Post here the rumors or official signings and trades that happen this winter. The winter meetings are approaching quickly, and a couple moves have already happened.

This is what I remember happening so far:


Mets trade for Carlos Delgado
White Sox trade for Jim Thome and get money for his contract too.
Mets sign Billy Wagner
Blue Jays sign B.J. Ryan for a $47 million contract.
Red Sox trade for marlins pitcher BurkettStill waiting for the Tigers to do something. Rumors of interest in Jarrod Washburn, Matt Morris, A.J. Burnett.

Post here the rumors or official signings and trades that happen this winter. The winter meetings are approaching quickly, and a couple moves have already happened.

This is what I remember happening so far:


Mets trade for Carlos Delgado
White Sox trade for Jim Thome and get money for his contract too.
Mets sign Billy Wagner
Blue Jays sign B.J. Ryan for a $47 million contract.
Red Sox trade for marlins pitcher BurkettStill waiting for the Tigers to do something. Rumors of interest in Jarrod Washburn, Matt Morris, A.J. Burnett.

I'm sure there aren't too many Jays fans around here, but man, I just don't know about that Ryan signing. That's a heck of a lot of money (and years) to throw at a guy who has had ONE season as a closer. It reminds me of the Eric Hinske contract. After winning ROY, J.P. signed him to a big 5 year deal. Look how well that turned out.

Now there's rumour that J.P. is offering Giles a 5 year $55 million deal. The dude is 34 years old with only average numbers last year.

Unlike the Yankees and Red Sox, the Jays don't have a limitless budget to deal with. In fact, for the first time this season, they will have less than HALF the budget that either of those teams have. In every other season the Jays have had a QUARTER of the their budget.

I'd rather see the Jays sign A.J. Burnett than Giles and then trade Batista to Texas for Kevin Mench.

That chaffed my ass when the Red Sox got Burkett for prospects... especially with our GM's contacts with the Marlins... you mean we didn't have better prospects to offer?

Nice thread Hotsauce... keep it rollin'

I'm sure there aren't too many Jays fans around here, but man, I just don't know about that Ryan signing. That's a heck of a lot of money (and years) to throw at a guy who has had ONE season as a closer. It reminds me of the Eric Hinske contract. After winning ROY, J.P. signed him to a big 5 year deal. Look how well that turned out.

Now there's rumour that J.P. is offering Giles a 5 year $55 million deal. The dude is 34 years old with only average numbers last year.

Unlike the Yankees and Red Sox, the Jays don't have a limitless budget to deal with. In fact, for the first time this season, they will have less than HALF the budget that either of those teams have. In every other season the Jays have had a QUARTER of the their budget.

I'd rather see the Jays sign A.J. Burnett than Giles and then trade Batista to Texas for Kevin Mench.

I completely agree with you. I am not so sure that 45(?) career saves is enough to get $47 million. He played well, and I hope that he does well for you guys, but i just think its too much money.

Breaking News:

White sox re-sign Paul Konerko for 5 years, $60 million.

I completely agree with you. I am not so sure that 45(?) career saves is enough to get $47 million. He played well, and I hope that he does well for you guys, but i just think its too much money.

Not bad, he's getting a million bucks per career save. :laugh:

I know the Jays have to over pay right now to get FA's to sign, and I do think he'll be an upgrade over Batista, but thats a lot of dough to throw at a relatively unproven closer.

Yankees sign Kyle Farnsworth to a 3 year, $17 million deal.:tsk:

Phillies Replace Wagner with tom Gordon.

Padres re-sign Brian Giles.


C'mon tigers....clock is ticking...:frusty:

Looks like T.O. is on the short list of finalists to land A.J. Rumour has it that he'll make a decision sometime next week.

I think its only fitting that A.J. goes to T.O. to join J.P and the newly signed B.J. He would fit right in!

I'm glad Giles re-signed with the Padres. Although the 5 year $55 million reports were false, the Jays' offer of 3 years $33 million was still way too high for a 35 year old Giles.

As far as the Kevin Mench trade talks with Texas go, the Rangers apparently wanted Batista, Alex Rios and Brandon League for Mench. Uh... NO THANKS!! I'm sure talks will continue at the Winter Meetings next week but the Rangers asking price is going to have to come way down (I hope).

Its official!!!

I think the Jays are pretty much done on the free agent market - at least in terms of major signings.

The rest will probably come through trade. They now have a surplus of pitchers on the big league roster as well as a plethora of young arms on the farm. They're starting to sound like the Lions. They drafted a left handed starting pitcher the last 2 years in a row with their 1st round choice, and another left handed starter with their 2nd pick last year.

I've also heard trade rumours involving Vernon Wells, Orlando Hudson, Shea Hillenbrand...

ah heck, its easier to just say who I haven't heard trade rumours about: Roy Halliday.

TIGERS ALERT::horn:

Tigers bring TODD JONES back to Detroit for a 2 year deal.

All I can say is that this better not be it lol.

Kenny Rogers??? What is Dombrowski thinking?

Jays picked up Lyle Overbay and didn't have to give up very much to do it. Overbay is an upgrade at first over Hillenbrand who will slide into the DH roll. They still have Aaron Hill and Eric Hinske without homes in the infield and have John McDonald as the backup. I don't think J.P. is done dealing yet.

The Jays are still looking for 1 more bat. They've been in talks to get Wilkerson (now with the Rangers) or Mench or look at FAs like Piazza and Nomar.

Kenny Rogers??? What is Dombrowski thinking?

He was having a helluva good year before the press lit the fuse on his tampon. :P

wait till he starts getting the star treatment of detroits media
reporter "so why did you guys lose today kenny"

kenny "get that mic out of my face"
reporter "why cant you pitch better you know you cant give up more than a run because of lack of support"
kenny " i will smash your face in like that camera guys camera its not my fault"

one month later
Judge "how does the defendent plea?"

Kenny " not guilty he should have known better"

I think he can still pitch but what an a-hole. Glad it's just a two-year deal. He's got the breaking ball still curling for an old guy, a la Frank Tanana.

wow i just heard about the rogers deal. i think it's a sweet move actually. i never saw the big fuss about the whole media thing, and he guy can pitch like a beast.

The Jays just signed Bengie Molina to complete their offseason signing/trading spree. I know I'm a bit biased being a Jays fan, but damn, what an offseason!

I don't think any other team came close to upgrading their team as much as the Jays did.

A.J. Burnett - a solid front of the rotation starter with good stuff. Gives Jays a solid rotation of Halladay, Burnett, Lilly, Chacin and Towers.

B.J. Ryan - a flame throwing closer. An upgrade over now departed Batista.

Lyle Overbay - a solid gap hitter. Upgrade over Hinske, and defensive upgrade over Hillenbrand, allowing Shea to move to DH.

Troy Glaus - huge power threat missing since Delgado. Upgrade over now departed Koskie.

John MacDonald - defensive specialist to help mentor a young middle infield. Veteran utility player.

Bengie Molina - solid 2 time gold glove winning catcher to platoon with Greg Zaun.

wow i just heard about the rogers deal. i think it's a sweet move actually. i never saw the big fuss about the whole media thing, and he guy can pitch like a beast.

just thought i'd uh...ya know...quote myself from way back :D

Yeah, the "he guy" stuff is classic. :rofl:

The Tigers re-signed Casey to a 1 year deal.

TSN : MLB - Canada's Sports Leader (http://tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=184575&hubname=)

By Wednesday night, the Tigers' left-handed relief specialist had agreed in principle to a three-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles worth almost $12 million. The deal is pending completion of a physical exam.

By Wednesday night, the Tigers' left-handed relief specialist had agreed in principle to a three-year deal with the Baltimore Orioles worth almost $12 million. The deal is pending completion of a physical exam.

The picther that we lost is Jamie Walker to the Orioles (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2664466)

I'm actually glad this happened... Never trusted Walker... IMO he's a one hit wonder.
Now Andrew Miller can get his shot.

The Toronto Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays) finalized a two-year, $18 million contract with veteran slugger Frank Thomas (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/4527) on Friday.

Scott Spiezio was rewarded for his contribution to the St. Louis Cardinals World Series title on Thursday, agreeing a two-year deal with the Cardinals worth a reported $4.5 million.

I see that Sean Casey is coming back for at least another year. The contract is for a year but as Sean says, the Tigers are a good fit for him. I expect him to be here longer and we can use the left-handed bat as well as a good first-sacker.

The Toronto Blue Jays (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/teams/blue_jays) finalized a two-year, $18 million contract with veteran slugger Frank Thomas (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/players/4527) on Friday.

Scott Spiezio was rewarded for his contribution to the St. Louis Cardinals World Series title on Thursday, agreeing a two-year deal with the Cardinals worth a reported $4.5 million.

I like this move as long as we still get a solid 3rd or 4th pitcher and don't lose Vernon Wells.

A couple of other updates:

Soriano's $136 million, eight-year contract was announced Monday by the Cubs after he passed a physical, the fifth-highest contract in baseball history and the first of eight years or more since Scott Rolen's deal with St. Louis in September 2002.

The Angels agreed to terms Wednesday on a five-year, $50-million deal with free-agent center fielder Gary Matthews Jr., who cashed in on a career year in which he hit .313 with 102 runs, 44 doubles, 19 home runs and 79 runs batted in and a .371 on-base percentage for the Texas Rangers.

Infielder Alex Cora stayed with the Boston Red Sox, agreeing Friday to a $4 million, two-year contract.

Free agent outfielder Frank Catalanotto finalized a $13 million, three-year contract Tuesday to return to Texas, where in 2001 he started at five positions and finished fifth in the AL batting race with a career-best .330 average.

Mark DeRosa became the first major league free agent to switch teams this off-season, agreeing Tuesday to a US$13 million, three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.

Six-time All-Star Nomar Garciaparra, 33, the NL comeback players of the year, agrees to a two-year, $18.5 million contract with the Dodgers on Monday.

Moises Alou finalized an $8.5 million, one-year contract on Monday with the NL East champion Mets, who also declined their $14 million option on lefthander Tom Glavine.

A couple of other updates:

Soriano's $136 million, eight-year contract was announced Monday by the Cubs after he passed a physical, the fifth-highest contract in baseball history and the first of eight years or more since Scott Rolen's deal with St. Louis in September 2002.

The Angels agreed to terms Wednesday on a five-year, $50-million deal with free-agent center fielder Gary Matthews Jr., who cashed in on a career year in which he hit .313 with 102 runs, 44 doubles, 19 home runs and 79 runs batted in and a .371 on-base percentage for the Texas Rangers.

Infielder Alex Cora stayed with the Boston Red Sox, agreeing Friday to a $4 million, two-year contract.

Free agent outfielder Frank Catalanotto finalized a $13 million, three-year contract Tuesday to return to Texas, where in 2001 he started at five positions and finished fifth in the AL batting race with a career-best .330 average.

Mark DeRosa became the first major league free agent to switch teams this off-season, agreeing Tuesday to a US$13 million, three-year contract with the Chicago Cubs.

Six-time All-Star Nomar Garciaparra, 33, the NL comeback players of the year, agrees to a two-year, $18.5 million contract with the Dodgers on Monday.

Moises Alou finalized an $8.5 million, one-year contract on Monday with the NL East champion Mets, who also declined their $14 million option on lefthander Tom Glavine.

Thanks Bezeach... this reader digest version is a perfect way to keep up with MLB happenings:movingon: :thumb[1]:

ESPN.com - MLB/PREVIEW07 - Crasnick: Bench coach Gibson molding Arizona's youngsters (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/preview07/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2817038)

This didn't really warrent a new thread, so I just stuck it here. An article about Gibby as bench coach for the Diamondbacks.

What a presence this guy is.