MLB: 2013 Pre-Season Thread

smackbunnybaby

Right, it's all over!
Time to move on!
All pre-season chat in here regarding trades, managerial appointments, Tommy John Procedures etc!

smackbunnybaby

One of the most interesting acquisitions occured back in September.
The Astros appointed Baseball Prospectus contributor, Kevin Goldstein, to their scouting department.
It will be interesting to analyze their trades and draft day going forward.

There will also be a raft of Closers on the market.
Soria, Madson coming back from injury and Soriano will be leaving the Yankees.

Raif Severance

Boston has finally gotten rid of Bobby Valentine a few weeks back, thank god!

They have now hired John Farrell formerly of the Toronto Blue Jays as replacement, and is looking to rebuild this year and get back to the post season. Kinda like Liverpool, eh?

Dubliner28

Hi guys not a big poster here, heading to the west coasts of the states next Aug on my honeymoon and hoping to get a game in.
Do you know when the MLB Schedule is released and if it will be hard to get tickets for the SF giants on account of them winning the World Series

jack presley

Dubliner28 wrote: »

Hi guys not a big poster here, heading to the west coasts of the states next Aug on my honeymoon and hoping to get a game in.
Do you know when the MLB Schedule is released and if it will be hard to get tickets for the SF giants on account of them winning the World Series

Here's the Giants schedule for next season.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/schedule/_/name/sf/year/2013/san-francisco-giants

They have a good support regardless of how they do but you'll normally be always able to get a ticket for some game. If it's against a big rival or something, you might struggle but even then there should be tickets available for midweek days games and you could always try Stubhub

Dubliner28

Cheers pal, again silly question for a non baseball fan here, in the fixture is when its @ Miami its away Yes ??
In San Fran from the 18-22 Aug and it looks like there playing the Boston Red Sox 3 nights. Can you get a single ticket for one night/match ??

jack presley

Nah regular season is April - September with playoffs starting first week in October

Benimar

Dubliner28 wrote: »

Cheers pal, again silly question for a non baseball fan here, in the fixture is when its @ Miami its away Yes ??
In San Fran from the 18-22 Aug and it looks like there playing the Boston Red Sox 3 nights. Can you get a single ticket for one night/match ??

Yes, either through the MLB website or Stubhub. If you know the game you want and keep an eye out for when the tickets go on sale, you will pick up a single ticket no problem.

mikemac1

This will be the Cubs year!!!

Dubliner28

Benimar wrote: »

Yes, either through the MLB website or Stubhub. If you know the game you want and keep an eye out for when the tickets go on sale, you will pick up a single ticket no problem.

Cheers pal thanks a million

Waitsian

mikemac1 wrote: »

This will be the Cubs year!!!

indeed! Stay away from the bookies with large sums of money...

jack presley

So another quiet day in the baseball off-season then.....

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/baseball/mlb/11/13/marlins-blue-jays-trade.ap/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t11_a1

Coeus

jack presley wrote: »

So another quiet day in the baseball off-season then.....

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/baseball/mlb/11/13/marlins-blue-jays-trade.ap/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t11_a1

Marlins ownership showing yet again they dont care about their fans or the people of Miami who funded their new stadium

The Jays must be sensing weakness in the AL East and have finally decided to make some big moves to upgrade their roster. Will be interesting to see how much of these salaries they have taken on as it doesn't look like the they have given up much talent...

Raif Severance

jack presley wrote: »

So another quiet day in the baseball off-season then.....

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/baseball/mlb/11/13/marlins-blue-jays-trade.ap/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_t11_a1

All I can say is, it can't be easy being a Marlin Fans.

jack presley

I don't know which site I read it on this morning but they were saying that it is a Marlins policy not to allow no trade clauses in contracts so last season, Pujols with a good bit of foresight probably saw something like this happening and that could have been one of the reasons he didn't go to Miami.

I know Stanton is annoyed as he's the only one of their stars left (for the moment anyway!) but I wonder how The traded players feel about it? When he signed last year Reyes said he wanted to be the top paid player on the roster even if it was only by a dollar so all seems to care about is money so probably wouldn't mind playing in Alaska if he got to go home to his millions in the evenings but I wonder what the others think.

Raif Severance

jack presley wrote: »

I don't know which site I read it on this morning but they were saying that it is a Marlins policy not to allow no trade clauses in contracts so last season, Pujols with a good bit of foresight probably saw something like this happening and that could have been one of the reasons he didn't go to Miami.

I know Stanton is annoyed as he's the only one of their stars left (for the moment anyway!) but I wonder how The traded players feel about it? When he signed last year Reyes said he wanted to be the top paid player on the roster even if it was only by a dollar so all seems to care about is money so probably wouldn't mind playing in Alaska if he got to go home to his millions in the evenings but I wonder what the others think.

I don't know, Man. But they have to at least expect it. Playing for the Marlins isn't exactly the most secure in Baseball. In fact, it's the exact opposite. Like my Father said (A Big Tigers Fan), even if you've signed a long-term contract with the Marlins, don't you even dare think about buying a House!

I mean, this is the team that went on a firesale of it's players, following the season it won the World Series (1997, 2003). So it's not beyond the stretch of the imagination, that they would dump their expensive players after a dismal season.

As a Red Sox and a Liverpool Fan, I can understand why the management did what it did, but their continued lack of continuity still remains. And like I've said before, being a Marlins Fan is not easy.

smackbunnybaby

Trade just described as a 'Disgrace' on Mike and Mike in the Morning.

jack presley

Apparently they now have $0 committed to their 2014 roster

Waitsian

Am I the only Blue Jays fan on here? If not, how do you feel about this trade?

I'm not sure Alex keeps Beuhrle, he might shift him yet for another piece. Johnson is a great acquisition, Buck we've had before and is a competent catcher with some power, Bonifacio is versatile and speedy, and as for Reyes...

Well he's certainly fun to watch, has a few tools alright, but I'm undecided. Time will tell.

The only player I really mind going the other way is Marisnick. I'd also like to have seen how Hech developed but so be it.

jack presley

mod9maple wrote: »

Am I the only Blue Jays fan on here? If not, how do you feel about this trade?

I'm not sure Alex keeps Beuhrle, he might shift him yet for another piece. Johnson is a great acquisition, Buck we've had before and is a competent catcher with some power, Bonifacio is versatile and speedy, and as for Reyes...

Well he's certainly fun to watch, has a few tools alright, but I'm undecided. Time will tell.

The only player I really mind going the other way is Marisnick. I'd also like to have seen how Hech developed but so be it.

And now they've signed Melky Cabrera. How do you feel about that?

Waitsian

jack presley wrote: »

And now they've signed Melky Cabrera. How do you feel about that?

Tbh not at all pleased.

Raif Severance

mod9maple wrote: »

Tbh not at all pleased.

Thank god, it was your Jays that signed him up.

He was being linked to the Red Sox, and I don't want him there. Not that he was bad, he's actually competent even without the use of steroids. But we're kinda fragile right now, and him being there, might prove disastrous to our re-building plans.

I just hope he comes good for you, in the coming season.

Coeus

jack presley wrote: »

And now they've signed Melky Cabrera. How do you feel about that?

If you can get over the fact he is a drugs cheat who got caught this is a good deal (2 years @ 16M) for the Jays if he can perform like he did in last season without the juice.

The Jays are really going for it next season in what I think will be a wide open AL East.

MoyVilla9

I have to say, I'm lost without the baseball. The "MLB.tv" bookmark is collecting dust.

Who would have thought that the Jay's would have possibly the best line-up in the AL East? It's going to be very interesting to see what happens, although I can see them really paying for this down the line. Hopefully they will get a better turnout at games now they have the star names.

It's too early to start worrying but as a Yankees fan it doesn't look great. Hiroki Kuroda wants to return to California where his children are in school. Looks like Rafael Soriano will be leaving with the return of Mariano Rivera. Swisher will probably leave. Who knows if Ichiro will be resigned. Russel Martin will be resigned I hope. Granderson has and I'm not sure what to make of that. Pettite will hopefully return for the next season. Jeter will be coming off his broken ankle. A-Rod is A-Rod post-drugs.

On a random note: does anyone ever notice the older woman who is always behind home plate at the Jays games?

Where do the Marlins go from this?

Waitsian

MoyVilla9 wrote: »

On a random note: does anyone ever notice the older woman who is always behind home plate at the Jays games?

Yes, I do. If you watch enough Toronto games you can't miss her. She's a permanent fixture, must be a season ticket holder. Fair play to her, I'm envious.

jack presley

MoyVilla9 wrote: »

I have to say, I'm lost without the baseball. The "MLB.tv" bookmark is collecting dust.

We'll have the WBC this Spring to look forward to although I didn't follow it the last time so don't know is it any use. It'll be better than Spring Training games though

Waitsian

Gibbons for Blue Jays manager - I didn't see that one coming! Better the devil you know, than the devil you don't...? And I don't think AA is finished dealing yet.

Not much else going on round the league, lots of rumours but no big splashes yet.

jack presley

mod9maple wrote: »

Not much else going on round the league, lots of rumours but no big splashes yet.

I suppose it'll all kick off at the Winter meetings (Dec 3-6)

Coeus

mod9maple wrote: »

Gibbons for Blue Jays manager - I didn't see that one coming! Better the devil you know, than the devil you don't...?

Indeed! Be thankful Jim Tracy didn't get the job as he was interviewed for the position...

MoyVilla9

Hiroki Kuroda has agreed to come back to the Yankees. $15 million for one year. Big money but great news for any Yankee fan. He was fantastic this year and was probably the Yankees best pitcher.

Coeus

So it looks like another players' career year is down to the juice :rolleyes:

Chooch Ruiz has been handed a 25-game suspension to be served at the start of next season. Not sure why he dont get the 50 games like the rest of them...

webpal

Dubliner28 wrote: »

Hi guys not a big poster here, heading to the west coasts of the states next Aug on my honeymoon and hoping to get a game in.
Do you know when the MLB Schedule is released and if it will be hard to get tickets for the SF giants on account of them winning the World Series

I'd recommend the stadium tour also, I thought it was the best one i've been on as you get to see everywhere. You could drop the other half in westfield shopping centre en route.

Benimar

Mariano Rivera has signed a 1 year contract extension with the Yankees.

I figured he wasn't going to retire on the back of the injury.

jack presley

Nice to see the Mets wrap up David Wright for a few years. Like all of these big contracts these days (Pujols, Fielder, Hamilton when his gets done) it'll probably hurt towards the end when the productivity goes down but apparently most of the money in this deal is to be paid around the middle years which gives the Mets a bit of breathing space for this season (when money is tight) and at the end when he turns into A-Rod.

MoyVilla9

jack presley wrote: »

Nice to see the Mets wrap up David Wright for a few years. Like all of these big contracts these days (Pujols, Fielder, Hamilton when his gets done) it'll probably hurt towards the end when the productivity goes down but apparently most of the money in this deal is to be paid around the middle years which gives the Mets a bit of breathing space for this season (when money is tight) and at the end when he turns into A-Rod.

I'm not convinced about it. What is the point in paying massive money unless they pump more money into getting a decent team together? I wouldn't be happy just because other teams have also given ridiculous contracts out.

Wright has a tendency to fall off once the Mets are out of the running. Perhaps losing gets to him.
He batted .258 Post-All Star this year, compared to .351 Pre-All Star.

2011: .272 Post All Star, compared to .301 Pre-All Star.
2010: .244 Post All Star, compared to .314 Pre-All Star.

2009 is the same story.

I'm sorry, but if I am giving you $140,000,000 you better be consistent all year long for that kind of money.

jack presley

MoyVilla9 wrote: »

I'm not convinced about it. What is the point in paying massive money unless they pump more money into getting a decent team together? I wouldn't be happy just because other teams have also given ridiculous contracts out.

Wright has a tendency to fall off once the Mets are out of the running. Perhaps losing gets to him.
He batted .258 Post-All Star this year, compared to .351 Pre-All Star.

2011: .272 Post All Star, compared to .301 Pre-All Star.
2010: .244 Post All Star, compared to .314 Pre-All Star.

2009 is the same story.

I'm sorry, but if I am giving you $140,000,000 you better be consistent all year long for that kind of money.

But the way the contract is laid out it does allow them to spend a bit more this year which is the problem year. After this season, Jason Bay's and Johan Santana's contracts will be off the books (although some of JB's got deferred) but that will allow them to splash the cash a bit, well hopefully anyway.

After Reyes was allowed to leave last season, there would have been uproar if they'd let their version of Derek Jeter leave and you know the way the press and fans are in NY.

MoyVilla9

jack presley wrote: »

But the way the contract is laid out it does allow them to spend a bit more this year which is the problem year. After this season, Jason Bay's and Johan Santana's contracts will be off the books (although some of JB's got deferred) but that will allow them to splash the cash a bit, well hopefully anyway.

After Reyes was allowed to leave last season, there would have been uproar if they'd let their version of Derek Jeter leave and you know the way the press and fans are in NY.

I agree, the press would have lost its mind.
What do you think of Jason Bay's deal? Wouldn't it be in the Mets interests to keep him there just in case a situation arose where he would be needed?

jack presley

MoyVilla9 wrote: »

I agree, the press would have lost its mind.
What do you think of Jason Bay's deal? Wouldn't it be in the Mets interests to keep him there just in case a situation arose where he would be needed?

Jason Bay was just one of those deals that didn't work. For whatever reason, he just couldn't hit. I'm not saying he was a bad player as he'll probably take a minor league deal with some team and end up playing great but he just never clicked in NY so there will never be a situation where he will be needed. It was a shame as he comes across as a nice guy who gave everything but he was never major league standard in a Mets uniform.

I remember when I first heard of Bay being let go I stupidly thought he wouldn't be getting his full salary as there would be no benefit to the Mets to do it otherwise. So when he came out that he would be getting every cent it took the shine off it a bit. But as some of it is deferred, it frees up some cash for this season so they can go out and get a couple of things off their shopping list (right handed bats for the outfield, catcher, couple of relievers) so it was probably the right move

mikemac1

Poor Bryan LaHair

Last season was my first watching MLB and this guy carried for my fantasy team for the first half of the year.
So I became a fan of his

Yet he was criticized constantly by the media, told his selection to the All Star game meant nothing, he lost his position to young Anthony Rizzo and the Cubs didn't trade him and by the end of the season was not wanted or needed by the Cubs

Ah well, 4 million for 2 years and a new experience in Japan will be exciting for him

smackbunnybaby

Napoli to the Red Sox...

Raif Severance

smackbunnybaby wrote: »

Napoli to the Red Sox...

I like Napoli, but not at $13 Million a year. Jesus... :eek:

The only way he could be worth that is if he somehow finds his 2011 Form, but I seriously doubt he can come close to that.

Why the hell do we always overpay for players in Boston? It looks like we haven't learn anything from the past few years.

I hope this is not all we will be adding, because I'm seriously underwhelmed.

jack presley

Raif Severance wrote: »

I like Napoli, but not at $13 Million a year. Jesus... :eek:

The only way he could be worth that is if he somehow finds his 2011 Form, but I seriously doubt he can come close to that.

Why the hell do we always overpay for players in Boston? It looks like we haven't learn anything from the past few years.

I hope this is not all we will be adding, because I'm seriously underwhelmed.

Loads of stupid money flying around today. As well as Napoli getting $13m a year, Angel Pagan just got $40m for 4 years off the Giants! They must have gotten some of Tim Lincecum's cigarettes.

MoyVilla9

A-Rod will miss out half of next year because of surgery on a hip problem. Supposedly the hip problem could have been to blame for his awful showing during the postseason.

jack presley

MoyVilla9 wrote: »

A-Rod will miss out half of next year because of surgery on a hip problem. Supposedly the hip problem could have been to blame for his awful showing during the postseason.

Hip problems, age, not on PEDs anymore. There are plenty of reasons for A-Rod's awful showing...!!!!

MoyVilla9

jack presley wrote: »

Hip problems, age, not on PEDs anymore. There are plenty of reasons for A-Rod's awful showing...!!!!

Oh I agree. It was just interesting that the Yankees put a line in the press release saying that doctors agree that this probably could have affected his postseason.

Coeus

jack presley wrote: »

Loads of stupid money flying around today. As well as Napoli getting $13m a year, Angel Pagan just got $40m for 4 years off the Giants! They must have gotten some of Tim Lincecum's cigarettes.

Red Sox have just handed an almost $13M a year over 3 years contract to Victorino. I would have thought they had greater needs...

MoyVilla9

Coeus wrote: »

Red Sox have just handed an almost $13M a year over 3 years contract to Victorino. I would have thought they had greater needs...

Is that what these kind of players are worth these days?

Waitsian

Coeus wrote: »

Red Sox have just handed an almost $13M a year over 3 years contract to Victorino. I would have thought they had greater needs...

Crazy money...:eek:

jack presley

mod9maple wrote: »

Crazy money...:eek:

I think what we're seeing is that teams are going to spend whatever money they have, regardless of the quality of the player. It's been well documented that the free agent class isn't as good this year as previous years but teams are still spending the same amounts of money as if it was.

Raif Severance

Coeus wrote: »

Red Sox have just handed an almost $13M a year over 3 years contract to Victorino. I would have thought they had greater needs...

WTF is wrong with Boston? We just dump a load of overpayed players just so we can overpay again? :mad:

There's no rhyme nor reason, in this kind of strategy. And it's not like we don't have any prospects in the outfield (Ryan Kalish, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Bryce Brentz), not to mention Ellsbury. Unless, they are thinking of trading him too? Which is pure madness, since Ellsbury is not only Boston-grown but he's also a much better player than Victorino.

If anything, it's Pitchers we need.

Coeus

Raif Severance wrote: »

WTF is wrong with Boston? We just dump a load of overpayed players just so we can overpay again? :mad:

There's no rhyme nor reason, in this kind of strategy. And it's not like we don't have any prospects in the outfield (Ryan Kalish, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Bryce Brentz), not to mention Ellsbury. Unless, they are thinking of trading him too? Which is pure madness, since Ellsbury is not only Boston-grown but he's also a much better player than Victorino.

If anything, it's Pitchers we need.

Yea, I agree! Wouldn't bringing back Cody Ross been a lot cheaper than signing Victorino. I guess the RedSox management are trying to cobble to together some kind of competative team so the fans keep coming and the sellout streak goes on...

That said on the pitching side of things I'm not sure any of the top free agent pitchers are a good fit for Boston so maybe thats the reason no moves have been made on that front. I think they are better off trading for pitching help, the Rays are would be sellers but any moves there will cost prospects...