splitterpfj

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2003463741_mari06.html Pirates are still on LaRoche too... www.post-gazette.com/pg/06340/743861-63.stm

I can't speak for everyone of course, but if memory serves...SportsCenter begins almost immediately following conception.

Those of you who really want Penny here should be pulling for the Dodgers to sign Schmidt if the Brewers don't. If Schmidt goes to a third team, there's no way Penny can move with Maddux gone too.

ESPN says Lugo is favoring the Sox because he wants to remain a SS. Mets and Cubs have made offers, but want position changes. Basically, the Sox are trying to decide something on Manny by noon tomorrow, then the Lugo deal should happen fast.

Sounds like opposing GM's like him better than BF.net I'm really not surprised. Mench tanked here, but this has been a productive player, and he's not old yet. I'm sure there are teams he could help, just within reason, he's solid, not spectacular....and he won't cost 30 million.

When I saw it this morning, I couldn't figure out why the Reds would be after Loretta, I didn't think they needed a guy who could play 2B with Phillips and Freel on the roster. This just in....they want him as the righty half of a 1B platoon with Hatteberg....that's definitely one I did not see coming.

I get what you're saying JBriggs, but I'm not as bothered by that particular group of contracts as you are. Only one of those contracts runs beyond this season, and none of them is a horrid contract if you consider the circumstances under which they were signed. The Brewers may yet deal Clark, and if they don't, they'll pay him for one more year, Miller's in his last year, when he was signed catcher was a black hole for the Brewers, Lieber's deal is a lot of cash for a year, but considering he signed that as a free agent, it doesn't suprise me that he'll get 7.5. The one contract there that seems most questionable is Counsell....but I think the thread debating that move is long enough by now. What I don't get is the Phillies. Why give Adam Eaton a three year deal at the same money per year, then move Lieber. Sorry, I don't believe Eaton is a big deal in the least, they've basically extended Lieber's deal by two years, and given it to a guy who's not been durable. What this shows me most is the importance of developing from within. None of the players listed came from within the organization, three of those four deals were free agent contracts, which have a tendency to be bad deals, especially at the end of the contract, which most of those are. That's a pricey way to get talent, and if you don't get in the mix for the best free agents, it doesn't take long to have 4-5 guys of this sort on your bench for a year. Going big in free agency would make a lot more sense to me, except the deals have gotten too long. Let's say the Brewers decided to sell out and pay 18M a year for a guy that might put them over the top. That's great, until you see that those deals are now 6 or 8 years....look at the list of overpaid, over the hill guys we have now...and imagine if one of those guys was making as much as that whole list will get. BAD UGLY.

I could live with Lieber for a year. He clearly slipped last year, but he was solid just the year before, and we are offering outfielders who clearly slipped last year too. Just curious guys, if it comes down to Mench for one of these guys, would you rather get Lieber or Lopez? Jenkins for Lopez does not thrill me, I think the Phils are going to want a righty bat, so he's probably out there too. The Dodgers might be a fit for Jenks, but I think they'll end up with Luis Gonzalez.

I don't think he's a stud, because I think there's something going on in his shoulder. I do think he'd be an obvious upgrade, but I'd temper the offer until I saw an MRI.

I'd like this, take another option away from teams who want a 2B. Since I'd never heard the Brewers linked to the Reds in a deal, this seems as good a place as any for Loretta to sign. Royals will try to overpay to get Gil Meche. Rangers want to sign both Zito and Padilla, Hicks opening wallet again. Rockies want Lofton, if he'll sign for one year at 3 million...write that one down if you want him in Milwaukee. Pirates asked Braves for LaRoche, Braves asked for Mike Gonzalez, Pirates unsure. Baltimore asked for Giles and LaRoche when the Braves asked for Brian Roberts....doesn't appear likely, the Braves asked for Roberts and Penn. O's say no one has discussed Tejada with them. Pirates negotiating with Trot Nixon, brief mention of Jenkins as alternative if they fail...(says Milwaukee would take a minimal return, just wants his salary gone). Cuban pitcher Yuslan Herrera has his visa now, is finalizing a contract with Pittsburgh. Zito told Phils he wants 6 years, Phils say no pitcher will get that from them. Seattle is offering around Beltre and Sexson, wants out of both contracts, sees this as the opportune time. Marlins say no to Mets and Yanks on Dontrelle Willis. We're trying to build from within to the point where we have a lot of choices so we're not forced to go into the free agent market which is typically unproductive," -Brian Cashman Mets say Boras told them 6 yrs - 90M for Zito....Mets' response..."We'll wait." Kenny Williams confirms Sox' interest in Aaron Rowand. Braves definitely trying to move Hudson. A "friend" says A-Rod would veto a deal to the White Sox. "We'll likely have a closer before this month is over." -Theo Epstein, Red Sox Jon Lester's latest CT scan was clean....Lester family has neither confirmed or denied the report. Angels want LaRoche from the Braves, Braves want Figgins and a pitcher, Angels have told them Santana and Shields are "nearly untouchable." Mariners told Orioles they want Bedard for Sexson....it won't happen. Giants asked Cubs for Jacque Jones. Cubs deny they have a deal done with Lilly, are also talking to Schmidt and Meche, and to the Rockies about Jennings. Rockies say Astros asked for Jennings, they like Buchholz, Houston told them no on Chris Burke. Twins won't give up Garza or Bonser, don't want to move Baker or Crain, not a likely match. Rangers want Jennings too, Rocks like CJ Wilson. Mets may give Bannister or Milledge in a deal, but want to work out an extension with Jennings first. Barajas is talking with Rockies. That is all.

msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6238114

Mr Gammons says Seattle has been talking with Boston about Manny today, no details.

Wow, one of their free agents may actually stick around.... www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/16162931.htm

I was in a Walgreen's the other day, they had a sale going on this Christmas themed Merry-Go-Round, the thing played LOUD Christmas music as it turned around. In the minute or two I waited in line, that thing was bugging me, you should have seen the look on the clerk's face....I can only imagine how many times she'd heard those tunes while she stood there.

Sorry, couldn't help but wonder if this is Greg and Mike Maddox's brother or cousin? No, first off, note the different spellings of the last names, Maddux - Maddox. Garry was a fleet footed centerfielder for the Giants and Phillies in the 70s and early 80s. Among other things, Garry is African-American. www.baseball-reference.com/m/maddoga01.shtml

Toby, thanks, the Power 50 kept my interest long enough to turn me from lurker to regular. The obvious question for you Sir is, "Who is she?"

I can't imagine a match here for Milwaukee, the article is more of a general "Would the Mariners deal Sexson?" piece from Seattle.

I'd make that deal for Baldelli, but only if some other arms come in through other deals, that would kill pitching depth.

seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/294574_mari04.html

It's 11 degrees outside, a friend of mine in North Carolina was complaining about how cold it was today....in the low 50s.

I'm amazed by how much lurking is going on these days. We see you out there....BOO!

I was thinking that too Patrick, if you're a team like KC, you pick right away, but then a boatload of players go off the board before you come up again. Not the best idea.

I came to Janesville last year on what had to be the coldest weekend of that winter, I think I can make it all the way to Madison from here.

Well, he was rookie of the year, so I'd say he was probably ready to play in the bigs, not rushed Yes, I remembered the 16 wins in his first year, this probably wasn't the best example for my point. What I'm really saying is, he slipped after his first year, then looked much better last year. I think the Rockies got caught a little, he wasn't pitching like a guy you'd lock up, then he cut his ERA a bunch, whether that's humidor or talent, now he looks like a guy they should keep around, but now he won't sign an extension, so off he goes. Maybe the Rockies will make a good deal for themselves, but it kind of looks like they're getting hung out to dry a little on this one. Two decent seasons from a top pick, if he's coming into his own, someone else gets his best years.

One other thing on Jennings, this is a former #1 pick who will walk out of Denver at age 28, if he isn't dealt this winter. This is why you don't rush prospects, if he was truly ready, and was truly needed when he came up, that's just the way it goes, but they seem to be nearing the end of the line with him, and he's well short of 30.