2011-12 MLB Hot Stove
 

With the Cards installed as champions, it's time to look forward to the off-season.

The years top free agents

Albert Pujols
Prince Fielder
Jose Reyes
C.J. Wilson
Roy Oswalt
Jonathan Papelbon
Jimmy Rollins
Heath Bell
Carlos Beltran

Not a whole lot of Starting pitching, which means C.J. Wilson will get paid like a #1 when he is a #2 at best.
Reports are that Oswalt's back injuries has teams skeptical, but someone will pay him.

So, where do you think these guys will end up?
What do you want to see your team do?
Any big surprises?

For the Yanks-
I'm not really impressed with Wilson, but think he would slot in nicely in the 3 slot. You have CC at the top of the rotation, and you have to break up the lefties, so I like him better than if he was #2. I think this will be another year of a retread rotation, as the Yanks try to hold off pitching the Kids they have in the minors.
I also expect a big trade from them.
There in no way Jesus Montero will be on the team come opening day.
Some reports the Yanks are in on Beltran.
Not a fan of this, I would've loved him as a rental, but they don't need the 3 year contract that he will get.

The other free agents, I think that Pujols or Reyes will end up in Florida, and it wouldn't shock me if both end up there.
I wonder how much spending Theo is allowed to do?
I think he will target Prince and Albert.
Papelbon will stay in Boston.

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We need pitching. But looks like Alderson is still being held from the checkbook. Don't think we will be spending this year. Would like to see Reyes re-sign, but I really doubt that's gonna happen (with the rumored amount he wants).

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I would love to see my Reds sign Reyes.

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I would be shocked if the Cubs signed Pujols. While he has arguably been the best offensive player in the league the last decade, he wants long term, and will be declining throughout the length of the contract.

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rumor has Beltran to Sox to play RF....certainly better than JD the last few years....I'd take him for 2 years

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The think both the nationals and marlins are going to spend money. I wouldn't be surprised if Washington offered Fielder big money and moved Michael Morse back to left Field. Florida needs pitching, I see them pursuing Wilson or one of the B level pitching free agents like Edwin Jackson. I actually don't think the Yankees will do much, maybe Wilson, maybe Oswalt (I hope not), but aside from that I think it's going to be quiet. Jose Reyes is going to be overpaid no matter where he goes given his poor health track record of late. Should be an interesting off season for sure :tu

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Reds don't have the payroll to afford him now. I hear they are interested in Jurjens and Prado and Atlanta is open to talks. I could live with that.

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What about that hotshot Cuban defector, Yoenis Cespedes? He's supposed to be the real deal, at the plate and in the outfield. Who aside from the Yankees can afford to take a gamble that's he truly for real . . . and truly 28, not 36? :r

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Angels are the big spenders...Pujols and CJ Wilson....go figure....at least its not the Yankees...:D

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Not worried about losing Wilson. Especially around playoff time.

I think the Rangers have a trick or to up their collective sleeve.

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I hope the Dodgers make a good acquisition!

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Very curious to see where Cody Ross is going to end up. Love for him to be in right field for the Mets.

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I am glad to see Pujols get out of the NL Central. Now the Reds will have a better chance.

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Unless the Cards sign Prince Fielder :D

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Yeah, but now we're only up against one superstar firstbaseman rather than two.


EDIT: With that said, I still don't expect the Reds to win the division this year.

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Yeah, you're one to talk, what with the Phillies pinching pennies like they did with guys such as Cliff Lee. :rolleyes: :r

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I see your point, but disagree. I'm no fan of the Phillies, but there are big spending MLB teams, and then there are the Yankees. I know the Yankees have no need for Pujols right now, but I'm surprised they didn't at least put an offer on the table, just to see what would happen.

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This statement screams of the anti-Yankee bias that exists in the sports world.
In the 09 off-season, when the Yanks signed CC, Tex, and AJ, all you would hear and read was how the Yanks were trying to buy the World Series.
No one mentioned the fact that they actually lowered their payroll.
Last season when Boston essentially spent the same amount of cash, not a single mention of "buying the world series" and I doubt you will hear it about the Angels as well.
This will be the third straight year the Yanks will lower their payroll, and their plan is to try and get under the luxury tax limit.


That's just silly, their is nowhere for him to play.
The Yanks don't collect players like baseball cards :D

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The Cubs do.:D

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Now that the Pujols deal is done, what are the thoughts on Fielder? I've always thought the Rangers would be a good fit.

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Only guess I have is that his asking price just went up. I keep hearing that the Mariners want him. I don't see the Rangers offering a contract big enough for him after listening to Nolan Ryan the last few days.

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I think the Cards will look long and Hard at him.
Though if I were the Cards, I would tear the team down, rebuild, and blame it on Albert.
That works from a PR standpoint.
The Cardinal fans are an easy bunch.
I'm convinced if you took a pile of dog $hit, put it in a Cardinal uniform, the fans would root for it.

Miami will make a play, but they dropped the ball and should've signed Albert.
From what I've read, the sticking point was a no-trade clause.
I would've given it to him.
Chances are if they failed and sucked in 3-4 years, he would have waived it anyway.

When all is said and done, I think Prince stays in Milwaukee. :2

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I'd keep Berkman and Holliday or Carpenter and Wainright (maybe all four), but other than that tear it apart. It is an option to consider. It might do them some good. The Cards are the World Champs, but they made the playoffs by the skin of their teeth. Without TLR, it's gonna be tough for them this year.

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I, too, like Prince staying in Milwaukee. Now that he doesn't have Pujols in the division to compete against (might be a selling point). I know if he leaves, Braun is gonna suffer.

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If Prince leaves the Central and Pujols already gone, it leaves Cincinnati nowhere else to go but up. Even if they suck.:r

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Because it's akin to throwing a deck chair off the Titanic.

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Manny has been officially re-instated from the voluntary retirement list by Major League Baseball. He says he wants to make a comeback this year and has been personally calling GMs to see if they are interested.
:r
He'll still have to serve that 50 game suspension before he'll be allowed to play.

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Not necessarily "hot stove" news, but Ryan Braun just got busted for peds. I wonder if they'll take away his MVP or keep it (if it's confirmed). Either way, he just got a 50 game suspension.

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/...enhancing-drug

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I hope this turns out to be a glitch!

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Me too.

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WOW is all I can say right now.

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Can 2012 be the year the Pirates break .500??? Even without any big name players if our pitching can continue like it did last year and we just get a little more help from the offense then maybe, just maybe, we will crack the .500 mark!

That is really all I am hoping for!