Setting up at the Winter Meetings
BySo we’re here, we’re registered, and we’ve feasted on the Bellagio buffet (couldn’t have asked for much more; we had a hard time walking back to our hotel). So while we digest, here are some pictures from the early goings.

Yep, that’s us. For some reason, I had this nagging fear that something would have gotten screwed up and we wouldn’t have gotten these.

The press room. We’re 90 percent certain Jerry Crasnick of ESPN was in there. On our way out, we 100 percent saw Gene Monahan, who was there for the trainers conference.

NERDS!!!!! Seriously, this is one comprehensive stat package. No wOBA, though.

This is the TOC of the cool binder they gave us. Disappointingly, the Rule 5 worksheet lists all teams, not just team which have picks.
This is probably all we’ve got for tonight. Everyone’s getting here and getting settled in, and even then a lot of people are flying in tomorrow morning. Mike and I will have a drink for each of you.
The Greg Maddux press conference is at 11:30 tomorrow, so we’ll be there for that, as will most everyone there I assume. Girardi’s availability is on Tuesday, and we’ll probably pop in for Torre’s on Wednesday.
‘Till then…




Define: jealous.
Have a great time and keep up the good work, guys.
Dye for Bailey ? MLBTR says it might be done
Yep. Strange for Ken Williams. We could actually see this move coming.
Good or bad move by Kenny ?
cant see how trading a 34 yr old corner OF for a 22 yr old former 31 prospect can ever really be a bad deal
#1 prospect… damn
Would you of dealt Nady for Homer ?
well our situation is a little different. We could trade nady put swisher in right and sign dunn or tex to play 1b. Or swish at 1b and sign dunn for right.
Id do it even if it meant using Bailey in a possible trade for Peavy or another useful guy who could potentially be on the trade market
Anyone have any idea what kind of numbers may come from Jay Bruce this season? Late round pick in my dynasty league… thats the only reason I am interested in Dye going there, lol
http://www.fangraphs.com/stats.....osition=OF
Was a good pick if Bill James is right
are the reds trying to win this year? i know he has lost the luster a bit, but Baily is still 22 years old and was obviously rushed to the majors
He lost his velocity bad
The lost velocity is the only thing that would concern me. Young pitchers struggle, but they generally don’t lose 5+ MPH off their fastball unless there is something wrong with them.
if that came up? yes. you could put Swisher in right and sign Teixeira to play 1B… and you’d get a former top prospect. Win-win in my book
But I doubt that would be offered to the Yankees. eh, we can always ho
No way (from a Reds standpt.) Dye > Nady in every way except age defense (and the latter’s debatable).
And salary. Dye will make $11.5 mil in ‘09 vs. Nady’s $3.35 mil, which is probably more important to the Reds.
Either player is a one year thing with 2 picks coming. That works for Dye or Nady, Nady cheaper.
Personally I’d be interested in this deal
Would of been if Bailey was a Yankee
Hey he did quite well trading for young arms like Danks and Floyd. Why not take a chance on Bailey who has the best arm of the three and Cooper can certainly help him with his mechanics and stuff.
I know this was never a rumor, but why couldn’t the Yankees trade Damon for Bailey? Damon gives them more of what they need–a leadoff guy with power and discipline, not to mention a LF. I’m not 100% sold on Casey Dickerson yet–and apparently, they aren’t either if they traded for Dye.
They wanted a right handed bat
They want a middle of the order bat, and right handed
I am jealous though.
I hate you guys.
ENJOY.
http://perpetuallyperegrine.fi.....alousy.jpg
What? Ben didn’t go?
oh well
Yeah, why isnt ben there?
finals
bleh, I have finals too Ben, sucks
Me three. I’ve got nothing on Mon/Tues but teh end of the week is really loaded. Blech.
You guys need spy gear, like legit rig the whole place up and listen to people’s side conversations. How bout that for hearing whispers.
We can hear everything Epstein says
Thats awesome guys. Have fun.
Gonna grab a beer with PeteAbe?
WHATEVER YOU DO DONT GET BETWEEN HIM AND A BUFFET!!!
Lol
MLBTR just reported that Omar will be making a offer to K-Rod tonight.
5 Years at 60M?
Doubt it.. They wont go past 4
Rumor was 3, maybe 3 with 4th vesting
i know this sounds pathetic, but i am just gonna say it…i wish i was you guys. that has got to be the all time coolest vacation (and its not even a vacation)
congrats on the success guys
Seconded.
Thirded?
hope you guys have a great time covering the winter meetings. my dream is to cover baseball as a sportswriter/journalist in my future, and i love reading your site. congrats on all the success u guys have had, and even more in the future =]
Going to be a fun week
Could you give times with the time zone your talking about, is the Maddux thing 11:30 MT or ET
11:30 am Pacific Time, so 2:30 back home.
thanks.
Would you mind knocking on Cashman’s door and asking him if he’s looked into Hermida? That’s a lot of talent to possibly be had at a reasonable price.
What day is the rule v draft/last day of meetings? BTW, did Mike say he was going to live blog the draft?
I’m going to try. We’ll see what happens. It starts at 9am (Pacific) on Thursday.
(In case you were wondering twice)
Thursday.
Thursday.
(You know what, I give up. Time for bed.)
I think it’s thursday.
You guys feel so exclusive don’t ya.
PS: Both ya guys last names are quite funny especially Joe’s.
CC’s agent requested the meetings
what do you make of that? Suposedly Cashmans is tonight. What time is it there now.
4 hour difference, so 7 pm.
You guys should write a list of RAB suggestions and slip it under Cashman’s door.
Sane RAB suggestions only please.
I meant RAB Staff suggestions. Not that NYA/CHN trade posted on another thread.
i’ve never been more jealous of anyone in my entire life!
have a blast and dig up some scoops
CC’s agent requested a meeting with both the yankees and sox? Does that mean the sox are seriously in the CC bidding?? Or is CC’s agent saying that to make Cashmen up the bid.
Exactly, cc’s agent saw the sox fuck up our santana trade negotiations and is hoping he can use them to drive the price up on CC. Theo I imagine is happy to oblige.
I think CCs agent meeting with sox is more about judging there agresivness to get Tex. So then he can comunicate with Angels before finaly giving us our answer. Shouldnt efect our ofer money wise.
CC’s agent wants to tell Cash in person how much CC despises New York, the East Coast, AL Baseball, $140 million, etc, etc, etc. That’s what we’ve been reading for weeks, but apparently Cash hasn’t gotten it thru his head, so they want to make it clear to him.
Are you trying to be sarcastic or serious
1000% sarcastic. All of that “leaked” crap is negotiation. It’s a way to drive up the price for the Yankees.
I agree.
i seriously doubt theo’s gonna give up any info re tex. it’s a poker match right now
but i’m definitely paranoid that cc is hoping the angels lose out on tex and make him an offer
me to. Thats wht we need to tell CC he has till friday then the offer is gone. We can not let him wait til Tex signs. And miss out on all FA.
No. Big free agents don’t sign by December 12th, so you don’t pull the offer. Giambi, who everyone knew wanted to go to the Yankees, fit a need for the Yankees (and their cash) didn’t sign until December 13th. It would be ridiculous to pull the offer for CC by December 12th. Many big FA’s don’t sign until January, some February. Don’t worry, TSJC’s burrito will finally be done someday, but let’s not rush it, we don’t want the center to be frozen when he takes that first bite.
Ill take some deep breaths. my bad. Just see this all about CC wanting to wait on Tex signinfg first as CC still holding for Angels. What do you make of it.
lohud has a pic of cashman wearing his world series ring while waiting for a cab
Definitely jealous. Have a good time guys.
Peteabe reporting Dye for Bailey, just fyi
false rumors
Ha Haaaaaaaaaa!
Now we get to know the mystery men behind RAB. It’s Mike Axisa, Joe Pawlikowski & Ben K.
One minute, Ben who? Anybody know his last name?