***Official 2011-12 MLB HOTSTOVE OFF-SEASON THREAD***

Getting guys cheap and Billy Beane don't seem to mix alot...

 

Heard Roy Oswalt wants a one yr "prove it' deal, who makes sense for him?

Imo, Brewers make a ton of sense, but could be wrong of course.

 

this soundes serious...

 

...

 

Fink your boy Law dropped a trade gem, but nobody was sure, and all the bigwig reports are asking if he knows for sure, and Law isnt answering hahahahah

 

He was right afterall. I don't think he would have put that out there unless he got it from a good source. He's not into the whole rumor/gossip stuff.

 

Wow BigDog and FinYank, you guys are slipping, no report of Beltran to St. Louis? Enjoying too much Holiday Egg Nog you miss out on some news?

 

Don't like that signing for them, Beltran's knees on that turf for 70 or more games.

 

Huh? Turf?

 

They pulled the carpet in St Louis?

 

Nah you and FinYank do a fine job on your own.

St. Louis got a new stadium a few years ago.

In fact, even in their old stadium I believe they had grass for awhile before they moved. I can't remember the last time I saw turf at the old Busch Stadium.

 

Lol a loooooooooong time ago. Yes.

 

I've never noticed tbh, knew they got a new stadium, but just assumed they had carpet or that prescription athletic turf stuff.

 

Nah, I think the only parks that still use a turf like carpet are Tampa Bay and Toronto.

 

Looks like Yorvit Torrealba may be in trouble lol.....

 

Yankees sign LHRP Hideki Okajima to a minor league contract with a ST invite.

 

Arod is getting treatment on his knees in Germany. Think the Yankees are a bit worried about him heading into the season?

And this is exactly why you don't give anyone, especially someone that's 30 years old, a contract of more than 7 years. Marlin fans should be doing backflips knowing Pujols signed with the Angels.

 

Just a little FYI, if Cabral doesn't stick with the Yankees, he has the right to become a FA due to the fact he was a Rule 5 pick two years in a row and won't make the MLB team.

 

I'd be real curious as to what the Yankee FO thinks the over/under on games Arod plays this year will be. 110 to 120 maybe? Whether way makes you wonder if he'll be able to play 3B everyday and whether or not it changes their real plans with Montero. I think in ST you'll see the Yankees play Montero behind the plate as much as possible to see get a look and see if he can be an everyday MLB catcher because I don't think there's going to be room on the team for him to be an everyday DH.

 

Yeah that's most likely what will end up happening, not necessarily Felix Hernandez, but for an arm. Although I do wonder if Montero's trade value will be as high this time next year, depending on what he happens this season of course.

I think the Yankees would be thrilled if Montero was Mike Piazza behind the plate. If he could be that he might be able to stick at catcher for a few years. Unfortunately almost every scout doesn't even think he can be that, he's just too big.

 

I find it interesting that scouts question Austin Romine's defense behind the plate as well, one of the bigger knocks on Romine is that his receiving skills are pretty poor and he has trouble with plus FBs. Again something to look at this coming season. Defensively he's better than Montero is but he still has stuff to work on. The problem with Romine is if he can't catch he might not have much value as his bat is nowhere near as good as Montero and probably won't play in a COF spot. As far as Sanchez, he has a lot of issues to overcome too as he had a lot of off the field issues last year that the Yankees weren't happy with. The Yankees have depth at that position yes, but in terms of trade value, it took a hit this year with the performances of Romine and Sanchez as well as Montero's defense.

Regarding Seattle, they actually have a some pretty good pitching depth in the minor leagues looking to come up in the next few years, so whether they want Felix Hernandez there when they all come up or if they want to move him for other offensive places is going to be interesting. I still don't think Hernandez will be moved in the next 2 years though and like you said putting all the eggs in that basket might not be wise. I'm sure if for example a Kershaw or Lincecum becomes available the Yankees wouldn't resist dealing Montero in hopes for waiting for Hernandez though. But again if Montero can only DH it limits him to only 13 teams (well 12 as I doubt they'd ever trade him to Boston).

 

Not as crazy as trading for 2 first base prospects back to back yrs...

I'd guess the Nats would have to trade Laroche and eat some of his contract money, iirc he received a smallish deal when he signed in DC.

 

Isn't it 3 first base prospects?

 

MLB depression does strange things to a man Mainge.

 

Red Sox get RHRP Andrew Bailey and LHH OFer Ryan Sweeney from Oakland for LHH OF Josh Reddick, 1B Miles Head and RHP Raul Alcantara.

I like the deal for the Sox. Alcantara is the only name that could be missed but being 19 years old he's a long ways away. The Sox have put together a solid 1-2 punch in the back of the pen with Melancan and Bailey without having to spend big money. I like how they're building the pen the TB route instead of throwing big bucks at guys.

 

Now you are starting to see the burden of all these contracts....A-Rods, Tex's, now CC's...all these forever 20+ million dollar contract to people to frankly dont deserve them....

Some people say Cashman is doing the right thing not spending money, and these are "his" Yankees now....bullcrap it is the ONLY thing he can do...he is cash strapped...he didnt do anything last year, and nothing this year...why? Because at the end of this upcoming year, they will have to spend all their money on Cano and possibly Granderson...to keep the status quo.....

In another event I see Billy Beane just gave away a pitcher for nothing yesterday....

 

Doesnt matter, the Sox are going to feel the effects of Valentine, they are going to miss Francona. Valentine is just another Rex Ryan, running that mouth and not proving a damn thing.

 

To be fair to Cashman and the Yankees who was out there as a free agent that the Yankees could have went after that would have made sense? They don't need any more offense (so obviously spending big money on Pujols or Fielder would be silly and unrealistic). I know you dislike Swisher but what OFer is/was available that was an upgrade over him?

Sure the Yankees need pitching but so does 28 other teams (only TB has enough arms) but did spending big money for CJ Wilson or Mark Buerhle make sense? Or bidding a lot for Davish?

Again it's only December 29th, there's still another month and a half before pitchers and catchers report. I'm sure the Yankees will make a few moves by then. Will they be big ones? Probably not, but I don't think they really need to make those to be good again in 2012.