2008 MLB General News Thread

[erokero85]

Yes they do need to build their farm system, but that's the reason they pushed so hard for CC & AJ this year rather than get Santana last year. They gave up no prospects to get them. Sure they lose two supplemental draft picks, but often those draft picks are on the fence about signing or college thus many go to college.

Yet as much as people point to the Phiis/Rays WS as an example of how you should build a team, well the Yankees don't, and no team should, have 10-15 years to suck to restock their MLB team w/ all homegrown players like the Rays did. Plus the Phillies got a little lucky in that they drafted and developed 3, which is amazing since really most teams hope for at least one, yes 3 MVP caliber players in Rollins, Howard, and Utley. Not to mention a stud front line starter who developed a bit faster than expected in Cole Hammels. The Mets choke job the past few years didn't hurt too.

The Yankees farm system is in a pretty good place right now. Phil Hughes was a breaking point in many trades in the past few seasons, Santana last year and Peavy this year and I'm glad he's still with the Yankees. For all the hype and disappointment he was projected to enter and contribute to the rotation in '09, not '07-'08 like he was almost forced to due to injuries. Daym you Pavano. The farm also has a bunch of pen help which is why the bulpen has been a strength the past few years despite Torre killing the bullpen his last few years. Sadly other than Hughes, Mark Melancon, and maybe JB Cox, none of them have a huge upside.

They also have some good position players in Austin Jackson (of) who might see some time this year, but most likely in 2010. A catcher, Jesus Montero, who should be ready when it's time to move Posada from full time catching duties, hopefully in a year or two. Plus a guy, Juan Miranda, who might get a shot to start at first.

it's kinda sad how much I know about this stuff..... and how much I'm counting on these guys...

[trashtalkr]

So the Yanks just signed Mark Teixeira to a 8 year, $180 million contract. That gives the Yankees the 4 highest paid players in baseball....damn. Here is what the projected Yankees lineup is - tell me this isn't deadly.

1. Johnny Damon
2. Derek Jeter
3. Mark Teixiera
4. A-Rod
5. Hideki Matsui
6. Xavier Nady
7. Jorge Posada
8. Robinson Cano
9. Melky Cabrera
Pitchers:
1. CC Sabathia
2. Chein-Ming Wang
3. AJ Burnett
4. Andy Pettitte
5. Joba Chamberlain

Shit son...

[erokero85]

That is a killer lineup no doubt. But I'd rather see what Brett Gardner can do given extended playing time. The Yankees need to upgrade their team speed, and Gardner has + speed. Some even say he's just as fast, if not faster than that Elsbury kid in Boston. Granted he has a weaker arm than Cabrera, but he has better eye at the plate, and a true base stealing threat.

There are only two thing I really worry about with this team. Will Matsui and Posada return to their offensive numbers? If not they are both lacking on the defensive side. Not to mention can CC really come through in the playoffs? He's hardly been dominant, almost like another A-Rod. Plus he's not really dominant against the AL East unlike Burnett. Well he's been good against the Yankees, but that's no help now. He's so-so against the Red Sox, and dominated the Rays, but this is a whole different team now. Well as long as he he wins the games he should, i.e. Royals, Rangers..., and just over 50% against the Sox & Angels he should be fine.

[darklighter1]

Yeah I gotta hand it to em that was some signing today. It was reported around here all day until about three o'clock that Teixeira was just about sewn up with Boston and then the Yankees came outa nowhere and had him signed. Amazing! But I'm not really heart broken either. He's a great player but I don't think he's worth that kinda contract but who really is? Wonder where they put Swisher now?

I kinda like how the Sox are mostly building through their farm system now but I worry about Ortiz being near the end and was hoping Teixeira would replace his bat in a few years...ah well. Still fear Tampa the most right now still cause of the pitching 1 - 10 but the Yanks have got to be the World Series favorite going in now....sigh.. :disappoint:

[trashtalkr]

The great thing about these signings, is that the Yanks are set to win now and didn't have to give up any of their farm system. They are quietly building a pretty good prospect list, including Gardner.

I agree with your assessment of Matsui and Posada, erokero, hopefully they will return to form. There is still talk about the Yankees trading either Matsui or Xavier Nady (and maybe still Damon) for a solid outfielder, which would be great. I wish the Melky Cabrera for Mike Cameron trade would have gone through. We really need a CF, though, so Damon, Nady, Swisher, and Matsui can all compete for the corner sports.

Even though I'm a huge Yankees fan, I really do think baseball needs a salary cap. No player, in any sport, is worth $180 million. No one

[erokero85]

Even though I'm a huge Yankees fan, I really do think baseball needs a salary cap. No player, in any sport, is worth $180 million. No one

And just think, the Yanks have three of them. A-Rod $275, Jeter $189, and Tex @ $180. At least it's not as bad as the contract David Beckham had/has @ $250 mil over 5 yrs.

I think Swisher will be the "super-sub" for this team, spelling both corner spots, Damon, Matsui & Nady, and Tex @ first. I like him much better in that role anyway. If he rediscovers his swing, then it's a bonus and then maybe a trade of Damon or Matsui could happen at mid season. I'd like to keep Nady at all costs since he's proven he can product in NY, plus he's still young-ish. Damon and Matsui are both in the final year of their contracts so you might not get much in return for either. Plus we would still need Damon for the leadoff spot.

I'd be cool w/ a salary cap, in the same way I'm ok w/ the age minimum in the NBA. It saves GM's and owners from being total idiots. But I'd like it to be like the NBA where the top guys can only get so much of the total team salary. Plus if they do get a "hard" cap, I'd also like a league minimum. None of this, "we get $20 mil in revenue sharing, $5 mil from the luxury tax, so our salary should be no more than $18 mil..." There's no reason why teams shouldn't spend money to at least keep their own players even if they don't actively seek free agents.

and don't worry DL, you guys have a ton of pitching prospects, and good ones at that, that you guys could pull off almost any trade you want/need. I'm still much more worried about your Sox than the Rays since you guys still have a closer while they are still searching for one. Plus the Rays need to be good for more than one year to prove they are here to stay.

[darklighter1]

Oh don't patronize me Ero! HAHA just kiddin buddy. I still like the Sox chances, not as much as the Yanks now but I'm still comfortable. As much as I hate to admit it, it was kinda boring this past year without the Yanks in contention. We in Boston need the Yankees like Batman needs the Joker. ;)

[trashtalkr]

Free Agent Signings

Red Sox sign Takashi Saito (1 year, $2 million)
Red Sox sign Rocco Baldelli (1 year, $5 million)
Red Sox sign John Smoltz (1 year, $5.5 million)
Red Sox sign Brad Penny (1 year, $5 million)
Red Sox sign Mark Kotsay (1 year deal, money unknown)
Mets sign Tim Redding (1 year, $2.5 million)
Royals sign Willie Bloomquist (2 year, $3.1 million)
Cubs sign Milton Bradley (3 year, $30 million)
Athletics sign Jason Giambi (1 year, $5.25 million)
Indians sign Carl Pavano (1 year, $1.5 million)

[darklighter1]

Most of those signings are pretty good bargain basement deals that could pay huge dividends except for Pavano....Uhh Cleveland have you seen what this guy did the last 4 years? Yeesh!

[ne0knight]

Sources tell SI Alex Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003

By Selena Roberts and David Epstein

Posted: Saturday February 7, 2009 10:12AM; Updated: Saturday February 7, 2009 10:58AM

In 2003, when he won the American League home run title and the AL Most Valuable Player award as a shortstop for the Texas Rangers, Alex Rodriguez tested positive for two anabolic steroids, four sources have independently told Sports Illustrated.

Rodriguez's name appears on a list of 104 players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball's '03 survey testing, SI's sources say. As part of a joint agreement with the MLB Players Association, the testing was conducted to determine if it was necessary to impose mandatory random drug testing across the major leagues in 2004.

When approached by an SI reporter on Thursday at a gym in Miami, Rodriguez declined to discuss his 2003 test results. "You'll have to talk to the union," said Rodriguez, the Yankees' third baseman since his trade to New York in February 2004. When asked if there was an explanation for his positive test, he said, "I'm not saying anything."

Phone messages left by SI for players' union executive director Donald Fehr were not returned.

Though MLB's drug policy has expressly prohibited the use of steroids without a valid prescription since 1991, there were no penalties for a positive test in 2003. The results of that year's survey testing of 1,198 players were meant to be anonymous under the agreement between the commissioner's office and the players association. Rodriguez's testing information was found, however, after federal agents, armed with search warrants, seized the '03 test results from Comprehensive Drug Testing, Inc., of Long Beach, Calif., one of two labs used by MLB in connection with that year's survey testing. The seizure took place in April 2004 as part of the government's investigation into 10 major league players linked to the BALCO scandal -- though Rodriguez himself has never been connected to BALCO.

The list of the 104 players whose urine samples tested positive is under seal in California. However, two sources familiar with the evidence that the government has gathered in its investigation of steroid use in baseball and two other sources with knowledge of the testing results have told Sports Illustrated that Rodriguez is one of the 104 players identified as having tested positive, in his case for testosterone and an anabolic steroid known by the brand name Primobolan. All four sources spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the evidence.

Primobolan, which is also known by the chemical name methenolone, is an injected or orally administered drug that is more expensive than most steroids. (A 12-week cycle can cost $500.) It improves strength and maintains lean muscle with minimal bulk development, according to steroid experts, and has relatively few side effects. Kirk Radomski, the former New York Mets clubhouse employee who in 2007 pleaded guilty to illegal distribution of steroids to numerous major league players, described in his recent book, Bases Loaded: The Inside Story of the Steroid Era in Baseball by the Central Figure in the Mitchell Report, how players increasingly turned to drugs such as Primobolan in 2003, in part to avoid detection in testing. Primobolan is detectable for a shorter period of time than the steroid previously favored by players, Deca-Durabolin. According to a search of FDA records, Primobolan is not an approved prescription drug in the United States, nor was it in 2003. (Testosterone can be taken legally with an appropriate medical prescription.)

Rodriguez finished the 2003 season by winning his third straight league home run title (with 47) and the first of his three MVP awards.

Because more than 5% of big leaguers had tested positive in 2003, baseball instituted a mandatory random-testing program, with penalties, in '04. According to the 2007 Mitchell Report on steroid use in baseball, in September 2004, Gene Orza, the chief operating officer of the players' union, violated an agreement with MLB by tipping off a player (not named in the report) about an upcoming, supposedly unannounced drug test. Three major league players who spoke to SI said that Rodriguez was also tipped by Orza in early September 2004 that he would be tested later that month. Rodriguez declined to respond on Thursday when asked about the warning Orza provided him.

When Orza was asked on Friday in the union's New York City office about the tipping allegations, he told a reporter, "I'm not interested in discussing this information with you."

Anticipating that the 33-year-old Rodriguez, who has 553 career home runs, could become the game's alltime home run king, the Yankees signed him in November 2007 to a 10-year, incentive-laden deal that could be worth as much as $305 million. Rodriguez is reportedly guaranteed $275 million and could receive a $6 million bonus each time he ties one of the four players at the top of the list: Willie Mays (660), Babe Ruth (714), Hank Aaron (755) and Barry Bonds (762), and an additional $6 million for passing Bonds. In order to receive the incentive money, the contract reportedly requires Rodriguez to make extra promotional appearances and sign memorabilia for the Yankees as part of a marketing plan surrounding his pursuit of Bonds's record. Two sources familiar with Rodriguez's contract told SI that there is no language about steroids in the contract that would put Rodriguez at risk of losing money.

Arguments before an 11-judge panel in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in Pasadena are ongoing between government prosecutors and the players' association over the government's seizure of the test results from the Long Beach lab. The agents who collected the material had a search warrant only for the results for the 10 BALCO-linked players. Attorneys from the union argue that the government is entitled only to the results for those players, not the entire list. If the court sides with the union, federal authorities may be barred from using the positive survey test results of non-BALCO players such as Rodriguez in their ongoing investigations.

Source: sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/02/07/alex-rodriguez-steroids/index.html?eref=T1

Well ... so much for A-Roid wiping away the taint of Barroid. :?