MLB 2012 Off Season News, Notes & Transactions

[cosmo_kramer]

The Boston Red Sox have traded infielder Jed Lowrie and pitcher Kyle Weiland to the Houston Astros for relief pitcher Mark Melancon, a baseball source confirmed to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.

The Red Sox might have found the successor to Jonathan Papelbon in Melancon.

In his first season as closer, the 26-year-old Melancon converted 20 of 25 save chances last season (the Astros won just 56 games) and had a 2.78 ERA, with 66 strikeouts and 26 walks in 74 1/3 innings.

Boston Red Sox's Jed Lowrie, Kyle Weiland to Houston Astros for Mark Melancon - ESPN Boston

 

[salsadancer7]

The Boston Red Sox have traded infielder Jed Lowrie and pitcher Kyle Weiland to the Houston Astros for relief pitcher Mark Melancon, a baseball source confirmed to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.

The Red Sox might have found the successor to Jonathan Papelbon in Melancon.

In his first season as closer, the 26-year-old Melancon converted 20 of 25 save chances last season (the Astros won just 56 games) and had a 2.78 ERA, with 66 strikeouts and 26 walks in 74 1/3 innings.

Boston Red Sox's Jed Lowrie, Kyle Weiland to Houston Astros for Mark Melancon - ESPN Boston

I think this is a very good pickup by the Red Sox!

 

[cosmo_kramer]

Having made a posting bid above $40 million and possibly close to $50 million, the Blue Jays are the favorites to land the negotiating rights to Yu Darvish.

There is a belief the Cubs also made a large bid on the right-handed pitcher but a number hasn't been attached to their bid.

Yu Dravish high bid from Blue Jays, not Yankees - NYPOST.com

 

[salsadancer7]

So as of right now...there are ONLY 2 teams interested in one of...if not the best power hitter in all of baseball? The Mariners and Cubs are the only teams that have any interest in Prince Fielder.

Does anyone find that strange?

 

[SandraC]

So as of right now...there are ONLY 2 teams interested in one of...if not the best power hitter in all of baseball? The Mariners and Cubs are the only teams that have any interest in Prince Fielder.

Does anyone find that strange?

Makes sense. His asking price eliminates a lot of teams, and the other big money teams (Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies, Angels, etc.) already have first basemen. Teams like the Mets and Dodgers should be big money teams...but they aren't right now.

I'm surprised the Rangers aren't involved, and of course the Marlins too.


Sandra

 

[Rey]

So as of right now...there are ONLY 2 teams interested in one of...if not the best power hitter in all of baseball? The Mariners and Cubs are the only teams that have any interest in Prince Fielder.

Does anyone find that strange?

why is it exactly that miami is not after this guy?

 

[RandallA]

So as of right now...there are ONLY 2 teams interested in one of...if not the best power hitter in all of baseball? The Mariners and Cubs are the only teams that have any interest in Prince Fielder.

Does anyone find that strange?

Not really, look at his body and will you really want to sign him for a long term contract? I wouldn't.

 

[salsadancer7]

why is it exactly that miami is not after this guy?

Because of Scott Boras. Nobody wants to deal with this guy....and he would never have one of his clients sign a no trade contract.

 

[salsadancer7]

Not really, look at his body and will you really want to sign him for a long term contract? I wouldn't.

For a 5 or 6 year deal, really? LOL!

 

[SandraC]

LOL so we've explained it! Small amount of teams who can afford him and also need a first baseman, Fielder is not in good shape when he's LOOKING for a contract, so who knows what will happen when he gets older, and Boras is his agent!

I would be surprised but not absolutely shocked if the Yankees didn't swoop in Texeira-style at the last minute and sign Fielder as a DH. But then again, that spot is reserved for A-Rod at some point...just not sure when.


Sandra

 

[Jimbo]

So as of right now...there are ONLY 2 teams interested in one of...if not the best power hitter in all of baseball? The Mariners and Cubs are the only teams that have any interest in Prince Fielder.

Does anyone find that strange?

Because of Scott Boras. Nobody wants to deal with this guy....and he would never have one of his clients sign a no trade contract.

Think you answered your question ...

 

[AntAltMike]

In his first season as closer, the 26-year-old Melancon converted 20 of 25 save chances last season

An 80% hold success rate gets a pitcher ridden out of Boston on a rail.

But in fairness to Melancon, middle relievers have poor "save ratios" because if they come into a save situation in the seventh or eighth inning and hold it, they don't get credit for a save, but if they blow it. they get debited with a blown save ( which I don't think is yet an official league stat, but I'm not sure).

 

[Mr Tony]

Bye Bye Cuddy

Cuddyer agrees to 3-year, $30M deal with Rockies | StarTribune.com

DENVER - The Colorado Rockies and free agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer have agreed to a three-year deal worth about $30 million.

CBS Sports and the Denver Post first reported the deal Friday morning.

 

[BillD1984]

LOL so we've explained it! Small amount of teams who can afford him and also need a first baseman, Fielder is not in good shape when he's LOOKING for a contract, so who knows what will happen when he gets older, and Boras is his agent!

I would be surprised but not absolutely shocked if the Yankees didn't swoop in Texeira-style at the last minute and sign Fielder as a DH. But then again, that spot is reserved for A-Rod at some point...just not sure when.


Sandra

They also have to somewhere somehow get Montero his AB's.

 

[Jimbo]

Reds get Latos from Pardes

San Diego Padres trade Mat Latos to Cincinnati Reds for Edinson Volquez, Yonder Alonso, two prospects - ESPN

 

[DodgerKing]

I saw that. That seems like a lot to give up for a starter that may or may not be an ace.

 

[Jimbo]

I saw that. That seems like a lot to give up for a starter that may or may not be an ace.

I thought that too, they want him to be a #2.

 

[DodgerKing]

Kemp may have been jipped from the MVP, but he did get the MLB player of the year. Interesting that the guy that was voted as the best player in all of baseball cannot even win the MVP of the league.

Matt Kemp takes home GIBBY as game's top player | dodgers.com: News

 

[Jimbo]

Kemp may have been jipped from the MVP, but he did get the MLB player of the year. Interesting that the guy that was voted as the best player in all of baseball cannot even win the MVP of the league.

Matt Kemp takes home GIBBY as game's top player | dodgers.com: News

Theres sooo many different awards now that they are bound to get it right sooner or later.

 

[SandraC]

They also have to somewhere somehow get Montero his AB's.

I don't know Bill...it's weird. In the short term, that could be a true statement. But as strange as this sounds, I get the feeling Montero is not in the Yankees' long-term plans. Strange, because this kid has the look of a possible .300/30/100 15 year career. The dude can hit.

But the Yankees have TWO more prime catching prospects, Austin Romine and Gary Sanchez, and I don't think they want Montero to be the catcher OR the DH. Depending on his health, at some point over the next few years A-Rod will move to DH and make his assault on whoever is the all-time home run leader from there.

Montero will be dangled for pitching every minute from today until the trading deadline. They'll try to package one of their 'Killer B's' picthing prospects with Montero for a stud pitcher, and hold onto the other two.


Sandra