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

small news:

The Dodgers announce that they signed right-hander Mike MacDougal to one-year deal that includes a club option for 2013. The contract is worth $1MM, according to MLB.com's Ken Gurnick.

 

If that other deals turns out to be Fielder.....hello AL East....wow!

 

The Orioles reached an agreement with lefty Wei-Yin Chen, tweets Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. Connolly says it's believed to be a three-year deal, though the third year might be a vesting option, worth less than $12MM, tweets Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.


The Rangers are offering "Dice-K money" to Yu Darvish, sources tell Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, and there's no evidence a deal is close. Daisuke Matsuzaka received a six-year, $52MM deal from the Red Sox about five years ago. Heyman says it's not clear whether the Rangers' offer to Darvish is for five or six years. The deadline to work out a deal is January 18th at 4pm central time. The Rangers won the exclusive right to negotiate with Darvish for $51,703,411, which would be returned to them from the Nippon Ham Fighters if they fail to reach an agreement with Darvish.

 

Something to think about for the following FA season (2013)

Position Analysis For The 2013 Free Agent Class

Plenty has been written about the potential starting pitching depth of the 2013 free agent class, which could include Matt Cain, Cole Hamels, Zack Greinke, Anibal Sanchez, Brandon McCarthy, and more.


But how does next offseason's free agent market look for position players?

Catcher
This could be the deepest free agent catching class in a long time. Yadier Molina will set the market, while Chris Iannetta, Russell Martin, Miguel Montero, Mike Napoli, A.J. Pierzynski, and Yorvit Torrealba join him. It's rare to find offense at catcher, but there is plenty in this group. Napoli and Molina seem most likely to be extended prior to reaching the open market.

First basemen
Napoli and Lance Berkman head up the group, with second tier guys like Aubrey Huff, Adam LaRoche, Carlos Lee, and James Loney also in the mix. They'll be joined by Casey Kotchman, Carlos Pena, and Derrek Lee if they sign one-year deals. Overall, there's a case to be made for a non-contender to sign Prince Fielder if they're looking forward to this group.

Second basemen
Howie Kendrick signed an extension over the weekend. If Brandon Phillips follows suit and obvious options are picked up on Robinson Cano and Ian Kinsler, the best available might be Kelly Johnson, Maicer Izturis, and Freddy Sanchez.

Shortstops
Erick Aybar is the best option, but the Angels could extend him too. Stephen Drew could get a big contract with a healthy season, while Marco Scutaro and Alex Gonzalez will be looking for everyday jobs.

Third basemen
The third base market may be bleak once again. David Wright could be a free agent after the 2012 season if he's traded before it ends and chooses to void a 2013 option, or if the Mets simply decline the $16MM option. Kevin Youkilis' $13MM option will probably be exercised. Additionally, Scott Rolen and Placido Polanco are likely free agents.

Left fielders
Josh Hamilton is the big name. His contract will depend heavily on his 2012 season. Delmon Young will have age on his side at 27 years old. Several others who are currently penciled in at center or right field will be options in left.

Center fielders
Hamilton can play some center, but this is a deep group with Michael Bourn, B.J. Upton, Shane Victorino, Melky Cabrera, Marlon Byrd, Grady Sizemore, and Angel Pagan.

Right fielders
Andre Ethier, Carlos Quentin, and Nick Swisher will be seeking big paydays. Ichiro Suzuki and Torii Hunter will represent the old guard.

Designated hitters
David Ortiz will again be the best available; we'll see if he gets the equivalent of an arbitration offer from the Red Sox. Edwin Encarnacion could be interesting, while Bobby Abreu and Travis Hafner will be fighting for regular work.

 

Cubs sign Paul Maholm to a one-year, $4.25MM deal, tweets Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago. There is a $6.5MM club option for 2013 with a $500K buyout.

So far this offseason Cubs president Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer have signed David DeJesus, Reed Johnson, Manny Corpas, and Andy Sonnanstine via free agency. They've added Ian Stewart, Casey Weathers, Ronald Torreyes, Dave Sappelt, Wood, Volstad, Zach Cates, and Anthony Rizzo via trade.

And rumors are circulating to a Tigers Cubs trade involving Garza for 3 prospects.

 

start spreading the news........

 

Darn was hoping Madson would fall through the cracks...but love the signing for Reds....very reasonable price to gamble on with no strings attached.

 

Feb 14th is Pitchers and Catchers report date!

March 2-3, 2012 Spring Training games begin


March 28-29, 2012 Japan Opening Series, Mariners vs. Athletics (Tokyo Dome)


April 4, 2012 Opener between Marlins and Cardinals at new Marlins ballpark


April 5, 2012 Opening Day

 

Selig to get 2yr extension......


Also, I really want Nats to sign Prince.....but my fear is that TEX steps up an signs him. That would be scary thought for other AL teams getting past them.

 

Here’s a look at possible suitors for the top ten remaining free agents (ranking on MLBTR’s list of top 2012 free agents in parentheses):

• Prince Fielder (2) - Fielder will sign before Spring Training and the Nationals are among the teams with interest. Boras, who seeks a long-term deal for Fielder, is currently in Phoenix working to sell MLB owners on the first baseman.
• Edwin Jackson (6) - The Yankees and Orioles have been linked to the right-handed Boras client, but the Yankees are said to be reluctant to commit to a long-term contract.
• Hiroki Kuroda (15) - The Yankees and Red Sox have some interest in Kuroda, who will pitch in MLB in 2012. The Rockies had some interest, but they aren’t likely to meet Kuroda's asking price.
• Carlos Pena (16) - The Indians, Rays and Pirates seem like potential destinations for Pena, another Boras client.
• Roy Oswalt (18) - The Red Sox have some interest in Oswalt, who seeks a one-year deal.
• Javier Vazquez (19) - It still seems likely that the durable right-hander will retire.
• Bartolo Colon (27) - The market for Colon has been surprisingly quiet, as Mike Axisa explained at River Ave. Blues this morning.
• Jeff Francis (32) - The Mariners and Pirates were among the teams linked to Francis earlier in the offseason.
• Casey Kotchman (36) - Like Pena, Kotchman could be a fit for the Indians, Rays or Pirates.
• Johnny Damon (39) - Could the Athletics or Orioles offer Damon an everyday job as he continues to approach the 3,000 hit plateau?
• Honorable mentions - Joe Saunders (non-tendered by the Diamondbacks in December) and Yoenis Cespedes (not yet officially a free agent).

Juan Pierre, Joel Pineiro and Kerry Wood are the only other unsigned players who made MLBTR’s list of top free agents.

 

Blockbuster:

It's not every day that two of baseball's best young stars are swapped for each other, but the Mariners and Yankees pulled off just such a deal today, as Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi went to Seattle in exchange for Michael Pineda and Jose Campos.


Here is some of the early reaction to this stunning trade, plus some information on how the deal came together...

• "The risk for both clubs is low. The reward for both clubs is outstanding. This could be a transformational deal that will have fans of both clubs buzzing about for a long time," writes MLB.com's Bernie Pleskoff.
• Replacing pitching via minor leaguers or the free agent market is far easier than attracting top-caliber hitters in Seattle, notes MLB.com's Greg Johns.
• Mike Salk of ESPN 710 Radio in Seattle outlines the reasons why he "loves" the deal for the Mariners. Also from Salk (on Twitter), he hears from "a non-M's baseball guy" who believes Noesi is a better long-term option than Pineda.
• The trade makes the Yankees the favorites in the AL East, writes Scott Miller of CBSSports.com. Miller talks to two scouts who rave about the Yankees' sudden surplus of young pitching that also includes Dellin Betances and Manny Banuelos.
• Dave Cameron of the U.S.S. Mariner blog sees Montero as developing into a Carlos Lee-type of hitter who is productive but not quite a superstar. Cameron thinks the deal will look better for the Mariners if they were to sign a free agent starter like Roy Oswalt or Edwin Jackson, since then the team would have Montero's bat plus a pitcher that could match Pineda's production.
• Yankees GM Brian Cashman feels he took a "huge risk" with the trade, reports The Record's Bob Klapisch (via Twitter). "I gave up a ton (for Pineda)," Cashman said. "To me, Montero is Mike Piazza. He's Miguel Cabrera."
• "Some execs from other AL East teams believe Yankees just made an incredible trade," tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
• The two teams were "talking for weeks" about the deal, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post (Twitter link). Each side told the other that they had limited funds to address their needs.
• The Yankees initially tried to acquire Felix Hernandez from the Mariners, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter) and were willing to offer a package that included Montero, Betances, Banuelos and more.

 

and....

The Yankees have agreed to a one-year contract with Hiroki Kuroda, pending a physical, tweets Jack Curry of the YES Network (Twitter link). The deal will pay Kuroda $10MM, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.

 

the ticking clock changes many things - we will see what the price BECOMES vs what it was requested to be (yes, currently untouchable) - in the near future.


....but regardless, right now....me beyond likey, likey.....me lovey, lovey our NY arms (SP & Pen)!

 

American League
(Pitchers & catchers | full squad)
BALTIMORE: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Friday, Feb. 24
BOSTON: Tuesday, Feb. 21 | Saturday, Feb. 25
CHICAGO WHITE SOX: Thursday, Feb. 23 | Tuesday, Feb. 28
CLEVELAND: Wednesday, Feb. 22 | Saturday, Feb. 25
DETROIT: Monday, Feb. 20 | Friday, Feb. 24
KANSAS CITY: Tuesday, Feb. 21 | Saturday, Feb. 25
LOS ANGELES ANGELS: Monday, Feb. 20 | Monday, Feb. 27
MINNESOTA: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Friday, Feb. 24
NEW YORK YANKEES: Monday, Feb. 20 | Saturday, Feb. 25
OAKLAND: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Saturday, Feb. 25
SEATTLE: Sunday, Feb. 12 | Saturday, Feb. 18
TAMPA BAY: Tuesday, Feb. 21 | Sunday, Feb. 26
TEXAS: Thursday, Feb. 23 | Sunday, Feb. 26
TORONTO: Wednesday, Feb. 22 | Saturday, Feb. 25

National League
(Pitchers & catchers | full squad)
ARIZONA: Tuesday, Feb. 20 | Sunday, Feb. 25
ATLANTA: Monday, Feb. 20 | Saturday, Feb. 25
CHICAGO CUBS: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Friday, Feb. 24
CINCINNATI: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Friday, Feb. 24
COLORADO: Monday, Feb. 20 | Monday, Feb. 27
HOUSTON: Monday, Feb. 20 | Sunday, Feb. 26
LOS ANGELES DODGERS: Wednesday, Feb. 22 | Tuesday, Feb. 28
MIAMI: Wednesday, Feb. 22 | Sunday, Feb. 26
MILWAUKEE: Monday, Feb. 20 | Saturday, Feb. 25
NEW YORK METS: Wednesday, Feb. 22 | Monday, Feb. 27
PHILADELPHIA: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Friday, Feb. 24
PITTSBURGH: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Friday, Feb. 24
ST. LOUIS: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Friday, Feb. 24
SAN DIEGO: Monday, Feb. 20 | Saturday, Feb. 25
SAN FRANCISCO: Sunday, Feb. 19 | Friday, Feb. 24
WASHINGTON: Monday, Feb. 20 | Saturday, Feb. 25

 

The Athletics and Bartolo Colon have agreed to a one-year contract, reports ESPN's Jayson Stark. MLB.com's Joey Nowak reports that the deal is worth nearly $2MM and could include a signing bonus. Both sides are still working to finalize the agreement.


The Twins and Joel Zumaya have agreed to a one-year contract, reports MLB.com's Jason Beck. The deal could pay the Hendricks Sports client anywhere from $800K to $1.7MM based on incentives.

 

I am telling you I really like what the Nats are doing.....they need to improve their Defense, and if they could sign Fielder for that big Lefthanded power, this Staff and Pen is coming together nicely for years to come (pending health).

 

The Athletics acquired outfielder Seth Smith from the Rockies for righty Guillermo Moscoso and lefty Josh Outman, according to the Rockies' Twitter feed.