shakes

QUOTE(WinninUgly @ Nov 30, 2005 -> 03:32 PM) Cubs, Red Sox, Twins, Indians, Yankees, Royals Funny one - ESPN already has an updated Poll out here: http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation...g?event_id=1893 One of the questions: I was also thinking Tigers.

QUOTE(Middle Buffalo @ Nov 29, 2005 -> 09:48 AM) Something I don't understand about contracts. Why don't teams front-load contracts? For instance, the Sox offer PK 5/60mil. Pay him 16-14-12-10-8. That way, at the end, when other players are up for contracts, the Sox have more to offer to maintain their budget. NFL teams do this from time to time, to keep there cap free down the road. I have never heard of this happening in MLB.

That's crazy money for Esteban.

QUOTE(AddisonStSox @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 11:14 AM) It's an interesting proposal, a pretty novel idea. You are correct, it is a very easy and logical transition, moving from 3B to 1B, but, just not the direction I could see this team heading in 2006. Ideally, you would love to see some power numbers from the corner-infield positions and that is just something you would not have with Mueller, despite his hitting for average. Nice idea, but, I don't know if that's something that could really happen. Now, that said, I wouldn't be suprised if Mueller is brought here as THE sub off the bench, spelling both Crede and someone else in the IF. I just don't think he is the starting 1B answer. I hope this isn't the answer as I would also like to see more production out of 1b. I would also like us to bring him in as a super sub. He would just be a more expensive Blum(also much better). He only made 2.5m last year and outside of the Twins I haven't heard too many other teams interested. I just wonder if he is willing to except that role.

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 08:00 AM) I think the whole gambling element lends a bit of irresponsibility itself. Vegas doesnt need a team, too much liability. It's the fastest growing city in the country and they wouldn't have any trouble finding financing for a stadium. I think it's a real possibility.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Nov 23, 2005 -> 05:29 AM) Ryan's most likely to get 4 years b/w $30M and $36M. Shows how good the Dustin Hermanson signing was in the last off-season though doesn't it. If Wagner signs 4/40 with the Mets the price will continue to go up. I don't see the Indians staying in the running for long.

Could the Sox be considering Mueller as a first base alternative if Konerko doesn't return? It's a relatively easy transition. They bring in Thome and Mueller can play first and spell Crede at third when his back is bothering him. Thome can still play first occasionally. This gives Ozzie the flexibility that he loves and the Sox have a lefty power bat and the .300 hitter they have been looking for. Just a thought.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Nov 22, 2005 -> 02:52 PM) LOL, is this serious? Unfortunately, I believe it is.

QUOTE(timotime @ Nov 22, 2005 -> 02:40 PM) i just plain dont like players who have at one time played for the cubs. i dont even pretend that my reasoning is rational, but there it is. Do you hate Garland?

QUOTE(SoxFan562004 @ Nov 22, 2005 -> 11:45 AM) FWIW, he also said any deal for Delgado with Marlins would likely have to include B-Mac. I figured as much. No thank you.

QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Nov 22, 2005 -> 09:36 AM) Rowand is the only guy I think is truly involved. I think Levine is just speculating on Contreras or McCarthy being involved because he still thinks Thome has a ton of trade value. I doubt Thome has enough trade value to get a good starting center fielder and a good starting pitcher considering he's coming off an injury and still has a huge chunk of change left on his contract. And the Sox would still pick up 2/3 of Thome's deal? Whatever. :rolly Even the reports put of Philly haven't been this crazy and they've all stated the Phillies will be picking up half to 2/3. If he's right on this, I'll make a Bruce Levine tribute sig for the rest of the hot stove season.

I could see that, but what would the Dodgers be giving up?

QUOTE(GreatScott82 @ Nov 21, 2005 -> 03:42 PM) I dunno im probably overthinking this situation. Yes you are, we are not taking on Lowell's contract. That's an important part of this deal.

QUOTE(Steff @ Nov 18, 2005 -> 04:54 PM) Could have saved a lot of time just naming "The Sox" as one nomination. It's looking like that would have been easier.

This is becoming a nice little Sox list: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/maga...llen/index.html

QUOTE(Felix @ Nov 18, 2005 -> 03:39 PM) What does the M's being crap last year have anything to do with it? That should just mean that he gets less AB's, because the other players on the team can't get on. People in their organization have been saying he was bored with losing and hates the lack of leadership in the clubhouse. This is why all of this started. Some of this may have led to his "down" year.

QUOTE(Felix @ Nov 18, 2005 -> 03:32 PM) He also has almost 700 AB's a year, and will wear down easily, as shown by last year's decrease in numbers. That to me is a sign of durability. He had very similar numbers in 2003 and look how he followed that up. Besides, the M's were awfull last year.

QUOTE(Felix @ Nov 18, 2005 -> 03:24 PM) I agree with you there. I'm all for improving the team as is, but if it takes three of our great prospects to do so, especially for someone who doesn't draw the walk all that much, I wouldn't do it. Walks? He averages 230 hits a year and an .377 OBP. He's also one of the most unique talents in baseball, for three prospects. I wouldn't flinch. But, unless we give them a proven big league starter it'll never happen.

QUOTE(fathom @ Nov 18, 2005 -> 02:53 PM) Not a chance in hell I would give up those 3 players for any player not named Albert Pujols. I would give up those three in a second. I don't think the M's would take a package unless it included Garland or B-Mac. Or both.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Nov 18, 2005 -> 09:40 AM) Not what their fans think, but thats neither here nor there. Word has it that Chipper Jones took a salary cut so the braves can resign Furcal, if that happens, I expect suicides on the north side. I did heard on ESPN news this morning that Chipper is restructuring his contract in order to free up money for Furcal. I think the panic would begin on the north side and this would just be just the first contract the Cubs will overpay for. Johny Damon anyone?

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Nov 16, 2005 -> 05:24 PM) That sounds like a Bruuuuceee Levine special.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Nov 16, 2005 -> 04:31 PM) No kidding, I wonder how hard it is to do his job sometimes. There's about 50 people a day that do it on this very site. They just don't have a microphone or get paid for it. I'll bet many of them even have better sources.

Nightengale has been fairly good with his predictions. At least, he seems to have good sources, which is more than I can say for most. I have read that the Phillies may have to eat closer to 2/3rds of his contract in order to get decent players in return.

Let Andre the Giant have his Cy Young. We weren't built for individual awards anyways.

QUOTE(BDavisFutureHOF @ Nov 3, 2005 -> 03:25 PM) I am specifically looking for Joe Buck calling the final out of the WS -- any helo would be appreciated I'd rather have Rooney's.