2007 Spring Training: The Thread

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Or nevermind Torre just implied either Igawa or Pavano will pitch opening day.

 

As a Red Sox fan, this makes me very happy.

[vivalaultra 0]

Get ready for this...

 

Kerry Wood is likely to begin the season on the DL, due to major stiffness of various body parts. I say, you could knock me over with a feather.

[Guest]

Dodgers acquired Brady Clark for Elmer Dessens. Repko got hurt, so it was necessary.

 

The bigger news is that there's nothing wrong with Nomar. No injuries.

[Guest Queen Leelee]

DICE-K with 5 no-hit innings in Spring Training.

 

Alan, does this mean he's the greatest pitcher ever?

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

Don't you read his posts? He answered all future ST questions with this:

 

But do NOT put ANY stock in spring training statistics. Seriously. NONE.

[Guest]

I think she was being sarcastic

[vivalaultra 0]

Well, he IS the best pitcher ever, but not because of 5 no-hit ST innings. He's the best pitcher ever because he throws...THE GYROBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[USC Wuz Robbed! 0]

I know she was being sarcastic, I just wanted to take the time to use Al's line again. Since not a lot of people get it.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

Didn't you know that Dice-K is already penciled in for the triple crown of Rookie of the Year, the MVP, and the Cy Young Award?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Save the sarcasm for some place actually making those predictions. No one here is salivating over Matsuzaka more than necessary.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Cuts being made. As expected, the Royals sent Angel Berroa to the minors. The White Sox sent Charlie Haeger to AAA, meaning Gavin Floyd is likely their fifth starter.

[the pinjockey 0]

The Inky today had Danks named as the fifth starter with Floyd either in the bullpen or AAA.

[Guest Queen Leelee]

I use sarcasm everywhere. Sorry.

 

Why didn't the Yankees schedule Mussina for opening day? That seems like really shoddy managing.

 

And in shocking news, Yahoo is reporting Kerry Wood has stiffness in his shoulder.

[mike546 0]

Because Wang was scheduled for opening day up until basically two days ago, and Mussina with his OCD like personality, the Yanks don't like changing his routine/scheduled.

 

and btw, this whole Pettite thing is pretty overblown, hes fine, they just don't want to rush him. Hes penciled in to start during the opening week, theres no point in rushing him just so he can pitch the first game of the season.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Did anyone catch the Red Sox-Reds game today complete with Craig Hansen meltdown? I know the kid is still young but I can't see him being that next great closer now, and I sort of wonder if he will ever be a consistent major leaguer. This new Hansen doesn't even remotely resemble the one that came out of St. John's several years ago. Whether mental or physical, he's an absolute mess with mechanics and approach.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

People bash Mike Mussina alot for his strict rest habits, but the guy has been a horse for 16 years and he's within reach of 300 wins.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Did anyone catch the Red Sox-Reds game today complete with Craig Hansen meltdown? I know the kid is still young but I can't see him being that next great closer now, and I sort of wonder if he will ever be a consistent major leaguer. This new Hansen doesn't even remotely resemble the one that came out of St. John's several years ago. Whether mental or physical, he's an absolute mess with mechanics and approach.

See above with regard to Spring Training statistics. Remember Hansen is still only 23.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Jorge Julio got traded to the Florida Marlins... does he lock up the closer's role now?

[Guest Queen Leelee]

Yes. All Florida had were young kids and scrubs for the role. Maybe he'll lose the job when Tankersley is 100%.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Did anyone catch the Red Sox-Reds game today complete with Craig Hansen meltdown? I know the kid is still young but I can't see him being that next great closer now, and I sort of wonder if he will ever be a consistent major leaguer. This new Hansen doesn't even remotely resemble the one that came out of St. John's several years ago. Whether mental or physical, he's an absolute mess with mechanics and approach.

See above with regard to Spring Training statistics. Remember Hansen is still only 23.

 

It has less to do with statistics and more with scouting. He can't replicate his arm slot. He can't locate pitches. His slider, once rated the best in amateur baseball, is completely lost. He has no velocity on his fastball. His pitch selection is maddening. I don't know if it's a developmental problem that comes from the organization's insistence on changing mechanics and approach (Cla Meredith being the prime example) or something mental with Hansen. But if you just watch him pitch, be it this year or last, you can tell that he just isn't performing to his ability.

 

Of course I want the kid to succeed. He's young and there is time left to right the ship. However, his major league contract is forcing the team's hand in rushing his developmental process. He needs a full year at High A or Double A to work on his approach away from the brutal Boston media scrutiny.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

he Orioles obtained catcher Alberto Castillo from the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday in a trade for outfielder Cory Keylor, Baltimore's minor league player of the year in 2006.

 

Castillo, 37, hasn't played in the majors since 2005. He spent all last season playing for New Orleans, then the Washington Nationals' Triple-A affiliate, hitting .268 with no homers and 30 RBIs in 88 games.

 

haha

 

I wanna shoot something.

 

why in the world do you need a 37 year old catcher that hasn't played in the majors in 2 years? They have Ramon Hernandez and Paul Bako.

 

Keylor of course, for being the OS MLPOY, is like 28 and never made it to AAA..so its not the worst move in that sense, but I just dont understand going after a 37 year old catcher..if they need a 3rd catcher..there would have to be someone younger and available..

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

he Orioles obtained catcher Alberto Castillo from the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday in a trade for outfielder Cory Keylor, Baltimore's minor league player of the year in 2006.

 

Castillo, 37, hasn't played in the majors since 2005. He spent all last season playing for New Orleans, then the Washington Nationals' Triple-A affiliate, hitting .268 with no homers and 30 RBIs in 88 games.

 

haha

 

I wanna shoot something.

 

why in the world do you need a 37 year old catcher that hasn't played in the majors in 2 years? They have Ramon Hernandez and Paul Bako.

 

Keylor of course, for being the OS MLPOY, is like 28 and never made it to AAA..so its not the worst move in that sense, but I just dont understand going after a 37 year old catcher..if they need a 3rd catcher..there would have to be someone younger and available..

Organizational depth. It gives them a AAA catcher and option in case of emergency. Remember a team has more to deal with than just their major league roster.

[2GOLD 0]

he Orioles obtained catcher Alberto Castillo from the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday in a trade for outfielder Cory Keylor, Baltimore's minor league player of the year in 2006.

 

Castillo, 37, hasn't played in the majors since 2005. He spent all last season playing for New Orleans, then the Washington Nationals' Triple-A affiliate, hitting .268 with no homers and 30 RBIs in 88 games.

 

haha

 

I wanna shoot something.

 

why in the world do you need a 37 year old catcher that hasn't played in the majors in 2 years? They have Ramon Hernandez and Paul Bako.

 

Keylor of course, for being the OS MLPOY, is like 28 and never made it to AAA..so its not the worst move in that sense, but I just dont understand going after a 37 year old catcher..if they need a 3rd catcher..there would have to be someone younger and available..

 

 

Haven't you seen Bull Durham??

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

he Orioles obtained catcher Alberto Castillo from the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday in a trade for outfielder Cory Keylor, Baltimore's minor league player of the year in 2006.

 

Castillo, 37, hasn't played in the majors since 2005. He spent all last season playing for New Orleans, then the Washington Nationals' Triple-A affiliate, hitting .268 with no homers and 30 RBIs in 88 games.

 

haha

 

I wanna shoot something.

 

why in the world do you need a 37 year old catcher that hasn't played in the majors in 2 years? They have Ramon Hernandez and Paul Bako.

 

Keylor of course, for being the OS MLPOY, is like 28 and never made it to AAA..so its not the worst move in that sense, but I just dont understand going after a 37 year old catcher..if they need a 3rd catcher..there would have to be someone younger and available..

Organizational depth. It gives them a AAA catcher and option in case of emergency. Remember a team has more to deal with than just their major league roster.

 

It shows they have no faith in Eli Whiteside or J.R. House to catch for the Norfolk Tides and be available to come up in an emergency (like whiteside did last year).

 

and actually..and amazing as it seems..I have not seen Bull Durham.

[strummer 0]

Had to post this. From FJM:

 

I caught some of the Mets-Braves game this afternoon which I believe was the ESPN debut of FJM favorite Dusty Baker along with Ric Sutcliffe and Dave Ryan. In the bottom of the first the three were discussing the Mets batting David Wright second in their batting order. Dusty says, "He (Wright) stole 20 bases last year so you don't have to worry about him clogging up the bases at the top of the order." For reference, first game, bottom of the first inning, first "clogging up the bases" quote from Dusty Baker.

 

I know it's kind of lame to still be making fun of Dusty but it's hilarious that he actually said this in the 1st inning of the first game he's broadcasting for ESPN. Should be a fun season.

[CanadianChris 0]

Had to post this. From FJM:

 

I caught some of the Mets-Braves game this afternoon which I believe was the ESPN debut of FJM favorite Dusty Baker along with Ric Sutcliffe and Dave Ryan. In the bottom of the first the three were discussing the Mets batting David Wright second in their batting order. Dusty says, "He (Wright) stole 20 bases last year so you don't have to worry about him clogging up the bases at the top of the order." For reference, first game, bottom of the first inning, first "clogging up the bases" quote from Dusty Baker.

 

I know it's kind of lame to still be making fun of Dusty but it's hilarious that he actually said this in the 1st inning of the first game he's broadcasting for ESPN. Should be a fun season.

Oof. I think if I had to watch ESPN's baseball coverage for a prolonged period of time, I'd blow my brains out.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Whiteside had a .278 OBP in AAA last year, and J.R. House is not a notable defensive catcher. Ultimately though, it's silly to fret about the moves your organization makes at a minor league level.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

Mark Prior's been sent to AAA.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Didn't anyone see the main page of espn.com today? FJM beat me to the punch... again. In case you missed it, here is the lead article:

 

So, how did Ryan Howard go from 151 Ks in 2003 to 58 HRs in 2006? The NL MVP kept tinkering with his swing while toiling in the minors. Oh, and he's not done tweaking that sweet stroke.

 

This might be the stupidest thing ever. They seemingly forgot to mention that he struck out 180(!) times last year. Strikeouts mean nothing. They are the same as any other out. Why can't they figure this out? It's not that difficult.

 

Oh, and he wasn't exactly "toiling" away in the minors. He was mashing the ball with an OPS of 900 or something like that.

[CanadianChris 0]

It's not as stupid as Steve Phillips saying that "there's a sixth category -- chemistry -- on the guys who have a sixth sense for creating it," in an article about the five tools. FJM got to that one, too.