OT: 2013 MLB Around The League Thread

Post #1 » by **Schad** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 10:53 pm

Spring Training is underway, so we need a thread about the random detritus from around the league that doesn't quite merit its own topic.

This be that thread.

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.

Yay for baseball.

Ado05 · Post #2 » by **Ado05** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 10:56 pm

I think it should be "Around the League", tbh.

Post #3 » by **LittleOzzy** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 12:09 am

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.

I say do it now, we can always bump it on the first day of the season.

SharoneWright · Post #4 » by **SharoneWright** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:07 am

Mike Tuna? 241lbs...

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/stor ... oscia-says

Post #5 » by **LittleOzzy** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 5:18 pm

Barring late MLB offer, Manny to play in Taiwan

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.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd ... b&c_id=mlb

Post #6 » by **Schad** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 12:14 am

Man, Astros fans must be glad that they finally got out from under the shackles of their previous owner. PR blitz ahoy:

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."

They're actually doing things the right way, but pointing to your personal wealth and telling fans to quit whining that you aren't spending it is something of a dick move.

Post #7 » by **LittleOzzy** » Thu Mar 21, 2013 4:04 pm

Pirates Acquire McDonald From Diamondbacks

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.

http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... mondbacks/

SharoneWright · Post #8 » by **SharoneWright** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 10:19 pm

Brewers get Lohse: 3 yrs/ 33M

Mak · Post #9 » by **Mak** » Mon Mar 25, 2013 11:47 pm

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

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

Post #10 » by **Schad** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 12:19 am

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

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

The draft pick, plus the fact that Lohse was pretty much the definition of mediocre before posting great age 32 and 33 seasons, and by advanced metrics he was largely average even in those two years. Suspect that he was looking for bigger money than that initially, given that he turned down a QO north of $13m to hit free agency. That and the fact that Scott Boras thinks that $15m/year over four is the minimum that any player under his tutelage ought to receive, provided they have both their original legs.

zong · Post #11 » by **zong** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 7:06 am

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

Holmes · Post #12 » by **Holmes** » Tue Mar 26, 2013 2:19 pm

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

I'm pretty sure one of them will end up being a Jay at some point as a result of a panic signing when our weak bullpen implodes by the end of May.

Post #13 » by **LittleOzzy** » Fri Mar 29, 2013 5:29 pm

Tigers give Verlander five-year extension

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.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/ti ... extension/

Post #14 » by **LittleOzzy** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 11:50 pm

First game of the season on in 10 minutes on TSN2.

Wo1verine · Post #15 » by **Wo1verine** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 11:51 pm

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

Texas wins by at least 5 runs, i think.

Wo1verine · Post #16 » by **Wo1verine** » Sun Mar 31, 2013 11:53 pm

RANGERS

Kinsler 2B
Andrus SS
Berkman DH
Beltre 3B
Murphy LF
Cruz RF
Pierzynski C
Moreland 1B
Martin, L. CF

Harrison P

ASTROS

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

Norris P.

torontoaces04 · Post #17 » by **torontoaces04** » Mon Apr 1, 2013 12:05 am

Wo1verine wrote:ASTROS

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

Norris P.

Wow....just brutal.

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 · Post #18 » by **Tyrone Slothrop** » Mon Apr 1, 2013 12:14 am

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.

Pretty much every writer???

flatjacket1 · Post #19 » by **flatjacket1** » Mon Apr 1, 2013 12:15 am

Tyrone Slothrop wrote:Pretty much every writer???

Hahah agreed. It's be widely talked about, but it still remains true.

This is exactly why the AL East will be lucky to get 1 wildcard.

s e n s i · Post #20 » by **s e n s i** » Mon Apr 1, 2013 12:24 am

is chris carter the worst 3 hitter in all of baseball?

what a sad state of affairs for the 'stros. 50 wins looks like a possibility with this group.