The Official MLB Offseason Topic

[Guest Anglesault]

Mariano Rivera, who said earlier this month that he'd like to play "maybe three more years," now says he wants to remain a Yankee through 2007.

"I want to play three more years after this and finish with the Yankees," the closer said

I've heard that before.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

In defense of Rivera, he's just saying what he wants to do, not what he will do.

[Guest Ghettoman]

No alkeiper, clearly he's signing a contract that doesn't exist to remain a yankee for all eternity. Wake up.

[Guest Anglesault]

Hey, I'm just saying that you can't take what these people say at face value anymore.

 

Roger Clemens lied to the Yankee fans and, in fact, the league itself for THE ENTIRE BASEBALL SEASON last year. Forgive me if I'm a little skeptical.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Clemens is a master liar...look at his bolting for Toronto just so he can later play for the Yanks(Ironic in that he burns them for the Astros)

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Reds fans, take heart. Your team may have the pitcher they need right under their noses.....

 

Give the ball to the Old Lefthander one more time.

 

Before Joe Nuxhall rounds third and heads for home forever, the Cincinnati Reds should let him suit up for a game. Give the retiring radio man a hero's escort to the mound. He deserves it. He's a Reds legend.

 

Then, let him rare back and throw. One last pitch. For old time's sake. For the record books.

 

That way, the youngest guy to play the game will also be the oldest.

 

The heck with just letting him do a ceremonial first pitch.

 

This toss would be the real thing. During a game.

 

The Reds have just the game for it - Sept. 18. At 7:10 p.m. At home. Against the Cubs.

 

By then the Reds' season will be long gone. This team isn't bound for greatness. So, the fans could use a pleasant diversion.

 

Seeing this southpaw pitch on Sept. 18 would be a true pleasure. And quite appropriate. The game - tickets went on sale Saturday - honors Nuxhall's retirement. At season's end, he closes his 60-year association with the Reds, including the last 37 in the radio booth.

 

The Sept. 18 game dovetails with Nuxhall's historic debut. On June 10, 1944 - at age 15 years, 10 months and 11 days - he pitched two-thirds of an inning for the Reds and became history's youngest big-leaguer.

 

Fast-forward 60 years. Nuxhall turns 76 in July. If he makes one pitch on Sept. 18, he would be the oldest Major Leaguer by 17 years.

 

He's up to the challenge.

 

"I doubt I could throw a ball 60 feet today," said the Old Lefthander. "But Spring Training's going on. I have seven months to get in shape."

 

For now, Satchel Paige holds the oldest-player distinction. Officially, he was 59 when he last pitched for the Kansas City Athletics in 1965.

 

Paige could have been older. He fibbed a lot about his age. To find out exactly how old he was, you would have had to cut him in half and count the rings.

 

At age 76, Nuxhall would be free and clear to make one last pitch for the Reds. The timing of his retirement game, late in September, keeps him from being signed by another team. That way he won't wind up as a New York Yankee.

 

"Wouldn't want that," cracked Marty Brennaman, Nuxhall's Reds-on-radio partner.

 

"With his figure, those Yankee pinstripes would be very unflattering."

 

The last time a team tried to maintain a historical continuum like this, baseball shot it down.

 

Minnie Minoso planned to take a swing for the Chicago White Sox in 1990. He wanted to keep his string alive of appearing at the plate in every decade since the 1940s. But baseball's commissioner, Fay Vincent, said no. He invoked the Must maintain the "integrity" of the game rule.

 

Baseball would have trouble invoking that rule today. In 2004, the big-league game has precious little integrity.

 

Except for guys who have devoted their lives to baseball - guys like the Old Lefthander.

 

http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/02/22/loc_radel22.html

[Guest OctoberBlood]

Noo.

[Mik 0]

Oswalt named Astros opening day starter.

 

1. Oswalt

2. Pettitte

3. Clemens

4. Wade Miller

5. Tim Redding

 

So sayeth ESPN.com

[HarleyQuinn 0]

The Rangers inked Blalock to a long term deal...

 

Rangers signed third baseman Hank Blalock to a five-year, $15.25 million contract with a club option for 2009.

Blalock apparently overruled his agent in signing the deal, which could cost him $6 million-$10 million during his three years of arbitration eligiblity. He must have figured that if he asked for any additional money, the Rangers would have paid the Yankees a few million to take him off their hands.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

That happened a few days ago. Roto is just slow.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

It was listed as being posted on the 20th(on Roto) or whatever but nobody posted anything so I figured I would

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Reds fans, take heart. Your team may have the pitcher they need right under their noses.....

 

Give the ball to the Old Lefthander one more time.

 

Before Joe Nuxhall rounds third and heads for home forever, the Cincinnati Reds should let him suit up for a game. Give the retiring radio man a hero's escort to the mound. He deserves it. He's a Reds legend.

 

Then, let him rare back and throw. One last pitch. For old time's sake. For the record books.

 

That way, the youngest guy to play the game will also be the oldest.

 

The heck with just letting him do a ceremonial first pitch.

 

This toss would be the real thing. During a game.

 

The Reds have just the game for it - Sept. 18. At 7:10 p.m. At home. Against the Cubs.

What happens if the Cubs are in a pennant race, losing that game, and the batter decides to take a swing at the pitch? See you could say "Have him throw an intentional ball, like a walk" but in stats those aren't actually counted as pitches for some reason. Thus he has to throw it somewhere near the plate.

 

If he gave up the game winning home-run and the fans booed him off the field I think that would be the funniest moment in baseball history.

[Guest Choken One]

They could just make a Mutal agreement that Nuxhull throws the first pitch (offical) and the Batter won't swing at it and then bring in the normal starting pitcher and then the GAME really starts...

[Guest OctoberBlood]

It was listed as being posted on the 20th(on Roto) or whatever but nobody posted anything so I figured I would

Actually, I did.

[Guest Anglesault]

Oswalt named Astros opening day starter.

 

1. Oswalt

2. Pettitte

3. Clemens

4. Wade Miller

5. Tim Redding

 

So sayeth ESPN.com

Is it wrong for me to want Dickhead Clemens to trip down the dugout steps and take Pettitte with him?

[Guest OctoberBlood]

Good report on one of the Reds top pitching prospects, Dustin Moseley.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Oswalt named Astros opening day starter.

 

1. Oswalt

2. Pettitte

3. Clemens

4. Wade Miller

5. Tim Redding

 

So sayeth ESPN.com

Is it wrong for me to want Dickhead Clemens to trip down the dugout steps and take Pettitte with him?

As a Cubs fan, I concur. Down with Clemenspettitte.

[Bored 0]

It appears this year's league leader in arm injuries is going to be the White Sox if new manger Ozzie Gullien gets his way:

 

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...s_cws&fext=.jsp

 

TUCSON, Ariz. - With closers, setup men and left and right-handed specialists firmly entrenched in every Major League pitching staff, the complete game almost has become as obsolete as the triple play.

 

But if Ozzie Guillen's Spring Training plan runs according to schedule, the White Sox manager might give new life to a full game's worth of work for his starting hurler.

 

"I talked to (pitching coach Don) Cooper, and I want these guys ready to throw nine innings right from the get go," Guillen said of Saturday's workout. "I don't expect that to happen all of the time, but that's what I want.

 

"We have a young pitching staff, and I'm going to give the opportunity to let them go as far as they can. We have one month to go, and if they can't get ready in one month, they better get another job."

 

Guillen won't be maniacal where his determination for deep starting efforts is concerned. If Esteban Loaiza has thrown 120 pitches through seven innings, he's not going to push the right-hander for 140 or 145 to go the distance. But a starter who carries 110 pitches into the ninth with a lead and seemingly good stuff, usually will get the benefit of the doubt from Guillen.

 

It's somewhat of a strange push by the first-year manager, considering the White Sox bullpen appears to be stronger than the rotation-at least on paper. It's a trust Guillen is trying to build, though, with his rotation, as well as a key characteristic shown by some of the game's top pitchers, in Guillen's estimation.

 

"The good pitchers in baseball, pitchers like (Roger) Clemens, (Greg) Maddux and (Tom) Glavine, they will go seven innings and give themselves the chance to win more games," Guillen said. "A pitcher who goes five innings and even gives up one run still has a chance for a no decision.

 

"I won't hurt my pitchers, and I'm going to protect them. But I'm going to give the kids a chance for me not to babysit them."

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

They could just make a Mutal agreement that Nuxhull throws the first pitch (offical) and the Batter won't swing at it and then bring in the normal starting pitcher and then the GAME really starts...

More likely scenario. Nuxhall impresses Reds' brass with his ability to locate the plate. He is instantly linked to a two year contract. Nuxhall goes 3-34 the next two years, earning him ace status on the club before retiring. Nuxhall then signs with the Houston Astros.

[geniusMoment 0]

Whoever said that we would boo Nuxie out of the stadium if he gave up the game winning home run obvisiously does not know anything about Cincinnati and how we feel about Nuxie. If we found out that he was responsible for the 9-11 attack most people in this town would still love the old left hander. I would be one of them!

[Vern Gagne 0]

So throwing out a ceremonial first pitch isn't enough? I don't care how popular Joe Nuxhall. This is nothing but a glorified publicity stunt. Just like Gordie Howe, or Minnie Minoso playing in a game for 6 decades or whatever record they broke.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

From BenMaller.com

 

New Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta, who plans to be aggressive in remaking what was baseball's worst batting lineup, is dangling lefty starter Kaz Ishii around and has talked to the Orioles about Brian Roberts. The second baseman has drawn interest from many clubs, including the Yankees, but Baltimore would prefer to trade his backup, Jerry Hairston.

 

--

 

Interesting trade idea but all the O's fans seem to think Ishii = Omar Daal v 2.0.

[Bored 0]

Ishii has a terrible strikeout to walk ratio and his ERA+ and component ERA numbers are nothing to get excited about. Roberts would be an odd first pick up for DePodesta since he doesn't walk or hit for power. But I guess for both teams they are both better than what they currently have at pitcher and 2nd base respectively.

[geniusMoment 0]

I don't ever trust any pitcher coming from the Dodgers. You can add about 2.00 ERA points to their stats due to the fact that they will no longer be pitching in Dodger Stadium.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

Splits:

 

Last year:

 

Home: 14 G, 3.12 ERA, 84 K, 58 BB, 1.54 WHIP, .221 BAA

Road: 13 G, 4.70 ERA, 56 K, 43 BB, 1.59 WHIP, .258 BAA

 

Career:

 

Home: 28 G, 3.48 ERA, 154 K, 115 BB, 1.53 WHIP, .216 BAA

Road: 27 G, 4.68 ERA, 129 K, 92 BB, 1.62 WHIP, .263 BAA

 

Big differences, but it looks like if he could learn better control, he'd be a much better pitcher. But as you can see, Kaz pitching in Baltimore (vs. AL teams) would problly be a disaster.

[DerangedHermit 0]

It appears this year's league leader in arm injuries is going to be the White Sox if new manger Ozzie Gullien gets his way:

 

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...s_cws&fext=.jsp

 

TUCSON, Ariz. - With closers, setup men and left and right-handed specialists firmly entrenched in every Major League pitching staff, the complete game almost has become as obsolete as the triple play.

 

But if Ozzie Guillen's Spring Training plan runs according to schedule, the White Sox manager might give new life to a full game's worth of work for his starting hurler.

 

"I talked to (pitching coach Don) Cooper, and I want these guys ready to throw nine innings right from the get go," Guillen said of Saturday's workout. "I don't expect that to happen all of the time, but that's what I want.

 

"We have a young pitching staff, and I'm going to give the opportunity to let them go as far as they can. We have one month to go, and if they can't get ready in one month, they better get another job."

 

Guillen won't be maniacal where his determination for deep starting efforts is concerned. If Esteban Loaiza has thrown 120 pitches through seven innings, he's not going to push the right-hander for 140 or 145 to go the distance. But a starter who carries 110 pitches into the ninth with a lead and seemingly good stuff, usually will get the benefit of the doubt from Guillen.

 

It's somewhat of a strange push by the first-year manager, considering the White Sox bullpen appears to be stronger than the rotation-at least on paper. It's a trust Guillen is trying to build, though, with his rotation, as well as a key characteristic shown by some of the game's top pitchers, in Guillen's estimation.

 

"The good pitchers in baseball, pitchers like (Roger) Clemens, (Greg) Maddux and (Tom) Glavine, they will go seven innings and give themselves the chance to win more games," Guillen said. "A pitcher who goes five innings and even gives up one run still has a chance for a no decision.

 

"I won't hurt my pitchers, and I'm going to protect them. But I'm going to give the kids a chance for me not to babysit them."

Did Dallas Green or Jeff Torborg inhabit Ozzie GUillen's body?

[Bored 0]

Newsday talks about a trade rumor that would already send Alfonso Soriano back to New York!

 

Make that the New York Mets.

 

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/met...-sports-big-pix

[Conspiracy_Victim 0]

They could just make a Mutal agreement that Nuxhull throws the first pitch (offical) and the Batter won't swing at it and then bring in the normal starting pitcher and then the GAME really starts...

More likely scenario. Nuxhall impresses Reds' brass with his ability to locate the plate. He is instantly linked to a two year contract. Nuxhall goes 3-34 the next two years, earning him ace status on the club before retiring. Nuxhall then signs with the Houston Astros.

Actually, I'm waiting for the Astros to sign Nolan Ryan to a personal services contract. Robin Ventura will be seen running for the nearest bomb shelter.

[DerangedHermit 0]

Newsday talks about a trade rumor that would already send Alfonso Soriano back to New York!

 

Make that the New York Mets.

 

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/met...-sports-big-pix

If it was Steve Phillips, that trade would be done and done.

 

But it's Jim Duquette, so I hope he has the common sense to back off. Trade anybody but Kazmir and Reyes.

[Dr. Tom 0]

Actually, if I'm the Mets, I'd make that trade. Soriano is a big name who already has star value in NY. With all the moves the Yankees have made, how patient are the MEts' fans going to be to accept a youth movement? A 20-year-old SS needs time to develop; Soriano is already a star. I'd make the deal without hesitation if I were the Mets.