Winter baseball Hot stove 2007 - 2008

[Striperjim]

Time to start up again. Uh no wait. i guess we have to wait and see who wins the 2007 season dont we. YAWN!!!!

Originally Posted by jim

Yanks Just signed Kei Igawa, who was arguably the best lefty remaining on the market for 5 years at 5 mill per. and 56 million compensation to the Hansho Tigers.
I would try to sign Scott Schoeneweis from the Reds and add innings with a guy like John Thompson or Joel Pineiro.

What a bust Igawa was for the Stankies. Shoenweiss sucked a big fat one in relief for the Mets.
129 days till pitchers and catchers.


Edit.

Players who have filed for free agency as of November 7. 2007

Arizona
Cirillo, Jeff (3B); Clark, Tony (1B); Hernandez, Livan (SP); Wickman, Bob (RP)

Atlanta
Franco, Julio (1B); Jones, Andruw (OF); Mahay, Ron (RP); Woodward, Chris (SS)

Balitmore Orioles
Bako, Paul (C); Benson, Kris (SP); Patterson, Corey (OF)

Boston Red Sox
(SS) Clayton, Royce; Clement, Matt (SP); Gagne, Eric (RP); Hinske, Eric (1B/OF); Kielty, Bobby (3B)Lowell, Michael; (OF); Mirabelli, Doug (C); Schilling, Curt (SP); (RP) Timlin, Michael

Chicago Cubs
Floyd, Cliff (OF); Kendall, Jason (C); Trachsel, Steve (SP); Wood, Kerry L. (RP)

Chicago White Sox
Erstad, Darin (OF); Myers, Mike (RP)

Cincinnati Reds
Guardado, Eddie A. (RP); Milton, Eric R. (SP)

Cleveland Indians
Foulke, Keith (RP); Gomez, Chris (INF); Lofton, Kenny (OF); Nixon, Trot (OF)
Colorado Rockies
Affeldt, Jeremy (RP); Dessens, Elmer (P); Fogg, Josh (SP); Julio, Jorge (RP); Hawkins, LaTroy (RP); Lopez, Rodrigo (SP); Matsui, Kaz (2B); Redman, Mark A. (SP); Torrealba, Yorvit (C)

Detroit Tigers
Casey, Sean T. (1B); Jones, Todd (RP); Perez, Neifi (SS); Rogers, Kenny (SP)

Florida
Benitez, Armando (RP); Boone, Aaron J. (3B); Kim, Byung-Hyun (P)

Houston
Jennings, Jason (SP); Lamb, Mike (3B); Loretta, Mark D. (INF); Miller, Trever D. (RP); Moehler, Brian (RP); Palmeiro, Orlando (OF)

Kansas City
LaRue, Jason (C); Perez, Odalis A. (SP); Riske, David (RP); Sanders, Reggie (OF); Mike Sweeney (1B/DH); Thomson, John C. (SP)

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Colon, Bartolo (SP)

Los Angeles Dodgers
Gonzalez, Luis E. (OF); Lieberthal, Mike (C); Martinez, Ramon E. (2B); Seanez, Rudy C. (RP); Sweeney, Mark (1B); Wells, David (SP)

Milwaukee
Cordero, Francisco (RP); Graffanino, Tony (INF); Jenkins, Geoffrey S. (OF); King, Ray (RP); Koskie, Corey L. (3B); Linebrink, Scott (RP); Miller, Damian (C)

Minnesota
Hunter, Torii K. (OF); Silva, Carlos (SP); White, Rondell (OF)

NY Mets
Alomar, Sandy (C); Anderson, Marlon (OF); Castillo, Luis A. (2B); Castro, Ramon Abraham (C); DiFelice, Michael (C); Easley, Damion (INF); Glavine, Tom (SP); Green, Shawn (OF); Lo Duca, Paul (C); Sele, Aaron H. (RP)

NY Yankees
Mientkiewicz, Doug A. (1B); Posada, Jorge (C); Rivera, Mariano (RP); Rodriguez, Alex (3B); Vizcaino, Luis (RP); Molina, Jose (C); Villone, Ron (RP)

Oakland
DaVanon, Jeff (OF); Piazza, Mike (C/DH); Stewart, Shannon H. (OF)

Philadelphia
Alfonseca, Antonio (RP); Barajas, Rod (C); Garcia, Freddy Antonio (SP); Lieber, Jon (SP); Lohse, Kyle (SP); Mesa, Jose (RP); Nunez, Abraham O. (3B); Romero, J.C. (RP); Rowand, Aaron (OF)

Pittsburgh
Armas Jr., Tony (SP); Chacon, Shawn (P)

St. Louis
Branyan, Russ (3B); Cairo, Miguel J. (INF); Eckstein, David (SS); Percival, Troy (RP); Wells, Kip (SP)

San Diego
Barrett, Michael P. (C); Blum, Geoff (2B); Bradley, Milton (OF); Brocail, Doug (RP); Cameron, Michael (OF); Mackowiak, Rob (OF); Tomko, Brett (SP)

San Francisco
Bonds, Barry (OF); Feliz, Pedro (3B); Klesko, Ryan (1B); Matheny, Mike (C); Ortiz, Russ (SP)

Seattle Mariners
Rhodes, Arthur (RP); Weaver, Jeff C. (SP)

Tampa Bay Rays
Paul, Josh (C)

Texas Rangers
Hairston Jr, Jerry (2B/OF); Sosa, Sammy (OF); Wilkerson, Brad (OF)

Toronto
Kennedy, Joe (P); Fasano, Sal (C); Stairs, Matt (OF);

Washington
Fick, Robert (1B); Batista, Tony (Leo.) (3B); Jimenez, D'Angelo (2B)

[Striperjim]

Highlights - Lowlights.

Major League pitcher Joe Kennedy dies in Tampa Florida while attending a friends wedding as the best man. Cause is unknown
Official MLB Hot stove Archives

Major transactions

• Torrie Hunter signs deal with the Angels. The Angels and Hunter worked out a five-year deal reportedly worth $80-90 million. It is pending a physical.
• The Reds made a huge move to improve the National League's lowest-ranked bullpen on Friday by agreeing to a four-year, $46 million contract with former Brewers closer Francisco Cordero.
• The White Sox announced the acquisition of shortstop Orlando Cabrera from the Los Angeles Angels, along with cash considerations coming from Anaheim in exchange for right-handed starter Jon Garland
• Greg Maddox signs one year $10 million deal with Padres.
• Mike Lowells tenure at third base in Boston will continue after a three-year, $37.5 million deal
• Cleveland signs right handed 33 year old Japanese pitcher Masa Kobayashi, 2 years garaunteed $6 million
• Mets aquired catcher Johnny Estrada from the Brewers in a one on one exchange for relief pitcher Guillermo Moto
  Estrada was one of the players who became involved with Brewers manager Ned Yost in a dugout scuffle during the Mets' Aug. 2 game in Milwaukee. He and Tony Graffinino interceded when Yost confronted J.J. Hardy after the shortstop had committed an error. Estrada has a .280 career batting average. Mota will be remembered for shaking off Lo Duca's call for a 1-2 changeup and throwing a fastball that Scott Spiezio hit for a game-tying triple in the Mets' Game 2 loss of that NLCS.
• Second baseman Luis Castillo decided to stay with the New York Mets, reaching a preliminary agreement Sunday night on a $25 million, four-year contract.
• The Mets have re-signed Marlon Anderson, who had filed for free agency, to a two-year contract for $2.2 million
• *Joe Torre* accepted a three-year, $13 million contract at age 67, making him the oldest managerial hire in Dodger franchise history.
• Phillies Aquire Brad Lidge from Astros. The pitcher was acquired with utility player Eric Bruntlett for Michael Bourn, pitcher Geoff Geary and third-base prospect Mike Costanzo

[scone]

man what a lousy free agent year and my tigers are in real trouble pitching wise-gave up good prospects with major league experience for renteria, who has already showed that not only can he not play in boston,he can't hit a.l. pitching either. and then they lose their top set up guy,again, to a freak injury.it's going to be a long year.
with the return of lowell the sox look loaded again,though i think their starting pitching is suspect.i hate it- god save me from another year of papplebon interviews-the kid can pitch but he is dumb as a stone.

[Striperjim]

I agee Mike terrible free agent year. A team must improve via the trade route. at least the tigers have starting pitching something no one has really except maybe the Sox. The Tigers did pick up Jacque Jones traded by the Cubs along with cash considerations on Monday for utility infielder Omar Infante
Heres the link to all MLB 2007 free agents and dispositions

[Striperjim]

Good News for your Tigers Mikey.

Big trade

Tigers get Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera
in exchange for the Tigers top two prospects, 20-year-old outfielder Cameron Maybin and 22-year-old left-hander Andrew Miller, along with four other minor-leaguers. Maybin, though, was considered not just the Tigers' top prospect, but one of the top prospects in all of baseball and Miller is major league ready. Eulogio de la Cruz and Dallas Trahern -- both right-handed pitchers that also came over in the deal -- were nicely regarded as well. Florida also got pitcher Burke Badenhop and catcher Mike Rabelo in the deal.

[Striperjim]

Washington nationals get Lastings Milledge from the Mets, in exchange for catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church.

Tampa Bay Delvil Rays traded another troubled outfielder Monday, sending Elijah Dukes to the Washington Nationals for minor league pitcher Glenn Gibson.

[Striperjim]

-- The Detroit Tigers announced the club has acquired right-handed pitcher Denny Bautista from the Colorado Rockies in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jose Capellan.
Detroit sent former slugging first baseman Chris Shelton to Texas in exchange for outfielder Freddy Guzman

The Milwaukee Brewers signed right-handed free agent pitcher David Riske


In the Rule 5 Draft Thursday the Mets selected a reliever from the roster of the Rockies' Double-A Tulsa affiliate. Right-hander Steve Register The Mets will pay the Rockies $50,000 cash for Register -- on the slender 24-year-old former Auburn closer.The Mets are obligated to carry Register on their 25-man roster all season or offer him back to the Rockies for $25,000.

The Rockies agreed Friday to a trade that sends infielder Jamey Carroll to the Indians for a player to be named. The deal was announced on Saturday


According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Brewers have a pending contract agreement with reliever Eric Gagne. The newspaper reported on its Web site Saturday that the one-year deal could be for as much as $10 million.

[scone]

yeah jim my tiges have made some moves that should improve the club with the possible exception of the bullpen-no help there yet. i'm looking for another move probably including 3b brandon inge who doesn't wish to stay on in a reserve role, and lf marcus thames who became expendable with the jones trade packaged for relief help.
the mets are a mess, the yanks are makin book on the young kids steppin up now that the santana thing is done and the sox without santana have a suspect starting staff with only one quality proven starter under the age of 40. should be an interesting year.
on the good side i picked up two tickets for the opening day game at fenway between the sox and my tigers- 2nd row next to the pesky pole.
one more reason to look forward to spring!
go tigers!

[scone]

oh one more thing- look for jair jurrens, traded for rentarea, to make a name for himself in atlanta. this kid has electric stuff.

[Striperjim]

Mike
Capellon was a servicable reliever. I thought he was still with the Brewers. I liked his stuff and Maybin will be a monster. Its win now for the tigs.
IMO Jim Leyland is the best manager of players in baseball.

Eric Bedard is still out there as is Danny Haren and Joe Blanton. The mets offered Aaron Heilman, Carlos Gomez and Philip Humber for Erik Bedard. The Orioles declined the offer, a GM from another club said. And other GMs almost ridiculed it.


Dodgers sign Andrew Jones to a two-year, $36.2 million deal

[Striperjim]

Arizona Diamonbacks acquired Dan Haren from the A's in exchange for six prospects.
Not only has Haren been effective on the mound, he's cost-effective off it. The right-hander is under contract for $4 million in 2008, $5.5 million in 2009 and there is a club option for 2010 for $6.75 million.
In another move, the D-backs dealt closer Jose Valverde to the Astros for pitcher Chad Qualls, infielder/outfielder Chris Burke and pitcher Juan Gutierrez.
Toronto inked David Eckstein to a one-year contract worth $4.5 million

Jim Edmonds waived his no-trade clause and decide to accept a trade from St. Louis to San Diego on Saturday.
The trade involve San diego sending Minor League third baseman David Freese to the Cardinals for Edmonds and cash considerations.
The Padres needed a centerfielder as they couldnt reach an agreement with Mike Cameron after Cameron demanded 2 year 22 million. But the Padres thought thtat was too much after Cameron was suspended for 25 games to start 08 after testing positive for a banned substance.

By not tendering a contract to veteran Johnny Estrada on Wednesday, the Mets made him a free agent and avoided a possible salary arbitration case.
The club allowed the midnight deadline to pass before it announced it had non-tendered Estrada, reliever Juan Padilla and outfielder Ben Johnson.
Mets general manager Omar Minaya never acknowledged non-tendering Estrada was a probable course of action. But that strategy was in place even before the trade -- Estrada from the Brewers for Guillermo Mota -- was completed on Nov. 20. Estrada was little more than insurance against the Mets being unable to acquire their preferred candidate to succeed Paul Lo Duca.
The Cubs did not offer a contract to pitcher Pitcher Mark Prior, at 27, he is now a free agent and is able to negotiate with all 30 teams. That includes the Cubs

[Striperjim]

Ive been slacking on the January 08 report
Big news Mets trade 4 prospects for Johan Santana.

[Striperjim]

Counting down to pitchers and catchers

Other news Last month

Giants land Aarond Rowand with five-year deal

Toronto completed an overhaul of the left side of its infield by acquiring Gold Glove third baseman Scott Rolen from St. Louis for Troy Glaus.

The A's traded Nick Swisher to the Chicago White Sox for two top pitching prospects, left-hander Gio Gonzalez and right-hander Fautino De Los Santos, and outfielder Ryan Sweeney.

The Cardinals' signed right-hander Matt Clement to a one-year deal with a club option for 2009

Morgan Ensberg joins Yankees
Veteran signs Minors deal, hoping to compete for first-base job

The Cardinals signed veteran Josh Phelps to Minor League deal

The Brewers have an agreement on a one-year contract with free-agent outfielder Mike Cameron

The Cubs signed free agent right-handed pitcher Jon Leiber to a one-year, $3.5 million contract


The Rangers have signed right-hander Jason Jennings to a one-year contract. Jennings, who last pitched for the Houston Astros, is a Dallas native.

Octavio Dotel to inks two-year deal with White Sox

1/8/2008
In a travesty Jim Rice, who played his entire career for the Red Sox, came up 16 votes short on the ballot. By being named on 392 ballots, Rice finished at 72.2 percent, just shy of the 75 percent required for entry into the Hall.

[Striperjim]

Curt Shilling down maybe out for the year if he opts for rotator surgery. His career may even be over but the Sox have the young arms to make up for the loss.

The Yankees may not know how long Joba Chamberlain will be a starter in 2008, but general manager Brian Cashman reiterated on Friday that the 22-year-old righty is approaching Spring Training with the expectation that he will make a transition to the rotation.

Free agent Luis Gonzalez is now officially a Florida Marlin.

Kirk Rodomski gets 5 yerars probation
In sparing a prison term for Radomski, who faced a sentence of up to six months, for distributing steroids. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston fulfilled a request filed by Radomski's lawyer that he be sentenced to only probation in view of his cooperation with federal authorities.

Less than a week to pitchers and catchers.
Thats the great thing about the giants playoff run for me. Football season runs clear into baseball season almost. Kind of nice. eh?

[Striperjim]

Seattle sent highly touted outfielder Adam Jones, left-handed reliever George Sherrill and Minor League pitchers Chris Tillman, Kam Mickolio and Tony Butler to the Orioles for Eric Bedard, regarded as one of the best left-handers in Major League Baseball.


The latest forecast by the Toronto Blue Jays brass has B.J Ryan recovering from major elbow surgery in time to resume his role as Toronto's closer by Opening Day.