The Offseason

[jaxvid]

Not too happy about Dunn going to negro-centric Washington, hopefully he can put up good numbers and ride it into a decent contract elsewhere.

Baseball-reference.com lists Adam Dunn's nickname as "Big Donkey"! WTF!!! Who the hell would have a nickname like that? It's like the old days with the race roles reversed, the media thinks it's okay to tag white players with lame insulting nicknames. I think Ryan Howard should be "Big Fat Black Donkey".

 

[PhillyBirds]

Not too happy about Dunn going to negro-centric Washington, hopefully he can put up good numbers and ride it into a decent contract elsewhere.

I'd love to hate the Nats with you, but as of this moment, they start more everyday white players than my hometown Phillies. Yuck.

The Seattle Mariners are reportedly close to a deal with free agent centerfielder Ken Griffey Jr. I assume it'll be a one-year deal.

The Atlanta Braves are also reportedly in talks with pitcher Tom Glavine. Just speculation at this point, but I wouldn't rule out Atlanta offering him an incentive-laden one-year deal.

 

[Van_Slyke_CF]

I wonder if Glavine will play another season. He didn't show much stuff at last year, he's coming off an arm injury, and Smoltz is gone.

An era of great Braves starting pitchers is about to come to an end.Edited by: Van_Slyke_CF

 

[PhillyBirds]

Updated.

The New York Mets agree to a one-year minor league deal with Livan Hernandez. I guess this means Pedro Martinez won't be a Met next year. The Mets have already added starting pitchers Tim Redding and Freddy Garcia to compete for the fifth starter spot.

The Braves are also showing interest in free agent OF Ken Griffey Jr. It was assumed he would end his career a Mariner, but recent developments show that Atlanta is serious about acquiring him.

Also, the LA Angels agreed to a four-year extension with starting pitcher Ervin Santana.

 

[Don Wassall]

I wonder if Glavine will play another season. He didn't show much stuff at last year, he's coming off an arm injury, and Smoltz is gone.

An era of great Braves starting pitchers is about to come to an end.

The only trio of starters I can think of comparable to Glavine, Smoltz and Maddux in the past 40 or so years as far as being with one team for a long time and all dominating is the Orioles of the late '60 and early '70s with Jim Palmer, Dave McNally and Mike Cuellar. Pat Dobson was very good too. All four won 20 games in 1971, a mark that won't be equalled againunlessMLB goes back some day to four-man starting rotations.

 

[PhillyBirds]

Updated.

Most big signings are over with or close to finalizing, with the notable exception of Manny.

The Padres agreed to a contract with OF Emil Brown. Brown, 34, hit .244/.297/.386 in 438 plate appearances for the A's last year.

Also, Ken Griffey Jr. is reportedly close to choosing the Atlanta Braves over a return to the Seattle Mariners. Further updates as events warrant...

 

[PhillyBirds]

Updated again.

The Brewers have elected to bring back Eric Gagne, this time only on a minor league deal. Gagne made a probably foolish $10 million last season. Gagne hasn't been effective in quite some time, despite holding the MLB record for consecutive converted saves. His fastball has lost considerable velocity, making his famous change-of-pace less effective.

The Braves and pitcher Tom Glavine are reportedly close to an agreement. From preliminary information, it appears it will be $1 million guaranteed, with up to $3.5 million in incentives for starts and innings pitched.

Elder statesman Kenny Rogers of the Tigers is also considering retirement. Rogers, 44, would retire with 219 career wins to go with 3302 IP, 1968 K and an ERA of 4.27.

EDIT: Rays signed 2B Adam Kennedy to a minor league deal.
Edited by: PhillyBirds

 

[PhillyBirds]

More updates, hooray.

Apparently, Ken Griffey Jr. has chosen the Mariners over the Braves. Courtesy of MLB.com's Mark Bowman:

Sources have indicated that Griffey's tide turned shortly after he became upset with the fact that The Atlanta-Journal Constitution was reporting that he'd already decided to play for the Braves.

Fair enough.

The Orioles and speedy 2B Brian Roberts are reportedly close to a substantial contract extension.

The Chicago Tribune reports that Jim Thome wishes to play two more seasons. Go Jim!

 

[PhillyBirds]

Updates, for anyone brave enough to follow the whole thread...

The Dodgers agree in principle to a one year deal with free agent 2B Orlando Hudson. Hudson gets $3.4MM guaranteed with another $4.6MM in incentives. The Dodgers do, however, forfeit their first round draft pick, #17 overall.

The Orioles signed speedy second baseman Brian Roberts to a contract extension, 4 years, $40 million.

Tom Glavine has agreed to Atlanta's one-year $1 million offer.

The Twins are also reportedly close to a deal with free agent 3B Joe Crede. Crede struggled with injuries a bit last year.

 

[PhillyBirds]

More updates! Many deals are becoming final as the first Spring Training games of the year are this week, for some teams.

The Braves signed OF Garrett Anderson to a one-year deal worth a reported $2.5 million. After missing on Griffey and electing not to trade with the Yankees for Nick Swisher or Xavier Nady, Atlanta settles on Anderson.

The Twins have signed 3B Joe Crede to a one-year deal for a $2.5 million base with incentives worth up to $7 million. Crede is hoping to bounce back after an injury-plagued 2008.

Nomar Garciaparra is considering several options: The A's, Phillies, or retirement.

The Nationals released SP Odalis Perez after he threw a tantrum and refused to show up for camp. He was not pleased with his $850,000 contract.

Spring Training soon, so this might be the last update, outside of Manny's final resting place.
Edited by: PhillyBirds

 

[Don Wassall]

The always high character Manny Ramirez signs a 2 year $45 million deal with the Dodgers and reports to camp and receives a big welcoming hug from Joe Torre. Maybe Joe was going to give him a middle finger salute then thought better of it?!?


I watched Sports Center last night for the first time in a while (well, actually the first few minutes was all I could take), and the two lead stories were Ramirez signing, and What Team Will Sign T.O. And of all people, they had Keyshawn Johnson -- the ultra-selfish self-promoting racist -- commenting on why the Cowboys released the ultra-selfish self-promoting T.O. The bigger an a-hole a non-White afflete is, the more the media loves him. Would anyone be surprised if Owens eventually ends up with ESPN or the NFL Network?

 

[Freethinker]

Would anyone be surprised if Owens eventually ends up with ESPN or the NFL Network?

I think that was predetermined the day Owens first donned an NFL jersey.