Anyone With Espn Insider

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Post Espn Here!!!!! Please Im Too Cheap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[roenick99]

Thursday, December 7
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Giants

Cardinals?
Giants

Pujols and Bonds ... back to back?
Dec 7 - Barry Bonds is still looking for a job and now has a new suitor. According to the San Jose Mercury News, the Cardinals have expressed interest in the seven-time MVP, and his negotiating team might not be using them as a mere ploy to extract more money from the Giants. Agent Jeff Borris has stated repeatedly that Bonds wants to play for a contender.

Bonds was a surprise arrival at the winter meetings Wednesday morning, met with an undisclosed party and left the premises shortly after noon. He did not join Borris in a three-hour session with Giants officials in the afternoon, and it was unknown whether he would return.

Borris neither confirmed nor denied whether Bonds met with Cardinals officials.

Sources with the A's, Angels, Dodgers, Padres, Rangers, Orioles, Red Sox, Devil Rays and Mariners -- all teams loosely considered open-minded -- confirmed that their clubs did not take a meeting with Bonds.

Bonds is seeking a one-year, $18 million contract with a vesting option that could bring a similar salary in 2008. Clearly, the Giants don't want to pay that much, but they feel comfortable they have the desire and resources to give him a guaranteed number (a bit more than $10 million) that would exceed anything he would receive elsewhere.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Vernon Wells
Vernon Wells
Blue Jays

Phillies?
Dodgers?
Angels?
White Sox?

Thinking blue?
Dec 7 - The Dodgers have shown a strong interest in Vernon Wells, the Toronto Sun reports. By adding Jason Schmidt to the rotation, L.A. can now trade Brad Penny and prospects (Matt Kemp, Andy LaRoche, James Loney or Andre Ethier) to get a deal done.

Wells has one year left on his contract and isn't likely to re-sign with Toronto, so GM J.P. Ricciard, who likes Penny, could be open to trading the center fielder.

According to The Toronto Globe and Mail reports, agents Brian Peters and Greg Genske hope to use Wells to make their mark -- and want him to be the next player to threaten the $20-million annual threshold. Many of the big-name contracts they manage were inherited from Jeff Moorad, who sold his sports management business in 2004 to become the CEO of the Diamondbacks.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Eric Gagne
Eric Gagne
Dodgers

Red Sox?

Game over in L.A.?
Dec 7 - Closer Eric Gagne spurned an offer to stay with the Dodgers and will shop around for a better deal, the Los Angeles Times reports. Gagne's agent, Scott Boras, turned down a guaranteed one-year, $4-million offer with incentives that could have increased the value to $10 million.

Although the Dodgers don't appear willing to increase the offer, Boras plans to speak to GM Ned Colletti again before Gagne signs with another team. The market for Gagne has increased to more than $5 million guaranteed, with the same kind of incentives the Dodgers are offering.

"Obviously we are meeting and talking to a lot of teams," Boras told the newspaper. "But Ned and I are communicating and we will continue to talk about Eric Gagne."

The Red Sox still need a closer and have spoken with Boras about Gagne, the Boston Herald reports.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Andy Pettitte
Andy Pettitte
Astros

Yankees?
Astros?

A Bronx reunion?
Dec 7 - Now that Andy Pettitte has decided he will play next year, don't be surprised if the left-hander returns to the Yankees. According to The New York Times, the Yanks are confident they will outbid the Astros.

Houston would like to bring back Pettitte for one year and $12 million. But New York is prepared to offer him $15 million for one season and would consider making a two-year offer if Pettitte wants it. Pettitte may also prefer a one-year contract with a player option for a second year.

[Sheffield_&_Waveland]

Thanks for posting this some interesting info involved, greatly appreciated!!

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Roenick your a god

[Ivy Killa]

did anyone get to read that Gammons insider that he wrote shortly after we signed Soriano? man i wanted to read that, i still cant believe you cant read gammons for free anymore.................lame

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Yeah ESPN sucks its all about the money with thoes dicks

[roenick99]

Roenick your a god

actually, i am just too lazy to call and cancel the darn thing. they actually expect you to call and talk to someone about cancelling it. if i wanted to actually speak to people, i probably wouldn't spend so much time on the internet. :D

they even threw in espn the magazine with your insider subscription and i can honestly say i have NEVER even opened one of them in the year i have had it!

[Ivy Killa]

this might be that article....not sure though

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryDate=20061119&name=gammons_peter&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fesp n%2fblog%2findex%3fentryDate%3d20061119%26name%3dg ammons_peter

[roenick99]

Cubs making biggest splash
posted: Sunday, November 19, 2006 | Print Entry

There is no question about which team has jumped out and made the biggest bang. The Cubs signed second baseman Mark DeRosa, re-signed Aramis Ramirez, re-signed Kerry Wood and now have agreed to pay Alfonso Soriano eight years and $136 million, pending a physical Monday or Tuesday.

"Soriano's agents [SFX, led by Fern Cuza] said they wanted [Carlos] Beltran money," said one club executive. "Well, they did better than that. But I'm not surprised. Justin Speier's people started out looking for Bobby Howry money (three years, $12M) and got four years and $18 million from the Angels. What a market."

The Cubs do not yet know where Soriano will play. It could be any of the three outfield positions, and they know -- working with the Nationals -- he became an exceptional outfielder whose throwing arm makes him a rarity. The $136M is more than they shelled out to keep Derrek Lee and Ramirez, but those players made it clear they wanted to remain in Chicago.

Now the Cubs have Lee and Ramirez around the electrifying Soriano, plus an above-average offensive catcher in Michael Barrett and Cesar Izturis and DeRosa in the middle of the infield. While the Astros are trying to retool, the Cardinals are trying to sign pitchers, the Brewers are on the rise and the Reds have signed Alex Gonzalez and Mike Stanton, the Cubs' explosion in the market could make them instant contenders.

They now want to sign two starting pitchers and a couple of left-handed bats.

"Jim Hendry defined what he needed," says another GM, "and he's willing to spend to get it."

Soriano, who will be 31 in January, has ascended offensively the last three years. His OPS has risen from .808 to .821 to .911, his steals from 18 to 30 to 41, his homers from 28 to 36 to 46.

"Soriano was the positional player on the market," says one GM, and now it will be interesting to see how the Phillies, Astros, Angels and the other teams interested in him move from here.

This should dramatically help Carlos Lee, who has Houston, Baltimore, San Francisco, San Diego and others after him. It could alter the J.D. Drew market with the Angels, Red Sox, Orioles, Astros and others. The Cubs are now out of the Julio Lugo sweepstakes despite Lou Piniella's fondness for his former shortstop, with the Red Sox, Mets and Blue Jays in line to see who is willing to step up to four years and $32M; Boston may be the preferred destination because of how he fits and the fact that he can play shortstop and lead off, but Mets GM Omar Minaya is also a huge Lugo fan.

Jamie Walker's OK. He's left-handed, reliable, threw in 56 games, had a 37/8 K/BB ratio in 48 innings, and had a 4.50 ERA after the All-Star break, which earned him a three-year, $12M deal with the Orioles. "He essentially got a Scott Eyre deal," said one GM, and the Cubs hardly regret signing Eyre last winter.

Relievers may be the most unreliable of junk bonds on the market and certainly the most unpredictable, but the Orioles need relievers and are willing to shell out $12M to Walker and the Angels $18M to Justin Speier. Why not? The Orioles have the money, especially the Washington cable dollars Bud Selig gave to Peter Angelos. They have an audience waiting to be won back by an owner who usually finds reasons not to act. They're in a division with the two biggest payrolls. They have Chris Ray to close and Erik Bedard, Adam Loewen and Daniel Cabrera to protect.

The Speier signing has led to speculation that the Angels may be willing to put Scot Shields in a big trade for offense.

Such is life in a material world. Scott Boras has told teams he can get four years for Scott Schoeneweis and $10M on a one-year deal for Eric Gagne -- before Gagne proves he can morph himself into Trevor Hoffman. Danys Baez is asking three years, $21M. Stanton had 11 interested teams.

Why not? If Boston can post $51.1M for Daisuke Matsuzaka and the Cubs can give Soriano a reported $136M, we are off and running to a wealthy, healthy winter. And admit it: The game is always healthier when the Cubs are good, and in a week they have made themselves a whole lot better.

[roenick99]

"The game is always healthier when the Cubs are good, and in a week they have made themselves a whole lot better."

This is the closing sentance from Gammons. See, not everyone hates the Cubs at ESPN. He might be the only one with a little sense there anyway!

[Ivy Killa]

^^thanks for posting that...i now have some closure lol. yea Gammons has always gave the Cubs props and most of the time the guy knows what he's talkin' about.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Gammons makes Stone look like a fool. I have always like Gammons

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

"The game is always healthier when the Cubs are good, and in a week they have made themselves a whole lot better."

This is the closing sentance from Gammons. See, not everyone hates the Cubs at ESPN. He might be the only one with a little sense there anyway!

No kidding! He is the only baseball guy there I care for.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

ROENICK99 Can you post the Cubs latest off Rumor Central please??:( :(

[roenick99]

I won't be able tonight. my cable at home is still out from the storm last weekend. I am on my pda right now (stealing neighbor's wireless) and espn won't come up on this thing. not to mention it is a real bitch to type on this thing!! I have to go into the office tomorrow morning so I will try to post it then.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

I won't be able tonight. my cable at home is still out from the storm last weekend. I am on my pda right now (stealing neighbor's wireless) and espn won't come up on this thing. not to mention it is a real bitch to type on this thing!! I have to go into the office tomorrow morning so I will try to post it then.

Ok no prob, they have Z on the Rumor list.

[Shwerve]

Anything relating to Big Z likely has only to do with extensions and possible contract money. It was in most of the newspapers yesterday. He is not going anywhere. Print it!

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Anything relating to Big Z likely has only to do with extensions and possible contract money. It was in most of the newspapers yesterday. He is not going anywhere. Print it!

Yeah I just thought there was more info on how much he might ask for.

[Shwerve]

$1 billion annually. My guess is its gonna be at least Oswalt money- 15mil/year. I don't think talk of an extension has even been approached. With the signings his value is gonna change surely.

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

$1 billion annually. My guess is its gonna be at least Oswalt money- 15mil/year. I don't think talk of an extension has even been approached. With the signings his value is gonna change surely.

I would give Z Soriano money in a second. You can count the the best NL pitchers on one hand and Z is in the top 3. 8 years 120 million:D

[roenick99]

Sorry for the delay. I didn't make it in Saturday and my cable company SUCKS!



Friday, December 8
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Jon Lieber
Jon Lieber
Phillies

Pirates?
Pirates?
Brewers?

Hello, Steel City?
Dec 8 - The Phillies want to move Jon Lieber for bullpen help, and the Pirates are considering a deal for the veteran pitcher, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

The Brewers and Rangers also are interested in the 36-year-old righty, who is due $7.5 million in 2007 and can become a free agent after next season.

Lieber is coming off a rare down season in Philadelphia (9-11, 4.93 ERA) after winning 17 games in 2005.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
Astros

Yankees?
Astros
Red Sox

A Bronx reunion?
Dec 8 - If Roger Clemens decides to pitch in 2007, he could end up in the Bronx -- especially since Andy Pettitte has signed with the Yankees. According to The New York Times, there is a strong chance Clemens will follow Pettitte wherever he goes, even if for only the second half of the season.

Clemens is in no rush to make a decision on his future and plans to wait and see how everything shakes out.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Cliff Floyd
Cliff Floyd
Mets

Dodgers?
Orioles
Mariners?
Athletics?
Cubs?

Wrigley welcome?
Dec 8 - The Cubs are keeping an eye on Cliff Floyd, the Daily Herald reports. "Cliff Floyd will probably never be off our radar screen," Gary Hughes, a special assistant to Cubs GM Jim Hendry, told the newspaper.

Floyd, who is from Chicago's South suburbs, is a longtime favorite of Hendry and Hughes, and the Cubs still could sign him as a left-handed hitting partner to Matt Murton in left field.

The Cubs have requested the medical reports on Floyd, who underwent Achilles' tendon surgery after his season with the Mets. In 97 games, Floyd batted .244 with 11 homers, 44 RBI and a .324 OBP.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Vernon Wells
Vernon Wells
Blue Jays

Phillies?
Dodgers?
Angels?
White Sox?

To deal or not to deal?
Dec 8 - The Blue Jays may put center fielder Vernon Wells on the trade market in January, USA Today reports.

"If we can't sign him [to a long-term extension], we have to explore trading him, plain and simple," GM J.P. Ricciardi told the newspaper. "We should know by the first of the year."

The Dodgers have shown a strong interest in Wells, who will be a free agent next offseason. L.A. has the pitching (Brad Penny) and prospects (Matt Kemp, Andy LaRoche, James Loney or Andre Ethier) to get a deal done.

According to The Toronto Globe and Mail, agents Brian Peters and Greg Genske hope to use Wells to make their mark -- and want him to be the next player to threaten the $20-million annual threshold. Many of the big-name contracts they manage were inherited from Jeff Moorad, who sold his sports management business in 2004 to become CEO of the D-Backs.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Zambrano
Cubs

The rich get richer
Dec 8 - The Cubs' decision to put Carlos Zambrano's extension on the backburner could prove costly down the road, the Daily Herald reports. Thanks to the skyrocketing price of starting pitching, Zambrano stands to cash in big-time if he hits the open market next November, and he'll be at the head of the free-agent class of pitchers for 2008.

Talks have yet to begin on Zambrano's extension, and probably won't get serious until the start of spring training. GM Jim Hendry has allotted more than $270 million this offseason, and at the going rate, he may have to add another $100 million to keep Zambrano a Cub.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Jeff Suppan
Jeff Suppan
Cardinals

Cardinals?
Cubs?
Pirates

Not in the Cards?
Dec 8 - Although the Cubs have stepped up their interest in Jeff Suppan, his heart still seems to be in St. Louis, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

But according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the escalating market appears to be pushing Suppan beyond what the Cardinals had allotted for retaining him. GM Walt Jocketty recently met with his agent, Scott Leventhal, and the club has yet to modify its three-year offer of less than $8 million a season.

Suppan's value continues to rise within a market that guaranteed oft-injured Adam Eaton $24.5 million for three years, Vicente Padilla $34.5 million for three years and Ted Lilly $40 million for four. The Cardinals, who some teams believe will eventually bump their bid for Suppan, may be light in years and dollars.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Jon Garland
Jon Garland
White Sox

Astros?

Houston still in the hunt?
Dec 8 - The Astros are continuing talks for Jon Garland, the Houston Chronicle reports. The Astros were close to landing Garland from the White Sox for a group of players -- believed to be pitchers Jason Hirsch and Taylor Buchholz and center fielder Willy Taveras -- before the deal hit a snag.

"We were close on a few fronts, and we're still close on a few fronts," Purpura told the newspaper. "And I don't think that's changed at all. We haven't closed the deal, and that's what we're trying to do. ... We're going to continue to be in communication."
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Jeff Cirillo
Jeff Cirillo
Brewers

Reds?
Brewers?
Twins?

Inexpensive help
Dec 8 - The Twins plan to make an offer to infielder Jeff Cirillo, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. The deal is expected to be for around $1 million and include incentives.

"I think a decision would likely come before the holidays," agent Ken Felder told the newspaper.

Cirillo, 37, batted .319 with three homers and 23 RBI in 112 games with Milwaukee last season. The Twins would use Cirillo, a career .299 hitter at the Metrodome, primarily as a backup at third base, first base and designated hitter.

"I'm not going to get into specifics," GM Terry Ryan told the newspaper. "We're looking for a little right-handed production around the infield."

The Brewers and Reds also are expected to make offers.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Jay Payton
Jay Payton
Orioles

Orioles?

Payton's place in Baltimore?
Dec 8 - The Orioles have made a two-year offer, worth about $9 million, to Jay Payton, the Baltimore Sun reports. Though a handful of teams are interested in Payton, the O's are the front-runners.

The 34-year-old outfielder batted .296 with 10 homers and 59 RBI last season with the A's.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Ryan Church
Ryan Church
Nationals

Phillies?
Tigers?
Cubs?

Swap meet
Dec 8 - The Cubs have held talks with the Nationals about center fielder Ryan Church, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Left-hander Sean Marshall, a Virginia native, is thought to be involved in the deal, though the Nats are believed to be more interested in right-hander Carlos Marmol, a 24-year-old the Cubs might be hesitant to move.

According to the Washington Post, the Phillies and Tigers are also interested in Church. The Nats were involved in a three-way discussion with Detroit and Baltimore in which Washington would have received a pitcher from the Orioles. But Washington didn't want starter Rodrigo Lopez and preferred a younger, cheaper option.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Rondell White
Rondell White
Twins

Phillies?
Rangers?
Twins?

Twin billing?
Dec 8 - The Twins are very interested in re-signing Rondell White to play left field, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. White is hoping to receive a deal similar to the $3.25 million he made in 2006. Indications are that the Twins are more than $1 million apart.

The Rangers and Phillies are also interested in White.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Aubrey Huff
Aubrey Huff
Astros

Orioles?

Bird call?
Dec 8 - The Orioles are giving heavy consideration to making Aubrey Huff an offer, the Baltimore Sun reports. Huff has always hit well at Camden Yards.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Jason Marquis
Jason Marquis
Cubs

Cubs?

Chicago hope?
Dec 8 - After losing out on the Gil Meche sweepstakes, the Cubs have turned their attention to Jason Marquis, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Marquis worked out last month for Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild and likely will seek an annual salary of at least $10 million.

The right-hander went 14-16 with a 6.02 ERA with the Cardinals in 2006. He allowed a league-leading 35 home runs and has only one winning full season (15-7 in 2004) on his resume.
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY
Marcus Thames
Marcus Thames
Tigers

Orioles?

O, what a feeling?
Dec 8 - Despite several tries at the winter meetings, the Orioles couldn't cement a three-way trade for Marcus Thames, the Baltimore Sun reports. However, the O's continue to pursue th

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Roenick your a great person. I'd let you have me if you wanted!:D LOL

[Waveland007]

roenick you complete me lol

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

Roenick, I'm not gay but, I'd let you have me!:D

[DLee25]

pretty hard to read if you ask me.

[roenick99]

Roenick your a great person. I'd let you have me if you wanted!:D LOL

roenick you complete me lol

Roenick, I'm not gay but, I'd let you have me!:D

LOL You sick, sick little monkeys...

:cool:

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

LOL You sick, sick little monkeys...

:cool:

We are sick and you are the cure!! I'd let you have me.:D

[Waveland007]

I've got a fever and the only prescription is more roenick :D

[Shwerve]

We are sick and you are the cure!! I'd let you have me.:D


ok, you really have to take it easy. you're getting out of control

[Ivy Killa]

ok, you really have to take it easy. you're getting out of control

yea this is starting to go to far....one comment like that would have gotten the message across but 3? now it's just getting creepy.

[Waveland007]

yeah 3 I'ld let you have me's is kinda scary lol

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

yea this is starting to go to far....one comment like that would have gotten the message across but 3? now it's just getting creepy.

How says so?? Oh you guys. Well I guess im just creepy! I just really like getting that ESPN stuff without paying:p .

[ChinMusic22]

I'm creeped out... So anyway, how about them Cubs!

[NeifiPerezMVP2007]

[QUOTE=ChinMusic22;4029]I'm creeped out... So anyway, how about them Cubs![/QUOTE

Are we all too mature now??? God I hope not. I hope I'm gonna be the same old immature person the rest of my life!!!

[bringbacktuffy]

Me fail english? thats unpossible!

[chicubs]

Are there any stories about our pitching?