I think its time to start a new thread for the 2014 season. We carried over the 2013 thread with a few entries, but what the heck...the days are noticeably getting longer, they are tossing balls in Florida and Arizona,A-Rod is out of the picture (thank God), the Yankees got Tanaka and players have been flip-floppin' teams and Jeter announced his retirement. With participants dwindling on the BB, I think we can fold the Yankee thread into this one. What say, PLAYBALL!

Let's start with discussion that came from yesterday's announcement that Derek Jeter will retire after this year. No baseball fan can dispute that Jeter will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. But it's interesting to see where his place will be in history.

I think we can discuss where Jeter fits in within the past 25-30 years and all-time. Part of my argument is prompted by what I heard on ESPN this morning and it was an interesting conversation. Jeter has been a very good fielding shortstop, much like Ozzie Smith, Omar Vizquel, Barry Larkin, and Cal Ripken. But Jeter was not just a defensive wizard like Smith & Vizquel because Jeter was anything but an offensive liability. It was his offensive production that made him great. So in that regard, he has similarities to Larkin & Ripken. Going back further into the 70s and 80s, Jeter can be compared to Robin Yount.

I think what set Jeter apart from everyone but Yount was the clutch hitting, particularly in the playoffs. Jeter's numbers benefited from the expanded playoff formats, whereas Yount played only when there was a 5 game ALCS and the World Series. And Yount's Brewer teams came nowhere near the level of the supporting cast Jeter has enjoyed with the Yankees.

I hope Jeter is healthy enough to play a full final season. I'd like to see him go out strongly rather than end his career due to injury.

Beat 'em Bucs.

The Pirates are going to the World Series!

I agree, Goombah. I think the other two things that set Jeter apart were his complete commitment to the sport. When he played, he always gave 100%. The other is the absolute joy he brings to every game. He truly loves baseball, and that was conveyed in every single game.

Add that to some of this legendary plays, like the Mr. November play, the Dive and the Flip, and you have to agree that he belongs in the history books.

If you were to define Jeter's career by one accomplishment I think it would be getting his 3,000 hit with a home run and going 5 for 5 that day. As a fan, Jeter made watching Yankee baseball enjoyable. He arguably had more intangibles than any player of his era.

It's Jeter's "bad luck" to be a Yankee. He doesn't even crack the "Top Four" of "Greatest Yankees" (because of their rich history of great players). But who would? (after Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Mantle)

That's the thing - he has several career defining moments. For me, it's the flip play against Oakland in the playoffs. It was a play that you can't possibly plan for and must possess true baseball instincts to accomplish.

I also respect Jeter's humility. I think his approach to the game was always one of understanding that no players is bigger than the sport. It was a pleasant contrast when playing next to the most arrogant and self-centered player in recent memory.

IMO, the flip play was so amazing because Jeter quite literally appears out of nowhere to flip the ball to Posada.

And although they lost that World Series to Arizona, I still love the midnight hit on what had just become November 1, 2001. It was wonderfully healing for people from NY at that time, to have something to distract us from what had just happened to our city.

I wonder if Jeter will go into a coaching career

At this time the odds don't look so good. But who needs odds?
Bucs to win the pennant: 12/1, 6 teams ahead of the them.

Dodgers 7/1 to win the WS; Astros 250/1. Place your bets!

Vegas Odds for MLB 2014

He's going to settle down with a nice girl, have 12 kids and gain 100 lbs. Probably have some cooking product....like the George Foreman Grill. The Jeter Tub 'O Ice Cream.

Mike Trout will likely renegotiate his contract in March. Word is that can possibly have the richest contract ever - $300 million. Last year he made $500,000.

When he is 35 the Yankees will sign him to a 10 year deal worth $78 billion.

Nah, he's like Tommy from Goodfellas. Jeter settles down with a nice one every night and then goes to his mom's for a late night dinner with his buddies.

When does Trout test the free agent market? It will be really interesting when he does.

Trout still has 3 years left on his original deal. He just broke into the majors in 2011 and won AL Rookie of the Year in 2012.

I prefer that he sign with the Yankees no earlier than age 38.

Trout is a good player to sign to a 10-year deal due to his age but can we realistically say that any 10-year deals have worked out? The A-Rod Texas deal was insane for the amount of money and the time it was signed in (I'm sure they could have gotten him for a lot less money) and his last deal with the Yankees is the worse in baseball history. Pujols is looking like he's going to be overtaking that however with his 2 poor years with the Angels and Cano's numbers are going to go way down in SafeCo Field (also he'll be 41 when it expires).

If Trout does get 10 years and it doesn't work out (due to injuries, a decline in his stats, etc) hopefully teams will stop handing out those types of deals because they just don't work out. It's a very long time to guarantee money to any player.

Honestly, I'm surprised Ubaldo Jimenez and Ervin Santana haven't signed yet. I think the hold up is over a team losing a draft pick more than the money. They are good pitchers - not great but not scrubs either.

Jimenez scares off potential suitors because of his inconsistency. The Indians traded to get him and thought they were getting the player who started the All-Star Game as a member of the Rockies. Then he came to the AL and was consistently inconsistent for the next 2.5 years. It wasn't until after the 2013 All-Star break that Jimenez really excelled. Without him, the Indians would not have gone on the tear they needed to make the postseason.

But if he wants 4 or more years at 12-13 million, he will not get it. He needs to recalibrate his salary expectations or sign a 1 year deal and prove that the second half of last season was no fluke. His mechanics have been smoothed out with the arrival of Francona and pitching coach Mickey Calloway.

I agree. Both pitchers need to come down in their salary demands. And I absolutely agree that Jimenez has been inconsistent during his entire time with the Indians with the exception of after the 2013 All-Star break. If I were him, I'd sign a 1-year deal, prove that last year wasn't a fluke and get a better deal next offseason.

Santana's likewise been inconsistent. His ERA will either be over 5.00 or under 3.50. Too all over the place. I'm just saying I'm surprised that they haven't taken what's been offered to them already (as I'm sure they've had contract offers made). I think they're going to get a deal similar to Matt Garza or less. They're not gonna get even half of what Tanaka got so if they think they're going to, they need to reevaluate it.

I really wonder with these teams giving out those really long term contracts. The most a team should give is 7 years, especially for players like A-rod and Pujols who would decline after year 4 or 5 of their deal.

It's free agency: you always pay for past and not future performance. Mike Trout may be the exception depending on when they ink the deal (because the assumption is he'll continue to produce at or near where he has the past 2 years). I've heard it could be upwards of $300 million which is absolutely INSANE for any one player!

I know and understand. Just 10 years for the guys like A-rod or Pujols who will pass the age of 40 when that contract is almost up. It's more understandable with Trout, and I hope he has a really great future.

Where do I sign up??

The container has a Clown Face with a resemblance to a former 3rd baseperson. Still want a Tub?

That was just mean, MC. That's twice now...

My apologies SB. Around this time of year we get that cabin fever. We're jealous of Sweeney Murti at Spring Training. You hate the snow, I hate the rain. We are longing for the smell of spring; longer days; warm sun. I'll be nice.

Me, too! I saw a broadcast from Port St. Lucie today and I wanted to climb into the television.

Beat 'em Bucs!

2013 was no fluke. The Pirates will be solid for at least the next few seasons.

I don't think they'll make the playoffs this year again however. They lost AJ Burnett and didn't add anybody. I'm predicting the Giants and Nationals to have turnaround years.

Pirates have no need to add. They are young and most of their roster is improving with experience. Their pitching staff will be as good and they are loaded on the farm. If they need a hitter or two before the deadline, they are in the best position to get the pick of the litter.

The Reds and Cardinals will be tough, but the Pirates are young, talented and seasoned as they've now proven they can win consistently in the stretch run.

The Phillies picked up Burnett, who wouldn't have been a frontline starter for the Bucs.