Feb
11
Open Thread: Early camp roundup
ByPitchers and catchers are like, forty hours away. How awesome is that?
Here’s a recap of today’s action from camp:
- Bryan Hoch spoke to Joba Chamberlain, who said the Yanks “are always the team to beat.” Good boy. Kat O’Brien has some more from Joba, and Hoch also noted that Jon Albaladejo looks to have lost about fifteen pounds over the winter.
- Mike Ashmore caught up with pitcher Eric Hacker, who’ll be competing for a Triple-A Scranton rotation spot this spring.
- Chad Jennings notes that JB Cox, George Kontos and Kanekoa Texeira have been invited to Spring Training. You may remember that they weren’t on the original list of invitees. Jennings also notes that Eric Duncan has been trying out the outfield.
- PeteAbe says that A-Rod is expected to be in camp next week, so hopefully all of this will be behind us in seven or eight days. Pete also says that Jorge Posada was making throws out of the crouch, and that Nick Swisher will wear number 33 with Brian Bruney switching to 38.
Here’s your open thread for the night. The Isles are taking on the Devils in Newark, the Rangers are taking on the Fightin’ Ovechins at home, and the Knicks are out playing that other LA team. Talk about whatever your heart desire, just be nice.
153 Comments»
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…and Hoch also noted that Jon Albaladejo looks to have lost about fifteen pounds over the winter.
Two words: Center. Field.
Silly boy, then where will we play Jeter?
If anything, you let Alby play SS and move Jeter to CF.
Jeter, Swisher, Gardner, and Alby all play CF together. It’s like a platoon, but with four people, like a quad. A “quadroon”, if you will.
No, wait… nevermind.
lol
Go UConn!
UCONN sucks
Hoch: “Duncan is a great reminder that players are always playing for all 30 teams – the best thing the Yankees could do for him is trigger a trade in the spring.”
I wonder where we could send him and what we could get for him? Can he outhit Hopper/Gomes/Jones and maybe stick with Cincinnati? Why not LA: until they add Manny, it looks like they’re starting Juan Pierre (ugh)… the Mariners just lost out on Abreu because they couldn’t clear salary, maybe Shelly’s a cheap (albeit much less effective) consolation prize?
I know we’re not going to get anything awesome for him, but maybe we get a younger positional player with a longshot upside play or something.
…or, double up and give someone like the Mariners or something two players (i.e. Shelley and something extraneous on the 40-man like Giese or Stephen Jackson) to get that lower-level prospect while clearing a roster spot for someone like Nomar or Grudzielanek…
They could send Shelley to Atlanta. He provide a better OBP than Francoeur.
Personally, though I’d like to see him in Coors and see how many homers he hits.
Toss Duncan into whatever Nady deal happens
Nady will not be traded- I just got off the phone with cashman
Hey guys. As you said, I have been trying out the outfield. Any chance I ever make it to the majors? Whether it be starter or backup.
i don’t know, Eric. maybe you should go to the previous thread and ask Austin Jackson.
Heh.
(We really need to have this spelled out in the commenting guidelines.)
It wasn’t even me this time!
Kanekoa gets a spring training invite… looks like it’s time to revise that ol’ top 30 prospects list, Mikey-boy, LITTLE TEX IS MOVING UP IN THE WORLD!!!
“A-Rod is expected to be in camp next week, so hopefully all of this will be behind us in seven or eight days”
My God if were only that simple.
Thats like your girl tell you that she is pregnant and you saying it’s ok it will go away in seven to eight days.
I hope what we’re hearing about this book isn’t true. Steroids will seem like a fond memory.
All we can do is hope that she just trying to rise sales on her book.
I hope the book comes out, it says Alex is gay, he goes back to Peter Gammons and says “Yes, I’m gay” and then he smashes 75 homers and leads us to title #27 singlehandedly to force all these small-minded troglodytes to deal with the fact that a gay man is the most awesome guy in the history of the sport.
That would be fun to watch.
Agree.
LOL
Could you image how the gay thing would play out.
That would be fun to watch.
I’d love to see Alex come out as gay and then hit three homers and get into a fight with Josh Beckett and kick his ass the next day.
America SO NEEDS an active, open, gay sports superstar. Pat Robertson’s head would spin.
You want to see narrow minded. I would love to see how that would play out here, in the press, sport talk radio, etc.
Ideally, yes. But I don’t think any part of that is realistic.
Yeah, I know. Just my crazy wishful thinking.
Shit, UConn need to stop turning the ball over. 14 TO in 17 minutes, just horrible.
UCONN really sucks
You guys see deadspin today? Interesting article with Selena Roberts version of the “stalking” incident. The most significant quote:
“I am going to continue to work on this book,” said Ms. Roberts when asked if she’s got more news coming. “And that’s where I’m going to leave it.”
“The book is still a work in progress,” said her book editor, Mr. Hirshey. “I assure you she has more drug revelations as well as other news. Not everything that Selena has on A-Rod’s steroid participation has come out yet.”
http://www.observer.com/2009/m.....-nightmare
It could just be a bunch of hot air. She did say that she didn’t have enough concrete evidence to release the information about ARod’s steroid use outside of the 2003 season. So, you could reasonably expect that the editor is just talking shit, and the only thing that she has yet to release is whatever proof she has that he was taking steroids in the 2001 and 2002 seasons. Remember, she did say that she was surprised he copped to the 2001 and 2002 seasons during the interview.
I guess someone forgot to tell Ms. Roberts that we are going to put this behind us in seven to eight days. I don’t think that time table works for her.
LOL
They’re just trying to sell more books.
I hope thats all that it is , but with A*Rod the fun never seem to stop.
Did you just put an asterisk in ARod’s name?
Oh, god. Here we go. Et tu, Mustang?
My friend although I did type in an asterisk in the name its one Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez who put it there.
Not at all. It’s not ARod who arbitrarily and foolishly decided some numbers should count more than others, it’s us as naïve fans who do that. It’s us as greedy fans trying to make clean a past that was dirty; it’s us as fans trying to make virtuous a game that is full of frailty and the cruelty and barbarism of pure capitalistic competition.
All’s fair in love, war, and baseball.
oooo look at you getting all fancy with the ï.
They’re not going to have any trouble selling this one.
Eh, I pretty sure its less intriguing than the Torre book, right now it doesnt have much hype, and we all know A-Rod took roids. If the roids hadn’t been leaked until the book was published, then they’d have something.
Have you seen this?
http://njfrogman.blogspot.com/.....ts-to.html
Its worth noting that Larry King’s boss (CNN) and Selena Roberts boss (SI) both work for the same company, Time Warner. If you know anything about creating buzz and synergy in media companies, that Larry King question was no accident.
Whether or not that’s true, Alex has led a . . . . shall we say . . . .very book-worthy personal life. If 2% of his sex life is in the book, it will sell a ton of books, and be a huge distraction for the Yanks this year. If that rumor is true, then he will be a distraction for ever.
BTW-Its worth noting that Selena Roberts was interviewed yesterday on WFAN and was asked if “there’s anything salacious in the book”. She answered “Its a profile on Alex and how he became the person he is today”.
Hmm well when you put it that way….are you working for the Time Warner publicity team
They don’t need me, and me posting on a blog won’t sell one extra book. I’m just worried about the Yanks having a GINOURMOUS distraction right in the middle of the season. I’m just hoping it doesn’t derail Alex and/or our season.
Duncan potentially playing himself into a utility role.
Personally I’d like to see Malec try out the outfield to make it as a utility guy
Brian Bruney switching to 38
BUT THATS DAN GIESE’S NUMBER!!!!!11!!!
Looks like someones gonna be booed come openning day.
Girl A:”… When he picks up a random girl at a bar and invites her to a party, you’re supposed to freak out!”
Girl B: “I’m not freaking out because in my mind she’s fat.”
Girl C: “She’s a kickboxing instructor. Her ass looks better than my face.”
Awesome. I have become a uuuge fan of “How I Met Your Mother” over the past couple weeks.
Great, underrated show
Yeah, it really is. Heh, it took me a few episodes to realize that Marhsall is the lead character from “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”.
How I met your mother is the most underrated show on TV. http://www.Barneysvideoresume.com
Nuff said.
Different genre, but appearantly you don’t wach BattleStar Galatica…the best show on tv, and no one knows (or admits to knowing) about it….
If you want external links I can google TV guide and entertainment magazine…
-Scott
Random Commenter: “Can you provide links?”
Scott: “Here you go.”
def an awesome show…legen…wait for it….hope you’re not lactose-intolerant!…DARY!!
Jennings: Sent a few text messages back and forth with Eric Duncan (right) this afternoon, primarily to ask about a report that he’s been taking some outfield fly balls down in Tampa.
“Yeah, been working in the outfield a little,” Duncan said. “I have no idea about playing in the season, just makes sense from both sides for me to play more positions.”
This year, Eric Duncan. Next year… Derek Jeter.
Cashman: Hey, Derek… what’s happening.
Jeter: Whatup, Brian.
Cashman: Yeeeah… Did you see that Post article about ARod cheating on Madonna with Sarah McLachlan? Crazy shit, huh?
Jeter: Yeah, that’s wild. ARod’s a crazy dud–
Cashman: Hey, changing topics, I was talking with Joe, Hal, and Hank, and we were saying that now that we’ve won #27, we should mix things up a bit. Why not try out the outfield this spring, you know, see if it’s fun or not? Whaddya think? Awesome idea, mmmkay?
Jeter: Well–
Cashman: SUUUPER. So if you could just go ahead and get into the outfield, that’d be greeeat. I’ll tell Joe you’re on board. Equipment’s already put some outfielders gloves in your locker. I’ll get Zillo on some blurbs for the media questions. Gotta run, Jeets, Thanks a bunch.
… aaaaaaaaand, SCENE!
Did you get the memo? I’ll go ahead and make sure you get another copy.
I didn’t realize that we’d cast Lumbergh as Cashman.
He’s really Tom Hagen, but Lumbergh fit my narrative better.
I just watched “The Godfather” in class.
I can totally envision Cashman speaking in an Lumburghian voice. Yiiiiiah…and if you could go ahead and change your numer to 6 that would reallt help merchandise sales. Greeeeaaaat.
Jeter: I don’t think CF is a good fit for me, Brian.
Cashman: Yeeah, I’m gonna have to go ahead and sort of… disagree with you, there… I think you’re just not very motivated.
Now that Abreu and Dunn are off the board, you would think the Yanks/Braves would get serious about exploring a deal. Pete A has a trade proposal
“I consulted the Baseball America Prospect Handbook. How about Nady and $2 million to the Braves for OF Gorkys Hernandez, LHP Jeff Locke and a lesser prospect? I’m just picking names, but I think it makes sense. Hernandez is a good CF prospect but the Braves already have one of those in Jordan Schafer. Locke is a 21-year-old from New Hampshire who had a poor season in low A ball but has velocity and command. Maybe he needs to meet Nardi Contreras.”
http://yankees.lhblogs.com/200.....this-deal/
If I’m Cash, I make that deal so fast that Nady gets whiplash on his way to the airport. Which is to say it isn’t going to happen. Gorky’s a top 5 guy, and I think you’d be dealing with the bottom 5 of the Braves top 10 prospects.
Something to throw into the mix, Nady will be a type A, so that can be factored onto the compensation package as well.
It’s far from certain that Nady will be a Type-A next year. He was like, 1.5 pts away from being a Type-B this year.
We all know you would prefer to keep both, but what do you think would be a fair deal?
We send some their pitching their way, nothing crazy, probably Kontos + a reliever or IPK
I would be all for this….prefer to get Schafer, buy Gorkys is a more realistic target
Whether its for Swisher or Nady, I think asking for Hanson, Heyward or Schafer gets a dial tone. Gorkys is more realistic, but I forgot that he’s still a long way away.
I think Nady makes sense for them as a stopgap while they wait for Schafer to develop. Heyward is also still a long way off. Swisher would obviously be more of a long term solution, but is also more expensive.
Heyward would get you a dial tone and laughter.
how would you hear the laughter if they hung up?
It’s THAT loud.
Frank Wren would call Cashman back to laugh at him some more.
I like Schafer too. How about IPK and Nady for Schafer and whatever?
You’ll need to add on to the package to get Schafer, plus it would HAVE to be a deal for Swisher. The whole point of a Nady deal for Atlanta is getting a short term guy until Schafer is ready. If they have to wait for Heyward/Gorkys (Both in A ball last year) then it would be a Swisher deal.
I think its a pile dream your trade is much more realistic.
UCONN vs SYR
&
NC vs the Dukies
Now that’s a DH!
Go HUSKIES (and NC..anyone but the Dukies)
-Scott
UCONN really really sucks
No “out of work” camp. Oh well.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3900765
Thats a bummer, I thought that would actually work.
And who is going to punish Bud’s 18 million dollar butt?
“Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said Wednesday afternoon that he is “just heartsick” about Alex Rodriguez’s admission of performance-enhancing drug use and would not rule out punishing him or adjusting baseball’s record book.
When asked in a telephone interview if he would consider suspending Rodriguez, Selig recalled that he “had put a bulletin out” about the illegality of steroid use in 1997, even though MLB had no drug testing at that time. Rodriguez tested positive in 2003, according to Sports Illustrated, and now has admitted to ESPN that he used performance-enhancing drugs from 2001-2003.”
http://www.usatoday.com/sports.....titialskip
And he doesn’t do this to Barry Bonds?
Or the other 103 names on the list?
or Tejada
Yep, there is no way you can justify doing anything to A-Rod when his name is on a list with a hundred others. Bud really just needs to go away.
Everyone wants steroids out of the game and want guys to talk and fess up. But the treatment the latest users get makes it certain that no one in the game or who cares about their legacy will speak up to “help the game” or “educate the kids”.
This environment isn’t exactly conducive for such honesty. Its like Alex is Osama bin A-Rod, or a child molester.
Its like Alex is Osama bin A-Rod, or
a child molesterDustin Pedroia’s brotherThere. Fixed.
I’m really hoping we don’t start with the “Pedroia’s brother’s a molester” jokes.
Some lines shouldn’t be crossed. We’re Yankees fans, people, not Bostonians.
True. I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist.
…and would not rule out punishing him or adjusting baseball’s record book.
Go dig up Ford Frick and ask him if asterisks are a good idea or a bad idea.
go cuse!
UConn is starting to get it together. A blowout is coming.
UCONN really really really sucks
Yeah, because only teams really really really suck get ranked number one in basketball
. . . for both men and women.
I had class at 6 so I only got to see the last 10 or so minutes. I’m hoping Dyson is alright and it was pretty awesome to see Thabeet kicking some serious ass. If he could only polish up his offense…
…and Sax could tell you about sucking….him and Knobby…
-Scott
This was meant for the “actual” Steve Sax, not the person above…lol
I heard some guy got murdered in New York City last year and they never solved the case… but you wouldn’t know anything about that, would you Saxy-Boy?
Mattingly…get rid of those sideburns!
I still like him better than Steinbrenner…
-Scott
That is my all-time favorite The Simpsons episode. Of course of the 9 pro stars, 6 played for the Yankees at one point in their career.
There’s still time to sign Ken Griffey Jr., you know…
Mixing together Honey Nut Cheerios with Special K just might be the most delicious breakfast cereal (non-super sugared division) ever.
- I can’t get enough Super Golden Crisp…
- Homer, did you put the fog lights in?
- Guess I forgot to put the fog lights in…
My Jets offseason shopping preferences (now that we have some Brett Favre money back on the cap:
1.) Nnamdi Asomugha (if he’s not franchised, which is unlikely)
OR
1.) Terrell Suggs (if he’s not franchised, which is unlikely)
OR
1.) Bart Scott
OR
1.) Ray Lewis
2.) Resign Tony Richardson
3.) Jim Leonhard
4.) Byron Leftwich OR… wait for it… Michael Vick
5.) Bryant McFadden
That Brett Favre retirement is just what the doctor ordered for the Jets
Yup. Like I said to my homie, Chad Pennington was never going to win us a Superbowl, and Brett Favre forced him off the team, so it’s a win for that fact alone. I’d gladly trade one mediocre, non-fulfilling year of Brett Favre for the rest of Chad Pennington’s life. No regrets whatsoever.
I wonder if Leonhard has Will Demps syndrome, aka blowing in NY without Ed Reed
And speaking of Will Demps
http://www.willdemps.com/f2/sixthman_WD47.html
Meh, I’m not asking him to be the starter for the next 10 years, just an upgrade over Abram Elam and Eric Smith. That can’t be too hard…
Aren’t the Jets still like $20M over the cap?
Reports I read said we were anywhere from 3-4M over the cap to 1-2M under the cap. Favre’s cap number was 13M, all base salary, gone lickety split with no bonus or cap hit.
Some MLBTR entries on the Yanks-Braves trade stuff
“The Braves have $6-8MM left to spend, but they’d also like to add an outfielder. Rosenthal describes Nick Swisher, who makes $6.55MM this year, as the Braves’ most likely option. If Atlanta expects the Yankees to pick up any of Swisher’s salary, they’d likely have to part with “higher quality prospects.”
”
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....raves.html
“Fallout From Abreu And Dunn Deals
* The Braves lose leverage. They’ve considered trading for Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher, but with Dunn and Abreu off the board, and Manny out of reach, the Braves might have to give up more in a trade with the Yankees.
* The Yankees, in turn, benefit from these two deals because they can demand more from the Braves. Peter Abraham thinks the Yankees should hold onto Swisher and Nady.”
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....om-ab.html
I’m starting to think this might actually happen.
Garret Anderson and Ken Griffey Jr. are now the best remaining alternatives to Manny, so they could both benefit from today’s deals
Imagine going to the fans, well we weren’t going to give into Manny, but don’t worry we got Griffey on a one year deal.
There are probably plenty of fans, especially here in California, that would think this was a good idea. They don’t know that Griffey isn’t KEN GRIFFEY JR anymore.
Ken Griffey Jr. in a Sox Uniform? I’m Stoked
He’s stoked, you guys. He and his boys are psyched. Dude. Bro. Seriously? I’m fucking stoked about this. Griffbones is going to crush it.
http://www.firejoemorgan.com/2008/08/analysis.html
Some MLBTR entries on the Yanks-Braves trade stuff
“The Braves have $6-8MM left to spend, but they’d also like to add an outfielder. Rosenthal describes Nick Swisher, who makes $6.55MM this year, as the Braves’ most likely option. If Atlanta expects the Yankees to pick up any of Swisher’s salary, they’d likely have to part with “higher quality prospects.”
”
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....raves.html
“Fallout From Abreu And Dunn Deals
* The Braves lose leverage. They’ve considered trading for Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher, but with Dunn and Abreu off the board, and Manny out of reach, the Braves might have to give up more in a trade with the Yankees.
* The Yankees, in turn, benefit from these two deals because they can demand more from the Braves. Peter Abraham thinks the Yankees should hold onto Swisher and Nady.”
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/.....om-ab.html
I’m starting to think this might actually happen.
I’ve been anti-trading Nady or Swisher, but if we can get one of the premier outfielders (Heyward, Schafer, or Gorkys) I’m on board.
Here’s my question: Would you rather do Nady for Gorkys or Swisher for Schafer, if those are the two options? I’d probably pick the former.
Swish for Schafer, Schafer is the more “sure thing” and could be ready next year.
Basically my preference to trade Nady is outweighed for my preference for Schafer
A good MLB comp for Schafer is Swisher. If that’s the case, you might as well keep the sure thing. It needs to be more than that to make it worthwhile for the Yanks. I can see the Yanks picking up some $ to make this happen.
If I can get Schafer/Locke/Kimbrel for Swisher/IPK/+4 mil, I think that works for both sides. It’s basically Swish for Schafer, Locke for IPK and 4 mil for Kimbrel. ATL gets their RF, Rotation depth and salary relief. Yanks replenish and balance their farm system after the draft disaster of last year.
Nady for Gorkys, because Swisher is better; Swish is younger, he has more power, and he has a better glove, no to mention that he hasn’t raised or lowered his value since the last deal.
Schafer’s turning into a bit of a 3 outcome guy, and his contact ratings are awful. Gorkys has great speed, but as an A-Ball player he’s so far away I don’t know what to make of him.
Schafer will probably become Swisher in a year or two, so in order for the deal to make sense for the Yanks you’d need something extra. I would want one of their two lefties (Locke/Rohrbough) in order to make it worthwhile. But even then, Cash might pass. Yanks are always a win-now team. Let Swish help you win this year.
Yeah, I’d say between the four of them (Swisher, Nady, Schafer, and Gorkys) Swisher probably presents the greatest net value to the team, both now and in the future, so I’m most reluctant to part with him, and Nady represents the least net value to the team, since he’s currently likely a bench player and certainly a lock to leave in free agency in November, so I’m most willing to part with him.
I’d go Swisher >>> Schafer > Gorkys >>> Nady
hence, I’m holding firm on only dealing Nady and not Swisher even if it decreases the haul of prospects we get back in return.
You know, the more I think about it this is a deal where the Yanks WILL pick up some cash for the better prospects.
-They lost out on their top 2 picks last draft
-They didn’t spend the $$ signing those draft picks (6-8 mil)
-They lack position player prospects and lefties in their system
I can see the Yanks picking up whatever $$ is necessary to pry away one of their top guys, and if you get a OF and a Lefty then its a worthwhile move to make.
Oh they were willing to spend the money to sign Cole, but the kid didn’t want to hear it. Oppenheimer was there to meet him in Cali ready to offer $4M (which would have been the 5th highest bonus given out), but they wouldn’t even listen.
I know all about that. I’m just saying that the money they didn’t spend there can be spent here, and for the same purpose.
Good points. And you do it without sacrificing the win now philosophy, because you are trading a bench player. Come June/July, you’ll be able to pick up a 4th OF type pretty cheaply if you’ll pay their money too.
I absolutely hate playing the comp game, but Schafer reminds me so much of Mark Kotsay, it’s not even funny. I know that sounds kind of crappy given his present old and broken down condition, but during his days with the Marlins, Padres and (early years) A’s, he was a damn good player.
Obviously there’s a difference in development paths (Kotsay was one of the best college players of the last 25 years, Schafer was a HSer), but they are extremely similar players.
And Gorkys?
He reminds me or Chorye Spoone and Nick Weglarz because they both have funny names.
No Jose Manuel Bastardo on your list of funny names?
“Ugueth Urbina”
He reminds me of that year I spent in a Venzuelan prison.
Billy, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?
Melky Cabrera.
http://www.baseball-reference......ca01.shtml
Game… Blouses.
You are a chronic one upper. That is difficult for a guy like me to handle. I am a very poor loser. Well played.
Pfffft, Callix Crabbe ain’t no thing. This one’s got serious depth:
http://www.baseball-reference......ca01.shtml
A former President and a Roman Emperor? Oh no he di’nt.
http://www.baseball-reference......bu01.shtml
http://www.baseball-reference......jo01.shtml
Tough to beat.
Brett Gardner
Heh: the Post will print ANYTHING, won’t they?
http://www.nypost.com/seven/02.....154568.htm
I wouldn’t say they’d print anything. The original headline was “Alomar is an inconsiderate AIDS infected prick!”, but they didn’t print that. Sure the reason was a lack of space, but that shows some kind of restraint doesn’t it?
Lets see a confirm on Alomar’s health status before the jokes fly.
my apologies. i just read what i wrote and i didnt get my point across at all …
Its newsworthy b/c ALomar is a future Hall of Famer , and if the lawsuit is real then this is simply something we should all steer clear of commenting on..
I obviously hope it’s all false. You have to wonder about his health in a way, he dropped off like almost no player ever has. He literally had his best season ever in 2001 (an all time great for 2b), followed by his worst in 2002. Hopefully it was just the NL/NY transition, and all of this comes out as total BS.
Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. He had a GIRLfriend? That’s the bigger news.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blo.....ppare.html
A not too informative Feinsand write up on Montero and Brackman. Some decent quotes from Mark Newman, though.
I would not trade Swisher or Nady, this team’s bench is not exactly full of all-stars. There is some depth with the pitching in he minor leagues with Brackman, McAllister and Bleich to name a few (With 2 spots guaranteed to be filled up thru 2011 (CC & AJ, the need is not that high). In addition, the position players are not as bad as some make it out to be (Montero, Jackson, Lassiter, Suttle, and Angelini to name a few).
Unless we’re getting back Jordan Schafer … a purported real CF prospect with a higher offensive ceiling than Jackson, then it simply doesn’t behoove the team to trade Nady or Swisher. Now Schafer isn’t Rasmus, but i’m pretty sure he’s still more highly regarded than Jackson.
Losing Swisher or Nady isn’t going to cost this team a WS in ’09. If we fall short next season it’ll be due to broken down SP and/or failed bounce-back seasons from key guys like Posada and Cano.
Submitted not only as the all time classic baseball name, but also for the sponsor by TiricoSuave. Good stuff.
http://www.baseball-reference......ru01.shtml
That is unbeatable.
We have a winner.
“I know he’s going through a rough time right now, and I think his apology said it all. He’s disappointed in himself, he made a mistake and we’re all going to move on … I’m just going to open up my arms, give him a big hug, tell him I love him and we’re going to get through this.” -Mark Texiera on Arod
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....8;c_id=nyy
Rosenhaus indicating that Plax, Boldin, and Chad Johnson all could be available. Could be some crazy swap in there.
I hope the Giants get Boldin and/or Houshmandzadeh. Ochocinco is a joke and no one wants Plax back. We need to draft some LB’s as well but this draft is full of em so I think the front office will take care of business.
Ben,
Recover faster? Yes. Stay healthy longer? I am skeptical about that. There is overwhelming evidence to the contrary in fact. Players and anyone who used steroids seem to get hurt earlier in their careers, go on the decline faster and more often because their body starts to break down. I know bonds played until he was older as did clemens but both of them have dealt with their fair share of health problems as well. i can see if you said that roids helps you play better when you are older but I really doubt that it helps you stay healthier as you age, I will try to see what i can find out about that and get back to you but all of the available facts seem to contradict that sentiment. And even if one were to assume that roids helps you stay healthy and these guys health problems came as a result of cycling off them i could certainly buy that but then, what does that have to do with arod? And further, arod was 26, 27 and 28 I believe when he was using on texas. Was he really that likely to get injured on roids or not?
Finally, arod had over 600 at bats all three seasons on the rangers. I think it is safe to say he did not need the roids to recover faster from any sort of injury during that time to gain an edge as he did not have any. I really think that the roids only helped him marginally if at all as he was the best player in the game in his prime already. he didnt become a monster on texas. He hit a few more homeruns in a right handed power hitter friendly Arlington Park.
His homerun total was probably more impacted by the park factor than the roids. The only thing I see in his numbers that really do look like they may have been caused by the roids was his 2004 season and the year after he claims he came off them. The stats reflect that notion very well as that was the worst season he had gone through since 1997 after six straight years of sustained excellence he came back down to earth a bit. He actually put up similar numbers last year though so it may have just been his difficult times adjusting to NY and the pressure as well. There is just no solid proof anywhere when looking through his numbers that steroids gave him any sort of help padding his stats.
I’d trade nady for gorkys in a second, but do the braves have anyone legit at SS (prospect-wise)? cuz we don’t…I’d rather have Ajax as our best outfield prospect and have a good SS prospect than two good OF and no SS
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