The Official Thread for the 2011 Season of Major League Baseball

Really? He's 24, averages 93 on the heater with a great slider and decent change and curve, strikes out a batter an inning, and walks fewer than a guy every three innings. He's pitched 180+ IP the last two years, right where you want a young kid like that. His stuff is undeniable, his command is very decent for such a young kid, and the only thing left to prove for him is that he can go 220+ IP year in, year out.

There aren't many righties younger than 25 that I would trade like that for. Cincinnati gave up a ton to get him, and Alonso is going to be really good, but it isn't often you have a change to get a good pitcher that young with that much team-control left.

his bb% and k% are great, his era- and fip- over the last 3 years combined have been really good, and he keeps the ball in the park (and not just the home splits at petco, either). he is definitely a really good pitcher. given the circumstances (votto in alonso's way, mesoraco in grandel's way, and volquez pitching himself out of the rotation anyway) i am okay with the trade from the reds' end, especially considering how badly they need a top of the rotation guy. they will be better next year because of this trade.

3 years, $33 million to keep Rollins. I love having him on the team, that's a hefty price for someone his age though.

That's a ton of money for someone who can't hit or field anymore.

I think the Phillies management is about the dumbest in giving contracts to position players. The Howard deal was bad when it was signed, and it's going to be awful by the halfway point.

The worst is that Charlie Manuel insists on batting Rollins as lead-off. Rollins is a great leader, personality-wise, but having him at the #1 spot kills us all the time.

Disagree with this.

Seriously, he's still a great shortstop.

Granted.

Still tons of money to be spent on a glove-man, even at such an important position, who is going to OBP .325 next season.

I just don't get the A's. Thank god Gio Gonzalez is out of the AL West though.

Gonzalez was at his peak value. He probably pitched a bit over his head and his contract status is team-friendly right now. Beane got a good haul. The Nats are going to be a force for a while, though.

Beane is just gonna trade , get minor leaguers... then trade some more....

That's what happens when the fucking Giants piss and moan and won't let you move to a profitable city (San Jose) and your payroll is $40 million a year and everything doesn't go your way.