Open Thread: A new deal for D-Ras
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Remember Darrell Rasner? How could you forget. Claimed off waivers from the Nationals back in 2006, Rasner went on the make a total 30 starts and 11 relief appearances for the Yankees over a three year span. During the disaster of 2008, he threw 113.1 innings with a 5.40 ERA, striking out only 5.3 batters per nine. It was by far the most big league action of his career.
Rasner sought employment in Japan after that season, so the Yankees helped him out by selling his rights to Rakuten Golden Eagles for a cool million bucks. The move across the Pacific allowed Rasner to make more money than he would have been able to here (his two-year deal with Rakuten guaranteed him $1.2M and could have been worth up to $3.5M), so it was an obvious move for him. In the two years since, he’s pitched to a 5.09 ERA with a 170-81 K/BB ratio in 233.2 innings, and apparently that was good enough for him to keep his job. The great NPB Tracker reports that Rakuten and Rasner just agreed on a new contract, a one-year deal with an option for 2012. No idea what the money is like, but either way it’s good to see him still pitching and making some bucks. Dude’s got a wife and (at least) two kids to take care of.
Anyway, here’s the open thread for the night. The Rangers and Devils are playing each other, and both the Knicks and Nets are in action as well. Chat about that here, or anything else your heart desires.
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Damn Flyers wrecked Callahan last night when he flew into the boards. I seek redemption in the form of the Rangers beating the Devils.
Remember those first 3 or 4 BABIP-less starts he had where he got no run support and everyone thought he was an ace
good times
Vividly, although he didn’t get deep in the game in any of them.
Ah, the halcyon days of 2008 . . .
Saw him pitch at the Stadium that July against the Twins. Bummed that it wasn’t one of our top starters, but then he actually turned in a very good start. Glad to see he’s still getting to pitch.
The next Colby Lewis? …or not.
The “(at least) two kids…” comment is a bit irresponsible, no?
Does Rasner not play baseball?
Is it? When he left he had two kids, he might have had more since.
Japan is like the Island from Lost, no babies are born there unless you’re a native.
I think he’s more worried that it was a “might have some little brats running around outside of his marriage” kind of comment, but I don’t think that was the intent.
Ah, the life of a new Knicks fan. I’m glad to see that Gallo straightened himself out the other night. Hopefully he keeps it going tonight and for the rest of the season.
SSS?
Is there such a thing in basketball? I really wouldn’t know, I just started following from the playoffs last season.
Hah, I think the SSS rule is applicable in all sports. I agree with you tho, it was nice to see Gallo get right. Gotta build that trade value.
I feel bad for you, you’ve never seen what playoff basketball is like in MSG. It’s been too long. Needless to say, it’s crazy. As funny as it sounds now, before the Yankees started winning New York was very much a Knick town…
I’m bummed, I thought he would’ve pitched better than that in Japan. Of course, without a b-ref, for all I know, a 5.00 ERA is league average (bet it isn’t).
Anyway, good for him to be earning that money, rather than whatever they pay MiL veterans.
Starting to watch the hockey game a period late. My attempt at hockey fan-ness isn’t going well.
Eh, you’ll figure it out eventually. I’m attempting to become a hockey fan by osmosis. It’s working rather well actually.
Good for him. Always seemed likable enough
Got my issue of BA today. Full article on Yanks pitching depth (deep and thick! ) so deep the only mention of ManBan was calling out his name once. Danny Borrell got more ink than Manuelito. Exceptional depth.
cons of offering takahashi a 2-year deal.
1) He’s old.
2) If we were to sign Takahashi, his purpose would be as a LOOGY. Throwing multiple years at a one or two batter guy is bad use of resources and asking for trouble.
well, he’s not exactly very good against righty bats. but he’s not randy choate or boone logan either.
It’s more than one year
Holy offensive charge Knicks.
iwakuma to the mariners, apparently.
He can be friends with Ichiro!
/M.Kay’d
reply fail
Ichiro is a robot. You can’t be friends with a robot.
Tell that to Will Robinson.
/obscure60sreference’d
Curious if anybody listened to this and / or might care to comment:
Today, Michael Kay opened his radio show by talking about a “revealing” article about Isaiah Thomas that had been published their on ESPN New York website. In the article, Thomas essentially claims to be eager to come back to GM the Knicks, etc.
Magically, about 20-minutes later, Kay announces that Thomas “had been listening” to the show and has called in to discuss his comments. They then proceed to have a 45-minute conversation. Thomas, by the way, was in Mississippi.
Now, I know it’s not a big deal, but this reaked of shameless promotion by ESPN. To me, it was an effort to make their website sound like a newsbreaking, cutting edge site to visit…nevermind their radio station one that sports “icons” are listening to (even in Mississippi).
My guess: Thomas was booked to come on the show already, and this was a ploy devised to make the whole thing look like an “event.” I know this might be a weird thing to fixate on, but I hate it when the media tries to make itself the story at the expense of its audience.
/rant over
Most likely, someone friends with Thomas was listening to it and someone let him know that Michael Kay was talking about him. It happens more often than you’d think. Also, I’m sure he’s more familiar with NY radio than anyone else from mississippi since he was a sports figure here.
I hear you, but considering that Kay opened his show with the story, thereby plugging the article on his own company’s site, and it was immediately followed by a 45-minute “surprise” interview, I think it’s fair to call it suspicious.
I didn’t hear it, but it sure does sound like a setup to me.
Thomas was supposed to appear on his show a month back and then canceled at the last moment, supposedly because the Knicks didn’t want him to appear. Strange, since Thomas wasn’t with the Knicks, yet it showed that he didn’t want to do anything to piss off the Knicks. Kay sort of ripped Thomas for a bit, so maybe the two set this up. I also bet Thomas cleared it with the Knicks.
ESPN and shamless promotion? Never
Wizards had like 25 turnovers this game. Epic.
Well, we all know that John Wall will never win a championship.
/Cowherd
i think i just figure out joe’s mystery starter. formerly of the a’s, no?
I’ve seen all the comments in the various thread. No one’s close.
hudson?
Since Hudson has been mentioned I’m going with a no. And since the chat is blocked for me what is this mystery starter thing?
apparently joe came up with a great NL trade candidate formerly of the AL and he is posting it next week, but he wouldn’t say who it was.
What about Jair Jurrjens in ATL? I literally went into the MLB player page and looked at the current SP in the NL and I just don’t see that many players that fit Axisa’s description.
i’d say chris carpenter.
intriguing. Formerly of the AL (Blue Jays) and is currently a good pitcher. Although he’s old.
Is Carpenter’s injury history behind him enough that the Yankees look at moving good prospects for him?
While I’m all for the Yankees aiming for the moon, maybe someone like old friend Ted Lilly would work.
it’s just a guessing game.
one of the hints was: “is still good”
ergo, not ted lilly
Ted Lilly’s a flyball pitcher with declining velocity. He’s a lefty so it might be a little bit better but he might be 2010 Javy Vazquez all over again.
Lilly signed w/ the LAD for 3 years
CLAYTON RICHARDS!
He’s a personal favorite of mine.
And Clayton Richard is better.
My guess is former Red Sock, current Marlin Anibal Sanchez.
I’m betting on Jason Hammel.
Came home from being out, turn on MLBN, and they’re telling me that they’re predicting Adrian Gonzalez will get traded to the Red Sox before 2011 for Jacoby Ellsbury and Lars Anderson.
El. oh. el
They said Crawford would get 7/145.
I can’t wait for NCAA Basketball. The period between the World Series (or whenever the Yanks season is over) and the start of NCAA Basketball is like a vaste sports wasteland to me.
I’m BIG East Fan and a huge UCONN fan. Go Huskies! (at least the women have been doing well).
GO ORANGE!
I have followed the Big East for 50 years . . . long before UCONN had a real program. Pre-UCONN, I used to root for The Orange and The Red Men (back when that was still politically correct – ridiculous to change it to Red Storm).
But now they are both the enemy. But if UCONN is out of it, I still root for the Orange and the Red Men.
Transition year for UCONN. Kemba the leader with a few key incoming freshman, Shabazz, Roscoe, Lamb. Main concern will be rebounding.
Definitely mmis the likes of Okefor and Thabeez (sic).
I am stuck in CO tonight, due to work, and letting someone else book my flight.
Argh.
I hate it when that happens.
springtime and dandelions and summer ’round the corner
Disclaimer: I like Jayson Werth and think he is an excellent player.
With that said…
If the Sawx are going to sign a FA OFer I kind of want them to sign Jayson Werth. He’s older than Crawford and has knee problems. His defense He supposedly is “mean to the media” and has cursed out a fan. If he doesn’t change he’ll be hated in Boston. This will be JD Drew part deux.
Unfortunately, JD Drew has been a very productive player for the Sox.
I’m very well aware of that. But he has been injured many times and has been hated for no reason. I just enjoy Boston fans being stupid.
What is this “mystery starter” thing everybody is talking about?
It’s in the chat.
The mystery starter is the topic of a post Joe is going to make sometime next week. Mike gave a hint in the chat today. It was a NL pitcher, formerly of the AL, who is currently a good pitcher.
when did Joe mention this “mystery pitcher”?
Joe didn’t mention it; Mike did in today’s chat toward the end.
he didn’t, Mike said Joe thought of an excellent trade candidate but wouldn’t reveal who. Just a couple hints.
Uh, Johan?
He has a big contract and just went under the knife.
It sounds pretty scary too:
“Santana said former Mets teammate Kelvim Escobar underwent the same surgery to repair a similar shoulder ailment.”
“Minaya said Yankees catcher Jorge Posada had a similar injury to his labrum.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-.....id=5555600
And we all know what happen to Escobar.
The Mets, who have $120 million in payroll committed to next year’s team, were certainly counting on a healthy Santana to anchor the 2011 rotation. Omar Minaya was resigned to the fact that he’d likely have to alter his offseason plans to try to replace Santana.
“When you don’t have a guy like a Johan Santana in the rotation — those kind of guys don’t come around,” Minaya said. “Whether it’s through trade or free agency you have to look at replacing him. … Hopefully he’ll be back earlier rather than later.
“But when we get into planning for next year, it’s going to be something that I did not expect to fill.”
Too expensive and injured.
Any other thoughts? Joe Saunders?
Nahh. Doesn’t fulfill the “is good” requirement. I wouldn’t trade for Saunders unless they gave him away for free.
I know I’m not adding other options, but I wouldn’t consider Joe Saunders. He wasn’t striking out anyone this season.
Kershaw or Billingsley for Joba, and Gardner
or substitute/add Cervelli
I wish lol.
Not sure why they would do that. I think LA hangs up.
The Dodgers hang up laughing over that one
I checked out SI’s Top 50 free agents and Carl Crawford is #1 over Cliff Lee. What do you guys think? I think Cliff Lee should’ve been #1.
I agree with you. But really they couldn’t put Cliff Lee first, it’d be too obvious. If they put Crawford first it creates a little controversy and boom more page views.
True. I just thought that with the big craving for pitching, he would’ve been #1. Then again, it’s just a list. Lee’s gonna get his pay day anyways.
I don’t think Cliff Lee knows SI.com has a top 50 FA list.
Ed. note: That may be a slight exaggeration.
LAD needs a LF and a backup catcher/future starter after Barajas is gone, throw in Joba to make him a possible starter and you have 3 young starters on your team with upside. McCourts are looking for cheap, that about does it for value.
http://riveraveblues.com/2009/.....son-19809/
Good times
So is it sad that I’m already getting excited about Tulo and Longoria’s “impending” free agency?
2014 for Tulo
2016 for Longoria
They’ll be 31 and 30 respectively if I did my math correctly. Worth going after or am I crazy?
I was thinking about their free agency the other day. I’m not sure if it’s sad, but I’d love to have Tulowitzki.
Agreed.
I’m hoping that Jeter’s next contract just goes right until Tulowitzki’s free agency. A lot can happen in 3+ years though.
You crazy son, you goin to be waitin a long mofo time for that shat, best.
I think I remember Mike mentioning David Adams in the chat. Does he get to play with the team or is he trade bait?
I looked at the entire NL SP list and these are the only guys that fit Axisa’s mystery pitcher of being formerly of the AL and currently good. Keep in mind my definition of good might be a little different then his so it’s possible I left the mystery pitcher off this list.
Carpenter, Chris
Halladay, Roy
Hudson, Tim
Jurrjens, Jair
Lowe, Derek
Richard, Clayton
Santana, Johan
Volquez, Edinson
Why not Anibal Sanchez?
I will be really bummed if Grittner gets traded. We have very little speed and he is cheap, a great defender and gets on base. He is not perfect but being a better base stealer, bunter and swinging a bit more are things he can easily learn.
Keep the Great Brettsky!