MLB Offseason 2012

There's something kind of wrong about using the word "linky" when walking about a father losing his daughter.

Just saying.

 

Agreed, though there has clearly been no love lost between management and Upton since Colangelo left. Upton's attitude has been a huge problem the last two years. To be honest, his ass should have been gone in July, but nothing materialized.

Upton for Prado and prospects is a lopsided deal by itself. Everyone here knew Upton would have had better numbers if he had tried last year. Upton AND Johnson??? Granted, Johnson is a pretty shitty 3B but, WTF Kevin? You could have at least tried to get another decent player out of this deal.

 

The Phillies signed Yuni to a minor-league contract with a non-roster invitation to spring training. They outrighted Michael Martinez and let Ty Wigginton walk, so there's a very real chance he gets a roster spot and legitimate playing time.

Is it bad that even though I really like Jimmy Rollins, I want him to get hurt for a couple of weeks just so I can see a left side of the infield of Yuni and Young, with Delmon Dogg in left field? I so desperately want to see grounders to shortstop result in runners gaining two, maybe three bases.

Edit: Oh shit, they signed Chad Durbin, too. What the fuck is Rube smoking?

 

Since I'm sure Alidar Jarok would appreciate me posting content beyond "Ruben Amaro lol," here's the most amazing bat flip I've ever seen:

I've said this earlier, but the AL East has never been more winnable in the last 20 years than it is right now -- the Yankees are gutting themselves in order to hit the goal of Project 189, and the Red Sox are a Dumpster fire. Tampa Bay is pretty solid, the Blue Jays obviously went all-in on winning now and have the pieces to do so (although AA's penchant for mediocre relievers will never stop confusing me) and who knows what the hell to expect from the Orioles ... the 2012 season was goofy as hell.

 

Anyone with half a brain knew that Pujols' contract demands were insane, and this is why I am so very glad that the Cubs only gave him a half-hearted short-term contract offer. Pujols was 32, had a well-documented history of elbow issues, and the little issue of his long-term plantar fasciitis, which is by itself a massive red flag due to its degenerative nature, and the Angels signed him into his 40s. It won't even be five years until that contract is an albatross; I fully expect him to have a pretty big decline as soon as next year. He could have an even more calamitous drop than A-Rod, who can at least put up the defense that both his hips appear to be grinding to dust.

 

The MLBPA will firebomb the Yankees' offices before they allow that contract to be voided.

 

Ah yes, the Mets' strategy with Mo Vaughn.

Settling the contract doesn't get them out of the luxury tax burden, however, and they can't force A-Rod not to play. If he shows that he's physically capable and they try to keep him out of the clubhouse, the MLBPA will be all up in their shit.

The only way A-Rod has played his last game is if he retires voluntarily, thus giving up his entire contract, or if Bud Selig suspends him forever (in which case his contract would still count against the luxury tax ). Man, Project 189 is such a beautiful thing.