MLB News & Notes (other than Cubs or Sox)

[Clapp]

Mark Prior signs a minor league deal with the Yankees.

[Butcher]

<!--quoteo(post=123372:date=Dec 14 2010, 05:05 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 14 2010, 05:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Mark Prior signs a minor league deal with the Yankees.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Gotta admire his persistence.

[funkster]

I don't buy that the Cubs didn't try hard to make a deal for Gonzalez.

[Giff]

I believe that Hendry tried his best to get Gonzalez...if there's one thing Hendry has proven he is good at, it is doing everything thing he can to improve the team through trades.

I believe that Hendry and Ricketts think this team can at least contend for a division title if lots of things go right, and I believe they're right. Thus, I see no reason to sell off parts right now. Wait to see what we really have (will Ramirez return to form and put the team on his shoulders, will Pena go back to the .250/.380/.500 40 HR guy he was when he was healthy, will Castro and Soto and the other young guys continue to improve, etc.). If everything goes right, this team can easily win a weak division. If things don't, I would guess many veterans would be on their way out. But the offseason is too early for an organization like the Chicago Cubs to give up on the season.

[BT]

<!--quoteo(post=123396:date=Dec 15 2010, 07:03 AM:name=Giff)-->QUOTE (Giff @ Dec 15 2010, 07:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I believe that Hendry tried his best to get Gonzalez...if there's one thing Hendry has proven he is good at, it is doing everything thing he can to improve the team through trades.

I believe that Hendry and Ricketts think this team can at least contend for a division title if lots of things go right, and I believe they're right. Thus, I see no reason to sell off parts right now. Wait to see what we really have (will Ramirez return to form and put the team on his shoulders, will Pena go back to the .250/.380/.500 40 HR guy he was when he was healthy, will Castro and Soto and the other young guys continue to improve, etc.). If everything goes right, this team can easily win a weak division. If things don't, I would guess many veterans would be on their way out. But the offseason is too early for an organization like the Chicago Cubs to give up on the season.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Well said.

[Coldneck]

<!--quoteo(post=123396:date=Dec 15 2010, 08:03 AM:name=Giff)-->QUOTE (Giff @ Dec 15 2010, 08:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I believe that Hendry tried his best to get Gonzalez...if there's one thing Hendry has proven he is good at, it is doing everything thing he can to improve the team through trades.

I believe that Hendry and Ricketts think this team can at least contend for a division title if lots of things go right, and I believe they're right. Thus, I see no reason to sell off parts right now. Wait to see what we really have (will Ramirez return to form and put the team on his shoulders, will Pena go back to the .250/.380/.500 40 HR guy he was when he was healthy, will Castro and Soto and the other young guys continue to improve, etc.). If everything goes right, this team can easily win a weak division. If things don't, I would guess many veterans would be on their way out. But the offseason is too early for an organization like the Chicago Cubs to give up on the season.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
And if I had tits I'd never leave the house.

[BT]

<!--quoteo(post=123465:date=Dec 15 2010, 12:08 PM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 15 2010, 12:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=123396:date=Dec 15 2010, 08:03 AM:name=Giff)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Giff @ Dec 15 2010, 08:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I believe that Hendry tried his best to get Gonzalez...if there's one thing Hendry has proven he is good at, it is doing everything thing he can to improve the team through trades.

I believe that Hendry and Ricketts think this team can at least contend for a division title if lots of things go right, and I believe they're right. Thus, I see no reason to sell off parts right now. Wait to see what we really have (will Ramirez return to form and put the team on his shoulders, will Pena go back to the .250/.380/.500 40 HR guy he was when he was healthy, will Castro and Soto and the other young guys continue to improve, etc.). If everything goes right, this team can easily win a weak division. If things don't, I would guess many veterans would be on their way out. But the offseason is too early for an organization like the Chicago Cubs to give up on the season.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
And if I had tits I'd never leave the house.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Touche?

[Dumpgobbler]

I personally dont think Agon was ever a real possibility. I think I read somewhere that the Pads wanted a ML young player along with a few very good prospects. You could speculate what that means.. I'd assume maybe Cashner, Archer/Mcnutt and Brett Jackson? Which would be a much better package then the red sox offered. No way were in any position to offer that. That package is speculation, but any package dealing away young potentially very good prospects for another huge deal isn't the way to go right now.

[Coldneck]

Joe Sheehan on Theriot
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->The shortstop exchange, however, was ridiculous. Ryan is one of the best defensive shortstops in the game -- you wonder if he were recognized as such, rather than the Gold Glove going to the better hitter in Troy Tulowitzki, if this trade even happens. Even hitting .223/.279/.294, Ryan was worth about a win to the Cards because of his defense. With the Cardinals' emphasis on getting ground balls from their pitchers, his glove is of particular value to them. In Theriot, the Cards add a player who may be a better hitter than Ryan, but is still not really good enough to bat at the top of the order (although he will), and a significantly worse defender. Theriot's batting average, walk rate and K/BB have slipped in each of the last two years, and that trend seems unlikely to abate as he crosses 30. Pitchers have adjusted to him and are not threatened by his bat: he saw first-pitch strikes on 2/3 of his plate appearances in 2010, second only to Yuniesky Betancourt. Simply put, the 2011 Cardinals are worse today than they were prior to making this exchange.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Giggle

[jstraw]

<!--quoteo(post=123573:date=Dec 16 2010, 07:32 AM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Dec 16 2010, 07:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Joe Sheehan on Theriot
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->The shortstop exchange, however, was ridiculous. Ryan is one of the best defensive shortstops in the game -- you wonder if he were recognized as such, rather than the Gold Glove going to the better hitter in Troy Tulowitzki, if this trade even happens. Even hitting .223/.279/.294, Ryan was worth about a win to the Cards because of his defense. With the Cardinals' emphasis on getting ground balls from their pitchers, his glove is of particular value to them. In Theriot, the Cards add a player who may be a better hitter than Ryan, but is still not really good enough to bat at the top of the order (although he will), and a significantly worse defender. Theriot's batting average, walk rate and K/BB have slipped in each of the last two years, and that trend seems unlikely to abate as he crosses 30. Pitchers have adjusted to him and are not threatened by his bat: he saw first-pitch strikes on 2/3 of his plate appearances in 2010, second only to Yuniesky Betancourt. Simply put, the 2011 Cardinals are worse today than they were prior to making this exchange.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Giggle
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I guess the secret's out...about four months early.

[Andy]

Bob Feller passed away at 92.

[Clapp]

Heyman says the Red Sox are on the verge of a deal with Bobby Jenks. You know, because they haven't acquired any notable names so far.

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo(post=123632:date=Dec 16 2010, 12:40 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Dec 16 2010, 12:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Heyman says the Red Sox are on the verge of a deal with Bobby Jenks. You know, because they haven't acquired any notable names so far.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Olney says it's done: 2 years, $12 million.

[Butcher]

I hate that fat fuck.

[jeffy]

One less doucheguzzler in Chicago.