I'd rather have them go for Thome...he fits in their lineup worse.

I oddly agree. He had a great year last year, but I can't see him repeating it. And the fact he's a lefty makes things a lot easier with their lefty-heavy lineup (and Thome's noticeable splits - much more than Vladdy). With 3 lefties in the pen it would make decisions pretty easy.

Edited January 11, 201115 yr by Pale Sox

The Rangers are going to score them some runs.

They're going to give up a ton too.

They're going to give up a ton too.

Think so? They're pretty good defensively, and their pitching is decent. Not great, but decent. Especially if their young arms can contribute (Martin Perez?) and they don't have to rely on someone like Brandon Webb.

They're going to give up a ton too.

 

The key is C.J. Wilson. If he can come anywhere close to his 2010 season, that staff should be okay. Colby Lewis was not a fluke last year, that guy can pitch. Tommy Hunter is a serviceable guy. With the possibility of Feliz becoming a starter and the slight possibility that Webb might be healthy and effective, you have yourself a formidable staff.

 

There's also Scott Feldman and Derek Holland who can end up being possible 5th starters.

 

I think their pitching will be okay. Not as good as last year, but enough to keep them the favorites for the AL West. I really do like what the A's have done in the off-season though.

I'd rather have them go for Thome...he fits in their lineup worse.

 

But Thome is actually a powerful hitter at this point in his career. I don't have the numbers and am being extremely lazy, but I'm like positive that Vlad not only was terrible on the road last year, but that he broke down as the season wore on and so he was a bit of a burden in the lineup in the second half.

 

If the Twins are going to sign an older DH type to a 1 year deal, I hope and pray that they sign Vlad. He's a good guy to put up against LHP, but you really can't trust him for much more than that.

Vlad did break down in the second half (.748 OPS) but in his defense he had just under 600 AB's on the year. Give Thome the same number (he had less than half of what Vlad had), and I would be my life he'd slow down too.

Edited January 11, 201115 yr by Pale Sox

Tigers sign Brad Penny, reportedly $3mil base, with $3mil incentives. Not a bad guy to have as your #4/5 starter.

Tigers sign Brad Penny, reportedly $3mil base, with $3mil incentives. Not a bad guy to have as your #4/5 starter.

 

That's a really good deal for them. Although Penny's shown before that he's nothing special in the AL.

Tigers sign Brad Penny, reportedly $3mil base, with $3mil incentives. Not a bad guy to have as your #4/5 starter.

 

He'll fit right in with the guys who are always hurt up there.

Heyman has Rays looking at Thome and Vlad as well, obviously won't start some sort of crazy bidding war, but gives them another option of where to sign

Heyman has Rays looking at Thome and Vlad as well, obviously won't start some sort of crazy bidding war, but gives them another option of where to sign

 

Just keep both of those guys away from the Twins and we'll be fine.

Heyman has Rays looking at Thome and Vlad as well, obviously won't start some sort of crazy bidding war, but gives them another option of where to sign

Who is going to play 1b for the Rays this year?

Here's this year's Verducci effect list/article.

Who is going to play 1b for the Rays this year?

and who is going to close for them as well? The team still needs a lot

and who is going to close for them as well? The team still needs a lot

 

I still can't believe they're looking at 11 draft picks before the third round this year, assuming they don't re-sign Balfour.

Edited January 11, 201115 yr by Jordan4life

I still can't believe they're looking at 11 draft picks before the third round this year, assuming they don't re-sign Balfour.

 

That's not gonna do them any good this year or until like 2013 at the earliest probably. And that's if the picks work out too.

That's not gonna do them any good this year or until like 2013 at the earliest probably. And that's if the picks work out too.

 

I know. I'm just saying that's pretty crazy.

I know. I'm just saying that's pretty crazy.

 

Totally. Couldn't that kind of be a bad thing though? I realize that the more talent in the system, the better. But I assume their drafting budget isn't astronomical, and if you have that many high draft picks to sign, you might have to offer certain ones less than they are looking for, which could keep them from wanting to sign with you? I'm no expert on MLB drafting, but that thought just popped in my head, I don't know if its true or not.

Totally. Couldn't that kind of be a bad thing though? I realize that the more talent in the system, the better. But I assume their drafting budget isn't astronomical, and if you have that many high draft picks to sign, you might have to offer certain ones less than they are looking for, which could keep them from wanting to sign with you? I'm no expert on MLB drafting, but that thought just popped in my head, I don't know if its true or not.

 

I don't think so with the Rays. I mean that's the way small market teams have to operate. To invest heavily into scouting and the draft. No team signs every pick. But I imagine their FO knew well before last season that they were going to lose most or all of their key free agents. They have no problem spending on the draft because that's the only way they can be competitive. And I for one still think despite the key losses that the Rays will remain competitive in 2011.

I don't think so with the Rays. I mean that's the way small market teams have to operate. To invest heavily into scouting and the draft. No team signs every pick. But I imagine their FO knew well before last season that they were going to lose most or all of their key free agents. They have no problem spending on the draft because that's the only way they can be competitive. And I for one still think despite the key losses that the Rays will remain competitive in 2011.

 

I agree that they will be competitive next year with all that talent. The problem is that they are stuck in the Evil Empire division, so simply competing doesnt get you very far. All the best scouting in the world can only get you so far, if you can't raise the payroll and keep all the talent. If only the fans in Tampa gave a s*** about them, they really could have something going down there, even better than what they are now.

Trevor Hoffman and his 601 saves are calling it a career.

 

Mariano is second all time with 559.

It's not out of the realm of possibility that Rivera could pass Hoffman this year.

It's not out of the realm of possibility that Rivera could pass Hoffman this year.

 

It might actually be better because of the state of the Yankees starters making it a whole lot more closer games this year.

Olney reporting Kyle Farnsworth to the Rays. one-year, $3.25 million with an option, could be worth 2 yrs., $6 mil

Somehow, Kyle Farnsworth always ends up with a relatively lucrative contract.