The 2006 "Hot Stove" thread.

[Papa Deuce]

Anybody want to talk baseball?

I, for one, amd really disappointed that my Phillies have let the 2 guys I really wanted get signed by the Cubs. That was Aramis Ramirez and Mark DeRosa. I know that they have their sites set on Soriano, but I don't think that is the guy we need. I liked the other 2 way more. Or maybe a starting pitcher. Plus, we really need relief piching.

 

[Figment22]

Or maybe a starting pitcher. Plus, we really need relief piching.

Which teams don't need pitching?

I'm glad my Yanks re-signed Mike Mussina. The numbers are probably a little higher than should be necessary but he's still got some gas left in the tank.

51 million dollars just for the rights to talk to Daisuke Matsuzaka...

I'd better never hear a Red Sox fan talk about the Yankees spending habits!

DeRosa is a good pick-up for the Cubs.

There's a lot going on early this off-season.

Oh, and BIG congratulations to Joe Girardi for winning NL Manager of the Year in his rookie season. Jeffrey Loria is a jerk. I'm hoping Girardi will be managing the Yankees in '08, but moving Don Mattingly to Bench Coach would seem to give him the edge. At least we'll have Joe G. back in the Yanks broadcast booth.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Which teams don't need pitching?

I'm glad my Yanks re-signed Mike Mussina. The numbers are probably a little higher than should be necessary but he's still got some gas left in the tank.

51 million dollars just for the rights to talk to Daisuke Matsuzaka...

I'd better never hear a Red Sox fan talk about the Yankees spending habits!

DeRosa is a good pick-up for the Cubs.

There's a lot going on early this off-season.

Oh, and BIG congratulations to Joe Girardi for winning NL Manager of the Year in his rookie season. Jeffrey Loria is a jerk. I'm hoping Girardi will be managing the Yankees in '08, but moving Don Mattingly to Bench Coach would seem to give him the edge. At least we'll have Joe G. back in the Yanks broadcast booth.

I wish he was managing the Phillies RIGHT NOW.

 

[Missy1961]

Yes, the Yankees were wise to re-sign Moose, and he's actually a bargain! And even if they got a bag of used baseballs for Sheffield, that was so smart to get rid of him. The fact that they got some young arms is a plus. What's the over/under before Sheffield is pissed off at someone in Detroit?

I still can't believe $51 million just to talk to the guy! If they sign him, they won't be able to afford Clemens.

I think Joe is an awesome manager, and will be again. But I must admit to wishing that Willie got some more votes.

I know the Mets will over pay him, but they need Zito.

 

[Virgo10]

Yeah, this business with Matsuzaka is over the top.

At any rate, only 3 months and 13 days until the Red Sox play their first spring training game. Even better for me... They play Detroit on 3/10 and Detroit's spring headquarters is in Lakeland, the next town over!

 

[olena]

Yeah, this business with Matsuzaka is over the top.

At any rate, only 3 months and 13 days until the Red Sox play their first spring training game. Even better for me... They play Detroit on 3/10 and Detroit's spring headquarters is in Lakeland, the next town over!

Oh wow. I hadn't thought about gearing up for a countdown. Thanks for the smile.

Throw another log on the hot stove!

 

[mrsv98]

Anybody want to talk baseball?

I, for one, amd really disappointed that my Phillies have let the 2 guys I really wanted get signed by the Cubs. That was Aramis Ramirez and Mark DeRosa. I know that they have their sites set on Soriano, but I don't think that is the guy we need. I liked the other 2 way more. Or maybe a starting pitcher. Plus, we really need relief piching.

I, on the other hand am THRILLED the Cubbies resigned Aramis and signed DeRosa. Nice infield, Lee, DeRosa, Izturez and Rameriz


I am glad Henry Blanco resigned, too. He has an excellent caught stealing percentage, just wish his batting average was better but he is a really good backup.

Now, Hendry is going after a couple of pitchers to bolster the rotation. And I am thrilled Woody is signed as a relief pitcher. I think he could go the way of Gagne or Smoltz in converting from an oft-injured started to a great closer.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Associated Press
Nov. 15, 2006 04:23 PM


The Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be headed to this sports-crazy Phoenix suburb for spring training after nearly 60 years of playing in a small Florida city that has wrapped its identity around the baseball team.

The Glendale City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with the Dodgers and the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. The decision will allow the city to apply to the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority to help pay for a shared stadium.

If approved, the Dodgers will be leaving Dodgertown, their spring training home since 1948 - nine years before the team moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.

The White Sox would be leaving Tucson, where they have shared Tucson Electric Park with the Arizona Diamondbacks since 1998.

Glendale is the site of University of Phoenix Stadium, home to the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, the Fiesta Bowl, the 2007 BCS college football national championship game and the 2008 Super Bowl. The stadium is across the street from Jobing.com Arena, home of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

Being a Tiger fan, I am glad they are trying to get some pop for their lineup, but I am not overly excited about Sheffield.

Anyone have any ideas about what the Braves need to do to get back on top of the NL East? It looks like the Mets and probably the Phillies have passed them by -at least for the time being. Being a southerner I HAVE to pull for ATL , so I have been disappointed in some of their moves over the last few years (bye bye Glavine; hello Hudson )

 

[Figment22]

Yes, the Yankees were wise to re-sign Moose, and he's actually a bargain! And even if they got a bag of used baseballs for Sheffield, that was so smart to get rid of him. The fact that they got some young arms is a plus. What's the over/under before Sheffield is pissed off at someone in Detroit?

I still can't believe $51 million just to talk to the guy! If they sign him, they won't be able to afford Clemens.

I think Joe is an awesome manager, and will be again. But I must admit to wishing that Willie got some more votes.

I know the Mets will over pay him, but they need Zito.

I'm thrilled with the young pitchers that the Yankees got for Gary Sheffield. These kids are going to be keepers.

As to NL Manager of the Year, Willie actually did very well and got a good bunch of first place votes. I'm glad Joe G. got the award though.

I think Zito will sign out west.

If approved, the Dodgers will be leaving Dodgertown, their spring training home since 1948 - nine years before the team moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.

I heard about this earlier today on MLB Home Plate-XM Radio. (I love having XM in the offseason. Ch. 175 is all baseball talk 24/7/365!) Fifty eight years is a long time but it does make sense for a west coast team to have ST in AZ.

 

[Missy1961]

Being a Tiger fan, I am glad they are trying to get some pop for their lineup, but I am not overly excited about Sheffield.

Anyone have any ideas about what the Braves need to do to get back on top of the NL East? It looks like the Mets and probably the Phillies have passed them by -at least for the time being. Being a southerner I HAVE to pull for ATL , so I have been disappointed in some of their moves over the last few years (bye bye Glavine; hello Hudson )

Well, Glavine might be going back...of course, I hope he stays in NY! But even if Glavine goes back to Atlanta, they may need a lot more than him.

 

[Missy1961]

I'm thrilled with the young pitchers that the Yankees got for Gary Sheffield. These kids are going to be keepers.

As to NL Manager of the Year, Willie actually did very well and got a good bunch of first place votes. I'm glad Joe G. got the award though.

I think Zito will sign out west.


I heard about this earlier today on MLB Home Plate-XM Radio. (I love having XM in the offseason. Ch. 175 is all baseball talk 24/7/365!) Fifty eight years is a long time but it does make sense for a west coast team to have ST in AZ.

I'm not sure what I feel about him. The Mets need pitching (like you said, who doesn't), but I'm not sure he's the answer. But Pedro is out for most of the season, Glavine hasn't re-signed (but I keep hearing he's coming back), and who else is out there? I hear that Minaya is interested in one of the White Sox pitchers who are probably available, but the Sox want too much for them.

 

[Figment22]

Personally, I like Barry Zito and he'd probably be a very good fit on the Mets. I just don't want the Yankees to get him (I don't think Cashman will) because he's been awful against the AL East. I think he'd be great in the NL. I heard an interview with Eric Chavez about a week ago and he was talking about Zito. He (Chavez) said that there was absolutely no way that Zito re-signs with Oakland and that he wouldn't be surprised if Barry ended up on the east coast even though all the talk's been about him landing in southern California.

I wouldn't mind seeing Ted Lilly back in the Bronx but I think Cashman is more interested in Jason Schmidt. (I'm not.) It's a pretty weak group of free agent pitchers this year.

EDITED TO ADD: I did hear about Omar Minaya having interest in bringing Javy Vazquez to Queens, which I think could be a very good move. I honestly feel that the Yankees gave up on Javy WAY too fast. They just had to have that forty something Randy Johnson. Minaya knows JV well from his time in Montreal.

 

[Missy1961]

Personally, I like Barry Zito and he'd probably be a very good fit on the Mets. I just don't want the Yankees to get him (I don't think Cashman will) because he's been awful against the AL East. I think he'd be great in the NL. I heard an interview with Eric Chavez about a week ago and he was talking about Zito. He (Chavez) said that there was absolutely no way that Zito re-signs with Oakland and that he wouldn't be surprised if Barry ended up on the east coast even though all the talk's been about him landing in southern California.

I wouldn't mind seeing Ted Lilly back in the Bronx but I think Cashman is more interested in Jason Schmidt. (I'm not.) It's a pretty weak group of free agent pitchers this year.

EDITED TO ADD: I did hear about Omar Minaya having interest in bringing Javy Vazquez to Queens, which I think could be a very good move. I honestly feel that the Yankees gave up on Javy WAY too fast. They just had to have that forty something Randy Johnson. Minaya knows JV well from his time in Montreal.

As to Zito, the only thing I keep hearing is "big city", either on the East or West coast. And the only thing I hear about Schmidt is West Coast.

The Mets seem willing to trade Lastings Milledge. But he isn't going to be enough to land them a pitcher, they might also have to deal Pelfrey.

 

[jimmiej]

My favorite team, the Astros, are in a quandry over Clemens & Pettitte. Not so much Clemens, since if he pitches again, it would probably be like last year, just the second half of the year. Clemens could replace a struggling starter mid-season. The quandry is $$$.

Pettitte is another story. A friend of mine ran into Andy in NY last week. My friend is a personal friend to Lance Berkman. Andy told him he's leaning toward retirement. The Astros website is reporting the same. So, do we plan on Andy or not?

The team says it's got ~$10 million MORE to spend this year on free agents. I've heard Carlos Lee's & Woody Williams' names tossed around. We need a third baseman, a power-hitting outfielder, and of course pitching.

I'm excited about watching Craig Biggio's march this year to 3,000 hits.

 

[Missy1961]

My favorite team, the Astros, are in a quandry over Clemens & Pettitte. Not so much Clemens, since if he pitches again, it would probably be like last year, just the second half of the year. Clemens could replace a struggling starter mid-season. The quandry is $$$.

Pettitte is another story. A friend of mine ran into Andy in NY last week. My friend is a personal friend to Lance Berkman. Andy told him he's leaning toward retirement. The Astros website is reporting the same. So, do we plan on Andy or not?

The team says it's got ~$10 million MORE to spend this year on free agents. I've heard Carlos Lee's & Woody Williams' names tossed around. We need a third baseman, a power-hitting outfielder, and of course pitching.

I'm excited about watching Craig Biggio's march this year to 3,000 hits.

I think the only other team that Clemens would sign with is the Red Sox. If they sign the Japanese pitcher, they won't have money for Roger, so he'll be back with the Astros. Part of me hopes Pettitte won't retire. He is absolutely one of my favorites.

How many more hits until Biggio gets 3000?

 

[Bob Slydell]

Being an Indians fan usually means frustrating off-seasons, watching the team go after free agents left and right and not signing any of them. Fortunately, the one move they have made so far, IMO, was a great one, getting Josh Barfield for second base, a position they really needed to fill this winter.

Non-player related, I hope the rumors of Buck Showalter joining the staff are true -- it would put him in a good position to become manager sometime this year, because if this season starts off like last season, Eric Wedge will be gone by July.

 

[Figment22]

Pettitte is another story. A friend of mine ran into Andy in NY last week. My friend is a personal friend to Lance Berkman. Andy told him he's leaning toward retirement. The Astros website is reporting the same. So, do we plan on Andy or not?

There are lots of rumors flying around on Yankees' websites about Andy coming back to the Bronx but I don't think Laura Pettitte would allow it to happen. I don't believe any of it but I would love to see Andy retire in pinstripes. It's not going to happen though. It's not a total surprise that Andy would be considering retirement, even though he's still young. When he signed the contract with the Astros he did say that it might be his last contract. I hope he ultimately decides to pitch for a few more seasons.

I'm excited about watching Craig Biggio's march this year to 3,000 hits.

Me too. I'm glad the Astros re-signed him.

Non-player related, I hope the rumors of Buck Showalter joining the staff are true -- it would put him in a good position to become manager sometime this year, because if this season starts off like last season, Eric Wedge will be gone by July.

I hadn't heard this rumor. That's why I like this thread. Good for Buck. I don't think Eric Wedge is going to be given much rope either. There's too much talent on that team for them to be in a huge hole early. The front office can't let that happen in a division that also includes the Twins, White Sox and now the AL Champion Tigers.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Here's a link to the article, Lisa (it's from last week): http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_y...F?slug=ap-indians-showalter&prov=ap&type=lgns

 

[jimmiej]

How many more hits until Biggio gets 3000?

70 more to go!