NY State vs. Jeter – Who Will Be Sporting a New Warm Fleece This Winter?

NY State is claiming that Derek Jeter, the Yankees star SS, may owe them millions of dollars in back taxes.  The asseertion is that Cap’n Jetes owes state taxes for the years from 2001 to 2003, when he claimed permanent residency in Florida, when he was actually living in New York (Trump Tower), where he has owned [...]

The Sandman Returns?

In a report by the NY Post, it seems that Mariano Rivera will sign a 3 year deal worth 45 million dollars in the next week or so. Rivera wanted a 4 year deal, but the Yankees would not budge. Nobody else could really afford to pay him 4 years and 60 million, so Rivera [...]

Kyle Lohse + Scott Boras = Fleece

An overlooked story coming out of the November GM meetings was the fact that, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney, free agent starter Kyle Lohse is seeking a $40M contract, presumably over 4 years.  And, yes, his agent is none other than Scott Boras.
Kyle Lohse is coming off ERA’s of 4.62, 5.38 and 4.18 over the last [...]

Yorvit Spurns Mets?!

According to NY Newday, talks broke down between the NY Mets and Yorvit Torrealba on Saturday. Despite previous reports that the catcher was all but signed, sealed, and delivered, it appears as though the two sides were NOT able to reach an agreement. Could Yorvit have fleeced Omar twice in one week?
 What does this mean [...]

A Look Back: Matsuzaka, Year 1

We are going to start a new feature here at MLBFleeceFactor.com called “A Look Back.”  Every now and then we’ll reflect on MLB transactions of the past and see who was actually fleeced. 
First up, Daisuke Matsuzaka.  As we all know, the Boston Red Sox paid $51.1M just to talk to the Japanese phenom, and then inked [...]

Can the Red Sox Be Fleeced Here?

Mike Lowell is the best FA left on the table here….yeah, sad, I know. With that said though, it will be interesting to see what team fleeces themselves and goes the 4th year for Lowell - if any.
 Will it be Boston? I don’t know. Pedro and Damon played this game and both wound up in NY [...]

Mets Targeting Eckstein to Fill Void at Second Base

Reports state that Omar Minaya has targeted David Eckstein to fill the NY Mets void at 2B. The NY Mets brass has been wooing the Cardinal SS in Connecticut, a similar tactic used to get Tom Glavine to sign in NY originally. Eckstein is said to be seeking a 4 year $36 million deal. Minaya [...]

Astros Sign Blum; Fleece Insurance?

In a minor signing today that could have a wrinkle effect on the 2nd base market, the Houston Astros agreed to terms with untility infielder Geoff Blum. 
This appears to be Houston GM Ed Wade purchasing fleece insurance against the emerging 2nd base free agent market.   By tabbing Blum instead of resigning Mark Loretta, Wade has [...]

Winter Meetings Overview

With the much anticipated Winter Meetings roughly 2 weeks away, here is a quick overview of just some of the things to keep an eye on:
* The 2B Market
- Tadahito Iguchi, David Eckstein (perhaps?), Luis Castillo, Caesar Izturis, Kaz Matsui, Brian Roberts, Orlando Hudson
Here are some of the names we’ve been hearing. With teams like [...]

Tony Clark to the Twins?

According the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Minnesota Twins are interested in acquiring free agent 1B/DH Tony Clark.
It’s true the Twins could use another right handed stick in their lineup, and do have a need for a DH even with the Craig Monroe acquisition.   But Tony Clark?  In 221 at bats in the NL last year, [...]

Tom Glavine to Return to Atlanta?

Tom Glavine is believed to be close to returning to the place where it all started.
On Friday evening, the Atlanta Braves came one step closer to re-signing the veteran 300-game winner to a one year contract for 2008. Glavine’s agent was preparing a counter-offer on Friday, as the inital contract offer is believed to be worth close [...]