Deuce7 Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 Winners and Losers: Part 2 Winner: Chicago White Sox What an unexpected offseason haul for the White Sox. Acquiring Jeff Samardzija was an absolute bombshell when it was announced, but getting him for a few mid-level prospects?!?! Consider that trade filed under: Complete Steal. Signing David Robertson to sure up the bullpen as well as adding the always underrated Melky Cabrera and Adam LaRoche to give them some pop behind Jose Abreu, the White Sox are on the rise. Loser: Cleveland Indians After coming so close the last few season, the Indians have been one or two key pieces away from making over that hurdle. But a lack of interest from any big name free agents seems to have spoiled the teams chance a bit. Combine that with their only significant move being the acquisition of Brandon Moss (who may or may not be healthy)............dark days are once again looming over Cleveland. Winner: San Diego Padres Even if they don't make a move for Cole Hamels, San Diego has drastically change the landscape of the NL West. Matt Kemp is a total high risk high reward player right now, but don't underestimate him and his desire to prove the Dodgers wrong. Adding Justin Upton and Wil Myers takes the outfield from good to scary good. The one move that most are not talking about is trading for Derek Norris from Oakland, who could have a monster year as a full-time starter. Loser: Pittsburgh Pirates For the second offseason in a row, the Pirates failed to make any sort of splash that they are in desperate need of. Moving Pedro Alvarez from 3rd to 1st was a step in the right direction, but you "big" move of the offseason was signing a guy from Korea?? The played shortstop in Korea, but doesn't have the arm strength or the athleticism to stay there in the big leagues. You essentially signed a guy to take over 2nd base when you have two guys capable of playing there already. Winner: Miami Marlins Right behind the Padres for most unexpected offseason is Miami and the barrage of solid moves they made. The moves they made were pure genius, starting with adding Michael Morse who gives Giancarlo Stanton some protection in the lineup. Then picking up Dee Gordon from the Dodgers that gives them an instant spark plug at leadoff. To finish things off, trading for Mat Latos who will be their ace until Jose Fernandez returns. Loser: Baltimore Orioles How are so many playoff contenders not getting any of the big name free agents??? Baltimore is in the same boat as Cleveland and Pittsburgh, maybe even worse off. They have lost a lot more then they gained, losing fan favorite Nick Markakis and the power of Nelson Cruz. In what seems like their only move of the offseason, they managed to bring back Delmon Young in an attempt to catch lightning in a bottle twice at DH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 So for those of you that have not made your way to the Fantasy League section of the forums, we are starting the sign ups for the Fantasy Baseball League a bit early this year in hopes of getting a 12 team league going. There is a 100k buy in, with a chance at some VIP time if we have 12 teams that will be paid for by me (unless Mike wants to toss it in for free ). Here is the link to the sign up page if you are interested!!!! http://www.mmatycoon.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=48346&do=findComment&comment=645978 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LanceTempleton Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 It seems my mets are done. I was hoping they would deal for a stud ss, but I am ok with giving flores a shot and keep our young pitching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortfuse122829 Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 As a biased Cubs fan, i think they have loads of talent and could surprise a lot of people this season. As an unbiased Cubs fan, there are still a lot of question marks on that roster. Can Jake Arrietta put up the insane 2nd half numbers hr had for an entire season? Can Javy Baez adjust to Major League pitching? If Kris Bryant doesn't make the team out of spring training, who starts at 3rd? Will the bullpen be able to keep them in games instead of pitching them out of games? Better yet, who is the closer? I could honestly find pluses and minuses with every team because i'm a baseball addict. If you guys are really in contention this season, Papelbon will be available. I really don't even think the Phils are expecting to get much in return for him. We just want to get rid of the salary & him because he's holding back 100 mile Giles. I know they were close to moving him a few weeks ago though the destination escapes me right now, but we weren't willing to send cash. Which I don't really understand but it seems like all our deals are falling through now based on unwillingness to send money along Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortfuse122829 Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Can't wait to see where Mancado ends up. I was really hoping the Phils would get him but I saw that we're only like 100K under the salary cap and would have to pay dollar for dollar tax if we signed him, so I highly doubt they're even in the running Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 It seems my mets are done. I was hoping they would deal for a stud ss, but I am ok with giving flores a shot and keep our young pitching. I still wish they would go after Everth Cabrera who has loads of talent, but has an injury history. He's a switch hitting leadoff type that hits for a decent average when healthy. If you guys are really in contention this season, Papelbon will be available. I really don't even think the Phils are expecting to get much in return for him. We just want to get rid of the salary & him because he's holding back 100 mile Giles. I know they were close to moving him a few weeks ago though the destination escapes me right now, but we weren't willing to send cash. Which I don't really understand but it seems like all our deals are falling through now based on unwillingness to send money along Milwaukee is who they were talking to. Phillies once again are having their huge contracts come back to bite them and they need to just eat some of those contracts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLP Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Cubs getting Maddon and Lester were pretty big deals. Getting Dexter Fowler to lead off was a big get too. You have to remember that the Cubs played around .500 ball after the first 6-8 weeks of the season when they started giving playing time to the younger guys. And that was after they unloaded two of their top three starters. As for Papelbon and the closer position, I would be shocked if the Cubs were interested in him or any other veteran closer. Hector Rondon was very good as a closer last year. 29 (4 blown) saves with a 2.42 era is plenty good for me. Add to that that he is making the minimum and the cubs have a couple other good in-house candidates to replace him if he struggles or gets injured. Hitting will be the most likely place for the cubs to struggle. Still way too many young players. I think they'll end up a couple games above .500. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LanceTempleton Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 I still wish they would go after Everth Cabrera who has loads of talent, but has an injury history. He's a switch hitting leadoff type that hits for a decent average when healthy. i think he is still on their radar and I would like them to sign him too, but from what I have heard they view him more as a possible platoon with Flores and not an every day guy. He's been in trouble with the law twice now, but more importantly he really hasn't been all that good since getting busted for steroids. I would still love to have his speed and defense off the bench. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 i think he is still on their radar and I would like them to sign him too, but from what I have heard they view him more as a possible platoon with Flores and not an every day guy. He's been in trouble with the law twice now, but more importantly he really hasn't been all that good since getting busted for steroids. I would still love to have his speed and defense off the bench. Oh I don't think he would be an everyday guy either, but he and Flores would be a great platoon. Cabrera will give you the speed/defense and Flores will give you the power/offense. They are two completely different players, but sometimes that is what you need. Doesn't hurt that once the Mets get Harvey back they will have 8 solid pitchers that they can plug into their rotation (Harvey, Colon, deGrom, Gee, Niese, Montero, Wheeler and Syndergaard). So if they really need something later at least they have pieces to trade. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LanceTempleton Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Oh I don't think he would be an everyday guy either, but he and Flores would be a great platoon. Cabrera will give you the speed/defense and Flores will give you the power/offense. They are two completely different players, but sometimes that is what you need. Doesn't hurt that once the Mets get Harvey back they will have 8 solid pitchers that they can plug into their rotation (Harvey, Colon, deGrom, Gee, Niese, Montero, Wheeler and Syndergaard). So if they really need something later at least they have pieces to trade. I agree 100%!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 James Shields Finally Signs with................the Padres Another fantastic pick up by the Padres this offseason. Adding James Shields in a rotation takes some pressure off of the other younger starting pitchers to become the "ace" of the staff. Having him at the top of the rotation with Kennedy, Cashner and Ross coming next gives the Padres a very formidable pitching staff. There is definitely more to this signing then what appears on the outside beginning with the fact that Petco Park (home of the Padres) is a pitcher's paradise. It is a big field where flyballs go to die. Shields was known as a flyball type pitcher for quite a few years, but has been able to slowly drop those numbers over the last few seasons and moving into Petco will only drop those numbers further. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 James Shields Finally Signs with................the Padres Another fantastic pick up by the Padres this offseason. Adding James Shields in a rotation takes some pressure off of the other younger starting pitchers to become the "ace" of the staff. Having him at the top of the rotation with Kennedy, Cashner and Ross coming next gives the Padres a very formidable pitching staff. There is definitely more to this signing then what appears on the outside beginning with the fact that Petco Park (home of the Padres) is a pitcher's paradise. It is a big field where flyballs go to die. Shields was known as a flyball type pitcher for quite a few years, but has been able to slowly drop those numbers over the last few seasons and moving into Petco will only drop those numbers further. Agreed. Shields will definitely be someone to target from a fantasy pitcher perspective... The Padres are becoming interesting, although I still think the Giants and Dodgers will continue to rule that division. Cashner's arm probably won't make it through a full season and Ross is still somewhat raw... but Shields and Kennedy alone probably vault the Padres to somewhere around .500 this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 Agreed. Shields will definitely be someone to target from a fantasy pitcher perspective... The Padres are becoming interesting, although I still think the Giants and Dodgers will continue to rule that division. Cashner's arm probably won't make it through a full season and Ross is still somewhat raw... but Shields and Kennedy alone probably vault the Padres to somewhere around .500 this season. I'm going to agree and disagree. I agree that Cashner's arm will not hold up for the entire season and Ross is definitely raw, but Ross made huge strides last season and stepped up huge when Cashner went down so I think Shields helps those guys refine their stuff a little. Remember Shields used to throw very hard in the minors until he had arm issues that took him out for a season. I disagree that the Dodgers and Giants rule the division. It's an odd number year so the Giants will suck. The Dodgers are still iffy because they have gotten older instead of younger during the offseason and they still have a ton of question marks. I don't think Rollins is an upgrade at the plate and has progressively become a mediocre hitter over the last 3-4 season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacman Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 Shields to San Diego is a great move for both sides. Shields will thrive in that stadium and his contract is only for 4 years which are always better than those mega 10 year deals. The Giants are obviously gonna suck this year so this division will go down to the Padres and Dodgers. Dodgers got worse in my opinion with their acquisitions this offseason but their rotation is too good to not get them to the playoffs. Padres best hope is for a wild card. Unless Kershaw goes down for a significant amount of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 Here are my predictions for the season.......... AL East 1. Boston Red Sox 2. Toronto Blue Jays 3. Baltimore Orioles 4. New York Yankees 5. Tampa Bay Rays AL Central 1. Chicago White Sox 2. Detroit Tigers 3. Kansas City Royals 4. Cleveland Indians 5. Minnesota Twins AL West 1. Seattle Mariners 2. Los Angeles Angels 3. Oakland A's 4. Houston Astros 5. Texas Rangers NL East 1. Washington Nationals 2. New York Mets 3. Miami Marlins 4. Atlanta Braves 5. Philadelphia Phillies NL Central 1. St. Louis Cardinals 2. Chicago Cubs 3. Pittsburgh Pirates 4. Milwaukee Brewers 5. Cincinnati Reds NL West 1. Los Angeles Dodgers 2. San Diego Padres 3. San Francisco Giants 4. Arizona Diamondbacks 5. Colorado Rockies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPowell1990 Posted February 10, 2015 Report Share Posted February 10, 2015 we should get Julio Franco back. Guy may be pushing 60, but bet he'd bat between 3-6 in our **** lineup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted February 11, 2015 Report Share Posted February 11, 2015 we should get Julio Franco back. Guy may be pushing 60, but bet he'd bat between 3-6 in our **** lineup The guy is a cyborg i swear. No way should he still be playing at 56, but he just keeps rolling and somehow manages to stay pretty healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortfuse122829 Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 soooo......Yoan Moncado to the Red Sox eh??? At first this greatly depressed me because I was really hoping the Phils would try to get this guy. But from the things I am reading out of Boston since that signing, maybe him going there was the next best thing because it might put Betts back on the table in the Hamels trade talk. I've read potentially Betts/Bogaerts/Christian Vasquez (instead of Swiehart now) and potentially 1 of their top pitching prospects along w/ or in place of 1 of the 3 I mentioned earlier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LanceTempleton Posted February 26, 2015 Report Share Posted February 26, 2015 soooo......Yoan Moncado to the Red Sox eh??? At first this greatly depressed me because I was really hoping the Phils would try to get this guy. But from the things I am reading out of Boston since that signing, maybe him going there was the next best thing because it might put Betts back on the table in the Hamels trade talk. I've read potentially Betts/Bogaerts/Christian Vasquez (instead of Swiehart now) and potentially 1 of their top pitching prospects along w/ or in place of 1 of the 3 I mentioned earlier Good for you guys, but why would signing Moncado effect the status of Betts at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortfuse122829 Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Good for you guys, but why would signing Moncado effect the status of Betts at all? Pretty sure both their natural positions are 2B. I know that Betts can and has played CF because he's athletic enough to do so, but his normal position is 2B. And Moncado plays 2nd or short I believe? So I guess because it adds depth to the middle infield? He seemed to be the center-piece of the deal these two teams had going on before for a long time. But the friggin phils wouldn't pick up any of Hamels contract. If they'd been willing to do so they reportedly could've had Betts and Sweihart. Any time I had seen rumors recently though it seemed like Betts was off the table and Sweihart was the center piece of the deal. I had been reading some stuff coming out of Boston though that was saying it could potentially put Betts back on the table but they'd want to send the catcher that's already up in the MLB instead of Sweihart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Pretty sure both their natural positions are 2B. I know that Betts can and has played CF because he's athletic enough to do so, but his normal position is 2B. And Moncado plays 2nd or short I believe? So I guess because it adds depth to the middle infield? First it's Moncada guys, not Moncado Anyway, a lot of speculation is that Moncada could eventually move to 3rd because he is still growing and has the arm strength to make the throws. The Red Sox will put him in the minors and I have a feeling they will give him the "Kris Bryant treatment". Now I'm sure I will hear an argument about the Red Sox signing Pablo Sandoval, but Moncada is 19 and he will probably take two years to adjust to the the american style and better pitching. Betts on the other hand I see being an Emilio Bonifacio/Arismendy Alcatara type player for the Red Sox and that certainly isn't a bad thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Damn Josh just cant break his addiction.... i feel bad for him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deuce7 Posted February 27, 2015 Report Share Posted February 27, 2015 Damn Josh just cant break his addiction.... i feel bad for him I do and I don't. I feel bad because he has loads of talent and seemed like he was turning things around in his life. I don't feel bad because he should have known what one drink could have/did lead to. There is more to the story then most people realize. Part of the blame should be put on the Angels as well. They knew of his past addictions and even knew of his alcohol relapse in 2012 (I think that is when it was), so why would they let him stay at a "friend's" house while he was rehabbing an injury instead of keeping him with teammates like they had done before??? When Josh was with the Rangers, they had something in place that made sure he was with a teammate or team personnel at all time to make sure he wouldn't fall back in to old habits. One thing I remember hearing an analyst say when Josh signed with the Angels, is they need to have a strong support system for him, and from day 1 the Angels failed to do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shortfuse122829 Posted February 28, 2015 Report Share Posted February 28, 2015 Promising signs out of Phillies camp on Jesse Biddle, was really hoping this kid would get his shit together at some point. Hope he continues trending upward Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted February 28, 2015 Report Share Posted February 28, 2015 Hell, the Rangers had a coked up GM when he was there... But when it comes to coke and crack i have sympathy because those drugs were only created to fuck people up. If you put top scientists in a lab to find a specific goal in a substance they can do it, those are the most addictive things known to man, more than liquor, porn, coffee or any other thing you could possibly think of. Institutionalized by the government and Gary Webb told everyone before they killed him. Watch (Kill the Messenger) I agree he shouldnt have done it but i think many people dont fully understand the aspect of it. In other news, my rays have no long ball hitters but the bullpen looks to be pretty decent.... good for a mediocre ass season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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