2007-2008 MLB Offseason Thread

[FiddySicks]

Its one thing for the A's to trade their top pitcher for a coupla prospects, but for them to step up and trade the one player they've invested the load of their stock in is absolutely unacceptable. Not only was Swish an outstanding player who has probably the biggest upside of any player Oakland has had since McGwire, but he was the face of all this young franchise was working towards. Its an absolute disgrace and a true disrespect to the few fans left to deal him for prospects. Swish is by far my favorite player in the league and, like another former Athletic Eric Byrnes, ill root for him no matter where he plays. Beene obviously has little to work with, but to trade the spark to your future who you had locked up long term for this continued BS rebuilding plan is something I'm done tolerating. I wish Oakland luck with fan support after this one, cause this has damn near lost mine. And as well luck on the field, cause that's the only thing they have left that'll get em any wins for the next few years. Damn, I really can't remember ever being this upset over a trade.

[ZoomZoom18]

I was surprised the A's decided to trade Haren and now Swisher. With that being said, I'm thrilled he's with the White Sox now.

[IronChefShark]

at least now there is hope that the A's will be worse than the Giants this year

[DDR]

I didn't really know what to think about the trade (Sox fans have been told repeatedly that Gonzalez was a future stud, and Sweeney was our top prospect until this past down year), but hearing bucfan's anger makes me feel a bit better about it. If Swisher means that much to the A's fanbase because of his hard play, he'll get over with Sox fans, too. Plus, he called into a local radio show today (Mac, Jurko and Harry), and he seemed like an awesome guy, and was obviously excited to come to Chicago. And, his OBP will be a nice addition, too.

[FiddySicks]

I didn't really know what to think about the trade (Sox fans have been told repeatedly that Gonzalez was a future stud, and Sweeney was our top prospect until this past down year), but hearing bucfan's anger makes me feel a bit better about it. If Swisher means that much to the A's fanbase because of his hard play, he'll get over with Sox fans, too. Plus, he called into a local radio show today (Mac, Jurko and Harry), and he seemed like an awesome guy, and was obviously excited to come to Chicago. And, his OBP will be a nice addition, too.

Swisher is the most electric figure in any clubhouse today. He's comparable to Eric Byrnes with an upside that absolutely towers over Byrnesy. He's a player that doesn't let anything get to him and who will work his ass off to pull outta slumps, which he rarely gets himself in. On top of that he's one of the most patient hitters i've ever seen. I'll tell you, i've followed Swish since his first call up to the RiverCats and have never been more excited about a player. He's gonna be a monster some day and White Sox fans should not only be terribly excited to have him, but should face captial punishment for robbing the A's as bad as they did.

[DarkJourney]

I didn't really know what to think about the trade (Sox fans have been told repeatedly that Gonzalez was a future stud, and Sweeney was our top prospect until this past down year), but hearing bucfan's anger makes me feel a bit better about it. If Swisher means that much to the A's fanbase because of his hard play, he'll get over with Sox fans, too. Plus, he called into a local radio show today (Mac, Jurko and Harry), and he seemed like an awesome guy, and was obviously excited to come to Chicago. And, his OBP will be a nice addition, too.

Swisher is the most electric figure in any clubhouse today. He's comparable to Eric Byrnes with an upside that absolutely towers over Byrnesy. He's a player that doesn't let anything get to him and who will work his ass off to pull outta slumps, which he rarely gets himself in. On top of that he's one of the most patient hitters i've ever seen. I'll tell you, i've followed Swish since his first call up to the RiverCats and have never been more excited about a player. He's gonna be a monster some day and White Sox fans should not only be terribly excited to have him, but should face captial punishment for robbing the A's as bad as they did.

I've met him in person a few times and I can tell you he is one the coolest and nicest guys around. He will be missed in the Bay Area big time.

[Joshawaggie]

Crap, the White Sox aren't supposed to have nice guys on their team! Now I hafta hate Swisher??

[pcgd]

Two signings of minor note that went down in the past week...

Mark Prior signed with the Padres for 1 year, 1 million and up to 3 mil with incentives

Matt Clement signed with the Cardinals for 1 year 1.25 million and up to 6.5 million with incentives.

As a cardinals fan I think I'd rather have Prior (more upside) but 1.25 is chump change and if he pitches 160 innings (when a big part of the incentives take effect) I think he'd be worth it. So I'm ok with the signing.

[SouthpawJosh]

Two signings of minor note that went down in the past week...

Mark Prior signed with the Padres for 1 year, 1 million and up to 3 mil with incentives

Matt Clement signed with the Cardinals for 1 year 1.25 million and up to 6.5 million with incentives.

As a cardinals fan I think I'd rather have Prior (more upside) but 1.25 is chump change and if he pitches 160 innings (when a big part of the incentives take effect) I think he'd be worth it. So I'm ok with the signing.

Two ex-Cubs with injury histories who will eventually battle for the NL Cy Young I bet.

[McCall]

Well...

Sources: Cards agree to trade that would send Rolen to Blue Jays for Glaus

By Jerry Crasnick

ESPN.com

Updated: January 12, 2008, 10:33 PM ET

The St. Louis Cardinals have reached agreement on a trade with Toronto that will send third baseman Scott Rolen to the Blue Jays for third baseman Troy Glaus, several major league sources said.

The deal is contingent upon the two players passing physical exams Monday, sources said.

According to a source with knowledge of the trade, the Cardinals only signed off on the deal after Glaus agreed to exercise his $11.25 million option for 2009. St. Louis management didn't want to give up three years of Rolen for only one year of Glaus, so Glaus had to commit to the option year as part of the deal.

Both players were also required to waive no-trade clauses.

A source told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that Toronto will be responsible for the three years and $33 million left on Rolen's contract, while St. Louis will assume the $24.5 million owed Glaus through 2009. Since no cash is involved in the trade, it appears that no approval from commissioner Bud Selig's office is required.

Rolen, 32, is a career .283 hitter and seven-time Gold Glove winner with Philadelphia and St. Louis. Only Brooks Robinson, with 16 Gold Gloves, and Mike Schmidt, with 10, have won the award more often at third base.

Rolen has struggled with shoulder problems the last two seasons, and had a well-publicized falling out with manager Tony La Russa that set trade talks in motion.

Glaus, 31, has 277 career homers in 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, Arizona Diamondbacks and Blue Jays. He hit 20 homers and drove in 62 runs in 115 games with Toronto last season before undergoing surgery in September to repair a nerve problem in his left foot.

The trade was first reported by foxsports.com.

Jerry Crasnick is a senior baseball writer for ESPN.com.

[CC97]

I don't think anyone wins the Rolen/Glaus trade... both are overpaid, oft-injured third basemen - Rolen is better defensively, Glaus is better for power... Rolen is escaping LaRussa (should be fun to see him and Gibbons), Glaus is escaping his drug-filled past (St Louis seems forgiving to cheaters and drunks )

I think it's neat that we have the left side of the Cardinals infield from the last 3 years starting for us this year.

[NJTank]

Cardinals win, Glaus has something left Rolen is finished

[gingerbreadmann]

Mark Kotsayand cash to Braves for Joey Devine. Yawn.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3193556

[McCall]

Cardinals win, Glaus has something left Rolen is finished

I though, as a Mets fan, you'd be tired of this phrase.

(just messin with ya)

[NJTank]

Well the Mets have chose not to participate this winter, just like they wont win 50 games next year.

After such a collapse to do nothing in the off season is a joke, time for a new GM.

[rams80]

Well...I'm happy the Cardinals got something for Rolen, but...is Glaus facing a suspension for steroids?

I still would like more pitching besides Matt Clement.

[McCall]

Well...I'm happy the Cardinals got something for Rolen, but...is Glaus facing a suspension for steroids?

I still would like more pitching besides Matt Clement.

I don't think Glaus is recieving a suspension.

He's a slightly (very slightly) healthier, 1 year younger, and a less-whinier version of Rolen. But I don't think they were getting much serious interest in Rolen from anywhere else, so you gotta take the best that you are able to get, which Glaus is. So, we'll see how it goes.

The Cards aren't gonna contend for the World Series this year, hell, probably finish middle of division, so I'm not too worried. Let the guys they got get a year together under their belt, make some more moves next year, and then they'll be ready.

[Davey]

Good deal for both teams imo . Rolen is a great solid defense , which the Jays where lacking in. He can hit the ball and bring in some runs if he stays healthy.

Glaus on the other hand can bring in home runs. If he stays healthy as well he will bring in runs.

But like i said, If they both stay healthy they both will do good.

[CC97]

Well...I'm happy the Cardinals got something for Rolen, but...is Glaus facing a suspension for steroids?

I still would like more pitching besides Matt Clement.

I don't think Glaus is recieving a suspension.

He's a slightly (very slightly) healthier, 1 year younger, and a less-whinier version of Rolen. But I don't think they were getting much serious interest in Rolen from anywhere else, so you gotta take the best that you are able to get, which Glaus is. So, we'll see how it goes.

Glaus is not being suspended, MLB said they didn't have enough evidence to punish him.

I liked Glaus - he never seemed to complain and played wherever we needed him (including a few games at SS in 2006)... what was annoying was he seemed to get injured every other week - he'd play a week, then have to sit out 3 games... that and he never seemed to come through when we really needed him (.175 with RISP and 2 out).

I'm just hoping Rolen's problems are solved with his latest surgery and a life without TLR.

[Audiodrama]

Curt Schilling May Be Done for the Year (and Career?)

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/reds...houlder_issues/