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| "50 million, yeah!" |
$12.5 million for 4-years is reportedly enough for Jonathan Papelbon to sign with the team that right now has to again be the presumptive favorite to win the National League.
After what was a mediocre 2010 season by Papelbon’s earlier standard, he had perhaps his best year as Boston’s closer, a disappointing September aside.
I can’t help but wonder if the Phillies will have enough hitting to make up for aging, fading, and injury prone stars such as Utley, Ibanez, Howard, and Polanco?
This deal, if it is made, clinches Roy Oswalt finding a new team, and presents Boston with probably handing their closer gig to Daniel Bard.
With Jimmy Rollins a free agent for the Phils, will they make an offer to Jose Reyes?
Pujols taking his talents to South Beach?
A new stadium and a new name has the Miami Marlins apparently ready to spend some dollars in free agency, as they’ve reportedly made an offer not only to Pujols, but the Mets Reyes, and the White Sox Mark Buerhle as well.
Marlins owners Jeffrey Loria has been notoriously tight-fisted with money during his ownership of the team, but thinks his club can average 30,000 in attendance, and take advantage of the enormous Latin-American population in the area – hence the signing of Ozzie Guillen as manager.
I am not sure what signing Reyes means in respect to Hanley Ramirez, the incumbent (and All Star) shortstop, other than finally moving him to the outfield, something that’s been talked about for some time.
If it does happen the Miami signs all three of these guys, will they have a TV Special and call themselves the Dream Team? It would certainly create a lot more interest in the NL East, which with Atlanta sure to be stronger in 2012, may challenge the AL East for best division in MLB?
Francona to manage the Cardinals?
I am thinking this won’t happen, but if it did, it would immediately make me wonder who Tito would bring on as his pitching coach? I am not making a beer and take-out chicken joke. Fact is that Dave Duncan is 66-years old, and his wife is battling cancer. Beyond that potential roadblock, if Duncan does not return, how good is that Cardinal pitching staff? Getting Adam Wainwright back and fully healthy has to be a huge priority in addition to keeping Pujols, or trying to fill that huge void if he leaves.
Isn’t Prince Fielder the top free agent signing?
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| A Prince and a King |
Some time back I advanced the idea of Epstein bringing in Francona to manage the Cubs? While I still think it’s possible for that to happen, wouldn’t it be fun to see the Cubs signing Pujols, and the Cards signing Francona and Prince?
Won’t happen, but it’s fun to think about.
No Yu!
Not you, Yu, as in Yu Darvish, the latest in an apparently long line of Japanese starting pitchers readyand willing to play in America for the millions someone will give him.
In many ways, Darvish is a lot different than those that have preceded him, not the least of which is his weight of 220 pounds that is spread nicely across a height of 6’5". Those are the kinds of numbers scout love to see in addition to a fastball in the upper 90’s, fabulous command, and an age of only 25.
Many teams will not be able to afford to sign him, and the few that do have the dollars are well aware of the generally spotty history Japanese starting pitchers have had, based on the contracts they have received in the U.S.
Maybe we can finally answer the question of whether you can ever have enough pitching by saying Yu is enough pitching?
Wilson Ramos rescued from kidnappers in Venezuela
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| Ramos reunited with his wife |
Venezuela has been haunted in recent years by the kidnapping of rich and famous people. The mother of former major league pitcher Victor Zambrano was kidnapped in 2009, as was the son of Rangers catcher Yorvit Torrealba, and his uncle. Going back farther we had former Angels infielder Gus Polidor being killed in April, 1995 while trying to prevent the kidnapping of his infant son via a carjacking. It was very nice to see Ramos escape a nasty situation.
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