MLB Offseason 2012

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Opening up with:

Mariano Rivera contemplating retirement

I hope he comes back. He shouldn't have to go out like this.

 

[Timby]

Rivera's statements are almost assuredly him posturing for a better contract offer, for what it's worth.

 

[SmoothieX]

Cashman said that the Yankees do not need an answer at this moment, and likened Rivera's situation to that of left-hander Andy Pettitte, who said that he needs about a month to decide what he wants to do next year.

Hasn't he already had like 5 months or so?

As for the miserable batch of humps I root for, I'm not expecting much this offseason. They are stuck with the Bay and Santana contracts for one more year. Let the mediocrity continue.

 

[Pegaritaville]

The Twins have already dumped a good chunk of their staff. Now they need to work on improving their roster. They need a major overhaul of their pitching staff.

 

[tomalak301]

I would like the Giants to resign Pagan, but I doubt that will happen. It's kind of too early to think offseason, considering the Parade is tomorrow. At least the pitching staff is still going to be intact and that's the important thing.

 

[Timby]

I would like the Giants to resign Pagan, but I doubt that will happen.

I wouldn't classify Pagan as a goner just yet. They desperately need a corner outfielder (and if they don't bring Pence back, they need two), given that there's no way Cabrera's getting re-signed, for obvious reasons (which is likely for the best, since he'll almost certainly have a massive regression next year -- that .379 BABIP is a complete aberration).

My guess is that Sabean will do pretty much what he did in 2010, which is overpay to bring back as many of the same pieces as possible. If that's the case, I don't think they'll bother chasing someone like Michael Bourn, but I guarantee they'll test the market for Hamilton and Swisher and hope that it turns out more lukewarm than expected. (Although I'm thinking that the Mike Ilitch Money Cannon gets aimed at Hamilton this offseason.) Pagan could still be in the mix, depending on what happens with Pence.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Mets are hurting for a good center fielder too. They non-tendered Andres Torres, so the only ones they have left are Kirk Nieuwenhuis (who's not ready) and Brandon Nimmo (who's WAY not ready). And there's no way they can afford BJ Upton.

 

[Timby]

And there's no way they can afford BJ Upton.

If Upton gets anything north of $8 or $9 million per year, it's going to be a hilarious overpay. His walks fell off a cliff this year and he still strikes out to an absurd degree, and his defense isn't anything special. His career OPS+ is 105 -- not terribly far above league average.

The Mets have so many holes to fill and upgrades to make that they have far, far bigger problems than center field, in any event.

 

[SmoothieX]

The Mets have so many holes to fill and upgrades to make that they have far, far bigger problems than center field, in any event.

I watched most of their games this year, which is roughly the equivalent of a lube free prostate exam while watching Honey Boo Boo.

They have some decent talent that could contribute on a playoff team, but there's no way they are winning as currently constructed.

Other than David Wright, who is a nice player but not a franchise savior, who do they have? Lucas Duda? Ike Davis?

They are hamstrung next season with the Bay and Santana deals, along with being in bed with Madoff.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Pascual Perez killed in home invasion robbery.

Mike Redmond, whoever the hell that is, hired as Marlins manager.

 

[RevDMV]

I would like the Giants to resign Pagan, but I doubt that will happen.

I wouldn't classify Pagan as a goner just yet. They desperately need a corner outfielder (and if they don't bring Pence back, they need two), given that there's no way Cabrera's getting re-signed, for obvious reasons (which is likely for the best, since he'll almost certainly have a massive regression next year -- that .379 BABIP is a complete aberration).

My guess is that Sabean will do pretty much what he did in 2010, which is overpay to bring back as many of the same pieces as possible. If that's the case, I don't think they'll bother chasing someone like Michael Bourn, but I guarantee they'll test the market for Hamilton and Swisher and hope that it turns out more lukewarm than expected. (Although I'm thinking that the Mike Ilitch Money Cannon gets aimed at Hamilton this offseason.) Pagan could still be in the mix, depending on what happens with Pence.

Pence is arb eligible, so i see him back, even on a one year.

Pagan could be gone if the market is pushed high on him. Blanco is an easy move to center if required, and I can really see them going after the Milk Man on a one year cheap redemption contract.

Scutaro is key for the infield, and it's time to try and lock Posey up into some of his arb years.

 

[bbailey861]

As for the miserable batch of humps I root for, I'm not expecting much this offseason. Let the mediocrity continue.

I watched most of their games this year, which is roughly the equivalent of a lube free prostate exam while watching Honey Boo Boo.

There I thought you were talking about my Jays.

 

[Timby]

Jerry Dipoto has gone full retard: The Angels traded Dan Haren to the Cubs for Carlos fuckin' Marmol.

For those keeping score at home, Dipoto just traded a $15 million, high-quality #2 starter for a $10 million mediocre reliever.

Edit: Holy shit, the Angels are sending money in the deal, what the fuck

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

^ Haren is 2 years older than Marmol. What is the Cubs' motivation here if they're still in rebuilding mode?

 

[Skywalker]

I think the motivation is getting rid of Carlos fuckin' Marmol.

 

[Timby]

The trade has fallen apart and the Angels have declined Haren's option, making him a free agent. Supposedly the Cubs put the kibosh on the deal, which makes me think there's something major in Haren's medical records which made them shy away.

In any event, I don't know what personal flaw Haren has that causes almost every person in baseball to never want him, but there clearly is one the public doesn't know about, because he's about as rock-solid as you can get for a #2 starter.

 

[SmoothieX]

If I was scoring at home, I wouldn't be posting here at 2:30 in the morning.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Eli Whiteside to Yankees. Linky.

Looks like they're stocking up on catchers...keeping Stewart and Cervelli, and of course want to re-sign Russell Martin.

 

[Timby]

They are hamstrung next season with the Bay and Santana deals, along with being in bed with Madoff.

Missed this earlier. Yeah, it's not clear at all if the Mets can afford anything without dumping salary first. Alderson has repeatedly said that they will be at no more than $100 million, and including 2014 buyouts (which they're counting as 2013 payroll), they're already at about $85 million. Arbitration awards for Davis, Murphy, Parnell and Thole are going to total somewhere in the neighborhood of another $10 million or so. I'm not sure they can do anything significantly over league minimum without offloading salary, and they have very little of consequence in terms of money which is plausibly moveable.

I used to laugh at the Mets' ineptitude, and now I just feel sorry for their fans. It's pretty disgusting that they've thrown away years with a playoff core while refusing to break it up. If they had been willing to spend to the luxury tax -- and the idea that a team in New York with a ludicrous sweetheart park deal is cutting corners to such an extreme level is absurd -- they could have easily built a contender without giving up the 2014-and-forward financial flexibility that they're dead-set on.

 

[Tom Hendricks]

Lucas Duda broke his wrist moving furniture and had surgery. With everything going on with the Mets, the only thing I'm wondering about in this off season is, what crazy, insane stuff is RA Dickey up to.