Sarge+ 3,436 Posted February 10, 2012 Pirates and Yankees are in talks over a deal that would send AJ Burnett to the Pirates. I know he's not great, but I'll take any improvement I can get to our rotation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted February 10, 2012 Pirates and Yankees are in talks over a deal that would send AJ Burnett to the Pirates. I know he's not great, but I'll take any improvement I can get to our rotation. If only he could get his walks down. I mean come on he's getting close to his mid 30s and still has this problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted February 10, 2012 I still think he could make a good stop gap for us. I think we would possibly get to .500 if we got him, not just because we would add him, but because it would bump Karstens out of the rotation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted February 10, 2012 Dear Braves, you need to do something to improve our team. Something would include signing someone, mention of signing someone or telling everyone that Jason Heyward is healthy. It's been too quiet of an off-season in Braves country IMO Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted February 10, 2012 Dear Braves, you need to do something to improve our team. Something would include signing someone, mention of signing someone or telling everyone that Jason Heyward is healthy. It's been too quiet of an off-season in Braves country IMO I wouldn't be worried if I were you. With your starting rotation and bullpen, you guys have a team fully capable of going toe-to-toe with the Phillies down the stretch, so long as you don't choke again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted February 10, 2012 I wouldn't be worried if I were you. With your starting rotation and bullpen, you guys have a team fully capable of going toe-to-toe with the Phillies down the stretch, so long as you don't choke again. It's a matter of depth to me...as I look across the Braves hitters...there's not that much depth. Just need to keep our pitchers as healthy as possible and not...overuse them down the stretch. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted February 10, 2012 It's a matter of depth to me...as I look across the Braves hitters...there's not that much depth. Just need to keep our pitchers as healthy as possible and not...overuse them down the stretch. Well, stay healthy and you won't have any problems. We have the same issues with depth; any of our big guys (Victorino, Pence) go down and we're fucked. What are you expecting from Heyward this season? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted February 10, 2012 Well, stay healthy and you won't have any problems. We have the same issues with depth; any of our big guys (Victorino, Pence) go down and we're fucked. What are you expecting from Heyward this season? I expect a better season out of him than last year seeing that he's lost 20 lbs from last season. He said that he felt pretty sluggish last year with being at 256 entering camp...and now he's 235. It seems like he's working on staying in shape..and I think a more athletic, active Heyward will just be better for everyone in the long run. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted February 13, 2012 OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)—Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes and the Oakland Athletics have agreed to a $36 million, four-year contract. Agent Adam Katz confirmed Monday the outfielder had reached agreement on a deal, with details still to be finalized. This is a significant move for Oakland, which now has the steady hitter it sought to boost the roster heading into 2012. Cespedes will earn $9 million per season. He can become a free agent at the end of the contract. Yahoo sports Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted February 17, 2012 The Pirates sent $13 million and 2 prospects that will never amount to anything to the Yankees for the rest of AJ Burnett's contract. I dig it. Welcome board, AJ. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
housemd 338 Posted February 17, 2012 I never really liked AJ Burnett....But I think he's gonna do something with the Pirates,at least lead them to .500 season... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ATL_Predator+ 1,196 Posted February 17, 2012 With guys like Albert and Fielder out of the central....I look for Burnett to have a solid year, same with the Pirates...good trade for the Pirates IMO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted February 26, 2012 Nationals signed 3B Ryan Zimmerman to a six-year, $100 million contract extension. The deal was reported earlier Sunday and has now become official. It's tacked on to the two years Zimmerman has remaining on his deal, so he'll earn $126 million over the next eight seasons and could net a total of $150 million if the Nationals pick up an option for 2020. He's also agreed to a $10 million personal services deferral that will be paid over five years after the deal expires. It's a pretty solid deal for both sides and makes Zimmerman the second-highest paid third baseman in the game behind Alex Rodriguez. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PackIsBack 124 Posted February 27, 2012 The Pirates sent $13 million and 2 prospects that will never amount to anything to the Yankees for the rest of AJ Burnett's contract. I dig it. Welcome board, AJ. I think this is a good move for the Pirates. I think the NL Central is up for grabs this year so it will help them be competitive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteVo+ 3,702 Posted February 27, 2012 FUCK FUCK FUCK I wanted Zimmerman next year Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted February 27, 2012 According to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe, Jason Varitek will announce his retirement Thursday in Fort Myers, Florida. Varitek is expected to stay with the Red Sox in some capacity. The 39-year-old showed last season that he was still capable of producing as a backup, but with no clear role for him in Boston, he ultimately decided against continuing his career elsewhere. The three-time All-Star will hang up his shin guards with a .256/.341/.435 career batting line, 193 home runs and 757 RBI over 15 major league seasons. Source: Boston Globe Danys Baez has retired from baseball. Baez was released by the Phillies last August after posting a 6.29 ERA over 36 innings. The 34-year-old calls it a career with a 4.25 ERA and 114 saves over 10 major-league seasons between the Indians, Rays, Phillies, Orioles, Braves and Dodgers. Source: Ken Rosenthal on Twitt Yankees signed INF Eric Chavez to a one-year, $900,000 contract. Chavez agreed to the deal last Tuesday. It was then finalized this week after the 34-year-old reported to Yankees camp in Tampa, Florida and passed his physical. He will function as a backup third baseman and pinch-hitter in 2012 for the Bombers after batting 263/.320/.356 across 175 plate appearances in 2011. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tridentdawgpound 1,043 Posted March 1, 2012 UPITER, Fla. -- The Cardinals have agreed to a five-year, $75 million contract with four-time Gold Glove catcher Yadier Molina that will keep him in St. Louis through the 2017 season. The team announced the details Thursday, including a mutual, $15 million option for a sixth year. General manager John Mozeliak said the Cardinals consider Molina to be the best catcher in baseball and team chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. called him "a signature player, franchise-type player." The contract makes Molina the second-highest paid catcher in the majors, trailing only the Twins' Joe Mauer (eight years, $184 million). Yadier Molina #4 C St. Louis Cardinals 2011 STATS GM 139 HR 14 RBI 65 R 55 OBP .349 AVG .305 "I grew up here, I feel good here," Molina said. "It was my first choice to stay here." He won his second World Series with St. Louis last fall and said, "I'm happy to be a Cardinal for 5-6 more years. I'm looking to like six more championships. This is a great organization." Talks accelerated after Molina's longtime agent, Melvin Roman, arrived at the team's spring training site last week. Roman has represented the catcher since he signed his first contract with St. Louis in 2000, when Molina was a fourth-round pick. Both parties said it was easier dealing face to face. "The whole process was very easy," Roman said. "We worked very hard to get it done." The 29-year-old Molina is a lifetime Cardinal and one of the best defensively at any position, winning a platinum glove last season in voting by fans. He also is coming off the best offensive season of his career. Molina batted .305 in 2011 with 14 home runs and 65 RBIs, and added 12 RBIs during the team's World Series title run. He's been durable, too, averaging 138 games the last three seasons. Stats & Info: Big Season, Bigger Payday ESPN Stats & Information's Justin Havens takes a look at Yadier Molina's offensive improvement, which has helped to make him one of baseball's highest-paid catchers. Blog Put it all together, and the body of work stood out for the Cardinals. "He's at the peak of his career and we're just thrilled to have him," DeWitt said. "He's a premium player, plus he plays so much. We were both highly motivated to get this done." New manager Mike Matheny was a three-time Gold Glove catcher for St. Louis from 2000-04, leaving for free agency in 2005 after losing his job to Molina. He said Molina came to camp motivated and has set the tone for younger players. "I don't think you can have any expectations higher than he has for himself," Matheny said earlier in camp. "I can honestly say I've watched him quite a few years and I don't think I've seen him work as hard ... I think certain players have the ability to push themselves beyond contracts, beyond recognition." The Cardinals had been saying since the start of spring training that they were hopeful of reaching a deal. Molina came to camp with a stance hardened by close friend Albert Pujols' departure for a free agent deal with the Angels, and said the team would not get a hometown discount. Earlier in camp, Molina said Pujols was like a big brother to him, and that the failed negotiations in St. Louis definitely affected him. But he also has emphasized he's happy in St. Louis, and that his absence from the team's Winter Warmup fan festival and the team's White House appearance were simply because he had other commitments. The Cardinals had offered Pujols more than $200 million over 10 seasons, and have used those funds and more to build a contender without the three-time NL MVP. Outfielder Carlos Beltran signed a two-year, $26 million free agent deal and shortstop Rafael Furcal re-signed, getting a two-year, $12 million contract. St. Louis has payroll flexibility going forward, with contracts totaling more than $30 million for first baseman Lance Berkman and pitchers Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook due to expire. The team has a payroll of around $115 million heading into this season. Molina is the youngest and most talented of three brothers to catch in the major leagues. His arm has been particularly deadly on pickoff throws to first base with Pujols, but he'll need to develop teamwork with Berkman this season. Far too expensive. And I also dislike it because this is gonna be around the range Brian McCann will ask his new contract to be around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted March 1, 2012 And elite defensive catcher who gets on base one of every three times he goes to the plate.... Not to mention that he is arguably the most clutch bat in our entire order. Maybe a little costly, but I'll take it. YADI YADI YADI Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piggly Wiggly 960 Posted March 5, 2012 lolAJBurnett. http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7637865/pittsburgh-pirates-aj-burnett-2-3-months-surgery Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
