Non-Nats Offseason news

[PANatsFan]

Well, Melancon isn't chopped liver, or at least wasn't 2 years ago.  Sands could

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with Garrett Jones and be effective for next to nothing.  Holt gives them an option at MI other than Iglesias while waiting for Bogaerts.

Don't bogart the nachos, Beavis.

[imref]

Matt Diaz signs with the Yankees.  Another Nat-killer leaves the division.

[Tyler Durden]

I'm still thinking the Braves are waiting to pounce on Bourn.  If nothing happens for him over the next month, he may have no other options other than to go back on maybe a one year deal for 10 or 12 mil.  Maybe 13 mil or whatever the qualifying offer was.

[Tribe Time]

From the Indians beat writer on Twitter...

"Nick Camino ‏@CaminoTribe
Heard #Indians are seriously targeting starting pitching and have recently had dialogue with a few. A name or two that might "surprise" fans"

Word is Kyle Lohse is one of them...

[houston-nat]

That's silly, any fan who knows who the remaining free agents are won't be "surprised" by names... well unless it turns out to be "Randy Johnson comes out of retirement!"

[Tribe Time]

lol...knowing the indians front office?  i wouldn't be suprised...

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Bringing back Derek Lowe!

[JCA-CrystalCity]

http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/21249516/source-napoli-has-interest-other-team

According to multiple baseball sources, at least one team has been in communication with Mike Napoli's representatives regarding the free agent infielder's status since negotiations with the Red Sox hit a snag. According to one source, it is believed no contract offer has been extended by a team other than the Sox since the early December agreement with Boston.

[Tyler Durden]

Seems like Napoli, LaRoche, and the Red Sox are all negotiating through the media. 

edit - also the Nats.

[Tyler Durden]

Red Sox now looking at Bobby Abreu. 

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/31/bobby-abreu-worked-out-for-the-red-sox/

[zimm_da_kid]

Red Sox now looking at Bobby Abreu. 

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/31/bobby-abreu-worked-out-for-the-red-sox/

desperation

[Tyler Durden]

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/01/mariners-and-marlins-have-discussed-giancarlo-stanton-trade/

Marlins and Mariners have disucssed Stanton.  Good for the Mariners!  They need a hitter like that.  And I think they still have some money to spend and could bring in another free agent (Bourn?).  Kendrys Morales, Jesus Montero, Stanton, and Bourn would be a much more imposing lineup than what they've been putting out there the past few years.

Also, this would be great for the Nats - get Stanton out of the National League.  And further drive the nail into the coffin of the Marlins.

[CALSGR8]

Orioles just signed Jair Jurgens or however you spell it!
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/jon-heyman/21611351/jurrjens-agrees-to-deal-with-orioles

[Slateman]

Phils just replaced this:




with this:

[DPMOmaha]

Phils just replaced this:

(Image removed from quote.)


with this:
(Image removed from quote.)

Huh?  Don't they play different positions?

[BrandonK]

Huh?  Don't they play different positions?

Phil's plan to use Young in RF...

[DPMOmaha]

Phil's plan to use Young in RF...

Whose playing LF for them, then?  Ruf?

[imref]

Phillies sign Yuniesky Betancourt to a minor league deal.

He really should get his name in the Nats park ring of fame for helping us get Strasburg.

For those who don't get the reference:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/11/did-yuniesky-betancourt-cost-the-mariners-stephen-strasburg/

[blue911]

Phillies sign Yuniesky Betancourt to a minor league deal.

He really should get his name in the Nats park ring of fame for helping us get Strasburg.

For those who don't get the reference:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/06/11/did-yuniesky-betancourt-cost-the-mariners-stephen-strasburg/

Rizzo keeps winning the off season

[NJ Ave]

Ruben Amaro's free agent acquisitions as GM:

2009: Raul Ibanez, Jamie Moyer, Chan Ho Park
2010: Danys Baez, Juan Castro, Jose Contreras, Russ Gload, Placido Polanco, Brian Schneider
2011: Jose Contreras, Cliff Lee, JC Romero
2012: Laynce Nix, Jonathan Papelbon, Chad Qualls, Brian Schneider, Jim Thome, Dontrelle Willis
2013: Mike Adams, John Lannan, Demon Young, Yuniesky Betancourt

That is one woeful record. He's taken Pat Gillick's incredible organization and run it into the ground. The players he extended were Gillick's, he used Gillick's farm system to trade for other players. It's an old, expensive, worsening team with a terrible farm system.

He's awful.

[houston-nat]

Demon Young

I agree with your entire post, but I especially agree with this typo.

[blue911]

I agree with your entire post, but I especially agree with this typo.

Yuniesky makes Demon look competent.

[KnorrForYourMoney]

Actually, a lot of those guys at the Phillies' core were Ed Wade guys.

Pat Gillick gets credit finally getting them in the playoffs and constructing a good enough bullpen to help win that WS.

[houston-nat]

Between Demon Young, Yuniesky Betancourt, Michael Young, and Joe Mather, the Phillies have acquired almost all the worst players in baseball from 2012. They just need to sign Chone Figgins and trade for Jeff Francoeur.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I love this line written in 6/2010:

They got a rare good performance from R.A. Dickey in the season’s last game and Johjima hit the ball well again that day too.