# MLB offseason thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [January 3, 2009, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733 "2009-01-03T20:16:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dread_pirate_jimbo/32/3897_2.png) [@Dread\_Pirate\_Jimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dread_Pirate_Jimbo)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/21 "2009-01-05T17:57:04Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > As for the Cubs, I’m not sure why they think Milton Bradley is the answer. Dude’s always hurt. That is a lie! Sometimes he’s suspended. 😃 My gut feeling on Andruw Jones is that his problems are between his ears. Unless he’s nursing an injury that no one knows about, he should have two or three more years left in him before his age starts sapping him of his ability. He has always struck out too much, which I have a problem with, but he should still be good for .250/30/90, a dozen steals or better and a Gold Glove on any given year, I would think. Maybe playing in a pitcher’s park like Dodger Stadium got into his head? Maybe he needs to go to Colorado or something, where he doesn’t have to worry about trying to muscle every pitch over the fence? Just a thought… ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/22 "2009-01-05T18:03:41Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Hell, it’s only January. > > Try being a hockey fan, where every year a bunch of guys pull a Roger Clemens and wait until midseason to loot some team for big bucks. Mats Sundin just now joined the Canucks. Baseball players are hasty by comparison. > Jones fascinates me. During his meltdown last year I asked in one of our baseball threads “Hey, Dodger fans, like, WTF is with Andruw Jones?” and nobody really had an answer. So I’ll ask again; what happened? Was he hurt? Insane? > > Jones never really became the superplayer the Prospectus guys were babbling he would become, but he was pretty consistently good with the bat and great with the glove, and as recently as 2006 had another Andruw Jones season - 41 homers is nothing to sneeze at. > > Then in 2007 he was bad. And in 2008, Suckus Maximus. > > If there’s a player with a comparable career path who WASN’T seriously injured I can’t think of them. Jones was only 31 last year and only a season removed from a very good season. What the hell happened? I think the Dodgers were smart to release him and accept a sunk cost, but… he can’t have just become an awful player that fast, could he? Drugs? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/23 "2009-01-05T18:33:49Z")
> [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > Drugs? Not taking old ones, or taking new ones? ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/24 "2009-01-05T19:01:25Z")
Either way. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/25 "2009-01-05T20:27:05Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > If there’s a player with a comparable career path (to Andruw Jones) who WASN’T seriously injured I can’t think of them. Jones was only 31 last year and only a season removed from a very good season. What the hell happened? I think the Dodgers were smart to release him and accept a sunk cost, but… he can’t have just become an awful player that fast, could he? Ruben Sierra? Was younger, and not as consistent, when the bottom fell out of his career: > **[Rubén Sierra Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |...](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/sierrru01.shtml)** > > Check out the latest Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More of Rubén Sierra. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, draft status, bats, throws, school and more on Baseball-reference.com Dale Murphy was precisely 32 when he for no apparent reason stopped hitting: > **[Dale Murphy Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |...](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/murphda05.shtml)** > > Check out the latest Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More of Dale Murphy. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, draft status, bats, throws, school and more on Baseball-reference.com On the other hand, Andres Galarraga’s stats took a major dive from ages 28-31, before being revived by thin air. (And it wasn’t all Coors Field/Mile High, either - look at the OPS+ numbers): > **[Andrés Galarraga Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |...](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/galaran01.shtml)** > > Check out the latest Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More of Andrés Galarraga. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, draft status, bats, throws, school and more on Baseball-reference.com Anyway, those are the closest matches I could think of off the top of my head. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/26 "2009-01-05T20:33:06Z")
This is why Jones only wound up with a two-year deal with LA. His numbers in 2007 were much worse than everybody expected, after all. ---
**Author:** ![DudleyGarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/27 "2009-01-05T20:34:29Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Ruben Sierra? Was younger, and not as consistent, when the bottom fell out of his career: > > [Rubén Sierra Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.com](http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/sierrru01.shtml) > > Dale Murphy was precisely 32 when he for no apparent reason stopped hitting: > > [Dale Murphy Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.com](http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/murphda05.shtml) > > On the other hand, Andres Galarraga’s stats took a major dive from ages 28-31, before being revived by thin air. (And it wasn’t all Coors Field/Mile High, either - look at the OPS+ numbers): > > [Andrés Galarraga Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.com](http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/galaran01.shtml) > > Anyway, those are the closest matches I could think of off the top of my head. Also: Alvin Davis > **[Alvin Davis Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |...](https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/davisal01.shtml)** > > Check out the latest Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More of Alvin Davis. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, draft status, bats, throws, school and more on Baseball-reference.com Really good hitter, then… nothing. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/28 "2009-01-05T20:35:38Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I’m not sure why the Giants think that signing Manny will help their team. I’m worried about that, too. Numbers don’t lie, and Manny has the potential to be great, but a) can he be bothered to be great once he has a contract, and 2) can we stand another X years of dealing with a prima donna who pisses us off more than comes through? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/29 "2009-01-05T20:41:46Z")
> [@DudleyGarrett](#): > > Also: Alvin Davis > > [Alvin Davis Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More | Baseball-Reference.com](http://www.baseball-reference.com/d/davisal01.shtml) > > Really good hitter, then… nothing. Wow. I’m surprised nobody gave him another shot after '92. ---
**Author:** ![Hawkeyeop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/958977/32.png) [@Hawkeyeop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hawkeyeop)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/30 "2009-01-05T20:46:29Z")
> [@mshar253](#): > > I’m not in love with Burrell, but I’m starting to wonder if we (the Phils) could’ve saved ourselves a ton of money by not signing Ibanez and getting Burrell at a huge discount. 3 years, 36 million is starting to seem really steep when no other outfielders seem to be getting signed… Burrell is heading to Tampa reportably for 2/16. A nice move for the Rays giving them one of the better DHs in the league. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/31 "2009-01-05T21:02:26Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > I think the Mets should be interested in Manny, not because I’m a Mets fan or a Manny fan. But they need a corner OFer, they need a bat, they need a gate attraction, and they have money to burn. > > Though the owner lost a shit load on Madoff’s ponzi scheme, and Citibank paid for the naming rights to their new stadium, which won’t exactly bring out fans’ goodwill, so maybe there’s not as much as money to play with as I think, but otherwise I think it’s a match. I was certain that Manny would be in a Met uniform and I am surprised by the lack of interest. I think somewhere I predicted CC to Yanks and Manny & K-Rod to Mets. I would like to be 3 for 3 on my predictions but then I think I also said Teixeira would return to the Angels. The Yanks are nearly done. They will probably trade someone from the group of Matsui, Damon, Cabrera, Mick Swisher or even Nady. They still might try to get one more starter or a Center Fielder. They have several bullpen spares to sweeten a deal and some talent in the AA & AAA levels that they are willing to part with. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/32 "2009-01-05T21:12:16Z")
Rumor is there were many, many Ramirez incidents in Boston that never became public, thanks to Francona. Torre has similar skills from dealing with Steinbrenner, and may have convinced the Dodgers he’d like to keep that bat around. 'Course, Ramirez did drop hints that he was keeping up a pretense to get his price up. If those stories got related to GM’s considering signing him, or even if they only had the reported stuff to go with, it’s easy to see any of them deciding his good, but aging, bat isn’t worth the constant aggravation or the damage to their young players’ attitudes that come with it. Plus, he’s a defensive liability, although not an intolerable Bondsian one yet. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/33 "2009-01-06T16:56:48Z")
[Claudio Vargas](http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090105&content_id=3733619&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la)??? That’s the best you guys can do? C’mon, Coletti. Give us a rope here. Filling in the bottom of the bullpen shouldn’t be your top priority right now. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/34 "2009-01-06T17:06:03Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > [Claudio Vargas](http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090105&content_id=3733619&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la)??? That’s the best you guys can do? C’mon, Coletti. Give us a rope here. Filling in the bottom of the bullpen shouldn’t be your top priority right now. Just wait until Coletti pulls off the Juan Pierre/Andruw Jones for Jake Peavy trade, then shocks everyone by resigning Derek Lowe for next to nothing. Then you’ll see! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2009, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/35 "2009-01-06T21:12:04Z")
Just some updates on signings and near signings: \*\*Giambi, MVP with A’s in '00, nears return to Oakland \*\* I suspected he would go to the A’s. \*\*Pavano catches on with Indians with one-year deal \*\* I am not a nice enough person to wish him luck. I actually hope he washes out of baseball. **Phils add Park to mix in contest to be fifth starter** OK **Veteran RP Proctor a Marlin after passing physical** Scott finally escapes Torre. Good Luck Scott. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/36 "2009-01-07T16:43:54Z")
Dodgers and Brewers are in the running to land Trevor Hoffman. Hope the Dodgers get him. A proven, driven closer would be nice to have again. Anybody want to place a bet on where Manny finally ends up, and at what price? Seems like the whole league is uninterested in what Boras is demanding. I’m betting whoever gets him will pay a hefty amount, but for only a 1 or 2 year contract. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/37 "2009-01-07T16:48:56Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Dodgers and Brewers are in the running to land Trevor Hoffman. Hope the Dodgers get him. A proven, driven closer would be nice to have again. > > Anybody want to place a bet on where Manny finally ends up, and at what price? Seems like the whole league is uninterested in what Boras is demanding. I’m betting whoever gets him will pay a hefty amount, but for only a 1 or 2 year contract. I’ve been betting on a 1-2 years at $25 million plus per year. I still think the Mets might step up if they can get him for a 1-2 year contract. I don’t think the Dodgers are unlikely as the demand falls. He also might get advised to go to a hitters park like Baltimore for one year and shop himself around again next year in a hopefully improved economy. My gut feeling is he won’t be a Giant. I would say the Yanks are an outside shot and it is not even vaguely likely unless you first hear that the Yanks traded either Matsui or Damon. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/38 "2009-01-07T17:03:16Z")
I don’t see an NL team being the top bidder, not with his defensive deficit that can only get worse for a guy in his mid-thirties already. His likeliest spot is with a ramshackle AL team that needs a gate attraction as DH and doesn’t have a clubhouse chemistry worth protecting. Problem is, those teams don’t have the money Boras wants anyway, but do have young players whose minds they don’t want poisoned. He may just be SOL here, power and plate coverage notwithstanding. So I’ll go with a ramshackle \*Japanese \*team instead. Those imitation dreads would go well with a Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters uni. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/39 "2009-01-07T17:10:59Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > I was certain that Manny would be in a Met uniform and I am surprised by the lack of interest. I think somewhere I predicted CC to Yanks and Manny & K-Rod to Mets. I would like to be 3 for 3 on my predictions but then I think I also said Teixeira would return to the Angels. > > The Yanks are nearly done. They will probably trade someone from the group of Matsui, Damon, Cabrera, Mick Swisher or even Nady. They still might try to get one more starter or a Center Fielder. They have several bullpen spares to sweeten a deal and some talent in the AA & AAA levels that they are willing to part with. You know, it’s amazing. If you’re a complete headcase or a bad citizen, but you can still play good ball, you’ll get paid. If you’re accused of dogging it because you’re not happy, even though you can still play good ball, that’s an indelible mark on your career, apparently. It’s almost like Manny is getting blacklisted. Some “minor” market team is going to swoop in and get him. He’s going to have a monster year, too. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2009, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733/40 "2009-01-07T17:11:58Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I don’t see an NL team being the top bidder, not with his defensive deficit that can only get worse for a guy in his mid-thirties already. His likeliest spot is with a ramshackle AL team that needs a gate attraction as DH and doesn’t have a clubhouse chemistry worth protecting. Problem is, those teams don’t have the money Boras wants anyway, but do have young players whose minds they don’t want poisoned. He may just be SOL here, power and plate coverage notwithstanding. > > So I’ll go with a ramshackle \*Japanese \*team instead. Those imitation dreads would go well with a Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters uni. Baltimore has the money. They can’t seem to get a good player to take their money. That is why they were my example. Also his defense is not as bad as you seem to think it is. It is more than outweighed by his incredible hitting ability. Long before he took a Japan deal, Boras would find a way to get $27 million out of the Yanks or Mets for a single year or settle for a $42 million contract for two years from the Dodgers or Giants. He might even end up on the Nationals, another team trying to find top players to overpay. > [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](#): > > You know, it’s amazing. If you’re a complete headcase or a bad citizen, but you can still play good ball, you’ll get paid. If you’re accused of dogging it because you’re not happy, even though you can still play good ball, that’s an indelible mark on your career, apparently. > > It’s almost like Manny is getting blacklisted. Some “minor” market team is going to swoop in and get him. He’s going to have a monster year, too. I think it is more about Boras asking for 4 years and $100 million. It is just too much. Sometimes even Boras asks for too much, but all he needs to do to look OK is get a contract worth more than what the Red Sox were going to pay. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-offseason-thread/479733.md?page=3)