OrieGirl
11-02-2002, 10:07 PM
Greetings Friends! It's Saturday night and guess what? I've got a UTK - Saturday Showcase for you all. I figured I at least need to give the answer to the trivia question if nothing else. I always have more to say though!
First off, I'd like to say "thanks" to everyone who expressed concern for my future involvement with UTK. Never Fear Folks! I'm not leaving. I do have other projects happening in the off-season, but nothing that would take me away from here. Will and I both had a wonderful season and are eager for an even more exciting 2003 season. For those of you who have asked, there will be UTK coverage of the Winter Meetings.
So, I was doing some research earlier today and began reading about FRANK THOMAS and his "diminished skills". I don't think I ever want to be a part of a deal that involves a "diminished skills" clause. In my opinion, it's basically the 'you aren't worth the money because you can't play well anymore' clause. I find that to be a rather harsh slap in the face. It may be reality, but Ouch! Thomas now has until December 7th to either sign with another team or stay with the White Sox. He's going to be taking a pay cut either way. What I'm wondering is if there are more contracts out there with this clause or if it's going to become a standard idea.
Before I get to more news, let's do some trivia. I got a better amount of responses asking this question for a second time. Last week's question was -
Who Is The Only Major League Player To Serve In Both World War I & II? I got a variety of answers, but the correct answer was HANK GOWDY. Congrats to reader, CHRIS LEACH, for answering correctly first this time around. WooHoo!
This week's question is more modern. I promise. Who Is The Only Pitcher Who Gave Up A Home Run To His First Major League Batter And Hit A Home Run In His First Major League At Bat?? If you know the answer, email me at bunnybams@aol.com Good Luck Folks!
And on to the news...
Newsday is apparently reporting that the Yankees and the Rockies are discussing a trade deal for left-handed pitcher, MIKE HAMPTON. Hampton's lawyer has stated that neither him or Hampton have been approached. If the deal does become serious, Hampton still has the right to veto any trades. He'd probably be better off with the Yankees though. He has struggled in Colorado and a fresh start might do him some good. On more Yankees news, ROGER CLEMENS declined his 10.3 million dollar option for the 2003 season. He is now eligible to be a free agent, but will receive a 10.3 million buyout from the Yankees. Ok, how wrong is that? He turned down 10.3 million, but is going to get it either way. Someone offer me that kind of money please!!
On more pitching news, WOODY WILLIAMS of the Cardnials became a free agent this past week. Woody who was a UTK regular this past season has been suffering from a strained oblique. Williams, 36, has been a rather effective pithcher the past few seasons when healthy. I think he'll get picked up pretty quickly.
Mets owner, Fred Wilpon wants MO VAUGHN to shed some pounds before he reports to spring training. The first baseman had a rough season and added weight certainly didn't help matters. If he doesn't get into better shape, he will have the last two years of his contract terminated. Along the lines of the "diminished skills" clause for Thomas, Vaughn has a clause in his contract that states he must stay in physical shape. Shouldn't that just be assumed? Who wants to pay for an out of shape player who can't run the bases?
HIDEKI MATSUI aka Godzilla has decided to leave Japan and head for the States. He has become a free agent and wishes to play in the Major Leagues in 2003. Matsui is currently considered to be the best player in Japan. It'll be interesting to see how he does over here.
Will DUSTY BAKER stay or go? He says he's 50/50 at the moment. In one breath, he'll say that change is a good thing but that he has a lot of respect and love for the Giants. He's not actually due up to become a free agent until Thursday. Rumors have of course been flying that he'll be the next manager of the Chicago Cubs. However; the Cubs appear to be in no hurry to announce a new manager for the team. It's quite the managerial ferris wheel this off-season. I think I'm getting dizzy! I'm not going to go into the whole run down tonight. I do recommend visiting http://www.mlb.com/ for the latest updates on manager hirings.
JIM THOME will reportedly be taking a trip to Philadelphia in the coming week. Thome and his agent did meet with the Indians this past week and have an inital offer, but the free agent wishes to check out a few other teams before making a decision. Jim's been a UTK favorite this past season with his back, but hopefully the upcoming season will be kind to him.
BRIAN JORDAN is exercising his right to be traded. Jordan had the right to demand a trade within 15 days of the end of the World Series and has done just that. The Dodgers now have until March to trade Jordan or else he becomes a free agent.
The Cubs declined pitcher, JON LIEBER'S, option for the 2003 season. Lieber, who had Tommy John surgery on his right arm back in August, is expected to miss the majority of the 2003 season if not all of it. However; the Cubs and Lieber both wish for him to remain in Chicago. More then likely, he'll be resigned at a cheaper price then his 6.25 million option. They certainly don't want to give him up. He's been their most effective pitcher since they got him from the Pirates.
Ok, that's it for me tonight folks. As always, I hope you have enjoyed this UTK Saturday Showcase. Complaints go to Will. Compliments go to Rachael. If you have any off-season suggestions or questions, please feel free to email either of us.
Have a good night!
-Rachael A. Reid, UTK Free Agent For Hire
bunnybams@aol.com
Stop the bouncing!
Unlimited mailbox.
No size limits._ No Attachment Limits.
No more bounces
http://www.unlimited-mail.com
First off, I'd like to say "thanks" to everyone who expressed concern for my future involvement with UTK. Never Fear Folks! I'm not leaving. I do have other projects happening in the off-season, but nothing that would take me away from here. Will and I both had a wonderful season and are eager for an even more exciting 2003 season. For those of you who have asked, there will be UTK coverage of the Winter Meetings.
So, I was doing some research earlier today and began reading about FRANK THOMAS and his "diminished skills". I don't think I ever want to be a part of a deal that involves a "diminished skills" clause. In my opinion, it's basically the 'you aren't worth the money because you can't play well anymore' clause. I find that to be a rather harsh slap in the face. It may be reality, but Ouch! Thomas now has until December 7th to either sign with another team or stay with the White Sox. He's going to be taking a pay cut either way. What I'm wondering is if there are more contracts out there with this clause or if it's going to become a standard idea.
Before I get to more news, let's do some trivia. I got a better amount of responses asking this question for a second time. Last week's question was -
Who Is The Only Major League Player To Serve In Both World War I & II? I got a variety of answers, but the correct answer was HANK GOWDY. Congrats to reader, CHRIS LEACH, for answering correctly first this time around. WooHoo!
This week's question is more modern. I promise. Who Is The Only Pitcher Who Gave Up A Home Run To His First Major League Batter And Hit A Home Run In His First Major League At Bat?? If you know the answer, email me at bunnybams@aol.com Good Luck Folks!
And on to the news...
Newsday is apparently reporting that the Yankees and the Rockies are discussing a trade deal for left-handed pitcher, MIKE HAMPTON. Hampton's lawyer has stated that neither him or Hampton have been approached. If the deal does become serious, Hampton still has the right to veto any trades. He'd probably be better off with the Yankees though. He has struggled in Colorado and a fresh start might do him some good. On more Yankees news, ROGER CLEMENS declined his 10.3 million dollar option for the 2003 season. He is now eligible to be a free agent, but will receive a 10.3 million buyout from the Yankees. Ok, how wrong is that? He turned down 10.3 million, but is going to get it either way. Someone offer me that kind of money please!!
On more pitching news, WOODY WILLIAMS of the Cardnials became a free agent this past week. Woody who was a UTK regular this past season has been suffering from a strained oblique. Williams, 36, has been a rather effective pithcher the past few seasons when healthy. I think he'll get picked up pretty quickly.
Mets owner, Fred Wilpon wants MO VAUGHN to shed some pounds before he reports to spring training. The first baseman had a rough season and added weight certainly didn't help matters. If he doesn't get into better shape, he will have the last two years of his contract terminated. Along the lines of the "diminished skills" clause for Thomas, Vaughn has a clause in his contract that states he must stay in physical shape. Shouldn't that just be assumed? Who wants to pay for an out of shape player who can't run the bases?
HIDEKI MATSUI aka Godzilla has decided to leave Japan and head for the States. He has become a free agent and wishes to play in the Major Leagues in 2003. Matsui is currently considered to be the best player in Japan. It'll be interesting to see how he does over here.
Will DUSTY BAKER stay or go? He says he's 50/50 at the moment. In one breath, he'll say that change is a good thing but that he has a lot of respect and love for the Giants. He's not actually due up to become a free agent until Thursday. Rumors have of course been flying that he'll be the next manager of the Chicago Cubs. However; the Cubs appear to be in no hurry to announce a new manager for the team. It's quite the managerial ferris wheel this off-season. I think I'm getting dizzy! I'm not going to go into the whole run down tonight. I do recommend visiting http://www.mlb.com/ for the latest updates on manager hirings.
JIM THOME will reportedly be taking a trip to Philadelphia in the coming week. Thome and his agent did meet with the Indians this past week and have an inital offer, but the free agent wishes to check out a few other teams before making a decision. Jim's been a UTK favorite this past season with his back, but hopefully the upcoming season will be kind to him.
BRIAN JORDAN is exercising his right to be traded. Jordan had the right to demand a trade within 15 days of the end of the World Series and has done just that. The Dodgers now have until March to trade Jordan or else he becomes a free agent.
The Cubs declined pitcher, JON LIEBER'S, option for the 2003 season. Lieber, who had Tommy John surgery on his right arm back in August, is expected to miss the majority of the 2003 season if not all of it. However; the Cubs and Lieber both wish for him to remain in Chicago. More then likely, he'll be resigned at a cheaper price then his 6.25 million option. They certainly don't want to give him up. He's been their most effective pitcher since they got him from the Pirates.
Ok, that's it for me tonight folks. As always, I hope you have enjoyed this UTK Saturday Showcase. Complaints go to Will. Compliments go to Rachael. If you have any off-season suggestions or questions, please feel free to email either of us.
Have a good night!
-Rachael A. Reid, UTK Free Agent For Hire
bunnybams@aol.com
Stop the bouncing!
Unlimited mailbox.
No size limits._ No Attachment Limits.
No more bounces
http://www.unlimited-mail.com