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Phillies sign Jonathan Papelbon to a 4 year/$50 Million deal.

Paps is an elite closer, but the truth is the save is a very overrated stat and Boston can plug in Bard or anyone else to get 35 saves a year. Plus, now they get Phillies first round pick.

I like the move for Philly in the short term because they are built to win in 2012 or 2013. Beyond that, they are too old and their payroll is too bloated.

I'm reading lots of rumors that the Marlins signed Jose Reyes.  Not sure how true it is, I haven't seen it confirmed from an official source.

However, with their huge unveiling tonight, it wouldn't surprise me if the guy on the catwalk in the new jersey was Jose Reyes.

I thought the Papelbon thing was for 60 million? 

Who's going to close for the Red sox now, is it going to be Bard?

Updating rumors...  It sounds like the Marlins have extended offers to both Pujols and Reyes.  Haven't heard anything about either of them accepting, but I'm certain that lots of teams are sending offers to those two guys. 

I'm just glad we're in the conversation right now.  If they can't land one of these big 5 free agents, I think they will become a laughing stock again...

That would be the likely solution unless they do something out of left fiend and sign someone but I think the plan for a while has been for Bard to step into the role when Paps left

Francona.

Probably Bard.  Although I am hearing they like a couple guys on the market right now too (which makes no sense after letting Papelbon go).

I wish Pujols would just sign somewhere, anywhere because I am getting really tired of hearing every detail of every day of his life.  I know it's the media and not him, but geez, they need to give it a rest.

I heard the Cardinals offered him 9 years $210 million. 

Rumor has it the Sox aren't sold as Bard as closer. While I do admit that almost any good reliever can save 30 games a year, I do think it takes a special pitcher to do it consistently for their whole career. I do think Papelbon was one of those guys.

As far as Pujols goes, I would rather give him $30 Million a year for 7 years rather than $21 Million a year for 10 years. He will be 32 and when you pay someone so much money, you have to play them, regardless of production. That's become painfully obvious with MLB. Pujols is amazing, but odds are he won't be when he is 40.

According to the Sun Sentinel, the Marlins have offered him a 9-year deal as well, but not sure about the money part

Jose Reyes has a 6 year $90 million dollar offer on the table from the Marlins

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/marlins-nibble-free-agent-jose-reyes-6-year-90-million-offer-article-1.978213


pretty much a non-story though.  Reyes has already at season's end that he wouldn't sign for anything less than $100 million

Reyes can say whatever he wants, but the market will determine what he makes. The market will be without the Yankees and probably the Red Sox too. Those are the two biggest spenders, not to mention the Phillies are out.

Only a handful of teams give out $100 Million contracts.

This could be excellent or a disaster.

Bobby Valentine has a brilliant baseball mind. Just on that alone, he is one of the top managers in the game. His issue has always been how he interacts with players and the media. A lot of players will follow him to the grave, while others sour on him and it hurts team chemistry.

I think overall this was the right move for Boston, but going from a great player manager like Terry Francona to Bobby Valentine may be a culture shock for some players. Bobby will fight with his players and tell the Boston media about it. Of course, like I said, he is brilliant too, so maybe that won't matter.

Hopefully the new Red Sox GM will listen to his manager on matters of player personnel before making a final decision.

Very torn on the Bobby V thing.  I am having a VERY hard time letting go of Tito.  I think a lot of that has to do with my personal relationship with the guy as well.  He was, and IS, the right guy for the job.  He was railroaded.  There are a lot of things lately leaving a sour taste in my mouth with the Sox.  I am very glad I am out of the machine and "just a fan."

Yeah, Tito didn't deserve what he got. He should still be the manager, but even if they didn't want him to be, they got very personal and childish.

Bobby V is an excellent manager, but I wouldn't be surprised if July comes around and he is publicly feuding with a few players or higher-ups.

6 years/$106 Million

I don't know why, but somehow the Mets aren't going to get Miami's draft pick as compensation, just their 3rd rounder. That stings quite a bit. The Mets were wise to move on as the Marlins were wise to show they are serious about competing instead of just pocketing money.

If Jose can stay healthy(big if) and Hanley can bounce back to form(big if), that is the best 1-2 punch in all of baseball. Hanley is expected to move to 3B, but a move to CF has not been ruled out.

This was the first big piece, next up will be to see who laughably overpays for CJ Wilson. Probably the Nationals again.

Is Pujols still a possibility with the Marlins?  I know it was probably never going to happen anyway, but just theoretically?

Apparently, they have turned on the heat for Pujols, so, yes, it is a possibility.

Kinda upsetting considering this frivolous money spending now that they got their stadium.  Where was this for the past 10 years?

Yes, the Marlins aren't done. They are amongst the favorites to land CJ Wilson or Mark Buerhle.

It remains highly unlikely as with Lebron and Cleveland, 65% of St. Louis' economy is Albert Pujols merchandise. They would be foolish to watch maybe the best player of his generation to leave. Mark Teixeiras and Ryan Howards come along every 5-10 years, not the Pujols's.

This money spending wasn't done before because the owners were scum and pocketed the profits and welfare checks from the luxury tax and revenue sharing. No one buys an MLB team with their last dollar, they are all incredibly rich. The owner for the Minnesota Twins is/was worth more than George Steinbrenner and John Henry.

That's what i mean.  these are the same owners.  The only thing that changed is now they care more cause they don't have a terrible stadium deal to use as an excuse.

I'm reading reports that the Marlins also signed Heath Bell.

WHAT?

Huge signing!  Supposedly there will be a press conference tonight to announce it.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7317535/albert-pujols-miami-marlins-list-targets

ESPN says the Marlins will make a serious run at Pujols.

Boston fan question/rant.....This offseason,every time the Cubs are mentioned to be doing something,in the comments,Boston fans chime in about the compensation for Theo.They act like their shit don't stink,We want Garza or Jackson as compensation for Theo....Even Peter King ( Chiming in on his MMQB lat week I think it was)....Chicago writers think it will be a low minor leaguer or two prospects.Boston writers seem to think Cubs are going to give them some for a top prospect/MLB player like a sacrifice to the Gods of Baseball for Blessing the Cubs with Theo.......Most neutral writers don't seem to be in the middle to the low end prospects....

So I don't understand the hurry then,Why pick from the empty cupboard of the Cubs farm system now,and eat Ketchup and mustard off your hand.Wait till after Theo goes shopping,and restocks the cupboards before you go for compensation...You get a better chance of getting a prime rib sandwhich, with a bag of chips.Hell they could get someone they like off a division rival,that wont trade with Boston...Just my observation....


My Cubs thoughts....
I've heard the Cubs are interested in both Fielder,and Pujols...I still think it's a ploy,yet lastnight it was rumored the Cubs front office might like a shorter contract with Pujols,but higher avg per year salary (show me the birth certificate :| )....I admit It's the only way I'd be comfortable with Pujols...My preference would be neither of them....I pray we trade Marmol....and the wet dream of Zambrano,and/or Soriano...I'd like to keep Garza,but I am worried about 3rd base...

Modified to Add: YES, Finally Ron Santo Made the HOF! ;D Happy Monday!

The Red Sox won't get anyone of real value for Theo. What are they going to do, bring him back to be GM and pay his big salary when everyone knows he wants to leave?

If they did that, he wouldn't be GM, but he would be a guy who hates the organization making $3 Million. If they fire him, he becomes Cubs GM the next day. So, they are just asking for a lot to see what they can get, like every other team would in a similar situation.

As a Met fan, I hope the Marlins have 6 years of "pulled hamstring" just like I've been dealing with for about the same time.   >:D

I like Seeing that Prince Fielder has the Blue jays on his short list of teams, Would be great to have a 1-2 punch of Fielder and Bautista.

Blue Jays and Mariners are front runners for Fielder. Well, obvious he is choosing the highest bidder over a championship.

Marlins sign Mark Buerhle to a 4 year/$58 Million deal.

Gosh, it's almost like they had this money all along and were just pocketing it while screwing the fans over!

^^And got the public to finance the new stadium...

^^ right on both accounts.  It was like Major League when the owners wanted the team to suck so they could prove how terrible their situation is and get out of their stadium deal.

That's the part that makes me the maddest.

I'm also reading that the Marlins are out of the Pujols sweepstakes.  I think he was dicking the Marlins around to squeeze more cash out of the Cards.  Either way, F him, we don't need him.

If they can now land CJ Wilson, I'll be a happy guy.

I am glad the Marlins ownership are finally spending money and not screwing the fans over, but I am not on the "2012 NL East Champion Miami Marlins" bandwagon just yet. Few reasons:

1) Phillies

2) Braves

3) Jose Reyes has missed almost 200 games the past 3 seasons and his best year ever was his walk year. He is no Pujols.

4) Buerhle is a nice signing seeing how he is very good and doesn't miss starts, but he won't win you a Cy Young. The Yankees didn't even bid for him and their pitching situation sucks.

5) Heath Bell is an awesome closer, but he's just a closer. Their importance is overrated.

That being said, they definitely improved their team and potentially can challenge for the division, but they are still behind the Phillies.

You guys do realize that they are no longer paying rent at Joe Robbie/Pro Player/Dolphin/Landshark/Sun Life/whatever you name it Stadium.  Additionally, revenue from parking, concessions, and any events held in the ballpark will be Loria's to pocket.  No wonder he's suddenly spending more dough.

I don't think anyone is raising any banners yet.  I just think its nice to have some names on the team with all-star potential.  Previously we had Hanley, who is being a basket case, and Josh Johnson, who is often injured.  You saw last season, a team doing well, and then JJ got hurt and they somehow lost 21 games in a row.

Its just nice to have a few more cogs, even if they're not Albert Pujols.

PS - I'm wondering how much of this spending spree is brought about by what the Heat did last season.  Bring in big names and people trample each other for tickets.

They signed Albert Pujols AND CJ Wilson. Pujols gets a 10 year/$260 Million deal that they will regret in 5 years and no word on what Wilson got, but it probably wasn't close to the $100 Million he wanted. When the Yankees and Red Sox say "No thanks", your contract hopes take a huge hit.

Wow, imagine how good the Angels would be this year if they didn't give away Mike Napoli.

No such thing. 

^^ Edge means the Angels, by the way, by "they".  "They" signed Pujols and Wilson.

Does this make the Angels the favorites in the AL West now?

Wow I did not see Pujols signing with the Angels......interesting move for him.

Maine do you think having the option to be a DH later in his career with the Angels weighed on his decision at all?

I really like what the Marlins are doing. Even though they didn't land Pujols, they aren't being victimized or letting free agents jerk them around.  Like a player?  Make an offer, move on.  I think it's good overall policy and shows that they are serious.

I think it's the best move for Pujols, outside of him staying in St. Louis..but that wasn't going to happen, and hear me out as to why.  The constants in all the offers were 10 years and over $200 million.  Now I'm not a financial wizard..but $20 million a year for ten years is basically the sweetest decade of your life. But 10 years for 31 year old player is..a lot.  ANY American League team that made him a serious offer was going to be his landing point because of the DH factor.  Now look at the teams that made Pujols serious offers:  The Cubs, The Rockies, The Cardinals, The Marlins, and The Angels.  Angels?  What up American League..

Is it just me or are these guys WAY overpaid? I mean.c'mon,there are alot of people in this country going hungry and they can pay a guy 2 million bucks a MONTH??? To hit a baseball???While I do think these guys should get what they can,I also think that their salaries have gone insane.

^^ Welcome to sports.

Every athlete is overpaid.

This is nothing new.

^^ I'm convinced the Recession would be over if there was a salary cap put in baseball

Somewhat, but only partially.  The Angels were the only team willing to get him a full ten year no trade clause, which is insane.  Flat out nuts.  Had the Cards come closer with $$$ and matched the no trade / years he would have stayed in St. Louis for a little less money.

I don't think so.  I still think Texas is one of the top teams in the league, much less the division.  CJ Wilson is a nice #3, that's all he is.  The Angels still have a rapidly aging Torii Hunter, a Vernon Wells that can't hit hit weight, Morales who can't walk from here to there without getting hurt, they need a lot of help in the bullpen, I don't like their closer...

I'm not on the Angels bandwagon based on these signings.

I'll say CJ is a nice #2, but agree on everything else. The Rangers are just built very solidly. They have their stars, but very few players, if any on that team can't be classified as anything less than good.

I view Wilson as a left handed John Lackey...

Dear Indians, please get some offense. 

Love, BigDaddyFin.

The Tribe in my head has spoken.

I hear that Toronto and Texas are 1-2 in the Yu Darvish bidding, I'm hoping the jays get him. I have heard a couple of reports that the jays are winners, but nothing concrete right now.

Toronto's bid is somewhere around $50 Million and it's supposed to be the high bid.

I wanted the Yankees to get him because all it costs is money as opposed to trading prospects. The White Sox' trade proposal for John Danks is so preposterous they might as well have said "We aren't trading him".

Blue Jays won the bidding rights, came in around 42 million.

I would like to add that I LOVE Boston's moves the last couple of days:

Obtaining Melancon was a great move.  I don't think he will be closing, I really don't.  I think, however, he will be a very quality late inning arm in this bullpen.  I suspect he will be the 8th inning guy to either Bailey or Maddsen. 

Nick Punto is exactly the type of player Boston needs in the clubhouse.  He is a super utility guy.  Hovers around .280, plays very solid defense, can field all four in field positions.  High energy, super positive guy.  Winner every place he has been. 

I actually really like the Kelly Shoppach signing, for a couple reasons.  One, it signals the Sox are finally walking away from 'Tek.  This will send signals to the rest of the players on the team.  Two, although he can't hit his weight overall he does mash lefties and Boston will see a steady diet of them (CC, Price, etc).  He also calls a good game and handles a staff well.  He will serve as a good backup.

Quietly, quickly, Boston is starting to put together some nice pieces around a very dangerous core.  I would love to see them add some depth to the pitching staff, maybe someone like Oswalt. 

I always liked Melancon, I was sad when the Yankees traded him away for Berkman. Same thing with Tyler Clippard. We should stop trading away relief prospects.

The Yankees have been awful quiet this off-season.

^They have a strong core.  Not sure they need to add a lot.  They did resign CC, which was huge.

They really are waiting for the 2013 off-season where guys like Cole Hamels and Matt Cain will be free agents. No sense overpaying for a guy like Edwin Jackson where if you just wait you can bid on those guys.

For some reason, they love this Cuban outfielder and may sign him when he becomes available.

Man.  Step away from the game for a while and your "sources" fall to shit! :)  Massive fail on this one!

Texas wins the posting, close to 51 million.  Wow.

So the Rangers gave $52 million to Yu Darvish, but wouldn't keep CJ Wilson?   ??? ???

Cubs Trade Sean Marshall to Red,for Travis Wood and two prospects...Prospects are unknown at this time...Bruce levine twitter,espn.
http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7377087/chicago-cubs-trading-sean-marshall-cincinnati-reds (http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7377087/chicago-cubs-trading-sean-marshall-cincinnati-reds)

I don't like the move,but understand it...Also,to our division rival  ???

Couldn't...or didn't want to?  If I am the Angels I am wondering "what do they know that we don't" at this point.

I said it earlier - CJ Wilson = left handed John Lackey.

Any Japanese pitcher is an unknown commodity, but it should be noted that he KILLED the Japanese league. His career averages are on par with Dice K's best seasons, and Daisuke was supposedly the best there was at the time.

The Yankees need pitching badly too and they publicly said they weren't interested in Wilson, so that says a lot about him too.

Everything I am hearing about Darvish is the same thing I heard I Daisuke.  A+ fastball (95+), amazing curve, amazing offspeed, blah blah blah.

Let's see how it actually pans out when he gets here.

Now here is a HUGE difference:  Darvish is half Japanese / half Iranian.  So he has a different cultural outlook than Daisuke / different work ethic.

Red Sox have acquired Andrew Bailey from the A's  according to Buster Onley...
https://twitter.com/#!/Buster_ESPN/status/152142103567286273 (https://twitter.com/#!/Buster_ESPN/status/152142103567286273)
https://twitter.com/#!/Buster_ESPN/status/152141970993721344 (https://twitter.com/#!/Buster_ESPN/status/152141970993721344)

Modified to add tweet it's a 3 for 2 deal...Bailey and Sweeney for Reddick, Head and Alcantera.

https://twitter.com/#!/Buster_ESPN/status/152147089726521345 (https://twitter.com/#!/Buster_ESPN/status/152147089726521345)

The Bailey thing has been brewing for a long time.  I am actually surprised at how little the A's got in return, especially in light of what they got for Gio Gonzales.  Reddick is a nice player but I don't think he will ever be an impact one.  I think Andrew Bailey has a lot of upside.

People on Twitter are asking him what his entrance music is going to be. He said "I better start thinking about that I guess"

My buddy got a response out of him, tweeted "Barry Mannilow, "Looks like we've made it." 

Christ, just fire Billy Beane already. He can't use the small market excuse anymore because of the Rays and his teams have sucked for over 5 years. Just throw him giving away Andrew Bailey when the price for pitchers is at a high, and he has got to go.

Excellent trade for Boston. They have made their bullpen a strength. Of course, relievers are fickle, but you do the best you can and just have to let the players play.

In closing, Billy Beane sucks.

^But he got a king's ransom for Gio.

From the Nationals GM. That doesn't count. He gave Jayson Werth $126 Million.

i'm sure Lil B might be happy, Carlos Zambrano traded to Miami

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7425259/source-chicago-cubs-trading-carlos-zambrano-miami-marlins

The Chicago Cubs are trading Carlos Zambrano to the Miami Marlins, according to a source familiar with the situation.

The deal, which is pending physicals, requires the Cubs to pay $15 million of the $18 million owed Zambrano in 2012. Zambrano has a $19 million vesting option for 2013 if he finishes in the top four for the Cy Young Award.

The Cubs will receive veteran right-handed pitcher Chris Volstad.

Zambrano has a full no-trade clause in his contract, but the possibility of pitching for friend and former Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen may have played a role in negotiations.

Zambrano has had several highly publicized emotional outbursts with the Cubs. He had a dugout altercation with former teammate Derrek Lee in 2010 while facing the White Sox in U.S. Cellular Field, leading to a suspension. After that game, Zambrano had dinner with Guillen, who supported his friend.

Zambrano left Atlanta's Turner Field during a game in 2011, leading to him being put on the disqualified list. He was activated on Sept. 11 but did not pitch again for the Cubs.

New Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said on Nov. 15 -- after meeting with Zambrano -- that Zambrano would have to show significant change to be accepted back by his teammates.

The right-hander has been playing winter ball in Venezuela.

Meanwhile, pitcher Chad Gaudin says he has reached agreement on a minor league deal with the Marlins and received an invitation to spring training.

Estatic about Big Z being gone,hopefully Soriano's gone soon also...

In the latest news...
The Cubs have acquired first baseman Anthony Rizzo and right-hander Zach Cates from the Padres for right-hander Andrew Cashner and outfielder Kyung-Min Na
According to Bruce Miles on twitter

Read a great headline in The Onion (mobile version) today about the Jesus Montero trade. The headline (from 1/20) read:

"Seattle Mariners Hope Jesus Montero Can Get Good Enough To One Day Sign With Yankees"

Funny, but very true. In the end, I think both teams will be happy with the trade, although I feel Montero is more of a "sure thing" than Pineda.