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As long as a Buehrle remains in Chicagofell, all is well.
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This post was brought to you by: Dat SEC Speed -
Seriously, I hope that's not true.Originally posted by Omar View Post
If Buehrle is our most realistic target, that would really suck; I mean, there's a 0 (ZERO) % chance.Comment
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Yea let's give Ryan Madson like $8 million a season to pitch 60 innings.Comment
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We're all gonna look like assholes when AJ Burnett and John Lackey are our 4 and 5 starters and we give Papelbon $12 millions year.poopComment
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we could always make Papelbon into a starter,Comment
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Papelbon and Satanism have the same amount of letters. Coincidence?This post was brought to you by: Dat SEC SpeedComment
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YesComment
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-prorumors.comRight-handed pitcher Carlos Zambrano, gave an interview for ESPN2 while he was visiting the Venezuelan Winter League and said that he wants to stay with the Cubs.
The troubled starting pitcher was later asked about the possibility of joining the Florida Marlins, and he said that nobody has reached out to him regarding a possible trade. He was rather excited about the possibilities with the organization now that Theo Epstein is in charge.
Yesterday, we learned that the Marlins could be interested in acquiring the explosive right hander, but as of today, Zambrano says its nothing more than rumors. Zambrano was 9-7 with a 4.82 ERA in 145.2 innings for the Cubs in 2011.Comment
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well get over it. besides, the DH is the best thing that happened to baseball.
when all 9 batters are dangerous hitters its no wnder AL pitchers have to be soo much better. Its just natural selection.Comment
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of course Zambrano said thisComment
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Unless he wants to openly admit to a member of the Marlins organization contacting him while under contract with another team!Comment
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Occupying Everything But a Job Protests
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index...rket-catchers/Originally posted by Bobbob1313 View Post
Verdict: We should definitely get rid of John Buck. Also, the guy who was all of .020 OPS points below the league average for his position in what has to be considered a down year by anyone is definitely the worst everyday starter at the position.Top Shelf
Ramon Hernandez
Not a single free agent catcher qualified for the batting title. Among those that managed 200 PAs, though, Hernandez led the crew in both batting average and wOBA. He actually managed offense that was 11% better than the league average, which is like wow for a catcher. The position managed a .245/.313/.389 line, and Hernandez had a .282/.341/.446 line. That would make him the offensive class of the free agent class. And by Matt Klaasen’s most recent catcher defense rankings, he graded out as top-tier as well. So why might the Reds let him go? Well they have Ryan Hanigan in hand and Devin Mesoraco on the way, so they don’t need to spend that money. Also, Hernandez is 36 years old, has averaged 337 PAs over the past three years, and is as likely to be below-average with the bat as he is to be above-average (or more likely below, given he’s another year older). Even though his defense is at least decent and the Dodgers are a possibility, the best fit for him might be an American league team that can shuttle him between catcher and DH to keep him fresh. Could he return to Baltimore? Replace free-agent-to-be Josh Bard in Seattle? The Mariners are looking for offense at any position they can get it.
Verdict: Mariners.
Jorge Posada
Yes, even with all his faults, Jorge Posada is one of the most eligible bachelors in the sixth grade dance that is the pool of catcher free agents. He’s forty years old, and may not even be a catcher any more. But he managed an 89 wRC+ this past year, even despite a .262 BABIP, and has said he wants to catch next year. He’s still walking at a double-digit rate and has above-average power, too. Given the state of his defense, he’s probably not a fit for a National League team, which shrinks the set of possible suitors drastically. In fact, it’s almost impossible to find a great fit for him. Could he take over the backup role in Boston for fellow free agent (and likely retiree) Jason Varitek in Boston? Ryan Lavarnway and Jarrod Saltalamacchia are probably a good enough duo, and cheap. The White Sox seem to want to ‘let the kids play’ and the Angels value catcher defense too much to make that move. Perhaps the Mariners are desperate enough for offense to slot Posada in behind Miguel Olivo? The Orioles could sigh him as a DH replacement for Vladimir Guerrero, but there are probably better options out there, and Matt Wieters doesn’t need much of a caddy.
Verdict: Orioles or retirement.
Rod Barajas
In Rod the Dodgers trusted, and he didn’t really let them down. When he was in there. Groin, wrist and ankle injuries cut 30 days out of his season. Compare that to fellow 36-year-old Hernandez (four official missed days) and it has to be somewhat of an issue. Barajas also doesn’t have the same offensive upside, except when it comes to power. He’s had an above-average ISO every year since 2003, and since he doesn’t walk much, that’s his offensive skill. Still, he’s been better than your average catcher with the stick and the glove, and beggars can’t be choosers. Barajas was quoted recently as saying he’d like to re-sign with the Dodgers, and even if the team likes A.J. Ellis in the long term, they’d probably want a caddy for him.
Verdict: Dodgers.
The Rest
If you’re looking for a catcher that can actually catch and is under 35, the best option might be Josh Bard. And he’s 34 and hasn’t been a starter since 2009. He still has the potential to put up a year that’s only about 20% worse than league average if given more of an opportunity, with average to below-average defense. How’s that for exciting? He’s six years younger than consummate veteran Henry Blanco, and might be better than the 36-year-old Ramon Castro. Gerald Laird, Jose Molina and Brian Schneider are in the same space, but what really separates these guys? Is anyone going to sign Ivan Rodriguez or Jason Kendall? Maybe? As for who might want this kind of a backup catcher, take your pick. The Blue Jays, Diamondbacks, Royals, Cardinals, and Phillies could be looking for a cheap catcher. None these guys would start for any of these teams
WEEEEEEpoopComment
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Some article about Pujols, and they stuck that on a bullet point at the bottom.• The Marlins are looking for a third baseman.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...#ixzz1amKSlqr4
Nothing really new, but I think it's getting pretty obvious Bonifacio is going to start in CF and they are going to sign Aramis to a 3/$30 type deal. Not really opposed as long as they grab CJ/Buerhle, and they cash in Dominguez for a comparable SP prospect, or even an "ace" young reliever like a Rex Brothers type.Comment
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They better move the team to Chicago if they want a chance at signing BuehrleComment
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Yup. 0% chance.
Good thing C.J. Wilson has really sucked in the postseason. We might have a legitimate shot to sign him now.Comment
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