Hot Stove Season

[EDGECRUSHER]

I know, already?

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.

[Brian Fein]

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.

[MaineDolFan]

I thought the Papelbon thing was for 60 million? 

[raptorsfan29]

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

[Brian Fein]

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...

[SportsChick]

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

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

[MaineDolFan]

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

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).

[StL FinFan]

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.

[tubba marxxx]

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. 

[EDGECRUSHER]

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.

[Brian Fein]

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

[tubba marxxx]

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

[EDGECRUSHER]

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.

[EDGECRUSHER]

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.

[Landshark]

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.