2025 Major League Baseball Thread

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Probably the same ESPN source that falsely told us McNabb was getting $40 mill guaranteed.

If Derek Jeter gets $21 million a season, how much is a much better and younger JJ Hardy going to get once his contract is up?

[Navster]

HOUSTON -- Houston Astros owner Drayton McLane is putting his franchise up for sale.

The 74-year-old McLane says he's retained the New York investment firm Allen and Company to help him unload the team he's owned since 1992.

KRIV-TV first reported McLane's agreement with the investment firm. Steve Greenberg, the son of Hall of Fame slugger Hank Greenberg, is the firm's managing director.

Greenberg says McLane has not settled on an asking price, but he says he's already fielded calls inquiring about the sale.

McLane met with team employees on Friday before making a formal announcement at Minute Maid Park. He says "the time is right for this," adding that his two adult sons were not interested in running the team.

The Astros have reached unprecedented success under McLane, making the playoffs six times in the past 14 years. Houston won the NL Central in 1997, '98, '99 and 2001 and earned its only World Series berth in 2005.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5826885

[toef]

Originally Posted by Hi-Def Steve

What happened to the 3yr 63 number? Was that just a rumor or something?

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Probably the same ESPN source that falsely told us McNabb was getting $40 mill guaranteed.

Probably. But I think it'd be funnier if this is actually what happened:

Yankees: Jeter, our offer is 3 years, $63 million.
Jeter: Thanks, but no thanks.
Yankees: Ok Jeter, our new offer is 3 years, $45 million.

Negotiating like pros.

I wouldn't be surprised if Jeter's agent had something to do with the $63 million number being thrown around in the media. Getting that number out there might've been a way for the Yankees to feel like they had to bump up their offer (because how can they now offer something significantly lower?). To get to $63, the Yankees would need to tack on a 4th year.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by toef

Probably. But I think it'd be funnier if this is actually what happened:

Yankees: Jeter, our offer is 3 years, $63 million.
Jeter: Thanks, but no thanks.
Yankees: Ok Jeter, our offer is 3 years, $45 million.

Negotiating like pros.

I wouldn't be surprised if Jeter's agent had something to do with the $63 million number being thrown around in the media. Getting that number out there might've been a way for the Yankees to feel like they had to bump up their offer (because how can they now offer something significantly lower?).

I think he needs to sign for the $15 million a year, it's still significantly more than he'll get somewhere else, it gives him peace of mind until he's 40 and he gets to go out as a Yankee. Asking for a huge 5-6 contract with ridiculous $20 million+ a year salaries is just stupid.

[ChadFL]

Not really surprising. Money talks in this justice system. Though I can't say I felt all that bad for the "victim" here. She was even more drunk than Leyritz by driving with a .18 blood alcohol level at the time of the crash. He already paid off the family with $350K to settle the civil suit.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5829184

Jim Leyritz acquitted in Florida

A jury in Florida on Saturday acquitted former major league baseball player Jim Leyritz of DUI manslaughter in a 2007 crash that killed a mother of two.

However, Leyritz was convicted on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence, which carries a maximum sentence of six months in jail. Leyritz had faced up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the manslaughter charge.

Sentencing was set for Nov. 29.

Testimony was inconclusive on whether Leyritz ran a red light on Dec. 28, 2007, when he collided with a vehicle driven by 30-year-old Fredia Ann Veitch, who died.

Defense experts testified that Leyritz may have been below Florida's 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level when the crash occurred, even though it was 0.14 percent three hours later.

[Hi-Def Steve]

Joey Votto wins NL MVP

CINCINNATI -- Often reluctant to discuss his own personal accomplishments, Reds first baseman Joey Votto has done something that will speak volumes for him over the remainder of his career.

Votto was named the National League's Most Valuable Player on Monday.

In balloting that took place at the end of the regular season by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, Votto received 31 out of a possible 32 first-place votes and 443 points to earn his first MVP. It prevented Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols from winning his third in a row and fourth overall.

Although he was the NL Silver Slugger and Gold Glove winner at first base, Pujols was second in MVP voting with 279 points, netting the other first-place vote and 21 second-place votes. Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez was next with 240 points. He appeared second on seven ballots.

Votto, 27, is the 12th Reds player to win the NL MVP Award and the first since Barry Larkin in 1995.

Clearly, the voters did not penalize Votto for not leading any of the three Triple Crown categories. Gonzalez won the batting title with a .336 average and Pujols had the most home runs (42) and RBIs (118).

Still, Votto finished among the top three in 11 offensive statistical categories and was first in important stats like slugging percentage (.600) and on-base percentage (.424). He was second in the NL with a .324 average and was third in both home runs, with 37, and RBIs, with 113 -- all career highs. He was tied for fourth with 106 runs scored, was sixth with 177 hits and fifth with 91 walks.

And perhaps most important, Votto helped get the Reds to the NL Central title and their first playoff berth since the Larkin-led club won the division in 1995.

In 2009, Votto was nationally known primarily for being a player who spent a month on the disabled list to deal with depression and anxiety caused by difficulties with his emotions following the sudden 2008 death of his father, Joseph. Even after returning and posting strong numbers with a .322 average and 25 homers, it happened well out of the spotlight since Cincinnati was out of contention.

This year, no one could ignore what Votto did on the field. After being left off of the original NL All-Star team, he made the squad after more than 13 million fans added him to the roster via the online All-Star Final Vote. On Aug. 30, Votto became the first Reds player to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated since Ken Griffey Jr. in 2004.

[Dexter Morgan]

I like it. Along with some very solid stats, Votto was the catalyst on a Reds team that broke through and won the division for the first time in 15 years.

[Navster]

Originally Posted by Dexter Morgan

I like it. Along with some very solid stats, Votto was the catalyst on a Reds team that broke through and won the division for the first time in 15 years.

def a great pick, he deserved it

[Hi-Def Steve]

Wow Votto goes to his first arbitration hearing next year. What do you award someone who just received the MVP and only made 550,000 dollars that year?

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Hi-Def Steve

Wow Votto goes to his first arbitration hearing next year. What do you award someone who just received the MVP and only made 550,000 dollars that year?

Ya, the structure of MLB pay seriously hurts younger guys. Voto has made a total of $1.35 after three seasons. He'll get a big arbitration amount I'd assume.

[Kev1080P]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Ya, the structure of MLB pay seriously hurts younger guys. Voto has made a total of $1.35 after three seasons. He'll get a big arbitration amount I'd assume.

probably something similar to what lincecum got coming off a cy young i'd imagine

[Navster]

Originally Posted by Hi-Def Steve

Wow Votto goes to his first arbitration hearing next year. What do you award someone who just received the MVP and only made 550,000 dollars that year?

Originally Posted by Kev1080P

probably something similar to what lincecum got coming off a cy young i'd imagine

just about $10-$12mil sounds about right...

[cajmoyper]

And tomorrow it'll say "Josh Hamilton wins AL MVP!!!"

[Navster]

Originally Posted by cajmoyper

And tomorrow it'll say "Josh Hamilton wins AL MVP!!!"

sure hope so

[Hi-Def Steve]

Originally Posted by cajmoyper

And tomorrow it'll say "Josh Hamilton wins AL MVP!!!"

That would make 4-4 for the major awards that I agree 100% this year.

[Navster]

Originally Posted by Hi-Def Steve

That would make 4-4 for the major awards that I agree 100% this year.

so how are the Dodger fans feeling down in SoCal.. a Sf Giants world series title & Rookie of the year... what a great years its been

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by NavsterKing

just about $10-$12mil sounds about right...

Lincecum got $9 mill in 2010 and 13 mill for 2011. That sounds about right for what Votto would get.

[Hi-Def Steve]

Originally Posted by NavsterKing

so how are the Dodger fans feeling down in SoCal.. a Sf Giants world series title & Rookie of the year... what a great years its been

I hate our GM and owner, so pretty shitty to be honest. I wouldn't get to cocky about the Giants though, they remind me alot of the 88 Dodgers. And we all know how they turned out years after.

[Navster]

Originally Posted by Hi-Def Steve

I hate our GM and owner, so pretty shitty to be honest. I wouldn't get to cocky about the Giants though, they remind me alot of the 88 Dodgers. And we all know how they turned out years after.

with our pitching staff, i know we'll def contend for a few more years... but honestly i dont care what happens lol.. i finally got to see my team win a championship and i'm happy for a while .. Now i need my other teams to come through so i can see them win too ..

Raiders (not anytime soon )
Sharks (So close every year )
Warriors (yah ok )

At least you still have the Lakers

[Hi-Def Steve]

Originally Posted by NavsterKing

At least you still have the Lakers

Trust me, I told that to myself more times than I can count this past season.