MLB hot stove/ Free agency

[EDGECRUSHER]

http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/01/11/the-dugout-more-of-the-same/

I can't recommend The Dugout enough. Probably the funniest sports satire in the world. Check out their archives, especially the Yankee ones where they give CC Sabathia $438 Billion and enough spending money to destroy the United States,.

[EDGECRUSHER]

http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/01/11/due-to-dishonesty-during-mark-teixeira-talks-red-sox-plan-to/

Allegedly of course. I hate Boras, as do most people who follow baseball, but I don't know if I can side with them on this one. I mean, wasn't there a bunch of shady things leading up to JD Drew's departure from LA to go to Boston? It was okay for Boras to lie and mislead then?

Boras lies to everybody, this is nothing new. I am sure if this report is true, Boston will rethink things at a later date. Don't want to miss out on players the team may need because of one agent. On top of that, their own players may be represented by him, does that mean they won't resign a guy like Papelbon or Beckett because of their agent?

[MaineDolFan]

Boston is one of the few teams willing to play ball with the guy and this might have strained relations beyond repair.  There are clubs that literally won't touch a Boras client come hell or high water.  Boston might be leaning in that direction.

This isn't the first run in with Boras for Boston.  It goes back a long ways including the Manny thing.  A lot of people suspect that act in Boston was Boras' doing.  He benefited ZERO if Boston picked up his options.  Same thing with Dice-K, those were strained talks.  Varitek has become strained.

This has been a long time coming.

[SportsChick]

Any truth behind rumors of Tek to Marlins?

[Fau Teixeira]

and why would we want him if those rumors are true ?

[EDGECRUSHER]

It makes no sense for the Marlins. It will cost them at least $5 Million and a draft pick. The Marlins are a team that relies on draft picks, so they would be stupid to waste one on Jason Varitek.

[SportsChick]

I've read it will be a sign and trade, so no draft pick given up

[EDGECRUSHER]

Still makes no sense for the Marlins to add on $5 Million or more in payroll when they already choose to be so limited in spending.

[MaineDolFan]

It makes perfect sense for a handful of reasons.

1 - They were a very good team last year that lacked a veteran club house presense.

2 - NO ONE handles a young pitching staff like Varitek does.

3 - 5 million isn't that much, even for a low spending team.

4 - Pedro is probabaly going to sign with the Marlins as well and Schilling has been contacted by Florida.  Add Pedro and Schilling to that group of youngsters, in addition to the presense that 'Tek brings...

5 million well spent.

[MaineDolFan]

A deal between Boston and Arizona is in the works.  Boston gets catcher Miguel Montero in exchange for Michael Bowden and/or Daniel Bard.

If it's AND - that's a steep price.  But it's not like good young catchers are growing on trees.  If it's OR I would rather see Bard go than Bowden.  But I would be okay with either to get my hands on Montero.


 

[Sunstroke]

I'd much rather see Montero behind the plate for a team I am cheering for than Josh Bard.

As far as Daniel Bard goes...I remember him pitching for UNC the same time that Andrew Miller was there. That guy was supposed to be damned near as good a prospect as Andrew.

[MaineDolFan]

Bard throws some serious gas.  The joke around Hadlock is that he's like Charlie Sheen in "Wild Thing."

"Nice velocity."

"Sounded like it."

"Someone needs to teach this kid some control before he kills someone."

He throws over 100 on a regular basis and has 103.  He hit 103 one time on a pitch that whizzed past everyone, and the ump's head, and slammed into the backstop.  The batter walked away laughing and his teammates were waving white towels out of the dug out.

Now - the upside - when he's ON you can't touch him.

[Tenshot13]

I'm excited about the Rays picking up Pat Burrell and Gabe Kapler...Kapler had .301 BA last year and Burrell hit 33 HRs...Although those numbers aren't "lights out", having another HR threat in Burrell only makes the team better...Kapler can fill in nicely with a decent BA like that...This is how I see the starting lineup now...

1. Akinori Iwamura 2B
2. Carl Crawford OF
3. B.J. Upton OF
4. Carlos Pena 1B
5. Evan Longoria 3B
6. Pat Burrell DH/OF
7. Gabe Kapler OF/DH
8. Dioner Navarro C
9. Jason Bartlett SS

and still having Willie Aybar on the bench isn't too shabby

Ok my nipples are hard now  ...that lineup looks pretty solid! 

[SportsChick]

I like Gabe. Good guy

[MaineDolFan]

Kap is one of the most down to earth, nicest, salt of the earth people you'll ever meet.  He's a REAL person and qualifies for this title:  he's a SWEET man. 

He is a former skipper and knows how to work with the kids, he'll be huge in that club house.  He's actually a five tool player, just in a quiet way.  Tampa could not have signed a more perfect fit for that club house.  He instantly brings a veteran leadership quality to that team.