PurpleHaze

As expected, the team that knows the injury history of Grady Sizemore the best has signed him for the 2012 season. It's a $5 million deal that could go up to $9 million with incentives. The injury-prone center fielder will need at least 450 plate appearances before the incentives kick in. This comes after Cleveland declined the 29-year-old's $9 million club option for 2012 when the season ended. This is a great opportunity for Sizemore to have a resurgent year -- granted he stays healthy -- en route to a multi-year deal with another club.

I'll just take the stud/studette award and nominate Rab for the non-Rab award.

Why would you put player in italics? Is Verlander not on the player roster? Is he a mascot, a donkey, a figment of imagination? Are you saying that any position player is going ot be more valuable than any pitcher just because they are on the field more? What would you rather have for the marlins - a full season of Josh Johnson or a full season of Emilio Bonifacio? Also keep in mind a guy like Verlander can help his team even on days when he isn't pitching - by eating innings, getting critical wins and dominating the opposing pitching matchup is put his team in favorable positions, bullpen a chance to breath, etc. The MVP award also has the following guidelines There is no clear-cut definition of what Most Valuable means. It is up to the individual voter to decide who was the Most Valuable Player in each league to his team. The MVP need not come from a division winner or other playoff qualifier. The rules of the voting remain the same as they were written on the first ballot in 1931: 1. Actual value of a player to his team, that is, strength of offense and defense. 2. Number of games played. 3. General character, disposition, loyalty and effort. 4. Former winners are eligible. 5. Members of the committee may vote for more than one member of a team. Keep in mind that all players are eligible for MVP, including pitchers and designated hitters. I know the MVP voting rules. And you're right, Verlander is a player. But he is also a pitcher, and pitchers and position players have very different roles on a team. My point is that everyday position players go through the daily grind, whereas starting pitchers only contribute every fifth day. That is a fact. Also take into account that Verlander's impressive record this season didn't come without the help of the very potent offense around him, including batting title winner and MVP candidate Miguel Cabrera -- who played a helluva lot more games than Verlander and contributed just as much, if not more, to the Tigers' division title. I think a lot of the writers were just drinking the Verlander Kool Aid. And yes, he's a very dominant pitcher who deserved the Cy Young Award, but in this case, this year, I just think it should have gone to a position player. I can't recall an actual "full season" of Josh Johnson. He owns when he's healthy, but he's injured every year. A full season for him is maybe 25 starts, and that's being optimistic. And to me, Bonifacio is a valuable position player who improved leaps and bounds with his increased playing time last year. With his versatility, yes please to a full season of Bonifacio.

but i can say that with the trade of baker for LeBlanc tells me we are not goin to sign berley or geting gio Who is berley? I think he means barley. Clearly, the Marlins are not making their delicious vegetable barley soup for this year's holiday party. Broncobob is going to be so disappointed! Or Charles Barkley. Most likely Charles Barkley. That's turrible!

but i can say that with the trade of baker for LeBlanc tells me we are not goin to sign berley or geting gio Who is berley?

Either Baker or Hayes had to go. I don't know how the Marlins plan to use LeBlanc, but I sure hope I don't see him and his career 4.54 ERA in the rotation.

That's pretty badass.

Good for him, he deserved the award he was the best pitcher in the league this year. And that's why he won the Cy Young Award. Was he really the most valuable player? Compared to position players who play close to 162 games.

You have to give something up to get Gio. LoMo has had issues with the FO etc and if they want to get rid of him something like this would be the opportunity. I think Stanton is untouchable. He's really the only one in my mind..... Stanton is untouchable, but the Marlins have indicated LoMo is off the table despite the drama in the middle of the season, which everyone said was overblown. But I question if the FO is even considering dealing Gaby since they invited him to the new uniform unveiling. Only select players were invited to that (including LoMo). I would think they would only have players they intend to keep modeling their new jerseys. But then again, Nolasco was a part of that too and he's been named as trade bait. I see Volstad (no doubt) and Peterson as trade bait. He's a young lefty bat with a lot of upside if he gets regular playing time somewhere.

Unfortunately Pujols never participated in Second Mile so we'll never know. I miss the best posts in the middle of the night. I feel bad for laughing, though.

How about the expansion of instant replay to fair/foul balls and "trapped" balls?

The Hebrew Hammer! Mazel Tov!

C.J. Wilson was also the losing pitcher in: -The All-Star Game -ALDS -ALCS -World Series Clutch! But seriously, maybe Wilson's postseason performance brings his value down a bit, making him a more feasible option for the Marlins.

I know, Frank Thomas' reaction made me LOL before passing out. The one writer who left Verlander off the ballot completely, Jim Ingraham, wrote a piece explaining his reasoning: http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2011/11/21/sports/nh4772249.txt?viewmode=fullstory The point that struck me in his backing of his belief that pitchers should not be eligible for the MVP was that a starting pitcher has zero effect on 79 percent of games (128). That's a valid point, though I'm still torn on this issue.

The Big Hurt is pisssssed about this. Frank Thomas Tweeted: TheBigHurt_35 Frank Thomas Pitchers do not deserve that award!! 36 starts is not enough to be the league MVP!! TheBigHurt_35 Frank Thomas If they want to add a 3rd award for pitchers they should do just that. MVP is measured over a 162 game schedule!!

Ellsbury finished second.

that "tomorrow" on firsaro's twitter is quite weird. Yeah, I'm guessing Frisaro meant to text someone "tomorrow" and accidentally Tweeted it. I don't think the Marlins are trading for Gio tomorrow. Or are they?

I really don't agree with them moving Feliz to the rotation, but eh. Yeah, I'm kind of shaking my head that they would move their young flamethrower to the rotation to have a 37 year old close games, but like Mystikol said, Texas is probably anticipating C.J. Wilson signing elsewhere.

Two years, $14.5 million including buyout. Neftali Feliz likely to join Rangers' rotation.

whats the name of the player? Curtis Granderson.

if he was someone i saw walking around on the street I'd guess he was about 34 from looking at him but of course some people age better than others and it isn't a reliable way of determining age. that said, i have a very hard time believing he's 31. Yeah, ditto. Maybe it's the hair? Either way I want to find out if he pulled a Miguel Tejada.

We should stop talkin about this guy we got boni Your avatar makes me hungry and full at the same time.

I'm so...not surprised.

I'm trying to watch some of his dramatic, 18-minute promotional showcase video on YouTube but it has yet to start TWO MINUTES in. They're overselling this guy, who has yet to see Major League pitching.

Another tragic death in the sports world today - Arkansas freshman tight end Garrett Uekman dies at 19: http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7261953/arkansas-freshman-tight-end-garrett-uekman-dies-19