2013/14 MLB Off-season Random Thoughts

[MVPete]

Twins To Sign Kurt Suzuki
By Steve Adams [December 20, 2013 at 9:39am CST]
The Twins and free agent catcher Kurt Suzuki are in agreement on a one-year deal, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter). Suzuki is represented by the MVP Sports Group.

 

[SuperKevin]

Todd Coffey has a scheduled showcase in January. I always liked watching him do that ridiculous sprint in from the bullpen.

 

[NAHSTE]

:dead: at Hanley's new hair

 

[Maynard]

Reds are talking to Sizemore

The Reds have had some contact with former Indian Grady Sizemore according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.

Sizemore was a three-time All-Star with the Cleveland Indians, but has not played in the majors since 2011.

Jocketty has faith that Sizemore is healthy and ready to resume his career saying, "We think so. He seems to be."

After losing Shin-Soo Choo this off-season, speedster Billy Hamilton is the clear favorite to take over the centerfield spot, but the Reds may be looking to add some depth to the outfield.

 

[EmpireWF]

Damn I miss baseball.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Considering how cheap we've gotten again, I'm surprised Sizemore isn't signed, sealed and delivered to Baltimore yet.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

The Giants have signed left-hander Dontrelle Willis to a minor-league contract, reports John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. It's unclear if he received an invitation to spring training as well.

Willis, 31, has not pitched in MLB since 2011 with the Reds. He went 1-6 with a 5.00 ERA and 1.54 K/BB in 75 2/3 innings across 13 starts that year. Willis has not been an effective big leaguer since going 12-12 with a 3.87 ERA (122 ERA+) in 201 1/3 innings for the 2006 Marlins, a year before being traded to the Tigers along with Miguel Cabrera.

After flirting with retirement a few years ago, Willis has been bouncing around the minors and independent leagues. He made 14 starts with the independent Long Island Ducks last summer before hooking on with the Angels and throwing 21 ineffective innings for their Triple-A affiliate.

It has been a long time since Willis was effective and, despite his relative youth, there isn't much reason to think he'll be able to help in the future. A minor-league contract is no risk though. Willis is the perfect example of how left-handers keep getting chances in MLB, especially if they were good once upon a time.

http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on...ign-dontrelle-willis-to-minor-league-contract

And he continues to get chances despite no success. Not even in AAA as a reliever.

 

[Villain]

 

[NAHSTE]

Fredi on Uggla:

"He's going to be our 2B"

:suicide:

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Fredi on Uggla:

"He's going to be our 2B"

:suicide:

Would you rather have the choice to pick Jemile Weeks, Alexi Casilla or Ryan Flaherty?

 

[Villain]

Would you rather have the choice to pick Jemile Weeks, Alexi Casilla or Ryan Flaherty?

The 2nd base market is a shitshow right now. I really hope Alex Guerrero works out. Public face of Doyers threatening Dee Gordon as the backup infielder (shudder). Rumors are threatening the return of Michael Young (honestly, worse than Gordon).

Makes me more frustrated about the decision to let Mark Ellis go.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

The 2nd base market is a shitshow right now. I really hope Alex Guerrero works out. Public face of Doyers threatening Dee Gordon as the backup infielder (shudder). Rumors are threatening the return of Michael Young (honestly, worse than Gordon).

Makes me more frustrated about the decision to let Mark Ellis go.

A player from AAA started over Casilla and Flaherty for a time last season:facepalm:

Even bringing back an oft-injured Roberts would have been a better idea.

 

[NAHSTE]

Would you rather have the choice to pick Jemile Weeks, Alexi Casilla or Ryan Flaherty?

Those guys can all field the position adequately, so maybe yeah.

 

[MVPete]

Pablo Sandoval :garnett:

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Those guys can all field the position adequately, so maybe yeah.

But you would have two sure outs, combined with the pitcher, at the bottom of the order #NoDH

 

[Point Blank]

Going to be taking the little guy down to Viera, FL to check out some Nats spring training in March. :nanadance:

 

[Slateman]

Dodgers have gone quiet on the trade an outfielder talk. Lack of interest? Too much salary? Biding their time until free agency is up?

 

[Slateman]

http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/sto...fire-at-his-house-photos?eadid=SOC/Twi/SNMain

Oh Chipper . . .

 

[NAHSTE]

Beachy Career: 9.3 K/9, 3.2 K/BB, 1.13 WHIP
Strasburg 2013: 9.4 K/9, 3.4 K/BB, 1.05 WHIP

:beachy:

 

[EmpireWF]

MLB.tv accepting subs for the 2014 season. :med: