MLB: How's your offseason going?

[JMCato]

With 59 days until spring training and 92 days until Opening Day what do you think of the moves your team made or maybe didn't make? Or have you been too busy with Cyclone football to really notice?

My Braves have been pretty quiet. With the exception of punking the Indians by trading them Derek Lowe the only "moves" they've made are not tendering a few players new contracts. I'd like to see them pick up a shortstop but at this point that doesn't look like it's going to happen til after the season starts if it happens at all.

 

[VeloClone]

With 59 days until spring training and 92 days until Opening Day what do you think of the moves your team made or maybe didn't make? Or have you been too busy with Cyclone football to really notice?

My Braves have been pretty quiet. With the exception of punking the Indians by trading them Derek Lowe the only "moves" they've made are not tendering a few players new contracts. I'd like to see them pick up a shortstop but at this point that doesn't look like it's going to happen til after the season starts if it happens at all.

This.

 

[pyrocyz]

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I think that it will be proven that Braun didn't purposefully dope up but he will still sit 50 games. A positive test is a positive test. Rumor is that he may have herpes and the medicine for that can cause a spike in testosterone.

Other than that, I hope that we can extend a pitcher or two. If we can be around .500 when Braun gets back the team should be ok.

 

[IcSyU]

Yankees are either going to rely on the guys not ready for the majors yet or once again have very suspect pitching. I don't think the answer was in the free agents this year however. The future pitching staff looks solid but in the immediate future it looks rough.

Outfield is set with Gardner/Granderson/Swisher.
Infield is set with Rodriguez/Jeter/Cano/Teixiera...and whoever plays when A-Rod spends most of the season on the DL.
Pitching is a BIG question mark. Burnett's ******** contract can't leave the Bronx soon enough.
Catching should be alright with a platoon of Martin/Montero/Cervelli.

 

[JMCato]

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I think that it will be proven that Braun didn't purposefully dope up but he will still sit 50 games. A positive test is a positive test. Rumor is that he may have herpes and the medicine for that can cause a spike in testosterone.

Other than that, I hope that we can extend a pitcher or two. If we can be around .500 when Braun gets back the team should be ok.

I hope Alex Gonzalez works out for the Brew-Crew.. he's a great fielder but he's kinda bi-polar at the plate.

 

[VeloClone]

******...


I think that it will be proven that Braun didn't purposefully dope up but he will still sit 50 games. A positive test is a positive test. Rumor is that he may have herpes and the medicine for that can cause a spike in testosterone.

Other than that, I hope that we can extend a pitcher or two. If we can be around .500 when Braun gets back the team should be ok.

If this were true he could appeal with this information and testimony from his physician to back it up. If he serves the suspension it most likely is just that, a rumor.

 

[CyFan61]

But seriously, outside of the Pujols hoopla I like the signing of Carlos Beltran. If the Cards can land a bat in the middle of the infield, I think they would be in really solid position going forward.

 

[ribsnwhiskey]

******...


I think that it will be proven that Braun didn't purposefully dope up but he will still sit 50 games. A positive test is a positive test. Rumor is that he may have herpes and the medicine for that can cause a spike in testosterone.

Other than that, I hope that we can extend a pitcher or two. If we can be around .500 when Braun gets back the team should be ok.

Sorry, but that's a bunch of bunk. Every player denies it. Nobody believed Man-Ram's explanation. How is that any different? Because Braun is an all american white guy?

As for my dodgers, what's there to say? Until the team is sold, it's going to be a patchwork of roll players with a few dominant players mixed in. It will be nice having the reigning NL MVP and Cy Young winners back.

 

[pyrocyz]

If this were true he could appeal with this information and testimony from his physician to back it up. If he serves the suspension it most likely is just that, a rumor.

Doesn't work that way. If he didn't have the forms filled out to be able to take that medicine he was still in violation of the rules. He could be innocent but still serve

Go public that you have herpes or let everyone think that you're a steroid cheater? Tough call. Which one would you choose?

If I were him, I would come clean. Try to at least salvage your opportunity to enter the Hall of Fame if he has a good career.

I hope Alex Gonzalez works out for the Brew-Crew.. he's a great fielder but he's kinda bi-polar at the plate.

Still an upgrade over Yuni Betancourt.

 

[pyrocyz]

Sorry, but that's a bunch of bunk. Every player denies it. Nobody believed Man-Ram's explanation. How is that any different? Because Braun is an all american white guy?

As for my dodgers, what's there to say? Until the team is sold, it's going to be a patchwork of roll players with a few dominant players mixed in. It will be nice having the reigning NL MVP and Cy Young winners back.

I was just putting what the rumors coming out of the MLB offices and his side are. There are people from all over saying that it wasn't steroids but something else.

 

[VeloClone]

Doesn't work that way. If he didn't have the forms filled out to be able to take that medicine he was still in violation of the rules. He could be innocent but still serve

Sorry, did not know that - I imagine it is quite different than cycling doping rules.

 

[burn587]

White Sox off-season has been somewhat of a disaster. They want to dump payroll and go young, but the guys that would be nice to dump have terrible, inflated contracts and are unmovable. They did trade Santos and Quentin, and let Buerhle go (unforgivable) but then they give Jon Danks an extension (maybe to make him more attractive trade bait). They are stuck in between trying to contend and trying to rebuild. I don't see them finishing higher than 3rd in the division this year.

 

[LutherBlue]

But seriously, outside of the Pujols hoopla I like the signing of Carlos Beltran. If the Cards can land a bat in the middle of the infield, I think they would be in really solid position going forward.

I am as concerned about the loss of LaRussa. A lot of Tony haters out there, but he had the unique ability to keep every single person on the team involved. Everyone had a role and was expected to contribute. Over the course of a long season, that really pays off.

 

[RayShimley]

Pretty average for the BoSox.

I liked the acquisition of Melancon and Bailey to replace Papelbon. Not sure how Bard is going to work out as a SP, but hoping for the best. Glad Big Papi agreed to arbitration, hopefully he has another solid year at DH. Carl Crawford can't possibly be that bad two years in a row..I hope..

Really happy to finally have JD Drew's contract off the books. Wish we still didn't have Lackey.

 

[no2cyclones]

Unless Prince Fielder is an M by the time Spring Training rolls around, I'll consider this offseason completely underwhelming.

 

[ribsnwhiskey]

I was just putting what the rumors coming out of the MLB offices and his side are. There are people from all over saying that it wasn't steroids but something else.

Fair enough. I just assume guilt if a drug test is failed.

 

[cymate]

the white sox have had an awful offseason they are rebuliding

 

[pyrocyz]

Fair enough. I just assume guilt if a drug test is failed.

I can't blame you. I think that it is crap that it was leaked before he can even defend himself (if he is innocent).

 

[Buster28]

Fans expected the Giants to sign a big name in the off-season, but it never happened. They managed to shed Aaron Rowand and Miguel Tejada in August and didn't bring back Beltran or Cody Ross. The did trade away pitcher Jonathan Sanchez to KC for Melky Cabrera and brought in Angel Pagan. Pat Burrell is most likely retiring because of a foot injury that won't heal. Word has it he wishes to stay on with the Giants in some capacity, but no word that I can find if it's front office or coaching staff.

Other than Sanchez, the pitching staff is intact with Lincecum, Cain, Bumgarner, Vogelsong, and (ugh) Zito. They also resigned lefty reliever Jeremy Affeldt. Buster Posey, Freddy Sanchez, and Nate Schierholtz are all expected to be back from injuries. Posey and Sanchez are progressing nicely with their rehabbing. Posey should be ready to report for spring training. He may see time at 1st base this year as they resigned back-up catcher Eli Whiteside and expect to bring in Hector Sanchez from Fresno if needed.

While nothing is a huge upgrade from last season, just having healthy players will go a long way to determining their October fate. The Giants were not eliminated from a post-season spot last year until September 25th, and that was with a roster barely recognizable from opening day.

 

[brett108]

Fans expected the Giants to sign a big name in the off-season, but it never happened. They managed to shed Aaron Rowand and Miguel Tejada in August and didn't bring back Beltran or Cody Ross. The did trade away pitcher Jonathan Sanchez to KC for Melky Cabrera and brought in Angel Pagan. Pat Burrell is most likely retiring because of a foot injury that won't heal. Word has it he wishes to stay on with the Giants in some capacity, but no word that I can find if it's front office or coaching staff.

Other than Sanchez, the pitching staff is intact with Lincecum, Cain, Bumgarner, Vogelsong, and (ugh) Zito. They also resigned lefty reliever Jeremy Affeldt. Buster Posey, Freddy Sanchez, and Nate Schierholtz are all expected to be back from injuries. Posey and Sanchez are progressing nicely with their rehabbing. Posey should be ready to report for spring training. He may see time at 1st base this year as they resigned back-up catcher Eli Whiteside and expect to bring in Hector Sanchez from Fresno if needed.

While nothing is a huge upgrade from last season, just having healthy players will go a long way to determining their October fate. The Giants were not eliminated from a post-season spot last year until September 25th, and that was with a roster barely recognizable from opening day.

As a Royals fan I am glad with the trade that they made for Sanchez and Verdugo. If Sanchez can reclaim his form, they will gain a good arm in the rotation, and open up a spot for a top prospect in the outfield. I am just hoping Gordon's WAR from last year stays around this year. Would be nice to see some return on that draft pick.