Hot Stove Thread

Roberts is the kind of leadoff hitter that the Cubs need. Pinella would be able to move Soriano down in the lineup (three hole?), making the Cubs that much more dangerous offensively. If they can get Roberts, they have to.

 

I'm not blaming the fans, I'm blaming the cheap-ass owner. But, that said, as you so adroitly point out, MLB doesn't want to do anything about it.

If the fans in Pittsburgh want a watchable product any time in their forseeable future, they need to organize a boycott now. Quit paying to watch the games. And then, when a new ownership group gets put in, buy up all the tickets, and put 3 million asses in the seats in the first year. That might get MLB's attention.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3139152

According to agent Randy Hendricks, Andy Pettitte will return to pitch for the Yankees in 2008.

 

Pettitte says he's going to pitch one more year for the Yankees next season.

 

The Orioles continue to ask for the moon in exchange for Miguel Tejada. They apparently are asking the Angels for top prospect Brandon Wood and Jared Weaver. Do they think nobody has noticed Tejada's declining power numbers?

http://www.latimes.com/sports/baseball/mlb/angels/la-sp-angels3dec03,1,5544411.story?track=rss&ctrack=1&cset=true

 

That does seem like an awful lot for Miguel. I think it will be interesting to watch the O's under Andy McPhail. I wouldn't be surprised to see Brian Roberts moved before it's all over, either.

 

As Dave Sheinin wrote this weekend, the Orioles seem to believe they are trading Miguel Tejada, circa 2005.

 

At this point, Roberts might be more valuable than Tejada. He's a better defender and has become better at his job as a leadoff hitter while Tejada's power continues to decline. Roberts is also a year younger.

 

http://blogs.tampabay.com/rays/2007/12/dukes-to-nation.html

So far it is just on blogs and unreliable websites (Rotoworld), but it looks like the Rays have traded Elijah Dukes to the Nationals. I guess Washington wants to collect as many talented knuckleheads as possible. Maybe they should sign Jose Guillen as a free agent to act as a mentor for Dukes and Milledge.

No confirmation on what the Rays got in exchange, though there is a reference to reliever John Rauch being in the deal. At least Tampa Bay is addressing its bullpen, which was a mess much of last season.

I like the note about the Pirates snagging Josh Wilson when Tampa Bay took him off the 40-man roster. Just what Pittsburgh needs. Another middle infielder who can't hit. But hey, he's a local kid!

 

It's on ESPN's winter meetings blog now. Apparently he was traded for a player to be named later.

 

That's what I just read, too. So much for Rauch being involved. Damn blogs.

 

Do you have a link to ESPN's winter meetings blog? I don't feel like digging through their site to try and find it. Thanks.