2010-2011 MLB Offseason Thread

[dfreely]

Ah, Milledge.. such an overrated prospect back when he was with the Mets, and virtually impossible to like. Still, kinda surprised he isn't at least a solid player yet.

And gosh, Ryan Church. He was really good a few years back. Never the same after those concussions though.

[coolmoors]

Orioles have signed Vlad. The AL East is going to be a really tight one this year...

[dfreely]

Bit of a weird move by the Orioles I think.. DH wasn't really a spot they needed to fill, and putting Vlad there would move Scott to LF, where Pie/Reimold should be given a shot at. I think the AL East is still a three team race for the most part, but it's certainly getting more competitive, and that's good to see. Until a few years ago, it seems like it's been just Yanks and Sox for the longest time.

Yanks have reportedly signed Eric Chavez to their DL.

The Rangers are trying to trade Michael Young, possibly to the Rockies. That would free up the DH spot, possibly for Mike Napoli.

[packrat]

Finally! Spring training games start today.

Yesterday, the Pirates beat up on a college team. Sounds like a new and better system than playing other MLB teams...

[coolmoors]

Chipper's doing pretty good in ST....

[dfreely]

A hodgepodge of random news over the past week..

Mets release both Luis Castillo and Oliver Perez, and are on the hook for nearly $20 mil. Castillo signed with the Phillies, not sure where Perez will end up if anywhere. I actually thought there was a chance the Mets would keep Castillo.

Ian Snell retired. Kinda weird because a lot of people predicted a breakout season a couple of years back (he ended up pretty horrendous), and he's still only 29 I believe.

Twins release Pat Neshek, who was then picked up by the Padres. I don't follow the Twins, but they make some pretty weird moves..

[packrat]

The Twins didn't release Neshek, they put him through waivers in an effort to outright him to AAA. Don't know why they couldn't just leave him on the 40 man roster and simply demote him, since he still has an option left.

[dfreely]

Yep, waivers.. I'm apparently calling everything a release these days. That minor league option was what made it so weird.. I know Neshek hasn't been healthy for a long time, but with a minor league option, and a bullpen that's not exactly strong, he must have some problems I'm not aware of if the Twins decide to basically give him away.

[packrat]

With the Twins you never know, but I think he's as healthy as one can be. Coming off Tommy John surgery, that is. It can take a few years for some guys to return to normal. I haven't heard any reports of him battling any arm problems -- neither on his blog nor on his bulletin board. He usually will report these things on his BB first to let his hardcore fans know ahead of everyone else.

The unofficial reasoning is that the Twins wanted to send Neshek down to AAA so he can work on returning to form, and in the process clear up a spot on the 40 man for one of two prospects who have been doing well this spring.

By the way -- last year Pat pulled an April Fool's joke on his BB. He said that he was traded to the Padres and he added, "This suck.s." At that time the Padres did suck. Ironicaly they are now a solid contender, if the pitching holds up.

[packrat]

The Twins have done it again with their head-scratching moves. They decided not to keep Rule-5 draft pick Scott Diamond on the 25 man roster so they arranged a trade with Kansas City (I think) and sent highly touted prospect Billy Bullock to them in order to be able to send Diamond to AAA.