The Phillies and Jim Thome have agreed on a one-year contract.

I guess the Derek Lowe trade to the Indians (don't like it for them) was the first sorta big move of the off season but this one is more interesting. I'm surprised to see Thome back in the NL where he'll only serve as a pinch hitter. It's a good spot to chase a ring and he has a great relationship with Phillies manager Charlie Manuel but I thought he still has enough in the tank to be a DH.

This move doesn't make much sense. I understand the WS angle. However, pinch hitting only? I'm trying to find his pinch stats. They must be good, because not every great hitter is a great pinch hitter.

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Gives them protection in case Ryan Howard isn't ready to start the season. This assumes he hasn't lost his 1st basemens mitt.

If you are bored, you can do this contest to pick where the top 50 go. Entries due by Sunday midnight

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012freeagentcontest

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"All crowds boycotting football games shouldn't care who sings or takes a knee because they aren't watching." - Nas

Maybe they want him to be player-manager.

#Royals trade OF Melky Cabrera to San Francisco for P Jonathan Sancez and minor-league pitcher Verdugo.

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Fo sho.

Good move.


I like Cabrera for Sanchez. Think that works out for both sides.

I've read that Ryan Howard's likely gone for all of the 2012 season due to that nasty injury he suffered at the end of the NLDS matchup vs. the Cardinals. OUCH! I think Jim Thome's signing with the Phillies likely means he's playing first base, even at his age.

I've heard that the royals are eyeing jair jurrjens from the braves... idk what they'd give up, but the braves are kind of stacked sitting on tommy hanson, brandon beachy, mike minor, randall delgado, and julio teheran. as a matter of fact, that could be their starting 5 going into next year if they move jurrjens and tim hudson goes out to pasture.... but i'm thinking they'll keep hudson around for "veteran leadership" and enjoy some depth cuz cyborg hanson doesn't seem too keen on finishing seasons lately.

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Signing Thome this early gives him the entire off season to get ready to handle playing 1B. If they waited until feb, he wouldn't be worth as much, but I could see him coming into camp with a back ready to play every day and do well in Philly.

Was looking at that Sanchez/Cabrera deal - the Giants soured on Sanchez after he missed half the season with a bicep issue. He's always been a bit of an enigma with his SO numbers but poor control. This is the last year he's eligible for arbitration so the Giants get something in return for him and don't have to worry about him walking away for nothing. The Giants were also rumored that they would non-tender him.
Assuming the arm is better, that Royals staff is looking better for next year. Verdugo is a marginal prospect. Cabrera had a resurgence last year but who knows what he will do this year.

Nationals Looking for Catcher

rafaelrojasc Rafael Rojas C
#Nationals C Wilson Ramos has been kidnapped at his home in Maracay, Venezuela. Situation developing.

I know it's a bad joke. I'm not starting a new thread.

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not a bad joke, DropIn. That was solid.

The Twins and Jamey Carroll (38) have agreed to a multi-year contract.

What the hell is this organization doing? I read he's going to be their everyday shortstop. My how the 'dynasty' has fallen.

They are also strongly considering hiring Quade to manage their AAA team.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

The Phillies and Jonathan Papelbon have reached a 4yr/$50M contract.

I don't understand why some are ripping this deal. Does Papelbon make them a worse team?? Maybe it's for a little too much money and maybe it's a year too long but why do the Phillies care? They've reached the playoffs the last 5 years, they've won a World Series and been to another.

This might be a stretch if they didn't already have the best starting rotation in baseball. Papelbon has playoff and World Series experience and upgrades an already dominating pitching staff. Pencil the Phils in for playoff year number 6, 7, 8.......

Yes, they will probably make the playoffs again...so what? The closer position sure as shit wasn't what led to them losing in the playoffs this year...they need another bat.

Marlins Make Offers to Pujols, Reyes, Buehrle
By Mark Polishuk [November 11 at 9:51pm CST]
9:51pm: Loria confirmed the club made the offers, reports Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Marlins president David Samson, however, said the team had no official comment. When asked if the club could afford all three players, Samson said “It’s a problem we never suspected could happen. That’s the true answer.”

5:03pm: The Marlins have made "substantial offers" to both Albert Pujols and Jose Reyes, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and have also offered a contract to Mark Buehrle, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (both Twitter links). The team met with Pujols today, Reyes on Wednesday and Buehrle on Tuesday but apparently already felt comfortable enough to make contract offers, though Heyman reports there is "nothing close" to a deal with any of the three.

Miami's aggressiveness is no surprise, given how the Marlins have been in hot pursuit of several top free agents already this offseason. It's unlikely that Pujols, Reyes or Buehrle would sign so early without fully exploring the market for their services, though a blow-away offer from the Marlins could change their minds.

The Marlins' payroll was expected to increase by as much as $35MM this winter, but signing Pujols, Reyes and Buehrle would add at least $60MM to the 2012 payroll. That's a big outlay for three players --- to put it in perspective, Cot's Baseball Contracts lists the entire Marlins payroll for 2011 as just under $57.7MM. Given how committed Jeffrey Loria is to put a competitive team into his new ballpark, we may have been conservative with our estimates about how much the Marlins are willing to spend this winter.

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“Be Who You Are and Say What You Feel Because Those Who Mind Don't Matter and Those Who Matter Don't Mind.” ~ Dr. Suess


Nice Guys Finish Last

Thank you,and have a nice day !

The Phils have about $35M off the books. They'll get another bat or two.

Sources report Jose Reyes has agreed to terms with the Miami Marlins.

Wow. I can't wait to see the terms of the deal but the bigger question is what do the Marlins plan on doing with Hanley? Trade him? Move him to 3B or centerfield? If they keep him that is going to be one hell of a lineup.

3rd or package him in a deal sending Big Z to the Marlins and Hanley to the Cubs!!!

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Not official.

Cards name Mike Matheny manager.

The fuck, what?

That is very interesting. He had absolutely no experience either....just like Ventura if I remember correctly. I don't want Tito running the Cubs at this juncture in time and this makes it very possible.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Saw that coming 5 years ago. Defensive minded catcher is like a guarentee of a Managing job.

No doubt he was on the managing career path...but this soon? I'm trying to figure out what he's been doing and I'm not seeing any managing experience at all.

Matheny has no managing experience and turned 41 years old just last month, but the feeling is that he would make the transition from La Russa a smooth one and that he would operate well with the front office and coaching staff that is currently set in place. He’d also be cheaper, presumably, than Francona.



A lot like the Ventura situation.

Cards get a new manager b4 Boston and Chicago? I have no idea why those two are still sitting on their hands.

Really?


Has the recent activity of the two organizations led you to believe they move quick?

Doug Mirabelli and Paul Bako are playing hard to get...