Open Thread: All business
By
I love that picture. He just looks mean. The fact that it was taken after a questionable called strike in yesterday’s game is irrelevant, A-Rod looks like he’s about to go raise some hell. Just … awesome. It’s just awesome.
A-Rod was supposed to meet with the feds in Buffalo to talk about Dr. Galea today, but apparently the meeting was never scheduled. The two sides will sit down and hammer it out sometime between now and Opening Day. Tonight’s game against the Phillies isn’t on the tube locally (as far as I know), but it’s Friday, you shouldn’t be cooped up watching baseball anyway. Use this sucker as the open thread if you must be stuck in front of a computer; feel free to talk about the college basketball games or A-Rod or whatever else you want. Just be cool.
Oh, our oath of silence regarding the fifth starter’s spot is hereby lifted. Thank you for cooperating throughout the day, the break was refreshing.
Photo Credit Brian Blanco, AP
146 Comments»
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The Mason Williams Watch
From this afternoon’s Braves-Tigers exhibition tilt televised on ESPN, verbatim (h/t to my DVR):
—————–
Karl Ravech: Tell us about Johnny Damon and what he’s brought here.
Jim Leyland: Well, he brings a lot of ability, he brings a lot of run scoring, a lot of base hits, some home runs, everybody– You know, everybody, when you get a guy like this, wants to talk about the clubhouse. I’m not really interested in the clubhouse. I want to see Johnny score runs, just like– He’s got a lot of hits over the last several years, scored more runs, I think, than anyone, over the last several years, a lot of triples… that’s why we got him.
Ravech: [tongue-in-cheek] You mean you and Johnny aren’t hanging out in the clubhouse, talking? Before and after the game?
Leyland: Well I talk to all our players, I mean–
Ravech: [chuckling with other members of the booth, sheepishly] I know, I know.
Leyland: — I don’t want to downplay that, but I’m just making the point that, you know, that I think– All that stuff’s always been overrated. It seems to me, you know, that, teams win, they have a good clubhouse. You don’t win, you have a bad clubhouse.
Bobby Valentine: [wryly] Isn’t it funny the way that happens, Jim?
—————–
Jim Leyland, you just got bonus points in my book. Golf clap, sir.
Wow, I’m shocked. Leyland doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to say that.
Winning = Chemistry, unless the Bronx is Burning. In that case, all bets are off.
He was probably suffering from nicotine withdrawal and just said that to piss off Ravetch, Kruk, Berthuime and John “Boli, boli” Anderson.
A golf clap to him.
I feel like “Hot Tub Time Machine” is about to become the next great cult classic…
Isn’t it a bit tough for a movie that’s highly-anticipated by the cultural mainstream to become a cult classic?
Possibly.
The same was being said about “Snakes on a Plane” before it came out….
and they were right
I’m kind of shocked it’s getting any attention. It looks like any number of sophomoric comedies to have come out in the last five or so years.
Am I growing too cynical as I age? Really don’t get the hype.
http://www.playerpress.com/upl.....MyLawn.jpg
All the more appropriate because I hate Asians.
Did I miss the message of the movie?
It could be, but it looks like it is trying very hard to be a “cult classic” which often backfires (see: _Snakes on a Plane_).
Plus, apparently the film relies very heavily on homophobic humor and in a recent interview John Cusack gave the worst, cop-out defense along the lines of “it was integral to the characters.”
That totally just killed my mood.
Sorry. How about this: Hughes struck out Rollins, Utley, and Howard in the 1st.
Any idea why Granderson is playing LF?
Girardi just said on the radio that they want the option to play Gardner in center on occasion, perhaps if Granderson gets banged up. So, it’s just to give them options. He also mentioned that Winn could play center if necessary.
However, he also seemed to imply at one point that they’re still evaluating the defense and will announce next week who’s starting in CF. Didn’t they announce this already?
Back from Tampa. I’ve got a ton of pictures to upload. Got to see CC battle Roy Halladay yesterday. Good times.
I’m going to the Yanks-Braves game in Orlando Tuesday. Don’t have a digital camera but my new Bold 9700 camera should do just fine. Get to see Heyward also, looking forward to the game
Also, almost forgot
http://www.urbandictionary.com.....?term=joba
Heh.
I need to quit slacking and get the official B-Jobber definition up there.
Haha, excellent. Gave it its first thumbs up.
I hope the Yanks don’t Joba Hughes the way they consistently Joba Joba.
I laughed, then cried.
What leagues of the RAB 140™ have their drafts on Sunday afternoon (like we do in the Premier League)?
Any interest in an impromptu RAB meetup at a bar in the city to draft together?
7 pm is the afternoon now, huh?
It’s that late? I had a “Lets schedule the thing the same time as the Yankee ST game that day” idea in my head for some reason and never went back to doublecheck the time.
Ah… well, nevermind then. Nobody’s going out Sunday evening.
Your heart is in the right place though- drinking and baseball.
You left out “big booty girls”, but thank you.
Yo. But I’m not doing the bar thing–erev Pesach. Got Jew stuff.
RAB Conference American League (Tier 5) is drafting at 7pm on Sunday.
Perhaps I should ask: which Tier is NOT drafting at 7pm on Sunday?
The RAB Conference North League™ (Tier 6) isn’t drafting until Friday April 2nd, according to the info on the league page.
Dan Patrick: With the first nine months of the Baseketball postseason out of the way, the playoff picture is starting to emerge.
Kenny Mayne: So, with last night’s victory over Boston, next week the Milwaukee Beers must beat Indianapolis in order to advance to Charlotte. That’s in an effort to reduce their magic number to three.
Dan Patrick: Right, and then the Beers can advance to the National Eastern Division North to play Tampa.
Kenny Mayne: So, if the Beers beat Detroit and Denver beats Atlanta in the American Southwestern Division East Northern, then Milwaukee goes to the Denslow Cup, unless Baltimore can upset Buffalo and Charlotte ties Toronto, then Oakland would play LA and Pittsburgh in a blind choice round robin. And if no clear winner emerges from all of this, a two-man sack race will be held on consecutive Sundays until a champion can be crowned.
Tier 7 is also drafting then
John Sterling on WCBS:
“If he continues like this, [Ryan] Howard will bed in the Hall of Fame.”
So are Robinson Cano and Jason Heyward.
Jesus Montero, of course, is already in the Hall of Fame.
10-Cat roto, 10 team league. This is my “real team”
C – Soto
1B – AGon
2B – Zobrist
SS – Jeter
2B/SS – A. Escobar
3B – Chipper
1B/3B – LaRoche
OF – B. Upton
OF – J. Bruce
OF – Heyward
OF – Borbon
OF – Pierre
UT – Blanks
BN – Ortiz
BN – N. Johnson
BN – T. Snider
P – Lincecum
P – Halladay
P – Beckett
P – Ubaldo
P – Baker
P – J. Sanchez
P – Sheets
P – Hughes
P – Neftali
Punted HR and SV (obviously). I put Gonzalez on the block and received this offer:
AGon, Borbon, Ortiz for Sizemore, B. Butler, Bedard
thoughts?
Keep A-Gon.
Apparently Hughes struck out Rollins, Utley and Howard in the 1st inning.
Yup, K’d Rollins, gave up a single to Polanco and the K’d Utley and Howard.
Phil Hughes Bitches!!!
ietc
Is the game on MLBN?
Unfortunately no.
Damn. Seinfeld reruns/video games it is!
Basketball night for me, NCAA tourney and besides Knicks-Suns a couple of really good NBA games on the package (Lakers-Thunder and Cavs-Spurs).
Gotta wake up early tomorrow so just chillin tonight.
Dude, c’mon. Go out and get a girl really drunk, tell her you love kids and really want to help them because you think they’re our future and then…boom, boom, boom.
Alright now!
Only 3 booms??
With solid pacing, yes. Shit’s magical when you combine it with syndicated episodes of Charmed.
So four kids at my school were incredulous when I told them I’d seen both Don’t Be a Menace… and Friday.
http://mystiqueandaura.com/201.....edictions/
Edgy and unapologetic. Stirring up trouble in the blogosphere. I like it.
Not exactly going out on many limbs.
Meh, that first paragraph was worth it all.
Besides, if he HAD gone out on limbs, we’d be ripping him to shreds for being irrational and ridiculous. Prediction columns are kinda a no-win situation.
Thats why Peter Gammons was the best!! Vernon Wells or Eric Chavez for MVP!!
Didn’t Gammo once pull a Beano Cook/Ron Pawlus and say that Bobby Crosby would win MULTIPLE MVPs?
Let’s not forget thinking that Dmitri Young could hit .400.
The only time Dmitri Young could ever hit 400 is on the dial of the oven he’s preheating.
Doubtful. He probably goes straight to 500 he’s in such a rush to eat. 400 just takes too long.
I kinda want my predictions to come out making some sense. I fully had Joba as my Cy sleeper until yesterday until those bastards screwed up my post. While Lester is somewhat of a copout, he’s never gotten a vote before, meeting my own “sleeper” designation.
I really hope Beckett stops getting more love than Lester.
I think this is the year, until the playoffs of course.
Ha, yeah. It’s also comedic that Howard gets more love than Utley.
it’s really comedic that people think Howard was flat-out robbed in 2008. Wha? He wasn’t bad or anything, but he might not have deserved to be in the top ten of MVP voting. He certainly didn’t deserve to win. Damn you, dingers and ribbies!!!
Steve H went out on the ultimate limb by exposing that there is no limb.
I’ve got more limbs than an Indian deity on my post. Wait ’til you see my predictions tomorrow. I don’t want to give too much away but…MVP (of both leagues): Bud Selig. Fucking shit that was easy. Nailed it, skanks!
Cy Young of NL: Starlin Castro. AL Cy Young: Danny Almonte
AL ROY: Mr. Perfect NL ROY: Johnny Cueto
Was there any evidence before yesterday that the Yankees FO was becoming the type of FO that made judgements based off of a few measely ST innings and the last two months from last year? I just don’t get where the sudden overreaction-y-ness came from.
Game update: After loading the bases, Hughes strikes out Rollins again to end the 2nd.
K’d the man for the second time.
That’s impressive, Rollins barely sees three whole pitches per ab.
how long until Lupica/someone else writes an “A-Rod is ON THE LAM from the law” column? (Someone must have made this terrible joke before me.)
Wait, Stacey Dash is making Miller Lite commercials? In a NON-SPEAKING role, no less?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aTF-1XyCZU
Garrett Morris, sure, I get. He needs the money. Stacey Dash needs the money, though? She can’t get work? That blows my mind. Why isn’t Stacey Dash’s fine MILF ass at least serving a supporting role in some non-descript USA/TNT/TBS police/hospital/forensic procedural show than everybody knows about but nobody watches?
This blows my mind.
I saw this commercial today!! Stan looking old, shouldve never sold WZUP.
Stacey Dash still lookin amazing as ever.
http://ecdysiast12.files.wordp.....dash-2.jpg
44 years old.
FORTY. FOUR.
I just went from 6 to midnight. lol
Stacy Dash is insanely hot, but she’s not exactly Meryl Streep, you know? “Hot chick” stops working after a while.
Yeah, but… Gabrielle Union gets work. Roselyn Sanchez gets work. Tiffani Amber Theissen gets work.
Stacey Dash is in a f#$%ing Miller Lite commercial in a non-speaking role.
Agreed. Just wrong. Illegal in Blue is a fantastic movie.
I dont think Tiffani Amber Theissen is as hot now as she was as Kelly Capowski.
Sterling going on and on about Joba’s “natural” role in the pen…I’m sorry, between this and what I can imagine will be Kay and Flaherty going on and on about this, all games this season will have to be watched silent-movie style.
Game update: Hughes pulled on pitch count. 5Ks/4BBs.
Don’t know why this was posted here. Reply Fail.
So, I will go back to the thread topic…
I imagine that she’s got new (or re-newed) representation. Between this and her new “relationship” to Jaime Foxx, it seems like her agents are trying to get her back into the public eye. I’d expect a movie or tv role soon.
If Donovan Mcnabb can be had for a top 42 pick, what is he doing in Philly still. Washington at #37, doesn’t that make a ton of sense?
It’s Dan Snyder…
Snyder would give his 1st rounder instead and then sign him for $250 million.
Exactly. Pick 37 doesn’t make sense.
They’d never move McNabb to a division rival. Not in a million years.
Yeah, forgot that. I’m an idito.
And the Eagles’ problem is that nobody in the top 42 picks has a pick that they’d surrender for McNabb. They’re all either too high (top 10 picks) or don’t need a QB.
Also, Donovan has some control over where he goes. He can block trades, IIRC.
Let’s examine, starting at, oh, #15:
15-New York Giants: NFC East, N/A
16-Tennessee: locked into Young
17-San Fransisco: interested, but too high
18-Pittsburgh: locked into Lester the Molester
19-Atlanta: locked into Ryan
20-Houston: locked into Schaub
21-Cincinnati: locked into Palmer
22-New England: locked into Brady
23-Green Bay: locked into Rogers
24-Philadelphia: N/A
25-Baltimore: locked into Flacco
26-Arizona: interested, but probably rolls with the Leinart/Anderson combo
27-Dallas: NFC East, N/A
28-San Diego: locked into Rivers
29-New York Jets: locked into Sanchez
30-Minnesota: interested, but will wait for Favre instead
31-Indianapolis: locked into Manning
32-New Orleans: locked into Brees
33-St. Louis: going to take Bradford at #1 overall instead
34-Detroit: locked into Stafford
35-Tampa Bay: locked into Freeman
36-Kansas City: locked into Cassel
37-Washington: NFC East, N/A
38-Cleveland: interested, but probably rolls with Delhomme/Wallace and drafts a developmental QB in the 2nd/3rd/4th; McNabb may not want to go here anyway
39-Oakland: interested, but McNabb has no interest in that chronically f$%ed up franchise and probably blocks this move
40-San Diego: locked into Rivers
41-Buffalo: interested, but McNabb has no interest in that chronically f$%ed up franchise and probably blocks this move (they’re probably more interested in Vick anyway)
42-Tampa Bay: locked into Freeman
43-Miami: locked into Henne
44-New England: locked into Brady
45-Denver: already have Orton and Quinn, probably not interested
46-New York Giants: NFC East, N/A
47-New England: locked into Brady
48-Carolina: possible but doubtful; they’ll probably roll with Matt Moore and see if he’s any good
49-San Francisco: Hmmm…
I think the 49ers probably give them a second rounder (lower than their target, but the best offer available) and sweeten it with lower-round picks.
He’d go there, too; it’s a good system and if they add two talents with their twin first rounders, it’s a golden opportunity for him.
DeSean Jackson and Maclin > Vernon Davis and Crabtree
Meh, I’m not so sure about that.
The Niners receiving corps takes the advantage if your right and McNabb ends up donning the red and gold. Not sure if Crabtree is a deep threat though, and if he were he’s simply not in the DeSean Jackson category. Of course, I didnt see any Niners games. Vernon Davis could easily repeat his ’09 with McNabb at the helm. I just wonder if the Eagles are planning to run the ball alot more as I doubt Kolb or Vick could throw a deep ball with the effectiveness of McNabb.
I found video of a certain regular RAB commenter:
http://gawker.com/5503021/vict.....11;friends (safe)
Seriously… She’s making the same arguments, with all the paranoid delusions about communism and control.
Wait, are you sure that’s not satire? Seriously.
P.S. I graduated high school with Peter Doocey, Steve’s son. He was just handed a job as a FN reporter.
Well that’s a sad statement about the unfortunate pervasiveness of nepotism in the upper echelons of American business and media.
Reporting from Washington, D.C., I’m Luke Russert, NBC News.
Ha. Nice retort. I’m not convinced Dear Luke would be able to string so many multi-syllabic words together.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/s.....rsy-032610
“What’s A-Rod’s state of mind these days, given that he’s about to come face-to-face with federal agents?
Surprisingly calm. Rodriguez has had a productive spring, hitting .333, concentrating on his workout routines and conditioning. The slugger has generally avoided long interviews, figuring the less he talks about the HGH investigation the better the chances of this crisis blowing over.”
Hey it worked for Ortiz, better than talking about something he obviously isnt concerned about.
Cashman said the Yankees discussed a wide range of options for Hughes and Chamberlain during the offseason, including putting both young arms in the bullpen. He even considered leaving two rotation spots open.
But with Vazquez available after the Braves had rejected previous overtures, Cashman said he decided to move, thus leaving Chamberlain a starter pitching out of the bullpen.
“If the name wasn’t Javier Vazquez, I probably would have left a spot open,” Cashman said.
OH! COME ON BRIAN
Everyone knows that you were actively looking for a start at the time from Sheets to others. If this was true you should of given Joba the rotation spot moved Melky to left and saved the difference.
Nice try good spin for the press baby
hey, I’m new to Yahoo fantasy. When people count hits as a hitting stat, are singles counted the same as 2bs and 3bs. I was looking aat the RAB league stats, and I didn’t see a distinction. Is there one? Also, why isn’t holds a pitching stat in this league?
Solely based on the Auto Tune Bud Light commercial, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the taste, I will NEVER drink Bud Light ever again.
(For the record, I usually don’t even mind auto tune. But that’s just too much.)
Hey just wondering what you think of this fantasy trade. It’s a keeper league. Adrian Gonzalez for Nelson Cruz Adam Jones and Matt Thorton.
I’d take the Gonzalez side, especially in a keeper league. He’ll be out of Petco soon enough.
That’s the side I got.
Nope. Avoid that.
Whoever gets A-Gonz wins that trade.
=) I thought it was a good trade. I’m not sure of Cruz, Jones is good, Thorton is worth much for a top 15 fantasy player.
*isn’t
Phil with 4 walks in 3 innings. He must be taking his starting spot for granted.
I think this is a joke.
IETC
Someone light a fire under his lazy ass, or his farts, or his grunts… or something.
Seriously, why don’t you tell us how you really feel? lol…
Lets try that again, but this time don’t hold anything back.
And….Go!
(I kid)
Hmmmmmm tasty.
i was just offered this trade. 10 team H2H league
Votto, Werth, Lackey (my players) for Utley and Ubaldo Jimenez
i’m thinking about accepting. here’s my team
Suzuki, Kurt C
Pujols, Albert 1B
Polanco, Placido 2B
Longoria, Evan 3B
Tulowitzki, Troy SS
Span, Denard OF
Victorino, Shane OF
Werth, Jayson OF
Votto, Joey U
Cain, Matt SP
De La Rosa, Jorge SP
Gallardo, Yovani SP
Johnson, Josh SP
Lackey, John SP
Soria, Joakim RP
Valverde, Jose RP
Reserve
Reyes, Jose B. SS
Heyward, Jason OF
Kubel, Jason OF
Buehrle, Mark SP
Sheets, Ben SP
i figure i can just plug kubel into the OF spot and put Heyward into the utility role. or i can pick up Billy Butler who was just dropped by a team. thoughts?
Do it. If you can have Pujols and Utley, two top 5 players, do it.
Yep.
In ’08, I ended up with Pujols and Miggy on draft day. That was epic.
i was so hyped when i got both tulo and longo wth my 2nd and 3rd picks.
I have Braun and Hanley in one league, it’s awesome.
I just got home from being out and for some reason I went to LoHud just to see how the ST game is going. Hey guys, did you know the Yankees’ spring training has been unacceptable and we should fire Girardi?
Every game counts, Bex. Every game counts.
fun fact I did not know until I went looking for old ST standings. The 2001 Yankees were 9-20 in Spring Training, the worst record in all of ST that year. Both the 1999 and 2000 Yankees had losing records in ST. The 116-win 2001 Mariners were 13-19.
I’d assume that’s due to the fact that very good teams know what their roster will look like for the most part. So they’re running out younger, more inexperienced guys just to get a look at them. The main guys are simply just getting tuned up for a long season, and are working on certain things they may want to experiment or tinker with.
Probably. That, and the eternal words of LaTroy Hawkins.
A pic of the paintball event today.
http://bombersbeat.mlblogs.com.....79871.html
First off, Cash cannot pull off the hobo joe look. Secondly, I laughed when I saw Pena’s choice of footwear.
I have to disagree. That is one of the all time great Brian Cashman photos. (Don’t ask me what the other photos are)
hey all,
i’m a long time reader, but few time poster. just did a fantasy draft the other day and was looking for some advice. would this be an appropriate place for me to ask a question regarding my fantasy team?
I can’t help because I know nothing about fantasy baseball but as others have been asking for advice I can’t imagine it would be a problem.
Haha thanks! I’ll go ahead and ask. I had the first overall pick, and went with Pujols. My general draft strategy was to take the best player I could, and at one point I also landed Carlos Pena. I know Pujols has had some back issues this spring, should I keep Pena or trade him? There are a quite a few teams in my league that Pena would be an upgrade for. Or should I keep him for insurance on Pujols?
don’t worry about pujols; sell high on pena.
Thanks for the advice. I guess I’m also looking for advice on my roster as a whole, since this is my first real crack at fantasy baseball. My roster is:
C: Victor Martinez
1B: Albert Puhlos
2B: Ian Stewart
3B: Michael Young
SS: Troy Tulowitzki
2B/SS: Yunel Escobar
1B/3B:Carlos Pena
OF: Curtis Granderson
OF: Andre Ethier
OF: Jason Kubel
OF: Noland Reimold
UTIL: Juan Rivera
Bench: Nick Johnson, Colby Rasmus, Miguel Tejada
Pitchers: CC Sabathia, Javy Vasquez, Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens, Rachael Soriano, David Price, Bobby Jenks, Mark Buerhrle, Scott Downs
I feel like I may need a more legit closer for saves. Thoughts?
Pretty solid IF, shaky OF, you need more SPs.
Agreed on the OF. But SP? I have 6 by my count. I assumed I was drafting too many starters actually.
I think I meant more solid starters, my mistake.
And by Rachael Soriano, I meant Rafael Soriano haha
“Rachael Soriano” made me laugh ngl
Ngl? Typo?
Or did I miss a cool new acronym?
ngl = not gonna lie
Oh, cool.
Guys, I can’t be rational about this…
Was offerred Brian Roberts and Ellsbury for Jeter. Guide me.
I would have to rely on Alcides Escobar to hold down SS, but he’s my planned 2B/SS as it is anyway.
Ellsbury could give you as much as 70 SBs and probably hit .300 again. Do you value a massive SB count?
It’s roto and I punted HRs, so this is a no-brainer… as long as Roberts’ back isn’t too effed. I’m probably losing nothing and gaining 60 steals.
Do it, Ellsbury is huge with the steals. Is it H2H or roto? And yeah, if Escobar was going to start anyway, you’re picking up two starters and trading one.
SINGLER JUST GOT COMPLETELY OWNED.
Just for shits and giggles I’m thinking of drafting the entire Royals team in RAB National League (league 6). If I’m going to go down in flames, at the very least it’ll be outrageously amusing.
My fantasy team:
C Carlos Ruiz
1B Pablo Sandoval, Chipper Jones
2B Dan Uggla, JJ Hardy
3B Alex Gordon, Evan Longoria
SS Elvis Andrus
OF Carl Crawford
OF Ichiro Suzuki
OF Jayson Werth
OF Carlos Lee
OF Magglio Ordonez
OF Carlos Beltran
OF Adam Jones
DH Nick Johnson
Pitchers:
Brandon Webb
Clayton Kershaw
Tim Hudson
Max Scherzer
David Price
Brian Fuentes
Frank Francisco
Mark Buehrle
Mike Gonzalez
What do you think? It’s a ten team league, and I had the 8th pick. I’m not too happy with the team, but we’ll see how the season goes.
Where can I find the jersey 28 of Girardi? Pictures please.
Good read:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/articl.....8;c_id=mlb