He looks like "The Enforcer" Arn Anderson.

<font color=goldenrod>Scott Downs to the Angels. 3 years, $15 million. They will surrender a first round pick to the Blue Jays as a result.</font>

Moreno had to do something. I guess going after the best reliever out there is one way to calm your fanbase.

Apparently, there seems to be a hiccup to the Jason Bartlett trade. Rays are getting second medical opinions on the 1 or both of the 2 minor leaguers they recieved from the Padres.

Could the Mike Lowell debacle all over again.

I wonder why many of the big free agents don't wanna play for the Angels.

The Lee sweepstakes down to just the Rangers and Yankees since everyone else pulled out.

As of right now, Yankees offering 7 years and around $140 million while Rangers offering 6 years but almost matching the $140 million on their main bid. If one of the Texas owners decides to open up the check book to give more millions, Lee joins the Rangers without a doubt since Lee isn't upset at the deal having 1 year less.

Right now its up to Texas to decide to offer more money since Lee is leaning towards the Rangers while Yankees not increasing their money offer beyond $140-$150 million.

<font color=goldenrod>Lee's gonna look like a huge dickhead if he declines the Rangers' deal when they are offering pretty much the same amount of money for one less guaranteed year. Especially after that "6 years will keep me in Texas" shit</font>

Are you sure about the $140 figure from the Yankees? I've read a couple times that they were offering the same deal they did CC - 7 years and $161M.

Although that would make more sense on why this is dragging out. Unless he really doesn't want to be in NY can't imagine he passes up $20M.

The longer this drags out the better chance I think he goes to Texas.

I don't think that in his heart of hearts, Cliff Lee WANTS to go to New York. I just don't get that vibe from everything I've read.

The $140-$150 was the last confirmed amount but ESPN did say the Yankees had talks about pushing it higher since the Rangers supposedly matched or offered more per year.

Let's see Jonathon Papelbon: He's still a good closer he is just going through a rough time.

Nick Swisher he has been doing real well on the Yankees.

Robinson Cano : See Nick Swisher.

Prince Fielder: No question

Albert Pujols: No question

Joel Zumaya: He's a very good reliever. But, the problem is he is also very injury prone.

Grady Sizemore: I still think he's a very good Center Fielder.

Jonathon Broxton: I think he's doing quite good as closer for the Dodgers.

Adrian Gonzales: Real good first baseman but is probably just months away from getting a extension by the Red Sox.

Okay maybe not half the list but that's a good 9 people who are real good.







I am really starting to worry the Yankees are in such a corner that we need Cliff Lee. I don't wanna see how our season will be without some other big pitcher. With AJ Burnett maybe or maybe not pitching better next year and Andy maybe retiring.

You left off Rollins who should still make bank regardless of if he's hurt or has a crummy season this year.
Rickie Weeks will probably get big money because of position scarcity.
Strong possibility that the Reds don't exercise Bradon Phillips' option, which makes him a huge fish.
Aramis Ramirez is a darkhorse.
Jose Bautista is gonna get paid. We all know it.
Michael Cuddyer is criminally underrated.
David Dejesus is also a solid ballplayer who is always under the radar.
Cody Ross and Jason Kubel are nice pieces who can occasionally carry the load.
Josh Willingham is a guy who could be great but never will, but is still a nice addition.
Mark Buerhle is indestructible. 10 straight seasons of 10+ wins and 200+ innings and he's only 33.


I dunno it seems like there's a ton of hidden gems in this next FA class. There are a lot of guys that every team can go after, not just the rich pricks. And I like those classes way more.

I love that after 2 huge moves the Red Sox offered Lee a "low-ball" 7yr deal, but because he wants a 7 it forced the yankees to add a 7th year and spend more.

If everyone is healthy love the sox lineup next year... and they already have good pitching, most of them just had an off year last year at the same time. if some of them bounce back it will be a great year!

The pitching had a off year? I thought it was mostly the hitting that was off. They do need a reliever or 2 then that team would scare the fucking shit out of me.

Both killed the team last year.

And the injuries.

Read on an Angel's website that their #1 pick is protected(?) so the Jays won't get but a sandwich pick for Downs. Downs is money. He had real good years in T.O.

Broxton doing good as our closer? Fuuuuck that. I do not want him to be our closer next year.

injuries killed the hitting.

Pitching, Beckett, Dice-K, Pappelbon and you might even say Lester or Lackey performed sub-par then expected.

The Boston Red Sox made an offer to New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera(notes) this offseason that he then leveraged into a two-year, $30 million deal with the Yanks. WEEI reports that the Red Sox didn't initiate the talks. Instead, it was folks on Rivera's side of the table that came to the archrival Red Sox to talk about a potential deal for the free agent.
The site also notes that the Red Sox never intended to non-tender current closer Jonathan Papelbon(notes), even if Rivera had signed with the team, since he was worth a good deal whether he was in the bullpen or he earned draft picks for the team if he signed elsewhere.

Also read this a.m. that the RSOX are looking hard at Fuentes

Nationals are out of the Cliff Lee sweepstakes. However, a mystery team is in play. Unless Lee's agent is just screwing around with both sides, then it's down to the Yankees and Rangers.

Yup from what I heard they are after another Lee now.......Derek Lee. And it looks like Matsui may be close to being on the A'S.

it's all good, A-Rod gave Cliff Lee's wife a call over the weekend. we're set

oh no

It's probably the Angels.

This "Cliff Lee Saga" has a certain feel that tells you that a mystery team can come out of nowhere and sign him, leaving the Yankees and Rangers dumbfounded.

so A-Rod is going to try and bang Cliff Lee's wife if he goes to the Yankees?

According to ESPN, the average salary last season in the MLB managed to top $3 million for the first time ever over the course of an entire season.

ESPN even broke down the positions by average and the most expensive position is 1B at $9.5 million with a bullpen pitcher being worth $2.5 million.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5915468


Meanwhile, Jays and Nationals are the leading teams to get Greinke with the Brewers being the 3rd team but their problem is lack of quality players the Royals would ask in a trade.

I wonder if Greinke is going to wait until Lee signs. Because you have to think that whichever team does not sign Lee is going to make an offer to Greinke

I bet you the Brewers are wishing they didnt trade Lawrie for Shawn Marcum right now.

Was thinking the same thing. It'd be smart of him to wait for Lee to sign.

I think he'd be terrible in NY though. He's got anxiety issues or something I think

HazMat to the A's.

COME BACK TO NEW YORK! :'(

Ken Rosenthal says the Phillies are the mystery team in on the Cliff Lee sweepstakes.

I kind of had a feeling they were.

A lot of writers are saying the Phils are the favorites now for Lee. What are they offering that the Rangers and Yankees can't compete with? Supposedly he loved playing in Philly but I doubt he would leave $50 million on the table for that sole reason.

I love Philadelphia, but I wouldn't leave 50 million on the table for it.

Yeah, seems like everyone thinks Philly is the favorite now.

And apparently they're only offering 4-5 years. He must really love the city if he plans on leaving 50-70M on the table.

Rotation would be insane for them though - Halladay-Lee-Oswalt-Hamels-Whoever

No right handed hitting though :(

The Union won't let him leave 50-70 million on the table. That can't happen.