Winter Blues: 2012 Official Offseason Baseball Thread

[Doc Holliday]

Quite true, Iggy. Pettite did pitch very well in his half season last year. However, he'll be 42 next year, and will he have the stamina to last an entire season?

I do agree with the signing, don't get me wrong. Same with Kuroda's. But i think in the case of Pettite, they didn't have to overpay him since they were in the driver's seat, while Kuroda was likely to sign with a west coast team in order to be closer to his kids.

 

[lgna69xxx]

I really dont think he was overpaid, he got fair market value, even at his age, same for when Mariano signs for about the same. If you are still at the top of your game why would they discriminate because of age? They will make the 12 mil up in no time, in fact they probably already have with Pettitte tshirts and other stuff already sold in the last 24 hours worldwide lol. Besides like i said he was a bargain at 2.5 mil last season and pitched like a 20mil dollar pitcher.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I really dont think he was overpaid, he got fair market value, even at his age, same for when Mariano signs for about the same. If you are still at the top of your game why would they discriminate because of age?

Why? Because at his age, his body is very likely to break down & his season will be shortened.

Unless, of course, he's still taking steroids or HGH, which would help in his recovery between starts. I'm being serious when i say this, since as you know, i'm a pro-steroid/HGH guy & believe there's nothing wrong with them as long as they are not abused & that they are used properly. Nothing wrong with feeling like a 25-year old when you're in your 40's, right? I also see nothing wrong with being bigger & stronger if that's what someone wants & it's his money that he's using to 'enhance' himself.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

However, here is what i also found in relation to Mr. Henry's current financial problems:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...enrys-financial-problems-mean-for-the-red-sox

The article is quite misleading. The fact that the assets have declined from 2.5 B to 100M, doesn't mean that the money has been lost. Also, most of the money wasn't Henry's, but money that was managed by his firm for others. I imagine that some accounts have reduced their assets.

Also consider that Henry himself had to divest himself of considerable assets in order to buy the Sox, the Liverpool team, the race car, etc. My guess is that his personal assets have actually gone up as the value of the Sox has risen immensely since he bought the team. He also needs to protect the asset by spending on the roster.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

If he would have been open to going elsewhere he likely would have got at least the same but probably another mil or 2.

YES!!!! I'm proud of you, iggy my boy. Finally!! You'll get off the short bus yet!!

If he would have been open to going elsewhere he likely would have got at least the same but probably another mil or 2.

Well, maybe not quite yet, but we're getting somewhere.

I have no problem myself with Pettitte's salary. The Yankees have much, much bigger problems than that. The Yankees figure to have six key players in their late 30s or older next year. That's a recipe for disaster.

 

[Joe.t]

I really dont think he was overpaid, he got fair market value, even at his age, same for when Mariano signs for about the same. If you are still at the top of your game why would they discriminate because of age? They will make the 12 mil up in no time, in fact they probably already have with Pettitte tshirts and other stuff already sold in the last 24 hours worldwide lol. Besides like i said he was a bargain at 2.5 mil last season and pitched like a 20mil dollar pitcher.

Actually who cares what they paid for Pettitte, if the Yankees get 15 wins and a sub 4.00 ERA it will be considered a steal considering his advanced age, John Lackey he is not, he will fill out the rotation nicely.

BTW- Like always iggy your posts in the BB thread are bang on and like a breath of fresh air, I hope you never stop posting, if you do I will pay you to submit your expert BB posts to me personally as I always find them a good read, consider it like a subscription to your baseball newsletter.:thumb:

 

[lgna69xxx]

Nice to see you preparing your "Crow Dinner" for early October 2013 lol... you never learn and please dont ever stop trying to do so :lol: Your band of misfits should be re located to an easier division so you'd have some form of hope for next season.


Russell Martin signs with the Pirates for 17mil over 2 years, nice payday and i'm very happy for him.

The Yankees have much, much bigger problems than that. The Yankees figure to have six key players in their late 30s or older next year. That's a recipe for disaster.

 

[Doc Holliday]

11-28-2012, 03:55 PM

Russell Martin update:

I just heard that he might be leaning on signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates. I heard he might get a longer deal with them & he likes the team's potential (and youth).

Well, as i had heard the other day & just announced by Iggy, Russell Martin has agreed to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates:

Pirates add Russell Martin

by Andrew Marchand, ESPN

The Pittsburgh Pirates have agreed to a two-year, $17 million deal with former New York Yankees catcher Russell Martin, sources told ESPN.

The Yankees wanted Martin to return, but never made an offer; their priority has been in retaining pitchers and they knew what type of contract the catcher wanted, sources said.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman already has re-signed starting pitchers Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte and has agreed to a $10 million deal, plus incentives, with closer Mariano Rivera, sources said.

It is believed the Yankees eventually would have offered Martin two years, but may not have matched the yearly average the Pirates gave him.

Martin made $7.5 million with the Yankees last year.

"I want to thank the @yankees organization and fans for treating me with class and respect... I will truly miss the city and people of NY," Martin tweeted Thursday night.

It is unclear where the Yankees will turn for catching now. The two top remaining free agent catchers on the market are Mike Napoli and A.J. Pierzynski. The Yankees are not in on Napoli, and a source indicated that Pierzynski is unlikely to be the team's next move.

On their current roster, the Yankees have Chris Stewart, Francisco Cervelli and youngster Austin Romine.

Stewart, 30, played very well behind Martin, but is considered a backup. In 55 games, Stewart hit .241 with a homer and 13 RBIs. He is a strong defensive catcher.

Cervelli, a fan favorite, only played in three major-league games this past season.

Romine, considered a top Yankees prospect, was limited to just 31 games this past season because of a bad back.

Gary Sanchez, 19, is thought to have even more potential than Romine, but he never has played above A-ball and is not close to being considered for the big-league team.

Fox Sports first reported the deal with Martin and the Pirates was completed.

The Yankees liked Martin a lot, and his first choice was believed to be New York.

Martin, 29, hit just .211 last year, but manager Joe Girardi complimented him for his toughness. In the past, Cashman has compared Martin to Thurman Munson.

Martin gives the Pirates needed stability at catcher, where veteran Rod Barajas struggled at the plate and behind it. The Pirates threw out just 12 percent (19 of 154) basestealers last season, the worst percentage in baseball.

The signing reunites Martin with former teammate A.J. Burnett. The two played together with the Yankees in 2011.

The Pirates were in need of an experienced backstop after declining the club option on Rod Barajas, who struggled in his one season in Pittsburgh. Barajas hit .206 with 11 homers in 104 games and struggled defensively, throwing out just 6 percent (6 of 99) potential basestealers.

Backup Mike McKenry fared better but neither have Martin's resume. Martin threw out 25 percent (20 of 83) basestealers last season and committed just six errors in 128 games at catcher, the same total Barajas had in 24 fewer appearances.

The signing is the latest dip into deeper pockets by Pittsburgh, who went 79-83 in 2012, tied for the franchise's best record in the last 20 years. The season was marred by a late fade in which the Pirates fell from playoff contention, but the team opted not to make any major changes to the front office and instead focus on upgrading several spots, with catcher being among the top priorities.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/sto...w-york-yankees-add-russell-martin-sources-say

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

That's a pretty serious loss. While Martin hit like a nun overall, he still managed with his power to reach .713. And he is a superb defender. Also, while the jury is still out on whether or not there is such a thing as "clutch" hitting, Martin did seem to have a propensity for the big hit.

It will be interesting to see where the Yankees go now, with no big league ready catcher on their roster.

When one looks at the Yankee roster, one wonders if maybe Martin just wasn't old enough for them. Maybe they can get Pudge Fisk to come out of retirement; he is, after all, younger than quite a few of the geriatrics they're planning to go with now.

Update: This is hysterical. From MLBTR: "Russell Martin said the Yankees told him they didn't have the money available to match Pittsburgh's two-year/$17MM offer, reports David Waldstein of the New York Times."

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

OMG. Who is this fat guy? http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/exclusive_photo_captain_munch_QNmVyqVl7eIPeKPH0sR53H

Must be Captain Cheeseburger.

 

[Doc Holliday]

When one looks at the Yankee roster, one wonders if maybe Martin just wasn't old enough for them. Maybe they can get Pudge Fisk to come out of retirement; he is, after all, younger than quite a few of the geriatrics they're planning to go with now.

Maybe Joe Girardi will be asked to become a player/coach.

Or how about Yogi Berra?

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Looking at that picture of Cap'n Crunch, I wonder if maybe they'll put him behind the plate. That will save the cost conscious Yankees a few bux as he sure won't need a chest protector.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Jeter will be in perfect game shape whenever he comes back (they say opening day), thankfully the Yanks have a great player in Jeter and future 1st ballot hof'er, it sure beats anything the red sox have at ss these days by a long shot! Enrique Iglesias would be better than Jose, hitting a buck .118 aint quite gonna cut it in the bigs Jose' :lol:

Speaking of Enrique, his better half, Anna Kournikova is looking a lil rough these days, probably just the camera and angle but then again, she never had a bad "angle" in the past oh well, everyone gets old, just look at big papi :thumb:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbi...nd-Anna-Kournikova-Mexico-sunshine-break.html

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Early reports from the Winter Meetings (yes, iggy, the Winter meetings are finally here) are that the Yankees are big after Stephen Drew as they're not sure whether or not they'll need a new shortstop in 2013. There seems to be considerable concern about the two lawn ornaments currently entrenched on the left side of the NY infield.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Drew would be nice insurance as a utility guy and spot starter for the Empire and I would like this move very much if Cashman can land him. Sure beats Enrique's baby brother playing on the red sox who will struggle to hit .200 in 2013 :lol:

Early reports from the Winter Meetings (yes, iggy, the Winter meetings are finally here) are that the Yankees are big after Stephen Drew as they're not sure whether or not they'll need a new shortstop in 2013. There seems to be considerable concern about the two lawn ornaments currently entrenched on the left side of the NY infield.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Yankees, Rodriguez concerned right hip is damaged

by George A. King III

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Yankees and Alex Rodriguez are concerned the third baseman’s surgically repaired right hip is damaged.

According to a person with knowledge of the situation, Rodriguez recently visited Dr. Marc Phillippon in Colorado after experiencing tightness in the hip that Phillippon operated on in 2009.

“It’s an issue,’’ the person said. “A big issue.’’

Earlier in the day at a Heights and Lights event in Stamford, CT., GM Brian Cashman mentioned Rodriguez’ hip when asked what the third baseman was doing since the Tigers swept the Yankees in the ALCS.

”He is always going to have hip issues to deal with. That’s just part of his winter program,’’ Cashman said.

Cashman didn’t return messages seeking further explanation following the event.

If Rodriguez needs another operation he could miss the start of the 2013 season like he did in 2009 when Phillippon repaired the right hip labrum, removed an impingement in the joint and drained a cyst.

And at 36 (37 in late July) you have to wonder what a second hip operation in four years will mean to the rest of Rodriguez’ career.

He has five years and $114 million remaining on a 10-year, $275 million deal.

Not known is if a hip problem was the reason Rodriguez’s swings against righties in the postseason were so poor that manager Joe Girardi turned baseball’s highest-paid player into a platoon player when he didn’t start the final two games against Tiger right-handers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer.

Girardi pinch-hit for Rodriguez in three other October games.

Asked if he was healthy during the postseason, Rodriguez said, “I am getting treatment’’ without mentioning a specific body part. He was out from July 25 to Sept.3 with a fractured left hand. In light of the hip news it’s likely Rodriguez’s hip was being treated and why he looked stiff in the ALCS.

Limited to 122 games after appearing in a career-low 99 in 2011, Rodriguez hit .272 with 18 homers and 57 RBIs. In the ALDS and ALCS, Rodriguez went 3-for-25 (.120) without a homer or RBI and fanned 12 times.

Once a heavy favorite to pass Barry Bonds (762) on the all-time home run list, Rodriguez is in fifth place with 647 and was a question mark to catch Bonds before the recent hip problem surfaced.

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/more_sports/rod_pain_game_07NxEfJpR0oskgNWGRrRpJ

Oh-oh. Now A-Rod is untradeable.

 

[lgna69xxx]

He would have to agree to a trade anyways and likely that will never happen. Arod should get the surgery (which is being reported he is in January and will miss the start of the season and likely til the allstar break) and come back healthy and see what he can do to help the team. Nunez has a great bat and will fill in nice offensively and hopefully his brutal defensive game improves. (ok not brutal but nothing to write home about either, but i like Nunez to fill in nicely) This could be his chance to win a job full time if he indeed is given the chance at third.

Oh-oh. Now A-Rod is untradeable.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

(ok not brutal but nothing to write home about either, but i like Nunez to fill in nicely) This could be his chance to win a job full time if he indeed is given the chance at third.

Actually, brutal is exactly the word. Brutal, as was Jeter's defense before he got fat. Now, it's likely beyond brutal. Gonna be an awful lot of ground balls through the infield next year. Mr. Ground Ball Pitcher Pettitte is gonna have one high ERA.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Sox are about to sign slugging Mike Napoli, who is a considerably better player than Alex Rodriguez. The gap between the two teams has shrunk massively today...and the Sox still have $50 M to spend.

 

[lgna69xxx]

ROFL! Says who? Certainly not you my delusional friend, you same the same lame stuff every offseason only to have it come back and bite you in the butt during the season....

Napoli is a nice fit for around the same $$$ that Jonny F'in Gomes got, aka 5mil per, but lets see how bad the "budget minded" red sox overpaid... Guess the "Salty" or "Lavarnway" exp is now over. The best thing about Napoli is now all the #3 and #4 starters that the red sox have will have someone to play catch with every fifth day .... The red sox payroll got higher today, but the team did not get much better, still a last place team Pitching gets you to postseason rumpie, and unless you get Greinke, your poop out of luck, again.

Actually, brutal is exactly the word. Brutal, as was Jeter's defense before he got fat. Now, it's likely beyond brutal. Gonna be an awful lot of ground balls through the infield next year. Mr. Ground Ball Pitcher Pettitte is gonna have one high ERA.