2008-09 MLB Offseason Thread

[Sonic Raider]

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.

Don't blame me, Tim Kurkjian (sp) was the one who actually said that. I was just carrying out what he said.

[Jigeneh]

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.

Teixeira would improve the lineup from what it is now, but like you said, he won't strike fear into opposing pitchers like that lineup did when Manny was there.

Hell, I would freaking want Manny on the Yankees. Can you imagine the type of protection he'd give A-Rod? A top 4 of Damon, Jeter, A-Rod, Manny would be unbelievable. Hank "wants" Manny supposedly. There is people in the organization who are "pushing" for Ramirez. It would work, considering Nady, Matsui, and Damon are FAs after this season. Manny could conceivably be a DH/RF replacement for Abreu. I believe he would love to play for the Yankees.

It just boils down to money. Financially, how realistic is it that they can get Sabathia, Burnett, and Manny all in the same offseason? If you do get Manny, then you can live with Gardner/Melky in CF for '09. Forget Cameron in that case.

Somehow though, I just don't see it happening. I think he goes back to LA with Dodgers if I had to guess.

[Jigeneh]

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.

I pray that he stays with the Angels. Ideally, I'd love to see him go to a totally irrelevant team like the Nationals so he and the Yankees would never cross paths, but he has to be smarter than that... unfortunately.

[RaiderInNY]

Teixeira would improve the lineup from what it is now, but like you said, he won't strike fear into opposing pitchers like that lineup did when Manny was there.

Hell, I would freaking want Manny on the Yankees. Can you imagine the type of protection he'd give A-Rod? A top 4 of Damon, Jeter, A-Rod, Manny would be unbelievable. Hank "wants" Manny supposedly. There is people in the organization who are "pushing" for Ramirez. It would work, considering Nady, Matsui, and Damon are FAs after this season. Manny could conceivably be a DH/RF replacement for Abreu. I believe he would love to play for the Yankees.

It just boils down to money. Financially, how realistic is it that they can get Sabathia, Burnett, and Manny all in the same offseason? If you do get Manny, then you can live with Gardner/Melky in CF for '09. Forget Cameron in that case.

Somehow though, I just don't see it happening. I think he goes back to LA with Dodgers if I had to guess.

DREAM TEAM...shhh|t.

I can see Manny in pinstripes. And you most certainly can live with that CF combo as long as they chase down fly balls for you with that type if line-up.

WOW.

[Jigeneh]

Hot Stove Rumblings on Cameron, Pettitte and Manny - Bats Blog - NYTimes.com

December 15, 2008, 8:10 pm
Hot Stove Rumblings on Cameron, Pettitte and Manny
By Tyler Kepner

In talking Monday to some people involved in a potential deal, I get the feeling the Yankees are backing away from a potential Melky Cabrera-for-Mike Cameron trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, at least for now. The Yankees’ main question is baseball-related, not financial.

We know they do not value Cameron at $10 million, which is why they wanted the Brewers to include some money — or take on Kei Igawa — to make the deal happen. Now that a fair deal seems to be in place, the question is whether it makes baseball sense.

I’m not sure it does. If the Yankees add Cameron, he would bat in the bottom third of the order. Presumably, Nick Swisher will be there, too. Those two hitters are good for a combined 300 strikeouts a season.

I hope the Yankees realize that they must get a legitimate bat to protect A-Rod.

[RaiderInNY]

The more Manny stays out in the FA market, the more of a reality it will be for both NY teams - with the Yanks being more of a landing spot due to the money they can offer and other variables. Minaya will have his eyes on the situation, but it will take a lot of convincing on his side to get ownership to spend a lil' bit more and bring in a guy yhe Wilpons are not too enthused with.

Mets need to limiting themselves and operating like a smalll market club. I know...that sounds dumb considering their payroll the lst 5-6 years and how much they spend. BUt they have too many constraints. And yes, I know the Yanks are a powerhouse with their network etc., but c'mon, if your a Mets fan, it has to drive you nuts.

[Jigeneh]

The more Manny stays out in the FA market, the more of a reality it will be for both NY teams - with the Yanks being more of a landing spot due to the money they can offer and other variables. Minaya will have his eyes on the situation, but it will take a lot of convincing on his side to get ownership to spend a lil' bit more and bring in a guy yhe Wilpons are not too enthused with.

Mets need to limiting themselves and operating like a smalll market club. I know...that sounds dumb considering their payroll the lst 5-6 years and how much they spend. BUt they have too many constraints. And yes, I know the Yanks are a powerhouse with their network etc., but c'mon, if your a Mets fan, it has to drive you nuts.

I agree. Both NY teams should be interested in this guy. He would be a fit for either team. Are they? I don't know.

I thought the best fit for the Yankees this offseason was Mark Teixeira, but I could definitely live with Manny for 3 at the most. Shoot, he's a better hitter than Teixeira anyway.

[Jigeneh]

MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

Manny Ramirez Rumors: Tuesday
By Tim Dierkes [December 16 at 12:14pm CST]

SI.com's Jon Heyman says the Yankees aren't optimistic about signing Mark Teixeira, and "seem ready to pounce for Manny Ramirez." He says the Yankees "love the idea of Manny."

Heyman notes that Teixeira signing with the Red Sox would be ideal for Manny and Scott Boras, since Boston is not a possibility for Ramirez. The Angels might have heightened interest in Manny if they are unable to sign Tex.

You know, Heyman is the only person in the world who seems adamant about the Yankees interest in Manny being serious. If the Yankees, Angels, and Mets all had similar offers, I wonder who he'd prefer. The thing is, if the Angels don't re-sign Teixeira, which is looking increasingly likely, then I can see them giving Manny a desperation offer. And again, what the hell are the Dodgers doing?

[RaiderInNY]

MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com



You know, Heyman is the only person in the world who seems adamant about the Yankees interest in Manny being serious. If the Yankees, Angels, and Mets all had similar offers, I wonder who he'd prefer. The thing is, if the Angels don't re-sign Teixeira, which is looking increasingly likely, then I can see them giving Manny a desperation offer. And again, what the hell are the Dodgers doing?

Dude, why wouldnt he want to come to NY? He tried the LA thing with the Dodgers, he was in BOS, was in CLEV -- time to play for the home town team. And if that is the case, considering he can DH, get back at BOS and the money - advantage Yanks!

But I agree, if they can't get Tex, Angels would be FOOLISH not to get/offer a kings ransom to Manny. And that would make an interesting battle between Yanks and ANA. The Angels would need him more...

[Jigeneh]

The Teixeira sweepstakes are just as annoying as the Sabathia speculation for weeks. Looks like it's Boston due to higher AAV, no Baltimore cuz of the mutual attraction, no Washington cuz their willing to go 10 years, back to Boston cuz they have a chance to win, Angels have no chance cuz they are a west coast team and he adores the east coast, Teix, bid, Angel west, Sox win, Baltimore home, bull ****, bull ****, bull ****...

Umm, wherever he goes, he is going to be a tad overpaid. That's about the only thing we know for sure. He's not A-Rod. Hell, since the Yankees felt the need to overpay Sabathia and Burnett, why all of a sudden become frugal with the guy who is the least risky of the three? Not even an offer!? What?

[Jigeneh]

Man some weird stuff has happened to the Braves this offseason. Frontrunners for Peavy, and that ship has seemingly sailed, Burnett blew them off for the Yankees, and now Furcal blew them off in a screwy way for the Dodgers.

Evidently Furcal blew the A's off twice, with their latest offer at 4 years/$40M and signs with the Dodgers for 3 years/$30M. Same AAV, one less year. I guess he liked LA.

[RaiderInNY]

Man some weird stuff has happened to the Braves this offseason. Frontrunners for Peavy, and that ship has seemingly sailed, Burnett blew them off for the Yankees, and now Furcal blew them off in a screwy way for the Dodgers.

Evidently Furcal blew the A's off twice, with their latest offer at 4 years/$40M and signs with the Dodgers for 3 years/$30M. Same AAV, one less year. I guess he liked LA.

As a Mets fan....you know how I feel about it. F-'em. Especially since they have a nice farm system, they develop talent and regardless of situation, they can torment the Mets with the best of them.

Hey Jig, happy holidays man. It seems like we are the only ones that consistently enjoy the baseball banter...lol.

Where in NY are you again?

[Jigeneh]

Henry: 'We are not going to be a factor' for Teixeira - Extra Bases - Red Sox blog

Henry: 'We are not going to be a factor' for Teixeira
Posted by Adam Kilgore, Globe Staff December 18, 2008 10:46 PM

Red Sox owner John Henry just e-mailed several media members with a stunning twist in the team's pursuit of free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira.

Henry's words: "We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him. After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor."

Earlier tonight, multiple news outlets reported the Red Sox had traveled to Texas to meet with Teixeira and his agent, Scott Boras, in the hopes of trying to finalize a deal. WCVB-TV Channel 5 reported that the Red Sox had offered Teixeira an eight-year deal worth $184 million (an average of $23 million per season).

Five teams have been in the hunt for Teixeira to some extent -- the Sox, Angels, Yankees, Orioles, and Nationals -- and all indications had been pointing to the Red Sox as the frontrunners.

What!? I am not sure how it goes from a deal being in the final stages to "we're not going to be a factor." Where is this guy going? Washington? Back to the Angels? I refuse to count Boston out completely yet though.

It's on mlbtraderumors.com, as well as other articles.

[Jigeneh]

As a Mets fan....you know how I feel about it. F-'em. Especially since they have a nice farm system, they develop talent and regardless of situation, they can torment the Mets with the best of them.

Hey Jig, happy holidays man. It seems like we are the only ones that consistently enjoy the baseball banter...lol.

Where in NY are you again?

Thanks man. Happy holidays to you too. I love baseball talk man. Even in the heart of football season. I guess it helps that our team is out of the playoff hunt by week 4 too. The Raiders sure as hell don't provide any entertainment, so I gotta keep my interest in sports up somehow. I think it's safe to say that both the Yankees and Mets FA period is significantly more entertaining than Raiders football. And sad...

I'm in LI. You? I'm guessing Queens (only way you became a Mutts fan).

[Sonic Raider]

Well RaiderInNY, looks like you're gonna get your wish, Teixeira is going to the HATED Red Sox. As an Angels fan, it really pisses me off. That dude is a pure hitting machine.