MLB Hot Stove League 2012-13

[JSngry]

http://www.mlbdailyd...o-pitch-in-2013

One NL GM told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that Roy Oswalt still wants to pitch, but only on his terms and perhaps for just for half of the season. A lot of teams have given up on trying to persuade him to come back because the vibe is he doesn't want it enough.

Gee, really?

[Tim McG]

Agree with Brad. I think there may be quite a few inductees next year, including Maddux, Glavine, Frank Thomas, maybe Biggio and Bagwell, Piazza. I even believe they will eventually induct Bonds and Clemens, and maybe not before too long either.

As for integrity, they couldn't bar Ty Cobb even though he was a hateful, mean, and troubled man whom even teammates hated. He was just too good. Would he have a hard time getting in today? Probably so.

I don't think the HOF needs to be fixed. The writers are reflecting today's values, as the writers of the past did in their time too.

OK, but here's the deal:

There are wife beaters, alcoholics, drug addicts/users, womanizers, adulterers, etc ad nauseum. What I don't get is why the writers suddenly draw the line a PEDs?

Again, PEDs do not create HR hitters and lights-out pitchers. Talent does that. And to even suggest that Bonds [who won several gold gloves, MVP awards and batting titles] and Clemons successes [who won 7 Cy Youngs] were all a result of PEDs is an absolute absurdity. If they don't get in the HOF is a joke.

Lastly, the writers are reflecting their own personal issues and not doing their jobs which is voting in deserving talent. That is just plain wrong and on so many levels.

Edited January 14, 2013 by GoodSpeak

[Matthew]

Former San Diego shortstop, Enzo Hernandez found dead. Talk about a name from the past, I remember watching him play with all those terrible Padre teams. The stadium announcer alway made a big deal introducing him: "Number 11, shortstop, Enzooooooo HerNANdezzzzzzzz." RIP

[Quincy]

Former San Diego shortstop, Enzo Hernandez found dead. Talk about a name from the past, I remember watching him play with all those terrible Padre teams. The stadium announcer alway made a big deal introducing him: "Number 11, shortstop, Enzooooooo HerNANdezzzzzzzz." RIP

I remember being confused that someone who played in San Diego always seemed to be wearing long sleeved shirts, not realizing that card photos were taken during the winter and that someone born Venezuela might not feel as warm as I would in that weather. The '75 card seemed pretty weird to me as it almost looked like there was a jacket underneath.

Between Enzo & Jackie (who was with the Pirates when I was a buying cards) Hernandez I was deeply suspicious that anyone named Hernandez could hit, so when Keith came up he had to "show me."

Edited January 15, 2013 by Quincy

[JSngry]

The windbreaker-under-uniform look was not unprecedented.

Etc. Mostly pitchers, but the occasional high leprechaun made it in as well:

What is this I don't even know

[Brad]

How about the look when the White Sox wore shorts. My son didn't believe me when I told him that.

[JSngry]

Seems like Bob Veale was cold more often than not!

Edited January 15, 2013 by JSngry

[Tim McG]

I couldn't believe it when i saw it either

[JSngry]

Bob Bailey, bid he catch the always-coldness from Bob Veale, or vice-versa?

Edited January 15, 2013 by JSngry

[Quincy]

The windbreaker-under-uniform look was not unprecedented.

True, I especially remember the Mets as the blue was so shiny. It's just that most of the time it was pitchers and so there's that whole "gotta keep the arm warm & loose" thing going on. And most of the others are from cities that have 4 seasons. But sunny San Diego? Given the way he hit I was suspicious he was trying to hide scrawny arms. Not that I would know anything about that.

[JSngry]

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/card-corner-1972-topps-bob-veale/

Baseball cards of the early 1970s are known for many attributes, not the least of which is the appearance of the dreaded windbreaker, or the warm-up jacket. During spring training, players of that era often wore windbreakers, in particular to deal with the early days of camp, when the weather tended to be cooler and windier. Some players would wear the windbreaker under their jerseys, an unusual look that became quite a trendsetting fashion in the early '70s. That little trick might have also been a way to sweat off a few extra pounds that had gathered on a player’s physique during the winter months.

So,um uh-er-ah, yeah, that's what I'm gonna be starting to be doing, wearing a windbreaker under my jersey to sweat off a few extra winter pounds. Healthy AND retro-chic!

[Neal Pomea]

Washington signs Rafael Soriano to a two year deal, 28M.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/wp/2013/01/15/nationals-agree-to-terms-with-rafael-soriano/

[PHILLYQ]

Washington signs Rafael Soriano to a two year deal, 28M.

http://www.washingto...rafael-soriano/

He did a great job for the Yanks last year filling in for Rivera

[Brad]

Apparently, the Mets worked out Brian Wilson and were not impressed, according to the NY Post, http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/mets/source_mets_not_impressed_with_wilson_TBaQYJ5tlbTX7sSpVH8CcL

[Tim McG]

Ouch!

Actually, they said Wilson hasn't come back enough from TJ surgery and needs to rehab longer so they weren't impressed with his performance at this stage.

Edited January 16, 2013 by GoodSpeak

[JSngry]

Maybe time to turn the reins over to Carl.

[Tim McG]

Or Dennis....

[JSngry]

Just not that Love guy. Anybody but him.

[Tim McG]

Or Jardine. Can you imagine?

[paul secor]

Jardine could be a batboy.

[JSngry]

Glen Campbell. That guy had skills and knew how Wilson got it done.

[PHILLYQ]

Apparently, the Mets worked out Brian Wilson and were not impressed, according to the NY Post, http://www.nypost.co...tlbTX7sSpVH8CcL

The guy is in his 70s and he can't move so great, but those harmonies- oh, wrong Brian Wilson

[JSngry]

Rangers sign Matt Harrison to a five year extension, which means that the now have Darvish, Harrison, Holland, and Ogando (none of them older than 28) all under club control for at least four more years.

There are worse places to be with your rotation...better places too, but all things considered, this is not a bad place to be.

[Matthew]

The AL West will be a very interesting division this season -- The A's, Angels and the Rangers should all be good teams this year, might even get a wild card team out of the West.

[Tim McG]

The AL West will be a very interesting division this season -- The A's, Angels and the Rangers should all be good teams this year, might even get a wild card team out of the West.

I agree.

The AL West will be a real horse race.

The NL West will dial it up as well, what with the Dodgers buying all that talent. It'll be a three team race again this year.