# The Official MLB Offseason Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 29, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185 "2011-10-29T14:39:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/421 "2012-01-24T20:35:29Z")
What a stupid contract. And they’re going to move Cabrera for this? They will regret it probably by year 3 or 4. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/422 "2012-01-24T20:38:48Z")
Yeah, I’m not sure what they’re planning to do with the combination of Fielder, Cabrera and Martinez and the 1B, DH and catcher spots. Martinez is under contract through 2014 (when Verlander will also be a free agent) and Cabrera until 2015. Are they getting a new TV deal or something? ---
**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 24, 2012, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/423 "2012-01-24T21:27:29Z")
I don’t really know what to make of this. Offensively it is solid and I would guess they try hard to move Victor next year. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/424 "2012-01-24T21:36:55Z")
Holy crap… nine years? I was thinking Prince would end up around six, maybe seven years… Maybe the Angels didn’t overpay for Pujols… ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/425 "2012-01-24T22:34:42Z")
It’s their money. If they have it to burn, there’s no doubt Fielder will help. I agree it’s a weird match of player to team need, and we’ll have to see what they do with Cabrera and Martinez. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/426 "2012-01-24T22:35:40Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I agree it’s a weird match of player to team need, and we’ll have to see what they do with Cabrera and Martinez. You can’t have Martinez catch because they already have the best catcher in the league. You could move Cabrera to the outfield, where he will be terrible defensively but an upgrade with the bat. That’s right, I forgot about Avila. They could move Cabrera back to third base, although I thought he was really bad at it. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/427 "2012-01-24T23:05:16Z")
Mystery team FTW! Every time! Mystery team got Pujols. Mystery team got Cliff Lee. Mystery team (sort of) got Darvish. Mystery team is the best freaking team in baseball! Also, the hell? There has to be a trade coming to balance this, right? No way that roster makes sense as it is. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/428 "2012-01-24T23:47:21Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > It’s their money. If they have it to burn, there’s no doubt Fielder will help. > > I agree it’s a weird match of player to team need, and we’ll have to see what they do with Cabrera and Martinez. Well, they could send Cabrera to Seattle… ---
**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 25, 2012, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/429 "2012-01-25T00:21:45Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > Well, they could send Cabrera to Seattle… [Ahem](http://i0.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/000/428/%E0%B2%A0_%E0%B2%A0.jpg?1246548281). ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/430 "2012-01-25T03:27:03Z")
I think it’s mostly a case of Illitch deciding he rather have a World series than a slightly bigger bank account. And I guess 214 Million puts a new perspective on rejecting everything to do with daddy’s legacy. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/431 "2012-01-25T13:40:16Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Maybe the Angels didn’t overpay for Pujols… I’d much rather pay Prince $23.8m every year from years 28 through 37 than pay Albert $25.4m for his 32-42 years. However, I’d much rather have Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler clogging up my 1B/DH slots for a mere fraction of that. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/432 "2012-01-25T14:38:17Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > [Prince Fielder will sign a nine-year, $214 million deal with the Tigers.](http://tracking.si.com/2012/01/24/report-prince-fielder-nearing-nine-year-deal-with-detroit-tigers/?sct=hp_t2_a3&eref=sihp) Did _anybody_ see this coming? Victor Martinez is out for the year, but the Tigers have him for another two seasons after that. I don’t know if that means Martinez will be catching more games or what. There have been rumors about an interest in Fielder for a couple weeks now. Since the injury to VMart, it seemed to intensify (at least from my nightly commute listening to The Huge Show on the radio. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/433 "2012-01-25T17:09:55Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I’d much rather pay Prince $23.8m every year from years 28 through 37 than pay Albert $25.4m for his 32-42 years. I wouldn’t. Fielder has been durable but I think he’s more likely to fall off a cliff sooner, and while Pujols will go downhill (and may already be in decline) I think he’ll be more productive for longer. That’s not taking into account that the Tigers now have sort of a logjam for next year. [Actually I guess the Angels do, too, but it will be easier to resolve.] I’ve been reading that Fielder is going to be the first baseman and Cabrera the DH even though Cabrera is the better fielder, which I don’t get. I’m sure they’ll rotate some. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/434 "2012-01-25T17:35:14Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > I’d much rather pay Prince $23.8m every year from years 28 through 37 than pay Albert $25.4m for his 32-42 years. I think I’m with **Marley**. If I’m paying that kind of cash, I’m expecting to be screwed at the end. So I’d rather roll the dice on the once-in-a-lifetime player. Who also happens to be the more consistent one and the one that adds value on the field (for now). You need a good handful of truly superstar (WAR \> 6) type seasons to get close to value. I think Pujols has at least 3 or 4 of those left - I’m not sure Prince has more than two (hell, he’s only done it once so far…). Obviously the Tigers disagree. I’m just glad he’s out of the division (and league). The Brewers with no Prince and no Braun for 50 games should be quite a bit weaker this year. > [@](#): > > However, I’d much rather have Eric Hosmer and Billy Butler clogging up my 1B/DH slots for a mere fraction of that. Agreed. ---
**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 25, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/435 "2012-01-25T19:23:29Z")
ESPN is reporting Cabrera is returning to 3b. The pitchers will not be benefitting from the new Detroit infield but it is probably the best 3 4 lineup combo in the game right now. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/436 "2012-01-25T19:45:29Z")
The local media are pretty unanimous that Cabrera will move to third (FWIW he said he’s cool with that). I guess it’s time to wave goodbye to one of my favorites, Brandon Inge. This will be a huge defensive downgrade. And, why the big concern over the size of Fielder’s contract (here and elsewhere)? Even if he only pays off for a year or two, the millions are coming out of Illitch’s mattress, not yours or mine. At 82, he clearly wants to see a championship sooner rather than later. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/437 "2012-01-25T19:49:17Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > And, why the big concern over the size of Fielder’s contract (here and elsewhere)? Even if he only pays off for a year or two, the millions are coming out of Illitch’s mattress, not yours or mine. Well that’s a load off my mind. We’re trying to speak about it objectively here: it’s a bad contract because the team’s ownership has a finite amount of money to put together a good baseball team, and it’s likely that Fielder is not going to be playing very well for a big chunk of that contract. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/438 "2012-01-25T19:49:34Z")
Well, that’s true of all contracts **Mr. Mustard**. But surely there is an opportunity cost to each - and signing Fielder for $23m per year precludes signing other players (they could have Reyes + Wilson, for example, for that kind of coin) at positions of need. Also, analyzing the “value” of a player vs. their contract gives us something to talk about in these last ghastly few weeks before pitchers and catchers report. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2012, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/439 "2012-01-25T20:09:54Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > The local media are pretty unanimous that Cabrera will move to third (FWIW he said he’s cool with that). I guess it’s time to wave goodbye to one of my favorites, Brandon Inge. This will be a huge defensive downgrade. > > And, why the big concern over the size of Fielder’s contract (here and elsewhere)? Even if he only pays off for a year or two, the millions are coming out of Illitch’s mattress, not yours or mine. At 82, he clearly wants to see a championship sooner rather than later. > mmm He originally ate himself off 3B. ---
**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 26, 2012, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185/440 "2012-01-26T17:20:47Z")
Ah, Brandon Inge, the most polarizing sports figure in Detroit as far as I can remember. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-official-mlb-offseason-thread/601185.md?page=23)