2011-12 Hot Stove Thread

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

Yes, Ramirez would move to 3B. Matt Dominguez was once their top prospect, but they don't think he can hit enough.

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

Marlins are after some big fish (pun totally intended):

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/7219025/free-agent-albert-pujols-visit-florida-marlins-report-says

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

Is it me, or has this been the slowest free agent period in recent memory? It feels like it's just dragging. Or maybe I'm just getting used to the NBA/NFL pace where it's a frenzy for a few days and then a steady trickle. Or maybe it's just a lukewarm year for free agents after the top five guys.

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

It usually picks up right around Thanksgiving. The winter meetings are next weekend, I believe Dec. 5-8 in Dallas.

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

Linkage:

http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/news/Sources-Phils-reach-deal-with-Papelbon?blockID=592376&feedID=704

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

It isn't a serious situation, but the CBA expires Dec. 11 and there is no new one agreed upon. The final hang-up is draft slotting and a fixed bonus system. Draft-pick compensation for free agents is a secondary part of those negotiations, so nobody's quite sure yet what they're going to have to give up to sign somebody. Just wait-and-see until the new deal is done.

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

Very solid pickup for my Phillies. Almost makes the pain of the collapse a little more tolerable. One less bamboo sliver under the fingernails.

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

First reports on Papelbon's contract are 4/$50.

There's a line between using money to your advantage and just burning it for the sake of spending it, and the Phillies continue to show they are on the wrong side of that line.

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

Judging by all the winning they've done the past few years, the Phillies and Ruben Amaro are doing a lot of things right. What made you think that Papelbon wasn't going to establish a new market for closers? AAV of $12.5 million remains lower than Mario Rivera ($15M) but total package tops BJ Ryan (4-$47M). Sounds just about right to me.

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

The Phillies need offense, not a closer. That was evident before they made dirty in their pants in the LDS.

 

Re: 2011 Hot Stove Thread

One reason they got there was Ryan Madson doing a great job as closer. Better to pay for Papelbon than Madson, who doesn't even have a full season as an effective closer.