<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Deal: W. Myers, R. Hanigan, J. Castillo to Padres. T. Turner, J. Ross to Nats. S. Souza, R. Rivera, B. Smith, J. Bauers, T. Ott to Rays. Wow</p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/545357496974442496">December 17, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>And Gerardo Reyes to the Padres. Twitter doesn't have enough characters for this trade.</p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/545357938164916225">December 17, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Well Matt Kemp has arthritis in his hip and that could prevent him from being dealt to the Padres which could also effect the Will Myers trade... http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/...o-san-diego-padres-review-medical-information
Marc Topkin covers the Rays for the Tampa Bay Times. Hello, Montreal?????????? <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rays?src=hash">#Rays</a> stadium deal is rejected by St. Pete City Council</p>— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) <a href="https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Rays/status/545721605851475969">December 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>BREAKING: The St. Pete City Council has voted to DENY deal to allow a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rays?src=hash">#Rays</a> stadium search <a href="http://t.co/hv2RV5GZr4">http://t.co/hv2RV5GZr4</a></p>— DRaysBay (@draysbay) <a href="https://twitter.com/draysbay/status/545721000449814528">December 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Are the Quebequas interested in spending money on sports? They seem to have different priorities. I have no idea. I'm struggling to think of where you could put a viable MLB franchise. Indy? Montreal? NC? Portland? San Antone?
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Thanks to a ham store, we know A.J. Pierzynski has signed with the Braves. <a href="http://t.co/6tETvA5iwT">http://t.co/6tETvA5iwT</a> <a href="http://t.co/0uoDu9Kkmp">pic.twitter.com/0uoDu9Kkmp</a></p>— SB Nation (@SBNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBNation/status/547841194680532992">December 24, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> tl;dr Fredi Gonzalez had small talk with a guy's dad at a honey baked ham store and told him the Braves were getting AJ Pierzynski, the guy subsequently broke it on twitter
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Oopps you missed me! Walked right by me! Hope he gets to see his pic with me on Twitter, he doesn't know we took this <a href="http://t.co/CHgFlVfafm">pic.twitter.com/CHgFlVfafm</a></p>— Roy Halladay (@RoyHalladay) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyHalladay/status/554384274007543808">January 11, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Nats close to a [7-year] deal with Max Scherzer. LOLWUT <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Source: Scherzer deal with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nationals?src=hash">#Nationals</a> is seven years, $210M with half deferred. He will receive $15M per year for 14 years.</p>— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/557215476757975040">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Sources: Max Scherzer's deal is $210 million for seven year. Half is deferred: $105M from 2015-21, $105M from 2022-28. <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal">@Ken_Rosenthal</a> first.</p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/557215744593629184">January 19, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Vegas has given the Cubs the 5th best odds to win the World Series. Is it because all the Back to the Future II inspired bets have juked the stats? Or does Vegas really think the Cubs are that good? They finished dead last in the NL Central last year, 73 wins.
5th is probably pushing it. I don't see the Cubs even making the postseason, but that's with this currently constructed team. One trade for another highly talented pitcher -- Hamels, Cueto, Strasburg, etc., and I can definitely see a postseason appearance. The Cubs will definitely win more than 73 games though, unless of course this team gets cursed with injuries. They upgraded to arguably the best manager in baseball, they got an ace in Lester, they are getting the #1 prospect in baseball in April/May up to the majors (nothing's guaranteed with Bryant, but you have to think that he probably helps), they upgraded at catcher with Montero, they brought back Jason Hammel who was doing pretty well with the Cubs before he got traded, and upgraded their bullpen by adding a guy like Motte. Of course there's really no guarantee that these things will all mean positives for the Cubs, but it should definitely help the be a better team. Take all that into account, and then think about a full season of Jorge Soler (who really tore it up when he was called up) and a full season of Javier Baez (who struggled for the time he was up but looks promising). We'll also see if Jake Arrieta is the real deal or not, he had a great season last season. Another young pitcher behind him, Kyle Hendricks, who also looked promising, that's potentially another guy that could add to this rotation. This is likely the projected rotation Lester Arrieta Hammel Hendricks Wood Right now, if I'm putting a number of wins on this team, it's probably 80 or 81. They should be a .500 team with this roster even with all the young guys. Yeah, that's definitely not worth the 5th best odds to win the WS, so it's probably more to get people to bite on the bet more than anything else, but like I said, if the Cubs get another ace Pitcher like a Cueto, Hamels, or Strasburg through a trade, then I think it would be a huge disappointment if they didn't at least make the postseason. Personally, as a fan, I'm hoping they don't make a trade this season because next season's FA class for starting pitchers is pretty deep. They can get a guy like David Price or Johnny Cueto without having to give up anything from the farm. I think these young hitters will need another year before you can rely on them. 2016 is probably the year I think the Cubs will have a good shot at the postseason, assuming they do acquire another top level pitcher through free agency.
Just saw that original doctor recommended TJ. 13-15 month recovery. If they're going to do that, you want to do it soon so you don't waste more time.
