MLB Offseason 2011

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Tony La Russa announces his retirement.

 

[SmoothieX]

Not a bad way to ride off into the sunset...

 

[Skywalker]

As mind-bogglingly WTF as he could be sometimes, it's hard to argue with what's no doubt going to be a Hall of Fame managerial career. And at least this way he gets to leave the game on a high note.

 

[clint g]

As mind-bogglingly WTF as he could be sometimes, it's hard to argue with what's no doubt going to be a Hall of Fame managerial career. And at least this way he gets to leave the game on a high note.

Indeed. Might as well go out with a bang rather than a whimper....

 

[Starbreaker]

Hisnke optioned for 2012
McLouth released
Derek Lowe traded to the Indians
Greg Walker as the hitting coach

Things are looking good for the Bravos.

 

[Timby]

Tony La Russa announces his retirement.

Damn it. This sucks.

Not because I'm going to miss him, mind you. It just makes the Cardinals more likable.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ *More* likable? How so? I always thought TLR was fairly well thought of. (If there's any persistent controversy, I'm not aware of it.)

 

[Timby]

^ *More* likable? How so? I always thought TLR was fairly well thought of. (If there's any persistent controversy, I'm not aware of it.)

He's a racist prick, ran several very good players out of town and is responsible for some of the most insane shit that has taken hold in baseball, particularly the genesis of the "closer," which is ridiculous, as well as roles such as the LOOGY. He has some great achievements in his career, but I'm not sad to see him out of the game.

 

[Skywalker]

And in news that surprises nobody, CC Sabathia is staying with the Yankees.

Also, the Red Sox have exercised their option to keep Marco Scutaro for one more season (also not surprising).

 

[SmoothieX]

^I wouldn't have been in a hurry to give CC 5 years at that rate. That contract is going to be a white elephant by the end of it. Someone is his mid 30s with that many miles on his arm and poor conditioning is going to hit the wall at some point. I can't believe he'll keep up the 20 win pace.

At the same time though, the rest of their rotation consists of spare parts and a bag of baseballs, so they kinda had to do the deal.

 

[Timby]

Buster Olney has been saying that the Yankees already have concerns about CC's shoulder, in addition to the lower back and knee issues that are a near-certainty to pop up in the near future. That's a ton of money to shell out for the dude.

 

[SmoothieX]

The starting pitching market is awful thin this year, and they did need to lock him up for next season. Hughes is hot and cold, Burnett is a head case, and Joba is a dud.

 

[clint g]

^I wouldn't have been in a hurry to give CC 5 years at that rate. That contract is going to be a white elephant by the end of it. Someone is his mid 30s with that many miles on his arm and poor conditioning is going to hit the wall at some point. I can't believe he'll keep up the 20 win pace.

At the same time though, the rest of their rotation consists of spare parts and a bag of baseballs, so they kinda had to do the deal.

Indeed. What CC REALLY needs to do is go on a diet. If he slimmed down he could be far more effective than he is.

 

[SmoothieX]

I don't think it's so much that he's ineffective, hell he's had several great years in a row, but the extra weight can't help his back, knees, etc. long term.

 

[Pegaritaville]

^I wouldn't have been in a hurry to give CC 5 years at that rate. That contract is going to be a white elephant by the end of it. Someone is his mid 30s with that many miles on his arm and poor conditioning is going to hit the wall at some point. I can't believe he'll keep up the 20 win pace.

At the same time though, the rest of their rotation consists of spare parts and a bag of baseballs, so they kinda had to do the deal.

I figure if Sabathia was able to shine after that season Milwaukee damned near worked him into the ground, he's gotta be a helluva workhorse. I think he'll be productive for quite some time. That said, it's always risky to give pitchers long term contracts.

 

[clint g]

I don't think it's so much that he's ineffective, hell he's had several great years in a row, but the extra weight can't help his back, knees, etc. long term.

the thing with Sabathia though is that he seems to get tired towards the end of the season. I'm sure alot of that has to do with the amount of innings he puts in but at the same time, just imagine how much more effective he would be if he wasn't lugging around an extra 50 pounds.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

McCourt agrees to sell Dodgers. linky

 

[Starbreaker]

The Yankees can give CC $1 billion and 3 McDonalds meals a day and not blink an eye

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Honestly, though, I have fewer problems with the Yankees overpaying to keep players. It's the monopolization of free agents that bugs me. When their off season goal is to get the best player on the market regardless of need or budget, it's a problem. It's also what significantly reduces competitive effectiveness.

 

[Timby]

McCourt agrees to sell Dodgers. linky

At long last, Dodger fans' long nightmare is over.

Fuck Frank McCourt, fuck Jamie McCourt, and fuck Selig for allowing that snake oil salesman to buy the team on credit in the first place.