Lifetime

Here is the lawsuit
 
http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/ARODMLB01132014.pdf
 
So, if you do look at this -- scroll down to page 63 or so and read the actual ruling by the arbitrator..   Arod is basically F'd.  
 
The arbitrator acknowledges almost all of the Arod's complaints and defenses and blows them away by pointing out they really have no bearing on anything that's been aimed at him.  Basically he damn near comes out and says - yeah, Bosch is a creep, but it doesn't change the fact that you joined forces with this creep to try to get over.  The arbitrator fully acknowledges that MLB bought the files, but points out that Arod's people ALSO tried to buy the files and succeeded in buying others.  But maybe best of all -- Arod's defense is talking up not having been able to examine Bosch's Blackberry -- but at the same time, Arod was guilty of destroying his own Blackberry and cancelling his service to try to leave no trace of the record.
 
Also -- Arod's primary defense is that the SCIENCE proves he was was innocent -- the "Science" being the drug tests.  The ruling goes on to show that MLBs testing program didn't test for HGH from 2010-2012 and that Arod's regimine was designed to pass the test..   It's really rather comical.
 
A great read for anyone willing to take the time to go through it.

I've seen people try to dismiss the allegations against Arod because Bosch is such an obvious slimeball.   Do people not understand that in order to cheat, defraud, and lie to the world, Bosch is exactly the sort of guy you need?   It's not like Arod could have enlisted the US Surgeon General to help him get over.  
 
Today comes news that Arod is naming the MLBPA in his suit against MLB.  So, the guy that talks up how he's doing this not only for himself but for other players so they never have to go through what he is going through is dragging them into the mess.  From a legal standpoint he seems to be positioning himself to argue that the entire system is corrupt -- apparently only Arod is clean.

What Junky said....except I still don't think Bourjos for Freese makes any sense....hold on to Bourjos and you might make a better deal later, when the FA market thins out.....very much reminds me of Edmonds to the Cards---we have an extra OF'er so let's make the best move we can....if the best move isn't a good one, don't do it.....wait....
Otherwise, I agree with Junky...other than Hanson and Blanton, not much I'm critical about...

I think you were missing my point Doc. The point is that a stat like WPA undervalues Kendrick's actual on the field contributions to the team specifically because Kendrick has not been clutch. A three run walk off homerun is not four times more valuable than a three run homerun in the first inning. I wont debate that Kendrick has not been a clutch performer, only that looking at his WPA paints a negative picture on what is still a good player.

Naw, it was a good idea. I loathe the whiny assholes that need some kind of venting outlet because baseball is too serious in their life. I'm sure others feel that way but don't say anything because the misery loves comfort crowd gang up and say things like pollyanna and nut swingers.....or simply don't care because when you're a positive person menial shit like someones whining on a messageboard doesn't bug them.
Keep up the good fight and I won't knock the real fight line as some people complain so much I don't know why they follow the team or watch if they are only interested in nitpicking for the negatives.

True. The offseason is not over. However, I don't understand why anyone would expect a GM, who has made nothing but terrible moves to suddenly make good moves.

then you shouldn't be happy with this trade, unless you're a cardinals fan of course

why couldn't he? Did you see how well he was doing before he hit the DL? Bourjos can play. He's a very good player that has a much higher long term value than what we got in return. 

I actually don't think that 3b was a hole. A hole on offense, not on defense. And as good as our offense is overall that's not that big of a hole.

Even if there was no one offering more for Bourjos at this particular juncture, there was again, nothing forcing the Angels to trade him RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND.
 
I've said it before, but this feels like the Angels got tunnel vision about what they "NEEDED" to do this offseason and how they wanted to go about it and just plowed full speed ahead with that plan, no matter what.
 
As a result, they got older, more expensive, and even possibly worse, all for the sake of 2 years of an injury prone, possibly not very good anymore 3B, and a reliever who was heading for the non-tender scrap heap. And they threw Grichuk into the shit sundae just for good measure.
 
I hope it works out, but there's a reason this trade is being panned from the Angels perspective from just about everywhere and it's not like this team has earned a lot of faith that it knows what it's doing over recent years, either.

STL got the value in this deal. This deal didn't need to happen now  and netted a negative. 

Mark Trumbo â€@Mtrumbo441h @keithlaw @Joe_TOC I know how big a fan of mine you are Keith. I got your back the next time Space Mountain denies you due to height limits.
 
 
That HAS to count as a TRUMBOMB....   Honestly, seeing that made everything else about today fade away.

I don't put Calhoun above Bourjos at this point, so if both are on the team, Bourjos gets more playing time as the higher overall value to the team. Like I said before, if you're not going to get a like value in return, and I think anyone trying to argue we did in this case comes up well short, then don't trade him now. You especially don't jump into an early trade season deal if your return is poor. This is a bad deal. 

this trade has arte's fingerprints all over it?

except PB wasn't a 4th OF.

Sure, maybe he's a change of scenery guy. Or maybe the Cardinals know exactly what they're doing and he's another version of the kind of the guy the Angels' bullpen already features too many of, which is what he currently appears to be.
 
This reeks of the Angels' outbidding themselves in order to acquire a piece in Salas that was likely going to be available for nothing but a small chunk of cash in a few weeks though.

I agree sort of. I don't think this trade addresses our primary need but the return value is my biggest issue with it, not that he was traded.

I'm really trying to like the trade. I really aim. I like that we don't have to count on Lucho or sign a Chavez for third, I like that we got a guy who has put up all star numbers at the position and I like that we traded from a position of strength.
 
The problem I keep running into are the little details.
 
We are penny pinching to keep under the luxury tax this year, yet this deal adds about $4 million. People have concerns about Bourjos' health because of his back to back injuries, but yet Freese injury concerns, back and ankle, seem seriously frightening to me. Bourjos' injuries have kept him off the field, but for the most part his numbers are respectable, Freese' injuries made him a sub replacement level player last year. Freese is an all star at his best, but Bourjos best season was better We got a relief pitcher in the deal, but not one we can seriously count on to pitch well for us We improved the offense at the expense of defense with a guy whose career extra base numbers are not significantly better than Bourjos. Our offense was great last year, but our defense and pitching failed us. This trade does not address the pitching, hurts the defense significantly and potentially leads to another defensive downgrade at second base. If I concede equal value between players I can't help but notice the extra year of team control the Cards get with Bourjos. We gave up a prospect as well

except PB wasn't a 4th OF.

no it wasn't implied. 
 
And your assessment of Bourjos is lacking.
 
The Cards came out like a rose in this deal.

oh puleese Chuck. 3B is not a big problem here. We don't have great options there right now, but that is low on the priority list. Offense is NOT the issue this team needs to address. We made a marginal upgrade in a position that wasn't critical while trading low on a very good player. 

yes, because when he is healthy he is a considerable value. If he doesn't stay healthy, you have Calhoun to take his place. If he does stay healthy you either trade him for a higher value return or you trade someone else. 

how did he earn a starting role over a healthy Bourjos? You have got to be f'ing kidding me Chuck.

yes!

Bourjos isn't a bench player...