2015 MLB Thread

[Jagger69]

Wasting no time, the Cubs make a really bold move by luring Joe Maddon to the Cubs. As a Cardinal fan, I love this. I want to see the Cubs relevant again and this sure is a step in the right direction. The dude can flat-out manage. I had a feeling he was headed to the NL since managerial strategy is much more in play than in the AL. This should be interesting.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/11786485/joe-maddon-expected-become-chicago-cubs-manager

 

[MustBeGood]

Wasting no time, the Cubs make a really bold move by luring Joe Maddon to the Cubs. As a Cardinal fan, I love this. I want to see the Cubs relevant again and this sure is a step in the right direction. The dude can flat-out manage. I had a feeling he was headed to the NL since managerial strategy is much more in play than in the AL. This should be interesting.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/11786485/joe-maddon-expected-become-chicago-cubs-manager

Nothing new for the Chicago sCrUBS hiring high profile managers. Lou Pinella, Don Baylor, and Dusty Baker all failed. So will Maddon.

The problem is not the goat curse, it is the players under pressure because of over 100 years from last tittle and 60 years from last WS apparance makes them choke since 84' as the media dwells on it when they make the playoffs. Look at the 06' vs the Diamondbacks in one inning all four infielders had a error.

Plus the sCrUBS are no where near the Cardinals, Pirates, and Brewers in talent. Sad because they have just as much money as the NY Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

 

[Jagger69]

Plus the sCrUBS are no where near the Cardinals, Pirates, and Brewers in talent. Sad because they have just as much money as the NY Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

Well maybe not yet but they have some serious talent in the pipeline and, if they get out the checkbook and bring in a solid #1 starter, they could start to make some noise. Maddon is different from those other guys you mentioned. He's spent his entire career successfully developing young players. He's a perfect fit....and remember, I am a Cardinal fan.

 

[barebeaverlover]

Should be an interesting off season. Where do Scherzer, Lester, Shields go? Melky? I'm hoping for a lot of trades this off season.

The Cubs have a great farm system & Maddon is the right manager for them (IMHO)

 

[bobjustbob]

What a wonderful season I've got in front of me. Jeter's canonization has finally ended. Now I'll get A-Rod's return. Sports talk and print will be the crawling up his ass to smell his farts. And then we have the Mets. How do they fix this team? Move the fences in. Funny that the pitchers didn't have any advantage with road parks. They gave up 71 at home and 70 away. Oh wait, Matt Harvey's coming back. Start printing playoff tickets.

 

[John_8581]

Knowing the Mets like we all do .... Matt Harvey on his third start of 2015 will feel discomfort in his rebuilt elbow. He will go on the 60 day disabled list and he'll be done for the season.

 

[MustBeGood]

Well maybe not yet but they have some serious talent in the pipeline and, if they get out the checkbook and bring in a solid #1 starter, they could start to make some noise. Maddon is different from those other guys you mentioned. He's spent his entire career successfully developing young players. He's a perfect fit....and remember, I am a Cardinal fan.

The Ricketts won't spend any money soon as they have started rehabbing Wrigley Field. The bleachers section is first as they already started torip the old ones out after the season ended to rebuild before the 2015 season starts.

 

[Red001]

oh i expect the Cubs to sign one of the big name FA Pitchers and use the surplus depth at SS to get another big time starter and they will compete in 2015

 

[SirHumper]

Just 152 days to go until Spring Training by my count and the Detroit Tigers have a lot of decisions to make and not a lot of time to make them in. There are seven players on the Tigers’ 40 man roster who will become free agents after this season. The team has to decide within five days after the World Series whether they will make a qualifying offer of about $15 million for one season, which would net them a supplemental first round draft pick as compensation should the player sign with another team. Max Scherzer (18-5, 3.15 ERA) and Victor Martinez (32 HR, 103 RBI, .335 BA) are the two biggest names on that list. Torii Hunter (17 HR, 83 RBI, .286 BA) and Joba Chamberlain (2-5, 3,57 ERA) are the are the next biggest names on the list of Tigers free-agents. Scherzer turned down 144 million over 4 years back in March and now he is looking for 200 mil over 6 years. To that, all I can say is good bye and good luck. It’s been reported in the Detroit media that the White Sox are interested in Martinez. However, the Tigers can afford to pay what he is asking and will most likely retain his services. As for Hunter and Chamberlain they are probably both gone.

 

[Mayhem]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/1...ine-nick-markakis-175-million-contract-option

The Baltimore Orioles declined their $17.5 million mutual option on Nick Markakis' contract, perhaps ending the veteran outfielder's nine-year stint in Baltimore.

Markakis will receive a $2 million buyout as part of the six-year, $66.1 million deal he signed with the Orioles in 2009.

The Orioles announced their decision Friday, four days before Markakis can become a free agent. Baltimore also declined its $5 million option on catcher Nick Hundley.

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette told the Baltimore Sun that he hopes to keep Markakis in Baltimore.

"Nick is a dependable players, and the O's would like to continue [their] relationship with him," Duquette told the Sun.

Markakis, 30, batted .276 with 14 home runs and 50 RBIs, helping the Orioles win the AL East for the first time since 1997 and reach the postseason for the second time in the last three years.

Baltimore's first-round draft pick in 2003, Markakis has spent his entire career with the Orioles, batting .290 with 141 homers.

Markakis, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, has at least 10 home runs and 24 doubles in each season of his career.

He committed zero errors in 149 games in the field last season -- 147 in right field. In his entire nine-year career, Markakis has been credited with just 18 errors.

I am completely conflicted about Markakis. Good performer, but I keep thinking we can do better for less.

The Orioles have exercised a $4.75 million option on left-hander Wei-Yin Chen and a $4.25 million option on right-hander Darren O'Day.

Chen, 29, was 16-6 with a 3.54 ERA in 31 starts, setting a career best for wins. He had 54 starts in the past two seasons, two shy of the amount needed for his 2015 salary to become guaranteed at $6 million.

O'Day, 32, was 5-2 with four saves and a career-low 1.70 ERA in 68 games.

If the options had been declined, O'Day would have received a $400,000 buyout and Chen $372,000.

The moves were announced Thursday.

This makes me happy. :thumbsup:

 

[SirHumper]

Tigers make qualifying offers of about $15.5 million for one season to Max Scherzer (18-5, 3.15 ERA) and Victor Martinez (32 HR, 103 RBI, .335 BA) and release left-handed hitting outfielder Andy Dirks outright. Two days ago one of the items listed on Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski's shopping list this winter is a left-handed hitting outfielder to platoon with Rajai Davis. And what is the first thing he did…? Release left-handed hitting outfielder Andy Dirks who was immediately claimed off waivers by Toronto. If he wanted to dump Dirks, why not first offer him in a trade or as part of a trade for a centerfielder or relief pitcher. As things stand now the Tigers receive nothing in return for Dirks, who before he was injured batted .322 in 2012. Dirks is essentially a corner outfielder but has played centerfield in the past both in Detroit and Toledo. Remember too, he won a gold-glove two years ago. Injuries not withstanding, I have to believe he still had some value, at least the people in Toronto seem to think so.

 

[Ace Bandage]

Nothing new for the Chicago sCrUBS hiring high profile managers. Lou Pinella, Don Baylor, and Dusty Baker all failed. So will Maddon.

Sweet Lou won 2 division titles and Dusty took the Cubs to the NLCS. I'd hardly call that failing. Only one team can win the WS each year.

Plus the sCrUBS are no where near the Cardinals, Pirates, and Brewers in talent. Sad because they have just as much money as the NY Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

Side note: I never take an argument seriously when the person tries to make a joke out of the team's name. Scrubs, really? Are you a fucking child?

1. The Cubs had the 3rd lowest payroll in baseball this year and over 40% of it was to Edwin Jackson who will probably be dealt somewhere else. So they aren't spending... yet.
2. The Cubs are incredibly talented right now. Though they are very young. Rizzo and Castro are the anchors (though I think Starlin will get traded). Jorge Soler, Arismendy Alcantra, Albert Almora, Addison Russell, Jake Arrieta, Javier Baez, and Kyle Hendricks are the future. Along with Kris Bryant who hit 44 HR this year between Iowa and Tennessee. The Cubs are full up on talented young players.
3. Chicago will add one starting pitcher during the off-season (possibly 2). Shields, Lester, or Scherzer will be on the North Side next year.

The Cubs aren't going to win it all next year, but they're going to compete. And in a couple of years, when it all falls together, they're going to be pretty damn good. Maddon is the perfect manager to guide this team. They're going places, and if you can't see that, you're kidding yourself. You're simply dismissing them because you don't like the team. Your hate is blinding you, Padawan.

 

[SirHumper]

Latest Detroit Tigers rumors:

The Detroit Tigers have arguably the best pitcher and the best hitter among the 2015 free agent class, with Max Scherzer and Victor Martinez. Scherzer has already turned down a lucrative offer of 144 Million over 4 years to remain with the team, so losing him would not be a big shock. Re-signing Martinez is expected to be a top priority for GM Dave Dombrowski this off season.

The latest rumors call for Scherzer to sign with the Yankees for 6-years 200 mil and Martinez to sign with the White Sox for 4-years 80 mil and Baltimore left handed pitcher Andrew Miller to sign with Detroit. Torii Hunter is predicted to sign a 1-year deal with the Texas Rangers.

Note: Hunter is 40 and lives in Texas.

 

[MustBeGood]

Sweet Lou won 2 division titles and Dusty took the Cubs to the NLCS. I'd hardly call that failing. Only one team can win the WS each year.


Side note: I never take an argument seriously when the person tries to make a joke out of the team's name. Scrubs, really? Are you a fucking child?

1. The Cubs had the 3rd lowest payroll in baseball this year and over 40% of it was to Edwin Jackson who will probably be dealt somewhere else. So they aren't spending... yet.
2. The Cubs are incredibly talented right now. Though they are very young. Rizzo and Castro are the anchors (though I think Starlin will get traded). Jorge Soler, Arismendy Alcantra, Albert Almora, Addison Russell, Jake Arrieta, Javier Baez, and Kyle Hendricks are the future. Along with Kris Bryant who hit 44 HR this year between Iowa and Tennessee. The Cubs are full up on talented young players.
3. Chicago will add one starting pitcher during the off-season (possibly 2). Shields, Lester, or Scherzer will be on the North Side next year.

The Cubs aren't going to win it all next year, but they're going to compete. And in a couple of years, when it all falls together, they're going to be pretty damn good. Maddon is the perfect manager to guide this team. They're going places, and if you can't see that, you're kidding yourself. You're simply dismissing them because you don't like the team. Your hate is blinding you, Padawan.

Seeing is believing in my book from what is on paper. Yes grabbing a number 1 pitching ace will help with Arrrieta as their #2. But the jury will be out on Hendricks, as plenty of teams have young pitchers that look good, but hitters sooner or later make some look not so promising but just average when they learn their stuff.

For hitting, young talent takes time, like Baez started hot when he was called up but was near .210 batting average by the end of the year. if the Cubs do have money, I would grab at least two vets that can help the young talent out on the condition side. Other wise you guys are taking the Houston Astros approach with young hitters but after about four years there they still are basement dwellers in the AL West.

But maybe Maddon is the right guy to develop the young talent. We will see.

 

[Jagger69]

Sweet Lou won 2 division titles and Dusty took the Cubs to the NLCS. I'd hardly call that failing. Only one team can win the WS each year.


Side note: I never take an argument seriously when the person tries to make a joke out of the team's name. Scrubs, really? Are you a fucking child?

1. The Cubs had the 3rd lowest payroll in baseball this year and over 40% of it was to Edwin Jackson who will probably be dealt somewhere else. So they aren't spending... yet.
2. The Cubs are incredibly talented right now. Though they are very young. Rizzo and Castro are the anchors (though I think Starlin will get traded). Jorge Soler, Arismendy Alcantra, Albert Almora, Addison Russell, Jake Arrieta, Javier Baez, and Kyle Hendricks are the future. Along with Kris Bryant who hit 44 HR this year between Iowa and Tennessee. The Cubs are full up on talented young players.
3. Chicago will add one starting pitcher during the off-season (possibly 2). Shields, Lester, or Scherzer will be on the North Side next year.

The Cubs aren't going to win it all next year, but they're going to compete. And in a couple of years, when it all falls together, they're going to be pretty damn good. Maddon is the perfect manager to guide this team. They're going places, and if you can't see that, you're kidding yourself. You're simply dismissing them because you don't like the team. Your hate is blinding you, Padawan.

A Cardinal fan agrees with this....and that speaks volumes. Just ask a Cubs fan. :clap:

 

[TheAdmiral]

Pablo Sandoval rejects the Giants $15.3 million qualifying offer, making him a free agent

 

[Jagger69]

Pablo Sandoval rejects the Giants $15.3 million qualifying offer, making him a free agent

Look for Tony LaRussa to make a serious bid for his services.

 

[TheAdmiral]

Cubs agree to $4M, 1 year deal with LHP Tsuyoshi Wada.

Wada is eligible for $2 million in bonuses under the new deal.

$1.5 million for games started
- $250K for games 13, 17, 20, 23, 27, 30

$100K for 60, 90, 120, 150, and 165 days on the active roster

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ad84e489a7234ad880aeabe4768f342f/cubs-agree-1-year-deal-lhp-wada

 

[MustBeGood]

Pablo Sandoval rejects the Giants $15.3 million qualifying offer, making him a free agent

Look for Tony LaRussa to make a serious bid for his services.

Panda Bear is looking for a 5/$90 million contract.

Good luck with that.

 

[Ace Bandage]

SI.com reports that the Yankees aren't going after Scherzer, Lester, Shields, or Sandoval.

Awesome. That increases Chicago's chance in landing one if not two of the three best pitchers available. I also think they're going to pursue Russell Martin. They could really use his leadership and his bat. And let's face it, anything is an upgrade over Wellington Castillo.


Side note: Joe Maddon had the greatest introductory press conference ever. In the history of man. I'll just leave it here: