MLB Offseason Thread

[Imran Siddiqui]

Red Sox didn't make the playoffs last year so they have to spend to keep up. Drew IS a better player than Nixon, however.

[Fistandantilus]

Better yes, it costs twice as much as Nixon though.

And at this rate I don't think the luxury tax is much far, isn't it? We are really turning into Evil Empire jr and I'm not sure if I like it that much.

[Imran Siddiqui]

"turning"?

Please, you are already there and have been for a while.

[Arrian]

Well, the Sox lineup has the potential to be very scary next year, with the usual caveats about health aside.

Lugo
Youklis
Ortiz
Manny
Drew
Lowell
Varitek
Crisp
Pedroia

The 9-spot is the only one that really looks like a hole. I expect some bounce-back from Varitek. Crisp should be better. Lowell might regress, but you can't say for sure.

The 3-4-5 is flat nasty. Again, assuming Drew can stay on the field. We shall see.

-Arrian

[Arrian]

Originally posted by Fistandantilus
Better yes, it costs twice as much as Nixon though.

And at this rate I don't think the luxury tax is much far, isn't it? We are really turning into Evil Empire jr and I'm not sure if I like it that much.

It all depends on Matsuzaka's eventual pricetag. The posting fee doesn't count as payroll, so it's entirely likely that the Sox will eek in *just* under the luxury tax threshold.

As for being the EEjr, buddy I hate to break it to ya, but the Red Sox turned to the Dark Side long ago. Any team with the means to spend will spend - that's the system. Don't hate the playa!

I was encouraged by the relative sanity of the Yankees this off-season (they've got a lot of carryover insanity of course), but then they make a huge bid on a guy everybody projects to be a 4th-5th starter type. Goodness knows what they will spend on his contract. And/or Andy Pettite.

-Arrian

[Imran Siddiqui]

The Cubs just signed Ted Lilly to a 4 year, $40 mil deal. What in the world is going on there? Its nice that they are spending money, but pissing it away ain't going to help anyone.

In other news, it seems Jason Schmidt will be cashing in with a 3 year, $47 mil deal with the Dodgers (who lost Maddux to the Padres). And Mike Piazza signs with the Oakland A's in a 1 year, $8.5 mil deal, to replace Frank Thomas.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I'll beat Stuie, the Phils just got Freddie Garcia for a pair of prospects, one really good (Gonzalez), one so-so (Floyd).

[asleepathewheel]

Love the Drew signing.

That should be a blast to watch.

Every year he was with the cards, we casual observers hoped for "young mantle" to be a killer. And he turned into a killer of dreams

However, he did turn into Wainirght and Marquis for the Cards, not too shabby

[Stuie]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
I'll beat Stuie, the Phils just got Freddie Garcia for a pair of prospects, one really good (Gonzalez), one so-so (Floyd).

I liked the deal until I saw we lost Gonzalez. Still, I'm glad they didn't give up Rowand like the rumors were suggesting.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Stuie
I liked the deal until I saw we lost Gonzalez. Still, I'm glad they didn't give up Rowand like the rumors were suggesting.

I'd rather have given up Rowand than Gonzalez. Yes, Rowand's very good defensively, but not anything to sneeze at offensively. He had one great year (2004) and not so good since.

[rah]

After halftime at the bulls game last night. One of the announcers claimed that the Cubs had aquired Rowand. But since no followup has been mentioned....
You have to love the winter meetings.

[Stuie]

Gil Meche = 5 years/$55M

All of the sudden the Eaton deal is looking better.

[Imran Siddiqui]

It's Kansas City... just be glad they are spending anything.

[Arrian]

They're out of their minds (as usual). I thought this new GM of theirs is supposed to be real smart, but I cannot for the life of me figure out how they believe Gil Meche at that $/yrs is going to help them.

Gil Meche isn't a terrible pitcher... there are some reasons to think you could get some good work from him. But 5/$55million for the Royals is a HUGE investment. A huge investment in a guy who is essentially league average, maybe a tic below.

I don't get it.

-Arrian

[Stuie]

Their opening day payroll last year was $10M LESS than Meche's contract.