The Official 2007 MLB Offseason Thread

[UNHWildCats]

Might be nice and easy to have one simple thread to post all MLB rumors, signings and trades in.


Lets start.

According to the Boston Globe, Theo Epstein isnt saying much on A-Rod even after reports that Rodriguez is telling friends he wants to play for Boston.

I suppose our first question is, how bad does he want to play in Boston? We know he was willing to take a pay cut in 2003 to be traded to the Sox but the MLBPA refused to allow him, is his desire to play in Boston strong enough that he would sign for less then the price he publicly has been demanding? He reportedly told the Yankees they would have to offer $350 M just to get a meeting with him.

Boston also is among a group of 8 teams or so interested in Japanese righty Hiroki Kuroda. He's a free agent and no posting process is require. The Cubs have strong interest, but the front runners would probably be Seattle, Oakland, New York Yankees and Boston simply for the fact that they have japanese players on the roster already which makes it easier to adjust. He's expected to sign a deal in the $3-4 million range and could be a 3rd or 4th starter in the majors.

[UNHWildCats]

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Andy Pettitte (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?statsId=5331) declined his $16 million option with the New York Yankees (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=nyy), still uncertain whether he wants to pitch next season.

"I have spoken with Brian Cashman, who has reiterated what Hank Steinbrenner said about the Yankees wanting to give Andy all the time he needs to decide about next season," Pettitte's agent, Randy Hendricks, said Monday in an e-mail to The Associated Press. "Accordingly, we are declining to exercise the option for 2008 and Andy will declare free agency in order to free up a roster spot for the Yankees.

"If Andy decides to play, I am confident we can reach an agreement with the Yankees within 24 hours. The only options, as Andy has stated, are the Yankees or retirement. He appreciates the Yankees' willingness to give him the time he feels he needs. I do not expect him to make a decision for quite some time."

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3096412

[poly51]

At the LA Dodgers press conference introducing Joe Torre to the LA media they announced the first two coaches. Don Mattingly will be the batting coach and Larry Bowa will be the 3rd base coach. Torre is a great addition to the Dodgers.

[Peems]

Hopefully the Yanks can sign Andy, I think he can be the stabilizer we need in a rotation that will be full of young arms. But I believe the biggest key is getting Jorge back

[UNHWildCats]

Hopefully the Yanks can sign Andy, I think he can be the stabilizer we need in a rotation that will be full of young arms. But I believe the biggest key is getting Jorge back
Appears to just be a formality with him declining, he wasnt sure if he wants to play next year and the decision on the option had to be made tomorrow or wednesday.

As the story says he feels if he decides to pitch a contract would be done in like 24 hours.

I agree with Posada, they need to resign him. Especially since there FA market is bare this year. Unless you want Paul LoDuca :p

[TheValleyRaider]

Appears to just be a formality with him declining, he wasnt sure if he wants to play next year and the decision on the option had to be made tomorrow or wednesday.

As the story says he feels if he decides to pitch a contract would be done in like 24 hours.

Pettitte's $16 Mil. deal will sit on the table until he calls to put his signature to it or tells the Yankees he's through. They'd probably be willing to renegotiate up a bit, but it's not about the money for Andy at this point.

[UNHWildCats]

Several news sources are reporting......

http://redsox.travisliles.com/2007/11/curtain-call.html

[UNHWildCats]

Scott Boras will meet with Theo Epstein tonight. None of the Sox free agents are represented by Boras so this will be a A Rod meeting.

[Minuteman87]

I admit I have mixed feelings about ARod. A great player no doubt, but Seattle got better after he left, Texas got better after he left, and he was a distraction in New York.

And where would the Red Sox play him? OK, at third if Lowell leaves (which would be a major PR faux pas by the club), but don't forget, ARod's a SS and the Red Sox got a $9 mill a year guy there now. Will they be able to trade Lugo with that salary? Or would they be justified in sitting a $9 mill a year guy?

I also wonder if they will try to shop Crisp with the emergence of Ellsbury.

The hot stove is fired up!

[UNHWildCats]

Crisp is gone, thats guaranteed. They will try to get a decent bullpen arm and a prospect for him or perhaps a young catcher who has lots of upside. They could also try to get a reserve OF as part of the deal.

I want A Rod and im prolly one of the few Sox fans around that will say that.

Also....anyone else thinks its absurd to even consider trading Buchholz or Ellsbury for anything? I wouldnt even trade them for Johan Santana yet seems most Sox fans will kick them to the curb for Santana, Dan HAren or Miguel Cabrera. :(

[Cleets]

The Trade of Murphy and Gabbard for Gagne will (and should) sting for a while...

xnonono2x

[UNHWildCats]

yup.. wow was I wrong on thinking that trade was good.

I dont want to lose Ellsbury and Buchholz and see them become srtars elsewhere like Jeff Bagwell, Hanley Ramirez and even Curt Schilling.

[Minuteman87]

You don't think Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez for Beckett and Lowell was a good trade? Ramirez is turning out to be pretty good player and I'm happy for him. But I'll do that trade a million times over.

Schilling and Brady Anderson for Mike Boddicker wasn't bad. We got a couple good years from Boddicker.

As for Jeff Bagwell for Larry Andersen ... well let me play devil's advocate here ... Bagwell was in Double-A with Wade Boggs in the majors and Scott Cooper at Triple-A (both all-stars) and the Red Sox needed a bullpen arm. Who could have foreseen what Bagwell would become? If anything, a misjudgment of talent.

[UNHWildCats]

Sure the Hanley deal was great for both teams. Its tough watching him play there, especially with out SS problems.

But All this talk of Santana and Haren, we dont need them, so why give up our best two rookies for any of them, thats my point.

[UNHWildCats]

The Red Sox have reportedly offered Mike Lowell a three year deal with an option for a fourth year.

The Yankees have reportedly offered Mariano Rivera a three year deal worth $39 million

[Peems]

Reports from Buster Olney that the Miguel Cabrera could be going to the Dodgers. He mentioned the Yanks but said trading their prospective pitchers would be a bad move(I agree). Wilson Betemit could be the future...

[NE MT GRIZZ]

But All this talk of Santana and Haren, we dont need them, so why give up our best two rookies for any of them, thats my point.

Travis,

If the Sox get Santana, you might as well start wearing "Back to Back World Series Champs, 2007 & 2008", t-shirts now

[NE MT GRIZZ]

Fox sports said not to rule out the Cardinals in the A-Rod sweepstakes.

Rolen hates LaRussa and would probably waive his no trade clause.

Rolen makes $12m per year, so that would help sign Alex.

I hope to God this doesn't happen.xnonono2x xnonono2x

[UNHWildCats]

Travis,

If the Sox get Santana, you might as well start wearing "Back to Back World Series Champs, 2007 & 2008", t-shirts now

Pitching doesnt always win it... just ask Sabathia and Carmona. What turned the Cleveland series around? Jacoby Ellsbury entering the lineup... Theres no way I trade that kid.... i mean come on, he scored from second on a wild pitch in his first trip to the majors .... SCORED from second on a WILDPITCH! thats crazy.

[YaleFootballFan]

You don't think Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez for Beckett and Lowell was a good trade? Ramirez is turning out to be pretty good player and I'm happy for him. But I'll do that trade a million times over.

Schilling and Brady Anderson for Mike Boddicker wasn't bad. We got a couple good years from Boddicker.

As for Jeff Bagwell for Larry Andersen ... well let me play devil's advocate here ... Bagwell was in Double-A with Wade Boggs in the majors and Scott Cooper at Triple-A (both all-stars) and the Red Sox needed a bullpen arm. Who could have foreseen what Bagwell would become? If anything, a misjudgment of talent.

I remember reading somewhere that Lou Gorman still doesn't regret trading Bagwell for Larry Andersen. At the time, it made all the sense in the world to make that trade. The Sox needed bullpen help and as Minuteman pointed out, Boston already had Boggs and Cooper in the organization. The Red Sox did go on to win the AL East in 1990 and Andersen did play an important role down the stretch.

Anytime you make a trade that involves prospects, you're taking a gamble. Remember when Seattle traded young prospects Jason Varitek and Derek Lowe for closer Heathcliff Slocumb?