Alright, Chuckles is leading today off with some questions in the forums:
Alright wolvie…time to start asking questions.
How are the interviews coming?
I’m going to be doing the interviews shortly after I finish the HOF special I’m working on (which I am putting the finishing touches on now).
The Twins offered Hunter 3-45 million at the end of the year, he’s looking for 5 years, so my logic rolls like this…if we add 1 and 5 to make it 4 years, 50 million, do you think that would be enough for Hunter to stay, or if not, everyone else seems to be down on Andruw, would that maybe be enough for Jones?
I see Hunter ending up closer to home: the Texas Rangers. I think he’ll keep saying Minnesota is in it, but they really aren’t. My next too guesses are the White Sox (if they don’t trade for Damon) and the Nationals.
Any chance everyone says “Ya know what…screw you Boras…we’re not giving A-Rod anything”?
I think this will be the same thing as last year’s “Maybe the owners will agree not to sign Bonds so he can’t break Aaron’s record.†Someone will pay A-Rod what he wants, if not more – the teams can make so much more off of him than by not paying him. Look at Bonds; the team made a killing at home and every game on the road had a spike in attendance.
News
– John Russell was named the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Russell was their third base coach 2 years ago, but was let go with the whole staff after Lloyd McClendon was fired. The leading candidate was John Farrell, pitching coach for the Red Sox; Farrell withdrew his name last week, wanting to stay in Boston.
– Sammy Sosa has said that he wants a $7 mil contract for next season. While I don’t think he deserves it, he’ll probably get some team to pay that; he only hit .252 last season in a part time role.
– The first GM meetings of the off-season are about to begin. Topics of discussion are expected to be A-Rod, trades, and instant replay.
Rumors
– The Orioles have turned around on their belief that Erik Bedard is un-touchable; they have now said they will listen to offers for the pitcher. They will be looking for elite talent from the loser of the Johan Santana sweepstakes. It a fair assessment for him; he’s as good as Santana, but younger and cheaper. Look for Miguel Tejada’s name to come up also.
– In other names that are surprising to be on the market, the D-Rays have said they’ll listen to offers for Scott Kazmir. Kazmir has 3 years until free agency (compared to 2 for Bedard and 1 for Santana) and will only be moved for a young stud pitcher (Hughes, Gallardo, etc.).
– The Damon for Crede talk is really starting to spread. The Yanks will have to eat some money, but it addresses third base while clearing out an OF spot. The White Sox needs a center fielder, and Damon’s numbers should benefit from the move.
– Names for the Padres center field opening include: Mike Cameron (he will be offered arbitration), Coco Crisp, Felix Pie, Reggie Willits, Nathan Haynes, Tony Gwynn Jr, David DeJesus, Andruw Jones. They are also thinking about Geoff Jenkins as a platoon mate for Scott Hairston and David Eckstein for second base.
– Word is the Mitchell Report could be released soon, as a way to limit spending this off-season. Many teams would be wary to trade for or sign a name associated with the list, i.e. Tejada.
Arizona Fall League
Here are the current standings as the league is hitting the home stretch. Note that the normal AFL teams are playing the USA and China National teams; this is a warm-up for these 2 for next years Olympic Games.
For league info, click here
Transactions
Declared Free Agency:
Josh Fogg, Keith Foulke, Ryan Klesko, Mike Matheny, Doug Mirabelli, Kaz Matsui, Mark Redman, John Thomson, Brett Tomko.
Option Declined – Now a Free Agent:
Cliff Floyd, Jose Guillen, LaTroy Hawkins, Geoff Jenkins, Rob Mackowiak, Chris Reitsma, Steve Trachsel.
Option Exercised:
Bobby Abreu, Julian Tavarez, Tim Wakefield, Daryle Ward.
Re-signed by Current Team:
Matt Stairs.
Refused Minor League Assignment – Now a Free Agent:
Kevin Cash.
Acquired off Waivers:
Colby Lewis by Kansas City from Oakland.
Look at this
The Hardball Times ranks the last 25 post-seasons. This year ranked #23. What do you guys think of the list? Which ones need to be changed? Post comments below.
