Hot Stove Season

[tubba marxxx]

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

[MaineDolFan]

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?

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.

[MaineDolFan]

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

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.

[EDGECRUSHER]

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.

[MaineDolFan]

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

[BigDaddyFin]

Dear Indians, please get some offense. 

Love, BigDaddyFin.

The Tribe in my head has spoken.

[raptorsfan29]

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.

[EDGECRUSHER]

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".

[MaineDolFan]

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

[MaineDolFan]

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. 

[EDGECRUSHER]

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.

[masterfins]

The Yankees have been awful quiet this off-season.

[MaineDolFan]

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

[EDGECRUSHER]

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.

[MaineDolFan]

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

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.