EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2006 Who deserves a spot on the Phillies roster, based SOLELY on the basis of talent? For example, if David Bell isn't one of the six best infielders we cut him regardless of salary. I am using Dan Symboski's ZipS projections. Catching: Mike Lieberthal is still the best hitting catcher on the staff. The best projected backups are Dusty Wathan (.254/.339/.367) and Chris Coste (.263/.315/.400). We'll take Wathan based on his defensive reputation and OBP and we'll come back to Coste. Infield: Ryan Howard, Chase Utley and Jimmy Rollins are no brainers for first, second and shortstop. What do we do about third base? The candidates are Coste, Bobby Scales, David Bell, Matt Kata, Abraham Nunez and Tomas Perez. All except Scales and Perez are just about even in quality. Chris Coste has the most pop, while Nunez has the best projected OBP. Bell is probably still the best third baseman on the team. Abraham Nunez would fit in nicely as the utility infielder, spelling Bell against right handed pitchers. Chris Coste should make the team as the other backup. He can play third, play first base against tough lefties, and act as the third catcher. His versitility combined with his pop would make him an ideal fill-in. Outfield: Pat Burrell, Aaron Rowand, Bobby Abreu across the field. Shane Victorino makes the team as the fourth outfielder, providing excellent defense and switch-hitting capabilities. That leaves us with a choice of Peter Bergeron, Shawn Garrett, Chris Roberson or Josh Kroeger. Michael Bourn is clearly not MLB ready just yet. Josh Kroeger is the most powerful, while Bergeron has the best projected OBP. Chris Roberson lags behind, and his skills are a carbon copy of Victorino's anyway. I'd take Bergeron based on his defense. He's an ideal fifth outfielder, and a better version of Endy Chavez. Starters: The top four in projected ERA are Jon Lieber, Brett Myers, Cory Lidle, and Robinson Tejeda. Ryan Madson's numbers are projected as a reliever, so his performance as a starter is unknown. If he posts a sub-5.00 ERA, he's in. Cole Hamels is next on the list, but he's a big injury question. After Hamels we have Ricardo Rodriguez and Ryan Franklin. I'd take Lieber, Myers, Lidle, Madson and Robinson Tejeda. Once Randy Wolf returns, Tejeda is the odd man out. Relievers: Tom Gordon, Geoff Geary, Aaron Fultz, Arthur Rhodes, Rheal Cormier, Julio Santana, and Aquilino Lopez. Cormier was bad last year, but should rebound. In practice, Chris Booker is a Rule V pick and needs to be returned if not taken on the roster. He's probably worth keeping in exchange for moving one of the back end relievers to AAA. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest OKCoyote Report post Posted January 28, 2006 The Rhodes for Michaels deal is completed, sez MLB.com. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2006 The Crisp deal was finally finished tonight, confirmed by the Indians on ESPNEWS: Red Sox get Crisp, Riske, Bard Indians get Marte, Mota, Shoppach, PTBN and cash considerations. Well, the centerfielder is here and Stark said in an interview that he expects either of the Alex Gonzalez'z or Royce Clayton to be signed... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mike546 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2006 Of course Delcarmen turns into a PTBNL and cash. Knowing the fact the Sox don't have a CF, you'd think the Trible would hold some leverage. Obviously not. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brett Favre 0 Report post Posted January 28, 2006 I'm just glad the Red Sox made a trade. That's their first trade after like 869 proposals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2006 I'm surprised this has gone almost completely unnoticed. A's reliever Jairo Garcia was caught up in age-gate. His real name is Santiago Casilla, and he's 25 years old, not 22. Garcia's still a prospect, but this puts a serious dent in his upside. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2006 Al of the available veteran left-handed bats available which one should the Twins sign? It's not much of a list but three of the four have good career OB%.Something the Twins need. A few names Erubiel Durazo Dave Hansen Scott Hatteberg Timo Perez Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2006 I'm surprised this has gone almost completely unnoticed. A's reliever Jairo Garcia was caught up in age-gate. His real name is Santiago Casilla, and he's 25 years old, not 22. Garcia's still a prospect, but this puts a serious dent in his upside. Meh, I wasn't totally sold on the guy as he's not really shown any signs he'll get BB/9 down to a decent ratio. He was probably a strong candidate to be dealt at some point this year as there's no spot for him on the big club and the emergence Huston Street has made him expendible to a certain extent. Now this revelation though will definently hurt his potential trade value. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2006 Al of the available veteran left-handed bats available which one should the Twins sign? It's not much of a list but three of the four have good career OB%.Something the Twins need. A few names Erubiel Durazo Dave Hansen Scott Hatteberg Timo Perez None of the above. The Twins should have Jason Kubel back in uniform this season, and Justin Morneau will rebound as well. None of those guys are good enough to justify cutting into Kubel's or Rondell White's playing time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mik 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2006 Didn't see this mentioned anywhere, but Joe Girardi has instituted a no facial hair policy on the Marlins. Yankee south? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeJordan23 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2006 Mike Piazza signs with the Padres 1yr. 5million. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2006 Didn't see this mentioned anywhere, but Joe Girardi has instituted a no facial hair policy on the Marlins. Somehow I can't help but think that Joe Girardi should have bigger things to worry about than stubble. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest NYChris Report post Posted January 29, 2006 Mike Piazza signs with the Padres 1yr. 5million. Padres are idiots who were only going against themselves over him. Frank Thomas's deal looks like a bargain compared to this idiotic signing by the Padres. The same franchise that has had 2 fire sales can find 5 million to give to this has been. Great move Kevin Towers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hektik 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2006 What does the Padres having two fire sales in the past have to do with this signing? Besides, the deal I've head about is 1 yr/2 million with a mutual option. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 29, 2006 ESPNNews reports the deal was for $2 Million. Quite frankly, I'm stunned the Padres got him this cheap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest NYChris Report post Posted January 30, 2006 I hear that the second year option is for 8 million dollars. Piazza's agent did offer his services to the Yankees for like 2 million. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2006 I thought Mike was destined for an AL team? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted January 30, 2006 Good move. He'll probably play 1st now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2006 Does San Diego have an active...ya know, scene? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2006 I can't see Piazza being very productive in that park. Dude should have hooked up with an AL team and played DH, but I'm sure his ego dictated that he had to get time behind the plate Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2006 It's hard to tell what kind of opportunities Piazza had. The Yankees rumors were probably just attempts to drive up his asking price. I'm not sure how big an effect Petco will have on Piazza's numbers. He's an upgrade as far as offense goes. I don't think the defense is a huge problem. Piazza will hit somewhere in the .220-.230 range. He'll draw enough walks and have enough power to be productive, but fans can get stuck on a low batting average. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mik 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2006 CINCINNATI -- Adam Dunn said he played most of last season for the Reds with a hairline fracture in his right hand. Dunn said the injury occurred when he dived into third base in a game against Houston in May. Later in the season, he said he was hit by a pitch in the same spot. It wasn't clear if former Reds manager Dave Miley or the Reds front office were aware of Dunn's injury. Dunn said his hand still hurts but he downplayed the injury. It was checked this week, and the doctor recommended he put a splint on it, he said. Right. "The heck with that," Dunn said. Dunn is expected to move from the outfield to first base this season. He hit .247 with 40 home runs and 101 RBI last season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Man in Blak 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2006 In that same article, though, it mentions that Jerry Narron (the current manager of the Reds) did know about the hand injury: “He broke his hand twice last year and wouldn’t let us X-ray it because he wanted to play,” said Narron. "Wouldn't let us X-ray it"? Though Dunn's desire to play is admirable, it was Narron's responsibility to shut him down, for the good of Dunn's career as well as the good of the franchise. It's hard to say whether this admission undermines Narron as a manager or not, since there are probably cases like this throughout the league, but it still doesn't speak well of his judgment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2006 I'm more astonished at the type of numbers he put up with a broken god damn hand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cheech Tremendous 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2006 Didn't see this mentioned anywhere, but Joe Girardi has instituted a no facial hair policy on the Marlins. Somehow I can't help but think that Joe Girardi should have bigger things to worry about than stubble. On the plus side, I doubt there is anyone old enough on the current Marlins team to even grow facial hair. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2006 Boston Herald is reporting that the Red Sox finally got a deal done with Alex Gonzalez, 1 yr $3 mil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cheech Tremendous 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2006 I don't know why the Sox were so enamored with getting Alex Gonzalez. Doesn't Alex Cora offer about the same thing? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2006 Logic don't work on Red Sox Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boon 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2006 2 years younger, same average, smaller OBP, slightly higher OPS, almost double the career RBIs. Meh- nothing spectacular here. Make a decision with the rotation, for fuck's sake. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mik 0 Report post Posted January 31, 2006 Gonzalez is closing in on 3500 career PA (he has 3488). When he reaches that figure, he'll rank 5th in the past half century for worst OBA vs. the league average among players with that many PA. OBA DIFF PLAYER LEAGUE RCAA 1 Hal Lanier -.069 .255 .324 -257 2 Doug Flynn -.065 .266 .331 -228 3 Johnnie LeMaster -.054 .277 .330 -170 4 John Bateman -.053 .271 .324 -146 5 Alex Gonzalez -.052 .291 .343 -128 6 John Flaherty -.051 .290 .341 -168 7 Aurelio Rodriguez -.051 .275 .326 -255 8 Mike Matheny -.049 .293 .343 -222 9 Gary DiSarcina -.049 .292 .341 -223 10 Deivi Cruz -.048 .293 .341 -185 Thanks for taking him away from us. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
