There's always next year: the 2013 MLB thread

[Paperback Writer]

Aw yes, the allure of another Drew. If Stephen gives us a memorable grand slam in the playoffs like his brother did, then I'm all in.

[YOUTUBE]1gqGIFUpv3M[/YOUTUBE]

As a life long RedSox fan, I would have thought the front office would have learned better after their experience with his older brother. It's only a one year deal though. Without digging into it, I don't see much difference between Stephen Drew and Mike Aviles...except for about 8-9 million.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Since it hasn't been talked about, Billy Beane really did kill it with the deal for Chris Young. I'm certainly happy with giving up Yordy Cabrera and Cliff Pennington to get Chris Young.

[MartyFunkhouser]

A's have their new starting shortstop. I'm starting to think that Billy Beane is convinced that the market for international players is undervalued.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8759244/oakland-shortstop-hiroyuki-nakajima-agree-two-year-deal

[DU Ute]

A's have their new starting shortstop. I'm starting to think that Billy Beane is convinced that the market for international players is undervalued.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/87...-two-year-deal

Hopefully he'll pan out as well as Cespedes.

[Joe Public]

A's have their new starting shortstop. I'm starting to think that Billy Beane is convinced that the market for international players is undervalued.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/87...-two-year-deal

Lack of bathtubs?

Later in Japanese, Nakajima said through an interpreter that Beane was "extremely sexy and cool," one of his biggest adjustments will be the lack of bathtubs in the United States and said he wanted to learn the "Bernie Lean" dance that was so popular in Oakland last season.

I've never been to Japan. What is he talking about?

[Clark Addison]

For how poor the Cubs have been in the last 7 years, they spend a lot of money. If they took the Marlins route of trading their best players (smartly) for prospects, then spending to fill holes when those prospects bloom, the NL Central is a very winnable division. Maybe Epstein will be the one to take them in the right direction.

Hey! The Cubs won the division twice in the last 7 years. For the Cubs, that is considered a wildly successful era.

[Green Monstah]

The AL East is looking to be beast again this year. Toronto has improved in leaps and bounds. Red Sox may be looking at another year in the cellar.

[Green Monstah]

As a life long RedSox fan, I would have thought the front office would have learned better after their experience with his older brother. It's only a one year deal though. Without digging into it, I don't see much difference between Stephen Drew and Mike Aviles...except for about 8-9 million.

Stephen is like hes brother, only worse. I can't believe the money they threw at him.

Cherrington is out of his league, I fear.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Stephen is like hes brother, only worse. I can't believe the money they threw at him.

Cherrington is out of his league, I fear.

9.5 million for a 1 year contract for a team like the Red Sox is nothing.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Hopefully he'll pan out as well as Cespedes.

If he pans out that well, I'll be looking forward to another year in the playoffs for the A's.

[BoylenOver]

HOF vote is today. Sounds like the BBWA won't vote anyone in this year.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Really good article from frangraphs on the newest Oakland A, John Jaso

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index...ing-john-jaso/

If Jaso just regresses back to his career averages, he’ll be a good offensive performer. If any of Jaso’s improvement from 2012 held, he’d be one of the better hitters in the American League. Oh, yeah, and he can catch.

In many ways, Jaso is Scott Hatteberg reborn. After spending his time in Boston as a part-time C/DH, the A’s decided to give him a full time job at first base. At 32, he got 500 plate appearances for the first time, and he rewarded Oakland with a +3 win season, including a 120 wRC+. You’ve probably heard about those 2002 A’s. They made for a pretty good story.

11 years later, Billy Beane is at it again. Jaso was born to be on Beane’s team. The A’s probably won’t be turning Jaso into a first baseman, given that he’s likely more valuable to them as a part-time catcher, but this has been a skillset that has been aligned with the A’s for quite some time. For good reason, too. Billy Beane knows that these kinds of hitters are often better than their former teams realized.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Braves get Justin Upton and don't give up much to get him. Braves are looking like they will be very good next year.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Braves get Justin Upton and don't give up much to get him. Braves are looking like they will be very good next year.

Simmons
Heyward
J Upton
Freeman
BJ Upton
McCann
Uggla
Christ Johnson/Juan Francisco

The lineup has a ton of potential, but there are also potentially a ton of holes in it. Is McCann never going to regain his rhythm mat the plate? Is Uggla finished now that he can't juice as easily? Will Heyward finally hit for power consistently all year?

They won't get Beachy back until August. But Hudson/Medlen/Maholm/Minor/Teheran with Kimbrel closing games out is pretty solid even w/o Beachy.

Winning the division will be tough, but Atlanta should definitely be in the post season again.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Simmons
Heyward
J Upton
Freeman
BJ Upton
McCann
Uggla
Christ Johnson/Juan Francisco

The lineup has a ton of potential, but there are also potentially a ton of holes in it. Is McCann never going to regain his rhythm mat the plate? Is Uggla finished now that he can't juice as easily? Will Heyward finally hit for power consistently all year?

They won't get Beachy back until August. But Hudson/Medlen/Maholm/Minor/Teheran with Kimbrel closing games out is pretty solid even w/o Beachy.

Winning the division will be tough, but Atlanta should definitely be in the post season again.

I agree it is going to a battle to get past the Nationals. Braves will likely end up being one of the wild cards.