Hot Stove MLB Baseball Talk - Free agents, Trades  etc.

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

The hottest rumor here in Boston.........and its a hot one is that Alex Rodriguez for Manny Ramirez is all but a done deal.

After that, Nomar Garciaparra will be traded to Anahiem for Garrett "the most underrated player in MLB" Anderson.

Why this works for both sides you ask? (I know Freak will ask).

[b:post_uid0]advantage for Texas[/b:post_uid0] Tom Hicks, the owner of the Rangers is dying to lower his payroll. His Dallas Stars are killing him financially and saving money on his baseball team translates to easier to take a loss on his Stars.

By trading A-Rod straight up for Manny, Hicks right there will save over 85 million dollars over the life of the contract. That is money that can be turned around and spent on pitching and other positional needs. Or he can just not spend it at all and absorb the hockey loss completely.

It also doesn't help Hicks situation that A-Rod is at complete odds with Buck Showalter, the Rangers manager. He also has a no-trade clause in his contract. A-Rod has been quoted as saying that he will only like to be traded to Boston, The Yankees or the Orioles. He will only play for NY is Jeter moves to another position, Jeter has already said "Yeah Riiiiiiight". Baltimore has also expressed that they are not interested.

That only leaves Boston, who he has said is his number 1 choice altogether.

[b:post_uid0]advantage for Boston[/b:post_uid0] Nomar is a free agent at the end of '04 and is more than likely looking for Jeter money (17 million) Boston simply can't afford to pay Nomar that much money and still have Manny, Pedro, Schilling etc....on their team. They are also facing impending free agency from the likes of Jason Varitek, Derek Lowe, Trot Nixon and many other key players on their team.

By trading for A-Rod they actually will save 10 million bucks. Manny and Nomar make a combined 31 million next year. They get A-Rod and in turn have additional cash to spend on the players that they need despritely need to retain. Most likely Garrett Anderson would move on somewhere else after '04.


I personally would be happier than a pig in poop if these deals went down.

I don't know what I will do with my Manny Ramirez offical jersey though. :p


SO let me know what's the hot topic on your favorite team. I love baseball talk


Wooooooooooooooo!!!

IRALB

My Expos just traded Javi Vasquez to the hated Yankees, but actually didn't get ripped off in the deal. Nick Johnson, and Juan Rivera in return. Hopefully "El Duque" will be fully recovered from last seasons injury, to step it up and fill Javi's shoes.

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

[quote:post_uid0="I*Ride*A*Little*Bike"]My Expos just traded Javi Vasquez to the hated Yankees, but actually didn't get ripped off in the deal. Nick Johnson, and Juan Rivera in return. Hopefully "El Duque" will be fully recovered from last seasons injury, to step it up and fill Javi's shoes.[/quote:post_uid0]
I have a feeling Vasquez is in for a rude awakening in the American League and namely Yankee stadium.

Did someone say "the new jeff Weaver"?

Personally Bike, I think your Expos got a fantastic young player in Nick Johnson. He will be a stud for years to come. I believe he is only like 23.

I am glad they traded him off the Yankees.

DMW

There were rumors for a while that the Giants were going to go after Vlad Guerrero, but I'm pretty sure that has all but died. If that did happen however, imagine the destruction Bonds/Guerrero at 3 and 4 in the lineup respectively could do. It would be beautiful.

Other than that my A's and Giants or only ever making mid to low level market deals that aren't particularly interesting.

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

I wonder where Vladdy ends up. My prediction is Baltimore. How much? Who know? 14 million a year?

Freak

I really hope the Vazquez trade opened up enough finances for the Expos to retain Vlad. And Simon, be warned, I have seen A LOT of Vazquez, and the guy is lights-out. He in no way resembles Weaver. This is a guy that could be the Yankees' ace.

The A-Rod/Manny trade still seems stupid to me, as far as Texas is concerned. I see they'd be wanting to dump some payroll, but I don't think that trading Manny Ramirez and his fat salary is the solution. Ramirez is so overpaid it's not even funny, at least with A-Rod you're getting a special special ballplayer.

I heard the Yankees are close to trading for Kevin Brown, that would really bolster their staff. I should reiterate that I absolutely despise how the Yankees and Red Sox do business.

Dr. Giganto

[quote:post_uid0="Simon"]Personally Bike, I think your Expos got a fantastic young player in Nick Johnson. He will be a stud for years to come. I believe he is only like 23.[/quote:post_uid0]
I'm gonna miss Nick Johnson. I think he's gonna be a great ballplayer

I also highly doubt the Kevin Brown deal is gonna happen. I heard it was gonna be Weaver for Brown, and i have no idea why L.A. would do such a deal.

I think the Yankees are gonna resign Pettitte, finish the Sheffield deal (which i'm not thrilled about) and then theyre done. The rotation will be:

Mussina, Vazquez, Pettitte, Contreras, Lieber

Bullpen: Rivera, Karsay, Heredia, Gordon, Quantrill, Weaver, Hammond

Starting line-up: Soriano, Jeter, Giambi, Sheffield, Posada, Matsui, Williams, Boone, and i dont know who will DH. Karim Garcia I guess

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

Looks like the A-Rod talks are going exactly as I thought. I am a genius. :p


It also appears that "Little" Matsui is headed to the Mets. Moving Jose Reyes to 2nd.


Credit: ESPN.com

The Texas Rangers would consider trading Alex Rodriguez to the Boston Red Sox -- for the right considerations, of course.

It appears the deal is in the hands of the two owners -- Boston's John Henry and Tom Hicks of the Rangers. Rodriguez has met recently with Henry to discuss the possibility of playing for the Red Sox, according to Saturday's Boston Herald.

Red Sox management on Saturday would not confirm or deny the building rumors.

"We appreciate the inquiries and interest today, but we try to adhere to a policy of not commenting on trade rumors," general manager Theo Epstein said in a statement. "We respectfully cannot participate in the process of confirming or refuting trade rumors."

Rangers spokesman Gregg Elkin said Saturday there were no developments to report, and GM John Hart did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

Texas owner Tom Hicks was quoted by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram as saying talks about a possible trade are continuing.

:p :p

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

This is certainly interesting for any Houston Astros fans......


Credit ESPN.com

HOUSTON -- A radio stunt could nudge future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens out of retirement.


Clemens is taking the weekend to decide whether he'd like to pitch for the Astros, where he would join friend Andy Pettitte, he told local talk show hosts from KKRW-FM Radio.


Rumors have been circulating since Clemens announced his retirement that he would unretire and pitch near home for the Astros. Clemens is technically a free agent, and can sign with any major league team.


When Pettitte decided on the Astros Thursday, that likely added to Clemens' motivation. Clemens and Pettitte were best friends on the Yankees.


However, Clemens was concerned that his Yankees' farewell gift -- a Hummer -- would be taken away if he decided to resume his career.


That's where the radio station comes in. KKRW's "Dean and Rog" came up with a plan: They made a plea on the air Friday morning for a Hummer they could offer to Clemens. Moments later, Hummer dealer and regular Dean and Rog listener Lee DeMontrond called in live with an offer.


An hour later the three hit the road in the Hummer, driving straight to the front door of Clemens' house, where they were greeted by Roger and his wife, Debbie.


When presented with the keys, a surprised Clemens said, "This is getting very interesting. ... I didn't know making a comment like that, you guys would show up in my front driveway with a burnt-orange H2."


Clemens added, "I am happy for Andy [Pettitte]. I think he is going to make a big difference." When asked if he would be in an Astros uniform come April, Clemens responded "maybe," and that the Hummer offer made things interesting. The radio show's deal is good only until Monday morning.


When they signed Pettitte, the Astros said they certainly would be receptive to the idea of Clemens pitching in Houston. However, the Astros have not reacted to the radio station's attempts to lure the Rocket back into active duty.

IRALB

What a goddamn joke, he just announced his retirement a couple months ago, and now he's considering coming back. I've never liked Clemens, but now I have even less respect for what little I had.

Retiring means absolutely nothing anymore.