Killeverything's (New)NeverEndingBaseballThread

[killeverything]

This made me laugh. It's from Pete Abe in one his articles on MFY Spring Training.

"Joba Chamberlain is already boys with Sabathia and Nick Swisher. Then again Joba is pretty much boys with everybody."

[tin00can]

...and Manny Ramirez still hasn't signed.

[Machado]

....and neither has nomar.
read an article today that he is considering 3 options

1)sign with the a's
2)sign with the phillies
3)retire

[killeverything]

I just got the 2009 Baseball Prospectus.

I'll post some of their projections and writings later. I don't agree with everything they say ( particularly Boston's projection this season seems a tad bit overly-optimistic too me ), but they're eerily accurate like 80-90% of the time.

[Machado]

A-Rod has hit a HR in the exhibition game
today

[johnk5150]

I know this is a baseball thread, but in the NBA where most guys have at least one illegitmate child and all that other nonsense, most of them end up in a bad spot.

I'm not suprised to hear about this at all. These guys hand their lives over to other people.

The fuck you talking about? Urlacher has baby mamas all over Chicago. Knocking broads up out of wedlock is hardly a sports problem.

[Machado]

I know this is a baseball thread, but in the NBA where most guys have at least one illegitmate child and all that other nonsense, most of them end up in a bad spot.

I'm not suprised to hear about this at all. These guys hand their lives over to other people.

The fuck you talking about? Urlacher has baby mamas all over Chicago. Knocking broads up out of wedlock is hardly a sports problem.

What the fuck are you talking about you piece of sausage shit?

Its a god damn sports thread you Bearly literate douchebag and I brought up a well documented situation that appeared on the cover of sports illustrated.

Now go fucking suck George Halas dead cock.

To be specific, this thread is here to discuss BASEBALL

Not a well documented situation that appeared in SI

[killeverything]

Nothing much to report. This happened, how do y'all feel about it?

The MFY had a Billiards day two days ago ( which Mariano won ). Here's what Teix had to say about it.

“It was great. That was probably the most fun I’ve ever had in spring training in my whole career.”

“I thought it was a great idea. We’ve been working really hard – the pitchers a little bit longer than the position players. We had a good week of practice and we’re going to start games here soon, so I think Joe just wanted to give us some time off.”

“I’ve never have (heard of a team doing something like this), but I think more teams should. This was a great time, great for all of us to get together.”

“There were probably 16-18 pool tables, there were some card tables, we had darts, we had guys playing dominos and we had lunch also. Everyone was just having a good time.”

“It makes you relax and realize that we can have fun off the field. Once we get on the field, it’s business, but we can build some relationships as well.”

“Usually during the season, you get to hang out with guys because we’re always on the same bus or the same plane. Our schedules are identical. In spring training, you don’t go on trips together, the pitchers have different schedules than the hitters and the hitters are in different groups, so there might be a couple guys you don’t get to know at all.”


Anything to make a team gel is good I guess, but to cancel a practice day for ass-slaps and pizza? I think that maybe this is showing us that the clubhouse is much more fragile, fucked up and troubled than Yankee fans want to admit. Other teams don't cancel practice and have fun day, because they don't have to. Girardi felt this was needed is a clear sign ship Steinbrenner is taking on water.

Do you think that the media presence is stronger now than usual, because of Aroid and Torre's book, to where it's effecting the moral of the team? Or do you think that maybe the Trust fund babies have officially lost it and are effecting the team? Maybe chemistry is over-rated and all, but these are professional players that don't need to be codled. Or maybe this is Girardi trying to distance himself from Torre.

I just find this odd. Although I can't see any negatives from it. I'm just curious what brought it on.

Discuss.

FYI Posada went 2-2 today with a solo HR, and Hughes threw two scoreless striking out 2.

[Hell'sHungryChild]

Well manny just turned down the Dodgers for the 4th time. I'm fucking sick of it. Time for the Dodgers to move on. Nobody's gonna wanna sign ramirez now.

Yep,thats some Taylor/Van Poppel dealing shit right there. Either way, let the ex go...she doesn't want to be with you.

[TawnyVonJagger]

Fuck Manny. What a fucking dipshit.

Anyhoo, I'm going to my first Marlins spring game today vs. the O's...the official home opener, with friends from Dade and Broward coming up, as is our tradition. I'm jacked up, but if the Fish commit any errors today Ima going headhunting. But I'm really stoked for the Tigers who are coming March 9. My two favorite teams, yay!

Happy Baseball, everyone!

[Machado]

Nothing much to report. This happened, how do y'all feel about it?

The MFY had a Billiards day two days ago ( which Mariano won ). Here's what Teix had to say about it.

“It was great. That was probably the most fun I’ve ever had in spring training in my whole career.”

“I thought it was a great idea. We’ve been working really hard – the pitchers a little bit longer than the position players. We had a good week of practice and we’re going to start games here soon, so I think Joe just wanted to give us some time off.”

“I’ve never have (heard of a team doing something like this), but I think more teams should. This was a great time, great for all of us to get together.”

“There were probably 16-18 pool tables, there were some card tables, we had darts, we had guys playing dominos and we had lunch also. Everyone was just having a good time.”

“It makes you relax and realize that we can have fun off the field. Once we get on the field, it’s business, but we can build some relationships as well.”

“Usually during the season, you get to hang out with guys because we’re always on the same bus or the same plane. Our schedules are identical. In spring training, you don’t go on trips together, the pitchers have different schedules than the hitters and the hitters are in different groups, so there might be a couple guys you don’t get to know at all.”


Anything to make a team gel is good I guess, but to cancel a practice day for ass-slaps and pizza? I think that maybe this is showing us that the clubhouse is much more fragile, fucked up and troubled than Yankee fans want to admit. Other teams don't cancel practice and have fun day, because they don't have to. Girardi felt this was needed is a clear sign ship Steinbrenner is taking on water.

Do you think that the media presence is stronger now than usual, because of Aroid and Torre's book, to where it's effecting the moral of the team? Or do you think that maybe the Trust fund babies have officially lost it and are effecting the team? Maybe chemistry is over-rated and all, but these are professional players that don't need to be codled. Or maybe this is Girardi trying to distance himself from Torre.

I just find this odd. Although I can't see any negatives from it. I'm just curious what brought it on.

Discuss.

FYI Posada went 2-2 today with a solo HR, and Hughes threw two scoreless striking out 2.

Was the "field trip" odd because most MLB teams don't do this or because it's the Yankees?
The team signed a few "big name" players in the off-season and the A-Rod drama has been surrounding the team.
If you ask me, this was the perfect time for an excursion like this to bring the team together, allow the players the opportunity to get away from the game for a day.

Posada is not scheduled to catch a game until March 15th.
What's the rush? Let him get into shape, allow him the time to get the shoulder stronger and then put him behind the plate.

[killeverything]

Nothing much to report. This happened, how do y'all feel about it?

The MFY had a Billiards day two days ago ( which Mariano won ). Here's what Teix had to say about it.

“It was great. That was probably the most fun I’ve ever had in spring training in my whole career.”

“I thought it was a great idea. We’ve been working really hard – the pitchers a little bit longer than the position players. We had a good week of practice and we’re going to start games here soon, so I think Joe just wanted to give us some time off.”

“I’ve never have (heard of a team doing something like this), but I think more teams should. This was a great time, great for all of us to get together.”

“There were probably 16-18 pool tables, there were some card tables, we had darts, we had guys playing dominos and we had lunch also. Everyone was just having a good time.”

“It makes you relax and realize that we can have fun off the field. Once we get on the field, it’s business, but we can build some relationships as well.”

“Usually during the season, you get to hang out with guys because we’re always on the same bus or the same plane. Our schedules are identical. In spring training, you don’t go on trips together, the pitchers have different schedules than the hitters and the hitters are in different groups, so there might be a couple guys you don’t get to know at all.”


Anything to make a team gel is good I guess, but to cancel a practice day for ass-slaps and pizza? I think that maybe this is showing us that the clubhouse is much more fragile, fucked up and troubled than Yankee fans want to admit. Other teams don't cancel practice and have fun day, because they don't have to. Girardi felt this was needed is a clear sign ship Steinbrenner is taking on water.

Do you think that the media presence is stronger now than usual, because of Aroid and Torre's book, to where it's effecting the moral of the team? Or do you think that maybe the Trust fund babies have officially lost it and are effecting the team? Maybe chemistry is over-rated and all, but these are professional players that don't need to be codled. Or maybe this is Girardi trying to distance himself from Torre.

I just find this odd. Although I can't see any negatives from it. I'm just curious what brought it on.

Discuss.

FYI Posada went 2-2 today with a solo HR, and Hughes threw two scoreless striking out 2.

Was the "field trip" odd because most MLB teams don't do this or because it's the Yankees?
The team signed a few "big name" players in the off-season and the A-Rod drama has been surrounding the team.
If you ask me, this was the perfect time for an excursion like this to bring the team together, allow the players the opportunity to get away from the game for a day.

Posada is not scheduled to catch a game until March 15th.
What's the rush? Let him get into shape, allow him the time to get the shoulder stronger and then put him behind the plate.

I don't know. That's why I'm asking.

I'm trying not to look at this through "Sox colored glasses", like if it was Boston it would've "been brilliant, etc." Do you think that this will become the norm now? NY signs a lot of FA superstars every year. They didn't need a "fun day."

Or is the clubhouse discontentment and animosity so strong, that this was needed? I can just imagine the media presence with Arod. It seems to me this was to try to stop a bigger problem, since it has never been done before. Why did Girardi feel this was needed.

[Machado]

Nothing much to report. This happened, how do y'all feel about it?

The MFY had a Billiards day two days ago ( which Mariano won ). Here's what Teix had to say about it.

“It was great. That was probably the most fun I’ve ever had in spring training in my whole career.”

“I thought it was a great idea. We’ve been working really hard – the pitchers a little bit longer than the position players. We had a good week of practice and we’re going to start games here soon, so I think Joe just wanted to give us some time off.”

“I’ve never have (heard of a team doing something like this), but I think more teams should. This was a great time, great for all of us to get together.”

“There were probably 16-18 pool tables, there were some card tables, we had darts, we had guys playing dominos and we had lunch also. Everyone was just having a good time.”

“It makes you relax and realize that we can have fun off the field. Once we get on the field, it’s business, but we can build some relationships as well.”

“Usually during the season, you get to hang out with guys because we’re always on the same bus or the same plane. Our schedules are identical. In spring training, you don’t go on trips together, the pitchers have different schedules than the hitters and the hitters are in different groups, so there might be a couple guys you don’t get to know at all.”


Anything to make a team gel is good I guess, but to cancel a practice day for ass-slaps and pizza? I think that maybe this is showing us that the clubhouse is much more fragile, fucked up and troubled than Yankee fans want to admit. Other teams don't cancel practice and have fun day, because they don't have to. Girardi felt this was needed is a clear sign ship Steinbrenner is taking on water.

Do you think that the media presence is stronger now than usual, because of Aroid and Torre's book, to where it's effecting the moral of the team? Or do you think that maybe the Trust fund babies have officially lost it and are effecting the team? Maybe chemistry is over-rated and all, but these are professional players that don't need to be codled. Or maybe this is Girardi trying to distance himself from Torre.

I just find this odd. Although I can't see any negatives from it. I'm just curious what brought it on.

Discuss.

FYI Posada went 2-2 today with a solo HR, and Hughes threw two scoreless striking out 2.

Was the "field trip" odd because most MLB teams don't do this or because it's the Yankees?
The team signed a few "big name" players in the off-season and the A-Rod drama has been surrounding the team.
If you ask me, this was the perfect time for an excursion like this to bring the team together, allow the players the opportunity to get away from the game for a day.

Posada is not scheduled to catch a game until March 15th.
What's the rush? Let him get into shape, allow him the time to get the shoulder stronger and then put him behind the plate.

I don't know. That's why I'm asking.

I'm trying not to look at this through "Sox colored glasses", like if it was Boston it would've "been brilliant, etc." Do you think that this will become the norm now? NY signs a lot of FA superstars every year. They didn't need a "fun day."

Or is the clubhouse discontentment and animosity so strong, that this was needed? I can just imagine the media presence with Arod. It seems to me this was to try to stop a bigger problem, since it has never been done before. Why did Girardi feel this was needed.

You are gammons should meet up and go over the questions you have,
just kidding.

Seriously, after the A-Rod drama this spring, the big FA signings and the beginning of a new season, why not give the team a day off and have them take a trip to the local pool hall for some fun?

Whether teams do this or not, I have no idea.
Maybe the one afternoon of shooting pool will help the fractured chemistry the team might of had? I don't know.
I give Girardi credit for at least trying something new. I mean, he could have called a meeting, gathered the team around and made a speech.
Fuck that. Stir shit up and take them all to the pool hall.

[killeverything]

Uh oh. Apparently Posada is hurt again.

Jorge Posada experienced the first setback of his rehab process on Saturday, as the Yankees scratched the designated hitter from the lineup with soreness in his surgically repaired right shoulder. Posada said that he tweaked the shoulder while stretching in the on-deck circle on Thursday.

If Jorge can't catch, he has to DH. Which is good, because it will guarantee Manny nevers winds up in pinstripes.

[JakeYonkel]

Saw the Mets play the Tigers today in Lakeland. Well, more like a team of Mets minor leaguers.

Tigers used their A-lineup, the only Mets regular was Daniel Murphy in LF.

Jon Niese and Bobby Parnell pitched for the Mets. Parnell looked good. Just about everybody else I saw from either team had a hard time finding the strike zone.

Going next weekend to see the Tigers play the Yankees. My brother-in-law has a connection and might be able to get us into the Pirates' clubhouse over in Bradenton. I don't really know who's worth meeting out there, but thought it was worth mentioning.

Not much else newsworthy!

[killeverything]

Saw the Mets play the Tigers today in Lakeland. Well, more like a team of Mets minor leaguers.

Tigers used their A-lineup, the only Mets regular was Daniel Murphy in LF.

Jon Niese and Bobby Parnell pitched for the Mets. Parnell looked good. Just about everybody else I saw from either team had a hard time finding the strike zone.

Going next weekend to see the Tigers play the Yankees. My brother-in-law has a connection and might be able to get us into the Pirates' clubhouse over in Bradenton. I don't really know who's worth meeting out there, but thought it was worth mentioning.

Not much else newsworthy!

If you see Craig Hansan ( he went to the Pirates right? ) ask him "what the hell happened to his slider?" Then laugh at him for his reversal of fortune.

Oh and:

"Posada's shoulder is feeling better and he could DH tomorrow at Kissimmee vs. Houston."

He certainly is ahead of schedule with his rehab. I'm curious how many games he'll be able to catch, throw to second, etc.

[killeverything]

MLBN is reporting that Manny will accept LA's offer with no deferred payments.

Problem solved LA.

[Machado]

Saw the Mets play the Tigers today in Lakeland. Well, more like a team of Mets minor leaguers.

Tigers used their A-lineup, the only Mets regular was Daniel Murphy in LF.

Jon Niese and Bobby Parnell pitched for the Mets. Parnell looked good. Just about everybody else I saw from either team had a hard time finding the strike zone.

Going next weekend to see the Tigers play the Yankees. My brother-in-law has a connection and might be able to get us into the Pirates' clubhouse over in Bradenton. I don't really know who's worth meeting out there, but thought it was worth mentioning.

Not much else newsworthy!

If you see Craig Hansan ( he went to the Pirates right? ) ask him "what the hell happened to his slider?" Then laugh at him for his reversal of fortune.

Oh and:

"Posada's shoulder is feeling better and he could DH tomorrow at Kissimmee vs. Houston."

He certainly is ahead of schedule with his rehab. I'm curious how many games he'll be able to catch, throw to second, etc.

Sooner or later Posada was going to experience some soreness or discomfort. When I read the news over the weekend, I was nervous for a short time.
He's in the line-up today vs the astros. Positive sign indeed

[WOLF]

My brother-in-law has a connection and might be able to get us into the Pirates' clubhouse over in Bradenton. I don't really know who's worth meeting out there, but thought it was worth mentioning.

Please thank Nate McClouth for his impact on WOLF, from Montreal's, Sludge Fantasy Baseball team last season. I really appreciate it.

Oh, Orlando Cabrera crosses the Bay, signs with the A's, and puts Bobby Crosby out of a job (I guess).

[JakeYonkel]

Heh.

I am entering the dark side.

Got a connection to get me face value tickets for Fenway in July. They're playing Oakland, but I'm actually getting to sit up behind home plate for $85 a pop, so I can't complain.

I'm doing the Jersey trip, trying to work a way to see the Yankee Stadium and Debits Field while I'm there as well...

[tin00can]

My brother-in-law has a connection and might be able to get us into the Pirates' clubhouse over in Bradenton. I don't really know who's worth meeting out there, but thought it was worth mentioning.

Please thank Nate McClouth for his impact on WOLF, from Montreal's, Sludge Fantasy Baseball team last season. I really appreciate it.

Oh, Orlando Cabrera crosses the Bay, signs with the A's, and puts Bobby Crosby out of a job (I guess).

I like O-Cab, but I don't like him going to the A's. He'll probably kill the Angels this year.

[killeverything]

My brother-in-law has a connection and might be able to get us into the Pirates' clubhouse over in Bradenton. I don't really know who's worth meeting out there, but thought it was worth mentioning.

Please thank Nate McClouth for his impact on WOLF, from Montreal's, Sludge Fantasy Baseball team last season. I really appreciate it.

Oh, Orlando Cabrera crosses the Bay, signs with the A's, and puts Bobby Crosby out of a job (I guess).

I like O-Cab, but I don't like him going to the A's. He'll probably kill the Angels this year.

I'm a huge O-Cab fan, and wish the team could've dealt with his shit instead of signing Rentawreck.

I may be in the minority here, but I think Oakland can win the West. LAA was the worst 100 win team in Baseball history last season. They went above their Pythag by 12 wins.

Oakland was already a good run prevention team last year. Losing Street, Harden, Gauden and Blanton obviously lessens they're depth, but they've still got a decent collection of arms. The addition of Holliday and Cust at DH will help the OF. Obviously Giambi at 1st lessens defensive effectiveness quite a bit, but not enough to tip it into the negatives.

Offensively they were terrible, but have done enough to make the team at least league average. Holliday and Giambi will make any line-up better, and that Cust guy is still hitting well. Ellis is going to regress a bit, and if they're younger players aquire the power that scouts have been saying they've had for a while now ( Sweeney and Barton ). Sweeney could be an above average CF.

The only serious regression that's guaranteed on Oakland's staff will be Duchsherer ( killer of my fantasy team ). They have arms with a lot of upside ( Gia for example ).

I could see LAA being worse in all departments next season. They were 10th in the AL in '08 offensively. The A's could have the better pen ( since K-Rod is gone ) Ziegler ( 1.06ERA 59.2IP ), Devine ( 0.52ERA 49K in 45.2IP ), Springer (2.32 ERA in 70 games for STL)LAA allowed 4.30 runs a game last year. Oakland allowed 4.29. The Angels are listed third because of ERA (4.00) being substantially better than Oakland in the 5th spot (4.01). But Blanton was bad last year for Oakland, and Harden and Street pitched 141 innings between them. All things equal I'm taking Oakland....call me crazy.

[tin00can]

Get the fuck outta here with the pythagorian estimates. People believe in that shit so much they get upset when it turns out wrong, which is often. I know baseball is a game of stats, but stats can only predict so much. Yeah, the Angels' offense was anemic for most of the year last year, but Tex really didn't help that much, either. Thing is, the Angels had a very good 1-3 starting rotation, and by the middle of the season Lil' Weave had come around and was dealing. A good rotation can cover for a weak offense, for the most part.

The Angels may be even better in starting pitching this year than last. Even losing K-Rod doesn't hurt that much, with the pickup of Fuentes. Remember, when he broke the saves record last year, everybody was saying how easy he had it - the same will be true for Fuentes this year.

The offense is probably a wash. Tex was only on the team for the last few months, so you have to weight his contributions to the overall offense last year. Abreu is a good addition, and Juan Rivera could have a big year (but I'm predicting 17-20 HR). The big Q is Kendry Morales at first, and I think he's gonna surprise some people this year. He won't be Tex, but I wouldn't be surprised to see around 23 HR from him.

As for the A's this year, their rotation is a HUGE question mark. I can't emphasize that enough. They would have to have a bunch of rookies simultaneously put up very good numbers, and the odds don't favor that. I'm guessing they'll do their usual, which is start quick and then fade. Their offense IS much better, though. O-Cab is a table-setter, Helton should still be at least good outside of Colorado, and Giambi is a safe bet for around 30 HR.

[JakeYonkel]

I know it's early for the annual prediction threads but my take on the two aforementioned teams...

As for Oakland, I agree that their pitching staff is a mess. Duchsherer threw a lot of innings last year after never being a starter before. After that, what do they have? A bunch of young, unproven guys. No shot that all of them pan out - it never happens. Their bullpen should be OK, OAK usually puts together a good 'pen. They are 100x better offensively than last year, now with a middle of the order including Holliday, Giambi, O-Cab, maybe a healthy Eric Chavez (but probably not). Hard not to like the improvements they've made but they've made no effort to shore up the pitching staff. That could hurt.

On the LAA side... pitching is a wash from last year. Fuentes is an IMPROVEMENT over K-Rod, who really isn't that great anyway. Their setup men are top notch, and Lackey/Weaver/Santana/Saunders looks good to me. Offensively I don't really know what to make of them. Vlad seems to be sliding as his body breaks down. They've got like 12 outfielders. Abreu will have a nice year, Figgins is a nice player too. Morales is a question mark but doesn't seem to have as much power as you're projecting, Tin. I think 12-15 homers is more likely.

Seattle has made improvements. Really the only team in the division with pitching worth half a shit is LA, so I figure they'll be there at the end. But I could see Oakland pushing a bit if things fall right as far as their pitching goes.

[Machado]

to killeverything:

So far the Yankees CF battle is going very well for Gardner. The guy is hitting 1,000 through today's game vs canada.
If the boxscore is correct that is.

Anyway, it's very early in the battle but Gardner seems to be getting on base, stealing bases and I believe he has 2 HR's already.

WOW

[JakeYonkel]

Man, I don't know where you get your info from. He's like 7/12 going into today's game against USA. He has one bomb. Playing a good CF and stealing a bunch of bags.

Melky left to play with the Dominican which is probably not the best thing to do when you're competing for a position.

[Machado]

Man, I don't know where you get your info from. He's like 7/12 going into today's game against USA. He has one bomb. Playing a good CF and stealing a bunch of bags.

Melky left to play with the Dominican which is probably not the best thing to do when you're competing for a position.

What are you talking about?
Melky is playing with the Yankees. He decided maybe a week ago to stay with the Yankees and not play for his country!

[Machado]

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Boston Red Sox pitcher Brad Penny was scratched from his first scheduled spring training start because of shoulder weakness, and right fielder J.D. Drew went to Boston for an injection in his lower back.

Penny was to have started Thursday against Puerto Rico. He stopped a bullpen session Sunday after 25 pitches.

"I don't think the shoulder strength was quite where it needed to be yet for the workload I was doing," Penny said. "It's better to take it easy right now than to get out there in the first week of April and have it flare up on me."

Penny was limited to 19 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, and just nine innings after June 14, because of the shoulder problems.

"He could pitch Thursday. I just don't know it's in everybody's long-term best interests," manager Terry Francona said Tuesday. "I think the best way I can put it is that he's still putting gas in the tank. I don't consider this a setback at all."

Clay Buchholz will start against Puerto Rico, which is preparing for the World Baseball Classic.
Drew missed most of the final six weeks of the 2008 regular season with back stiffness caused by a herniated disk. Francona said Drew flew to Boston on Sunday, received the injection on Monday and was back in Fort Myers by Tuesday.

Francona described the injection to a facet joint as precautionary and said Drew is expected to return to spring training games by Friday.

In an interview with NESN, the team's cable network, Drew described the timing of the treatment as "a win-win situation."

"After talking to everyone, we decided it was a good chance to get back early in the spring -- I've still got plenty of recovery time -- take a few days off to see how things work out. We've got an off day tomorrow. So we'll see how it goes Thursday," Drew said.

[JakeYonkel]

You're right about Melky. I must have missed that blurb about him not playing for the DR.

And as for Brad Penny, I wouldn't expect much out of him. Low-risk signing anyway. Smoltz is a bigger deal, and Saito of course.

[Machado]

You're right about Melky. I must have missed that blurb about him not playing for the DR.

And as for Brad Penny, I wouldn't expect much out of him. Low-risk signing anyway. Smoltz is a bigger deal, and Saito of course.

Several Yankee players decided against playing in the WBC this spring.
Melky made the smart choice. If he wants to win the CF job, he can't do that playing in the WBC.

Going into the season I was hoping Gardner would win the job.
He brings more to the table. Can do a couple things that Melky can not do.