Glavine signs with METS Don't have a link, but he has told his teammates that he is a Phillie. It is all over the radio. edit-Mets upped their offer...insane.
Not the Glavine signing, but a signing nonetheless: Ventura Agrees to $5M Deal With Yankees 1 hour, 40 minutes ago NEW YORK (AP) - Third baseman Robin Ventura (news) completed his $5 million, one-year contract with the New York Yankees (news) on Thursday after passing a physical. Ventura, 35, hit .247 with 27 homers and 93 RBIs in his first season with the Yankees, who acquired him from the Mets in a trade last December. The AL All-Star is taking a cut from his 2002 salary of $8.25 million. The Yankees originally hoped that prospect Drew Henson would be ready to take over at third base by 2003. But the former Michigan quarterback struggled in the minors, batting .240 with 18 homers and 65 RBIs at Triple-A Columbus last season, along with 151 strikeouts in 471 at-bats. He then had trouble in the Arizona Fall League. "Robin Ventura's production and veteran leadership were invaluable to the Yankees in 2002," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "We look forward to him being a key contributor in our quest for another world championship in 2003."
The Phillies knew what they were doing when they traded Rolen. They will end up getting Bell, Thome AND Glavine for about the same money they offered to Rolen alone. Phills get the better end of that deal.
did the Phillies give in to the 4th year demand then? I can't find a link on the web about it, therefore I ask those of you that heard via other media sources. Things just got interesting in the NL.
Still nothing on Glavine, but a trade nonetheless: Dodgers Trade Karros to Cubs for Hundley Thu Dec 5 CHICAGO (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Dodgers traded first baseman Eric Karros and second baseman Mark Grudzielanek to the Chicago Cubs Wednesday for catcher Todd Hundley. The Dodgers also paid an undisclosed amount of cash to the Cubs and received backup outfielder Chad Hermansen. Already with one of the highest payrolls in the National League (news), the Dodgers made no secret of their desire to rid themselves of the contracts of Karros and Grudzielanek. The Dodgers are hoping to make a run at free agents Cliff Floyd (news), an outfielder, or Jeff Kent (news), a second baseman who can also play first base. Hundley, who spent 1999-2000 with Los Angeles, was a major disappointment for Chicago. The 33-year-old backstop battled injuries and prolonged slumps during two seasons in his hometown. Despite having prospects Hee Seop Choi and Bobby Hill on the verge of breaking through at first and second base respectively, Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said that giving new manager Dusty Baker some choices was a factor in the decision. Baker has a reputation for preferring experienced players to youngsters. SOME OPTIONS "We are a long way from Opening Day and have a lot of decisions to make," Hendry said. "A lot of people think a lot of Hee Seop Choi and Bobby Hill but in all fairness they have to prove themselves. "We made a commitment to Dusty to make our bench better and give him some options on a day-in, day-out basis." Karros, 35, had spent his entire 11-year career with the Dodgers. The 1992 National League Rookie of the Year is coming off a season in which he batted .271 with just 13 homers and 73 RBI in 142 games. He is slated to earn $8 million in 2003 and the club has a $9 million option for 2004. "I'm excited about coming to Chicago," Karros said. "I'm excited about the direction the Cubs are headed. I can honestly say I'm excited about the opportunity in front of me." Grudzielanek, 32, can also play shortstop but figures on battling Hill for playing time. He also batted .271 with nine homers and 50 RBI in 2002 and tied for the best fielding percentage by a second baseman in the National League. Grudzielanek is slated to make $5.5 million in 2003, and the club has a $6 million option for 2004. Hundley left the Dodgers and signed a four-year, $23.5 million contract with the Cubs in December 2000 but hit a combined .199 in his two seasons in Chicago.
Nothing "Official" but some Glavine news: METS LEFT AT ALTAR? Thu Dec 5 By KEVIN KERNAN There will be a new beast in the East. The Great Tom Glavine Chase took some fascinating twists and turns yesterday. Tom Glavine's talks with the Braves did not go well, according to industry sources, because the Braves remain stuck on a two-year deal for the star. Glavine, according to sources, did speak yesterday with Mets' owner Fred Wilpon, who has worked overtime to try to land the two-time Cy Young winner. Despite that encouraging news for the Mets, sources close to Glavine say the left-hander is expected to announce - perhaps as early as tomorrow - that he will sign with the Phillies. If that happens, Philadelphia will have added two future Hall of Famers, Glavine and slugging first baseman Jim Thome, in the space of four days. Philadelphia manager Larry Bowa will celebrate his 57th birthday tomorrow. Glavine would be the perfect present for the fiery manager. The Mets, though, still think they are in the race, although it appears they are destined to finish second unless they go to four years guaranteed for the pitcher who will be 40 at the end of that contract. The Mets have offered a three-year deal at $28.5 million while the Phillies are offering three years at $30 million. As for the Braves, unless they have a last-second change of heart and go to three years, Glavine will be history. Perhaps the Braves knew such a fate was theirs from the beginning and that is why GM John Schuerholz crafted the Mike Hampton deal, landing himself a key lefty. You'll remember it was Hampton who helped carry the Mets to the 2000 World Series. Glavine's agent, Gregg Clifton, did not return phone calls yesterday. The Mets were in contact with Clifton and said negotiations are "ongoing." Clifton, who is based in Arizona, was said to be in Virginia at company meetings. The Phillies' acquisitions of Thome and free agent third baseman David Bell have played a role in Glavine leaning towards selecting Philadelphia, according to sources. All three would come at a combined price tag of about $132 million. Glavine immediately would assume the role of the No. 1 starter for Bowa's club. The Braves had been offering two years at $18 million. A third year would bring Glavine back to Atlanta. "I'm not going to comment on anything," Braves' GM John Schuerholz said of the negotiations. Schuerholz has been consistent about one thing during his amazing career and that is loading up on pitching. That is always his first order of business and this year Glavine and Greg Maddux are free agents. The Braves are the only organization Glavine has known, coming to them in the 1984 draft. Atlanta is home to Glavine and his wife and four children. Braves' president Stan Kasten and Glavine met Monday at a Bruce Springsteen concert in Atlanta. Both are big fans of the Boss' classic Rosalita, which is Kasten's favorite song and one that Springsteen rarely sings any more. Perhaps when Kasten and Glavine hear the lyrics, "Someday we'll look back on this and it will all seem funny," they will think back to the Great Glavine Chase. It appears, though, only Glavine and the Phillies will be smiling.
Although I wanted to see Tom retire a Brave, I am glad we didn't give in to his demands for a 4 year contract. The guy has a good year or maybe two left, but no way does he have 3 or 4 left.
Glavine Heading to the Mets Braves Pitcher Tom Glavine is the National League player representative. E-mail This Article to Someone Reported By: Fred Kalil Web Editor: Manav Tanneeru Last Modified: 12/5/2002 6:31:49 PM Free-agent Pitcher Tom Glavine signed with the New York Mets Thursday, 11Alive Sports Director Fred Kalil reported. The contract is a three-year deal, with an option for a fourth. No other details were immediately known. Glavine toured New York and Philadelphia in his free agency and reportedly expressed disappointment that the Atlanta Braves, his only major league team, did not pursue him more aggressively. Glavine, a 36-year-old left-hander who has won two NL Cy Young Awards, was 18-11 with a 2.96 ERA this year. He has 242 career victories and his goal, according to various media reports, was to reach 300. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Damn.
I think the Phillies did well not to win a bidding war for Glavine. They already overpaid fro David Bell (who I wanted the Astros to get, but not at all costs) and Jim Thome has some health concerns (if not many as a player) and a massive and untradable contract.
The Mets are stupid. They aren't contending, when you aren't contending you do NOT spend big money on aging players. In conclusion, the Mets are stupid.
The Phillies wanted desperately to generate some excitement this year since they're heading into their new ballpark in 2004. Attendance is horrible in the crappy Vet, and the brass was scared of having a half full brand new ballpark. As soon as the Thome signing was announced season tickets sales skyrocketed. The city is buzzing that finally the Phillies are spending some money. Pretty difficult considering the Flyers and Sixers are leading their divisions and the Eagles are winning by throwing in the towel boy as QB. While the Phillies overpaid for both Thome and Bell, but they cut a lot of fat off the payroll beforehand. Their pitching staff is just like the 'Stros, young, good, and right now anyway cheap. For the next couple of years they should be very competitive, score a lot of runs, pitch very well, when those pitchers get ready for their paydays though the Phillies will revert back to their penny pinching ways.
You make a good point, Phillyrocket. Signing Bell and Thome, even at inflated salaries, made sense for the Phillies. I never understood why that franchise was so cheap....large fanbase, media market and the NL east has been pretty weak the last three years. They'll definitely contend next season.
ehhh.....All of the teams in this area SHOULD have large fan bases, but to tell you the truth, there are probably more Yankees fans in the Philadelphia area than Phillies fans. Maryland to Connecticut.
