2011(and beyond!) MLB thread.

[clashcityrocker10]

I'm obviously hoping Piazza gets in (and I think he should), but I'm a bit worried.

As for the steroids, I don't think it should necessarily count against an individual player.

[SheSaidSheSaid]

Hot stove league

Mets sign 3B David Wright to a 7/122 extension.
Braves sign OF B.J. Upton for 5/75
Angels trade RHP Jordan Walden to Braves for RHP Tommy Hanson (Walden considered expendable after Angels signed RHP Ryan Madson)
Pirates sign C Russell Martin for 2/17
Twins trade OF Denard Span to Nationals for minor league RHP Alex Meyer

[M_Robbins5]

Good to see Dipoto is making the effort to get starting pitching since signing Greinke seems less likely with each passing day.

[SheSaidSheSaid]

Hanson's a good talent, but you can never be too sure what you're getting when an AL team imports a starter from the NL (or to a much lesser extent, vice versa). That's probably why all it took to get to him was a reliever who hasn't always been a shutdown pitcher.

[M_Robbins5]

Yeah, but Hanson hasn't been as good the past couple years. I'm not exactly sure which guy the Angels are getting here.
As for Walden I think his biggest problem is he can't be a closer, he has the stuff though.

[Dante1847]

really dont understand these $100 mil extensions/signs being given to Longoria and Wright. the teams are essentially buying their decline years.

EDIT: also, does anyone else find this ESPN article a little bit in poor taste? Im adding Jim Caple to the "No One Should Give a Damn What they Say" group of ESPN writers, alongside Jayson Stark, Jim Bowden, and Tim Kurkjian

[darkwinterbeast8]

Guy who pitched perfect game against Mariners last season now on a division rival.

[killer_roach]

EDIT: also, does anyone else find this ESPN article a little bit in poor taste? Im adding Jim Caple to the "No One Should Give a Damn What they Say" group of ESPN writers, alongside Jayson Stark, Jim Bowden, and Tim Kurkjian

Like it or not, that basically sums up free agency in a nutshell.

[JBlack240]

Hanson's a good talent, but you can never be too sure what you're getting when an AL team imports a starter from the NL (or to a much lesser extent, vice versa). That's probably why all it took to get to him was a reliever who hasn't always been a shutdown pitcher.

Hanson's been declining fast so needless to say I was hoping the Braves would ship him off with all the starters we already have. As for B.J. Upton, I don't know what their thinking was there. He doesn't have the average or the OBP to be a reliable leadoff hitter. I would've rather they traded some prospects and gotten his brother Justin instead.

[SheSaidSheSaid]

I would've rather they traded the entire farm system and gotten his brother Justin instead.

FTFY. Because that's what it would take. Justin Upton is the Felix Hernandez of right fielders.