The season is over and let the bidding begin

[bassmasta7]

I created this thread for all the offseason chat, opinions, and bragging for MLB. I will start if off with the free agent talk. I have no idea what team will end up with Barry Bonds but he isnt going to do squat. I wouldnt be surprised if he ended up in Toronto becuase they will try anything to be in contention with the Yanks and Sox. And one of Muddy's Mets out for the 1st 50 games next year. Mr G. Mota. But he wont be on the Mets next year because he is a free agent. Oh, and the biggest question this offseason. What to do with AROD? I think Brian Cashman will be smart and hold on to him for at least another year but if someone is willing to give up a lot for him then he could be gone.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Fellas Im only gonna make this offer once we will give the Cardnials Wagner and Pedro for 2 ushers and a peanut vendor to be named later Any of you guys know LaRussa, put a good word in   :

[bassmasta7]

Yeah Pedro may retire he said if his shoulder doesnt heal completely. So, make it 2 ushers and bag of peanuts, not the vendor.

[YankeesWin]

Hey>>> as long as we're trading for "peanuts" We'll give ya "Dill- Rod" for 2 ushers and a peanut FARM to be named later.

[Valascus]

I don't understand at all why you guys would wanna ditch A-Rod. If I am not mistaken Texas is still picking up some of that paycheck.

                 

A Rodriguez NYY 3B     G:154 AB:572 R:113 H:166 2B:26 3B:1 HR:35 RBI:121 TB:299 BB:90 SO:139 SB:15 CS:4 OBP:.392 SLG:.523 AVG:.290

The one thing out of that batting line I don't like is his strikeouts and walks. BUT, you know what that tells me? That hs is putting himself under too much pressure. He is swinging at pitches TRYING to make something happen. If his plate patience would improve a bit, 1)he would see better pitches to hit, 2)his strike outs would tumble, and 3)the rest of his stats would improve. I just don't think their is a player out there with better RAW talent than A-Rod (maybe Miguel Cabrera, but that's another conversation all together). I don't think A-rod has hit his ceiling yet.

Now, I know he is considered an arrogant jerk for the most part and he may not fit in well in the Yankee clubhouse or into the Yankee mold, and that NYY fans perceive him as useless in the playoffs,....BUT who would you guys go out and get that's better at third than that may I ask? The only other players with similar stats are Scott Rolen (vintage '04) and Aramis Ramirez who is a little bit injury prone and can be a nightmare some days at the hot corner defensively and has never even gotten a WHIFF of playoff experience. Miguel Cabrera would be a nice replacement ...IF you could pry him away from the Marlins...he is their cornerstone for building ANYTHING on that team. And I don't see the Mets getting rid of David Wright anytime soon.

[Panamoka_Bassin]

Velascus, you got it right.  I am as big a yankee fan as they get, but I can't understand why anyone would want to get rid of A-Rod.  Look at those stats.  Thats an off year for him.  When we had Brosius or Aaron Boone at third they didn't put up those numbers in their best years.  The problem I have with him is his post season numbers.  I'll wait until next November to dump him.

Otherwise, I say trade Sheffield to either a NL team or maybe Baltimore, resign Mussina, and try to sign either Suppan or Schmitt during the off season.

[Valascus]

In all honesty, I don't think Suppan can pitch as good as he does for us for any other team. I think a lot of it has to do with Dave Duncan knowing and teaching his pitchers how to best utilize what they have. I think that is part ofthe reason Weaver improved as much as he did when he got here from the Angels. I think if Sup leaves the Cards he will struggle.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

I believe Suppan would pitch well any where But you are right Duncan is a wonderful pitching coach You guys are lucky to have him He rates right up there with Leo Mazzone

[senile1]

Not to change the subject but . . . . .

Pujols won the National League gold glove for first base.  He's becoming a great player defensively, as well.

Scott Rolen won for third base.  

Muddy, Beltran won for centerfield.  

[Guest the_muddy_man]

I hope Wright improves at 3rd He was way better than last year with his glove I see Beltran,Wright,Floyd and Reyes as leading us to a series win within 3 years NOW WE NEED SOME PITCHING this is a different kind of Mets team usually we have deep pitching and one or 2 good hitters Its gonna be fun watching what Minya gets Randolph to work with in the off season I wish Leo was wearing a Mets aht instead of an Orioles one

[bassmasta7]

I think there is difference between Leo Mazzone and Dave Duncan. I think Leo does better with young pitchers and having them reach their full potential while Duncan does better with middle to older pitchers and resurrecting their careers. Both are definitely the 2 best pitching coaches in the majors. I agree with Val on the Suppan thing. First off, Sup isnt going to pitch anywhere near how he pitched in the playoffs. Second, he isnt going to pitch as good on another team as he did with the cards during the regular season. He didnt do that great during the regular season but he will get a lot more than he is worth due to the lack of quality FA pitchers and because of how he pitched in the playoffs. The year before he was a card, he was traded to the bosox and was horrible. He ended up in the bullpen and when he was a FA the cards got him pretty cheap. Duncan then pretty much fixed him. Here are a couple of guys Duncan fixed and then (of the ones that have left) went downhill once they left the cards.

Weaver

Suppan

Woody Williams (but had a decent year this year)

Kent Bottenfield

Andy Benes

Darryl Kile

Chris Carpenter**

Chuck Finley

Jason Simontacchi (he wasnt ever really good but went 11-5 era 4.02 when on the cards)

... and thats jus the SP

                                                                      **really freakin' good

[Valascus]

That's exactly what I am sayin' bassmasta. Dunc is good like that. Speaking of Dunc...let's talk a bit about the other Dunc...Chris Duncan. People may think I am crazy, BUT...I think we should trade him. Offensively, he has the raw skills to be a great hitter. Defensively...well...where we have wanted to use him (outfield), he just doesn't have the knack. Now...that being said, Chris Duncan would benefit GREATLY from being able to play 1st base full time. But I don't think he is dethroning you know who any time soon. I think we should trade him to a team seeking a full time 1st baseman and see what kind of bullpen pitching (cuz you wouldn't get more than that for him...at least I don't think so...maybe a prospect) But, I don't think that will happen because he is Dave Duncan's son. I think we are doing Chris Duncan a huge dis-service by keeping him on as a 5th outfielder (behind So Taguchi).

Another thing we need to consider. Signing a second baseman...other than Ronnie Belliard. Belliard is going to end up somewhere else during this free agency feedin' frenzy. And my bet is back to the Indians. However, I think the Cards should make a STRONG run at Mark Loretta for 2B, since Boston will likely not resign him due to the fact that they are after Julio Lugo. The Cards Should also consider a better alternative than Preston Wilson in left field. He strikes out too much. Don't know who else to get...but we need someone else... and Carlos Lee will come at too high a price.

[RiskKid.]

Fellas Im only gonna make this offer once we will give the Cardnials Wagner and Pedro for 2 ushers and a peanut vendor to be named later Any of you guys know LaRussa, put a good word in   :

WASSSUPPP....is The Metrpolitan Baseball Club of New York giving up on Pedro????  

[Panamoka_Bassin]

AH, Pedro is retiring anyway...  Or, at least he said he might...  Who know for sure.  Retiring ain't what it used to be, eh, Roger Clemmens?

[Valascus]

I wish Clemens would just go away already. "I'm gonna retire, no, now I am gonna play, but it's my last year....again...". It's rediculous. I bet he ends up back with the Yanks or Red Sox this year. The year he ends up with either of those teams...that will be his last year I bet. That's when he'll be going for broke trying to win a WS and go out on top. All I know is I am tired of hearing every year how "this could be his last start...or his last game in this stadium or that stadium". It's annoying.

As far as Pedro goes, I doubt he is gonna retire. Minaya would be fuming if he went out and spent all that cash to get him and Pedro up and did that. I bet after Pedro's contract is up with the Mets he will retire.

[bassmasta7]

Mark Lorretta would be a great addition to the cards. He is just the kind of guy they need. He is a lot like Mark Grudzielanek except lor is probly a better hitter and not as good fielder. Did you guys hear that they are going to make a Tony LaRussa movie? It is going to be based on the story of 3 nights in august but i dont see how that would make a great movie.

[Valascus]

Eh...I am not really concerned about Tony's book or movie. Don't think it'll make good box office.  

[Valascus]

Walt Jocketty's recent remarks on the Cardinals website saying "The "best" pitcher and "best" hitter they could find is on their list of offseason acquistions. But when asked about Daisuke Matsuzuka he gave a kinda beating around the bush answer. Could Walt be pulling his old hiding and waiting in the weeds act on us and the rest of the baseball world? I would be all over that kind of pitching prowess. 4 different pitches, 95-98 mph, with excellent control and an ERA in the low 2 range. Um....yeah. Hopefully Jocketty and the ownership will up the ante a bit in a bid for a title defense.

[RiskKid.]

Walt Jocketty's recent remarks on the Cardinals website saying "The "best" pitcher and "best" hitter they could find is on their list of offseason acquistions. But when asked about Daisuke Matsuzuka he gave a kinda beating around the bush answer. Could Walt be pulling his old hiding and waiting in the weeds act on us and the rest of the baseball world? I would be all over that kind of pitching prowess. 4 different pitches, 95-98 mph, with excellent control and an ERA in the low 2 range. Um....yeah. Hopefully Jocketty and the ownership will up the ante a bit in a bid for a title defense.

Valascus.......no sense even thinkin about it......if he's coming he's ours! Matsui & Matsuzuka....a couple of Yankee Doodle Dandy's if I ever saw em....

[Pond Hopper]

I cheered the day the Red Sox decided not to resign Pedro with his 90% torn Labrum or whatever it was.  He was going downhill and not worth the money he wanted.  The cards should come back with a strong team and with a pitching coach like that all you need is a little raw talent.  

[bassmasta7]

He's definitely not coming to St. Louis. He's following the money. Not NY money but Boston money. I think he will end up in Boston and Zito will end up in New York. Sorry risk, but the mets. The Yankees yesterday did pick up 3 good young pitchers from detroit for Gary Sheffield. I was hoping Shef would come to STL. From the looks of it, it looks like Sup is going to get extremely overpaid along with Weaver. IDK what the deal is with Mulder. I heard he wont be able to come back until maybe May. That makes me think he will end up in STL for one more year. STL also signed Edmonds for the next two years. Edmonds says he wants to retire in STL. He needs to step it up though next year.

[Panamoka_Bassin]

And now for the latest...The Yanks sent Jared Wright and a whole bunch of cash to Baltimore for Chris Britton.  Who?  C'mon Cashman, we need real pitchers, not an 0-2 reliever and some unproven prospects.  As of now, the Yanks only have 2 starters signed, Chin-Ming Wang and Randy Johnson.  Moose will probably get resigned this week, but that still leaves us with a 3 man rotation...

[bassmasta7]

Jarret Wright isnt a real pitcher. I think it was a good trade because he isnt a good fit in NY and they need relief pitching and some good prospects that they could just turn around and trade. I wouldnt worry. They just freed up some money so they will be gettin' someone better than right like Zito or the Japanese dude. Wright is no good BUT>>> he was good with the Braves in his one year that he pitched for them. And the pitching coach who turned it around for him>>><<<<Leo Mazzone. Yes, Baltimore's pitching coach so he may turn it around again.

Did you guys see the first game of opening night next season? April 1 to start the season..... CARDS VS METS... NOW let the trash talkin' begin.

[Valascus]

How 'bout them Cubbies...breakin' out the big bucks. First signing Aramis Ramirez to a $73 million dollar contract, bringing on Sweet Lou to manage, Kerry Wood for one more injury riddled year at $1.75 mil, and finally Alphonso Soriano, makin' the cash, at 8 years, $136 million dollars !! Freakin' Nuts!!

On another note, Pujols got hosed by the BBWAA and got robbed of his MVP title by Ryan Howard.  : Still think Pujols should have been the MVP.

[K_Mac]

On another note, Pujols got hosed by the BBWAA and got robbed of his MVP title by Ryan Howard. : Still think Pujols should have been the MVP.

I agree that when you consider the role Pujols had on our team and the numbers he put up, he deserved the MVP. There were many times during the regular season when he carried the load and we would not have even been close to making the post-season without him. Howard had a great year, but Pujols the most important guy in bringing the championship home to the National league. Add the HUGE numbers he put up and that by definition is spelled MVP.