Hot Stove Talk

[MCP313]

Padres acquired outfielder Cameron Maybin from the Marlins for RHP Ryan Webb and RHP Edward Mujica.

OK, so perhaps we shouldn't treat it as a given that just because the Padres seem to come up with a couple of new quality relievers every year that Webb and Mujica will be easy to replace. There's still no way they could turn this trade down. Maybin makes the minimum, and he's an upgrade from Tony Gwynn Jr. in center field even if he doesn't start fulfilling the lofty expectations placed on him a few years back. The one-time Tigers prospect doesn't turn 24 until April, and he's hit .325/.401/.477 in 428 Triple-A at-bats. The Padres should stick him in center field every day, let him bat seventh and see what happens. Nov. 13 - 6:16 pm et


So much for him and Andrew Miller being can't miss prospects

Not gonna start a new thread for each story so I figure just paste any updates in here during the offseason.

[MCP313]

Report: Phillies making push to keep Werth?

Werth

SI.com's Jon Heyman is "hearing" that the Phillies will make a big push to keep free agent Jayson Werth.
Who to believe? On Thursday, ESPN's Jayson Stark reported that the Phillies had "no chance" at retaining Werth. In reality, the truth likely lies somewhere in between the two reports, though it's worth noting that Heyman is pretty tight with Scott Boras, Werth's agent. We're definitely leaning more towards Stark's report, as there will be many suitors for the outfielder, and the Phillies have top prospect Domonic Brown ready to take over in right field. Nov. 12 - 9:54 pm et

Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter

Just a guess from me but I don't think it would be wise for Philly to go with D Brown out of the gate. If anything get a clown like Francouer to platoon with him at the start if they dont keep Werth.

[MCP313]

Pettitte currently leaning towards retirement

Pettitte

Andy Pettitte said he's currently leaning towards retirement.
Don't read too much into it at this point. Pettitte said he's "going to wait and see what my heart wants me to do," but that "right now" his heart is in Deer Park, Texas, where he lives during the offseason. The lefty said that if he does return for 2011, it will be for the Yankees, and it will definitely be his final season. Pettitte is coming off an All-Star campaign that saw him post an 11-3 record to go along with a 3.28 ERA and 1.27 WHIP over 129 innings. Nov. 12 - 8:27 pm et

Source: khou.com

[MCP313]

BOS acquires first-round bust Miller from FLA

Red Sox acquired LHP Andrew Miller from the Marlins in exchange for LHP Dustin Richardson.

Boston is hoping they can coax something out of the former first-round pick. Miller has a live arm but simply can't throw the ball over the plate, evidenced by his career 5.3 BB/9 rate, including a 7.2 rate in 32 2/3 innings last year for the Marlins. It's not clear if the Red Sox will keep him as a starter or move him to the bullpen. Miller could potentially be a shutdown reliever if he can harness the walks one inning at a time. Nov. 12 - 6:04 pm et

So it ends up being Richardson and 2 RPs for Miggy Cabrera. I hate prospects

[PHILLYBIRDS20]

Phils offered werth a deal already that he shot down. I would like to see him come back but at 20mil?

[Chris46139]

Cronc is our Peter Gammons minus the douchiness

[secondbase]

yanks are also trying to see if Whitey Ford wants to make a comeback

[MCP313]

Report: DEA seized Guillen's HGH shipment

According to the New York Daily News, a shipment of nearly 50 pre-loaded syringes of HGH arranged by Jose Guillen to be sent to his San Francisco home in September was intercepted by DEA agents.
This isn't Guillen's first alleged brush with performance-enhancing drugs. In 2008 he was set to be suspended for 15 games after reportedly purchasing HGH, testosterone and other steroids but received amnesty for "past acts" as part of the Mitchell Report. Guillen was left off San Francisco's postseason roster when the original story broke, but Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Guillen was inactive because of a neck injury. Baseball is investigating and a suspension could be in the offing for Guillen. Nov. 14 - 12:32 pm et

Source: New York Daily News

Who else taking this banned substance since they don't test for it.

[cptkirk321]

Originally Posted by MtrCtyPimp

Who else taking this banned substance since they don't test for it.

Not nearly enough, want them all back on the juice again and enough of the Year of the Damn Pitchers. Lets see runs being scored again.

[rjb1816]

loved the deal for maybin. those two guys werent anything more than just middle relief. they weren't set up guys or closers...in fact mujica was the gas can home run king. Glad to see him gone...maybin is an upgrade offensively and defensively for them in center

[MCP313]

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Diamondbacks are listening to offers for outfielder Justin Upton.

Upton hasn't met the lofty expectations that were bestowed upon him as the No. 1 pick in the 2005 MLB Amateur Draft, but he's only 23 and still posted a respectable .273/.356/.442 batting line this year with 17 home runs and 18 stolen bases in 133 games. It's going to take a serious haul of prospects to lure him away from the Diamondbacks' grasp.

Source: Ken Rosenthal on Twitter

[MCP313]

According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the Pirates have identified Jorge De La Rosa as their primary offseason target.

De La Rosa is expected to land a lucrative multi-year contract this winter as a second tier option to top free agent Cliff Lee. The Pirates don't tend to shell out such things, but they do have a talented core in place and could certainly use a jolt in the starting rotation. De La Rosa, 29, posted a 4.22 ERA and struck out 113 batters in 121 2/3 innings this past year.

Source: Rob Biertempfel on Twitter

[MCP313]

Manny Ramirez's agent Scott Boras said Monday that his client is hoping to find an incentive-laden one-year contract for 2011.

Manny wants to DH in a hitting-friendly environment. "It's just like Vlad Guerrero. His last Angels season, where he had an injury season and he had 50 RBI, was not a customary Vlad Guerrero season," said Boras. "He went to Texas and reestablished himself. This is really the course for great veteran hitters." Ramirez might have to settle for a deal with a non-contender.

Source: Los Angeles Times

[MCP313]

Adam Dunn-1B- Nationals Nov. 23 - 12:18 pm et

The Nationals offered arbitration to first baseman Adam Dunn.
Dunn is on the hunt for a long-term contract and is highly unlikely to accept the arbitration offer. The Nationals have interest in re-upping with him, but they'll get two draft picks if he signs elsewhere. The White Sox, Tigers and Cubs have expressed interest thus far and more teams could join the hunt. Dunn tallied 38 home runs and 103 RBI over 558 at-bats in 2010.

Source: Bill Ladson on Twitter

[MCP313]

Manny Ramirez-OF- White Sox Nov. 26 - 8:56 am et


Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos did not rule out a run at free agent Manny Ramirez when talking with reporters this week.
Anthopoulos noted that he wouldn't be scared off by a player's past reputation. "You have to weigh each case by itself," he said. "If it’s the right player, the right fit, the right talent at the right price, you’ve got to be open to it." That doesn't necessarily mean that the Blue Jays are going to begin talks with Manny, but the aging slugger is not drawing much interest this winter and Toronto is not a terrible fit. Ramirez hit .298/.409/.460 in 2010.

Source: Toronto Sun