2011-12 MLB Offseason thread

[BLUE 1,026]

Having sold his stake in the Lakers last year, Magic Johnson tells the LA Times that he’s now interested in owning a piece of the city’s legendary baseball team: “Magic Johnson wants to buy the Dodgers, putting one of Los Angeles’ most beloved sports figures in pursuit of the city’s cherished baseball team. ‘I love baseball,’ Johnson told said. ‘I’ve been a Dodgers fan and gone to the park many, many times.’ Johnson would be the face of a high-powered ownership group that would include Stan Kasten, the former president of the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals, and Mark Walter, chief executive of Guggenheim Partners, a financial services firm that controls over $125 billion in assets. The firm is headquartered in Chicago and New York, with an office in Los Angeles. ‘Stan Kasten is my man,’ Johnson said. ‘He’s a winner, he’s built two incredible organizations, and he’s well respected. That is what was important to me. I had to get with a winner, a guy who understands baseball inside and out. The first thing I asked Walter was, ‘Do you want to win, and do you want to put money in?’ He said, ‘Absolutely.’ ‘Both guys are about building a winner and making a difference in the L.A. community.’ That Johnson has his money lined up puts him, for now, ahead of several potential bidders, including former Dodgers owner Peter O’Malley.”

 

Source: SLAMOnline.com

Edited December 3, 2011 by BLUE

[SteVo+ 3,702]

What are the Bobcats doing in the baseball thread

[housemd 338]

Maybe BLUE thought this was Rumors thread..lol

[SteVo+ 3,702]

Shit is going down at the Winter Meetings. Signings:

 

Dodgers signed INF-OF Jerry Hairston Jr. to a two-year, $6 million contract.

Hairston has passed a physical, making the deal official. He will earn $2.25 million in 2012 and $3.75 million in 2013, which is quite a coup for the 35-year-old given that his previous career high for earnings in a year was $2.5 million, and that came back in 2006. He'll provide depth at second base, shortstop, third base and all three outfield positions.

 

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that Matt Capps has re-signed with the Twins on a one-year deal that includes an option for 2013.

It's not clear if the Twins plan on using him as their closer, but he would probably be the top in-house option at this point. Capps posted a disappointing 4.25 ERA, nine blown saves and a 34/13 K/BB ratio over 65 2/3 innings in 2011, but he's just a year removed from an All-Star season. Giving him a year plus an option isn't a bad move if the financials are reasonable.

Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter

 

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that Aaron Harang's deal with the Dodgers is expected to be for two years and in the $12 million range.

Harang, 33, posted a 3.64 ERA and 1.37 WHIP in 170 2/3 innings this past season for the Padres while earning $3.5 million on a one-year deal. He was a much better pitcher at Petco Park, but at least he'd be going to another pitcher-friendly home stadium. It's not a bad deal for the Dodgers.

Related: Dodgers

Source: Ken Rosenthal on Twitter

 

Rumor mill:

 

Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM Radio reports that the Nationals are the previously unidentified team that's offered C.J. Wilson a six-year contract.

The Nationals have been viewed by many as the favorites to sign Wilson, and if Duquette's report is correct, they could really be in the driver's seat. Wilson is reportedly looking for a six-year, $100 million deal, but many figured he would have a hard time netting such a contract. Perhaps he will after all.

Source: Jim Duquette on Twitter

 

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Reds are "very interested" in the Braves' Jair Jurrjens.

The Reds are in the market for an upper level starter (isn't every team?) and appear more willing to acquire one via trade rather than free agency. The problem is that the trade chip they seem most willing to part with is Yonder Alonso, and he would be blocked in Atlanta unless the Braves are considering him a real option for the outfield. Heyman says that 10 teams are involved in trade talks with the Braves regarding Jurrjens.

Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter

[Tridentdawgpound 1,043]

. Heyman says that 10 teams are involved in trade talks with the Braves regarding Jurrjens.

 

That's what I wanna hear. If we can get a good deal for a pitcher like Jurrjens with chronic injury issues then we need to jump all over it. Cincinnati doesn't seem like a good spot for him though. He's a fly-ball pitcher who would get creamed at Great American.

[SteVo+ 3,702]

Yeah the Braves are going to get a really nice haul for Jurj it looks like, and it's the right move.

 

Young Trident, if you guys do move Jurrjens, does that mean Minor goes to the majors (lulz) in 2012?

[Tridentdawgpound 1,043]

Minor is in the rotation now after the Lowe trade. Moving Jair would make it look like Hudson-Hanson-Beachy-Minor-Medlen/Teheran

[SteVo+ 3,702]

Ah, I keep forgetting about the Lowe trade. Thanks.

 

Also, the Phillies are supposedly in the hunt for Aramis Ramirez and the Cardinals now consider the Marlins a legitimate threat to land Albert Pujols. Verrry interesting.

[Bay 2,003]

The Chicago White Sox sent closer Sergio Santos to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitching prospect Nestor Molina in a trade of right-handed pitchers Tuesday.

Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos thinks he has his team's closer in Santos, who saved 30 games in 63 appearances in his first full season in the majors in 2011.

Source: USA Today

[BigBen07 285]

Well, there we go. I hope he's our guy. We need a sharp closer.

[Vin+ 3,121]

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals made a new offer to Albert Pujols Tuesday.

 

Cards general manager John Mozeliak conceded that it's probably fair to suggest the ball is now in Pujols' court. Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports that the Marlins' offer to Pujols was for 10 years and $220 million and that the Cards have been asked to match the deal. St. Louis reportedly has offered him a nine-year deal around $200 million, so it would be a pretty big jump if they did match the Marlins' proposal.

 

Source: Derrick Goold on Twitter

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

The money per year is practically the same... Is Albert really going to leave St. Louis for one year that he is never going to see?

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

– Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Cardinals’ RHP Kyle Lohse “as of right now would reject any trade opportunity brought to him.” Lohse reportedly has been placed on the trade block, but he’s obviously unwilling to waive his no-trade clause. Goold notes that things could change based on the interested party, but right now the righty doesn’t appear anxious to leave St. Louis. Lohse says that the Cards have yet to approach him about waiving the clause.

[Sarge+ 3,436]

Apparently, Erik Bedard might be coming to the Pirates.

 

Apparently, it's official.

 

The Pirates have agreed to sign lefty Erik Bedard, MLBTR has confirmed. Canadian journalist Marc Brassard first tweeted news of an impending $4.5MM deal.

 

Bedard, 32, is coming off his healthiest season since 2007. This year for the Mariners and Red Sox he posted a 3.62 ERA, 8.7 K/9, 3.3 BB/9, 0.97 HR/9, and 42% groundball rate in 129 1/3 innings.

Edited December 7, 2011 by Sarge

[BLUE 1,026]

Per Rotoworld.com:

 

Ryan Franklin has retired from baseball and accepted a scouting position with the Cardinals.

The 38-year-old right-hander was released in late June following an implosion as closer early in the year and then weeks of limited used out of the bullpen. He finishes his 12-year career with a 4.14 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 84 saves while playing for the Mariners, Phillies, Reds and Cardinals. Dec 7 - 11:17 PM

 

Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

[Milla4Prez63 678]

Marlins have never spent any money ever and now all of a sudden land Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle, were hard after Pujols and may go hard after Prince Fielder.

 

lolz. I'm still willing to bet they aren't seriously contending for the World Series this year.

Edited December 8, 2011 by Milla4Prez63

[Sarge+ 3,436]

You would win that bet.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Why can't we get rid of Ryan Franklin?!? lmao

 

We are now in a bidding war with the Tigers for relief man Octavio Dotel. I'd really like to keep him.

[BLUE 1,026]

Per Rotoworld.com:

 

Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com was told by a Nationals' person that it's "95 percent" likely that Bryce Harper will make the team's Opening Day roster.

Bill Ladson of MLB.com relayed similar information Monday. Harper, 19, could break camp with the team if he plays exceptionally well during spring training, but we would be shocked if the Nationals began his arbitration clock that quickly. The most likely scenario is that we see him sometime in late-June. If and when he does earn a promotion to the majors, Jayson Werth could see some playing time in center field. Dec 8 - 12:18 PM

 

Source: Danny Knobler on Twitter

[Bay 2,003]

Marlins have never spent any money ever and now all of a sudden land Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle, were hard after Pujols and may go hard after Prince Fielder.

 

lolz. I'm still willing to bet they aren't seriously contending for the World Series this year.

 

Would you want to sign with a team who had that previous stadium?

[Vin+ 3,121]

Cubs acquired 3B Ian Stewart and RHP Casey Weathers from the Rockies for OF Tyler Colvin and INF DJ LeMahieu.

 

The two sides had been discussing the deal throughout the Winter Meetings and finally reached an agreement on Thursday night. Stewart had a pitiful .156/.243/.221 batting line with zero homers and six RBI in 136 plate appearances this past year for Colorado, but he's shown flashes of power in the past and may be able to get back on track in a different environment. It's a worthwhile risk for Theo Epstein and Co.

Source: Troy Renck on Twitter

 

 

 

Cubs acquired RHP Casey Weathers and 3B Ian Stewart from the Rockies for OF Tyler Colvin and INF DJ LeMahieu.

 

Weathers posted a troubling 5.32 ERA and 48/48 K/BB ratio in 45 2/3 innings this past year for the Rockies' Double-A affiliate. He's a former first-round pick, but he's also 26 years old and unlikely to suddenly gain dominance in the Cubs' minor league system. He was essentially a throw-in.

Source: Troy Renck on Twitter

[SteVo+ 3,702]

The Marlins have gotten better but they're still only the 3rd best team in the NL East, IMO.

[Sarge+ 3,436]

The Marlins have gotten better but they're still only the 3rd best team in the NL East, IMO.

 

Agreed.

[SteVo+ 3,702]

A National League executive told George A. King III of the New York Post that the Rangers are considering making a run at Prince Fielder after the Angels' signing of Albert Pujols.

The scenario would also involve dealing first baseman Mitch Moreland to the Rays for pitcher Wade Davis. We really doubt the Rangers would make such a reactionary move, though, and a Rangers source told King that such scenarios "weren’t close to materializing." Many feel that the "big" move the Rangers have up their sleeve is a significant bid on Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish.

Source: New York Post

[SteVo+ 3,702]

According to ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine, the Brewers have signed Aramis Ramirez to a three-year deal.

No word yet on the financial terms. Ramirez, 33, registered a superb .871 OPS with 26 home runs and 93 RBI in 149 games this past year for the Cubs. He's injury prone, but he's also capable of raking when healthy. The Brewers will hope that he can stay active and help replace some of the offense lost in the departure of Prince Fielder.

Source: Bruce Levine on Twitter