2011 MLB Discussion Thread

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[quote name='goodbyetonight']I'm so depressed that the Yankees traded Montero. He was the first player I ever followed all the way through the minor leagues to the majors and now he's gone just like that. Sucks :([/QUOTE]

As a Mariners fan, I would gladly trade Montero back. Its feels like Seattle just gave up completely.

A good pitching rotation was the only thing we had and now we just have Hernandez and still a weak lineup.
 
It's funny, my sister's boyfriend and I were discussing why the Yankees haven't made any pitching moves two days ago. I was assuming they were just waiting until next offseason to go after Matt Cain and Cole Hamels (God, I hope the Phils lock him up, I do not want to lose him). I'm a bit surprised at the acquisition of Pineda. He had a good overall year, but wasn't he was crap the second half like Jurrjens? It's funny that the M's said they needed A bat. They need a lot more than that.
 
Pineda was awful in the second half (5+ ERA and only pitched 50 something innings), but he's young, so I'll chalk it up to getting burned out, rather than being figured out. I guess we will soon figure out what the truth is. The AL East is always a trial by fire. In the end, I think it's a great trade for the Yankees. They apparently had no intention of making Montero their catcher, and if that's the case, it becomes very replaceable. In all honesty, I am very surprised they got this much for him after they showed zero faith in during the ALDS, despite the fact that Martin couldn't hit his way out of a paper bag.
 
[quote name='bigdaddybruce44']Pineda was awful in the second half (5+ ERA and only pitched 50 something innings), but he's young, so I'll chalk it up to getting burned out, rather than being figured out. I guess we will soon figure out what the truth is. The AL East is always a trial by fire. In the end, I think it's a great trade for the Yankees. They apparently had no intention of making Montero their catcher, and if that's the case, it becomes very replaceable. In all honesty, I am very surprised they got this much for him after they showed zero faith in during the ALDS, despite the fact that Martin couldn't hit his way out of a paper bag.[/QUOTE]

That's what I don't get. Martin is a good catcher, but he can barely hit, why are they so high on him? Is Montero THAT bad defensively? I doubt it.

It's interesting, Yankees fans hate the trade, Mariners fans don't like it, yet people around baseball seem to love it.
 
As a Yankees fan, I like the trade if you look at Montero's place with the team realistically. As bruce said, if he's not going to catch, what good is he? An aging team doesn't need a young kid who can only DH. And as impressive as his bat may be, this team has big bats. They do. They just forget how to hit from time to time (moreso, they forget that a grand slam isn't the only way to score with the bases loaded).

As much as I'd like to see some youth with a little more hunger in the lineup, at the end of the day, if the Yanks can trot out a pitching staff that only gives up 2-3 runs a game, they're not going to have trouble winning games (after all, essentially this same lineup was 2nd in runs scored last season). It's nice to see them get serious about pitching again. It's just sad that it had to happen again so soon...but that's mainly AJ Burnett's fault (with a side of Phil Hughes regression). Now they have a lot of options. They can banish Burnett to the #5 spot and give him a gold sticker every time he somehow manages to get past the 5th inning. They can move Hughes to the bullpen and have a deadly 6-7th inning guy. And they can use Garcia as a long-man/way to limit Pineda's innings.

The bullpen is also going to be absolutely filthy. In addition to Hughes, you'd have Joba and Corey Wade as middle relievers, Robertson/Soriano as your setup guy, and then Mo. This has to be one of the deepest pitching staffs in baseball right now. Obviously, people can implode at any time. But you have to like the quality of arms they've got now.
 
[quote name='goodbyetonight']That's what I don't get. Martin is a good catcher, but he can barely hit, why are they so high on him? Is Montero THAT bad defensively? I doubt it.[/QUOTE]

Honestly, I think it has less to do with Martin and more to do with Cervelli/Romine. If Montero was a liability catching, then you start to look to those guys as "the future". They're nowhere near as good of hitters as Montero, but if they can perform better than Martin, either one of them could be a viable option. Another thing I thought of is depending on how these pitching moves pan out, they could even move Betances or Banuelos to get a big bat back. This move fills an immediate need now, while giving your prospects time to grow, possibly helping you fill a need later.
 
[quote name='FriskyTanuki']http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2...-dominican-republic-for-using-false-identity/

Cleveland Indians pitcher Fausto Carmona was arrested in the Dominican Republic for using a false identity. His real name is Roberto Hernandez Heredia and he may actually be 31 and not 28 like everyone thought, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out and if Cleveland can get out of his new contract.[/QUOTE]
Shit, brohim might not be able to even get out of the Dominican.
Yesterday, Enrique Rojas broke the news that Fausto Carmona‘s real name is actually Roberto Heredia, and he’s three years older than his listed age of 28. Additionally, because he was using a false identity, Carmona’s Heredia’s chances of securing a work visa seem to be less than stellar. Previous players who have gotten caught using a false name and birthdate have ended up getting stuck in their home country, and it’s an open question whether or not Heredia will make it to the U.S. this year. The Indians are likely best off preparing as if he’s not going to be a member of their rotation in 2012.
Click to expand...
 
Fielder to Detroit for 9 years $214 million. Good riddance, I was tired of Brewers fans around me acting like he was going to end up back here. Can't wait to see him eat himself out of baseball.
 
Actually during his first year with the Tigers Cabrera posted the highest home run and RBI totals in his career. So I'm not sure where you got your info.
 
so much hate for the guy. he is a beast and thats crazy protection for Cabrera. Who do you pitch to? If martinez did not get hurt, that would be one of the best 3-4-5 in baseball.
 
[quote name='integralsmatic']so much hate for the guy. he is a beast and thats crazy protection for Cabrera. Who do you pitch to? If martinez did not get hurt, that would be one of the best 3-4-5 in baseball.[/QUOTE]

It would be tough having all 3 guys playing at once. Considering that Cabrera can't play 3rd base anymore and Victor doesn't do much catching.
 
[quote name='kill3r7']Actually during his first year with the Tigers Cabrera posted the highest home run and RBI totals in his career. So I'm not sure where you got your info.[/QUOTE]
Lowest OPS, batting average, OBP, and slugging percentage since his first full year in the majors. He was out of shape (even for him) and had a drinking problem. His last two seasons have been better by an order of magnitude.
 
If Martinez didn't get hurt, they wouldn't have gone for Fielder. That's what I think, next year, one of them will be gone.
 
[quote name='dafoomie']Lowest OPS, batting average, OBP, and slugging percentage since his first full year in the majors. He was out of shape and had a drinking problem. His last two seasons have been better by an order of magnitude.[/QUOTE]

Agreed that he's been better the last two years but the lineup around him has gotten much better as well. Also, He still has a drinking problem.
 
Good hitting with all three of them in the line up but pitching and defense still win championships. With all three in the line up next year, if that happens, their defense will be bad.
 
Really surprising, the Tigers came out of nowhere. I can't believe he got that much for that many years, I assumed since it took this long he wasn't getting offered contracts that long.
 
The Tigers were probably desperate. If V-mart wasn't injured they wouldn't have done this, but I think the Tigers are getting to one of those stages where they are thinking they have to win now before Martinez, and Miggy start to lose it.
 
Yeah, if the Tigers are going to win a World Series, it will be in the next few years.

So it's a good move in the short term. And by the time Fielder is on the decline, their other stars will be declining as well and they'd be sucking and in rebuilding mode anyway.
 
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Jesus, Pujols AND Fielder jump to the AL? Thank God the Yankees have like 8 starting pitchers, lol. Also, I expect Roy Halladay and others to FEAST on NL hitting now that basically all the big bats are gone.
 
[quote name='n8rockerasu']Jesus, Pujols AND Fielder jump to the AL? Thank God the Yankees have like 8 starting pitchers, lol. Also, I expect Roy Halladay and others to FEAST on NL hitting now that basically all the big bats are gone.[/QUOTE]
AL: Your 2012 bad contract headquarters.
 
[quote name='speedracer']AL: Your 2012 bad contract headquarters.[/QUOTE]
The contracts wont be bad if the team wins a world series. I think most owners would pay $200-$250 million if it meant a championship.
 
[quote name='YoshiFan1']Someone told me about the Nationals not wanting Phillies fans to come to their home games when the Phillies are playing there. I thought it was a joke. Apparently not:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...elphia-phillies-fans-your-moneys-no-good-here

So they would rather have all those seats not sell that would normally be bought by Phillies fans traveling to DC?[/QUOTE]

This came up in another forum. Apparently Phillies' fans brought the worst of themselves to the games.
 
[quote name='bigdaddybruce44']And in the greatest Yankee offseason news of all time, the Pirates are actually considering trading for AJ Burnett. Classic case of addition by subtraction.[/QUOTE]

Strangely enough, it looks like going to Pittsburgh and pitching in that park would be huge for him. Though, I think the Yankees should send him to the Padres, he would love pitching in Petco!

I hate that the Red Sox are just waiting it out with Oswalt. I mean it's not like he could do worse than Lackey did last year and would be a nice 5th starter.
 
[quote name='craven_fiend']
I hate that the Red Sox are just waiting it out with Oswalt. I mean it's not like he could do worse than Lackey did last year and would be a nice 5th starter.[/QUOTE]

They're determined to stay under the luxury tax ceiling this season, and are very very close. That's the unfortunate reality created by the terrible contracts (Lackey, Crawford, Matsuzaka to a lesser extent) they're saddled with. It's definitely frustrating as a fan to see them so suddenly frugal, but I do think it's in the longterm best interests of the franchise.
 
[quote name='bvharris']They're determined to stay under the luxury tax ceiling this season, and are very very close. That's the unfortunate reality created by the terrible contracts (Lackey, Crawford, Matsuzaka to a lesser extent) they're saddled with. It's definitely frustrating as a fan to see them so suddenly frugal, but I do think it's in the longterm best interests of the franchise.[/QUOTE]

I think over the next a few years a lot of the high spenders are going cut payroll to avoid the luxury tax. You need to look no further than Cashman, who opines about the importance of the Yankees being below the luxury tax ceiling by 2014.
 
It will be tough for fanbases of those teams to swallow, but it's ultimately in the best interest of the sport. Besides, I think both teams will be better served in the long run by being more judicious about how they allocate their resources.
 
[quote name='bvharris']It will be tough for fanbases of those teams to swallow, but it's ultimately in the best interest of the sport. Besides, I think both teams will be better served in the long run by being more judicious about how they allocate their resources.[/QUOTE]

As a Yankee fan I see the point in getting below the luxury tax to reset it. However, in the long run I don't see the Yankees being frugal. We can't do it. Too many major parts need to be replaced over the next few years.
 
[quote name='kill3r7']As a Yankee fan I see the point in getting below the luxury tax to reset it. However, in the long run I don't see the Yankees being frugal. We can't do it. Too many major parts need to be replaced over the next few years.[/QUOTE]

Well, they can do it. The Yankees have finally re-built themselves a respectable farm system, there's no reason some of those guys can't actually play for the team. But no, I don't see the Yankees ever going that route. Nor do they need to, they're always going to be the richest team in baseball. Yeah, the Red Sox are hardly hurting financially, but the major difference is they can't afford to pay the luxury tax annually, while the Yankees can.

I still think baseball should have a hard cap, but that's a discussion for another day.
 
[quote name='bvharris']Well, they can do it. The Yankees have finally re-built themselves a respectable farm system, there's no reason some of those guys can't actually play for the team. But no, I don't see the Yankees ever going that route. Nor do they need to, they're always going to be the richest team in baseball. Yeah, the Red Sox are hardly hurting financially, but the major difference is they can't afford to pay the luxury tax annually, while the Yankees can.

I still think baseball should have a hard cap, but that's a discussion for another day.[/QUOTE]

The Yankees haven't been in true rebuilding mode since I was 8 or 9 years old. The expectation is to win the world series every year. Anything less is seen as failure. This sentiment promotes an environment of overspending and prevents a true youth movement from taking place.
 
[quote name='bvharris']They're determined to stay under the luxury tax ceiling this season, and are very very close. That's the unfortunate reality created by the terrible contracts (Lackey, Crawford, Matsuzaka to a lesser extent) they're saddled with. It's definitely frustrating as a fan to see them so suddenly frugal, but I do think it's in the longterm best interests of the franchise.[/QUOTE]

Oh, I completely understand them trying to stay under the Luxury Tax, might as well call it a cap. The thing that hurt their chances at a solid SP is Ortiz. I think they should have just let him walk and deal with the backlash. He did a lot here, but cutting the cord early is better than doing so too late.

Next year could be intriguing, if Ortiz is gone for good, Youk's option (I think he has one) isn't picked up, Dice-K is gone, and Inglessia figures out hit!
 
I was seven and started getting into baseball when the Mets won the championship in 86. At that age the big athletes tend to be your favorites. I was a huge Gary Carter fan and it helped that my little league team was the Mets. I still have his starting lineup figure in storage. He was a great player and appeared to be a great man.
 
[quote name='pitfallharry219']Gary Carter died today.[/QUOTE]

I heard. Sad day for all mets fans and the world of baseball. RIP kid. May you slug homers in the heavens.
 
Mariano Rivera hinted at retiring after this season. He's hinted at it before, though, so we'll see. Don't think anyone would blame him. Not much else left for him to do, other than pad his all-time saves lead.
 
[quote name='bigdaddybruce44']Mariano Rivera hinted at retiring after this season. He's hinted at it before, though, so we'll see. Don't think anyone would blame him. Not much else left for him to do, other than pad his all-time saves lead.[/QUOTE]

He doesn't have anything left to prove, so it's really all about the desire to play or not. He'll waltz into the hall of fame.

The game will miss him when he does hang 'em up though, he's my all-time favorite Yankee (and this is coming from a Sox fan).
 
Damn, I LOVE that the Yankees found a way to get rid of AJ Burnett. Just the willingness to eat $18 million and admit a mistake rather than trade away a more valuable pitcher (many thought Hughes would end up getting the ticket out of town) says a lot. Couldn't be happier with the Yankees pitching staff right now. I really hope Joba comes back strong as well, as he finally seemed to have gotten past his starter/reliever/starter/reliever yo-yo last year. The hitting makes me nervous though with so many old bats and guys who don't hit with runners in scoring position. But the pitching should be pretty beastly.
 
[quote name='n8rockerasu']Damn, I LOVE that the Yankees found a way to get rid of AJ Burnett. Just the willingness to eat $18 million and admit a mistake rather than trade away a more valuable pitcher (many thought Hughes would end up getting the ticket out of town) says a lot. Couldn't be happier with the Yankees pitching staff right now. I really hope Joba comes back strong as well, as he finally seemed to have gotten past his starter/reliever/starter/reliever yo-yo last year. The hitting makes me nervous though with so many old bats and guys who don't hit with runners in scoring position. But the pitching should be pretty beastly.[/QUOTE]

The pitching staff has great potential but they still have to go out there and prove it. Run support should not be a problem. Especially with a healthy Arod( DHing should help). I agree that some of our key bats are getting old but we should be okay this year. Cano, Granderson, Gardner, Swisher, Martin and Teixiera are still relatively young. Opening day cannot come soon enough.
 
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