Official MLB 2006 Off-season thread

Are you happy about that? I like Riccardi but I think he grossly overpays flawed free agents.

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Originally Posted by Brisco Bold

Frank Thomas might be signing a deal with the Blue Jays. Holy crap.

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He had a good year, but some bad ones before that. He's also old, fat and bitchy. I don't know if I should be excited or not. What I really want to see is a pitcher.

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Originally Posted by SpoDaddy

I believe he'll make $6 million next year if he plays for the Seibu Lions. He's got bargaining power in that he could say "If you don't give me what I want I'll just make more on the open market next year". The odds are that the difference between $6 million and what the Red Sox would pay him in 2007 is less than the difference between the overall value of a contract signed now with Boston and a contract signed next year with 30 teams free to bid on him directly.

For example, if Boston offers 3 years $30 million he'd be making $4 million extra in 2006. If he thinks he can make 3 years $35 million or more next year on the open market he's better off staying in Japan.

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Matsuzaka will make $3mill next year if he stays in Japan. I already made my prediction 4 or 5 years AAV $10 mil. You also don't factor in that he's desperate to come to America, and has begged the Lions to post him the last two years before this. He's coming. Start worrying now. The Sox rotation is going to be really good this year.

The logic that the Sox can't complain about Yankee spending now is stupid. They're by no means poor, but they still have to pick and choose who they're going to pay for. It is not a double standard to point out that they passed on Abreu this past year saying they can't compete with the Yanks $$, yet signed D.M. now. It's because they passed on Abreu that they can afford D.M. The Yankees have no such limitations. They buy who they want when they want with no further repurcussions. The Sox will not cross the luxury tax threshold, and will not engage the Yanks in bidding wars.

Thomas is a good signing, depending on the money. I don't think it will be that high. I'm sad that he left Oakland. He meant a lot to the team and had a great year there this year. They really need the offense too. A's can't hit for shit.

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Originally Posted by SpoDaddy

Are you happy about that?

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I have no idea. But my friend has a hard-on for the Big Hurt. I'm sure he's thrilled. I promised my buddy that the next time Thomas comes to town, we'll get a signature. I guess I'll make good on that promise.

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Originally Posted by StriderKyo

He had a good year, but some bad ones before that. He's also old, fat and bitchy. I don't know if I should be excited or not. What I really want to see is a pitcher.

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Yeah. Where the fuck is that pitcher?

I heard 38 year old, injury prone Big Frank's getting $30m from Riccardi. A fool and his money are soon parted.

I just read an article on Instant Replay in baseball....what do you guys think? Personally I prefer the game without it, yeah, there's bad calls but it's the way the game has always been and has been part of the excitement.

By the way, I just read that the Mets resigned El Duque and Jose Valentin. I think it's a good move on their part to resign El Duque as they need a veteran pitcher on the staff, especially if Glavine goes back to Atlanta.

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Originally Posted by Gooch

I heard 38 year old, injury prone Big Frank's getting $30m from Riccardi. A fool and his money are soon parted.

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It's going to be half that or less. No one is giving the Big Hurt big money. Last year he made $500k + incentives.

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Originally Posted by Gohron

I just read an article on Instant Replay in baseball....what do you guys think? Personally I prefer the game without it, yeah, there's bad calls but it's the way the game has always been and has been part of the excitement.

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I want the right call above all else. Fuck tradition. The integrity of the game is more important and if it can be improved with IR it should be.

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Originally Posted by Gooch

I heard 38 year old, injury prone Big Frank's getting $30m from Riccardi. A fool and his money are soon parted.

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Canadian media's reporting it's official at 2 years 20 million with 2-3 million in incentives on at bats.

Not quite $30 million, but ridiculous enough. I'd waaaaaay rather they dumped a salary and overpaid Zito.