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<!--quoteo(post=8680:date=Jan 4 2009, 02:34 PM:name=Destined)-->QUOTE (Destined @ Jan 4 2009, 02:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=8657:date=Jan 4 2009, 11:53 AM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Jan 4 2009, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Saw on MLB Trade Rumors that LaRussa is thinking of putting Chris Carpenter in the closer's role.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/spit.gif[/img]
The managerial genius at work again.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Cardinals GM John Mozeliak hinted Monday that he would like to see Chris Perez close games for the team in '09.
Manager Tony La Russa certainly won't appreciate the idea. He's been pulling for the Cards to sign a veteran closer since the regular season ended. "I know it's not optimal the way Tony looks at it," Mozeliak said. "But we went with a very young outfield last year that got the same type of scrutiny and questions that now our bullpen is getting. I'm using that as a barometer that it works. We had the same type of faith in Ludwick and Ankiel and that group as we do with Perez and (Jason) Motte and (Kyle) McClellan."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
![[Image: lou.jpg]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/cubsbz/lou.jpg)
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<!--quoteo(post=10523:date=Jan 10 2009, 01:54 AM:name=HTC)-->QUOTE (HTC @ Jan 10 2009, 01:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Dodgers signed Shawn Estes. I can't believe teams keep giving him any kind of shot.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It's just a minor league deal and invite to ST.
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<!--quoteo(post=10558:date=Jan 10 2009, 01:18 PM:name=Gad)-->QUOTE (Gad @ Jan 10 2009, 01:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=10523:date=Jan 10 2009, 01:54 AM:name=HTC)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (HTC @ Jan 10 2009, 01:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Dodgers signed Shawn Estes. I can't believe teams keep giving him any kind of shot.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It's just a minor league deal and invite to ST.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I know. That's why I said any kind of shot. I guess if he was going to make any team though, that'd probably be one of the better locations for him as far as ballparks go.
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<!--quoteo(post=10558:date=Jan 10 2009, 01:18 PM:name=Gad)-->QUOTE (Gad @ Jan 10 2009, 01:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=10523:date=Jan 10 2009, 01:54 AM:name=HTC)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (HTC @ Jan 10 2009, 01:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Dodgers signed Shawn Estes. I can't believe teams keep giving him any kind of shot.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It's just a minor league deal and invite to ST.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Seemed like he pitched ok when he was healthy last season, so it's a low risk proposition.
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<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"If infielder Nomar Garciaparra is interested in continuing his career, the Phillies may sign him to be a righthanded bat off their bench. A team source yesterday confirmed a Fox sports report that said the Phillies had interest in the 35-year-old former two-time American League batting champion. The Phils have not made an offer, but may if Garciaparra tells them that he wants to play in 2009. The Phillies also have shown interest in Gabe Kapler as a righthanded bat, but it appears he will sign elsewhere. Garciaparra, a 13-year veteran, hit .264 with eight home runs in 55 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I hope Kapler stays out of the Central. I know he's pretty much washed up, but he killed us last season. And I'm surprised more AL teams haven't shown more interest in Nomar.
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I wonder what Nomar's asking. I wouldn't mind him backing up Lee and Aramis. I'd guess he'll probably want a chance to play every day though.
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<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Cubs get stronger as division gets weaker
Central Division rivals doing little this winter to challenge North Siders
Phil Rogers
On Baseball
5:03 PM CST, January 10, 2009
Ryan Doumit lies.
The Pittsburgh Pirates' catcher says he signed a three-year, $11.5 million contract extension because he's "excited about what the future holds for the Pittsburgh Pirates."
Yeah, right. And the addition of Khalil Greene means the St. Louis Cardinals are going to be a force again. And the signing of a 41-year-old Trevor Hoffman more than offsets the departures of CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets from the Milwaukee Brewers.
Forget the addition of Milton Bradley and re-signing of Ryan Dempster. The best thing for the Cubs in this off-season is that the rest of the National League Central has done so little.
With spring training barely more than a month away, only seven of the 30 teams appear to have gotten stronger since the 2008 season ended: Five of those are in the American League, and none are in the NL Central.
The most improved teams, in order: Yankees, Athletics, Giants, Mets, Indians, Orioles and Royals.
The mix here suggests the AL, long the stronger of the two leagues, could widen the gap in 2009. Among the talent migrating into the AL from the NL: Sabathia (Brewers to Yankees), Matt Holliday (Rockies to A's), Kerry Wood (Cubs to Indians), John Smoltz (Braves to Red Sox), Brad Penny (Dodgers to Red Sox) and Mark DeRosa (Cubs to Indians).
This trend may only be starting too. The preponderance of attractive free agents still available come from NL teams, including Manny Ramirez (likely to re-sign with the Dodgers), Derek Lowe, Adam Dunn, Oliver Perez, Orlando Hudson, Juan Cruz, Brandon Lyon and Sheets.
When the Cubs sign Bradley and their fans talk about going into the playoffs with a balanced lineup, it's more than provincial arrogance talking. It's an understanding the Cubs figure to enter 2009 as a prohibitive favorite in their division.
Under Lou Piniella, and backed by heavy spending from ownership, the Cubs have gone 41 games above .500 the last two seasons. The rest of the Central is a combined 65 games below, with Milwaukee emerging as first runner-up while St. Louis and Houston slid back into the pack after a long run at the top.
Nothing seems likely to change this off-season.
Cincinnati, which has added catcher Ramon Hernandez and leadoff man/center fielder Willy Taveras, might be the most improved team in the division.
The Cardinals added Greene but are thinner than ever in pitching, with manager Tony La Russa forced to consider 23-year-old Chris Perez as his closer. The Astros are hoping Mike Hampton can replace Randy Wolf (6-2, 3.57 in 12 starts after being acquired from San Diego) and haven't done anything to replace catcher Brad Ausmus.
Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin has been active but mostly has only the likes of Jorge Julio, R.J. Swindle, Casey McGehee and Jason Bourgeois to show for his efforts. He may have found a bargain in Hoffman, who replaces the retired Salomon Torres as closer, but Melvin hasn't had the budget to chase big game.
Owner Mark Attanasio allowed Melvin to make an attempt to keep Sabathia but didn't authorize him to pursue A.J. Burnett, Lowe or Francisco Rodriguez. It's surprising you didn't even hear the Brewers in on Brian Fuentes, who drew a three-year offer from the Cardinals before signing with the Angels, or Wood.
Hoffman pitched pretty well in 2008, converting 30 of 34 save chances, but wasn't invited back for a 17th season in San Diego, where ownership issues have forced the Padres to cut payroll.
Interestingly, Melvin seems more sold on Hoffman than Hoffman does on the Brewers. Melvin included an option for 2010 in Hoffman's one-year deal, which guarantees him $6 million. But Hoffman wanted the chance to jump elsewhere if he decided the grass was greener outside Miller Park.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
That wasn't the whole article [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]
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<!--quoteo(post=10643:date=Jan 11 2009, 01:39 AM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Jan 11 2009, 01:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Cubs get stronger as division gets weaker
Central Division rivals doing little this winter to challenge North Siders
Phil Rogers
On Baseball
5:03 PM CST, January 10, 2009
Ryan Doumit lies.
The Pittsburgh Pirates' catcher says he signed a three-year, $11.5 million contract extension because he's "excited about what the future holds for the Pittsburgh Pirates."
Yeah, right. And the addition of Khalil Greene means the St. Louis Cardinals are going to be a force again. And the signing of a 41-year-old Trevor Hoffman more than offsets the departures of CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets from the Milwaukee Brewers.
Forget the addition of Milton Bradley and re-signing of Ryan Dempster. The best thing for the Cubs in this off-season is that the rest of the National League Central has done so little.
With spring training barely more than a month away, only seven of the 30 teams appear to have gotten stronger since the 2008 season ended: Five of those are in the American League, and none are in the NL Central.
The most improved teams, in order: Yankees, Athletics, Giants, Mets, Indians, Orioles and Royals.
The mix here suggests the AL, long the stronger of the two leagues, could widen the gap in 2009. Among the talent migrating into the AL from the NL: Sabathia (Brewers to Yankees), Matt Holliday (Rockies to A's), Kerry Wood (Cubs to Indians), John Smoltz (Braves to Red Sox), Brad Penny (Dodgers to Red Sox) and Mark DeRosa (Cubs to Indians).
This trend may only be starting too. The preponderance of attractive free agents still available come from NL teams, including Manny Ramirez (likely to re-sign with the Dodgers), Derek Lowe, Adam Dunn, Oliver Perez, Orlando Hudson, Juan Cruz, Brandon Lyon and Sheets.
When the Cubs sign Bradley and their fans talk about going into the playoffs with a balanced lineup, it's more than provincial arrogance talking. It's an understanding the Cubs figure to enter 2009 as a prohibitive favorite in their division.
Under Lou Piniella, and backed by heavy spending from ownership, the Cubs have gone 41 games above .500 the last two seasons. The rest of the Central is a combined 65 games below, with Milwaukee emerging as first runner-up while St. Louis and Houston slid back into the pack after a long run at the top.
Nothing seems likely to change this off-season.
Cincinnati, which has added catcher Ramon Hernandez and leadoff man/center fielder Willy Taveras, might be the most improved team in the division.
The Cardinals added Greene but are thinner than ever in pitching, with manager Tony La Russa forced to consider 23-year-old Chris Perez as his closer. The Astros are hoping Mike Hampton can replace Randy Wolf (6-2, 3.57 in 12 starts after being acquired from San Diego) and haven't done anything to replace catcher Brad Ausmus.
Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin has been active but mostly has only the likes of Jorge Julio, R.J. Swindle, Casey McGehee and Jason Bourgeois to show for his efforts. He may have found a bargain in Hoffman, who replaces the retired Salomon Torres as closer, but Melvin hasn't had the budget to chase big game.
Owner Mark Attanasio allowed Melvin to make an attempt to keep Sabathia but didn't authorize him to pursue A.J. Burnett, Lowe or Francisco Rodriguez. It's surprising you didn't even hear the Brewers in on Brian Fuentes, who drew a three-year offer from the Cardinals before signing with the Angels, or Wood.
Hoffman pitched pretty well in 2008, converting 30 of 34 save chances, but wasn't invited back for a 17th season in San Diego, where ownership issues have forced the Padres to cut payroll.
Interestingly, Melvin seems more sold on Hoffman than Hoffman does on the Brewers. Melvin included an option for 2010 in Hoffman's one-year deal, which guarantees him $6 million. But Hoffman wanted the chance to jump elsewhere if he decided the grass was greener outside Miller Park.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
That wasn't the whole article [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Where's the link? I want to read the rest...
"I'm not sure I know what ball cheese or crotch rot is, exactly -- or if there is a difference between the two. Don't post photos, please..."
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That's the end of the discussion on our division. Anyway, here's the link.
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<!--quoteo(post=10646:date=Jan 11 2009, 02:28 AM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Jan 11 2009, 02:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->That's the end of the discussion on our division. Anyway, here's the link.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img] Thanks Clapper.
"I'm not sure I know what ball cheese or crotch rot is, exactly -- or if there is a difference between the two. Don't post photos, please..."
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<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Free agent Pedro Martinez reportedly has talked to the Marlins about a deal and could meet with the team nextm week.
Martinez has a home in the area, so Florida would be a nice destination for him if the money could be worked out. There's a good chance that will prove to be a stumbling block.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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Abreu better stay out of the Central.
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Even though they'd prefer a right-handed hitter, the Reds have thought about making a bid for free agent Bobby Abreu.
"We’ve talked about it," GM Walt Jocketty said. "But he’s still looking for a big contract. I’m not sure he’s a fit." The Reds clearly need one more bat. As is, they'd seem to be locked in to being well below average offensively in center field, left field and at shortstop. That's a major problem for a team without any real stars.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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They want to spend 15 million per on a declining Abreu to try and finish 3rd place? Fine by me.
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<!--quoteo(post=10664:date=Jan 11 2009, 12:34 PM:name=Clapp)-->QUOTE (Clapp @ Jan 11 2009, 12:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->They want to spend 15 million per on a declining Abreu to try and finish 3rd place? Fine by me.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If the Giants are really out of the Manny market, shouldn't they be looking at Abreu?
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<!--quoteo(post=10670:date=Jan 11 2009, 12:54 PM:name=Rappster)-->QUOTE (Rappster @ Jan 11 2009, 12:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=10664:date=Jan 11 2009, 12:34 PM:name=Clapp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Clapp @ Jan 11 2009, 12:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->They want to spend 15 million per on a declining Abreu to try and finish 3rd place? Fine by me.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If the Giants are really out of the Manny market, shouldn't they be looking at Abreu?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think that would be a good fit, yeah. He'd be their best hitter, and they won't need many runs to win games.
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