Here's how I started this blog, before news came down that the Diamondbacks had signed free-agent RHP Bronson Arroyo:
Some fairly small moves could make a larger difference for their teams this year and into the near future.
The Orioles and C Matt Wieters reached agreement on a $7.7-million contract for this season, thus avoiding arbitration. The greater significance is that he can have a better feeling about the team, which could lead to a longer-term contract down the road.
The Athletics signed CF Coco Crisp to a two-year contract extension through 2016 with a vesting option for 2017. He's a keystone in center field and at the top of the lineup -- when he isn't injured. That's why the team took the precaution of a vesting option instead of a guaranteed third year. If it vests, no one would be happier than Oakland's management.
The White Sox agreed to a 1-year, $1.1-million contract with RHP Mitchell Boggs. He was briefly a closer for the Cardinals, and could take over that role with Chicago. Currently penciled in for the job is RHP Nate Jones, but RHP Matt Lindstrom and LHP Scott Downs also have experience locking up games.
Now, on to Arroyo.
Arizona reportedly signed him to a 2-year, $23.5-million contract with an option for 2016 that could bring the total value to $29 million. Could the D-backs be overpaying? Well, he'll be 37 years old this season -- and he's Bronson Arroyo, not Tim Hudson.
Also, though I haven't seen an official acknowledgment from the Mariners, they reportedly signed RHP Fernando Rodney for two years and $14 million. That signing would impact every team that unsuccessfully sought Rodney. For example, I read a report that said the Orioles now would go with RHP Tommy Hunter as their closer.
Speaking of closers or ex-closers, the Brewers are bringing back RHP Francisco Rodriguez on a 1-year
contract believed to be for $3.25 million with another $550,000 in
incentives. Which reminds me. In a few days, I hope to post another residual fantasybaseballscout.com article about closers for 2014. To make room for K-Rod on the 40-man roster, Milwaukee designated RHP Donovan Hand for assignment.
I have been working on this post off and on for most of the day. It has been interrupted by visitors to the house, taking a battery for one of our cars to be recharged and going to the Jazz-Mavericks game. Some of this I wrote at the American Airlines Center before the game.
As I was about to go courtside, I saw this -- well, probably not bombshell, because in the end he really didn't have a choice, but revelatory item that caught most of us by surprise.
3B Alex Rodriguez has dropped his suit against Major League Baseball, the players association, the commissioner and probably even the batboys. He won't follow through on his threat to show up for spring training. And he won't play this season.
So now I'm writing about that back home.
I wrote the headline for this post several hours ago here. I suspect by the time I get up Saturday morning, we'll already know whether there will be a decisive Game 3 in the Australian Baseball League Championship Series or whether the Perth Heat swept the Canberra Cavalry in two games.
That's because Saturday's Game 2 at 7 p.m. Australia Western Time would begin at 6 a.m. EST.
The Heat overcame a 3-0 deficit in what must have been one of the classic games ever Down Under. Perth then prevailed 4-3 in 14 innings. Joey Wong's double drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 14th. He batted .240 with two homers and 19 RBI at Double-A Tulsa last (Northern Hemisphere) summer, so he's a marginal prospect for the Rockies. I saw him play, and he didn't make a big impression positively or negatively.
If the Heat win, it would be the third championship in the last four years.
By the way, you can watch the ABL Championship Series on ESPN -- if you live in Australia or New Zealand.
* * *
Basketball. Similarly, I started out by seeing that on Thursday my three active players made only one 3-point field goal, so I was still behind by one in that category against an opponent who had no one active. My lead was 7-1, and the second-place team was ahead 8-0, so I stood to lose some of my lead.
Now, literally at the end of the day -- no, early Saturday morning (late afternoon in Perth), I'm looking better. Two of my players -- Jose Calderon, whom I saw in person, and Carmelo Anthony -- threw in four 3s each, helping me to take the lead in that category. Three of my players scored 30-plus points, two had double doubles and my best draft pick, Serge Ibaka, blocked five shots while he wasn't putting in 26 points at the other end. My lead is now 8-0, and the second-place team dropped to 6-2, so I could actually extend my lead. Two days left this week, so I don't want to look ahead too much.
* * *
Hockey. My starting goalies, Steve Mason and Ben Scrivens, both won Thursday, giving up only one goal in 60 minutes, and had a combined .973 save percentage. That improved my stats in all three categories, but not enough to gain any points.
Important key: Don't make the same mistake I did of leaving a problem area unresolved too late into the season. You've heard of small sample sizes. Well, the large sample size of nearly three-quarters of the season means that one or two days of performances won't make a major difference in the standings.
I still hold out hope of being able to overtake the second-place team in my league, but I know it won't be easy.
Hey! There were games Friday night too. Let's see how the Puckin Penguins did. The only active players, Joe Pavelski and Matt Niskanen (one of my best draft picks or early season pickups, I don't remember which), were plus-1 each. That restored some order, but it appears that the team still is eight points behind the second-place team.
Showing posts with label Alex Rodriguez. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alex Rodriguez. Show all posts
Friday, February 7, 2014
Monday, January 13, 2014
A-Rod did not get a raw deal
Today's big player move in baseball was that the Orioles signed OF Delmon Young to a minor league contract.
Beyond that, there were reports that OF Jack Cust and RHP Bobby Jenks are interested in making comebacks after being out of baseball. Really? I guess the money if whatever field they're working in isn't as good as a major league salary.
You might also have heard some things about sometime Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez.
The latest is that he wants to sue Major League Baseball and the MLBPA in federal court over his suspension.
I expect that will go essentially nowhere. An arbitrator ruled that Rodriguez broke baseball's PED rules, based largely on Anthony Bosch's testimony and text messages between them. The arbitrator said there was sufficient evidence indicating that A-Rod used banned substances on at least three occasions and that he tried to block MLB's investigation (think obstruction of justice) at least twice.
So where's the smoking gun? Or maybe the dripping syringe?
There doesn't have to be one. How often is there a smoking gun even in a murder case.
Baseball doesn't necessarily have to follow all of the rules that would apply in a court of law. The idea is that people have rights, but there is no "right to play major league baseball." There has been a long history of instances where players have been suspended or banned with less evidence than would convict them in court. Baseball banned eight Chicago White Sox for at least knowing but not reporting attempts to fix the 1919 World Series. More recently, Pete Rose received a lifetime ban for betting on baseball, possibly including his own team, when he managed the Reds.
In my mind, baseball has allowed the dispute over Rodriguez's suspension to last far too long. I'm not sure how the figure of 211 games was decided for his original suspension. Perhaps the idea was to keep him from playing in 2013 or '14. For some reason, he was allowed to postpone his hearing until the off-season. Those hearings usually are held and adjudicated within a matter of days or weeks.
He was allowed to play while the other players brought down in the scandal involving Bosch's PED lab sat out suspensions. And his suspension was reduced to 162 games.
There probably wasn't enough hard evidence to give A-Rod a three-strikes-and-you're-out lifetime ban. Still, he seems to be getting off easy. However, he seems to have the sense of entitlement that says the rules aren't meant to include him.
It seems likely that fans will not be very forgiving. They/we don't like the idea that star players can get off on a technicality, as Ryan Braun did the first time, or that they should be allowed to buy their way out of suspensions.
A side note, or perhaps a historical note: It seems clear that Rodriguez lied through his teeth (as so many other accused players have done) a few years back when he said that he had used PEDs only while he played for the Rangers and only before baseball banned such substances. His most recent run-in lends credence to Selena Roberts' reporting in Sports Illustrated and a note of embarrassment for Peter Gammons' softball interview with A-Rod that let him slide for a while.
* * *
Basketball. My 7-1 win for last week moved me into third place, just two games behind the league leader. My signing of Marco Belinelli to give me an extra guard Sunday didn't hurt my team, but it wasn't enough to complete a sweep by also winning in 3-pointers.
My original intention was that Belinelli would be a short-term acquisition, and that I would bring Taj Gibson back on to my roster. Then I did some homework.
The question was whether I should bring Gibson back for help up front and waive Belinelli, or possibly another newly acquired guard, Mo Williams.
First I compared their raw numbers to see which two of them had the best overall statistics. Gibson led, as we'd expect, in rebounds and blocks, and also in scoring. Williams had the highest free throw percentage and led, not unexpectedly, in assists and steals. Belinelli was best in just two categories, field goal percentage and 3-pointers.
However, when I assigned 3, 2 and 1 points in each category, with 3 being the highest, the totals were Gibson 15, Williams 16 and Belinelli 17.
The second step was determining in which categories my team needed the most help. Through Sunday, I was below average in four categories -- sixth in assists, seventh in points, tied for seventh in 3-pointers and ninth in field goal percentage. Look above and you'll see that Belinelli has had the best season in the team's worst categories, FG% and 3s. Williams leads the three-man group in assists.
Third, because it's my first year in a fantasy basketball league, I tried to determine how successful teams are set up. Are they oriented toward big men, or more toward speed and other small-man skills. My short, small-sample-sized, research showed that the team currently in first place had a 13-man roster including seven players each who qualify as guards or forwards, and three qualifying at center. My current roster, without power forward Gibson, has six guards, six forwards and a center.
The first-place team outnumbers mine at shooting guard and small forward. My roster has more power forwards than his does.
By any measure, it seems, my best move would be to keep Belinelli and Williams on the roster and leave Gibson in the free-agent pool.
* * *
Football. At last night's Islanders-Stars game, I tried to keep up with the playoff scoring through ESPN.com. I'd check the box score on occasion, and write down updated point totals for each player. I left the hockey game thinking I'd won 29-26 to reach the AMFL Super Bowl. I noted that Colin Kaepernick had thrown a touchdown pass and put down 3 points next to his name. pass. I wasn't looking at the touchdown runs because neither of us had Frank Gore. I was surprised when the commissioner wrote today that I'd lost 32-29. Then I saw Kaepernick's TD run. Oh, well.
Things are going better in the bet-a-thousand pool. I had three wins and a push -- at least the Saints didn't score again to beat the spread -- so my bankroll is up to $1,600. That might not help much. The current leader is at $3,700. I pretty much have to win the final three games, and make big bets on the right teams. Off the top of my head, I'll probably bet $1,000 on one team and $500 on the other. Maybe 8 on one and 7 on the other if I don't have a real favorite, so a split wouldn't kill me. Another possibility is going $1,400 and $100 if there's a team I reeeaallly like. I noticed that almost all of the teams currently leading had the 49ers, and they all put significantly more than my piddly $100 on San Francisco.
* * *
Hockey. Last night I got to see the Islanders' Thomas Vanek in person, probably for the first time since 2005 but probably not going back as far as when he played for the University of Minnesota in the Frozen Four. He had two assists, and even better was plus-3. My team's plus/minus has been taking off lately. I'm up to plus-40 and just four behind the next team ahead of me. The leader is at 100 and something, so that's probably out of reach. I entered Monday still third with 66, and eight points out of second place. Again, first place seems ridiculously out of reach.
BTW, Vanek leads the Islanders in plus/minus (+8, I think), and he was well below zero when he arrived on the island after the Sabres traded him.
Beyond that, there were reports that OF Jack Cust and RHP Bobby Jenks are interested in making comebacks after being out of baseball. Really? I guess the money if whatever field they're working in isn't as good as a major league salary.
You might also have heard some things about sometime Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez.
The latest is that he wants to sue Major League Baseball and the MLBPA in federal court over his suspension.
I expect that will go essentially nowhere. An arbitrator ruled that Rodriguez broke baseball's PED rules, based largely on Anthony Bosch's testimony and text messages between them. The arbitrator said there was sufficient evidence indicating that A-Rod used banned substances on at least three occasions and that he tried to block MLB's investigation (think obstruction of justice) at least twice.
So where's the smoking gun? Or maybe the dripping syringe?
There doesn't have to be one. How often is there a smoking gun even in a murder case.
Baseball doesn't necessarily have to follow all of the rules that would apply in a court of law. The idea is that people have rights, but there is no "right to play major league baseball." There has been a long history of instances where players have been suspended or banned with less evidence than would convict them in court. Baseball banned eight Chicago White Sox for at least knowing but not reporting attempts to fix the 1919 World Series. More recently, Pete Rose received a lifetime ban for betting on baseball, possibly including his own team, when he managed the Reds.
In my mind, baseball has allowed the dispute over Rodriguez's suspension to last far too long. I'm not sure how the figure of 211 games was decided for his original suspension. Perhaps the idea was to keep him from playing in 2013 or '14. For some reason, he was allowed to postpone his hearing until the off-season. Those hearings usually are held and adjudicated within a matter of days or weeks.
He was allowed to play while the other players brought down in the scandal involving Bosch's PED lab sat out suspensions. And his suspension was reduced to 162 games.
There probably wasn't enough hard evidence to give A-Rod a three-strikes-and-you're-out lifetime ban. Still, he seems to be getting off easy. However, he seems to have the sense of entitlement that says the rules aren't meant to include him.
It seems likely that fans will not be very forgiving. They/we don't like the idea that star players can get off on a technicality, as Ryan Braun did the first time, or that they should be allowed to buy their way out of suspensions.
A side note, or perhaps a historical note: It seems clear that Rodriguez lied through his teeth (as so many other accused players have done) a few years back when he said that he had used PEDs only while he played for the Rangers and only before baseball banned such substances. His most recent run-in lends credence to Selena Roberts' reporting in Sports Illustrated and a note of embarrassment for Peter Gammons' softball interview with A-Rod that let him slide for a while.
* * *
Basketball. My 7-1 win for last week moved me into third place, just two games behind the league leader. My signing of Marco Belinelli to give me an extra guard Sunday didn't hurt my team, but it wasn't enough to complete a sweep by also winning in 3-pointers.
My original intention was that Belinelli would be a short-term acquisition, and that I would bring Taj Gibson back on to my roster. Then I did some homework.
The question was whether I should bring Gibson back for help up front and waive Belinelli, or possibly another newly acquired guard, Mo Williams.
First I compared their raw numbers to see which two of them had the best overall statistics. Gibson led, as we'd expect, in rebounds and blocks, and also in scoring. Williams had the highest free throw percentage and led, not unexpectedly, in assists and steals. Belinelli was best in just two categories, field goal percentage and 3-pointers.
However, when I assigned 3, 2 and 1 points in each category, with 3 being the highest, the totals were Gibson 15, Williams 16 and Belinelli 17.
The second step was determining in which categories my team needed the most help. Through Sunday, I was below average in four categories -- sixth in assists, seventh in points, tied for seventh in 3-pointers and ninth in field goal percentage. Look above and you'll see that Belinelli has had the best season in the team's worst categories, FG% and 3s. Williams leads the three-man group in assists.
Third, because it's my first year in a fantasy basketball league, I tried to determine how successful teams are set up. Are they oriented toward big men, or more toward speed and other small-man skills. My short, small-sample-sized, research showed that the team currently in first place had a 13-man roster including seven players each who qualify as guards or forwards, and three qualifying at center. My current roster, without power forward Gibson, has six guards, six forwards and a center.
The first-place team outnumbers mine at shooting guard and small forward. My roster has more power forwards than his does.
By any measure, it seems, my best move would be to keep Belinelli and Williams on the roster and leave Gibson in the free-agent pool.
* * *
Football. At last night's Islanders-Stars game, I tried to keep up with the playoff scoring through ESPN.com. I'd check the box score on occasion, and write down updated point totals for each player. I left the hockey game thinking I'd won 29-26 to reach the AMFL Super Bowl. I noted that Colin Kaepernick had thrown a touchdown pass and put down 3 points next to his name. pass. I wasn't looking at the touchdown runs because neither of us had Frank Gore. I was surprised when the commissioner wrote today that I'd lost 32-29. Then I saw Kaepernick's TD run. Oh, well.
Things are going better in the bet-a-thousand pool. I had three wins and a push -- at least the Saints didn't score again to beat the spread -- so my bankroll is up to $1,600. That might not help much. The current leader is at $3,700. I pretty much have to win the final three games, and make big bets on the right teams. Off the top of my head, I'll probably bet $1,000 on one team and $500 on the other. Maybe 8 on one and 7 on the other if I don't have a real favorite, so a split wouldn't kill me. Another possibility is going $1,400 and $100 if there's a team I reeeaallly like. I noticed that almost all of the teams currently leading had the 49ers, and they all put significantly more than my piddly $100 on San Francisco.
* * *
Hockey. Last night I got to see the Islanders' Thomas Vanek in person, probably for the first time since 2005 but probably not going back as far as when he played for the University of Minnesota in the Frozen Four. He had two assists, and even better was plus-3. My team's plus/minus has been taking off lately. I'm up to plus-40 and just four behind the next team ahead of me. The leader is at 100 and something, so that's probably out of reach. I entered Monday still third with 66, and eight points out of second place. Again, first place seems ridiculously out of reach.
BTW, Vanek leads the Islanders in plus/minus (+8, I think), and he was well below zero when he arrived on the island after the Sabres traded him.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Heyward hammers first homer
After pounding baseballs into a parking lot in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., for a couple of weeks, Braves RF prospect Jason Heyward hit his first exhibition homer in a 12-4 victory over the Tigers. The blast came against RHP Max Scherzer, from whom Detroit is expecting big things. Tigers manager compared Heyward to a young Albert Pujols. Expect the rookie to arrive in Atlanta amid even more hype on Opening Day. And expect whoever gets him in your fantasy league to overpay for Heyward.
Speaking of hype, the legend of Reds rookie LHP Aroldis Chapman continued with two scoreless innings in his first exhibition game, or any game on U.S. soil. His fastball was clocked at 99 and 100 mph on different radar guns. That was in a 14-5 win over the Royals. Possible good news for Kansas City was that 3B Josh Fields, filling in for injured 3B/1B Alex Gordon, hit a home run against Cincinnati RHP Nick Masset.
Other home runs of note included Blue Jays C J.P. Arencibia’s third this spring. Don’t get too excited about this one; it was against marginal Astros RHP Bud Norris in Toronto’s 4-1victory. In the Brewers’ 6-2 win over the Mariners, RF Corey Hart hit his second. That could be a good sign that he won’t cut down his effort after signing a multiyear contract.
It could have been a typical high-scoring Arizona game when C Mike Napoli hit his second spring homer in the Angels’ 13-9 victory over the Rangers. Or it could be that Napoli is continuing to develop, and is a good candidate to spend the All-Star break at home in Anaheim to play in the game.
In the Twins’ 5-0 victory over the Orioles, RHP Kevin Slowey had a pitching line of 310012. You might recall that he was one of our Jarrod Washburn Award winners before last season, and won 10 games before going on the disabled list for most of the season’s second half. It’s entirely possible that we’d name him the Washburn Award winner (for an inexpensive pitcher who will rack up the wins) again this year.
The Yankees and Pirates both were in mid-season form as New York won 6-0. RHP Alfredo Aceves pitched four hitless innings. Pittsburgh’s only hit in the game was 1B/OF Steven Pearce’s single against RHP Ivan Nova, who is more likely to pitch at Triple-A Scranton than in Yankee Stadium this year. The Yanks’ closer, RHP Mariano Rivera, hasn’t even pitched yet this spring and isn’t scheduled to until March 16. He said, “When the time comes, I will be ready.” We have no reason to doubt him.
Mets OF Chris Carter, late of the Red Sox, became the second player this spring to homer twice in the same inning – New York’s eight-run ninth in an 11-2 victory over the Marlins. The game’s biggest news, however, might have been RHP prospect Jennry Mejia’s three scoreless innings. Manager Jerry Manuel compared Mejia’s moving cut fastball to Rivera’s. My own comparison to Rivera is Rangers RHP Neftali Feliz, because from the time I first saw each of them in the minors I felt they have almost impossible-to-hit stuff but not enough stamina to withstand high pitch counts as a starter. Ergo, each would be best as a reliever. I haven’t seen Mejia yet, so I’m not sure about his optimum role.
Three games ended as one-run decisions on last-inning runs. The Rays beat the Pirates 4-3 on OF Fernando Perez’s 10th-inning single. In another 10-inning game, the Giants defeated the Dodgers 3-2 with strong-armed rookie RF Roger Kieschnick preventing what would have been the tying run by throwing out 2B Ron Belliard at home plate. The Red Sox edged the Cardinals 7-6, with rookie 1B Che-Hsuan Lin driving in the winning run. Boston RHP Josh Beckett pitched three perfect innings.
Injuries:
Rangers LF Josh Hamilton (bruised left shoulder) was supposed to return to the field Sunday, but the scheduled “B” game was rained out. Instead, he came back today and went 2-for-3 against the Angels.
Mets RHP Francisco Rodriguez (pinkeye) was expected to come back to throw Tuesday or Wednesday, and to pitch in a game over the weekend. However, New York NL has shut down RHP Kelvim Escobar (weak shoulder), who is expected to begin the season on the disabled list.
Astros RHP Brandon Lyon (cyst in his shoulder) threw 30 pitches in the bullpen, and could face batters by the weekend.
Dodgers 3B Casey Blake is out because of a strained rib cage muscle. RHP Cory Wade (tender shoulder) will be out two weeks.
Cardinals SS Brendan Ryan (wrist surgery) hit soft toss, and could take batting practice for the first time Friday.
Phillies LHP J.C. Romero (elbow surgery) is scheduled to throw in the bullpen Tuesday. He expects to be ready by the home opener in Philadelphia April 12.
Dodgers RHP Ronald Belisario isn’t injured, but he hasn’t been able to pitch because he’s still home in Venezuela. He has had difficulty obtaining a visa because of a DUI arrest last summer.
The PED News:
Dr. Anthony Galea, the Canadian physician under fire for allegedly arranging to smuggle performance-enhancing drugs into the U.S., said he had provided anti-inflammatory drugs to Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez. Mets SS Jose Reyes said Dr. Galea used with him a “blood spinning” technique that kind of sounds like the blood doping banned by the Olympics decades ago.
Sample Scouting Report:
Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Reds
Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 180 T: L Age: 22* Inj. Risk: 10 Alt. Pos: SP
{2010} Chapman was considered such a good pitcher in Cuba that president Raul Castro forgave him for an attempt to defect in 2008, and allowed him to travel with the national team the next year. He then defected in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Chapman’s fastball reportedly has been clocked at 102 mph; he has flirted with triple figures this spring. At least some of the hype around him is justified. There is a lot of interest in Cincinnati about having him in the rotation this season. How well he does will depend on how he can control his slider and continue to develop a changeup. Without those, he’d be best in Triple-A or even Double-A this season. Born: Feb. 28, 1988, Cuba*.
Projection
IP: 81 W: 6 ERA: 4.00 WHIP: 1.33 S: 0 SO: 73 $3
Speaking of hype, the legend of Reds rookie LHP Aroldis Chapman continued with two scoreless innings in his first exhibition game, or any game on U.S. soil. His fastball was clocked at 99 and 100 mph on different radar guns. That was in a 14-5 win over the Royals. Possible good news for Kansas City was that 3B Josh Fields, filling in for injured 3B/1B Alex Gordon, hit a home run against Cincinnati RHP Nick Masset.
Other home runs of note included Blue Jays C J.P. Arencibia’s third this spring. Don’t get too excited about this one; it was against marginal Astros RHP Bud Norris in Toronto’s 4-1victory. In the Brewers’ 6-2 win over the Mariners, RF Corey Hart hit his second. That could be a good sign that he won’t cut down his effort after signing a multiyear contract.
It could have been a typical high-scoring Arizona game when C Mike Napoli hit his second spring homer in the Angels’ 13-9 victory over the Rangers. Or it could be that Napoli is continuing to develop, and is a good candidate to spend the All-Star break at home in Anaheim to play in the game.
In the Twins’ 5-0 victory over the Orioles, RHP Kevin Slowey had a pitching line of 310012. You might recall that he was one of our Jarrod Washburn Award winners before last season, and won 10 games before going on the disabled list for most of the season’s second half. It’s entirely possible that we’d name him the Washburn Award winner (for an inexpensive pitcher who will rack up the wins) again this year.
The Yankees and Pirates both were in mid-season form as New York won 6-0. RHP Alfredo Aceves pitched four hitless innings. Pittsburgh’s only hit in the game was 1B/OF Steven Pearce’s single against RHP Ivan Nova, who is more likely to pitch at Triple-A Scranton than in Yankee Stadium this year. The Yanks’ closer, RHP Mariano Rivera, hasn’t even pitched yet this spring and isn’t scheduled to until March 16. He said, “When the time comes, I will be ready.” We have no reason to doubt him.
Mets OF Chris Carter, late of the Red Sox, became the second player this spring to homer twice in the same inning – New York’s eight-run ninth in an 11-2 victory over the Marlins. The game’s biggest news, however, might have been RHP prospect Jennry Mejia’s three scoreless innings. Manager Jerry Manuel compared Mejia’s moving cut fastball to Rivera’s. My own comparison to Rivera is Rangers RHP Neftali Feliz, because from the time I first saw each of them in the minors I felt they have almost impossible-to-hit stuff but not enough stamina to withstand high pitch counts as a starter. Ergo, each would be best as a reliever. I haven’t seen Mejia yet, so I’m not sure about his optimum role.
Three games ended as one-run decisions on last-inning runs. The Rays beat the Pirates 4-3 on OF Fernando Perez’s 10th-inning single. In another 10-inning game, the Giants defeated the Dodgers 3-2 with strong-armed rookie RF Roger Kieschnick preventing what would have been the tying run by throwing out 2B Ron Belliard at home plate. The Red Sox edged the Cardinals 7-6, with rookie 1B Che-Hsuan Lin driving in the winning run. Boston RHP Josh Beckett pitched three perfect innings.
Injuries:
Rangers LF Josh Hamilton (bruised left shoulder) was supposed to return to the field Sunday, but the scheduled “B” game was rained out. Instead, he came back today and went 2-for-3 against the Angels.
Mets RHP Francisco Rodriguez (pinkeye) was expected to come back to throw Tuesday or Wednesday, and to pitch in a game over the weekend. However, New York NL has shut down RHP Kelvim Escobar (weak shoulder), who is expected to begin the season on the disabled list.
Astros RHP Brandon Lyon (cyst in his shoulder) threw 30 pitches in the bullpen, and could face batters by the weekend.
Dodgers 3B Casey Blake is out because of a strained rib cage muscle. RHP Cory Wade (tender shoulder) will be out two weeks.
Cardinals SS Brendan Ryan (wrist surgery) hit soft toss, and could take batting practice for the first time Friday.
Phillies LHP J.C. Romero (elbow surgery) is scheduled to throw in the bullpen Tuesday. He expects to be ready by the home opener in Philadelphia April 12.
Dodgers RHP Ronald Belisario isn’t injured, but he hasn’t been able to pitch because he’s still home in Venezuela. He has had difficulty obtaining a visa because of a DUI arrest last summer.
The PED News:
Dr. Anthony Galea, the Canadian physician under fire for allegedly arranging to smuggle performance-enhancing drugs into the U.S., said he had provided anti-inflammatory drugs to Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez. Mets SS Jose Reyes said Dr. Galea used with him a “blood spinning” technique that kind of sounds like the blood doping banned by the Olympics decades ago.
Sample Scouting Report:
Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Reds
Ht.: 6-4 Wt.: 180 T: L Age: 22* Inj. Risk: 10 Alt. Pos: SP
{2010} Chapman was considered such a good pitcher in Cuba that president Raul Castro forgave him for an attempt to defect in 2008, and allowed him to travel with the national team the next year. He then defected in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Chapman’s fastball reportedly has been clocked at 102 mph; he has flirted with triple figures this spring. At least some of the hype around him is justified. There is a lot of interest in Cincinnati about having him in the rotation this season. How well he does will depend on how he can control his slider and continue to develop a changeup. Without those, he’d be best in Triple-A or even Double-A this season. Born: Feb. 28, 1988, Cuba*.
Projection
IP: 81 W: 6 ERA: 4.00 WHIP: 1.33 S: 0 SO: 73 $3
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Outfielders in the news
The early days of spring training are a time when every team feels like a contender – well, maybe not the Pirates and Royals.
Also, every injured player is optimistic that he’ll be able to play by Opening Day or, for anyone with an injury less serious than Tommy John surgery or an amputated limb, that he’ll be ready by the All-Star break.
That includes OFs Carlos Beltran, Alfonso Soriano and Torii Hunter, all of whom can be difference-makers for their team. That’s true, except that even Beltran at his best at bat and in center field might not be able to make a difference in the Mets.
Beltran isn’t expected back until early May. He’s five weeks removed from surgery to remove fragments of bone and cartilage from his right knee.
Soriano spent the winter in the Dominican Republic rehabbing from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The Cubs’ left fielder said he isn’t yet running at full speed but added that he should be 100 per cent by Opening Day. Naturally.
Hunter could be the biggest difference-maker. He’s coming back from arthroscopic surgery to repair a sports hernia that curtailed his best season – a .299 average, 22 homers and 90 RBI. He’ll also bring nine Gold Gloves to center field for the Angels.
Another outfielder, Johnny Damon, wasn’t hurt but was in limbo until he and the Tigers officially agreed today on a one-year, $8-million contract to be their left fielder or DH.
Injury updates:
Phillies RHP Brad Lidge, coming back from elbow and knee surgeries, threw 20 pitches off a mound. He said he doesn’t feel he can be ready for Opening Day. Philadelphia fans hope that at least before the All-Star break he will no longer be giving up damaging homers. LHP J.C. Romero, who also had elbow surgery, is scheduled to throw off a mound Saturday.
In Scottsdale, Ariz., where it rained for the third consecutive day, new 3B Mark DeRosa arrived a day early for his first batting practice, in a cage, following off-season surgery on his left wrist. 2B Freddy Sanchez, returning from left shoulder and left knee injuries, hasn’t yet hit but he has played catch and done some agility drills and running.
Cardinals SS Brendan Ryan, a big surprise last season, is just two weeks removed from arthroscopic surgery to repair an inflamed tendon in his right wrist. Of course, he said he expected to be rady for Opening Day. Helping his quest could be the fact that St. Louis’ first game isn’t until the season’s second day, April 5 at Cincinnati.
The saddest story is that of Khalil Greene. He was trying to return to the majors this year with the Rangers, but they have announced that he won’t join them at spring training or play for the team this season. Apparently, the anxiety problems that plagued him last season have returned.
For openers:
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen got on the early bandwagon of naming an Opening Day starter. LHP Mark Buehrle would start his Sox-record eighth opener – breaking a tie with Billy Pierce, an all-but-forgotten ace lefty from the ‘50s and ‘60s. Guillen chose Buehrle over RHP Jake Peavy, who would start the second game.
In another pitching announcement, Orioles manager Dave Trembley said LHP Mike Gonzalez would be Baltimore’s closer.
Gossip:
Getting even as far tonight as “Chelsea Lately,” a show with little sports IQ, is the rumor that Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez hooked up with Cameron Diaz in Miami while they were there for the Super Bowl. There also have been Madonna sightings in A-Rod’s vicinity recently.
Also, every injured player is optimistic that he’ll be able to play by Opening Day or, for anyone with an injury less serious than Tommy John surgery or an amputated limb, that he’ll be ready by the All-Star break.
That includes OFs Carlos Beltran, Alfonso Soriano and Torii Hunter, all of whom can be difference-makers for their team. That’s true, except that even Beltran at his best at bat and in center field might not be able to make a difference in the Mets.
Beltran isn’t expected back until early May. He’s five weeks removed from surgery to remove fragments of bone and cartilage from his right knee.
Soriano spent the winter in the Dominican Republic rehabbing from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. The Cubs’ left fielder said he isn’t yet running at full speed but added that he should be 100 per cent by Opening Day. Naturally.
Hunter could be the biggest difference-maker. He’s coming back from arthroscopic surgery to repair a sports hernia that curtailed his best season – a .299 average, 22 homers and 90 RBI. He’ll also bring nine Gold Gloves to center field for the Angels.
Another outfielder, Johnny Damon, wasn’t hurt but was in limbo until he and the Tigers officially agreed today on a one-year, $8-million contract to be their left fielder or DH.
Injury updates:
Phillies RHP Brad Lidge, coming back from elbow and knee surgeries, threw 20 pitches off a mound. He said he doesn’t feel he can be ready for Opening Day. Philadelphia fans hope that at least before the All-Star break he will no longer be giving up damaging homers. LHP J.C. Romero, who also had elbow surgery, is scheduled to throw off a mound Saturday.
In Scottsdale, Ariz., where it rained for the third consecutive day, new 3B Mark DeRosa arrived a day early for his first batting practice, in a cage, following off-season surgery on his left wrist. 2B Freddy Sanchez, returning from left shoulder and left knee injuries, hasn’t yet hit but he has played catch and done some agility drills and running.
Cardinals SS Brendan Ryan, a big surprise last season, is just two weeks removed from arthroscopic surgery to repair an inflamed tendon in his right wrist. Of course, he said he expected to be rady for Opening Day. Helping his quest could be the fact that St. Louis’ first game isn’t until the season’s second day, April 5 at Cincinnati.
The saddest story is that of Khalil Greene. He was trying to return to the majors this year with the Rangers, but they have announced that he won’t join them at spring training or play for the team this season. Apparently, the anxiety problems that plagued him last season have returned.
For openers:
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen got on the early bandwagon of naming an Opening Day starter. LHP Mark Buehrle would start his Sox-record eighth opener – breaking a tie with Billy Pierce, an all-but-forgotten ace lefty from the ‘50s and ‘60s. Guillen chose Buehrle over RHP Jake Peavy, who would start the second game.
In another pitching announcement, Orioles manager Dave Trembley said LHP Mike Gonzalez would be Baltimore’s closer.
Gossip:
Getting even as far tonight as “Chelsea Lately,” a show with little sports IQ, is the rumor that Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez hooked up with Cameron Diaz in Miami while they were there for the Super Bowl. There also have been Madonna sightings in A-Rod’s vicinity recently.
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