The "Hot Stove League" Thread

[Dan in Pasadena]

There are a handful of dyed-in-the-wool baseball fans here on PPOT that - like me - love the winter news, rumor, speculation & innuendo about free agent signings and trades almost as much as watching the games. This is known as the "hot stove league" to those of you that don't know.

Post your favorite team affiliation in the first sentence; mine is the Dodgers.
DO NOT BASH ANOTHER MAN'S TEAM. This thread isn't for that.

I am a Dodgers fan but I have nothing negative to say about the Giants or the Yankees. We're baseball fans here, I WANT my team's adversaries to feel as strongly about their favorite team. So let's keep that in mind as we discuss.


I'm hoping this results in an entertaining "network" of info from guys in other parts of the country that know/hear things I probably couldn't know about here in L.A.

FOR EXAMPLE: I read everything I can about the Dodgers players. I know "people-that-know-people", etc. The Dodgers are looking for starting pitching (who isn't?) and the Twins are rumored to be shopping Johan Santana. How does a Twins fans feel about this (other than unhappy)?
What do YOU know the Twins want/don't want? Our young, five-tool CF, Matt Kemp is a star in the making...and a bit of a 'tude problem in the making too, in my opinion. A Twins fan might want to know that if his team is likely trading with us.

We are looking for a 3B too. Other than the obvious ARod, Cabrera and Lowell, does anyone know rumors of a 3B available or likely to become available? I am wondering if our GM is secretly considering a trade we're not hearing about yet?

(I am expecting to hear from CJFusco in the first three responses!)

[CJFusco]

Ok, you have my attention

I actually have been sadly inattentive to what has been going on in postseason rumors at this moment. It must be overload from the recent celebrations, post-World Series

I do have a few predictions though: Bonds ends up on an AL team, probably Anaheim but possibly Texas. I think A-Rod might follow Torre to LA. Even though Lowell filed for free-agency, I think he ends up back in Boston.

I think Santana is traded in the offseason. The twins need to find a few good starting pitchers, instead of one GREAT one. In order to get young guns, they might need to deal Santana.

[rammstein]

Jesus CJ! Do you have a program set up to notify you if the words RedSox or Baseball are posted here?

I am gonna test this one night at 3am- I am going to simply title the thread RED SOX and see how long it takes you to respond.

[BRPORSCHE]

Since I was born and raised in NJ, I am a Yankees fan. Not so good when you live in Houston with Astro's fans or Baton Rouge with Brave's fans.

I am jealous that you were able to attain Torre, and if you get A-Rod I will be seriously jealous. Do you think the Dodgers have enough money to make it possible for A-Rod to come out there? I believe 100% that he will be going to the West Coast.

Posada, Rivera, and Pettite all became free agents. As of yesterday I know they signed Posada. Hopefully they resign Rivera, I really like the Sandman. I would love if Pettite came back, but his motivation to play seems to be waning. Now the young pitchers on the team are really great! Yankees are finally using their farm system to grow players in the club. This is how you win championships. Chamberlin, Hughes, and Kennedy are all amazing and will be great pitchers since Pitching has been the weak spot on the team IMO.

Is Johan really shopping around? Hmmmm Cashman better pick him up. IMO Johan is the best starting pitcher there has been for a few years. Amazing velocity and control of the ball.

And CJFusco, sorry about Beckett not recieving the Cy. C.C somewhat deserved it, but Youkillis put it the best while getting his goat shaved off for charity. "It's disappointing, but Josh has the World Series," Youkilis said. "I'm sure C.C. would rather win the World Series than have the Cy Young

[TyFenn]

Manfredo Ramirez is the man!


Go Red Sox West, I mean, the Dodgers! Torre will rip it up!

[Nostril Cheese]

Baseball has not been good since the 1988 series IMHO.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by CJFusco

Ok, you have my attention

I actually have been sadly inattentive to what has been going on in postseason rumors at this moment. It must be overload from the recent celebrations, post-World Series

I do have a few predictions though: Bonds ends up on an AL team, probably Anaheim but possibly Texas. I think A-Rod might follow Torre to LA. Even though Lowell filed for free-agency, I think he ends up back in Boston.

I think Santana is traded in the offseason. The twins need to find a few good starting pitchers, instead of one GREAT one. In order to get young guns, they might need to deal Santana.

Ramm is right (not literally, though he IS that too). What's the deal man? Cracks me up how CJ reacts to the words, "Red Sox".

Bonds will definitely end up in the A.L. I look for him to go to a team that has a strong owner that wants the attendance draw he brings. I am thinking Peter Angelos here! The A's are a possibility and I guess the Yankees are a long shot;...it could happen.

Your comment on the Twins needing more arms than ONE expensive one is why I think the Dodgers and (unfortunately for me) other teams have a solid shot at him. We have Chad Billingsley a very solid, possibly a-star-in-the-making young starter, we have Jonathon Meloan - he'll be on the 40 man this spring and an outside shot at making the roster. We also have Clayton Kershaw that just dominated the minors last year, but he's very young and needs at least another season. I expect him to start in AA and make it to AAA quickly unless hurt. We have several more young arms too. Notably Greg Miller a former minor league pitcher of the year coming back from injury and (gulp!) Jonathon Broxton, our closer-in-the-making, young 99 MPH throwing bigass setup man. Almost certainly the Twins will want at least two of those guys and a position player. This COULD happen for us but only if we sign ARod (or Lowell... but that ain't happening) so we can "afford" the trading of players for a pitcher. Can't do that AND trade a bunch of guys for fatso Cabrera.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Yankees suck. Oh wait. Oops.

Rumor mill surrounding A-Rod is still churning out stuff. Read yesterday that there's the possibility the Sox are looking at sending Lowell to NY for him, despite Henry's assertions to the contrary during the W.S.

Personally I think he's going to the Angels, which could make the west MUCH more interesting.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Baseball has not been good since the 1988 series IMHO.

I tend to think so too....but probably not for the same reasons. '88 was the last time the dodgers were there so that's my entirely selfish reason.

If you meant it in any other way, then you simply haven't been paying attention. Anyway, I posted a big "NO BASHING" sign here. If you don't like baseball anymore? Fine, then this AIN'T the thread for you.

[Nostril Cheese]

whoa, dude. chill out.

I'm just sayin, thats the last time it was really fun to watch. then that strike came along and I lost even more interest.

C'mon man, Gibson, game 1.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Hey, no problem we're cool.
I AGREE Gibby made '88 fun. But as Dodgers fans we've been living on '88 too long. How many times are you going to show Gibby rounding first and doing that fist pump? I mean I could watch it but imagine what the Cubs and the (old time) Red Sox fans think about our whining about a 20 year drought? Barely a blip on their screens. The elapsed time has only made me want it MORE. I hope we get there again in time for Tommy and Peter O'Malley to be able to see it....and a few more old timers....like ME!

[CJFusco]

Haha. You all shouldn't be too surprised at how quickly I responded... I simply backed out of the global warming thread and this was the first new one

I am a man who has obsessions instead of interests. And too many of them, too: cars, baseball, politics, literature, music, movies, rock climbing, running, and getting laid all compete for my time. The honest truth is that I'm not as obsessed with baseball as I was, say, 3 years ago. I don't say this with a thread of sadness, because I was hardcore obsessed back then, and in a way the 2004 WS and ALCS released me. But truth be told, I probably "watched" (sometimes I just had it on in the background while working behind the bar, or while working on the car, or while writing, etc) upwards of 100 games this year. I probably sat and REALLY watched maybe 20 (not counting playoffs).

If any other of my interests were brought up in a thread - say, someone wanted to debate the literary styles of Thomas Pynchon and Don DeLillo - I would be in there in a flash as well.

That being said, it looks like A-Rod is staying with the Yanks. WFAN NY is reporting he has fired Scott Boras and is resuming talks with Cashman himself, without an agent.

[Overpaid Slacker]

Originally Posted by CJFusco

That being said, it looks like A-Rod is staying with the Yanks. WFAN NY is reporting he has fired Scott Boras and is resuming talks with Cashman himself, without an agent.

Hey! No trolls either!

JP

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by CJFusco

....That being said, it looks like A-Rod is staying with the Yanks. WFAN NY is reporting he has fired Scott Boras and is resuming talks with Cashman himself, without an agent.

You're kidding right? I'm not an East coast guy so is the WFAN radio reference code for "outrageous lies in the interests of ratings" or (could it be?!) this has actually happened? I know I heard that the Yankee door slammed shut in ARod's face after he opted out has opened a crack. Now if this rumor(?) is true the door pretty much has been knocked off its hinges! Please tell me if true.

[Overpaid Slacker]

It took A-Rod sooo long to develop ANY durable goodwill in NY -- that he (Boras?) just tossed away, that I doubt a return to the Yanks is in the offing. Mets, perhaps, because that would be an endorsement of New York, while simultaneously a poke in the Yankees' eye.

JP

EDIT: Well, proving once again that I know nothing about baseball: ESPN says ARod talking to Yankees. Maybe ESPN has been duped by Beauchamp... I mean WFAN.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Yeah, I saw that same article on MSNBC. Doesn't say anything about firing Boras (one can only hope!) but it does say he wants to remain in NY and he wants to meet with the Steinbrenners.

If that ultimately happens and Lowell stays in Boston then the only one left is Cabrera and in my opinion Florida wants too damned much for his attitudy, fat butt. He's talented as hell with a bat but I might consider taking a chance on a trade for Scott Rolen who hates LaRussa. He might be eager to play for Torre. Possibly Troy Glaus is available as "damaged goods" because of the HGH rumors? I don't know. The Dodgers options get thin fast if ARod is out of the picture.

[911michael]

Dan, what's wrong with Andy LaRoche? He's a pretty good young 3B at near minimum salary.

[Dan in Pasadena]

He's been repetitively hurt and when he has come up...I think three times for short periods so far plus appearences in '06 and '07 Spring Training, he has failed to produce. In truth, he's failed to sort of "emerge" yet into the player with the numbers he has clearly shown in the minors. Our GM has patience with him, but the fans (unfairly) are growing restless with him.

Maybe its stage fright, maybe he won't be an everyday big leaguer, or maybe (my worry) he's one of those young guys that just doesn't make it for awhile. Usually that ends up happening with another team.

I hope that's not true with LaRoche, but it may be. Granted he's still young (he's Cabrera's age!)

Obviously, the socalled "Jacksonville 5" have emerged as everyday players. In the case of Martin he is a star already (All Star, Gold Glove, now Silver Slugger too) and James Loney, perhaps Matt Kemp appear to be headed there also. Andre Ethier who came out of the A's organization is also obviously a .290-perhaps .310 hitter. So LaRoche tends to suffer in an unfair comparison.

[911michael]

LaRoche only has 93 MLB AB's which is too small a sample size to draw any conclusions. Pedroia batted .191 last year in 89 AB's. LaRoche was BA's #4 prospect in the PCL this year. If it was my team, LaRoche would be my 3rd baseman and I'd spend my money elsewhere. But then I drafted Pedroia in both of my fantasy leagues this spring so I look at the talent first rather than what someone did during a brief callup. The injury plagued Rolen is my 3B in both of my leagues so LaRoche is high on my list for next year's drafting.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I agree 93 AB's is too few to know much. LaRoche's injuries may be coincidental but it remains to be seen if he's one of those always-injured guys or not.

The popular knock on the Dodgers is that they have too little power. SInce LaRoche didn't emerge and Garciparra was a shadow of the '06 Nomar A ND because 3B is a typical power position, the conclusion is the Dodgers need a power hitting 3B. Not exactly disputing it BUT.....if you follow the team like I do you know that Martin, Loney, Ethier and probably Jeff Kent (still) are good for 20 HR's. Loney MAY be good for more. He was certainly showing that in the last third of the season in '07. Kemp is probably good for 30-35. So the Dodgers could do nothing at 3B and PROBABLY be better power producers than they were last year.

If ARod re-signs with NY and Cabrera is too costly in players for a trade (plus he'll be in near ARod territory two years from now) then the options get slim. Personally, I'd go for a Torii Hunter and move Pierre to left field no matter what. Unless I could get someone to take him in a trade and the Dodgers pick up some of his salary.