Offseason News & Rumors

[Stallion]

The longer the free agency period lasts, the more desirable Johnny Estrada might become.

As crazy as the free agent market is getting it's looking like adding players via trade is the best financial option. Hopefully we can get some sort of pitching for Estrada.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

$136 million?? For Soriano?????

I guess I'm happy that it's no longer the Dbacks that are driving up league salaries with dumb signings.

 

[AZCB34]

Holy Sweet Mother of Christ.



$136 million?? For Soriano?????

Also, if I'm the Cubs, I have nothing to do with Soriano at leadoff.

Soriano will never see the whole amount unless he etars it up for the next 6 years. According to reports, it is a 6 year deal with club options for the last two years. It is alot of money though.

I think the whole idea of a leadoff batter is slightly over-rated since that player is guaranteed to only leadoff once per game. His power is a much needed quanlity for the Cubs.

 

[devilfan02]

Infielder Andy Green is still on the roster but may not be for long. He is in discussions with the Japan Series champion Nippon Ham Fighters, and is expected to reach an agreement to play for them next season, at which point the Diamondbacks would receive financial compensation.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/1121dbacks1121.html

Let the bidding begin! $51 million please!

 

[devilfan02]

Pitcher Jeff Francis has reached agreement on a four-year, $13.25 million contract with the Colorado Rockies, a source told ESPN.com. The contract includes a fifth-year club option that could bring the total value of the deal to more than $20 million.

Does any else think Francis made a mistake signing this extension. I know it's hard to turn down such a deal (injuries, performance reasons) but all the ridiculous money being thrown at pitchers makes his deal look pretty small (at the most, only $4 mill per year???). He's a guy that teams, especially the Dbacks, would love to have in their rotation- a groundball pitcher who has a long future in this league. It's prob a good move by Francis but it took me by surprise for some reason.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2670866

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

I don't think Francis gives up any UFA years with signing a four year deal, so basically giving up arbitration for the security of $4M a year is probably a good deal for him.

 

[devilfan02]

I don't think Francis gives up any UFA years with signing a four year deal, so basically giving up arbitration for the security of $4M a year is probably a good deal for him.

Yeah, it's prob a safe deal for him. I just looked at his numbers and they weren't as good as I thought. Granted he's very young and is pitching in Coors but his numbers will get better the next couple seasons (IMO). I remember watching a couple Dback games last season when Francis pitched against us (and he did very well) and I specifically remember Thom saying Francis was a great pitcher for the Rockies because he is a groundball pitcher. I looked it up and his groundball to flyball ratio is only 1.12 over the last 2 seasons which is extremely average at best. For example, Webb's G/F ratio is a whopping 3.86 over his 4 seasons in the bigs. Obvioulsy it's a bad example because Webb is the best groundball pitcher in the bigs but it's a big difference.

 

[devilfan02]

According to manager Tony La Russa, the Cardinals aren't especially close to retaining any of their free-agent pitchers. Efforts are being made, and La Russa recently had a conversation with Jeff Weaver, but the skipper declined to characterize any of the pitchers -- Weaver, Suppan, Mark Mulder, Jason Marquis -- as being closer to a done deal to return than any of the others.

With Soriano no longer a possibility, the Phillies may have turned to Lee. The Phillies are believed to have at least contacted Lee's agent, Adam Katz, though the team is concerned about Lee's weight and conditioning. The likelihood is increasing that Pat Burrell won't be traded and would play left field.

Good news for us

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/...ontent_id=1745194&vkey=hotstove2006&fext=.jsp

 

[BC867]

I think the whole idea of a leadoff batter is slightly over-rated since that player is guaranteed to only leadoff once per game. His power is a much needed quantity for the Cubs.

But the leadoff hitter follows the 8th and 9th batters all game long. That's not making the best use of power. Solo HR's instead of 3-runs jobs.

Of course, he has to be good enough, on his own merit, to hit in front of the 6 and 7 hitters. Whereas at leadoff, he has 2-3-4 behind him, meaning he won't get pitched around.

 

[devilfan02]

According to a report in the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday, free-agent center fielder Gary Matthews Jr agreed to a five-year, $50 million deal with the Angels.

WTF?????????? If he's worth $10 million what is Byrnes worth? What a joke

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2672448

 

[boondockdrunk]

WTF?????????? If he's worth $10 million what is Byrnes worth? What a joke

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2672448

He had an extremely good year last season. However, 10 million? That has to be a joke. So far the price of free agents has reached a point where I do not know if I want us to sign a middle of the rotation starter for $9-11 million per year.

 

[devilfan02]

He had an extremely good year last season. However, 10 million? That has to be a joke. So far the price of free agents has reached a point where I do not know if I want us to sign a middle of the rotation starter for $9-11 million per year.

He had a good year last year- .313 BA, .371 OBP, 19 HR's, 79 RBI's, 102 R's, and solid CF defense. But is that all the sudden worth 5 years, and $50 million???? Hell no. Everyone is acting like Matthews is this young, up and coming superstar. The guy is 32 years old and is going into his 8th year in the bigs. In his 7 years in the majors, he has only had over 300 at bats 3 times and only 1 season with over 500 AB's (last year)!!!!!! He's a career .263 batter (.336 OBP) for crying out loud. Way way way too much money

 

[Louis]

Jerry Colangelo in talks to buy the Cubbies. http://www.kikonews.blogspot.com/

 

[devilfan02]

Jerry Colangelo in talks to buy the Cubbies. http://www.kikonews.blogspot.com/

I just heard that on the radio. That would be weird. I wish he was still with the Dbacks, it's a shame the way it ended.

From espn.com front page

CHICAGO -- Former Arizona Diamondbacks owner Jerry Colangelo would be interested buying the Chicago Cubs if Tribune Co. puts his hometown franchise up for sale.
Colangelo, chairman of the NBA's Phoenix Suns and former controlling owner of both the Suns and Diamondbacks, said Wednesday he has held "preliminary discussion" with unspecified other people who share his interest in buying the Cubs.
He declined to say whether he had spoken to Tribune Co. or the Cubs about his interest but said: "You can speculate that."
"If in fact the Cubs become available, and that's a big if, I've stated that I would have great interest," he told The Associated Press. "I'm just trying to keep my options open at this point, that's all."
Colangelo said he had spoken with two different groups of prospective bidders. However, he added, "I have my own interest, not necessarily tied to any particular group."
The 67-year-old Colangelo grew up a Cubs fan in suburban Chicago Heights. A four-time NBA executive of the year and member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he brought major-league baseball to Arizona in 1998 as managing general partner of the Diamondbacks, who won the World Series in 2001.
He told WSCR-AM on Tuesday that owning his hometown team would be "quite an exciting possibility" and would represent "coming full circle."
Tribune, under pressure from large shareholders disappointed with its sagging stock price, has said it hopes to decide by year's end on a strategic overhaul that could include selling the entire company or certain assets. Those assets also include 11 newspapers, led by the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times, and 25 television stations.
The media conglomerate has reportedly told buyers it would focus first on a possible sale of the entire company before the sale of pieces.
"I think everyone is awaiting what they decide to do," Colangelo said. "What I've been advised is that may come down early in December."
Tribune spokesman Gary Weitman declined comment.
Don Levin, a Chicago businessman who wants to buy the Cubs, said he thinks after talking with the company last week that the Cubs aren't for sale "right now."
"The Tribune corporation would like to sell itself, and whoever buys it might sell some of the pieces," said Levin, owner of the Chicago Wolves minor-league hockey team. "I remain firmly interested."
Another prospective ownership group includes 15 investors, among them Tom Begel, chairman of Chicago-based TMB Industries.
Speculation that Tribune plans to sell the Cubs has intensified with the club's offseason spending spree, including agreeing with outfielder Alfonso Soriano this week on an eight-year contract for $136 million -- the fifth-richest contract in baseball history.
Also, several reports have indicated that the company told bidders for the entire company that initial offers were too low.
Analysts have estimated that the Cubs could fetch $600 million or more. Tribune bought the team in 1981 for $20.5 million.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2672610

 

[Diamondback Jay]

WTF?????????? If he's worth $10 million what is Byrnes worth? What a joke

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2672448

10 million a year... For Gary "Designated For Assignment" Matthews??? Un****ingbelievable..

So the going rate for mediocrity this year is $10 million dollars? Boy, by this rate, Gonzo's option that the Diamondbacks declined for next year is going to look like a friggin bargain.

I really shudder to think what Zito's going to ask for.. It almost horrifies me.

 

[overseascardfan]

I'm thinking we should go after Meche and Mark Redman and trade for another front end rotation guy like Garland, Buehle (sp??), Peavy, Carpenter, Westbrook, Sabathia or Penny.

I realize that health issues with Mulder and Schmidt could be a problem down the road, Lilly and Zito's HR problems and Lilly's age make them a risk.

I did not know Brad Radke was a FA, and if weren't for his health issues I would make a run for him.

 

[devilfan02]

I'm thinking we should go after Meche and Mark Redman and trade for another front end rotation guy like Garland, Buehle (sp??), Peavy, Carpenter, Westbrook, Sabathia or Penny.

I realize that health issues with Mulder and Schmidt could be a problem down the road, Lilly and Zito's HR problems and Lilly's age make them a risk.

Meche is hardly cheap and effective (as you wrote in another thread). He's going to sign for 8-10 million per year. For that kind of money we might as well just go sign Schmidt for 15 mill a year.

Trade for pitchers like Peavy and Carpenter?????? Those guys are as untouchable as it gets. Even if they were available, it would take every single one of our elite prospects to land one of the above names. Even Sabathia, Penny, and Buerhle would take 1-2 of our best prospects. It's not as simple as your making it out to be.

Redman and Westbrook are garbage and not worth any of our talent (in Westbrooks case). We're going to have to throw some money at an above avg pitcher, thats the way the market is this offseason.

It appears we're close to signing Randy Wolf which may be our biggest offseason acquisition. Boring

 

[overseascardfan]

Meche is hardly cheap and effective (as you wrote in another thread). He's going to sign for 8-10 million per year. For that kind of money we might as well just go sign Schmidt for 15 mill a year.

Trade for pitchers like Peavy and Carpenter?????? Those guys are as untouchable as it gets. Even if they were available, it would take every single one of our elite prospects to land one of the above names. Even Sabathia, Penny, and Buerhle would take 1-2 of our best prospects. It's not as simple as your making it out to be.

Redman and Westbrook are garbage and not worth any of our talent (in Westbrooks case). We're going to have to throw some money at an above avg pitcher, thats the way the market is this offseason.

It appears we're close to signing Randy Wolf which may be our biggest offseason acquisition. Boring

One like I said before I rather pay 8-10 mil on Meche than 15 on Schmidt, that's a 7 million dollar difference. Two, I have read (FSN) that San Diego might be willing to trade Peavy who is a FA within a year or two especially after a bad postseason performance. Three Westbrook is a groundball pitcher that has done very well pitching in the AL and Redman is a consistant double digit win SP, they would be our 4 & 5. Finally, yes we would have to give up prospects to get a front of the rotation guy, what are teams gonna give'em away? That is probably the only way we can get a solid #2 behind Webb. Randy Wolf would be a disappointing offseason especially since he has had reconstructive surgery on his elbow, that is probably the only thing I agree with you on.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

I have read (FSN) that San Diego might be willing to trade Peavy who is a FA within a year or two especially after a bad postseason performance.

Under the pretext that this DOES happen, I'd be willing to bet a pair of D-Back tickets to any game next season that it would NOT be to a team within the division.

Seriously, trading Steve Finley, who's been up there in the days and has a handful of good games left in him, or trading Shawn Green who had an albatross of a contract that the Dodgers wanted rid of in the worst way is one thing, trading a good, young, top of the rotation pitcher who very well might be there for the next decade or more is a completely different animal.

I'll tell you this right now, and mark my words on this.. We have a better chance of seeing the ghosts of Walter Johnson and Christy Matthewson as the #2 and #3 pitchers next year than we do of seeing Jake Peavy here.

Three Westbrook is a groundball pitcher that has done very well pitching in the AL and Redman is a consistant double digit win SP, they would be our 4 & 5. Finally, yes we would have to give up prospects to get a front of the rotation guy, what are teams gonna give'em away? That is probably the only way we can get a solid #2 behind Webb.

Let's just assume the team signs Randy Wolf, then acquires someone like Jake Westbrook.. Next year, they'd go in to the season with Webb as the ace, Livan Hernandez as the #2, Westbrook as the #3, Wolf as the #4 and Nippert or Owings as the #5. That's not too shabby at all of a rotation. Granted, I'm not saying give up Justin Upton or Chris Young to get Westbrook, but I think the Diamondback organization has enough depth on the farm where they could grease Cleveland's palm with a pretty good prospect package to get him, without breaking the bank.

Randy Wolf would be a disappointing offseason especially since he has had reconstructive surgery on his elbow, that is probably the only thing I agree with you on.

So has Schmidt.. A few times.

To be honest, I'd rather have Randy Wolf at a 4 year, 28 million dollar contract with incentives than I would see them go spend 13-15 million on Schmidt. I may be the only one that thinks this way, but truthfully he's younger and has less wear on the tires than Schmidt, and will come considerably cheaper which will allow Arizona to pursue another pitcher.

Way I see it, this team needs more than one starting pitcher. Just makes you ask, would you rather have say Wolf and Mark Mulder or spend it all in one sitting on Jason Schmidt?

 

[overseascardfan]

Under the pretext that this DOES happen, I'd be willing to bet a pair of D-Back tickets to any game next season that it would NOT be to a team within the division.

Seriously, trading Steve Finley, who's been up there in the days and has a handful of good games left in him, or trading Shawn Green who had an albatross of a contract that the Dodgers wanted rid of in the worst way is one thing, trading a good, young, top of the rotation pitcher who very well might be there for the next decade or more is a completely different animal.

I'll tell you this right now, and mark my words on this.. We have a better chance of seeing the ghosts of Walter Johnson and Christy Matthewson as the #2 and #3 pitchers next year than we do of seeing Jake Peavy here.



Let's just assume the team signs Randy Wolf, then acquires someone like Jake Westbrook.. Next year, they'd go in to the season with Webb as the ace, Livan Hernandez as the #2, Westbrook as the #3, Wolf as the #4 and Nippert or Owings as the #5. That's not too shabby at all of a rotation. Granted, I'm not saying give up Justin Upton or Chris Young to get Westbrook, but I think the Diamondback organization has enough depth on the farm where they could grease Cleveland's palm with a pretty good prospect package to get him, without breaking the bank.



So has Schmidt.. A few times.

To be honest, I'd rather have Randy Wolf at a 4 year, 28 million dollar contract with incentives than I would see them go spend 13-15 million on Schmidt. I may be the only one that thinks this way, but truthfully he's younger and has less wear on the tires than Schmidt, and will come considerably cheaper which will allow Arizona to pursue another pitcher.

Way I see it, this team needs more than one starting pitcher. Just makes you ask, would you rather have say Wolf and Mark Mulder or spend it all in one sitting on Jason Schmidt?

I am totally against Schmidt, and I am skeptical at signing a P's with major health issues to long term deals. Anyone remember Todd Stottlemyre? Thats why I feel Meche and Redman would be good pickups if we able to trade for a solid #2 guy. Given the right package I think the Padres would consider trading Peavy to us but I feel he would cost too much in return.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

I am totally against Schmidt, and I am skeptical at signing a P's with major health issues to long term deals. Anyone remember Todd Stottlemyre? Thats why I feel Meche and Redman would be good pickups if we able to trade for a solid #2 guy. Given the right package I think the Padres would consider trading Peavy to us but I feel he would cost too much in return.

Meche has a bevy of health issues in the past himself.

 

[HooverDam]

Well the Astros have signed Carlos Lee. I'm very happy about this because it means the Dbacks won't blunder into signing him.

Per ESPN.com $100 million over 6 years.

 

[Ryanwb]

Well the Astros have signed Carlos Lee. I'm very happy about this because it means the Dbacks won't blunder into signing him.

Per ESPN.com $100 million over 6 years.

That's gross

Stupid Texas teams always give dumb contracts

 

[Espo]

That's gross

Stupid Texas teams always give dumb contracts

Thats the way Major league baseball is right now with the new CBA. Expect salaries to be rediculous for the next two offseasons and then teams to realize they screwed themselves and try to deal these contracts. I think out of any contract to be upset about it should be Gary Matthews Jr. for 5 years 50 million to the Angels. That really set the bar high for even mediocre players.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Well the Astros have signed Carlos Lee. I'm very happy about this because it means the Dbacks won't blunder into signing him.

I doubt Arizona was a serious player for him anyhow. I sort of suspected it'd come down to Philly, Baltimore, Houston and Texas.

Also, the Matthews contract was outright rediculous. I always thought Bill Stoneman was smarter than this.