2008-09 MLB Offseason Thread

[crizpynutz]

I don't really understand it either. But as usual, the Mets didn't have to give up anything of value to them. They were praying someone would take Heilman, and the other two are worthless. Now Heilman has upside, but he had no value to the Mets. Putz in the 8th and K-Rod in the 9th? That's great, but excessive IMO.

Yeah, it's odd, but they certainly should have no problem holding a lead in the 8th-9th inning.

I don't know if C.C. was ever outright opposed to NY. I just think he had reservations about coming here. From the papers and radio around here, you'd think that the Yankees were like Jim Carrey in The Cable Guy to Sabathia. I thought he was using the Yankee offer the entire time and he'd wait for ANY west coast team to jump in. I thought he wouldn't come here under ANY circumstances. I was apparently wrong.

From my understanding, Sabathia requested an opt-out clause for any team that he signed with. Melvin, the Brewers GM, mentioned that the Brewers were going to include one and he wanted one regardless of where he played. Of course, most will make it seem as if he'd only go to the Yankees if they gave him the opt-out conveniently leaving out that little nugget. They also make it seem as if Brian Cashman was stalking Sabathia at the winter meetings, when it was documented that Sabathia requested the 2nd and 3rd (at CC's home in SF) meetings. The opt-out is a $$ maneuver/insurance policy, and it benefits the Yankees as well as Sabathia IMO. Bottom line, they get Sabathia through his prime years, which is a good thing.

Even though I HATE that it will prevent them from getting Teixeira, who I kinda wanted more than C.C. because I think he had a genuine interest in playing for NY from the get-go.

I don't think Sabathia was against NY, I just think we wanted to stay on the west coast. No one stepped up though and quite frankly, I'm surprised the Dodgers didn't do it. I really thought that if anyone stole him from NY is would be them. Good move for the Yanks - ugh, hurt to say that - and should really be a good deal for the team. Only way it doesn't, is if CC stinks up the joint and they are stuck with him long-term (past the opt out). I don't see that as the most likely scenario though.

They have to be the front runner, unfortunately. I hate this development. It's unbelievable. The Yankees have a hole to fill at 1B and aren't interested, while the Red Sox are just looking to upgrade and that doesn't stop them. I just don't get it.

The Yankees are fooling themselves if they think that the offense doesn't need an upgrade.

The money for Burnett would be better spent on Tex. Burnett has good stuff, but that's a lot of $$ for a lot of years on a guy who's been hurt a lot. The deal reminds me a bit of the JD Drew scenario for the Sox. A good player, hurt a lot and opted out of a big deal only to land an even bigger one. My bet is Burnett doesn't live up to that contract, but ends up being a good player. $80 million though? Dayum, I gotta teach my son to pitch.

I have no idea.

They gonna lose out on CC, Tex and Manny the way they are going.

[RaiderInNY]

I love me some Mets 'pen now!!!!

Excessive? YES!

But you know what...no excuses now.

They have a closer for the 8th and the 9th. Putz has velocity and power. K-Rod has the flair, ability and moxy to close in NY. I love it...

And they got KROD for terms I loved.

Heilman needed to go. I like Endy, but he wasnt going to make or break our bench. And considering the woes in the 'pen, you have to praise Omar Minaya for addressing that issue in a better manner than what he did in prior years, when he took on garbage and did very little to fix issues he had.

Now, onward with getting a back of the rotation guy. I'm not opposed to J.Marquis as rumored.

A weakness is a now a strength of the Mets. At least the backside of it. And if it all pans out, I love that these games will be 7 inning contests for the Mets. A lot of pressure on opponents.

As for the Yanks, I can't stand that CC waited it out, and milked that much money out the Yanks. But they needed him and they got the best pitcher in the market to go with Wang and the crew. Now, if they land another guy, and maybe Andy P., they should put Joba back in the 'pen and make the Yanks a stellar club late in games (Marte, Joba and Mo).

They also need some bats. I hate the Cameron deal for them. They are constructing a feast or famine team; a team that cannot work counts, full of free swingers with a Cameron.

Both NY clubs are cooking on the hot-stove!

[RaiderInNY]

RINY's Mets made the right decision. K-Rod is far and away the best option at CL on the market right now. Looking strictly at the numbers, he is simply dominant and consistent. He is the youngest option on the market as well.

And I'm sorry, but what is with Michael Kay's (RINY knows who I'm talking about) man crush for freaking J.J. Putz? Didn't he have an array of arm issues this year? And not only that, the Mets would have to give up prospects as well.

Good job Mets, and congrats RINY. You finally have a big time, dominant closer minus the history of choke jobs.

Oh, Sonic Raider, since you are an Angels fan maybe you can answer me this, did K-Rod really have a significant drop in velocity this year like some are saying around here? From mid-90s to low-90s? If true, then I'd be a bit leery, but would still undoubtedly lean towards K-Rod.

I know this, since I had him on my fantasy team last year, K-ROD had ankle issues early last season, in which he struggled on the mound a bit before he went on a tear for the record.

His ankle issues never were really 'healed', and because of his violent delivery, it never was 'cured' as needed, thus the velocity decline. Now, I worry about that too...

'Cause he has racked up a lot of innings at an early age etc.

But, considering what else is out there; Fuentes etc, I'm glad we got the best guy for terms that were very very friendly to the Mets.

Heck, I may just attend the home opener at Citi Field now. I wasn't if this team did crap in the off-season.

[Jigeneh]

I love me some Mets 'pen now!!!!

Excessive? YES!

But you know what...no excuses now.

They have a closer for the 8th and the 9th. Putz has velocity and power. K-Rod has the flair, ability and moxy to close in NY. I love it...

And they got KROD for terms I loved.

Heilman needed to go. I like Endy, but he wasnt going to make or break our bench. And considering the woes in the 'pen, you have to praise Omar Minaya for addressing that issue in a better manner than what he did in prior years, when he took on garbage and did very little to fix issues he had.

Now, onward with getting a back of the rotation guy. I'm not opposed to J.Marquis as rumored.

A weakness is a now a strength of the Mets. At least the backside of it. And if it all pans out, I love that these games will be 7 inning contests for the Mets. A lot of pressure on opponents.

As for the Yanks, I can't stand that CC waited it out, and milked that much money out the Yanks. But they needed him and they got the best pitcher in the market to go with Wang and the crew. Now, if they land another guy, and maybe Andy P., they should put Joba back in the 'pen and make the Yanks a stellar club late in games (Marte, Joba and Mo).

They also need some bats. I hate the Cameron deal for them. They are constructing a feast or famine team; a team that cannot work counts, full of free swingers with a Cameron.

Both NY clubs are cooking on the hot-stove!

Burnett is reportedly between the Yankees and Braves, and some think that the Yankees are a more attractive option to him because he would simply be a piece of the rotation with Sabathia, Wang, Chamberlain, etc., as opposed to "the guy" in Atlanta.

As for Cameron, the reasons why I kinda like the deal (and of course IF it goes down) is because:

• Melky is useless.
• Cameron is a GG CF.
• Cameron is not a great hitter, but compared to Melky, he is freaking Mantle.
• He actually runs the bases well, and does work the count, unlike Melky.
• And he has one year left, so he is a decent stop gap for Austin Jackson.

Now I am not saying I think Swisher and Cameron make up for the losses of Abreu and Giambi offensively, but they actually do work the count and were each in the top ten in ML in pitches per plate appearance. So they actually are OBP guys who are not free swingers, which is the typical Yankee-like approach.

Lastly, Joba is not going back to the pen. They will give him every opportunity to succeed as a starter, and if he stays healthy, he should succeed. His stuff is incredible, as you know. He has the poise. He has the ability. Now he just needs to show that he can stay healthy. He has been a starter his whole career, and he is much more valuable to the Yankees in the starting rotation. It's easier to transition back from starter to reliever. So that option will always be there, but they see his future as a starter.

[Jigeneh]

I know this, since I had him on my fantasy team last year, K-ROD had ankle issues early last season, in which he struggled on the mound a bit before he went on a tear for the record.

His ankle issues never were really 'healed', and because of his violent delivery, it never was 'cured' as needed, thus the velocity decline. Now, I worry about that too...

'Cause he has racked up a lot of innings at an early age etc.

But, considering what else is out there; Fuentes etc, I'm glad we got the best guy for terms that were very very friendly to the Mets.

Heck, I may just attend the home opener at Citi Field now. I wasn't if this team did crap in the off-season.

Oh, I didn't know that. Well, they still made the right decision with K-Rod IMO, and Putz was gravy. I don't know if it means they have concern over K-Rod's velocity or injury potential, and I doubt it, but they have a great back end of the bullpen now.

It's not an arm issue with K-Rod, so I wouldn't worry too much if I were you.

[Jigeneh]

ESPN - Source: A.J. Burnett to New York Yankees for five-years for $82.5 million

Source: Burnett, Yankees agree on deal

By Jerry Crasnick
ESPN.com

Updated: December 12, 2008, 4:57 PM ET

Free agent right-hander A.J. Burnett has reached preliminary agreement on a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the New York Yankees, a baseball source told ESPN.com.

While Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker are still negotiating final contract terms, the deal is expected to be complete once Burnett passes a physical exam, the source said.

Burnett, who turns 32 in January, will join CC Sabathia at the top of a revamped starting rotation in New York. The Yankees agreed to terms on a seven-year, $161 million contract with Sabathia earlier this week.

The Yankees made a late charge to beat out the Atlanta Braves for Burnett, who went 18-10 with a 4.07 ERA in 35 starts with Toronto this season. New York is still looking for one more starter, and Cashman left the winter meetings in Las Vegas this week to meet with long-time Yankee Andy Pettitte.

In December 2005, Braunecker and his agency, Frontline Sports Management, negotiated a five-year, $55 million deal that included an opt out clause after three seasons. It was the first opt-out provision ever in a pitcher's contract.

Between the money that Burnett earned in Toronto and the guaranteed $82.5 million that he's scheduled to receive from the Yankees, his overall payout from the 2005 Toronto contract will amount to $115.5 million over eight seasons.

I don't like the length of this contract considering his injury history, but he does have dynamite stuff.

Projected Yankee rotation as of right now is:
Sabathia
Wang
Burnett
Chamberlain
? (Hughes if no one else is signed, but it won't happen)

That 5th spot will likely be manned by either Pettitte or Sheets.

[Sonic Raider]

Heck, I may just attend the home opener at Citi Field now. I wasn't if this team did crap in the off-season.

You SHOULD, Citi Field looks really neat from what I saw.

[Sonic Raider]

Philadelphia Phillies, Raul Ibanez agree on three-year deal

The left-handed-hitting portion of the Phillies batting order, already quite imposing, is likely to become more formidable in 2009 and beyond.
The World Series champions have replaced the power of Pat Burrell with the more consistent -- and completely left-handed -- swing of free agent Raul Ibanez.

A report on ESPN.com and FOXSports.com on Friday said the Phillies have agreed to a three-year contract with Ibanez, pending his passing a physical examination. The contract, the report said, is believed to be worth $30 million.

A Phillies spokesman told MLB.com that discussions with Ibanez are ongoing, but nothing is finalized.

Ibanez, 36, is to become the Phillies' every-day left fielder, His presence eliminates the chance of Burrell, also a free agent, returning. He had drawn interest from a number of clubs -- the Mets, Cubs, Angels and Braves among them.

But, as ESPN reports, he had sent signals through friends that the Phillies were his first choice. The Phillies intensified their effort to sign him Thursday after they learned the Angels had been negotiating with Ibanez to serve as a left-handed run producer should Mark Teixeira sign elsewhere.

Phillies, Ibanez agree on three-year deal | MLB.com: News

[RaiderInNY]

Great move by the Phils.

AJ to NY -- hey, they are loading up. Liek Jig said, I don't like the length. And considering that this guy only pitches well during walk years/contract seasons, I would be leery of this guy, especially since his whole career has been a baffling injury prone tease.

He is electric. Has power. Can blow people away at times. He has a good record vs. BOS. And has pitched in the AL East. But I have a bad feeling about this one.

If you are a Yank fan though, you have to like that they are addressing the rotation and getting the best thats out there. As a fan, thats all you can ask for.

Now, if the Mets management would get off their high horse and get the guy that Minaya covets, has wanted for years and that would put us in SERIOUS World Series contention -- Manny Ramirez!!!

[Sonic Raider]

Great move by the Phils.

I agree, not only is he a consistent hitter, he is also a good clubhouse guy.

[Raiderboz]

Sorry but baseball make me want to

[Sonic Raider]

The Angels have just offered Teixeira an 8-year contract.

Let's hope this is enough to keep Teixeira in Anaheim & away from Boston, where he could be a replacement for Big Papi. After losing K-Rod to the Mets, let's not have this offseason be an offseason of losses for the Halos.

[RaiderInNY]

The Angels have just offered Teixeira an 8-year contract.

Let's hope this is enough to keep Teixeira in Anaheim & away from Boston, where he could be a replacement for Big Papi. After losing K-Rod to the Mets, let's not have this offseason be an offseason of losses for the Halos.

For Big Papi?

[Sonic Raider]

For Big Papi?

Eh, I heard Tim Kurkjian (sp) say that in case Ortiz isn't the player he is anymore, Teix would be a good replacement for him should Boston sign him.

[RaiderInNY]

Eh, I heard Tim Kurkjian (sp) say that in case Ortiz isn't the player he is anymore, Teix would be a good replacement for him should Boston sign him.

Makes no sense...

They want him to bring back the same 'fear' or 'approach' opponents had when Papi and Manny were back-to-back. That makes more sense. Plus, Tex is a + glove at 1B. Tex isnt replacing Papi now, or in the future. Papi a DH and nothing else.

Putting together with Papi and Tex is far better than what they had last year after they dealt away Manny.

Plus, it lets them move Youk to 3B, which then they will have to trade Lowell most likely...

Ortiz hasnt shown 'he isnt the player he was back then..." yet. And adding Tex will only enhance his presence in the line-up more the same way it was when Manny was there. Well, maybe not the same way, as Manny is far more feared than Tex and one of the greatest hitters of all-time.