MLB 2013!!

[Imran Siddiqui]

Marmol was good not that long ago .

However, it appears the international draft money may be far more important. The Dodgers increased the amount of money they could spend on international prospects.

[SlowwHand]

Manny Ramirez? Really? I guess it's worth a Triple A roll of the dice. He had to cut his hair over minor league regulations. That's kind of funny, and odd.

[-Jrabbit]

Marmol was good not that long ago .

However, it appears the international draft money may be far more important. The Dodgers increased the amount of money they could spend on international prospects.

The Cubs have been waiting for Marmol to return to form, on and off, for three years now. He can't even manage the setup role, and has gone from beloved to reviled. Best for all concerned for him to continue his recovery elsewhere. His stuff is still filthy, and I wish him luck in Los Angeles.

The international money is, in fact, a big factor in the Cubs' moves, building the largest cash pool for use in this year's market. They are reportedly poised to sign top Dominican prospect Eloy Jimenez along with several others.

Sources have linked the Cubs to some of the top prospects on the market. On Tuesday, sources confirmed that the team agreed to a deal with shortstop Gleyber Torres, the top player from Venezuela and third-ranked international prospect, for $1.7 million, and Colombia's right-handed pitcher Erling Moreno, who ranked No. 17, for $650,000.

The club also signed right-handed pitcher Jefferson Mejia for $850,000 and added catching prospect Johan Matos for $270,000.

Between their deals with the Astros, Orioles and Dodgers, the Cubs added $963,000 in international slot money to up their total pool to $5.52 million to pay for these prospects.

Epstein and Hoyer are on plan re building and filling a pipeline to the majors.

[-Jrabbit]

In other news, Ryan Braun's season ended today...

Former Baseball M.V.P. Ryan Braun, Linked to Doping, Suspended for Rest of Season

The Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, a former baseball most valuable player, has been suspended for the remainder of the season, becoming the latest star athlete to be sanctioned for doping. The punishment was announced on Monday afternoon by Major League Baseball, which has been conducting a sweeping doping investigation that could lead to suspensions of other players.

Braun said in a statement issued by baseball that he would not contest the suspension.

“As I have acknowledged in the past, I am not perfect,” Braun’s statement said. “I realize now that I have made some mistakes. I am willing to accept the consequences of those actions. This situation has taken a toll on me and my entire family, and it is has been a distraction to my teammates and the Brewers organization.”

Braun was linked to an anti-aging clinic in South Florida, Biogenesis, which baseball officials believe distributed performance-enhancing drugs to major league players.

Not quite the puffy-chested denials we're used to hearing from Braun, whose 2012 suspension was overturned due to sample custody issues...

The next day, under brilliant sunshine at the Brewers' training complex in Maryvale, Ariz., Braun proclaimed, "I guess the simple truth is I'm innocent. I've maintained my innocence from Day One, and ultimately I was proven to be innocent."

[SlowwHand]

The Rangers added Matt Garza. The Cubs will acquire Triple-A infielder Mike Olt, Class-A right-hander C.J. Edwards, right-hander Justin Grimm and a fourth player to be named later from the Rangers, a source told ESPN's Jim Bowden.

Olt is an excellent prospect. Grimm has been somewhat disappointing and CJ Edwards...I don't know.

[Ming]

It was a good deal for the Cubs... They got something for a player they only had two months left with. While Mike Olt has been struggling in triple a, he's a pretty good prospect.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Olt is an excellent prospect. Grimm has been somewhat disappointing and CJ Edwards...I don't know.

Good deal for Texas as well, as they are 3 back in the AL West and 2 back of the 2nd Wild Card slot. They needed someone to help their ailing staff this season (and Olt is blocked by Beltre).

[-Jrabbit]

I think Garza is going to be a great fit for Texas. He's a monster pitcher when healthy (actually younger than Samardija IIRC), and by all accounts, he's healthy...

[snoopy369]

Good trade for Cubs. This is like the (first) Cliff Lee trade for PHI, though; it's good if they win, bad if they don't. From what I'm hearing, the A pitcher is actually the biggest potential star (but of course a few years out) - slotted at #2 Starter which is a good slot to be in, and possible all-star or better. Olt has a lot of possibility in him as well, and Grimm at least is a cheap arm if nothing else.

[snoopy369]

Also, Ryan Braun can **** himself.

[SlowwHand]

Good for the Rangers, too. With Darvish, Holland and now Garza they have 3 very solid starters. They also have a better chance of resigning Garza than would the Cubs.

[Sava]

I need to apologize to you Imran. I thought for sure I would open this thread and see you defending Braun... being a PED apologist once again. But you haven't. I'm sorry I thought this.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Why would I defend a moron like Braun. MLB came up with clear rules and after getting almost caught the first time decided to keep doing it? Dumbass.

[-Jrabbit]

"Almost caught" LOL...
He was caught dead to rights and squirmed of the hook on chain of custody. And totally threw the sample collector - a man with no agenda, just doing his job - under the bus in the process. Total dick move.

Braun's preening, sweeping denial (spring of 2012), from a high horse standing on a soap box, will join Roger Clemens' congressional testimony as classic examples of just how self-deluded and entitled pro athletes have become.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Was he suspended? No. Then almost caught.

He was lucky the collector was such a complete moron that he left MLB no option but to toss the test out. And if you totally **** up your job, by not delivering samples in the amount of time stated in the drug testing program you are supposed to be administering, I'm thinking "doing his job" is highly suspect.