MLB: Spring training / unsigned FA's / 2009 outlook

[SportsChick]

It sounds like a similar problem to Lowell, he had offseason surgery and is about to play in a spring training game next week

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Wow.  You just compared A-Rod...maybe the best all around player that has ever played this game (bar none) to the one trick pony Big Mac?

Jeez.  Hitting the sauce early this morning, Tommy?

The Yankees are making a mistake.  Shut the guy down and pick up a VA infielder for now.  Get the surgery and you'll have him back by July or August.

Hey Maine,

Do me a favor and lighten up??   We all know what steriods does.... makes you more susceptable to injuries such as this.  All I'm saying is McGwire was out of the baseball within three years of his home run deluge.  And that was because of all the injuries.  It wouldn't surprise me if the same thing happened to A-Rod.

[MaineDolFan]

Hey Maine,

Do me a favor and lighten up??  

YOU are asking ME to lighten up?

That's rich.

[StL FinFan]

One month until Opening Day!  Oh boy oh boy oh boy!

[bsfins]

It was sad,I was damn near orgasmic,I got to watch (part) of the Cubs/W Sox spring traing games!...

<Dancing a little jig!>

[YoFuggedaboutit]

YOU are asking ME to lighten up?

That's rich.

Exactly.  Because I'm comparing two guys who used steroids to advance their careers, and you say I'm "hitting the sauce early". 

I will agree that A-Rod is way better than McGwire, but keep in mind that McGwire and Jose Canseco made up Oakland's famous "Bash Brothers".

Regardless of the stats they put up, the end result will be the same.  Steroids leaves you susceptible to injuries which can and will derail your career. 

Look at Canseco and the injuries that plagued him late in his career.     

[MaineDolFan]

Boston locks up Lester - five years / 30 million.

Bargain.  A flippin' bargain.  Between Youkilis, Dusty and now Lester they have invested less than 80 million in complete contracts between the league's MVP, the league's runner up MVP and an ace in the making.

THIS is the way to spend money.  Boston's payroll is going to continue to drop as they continue to lock up their youngsters in this manner.  The ONE guy you won't see this happen with will be Jacoby Ellsbury.

[Sunstroke]

That last sentence is a head-scratcher... Is Boston no longer pleased with it's zippy young leadoff hitter?

[YoFuggedaboutit]

After reading my SI magazine, I'm more convinced this is the beginning of the end of A-Rod's career.  He missed 24 games last season.... the most he has ever missed in his entire career... and now he stands to top that.

[MaineDolFan]

That last sentence is a head-scratcher... Is Boston no longer pleased with it's zippy young leadoff hitter?

He is now a Scott Boras client.  Do you see, under any circumstances, a Boras client allowing his young star to forgo the first three years of his free agency in order for Boston to lock him up?  Youk, Dusty and Lester all had to agree to forfeit 3, 2, and 3 (in that order) of their first years of FA.

Rarely, if ever, would Boras ever allow that on an impact player.  Boston will milk Ellsbury through his initial years, stay middle of the road in his arbitration years and then deal him the year before he hits the open market.  He won't be in a Sox uniform in five years if he stays with Boras.