Hot Stove: MLB Offseason Thread

[Dexter Morgan]

Trying not to waste my anger, especially over Gold Glove selections, but Alex Gordon over Brett Gardner is a joke. They give Pedroia/Gonzalez Gold Gloves for having the highest UZR at their positions, but when Brett Gardner has the highest UZR of any OF they don't give him the Gold Glove because Alex Gordon has more outfield assists.

"...but Jeter" yeah save your energy... I know

[Cujo]

I never get all into these awards, especially the Gold Glove, but Alex Gordon over Brett Gardner is a joke...

I guess that would make up for the one Derek Jeter received last year.

EDIT: I like how you edited your post five minutes later to make it appear as if you knew the Jeter comment was coming. Nicely played.

[Dexter Morgan]

I never get all into these awards, especially the Gold Glove, but Alex Gordon over Brett Gardner is a joke...

I guess that would make up for the one Derek Jeter received last year.

EDIT: I like how you edited your post five minutes later to make it appear as if you knew the Jeter comment was coming. Nicely played.

I edited it before you posted... look at the time smarty pants

[JayJaxon]

I lost all respect for the Gold Glove award after Jeter won his first one. I don't care that no Braves won it because it is a crock of an award in the first place.

[Dexter Morgan]

I lost all respect for the Gold Glove award after Jeter won his first one. I don't care that no Braves won it because it is a crock of an award in the first place.

Nothing beats Rafael Palmeiro winning the GG in 1999 when he only played 1B in 28 games.

[FiddySicks]

Who's Sanchez?

Sorry, I was trying to say that the Yankees will trade for Giants pitcher Jonathan Sanchez, but he came up in my free agency list. Anyways, J. Sanchez is expiring after 2012, and the Giants don't really need him, so I thought the Yankees could trade for him. The guy was 13-9 with a 3.07 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP in 2010 and is only 28. He was injured a lot this year, but he was still better than Hughes and Burnett (who is 34), Colon is 38 and Garcia is 35.

His 2010 season appears to be an outlier compared to the rest of his career. I would consider him as a lefty out of the bullpen. He also pitches half his games in AT&T Park and the other big ballparks in the NL West.

Y'all can have Sanchez if you want. Dude has enormous talent and when he's on he is one of the best out there. Too bad that almost NEVER happens, especially in high pressure situations. He pitched pretty bad in the 10' playoffs ending when he completely blew a fuse in game frickin 6 of the NLCS. He was pretty hittable in his World Series appearance, which ended up being the only game the Giants lost in that series. He never really regained form last year and ended up getting hurt. His high strung Jekyll and Hyde personality which causes him to fold like a lawn chair at any given moment, along with his seemingly impossible to predict inconsistencies when he finally throws the ball would get eaten alive in New York.

[Dexter Morgan]

Who's Sanchez?

Sorry, I was trying to say that the Yankees will trade for Giants pitcher Jonathan Sanchez, but he came up in my free agency list. Anyways, J. Sanchez is expiring after 2012, and the Giants don't really need him, so I thought the Yankees could trade for him. The guy was 13-9 with a 3.07 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP in 2010 and is only 28. He was injured a lot this year, but he was still better than Hughes and Burnett (who is 34), Colon is 38 and Garcia is 35.

His 2010 season appears to be an outlier compared to the rest of his career. I would consider him as a lefty out of the bullpen. He also pitches half his games in AT&T Park and the other big ballparks in the NL West.

Y'all can have Sanchez if you want. Dude has enormous talent and when he's on he is one of the best out there. Too bad that almost NEVER happens, especially in high pressure situations. He pitched pretty bad in the 10' playoffs ending when he completely blew a fuse in game frickin 6 of the NLCS. He was pretty hittable in his World Series appearance, which ended up being the only game the Giants lost in that series. He never really regained form last year and ended up getting hurt. His high strung Jekyll and Hyde personality which causes him to fold like a lawn chair at any given moment, along with his seemingly impossible to predict inconsistencies when he finally throws the ball would get eaten alive in New York.

We'll take him. haha

No but really, I want Matt Cain. He's getting paid $15 million this upcoming season, which is his final season before free agency. If the Giants don't plan on paying him the big bucks, which they may need to pay Tim Lincecum, they might dangle him. Do you think the Giants can pay both?

[FiddySicks]

I've said it before, but I think Cain should be their top priority. Unless they try to pull the whole "were broke" nonsense (which frankly would be insulting after the last two seasons), or they're just stupid (I want to give Sabean the benefit of the doubt here, but he doesn't make it easy), they'll do all they can to secure both. Especially after recklessly dealing Wheeler this past season. But I think when it gets to that time, Lincecum could end up getting offered an insane amount of money the Giants may not even want to counter. They're the same age, Cain will be cheaper (I assume), has been on the staff longer, is durable as an ox, and for the most part has been more consistent than Lincecum (and that's really saying something with as good as Lincecum has been so far). Don't get me wrong, Lincecum is an absolute monster and losing him would be a huge blow, but come pay day Cain might just be the more economical option.

But really, Sanchez can be had, Zito is available too if you want him

[Cujo]

"Mike Quade... YOUUUUURRRRRRRRE FIIIIIIIIRRRRRREEED!"

Via Twitter:

@Cubs Cubs today announced manager Mike Quade will not return for the 2012 season.

[CS85]

That's fine. He's a "good baseball guy" but no manager.

[NJTank]

Well you had to know Theo would not keep him around.

[Cujo]

That's fine. He's a "good baseball guy" but no manager.

Not according to Jim Hendry, so for that he needed to go too.

But anyways, here's my managerial wish list:

- Terry Francona

- Ryne Sandberg

- That's it. Just those two.

[Gary]

That's fine. He's a "good baseball guy" but no manager.

Not according to Jim Hendry, so for that he needed to go too.

But anyways, here's my managerial wish list:

- Terry Francona

- Ryne Sandberg

- That's it. Just those two.

Do you really think Ryno will come back after being sucker punched by the Cubs?

[Cujo]

Do you really think Ryno will come back after being sucker punched by the Cubs?

Hendry, the guy who punked Sandberg last year, is long gone. I'm pretty sure he'd listen to Theo & Co. if they came calling.

UPDATE -- Via ESPN: Theo Epstein reached out to Ryne Sandberg today, thru PHI, and explained to him he will not be a candidate for the Cubs' managerial job.

[Epiphanic]

The Cards are interested in Sandberg. Presumably the Cubs are interested in someone with major league experience.

[Dexter Morgan]

Buster Olney

Theo Epstein reached out to Ryne Sandberg today, thru PHI, and explained to him he will not be a candidate for the Cubs' managerial job.

[Cujo]

This also in: The Phillies have given Ryno permission to talk to the Cardinals.

If Ryne Freaking Sandberg rolls into town and wins a World Series managing the St. Louis Cardinals, I'm done. Really.

[Gary]

This also in: The Phillies have given Ryno permission to talk to the Cardinals.

If Ryne Freaking Sandberg rolls into town and wins a World Series managing the St. Louis Cardinals, I'm done. Really.

If Ryne Sandberg wins a ring as a Manager before the Cubs ever get one that will be ultimate kick in the nuts

[DCDuck]

I could definitely see the Nats scooping Fielder. Half of our team are Boras guys, he's probably going to tell Fielder we will go above and beyond what he might be worth. I just fear him turning into a Albert Belle/Mo Vaughn like meatball in a few seasons.

Unfortunately, I can see the Nats scooping Fielder, paying him a 7-year deal when his body has two good years left in it before turning into a lump of lard, and eating the rest of it when he struggles to reach the Mendoza Line in 2014 while Michael Morse puts up another .300/30/100 campaign for a team like the Blue Jays.

We already have a good first baseman in Morse, even if we expect LaRoche's injury to severely impact his ability to hit. And once Harper comes up in the middle of next season, who's going to play CF? Jayson Werth? Please.

I'm all for the Nats busting out the checkbook and throwing some cash around, but first priority should be throwing cash at Ryan Zimmerman to spare us Nats fans an entire season of Yankees fans drooling over him as a replacement for A-Rod when he retires.

[CS85]

Rumors are that Cards are after Ryne Sandberg, Cubs are after Mike Maddux. If the Cards get Sandberg, he'll lead the Cards to 20 straight titles just to spite the Cubs.