The 2015 Major League Baseball Player Chatter, News and Fantasy Thread

[Shortstop]

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

[Chi_archie]

all right!

this has that fresh new thread smell!!!

Happy New Year

[mpaschal34]

Happy New Year!

Can't wait until Spring Training starts.

my dumb prediction of the 2015 World Series: Cardinals defeat the Angels

[Shortstop]

all right!

this has that fresh new thread smell!!!

Happy New Year

Haha! Great post, Arch! It sure does...

[Shortstop]

Happy New Year!

Can't wait until Spring Training starts.

my dumb prediction of the 2015 World Series: Cardinals defeat the Angels

Not dumb at all. The Cardinals are always a solid pick, in my opinion.

Plus, I love seeing predictions being made already.

I'm gonna wait until the dust settles from all of the off season moving and shaking and Spring Training is over.

I'll fire away with my predictions a day or so before Opening Day...

[Chi_archie]

Happy New Year!

Can't wait until Spring Training starts.

my dumb prediction of the 2015 World Series: Cardinals defeat the Angels

gosh I hope not

[Shortstop]

The Cincinnati Reds acquired Marlon Byrd from the Phillies on Wednesday.

I'm not happy that he's back in the NL Central.

Byrd had the best power performance of his career last year hitting 25 HR's w/Philadelphia.

I was sad to see him leave Pittsburgh after the 2013 season.

k-m: I'm thinking you're excited about this move?

[Ace_of_Spades]

Wish the Mets would throw some money around. Get back into the playoffs. 2006 seems like an eternity.

[mpaschal34]

Not dumb at all. The Cardinals are always a solid pick, in my opinion.

Plus, I love seeing predictions being made already.

I'm gonna wait until the dust settles from all of the off season moving and shaking and Spring Training is over.

I'll fire away with my predictions a day or so before Opening Day...

was mainly calling it dumb since there are so many things still to be determined before the season even starts.

also, I hope it's not the Angels since they are probably my least favorite team (them or the Red Sox).

[Andy117]

Wish the Mets would throw some money around. Get back into the playoffs. 2006 seems like an eternity.

Makes you really appreciate how important good ownership is. The Wilpons really suck.

[Shortstop]

Wish the Mets would throw some money around. Get back into the playoffs. 2006 seems like an eternity.

Hard to believe it's been that long. I agree that the Mets need to start winning.

No reason why they shouldn't be in the hunt every year...

[koz-man]

The Cincinnati Reds acquired Marlon Byrd from the Phillies on Wednesday.

I'm not happy that he's back in the NL Central.

Byrd had the best power performance of his career last year hitting 25 HR's w/Philadelphia.

I was sad to see him leave Pittsburgh after the 2013 season.

k-m: I'm thinking you're excited about this move?

I like him. Just hope he can drop off some of his strikeouts from last year.

I think he was do 8 mil this year. Not sure how much the Reds will have to pay.

Hope he can make the move to left with minimal issues.

Overall I feel he will fit in nice with the Reds.

[Wrigley]

Remember Kenny Vargas I think he is going to have a great year with the Twins, MLB comparsion to David Ortiz

[Chi_archie]

Remember Kenny Vargas I think he is going to have a great year with the Twins, MLB comparsion to David Ortiz

Never heard of him, will watch for him

[EmpireMaker]

Happy New Year !!!

Dan Haren to Marlins: I'd like to pitch elsewhere

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• 34 | Comments
  

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com
Sat, 03 Jan 2015 10:32 AM ET


Veteran right-hander Dan Haren, a California native, has informed the Marlins he has no intentions to pitch in Miami and would like to play for a West Coast team, preferably one that has spring training in Arizona, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports Saturday.
According to Miami Herald, the Marlins previously tried to find a taker for Haren but aren't willing to part with the $10 million the Dodgers gave the Marlins to cover Haren's remaining contract. If the Marlins can't strike a deal, then Haren may hang it up and retire from baseball.

[Chi_archie]

C'mon Haren

[Big Bear]

Happy New Year !!!

Dan Haren to Marlins: I'd like to pitch elsewhere

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• 34 | Comments
  

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com
Sat, 03 Jan 2015 10:32 AM ET


Veteran right-hander Dan Haren, a California native, has informed the Marlins he has no intentions to pitch in Miami and would like to play for a West Coast team, preferably one that has spring training in Arizona, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports Saturday.
According to Miami Herald, the Marlins previously tried to find a taker for Haren but aren't willing to part with the $10 million the Dodgers gave the Marlins to cover Haren's remaining contract. If the Marlins can't strike a deal, then Haren may hang it up and retire from baseball.

what a fukkin douche bag. I wouldnt want this guy on my team.

Most of us would give our left nut to play MLB and this guys says if i cant play on the west coast i am not playing?

does anybody else feel like kicking his ass?

[Shortstop]

Happy New Year !!!

Dan Haren to Marlins: I'd like to pitch elsewhere

• 34 | Comments

by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com
Sat, 03 Jan 2015 10:32 AM ET


Veteran right-hander Dan Haren, a California native, has informed the Marlins he has no intentions to pitch in Miami and would like to play for a West Coast team, preferably one that has spring training in Arizona, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reports Saturday.
According to Miami Herald, the Marlins previously tried to find a taker for Haren but aren't willing to part with the $10 million the Dodgers gave the Marlins to cover Haren's remaining contract. If the Marlins can't strike a deal, then Haren may hang it up and retire from baseball.

C'mon Haren

what a fukkin douche bag. I wouldnt want this guy on my team.

Most of us would give our left nut to play MLB and this guys says if i cant play on the west coast i am not playing?

does anybody else feel like kicking his ass?

I was going to look up Dan Haren's career stats but then I figured why waste my time!

If I understand the article correctly, Haren is in a win-win situation.

Is he guaranteed the $10 million even if he never pitches again?

It seems like a lot of athletes have completely lost touch with reality nowadays...

[MexicanStallion]

I like him. Just hope he can drop off some of his strikeouts from last year.

I think he was do 8 mil this year. Not sure how much the Reds will have to pay.

Hope he can make the move to left with minimal issues.

Overall I feel he will fit in nice with the Reds.

The Reds are paying him $4million of his $8million.

I'm open to the move, but initially not really excited. I liked Lively and feel like he has more worth than 1 year of a 37 year old player who skyrocketed in strikeouts. I hope he can grind out another good year.

[koz-man]

The Reds are paying him $4million of his $8million.

I'm open to the move, but initially not really excited. I liked Lively and feel like he has more worth than 1 year of a 37 year old player who skyrocketed in strikeouts. I hope he can grind out another good year.

I can deal with that. 4mil

I agree Reds need a future LF. Kind of bummed Luckwick didn't work out.

[yisman]

Ludwick had one good season for STL

and then was a big disappointment

[EmpireMaker]

(1/5/2015) The Blue Jays are not expected to pursue free agent pitcher James Shields, unless he lowers his price, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports. Shields is reportedly seeking a five-year deal worth approximately $100 million. The 33-year-old is coming off a season in which he posted a 3.21 ERA over 227 innings.

[Chi_archie]

Shields is a horse

[mpaschal34]

A lot of risk in Shields for 5 yrs. Probably only has 3 good years left in him. After 8 straight yrs of 200 plus innings, he may hit a wall at 36 yrs old. Could be wrong though.

[stevenash]

Who winds up signing Max, and who winds up signing (Not so big game James?)

[koz-man]

Ludwick had one good season for STL

and then was a big disappointment

Ryan started off ok with the Reds in 2012.
He batted...275 .346 .531 with 26 homers & 80 rbi's.
and went downhill from there.

But your right yisman, He only had one all-star year in 2008 for the cards.

[koz-man]

Who winds up signing Max, and who winds up signing (Not so big game James?)

I think Yanks or stays with the Tigers.

[BigSpoon]

Who winds up signing Max, and who winds up signing (Not so big game James?)

I think the Tigers lock him up, they need him the most.

[Shortstop]

(1/5/2015) The Blue Jays are not expected to pursue free agent pitcher James Shields, unless he lowers his price, CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reports. Shields is reportedly seeking a five-year deal worth approximately $100 million. The 33-year-old is coming off a season in which he posted a 3.21 ERA over 227 innings.

Shields is a horse

Word.

A lot of risk in Shields for 5 yrs. Probably only has 3 good years left in him. After 8 straight yrs of 200 plus innings, he may hit a wall at 36 yrs old. Could be wrong though.

Great point. I didn't realize he was 33, I thought he was in his late 20's.

It would be a risk, but seeing some of the cash guys are making these days nothing would surprise me.

Has Shields had TJ Surgery yet? If not, it's just a matter of time...

[Andy117]

What'd you think of today's HOF voting?

[MexicanStallion]

Has Shields had TJ Surgery yet? If not, it's just a matter of time...

Shields is as healthy as they come. Made 21 starts his first year back in 2006. 31 starts in 2007 and at least 33 starts since then.

[yisman]

What'd you think of today's HOF voting?

Pedro should've been on more ballots!

[BigSpoon]

Pedro should've been on more ballots!

Some writers left off RJ and Pedro to vote for other players. https://twitter.com/mikeberardino/st...94816657022977

That silly rule of voting for a max of 10 players per year.

[Shortstop]

What'd you think of today's HOF voting?

Until Pete Rose is inducted I can't take the HOF seriously!

Also: Bonds, Clemens, Sosa and McGwire deserve to be inducted in the near future.

Hopefully, it's just a matter of time...

[EmpireMaker]

Tim Hudson's ankle injury should push Giants back into pitching market

By Mike Axisa | Baseball Writer

January 6, 2015 5:44 pm ET

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Tim Hudson had ankle surgery on Tuesday. (USATSI)Veteran right-hander Tim Hudson underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his right ankle and will need eight weeks for recovery, the San Francisco Giants announced Tuesday.
The Giants have not yet announced when their pitchers and catchers will report to spring training, but either way the eight-week timetable means Hudson will be out until early March. He's going to miss the start of spring training and will be behind the other pitchers in camp, meaning the start of his regular season is in danger of being delayed as well.
This isn't good news for the defending World Series champion Giants, who were in need of pitching help even before Hudson's surgery. Their rotation depth chart without Hudson currently looks like this:

1. Madison Bumgarner (Stud)
2. Matt Cain (Coming off elbow and ankle surgey)
3. Jake Peavy (Healthy)
4. Tim Lincecum (74 ERA+ in 2014 and lost his rotation spot in August)
5. Yusmeiro Petit (Healthy, has been a revelation since arriving in San Francisco)

The only other starting pitchers on the team's 40-man roster are Chris Heston, who threw 5 1/3 innings during his MLB debut in September, and Joan Gregorio, who had a 4.37 ERA across two levels of Single-A ball in 2014. Rotation depth is clearly an issue.
The Giants were involved in the bidding for Jon Lester and they have been linked to James Shields this offseason, but I would be surprised if Hudson's surgery resulted in the club making a nine-figure investment in Shields or Max Scherzer. That would be quite the knee-jerk reaction. The Giants clearly have to do something, though.
More than likely, Hudson's injury will push the Giants back into the free agent market for lower cost pitchers. Former Giant Ryan Vogelsong is still unsigned, and I have to think his chances of returning to the team just improved. Chad Billinglsey, Scott Baker, Brandon Beachy, Paul Maholm, Roberto Hernandez and Chris Young are among the available free agent starters, though several of them (Billingsley, Beachy, Maholm) are coming off injuries themselves.
The good news is the Giants have time to find rotation help. They've proven they are adept at finding quality minor league free agents (Vogelsong, Petit, Gregor Blanco, etc.) and can build depth that way. I would bet they were planning to do that before Hudson got hurt. They still have a few weeks to improve the rotation, though Hudson's injury is a reminder of just how vulnerable the starting staff is in the first place.