MLB Offeason Thread

[sahyder1]

Insane deal for Sexson. I don't know what the Mariners were thinking giving him that huge deal.

He's a 35-40 HR guy, but not worth all the money IMO.

←

[thuganomic]

Insane deal for Sexson. I don't know what the Mariners were thinking giving him that huge deal.

He's a 35-40 HR guy, but not worth all the money IMO.

←

agreed. Why not persue Delgado harder if you want to throw around big money.

←

[sahyder1]

Pedro's press conference is on ESPN right now

[Guest Bluesman]

Insane deal for Sexson. I don't know what the Mariners were thinking giving him that huge deal.

[jonnycomelately]

I feel bad for Vinny Castilla and Cristian Guzman, they got offers from other teams and took the ones from Washington instead now their jobs are in the air. This whole situation just stinks.

[Mofoticon]

adrian beltre signs with the mariners for 5 years 65 mil, and tim hudson is dealt to the braves for 3 prospects....

[Guest Bluesman]

Hudson dealt to the Braves...

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Tim Hudson was traded from the Oakland Athletics to Atlanta, a blockbuster deal Thursday that further bolstered the Braves' revamped rotation.

Los Angeles, Boston and the New York Yankees were rumored to be pursuing Hudson, but the Braves swooped in and got the Oakland ace for outfielder Charles Thomas and pitchers Juan Cruz and Dan Meyer.

With the A's facing yet another payroll crunch, general manager Billy Beane finally broke up his "Big Three" starting pitchers of Hudson, Mark Mulder and Barry Zito.

It was Atlanta's second big trade in a week. Last Saturday, the Braves acquired All-Star closer Dan Kolb from Milwaukee - a move that allowed them to move John Smoltz back into the rotation.

"This winter, we have set our sights on going back to sort of the old-fashioned Braves' way of building championship teams with dominant pitching," Atlanta general manager John Schuerholz said. "That's what we think we have done, and we are excited about the pitching staff we have put together for the season."

Moments after the trade was announced, the Braves unveiled another deal - they sent outfielder Eli Marrero and cash to Kansas City for pitcher Jorge Vasquez.

The Braves began the day by reaching agreement with Smoltz on a two-year contract.

Schuerholz said the flurry of activity "helps us create one of the stronger pitching staffs we've had here for many, many years." He first began talks with Beane during last weekend's winter meetings in Anaheim.

The trade was finalized around midday Thursday, said Beane, who until Wednesday was still talking to three teams about Hudson. The A's wanted to make sure they acquired a pitcher - Meyer - who could compete right away for a spot in the rotation.

"Meyer has pitched at every level successfully," Beane said. "He has a sterling track record up to this point, and he's a guy we've always liked."

(AP) Oakland Athletics catcher Tim Hudson pitches to the Anaheim Angels in the first inning on Sunday,...

Full Image

The Georgia-born Hudson joins a team that has won 13 straight division titles. The 29-year-old righty posted 81 wins from 2000-04, tied for the most in the AL over that span. He is 92-39 with a 3.30 ERA lifetime.

"I'm excited for Tim," said his agent, Paul Cohen. "His hope was to pitch a long time in Oakland. If not in Oakland, he had several environments he outlined. ... I'm gratified he ended up going to a place where he'll be happy."

Beane said he "needed to do something bold," but it still wasn't an easy decision.

"This was the most difficult phone call I've ever had with a player about a trade or a departure," Beane said. "I spent a lot of time on the phone with him. It was very difficult. We're going to miss him, there's no question. I don't think the expectation is that we'll be able to replace his personality and exactly what he brought to this franchise the last five years."

Hudson was 12-6 with a 3.53 ERA in 27 starts this season. He made the All-Star team for the second time, but did not pitch because of a strained left side that put him on the disabled list for a month.

Earlier this month, Hudson set a March 1 deadline for the A's to offer him a contract extension, or he planned to leave as a free agent following the 2005 season - following the likes of MVPs Jason Giambi and Miguel Tejada. Hudson didn't want the distraction of contract talk during spring training.

Rather than lose another homegrown superstar for nothing, Beane decided to land three valuable prospects even at the cost of a cornerstone of the small-market franchise's unlikely success over the last half-decade.

Beane is happy to see Hudson heading for the NL, though swapping him out of the league wasn't a priority.

"We certainly traded a major part of our franchise in Tim, but we've also upgraded," Beane said. "I wasn't eager to play against him. Quite frankly, no one in the division called. It wasn't an option. I told Tim usually it's not something you worry about, but I'm not disappointed he's about as far away professionally as he can be."

Thomas made his major league debut last season and batted .288 with seven homers and 31 RBIs. Cruz was 6-2 with a 2.75 ERA in 50 relief outings. Meyer was 0-0 in two games with Braves after going 9-6 with a 2.49 ERA at Double-A Greenville and Triple-A Richmond.

Vasquez, 26, also made his major league debut last season, pitching in two games for Kansas City. He spent most of the year at Triple-A Wichita, going 4-5 with a 4.68 ERA and 18 saves.

Marrero hit .320 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs in a part-time role with Atlanta. The Braves got him with J.D. Drew last offseason in a trade that sent Jason Marquis to St. Louis.

[Mofoticon]

The Big Unit is reportedly on his way to the Big Apple.

According to a report on New York Newsday's Web site, Randy Johnson is part of a three-team deal and will go to the Yankees. A Diamondbacks source told Newsday that the Yankees will receive the lefthander while shipping Javier Vazquez, catcher Dioner Navarro, third baseman Eric Duncan and two minor-league prospects to the Dodgers, who will in turn send pitchers Brad Penny and Yhency Brazoban and first baseman/outfielder Shawn Green to Arizona.

A few issues must still be worked out, although they're not believed to be big enough to kill the deal. Johnson and Green both have no-trade clauses, although Johnson will most likely waive his to go to the Yankees; Green, whose former agent, Jeff Moorad, is the Diamondback's incoming CEO, will probably also approve the deal. Newsday also said that physicals for the players involved and compensation for the loss of several perks in Johnson's contract must also be resolved.

The Yankees are expected to give Johnson a contract extension when the deal goes through.

[thuganomic]

Wow.

When George finally dies, so is this team.

Fucking Yankees. Way to give up a future Cy-Young winner and your two best prospects. I don't give a shit if it's Randy Johnson, you just don't make a move like this.

The Dodgers come out of this the big winners IMO.

Stupid Yankees.

[syck]

Boston needs Clement more than ever now. With Schilling missing the frist part of the season it's definetly gonna hurt Boston. But I'am liking the batting order...Damon, Renteria, Ramirez, Ortiz...

[sahyder1]

if the Yanks don't win it next year......I will laugh and I will laugh hard. First of all I don't know how Yankee fans can even be proud of a winning season now. Having like a $70 million advantage in payroll over the 2nd place team is just a joke.

Anyone know a bit about these prospects? I know Thomas made some great defensive plays, and wasn't Cruz on the Cubs previously?

Edited December 17, 2004 by sahyder1

[wCwCreator]

The Big Unit going to The Big Apple?

If he does, it's gonna be one hell of an opening day for The Boston Red Sox at New York. We could have Schilling versus Johnson! I do not believe Schilling's going to not be available opening day. He's a very suspenseful guy. Remember the time when he said "oh, it's gonna be great when I dissapoint 50,000 yankee fans." and then the next thing you know, Yankee's blow him away in game 1 because he was actually injured so he just maybe saying that and then he'll just show up ready to play.

But this is now starting to hurt Boston, they lose Pedro to the mets. The Yankees bulster up their bullpen and now they're about to get Johnson. Boston needs another starter. Well's just won't do it for them. No one is even trying to get Carlos Delgado which in my mind, is a big aquisition to any team.

MLB 2005 Season = The Red Sox and Yankee War Part: MMVIIXXIIVXII

[jonnycomelately]

I feel physically ill. This trade if it goes down sucks. Two good pitchers and a 1st baseman/right fielder and all they get in return is two minor leaguers and a fucking scrub in Javier Vazquez. Anyone who says different didn't watch the end of last season. The Dodgers are falling apart as they also have let Adrian Beltre go to Seattle. This team is going to be horrible next year. It went from having Hudson and having a great deal of optimism to losing four players, getting back two unprovens and a fucking bum and having Hudson go to Atlanta. Paul DePodesta...WHAT THE FUCK IS YOUR DEAL MAN?

[Jester of Death]

Well My boys at AZ D-Back central have made another move getting shawn green and maybe even Brad Penny

So far they have really improved their lineup by picking up Glaus and Green

The Dodgers are gonna suck next year

[sahyder1]

Thursday, December 16, 2004

Deal in the works, but far from done

ESPN.com news services

Several obstacles stand in the way of a proposed three-team mega-trade involving five-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson that reportedly was on the road to getting done Thursday night.

A baseball source told ESPN that the proposed trade involving the Yankees, Diamondbacks and Dodgers is not as close to completion as earlier reports had indicated, and that the deal rapidly exceeding the complexity of last year's failed Alex Rodriguez-to-Boston trade might never happen.

Randy Johnson

Starting Pitcher

Arizona Diamondbacks 

Profile

2004 SEASON STATISTICS

GM  W  L  Sv  K  ERA

35  16  14  0  290  2.60

Owed $16 million in 2005 and wants a contract extension at age 41; No-trade clause with the Yankees as his only desired destination.

Shawn Green

First Base

Los Angeles Dodgers 

Profile

2004 SEASON STATISTICS

GM  HR  RBI  R  SB  AVG

157  28  86  92  5  .266

No-trade clause, playing for his hometown team; Owed $16 million in 2005; Fading career? His OPS has gone down from the previous season's all but one year since 1999.

Javier Vazquez

Starting Pitcher

New York Yankees 

Profile

2004 SEASON STATISTICS

GM  W  L  Sv  K  ERA

32  14  10  0  150  4.91

Owed $34.5 million over next three seasons; Health questions, physical (shoulder MRI) and mental (4-5, 6.92 ERA in disastrous second half).

Earlier reports indicated that the teams were closing in on a trade that would send Johnson to the Yankees, Javier Vazquez and prospects Eric Duncan and Dioner Navarro to Los Angeles, and Shawn Green and pitchers Brad Penny and Yhency Brazoban to Arizona.

The trade was proposed before Adrian Beltre agreed to a $64 million, five-year deal with the Mariners on Thursday.

By failing to re-sign Beltre, the Dodgers may rethink their role in the trade, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reported. Other issues that threatened to derail the trade include the waiving of Green's no-trade clause.

A source close to Green, who is due $16 million in 2005, told ESPN.com that the Dodgers outfielder is happy living in Southern California, where he grew up, and has expressed no desire to leave Los Angeles. How much money the Diamondbacks would receive from the Yankees is also a point of contention. Sources told Stark that moving Duncan and Navarro would preclude the Yankees from sending money to Arizona.

Another obstacle that reportedly could derail the trade is Vazquez's salary; he is due $34.5 million over the next three seasons and Los Angeles apparently wants help from the Yankees footing the bill.

There was no confirmation from any of the teams that a deal has been proposed and Johnson's agent, Barry Meister, declined comment when reached by ESPN.com.

"We're still in conversations with a lot of different clubs about a lot of different possibilities," Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta said earlier Thursday. "We have talked about some three-way deals and some four-way deals.

"I don't know if it's going to happen or not," he said.

Johnson, like Green, has a no-trade clause, but the Big Unit had said he would accept a deal to the Yankees. The Yankees also would be expected to sign Johnson to a contract extension if they acquire him. Johnson will make $16 million next season, the final year of his contract.

Johnson was a Montreal Expos second-round draft pick in 1985. He signed with Arizona on Dec. 10, 1998, and won the Cy Young Award in each of his first four seasons in the desert. He finished second to Houston's Roger Clemens in this year's voting.

Johnson also won a Cy Young Award in Seattle, where he played from 1989-98.Johnson finished with a 16-14 record in 2004, but he led the majors in strikeouts with 290 and was second in the majors with a 2.60 ERA despite coming off knee surgery. In a season in which Arizona lost a franchise-worst 111 games, Johnson pitched a perfect game, passed 4,000 career strikeouts and passed Steve Carlton to become the most prolific left-handed strikeout pitcher in history. He ranks No. 3 on the strikeout list behind Nolan Ryan and Clemens.

Green, 31, has a .282 career average but dipped to .266 last season with 28 home runs and 86 RBI.

Penny, 26, was traded from Florida to the Dodgers on July 30 but saw limited action for Los Angeles because of a problem in his right arm. He was 9-10 with a 3.15 ERA for both clubs.

Penny was selected in the fifth round of Arizona's initial free-agent draft in 1996 but never pitched for the Diamondbacks in the majors. He, right-hander Vladimir Nunez and outfielder Abraham Nunez (as a player to be named) were traded to Florida for closer Matt Mantei in July 1999.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report

Edited December 17, 2004 by sahyder1

[Blitz]

AL West seems like it will be the place for the action. Angels, Rangers, Athletics and now Mariners. It will be a great race.

[Guest Bluesman]

Pavano to sign with the Yankees...

The Yankees have finalized a four-year contract with Carl Pavano worth $40 million, ESPN's Peter Gammons reported Friday.

Carl Pavano

Starting Pitcher

Florida Marlins 

Profile

2004 SEASON STATISTICS

GM  W  L  Sv  K  ERA

31  18  8  0  139  3.00

Pavano decided Saturday that he wanted to join the Yankees.

The pitcher's deal also has a team option for a fifth year at $15 million with a $2 million buyout if the option is not picked up. Pavano also can become a free agent after four years if he pitches 200 innings in the third and fourth years of the deal.

A news conference to introduce Pavano as a Yankee is expected on Wednesday.

Anaheim, Baltimore, Boston, Detroit and Seattle also sought the right-hander, 18-8 with a 3.00 ERA for Florida last season.

[jonnycomelately]

Has their deal with Jaret Wright gone through yet. Damn that has taken forever.

And cmon Shawn Green let that no-trade clause rip. I don't want to let the Yankees get Randy Johnson and I do not Javier Vazquez on the Dodgers.

[thuganomic]

Has their deal with Jaret Wright gone through yet.  Damn that has taken forever.

And cmon Shawn Green let that no-trade clause rip.  I don't want to let the Yankees get Randy Johnson and I do not Javier Vazquez on the Dodgers.

←

[Guest Bluesman]

Mulder dealt to Cardinals...

The Oakland Athletics continued to wheel and deal Saturday, sending starting pitcher Mark Mulder to the St. Louis Cardinals for pitchers Danny Haren, Kiko Calero and catcher Daric Barton, ESPN's Peter Gammons has learned.

The A's have dealt two of their vaunted "Big Three" starting pitchers in the past three days, having sent Tim Hudson to Atlanta on Thursday for a package of outfielder Charles Thomas and pitchers Juan Cruz and Dan Meyer.

The final member of the big three, Barry Zito, has been rumored to be on the trading block during the offseason, but it would appear unlikely the left-hander will be dealt now. The 2002 AL Cy Young winner is coming off his worst season after going 11-11 with a 4.48 ERA. He gave up 28 home runs in 213 innings but continued to be a workhorse, starting 34 games.

Mulder, the A's first-round pick in 1998 (second overall) was 17-8 last season but saw his ERA balloon from 3.13 to 4.43. The left-hander won 21 games in 2001 and finished second in AL Cy Young voting that season, but has been sidelined for three or more starts in two of the past three seasons.

Haren, a hard-throwing 24-year-old right-hander was stellar in the postseason, giving up two earned runs in 8 1/3 innings.

Calero fits Oakland GM Billy Beane's prototype of an inexpensive reliever with pinpoint control. Calero, who turns 30 next month, was 3-1 with two saves and a 2.78 ERA in 2004.

Barton is considered one of the top catching prospects in baseball, and was the Cardinals' first-round pick (28th overall) in 2003. He spent the 2004 season with the Peoria Chiefs in the Class A Midwest League. The left-hand hitting catcher put up "Moneyball" dream numbers, with a .445 on-base percentage, and .511 slugging percentage.