2012/2013 MLB Offseason Thread

[The Buscher]

Michael Bourn to the Indians. 4 years, $48 million. Vesting option for a 5th year that could take it up to 5 years, $60 million. Wow.

[Toe]

Do the Indians have enough to compete in that division now?

[Lowerdeck]

Bourn got overpaid.

[gunnar hendershow]

I think the strategy of spend very little on free agents and hope one or two are diamonds in the rough is a pretty good one. Especially when you're mixing them in with prospects you can have under control for a decade with smart contract extensions. Much better than giving a leadoff hitter on the other side of 30 that kind of money. Marquis Grissom didn't do too well at this point in his career.

[thatshortguy]

Bourn got overpaid.

This times $12 million/year. Granted you've got to play the games, but I would've been more than willing to pay ~$3 mil./yr. more for the elder Upton.

(Note: This will be the last time you see me use the words 'elder' and 'Upton' in the same sentence.)

[Damian WayLNKe]

I just heard about "Merkle's Boner" for the first time. Is there a reason why this isn't thought to be why the Cubs are cursed instead of a Billy goat nearly forty years later?

[gunnar hendershow]

Because, let's face it, "The Curse of the Boner" doesn't quite have the same ring to it.

[The Buscher]

Was nice to see some baseball on television today. It's the first game of Spring Training and Zack Wheeler already looks absolutely filthy. Cannot wait for his eventual debut in The Show, more than likely this year unless the Mets' 5 starters stay healthy all year and they actually remain in contention.

[gunnar hendershow]

Yeah, I had fun listening to some of the Orioles-Twins game on the radio. Hard to tell much of anything from every pitcher just being out there for an inning against hitters who mostly aren't in their groove yet, but it was fun nonetheless to at least hear Joe Angel and Fred Manfra. Well, mainly Joe Angel.

[Toe]

Granderson is out until May.

[The Buscher]

The World Baseball Classic has been fun. The US beat Canada in a pretty dramatic game to advance. Italy advancing to the 2nd round has obviously been the biggest shocker.

By virtue of finishing last in their respective pools...Brazil, Australia, Spain, and, shockingly enough, Mexico...all have to requalify for the 2017 tournament.

[Lowerdeck]

Isn't the Italian roster mostly Americans with ancestors from Italy?

[MalaCloudy Black]

Not really. There's a fair number of Italians from the Italian Baseball League too.

[ThaBoss18]

Since the US lost in the WBC once again... Hoping for Netherlands or Puerto Rico to take the title from Japan but wish Rizzo and Italy was still in cause they was my favorite behind US

[Your Mom]

I feel like such a jerk for thinking this but if I'm honest I hope Ryan Braun gets away with it for the good of my fantasy team

[Berober]

I feel like such a jerk for thinking this but if I'm honest I hope Ryan Braun gets away with it for the good of my fantasy team

I'm pretty sure most arguments are looked over when the words "for the good of my fantasy team" are mentioned.

[thatshortguy]

I, however, believe myself to the be the Paragon of Virtue by wanting him thrown into house arrest immediately.

For the good of my fantasy team.

[gunnar hendershow]

As an owner of Braun in a keeper league I am standing firmly in agreement with Srar.

[The Buscher]

Johan Santana has another tear in his shoulder. Out for the season. Career very likely over.

[gunnar hendershow]

Damn. When Johan was at his peak of dominance in Minnesota there was no better pitcher in the game. I hate to see guys go down with a series of injuries to close out a career that once looked like a lock for the Hall of Fame. Johan's going to always sit in the "What if?" group for me. 5-6 more years like he had from 2004-10 and we're looking at a first ballot I think.