Bleacher Bums Forum
General Category => Archives => Topic started by: Dave23 on February 16, 2011, 11:56:47 am
-
The Human Element, baby.
-
Angel Hernandez is a egotistical ass. Even if the other three umpires were in agreement, he would pull rank as crew chief to maintain his original call because, well, it was HIS original call.
-
Athletics still miffed about ninth-inning call
Updated: May 9, 2013, 11:09 AM ET
Associated Press
CLEVELAND -- Athletics manager Bob Melvin says he has been in contact with Major League Baseball regarding the disputed ninth-inning call in Wednesday night's game.
After watching a replay, umpires ruled the ball hit by Oakland's Adam Rosales with two outs was a double and not a game-tying homer. TV replays showed the ball cleared the 19-foot-high wall and struck a railing. Melvin does not know if the call will be overturned, but expects baseball officials to comment.
The Indians won 4-3 and Melvin was ejected by second-base umpire Angel Hernandez.
The manager said before Thursday's game he has not changed his mind, still certain Rosales' hit was a homer. He says the call "came down to somebody's decision and that was probably against the grain for what the majority thought."
-
Bob Brenly's often stated opinion that a fifth umpire up in the TV booth at the ballpark would have taken care of it.
-
Angel Hernandez is now a crew chief?
The Peter Principle at work.
-
Here's another Hernandez beauty:
http://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/msn/angel_hernandez_laughably_calls_strike_on_pitch_a_foot_outside_in_wbc_video/13147954
-
How do they miss that? And how does MLB not respond? If you're so f#%@ing (did I spell that right?) blind that you can't get the call right on a SLOW MO ZOOMED IN REPLAY how the heck can you make calls during the game, live?!
-
Crew chief Angel Hernandez didn't talk about the angles the umpires saw or whether they'd seen the ball strike the railing, saying only, "It was not evident on the TV we had that it was a home run. ... I don't know what kind of replay you had, but you can't reverse a call unless there's 100 percent evidence."
Apparently these are the TV's MLB has provided for the umpires to review home run calls.
(https://bbf.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F81D9688FN2L._SS500_.gif&hash=1fffc6120913bb76a5b8dbee7a6dca2d8f6dd5d9)
-
Here's the video. It's conclusive, it was a homer...and the umpires didn't overturn the double call. Would've tied the game with 2 outs in the 9th. Unacceptable.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_08_oakmlb_clemlb_1&mode=video&content_id=26957341&tcid=vpp_copy_26957341 (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_08_oakmlb_clemlb_1&mode=video&content_id=26957341&tcid=vpp_copy_26957341)
They ought to do like they do in the NHL and have a replay official in a central office make calls like this.
-
Houston beat the Angels again. The Angels have lost four in a row. They're eleven games under .500 now.
That team is officially a clusterf*ck.
-
I wouldn't put Torre down at the same level as LaRussa - at least he has some experience in administration and oversight.
-
Being a commissioner in a major pro sports league today is up there with being the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
Definitely guys like Torre and LaRussa aren't up to that level of sophistication, and I doubt most of the guys on that list are up there either.
-
Well the trend in pro sports lately has been to promote the deputy commissioner, so I imagine it will be someone like Manfred or Brosnan. I could also see MLB hire one of Roger Goodell's deputies from the NFL to try to learn from some of the things they're doing.
But these celebrity commissioners like Bush or Costas or some of these non executive types like LaRussa or Torre is just silliness.
-
Aside from the issues CurtOne mentioned, the main issues should include internationalization, reviving inner city interest and preserving labor peace when the CBA expires. I think that may favor Alderson.
-
Here's the video. It's conclusive, it was a homer...and the umpires didn't overturn the double call. Would've tied the game with 2 outs in the 9th. Unacceptable.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_08_oakmlb_clemlb_1&mode=video&content_id=26957341&tcid=vpp_copy_26957341 (http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_05_08_oakmlb_clemlb_1&mode=video&content_id=26957341&tcid=vpp_copy_26957341)
-
Apparently, Angel Hernandez is such a bad umpire that his crew blew an obvious call on a home run replay tonight.
-
Given the quality of the supposed names on the "outside baseball" list, an industry hack like MacPhail sounds pretty good.
-
George W. Bush, former president
Please no. Put him in charge and power and that moron will start another war somewhere.
-
I agree she has no chance. I had forgotten about Andy...you're right. He's kissed butt a long time to get that job.
A lot of the guys on that list would probably chafe at being the owners' stooge.
-
What problems face MLB now?
Tampa Bay and Oakland are the only franchises with stadium problems.
There is labor peace at least for a few more years.
The owners are getting even richer with the new television deal.
Is there anything left besides performance enhancing drugs?
My guess is the new commissioner will be someone with expertise in that area. I was considering former senator George Mitchell until I saw he is now 79.
-
Sandy Alderson is my best guess followed by Rob Manfred.
Baseball is still an old boy's network so I'm guessing Andy MacPhail, who's been considered one of the front-runners for the job for well over 10 years, will replace Selig as Commissioner. Sandy might be more competent than Andy, but the three generations of the MacPhail family history of success in MLB might give him the edge. Anderson's been around for a long time, but the MacPhail family legacy in baseball is over 80 years long. I also think the MLB owners would view Andy MacPhail as more controllable than someone like Alderson. Think of it as a legacy pick.
Kim Ng has no chance. She's failed three times trying to get a GM job. While she's probably more than competent to fill the position as Commissioner, I don't see the owners of the MLB make the bold move of her as the first women's commissioner of an all-male major sports league. I think if they would seriously consider a women for the job it would be offered first to Condoleezza Rice which would provide them with a much bigger name with more political connections. Plus while Ng is of Chinese heritage, the choice of Ms. Rice would be trumpeted as another example of MLB trying to increase African-American participation in the sport.
-
Thank you , Andy. Yes, that's her name.
Now, how about correcting my spelling?
-
I'd go with George Will, followed by Dombrowski, and then, what's that chick's name that was the Dodger's assistant and now works for MLB? I think it's pronounced win.
LaRussa? I suspect him of complete complicincy in PEDS. How do you spell complicincy?
Kim Ng and her last name is pronounced 'Ang'.
-
I'd go with George Will, followed by Dombrowski, and then, what's that chick's name that was the Dodger's assistant and now works for MLB? I think it's pronounced win.
LaRussa? I suspect him of complete complicincy in PEDS. How do you spell complicincy?
-
Sandy Alderson is my best guess followed by Rob Manfred.
-
Possible candidates to replace Bud Selig
OUTSIDE BASEBALL
Bob Costas, sportscaster
George Will, columnist
George Bodenheimer, executive chairman, ESPN, Inc.
Dick Ebersol, former chairman, NBC Sports
Rick Levin, president of Yale
Kent Conrad, former senator
George W. Bush, former president
INSIDE BASEBALL
Rob Manfred, MLB executive VP
Tim Brosnan, MLB executive VP
Bob Bowman, CEO, MLB Advanced Media
Joe Torre, MLB executive VP
Tony La Russa, special assistant to Bud Selig
Sandy Alderson, Mets GM
Paul Beeston, Blue Jays president/CEO
John Schuerholz, Braves president
David Montgomery, Phillies president/CEO
Dave Dombrowski, Tigers president/GM
Mark Shapiro, Indians president
Derrick Hall, Diamondbacks president/CEO
Stan Kasten, Dodgers president
Terry McGuirk, Braves chairman/CEO
Larry Baer, Giants president/CEO
Mark Attanasio, Brewers chairman
Andy MacPhail, former Orioles/Cubs/Twins exec
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9236590/mlb-next-commissioner (http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9236590/mlb-next-commissioner)
Tony LaRussa?
-
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/05/phillies-looking-for-pitching-help.html
The Phillies are supposed to be looking for starting pitching.... and the CFer they picked up in the off-season, Ben Revere, has an OPS+ of 42.
DeJesus has an OPS+ of 130, and the Cubs have starting pitching they could easily trade.
I wonder what the Phils have in the way of prospects, and how much they want to make the playoffs this season. With their entire starting infield and catcher 33 or older, and with starting duo of Lee and Halladay 34 and 36, they may see their window of opportunity closing rather seriously after this season.
They might be a good potential trading partner now, when they are 4 games out and changes could make a difference for the next 5 months, without waiting for July.
-
Brief Zambrano story from MLB Trade Rumors
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/05/long-island-ducks-sign-carlos-zambrano.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
-
Carlos Zambrano signs with the Long Island Ducks.
Carrie Muskat @CarrieMuskat
In case you missed it, Carlos Zambrano has signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League. #Cubs
-
J.A. Happ taken off on a stretcher after getting hit in the head by a line drive. He seemed to be talking to the paramedics as they took him off, but had his neck stablized.
MLB's stubbornness on finding some kind of protection for pitchers on the mound is pretty awful. You'd think they would've taken the warning from the McCarthy situation last year, but they didn't. Maybe they'll do something now before someone ends up getting permanently disabled (or worse) out there.
-
Why would he smoke crack in his pants?
-
(https://bbf.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fl2.yimg.com%2Fbt%2Fapi%2Fres%2F1.2%2FsoAxSLih8lesQBwEN7vWUg--%2FYXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD01MTI7cT04NTt3PTQwOQ--%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen_us%2FSports%2Fap%2F201305061403505893777-p2.jpeg&hash=f5bb96bc6824c612bc3bbe830dd8e97e17e1a91a)
Former MLB outfielder Otis Nixon arrested
The Associated Press 1 hour 46 minutes ago
CANTON, Ga. (AP) -- Former Major League outfielder Otis Nixon has been arrested on drug charges following a weekend traffic stop in suburban Atlanta.
Nixon was pulled over just after midnight Saturday after another driver called police to report a Dodge Ram truck weaving all over the road, according to an incident report from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office. The 54-year-old remained in jail Monday afternoon on $11,880 bond.
Officers found a pipe for smoking crack coc@ine in Nixon's pants pocket and found a suspected crack rock in the driver's seat, the report says. They later found another pipe and more suspected crack rocks in the floor board of the driver's side, as well as other paraphernalia.
A sheriff's deputy arrested Nixon on charges of possession of coc@ine and possession of a drug-related object. It wasn't immediately clear Monday whether Nixon had a lawyer.
Nixon told officers he was driving a friend home and didn't believe he was weaving. He told the sheriff's deputy that the substance officers found in the car was crack coc@ine but said the pipes and drugs belonged to his son and that he had been planning to get rid of the pipe.
Officers conducted field sobriety tests and determined Nixon wasn't under the influence of crack coc@ine or alcohol.
The speedy Nixon collected more than 600 stolen bases in 17 seasons from 1983-99. He played for several teams including the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians and Montreal Expos.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/former-mlb-outfielder-otis-nixon-194010126--mlb.html (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/former-mlb-outfielder-otis-nixon-194010126--mlb.html)
-
Who?
-
JR send me an email when you get a chance..chiman@insightbb.com
-
Pete Rose used corked bats?
http://deadspin.com/5555714/this-is-pete-roses-corked-bat
-
Mickey Mantle used corked bats?
http://deadspin.com/looks-like-mickey-mantle-used-to-cork-his-bat-489467933
-
Wow, minor leaguer argues a call. He gets ejected. Manager comes out to defend his player and convinces the umpire to check with other umpires to see if he missed the call. He did, and the call is reversed. But despite the call reversal, the ejection stands and a pinch hitter has to hit. Seems pretty unfair, given that the ejection was a result of a call that was so bad that it was subsequently reversed.
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/206108561.html
The player was not ejected for the ump's bad call. If he had been, then certainly it would be wrong to allow the ejection to stand.
But since the ejection was for something the player did after the call, he needed to remain ejected if what he did in the first place warranted ejection.
-
Melky Cabrera's OPS down 340 points. Are we sure he was only on testosterone?
-
Don't know what was said, but if it was the magic words, you can't stick them back into your mouth.
-
Wow, minor leaguer argues a call. He gets ejected. Manager comes out to defend his player and convinces the umpire to check with other umpires to see if he missed the call. He did, and the call is reversed. But despite the call reversal, the ejection stands and a pinch hitter has to hit. Seems pretty unfair, given that the ejection was a result of a call that was so bad that it was subsequently reversed.
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/206108561.html
-
You'll enjoy it Dave. It's one of those that stick with ya. Lucadello was a special person.
-
I've read the book and it is good. I think Reb had recommended it some years ago.
-
Just ordered it off Amazon...thanks for the recommendation, dog!
-
Speaking of scouts, there is a terrific book (still in print) about perhaps the greatest one of all, Tony Lucadello. The title of the book is Prophet of the Sandlots: Journeys With a Major League Scout, written by Mark Winegardner. Just re-read it in fact. Tragic ending.
-
Very cool. Thanks, JR!
Yeah I know, right? Here are the full details. Looks like what will be available online will be even more extensive than what the ESPN article said.
Through Diamond Mines, fans will also be able to enter the name of a big league player and search for scouting reports filed on them throughout the years. Nearly 12,000 scouting reports covering 400 scouts and 4,000 players about 42 percent of all big leaguers since 1952 will be available through an internet database at www.baseballhall.org.
http://baseballhall.org/news/press-releases/hear-baseball%27s-talent-finders-tell-their-stories-saturday-museum-unveils
That is going to be awesome.
-
Very cool. Thanks, JR!
-
Here's a Brewers scouting report on Albert Pujols when he was in junior college. I wonder what this Brewers scout is doing nowadays.
(https://bbf.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fa.espncdn.com%2Fphoto%2F2013%2F0430%2Fmlb_hof_pujols_700.jpg&hash=0f221b0cab336b2282e76ae4859f958b590a5c54)
-
Here's an interesting article on an exhibit at the Hall of Fame that will be honoring scouts. Here's the part I really found interesting:
That's why the most intriguing element of the HOF tribute is the creation of an interactive, online database of more than 14,000 scouting reports prepared in collaboration with SABR. Visitors onsite in Cooperstown and online at www.baseballhall.org (http://www.baseballhall.org) will be able to access a treasure trove of 441 scouts, covering 4,444 players from 1943 through 2006. Here are just a few that show what scouts of different eras were seeing, and thinking:
Going through those scouting reports will be a lot of fun. Can't wait for that to come out.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/9228875/scouts-exhibit-baseball-hof
-
Bryce Harper tweeted in support of doing the wave at baseball games yesterday. Today, he leaves the game with an injury.
Coincidence? Or is it the baseball gods striking him down for blasphemy?
-
Too bad for Wells...
-
Too bad, it really looked like he was going to be pretty good. Got a little lucky his first year, got a little unlucky his second year. And then he had the forearm strain at the beginning of his third year that he just never recovered from.
I still wonder if the injury had anything to do with him trying to do too much too soon in spring training that year. Quade was making him "earn" his spot in the rotation, even though he was clearly the fourth best major league starting pitcher in the organization at that point. He dominated from day one of spring training, and then collapsed as soon as the injury hit.
-
Goodbye to Randy Wells.
Randy Wells - R - Rangers
Randy Wells has announced his retirement from baseball.
Wells had allowed 32 hits and 16 runs in 23 2/3 innings this year at Triple-A Round Rock. The 30-year-old right-hander played five seasons in the major leagues.
-
I don't know, Valbuena is doing a respectable job, and Donaldson is likely playing over his head right now.
Still even if Donaldson was a clear upgrade and winds up showing he isn't a fluke, the Rich Harden deal was still the right thing to do at the time.
agree JR. we had to make the trade and we had to give up something to get Harden. I'd love to have Donaldson back, though. He would be a massive upgrade over whatever we have ready to step in at third
-
I don't know, Valbuena is doing a respectable job, and Donaldson is likely playing over his head right now.
Still even if Donaldson was a clear upgrade and winds up showing he isn't a fluke, the Rich Harden deal was still the right thing to do at the time.
-
wouldn't donaldson look good at 3B for us this year?
-
Former Cubs farmhand Josh Donaldson is the AL Player of the Week.
He's sitting with a .911 OPS right now. Donaldson is really the only one from the Rich Harden trade who panned out to any extent for the A's.
The A's still have both Josh Donaldson and Jerry Blevins from our 2007-08 dealings with them.
-
The Marlins ended up beating the Mets in 15 innings last night, but Stanton left with an injured hamstring (and he said he felt a pop). The Marlins made a huge mistake by not trading him this past offseason...could've gotten any prospect package in the game for 4 years of him, but not necessarily anymore.
That wasn't even the longest game last night, though. The A's beat the Angels in 19 innings on a 2 run homer by Brandon Moss. Brett Anderson pitched 5 1/3 innings...in relief. Jerome Williams pitched a quality start...in relief. And it must have been the night for extra inning outfielder leg injuries, because Crisp, Young, and Bourjos all left that game with leg injuries.
-
The Marlins and Mets are in the 15th inning, and combined to go 1 for 28 with RISP. That would make even the Cubs blush.
-
Former Cubs farmhand Josh Donaldson is the AL Player of the Week.
-
Strasburg getting hosed by the mighty Laz Diaz.
-
Tony Campana steals second, third, and home in the same at bat
http://www.milb.com/multimedia/vpp.jsp?content_id=26658877&partnerId=as_mlb_20130428_7525264
-
Darvish has 49 Ks in 32 IP with a .8 WHIP. Boy, what a shame we didn't get either he or Sanchez.
-
Sanchez won't pitch the 9th, so Wood, Clemens, and Johnson will still hold the record alone.
-
Anibal Sanchez with 17 strikeouts through 8 innings against the Braves, 121 pitches. Outside chance at history tonight.
-
This is a pretty cool gif of Yu Darvish getting some swings and misses:
(https://bbf.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fangraphs.com%2Fblogs%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F04%2FDarvishGIF.gif&hash=6963b0f692e4c6d9c1deec86e4e027f3b851ec81)
-
This should be entertaining:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/24/hawk-harrelson-to-talk-sabermetrics-with-brian-kenny-n-mlb-now-tomorrow/
-
2013 NL All Star ballot
(https://bbf.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsports.cbsimg.net%2Fimages%2F%2Fvisual%2Fwhatshot%2FNL-All-Star-ballot-2013.png&hash=48ba806fece65d85d0e392f1b61f11e24faa9540)
-
23 degrees at game time for game 1, 26 degrees for game 2.
damb global warming....
-
But what's his career high in the all important Grit category?
-
Justin Upton has 11 homers. Martin Prado's career high is 15. Upton may do that in April.
-
23 degrees at game time for game 1, 26 degrees for game 2.
-
Got it. Thanks.
-
It's a day-night doubleheader, so they're playing game 2 right now.
-
Is Colorado playing a DH tonight?
-
He should sit out all of next season too. Even if he is medically cleared to play. He should wait until he feels 110% healthy.
I see what you did there...
-
He should sit out all of next season too. Even if he is medically cleared to play. He should wait until he feels 110% healthy.
-
Still a kid. He'll be 23 all of next season. Hope he comes back 100% healthy by 2014.
-
That's a terrible shame - Lee was having a terrific season (.537 OBP) and seemed on-track to be the Rays opening day SS next season. For a guy as dependent on speed and mobility as he is, that could be a devastating injury.
-
Hak-Ju Lee - SS - Rays
Rays prospect Hak-Ju Lee suffered torn ligaments in his left knee Saturday in a game at Triple-A Durham.
The young shortstop is unlikely to return this season, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. It's a tough blow for Lee, who was hitting .419 through Durham's first 14 games. He is one of the Rays' top prospects, and it's only a matter of time before his defense gets him to the major leagues. Unfortunately, that debut will now likely be delayed until 2014.
-
Harper had two homers, a double, and a walk today. Wonder how much Boras is going to demand in a few years.
-
Porcello won the battle with Smily for the starter spot in Detroit, but since the start of the season, twould appear to be a mistake.
-
Article on Prior mechanics with super slo mo video.
http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/breaking-down-the-broken-down-a-video-analysis-of-mark-prior/
-
Prince Fielder with the Golden Sombrero two games in a row against Seattle.
-
Wait, a Cardinals farm system product is impressive? Stop the presses!
-
The Cardinals were lucky they weren't no-hit tonight.
OTOH, Shelby Miller continues to be very impressive.
-
Upton has hit more homers (8 ) than the entire state of Florida (Rays: 5; Marlins: 2).
-
Justin Upton just hit homer #8 on the season. The Diamondbacks' quest to be more scrappy was just so stupid.
-
AMATEUR!!
-
Yovani Gallardo was arrested for a DUI. His blood alcohol level was .22, almost three times the limit (.08).
-
Why in goc's name would LaRussa come out of retirement to manage the Twins?
In my ongoing quest for brevity, I sometimes leave out a key pieceof information
Pssst: If the last-place L.A. Angels, who visit the Twins for three games beginning Monday, continue to slide, don't be surprised if Tony La Russa takes over as manager. La Russa, 68, retired in 2011 after leading the St. Louis Cardinals to the World Series championship.
-
Why in goc's name would LaRussa come out of retirement to manage the Twins?
-
The Twins beat the Angels 8-2 at Target Field Monday night.
Rumor in the Twin Cities is that Tony LaRussa will come out of retirement and take over the manager's job.
-
Went to see the Hanshin Tigers visiting the Yomiuri Giants at Tokyo Dome tonight, and sat in the Tigers section with my Tigers jersey (thanks, Tuffy!). Tigers lost, but I do enjoy yakyuu a lot - the singing, the drums... It's a blast. Interestingly, 2/3 of the Tigers OF was former Cubs - they have Matt Murton in left and Kosuke Fukudome in right.
The other nice thing is that I bypassed the crowds for the subway and JR and walked home afterwards (about 25 minutes). Having never lived close enough to Wrigley to do that, it felt damn good.
-
The lowest price is in Seattle - $5.50 for 12 ounces. I'll have to take advantage of that when I'm there for the interleague series in June.
-
Cubs are #7
(https://bbf.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fhometownbargrill.com%2Fwp-content%2Fthemes%2Frestaurant%2Fthumb.php%3Fsrc%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.hometownbargrill.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fdraftbeer.jpg%26amp%3Bh%3D250%26amp%3Bw%3D450%26amp%3Bzc%3D1%26amp%3Bq%3D80&hash=333464ac622860047c66c34bcaa5e0390becde1a)
10 Highest Beer Prices In Major League Baseball
http://www.thestreet.com/story/11892342/1/10-highest-beer-prices-in-major-league-baseball.html (http://www.thestreet.com/story/11892342/1/10-highest-beer-prices-in-major-league-baseball.html)
-
Buchholz a no no for Boston through 7
-
It actually should be longer than the time the other player is on the DL when someone initiates a fight like that.
-
Heh. Solomon would have said, Quentin, you're out as long as Greinke.
-
8 games for Quentin. Not enough, IMO.
-
I agree that Quentin should be made an example. There is never a reason to charge the mound like that, especially by a guy like Quentin who crowds the plate.
-
LOL at Valbuena!
-
isn't there some sort of rule or procedure in place that each teams bullpen must come out on to the field in cases where there is a brawl? thought i recall some kind of rule like that
-
Apparently, Greinke has thrown at Quentin more than he's hit him, including many near misses at his head. That's the story Quentin has been telling, anyway.
They did face each other a lot in the AL Central, I presume.
-
So what does everyone think about the Quentin/Greinke situation? I think it would be good for MLB to make an example out of Quentin. Greinke clearly wasn't trying to hit him with a 3-2 count in a 2-1 game. And Jon Morosi posted this on Twitter that makes it look premeditated:
@jonmorosi
Tweet from Oney Guillen: greinke has hit carlos many many times ... told me long long time ago. if he does it again im going for him.
Greinke had actually only hit Quentin twice before (most recently in 2009). Quentin also led the league in 2011 and 2012 in HBPs (despite playing only 118 and 86 games in those seasons), and has 116 HBP for his career. So it's not surprising that a good pitcher who throws a lot of games and isn't scared to come inside has hit him more than once.
If Quentin only gets a 5-7 game suspension for going out there planning to get into a fight if he was hit, being an idiot, and knocking Greinke out for 2+ months, that's ridiculous.
-
Somewhat entertaining rant by Brian Kenny responding to comments about sabermetrics from Hawk Harrelson:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/04/12/brian-kenny-to-hawk-harrelson-you-missed-the-revolution/
-
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/04/11/bench-clearing-brawl-greinke-leaves-game-after-taking-bull-rush-from-240-pound-quentin/
MLB needs to institute a rule similar to what the NBA has. If a player leaves the dugout and steps onto the playing field during a brawl, that alone should mean automatic ejection from the game and a further suspension to be determined by what they did on the field. Anyone instigating a fight should face a minimum suspension of some serious time and the minimum suspension should be twice the length of time anyone in the brawl is forced to miss due to injury in the brawl.
This is nonsense.
-
Gordon Beckham out 6-8 weeks for the White Sox with a fractured hamate bone in his left wrist:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-chicago-white-sox-gordon-beckham-fractured-left-hamate-bone-20130411,0,4061231.story (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-chicago-white-sox-gordon-beckham-fractured-left-hamate-bone-20130411,0,4061231.story)
-
What a waste . . .
-
(https://bbf.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmng-twincities.smugmug.com%2FOther%2FPete-Rose%2Fi-XGT3tGT%2F0%2FL%2Frose06-L.jpg&hash=69da724d37631ac96ab7a3365a4cd09b6e96fa20)
Bob Sansevere: Pete Rose has gone from Hit King to Sit King
Pete Rose was at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center on Saturday, April 6, doing what he has done a lot of since his banishment from baseball nearly a quarter of a century ago. He signed his autograph for a fee. The Hit King has become The Sit King.
He has spent more time sitting than most real kings. All he needs is a chair and a few pens, and he's open for business.
For $59 Saturday, he signed a baseball or photo or something else on a flat surface. For $89, he signed just about anything else.
Before he signed baseballs, bats and photos for a crowd of autograph collectors, Rose signed boxes of baseballs in a small room in the Earle Brown Center's basement. On some of the balls, he wrote above his signature, "I'm sorry I caused the Beatles to break up." He also signed, "I'm sorry I shot JFK."
read more: http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_22970948/bob-sansevere-pete-rose-has-gone-from-hit (http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_22970948/bob-sansevere-pete-rose-has-gone-from-hit)
photos: http://photos.twincities.com/2013/04/06/photos-pete-rose-signs-autographs-in-brooklyn-park/ (http://photos.twincities.com/2013/04/06/photos-pete-rose-signs-autographs-in-brooklyn-park/)
-
Rockies get minor league reliever Steven Hensley for Harang. So they go for the fringe AAA reliever instead of the A-ball lottery ticket route. Kind of surprised no one would offer more than that. With the money that changed hands, the Rockies also saved about $2.5 million of the $3.2 million they owed Hernandez this year. Not a bad couple of moves for them.
Harang probably helps the Mariners, so good move for them.
Still can't figure out what the Dodgers were doing, though.
-
Photo of the Day: The honorary Stan Musial baseball
By Dayn Perry | Baseball Writer | April 11, 2013 1:38 pm ET
Courtesy of Rawlings, here's a first look at the honorary Stan Musial baseball the Cardinals will use Friday night against the Brewers ...
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/22051979/photo-of-the-day-the-honorary-stan-musial-baseball (http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/22051979/photo-of-the-day-the-honorary-stan-musial-baseball)
https://twitter.com/RawlingsSports/status/322323531444654080/photo/1 (https://twitter.com/RawlingsSports/status/322323531444654080/photo/1)
-
Sounds like they're going to get a minor league pitcher for Harang, just waiting for Selig to approve the money the Rockies are sending.
-
aha
-
Rockies got him, then immediately DFA'd him with the intention of trading him again.
-
I thought the Rockies already got him? That fall through?
-
The Mariners are close to trading for Harang.
-
Wasn't Torreyes the key player in that deal?
I still think he was.
-
Red Sox sell out streak ends at 794 games tonight. That's almost 10 full years worth of home games.
-
Note: I'm purple impaired.
-
And how do you feel about Barney as an everyday second baseman?
-
Wasn't Torreyes the key player in that deal?
I've always considered Travis Wood the key player (LHSP with some ML success), while Torreyes and Sappelt were in the high teens (11th and 12th?) on the Reds' top prospect list at the time of the trade.
-
Wasn't Torreyes the key player in that deal?
-
I think it's just the short shelf life of relievers. No one has really figured out how to protect them yet. Then again, it is still just one DL trip...Marshall may stay among the elite relievers in baseball for several more years.
Still, a good move last offseason to go on and make the decision that they weren't going to bring him back for 2013 and beyond. They could have very easily decided that at 29 years old and one of the best relievers in baseball, he was a good piece to lock up. Instead, they got Wood and a couple of potential role players for one year of him.
-
Sean Marshall to the DL with shoulder tendinitis. Sounds like it could be the beginning of the end.
I'm almost tempted to say Dusty strikes again, but there are a lot of pitchers around baseball going down.
-
Sean Marshall to the DL with shoulder tendinitis. Sounds like it could be the beginning of the end.
-
Whitenack already DFA'd by Cleveland.
-
Yea, automating the strike zone would be terrible.
-
brutal
-
The "strike" call against Ben Zobrist that ended a 5-4 game with Longoria on deck:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8632771029_037cfd4de4_o.gif
-
I'm still trying to figure out what drugs Kevin Towers was on this offseason.
-
Justin Upton is trying to wrap up the MVP early this year. Seven games in, he already has 6 home runs.
-
And Jeff Beliveau gets DFA'd to make room for Chirinos.
-
Robinson Chirinos was DFA'd by the Rays a few days ago. Now they have traded him to the Rangers for a PTBNL.
-
Aramis Ramirez sprained his knee tonight. He's getting an MRI tomorrow, and it's possible he'll be out a while.
Aramis to the DL with left ankle sprain. Brewers call up Josh Prince to replace Ramirez on the 25-man roster:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130406&content_id=44060298&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb (http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130406&content_id=44060298&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb)
-
It'll be interesting to see what the Rockies get for him...they probably already have the deal lined up. Whatever it is, it will be far more valuable than Ramon Hernandez.
-
And now rotoworld reports that Harang has been designated for assignment.
Harang was acquired from the Dodgers in exchange for Ramon Hernandez on Saturday, but the Rockies apparently view him as trade bait and have already talked to a number of teams about dealing him. Harang is due $7 million in 2013, so Colorado actually took on more salary by acquiring him.
-
Just read Harang to the Rockies for Ramon Hernandez. I know Harang isn't much anymore, just a back end of the rotation guy...but wow, what are the Dodgers thinking? Ramon Hernandez has negative value at this point. Good move by the Rockies. If nothing else, they flip him for a lottery ticket at the deadline.
-
MLB announces McCutchen has been suspended for PEDs.
That's Daniel McCutchen, Orioles RHP, who is currently pitching in AAA.
-
Aramis Ramirez sprained his knee tonight. He's getting an MRI tomorrow, and it's possible he'll be out a while.
-
Maybe it's a good thing the Dan Haren deal fell through. He gave up 4 homers in 4 innings in Cincy.
-
Pierzynski is catching Darvish tonight, and is in a familiar situation...caught a Buerhle no hitter in 2007, and the Humber perfect game last April.
That Humber perfect game was really just last year? That seems like it was about 3 years ago.
Ramon Castro caught Mark Buehrle's perfect game. AJ caught Buehrle's no-hitter.
-
After three games, we're already down to only one undefeated team (Nationals) and one team with no wins (Marlins). That has happened more quickly than usual this year.
-
The hit was by none other than former Cub minor leaguer (and Rule 5 loss) Marwin Gonzalez.
-
Darvish took it pretty well. A.J. looked way more pissed. Guessing it's the first ever perfect game lost with 1 out to go on a groundball through the pitcher's legs. And, was the batter a former Cubs' farmhand?
-
He would have fielded it had he been a whirling Darvish.
-
Base hit through Darvish's legs with 2 outs in the 9th. Wow, too bad.
-
Grounder to Kinsler, 2 outs.
-
Grounder to Andrus, 1 out.
-
Going to the 9th. Turn on MLB Network if you want to watch it.
-
No one has ever K'd more than 14 in a perfect game. So if Darvish can finish this off and K at least 1 batter in the 9th, he'd have a legitimate argument for most dominant game ever.
-
Ankiel is K #14. Two outs in the 8th.
Maxwell grounds out on the first pitch. 8 perfect innings.
-
Carter Ks to start the 8th. Took 9 pitches, though.
-
Pierzynski would be the first to catch two perfect games.
-
Pierzynski is catching Darvish tonight, and is in a familiar situation...caught a Buerhle no hitter in 2007, and the Humber perfect game last April.
That Humber perfect game was really just last year? That seems like it was about 3 years ago.
-
Darvish is through 7 innings. 93 pitches.
-
Darvish has a perfect game against the Astros through 6 innings, but has thrown 82 pitches.
-
Were the Cubs ever in serious consideration for Darvish? Given how teams are extending their good young talent and so increasingly the trend seems to be that top players won't reach free agency in their prime years, it would be nice to get in the Ricketts' family time machine (I assume they own one) and go back and outbid Texas. I believe the Rangers total with the posting fee was something like $111 for 6 years. He turns 27 in August.
-
Darvish with a no no after 5
-
Actually, that acronym was created specifically for Ryan Theriot.
-
Thrown Out On The Basepaths Like A Nincompoop.
Or, "pulling a Starlin Castro".
-
huh?
-
Matt Holliday with the first TOOTBLAN I've seen on the season.
-
Braves win!
Now, Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals on ESPN2. Wouldn't be an opening day without a chance to cheer against the Cardinals.
-
Utley fails to hit for the cycle...has to settle for a 3-5, 3B & HR day.
-
Utley coming up in the 9th against Kimbrel, and he's a double away from the cycle.
-
Tico wins! Good guess. 91 wins since 2006. Technically, he probably hasn't picked up 90 wins in the National League...I would guess at least two are Interleague wins.
I think that goes to show you how misleading the pitcher wins count can be. Arroyo has been a mid-rotation/back end starter his whole career. But he has also never missed a start...so he picks up a good number of wins, even in a bad year.
It was also really surprising to me how long Arroyo has been a Red. I still think of him as more of a Red Sox player than the Reds...but he has been a Red for more than twice as long as he was in Boston.
-
Bronson Arroyo?
-
Nope. My guess is he's in fourth place, though...he had 84 wins from 2006-2012.
I finally had to pull up a list of active wins leaders to figure this out, just FYI. I'm assuming I'm right, because the Braves broadcast still hasn't given the answer.
-
Zambrano?
-
No, and no. It really is someone who isn't obvious...but when you hear it, you aren't really that surprised either.
-
Carpenter?
Oswalt?
-
Braves trivia question that took me forever to figure out tonight: Since 2006, there are three pitchers with 90 National League wins. Tim Hudson and Cole Hamels (tonight's starters) are two of them. Who is the third?
-
I forgot Ryno was coaching 3B for the Phillies.
-
Kershaw homers in the bottom of the 8th in a scoreless tie to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. Wow.
-
Nats beat the Marlins 2-0. Rafael Soriano with the save. Strasburg with the win. The only two runs in the game were a pair of solo HRs by Bryce Harper.
-
Bryce Harper pops out foul to 1st to end the 8th inning in his fourth AB of the season.
-
(https://bbf.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fballparkfun.files.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F01.jpg&hash=8cffd652e443cb2670eb498f672b19338aa35c0d)
In case you don't know already, MLB Extra Innings is a free preview from April 1 - April 7 for most cable and satellite systems.
-
Bryce Harper flies out to Juan Pierre in left in his third AB of the season.
-
Bryce Harper homers on his second AB of the season.
-
Bryce Harper homers on his first AB of the season.
-
Wow, that is bad. The dozens of Marlins fans out there deserve better.
-
Placido Polanco is batting cleanup for the Marlins today. Wow.
-
Definitely prefer Castro's.
Does that mean Profar is the second baseman of their future then?
-
The extensions keep coming. 8 years, $120 million for Elvis Andrus. I prefer Castro's contract.
-
They say the high school baseball playoffs are as popular in Japan as the NCAA tournament is here.
-
Tomohiro Anraku is just 16, but hes quickly become Japans newest pitching sensation, both for his talent and his workload.
Anrakus 232-pitch outing on Tuesday in Spring Koshien, Japans major spring high school tournament, put him on the international radar. A sophomore at Saibi High in Ehime Prefecture, Anraku led his team to a 4-3 victory with a 13-inning complete game, touched 94 mph with his fastball and struck out 13.
The encore came todayon three days restwhen Anraku threw 159 pitches in Saibi Highs 4-1 victory in front of 43,000 fans at Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/international/after-232-pitch-outing-16-year-old-tomohiro-anraku-allows-one-run-in-complete-game/
-
Justin Maxwell looks like the most exciting player in baseball for one night.
Justin Maxwell is a local D.C. area guy and a wonderful person from a terrific family---and a pretty good player too when he keeps his Ks down. Here's a video and article about his background. A favorite here in the Washington area when he played for U of Md. and the Nats.
http://www.myfoxhouston.com/story/18800161/2012/06/15/outfielder-justin-maxwell-from-the-white-house-to-the-astros
-
Justin Maxwell looks like the most exciting player in baseball for one night.
-
Ah, that makes sense. Well, he dominated his two innings...maybe they should consider him in the 100-120 inning relief role instead, since he can't seem to stay healthy as a starter.
-
He's going to be their 5th starter, but with the off days he won't start until the end of next week, so he's working in relief until then.
-
Erik Bedard has fallen so far that he's pitching in middle relief for the Astros?
-
We're probably watching the high point of the Astros season right now. Opening day is great, even the Astros have something to feel good about.
-
Andy Fletcher...typical...
-
Good to see the umps are already in mid-season form.
-
And Jose Altuve is also the victim of the first bad call of the season. Only took a half inning for the umpire to blow a call.
-
Jose Altuve has the first hit of the season.
-
Also, the Astros' new uniforms are a big improvement.
-
Baseball season is underway! Kinsler flies out and Andrus strikes out against Bud Norris. Norris is the highest paid Astros player at $3 million.
-
It really would make sense for teams to push hard for incentive-based contracts with relatively modest bases. http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/21977796/johan-santana-will-have-shoulder-surgery-on-tuesday
-
Dusty Baker coaching high school baseball in Japan.
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/21977686/japanese-high-school-pitcher-throws-391-pitches-in-four-day-span
-
Verlander's new 180M arm will freeze off and certain fantasy owners will be put on suicide watch.
-
The Twins open at home against Detroit on Monday. The predicted high is 31° with a wind chill of 15-20°.
-
The Diamondbacks have sent Tony Campana to AAA Reno.
-
Actually if Ian ever gets healthy, we may still win that one.
-
Well for it to benefit both teams equally, that means Colvin has to do next to nothing this season (which he appears well on his way to doing), and Ian Stewart puts up some respectable power numbers. Hope that turns out to be the case this season.
-
Looks like that may prove to be an ideal trade. You know, the kind that benefits both teams equally.
-
The great Tyler Colvin was optioned to AAA by the Rockies.
-
Verlander gets a five year extension that brings his guaranteed money to 7 years, $180 million, and there's a team option for 2020 that would take his total contract to $202 million.
-
That is what some call a joke, Jes. Didn't really expect anyone to analyze it. It's possible I guess, but extremely unlikely Stanton does that.
-
My bold prediction for 2013: Giancarlo Stanton will become the first person since Babe Ruth to hit more home runs than the rest of his team combined...
I would take the under on that one. Let's project Stanton with 55 HR, which would be a very optimistic projection. Last year his team hit 100 HR, without counting what he contributed. Every team in the majors (except for the Giants), hit enough HR as a team, that even if you took 55 from their total, the team would have hit more than 55. Really hard for a team NOT to hit more than 55 HR from the 8 positions in the batting order other than the one filled by their most productive HR hitter... and for each HR Stanton ends up with less than 55, it will be that much easier for the team total to top his. And while he might have the potential to hit more than 55, it is hard to imagine anyone doing it if they have no one behind them in the batting order to protect them at least a bit. If there is no protection at all, the opposition will just walk the guy, and if there IS some protection, then the team total will most likely at least match his total.
-
Paul Goldschmidt gets a 5 year, $32 million extension from the Diamondbacks.
-
I beg your pardon. That's Hall of Famer Joe Morgan.
-
Tim McCarver has just announced that 2013 is his last season at Fox.
In news that will not go without celebratory fist pumps from a variety of corners, Tim McCarver has announced that hes going to hang up his broadcasting shoes after the 2013 season. No word on Joe Bucks plans, or on Foxs plans to replace McCarver with Joe Morgan.
I hope he is just being facetious and doesn't know something we don't.
-
It would crack me up if they ended up with Valverde again.
-
Tigers send down Rondon. Interesting...it's still probably not that likely that they want Marmol, but they're obviously not going with their planned closer to start the year.
That was just bizarre that they were putting so much stock in him being able to nail down the closer job for them in the first place. He put up good numbers in the minors last year but wasn't all that dominating either.
It would have almost been like us coming off a World Series appearance and counting on Tony Zych to be our closer the following year.
-
Tigers send down Rondon. Interesting...it's still probably not that likely that they want Marmol, but they're obviously not going with their planned closer to start the year.
-
My bold prediction for 2013: Giancarlo Stanton will become the first person since Babe Ruth to hit more home runs than the rest of his team combined...
-
At least McCarver won't be around when the Cubs are contenders.
Now, if only we could be certain that the rest of us will be....
-
I saw Wainwright unloading some 87-88 MPH fastballs not too long ago in a spring game
-
Wainwright agrees to a 5 year, $97.5 million extension with the Cardinals.
-
At least McCarver won't be around when the Cubs are contenders.
Now if only Joe F**k would follow his partner into the sunset.
-
Scoopie Spam Time:
Time to sign up for the ESPN Fantasy Baseball Challenge. I set this year's group to weekly, not daily, for easier maintenance.
http://games.espn.go.com/baseball-challenge/2013/en/group?groupID=2858
Group: Anglo Soxan Cubs
Password: goober
-
The Rockies optioned infielder DJ LeMahieu to Triple-A Colorado Springs Wednesday, which leaves Reid Brignac and Jonathan Hererra fighting for the spot on the bench as a utility infielder. LeMahieu hit .231 (9 for 39) with one triple, two doubles and four RBI in 19 spring games.
-
And that Barry Manilow is big in San Fransisco.
-
You know whether it's 2012 or 2013 the more things that come around the more they stay the same and you have to play the games on the field.
-
What JR said.
-
Too bad he didn't announce that 2012 is his last season at Fox.
-
Tim McCarver has just announced that 2013 is his last season at Fox.
-
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/zone-bondy-book-baseball-reign-error-article-1.1297198
-
Scott Boras works another miracle...
He's damn good at his job.
-
Scott Boras works another miracle...
-
Lohse gets 3 years, $33 million from the Brewers. I can't believe he got that much after this much time.
I guess if it's going to happen, a Porcello move will come pretty quickly now. Doesn't seem like the Tigers will ever have more leverage than they do right now.
-
Heyman says Lohse to the Brewers.
-
You'd think that would be the case. Then again, 24 hours ago, I wouldn't have imagined there was any scenario where the Yankees would pay $13 million for Vernon Wells. It might be less of a shock if they gave up a top 10 prospect for him.
Cashman is smart...this seems like one of those moves that came from one of a desperate Steinbrenner.
-
The Yankees are supposedly paying about $13 million to Wells, with the Angels picking up the other $29 million. I am shocked the Yankees would pay that much for him.
With the Yankees paying that much, I would be shocked if they're going to give up anything in the way of a real prospect.
-
The Yankees are supposedly paying about $13 million to Wells, with the Angels picking up the other $29 million. I am shocked the Yankees would pay that much for him.
-
Rumor is that the Yankees are going to be paying more than you'd expect. Of course, that doesn't mean much--$3 million a year would be more than I'd expect at this point.
-
Sounds like the Yankees may trade for Vernon Wells. I'm sure the Angels will be paying almost all of the contract...but wow, I'm not sure I'd want him on my team for free at this point.
We agree
-
Sounds like the Yankees may trade for Vernon Wells. I'm sure the Angels will be paying almost all of the contract...but wow, I'm not sure I'd want him on my team for free at this point.
-
Unless you think the Astros are making a huge mistake in cutting him, I don't think a guy who can't make the horrible Astros should even be considered.
-
Another waiver wire type who might be interesting for the Cubs is Tyler Greene. He's not going to make the Astros, can play all over the infield, and has been anti-awful against LHP in his career (.241/.314/.407). Of course, he's essentially the same player as Lillibridge, so he probably doesn't make much sense for the Cubs.
-
Mark Lowe was released by the Dodgers. Unless he just looks awful (and maybe he does--he lost velocity and missed some time last year), he seems like a decent option for that last bullpen spot if they're planning to pull someone off the waiver wire.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lowema01.shtml
-
Marlins sign Koyie Hill. Bast#rds trade away all those players and are still trying to make a run for it.
-
Heh
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/21938104
-
Looks like Ronny Cedeno is going to sign with the Astros. So one of the waiver wire guys that may have fit for the Cubs' 25th spot is gone.
-
Pretty amazing article on Joey Votto and hitting:
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/joey-votto-on-hitting/
How crazy is it that, in recent history, perfect games have been more common than Joey Votto pop-ups? I don't think I've ever witnessed so keen an understanding of hitting, coupled with so uncanny an ability to control one's body. Votto is a freak in the best kind of way.
-
Dusty Baker is an awful manager.
Maybe Broxton isn't happy, but then again he has 7 million reasons per year to get over it.
exactly JR
-
Well, I don't think anyone wants Broxton's contract. It was a ridiculous contract when it was signed for a guy who has been an inconsistent closer. And I don't think the Tigers want a three year reliever.
Speaking of the Tigers, apparently the Padres have turned down a Porcello for Street and Porcello for Gregerson deal. I would've taken either deal if I was the Padres GM.
-
They won't keep Broxton long...can you say "Tigers"?
-
Dusty Baker is an awful manager.
Reds are moving Chapman back to the pen. Got to think Broxton isn't too happy about that, given that he just signed a 3 year deal with them to be their closer.
Maybe Broxton isn't happy, but then again he has 7 million reasons per year to get over it.
-
Reds are moving Chapman back to the pen. Got to think Broxton isn't too happy about that, given that he just signed a 3 year deal with them to be their closer.
-
Wow.
Marlon Byrd - OF - Mets
According to one Mets' official, Marlon Byrd is "99.9 percent certain" to win the starting right field job.
Given his strong performance this spring and the sorry state of the Mets' outfield, it's almost a given at this point. Byrd, a non-roster invitee, is hitting .324 (11-for-34) with four doubles and four RBI during Grapefruit League play. While he figures to get most of the starts initially, Mike Baxter and Jordany Valdespin could also see playing time. The 35-year-old is a pretty uninspiring option outside of deeper NL-only fantasy leagues.
IIRC, Byrd had even better ST stats last year, then went in the dumpster as soon as the regular season started.
-
There was a discussion yesterday of how quickly players circle the bases after hitting a home run. Marlon Byrd had to be one of the fastest.
-
Wow.
Marlon Byrd - OF - Mets
According to one Mets' official, Marlon Byrd is "99.9 percent certain" to win the starting right field job.
Given his strong performance this spring and the sorry state of the Mets' outfield, it's almost a given at this point. Byrd, a non-roster invitee, is hitting .324 (11-for-34) with four doubles and four RBI during Grapefruit League play. While he figures to get most of the starts initially, Mike Baxter and Jordany Valdespin could also see playing time. The 35-year-old is a pretty uninspiring option outside of deeper NL-only fantasy leagues.
-
On the other hand, it's not a surprise given their excellence as an organization.
-
The Cardinals have released Ronny Cedeno. That's kind of a surprise given their lack of depth at shortstop.
-
Interesting story about Twins reliever Glen Perkins getting some tips from Greg Maddux at the World Baseball Classic.
During their conversation, a spring training game played on the TV. Maddux glanced up, saw a groundball single and said, That was a stupid pitch.
I didnt even know he was watching, but he picked up on everything, Perkins said. A guy had swung late at an outside fastball. The pitcher came back with a breaking pitch, and the guy rolled a single through. Maddux was saying that if you throw a fastball and the batter is late, throw another fastball. Thats why he thought it was a stupid pitch.
During another at-bat, a pitcher threw two fastballs out of the strike zone. Maddux told Perkins the next pitch should be a changeup. Conventional wisdom holds that when youre behind 2-and-0, the next pitch should be a fastball for a strike, to avoid a walk.
http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/198887611.html (http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/198887611.html)
-
Padres third baseman Chase Headley will miss at least the first two weeks of the season after breaking the tip of his left thumb. Headley was injured Sunday while sliding into second base trying to break up a double play.
-
hitter aging curves...think this is what you're looking for
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/hitters-age-like-wine-power-like-cheese/
Pretty close, though I would still like to see the OPS+ aging curve. Those graphs do confirm my own belief that hitters tend to peak between age 27 and 29, most often between 28-29, with a gradual decline for about 2 years and then generally a much sharper decline after about age 31, that was a conclusion I reached after looking at batting records for several hundred players in the old Encyclopedia of Baseball.
-
hitter aging curves...think this is what you're looking for
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/hitters-age-like-wine-power-like-cheese/
-
I believe this link was posted here some time ago, and I only now got around to reading it -- a statistical analysis of age-related fielding performance: http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/fielding-aging-curves/
While it only looks at the performance of SS, the conclusion is that peak fielding performance is generally between ages 24 and 28. Fairly interesting, but it would be nice to see how much that is matched in other positions. It would also be interesting to see a large scale data review of hitting aging curves to identify the normal peak hitting performance years, and the rate of decline from peak for the average player.
-
This is from an article about Puerto Rico's win against Japan yesterday at the WBC:
SAN FRANCISCO -- They held a retirement party for Pedro Valdes in Puerto Rico in January, after one last winter ball season. They told jokes and laughed at all the good times of a professional baseball career that began when the Cubs selected him in the 12th round of the 1990 draft, a draft in which the Cubs took 46 players and none of them won a game in the big leagues or topped Valdes' meager 21 hits and one home run.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/mlb/news/20130318/world-baseball-classic-puerto-rico-legacy/
-
BTW it's kind of ironic he wants to become an agent, since he was the only player the Cubs ever took to arbitration during the MacHendry regime and got his *#& handed to him. Maybe he'll do a better job appropriately valuing the services of other players than he did valuing himself.
-
Theriot considering retirement and becoming an agent? That's surprising...he's not very good, but he seems like he should be able to catch on as an extra infielder somewhere. Maybe he just doesn't want to play unless he can start.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/18/quiet-riot-ryan-theriots-playing-career-may-be-over/
Well when you were the main reason why two teams won World Series championships like Theriot was, I'm sure accepting a diminished role must be difficult.
-
Theriot considering retirement and becoming an agent? That's surprising...he's not very good, but he seems like he should be able to catch on as an extra infielder somewhere. Maybe he just doesn't want to play unless he can start.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/18/quiet-riot-ryan-theriots-playing-career-may-be-over/
-
Rizzo had a 3-run double and a pair of walks, but Italy was eliminated yesterday from the WBC.
-
It should be a long, long time before he is eligible for a drivers license again.
Old story - is he sorry for what he did or sorry that he was caught? He says the right things, but how do you know?
In most states it would be either two years or five years before he could get his license again. In some states he would be eligible for a restricted license, allowing him to drive to or from work before then, and in some states he would not. In some states any restricted license would further be limited to vehicles with an operating sobriety testing device. The fact that Grace apparently already was required after his first DUI to have and use such a device and that he apparently had disabled it might make a judge somewhat less likely to grant him a restricted license this time.
But it is important to remember that whether someone is sorry about what they did or not does nothing to alter what was done, and probably should not be given much weight at all in sentencing.
-
Do they have a prison softball team?
Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio (he of the prisoners must wear pink underwear fame) runs the tent city.
-
Do they have a prison softball team?
-
Grace on serving time in jail: 'It's my fault'
Ex-Cub not making excuses for 2nd DUI, 4-month sentence
(https://bbf.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ft2.gstatic.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcTEoOJWxSJp_Xdbo5NlqfJWyvdwk5aH9xfbFkfbgPgtiNOGqiOG&hash=a0a77fc5ca459cfb99b6bc1b8181db14c82dcb65) [/size](https://bbf.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ft1.gstatic.com%2Fimages%3Fq%3Dtbn%3AANd9GcRC6Z9k5DwhxIawmk2nnkgbpIvPB3POlWfn0e_VURh-mm2Sz7kZ&hash=95b549be451cc4926b0e22dc5ee7c7b325a0dbb4)
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. Former Cubs first baseman Mark Grace was leaving his two sons last week for his daily trip to the Phoenix jail known locally as "Tent City."
On a work-release program for his four-month sentence after his second DUI conviction, Grace is allowed out of jail only from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0312-cubs-mark-grace-chicago--20130312,0,6063500.story (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-0312-cubs-mark-grace-chicago--20130312,0,6063500.story)
If you are like me and wondered how Grace makes his daily trip, the answer is he is picked up and dropped off. It should be a long, long time before he is eligible for a drivers license again.
Old story - is he sorry for what he did or sorry that he was caught? He says the right things, but how do you know?
-
Take a position player.
-
ESPN Insider finds a scout who claims Sean Manaea's stuff is down so far. No mention that Manaea has pitched in cold weather climates and had two weeks off due to snow.
While the overall line looks acceptable, there were some concerns that grew out of Manaea's start. For the third-straight outing his velocity dropped significantly the second time through the lineup, and he struggled to command his secondary offerings for most of the day.
"He hasn't been the same pitcher as he was this summer" an AL scout said. "In the (Cape Cod League), he was mid 90's with a wipeout slider and a dive bomb change. What I've seen this year has been more along the lines of low- to mid-90's fastball with an above-average slider and average change. That's a first-round guy, but that's not a top-five pick to me. I need to see that guy from the summer come back."
-
Clint Frazier and Austin Meadows will face each other Wednesday.
-
Yankees Are Said to Pursue Derrek Lee as Replacement for Mark Teixeira
http://bats.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/yankees-are-said-to-pursue-derrek-lee-as-replacement-for-mark-teixeira/?ref=sports
-
Awfully impressive start to the season by Kris Bryant -- now up to a 1.500 OPS with 8 HR and 20 walks in 16 games (13K's too). He is still playing 3rd, but at 6'5", some project him more for a corner OF spot. It's nice to have a handful of potential top 2 guys having really strong starts.
All things being equal, I'd rather take Bryant and his college production (especially given his walk rate and power combo) over Frazier and his h.s. experience and projection.
-
For whatever it's worth, Perfect Game has Austin Meadows third among HS players behind Frazier and Dominic Smith who is a highly regarded 1B.
Don't think they've updated since the seasons started though.
-
DJ Peterson (NM Lobos), 3Bman
Had a pretty good week today...kid can rake!
-
Sean Manaea's first outing in two weeks:
6-3-2-2-2-8, 97 pitches
-
I'll take Frazier over Meadows any day, though I still suspect we take a pitcher. To me the argument for Meadows is classic scout overanalysis.
I know what you're saying/implying about why prefer the physical specimen lefty, CF type guy, but seems kind of early for anybody to have a strong opinion about these guys. ESPN guy is saying as of right now.
These are HS guys with most of a season still to play. I'm pretty confident that almost all scouts who actually scout these guys still have an open mind about who projects better come June.
-
I'll take Frazier over Meadows any day, though I still suspect we take a pitcher. To me the argument for Meadows is classic scout overanalysis.
With our 2nd thru about 7th pick, the Cubs likely will take mostly pitchers.
On the first pick, they will probably take a position player, unless an available pitching prospect just blows the competition away.
-
I'll take Frazier over Meadows any day, though I still suspect we take a pitcher. To me the argument for Meadows is classic scout overanalysis.
-
ESPN draft guy Jason Churchill says, a couple of days ago, that Austin Meadows likely still ahead of Clint Frazier if draft held today:
While college pitchers and a few choice college hitters have dominated the headlines, the prep class boasts a handful of prospects who could crack the top half of the first round. Two of those first-round candidates are outfielders from the state of Georgia, among the nation's hotbeds for baseball talent.
Because Austin Meadows (Grayson, Ga.) and Clint Frazier (Loganville, Ga.) play for high schools in adjacent towns, scouts have been comparing them for a while. Each brings plus tools to the table and both players have at least a chance to be a top-five pick. Area scouts bearing down on this rural area must be able to answer the following question from their scouting director: Which one is the better prospect?
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Meadows, scouts tend to agree, has the better shot to stick in center field long term. He bats left-handed and his power comes easy. He's a plus runner and possesses plenty of arm strength that would play in right field if a move to a corner is necessary down the road.
At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, Frazier doesn't have as much physical projection, but shows similar speed and arm strength -- he may have a stronger arm than Meadows, touching the upper-90s when throwing from the outfield. He's a right-handed hitter with big-time bat speed thanks to quick wrists and hands. The difference -- perhaps the key factor that could determine which prospect goes first in June -- may be in the swing mechanics.
"Neither [has] mechanically perfect swings," opined an area scout of a National League club. "One has the extra part, the other restricts himself with his front arm. Both overcome it at this level, but there's a chance it becomes something that has to be fixed."
The swing with the extra part is Frazier's, though the scout preferred not to specify. The Loganville H.S. star drops his hands with a quick stab before starting the bat toward the ball. When he does this, the bat tilts vertically toward the pitcher. Such a tic could make it difficult for Frazier to consistently catch up to good velocity.
Meadows' swing is smooth, but he slightly bars his front arm, which can be a detriment to a hitter's plate coverage and ability to get out front and drive the ball. Another thing noticeable in video of his batting practice is the appearance of a dead-hand start, meaning Meadows doesn't always load his hands.
All of the above are fixable -- some evaluators see them as minor defects -- and both Meadows and Frazier have plenty of time to answer the questions the above flaws present. They could also show the flaws aren't major flaws at all.
"Really, it's being nitpicky," the area scout said. "These are two kids with a ton of talent and no areas of major weakness. In the end, we look for the imperfection sometimes."
Come draft day, however, there's so much to like in such terrific athletes with above-average to plus tools across the board. Both prospects are committed to the University of Georgia, but it's unlikely either sets foot on campus. Things could change between now and June, but if the draft were today, it's likely Meadows would come off the board first as he hits left-handed, has more physical projection, and is more likely to stick in center.
-
San Diego 3B Kris Bryant might be making a run at top five consideration as well. His line is .378/.548/.889 in 45 AB's. He has 6 homers and 16 walks thus far.
-
I don't get the idea that Appel's turning down 3.8 million last year makes teams uncertain about him. It's not like he can go back for another year of school. After this season, Appel loses significant leverage - how well has turning down an offer and playing in indy leagues ever worked for pitchers? Meanwhile, a team stands to lose significantly less than Appel, what with makeup picks, etc.
Hoping the Cubs take Appel or Frazier at this point.
-
BA on Appel's performance Friday:
The athletic, 6-foot-5, 215-pound Appel was pitching with his typical stuff tonight: a mid-90s fastball that topped out at 98, a hard slider and a changeup. Once again he's one of the most talented players in the country but it's tough to gauge where he'll go in the draft after turning down $3.8 million from the Pirates as the No. 8 pick in 2012. He's taken a step forward from his junior year to his senior year and is on track to graduate this quarter.
"He's become more of a baseball player at this point, trying to understand situations and trying to pitch out of situations," Filter said. "He had a fantastic year, number-wise last year, and to try to improve upon that sometimes isn't really do-able. But he's tried to create more angle to the fastball and pitch both sides of the plate with the fastball and he's been able to do that so far this year."
-
Three minute video feature on Sean Manaea at the link:
http://mywabashvalley.com/fulltext?nxd_id=297622
-
Adding Vanderbilt lefty Kevin Ziomek to the list for potential 2nd overall pick.
9-2-1-1-1-13 on Friday
Overall: 4-0, 0.87 ERA, 31 IP, 12 H, 7 BB, 46 K
*
Mark Appel dominates again in a losing effort: 7-4-3-1-1-15
Last three starts: 0.72 ERA, 25 IP, 10 H, 3 BB, 40 K
*
Stanek: 4-1/3 -5-3-3-5-5
*
Clint Frazier was held without an extra-base hit on Thursday. Prior to that he was 10-15, 2 2B, 3B, 4 HR
-
This "Team USA" doesn't belong in the World Baseball Classic.
They're treating every AB like it's a Spring Training game, while Mexico is treating it like Game 7 of the World Series.
If the best players aren't going to play in this thing, then just don't bother sending a team.
It's like Major League out there, for cryin' out loud.
Who are these f*cking guys?
-
Rizzo was 0-3 but drew 2 walks and drove in a run today for Italy.
-
Given his minor league history, I think even the Cardinals won't be able to find the magic with Pete Kozma for a full season. They used that up at the end of last season.
Ryan Theriot still needs a job, doesn't he?
-
Anthony Rizzo hit a 2-run double in the 9th to win the game for Italy in the WBC.
No, he hit a sacrifice fly that the left fielder Brant Browned.
-
Bello!
-
Anthony Rizzo hit a 2-run double in the 9th to win the game for Italy in the WBC.
-
Given his minor league history, I think even the Cardinals won't be able to find the magic with Pete Kozma for a full season. They used that up at the end of last season.
-
Pete Kozma will be their SS. He hit .333 last year. Probably win the batting title this year.
-
Cedeno will hit .325 this year.
-
Actually, Jason Bartlett is still out on the free agent market. He's the type of player the Cardinals pick up off the scrap heap and end up getting a .300/.350/.425 season.
-
The Cards must have some mediocre starter that we can get for Castro.
-
Furcal is having Tommy John surgery, so he's out for the season for the Cardinals. They're in pretty bad shape at shortstop, with Ronny Cedeno being their best choice.
-
He'd be worth someone taking a flier on if he wasn't a complete idiot.
-
Former Marlins right-hander Carlos Zambrano started with two scoreless innings for Venezuela. Henderson Alvarez then retired his Miami teammates 1-2-3 in the third.
"I feel good. Everything was strong. I kept the ball down," said Zambrano, who has not signed with a major league team for 2013.
"I have a couple of offers, but not offers that I want. I think the WBC is a good opportunity for me to prove something."
Another source says the offers Big Z has are probably from Taiwan and Japan.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=9021186 (http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=9021186)
-
Ray, thanks. Really nice article. And makes a ton of sense.
It seems a lot of these things go in swings. One expects BABIP to be highly variable; McCracken showed that it wasn't very much; that gets simplified to assume that there is no variation; now it turns out that there is a limited amount of variation after all.
But that's really interesting. Popups are good, in a lot of ways. And K-pitchers who miss bats, seems only natural that if hitters have a hard time even touching the ball at all, they'll make bad contact on a lot of other pitches.
-
Someone finally found babip predictors to explain why some guys are "lucky" or "unlucky".
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/sloan-analytics-rosenheck-on-babip/
-
sort of sad to watch the rapid declines of the greats. You spend years hoping your team misses a guy in the rotation, but when they start proving themselves overly mortal, it just doesn't feel right. Halladay's fastball has been 88-91 in Florida this spring. I would think he was saving it for the regular season, but I'm not sure he was really any faster than that last year. Doubt Philly picks up his option next year either, so he will probably be on the free agent market.
-
i cannot believe lohse still have no team....hes not a pitching savior but there are many teams he could help
Lohse might have done well to accept the cardinals deal.
-
i cannot believe lohse still have no team....hes not a pitching savior but there are many teams he could help
-
Marmol trade speculation is sure to start:
Tigers Looking To Trade For Closer
By Zach Links [March 5 at 11:43am CST]
The Tigers raised eyebrows across baseball this offseason with their decision to install rookie Bruce Rondon as their closer. Now, they are having second thoughts about that plan and pushing hard to find a closer via trade, major league sources tell Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com.
The Nationals could afford to part with a reliever, after the signing of Rafael Soriano bumped back Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard, but so far they are telling teams that they have no interest in moving anyone in the pen. The Red Sox have an extra closer in Andrew Bailey but the Tigers have yet to contact Boston about him.
Detroit could use Rick Porcello to land a ninth-inning option, but they'll want a strong closer in return given his strong play in spring training. There are also two unsigned closers in Jose Valverde and Francisco Rodriguez, but they don't seem terribly interested in either one.
-
Why is Mike Trout's contract getting so much attention?
Because his agent sent out a release criticizing the Angels.
-
It would be nice to see someone like Trout holdout to force a true negotiation of a meaningful contract.
He has established his ability to perform, and even if he sat out for a few months, it is not as if anyone would think he had lost the ability to perform on the field.
-
Why is Mike Trout's contract getting so much attention? Are the journalists following baseball on a daily basis really that ignorant of the CBA? Because he was renewed with a slight raise from last year, just like every second year player is. Granted, he's not your average second year player...but that has no impact on what the Angels' rights are in the CBA.
-
Rafael Furcal has been shut down and it doesn't sound like the Cardinals expect him to contribute much this year. The door is now open for Ronny Cedeno to play and have a huge season.
-
I expect quite a race between the Astros and Marlins for the first overall pick next June. I'm hoping Loria hangs onto Stanton too long, and the Astros win.
-
The favorite for #1 overall in 2014, Carlos Rodon, fanned 16 in 7 innings over the weekend.
He's allowed 7 hits and K'd 38 in 20 innings so far.
-
Teixiera went #5 overall. Dewon Brazelton and Gavin Floyd were drafted between Prior and Teixiera.
Mets got David Wright at #38.
-
Well, Minnesota ignored what everybody assumed were the two best players on the board (I think you're selling Texeria's perceived upside at the time short) and took a ton of heat for it. So it's certainly possible the same could happen now.
The irony, of course, is that Minnesota ended up getting probably the best player in the top 3 picks that year.
-
Appel isn't at Prior's level.
Don't count out Manaea making a run at #1.
-
Easy tiebreak for the player, really? In our present situation? I can make a case for it - I advocated Teixeria over Prior as an example - but I'm not sure Theo will be feeling the same way.
Let's say, for sake of discussion, that Appel goes into the draft kind of similar to when Prior entered the draft. I think you probably should go with a college pitcher who projects as a #1 starter, unless its maybe like the situation when ARod or Strawberry were up for the draft after HS and had unlimited upsides. Teixiera was a can't miss very good player projection entering the draft, but not like the ARod/Strawberry upsides at the time of the draft.
But, if Appel looks like Prior and Frazier looks like ARod or Strawberry (or Mike Trout today), got to think that Astros are not going to pass on both Appel and Frazier, no? So, Cubs just take whoever is still on the board. I guess this is why it wasn't so terrible to lose games the last couple weeks of last season.
-
Manaea won't pitch until later in the week as his Sycamores had both games snowed out this weekend.
-
Easy tiebreak for the player, really? In our present situation? I can make a case for it - I advocated Teixeria over Prior as an example - but I'm not sure Theo will be feeling the same way.
Other than the fact that it would make the most sense, and that it is the approach they have taken in the past, and that they have said that is the approach they would take, I suppose we don't have too much to rely on indicating Theo will feel that way.
-
Unless I'm mistaken, either Hoyer or Theo (or both) has said that they will go for the best athlete available with the first pick and focus heavily on pitchers after that, just as they did in the last draft.
-
Easy tiebreak for the player, really? In our present situation? I can make a case for it - I advocated Teixeria over Prior as an example - but I'm not sure Theo will be feeling the same way.
-
My hunch is that by June Frazier will have clearly established himself as the #1 guy, which will lead to an agonizing decision for Theo if he's still there.
Why agonizing? To me, that would seem best case, and make it easy. If you'v got a clear top guy, easy, BPA. And even if you've got an unclear, but the top options are player versus pitcher, easy tiebreak for the player. That would be tremendous, I think.
We've got some long-term outfielders in the system, Soler, Almora, maybe Jackson, but the odds aren't great that all three will work out as stars, or any from the Szczur/Dunston/Ha/Martin type crowd.
I'm just happy when any of the top prospects is looking golden. Need two to look great (and actually end up great.) If it ends up like Mauer/Prior/Teix year, that will make picking 2nd a can't lose proposition.
Well, as with Prior of course you can lose sooner or later with any pitcher. That's why I'd love to have Frazier look legit.
-
My hunch is that by June Frazier will have clearly established himself as the #1 guy, which will lead to an agonizing decision for Theo if he's still there.
-
Clint Frazier hit his 4th homer already:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za2hFuBg_Mk
-
#8 is Gary Sheffield's nephew. His younger brother, Justus, is a junior, and is even better...
-
Staying on the draft, Dan Kirby ranks his top 50 HS prospects.
http://throughthefencebaseball.com/2013-mlb-draft-top-50-high-school-prospects/29585/
At this very early point, I'd guess Appel, Manaea, and Frazier are the top three overall prospects.
-
Thanks much for updates, Chris. Often guys are hyped pre-season, but then some don't look as good when the season actually plays. (Bobby Brownlie, for example....) So coming in it was well within possible that none of the big names would shine.
So it's all win-win-win when the big tickets come out looking worthy. Can't go wrong if there end up being 3-5 guys who all might have been worthy of #1pick last year. Frazier sounds nice, and doesn't look tall, which I like. Tall guys often can't handle advanced movement pitching.
-
Another potential target for #2, HS OF Clint Frazier hit three homers in his first two games.
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2013/3/1/4041240/clint-frazier-hits-two-homers-20132-mlb-draft
-
Draft Prospect Watch Update:
Mark Appel one-upped last week's performance: 9-3-0-0-1-14 , 110 pitches
Ryne Stanek pitched Thursday: 5-2/3 -5-2-1-2-3 , 85 pitches
Sean Manaea pitches Saturday.
-
The Reds have signed Mark Prior to a minor league deal. After all these years, he's finally reunited with Dusty.
Pretty good indication that no other team in the majors would give Prior a chance, and that is unfortunate.
-
The Reds have signed Mark Prior to a minor league deal. After all these years, he's finally reunited with Dusty.
Dusty now has a chance to finish Prior off for good now.
-
The Reds have signed Mark Prior to a minor league deal. After all these years, he's finally reunited with Dusty.
-
We had 2 little angels - obviously rooting for the wrong team
-
A San Francisco wife would have even more to fear.
-
That should prove a cautionary note for any of our players considering having children.
-
Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer and his wife Maddie are expecting twins.
-
The Yankees spent the whole offseason refusing to give money to anyone past 2013 because they want to be below the luxury tax threshold before 2014. They wouldn't even beat out the Cubs' very reasonable offer for Hairston. No chance they'd panic and take on Soriano to fill in for roughly a month of the regular season. Just doesn't make sense, IMO.
I really don't think the front office is nearly as eager to punt this season as most Cubs fans and beat writers. I have no doubt they'd trade Soriano, DeJesus, or Garza in a minute if they were blown away...but this isn't a team without upside. Castro, Rizzo, Samardzija, and Garza are legitimate All Star caliber players, and none of the first three would really surprise if they took a huge step forward. There's at least some upside in Jackson, Baker, the RF platoon, catcher, and even 3B if Stewart's wrist injury truly was his problem. Sure, the most likely scenario is mid-70s win pace into July followed by a trade-off of a few veterans. But a Cubs run in 2013 would probably be less surprising than the Orioles and A's last year, especially since Dusty's Reds look like the only true top tier team in the division this year.
Unless they get real impact players (which they wouldn't get in a Soriano deal), I really think the front office would prefer to let the next 2-3 months play out before they make any drastic changes that make the team weaker in 2013.
-
Curtis Granderson has a broken forearm and will be out for 10 weeks. Speculation on Twitter that this could create opportunity for Soriano trade. Gordon Wittenmeyer says that Yankees not on the list of teams to which Soriano has given his approval for a trade.
-
On-air harmony not always a given for baseball broadcasters
Harrelson-Stone tension sheds light on issue facing all partnerships
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0223-mitchell--20130223,0,1260061.column (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-0223-mitchell--20130223,0,1260061.column)
Fred Mitchell's column includes comments from Len Kasper and Pat Hughes.
-
Cubs First Round Pick Watch:
Sean Manaea and Mark Appel both were dominant Friday.
Appel: 9-3-1-1-1-11 (107 pitches)
Manaea: 6-1-0-0-2-10, 2 balks, (97 pitches)
Stanek: 3-4-2-2-2-4
Crawford: 5-1/3 -0-2-2-2-4, 2 HB
-
MLB mandates new and improved helmets for 2013
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/20/sports/baseball/now-batting-a-stronger-mandatory-baseball-helmet.html?hpw&_r=4& (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/20/sports/baseball/now-batting-a-stronger-mandatory-baseball-helmet.html?hpw&_r=4&)
-
Hey, man. You can't be too careful.
-
I like the term Lyin' Braun.
He must have coached Oscar Pistorious.
-
Anyone have an opinion on Melky Cabrera and whether he will put up all star numbers again this year? Seems like lack of steroids mostly affects guys in their early to mid 30's and he'll be 28 most of the season. Still, not really sure what to make of Melky because he was mediocre for the most part except for the last 2ish years.
If I had to guess, I'd say he'd play at an all star level or close to it.
Why would he quit using?
He'll just find another supplier and keep on keeping on.
It worked for Lyin' Braun.
-
Melky Cabrera's season was built largely on an unsustainable BABIP last year (.379). His walk rate, home run rate, strikeout rate, etc. weren't really that far out of line with previous years (at least 2009 and 2011). So at least part of what he did last year was probably luck. He'll probably be about as good as he was in 2011. Or maybe a little less than that...somewhere about halfway between where he was in 2009 and 2011: .295/.340/.430.
-
Anyone have an opinion on Melky Cabrera and whether he will put up all star numbers again this year? Seems like lack of steroids mostly affects guys in their early to mid 30's and he'll be 28 most of the season. Still, not really sure what to make of Melky because he was mediocre for the most part except for the last 2ish years.
If I had to guess, I'd say he'd play at an all star level or close to it.
-
Bobby Wahl
6.1-3-0-0-3-8 vs. TCU
-
2013 Konner Wade draft profile
http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2012/08/02/2013-mlb-draft-profile-konner-wade/
-
Defending NCAA champion University of Arizona RHP Konner Wade could be added to that list before long.
The junior right-hander carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning, when he gave up a lead-off single to David Hamlett. Wade retired the next batter and then was removed by Lopez for reliever Nick Cunningham.
All told, Wade went 6 1/3 innings, giving up just one hit and one walk and striking out eight. He had a pitch limit of 90 pitches and tossed 92.
"He's one of the best Friday night guys in the country," junior center fielder Johnny Field said.
Wade said he was first aware of his no-hit bid in the fifth inning. It was the deepest he's ever gone with one.
"But, I knew I wasn't throwing nine innings tonight," Wade said.
College stats right now are not unlike spring training MLB stats. In this case, the opposition was powerhouse Coppin State.
-
Thanks for posting that, Chris. Will be interesting to see how these guys progress through the spring. Nothing too impressive in those outings. It would sure be nice if a couple of them step up and impress big-time.
-
Not sure if we should keep updates on potential Cubs 1st-rd picks here or create a draft topic for them.
Either way, college baseball is underway and all four top pitching prospects took the mound Friday.
Appel: 5-7-5-2-3-3
Manaea: 4-4-1-1-3-6
Stanek: 4-2-1-1-1-4
Crawford: 3-2/3 -3-2-2-1-4
-
Now tell us something we didn't already know.
-
Ryan Braun is a lying cheater that continues to lie and cheat.
http://tinyurl.com/crn9zfj (http://tinyurl.com/crn9zfj)
-
Miguel Cairo has finally retired and has taken a front office position with the Reds. Unless Jeff Suppan catches on somewhere, I think that may be the end for players who were on the expansion Diamondbacks/Rays teams.
-
I think Jackson and Stubbs are closer defensively than you think...
-
Pretty much if the Cubs could swing a trade for Stubbs, you'd then have two pretty interesting lottery tickets for long term centerfielder instead of just the one we have now with Jackson.
-
Drew Stubbs - OF - Indians
According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the Indians may use outfielder Drew Stubbs as trade bait.
The Indians signed free agent center fielder Michael Bourn to a four-year, $48 million contract on Monday night, making Stubbs expendable. Stubbs, 28, was acquired in a trade earlier this winter with the Reds and Diamondbacks. He hit just .213/.277/.333 in 2012 for Cincinnati but stole 30 bases in 37 tries.
Soriano or Marmol for Stubbs? Both of those guys have been linked to Cleveland this offseason I think.
Granted I know the first thought is, "Why trade for Stubbs when you can play Brett Jackson?" But Jackson really needs to be in Triple-A this season, and he's not nearly the defender Stubbs is. If somehow you get Stubbs turned around, Jackson can take over LF next season if he's ready. Besides, when you're rebuilding, it never hurts to keep adding to the youngish player inventory.
I'd be kind of interested in Stubbs if the Indians really might make him available. If the Indians were interested in doing something for Soriano or Marmol, the Cubs probably wouldn't get a prospect more promising than Stubbs in return for either of those guys anyway.
-
Mets apparently offered roughly the same deal, but they would've had to go through the whole grievance process about the draft pick issue.
-
There's speculation now that Swisher will move to first base, Reynolds to DH, and Cleveland's OF will be Brantley/Bourn/Stubbs. That's potentially the best defensive outfield in a long time, but probably as weak offensively as any in baseball too.
-
4/$48 is still a tad short of the initial request for 5/$75.
-
4 years, $48 million for Bourn with a vesting option for a 5th year. People may hate Boras, but he is really good at his job.
-
This is unexpected. Kind of surprised they have the money left:
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
Michael bourn agrees to #indians deal
-
My favorite Rickey Henderson story:
Rickey was released by the Mets and signed by the Mariners in May, 2000. John Olerud had been a teammate of his in 1999 with and was now in Seattle. I don't remember exactly what the situation was but Rickey commented on Olerud's habit of wearing his batting helmet while on defense. He said "You know, I had a teammate who did that last year, too".
Not long after that, I was at an AAA game in Tucson and Rickey Henderson was in the on deck circle during a pitching change. I yelled something to him and we chatted about the game.
-
Cool Ricky Henderson story:
My favorite Rickey Henderson story ever, from Piazza's book: "The Mets released Rickey in May 2000, which meant that he helped us to the playoffs in his only full season with the ball club. He was instrumental in not only getting us there, but in how the playoff sharesthe bonuses earned from MLB for each postseason serieswere divided. The shares meeting is always an interesting exercise in human dynamics, sort of a microcosm of democracy. Rickey was the most generous guy I ever played with, and whenever the discussion came around to what we should give one of the fringe peoplewhether it was a minor leaguer who came up for a few days or the parking lot attendantRickey would shout out, 'Full share!' We'd argue for a while and he'd say, 'Fuck that! You can change somebody's life!' I admired Rickey's heart, but I usually came down somewhere in the middle."
http://www.twitlonger.com/show/l0r6b8
-
He didnt rush me into it... was full aware i was taking on a chance with Felix... either health or contract...
-
Method's medical staff cleared King Felix.
There are a lot of rumors in the back channels you rushed Method into this trade with clean bill of health assurances, after the dastardly divers medical staff warned you of impending arm doom. I think the novice to the league and board, Method, probably would have wondered if something was up if you hadn't spun such a convincing Ryno-Palmeira yarn of him having slept with the wives of 4 of your top players. I present to the board that Pedroia, Santana, Mauer, and Shields should be forfeited to the draft pool for unethical dealings.
-
Method's medical staff cleared King Felix.
-
tico, you might can back off the ledge just a little bit.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8933842/elbow-condition-eyed-seattle-mariners-felix-hernandez-deal-source-says
-
It's always a mistake to read the comments after any internet story. It will destroy any remaining faith in the intelligence and/or humanity of our fellow homosapiens.
Amen.
I don't know anyone that's like the folks on Jerry Springer or respond to a story about a woman and her three children who burned to death in a New Orleans fire with "She was probably a crack whore." To read stuff like that or watch some of these tv "reality" rehearsed shows is a real eye opener.
-
It's always a mistake to read the comments after any internet story. It will destroy any remaining faith in the intelligence and/or humanity of our fellow homosapiens.
-
Then again, reading the comments to the story leads me to believe some Cubs fans are still obnoxious jerks.
-
Thanks for the Prior article, Ron. I've always been disgusted with the way quite a few fans treated him. Hopefully, they now understand he wasn't just hurt but nearly crippled by injuries.
-
So, Marlins tickets went on sale...
(https://bbf.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fl.yimg.com%2Fbt%2Fapi%2Fres%2F1.2%2Ft8IAjwPOZNcmya401PUZNg--%2FYXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--%2Fhttp%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Fblogs%2Fsptusmlbexperts%2Fmarlinstickets020913.jpg&hash=1020058f1433cbbac2480487a066232977992162)
-
Nice article on Mark Prior. Hard to believe that many questioned his commitment and toughness back when he was a Cub. I wish him the best.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130207&content_id=41477950&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&tcid=tw_article_41477950
-
I can't believe that
-
Shsiwowlsk|*|₯\₯~*\£|£~£,*,£|₯{*^\%\#_>]!|£.£\£\IWJDISJWHSJ
-
better put tico on suicide watch.
-
Felix Hernandez is signing an extension with the Mariners for 7 years, $175 million.
-
Corey Patterson - OF - Mets
Mets signed OF Corey Patterson to a minor league contract.
According to Jorge Castillo of the Newark Star-Ledger, he'll report to minor league camp. Patterson, 33, batted .251/.285/.410 with 10 home runs, 39 RBI and 18 stolen bases last season with the Brewers' Triple-A affiliate. He'll serve as outfield depth.
Corey looked completely cooked with the Sounds last season. I'm a little surprised he was able to find another Triple-A job for this season.
-
Looks like Micah Owings is trying to go the position player route. From MLB Trade Rumors:
The Nationals announced that they signed Micah Owings to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to MLB Spring Training (Twitter link). Though Owings has six years of big league experience as a pitcher, the Nationals listed him as a first baseman, citing his career .283 average and .502 slugging percentage. The 30-year-old Legacy Sports Group client pitched in just six games for the Padres this past season. He underwent season-ending arthroscopic elbow surgery in July and didn't pitch after April. The Padres released him in October.
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#r64pTYzz9kLQ3oQb.99
-
Gosh. I feel like Ronnie Cedeno right now.
What an opening. But I'll resist.
-
Gosh. I feel like Ronnie Cedeno right now.
-
Yeah, they changed that rule a couple years ago before the new CBA, Curt.
-
Is the new CBA different? I thought they couldn't sign Lohse until the end of May or something like that.
-
I'm sure Lohse will be talked about a lot.
Yeah, the Cardinals and Lohse probably just need to kiss and make up at this point.
-
If Carp retires, I'd expect the Cards would be interested in Lohse, and vice versa.
-
I'm sure Lohse will be talked about a lot.
-
I guess Shelby Miller just became the frontrunner for NL Cy Young 2013...
-
Sounds like Carpenter can't throw, and it has pretty much been ruled out that he'll pitch this season. No retirement yet...but Mozeliak is talking about him in the past tense like he is done.
-
Here's an article:
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/baseball/professional/cards-call-press-conference-to-discuss-carp-s-future/article_2b97e92f-9140-505b-a9e3-c37d0c4795f1.html
The press conference is in 10 minutes, so we won't have to wait too much longer to get official word.
-
That's a shame for him. Too bad he never could stay completely healthy in his career. Even as a Cub fan, you have to respect all the injuries he's battled through to have the career he had.
-
The Cardinals have a press conference scheduled for 1:30 (I'm assuming central time) about a baseball-related issue. There is some speculation from St. Louis beat writers that Carpenter may have some kind of health issue.
EDIT: Looking at a couple of Cardinal boards, it appears the speculation is that Carpenter is retiring.
-
He'll be good at SS until the AS break. I can use him at MI. I have Zobrist at 2B who can move to OF.
-
Yeah he'll have a lot better hitters around him too, which will also help. On the flip side, I'm not sure Oakland will be playing him at shortstop, and since I already had Altuve at 2B, it's probably a good thing I flipped him for a SS anyway.
-
I thought his fantasy points would bump, primarily because he sat out half the year last year, but this is an improvement.
-
I'll give him back for your #1 pick! Just the kind of guy I am.
-
I LIKE IT!
Hahaha, is it too late to trade back?
-
Bob Nightengale @BNightengale
Jed Lowrie is the big winner in the deal, picking up about 50 games in the standings by the time the 2013 season ends.
-
I LIKE IT!
-
The Astros have traded Jed Lowrie and Fernando Rodriguez to Oakland for Brad Peaco ck, Chris Carter, and Max Stassi.
Interesting little trade there.
-
Brandon Webb has finally decided to retire. At this point, he'd probably be a long shot to make it back even if he was completely healthy.
-
It's hard to find a broadcast team with two bigger egos than those two.
Well except for Joe Buck and whomever Joe Buck is broadcasting with, even if the other broadcaster is Mother Teresa.
I'd be cocky as well, if I could broadcast baseball games from where Mother Teresa is.
-
Here's one of the least surprising things ever: Hawk Harrelson and Steve Stone don't get along. With Harrelson annoyingness and Stone's ego, it's a surprise it took a couple years for them to develop problems.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/04/white-sox-announcers-hawk-harrelson-and-steve-stone-havent-gotten-along-for-two-years/ (http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/04/white-sox-announcers-hawk-harrelson-and-steve-stone-havent-gotten-along-for-two-years/)
It's hard to find a broadcast team with two bigger egos than those two.
Well except for Joe Buck and whomever Joe Buck is broadcasting with, even if the other broadcaster is Mother Teresa.
-
Here's one of the least surprising things ever: Hawk Harrelson and Steve Stone don't get along. With Harrelson annoyingness and Stone's ego, it's a surprise it took a couple years for them to develop problems.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/02/04/white-sox-announcers-hawk-harrelson-and-steve-stone-havent-gotten-along-for-two-years/
-
Prince Fielder agreed with the Tigers on January 24 last year. We're now more than a week past that date and Michael Bourn still hasn't signed.
I'm not surprised a centerfielder fell through the cracks this offseason, but I am surprised that it's him. I thought it would be Victorino or Pagan.
-
Found my answer...apparently, Byrd served his suspension last year, even though he wasn't on a team. Manny didn't serve his when he stopped playing because he actually retired. But since Byrd didn't retire, his suspension was served while he was a free agent last season.
http://deadspin.com/5922202/the-biggest-winner-in-marlon-byrds-ped-bust-marlon-byrd-the-biggest-loser-the-cubs-of-course
-
Mets have signed Marlon Byrd to a minor league deal. He was released by the Red Sox before his PED suspension last year, I think. So does that mean he has to sit out 50 games before he could join their team, or did he somehow serve the suspension last year?
-
What a freakin boob...Jes knows about the law thats for sure
-
I thought that he already had an interlock device and had disabled it. That was part of the seriousness. It was multiple DUIs, not one.
No, DelMarFan, it was one DUI conviction within the last two years, and then another from about October of last year. The One DUI incident from last fall was what he pled guilty on yesterday. That incident was broken down into four different charges, but all were from the same DUI, and under Arizona's sentencing law (which is the same in most other states) even if he had been convicted on all four counts, the sentences would have run at the same time, meaning that many of the news reports about how much time he faced in prison were nonsense since the reporters added together the possible sentence for each offense and totaled them -- that is NOT the way it is done. Additionally, while everyone kicks Grace while he is down, his blood alcohol level was less than .10, which until very recently was the standard level required to create a presumption that the driver was impaired. That has been reduced in many states in recent years, generally to .08, and Grace was above that limit. At Grace's body weight, three beers would put him at the level he had. So far, in all of the coverage, I have seen nothing about why the cop stopped Grace in the first place, and a great many stops are made without actual probable cause, and with a good defense attorney and a judge who follows the law, those cases should be dismissed.
A great many other stops are made with proper legal justification for the stop, but without anything resembling evidence the driver was actually impaired. (For instance, a tail light was out, providing a basis for the stop, but no probable cause that he was impaired since the driving observed by the officer was fine.) And in those cases, a good defense attorney, and a sympathetic defendant, will often result in not guilty verdicts.
In other words, while Grace never should have been driving on a suspended license, and as someone who clearly has a history of trouble with alcohol he also should never have been driving after drinking ANYTHING, and while what he did was foolish, unless his driving was in fact impaired (and at the moment I have seen nothing to indicate that it was), there is no reason to condemn him for putting the lives of others at risk, and there is a good deal to commend him for in entering the guilty plea to accept responsibility for his stupidity and to move on.
-
The Reds are supposedly close to signing Miguel Olivo. Strange...he's not good, but seems like he could do better than third on the depth chart behind Hanigan and Mesoraco.
-
I thought that he already had an interlock device and had disabled it. That was part of the seriousness. It was multiple DUIs, not one.
-
Grace just looks bad. He's gained weight, and has that alcoholic's look. I hope he gets some professional help.
-
Four months of jail time is NOT favoritism.
DUI cases has standard mandatory minimum sentences, and having seen literally hundreds (if not thousands) of such cases handled in court, it is very unusual for someone to get longer than the mandatory minimum
It is 48 hours in custody in most states for a first offense.
It is 45 days in custody in most states for a second offense.
He got FOUR MONTHS, has to have an interlock device on his car (not required for most cases), is on probation for more than a year (not required for most cases), and has to get special permission before he can leave the state (even for work) (not required for most cases).
While it does appear he got special treatment, the "special" part of it would seem to be to make his sentence harsher than most defendants would get, not lighter.
-
Sorry, I can forgive, BUT... it would be easier if this was his first occurrence. How contrite are you when you have put other innocent fathers, mothers, and children in jeopardy NUMEROUS times and don't learn from it?
-
But his contrition, along with probably his popularity in the Phoenix community, might have saved him from a lengthy prison sentence.
No favoritism here, obviously.
-
Mark Grace sentenced to four months of work release jail time:
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/mark-grace-sentenced-four-months-jail-dui-192443802--mlb.html
-
Yep, exactly.
-
It's not a bad deal, but I understand why the Braves wouldn't want to give that to him into his 30s.
-
Not a bad deal for Prado, but still, that's an organization definitely going in the wrong direction.
-
Diamondbacks and Martin Prado agree to a 4 years, $40 million deal.
-
Thanks for the Costas clip, Cactus. Very moving eulogy. Costas is the best.
I especially liked the Harry Caray quote at the end.
-
Thanks for the Costas clip, Cactus. Very moving eulogy. Costas is the best.
-
Watching MLB Network, Miami clinic supplied PED's to active MLB players,some names, Alex Rodriguez,Gio Gonzalez,Melky Cabrera,Nelson Cruz,Cesar Carrillo, Bartolo Colon,Yasmani Grandal are listed in the Miami New Times and maybe up to twenty more names to be revealed
-
Bob Costas with a very moving and not to be missed 19:25 eulogy of Stan Musial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnYTfEG5bCk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnYTfEG5bCk)
-
I heard a Mets' fan complaining today on MLB radio because their highest-paid outfielder in 2013 will be....
Bobby Bonilla!
IIRC, his buyout from the Mets was $1 million per year for 30 years.
-
But I agree with JR. He'll probably blunder and botch the Cardinals into at least 4 victories over the Cubs this year.
-
I figured that news would elicit some responses here.
-
Ronnie Cedeno has the lowest baseball IQ of any Cub in recent memory. Keeps making the same mistakes.
NOT FAIR! They keep making up new rules!
-
I think he only over-slid the bag on a walk one time. Progress.
-
Ronnie Cedeno has the lowest baseball IQ of any Cub in recent memory. Keeps making the same mistakes.
-
Cardinals are making deal with 2013 National League All-Star Ronnie Cedeno.
Fixed that for ya, Ron.
-
Cardinals are making deal with Ronnie Cedeno.
-
Nixon. He'll pull some dirty tricks to win.
I want Clinton....he'll be trying to screw the other presidents wives during the race
-
If Dempster had accepted the trade to Atlanta, then a Maholm trade probably doesn't happen.
Why in the world not? It may be that he wouldn't have been traded to the Braves, but he almost certainly still would have been traded.
-
Nixon. He'll pull some dirty tricks to win.
-
Top picks to join the Nationals presidents race
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2013/01/25/nationals-presidents-race/ (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2013/01/25/nationals-presidents-race/)
The Washington Nationals on Thursday announced that the team will add a fifth competitor to the famous presidents race, and the Internet is filling up with suggestions about who should be the pick. The Posts Dan Steinberg wants to see Ulysses S. Grant, Richard Nixon and Woodrow Wilson. The City Paper favors William Howard Taft (a choice I agree with, but for different reasons). But there are so many other options that deserve consideration.
Bullmoose TR He will lose every race, but in the process he will prevent another president from winning.
William Howard Taft He needs the exercise.
John Adams He will be insufferable when he wins, and when he loses.
Harry Truman Though the announcer will call the race for Dewey.
Ronald Reagan He wont race so much as preternaturally float across the finish line, after which he will heal the national debt with his touch.
George W. Bush Hell declare victory no matter where he places.
Al Gore He will be the first past the post, but he will lose on a technicality.
Vladimir Putin Though every race will be fixed.
Rutherford B. Hayes This is really just here for ComPosts benefit.
Joe Biden Hes already running!
The team will announce its choice at NatsFest on Saturday. Come on, Taft.
-
I've seen questions like that about Delgado in multiple articles about the trade. The Cubs ended up better off than they would have if Delgado had accepted the deal, IMO. They ended up with a better prospect from Atlanta in the Maholm trade, and then still traded Dempster for fair value.
If Dempster had accepted the trade to Atlanta, then a Maholm trade probably doesn't happen. They've said they weren't aggressively trying to move him, but decided Vizcaino was someone they just couldn't refuse. And if Maholm gets another dozen starts or so in the place of Volstad/Germano/Rusin/Raley/Berken/Wells, I'm not sure the Cubs get to the second draft pick as easily.
-
Kind of interesting that Keith Law--discussing the Upton deal--says that Randall Delgado's upside is a 4th or 5th starter-type (or maybe a reliever). Not sure if he's right or not but perhaps some of the gnashing of teeth about the "loss" of Delgado in the non-Dempster deal with the Braves was over the top.
FWIW, Law on Delgado:
Delgado is a fastball/changeup guy in search of an average breaking ball, without success so far, surviving by changing speeds and keeping the two-seamer down enough to generate ground balls. If he were to bump up his control by a grade or two, he has a chance to be league-average in some years, but the lack of an average curveball or slider will make it hard for him to miss enough bats. He reminds me in some ways of Pat Corbin, another changeup guy who is serviceable in the back of the rotation but who looked dynamite out of the pen in brief stints for Arizona in 2012.
-
Wow, Orioles give Jair Jurrjens a $1.5 million contract with incentives up to $4 million. That's shocking, a minor league contract barely seemed like a worthwhile gam-ble. Boras does it again.
-
The Diamondbacks will now try to package shortstop Nick Ahmed and a pitching prospect in a trade for the Tigers' Rick Porcello, a National League official told Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter).
Don't the Diamondbacks already have about 8-10 options to start this year?
-
Kirk Gibson hates strikeouts and Justin Upton strikes out.
Thus, he had to go.
-
Thanks, br. I have never heard a discouraging word about Upton either, other than from the D'Back admin.
-
So the final deal is Justin Upton and Chris Johnson for Prado, Delgado, Spruill, Ahmed, and Brandon Drury (a lottery ticket, low A first baseman who hasn't been good).
-
Braves beat writer Mark Bowman says Prado is in the deal to Arizona, with Chris Johnson coming back.
-
The Diamondbacks apparently perceive him as lazy and unwilling to work hard. But there has never been any real evidence that his teammates feel that way.
Kevin Towers also *really* hates strikeouts from his hitters. He has been purging big K guys since he took over.
Rosenthal tweets that Delgado is not the biggest piece in the deal, but Teheran is not included. I'm not really sure what that means, because I'm not sure the Braves have another piece they'd be willing to trade that has more value than Delgado. Maybe selling high on Minor?
-
I really don't understand the D'Backs insistence on peddling Upton. Is this guy a clubhouse cancer or something? Are there injury issues? It seems like they are going through a lot to dump the guy. Yes, it appears that they will get quality prospects in return, but prospects are still suspects and may never achieve Upton's ceiling.
-
But it looks like it's going to happen:
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Sources: #Braves close to acquiring Justin Upton from #Diamondbacks. Still working through final details.
EDIT: Rosenthal now says Delgado is in the package.
-
Braves have made strong offer for Justin Upton. Julio Teheran, Nick Ahmed, and Evan Gattis.
Gammons tweets that he's heard it might be Delgado, Gilmartin, and Spruill. Either way, seems like pretty weak return. Teheran and Delgado have both seen their value drop a lot in the last year, Ahmed is a low level SS who hasn't hit all that much, Gattis is a 26 year old who hasn't played above AA, and Gilmartin and Spruill are probably future back end guys. Towers is going to come out looking pretty awful in this deal if it happens.
-
The Mets have signed Marcum, and are likely to go after Bourn now.
-
Braves have made strong offer for Justin Upton. Julio Teheran, Nick Ahmed, and Evan Gattis.
-
Assuming he has three years of professional experience and has reached his 23rd birthday, he's a true free agent and doesn't count against the international signing pool.
That's my understanding as well.
ETA: So the Dodgers will probably throw a billion dollars at him.
-
So in his case the question is really simply is he good enough to be worth what he will cost in a true FA market, and would he be good enough to either move Castro off SS or would he be good enough at 2B or 3B to move himself?
The Yankees have old or frail starters at SS and 3B, so they would presumably be interested, and so would the Red Sox, so the two of them could easily be aggressively bidding against each other. I wonder if the large number of other Cuban signees in the Cub system might cause him to give a bit of a discount to the Cubs?
-
There's a new Cuban defector:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/21/reports-shortstop-alexander-guerrero-defects-from-cuba/
Based on his age (26), he's not subject to the international signing budget restrictions, is he?
Assuming he has three years of professional experience and has reached his 23rd birthday, he's a true free agent and doesn't count against the international signing pool.
-
Lots of rumors this afternoon that the Braves have an offer out on Upton that is strong. If they picked up Upton, the race between the Nationals and Braves could be pretty good in 2013.
-
I'll believe it when I see it.
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
Folks involved in this process believe that the D-Backs want to make a decision on trading Kubel or Upton by Friday.
-
There's a new Cuban defector:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/21/reports-shortstop-alexander-guerrero-defects-from-cuba/
Based on his age (26), he's not subject to the international signing budget restrictions, is he?
-
Red Sox have DFA'd Chris Carpenter to make room for Mike Napoli. So those months of compensation talks amounted to nothing for them.
Sox also received Aaron Kurcz as the PTNL. I think he got hurt near end of minor league season, but Kurcz struck out something like 70 batters in 50 innings at AA at age 21 in Sox system.
-
Delmon Young signs with the Phillies for 1 years, $750K. Wow, I know he isn't very good...but I expected him to get more than that.
-
Red Sox have DFA'd Chris Carpenter to make room for Mike Napoli. So those months of compensation talks amounted to nothing for them.
-
Mark DeRosa signs with the Blue Jays for $750K.
-
heh, a mega-humidor
-
Or put up a pressure dome.
-
Perhaps the Rockies' only hope for decent pitching at home would be to lower the playing field by three or four thousand feet.
-
Chris Volstad in Coors Field is a very scary thought indeed.
-
The Rockies must be trying to build the worst pitching staff they can. To "improve" their team, they're now "aggressively pursuing" Carl Pavano and Derek Lowe.
-
Heh
-
Rockies sign Volstad to a minor league deal, but he gets $1.5 million if he makes the major league team.
-
Baltimore was one of my favorite stops in the American League for one reason: Earl Weaver.
How much fun was it watching The Earl at work - even as a visiting writer? Consider the events of Aug. 16, 1977 in Memorial Stadium:
The Twins, as they were forced to so often that season, had outslugged the Orioles 13-9 one night earlier. This put them at 68-50 and a half-game in front of the White Sox in the AL West. The Orioles were 67-49 and trailing the Red Sox by 3 ½ games in the AL East.
Now, on this steamy Tuesday, the Twins were leading 4-1 going to the bottom of the sixth. Pete Redfern was ready to face the Os Lee May. Catcher Butch Wynegar removed his mask and started shaking his head in an attempt to get something out of an ear.
Turned out it was a moth. Turned out trainer Dick Martin led Wynegar to the visitors dugout, hoping to remove the flapping insect from Butchs ear with a syringe.
This was a feisty moth. It could not be grabbed. A new idea was offered: Pour water in the ear, drown the moth, and remove it then.
This was taking time. Weaver started to get riled up, even though it was the Twins pitcher - Redfern - waiting out the delay.
The Earl started insisting to crew chief Jerry Neudecker that Wynegar either had to get behind the plate, or the Twins needed another catcher. It took 11 minutes for the moth to be executed and for Butch to return to the catchers box.
Redfern made it through the sixth, but then the Os kicked up a 4-run rally in the seventh and tied the game at 5-5.
The legend is that Weaver protested the game over the delay due to the moth in Wynegars ear. Thats not right. Earl protested after plate umpire Al Clark ruled the Twins Jerry Terrell had checked his bunt on a failed suicide squeeze in the ninth inning.
How you check a bunt on a suicide squeeze is anyones guess, and what Weaver wanted explained by Clark.
The Earl survived that animated protest. Not so much on the next one in the 11th - Weavers third brouhaha of the night with the umps.
This was an argument over whether Lyman Bostock had been hit by a pitch while trying to bunt. When Bostock was awarded first, Weaver stormed from the dugout, kicked dirt on home plate, bent over and covered the plate with more dirt with his hands, and then took off his hat and spun it 50 feet toward the pitchers mound.
Rex Barney, the Os public address announcer, declared this to be an all-time distance record for a Weaver hat toss.
The Earl was ejected, of course, but he still went to change pitchers ... causing Clark to chug from behind the plate and chase Weaver from the mound. The manager went to the grass in front of second base, crossed his arms and stood for a time, until finally leaving under the threat of forfeiture.
Of all the ballgames I covered as a writer of a newspapers game story, I believe Butch, Earl and the case of the Drowned Moth ranks as my favorite.
The Orioles wound up winning in 13 innings, to the delight of Earl as he consumed his post-game beverage.
-
Cardinals Winter Fest is going on this weekend too...that sucks.
I'm not positive on this, as I only researched it a little bit ( a few months ago ), but I think only Bob Feller lived longer as a Hall of Famer. Koufax could eventually challenge them if he lives long enough.
-
Stan Musial died this afternoon.
-
heh
Earl will get his money's worth first.
-
I'm sure Ron Luciano will greet him at the gates to give him the thumb...
-
Earl Weaver died of a heart attack last night.
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/earl-weaver-dead-82-article-1.1243096?
-
Hunter Pence gets $13.8 million in 2013 from the Giants. That is a lot of money for him...to me, he's worth about half that.
-
efz
-
What are you talking about? According to the Phil Rogers trade evaluation system, Giving up Byrd and Wells for Harrison is a clear loss. 2>1, dummy.
-
Matt Harrison signs a 5 year, $55 million extension with the Rangers. Phil Rogers is probably disappointed the Cubs didn't trade Byrd and Wells for him a year ago.
-
Napoli agrees to 1 year, $5 million with incentives with the Red Sox. Quite a drop from him the 3 years, $39 million he originally agreed to.
Ouch.
-
Napoli agrees to 1 year, $5 million with incentives with the Red Sox. Quite a drop from him the 3 years, $39 million he originally agreed to.
-
The Nationals also get a prospect and a PTBNL in the deal.
-
A's, Nats, and Mariners have pulled off a 3-way deal: Morse to Seattle, Jaso to Oakland, A.J. Cole to D.C.
-
Theo Epstein traded for Adrian Gonzalez and signed Carl Crawford following pressure from Boston Red Sox owners to build a "sexy team," according to a book co-authored by former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona.
http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/8846898/terry-francona-book-describes-boston-red-sox-owners-image-conscious (http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/8846898/terry-francona-book-describes-boston-red-sox-owners-image-conscious)
I've come to like the Epstein hiring a great deal in the last year, and for some reason I don't see similar pressure from the Ricketts' family.... and yet at the same time I have to wonder how accurate the reports are that there was ownership pressure for a "sexy team" when the Red Sox were already selling out every game.
-
Theo Epstein traded for Adrian Gonzalez and signed Carl Crawford following pressure from Boston Red Sox owners to build a "sexy team," according to a book co-authored by former Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona.
Epstein, who left as general manager after the 2011 season to become a Chicago Cubs executive, said Boston owner John Henry, chairman Tom Werner and president Larry Lucchino made the team's image a priority, according to excerpts released Tuesday by Sports Illustrated.
"Francona: The Red Sox Years" is co-written by the Boston Globe's Dan Shaughnessy and is scheduled for publication by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on Jan. 22.
"They told us we didn't have any marketable players, that we needed some sizzle," Epstein is quoted as saying. "We need some sexy guys. Talk about the tail wagging the dog. This is like an absurdist comedy. We'd become too big. It was the farthest thing removed from what we set out to be."
http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/8846898/terry-francona-book-describes-boston-red-sox-owners-image-conscious (http://espn.go.com/boston/mlb/story/_/id/8846898/terry-francona-book-describes-boston-red-sox-owners-image-conscious)
-
Boras is good at his job. I thought Soriano was crazy for opting out of his $14 million deal with the Yankees...but now he gets twice as big a deal with a team that just looks better than the Yankees at this point.
-
Really hefty price for a relief pitcher. The Nats lose their first round pick in this too.
-
Wow, didn't see this coming. And they already have a closer or two, don't they?
Jeff Passan @JeffPassan
Source: Rafael Soriano agrees to two-year, $28M deal with Nationals. Deal contains vesting option for third year. Story coming on Y! Sports.
-
It was me who said I didn't care.
You both did.
To me, I don't care about the numbers.
It was also me who was responding to Tico. How Jes got involved is a mystery.
If you don't understand, perhaps someone should explain to you the concept of a public message board to you, and how it differs from private messaging, which is also allowed here.
-
Geoff Blum has taken a broadcasting job with the Astros. So I guess that saves the Cubs from his 1-2 big game winning hits each year.
-
Gotta be real if it was on the internet.
-
It can't be a fake. I saw it on Facebook. If it's shared thousands of times on Facebook, it has to be real, right?
-
No HOF vote for this fraud!
-
http://offthebench.nbcsports.com/2011/05/16/fake-or-real-evan-longoria-saves-reporter-with-bare-handed-catch-video/
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnRJ_hSb8c8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnRJ_hSb8c8)
-
LOL
-
LOL...It was me who said I didn't care. It was also me who was responding to Tico. How Jes got involved is a mystery.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAzBa3QSpUY
-
1. Do you believe that players drinking coffee is good for baseball?
2. Do you believe that Barry Bonds drank coffee?
3. Do you believe Barry Bonds, just because he hit a lot of home runs, can lie to a jury?
4. Are these the questions or irrelevance or the questions of inanity?
-
tico, to be fair, I think it was curt who said, "I don't care."
-
1) no
2) yes
3) of course not
4) name is hall of fame. Hasn't prevented other cheaters, chemical or otherwise, from being inducted. The only guy I know refused admission is Rose.
I responded to your posts about the numbers from fangraphs, showing pretty clearly that your interpretation grossly mishandled and misrepresented the statistics. Instead of countering with cogent thought, you said "I don't care." Go back and rest on the weak laurels of faulty logic if you want, but that doesn't mean that you have presented a rational argument in this case. Your argument has been an ethical one more than any other, and in my opinion, the ethical argument assumes unproven guilt and disregards previous history. The only way the ethical argument is significant here is if the means of cheating now are grossly more effective than those of years past, and that's the argument the number simply cannot make.
-
Regarding whether or not the data was convincing, I'd love to hear some sort of statistical argument to the contrary, rather than just, "I don't like the numbers." Frankly, that's pretty disappointing.
Sorry to disappoint. Geeze Louise, I made about three posts describing (in detail) why I thought that stats from that ONE site were not convincing.
So here are my simple questions. Feel free to answer or ignore.
1. Do you believe that players using proscribed, performance enhancing drugs is good for Baseball?
2. Do you believe that Barry Bonds used proscribed, performance enhancing drugs?
3. Do you believe Barry Bonds, just because he hit a lot of home runs, can lie to a jury?
4. Is it the Hall of Fame or the Hall of Infame?
-
Interesting that among the 5 Chicago writers listed only one (Mike Imrem) voted for any Steroid-implicated players. Bruce Miles, Paul Sullivan, Teddy Greenstein and Phil Rogers passed on all those guys. I would think both Barry Rozner and Bruce Levine would be eligible to vote, but neither is listed - so either they are not eligible or they decided against transparency.
You missed Mike Kiley's vote for "Bagwell, Biggio, Bonds, Clemens, McGwire, Morris, Piazza, Raines, Smith, Sosa." Kiley had stints as the Cubs and White Sox beat writer for both the Tribune and later the Sun-Times from the '80s thru 2005. Kiley is listed as 'honorary' as he no longer works for any newspaper having been fired by the Sun-Times as they caught him grossly padding his expense counts.
Bruce Levine is a radio guy and never was a daily newspaper beat writer so he can't join the BBWAA and has no vote. Radio/TV guys aren't eligible to join the BBWAA unless they covered baseball for a major daily newspaper too. Rozner should have had a vote. I don't know if he revealed his vote on any of the shows he does on WSCR.
Joe Cowley, now the Chicago Bulls beat writer of the Sun-Times should have been eligible to vote as he was a daily newspaper baseball beat writer (Sun-Times & Daily Southtown for well over 10 years). Phil Hersch of the Tribune also has cast HOF ballots for years even though he hasn't covered baseball for decades. I'm pretty sure Fred Mitchell of the Tribune also gets a HOF ballot each year too. I think Alan Solomon, travel writer & former baseball beat writer of the Tribune is still eligible to vote for the Baseball HOF too. Dan McGrath, former Tribune Asst. Sports Editor who covered baseball while he worked in Seattle and still writes columns for the N. Y. Times which also run in the Chicago Sun-Times, should still be eligible to vote too.
-
I think you'd be hard pressed to back up the "state of denial" suggestion with anything other than circumstantial evidence.
Nah, he also has, .....whether you want to believe it or not.
Or, more commonly called denial, insisting you are right, without offering anything resembling evidence or argument (or at least not argument that makes sense), and dismissing the contrary evidence or argument.
-
Regardless of the home run totals of baseball in general, the numbers of identifiable players increased and decreased with scrutiny and contracts. Just an oddity I guess.
Yea, at no other time in history have we seen any identifiably players have their HR production increase or decrease.
But you have to understand I'm wired differently than you, maybe because of the situations I was put in life. To me, I don't care about the numbers.
Once again I am reminded of the quote from Republican Congressman Carl Sandman in his blind defense of Nixon as the evidence kept coming out about Watergate about two months before resignation -- "My mind is made up. Don't confuse me with the facts."
I remember the guys who couldn't speak English anymore before Congress. And I heard one denial after another until they couldn't anymore.
English was not Sosa's first language, and we have seen what Congress and the Justice Department have done with folks when they did not like the answers given. I suspect any one of us would have done the same if we had been called to testify in a language which was not our native language. And that "same" thing would not have been refusing to answer questions, as you suggest, but merely using an interpreter for them.
Like any abuse, you deny what you can't explain and you explain what you can't deny. As a person placed in a position to judge others, I have to ask myself, "Why the denials? Why the embarrassment?"
Isn't it possible with some of the denials things were denied because the person making the denial had not done as was suggested or charged? This is a bizarre standard, almost like the approach uses with accusations someone was a witch 500 years ago. If they admitted it, they were a witch and were burned at the stake. If they denied it, that pretty much also meant they were a witch and would be burned at the stake.
"Why the denials? Why the embarrassment?" It wasn't illegal at the time. Because they knew it was wrong. They knew it was helping them achieve records they didn't deserve. If it weren't so, br, why aren't all these guys banding together and saying, yeah we used and it didn't help us a bit and we can prove it?
Remember Jim Bouton's book, Ball Four, and the allegations of speed being taken like candy by major leaguers?
What was the response then, including the response from many players now enshrined in the HOF, including Santo? They denied. And they continued denying for years. Even though what Bouton described was dead on accurate. Everything you say about steroids in the paragraph above could apply with equal force with amphetamines.
-
I think you'd be hard pressed to back up the "state of denial" suggestion with anything other than circumstantial evidence.
For what it's worth, I haven't heard any athlete accused of using steriods who is not using the stats argument that it didn't help them. Maybe I'm missing something. I definitely don't see them banding together en masse.
I agree times change. The suggestion was that human nature doesn't.
-
Rose colored glasses vs. a state of denial. I wonder which is worse.
Sorry, but I knew a lot of guys back then. They played the game. It wasn't a business to them like it is to almost all of them today. Times change whether you want to believe it or not.
-
Arguing amphetamines, I think, weakens your argument. Players of that era knew that fans came to see them, they were weary from long bus and train rides, and they hurt with few days off between games...they did what they could to crawl unto the field and play...for the fans, not themselves. Guys on steroids did it for the fame, the money and contracts. Screw the fans. I know you disagree. So be it.
To be honest, this sounds like looking back fondly on memories through the rose-colored lenses of time. I don't think human nature has changed very much over the past 50 years, and for whatever reason guys took chemical enhancers in the 60's, they're doing it for the same reasons today.
-
Hank Aaron and Mike Schmidt cheated when they tried amphetamines, even if it was just once or a few times. And don't say that steroids are worse because they help more because (1) there's no proof of that, and (2) using either illegal drug shows the same lack of character--both situations involve trying the most effective available illegal substance to try to gain a competitive advantage. As soon as BBWAA members start campaigning to remove cheaters like Aaron and Schmidt from the Hall of Fame, I'll reconsider whether or not I think Bonds should be there.
I used to think it would be fun to visit the Hall of Fame someday. But a Hall of Fame without Bonds, Clemens, Bagwell, Biggio, and Piazza (among others) just doesn't interest me at all. Those are the dominant players of the era of baseball I watched, and the Hall of Fame is just a farce without them.
As I posted earlier this week, the Hall of Fame lost over $2 million in 2011, and has lost money in 8 of the last 10 years. And with this vote, they've probably ensured another money-losing year since their biggest weekend of the year will be a non-event. That's not sustainable. Making the Hall of Fame irrelevant to many fans under 40--fans who have disposable income and young children to introduce to the game--is just going to speed up it's decline and eventual closing.
Arguing amphetamines, I think, weakens your argument. Players of that era knew that fans came to see them, they were weary from long bus and train rides, and they hurt with few days off between games...they did what they could to crawl unto the field and play...for the fans, not themselves. Guys on steroids did it for the fame, the money and contracts. Screw the fans. I know you disagree. So be it.
I think your argument that there is no proof that steroids helped players is also weak. Regardless of the home run totals of baseball in general, the numbers of identifiable players increased and decreased with scrutiny and contracts. Just an oddity I guess.
But you have to understand I'm wired differently than you, maybe because of the situations I was put in life. To me, I don't care about the numbers. I remember the deer in the headlights look of Big Mac when the reporters asked him about the tube on the shelf in his locker behind him. I remember the guys who couldn't speak English anymore before Congress. And I heard one denial after another until they couldn't anymore. Like any abuse, you deny what you can't explain and you explain what you can't deny. As a person placed in a position to judge others, I have to ask myself, "Why the denials? Why the embarrassment?" It wasn't illegal at the time. Because they knew it was wrong. They knew it was helping them achieve records they didn't deserve. If it weren't so, br, why aren't all these guys banding together and saying, yeah we used and it didn't help us a bit and we can prove it?
Pete Rose was on ESPN Thursday morning. Interesting. His comments were that baseball more than any other sport is one that people love because of records and statistics. People have empathy for those players whose records were eclipsed by people who may have gotten there unfairly. That's his take. Pete thought it was ironic that one of the big reasons some of these guys did what they did was for the fame and the HOF. And now there's a chance they won't make it. That is ironic.
As for your declaration that you will not go to the Hall if those guys are not there, I have called the Hall and informed them and they were shaken to their roots. Frankly, I won't go because of the way they treated Santo. But that's me.
But I do agree with you about the HOF. It's losing money, but I doubt who they do or do not elect has a thing to do with it. The fact is there are too few kids like Dave23's who beg to go. We've alienated an entire generation with high costs, late night tv of playoffs and series, and basketball and football rule their lives. I have two sons in the twenties and I'll bet they can't name 20 baseball players. There are too few guys your age who are engaged like you and tico and 82 and way too few others. Nobody has the HOF on their bucket list anymore and it has more to do with the greed of the owners than which players got inducted. Your outrage about the voting is therefore over the top.
Frankly, with as little true passion is involved in baseball anymore, perhaps this controversy will end up being good for it. At least people paid attention, for what, 6 or 7 hours?
-
He didn't need a translator?
-
Sammy Sosa @TheRealMr609
The actual statement I made to the press about the Baseball Hall of Fame announcement this past Wednesday http://fb.me/264cniqFj
Retweeted by Carrie Muskat
-
I hope his cellmate is a 250 pound, horny martial arts expert.
-
Go to Jail. Go directly to Jail. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200.
-
Milton Bradley is looking at up to 13 years in jail:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/11/milton-bradley-facing-up-to-13-years-in-prison-from-spousal-abuse-charges/
-
The Mariners were about to give up Taijuan Walker, Nick Franklin, and others for Upton.
I'm not sure the Cubs are ready to give up something remotely close to that.
Since that option is no longer available, and the Mariners are eliminated as a trade partner, it may not take anything remotely close to that.
-
efz
-
He'll give up Bauer for Gregorious but needs the moon for Upton...
-
Maybe he sees Upton as his Herschel Walker.
-
I don't understand the Upton talks. Kevin Towers doesn't seem to like Upton, but he seems to be asking for unreasonable return. It's just weird.
-
The Mariners were about to give up Taijuan Walker, Nick Franklin, and others for Upton.
I'm not sure the Cubs are ready to give up something remotely close to that.
-
Something I didn't know about Harold Reynolds:
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Harold Reynolds just said on @MLBNetwork's "Hot Stove" that Justin Upton repeatedly told #DBacks he would not approve deal to #Mariners.
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Harold Reynolds is the younger brother of Upton's agent, Larry Reynolds. #DBacks #Mariners.
-
Of course, some of those teams might be on there for negotiating a contract extension.
-
Sorry br.
MLB Trade Rumors @mlbtraderumors
As reported by @jcrasnick, the four teams on Justin Upton's updated no-trade list are the Mariners, Cubs, Blue Jays and Red Sox.
-
The Brewers have signed Kelvim Escobar. He last pitched in the majors in 2009, and has only five innings since the end of the 2007 season.
Gives some hope to Mark Prior and Brandon Webb, I guess.
-
The Hall of Fame and the BBWAA have become an embarrassment to MLB. Most of the voters were at least nominally sports "reporters" during the steroids era, but these sanctimonious voters managed (at best) to turn a blind eye to the prevalence of steroid use on the teams they covered on a daily basis, while writing glowing reports about the exploits of the users.
-
What I do care about is "cheating". I think what Barry Bonds did to Baseball is on the order of 100 times worse than anything Pete Rose ever did.
Hank Aaron and Mike Schmidt cheated when they tried amphetamines, even if it was just once or a few times. And don't say that steroids are worse because they help more because (1) there's no proof of that, and (2) using either illegal drug shows the same lack of character--both situations involve trying the most effective available illegal substance to try to gain a competitive advantage. As soon as BBWAA members start campaigning to remove cheaters like Aaron and Schmidt from the Hall of Fame, I'll reconsider whether or not I think Bonds should be there.
I used to think it would be fun to visit the Hall of Fame someday. But a Hall of Fame without Bonds, Clemens, Bagwell, Biggio, and Piazza (among others) just doesn't interest me at all. Those are the dominant players of the era of baseball I watched, and the Hall of Fame is just a farce without them.
As I posted earlier this week, the Hall of Fame lost over $2 million in 2011, and has lost money in 8 of the last 10 years. And with this vote, they've probably ensured another money-losing year since their biggest weekend of the year will be a non-event. That's not sustainable. Making the Hall of Fame irrelevant to many fans under 40--fans who have disposable income and young children to introduce to the game--is just going to speed up it's decline and eventual closing.
-
"Actually...I don't really care about the home run totals. I simply didn't think the data was convincing."
You don't care about the home run totals? If the home run totals are irrelevant, then how is what Bonds did worse than anyone else? Because the Hall is full of cheaters. Chemical cheaters, too. The whole premise of the roids-are-awful argument is the notion that they have a greater effect than other forms of cheating have had, historically. But if home run totals don't matter, then what Bonds did doesn't matter, either.
Regarding whether or not the data was convincing, I'd love to hear some sort of statistical argument to the contrary, rather than just, "I don't like the numbers." Frankly, that's pretty disappointing.
-
I guess I'm a militant...but if I had my way not being elected to the HOF would be forgone conclusion. Players banned from Baseball aren't eligble.
-
Alumni news
Fukudome signed a 3 year, $5 million contract with the Hanshin Tigers.
-
Speaking more generally, most of the windbags in the media will tell you the peak of steroid usage was late 90's - early 2000's. Most will suggest there has been a dramatic reduction in HR rate since more rigorous testing has been implemented. The data just doesn't show that, period.
Actually...I don't really care about the home run totals. I simply didn't think the data was convincing.
What I do care about is "cheating". I think what Barry Bonds did to Baseball is on the order of 100 times worse than anything Pete Rose ever did.
-
Must admit I was annoyed by the fact that noone made the Hall today. If I were HOF tsar I'd make the following changes:
1. Top voter gets in regardless of percentage.
2. In any year, veterans committee cannot elect more players than baseball writers
3. Any writer who fails to vote for at least one player loses voting privileges.
4. Create a third category, "just missed". A "just missed" vote does not count for or against a player. Each writer can put up to 10 players total in the HOF and "just missed" categories.
Hopefully, these changes will get more live players in the HOF
-
what br said
-
Just a simple question...does anyone believe steroid/PED use in baseball started more or less overnight? Or did it build over a series of years?
IMO, the latter scenario makes a lot more sense. If baseball players before the early 1990s believed steroids wouldn't help (and may even contribute to bulk that would limit their flexibility and hurt their game--I have heard this argument often), then it's doubtful there would be a league-wide adoption in the course of a season or two. Rather, it would take several years of proven success to convince players to try steroids, and the usage would increase gradually.
But that isn't what the league-wide statistical record says. Here are two stats from 1980-1992: runs scored per game, and HR per game:
R/G: 4.29-4.00-4.30-4.31-4.26-4.33-4.41-4.72-4.14-4.13-4.26-4.31-4.12 (average 4.28)
HR/G: 0.73-0.64-0.80-0.78-0.77-0.86-0.91-1.06-0.76-0.73-0.80-0.72 (average 0.74)
Now, the same numbers for 1993-2007:
R/G: 4.60-4.92-4.85-5.04-4.77-4.79-5.08-5.14-4.78-4.62-4.73-4.81-4.59-4.86-4.80 (average 4.83)
HR/G: 0.89-1.03-1.01-1.09-1.02-1.04-1.14-1.17-1.12-1.04-1.07-1.12-1.03-1.11-1.02 (average 1.06)
Outside of 1987 (which was an outlier), there is a clear change in 1993. Before 1993, R/G was typically in the low 4s, and HR/9 was well below 1.0. 1993 was a transition year. Then in 1994-2007, R/G was in the high 4s/low 5s, while HR/9 was slightly above 1.0. There is no clear pattern of steady increase at any point...just typical year-to-year variance with a sustained increase in 1993-1994.
So are we going to say that steroids went from barely used to abused league-wide in the span of a year? Or are we going to admit that the increase in runs scored is more complex than just saying steroids did it?
The two biggest reasons for increase, maybe more important than PEDs? Both reasons fit the timeline and would cause quick increases in offense.
- 1993 and 1998 expansions obviously had an impact (both because it diluted talent and because it introduced the biggest outlying scoring environment in MLB history).
- Studies show that balls manufactured after 1993 are manufactured differently (balls from 1998 have a larger core and synthetic rubber ring: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2719191) and are more lively (balls from 1995 and 2000 bounce higher than those from 1963, 1970, and 1989: http://www.uri.edu/news/releases/html/00-1025.htm; this study also has evidence of differences in ball structure) than those from previous years. More information here: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=128 and here: http://steroids-and-baseball.com/changing-baseball.shtml.
It really is amazing how quickly the ball juicing thing was dropped when PEDs became the hot button in the mid '00s, because it's very likely the balls were juiced. I'd like to see some follow-ups on balls from the last 5 years to see if they changed again sometime around 2007-2008.
-
Writers who chose to share their HOF ballots
http://bbwaa.com/13-hof-ballots/
Interesting that among the 5 Chicago writers listed only one (Mike Imrem) voted for any Steroid-implicated players. Bruce Miles, Paul Sullivan, Teddy Greenstein and Phil Rogers passed on all those guys. I would think both Barry Rozner and Bruce Levine would be eligible to vote, but neither is listed - so either they are not eligible or they decided against transparency.
-
Tico, the "fangraphs" data indicate there were 41% more home runs in 2000 than in 1993.
Conversely, there were only 5.4% more "contacts in 2000 than 1993.
That means, I guess, there were many more home runs per contact in 2000?? That the increase in the percentage of HR/Contacts appears to be small (1%) is only because of the very large amount of contacts compared to home runs. It's a math trick of the sort employed by politicians daily.
Why complicate things? There were 41% more home runs in 2000 than there were in 1993. That would be the equivalent of batting averages rising from .250 to .350 in seven years.
Cherry pick the years if you like, and then use the outlier (it's 1993) as the basis for your analysis. Here's a more meaningful statistical analysis. The mean rate for the data given is 3.69% with a standard deviation of 0.24%. 1993 is something of an outlier, while 2000 is just outside stdev1, meaning that the event, while unlikely, is not outside the realm of statistical normalcy.
Speaking more generally, most of the windbags in the media will tell you the peak of steroid usage was late 90's - early 2000's. Most will suggest there has been a dramatic reduction in HR rate since more rigorous testing has been implemented. The data just doesn't show that, period.
-
In 1993 there were 2.3% HR/PA.
In 2000 there were 3.0% HR/PA.
Which means...the "average player" with 600PA for a season would have hit 4.2 more home runs in 2000 than in 1993. Since, presumably, "average" players don't cheat, and assuming that "average" players far out number the cheaters, it naturally follows that the cheaters were accumulating an inordinately high number of home runs.
If somebody could provide the percentage of cheaters to non-cheaters we could develop a new statistic. The Steroids Homerun Increase Totals.
Parks also changed. The ball may well have changed. The way the umps called the strike zone may have changed. The way the umps dealt with anything resembling a brushback may have changed. And talent levels may have changed.
I believe that after every expansion, HR have increased, because of the dilution in talent among pitchers. And certainly as Bonds was allowed to wear body armor to the plate and crowd the plate without any concern of being hit or pushed back off the plate, he was able to do much more damage than otherwise... presumably other players were also doing the same, even if to lesser degrees.
Steroids may well have played a part in the increase in HR, but it is very unlikely to have been anywhere close to all of it.
-
Writers who chose to share their HOF ballots
http://bbwaa.com/13-hof-ballots/
-
There were 41% more home runs in 2000 than there were in 1993. That would be the equivalent of batting averages rising from .250 to .350 in seven years.
Is that taking into account that there were 2 more teams in 2000 than there were in 1993?
-
In 1993 there were 2.3% HR/PA.
In 2000 there were 3.0% HR/PA.
Which means...the "average player" with 600PA for a season would have hit 4.2 more home runs in 2000 than in 1993. Since, presumably, "average" players don't cheat, and assuming that "average" players far out number the cheaters, it naturally follows that the cheaters were accumulating an inordinately high number of home runs.
If somebody could provide the percentage of cheaters to non-cheaters we could develop a new statistic. The Steroids Homerun Increase Totals.
-
2000 is about when maple bats achieved widespread usage.
-
Tico, the "fangraphs" data indicate there were 41% more home runs in 2000 than in 1993.
Conversely, there were only 5.4% more "contacts in 2000 than 1993.
That means, I guess, there were many more home runs per contact in 2000?? That the increase in the percentage of HR/Contacts appears to be small (1%) is only because of the very large amount of contacts compared to home runs. It's a math trick of the sort employed by politicians daily.
Why complicate things? There were 41% more home runs in 2000 than there were in 1993. That would be the equivalent of batting averages rising from .250 to .350 in seven years.
-
Who the heck voted for Aaron Sele????? I guess at least he didn't turn in a blank ballot in protest, or maybe that was his vote in protest???
-
I wish that Fangraphs article went back another 5 years or so into the late '80s. Offense jumped pretty much overnight around 1993, indicating that either (a) everyone started using steroids at exactly the same time (rather than use gradually growing starting in the 1970s through the '80s and '90s, like every other sport), or (b) some factor other than steroids (or a combination of factors) was primarily responsible for the jump in offense.
That Fangraphs article shows a big jump in home runs between 1993 and 1994, but you can't really tell if that's a real jump or if 1993 was a one year low blip on the radar.
-
Fukudome signs with the Hanshin Tigers.
-
This is an EXTREMELY compelling article regarding HR rates and the steriod era.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/home-run-rates-in-1998-and-2012/
If you have an opinion of any kind on the matter, it's required reading. Opinions are like a-holes... everyone has one. Unfortunately, there are far too many a-holes farting about their opinions on this matter, rather than actually examining the facts.
-
Expect borderline guys to fall off the ballot faster and faster. Theres only 10 slots, so as steroid users stack up and continue to get 20%-50% theres no room for the people voting for those guys to vote for other players.
-
It is a shame that Raines and especially Biggio didnt get in. A case can be made for Lee Smith as well.
-
Morris is at best borderlne.
-
Pretty much, if you're going to have a Hall of Very Good, who's in it?
Lou Whitaker, obviously. It seems like Ted Simmons gets brought up a whole lot whenever the discussion of very overlooked players for the HOF are talked about.
Whitaker, Simmons, Lofton, Ventura, and Brown would be a pretty good inaugural Hall of Very Good class wouldn't it?
-
Seems like there have been a lot of really good players who fell off the ballot pretty quickly the last few years who deserved much longer looks. Robin Ventura, Kevin Brown, and Javy Lopez are a few guys who I think at least should have had their careers examined for much longer than one year. Kenny Lofton is a very extreme oversight IMHO. I read an article about Bernie Williams today that at least made me think he probably should have stayed on the ballot for a while longer. And I think br's talked about John Olerud before and an overlooked guy.
I mean if Jim Rice is a Hall of Famer and Jack Morris is up to 67%, it seems like some of these players should have gotten longer looks.
-
Ballots Cast: 569 Needed for Election: 427
VOTES PLAYER PERCENTAGE
388 Craig Biggio 68.20%
385 Jack Morris 67.70%
339 Jeff Bagwell 59.60%
329 Mike Piazza 57.80%
297 Tim Raines 52.20%
272 Lee Smith 47.80%
221 Curt Schilling 38.80%
214 Roger Clemens 37.60%
206 Barry Bonds 36.20%
204 Edgar Martinez 35.90%
191 Alan Trammell 33.60%
123 Larry Walker 21.60%
118 Fred McGriff 20.70%
106 Dale Murphy 18.60%
96 Mark McGwire 16.90%
75 Don Mattingly 13.20%
71 Sammy Sosa 12.50%
50 Rafael Palmeiro 8.80%
19 Bernie Williams 3.30%
18 Kenny Lofton 3.20%
16 Sandy Alomar Jr. 2.80%
6 Julio Franco 1.10%
5 David Wells 0.90%
4 Steve Finley 0.70%
2 Shawn Green 0.40%
1 Aaron Sele 0.20%
0 Jeff Cirillo 0.00%
0 Royce Clayton 0.00%
0 Jeff Conine 0.00%
0 Roberto Hernandez0.00%
0 Ryan Klesko 0.00%
0 Jose Mesa 0.00%
0 Reggie Sanders 0.00%
0 Mike Stanton 0.00%
0 Todd Walker 0.00%
0 Rondell White 0.00%
0 Woody Williams 0.00%
*Candidates receiving less than 5% of the vote on
all ballots cast are removed from future BBWAA
consideration; Dale Murphy received 18.6% of the
vote in his 15th and final year of BBWAA eligibility.
-
I don't get how Raines and, to some degree, Trammell miss out especially in a year when voters were insisting on being stubborn idiots about the "steroid era" guys.
Because that same group of people made this a referendum on "new-fangled" stats, and sabermetrically-inclined people are the ones who like Raines and Trammell the most.
Ken Rosenthal compared people who argue against Jack Morris to the tea party, and used the terms "over the top", "crusade", and "ridiculous" to explain their arguments. Sounds like a guy who can't refute their arguments, so he's resorting to insults.
-
Welcome to the modern Hall of Fame, everyone! Brought to you by drug users and baseball writers!
Not sure which of those two groups is the bigger group of scumbags.
-
I don't get how Raines and, to some degree, Trammell miss out especially in a year when voters were insisting on being stubborn idiots about the "steroid era" guys.
-
It appears the steroid concerns caused some voters to essentially decide to vote for no one until some consensus develops regarding standards for voting, or for how to deal with the steroid issue. Biggio seemed like a very easy choice, and I agree that Lofton should have at the worst been considered borderline.
Perhaps one change which should be made is to add another category for voters -- yes, no, let's look again.
-
Jon Heyman *really* likes Jack Morris.
-
They're really going to need to change something about the voting process, because I don't see how anyone but very obvious guys go in any time soon. I mean, Maddux and probably Glavine will go in next year. But with about 20 other guys who have a legitimate argument, the rest of the vote is going to be really split.
-
How in the world does Craig Biggio with 3,000 hits not get in on the first ballot? He's never been mentioned even once with PED's. That's nuts.
And an absolute damn shame about Lofton. He definitely got Whitakered. If he had played in a bigger market for most of his career instead of playing for Cleveland during his prime and bouncing around from team to team in the last half of his career, he probably would have been voted in eventually. A great player whom I hope the Veteran's Committee will appreciate eventually.
Bernie Williams probably also deserved to have his candidacy discussed for 15 years.
-
No one gets elected to the Hall of Fame. Biggio leads at 68%.
Bonds and Clemens finish at 36% and 37%, respectively. Ridiculous, IMO.
Maybe the most ridiculous percentage is one that won't be talked about, though. Kenny Lofton gets 3% and falls off after one ballot. A lot of his value is tied up in defense, baserunning, and non-traditional offensive numbers (OBP; 2B power), but he at least deserved 15 years of scrutiny.
-
now exactly, when did bonds start using? i have not see or heard anywhere when he started using.
You need to read more. Bonds has been widely reported to have started juicing either in or right after the 1999 season, when he was upset at all of the attention Sosa and McGwire got in 98. His performance had had already been in a slow plateau/decline from his peak, OPS+ of 204 and 206 at age 27 and 28, and he was already a 3 time MVP with the HOF a certainty.
Then in 2000, at age 35 his performance inexplicably surged back up and for the next four years he did better than he ever had before. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bondsba01.shtml
It not only has been reported many places that he started juicing shortly after the 1998 season because he was upset by players he considered lesser talents hitting 60+ HR and becoming the center of attention, and that he started using as a result, if you just look at his stats it is pretty clear SOMETHING happened to give his performance that surge.
-
If Bonds had retired before he started using PEDs, he still would have had 2 MVPs and a HOF career. You might have a similar argument for Clemens. You can't make the same case for Sosa or McGwire (assuming that they were both using and that Sosa started using right before his 98 season).
I can see someone opposed to allowing into the HOF those who had great performances after taking PEDs and still supporting Clemens and Bonds. I can't see someone very bothered by PEDs and possibly thinking performance enhanced seasons should be discounted or ignored supporting McGwuire or Sosa.
now exactly, when did bonds start using? i have not see or heard anywhere when he started using.
-
LaRoche back to the Nationals for two years.
-
Eventually the HOF is going to have to come up with a creative solution for this problem. It's going to become a black eye and an embarrassment for baseball if we keep having debates on guys like Bonds, Clemens, Sosa, McGwire, etc. every year for the next 10 years because they're still hanging around on the HOF ballot.
They could get bounced from the ballot much quicker than that if their names don't appear on the required minimum percentage (5%?) of ballots in any one year.
-
The steroid era has complicated things for the HOF voting, obviously. I think there are legitimate cases to be made for and against excluding even guys like Bonds and Clemens. But if any of those guys do go in, I don't see how the line can be drawn to exclude others like McGwire and Sosa.
If Bonds had retired before he started using PEDs, he still would have had 2 MVPs and a HOF career. You might have a similar argument for Clemens. You can't make the same case for Sosa or McGwire (assuming that they were both using and that Sosa started using right before his 98 season).
I can see someone opposed to allowing into the HOF those who had great performances after taking PEDs and still supporting Clemens and Bonds. I can't see someone very bothered by PEDs and possibly thinking performance enhanced seasons should be discounted or ignored supporting McGwuire or Sosa.
-
Your definition of "honor" must be a lot different than mine.
-
We won't really know until the announcement on Wednesday, but the speculation seems to be that only Biggio has a chance to make it. Well, Jack Morris too--which is on a whole different level of inanity, because he might not even be in the top 20 in my mind.
I agree with you, though...there are no less than six no brainers: Bonds, Clemens, Bagwell, Biggio, Piazza, Raines. There are five more I would definitely want on my ballot: Trammell, Sosa, McGwire, Schilling, Martinez (and really, I don't see a reasonable argument against anyone but maybe Sosa and McGwire here). I'm on the fence on Lofton, Walker, and Palmeiro, and McGriff, but I'd lean towards at least Walker and Lofton being deserving. I understand the cases for Murphy and Mattingly since they did have a HOF quality peak (but not much else). That makes 17 guys who I wouldn't have issue with going in.
That doesn't even account for the significant support Morris and Smith get, even though I don't think they're particularly close to being deserving. And if Morris is ultimately inducted, he's 22nd in Baseball Reference's career WAR among players who are currently on the ballot...so by that standard, there's an argument (albeit a pretty weak one) for the other four guys who compiled a higher WAR than him: David Wells, Bernie Williams, Steve Finley, and Julio Franco.
Bottom line...if no one goes in this year, it's just another sign that the HOF is past it's usefulness as anything other than a place to see a few baseball novelties and oddities. It certainly is no longer about honoring the best of the best. If just Morris goes in, that might be even worse.
-
Eventually the HOF is going to have to come up with a creative solution for this problem. It's going to become a black eye and an embarrassment for baseball if we keep having debates on guys like Bonds, Clemens, Sosa, McGwire, etc. every year for the next 10 years because they're still hanging around on the HOF ballot.
There probably needs to be a separate ballot and a separate wing in the HOF for anyone who was in the Mitchell Report, implicated themselves before Congress, or was otherwise outed for PED's so that these guys can finally get off of the regular ballot.
And if there is no evidence of that player using PED's (Bagwell, Piazza, etc.), the HOF should make it explicit to voters that they should be treated as any other player on the ballot.
-
The steroid era has complicated things for the HOF voting, obviously. I think there are legitimate cases to be made for and against excluding even guys like Bonds and Clemens. But if any of those guys do go in, I don't see how the line can be drawn to exclude others like McGwire and Sosa.
-
There is a report this morning that the Hall of Fame lost $2.08 million in 2011. And it's starting to look like no one on the ballot is going in this year, which would result in the HOF losing out on its best weekend of the year this summer. The BBWAA and Veteran's Committee have been trying their hardest to make the Hall irrelevant for years now, and it looks like they're succeeding in their attempts.
Nobody is going to make it? That's ridiculous. This is the most loaded ballot in forever. If I were a voter, I'd have a hard time trimming my vote down to 10. There are the no brainers - Bonds, Clemens, Bagwell, Biggio, Piazza, McGwire, and Sosa; the should have already been in guys - Raines and Trammell; and the borderline guys - Walker, Martinez (though I'm leaning more towards no brainer with him lately), Morris, Smith, Murphy, Palmerio, Schilling (another guy closer to no brainer in my mind), and Lofton. It seems impossible that none of those guys will get in. But, the people running the show are arrogant assholes so nothing is out of the question.
-
There is a report this morning that the Hall of Fame lost $2.08 million in 2011. And it's starting to look like no one on the ballot is going in this year, which would result in the HOF losing out on its best weekend of the year this summer. The BBWAA and Veteran's Committee have been trying their hardest to make the Hall irrelevant for years now, and it looks like they're succeeding in their attempts.
-
Berkman to the Rangers.
-
JP Howell signs with the Dodgers. He was the most recent potential LH reliever the Cubs were looking at.
-
Yawn.
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
Some officials now convinced that it'll be Upton, rather than Kubel, who will be the outfielder that Arizona moves before start of its camp.
-
Brett Myers signs with the Indians.
-
A pair of interesting tweets from Jon Morosi:
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
Roberto Clemente died 40 years ago tonight. His friend Tom Walker: "If there had been 6 seats on the plane I would have gone. There were 5."
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi
Tom Walker is the father of Pirates second baseman Neil Walker, born 13 years later. Reflect on that as you remember a great humanitarian.
-
Royals sign Miguel Tejada for 1 year, $1.1 million. Kind of surprising to see him coming back to a guaranteed contract after he was so terrible in 2011 and didn't play in 2012.
-
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/greenberg-gets-minor-league-deal-163409939--mlb.html;_ylt=Ar0nHykeBl.xsirR6XRwgZwRvLYF;_ylu=X3oDMTRtMHBvMjZlBG1pdANMSVNUUyBNaXhlZCBMaXN0IE1MQiBIZWFkbGluZXMEcGtnA2I2ZDI1OTE3LThhNWItM2Y5OC04MDJhLTg0ODgwMWFjMWMyMwRwb3MDNwRzZWMDTWVkaWFCTGlzdE1peGVkTFBDQVRlbXAEdmVyA2YxYzQ2OTYwLTRjNzItMTFlMi05ZWU5LTIwNTY1Y2M0ZjU4Mw--;_ylg=X3oDMTFoODgyNmttBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANtbGIEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnM-;_ylv=3
-
Somebody was talking to former teammates of Freel and implied that he was bipolar when he was playing.
Playing LF for the Chicago Cubs Delmon Young....
-
Just thought it would be interesting to see which free agents are left off ESPN's top 50 list:
4. Michael Bourn
6. Kyle Lohse
14. Rafael Soriano
16. Adam LaRoche
23. Shaun Marcum
28. Lance Berkman
34. Jose Valverde
38. Kyle Farnsworth
45. Delmon Young
46. Francisco Rodriguez
47. Daisuke Matsuzaka
-
Freel had several serious concussions during his career.
-
Looks like Swisher to the Indians, 4 years, $56 million.
-
That is sad. He's probably someone who really needed some professional help during his playing career.
-
Sad news: Ryan Freel commits suicide.
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/topstories/article/288484/483/Former-Big-Leaguer-from-Jax-Ryan-Freel-Dead-at-36
-
It certainly seems the Cubs have plenty of room to add talent in the OF without blocking. They'd gladly trade Soriano, Dejesus and Schierholz are place-holders, they seem to have little confidence in Jackson and Soler and Almora are at least 2 years away. Maybe some sort of deal with Arizona makes sense, though I still expect them to do something with Texas, who has a more urgent need and far more minor-league talent to use as bait.
-
Raul Ibanez is going back to the Mariners.
-
Get ready for another round of Upton rumors that ultimately go nowhere, because the Diamondbacks have signed Cody Ross for 3 years, $26 million.
The Diamondbacks do have five outfielders now that could start, so they probably will end up trading someone. It'll probably Kubel to a team that can hide him as a DH...but I wouldn't hate Parra as the Cubs' CF.
-
And Shawn Camp was on the 2007 Rays team.
-
From the 2008 Tampa Bay Rays World Series team:
Current Cubs - Matt Garza, Edwin Jackson, Dioner Navarro
Former Cubs - Carlos Pena, Cliff Floyd, Eric Hinske, Jae Kuk Ryu, Fernando Perez
-
Twins sign Rich Harden to a minor league contract.
-
It looks like Francisco Liriano is getting two years, $14 million from the Pirates. The Cubs have done really, really well on their pitching contracts this year.
-
Fun fact about the Kendrys Morales for Jason Vargas deal . . .
Jayson Stark @jaysonst
Other than cash deals, this was just 2nd trade ever between #Angels & #Mariners. The other? John Montague for Jim Anderson in 1979!
That's pretty unbelievable isn't it?
-
Gorzelanny signs a 2 year deal with the Brewers.
-
I like that deal for the Mariners. Vargas probably can't be very good outside of Seattle (well, he could probably be fine in San Diego).
-
Who says you can't trade within your own division?
-
Kendrys Morales traded to the Mariners for Jason Vargas.
-
Ryan Dempster to the Red Sox for 2/$26 is now official.
-
Changing size of the strike zone based on count:
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/the-size-of-the-strike-zone-by-count/
-
A discussion on the Dickey trade, and why Dickey should do well: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121218&content_id=40722360&vkey=perspectives&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
-
Funny stuff. Thanks for the link, JR.
-
Here are some of the things that really happen when you think your favorite manager is arguing with an umpire.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121214&content_id=40650956&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb
-
The Dodgers' policy of spending like drunken sailors is already catching up to them. They want to upgrade from Andre Ethier to Nick Swisher...but because they've already given Ethier a contract well above what a bad defensive RF who should be in a platoon is worth, there's no chance they'll be able to trade him without eating half the deal. And really, why would any team who wants Ethier not just go out and sign Swisher anyway?
This is the first in what will be a long line of untradeable contracts for the Dodgers.
-
His additional velocity on the pitch may allow him to better command it somewhat...
-
Or c) is named R.A. Dickey.
-
Anyone who tells you they can locate their knuckler is either a) lying, or b) not throwing a very good knuckler.
-
The unpredictable motion of the knuckleball makes it one of the most difficult pitches for a catcher to handle, leading former catcher Bob Uecker, who caught for Phil Niekro, to remark that "The way to catch a knuckleball is to wait until it stops rolling and pick it up."
-
Not with the control of a fastball or breaking pitch. If you could locate it, catchers wouldn't hate it so much.
I considered anything near the plate as "located."
-
Is it really possible to locate a knuckler?
-
Intentional. But the speed was the same regardless.
When I was 39, I could throw just as hard as I did at 23. The ball just didn't go near as fast.
-
I was able to throw a very effective knuckleball in my 30's. Of course, I was throwing batting practice and none of my high school kids thought it was very funny.
Was it intentional or were you trying to throw a fastball?
-
I was able to throw a very effective knuckleball in my 30's. Of course, I was throwing batting practice and none of my high school kids thought it was very funny.
Or of any value.
-
Three good reasons, but JR's point is a good one as well. Some of these guys ought to be experimenting with it.
-
Three probably very valid reasons.
-
I wonder why more fringe or C grade minor league prospects don't tinker with the knuckleball.
If you're Nick Struck, for instance, and nobody thought you were worth a Rule 5 pick even though you made it to Double-A, why not incorporate it in your repertoire?
Or someone like Casey Coleman? Goodness knows major league hitters can't hit him any harder than they already have.
Three reasons off the top of my head:
1. It's very hard to learn to locate your knuckleball (especially if you can't even locate your fastball).
2. Most knuckleball pitchers achieve success in their 30's, so the vast majority of potential knuckerballers are out of organized baseball before they learn to use the pitch effectively.
3. Most catchers have nightmares about having to catch knuckleballs.
-
Really surprised that the Mets got Syndergaard along with D'Arnaud. That said, Dickey is an ace you don't have to pay like one. It's interesting value on both sides of the trade.
I wonder why more fringe or C grade minor league prospects don't tinker with the knuckleball.
If you're Nick Struck, for instance, and nobody thought you were worth a Rule 5 pick even though you made it to Triple-A and was the Cubs Minor League Pitcher of the Year, why not incorporate it in your repertoire?
Or someone like Casey Coleman? Goodness knows major league hitters can't hit him any harder than they already have.
-
Really surprised that the Mets got Syndergaard along with D'Arnaud. That said, Dickey is an ace you don't have to pay like one. It's interesting value on both sides of the trade.
-
Problems with WAR is not everybody does it the same. I assume you were using baseball reference. If you use fangraphs Soriano has 19.7 with the Cubs and Lee 10.7.
-
Alfonso Soriano has 6.3 WAR since signing with the Cubs compared to Carlos Lee's 7.2 WAR since signing with Houston.
-
He's actually a free agent. He signed a 6 year deal at the same time Soriano signed his 8 year deal.
-
Heh, forgot that he was Marlins property now...fitting...
-
Curious to see how many times they play Carlos Lee at 1B and Pena at DH...heh...
-
Will he ever see the Mendoza Line again?
-
Carlos Pena signs with the Astros, 1 year, $2.9 million with $1.4 million in incentives.
-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwQoF105RO4
-
I was talking about 2 quality years out of Dickey...not d'Arnaud...
I understood that, and it was what prompted my response, pointing out that a team has a very high probability of getting two very good years out of Dickey in 2013 and 2014, while d'Arnaud is much more of a crap shoot, both as to how good he will be, and when he will reach that peak.
For a team which sees itself as having a window of opportunity right now, but one which may have much more cloudy prospects 3 or 4 years from now, the trade could make a great deal of sense.
-
I was talking about 2 quality years out of Dickey...not d'Arnaud...
-
Unless I was absolutely sure I could get more than 2 quality years out of him, there's no way I would give up a prospect of d'Arnaud's stature...
No one can be "absolutely sure" they are going to get any quality years from d'Arnaud.
I understand the reluctance in trading high ceiling prospects, and that generally makes sense, but a great deal depends on the team's window of opportunity.
I am not familiar enough with Toronto's roster to offer an opinion as to how long their window of opportunity might remain open, but I would guess that part of the reason Toronto sees a window right now is that Boston and NY both seem to be stepping back a bit in 2013, and that is likely not something Toronto expects to continue indefinitely.
-
Unless I was absolutely sure I could get more than 2 quality years out of him, there's no way I would give up a prospect of d'Arnaud's stature...
-
I've been wondering about the Met's thought process myself. 2 years at 26 million seems like a bargain for Dickey unless they're not planning on competing in the next few years. Knuckleballers age well, and the apprehension about his age will still probably allow them to keep him on a team friendly deal if he is still dominating when those 2 years are up. If he regresses at all or even drops back to league average, it's still not a terrible overpay, and he has added value in the guy pitching after him might be a tad tougher to hit after seeing those knuckle balls all game. He also eats a ton of innings and saves the bullpen.
I could understand if he was a one year fluke, but he has been a really good pitcher for 3 years.
-
You would think having a reliever like Adam's not blowing up would be worth more than 1 and a half war a year on average, but I guess not. He is an 8 year vet, as dominating as Jes just so eloquently stated, yet only has a 12.1 career war. That does include a 2 inning season, but geez. 4 Mike Adams would create a shut down bull pen and that's only worth 5-7 wins a year on average? I could be wrong but just seems like a lot more games than are lost by the bull pen. Though, on the high end, I guess 7 wins are quite a few and you do regain some of those leads crappy relievers lose.
-
On Dickey, from the NY Post:
the Mets most recent contract offer a two-year extension worth $20 million, according to sources and wouldnt be surprised if he were traded. Dickeys asking price from the Mets was $26 million over two years, beginning in 2014. Dickey... went 20-6 with a 2.73 ERA last season,
-
Adams is pretty impressive.
A career ERA+ of 177, and an ERA+ of 140 or better each of the last 7 seasons; 5 straight years with an ERA+ of 210 or better; two years at better than 300, and once at 523. The only seasons he has had with an ERA+ below 140 were his rookie year when he had and ERA+ of 129 and two years later when he only pitched two innings and was injured.
Even with the small sample size a reliever gets (only a total of 364 innings in his 8 years in the majors), that is quite impressive.
-
Cubs lose out on Mike Adams...2 years, $12 million with the Phillies.
-
That trade would be stunning...
-
Depending on what the other pieces are, this makes a lot more sense.
Jeff Passan @JeffPassan
Source: Mets and Blue Jays on the verge of deal that would send R.A. Dickey to Toronto, Travis D'Arnaud to Mets. Teams looking at medicals.
-
Dickey isn't your typical Cy winner. He's an upward trending hard knuckleballer in his late 30's. I don't think there's a single historical comp. The Mets won't give him half of Sanchez's deal.
-
But as the only real piece for the NL Cy Young winner? He's not that kind of prospect. He's in the same category with guys like Brett Jackson...if it all comes together, he can be really good. But so far, it doesn't look like it's all going to come together.
The Cubs don't really have an equivalent, true. But that's pretty lousy return, and you'd hope they could find something better than that. Of course, in the end I doubt that will be the deal. Gose and Arencibia would be decent as the 2nd and 3rd pieces of a trade that is headlined by someone really good.
-
Gose has a pretty high ceiling - gold glove caliber CF's who can hit for some power are worth quite a bit. As homer rates decline around the game, true up-the-middle defenders are worth more and more. Guys who can provide some offensive value from those positions are increasingly rare. I don't think he's a prospect you can thumb your nose at.
-
Who would be our equivalents for Arencibia and Gose, though? It's not Steve Clevenger and Junior Lake, for instance.
-
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
Arencibia and gose were mentioned in dickey trade talk. Would be realistic package if that's it. #jays #mets
If that's all it takes, I wouldn't mind seeing the Cubs jump in. I mean, Arencibia is pretty bad (brutal .275 career OBP). And while Gose has always been mentioned as a prospect, his performance (career .734 minor league OPS) is pretty uninspiring.
But if the Mets take a package like that, it's probably because their front office just loves one of the players...kind of like how the Diamondbacks loved Gregorius so much that they took 30 cents on the dollar for Bauer.
-
LA seems like a great fit for a guy struggling to stay clean...
-
By the way, I just noticed this, Albert Pujols will likely hit his 500th career home run next season, at age 33. He's at 475 right now.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/pujolal01.shtml
-
Wow. Trout, Hamilton, and Pujols. Very impressive.
Seems like a better use of their money than what the Dodgers are doing.
-
As JR says, Trout/Hamiltion/Pujols, that's kind of different core than what we've had recently.
Pretty much, any one of those guys could be the MVP next season, and it would surprise nobody.
-
I don't see that Hamilton contract as particularly bad, relative to the scheme of things. He's 31, he's been a .900-OPS guy consistently, he's a good outfielder.
I think I'd rather be paying Hamilton $25-per than Greinke. As JR says, Trout/Hamiltion/Pujols, that's kind of different core than what we've had recently.
-
Would be nice if the Rangers decided they wanted Soriano
-
Rangers will sign Swisher now, and we'll look back in three years and realize they're better off than if they'd brought back Hamilton.
-
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Dempster and #RedSox are in agreement, pending physical.
-
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Sources: Dempster close with #RedSox on two-year, $26.5 million free-agent contract.
-
Having Trout, Hamilton, and Pujols in the same lineup is pretty darn impressive, though.
-
terrible contract
-
5 years, $125 million for Hamilton.
-
Preemptive strike for everyone who is now going to suggest the Cubs should trade for Bourjos or (especially) Trumbo: Bleh.
-
Hamilton has agreed to a 5 year deal with the Angels. Wow, that came out of nowhere in a hurry.
-
Latest rumor is that the Angels are going hard after Hamilton. That would be surprising.
-
Rosenthal says the Red Sox and Dempster are getting close to a deal.
-
I decided to check in on fangraphs to see how Bauer's velocity was in the bigs since the above article said it dropped to 91-92.
While there, however, I came across an interview of Bauer that was pretty informative...as all athletes do(though most aren't so obvious about it), he came off as cocky, but he really does have a belief system behind the method to his madness. As an aside, someone posted in the comments saying a study showed long toss as being bad for pitchers...considering our new pitching guru hire, I hope that isn't the case. You can pretty much make a study show what you want, though.
Anyway, I'd recommend giving the article a read even if you don't like Bauer, it's interesting.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/qa-trevor-bauer-pitching-genius/
For those that talked about Sam being difficult in the minors(I think Jiggy was one), was he worse than Bauer sounds here with the cockiness and all? He seems to have succeeded in spite of that cockiness(or perhaps because of it), so I definitely think it's too early for Arizona to be writing him off.
Be nice if we could package Rondon and someone else and pick up Bauer if theo/jed are sold on him and Cleveland really wants Rondon back like some of the media have portrayed.
Wasn't it Scott Hatteburg who in an interview one time talked about his AA coach telling him he needed to swing at the first pitch more often because he had some obscene batting average on it. He told the coach that the reason he had such an obscene average was because he was selective, wanting a pitch in a specific area he could drive....the coach, of course, thought he was just a good first pitch hitter and surmised he wasn't very coachable if I remember right. Not sure why, but he came to mind when I read that Bauer article.
-
Maybe Bauer is a little bit more of a headcase than I thought. Still, probably the thing to do with a guy with his talent is to have him be a headcase in Triple-A and have him grow up there. I still don't see the point of trading him for maybe 25-30 cents on the dollar at this point.
-
Some background on Bauer's off the field issues . . .
"He just had a really tough year with his teammates,'' Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall told USA TODAY Sports. Hall offered no specifics but confirmed that Bauer apologized to several veteran teammates this winter for his attitude.
Diamondbacks 2011 All-Star catcher Miguel Montero, who couldn't be reached Wednesday, was the most vocal critic of Bauer. He was incensed with the number of times Bauer shook off his signs, including the first pitch of his first major-league game against the Atlanta Braves. Montero publicly vented after Bauer's second start against the Los Angeles Dodgers when Bauer told reporters that he needed to tell Montero how he liked to call a game.
"What?'' Montero said. "He's going to tell me how to do my job?''
Bauer, who majored in mechanical engineering at UCLA, is a loner, several Diamondbacks told USA TODAY Sports. He resisted advice from the coaching staff. He tuned out the veterans. He even refused to listen to younger teammates. He was going to do things his way.
Diamondbacks players and officials contacted Wednesday recalled the night Bauer made his major-league debut June 28. It was 97 degrees in Atlanta. Bauer hit in the first batting-practice group. But instead of cooling off and relaxing, he went to the left-field corner and began stretching. He then began throwing long-toss from the left-field pole to right-center field. One hour still remained before the first pitch, and Bauer was drenched in perspiration, throwing pitch after pitch during his warm-ups. They looked at him like he was crazy. Hs debut lasted four innings, throwing 42 of his 74 pitches for strikes.
The Diamondbacks kept trying to get through to him, realizing he is just 21. They kept waiting for him to grow up. They scolded him for using his Twitter account 30 minutes before one game. They groaned when he mocked President Obama during the debates in October, tweeting: "Obama looked childish and petty tonight. I'm ashamed that he is commander in chief of this great nation.''
And when Bauer threw a fit after being pulled from the Class AAA championship game against Pawtucket, one out short of qualifying for the win in Reno's 10-3 victory, they punished him. Bauer, with Towers in attendance, was forced to apologize to his teammates. They refused to bring him to the big leagues with the other September call-ups. It turned out to be the last pitch he'd ever throw in the Diamondbacks organization.
Now, it's the Indians' turn to try to figure him out.
"We did our due diligence,'' Cleveland GM Chris Antonetti told USA TODAY Sports. "We think Trevor has a lot of potential. He's a very young pitcher, with not a whole lot of professional development.
"I've talked to him twice already since the trade, and we're getting to know him. He has a good feel about our organization, our thoughts, our philosophies. We spent a lot of time when it came to him in the draft. I talked to him two hours then. We talked about his career, his warm-up routine. He's a very cerebral guy, with very deep thoughts when it comes to pitching and conditioning.''
Bauer, begrudgingly permitted to do his eccentric long-toss program with Arizona, will be allowed to continue it in Cleveland.
"We're not very restrictive, depending on the individual,'' Antonetti said. "Then again, I don't think we've had guys long-toss 400 feet before. . .We still need to learn about each other.''
The Diamondbacks will be watching. Maybe this is the wake-up call he needs. Maybe this will force him to do some soul-searching, realize his fastball has dropped from 95-97 mph to 91-92 mph, and recognize that big-league hitters are a lot more patient than pimple-faced college kids.
If not, he'll be nothing more than another overhyped, first-round casualty. The annals of baseball are full of them.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2012/12/12/trevor-bauer-diamondbacks-reds-indians-three-team-trade-miguel-montero/1765351/
-
It is worth looking at Towers' three big trades over the past two offseasons:
-- Traded rookie pitchers Jarrod Parker and Ryan Cook and outfielder Collin Cowgill to Oakland last offseason for Trevor Cahill and Craig Breslow. Cahill performed about as expected for Arizona in 2012 -- 200 innings of slightly better than league average performance, worth 2.5 WAR. Parker and Cook, however, were worth 6.4 WAR between them, while making the league minimum. With Parker's potential, right now that deal does look like a great trade for Oakland, assuming Parker stays healthy. But it's not like Cahill is without value.
-- As part of a three-team deal earlier this offseason, Arizona traded away center fielder Chris Young and received shortstop Cliff Pennington and relief pitcher Heath Bell. This deal was pretty widely criticized -- why would anyone want Bell after his implosion in Miami last season? -- and Young has compiled 11.7 WAR after the past three seasons compared to Pennington's 6.3.
-- Just traded Trevor Bauer -- the third overall pick in the 2011 -- as part of another three-team deal that netted shortstop Didi Gregorius. There were other parts, but for Arizona it's really all about Bauer for Gregorius. Again, the general opinion seems to be Arizona gave up too quickly on a pitcher with Bauer's upside; it didn't help that Towers attempted to put his foot in his mouth by comparing Gregorius to Derek Jeter.
http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/31440/is-kevin-towers-destroying-the-d-backs
-
Looks like Arizona fans have taken their displeasure of Kevin Towers to Wikipedia.
(https://bbf.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsports.cbsimg.net%2Fimages%2F%2Fvisual%2Fwhatshot%2FKevin-Towers-Diamondbacks-trade-Wikipedia.png&hash=8137147c6060987a228a1a910e63bfbf75c3f976)
-
Even if Bauer rubbed people with the Diamondbacks the wrong way, it's still really questionable to trade him for a guy like Gregorius, and it's even more questionable to think Gregorius is a young Derek Jeter.
Questionable?
Stupid would seem a much more appropriate word.
-
Seems weird that the Reds don't seem to have that much interest in fully committing to Todd Frazier. Dusty started Rolen over him a lot down the stretch and in the playoffs, even though it looked like Rolen was done all year. Yesterday, they signed Jack Hannahan. And today, there's talk that they could bring Rolen back.
It's weird because even if Frazier regresses a good bit from his 2012 numbers, he's still likely to be vastly better than Hannahan and what's left of Rolen.
-
The Cards will sign Jason Belken, he'll go onto to have a 30-0, 0.99 ERA season.
-
Why are the Cardinals mentioned in there? What moves have they made this winter?
-
It really does look like Towers just loves Gregorius for some reason, so he targeted him. The Indians were just the lucky team in the middle that got to take advantage of that.
Too bad the Reds didn't decide they wanted DeJesus as their CF instead.
-
Another interesting observation . . .
The American League has generally been regarded as better than the National League for the last decade, but it seems like there has been a power shift this winter -- and the powerhouse teams appear to be in the NL, with the defending champion San Francisco Giants, the Washington Nationals, the Reds, the St. Louis Cardinals and the revamped Los Angeles Dodgers.
-
The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, come out on the bottom of this pile, giving up way too soon on a pitching prospect who reached the majors at age 21 and was the third overall pick in the 2011 draft. I don't care what they think about Bauer's quirky personality or what fences he might need to mend in the clubhouse, intelligence does not equal bad makeup, and he shouldn't be written off for wanting to prepare himself a certain way.
Why did the Diamondbacks trade him? The relationship between team and pitcher deteriorated quickly. Bauer has worked out his own throwing and training program for years, and the Diamondbacks have said publicly they did not feel he was receptive to making changes they suggested.
Even if Bauer rubbed people with the Diamondbacks the wrong way, it's still really questionable to trade him for a guy like Gregorius, and it's even more questionable to think Gregorius is a young Derek Jeter.
Sounds like the staff with the Diamondbacks need to invoke the 25th amendment and remove Kevin Towers from office because it doesn't seem like he's running at full mental capacity anymore.
-
Rumor has it that Bauer and Towers had a meeting recently and determined they just weren't able to coexist with one another.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp19qiash2U (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp19qiash2U)
-
If the best thing we have to hang our hat on is that we made the Ricketts family a couple of extra million by being frugal about which mediocre players we signed, it hasn't been a terribly good offseason for the Cubs.
-
What the hell? They gave up BAUER for that???!!!!!
-
The Indians have brought in Stubbs and Reynolds, they so need Dunn and Bjax. Just think of the K totals they could combine for.
-
Towers was drunk and mixed up Darwin and Derek or he hired Hendry's stat guy.
-
Towers said Gregorius reminds him "of a young Derek Jeter."
Am I missing something here?
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=gregor003mar
-
The D-backs justed traded Bauer for a younger version of Darwin Barney. They must really not like him.
Hey maybe Theo should have gotten on the phone with Kevin Towers about this one.
-
The D-backs justed traded Bauer for a younger version of Darwin Barney. They must really not like him.
-
Yeah, both the Reds and Indians did really well in this trade. The Reds are the clear favorite in the NL Central now as long as Choo (or Ludwick or Bruce) can provide adequate (not even average...just adequate) defense in CF. And Bauer may have some warts...but the Indians gave up nothing they're going to miss.
Basically, the Reds gave up spare parts for a good hitter who provides exactly what they need. The Indians gave up a soon-to-be free agent and spare parts for a potential ace with warts. And the Diamondbacks gave up a potential ace (with warts) for a guy whose absolute ceiling may be Orlando Cabrera, but is probably more likely to be the next Neifi Perez. Hard to figure out what the Diamondbacks saw in this deal.
-
Also, the Indians getting both Bauer and Stubbs for a good but not great player about to hit free agency is an unbelievably great return.
-
What in the world are the Diamondbacks thinking on that one? Man.
-
After the trade, it sounds like Upton is off the market again. So just ignore it when his name starts floating again in mid-late July...a deal is not going to happen.
-
Lars Anderson was part of the Minnesota Wrecking Crew.
-
Indians also get Stubbs.
Diamondbacks also get Tony Sipp and Lars Anderson.
The deal looks very questionable from the Diamondbacks side, IMO.
-
So far, the deal is:
To the Reds: Shin-Soo Choo, Jason Donald.
To the Indians: Trevor Bauer, Matt Albers, Bryan Shaw
To the Diamondbacks: Didi Gregorius. Apparently, more is coming their way (obviously), but it hasn't been announced yet. Stubbs isn't officially going anywhere yet, so I guess he's one of them.
-
Rumor is the Indians are getting Bauer.
-
Heyman says Choo to the Reds is a done deal. Jason Donald also goes to the Reds. Don't know what the rest of the deal is yet.
The Reds may have some defense problems in CF, but a lineup of Choo-Ludwick-Votto-Phillips-Bruce-Frazier-Mesarosco/Hannigan-Cozart is pretty tough.
-
Interesting...Napoli's deal with the Red Sox might fall through:
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/boston-red-sox-mike-napoli-free-agent-deal-may-be-in-jeopardy-121112
-
Rumor is they'd then flip him to the d-backs for pitching.
-
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Three-team trade, per source, will look like this: Choo, Jason Donald to #Reds, Gregorius to #Diamondbacks, Stubbs, AZ pitcher to #Indians.
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Corbin, Skaggs and Bauer were among #Diamondbacks pitchers who were in play. #Indians would get one in this deal; Skaggs unlikely.
Man, I'm not that much of a prospect follower...but either Bauer or Skaggs seems like a HUGE overpay for Gregorius.
-
From MLB Trade Rumors:
4:20pm: There is now a three-team deal in the works between the Reds, Indians, and Diamondbacks, according to Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer (via Twitter). Cabrera is not involved in the discussions at this stage.
"Poor man's Darwin Barney" may have been a little bit of a harsh description of Gregorius in my previous post...but I still don't see why you'd expect much more than a below average major leaguer out of him.
-
DKnobler @DKnobler
Reds deep in talks on deal to acquire Shin-soo Choo from Indians for Stubbs and Gregorius. http://cbsprt.co/UfMpzf (http://cbsprt.co/UfMpzf)
Reds would use Choo in center field, and as leadoff hitter.
Wow, no one can beat a failed version of Brett Jackson and a poor man's Darwin Barney for Choo? The linked article says the Reds would also receive another player.
-
Speaking of Zambrano, I don't think I've heard his name mentioned once this offseason in connection with any team. Does he even get a guaranteed deal for 2013? Will he be a minor league invite? Or will he just disappear?
-
Too bad for Zambrano that knuckleheads don't last as long.
I don't know about that. CurtOne has been around here for a long time.
-
Knuckleballers last a long time. See Niekro and Wilhelm and Wood.
Too bad for Zambrano that knuckleheads don't last as long.
-
Andruw Jones is going to get $3.5 million to play in Japan in 2013.
This sounds like another athlete who hasn't handled his finances well.
-
Knuckleballers last a long time. See Niekro and Wilhelm and Wood.
Yeah, that's what makes it so weird. If there's any 37 year old pitcher you can feel comfortable offering a long term contract to, it's a knuckleballer. And Dickey is probably less of an injury risk than your average knuckleballer, given that he's pitched his whole career without a UCL (the Tommy John ligament) in his elbow.
-
Andruw Jones is going to get $3.5 million to play in Japan in 2013.
-
Knuckleballers last a long time. See Niekro and Wilhelm and Wood.
-
That's a pretty insulting offer, actually.
-
The Mets must not really want RA Dickey around past 2013. They've offered him a new contract, but it's the same contract that Jeremy Guthrie got from the Royals (3 years, $25 million). I know Dickey is getting pretty old in baseball years...but he's worth more than Jeremy Guthrie.
-
If the Cubs are continuing to invest in finding, procuring and developing top talent, and not in overpaying for free agents or for players soon to become free agents or for highly paid players who have already become free agents, it will be a terribly good offseason for the Cubs.
-
If the best thing we have to hang our hat on is that we made the Ricketts family a couple of extra million by being frugal about which mediocre players we signed, it hasn't been a terribly good offseason for the Cubs.
-
Kevin Correia gets 2 years, $10 million from the Twins. The Baker and Feldman contracts look better every day.
-
You know, everyone talks about rebuilding through the farm system, which is what we're in the process of trying to do right now and what we tried to do under Hendry, without a great deal of success.
The difference in the acquisitions budget, the number of scouts, the quality of scouts, the standardization of scouting, the investment in facilities, and the efforts to actually develop the players in the system instead of simply giving them playing time with little meaningful instruction, is seriously different from what we saw under Hendry.
-
Ah, Portland Beavers and Seattle Raniers. No Spokane yet.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/league.cgi?id=cf6cc260
-
DMF, I'm trying to remember the old PCL of the 50's...San Francisco Seals, Oakland Oaks, Hollywood Stars, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles (Angels?), Sacramento Solons, Portland ???, Spokane (Indians, I think), Seattle , Salt Lake City Bees, Denver Bears. Some of those came in when the Giants and Dodgers moved to CA and later the Padres came about and then the A's moved to Oakland. Remember any others?
-
I think the problem with the Hendry system wasn't so much bad drafting, but bad or no instruction in the minor leagues. Players coming out of the Cubs' farm system were invariably poorer in fundamentals than those acquired in trades or free agents.
-
Really, the Royals probably should have been bidding with the Cubs on guys like Scott Baker and Scott Feldman. We're certainly not much worse off with Baker/Feldman than the Royals are with Santana/Guthrie, and we're paying our guys a whole lot less.
When you believe you have a window of opportunity, and particularly when it is likely to be a limited window, you do what you can to expand the window, and you are not always able to make all of the decisions at the same time.
If all of the decisions on all of those players were made at the same time, with the team knowing that each of the other pieces would be available if it acquired them in a different order (allowing different acquisition prices), they likely would have done so, but that is not the way the real world works.
-
With the national TV and local TV contracts they could play to an empty stadium and still make money. The Cubs will get to redo the WGN deal in 2014 to hopefully at least get to Comcast levels ($400,000/game) and hopefully tell Reinsdorf/Tribune to stuff it in 2019 and get their own network.
-
Clearly Los Angeles needs some more teams if they can afford to spread that kind of money around.
-
Given that it took Myers to get Shields, Hendry sure fleeced that Friedman cat by trading only Lee and Archer for Garza!
-
This is getting ridiculous...the Dodgers could go for Youkilis or Sanchez next:
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/danny-knobler/21350054/whos-next-for-big-spending-dodgers-could-be-youk-or-anibal
-
Theo is rumored to have sold Ricketts on the great rebuild plan.
-
Nashville, Illinois, is a hotbed of baseball activity, yes, you are right, JR.
-
You forgot Nashville, CurtOne.
-
What would the people of Miami give to have the Rays' franchise there?
Can't contract the Marlins...the owners have already done that, but if you could, move the Rays to Miami. What American city deserves a franchise? Las Vegas? Sacramento? Brooklyn? Charlotte? New Orleans? San Antonio? Oklahoma City?
-
Is the Rays plan is to shoot themselves in the foot perpetually by trying to make baseball work in a city that doesn't care about it? /snark
-
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
Great observation I heard today about Rays: Their owner, president and GM all smart guys who share the same vision about operational plan.
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
In most organizations, there is a disconnect between ownership/GM or president/GM or owner/president, and plans are jumbled. Not w/ Rays.
Hopefully the Cubs are also one of those rare organizations where Ownership, President, and GM are all on the same page and plans aren't going be jumbled.
-
You know, everyone talks about rebuilding through the farm system, which is what we're in the process of trying to do right now and what we tried to do under Hendry, without a great deal of success.
For the Royals, they've tried building around Mike Moustakas, Eric Hosmer, Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, Alcides Escobar, Salvador Perez, Danny Duffy, Aaron Crow, John Lamb, Mike Montgomery, etc. There are some good players in there, and some players who have been pretty slow to develop, particularly the pitchers who have dealt with injuries and ineffectiveness. I'm sure most people with the Royals thought by this point that they'd be closer to contending and still not losing 90 games a year when a lot of those guys finally reached the majors.
Building through the farm isn't always the easiest thing, and it's not always easy to know when you need to start being Nowacrat and when to keep developing. Too bad for the Cubs, it's probably going to be a while before we get that much young talent close to the majors and we have to start making difficult decisions like that.
-
Looking at the Royals' rosters for the last 12 years or so, they've had some excellent players, just not at the same time or at the right time.
-
Here's the thing about arguing the Royals could have spent their pitching dollars more efficiently: top tier FA pitchers can get lots of money from CONTENDERS, not just pretenders. Good teams are going to be interested in Sanchez. The amount that the Royals would have to overpay to get him is likely stupid high. It may not even be possible. I don't think it's reasonable to assume they could have just signed Sanchez instead of Guthrie/Santana. If it were that easy, I think even Dayton Moore would have gotten that part right.
Again, I'm not a fan of the trade, but I understand it, and I've seen much worse.
-
Baseball America asked some scouts and front office people what they thought about the trade.
The Royals and Rays hooked up for a blockbuster trade that landed workhorse righthander James Shields in Kansas City and reigning Minor League Player of the Year Wil Myers in Tampa Bay. Triple-A pitching prospects Jake Odorizzi, a righty, and Mike Montgomery, a lefty, also join the Rays organization, as does Rookie-ball third baseman Patrick Leonard. In addition to Shields, the Rays also acquired righthander Wade Davis and a player to be named or cash.
When the news broke of the blockbuster trade, the reaction almost broke Twitter.
Fans, particularly of the Royals, took to their phones and keyboards to register their displeasure, and many baseball analysts rushed to outdo each other in piling on to general manager Dayton Moore and to praise his Rays counterpart, Andrew Friedman.
Inside the game, the response is much more measured. In checking with six pro scouts, none saw the trade as one-sided, and all were convinced that the chorus of criticism of the Royals for making the deal is misplaced.
An AL Pro Scout: "I've gotta sayI think it's a good trade for both teams. And I really understand and like it for Kansas City. At some point, they have to try to win. They've done a great job adding young talent to their big league club but have just come up a bit short with pitchers. It's not an easy thing to do. They've acquired a present top-of-the-rotation veteran in Shields and a present fourth/fifth starter in Davis. These two guys will step right in and impact their rotation. I also like the fact that they gave up Mike Montgomery instead of (Yordano) Ventura. I have Ventura ahead of Montgomery and Odorizzi.
Tampa gets a great prospect in Myers but he isn't a sure bet yet. I think he's going to be a very good major league right fielder but still has some polishing off to do before he gets there. I like Odorizzi, but I don't think his ceiling is higher than that of Davis. And Davis is on a very good contract. Montgomery is a bit of a wild card but has to get back to where he was and he's never really been able to throw a breaking ball.
In the end, I think Tampa Bay did well in the players they got, but I think trading away Shields and the one guy (Davis) who had the best chance to help replace Shields' innings not already in the rotation really sets them back for 2013 with questions remaining for 2014 on. They're going to end up relying a lot on (Chris) Archer and Odorizzi as youngsters in the AL East the next few years. And will they be able to extend Price? So I understand it from both sides, but I think it's fair. And I really like it for Kansas City.
Another AL Pro Scout: "Kansas City's team is ready to roll. They just needed an ace and some starters. With Shields I think they can win the AL Central. Their everyday lineup is outstanding.
Wil Myers has chance to be a superstar-type player, a center fielder or right fielder hitting .300 with 25-plus home runs. Odorizzi is a fourth starter. Montgomery has some mechanical issues that need to be fixed but he will show you three potential plus pitches at any given time, and Leonard has big sock in his bat and profiles as a first base/third baseman.
The biggest thing is Dayton Moore needs to get over 500 this year to keep job. This deal may have helped him keep his job."
An AL Front-Office Executive: "I don't like the trade for KC, but I think the general reaction that this is the 'worst trade ever' is hyperbolic nonsense. The Royals are going to be better in 2013 with this trade, no doubt. But to judge the deal right now is silly. If the Royals make the playoffs and end nearly three decades of misery, it's worth it. If the prospects don't work out, then it's a good trade for KC. If the Royals win 81 games each of the next two years and Myers turns into an All-Star then it's a bad trade. All of those are within a realistic realm of possibility. To judge the deal right now with some sort of absolutism to an extreme is to simply exert a lot of energy to be part of the maddening crowd."
Another AL Front Office Executive: "It's a bold, fascinating baseball trade with layers of talent for both sides. Shields is an ace and his style, along with his work ethic permeates a clubhouse positively. Wade Davis is vastly underrated and should be able to start successfully going forward.
Wil Myers is a monster. Jake Odorizzi is an athletic, talented pitcher that is held in the same regard that Wade Davis was as a prospect four years ago. Montgomery has a huge arm with wobbly command that should transition to the bullpen reminiscent of when Matt Thornton got traded from Seattle to Chicago. Patrick Leonard has big power and profiles at third base or right field.
It's a creative transaction on many levels. Both sides accomplished what they wanted to achieve. Shields and Myers are the headliners of the deal, although the many layers and secondary pieces of this transaction have a strong percentage chance to impact as well. It's a fascinating, talent for talent, pure baseball trade."
Another AL Front-Office Executive: "I like it a lot for Kansas City. Here's the premise for why I think it was important for them. Wil Myers is not a major league ready impact bat, and might take a couple years of struggles burning into his major league service time, while Kansas City continues to toil around .500 and maybe Hosmer and Moose come into their own. Then they play in that mid-rotation market for guys like (Jeremy) Guthrie, (Ervin) Santana and even Odorizzi and then (Bruce) Chen/ (Jonathan) Sanchez types on the back-end with little or no chance of taking them to the next level.
For the people saying this is a desperate move on their part, what do they think Kansas City's window is? I think it's now, with a legit front-line horse like Shields and an absolutely stacked pen. I think they maximized Myers' value.
We've seen what the market is for frontline starting pitchers (Zack Greinke, Matt Cain, Cole Hamels, Cliff Lee) and they can't play in that market. They trade a top prospect who isn't a sure thing even if you love him, and some replaceable pieces beyond that for no doubt above-average major league pieces in Shields and Davis.
The next two years are important, but my point is if they didn't make this trade they aren't winning with Guthrie and Santana leading the rotation, and they probably aren't winning next year either. Are they just supposed to sit around and wait a couple more years of losing and mediocrity?"
And one more AL Pro Scout: "I think it's a really good trade from Kansas City's standpoint. You have two proven guys that aren't making a lot of money. Now they don't have to overpay for Anibal Sanchez. I'd do that trade in a heartbeat. (The Royals) have to win. Who cares if the Omaha Storm Chasers are good for the next couple of years? They have to win at the varsity level at some point, don't they? I think it's a great trade for the Royals. Could it come back to bite you? Yeah, but if they don't win on TV, it doesn't matter. It's a winnable division.
"I think Montgomery will be really good with the (Rays). He'll have some growing pains, but he'll be really good maybe halfway through this year. I think Montgomery is the wild card that makes the trade interesting. I don't know if they gave up on Montgomery, but he's interesting. If he can become what he's supposed to become, that's what makes it really good. You'll see if it was the kid or the organization."
-
Really, the Royals probably should have been bidding with the Cubs on guys like Scott Baker and Scott Feldman. We're certainly not much worse off with Baker/Feldman than the Royals are with Santana/Guthrie, and we're paying our guys a whole lot less.
-
Yeah, but you can "bite the bullet" without giving up one of the top prospects in baseball for two years of a fringe ace.
Just look at how much money they would've had to spend if they'd built their rotation differently. They took on $12 million in the Santana deal. They spent $25 million over 3 years on Guthrie. They will be paying $21 million over the next two years for Shields and $7.6 million for Davis (both good investments...but still money). And they will be paying Hochevar about $4.5 million in arbitration when they could have just non-tendered him.
That's a total of about $70 million committed over the next 3 years. They have only one impact guy to show for it, and they're better off without 1-2 of those guys (Hochevar; maybe Santana). For that money, it seems like they could've gone to the free agent market, gotten two good starters in the Jackson/Lohse/Dempster class, and then filled in around them with reclamation projects/guys who fall through the cracks/minor trades. Sure, they wouldn't have the ace at the top. But they could've probably found a much stronger back four.
Can't really disagree with any of that either. There's definitely a lot of poorly spent dollars on that pitching staff that could have been allocated a lot better.
-
Yeah, but you can "bite the bullet" without giving up one of the top prospects in baseball for two years of a fringe ace.
Just look at how much money they would've had to spend if they'd built their rotation differently. They took on $12 million in the Santana deal. They spent $25 million over 3 years on Guthrie. They will be paying $21 million over the next two years for Shields and $7.6 million for Davis (both good investments...but still money). And they will be paying Hochevar about $4.5 million in arbitration when they could have just non-tendered him.
That's a total of about $70 million committed over the next 3 years. They have only one impact guy to show for it, and they're better off without 1-2 of those guys (Hochevar; maybe Santana). For that money, it seems like they could've gone to the free agent market, gotten two good starters in the Jackson/Lohse/Dempster class, and then filled in around them with reclamation projects/guys who fall through the cracks/minor trades. Sure, they wouldn't have the ace at the top. But they could've probably found a much stronger back four.
-
It's just a pretty lousy situation the Royals have been in for a long time
The Royals are in Kansas City.
They have a small fan base, providing low revenue, and any time they win, it means that fans in much larger cities do not.
The Royals fans are lucky to have a team at all.
-
Not really sure if I disagree with br either.
I don't know. If I was a Royals fan and had to go through two straight seasons where Luke Hochever and Bruce Chen were my best starting pitchers and just seeing how slowly a lot of their top prospects have developed (Hosmer, Moustakas, Lamb, Montgomery, Duffy, etc.), it might have just been time to go ahead and the bite the bullet and try to get a proven player or two in and at least try to get some sort of spark going. For a Royals fan and their organization, getting to 85 wins probably would be a big deal, and even with that trade, it's not like they're still hurting for building block young players.
It's probably fair to say the Royals rebuilding plan has gone a lot more slowly than they probably expected, considering they've had the best farm system in the league the last few years. I think there probably does come a point where you just can't keep losing 90 games a year and letting the service time on your young players get used up on 90 loss seasons. It's just a pretty lousy situation the Royals have been in for a long time, so I guess I'm pretty sympathetic to both sides of this argument.
-
Agree with br on this one.
-
If the Angels made the same trade, then I could agree with what Rosenthal is saying. Yeah, it would be a lot to give up...but if the Angels hypothetically traded away a Myers-like prospect to upgrade their fifth spot to James Shields, that might move them from the 89-90 win range to the 93-95 win range. That's a big deal.
But the Royals just moved from 75ish wins to 80ish wins. It's not worth the trade off...especially when there's a good chance that benching Francoeur, playing Myers, promoting Odorizzi, and signing someone in the Sanchez/Lohse/Dempster/Jackson category probably helps them almost as much.
-
Myers was originally drafted as a catcher, and my understanding is, he still may have some skills and value there. Often overlooked in the scheme of things. If he can return to that position, his upside improves.
Either way, I still feel sorry for KC fans. They suck so bad that they always get top draft picks, but then have to give most of them up to FA or trade and watch them star elsewhere.
-
I prefer what the Rays received, no doubt. That said, not sure I quite agree with the complete lambasting this deal is getting.
Montgomery and Leonard are lottery tickets. Sucks to say that about Montgomery, given his pedigree, but it's true at this point. Without knowing who the PTBNL is and cash that's exchanging hands, it's hard to make heads or tails of the crumbs of this deal.
Looking at the headliners, then, Myers and Odorizzi for Shields and Davis. Myers is obviously one of the best position prospects in the minors. That said, as with any prospect, he is not without question marks. Should he fetch more than 2 years of Shields? Probably. That is in part balanced by the swap of Odorizzi for Davis, though both have significant control issues. Not a trade I would have made in the end, but I've seen a lot worse, I think.
Yeah, Ken Rosenthal has an article up where he defends the Royals side of the trade.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/kansas-city-royals-gm-dayton-moore-right-move-james-shields-wade-davis-trade-tampa-bay-rays-wil-myers-120912 (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/kansas-city-royals-gm-dayton-moore-right-move-james-shields-wade-davis-trade-tampa-bay-rays-wil-myers-120912)
I'm not sure I disagree with a lot of what he's saying. While Myers is a top prospect, his strikeouts aren't a nontrivial issue and might limit his upside. Odorizzi is also more of a future #3 or #4 starter, and Wade Davis may actually have more upside than him. Honestly, it's not that hard to see where the Royals might wind up coming out ahead on this, although giving up Myers and other good prospects is pretty tough to swallow.
I guess Kansas City was just tired of being irrelevant and felt like they needed to do something.
-
KC needs pitching badly, but to give up one of the top prospects in baseball...wow. I feel bad for those fans.
-
On a pure talent basis, the deal might not be that bad. But the thing that makes it bad to me is that they traded one of the top 5 prospects in baseball in a move that doesn't put them over the top. Shields is really good, and that team should be somewhat competitive in that weak division...but the rotation behind Shields is still made up of a bunch of back end guys. And the offense that was 12th in the AL in runs scored last year hasn't been touched. It's still going to take some luck and player development for them to finish ahead of the Tigers.
So essentially, they've given up their best prospect for a strong #2 starter who makes them a contender, but not the favorite in their division. Depending on what the White Sox do for the rest of the offseason, the Royals might not even be the favorite to finish second in that division. More often than not, that type of deal is just awful for the team that gives up the prospect.
-
I prefer what the Rays received, no doubt. That said, not sure I quite agree with the complete lambasting this deal is getting.
Montgomery and Leonard are lottery tickets. Sucks to say that about Montgomery, given his pedigree, but it's true at this point. Without knowing who the PTBNL is and cash that's exchanging hands, it's hard to make heads or tails of the crumbs of this deal.
Looking at the headliners, then, Myers and Odorizzi for Shields and Davis. Myers is obviously one of the best position prospects in the minors. That said, as with any prospect, he is not without question marks. Should he fetch more than 2 years of Shields? Probably. That is in part balanced by the swap of Odorizzi for Davis, though both have significant control issues. Not a trade I would have made in the end, but I've seen a lot worse, I think.
-
Wow, I was hoping we'd see some kind of Garza-Myers centric trade at some point since it seemed like they wanted to move him for pitching, but it seems like they gave up a lot. Maybe Myers has some kind of underlying problem no one knows about?
-
The Royals sound like they're intending to put Wade Davis in the starting rotation. That might help make this a better trade for them if he can make that transition and retain some of the stuff he flashed as a reliever last season.
-
Jesus what a bad trade for the Royals. Just Wow
-
Marc Topkin @TBTimes_Rays
Huge #Rays trade is Shields AND Davis (and PTBNL) to #Royals for OF Myers, RHP Odorizzi, LHP Montgomery, 3B Leonard
stupid Garza.
-
Jeff Passan @JeffPassan
Final trade tally: James Shields, Wade Davis and PTBNL for Wil Myers, Jake Odorizzi, Mike Montgomery and Patrick Leonard.
-
What a mistake.
-
Wow...Rosenthal says James Shields and Wade Davis to the Royals for Wil Myers and other prospects.
-
How about a 6 or 7 man rotation, with everyone throwing an inning or two in relief in a predetermined game about halfway between their starts?
Might be an effective way to keep them fresh and avoid anyone being worn down when playoffs arrive.
-
Kershaw, Greinke, Beckett, Billingsly, Hyun-Jin, Capuano, Harang, Lily
-
The Dodgers signed Ryu Hyun-Jin...I've seen 6 years, $36 million. How many starters do they have now? You know, for as big as their payroll is, they don't have too many sure thing great players on that roster. There are lots of expensive guys with warts.
The Indians signed Mark Reynolds, 1 year, $6 million.
-
Good posts, guys.
When I say $20 a game, I'm being influenced by some articles I read a year or two ago where some executives of both tv and sports franchises think this can go. They're imagining pay per view like UFC, pro wrestling, and boxing do now.
I could see myself buying a dozen games a year.
I wonder if they would have different prices depending on opponent? Cardinals, 20 bucks a pop. Padres, how about we pay you?
-
Netflix, Hulu, are already letting you get programming over the internet. MLBTV.com gives you every game if your out of the black out areas for a year for $150-200. There is a reason a cable company, Comcast, bought NBC.
-
The key right now is that cable subscribers are paying, say, $3 per game now, and they're paying it whether they actually watch the game or not. Many of them care no more about MLB than we care about ladies' lacrosse. As long as the major cable providers stay away from a la carte, we're getting a free ride on their backs. Not surprisingly, the major cable companies like their revenue streams, and would only switch to a la carte if it made them richer or Big Brother forced them to do it.
-
2 fold on the TV money. 1st the cable channels can force their way on the basic channel set and then get the fees from each cable/dish subscriber. Then with the DVR becoming more common, ads are watched less on regular series programming. People tend to watch sports live, so a much higher chance the ads will get watched, so channels get higher ad rates. Who knows how long it will continue though, I can see more programming moving to the internet.
-
Here's the thing I don't understand: where is all this TV money coming from? How is it that networks can afford to sign these kinds of deals? Has the cost of advertising shifted? Is this fueled by the increasing cost of cable subscriptions? It's not like baseball ratings are through the roof...
Some of these guys figured it out that they can gouge big money in the big markets. Sure nobody cares that much about the Dodgers outside of LA, or the Yankees outside of New York, but the fans IN those locations will pay big money to see their favorites on tv. They won't make much off of us in Central Illinois or North Dakota or even Texas, but with new HD technology and big screens, people can sit in the comfort of their own home and even if they pay $20 a game, heck that's $250 cheaper than a ticket at the park, parking the car, and fighting traffic. And I can microwave myself some dogs and popcorn and pull a Pepsi from my fridge cheaper, too. Pull $20 from 100,000 fans a night...
I don't know if it costs that much now...but you wait...
Somebody who lives in one of those environs can probably give you more accurate figures.
-
It will be very interesting to see what happens with the next CBA. It's clear that luxury tax amounts are soon going to be completely out of touch with the amount of money floating around. Some owners, like the Dodgers group, may thumb their noses at the "limits." Others, like Loria, will simply pocket more and more cash. The players union has to expect a massive restructuring of the labor agreements, reflecting the influx of new money. Will the owners allow it? I wouldn't be surprised if there is a strike at the next round of negotiations. With so much money at stake, both sides are going to have extreme pressure to get their way.
-
Here's the thing I don't understand: where is all this TV money coming from? How is it that networks can afford to sign these kinds of deals? Has the cost of advertising shifted? Is this fueled by the increasing cost of cable subscriptions? It's not like baseball ratings are through the roof...
Without understanding the nuts and bolts if where this sudden massive influx of cash is coming from, I question the long term sustainability of this new model. More and more content is available online, and I think at some point in the not too distant future, the internet is going to be the primary vehicle of content delivery, with more and more choices being ala carte. If/when that happens, these kinds of deals can't last, can they? Has baseball always been selling itself extremely short on its TV deals? If so, why has that changed now? If not, what has caused such a dramatic increase in the value if the product?
-
Zack Greinke is a very good pitcher . . . still, there's no way I could make a 6 year commitment at that kind of money to him.
I really hope the Dodgers suck **** for the next 5 years and go bankrupt.
With that tv money, sucking is far more likely.
-
Dodgers still want Sanchez as well, even if they get the Korean pitcher
They'll make the Yankees look cheap.
-
Zack Greinke is a very good pitcher . . . still, there's no way I could make a 6 year commitment at that kind of money to him.
I really hope the Dodgers suck **** for the next 5 years and go bankrupt.
-
Plus they still have to extend Kershaw.
-
The Dodgers' payroll before Greinke was $198M, according to Cot's: http://bit.ly/XDPZcB . After Greinke, others, will exceed $225M.
-
Greinke to the Dodgers for $147M.
-
Michael Young has been traded to the Phillies to play third base.
-
If Dempster resigns with the Cubs, there's sumpin else going on...
-
I don't imagine the Cubs are going to outbit $25/2.
-
I doubt Dempster comes back. He's going to want a NTC, Theo/Jed don't give them out.
-
Damb Dempster is skruwing us again!
-
Looked up Dempster's game logs for Texas, and Edes failed to mention that Demp struggled in 3 of his last 4 game of the season (after the five games in which he pitched so well).
He's obviously not going to have trouble getting a pretty darned good contract though, if he's turned down those offers already. I would have been happy to have him back with the Cubs, but I'm confident that isn't going to happen at that cost.
-
According to Gordon Edes, Dempster has turned down offers from the Royals (2 years, $26m) and Red Sox (2 years, 25m). He also says that Dempster had an ERA under 2.0 with the Rangers in the five games after his first three starts, which I did not realize.
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/14334/ryan-dempster-says-no-to-red-sox (http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/14334/ryan-dempster-says-no-to-red-sox)
-
http://www.thebiglead.com/index.php/2012/12/06/padres-pitcher-andrew-cashner-stabbed-in-the-hand-while-trimming-carcass-during-hunting-accident/
-
I've got to say, I'm pretty happy to see McCarthy off the market. Ever since Wood's and Prior's lack of health sunk the 2004-2006 seasons, I don't have much interest in injury prone guys as big parts of the starting rotation.
I hope the Cubs really try to make a run at Edwin Jackson. He's a solid mid-rotation guy who is durable, and there's something to be said for adding a little stability to the staff. Plus, it doesnt seem like he's going to cost that much. Right now, the Cubs have Samardzija and maybe Wood pencilled into the 2014 rotation. It wouldn't be bad to go on and solidify another spot.
-
Some names that have been rumored for Cubs earlier or more recently were: Villanueva, Liriano, Edwin Jackson, and of course Dempster. Have any of them signed yet? I think Dempster is way too expensive to make any sense for the Cubs, and I assume Jackson as well.
-
A little bit of a disappointment I'm sure for the Cubs too, since he seemed to be our top starting pitching target still on the market.
I wonder if we'll still go after some other definite starting pitchers.
-
Brandon McCarthy has a deal with the Diamondbacks, according to tweets from Heyman and Bowden. If that's true, that may be the precursor to an Upton deal...Bauer and Skaggs were mentioned in a lot of those rumors.
-
Ryan Ludwick signs with the Reds.
-
White Sox are apparently shopping Viciedo, De Aza, and Floyd for either a big lefty bat or prospects. Viciedo and Floyd don't make much sense for the Cubs...but does De Aza? He's a similar hitter to DeJesus, only younger and more able to play CF. He'd probably cost more than the Cubs want to give up, but it's probably worth asking about him.
-
The Yankees have reportedly offered Youklis 12 million for a one year deal.
I wonder what Ron Cey's up to these days.
-
Looks like there won't be a third go-around with Reed Johnson. He has signed a 1 year deal with a team option with the Braves.
-
Hannahan used to "date" my sister-in-law, too bad he was in a serious relationship with his real girlfriend in Minnesota. He got me Leon Durham's autograph on a bat though.
-
This would be almost as bad as Yuniesky Bentancourt if we have to resort to this.
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
Jack hannahan, non-tendered by indians, is inspiring a bidding war. not kidding. 3B market is like that
-
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
#Rangers, #Diamondbacks, #Rays still at meetings, working on Upton blockbuster.
Please, get it done. Let this offseason move on.
-
Randy Wells signed a minor league deal with the Rangers.
-
The Phillies have just traded for Ben Revere from the Twims.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/phillies-acquire-ben-revere.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter (http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/phillies-acquire-ben-revere.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)
Do you suppose this means Bourn might actually be available for something resembling a discount?
-
Phillies have traded for Ben Revere.
Now I'm really starting to wonder where Bourn is going to get his money, especially if the Mariners sign Hamilton.
-
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
Word is, #phillies getting closer to agreement to get michael young. Belief is tex would need to pay $10M of his $16M
-
I would've thought that number would be higher.
-
Brandon McCarthy @BMcCarthy32
Now that I'm on the inside of this process, I've done the math and figured out that 96% of all hot stove info & rumors are complete nonsense
-
2 years, $15 million for Blanton. Wow...I know I would take Baker over him, and probably Feldman too. The Cubs' two signings look better and better every day.
-
Did Dick Cheney teach Yount how to aim?
-
Was he hunting with Yount and Sveum?
-
Andrew Cashner hurt his thumb in a hunting accident--lacerated a tendon cutting meat. 3 month recovery time, apparently.
Passive eugenics, of a sort.
-
Joe Blanton to the Angels.
Jeff Francis back to the Rockies.
Andrew Cashner hurt his thumb in a hunting accident--lacerated a tendon cutting meat. 3 month recovery time, apparently.
-
Wonder if Mike Morse can play 3B?
He was a SS back in his AA days...
-
Obviously this doesn't break the bank or set records or anything...but even Randy Choate--a 37 year old with a 4.02 career ERA in 309 1/3 IP--got 3 years, $7.5 million.
-
LH relief dominoes are starting to fall...Randy Choate to Cardinals, Sean Burnett to Angels.
-
Maybe Sveum can work on Gary Scott for a week and get him straightened out.
Nice . . .
-
Maybe Sveum can work on Gary Scott for a week and get him straightened out.
-
Cubs looking at Mike Squires for 3b . . . .
-
Joel Sherman @Joelsherman1
6 teams were trying for Keppinger: #WhiteSox #Cubs #Yankees #Rays #diamondbacks #marlins
-
One year, $3 million for Chavez. I know the most likely scenario is that he spends 2/3 of the year injured...but for that price, I wish the Cubs had taken a chance.
-
Eric Chavez to the Diamondbacks.
There goes another 3B option.
So who is going to play 3B for us? Is Leo Gomez doing anything nowadays?
-
Eric Chavez to the Diamondbacks.
-
Jason Bay to the Mariners. The Cubs were linked to him briefly earlier today.
-
Seems to be a lot of snickering going on in Twitter land about Grilli using Gary Sheffield as his agent.
-
Keppinger's deal with the White Sox is 3 years, about $12 million according to Rosenthal.
I don't think that would have been too bad had the Cubs done that. Three years from now, Keppinger might still have been a useful utility player, and $4M in 2015 probably wouldn't be a horrible price to pay for that.
Of course, the Cubs probably would have needed to pay Keppinger even more than that to bring him in.
-
McLouth is going back to the Orioles.
Wil Nieves will be the Diamondbacks' back-up catcher.
If Grilli is close to a deal, it's not going to be with the Brewers.
Keppinger's deal with the White Sox is 3 years, about $12 million according to Rosenthal.
-
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
Hearing keppinger to white sox, 3 yrs
-
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
#rangers said working hard now on justin upton.
I wish this would just go and and happen. I feel like the trade market is being held up by Upton (and players/teams that could be potentially be involved in a multi-team Upton deal). Once that is resolved, there will be a lot of activity.
-
Looks like we'll be getting an answer on Jason Grilli soon.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/12/jason-grilli-close-to-deal.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
-
If you weren't willing to trade Lake for Escobar, you really weren't very interested in Escobar. Hard to see Lake's bat or attitude getting him very far as an outfielder. A very low-value prospect, IMO. If Lake would have gotten it done, but they didn't do it, I think that says more about their low value for Escobar.
Yeah I wasn't very interested in Escobar at all. And like I said, I'm not especially high on Lake, although maybe I give him a little bit more of a chance than you do. He has enough tools and has flashed enough ability at times where maybe there's an outside chance the light bulb could come on and he could put everything together to be a productive player.
The chances of that happening aren't very good at all, but there's enough of it where I wouldn't want to trade him for someone who's as much trouble as Escobar is.
-
Bob Nightengale @BNightengale
The #Dbacks, #rangers, #indians and #rays have reopened talks of possible 4 team trade involving likes of Shields,Upton,Cabrera
One of the rumors I read had the Indians ending up with Olt in that kind of deal. If that happened, you'd think Chisenhall would definitely be available at that point.
-
The rumor was that the Cubs had concern that Escobar would rub off on Castro in a bad way. For a complete steal they would have traded for him, but anything of value they didn't want him.
-
Not that Junior Lake is someone I'm that high on, but I wouldn't have made that trade for Escobar either. Too much baggage with Escobar to give up anyone with that much value (or anything at all for that matter).
If you weren't willing to trade Lake for Escobar, you really weren't very interested in Escobar. Hard to see Lake's bat or attitude getting him very far as an outfielder. A very low-value prospect, IMO. If Lake would have gotten it done, but they didn't do it, I think that says more about their low value for Escobar.
-
On Grilli, I've wondered why a guy of his recent excellence would even consider a loser like the Cubs? But if there's ever a guy who should maybe just go for the best money deal, he may be it. He's 36 and his big-league career earnings are $3.3 to date. So with this being his first and probably last lucrative contract, he really could want the best one he can get. Whether the Cubs are offering the best dollars, not likely, and by enough to overcome the loser factor, not likely either. But he may not be in a position to walk away from an extra million or three.
-
Scutaro got his 3 year, $20 million deal last night from the Giants. This is supposedly the last of any big moves by the Giants this offseason.
I ran across this tweet from Jason Grilli...it makes it sound like he's planning on signing with someone today:
Jason Grilli @GrillCheese49
Early trip to Nashville. Long journey to get to this point but this is what I worked for. Will be a full day. #pumped
-
Wonder where Dempster will end up.
DKnobler @DKnobler
Brewers would still love to sign Dempster, but may not be abel to meet the price.
Or perhaps they cain meet the price.
-
Wonder where Dempster will end up.
DKnobler @DKnobler
Brewers would still love to sign Dempster, but may not be abel to meet the price.
-
Not that Junior Lake is someone I'm that high on, but I wouldn't have made that trade for Escobar either. Too much baggage with Escobar to give up anyone with that much value (or anything at all for that matter).
-
Rumor is they wanted Lake from the Cubs.
-
Sounds like Yunel Escobar to the Rays for Derek Dietrich.
-
It sounds like hiring assistant hitting coaches is now all of the rage.
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/04/cardinals-offer-assistant-hitting-coach-job-to-bengie-molina/
http://www2.tbo.com/sports/breaking-news/2012/dec/04/rays-add-nelson-to-coaching-staff-ar-579228/
-
Now the rumor is the Red Sox may be preparing to trade Ellsbury for the pitching they need.
-
Alex Rodriguez's hip injury reveals fragile state of Yankees' aging roster
Mon, Dec 3, 2012 4:32 PM EST
NASHVILLE, Tenn. At this point, all that's left of Alex Rodriguez's baseball career is the hope that modern medicine can save him from a body that keeps betraying him. First went his right hip, then his right knee and left shoulder, and now it's his left hip, which needs surgery that could keep him out for six months and in pain for up to a year. Which leaves the New York Yankees stuck with a $114 million bill over the next five years for a guy who can't do the Hokey Pokey, let alone hit a baseball.
While Rodriguez's feckless October now makes more sense, it nevertheless illustrates the pickle in which the Yankees find themselves; with old-guy contracts crashing into new budget restrictions. If Derek Jeter's rehab from a broken ankle keeps him out opening day, as it well could, the Yankees will find $45 million worth of late 30-somethings on their bench, with a 43-year-old closer, 40- and 37-year-old starters and an AARP representative giving a talk during spring training on the benefits of fish oil and how best to conceal varicose veins.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has held together his house of cards admirably over the last three years, as the team dive-bombed toward the inevitability of age. What he hasn't done is integrate homegrown talent, and with the Yankees determined to whack their budget to $189 million and avoid more luxury-tax penalties, such failures leave them prone in the American League East.
Toronto is pulling off blockbuster trades. Boston is signing Mike Napoli to a three-year, $39 million deal. Tampa Bay is entertaining offers for David Price, James Shields and Jeremy Hellickson to restock their coffers and boost their offense. Baltimore is dangling its surplus starting pitching.
New York is wondering what happened to the player-development machine it was supposed to cultivate with its vast resources and ideal blend of scouting and statistics. Gas leak? Faulty cog? Engine problems? Whatever the culprit, it is damning how little talent the Yankees have produced since Robinson Cano's arrival in 2005.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has a shortage of homegrown talent. (AP)The starting-pitching core of Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes went the way of the Mets' Generation K. Manny Banuelos blew out his elbow, and Dellin Betances can't throw strikes. Jesus Montero found himself dealt for Michael Pineda, whose shoulder went kablooey. The only everyday players to come from the Yankees' system since Cano: Brett Gardner, Melky Cabrera and Austin Jackson, who never played an at-bat for the Yankees and was dealt with Ian Kennedy for Curtis Granderson. The only pitcher beyond Chamberlain, Hughes and Kennedy: David Robertson. And then there is Eduardo Nunez, in whom the Yankees have such little faith to play every day they're scouring both the third-base and shortstop options to ensure the left side of their infield doesn't look like the product of an impulsive flea-market purchase.
Failed prospecting sends the Yankees right back to the free-agent market, the most inefficient place in baseball, and their over-reliance on it shows. Nine players on the Yankees' roster have eight-figure contracts, and among them A-Rod, Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia, Jeter, Cano, Granderson, Hiroki Kuroda, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera they will make $159 million. Their average age is deceased.
Fine, it's 35.6 years old. That is the mean age of the Yankees' core: a retired player.
Since his first hip surgery in 2009, Rodriguez has missed 166 games because of various ailments. While his numbers have declined he slugged a career-worst .430 last season he has been a well-above-average player, which speaks as much to his talent, and to who he was before, than his current state.
Unfair though it may be, A-Rod is judged not on what he is but against what he was and through the prism of what he's paid. And considering this latest surgery may finally damn him to the full-time designated-hitter duty assumed an inevitability as his contract wore down, his contributions may be limited to a bat with significantly less juice than it once held.
Left unsaid by so many is what two athletic trainers and one team doctor speculated Monday morning: Rodriguez's steroid usage led to the degeneration of his hip joints. While none of the three has treated Rodriguez, they have dealt with enough cases of steroid users' bodies falling apart as they age to correlate the two. Cashman, when asked about steroids' effects, said: "I have no idea."
He left a news conference Monday afternoon with more questions than answers. Will he fill the Yankees' gaping hole on the left side of the infield? Maybe. Will this affect the Yankees' pursuit of a right fielder and third baseman, their other empty positions? Could. Will A-Rod try to play third base again? Sure ... if he's feeling good enough.
One of the trainers said that with Rodriguez's type of injury a torn labrum and femoral acetabular impingement, which grinds the bone and cartilage in the hip socket he won't feel good for a while. While the return-to-play protocol is around six months, athletes don't play pain-free until at earliest the 10-month mark. In other words: Alex Rodriguez, designated hitter is likelier than Alex Rodriguez, third baseman.
While Rodriguez's return from his first hip injury was deemed a success, he was four years younger. No matter how great his work ethic and how frequent the platelet-rich plasma treatments, sometimes the body cries uncle to the point where you don't even know which side hurts. When Yankees manager Joe Girardi pinch hit for Rodriguez in the postseason, A-Rod mentioned something about his right hip hurting. The team did an MRI, saw nothing and sent him back out.
Turns out his left hip was the problem, and now Dr. Bryan Kelly will slice into it in January and try to save the career of the $275 million man. If the old Yankees, married to him for another half-decade, get even half of what he used to be, there will be reason to celebrate and dance. Maybe even the Hokey Pokey.
-
The Anibal Sanchez deal is going to be the craziest deal. He might get twice what he's worth.
I wonder if the Cubs' perceived shift to looking at corner outfielders rather than centerfielders is because the CF market just went crazy, and the corner outfield market seems to be heading in a more sane direction. I'm really interested to see where the Swisher market goes, because he doesn't really seem to have any huge spenders after him right now.
-
The Victorino and Pagan deals are crazy, but I have no problems with the Upton deal. I wouldn't have complained had the Cubs signed him at that price.
-
Cleveland offered Victorino 4/44. Insane money being thrown around in Nashvile.
Angel Pagan is probably picking his jaw up off the floor right now...
-
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
One team guesstimated early in offseason that Victorino could be a good value buy at about $6-7 million on a one-year deal
That team was correct. This signing has "Larry Lucchino" written all over it. If Ben Cherington was half that dumb, Theo would have fired him years ago.
-
I saw Victorino in a doubleheader against the Nats in late September. I was sitting third row right behind Dodgers dugout and got a birds-eye view of his ABs against Nats pitching. Bat speed was way down. Six poor AB outs plus a double but seems like he got old all of a sudden. Victorino used to be a fairly consistent .800 OPS guy but I think Red Sox will be disappointed based on what I saw in the two games, plus the overall numbers of course.
-
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
One team guesstimated early in offseason that Victorino could be a good value buy at about $6-7 million on a one-year deal
-
Jerry Crasnick @jcrasnick
An NL exec on the Shane Victorino contract: "They all surprise us. But that one shocked us."
That one makes the Pagan deal look good, IMO.
-
The Red Sox deal is done for 3/$39, pending a physical of course.
-
Victorino apparently now has a 4 year offer on the table. Wow.
The Red Sox are offering 3/$37.5, and the Cubs are offering a more appropriate 4/$20.
-
Reminds me of Blauser, but what the hell.
-
Victorino apparently now has a 4 year offer on the table. Wow.
-
Wow, this would be a blockbuster:
Pedro Gomez @pedrogomezESPN
Phillies and Diamondbacks are discussing Justin Upton for Cliff Lee. Money coming to AZ would also be involved.
-
JIM BOWDEN @JimBowdenESPNxm
Buck Showalter just told us on SiriusXM that 30 managers were polled on wanting more instant replay and 29 of them said yes
-
Rosenthal confirms the Red Sox and Victorino are "talking about" a 3 year, $37.5 million deal. Victorino's people should be done talking and trying to sign on the dotted line before Cherington sobers up.
-
Yeah, even I'm reconsidering whether or not the Cubs should trade Soriano based on this winter's action.
-
You know, the two remaining years on Soriano's contract are looking less bad with every contract getting signed this offseason.
The way this offseason is going, Soriano probably could have easily gotten himself a 2 year, $20-24 million contract after the season he had.
-
Victorino is coming off a bad year at an age where players start to decline, and has never hit RHP very well. And now there's this:
Nick Cafardo @nickcafardo
Red Sox front runners on Shane Victorino. Offered three year $38 mill deal.
-
Heck at this point, it'd be a good thing to be Steve Buechele.
-
Yeah, probably right about that.
-
I kind of expect the Yankees just to do what it takes to sign Keppinger at this point.
-
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal
Price for Keppinger, according to official of one club involved in talks, is now at $8M for two years. #Yankees among teams with interest.
2 years and $10 million for Keppinger wouldn't be such a bad thing for the Cubs, especially considering some of the ridiculous contracts being handed out lately. Heck, he had a higher WAR than Scutaro last year, and Scutaro is about to do much better.
The tough thing is, the only way the Cubs could get Keppinger in this situation is to outbid everybody.
-
I was about to post that same tweet about Scutaro. That would be ridiculous. I read the Cardinals are also interested in him earlier today...I would love to see them sign him to that contract.
-
I'm starting to wonder if the Cubs made a mistake in nontendering Ian Stewart.
-
Why do we continue to give money for taxpayer funded stadiums?
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPN
Bidding on Marco Scutaro said to have reached something in the range of 3 years, $24 million; SF viewed as frontrunner by source involved.
Three years for 37 year old Marco Scutaro? Seriously?
I was starting to look at him for stopgap 3B. Not anymore.
-
Well apparently the Nationals weren't scared off too much by Haren's medical records. I still wish the Cubs had just gone ahead and done the Haren for Marmol deal. It will be interesting to see how he does this year.
The deal is pending a physical. So it's still possible the deal could fall through.
-
I'm really optimistic about Scott Baker, and I think he and Haren will be pretty close in value in 2012. So getting Baker and Feldman for a little less than they would've spent on Haren alone is a positive in my book.
Of course, there's nothing that says they couldn't have had both Baker and Haren. And I guess the full evaluation will have to wait until we figure out what happens with Marmol.
-
Well apparently the Nationals weren't scared off too much by Haren's medical records. I still wish the Cubs had just gone ahead and done the Haren for Marmol deal. It will be interesting to see how he does this year.
-
Haren to Nationals for 1 year, $13 million.
-
Can you play 3rd base?
-
I probably should pay a visit to the Opryland Hotel sometime this week. Maybe I can find a baseball executive willing to give me $1-2 million.
Are you left-handed?
-
If that's all Soria got and his medicals check out, I'd like to have seen the Cubs top that. Sign a couple of the 2012 injured closers if that's where the market value is and trade them come July...a guy like Soria, you have 2 years to turn around if it takes him a year to come all the way back. Even guys like Grilli and Uehara....the Cubs could have a dominant bullpen the first half of the year and then be one stop shopping if they're out of it in the second half. A team able to rebuild it's entire bullpen in one trade might be willing to give up a good prospect come July if they think they have a chance to win it all. Might get a really good prospect if Cubs pay a good portion of the salary for a small market team not used to contending.
You might have a bust or 2, but if the value is there, take it.
-
Joakim Soria is close to a 2 year deal with the Rangers.
Sounds like it'll be in the same range as Fujikawa's deal (2 years, $8-$9 million).
-
I probably should pay a visit to the Opryland Hotel sometime this week. Maybe I can find a baseball executive willing to give me $1-2 million.
-
It's interesting that all the second tier outfielders are flying off the market this year before the top tier. Most rankings I saw had Hamilton and Bourn as the top two outfielders available (some had Upton up there with those two)...most years, other outfielders would've waited for those two to sign before they picked their teams. But not this year with Upton, Cabrera, Hunter, and Pagan.
Even if the Phillies panic now, I have a hard time seeing both Hamilton and Bourn getting what they want on the free agent market. One of them may end up being a real bargain.
-
Actually it might even fair to say that we're overpaying Soriano by only about $7-8 million per year at this point, and maybe even less than that.
Heck, Soriano's season was better than Napoli's last year, and Napoli is getting $13 million per year.
-
Starlin Castro's deal with the Cubs . . . bargain.
-
Well considering some of the deals for the likes of Jeremy Guthrie, Mike Napoli, B.J. Upton, Brandon League, and Angel Pagan, it sure doesn't seem like teams are hurting for cash right now.
Wasn't there a time when $10 million per year was a lot to be giving to a player? Now mediocrities like Napoli and Pagan are getting that type of money.
-
Angel Pagan got a four year contract? Seriously?
-
Pagan's deal with the Giants: 4 years, $40 million.
-
Rosenthal says the Giants are close to re-signing Pagan.
-
Yankees have some pretty serious issues facing them for the 2013 season, including no starting catcher (with Martin gone), ARod having surgery and out for at least the beginning months of the season and Jeter a question mark after his broken bone. So as of now, they have holes at C, SS and 3B (plus Swisher, who is also gone) played over 100 games in RF.
Their offense was driven by HRs last year and they are losing 45 between Martin and Swisher (who is also gone). ARod had another 18.
And Hank Steinbrenner insists the team is going to get under the penalty threshold for salaries.
Have age and bloated contracts finally caught up to the Yankees?
-
For what Peralta, or even Keppinger would cost, I'd rather run Valbuena out there every day...
-
3 years, $39 million for Napoli with the Red Sox.
I kind of pegged him and Swisher as guys who'd get similar contracts. If that sets the market for Swisher, I'd love for the Cubs to try to sign him.
-
maybe a switch to the easier league....
What evidence is there to support the idea that the NL is an easier league FOR HITTERS, that HITTERS see any statistical improvement moving from the AL to the NL, or suffer a decline in moving from the NL to the AL?
-
Red Sox are close to a 3 year deal with Napoli.
-
Whatever happens this week, I hope the Diamondbacks trade Upton. I'm getting sick of hearing his name every time it gets close to any active trading time.
-
Are the Yankees going to bring back Eric Chavez?
Actually if Chavez had any prayer of playing 120 games next year, he'd be an interesting guy for stop gap 3B. Maybe sign Chavez and bring back Ian Stewart as his backup?
-
ARod is going to have hip surgery this offseason and will miss part of the season. So now the Cubs are in competition for any stopgap 3B types who could be part timers and/or also play some short.
-
I guess my vote for stopgap third baseman is Jeff Keppinger. Granted, facing the Cubs probably accounts for 30 points of Keppinger's career batting average, but he'd be a good bet to be anti-awful.
-
From ESPN's Rumor Central:
The Detroit Tigers arrived at the winter meetings in Nashville with shortstop Jhonny Peralta as their primary bargaining chip, writes Lynn Henning of the Detroit News.
Maybe Peralta could be the Cubs' target for third base? He's not good (one good year in the last four), but maybe a switch to the easier league, easier defensive position, and a better hitter's park would help him. I can't imagine he'd cost that much...possibly Marmol? Peralta isn't someone I'd be excited about, but probably has a better chance of being a pretty decent stopgap than any other realistic option.
-
Geovany Soto re-signs with the Rangers.
http://espn.go.com/dallas/mlb/story/_/id/8704163/geovany-soto-texas-rangers-agree-one-year-deal-source-says
-
Also, Gaylord Perry and Phil Niekro also "plan to pitch" in 2013. It remains to be see whether any deranged MLB GMs plan to offer either of them a contract.
-
Players like Brad Lidge don't "retire". MLB declines to recognize their existence.
-
Brad Lidge is retiring.
But Brandon Webb and Rich Harden plan to pitch in 2013.
-
Pretty good read about the timeline of the Marlins/Blue Jays trade:
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/11/29/anatomy-of-the-12-player-blue-jays-marlins-trade (http://www.torontosun.com/2012/11/29/anatomy-of-the-12-player-blue-jays-marlins-trade)
Interesting that the deal didn't really hit snags over Johnson or Reyes or one of the Blue Jays' high ceiling prospects...but it did almost get called off over Jeff Mathis and Emilio Bonafacio.
The Marlins insist on Mathis being included.
All that money moving from one set of books to the others.
All those players switching uniforms.
And now the deal might fall apart because of Jeffrey Stephen Mathis, who started 59 games in the his first year with the Jays.
"Every proposal the Marlins asked for him and every time we declined because we were uncomfortable including him," Anthopoulos said.
"Out of a sense of loyalty we didn't feel like trading him."
The Jays had signed Mathis to a two-year, $3-million contract extension Aug. 14.
In Miami, the Marlins didn't want to part with Bonifacio and wanted to move Buck's salary. The thought process was: "They're getting two guys who throw 200 innings, a leadoff guy in Reyes, now they want a No. 2 hitter, we should get another one of those Lansing kids."
The Marlins-Jays deal is dead.
-
Geovany Soto has been non-tendered by the Rangers. Also, Jacob Brigham...so the Cubs could have both Loux and Brigham if they want.
And Soto too, I guess.
-
Reynolds is also coming off three straight years in which he never hit higher than .221, and he K's at average of 188 times a season. Those might be other reasons to shy away from him.
-
Mark Reynolds non-tendered. That's the biggest non-tender of the day. He's not really a third baseman anymore, though, so the Cubs shouldn't really be interested.
-
Only with respect to the ML roster. The prospects for the organization are pretty decent.
-
We're in a sad state when all the moves we're talking about are signing warm bodies to keep us from fielding a AAA team next season. Eyes on the prize, I know, but this franchise really is at a low ebb.
-
Jair Jurrjens and Peter Moylan non-tendered by the Braves. I'd have interest in either of them as a non-roster invitee, and might even sign Moylan to a <$1 million guaranteed deal.
-
Mike Pelfrey and Jeff Karstens have both been non-tendered. Either of them would be nice at the right price in a swing man role.
-
Is anyone going to score on the Braves bullpen next year?
-
Braves trade Tommy Hanson to the Angels for Jordan Walden. Nice job by the Braves getting some real value for a guy whose shoulder is shot.
-
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sports columnist Mark Madden summarized the incident with "Derek Bell becomes the ultimate Pirate: Lives on a boat and steals money."
That's awesome.
-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Bell_%28baseball%29
Bell left the team on March 29, was released on March 31, and never played in the majors again. The Pirates ended up paying him $4.5 million not to play for them. Bell moved onto his yacht, Bell 14, a 58-foot Sea Ray 580.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sports columnist Mark Madden summarized the incident with "Derek Bell becomes the ultimate Pirate: Lives on a boat and steals money."
-
Wow, br. Those numbers on the Pirates are pretty unbelievable. We dole out deals like that for "roster-fill" to try to possibly avoid 100 losses.
Until we're in contention again, I really hope the Pirates can win the Central or at least get a wild card spot. Or finish .500...
-
Remembering Operation Shutdown . . .
http://a.espncdn.com/mlb/columns/neyer_rob/1354729.html
http://espn.go.com/columns/kreidler/1354123.html
-
(https://bbf.createaforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Friveraveblues.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F03%2Foperationshutdown.jpg&hash=36f06cae93d9706442864051214be2e8b301c1ba)
-
From Baseball Prospectus...before the Russell Martin deal last night, these were the five biggest free agent contracts given out in Pirates team history (obviously, they've had some bigger contracts with their own players or players acquired in trades). I knew they'd been stingy with free agents over the years, but I didn't realize just how cheap they were until I saw this list.
1. Clint Barmes: 2 years, $10.5 million
2. Derek Bell: 2 years, $9.75 million
3. Kevin Correia: 2 years, $8 million
4. Jeromy Burnitz: 1 year, $6 million
5. Lyle Overbay: 1 year, $5 million
-
If Ryan Dempster is getting better offers than this, I think we can forget about him coming back.
Dempster impresses me as someone who may not make his decision based on which team is offering the most money. It wouldn't surprise me at all if he returns to Chicago, even if he knows he that means he could again be traded in July.
-
David Wright gets a 7 year, $122 million extension (added on to his $16 million for 2013, so $138 million total).
-
If Ryan Dempster is getting better offers than this, I think we can forget about him coming back.
Ryan Dempster - S - Rangers
Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reports that the Royals recently made a two-year, $26 million offer to free agent right-hander Ryan Dempster, but dropped out when the bidding got too high.
The Royals are talking to multiple teams about a trade for a top starting pitcher, but they also continue to monitor possibilities in free agency. Dempster doesn't figure to come cheap after posting an excellent 3.38 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 153/52 K/BB ratio in 173 innings this past season between the Cubs and Rangers. FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported Thursday that the Brewers, Red Sox and Angels are in the mix.
-
Dodgers interested in AJ Pierzynski, even though AJ Ellis was just as good this year and is much younger and cheaper. Probably not true...but if it is, what the Dodgers are doing is worst than anything the Yankees have ever done.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/11/dodgers-interested-in-aj-pierzynski.html
-
Two years, $17 million for Martin. That's a really good deal for the Pirates...given the state of catching around MLB, I'm shocked he couldn't get a lot more.
-
Russell Martin has agreed to a deal with the Pirates. Depending on how much you think Pierzynski has left, Martin is either the best or second best catcher on the market. Looks like the Pirates are finally really trying to start to take a step forward.
-
Nationals get Denard Span for Alex Meyer. That takes another team out of the CF market, and they do it without taking a player the Cubs would've had much interest in.
-
While I was still living in the DC area and paying more attention to the Nationals, I had the impression that Werth was still highly regarded by his teammates, and seen as a team leader, even during his worse struggles at the plate.
Intangibles are not highly valued here, for the most part, but Rizzo clearly disagrees. Epstein and Hoyer appear to as well. While there have probably been successful teams in which qualities like leadership, performing the fundamental aspects of the game well, and mutual trust and support were not evident, those sorts of qualities do matter in any team sport, even if they don't show up in box scores or in stats.
-
Werth is from Springfield (Chatham, a suburb) and is highly thought of here; spends time here in the off season.
-
Not entirely sure this is the right thread, but Patrick Mooney has an interesting piece on how the Nats signing of Jason Werth may be instructive for the Cubs. Rizzo's description of what he saw in Werth is reminiscent of the way Epstein and Hoyer describe the type of players they want to get.
http://www.csnchicago.com/baseball-chicago-cubs/cubs-talk/The-art-of-the-megadeal-Like-Nationals-C?blockID=807369&feedID=11020
-
Barney for Wil Myers and Bruce Chen? DONE!!!
-
The Royals are apparently trying to dump Bruce Chen and his $4 million to clear some salary room to pick up another starting pitcher. There are probably more attractive swing man options out there for the Cubs, but he might not be a horrible guy to have as the 6th starter.
Unlike going after a free agent, if you trade for him, you don't have to promise him an opportunity to compete for a rotation spot. He'd pretty much be resigned to having to wait for a spot in the rotation to come open.
-
The problem with "inside" information, of course, is that when someone says that a player "may" be traded, or something else that is somehow conditioned, well ... obviously there is no way to show it is or was wrong. As a result I'm extremely skeptical about such things unless there is very tangible evidence of the nature of the "inside" information.
As to the possibility of a specific Barney trade, how many people within the Cubs organization would actually know that at this point? I doubt it would be more than a handful, if that many. I think there was real evidence that other teams wanted Barney last year, and that the Cubs have no particular interest in trading him - unless they were to get a a very substantial return. So I'm skeptical.
Perhaps I'm wrong, but it seems like I recall both of those guys saying something definitive was going to happen in a trade or signing that never did.
On the other hand, I suppose it's possible that one or both does have inside information. I don't think there will ever be any way to prove either possibility. And it's always fun to speculate this time of year.
-
Both ABTY and Marlin provide info. ABTY is from scouts and inside the Royals. Marlin is supposed to b in/know someone in the Cubs. I think their are sooo many moving parts in this that unless your Theo/Jed your going to be more wrong than right.
-
Marlin is pretty good. I think he knows somebody(s) within the Cubs org, or at least did during Hendry era. But, I think there are lots of "maybes" in trade discussions. I suspect there are so many "maybe" discussions of which only a fraction get completed. Some Cub insider, whether it's Theo or Hoyer himself, might not now whether a "maybe" deal will get actualized. And most guys who are not quite Hoyer/Theo might not even know where they would draw the line on a trade, much less the other side.
All of which rambles to my point that a guy can have info, and in the 95% likelihood that Barney doesn't get traded it doesn't really mean either Marlin or his source are baloney.
-
I saw the Barney thing too...anyone know if that Marlin guy has any credibility? I know their other "insider" at that board has proven that he's full of crap.
-
INteresting rumors, BlueJay. Fun to just have some interesting ones.
-
For Soria on a 1 year deal I really wouldn't care how much the Cubs would have to spend because there is going to be a lot of money on the sidelines. Angels writer saying the Japanese closer is down to the Angels as a set-up guy and the Cubs as a closer. PSD "insider" Marlin is saying Barney may be traded soon.
-
In the free agent market, you don't find too many bargains out there.
-
Chris Young has had a OPS+ of 98 over the last two seasons, which is similar to what Marlon Byrd did with the Cubs in his poor 2011 season.
Upton was 112 over that period. Don't see much of a comp there.
Also, Young's career HIGH is 108. Hard to see any upside at all in Young (who is also a year older), as Upton has reached 136 in his career year. Also, don't see giving five years as a problem for a position player who will be 28 almost all of the 2013 season. As far as the yearly salary, I think we're about to see a period of significant salary inflation, what with the many new local TV deals. Will be curious to see what Bourn gets now that Upton is off the board.
-
All that is true, which is why Upton is worth something like a 3 year, $35-$40 million deal. But 5 years, $75 million? That's a lot.
I mean, he's a good player. But I mentioned Chris Young in my previous post, and that's essentially who Upton is. And the Diamondbacks wanted to see Young gone so bad that they took a mediocre middle infielder and the remains of Heath Bell for him. I think Young was hugely undervalued in that deal...but if no GM in baseball thought it was worth it to give the Diamondbacks more than that for Young, it just doesn't make sense to me that anyone would want to pay so much for Upton.
-
Braves lineup was very lefty with Freeman, McCann, and Heyward all lefty bats (not to mention Chipper's strong side and Bourn--now gone). So, Upton balances Braves lineup a heap compared to recent seasons.
Also, keep in mind that Upton is going from an AL pitchers park to a neutral NL park. Upton's OPS+ over the last two seasons was 112, which is basically identical to Freeman and Prado in 2012. So, that's pretty solid offense for an up-the-middle position. A key is whether Upton's CF defense can be more consistent. He has good CF range but is a bit erratic at times. Big defensive shoes to fill compared to Bourn.
Upton at age 22 in 2007 had an OPS+ of 136. So, there may well be some upside left in him too, as he is still only 28 and is now getting out of a bad ballpark.
-
Bob Nightengale says 5 years, $70-$75 million on the Upton deal. Not as ugly as I expected with the Phillies involved in the bidding, but definitely more than I would've wanted to give him. Pagan and Victorino are much better buys (and Chris Young would've been too).
-
Braves and BJ Upton are close, according to MLB.com Braves beat writer Mark Bowman. Let's see how bad a deal it is...it's going to be ugly for the Braves.
I think Bowman was the first to break the Dempster/Delgado trade.
-
This twitter account is gold:
http://twitter.com/GenericBBWAAMan
-
Ryan Madson signs for 1 year with the Angels. He gets $3.5 million guaranteed, plus $2.5 million in roster bonuses (not really sure what that is--maybe bonuses for days on the roster?), plus $1 million in incentives.
Given what relief pitching is going for so far this offseason, that is an absolute steal. Madson must have wanted to go to the Angels or insisted on closing for a contender or something, because I can't imagine that no one offered more than that.
The Cubs should go to Soria and offer him the same contract today.
-
JR mentioned in the Cubs in... topic that Paul Maholm should probably find a new agent. Another guy who should be in the market is Sean Marshall...another inferior reliever just signed a better deal than Marshall got...and from the same team Marshall signed with. Jonathan Broxton is going to be paid $21 million over the next three years, with a $9 million option for a fourth year. I know Broxton is a "proven closer", but Marshall is just a better pitcher.
-
It sounds like Grienke is going to get at least 6 years/$150 million. Considering the Dodgers are getting around $260 million/ year for their cable deal, that might just be their opening offer.
-
Lots of free agent activity already today: Pettitte and Ichiro are going back to the Yankees, and Rivera is expected to have a deal by the end of the week. Also, Ryan Madson is signing with the Angels.
-
Apparently, there's a twitter rumor that Bobby Scales has been named the Angels' new Director of Player Development.
-
One thing about this Longoria extension...this adds evidence to the idea that teams just aren't going to let their elite players get to free agency nearly as often under the new CBA. We already saw it with Cain and Hamels, and now the same thing has happened with Longoria. I guess the Brewers did the same thing with Braun too.
It makes me think the Cubs should at least make a competitive bid for Greinke, because he might be the last true top of the rotation pitcher in his prime who will hit the free agent market for a while.
-
Evan Longoria has apparently been extended through 2022. He had signed that great team-friendly deal a few years back that took him through 2016, but now he's getting $100 million from 2017-2022 (with a 2023 team option). Longoria is really good, but this seems a little premature. The Rays still had four years to decide if they wanted him beyond age 30.
-
I suspect there will be far more relatively early signings this year than normal.
If they sign before tax rates go up, they can have their contracts front loaded and avoid part of the burden of the increased tax rates.
-
Sounds like Upton is picking his new team this week. It's between the Phillies and Braves with a possible mystery team. Sounds like a pretty expensive signing for the Braves--considering their histories with big money free agents, you'd expect the Phillies would win a bidding war between those two.
-
Tsk Tsk...
<in my best John Tavolta, Welcome Back Kotter voice> What?
-
I just read that Chris Volstad was DFA'd by the Royals.
-
Tsk Tsk...
-
Maybe some GMs just like getting BJs.
-
Can someone please explain to me why BJ Upton is such a big name free agent this offseason? He's basically a slightly younger version of Chris Young with a few more stolen bases, and the Diamondbacks basically gave him away several weeks ago. I mean, Upton is worth a little more...but if the Diamondbacks didn't think Young was worth 1 more year at about $10 million (including 2014 buyout), I can't imagine why anyone would think Upton is worth 5 years, $75 million or whatever he's going to get. It's going to be an ugly contract for someone.
And I feel the same way about Anibal Sanchez...here's something that appeared on MLB Trade Rumors today: Anibal Sanchez's demands for a six-year, $90MM contract are "crazy, and he's probably going to get it," an executive tells Passan. I keep seeing speculation that Edwin Jackson won't get half of that, and I really just don't see much of a difference between them.
-
I guess I just lean more towards the "bird in the hand" philosophy than you do. Castro's floor at this point is what he's been the last 3 years--an above average major league shortstop, with the potential to be the best shortstop in the game over the next decade. Except for Baez, though, I don't think any of the shortstops in the system are seen as having star potential. And there are enough questions surrounding Baez's ability to stay at SS that I just wouldn't be able to give up Castro because of a prospect in A ball.
Your framework works for me except for a couple of things...one is Castro (I'd only give them the choice of Rizzo or Baez as the headliner), and two is that Almora and Soler can't be traded for another 8-9 months. A Baez/Vogelbach package would be amazing. But, as I've said, even the Marlins are unlikely to trade Stanton.
Doesn't the trade restriction only apply to players picked in the Rule 4 Draft? So Almora can't be traded until one year from the date of his original signing. However Soler wasn't drafted, he was a free-agent so there should be no restrictions on trading him.
-
Jonny Gomes to the Red Sox for 2 years.
-
I've read a couple of times today that the Tigers are willing to trade Jhonny Peralta, and may actually even be shopping him. If the Cubs can't find a Chisenhall/Gyorko/Olt type prospect to play third, Peralta actually wouldn't be a bad stopgap at all. He's inconsistent...but if you get a good first four months out of him, you can probably deal him for something pretty significant.
Although if there are teams who want him as a shortstop, they'd probably be willing to give up more for him than the Cubs would.
-
Hiroki Kuroda is going back to the Yankees for 1 year, $15 million.
-
Shocking.
-
The Royals have DFA'd Chris Volstad.
-
The thing is, who really wants to be paying Guthrie $11 million in 2014? Nobody is going to want to give up good prospects for that.
-
maybe KC is trying to emulate Jed/Theo by picking up a guy like Guthrie in order to swap him mid season for prospects/assets for the future?
-
The Jeremy Guthrie signing is so bad, even Jim Bowden is ripping it. You know you've made a bad move when even Jim Bowden wouldn't do it.
-
Tigers have released Ryan Raburn. He's coming off a terrible year, but he'd still be a nice guy to pick up to serve the Jeff Baker role next year.
-
So this sets the low end of the multi-year market...how much more do Sanchez, Lohse, and Jackson get?
-
With a backloaded contract like that, I smell a midyear trade.
-
I also thought I had heard that the Royals didn't have much money to spend this offseason. But that must not be true if they can spend all this money on Guthrie and Ervin Santana.
-
So it's backloaded too. Yep, they're going to regret that one.
You'd think in the year 2012, teams would be smart enough not to get too caught up in a player having a flukey half season with them and thinking they're going to keep it up for another 3-4 years. The only time Guthrie has been a decidedly above average pitcher in the last four seasons was his half of a season in Kansas City. He was terrible in Colorado before being traded over there. Plus he's also on the wrong side of 30.
Same old Kansas City. They hardly spend money, and when they do, they spend it foolishly.
-
Apparently, it's $25 million for Guthrie--$5 million in 2013, $11 million in 2014, and $9 million in 2015.
-
Three years for Jeremy Guthrie? Sheesh. That's almost guaranteed to be a regrettable contract.
-
Jeremy Guthrie signs with the Royals for 3 years. No terms yet, but it'll be interesting to see how much he gets...I believe he's the first starting pitcher to sign a major multi-year deal.
-
The Diamondbacks are looking at Jeff Keppinger for their 3B spot next year. He might not be a bad guy for the Cubs to consider at 3B as well.
http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/NickPiecoro/173949?nclick_check=1 (http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/NickPiecoro/173949?nclick_check=1)
-
In case anyone's interested . . .
Felix Pie - OF - Pirates
Pirates signed OF Felix Pie to a minor league contract.
The deal includes a spring training invite and incentives for plate appearances if the former top prospect makes the major league roster. Pie, who turns 28 in February, batted .285/.338/.549 with six home runs, 51 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 96 games with the Braves' Triple-A affiliate this season. He hasn't appeared in the majors since 2011 with the Orioles.
-
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/tyler-colvin-league-leader/
-
The Marlins/Blue Jays trade is finally official.
-
Interesting article from Fangraphs.
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/why-im-not-a-fan-of-losing-on-purpose/
-
Even if an attorney had recorded the promises on paper, because that contract term could not be carried out in one year, in most states, it would not be given any effect by a court unless it was a signed agreement.
-
There is a hilarious twitter persona who goes by the name "Old Hoss Radbourn." He is an old-timey baseball guy who offers opinions on everything. Regarding what JesBeard posted, he wrote:
@OldHossRadbourn
"It is a shame J. Loria did not pay M. Buehrle and J. Reyes enough money to hire an attorney and record his promises on paper. "
-
The Marlins do not award no-trade clauses, but club officials, while recruiting Reyes and Buerhle as free agents last offseason, assured both players that they would not be moved, sources said.
Buehrle knew the Marlins history of dumping high-priced players, and it concerned him, according to a friend. Team president David Samson, however, told both Buehrle and his wife, Jamie, that the team was committed to a long-term vision, sources said.
Contractual promises which someone refuses to put into writing to make them enforceable tend to be rather worthless promises.
-
Juan Pierre goes back to the Marlins for 1 year, $1.6 million.
-
Shortstop Jose Reyes and left-hander Mark Buehrle, two of the five Marlins headed to Toronto in a pending blockbuster, are upset that the team broke verbal promises to them regarding trades, according to major-league sources.
The Marlins do not award no-trade clauses, but club officials, while recruiting Reyes and Buerhle as free agents last offseason, assured both players that they would not be moved, sources said.
Buehrle knew the Marlins history of dumping high-priced players, and it concerned him, according to a friend. Team president David Samson, however, told both Buehrle and his wife, Jamie, that the team was committed to a long-term vision, sources said.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/miami-marlins-told-jose-reyes-mark-buehrle-they-would-not-be-traded-broke-promises-111612 (http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/miami-marlins-told-jose-reyes-mark-buehrle-they-would-not-be-traded-broke-promises-111612)
-
The Blue Jays could use some more pitching, though.
Ryan Dempster ought to try to get on over there on a cheapie one year contract.
He'd have to find his passport first.
-
Melky Cabrera signs with the Blue Jays, 2 years $16 million.
Heck of a deal for the Jays.
-
The Blue Jays could use some more pitching, though.
Ryan Dempster ought to try to get on over there on a cheapie one year contract.
-
Wow. Talk about loading up.
-
Melky Cabrera signs with the Blue Jays, 2 years $16 million.
-
The Marlins are now saying they won't be trading Nolasco this offseason. That team just makes no sense.
I think if the Marlins have shown us anything, it's that they're trustworthy.
-
The Marlins are now saying they won't be trading Nolasco this offseason. That team just makes no sense.
-
Finally, regarding Baez's defense, it is my impression that scouts no longer question his ability to stick at SS. Some say he could be even better than Castro. I don't think Baez pushes Castro in our organization, but at this point, if Castro were to be traded in such a headliner deal, I'd be very comfortable counting on Baez to remain at short.
I still don't know if I have a good feel for Baez's potential at short. If his future comp is Gary Sheffield, for instance, he was only a major league shortstop for two years before moving over to 3B.
Scouts might be rethinking his potential at short, but I guess my gut still says he's not going to be a 10-12 year starting major league shortstop. My guess is if Baez does have some major league shortstop potential, he's probably only going to be playing it for 2-4 years or something like that before moving over to corner outfield or 3B, like with Sheffield.
We still have a couple of years to go at least before figuring out his future position anyway.
-
This deal would never happen.
That was my point.
-
PTBNLs have to be named within 6 months, so we're still 2-3 months from that.
-
Almora and Soler can't be traded for another 8-9 months.
They can be PTBNL's, right? Isn't that a way to get around the new-draftee trade restrictions?
-
We'll give you Castro for Stanton and Nolasco.
This deal would never happen.
-
br, I actually agree with the bird in the hand idea, which is why I'm sold on Stanton. Castro is a league average bat at SS. Lots of value there. Stanton is already one of the top 10 players in the game, and he's only 23. He's the star we're hoping Castro could develop into. Stanton is a bird in the hand superstar. Castro is not.
Regarding the question of how stacked we are at SS, part of my trade idea includes them sending Hechavarria our way if they select Castro. Hechavarria's bat is questionable at best, but his glove is very, very good. You can live with that for a couple of development years while our young SS's climb the ladder. We're not going to be terribly competitive in 2013, and 2014 is a long shot, at best.
Finally, regarding Baez's defense, it is my impression that scouts no longer question his ability to stick at SS. Some say he could be even better than Castro. I don't think Baez pushes Castro in our organization, but at this point, if Castro were to be traded in such a headliner deal, I'd be very comfortable counting on Baez to remain at short.
-
If Baez is included in our hypothetical fantasyland trade or you don't count him as a SS long term, we really aren't that stacked at SS in the minors. Alcantara and Marco Hernandez are pretty decent prospects. Still, neither is a blue chipper either, and they're both a long way from the majors. Not to knock either of them, but at this stage, we're pretty lucky if one of those guys turns into an average regular.
Other than those two, really I'm not even sure where our depth is all that great at SS. Timothy Saunders is still a 30th-plus round draft choice. Guys like Junior Lake, Logan Watkins and Gioskar Amaya are stretched at shortstop. Penalver and Lockhart are still in rookie ball.
There's some decent depth there, but no big time prospects either. There might be a halfway decent chance of a regular major league shortstop coming out of this group down the road, but having a bunch of B- or C grade prospects at a position is pretty far from a guarantee you'll get even one good major league player.
-
I'd be willing to trade Castro for Stanton, but I wouldn't do tico's deal. I wouldn't give them those choices. We'll give you Castro for Stanton and Nolasco. Period. Okay, I'd be willing to throw in Coleman.
-
I hear both your arguments. However, our system is stacked in SS. I'd be happy to make Castro the centerpiece of a deal. If we were lacking in true SS prospects, I'd be more hesitant, but we're not going to contend for a couple years at least, and by then, one of the SS's should be knocking on the door.
I guess I just lean more towards the "bird in the hand" philosophy than you do. Castro's floor at this point is what he's been the last 3 years--an above average major league shortstop, with the potential to be the best shortstop in the game over the next decade. Except for Baez, though, I don't think any of the shortstops in the system are seen as having star potential. And there are enough questions surrounding Baez's ability to stay at SS that I just wouldn't be able to give up Castro because of a prospect in A ball.
Your framework works for me except for a couple of things...one is Castro (I'd only give them the choice of Rizzo or Baez as the headliner), and two is that Almora and Soler can't be traded for another 8-9 months. A Baez/Vogelbach package would be amazing. But, as I've said, even the Marlins are unlikely to trade Stanton.
-
Stanton is a truly elite, very young, MVP caliber player with several years of control left....
Yes.... but....
The guy last year hit .290 with 37 HR and a raw OPS of .969, but he only has 86 RBI. And with men on in his 3 year career he has an OPS of .825, compared to .962 with runners on base.
After 3 years, it would seem we might not be talking about sample size and might be talking about problems performing under pressure.
Stanton doesn't do much for us. br, you've suggested a number of possible trades, but, though they improve us short term, it creates the same old problem long term.
Despite my comment above in response to br, I have to agree with his obvious point that Stanton just turned 23, and there are not many guys who enter a full season at age 23 with 93 career HR and a career OPS+ of 140 after close to 1500 PA. The guy should be around for another ten years, and he has already established himself as a top hitter in the league. He certainly is someone the Cubs could build around for years.
-
I hear both your arguments. However, our system is stacked in SS. I'd be happy to make Castro the centerpiece of a deal. If we were lacking in true SS prospects, I'd be more hesitant, but we're not going to contend for a couple years at least, and by then, one of the SS's should be knocking on the door.
I'd run the deal like this:
- Marlins pick one of Castro, Rizzo, Baez
- Cubs pull the other two off the table
- Marlins pick one of Almora, Soler, Vogelbach
- Cubs pull the other two off the table
- Cubs throw in a couple mid-tier arms
- Cubs get an exclusive window within which to negotiate an extension. If Stanton is unwilling, deal is off. Marlins also send over Morrison if Rizzo is taken, Hechavarria if Castro is taken, or Nicolino if Baez is taken. Cubs also take on Nolasco and all his salary.
This makes sense for both sides, right?
-
I'd hold back Castro just because he plays a harder position to fill and his contract situation is settled. He's going to be in Chicago through the end of the decade, while Stanton would only be around for about half as long. I think the settled contract situation puts him over the top. I can see the argument the other way (Stanton is a better player), but Castro is good enough, has a high enough ceiling, plays SS well enough, and is under contract long enough that I wouldn't deal him for Stanton.
On Rizzo, I probably wouldn't hold him back. But I can see the argument for taking 6 years of him over 4 years of Stanton, especially if you think there might be some trouble extending Stanton down the road (for example, if his agent is Boras). I'd have to think about him for a few minutes. But I don't hesitate on anyone else in the organization (including Samardzija).
-
br, I agree with everything you say about Stanton. And so I wonder why do you advocate holding back Rizzo or Castro in a deal? Stanton is vastly superior to either of them.
Well one reason would be, you need to have other building blocks to go with Stanton if we could manage to get him. Giancarlo Stanton and a lineup full of guys like Ty Wright and Tony Campana won't accomplish that much.
-
br, I agree with everything you say about Stanton. And so I wonder why do you advocate holding back Rizzo or Castro in a deal? Stanton is vastly superior to either of them.
-
A damn shame the Cubs lost to these clowns in 2003.
And if the Cubs had, Hendry would have remained GM until he wanted to retire or died.
No way he ever would have been fired after getting the Cubs to the WS.
-
True, nothing the Marlins do ever makes sense. For example, they're apparently trying to trade Logan Morrison:
The Marlins arent done yet. One day after agreeing to a blockbuster trade with the Blue Jays, theyre shopping outfielder/first baseman Logan Morrison, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (on Twitter). Furthermore, several general managers expect Ricky Nolasco to be traded as well.
Morrison makes the major league minimum, finally has his natural position (1B) open in Miami, and is coming off a bad year which has crushed his trade value. It makes less than no sense to trade him--sending him away right now would be actively working against the Marlins' best interests. At least if they traded Stanton, they could argue that his value is greater now than it'll be in 2 years when he starts to get really expensive.
I had a lot of interest in Morrison last year before the Cubs got Rizzo, but now I'm not sure he's worth it. He'd be a nice buy low opportunity if they're not asking for too much. But he's only an option at 1B and LF--they're not moving Rizzo out of the way for Morrison, so that would require moving Soriano. If they did that, the lineup would then be devoid of proven RH HR power, and Castro would be the only RH hitter you could count on getting anything out of. I guess the Cubs are going to lose a lot so that doesn't matter all that much...but games vs. LHP would be really ugly next year if Castillo doesn't develop.
I'm assuming Nolasco is going to be a salary dump and taking his full salary would make it easier to acquire Morrison. So I'd have some moderate interest in a Nolasco/Morrison package. Nolasco is intriguing to me because he always underperforms his peripherals--that makes me think he might be someone who could really benefit from a change of scenery and a fresh coaching voice. He has also turned into a pretty strong ground ball pitcher the last two years, so he may benefit from the Cubs' positioning strategies. At the very least, he's a reasonably cheap (in trade cost) innings eater with 1 year left on his contract who could gain value by midseason.
-
Since when does much of what the Marlins do make sense? I understand your reasoning.
-
Curt, that comment was only half serious because it makes so little sense for the Marlins to trade Stanton. That said, if (hypothetically) the Marlins decided to listen to offers, I think the Cubs should be willing to trade anyone in their system for him. Other than Castro, I'm not sure they should hold anyone in the organization back--it might even make sense to trade Rizzo for him. Stanton just turned 23 last week and is already one of the top 10 or so players in baseball. He has four years of control left, and there's no reason the Cubs wouldn't have the money to extend him past that. The likelihood of Baez (or any other prospect in baseball, for that matter) ever being as good as Stanton is now is almost zero.
Stanton is a truly elite, very young, MVP caliber player with several years of control left--for someone like that, being close to competing is irrelevant because he becomes the #1 core piece in your long term plans. It's likely that acquiring Stanton would put the Cubs closer to where the front office wants them to be than developing any one prospect ever could.
But again, I don't think it makes any sense for the Marlins at all so it would never happen. So this is all probably a pointless discussion.
-
Nolasco is rumored to be the next to go, even though his contract is kind of an albatross at this point. Stanton is mad at the Marlins. Time to call up and offer Baez+ for Nolasco and Stanton, with the Cubs playing all of Nolasco's contract. I mean, it would be insane for them to trade Stanton for just about anything...but with the Marlins, anything could happen.
I'm wondering about this. I don't think the guys would do this for the same reason that we aren't pursuing Greinke or Hamilton. We're still years away and giving up prize prospects for even good players like Stanton doesn't do much for us. br, you've suggested a number of possible trades, but, though they improve us short term, it creates the same old problem long term.
-
Torii Hunter signs with the Tigers for 2 years, $26 million. probably smart of him to sign early...outfield is the one place this free agent market is fairly deep, and I think anyone who holds out for too long is going to end up accepting a much smaller contract than they wanted.
-
That's the only saving grace of the deal. At least the dumped players went to a) the AL, b) the AL East, and c) a team that hasn't "been very relevant in a long time."
Probably too much to ask for, but perhaps the Blue Jays, Orioles and Rays will all be better than Boston and New York next year.
May have cost the Cubs the inside track at the worst record in the NL, though...
-
Agree re: the Jays. Truth is, they held on to their top prospects, IMO. d'Arnaud is the cream of the crop, no question about it. And I'd much rather have Syndergaard and Sanchez than Nicolino. Marisnick is very similar to Jackson - great talent if it all breaks right, but there are major questions about his contact ability. Escobar is a nice SS, sure, but you only have control of him for 2 years.
-
For the Blue Jays, though, why the hell not? The Red Sox have lost their way the last couple of seasons. Seems like Tampa's financial situation is starting to catch up with them. It's a good time for them to be bold, especially since they haven't been very relevant in a long time.
-
If it wasn't the Marlins, I'd say unloading all of those contracts isn't a horrible idea. They didn't go anywhere this year with those players, so if someone's willing to take them off your hands, it's actually probably a good thing.
Still, that team is a joke. Ripoff the taxpayers to build you a new stadium, then start overspending wildly on free agents with all of your newfound cash (which is a strategy that never works . . . Magic Johnson and Ned Colletti should take a lesson), and a year later you're dumping everyone again.
A damn shame the Cubs lost to these clowns in 2003.
-
If only everyone could have seen this coming.
Oh, wait...
-
Those limicolous owners are the greatest joke of all in this deal, rooking Florida taxpayers for a publicly funded stadium, only to make one half-hearted attempt to fill it with a contending team, then surrendering after the season to return to their old business model, playing a skeleton-crew lineup while pocketing all of their revenue-sharing money. This isn't a bad baseball deal for Miami; it's not a baseball deal at all -- it's a boondoggle, perpetrated by owners who have pulled one stunt like this after another, with the implicit approval of the commissioner's office. It's time for baseball to rid itself of Jeff Loria and David Samson by any means possible. Miami, the state of Florida, and the sport in general will be better off without them.
-
Nolasco is rumored to be the next to go, even though his contract is kind of an albatross at this point. Stanton is mad at the Marlins. Time to call up and offer Baez+ for Nolasco and Stanton, with the Cubs playing all of Nolasco's contract. I mean, it would be insane for them to trade Stanton for just about anything...but with the Marlins, anything could happen.
-
If you ever need evidence that Bud Selig sucks, consider this. Mark Cuban is so sure that Selig wouldn't let a sale go through that he doesn't even seriously bid on teams anymore. Meanwhile, Jeffrey Loria has been allowed to own not one but TWO different teams. And he's run both right into the ground with his cheapness.
I mean, if there was ever a trade the commissioner needed to reject because it's "in the best interests of baseball", this is it.
-
The Marlins repulse me in every way.
-
It is too early for the Cubs to have someone stand in line in South Florida for the services of Giancarlo "Mike" Stanton?
-
The Marlins are apparently close to a trade that is going to send about half their team to Toronto. The Blue Jays would get Reyes, Johnson, Buerhle, Buck, and Bonafacio for a package that includes Yundl Escobar and prospects.
-
First, Brandon League got that ridiculous 3 years, $22.5 million deal with the Dodgers (with incentives and options that could take it to $33.5 million). Now, Jeremy Affeldt has signed a 3 year, $18 million deal with the Giants. I'll say it again...Sean Marshall left a ton of money on the table when he signed for 3 years, $16.5 million. A three year fWAR comparison of the three pitchers:
Affeldt: 1.4 WAR; tied for 86th in MLB.
League: 2.5 WAR; tied for 40th in MLB.
Marshall: 6.7 WAR; 2nd in MLB (behind only Kimbrel).
One of the guys who is tied with League in WAR over the past three years is Joel Peralta, who just signed a 2 year, $6 million deal with the Rays. Pretty smart shopping by Friedman, as usual.
-
The Twitter rumor is that the Dodgers outbid everyone on Ryu.
Ryu better believe it.
-
Ryu kidding?
-
That was Jae Kuk Ryu. This is Hyun-jin Ryu.
-
Is this the same Ryu we had once before...the osprey killing maching?
-
Can Belt play corner outfield? I know he has played a few games in LF, but I don't know if he's good enough to play there full time. If he was, though, he'd be a good target if they moved Soriano.
-
John Arguello @CubsDen
Winning bid on Ryu has been sent to Hanwha, his KBO team. No word yet on who won.
-
I wonder if the Cubs are one of these teams.
Brandon Belt - 1B - Giants
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com hears that the Giants are "getting lots of calls" from teams asking about Brandon Belt.
It's not surprising, as Belt has significant upside, but the Giants have been hesitant to commit to him full-time. Perhaps some team can pry him away from San Francisco if the Giants believe he won't reach his ceiling, but it doesn't seem particularly likely.
-
Yasmani Grandal has been suspended 50 games for PED use.
http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2012/11/padres-yasmani-grandal-suspended-for-elevated-testosterone-level/
-
Diamondbacks are trying to trade Upton again:
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/07/diamondbacks-are-trying-to-trade-justin-upton-again/
Can't imagine the Cubs could put together a trade without at least one of Baez, Castro, Rizzo, or maybe Samardzija. But it would be nice if they'd try.
-
Closer to the supplier.
-
On that list, Callaspo seems like he'd be the most likely to get a call from the Cubs. His career slash line of .275/.335/.384 would probably get a little boost at Wrigley, and he's a good defensive third baseman. Not sure I'd be excited about it, but he's probably likely to be better than most of the third base options out there (including Stewart and Valbuena).
And if the 2013 Cubs were a team being constructed to have a chance of winning, that kind of anti-awful approach might make a great deal of sense. But that is not the goal for 2013, and if the Cubs find someone they believe has more serious upside potential to allow them to create value, I suspect they are much more likely to go in that direction.
-
Potential non-tenders from ESPN Insider:
Jair Jurrjens, RHP -- Atlanta Braves ($5.5, 3)
Geovany Soto, C -- Texas Rangers ($4.3m, 3)
Mike Pelfrey, RHP -- New York Mets ($5.6875m, 3)
Nate Schierholtz, OF -- Philadelphia Phillies ($1.3m, 2)
Ian Stewart, 3B -- Chicago Cubs ($2.2375m, 3)
Jayson Nix, IF -- New York Yankees ($484k, 1)
Andres Torres, CF -- New York Mets ($2.7m, 3)
Jeff Karstens, RHP -- Pittsburgh Pirates ($3.1m, 3)
Tom Gorzelanny, LHP -- Washington Nationals ($1.2m, 3)
Charlie Morton, RHP -- Pittsburgh Pirates ($2.445m, 2)
John Lannan, LHP -- Washington Nationals ($5m, 3)
Brad Ziegler, RHP -- Arizona Diamondbacks ($1.795m, 3)
Hunter Pence, OF -- San Francisco Giants ($10.4m, 3)
Mark Reynolds, 1B -- Baltimore Orioles ($7.5m, 3)
Ryan Sweeney, OF -- Boston Red Sox ($1.75m, 3)
Ben Francisco, OF -- Tampa Bay Rays ($1.5375m, 3)
Ryan Raburn, 2B -- Detroit Tigers ($2.1m, 2)
Alexi Casilla, 2B -- Minnesota Twins ($1.3825m, 3)
Alberto Callaspo, 3B -- Los Angeles Angels ($3.15m, 3)
Daric Barton, 1B -- Oakland Athletics ($1.1m, 2)
Shawn Kelley, RHP -- Seattle Mariners ($600k, 1)
The list is already dated--Casilla has already been DFA'd and picked up by the Orioles, and Mark Reynolds' contract option was not picked up (though the Orioles do still control him, I think). On that list, Callaspo seems like he'd be the most likely to get a call from the Cubs. His career slash line of .275/.335/.384 would probably get a little boost at Wrigley, and he's a good defensive third baseman. Not sure I'd be excited about it, but he's probably likely to be better than most of the third base options out there (including Stewart and Valbuena).