Other Sports *****OFFICIAL MLB FREE AGENCY THREAD***** - Page 5

**Shogun** · 11-02-2011, 05:05 PM

STARTS AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT!

What to Follow : http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Buster Olney - http://twitter.com/#!/Buster_ESPN

MLB Network - http://twitter.com/#!/MLBNetwork

post more if you have them.

**Buck** · 12-05-2011, 03:27 AM

And they are after CJ Wilson or Buehrle.

tk13 · 12-14-2011, 06:42 PM

Lots of Yu Darvish buzz tonight. Reportedly Darvish's team was very excited about how high the winning bid was, so it looks like he might be playing here next year. Lot of buzz on twitter about the Blue Jays, but we'll see. Some people seem to think the Cubs may have put in a pretty large bid too. Buster Olney says all the executives he talked to think it was the Jays or Rangers.

**lewdog** · 12-16-2011, 11:49 PM

I just had to put this in here out of my respect for Cuddyer. I have just always loved his ability to play almost every position. I don't know why but I always really liked this guy.

DENVER -- The Rockies are putting the final touches on a three-year, $31.5 million contract with outfielder Michael Cuddyer, a Major League source confirmed to MLB.com on Friday morning.

Colorado general manager Dan O'Dowd declined to comment. The Rockies will not make an official announcement until after Cuddyer undergoes a physical next week.

The right-handed-hitting Cuddyer, 32, hit .284 with 20 home runs and 70 RBIs for the Twins last season. He has hit at least 20 homers three times in his career, including a career-high 32 in 2009. In 1,139 career games, all with the Twins, Cuddyer is a .272 hitter with 141 homers and 580 RBIs.

Cuddyer figures to fit in the lineup in left field, but also could move to first base on days Todd Helton is not in the lineup. The Rockies could use him in the No. 5 spot behind shortstop Troy Tulowitzki or at No. 6 if the Rockies want the left-handed-hitting Helton to continue to bat behind Tulowitzki.

Cuddyer also offers versatility, with experience in both corners of the outfield, third base and first base.

The Rockies also were looking to remake the flavor of the clubhouse after finishing 73-89 last season and not showing the toughness that had become a trademark of the club in recent seasons. The team has added a pair of veterans via free agency: catcher Ramon Hernandez for two years and $6.4 million and Cuddyer.

The Rockies still aren't likely done rebuilding their 2012 roster. Left-handed-hitting Seth Smith, who figures to be supplanted by Cuddyer, is the team's main chip in its attempts to fill other holes. There is a key need for a starting pitcher who is capable of throwing 200 innings, with left-hander Jorge De La Rosa having to come back from Tommy John surgery and out until sometime around June.

The Rockies rid themselves of $7 million in salary by dealing relief pitcher Huston Street to the Padres and further trimmed the payroll of a projected $2.6 million when they sent arbitration-eligible third baseman Ian Stewart to the Cubs as part of a four-player trade, helping the club achieve enough payroll relief to make an offer to an outfielder like Cuddyer.

The Rockies began pursuing Cuddyer early in the free-agency period, but needed the market to fall into place. That occurred on Thursday, when outfielder Josh Willingham signed a three-year deal with the Twins.

But signing Cuddyer means the Rockies will not be able to continue to pursue Hiroki Kuroda, a right-hander reportedly looking for a one-year deal in the $13 million range.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...s_mlb&c_id=mlb

veist · 12-17-2011, 02:34 PM

And the next time Colorado says they can't make any moves it'll be because they overpaid Cuddyer.

ChiefsCountry · 12-17-2011, 02:35 PM

Reds trade for Mat Latos. Padres get Volquez and three other players.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/73...-two-prospects

CaliforniaChief · 12-17-2011, 02:39 PM

What a steal for the Padres. Great trade.

**lewdog** · 12-17-2011, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veist

And the next time Colorado says they can't make any moves it'll be because they overpaid Cuddyer.

Yea I see why the Twins didn't resign him for that.

veist · 12-17-2011, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewdog_5

Yea I see why the Twins didn't resign him for that.

They basically signed a younger Cuddyer for less money in Willingham. Plus they're going to get two picks for him because don't forget that Cuddy was a Type A.

On to the Latos deal, it sure reminds me of the Mulder trade.

**Buck** · 12-17-2011, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

What a steal for the Padres. Great trade.

Seriously? This guy we traded away has Ace potential. Does Volquez? I don't think so.

Rams Fan · 12-17-2011, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buck

Seriously? This guy we traded away has Ace potential. Does Volquez? I don't think so.

Volquez will benefit from a change of scenery.

The Padres got a decent 1B prospect in return, as well as a top 5 catching prospect and a closing prospect.

CaliforniaChief · 12-17-2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buck

Seriously? This guy we traded away has Ace potential. Does Volquez? I don't think so.

I think it was a good haul. Plus, for all his talent, Latos is kind of mental.

**Buck** · 12-17-2011, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

I think it was a good haul. Plus, for all his talent, Latos is kind of mental.

What the hell makes you think he is mental?

ShowtimeSBMVP · 12-17-2011, 04:55 PM

Buster_ESPNBuster Olney

Talked with some evaluators: There is an expectation that Padres will look to trade Anthony Rizzo.

**Buck** · 12-17-2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsandO'sfan

Buster_ESPNBuster Olney

Talked with some evaluators: There is an expectation that Padres will look to trade Anthony Rizzo.

Yeah I saw that.

I never expected so much discontinuity with the new regime.

Looks like we have another 5 year plan in the works.

CaliforniaChief · 12-17-2011, 04:58 PM

I shouldn't have used the word mental. Maturity concerns would have been better. Some sources here:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/1...tos-trade.html

Great stuff, just not all put together up there in terms of competing.

11-02-2011, 05:05 PM
Shogun The White Skip Bayless Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Osawatomie, KS Casino cash: $9357174	***OFFICIAL MLB FREE AGENCY THREAD*** STARTS AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT! What to Follow : http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/ Buster Olney - http://twitter.com/#!/Buster_ESPN MLB Network - http://twitter.com/#!/MLBNetwork post more if you have them.
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12-05-2011, 03:27 AM	#61
Buck Take a Chill Pill Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Carolina Casino cash: $5950295	And they are after CJ Wilson or Buehrle.
Posts: 44,607

12-14-2011, 06:42 PM	#62
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $-1937500	Lots of Yu Darvish buzz tonight. Reportedly Darvish's team was very excited about how high the winning bid was, so it looks like he might be playing here next year. Lot of buzz on twitter about the Blue Jays, but we'll see. Some people seem to think the Cubs may have put in a pretty large bid too. Buster Olney says all the executives he talked to think it was the Jays or Rangers.
Posts: 56,732

12-16-2011, 11:49 PM	#63
lewdog Mod Team Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Valley of the hot as **** Casino cash: $-1618100	I just had to put this in here out of my respect for Cuddyer. I have just always loved his ability to play almost every position. I don't know why but I always really liked this guy. DENVER -- The Rockies are putting the final touches on a three-year, $31.5 million contract with outfielder Michael Cuddyer, a Major League source confirmed to MLB.com on Friday morning. Colorado general manager Dan O'Dowd declined to comment. The Rockies will not make an official announcement until after Cuddyer undergoes a physical next week. The right-handed-hitting Cuddyer, 32, hit .284 with 20 home runs and 70 RBIs for the Twins last season. He has hit at least 20 homers three times in his career, including a career-high 32 in 2009. In 1,139 career games, all with the Twins, Cuddyer is a .272 hitter with 141 homers and 580 RBIs. Cuddyer figures to fit in the lineup in left field, but also could move to first base on days Todd Helton is not in the lineup. The Rockies could use him in the No. 5 spot behind shortstop Troy Tulowitzki or at No. 6 if the Rockies want the left-handed-hitting Helton to continue to bat behind Tulowitzki. Cuddyer also offers versatility, with experience in both corners of the outfield, third base and first base. The Rockies also were looking to remake the flavor of the clubhouse after finishing 73-89 last season and not showing the toughness that had become a trademark of the club in recent seasons. The team has added a pair of veterans via free agency: catcher Ramon Hernandez for two years and $6.4 million and Cuddyer. The Rockies still aren't likely done rebuilding their 2012 roster. Left-handed-hitting Seth Smith, who figures to be supplanted by Cuddyer, is the team's main chip in its attempts to fill other holes. There is a key need for a starting pitcher who is capable of throwing 200 innings, with left-hander Jorge De La Rosa having to come back from Tommy John surgery and out until sometime around June. The Rockies rid themselves of $7 million in salary by dealing relief pitcher Huston Street to the Padres and further trimmed the payroll of a projected $2.6 million when they sent arbitration-eligible third baseman Ian Stewart to the Cubs as part of a four-player trade, helping the club achieve enough payroll relief to make an offer to an outfielder like Cuddyer. The Rockies began pursuing Cuddyer early in the free-agency period, but needed the market to fall into place. That occurred on Thursday, when outfielder Josh Willingham signed a three-year deal with the Twins. But signing Cuddyer means the Rockies will not be able to continue to pursue Hiroki Kuroda, a right-hander reportedly looking for a one-year deal in the $13 million range. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?...s_mlb&c_id=mlb
Posts: 46,388

12-17-2011, 02:34 PM	#64
veist Veteran Join Date: Oct 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	And the next time Colorado says they can't make any moves it'll be because they overpaid Cuddyer.
Posts: 1,324

12-17-2011, 02:35 PM	#65
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $-1631248	Reds trade for Mat Latos. Padres get Volquez and three other players. http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/73...-two-prospects
Posts: 52,180

12-17-2011, 02:39 PM	#66
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $10495899	What a steal for the Padres. Great trade.
Posts: 17,471

12-17-2011, 04:55 PM	#73
ShowtimeSBMVP Chiefs Join Date: Feb 2009 Casino cash: $1166009	Buster_ESPNBuster Olney Talked with some evaluators: There is an expectation that Padres will look to trade Anthony Rizzo.
Posts: 23,832

12-17-2011, 04:58 PM	#75
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $10495899	I shouldn't have used the word mental. Maturity concerns would have been better. Some sources here: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/1...tos-trade.html Great stuff, just not all put together up there in terms of competing.
Posts: 17,471