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

I love the signing. We've been on his tail for a minute. And while he doesn't have the best #s, they are certainly better then our current SS corp.

 

ackley and carp are such gods. ackley>>>>

 

Pujols isn't 37 lol

 

Texas hasn't had much difficulty building up their farm system. They seem well run and in it for the long haul.

 

As far as we know.... Maybe he's not even Albert Pujols!

 

How do you know?

 

Because until a report comes out that says he is 37, he is not 37. He is 32.

 

Okay.

 

No.

But Miguel Tejada isn't Albert Pujols.

 

Crap I wanted to see Oswalt in a Sox uniform, he would have gotten beat up in the AL East, now they are going to get Jackson who will do real well....Oswalt didn't and hasnt wanted any part of the AL for the past few years now....

 

I don't blame him, especially at the tail end of his career and gunning for a 1 year deal to prove he's healthy for a multi-year deal next year makes zero sense to head to the AL, especially the AL East. I'd actually be surprised if Jackson went to the AL too, if I were him I'd stay in the NL Central and beat up on those pathetic line ups.

 

I like Oswalt to the Cards, I think the NL makes more sense for him as he can do the other stuff that helps pitchers win games in that league compared to the aL.

 

I don't think anyone said Jackson will do real well in the AL or NL. But using a pitcher's win/loss and ERA to try and explain why he doesn't have a job right now, doesn't exactly help your case. Come on BigDog you're better than that.

I think the reasons why Jackson doesn't have a job at this stage has more to do with the fact that he's a Scott Boras client (Boras almost always waits out the market) and big market teams either don't have the cash that usually do doing the offseason, teams are waiting out the market hoping to get a bargain or they don't have a need for a SP. Guys like Jeff Francis, Chris Young, Chris Capuano have jobs and I'd take Jackson over all 3 of those guys, so just because he's unsigned now doesn't mean he's unwanted or not good, Prince Fielder just signed a few days ago.

Jackson is in no way going to be a difference maker, there really wasn't one P that was this offseason, however as a 4th or 5th starter he's not a terrible option, especially if he gives a team 180 to 200+ innings like he's been averaging the past 4 seasons.

 

Some evidence that winning will bring the fans to the ballpark:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp...rss_mil&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

The Brewers lost Prince Fielder, has their best player in Braun under possible PED suspension yet they're setting a record in terms of attendance at their ball park this season. Winning helps solve a lot of those attendance problems I guess after all.

 

Because you're using pitcher W/L records and ERA. Those are meaningless/misleading stats and don't accurately tell how good/bad a pitcher is. I don't think there's a front office in baseball today that looks at either of those stats anymore to make a decision on whether they should sign that player, especially W/L record.

 

interdasting

 

What would Fielder leaving in the offseason have to do with attendance during the season? Ditto Braun failing a steroids test after the season was over, while having a MVP season during it?

Brewers also have been a good team the last 3 yrs or so, and were willing to make moves like trading for CC Sabathia for a stretch run, whereas teams like the Padres, can make no stretch moves, teams like the Rays win, yet cannot fill a phone booth at their stadium etc.

And keep in mind RF, that is stuff for the offseason, each yr is a new yr, it is also the job of fans to have some optimism as the season moves closer to beginning there is a difference between arguing over the structure of MLB and just enjoying the season.

Also will say the shrinking of little league programs across the country is far more ominous then MLB's cost structures.

 

Losing one of your best players while your other best player might be out for 50 games is a pretty negative thing don't you think? Yet the fans are still buying tickets. And yes you're helping make my point that winning will bring the fans out even while losing their superstar players (Sabathia, Fielder). They have built up good will by winning and the fans are responding. Again winning will bring out more fans than signing a single player or multiple players in the long run.

As for the Rays we touched on this subject a million times. They play in the worst stadium in the MLB and the location is extremely difficult to get too. However their TV and radio ratings have been going up each year so the fans, while not actually going to games, are watching and following the team. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule and it is possible that good teams won't draw no matter what because of the location of their ball parks and on the flip side some bad teams no matter what will always draw because of the fan base.

And yes I agree the MLB needs to do a much better job at marketing the game towards the younger generation.

 

yeah ah no....2 words...

Scott Boras....

 

This....I should have read before I posted 2X in a row....

 

Thing is BDH, who gets paid on what they did 5 years ago anymore? I mean at best it establishes durability I get that, but for a pitcher they use what maybe 2-3 years previous as guideline....if thats the case he has a sub-4 ERA since 09....maybe it shows he is learning how to pitch as he is getting older IDK...

Difference maker no, awesome deal on a 1 yr deal, absolutely because that dude will win ballgames on the right team....alla the Sox...Wins are basically determined on how much run support you get, look at Cliff Lee for example, his W-L record wasnt good on Cleveland, but look at his numbers and they tell an entirely different story...

All I am saying is this BDH....

Jackson>Oswalt and by miles to me....I am begging to see the Sox sign Oswalt...BEGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGING AND PRAYYYYYYYYYYYYYINGGGGGGGGGG AND WISHHHHHHHHHHHONG UPON A STARRRRRRRRRRRRR

Edwin Jackson in the 4 hole on the Red Sox would be a nightmare match-up....

 

sucks for V-Mart.....

you knew this was coming...he had a nice little career, nothing crazy stat wise...but had a good run, won a ring...

 

It has definitely gotten to the point where I just don't care about the remaining free agents (Cespedes included).

I just want some Spring Training reports already.

 

Player X is in the best shape of his life and Pitcher Y learned a new pitch. Meanwhile Player B is reporting late because of visa issues. Is that better?

 

As long as Player X is Hanley Ramirez and Pitcher Y is Josh Johnson, but instead of learning a new pitch, he is perfectly healthy. And I have no idea who Player B would be .

But yes that is much better than hearing about where Edwin friggin Jackson ends up.

 

Player B = The Pitcher Formerly Known as Leo Nunez?

And yes I agree about your previous post.

 

agreed I am switching gears here and going into the Yankee thread bunker...

you have Oswalt, Jackson, Cespedes (who is probably 50), and thats it for bigger names....nothing to see here anymore move along move along...

 

I wouldn't move it in now, especially considering all of their top prospects are pitchers. Field a team to your strengths.

 

Montero wants it to happen...

 

Rather face Jackson all day. Roy has a problem staying healthy. But when he's healthy he's a much better pitcher.

 

I think the whole health issue is the reason why Oswalt is not only still a FA but is seeking a 1 year deal. And yes Oswalt is clearly the better pitcher when healthy but I think at this part in both of their careers Jackson is the better bet to give a team 200 innings, which as a 4th or 5th starter is huge.

FWIW Gammons was on NESN a few minutes ago and said he talked to Boras and after the conversation he feels the Sox have the best shot at signing Jackson to a 1 year deal as Jackson wants to pitch for a winning team that would give him a lot of run support.