Wednesday, December 7, 2011

MLB Winter meetings

Alright patrons of ye old bar...here is our next topic.  The winter meetings (baseballs annual trade show) are in full swing and business is booming!  Jose Reyes has officially become the newest member of the Miami heat, and has been tol....what...oh yeah sorry the Miami MARLINS, sorry!  He has been told that he will need to cut his hair by owner Jeff Loria.  I guess that means Troy Palamalu can't ever be a Marlin ( what would Head and Shoulders say!!) .  Anyway here are a few more story lines coming out of the meeetings.
The machine is going to make ALLLOOOOTTT of money as a 42 yr old baseball player......
Albert Pujols has been offered 10 yrs and roughly $220 million from both the Heat, I mean Marlins, and Cardinals.  Apparently there are reports that the Cubs are involved, but I think that is a long shot to happen.  Pujols wanted a no trade clause put in to the contract and that was a sticking point for the Marlins, as that goes against team policy (see Jose Reyes Hair).  The Marlins are pushing to get the deal done like,YESTERDAY, but I think Albert's heartstrings are being tugged by StL.  MY TAKE:  The Machine will get his payday and ultimately he is gonna be a South Beach resident when all is said and done. 
Prince is playing second fiddle to a Machine......
The next biggest free agent (literally, he's a big boy) is Prince Fielder.  He is clearly in a holding pattern as he awaits Albert's deal to finish.  Leaders in to the clubhouse on Prince are the Mariners, Cubs and Blue Jays.  The Jays will not go beyond 5 yrs, which eliminates them.  Theo and the Cubbies have the money and the attraction after Pena denied arbitration.  The Mariners might be the most excited and do the most work to get Fielder as an upgrade over Justin Smoak.   The issue there could be the thought of 81 games in the worst power hitters park in baseball.  Fielder is looking for a 7 year deal worth roughly $200 million and will get it. Fielder is not as good a 1b as pujols but is younger and has recently avg more games per year and RBI's. MY TAKE: Prince ends up with neither. My guess is another team comes in to swoop him away. The Orioles (yes this is blatant dreaming and fan stupidity on my part) or Cards could do it, especially if cards lose pujols. I am going to go with the angels though as the team to take on the Prince. 
Yankees make no noise...then some noise.......
Brian Cashman has recently been very aggressive at these meetings, because the Yanks had money to spend. Fact of the matter is they are tied up by A rod's deal and re-upping Sabbathia. The other point they are making is that they will not give up there coveted prospects. WHO ARE THESE YANKEES!? Cash an has a death grip on Nunez, Montero and Nova. Then today they let out they are listening to offers for Burnett AND are willing to eat some salary. Original figures are they will eat $8 million, not enough for a guy who has 4 innings a game in him and was just flat out awful this year. That is a jumping off point though. The Yankees are willing to listen and move Burnett because he needs to get out of NY. MY TAKE: Burnett needs a change of scenery for sure. No matter what Joe Girardi says, the 2 of them do not get along. I think Burnett is valuable in the right situation and could be a big help as a 2 or 3 for a good team. Don't be surprised if the Angels, Orioles, Rockies and Rangers make a run at him and land him.  
So tell me, where do you think these guys land? (My pick next to them) Pujols---Miami Prince---Angels C.J. Wilson--Rangers Buerhle---Rangers Who else are you watching? 
GOLDY

3 comments:

  1. Pujols will stay in St. Louis (which is where the Saulty Goldbecks are headed at XMAS)....Fielder is coming to DC & getting rid of pappa LaRoche....Wilson stays with Rangers....Buehrle to Miami sound machine.

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  2. I think Prince will end up in Chicago, but not long term. Something around $50/2 or $75/3.

    Burnett is damaged goods. Pitching is on the rebound, and a guy who's ERA is 5+ is not worth $15 million a season. The Yankees would have to eat A LOT of that contract to move him.

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  3. I agree now that pujols signed with angels. Prince will be a cub. Burnett however will find a suitor and yes the Yankees will have to eat at least 10-12 mill

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