Sever82

They're bidding against themselves from the looks of it. Doesn't look like Holliday has an offer from another team since the Mets signed Bay, unless the Red Sox come into the picture. This kind of reminds me of the Zito signing.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4780391 Starting to sounds like Holliday's deal might end up being as bad as Soriano's. I'd be real hesitant to give Holliday that kind of money, especially a player who posted big number in colorado and struggled in Oakland early on. I mean yeah he played well for the Cards but is he worth that much money? Mlbtr is posted that it was confirmed to be 140 million over 8 years guaranteed.

That's a scary thought. This team can't afford to trade Zambrano at this point, unless it's an offer that Hendry would be an absolute idiot to turn down. Can't imagine Hendry dealing Z without having a replacement in mind. whether is getting a young pitcher back or trading Z and signing Sheets.

Never would happen, Z wouldn't waive his no trade for Baltimore. I think the teams he would waive it to, are actually all options. The Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Red Sox and a long shot would be the White Sox. Z would definitely waive his no trade for the White Sox but i doubt JR would take on his contract. Ozzie would probably convince them about Z's attitude.

Yeah but all they do on that site is reiterate rumors or post stories. They dont break any news. I dont think there is any truth to the rumor but you may never know. The only reporter i've seen comment on it has been Bruce Levine. So you can have as many fans as you want bashing rumors and even Tim Dierkes is just a blogger. When you get people like Levine, Miles, etc commenting on it, than you would listen since they get inside info. Its kind of annoying hearing SD fans because they think that for Agon, they should get four - five top prospects. Adrian Gonzalez is a great player but by no means is he the best 1st Baseman in the majors. The way some people are talking about him, they're acting as if the padres should get a better package than what was sent for Texeira. Texeira to me is a better player than Agon. I think a fair package for Agon would be two top prospects and then maybe two Lower level prospects but nothing special. If I remember correctly, Adrian Gonzalez has a contract over the next two years that won't pay more than 10m total. You aren't just paying to get Adrian Gonzalez. You are paying for one of the cheapest contracts in baseball in terms of production, and for 2 years, not just 1. SD fans should expect 4 or 5 prospects for Gonzalez. The numbers he put up last year was in the worst hitter's park in all of baseball. ETA: It's actually a 3 year contract that will pay 15m total. The team has a club option on him for 2011 for 5.5m. Of course, that will be picked up. How much will Tex make this year? More than Gonzalez will make for the next 3 years? How much should San Diego be asking for an all star caliber 1b making Mark DeRosa type money? I understand the contract but it still doesn't warrant asking for 4-5 top prospects for him. Plus, look who's trying to bring him in, its not like the red Sox are hurting for money. Obviously acquiring a player like Agon helps payroll in a sense. But i bet if the Red Sox had a package that would get Gonzalez or Pujols, they would go for Pujols despite the salary. Even Miguel Cabrera is another option, they definitely wouldn't pick cabrera over Agon but if Cabrera costs them less in prospects, they would probably take Cabrera.

Yeah but all they do on that site is reiterate rumors or post stories. They dont break any news. I dont think there is any truth to the rumor but you may never know. The only reporter i've seen comment on it has been Bruce Levine. So you can have as many fans as you want bashing rumors and even Tim Dierkes is just a blogger. When you get people like Levine, Miles, etc commenting on it, than you would listen since they get inside info. Its kind of annoying hearing SD fans because they think that for Agon, they should get four - five top prospects. Adrian Gonzalez is a great player but by no means is he the best 1st Baseman in the majors. The way some people are talking about him, they're acting as if the padres should get a better package than what was sent for Texeira. Texeira to me is a better player than Agon. I think a fair package for Agon would be two top prospects and then maybe two Lower level prospects but nothing special.

And u also have to figure in he may want some incentive (extension) to waive his ntc. I highly doubt that. He has plenty of years remaining on his deal, there is no team in the world that would extend his deal if he already has a few more years remaining on it and i'm pretty sure Z's agent knows this. This isn't a roy halladay situatin in which Z's contract is up after this year.

I like the money you save by trading Z but this isn't the NBA where the cubs are trying to save Cap Space. There isn't anything out in the FA market that is as young and productive as big Z. I mean yeah Big Z is overpaid at this point but why would you trade him for garbage just to free up payroll when there isnt anything out there to use your payroll on. Best bet for the cubs would be to wait on trading Z maybe until next offseason and hope he has a great year this year to build his value. Lets say Z has a 19-8 with an ERA close or below 3 and 200+ innings and 150+ks season. With the free agent class coming up, you could then package Z to maybe the Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers, etc. and acquire something of real value plus use the money to maybe sign Crawford or another big name FA.

Wow, do people actually believe garbage like this: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/316076-mets-closing-in-on-bay-molina-zambrano I mean really, the cubs talked to the yankees about Zambrano and probably asked for Melky and a couple other players for Z but yet this post is suggesting they'll settle for Castillo and a young player which probably means a prospect, unless that young player is Jose Reyes, i highly doubt the cubs would trade Z for a package that is Castillo as the centerpiece. If they do, Hendry needs to be fired on the spot.

Yeah pretty much. I'm not buying into the media's Met Hype anymore. They were hyped last year to be in the playoffs and maybe win the WS. I remember Olney and some of the other ESPN analysts calling the Mets bullpen unbelievable and the best in the Majors hands down. I understand they had injuries but even if they were healthy, i doubt they would've even reached the playoffs. I'm pretty sure it was the year before last that they had all the hype. I don't remember many people having much confidence in the Mets at all last season. No they hyped them last year, especially after acquiring KRod.

Yeah pretty much. I'm not buying into the media's Met Hype anymore. They were hyped last year to be in the playoffs and maybe win the WS. I remember Olney and some of the other ESPN analysts calling the Mets bullpen unbelievable and the best in the Majors hands down. I understand they had injuries but even if they were healthy, i doubt they would've even reached the playoffs. Very similar story to another NL team that was supposed to run off with their division and maybe win the world series, only they were hit with injuries and inconsistancy when they were healthy. Difference is though, the cubs actually won their division two seasons in a row before last year. They also had the rookie of the year as their catcher so it was natural to pick them as a favorite. The Mets on the otherhand seem to be overhyped every year despite not having much success this decade.

Yeah pretty much. I'm not buying into the media's Met Hype anymore. They were hyped last year to be in the playoffs and maybe win the WS. I remember Olney and some of the other ESPN analysts calling the Mets bullpen unbelievable and the best in the Majors hands down. I understand they had injuries but even if they were healthy, i doubt they would've even reached the playoffs.

Delgado is a free agent. Dont know how that lineup is a sick lineup, other than Reyes, Wright and Beltran, dont see who would even worry an opposing pitcher on that lineup. Even Reyes is a question mark with him recovering from that hamstring injury.

According to Mike Francesca of Mets radio, they've reached an agreement and its pending a physical, should be announced next week. Heyman confirmed it on his twitter.

How about a deal with the Mets: Zambrano + Berg/Stevens + Fuld/Colvin + Blanco/Lee (ss) for Reyes + Pelfrey/Maine + Pagan We'd probably have to take Perez's contract back in this situation, Mets are rather strapped for cash and can't be bringing in another $15+ mil. contract annually when they would be giving up players who all have modest to small contracts. How about Zambrano, Colvin, Theriot for Reyes + Perez.

If only Theo Epstein were a moron. I dont think its that bad of a trade. Sorry but Ellsbury isn't exactly Carl Crawford and Dice K isn't coming off of a bad season.

Speaking of Ellsbury, would you guys to a trade of Dice K and Ellsbury for Zambrano?

I highly doubt that. I think the cubs asked for more than just Cabrera. If all the cubs asked for was Igawa and cabrera for Zambrano? I'm pretty sure the yankees would've said yes. that would've been a bad trade for the cubs. I'm guessing the cubs maybe asked for hughes, chamberlain or Cano in the deal. According to Heyman, the cubs asking price was too high, asking for Igawa and Cabrera is not a high asking price. I'm going to assume even the Cubs weren't stupid enough to offer Zambrano for Igawa and Cabrera. Thats pretty much my point, you can say Zambrano is overpaid but he is worth way more than just an average Cf and a highly overpaid lefty. Where did you hear that this was the offer? You are the only one I've read who has said it. I didn't see Zambrano's name mentioned. http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2009/12/report-yankees-inquired-about-cubs-zambrano.html Mark Feinsand posted on Twitter that the cubs were willing to eat Igawas contract. From the posts above, someone suggested that cabrera was probably the other player in the trade which is a safe assumption. My argument was that since the yankees didnt pursue a trade because the cubs asked for too much, than it was probably because they asked for something more than just Igawa, Cabrera, and maybe a bigger name.

I hope he's right, but I really don't trust Rosenthal's word. I hope so too, i'm not to excited about acquiring Capps. If he's cheap, i'm fine with that but with the way Hendry works, i'm pretty sure he'll overpay.

I highly doubt that. I think the cubs asked for more than just Cabrera. If all the cubs asked for was Igawa and cabrera for Zambrano? I'm pretty sure the yankees would've said yes. that would've been a bad trade for the cubs. I'm guessing the cubs maybe asked for hughes, chamberlain or Cano in the deal. According to Heyman, the cubs asking price was too high, asking for Igawa and Cabrera is not a high asking price. I'm going to assume even the Cubs weren't stupid enough to offer Zambrano for Igawa and Cabrera. Thats pretty much my point, you can say Zambrano is overpaid but he is worth way more than just an average Cf and a highly overpaid lefty.

I highly doubt that. I think the cubs asked for more than just Cabrera. If all the cubs asked for was Igawa and cabrera for Zambrano? I'm pretty sure the yankees would've said yes. that would've been a bad trade for the cubs. I'm guessing the cubs maybe asked for hughes, chamberlain or Cano in the deal. According to Heyman, the cubs asking price was too high, asking for Igawa and Cabrera is not a high asking price.

A lack of eye popping major league stats by age 24 does not indicate anything about a player's upside. In fact, nothing you are talking about relates to upside in anyway. The numbers dont have to be eye popping, i'm not saying that. But they do have to show something. And looking at his numbers, I dont think there's anything that shows "Oh you know what, i think this kid will be something." you mean like his minor league numbers? Wouldn't put much into minor league numbers, Cedeno had better minor league stats than Pie if i remember.

Actually i agree with you on that. I dont think Pie is a potential star by any means. But i hope the cubs let Castro work through his funks and dont give him a short leash. Same thing goes for vitters, Jackson, etc. I know i may be in the minority on this but i would prefer the cubs go in the direction of rebuilding and i think Ryno would be a better manager than Piniella when it comes to this. Before anybody comes at me, just my opinion but i think Sanberg, having worked with most of the cubs prospects, has more a feel of what they bring to the table. Piniella on the other hand isn't as patient and prefers his vets, you can tell him countless times that Castro is a special player but you better believe he'll pull him if he doesn't produce. Pie's had a decent amount of time to prove himself but he was jerked around a bit. Not to say Ryno is the best option to this, i mean if Piniella leaves after this season and Larussa is available, i'm all for going after Larussa. Whoever manages this cubs team when the youngsters come up needs to have some patience and i dont think piniella's that kind of manager. Whats going to be hard for whoever manages some of these cubs prospects, is dealing with the fans and media that wont want to go through the aches and pains of developing players. We'll see though, i'd rather have them rebuild than to continue overpaying for players coming off career years.

A lack of eye popping major league stats by age 24 does not indicate anything about a player's upside. In fact, nothing you are talking about relates to upside in anyway. The numbers dont have to be eye popping, i'm not saying that. But they do have to show something. And looking at his numbers, I dont think there's anything that shows "Oh you know what, i think this kid will be something."

I'm not for waiting til the deadline to move theriot. Reason being is that i assume the cubs will sign a second baseman before the start of the season. And if they do and Starlin succeeds in the majors before the deadline, other clubs will look at theriot and feel the cubs have to trade him because he doesn't fit on the roster. So they might begin to offer some packages not worth much. I mean Theriot is not going to net you a good package unless he's packaged with something else. But i feel he's worth more now then he will be later on in the year. Unless of course he's having a great season.