I believe we ended with someone saying Eddymon should be banned from this topic....nah, he has his place here, wherever that may be ;)

Bah - you beat me to it!
Y'all need to let eddymon be for awhile - until he starts making outrageous claims and predictions again anyway.

And to recap comments from the temporary thread:

"Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim" = bad
Boggsy & Ryno in the Hall = good

Can't they have a mini-camp for baseball?

Still not sure about this Pokey Reese thing.

Just to get every Cub fan feeling all HOF like, a legend interviews a legend.

http://www.rochesterdandc.com/sports/columns/images/0107GHB2SBC21_columns_1.jpg

http://www.geocities.com/hack_and_duff/images/b_sandberg.jpg

And the game that catapulted Ryno into superstardom, on June 23rd, 1984 against the St. Louis Cardinals., Ryno hit two game tying homers off Bruce Sutter en route to the Cubs 12-11, 11 inning win. The calls made by non-other than Harry Caray.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-01/15712843.jpg

Ryno ties it in the 9th (http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-050103caray1,1,2084664.realaudio?coll=cs-home-headlines)

Ryno ties it in the 10th (http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-050103caray2,1,2150201.realaudio?coll=cs-home-headlines)


Ryno....Caongrats; you deserve it. :thumb:

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-01/15713013.jpg

I believe we ended with someone saying Eddymon should be banned from this topic....nah, he has his place here, wherever that may be:-)

that'd be moi

It's been confirmed that the Cubs offerred Beltran a 5 - 6 year deal. No amount was released though.

It's been confirmed that the Cubs offerred Beltran a 5 - 6 year deal. No amount was released though.

Hi Sammy! Sammy meet Carlos...Carlos...Sammy. Sammy I'd like you to meet someone else. Da Bench...Sammy...Sammy...Da Bench. :drunk:

More like "Sammy, quickly show Mr. Beltran here your locker - there's a cab waiting for you outside"!

Hi Sammy! Sammy meet Carlos...Carlos...Sammy. Sammy I'd like you to meet someone else. Da Bench...Sammy...Sammy...Da Bench. :drunk:

:thumb:

More like "Sammy, quickly show Mr. Beltran here your locker - there's a cab waiting for you outside"!
That would be the icing on the cake.

Anywhere but the Yankees is fine by me.

I would prefer he stay in Houston, for less money, just to shove it up Boras' ass. And to show some loyalty to a franchise that went out on a limb to get him and try to keep him.

Anywhere but the Yankees is fine by me.

I would prefer he stay in Houston, for less money, just to shove it up Boras' ass. And to show some loyalty to a franchise that went out on a limb to get him and try to keep him.

He can't stay in Houston. He'll become another Cub Killer.

Anywhere but the Yankees is fine by me.

I would prefer he stay in Houston, for less money, just to shove it up Boras' ass. And to show some loyalty to a franchise that went out on a limb to get him and try to keep him.

That would be nice, but I don't know if it's realistic to expect anymore!

He can't stay in Houston. He'll become another Cub Killer.


What do ya mean become??? Beltran already IS a Cub killer. The S.O.B. had 8 of his 19 HR's in July & August against the Cubs.

If you meant Sosa...well he was that all year long. :D

What do ya mean become??? Beltran already IS a Cub killer. The S.O.B. had 8 of his 19 HR's in July & August against the Cubs.

If you meant Sosa...well he was that all year long. :D

Yes, he IS a Cub Killer, but with Houston, we would see him 18 times a year, whereas if he is out of the division, we would only see him 6 times (or none!)

All of you Cub fans can rest easy. "Cub Killer" Beltran is coming to New York. I'm hoping my man Omar does enough to bring him to Queens, but I have a feeling Steinbrenner is waiting in the weeds with an 11th hour offer.

Yes, he IS a Cub Killer, but with Houston, we would see him 18 times a year, whereas if he is out of the division, we would only see him 6 times (or none!)


Duuuuuuuuhhheeeeeer!!! You're right...mea culpa...dunno waht I was thinking. Sheesh, those Iowa hicks, I tell ya...http://www.planetsmilies.com/smilies/ashamed/ashamed01.gif

All of you Cub fans can rest easy. "Cub Killer" Beltran is coming to New York. I'm hoping my man Omar does enough to bring him to Queens, but I have a feeling Steinbrenner is waiting in the weeds with an 11th hour offer.

If he is all about the money, then yes, he will go to one of the NY teams. The Cubs offer is rumored to be very similar to the Houston offer, which is less money.

I'm just glad that the Mets decided to bypass (for the time being) talks of trading for Sosa. Of course, given the Mets history of questionable moves, I wouldn't be surprised if it is revisited later this winter if they can't sign Beltran or plan B, Carlos Delgado.

http://img50.exs.cx/img50/843/smhrandyft5mu.jpg

Here ya go, bud.

http://img50.exs.cx/img50/843/smhrandyft5mu.jpg

Here ya go, bud.

http://img50.exs.cx/img50/843/smhrandyft5mu.jpg

I hope he gets shelled.

Keep dreamin'. :)

Keep dreamin'. :)

He ain't gettin any younger...

He ain't gettin any younger...

True, but I think he'll fare better than other geriatric moves the Yanks have made in recent years *cough * kevin brown *cough*. ;)

Schilling proved to us all last year that there are older pitchers that can still excel when suspect. He also proved to be a big-mouthed dick, but that's beside the point. :sssh: :D

Schilling proved to us all last year that there are older pitchers that can still excel when suspect.

And the Rocket... and RJ is more dominate than both of them.

And the Rocket... and RJ is more dominate than both of them.I agree that the UNIT is still going stronger than about any pitcher of late. He is my 2nd favorite baseball player EVER, next to Nolan Ryan. It makes me sick that he stooped so low as to go to the Yankees. SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :brickwall

build a bridge and get over it ya fockers :D

for all ya'll who got a problem with unit bein with the best, i only have this for ya...

http://img63.exs.cx/img63/227/tour12yb.jpg

:D

200 million. Wow.

LETS PLAY BALL ALREADY!

I want to see the numbers The Unit (at 41), Pavano and Wright put up in the AL.
I want to see just what Clement, Miller and Well (at 41) can do as well.

Nothing is won on paper in January, the Yankees as a team are getting up there in age, Boston is getting younger.
Plus the growing speculation is that Hanley Ramirez is the chip that will be most coveted in July for a top pitcher like Ben Sheets or Jason Schmidt.

But anyway, I've had enough of the Hot Stove, time to play ball. Bring on spring!

for all ya'll who got a problem with unit bein with the best, i only have this for ya...


Best what? Best at throwing the fiscal balance of Major League Baseball off kilter? 'Cause the Yankees sure ain't been the best team at the end of the season since 2000 - and that team is long gone! :thumb:

Sorry, sucks to see a player the caliber of Randy Johnson go down that road. As I said before it got wiped out, I hope he gets an inflamed hangnail and can't make any of his starts!

Well, I don't wish injury on the Unit. But what he did was low and I lost some respect for him because of it. The D-Backs finally looked to be back on track with a nice offseason, and he still wanted to leave?

I don't want him to get hurt, but I hope the Yankees underachieve and suck ass.

I'm very interested to see how the White Sox do this year. We're quietly making our team better everyday.

All of you Cub fans can rest easy. "Cub Killer" Beltran is coming to New York. I'm hoping my man Omar does enough to bring him to Queens, but I have a feeling Steinbrenner is waiting in the weeds with an 11th hour offer.

I'm sure hoping you're wrong. The Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Astros upped their offer to to $105 million over 7 years, with an option for an 8th year. With Texas not having a state income tax, that puts Beltran's take home from Houston $2 mil better than the Mets' offer.

I'm not making any predictions, but I'm sure hoping he lands here in Houston. We'll know by Sunday morning.

As a long time Mets fan, I would certainly like him in Shea. BUT, for MLB, I'd rather he stay in Houston. I'm sick of players (see Pedro) simply taking the money. Hell, that may even go for Rentaria too, even though he's with us in Boston now.

Although going to Boston isn't quite the same as going to the hapless Mets. I think that the title is going to lift some of the negativity around here (not all, we still are Boston), and this is going to be a better place to play. That's saying a lot, since most guys who leave the Red Sox go out of their way (after time) to say how much they miss playing in Boston. There isn't anywhere like it.

I'm sure hoping you're wrong. The Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Astros upped their offer to to $105 million over 7 years, with an option for an 8th year. With Texas not having a state income tax, that puts Beltran's take home from Houston $2 mil better than the Mets' offer.

I'm not making any predictions, but I'm sure hoping he lands here in Houston. We'll know by Sunday morning.

You are definitely right about the income tax thing. Did that $2 mil number come from the Chronicle? The reason I ask is that Newsday in New York had an article today saying that the Mets offered him 7 years, $112 mil. They also say that on a $17 mil a year salary, he would save $5.0 mil in taxes over the 7 years playing in Houston over New York (tax free only counts for the games he plays in Texas; he would still have to pay tax for games played on the road). Take that $5 mil additional tax away from the Mets offer, and he still makes $107 mil, which is $2 mil MORE than Houston's offer. Of course, I have no idea whether or not Newsday's tax calculations are accurate. That option for an 8th year could be big, too.

You are definitely right about the income tax thing. Did that $2 mil number come from the Chronicle?...They also say that on a $17 mil a year salary, he would save $5.0 mil in taxes over the 7 years playing in Houston over New York (tax free only counts for the games he plays in Texas; he would still have to pay tax for games played on the road)...

That makes no sense to me. I thought taxes were determined by where you live? I thought that's why a bunch of NASCAR drivers moved to Florida - because we have no State Tax - yet they only race here 3 times out of 36 races. When I lived in New England, people that worked in New Hampshire but lived in Maine still had to pay Maine tax (although I think Maine was also trying to collect taxes from people that lived in New Hampshire but worked in Maine - but still those are full-time jobs). I don't see how a Texas player going to New York for 3 days of baseball games is any different than a Texas business man going to New York for a 3 day business trip - I doubt the business man has to pay taxes...

Best what? Best at throwing the fiscal balance of Major League Baseball off kilter? 'Cause the Yankees sure ain't been the best team at the end of the season since 2000 - and that team is long gone! :thumb:


Right on Billy.

Even if the Yankees are the "Best" this year, they will still have a partial asterisk next to the title. I don't care what anyone says, they are trying to buy a title, and it's bad for the game. Baseball needs a salary cap, or at least more restructuring.

I think Pavano will have a better year than the Unit. Just my quick 2 cents. GOOOOO MARLINS and TIGERS! Yes...I said Tigers!

You are definitely right about the income tax thing. Did that $2 mil number come from the Chronicle? The reason I ask is that Newsday in New York had an article today saying that the Mets offered him 7 years, $112 mil. They also say that on a $17 mil a year salary, he would save $5.0 mil in taxes over the 7 years playing in Houston over New York (tax free only counts for the games he plays in Texas; he would still have to pay tax for games played on the road). Take that $5 mil additional tax away from the Mets offer, and he still makes $107 mil, which is $2 mil MORE than Houston's offer. Of course, I have no idea whether or not Newsday's tax calculations are accurate. That option for an 8th year could be big, too.
Nah, that was me making a couple of assumptions. I thought I'd read somewhere (not in today's Chronicle) that the NY SIT is 8%. So I multiplied the Mets' offer of $112 mil times 92% (taking out the 8% for SIT). That was also assuming that his entire paycheck is subject to NY SIT.

An additional factor is the significant difference in cost of living between NY and Houston. The Chronicle does say, "The Astros have argued that $15 million a year in Houston is the equivalent of $39 million in New York." I'm sure that's taking into account SIT and cost of living differences.

This whole thing has gotten kinda sad really. Beltran said at the start that there are other things more important to him than money. He wanted a winning organization, a comfortable clubhouse environment, a nice city. He claimed he wasn't just looking for a team. He's looking for a home. The longer he lets this bidding war go on, the less true that all sounds. Like Steve Phillips once said, "It's always about the money, especially when it's not about the money."

billy007, here is the link to the article in today's Newsday:

Income tax could be a factor (http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-sptax074106749jan07,0,5368231.story?coll=ny-sports-headlines)

In a nutshell, athletes pay state taxes undar a formula of "duty days". In essence, if Beltran was to sign in Houston it is true that he would not have to pay any state income tax on games played in Texas. However, when he plays games in Chicago he's still subject to Illinois state tax for his salary for those games. When he plays games in St. Louis, he's still subject to Missouri state tax for his salary for those games. And so on for all the other places he would play. The $5 mil from the article is the difference between his playing 81 games in Houston for 7 years and paying no state income tax and playing 81 games in New York for 7 years, where he would be subject to New York state income tax.

There is a quote from a financial advisor to athletes in the article that says, "It's not where you live, per se, it's where you perform."

Klee - We posted around the same time. I agree with you 100% that the longer this gets drawn out, the less credibility Beltran has about looking for a home and a solid clubhouse. As a Met fan, I'd love to have him. As a baseball fan, I hope he stays in Houston for the right reasons.

An additional factor is the significant difference in cost of living between NY and Houston. The Chronicle does say, "The Astros have argued that $15 million a year in Houston is the equivalent of $39 million in New York." I'm sure that's taking into account SIT and cost of living differences.


They must use bestplaces.net too! "To maintain the same standard of living, your salary of $39,000,000 in New York, NY could decrease to $15,476,982 in Houston, TX"

Or to be more blunt: "To maintain the same standard of living, your salary of $112,000,000 in New York, NY could decrease to $44,446,718 in Houston, TX"

Stay in Houston, Carlos...

Of course it's about the money, or Beltran would have signed with Houston long ago. Let's face it, Houston is THE best place for him of all his suitors when you factor in the intangibles.

The player's greed is a big part of this, but don't minimize the impact of the union. They don't give a flying fuck about taxes, good city, good clubhouse, comfortable situation, winning, etc. They put maximum pressure on these guys, and even more so the agents, to sign for the highest dollar value, period. When players leave money on the table, there will be a union rep chewing them out and threatening the agent for sure. This also puts pressure on the agent to push the player to accept maximum dollar value. Essentially the player gets the pressure from the union and the agent, and most of these guys can't think their way out of a paper bag. Which is no excuse, but it is something to keep in mind.

It's all about the score, and the score is kept in total dollars, not dollars after tax adjustment, or dollars per year, or any other consideration.

Nah, that was me making a couple of assumptions. I thought I'd read somewhere (not in today's Chronicle) that the NY SIT is 8%. So I multiplied the Mets' offer of $112 mil times 92% (taking out the 8% for SIT). That was also assuming that his entire paycheck is subject to NY SIT.

An additional factor is the significant difference in cost of living between NY and Houston. The Chronicle does say, "The Astros have argued that $15 million a year in Houston is the equivalent of $39 million in New York." I'm sure that's taking into account SIT and cost of living differences.

This whole thing has gotten kinda sad really. Beltran said at the start that there are other things more important to him than money. He wanted a winning organization, a comfortable clubhouse environment, a nice city. He claimed he wasn't just looking for a team. He's looking for a home. The longer he lets this bidding war go on, the less true that all sounds. Like Steve Phillips once said, "It's always about the money, especially when it's not about the money."

When he signs with the Cubs for less money, everyone will see he is not about the $

When he signs with the Cubs for less money, everyone will see he is not about the $

LOL! Yes. When he signs with the Cubs, then I'll believe that it's not about the money. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that IED is right. It's all about the score and the score is kept in dollars.

When he signs with the Cubs for less money, everyone will see he is not about the $

Bro...here's to hoping http://deephousepage.com/smilies/alc.gif

Bro...here's to hoping http://deephousepage.com/smilies/alc.gif

Amen! :thumb:

Right on Billy.

Even if the Yankees are the "Best" this year, they will still have a partial asterisk next to the title. I don't care what anyone says, they are trying to buy a title, and it's bad for the game. Baseball needs a salary cap, or at least more restructuring.

Go cry me a fucking river. I didn't hear you complaining about how the Red Sox bought their title by beating a team with a drastically lower payroll in the WS. What a bunch of hypocrites. And you can stick your "partial asterisk" where the sun don't shine.

Go cry me a fucking river. I didn't hear you complaining about how the Red Sox bought their title by beating a team with a drastically lower payroll in the WS. What a bunch of hypocrites. And you can stick your "partial asterisk" where the sun don't shine.
Right there with ya, Wray.

Go cry me a fucking river. I didn't hear you complaining about how the Red Sox bought their title by beating a team with a drastically lower payroll in the WS. What a bunch of hypocrites. And you can stick your "partial asterisk" where the sun don't shine.

Happy New Year to you, wray. ;)

Now I admit that I'm not a Yankee fan. ;) But to call me a hypocrite just because I haven't previously complained about the Red Sox? That's ridiculous. The comment I replied to was about Randy Johnson and the Yankees. Your argument that the Red Sox "bought" the WS makes no sense anyway, since they beat the Yankees in the ALCS even though NY had a higher payroll.

Regardless, my comments apply almost equally to the Red Sox, who had the #2 payroll last year. I'm almost as critical of the Red Sox spending as I am of Yankee spending. There was a fairly significant gap between the Yankee payroll and the Red Sox payroll, however. That gap looks like it will widen this year, now that the Yankee payroll is over $200 million. And the Yankees might not even be done, so it could climb even higher.

If you'll re-read my post again, you'll see that my main point was that this is a serious problem that needs to be addressed, either by a salary cap or significant restructuring. There isn't much disagreement out there about that point, except maybe among hard core Yankee fans.

Sports Illustrated (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/baseball/mlb/01/07/bc.bba.worldseriesball.ap/index.html?cnn=yes)

BOSTON (AP) -- Red Sox fans have seen the video over and over again. A ground ball to pitcher Keith Foulke. He tosses it underhand to backup first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, who raises it high as Boston celebrates its first World Series championship in 86 years.

Mientkiewicz still hasn't let go of the ball. But now the Red Sox want it back.

Calling the ball, "my retirement fund," Mientkiewicz stored it in a safety deposit box. Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino said Thursday he's going to ask Mientkiewicz to return it to the team.

"We want it to be part of Red Sox archives or museums so it can be shared with the fans," Lucchino told The Boston Globe. "We would hope he would understand the historical nature of it."

Mientkiewicz seems to understand it very well, which is exactly why he held on to it.

Historic baseballs have recently fetched impressive sums. The baseball Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk banged off the foul pole in the 1975 World Series sold for $113,373. The ball Barry Bonds hit for his 73rd home run went for $450,000. The most expensive baseball of all time is Mark McGwire's 70th homer, which went for $3 million.

Mientkiewicz said he thinks the Boston World Series ball has more value than a home run ball.

"Those are important and all, don't get me wrong, but there are always going to be more home runs," he said. "This is something that took 86 years, and 86 years is a long time. Personally, I went through hell and back this year. But winning the World Series is something I'm going to remember for a long time."

Mientkiewicz came to Boston from Minnesota in the three-team midseason deal that sent Boston shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to the Chicago Cubs.

Mientkiewicz, who batted .215 for Boston, was used primarily as a late innings defensive replacement, and the former Gold Glove first baseman has indicated his unhappiness with the role.

Boston broke its championship drought by beating the New York Yankees in seven games in the American League Championship Series, then sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals in four games in the World Series.

After the game, Mientkiewicz said he put the ball in his locker, then gave it to his wife, Jodi, who put it in her purse. The next day, the ball was authenticated by Major League Baseball.

Carmine Tiso, spokesman for MLB, told the Globe that Mientkiewicz owns the baseball, though Joe Januszewski, Red Sox director of corporate partnerships, said he thinks the team owns it.

Mientkiewicz couldn't be reached for comment Thursday by the Globe after Lucchino said the club wanted the ball back. But on Wednesday, he left no doubt that he believes the ball belongs to him.

"I know this ball has a lot of sentimental value," Mientkiewicz said. "I hope I don't have to use it for the money. It would be cool if we have kids someday to have it stay in our family for a long time. But I can be bought. I'm thinking, there's four years at Florida State for one of my kids. At least."

****************************

What do you guys think of this?

I think he should keep it. Hell, he's not lifer, he was involved in a trade. He didn't even get to play that much and he was unhappy with his team role.

No sentimental value towards Boston for him... Keep it! :D

if u want to have a cap or some restructuring..u need to get rid of fehr...he's a big part of the problem

if u want to have a cap or some restructuring..u need to get rid of fehr...he's a big part of the problem

Agreed 100%.

I bitch about the Yankees a lot, not because of their payroll, just because they go out and buy the best players money can buy. I know all teams try to do that and I know the Yankees do it more than anyone. They (Yankees) are almost becoming such a NON-TEAM that they are going to struggle when the going gets tough. Look at the Yankees line-up: how many of them have NOT been All Stars at least 2 years before they became a Yankee? They have an All Star lineup, no doubt about it! The Yankees are proving you can't just buy a World Series, there has to be some sort of team atmosphere on a baseball team to be consistent. If you are a Yankee fan , GREAT, if you are a Red Sox fan great! You won the fucking World Series, be proud of it!
As far as payrolls and dollar amounts that teams are spending, give me a break...if a team gets players to play together and are consistent and are good ball-players, that will win them a lot of games and possibly a title. You do not have to spend a shitload to get a good team. How about old-style practice and get better and win some friggen games and have fun?
I can go on, and I am sure some people do not understand me, but fuck, baseball is a great sport, quit abusing the buying power of what is allowed in baseball!!!!! Something needs to be done.
AND NO I am not bitching because the Brewers have sucked lately!!!!:)

Those are all good points Brew. When it comes right down to it, my concern is the same as yours -- not with the payroll, per se, but with the stifling of competition. A few rich teams are able to buy away the competition from other teams, which makes the sport that I love less interesting.

Your argument that the Red Sox "bought" the WS makes no sense anyway, since they beat the Yankees in the ALCS even though NY had a higher payroll.

Have you seen the discrepancy in payroll between Boston and the team that they played in the WS, St. Louis? Ah, I see. The "buying titles" bullshit only works for the Yankees. I couldn't care less if they beat the Yankees on the way, because they still had to beat another team to win it all, and that team had a much, much lower payroll than Boston's. The gap was comparable to that between the Yankees and Red Sox.

You want a salary cap? That's one thing, but if the Yankees have or are trying to buy a title, than the Red Sox most certainly bought theirs.

Friendly jabs here and there is all part of the fun, man. But I'm getting sick and tired of people putting down the Yankees as an organization. They play by the rules that are in place. Its irresponsible to blame the Yankees, or the Red Sox, or any other high payroll team. As we speak, there is no cap in place, and until there is, tell the other owners around the league to put more of their profits back into their team and stop poketing all the money, or deal with it.

Have you seen the discrepancy in payroll between Boston and the team that they played in the WS, St. Louis? Ah, I see. The "buying titles" bullshit only works for the Yankees. I couldn't care less if they beat the Yankees on the way, because they still had to beat another team to win it all, and that team had a much, much lower payroll than Boston's. The gap was comparable to that between the Yankees and Red Sox.

You want a salary cap? That's one thing, but if the Yankees have or are trying to buy a title, than the Red Sox most certainly bought theirs.

Friendly jabs here and there is all part of the fun, man. But I'm getting sick and tired of people putting down the Yankees as an organization. They play by the rules that are in place. Its irresponsible to blame the Yankees, or the Red Sox, or any other high payroll team. As we speak, there is no cap in place, and until there is, tell the other owners around the league to put more of their profits back into their team and stop poketing all the money, or deal with it.Good points, but the Brewers need to fix their roof before they can steal The Unit and A-Rod from you! :D :sssh:

Friendly jabs here and there is all part of the fun, man. But I'm getting sick and tired of people putting down the Yankees as an organization. They play by the rules that are in place. Its irresponsible to blame the Yankees, or the Red Sox, or any other high payroll team. As we speak, there is no cap in place, and until there is, tell the other owners around the league to put more of their profits back into their team and stop poketing all the money, or deal with it.

Can't really argue with that. Nobody is saying the Yankees, Red Sox, or other big market teams aren't playing by the rules, because they are. The rules need to be changed.

And I agree that lots of the problems in competition between teams is not just based on an inequality of resources. Some owners make really, really bad decisions as well, and they deserve a significant portion of the blame.

Yup. The rules need to be changed, end of story. Put a salary cap and let the evolution of baseball determine championships, not popularity and savy business undertakings...

The Yankees do what they do because they can. It's fair, it's within the rules, but I totally disagree with the concept that is permitted to teams that are located in big economy markets.

It's a plain monopoly. Boston, New York, LA... what percentage of the US's economy is generated in those three cities alone? MLB isn't about baseball.

MLB isn't about baseball.
True, and it sucks! :irked:

What's funny is when you have a big market team, and your owner spends like a small market team.

Baseball needs a cap no question about it.

Do you think the Red Sox WANT to spend 130 million? NO
They pnly do their best at trying to keep up with the Yankees and their willingness to pay for their titles. Which if you think about it, they haven't won shit since going over 100 million. Boston was the first team to win a WS with a payroll exceeding 100 million.

Sure they could be like alot of teams and just not spend the money and put out a mediocre team each year and pray for an overchieving season. But no they want to win. They do have a limit though of just how hight they will go with the payroll. The Yankees appear to not have a self made spending cap.

They can buy all the players they want, but they have been takiing away from the true Yankee mystique that they created when they brought up their own stars in their system and made them "true Yankees" not "A-Frauds" or "Juicy Giambi's".

I would love to see just how good a GM Cashman is. He shows me nothing by having an open checkbook by George. Show some creativity like Theo or Beane teh guy in Atlanta (Shearholtz, sp.)

Are you drunk, Eddymon?

Got an hour and a half to find out if Beltran's going to remain an Astro...

I guess that deadline applies to all remaining free agents.

Eddymon, you had me until you tried to separate "the creativity" of Theo Epstein from "the checkbook" of Brian Cashman. No one was happier than me (yes I'm looking at ALL of you Red Sox fans) to see the Yankees lose this year. However, I'm sick and tired of Red Sox fans talking about how the evil Yankees spend a lot of $ when the Red Sox have the 2nd highest payroll in baseball.

come on cashman, ya gotta snag beltran!!!

Nah. Whoever gets him is drastically overpaying. Boras has certainly earned his paycheck.

fuck beltran

tell him to go shag balls

no? beltran's not a bad player at all, although i WOULD hate to see him take bernie's place. just thinking he might be good to have around.

beltran's not a bad player at all

He's a very good player. But not one that deserves $15 mil+ a year.

no? beltran's not a bad player at all, although i WOULD hate to see him take bernie's place. just thinking he might be good to have around.


someone has to take his place sooner or later bro :(

Eddymon, you had me until you tried to separate "the creativity" of Theo Epstein from "the checkbook" of Brian Cashman. No one was happier than me (yes I'm looking at ALL of you Red Sox fans) to see the Yankees lose this year. However, I'm sick and tired of Red Sox fans talking about how the evil Yankees spend a lot of $ when the Red Sox have the 2nd highest payroll in baseball.


My point was that the Red Sox only spend as much as they do to just try and keep up with the Yankees. Its just that Boston's ownership wants to win as bad as the fans do. But in order for them to be able to compete in their division is to spend alot more than they would like to. The Yankees spend because George is fixated on winning the championship every year and will try to do so at just about any cost.
The Red Sox do have some smarts about them now (as opposed to past ownership) as to how they do spend their money. They might make a big splash and go get a Schilling and a Foulke, but then Theo gets creative and brings in guys who get the job done on much less money. Take David Ortiz, Bill Mueller, Kevin Millar and Mark Bellhorn for example. Comparitively speaking, you put Ortiz's numbers and salary to Giambi's and there you get an example of how they get more bang for their buck.

A team can spend all the money in the world on players, but talent alone doesn't win Championships. Take Detroit beating LA last season in the NBA.
It takes a bit of luck as well as health.
Just because the Unit is now in pinestripes, doesn't mean that they are a shoe-in to win it all.

Boston does have a budget, it might be alot higher than most teams, but they also chose to invest in their team unlike alot of owners, and at the same time, spend big money renovating parts of the ballpark and adding additional seating.

Boston owners are in favor of a cap, George is the only one who is against it.

Beltran balked at the Astros $105 million offer - the LARGEST contract offer in 'stros history. B is going to the Mets. :(

Link to ABC 13 (http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/sports/010805_APsports_beltran.html)

Don't know why this still disappoints me - been happening since 1976 - but still...

Eddymon, get fucking real. Theo got lucky with Ortiz, and you know it. Nobody - not even Ortiz - was expecting those numbers.

And show some respect, Ched. If it wasn't for the oh, so evil Yankees, your team wouldn't be playing at Fenway today, if in Boston at all.

And show some respect, Ched. If it wasn't for the oh, so evil Yankees, your team wouldn't be playing at Fenway today, if in Boston at all.

You Yankmee fans need to get over yourselves. And if it wasn't for them, you wouldn't have gotten Ruth.

And if it wasn't for the Black Sox of 1919, the White Sox would have probably ruled the 20s and 30s.

So take that.

Carlos Beltran and the New York Mets agreed Sunday to try to structure a $119 million, seven-year contract, a lawyer involved in the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The sides agreed that the deal will include an $11 million signing bonus, the source said on condition of anonymity.
New York and Beltran's agent, Scott Boras, still had to work out how to structure his salaries for each season and any deferred payments, the source and another person involved in the talks said, also on condition of anonymity.

Mets officials and Boras planned to work throughout Sunday in an attempt to reach a preliminary agreement on the specifics of the contract. After the sides sign off on that, Beltran must pass a physical for the deal to be finalized.

Beltran, who helped Houston come within a victory of its first World Series last year, will became the 10th player in baseball history to agree to a deal worth $100 million or more - and the first since Jason Giambi got a $120 million, seven-year contract from the New York Yankees in December 2001.

The Mets, who haven't made the playoffs since 2000, were on the verge of pulling off their second coup of the offseason. They lured three-time Cy Young Award winner Pedro Martinez from the Boston Red Sox last month with a $53 million, four-year deal.

Houston offered Beltran a $100 million, seven-year contract, but he turned it down before Saturday night's deadline for him to re-sign with the Astros. Because he became a free agent and rejected salary arbitration, under baseball's rules Houston had to re-sign Beltran by midnight Saturday or lose rights until May 1.

"The serious parts of this only happened in the last six hours," Astros general manager Tim Purpura said. "Really, I think we ran out of time. Mostly, it's time and distance. Certainly I regret the fact that we didn't deal with some of these things earlier - but we didn't control the pace of the negotiations."

Houston's offer included a $14 million option for 2012 with a $2 million buyout, a team executive confirmed Sunday on condition of anonymity. If the option were exercised, the deal would have been worth $112 million over eight seasons.

Astros officials said an agreement was difficult to get in place Saturday night because of the logistics involved: Team staff was at the ballpark, owner Drayton McLane was at his home in Temple, Boras was at his home in Newport Beach, Calif., and Beltran was in Puerto Rico.

It's been a tough offseason for the Astros. All-Star second baseman Jeff Kent signed with the Dodgers, pitcher Wade Miller was let go and signed with Boston, and All-Star outfielder Lance Berkman severely hurt a knee playing flag football, an injury that will cause him to miss the start of the season.

Also, Houston is trying to persuade Roger Clemens not to retire. Clemens, 42, has said he would make a decision this month.

"Certainly we will welcome Roger back," Purpura said. "We're not going to shift into a rebuilding mode because of this."

Clemens, who won his record seventh Cy Young Award in his first season with his hometown team, already has agreed to salary arbitration. If he exchanges figures with the Astros on Jan. 18, he could ask for a record amount, topping the $18.5 million request Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter submitted before the 2001 season. earn about $700,000 more in performance bonuses. ... Mets GM Omar Minaya is to have dinner at the White House on Monday night with President Bush, his boss when Bush owned the Texas Rangers.

And if it wasn't for the Black Sox of 1919, the White Sox would have probably ruled the 20s and 30s.


Probably, could've, should've, would've... Did I miss any? :)

Beltran to the Mets. But it's not about the money :rolleyes: :wtf:

Seriously, anyone picking these Mets over the Astros and Cubs - it's about the money.

He better not play the "Astros disrespected me" game. I'm so sick of Pedro-itis. Why don't these assholes just say that they took the best offer, just like most people would?

How long before Beltran is whining about getting a trade out of NY? That's what really gets me, is when these fuckers take the cash, and then in the middle of the contract start whining about being on a losing team, when it's their fucking contract that's taking up the budget so the team can't get other good players. See Randy Johnson and A-Rod, to name two recent ones.

On to a salary cap - why on earth would the players agree to a cap? If I'm a player, the only way I even entertain a cap is if they set a high enough minimum to force teams to spend some money. Too many owners who either don't have the cash or the sense to be in the game. Or who turn around and put the money in their pockets. Until the owners get serious about revenue distribution to even the playing field, then as a player I wouldn't budge. As much as I hate the MLB union for some of their more ridiculous positions, this isn't one of them. Why should they bear the brunt of fixing the owners' disfuntional system? Why are they put in the position of saving the owners from themselves? WTF is that?

Deleted

Lowe to the Dodgers for 4 years $36 million.

Guess his bad season didn't cost him after all. He turned down 3 years $27 million at the start of the season from the Red Sox. Got the same annual for an extra year. WOW. :eek: Playoffs made him a chunk of change, eh?

National league may be a good move for him.

Nah. Whoever gets him is drastically overpaying. Boras has certainly earned his paycheck.

I think the Mets may have slightly overpaid for Beltran, but not by much, given the nature of this year's free agent market. Also, the Mets have the money and it's not very likely they're going to find too many better players to give it to.

In my opinion, Beltran deserves his salary. He's a guy who does everything well. He plays great defense in a key position. He steal bases. He hits homers. He takes walks. According to a lot of stats that attempt to synthesize defense and offense, he's among the 20 best players in the game. Given that he's pretty young for an elite free agent, I think that he's pretty valuable. The Mets are lucky to get him.

The key for the Mets will be surrounding their big names (Pedro, Beltran, Piazza) with some good, less heralded players. This is where the Mets traditionally fail miserably.

Yeah, I hate that for all you Astros fans. For us Mets fans out there though, times, they are a changin ... :D

The Mets still wont win the divison. That infield needs lots of help. If they dont get hurt with injuries and they step up in their infield defense they could win it. I remember they had way to many errors last year.

The Mets still wont win the divison. That infield needs lots of help. If they dont get hurt with injuries and they step up in their infield defense they could win it. I remember they had way to many errors last year.

No, they certainly won't win the division, but they're at least making some good moves ... for once.

Devastating? Nah. Disgusting? Oh, yeah.

Boras says that the sticking point of the negotiations with the Astros was a "no trade" clause. But Astros owner, Drayton McClane, has been talking about how Beltran would be the face of the Astros future. Doesn't seem to me that a no trade clause would be a real sticking point.

McClane does say that Boras threw a bunch of demands at them at the last minute. That does seem to be Boras' style. Don't negotiate with a team that has a deadline until the last minute and throw a bunch of crap demands in there and not give the team any time to think. Hope that they rush into a bad decision by offering his client way more than he's worth. Weasel.

I also don't understand how a team that is reportedly swimming in red ink (the Mets) can throw a 4 year/$54 million contract to Pedro Martinez and then offer Beltran an 8 year/$119 million contract, and still have money left to surround them with enough quality players to make a run at a championship. I predict that they'll go nowhere, and Beltran will be begging to be traded within 4 years. The Mets, looking to cut some expenses, will ship him off to the Yankees, Cubs, or Red Sox.

Forget Pete Rose. I say we ban Boras from baseball.

easy. Time Warner/Comcast are forming a Mets network next year. They will have loads of money then so money is not a problem now or never. before they signed Pedro, the payroll was only at $70-80 million anyway. They're after Delgado too. If they get him, they CAN win the division. that'll be a great lineup.

I don't know, I don't think Beltran is worth that kind of cash. Maybe it's me, what did he hit when he came to the NL last year, .267?

Scott Boras is bad for baseball, and this deal helps strengthen that.

Hahahahahaha - it begins! Hey Randy, you're in fucking NYC now, stop being a big baby! You wanted it, you got it!

ESPN.com (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1963886)

He had a little run in with a photographer - poor wittle Wandy didn't want his picture taken :yell:

No, I'm not reading too much into this, it's just funny.

Just to make everyone more sick: Beltran will get aprox $11,000 an inning and over $100,000 a game. He is good, but shit :confused:

Hahahahahaha - it begins! Hey Randy, you're in fucking NYC now, stop being a big baby! You wanted it, you got it!

ESPN.com (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1963886)

He had a little run in with a photographer - poor wittle Wandy didn't want his picture taken :yell:

No, I'm not reading too much into this, it's just funny.

Yeah, what a fucking joke...and then his statement that he (read: his agent and publicist) released: "...the last few days have been extremely overwhelming..."

How overwhelming can it be, Unit? You're out of the desert, you're getting 40+ million over the next 3 years, and our trade has pretty much handed the Yankees another trophy or two, and a few rings for your huge ass mitts.

Overwhelming...shut the fuck up...let's see how well one of your Yankee teammates take to you "bumping" the in the dugout, bitch.

In the meantime, my broke ass will try to figure out if and when I an get to a game next year, thanks to salaries like this astronomically jacking up prices...out.

Just to make everyone more sick: Beltran will get aprox $11,000 an inning and over $100,000 a game. He is good, but shit :confused:

Not as sickening as Richie Sexson last year...8.6 million, 26 games. That's about 300,000+ per game, and then he splits to SEA Town faster than a crack whore to the house with a $20 bill in hand.

I've lost all respect for both Johnson and Beltran.

Johnson because he forced a trade to the Yankmees....

Beltran because he was saying it wasn't about the money, but he leaves Houston anyway for more cash.

:rolleyes:

C'mon wray, it's FUNNY. RJ made an ass out of himself right out of the gate. Won't make a difference come opening day when he's shutting out the Red Sox, but it's funny anyway.

Actually, regardless of me being a Red Sox fan, how fuckin funny would it be for RJ to get shelled by the BoSox on opening day? I mean, he'll get his share of wins, he'll dominate, but that would be hysterical :D :p

Not as sickening as Richie Sexson last year...8.6 million, 26 games. That's about 300,000+ per game, and then he splits to SEA Town faster than a crack whore to the house with a $20 bill in hand.And it all started because the Brewers are still re-building... :yell:
My figures were IF he plays every inning of every game for 7 years :wtf:
Both are sick figures.

The Brewers are rebuilding, but this has to be the most promising off-season they've had in quite some time.

The Brewers have been rebuilding ever since the 81 World Series.........

From www.espn.com 12/11/04

You're out: Marlins told to leave stadium in 2010

Stadium wants cricket and soccer instead

MIAMI -- The Florida Marlins will not be allowed to play in their stadium after the 2010 season, the latest factor in the team's prolonged struggle to get a new ballpark.

Pro Player Stadium president Bruce Schulze said 2010 is the last of a series of one-year lease options for the Marlins, who share the complex with the Miami Dolphins. He said dropping the Marlins would let the stadium pursue such events as cricket and soccer.

The stadium in northern Miami-Dade County belongs to Dolphins owner and Marlins founding owner H. Wayne Huizenga.

"The owner is free to do what he chooses," Marlins president David Samson said Friday. "What this does is make it very clear the need for the Marlins to have a new place to play is no longer just about economics. It's about survival."

Commissioner Bud Selig said he hoped "logic will prevail" and the Marlins will get a stadium.

The Marlins are deadlocked with local officials over plans to build a 38,000-seat, $420 million retractable roof stadium near the Orange Bowl. On Wednesday, team officials met with Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman about a possible move.

The Las Vegas trip angered Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and City Manager Joe Arriola, who accused the team of negotiating in bad faith. However, both said the city's offer to the team stood, and county officials were optimistic about a deal.

I really don't mind him kicking the Marlins out of Joe Robbie Stadium after 2010 - it may force them to actually get something done - but cricket? You'll probably be able to hear crickets - nothing against the sport, don't know a whole lot about it - but then, neither does most of America and I just can't see there being any kind of crowd for that!

from www.espn.com 1/10/05

Familiar ring: Dolphins Stadium reclaims its name

With Pro Player long defunct, team returns roots

MIAMI -- The Miami Dolphins have a new coach, and now they have a new name for their stadium.

It will be known as Dolphins Stadium, and there are plans to expand the facility and possibly add a roof, owner Wayne Huizenga said Monday.

The name change takes place nearly five years after Huizenga unsuccessfully began seeking a new naming-rights sponsor for the ballpark. Pro Player signed a 10-year, $20 million deal with the Dolphins in 1996, but the sports apparel company was bought out five years ago.

A new management company -- Dolphins Enterprises LLC -- is being created. A CEO for that company will be named shortly, Huizenga said.

The CEO will report directly to Huizenga, as will new coach Nick Saban.

A three-phase renovation is planned "to transform the stadium into a year-round destination and a venue that is ready-made for the Super Bowl, Orange Bowl and other major national and international events," Huizenga said.

The first phase of the makeover may include new scoreboards, remodeled suites, new exhibition space, additional parking and a new traffic flow around the ballpark, at an estimated cost of $100 million to $125 million.

Other remodeling plans would not begin until the Florida Marlins leave the stadium. The Marlins hope to be playing in a new downtown Miami ballpark by 2008, and their lease with the stadium expires in 2010. They have been told their lease will not be renewed.

The second phase might include a permanent or retractable roof -- something the Marlins have said is a prerequisite for their new ballpark and is critical to their long-term viability in South Florida.

Huh? What? "Dolphins Stadium" - that's a "return to roots"? How 'bout calling it "Joe Robbie Stadium", you know - after the guy that built it and had his name on it before you sold it like the scumbag you are? What a fuckweed! Good luck putting a roof over it, too - you jerk.

Well, duh...have you ever seen all of the vacant land around the stadium? More than likely, Wayne would like the city to build a ball-park ON HIS LAND.

Uhhh, would that not make him a "landlord"?

He wants a cover on the stadium now, and to turn this into "DOLPHIN-LAND".

I'm not kidding. City buses driving up to a sick shopping mall of sports-land.

Last Sunday, during a 3:30-ish lull in a play-off game, came on a local commercial inviting one and all to purchase season tickets for the next Dolphin season (I swear to my father).

Last I checked, we currently do not even have a completed coaching staff.

And you can still sit there billy, and state that you alone feel contempt for H. Wayne?

Get in line friend...and bring a lawn chair. :p

...craig :D :thumb:
(P.S. Great to see and hear from you.)

I would never claim exclusivity in my loathing of ol' H. Wayne. Hell, OLO can dream of the day that the Seahawks fire Mike Holmgren and Viking and the other Minnesota fans can call for Red to send Mike Tice packing, too. But you poor sucker Dolphin fans are stuck with Huizenga until nature takes its course (or until he gets bored with his toy and decides to buy a cricket team...). I imagine that's gotta make quite a few folks down that way unhappy!

The Brewers have been rebuilding ever since the 81 World Series.........when they are done rebuilding, you will know about it bro! ;)

The Brewers have been rebuilding ever since the 81 World Series.........

when they are done rebuilding, you will know about it bro! ;)

Guess it's pretty impressive then that the rebuilding Brewers made the Series in '82! :drunk: (BREW CREW - surprised that slipped by you - you're fired!)

Well I tell 'ya, the Marlins are out of here. I live 5 miles from the stadium and wish then good luck in Vegas. Hopefully that town will treat the team with respect. Too bad S. Fla is not a baseball town. As much as I have played, coached, and spectated the sport, I see no reason the Marlins should stay in Miami. Bummer. I personally would like to see a 3a/2a team here. I'm tired of all the bullshit. Tkts, parks, beer, food, and most of salaries. I would much more enjoy watching minors play thier ass off.
As far as the Dolphins go....well, they're here to stay and Mr. H has everyone "buy" the balls.
Cricket and Soccer? Well I love both sports, yet we can't get enought people here to pay for Jai-Alai, Greyhounds, & Pussy. You think you can get a crowd big enough to over-do the Orange Bowl for soccer? The top teams such as USA vs. BrazilvsColombia/PuertoRico/MexicovsChile usually draw between 6K-13K. So Mr. H must hike those tkts up 200% or more.
So that's my demented thoughts. BTW nice to hear ChefCraig is out and about.
Peace,
Timi

Pay close attention to the girl in the first row behind the catcher.

http://media.ebaumsworld.com/baseballflash.wmv

I'll bet no baseball fans even noticed this when the game was live.

I bet you the Ranger on second base noticed it.

BTW nice to hear ChefCraig is out and about.
Peace,
Timi

Yes, yes - I was beginning to wonder when we'd hear from him in these parts!

I agree. The Marlins will be the next team to move. No one wants to build them a stadium in Miami. Of course, it isn't like Loria can't afford to build a stadium himself, like most other owners.........

Oops! My bad! So they have only been rebuilding for 23 years instead of 24. Thats better!

I think all these teams should be financing their own stadiums, and if they need financial assistance, the league should be providing it, not the taxpayers. It's usually the league telling the teams that their current stadium isn't satisfactory anyway.

I think all these teams should be financing their own stadiums, and if they need financial assistance, the league should be providing it, not the taxpayers. It's usually the league telling the teams that their current stadium isn't satisfactory anyway.

I agree 100%

Here here. Public stadium financing makes me sick. Ticket prices are bad enough, then you add the taxes for the damn stadium.

Then you get to hear the owners whine about shit. Ugh.

Guess it's pretty impressive then that the rebuilding Brewers made the Series in '82! :drunk: (BREW CREW - surprised that slipped by you - you're fired!)I was 10 man!! :D Nice catch though Billy!!! :thumb:
I was at one of the games and I kind of remember Rolly Fingers pitching and the crowd was so fucking wild all game long that I barely saw anything. :irked: My dad picked me up and said"There's Rolly fucking Fingers: WE WIN!" :thumb:

Hey, let's not forget the magical run in '92 when they fell short in the final weekend from overtaking Toronto! ugh.

I caught a ESPN - TWIB replay in the morning last week. They showed the AL East standings and I see Milwaukee ahead of the Yanks and Boston in late August and think, "Man, I remember that, but it seems like 200 years ago."

I see Derek Lowe doing very well in LA. The guy left here with dignity unlike Pedro.
Now if they can get some people that can hit the fucking ball I think they will be O.K.

I was just in Washington for a few days and didn't see too much heralding the arrival of the Nationals (nee Expos). Some stuff for sale in the airport is about all. I still can't help but wonder if they couldn't have come up with a better name than "Nationals". I understand the arguement against "Senators", and "Capitals", "Bullets", "Wizards", "Federals" & "Generals" are (or should be) off limits. Don't really want to call a team the "Monuments" - doesn't exactly send out a message of speed and movement. I almost would've liked to see them go with "Americans" (and how ironic would that've been seeing as they spent the first 35 years of their existance in Canada!) instead of "Nationals", but that probably wouldn't have flown too well to have the "Americans" playing in the National League! That leaves something like "Presidents" or "Diplomats" or "Ambassadors" or maybe "Mayors" - something geeky like that. I don't know - anyone got any better ideas? (Not that it matters now anyway!)

The Last Placers?

How about: the Washington Secret Service :p

how about: Washingtonneedstoworryabout takingcareofourcountryinsteadoffuckingbaseball? the LAST thing washington dc needs is another fucking distraction.

how about: Washingtonneedstoworryabout takingcareofourcountryinsteadoffuckingbaseball? the LAST thing washington dc needs is another fucking distraction.

Say what? There are plenty of people that live in the Washington DC area that have absolutely nothing to do with plotting the course of our country - some of 'em are even baseball fans.

Washington is a city with a mayor and all of that cool stuff. They have nothing to do with the federal side of things.

30 days till pitchers and catchers report.

This winter is going by fast. Can't wait for baseball to start again!

Its going by fast?

http://blackllamafaction.org/albums/boston_snow/citgo_sign.sized.jpg

Will somebody just trade somebody to somebody else already!

No kidding. There hasn't been any baseball news for 3 or 4 days now.... :brickwall:

This winter is going by fast. Can't wait for baseball to start again!This winter in the area that I am in, not too far from Chi-town, is taking a turn for a long-cold winter, but 30 days till pitchers and catchers report makes it a little better :)

Devil Rays sing Robbie Alomar - that's something - not sure what, but it's something.

Devil Rays sing Robbie Alomar - that's something - not sure what, but it's something.

........And for the 3rd year in a row, the Chicago White Sox will trade for him once again before the deadline.

So where does Delgado go? My mind says the Mets continue building a contender, but my gut tells me he doesn't want to play under such bright lights. I'll say Dodgers or Mets.

I'm interested to see what else the Mets do. I'd love for them to get it going. Beltran's a big piece. Hopefully Pedro holds up. He's a dick, but I still have a fondness for the Mets.

Red Sox are done, except for first base. They need to dump one of the two, or both and get a new guy. My guess would be one of them to the Mets if they don't get Delgado.

So where does Delgado go? My mind says the Mets continue building a contender, but my gut tells me he doesn't want to play under such bright lights. I'll say Dodgers or Mets.

Florida's been looking at him, too. Whether they can match the dollars is one thing, but he may prefer to play closer to the islands!

Florida's been looking at him, too. Whether they can match the dollars is one thing, but he may prefer to play closer to the islands!

It wouldn't surprise me. Like i said, i don't think he wants to play where he would be so scrutinized. Then again, with all the stars in NY, i think he would thrive.

I was just in Washington for a few days and didn't see too much heralding the arrival of the Nationals (nee Expos). Some stuff for sale in the airport is about all. I still can't help but wonder if they couldn't have come up with a better name than "Nationals". I understand the arguement against "Senators", and "Capitals", "Bullets", "Wizards", "Federals" & "Generals" are (or should be) off limits. Don't really want to call a team the "Monuments" - doesn't exactly send out a message of speed and movement. I almost would've liked to see them go with "Americans" (and how ironic would that've been seeing as they spent the first 35 years of their existance in Canada!) instead of "Nationals", but that probably wouldn't have flown too well to have the "Americans" playing in the National League! That leaves something like "Presidents" or "Diplomats" or "Ambassadors" or maybe "Mayors" - something geeky like that. I don't know - anyone got any better ideas? (Not that it matters now anyway!)
I'm sure that the merchandise was pulled when the stadium deal nearly collapsed. I remember reading about that somewhere.

As for names...hmmm. Washington Pentagons? Washington Anti-Aircraft Missiles? How about the Washington Unknowns, or perhaps the Washington Protesters? :)

Cubs are going to remove the last name from their home jerseys and alternate blue jerseys starting this year. Road jerseys will still have the last name on them.

Also, it sounds like they will make an announcement this weekend regarding Sandberg's number. They better retire it!

Cubs are going to remove the last name from their home jerseys and alternate blue jerseys starting this year. Road jerseys will still have the last name on them.

Also, it sounds like they will make an announcement this weekend regarding Sandberg's number. They better retire it!


Ya know, I'm kinda torn about this. I was shocked when they added the names in the early 90's, but liked them immediately. I think they need to keep them on the alternate blue though, since they use it on the road too.

Actually, now that I think about it, the starting pitcher chooses the uni-top, and all the guys that liked the blue are gone. Irregardless, unless they have separate road blues, they should keep the name on the back of them.

I wonder if this is a way for Baker to get control of his team and FORCE the "team doesn't have an 'I' in it" type mentality? Just food for thought.

Ya know, I'm kinda torn about this. I was shocked when they added the names in the early 90's, but liked them immediately. I think they need to keep them on the alternate blue though, since they use it on the road too.

Actually, now that I think about it, the starting pitcher chooses the uni-top, and all the guys that liked the blue are gone. Irregardless, unless they have separate road blues, they should keep the name on the back of them.

I wonder if this is a way for Baker to get control of his team and FORCE the "team doesn't have an 'I' in it" type mentality? Just food for thought.

Zambrano usually chooses the Blue jerseys.

Cubs are going to remove the last name from their home jerseys and alternate blue jerseys starting this year. Road jerseys will still have the last name on them.

Also, it sounds like they will make an announcement this weekend regarding Sandberg's number. They better retire it!

Doesn't matter really what they wear, 1912, 1912, 1912, 1912, 1912.

Sorry I am a little cocky now that the 1918 chant is gone.:D:thumb:

Doesn't matter really what they wear, 1912, 1912, 1912, 1912, 1912.

Sorry I am a little cocky now that the 1918 chant is gone.:D:thumb:

:rolleyes:

Looks like the Marlins have been busy... could Delgado be next? Billy, what do you think about Beckett's re-signing?

I still think it's a good thing. Another (injury-plagued) year like last year and I might change my tune! I like our chances to be competitive again - with or without Delgado - but I think Carlos could be a big help. The downfall could be the bench, though.

Doesn't matter really what they wear, 1912, 1912, 1912, 1912, 1912.

Sorry I am a little cocky now that the 1918 chant is gone.:D:thumb:


Hey - They Cubs haven't done jack shit this off season (yet). We gotta cheer any move we can, even if it is uniform changes!

Hey - They Cubs haven't done jack shit this off season (yet). We gotta cheer any move we can, even if it is uniform changes!

While I agree on the free agent AWOL by Hendry; at the same time, Other than Alou and Clement, the core of the team is still there. Grudz, as much as I liked him, hurt the team after his DL stint. Walker should have stayed in the line up.

Personally, They should have kept Alou and Clement. Both had a huge fan base that grew, while So-So Sosa sank like a rock. Then pushed hard to get rid of Sosa. Hollandsworth is better defensively than Sosa ever was.

Then you look around at the rest of the Central Division.

Houston lost:

Beltran, Miller, Oliver, Kent and Micelli

Houston gained:
Clemens (accepted arb), Burba and Norton. Both marginal at best.
Houston took a HUGE hit from their core.

St. Louis Lost:

Kline, Lankford, Metheny, Renteria, Womack, Williams

St. Louis gained:

Grudz, Eckstein and Meyers
St. Louis took a huge hit from their core.

Chicago lost:

Alou, Bako (horrible catcher and hitter), Clement, Grudz, Martinez (worthless anyway) and Mercker (no loss)

Cubs gained:

Blanko, Fox and Williams...PLUS resigned/picked up options on:

Dempster, Nomar, Hollandsworth, Perez, Rusch and Walker, Patterson and Barrett. Farnsy is nothing but trade bait now, along with Sosa. Which, when you look at it, is pretty good to have. Especially if they go to an AL contender and you get a good return.

Look what Hendry did in 2003...and that was with average players.

With all but two core guys coming back, decent pick ups and not a lot of changes. I see the Cubs as the favorites this year. Not just because I'm a Cubs fan. Because they made minimal changes...PLUS picked up some decent guys. Granted, not blockbusters, but enough to actually have strong reserves and not Baker's Buddies on the bench.

So what you're basically saying is that the Central is ripe for the taking by either Pittsburgh or Cincinnati?

Hey look, MLB still hasn't taken the The Expos (http://montreal.expos.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp?c_id=mon) website down - still hedging their bets, I guess!

So what you're basically saying is that the Central is ripe for the taking by either Pittsburgh or Cincinnati?

Hey look, MLB still hasn't taken the The Expos (http://montreal.expos.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/index.jsp?c_id=mon) website down - still hedging their bets, I guess!


Nope, I was comparing the strong teams from last year that were running at it all year. Until Cincy and Pitt loosen the purse strings, they'll field mediocre teams capable of being competitive, but never being able to go the distance.

Just to satisfy my curiosity and be fare about my Cubs winning the NL Central prediction

Cincy lost:
Darren Bragg, Juan Castro, Barry Larkin, Phil Norton, John Riedling, Todd Van Poppel, Gabe White

Resigned: Paul Wilson

Gained:
Kent Mercker, Eric Milton, Joe Randa, David Weathers, and Ben Weber

Enjoy the cellar boys...

Pittsburg lost:
Brian Boehringer

Resigned:
Jose Mesa

Gained:
Todd Ritchie

At least they'll finish above the Reds.

And finally the Brewers:

Lost:
Counsell

Resigned:
Saenz

Gained:
Rigo Beltran, Ricky Bottalico, Damian Miller, Tommy Phelps

Okay, so Cincy, Pittsburg and Milwuakee could prove a good race, to avoid the bottom of the pile.





Everyone knew that for those three teams to be competitve, other than their GM and Owner's, they had to get some decent free-agents in their offense. They didn't. They'll may play spoiler, but won't contend for the division.

I was semi-joking with my comment RRMB, but still, sometimes you never know (Kansas City two years ago, Detroit last year). You also forgot to mention that the Buccos don't have Jason Kendall anymore.

The Brewers may be suprisingly good this year. I'm not saying that they will contend, but they may be a lot of fun to watch.

The Brewers may be suprisingly good this year. I'm not saying that they will contend, but they may be a lot of fun to watch.
I hope they are fun to watch, I think if they get some pitching under control they can win a lot of games.
RRMB: didn't the Brewers get some guy from the White Sox? :D
Believe it or not, the Brewers have the (percentage wise) best left and right fielders in the majors....and they are not bad hitters either.
They lost Pods, which means they lost a shit-load of speed and strikeouts!

Mariners signed pitcher Aaron Sele to a minor league contract. Sele was a good pitcher a few years ago but injurys have been a problem the past few seasons. IMHO Sele cant pitch past the 5th inning, he needs to give up the idea that he is a starting pitcher and try to become a long reliever.

Side note - Anyone attended a game at Minute Maid ball park? I was looking at some pictures of the place and saw it has a retractable roof.
Why?? I thought Houston was a pretty warm dry place, is rain a problem during the summer in Houston?
Great looking Ball Park!! :thumb:

Mariners signed pitcher Aaron Sele to a minor league contract. Sele was a good pitcher a few years ago but injurys have been a problem the past few seasons. IMHO Sele cant pitch past the 5th inning, he needs to give up the idea that he is a starting pitcher and try to become a long reliever.

Side note - Anyone attended a game at Minute Maid ball park? I was looking at some pictures of the place and saw it has a retractable roof.
Why?? I thought Houston was a pretty warm dry place, is rain a problem during the summer in Houston?
Great looking Ball Park!! :thumb:

Houston is one of the most humid places in the US. Summer is unbearable there with temps in the 90s and 90%+ humidity. That's why they have a dome.

And on top of that, it rained while I was there!

Heck, as a kid, I remember a game at the Astrodome got rained out! (Massive flooding in the Houston area if I remember correctly)

Is the ASTRO DOME still standing or did they blow it up?

Is the ASTRO DOME still standing or did they blow it up?
Nah, it's still standing. We just haven't figured out what to do with it. If we had gotten the Olympics here, then it would have been converted into a track and field venue. Since that didn't pan out, everyone just stands around looking at it, scratching their heads.

And yes, Minute Maid park has a retractable roof because it gets freakin' hot here during the summer. Never having to rain out a game is just an added bonus! It's so weird to me when I see a game was rained out somewhere. Professional sports teams have always played in covered stadiums here. The only thing that gets rained out here are the Little League and softball games.

Delgado to meet with the Mets for a second time - Pedro woos Sosa and Delgado (http://msn.foxsports.com/story/3339562)

I would not want Sosa. I think the guy is on the isnt going to do much in the future and he is going to want big money.

I would not want Sosa. I think the guy is on the isnt going to do much in the future and he is going to want big money.


I think he'd be good for the Mets though. Damn, are they spending some $$$$ or what? If nothing else, ya gotta like Minaya's zeal.

I think he'd be good for the Mets though. Damn, are they spending some $$$$ or what? If nothing else, ya gotta like Minaya's zeal.

Zeal or stupidity.......

IMO, he overpaid for both Martinez and Beltran. Pedro is not the pitcher he was a few years ago, and he gets hurt a lot. Beltran is a career .275 - .285 hitter. Yes, he is a damn good player, but is he worth $17 mil a year for 7 years? No.

We've seen this happen before (Suprisingly,with the Mets....) They bring in star players like Piazza, Mo Vaughan, Cliff Floyd and are stuck with huge contracts that handicap them for years while the players break down and are unproductive. Hopefully this won't happen to them again.

Zeal or stupidity.......

IMO, he overpaid for both Martinez and Beltran. Pedro is not the pitcher he was a few years ago, and he gets hurt a lot. Beltran is a career .275 - .285 hitter. Yes, he is a damn good player, but is he worth $17 mil a year for 7 years? No.

We've seen this happen before (Suprisingly,with the Mets....) They bring in star players like Piazza, Mo Vaughan, Cliff Floyd and are stuck with huge contracts that handicap them for years while the players break down and are unproductive. Hopefully this won't happen to them again.

Nothing like being optimistic. ;)

And mark it down, Pedro will be the 2005 NL Cy Young winner. :thumb:

Nothing like being optimistic. ;)

And mark it down, Pedro will be the 2005 NL Cy Young winner. :thumb:

I HIGHLY doubt that, especially if Clemens decides to play.

I HIGHLY doubt that, especially if Clemens decides to play.

Who? Who is Roger Clemens?

Ohh, you mean that 43 year old pitcher that want's a one year $22 million dollar contract through arbitration. Pffft... Bring it on i say. :)

Think that dollar amount is Roger's way of saying "I'd really like to stay retired this time"?

Think that dollar amount is Roger's way of saying "I'd really like to stay retired this time"?

I agree. If he wins it, he'll play. If not, he's done.

Report: Astros, Clemens close (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20050120&content_id=933023&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp)

Looks like it's gonna happen. It'll be interesting to see what they do with him once they find out they won't be playoff bound.

Report: Astros, Clemens close (http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20050120&content_id=933023&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp)

Looks like it's gonna happen. It'll be interesting to see what they do with him once they find out they won't be playoff bound.

Won't be playoff bound? You're so quick to write off the 'Stros? Last year at this time, many people were picking the Astros to win the Central. What's different this year? We don't have Wade Miller (who was a non-factor last year) or Jeff Kent. No, we didn't land Carlos Beltran, but is he the only factor in the Astros mid-season turn-around last year? Might not a change in managerial styles had something to do with it? I think that was a big part of it.

I'm not saying the Astros don't have some holes to fill, but everyone seems to be writing them off simply because they didn't sign Beltran. One man does not a team make. Beltran is good, but not that good.

And if the Astros do find themselves out of the playoffs, I think it's highly unlikely that they'll trade off Clemens, unless he requests it. A large part of the reason he pitched for the Astros last year is because he could live at home and be around for his family more. He didn't have to travel with the team on road trips where he wasn't pitching, and he was allowed to attend his son's games rather than Astros games in which he wasn't pitching. All that would go away if he was traded, so I'm sure he's got a no-trade clause in his contract.

KleeHee, it's better to be overlooked than overhyped. Anyway, i don't think they will be as good this year, but it's all opinion. A lot depends on Pettitte being able to stay healthy. As far as him being inconvenienced by not being able to skip games and not travel with the team (Funny, Pedro got bashed for this very reason), it is only a one year contact. Not like he needs to sell his house and move. He'll most certainly be retired after this year, and would not have a choice in the matter should he not have a no trade clause(which will also be interesting to see). Seems to me that should they not be in the running for a playoff spot, they may look to get something for him before he's gone. As well as lightning their payroll in the process.

Nah, I don't see that happening - he either plays this year as an Astro or he's done - no more teams for Roger Clemens' resume.
I hope the Astros do well - Beltran certainly helped, but hopefully it can be a case where he inspired the players around him to step it up and they can continue to do that in his absence. A healthy Pettite wouldn't hurt, either!
Still another month to go before the sounds of baseball will fill the Florida air again!

A healthy Pettite wouldn't hurt, either!


There is no such thing. He has been/always will be damaged goods.

Fair enough, but prior to last year's 15 starts and 83 innings, his lows were 22 and 134.2 in 2002, and before that 31 starts (several years) and 175 innings (1995), so if they could at least 20-something starts and 150 + innings pitched, that would be an improvement!

Clemens signed for $18 million:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1972067

Clemens signed for $18 million:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1972067

Now Roger can afford to buy that Time Share Condo in Mexico.

There is no such thing. He has been/always will be damaged goods.

:eek:

say what?!

Start the dam season!!

OH YEAH...RYNO GETTING PROPS FROM THE CUBS

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-01/15954855.jpg

Ryne Sandberg's #23 to be retired (http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/chc/news/chc_news.jsp?ymd=20050121&content_id=933278&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp)

CHICAGO -- New Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg's No. 23 will be retired this season.
The announcement was made Friday during the opening ceremonies at the 20th annual Cubs Convention by John McDonough, vice president of marketing and broadcasting for the team.

Sandberg was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on Jan. 4, and will be inducted on July 31 in Cooperstown.

Details about the number retirement ceremony will be announced at a later date, McDonough said.

It will be the fourth number retired by the Cubs. Sandberg's No. 23 will join Ernie Banks' No. 14, Billy Williams' No. 26, and Ron Santo's No. 10. It's also the second No. 23 to be retired in the city of Chicago. The Bulls also have retired Michael Jordan's No. 23.

Sandberg received one of the loudest and longest ovations during the opening ceremonies on Friday. He won nine Gold Gloves and was a 10-time All-Star with the Cubs from 1982-94 and 1996-97


http://www.wrigleyvillesport.com/istarimages/p/p-20017!MAJ.jpg

If anyone is interested, I've finally added photos of Minute Maid Park, Petco Park and Holman Stadium (Vero Beach) to my web site (http://home.earthlink.net/~billy.vii/), as well as a couple of updated photos of Arlington!

While reading a MLB site I came across this article on Griffey Jr. I sure hope Jr can stay healthy this season and end his carrier on a positive note. The guy was pure magic when he was younger, it was so effortless to him. You always new he was going to do something spectacular at the plate or in the feild. If it was not for JR Safeco field would not exist, the Mariners would not exist they would have been long gone to another city.

With less than five weeks remaining before the position players report to spring training, Ken Griffey, Jr., is getting ready again. It's just five months since he had surgery to repair a torn hamstring and he continues to progress. We've talked about Junior before in this space. He's already a future Hall of Famer, yet has lost nearly four years to injury and will try it again in 2005. One of the great centerfielders of his time, or any time, he will also have to decide if it's time for a switch to the infield. Chipper Jones came back to third last year after realizing that the long runs in the outfield were resulting in repeated pulled leg muscles. As I've said before, most of Junior's injuries have been the result of playing hard. To save his legs and resurrect his home run bat, he might have to make the conversion to first base and try to finish his career on a high note, something I'm sure he sorely wants to do.

If anyone is interested, I've finally added photos of Minute Maid Park, Petco Park and Holman Stadium (Vero Beach) to my web site (http://home.earthlink.net/~billy.vii/), as well as a couple of updated photos of Arlington!

Billy thanks for adding those pics of MMP. Great looking ballpark!! :thumb:

Be good if the Reds could get a full season out of Griffey, Jr. When he's on, he's one of the best to watch.

31 when I got up this morning, only going up to 56. Wouldn't be a good day for pitchers or catchers to report, even if it was time...

"The waiting is the hardest part..." - T. Petty 3:16

Peoria, AZ Home of the Mariners Spring training camp. High 74 - Low 53.

:yell: PLAY BALL!!!

Delgado a Marlin (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1975153)

Carlos Delgado will be a Marlin.

The outfielder and the Marlins have agreed to a four-year, $52 million deal, sources told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. There is also a vesting option that would make the deal worth $64 million for five years.

Several teams had been bidding for the first baseman's services. The Texas Rangers withdrew their offer Sunday night, and Delgado's agent, David Sloane, said the New York Mets had pulled out, too, although the team said it was awaiting a response. Sloane and the Mets talked again Monday. The Baltimore Orioles also were trying to sign Delgado. The 32-year-old Delgado hit .269 last season for Toronto with 32 homers and 99 RBI.

billy will be digging up a pic of Delgado in a Marlins uniform real quick and posting it with pride.....I bet! :)
What do you think BILLY??? honestly!

Hey, I'm all for it - a little left-handed pop never hurt anyone (except hopefully the opposition). Just need to get the outfield in order now - I'm sure Pierre stays in center, but do they keep Cabrera in left or move him to right? And is Conine the starter or does he pretty much platoon with Encarnacion? And...and...can we just start spring training NOW?!?

Good news for the Marlins, I think, overall.. although I think they overpaid, considering Delgado's age. But everyone seems to be overpaying this year. Congrats to Florida fans and Billy in particular.

Since Delgado is a Fish, hopefully that means we can dump Sosa on the Mets.

Since Delgado is a Fish, hopefully that means we can dump Sosa on the Mets.


NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! Here's my plea to Omar Minaya. DO NOT TRADE FOR SOSA! Go get Magglio.

Reports up here have Mentkiewicz going to the Mets in a trade for cash and some AA first baseman that hit .342 but hurt his wrist or something.

I like Mentkiewicz, but Millar is a better hitter, and played a decent first base the second half last year. Also keeps a right handed bat to go with Varitek switch hitting between Ortiz and Nixon. I'd have been okay with either.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! Here's my plea to Omar Minaya. DO NOT TRADE FOR SOSA! Go get Magglio.

Oh, you know you want him!!!!!!!!

Oh, you know you want him!!!!!!!!

No thank you. The Mets already have one past his prime, injury prone, 8 figured salary everyday player.

Mientkiewicz becomes Mets' first baseman (http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2005/01/26/mientkiewicz_becomes_mets_plan_b/)

Red Sox trade Doug Mientkiewicz to Mets for minor league first baseman Ian Bladergroen(The Blade). Not sure how i feel about this. With Roberts and Minky both gone, we basically traded Nomah for a WS victory. Which is fine by me, but trading a gold glove big leaguer for an A league prospect with an injury history? Hard to question Theo.The Mets are building themselves a nice little team.

Hey, Sucka - what kinda crack they handing out there on the streets of Philly-delphia? Ol' Jayson Stark is saying on www.espn.com that with Delgado, the Marlins may just be the best team in the National League! While that would be nice, I find that hard to fathom at this stage.

Latest rumors here in Seattle are that the Mets may trade Mike Cameron back to the Mariners in exchange for Scott Spiezio and perhaps others. Cameron obviously doesn't fit with the Mets after they signed Beltran...

Id love to see Cammie back in a M's uniform. I know..I know his bat sucks at Safeco, his defense is stellar.

billy will be digging up a pic of Delgado in a Marlins uniform real quick and posting it with pride.....I bet! :)
What do you think BILLY??? honestly!

Ok...:

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/images/2005/01/27/Hltlkm9X.jpg

I have no problem with Millar at first. You have to have his bat in the line-up from the right side, since with Damon, Nixon and Ortiz they're a little left heavy. Hell, I think Manny is the only everyday right hander now - Mueller, Belhorn, Varitek and Rentaria are all switch hitters, right? I know Payton bats right as a 4th outfielder, too.

I think these Red Sox have gotten better. The ONLY position they MIGHT be worse in is the 2 hole in their rotation, and even that isn't definite, since Pedro's 2004 numbers won't be hard to duplicate. I have to think they'll get equal production from Miller, Wells and Clement to match Pedro, Lowe and Arroyo in the starting rotation (with Arroyo still on the staff if needed). BUT, what you don't know is whether you'll get the clutch playoff performances that Lowe especially gave you, and the intangibles that Martinez brings to the park.

Every other spot in their line-up is either the same or improved over last year. The bottom of the rotation is stronger, with Wake moving down to the 5th spot and Arroyo into the BP, the BP is stronger with Mantei, Halama and Arroyo, the bench is better with Payton as compared to Kapler...

They MIGHT need to get a back up first baseman to replace Doug's defense, but for an inning or two, I'm not going to sweat it. Millar actually fielded the position well the second half, once he no longer had to deal with Nomar throwing the ball all over the park, LOL.

I think Theo did a damn good job. The only change I'd have preferred would have been to bring in Radke instead of Clement, which they tried. Good for Radke to take less to stay in MN.

The Yankees have sold 2.3 million tickets already for this season. Wow.

There's nothin' like that Yankee pride. :thumb:

Where are all our Cubbie fans? I figured they'd be all over this:

from www.espn.com:

Baltimore Slugger?
So long, Windy City? WGN Radio in Chicago reported Friday that the Cubs will trade Sammy Sosa to the Orioles pending a physical and the outfielder waiving his no-trade clause.

Cubs would get Hairston, prospects
ESPN.com news services
NEW YORK -- The Chicago Cubs agreed on a trade to send unhappy slugger Sammy Sosa to the Baltimore Orioles, ESPN's Tim Kurkjian has learned.

An Orioles source told Kurkjian on Friday night that the only way this deal wouldn't be completed is if a player failed a physical. However, approval from the players' association and commissioner Bud Selig are still needed, according to The Associated Press.

The Cubs would pay a substantial part of Sosa's $17 million salary this season, major-league executives told the AP. Sosa would agree to void his salary in 2006, they also said.

In exchange, Chicago would receive second baseman Jerry Hairston Jr and at least two prospects.

Sosa's contract gives the Cubs an $18 million option in 2006 with a $4.5 million buyout. But the contract says that if he is traded, his 2006 salary would become guaranteed and a 2007 club option would be added at $19 million with a $4.5 million buyout.

The players' association had told Sosa's agent, Adam Katz, several weeks ago that voiding the option would not be a problem.

The teams had not finalized a deal, all the executives said. Selig's approval is necessary because the trade would involve the transfer of $1 million or more.

Orioles executive vice president Jim Beattie and vice president Mike Flanagan could not be reached for comment. Cubs spokesman Sharon Panazzo also could not be reached for comment and Katz declined to comment.

The Cubs have been looking for a taker for Sosa since the end of the season, when he skipped out on the finale at Wrigley Field. Sosa initially claimed he didn't leave until the seventh inning, but the Cubs produced videotapes showing him leaving shortly after the game began and fined him $87,500 -- one day's salary.

The New York Mets were initially thought to be the best bet because general manager Omar Minaya signed Sosa when he was a teen in the Dominican Republic. But the Mets won the bidding for Carlos Beltran two weeks ago, and two Mets officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said they were not involved with Sosa trade talks this week.

The Orioles' interest apparently heated up after they lost out on Carlos Delgado earlier this week. Baltimore offered Delgado $48 million over four years, but the slugger took a $52 million, four-year deal from the Florida Marlins instead.

Sosa has 574 home runs, seventh on the career list, and his home run race with Mark McGwire in 1998 made him one of the game's most popular players. With an infectious smile, home run hops and heart taps, he became Chicago's favorite athlete after Michael Jordan retired. In all those dark years when the Cubs struggled, Sosa and his jaw-dropping homers were the lone bright spots.

But Sosa's relations with the Cubs -- and the fans -- soured in recent years. Hampered by injuries, he's batted just .266 the last two seasons and his homer totals have dropped. Last season, Sosa batted only .253 -- his lowest average since 1997 -- and hit 35 homers and 80 RBI in 126 games, ending his run of 100-RBI seasons at nine.

The breaking point came when he skipped out on the final game of last season. He criticized manager Dusty Baker the next day, with Sosa saying all the blame was put on him for the Cubs' failures. In a later interview, Sosa said he was humiliated by being dropped to sixth in the batting order.

While Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, Baker and Cubs players insisted at last week's Cubs convention that Sosa's presence wouldn't be a disruption to the team, fans weren't buying it. When his image appeared on a video, there was a loud chorus of boos.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

Sammy just may hit a ton of HR's over there at Camden Yards.

Sammy just may hit a ton of HR's over there at Camden Yards.

Lets see how well Sammy does while off the juice. Those of you that dont think Sosa was on the juice, open your eye's.

Sammy just may hit a ton of HR's over there at Camden Yards.

He could hit 40 HRs in Baltimore. I am not sure what to expect of him though. Rumors are that he has lost a lot of weight this winter. If he was on steriods and is now clean, that would explain a lot of things, like him getting smaller and constantly hurt.


As a Cubs fan, I am torn about Sosa leaving. He was the pride and joy of this city for years, has done amazing things in a Cubs uniform and definitely is a hall of famer, but on the other hand, what he did last year was inexcusable and part of me wants to say don't let the door hit you on the way out. I truly hope he enjoys Baltimore and he can get back on track with a fresh start.

Just imagine what kind of reaction Sammy will get if he doesn't pass his physical! :scared:

Zeo, Paw??? Don't hate me for this but for the strangest reason going through my head right now is The Ohio Players "Kiss Him Goodbye" and I'm smiling.

At the same time...WHY THE FUCK DO WE NEED ANOTHER 2ND BASEMAN!! HELLO SOMEONE THAT CAN JACK A FEW OUT OF THE YARD WOULD BE NICE!!!

They need to offer up something a little more substantial than that. If we're gonna have to choke, gag and swallow the majority of his contract, give us something worthwhile.

On the upside, with Nomar and Walker both prone for injury, having Harriston is a good idea. Plus it'll allow DuBois to start in left and Hollandsworth in Right.

One more thing. This will make Sandbergs uniform # retirement all the sweeter. Sandberg had no love lost ofr Sosa; I'd say bordering on absolute hatred. In his biography from a few years ago pointed out, before his 1st retirement he said it had stopped being fun and became a job. That he had gotten tired of one or two guys "requests" or demands, for lack of a better word, being put above the betterment and happiness of the team. Which as we all know, Sandberg was all about "team."

It was obvious that there were The Untouchables, better known as Himes Guys and then there was the rest. Well, the biggest name that Larry Himes got for the Cubs was Sosa. He didn't name him, but stated that a locker room before a game should not be subjected to music so loud you think you're at a "salsa dance."

Sorry, but I just was imagining Ryno's face when he heard that. Maybe we'll see him make a return to the Cubs as a season coach, not just a Spring Training Advisor. He always said he'd never coach at Wrigley unless it was for a team that wanted the team to win.

I think the Cubs will be just fine. Hairston can also play the outfield, and is a pretty good leadoff hitter. Plus, from reports I am hearing it sounds like the Cubs are paying $10 million of Sosa's contract this year, which frees up about $7 million to go after someone like Mags.

Don't hate me for this but for the strangest reason going through my head right now is The Ohio Players "Kiss Him Goodbye" and I'm smiling...

Steam, man, Steam. Go to www.allmusic.com and read the story of that "group" and the song - quite interesting how it all happened.

I think the Cubs will be just fine. Hairston can also play the outfield, and is a pretty good leadoff hitter. Plus, from reports I am hearing it sounds like the Cubs are paying $10 million of Sosa's contract this year, which frees up about $7 million to go after someone like Mags.I also heard Burnitz was a candidate too.

Looks like the White Sox are well on their way to reclaiming the city of Chicago.

Seriously, the Cubs suck. LOL.

Looks like the White Sox are well on their way to reclaiming the city of Chicago.

I seriously doubt that.

I seriously doubt that.

You think the Cubs always ruled Chicago? You're mistaking my friend.

That's recent....

Steam, man, Steam. Go to www.allmusic.com and read the story of that "group" and the song - quite interesting how it all happened.


:wtf: Jesus H. Christ on a popcicle stick.... :eek: I knew that... :irked: Where in the fuck did I get the Ohio Players from??? :brickwall Just take me out behind the woodshead and beat me in to a puddle of red-head step-child goop. :{

S'all good, RRMB!

Speaking of the ChiSox - wonder what type of reception Sosa will get on Baltimore's first visit to Commiskey? Wonder if a lot of Cubbie fans will venture down south to see (and boo) Sammy?

That's recent....

I thought that was what we were discussing?

Plus, from reports I am hearing it sounds like the Cubs are paying $10 million of Sosa's contract this year, which frees up about $7 million to go after someone like Mags.

You mean if they used that 7M to bundle w/ additional cash, right? Because Mags is rumored to be asking for much more than 7M a season.

BTW, if he agreed to an clause-filled contract like Pudge's (must be healthy for certain % of games, must have XXX at-bats, etc. etc.), would you shell-out cash for him?

I guess I'm asking for a national perspective on this guy. Obviously, his injury changes a lot of things.

Looks like the White Sox are well on their way to reclaiming the city of Chicago.



They already claimed themselves as the only AAAA team in baseball. What more do you want? :)

You mean if they used that 7M to bundle w/ additional cash, right? Because Mags is rumored to be asking for much more than 7M a season.

BTW, if he agreed to an clause-filled contract like Pudge's (must be healthy for certain % of games, must have XXX at-bats, etc. etc.), would you shell-out cash for him?

I guess I'm asking for a national perspective on this guy. Obviously, his injury changes a lot of things.

Correct - $7 million to bundle with more cash. If Mags is willing to take an incentive laden contract with a base of $7-8 million, I would do that in a heart beat, Rumor has it that he really wants to stay in Chicago so he can stick it to the Sox, so he may lower his price for the Cubs.

They already claimed themselves as the only AAAA team in baseball. What more do you want? :)

Gee I forgot about all those championship flags on the Northside.

Loser organization.

Zeo, Paw??? Don't hate me for this but for the strangest reason going through my head right now is "Kiss Him Goodbye" and I'm smiling.


Funny you should say that.......I've had "Don't Go Away Mad....Just GO AWAY" going through mine.... :devil:


Let's just hope that the douche passes his physical....

How bout them BREWERS in first place!!!! Yeee hawwww!!!! :thumb:
err...uhhhh pitchers and catchers need to report yet! :(
OLO....how many days now??

Let's just hope that the douche passes his physical....
Oh come on Greenpaw: You have to respect Sosa for what he did for the Cubs and Baseball...he had some of the most awesome seasons as a baseball player ever as a CUB! He had less set-backs than great seasons.

How bout them BREWERS in first place!!!! Yeee hawwww!!!! :thumb:
err...uhhhh pitchers and catchers need to report yet! :(
OLO....how many days now??

16 Days 17 hours 10 minutes.

Looks like Jeff Nelson may be comming back to the Mariners.

Oh come on Greenpaw: You have to respect Sosa for what he did for the Cubs and Baseball...he had some of the most awesome seasons as a baseball player ever as a CUB! He had less set-backs than great seasons.

Yes, but he also did a lot to hurt the game and the team......roids, corked bat, bad attitude....... take away his "artificial enhancements" and does he hit 60+ homers? :sssh:

I'd rather lose as a team..... playing fair.... :p

Yes, but he also did a lot to hurt the game and the team......roids, corked bat, bad attitude....... take away his "artificial enhancements" and does he hit 60+ homers? :sssh:

I'd rather lose as a team..... playing fair.... :pIf you want to talk about "roids" then you must show us all proof. Cork, yes he is guilty, but what advantage did he have? He didn't even know how much farther it would hit, it's a fucking myth...or maybe he hit it a couple more inches than normal. It just made him swing the bat faster with less weight behind it. It cancels each other out for the most part.
Sosa was a team player until the end of last year.
I am pretty sure, not positive, that the "artificial enhancements" made his swing stronger, but not his eyesight...it takes 2 eyes to see the ball coming at 90+ MPH and then react with power and accuracy.
Then Sosa sneezes and all Cubs fans think he sucks! :D
Until he is found guilty of steroids, he played a great game of baseball IMO. If he is guilty, shame on him!

Looks like Jeff Nelson may be comming back to the Mariners.

The same guy who bashed the organization for not spending money? I thought he burned that bridge....

Sosa was a team player until the end of last year.


Sosa was never a team player...examples:

** He was one reason why Ryno lost any thrill of playing. Besides the divorce; he got tired of "Himes Guys" getting what they wanted at the expense of everyone else. It's no coincidence that he didn't come back to play until AFTER Himes was gone. Sosa's ever present boom box was banned while Ryno was there and the privilage of game day music reverted back to the pitchers.

** Grace wanted to stay, but knew that he couldn't co-exist in the clubhouse with Sammy. Grace knew that there would be no money left to sign and field a decent team after the Cubs gave Sosa what he wanted.

** Pregame music is traditionally the choice of the starting pitcher, re-instituted when Sandberg came back. Not in Sosa's eye's. He always had that shit salsa music playing. After Ryno re-retired, Sosa's boombox made it's re-debut. His team player attitude were loved so much that when a player found out about his 1st inning exodus during the last game; he sent Sammy's boombox "BACK, BACK, BACK...HEY HEY...IT'S ON WAVELAND AVENUE!!!" Whoever it was destroyed it. The rumored perps are Alou, Walker, Maddux or Wood.

** He was quoted as saying that if moving down in the line-up helps the team, so be it; then turns around and blames Baker for moving him without asking him...last I checked Baker was manager; not Sosa. Then he accused Baker of saying Sosa was the reason the team didn't make the playoffs. C'mon a player that can't get along with Baker??? Hell, even Bonds said that Baker is the easiest guy to get along with.

Those are just the things that pop in to my head this late/early.

Sosa was never a team player...examples:

** He was one reason why Ryno lost any thrill of playing. Besides the divorce; he got tired of "Himes Guys" getting what they wanted at the expense of everyone else. It's no coincidence that he didn't come back to play until AFTER Himes was gone. Sosa's ever present boom box was banned while Ryno was there and the privilage of game day music reverted back to the pitchers.

** Grace wanted to stay, but knew that he couldn't co-exist in the clubhouse with Sammy. Grace knew that there would be no money left to sign and field a decent team after the Cubs gave Sosa what he wanted.

** Pregame music is traditionally the choice of the starting pitcher, re-instituted when Sandberg came back. Not in Sosa's eye's. He always had that shit salsa music playing. After Ryno re-retired, Sosa's boombox made it's re-debut. His team player attitude were loved so much that when a player found out about his 1st inning exodus during the last game; he sent Sammy's boombox "BACK, BACK, BACK...HEY HEY...IT'S ON WAVELAND AVENUE!!!" Whoever it was destroyed it. The rumored perps are Alou, Walker, Maddux or Wood.

** He was quoted as saying that if moving down in the line-up helps the team, so be it; then turns around and blames Baker for moving him without asking him...last I checked Baker was manager; not Sosa. Then he accused Baker of saying Sosa was the reason the team didn't make the playoffs. C'mon a player that can't get along with Baker??? Hell, even Bonds said that Baker is the easiest guy to get along with.

Those are just the things that pop in to my head this late/early.

Yeah, he hasn't been much of a team player since the McGuire/Sosa HR race..... and they say even before that he was a bitch in the club house.

As far as the roids, you're right, it has not been proven, but all you need to do is look at the guy.....he used to be a skinny/normal sized guy....then he was the hulk...... IMO, no way it was just from working out.

Maybe it was, but given his reputation of being lazy and skipping out on a lot of spring training and pre game work outs......I really doubt it.

Trade rumors are starting to swirl around the Cubs. Once the Sosa trade becomes official, the Cubs obviously need to do something to replace him. Here are a few names being mentioned:

Aubrey Huff (TB)
Austin Kearns (Cin)

I like Huff - That would be a great trade, depending on what we would have to give up.

It's great to see Cubs fans open their eyes to see what we all knew. Scammy is a retard.

But, he sure was great when he would hit his 60 homers though huh? Amazing how quickly the wind shifts.

But, he sure was great when he would hit his 60 homers though huh? Amazing how quickly the wind shifts.

Not quite, 60 home runs does nothing when you compliment those homers with hundreds of strikeouts.

It is too bad that the 'fans' didn't see him for what he was sooner, but on a team that annually is in the shitter, a player like Sosa may not help the team, but he can draw the people. I'm glad his homerun show helped bring attention to the game again, but as a Cubs fan, IMO, he brought nothing to the team but conflict and distractions.

The same guy who bashed the organization for not spending money? I thought he burned that bridge....

Yep that Nelly.

He said in a interview that he and Chuck Armstong (President of the M's) had a nice talk and its all water under the bridge. Nelly is 38 and was injured most of last season with TX. If he can stay healthy, I hope we can get at least two good years out of him.

Yep that Nelly.

He said in a interview that he and Chuck Armstong (President of the M's) had a nice talk and its all water under the bridge. Nelly is 38 and was injured most of last season with TX. If he can stay healthy, I hope we can get at least two good years out of him.

He was signed to a minor league contract only, so there's no guarantee he'll even make the team. But I hope he's back in form; when he isn't hobbled by injuries he's practically unhittable.

I agree with you that it would be nice to see Cammy back in an Ms uniform. Yes he strikes out a lot, but he hits for power, draws a lot of walks, is fast, and plays stellar defense. We need stellar defense in the outfield, especially with the crappy pitching we will have this year.

It's great to see Cubs fans open their eyes to see what we all knew. Scammy is a retard.

But, he sure was great when he would hit his 60 homers though huh? Amazing how quickly the wind shifts.I agree...my post of Sammy being a team player should have said "Sammy was portrayed publicly" as a team player. RRMB: sorry if I brought back bad memories.
With this sports forum here now, that kind of info is welcome when it comes out. I follow the Cubs more than any team other than my Brewers, and I am forced to watch the Chicago news stations where I live....Of course the media never wants to bash a "star player"...anyway, thanks for the info!
Now, get started with spring training already!!!!!

Just watched MR 3000. Good movie.

Just watched MR 3000. Good movie.

That looks interesting. I like Bernie Mac, so I guess I'll have to check it out this weekend.

Cubs and Orioles have separate 5pm CST press conferences scheduled tonight.

It sounds like Cubs and Burnitz agreed to terms, but it won't be announced until after Sosa trade is final.

Cubs and Burnitz is pretty much official:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1982551

Just watched MR 3000. Good movie.Filmed at Miller Park.....I had a chance to be in the crowd for free...but had to be available at a time frame that was not possible for me..anyway, I hope it doesn't show the roof leaking if it was raining! :irked:

Cubs and Orioles have separate 5pm CST press conferences scheduled tonight.

It sounds like Cubs and Burnitz agreed to terms, but it won't be announced until after Sosa trade is final.


http://espn.starwave.com/media/mlb/2005/0128/photo/sosatraded_ft.jpg :thumb: :bounce: :bounce: :thumb:

Cubs, Burnitz agree to 1-year deal (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/cs-050202cubssosatrade,1,7149253.story?coll=chi-sportsnew-hed&ctrack=3&cset=true)

Filmed at Miller Park.....I had a chance to be in the crowd for free...but had to be available at a time frame that was not possible for me..anyway, I hope it doesn't show the roof leaking if it was raining! :irked:


A scene in the movie showed Miller park from outside, the view had a little league baseball park near the entrance.

Is it still there or was it just put there for the movie?

I think that is totally cool if its for real. :thumb:

IMHO Yogi needs to lighten up a notch or twelve. :rolleyes:


NEW YORK (AP) - Hall of Famer Yogi Berra has filed a $10 million lawsuit against TBS, claiming the cable television network sullied his name by using it in a racy advertisement for its "Sex & the City" reruns
Berra's papers, filed in Manhattan's state Supreme Court, say the Turner Broadcasting System Inc. ad, which has appeared on buses and in subways, caused "severe damage to his reputation" with its reference to Kim Cattrall's sexually promiscuous character, Samantha. The offending ad, Berra's court papers say, queried readers about the definition of "yogasm." Possible definitions: (a) a type of yo-yo trick, (b) sex with Yogi Berra and (c) what Samantha has with a guy from yoga class. The answer is (c). The reference to the sexual act made in connection with Berra "engenders a moral taint that has damaged his otherwise spotless reputation," say his court papers, filed last week and posted on thesmokinggun.com Web site. The 79-year-old Berra "is a married man and has children and grandchildren," his court papers say. "He is a deeply religious man who has maintained and continues to maintain a moral lifestyle and has a spotless reputation for integrity, decency and moral character." Berra's lawyer Lewis Smoley, said he was told TBS stopped running the ad last August. Nevertheless, he said, he wants the court to order the superstation to never run the ad again.
The Berra suit seeks $5 million on each of two causes of action: commercial use of his name without permission and unjust enrichment by use of his name without permission.
A spokeswoman for TBS, based in Atlanta, said Tuesday: "We do not comment on litigation."
Berra, a catcher for the New York Yankees from 1946-63 who lives in Montclair, N.J., is one of baseball's most beloved and quotable characters. He also managed the Yankees and the New York Mets to pennants.


http://msn.foxsports.com/id/3369494

A scene in the movie showed Miller park from outside, the view had a little league baseball park near the entrance.

Is it still there or was it just put there for the movie?

I think that is totally cool if its for real. :thumb:

You mean this?:

http://home.earthlink.net/%7ebilly.xxxvii/places/WI/mke82202b.jpg

That's the location of homeplate of old County Stadium, just behind the third base stands of the little ballpark.

You mean this?:

http://home.earthlink.net/%7ebilly.xxxvii/places/WI/mke82202b.jpg

That's the location of homeplate of old County Stadium, just behind the third base stands of the little ballpark.


No, it was a real little league field with a actual little league game going on. From the view they showed during the movie it looked like it was the Main entrance to the ball park.

That is a real field (you can just see the infield dirt at about the shortstop position and the outfield wall)!

No, it was a real little league field with a actual little league game going on. From the view they showed during the movie it looked like it was the Main entrance to the ball park.Thanks, Billy...you are the pic guy of Miller Park and beyond!... :thumb: OLO...seriously, there is a little league sized baseball park just outside of the entrances of Miller Park..it is very cool to see, it's in Billy's pic....you need to go there, it is a baseball city you'll never forget. :) Tailgating...I was born in to it man! Have you ever tailgated? All I have to say is: Tailgating is...charcoal smoke and smell, brats, burgers, happy people, and BEER and lots of playing catch in the lot, and BREWERS baseball in the air...then it's game time. It is baseball fever at it's best. If you do not know where the Brewers play, just go to Milwaukee and look for the hovering smoke of the grills and the flow of beer and you'll be there! :thumb:

Tailgating...I was born in to it man! Have you ever tailgated? All I have to say is: Tailgating is...charcoal smoke and smell, brats, burgers, happy people, and BEER and lots of playing catch in the lot, and BREWERS baseball in the air...then it's game time. It is baseball fever at it's best. If you do not know where the Brewers play, just go to Milwaukee and look for the hovering smoke of the grills and the flow of beer and you'll be there! :thumb:

Preach it, BREW! Tailgating is the shit! :bounce:

Preach it, BREW! Tailgating is the shit! :bounce:Nah...IT IS LIFE AT MILLER PARK....RIP County Stadium!
Thanks, Wray! :thumb:

A scene in the movie showed Miller park from outside, the view had a little league baseball park near the entrance.

Is it still there or was it just put there for the movie?

I think that is totally cool if its for real. :thumb:

I think that park is still there. I remember a little league park being there when I went up there to see a Cub game a couple of years ago.

Another view of Helfaer Field:

http://home.earthlink.net/%7ebilly.xxxvii/places/WI/mke82202c.jpg

Another view of Helfaer Field:

http://home.earthlink.net/%7ebilly.xxxvii/places/WI/mke82202c.jpg

Very cool! :thumb: