Baseball Winter Meetings Deals

[Mitchell]

As the winter meetings are going on, I thought it appropriate to start a thread discussing the deals and potential deals.

I just read on MLB.com that the New York Mets are on the verge of signing Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez to a 3 year, 37 milion dollar deal. This would be a huge signing by the Mets. With closer Billy Wagner out for 09, the Mets then have the closer they need for the next three seasons in K Rod, and can let Wagner go after the 2009 season.

I also read that after initially not wanting to offer AJ Burnett a five year deal, the Atlanta Braves are now saying they might be prepared to offer a fifth year, to get him to sign. With Tim Hudson out likely all of 2009, and the returns of John Smoltz and Tom Glavine questionable at best, the Braves need a frontline starter. With Atlanta not being able to afford Sabathia, Burnett seems like the best option. If Burnett signs, their front three starters of Burnett, JJ Jurrgens, and Javier Vasquez, would seem solid. If John Smoltz, and or Tom Glavine return in 2009, the Braves would have a pretty solid rotation. I'm just skeptical that the Braves will actually pull off the signing of Burnett, if the Yankees get into the mix, and make him an offer that far trumps the Braves.

Those are the major potential moves to this point. Any other thoughts on what might happen, or, what has already happened?

Mitch

 

[natural tickler]

well, while talks heat up, the Cubs are working on a three team deal to get Jake Peavy to chicago, while also trying to sign Bobby Abreu

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

well, while talks heat up, the Cubs are working on a three team deal to get Jake Peavy to chicago, while also trying to sign Bobby Abreu

I have read that until Cubs are sold that Peavy deal won`t happen. New ownership needs to sign-off on Peavy`s big contract.

Rangers traded Gerald Laird to Tigers for two minor league pitchers.

 

[natural tickler]

I have read that until Cubs are sold that Peavy deal won`t happen. New ownership needs to sign-off on Peavy`s big contract.

Rangers traded Gerald Laird to Tigers for two minor league pitchers.

The team won't be sold until March, at the least or before the season starts. Hendry is free to try to add because the payroll has been increased to $140 million. Peavy coming to the Cubs is inevitable, just a question of if being done within the week, or before Christmas

 

[Goodieluver]

Talk all over the place of dye to the reds

 

[Cy/MiG]

K-Rod to the Mets.

Not a trade, just a FA signing.

Also, we all know the all these trades are useless now that the Pirates have signed those Indian-born pitchers who won that game show.

Watch out, MLB!!!

Any word about the M's and their disasterous situation???

 

[NukeLaloosh]

The signing of K Rod would be huge for the Mets, there's no doubt about that ... but it's not the answer to all their problems. The Mets need two more guys in the bullpen ... preferably guys that can pitch to BOTH lefties and righties (too many specialists in that bullpen that can't even pitch to their strong side of the plate) and a healthy second baseman who can play every day.

Don't get me wrong though ... I am THRILLED!

 

[Goodieluver]

Just a note too, Orlando Cabrerra is now a FA

Hopefully someone takes him because the sox get 2 picks for him

 

[Cy/MiG]

3 team deal between the Tribe, Mets and M's:

Mets get JJ Putz, Jeremy Reed, Sean Green (RP) and others

Seattle gets Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez, Vargas, Franklin Guitteriez 3 minor leaugers.

Tribe get: ???

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3761556

Mets clearly trying to stack their pen.

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

3 team deal between the Tribe, Mets and M's:

Mets get JJ Putz, Jeremy Reed, Sean Green (RP) and others

Seattle gets Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez, Vargas, Franklin Guitteriez 3 minor leaugers.

Tribe get: ???

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3761556

Mets clearly trying to stack their pen.

Putz`s agent has already gone on record since the trade saying that he isn`t happy being a set-up man. He has a history of being difficult to deal with, could be a problem at some point in the future.

 

[Cy/MiG]

Putz`s agent has already gone on record since the trade saying that he isn`t happy being a set-up man. He has a history of being difficult to deal with, could be a problem at some point in the future.

Problem for Putz, not for the Mets.

If anything, they'll trade Putz for more minor leaguers and/or another pitcher/position player.

Personally, I think Putz should shut his hole.

The Mets look damned good now. He should be happy to be out of Seattle.

Basically, JJ is acting like a total Putz.

 

[Goodieluver]

Some rumors flying whitesox are interested in Bobby Abreu

 

[milagros317]

Basically, JJ is acting like a total Putz.

When I first saw his name, I couldn't believe it was actually a name that somebody had.

Putz Slang word for "penis." Also used when describing someone someone as being "a jerk."

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

Problem for Putz, not for the Mets.

If anything, they'll trade Putz for more minor leaguers and/or another pitcher/position player.

Personally, I think Putz should shut his hole.

The Mets look damned good now. He should be happy to be out of Seattle.

Basically, JJ is acting like a total Putz.

I agree. But it is just another asswipe agent speaking out for these spoiled brats who think they are God's gift to the World.

 

[Mitchell]

This has got to be the winter of the Atlanta Braves discontent. While the Mets have built a bullpen that might well be unhittable in the late innings, the Braves have been striking out with every move.

First, AJ Burnett looks like he's going to sign with the Braves, then receives a bigger offer from the Yankees, and goes to New York.

Then, the Braves spend much of the winter in trade talks for Padres ace Jake Peavy. Talks that stall, and then die, as Braves GM Frank Wren announces the Braves were no longer persuing Peavy. .

Now, to add insult to injury, the Braves supposedly reach agreement on a three year, 30 mil deal with their former shortstop Rafael Furcal, only to be outbid by the Dodgers, resulting in Furcal's return to LA.

So far this winter, the Braves have added... Javier Vasquez. A decent move, hopefully, but hardly one which is dramatic for a team that lost 90 games last year.

Bottom line, while it used to seem in the 1990s during the Braves dynasty that many good players wanted to sign with, or be traded to, the Braves, three straight subpar seasons, and a 90 loss season in 2008, make Atlanta not an attractive place to want to play anymore.

Unless the Braves are successful in making some free agent or trade splash, such as getting Jake Peavy, or unless Tom Glavine and or John Smoltz prove to be medical miracles, and the Braves can get one more good season out of one, or both of them, 2009 is looking like a long, bleak summer for the Braves.

I have never seen a winter like this in my life. Hopefully, some good move can occur for the Braves soon.

Mitch