2011-12 MLB Off-Season

[Germaniac]

Jim Thome apparently will sign with the Phillies

Report: Jim Thome signs with Phillies - CBSSports.com

[jbergey22]

Interesting signing for a National League team. He makes a nice left handed bat off of the bench but I sure hope they arent planning on using him as a replacement for Howard if Howard isnt ready early in the year. He is also miserably slow.

With that said if he is JUST a pinch hitter type it is a great move for the phils.

[Le Grande Orange]

I'd say the biggest news this off-season will be the announcement of the new CBA and what changes in procedures it will cause. The Biz of Baseball just had an article on the subject yesterday.

[deanemj]

Originally Posted by Le Grande Orange

I'd say the biggest news this off-season will be the announcement of the new CBA and what changes in procedures it will cause. The Biz of Baseball just had an article on the subject yesterday.

Very much agreed. Hard slotting, if approved, could have some serious implications come draft time. I would be shocked if the MLBPA agrees to this. I mean, that would be like selling out their next generation.

I'm also curious to see if the MLBPA agrees to ban chewing tobacco from the field and dugout.

[Le Grande Orange]

Originally Posted by deanemj

Very much agreed. Hard slotting, if approved, could have some serious implications come draft time. I would be shocked if the MLBPA agrees to this. I mean, that would be like selling out their next generation.

I don't know about that. If the MLBPA was really serious about helping out younger players, they'd insist on higher minor league player salaries (minor league salaries are generally quite low, haven't really changed in many years, and are why the draft signing bonus is so important—it's the only real money a minor league player will see for many years).

The MLBPA could sign off on hard slotting if they get a concession in another area.

[Germaniac]

Crazy, Pappelbon apparently heading to Philadelphia for 50 millions over 4 years

Source: Philadelphia Phillies reach deal with Jonathan*Papelbon - MLB - SI.com

[RBLwebguy]

Originally Posted by Germaniac

Crazy, Pappelbon apparently heading to Philadelphia for 50 millions over 4 years

Source: Philadelphia Phillies reach deal with Jonathan*Papelbon - MLB - SI.com

As a Sox fan, I have mixed emotions on that deal. Pap to me has a bit of an ego issue and it was no secret he was waiting for free agency. Great closer by times and stinker at others. I think there always cheaper options for 3 outs in a close game.

On a seperate note, the Miami Marlins jerseys are ugly!

[Germaniac]

Originally Posted by RBLwebguy

As a Sox fan, I have mixed emotions on that deal. Pap to me has a bit of an ego issue and it was no secret he was waiting for free agency. Great closer by times and stinker at others. I think there always cheaper options for 3 outs in a close game.

I agree ... and a lot of closers lose it suddenly and then you still have to pay them big money.

[Germaniac]

Originally Posted by RBLwebguy

On a seperate note, the Miami Marlins jerseys are ugly!

They probably would look much better with Pujols in them - BTW, I don't think they look that bad

Free agent Albert Pujols receives contract offer from Miami Marlins - ESPN

[deanemj]

I think the new Marlins jerseys are really, REALLY sharp. They are worlds better than the awful pinstripe mess they used to wear. The trim around the collar is a nice touch, as well.

Have you seen the batting practice jersey? It should be their regular home jersey. It's happening, man.

[RBLwebguy]

Originally Posted by deanemj

I think the new Marlins jerseys are really, REALLY sharp. They are worlds better than the awful pinstripe mess they used to wear. The trim around the collar is a nice touch, as well.

Have you seen the batting practice jersey? It should be their regular home jersey. It's happening, man.

To each their own I suppose but I still hate em

[Le Grande Orange]

There have been reports a new CBA may be announced this week. Apparently, it will include some sort of restriction on signing bonuses for players chosen in the amateur draft. In exchange it seems there'll be changes made to free agent compensation. Houston moving to the AL West and an additional wild card qualifier in each league seem all but assured for the 2013 season.

[kenyan_cheena]

Sides close to Major League Baseball labor deal, sources say - ESPN

[Germaniac]

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Sides close to Major League Baseball labor deal, sources say - ESPN

That saves us from these useless lockout stuff like we had this year in the NFL and NBA where millionaires fight billionaires and the fan pays the bill ...

[Cooleyvol]

Not sure how much weight this has, but a St Louis sports radio host is stating that two sources tell him Pujols will resign with the Cards tomorrow.

St. Louis radio station reports Pujols to sign with Cardinals - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

[dsvitak]

Originally Posted by Cooleyvol

Not sure how much weight this has, but a St Louis sports radio host is stating that two sources tell him Pujols will resign with the Cards tomorrow.

St. Louis radio station reports Pujols to sign with Cardinals - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

JC Corcoran is an idiot. He has been fired from most of the St. Louis radio stations.

He has NO background in sports radio.

The local radio station repeating this is AM 550 KTRS.

Personally, I do not believe this.

[kenyan_cheena]

So it looks like the Astros to the AL is really on now for 2013.

We were discussing how they'll do the schedule a few weeks ago and LGO came up with a 72/72/18 split. It'll be interesting to see how they handle the continuous IL matchups.

With 15 teams in each league, each one would take part in the "stand alone" IL matchup once every 45 games, so what happens once they get to the 135-game point of the season and every team has played three stand alones?

It looks like they'll have to spread one more round of stand alones over the final 27 games of the season, which would require having THREE IL series going on at the one time for three of those nine 3-game series. And I assume just one week of six games earlier in the year when it's all IL.

[Germaniac]

Originally Posted by dsvitak

JC Corcoran is an idiot. He has been fired from most of the St. Louis radio stations.

He has NO background in sports radio.

The local radio station repeating this is AM 550 KTRS.

Personally, I do not believe this.

I'm pretty sure Pujols and Fielder will take a few more weeks to wait for the big offers to come in - basically the first contract will tell the second guy what he can get, so I expect the second contract to come shortly after the first has been signed.
In Pujols' case, I wouldn't rush it - he's the big difference-maker out there.

[Cooleyvol]

I'm almost fully in the 'don't resign him' camp as of now. Numbers decrease in each of the last 4 seasons basically across the board.

I don't think a huge long term deal is in the Cardinals' best interest.

[Germaniac]

That's exactly how I view the Brewers situation with Fielder ... I wouldn't even bother making an offer - just wait and see if somebody is willing to put up a 200 million-contract ...