Official 2012 MLB Offseason Thread

Exactly. Couldn't be any less excited for baseball...not one bit.

Good. Once again. After the 2008 season the Yankees told Bobby Abreu to go off just like after 2009 we told Johnny Damon to go off.....I don't see the reason of wanting to bring guys back that the Yankees decided weren't good enough a few years ago. They are even older and more compromised now.

If the Yankees have to pay more than $20 million of Burnett's $33 million left, it's not worth it to get rid of him. If he gets his home runs allowed down, his other numbers are good enough to be a good 5th starter.

The Yankees don't have a long man though. And the way Colon and Garcia fizzled down the stretch last year, probably due to fatigue, I think Garcia would be a better fit for the bullpen than a guy who could last the year in the rotation.

Think about how important a guy like Aceves was to the Red Sox last year. He's the reason they even won ANY games in September last year. The Yankees need a guy like him, and I think a combo of Garcia and Hughes could play that role. Plus, they are always ready to spot start if somebody needs to skip a turn or goes on the DL.

I think a rotation of:

CC Sabathia
Michael Pineda
Ivan Nova
Hiroki Kuroda
A.J. Burnett

With a bullpen of:

Freddy Garcia - long man if the starter gets shelled
Phil Hughes middle relief or if the starter gets shelled
Boone Logan/Hideki Okajima - LHP
Cory Wade - 6th (if needed that game)
Rafael Soriano (7th - if needed that game)
David Robertson (8th - set up)
Mariano Rivera (9th - Closer)

Man.....that would be hard to beat if everyone stays healthy. Realistically, if your starter went 4 innings and the bullpen was rested, you're still set up to win the game if the offense gets you the lead. This team has the potential to be really really really good unless something goes horribly wrong.

Phil Hughes has been in MLB for 5 years and spent almost 3 complete seasons on the DL. (most of 2007, almost all of 2008, and almost all of 2011).

I don't think he can physically be a starter and I don't think his stuff translates into being a starter. Yeah, every gets a jump in velocity when they get moved to the pen, but I don't think Hughes is physically CAPABLE of being a starter.

Hughes in the bullpen is the reason the Yankees won the division in 2009. Hughes in the rotation is the reason why the Yankees were eliminated from the 2010 ALCS.

Burnett rejected the Abreu thing because he absolutely does NOT want to play for a west coast team. wherever his house is on the east coast (maryland i think...) his wife wants to stay there and not travel west. Burnett either ends up on the Pirates...or ive head a rumor of him to the Indians for Hafner

Bryan Hotch already shot down the Burnett for Hafner swap.

Hughes should stay in the rotation IMO.

I have set up the fantasy baseball league.

12 teams, please PM me if you want in.

I feel like Banuelos is going to get some work in the majors this year, not an extreme amount, but we'll see him. I saw him pitch against the Rockcats a couple of times, him and Bettances... those kids show such promise. On that note I have an Austin Romine homerun ball.

Pretty sure he and his wife got a divorce a year or so ago, that was what the big hub bub was about with him sucking balls (the 2nd time). Personally I think its kinda dumb, you have the chance to go play for the Angels and at least compete for a World Series....OR you're going to the Pirates and will never finish over .500.