Major League Baseball: 2012-2013 Offseason and Spring Training

[JohnBM01]

I figured I'd start this thread to discuss any and all action heading into the new season. This thread concerns all off-season material as well as any Spring Training action. Feel free to chat about your team(s) as we gear up for the 2013 season.

I will begin with a look at my Houston Astros. Yes- the team that finished with the worst record as well as the worst record in franchise history- 55-107. Anyhow... we went old school cool to make our splash into the American League. The new uniforms hark back to the Astros' uniforms of the 1960s. Also returning is the star logo with the capital "H." Junction Jack has been retired as the Astros' mascot as Orbit returns. To me... I love these new changes. I either wanted the Astros to go back to the Navy Blue and Orange colors, or maybe have some NASA-inspired blue and white color scheme. I'm also proud we didn't change the Astros namesake to something else. Like for example, before the NFL team was eventually called the Houston Texans, one of the nicknames was "Wildcatters," since Houston was once called "The Wildcat City." Here is a little picture gallery showcasing some of the new-look Astros uniforms and logo:

http://www.usatoday.com/picture-gal.../astros-unveil-new-uniforms-for-2013/1678613/


That's all. So let's discuss off-season moves and Spring Training action!

 

[Quackjack]

Go Rays, with the Yanks slippin and the Sox sucking we MAY just win the division this year! Maybe...

 

[edawg456]

Go M's!!! Another year of complete waste. I guarantee that the m's won't make the playoffs.

 

[Quackjack]

Go M's!!! Another year of complete waste. I guarantee that the m's won't make the playoffs.

Mariners? Marlins? Mets?

 

[edawg456]

Mariners? Marlins? Mets?

Mariners

 

[Quackjack]

Mariners

Join the club...

 

[BobK]

Well, the Astros could go completely retro and rename themselves the Colt .45's. I mean, it's a fresh start, like, from the beginning and all. Besides, they don't play in the Astrodome any more.

Call themselves the Minute Maids, maybe?

 

[JohnBM01]

No... Minute Maids will just make us sound tacky. You know, kind of like naming a team something gimmicky like the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer or a lot of basketball teams in the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association). Also, why give up a team nickname iconic to Houston like the Astros, considering the space history linked to this city? As for Colt .45s, I don't know if a nickname like that would fly in today's culture. That's much like when the Washington Bullets of the NBA renamed themselves the Washington Wizards. I did, however, enjoy those beautiful throwback Colt .45 uniforms the Astros wore early in the 2012 season.

A fresh start is DEFINITELY needed for the Astros after posting a 56-106 record in 2011 and a 55-107 record in 2012. Trying something new or going with a new image can help. Remember the Tampa Bay Devil Rays? They changed up their appearance and have been one of the toughest tickets in Major League Baseball. Just drop the "Devil" in Devil Rays and have some more solid players. I even caught on to Baltimore's cartoon bird, which was a throwback to the 1960s Baltimore Oriole teams. Baltimore had a heck of a season in 2012. I am not saying the Astros will be any sort of contender any time soon just with simple uniform and logo changes. We still need a good bunch of solid players. That is... unless the Astros want to be stomped on by AL teams like... I don't know- the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Tigers, White Sox, and a little team called the Texas Rangers.

All I'm hoping for is that we suck just a little bit less than the past two seasons. Unless we want to challenge the 1899 Cleveland Spiders for the worst baseball team of all time (20-134 in the 1899 season), the Astros need to get back to contending and being a winning baseball program.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I'm expecting another average year. As long as our pitching doesn't suck.

 

[Villain]

Mariners? Marlins? Mets?

Only the Mariners are the M's.


Should be an interesting winter, even with a weaker free agent class than last season. I'm interested to see how the new "qualifying offer" system shakes out.

 

[Blitz24]

Already discussions that the Mets are looking at OF (Shocker!!!). Niese is on the table. They are talking to Washington, Arizona and Boston.

 

[Blitz24]

Yahoo! Mets have released Jason Bay!!!!

 

[Blitz24]

HUGE NEWS.

Miami Marlins have traded pitchers Mark Buherle, Josh Johnson, catcher John Buck, utility player Emilio Bonifacio and Shortstop Jose Reyes to the Toronto Blue Jays for Shortstop Yuniel Escobar, Pitchers Henderson Alvarez, Justin Nicolino, outfielder Jake Marsinick and Third Baseman Adeiny Hechavarria.

 

[Barra333]

So, Marlins aiming for the #1 pick in the 2014 draft?

 

[Blitz24]

So, Marlins aiming for the #1 pick in the 2014 draft?

And 2015, 2016......

 

[Villain]

Have to love this trade for the Blue Jays. Also, it's interesting to note that Miami didn't make this trade with Boston. It'll be fun to laugh at the SAWX being in last place again.

 

[Signal52]

And 2015, 2016......

Yeah, just read the news. Wow.

 

[Patrick]

That's why Albert and CJ were skeptical about signing with the Marlins...

 

[Villain]

So, Marlins aiming for the #1 pick in the 2014 draft?

Just making room for Josh Hamilton and Zach Greinke to come in with full no-trade clauses

/Salary Flexibility, duh.
//Yes, I'm joking.
///Giancarlo is furious.

 

[Barra333]

..
///Giancarlo is furious.

Yeah, he is quite to the point about it too.

Alright, I'm pissed off!!! Plain & Simple

 

[cgr-10]

Loving this trade for the Blue Jays; who knows, we could plausibly make a run for the postseason, even in such a competitive division.

 

[Patrick]

The AL East isn't that strong. It is, but not really. You guys should be able to contend.

 

[cgr-10]

Yeah, I hear you. It was a bit too strong for us to contend up to now but with this, I think it'll be a close fight next season.

 

[Joel]

Loving this trade, should be exciting to get out to some Jays games with a bit of optimism this summer.

Reyes, Lawrie, Bautista, Encarnacion, Rasmus, pretty solid top 5 there. Not to mention a pitching rotation that goes from hilariously bad to solid.

 

[Blitz24]

Loving this trade, should be exciting to get out to some Jays games with a bit of optimism this summer.

Reyes, Lawrie, Bautista, Encarnacion, Rasmus, pretty solid top 5 there. Not to mention a pitching rotation that goes from hilariously bad to solid.

Also Gose and Arenciba were NOT traded.

 

[Northstar]

Torii Hunter is going to Detroit.

Happy he is going to a contender as I've always liked him, mad because he is in our division now.

 

[Patrick]

I'll miss Torii. He was an awesome player and guy.

 

[Blitz24]

I'd be worried if I were Toronto with Reyes due to just so many complications. I think they'd be better off dangling him to other teams.

 

[Signal52]

Gotta wonder what the Marlins' attendance will be like next year.

 

[Joel]

I'm glad that I switched off of a Rogers phone plan. My cell phone bill would be going up otherwise