The Official Thread for latest signings in MLB Free Agency (UPDATED)

bman90278

Edited:

The season is close and there aren't too many free agents left to sign.

Updated: February 14, 2009
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Reggie Abercrombie, LF 27 Signed Houston Houston Minor Lg. NR
Bobby Abreu, RF 34 Signed NY Yankees LA Angels 1 $5,000,000 14
Jeremy Affeldt, RP 29 Signed (B) Cincinnati San Francisco 2 $8,000,000 15
Moises Alou, LF 42 Free Agent (B) NY Mets -- 97
Mario Alvarez, SP 24 Free Agent LA Dodgers -- NR
Garret Anderson, LF 36 Free Agent (B) LA Angels -- 55
Tony Armas, SP 30 Signed NY Mets NY Mets Minor Lg. NR
Rich Aurilia, SS 37 Signed San Francisco San Francisco Minor Lg. NR
Brad Ausmus, C 39 Signed Houston LA Dodgers 1 $1,000,000 NR
Luis Ayala, RP 31 Free Agent (B) NY Mets -- 98
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Paul Bako, C 36 Signed Cincinnati Chicago Cubs 1 $725,000 NR
Rocco Baldelli, RF 27 Signed Tampa Bay Boston 1 $500,000 83
John Bale, SP 34 Signed Kansas City Kansas City 1 $1,200,000 NR
Denny Bautista, RP 28 Signed Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Minor Lg. NR
Joe Beimel, RP 31 Free Agent (B) LA Dodgers -- 72
Matt Belisle, RP 28 Signed Cincinnati Colorado Minor Lg. NR
Gary Bennett, C 36 Free Agent LA Dodgers -- NR
Angel Berroa, SS 31 Signed LA Dodgers NY Yankees Minor Lg. NR
Casey Blake, 3B 35 Signed LA Dodgers LA Dodgers 3 $17,500,000 31
Henry Blanco, C 37 Signed Chicago Cubs San Diego 1 $750,000 NR
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Willie Bloomquist, 3B 31 Signed Seattle Kansas City 2 $3,100,000 NR
Aaron Boone, 3B 35 Signed Washington Houston 1 $750,000 NR
Milton Bradley, RF 30 Signed (B) Texas Chicago Cubs 3 $30,000,000 9
Russell Branyan, 3B 33 Signed Milwaukee Seattle 1 $1,400,000 84
Yhency Brazoban, RP 28 Signed LA Dodgers LA Dodgers Minor Lg. NR
Chris Britton, RP 26 Signed NY Yankees San Diego Minor Lg. NR
Doug Brocail, RP 41 Signed Houston Houston 1 $2,750,000 93
Emil Brown, LF 34 Free Agent Oakland -- 85
Ambiorix Burgos, RP 24 Free Agent NY Mets -- NR
Chris Burke, 2B 28 Signed Arizona San Diego Minor Lg. NR
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Jamie Burke, C 37 Signed Seattle Seattle Minor Lg. NR
A.J. Burnett, SP 32 Signed (A) Toronto NY Yankees 5 $82,500,000 4
Pat Burrell, LF 32 Signed Philadelphia Tampa Bay 2 $16,000,000 11
Paul Byrd, SP 38 Free Agent (B) Boston -- 38
Daniel Cabrera, SP 27 Signed Baltimore Washington 1 $2,600,000 NR
Orlando Cabrera, SS 34 Free Agent (A) Chicago Sox -- 21
Miguel Cairo, 1B 34 Free Agent Seattle -- NR
Chris Capuano, SP 30 Signed Milwaukee Milwaukee Minor Lg. NR
Sean Casey, 1B 34 Retired Boston -- 77
Kevin Cash, C 31 Signed Boston NY Yankees Minor Lg. NR
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Juan Castro, SS 36 Signed Baltimore LA Dodgers Minor Lg. NR
Justin Christian, LF 28 Signed NY Yankees Baltimore Minor Lg. NR
Alex Cintron, SS 30 Signed Baltimore Washington Minor Lg. NR
Tony Clark, 1B 36 Signed Arizona Arizona 1 $800,000 NR
Bartolo Colon, SP 35 Signed Boston Chicago Sox 1 $1,000,000 NR
Alex Cora, SS 33 Signed Boston NY Mets 1 $2,000,000 99
Lance Cormier, RP 28 Signed Baltimore Tampa Bay 1 $675,000 NR
Craig Counsell, 3B 38 Signed Milwaukee Milwaukee 1 $1,000,000 81
Joe Crede, 3B 30 Free Agent Chicago Sox -- 34
Juan Cruz, RP 30 Free Agent (A) Arizona -- 16
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Jairo Cuevas, SP 25 Free Agent Kansas City -- NR
Ryan Dempster, SP 31 Signed Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs 4 $52,000,000 8
Elmer Dessens, SP 38 Signed Atlanta NY Mets Minor Lg. NR
Brendan Donnelly, RP 37 Signed Cleveland Texas Minor Lg. NR
Adam Dunn, LF 29 Signed Arizona Washington 2 $20,000,000 7
Ray Durham, 2B 37 Free Agent Milwaukee -- 67
Damion Easley, 2B 39 Free Agent NY Mets -- NR
David Eckstein, 2B 34 Signed Arizona San Diego 1 $850,000 82
Jim Edmonds, CF 38 Free Agent Chicago Cubs -- 32
Scott Elarton, SP 32 Free Agent Cleveland -- NR
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Alan Embree, RP 39 Signed Oakland Colorado 1 $2,250,000 91
Adam Everett, SS 32 Signed Minnesota Detroit 1 $1,000,000 95
Kyle Farnsworth, RP 32 Signed Detroit Kansas City 2 $9,250,000 71
Sal Fasano, C 37 Signed Cleveland Colorado Minor Lg. NR
Randy Flores, RP 33 Signed St. Louis Colorado Minor Lg. NR
Cliff Floyd, LF 36 Signed Tampa Bay San Diego 1 $750,000 78
Josh Fogg, SP 32 Signed Cincinnati Colorado Minor Lg. NR
Casey Fossum, SP 31 Signed Detroit NY Mets Minor Lg. NR
Keith Foulke, RP 36 Free Agent Oakland -- NR
Chad Fox, RP 38 Signed Chicago Cubs Chicago Cubs Minor Lg. NR
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Brian Fuentes, RP 33 Signed (A) Colorado LA Angels 2 $17,500,000 19
Rafael Furcal, SS 31 Signed LA Dodgers LA Dodgers 3 $30,000,000 6
Eric Gagne, RP 33 Free Agent (B) Milwaukee -- 61
Freddy Garcia, SP 32 Signed Detroit NY Mets Minor Lg. NR
Nomar Garciaparra, SS 35 Free Agent LA Dodgers -- 76
Jon Garland, SP 29 Signed (B) LA Angels Arizona 1 $7,250,000 36
Joey Gathright, CF 27 Signed Kansas City Chicago Cubs 1 $800,000 NR
Jason Giambi, 1B 38 Signed NY Yankees Oakland 1 $5,250,000 28
Tom Glavine, SP 42 Free Agent Atlanta -- NR
Jonny Gomes, RF 28 Signed Tampa Bay Cincinnati Minor Lg. NR
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Chris Gomez, SS 37 Signed Pittsburgh Baltimore Minor Lg. NR
Luis Gonzalez, LF 41 Free Agent (B) Florida -- NR
Tom Gordon, RP 41 Signed Philadelphia Arizona 1 $500,000 NR
Ken Griffey Jr., RF 39 Free Agent (B) Chicago Sox -- 37
Mark Grudzielanek, 2B 38 Free Agent (B) Kansas City -- 88
Eddie Guardado, RP 38 Signed Minnesota Texas Minor Lg. NR
Charlie Haeger, RP 25 Signed San Diego LA Dodgers Minor Lg. NR
Jerry Hairston Jr., SS 32 Signed Cincinnati Cincinnati 1 $2,000,000 86
Toby Hall, C 33 Signed Chicago Sox Houston Minor Lg. NR
Robby Hammock, C 31 Signed Arizona Baltimore Minor Lg. NR
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Mike Hampton, SP 36 Signed Atlanta Houston 1 $2,000,000 45
Mark Hendrickson, SP 34 Signed Florida Baltimore 1 $1,500,000 89
Clay Hensley, SP 29 Signed San Diego Houston Minor Lg. NR
Matt Herges, RP 38 Signed Colorado Cleveland Minor Lg. NR
Livan Hernandez, SP 33 Free Agent Colorado -- NR
Orlando Hernandez, SP 39 Free Agent NY Mets -- NR
Jon Herrera, 2B 24 Signed Colorado Colorado Minor Lg. NR
Eric Hinske, RF 31 Signed Tampa Bay Pittsburgh 1 $1,500,000 54
Trevor Hoffman, RP 41 Signed San Diego Milwaukee 1 $6,000,000 73
Norris Hopper, LF 29 Signed Cincinnati Cincinnati 1 $402,500 NR
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Bob Howry, RP 35 Signed Chicago Cubs San Francisco 1 $2,750,000 94
Orlando Hudson, 2B 31 Free Agent (A) Arizona -- 12
Raul Ibanez, LF 36 Signed (A) Seattle Philadelphia 3 $31,500,000 33
Jason Isringhausen, RP 36 Free Agent (B) St. Louis -- NR
Cesar Izturis, SS 29 Signed St. Louis Baltimore 2 $5,000,000 79
Chuck James, SP 27 Free Agent Atlanta -- NR
Jason Jennings, SP 30 Signed Texas Texas Minor Lg. NR
Jason Johnson, SP 35 Signed LA Dodgers NY Yankees Minor Lg. 69
Randy Johnson, SP 45 Signed Arizona San Francisco 1 $8,000,000 18
Tyler Johnson, RP 27 Signed St. Louis Seattle Minor Lg. NR
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Jacque Jones, RF 33 Signed Florida Cincinnati Minor Lg. 100
Todd Jones, RP 40 Retired Detroit -- NR
Jorge Julio, RP 29 Signed Atlanta Milwaukee 1 $950,000 NR
Gabe Kapler, CF 33 Signed Milwaukee Tampa Bay 1 $1,000,000 35
Kenshin Kawakami, SP 33 Signed Japan Atlanta 3 $23,000,000 NR
Jeff Kent, 2B 40 Retired LA Dodgers -- NR
Mark Kotsay, CF 33 Signed Boston Boston 1 $1,500,000 63
Mike Lamb, 3B 33 Signed Milwaukee Milwaukee 1 $400,000 NR
Jason LaRue, C 34 Signed St. Louis St. Louis 1 $950,000 NR
Wil Ledezma, RP 28 Signed Arizona Washington Minor Lg. NR
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Jon Lieber, RP 38 Free Agent Chicago Cubs -- NR
Mike Lincoln, RP 33 Signed Cincinnati Cincinnati 2 $4,000,000 NR
Paul Lo Duca, C 36 Free Agent (B) Florida -- NR
Braden Looper, RP 34 Free Agent (B) St. Louis -- 43
Aquilino Lopez, RP 33 Free Agent Detroit -- NR
Felipe Lopez, SS 28 Signed St. Louis Arizona 1 $3,500,000 27
Mark Loretta, 2B 37 Signed Houston LA Dodgers 1 $1,250,000 74
Derek Lowe, SP 35 Signed (A) LA Dodgers Atlanta 4 $60,000,000 5
Brandon Lyon, RP 29 Signed (B) Arizona Detroit 1 $4,250,000 20
Greg Maddux, SP 42 Retired LA Dodgers -- 58
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Gary Majewski, RP 28 Signed Cincinnati Philadelphia Minor Lg. NR
Damaso Marte, RP 34 Signed NY Yankees NY Yankees 3 $12,000,000 NR
Pedro Martinez, SP 37 Free Agent NY Mets -- 44
Ramon Martinez, 2B 36 Free Agent NY Mets -- NR
Scott Mathieson, SP 24 Signed Philadelphia Philadelphia Minor Lg. NR
Doug Mathis, RP 25 Signed Texas Texas Minor Lg. NR
Adam Melhuse, C 36 Signed Colorado Texas Minor Lg. NR
Kent Mercker, RP 41 Free Agent Cincinnati -- NR
Jason Michaels, RF 32 Signed Pittsburgh Houston 1 $750,000 NR
Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B 34 Free Agent Pittsburgh -- NR
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Aaron Miles, 2B 32 Signed St. Louis Chicago Cubs 2 $4,900,000 NR
Kevin Millar, 1B 37 Signed Baltimore Toronto Minor Lg. NR
Trever Miller, RP 35 Signed Tampa Bay St. Louis 1 $500,000 66
Chad Moeller, C 33 Signed NY Yankees Baltimore Minor Lg. NR
Guillermo Mota, RP 35 Signed Milwaukee LA Dodgers 1 $2,350,000 96
Jamie Moyer, SP 46 Signed Philadelphia Philadelphia 2 $13,000,000 47
Mark Mulder, SP 31 Free Agent St. Louis -- NR
Mike Mussina, SP 40 Retired NY Yankees -- 29
Joe Nelson, RP 34 Signed Florida Tampa Bay 1 $1,300,000 NR
Trot Nixon, RF 34 Signed NY Mets Milwaukee Minor Lg. NR
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Greg Norton, LF 36 Signed Atlanta Atlanta 1 $800,000 NR
Will Ohman, RP 31 Free Agent Atlanta -- 51
Darren Oliver, RP 38 Signed LA Angels LA Angels 1 $3,655,000 56
Chan Ho Park, SP 35 Signed LA Dodgers Philadelphia 1 $2,500,000 59
John Parrish, RP 31 Signed Toronto Baltimore Minor Lg. NR
Corey Patterson, CF 29 Signed Cincinnati Washington Minor Lg. NR
Carl Pavano, SP 33 Signed NY Yankees Cleveland 1 $1,500,000 64
Jay Payton, LF 36 Free Agent Baltimore -- NR
Brad Penny, SP 30 Signed LA Dodgers Boston 1 $5,000,000 48
Odalis Perez, SP 31 Signed Washington Washington Minor Lg. NR
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Oliver Perez, SP 27 Signed NY Mets NY Mets 3 $36,000,000 10
Andy Pettitte, SP 36 Signed NY Yankees NY Yankees 1 $5,500,000 26
Scott Podsednik, CF 32 Signed Colorado Colorado Minor Lg. NR
Sidney Ponson, SP 32 Free Agent NY Yankees -- NR
Mark Prior, SP 28 Signed San Diego San Diego Minor Lg. NR
Scott Proctor, RP 32 Signed LA Dodgers Florida 1 $750,000 NR
Nick Punto, SS 31 Signed Minnesota Minnesota 2 $8,500,000 60
Horacio Ramirez, SP 29 Signed Chicago Sox Kansas City 1 $1,800,000 NR
Manny Ramirez, LF 36 Free Agent (A) LA Dodgers -- 3
Tim Redding, SP 31 Signed Washington NY Mets 1 $2,250,000 NR
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Edgar Renteria, SS 33 Signed Detroit San Francisco 2 $18,500,000 30
Argenis Reyes, 2B 26 Signed NY Mets NY Mets Minor Lg. NR
Dennys Reyes, RP 31 Free Agent (B) Minnesota -- 62
Arthur Rhodes, RP 39 Signed Florida Cincinnati 2 $4,000,000 NR
Juan Rincon, RP 30 Signed Cleveland Detroit Minor Lg. NR
Ricardo Rincon, RP 38 Free Agent NY Mets -- NR
Luis Rivas, 2B 29 Signed Pittsburgh Chicago Cubs Minor Lg. NR
Juan Rivera, RF 30 Signed LA Angels LA Angels 3 $12,750,000 40
Francisco Rodriguez, RP 27 Signed (A) LA Angels NY Mets 3 $37,000,000 17
Ivan Rodriguez, C 37 Free Agent (B) NY Yankees -- 46
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Kenny Rogers, SP 44 Free Agent Detroit -- 75
David Ross, C 31 Signed Boston Atlanta 2 $3,000,000 53
Glendon Rusch, RP 34 Signed Colorado Colorado Minor Lg. NR
CC Sabathia, SP 28 Signed (A) Milwaukee NY Yankees 7 $161,000,000 2
Takashi Saito, RP 39 Signed LA Dodgers Boston 1 $1,500,000 NR
Jeff Salazar, LF 28 Signed Arizona Pittsburgh Minor Lg. NR
Curt Schilling, SP 42 Free Agent Boston -- 90
Rudy Seanez, RP 40 Free Agent Philadelphia -- NR
Ben Sheets, SP 30 Free Agent (A) Milwaukee -- 23
Brian Shouse, RP 40 Free Agent (B) Milwaukee -- 65
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Jason Smith, SS 31 Signed Kansas City Houston Minor Lg. NR
John Smoltz, SP 41 Signed Atlanta Boston 1 $5,500,000 52
Russ Springer, RP 40 Signed St. Louis Oakland 1 $3,300,000 68
Mark Sweeney, 1B 39 Signed LA Dodgers Seattle Minor Lg. NR
Julian Tavarez, RP 35 Free Agent Atlanta -- NR
Willy Taveras, CF 27 Signed Colorado Cincinnati 2 $6,250,000 NR
Mark Teixeira, 1B 28 Signed (A) LA Angels NY Yankees 8 $180,000,000 1
Frank Thomas, DH 40 Free Agent (B) Oakland -- 57
Mike Timlin, RP 42 Free Agent Boston -- NR
Koji Uehara, SP 33 Signed Japan Baltimore 2 $10,000,000 NR
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Juan Uribe, SS 29 Signed Chicago Sox San Francisco Minor Lg. 70
Javier Valentin, C 33 Signed Cincinnati Washington Minor Lg. NR
Jason Varitek, C 36 Signed Boston Boston 1 $5,000,000 49
Ramon Vazquez, 3B 32 Signed Texas Pittsburgh 2 $4,000,000 50
Ron Villone, RP 39 Free Agent St. Louis -- NR
Omar Vizquel, SS 41 Signed San Francisco Texas Minor Lg. 80
Daryle Ward, LF 33 Signed Chicago Cubs Cincinnati Minor Lg. 92
David Weathers, RP 39 Signed Cincinnati Cincinnati 1 $3,900,000 41
Ty Wigginton, 3B 31 Signed Houston Baltimore 2 $6,000,000 NR
Brad Wilkerson, RF 31 Signed Toronto Boston Minor Lg. 87
Player Age Status Old Team New Team Years Dollars Rank
Vance Wilson, C 35 Signed Detroit Kansas City Minor Lg. NR
Matt Wise, RP 33 Free Agent NY Mets -- NR
Randy Wolf, SP 32 Signed Houston LA Dodgers 1 $5,000,000 24
Kerry Wood, RP 31 Signed Chicago Cubs Cleveland 2 $20,500,000 13
Jamey Wright, SP 34 Signed Texas Kansas City Minor Lg. NR
Gregg Zaun, C 37 Signed Toronto Baltimore 1 $1,500,000 39
ESPN AT A GLANCE

bman90278

As I look at the list I see many Dodgers on the list and I know they won't resign many of them. They better start making some calls.

I don't see Lowe coming back and it's hard to say about Nomar and his health. Manny will be very busy this off season. Maddox was here on loan and could retire? Blake at 3b was also here for the year and did a fairly good job here, but I would love to see one of the Dodgers prospects step up.

My wish list:

Manny Ramirez and then another pitcher to replace Lowe.

There has to be another bat out there the Dodgers can afford.

larryallen73

I think Nomar will go to the Angels. I think he wants to stay in So Cal. So go to Angel's and play some DH.

I hope the Dodger's sign Manny because it was fun this year with him.

I also hope the Dodger's go after CC.

rube26105

wheres football head
hes so wanted

bman90278

<< <i>I also hope the Dodger's go after CC >>

That would be a great pickup.

gumbyfan

<< <i>

<< <i>I also hope the Dodger's go after CC >>

That would be a great pickup. >>



stop it.

I want CC to sign with the Brewers. (pipe dream)

joestalin

If the Dodgers wanted Manny they would of already said so. A long term deal is what Manny wants, and that isn't going to happen in LA. Will some team
actually give this cancer a long term deal? Probably.

JS

bman90278

<< <i> If the Dodgers wanted Manny they would of already said so. A long term deal is what Manny wants, and that isn't going to happen in LA. Will some team
actually give this cancer a long term deal? Probably.

JS >>



I think the Dodgers have made it clear that they will be in the talks with Manny and have already traded voicmail messages with Boras. The Dodgers have delt with Boras in the past and they know how he works and I would think they will have to have alternate plans in place with other players. Their new ownership certainly knows about what happened with Boras and Kevin Brown when the previous ownership signed him. I also read the Dodgers main priority is to secure an infield as they realize Manny's situation is out of his control. And the Dodgers do have 14 potential free agents that they either need to resign or replace. I just read they are concerned about Russell Martin fading at years end every year and might want Russell Martin more time at 3b as opposed to catching all the time which adds something to the table.

Additionally, they will have to find another 1 or 2 starter as Lowe is probably gone and Penny still could go. They might not resign their closer. I think the Dodgers have lots to do or they could be back in the bottom.

Brian

Steinman

<< <i>wheres football head
hes so wanted >>



There's already an investigation into collusion allegations to keep Bonds off a team. To say he couldn't have helped any team last year after hitting as well as he did in 2007 is silly. He would have been a better DH than half of the players who batted DH in 2008.

It's sad that baseball has turned its back on one of the guys (along with Sosa and McGwire) who was so instrumental in making baseball the multi-billion dollar making machine it has turned into today.

Word is that Lowe is interested in returning to Boston, and after his great year, I doubt that Bradley returns to Texas.

softparade

<< <i> It's sad that baseball has turned its back on one of the guys (along with Sosa and McGwire) who was so instrumental in making baseball the multi-billion dollar making machine it has turned into today.

>>



Thank goodness baseball has turned its back on these cheats. Baseball has always been very resilient and would be a powerhouse even without these cheaters.

Oh, hey Axtell, Whats up? How is the weather in Modesto?

Steinman

<< <i>
Thank goodness baseball has turned its back on these cheats. Baseball has always been very resilient and would be a powerhouse even without these cheaters.
>>



MLB circa 1995 just called and they wanted to call you a liar.

bman90278

From LA Dodgers.com : Scott Boras sets up parameters on Manny. In short he says, Says slugger should be 'treated at the same stature' as A-Rod, Bonds .

Linky

TheVon

I did this last year and thought it was a fun game to play with free agents. You basically guess where the top free agents will sign and assign a confidence level to your pick. If you're right, you get those confidence points added to your total.

MLB's Free Agent Frenzy Game

bman90278

I just saw on Espn.com that, Contract impasse forces Hoffman out of San Diego. Although I'm a Dodger fan I would have loved to see Hoffman finish his career down in San Diego.

Also, The Athletics and Rockies have agreed to terms on a deal that would send slugger Matt Holliday to Oakland.

Treetop

<< <i>I just saw on Espn.com that, Contract impasse forces Hoffman out of San Diego. Although I'm a Dodger fan I would have loved to see Hoffman finish his career down in San Diego.

Also, The Athletics and Rockies have agreed to terms on a deal that would send slugger Matt Holliday to Oakland. >>



With holiday going from the hitting friendly coors field, to the cold damp heavy evening air in Oakland, we'll see if he's a true slugger or not

bman90278

Today could be a big day in signings. I think the Dodgers better get Furcal signed along with a #1 starter because we all know the Dodgers aren't even close in the Manny sweepstakes.

Brian

Goot

Time to resurrect this thread with Winter Meetings going on........

Braves pick up Vazquez, although that was in a trade, to bolster the rotation.

Seems like the real news though is the Rays meeting with Milton Bradley, Jason Giambi, and Bobby Abreu. If we can land one of them, it will hopefully be the answer to the hole in DH/RF that we had last year.

bman90278

The Dodgers signed Casey Blake to a 3 year deal yesterday. I personally think he showed the Dodgers last year he was a solid 3B and does have decent offensive numbers as well. I like the deal because they didn't break the bank and have money left over for a big signing. They also signed Mark Loretta as well. I'm not sure about Loretta...He's had a few really good years as a hitter, but hasn't been able to make the adjustments or repeat his better seasons. I think he will be a good addition as a backup infielder and as a pinch hitter.

Rafael Furcal's Agent says he has narrowed his choices down to 4 teams and the Dodgers are one of them. I personally think the Dodgers better get him signed. When Furcal was healthy at the end of the season and with Blake Dewitt at second, the Dodgers were winning games down the stretch and they both looked great together.

Manny........???????????? Scott Boras isn't saying much, but it seems like Manny isn't getting offers.

Pitching??? The Dodgers are losing Lowe and Penny and who knows if Schmidt will be back? Yes the Dodgers have some good young pitchers, but they all made it clear how important it was having Maddox there for even a short time.

Rumor. I saw somewhere about a possible trade with the Yankees...Basically Cano for Kemp...I don't want to see Kemp get traded, especially when they have Dewitt at second, which frees up salary and Kemp is only getting better.

Barndog

<< <i>Today could be a big day in signings. I think the Dodgers better get Furcal signed along with a #1 starter because we all know the Dodgers aren't even close in the Manny sweepstakes.

Brian >>



what other team is trying to sign Ramirez?

bman90278

<< <i>what other team is trying to sign Ramirez? >>

I don't know Barndog. I haven't heard or seen anything about Manny offers and Boras is being very quiet too. Normally Boras has been very good about doing local inverviews on our radio shows, but I haven't heard him say anything about the Manny sweepstakes.

Barndog

<< <i>

<< <i>what other team is trying to sign Ramirez? >>

I don't know Barndog. I haven't heard or seen anything about Manny offers and Boras is being very quiet too. Normally Boras has been very good about doing local inverviews on our radio shows, but I haven't heard him say anything about the Manny sweepstakes. >>



all good signs for the Dodgers. I suspect there are not too many suitors who are willing to pay Ramirez what the Dodgers have offered as Manny has played the "no mas" card way too often over the last few years.

bman90278

Hey Red Sox fans..The latest from Peter "Red Sox" Gammons blog,



<< <i>John Smoltz wants to come back for another season. He is throwing and thinks he will be ready early next season. The Red Sox have been given his medicals and videos. The feeling is that Boston might be a good fit. >>



What do you think?

Barndog

<< <i>Hey Red Sox fans..The latest from Peter "Red Sox" Gammons blog,



<< <i>John Smoltz wants to come back for another season. He is throwing and thinks he will be ready early next season. The Red Sox have been given his medicals and videos. The feeling is that Boston might be a good fit. >>



What do you think? >>



worth a shot as a 4th starter if the money is right and a team option for 2010 is in there! I'd rather see the Sox go for a more permanent solution with someone like D. Lowe (again) now that he has hid head screwed on straight.

bman90278

It looks like Mark Teixeira is starting to get some big time offers as expected. The Nats are going to offer him 160M for 8 years. The Yanks, Red Sox and the Oriloles are interested too..........Now the million dollar question...What in the hell are the Angels waiting for? He's the guy who you want and he's the guy you need. Stop talking basics and give him an offer.

Brian

bman90278

Just saw this on a blog from Espn's Jayson Stark from yesterday.



<< <i>• A source who spoke with Angels owner Arte Moreno downplayed suggestions from other teams that the Angels are contemplating meeting Boras' 10-year, $200 million price tag for Mark Teixeira. The Angels are "remaining patient" on Teixeira, the source said. But he said Moreno had laid down "very, very definitive parameters" for signing Teixeira. And a $200 million deal wouldn't appear to be one of them. >>

fiveniner

Trevor Hoffman Tigers could sign.

Barndog

Ibanez signs w/ Phils

bman90278

Looks like the Yankees are stepping up to the plate with another big signing.

bman90278

I just wanted to thank the Dodgers for not signing Takashi Saito yesterday. He's 38 and needs Tommy John surgery and he wasn't that good when he was healthy.

Sincerely,
Brian

bman90278

Kerry Wood signs with the Indians for 2 years 20.5 million. I hope Kerry becomes an elite closer in the AL.

mickeymantle24

Who else do you guys expect the Yanks to get??

bman90278

<< <i> Who else do you guys expect the Yanks to get?? >>

So far the signings haven't surprised me. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Yankees make one more big signing. Manny in pin stripes wouldn't surprise me at all as he doesn't seem to be getting the big offer he had hoped for...Teixeira signing in NY would surprise me a little because of the big offers he has, but the NYY have deep deep pockets. Also, with the Yankees going into their new stadium and with George S. in poor health, I think it could be a last chance for the new owner to win a last series for his father.

My prediction is the Yankees will get one more big signing and a few signings of veteran role players, but I don't know who they will get.

bman90278

I was just reading on the Dodgers web site that says, "Meetings show LA's faith in youth , Dodgers make modest moves, show patience with Manny, Furcal?"

I think that's because they haven't been able to sign Manny, Raffael or anyone big yet and not because they are comittments to their youth.

bman90278

Jaimie Moyer signed a 2 year deal with Sillies and it looks like Chan Ho Park will sign there too. I'm happy for Moyer, but could it be risky for Phils to sign Moyer for 2 years at 46?

please express your opinions,
Brian

TravelingWilbury

well moyer pitches better than most 3, 4, 5 guys in the rotations!. dunno if he can last, but good for him.

bman90278

Now Furcal is deciding between the Dodgers and the Braves even though Fox and Espn said Furcal had an agreement pending physical with the Braves. ?????????????????????

bman90278

It looks like Rafael Furcal will be re-signing with the Dodgers, but I will be happy when he signs the contract.

bman90278

I'm very happy the Dodgers signed Furcal, now I can only hope Manny isn't getting any good offers and signs with the Dodgers.

The Yankees are signing Mark Teixeira which is their third big time signing this offseason. Does that mean that New York will run Cashman out of town if the Yanks don't make the playoffs or fail to win it all?? Should be interesting how they do next year.

bman90278

Big Unit signed a 1 yr deal to pitch for the Giants.

Also, I was reading this on ESPN,
Big names have tough choices to make

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Posted by Buster Olney
Baseball's looking glass offseason is halfway over, and there are still more than 100 free agents unsigned. Looking for a future Hall of Famer? Well, you can pick from an array of choices: Ken Griffey Jr., Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Trevor Hoffman, Pedro Martinez, Ivan Rodriguez, etc. And that's not even counting Barry Bonds or Sammy Sosa, who say they are not retired.

A fascinating bidding war -- which says everything about where baseball is, in this time and place of economic strife -- seems to be evolving between the Oakland Athletics and the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Rays and Athletics, whose combined payroll would probably account for about 3½ Yankees, are prepared to be big spenders on a corner outfielder/designated hitter type. Or, at least they're ready to spend big, within the context of this particular winter, which means anywhere from $4 million to $9 million, in all likelihood. There just aren't that many teams willing to dole out a contract that big.

And here's the thing: Both teams might prefer that the other team sign a slugger first, whether it be Jason Giambi or Bobby Abreu or Pat Burrell or Garret Anderson, because it would naturally reduce the leverage of the rest of the field and drive down their asking price.

There are other market forces in play now. The Mets would like a starting pitcher, but just as they ascertained before delving into the bidding for a closer, they realize that they might be the only team ready to give out a sizeable multiyear contract for a starting pitcher -- especially in the aftermath of the Yankees' signing of Mark Teixeira, which is likely to compel the Bombers to fill the last spot in their rotation with a youngster.

The Mets survey the rest of the market, and they see that the Cardinals are not ready to hand out a massive deal for a starter, nor are the Milwaukee Brewers or the Dodgers. The Braves have money to spend but have reportedly determined that they are not interested in signing Derek Lowe. So the Mets can sit back and pluck the best of the starting pitchers, at their price, just as they did with K-Rod; in this case, their choices are likely (1) Oliver Perez, (2) Lowe or (3) Randy Wolf. Heck, the Mets might find themselves in a position to take advantage of a two-for-one sale. That is how far the prices have been depressed. The Mets will be patient, writes Mike Puma.

The Mets also have quietly continued to gauge the market for Luis Castillo, and if they find a taker for at least some of his salary, that would leave them in position to pursue Orlando Hudson, who also is being courted by the Washington Nationals.

So at some point, some of those future Hall of Famers might be asking themselves a question that might have been unthinkable just weeks ago: How much money is required to make playing worthwhile for them? A million bucks? Less? More? How much money does Pedro Martinez engage in the arduous process of readying his body to pitch, through his aches and pains? Of course, there is no guarantee of success at the back end, considering that over the past three years, he has accumulated just 269.2 innings, a 4.74 ERA and a 17-15 record. How much makes it worthwhile for Ken Griffey Jr. -- someone who seemingly places very high value on his time with his children?

It's a pertinent question, in this long cold winter, when even some of the game's greatest stars might find themselves offered what amounts to pocket change in the baseball world

bman90278

Dang, Kerry Wood looks cool in his new uniform. I'd love to see the Tribe get good again.

baseballfan

the O's signed mark henderickson, woo woo

Barndog

if it matters, Fuentes signed by LAA today, two years plus a club option for a third year. Just short of nine million bucks a year

Kingpin

CUBS sign Aaron Miles two years, 4.9 million, then trade Mark DeRosa to Indians for 3 psuedo-prospect pitchers. I pray Jim Hendry has a bigger motive in mind.

Barndog

maybe the Cubs see something in those prospects?

IchiroDeported

nice pickup for the Tribe. I hope they pick up a veteran bat to help the lineup.

bman90278

The LA Dodgers signed Claudio Vargas yesterday. I don't know if he will be a 4th/5th starter or a reliver but he should be able to keep the Dodgers in games.

They still need to replace Penny and hope that Schmidt is back.

Barndog

Gabe Kapler to the TB Rays. One year, one million dollars. I would say the Rays have completed their shopping list.

gumbyfan

<< <i>Gabe Kapler to the TB Rays. One year, one million dollars. I would say the Rays have completed their shopping list. >>



That's a terrific signing for the Rays! I have a bad feeling that the Brewers are going to regret letting him walk.

SanctionII

Isn't it a little early for baseball?

I mean the NFL playoffs are in full swing and March Madness is on the horizon.

bman90278

<< <i> Isn't it a little early for baseball?

I mean the NFL playoffs are in full swing and March Madness is on the horizon. >>



It's not too early for baseball as spring training is just weeks away. Hang in there as football is almost over.

Barndog

baseball is 24/7/365 (366 sometimes) for some of us...and I'm one of those "some of us"