Killeverything's (New)NeverEndingBaseballThread

[JakeYonkel]

Long term contracts for pitchers is usually a bad idea. Schilling while he spoke highly of John Lackey, was really questioning giving him a five year deal. OTOH he's pretty vocal about why you re-sign Beckett now. So take that what it's worth......aside from the whole "he's a moron" thing.

Me personally I woulda signed Nathan over Hunter too. Finding a dominant closer is tougher than a dominant OF. I haven't even won a Fantasy league yet, so what the fuck do I know?

It's tough though, with such a competitive market, teams HAVE to go the extra distance to sign dominant starters. You really think a team wants to gamble on anybody beyond like 3 years? I can't imagine the Yankees and Mets feel tremendous about having Sabathia and Santana under contract for 7 years each, despite what they say. Waaaaay too much risk and money involved, even if the guys are in the elite tier of SP in the league.

The Lackey and Burnett deals though, I had a problem with. These guys are just not #1 starters (in Lackey's case I think he was, but not anymore). Both guys have injury histories. I just think one or both deals is going to wind up ending badly. You can almost justify throwing $160M at CC or Johan because they win every game. But Burnett's an enigma and Lackey seems like he doesn't pitch til May each year with an elbow injury. Just a bad idea.

[Machado]

ESPN Baseball Tonight discussed the nathan injury
with some female Doctor.
she mentioned that chris carpenter and billy wagner suffered a similiar injury.
both of them had Tommy John surgery.

if nathan does have TJ surgery, he is done for this year and who knows how much time next year
unless he decides to retire. which is highly unlikely.

[Machado]

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Tigers outfielder Johnny Damon missed his first matchup with his old team Wednesday due to turf toe in his left big toe, but the injury is not believed to be serious.

Damon apparently felt the injury a couple days ago. Head athletic trainer Kevin Rand said Wednesday morning that Damon received treatment on Tuesday in Lakeland while the Tigers were on the road.

"He's a lot better today," Rand said. "But it's March 10."

Damon signed as a free agent with the Tigers last month after spending the previous four seasons with the Yankees. He'll have plenty of other chances to face New York, which meets Detroit a handful of times this spring.

[JakeYonkel]

I almost went over to Lakeland to that game today, too. Good thing I didn't.

[Machado]

I almost went over to Lakeland to that game today, too. Good thing I didn't.

if i read correctly, these 2 teams will play each
other 4 more times in ST.
so plenty of chances

[JakeYonkel]

Yeah, but the schlep out to Tampa is impossible since all those games sell out real quickly.

Lakeland is like 10 minutes from here, but for the big teams you wind up sitting in the general admission section, a hill in left field. Which is nice if it isn't 400 degrees.

[TawnyVonJagger]

Yeah, but the schlep out to Tampa is impossible since all those games sell out real quickly.

Lakeland is like 10 minutes from here, but for the big teams you wind up sitting in the general admission section, a hill in left field. Which is nice if it isn't 400 degrees.

The hill is a helluva lot better than the GA stands. (3rd base side, near LF, pretty huge seating section, near the hill.) Can't see the friggin game because everyone is always up and moving. It's a baseball game, sit down and watch the damn game, if just for a few innings. Never have that problem anywhere else! We finally got fed up and moved to the hill.

[tin00can]

I had a good ticket for yesterday's Angels game, third base side of the field, second row. Then I decided to head over to "the hill" and sit on the grass for a bit. I loved it there; made me feel like a kid again. Not only that, but while I was sitting there they announced that that day's "lucky section" was the Hill, and everybody there got a $5 gift certificate for Claim Jumper. Whoo hoo!

[JakeYonkel]

Yeah, but the schlep out to Tampa is impossible since all those games sell out real quickly.

Lakeland is like 10 minutes from here, but for the big teams you wind up sitting in the general admission section, a hill in left field. Which is nice if it isn't 400 degrees.

The hill is a helluva lot better than the GA stands. (3rd base side, near LF, pretty huge seating section, near the hill.) Can't see the friggin game because everyone is always up and moving. It's a baseball game, sit down and watch the damn game, if just for a few innings. Never have that problem anywhere else! We finally got fed up and moved to the hill.

Those third base GA stands are a death trap. Anything hooked down the line and you'll get killed if you're not looking.

I've sat on the hill plenty - it's HOT - but the LFer will usually throw balls up to everybody there and stuff and it's pretty relaxed.

I went to a night game there a few years ago and sat behind the plate. It was actually really cool. Very nice ST facility, especially given its age.

[TawnyVonJagger]

I miss going to Dodgertown. THAT was an awesome ballpark! That is a true minor league park. Nothing at all fancy schmancy about it. You can feel the ghosts around you. And mmmmm....Dodger Dogs.

Never been to a ballpark I didn't like, even Tradition Field (Mets). I'm kinda bummed because the Marlins aren't doing any roadtrips on Sundays this ST, so no roadtrips for us this year. Sucks, because we like going to different ballparks. I really want to go to Atlanta's place in O-town.

[JakeYonkel]

I'd like to get out to Wide World of Sports too but it's fairly expensive (not surprising since it's Disney).

Have you been to the Astros' place in Kissimmee? All I had was that it's old.

[killeverything]

Towers to join the MFY. It's finally official.

Kevin Towers, the former Padres general manager, is joining the Yankees as a special assistant to general manager Brian Cashman, according to two major league sources.

Towers willl start with the Yankees next week in Tampa after being introduced on Tuesday. He'll scout amateurs and professionals. Also, he'll be a sounding board to Cashman, a longtime friend.

The Yankees will pay him $50,000, according to a Padres official, and the Padres will pay Towers more than $1 million in remaining salary.

http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/03/11/sour ... g-yankees/

[Facedown]

From ESPNews:
Phillies had internal discussions about proposing a swap of Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols.

[JakeYonkel]

Why would St. Louis EVER do that?

Maybe Utley + Howard for Pujols, as a starting point.

[Machado]

From ESPNews:
Phillies had internal discussions about proposing a swap of Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols.

heavy on the alleged.
sounds like a very ridiculous idea.

why would the cards make this trade? oh yeah, they wouldn't unless many other players were involved

[SkyDog112046]

The Red Sox's top prospect Ryan Westmoreland is going in for brain surgery on Thursday. The 19-year-old outfielder has been diagnosed with a cavernous malformation in his brain. Cavernous malformations are a cluster of abnormally dilated blood vessels that resemble raspberries, and they are typically less than three centimeters in size. Symptoms often include headaches and sometimes seizures, with the most serious cases resulting in a hemorrhage. It’s unclear what symptoms, if any, Westmoreland was experiencing.

Full article:
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/base ... ion=active

[Machado]

Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan, facing the prospect of season-ending surgery, plans to play catch on Saturday to test the torn ligament in his right elbow, The Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported.


"When I feel loose -- if I do get loose -- I definitely want to test this thing as much as I can for Day 1 and see how it feels," Nathan said Monday, according to the report. "This is going to be something where there shouldn't be a gray area. It's going to be ' I feel great, or this just isn't me, this doesn't feel right.' "

Nathan was 2-2 with a 2.10 ERA last year, with a career-high 47 saves. His 246 saves over the past six seasons are the most in the majors during that span.

On March 6, Nathan left a spring training game against the Boston Red Sox after feeling tightness in his right elbow. Three days later, the Twins announced the injury, as well as a plan to wait two weeks and see if Nathan could work through it or undergo Tommy John surgery, which usually carries a recovery period of at least a year.

If Nathan is indeed lost for the season, it leaves the Twins, who open a brand-new stadium next month and were widely deemed a contender in the AL Central, without a proven closer. Right-handers Jon Rauch and Matt Guerrier are probably the top two candidates to replace Nathan, but Rauch is the only Twins reliever with even limited prior experience as a closer.

"Whatever happens in my career, I tell everybody you've gotta look at the bright side," Nathan said, according to the report. "For me, if the worst-case does happen, I see it as a chance to prolong my career. I see it as a chance to give myself a new arm and pitch for another five years after this. ... That's the worst-case scenario for me, coming back in 2011 with a brand new arm."

[tin00can]

I'm glad I don't worry about spring training records and stats. That's all I'm gonna say.

[soulonfire]

From ESPNews:
Phillies had internal discussions about proposing a swap of Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols.

heavy on the alleged.
sounds like a very ridiculous idea.

why would the cards make this trade? oh yeah, they wouldn't unless many other players were involved

Phillies management is totally denying it. Howard is a little shaky in the field, but a good hitter. The local sports talk DJ is hyping Pujols as the greatest player out there right now, but very injury prone.

[JakeYonkel]

I don't think Pujols is injury prone at all. He has had that lingering elbow issue that should now be cleared up with surgery. A couple years ago he slipped going after a foul ball and whacked his head on the on-deck circle and was out with a concussion. Other than that I don't know where he gets the "injury prone" rep.

Games played since 2001? 161, 157, 157, 154, 161, 143, 158, 148, 160.

Where's all the time he's missing?

[Machado]

I'm glad I don't worry about spring training records and stats. That's all I'm gonna say.

c'mon now, why worry about records and
stats? there is no reason.

last year the AL cy young award winner was "shelled" during spring training. look what he did once the games counted.

for all the regular players, all you want is for them to get there work in and who really cares about the stats.

[killeverything]

I'm glad I don't worry about spring training records and stats. That's all I'm gonna say.

c'mon now, why worry about records and
stats? there is no reason.

last year the AL cy young award winner was "shelled" during spring training. look what he did once the games counted.

for all the regular players, all you want is for them to get there work in and who really cares about the stats.

Totally. When you have coaches saying "only swing at high pitches", or saying shit like "only throw your slider this outing". It's easy to see why some players look like they'd be cut, if they weren't already stars.




* I didn't have anything to add, but I'm bored Goddamnit. *

[Facedown]

Internal discussions part 2:
Supposedly, the Marlins are having them in regards to a possible trade with the Red Sox for Mike Lowell.

[JakeYonkel]

Doubtful because Boston would have to pick up nearly all of the $12M owed to Lowell and I doubt he can play the field every day.

With Ortiz declining he may be a decent alternative DH or at least a platoon partner and backup corner infielder. He's a useful player.

[killeverything]

Doubtful because Boston would have to pick up nearly all of the $12M owed to Lowell and I doubt he can play the field every day.

With Ortiz declining he may be a decent alternative DH or at least a platoon partner and backup corner infielder. He's a useful player.

He can still swing a bat, but he's told the FO he doesn't want to be a platoon-player. He'd rather be on the DL as an everyday guy.

Unfortunately while it would be nice to have him come off the bench. He can't play third anymore. So he would sub for Ortiz vs. lefties? Or play first if Martinez is behind the plate, and Youks has a day off? If that's the case then Tek would be behind the plate ( so baserunners can steal on him ), and Vmart would play first.

I love the guy, but I just don't see a place for him, especially when he's expressed his desire to not sit on the bench. The guy is consumate proffessional ( ala-Mueller ), I just think it would create a problem in the long run.

I shook my head at Theo's extending him after 2007.

[Machado]

John Smoltz is embarking on a career as an analyst for Turner Broadcasting and the MLB Network, although he's not quite ready to say he's thrown his final major league pitch.

"I know the question comes up: Does that mean you retired?" the 42-year-old Smoltz said Tuesday. "Officially no. But in my life when I make a decision about something and I say something, my whole character is to live by it. At this point I'm not officially prepared to say I'm done. But that may not mean anything to the degree that makes me play either."


Smoltz had right shoulder surgery and missed more than a year before Boston activated him last June. He went 2-5 with an 8.32 ERA in eight starts, and the Red Sox released him in August. He then signed with St. Louis and was 1-3 with a 4.26 ERA in seven starts.

He turns 43 on May 15, and he spent the offseason playing basketball three times a week and preparing for what would be a 22nd big league season. With opening day less than a month away, he remains unsigned and says he's leaning toward retirement. He thinks the odds are against him signing with a team during the season.

"Obviously, it was a slow offseason free-agent wise. Certain people derived their conclusions about me, and so be it. Fine," he said, speaking between swings while playing golf. "It didn't stop me from working out and doing the things that I love to do. Today not having a baseball job doesn't bother me one bit."

Smoltz has 213 wins and 154 saves, spending 20 seasons with Atlanta. An eight-time All-Star, he won the NL Cy Young Award in 1996.

Looking back, he said he made mistakes with the Red Sox.

"I pressed really hard," he said. "The results ... mattered a little bit too much to me instead of the long-range plan of getting in position to pitch at the level that I thought I could."

He will work on national telecasts on TBS and Braves' games on Peachtree TV in Atlanta and will be part of the postseason coverage. For the MLB Network, he'll announce both games and in the studio starting on April 5.

Smoltz was a guest analyst for TBS during the 2007 playoffs and broadcast games for Peachtree TV and TBS following shoulder surgery in 2008.

"In my career I used to think that I could map out what I wanted to do. Obviously, I had some U-turns and some obstacles, and overcame most of them," he said. "I stopped mapping it out a while ago, although I still have dreams and aspirations of one day playing in the Senior PGA. The one thing I knew in my life: When I walk from the game, there won't be a tear, a regret, there won't be any of that."

Coaching doesn't appeal to him. He doesn't think he has the right personality or philosophy.

"It's just not for me," he said.

[JakeYonkel]

Doubtful because Boston would have to pick up nearly all of the $12M owed to Lowell and I doubt he can play the field every day.

With Ortiz declining he may be a decent alternative DH or at least a platoon partner and backup corner infielder. He's a useful player.

He can still swing a bat, but he's told the FO he doesn't want to be a platoon-player. He'd rather be on the DL as an everyday guy.

Unfortunately while it would be nice to have him come off the bench. He can't play third anymore. So he would sub for Ortiz vs. lefties? Or play first if Martinez is behind the plate, and Youks has a day off? If that's the case then Tek would be behind the plate ( so baserunners can steal on him ), and Vmart would play first.

I love the guy, but I just don't see a place for him, especially when he's expressed his desire to not sit on the bench. The guy is consumate proffessional ( ala-Mueller ), I just think it would create a problem in the long run.

I shook my head at Theo's extending him after 2007.

Imagine what would have happened had the Yankees actually gotten him to play 1B after 2007? They did offer him more money or more years, if I recall. That would have changed history, because if that's the case they may not have gotten Teixeira.

[Facedown]

Damn, MLB.com was selling a MLB.TV 1 year premium package for $19.95 earlier today but it expired.

[Machado]

any nats fans around here with knowledge of the situation?
The Nationals released right fielder Elijah Dukes and right-hander Logan Kensing on Wednesday morning.

With those moves, the club trimmed its roster to 44 players.

Dukes' release is the most significant because he was slated to be the starting right fielder, but he was not producing during Spring Training, going 3-for-20 (.143) with five strikeouts.

With Dukes gone, Justin Maxwell and Roger Bernadina most likely will battle for the starting job in right field.

[killeverything]

2009 WAR Leaders ( Top 5 ).

I find this interesting how with the exception of Al East, NL East, and the NL Central. The number ones are all pitchers. This is why I will continue to agree to disagree with Jake that pitchers shouldn't be eligible for the MVP.

AL East
Ben Zobrist TB 8.5
Derek Jeter MFY 7.4
Roy Halladay TOR 7.3
Evan Longoria TB 7.3
Jon Lester BOS 6.2

AL Central
Zack Greinke KC 9.4 ( 9.4? Wow )
Justin Verlander DET 8.2
Joe Mauer MIN 8.2
Miguel Cabrera DET 5.5
Shin-Soo Choo CLE 5.1

AL West

King Felix SEA 6.9
Chone Figgins LAA 5.9
Franklin Gutierrez SEA 5.8
Ichiro Suzuki SEA 5.1
Ian Kinsler TEX 4.6

*It's interesting how the top 4 in the AL West are all on Seattle this season.

NL East

Chase Utley PHI 7.7
Hanley Ramirez FLA 7.3
Ryan Zimmerman WAS 7.1
Javier Vazquez ATL 6.6 ( wonder how that's gonna translate to the AL East )
Josh Johnson FLA 5.5

NL Central

Albert Pujols STL 8.4 ( Pujols is leading? No surprises here )
Prince Fielder MIL 6.7
Adam Wainwright STL 5.7
Chris Carpenter STL 6.6
Derek Lee CHI 5.3

NL West

Tim Lincecum SF 8.2
Adrian Gonzalez SD 6.4
Dan Haren ARI 6.1
Ubaldo Jimenez COL 5.7
Troy Tulowitzki COL 5.5

any nats fans around here with knowledge of the situation?
The Nationals released right fielder Elijah Dukes and right-hander Logan Kensing on Wednesday morning.

With those moves, the club trimmed its roster to 44 players.

Dukes' release is the most significant because he was slated to be the starting right fielder, but he was not producing during Spring Training, going 3-for-20 (.143) with five strikeouts.

With Dukes gone, Justin Maxwell and Roger Bernadina most likely will battle for the starting job in right field.

I wouldn't mind seeing the Mighty Red Sox bring in Dukes to compete for a shot on the team. He still has options so they can send him to terrorize AAA. Plus I'm not too confident with the RHH OF they have on the bench right now. No one basically and the top guys on the Farm, are still a ways out.

Here's hoping they give him a shot.