Day by day, we're getting closer to real major league baseball.
Five exhibition games Wednesday featured more-or-less major league teams against each other, and a team in Miami Marlins uniforms defeated the University of Miami.
-- There were highlights -- particularly in Scottsdale, Ariz.
There, Athletics RF Josh Reddick and Giants -- I don't know, OF? -- Michael Morse engaged in a form of deja vu. Reddick twice reached over the fence to catch balls that Morse drove to the opposite field. Instead of home runs, they became outs -- three, in fact, because Reddick doubled off a mentally dozing baserunner at second base after the second and less spectacular catch. Oakland took a 10-0 lead with a six-run fourth inning and went on to win 10-5. It appears that they have built some kind of pavilion beyond the right field fence in my favorite older park in Arizona.
-- There were hints of mid-season form.
Blue Jays OF Jose Bautista hit a home run in his first at-bat as Toronto defeated the Phillies 4-3 in a game stopped after seven innings because of rain in Clearwater, Fla.
Reds OF Billy Hamilton stole his first of no doubt many bases in an 8-3 victory over the Indians.
As leadoff batter, Yankees CF Jacoby Ellsbury walked and scored in each of the first two innings. However, the Pirates rallied to win 6-5. 1B Gaby Sanchez might have taken note when it was Sanchez -- C Tony Sanchez -- who hit a game-tying three-run homer and 1B Chris McGuiness, hoping to become the left-handed-batting part of a platoon, who followed with a single that delivered the deciding run.
-- There were examples of fast-and-loose rules in spring training.
It also rained near Disney World, where the Tigers took a 6-5 lead on Hernan Perez's two-run single in the top of the ninth inning. The Braves had a runner on base and two out when the game was called because of rain. Instead of reverting to the last completed inning, the game was ruled a 6-5 Detroit victory. For Atlanta, Matt Lipka -- McKinney (Texas) HS teammate of Dodgers prospect Zach Lee -- entered the game late. Lipka struck out in both at-bats, but threw out Perez at the plate in the ninth.
-- There was an example of a spring appearance that most likely meant virtually nothing.
The Diamondbacks defeated the Dodgers 4-1, scoring three runs in two innings against LHP Clayton Kershaw. See me in August to find out how Kershaw's doing then.
-- There were injury updates.
Angels fans might have breathed more easily when the team said OF Josh Hamilton, on crutches Tuesday, would miss just two weeks because of a strained calf muscle.
Mets LHP Jonathan Niese went back to New York to have an MRI exam on his shoulder.
Orioles 3B Manny Machado will have his injured left knee reevaluated March 18, two weeks before the season is scheduled to begin.
-- There was the retirement of a player we didn't even know still had been thinking about playing.
RHP Carl Pavano, who didn't pitch last season, announced that he has retired. Thanks. We'll all go and cross him off our fantasy draft lists.
-- There was a move that probably means nothing to either big-league team, or any fantasy team.
The White Sox claim RHP Maikel Cleto on waivers from the Royals.
-- There will be even more games Thursday.
Still, not every team will be in action. Nineteen major league extended rosters will be well used in 12 games. Those include a Red Sox doubleheader against first Northeastern University and then Boston College. The Diamondbacks will split into two squads, probably with at least 25 players each, going against the Cubs and Dodgers hordes. The Marlins also have a college opponent, meaning that they might have at least one two-game winning streak in 2014.
* * *
Hockey. The NHL came back! Part of my team did. I remained at 67 points, but moved two points closer to second place because the current second-place team dropped to 74. My players totaled minus-10. Now I love Jarome Iginla as a player, and he did have a power-play assist Wednesday, but he still managed to be minus-3 by himself.
* * *
Basketball. Team Fresh Prints moved into a 6-1-1 lead. Despite shooting better than 50 percent from the field, it still trails .5094-.5026 in field goal percentage. The tie is in blocks. My best hope there is Serge Ibaka, but he has just two games remaining this week. However, Carmelo Anthony, David West and potentially Raymond Felton are scheduled for three more.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Major leaguers still better than college players
There were sort of real exhibition baseball games today in Florida.
The Tigers and Yankees each took on a college team that posed new threat. All four lineups were littered with no-name players. In fact, the most recognizable might have been Jameis Winston, who played for Florida State in its 8-3 loss to New York.
A guy named Ramon Flores homered for the Yankees. Their starting and winning pitcher was LHP Vidal Nuno, with two scoreless inning.
For Detroit, Steven Moya, who has been hanging around Lakeland for the last four late winters/springs, drove in four runs with a double and a triple. LHP Robbie Ray, the winning pitcher, struck out five Florida Southern batters in two innings of a 12-0 shutout. The Tigers' starter, RHP Drew VerHagen, struck out two in two perfect innings. He no doubt faced tougher batters when he was at Vanderbilt, and again last season in the Double-A Eastern League.
Elsewhere,
-- The biggest news, probably non-news in the long run, came from the Angels' camp. LHP C.J. Wilson was hit by C Yorvit Torrealba's batted ball during batting practice, and OF Josh Hamilton was on crutches because of a strained left calf. Neither injury is expected to affect regular-season playing time.
-- Free-agent LHP Johan Santana threw for seven teams in Florida. His fastest pitch hit 81 mph. That means for his changeup to remain effective he'd have to dial it down to about 65.
-- For openers: LHP Madison Bumgarner would start the Giants' first regular-season game.
-- Baltimore. OF Nelson Cruz passed his physical, and now is officially an Oriole.
-- Washington. RHP Ryan Matheus was scheduled for an MRI exam to determine the cause of chest pain that has kept him from throwing for six days.
-- Pittsburgh. For some reason, the Pirates claimed 3B Brent Morel on waivers from the Blue Jays. Because he's a Steelers fan, perhaps?
On Wednesday, there will be slightly more real games, at least between two teams wearing major league uniforms: Tigers-Braves, Yankees-Pirates, Blue Jays-Phillies in Florida, and Reds-Indians, Athletics-Giants and Dodgers-Diamondbacks in Arizona. There also will be a Miami vs. Miami game. In that one, my money is on the Marlins over the Hurricanes from The U. I think.
* * *
Basketball. Not a good start for my fantasy team this week. I couldn't get on to the ESPN.com site earlier Tuesday. By the time I could, about 7:30 p.m. EST, I wasn't able to put Tyler Zeller into the starting lineup. Not sure whether that's a good or a bad thing.
Worse news: I was trailing this week's competition 5-3. I'm going against the team in second place overall and leading the other division. If he keeps that advantage, he would stay alive for at least another week. Going by the early (small-sample-size) results, two other teams would remain alive in the fantasy regular season.
The oddity is that I was leading in the categories that usually give me trouble: the two shooting percentages and 3-pointers. I trailed by two steals and three blocks, so I'm not entirely pushing a panic button.
Even worse news: The newest addition to Team Fresh Prints, Knicks G Raymond Felton, was arrested in the wee hours of Tuesday on weapons possession charges. He won't be back in court until June 2, which would be long after the Knicks are finished for the season, so I wouldn't be without him -- if I decide to keep him on my roster.
Updating an hour later: The Zeller non-move is paying off. He has 0 points in the third quarter. Despite a double double already by David West and 20 points from Victor Oladipo, the score is down to 4-4. No more posting partial scores.
* * *
Hockey. I currently have nine skaters listed as playing Wednesday. That means I'll have to get up early and make sure I have the right players in my lineup each day through the end of the week, and that I've made all the moves that need to be made. Should I waive my two players on IR: Henrik Zetterberg and Valtteri Filppula? I'll let you know.
The Tigers and Yankees each took on a college team that posed new threat. All four lineups were littered with no-name players. In fact, the most recognizable might have been Jameis Winston, who played for Florida State in its 8-3 loss to New York.
A guy named Ramon Flores homered for the Yankees. Their starting and winning pitcher was LHP Vidal Nuno, with two scoreless inning.
For Detroit, Steven Moya, who has been hanging around Lakeland for the last four late winters/springs, drove in four runs with a double and a triple. LHP Robbie Ray, the winning pitcher, struck out five Florida Southern batters in two innings of a 12-0 shutout. The Tigers' starter, RHP Drew VerHagen, struck out two in two perfect innings. He no doubt faced tougher batters when he was at Vanderbilt, and again last season in the Double-A Eastern League.
Elsewhere,
-- The biggest news, probably non-news in the long run, came from the Angels' camp. LHP C.J. Wilson was hit by C Yorvit Torrealba's batted ball during batting practice, and OF Josh Hamilton was on crutches because of a strained left calf. Neither injury is expected to affect regular-season playing time.
-- Free-agent LHP Johan Santana threw for seven teams in Florida. His fastest pitch hit 81 mph. That means for his changeup to remain effective he'd have to dial it down to about 65.
-- For openers: LHP Madison Bumgarner would start the Giants' first regular-season game.
-- Baltimore. OF Nelson Cruz passed his physical, and now is officially an Oriole.
-- Washington. RHP Ryan Matheus was scheduled for an MRI exam to determine the cause of chest pain that has kept him from throwing for six days.
-- Pittsburgh. For some reason, the Pirates claimed 3B Brent Morel on waivers from the Blue Jays. Because he's a Steelers fan, perhaps?
On Wednesday, there will be slightly more real games, at least between two teams wearing major league uniforms: Tigers-Braves, Yankees-Pirates, Blue Jays-Phillies in Florida, and Reds-Indians, Athletics-Giants and Dodgers-Diamondbacks in Arizona. There also will be a Miami vs. Miami game. In that one, my money is on the Marlins over the Hurricanes from The U. I think.
* * *
Basketball. Not a good start for my fantasy team this week. I couldn't get on to the ESPN.com site earlier Tuesday. By the time I could, about 7:30 p.m. EST, I wasn't able to put Tyler Zeller into the starting lineup. Not sure whether that's a good or a bad thing.
Worse news: I was trailing this week's competition 5-3. I'm going against the team in second place overall and leading the other division. If he keeps that advantage, he would stay alive for at least another week. Going by the early (small-sample-size) results, two other teams would remain alive in the fantasy regular season.
The oddity is that I was leading in the categories that usually give me trouble: the two shooting percentages and 3-pointers. I trailed by two steals and three blocks, so I'm not entirely pushing a panic button.
Even worse news: The newest addition to Team Fresh Prints, Knicks G Raymond Felton, was arrested in the wee hours of Tuesday on weapons possession charges. He won't be back in court until June 2, which would be long after the Knicks are finished for the season, so I wouldn't be without him -- if I decide to keep him on my roster.
Updating an hour later: The Zeller non-move is paying off. He has 0 points in the third quarter. Despite a double double already by David West and 20 points from Victor Oladipo, the score is down to 4-4. No more posting partial scores.
* * *
Hockey. I currently have nine skaters listed as playing Wednesday. That means I'll have to get up early and make sure I have the right players in my lineup each day through the end of the week, and that I've made all the moves that need to be made. Should I waive my two players on IR: Henrik Zetterberg and Valtteri Filppula? I'll let you know.
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Cruz a gamble for Orioles
Today's "Newberg Report" Email from Jamey Newberg links to a damning FanGraphs article by Dave Cameron about OF Nelson Cruz.
He's in Florida now for a physical with the Orioles, with whom he has reportedly agreed on a 1-year contract for $8 million. Meanwhile, the Rangers are probably glad to have a supplemental draft pick instead of having to pay the $14.1 million it would have taken if Cruz had accepted their tender.
I think for a year or two, Camden Yards can hide Cruz's deficiencies. He still has enough power, even if not enhanced by PEDs, to hit home runs there. And right field is small enough to keep him from getting into too much trouble if he plays in the outfield.
-- The Dodgers are looking at a potential all-Cuban middle infield. They have signed SS Erisbel Arruebarrena (whom I'll call EAb for now) to a 5-year, $25-million contract.
He's expected to begin the regular season in the minor leagues, but arrive in Los Angeles by summer to pair with Alex Guerrero, another Cuban free agent shortstop who is being moved to second base. Designated for assignment off the roster is SS/2B Justin Sellers.
-- The Yankees, hedging their bets on RHP David Robertson as their closer for this season, signed RHP Andrew Bailey to a minor league contract.
-- The Rockies have decided not to move OF Carlos Gonzalez from left field to center. That seems like a good non-move with a somewhat brittle player who's expected to be a vital cog in the offense along with similarly injury-prone SS Troy Tulowitzki. The plan is to give Drew Stubbs most of the playing time in center. Brandon Barnes is another right-handed-batting candidate. Lefty-swinging Charlie Blackmon and Corey Dickerson could be in the mix. Based on last season's performance, I would expect Blackmon to play a majority of the games.
-- Cardinals LHP Jaime Garcia was scheduled to return Sunday to St. Louis for an MRI exam on his left shoulder. He underwent season-ending surgery last May.
-- The Giants signed free-agent fringe OF Tyler Colvin to a minor league contract. He can compete in an unsettled outfield, and receive some tips from a newly acquired spring-training instructor, Barry Bonds. The PED wheel just keeps spinning.
-- RHP Yu Darvish apparently would start three openers for the Rangers -- their first intrasquad game Monday; their Cactus League opener Thursday against the co-tenant Royals in Surprise, Ariz., and their regular-season opener against the Phillies March 31 at whatever Rangers Ballpark is being called this year. For at least the first two, he won't be throwing to C Geovany Soto. He'll miss three weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a bone from his left ankle.
* * *
Basketball. Unless my team can make about a bajillion out of a bajillion and one free throws today, I'll do no better than 7-1 this week. And if my guys are cold from the field, I could drop to 6-2. Still looks like a 14-game lead with 24 to play.
He's in Florida now for a physical with the Orioles, with whom he has reportedly agreed on a 1-year contract for $8 million. Meanwhile, the Rangers are probably glad to have a supplemental draft pick instead of having to pay the $14.1 million it would have taken if Cruz had accepted their tender.
I think for a year or two, Camden Yards can hide Cruz's deficiencies. He still has enough power, even if not enhanced by PEDs, to hit home runs there. And right field is small enough to keep him from getting into too much trouble if he plays in the outfield.
-- The Dodgers are looking at a potential all-Cuban middle infield. They have signed SS Erisbel Arruebarrena (whom I'll call EAb for now) to a 5-year, $25-million contract.
He's expected to begin the regular season in the minor leagues, but arrive in Los Angeles by summer to pair with Alex Guerrero, another Cuban free agent shortstop who is being moved to second base. Designated for assignment off the roster is SS/2B Justin Sellers.
-- The Yankees, hedging their bets on RHP David Robertson as their closer for this season, signed RHP Andrew Bailey to a minor league contract.
-- The Rockies have decided not to move OF Carlos Gonzalez from left field to center. That seems like a good non-move with a somewhat brittle player who's expected to be a vital cog in the offense along with similarly injury-prone SS Troy Tulowitzki. The plan is to give Drew Stubbs most of the playing time in center. Brandon Barnes is another right-handed-batting candidate. Lefty-swinging Charlie Blackmon and Corey Dickerson could be in the mix. Based on last season's performance, I would expect Blackmon to play a majority of the games.
-- Cardinals LHP Jaime Garcia was scheduled to return Sunday to St. Louis for an MRI exam on his left shoulder. He underwent season-ending surgery last May.
-- The Giants signed free-agent fringe OF Tyler Colvin to a minor league contract. He can compete in an unsettled outfield, and receive some tips from a newly acquired spring-training instructor, Barry Bonds. The PED wheel just keeps spinning.
-- RHP Yu Darvish apparently would start three openers for the Rangers -- their first intrasquad game Monday; their Cactus League opener Thursday against the co-tenant Royals in Surprise, Ariz., and their regular-season opener against the Phillies March 31 at whatever Rangers Ballpark is being called this year. For at least the first two, he won't be throwing to C Geovany Soto. He'll miss three weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a bone from his left ankle.
* * *
Basketball. Unless my team can make about a bajillion out of a bajillion and one free throws today, I'll do no better than 7-1 this week. And if my guys are cold from the field, I could drop to 6-2. Still looks like a 14-game lead with 24 to play.
Saturday, February 22, 2014
Oh, my aching back! -- Harrison hurting again
I think I forgot to mention in my previous post about Rangers LHP Matt Harrison.
He's a bit of an enigma. Harrison worked very hard to get himself back into shape -- I remember once referring to him as a "pudgeball" -- and having two very good seasons. Armed with a new contract, he followed those with two starts and two back surgeries in 2013.
Now, Harrison is back in Texas for an MRI exam Monday on his lower back. He also complained of neck pain before the Rangers excused him from a bullpen session in Surprise, Ariz.
Can he come back? Could his problem be something congenital that wasn't picked up in any physical?
Unless Harrison and RHP Neftali Feliz can come back from their succession of injuries, Texas' epic Mark Teixeira trade will lose some of its luster.
Also returning to Texas to see a specialist was C Geovany Soto, who has a sore left Achilles tendon. If he's out for any length of time, that could benefit C J.P. Arencibia, acquired from the Blue Jays.
Harrison could join LHP Derek Holland on the disabled list for an extended period. One pitcher the Rangers could have considered as a stopgap might not be available. LHP Chris Capuano reportedly is in Fort Myers, Fla., for a physical exam preliminary to signing a contract with the Red Sox. He's ticketed for Boston's bullpen. The Chris Capuano Brewers bobble-heads (two different models) above my desk were shaking their head, urging him to hold out for a better deal somewhere.
A former Ranger, OF Nelson Cruz, reportedly is close to signing a contract with the Orioles. Baltimore did lose on waivers a player acquired from the Twins. The Blue Jays claimed RHP Liam Hendriks on waivers.
There's not much real news coming out of spring training yet. Expect more next week when exhbition games begin.
For now, you'll have to be content with "the ball looks good coming out of Soandso's hand," or "Somebodyelse looks good at his new position. He fielded a ground ball."
Here are a couple of actual items that illustrate what you can expect to see for the next few days. In the Cubs' camp, a dude named Javier Baez hit a home run that broke a car window. In the parking lot. During batting practice. Wake me up when he breaks a car window on Waveland Avenue. In an actual game. Also, an mlb.com headline indicated that Astros RHP Lucas Harrell hopes for a "bounce-back" season. Shouldn't that be a "bounce" season? Has he ever really been there as an established major leaguer?
* * *
Basketball. Judging by tonight's scores, some NBA teams might still be in All-Star Game mode.
No matter. Four of my players had double doubles, with Carmelo Anthony going off again for 44 points and Victor Oladipo coming oh, so close, to a triple double with 30 points, 14 assists and 9 rebounds. Rookie of the Year, anyone?
Most important, my guys stepped up at the foul line, hitting 29 of 32 (91%). They couldn't do much about my opponent's four-corners stall, which resulted in his two active players going 0 for 0 at the line and still holding a lead of about .034 in free throw percentage. If they keep up that inactivity, Team Fresh Prints might have to go 64 for 64 these last two days of the week to have a chance at an 8-0 week.
Right now, it appears that my lead would be 14 games going into the final three weeks (24 games).
He's a bit of an enigma. Harrison worked very hard to get himself back into shape -- I remember once referring to him as a "pudgeball" -- and having two very good seasons. Armed with a new contract, he followed those with two starts and two back surgeries in 2013.
Now, Harrison is back in Texas for an MRI exam Monday on his lower back. He also complained of neck pain before the Rangers excused him from a bullpen session in Surprise, Ariz.
Can he come back? Could his problem be something congenital that wasn't picked up in any physical?
Unless Harrison and RHP Neftali Feliz can come back from their succession of injuries, Texas' epic Mark Teixeira trade will lose some of its luster.
Also returning to Texas to see a specialist was C Geovany Soto, who has a sore left Achilles tendon. If he's out for any length of time, that could benefit C J.P. Arencibia, acquired from the Blue Jays.
Harrison could join LHP Derek Holland on the disabled list for an extended period. One pitcher the Rangers could have considered as a stopgap might not be available. LHP Chris Capuano reportedly is in Fort Myers, Fla., for a physical exam preliminary to signing a contract with the Red Sox. He's ticketed for Boston's bullpen. The Chris Capuano Brewers bobble-heads (two different models) above my desk were shaking their head, urging him to hold out for a better deal somewhere.
A former Ranger, OF Nelson Cruz, reportedly is close to signing a contract with the Orioles. Baltimore did lose on waivers a player acquired from the Twins. The Blue Jays claimed RHP Liam Hendriks on waivers.
There's not much real news coming out of spring training yet. Expect more next week when exhbition games begin.
For now, you'll have to be content with "the ball looks good coming out of Soandso's hand," or "Somebodyelse looks good at his new position. He fielded a ground ball."
Here are a couple of actual items that illustrate what you can expect to see for the next few days. In the Cubs' camp, a dude named Javier Baez hit a home run that broke a car window. In the parking lot. During batting practice. Wake me up when he breaks a car window on Waveland Avenue. In an actual game. Also, an mlb.com headline indicated that Astros RHP Lucas Harrell hopes for a "bounce-back" season. Shouldn't that be a "bounce" season? Has he ever really been there as an established major leaguer?
* * *
Basketball. Judging by tonight's scores, some NBA teams might still be in All-Star Game mode.
No matter. Four of my players had double doubles, with Carmelo Anthony going off again for 44 points and Victor Oladipo coming oh, so close, to a triple double with 30 points, 14 assists and 9 rebounds. Rookie of the Year, anyone?
Most important, my guys stepped up at the foul line, hitting 29 of 32 (91%). They couldn't do much about my opponent's four-corners stall, which resulted in his two active players going 0 for 0 at the line and still holding a lead of about .034 in free throw percentage. If they keep up that inactivity, Team Fresh Prints might have to go 64 for 64 these last two days of the week to have a chance at an 8-0 week.
Right now, it appears that my lead would be 14 games going into the final three weeks (24 games).
Friday, February 21, 2014
Some teams aren't getting the new emphasis on defense
I've written about some teams with position battles at second and third base.
This installment includes a look at some teams with options, or should I say problems, at first base -- and how they're solving those.
The White Sox and Mariners seem willing to go the route of weakening their defense in exchange for the possibility of increased offense. The Pirate no doubt will have their eyes on the waiver wire or trade possibilities.
Chicago signed Cuban 1B Jose Abreu, possibly expecting 1B Paul Konerko to retire. His decision to return for a farewell season created a logjam at first base/DH, with Adam Dunn already there. The proposed solution is to have Dunn play left field. Sox pitchers no doubt are overjoyed.
Seattle's taking a similar tack. 1B Justin Smoak might have saved his position with a strong second half in 2013. But then they traded for 1B/OF Corey Hart, whose outfield days are numbered at best. The Mariners also are working failed C Jesus Montero at first base. So there could be something like Smoak at first, Montero as a shaky DH and Hart as a shaky outfielder in a big outfield. Sure, Seattle has added 2B Robinson Cano to RHP Felix Hernandez and 3B Kyle Seager, but what else is there?
Pirates 1B Gaby Sanchez is making noise about being a full-time player this year. The right-handed batter wasn't very effective in just a platoon role against lefties last season, so how can he really be expected to produce every day. The alternatives or possible platoon players are left-handed batters Travis Ishikawa, who has been found wanting elsewhere, and the unproven Andrew Lambo and Chris McGuiness.
-- Reports say the Red Sox are close to signing LHP Chris Capuano to fill the rotation spot that would have gone to RHP Ryan Dempster except that he decided not to pitch this year. They're interchangeable fifth starter at this stage of their careers, and probably average of below-average among fifth starters.
-- For starters: No surprise, RHP Adam Wainwright will start the opening game for the National League-champion Cardinals.
New Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he hasn't decided among his wealth of right-handed talent: Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez. I'd rank them in that order. If Scherzer couldn't get the Opening Day start after the season he had in 2013, when would he? Verlander is 31, so logic tells us he isn't likely to have another year as good as his glory days. Sanchez can be unhittable; the inconsistent one can also be hittable.
Detroit has decided on a starter for its opening exhibition game Tuesday against Florida Southern College, and its Ver ... no, not Verlander, but rookie RHP Drew VerHagen, who finished last season at Double-A Erie. I saw VerHagen on a few occasions when he was at Rockwall-Heath High School in Texas. He was drafted in the fourth round out of Vanderbilt in 2012.
* * *
Basketball. Team Fresh Prints maintained its 7-1 lead for this week. Friday's games could be the key to protecting that lead or even going ahead in free throw percentage for an 8-0 sweep. It appears that I'll have nine players to my opponent's two. If my starting nine can shoot well at the foul line, they could put a big dent in the .050 by which they trail in free throw percentage. The downside is that a bad shooting night could all but eliminate the chance of leading in free throws and could also drop the field goal percentage behind. The six other counting categories should be all but wrapped up Friday night.
This installment includes a look at some teams with options, or should I say problems, at first base -- and how they're solving those.
The White Sox and Mariners seem willing to go the route of weakening their defense in exchange for the possibility of increased offense. The Pirate no doubt will have their eyes on the waiver wire or trade possibilities.
Chicago signed Cuban 1B Jose Abreu, possibly expecting 1B Paul Konerko to retire. His decision to return for a farewell season created a logjam at first base/DH, with Adam Dunn already there. The proposed solution is to have Dunn play left field. Sox pitchers no doubt are overjoyed.
Seattle's taking a similar tack. 1B Justin Smoak might have saved his position with a strong second half in 2013. But then they traded for 1B/OF Corey Hart, whose outfield days are numbered at best. The Mariners also are working failed C Jesus Montero at first base. So there could be something like Smoak at first, Montero as a shaky DH and Hart as a shaky outfielder in a big outfield. Sure, Seattle has added 2B Robinson Cano to RHP Felix Hernandez and 3B Kyle Seager, but what else is there?
Pirates 1B Gaby Sanchez is making noise about being a full-time player this year. The right-handed batter wasn't very effective in just a platoon role against lefties last season, so how can he really be expected to produce every day. The alternatives or possible platoon players are left-handed batters Travis Ishikawa, who has been found wanting elsewhere, and the unproven Andrew Lambo and Chris McGuiness.
-- Reports say the Red Sox are close to signing LHP Chris Capuano to fill the rotation spot that would have gone to RHP Ryan Dempster except that he decided not to pitch this year. They're interchangeable fifth starter at this stage of their careers, and probably average of below-average among fifth starters.
-- For starters: No surprise, RHP Adam Wainwright will start the opening game for the National League-champion Cardinals.
New Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he hasn't decided among his wealth of right-handed talent: Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez. I'd rank them in that order. If Scherzer couldn't get the Opening Day start after the season he had in 2013, when would he? Verlander is 31, so logic tells us he isn't likely to have another year as good as his glory days. Sanchez can be unhittable; the inconsistent one can also be hittable.
Detroit has decided on a starter for its opening exhibition game Tuesday against Florida Southern College, and its Ver ... no, not Verlander, but rookie RHP Drew VerHagen, who finished last season at Double-A Erie. I saw VerHagen on a few occasions when he was at Rockwall-Heath High School in Texas. He was drafted in the fourth round out of Vanderbilt in 2012.
* * *
Basketball. Team Fresh Prints maintained its 7-1 lead for this week. Friday's games could be the key to protecting that lead or even going ahead in free throw percentage for an 8-0 sweep. It appears that I'll have nine players to my opponent's two. If my starting nine can shoot well at the foul line, they could put a big dent in the .050 by which they trail in free throw percentage. The downside is that a bad shooting night could all but eliminate the chance of leading in free throws and could also drop the field goal percentage behind. The six other counting categories should be all but wrapped up Friday night.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Can Homer bail out Reds on overpriced deal?
Thursday is the first day when all of the players from every major league have reported to spring training.
Wednesday's biggest signing was RHP Homer Bailey with a 6-year, $105-million contract extension with the Reds. I expect Bailey to have a big year, but I'd kind of want him to have that big year before I started shelling out cash equal to what Mark Zuckerberg makes by the time he wakes up in the morning.
Bailey has pitched in the majors each of the last seven seasons, with a career record of 49-45. His best production so far has been his 13 wins in 2012.
In addition, the Orioles made official RHP Ubaldo Jimenez's 4-year, $50-million contract and the Giants avoided arbitration with 1B Brandon Belt by agreeing on a $2.9-million salary for 2014.
-- Another Opening Day starter: LHP Francisco Liriano for the Pirates. I would expect RHP Gerrit Cole to be Pittsburgh's ace by season's end.
-- I've mentioned position battles at second base, but there also are a number of teams looking for a starting third baseman.
Part of the problem is injuries. Brewers 3B Aramis Ramirez, who missed much of last season because of an injured left knee. He underwent surgery in December to remove a non-cancerous polyp from his colon, and he's at least 35 years old. In Toronto, the question is whether 3B Brett Lawrie can avoid injuries such as the strained right oblique muscle that cost him time last year.
There's also 3B/1B Mat Gamel. Once a promising Brewers prospect, he underwent surgery on his right knee in both 2012 and '13. After he injured the knee in the Braves' camp, they have released him.
Rookie 3B Cody Asche is penciled in as the Phillies' starter, with his strongest competition from a more promising but less ready rookie, 3B/1B Maikel Franco. At best, Asche could have average production for his position. This looks like a situation ripe for acquiring a surplus third baseman from another team, or perhaps an overpriced offer to 3B Michael Young to come back out of retirement.
* * *
Basketball. Carmelo Anthony scores 42 points but goes 8 for 12 at the foul line? Or I'd trade a bunch of Ricky Rubio's 17 assists Wednesday and trade them for the four free throws in six attempts. The result is that I'm still trailing in free thrown percentage, but still leading 7-1.
Wednesday's biggest signing was RHP Homer Bailey with a 6-year, $105-million contract extension with the Reds. I expect Bailey to have a big year, but I'd kind of want him to have that big year before I started shelling out cash equal to what Mark Zuckerberg makes by the time he wakes up in the morning.
Bailey has pitched in the majors each of the last seven seasons, with a career record of 49-45. His best production so far has been his 13 wins in 2012.
In addition, the Orioles made official RHP Ubaldo Jimenez's 4-year, $50-million contract and the Giants avoided arbitration with 1B Brandon Belt by agreeing on a $2.9-million salary for 2014.
-- Another Opening Day starter: LHP Francisco Liriano for the Pirates. I would expect RHP Gerrit Cole to be Pittsburgh's ace by season's end.
-- I've mentioned position battles at second base, but there also are a number of teams looking for a starting third baseman.
Part of the problem is injuries. Brewers 3B Aramis Ramirez, who missed much of last season because of an injured left knee. He underwent surgery in December to remove a non-cancerous polyp from his colon, and he's at least 35 years old. In Toronto, the question is whether 3B Brett Lawrie can avoid injuries such as the strained right oblique muscle that cost him time last year.
There's also 3B/1B Mat Gamel. Once a promising Brewers prospect, he underwent surgery on his right knee in both 2012 and '13. After he injured the knee in the Braves' camp, they have released him.
Rookie 3B Cody Asche is penciled in as the Phillies' starter, with his strongest competition from a more promising but less ready rookie, 3B/1B Maikel Franco. At best, Asche could have average production for his position. This looks like a situation ripe for acquiring a surplus third baseman from another team, or perhaps an overpriced offer to 3B Michael Young to come back out of retirement.
* * *
Basketball. Carmelo Anthony scores 42 points but goes 8 for 12 at the foul line? Or I'd trade a bunch of Ricky Rubio's 17 assists Wednesday and trade them for the four free throws in six attempts. The result is that I'm still trailing in free thrown percentage, but still leading 7-1.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Orioles making over pitching staff
Who says you can't change your team even as you're going to spring training?
Clearly not the Orioles and manager Buck Showalter.
They announced a 3-year, $5.75-million contract with RHP Suk-min Yoon, and apparently are within a passed physical of adding RHP Ubaldo Jimenez for four years and $50 million.
Yoon most likely would pitch out of the bullpen, where he would be one bad game removed from a "Suck-min" headline. I'm wary of Jimenez because his pitching motion has so many ways to get out of whack and also possibly hurt his arm.
-- With money that might have gone to Jimenez, the Indians avoided arbitration with RHP Justin Masterson by signing him to a contract for this season at $9.7625 million. What? They couldn't afford another measly $237,500 to bring him up to $10 million?
-- The Rangers apparently have gone into camp with a three-way battle among RHPs Neftali Feliz, Tanner Scheppers and Joakim Soria. I was encouraged about Soria last season until a couple of really bad September outings. Texas must not be too excited about Scheppers, because he was the headliner among a group of nine mostly marginal major leaguers signed for a year at or slightly above the $500,000 minimum. Scheppers will receive $515,000. If he does become the Rangers' closer, let's hope he doesn't spend too much of his money in The Flats in Cleveland.
-- Additional second base battles.
In Washington, it's shaping up as 2012 discovery Danny Espinosa and 2013 find Anthony Rendon. If neither matches his breakout season, it could be a long year for the Nationals and their pitchers.
The Yankees' front-runner is Brian "Can't Avoid Injury" Roberts. Other options could be Kelly "Can't Field" Johnson, Brendan "Can't Hit" Ryan and Eduardo "Can't Play Third or Short" Nunez. If a team has four second basemen, it really has no second baseman.
The spaghetti method -- take a bunch of players at one position to spring training, throw them at the all and hope one of them sticks -- really works only with pitchers. Among a group of five or six pitchers, one of them will get lucky enough to get some batters out -- at least through spring training, and even then he could become a liability during the regular season.
-- With New Age manager Brad Ausmus, the Tigers will join the growing trend of major league teams using analytics and probability to align fielders and improve their defense. Ausmus and analytics both begin with A. The new skipper's staff includes a guy named Matt Martin as defensive coordinator. Detroit also will be emphasizing speed more this season, with 2B Ian Kinsler and OF Rajai Davis (on a platoon basis) in their starting lineup. Prediction: Kinsler will steal more bases this season than Prince Fielder will.
-- It will be a surprise if the Tigers don't run away with the AL Central this year. Division rivals are making defensive changes by moving catchers to first base (Twins' Joe Mauer) and third base (Indians' Carlos Santana). Santana might be more agile than catcher-turned-third baseman Pablo Sandoval.
-- Looking ahead six weeks, the Blue Jays named RHP R.A. Dickey as their Opening Day starter.
* * *
Basketball. The NBA started up tonight, and I learned that I didn't win Week 16 by an 8-0 margin. Apparently, Week 16 is continuing from the short last week through the short this week -- even though this is a short week loaded with games. And my lead for the week now is down to 7-1; I've fallen behind in free throw percentage.
There were good performances from my roster tonight. The Suns' Gerald Green poured in 36 points, including six 3s. Carmelo Anthony had another (yawn!) double double with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Clearly not the Orioles and manager Buck Showalter.
They announced a 3-year, $5.75-million contract with RHP Suk-min Yoon, and apparently are within a passed physical of adding RHP Ubaldo Jimenez for four years and $50 million.
Yoon most likely would pitch out of the bullpen, where he would be one bad game removed from a "Suck-min" headline. I'm wary of Jimenez because his pitching motion has so many ways to get out of whack and also possibly hurt his arm.
-- With money that might have gone to Jimenez, the Indians avoided arbitration with RHP Justin Masterson by signing him to a contract for this season at $9.7625 million. What? They couldn't afford another measly $237,500 to bring him up to $10 million?
-- The Rangers apparently have gone into camp with a three-way battle among RHPs Neftali Feliz, Tanner Scheppers and Joakim Soria. I was encouraged about Soria last season until a couple of really bad September outings. Texas must not be too excited about Scheppers, because he was the headliner among a group of nine mostly marginal major leaguers signed for a year at or slightly above the $500,000 minimum. Scheppers will receive $515,000. If he does become the Rangers' closer, let's hope he doesn't spend too much of his money in The Flats in Cleveland.
-- Additional second base battles.
In Washington, it's shaping up as 2012 discovery Danny Espinosa and 2013 find Anthony Rendon. If neither matches his breakout season, it could be a long year for the Nationals and their pitchers.
The Yankees' front-runner is Brian "Can't Avoid Injury" Roberts. Other options could be Kelly "Can't Field" Johnson, Brendan "Can't Hit" Ryan and Eduardo "Can't Play Third or Short" Nunez. If a team has four second basemen, it really has no second baseman.
The spaghetti method -- take a bunch of players at one position to spring training, throw them at the all and hope one of them sticks -- really works only with pitchers. Among a group of five or six pitchers, one of them will get lucky enough to get some batters out -- at least through spring training, and even then he could become a liability during the regular season.
-- With New Age manager Brad Ausmus, the Tigers will join the growing trend of major league teams using analytics and probability to align fielders and improve their defense. Ausmus and analytics both begin with A. The new skipper's staff includes a guy named Matt Martin as defensive coordinator. Detroit also will be emphasizing speed more this season, with 2B Ian Kinsler and OF Rajai Davis (on a platoon basis) in their starting lineup. Prediction: Kinsler will steal more bases this season than Prince Fielder will.
-- It will be a surprise if the Tigers don't run away with the AL Central this year. Division rivals are making defensive changes by moving catchers to first base (Twins' Joe Mauer) and third base (Indians' Carlos Santana). Santana might be more agile than catcher-turned-third baseman Pablo Sandoval.
-- Looking ahead six weeks, the Blue Jays named RHP R.A. Dickey as their Opening Day starter.
* * *
Basketball. The NBA started up tonight, and I learned that I didn't win Week 16 by an 8-0 margin. Apparently, Week 16 is continuing from the short last week through the short this week -- even though this is a short week loaded with games. And my lead for the week now is down to 7-1; I've fallen behind in free throw percentage.
There were good performances from my roster tonight. The Suns' Gerald Green poured in 36 points, including six 3s. Carmelo Anthony had another (yawn!) double double with 22 points and 11 rebounds.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Bye-bye, Westbrook, Dempster and Mulder
This weekend's biggest news could be pitchers who won't throw in the major leagues in 2014.
The Cardinals confirmed that RHP Jake Westbrook is retiring after 13 major league seasons. He was supplanted by younger pitchers last season, when he was 7-8 with a 4.63 ERA for the National League champions.
A 16-year veteran, RHP Ryan Dempster, told the Red Sox that he won't pitch this season. He said he was concerned about a neck injury and about spending more time with his family. Dempster is forfeiting an otherwise guaranteed salary of $13.25 million.
LHP Mark Mulder's attempted comeback with the Angels has been short-circuited by a ruptured Achilles tendon. The 36-year-old's comments seemed to indicate a realization that he won't pitch in the majors again.
-- When the season opens, Reds RHP Mat Latos may not be ready to pitch. He underwent surgery Friday to repair torn meniscus in his left knee. He isn't expected to resume throwing until Feb. 24.
-- Giants RHP Santiago Casilla will be throwing in the Dominican Republic for a while, until his visa problem is solved and he can return to the U.S. Also caught in the annual "visa problem" trap is Giants LHP Jose De Paula.
-- The most important player to avoid arbitration by agreeing to a contract was RHP Craig Kimbrel, who will receive $42 million guaranteed for the next four years, with the possibility of earning $59 million for five years. Atlanta is paying big bucks for pitchers, with also a new 6-year, $3.24-million contract with RHP Julio Teheran. There's also a visionary option for 2020.
Also avoiding arbitration:
Mariners 1B Justin Smoak, who signed a one-year deal for $2.63 million, with a team option at $3.65 million for 2015 if he has 525 plate appearances this season.
Smoak's virtual twin, Rangers 1B Mitch Moreland, agreed for this season at $2.6 million.
Athletics OF Josh Reddick, for $2.7 million this year.
Red Sox LHP Andrew Miller, with a 1-year contract.
-- The Indians won their arbitration case with RHP Josh Tomlin, who will receive $800,00 this season.
-- Texas also announced its 1-year contract with free-agent RHP Tommy Hanson, who would receive $1.2 million plus expenses if he could make the major league roster.
-- The Indians signed RHP Aaron Harang, who could work his way into their rotation, to a minor league contract. Also getting a minor league deal was RHP Josh Roenicke with the Nationals.
-- 2B/OF Emilio Bonifacio's strong winter league season earned him a contract with the Cubs. They plan to use him s a utility man. He played seven positions in 2013.
-- The Orioles claimed OF/2B Jimmy Paredes on waivers from the Marlins. RHP Suk-min Yoon doesn't officially have a contract, but he is in their spring training camp in Sarasota, Fla., and supposedly will have a 3-year contract once he passes a physical exam.
-- Second base seems to be a problem position for a number of teams. The Dodgers are hoping Cuban SS Alex Guerrero could be their starter. There are plenty of other options, with varying degrees of desirability: Chone Figgins, Dee Gordon, Justin Turner and Brendan Harris among them.
* * *
Other sports:
The NBA remains off until Tuesday. You still have time to make player moves, even trades while the league and its stats are standing still.
You have more time with your fantasy hockey teams. NHL play resumes Wednesday, Feb. 26. You can be great if you don't procrastinate.
The Cardinals confirmed that RHP Jake Westbrook is retiring after 13 major league seasons. He was supplanted by younger pitchers last season, when he was 7-8 with a 4.63 ERA for the National League champions.
A 16-year veteran, RHP Ryan Dempster, told the Red Sox that he won't pitch this season. He said he was concerned about a neck injury and about spending more time with his family. Dempster is forfeiting an otherwise guaranteed salary of $13.25 million.
LHP Mark Mulder's attempted comeback with the Angels has been short-circuited by a ruptured Achilles tendon. The 36-year-old's comments seemed to indicate a realization that he won't pitch in the majors again.
-- When the season opens, Reds RHP Mat Latos may not be ready to pitch. He underwent surgery Friday to repair torn meniscus in his left knee. He isn't expected to resume throwing until Feb. 24.
-- Giants RHP Santiago Casilla will be throwing in the Dominican Republic for a while, until his visa problem is solved and he can return to the U.S. Also caught in the annual "visa problem" trap is Giants LHP Jose De Paula.
-- The most important player to avoid arbitration by agreeing to a contract was RHP Craig Kimbrel, who will receive $42 million guaranteed for the next four years, with the possibility of earning $59 million for five years. Atlanta is paying big bucks for pitchers, with also a new 6-year, $3.24-million contract with RHP Julio Teheran. There's also a visionary option for 2020.
Also avoiding arbitration:
Mariners 1B Justin Smoak, who signed a one-year deal for $2.63 million, with a team option at $3.65 million for 2015 if he has 525 plate appearances this season.
Smoak's virtual twin, Rangers 1B Mitch Moreland, agreed for this season at $2.6 million.
Athletics OF Josh Reddick, for $2.7 million this year.
Red Sox LHP Andrew Miller, with a 1-year contract.
-- The Indians won their arbitration case with RHP Josh Tomlin, who will receive $800,00 this season.
-- Texas also announced its 1-year contract with free-agent RHP Tommy Hanson, who would receive $1.2 million plus expenses if he could make the major league roster.
-- The Indians signed RHP Aaron Harang, who could work his way into their rotation, to a minor league contract. Also getting a minor league deal was RHP Josh Roenicke with the Nationals.
-- 2B/OF Emilio Bonifacio's strong winter league season earned him a contract with the Cubs. They plan to use him s a utility man. He played seven positions in 2013.
-- The Orioles claimed OF/2B Jimmy Paredes on waivers from the Marlins. RHP Suk-min Yoon doesn't officially have a contract, but he is in their spring training camp in Sarasota, Fla., and supposedly will have a 3-year contract once he passes a physical exam.
-- Second base seems to be a problem position for a number of teams. The Dodgers are hoping Cuban SS Alex Guerrero could be their starter. There are plenty of other options, with varying degrees of desirability: Chone Figgins, Dee Gordon, Justin Turner and Brendan Harris among them.
* * *
Other sports:
The NBA remains off until Tuesday. You still have time to make player moves, even trades while the league and its stats are standing still.
You have more time with your fantasy hockey teams. NHL play resumes Wednesday, Feb. 26. You can be great if you don't procrastinate.
Friday, February 14, 2014
'Retired' Jeter to kick off big week in Houston
Greetings from San Antonio.
It's a beautiful day to walk along the RiverWalk, which I'll do after posting this.
Spring training news is heating up.
The biggest story has been Yankees SS Derek Jeter's announcement that he is retiring after this season. Reminds of how Marv Levy used to say, "If you're thinking about retiring, you must as well retire." But here's a counter-reminder. Mariano Rivera announced a year ago that he would be retiring after the season. He did OK.
Rivera was a once-in-a-generation player at his position. Jeter could be the same. We'll see over then next eight months.
-- Jeter's announcement set up a big opening week for the Astros. His first regular-season game April 1 will be at Houston. On April 5, the Astros will honor retiring 1B/DH Lance Berkman and RHP Roy Oswalt. They stayed around a year or two too long, which could be a danger for Jeter. In addition, Nolan Ryan will be in his first week as an advisor to Houston's management. If his presence can do what it did with the Rangers, especially in terms of toughening up the starting pitchers, the Astros' rebound into contention could be quicker than we'd expect.
-- In injury news, Mariners RHP Hisashi Iwakuma is expected to miss the beginning of this season. He can't throw for 4-6 weeks because of a strained tendon in his middle finger. Seattle signed two other former major league starters, LHP Randy Wolf and RHP Zach Minor, to minor league contracts.
-- The Phillies gained one pitcher, but lost another for the beginning of the season. They signed free-agent RHP A.J. Burnett to a one-year, $16-million contract. He could fill in early for LHP Cole Hamels, who is expected to begin the season on the disabled list because of biceps tendinitis.
-- Another star pitcher, Tigers RHP Justin Verlander, is expected to be ready to start the season. He underwent surgery in January on both sides of his mid-section. Philadelphia also released RHP Chad Gaudin, who failed his physical exam.
-- The Cubs signed two potential starters, RHPs Jason Hammel and James McDonald, who were low-end free agents. The two pitchers they waived to make room on the 40-man roster both were claimed -- LHP Brooks Raley by the Twins and PHP Brett Marshall by the Reds.
-- In a trade, the Nationals picked up Jose Lobaton, the catcher they had been seeking, from the Rays for RHP Nathan Karns. The 26-year-old was the Double-A Eastern League's ERA leader at 3.26 for Harrisburg, where he was 10-6. Washington also acquired two 22-year-olds, OF Drew Vettleson -- whose 2013 season at high Class A Charlotte of .274, four home runs and 62 RBI was comparable to what he had done in his first two minor league seasons, but with less power -- and LHP Felipe Rivero, who was 9-7 with a 3.40 ERA at Charlotte.
-- Heading the list of those signing contracts were relievers. The Mariners agreed with free-agent RHP Fernando Rodney for two years and $14 million. The Royals avoided arbitration with RHP Greg Holland with a 1-year, $4.675-million deal. The Dodgers did the same with RHP Kenley Jansen for a year at $4.3 million. They all are likely to begin the season as closers. In addition, the Nationals avoided arbitration with RHP Tyler Clippard with an agreement for a year at $5.875 million.
-- Other major league signings included RHP Carlos Marmol with the Marlins for 2014 at $1.125 million. The Indians signed OF Michael Brantley for four years and $25 million, with an $11-million option for 2018.
-- The Brewers outrighted RHP Donovan Hand, who had been designated for assignment when they signed RHP Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez, to Triple-A but also invited him to spring training.
-- Minor league signings -- RHP Jose Valverde with the Mets, RHP Brandon Lyon with the Angels, LHP Eric Bedard with the Rays and LHP Rich Hill back with the Red Sox.
-- In the category of players trying to make a comeback is LHP Johan Santana, who has been throwing in Arizona for teams to observe him. If he's half the pitcher he was with the Twins, he could help a team needed at least a temporary fix in its rotation.
* * *
Basketball. The fantasy week is over, unless your league includes statistics from the NBA All-Star Game, the slam dunk contest and the other junk sports the league will throw out this weekend.
It appears that I'll finish with an 8-0 victory this week and a lead of about 16 games with 24 to play. Magic number 9, for those who are interested.
My team was down 6-2 after Tuesday. That's when Joakim Noah had a triple double, but neglected to get any steals and went just 3-for-6 at the foul line. After that night, steals and free throw percentage were the categories in which I trailed.
On Wednesday, Carmelo Anthony topped the three players on my roster who had double doubles with 36 points and 11 rebounds. Ricky Rubio's double double also included seven steals. Those steals and the overall team's 21 for 23 free throw shooting gave me the lead in those categories.
It's a beautiful day to walk along the RiverWalk, which I'll do after posting this.
Spring training news is heating up.
The biggest story has been Yankees SS Derek Jeter's announcement that he is retiring after this season. Reminds of how Marv Levy used to say, "If you're thinking about retiring, you must as well retire." But here's a counter-reminder. Mariano Rivera announced a year ago that he would be retiring after the season. He did OK.
Rivera was a once-in-a-generation player at his position. Jeter could be the same. We'll see over then next eight months.
-- Jeter's announcement set up a big opening week for the Astros. His first regular-season game April 1 will be at Houston. On April 5, the Astros will honor retiring 1B/DH Lance Berkman and RHP Roy Oswalt. They stayed around a year or two too long, which could be a danger for Jeter. In addition, Nolan Ryan will be in his first week as an advisor to Houston's management. If his presence can do what it did with the Rangers, especially in terms of toughening up the starting pitchers, the Astros' rebound into contention could be quicker than we'd expect.
-- In injury news, Mariners RHP Hisashi Iwakuma is expected to miss the beginning of this season. He can't throw for 4-6 weeks because of a strained tendon in his middle finger. Seattle signed two other former major league starters, LHP Randy Wolf and RHP Zach Minor, to minor league contracts.
-- The Phillies gained one pitcher, but lost another for the beginning of the season. They signed free-agent RHP A.J. Burnett to a one-year, $16-million contract. He could fill in early for LHP Cole Hamels, who is expected to begin the season on the disabled list because of biceps tendinitis.
-- Another star pitcher, Tigers RHP Justin Verlander, is expected to be ready to start the season. He underwent surgery in January on both sides of his mid-section. Philadelphia also released RHP Chad Gaudin, who failed his physical exam.
-- The Cubs signed two potential starters, RHPs Jason Hammel and James McDonald, who were low-end free agents. The two pitchers they waived to make room on the 40-man roster both were claimed -- LHP Brooks Raley by the Twins and PHP Brett Marshall by the Reds.
-- In a trade, the Nationals picked up Jose Lobaton, the catcher they had been seeking, from the Rays for RHP Nathan Karns. The 26-year-old was the Double-A Eastern League's ERA leader at 3.26 for Harrisburg, where he was 10-6. Washington also acquired two 22-year-olds, OF Drew Vettleson -- whose 2013 season at high Class A Charlotte of .274, four home runs and 62 RBI was comparable to what he had done in his first two minor league seasons, but with less power -- and LHP Felipe Rivero, who was 9-7 with a 3.40 ERA at Charlotte.
-- Heading the list of those signing contracts were relievers. The Mariners agreed with free-agent RHP Fernando Rodney for two years and $14 million. The Royals avoided arbitration with RHP Greg Holland with a 1-year, $4.675-million deal. The Dodgers did the same with RHP Kenley Jansen for a year at $4.3 million. They all are likely to begin the season as closers. In addition, the Nationals avoided arbitration with RHP Tyler Clippard with an agreement for a year at $5.875 million.
-- Other major league signings included RHP Carlos Marmol with the Marlins for 2014 at $1.125 million. The Indians signed OF Michael Brantley for four years and $25 million, with an $11-million option for 2018.
-- The Brewers outrighted RHP Donovan Hand, who had been designated for assignment when they signed RHP Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez, to Triple-A but also invited him to spring training.
-- Minor league signings -- RHP Jose Valverde with the Mets, RHP Brandon Lyon with the Angels, LHP Eric Bedard with the Rays and LHP Rich Hill back with the Red Sox.
-- In the category of players trying to make a comeback is LHP Johan Santana, who has been throwing in Arizona for teams to observe him. If he's half the pitcher he was with the Twins, he could help a team needed at least a temporary fix in its rotation.
* * *
Basketball. The fantasy week is over, unless your league includes statistics from the NBA All-Star Game, the slam dunk contest and the other junk sports the league will throw out this weekend.
It appears that I'll finish with an 8-0 victory this week and a lead of about 16 games with 24 to play. Magic number 9, for those who are interested.
My team was down 6-2 after Tuesday. That's when Joakim Noah had a triple double, but neglected to get any steals and went just 3-for-6 at the foul line. After that night, steals and free throw percentage were the categories in which I trailed.
On Wednesday, Carmelo Anthony topped the three players on my roster who had double doubles with 36 points and 11 rebounds. Ricky Rubio's double double also included seven steals. Those steals and the overall team's 21 for 23 free throw shooting gave me the lead in those categories.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Maholm more than a bargain for Dodgers
Thoe pitching pieces are beginning to fall into place.
A day after the Diamondbacks signed free-agent RHP Bronson Arroyo, the division-rival Dodgers agreed to terms with free-agent LHP Paul Maholm.
Los Angeles reportedly was one of Arroyo's suitors, and Maholm represented a fall-back position.
I'm here to say that the supposed loss of Arroyo actually will be to the Dodgers' benefit. Arizona is paying $23.5 million over 2 years for Arroyo, who will be 37 this season. Maholm, 31, is an injury risk, but LA is obligated to him only for 1 year and $1.5 million.
There's no way Arroyo can be more than 10 times more valuable than Maholm. I don't expect the former Red Sox/Reds pitcher to be able to make a difference to unseat the Dodgers at the top of the NL West.
To make room for Maholm on the roster, Los Angeles placed LHP Scott Elbert on the 60-day disabled list, which doesn't count against the 40-man limit. Elbert is recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The Cubs avoided arbitration with RHP Jeff Samardzija by signing him to a 1-year, $5.345-million contract.
Elsewhere, arbitration decisions are beginning to be handed down.
Padres RHP Andrew Cashner, who broke through to win 14 games in 2013, won his case and will receive $2.4 million in 2014. Indians RHP Vinnie Pestano won't be a millionaire just yet. He lost in arbitration, and will be paid $975,000.
Perth, Mayaguez win winter titles
The Canberra Cavalry came closer than expected, but still lost the Austalian Baseball League best-of-three Championship Series in two games. Two one-run games. The host Perth Heat took the Claxton Shield -- the ABL's answer to the NFL's Lombardi Trophy -- for the third time in four years.
For Perth, Warwick Saupold (Tigers organization) pitched two hitless innings to save Saturday's 2-1 victory for winning pitcher Brian Baker, who last pitched in the U.S. in the Brewers organization. Catcher Allan de San Miguel (Rockies) singled to give the Heat a 2-0 lead in the sixth inning. Shortstop Joey Wong (Rockies) was the Championship Series MVP.
Los Naranjeros de Mayaguez from the Mexican Winter League won the Caribbean Series final game 7-1 Saturday over Los Indios de Mayaguez, representing Puerto Rico.Catcher Sebastian Valle hit a grand slam in a six-run sixth inning. Chris Roberson hit a solo homer in that inning.
The game had been scoreless until that inning. RHP Joel Pineiro allowed just three hits in five innings for Puerto Rico, but the bullpen gave up eight hits and seven runs over the next three innings. Winning pitcher Juan Delgadillo allowed four hits and struck out five.
Puerto Rico, which hasn't won the series since 2000, defeated Los Navigantes del Magallanes of Venezuela 2-0 Friday to advance to the championship game. The Puerto Rican team's runs both were unearned. Eddie Rosario's two-run bloop single in the seventh inning followed two errors by Venezuela shortstop Eduardo Escobar, a Twins prospect.
* * *
Basketball. It's still 8-0 heading into the final day of this week's competition. On Saturday, Ricky Rubio threw in a surprising 25 points for the Timberwolves and Team Fresh Prints. Just slightly less surprising was Gerald Green's 25-point performance for the Suns and TFP. For Sunday, I have eight players active, and I should do all right unless each of them shoots 3-for-18 or something like that.
* * *
Hockey. I haven't seen the official standings through Saturday yet, but it appears that the second-place team picked up a point to move nine points ahead of my 67 heading into the two-week-plus Olympic hibernation.
My lineup included two goalies whose team was playing, but neither of them were in goal. Thus, they didn't hurt me. But they didn't help me either. It appears that during this break I will be 3 wins, .223 (a huge gap) in goals against average and .034 in save percentage away from picking up a point in each of those categories.
On this surprising night, my former Avalanche players combined for plus-6 of my team's plus-7 performances. There were a few minuses in the lineup, but a player I saw in person, Brenden Dillon, was plus-1 in the Stars' 2-1 victory over the Coyotes.
I'm now 19 assists and 14 PPP behind the second-place team, but his players have a combined 63 games more than mine. So he could have to reduce his lineup by three or four players a day or take a week or two off at the end of the season. The first-place team also now has more games played than mine. I've used skated in seven more than he has, but he has used goalies 13 times more.
Important key: Don't see the Olympic break as a vacation. I've always tried to take stock of my fantasy baseball teams during the All-Star break, when the stats stand still. That used to be three days, now it's four. This Olympic break will be something like 16 days! Take some time to see where you can pick up points and formulate strategies to do just that. Scour the list of free agents. Think about trade scenarios. Note your league's trade deadline; I think my ESPN league's deadline is Feb. 28. Possibly most important, keep track of injuries and which players are likely to come back after the break. You can pick up useful players, possibly even star-caliber players, for little or no investment.
A day after the Diamondbacks signed free-agent RHP Bronson Arroyo, the division-rival Dodgers agreed to terms with free-agent LHP Paul Maholm.
Los Angeles reportedly was one of Arroyo's suitors, and Maholm represented a fall-back position.
I'm here to say that the supposed loss of Arroyo actually will be to the Dodgers' benefit. Arizona is paying $23.5 million over 2 years for Arroyo, who will be 37 this season. Maholm, 31, is an injury risk, but LA is obligated to him only for 1 year and $1.5 million.
There's no way Arroyo can be more than 10 times more valuable than Maholm. I don't expect the former Red Sox/Reds pitcher to be able to make a difference to unseat the Dodgers at the top of the NL West.
To make room for Maholm on the roster, Los Angeles placed LHP Scott Elbert on the 60-day disabled list, which doesn't count against the 40-man limit. Elbert is recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The Cubs avoided arbitration with RHP Jeff Samardzija by signing him to a 1-year, $5.345-million contract.
Elsewhere, arbitration decisions are beginning to be handed down.
Padres RHP Andrew Cashner, who broke through to win 14 games in 2013, won his case and will receive $2.4 million in 2014. Indians RHP Vinnie Pestano won't be a millionaire just yet. He lost in arbitration, and will be paid $975,000.
Perth, Mayaguez win winter titles
The Canberra Cavalry came closer than expected, but still lost the Austalian Baseball League best-of-three Championship Series in two games. Two one-run games. The host Perth Heat took the Claxton Shield -- the ABL's answer to the NFL's Lombardi Trophy -- for the third time in four years.
For Perth, Warwick Saupold (Tigers organization) pitched two hitless innings to save Saturday's 2-1 victory for winning pitcher Brian Baker, who last pitched in the U.S. in the Brewers organization. Catcher Allan de San Miguel (Rockies) singled to give the Heat a 2-0 lead in the sixth inning. Shortstop Joey Wong (Rockies) was the Championship Series MVP.
Los Naranjeros de Mayaguez from the Mexican Winter League won the Caribbean Series final game 7-1 Saturday over Los Indios de Mayaguez, representing Puerto Rico.Catcher Sebastian Valle hit a grand slam in a six-run sixth inning. Chris Roberson hit a solo homer in that inning.
The game had been scoreless until that inning. RHP Joel Pineiro allowed just three hits in five innings for Puerto Rico, but the bullpen gave up eight hits and seven runs over the next three innings. Winning pitcher Juan Delgadillo allowed four hits and struck out five.
Puerto Rico, which hasn't won the series since 2000, defeated Los Navigantes del Magallanes of Venezuela 2-0 Friday to advance to the championship game. The Puerto Rican team's runs both were unearned. Eddie Rosario's two-run bloop single in the seventh inning followed two errors by Venezuela shortstop Eduardo Escobar, a Twins prospect.
* * *
Basketball. It's still 8-0 heading into the final day of this week's competition. On Saturday, Ricky Rubio threw in a surprising 25 points for the Timberwolves and Team Fresh Prints. Just slightly less surprising was Gerald Green's 25-point performance for the Suns and TFP. For Sunday, I have eight players active, and I should do all right unless each of them shoots 3-for-18 or something like that.
* * *
Hockey. I haven't seen the official standings through Saturday yet, but it appears that the second-place team picked up a point to move nine points ahead of my 67 heading into the two-week-plus Olympic hibernation.
My lineup included two goalies whose team was playing, but neither of them were in goal. Thus, they didn't hurt me. But they didn't help me either. It appears that during this break I will be 3 wins, .223 (a huge gap) in goals against average and .034 in save percentage away from picking up a point in each of those categories.
On this surprising night, my former Avalanche players combined for plus-6 of my team's plus-7 performances. There were a few minuses in the lineup, but a player I saw in person, Brenden Dillon, was plus-1 in the Stars' 2-1 victory over the Coyotes.
I'm now 19 assists and 14 PPP behind the second-place team, but his players have a combined 63 games more than mine. So he could have to reduce his lineup by three or four players a day or take a week or two off at the end of the season. The first-place team also now has more games played than mine. I've used skated in seven more than he has, but he has used goalies 13 times more.
Important key: Don't see the Olympic break as a vacation. I've always tried to take stock of my fantasy baseball teams during the All-Star break, when the stats stand still. That used to be three days, now it's four. This Olympic break will be something like 16 days! Take some time to see where you can pick up points and formulate strategies to do just that. Scour the list of free agents. Think about trade scenarios. Note your league's trade deadline; I think my ESPN league's deadline is Feb. 28. Possibly most important, keep track of injuries and which players are likely to come back after the break. You can pick up useful players, possibly even star-caliber players, for little or no investment.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Perth one game away from Australian title
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.
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.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Mexico advances to Caribbean Series championship
Sebastian Valle singled home Yunesky Sanchez with the winning run in the ninth inning as Mexico rallied to defeat the Dominican Republic 3-2 Thursday night.
The Mexican team advanced to Saturday night's Caribbean Series final at Margarita Island, Venzuela, against the winner of Friday's semifinal between Puerto Rico and Venezuela.
For information purposes, I'll designate the contract status and other pertinent information for the players mentioned in this post because most of them are 1) who's he or 2) I didn't know he was still playing.
Valle is a 23-year-old catcher in the Phillies' organization. He backslid last season, but he has hit 25 homers the last two seasons for Double-A Reading. 3B Sanchez, 29, played last summer in the Mexican League but has been as high as Triple-A in the U.S.
LHP Oliver Perez (32, free agent) was the winning pitcher even though he walked one batter and hit another in his one inning, the ninth. Mexico had tied the game with a run in the bottom of the eighth.
On Wednesday, the Dominican Republic had defeated Mexico City 7-6 in the final game of the round-robin qualifier. OF Eugenio Velez (31, Brewers) hit a two-run home run in a four-run third inning. It was the second homer of the series for Velez, better known as a base stealer.
The losing pitcher was RHP Guillermo Mota (40, Royals), who entered the game with a 2-1 lead, the bases loaded and two out in the eighth inning. He didn't retire any of three batters in the ninth. In addition to blowing a save, he had two of the Dominicans' three losses and a 10.80 ERA in the series.
Puerto Rico qualified for the semifinals by handing Venezuela its only loss of the round robin, 5-4. RHP Tyler Herron (27, Nationals) retired 2B Alberto Callaspo (30, Athletics) with the tying run at first base for Herron's second save of the series. He could be someone to watch. Herron, a converted starter, had six saves in high-A and Double-A ball last summer, then was a Puerto Rican All-Star with 12 saves during the winter season.
Puerto Rico finished the round robin tied with Mexico and the Dominican Republic at 2-2. If the Puerto Rican team had lost, it would have been eliminated at 1-3 because it lost to Cuba, which did finish 1-3 in the five-team event.
The starting pitchers for Friday's semifinal were teammates last season at Triple-A Las Vegas (Mets organization. Giancarlo Alvarado, 36, is scheduled to start for Puerto Rico against Venezuela's Daryl Thompson, 28.
Other statistical leaders during round-robin play:
Batting average -- C Ronny Paulino (32, Tigers) .545 (6 for 11), Dominican Republic; and 2B Emilio Bonifacio (28, free agent) .462 (6 for 13), D.R.
Home runs -- 3B Zelous Wheeler (27, Yankees) 3, Mexico. He spent the last three years in Double-A and Triple-A in the Orioles organization.
RBI -- Wheeler; OF Chris Roberson (34, has played three of the last four seasons in Mexico, a former Phillie), Mexico; and C Ramon Hernandez (37, Royals), Venezuela, all with 5
ERA -- Alfredo Aceves (31, Orioles), Mexico; Juan Delgadillo (31, Mexican League veteran), Mexico, and Jon Leicester, D.R., who hasn't played in organized baseball since 2011, all 1-0, 0.00 in seven innings. Aceves started Thursday's semifinal game as well.
RHP Joel Pineiro (35, free agent) was 0-1 but with an 0.00 ERA in 6 2/3 innings.
Saves -- Jean Machi (32, Giants), Venezuela, 3
Carlos Marmol, 31, pitched a perfect inning in each of two games during the round robin for the Dominican Republic with a save, an 0.00 ERA and an 0.00 WHIP. On Thursday, Marmol's representatives said he had agreed to a 2014 contract with the Marlins. He could offer an alternative if RHP Steve Cishek struggles as Miami's closer.
The Mexican team advanced to Saturday night's Caribbean Series final at Margarita Island, Venzuela, against the winner of Friday's semifinal between Puerto Rico and Venezuela.
For information purposes, I'll designate the contract status and other pertinent information for the players mentioned in this post because most of them are 1) who's he or 2) I didn't know he was still playing.
Valle is a 23-year-old catcher in the Phillies' organization. He backslid last season, but he has hit 25 homers the last two seasons for Double-A Reading. 3B Sanchez, 29, played last summer in the Mexican League but has been as high as Triple-A in the U.S.
LHP Oliver Perez (32, free agent) was the winning pitcher even though he walked one batter and hit another in his one inning, the ninth. Mexico had tied the game with a run in the bottom of the eighth.
On Wednesday, the Dominican Republic had defeated Mexico City 7-6 in the final game of the round-robin qualifier. OF Eugenio Velez (31, Brewers) hit a two-run home run in a four-run third inning. It was the second homer of the series for Velez, better known as a base stealer.
The losing pitcher was RHP Guillermo Mota (40, Royals), who entered the game with a 2-1 lead, the bases loaded and two out in the eighth inning. He didn't retire any of three batters in the ninth. In addition to blowing a save, he had two of the Dominicans' three losses and a 10.80 ERA in the series.
Puerto Rico qualified for the semifinals by handing Venezuela its only loss of the round robin, 5-4. RHP Tyler Herron (27, Nationals) retired 2B Alberto Callaspo (30, Athletics) with the tying run at first base for Herron's second save of the series. He could be someone to watch. Herron, a converted starter, had six saves in high-A and Double-A ball last summer, then was a Puerto Rican All-Star with 12 saves during the winter season.
Puerto Rico finished the round robin tied with Mexico and the Dominican Republic at 2-2. If the Puerto Rican team had lost, it would have been eliminated at 1-3 because it lost to Cuba, which did finish 1-3 in the five-team event.
The starting pitchers for Friday's semifinal were teammates last season at Triple-A Las Vegas (Mets organization. Giancarlo Alvarado, 36, is scheduled to start for Puerto Rico against Venezuela's Daryl Thompson, 28.
Other statistical leaders during round-robin play:
Batting average -- C Ronny Paulino (32, Tigers) .545 (6 for 11), Dominican Republic; and 2B Emilio Bonifacio (28, free agent) .462 (6 for 13), D.R.
Home runs -- 3B Zelous Wheeler (27, Yankees) 3, Mexico. He spent the last three years in Double-A and Triple-A in the Orioles organization.
RBI -- Wheeler; OF Chris Roberson (34, has played three of the last four seasons in Mexico, a former Phillie), Mexico; and C Ramon Hernandez (37, Royals), Venezuela, all with 5
ERA -- Alfredo Aceves (31, Orioles), Mexico; Juan Delgadillo (31, Mexican League veteran), Mexico, and Jon Leicester, D.R., who hasn't played in organized baseball since 2011, all 1-0, 0.00 in seven innings. Aceves started Thursday's semifinal game as well.
RHP Joel Pineiro (35, free agent) was 0-1 but with an 0.00 ERA in 6 2/3 innings.
Saves -- Jean Machi (32, Giants), Venezuela, 3
Carlos Marmol, 31, pitched a perfect inning in each of two games during the round robin for the Dominican Republic with a save, an 0.00 ERA and an 0.00 WHIP. On Thursday, Marmol's representatives said he had agreed to a 2014 contract with the Marlins. He could offer an alternative if RHP Steve Cishek struggles as Miami's closer.
How Homer Bailey (Mike Minor?) could be like Jarrod Washburn
In 2003, when Lenny Pappano hired me for the opening of the dear departed fantasybaseballscout.com web site, one of the features we advertised was "How to Find a Cheap Starting Pitcher Who Can Pile Up the Wins."
I had done similar research a year earlier that pointed to Jarrod Washburn. He improved from 11-10 in 2001 to 18-6 as a 27-year-old in '02.
Thus was born, after I joined fantasybaseballscout.com, the Jarrod Washburn Award. The pre-season projected winner for 2003 was Jason Schmidt, who lived up to the spirit of the award by improving from 13-8 to 17-5.
There were other successes during the lifetime of fantasybaseballscout.com.
I'm reviving the Jarrod Washburn Award for this blog, and I'll post revivals of other remnants from fantasybaseballscout.com before this season begins.
Before I get into the methodology, here's the bottom line. The Jarrod Washburn Award for 2014 is ... drum roll ... Homer Bailey.
Honorable mention to Mike Minor and Alex Cobb. I'll say it here now. Even though the research gives the edge to Bailey, I wouldn't be surprised if Minor has a better year. And I'll be willing to bet you can pick up Minor for less money. (According to Sporting News Fantasy Source, you can. It lists Bailey at $21 and Minor at $19. Also, this is not an endorsement of the publication. It just happens to be the first one I picked up. There might or might not be others, for comparison purposes. And if the setbacks I've encountered go away, I'll have my own dollar values by the end of this month.)
Neither of them, nor Cobb at $15, is cheap or inexpensive.
Bailey's price is inflated by memories of his two no-hitters. To date he has been too inconsistent, too feast-or-famine, to be considered a top-tier pitcher.
To find one of my candidates for the award at a more reasonable price, you might look to Jarrod Parker at $10 (which sounds like such a bargain that you probably wouldn't get him at that price). He also has the magical first name of Jarrod.
To begin the process, I listed all of the pitchers who won between 11 and 13 games in the majors last season. Consider them players who have had a measure of success in the majors, but not necessarily "pile up the wins."
This list started with 33 pitchers. But among those were true stars who didn't win a whole lot in '13: Yu Darvish, Ubaldo Jimenez, James Shields, Justin Verlander, Felix Hernandez. By eliminating any pitcher who had won more than 13 in any major league season, the list shrunk to 13.
The other factors I use:
-- Injury history
-- Height
-- Age
-- Last year's opponent batting average
-- Last year's strikeout/walk ratio
-- Team prospects
The injury history is important for two reasons. 1) A pitcher who has worked to return from an injury can have the mental makeup needed for success. 2) A pitcher who hasn't been hurt yet is going to have arm trouble at some point.
Height is important because scouts prefer bigger, seemingly more durable pitchers. One of the many things I learned from John Benson is that the bias toward tall pitchers, especially tall lefties, is justified. Sorry about that, Sonny Gray.
Age is important. Various research has shown that ballplayers, both hitters and pitchers, tend to peak at about 27 years old. Even a bit younger for pitchers, because the woods are full of pitchers who never had an age 27 season before they were injured. Today, I probably would have overlooked 30-year-old Jason Schmidt, though perhaps he was just vastly superior in the other indicators. I don't remember.
Team prospects are important because it's a lot harder to win with a losing team. This qualifier was subjective. I considered "good" teams to be those that have been in the playoffs during the last couple of seasons or seem likely to be this year (I'm talking to you, Angels).
Opponent batting average and strikeout/walk ratio are the two underlying statistics that I think show how well a pitcher is actually throwing, much more than wins or ERA or saves or strikeouts alone.
Here's a breakdown of the 13 pitchers in the study, in order of the number of positive categories. In case of ties, I've looked at specific categories to see if one pitcher has at least a subjective advantage over another.
1. Reds RHP Homer Bailey, the only one with a positive in all 7 indicators
2. Braves LHP Mike Minor, 6 positives
3. Rays RHP Alex Cobb, 6
4. Indians RHP Corey Kluber, 5
5. Athletics RHP Jarrod Parker, 5
6. Marlins RHP Jose Fernandez, 4
7. Athletics LHP Tommy Milone, 4
8. Mets RHP Dillon Gee, 4
9. Orioles LHP Miguel Gonzalez, 4
10. Red Sox LHP Felix Doubront, 4
11. Rays RHP Jeremy Hellickson, 4-minus because he'll miss at least half of the season
12. Brewers RHP Wily Peralta, Statistical Anomaly No. 1, 3
13. Padres LHP Eric Stults, Statistical Anomaly No. 2, 3
I did some additional research on the 34-year-old Stults to see if there's something in him that suddenly made him a winner. I'm still not convinced that even his limited success last season was a fluke. He probably won't win even 11 games again.
By the way, with the number of wins declining for league leaders, I'm considering a change next year to consider pitchers with between 10 and 12 wins for the previous season, and no season with more than 12. Minor was the only pitcher with 13 who survived the cut for this year. Bailey and Cobb each won 11 in 2013, and Parker 12.
* * *
While visiting baseball-reference.com for some historical information for this post, I saw an "in memoriam" section that included Ralph Kiner, who died Thursday, and two other players I followed for a time. Two other players whose career didn't get them a wire-service obituary. I saw the late Jophery Brown (died Jan. 11) pitch in his only major league game in 1968, and later saw him as a stunt man in many Hollywood feature movies. Never met him, but I did meet the late Tim Hosley (died Jan. 21). I remember playing in a poker game with him and some of his Toledo Mud Hens teammates at their hotel in Rochester in 1972.
I followed to a very good biography of Brown from SABR, and to an obituary notice from a California funeral home. And here's a good posthumous biography of Hosley. Not sure what he did after his playing days, but his Wikipedia entry indicates that he played in the short-lived Senior Professional Baseball Association.
What I take from all of this is related to this line from the obituary notice: "Enjoy the little things in life...for one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things." Or even things at all. And that the lives of the players we follow, big-time and small-time, aren't all that much different from any or ours. We live, we love, we find a way to survive financially, and eventually we don't live any more. Enjoy it while we can.
I had done similar research a year earlier that pointed to Jarrod Washburn. He improved from 11-10 in 2001 to 18-6 as a 27-year-old in '02.
Thus was born, after I joined fantasybaseballscout.com, the Jarrod Washburn Award. The pre-season projected winner for 2003 was Jason Schmidt, who lived up to the spirit of the award by improving from 13-8 to 17-5.
There were other successes during the lifetime of fantasybaseballscout.com.
I'm reviving the Jarrod Washburn Award for this blog, and I'll post revivals of other remnants from fantasybaseballscout.com before this season begins.
Before I get into the methodology, here's the bottom line. The Jarrod Washburn Award for 2014 is ... drum roll ... Homer Bailey.
Honorable mention to Mike Minor and Alex Cobb. I'll say it here now. Even though the research gives the edge to Bailey, I wouldn't be surprised if Minor has a better year. And I'll be willing to bet you can pick up Minor for less money. (According to Sporting News Fantasy Source, you can. It lists Bailey at $21 and Minor at $19. Also, this is not an endorsement of the publication. It just happens to be the first one I picked up. There might or might not be others, for comparison purposes. And if the setbacks I've encountered go away, I'll have my own dollar values by the end of this month.)
Neither of them, nor Cobb at $15, is cheap or inexpensive.
Bailey's price is inflated by memories of his two no-hitters. To date he has been too inconsistent, too feast-or-famine, to be considered a top-tier pitcher.
To find one of my candidates for the award at a more reasonable price, you might look to Jarrod Parker at $10 (which sounds like such a bargain that you probably wouldn't get him at that price). He also has the magical first name of Jarrod.
To begin the process, I listed all of the pitchers who won between 11 and 13 games in the majors last season. Consider them players who have had a measure of success in the majors, but not necessarily "pile up the wins."
This list started with 33 pitchers. But among those were true stars who didn't win a whole lot in '13: Yu Darvish, Ubaldo Jimenez, James Shields, Justin Verlander, Felix Hernandez. By eliminating any pitcher who had won more than 13 in any major league season, the list shrunk to 13.
The other factors I use:
-- Injury history
-- Height
-- Age
-- Last year's opponent batting average
-- Last year's strikeout/walk ratio
-- Team prospects
The injury history is important for two reasons. 1) A pitcher who has worked to return from an injury can have the mental makeup needed for success. 2) A pitcher who hasn't been hurt yet is going to have arm trouble at some point.
Height is important because scouts prefer bigger, seemingly more durable pitchers. One of the many things I learned from John Benson is that the bias toward tall pitchers, especially tall lefties, is justified. Sorry about that, Sonny Gray.
Age is important. Various research has shown that ballplayers, both hitters and pitchers, tend to peak at about 27 years old. Even a bit younger for pitchers, because the woods are full of pitchers who never had an age 27 season before they were injured. Today, I probably would have overlooked 30-year-old Jason Schmidt, though perhaps he was just vastly superior in the other indicators. I don't remember.
Team prospects are important because it's a lot harder to win with a losing team. This qualifier was subjective. I considered "good" teams to be those that have been in the playoffs during the last couple of seasons or seem likely to be this year (I'm talking to you, Angels).
Opponent batting average and strikeout/walk ratio are the two underlying statistics that I think show how well a pitcher is actually throwing, much more than wins or ERA or saves or strikeouts alone.
Here's a breakdown of the 13 pitchers in the study, in order of the number of positive categories. In case of ties, I've looked at specific categories to see if one pitcher has at least a subjective advantage over another.
1. Reds RHP Homer Bailey, the only one with a positive in all 7 indicators
2. Braves LHP Mike Minor, 6 positives
3. Rays RHP Alex Cobb, 6
4. Indians RHP Corey Kluber, 5
5. Athletics RHP Jarrod Parker, 5
6. Marlins RHP Jose Fernandez, 4
7. Athletics LHP Tommy Milone, 4
8. Mets RHP Dillon Gee, 4
9. Orioles LHP Miguel Gonzalez, 4
10. Red Sox LHP Felix Doubront, 4
11. Rays RHP Jeremy Hellickson, 4-minus because he'll miss at least half of the season
12. Brewers RHP Wily Peralta, Statistical Anomaly No. 1, 3
13. Padres LHP Eric Stults, Statistical Anomaly No. 2, 3
I did some additional research on the 34-year-old Stults to see if there's something in him that suddenly made him a winner. I'm still not convinced that even his limited success last season was a fluke. He probably won't win even 11 games again.
By the way, with the number of wins declining for league leaders, I'm considering a change next year to consider pitchers with between 10 and 12 wins for the previous season, and no season with more than 12. Minor was the only pitcher with 13 who survived the cut for this year. Bailey and Cobb each won 11 in 2013, and Parker 12.
* * *
While visiting baseball-reference.com for some historical information for this post, I saw an "in memoriam" section that included Ralph Kiner, who died Thursday, and two other players I followed for a time. Two other players whose career didn't get them a wire-service obituary. I saw the late Jophery Brown (died Jan. 11) pitch in his only major league game in 1968, and later saw him as a stunt man in many Hollywood feature movies. Never met him, but I did meet the late Tim Hosley (died Jan. 21). I remember playing in a poker game with him and some of his Toledo Mud Hens teammates at their hotel in Rochester in 1972.
I followed to a very good biography of Brown from SABR, and to an obituary notice from a California funeral home. And here's a good posthumous biography of Hosley. Not sure what he did after his playing days, but his Wikipedia entry indicates that he played in the short-lived Senior Professional Baseball Association.
What I take from all of this is related to this line from the obituary notice: "Enjoy the little things in life...for one day you'll look back and realize they were the big things." Or even things at all. And that the lives of the players we follow, big-time and small-time, aren't all that much different from any or ours. We live, we love, we find a way to survive financially, and eventually we don't live any more. Enjoy it while we can.
Little things could mean a lot in final standings
I have some extra baseball information ready for later today, to commemorate the Diamondbacks pitchers and catchers' reporting today. I'll post that after this usual report.
Today's report is dedicated to the memory of Ralph Kiner. RIP to the Pirates' second-leading career home run hitter.
The Marlins have agreed to terms with RHP Carlos Marmol, but aren't expected to announce that move until they squeeze him into the 40-man roster and move someone else off. More about Marmol in one of what now appear to be two extra posts today.
Signed to minor league contracts:
C Koyie Hill by the Nationals
Infielder Justin Turner by the Dodgers
1B/OF Bryan LaHair by the Indians
The Rangers have picked up some extra revenue by renaming the stadium Globe Life Park in Arlington. Don't expect me to tell someone I'm going to Globe Life Park. I'll also refer to it by that name in writing about as often as I refer to Arlington's football stadium as AT&T Stadium.
* * *
Basketball. After Wednesday's games, Team Fresh Prints' lead increased to 7-1. I trail only in 3-point field goals, 19-17. Six of the guys in my lineup combined for nine 3s. New addition Jose Calderon made only one. Somehow I went ahead in field goal percentage even though Calderon and fellow new Fresh Print Boris Diaw were 4 for 14 combined. They were also the only two players in the full 10-man lineup who didn't score in double figures. Marco Belinelli, on my bench, scored 14 points in his real game for the Spurs despite not hitting any 3s. He'll be one of three players active Thursday; my opponent had no one playing tonight when I last looked at his lineup.
Important key: Find some time or typical times during each day when you can update and upgrade your lineup for daily league.
For me, that time is late the previous night or early in the morning. My sleep is on an irregular schedule, so sometimes late night and early morning are the same thing. I didn't sleep much Tuesday night, so I went to bed at 8 p.m. Wednesday and got up at 1:30 a.m. to start Thursday.
* * *
Hockey. Watching the schedule and switching Joe Pavelski for Corey Perry was somewhat successful. Pavelski played 22 minutes, with only one shot on goal, and was at 0 in plus/minus. Perry was minus-1, but he did take six shots.
Dustin Penner, Perry's teammate in Anaheim and with the Texas Puckin Penguins. was minus-2. Penner was on my bench. So observing that the Ducks were playing the Blackhawks, while Pavelski's Sharks were going against Dallas, was helpful.
Matt Niskanen was plus-1, with a power-play assist, increasing his season lead for my team to plus-27. He's also averaging better than 20 minutes per game.
Two important keys here: 1. I should have begun monitoring games played earlier in the season. Instead of just throwing every available player on fantasy ice, I should have avoided unfavorable matchups and sat players such as Penner against Chicago. 2. Don't always listen to the "experts." Teams will always find a place for those who are playing well. After I picked up Niskanen, every time a Penguins defenseman was returning from injury, I'd read how much playing time Niskanen would be losing and how I should replace him. I figured I'd wait to see if he actually was playing less. As it turned out, it was never enough time that I should give up his strong performance in other statistical categories.
As it happens, the only owner with more games already played than I have is the owner of the second-place team just ahead of me. His skaters have 30 more games, and his goalies 22.
While my team remained at 67 points, each of the top two teams lost half a point to teams in the lower half of the standings. I trail the second-place team by nine assists and nine power-play points, and it's conceivable that I could catch him by season's end by taking advantage of my extra games (really his fewer games) and judicious selection of players for each day's lineup.
From the Thursday lineup I laid out Monday, I made two changes. I replaced forward Paul Stastny with Clarke MacArthur, in part because MacArthur has been filling up more categories recently and also because Stastny will be playing against my only starting goalie, Steve Mason. I don't want anyone, even Stastny, to score against Mason. Well, OK, if another Avalanche player, Nathan MacKinnon, scores Colorado's only goal, that would work. The other change was Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson for teammate Jan Hejda. Johnson has more shots, penalty minutes and ATOI than Hejda.Who knows? An assist, a penalty, or a few extra seconds could make a difference in the final standings.
Today's report is dedicated to the memory of Ralph Kiner. RIP to the Pirates' second-leading career home run hitter.
The Marlins have agreed to terms with RHP Carlos Marmol, but aren't expected to announce that move until they squeeze him into the 40-man roster and move someone else off. More about Marmol in one of what now appear to be two extra posts today.
Signed to minor league contracts:
C Koyie Hill by the Nationals
Infielder Justin Turner by the Dodgers
1B/OF Bryan LaHair by the Indians
The Rangers have picked up some extra revenue by renaming the stadium Globe Life Park in Arlington. Don't expect me to tell someone I'm going to Globe Life Park. I'll also refer to it by that name in writing about as often as I refer to Arlington's football stadium as AT&T Stadium.
* * *
Basketball. After Wednesday's games, Team Fresh Prints' lead increased to 7-1. I trail only in 3-point field goals, 19-17. Six of the guys in my lineup combined for nine 3s. New addition Jose Calderon made only one. Somehow I went ahead in field goal percentage even though Calderon and fellow new Fresh Print Boris Diaw were 4 for 14 combined. They were also the only two players in the full 10-man lineup who didn't score in double figures. Marco Belinelli, on my bench, scored 14 points in his real game for the Spurs despite not hitting any 3s. He'll be one of three players active Thursday; my opponent had no one playing tonight when I last looked at his lineup.
Important key: Find some time or typical times during each day when you can update and upgrade your lineup for daily league.
For me, that time is late the previous night or early in the morning. My sleep is on an irregular schedule, so sometimes late night and early morning are the same thing. I didn't sleep much Tuesday night, so I went to bed at 8 p.m. Wednesday and got up at 1:30 a.m. to start Thursday.
* * *
Hockey. Watching the schedule and switching Joe Pavelski for Corey Perry was somewhat successful. Pavelski played 22 minutes, with only one shot on goal, and was at 0 in plus/minus. Perry was minus-1, but he did take six shots.
Dustin Penner, Perry's teammate in Anaheim and with the Texas Puckin Penguins. was minus-2. Penner was on my bench. So observing that the Ducks were playing the Blackhawks, while Pavelski's Sharks were going against Dallas, was helpful.
Matt Niskanen was plus-1, with a power-play assist, increasing his season lead for my team to plus-27. He's also averaging better than 20 minutes per game.
Two important keys here: 1. I should have begun monitoring games played earlier in the season. Instead of just throwing every available player on fantasy ice, I should have avoided unfavorable matchups and sat players such as Penner against Chicago. 2. Don't always listen to the "experts." Teams will always find a place for those who are playing well. After I picked up Niskanen, every time a Penguins defenseman was returning from injury, I'd read how much playing time Niskanen would be losing and how I should replace him. I figured I'd wait to see if he actually was playing less. As it turned out, it was never enough time that I should give up his strong performance in other statistical categories.
As it happens, the only owner with more games already played than I have is the owner of the second-place team just ahead of me. His skaters have 30 more games, and his goalies 22.
While my team remained at 67 points, each of the top two teams lost half a point to teams in the lower half of the standings. I trail the second-place team by nine assists and nine power-play points, and it's conceivable that I could catch him by season's end by taking advantage of my extra games (really his fewer games) and judicious selection of players for each day's lineup.
From the Thursday lineup I laid out Monday, I made two changes. I replaced forward Paul Stastny with Clarke MacArthur, in part because MacArthur has been filling up more categories recently and also because Stastny will be playing against my only starting goalie, Steve Mason. I don't want anyone, even Stastny, to score against Mason. Well, OK, if another Avalanche player, Nathan MacKinnon, scores Colorado's only goal, that would work. The other change was Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson for teammate Jan Hejda. Johnson has more shots, penalty minutes and ATOI than Hejda.Who knows? An assist, a penalty, or a few extra seconds could make a difference in the final standings.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Freeman earns big contract; can Heyward do the same?
The biggest contract signing Monday was the Diamondbacks' re-signing with OF Gerardo Parra for this season.
Tuesday's activities dwarfed that one. The Braves avoided arbitration with the two players they hope will be the kingpins of their offense for the near future. 1B Freddie Freeman signed for a franchise-record $135 milion over eight years, and OF Jason Heyward agreed to two years and $13.3 million.
To put Freeman's contract in perspective, the most Chipper Jones ever got was $90 million for six years. Yes, there has been some inflation since then, but Freeman's amount still blows Jones out of the water. Can Freddie earn it? Yes, unless complacency sets in. In Heyward's case, Atlanta must be hoping that his seeing a few million now could be the incentive he needs to show that he's ready to earn and receive much more in his next contract. He hasn't yet shown that he's worthy.
A more sobering note: Padres LHP Cory Luebke will undergo Tommy John surgery for the second consecutive year, and as a result will not be pitching for the second season in a row.
Free agency continues to be a topic, but a slow-moving topic with no signings for a while.
The players being spurned because they would cost the signing team a draft pick are RHPs Ubaldo Jimenez and Ervin Santana, OF Nelson Cruz, DH Kendrys Morales and SS Stephen Drew.
With RHP Jeremy Hellickson out for at least six weeks this season, the Rays could sign RHP Bronson Arroyo, the next-best available starter to take Hellickson's spot in the rotation for at least a while.
Other starting pitchers still available include LHPs Chris Capuano, Barry Zito and Paul Maholm, and RHPs Tommy Hanson and Jake Westbrook. Out of that group, I'd be most interested in Maholm and Hanson (if he isn't hurt).
Former closers available are RHPs Joel Hanrahan, Andrew Bailey, Rafael Betancourt, Kevin Gregg, Brett Myers, Francisco Rodriguez and Fernando Rodney. There are reasons why most of them USED TO BE closers. Rodriguez is second among active pitchers with 302 career saves, but at this point he's far more likely to get 2 more saves than to get 300. Rodney is the best of the lot; he still seems to have that chip on his shoulder/swagger combination that works so well in that role. RHPs Luis Ayala and Frank Francisco have had some saves during their career, but seem barely capable of keeping a major league job now.
LHPs Mike Gonzalez and Oliver Perez also are available for bullpen supporting roles.
Other free agents who have had some success in years past are 3B Placido Polanco and OF Juan Pierre, who doesn't seem likely even to steal enough bases to have some fantasy value.
Look ahead to Thursday. That's the day when the first pitchers and catchers will report -- for the Diamondbacks, who will open the regular season (with the Dodgers) a week earlier than everyone else in Australia. Arizona also seems serious about being a player, both in free agency and on the field.
* * *
Hockey. On Monday, eight skaters were active on my team, and they provided no goals, one power-play point and two penalty minutes.
As usual, I misplayed my goalies. I used Frederik Andersen, who gave up four goals in Anaheim's loss. I really had been counting on Ben Scrivens to win for Edmonton against the Sabres, the league's worst team. But he wasn't in goal. The newly reacquired Steve Mason did play for Philadelphia, allowing two goals in a win.
Tuesday was better. Clarke MacArthur helped me pick up a point with 14 penalty minutes that moved me into second in that category. That point lifted my team's total to 67, 7 1/2 points out of second place. I'm also within 20 of first place for the first time in ... a month? two months? My plus/minus is sliding into at least the outer circles of hell. I'm down to plus-45, just 4 ahead of the team behind me and 41 away from the next higher team. My best chances for an additional point are save percentage (trailing by .025) and assists (10 back of the next higher team).
For Wednesday, I decided to go with Joe Pavelski, playing at home against Dallas, than with Corey Perry, who's going against the Blackhawks.
* * *
Basketball. Through Monday, my lead was just 5-1-2 -- with ties in assists and 3-point field goals, and trailing again in field goal percentage. After Tuesday, it appears that I'm up to 6-2, with a lead in assists on the strength of Ricky Rubio's 13. Gerald Green sabotaged me with his 2 for 13 shooting. Jodie Meeks played only a minute before he decided he couldn't play on his sore ankle -- just long enough to miss both of his shots.
Meeks is now off my roster, along with Joe Johnson. In their place, I picked up Jose Calderon to help on 3-pointers and Boris Diaw for his shooting percentage. It doesn't hurt that he's one of my favorite players. What's not to like about a black man named Boris from France? (Especially one who can play.)
I really need to fix my field goal percentage before the playoffs to avoid a premature exit. If I don't I'll have to depend on building up big leads in the counting stats, and late in the week still trying to use only my best shooters.
It's possible that I would make more playoff moves, or that I could stand pat with players I hope will do better.
Tuesday's activities dwarfed that one. The Braves avoided arbitration with the two players they hope will be the kingpins of their offense for the near future. 1B Freddie Freeman signed for a franchise-record $135 milion over eight years, and OF Jason Heyward agreed to two years and $13.3 million.
To put Freeman's contract in perspective, the most Chipper Jones ever got was $90 million for six years. Yes, there has been some inflation since then, but Freeman's amount still blows Jones out of the water. Can Freddie earn it? Yes, unless complacency sets in. In Heyward's case, Atlanta must be hoping that his seeing a few million now could be the incentive he needs to show that he's ready to earn and receive much more in his next contract. He hasn't yet shown that he's worthy.
A more sobering note: Padres LHP Cory Luebke will undergo Tommy John surgery for the second consecutive year, and as a result will not be pitching for the second season in a row.
Free agency continues to be a topic, but a slow-moving topic with no signings for a while.
The players being spurned because they would cost the signing team a draft pick are RHPs Ubaldo Jimenez and Ervin Santana, OF Nelson Cruz, DH Kendrys Morales and SS Stephen Drew.
With RHP Jeremy Hellickson out for at least six weeks this season, the Rays could sign RHP Bronson Arroyo, the next-best available starter to take Hellickson's spot in the rotation for at least a while.
Other starting pitchers still available include LHPs Chris Capuano, Barry Zito and Paul Maholm, and RHPs Tommy Hanson and Jake Westbrook. Out of that group, I'd be most interested in Maholm and Hanson (if he isn't hurt).
Former closers available are RHPs Joel Hanrahan, Andrew Bailey, Rafael Betancourt, Kevin Gregg, Brett Myers, Francisco Rodriguez and Fernando Rodney. There are reasons why most of them USED TO BE closers. Rodriguez is second among active pitchers with 302 career saves, but at this point he's far more likely to get 2 more saves than to get 300. Rodney is the best of the lot; he still seems to have that chip on his shoulder/swagger combination that works so well in that role. RHPs Luis Ayala and Frank Francisco have had some saves during their career, but seem barely capable of keeping a major league job now.
LHPs Mike Gonzalez and Oliver Perez also are available for bullpen supporting roles.
Other free agents who have had some success in years past are 3B Placido Polanco and OF Juan Pierre, who doesn't seem likely even to steal enough bases to have some fantasy value.
Look ahead to Thursday. That's the day when the first pitchers and catchers will report -- for the Diamondbacks, who will open the regular season (with the Dodgers) a week earlier than everyone else in Australia. Arizona also seems serious about being a player, both in free agency and on the field.
* * *
Hockey. On Monday, eight skaters were active on my team, and they provided no goals, one power-play point and two penalty minutes.
As usual, I misplayed my goalies. I used Frederik Andersen, who gave up four goals in Anaheim's loss. I really had been counting on Ben Scrivens to win for Edmonton against the Sabres, the league's worst team. But he wasn't in goal. The newly reacquired Steve Mason did play for Philadelphia, allowing two goals in a win.
Tuesday was better. Clarke MacArthur helped me pick up a point with 14 penalty minutes that moved me into second in that category. That point lifted my team's total to 67, 7 1/2 points out of second place. I'm also within 20 of first place for the first time in ... a month? two months? My plus/minus is sliding into at least the outer circles of hell. I'm down to plus-45, just 4 ahead of the team behind me and 41 away from the next higher team. My best chances for an additional point are save percentage (trailing by .025) and assists (10 back of the next higher team).
For Wednesday, I decided to go with Joe Pavelski, playing at home against Dallas, than with Corey Perry, who's going against the Blackhawks.
* * *
Basketball. Through Monday, my lead was just 5-1-2 -- with ties in assists and 3-point field goals, and trailing again in field goal percentage. After Tuesday, it appears that I'm up to 6-2, with a lead in assists on the strength of Ricky Rubio's 13. Gerald Green sabotaged me with his 2 for 13 shooting. Jodie Meeks played only a minute before he decided he couldn't play on his sore ankle -- just long enough to miss both of his shots.
Meeks is now off my roster, along with Joe Johnson. In their place, I picked up Jose Calderon to help on 3-pointers and Boris Diaw for his shooting percentage. It doesn't hurt that he's one of my favorite players. What's not to like about a black man named Boris from France? (Especially one who can play.)
I really need to fix my field goal percentage before the playoffs to avoid a premature exit. If I don't I'll have to depend on building up big leads in the counting stats, and late in the week still trying to use only my best shooters.
It's possible that I would make more playoff moves, or that I could stand pat with players I hope will do better.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Rays' Hellickson to miss 6-8 weeks this season
One starting pitcher has had the start of his season moved back. Another appears to have a chance to return to a somewhat improved major league rotation in 2014.
Rays RHP Jeremy Hellickson underwent elbow surgery -- not Tommy John surgery, but an arthroscopic procedure to remove loose bodies. Hellickson is expected to miss the first 6-8 weeks of the season, meaning he wouldn't return until well into May.
RHP Jerome Williams was no more than an innings-eater for the Angels last season, but even that level of effectiveness would be an improvement in the Astros rotation. He said he has agreed to a 1-year major league contract, pending a physical exam Wednesday. Houston has not confirmed the assignment. There is no guarantee that Williams would become a starter with the new team; he could have a long-relief role. But there isn't much experienced talent vying for rotation spots.
The Mets signed RHP Kyle Farnsworth, who is beginning to approach the career life span of a left-handed reliever, to a minor league contract. And, no, the Mets themselves are not included among the teams in the minors.
The Rangers have signed RHP Armando Galarraga, who began his major league career with Texas, to a minor league contract. But even with a spring-training invitation to 2B prospect Rougned Odor, bringing the list of invitees to 18, Galarraga won't be among them. Texas also is trying an experiment that has worked with some strong-armed minor leaguers, most notably RHP Alexi Ogando. The Rangers signed former Red Sox OF Che-Hsuan Lin to a minor league contact, with the intetnion of converting him to a pitcher.
* * *
Basketball. I won Week 14 6-2, extending my lead slightly to 9 1/2 games with five weeks to play. I couldn't catch up in rebounds and remained behind in field goal percentage, primarily because Orlando's Victor Oladipo was just 3 for 16 (19%). I did not add a rebounder because the Magic and Celtics were the only teams playing Sunday. My opponent happened to have two front-court players in action, which enabled him to add slightly to his lead in rebounds.
Nine players on my team are active tonight, compared to seven for this week's opponent.
* * *
Hockey. I remained at 66 points, but moved within eight points of second place. The team ahead of me lost a point.
I have made some adjustments in my lineup for each day this week to try to remain on pace to avoid running out of games played before I reach the league limits. Wasn't easy. With just four skating bench spots, and teams squeezing in a lot of games before the Olympics break begins Sunday, I've had to have a couple of games extra for both forwards and defensemen.
There will be some help late in the week because D Zdeno Chara will miss the Bruins' games Thurday and Saturday so he can carry the Slovakian flag at the Olympic opening ceremonies. Keep that in mind if you have him on your roster, and check other Olympians who could miss a game or two.
* * *
Football. My pick of Denver in the "bet a thousand" pool proved to be disastrous. Along with the 13 other people who took the Broncos minus-2, I ended up with $0. Each of us bet everything s/he had. Most of the 20 who went with Seattle also bet everything, but the Seahawks won. No matter how much hypothetical money I wagered, I couldn't have finished in the money with The Broncos failing to cover the spread.
With Seattle as my big game 48 pick in the Pittsburgh pick-'em pool, I placed first. Not sure how much I won, or how much will go to pay for donuts at the company where the pool was hosted.
Bring on the baseball season.
I intend to do just that, with increased attention to fantasy stats and other features leading up to draft day/opening day.
By the way, do the games being played early in Australia make it so you hold your draft earlier. Just wondering. If you're reading this, please let me know about your draft plans. The Inner League Baseball drafts will be a week earlier than usual, on March 16, Sandy Duncan's birthday.
Rays RHP Jeremy Hellickson underwent elbow surgery -- not Tommy John surgery, but an arthroscopic procedure to remove loose bodies. Hellickson is expected to miss the first 6-8 weeks of the season, meaning he wouldn't return until well into May.
RHP Jerome Williams was no more than an innings-eater for the Angels last season, but even that level of effectiveness would be an improvement in the Astros rotation. He said he has agreed to a 1-year major league contract, pending a physical exam Wednesday. Houston has not confirmed the assignment. There is no guarantee that Williams would become a starter with the new team; he could have a long-relief role. But there isn't much experienced talent vying for rotation spots.
The Mets signed RHP Kyle Farnsworth, who is beginning to approach the career life span of a left-handed reliever, to a minor league contract. And, no, the Mets themselves are not included among the teams in the minors.
The Rangers have signed RHP Armando Galarraga, who began his major league career with Texas, to a minor league contract. But even with a spring-training invitation to 2B prospect Rougned Odor, bringing the list of invitees to 18, Galarraga won't be among them. Texas also is trying an experiment that has worked with some strong-armed minor leaguers, most notably RHP Alexi Ogando. The Rangers signed former Red Sox OF Che-Hsuan Lin to a minor league contact, with the intetnion of converting him to a pitcher.
* * *
Basketball. I won Week 14 6-2, extending my lead slightly to 9 1/2 games with five weeks to play. I couldn't catch up in rebounds and remained behind in field goal percentage, primarily because Orlando's Victor Oladipo was just 3 for 16 (19%). I did not add a rebounder because the Magic and Celtics were the only teams playing Sunday. My opponent happened to have two front-court players in action, which enabled him to add slightly to his lead in rebounds.
Nine players on my team are active tonight, compared to seven for this week's opponent.
* * *
Hockey. I remained at 66 points, but moved within eight points of second place. The team ahead of me lost a point.
I have made some adjustments in my lineup for each day this week to try to remain on pace to avoid running out of games played before I reach the league limits. Wasn't easy. With just four skating bench spots, and teams squeezing in a lot of games before the Olympics break begins Sunday, I've had to have a couple of games extra for both forwards and defensemen.
There will be some help late in the week because D Zdeno Chara will miss the Bruins' games Thurday and Saturday so he can carry the Slovakian flag at the Olympic opening ceremonies. Keep that in mind if you have him on your roster, and check other Olympians who could miss a game or two.
* * *
Football. My pick of Denver in the "bet a thousand" pool proved to be disastrous. Along with the 13 other people who took the Broncos minus-2, I ended up with $0. Each of us bet everything s/he had. Most of the 20 who went with Seattle also bet everything, but the Seahawks won. No matter how much hypothetical money I wagered, I couldn't have finished in the money with The Broncos failing to cover the spread.
With Seattle as my big game 48 pick in the Pittsburgh pick-'em pool, I placed first. Not sure how much I won, or how much will go to pay for donuts at the company where the pool was hosted.
Bring on the baseball season.
I intend to do just that, with increased attention to fantasy stats and other features leading up to draft day/opening day.
By the way, do the games being played early in Australia make it so you hold your draft earlier. Just wondering. If you're reading this, please let me know about your draft plans. The Inner League Baseball drafts will be a week earlier than usual, on March 16, Sandy Duncan's birthday.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Caribbean Series could be last chance to make a new impression
At this stage of the hot stove season, when the groundhog could have told us (but didn't) that winter's over, there are five possible areas of activity:
1) Signing free agents
2) Signing minor league free agents
3) Signing a veteran who was impressive in winter ball
4) Going to arbitration
5) Avoiding arbitration
6) Designating players for assignment
Forget about 1. It appears that the remaining "name" free agents who would cost the signing team a draft pick will be remaining on the sidelines until after the draft or until a team has an emergency opening caused by an injury.
2 has been slow this weekend.
I'll come back to 3 later.
The 4 hearings are scheduled between now and Feb. 21, but haven't started yet.
Teams are more active in 5. The Nationals avoided arbitration with RHP Doug Fister by signing him to a 1-year contract. The salary wasn't announced, but splitting the difference between the salaries proposed by each side would put it at $7 million. Is Fister worth twice as much as Dodgers catcher? Probably more. But LA and A.J. Ellis agreed on a 2014 contract for $3.555 million plus incentives.
For 6, the Royals designated 2B/OF Emilio Bonifacio for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster for LHP Bruce Chen. Bonifacio's steals give him more value on a fantasy roster than on a major league team. His best bet is as a utilityman for a contending team, which could use him as a pinch runner and defensive replacement.
Now, on to winter ball.
The Caribbean Series began Saturday at Margarita Island in Venezuela. Puerto Rico's champion, Mayaguez, defeated Licey from the Dominican Republic 7-6 in 10 innings, and Hermosillo from the Mexican Pacific League won over Cuban champion Villa Clara 9-4.
Cuba is in the Caribbean Series for the first time since 1960. Because it's a five-team tournament, the top four from a round robin would advance to the semifinals, with those winners meeting Saturday, Feb. 8, for the championship.
Venezuelan champion Hermosillo is scheduled to play its first game at 7:30 p.m. EDT against Cuba. the series is being televised only on ESPN Deportes.
Bonifacio can use his Caribban Series performance to attract another team. His Dominican teammate, free-agent RHP Carlos Marmol, pitched a perfect ninth inning against Puerto Rico.
For Puerto Rico, SS Rey Navarro doubled and scored the winning run. He played during the last three of his seven minor league seasons for the Royals' Double-A affiliate at Northwest Arkansas.The hero of Mexico's opening victory was Chris Roberson, 4 for 5 with a home run and four RBI. He last played in the majors with the 2007 Phillies, and has spent his last three summers with Monterrey of the Mexican League.
Antoher player for Mexico, Zelous Wheeler, hit a three-run homer in the seventh game of the MPL finals. He has signed a minor league contract with the Yankees.
In Australia, where it's actually summer ball, the regular-season-champion Perth Heat will host the Canberra Cavalry at Barbagallo Ballpark next weekend for the Australian Baseball League championship.
Perth would seem to be a prohibitive favorite. Brandon Tripp led the league with 41 RBI and was second in homers and batting average. He played at Cal State-Fullerton, and last performed in the minors in 2012 in the Phillis organization. Former major league RHP Mike Ekstrom, released from the Angels organization last summer, led the Australian league with an 0.72 ERA and was 5-1. Jack Frawley, who didn't make it past short-season Class A and independent ball in the U.S., led the league with seven wins. If Canberra can stay close, the Cavalry charge could be led by Sean Toler, who tied for the ABL lead with 11 saves. He pitched at Missouri State and last season with the Kansas City T-Bones of the independent American Association.
* * *
Basketball. I'm down to a 6-2 lead, trailing now in field goal percentage as well as rebounds. I had Anderson Varejao in my lineup Saturday, hoping he would play despite his injury, but he didn't play. Reminds me that I need to check the free agents to see if there's a rebounder who can shoot a little bit playing today.
* * *
Hockey. I gained a point in power-play points, but lost half a point in goalie wins. Both teams that were tied with me two days earlier have new passed me. Tim Thomas let me down, allowing four goals in a loss.
1) Signing free agents
2) Signing minor league free agents
3) Signing a veteran who was impressive in winter ball
4) Going to arbitration
5) Avoiding arbitration
6) Designating players for assignment
Forget about 1. It appears that the remaining "name" free agents who would cost the signing team a draft pick will be remaining on the sidelines until after the draft or until a team has an emergency opening caused by an injury.
2 has been slow this weekend.
I'll come back to 3 later.
The 4 hearings are scheduled between now and Feb. 21, but haven't started yet.
Teams are more active in 5. The Nationals avoided arbitration with RHP Doug Fister by signing him to a 1-year contract. The salary wasn't announced, but splitting the difference between the salaries proposed by each side would put it at $7 million. Is Fister worth twice as much as Dodgers catcher? Probably more. But LA and A.J. Ellis agreed on a 2014 contract for $3.555 million plus incentives.
For 6, the Royals designated 2B/OF Emilio Bonifacio for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster for LHP Bruce Chen. Bonifacio's steals give him more value on a fantasy roster than on a major league team. His best bet is as a utilityman for a contending team, which could use him as a pinch runner and defensive replacement.
Now, on to winter ball.
The Caribbean Series began Saturday at Margarita Island in Venezuela. Puerto Rico's champion, Mayaguez, defeated Licey from the Dominican Republic 7-6 in 10 innings, and Hermosillo from the Mexican Pacific League won over Cuban champion Villa Clara 9-4.
Cuba is in the Caribbean Series for the first time since 1960. Because it's a five-team tournament, the top four from a round robin would advance to the semifinals, with those winners meeting Saturday, Feb. 8, for the championship.
Venezuelan champion Hermosillo is scheduled to play its first game at 7:30 p.m. EDT against Cuba. the series is being televised only on ESPN Deportes.
Bonifacio can use his Caribban Series performance to attract another team. His Dominican teammate, free-agent RHP Carlos Marmol, pitched a perfect ninth inning against Puerto Rico.
For Puerto Rico, SS Rey Navarro doubled and scored the winning run. He played during the last three of his seven minor league seasons for the Royals' Double-A affiliate at Northwest Arkansas.The hero of Mexico's opening victory was Chris Roberson, 4 for 5 with a home run and four RBI. He last played in the majors with the 2007 Phillies, and has spent his last three summers with Monterrey of the Mexican League.
Antoher player for Mexico, Zelous Wheeler, hit a three-run homer in the seventh game of the MPL finals. He has signed a minor league contract with the Yankees.
In Australia, where it's actually summer ball, the regular-season-champion Perth Heat will host the Canberra Cavalry at Barbagallo Ballpark next weekend for the Australian Baseball League championship.
Perth would seem to be a prohibitive favorite. Brandon Tripp led the league with 41 RBI and was second in homers and batting average. He played at Cal State-Fullerton, and last performed in the minors in 2012 in the Phillis organization. Former major league RHP Mike Ekstrom, released from the Angels organization last summer, led the Australian league with an 0.72 ERA and was 5-1. Jack Frawley, who didn't make it past short-season Class A and independent ball in the U.S., led the league with seven wins. If Canberra can stay close, the Cavalry charge could be led by Sean Toler, who tied for the ABL lead with 11 saves. He pitched at Missouri State and last season with the Kansas City T-Bones of the independent American Association.
* * *
Basketball. I'm down to a 6-2 lead, trailing now in field goal percentage as well as rebounds. I had Anderson Varejao in my lineup Saturday, hoping he would play despite his injury, but he didn't play. Reminds me that I need to check the free agents to see if there's a rebounder who can shoot a little bit playing today.
* * *
Hockey. I gained a point in power-play points, but lost half a point in goalie wins. Both teams that were tied with me two days earlier have new passed me. Tim Thomas let me down, allowing four goals in a loss.
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