HOT STOVE LEAGUE 2K4/2K5

Shawn Green didn't want to leave LA, so him holding up that trade probably got his wish not to leave. Appearantly the sports talk radio and local writers were frying DiPodesta over this potential trade and losing Beltre, so the Dodgers got cold feet.

Considering how poorly Mulder pitched down the stretch, maybe there is something they know and are getting rid of him while he has high value. Danny Haren looked like he had pretty good stuff in the playoffs, whether or not that will translate into being a good starter, I don't know.

The A's could be like the Reds, who give away all of their spare talent for people that do nothing. The Reds big moves this off season are getting Ramon Ortiz, signing Shawn Estes and Kent Mercker. They need pitching, but oh well...someone has to pitch.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/gammons/story?id=1949178

Mulder and Hudson are due a combined $3.8 million more in '05; between that and TH's impending free agency, end of story, nearly.

The Minaya-Sosa relationship is well documented, but the Mets' strategy summarized in today's Times is Beltran + budget 1b (Olerud or, sigh, Minky) OR Delgado + Alou.

Jay Payton takes Kapler's spot as Fenway's Body Beautiful.

anybody know what his re-hab outlook is like? might not be a bad pitcher for someone to take a flyer on.

"...the New York Daily News has reported that the Dodgers would then spin Vazquez to the Chicago White Sox for a package consisting of first baseman Paul Konerko, starter Jon Garland and lefty reliever Damaso Marte. Sox GM Kenny Williams has denied his team's involvement in the deal, while Dodger GM Paul DePodesta has said that his team's role is contingent on subsequent moves being in place."

Nah, that would be crazy. It's just a dumb rumor, and kw laughed it off a couple of days ago (in local Chicago media).

i got banned for the third time from nyyfans during ilx's downtime. i was told by email to "get a life".

(except they actually told my parents cuz i used their addy to register since they don't accept freemail addresses and i didn't want to take the time to find one obscure enough to bypass their censor...now i'm afraid they think i'm a loser :< well god dammit i forgot how to make that face)

o what i will suffer for a scoop : (

btw love how you did those bulletpoints thermo howdyoudothat?

And after the fact, DePo (who was pissed all this got leaked) gets Drew:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1951346

Anyhow... the •'s are easy if you're on a mac - it's just option 8 - but if you're on a pc just forget about it!

To answer your question, TT: I'm Italian.

The D-Rays are also looking to snag Josh Phelps, which is a signing that actually MAKES SENSE. At least, when the Twins needlessly sign a middle infielder, they do it for just over $1M. Gonzo's crap-ass career will undoubtedly earn him $3M / $4M, at least.

Also - if Odalis Perez gets signed for only $6M/year, that will probably be the steal of the off-season (assuming Nomar can't get his shit / wrist / ankle together).

Last season was the first JD Drew played without an injury. Beltran is 10x better defensively and is one of the fastest guys in the league.

Drew's not only gonna be *playing* at 39, he'll be BETTER? He on the clear?

"A report out of the Dominican Republic states that the Giants and Moises Alou have agreed to a two-year, $13.6 million contract."

118 year old outfield

Rumor has it Beane is trying to snooker the Mets out of prospects for Eric Byrnes...

http://doc-baseball.blogspot.com/2004/12/byrnes-baby-byrnes.html

With Moises off the market, things look better for one of the Carloses or Magglio in Queens! (whistling past the Sammy)