Links for Saturday evening…
- Curious about how all the recent free agent activity has impacted the 2011 draft order? Check out the updated order here.
- Right-hander Radhames Liz has signed with the LG Twins of the Korean Baseball Organization according to the Yahoo! Sports transactions log. MLBTR has confirmed the signing. The Padres released Liz earlier this week.
- MLB.com's Peter Gammons says the Rangers thought they'd be able to acquire Robinson Chirinos from the Cubs, then package him with Derek Holland, Engel Beltre, and Frank Francisco to get Matt Garza from the Rays. Texas would have kicked in some money to offset Francisco's salary.
- "We're not giving away the farm to try and win in one year," said Cubs GM Jim Hendry when asked about the Garza deal, according to Paul Sullivan of The Chicago Tribune (Twitter link). Garza is still under team control through 2013.
- It appears that the Nationals will have a smaller payroll than last year, according to Ben Goessling of MASNSports.com.
- Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports applauds the Rockies for keeping their nucleus together. Earlier this week Colorado agreed to terms with Carlos Gonzalez on a contract extension.
- The Orioles' may have trouble finding an undervalued lefty reliever on a one-year deal, writes Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun.
- Joe Torre is in talks to become the next executive vice president of operations for MLB, according to Teri Thompson and Bill Madden of the New York Daily News. Torre stepped down as Dodgers manager towards the end of 2010 season.
- Matt Murton talked to Anna Katherine Clemmons of ESPN The Magazine about his time in Japan.
Damn, didn’t realize Murton was doing that well over in Japan.
Tracy Ringolsby is right about the Rockies keeping their nucleus together being a good thing, but Tulo was locked up for 4 more years as it was. I just can’t get behind that move.
He also asserts that the other teams in the division haven’t really done much to improve themselves… which isn’t really true at all.
If anything, Colorado’s offseason is indicative of greater problems for them. As noted, the signings are high risk, high reward, with the Rockies committing close to $250 million dollars to 3 players, with plans to lock up a fourth in the coming year in Ubaldo Jimenez. As a team that has traditionally fielded a mid-market payroll, it’s unclear whether long-term expansion of the payroll is a possibility for them, and if not, they’d better hope that Tulowitzki stays healthy, Gonzales keeps up a .384 BABIP, De La Rosa improves his control, and Jimenez is the pitcher from April and May and not the one from June and July. I can respect the spirit of the signings, but not the execution.
He also asserts that the other teams in the division haven’t really done much to improve themselves… which isn’t really true at all.
If anything, Colorado’s offseason is indicative of greater problems for them. As noted, the signings are high risk, high reward, with the Rockies committing close to $250 million dollars to 3 players, with plans to lock up a fourth in the coming year in Ubaldo Jimenez. As a team that has traditionally fielded a mid-market payroll, it’s unclear whether long-term expansion of the payroll is a possibility for them, and if not, they’d better hope that Tulowitzki stays healthy, Gonzales keeps up a .384 BABIP, De La Rosa improves his control, and Jimenez is the pitcher from April and May and not the one from June and July. I can respect the spirit of the signings, but not the execution.
70-year old Joe Torre is worth millions and he is still looking for a paycheck. Geeeshhh!!
Some people’s greed has no bounds.
Or maybe he just wants to help and be around the game. Cause he, you know, enjoys it.
Yeah, because he’s getting low on cash. Riiiight. Dude is freakin’ loaded….
Yeah, because he’s getting low on cash. Riiiight. Dude is freakin’ loaded….
From what I read,Selig offered Torre a job versus Torre going around begging for one. What’s wrong with that? Just because he’s 70 is he suppose to move down to Boca Raton on try to dethrone the shuffle board champ at Del Boca Vista Phase 3 retirement community? They say that the elderly who have a purpose, employment, etc, tend to live longer. As long as his health is there and someone wants him and he can do on his terms (live in La near his daughter) then God bless him! Should he then work for free? The article didn’t indicate he was holding out for money or anything. In fact it said that he was also offered a job as a special asst w/ the Dodgers and a job w/ESPN as well.
From what I read,Selig offered Torre a job versus Torre going around begging for one. What’s wrong with that? Just because he’s 70 is he suppose to move down to Boca Raton on try to dethrone the shuffle board champ at Del Boca Vista Phase 3 retirement community? They say that the elderly who have a purpose, employment, etc, tend to live longer. As long as his health is there and someone wants him and he can do on his terms (live in La near his daughter) then God bless him! Should he then work for free? The article didn’t indicate he was holding out for money or anything. In fact it said that he was also offered a job as a special asst w/ the Dodgers and a job w/ESPN as well.
I have a hard time believing the O’s can’t just bring back Hendrickson if they wanted to.
Looks like I’m cancelling my MLB subscription if those morons are hiring Saint Joe.
At least we will not need to hear Mrs. Waldman crying on the radio.
well at least matty can hit vs the japanese
Murton could hit major league pitching too, he just never got a chance.
Murton was deserving of a major league roster spot after what he accomplished with the Cubs, I just think people saw him as strictly a platoon player and didn’t give him a real chance at winning a starting job. Hopefully he gets a few nibbles from MLB clubs following this year. Great story and best of luck to him.
The Cubs gave up on Murton far too quickly. His UZR/150 in 2006 was 18, and his career UZR/150 was 16.7.
And his offensive statistics were sub par.
For a guy who never played in AAA before coming up, not really.
For a guy who never played in AAA before coming up, not really.
Glad to see a former Yellow Jacket doing well! Keep it up Matt!
The Nats payroll is lowering than last year. That’s a bit surprising.
Can someone explain to me HOW exactly Torre “stepped down”?
I mean, correct me if i’m wrong, but he signed a THREE year deal starting with the 08 season.
Yeah, I don’t get that either phrasing either. Torre finished out his contract…
I think they meant that there was an extension on the table and he declined to re-up w/ the Dodgers. He pretty much picked his own replacement in Mattingly plus he turned down an offer to be a special asst to McCourt.
I think they meant that there was an extension on the table and he declined to re-up w/ the Dodgers. He pretty much picked his own replacement in Mattingly plus he turned down an offer to be a special asst to McCourt.
Damn, glad the Rangers didnt do that trade! Holland is ok, but I think Beltre will be a stud! Not only that, Garza is way overrated and the Cubs gave up waaay to much to get him!!
wow Rangers fans must be breathing a sigh of relief on a great trade they never made.
As they look forward to Colby Lewis on Opening Day as opposed to Cliff Lee…
Woulda been nice for them to have Lee, but the years and money didnt match for a 32 yr old and 7 yrs. Im glad they didnt get him. I’m ok with Wilson and Lewis as well. Even if they do super well, you know the Rangers will do something at the trade deadline. And if they do, they will have the players to do it as opposed to wasting them on crap like Garza. The Rays got a heck of a deal!
Garza is crap? That’s a news flash. I do love Holland’s arm though.
Does anyone think that CJ’s increase of over 130 innings from last year will have a negative effect on him this year ? Going from 70 innings to 200 is a huge leap, I know i’d be worried.
Woulda been nice for them to have Lee, but the years and money didnt match for a 32 yr old and 7 yrs. Im glad they didnt get him. I’m ok with Wilson and Lewis as well. Even if they do super well, you know the Rangers will do something at the trade deadline. And if they do, they will have the players to do it as opposed to wasting them on crap like Garza. The Rays got a heck of a deal!
Colby Lewis would still be the opening day starter even if they had Garza…
wow Rangers fans must be breathing a sigh of relief on a great trade they never made.
I’m thinking the reception around the league with Garza is much better than here.
The draft list isn’t COMPLETELY up-to-date. The Gregg signing hasn’t been updated on the list.
While the Rangers trade would of helped the Rays much more for 2011, we would lose our closer yet again next offseason with Fransico, we have no need for Holland. Obviously, I like Chirinos, we got him anyway though, the one that hurts is Beltre, man that would be nice to have him.
Holland will be a beast once he gets it together. A rotation with two lefties that can bring it at 95 mph + w/ control would be devestating.
How bout the Rangers send that package to the Braves for Jair Jurrjens.
hahaha, nice one.