MLB

[Chris_H_2]

Indications from the Cubs are that the Lester signs with the Red Sox.

Boo.

[numbers]

I'll believe it when I see it, I still think the Yankees are going to get in on Lester.

[Lament]

I can't figure out why the White Sox signed Adam LaRoche.

[philpritchard]

It's a bit of a weird one. Maybe they're looking at it as part of the rebuild, hoping they can trade him for prospects at some point.

[philpritchard]

I've come around a bit on the Heyward trade, too. If Miller can bounce back a bit, four years of a solid pitcher isn't awful value.

[BigRedLedbetter]

5 YEARS/$95 MILLION offer for Panda? Yikes. I'm sure the Red Sockers no likey.

LaRoche is a good pickup for Lament's boys. Very underrated and I wish the Rangers would have signed him.

[numbers]

Well, that's better than a 6 or 7 year deal. I'm kind of resigned to the fact that they are signing Panda.

[Norah]

I can't figure out why the White Sox signed Adam LaRoche.

When I was coming down last night I saw the news on my phone. I couldn't make sense of it either but brushed it off as being in a state that wasn't conducive to any sort of critical thought. But today I can't figure it out either.

[Norah]

Hanley to the Sox 5/90.

[philpritchard]

That seems like a really good contract for Ramirez. But... I mean... why? Where the hell are they planning on playing him? Are the looking to trade Bogaerts or something?

[philpritchard]

Ah, nevermind... looks like the report that Sandoval has signed was a bit premature. Ramirez makes sense if they still have the opening at 3B.

[numbers]

I think they move Hanley to LF and trade Cespedes.

[philpritchard]

I think they move Hanley to LF and trade Cespedes.

That probably makes the most sense, but I think what would have made even more sense would be to only sign one of the 3B and keep Cespedes in LF without having to commit nearly $20 million per year for the next five years.

I'm sure it sounds strange given how much I like the Martin deal for Toronto, but I viewed that as a huge upgrade, while this seems like a very expensive, minor upgrade at a position where they didn't really have a need.

Cespedes and Ramirez both had 3.4 fWAR last year (Ramirez did it in fewer games, but staying healthy is a valuable attribute). Ramirez is two years older, has missed about 180 games due to injuries the last four years, hasn't played a single inning in the outfield in his 13 year professional career and now has to learn it in one of the most difficult left fields in baseball.

He's a very good player and I would expect him to put up huge offensive numbers in Fenway, but unless they get a huge return on one of their outfielders, I don't get how signing both of the big-name 3B makes sense.

[Norah]

Cespedes is being a bitch about playing LF.

[Norah]

These signings are baffling to me. Way too much risk. Pablo will be ok for a couple years maybe, and Hanley is only worth it if he plays, which is a big maybe.

What baffles me the most is that they're willing to give more than 20 mil a year to a 30 year old, oft injured Hanley Ramirez but haven't exceeded more than 20 mil per year in an offer for Lester.

[philpritchard]

Cespedes is being a bitch about playing LF.

Does he hate the wall or something? He's played 80% of his career innings in LF.

[Norah]

Cespedes is being a bitch about playing LF.

Does he hate the wall or something? He's played 80% of his career innings in LF.

I don't know the full story, but the whispers are that he's being a stickler over which position he plays in the OF.

[numbers]

Cespedes is being a bitch about playing LF.

Does he hate the wall or something? He's played 80% of his career innings in LF.

I don't know the full story, but the whispers are that he's being a stickler over which position he plays in the OF.

They wanted him to move to RF when they got him, and he refused. That's all I know.

[Norah]

Cespedes is being a bitch about playing LF.

Does he hate the wall or something? He's played 80% of his career innings in LF.

I don't know the full story, but the whispers are that he's being a stickler over which position he plays in the OF.

They wanted him to move to RF when they got him, and he refused. That's all I know.

Maybe that was it. Either way, he's being a bitch about which side he plays and Hanley says he'll play anywhere on the field.

Full disclosure: I still don't like this Hanley deal.

[EJ]

These signings are baffling to me. Way too much risk. Pablo will be ok for a couple years maybe, and Hanley is only worth it if he plays, which is a big maybe.

What baffles me the most is that they're willing to give more than 20 mil a year to a 30 year old, oft injured Hanley Ramirez but haven't exceeded more than 20 mil per year in an offer for Lester.

Very good point about Lester.