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Archive for March, 2009

Mar 31 2009

MLB Updates: Chipper, Ohman, Sheffield

Published by thetradersarena under MLB Talks Edit This

Updates from around the league…  

  • Chipper Jones has signed a 3 year contract extension worth around 40 MM, plus an option for 2013. If Chipper is healthy, this is a huge steal for the production of Jones, who is worth 136 MM according to fangraphs.com over the life of his 92 MM dollar contract.
  • The Tigers have released Gary Sheffield. This is surprising considering Sheff is healthy and only one away from 500. He will surely find work, but who knows where? He says that he has a preference for the Rays. If he could play the OF he could work, but since Burrell is DH’ing it might be tough to find a slot there. They cut his entire salary of 14 MM to get rid of him. There has to be another underlying reason that has not been stated yet.
  • The Dodgers have signed Will Ohman to a 1 year minor league deal. It can be worth 1.35 MM if he makes the team plus another 200-250K of incentives.
  • Ken Takahashi was released by the Blue Jays and then just signed by the Mets. He was ok in Japan, having a 3.50 ERA last year, but he will be 40 in April.
  • Jason Hammel and Jeff Niemann are both out of options and out of options. There are multiple teams that are interested, but nothing has come about yet. They kept these guys up and optioned David Price instead to AAA. He will be up VERY soon.
  • Scot Boras is still speculating about 50 MM for his pitcher Stephen Strasburg, sure fire #1 pick next year. By one scouts eyes, “He is better than A.J. Burnett right now.”
  • John Lackey wants a 5 year deal worth 80-90 MM, but the ANgels balked at that price. They reportedly offered about 4 YR 50 MM, but it doesn’t help that Lackey is hurt right now for the 2nd straight year missing his opening day start.
  • Pedro Martinez STILL wants 5-6 MM and will wait well into the season. He is, in one word, NUTS.
  • Brett Garnder has officially won the Yankees CF job. Melky Cabrera is now on the bench and has also been mentioned in trade talks.
  • And one more thing I want to address. People are bringing up what if Cody Ransom falters, will the Yanks go find a 1 month replacement. It is not IF but WHEN he will falter. I think they have 2 capable in house options that strengthens their team. Option 1: Xavier Nady. He used to play 3rd briefly and that would allow Nick Swisher to move to Right and I rather have Nick Swisher hitting than Ransom hitting. Option 2: This may surprise some, but how about Mark Teixeira. He came up as a 3rd basemen when he was a prospect. He is an excellent defender, and would allow Swisher to play first base, so again Swisher > Ransom hitting. I think those 2 options are better than Cody Ransom and wouldn’t hurt the Yanks. If anything, it’ll give Swisher more at bats so when A-Rod comes back, Swisher can fill in for any OF or Tex when they need a day off and not be unseasoned and unprepared.
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    Mar 20 2009

    MLB Updates

    Published by thetradersarena under MLB Talks Edit This

    Few quick updates

  • Ryan Braun and David Wright are both available and barring setbacks likely to start against Japan on Sunday. Adam Dunn will move back to RF and Mark DeRosa will fill in at 1st. Longoria is ready to play but if Wright is in will likely not play.
  • Andruw Jones likely won’t make the 40 man for the Rangers but wants to wait till Monday to try to prove himself. He does not want to go to AAA.
  • John Lackey is trying to get an extension but the Angels have not moved on it and don’t appear to like that he wants more than A.J. Burnett’s 5 YR 82 MM deal.

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    Mar 18 2009

    MLB Updates: Aaron Boone, WBC, USA, +

    Published by thetradersarena under MLB Talks Edit This

    Updates from around the league…

  • Aaron Boone today announced at the Astros news conference today that he has a heart problem and will be out this year. His career is in jeopardy although the injury is not serious; he has been asymptomatic since College. Many thought this conference would be to announce they have signed Pedro Martinez but that was not the case.
  • The US vs. Venezuela WBC game tonight is in a rain delay and first pitch is to be at 8:05. If it gets cancelled, both teams are co-winners with the US versing the pool 1 winner.
  • Freddy Garcia is not likely to be the 5th starter for the Mets. If they cut him they could save a potential 8-9 MM in incentives.
  • The Nationals have signed Joe Biemel to a 1 year deal worth 2 MM. They also cut Shawn Hill meaning #1 top prospect Jordan Zimmerman will likely be in the rotation.
  • Leon Boyd, the Netherlands closer in the WBC was given a minor league deal by the Toronto Blue Jays.
  • Tom Gorzelanny has been optioned to AAA for the Pirates.
  • The Red Sox released Josh Bard meaning George Kattaras will be Varitek’s backup and likely start when Tim Wakefield pitches.

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    Mar 18 2009

    WOW! USA wins in the 9th!

    Published by thetradersarena under MLB Talks Edit This

    Wow what a game! One of the best endings I have seen in a while! The USA were down 5-3 and were facing J.C. Romero. The Puerto Rican closer was not warming up and then started to but never was called on to try to close the deal. Romero gave up a few hits and walked some guys to get the bases loaded with 1 out. The score was 5-4 at that time with Mr UnClutch David Wright up. On a 2-1 low fastball, he blooped a single into right field and scored 2 guys. That was the game. Talk all you want about the US not wanting to be there or that they have no heart, but they showed it tonight. Hopefully Braun is available for the next round and Fuentes can come back. They may also call up Longoria if need be. It should be a great Semifinal with the US, Venezuela, Japan/Korea/Cuba.

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    Mar 17 2009

    12 Box Case GROUP TEAM Break of 09 Contenders Baseball!

    Published by thetradersarena under Card World News Edit This

    Hey guys, I am running a 12 BOX CASE GROUP TEAM BREAK OF 09 CONTENDERS BASEBALL over on www.freedomcardboard.com

    Each slot is 49.00 with subsequent slots at 47.00 a piece. This covers cost of the case, shipping, supplies, etc. Past prices for these breaks were 56.00 a slot! This set is LOADED with rookie autos and SHORT PRINTS of Dayan Viciedo, Jesus Montero, and others! 9 spots of 29 are filled so far! Fill the other 20, I would love to break this THIS WEEK!

    Sign up thread can be found here: 12 BOX CASE OF 09 CONTENDERS BASEBALL GROUP BREAK

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    Mar 17 2009

    MLB Updates: Manny, USA, WBC +

    Published by thetradersarena under MLB Talks Edit This

    Few updates:

    Manny Ramirez is out for one week after sustaining an injury, i think to his hamstring off the top of my head. It was in his first game back playing Left Field.

    The Venezuelans beat the Puerto Ricans in a matchup where the winner is into the Semi Finals. Team PR will play the USA for the rights to face Venezuela for the pool winner.

    The USA is facing a ton of injuries: Ryan Braun, Dustin Pedroia, Chipper Jones, Matt Lindstrom. Other players are playing with minor injuries, and Brian Fuentes is not available for this round because of family reasons.

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    Mar 16 2009

    MLB Updates: WBC, Pedro, Pudge +

    Published by thetradersarena under MLB Talks Edit This

    The WBC has been great so far! Last night, the US defeated the Netherlands, who are now eliminated, to face the loser of tonights Venezuela Puerto Rico game. The Koreans defeated Team Mexico and Oliver Perez 8-2. Cuba lost to Japan. Cuba will face Mexico in an elimination game.

    Jon Heyman of SI believes Pedro Martinez will either be a Met or a Dodger, but Pedro would need to come down on his asking price of 5-7 MM to about 2.5 MM with incentives.

    Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, who is having an amazing WBC, is in serious talks with the Astros as I type and likely will sign with them. UPDATE, they just signed him to a 1.5 MM deal with another 1.5 MM in performance bonuses.

    Cole Hamels has reported elbow problems, this could be a huge hit to the World Champs. Hamels threw the most pitches last year with 3900+, so maybe that was the culprit.

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    Mar 14 2009

    The Traders Arena Weekly Newsletter

    Published by thetradersarena under The Traders Arena News & Updates Edit This

    Here’s what’s new at The Trader’s Arena this week!

    We currently have several contests running. Our St Patrick’s Day contest is split into 2 parts. (1) Find the lucky shamrocks hidden throughout the site and win Arena Cash! (2) Find the Patrick Roy goalie mask and win a prize package of Patrick Roy. See this thread for details: Click Here!

    Our March Madness bracket challenge opens up Monday morning with a chance at prizes for the Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final 4, and the Championship game. See this thread for details: Click Here!

    Win Arena Cash just for posting scans of your best cards in this thread: Click Here! The best of the best will be featured on our home page!

    Get in on Johan Sanatan #57’s Group Break of 6 boxes of Playoff Contenders Baseball. A deal that’s sure to bring some nice hits! Get in the break here!

    Our Casino Game Room Beta release is open on the site and we are working on integrating it with our Arena Cash and other great features. Sports betting, Texas Hold ‘Em tournaments, and a weekly Lottery Drawing will also be included once the build is complete.

    Be sure to check into the site chatroom on Sunday night at 8:00 pm EST for Let’s Make a Deal, trade chat and just good old all around fun to be had by all!

    We look forward to seeing you at The Trader’s Arena this week!

    www.thetradersarena.com

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    Mar 11 2009

    MLB Updates: Pedro, WBC +

    Published by thetradersarena under MLB Talks Edit This

    Updates from around the league…

  • Wow. Just Wow. Wow is all I can say about the Netherlands defeating the Dominicans AGAIN 2-1 in 11 innings! This is one of the biggest upsets in sports really. A team of no MLB experience except for Randall Simon and another guy who had 3 at bats, vs practically a star studded MLB lineup with the likes of Big Papi, Hanley Ramirez and Jose Reyes. The Dutch move on to Round 2 while the Domincans are sent packing back to their MLB teams spring training.
  • Pedro Martinez pitched solid again throwing 3 scoreless innings. His fastball looked great, topping out at 92, that is not a typo, 92 MPH! He has to get signed by somebody. The Mets have said they are not looking to bring Pedro back.
  • The Cubans defeated the Australians 5-4, while Venezuela defeated the Italians 10-1. The USA team plays Venezuela for the pool winner, and the Cubans face the winner of Australia / Mexico.
  • Projected #1 pick Stephen Straburg was described by one scout this week as “already better than A.J. Burnett.” He could pitch in the big leagues TODAY. He will be the consensus #1 pick in the draft. The Nationals looks like his destination.
  • Manny Ramirez makes his spring training debut manana.

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    Mar 10 2009

    It’s Official: Panini Buys Donruss!

    Published by thetradersarena under Card World News Edit This

    A total surprise move here, new into the card business Panini has agreed to buy Donruss. Panini made a big splash recently when they announced that they had gained an exclusive NBA liscense, meaning Upper Deck and Topps could no longer produce basketball cards. Panini was known for its European influence and sticker products. This is a brilliant move, instead of starting from scratch, now they have a tie to a major card company who already has a facility. This will help them be able to produce cards for October. Panini hopefully will use the Donruss name and continue great sets like NFL Playoff Contenders, and Donruss Prime Cuts. It will be interesting to see the NBA products that come out.

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