MLB FA thread...

[Risen Star]

I figured we need a thread to talk about the free agent moves starting to take place.

Here's the first big one....


Papelbon agrees to four-year deal with Phillies

Free agent leaves Red Sox after six-plus seasons and 219 saves

By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com | 11/11/11 3:18 PM EST


Jonathan Papelbon and the Phillies have agreed on a four-year contract, MLB.com confirmed on Friday. The deal, pending a physical, reportedly is worth close to $50 million.

Papelbon, 31 later this month, has saved 219 games over the past six seasons for the Red Sox, after breaking in as a starter in 2005. He is a four-time All-Star and was Boston's closer in its 2007 World Series-championship season. He had 31 saves and a 2.94 ERA in 63 games this past season, after which he gained free agency.

 

[Risen Star]

Thome and Papelbon are a nice start for the Phitans.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I figured we need a thread to talk about the free agent moves starting to take place.

Here's the first big one....


Papelbon agrees to four-year deal with Phillies

Free agent leaves Red Sox after six-plus seasons and 219 saves

By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com | 11/11/11 3:18 PM EST


Jonathan Papelbon and the Phillies have agreed on a four-year contract, MLB.com confirmed on Friday. The deal, pending a physical, reportedly is worth close to $50 million.

Papelbon, 31 later this month, has saved 219 games over the past six seasons for the Red Sox, after breaking in as a starter in 2005. He is a four-time All-Star and was Boston's closer in its 2007 World Series-championship season. He had 31 saves and a 2.94 ERA in 63 games this past season, after which he gained free agency.

Overpaid.

Too long of a contract.

Thome can give them some quality AB's as a pinch-hitter and a rare starter.

Nothing to get too excited about so far. With Howard's torn achilles and the loss of Oswalt, they have some holes to fill. Not too mention they still have lineup issues at SS and elsewhere.

 

[Risen Star]

Overpaid.

Too long of a contract.

Thome can give them some quality AB's as a pinch-hitter and a rare starter.

Nothing to get too excited about so far. With Howard's torn achilles and the loss of Oswalt, they have some holes to fill. Not too mention they still have lineup issues at SS and elsewhere.

It may be too long of a contract, but the money per year isn't overpaying. That's what a top closer gets these days. He's getting about two and half million less per year than Rivera. That seems reasonable to me.

 

[Risen Star]

Any Marlins fans on here? Looks like they're looking to make a big FA splash this year.

Marlins Make Offers to Pujols, Reyes, Buehrle

By Mark Polishuk [November 11 at 5:03pm CST]

The Marlins have made "substantial offers" to both Albert Pujols and Jose Reyes, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and have also offered a contract to Mark Buehrle, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (both Twitter links). The team met with Pujols today, Reyes on Wednesday and Buehrle on Tuesday but apparently already felt comfortable enough to make contract offers, though Heyman reports there is "nothing close" to a deal with any of the three.

Miami's aggressiveness is no surprise, given how the Marlins have been in hot pursuit of several top free agents already this offseason. It's unlikely that Pujols, Reyes or Buehrle would sign so early without fully exploring the market for their services, though a blow-away offer from the Marlins could change their minds.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

It may be too long of a contract, but the money per year isn't overpaying. That's what a top closer gets these days. He's getting about two and half million less per year than Rivera. That seems reasonable to me.

He blew a lot of saves this year and his ERA wasn't anything to write home about.

 

[Risen Star]

He blew a lot of saves this year and his ERA wasn't anything to write home about.

He blew a lot of saves two years ago. This year I think he only blew 3 or so. And 2 were in the final two weeks of the season when the team just fell apart and couldn't buy a win.

His ERA was under 3. His WHIP under 1. A near 9-1 K/BB ratio. He had a good year last year. His 6th consecutive year of 30 or more saves.

The rumor was Madson was offered 4 years, 44 million and it didn't get done. If that's the case, then I don't mind going after a more proven closer who is actually a year younger than Madson.

 

[bbgun]

I have no love for the Phils, but at least Boston got weaker.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

He blew a lot of saves two years ago. This year I think he only blew 3 or so. And 2 were in the final two weeks of the season when the team just fell apart and couldn't buy a win.

His ERA was under 3. His WHIP under 1. A near 9-1 K/BB ratio. He had a good year last year. His 6th consecutive year of 30 or more saves.

The rumor was Madson was offered 4 years, 44 million and it didn't get done. If that's the case, then I don't mind going after a more proven closer who is actually a year younger than Madson.

I think they're interchangealbe.

They're both good, but I don't think either is a top-10 reliever.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I have no love for the Phils, but at least Boston got weaker.

Boston's another team that has committed a chunk of payroll to a guy who won't even play this year.

 

[Risen Star]

I think they're interchangealbe.

They're both good, but I don't think either is a top-10 reliever.

Good luck finding many to agree with that. Papelbon's most definitely a top 10 closer. So is Madson, if only for the one year he's done it.

 

[bbgun]

Boston's another team that has committed a chunk of payroll to a guy who won't even play this year.

Lackey? That won't stop them from shopping. Like the Yanks, they print $.

 

[Risen Star]

One other potential plus for the Phillies, they get to upgrade their 1st round pick lost with this signing, depending on who signs Madson.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Good luck finding many to agree with that. Papelbon's most definitely a top 10 closer. So is Madson, if only for the one year he's done it.

A wash.

No real net gain for the Phillies.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Lackey? That won't stop them from shopping. Like the Yanks, they print $.

Shopping and buying are two different things.

We'll see what happens when the smoke clears.

 

[Risen Star]

A wash.

No real net gain for the Phillies.

They got a guy whose done it for years and in the playoffs, versus a guy who's done it for one year and not in the playoffs.

I'm calling that a gain.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Papelbon isn't the same player he used to be.

 

[DOUBLE WING]

$50 million for a closer is a freaking ridiculous anyway you slice it.

 

[bbgun]

One of the saddest moments from my childhood. I think the ball is still flying.

[youtube]ETPPu4daQ74[/youtube]

 

[Yeagermeister]

One of the saddest moments from my childhood. I think the ball is still flying.

[youtube]ETPPu4daQ74[/youtube]

That was SWEET