^ Sorry you asked, eh? 
MLB Offseason 2011
- Thread starter Mr. Laser Beam
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Starbreaker, are you hotlinking the image or hosting it yourself?
^ Not sure I like that trade, Cashner should be a really good pitcher barring any more shoulder problems.
Eppy is becoming Trader Jim here.
Eppy is becoming Trader Jim here.
Eh, the trade definitely weakens the Cubs' pitching depth moving forward, but I think Theo's plan is to reload on pitching through dealing Garza, either directly or sending hitting prospects off in a three-way -- the market's there, because Edwin Jackson is demanding at least three years at $15 - 17 million per, so teams can either fork out that money for a guy with a career ERA of 4.46, or they can meet the Cubs' asking price for Garza.
As for Rizzo, he absolutely massacred AAA last year, and while his major-league performance wasn't exactly great, he did walk a ton. I'm expecting him to have a pretty decent '12, especially because he's moving from Petco Park to Wrigley, where his totals should go up more than a bit (and Cashner should excel in Petco). There are nearly as many big question marks about Rizzo as there are about Brett Jackson, but it's going to be fun to see what they do as teammates in Iowa at the start of the season. I think it's Jackson's speed and defense that slide him into a 5-star prospect ranking, but Rizzo is probably the better pure hitter and an entire year younger. A lineup of Castro-Jackson-Rizzo (assuming Castro doesn't spend the next five years in prison) is the best lineup of young hitters the Cubs have had to look forward to since ... since I don't know when. And there's still the possibility that they acquired Rizzo as a trading chip for more pitching in the event that they can sign Prince Fielder, though Hoyer did pick up Rizzo in San Diego with the goal of him being Gonzalez's replacement.
Plus I've seen the idea of Rizzo & LaHair in the same lineup, with one in LF, which, if they both produce the way they have in AAA, it could be a good time.
Or even one of them at 3B if Stewart or Vitters can't cut it over there.
It's just that Cashner was one of the top pitchers in the system and they seem to have a shortage in that area.
Or even one of them at 3B if Stewart or Vitters can't cut it over there.
It's just that Cashner was one of the top pitchers in the system and they seem to have a shortage in that area.
Like Garza, I think Vitters is trade bait for more pitching, especially since he hasn't learned plate discipline -- he's been averaging one walk for every 3.5 strikeouts in the minors, and unlike power, strike zone judgment isn't something you develop out of thin air. I'll bet you anything that Theo has targeted David Wright to be the Cubs' next 3B, especially since the Wilpons are nearly bankrupt and are essentially certain to not offer him an extension.
Seems like there's very few guys that aren't trade bait.
How old is Wright?
How old is Wright?
Every story about Rizzo quotes Hoyer as saying LaHair is the 2012 opening day 1B.
How long that lasts would probably be up to LaHair.
Like I said, if they manage to off-load Soriano (like they've discussed), LaHair could move to LF with Rizzo at 1B (assuming they're both hitting & they don't get Fielder & they don't end up with Cespedes in the outfield mix).
How long that lasts would probably be up to LaHair.
Like I said, if they manage to off-load Soriano (like they've discussed), LaHair could move to LF with Rizzo at 1B (assuming they're both hitting & they don't get Fielder & they don't end up with Cespedes in the outfield mix).
Jorge Posada apparently is soon to announce his retirement.
Can't say I'm happy to see him go, but I'm not surprised. And this would be a good time for him to do it as well. There would not have been a roster opening for him this year, and it seems clear he doesn't want to play for anyone else.
Can't say I'm happy to see him go, but I'm not surprised. And this would be a good time for him to do it as well. There would not have been a roster opening for him this year, and it seems clear he doesn't want to play for anyone else.
I'm starting to think the Cubs' pursuit of Fielder has been a smoke screen while Theo and Jed do their wheeling and dealing elsewhere. If LaHair sees significant playing time, it's probably because they're hoping he has a pretty good first half so they can flip him for prospects at the deadline -- he's 29 and has all of 65 games of major league service, so they pretty much know what they have in him by now.
The Cubs are in talks with the Tigers to trade Matt Garza for a package of prospects. The Cubs have also signed LHP Paul Maholm, formerly of the Pirates.
About the only active role on an MLB team left for him is bullpen catcher.
He stayed around a year or so too long, but he doesn't owe anyone anything. Heckuva player in his prime.
Good Lord, Ruben Amaro is a fucking moron. The Reds just signed Ryan Madson for one year, $8.5 million, which means that Amaro's panicking and signing of Papelbon for silly years and silly money was a result of bidding against himself. He signed a similar pitcher for more years and more money. (He also gave up a first-round draft pick, since Papelbon was signed before the new CBA went into effect.
)
Yeah, I think I mentioned before how I did not like the deal. I still don't, obviously, since this is just much worse.
Yankees trade Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi to the Mariners for Michael Pineda and Jose Campos. The Yankees also signed Hiroki Kuroda for 1 year, $10 million.
Prince Fielder was in Dallas today to meet with the Rangers. And the Red Sox invited Jason Varitek to spring training, but haven't guaranteed him a roster spot.
Prince Fielder was in Dallas today to meet with the Rangers. And the Red Sox invited Jason Varitek to spring training, but haven't guaranteed him a roster spot.
Hiroki is either gonna be awesome or terrible.
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