MLB Offseason Thread

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 7:28 am

Timmay gets 2/35. Seems like a lot, but I guess being a two time Cy Young has its benefits in the market. And I guess the compromise was the two year part.

howard · Post by **howard** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 7:46 am

This news made me very happy last night. It would be difficult to see Timmay in another uniform at this point.

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Wed Oct 23, 2013 9:13 am

howard wrote:This news made me very happy last night. It would be difficult to see Timmay in another uniform at this point.

I prefer seeing him in any NL uniform that doesn't say Pittsburgh on it.

kranepool · Post by **kranepool** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 6:24 am

West Haven ‘recluse’ charged for Twitter threats against Mets

Described in the warrant by John and Margaret Leroux as a “recluse for over twenty (20+) years, having left their home on only a handful of occasions,” Aryn Leroux defended his tweets as jokes, and that he targeted Turner as a “punching bag, a weak player.”

Heh. Mommy's basemunt.

Post by **Sabo** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 8:21 am

Reds batboy gets his own Topps baseball card.

kranepool · Post by **kranepool** » Thu Oct 24, 2013 12:40 pm

That is awesome.

Post by **Sabo** » Thu Oct 31, 2013 3:24 pm

The Indians released closer Chris Perez and re-signed Jason Giambi.

Scottie · Post by **Scottie** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 1:35 pm

Twelve Finalists Comprise Expansion Era Ballot For Hall of Fame Consideration in 2014

Dave Concepcion, Bobby Cox, Steve Garvey, Tommy John, Tony La Russa, Billy Martin, Marvin Miller, Dave Parker, Dan Quisenberry, Ted Simmons, George Steinbrenner, Joe Torre are the candidates that will be considered by the electorate. Any candidate who earns votes on 75% of ballots cast will earn election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and will be inducted on Sunday, July 27, 2014 in Cooperstown, N.Y. Results of the Expansion Era vote will be announced on Monday, December 9 at 10 a.m. ET from the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla.

Per that link, there are 16 voters and a candidate needs to show up on 75% of the ballots. But nowhere does it say how many names a voter can put on a ballot. In BBWAA "regular" HoF voting it is "up to ten" names.

Digging deeper at the HOF site, a voter can choose between zero and five names.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 1:47 pm

La Russa, Torre, Steinbrenner, Cox,Miller.

howard · Post by **howard** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 2:19 pm

Concepción.

I think had he come along just a few years earlier, before Cal Ripkin ushered in the era of the slugger shortstop, he would've been an easy entry. Having Ozzie Smith overshadow his great glove didn't help. But the dude was the best fielder of his era not named Mark Belanger; eight gold gloves in nine seasons (they gave it to Bowa one year). Hit well enough, a couple of silver sluggers and a couple other years he batted >.300; same career average as Bench. Pure slappy, though. If Doggy is in, Concepcion should be in.

I'd like to see Quiz; isn't a six year run as the best closer enough?

Miller of course. No to Steinbrenner. The rest I don't feel that strongly about (well, Garvey a no, but that should be obvious).

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 2:43 pm

I think if you put Miller in you have to put Steinbrenner in as people who helped shape the game.

I have a concepcion soft spot, but I guess it's just too crowded a ballot.

howard · Post by **howard** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 2:56 pm

How did Steinbrenner shape the game?

He had more money than anyone else, and he spent it. Same as Ruppert and O'Malley.

His most important contribution to the success of his team--not firing Torre when Joe stood up to him in his first season. Then staying the fuck out of the way as the baseball people made best use of his cash, as opposed to the years he actively mis-allocated his money.

Like so many other New York characters, the image is bigger than the reality (imo).

I don't mean to ignore his positives as a person. He learned (finally) and grew. He was incredibly charitable, and for all his love of attention and publicity, was adamant at hiding knowledge of his charity.

But I don't see what kind of mark he made on the game, beyond his big loud personality and longevity. Visionary owners/executives do things like develop the modern farm system, mine new lands for talent, promote their teams in novel and lasting ways, or finance their own ballparks in an era of conning governments to build for you.

Scottie · Post by **Scottie** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:01 pm

LaRussa, Torre, Concepcion, Cox, and absolutely Billy Martin.

Post by **brian** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:06 pm

AB_skin_test wrote:La Russa, Torre, Steinbrenner, Cox,Miller.

Yup. This.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:09 pm

howard wrote:How did Steinbrenner shape the game?

He had more money than anyone else, and he spent it. Same as Ruppert and O'Malley.

What is this, some kinda stupid ass quiz where you answer your own questions?

I could be talked out of Steinbrenner I suppose, but if it's a Hall of Fame, I think he merits inclusion over those others. I don't see Billy Martin as a HOF'er as a player or manager nor as a sum of the two.

howard · Post by **howard** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:22 pm

AB_skin_test wrote:What is this, some kinda stupid ass quiz where you answer your own questions?

I could be talked out of Steinbrenner I suppose, but if it's a Hall of Fame, I think he merits inclusion over those others. I don't see Billy Martin as a HOF'er as a player or manager nor as a sum of the two.

It is kinda rude of me to counter your case before you've had a chance to state it. Sorry.

If you compile the positives, you have a good case for Steinbrenner. It is the negatives that imo negates his place. I don't mean as a Rose-esque punishment; only that he did plenty that was negative for baseball. This should count just as Quissenbury's and Tommy John's many mediocre seasons count against them.

The big spending in the 70s to build the first championship team was not an innovation; someone was bound to do it, and if other owners had more money (Williams in Baltimore, Croc in San Diego), they would've. It's not like George dipped into his own non-baseball fortune to pay Reggie's contract. I don't give him as much credit as do others for being 'the first to spend huge on free agents'.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:34 pm

Yeah and if Jackie Robinson hadn't been the first black....nah, I'm just fuckin' with you now.

howard · Post by **howard** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:41 pm

AB_skin_test wrote:Yeah and if Jackie Robinson hadn't been the first black....nah, I'm just fuckin' with you now.

That is funny, but it also makes a point. Jackie Robinson is revered because of the way he was the first. The class, style and grace. Not words that would come to mind in describing the George of the late 70s.

The best thing I can say about Steinbrenner--had he conducted himself in his first decade as owner of the Yankees with the class and style he displayed in his final decade of active involvement with the team, he would be deserving.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 3:45 pm

howard wrote:
AB_skin_test wrote:Yeah and if Jackie Robinson hadn't been the first black....nah, I'm just fuckin' with you now.
That is funny, but it also makes a point. Jackie Robinson is revered because of the way he was the first. The class, style and grace. Not words that would come to mind in describing the George of the late 70s.

The best thing I can say about Steinbrenner--had he conducted himself in his first decade as owner of the Yankees with the class and style he displayed in his final decade of active involvement with the team, he would be deserving.

Career .311 don't hurt!

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Tue Nov 05, 2013 4:19 pm

I think George and Billy have to go in together, just to recognize their old Miller Lite commercials.

Strange ballot. Only half of the people are there because of their playing fame. And that includes Tommy John, who is more famous for his elbow.

Though I guess Joe Torre has points in both columns. Career 129 OPS+, not bad for a catcher.

Post by **Sabo** » Fri Nov 08, 2013 10:36 am

This seems to be an odd signing.

Reds, Brayan Pena agree on a two-year contract, according to ESPNDeportes.

I wouldn't classify catcher as a weak spot for the Reds, so that's why it seems odd to me.

A_B · Post by **A_B** » Fri Nov 08, 2013 10:58 am

I would think Mesoraco will be #1, this is to be his backup with hopefully less nagging injuries.

Post by **brian** » Fri Nov 08, 2013 11:06 am

Sabo wrote:This seems to be an odd signing.

Reds, Brayan Pena agree on a two-year contract, according to ESPNDeportes.

I wouldn't classify catcher as a weak spot for the Reds, so that's why it seems odd to me.

Pena's a really good backup catcher though. I was a little upset the Tigers didn't try to re-sign him. Good clubhouse guy too.

Post by **Sabo** » Fri Nov 08, 2013 11:12 am

From what I'm reading on Twitter, the Reds are either going to non-tender or trade Ryan Hanigan (both the Rays and Yankees were mentioned as possible trade partners). I know he can't hit but he's a damn good defensive catcher who calls games very well.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 6:47 pm

Rumblings around here are the Phillies are interested in Jose Bautista. Rumoured to be Dominic Brown + others.

Also multiple teams interested in JP Arencibia. Multiple teams interested in that crap catcher? Jays need to pull the trigger fast.

Scottie · Post by **Scottie** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 7:06 pm

degenerasian wrote:Rumoured to be Dominic Brown + others.

The others better be a couple of all-stars. Why the hell would Philly part with Brown anyway? This whole rumor raises numerous questions; not the least of which is "Is Anthropoloponyous trying to get fired?" Claiming to be "going for it" as far as building a contender goes is more than a bit undermined by trading the team's best, possibly only good, player. Well, there's Encarnacion, too, but no matter how you slice it that team is damn thin.

ETA: Yes, Arencibia, yes, please someone anyone does not matter who, take him!

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 7:35 pm

Scottie wrote:
degenerasian wrote:Rumoured to be Dominic Brown + others.
The others better be a couple of all-stars. Why the hell would Philly part with Brown anyway? This whole rumor raises numerous questions; not the least of which is "Is Anthropoloponyous trying to get fired?" Claiming to be "going for it" as far as building a contender goes is more than a bit undermined by trading the team's best, possibly only good, player. Well, there's Encarnacion, too, but no matter how you slice it that team is damn thin.

ETA: Yes, Arencibia, yes, please someone anyone does not matter who, take him!

Perhaps trading bautista now would be selling high before he crashes. Plus attitude of slamming bats and arguing with umps is wearing thin.

Scottie · Post by **Scottie** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 7:45 pm

Unless the Jays know something the rest of the world doesn't (testing, testing) then it has to be just a rumour and nothing more. Bautista still has three years at least left on his contract, right? Yeah, maybe they want a pile of younger guys. After all, that huge trade with Miami worked out brilliantly, right? Errr . . . well, not really.

That had to be the highlight of the Jays year. Remember this? During some league meetings in Toronto, a Marlins representative pulls up to a hotel in Toronto, trunk pops on the ride, bellhop sees all the Marlins logos on the luggage and asks "Are you here to take your players back? Because you can have them."

Scottie · Post by **Scottie** » Wed Nov 13, 2013 8:09 pm

By the way . . . that's three straight years now that the Jays have led the entire Majors in number of pitchers used per season. And it's been 30 or more each year. They're also in the top one or two or three each of those years in total number of batters used throughout the season; typically they are in the mid-50s. And that means they approach 90 players on the roster coming and going during a season. Not exactly what you'd call stable.

Post by **brian** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 6:24 pm

Miguel Cabrera wins second straight MVP.

rass · Post by **rass** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 7:01 pm

Andrew McCutchen wins his first, but is just happy to be mentioned in the same thread as the great Miguel Cabrera.

Post by **brian** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 7:03 pm

rass wrote:Andrew McCutchen wins his first, but is just happy to be mentioned in the same thread as the great Miguel Cabrera.

Mr. D would be happy to remind you that Cabrera should have 0 MVPs.

rass · Post by **rass** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 7:08 pm

I assume he's come around and we can take his silence as an affirmation of the collective wisdom of the BBWA.

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Thu Nov 14, 2013 7:27 pm

brian wrote:
rass wrote:Andrew McCutchen wins his first, but is just happy to be mentioned in the same thread as the great Miguel Cabrera.
Mr. D would be happy to remind you that Cabrera should have 0 MVPs.

He's not the only one.

Cabrera was even better this year but faced a more difficult test because he didn't lead the league in three arbitrary categories like last season.

(jk about 0, I would have voted for him this season)

Trout was also sneakily better at the plate this year, but he started slow defensively and he needs to be awesome on both ends to touch Cabrera's batting value.

Scottie · Post by **Scottie** » Fri Nov 15, 2013 2:58 pm

Los Angeles Dodgers turnover since 1950:

howard · Post by **howard** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 6:03 pm

Tim Hudson, San Francisco Giants close in on deal
Two years, $23 million, 38 years old. My oh my.
Eh, he still strikes people out, fly-ball pitcher in our ballpark, I suppose it could be worse.

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 6:07 pm

You've already seen worse. He immediately becomes their best Tim.

Bensell · Post by **Bensell** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 7:26 pm

Scottie wrote:Twelve Finalists Comprise Expansion Era Ballot For Hall of Fame Consideration in 2014

Dave Concepcion, Bobby Cox, Steve Garvey, Tommy John, Tony La Russa, Billy Martin, Marvin Miller, Dave Parker, Dan Quisenberry, Ted Simmons, George Steinbrenner, Joe Torre are the candidates that will be considered by the electorate. Any candidate who earns votes on 75% of ballots cast will earn election to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and will be inducted on Sunday, July 27, 2014 in Cooperstown, N.Y. Results of the Expansion Era vote will be announced on Monday, December 9 at 10 a.m. ET from the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla.

Per that link, there are 16 voters and a candidate needs to show up on 75% of the ballots. But nowhere does it say how many names a voter can put on a ballot. In BBWAA "regular" HoF voting it is "up to ten" names.

Digging deeper at the HOF site, a voter can choose between zero and five names.

Late to the thread but I would vote Concepcion, Torre, Miller and despite my hatred of him La Russa.

And everything I've heard from the Reds front is that Hanigan is gone. Which is a shame as I love me some Greasy.

howard · Post by **howard** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 8:52 pm

I really liked Ted Simmons, but I just can't make a case for him. Not enough power, not a good enough fielder, too easy to steal offof.

Brontoburglar · Post by **Brontoburglar** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 10:32 pm

howard wrote:Tim Hudson, San Francisco Giants close in on deal
Two years, $23 million, 38 years old. My oh my.
Eh, he still strikes people out, fly-ball pitcher in our ballpark, I suppose it could be worse.

I wonder how strongly he wanted to stay in the National League (my guess is that was the deciding factor. I also haven't had time to read anything on it today either) I figured the Royals would have a shot at him if he was willing to switch leagues. That's in their price range, a good setup for the future arms when they'll be ready, and the Royals' defense and HR prevention friendly stadium.