Any baseball fans following the Winter Meetings???

[Blue Meanie]

As a NY Mets Fan I am completely puzzled by what the Mets are doing. Reyes I knew was a goner via free agency. Now they've traded Angel Pagan, their starting centerfielder, for two 34 year old has been players. The only thing I can think of is that the Mets may want to re-sign Beltran and put him back in Centerfield. That's the only thing that would make sense. Just perplexed

[ScottA]

Miami Marlins? When did that happen? All I've heard about is the Marlins pursuit if Albert P. Will he or won't he sign with them?

[Random Axe]

Hey Berto, just convert to the Yankees. You always know what their intentions are.

All of these winter meetings and free agency press conferences are exciting, but at the same time highlight the major problems with the game. Smaller market teams will always be used as feeders to the larger markets. A hard salary cap would be nice, but I think the money paid out to these guys is too far gone to bring it back down to realistic numbers.

I think Pujols re-signs with the Cardinals.

[kingdom warrior]

My Yanks just need another starter don't know yet what they're going after. Been follwing to see who else the marlins get. They look like they want to spend the big bucks to compete against the Phillies.

Mets ownership is clueless, Wilpon is an idiot and I doubt Beltran would want to come back to the Mets mess...I doubt they even have money too sign him.

I want to see where Pujols finally lands Marlins are throwing a **** load of money his way
and Prince Fielder may not be back with the Brewers....He'd be a Beast with the Cubbies....

[megomania]

As a NY Mets Fan I am completely puzzled by what the Mets are doing. Reyes I knew was a goner via free agency. Now they've traded Angel Pagan, their starting centerfielder, for two 34 year old has been players. The only thing I can think of is that the Mets may want to re-sign Beltran and put him back in Centerfield. That's the only thing that would make sense. Just perplexed

Seems like the Mets are shedding salary...don't they have ownership concerns/issues money-wise, with the whole Maddof thing and the Wilpon's in general?

-Chris

[stabilio]

Next to the actual season, there's not too much I like better than hot stove baseball.

As a NY Mets Fan I am completely puzzled by what the Mets are doing. Reyes I knew was a goner via free agency. Now they've traded Angel Pagan, their starting centerfielder, for two 34 year old has been players. The only thing I can think of is that the Mets may want to re-sign Beltran and put him back in Centerfield. That's the only thing that would make sense. Just perplexed

As much as Met fans refuse to believe it, the team is going to basically be cutting everything. Beltran? Not a snowball's chance in hell. I'd almost guarantee that Francisco will be the most they spend on any free agent this offseason (2 years, $12 million). I think if anyone actually accepts the situation as what it is, looking at these 3 transactions they made, I think are all good moves. Rauch and Ramirez (who is 30, not 34) as setup men and Francisco as closer have dramatically improved the bullpen. Its actually made their bullpen formidable.

As for centerfield, Torres actually upgrades them defensively at centerfield. Offensively, there's not much difference in production between him and Pagan and he actually can lead off, which Pagan showed he clearly cannot. Torres will turn 34 next year, but Pagan is not exactly some kid prospect - he's over 30. And despite what he did 2 years ago, he's not a good player. But Met fans have this tendency to latch onto these crappy players who have these small runs of production and think they are going to be great players. I've seen Angel Pagan before when he was named Benny Agbayani and before that when he was named Timo Perez - junk players that Mets fans loved.

Bottom line, these were good moves made by the Mets. And if you are unhappy with this one, I think you are probably not gonna be happy moving forward. Word is Ike Davis is being shopped. As well as Niese. If Santana actually shows hes healthy enough to pitch this year, he'll be gone before the trade deadline as well. Rumblings are also that the moving in the outfield walls was largely done in part to pad Bay's stats so they can find a sucker to unload him on.

The only thing I've heard that might be good news for Met fans is that Hanley Ramirez is not willing to move to third for the Marlins to accomodate the Reyes signing. And the Marlins are looking to trade him now. The rumor is they are looking to swap him for Wright. Ramirez is the better player but, given his attitude (the response to Reyes signing, not to mention he ran his manager out of town in 2010) and the Mets fans love for Wright, that might actually upset Met fans more than excite them.

Pujols will definitely end up back with the Cardinals.

[kingdom warrior]

QUOTE stabilio Rumblings are also that the moving in the outfield walls was largely done in part to pad Bay's stats so they can find a sucker to unload him on.


Not only Bay, but Poor Wright power numbers in the new stadium are not the same I saw him hit a few balls last season that should have been homeruns and stayed in because of that wall...what Jackass authorised those high walls? Keeping homeruns in the Ball bark nice way to help your guys NOT!.......I keep seeing these new stadiums with high freeking walls.....If I was a power hitter I'd be so ****ed to play in many of these new stadiums.....

[kingdom warrior]

Pujols agreed to sign with the Angels WOW!!!

[RickD]

Magic Johnson is in talks to be a part owner of the Dodgers. I am sure anything is better than Frank Mcourt. It is a shame what happened for that couple years to that organization during their divorce.

As a huge Dogers fan I am happy we are in the rebuilding phase.

[kingdom warrior]

Angels also Got CJ wilson too.......

[Blue Meanie]

Pujols will be a perfect fit for the Angels. The deal makes sense for both the GM and the player. Figure Pujols has probably 5 good seasons left...maybe 6...as a position player. DH for the 4 remaining seasons on his contract.

Supposedely the Marlins offered 10/$275 Million. The no trade clause was the difference...cause he signed with the Angels for 10/$254 million.

[stabilio]

I'm still in shock that Pujols left the Cardinals. Can't say it doesn't make sense for him, but I really thought he'd stay in St. Louis over going for the money. The Angels have a lot of first basemen now if Kendrys Morales is ready to return from his ankle injury next year and Mark Trumbo having just come in 2nd in ROY voting.

[kingdom warrior]

I'm still in shock that Pujols left the Cardinals. Can't say it doesn't make sense for him, but I really thought he'd stay in St. Louis over going for the money. The Angels have a lot of first basemen now if Kendrys Morales is ready to return from his ankle injury next year and Mark Trumbo having just come in 2nd in ROY voting.

Pujols had a father son type of a relationship with LaRussa. LaRussa retiring pretty much set in motion Pujols decision to leave. 10 years, two world championships, 3 NL MVP awards 9 time all star and the list goes on...

Can't blame the man for wanting to secure his familys future and closing out his Cardinal career on a high note. this guy is the real deal and probably the one who will break Barry Bonds( pause to laugh) home run record.......

I'm just one that believes while you can play make as much money as you can.....

[toys2cool]

Pujols agreed to sign with the Angels WOW!!!

just heard...NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[toys2cool]

Miami's dealing man...but I don't what they think they'll be getting from this new stadium