fauowls44

So if someone's not on the 40-man roster, any team can sign him? The way that article sounds, that's what Boston did. Medrano was probably a 6 year minor league free agent. A player dropped off the 40 man roster must go through waivers, if they clear wiavers, I believe the team then has the option of sending the player to the minors or releasing them.

According to Rotoworld the Marlins have signed RHP Nelson Cruz, and OFs Armando Rios and Mike Colangelo. Cruz will compete for a bullpen spot and Rios has a chance to compete for a reserve OF spot with Williams, Nunez, and Christenson. Cruz was decent out of the pen for the Astros for in 2001 and 2002. He was a disaster with the Rockies last year. He should have a shot at a spot in the pen. Rios is an interesting player, he was pretty highly thought of with the Giants a few years back and had some decent years off the bench. He can also play center, which will benefit him. The battle for the last couple of spots should be fun to watch.

can you guys whine any more? we need all the fans we can get..... i dont care, as long as they spend money exactly. I would be happy to deal with the extra incovenience as long as they aren't violent like Cubs fans or annoying like Braves/Mets/Yankees fans. Exactly. Some people need to learn that having to stand in line and games selling out are good things. Call people bandwagoners all you want, but this is how you have to build a fan base. As far as i'm concerned, the more the merrier.

I missed it, what did samson say? Any stadium news?

That leaves 1 open bench spot and the one hole on the bench is a backup CF. But why do you need a backup CF when Juan Pierre plays 162 games a year? We didn't have a back up for him last season and all we did was win a world championship. There is no need for either Williams or Nunez, but it would be nice to have Abe up here. We have a lot of flexibility, just not in center. Last year we had Encarnacion as the backup in CF. Hollandsworth could also play the position as well. There isn't anyone on the current roster I would want playing the position for any stretch of time. That is why I think it's a lock that either Nunez or Williams makes the team. I really hope that it is Nunez.

I think Nunez has a place on this team. Here's how I see the roster so far: C: Castro 1st: Choi 2nd: Castillo SS: Gonzalez 3rd: Lowell LF: Conine CF: Pierre RF: Cabrera Starters: Beckett Penny Pavano Willis Oliver Bullpen: Benitez Fox Neu Tejera Phelps Bump/Neal Bench: Mordecai - SS, 2nd, 3rd Redmond - C Harris - 3rd, LF/RF Banks - LF/RF, 1st That is 23 players, not including AJ Burnett. For arguement's sake, let's say they sign Cordero (1st/RF/LF). That leaves 1 open bench spot and the one hole on the bench is a backup CF. That job will either go to Nunez or Gerald Williams, and i'm sure that they would love for Nunez to beat out Williams. The one wild card could be Damion Easley. He can play 2nd, and I believe he's played some CF in the past.

Question: If you buy a voucher plan, are you saying that you aren't actually guaranteed seats in the area you bought them in for any game? That's right, they all say pending availability. You should pick out the games in advance to ensure you get the seats in your price level. In the past it hasn't really been an issue, but hopefully this season there won't be as much availability. If seats in your price level aren't available, they'll do their best to accommodate you by letting you redeem them for tickets in other areas.

Can someone explain how the flex plan works exactly? You buy 81 tickets (at a season ticket discount) and you can use them anyway you want. You can redeem them one for 81 games, 81 for one game, or any combination you want.

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,3...1928619,00.html Rockies should have kept options open with Oliver By Mike Klis Denver Post Sports Writer One time in school, the geometry teacher thoroughly explained how a problem reached its solution, and when the student in the back row still didn't get it, the teacher made one more try, using an alternative line of reasoning. Eventually, the teacher surrendered, which was fine to the student in the back row, because as it turned out, the smart kid sitting next to him had the answer, anyway. There was something about the Rockies' inability to re-sign Darren Oliver that made me think of my geometry class and that smart kid this week. There were timing issues and easy-to-understand financial constraints that explain why the Rockies won't have Oliver back to stabilize their shaky rotation in 2004. And Oliver had sound, logical reasons for believing his 13 wins in 2003 would be worth more on the free-agent market than the $750,000 the Rockies offered him in late August. But when the defending world champion, and Colorado expansion cousin, Florida Marlins signed Oliver this week for the same relative pittance of $750,000 the Rockies once offered, there was so much confusion, geometry seemed like a breeze. As Rockies fans well know, it's not easy finding a pitcher, particularly a starting pitcher, who not only doesn't mind pitching half his games at Coors Field, but is pretty good at it. It took Oliver just one season in Colorado to become only the fifth Rockies pitcher to win at least 13 games while posting a winning record. And he did this while starting the 2003 season on a 45-day contract and drawing nothing more than a near-minimum, $350,000 for the year. Even for a team as financially burdened as the Rockies, it didn't make business sense to let Oliver get away for less than $1 million. "We tried to bring Darren back," Rockies general manager Dan O'Dowd said. "When we made him the offer in August that he eventually signed for, his agents let us know we were nowhere near the ballpark. We then offered to extend the arbitration deadline (of Dec. 7), which would have given us until Jan. 8 to re-sign him. And that was dismissed out of hand." Although Oliver wasn't looking for the $19 million contract he enjoyed from 2000-02, it wasn't unreasonable for him to expect a two-year deal worth $3 million per. As the winter meetings convened in December, Oliver lowered expectations to one year and $2 million. He eventually turned down a $1 million offer from the Detroit Tigers partly because he hits too well to not pitch in the National League and partly because he preferred winning in Florida to losing in Detroit. "You'd think 13 wins while pitching at Coors Field would be worth something," Oliver said. "But in the end, you're only worth as much as what a team will pay you. I'm still playing. I have no hard feelings towards the Rockies. I wish them well." In the end, Oliver should have kept open the option of extending the deadline for negotiating with the Rockies. This would have given him a better read on his market. But it's also clear the Rockies needed just a tad more effort to stop their most consistent pitcher in 2003 from pitching for their expansion rivals in 2004. Clear as geometry.

why wouldn't a groundball pitcher benefit from our defense? the rockies defense wasn't so great last year in the infield. PPS' short infield grass = fast groundballs = less time for defender to make a playYet somehow they made an awful lot of the plays on those ground balls last year.

i know we all hate tejera.... I don't. Personally, I don't know why everyone here is drinkin' the "michael tejera haterade". I dont hate tejera he is a good player who struggles but hey he will be ok. Wouldn't be surprised if he had a breakout year this year. It will be surprising if Tejera makes the team. The guy simply isn't that good. Lefties clobber him. He can't get anyone out. Has a good curveball but nothing else. The pitch he threw into the dugout at Wrigley in the NLCS is all you need to know about Tejera. It's not that he's hated. It's that he isn't very good. Neu, Benitez, Fox.....The Marlins are going to need somebody else in the bullpen, and unless you like a bunch of 6-year minor league free agents, I'd stick with Tejera. I think this could be the year Blaine Neal finally becomes a big part of the pen. Nate Bump also showed flashes of becoming a quality reliever as well.

Rockies had originally offered Oliver 900,000 a year with incentives which he turned down And than the Giants or Diamondbacks im not sure which offered him 2 years 2 million. all this from the Rockies board. I was just going to mention that we weren't the only team looking at Oliver. So he has a little more value than some are giving him credit for. Had Oliver signed earlier, he probably could have topped $1 million.

I don't know why people are getting all bent out of shape over signing Oliver when some posters were upset over missing out on Glendon Rusch. Oliver is a servicable Major League pitcher. He pitched realtively well last year, and he won't be asked to lead this staff or anything. He'll make a few starts and then pitch out of the pen. Hopefully he'll be better at getting lefties out than anyone out of the pen last year. If you look at his stats, he's probably more suited as a reliever at this point in his career anyway. In innings 1-3 of his starts: .219 BAA, .637 OPS against. So he does a good job when facing the order the first time around. Hopefully this translates into him being an effective reliever 1 or 2 innings at a time.

Cordero is a righty. Joe needs to do some more research before printing s***. Anyway, Karros or Cordero are fine. Although I would prefer Karros, if it comes down to money, I'm content with Wil. I'd go with Cordero just because he's more versatile. But both are good hitters and would be welcome additions to the bench.

http://florida.marlins.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/...s_fla&fext=.jsp MIAMI -- The Marlins may soon be adding depth and experience at first base. Veteran Wil Cordero and his agent, Jeff Moorad, spent a few hours Thursday at Pro Player Stadium talking contract with the Marlins. Cordero, 32, played the last two seasons with the Expos. The left-handed hitting first baseman, who also can play the outfield, hit .278 with 16 homers and 71 RBIs with Montreal in 2003. On Thursday, Marlins general manager Admin Beinfest said the team had extended contract offers to a couple of players, but he didn't specify who. Beinfest has said the Marlins are seeking depth in the outfield and pitching. The team is looking to add relief help. The Marlins were one of the teams that witnessed pitcher Orlando Hernandez's workout at the University of Miami on Thursday. Cordero, a .276 career hitter with 121 lifetime homers in 1,191 games, is appealing for several reasons. First, he is a left-handed hitter with some power, and his price tag is under $1 million, meaning he fits into the budget. Also, the veteran offers experience in case Hee Seop Choi struggles at first. Should Cordero sign, it is unlikely the Marlins would use starting left fielder Jeff Conine at first base very often. Conine offers flexibility because he can play first, and could player there in platoon situations against left-handed pitching. The Marlins acquired the 24-year-old Choi from the Cubs for Derrek Lee in November. Florida is committed to giving Choi every opportunity to win the job. Cordero would provide some insurance. The fact Cordero also plays outfield would give the Marlins the option to having an extra left-handed bat in the lineup because he could spot start for Conine or right fielder Miguel Cabrera. Cordero played in 130 games for the Expos last season, and in 436 at-bats he had a .450 slugging percentage and a .354 on-base percentage. It's unlikely the Marlins would announce signing Cordero or any player on Friday because the team will be in Washington D.C. to be honored by President Bush for winning the World Series. The Marlins are expected to be greeted by the President between 2-3 p.m. Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

No Frank? Frank who? If you mean LHP Franklyn Gracesqui, he's on the 40 man roster. That list was the non-roster invitees.

Yes.

He signed with the Mariners yesterday.

From Rotoworld: Scott Sauerbeck - R - Boston Red Sox Jan 16 Free agent Scott Sauerbeck reportedly will undergo shoulder surgery next week and miss the season. This could explain some of his problems from the second half of last season. Sauerbeck has failed physicals for both the Cubs and Reds this winter, forcing him to undergo surgery.

Not gonna happen anyway. He's going to sign with the Rangers: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/da...de.8754f67.html

Well i'm not sure but i think tsuyoshi signed in japan.. o well Forget that yea shinjos in japan forget him... He returned to Japan, but why would anyone want to see him play for the Marlins? Great defensive player but can't hit to save his life.

Simon is cheap and more establish hitter At this point Simon > Choi I'm willing to give Choi a shot but it wouldn't be bad idea to sign Simon to have him ready if Choi struggles. Simon > Choi? Look at the stats. Choi will only get better and already has a better OPS than Simon. I would sign Simon for his pop off the bench, but not as a starting 1st baseman. Unless a markedly better player is available, like Vlad for example, then the job should be Choi's to lose. Mondesi, Karros, Simon, etc. are not improvements over the current starters and shouldn't stand in the way of Choi.

I wouldn't want Simon on my team. And I'm not sure VanderWal could help Choi out in any way. Why does Choi need to be helped out? He's 24, from all accounts an above average fielder, and he has one of the best INF coaches in the business in Perry Hill. Choi doesn't need the help as much as the Marlins need help off the bench. I wouldn't waste the money or roster spot on McGriff, when there are better hitters still available.

If you are looking to add another left handed 1st baseman there are better players than McGriff available like Randal Simon and John Vander Wal.

I dont think Choi is ready yet... It like saying Johnny Estrada (Catcher for Braves) is ready... I'll give Choi around 1-2 more years till he is really ready for the big show. 24yo Choi: .771 OPS 26-27yo Estrada: .665 OPS Why won't people give him a shot? He's got the tools. He's got the numbers. He's got everything but veteran experience. Who cares if the lineup looks weak. Who cares if every team in the league thinking they'll have easy outs. Choi, Castro and Conine aren't Piazza, Palmeiro, and Manny but they are better than half of the rest of the starters in the league. Let the sportswriters count us out again. Let the pitchers throw fat fastballs against those easy outs. Screw your message board bragging rights. We don't need big names. Especially not on a team with a limited payroll. We need a team that can win. And we have that. Look at last year's OD team versus today's: C: Pudge > Castro 1B: Lee > Choi 2B: Castillo < Castillo 3B: Lowell = Lowell SS: Gonzalez < Gonzalez LF: Hollandsworth < Conine CF: Pierre < Pierre RF: Encarnacion < Miggy Bench: Castro, Redmond, A Fox, Mordy, G Williams, Banks > Redmond, Mordy, Medrano/Hooper/Valdez/Easley, Banks, A. Nunez/? SP: Beckett, Pavano, Redman, Penny, Tejera < Beckett, Burnett, Penny, Willis, Pavano RP: Almanza, Looper, V Nunez, Spooneybarger, Neal, Phelps < Benitez, Neu, Fox, Tejera/Neal/Phelps/Bump/Sauerbeck? MAN: Torborg < McKeonI'm with you. Forget the big names right now. It's the bullpen and bench i'd be looking to improve. People are down on Choi for some unknown reason. Last year he was one of the top position player prospects in the game and was having a pretty good rookie year until the concussion. Despite the injury and Dusty Baker's love of playing the veteran Karros, he still posted an OPS of .771, higher than Juan Encarnacion's(.759) last year. The only available player out there that I would have preferred to Choi in the lineup was Vlad. Now that he's out of play, they are better off giving Choi the opportunity. As for catcher, unless Castro's in prison, i'd go with Castro/Redmond. If they struggle, then i'd use the available money, if there is any, to go get a replacement during the season. Vlad would have been a great addition, but at least he didn't go to the Mets and is out of the NL East. Right now, i'd make Sauerbeck my top target, as well as another bat off the bench.