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My letter to Mark Teixeira: It was all about the money

By Joe Florkowski | January 7, 2009 | Big A Baseball

Dear Mark Teixeira,Call this sour grapes if you will but....When I read that Mark Teixeira made his decision to go to the Yankees based on his wife's decision, I said to myself, "What a LIAR!"Mark, you went for the money.Just be honest. You went for the money.The Yankees offered you between $12 million and $20 million than you were getting from other teams.Don't try to develop this cutesy story about how you asked your wife where you wanted to be and she hemmed and hawed and said that she wanted you to be happy, but then - oh my gosh - she turned around and said, "I want you to be a Yankee."That sure is a great story and I am sure it will make the back pages of the New York tabloids. But it is a bunch of hooey.You went for the big payday. I can't blame you. I...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Angels, Teixeira, Yankees

Initial Thoughts of MLB Network

By Alan Smodic | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Much like DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings package, the MLB Network is more baseball than one can handle. -- programwitch/Flickr.com

On January 1, Major League Baseball followed in the footsteps of the NFL and NHL by unveiling its own channel -- the MLB Network.If you don't already know what this exactly is, MLBNetwork.com's about page helps:MLB Network stands for Major League Baseball Network, which means access to more baseball than America's ever seen! This new 24-hour network delves into the world of baseball, going far beyond the field. Fans can tune in at any time for fresh perspectives, current news, the latest trade rumors, pre and post-game banter, highlights and more.Again, if you've seen the NFL or NHL networks, just picture those and think baseball. I wasn't sure if I'd receive the channel (I get the NFL network, but not the NHL), so I was surprised to see it coming in through my satellite. Obviously, I checked it out.I was impressed with my first viewing. The first show I saw...

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Cordero to audition for teams.

By Sean Heyboer | January 6, 2009 | Trumbull and Michigan

Chad Cordero is feeling healthy and will throw for a few interested teams in the very near future it seems. According to the report, the interested teams are the Angels, Mets, Rangers, Cardinals, Diamondbacks and Tigers. I am hoping the Mets and Angels will pass on him due to their Fuentes signing and K-Rod/Putz signing respectively. I have said it before, but Cordero could be a great fit - if healthy.-s...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Chad Cordero, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Tigers

Weekend Update: Catching up...

By bottomlinesox | January 5, 2009 | The Bottom Line

Jason Varitek - Bosoxs

Incase you spent most of the weekend recovering from a New Years party hangover, here are a few tid bits you might have missed: The Providence Journal is reporting that the Red Sox have rekindled talks with Scott Boras about Jason Varitek and a two-year deal may be on the table. Boras is still hoping to get Tek a four-year deal and around $10M per year, but with no other suitors, the Sox can afford to wait for reality to sink in. That said, I'm not too keen on using a combo of Bard/Brown/Kottaras in 2009, so I hope the Sox either re-sign Varitek or bite the bullet and trade Buchholz for a young catcher like Saltalamacchia or Montero. * * * * Gregg Zaun told the Boston Globe he would love to play for the Red Sox: "I'd love it. My agent has had ongoing talks with Boston and I...

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Boston Red Sox, Doug Mirabelli, Gregg Zaun, Jason Varietk, Los Angeles Angels, Mark Teixeria, New York Yankees, Scott Boras

MLB Top 10: Best Offseason Acquisitions to Date

By Jaymes Langrehr | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Oakland won the Matt Holliday sweepstakes in November -- bryce_edwards/flickr

It's hard to believe that baseball's offseason is nearly over, but pitchers and catchers report to spring training in just over a month. A struggling economy and penny-pinching GMs have led to a somewhat slow offseason, but that doesn't mean good deals were made. With all the publicity the Yankees' spending spree is getting this winter, it's easy to lose track of some of the better deals that flew under the radar. Here are 10 smart transactions (made at a sensible cost) that you may have forgotten about.10. Jeremy Affeldt to the Giants -- signed for 2 years, $8 millionThe first free agent signing of the offseason wasn't very glamorous, but it's turned out to be one of the better (read: sensible) signings of the offseason. Affeldt may not light the world on fire, but he's a very solid lefty reliever that will make San Francisco's bullpen better. Give credit...

Read more | 5 Comments | Tags: Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants, Top Ten, Washington Nationals

Top Fits for Andruw Jones

By Evan | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Andruw Jones - kla4607/Flickr.com

With word that the Los Angeles Dodgers have restructured outfielder Andruw Jones' contract to an affordable $5 million deal (with the rest of the $15 million deferred over the next six years without interest) and a pledge by the Dodgers to release or trade Jones so he can land with a new team, which teams seem like fits for Jones?There are a couple criteria that need to be met to fit for Jones. One is that Jones is primarily a centerfielder, although we won't let that play too much into our fits -- outfielders, centerfielders most notably, tend to move around the outfield corners more often than infielders do.Secondly, Jones has expressed a desire to start and will control his fate if he is released. Only through the trade market would a team be able to secure him as a fourth outfielder if they promised to give him ample playing...

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers

Fantasy Baseball 2009-Impact of Angels signing Brian Fuentes

By Brad Berreman | January 1, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Earlier in the week, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim signed former Colorado Rockies' closer Brian Fuentes to a two-year, $17.5 million dollar contract with a club option for a third year. The Angels now have their replacement for Francisco Rodriguez, who signed with the New York Mets earlier this offseason. The Rockies simply didn't have room in what is looking to be a crowded back end of their bullpen to retain Fuentes. Fuentes had 30 saves in 34 chances in 2008 after regaining the closer's role in Colorado, which he had lost in 2007. He is a three-time All-Star (2005-2007), and has 115 career saves. Fuentes finished 2008 strong, going 16-for-16 in save opportunities and a 1.75 ERA after the All-Star break. Also, he had a 1.84 ERA on the road in 2008, so a move out of Colorado should be a move that will benefit him. He is...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Brian Fuentes, Fantasy, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Outsider, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, MLB Outsider

MLB Crystal Ball: Angels Better with Fuentes

By Jaymes Langrehr | December 31, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Eric Kilby/flickr Yes, Francisco Rodriguez broke the single season saves record last year. Yes, he's now pitching in New York. And yes, he left a pretty big hole in the back of the Angels bullpen.But Angels fans shouldn't worry. With the signing of Brian Fuentes, not only have the Angels found a suitable replacement for K-Rod -- they flat out got a better player.While Rodriguez did set a new record for saves in a season, you could easily argue that 2008 wasn't his best -- or even his second best -- season in his career. His strikeouts were down from years past. He allowed a few more guys on base than years past, and 1-2-3 innings were less common. He blew seven saves. His stuff never seemed as nasty as it was in years past. His record setting saves total likely could have been duplicated by any of the...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Brian Fuentes, Francisco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, MLB Crystal Ball

Initial Thoughts of MLB Network

By Alan Smodic | January 6, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Much like DirecTV's MLB Extra Innings package, the MLB Network is more baseball than one can handle. -- programwitch/Flickr.com

Read more | Discuss | Tags: MLB

MLB Top 10: Best Offseason Acquisitions to Date

By Jaymes Langrehr | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Oakland won the Matt Holliday sweepstakes in November -- bryce_edwards/flickr

Top Fits for Andruw Jones

By Evan | January 5, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Andruw Jones - kla4607/Flickr.com

Fantasy Baseball 2009-Impact of Angels signing Brian Fuentes

By Brad Berreman | January 1, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Brian Fuentes, Fantasy, Fantasy Baseball, Fantasy Outsider, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, MLB Outsider

MLB Crystal Ball: Angels Better with Fuentes

By Jaymes Langrehr | December 31, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Brian Fuentes, Francisco Rodriguez, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, MLB Crystal Ball

Winter Meetings Report: Sabathia disappoints with NYC money grab; Mets dominate closers market; Big bats still available

By Brandon Rosage | December 12, 2008 | MVN Outsider

One host couldn't hide his disdain for the plot twist CC Sabathia supplied for baseball's off-season storyline, while the other host can't get enough big market spending. In this "Winter Meetings Report," The Pitch hosts Joe Aiello and Brandon Rosage bicker about the affect Sabathia's signing has on the off-season market, as well as the business of entertainment for Major League Baseball. Discussion also moves to the New York Mets' acquisition of Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz to solidify their bullpen, and the latest developments regarding Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez' future. Plus, the show gives some time to the Red Sox' new logos and added rumor mill sorting. Join the discussion, listen in and participate via e-mail (thepitch@mvn.com) or in the comments....Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: audio, Boston Red Sox, CC Sabathia, Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals

Winter Meetings Primer: Hudson and Crede top values on IF; How to assess pitching market; Rumor mill

By Brandon Rosage | December 5, 2008 | MVN Outsider

With four days until the start of baseball's Winter Meetings in Las Vegas, The Pitch assesses the market at each key position. Hosts Joe Aiello and Brandon Rosage start with the pool of free agent infielders, ranking Orlando Hudson, Joe Crede and Casey Blake highly above sluggers demanding more dough. Moving past Manny Ramirez, the discussion moves to good-value outfielders, like Raul Ibanez and Bobby Abreu. The show sorts through the overrated and underrated hurlers on the pitching market, including praise for Oliver Perez, Derek Lowe, Randy Johnson and Jon Garland. Join the discussion, listen in and participate via e-mail (thepitch@mvn.com) or in the comments....Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: audio, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, MLB, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants

Hot Stove Dishes - November 28, 2008

By Brian Joseph | November 28, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The latest buzz served up from baseball's Hot Stove League. Ten of the hottest stories, moves and rumors from the past week: Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia -- the L.A. Angels "shell game" continues.The Angels haven't made an offer to Mark Teixeira even though they want him but have floated the idea of offering big money to CC Sabathia -- even though it might be tough to match the Yankees' gigantic offer -- and Teixeira's side has countered. Teixeira's agent Scott Boras revealed that Teixeira has had offers worth considering. All of the peripheral talk from the Angels about Sabathia as an alternative target and Teixeira's interest from other clubs stems from a difference in years of service the club is looking to give Teixeira and the 10 years that the slugger is seeking. You got to love the Hot Stove posturing, don't you? Brian Fuentes wants major cash and K-Rod doesn't want...Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: A.J. Burnett, Baltimore Orioles, Barry Bonds, Brian Fuentes, CC Sabathia, Detroit Tigers, Francisco Rodriguez, Freddy Garcia, Houston Astros, Jake Peavy, Ken Griffey Jr., Los Angeles Angels, Mark Teixeira, MLB, New York Mets, Oakland Athletics, Rafael Furcal, Randy Wolf, Roger Clemens, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays

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