I know we're still in the thicke of the football and basketball seasons, but what's been going on in baseball this offseason deserves a mention.

Are there any teams out there other than the Yankees or Red Sox?

The latest move- Javier Vasquez to the Yanks for Nick Johnson and a couple of other players.

I don't know if the Sheffield deal is done, but I think it's close. The Yanks probably have to send the Braves a draft pick or two for compensation.

Kevin Brown for Weaver is also on tap, though I think this one is unlikely...

Of course, there's the Schilling trade. Imagine having to hit against Schilling, Pedro, and Lowe in a 7 game series. Assuming you beat their 4th and 5th starters, you still have to beat 2 of these guys.

My team, the Cubbies' big move- getting set-up man extraordinaire LaTroy Hawkins! They also got Derek Lee from the Marlins. A good move, but a bit redundant because I think Simon could have held down the fort at first base. Next is Pudge!

Alright... now that I got that out of my system...

I'm disappointed that we got rid of Johnson, because he played some excellent defense in the playoffs and also was a great hitter. He was developing into quite the 1st Baseman.


Oh well, we'll have a healthy Giambi back next year.

Getting Vazquez is HUGE! He was easily one of the top 10 pitchers in baseball last year.

Oh I agree. I'm just sorry we had to get rid of Johnson.

YAY! We got Lowell Back!

I am already excited about the '04 season (and of course, spring training in Phoenix).

DB, what have you heard about Kevin Brown? I've been trying to follow my team but haven't read anything there.

Of course if I lose to JG this weekend in football, I will be imersing myself in baseball from now on. :rolleyes:

I have been following closely the transactions of the NL West as those are the games I am most likely to go to (AZ and Colorado) Guess next year, I get to go see that monster Sexson with the D-backs.

Since the Cubbies got rid of that dead weight Karros, there is no reason to find myself at Wrigley now. Although it would be worth it just to see the bullpen (complete with their pukas) in action.

Cant wait. Cant wait. Cant wait. Cant wait.

Of course it is always gratifying to get through another year of baseball season and not being asked to get my own place. For some reason, the family doesn't like me monopolizing the TV sets every night

Boston can get whoever, whenever and they will still find a way to come up short. Wasn't Shilling out most of 2003? and Pedro is five inning pitcher. Lowe is good. There's no guarantees with pitching. They are trying to unload Manny, but nobody wants his attitude. I hope George S. doesn't get baited in. Good Luck Beantown.

MC, I believe it was Randy Johnson who was gone for most of 2003. Schilling was injured for sometime, but his injury wasn't as severe as Johnson's injury.

The initial rumor was Weaver and Nick Johnson for Brown. With Johnson on his way to Montreal, they were saying Weaver for Brown, straight up. Like I said before, I think this deal is unlikely.

I heard on ESPN Radio that there's a 50/50 chance of a Ramirez for A-Rod trade. I wonder what they would do with Nomah? My guess is he would have to be shipped somewhere, maybe LA, where I hear he wants to go.

Hoy Many Marlins fans ARE there on the boards?

BGT, here's a quote from Sports Guy today that I think you might enjoy. He's comparing the late 90's Nomar to the present day Nomar.

“Can you win a World Series with him? Absolutely. Will I tell my grandkids that I watched him play some day? Not this current version. He couldn't hold a candle to the guy from the '99 and '00 seasons. It's not even a fair comparison -- it's like comparing Jessica Biel to Jessica Alba. Hey, you're fine with Jessica Biel. She may even appear in a few All-Star Games. But Jessica Alba ... good Lord.”

wow DB, when a man can have the best of both worlds - a mention of sports AND Jessica Alba - in the same breath...bet you were in heaven!

Nomar lives in California which is why he may have interest in playing for the Dodgers. But one has to think who has a better shot at the pennant next year? Sox or Blue?

When he is healthy, Nomar is amazing. But he is injured more times than not lately.

You know it!

Latest rumor is that Jason Kendall is going to the Cubs. What is it with the Cubs and high priced catchers that can't hit?? Last one was Todd Hundley. Thanks to LDV's Dodgers, they took that problem off the Cubbies' hands.

Just caught an ESPN article that the Marlins lowballed Pudge and the negotiations are off for now.

Woo...Jessica Alba...
I wasn't pleased to hear that Sexson was on the trading block up until a few weeks ago, but the D'Backs did give the Brewers some decent players. People here are PO'd at the Brewers Board of Directors for firing the President of the team and cutting payroll to $30 mill. It's depressing cuz we haven't had a winner in a loooong time. SO much for Miller Park. :rolleyes:

The Blue Jays haven't made too many moves so far but I happen to believe that we're one solid reliever away from the playoffs. On another note, will the Expos be in Montreal after next season??

ARE THERE NO MARLINS FANS?!

Guess not, MS... I, as a Cubbies fan, am glad! :p

Also, can you thank the Marlins management for making Pudge angry! Thanks! :p

A-Rod for Manny? Sure, everyone wants to play for a winning team. It will be interesting to see who is playing for the Red Sox when it is all said and done.

And the Rangers? they will be somewhat different as well. Where do you suppose Viagra will go?

Viagra is a loser... He had a chance to go to the Cubbies last year (and join the pennant race) and he decides to stay in Texas. He's not a winner.

Please tell me there is not a player named Viagra. That it's just a metaphore.

Palmiero, Bethie. Palmiero. Haven't you seen the commercials for the blue diamond???

Gosh, I had to teach you about Coors (the field, not the beer and some other things about baseball last season).

Yes, you ACT like you know nothing about the game...then you whoop up on us.

Can't wait till April...!

Oh, ok. I know about that. I just didn't put two and two together. I laugh outloud when I see that. Why would a young guy like him admit to using viagra? But he's an ex Oriole so he's not all there anyway.

Ex-Cubbie too... He's doubly messed up.

Speaking of Raphael Viagra, can you believe he would do a commercial for that stuff? Couldn't he get a sneaker company or clothing or chewing tobacco? I wonder what kind of crap he took from the boys in the locker room. He might be tougher than he looks.

Seriously, no one would make fun of Bob Dole, because... he's Bob Dole. He probably needs it!

But Raphael Viagra... how much money would you guys take to film a commercial like that?

That's what I was getting at MC. The money incentive couldn't have been all that great. Even if it did work wonders for him, that's something that should be kept between him and his wife. It's bad enough when Mark Martin does the commercial for Nascar. At least he's old and looks like he needs it.

Palmeiro is not THAT young...I think he is 39 or 40. But yes, his wife must be proud to walk down the street. Could you imagine if that big-mouth Brenda Warner's husband touted the stuff?

Although have you ever TRIED viagra? If you are with someone that doesn't need it, there is no real difference except it DOES make for a very, very, very long night. :rolleyes:

But just as I cringe at the woman stringing along feminine hygiene products on a string out the bathroom window at a party, I am embarrassed by Palmiero's choice of endorsement. Rock on, Bob Dole.

How did a thread entitled "Offseason Baseball Talk" evolve into a discussion about ED and Viagra? Some of us "oldsters" can get a little touchy when the subject of, um, "performance" comes up. :rolleyes:

Can we get back to business here?

I think the Mets are nuts to sign Kaz Matsui. There gonna move Reyes to second base, which is a mistake. Why mess with a 20 year old phenom and put him at a position where, because of the pivot on the double play, the injury rate is fairly high.

Just caught this on the news wires...

December 8, 2003 (New York)- Pfizer, Inc. (PFE), the makers of Viagra (TM), proudly announces the continuation of their "MLB Blue Diamond" Program and the signing of two more prominent Major League Baseball stars.

First baseman Eric Karros, former Los Angeles Dodger rookie of the year and star player for the Chicago Cubs, will follow the likes of Texas Rangers star Raphael Palmeiro, as he stars in his own Viagra commercial. His ads will air in his native homestate of New Jersey, and also California and Illinois.

The program's international outreach continues into Latin America as third baseman Vinny Castilla promotes the Viagra product in the countries of Mexico, Puerto Rico, and other spanish-speaking countries. Mr. Castilla currently plays for the Atlanta Braves and previously starred for the Colorado Rockies. He also had brief stops in Tampa Bay and Houston.

Says Pfizer CEO, Mr. Henry McKinnell, Jr. on the announcement, "We are very happy to announce our agreement with Mr. Karros and Mr. Castilla. With Mr. Palmeiro and Mr. Karros, we have two players that have name recognition throughout the continental U.S. Mr. Castilla, of course, provides us access to the latin markets. We are very happy!"