Oh I am more scared of Gonzalez, for the next couple years though I can see Crawford continue to be a pain in the ass, taken he doesn't try to tag up on Gholston again.

Sign it Clifton Phifer

between CC and LEE, it would be over 300 mil

DO IT CLIFF, DO IT NOW....please?

<font color=goldenrod>Heh. With the addition of Pedro Beato via the Rule 5 draft, the Mets now have two players who were born on 10/27/86 (the other being Jon Niese). That is also the same day the Mets won the World Series.

Wonder what other interesting baseball birthdays there are.</font>

Crazy to think 3 or 4 years ago Lee was in the minors because he forgot how to pitch and now he's probably gonna be getting the largest contract for a pitcher ever. This offseason has been the perfect storm for him with how everything has played out.

If the Yankees don't get Lee, is the winter meetings a bust for them?

I think so. They signed Jeter and Rivera.

O's aquire J.J. Hardy, Brendan Harris, and $500k from Twins for relivers Jim Hoey and Brett Jacobson.

Melky Cabrera to the Royals. 1-year, $1.25 mil.

Miguel Olivio goes to the Mariners. 2-years, $7 mil.

AWWWWWWW

http://www.vinscullyismyhomeboy.com/...ton-ellen.html

Red Sox are the frontrunners for Russell Martin.

Now I think Epstein is trying to piss off us Yankee fans.

Yankees 7 year offer for Lee is actually worth less money per year than the 6-year deal and it is rumored the Rangers were able to match the original offer for Lee in cash amount. If the Rangers can match a 7th year, it might force the Yankees to pay more for Lee to boost him to a $23.33 - $25 million per year since now the Angels officially joined the bidding.

Owners furious at both Yankees and Red Sox and might actually change the luxury tax to a lower threshold and higher rates. Most of the bigger market owners are less furious since they know both teams can afford to toss the cash but worry about another split occurring where its Yankees/ Red Sox, then rest of big markets, then everyone else.

You're a Mets fan dude

By that I mean The Mets are the kings of laughably bad contracts on their hands, but having lots of money to get away with it.

If the Red Sox had "paid up" when everyone expected it, they'd have Bay in left and Texiera at first.
Now it's Crawford and Gonzalez.

Perhaps a couple frustrating offseasons and "rebuilding years" were worth it. I'm ecstatic about these changes, and how long they'll last.

Initially, I really wasn't a fan of signing Crawford, because I wanted a big bat. I didn't think there was a chance of them getting both.
I was dead set on landing A-Gon or an analagous power hitter, and thought Crawford would be underwhelming under the assumption that they'd only make one major acquisition.
Now I dig it. But I think seeing what A-Gon does is attraction A.

<font color=goldenrod>Just saying, paying $22 million a year for an outfielder who relies on speed or a pitcher who is pushing 40 might look bad down the line.

I'm excited about the prospect of clearing off the Mets' bad contracts, but I don't expect Alderson to blow all $55 million next offseason. Especially since the free agent class next year is godawful outside of Pujols and Fielder.

I think Alderson's actually gonna try and use the Red Sox' recent model of success, especially when it comes to having a farm system that is so stacked that it allows them to make a big trade when necessary. It all starts with the farm.</font>

The Yankees absolutely have to get Cliff Lee. If they lose out on him, you can officially say the Yankees are not the "empire" anymore. The mystique about "being a Yankee" isn't the same as it used to be, anyway.

JJ Hardy had a couple of good years in Milwaukee, maybe he'll rebound after a couple of off years.

I have a good feeling about the Orioles in 2011. I'm not saying they'll go to the playoffs and all, but I do believe it's possible for them to win 80+ games.

They still need a 1B, a SP and a closer.

Buck Showalter's their manager, he'll have them ready.

The last 3 teams Showalter has managed, have gone to the World Series after he manages them a couple seasons and leaves. He left the Yankees, and they went to the World Series in '96 (and won). Then he managed the D'backs, left, and they went to the Series in 2001 (and won). And then he managed the Rangers, left, and they just went to the Series this year. The guy knows what he does. It can't be all a coincidence.

Not sure the fact that every team he leaves go to the WS is a good thing or something to praise him for.

He must do something right. He lays the groundwork, so to speak. Only thing is, he never gets to enjoy first-hand the fruits of his labor. He takes the team when it's down, rebuilds it, teaches the fundamentals of playing baseball.

Crawford is a bit overpaid but not grossly. But it's also a price he was going to get given what Werth got from the Nats.
Contract amounts are always respective to what is going in at the time. That's just where the prices are at for a hot free agent. You can't compare it to contracts from the past.

It's also not like they're putting all their eggs in his basket. He's just one outfielder.

The Red Sox have a lot of money but they are usually pretty smart with it. It's a major, longterm acquisition.

Like you said, the free agent crop in the next few years looks bad. The Red Sox are in desperate need of reloading. These are more replacements than additions.
Manny is gone, which left a huge hole. So that's where A-Gon's bat comes in.
Varitek, Ortiz, JD Drew and others are on their way out.
Stocking up to make sure they have some major bats, an outfield, and a catcher is important.
It also keeps players away from other teams, namely the Yankees.
On the whole I think it's all great moves.

Also, since when was 32 years old "pushing 40"? I assume you're talking about Cliff Lee.
32 is a decent age for a pitcher, especially one that isn't reliant on flamethrowing. His best years are likely ahead of him. And a 7 year deal lands him at 39 years old when it's expired.

Adding Crawford and Gonzalez to a lineup that already has Youkilis, Drew, Ortiz, and Pedroia could very well make for a line-up that'll be even better than the one the Red Sox had when Manny was in Boston.

<font color=goldenrod>I was referring to the end of the deal when he'll be making $22 million or so in his late 30's. It's crazy money to invest especially since they have Sabathia for 5 more years also at similar money.</font>

It's outrageous money for Cliff Lee, but I agree that it is something they have to do.

Hopefully they'll have him completely checked out, cause his back last year was an issue. Maybe it was just something that won't be an issue for the rest of his career, but better safe than sorry. The last thing the Yankees want is to get caught up in the whole "we have to sign Cliff Lee" deal, get him signed, and then have him have problems with injuries for most of the contract.

<font color=goldenrod>Reds extend Jay Bruce for 6 years, $51 million</font>

The Justin Upton special. Nice one for Cincy. :y:

Yea some of these decisions go beyond the field too. Signing A-Gon and Crawford was definitely a talent decision to boost the on-field product, but there's also no question that the Red Sox were looking to rejuvinate the brand. And it pisses off the Yanks, just like getting Texiera or A-Rod did the Sox.

And the Yankees will probably give Lee way more now so that they don't go down without a response.
That's sort of just how these things work. There's pride involved, and a fanbase.

By the time Cliff Lee is older, his contract probably won't even be huge anymore.
These things grow exponentially every year.
If Pujols goes on the market next year he's making over 200 mill.

Pujols on the market should be interesting next year with three of the bigger teams in the Yankees, Red Sox and Phillies out of it.

No doubt he'll get his money no matter what but I'm definitely curious how having 3 of the highest spenders out of it will be.

I wouldn't say all that I think Nick Swisher is a free agent next year and he's been doing real good for us. I wish the Yankees would just sign Cliff Lee all ready. I am starting to get extremely worried. Would you mind taking another look at the 2012 free agents? I know they are not all gonna be free agents but at least half of these guys are really good.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/0...ee-agents.html

I admit that it's not the best but if you look through there it's not all god awful. The catching free agents is pretty god awful but other then that it's not so bad.

This. How quickly people forget that the Yankees had to overpay Sabathia to come here, which is normal for the Yankees but overpay in the we know we have the best offer but here's more money please come here sense as well as give him an opt out clause

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets...2/340x_9e5.jpg

Is Joba trying out for Al Borland?

He's a Binford tool no doubt

<font color=goldenrod>Half of those guys are really good? Are we reading the same list?</font>

<font color=goldenrod>To be honest, I'm worried about the Mets' ability to re-sign Reyes next year if he goes back to 2008 form. When Reyes is on he and Crawford are extremely similar. Add that to the fact that he's a shortstop and the price could be huge. Alderson doesn't want to spend the money all in one place so it's entirely possible he leaves. :(

Of course, if the Mets are out of it at the deadline and Reyes is having a great year, trading him is a very real possibility.</font>

Love this. Fantastic contract. Also have a club option for a 7th year @ $12 million.

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.

<font color=goldenrod>The Phillies have clinched the division if they get Lee. No question.

They already were the favorites but not even the Braves could stack up with the Phillies if they had THAT rotation.</font>

Phillies agree to sign Cliff Lee for five years.

I find it surprising since he had two seven year deals offered to him, but what a rotation with him, Doc, Oswalt, and Hamels.

<font color=goldenrod>Wow. The Phillies just won the NL. Halladay AND Lee in a playoff series? No fucking way.</font>

Where do you see this at?

http://trsullivan.mlblogs.com/archiv..._philadel.html

<font color=goldenrod>He's reputable.

He pulled a LeBron. He knows the Phils will be in the playoffs - and that if he joined Halladay, Oswalt, and Hamels it'd be one of the best rotations ever, ESPECIALLY in the playoffs. They are immediately the World Series favorites if you ask me. Pitching wins titles.</font>

I see it on espn on the sidebar thing now.

O shit!!!! I didn't see this one coming boys

Is what he's doing just as bad as LeBron?

Wow.

Someone go make me a Phillies 2011 World Series Champions T-shirt

<font color=goldenrod>Not as bad since there's no TV special. But if the news comes out that the Rangers offered 6 years (which he said would make him come back) at way more than the Phils' offer, he def just gave Texas the big screw.</font>

Ugh.

Holy fucking hell

Hot shit, btw. Phils should have the best rotation since the Orioles in the late 70s-early 80s. [/Droford, making everything have to do with the Orioles]

Halladay/Lee/Oswalt/Hamels is the sickest shit ever

http://blogs.courierpostonline.com/p...AY-500x332.jpg

HE'S BACK

<font color=goldenrod>There is absolutely no logical argument that can be made that the Phillies won't win the division next year. Unless they suffer injuries like crazy, that pitching will carry them.</font>

<font color=goldenrod>Good thing I didn't expect the Mets to begin being relevant again until 2013 or so. By then most of the Phillies' players will be old and hopefully heavily declined.

Ugh.</font>

How dare these people

http://blog.nj.com/yankees_main/2009...k-fans-707.jpg

insult the beautiful Mrs. Lee. You get what you deserve.

And Phillies fans deserve this

http://blog.seattletimes.nwsource.co...e/clifflee.jpg

phuckin phillies