 with a 3.29 ERA at Double-A Tennessee last season and 0-0 with a 1.28 ERA at Tucson.
Gonzalez, a 24-year-old right-handed hitter, batted .290 in 129 games with Tennessee with six homers, 50 RBIs and 20 doubles. He also hit .200 (3-for-15) in four games with Tucson.
Jackson, 24, was 8-11 with a 2.65 ERA in 24 starts at Tennessee.
New York's projected rotation includes Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, Andy Pettitte and Kei Igawa. The Yankees also have oft-injured right-hander Carl Pavano and hope Roger Clemens can be persuaded to follow Pettitte back to New York. Clemens hasn't decided whether to pitch this year. If he does, the 44-year-old right-hander might follow his 2006 schedule and not start his major league season until mid-June.
In way cooler Yankees news:
NEW YORK -- First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz and the New York
Yankees have reached a preliminary agreement on a $1.5 million,
one-year contract.
Mientkiewicz, who spent 2005 with the crosstown Mets, must take
a physical for the deal to be finalized, a baseball official
familiar with the negotiations said Thursday, speaking on condition
of anonymity because the signing had not yet been announced.
"There's not too many first basemen who could save two, three
runs a game," Yankees center fielder Johnny Damon, his former
teammate in Boston, said last month. "Defensively, I haven't seen
a better defensive player than Doug, so if we pick him up, it would
be great."
A Gold Glove winner in 2001 with the Minnesota Twins, the
32-year-old Mientkiewicz hit .283 with four homers and 43 RBIs last
season for the Kansas City Royals before season-ending back surgery
in late August.
A left-handed hitter, Mientkiewicz would see time at first along
with Jason Giambi, who figures to get increased time at designated
hitter this year.
In 2004, Mientkiewicz caught the throw from reliever Keith
Foulke for the final out of the first World Series title for the
Boston Red Sox since 1918. Mientkiewicz at first kept the ball,
then loaned it to the Red Sox and eventually gave it to the Hall of
Fame.
Mientkiewicz's decision to sign with the Yankees first was
reported by the New York Post and Daily News.
It remains unclear whether the Yankees will have room for Bernie
Williams, who saw time in the outfield and at DH last year. Damon,
Hideki Matsui and Bobby Abreu have the three starting spots in the
outfield, and Melky Cabrera is the backup. However, the Yankees
have discussed possible trades involving Cabrera.
NEW YORK -- First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz and the New York
Yankees have reached a preliminary agreement on a $1.5 million,
one-year contract.
Mientkiewicz, who spent 2005 with the crosstown Mets, must take
a physical for the deal to be finalized, a baseball official
familiar with the negotiations said Thursday, speaking on condition
of anonymity because the signing had not yet been announced.
"There's not too many first basemen who could save two, three
runs a game," Yankees center fielder Johnny Damon, his former
teammate in Boston, said last month. "Defensively, I haven't seen
a better defensive player than Doug, so if we pick him up, it would
be great."
A Gold Glove winner in 2001 with the Minnesota Twins, the
32-year-old Mientkiewicz hit .283 with four homers and 43 RBIs last
season for the Kansas City Royals before season-ending back surgery
in late August.
A left-handed hitter, Mientkiewicz would see time at first along
with Jason Giambi, who figures to get increased time at designated
hitter this year.
In 2004, Mientkiewicz caught the throw from reliever Keith
Foulke for the final out of the first World Series title for the
Boston Red Sox since 1918. Mientkiewicz at first kept the ball,
then loaned it to the Red Sox and eventually gave it to the Hall of
Fame.
Mientkiewicz's decision to sign with the Yankees first was
reported by the New York Post and Daily News.
It remains unclear whether the Yankees will have room for Bernie
Williams, who saw time in the outfield and at DH last year. Damon,
Hideki Matsui and Bobby Abreu have the three starting spots in the
outfield, and Melky Cabrera is the backup. However, the Yankees
have discussed possible trades involving Cabrera.
Dammit, this happens every year. Other teams make great deals while Pittsburgh just kind of sits around. The only thing they've done all winter is to sign some Cuban pitcher. Oh, and I guess they're pretty sure they're gonna move Ryan Doumit to first and have Ronny Paulino be their catcher. Yup, just go ahead and ignore Jody Gerut and Brad Eldred. It's not like they would contribute any power to the lineup, right?
Meanwhile Dave Littlefield's dicking around saying he feels they have a strong young team. Yeah, Dave, that's why your team finished the season at 67-95, 16.5 games back. Next thing I know they'll be benching Jason Bay and Freddy Sanchez and moving Zach Duke to center field.
Meanwhile Dave Littlefield's dicking around saying he feels they have a strong young team. Yeah, Dave, that's why your team finished the season at 67-95, 16.5 games back. Next thing I know they'll be benching Jason Bay and Freddy Sanchez and moving Zach Duke to center field.
QUOTE(The Clown @ Jan 5 2007, 01:27 AM)
Dammit, this happens every year. Other teams make great deals while Pittsburgh just kind of sits around. The only thing they've done all winter is to sign some Cuban pitcher. Oh, and I guess they're pretty sure they're gonna move Ryan Doumit to first and have Ronny Paulino be their catcher. Yup, just go ahead and ignore Jody Gerut and Brad Eldred. It's not like they would contribute any power to the lineup, right?
Meanwhile Dave Littlefield's dicking around saying he feels they have a strong young team. Yeah, Dave, that's why your team finished the season at 67-95, 16.5 games back. Next thing I know they'll be benching Jason Bay and Freddy Sanchez and moving Zach Duke to center field.
Well its a small market team and if you watched any of their games at home last year they were probably losing money with the way that stadium was filling up.
The team still has $13 million dollars appropriated by the owner for spending on roster additions. Sure, it won't buy a top-tier free agent, but it could buy a mid-level player to help bolster the team.
That's the vicious cycle of a small-market team, though. The team can't make the additions it needs to win, the owner doesn't see why he should spend more money on a losing team, the fans stop buying tickets. Only now there's the Sabermetric approach to help win games, but Littlefield is too much of a traditionalist to be bothered by the evidence of it working with other small-market teams.
That's the vicious cycle of a small-market team, though. The team can't make the additions it needs to win, the owner doesn't see why he should spend more money on a losing team, the fans stop buying tickets. Only now there's the Sabermetric approach to help win games, but Littlefield is too much of a traditionalist to be bothered by the evidence of it working with other small-market teams.
I don't anything big will happen anymore.
lol.
1. Hank Aaron 755
2. Barry Bonds* 734
3. Babe Ruth 714
4. Willie Mays 660
5. Sammy Sosa* 588
6. Frank Robinson 586
7. Mark McGwire* 583
8. Harmon Killebrew 573
9. Rafael Palmeiro* 569
10. Ken Griffey 563
*Steroids
How funny.
Pujols will be there soon!
Also Jim Thome/Frank Thomas maybe.
Also Jim Thome/Frank Thomas maybe.
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