Baseball offseason, let's get ready for 2014.

[rumpleforeskiin]

Interesting. It seems that there were more $100,000,000 players on the 2013 NY Yankees, who, if you remember, sucked, than there have been in the history of the NFL.

Nine men in NFL history have earned $100 million in salary, fewer than were on the 2013 Yankees payroll

The NFL is the most popular and most violent sport in America, the one with the shortest average career and the least secure contracts.

Most players never see a majority of the large-figure deals that are signed, because they aren't fully guaranteed like Major League Baseball or NBA contracts. That's how you end up with a crazy stat like this:

According to a study by Colleen Carey of Wall St. Cheat Sheet, who counted down the top 10 career NFL salary earners, there are just nine players in NFL history who have pocketed $100 million to date. There were 10 players on the 2013 New York Yankees' payroll who have either made $100 million in their careers, or had contracts guaranteed to pay them that.

The Yankees list of $100 million men? Alex Rodriguez, Vernon Wells, Mark Teixeira, C.C. Sabathia, Alfonso Soriano, Derek Jeter, Ichiro Suzuki, Andy Pettitte, Mariano Rivera and A.J. Burnett (according to Baseball Prospectus, $8.5 million of his 2013 salary was paid by the Yankees even though he was with the Pirates, and yes, Burnett is well over $100 million in his career). Catcher Brian McCann went over the $100 million mark when he signed an $85 million deal with the Yankees this offseason, and Yankees free agents Curtis Granderson and Robinson Cano will enter the club this offseason.

The NFL list compiled by Carey has Richard Seymour, a former defensive lineman for the Patriots and Raiders, checking in at 10th on the list at $99.6 million. Champ Bailey, the longtime cornerback of the Redskins and Broncos, comes in at 9th at $103.3 million.

 

[Doc Holliday]

MLB releases drug report: Adderall use skyrocketing among ballplayers

Adderall use skyrocketing in MLB

As i suspected. The drug is great in order to enhance concentration. I once tried it pror to an exam and wound up with a 93% average. The 2nd-highest mark was 81%. I can just imagine its benefits for hitters, and even pitchers. But will there be a way to get the drug banned since many people need it just to be able to cope with their complicated lives?

 

[Doc Holliday]

Phil Hughes is a Twin

Phil Hughes just signed a 3-year, $24 million contract with the Minnesota Twins.

 

[Doc Holliday]

A.J. Pierzynski signs with.....................

Get ready for this........

Ready???

THE BOSTON RED SOX !!!!!!!

Congratulations to the Red Sox on winning the bidding war for the polarizing A.J. Pierzynski. :thumb:

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Great move in signing Pierzynski. It's a one year deal and, as we know, one year deals are rarely a mistake. With Swihart ready by 2015 and Vazquez ready by mid-2014, the Sox have AJ and Ross holding their places.

His only real blemish as a performer is that he doesn't see enough pitches and his OBP flirts with .300. Rumors of his being a clubhouse cancer have long since been debunked, though I'm sure Doc Holliday still believes them. It is true, however, that he's a fierce competitor quite unloved by other his opponents.

From Twitter:
"Bob Nightengale ‏@BNightengale 7m
AJ Pierznyski joins #RedSox on one year deal as @JonHeymanCBS reported, and despite reputation, former teammates absolutely love him."

 

[Doc Holliday]

I actually do like the Piersinzski signing. But i figured he would have been a better fit with the Yankees.

I am surprised he was only able to get a one-year contract, which shows that practically no one else wanted him.

But it doesn't hide the fact that the Red Sox have now surpassed the Yankees as 'the most hated team in baseball.'

 

[EagerBeaver]

Pierzinski is 37 years old which is why he only got a year. How many every day 37 year old catchers do you see out there? He is ready to start breaking down. When you catch every day and you hit 37, time is not on your side.

 

[Joe.t]

Good point as usual Beav, you have to ask yourself is this the year that Piersinzski's body turns into a a corpse.

 

[smuler]

Phil Hughes is a Twin

Phil Hughes just signed a 3-year, $24 million contract with the Minnesota Twins.

He can join Met reject Mike Pelfrey


Best Regards

Smuler

 

[Special K]

Good point as usual Beav, you have to ask yourself is this the year that Piersinzski's body turns into a a corpse?.

He'll be platooning with the very apt David Ross behind the plate. A nice upgrade in defense from Salty but I'm still not sold on his team chemistry factor.

 

[Doc Holliday]

The problem with Piersinzki isn't really his age or durability. It's the fact he's a well-known 'cancer' in any clubhouse he's been in. He's perceived to be a f#$*# a-hole among many fellow major leaguers who've often named him in polls as being the most hated player in the majors.

It must be disappointing to a very good player like he is that no one else in the entire major leagues wants anything to do with him. But who knows. Maybe he can use this as motivation to have a very productive year for the Sox and surprise everyone in being a good teammate.

p.s. Maybe the Sox would have been better off to sign J.P. Arencibia.

 

[EagerBeaver]

I don't think you can use a pure platoon at the catcher position. For example if there is a doubleheader against two right-handed pitchers you can't have the lefthanded hitting catcher starting both games, especially if he is 37 years old. Most teams employ a regular and backup catcher system, and good backup catchers play about as much as a good backup hockey goalie- which is up to 25% of the games. I would think Pierzinski needs to start around 115 games or so, otherwise the Red Sox are not getting their money's worth. But chances of him missing time due to injury are high, meaning you need a 3rd backup type catcher who will not embarrass you.

The Yankees had a situation last year where due to an injury to the starting catcher (Cervilli) they were forced to use two backup type catchers and Joe Girardi gave most of the starts to Chris Stewart, who is a career backup who sucks as a hitter but is a solid defensive catcher. Girardi was accused of overplaying Stewart especially the last month of the season, which was probably the only legitimate criticism that could be levied at him for what he had to play with last year.

 

[Joe.t]

In the opinion of many(including mine), the Blue Jays made a upgrade at the catching position.

http://tipofthetower.com/2013/12/02/report-blue-jays-sign-catcher-dioner-navarro/

 

[Special K]

So is Jacoby Ellsbury worth $153M over 7 years that the Yankees have signed him for? This'll be interesting!

 

[Joe.t]

This is a fantastic signing, Ellsbury at 30 is hitting his baseball prime, I predict that he will not turn into a Carl Crawford.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2...t-with-free-agent-outfielder-jacoby-ellsbury/


Salty signs with the Marlins.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2...saltalamacchia-to-three-year-21-million-deal/

 

[lgna69xxx]

Wow! Joe told me after the season that Ellsbury would be a Yankee in 2014 and i told him he was full of it! Mr.T i will never doubt you again amigo! Great Signing Cashman and the NYY.

 

[EagerBeaver]

It suggests Cano might be gone. To be honest I am not a fan of Ellsbury. In 7 major league seasons, during his 20s, he played in 150 or more games twice. He is one of these less than durable players who can go on the DL and end up getting paid for nursing his wounds. I hope he proves me wrong. If he is healthy then he and Gardner could provide a lot of speed at the top of the lineup, and good outfield defense. I would also expect him to pop 25 homers a year if he can stay healthy.

 

[Special K]

It suggests Cano might be gone. To be honest I am not a fan of Ellsbury. In 7 major league seasons, during his 20s, he played in 150 or more games twice. He is one of these less than durable players who can go on the DL and end up getting paid for nursing his wounds. I hope he proves me wrong. If he is healthy then he and Gardner could provide a lot of speed at the top of the lineup, and good outfield defense. I would also expect him to pop 25 homers a year if he can stay healthy.

Somebody that actually gets it. I wouldn't expect 25 homers a year from him but hitting in that sandlot in the Bronx will definitely be beneficial. Look what it did for Granderson. More than $21M/year for a fragile piece of glass. My opinion, another signing the Yanks will sorely regret. Oh and bye bye Robbie!!

 

[EagerBeaver]

Yahoo is reporting that the Yankees are not done, that A-Rod's suspension will stand or they believe it will stand for next year, and the money freed up will be used to sign one of Cano or Choo as well as a starting pitcher such as Tanaka. Regarding Choo, he had an outrageous OBP last year that was way over his career average and well timed for the dude financially. I would obviously prefer Cano to Choo, but if you couple one of those two with Ellsbury, McCann, the returning Teixeira and Jeter at DH, it is not a light hitting team, especially when you throw in role players like Gardner and Ichiro who facilitate an offense. It is a nice mix of pesky players and gamers.

 

[lgna69xxx]

If he stays healthy he can be the perfect fit for the Empire. Just remember, anyone can get hurt at anytime on ANY team. A Gardner/Ellsbury/Ichiro outfield is def better than a Grandy/Gardner/Ichiro one. Grandy is a good ballplayer but only provides power as he never seems to hit for avg anymore and is not on base enuf for the others to drive him in and Jacoby gets on base and will steal 40 plus bases per season for the next 3-4 years easily and benefit from that right field porch at the plate. Good Stuff..... always hated as a red sox but once you put on the pinstripes you become a true baseball player. Welcome to the good guys Jacoby! :thumb:

It suggests Cano might be gone. To be honest I am not a fan of Ellsbury. In 7 major league seasons, during his 20s, he played in 150 or more games twice. He is one of these less than durable players who can go on the DL and end up getting paid for nursing his wounds. I hope he proves me wrong. If he is healthy then he and Gardner could provide a lot of speed at the top of the lineup, and good outfield defense.