Hot Stove Season

[EDGECRUSHER]

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!

[MaineDolFan]

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

[Brian Fein]

^^ 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.

[EDGECRUSHER]

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.

[Landshark]

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.

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.

[Brian Fein]

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.

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.

[EDGECRUSHER]

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.

[MaineDolFan]

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

No such thing. 

[MaineDolFan]

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.

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

[EDGECRUSHER]

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

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

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?

[Dave Gray]

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.

[tubba marxxx]

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

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..

[shamrock]

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.

[Brian Fein]

^^ Welcome to sports.

Every athlete is overpaid.

This is nothing new.