Monday Morning Manager...Leaving Las Vegas

I think a lot of teams will wait until closer to spring training to sign free agents. I suspect some of the players might be willing to accept small contracts then.

Julia
http://werbiefitz.mlblogs.com/

1. RJ makes a good fallback option if we mis out on Sheets. But I don't think it's worth having both Johnson and Sheets if it takes a rotation slot away from a young pitcher like Harrison or Hurley.

2. Sheets represents one thing this team hasn't had in a long time: an honest #1-caliber starter, someone you know will give you quality innings when he's on the mound. Sheets problem is of course staying on the mound, but with his talent he's worth the health risk (much like Milton Bradley was this year). It would be a huge coup, from many standpoints to land Sheets - talent, PR, leadership and morale all included among those. However, if the Rangers wait too long I don't think we're going to get him - if they want him they need to sign him now and worry about trading Millwood or Padilla to free up the salary room once they have Sheets in the fold.

3. The AL East could very well be the most competitive division in the AL, if not all of baseball next year if Sabathia and Burnett work out in the short term for the Yanks. But among the East's "big three" - Rays, Red Sox and Yanks - I think the Yankees are still third-best as things currently stand.

4. Probably Boston, Anaheim or NY, in my estimation. I don't see any way he signs in Baltimore or Washington if he wants another taste of the postseason.

5. Only so I could have the satisfaction of firing him.

1. Randy Johnson on a one or two year deal is fine by me. The guy is a leader, a great example, and he gives his team innings.

2. Highly talented. Highly brittle. I'll pass.

3. I hope not.

4. I'm still saying Anaheim, but I hope its a team in the NL.

5. Not sure on Boras. I would want to maximize my salary during my playing window, but there are a lot of things that are more important than money. If he couldn't do what I asked him to do because he was chasing the biggest payday in a place I had no interest in going - he'd have to go.

I'm going to respond to the Randy Johnson and Ben Sheets issues. Yes it would be nice too get two guys in here that could give us maybe another 30 wins from a starter (15 ea) but there are a lot of strings attached to that. Millwood would have to go to absorb some of the cost of that move. In addition we would end up losing one or more of our young starters I think...either DFA'd, traded or something. That last is a long term problem. I don't know.... But it all probably boils down to nothing as neither will probably want to sign here.

1. At the right price, with one year contract based on appearance performance incentives and if he’s really going to be a “mentor” to the young pitcher I wouldn’t mind.

2. Unlike Randy Johnson – we know that Ben Sheets is not looking for a one-year deal. I’d be very hesitant to give him a long term contract based on his injury history. If the Rangers don’t sign Johnson and if they can move either Kevin Millwood’s or Vincente Padilla’s contract – they maybe if Sheets will sign an incentive laden contract – but the more I think about it – maybe not.

3. My response is: Go Rays! Go Red Sox! I hope not.

4. I’m guessing Anaheim – but the Yankees might swoop in at the last minute and give Tex/Boras the deal they want.

5. Sure – remember how he managed to create a “market” and get Tom Hicks to bid against himself for ARod? I’d love have him negotiate my next employment contact

http://emcmlb.blogspot.com/

1. Sure. 1 year, if we can move Millwood first.

2. His injury history is downright scary, but when he's out there he's dominant. I'd be ok with him on a 2 year deal if Millwood is moved first.

3. No. I hope not, at least. Boston is going to make improvements and Tampa should improve just by getting a full season from Price and the natural progression of their young players.

4. In order of likelihood: Angels, Red Sox, Yankees or other. Given the 2 pitchers the Yankees have signed, Boston may intensify their efforts, but the Angels are making Teix their first priority now that Sabathia is off the market.

5. Probably not.

1. RJ is a pitching version of sammy sosa, bringinging him heree to set a record would not mean much to me not to mention the health risks of a 45 year old pitcher.

2. Sheets could be a lot of things the rangers have not had in a long long time, he is young enough to be a part of the future or a player JD could flip at the deadline, either weay it would be a positive anyway i look at it.

3. Neither over-payed player will stay healthy enough to contribute.

4. the AL East

5. No, i would not want to end up not signed and black-balled like barry bonds

1. I like the veteran presence he could bring to the clubhouse, so I'd probably be ok with it for the right terms (short and low-cost).

2. I prefer Sheets over Johnson. He's not as much of a veteran, but he's still a proven front-line starter. His health issues, of course, worry me, so there will have to be some concessions made.

3. I really don't think those two arms are going to be the difference for NY.

4. I'd be really surprised not to see him in pinstripes.

5. I like EMC's answer. Ha ha ha.

- Micah
http://www.baseballismybf.com

1. On a one or two yr. deal, yes. He'd be good for the youngsters and unlike Mr. Millwood, you know he'd give his all. Plus he's had success here before, even though it was like a decade ago.

2. I think Sheets is worth the gamble, but not both him and RJ. Sheets on a two year deal with a performance based option would be ok.

3. Don't they think that every year when they sign players to ridiculus contracts? CC will be good for them for maybe 2 years but AJ will get hurt, and prob often, so no. Their "drought" should continue and the longer the better.

4. I honestly think Boston. They will sign him just to shove it in the face of the Yanks and their fans, and in doing so, prob win another titile.

5. If I was greedy yes. But since money is just a material thing and he doesn't seem to care where a player would prefer to play, I'd go with a more honest agent, if there is such a thing.

1. I like the idea of Randy Johnson being here. Mainly in the mentor role. I feel he will not take too much time away from the young guys because once he gets his 300th win, I'l bet he gets sore and one of the young guys goes in his slot anyway. I'm sure he'd like to make 5000 K's but he'd have to pitch in 2010 as well. Dumping Millwood to sign RJ would be a bad move IMO. Millwood is pitching for his next contract this year so lets ride that one out until the deadline anyway.

2. You hear alot about Sheets' talent but the lack of "hot pursuit" by the big money clubs on him early makes me wonder if the rest of the league really thinks he won't hold up healthwise. However, he had a 2.95 era over his last 10 games last year while pitching hurt. Yeah, he gave up 5 runs over 6 twice but he also had 2 complete game shutouts. This club really needs that Andy Pettite type of starter that can stop a skid. No 10 game losing streaks. If Sheets can be that guy, and the medical folks think he won't break, sign him.

3. The Yankees still haven't done much on the offensive side. A-Rod will be A-Rod. Abreu and Giambi are gone. Jeter and Michael Young had comparable years offensively and MY had 2 broken fingers. So, I don't see the Yankees be dominant. They don't play alot of 2-1 games in the AL, East or otherwise.

4. NY, Boston, or Anaheim. Boras' new poster boy.

5. If I were all about "Show Me the Money"... But, I am not, so I'd let him take his manipulative little schemes elsewhere to earn(?) his commissions.

1. Randy Johnson. I think Nolan maybe on to something here. Sign Randy to a 1 year contract. He could be a good influence for our tall pitchers which we seem to have quite a few and our good lefties coming through the organization as well. I would be for that. No harm in asking him.

2. Trade either Padilla or Millwood. Sign Sheets to the 2 year deal he wants and i think that would a nice fit. I think he would be comfortable here. He already lives in Dallas and he would have his old pitching coach too. I like Ben Sheets. And as luck would have it #15 is now availble.

3. Sabathia and Burnett were the top 2 pitchers on the market I believe. Does it make the Yankess any better yes a lot better. But they will still have to play against the Red Sox and Rays. The Yankees got to hope that starting picthcing was there only whole. Personally, I hope that even with the additions they have made they still find a way to underachive.

4. I think he will end up with the Red Sox or the Angels. I think the Red Sox will try harder to sign Tex because of what the Yankess just did with Sabathia and Burnett. I think he will want win a world series and get paid and the Red Sox or Angels will be the best place for him to go.
5. The one thing he does a good job at is get his client the best contract over and over again. Yes, he is the baseball anti-christ but he will get you a pile of money. So if I were a great baseball player and were worth millions of dollars I would want to get the best deal possible and if I had to have Scott Boras as my agent to get it. Then Yes, I think I would let him be my agent.

Victor Rojas it was great to get to listen to you. Your style complimented Eric's so well. I hope the Rangers get another radio announcer that has the same kind of repor with Eric. Good Luck.

1. Only if either Padilla or Millwood get moved.
2. free agent aces who only ask for 2-years and are willing to come to Texas don't grow on trees. Gotta make it happen.
3. Heck yes
4. NYY
5. Naw, there's plenty of money to be had in MLB free agency, no need to get evil about it.

There was too much talent in that radio booth, something had to give!

1) Yes, but Randy is playing us. All else being equal he ends up on the west coast or back in Arizona at the price he wants. Randy is selfish and gets what he wants.
2) I like Sheets if he can stay healty.
3) Yes with Burnett, Sabathia, Pettite, Wang and Chamberlain. The Yankees have figured it out it truly is about the pitching.
4) I thought it would be Boston, but now who knows? I do know this if Texiera signs with the Orioles and/or the Nationals just for the money then he is a chump in my book after all the talk of i want to play for a winner, we are never going to win in Texas. At this point, he has played for the Angels who are gonna be the team for the next 3 to 4 years in the west. So we will see.
5) No there is nothing wrong with Boras wanting to get top dollar for his client, but it seems to hurt his client that he is so hard nosed. I like money but there are more important things, like being happy where you are playing, wanting to play there. If the Red Sox offered me a little less money than the Rangers and they were competing for titles every year then i go to the Red Sox because i want to win. Surely those things have value?

The difference between $180 Million to $200 Million isn't called financial security in my book. Nor is it to be referred to as an ability to feed my family. It is laughable what is being offered to a bunch of crybabies who say one thing and do another. If Tex loves the game and wants to play for the Orioles then that is one thing, take a little less money and do it.