HOT STOVE LEAGUE 2K4/2K5

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The Tigers now have two closers. They recently picked up the $4-million option on Ugueth Urbina's contract for 2005. You can expect they will be asked about this at their upcoming press conference; it's quite possible Urbina will be traded at baseball's winter meetings. Percival was reportedly being pursued by up to 12 teams, most notably the Indians, who will now likely focus their attention on landing free agent Armando Benitez as consolation. Percival's fantasy value will suffer a little in Detroit, as he will have fewer save opportunities than he's had in Anaheim, but will be pitching in a better pitcher's ballpark. The main concern with the 35-year-old Percival remains his health, as he has battled various ailments the last couple years and is certainly past his prime.

Vizquel made $6.25M in 04, he will make $4.08M in 05 (-35%)
Percival made $7.8M in 04, and will make $6M in 05 (-23%)

Those are some pretty significant pay decreases which do not look out of line for guys in their mid-30s who can still play reasonably well.

Vizquel: $15M/2yrs : $12.25/3 yrs = -45%
Percival: $16M/2yrs : $12M/2 yrs = -25%

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Beltran won't come to Chicago, I know there is some delusional thinking that it might happen, but I don't see it happening. Major free agent stars don't decide to play for either Chicago teams, it just doesn't happen.

I do think Jeff Kent might end up a Cub. Nomar won't be back, but I could see Chicago going after Cabrera, especially if they get Kent. They really need another left handed bat, but neither of these guys are one, so that trade for Sosa for Green could be good. I still have a feeling Sammy will be playing for the Cubs next season.

The Giants need to get with the stick and sign Moises Alou to complete the ancient ones.

The Twinkies also have a couple of ancients in their midst they could deal to the Giants with Terry Mulholland and Pat Borders.

They need to bring back Benito Santiago, he was the perfect catcher for their team. They would look like an Allstar lineup from 1993!

but there has to be some market for moderately-priced 2b/of guy w/ good average & obp, huh?

on another note: anyone see espn's ranking of fa's and projected suitors?

kinda silly.

i would bet that carlos delgado has become their prime offensive target. it seems that the magglio ordonez talk has cooled quite a bit.

hairston and roberts are basically the same guy. matos and bigbie are basically the same guy. gibbons seems to injury prone to make an impact.

markakis is a couple years off and has good power potential as does this other guy...walter something or other.

I guess Oakland is in talks with Pittsburgh, maybe Zito for Kendall?

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/nyspken214050892nov21,0,7933337.column

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-spken214050892nov21,0,7933337.column

Regardless, seeing the A's weather the supposed debilitating loss of their superstar has been quite remarkable. They lose Tejada, but get capable production from Crosby, see a spike in production from Durazo & Chavez, get a full year of Eric Byrnes' goodness and a damn good year from a (finally!) healthy Mark Kotsay. If it wasn't for Arthur Rhodes (& other bullpen pitchers not named Octavio Dotel or Justin Durscherer) blowing up in their face, and the Big 3 doing #2 on the mound for a short portion of the year, they would've played the Red Sox in the DS.

Is Jermaine Dye off their books yet?

Essentially (since he's in the final season of his contract), they are "renting" Zito. And forget the "big three" talk, there are FOUR quality starters on the As, and Zito's arguably the most disposable of them.

Another side note that I've wanted to touch on here but always forget to is that in last year's BP guide they pointed out the departure of longtime Oakland pitching coach/trainer (i can't remember which one) and forecasted a steep decline in the quality of Oakland's pitching. Needless to say they were right.

And I seriously doubt that the Pirates (who stole Perez & Bay from SD) would be so willing to give them up.

The others who started games in 2004 were Mark Redman and Kirk Saarlos.

And yes, Jermaine Dye is off the books (hence the resigning of Chavez).

and yes i doubt the pirates would ever make the trade i suggested above, but to deal for kendall would be a HUGE mistake.

Kendall DID lead NL catchers in VORP last year (trailing Pudge, Javy, Posada, Martinez and Varitek in the AL).

You're talking about Rick "Kazmir Ain't Spit" Peterson, right?

Yanc3, I think he's counting Harden as 1 of the 4 - Saarloos got starts when one of the 3 went on the DL. I was under the impression that Redman had a solid #5 type of year, but I could be wrong.

Oh no I do!!! It's just that nobody else seems to ("Big Three this and that"), Harden outpitched Zito last year.

Oliver Perez reminds me a little bit of Johan. Esp. the change when it's working.

And yes, Redman as their #5 guy is pretty solid.

Here are the Sacramento Rivercats (NOTE: hitter-friendly PCL, it would be nice to see these adjusted) pitching stats:

http://rivercats.com/game/stats/?type=pitching