2009 MLB season discussion*

[fren.]

Bronson Arroyo, a 2003 Red Sox teammate of David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez , said yesterday he would not be shocked to discover his name on the list of 104 major league ballplayers who tested positive in the spring of 2003 for using performance-enhancing drugs. His reason may shed light on what may have happened to Ortiz in 2003, as well. Back then, Arroyo said via phone from Cincinnati, he was using both androstenedione, which was not banned until the 2004 season, and amphetamines, which were not banned until 2006. -- Boston Herald

Hilarious.

Btw, the MLBNetwork already debunked Nomar's bullshit "alibi"

[Headspace]

He needs a refund.

[Cephius]

Orlando Cabrera to the Twins, Red Sox supposedly in heated talks with the Padres about Heath Bell and A-Gon, but I seriously doubt they're going to part with those guys...

[Viq]

I don't see why the Padres would get rid of a young, slugging, Mexican franchise player when they play essentially down the street from Mexico. Then again, if the rumors of Buchholz, Masterson, Lowrie, and Lars Anderson are true then it would be a lot harder to say no to that deal.

[fren.]

Ah, but once again, we find that Red Sox fans believe they and their team poop sunshine and live on some sort of magical, negro-free cloud in the heavens.

In Which We Drink In The Hilarious Naivete Of Red Sox Nation - David Ortiz - Deadspin

Best quote of the year.

[Cephius]

I don't see why the Padres would get rid of a young, slugging, Mexican franchise player when they play essentially down the street from Mexico. Then again, if the rumors of Buchholz, Masterson, Lowrie, and Lars Anderson are true then it would be a lot harder to say no to that deal.

Still, though. You're the Padres. Your owner is going through a divorce, you have no money. You, by the grace of the gods, have a good closer and one of the best 1B in all of baseball, all for hilariously cheap contracts. They are probably the only things left that draw fans to your ballpark. You are going to trade both of them, for a 25 year old unproven starter, a shaky reliever, a below-average hitting SS, and a AAA player? Methinks (hopes) not.

[Viq]

USA Today (lol?) is reporting that Sox and Indians are "on the verge" of trading Victor Martinez for Buchholz... and maybe someone else. I <3 trade deadline day. So much to read and think about, even though 95% of it is total crap.

[Cephius]

USA Today (lol?) is reporting that Sox and Indians are "on the verge" of trading Victor Martinez for Buchholz... and maybe someone else. I <3 trade deadline day. So much to read and think about, even though 95% of it is total crap.

I think this one is legit, Jon Heyman confirming it via Twitter. Doesn't know who the Sox gave up, though. Could be a good pickup for Boston depending on what they gave up. What do you do with Varitek/LaRoche/Lowell, though?

[pohibaba]

Apparently Buchholz and Bard aren't going to be part of the deal. I wonder who they're giving up.

[Cephius]

Looks like it's Masterson and Nick Hagadone. Boston's pitching depth gets a bit weaker but that's a solid trade for them if it holds up as being factual.

[Viq]

I think this one is legit, Jon Heyman confirming it via Twitter. Doesn't know who the Sox gave up, though. Could be a good pickup for Boston depending on what they gave up. What do you do with Varitek/LaRoche/Lowell, though?

I get the feeling that the Sox aren't counting on Lowell to be able to play out the rest of the season. Youk is likely going to get the bulk of the time at 3B while LaRoche/Martinez/A-Gon/whoever share time at 1B. The bigger question with Martinez is who's going to catch Wakefield? I don't see them carrying three catchers, and if you have Martinez on your team, then you obviously use him over Kottaras for Tek's days off. I'm assuming Tek would be getting a lot more time off if Martinez gets picked up. Varitek has caught Wake a little, but he has never really looked comfortable with it, and I really don't think they'd throw Martinez right into catching a knuckleball.

Word is the deal right now looks like Masterson + Nick Hagadon, according WEEI. There's got to be more than that in the deal if the Sox land Martinez.

EDIT: beaten on the last part

[fren.]

Shapiro fucking sucks balls.

Lee and VMart for neither of the Phillies/Boston's top 3 prospects. What a cunt.

[Cephius]

They're shopping LaRoche, which means they probably see Martinez as a full time 1B and occasional C? Which means Lowell is the odd man out. Difference in production in the Sox lineup? Not much, IMO

[Viq]

Adam LaRoche to Atlanta for Casey Kotchman... wtf?

EDIT: And the V-Mart deal is now official.

[Viq]

Scott Rolen from Toronto -> Cincinnati for ???

Ricciardi said that he didn't want to deal anyone until he knew what was going on with Halladay. I'm guessing it means Halladay's staying put.

EDIT: Wtf? Now they're saying Scott Rolen -> the Mets... not really sure if someone on the radio misspoke, or what.

Also Jerry Hairston jr. from KC -> NYY

[Cephius]

Nah, it's to the Reds. traderumors, heyman confrimed

[Soa]

I'm guessing it means Halladay's staying put.

This was pretty obvious when the Phillies went with Lee instead. By many accounts they were the only truly "serious" suitor to get him. JP rolled the dice thinking Amaro would be extremely desperate, and being a rookie GM would give up too much, but he was wrong.

I have to give Amaro tons of credit for the job he's done this year. He locked up the championship winning core for 3 more years, added Ibanez and Park (who it turns out is a fantastic reliever), and got a Cy Young winner without giving up their top talent. I'm very happy with what's he's done as our GM so far.

[Akiyama]

Adam LaRoche to Atlanta for Casey Kotchman... wtf?

EDIT: And the V-Mart deal is now official.

I'm so confused right now. I know Kotchman's numbers were shit, but he at least played a really good first base. Why the hell would Atlanta trade him off for a guy who's not even hitting .250? Hoping for a second half surge or something? Jesus.

[Vedder]

Twitter is abuzz w/ rumors of last minute Halladay to LAA for a package including Saunders. I think Jayson Stark is reporting the possibility as well.

[Stiker]

Twitter is abuzz w/ rumors of last minute Halladay to LAA for a package including Saunders. I think Jayson Stark is reporting the possibility as well.

If Halladay ends up with the Angels I will be so freakin' pissed.