RealGM

Schadenfreude wrote:
I'll put up a separate thread for the AL East only, either now (if it won't disappear into an ignominious grave on the 13th page), or once the season begins...your choice.

Twelve-time All-Star Manny Ramirez plans to continue his baseball career in Taiwan this season, assuming he doesn't receive a Major League deal within the next week.

Ramirez, who had hoped to return to the Majors this season, told ESPNDeportes.com that he has a verbal deal in place with the EDA Rhinos of the China Professional Baseball League. If Ramirez has not received a Major League offer by March 7, he plans to commit to the Rhinos.

The 40-year-old slugger played winter ball in the Dominican Republic for the first time in 18 years this offseason, hitting .298 with eight homers and 27 RBIs in 181 at-bats with Aguilas Cibaenas. So far, that performance wasn't enough to garner enough interest for Ramirez to make another comeback attempt.

He signed a Minor League contract with Oakland last year, but never cracked the Major League roster and eventually asked for his release. He hit .302 with three doubles and 14 RBIs in 17 games with Triple-A Sacramento after serving a 50-game suspension, stemming from his second violation of MLB's drug policy in April 2011.

Yes, the Houston Astros have the smallest payroll in baseball. Yes, A-Rod will make more than their entire team this season. Yes, they're likely to lose the most games in 2013 (again).
And no, owner Jim Crane, doesn't plan on ponying up any more cash to appease fans upset at the team's frugal $25 million roster. In fact, he told the Wall Street Journal:
"It doesn't bother me that people want us to spend more money," Crane said. "But it's not their money. This is a private company, even though it's got a public flair to it. If they want to write a check for 10 million bucks, they can give me a call."

[...]"I didn't make $100 million by making a lot of dumb mistakes," Crane said. "We're not going to get everything right, but we're going to get a lot right."

The Diamondbacks have traded John McDonald to the Pirates for a player to be named or cash.

The trade came two days after Pittsburgh backup shortstop Chase d'Arnaud, injured in a rundown drill earlier, had surgery for a torn ligament in his left thumb.

McDonald, 38, hit .249 with six homers and 22 RBIs in 70 games for Arizona last season.

SharoneWright wrote:Brewers get Lohse: 3 yrs/ 33M

Mak wrote:

SharoneWright wrote:Brewers get Lohse: 3 yrs/ 33M

What am I missing here? Is it just because of the draft pick???

zong wrote:So what's the deal with Francisco Rodriguez and Jose Valverde, have they simply lost their effectiveness and command?

According to ESPN.com, Verlander’s new deal will make him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball. Felix Hernandez had that designation when he signed a seven-year, $175 million deal earlier in the off-season.

Verlander will make $20 million for each of the next two seasons, then $28 million annually 2015-2019, leading up to option.

LittleOzzy wrote:First game of the season on in 10 minutes on TSN2.

Wo1verine wrote:ASTROS

Altuve 2B
Wallace 1B
Carter LF
Pena DH
Maxwell CF
Castro C
Dominguez 3B
Barnes RF
Cedeno SS

Norris P.

torontoaces04 wrote:I don't remember what writer made this point, but it was a good one...The Angels Athletics, and Rangers are going to have the benefit of beating up on the Astros 19 TIMES!!!! That's going to go a long way when it comes down to determining wildcard teams.

Tyrone Slothrop wrote:Pretty much every writer???