G-Snarls

Votto says he won't waive no-trade clause By Mark Sheldon / MLB.com Reds first baseman determined to make improvements in game CINCINNATI -- Joey Votto certainly gets it. As long as the Reds first baseman keeps producing while signed to a monster contract for a small-market club, his name will come up in trade rumors and trade suggestions each offseason. But Votto's feelings, and the club's, don't follow the narrative. He has no interest in waiving the full no-trade clause in his contract and going to another team. "I do understand why there is a conversation. It's interesting," Votto said as the team gathered Friday night for Redsfest. "After a while, you get used to it. You don't pay much attention to it because if they're going to [report rumors] five years in a row, then at some point there's not much meaning to it." Votto, 33, has seven guaranteed years and $179 million left on the 10-year extension he signed in 2012. There is a $20 million team option for the 2024 season. "I'm looking forward to the team getting better," Votto said. "I'm looking forward to being a part of it. I know I have to do everything I can to be a better all-around player so I can keep up with the rest of the guys on the team. Watching both the Indians and the Cubs compete in the World Series this year, you saw almost every different aspect of what makes winning baseball happen. "I felt like there are parts of my game, specifically, that I was coming up a bit short on. I'm looking forward to playing with 25 guys that can bring a championship back to Cincinnati. The three playoff experiences that I've had were short-lived and disappointing. I'd like another go. I'd like to be part of another go here." Reds general manager Dick Williams said there have been not been efforts by the club to move Votto this winter. "We're in no negotiations," Williams said. Votto maintained he would prefer to finish his career in Cincinnati. Although he does hold the final decision, he did acknowledge his belief that he does not have all of the power. "I've never been the guy who has forced people's hands," he said. "I've worked really hard to not look [bad] in my career and I've worked really hard to be a loyal worker, and I'd like to keep that going. Until I feel like I'm being shuffled out, you saw [that] last year with Brandon [Phillips], you saw it in Philadelphia with Chase Utley. Until I start feeling like the broom is on my heels, I'll be a really nice guy. If I feel the broom on my heels, I'll be a bit of [a jerk]. I'm not going to be a nice guy." http://m.reds.mlb.com/news/article/210145514/joey-votto-does-not-want-to-be-traded/

Governator - as old school as it gets. And it's why we love ya

Blue Jays Outright Chris Colabello, Andy Burns By Jeff Todd | December 2, 2016 at 7:39pm CDT The Blue Jays have cleared two 40-man roster spots by outrighting first baseman/outfielder Chris Colabello and infielder Andy Burns, the club announced. Both have cleared waivers, per the organization. The writing was probably on the wall for Colabello when he was suspended last year for a positive PED test after a miserable start to the season. He continued to scuffle badly upon returning to the minors, putting his surprisingly excellent 2015 campaign further in the rearview mirror. As for the 26-year-old Burns, he earned his first brief MLB stint last year. But he performed poorly at Triple-A, slashing just .230/.285/.352 with eight home runs over 454 trips to the plate.

YES cf (cutch filler)

Good strategy if there's a player you really covet and plan a year in advance

It sure will If you have a star quality player who is in his walk year, you'd rather trade him for a couple prospects at the deadline than just get a second round pick

At the same time, the signing team loses less of a prime draft pick though, making it easier for these guys to get the deals they want

It's probably better than the "one size fits all teams/free agents" that's in place now

Headache from trying to digest new QO and comp pick rules Holy f***

Gradual rather than sudden increase in luxury tax threshold That's reasonable

Yeah if you're out of contention at the trade deadline you might as well trade a guy you would have qualified. A third round pick is meh. You'll pretty much always do better in trade unless the player is on a stupid contract.

Take him back 1 year 14M

Good

Sanchez better career But glad we still have both

Friends

Can't now There's a pact (we're like corrupt cops)

4 years 110M

I wonder what teams he's considering? Thinking Boston must be one

Sorry if old news MLB Network says Edwin won't sign anywhere until new luxury tax threshold has been set

MLB network is reporting that there are two serious issues holding things up. The owners want an international draft. The Players Association wants to eliminate draft-pick compensation for free agents.

If you want to extend guys long term it only seems smart to start those deals during the arbitration years to buy out some free agency years. Those guys are usually mid 20s of course and they might actually be worth their 7-8 year deal. It gives the player some long term stability and it helps the team maintain a player they might lose it they wait until they're free agents If you're Baltimore you consider that with Machado right now for example. But he's 6 years younger than Donaldson.

The real question is SHOULD you ever give out deals of more than 5 years to anyone in their 30s