Astros Signed Infielder Joe Thurston To Minor
League Deal

post from The Crawfish Boxes on 13 November 2011 10:01:11 PM. © The Crawfish Boxes

Astros Signed Infielder Joe Thurston To Minor League Deal

Thurston will be 32 next season and has a .226/.305/.323 line in 384 career plate appearances. He had a .388 OBP with 13 homeruns and 12 stolen bases last year in the minors.

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Cardinals hire Matheny as manager (AP)

post from MLB News Blog on 13 November 2011 06:42:26 PM. © MLB News Blog

The St. Louis Cardinals said they will announce the hiring of Mike Matheny as manager during a news conference Monday. Matheny, a former St. Louis catcher will replace the retired Tony La Russa. La Russa stepped down after leading the team to the World Series title. The 40-year-old Matheny was a minor league instructor with [...]

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In Case You Missed It, The Marlins Have A New
Name, New Logo, New Colors, New Stadium, And New Uniforms

post from 30-Year Old Cardboard on 13 November 2011 06:23:03 PM. © 30-Year Old Cardboard

In Case You Missed It, The Marlins Have A New Name, New Logo, New Colors, New Stadium, And New Uniforms… I cannot recall a more exciting time to be a Marlins fan. And while it will take some time to … Continue reading →

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Marlins Serious, But Unlikely To Snag Pujols

post from Fish Stripes on 13 November 2011 06:01:26 PM. © Fish Stripes

Over the weekend, the Marlins met with marquee free agent Albert Pujols, leading him through a tour of the franchise's new ballpark and even offering a preliminary contract to the first baseman. By various reports, the Marlins appear to be quite serious with regards to the free agent slugger. Here is what Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald wrote regarding the team's interest:

Sources say that Loria, in particular, covets Pujols and envisions him at first base when the Marlins open their new stadium on April 4 -- against the World Series champion Cardinals, no less.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe spoke with an agent who agreed with the idea that these free agent offers are not just for show and that the Marlins are serious in acquiring Pujols and / or other big names.

The Marlins already made a splash with their new manager, Ozzie Guillen, which lends more validity to the theory that they are launching a new phase in their existence and owner Jeffrey Loria is willing to dole out a few extra millions to make it happen.
"I think it’s genuine, and they have to be taken seriously,’’ said one agent.

So it would seem that the Marlins do really want a big name, and there is indeed no bigger name in the market than Albert Pujols. And with that, Marlins fans have been excited, citing Pujols and others as the players who would make watching those uniforms seam bearable.

But is the fan base likely to see Pujols to take his talents to South Beach? At this point, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com says it's a long shot, and I would have to agree.

The offer to Pujols is reportedly "substantial." But is it enough to sway the Cardinals slugger into leaving St. Louis for South Beach?
At this point, the answer is probably not.
The buzz late Friday night is that the Marlins are more likely to sign Reyes than Pujols. One reason is money. Another is passion to play in Miami.
The Marlins certainly would love to add Pujols, but those connected with the club said the first offer probably isn’t close to being enough to lure in the biggest prize on the free agent market.

Of course, we do not know the kind of offer that was made to Pujols, whereas we have an idea of what the St. Louis Cardinals will offer to their premier player of the last decade. Jon Heyman reported via Twitter that the Cardinals are unlikely to increase (H/T MLB Trade Rumors) their current rumored nine-year, $210 million offer, so the low end of the bar is set there for a contract offer. However, for other interested teams such as the Marlins, you have to figure that Pujols would be interested in pushing past Alex Rodriguez's monster ten-year, $275 million extension signed in 2009.

Even if the figure does not end up reaching Rodriguez levels, the Marlins' payroll would certainly be impinged by taking on such a huge investment for such a long period of time. Unlike Jose Reyes, who may be enticed to take a short-term deal that would allow him to re-enter free agency at a decent age, the 32-year old Pujols would most certainly want to sign this deal as his final contract. The Marlins has not yet moved to the new stadium, and despite the confidence that David Samson has in the team's ability to draw crowds to the new stadium, owner Jeffrey Loria and company do not yet know how revenue streams will be in the next few seasons. Would the team be willing to take a such a $27 million per season dive into the free agent market and lock themselves into a contract for nine or ten seasons for that value before even finding out short-term gains of the stadium?

Speaking of Reyes, Frisaro mentions that he may be more likely to sign.

Reyes is viewed as a strong possibility to become a Marlin. Word around the club is the shortstop loved his visit on Wednesday, and he wants to play in Miami. Reyes is said to be comfortable in the market, he likes many of the players already on the team, and he was impressed by the new ballpark, which promises to be one of the best in the big leagues.

A recent local news report on Reyes's visit to south Florida (posted here on MetsBlog) yielded very positive responses, though Reyes himself confirmed that nothing is concrete just yet. Nevertheless, it seems that Reyes would be happy in Miami and that the Marlins and particularly Hanley Ramirez would be willing to accommodate his arrival. Jon Heyman mentioned on Twitter that one source close to the situation thinks Reyes is the Marlins' primary option, though you can take that with a grain of salt.

Reyes's fit would be better for the Fish in a number of ways. It would allow Ramirez to be moved to an easier defensive position to accommodate his defensive weaknesses at shortstop. It would not further add to the logjam the Marlins have at first base with Logan Morrison and Gaby Sanchez and let the team attempt to trade one of the two for pitching or other needs. It would be a lower-risk option for fewer years and less money, freeing up budget for another signing like Yoenis Cespedes or Mark Buehrle.

Everything about the Reyes potential signing makes decent sense. While the Marlins certainly are serious and would like to acquire Pujols, the amount of investment that would be required to make such a move may ultimately prove too heavy for the team's traditionally risk-averse ways.

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I Am 98% Certain That I Ran Into Albert Pujols
Today MUST READ!!!!

post from 30-Year Old Cardboard on 13 November 2011 05:20:05 PM. © 30-Year Old Cardboard

I Am 98% Certain That I Ran Into Albert Pujols Today – MUST READ!!!! Ok, I am still processing this, but I wanted to document as much as I could for myself and for you too. The facts: Albert Pujols … Continue reading →

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-pujols-today-must-read/

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Jobs! Help Wanted!!!

post from Corner Lots Baseball on 13 November 2011 03:03:30 PM. © Corner Lots Baseball

Change is necessary and sometimes inevitable. Especially for managerial positions in baseball (2012). Yes! In spite of hard times, several major league baseball teams are looking for new managers.

Robin Ventura will be the 2012 new White Sox manager, replacing Ozzie Guillen.

The Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Boston Red Sox have yet to choose a manager for 2012. Among the possible candidates is: Ryne Sandberg, Jose Oquendo, and Terry Francona.

People with previous major league managerial experience have the best shot at getting the job.

There are many people out there who would like the opportunity to meet the challenge. Good luck!

p.s. Friends! Are you in the mood? Holiday music and decorations is in the air. Perhaps your starting to think about an affordable, meaningful Christmas gift for your friends. Check it out at: http://amzn.to/ktuge9

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Tim Raines 2009 SP Legendary Cuts Game Used Bat
Card #51/100

post from 30-Year Old Cardboard on 13 November 2011 03:01:08 PM. © 30-Year Old Cardboard

Tim Raines 2009 SP Legendary Cuts – Game Used Bat Card #51/100 It has been way too long since I added a nice card of Tim Raines to my collection, so I shopped around bit and found this beauty for … Continue reading →

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-used-bat-card-51100/

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Catching Up With the 1994 Royals: Part 12 - Hal
McRae

post from Royals Review on 13 November 2011 02:01:19 PM. © Royals Review

Revenge is everything.

The following is a guest post by Clam Simmons, a librarian living in New England. Clam is not my pen name or persona. Clam is clam, a venerable Royals historian of the old school. Clam is on twitter @orangehunchback. He recently contacted me about writing a series of pieces about the 1994 Royals. These are their stories.

Catching Up with the 1994 Royals - Hal McRae

I agreed to meet up with Royals Legend Hal McRae at Charritos on Independence Avenue. I arrived six hours early to arrange my talking points and to eat a pollo asado under the familiar glow of a telanovela. After four hours of journalistic preparation my log of potential questions had become an indiscernible haze. I could not make fog or smoke out of it.

There were so many choices. Should we discuss his role as the American Leagues' first proto-Edgar Martinez? Would he take offense to being described as a proto-Edgar Martinez? Maybe we could discuss the intra-squad battle for the 1976 batting title or McRae's league leading OBP of .407 in the same year. Could we avoid a discussion of McRae's legendary demonstration of telephone abuse? Would McRae admit to stabbing Alvaro Espinoza and Paul Sorrento in the aftermath of the Albert Belle Crime Syndicate's assassination of David Howard in the Price Chopper parking lot? Had McRae given up on his film career after a brief flourish in the action-adventure subculture of mid-nineties Hollywood?

When Hal McRae burst through the front door and ordered a total of fifteen lingua, cabeza and tripe street tacos I felt a vintage Jeff Montgomery running out of the bullpen of my heart. I suddenly realized that it didn't matter what my questions were: Royals Legend Hal McRae was a dude with answers.

CS: Let's talk about the aftermath of the David Howard situation. What happened after you stabbed Alvaro Espinoza and threw a tire at Manny Ramirez? Was your exile from Royals Nation self-imposed?

HM: Hell. No. I was fired up but I needed to get some fresh air. I went out to California. I knocked on Boz's door until he gave me a part in "One Man's Justice".

CS: Which movie is that?

HM: The one where he beats the shit out of some no-luck thugs.

CS: What was your role in the film?

HM: I don't know. Most of the time I just held a machine gun and then when Boz nodded at me I squeezed the trigger.

CS: What was your favorite movie that you were in?

HM: Maybe Hostile Intent with Rob Lowe. That was a crazy cerebral hacker flick. Maybe Judge Dredd but only because I met Sandy at the after-party.

CS: Who is Sandy? Do you mean Sandy Alomar?

HM: No, Ms. Sandra Bullock.

CS: Were you an item?

HM: The National Enquirer called it a fling. But does this look like a fling?

(Hal McRae lifted his pants leg to reveal a giant tattoo of Sandra Bullock's face.)

HM: Yeah, Sandy was a trip. That woman can destroy your world and you think she's evil but she's actually creating a better world for all of us to live in. I read that in a review of "Hope Floats" but it's a good description of Sandy as a lover as well.

CS: How did it end?

HM: I don't want to talk about it. Can't you see I'm sensitive? Next question.

CS: Oh no, I didn't mean that, I meant your film career. I haven't seen you in the credits for a while.

HM: Oh. Sorry. Yeah that's my fault. Hollywood's gone sour on me since I crashed Mickey Rourke's boat. Me and Mickey Rourke were harpooning dolphins in the Florida Keys. I stepped away from the wheel for two minutes to stock the mini-fridge. Next thing you know, we're crashing into Dan Marino's yacht.

CS: How did that end your film career?

HM: I should've apologized to Mickey on the spot but I didn't. I also should've apologized to Marino but I didn't. When word got out, my reputation as an actor suffered. Dan Marino's a pretty powerful guy in Hollywood. Hollywood is weird like that. Now I just get offered the roles no one wants.

CS: What kind of roles?

HM: Last week I got offered the role as the understudy for the sperm analysis lab guy in a pilot for CSI-Salt Lake City.

CS: You're not going to take it?

HM: No. I've still got my pride. Plus, I'm busy with my new job.

CS: What's your new job?

HM: I install these things called, "Cage Cams". They're tiny cameras that take a thousand pictures per swing. For some reason catholic high school baseball teams love them. It's not heaven or anything but it keeps the government off my back.

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Free Agent Rumor: Yu Darvish Might Not be Posted

post from Bronx Baseball Daily » Bronx Baseball Daily, a New York Yankees blog on 13 November 2011 01:16:19 PM. © Bronx Baseball Daily » Bronx Baseball Daily, a New York Yankees blog

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It Could be 2 Months Before Cespedes is a Free
Agent

post from Bronx Baseball Daily » Bronx Baseball Daily, a New York Yankees blog on 13 November 2011 01:04:23 PM. © Bronx Baseball Daily » Bronx Baseball Daily, a New York Yankees blog