Im not holding my breath on the Jays signing any of the big names available.. Hamilton or Grienke are not coming North..

__________________
Zorro says "vote for Dobber"
Angus is my best friend at dobberhockey..
Bruins believer since BIRTH..
Fav player: Cam Neely..

Lets take a look at what was in the news today.

Outfielder Josh Hamilton is seeking a seven-year deal, worth $175 million.

Minnesota has called the Rays with regards to ace James Shields, the Dodgers are also expected to be in on Shields as well as other clubs. It is possible that LA would deal Ethier to Tampa for Shields and then sign Josh Hamilton.

__________________
macv@dobberbaseball.com
DobberBaseball Columnist- http://baseball.dobbersports.com/ind...layout=default
Detroit Red Wings coverage
Twitter- @MacVincent1

St. Louis is beginning talks with Adam Wainwright for a long term contract extension, as they would like to keep him a Cardinal for as long as possible.

In an interview with Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post- Dispatch, Wainwright had this to say.

"In brief talks with [Cardinals executives] they feel real good about me coming back for a long time, and I want to make that happen," Wainwright told Goold. "I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t make that happen."

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macv@dobberbaseball.com
DobberBaseball Columnist- http://baseball.dobbersports.com/ind...layout=default
Detroit Red Wings coverage
Twitter- @MacVincent1

-Outfielder Cody Ross is seeking a three-year, $25 million contract at this point and the Red Sox aren't interested in giving him that much money.

-Boston has expressed interest in veteran gold glover Torii Hunter and Hunter would love to play with David Ortiz. "I'm open to anybody, especially if David is there," Hunter told WEEI.com in late August. "David is one of my guys. We were roommates in Minnesota and he's one of my brothers.”

-There is speculation that the Dan Haren trade fell apart because of health issues, as teams are looking at the veteran but with concern. His agents, CAA Sports will have to convince teams interested that he's healthy.

-Jeremy Bonderman has lost 35 pounds and is going to attempt a comeback to the bigs, although he hasn't pitched in the majors since 2010. More CBS here: http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/ey...comeback-trail

-The Dodgers are reportedly eyeing Anibal Sanchez, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN: https://twitter.com/jaysonst/status/265923132307673088

-Joakim Soria has said he would set up for the Yankees if they do sign him, they have had interest in him for a while now. "If the Yankees call, we will be all ears," Soria's agent, Oscar Suarez, said by phone Monday. "If there is a fit, Joakim would be elated to work with Mo. He would close everywhere except there."

-Minnesota has agreed to sign Samuel Deduno and Esmerling Vasquez to minor-league contracts. More here: http://www.startribune.com/sports/tw...177311841.html

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macv@dobberbaseball.com
DobberBaseball Columnist- http://baseball.dobbersports.com/ind...layout=default
Detroit Red Wings coverage
Twitter- @MacVincent1

I'm going to add notes out of interest....and boredom

I think it's funny how much attention Ross is getting this off-season. Why? Whyyyy!

I'd like to see Hunter in Boston. I think that's a nice fit.

Good luck convincing anyone Haren's healthy!

Wouldn't touch Bonderman but hey, that's a heart warmer right thurr :P

Even though I despise the Yankees, Soria in pinstripes is another good fit. Can see him being a good setup guy in tandem with Soriano(when resigned?)/Robertson for Mo. When Mo retires, who knows what could happen.

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14 team, keep 20. H2H points
C Perez 1B Butler 2B Cano SS Tulo 3B Longoria OF Choo, J. Upton, Quentin UTIL Sandoval
SP- Hamels, Wainwright, Harvey, Zimmerman
RP- Medlen, Murjica
BN- Gallardo, Sanchez, Konerko Stanton(DL), Henderson
Minors- Dahl, Springer, Lindor, R. Montero

12 team H2H, keeper
C Mcann
1B Fielder
2B Gyorko
SS Andrus
3B Wright
OF Bautista, Jennings, Brown
SP Shields, Wainy, Greinke, Wilson, Liriano
RP Soriano, Mujica
Bench - Harper(DL), Utley(DL), Granderson(DL), Revere, Straily, Garza, Reed, Bell
Minors d'Arnaud, Myers, Walker

Just got home, other than the Jason Bay buyout and Yasmani Grandal suspension (thanks to Axeman33 and gfhyde for covering that) there's still lots going on!

-Arizona is in active discussions regarding young right fielder Justin Upton, who is available for the right price. Somewhat surprisingly, they are also listening to offers for Trevor Bauer, who wasn't quite ready when they called him up. Bauer is regarded as on of the top pitching prospects in baseball.

-The Orioles are targeting Josh Hamilton and Cody Ross for their left field position, so this team is serious about winning.

-Cleveland is receiving calls on Asdrubal Cabrera, Justin Masterson, Shin-Soo Choo and Chris Perez. All players are believed to be available for the right price, but they are not shopping them.

-Boston is not interested in trading Jacoby Ellsbury, mostly because his value is down right now and they believe he'll be motivated to play his best in his contract year.

-The Cubs are interested in both Shaun Marcum and Brandon McCarthy to help shore up their pitching rotation.

-In a minor trade, the White Sox acquired Blake Tekotte from San Diego in exchange for 28-year-old right-hander Brandon Kloess.

__________________
macv@dobberbaseball.com
DobberBaseball Columnist- http://baseball.dobbersports.com/ind...layout=default
Detroit Red Wings coverage
Twitter- @MacVincent1

Yeah, read that Upton for Andrus could be a fit, but that's probably just someone starting rumours at this point. Still, slide Profar in for Andrus, throw Upton in the OF and I think you've got something going in Texas again.

Sizemore might try and play again. I think he's... 30? And brittle as all hell. Poor guy. Used to love drafting him.

__________________
14 team, keep 20. H2H points
C Perez 1B Butler 2B Cano SS Tulo 3B Longoria OF Choo, J. Upton, Quentin UTIL Sandoval
SP- Hamels, Wainwright, Harvey, Zimmerman
RP- Medlen, Murjica
BN- Gallardo, Sanchez, Konerko Stanton(DL), Henderson
Minors- Dahl, Springer, Lindor, R. Montero

12 team H2H, keeper
C Mcann
1B Fielder
2B Gyorko
SS Andrus
3B Wright
OF Bautista, Jennings, Brown
SP Shields, Wainy, Greinke, Wilson, Liriano
RP Soriano, Mujica
Bench - Harper(DL), Utley(DL), Granderson(DL), Revere, Straily, Garza, Reed, Bell
Minors d'Arnaud, Myers, Walker

I just dont see Texas dealing Profar.

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10 Team, Points Only, $$ League, Keep 20/25 at seasons end
25 Man Roster, top 20 monthly point getters count
Goalie points W=2pt L=-1pt SHO=2pt

Stamkos, Tavares, Hall, Couture, Hanzal, Wheeler, Stastny, Versteeg, Fisher, Hornqvist, Eriksson, Hodgson, Setoguchi, Turris, Steen, Letang, DRoy, Yakupov, Grabner, Byfuglien, Baertschi

G-Rask, Halak, Schneider

As per Ken Rosenthals twitter feed:

#BlueJays closing in on middle infielder, per @ShiDavidi. One rival exec expects free agent Maicer Izturis to be Toronto's choice.

__________________
10 Team, Points Only, $$ League, Keep 20/25 at seasons end
25 Man Roster, top 20 monthly point getters count
Goalie points W=2pt L=-1pt SHO=2pt

Stamkos, Tavares, Hall, Couture, Hanzal, Wheeler, Stastny, Versteeg, Fisher, Hornqvist, Eriksson, Hodgson, Setoguchi, Turris, Steen, Letang, DRoy, Yakupov, Grabner, Byfuglien, Baertschi

G-Rask, Halak, Schneider

Sorry if I typed it out weird....I meant trade Andrus and slide Profar into Shortstop

Nice find. I remember seeing his name of Fangraphs 25 Best Free Agents list. The contract numbers beside him are what they think a good signing would be worth.

18. Maicer Izturis, IF: 2 years, $10 million

I’m pretty sure this is the only Top Free Agent list you’ll see Maicer Izturis on, since he’s an aging utility player coming off a poor season, but for a team that has 400 plate appearances and a weak starting infielder at either second or third, Izturis could be a valuable 10th guy. From 2009 to 2011, he was basically a league average hitter who could handle all three IF positions, and while everything got worse last year, we’re dealing with a half season’s worth of playing time. The larger sample of Izturis’ career peg him as a great part-time guy who won’t kill you if he has to play regularly. $5 million a year for roster flexibility and depth is worth it for a team with some resources.


The biggest problem I've found with Jays fans (among my friends and family) is that any player that is signed is expected to be the next Robbie Alomar.

__________________
14 team, keep 20. H2H points
C Perez 1B Butler 2B Cano SS Tulo 3B Longoria OF Choo, J. Upton, Quentin UTIL Sandoval
SP- Hamels, Wainwright, Harvey, Zimmerman
RP- Medlen, Murjica
BN- Gallardo, Sanchez, Konerko Stanton(DL), Henderson
Minors- Dahl, Springer, Lindor, R. Montero

12 team H2H, keeper
C Mcann
1B Fielder
2B Gyorko
SS Andrus
3B Wright
OF Bautista, Jennings, Brown
SP Shields, Wainy, Greinke, Wilson, Liriano
RP Soriano, Mujica
Bench - Harper(DL), Utley(DL), Granderson(DL), Revere, Straily, Garza, Reed, Bell
Minors d'Arnaud, Myers, Walker