AGRI Biz

The Mets need a top flight starting pitcher. John Lackey is the only TRUE top flight starting pitcher on the free agent market. Match made in heaven? "People around the Angels believe Lackey is likely to go elsewhere, mainly because the Angels won't be willing to pay his asking price. In fact, some are convinced their deal for lefthander Scott Kazmir in August made Lackey's return all the more unlikely, with Kazmir due ...

When you think of dominant closers, Rafael Soriano is generally not a name that comes to mind. However, if Soriano is able to consistently put up big numbers like he did in 2009, then he will have to be in the discussion. When Soriano is healthy, he's a fantastic relief pitcher. But like so many other relief pitchers, Soriano has battled injuries throughout his career, which have stunted his progress.Let's take ...

The Astros have picked up Brian Moehler's option for 2010 for $3 million. Wait, what? "The Astros informed Brian Moehler today that they plan to pick up their portion of the mutual option they hold on the right-hander for 2010."Moehler, who had right knee partial lateral meniscectomy to remove loose particles from his knee Monday, has the right to decline the $3 million contract. The Astros had until the fifth day ...

Rays fans, get ready for a closer by committee in 2010! "Rays vice president of baseball Andrew Friedman said he expects the Rays to break camp next spring with the old closer by committee."His reasoning? The Rays simply canÆt afford someone like Billy Wagner, the former Astros, Phillies, and Mets closer now serving as the Red Sox setup man."'I think thereÆs kind of a misnomer out there that we donÆt ...

No matter where Valverde winds up this offseason, this 9th inning intro needs to live on. Classic, classic stuff: So how about Jose Valverde, the free agent? Let's take a look:The Case for Valverde-DominantAside from a rough April (5.63 ERA), Valverde has been lights out this season for the Astros. From May through September, Valverde's ERA never exceeded 2.16. In addition, batters only hit .207 against Valverde this season, which ...

With the regular season coming to a close on Sunday, fans of the 21 (soon to be 22) teams that did not make the playoffs have one saving grace this time of year: 2010. Yes, even though the hot stove is not officially open for business yet, there has been much chatter around baseball about 2010 budgets as teams prepare for the excitement of free agency and trades.It's fascinating to see ...

Like so many other baseball fans, I am a huge fan of Trevor Hoffman and I'm thrilled to see him return in 2010: "Hoffman, who turns 42 next week, had 37 saves and a 1.55 ERA with the Brewers this season, pushing his career saves total to 591, the major league record. Hoffman will earn $8 million next season, and Hoffman and the Brewers will share an option for another deal ...

Back in 2005, the Mets signed Carlos Beltran to a staggering seven year, $119 million dollar contract. Beltran was one of the top players in baseball at the time and could seemingly do it all on the baseball field (hit for power, steal bases, gold glove defense). There's no doubt that Beltran was due for a huge contract, but what cemented his huge contract was his absolutely ridiculous performance in the ...

Last offseason, the Phillies surprised many baseball people by signing Raul Ibanez to a three-year contract worth $31.5 million. The signing itself was not surprising (unless you were a huge Pat Burrell fan), but the number of years was, with the Phillies willing to give the 36-year-old Ibanez a three-year contract.So far, the results have been great. The Phillies are back in the playoffs for the third straight season, and Ibanez, ...

Now that the Giants are officially eliminated from playoff contention, they can finally focus a long-term deal for The Freak, Tim Lincecum. Under ordinary circumstances, the Giants would be in no rush to negotiate with Lincecum. Lincecum will not become a free agent until after the 2013 season and he will be eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter.But make no mistake about it, Tim Lincecum is no ...