Official: Offseason Around MLB Thread

Rice Cube said:

This might be extreme but I was thinking they just tell the Giants they want to pick up the entire portion of Lincecum's remainder-of-contract without having to surrender any prospects in return. Or at least pay most of it and only give back a lame pitching prospect like Lendy Castillo. I'm mostly looking for ways to just buy pitching without having to sacrifice whatever depth the Cubs have.

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Yeah I don't see a deal happening if the Cubs aren't able to dump a contract they don't want (damn you Soriano) and or give up nothing and "buy" pitching. And because of that I doubt it happens.

dabynsky said:

Yeah I don't see a deal happening if the Cubs aren't able to dump a contract they don't want (damn you Soriano) and or give up nothing and "buy" pitching. And because of that I doubt it happens.

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The conspiracy theory is that if the Cubs are able to help the Giants free up the sum of Lincecum's contract, then SF can blow that money on a guy like Josh Hamilton instead. So there's a possibility, but we all know it's a long shot. Fun to think about though.

Rice Cube said:

The conspiracy theory is that if the Cubs are able to help the Giants free up the sum of Lincecum's contract, then SF can blow that money on a guy like Josh Hamilton instead. So there's a possibility, but we all know it's a long shot. Fun to think about though.

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The Cubs, Yankees and Dodgers are probably the only clubs that could take on that 22 million gamble. So if that is what the Giants are thinking then...

[video=youtube;KX5jNnDMfxA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX5jNnDMfxA[/video]

Looks like the Cubs have been busy today. Will scour the twitters and post updates in a few.

Here we go...

Bruce Miles reports Cubs name David Bell 3B coach, James Rowson stays as hitting coach and give assistant GM Randy Bush 3 yr extension

ESPN REPORTS: Head Trainer Mark O'Neal will step down from his post but stay with the organization.

The Cubs have signed Shane Farrell to their amateur scouting department. He's the son of new Red Sox manager John Farrell.

Btw, that Pineda for Montero deal doesn't look so good for the Yanks right now.

Yanks lack youth, might be regretting that deal right now.

Yes I know they needed pitching but Pineda is a big question mark.

Pineda got injured and reports are he might not be ready until June. That's more bad luck than anything, at the time of the trade it wasn't a terrible idea. Sometimes you just lose.

A-Rod to Miami with Rapada for Morrison and Nolasco

Zack retweeted a false report lol sorry

Jntg4 said:

Zack retweeted a false report lol sorry

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You all fail.

Offseason dates to keep track of:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/10/offseason-calendar.html

Immediately after World Series - Eligible players hit free agency
Three days after World Series - Option decisions due
Five days after World Series - Qualifying offers due
Six days after World Series - Free agents can sign contracts with teams other than their former clubs
12 days after World Series - Players must accept or reject qualifying offers
November 7th - 9th - GM Meetings
November 20th - Deadline for setting 40-man roster in advance of Rule 5 Draft
November 30th - Deadline for teams to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players
December 3rd - 6th - Winter Meetings
December 6th - Rule 5 Draft takes place at Winter Meetings
January - Teams, players exchange arbitration figures
February - Arbitration hearings take place

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The Pirates are awful at everything and the whole front office should be cleaned out:

http://triblive.com/sports/dejankovacevic/2819385-74/pirates-polanco-baseball-players-team-hell-month-prospects-week-ankle#axzz29xfwc3PE

I think the most exciting team to watch for this offseason will be the Rangers. I think they're going to go with their young talent & let Hamilton walk. Thinking their outfield will consist of David Murphy, Craig Gentry & Ian Kinsler (Kinsler moves to Right to allow Profar to go to 2nd & Andrus at SS). Nelly Cruz will be traded. Their pitching staff I think will be changed a lot too. I think Dempster, Perez, Darvish, Ogando, Ross, Kirkman are the only P safe. Greg Maddux has been working w/ the Rangers top P in the minors, so that's a huge plus for them.

It'll be interesting to see how they treat the Mike Maddux managerial options. I always thought Maddux would end up in Boston, but then they got Farrell so I don't know. I think Nolan Ryan & Jon Daniels will be faced with having to decide between Ron Washington & Maddux to be their manager. I think Ron's on a short leash next yr.

Just my 2cents on the Rangers. :lol:

MRubio52 said:

The Pirates are awful at everything and the whole front office should be cleaned out:

http://triblive.com/sports/dejankovacevic/2819385-74/pirates-polanco-baseball-players-team-hell-month-prospects-week-ankle#axzz29xfwc3PE

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I was remarking on another blog that the Cubs should try to steal as many of the good prospects as possible before the Pirates break them all

[video=youtube;5TNhS81w4bM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TNhS81w4bM&feature=related[/video]

Cubs claim this guy:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=gutier003car

and DFA Anthony Recker. Get ready for more Clevenger magic :woot:

MLB Free Agency 2012-2013

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/04/2013-mlb-free-agents.html

Catchers
Rod Barajas (37) - $3.5MM club option, no buyout
Henry Blanco (41) - $1.24MM mutual option
Gerald Laird (33)
Russell Martin (30)
Brian McCann (29) - $12MM club option with a $500K buyout
Jose Molina (37) - $1.5MM club option with a $300K buyout
Mike Napoli (31)
Miguel Olivo (34)
Ronny Paulino (32)
A.J. Pierzynski (36)
Humberto Quintero (33)
David Ross (36)
Carlos Ruiz (34) - $5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Brian Schneider (36)
Kelly Shoppach (33)
Chris Snyder (32) - $4MM mutual option for 2013 with a $500K buyout
Yorvit Torrealba (34)
Matt Treanor (37)

First basemen
Lance Berkman (36)
Jason Giambi (42)
Eric Hinske (35)
Aubrey Huff (36) - $10MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Casey Kotchman (30)
Adam LaRoche (33) - $10MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Carlos Lee (37)
James Loney (29)
Xavier Nady (34)
Mike Napoli (31)
Lyle Overbay (36)
Carlos Pena (35)
Ty Wigginton (35) - $4MM club option with a $500K buyout

Second basemen
Jeff Baker (32)
Robinson Cano (30) - $15MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Mike Fontenot (33)
Orlando Hudson (35) - $8MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Maicer Izturis (32)
Kelly Johnson (31)
Munenori Kawasaki (32)
Adam Kennedy (37)
Jeff Keppinger (33)
Jose Lopez (29)
Freddy Sanchez (34)
Ryan Theriot (33)

Shortstops
Jason Bartlett (33)
Yuniesky Betancourt (31)
Brian Bixler (30)
Ronny Cedeno (30)
Stephen Drew (30) - $10MM mutual option with a $1.35MM buyout
Alberto Gonzalez (30)
Alex Gonzalez (35) - $4MM vesting option. Details here.
Cesar Izturis (33)
Munenori Kawasaki (32)
Jhonny Peralta (31) - $6MM club option with a $500K buyout
Marco Scutaro (37)

Third basemen
Miguel Cairo (39)
Eric Chavez (35)
Mark DeRosa (38)
Alberto Gonzalez (30)
Brandon Inge (36)
Maicer Izturis (32)
Jose Lopez (29)
Placido Polanco (37) - $5.5MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Scott Rolen (38)
Drew Sutton (30)
Ty Wigginton (35) - $4MM club option with a $500K buyout
David Wright (30) - $16MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Kevin Youkilis (34) - $13MM club option with a $1MM buyout

Left fielders
Travis Buck (29)
Melky Cabrera (28)
Jonny Gomes (32)
Scott Hairston (33)
Josh Hamilton (32)
Eric Hinske (35)
Reed Johnson (36)
Andruw Jones (36)
Austin Kearns (33)
Carlos Lee (37)
Ryan Ludwick (34) - $5MM mutual option for 2013 with a $500K buyout
Darnell McDonald (34)
Juan Pierre (35)
Juan Rivera (34) - $4MM club option for 2013 with a $500K buyout
Drew Sutton (30)
Delmon Young (27)

Center fielders
Alfredo Amezaga (35)
Rick Ankiel (33)
Michael Bourn (30)
Curtis Granderson (32) - $15MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Scott Hairston (33)
Mitch Maier (31)
Angel Pagan (31)
Cody Ross (32)
Grady Sizemore (30)
B.J. Upton (28)
Shane Victorino (32)

Right fielders
Brian Bixler (30)
Travis Buck (29)
Matt Diaz (35)
Kosuke Fukudome (36)
Torii Hunter (37)
Andruw Jones (36)
Ryan Ludwick (34) - $5MM mutual option for 2013 with a $500K buyout
Xavier Nady (34)
Juan Rivera (34) - $4MM club option for 2013 with a $500K buyout
Cody Ross (32)
Ichiro Suzuki (39)
Nick Swisher (32)

Designated hitters
Bobby Abreu (39)
Johnny Damon (39)
Travis Hafner (36) - $13MM club option with a $2.75MM buyout
Raul Ibanez (41)
Hideki Matsui (39)
David Ortiz (38)
Luke Scott (35) - $6MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Jim Thome (42)
Delmon Young (27)

Starting pitchers
Scott Baker (31) - $9.25MM club option
Erik Bedard (34)
Joe Blanton (32)
Bartolo Colon (40)
Aaron Cook (34)
Kevin Correia (32)
Jorge De La Rosa (32) - $11MM player option with a $1MM buyout
Ryan Dempster (36)
R.A. Dickey (38) - $5MM club option with a $300K buyout
Scott Feldman (29) - $9.25MM club option with a $600K buyout
Jeff Francis (32)
Gavin Floyd (30) - $9.5MM club option
Freddy Garcia (37)
Zack Greinke (28)
Jeremy Guthrie (34)
Rich Harden (31)
Dan Haren (32) - $15.5MM club option with a $3.5MM buyout
Roberto Hernandez (32) - $6MM club option (Reduced from $9MM after contract was restructured)
Tim Hudson (37) - $9MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Edwin Jackson (29)
Hiroki Kuroda (38)
Francisco Liriano (29)
Kyle Lohse (34)
Derek Lowe (40)
Paul Maholm (31) - $6.5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Shaun Marcum (31)
Jason Marquis (34)
Daisuke Matsuzaka (32)
Brandon McCarthy (29)
Kevin Millwood (38)
Jamie Moyer (50)
Roy Oswalt (35)
Carl Pavano (37)
Jake Peavy (31) - $22MM club option with a $4MM buyout
Anibal Sanchez (29)
Jonathan Sanchez (30)
Ervin Santana (30) - $13MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Joe Saunders (32)
James Shields (31) - $9MM club option with a $1.5MM buyout
Carlos Villanueva (29)
Chien-Ming Wang (33)
Kip Wells (36)
Randy Wolf (36)
Chris Young (34)
Carlos Zambrano (32)
Closers
Grant Balfour (35) - $4.5MM club option with a $350K buyout
Jonathan Broxton (29)
Matt Capps (29)
Brandon League (30)
Ryan Madson (32) - $11MM mutual option with a $2.5MM buyout
Brett Myers (32) - $10MM vesting option with a $3MM buyout
Mariano Rivera (43)
Fernando Rodney (36) - $2.5MM club option with a $250K buyout
Joakim Soria (29) - $8MM club option with a $750K buyout
Jose Valverde (35)

Right-handed relievers
Jeremy Accardo (31)
Mike Adams (34)
Luis Ayala (35)
Miguel Batista (42)
Shawn Camp (37)
Todd Coffey (32) - $2.5M club option for 2013 with a $300K buyout
Jose Contreras (41) - $2.5M club option for 2013 with a $500K buyout
Francisco Cordero (38)
Juan Cruz (34)
Octavio Dotel (39) - $3.5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Chad Durbin (35)
Kyle Farnsworth (37)
Jason Frasor (35)
Kevin Gregg (35)
Jason Grilli (36)
LaTroy Hawkins (38)
Clay Hensley (33)
Livan Hernandez (38)
Bobby Jenks (32)
Brad Lidge (36)
Matt Lindstrom (33) - $4MM club option with a $200K buyout
Derek Lowe (40)
Mark Lowe (30)
Brandon Lyon (33)
Guillermo Mota (39)
Juan Carlos Oviedo (29)
Vicente Padilla (35)
Brad Penny (35)
Joel Peralta (37)
Chad Qualls (34)
Ramon Ramirez (31)
Jon Rauch (34)
Francisco Rodriguez (31)
Takashi Saito (43)
Rafael Soriano (33) - $14MM player option or a $1.5MM buyout
Koji Uehara (38)
Carlos Villanueva (29)
Randy Wells (30)
Jamey Wright (38)

Left-handed relievers
Jeremy Affeldt (34)
Sean Burnett (30) - $3.5MM mutual option with a $250K buyout
Tim Byrdak (39)
Randy Choate (37)
Dana Eveland (29)
Pedro Feliciano (35) - $4.5MM club option
Brian Fuentes (37) - $6.5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Mike Gonzalez (35)
Alex Hinshaw (30)
J.P. Howell (28)
Will Ohman (35)
Darren Oliver (42) - $3MM club option with a $500K buyout
J.C. Romero (37)
Hisanori Takahashi (38)
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/04/2013-mlb-free-agents.html#pk4bUKREFiSDRJh8.99

The position players past Josh Hamilton and possibly Mike Napoli are kind of meeeeeeeh...

Also assuming that Nick Swisher will want way more money than he's worth.