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Report: Yankees sign Teixeira

527918550406_0_bg_tiny by notsellingjeans on Comment 429 comments

According to Jon Heyman, the Yanks have agreed to a deal with Mark Teixeira. 

Buster Olney is confirming it as well - eight years and 180 million , with a full no-trade clause.

The Yankees have now signed the three best players in this year's free agent market. 

If they are willing to sacrifice some center field defense, their starting nine looks like this:

  1. 1b Tex
  2. 2b Cano
  3. ss Jeter
  4. 3b A-Rod
  5. C Posada
  6. LF Damon
  7. CF Swisher
  8. RF Nady
  9. DH Matsui

Analysis:

Clearly some fans will howl about this...but it's easy to rationalize the Yanks' logic.  Teixiera is the best first baseman on the market not only in this year, but for the next several years.  And, equally important, the 2010 free agent class offers very few acceptable options in right field for the Yankees, too.  Look at that list - those right fielders are very old and declining defensively. 

What's the connection between Teixeira and right field? By signing him, the Yankees can install Swisher in right field for the next several years...and eschew the poor right-field market.

They've had an incredible off-season, and done some tremendous long-term planning.  They've invested heavily in starting pitching partially because next year's starting pitching market is very poor - it's headlined by John Lackey (if he doesn't sign an extension), Rich Harden, Brett Myers, and Duchscherer, probably none of whom the Yankees would want to invest in long-term.  And they won't have to, because their 2010 rotation is set as long as Hughes can step in for Pettitte long-term. 

The Yankees one free agent splurge of the '10 offseason will probably be a left fielder...just as Johnny Damon, Xavier Nady, and Hideki Matsui are all coming off the books, freeing up almost $35 million.  So you can probably expect Matt Holliday or Jason Bay to be manning left field for them in 2010. 

Their 2010 lineup loses Matsui, Damon, and Nady, and replaces them with Austin Jackson in center field (after spending '09 in AAA), Swisher in right, and Bay/Holliday in left (with the other one playing in Boston?) Perhaps they keep one of Matsui/Damon to be their '10 DH.

But they probably want to only have their '10 DH on the hook for one year...because the '11 free agent class is headlined by Joe Mauer.  If he is willing to become a Yankee, there's no doubt the Yanks could outbid everyone, install him at catcher and bump Posada to DH in 2011, the final year of Posada's deal.

I feel like the Yanks have assured themselves a playoff berth for years to come.  They've bought the three best players, but the scary thing is, they really haven't even had to overpay.

 

 

 

 

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i suspect that

he’d suffer a stats drop off post 33 years

I have no solutions, just rejoindres

by alea iacta est on Dec 23, 2008 2:39 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

{cue Doubting PaulThomas}

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 2:46 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

and his

statmatas?

hm.

I have no solutions, just rejoindres

by alea iacta est on Dec 23, 2008 2:48 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I would have gone for Strat-O-Mata, myself

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 2:50 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

the angels might be pissed

I have no solutions, just rejoindres

by alea iacta est on Dec 23, 2008 2:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Just move him to the outfield?

Can he still play CF? They Yankees don’t seem to really like Melky Cabrera too much.

It seems like only a matter of time before the Yankees literally sign all the free agents, just so other teams can’t get them.

by NateHST on Dec 23, 2008 12:35 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Return to Swisher

The Yanks might be willing to unload swisher now that they have Tex locked up for 8 years, and even pay some of his salary. So I ask, wouldn’t you rather pay Swisher the same money as you’d get for Giambi? He can play everwhere, switch hit (if he remembers how), and you can’t ask for a better guy in the clubhouse. If Barton works out, let hm play some right and center. I bet that he has a better OPS this year than Giambi in 2009, so why not pay less for more?

by jggsf on Dec 23, 2008 3:36 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

in that scenario

i take swisher back, and if they want to throw in jeter… even cooler.

by jaylikewise on Dec 24, 2008 10:16 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

He'll probably be moved to CF

The Yankees don’t care about defense, which is why Derek Jeter is a shortstop.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 23, 2008 12:47 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Nah, they'll move Jeter to CF

… Nick Swisher, starting shortstop!

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 12:49 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

With Jeter's incredible, amazing, unparalleled range,

he can play both.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 12:50 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I wish

he’d come back to Oakland. He’s an awesome guy.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by what_the_crap on Dec 23, 2008 1:34 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I just slapped an article up there so we'd have a discussion board

I’m adding to it right now.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 12:34 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I think I just need to get over my hatred of Yankees success

and accept that they will be very good and who cares as long as the A’s do well? Because it will take more energy than I have to hope they fail with the team they are assembling.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 12:35 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

on the bright side

neither the Sux nor the Slegna get him

by OaklandSi on Dec 23, 2008 12:45 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I feel bad for

the blue jays and rays though… so unfair

Cust is the new Jaha.

by johnjahafanclub on Dec 23, 2008 1:01 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

the Rays made very good use of all those great draft picks

and many of those top prospects are now with the Rays — or will soon get there. So I don’t feel too sorry for a team that is packed with great, cheap young talent

by OaklandSi on Dec 23, 2008 1:05 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

2015 Yankees

C – Mauer
1B – Tex
2B – A-Rod
SS – Jeter
3B – Longoria
LF – Whoever They Want
CF – BJ Upton
RF – Whoever They Want

by Colorado Fan on Dec 23, 2008 4:58 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Jeter won't be around in 2015.

They’ll have Reyes or something.

by mikev on Dec 23, 2008 4:59 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Jeter

Jeter does whatever Jeter wants.

by Colorado Fan on Dec 26, 2008 11:44 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Rays control Longoria thru 2016

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 5:02 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

wow

I like that a lot more than him going to the Sox or Angels. Looks like the Sox will be third best in that division next year.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Dec 23, 2008 12:36 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

yeah, probably about his best destination, from our perspective

I rule out the Nats, because their signing of him would have been so massively stupid, and I’m only in favor of massively stupid moves by the Slegna, Mariners, or Rangers

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 12:39 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed, +1, This, or whatever I'm supposed to say

I’m fine with the Yankees but I hate BRS and LAAA.

by Reg on Dec 23, 2008 12:56 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

That's the silver lining, to me

The Yankees will be paying all the other teams. I just hate the Yankees in a way I can’t describe; think politics, only baseball.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 12:40 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Little to none.

IIRC all the new stadium debt counts against revenue, so they won’t be sharing much if any revenue for the foreseeable future.

by green star oakland on Dec 23, 2008 1:05 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

oh, right

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:06 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Yay!!! Rich people beat the system!!!

Woo hoo!!!!

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:07 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

wtf? hmm, maybe those escalating stadium construction costs were a way to keep the money out of the hands of their competitors...

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 23, 2008 1:08 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Luxury tax doesn't go into revenue sharing. It goes into Selig's slush fund.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 2:20 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

More

power to them if they can afford it, but I hate them.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by what_the_crap on Dec 23, 2008 12:40 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

to me, thats not even close to the best lineup in baseball...

The Rays, if everyone continues to progress next year, have a much better offense.

by stranahanahan on Dec 23, 2008 12:41 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Honestly

I don’t think it changes their club as much as everyone thinks. I still think Boston is better.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by what_the_crap on Dec 23, 2008 12:45 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Literally.

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 12:49 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Defense will be what helps the Rays, big time.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 23, 2008 12:48 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

If the Yankees get 30 stars each

out of Sabathia, Wang, and Burnett, they should win the division.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 12:49 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

And if they get 30 STARTS each, forget it!

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 12:50 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I

doubt it. This happens every year. The Yankees buy top names, everyone gets all hyped about them, then nothing happens. You can’t just buy guys and expect to win, you gotta have a team environment. I’d still take the Red Sox to win the AL right now.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by what_the_crap on Dec 23, 2008 12:52 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Hope you're right, fear you aren't.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 12:54 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Why, for the love of everything holy,

would you ever want the Red Sox to win again?!?!

I understand hating the Yankees — I do, too — but I’d take them over Boston every time. If it means the Sox don’t make the playoffs? GO YANKEES!!!!!

I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.

by Vacafan on Dec 23, 2008 3:22 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

For me, it's just the opposite

I don’t care for the Red Sox, but I loathe the Yankees. So go Rays!

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 4:03 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Fuck'em both

Go A’s.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 23, 2008 4:40 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

True.

I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.

by Vacafan on Dec 23, 2008 5:10 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

fuck em' all!

Go Go Go A’s!

by mrod on Dec 23, 2008 6:57 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Hey, with the players they have

it’ll be more fun to watch them lose

"Gotta suck for the other teams. You finally catch the Sharks on an off night and you still lose." -Shark Man

by idunno723 on Dec 23, 2008 12:45 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I think the A's should make a play for Swisher

I’ve never been a huge fan, but he has some qualities that would be great fits right now:

  • He is an excellent defensive 1Bman
  • He is good for 22-35 HRs; call it “25+”
  • His value is low and his contract is very reasonable
  • The Yankees would be more likely to trade him to Oakland for cheap than CWS would have been

If he’s available for pieces the A’s can afford to give, I’d take him back over Giambi, even though I never thought he was as good as many seemed to think.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 12:45 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I figured...and I agree...

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 12:48 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

would you include one of Cunningham/Swooney in a deal?

I would. I pretty much agree with you 100% about Swisher—but I think he’s better than Swooney or Cunningham will be.

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 12:48 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Probably not, only because I think Cunningham will be better than Swish overall

and because I don’t think Swisher can handle CF. If we still had Gonzalez, I’d be more open to dealing Sweeney, but right now…?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 12:52 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

please don't trade Sweeney

let’s give the guy a chance. He’s motivated, he’s a gamer and he produced beyond our expectations last year. Let’s give him a chance to show some power before we all want to deal him away so quickly…

by stranahanahan on Dec 23, 2008 1:06 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I agree - and the A's could use a ".300 hitter" type anyway

I just don’t see why the A’s are so convinced he’ll develop power he didn’t show last year…or in the minors. He either needs to improve defensively to be a plus-CFer or he needs to suddenly develop that 20HR power. Neither seems that likely to me, but the A’s seem pretty convinced.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:09 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Which the A's will win on Duchscherer's 36th start!

Thanks to a diving catch by Jack Cust.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:11 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I see no need to play the '09 season now

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:12 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I agree - let's wait until April

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:13 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

What will I write about then?

Besides, the past, I mean.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Dec 23, 2008 3:32 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I thought you weren't here to talk about the past.

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 3:33 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

That was then

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Dec 23, 2008 3:33 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 3:39 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

That's a relief

I’d hate to miss it.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Dec 23, 2008 3:40 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

So that's the place

where it’s always 5 o’clock.

Thanks for tomorrow 'cause I've had enough

by andeux on Dec 23, 2008 3:59 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 4:03 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

diving catch by Jack Cust..

the A’s starting Short Stop

I have no solutions, just rejoindres

by alea iacta est on Dec 23, 2008 1:58 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

if i remember correctly

everyone thought he’d have some power. then, that last year in the sox system, he had wrist issues that hurt his power numbers. last year for us, he had all types of arm issues. i’m not saying i think he’ll ever hit 15-20 HRs, but maybe, if healthy, he’s got some pop.

by guy incognito on Dec 23, 2008 1:12 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I hear stories about batting practice,

as if Sweeney is launching majestic shots into the upper deck in BP. Who knows? This is one time I REALLY hope my instincts are wrong, because the A’s seem convinced Sweeney will be more than a so-so CFer with a high average and low slugging pct.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:14 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I hit epic drives at the driving range

on the course, not so much.

"RIP: UserID: 553"

by Masaryk on Dec 24, 2008 1:31 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

and at what point should we consider him injury-prione/fragile?

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:15 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Obviously, the day he was traded to Oakland

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:16 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I really think he deserves a chance to show some pop

I mean, like I said, the guy is clearly motivated to play baseball. He loves the game, and has been determined from a young age to be a great player. He’s got all the intangibles, and hes got guts on defense, with some of the balls he goes after. He can hit to all fields, and I think that if he gets the right coach to work with him, he’ll start to use those wrists to put some balls in the seats to opposite field, as well as really crush some balls right.
Of course, maybe not, but the guy is 23.

by stranahanahan on Dec 23, 2008 1:37 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

99% of this applies to 99% of the players at A ball or higher

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:43 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

yeah....no

Because 99% of guys at A ball or higher don’t make it near the bigs, especially at 23.

by stranahanahan on Dec 23, 2008 2:19 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

everything you listed is intangible/character based

With the exception of “can hit to all fields,” which is utterly meaningless if all he can do is hit medium fly balls to all fields.

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 2:49 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

this looks like something you would find on fire joe morgan

intangibles, guts, gamer….

"My group runs some frogloks down the hall to finish them off and POP! RASTER! If there was a way to scream louder than caps in EQ I was doing it. Man I am straight panicking because I know I have NO CHANCE soloing and the party has run off. I'm in my hotel room; it's like 5am, and I am straight hollering, in EQ and in real life. Bottom line is the group comes back, heals me, and kills Raster! WOOT!" -Curt Schilling on his favorite memories in the video game "EverQuest"

by travdog6 on Dec 24, 2008 2:03 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Alas FJM is no more

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 24, 2008 4:44 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I always like Swish but boy does he have

some giant holes in his swing.

I wouldn’t trade either of those two for him.

by Trainman on Dec 23, 2008 12:52 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Thing is, Swisher is as good a 1Bman defensively as Barton,

has as good an eye as Barton, but will hit 15 more HRs.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 12:55 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

But Barton has the much better minor league hitting track record

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 2:22 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Not for power, he doesn't.

Nor for defense either, ironically.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 2:49 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

yup

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Dec 23, 2008 12:58 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I would trade Cunningham then

but Not Swooney.

They guy has a good average. Hopefully will develop more power and actually drives in runs when presented with that situation. No way you trade Swooney for someone we already got rid of

by Trainman on Dec 23, 2008 1:01 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

"hopefully" being the key word there

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:03 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

under the A's weight-training regimen?

Greeeeeeeeeeat. Let’s just put him on the DL now.

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:06 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Sweeney Crushed By Weight Machine

Insiders say Sweeney could have been saved had Cockrell removed the machine from atop Sweeney’s liver, rather than adding another 10lb weight and saying, “Just six more reps!”

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:10 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

hah

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 8:12 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Cunningham put up great numbers throughout the minors,

and 90+MPH fastballs is what minor league pitchers CAN throw. So I have to think he is able to handle a good fastball better than the sample we saw in Sept.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:03 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

well, he'll certainly get every opportunity to prove me wrong

I think opposing pitching coaches and catchers are going to keep throwing heat at him until he demonstrates he can handle it. I’m guessing he has a Byrnes/Crosbyesque hot month in May, and then … not much.

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:05 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I've heard Cunningham is one of those players

who maximizes his talent/skills. He seems like a good candidate to make adjustments and figure out how to be a good player, a la Mark Ellis – and in stark contrast to everybody’s favorite SS, Booby Crosseyed.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:07 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

one can't "figure out" how to increase one's batspeed or hand-eye coordination

I’ll take an idiot savant over an Eckstein any day of the week.

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:08 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

These are my choices?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:11 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Yes.

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:12 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'll take the idiot savant, but only because he's probably taller

If the idiot savant is salb918, though, I’ll take Eckstein.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:15 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

cunningham > swooney

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 23, 2008 1:10 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Trading Cunningham for Swisher would be awful

Sweeney wouldn’t be too great a trade either.

Can't get enough of the Oakland A's? Visit Oaktown Awesomer's

by iamawesomer on Dec 23, 2008 1:07 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I disagree....

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Dec 23, 2008 1:12 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Yankees might actually do this. But who plays CF for the A's?

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 2:24 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Swisher (with Rajai coming in in the late innings and Swish shifting over and Cust out)

Or, heck, if Cunningham is as good as his defenders allege …

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 2:26 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Swisher or Pitching?

I think the signing doesn’t change what the A’s need to do first, which is sign a quality starting pitcher, like Johnson. The West is there for the taking.

chronic

by Since1972 on Dec 23, 2008 1:10 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

How much does Derek Lowe figure to get?

The A’s just saved 4/38 or so on Furcal while Lowe and Sheets are still out there. Lowe and Sheets have the kind of 2009 potential to make the A’s contenders; not sure that R. Johnson even does.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:13 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

the A's also just saved $180M on Teixeira!

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:14 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Now if they'll only switch to GEICO, they can sign both Lowe AND Sheets!!!!111

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:16 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

So easy, a Sabean could do it

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:17 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

QOTM Tag-team division

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 23, 2008 1:23 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

So good

I spit out my coffee.

Well, I would if I was drinking coffee.

Hey, I’m just liking the fact that I have three minutes of free time, and that Nico and monkeyball are still funny.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Dec 23, 2008 3:36 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 3:38 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

dammit, wrong scene

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 3:48 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Way to mess up that one

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 23, 2008 4:41 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

yeah, that was Cunninghamesque of me

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 4:45 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

You mean

Walter “Big Train” Johnson?

by mrod on Dec 23, 2008 7:07 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

AL East

What a competition since they all have to play each other 19 times.

by Trainman on Dec 23, 2008 12:49 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

MLB is just so stupid now.

This is just ridiculous. I had read a while back that the Yanks could double payroll with their new stadium. Just unreal.

Anyway that Selig or the owners push for some sort of salary cap. A lot of detriment that 29 million luxury tax bill the Yankees just paid was.

by 33SwisherSweet on Dec 23, 2008 12:50 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Look at it this way.

Posada needs 1B/DH
Jeter ALREADY needs 1B/DH
A-Rod might need 1B/DH before the end of his contract
Teixeira has 1B occupied, and if he doesn’t age well, might need DH.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 23, 2008 12:50 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

In other words, hilarious.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 23, 2008 12:51 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Teixeira is a long way away from not being an excellent 1Bman

As for the rest, the Yanks’ defense will not be their strong suit but they finally have pitching and their lineup is now best in the league.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 12:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I

remember last year …. everyone saying the Tigers had the best lineup in baseball. How’d that turn out?

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by what_the_crap on Dec 23, 2008 12:54 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe CC's arm starts feeling the effects of all the IP he's logged,

maybe Wang’s foot is now deformed, and maybe Burnett’s injury history crops up again soon. One can always hope!

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 12:56 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

exactly

but they look AMAZING on paper. I’ll give them that.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by what_the_crap on Dec 23, 2008 12:59 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

That's exactly what I was telling one of the guy's who works for me

He is a diehard Yankee Fan (Not obnoxious like 99 percent of them either).

I think Sabathia’s arm may fall off.

A. J Burnett has great stuff but is a DL candidate and an ERA around 3.80 to 4.00

AL East is going to be busy beating each other and the best team will be lucky to get to 95 wins IMO

by Trainman on Dec 23, 2008 12:59 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

LOL most of them are obnoxious

They are a much improved team over last year.

It’s real tough to stretch the numbers and say that they won’t win a ton of games.

I still don’t take the Yankees seriously, though. Haven’t since about 2002.

by halflink123 on Dec 23, 2008 2:03 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Question Nico:

What exactly is a deformed Wang foot? Is it contagious? If so, is it fatal or is it indeed curable?

by mrod on Dec 23, 2008 7:11 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'd hump it, but I don't want to get off on the Wang foot

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 7:15 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

AJ Burnett and the DL are friends.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 23, 2008 12:58 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

yeah but Gallaraga was a decent surprise

and Bonderman failed and Dontrelle fell into a black hole.
Same could happen to the Yankees. Burnett’s an injury risk, Wang is clearly an injury risk, and I really don’t think Joba has the stamina to make more than 15-20 starts before he really sees his performance drop…

by stranahanahan on Dec 23, 2008 1:09 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

The Yankees just need to sign Manny

and then proceed to erect a giant middle finger to the rest of the MLB.

by Pucking Insane on Dec 23, 2008 12:54 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I think a giant middle finger

would make for a suitable statue in the new Yankee stadium.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 12:57 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

A hypothetical matchup

With the A’s starting staff (and bullpen even) constructed as is, how (hypothetically) do they compete against the Yankees in a 5 game series?

Makes my head spin, in the wrong direction.

by Pucking Insane on Dec 23, 2008 12:57 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I can tell you how games 4 and 5 go!

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 12:58 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

They don't get played.

Eveland rocks! Eveland rocks! Somewhere Drew Carey just smiled.

by miggyk2 on Dec 23, 2008 1:01 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

well, considering the A's have had Sabathia's number

We’ve already won games 1 and 4 (we’ve had him to the tune of 2-4 with a 5.82 ERA in 6 starts since 2006).
So, all we have to do is win 1 more and we’re through!

by stranahanahan on Dec 23, 2008 1:33 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

combine Sabathia's past playoff performance with past performance vs Oakland

and I think the A’s would have a shot, believe it or not. Four-game regular season series? That’s a different story

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 8:20 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Fortunately, that's actually quite likely

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:04 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I don't want Jeter and Posada to get old, but the other guys I am not big fans of.

Eveland rocks! Eveland rocks! Somewhere Drew Carey just smiled.

by miggyk2 on Dec 23, 2008 1:05 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

what's wrong with Matsui?

besides the team he plays for

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 8:20 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Holy shit

I won’t complain about the competition in the AL West for at least a month.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 23, 2008 1:02 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

the best part of this..

is that he finally signed with someone. The rest of the hot stove can start cooking – a lot of other pieces will start to fall in.

"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane

by athleticsBB4life on Dec 23, 2008 1:05 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

yeah

Rosenthal said the dominoes would fall once Tex (or Teix, like that better) signed, right…now it should get interesting

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 8:21 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

No Manny for LAANAHeim

According to ESPN, Angels aren’t going to pursue Manny either. This is all very good news for the A’s.

chronic

by Since1972 on Dec 23, 2008 1:05 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

LOL

They are going to stick with Mathews, Hunter, Rivera and Willets

Get some more offense Billy. And a decent pitcher who will have an ERA well under 4.00 and the West can be had

by Trainman on Dec 23, 2008 1:08 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

that OF is very mediocre

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 8:22 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

It looks better with Vlad in it.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 8:52 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

a couple years ago it would have looked better with Vlad in it

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 9:08 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Rosenthal stated that the Angels might not pursue ANY FA bats.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 23, 2008 1:10 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

So they'll wait for Holliday next year

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 2:27 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

and they'll most likely lose

if the Te[i]x sweepstakes are any indication. Seems like the AL West might be the worst division in baseball now and in the near future….

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 8:23 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

They don't have to lose unless they want to. They have plenty of money.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 8:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I don't see them outbidding the Yankees anytime soon, though

For Vlad, Hunter, GMJ, they weren’t bidding against NYY…SF for Vlad, and I doubt they were really bidding against anyone for the other two. I see LAA as a team that’s satisfied to be good, whereas the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets even want to be great.

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 9:11 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Well then they're not really competing.

In that case they’ll almost certainly lose.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 9:43 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Not to mention an apostrophe and an 'e.'

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Dec 23, 2008 2:09 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

are you serious?

that’s a ridiculous comment

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 8:24 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

+1

Regrettable as it is for a Niners fan, having a cap has forced teams to actually be competently run to win. Hard to argue with that.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 24, 2008 10:22 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Another reason this made sense for the Yanks:

There isn’t a very good left-handed hitter on next year’s FA market. If they signed Manny instead, suddenly the middle of the order is looking very right-handed over the next few years.

They are so balanced it’s unreal. Assuming they sign Pettitte, they have Phil Hughes as their sixth starter and Kennedy as their seventh, honing their game in AAA.

They’ve done a great job.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 1:08 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

It was so smart of them to be filthy rich

Grrrr…

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:17 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

yeah but they are spending it more smartly than before

not on middling back-end-of-the-rotation starters that everyone can afford to bid on, but on only the top echelon of the market, where fewer teams can bid them up.

No more Wrights, Pavanos, and Igawas. Only the top tier. Filling the rest via trades or internal options.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 1:24 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I agree

It really was smart (having the money helps!). Now they have both the pitching and the hitting to stand up to the Rays and the Sox. Great division!

chronic

by Since1972 on Dec 23, 2008 1:26 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I know but does it take a genius to say

“Hey, outbidding everyone to land Sabathia, Burnett, and Teixeira would really help our team”?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:29 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Moreover

Having a brother who is a Yankee fan means another insufferable season of smugness.

chronic

by Since1972 on Dec 23, 2008 1:32 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

No. They won't be competing for any genius championships in 2009.

But their payroll is still lower than 2008.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 2:28 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

To be fair,

getting Swisher for nothing was pretty nifty.

by Josh Deletchi on Dec 23, 2008 4:27 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

to be fair

ken williams is an idiot

"My group runs some frogloks down the hall to finish them off and POP! RASTER! If there was a way to scream louder than caps in EQ I was doing it. Man I am straight panicking because I know I have NO CHANCE soloing and the party has run off. I'm in my hotel room; it's like 5am, and I am straight hollering, in EQ and in real life. Bottom line is the group comes back, heals me, and kills Raster! WOOT!" -Curt Schilling on his favorite memories in the video game "EverQuest"

by travdog6 on Dec 24, 2008 3:28 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

To be fair,

I don’t think he is.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 24, 2008 7:23 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think Te[i]x/Manny was an either/or proposition

Still think they’d have to be considered the favorites to sign Manny…with the Angels out of the mix, who else would they be competing against, LAD? Anyone else? Doesn’t seem that way. And given Manny’s roots and comments last year about desire to play for NYY, I think that’s going to be his destination. Damon and Swish don’t seem like they’re the caliber of player that the Yankees are looking to have at basically every position right now—besides bullpen, seems like they could stand to improve there.

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 8:27 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Manny in RF certainly makes sense for them. After a year he can DH, and they can sign

Holliday.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 8:54 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

yeah exactly

That seems like a likely plan of attack for them

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 9:12 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm concerned about

Swisher. I hope he turns out well, either in CF or LF for the Yanks or a starting spot somewhere, preferably Oakland

Let's have our Piazza and eat the Cust too - SPWC

by closetasfan on Dec 23, 2008 1:09 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

If I were a Brewers or Jays fan, I would be PISSED right now.

CC nets the Brewers a 2nd rounder and the sandwich pick.

Burnett nets the Jays a 3rd rounder and the comp pick.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 23, 2008 1:11 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

a good argument for trading Holliday midseason,

rather than “waiting for the two draft picks”. They just aren’t a sure thing.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 1:19 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Well the "two" part is pretty sure.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 2:29 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

touche

I misspoke/misswrote.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 2:41 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

3rd rounder for the Jays

Yeah, that sucks

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 8:37 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

oh, comp pick too

that’s between the first and second rounds right…though that would seem to be the “sandwich pick”….

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 8:39 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

What is more likely now?

Holliday landing in Boston or with the Yankees?

I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.

by franks a lot on Dec 23, 2008 1:11 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Holliday and Bay switching teams

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:18 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

... and registering at Macy's?

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:20 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

i don't think prop 8 would allow that... theyd have to go to massachusetts

Some of the most violent things I’ve ever seen were at Raiders games. And I’ve been to jail. - leopold bloom

by designatedforassignment on Dec 23, 2008 2:55 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I am guessing...

that Bay re-ups with Boston and Holliday goes to the Yankees after next year. Hell, his dad is already campaigning for it. And, they’ll have freed up $35 million in corner outfielders after next season.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 1:18 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Exactly...

I hope our contingent plan of keeping Holliday and receiving draft picks as compensation fares better than it did for the Jays and Brewers this year.

I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.

by franks a lot on Dec 23, 2008 1:21 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

The Yankees could field the All-Boras team

and play against the ALL-non-WMG Atlanta Braves.

I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.

by franks a lot on Dec 23, 2008 2:28 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

lol

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 8:37 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

the brilliant thing about the yankees signing teixeira

it’s not like the red sox can counter it by signing manny.
hopefully there is a crazy bidding war between the angels and red sox for dunn….

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 23, 2008 1:12 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

it doesn't look like that's going to happen, so i at least want one of those teams to overpay him

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 23, 2008 1:16 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

based on what evidence?

No public offers to any of the immobile sluggers yet …

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:16 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

right, but that's because the top guys get signed first and set the market

sabathia → burnett → lowe
teixeira → manny/dunn

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 23, 2008 1:18 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

mmm, not so sure about that this year

I think there’s something to the overvaluation of young/healthy/not-incapable-of-resisting-bursting-into-flames-on-contact-with-leather types.

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:19 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

not incapable of resisting

we have ourselves a triple negative…

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 8:41 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

do you really think Manny will be worse than Teixeira in 2009?

Obviously not hitting-wise…does his fielding offset his hitting that much?

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 8:42 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Not at DH

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 8:55 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

yeah I think his fielding will be fine at that position

I don’t see how anybody could see what he did for the Dodgers (and has done for his whole career) and not conclude that he’s the best player on the market, for the next couple years anyway. I feel like Teixeira is being overrated.

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 9:15 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Ya Teixeira is getting a lot of credit for his defense, which is good but it's

not like he’s Ozzie Smith or anything.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 9:45 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

You don't need to be Ozzie Smith

to have a lot more defensive value than a DH

by Josh Deletchi on Dec 24, 2008 7:07 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Raul Ibanez already got signed

and he sure as hell can’t play defense.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 23, 2008 1:21 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

that, plus LAWN DART

Oh, and all the other free-agent outfielders on the market who are better than he is.

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 6:50 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I think the Nats get Dunn.

And then keep Strasburg away from the Mariners.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 23, 2008 1:20 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

the nats and orioles were going after teixeira because he's a local

it doesn’t make sense for either of them to go after dunn, considering the state of both franchises.
hell, it doesn’t even make sense for them to go after teixeira, except that he’s a local.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 23, 2008 1:21 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Bowden likes Dunn

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 2:30 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

oh yeah, i didn’t even make that connection.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 23, 2008 8:11 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

what would be really crazy...

is with the red sox and angels not pursuing manny, the yankees beat the dodgers 3-year offer and added him as well.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 23, 2008 1:15 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

+1

Was thinking the same thing. I think it’s a really smart move by the Yankees.

by methodrampage on Dec 23, 2008 1:17 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Who's going after Manny now?

Can’t be Boston. NY is how likely? The Mets? The Nationals?

chronic

by Since1972 on Dec 23, 2008 1:20 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Nats make zero sense, since Manny cannot play 1B.

I think its Mets and Dodgers.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 23, 2008 1:21 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

2-year, $45M contract

’09: $30M guaranteed, with a reverse performance clause, where if he misses X number of games, the $15M ’10 option kicks in.

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:25 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Interesting

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 23, 2008 1:28 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I like it

But it’ll probably have to better 2 year, $45M. I think that’s what they Dodgers originally offered and I’ve got to imagine the Dodgers would still take him for that and that Manny might prefer the Dodgers over the A’s.

by methodrampage on Dec 23, 2008 1:29 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

2/45 for a lousy defensive player?

I wouldn’t do that if I were the A’s even for Manny.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:30 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

It's just money

It wouldn’t handcuff the A’s for long and it would put them at the top of the AL West.

by methodrampage on Dec 23, 2008 1:34 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

money and a second-round pick for the A's

I know those aren’t incredibly valuable in the abstract, but they can become Trevor Cahill.

I like how the A’s stack up, knowing the Angels won’t have Manny or Tex. I think we’ll stack up well, both on paper and on the field, even if Barton is the opening day first baseman.

If the A’s tank in the first half, I’d try to deal Holliday to the Dodgers for Ivan De Jesus, Jr. By then the Dodgers will be ready for another mid-season splash, after Pierre and Andruw have tanked again.

If the A’s are in first, of course Holliday stays. I could see that happening – the Angels just don’t look that good.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 1:39 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

2nd round pick this year but what about next year?

What would happen if Manny and Holliday walked after next year? Would they both net 1st rounders?

by methodrampage on Dec 23, 2008 1:50 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

depends upon where they sign

They’d both probably net at least 2nd rounders and a sandwich pick, though. They did well enough in ‘08 that it would be very surprising for them to not qualify as Type A’s after ’09.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 2:09 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Manny wasn't offered arbitration. No draft pick.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 2:32 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Yes he was

Thanks for tomorrow 'cause I've had enough

by andeux on Dec 23, 2008 2:34 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

That'll teach me to post without looking things up

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 2:42 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

this is a far better deal (albeit with some risk) for Manny than the Dodgers' offer

Basically, it’s a one-year $30M deal, with the opportunity to hit the market again in a year when the economy and market for immobile sluggers have both rebounded — and with fewer immobile sluggers on the market.

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:40 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Fair enough

But there is no guarantee that the economy and the market for old immobile sluggers will rebound by next year. But for discussion sake I think it’s a good offer.

by methodrampage on Dec 23, 2008 1:49 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

true

And, of course, the more I think about it, the more I think no way would his agent let him sign it.

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Why not the Orioles?

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 23, 2008 1:25 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Huff at DH.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 23, 2008 1:28 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Huff to 1B, Manny to DH

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 23, 2008 1:29 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

could start re-assembling the team full of idiots

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 8:46 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I think Rays' fans are going to be disappointed in 2009

The Yankees are now the team to beat and the Red Sox are still solid. First off, I think the Rays’ bullpen is extremely vulnerable, following a season where everything fell into place. Percival is done, Wheeler sucks, Balfour will regress a lot. Kazmir is, IMO, very overrated. He has some health issues and when healthy is a 5IP pitcher. Offensively, they can’t count on Navarro duplicating his 2008 success, Baldelli appears to be gone, Bartlett is just ok – pretty much the only places they are really solid is 1B and 3B, plus Upton should be good (though he’s a harder one to predict due to youth/inconsistency).

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:28 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Ya the Rays look like a 3rd place team.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 2:33 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

They should have the best rotation in the AL

Their top 5 would all be better than the A’s second best starter.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Dec 23, 2008 7:30 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Who, the Rays?

That depends on how Kazmir progresses and whether Price comes out of the chute strong or has some “growing pains”. Personally, I’d take Gallagher over Sonnanstine but I’ll admit it’s close in that Sonnanstine is a pretty accomplished pitcher and Gallagher is still very much a wild card.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 7:34 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'd pick Gallagher to have a better career, but Sonnanstine will probably be better next year.

Price and Gallagher both could have growing pains, but Price is better. Certainly, I wouldn’t be that surprised if Gallagher is better than those guys, or better than Garza. I’m not sure why Kazmir needs to progress. He’s been excellent four years in a row.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Dec 23, 2008 7:41 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

This year Kazmir was slowed by arm problems,

and when he came back he was plagued by an old enemy, 20-pitch innings. I think he’s really a #3 starter in disguise. Anyway, we basically agree – the A’s 2009 rotation is Duke till he drops and a bunch of #3-#4 starters at this point in their careers.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 8:02 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

kazmir did not look good last year.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 23, 2008 8:12 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Injuries.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 24, 2008 7:36 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

In bigger news today,

The Nationals signed Corey Patterson to a minor league deal today. Take THAT Teixeira, with all your stupid surname vowels! We don’t need your ass!

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 1:31 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Holy cow!

The Nationals are now the team to beat in the AL Central!11

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:38 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

can we send them not-Corey?

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 1:41 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

That's right, there IS someone who hits worse than Corey Patterson!

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:44 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Unfortunately, Corey is a semi-valuable player because of his defense

Eric hits worse and can’t do anything productive with a glove.

by thejd44 on Dec 23, 2008 6:35 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

See what happens when you leave Boras, Corey?

I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.

by franks a lot on Dec 23, 2008 2:32 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

{resists making Lebowski reference}

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 2:47 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

The good news is: 8 years/$22.5 million annual sets the benchmark for Holliday in 12 months

I believe those numbers allow the A’s to seriously consider keeping Holliday beyond 2009.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 23, 2008 1:31 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Yes

And having spent so much money, the Yankees may not be the competition. I would think right now Boston and the Angels would be the prime competition. But there is a window of opportunity here, if the A’s are willing to throw some serious cash around.

chronic

by Since1972 on Dec 23, 2008 1:36 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Exactly what I thought -

The A’s could offer 8 / 22.5 annual to make Holliday the centerpiece of the Cahill/Anderson years and if Holliday likes it in Oakland he might go for it. That commitment puts Holliday under contract through age 37 and doesn’t completely kill the A’s budget – especially if they do indeed move into a new stadium halfway through the life of the contract.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:41 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

With Damon and Matsui's $30M coming off the books and Bay coming off the books in

Boston, and Vlad finishing up in Anaheim and the economy picking up….I can easily see Holliday getting 8/$200M

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 2:35 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

OTOH, if the recession carries on into June/July

and the A’s are competing, Beane might be able to get a deal done before Holliday hits the open market.

by Josh Deletchi on Dec 23, 2008 4:31 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I really can't see Holliday going for this. He refused to discuss an extension with the

Rockies and retained Boras. That screams FA to me.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 5:04 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Well, if it's gonna happen

Beane better start moving his now!

Let’s go Billy! A’s fans want some satisfaction goddammit!

by mrod on Dec 23, 2008 7:27 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

how so?

Those seem like terms the A’s wouldn’t want to match

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 8:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Well, they should

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 23, 2008 9:41 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Further

I’d kind of like to see them win five titles in a row to shut up the people saying that spending the most money is no guarantee of winning it all.

No, but it sure helps.

Then maybe we’ll get a salary cap, but there needs to be a minimum cap as well.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Dec 23, 2008 1:35 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I don't want a salary cap

Admittedly, I’ve done a 180 on this in my last 5 years as a sports fan.

I like that baseball teams can spend their way out of mistakes.

A salary cap is part of why the Lions are 0-15, and why the NFL has such a disparity between good teams and truly terrible teams. A bad NFL GM/ownership group truly bungles a team’s future for a decade. They tie up cap space in bad players.

And a max-individual player salary is also part of why the NBA is so incredibly lop-sided talent-wise around the league. Should LeBron James and Zach Randolph really make the same amount of money? 20-25 teams are giving out max contracts to a player…but there’s really only one LeBron, and one Chris Paul. Yet guys who are clearly a tier below them end up making the same amount of money as they do.

And you make it IMPOSSIBLE for a small-market team to sign LeBron or CP3, because they literally can’t overpay for his services. Since the contracts have to be equal, they can’t make match LA or NY financially because the endorsement opportunities and quality of life tip the scales.

In MLB, A-Rod to Texas for 250 million is possible. Teixeira to the Nationals for $200 million (if they would’ve gone there) is possible.

In the NBA, most teams have no chance of an opportunity like that. It’s not even worth fantasizing about, unless you win the draft lottery in a great talent year.

  

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 1:47 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Ineptitude, Carlos Rodgers, Mike Williams, Roy Williams (maybe even Calvin Johnson to a lesser extent)

Are why the Lions are 0-15. The salary cap is why the Falcons are now 10-5.

A bad NFL GM/ownership group truly bungles a team’s future for a decade.

This is why I like the salary cap. It makes ownership accountable.

by methodrampage on Dec 23, 2008 2:01 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

+1

The current NFL system allows for a team to turn around in (relatively) short order. If you’re consistently bad (like the Lions), it’s not the system, it’s you.

Conversely, if you know what the heck you’re doing, you can still be consistently good for a number of years (read Patriots and Colts).

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Dec 23, 2008 5:03 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

"this"

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 8:54 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Exactly

In the old days, the Niners would have bought Allan Faneca and 2 or 3 other free agents this offseason, and in all likelihood would have made the playoffs this year. I’d like that as a fan of the team, but it’s awfully hard to argue it’s good for the sport. Teams with York/Nolanesque management SHOULDN’T make the playoffs.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 24, 2008 10:32 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Isn't it more like this?

I like that [big market] baseball teams can spend their way out of mistakes.

I don’t imagine small or mid market teams have an easy time spending their way out of mistakes.

by methodrampage on Dec 23, 2008 2:03 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Yup. I'm all for a salary cap

and revenue sharing.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 2:06 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

+1

Parody sucks and is why the Chargers could make the playoffs at 8-8 and a team led by Kyle Orton, a guy who is a #3 Quarterback, is somehow leading a team to a possibly 10-6 record and division playoffs.

The NBA’s “soft cap,” while somewhat similar to the MLB’s luxury tax, is worse because of the lack of freedom involved in contracts (though I love how they have predetermined rookie contracts, something the NFL should adopt).

I really don’t like the idea of a salary cap, and the only place it works (for now) is the NHL, but that’s the equivalent of the league filing for bankruptcy and the players saying “Ok, we’ll work for 60% of our worth because 60% is better than nothing.”

How many World Series wins do the Yankees get over the next 8 years? I say 2, max.

by thejd44 on Dec 23, 2008 6:43 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I sat with ire over that mistake

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 7:16 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

it's not the structure, it's Matt Millen

the Bill Bavasi of the NFL. Aside from the incompetence of Matt Millen and Al Davis (sorry, Raiders fans, but justifying the Javon Walker contract is nothing short of impossible), find me another example of teams that have a tough time competing annually. Even the Cardinals are a playoff team this year, though that may be short-lived post-Warner and possibly post-Boldin. And the Bengals had the possibility to turn it around. The moral of the story is that the NFL is actually more dependent on drafting than the MLB is; free agency in the cap era generally means little. The Pats have combined both well (and they even made a key trade, extremely rare in the NFL, to acquire one of the best receivers in the history of the league).

As for the NBA, it might be tough for some teams to compete in free agency for elite players, but look where those guys you cited currently play. Cavs fans are currently “witnesses”, and Paul plays in front of empty arenas in New Orleans. San Antonio is a dynasty; can’t tell me they’re a big market. Duncan/David Robinson/Tony Parker/Manu Ginobili—all draft picks. And the Knicks have been horrible for a few years now, despite their willingness to exceed the luxury tax threshold. Bottom line is that the draft really dominates those sports, moreso than the MLB, because the 18-year-old high schoolers are generally too far removed in baseball. No instant impact like in the NFL and NBA.

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 9:05 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Yes, but even with a better GM, it will take years

for the Lions to climb out of the hole that Matt Millen left them.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 24, 2008 7:36 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Note I also said a minimum cap

Maybe at least then we’d get some owners doing more than sitting on their thumbs, and it’d put more importance on the GMs to actually do something smart.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Dec 23, 2008 2:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Plus, that problem is solved by my

“Percentage of profits to charity” plan.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 2:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm absolutely for a max & min

And for the minimum, I’d “allow” teams to pay under the minimum, but all money not used for players goes to all the players on the 40 man roster based on service time, so a rebuilding team could throw a bunch of kids out there, but all that money still goes to the players and those kids would get paid pretty well. As for going over the cap, I’d allow it only via trade with a much more severe $$ penalty for those who use that loophole (other than not being allowed to sign any free agent to an MLB deal).

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Dec 23, 2008 3:23 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

this is the weirdest suggestion I've ever seen

So, Jeff Loria could run me and devo and Cindi out on the field, but so long as we each were getting $2.5M rather than $400K, that’d be OK?

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 3:32 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Yes

The idea of a minimum is to insure that team’s actually use their revenue. So while you’d be technically be making the minimum, you’d be getting a bonus for the year as well. If in mid-season they pick up a player that takes them over the minimum, you’d only get the pro-rated amount up to that point.

If the Marlins & Yankees offer a player a $25 million contract right now, the Marlins would have the advantage (money-wise) since, even with a $25 million contract, they’d still be under the, say, $60 million payroll min. If everyone else is making the minimum (and all min. players or perhaps contracts under $500k don’t count towards the payroll figures), as the elder-statesman of the club, that player would be getting a pretty substantial bonus from that additional $35 million, which based on a “share” per service year, that could be upwards of $4.6 million for a 6-year FA. For the teams, allowing them to go under that minimum like this, it keeps them from having to fill out rosters with bad contracts during rebuilding years (as well as artificially inflating salaries), as well as enticing those FA money-grubbers.

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Dec 23, 2008 3:56 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

this just gets weirder and weirder

So, if I’m a player on this hypothetical Loria team, it’s actively in my interest for the team to NOT sign expensive FAs, because every dollar an expensive FA gets (under a cheapskate regime) is 4.17 cents out of my pocket.

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 4:02 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Yes

It’s certainly not going to keep a Loria from being a Loria, but it will force Loria to pay out and not get away with being a cheap SOB. And if you’re going to have to pay $60 million a year anyway, why not be a little smarter with your money. But certainly as a player on this team, you’d definitely not have an issue when team decides to be cheap.

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Dec 23, 2008 4:08 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I have a feeling this would exacerbate disparities

I think you’d find more teams more incentivized to rush to the bottom of the scale (which is why the MLBPA would never sign on), leaving you with a situation where the high-revenue teams would still dominate the signings, the Loria teams would still bottom-feed — and most of the teams in the middle would gravitate lower.

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 4:15 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Not sure I'm following. Example?

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Dec 23, 2008 4:19 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Yay!!!!!!!

Cindi (and devo, I presume).

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 4:04 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

You know, I'M the guy who risks his butt fighting fire for low pay

Why don’t I ever get picked to leave the mountain for fun and profit?

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 23, 2008 4:43 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm smart about baseball

You have to be a special type of idiot to work in my field. And yes… I. Am. Special.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 23, 2008 4:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

sorry grover, but

you’re just not Mexican enough…

by mrod on Dec 23, 2008 7:32 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Chingate puto

Mexican enuff for ya?

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 23, 2008 9:47 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

How does a floor even work?

Can't get enough of the Oakland A's? Visit Oaktown Awesomer's

by iamawesomer on Dec 23, 2008 4:08 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

the NBA has one

No team can use less than 75% of the cap figure in each year.

So, you basically always have to have at least one FA on your roster. You don’t have to splurge in the FA market every year, but it would mean that every team had a least a few $7M-plus annual players, or a $10M a year guy, etc.

It’s not a bad proposal…but I’d be more in favor of a “five-year floor” than a “hard salary floor”.

Sometimes it’s truly in a team’s best interest to field a $25M payroll team – like the Rays for the previous four years prior to ’08. The key is that when that talent gets expensive – the arby years, and when the team is competitive – that teams raise their payroll at that point, just as the Rays have done.

I would NOT be in favor of a $40M payroll floor – it would occasionally force teams into signing players just to reach the minimum floor, even if the player wasn’t a good value. (This is what the NBA’s salary floor does).

But if you said that a team had to utilize, say, $200M in salary over every 5 year span, I’d be 100% on board with that. That allows teams to operate intelligently within their own Win Cycles – spending money when they are competitive, shedding payroll if they’re “rebuilding”.

I doubt you’ll see something like that in the 2011 CBA…but I’d encourage it.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 4:49 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

This Sucks

What is really disheartening is seeing how the A’s have to scrimp & save, while you have the Yankees who can buy any free agent they want. If we want a player, we have to dumpster dive or look through the scrapheap, or we have to give up value & make a trade. Life’s not fair. Just my 1 1/4 cent opinion.

Paddle Faster! I hear banjo music.

by alpine26 on Dec 23, 2008 1:44 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

For which the Yankees could pay $1.27 and not care

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:45 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Absolutely

That’s the whole gist of this. They are the scholyard baseball bully who can get any player they want. Excellent points by notsellingjeans about the upcoming 2009 & 2010 free agent market. If they want Holliday, they will get him when he becomes a free agent.

Paddle Faster! I hear banjo music.

by alpine26 on Dec 23, 2008 1:49 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

"we have to dumpster dive or look through the scrapheap"

sounds like my neighborhood buddies every Monday morning…

by mrod on Dec 23, 2008 7:35 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

That's what your neighborhood buddies say...

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 7:40 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Like the old saying goes...

“Wherever you go, there you are….”

????

:o

by mrod on Dec 23, 2008 7:41 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

according to the NY Post writer

Joel Sherman, the Yanks will try to trade one of Damon, Matsui, Nady or Swish.

by OaklandSi on Dec 23, 2008 1:46 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Joel Sherman is pretty gossipy, I'd take that with a grain of salt

Especially since Damon and Matsui have NTC’s.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 1:51 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

although it would make sense to trade Nady and get Swisher in right...

since that’s where he’ll be for the next several years with Tex at first and Austin Jackson due to arrive on the scene by ’10 in center field.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 1:52 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I think they should go into the season with what they have...

and let Melky be the fourth OF and Brett Gardner be the 5th OF/pinch-runner.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 1:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Why even bother?

I’m seriously beginning to believe that being a fan of any other team than the Yankees is a pure suckers game. I mean, I feel that we’ve all been had. If the 2009 season plays out with the Yankees winning it all, I’m seriously considering just watching the AAA Sacramento River Cats and forgetting about baseball at the major league level. How can anyone even be excited by the Yankees going to the post season. It’s gotten to be so frickin’ boring! We finally get a year when the Yankees are out of the playoffs and seemingly on the wane and they go and buy themselves another pennant, while all the East Coast sportswriters get all excited. I’m sick of it. In fact, I will continue to be sick of it until the Yankees are out of the playoffs for two or more decades. While I hope that the Yankees fall flat on their faces like the high prices Tigers or Mariners, history has shown us that this just doesn’t happen. I’m seriously done with baseball if the Yankees go to the World Series next year. I don’t even care if they lose it, the pennant is my final breaking point.

by may7 on Dec 23, 2008 1:50 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

You never know

They still have to play the games. And in the playoffs anything could happen.

chronic

by Since1972 on Dec 23, 2008 1:52 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

AJ Burnett

Are Yankees Fans counting on on this guy to be their #2 or #3 Guy? I just don’t see it. And Sabathia and Wang are not world beaters. I don’t know. I just don’t see their Starting Pitching being as solid as the Red Sox – I’d gladly take Beckett, Lester, and Matsuzaka over the Yankees starting 3.

by Colorado Fan on Dec 23, 2008 5:31 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

There's spending money and there spending like the Yankees just spent

I’d love the A’s to be able to occasionally keep a Holliday – that’s different from spending 400million to buy 2/5 of a rotation and a cleanup hitter on 7-8 year deals.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 1:56 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

but it's relative to the previous payroll, the size of the stadium deal, the team's long-term financial picture, and the projected new stadium revenues

A market-value Holliday extension/signing would be proportionally equivalent for the A’s.

If you want to eliminate that, then come right out in favor of a hard salary cap/floor.

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 2:02 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I've always been in favor of a salary cap/floor

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 2:07 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

k

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 2:16 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Everyone should spend exactly One Hundred Billion Dollars!

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 2:38 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

that's getting close to the auto industry bail out money

Maybe the Detroit brass should have gone to see the yankees 1st.

by asfansince1989 on Dec 23, 2008 2:39 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

They could have arrived in golf carts,

instead of private jets.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 2:51 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Didn't they spend a shitton of money last offseason?

And, where did they end up again?

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 23, 2008 1:55 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

But these guys are better! Really.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 2:38 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I know.

They still spent a shitton of money.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 23, 2008 5:19 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

The Yankees might win the World Series this year

for the first time in 9 years. Or they could lose in the playoffs to a team with a smaller payroll (again). Or Burnett could get injured, Jeter, Posada, Damon, Matsui could remember they’re in their mid 30s, and the Yankees could win 89 games again and miss the playoffs. Nothing is guaranteed, especially in December.

by Josh Deletchi on Dec 23, 2008 4:36 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

What I can't believe

is that the Yankees gave each of the those players full no trade clauses! I think that’s what cripples them in the long run, not the money.

by faninphilly on Dec 23, 2008 2:00 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Yeah.

The contracts are all fair deals, no overpayment involved. The NTCs could bite them in the ass though.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 23, 2008 2:08 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

So who's 67MARQUEZ, anyway?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 2:08 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Ho blogger prospect - Yankees will sign him away from AN when he hits Free Agency

"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane

by athleticsBB4life on Dec 23, 2008 2:10 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I meant Hot in purely the most manly sense of course

"just a beating heart ... plasma that we'll put into our uniform." - Billy Beane

by athleticsBB4life on Dec 23, 2008 2:11 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

When someone says "Ho" I assume they mean "Hot in a manly sense"

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 2:13 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Would you believe he's my doppleganger?

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 23, 2008 2:10 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I knew he belonged to some gang, I just didn't know which one

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 2:13 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

That's it.

I quit!

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Dec 23, 2008 3:46 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Hey, it really is just like work!

Except that whole paycheck part.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Dec 23, 2008 5:15 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

does this make sense?

that with the AL East having three very strong teams, they’re all going to take wins off of each other, lessening the likelihood of the wildcard coming from that division?

I have no solutions, just rejoindres

by alea iacta est on Dec 23, 2008 2:17 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

There are two other teams in the East

Though one isn’t too bad. I don’t think the divisional play will have enough effect though to offset the large gap those 3 AL East teams have over the rest of the league.

Can't get enough of the Oakland A's? Visit Oaktown Awesomer's

by iamawesomer on Dec 23, 2008 2:20 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

assume for a second

that red sox, Rays and Yanks go .500 against each other – that 19 losses each per season. hm. that’s probably not enough, is it. but it’s a start!

I have no solutions, just rejoindres

by alea iacta est on Dec 23, 2008 2:29 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

yes, it's possible

the Blue Jays are pretty good, too.

by Josh Deletchi on Dec 23, 2008 4:37 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Off the wall

Could the A’s try and trade for Damon to play 1B? He’s no Furcal, but he could be a nice leadoff hitter and only a 1-year commitment.

by speedchaser9 on Dec 23, 2008 2:28 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Crosby for Damon!

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 2:39 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

The Coliseum is the reason why Damon sucked with the A's

Some of the excuses I remember him offering for his blah play that year were: “Too much foul territory.” and “Not hot enough, I like to work up a sweat.”

I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.

by franks a lot on Dec 23, 2008 2:40 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Damon also doesn't really hit well anywhere anymore

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 2:52 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Except for 2008

and 2006. and 2005. and 2004.

Can't get enough of the Oakland A's? Visit Oaktown Awesomer's

by iamawesomer on Dec 23, 2008 4:11 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Looking (absurdly) far into the Yankees' future...

I think their next three offseasons are headlined like this (ignoring pitching for the moment):

’10
Sign 29-year-old Matt Holliday to play left field.

‘11
*Sign 27-year-old Joe Mauer to catch, pushing Posada to DH for the final year of his deal.
*Re-sign 36-year-old Derek Jeter to a two- or three-year deal – they could make a play for 28-year-old FA J.J. Hardy instead, but I think it’s more likely they keep the future HOF in pinstripes. Because next offseason…

‘12
Sign 28-year-old Jose Reyes to play shortstop, pushing Jeter to second base as Robinson Cano comes off the books. Filling Jeter’s shoes will be a challenge for anyone – but it makes sense to do it with a dynamic player who is already New York-tested.
They could also sign 27-year-old Prince Fielder to be their DH here…but with so many expensive players with long contracts, it might make more sense to keep the DH position open and flexible from year-to-year.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 2:38 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Why sign Fielder when Albert Pujols is available?

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 2:40 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I think they excused themselves from Pujols by signing Teixeira today.

Pujols should stay at first base. He’s an amazing first baseman.

Conversely, Fielder is a true DH.

I don’t think the Yanks should sign Fielder, I was just mentioning that he’s due to be an FA then.

Whereas Holliday, Mauer, and Reyes are all realistic and very important upgrades as the team ages.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 2:55 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

True. They should platoon Fielder and Pujols, with Teixeira alternating between 1B and DH

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 3:07 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

All falls under the motto

“We will sign your star free agents to be!”

I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.

by franks a lot on Dec 23, 2008 2:42 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

And this does not scream ridiculous to you?

I don’t know if you are being sarcastic here, but the Yanks could seriously pull that off – and probably will.

by 33SwisherSweet on Dec 23, 2008 2:43 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not being sarcastic at all...

That’s how I envision their next three off-seasons legitimately playing out.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 2:52 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

it doesn't bother me because I there are many aspects of baseball economics that I love

I love that rookies make $400 grand. I love that (nearly) every player has to prove themselves to become a millionaire.

They truly earn the right to become free agents, make a big salary and set their families up for generations. They had to establish at least six years of high-level success first.

I do not like that rookies in football can instantly become the highest-paid players at their position when they haven’t even learned a playbook yet (Jake Long). I don’t like that JaMarcus Russell gets $60M before he’s ever thrown a pro pass and when he’s 20 lbs. overweight.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 3:03 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

1. I do not approve of your giddiness regarding these developments. Please edit the original post to reflect at least a modicum of disdain for the Yankees.

2. Given career span disparities, non-guaranteed contracts, etc., I’m not sure it’s particularly illustrative to compare the pace at which NFL and MLB players attain wealth.

3. You’re preemptively installing current A’s players in the 2010 New York outfield? I feel violated. 67MARQUEZ would never do that.

by 74mk on Dec 23, 2008 4:11 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I doubt Holliday would be a "current A's player" if he wasn't going to FA after 2009

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 4:26 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

67MARQUEZ has a clause in his contract

prohibiting him from referring to any year after 1972.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 6:19 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Which kind of sucks, Nico

Because ’74 was such a good year.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Dec 23, 2008 8:01 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

"I feel violated."

Would buying you a cup of coffee, slapping you in the ass, and saying, “Nice hustle!”, make you feel any better?

by mrod on Dec 23, 2008 7:45 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Sure.

Oh and I don’t drink coffee.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 8:03 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

good point about the NFL

also, the 3-years-removed-from-high school rule (the rule that the NFL has in place to delay draft eiligibility) means that they all have semi-proven themselves at a higher level than many MLB draft picks have.

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 9:22 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Every player who receives a big post-draft bonus in the NFL

has proven himself to an almost unbelievable degree on national television in the prior four years.

Fuck small salaries, those guys are playing for incredibly high stakes for NO salaries (other than the “benefit” of college courses they have no time to study for anyway) in their “apprenticeships.”

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 24, 2008 10:45 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Brian Cashman runs scenarios like this every day

It’s the luxury of running the Yankees. He can reasonably project his needs and the top FAs available for the next five years to come.

In 2013, he can sign Grady Sizemore when Swisher’s off the books. It goes on and on.

Part of why I fantasize about Justin Upton/A’s is that:

a.) In the 2014 off-season, he’ll be the youngest FA since A-Rod/Texas.
b.) That’s the first year that I’d reasonably expect a San Jose/Fremont stadium, and revenue/payroll bump.

If they’re in San Jose, and team can become a $90-100M annual payroll club, they can – for the first time – afford to out-bid everyone for a $25M-30M per-year marketable star, if they so choose.

But I’m not holding out any hope for Holliday, J.J. Hardy, or any marquee free agent until then. The combo of the A’s fiscal prudence (Furcal), and the fact that Oakland isn’t a prime FA destination, makes it incredibly unlikely that any big-ticket guy signs here in his prime before then (2014ish).

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 3:38 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I'd only quibble with your use of the word "prudence"

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 3:40 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Mind if I sit this one out and let you handle him?

I’m working on a new fanpost.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 23, 2008 4:46 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

is that what the kids are calling that nowadays?

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 4:48 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

grover

Can I give you the front page for Friday? Typically my day, but I’ll have nothing after participating quite a bit in this Tex thread today.

Will you have finished your fanpost by then?

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 5:03 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Sure, I'm almost done now but I can hold off publishing for a few

Merry effin’ x-mas!

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Dec 23, 2008 5:24 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

thank you

hope you, the missus, and your son have a good Christmas and that you’re getting a little bit of time off here over the holidays.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 6:23 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

And from Tampa....

You gotta love it over at Drays Bay

 
And then
Wang breaks his foot again
Joba blows out his elbow
AJ blows out his elbow (again)
Hughes continues to suck
CC collapses due to his advanced weight
Jeter’s knee finally gives out
Posada is never the same after his two years of injuries
A-Rod gets an STD from Madonna
Matsui, Damon and Caño all suck

by Orlando Rays on Dec 23, 2008 12:43 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

"And sometimes, when it seems like all hope is gone, Life tosses you a special gift of a baseball game" . 7/10/08 BaseBallGirl headline

by LongTimeFan on Dec 23, 2008 2:48 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

joba blows out his elbow

eating pies?

I have no solutions, just rejoindres

by alea iacta est on Dec 23, 2008 2:50 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Don't be ridiculous

Eating Cano.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 2:53 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

We're all going to die!

But wait. The Yankees and free agent starting pitchers don’t always go so well, see Carl Pavano. Maybe CC and Burnett will break down and Wang will fall apart as well. Let’s just see how it plays out. And speaking of first basemen, Giambi didn’t win anything for them either. Go A’s!

by A'sfansince1970 on Dec 23, 2008 2:56 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Mussina did OK

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 4:27 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

lets start up the swisher/nady rumors

yankees will have to lessen the group of nady, swisher, matsui, cabrera

they’ probably prefer to trade matsui/damon’s contracts but that will be tough…hello sabean!!

by Asfan4ever723 on Dec 23, 2008 3:10 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Cabrera should be their fourth OF

I don’t think they should trot out a .700 OPS every day when they can put Swisher there.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 3:44 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

The X Man Cometh!

Speed in the outfield! I’ve always liked him.

by A'sfansince1970 on Dec 23, 2008 3:22 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

AJ Burnett was not one of the 3 best players available this offseason

He probably isn’t/wasn’t one of the three best pitchers available.

by thejd44 on Dec 23, 2008 3:26 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

he's undeniably one of the three most expensive

from there you could extrapolate that he’s one of the three most coveted, or even most valuable.

How you define “best” is certainly up for debate, and I admittedly could have used a different description.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 3:42 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I define best as "most productive at playing baseball"

Rafael Furcal was more coveted than AJ Burnett. No fewer than 6 teams were interested in him at some point. As far as I can tell, the Yankees and Braves were the only teams seriously interested in Burnett. This is a bad way to determine who is good, but if that’s what we’re using, shouldn’t Furcal be considered better?

by thejd44 on Dec 23, 2008 6:47 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think so

but again, I understand why you would and I respect that opinion.

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 7:09 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

My Dad and I were laughing when we heard the Tex news

How many of the companies that are receiving our 700 Billion in bailout tax dollars have boxes and or good season tickets to Yankee games? I believe alot of those companies are based and or have major offices in NY. Would be interesting to find out. For once maybe our tax dollars are going to something worthwhile,lol.

by asfaninpismobeach on Dec 23, 2008 3:44 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Not to mention the massive city subsidies the Yankees got for their stadium

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 4:28 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Ho-lee shit

Ryan Sweeney: I probably irrationally embraced him before you did.

by Joey C. on Dec 23, 2008 3:48 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

wen?

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 23, 2008 3:48 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

AL East:

Three best teams in baseball? Three 90-win teams next year?

AL West:
If the Angels’ final off-season addition is Daisy Fuentes, is it possible that the AL West will be won with 85-86 wins?

Batting 4th for the 2014 San Jose A's: 26-year-old RF Justin Upton, in the 1st season of a nine year, $250M deal.

by notsellingjeans on Dec 23, 2008 4:56 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

They have to sign Dunn or Giambi or Bradley or somebody like that. At least Burrell or Abreu.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 5:07 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

nah, the red sox are not too impressive at the moment

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 23, 2008 8:32 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Well sure, they're on a 1 game losing streak.

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 8:56 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, they are.

They haven’t lost any of their major players yet. Even without additions, they’re the same team they were last year.

They’ll add a reliever or two, at minimum.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 24, 2008 7:33 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

If the Angels signed Daisy Fuentes, I'd watch

Intently.

Ryan Sweeney: I probably irrationally embraced him before you did.

by Joey C. on Dec 24, 2008 8:58 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

And I thought it wasn't possible

for me to hate the Yankee$ any more than I already do…

by IronBruin on Dec 23, 2008 5:04 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Why did you think that wasn't possible?

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 5:07 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Because on my list of things that I hate, they are up there near child molesters at the top of the list. And because I didn’t think it was possible for them to spend more money and scoop up more players than they already have.

by IronBruin on Dec 23, 2008 5:11 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

In America anything is possible

It's not the results, it's how you look going about those results -- Tim McCarver

by WaddellCanseco on Dec 23, 2008 5:15 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

At least child molesters aren't smug about it

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 6:20 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe not the ones you know

Jerry down the street has a real attitude.

Ryan Sweeney: I probably irrationally embraced him before you did.

by Joey C. on Dec 24, 2008 9:01 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

QOTM

I'll send you a postcard from Space Mountain. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Dec 24, 2008 9:42 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

The slegnA sure gave up a lot for half a year of Tex.

I’m happy with any scenario that drains talent from them. The Wild Card coming from the AL East becomes a foregone conclusion, but one very talented team there won’t make the tournament, and the A’s have a better shot at getting to roll them bones. What’s not to like?

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Dec 23, 2008 7:22 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

the angels only gave up casey kotchman

the braves gave up “Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and four prospects: shortstop Elvis Andrus, and starting pitchers Matt Harrison, Neftali Feliz and Beau Jones.”

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Dec 23, 2008 8:37 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Right -- Kotchman is a lot to give up --

It seemed to me that he was really coming into his own. Was the marginal improvement at first base worth it?

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Dec 23, 2008 8:45 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

am I wrong to think that Kotchman is...

the type of player that Barton could become…but in the best-case scenario? Walks and doubles

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 8:49 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Ironically, the best Barton comp I can think of these days

is good ol’ 1Bman Mark Kotsay.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Dec 23, 2008 9:14 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Kurt and Darik-not-Daric

the new K&K

"Sweeney's a white Andre Ethier."--a white, drunk Billy Beane

by Cutthemullet on Dec 23, 2008 9:17 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Great glove not a lot of power, but overall an (above) average 1Bman.

Kotch did slump a bit in the end of the season though.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 24, 2008 7:32 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I hate that deal with a fiery burning passion.

I don’t take kindly to other teams dumping top 50 prospects on division rivals.

"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."

by Blicks on Dec 24, 2008 7:56 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Not true, they also gave up Stephen Marek

Still a fraction of the Atlanta package, of course.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Dec 24, 2008 10:47 AM PST up reply actions   0 recs

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