Congratulations to the World Champion San Francisco Giants and their fans! The offseason officially begins today – 142 players immediately filed for free agency. This year the exclusive negotiating period has been shortened to five days, so free agents can talk dollars only with their old teams until Sunday. As always, MLB Trade Rumors will be your one-stop shop for all the signings, trades, and rumors. Click here to see our list of free agents, including Cliff Lee, Carl Crawford, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Adam Dunn, Adrian Beltre, Jayson Werth, Victor Martinez, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, and many more.
Here we go people: 103 DAYS ‘TIL PITCHERS & CATCHERS REPORT!!
Let’s keep this hot stove smokin’!
Let the Hot Stove League begin!
Why is Derek Jeter,Mariano Rivera mentioned in the article?Everybody knows where they are going,it’s just pointless to even put there names up there.Just saying….It seemed like that World Series went by so fast,that’s for damn sure.Congrads to the Giants!
True but it’s a necessary formality. You just can’t say they’re Yankees [again] until they’re signed.
Just like Infield Fly said, a necessary formality.
open the checkbook mr illitch & tigers, let the courtship begin
crawford, dunn, martinez or werth, please tigers, sign at least 1 of the 4
Need more than one of them for the Tigers to compete with the Twins.
Agreed, coming from a Tigers fan. Twins were better all around the field (except 1B and maybe CF) in 2010.
I think Crawford to Yankees and Werth to Boston is so obvious, it’s not even funny.
Eh, I stand firm in my belief (And I believe this is the popular opinion too) that Crawford will sign with the Angels. They need him the most, have some money to burn, have something to prove after a rotten season and he fits their philosophy.
Crawford is definitley not coming to the Yankees, the outfield is set with Gardner, Granderson, and Swisher
Cashman said the same thing two years ago with Swisher at first base, and Teixeira was signed not long after that.
The difference being that that was an obvious bluff. The Yankees can certainly get by without Crawford, but NY was absolutely the most logical landing spot for Teixeira. Swisher was coming off a bad season and the Yankees desperately needed a legitimate starting first baseman.
I would state my life on it, that Cashman is not happy with that outfield. Even if they don’t go after Crawford, then you know they’re going after another outfielder, possibly Werth, since he’ll be cheaper.
I think Gardner may be movd because he’s not a great hitter and had a horrible 2nd half
He’s young, pretty good, and under team control. Yankees would have to be stupid to make it a priority to move him.
Moving him wouldn’t be a “priority”, just a possible upgrade path. If they signed Crawford they would be upgrading one OF spot and then use Gardner as trade bait to fill another area of need (pitching?).
Not to mention he was the highest rated defensive OF in baseball. Speed, great defense and the ability to work the count and draw walks @ lge minimum? Yanks need cheap players to fill full-time spots when possible to offset some of the bigger contracts.
If they get rid of Gardner, who will steal bases for them? So, unless the Yankees go and get Crawford, then Gardner won’t be traded.
this is late but for the last time Boston fans realize you have a crowded outfield and need bullpen help geez!!!
sorry to reply to you saying that, it was meant for the other guy mentioning werth to boston
Plus (and this is hard to fathom) the Yankees may not be able to afford Crawford with the $125M they will commit to Cliff Lee.
I really dont think Crawford wants to play for the Yankees or even the Red Sox for that matter unless they both blow other teams outta the water. Can you imagine the damage Werth could do in Fenway though?
dupe
No one filed for free agency – the rules have changed this year so that filing is no longer necessary. Also, deadlines for picking up options, etc., have been accelerated, so that the signing process should get done earlier this off-season. Tim, maybe a post summarizing these changes would be useful?
Is that how the Dodgers were able to get Lilly so early then or is that something totally different?
I forgot to ask, and maybe this sounds dumb to ask, but I was wondering how the Dodgers were able to sign a deal with Lilly during the postseason instead of the offseason?
Because he was already under contract with them. You can sign an extension any time you want. You cannot, however, sign a free agent contract until the free agent signing period.
Ahh, thanks 0bsessions.
Predictions: Cliff Lee(Rangers), Carl Crawford(Angels), Derek Jeter(Hmm…), Mariano Rivera(Hmm… x2), Adam Dunn, Adrian Beltre(Red Sox), Jayson Werth(Tigers or Red Sox), Victor Martinez(Red Sox or Tigers), Manny Ramirez(Could be any AL teams DH problem. A’s?), David Ortiz(Red Sox)
I don’t think the Red Sox will get Dunn And Werth so it’s 1 or the other. I agree with Crawford to the Angels. JEter and Rivera? man that’s so tough lol. Martinez I say to the Tigers.
Cliff Lee? I say 49.9% chance Texas, 49.9% chance NY, and 0.2% elsewhere
I didn’t mean Dunn to Sox, I actually forgot about him lol. I say either side of Chicago, Washington as the top suitors.
good math skills lol I double checked and realized I WAS WRONG
Of the two “ors,” I’d say Werth with the Sox and Martinez with the Tigers. The only one I disagree with is Beltre. In my opinion, the only way he remains with the Red Sox is if other teams are wary about his contract year tendencies and nobody offers more than three years. I’d love to have him back, but somebody’s going to overpay him. The Tigers dropping out of the hunt might hurt him, but there’s got to be a dark horse willing to give him four years at an overpay.
Certainly the Red Sox can be the team to give Beltre four years and overpay.
They certainly are capable, but I doubt it. I was honestly shocked by the Lackey signing last year as it seems to go against Epstein’s usual tendency of avoiding long term deals. With Adrian Gonzalez so close to free agency and multiple potential short term options on the market, I have to imagine they’ll be more likely to improve a seperate position and hold out in hopes of snagging Gonzalez in free agency or at next year’s deadline. Especially considering the fact that Beltre’s a Type A, I see them letting him walk.
The only way I see the Sox overpaying for Beltre is if Gonzalez gets traded and extended by another team in the offseason which I’d peg as a slim to none chance (Like most others, I don’t see him moving until July).
I was surprised by the Lackey deal too. It did remind me of the JD Drew deal though- especially in terms of years and injury risk. Is Prince Fielder still a legitimate possibility, or has that just been overblown?
EDIT: It’s more likely that someone else will overpay than the Red Sox the way I see it too.
Fielder is technically a possibility, but I’d avoid him. He’ll command a big prospect haul and is not worth a long term deal, in my opinion. He’s just a Mo Vaughn waiting to happen.
Mo Vaughn was awesome in Boston, and if he never went to the Angels, he wouldnt of tripped on those stairs and probably would of been a Boston HOFer, if you say Prince is Mo Vaughn, i would do whatever possible to get him to Boston, Mo was one of my favorite Sox players….
Like the yankees arernt going to sign anyone.
I wonder if any team would be willing to take in Manny.
An AL team will definitely be willing to try him out at DH. Craziness aside, he’s one of the best overall hitters of the last two decades.
He’ll have to take a monumental paycut (We’re talking six or seven million at absolute best), but there’ll be suitors.
Why wouldn’t they, he can still get on base at a good clip and has some pop left
Toronto….lol
This offseason is going to be crazy! I just have that feeling that a lot of these big name free agents are going to suprise a lot of people, and as long as they don’t meet up and discuss signing with the same team, I’m all for it!
I’ve been thinking Lee, Crawford, V-Mart, and Werth to the Marlins for months. Imagine Lee holding a one hour special on ESPN, “The Choice”. At the end, Lee tells Tim Kurkjian, “I’m going to be taking my talents to South Beach.”
Like the Marlins can afford him
Like the Marlins can afford him
Lol nobody would care if Lee had a one hour special. At least LeBron is a big name and arguably the best player in the league while I wouldn’t really even say Lee is the best pitcher in the league.
Congrats to Giants fans everywhere! Enjoy the offseason and warm up the stove!
I guess I should also congratulate Texas fans too. My bad. I never in a million years would have picked San Fran and Texas for the WS. Well done!
Favorite part of baseball hot stove report. I had a blast following it last year
Giants have proven like the Rays that the best way for small market teams to compete is great pitiching. Except for mistakes like Zito.
Predictions: Cliff Lee (Yankees; despite what if wife may want lol),Carl Crawford (Angels), Jeter,Rivera (Yanks),Dunn (Cubs),Beltre (Red Sox),Werth (Red Sox), Martinez (Orioles), Manny ( Blue Jays), Papi (Red Sox)
If the Tigers miss out on Crawford, they’ll overpay to get Dunn or Martinez (or both). Ilitch will make sure they sign (at least) one of the marquee FAs.
None of the above to the tigers? Won’t happen.
Yeah honest mistake i completely overlooked how much money they have. Put Martinez over from Orioles plus One. my bad
My free agent picks: Crawford -Angels, Martinez- Detroit, Werth-Sox, Beltre- Angles, Lee- Yanks, Mo- Yanks, Jeter-Yanks
The Phillies will sign one of Cliff Lee and Jayson Werth. You can take that bold statement to the bank and cash it.
It’s interesting to see Carl Pavano’s name on that list. No one has really been talking about him as a big name free agent but he had a heck of a year for Minnesota… I would say he’s a pretty good plan B for a team that loses out on the Cliff Lee sweepstakes (or a pretty good plan A for a team that isn’t even thinking about Lee). Since I’m becoming spoiled by the Phillies acquiring ace pitchers, Id love to see Amaro push for him, though I doubt it will happen. Pavano seems like an inning eater who barely walks anyone–just the kind of starter the Phillies like.
The Yankees should go after Pavano if they lose out on Lee. 4yr/$39.95M seems about right.
Pretty sure Carl Pavano will never be welcomed back in the Bronx.
I do believe that’s the punchline. He just cited Pavano’s last NY contract.
Right over my head then. Lol. Always thought he got much more than that.
Right over my head then. Lol. Always thought he got much more than that.
I really like your name, that SOB is so stupid, instead of talking about whats happening, he goes on a weird ramble that makes no sense and midway through his ramble he will make a comment relevant to whats going on… heres an example ” wow so you can make mashed potatoes into a pie? oh strike one call, and so i told the parking cop they TOLD me i can park here and that ball is hit well but into the glove of the left fielder…. why is he an announcer?
I hate how he manages to suck the life out of the most exciting moments in baseball history with his boring, monotone voice.
Youkillis is already said to be training for 3B. Beltre is gone. everyone just needs to move on. He will be linked tot he Sox, but only because Boras will be trying to drive up the price.
The other Sox moves are so intertwined that it’s almost impossible to predict. They will be looking for a 1 year stop gap 1B IMO. This could be Konerko/Dunn(move to DH following 2011 season)/Lee/Pena. They aren’t going to clog 1B long term, because I believe they feel they will get one of the big 3 next off season.
LF I believe will be Werth or Crawford. If those fall through, they could go with the OF they had at the beginning of the season, Ellsbury, Cameron, Drew. A trade is always a possibility, Beltran perhaps. But I think they will try and fill the need with just $ and not prospects.
DH is up in the air. Papi wants security, and may very well talk himself out of Boston. He should eb begging for that option to get exercised. No way he gets that AAV on the open market. As Vlady what the going rate is for a DH only player. He will get offers in the one year range, 7-9M. the only way he get’s 2 years is if it’s something like 2 years 16M. But he will likely bitch about that. Not sure there are many ways for this to end the way Papi would like.
C is tricky too. They will probably offer V-Mart 3 years. Some GM is going to go over the top and offer 4 or 5 IMO. If V-Mart is in Boston next year it’s because he really wanted to be. Not because the Sox outbid everyone for him.
Now anyone of those moves could send a nice ripple effect through out the league. Should make for an interesting off season!
Lee to NY/Tex 95%, 5% somewhere else.
i hope Cashman has another relapse into crazy town and trys to bring Pavano back for a 2nd tour like he did with Javy 😀
Predictions:
– Manny Ramirez(OF/DH)- Blue Jays!
– Adam Dunn(1b/OF)- Nationals, resigned(4yr 40mill)
– Jason Werth(OF)- Red Sox(4yr 60mill)
– Derek Jeter(IF)- Yankees(4yr 60mill)
– Carl Crawford(OF)- Angels(6yr 96mill)
– Victor Martinez(OF/1b)- Tigers
– Cliff Lee(LHP)- Yankees
– A.Beltre(3b)- Red Sox
Trades!
– Cards acquire RHP Z.Grienke from Royals in exchanged for OF C.Rasmus & 2 mid level prospects.
Doubt rasmus and 2 mid-level would get it done.
That’s more than enough especially considering Rasmus is a great talent and has already had 2 good years.
But I don’t see why the Cards would want Grienke when they have a good enough rotation already and are in need of some hitters.
I don’t think 25 hrs and a .260/.350 line are tough to find. I think the Card would have to send more. However, I doubt the Royals and Cards are going to swap elite players being how they are sort of rivals. No one is going to want to watch the other person thrive in the other market and be reminded about it during inter league play. Also, the Cards really don’t need another expensive starter when they will need to retain Pujols, Wainright and Molina in the near future.
That’s more than enough especially considering Rasmus is a great talent and has already had 2 good years.
But I don’t see why the Cards would want Grienke when they have a good enough rotation already and are in need of some hitters.
it sounds crazy but when you take into account penny pinching teams, its not always about straight value as much as its can this guy stay league minimum or be just good enough to be worth around 2-3 million, so they would actually consider this because Rasmus is that guy, 2 mid leve prospects give KC fans something to watch and take their minds off the fact the Greinke is in the other Missouri town and the Royals dont pay all that money to a pitcher and they all go buy nice boats to celebrate.
hahahahaha Victor Martinez in the outfield
Doubtful Rasmus goes anywhere, but Greinke to the Cardinals can be down with some changes. Maybe 2-3 top-15 prospects, plus another prospect can get it done. We also know that Moore loves Braves rejects, so you might get someone else involved in that trade, possibly Dodgers. Also, that would be enough to get a trade down for Greinke.
Doubtful Rasmus goes anywhere, but Greinke to the Cardinals can be down with some changes. Maybe 2-3 top-15 prospects, plus another prospect can get it done. We also know that Moore loves Braves rejects, so you might get someone else involved in that trade, possibly Dodgers. Also, that would be enough to get a trade down for Greinke.
haha i love how brian wilson just says “i wanna rage” in the post game interview. for real though, who would have ever predicted giants over rangers in the world seriies? with edgar renteria as the ws mvp!
I actually cashed in my Las Vegas ticket predicting the Giants to win the world series, now before i get blasted, i took out 6 bets and picked the Giants to win the west, i had the Yanks, the Cards, The Red Sox lol, the Angels, and the Phillies, and i do belive i got lucky, but it was cool turing in a 5 dollar wager for 120 to one odds.
“Epic” – Brian Wilson
anybody know when the winter meetings are?
December 6-9.