ultimopain

I really do like the idea of converting Nolasco to a closer, out of all our starting pitchers I think he'd be the most effective in that role. However, that obviously would depend on if we give up any other starting pitchers for a CF. I have a feeling that whatever hole we fill first, that will allow us to move in a different direction either for our closer or CF.

Another smart decision by the Reds front office. :|

Oh man, Chris Denorfia would be fricking awesome.

I'm not saying that it's not true that the Giants still have interest in him, but they sure went about it in a very funny manner, and Barry's a touchy guy. This comment could be more positioning by the Giants to drive the price up for other west coast teams that have interests (Padres, A's) than anything else. I don't think it's a secret that if he's going, the Giants want him as far away as possible. Wrong thread?

You guys would seriously trade JJ for Baldelli, no questions about it? Considering Baldelli's injury history, I think that would be a stupid trade. Sure, we have great depth with our pitching, but imo you'd have to trade a package of prospects rather than a 'sure thing' like JJ... you can't underestimate the value of established, young starting pitching. If a package of Nolasco and Petit and another low arm wouldn't get it done, which it probably wouldn't, then it's not worth giving up what we'd have to.

I'd trade Johnson for Baldelli 1 for 1... And the majority of Marlins fans thank the lord that you're not our GM.

Soriano is playing RF. Not according to his own profile on the Cubs website Jacques Jones will be in RF. I've heard nothing to suggest they have anyone interested in him to trade with. Murton will be in LF. And if the Cubs need a 4th OF to defensively sub in, they can just call up Felix Pie and put him in CF when need be. No conceivable need or use for Lofton. There was talk of a Jacque Jones for Jason Jennings swap with the Rockies... but that probably depends if they sign Schmidt and/or Lilly.

Because they haven't really gotten anyone. Kevin Gregg? Give me a break. The two guys in the Mets trade are still unproven and I don't think anyone the Marlins have acquired period will fill in the middle relief role. It seems like to me the Marlins have only gotten long relief/late inning guys. I haven't really seen the Matt Herges replacement yet. Gregg was the Herges replacement. Beinfest said in an article after he was acquired that he would fill the same role as Herges, pitching out of the pen and becoming the mop-up/long man if needed.

if he is working for the marlins I hope he now knows the names of the different players Ricky Tabasco, Mike Jakes and Usemary Pettite are all on the block. :lol :lol

I question Drew's motivation now that he has a big contract. He's reknowned as someone who doesn't try properly if he's not motivated... I wish I had the link to the article I read about him last month. Sure, he had a good year this year, but he probably knew he was always going to leave LA to get a better payday. I could be wrong, but this could be a bust of epic proportions.

Congrats to Akron outfielder Ryan Goleski. Friday night, he knocked in his 100th RBI of the season. Putting up 100 RBI seasons in the minors is a rare thing, and Goleski has given no signs of letting up. On the year, he is hitting a combined .305./.392/.553 with 24 HRs and 100 RBIs at Kinston and Akron. He is Rule 5 Draft eligible in the offseason, and most certainly will be added to the Indians 40-man roster to protect him from the draft. He will likely start in Buffalo in 2007, and being on the 40-man roster could see some action with the big league club if the need for an outfielder presents itself. LINK Ryan Goleski, OF, Cleveland Indians Drafted 708th Overall (24th Rd), 2003 Draft, Eastern Michigan Bats R/Throws R 22 YO, 6'3", 225 lbs This is the 200th prospect review here at TYBITF. So I figured I would profile one of my favorite prospects. Goleski is a power hitter through and through. He was a power hitter in college, and he's been a power hitter as a pro. 2004 Lake County: .295/.370/.525, 22 2B, 5 3B, 28 HR, 55 BB, 100 K, 11 HBP, 505 AB Career: .295/.366/.508, 37 2B, 7 3B, 36 HR, 76 BB, 166 K, 14 HBP, 748 AB He's a little older than his competition, but sometimes college kids from minor conferences have a learning curve in the pro ranks. It might be best that the Indians started him out slowly. I can see them moving him along more quickly this season. His plate discipline is good, but as a power hitter, he strikes out quite a bit, though not at an alarming rate. Defense is not a big concern. He has average range for a right fielder and a strong arm. On the bases, he has good speed, though he's been caught stealing more often than he's been successful. That's a sign to stop trying, or at least to pick your spots more carefully. LINK Wow, he sounds like a very promising corner outfielder with massive power potential, I'm surprised the Indians didn't protect him. That being said I don't know if we'll go for him, considering he can't play center. Unless they move Hermida to CF (which would be a disaster imo) or move Jacobs and put Willingham at first.

You are quite possibly the most annoying poster ever.

Did... did I just read a question asking if Cliff Floyd could be our center fielder? :|

I think the chances they trade Pence is 1000/1. If they do, I think it'll take one of JJ/Olsen/Anibal to get it done, if not more. I think they're set with Tavares, just because their outfield defensively is so weak now (see: Jason Lane, Carlos Lee) that they almost need him in center for stability. I see them moving Burke or Lane, but to be honest I don't think either are what we're after, especially in center anyway.

yea, that was terrible when Milledge was high fiving fans how dare he! I think marlinsfan was referring to the last bit where it said Milledge was refusing to go to winter ball and improve his skills, at the Mets request. Seems like a good idea to me, when you haven't realized your full potential yet.

:lol :lol :lol *shakes head*

Absolute steal for the Brewers.

Pitching. But they're probably not looking for starting pitching like most other teams (though you can never have enough, they do have some good prospects who are starters), they're probably looking for bullpen help more than anything, something which we can't really provide.

My bad.

SAN DIEGO (AP) -- New Padres manager Bud Black hired former college teammate Bobby Meacham as his first base coach and Craig Colbert as his bench coach on Tuesday. LINK Was it common knowledge that he was leaving this year? I was under the impression that our coaching staff was finalized. Who's going to be our third base coach now?

I don't mean to be critical, but do we really need these "OMG WE SHOULD SIGN THIS GUY!!!" threads, I know it's something to talk about, but it's not as if Beinfest and co. is gonna read these forums and think "Aha! Why didn't I think of that!?"

Eric Reed would be a perfect bench utility in that scenario. Let's face it, how many times does a 5th OF get used to actually bat anyway? We could use him almost every night for pinch running abilities and playing defense, both of which are arguably his strengths. Unless Abercrombie seriously improves his defense, then Reed > Abercrombie in that role.

Legit question: Do you think this would affect Cabrera and Willis in any way, mentally, if this were to happen? The two of them see the FO spend the big bucks on Bonds but not even offer them a long-term contract? Sure, Bonds is only a one or two year investment at best, and it would obviously take a big long-term commitment to lock up Cabs and the D-Train, but they'd have to feel jilted a little bit by that when they've been told money is tight which is why they can't get guaranteed contracts, yet they sign Bonds? Then again, they could both love playing with someone like Bonds, who knows.

Report: Padres to name Bud Black new manager November 8, 2006 SAN DIEGO (Ticker) - After serving as one of baseball's best pitching coaches for the better part of a decade, Bud Black apparently will get his chance to manage. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported Wednesday on its web site that the San Diego Padres have chosen Black as their new manager. According to the report, Black will attend the team's award banquet in San Diego on Thursday. The 49-year-old Black would replace Bruce Bochy, who signed a three-year deal to manage the San Francisco Giants last month after guiding the Padres for the last 12 seasons. Black spent the last seven seasons as the pitching coach for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who used their strong pitching to reach the postseason three times in the past five campaigns, including a World Series title in 2002. The Angels finished in the top three for team ERA in the American League three times in that span. Black pitched in the majors for 14-plus seasons with the Giants, the Kansas City Royals, the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays, posting a 121-116 record and a 3.84 ERA. The lefthander helped the Royals win the World Series in 1985. LINK

How much will he be making in 2007? I was under the impression the Marlins would be done paying him. You are correct. I read somewhere that this was the final year that we had to pay Leiter's salary. Wish I could find the article...