DODGERS AROUND the MLB Thread

Discussion in 'Los Angeles DODGERS' started by irish, Feb 9, 2014.

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  1. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

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    :yawn: :whack:

    7 MLB Players Making Trade Rumors Swirl
    by Eric Schaal | Wall Street Cheat Sheet Sports
    February 09, 2014

    Snow may be blanketing much of the United States, but Arizona’s sunny skies have already welcomed the first Major League Baseball team to Spring Training 2014. That means teams had better scramble if they want to solidify weak spots and plug holes prior to Opening Day. As to be expected, trade rumors are swirling heavily around contenders and pretenders alike.

    A quick glance at the field shows a glut of second basemen on the trading block while numerous free agent pitchers still don’t have job in 2014. Here are seven MLB trade targets worth notice in the run up to the 2014 MLB season.

    1. David Price, Tampa Bay Rays

    Why on earth would a low budget team trade one of the league’s top pitchers with two years left under club control? That’s how the Tampa Bay Rays do their business — developing great players and selling them at peak value. Dealing David Price would mean parting with their staff leader and primary option on the hill, but the return could be spectacular.​

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    The 29-year-old Price is only one season removed from a 20-5, 2.56 ERA campaign that nabbed him AL Cy Young honors. At $14 million in salary arbitration, he’s a steal for any contender. Following the injury to Jeremy Hellickson, the price of Price will be even higher. While it’s easy to forget the Rays have a legitimate shot at winning the AL East in 2014, insiders like Ken Rosenthal point to Tampa’s financial situation as a reason why a trade could still make sense.

    2. Danny Espinosa, Washington Nationals

    Espinosa was rock-solid for the Washington Nationals in 2011 and 2012. Then 2o13 happened. Plagued by injuries and poor performance, the second baseman found himself at Triple-A Syracuse where hit an awful .216 in nearly half a season. At age 26, there are plenty of teams willing to bet there’s a big upside in Danny Espinosa. So far, at least twelve teams have reportedly asked the Nats about a trade.​

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    Right now, he will have a shot at making the big-league club and could slot as a utility infielder. Nationals GM Mike Rizzo doesn’t look ready to dump Espinosa unless the price is right.

    3. Brett Gardner, New York Yankees

    Upon the signing of Jacoby Ellsbury, the Yankees’ Brett Gardner was expected to play left field. That’s where Alfonso Soriano and Vernon Wells played in 2013. Then the Yankees signed Carlos Beltran, giving them six outfielders for three spots (Ichiro Suzuki is the sixth.) Even with the release of Wells, rumors about a potential trade for Gardner make sense. In fact, New York already nixed a straight-up deal involving Gardner for Cincinnati’s Brandon Phillips.​

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    The Yankees have the biggest holes in the left side of the infield. Any deal that put Gardner on the block for a third baseman would intrigue Yankees GM Brian Cashman. Then again, putting Gardner, Soriano, and Ichiro in a lineup with Ellsbury would give the Yankees a ton of speed. Likewise, Garder patrolling left field with Ellsbury in center and Ichiro (or Beltran) in right would give the Yankees one of the best outfields in the game. Cashman would need the proverbial “offer he can’t refuse” to set that aside.

    4. Jeff Smardzija, Chicago Cubs

    Take big righty Jeff Smardzija out of the Chicago rotation and there’s a huge hole to fill. Leave the ex-Notre Dame receiver in and the Cubs are still guaranteed to have a poor showing in 2014. GM Theo Epstein will face this dilemma before Opening Day and as soon as the Cubs start sputtering. Without a contract, it will be hard to keep Smardzija on board.​

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    Interest in Smardzija has been heavy. The 29-year-old righthander averaged more than one strikeout per nine innings in 2013 and will get $6.2 million at most in arbitration. Countless teams are willing to take a chance Smardzija could control his ballooning earned-run average with a change of scenery. As always with pitching, it’s a seller’s market.

    5. Jose Lobaton, Tampa Bay Rays

    He may not be a household name, but Jose Lobaton took center stage in the 2013 AL Division Series when he cranked a walk-off home run off Red Sox closer Koji Uehara to seal a Game 3 victory for the Rays. For most of his career in Tampa, Lobaton has been a dependable catcher with average offensive skills at best.​

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    However, at the age of 29, Lobaton has room to grow and not much of a place in Tampa Bay following the acquisition of Ryan Hanigan. The Washington Nationals repeatedly have expressed interest in Lobaton to back up Wilson Ramos. Cost-wise, Lobaton is very cheap for teams. He has an annual salary below $1 million and four more years under club control, which makes him eligible for arbitration but not free agency until the 2018 season.

    6. Dan Uggla, Atlanta Braves

    Braves second baseman Dan Uggla doesn’t get cheated at the plate, but lately that’s meant a low batting average and high strikeout totals to go along with his considerable home-run power. Uggla hit well below the Mendoza Line in 2013 with a dismal .179 batting average. Paired with a career-high 171 strikeouts, there isn’t a terrible amount of value for the three-time All Star.​

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    Atlanta is hoping Uggla will get off to hot start in spring of 2014 so they can deal the forearm basher for a player of some value. The relative glut of second basemen on the market — including Brandon Phillips and Danny Espinosa — complicates things for the Braves.

    7. Ichiro Suzuki, New York Yankees

    The eternally young Ichiro still has value for clubs at age 40, but his $6.5 million salary and limited offense will make him difficult to deal. Nonetheless, the Yankees have five outifelders, three of whom were high-profile acquisitions in Beltran, Ellsbury, and Soriano. Ichiro is going to see limited action with this crew on the roster and Brett Gardner avoiding a trade before the season.​

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    Clubs hoping to get a boost in media coverage and defensive help could conceivably inquire about Ichiro, who is an excellent clubhouse presence and bona fide rock star in terms of personality. As the greatest position player to ever emerge from Japan, Ichiro’s pride and talent defy his age at times. It would have to include the Yankees eating part of his salary. A deal for Arizona’s J.J. Putz, which Fox’s Ken Rosenthal proposed, isn’t based on any substantive talks.​

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  2. mugs

    mugs DSP Regular

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  3. BLB552000

    BLB552000 Well-Known Member

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  4. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

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    amen bro, seems like these offseasons get longer every year :waiting:
     
  5. southerndodgerfan

    southerndodgerfan Dodgers Enthusiast

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    Beckett enjoys successful first bullpen session
    Right-hander ready to compete for fifth spot in Dodgers' starting rotation
    By Ken Gurnick | MLB.com -- 2/10/2014 1:40pm ET

    [​IMG]

    GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Josh Beckett has texted enough with Chris Carpenterto know that the medical condition they share can end a pitcher's career, as it did Carpenter's.

    But Beckett said it won't end his.

    The Dodgers right-hander seemed to back that up with his first bullpen session on Monday, throwing 30 pitches free and easy. At no time did Beckett stop to rub the feeling back into numb fingers, as he often did last Spring Training in what proved to be a hint that something was wrong.

    Beckett said the thoracic outlet surgery that cut short last season has solved the numbness and tingling he had felt "for years." He said he's ready to reclaim his role in the Dodgers' rotation as the fifth starter, knowing the club has enough doubt about his health that it chased Bronson Arroyo and signed Paul Maholm for protection.
    Despite Maholm's presence, manager Don Mattingly sounds like it's still Beckett's job to lose.

    "It's just if he's healthy," Mattingly said. "Josh throws the ball good. He's been a quality pitcher for a long time and he still has good stuff. How he bounces back, we'll see. We've had nothing but positive reports all winter. Josh has never been in the 'pen [but neither has Maholm]. Obviously, it's a competitive situation. We're not handing anything out for anybody. If he's healthy, we'll see."

    Stopping short of saying he's willing to be a reliever, Beckett did say he wants to remain a Dodger and make up for last year, when he missed the last 4 1/2 months of the season.

    "I felt they treated me really good through everything, and I feel like I want to repay that," he said.

    The Dodgers acquired Beckett in the 2012 blockbuster trade with Boston that also brought Adrian Gonzalez, Nick Punto and Carl Crawford to Los Angeles. Beckett went 2-3 with a 2.97 ERA for the Dodgers that season, but was 0-5 with a 5.19 ERA when he hit the disabled list on May 14 last year.

    Although he's in his 13th season and is seven years removed from a runner-up finish for the American League Cy Young Award, Beckett, 33, believes he's still got plenty left. He said he never felt pain or really lost velocity because of the injury, but the rib that had compressed the nerve and artery near his neck dulled his touch and "I had no idea where [the baseball] was going to go."

    But now, "I'm not tentative," Beckett said. "I'm going to throw as hard as I can and see what happens. Right now, I feel great. I'll throw the ball until I blow out and I'm hoping that's not for a few more years."

    The July surgery that Dallas' Dr. Greg Pearl (also Carpenter's surgeon) performed on Beckett removed the first rib, an intricate procedure that requires cutting away the nerves and connective tissue front and back. Beckett said he threw two bullpen sessions in Texas before Monday's stint at Camelback Ranch, leaving "no doubt" that he's healthy.

    "I feel I'm throwing as hard with less effort as last year," he said.

    Beckett said he's had issues with his neck in past years and numbness when he awoke, which he traces back to the same problem. He said Carpenter's surgery was "more complicated" than his, but communication with Carpenter "helped me a lot and got me through the mental part."

    Beckett said there are little signs that tell him he's better, like the fact that he can now maneuver the steering wheel of his car with his right hand.

    "I was ecstatic about that," he said. "It's crazy how the simple things become difficult to do."

    The impressive bullpen session on Monday was Beckett's way to validate Mattingly's approach that Beckett is presumed to be "a regular guy" as compared to "a rehab guy" in this camp.

    "I'm far advanced for February," Beckett said. "I'm probably not going to start Opening Day in Australia. They're paying a guy [Clayton Kershaw] a lot of money to do that. Not all of us are getting ready for those days [in Australia]. Some of us have a little more time than it appears we do."

    Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
     
  6. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

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    hope he goes 0-22
    lol, philly... obviously didn't want to play anywhere where there was any pressure/expectation to win

    By Steve Adams [February 12 at 10:53am CST]​

    The Phillies have agreed to a one-year, $16MM deal with A.J. Burnett, reports Hayden Balgavy of THV 11 in Arkansas (Twitter links). Burnett is represented by Frontline Athlete Management.​

    Burnett's future was shrouded in mystery for much of the offseason, as he took considerably longer than originally expected to determine whether he would pitch in 2014 or retire. He said near season's end that he was "50-50" on the decision and added that if he pitched again, he would do so in a Pirates' uniform. Clearly that line of thinking changed, perhaps when Pittsburgh declined to make him a $14.1MM qualifying offer. Burnett earned $16.5MM in 2013, but Pittsburgh was only on the hook for $8MM of that total, as the Yankees paid a large portion of his salary when trading him to the Pirates prior to the 2012 campaign.​

    In Pittsburgh, Burnett revitalized a career that looked to be on its downswing following the second and third seasons of a five-year, $82.5MM contract he signed with the Yankees in the 2008-09 offseason. Burnett posted a 5.20 ERA with 7.6 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in 3777 innings from 2010-11 with New York, prompting GM Brian Cashman to trade him to Pittsburgh in exchange for salary relief and a pair of marginal prospects (Exicardo Cayones and Diego Moreno).​

    The Pirates paid Burnett just $13MM from 2012-13 and were rewarded for their leap of faith, as Burnett turned in an outstanding 3.41 ERA with 8.9 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 393 1/3 innings. His ground-ball rate soared to 56.7 percent in that two-year span, tying him with Justin Masterson for the second-best mark in all of baseball among qualified starters (Trevor Cahill was first).​

    While it's a surprise to see the Phillies sign Burnett, it's not a surprise to see general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. swing a deal that few would have anticipated early in the offseason. Amaro himself said early on that he would try to be creative in seeking significant upgrades that few would expect. This isn't the first time he's inked an unexpected free agent either. When Cliff Lee signed his five-year, $125MM contract in Philadelphia, most of the baseball world was anticipating that he would end up with either the Yankees or the Rangers.​

    Burnett will add to a Phillies rotation that is fronted by Lee and Hamels, slotting in as a strong No. 3 option behind that pair of ace-caliber southpaws. Kyle Kendrick should hold down the fourth slot, while fellow offseason signee Roberto Hernandez and Cuban right-hander Miguel Alfredo Gonazlez figure to battle for the final spot in manager Ryne Sandberg's rotation.​

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  7. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

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    Derek Jeter To Retire After 2014
    By Jeff Todd [February 12 at 1:11pm CST]

    Legendary Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter announced today on his Facebook page that he will retire after the 2014 season (hat tip to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News). Jeter re-signed with the Yankees -- the only franchise he's ever played for -- earlier in the off-season.


    update...

    By Jeff Todd [February 12 at 1:11pm CST]​

    Legendary Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter announced today on his Facebook page that he will retire after the 2014 season (hat tip to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News, whose colleague Mark Feinsand tweets that agent Casey Close has confirmed the retirement). Jeter, who turns 40 in June, re-signed with the Yankees -- the only franchise he's ever played for -- earlier in the off-season. ​

    The coming season will be Jeter's 20th MLB campaign (though he saw just 51 plate appearances in his first taste of MLB action at age 21). Taken with the sixth overall pick of the 1992 draft, Jeter performed consistently in his rise through the system, and never looked back upon making the Yankees. Since becoming a full-time big leaguer in 1996, Jeter went 17 straight years with at least 542 trips to the dish. Over that stretch, Jeter posted a composite .313/.382/.448 line with 255 home runs and 348 stolen bases. Needless to say, his standard of consistent excellence has been matched by few others.​

    That run of good health came to an end last year, which Jeter says is a major reason for his decision today. "Last year was a tough one for me," said Jeter. "As I suffered through a bunch of injuries, I realized that some of the things that always came easily to me and were always fun had started to become a struggle."

    Indeed, while things always did seem to come easily to the shortstop, he was perhaps better known for his hard work and leadership. The Yanks' emergence from mediocrity and notable run of success aligns quite clearly with his career: the team qualified for the post-season in all but two of Jeter's seasons (2008 and 2013). Over that span, the team won added five World Series victories to New York's tally. And Jeter was even better in the post-season, posting a lifetime .308/.374/.465 triple-slash in a remarkable 734 career post-season plate appearances.​

    Along the way, of course, Jeter racked up ample amounts of individual hardware, including 13 All-Star appearances, five Silver Sluggers, the 1996 AL Rookie of the Year Award, and the 2000 World Series MVP. Somewhat surprisingly, particularly given his high profile, he never took home an American League MVP nod.​

    He was also awarded five Gold Glove awards, somewhat more controversially. Proponents of advanced metrics argue that Jeter has actually been rather a poor defensive shortstop: though he makes few errors, neither does he have much range. (Jeter has been worth -147 Defensive Runs Saved and a -67.8 UZR.)​

    Whatever one thinks of Jeter as a defender, he has unquestionably put up a Hall of Fame-worthy career. That inevitability was likely sealed when he notched his 3,000th hit, but is also supported by the numbers. Jeter has racked up a total of 71.6 rWAR and 73.8 fWAR to date, which places him at 58th and 45th, respectively, on the all-time list of position players. ​

    For the Yankees, Jeter's retirement confirms what had been suspected: the team needs a new shortstop for 2015 and beyond. Though Brendan Ryan will remain under contract, he does not profile as a starter on a team that hopes to win championships. At least one team executive told Joel Sherman of the New York Post that he did not know that Jeter planned to retire (Twitter link), so it is at least conceivable that today's announcement could have some impact on whether New York looks to make any more moves before embarking on the 2014 season.​

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  8. carolinabluedodger

    carolinabluedodger DSP Legend

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    I'm kinda surprised he got that kinda coin for his age 37 season. I mean, he was considering retirement at one point. It won't matter though, Philly is aging fast and won't contend unless major calamity strikes Atlanta and Washington.
     
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  9. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

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    last of a dying breed
    a star player who plays his entire career with one team
    gwynn, cal and now jeter
    a lot of people say he overrated
    i say just the opposite... if anything he's under-valued and under-appreciated
    a lot of what he's done doesn't always show up in the box score
    but the guy always hustled and was the heart and sole of those great yankee teams of the late 90's/early 2000's
    imo (and it's just that) they wouldn't have won as many without him
    plus, in this day of attention-starved, self-serving, look at me, dramaqueen ckunts... you never read anything about jeter abusing women, breaking laws, doing drugs or anything like that
    imo (again, just that) if he were a dodger we'd all be praising his accomplishments
    but to me he's an all-time great

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  10. IBleedBlue15

    IBleedBlue15 DSP Stud

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    I feel old.
     
  11. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

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    nah son
    i have herpes blisters and anal warts older than you
     
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  12. IBleedBlue15

    IBleedBlue15 DSP Stud

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    Jeter retiring will do that to you. I remember when him and A-Rod were the dream team back when I first started following baseball.
     
  13. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

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    nomah too
     
  14. southerndodgerfan

    southerndodgerfan Dodgers Enthusiast

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    That's right, it was the era of the SS. It was Jeter, Aroid, Nomar, and Tejada. Last one leaving, please turn out the lights.
     
  15. MZA

    MZA MODERATOR Staff Member

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    He's retiring because baseball and rehabbing are taking away from his true passion, fucking bitches.
     
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  16. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

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    playa's gotz 2 play
     
  17. irish

    irish DSP Staff Member Administrator

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    • A.J. Burnett's deal with the Phillies includes a mutual option for 2015 as well as a limited no-trade clause, reports MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. The option value has not yet been reported.
    i could very easily see this blowing up in the phils faces
    and i would fucken love it
     
  18. Dodgers99

    Dodgers99 DSP Legend

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    I suspect ATL will take a big step back unless BJ has a bounce back year and Uggla reverts to his 2011 or 12 form.

    Burnett could be a great trade chip, unless he got an NTC cutting everything west of Texas.

    EDIT: Just saw what Irish posted.
     
  19. N.Z

    N.Z DSP Legend

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    Jessica Biel five years ago. Respect to the man.
     
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  20. BlueMouse

    BlueMouse 2020 World Champions

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    Good move by the Phillies. The Phillies don't have a lot of bad contracts on the books or anything... oh wait...
     
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