21-12-2002 03:11									#1
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CLIFF FLOYD SIGNS WITH THE METS

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/1220/1480250.html

MILLWOOD TRADED TO PHILLIES (FOR ESTRADA)

http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/1220/1480130.html

The NL East sure is shooken up. The Mets add Glavine, Stanton, and Floyd and get rid of Alfonso, and JUST signed a Japanese 3b who is their HR king (Nakimura).

The Braves have a totally different rotation, with only Maddux staying. Millwood was dealt because of the luxury tax, btw.

The Phillies have Thome and now Millwood.

--

Also, the YANKS SIGN 'GODZILLA'.

Yanks signed Japanese 'godzilla' Matsui!

Should be a Hell of an interesting year, eh?

	21-12-2002 03:13									#2
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Furthermore:

Estes signed with the Cubs and back with Dusty Baker.

I-Rod is threatening to PLAY IN JAPAN if he doesn't get a decent deal from the Cubs or Orioles (his biggest suitors). Personally I think it is a bargaining tool and BS.

	21-12-2002 04:35									#3
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Philly fans sit in shock of their good fortune. Rumors abound in Philly that Millwood must be damaged goods because no one in their right mind would normally do the deal (one that Phillies deal John Estrada a no name catcher for a premier what should be #1 pitcher). Braves seem to have painted themselves into a corner by allowing Maddux to go to arbitration thus necesitating the move to get rid of Millwood (arguably their best pitcher last season).

Now the question is if the Braves really had to get rid of Millwood why didn't they wait a bit and shop him around or even better still why did they bother to trade him to a division rival?

Something doesn't feel right about this deal as the Braves have in years past have been smart. I don't buy into Millwood being damaged goods but their has to be something more to this story.

	21-12-2002 04:37									#4
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OGIE! Just the person I want to see, so I don't have to talk sports in the corner by myself .

==

And yeah... something really wierd. I think that perhaps there is something wrong with Javy Lopez. Some sort of really, really bad injury. But trading Millwood in the division? That doesn't seem totally right. Of course, we have to remember that before last year, Millwood blew goats and had only one good season (1999).

I guess we can't discount the cutting payroll excuse either, but I agree, better deals out there, and you don't trade inside your division! Especially to teams gaining on you!

	21-12-2002 07:16									#5
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Imran: Should I be bold and predict the Subway Series now, or should I wait until May this time?

	21-12-2002 07:22									#6
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Meanwhile, Ivan Rodriquez remains unsigned by new courters.
C'mon home Pudge.

	21-12-2002 07:25									#7
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Go ahead Reismark... cause it won't happen again .

	21-12-2002 07:32									#8
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I've gotten so frustrated with baseball, I don't follow it nearly as much as I used to. There desperately needs to be a salary cap or something equivalent. I have followed the Montreal Expos ever since I was but a wee lad, and it's just too sad to watch them anymore. If only there was a more level playing field, they'd kick ass. Best eyes for talent in the game.

	21-12-2002 07:34									#9
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Well, they used to. Now totally different management, and management will change again when they are sold and moved.

But, yes... baseball needs substantial revenue sharing, at the least, and then a salary cap & floor.

	21-12-2002 07:47									#10
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That, and they need Jeff Loria to be taken out behind the stadium in Miami and shot.

In case you're interested, someone figured out how the Expos would have done if there were no fire sale after 1994's strike. The URL is here. They win the wild card three out of the next five years in that scenario, IIRC (been a while since I read it).

Is it too early for me to predict another Bosox-Cubbies matchup in the Series?

	21-12-2002 08:03									#11
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Interesting analysis. Of course, there must be a disclaimer that some players (*cough* Larry Walker) might not have had as good seasons for the Expos. But I do think the Expos would have been a good team if they had the money.

	21-12-2002 08:19									#12
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The spos would have been great if they could hold talent.

The hotstove league is heating up, Clemens says an "unamed" team offered him 12 million for one year, the Yanks said good luck, but he's still unsigned.

I doubt the trade between NY and Montreal will happen, the Expos asked for too much (Johnson, Rivera{OF},Hernandez, and the Yanks must pay ALL of el duke's salery!)

The hot rumor is the Yanks are close on that Cuban Righthander, Contreas (sp?), something like that.

	21-12-2002 08:28									#13
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quote: Clemens says an "unamed" team offered him 12 million for one year

Unnamed indeed .

quote: The hot rumor is the Yanks are close on that Cuban Righthander, Contreas (sp?), something like that.

Contreas' Free Agency bid fell through. He's going in the draft now.

	21-12-2002 08:36									#14
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Did it?

I got that rumor from the post this afternoon.

I guess it's back to Vaquez/Colon then.

Clemens ripped Steiny's backside to a tune of 10.5 million in his buyout, and he's got the gall to ask for ANOTHER 11 million?
That guy is one greedy dude.

I'm still against the cap, and against revenue sharring UNLESS the shared money goes into salary, not the cheapo owner's pockets.

	22-12-2002 02:48									#15
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Ah, I just found out what happened. Contreas's bid fell through and he was going in the draft, when at the final second, they found residence in Nicaragua, allowing him to be a Free Agent. Ah, agents .

And the Yanks have pushed back talks with Contreas' until next Monday.

	22-12-2002 02:52									#16
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Braves save $10 million by trading Millwood for some catcher. What I don't understand is, if you're going to dump him, why not dump him in the AL and not in your own division? Kelly Ligtenberg wasn't offered a contract either.

sigh

But... we did get 17 game winner Paul Byrd and Russ Ortiz, so it's not as if we've been fire-selling only. Regardless, the NL East is going to be an interesting division to watch this upcoming season - it might be the best race of the year.

But probably not, as the Mets collapse again and the Phillies hang on through August, only to slowly let it slip away.

	22-12-2002 03:09									#17
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See, the problem is that I don't think Byrd will do nearly as well, and I thought Moss was better than Ortiz... so it really doesn't work well.

(oh, and I started this thread because the other one was on like Page 5).

	22-12-2002 23:13									#18
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Oh, on the other thread. Diss was talking about running/passing QBs, and said:

quote: These thoughts came about because of Philadelphia's performance of late. They are doing better without Donavan McNabb. Now you can say the team has picked up their game to compensate for their fallen QB. But for 5 games? I have never heard of a team elevating their game for that long. Fact is I think they have a better shot of winning a superbowl with A.J. Feeley.

BULL! McNabb definetly gives the Eagles a better shot at winning. Feeley has been very consistant, but McNabb is a better thrower than Feeley and can also run it. That Defense is amazing, and the running game has really taken over.