The Trade/Waiver Wire/Firings/Drama Thread

[Da Schwab]

I know the Series isn't over yet, but I wanted to make this thread because of the clip I read today on ESPN. I guess this could possibly be stickied and used for all sorts of news during the offseason.

First bid of business: The White Sox don't plan to re-sign Junior.

Not long ago, Ken Griffey Jr. was one of the most sought-after players in baseball. Last year, he finished as a late-season rental.

According to an SI.com report on Tuesday, the Chicago White Sox will not try to re-sign the free-agent outfielder. That means the sure Hall of Famer will have played only 41 games in Chicago, which lost to the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL Division Series.

The White Sox acquired Griffey from the Cincinnati Reds in July. The team held off the Minnesota Twins for the AL Central crown but lost in four games to the Rays in the playoffs.

Between the two teams last season, Griffey hit only .249 with 18 homers and 71 RBIs in 490 at-bats.

He is a career .288 hitter with 611 home runs. The 13-time All-Star and 1997 MVP played 11 seasons in Seattle and parts of nine with Cincinnati.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3669977

I think this sets him and the Mariners up perfectly for a one season reunion, for Griffey's ride into the sunset.

Thoughts?

[HCYanks]

The Mariners' total lack of offense does make them a suitable candidate for Griffey, especially if Ibanez gets any decent offers elsewhere. Just don't pretend he can play CF anymore. Frankly, i'd rather he called it quits now, though.

I'll sticky this. Keep the day-to-day stuff in here, big news can have its own thread, use your best judgment, etc., etc.

[Basketball Jesus]

If the Mariners sign Griffey, I will walk to Seattle and beat JaZ with my shoe. I’m already pissed as it is that they fired Bob Fontaine the other day.

[A.J.]

Why would Griffey want to go to Seattle anyway? At this point of his career he should go to a winner.

[Da Schwab]

But what 'winner' would want such a liability as big as Griffey on their team (even as big as a name as he is)?

I'm not saying Junior wouldn't want to go to a winner, but he may not get too many offers, and what better way to close out a career then going back to his baseball 'home'.

[nitetrain8603]

The White Sox are actually thinking about bringing him back, though for a lot less.

[studcrackers]

bad news guys milton bradley is a type B f/a instead of a type A

frankly this is a giant load of sh*t, screw elias

[bigboy1234]

Yeah, thats just awful news. Now a team doesn't have to give up a damn thing to get him (other than money obviously).

Even Isringhausen can crack A status, not that he'll be offered arbitration, so it doesn't really matter.

[Da Schwab]

Heh heh... Jason Varitek is also a Type A.

[HCYanks]

The ELIAS Free Agent system needs to be taken out back and shot already. I don't expect Bradley to repeat his rate production from this year (even if someone does the smart thing and keeps him off the field), but he's going to be a steal for somebody if he stays under the radar.

[trwi7]

There is now more grit on the free agent market than one would hope. Craig Counsell joins David Eckstein to form a super-duo of gritty-battleyness after his option was declined by the Brewers.

[studcrackers]

uh, david eckstein and craig counsell step aside for the king of grit mr. varitek

[trwi7]

Varitek isn't gritty though. He's just loaded with intangibles. There's a slight difference.

[Geddy]

Imagine a team with all of those guys on it. It would be grittier than a sandpaper factory.

[GYBE]

Bob Howry's a Type A free agent. The stupid part is, he'd be worth more as a Type B since no one's going to give up their 1st round pick for that douchebag.

[sunshinekids99]

Here is the free agent type A and B.

Type A Free Agents
Bobby Abreu
Doug Brocail
A.J. Burnett
Pat Burrell
Orlando Cabrera
Juan Cruz
Ryan Dempster
Adam Dunn
Brian Fuentes
Brian Giles
Trevor Hoffman
Bobby Howry
Orlando Hudson
Raul Ibanez
Derek Lowe
Damaso Marte
Jamie Moyer
Mike Mussina
Darren Oliver
Oliver Perez
Andy Pettitte
Manny Ramirez
Edgar Renteria
Francisco Rodriguez
C.C. Sabathia
Ben Sheets
Russ Springer
Mark Teixeira
Jason Varitek
Kerry Wood.

TYpe B Free Agents
Jeremy Affeldt
Moises Alou
Garret Anderson
Luis Ayala
Joe Beimel
Casey Blake
Milton Bradley
Paul Byrd
Mike Cameron
Alan Embree
Eric Gagne
Jon Garland
Luis Gonzalez
Ken Griffey
Mark Grudzielanek
LaTroy Hawkins
Jason Isringhausen
Randy Johnson
Jeff Kent
Paul LoDuca
Braden Looper
Mark Loretta
Brandon Lyon
Greg Maddux
Brad Penny
Denny Reyes
Arthur Rhodes
Ivan Rodriguez
Rudy Seanez
Brian Shouse
John Smoltz
Frank Thomas
Salomon Torres
Juan Uribe
David Weathers
Randy Wolf
Gregg Zaun

[Da Schwab]

Oliver Perez is a Type A?

McCain will win the election.

[bigboy1234]

SSK, you pull that list from the SI article? Thats the only article I can find that shows the official rankings, USA Today usually releases the full list though. And damn Izzy bumped down to a B after the projected ones had him as an A. Again, doesn't matter because the Cards likely won't offer arby, but still funny to laugh at how bad the rankings are.

[sunshinekids99]

I actually got the list from the Sons of Sam Horn. I'm not really sure where they got it from, I'm assuming it is the SI article tho.

I do agree those rankins are quite funny. Bobby Howry and Tek class A are pretty funny.

[SportsWorld]

Bob Howry is a type A free agent? Yes!