true

from the trib:

The Cubs made one last push for free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal over the weekend and expect a final decision before the end of next week's winter meetings in Dallas. The Cubs and Atlanta are considered the two main suitors for Furcal, with the New York Mets reportedly dropping out of the picture in the last week to focus on other areas. Since the final offers may be similar in value—around $10 million per season for four or five years—Furcal's future may ultimately come down to where he feels most comfortable playing. Furcal's affinity for Braves manager Bobby Cox could be a deciding factor, though he's also close friends with Cubs shortstop Neifi Perez and third baseman Aramis Ramirez, who have been lobbying on the Cubs' behalf for the last month.

The Cubs are also considered the front-runner for Florida center fielder Juan Pierre if the Marlins shop him at the winter meetings, as expected, and they'll also pursue a right fielder, likely through a trade.

The Orioles are said to be one of only three teams still in the bidding for Chicago White Sox slugger Paul Konerko, one of the jewels of baseball's free-agent market.

According to industry sources, the Orioles extended a four-year, $50 million offer to the Chicago first baseman about two weeks ago. Craig Landis, Konerko's agent, did not make a counterproposal, but the Orioles, seeking a first baseman and a bat to put in the middle of their lineup, are expected to make another offer this week, probably for five years and possibly worth around $60 million.

The White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels are the other teams still involved in the Konerko sweepstakes, industry sources said. According to one industry source, all three have made five-year offers, with the Orioles' being the most lucrative.

Full Story: http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.konerko29nov29,1,4155528.story?coll=bal-sports-baseball

As an O's fan, I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Yeah...mixed feelings at best for me too. I don't dislike the guy, I just wish we'd stop throwing money at hitters when it is so blatantly obvious that our pitching is something to be desired for, and shaky at best. You never know who is going to have a solid start. As for Konerko, I think in a way they are going after him heavily so they won't draw criticism from fan/critics for lack of off-season activity. 60mil/5yrs is a lot. 1st baseman needed or not.

At this rate, Mike Flanagan will be GM by day, middle reliever by night.

true. very true. I like Flanny, and he showed flashes of brillance, but this off-season has been horrid. No one wants to play in Balto.

Konekro turns down 65 mil from the O's

http://fantasysports.yahoo.com/analysis ... league=mlb

Do you blame them?

ESPN had it down to cubbies, atl, and my LADodgers...
Here's hoping the new cookieduster in town doesn't sign him, spending the money on Garciaparra and re-signing Jeff Weaver instead.

Then again, rational thought hasn't been a big staple of recent dodgers history.

Padres resign Giles for cheap deal (all things considered)!!

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/pa ... sdeal.html

Multiple sources have been reporting all day that the Yankees have reached agreement with Kyle Farnsworth. Espn is now reporting same so I'll assume its true. I've only seen terms on one report which were 4 years $17MM. Don't know if those are at all accurate.

This makes me happy if only because it makes it unlikely that NY will give a longterm contract to Tom Gordon.

This is hitting all over the place for the Orioles. There is much talk of a Mets/O's deal that would send Jorge Julio to the Mets for Kris Benson. Sounds good to me. We need a starter, they need a closer...let's do dis. As a sidenote, Orioles Hangout & MSG are reporting this is a done deal.

sources: http://feeds.baltimoresun.com/baltimore ... rss2?m=215
http://www.orioleshangout.com/forums/sh ... ge=1&pp=15
http://www.msgnetwork.com/index.jsp
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/NASApp ... p&c_id=bal

+

Giles agrees to remain with Padres
By Bernie Wilson, The Associated Press
SAN DIEGO — Right fielder Brian Giles reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday night to re-sign with his hometown San Diego Padres for $30 million over three years.
The deal is pending Giles' scheduled physical on Thursday morning and an announcement is expected later in the day, two baseball officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been finalized yet.

One of the top outfielders on the free-agent market, Giles batted .301 with 15 homers and 83 RBI last season, leading the NL West-champion Padres in most offensive categories. He drew a major league-best 119 walks and had a .423 on-base percentage.

The two-time All-Star will earn $9 million per season from 2006-08, with a $9 million option for 2009 that could raise the value of the deal to $36 million over four years. The club has a $3 million buyout for 2009.

Late last week, it appeared that Giles would leave the Padres after the team rejected a proposal from his agent, Joe Bick.

Bick wouldn't confirm that Giles had agreed to a deal, but said he had spoken throughout the day with the Padres.

"It's been a pleasant surprise," Bick said Wednesday night. "I guess the Padres had a change of heart."

Phillies just signed Gordon to a three year deal. And that Farnsworth figure looks to be for 3 years instead of 4, which is crazy money for that guy. He'd come in handy during a skirmish with the BoSox though.

It's finalized now.

It looks like the Rangers are in the hunt for him too.

nice. Good to see Padres holding onto someone. Finally a team demonstrates intelligence.

Giles isn't worth the money. old and declining is never a good option.

Mets just signed Billy Wagner, no?

So, Julio will be the set-up man, more than likely.

yeah sorry. Was reading about 2 stories elsewhere when I posted that...

I'll take him and his three year deal at 9 mil over Konerko and his 12 mil for five years everytime.

Giles' power may have diminished some, but he still excels in OBP and OPS. Compare to Konerko:

2005: OBP OPS
Giles .423 .905
Konerko .375 .909

Mind you that Giles played his home games in a pitcher's park, Konerko in a hitter's.

Career: OBP OPS
Giles .413 .954
Konerko .349 .837


Seriously, 9 million is too much? The Mets are paying Billy Wagner more than that to pitch one inning every couple of games. Giles had the third highest OBP in the NL last year. Led the lead in walks (only because Bonds was out). Not only that, most every other team interested in Giles was going to pay him more than the Padres are. The way this offseason is going, 9 million a year is a fuckin' bargain.

The new Comiskey is an hitters's park?

What did Giles hit, like 15 HRs last year? He only plays half his games in a hitters park, so it's safe to say he's a shadow of what he once was. He's also 35, but who else is out there that SD could actually get? Loyality gains points in my book, though.

2005 Home/Road splits for the two hitters in question:

Konerko
Home .292/.379/.580
Road .276/.371/.492

Giles
Home .267/.378/.417
Road .333/.463/.545

Looks to me like Konerko was helped a bit by US Cellular, while Giles was significantly hurt by his park.

Does anyone know where we can find last year's park factors?

Through free agency, no one of equal calibur. Probably Jacques Jones or something. Maybe someone equally as good through trade, but it would have been tough.