I figure there's gonna be a lot of shit coming down the pike. Plus, us seamheads can use this to talk shit and whatnot. So...what do we have?

Looks like the Angels are telling Grienke "thanks, but no thanks" Dodgers on line 1?

Carlos Ruiz...drug cheat. Sit down for 25 games. LULZ!! I wish I could remember who was cysin him over Yadier earlier this year.

Yanks give Pettite 11 milly for a year. Not a bad deal.

Mets trying to lock Wright up on that Longoria. GAWD...I would love to see Wright in a Brave's uni.

Add on

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

confusing, but that's how much I'm worried the Phankees or Nats will torpedo the deal.

I think he'd hit sixty doubles a year in that park.

https://mobile.twitter.com/pgammo/status/273612712636989441

Peter Gammons
@pgammo

Red Sox inquired on Mauer in Sept., Oct., Nov..."not being traded" response. Period

______________________________

"Walleye, a lot of things are going to go wrong in your life that technically aren't your fault. Always remember that this doesn't make you any less of an idiot"

--Walleye's Dad

Wasn't a huge fan of the Andino trade but we'll see.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Make Money: http://jamesjenkins.acnrep.com
Save Money: http://jamesjenkins.acndirect.com

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...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

And people who think they're going to get big contracts wait for one.

______________________________

"Walleye, a lot of things are going to go wrong in your life that technically aren't your fault. Always remember that this doesn't make you any less of an idiot"

--Walleye's Dad

One or two of Upton/Bourne/Swisher/Pagan will need to sign first, and they are likely going to have to come down off their guaranteed length demands. I could see all the supposed interest from the NL settling on cheaper, more predictable options and Hamilton getting into late December with a pissing contest between Texas and Seattle on amount per (Texas) vs length (Seattle).

I think the Twins picked the wrong winter to try and deal Span and Willingham because teams should be pretty comfortable getting similar players for only money over the next couple months. Maybe in June.

Anyhow, you're totally right. Lot of dominoes to fall and a number of guys who maybe want to be the last domino.

______________________________

"Walleye, a lot of things are going to go wrong in your life that technically aren't your fault. Always remember that this doesn't make you any less of an idiot"

--Walleye's Dad

I'm being naive thinking they'd both figure they were better together.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

http://m.espn.go.com/mlb/story?storyId=8687612

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/wp/2012/11/29/nationals-acquire-denard-span-for-alex-meyer/

Meyer was rapidly improving, and has big upside with his size (6'9) and fastball/slider. mechanics and control were why he slid in the draft, but he could be a starter if he gets his change-up right, and possibly a dominant closer if he doesn't. Rizzo's accumulation of young arms has served him well, although let's hope he hasn't traded away *too* many.

Span fits the lineup perfectly and has been coveted by Rizzo for awhile (along with B.J. Upton). still under 30 and signed to a team-friendly deal. I like.

--------

Because it sucked. Span is really rather good and Storen is... a reliever.

______________________________

"Walleye, a lot of things are going to go wrong in your life that technically aren't your fault. Always remember that this doesn't make you any less of an idiot"

--Walleye's Dad

I think the main version that I heard was that Minnesota was holding out for an additional player, either Steve Lombardozzi or Roger Bernadina. I was rooting for Lombardozzi. Father won a World Series with the Twins and he could be Denny Hocking 2.0. Neither guy is a full-time starter on a legitimate team. If that held up the trade it's a shame on our end.

Meyer could be pretty legit. He showed some good things when he got to Potomac last year. Not as close as you'd like him to be for a 1st round college pitcher so anything could happen , but I'm starting to feel concern that we're continuing to jettison our better minor league pitching prospects.

Neither Lombardozzi or (the entirely superfluous given our outfield situation) Roger Bernadina would have made that a good trade, but it would have successfully vaulted the low bar of the trade-whose-name-we-try-not-to-say in Twinsland.

>Meyer could be pretty legit. He showed some good things when
>he got to Potomac last year. Not as close as you'd like him to
>be for a 1st round college pitcher so anything could happen ,
>but I'm starting to feel concern that we're continuing to
>jettison our better minor league pitching prospects.

I'm excited because the Twins have exactly zero sexy when it comes to pitching in their system. Shit, even the few people who think that Kyle Gibson can be a #2 happily admit that he is the precise opposite of sexy. Berrios is fun, but far, far off.

We ... really need Meyer to pan out. So the risk that he wont, or will just take forever and never find a foothold, is kind of scary. But the Brad Radke clone army thing has gotten really, really old in the first and second round. When Nick Blackburn is available in the 39th round or wherever he was drafted and you manage to squeeze a non-useless year or two out of him, that's it. You've achieved the pinnacle of potential success of the Clone Army. I like Gibson and pity Wimmers, but I don't really care for the idea of them. Meyer is different, and different is needed.

Span is also really good. His defense has improved incredibly, to the point where he's one of the top four or five guys in baseball out there. And I love his patience, which exists even *during* a pitch. I've seriously never seen a hitter who takes so many balls that appeared to be safely inside the catcher's mitt and flick them foul to extend an at-bat. Very valuable player, and has a nice little chip on his shoulder too. I'll be sad to see him gone.

______________________________

"Walleye, a lot of things are going to go wrong in your life that technically aren't your fault. Always remember that this doesn't make you any less of an idiot"

--Walleye's Dad

Span fills so many needs: ends the merry-go-round at leadoff, gives us a plus centerfielder, another left-handed bat, makes Harper better in leftfield, and mitigates the need to overpay Morse or LaRoche.

plus there were some concussion scares back then.

--------

Team can basically match the production they got from 3rd OF + LaRoche in 2012 with Spann + Moore + table scraps in 2014 for less money. Gives us more room to address needs in the future.

I also think Corey Brown can stick as a 4th OF.

yeah he's a hacker and plodding defender, but a .250 ISO in his rookie season? he could put together a 2011 Morse year with more at-bats. and without needing to carry the order.

--------

Signing Russell Martin to a 2 year 17 million contract

For those keeping score instead of drafting Matt Wieters they selected Daniel Moskos who was released after 24 innings in the majors.

They overdrafted Tony Sanchez who obviously is so close to the majors that they are going to sign Russel Martin.

Signed Rod Barajas

And my personal favorite, traded Jose Bautista for Robinson Diaz-another failed catcher.


But hey they saved some money!
_____________________
<---- At least we have this

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http://i.imgur.com/vPqCzVU.jpg

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http://twitter.com/malael

http://i.imgur.com/vPqCzVU.jpg

-The Knicks’ coaching search still includes a lone frontrunner, Kurt Rambis, whose qualifications for the position include a strong relationship with Jackson and a willingness to take the job.

*Jews you*

"this is okp tho, reading is completely optional" (c) desus

Proceed with caution. I am overtly racist.

<-- In Pigpen we trust

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GrandeMarshall "800" http://www.foolsgoldrecs.com/800/
Andreena "Naked EP"
G Milla "Downtown EP" http://www.audiomack.com/album/g-milla/downtown-ep-1
Asaad "Troy EP" http://asaad.bandcamp.com/album/troy-ep

"no such thing as a pitching prospect"

Hanson had some AWFUL starts last season; his fastball isn't breaking 90 anymore and looks like a meatball when his slider and cutter are off

still, this is pretty low return for a guy once considered a #2 starter...I'm guessing Atlanta is scared of his shoulder and delivery problems

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i think they are positioning themselves to make another move.

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http://twitter.com/malael

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...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

It had gotten so bad. Will not miss.

Sold rotation, but I can see room for a move given how "eh" Maholm looked last season. They may give him a shot to settle in with the team and go from there, but there could also be another move in the offing.


And the "wait and see" side of Hanson got us little to nothing last year. He still has it and I think a change in scenery will do him well, especially that they found a club in SoCal for him to go home to.

that's a lot of money for Haren, but there's a current surplus with so many players still on pre-arbitration contracts. as a season rental I don't mind it.

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There are some concerns about his health that I'm going to totally ignore for the time being. But he was one of the 10 best pitchers in the AL in 2011. That should be worth something regardless of a 2012 struggle.

Haven't seen details yet.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/8718449/joe-blanton-sean-burnett-agree-deals-los-angeles-angels-source

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

i hate that they have to go this route, but theres really not another 3B option out there right now.

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http://twitter.com/malael

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...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

not sure we have much of a choice... Eduardo Nunez needs to work on his fucking glove!

A-Rod going to make 28 million this year and they have to offer 12 mill to Youk. Genius contract.

November 8th, 2005 The greatest night in the history of GD!

http://espn.go.com/dallas/mlb/story/_/id/8726562/texas-rangers-send-michael-young-philadelphia-phillies-josh-lindblom-lisalverto-bonilla-source-says

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

http://espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove12/story/_/id/8731167/sources-tampa-bay-rays-trade-james-shields-wade-davis-kansas-city-royals-wil-myers

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

"If you're going to win consistently in the major leagues, you're going to need a rotation that gives you innings, competes, helps you win" (c) Royals GM Dayton Moore

um, I don't think one that has Ervin Santana and Jeremy Guthrie as second and third starters qualifies. I understand the frustration in waiting for a future that never seems to come, but bailing on a 21-year-old who has already crushed AAA pitching seems short-sighted.

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http://i.imgur.com/vPqCzVU.jpg

There are no guaranteed stars, but Wil Myers is pretty close. So when you trade the #1 and #5 prospects from a very good system, plus Mike Montgomery, who was near the top of the 2011 Royals Prospectalypse before coming to pieces* for a pair of guys who are MLB contributors right now then you're pretty much saying that we have the two year window of control over James Shields to compete and if we don't then we fucked up badly.

Sending a Royals team to the playoffs is, I suppose, worth the trouble because they're the Royals and that seemed like an impossible task just a couple years ago. So if Davis/Shields anchor an adequate rotation around an offense that should really hit if Hosmer bounces back from a rough sophomore year then you're looking at an 80+ win team in an 85 win division.

But if they don't see post-season play in 2013 or 2014 then Moore should probably resign because that's the only reason to make this trade.

*By the way, if you're Dayton Moore and you're down on Mike Montgomery after a shitty, lost season then I think the Rays calling and asking about him should be enough to change your mind.

______________________________

"Walleye, a lot of things are going to go wrong in your life that technically aren't your fault. Always remember that this doesn't make you any less of an idiot"

--Walleye's Dad

So you'll not do shit for two years, shields will go on to play for the Yankees or angesl/dodgers as Myers becomes Mike Trout and helps the Rays to several division titles and/or WS appearances. I'm obviously overstating it, but still.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

>Sending a Royals team to the playoffs is, I suppose, worth the
>trouble because they're the Royals and that seemed like an
>impossible task just a couple years ago. So if Davis/Shields
>anchor an adequate rotation around an offense that should
>really hit if Hosmer bounces back from a rough sophomore year
>then you're looking at an 80+ win team in an 85 win division.

i don't know if you can stand pat and try to wait another year with this team, while waiting for the prospects to further develop. on the other hand, that seems like an awful lot to give up for a guy that you only have under control for 2 years and wade davis (who isnt bad).

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http://twitter.com/malael

>i don't know if you can stand pat and try to wait another year
>with this team, while waiting for the prospects to further
>develop. on the other hand, that seems like an awful lot to
>give up for a guy that you only have under control for 2 years
>and wade davis (who isnt bad).

He's been preparing Kansas City fans for a window of competitiveness that starts in late 2013 for awhile now.

Anyhow, which is why I wanted to highlight the unambiguity of the situation. If it works, where "works" can be defined as any Royals games after 162 regular season ones, then I think he has every right to consider this a huge success. But they've staked a lot on it, and I'm still not particularly impressed by the 2013 Royals.

It doesn't particularly sound like we disagree, so let me ask you what you think of that team. Do you think the 2013 Royals make the playoffs?

______________________________

"Walleye, a lot of things are going to go wrong in your life that technically aren't your fault. Always remember that this doesn't make you any less of an idiot"

--Walleye's Dad

i think this is still the tigers division and i expect the royals to finish around where the white sox finished this year. i think the hoesmer, moustakas (sp?), and gordon to finally put it all together and the offense just mashes. i just dont see guthrie, santana, and chen being enough, pitching wise. if they pick up another arm i would be willing to change my mind. i need to go look at their pitching prospects. i really only knew of montgomery, and i was surprised to see him go.

in other news, the rays are about to be really, really good again. and i am mentally preparing myself for a yanks 3rd place finish.

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http://twitter.com/malael

We were talking a bit about this in the Twins post, because the Royals were tagged with that "best farm system in history" before 2011 after putting NINE guys on BA's top 100 and the expected dominance hasn't just not happened, but now seems kind of unlikely due to attrition among pitchers. Montgomery was #5 on that list, and he fell apart almost immediately after. I think John Lamb and Chris Dwyer have also regressed, with injuries the reason for the former, and Danny Duffy had Tommy John surgery.

It's a mess. But that's life with pitching prospects.

______________________________

"Walleye, a lot of things are going to go wrong in your life that technically aren't your fault. Always remember that this doesn't make you any less of an idiot"

--Walleye's Dad

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8738415/shin-soo-choo-acquired-cincinnati-reds-three-team-deal-involving-cleveland-indians-arizona-diamondbacks

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

18 months ago, they liked him enough to draft him over Bundy...and now he's gone for a lesser positional prospect. Diamondbacks seem like the pro bono facilitator between a successful Cincy-Cleveland trade.

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I LOVE Skip. A really good guy and teammate who can play all three outfield positions and 2nd base. Has a cannon for an arm and an overall good attitude. I figured this would be a no-brainer too, considering his relationship with McGwire.

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/8738849/los-angeles-dodgers-acquire-skip-schumaker-st-louis-cardinals-reports

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8763648/los-angeles-angels-trade-kendrys-morales-seattle-mariners-jason-vargas

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

we'll see how your rotation does tho


----------------------

GrandeMarshall "800" http://www.foolsgoldrecs.com/800/
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Asaad "Troy EP" http://asaad.bandcamp.com/album/troy-ep

i mean i hope we do but i still see the Angels as the favs...or even Dodgers.

I think we won the the offseason as far as covering majority of the needs and probably the best signings and trades. but Angels lineup is just ridiculous. esp that htey keep Trumbo and Bujjos (however u spell his name)

----------------------

GrandeMarshall "800" http://www.foolsgoldrecs.com/800/
Andreena "Naked EP"
G Milla "Downtown EP" http://www.audiomack.com/album/g-milla/downtown-ep-1
Asaad "Troy EP" http://asaad.bandcamp.com/album/troy-ep

Wilson was horrible in the second half last season, Hanson has been brutal and Vargas' splits outside Safeco aren't great (although he does well in his own division)

Dodgers? great videogame team, but let's see them win their own division before crowning them...Giants didn't get worse, and the Reds and Nats got better

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i just dont see the Giants repeating tho....nor do i see the Reds winning....Nats better let him pitch in the playoffs this year...cut his inning down there not shut him all the way down...smh


----------------------

GrandeMarshall "800" http://www.foolsgoldrecs.com/800/
Andreena "Naked EP"
G Milla "Downtown EP" http://www.audiomack.com/album/g-milla/downtown-ep-1
Asaad "Troy EP" http://asaad.bandcamp.com/album/troy-ep

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...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

Brings some asshole to the table and probably not as steep a drop-off from Napoli as you would expect given the price differential.

Burnett, Wandy, and Liriano would have been a great trio 5 years ago.

http://i.imgur.com/vPqCzVU.jpg

.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8774649/nick-swisher-cleveland-indians-agree-4-year-deal-source

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post has a source saying deal is "close but not done".

This is absurd. I don't even know how to react to this. We lose out on a few good relief pitchers because we're not willing to outbid a few other teams so we break the bank on one guy who is going to pitch 70 innings if we're lucky?

We could have gotten 3 quality bullpen arms who would contribute 200 IP for the $14 million. A LHP in there too.

$14 million a year. That's closer money. So now are they going to package Storen with Morse and try to get some prospects and restock.

Are Morse and Storen going to get somebody better than the Nats' first-rounder?

______________________________

"Walleye, a lot of things are going to go wrong in your life that technically aren't your fault. Always remember that this doesn't make you any less of an idiot"

--Walleye's Dad

And with the new draft structure we lose the first round money in the pool so there's less wiggle room with the subsequent draft picks.

I read this on Fangraphs a couple weeks ago:

"The same goes for Michael Bourn and Rafael Soriano. Yeah, it’s a speed-and-defense guy heading into his 30s, and its a reliever with some history of arm problems, and yeah, they’ll cost you your first round pick if you sign them. But pricing the cost of that pick into the offer is different than just not offering a contract to begin with. There are teams out there who could use Michael Bourn and Rafael Soriano more than they could use a first round draft choice in the #11-#25 range."

I'm not sure that we're one of those teams given that we've lost prospects in the last two off seasons via trades though.

This team is going to get really expensive 2015/2016.

I'm indifferent to short term contracts (no hard cap)...but yeah. although I'm not mad if this moves Morse and Storen (elbow concerns?) for prospects.

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Nats must be going for broke short-term

<-Fear Ameer

i support this 100%


do or die

Based on the AAV of the contract (though apparently it's heavily deferred) he's the second highest paid player on the team this year.

Joel Hanrahan who we gave away in 2009 because he was carrying a 7.71 ERA is now the "security in the 9th" for the Boston Red Sox. Relief pitchers are what they are but it's a huge, huge overpay.

We could have signed all three of Mike Adams, Sean Burnett, and Joel Peralta together for less money. And we'd have a lefty out of the pen. And we wouldn't have to give up a first round pick to do it.

Soriano will be very good, but for that money, we easily could have signed good two pitchers and filled a lefty problem in case Bill Bray's Frankenstein elbow blows up again.

It's altogether possible that if Davey doesn't bring Storen into pitch the 9th inning of a 8-0 blowout loss against the Cardinals in Game 3, this signing never happens.

Oh well. I guess they're going all in this year. Davey's last year. Contracts start blowing up next year. Window will never be more open than it is in 2013 I suppose.

but yeah good pick up for the Nats


----------------------

GrandeMarshall "800" http://www.foolsgoldrecs.com/800/
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http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8851318/seattle-mariners-land-slugger-michael-morse-three-way-trade

see you Beast...enjoyed your stay & i hope you kick ass & take names in Seattle

welcome back Cole...maybe we'll see you in Potomac next season


do or die

Zduriencik said this after the trade:

"We've added to what we think could be a pretty good middle of the lineup there with Michael, Kendrys Morales, and Raul and Jason Bay."

I guess we know the only real answer, some combination of 1B, LF, RF, and DH. But how do they do this without that day's starting pitcher going on strike?

______________________________

"Walleye, a lot of things are going to go wrong in your life that technically aren't your fault. Always remember that this doesn't make you any less of an idiot"

--Walleye's Dad

and Morse has a solid arm.

---------------------------------
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"This (and every, actually) conversation needs more Chesterton and less Mike Francesa." - Walleye

It softens the loss of the draft pick we lost via Soriano by getting a guy with a good ceiling.

On a personal note, it really plays well into my "We gave up too much for Gio Gonzalez" agenda that I had yet to abandon.

on, delmon: what say you? could be a defensive liability, but I think wedging a right-handed bat somewhere mid-order could prove beyond beneficial -- especially considering the dirt cheap deal we got him for

we are simply the Best

>could be a defensive liability,
>but I think wedging a right-handed bat somewhere mid-order
>could prove beyond beneficial -- especially considering the
>dirt cheap deal we got him for

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8869761/delmon-young-signs-1-year-deal-philadelphia-phillies

we are simply the Best

I had my bad-fielding, right-handed hitters with ~.300 OBP that the Phillies signed this offseason mixed-up.

I think Yuniesky Betancourt is still floating around out there if they need a back-up to Rollins that fits that profile.

>I had my bad-fielding, right-handed hitters with ~.300 OBP
>that the Phillies signed this offseason mixed-up.
>
>I think Yuniesky Betancourt is still floating around out there
>if they need a back-up to Rollins that fits that profile.

https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/295941821962530816

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...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft