It looks like a good week to be a major league pitcher. Almost as good is being agent Casey Close.
The Rays and LHP David Price announced a $14-million contract for 2014, the largest in franchise history. This tells me that they're all in for this season, and that Price wouldn't be available in trade unless Tampa Bay is out of the race near the trade deadline. It's also conceivable that if the team looks strong going forward, the Rays might even try to sign him to some sort of rewarding contract of medium-range length -- maybe $75 for three years, with options for additional years and reachable incentive clauses.
That might not be enough, because there are reports that the Dodgers and LHP Clayton Kershaw have agreed on a 7-year, $215-million deal that would be a record for a pitcher anywhere.
Waiting in the wings, for a contract that could be escalating by the day, is free-agent Japanese RHP Masahiro Tanaka, who also is represented by Close.
Even the remaining free-agent starting pitchers such as RHPs Matt Garza and Bronson Arroyo could see their contracts bumped up a few hundred thousand by the pitching sellers' market. You never know when a starting pitcher might fall down the stairs.
Continuing another recent trend of oldtimers/has-beens/previously enjoyed players contemplating a return to the bigs, LHP Dontrelle Willis signed a minor league contract with the Giants.
Other big news from San Francisco, via Venezuela, is that 3B Pablo "Kung Fu Panda" Sandoval has lost 42 pounds (19 kilos) while playing in the Venezuelan Winter League. It's a contract year for the gifted hitter. How much he makes might depend on how much he weighs as the 2014-15 off-season becomes a reality.
* * *
Hockey. A couple of things, one of them not funny at all, have happened during the past few days. When I turned on my computer at the Oilers-Stars game Tuesday night, I couldn't see the screen. After a while, I could vaguely make out my sign-on prompt. Eventually, if I swirled my finger around the touch pad enough, I could find the cursor and guess whether I was clicking on the right icon. I was able to write about 300 words about the first two periods. Then I realized I would have to open AOL to send in the article to The Associated Press after I'd written.
Could not find the cursor, nor the Firefox icon. I realized I would have to write the article on my phone. It's a three-part sequence. First, write 150 words or so with the basic information and send that in. Second, add enough on to that for about 500 words and send. Third, ideally, interview some players and coaches, and add their quotes and a catchy lead for an article of about 900 words.
By the time the game ended, I hadn't even finished my 150 words. Those little keys on the Galaxy 4 are way smaller than my fingers. Got that done, but missed any interview opportunities, while I was writing the rest of the 500-worder. The Stars provided me with audio of their post-game interviews, and another freelancer sent me quotes from the Oilers' side. By the time I sent the new material and indicated where it should go, it was well past the time the article was expected in New York. I must say, though, that the editors there were very understanding.
Did some research Wednesday and discovered that it's not uncommon for the backlight on HP laptops to go out. Too bad, because generally I like the computer, but I'd never had a problem with backlighting in any of the -- I don't know, half-dozen? dozen? -- computers I've had before. I visited the Geek Squad and was preparing to have the geeks send away my computer for a couple of weeks for not-inexpensive repairs when the technician casually mentioned that they might have to wipe my computer. Wipe? Yes, as in clearing everything from the hard drive. That screech you hear is me putting the brakes on. I can't have everything erased. I have some projects and databases there that I've worked on literally for months. So the alternative, I was told was getting a VGA cable and hooking my laptop up to a TV. Next stop, Target, for a VGA cable. When I got home, that cable didn't really work, but fortunately the HDMI cable (which before seemed to have no apparent purpose) did. Thus, I'm writing this now from my dark laptop to a bright screen on our new bedroom TV. That's in part because I still find it very cumbersome to use the MacBook Pro at home, which I will be taking to tonight's Bruins-Stars game. Wish me luck.
BTW, I still have some things to clear from my HP laptop before I send it away. So by Friday, I expect to be doing all of my work on the MacBook.
Aside: if anyone from Samsung, HP or Apple wants to sponsor this blog, be my guest. You're welcome for the product placements.
Also on Wednesday, I interviewed the Stars' Brenden Dillon and Alex Goligoski about skate/foot protectors and whether those facilitate blocking shots for an article another AP writer is doing. Didn't sound like a very interesting idea to me at first, but the conversations I had with the players were very informative, dare I say enlightening, on the topic. That article is supposed to be on the wire sometime next week.
Dillon happens to be on my fantasy team, about which I have two things to say. 1) I will not write anything more about plus/minus. In the first two nights after I pointed out that I had skyrocketed within 4 of the next-higher team in plus/minus, my players combined to go minus-5 each night. I saw a note from Wednesday's game that Keith Yandle was only minus-1 or minus-2, which was an improvement because he had been minus-3 in each of the previous two games. 2) I will not write anything more about goalies until I figure them out. Don't hold your breath. With Eddie Lack giving up something like 200 goals Wednesday, I'm now at the bottom of the league in both goals against and save percentage. It helps that Steve Mason has won his last two starts, but didn't help at all that he essentially sucked in both games while the Flyers scored a bunch of goals at the other end.
* * *
Basketball. I'm just now taking a look at Team Fresh Prints' performance Wednesday night. Be right back. ... While the teams ahead of me in the standings are playing each other, I'm leading this week 6-1-1, tied in 3-pointers and trailing in field goal percentage.
Hmmm. The Nets and Hawks are playing a Thursday afternoon game in Atlanta. How quaint. And, look, Joe Johnson has 15 of Brooklyn's first 31 points, shooting 6 for 8 from the field. Too bad, because I hadn't adjusted my roster yet today and he's on my bench. I did move my other two bench players, whose teams are playing tonight, back into the starting lineup.
Showing posts with label Dontrelle Willis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dontrelle Willis. Show all posts
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Red Sox have turnaround despite injuries
We’re getting back toward our regular schedule for our five weekly Emails, including the Wednesday evening Injury Updates.
The free period for these Emails will end Sunday, April 25. After that date, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
The good news is that you now CAN subscribe. Here’s how:
Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Include your name, address and phone number so we could contact you with any questions, and (most important) tell us the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. You then would receive an invoice from PayPal, which you could pay by following simple instructions within that Email. Once we receive your payment, we’ll add you to the subscription list so you would receive all of this year’s Emails and have access to any other features from fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
Willis, Blackburn expected to make next start
The Red Sox have been struggling at or below .500 in part because of injuries to starting OFs Mike Cameron (strained lower abdominal muscle) and Jacoby Ellsbury. That hasn’t mattered the last two nights as prospect Josh Reddick and especially journeyman Darnell McDonald have been producing at bat. McDonald arrived from Triple-A Pawtucket Tuesday in time to hit a game-tying home run and a game-winning single. Against the Rangers He homered again in a game Boston won in 12 innings. Don’t run out and pick up McDonald figuring he’s some phenom. His total major league experience before this year was fewer than 150 at-bats and just two homers.
OOO Diamondbacks 3B Mark Reynolds (quadriceps) is questionable for this weekend’s series against the Phillies. OF/1B Conor Jackson (knee) is eligible to come off the disabled list May 4.
OOO Also questionable for the weekend is Marlins C Ronny Paulino (quad). RHP Brian Sanches (hamstring) could go on an injury-rehab assignment Monday.
OOO Despite a finger injury, Tigers LHP Dontrelle Willis is expected to be able to start Saturday’s game at Texas.
OOO Also likely to start Saturday is Twins RHP Nick Blackburn (back). 2B/3B Nick Punto (groin) is questionable for the weekend series in Kansas City.
OOO Phillies RHP Joe Blanton (strained oblique muscle) is scheduled to make a rehab start for Double-A Reading Friday.
OOO Mariners LHP Cliff Lee could make a rehab start Sunday at Tacoma. If that goes well, he could start at home Friday, April 30, against the Rangers.
OOO The Rangers are hoping 2B Ian Kinsler (high ankle sprain) could be back “next week.” But then, they’ve been saying that every week since he was hurt during spring training.
Due dates
This is a rough idea of when teams expect to have some injured players back.
Thursday – Blue Jays 2B Aaron Hill (hamstring).
Friday – Cubs LHP Ted Lilly (shoulder, knee, back).
Late April – Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins (calf), Pirates RHP Ross Ohlendorf (back), Orioles RHP Koji Uehara (hamstring).
Early May – Orioles 2B Brian Roberts (abdominal muscle), Indians RHP Kerry Wood (back), Rockies LHP Jeff Francis (shoulder), Royals 3B Josh Fields (hip) and 2B Chris Getz (oblique), Athletics OF Coco Crisp (finger) and 2B Mark Ellis (hamstring), Phillies LHP J.A. Happ (elbow), Padres RHP Chris R. Young (shoulder), Blue Jays 3B Edwin Encarnacion (shoulder) and LHP Brian Tallet (forearm) and Twins C Jose Morales (wrist) and LHP Jose Mijares (elbow).
Mid-May – Mets CF Carlos Beltran (knee), 1B/OF Daniel Murphy (knee) and RHPs Sean Green (rib) and Ryota Igarishi (hamstring); Giants CF Aaron Rowand (head) and 2B Freddy Sanchez (shoulder, knee); Braves OF Jordan Schafer (hand) and LHP Jo-Jo Reyes (knee); Orioles LHP Mike Gonzalez (shoulder); Red Sox CF Mike Cameron (abdomen); Rockies RHP Huston Street (shoulder); Rays LHP J.P. Howell (shoulder) and OF Matt Joyce (elbow); Rangers RHP Tommy Hunter (a very large oblique muscle); Blue Jays LHP Marc Rzepczynski (finger); Nationals RHPs Garrett Mock (neck) and Jason Marquis (elbow); Astros 3B Chris Johnson (side); Angels RHP Anthony Ortega (triceps), and Brewers 3B/2B Mat Gamel (shoulder).
Late May – Diamondbacks C Miguel Montero (knee surgery), Angels C Jeff Mathis (wrist), Mariners LHP Erik Bedard (shoulder) and Nationals LHP Ross Detwiler (hip).
Early June – Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Webb (shoulder), Blue Jays RHP Dustin McGowan (shoulder, knee), Nationals RHP Chien-ming Wang (shoulder), Tigers LHP Bobby Seay (arm), Twins RHP Clay Condrey (elbow), Mets RHP Kelvim Escobar (shoulder) and Rays C Kelly Shoppach (knee).
Mid-June – Red Sox SS/3B Jed Lowrie (mononucleosis), Giants SS/2B Emmanuel Burriss (foot), Blue Jays RHP Scott Richmond (shoulder), Nationals C Jesus Flores (shoulder), Rockies RHP Taylor Buchholz (elbow) and Pirates RHP Jose Ascanio (shoulder).
Late June – Dodgers RHP Cory Wade (shoulder) and Rangers RHP Eric Hurley (shoulder).
Early July – Brewers RHP David Riske (elbow) and Blue Jays RHP Jesse Litsch (forearm).
Late July – Orioles LF Felix Pie (shoulder), Indians RHP Anthony Reyes (elbow), Reds RHP Edinson Volquez (serving a suspension while rehabbing his elbow) and Athletics LHP Josh Outman (elbow).
Early August – Dodgers C Brad Ausmus (back).
Mid-August – Nationals RHP Jordan Zimmerman (elbow).
Smoakin’ hot
Much more than a year ago when fans clamored for his promotion, Rangers 1B prospect Justin Smoak has been showing that he’s ready for a major league trial. With 1B Chris Davis struggling to make contact and producing very little, Smoak has presented an attractive alternative. In his first 12 games this season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, he batted .333 (13-for-39). More important, he had a whopping .509 on-base percentage, with 14 walks and just five strikeouts. The one reason keeping Davis in Texas’ lineup has been his superior defense.
OOO Rays 2B Sean Rodriguez, who had a power surge during spring training, hit his first regular-season homer in a 12-0 victory over the White Sox. If he hits more than a homer every two weeks or so, consider that a bonus.
OOO Dodgers OF Matt Kemp has been on fire. His seventh homer helped LA outscore the runs its pitching staff gave up in a 14-6 win over the Reds.
OOO There’s no pitching problem for Phillies RHP Roy Halladay. He improved to 4-0 with an 0.82 ERA by shutting out the Braves 2-0 with a pitching line of 950017.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
The blowups were far more spectacular than the saves.
Angels LHP Brian Fuentes returned from the disabled list, assumed a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth against the Tigers and left with a 4-3 loss, a blown save and a pitching line of 2/3 22221. Included was a home run by Detroit 1B Miguel Cabrera. RHP Fernando Rodney saved five games for LA/Anaheim while Fuentes was out, so his job might not be safe.
Diamondbacks RHP Chad Qualls entered with a 4-4 tie in the top of the ninth against the Cardinals. The line in his loss was 1/3 33300, including OF Colby Rasmus’ second homer of the game. RHP Bob Howry, a potential candidate to replace Qualls as closer, finished the game with a line of 2/3 22200, including a homer by 2B Skip Schumaker.
Earning saves were Nationals RHP Matt Capps, seventh, 6-4 over the Rockies; Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera, sixth, 3-1 at Oakland, and fourth saves for Royals RHP Joakim Soria, 4-3 in 10 innings at Toronto; Tigers RHP Jose Valverde in the game at LA/Anaheim, and Astros RHP Matt Lindstrom, 5-4 against the Marlins.
Promotion
To subscribe for our five-times-weekly Emails and anything else we’re able to provide this season, Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Through Sunday, May 2, you can subscribe for just $20, a 20 per cent savings from our established price of $25.
Include your name, address, phone number and the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. PayPal then would send you an invoice that would allow you to pay in one step.
The free period for these Emails will end Sunday, April 25. After that date, the Emails would go only to those who subscribe.
The good news is that you now CAN subscribe. Here’s how:
Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Include your name, address and phone number so we could contact you with any questions, and (most important) tell us the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. You then would receive an invoice from PayPal, which you could pay by following simple instructions within that Email. Once we receive your payment, we’ll add you to the subscription list so you would receive all of this year’s Emails and have access to any other features from fantasybaseballscout.com.
Subscriptions will include Articles such as our “Pitchers (and Hitters) to Keep and Avoid.” Last year, our recommendation of Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa in itself was worth the cost of what you’d pay, and he was only one of our picks that were on the money. Choosing him was inspired; he was 0-6 when we recommended him, and 16-3 thereafter.
You also would have access to whatever content we’re able to get on to the fantasybaseballscout.com web site.
Subscribers will be able to ask questions specific to their fantasy teams and leagues, and receive answers through these Emails, the web site or personal Emails.
Willis, Blackburn expected to make next start
The Red Sox have been struggling at or below .500 in part because of injuries to starting OFs Mike Cameron (strained lower abdominal muscle) and Jacoby Ellsbury. That hasn’t mattered the last two nights as prospect Josh Reddick and especially journeyman Darnell McDonald have been producing at bat. McDonald arrived from Triple-A Pawtucket Tuesday in time to hit a game-tying home run and a game-winning single. Against the Rangers He homered again in a game Boston won in 12 innings. Don’t run out and pick up McDonald figuring he’s some phenom. His total major league experience before this year was fewer than 150 at-bats and just two homers.
OOO Diamondbacks 3B Mark Reynolds (quadriceps) is questionable for this weekend’s series against the Phillies. OF/1B Conor Jackson (knee) is eligible to come off the disabled list May 4.
OOO Also questionable for the weekend is Marlins C Ronny Paulino (quad). RHP Brian Sanches (hamstring) could go on an injury-rehab assignment Monday.
OOO Despite a finger injury, Tigers LHP Dontrelle Willis is expected to be able to start Saturday’s game at Texas.
OOO Also likely to start Saturday is Twins RHP Nick Blackburn (back). 2B/3B Nick Punto (groin) is questionable for the weekend series in Kansas City.
OOO Phillies RHP Joe Blanton (strained oblique muscle) is scheduled to make a rehab start for Double-A Reading Friday.
OOO Mariners LHP Cliff Lee could make a rehab start Sunday at Tacoma. If that goes well, he could start at home Friday, April 30, against the Rangers.
OOO The Rangers are hoping 2B Ian Kinsler (high ankle sprain) could be back “next week.” But then, they’ve been saying that every week since he was hurt during spring training.
Due dates
This is a rough idea of when teams expect to have some injured players back.
Thursday – Blue Jays 2B Aaron Hill (hamstring).
Friday – Cubs LHP Ted Lilly (shoulder, knee, back).
Late April – Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins (calf), Pirates RHP Ross Ohlendorf (back), Orioles RHP Koji Uehara (hamstring).
Early May – Orioles 2B Brian Roberts (abdominal muscle), Indians RHP Kerry Wood (back), Rockies LHP Jeff Francis (shoulder), Royals 3B Josh Fields (hip) and 2B Chris Getz (oblique), Athletics OF Coco Crisp (finger) and 2B Mark Ellis (hamstring), Phillies LHP J.A. Happ (elbow), Padres RHP Chris R. Young (shoulder), Blue Jays 3B Edwin Encarnacion (shoulder) and LHP Brian Tallet (forearm) and Twins C Jose Morales (wrist) and LHP Jose Mijares (elbow).
Mid-May – Mets CF Carlos Beltran (knee), 1B/OF Daniel Murphy (knee) and RHPs Sean Green (rib) and Ryota Igarishi (hamstring); Giants CF Aaron Rowand (head) and 2B Freddy Sanchez (shoulder, knee); Braves OF Jordan Schafer (hand) and LHP Jo-Jo Reyes (knee); Orioles LHP Mike Gonzalez (shoulder); Red Sox CF Mike Cameron (abdomen); Rockies RHP Huston Street (shoulder); Rays LHP J.P. Howell (shoulder) and OF Matt Joyce (elbow); Rangers RHP Tommy Hunter (a very large oblique muscle); Blue Jays LHP Marc Rzepczynski (finger); Nationals RHPs Garrett Mock (neck) and Jason Marquis (elbow); Astros 3B Chris Johnson (side); Angels RHP Anthony Ortega (triceps), and Brewers 3B/2B Mat Gamel (shoulder).
Late May – Diamondbacks C Miguel Montero (knee surgery), Angels C Jeff Mathis (wrist), Mariners LHP Erik Bedard (shoulder) and Nationals LHP Ross Detwiler (hip).
Early June – Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Webb (shoulder), Blue Jays RHP Dustin McGowan (shoulder, knee), Nationals RHP Chien-ming Wang (shoulder), Tigers LHP Bobby Seay (arm), Twins RHP Clay Condrey (elbow), Mets RHP Kelvim Escobar (shoulder) and Rays C Kelly Shoppach (knee).
Mid-June – Red Sox SS/3B Jed Lowrie (mononucleosis), Giants SS/2B Emmanuel Burriss (foot), Blue Jays RHP Scott Richmond (shoulder), Nationals C Jesus Flores (shoulder), Rockies RHP Taylor Buchholz (elbow) and Pirates RHP Jose Ascanio (shoulder).
Late June – Dodgers RHP Cory Wade (shoulder) and Rangers RHP Eric Hurley (shoulder).
Early July – Brewers RHP David Riske (elbow) and Blue Jays RHP Jesse Litsch (forearm).
Late July – Orioles LF Felix Pie (shoulder), Indians RHP Anthony Reyes (elbow), Reds RHP Edinson Volquez (serving a suspension while rehabbing his elbow) and Athletics LHP Josh Outman (elbow).
Early August – Dodgers C Brad Ausmus (back).
Mid-August – Nationals RHP Jordan Zimmerman (elbow).
Smoakin’ hot
Much more than a year ago when fans clamored for his promotion, Rangers 1B prospect Justin Smoak has been showing that he’s ready for a major league trial. With 1B Chris Davis struggling to make contact and producing very little, Smoak has presented an attractive alternative. In his first 12 games this season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, he batted .333 (13-for-39). More important, he had a whopping .509 on-base percentage, with 14 walks and just five strikeouts. The one reason keeping Davis in Texas’ lineup has been his superior defense.
OOO Rays 2B Sean Rodriguez, who had a power surge during spring training, hit his first regular-season homer in a 12-0 victory over the White Sox. If he hits more than a homer every two weeks or so, consider that a bonus.
OOO Dodgers OF Matt Kemp has been on fire. His seventh homer helped LA outscore the runs its pitching staff gave up in a 14-6 win over the Reds.
OOO There’s no pitching problem for Phillies RHP Roy Halladay. He improved to 4-0 with an 0.82 ERA by shutting out the Braves 2-0 with a pitching line of 950017.
In closing
This is a regular feature of our Emails and blog posts. It lets you know who’s getting saves. Equally important is telling you who’s blowing saves or putting his job in jeopardy by getting shaky saves. There’s also a FREE Article on the old fantasybaseballscout.com web site letting you know which pitcher or pitchers each team is using to close games. It will be updated whenever there’s a change or speculation about a change in a team’s closer.
The blowups were far more spectacular than the saves.
Angels LHP Brian Fuentes returned from the disabled list, assumed a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth against the Tigers and left with a 4-3 loss, a blown save and a pitching line of 2/3 22221. Included was a home run by Detroit 1B Miguel Cabrera. RHP Fernando Rodney saved five games for LA/Anaheim while Fuentes was out, so his job might not be safe.
Diamondbacks RHP Chad Qualls entered with a 4-4 tie in the top of the ninth against the Cardinals. The line in his loss was 1/3 33300, including OF Colby Rasmus’ second homer of the game. RHP Bob Howry, a potential candidate to replace Qualls as closer, finished the game with a line of 2/3 22200, including a homer by 2B Skip Schumaker.
Earning saves were Nationals RHP Matt Capps, seventh, 6-4 over the Rockies; Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera, sixth, 3-1 at Oakland, and fourth saves for Royals RHP Joakim Soria, 4-3 in 10 innings at Toronto; Tigers RHP Jose Valverde in the game at LA/Anaheim, and Astros RHP Matt Lindstrom, 5-4 against the Marlins.
Promotion
To subscribe for our five-times-weekly Emails and anything else we’re able to provide this season, Email us at lary@fantasybaseballscout.com. Through Sunday, May 2, you can subscribe for just $20, a 20 per cent savings from our established price of $25.
Include your name, address, phone number and the Email address where you would like to receive the Emails. PayPal then would send you an invoice that would allow you to pay in one step.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Romero, Willis continue strong pitching
Blue Jays LHP Ricky Romero became the first pitcher to record three wins this spring, with a pitching line of 552225 in a 13-3 victory over the Orioles. Baltimore CF Adam Jones hit a home run against Romero, who has a 1.93 spring ERA. Orioles RHP Jeremy Guthrie continued to struggle. He gave up two home runs to Toronto OF Travis Snider and one of the two homers C John Buck hit. Buck’s other tater was against RHP Frank Mata. Jays OF/3B Jose Bautista cooled off, with an 0-for-4 game dropping his average to .524.
In the Dodgers’ 7-3 win over the Cubs, LF Manny Ramirez hit his first homer, a two-run blast against RHP Ryan Dempster.
Tigers LHP Dontrelle Willis continued his comeback with a line of 300012 in their 5-4 victory over the Astros. OF Brennan Boesch drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning against journeyman RHP Gary Majewski. Don’t get too excited about Boesch. He led the Double-A Eastern League in home runs last season, but he’ll be 25 in April.
OF Jonny Gomes, who had to sweat out most of the off-season before the Reds re-signed the free agent, hit his third homer. The shot against LHP Jeremy Sowers provided the only runs in Cincinnati’s 6-2 loss to the Indians. File this away: Indians C prospect Jesus Montero played left field in the game as the Tribe look for a position to get his bat into the lineup.
The Twins scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning on 3B prospect Luke Hughes’ double against their former teammate, RHP Brian Bass. That gave Minnesota a 5-4 victory over the Pirates. Pittsburgh OF/2B Delwyn Young slugged his fourth homer – against RHP Clay Condrey, whose chances to play a significant role in the Twinkies’ bullpen took a hit from a line of 133300 that inflated Condrey’s ERA to 10.80.
The Mets continued to hit with more power than they showed at just about any time last season. LF Jason Bay homered against Marlins LHP Renyel Pinto, and RF Jeff Francoeur connected against RHP Ricky Nolasco as New York won 5-2. LHP Hisanori Takahashi – not Ken Takahashi, who pitched some for the Mets last year – earned an extended save with a line of 2 1/3 20011. Don’t count on a lot from this Takahashi, who will be 35 (at least) when the season begins.
Rangers LF Josh Hamilton homered for the second consecutive day. His third of the spring was against Brewers LHP Manny Parra, who struggled to a line of 565505. With Texas RHP Tommy Hunter unable to go, RHP Guillermo Moscoso filled in as the starter, with a line of 2 1/3 32204. The Rangers’ pitching star was LHP Matt Harrison, with eight strikeouts in four innings. In Texas’ 6-4 victory, its pitchers struck out 16 Milwaukee batters. Included were three each by 2B Rickie Weeks and RF Corey Hart.
Rays 1B Carlos Pena hit a solo homer, his first this spring, but that wasn’t enough as the Yankees defeated Tampa Bay 6-4.
Sample Scouting Report:
Ricky Romero, LHP, Blue Jays
Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 210 T: L Age: 25 Inj. Risk: 10 Alt. Pos.: SP
{2010} Romero can strike out major league batters, but his success comes mostly from retiring them on ground balls. He has had a very good exhibition season, in part because of a cut fastball he worked on during the off-season. There’s cause for concern that he might not be able to do as well as he did last season. Romero, whose best minor league ERA was 4.42, slumped to 6-6 with a 5.54 ERA during the second half of his rookie major league season. He might not be able to reach higher expectations this season because he could be making nearly half of his starts against the superior competition of the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays in the American League East. Don’t confuse him with Davis Romero, another recent Toronto left-handed pitching prospect. Born: Nov. 6, 1984, Los Angeles, Calif. 2009: Blue Jays, 178 IP, 13 W, 4.30 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 0 S, 141 SO.
Projection
IP: 180 W: 11 ERA: 4.15 WHIP: 1.40 S: 0 SO: 138 Value: $2
In the Dodgers’ 7-3 win over the Cubs, LF Manny Ramirez hit his first homer, a two-run blast against RHP Ryan Dempster.
Tigers LHP Dontrelle Willis continued his comeback with a line of 300012 in their 5-4 victory over the Astros. OF Brennan Boesch drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning against journeyman RHP Gary Majewski. Don’t get too excited about Boesch. He led the Double-A Eastern League in home runs last season, but he’ll be 25 in April.
OF Jonny Gomes, who had to sweat out most of the off-season before the Reds re-signed the free agent, hit his third homer. The shot against LHP Jeremy Sowers provided the only runs in Cincinnati’s 6-2 loss to the Indians. File this away: Indians C prospect Jesus Montero played left field in the game as the Tribe look for a position to get his bat into the lineup.
The Twins scored the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning on 3B prospect Luke Hughes’ double against their former teammate, RHP Brian Bass. That gave Minnesota a 5-4 victory over the Pirates. Pittsburgh OF/2B Delwyn Young slugged his fourth homer – against RHP Clay Condrey, whose chances to play a significant role in the Twinkies’ bullpen took a hit from a line of 133300 that inflated Condrey’s ERA to 10.80.
The Mets continued to hit with more power than they showed at just about any time last season. LF Jason Bay homered against Marlins LHP Renyel Pinto, and RF Jeff Francoeur connected against RHP Ricky Nolasco as New York won 5-2. LHP Hisanori Takahashi – not Ken Takahashi, who pitched some for the Mets last year – earned an extended save with a line of 2 1/3 20011. Don’t count on a lot from this Takahashi, who will be 35 (at least) when the season begins.
Rangers LF Josh Hamilton homered for the second consecutive day. His third of the spring was against Brewers LHP Manny Parra, who struggled to a line of 565505. With Texas RHP Tommy Hunter unable to go, RHP Guillermo Moscoso filled in as the starter, with a line of 2 1/3 32204. The Rangers’ pitching star was LHP Matt Harrison, with eight strikeouts in four innings. In Texas’ 6-4 victory, its pitchers struck out 16 Milwaukee batters. Included were three each by 2B Rickie Weeks and RF Corey Hart.
Rays 1B Carlos Pena hit a solo homer, his first this spring, but that wasn’t enough as the Yankees defeated Tampa Bay 6-4.
Sample Scouting Report:
Ricky Romero, LHP, Blue Jays
Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 210 T: L Age: 25 Inj. Risk: 10 Alt. Pos.: SP
{2010} Romero can strike out major league batters, but his success comes mostly from retiring them on ground balls. He has had a very good exhibition season, in part because of a cut fastball he worked on during the off-season. There’s cause for concern that he might not be able to do as well as he did last season. Romero, whose best minor league ERA was 4.42, slumped to 6-6 with a 5.54 ERA during the second half of his rookie major league season. He might not be able to reach higher expectations this season because he could be making nearly half of his starts against the superior competition of the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays in the American League East. Don’t confuse him with Davis Romero, another recent Toronto left-handed pitching prospect. Born: Nov. 6, 1984, Los Angeles, Calif. 2009: Blue Jays, 178 IP, 13 W, 4.30 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 0 S, 141 SO.
Projection
IP: 180 W: 11 ERA: 4.15 WHIP: 1.40 S: 0 SO: 138 Value: $2
Friday, March 19, 2010
Mets break loose with four-homer inning
The offensively challenged Mets hit four home runs and scored nine runs in the seventh inning to defeat the Tigers 9-1. 3B David Wright hit his third this spring, OF Gary Matthews powered his second and OF Jason Bay and 1B Daniel Murphy connected for the first time in 2010.
For another Tigers split squad, OF Johnny Damon hit his first homer in a 6-2 victory over his previous team, the Yankees. Even better news for Detroit was that a fifth-starter candidate, LHP Dontrelle Willis, was the winning pitcher. His pitching line of 341110 indicates he might have to succeed more with finesse than power.
The Yanks’ other split squad won over the Orioles 5-3. RHP David Robertson received a save. Baltimore RHP Jeremy Guthrie gave up three runs in the first inning.
We’ve been telling you that Phillies RHP Danys Baez could be a good sleeper candidate this year, when expectations for him are few and he still has some talent if he’s physically OK. Baez picked up a save in Philadelphia’s 5-4 victory over the Twins.
3B prospect Juan Francisco hammered his first two homers of the spring, but the Reds lost 11-4 to the Cubs.
Marlins OF Brett Carroll hit his third homer of the spring in an 8-5 victory over the Rays. CF B.J. Upton homered for the first time for Tampa Bay.
Also hitting his first homer was Royals 2B Chris Getz, who connected in a 12-3 rout of the Angels. He might not hit many more than that all season.
Two teams won in the bottom of the last inning – including the Athletics, who actually went to 10 innings in a 10-9 victory over the Padres decided when CF Eric Patterson drove in the winning run. 3B Dallas McPherson had tied the game in the bottom of the ninth with a solo homer against San Diego RHP Kevin Correia. The Astros defeated the winless Nationals 8-7 on a single by rookie CF Jack Shuck. No, you won’t hear about him in the major leagues any more this year.
RHP Brandon McCarthy’s good start helped the Rangers to a 5-0 victory over the Indians. He is battling LHPs Matt Harrison and C.J. Wilson and others for a job as Texas’ fifth starter.
In Las Vegas, the Cubs took an early victory in their city series with the White Sox, 8-7.
Sample Scouting Report:
Brett Carroll, OF, Marlins
Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 190 B: R Age: 27
{2010} Carroll’s stats lines conjure up a vision of a lumbering 6-4, 240-pound type who is a defensive liability. In reality, he’s a pretty good defender with enough arm to play right field. Limiting his playing time have been strikeout/walk ratios pretty consistently in the 3:1 range. In addition to showing power, Carroll hit for good averages in Triple-A until last season. That drop-off most likely resulted from having his routine disrupted by shuttling between Miami and Albuquerque. If he can keep his strikeouts under control, Carroll could stick in the majors as a fourth or fifth outfielder and platoon pinch hitter. His best chance for success would come if he could show enough that another team would take an interest in him once OF Michael Stanton is ready for the Marlins’ outfield. Born: Oct. 3, 1982, Knoxville, Tenn. 2009: 141 AB, .234 BA, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 0 SB, 18 R.
Projection
AB: 182 BA: .249 HR: 5 RBI: 25 SB: 1 R: 25 Value: $1
For another Tigers split squad, OF Johnny Damon hit his first homer in a 6-2 victory over his previous team, the Yankees. Even better news for Detroit was that a fifth-starter candidate, LHP Dontrelle Willis, was the winning pitcher. His pitching line of 341110 indicates he might have to succeed more with finesse than power.
The Yanks’ other split squad won over the Orioles 5-3. RHP David Robertson received a save. Baltimore RHP Jeremy Guthrie gave up three runs in the first inning.
We’ve been telling you that Phillies RHP Danys Baez could be a good sleeper candidate this year, when expectations for him are few and he still has some talent if he’s physically OK. Baez picked up a save in Philadelphia’s 5-4 victory over the Twins.
3B prospect Juan Francisco hammered his first two homers of the spring, but the Reds lost 11-4 to the Cubs.
Marlins OF Brett Carroll hit his third homer of the spring in an 8-5 victory over the Rays. CF B.J. Upton homered for the first time for Tampa Bay.
Also hitting his first homer was Royals 2B Chris Getz, who connected in a 12-3 rout of the Angels. He might not hit many more than that all season.
Two teams won in the bottom of the last inning – including the Athletics, who actually went to 10 innings in a 10-9 victory over the Padres decided when CF Eric Patterson drove in the winning run. 3B Dallas McPherson had tied the game in the bottom of the ninth with a solo homer against San Diego RHP Kevin Correia. The Astros defeated the winless Nationals 8-7 on a single by rookie CF Jack Shuck. No, you won’t hear about him in the major leagues any more this year.
RHP Brandon McCarthy’s good start helped the Rangers to a 5-0 victory over the Indians. He is battling LHPs Matt Harrison and C.J. Wilson and others for a job as Texas’ fifth starter.
In Las Vegas, the Cubs took an early victory in their city series with the White Sox, 8-7.
Sample Scouting Report:
Brett Carroll, OF, Marlins
Ht.: 6-0 Wt.: 190 B: R Age: 27
{2010} Carroll’s stats lines conjure up a vision of a lumbering 6-4, 240-pound type who is a defensive liability. In reality, he’s a pretty good defender with enough arm to play right field. Limiting his playing time have been strikeout/walk ratios pretty consistently in the 3:1 range. In addition to showing power, Carroll hit for good averages in Triple-A until last season. That drop-off most likely resulted from having his routine disrupted by shuttling between Miami and Albuquerque. If he can keep his strikeouts under control, Carroll could stick in the majors as a fourth or fifth outfielder and platoon pinch hitter. His best chance for success would come if he could show enough that another team would take an interest in him once OF Michael Stanton is ready for the Marlins’ outfield. Born: Oct. 3, 1982, Knoxville, Tenn. 2009: 141 AB, .234 BA, 3 HR, 18 RBI, 0 SB, 18 R.
Projection
AB: 182 BA: .249 HR: 5 RBI: 25 SB: 1 R: 25 Value: $1
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