The Official MERB 2010 Baseball Thread.

[Special K]

Might as well get this started now that spring training's in full swing and the regular season is just under 3 weeks away.

Let's try to be respectful in this thread. I'd rather not see references like "Spankees" "ARoid" "Big Poopie" "Roid Sux" "Bwwwwwaahhhh!!!" etc.

 

[Special K]

Ron Washington manager of the Texas Rangers doing rails!

Lol, this guys 58 and still doing the blow.

http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/mlb/news/story?id=5003261

 

[EagerBeaver]

He's highly respected as a manager and his players love him, plus the Rangers played very well last year, so he gets a pass, though I seriously doubt his story that he only used cocaine once. A 58 year old does not suddenly decide to try cocaine at age 58, especially after being in MLB many years as a coach and player and knowing the rules.

 

[Special K]

I found this response hilarious. "When asked if that was the only time he used illegal drugs, Washington said "the drug we're talking about, yes."

He is a great and highly respected manager by his players though. I'm happy to see they didn't seek his resignation.

 

[Jman47]

Hello SK!

Thanks for starting the thread.
Gents and Ladies...let's have fun and keep it clean, intelligent and baseball.

Have fun!

Jman

 

[Merlot]

Thanks SK,

Looks like it's shaping up for Boston this year.

Lackey Looking Sharp

http://bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1240528&position=0

Red Sox righthander John Lackey remains unscored upon this spring, and it’s starting to bother him a little.

“I’ve thrown the ball pretty well,” Lackey said. “I’d like to maybe give up a couple of runs. I don’t want to bring them all north with me.”

Lackey’s latest efficient effort was probably his best of the spring. He limited the Mets to two hits and nothing else in four innings in an outing so short, he needed to throw 10 more pitches in the bullpen afterwards. Had it been the regular season, he would have been on pace for an 87-pitch complete game.

The Mets rallied late for a 4-2 victory.

“I definitely wouldn’t have been able to make it nine today, for sure,” Lackey said. “I feel pretty good. I feel like my delivery’s on time, location’s pretty good. The arm strength isn’t quite there yet, but I’m working on it. ”

Lackey had one slight scare in the third when Alex Cora [stats] lined one off the bottom of his foot. It kicked to third baseman Adrian Beltre, who made one of his signature highlight plays, gunning down Cora on the run.

“It hit like the padding,” Lackey said. “It was nothing. That was a pretty awesome play by AB though. That dude can play.”

For now Lackey is being just what the Sox hoped, with some great fielding support. It goes without saying this is Florida and spring training. But he is doing extremely well considering everyone is generally in the same condition at this time and he is still unscored on.

GO SOX!

Merlot (Proud Lifelong Member of Red Sox Nation)

PS

I was looking for something that said "Red Sox Nation" and she popped up. What's a guy to do...lol. All I can say about our nation after seeing her is...WHAT A COUNTRY!

 

[Jman47]

Ok Merlot...your balls were better than mine and you brought the bat!
Nice, very nice. I could not find a copy of her that would post in the other thread, congrats.

Now lets get serious.

Gents I am a little lax on my FBB research this year and I have a draft coming up soon. Assume I know the obvious choices and have read the sometimes inaccurate rankings as projected by ESPN and the experts. I am looking for the sleepers...who do you guys think is lurking out there that the rest of the world won't notice until the late, late rounds. Any serious input is appreciated.

Chone Figgins, Adrian Beltre and JJ Hardy are all on my suspect list as could have good fantasy seasons after moving. Figgins lacks power, but make up for it in speed. Denard Span is in that same category. Who else is sleeping out there...?

Have fun and thanks in advance.

Jman

 

[lgna69xxx]

Cliff Lee is pitching with a chip on his shoulder after not wanting to leave Philly. could be a bad thing for the American league tho




NEW YORK - Seattle pitcher Cliff Lee was suspended Wednesday for the first five games of the regular season for throwing over the head of a hitter, possibly delaying his highly anticipated debut with the Mariners.

Lee also was fined by Major League Baseball vice-president of discipline Bob Watson.

The former AL Cy Young winner was ejected from Monday's exhibition game against Arizona after throwing inside to Chris Snyder, then zipping a fastball over his helmet.

Lee declined comment Wednesday through a team spokesman.

"I'm sure Cliff's going to appeal it, so we'll see where it takes us," Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik.

If the players' union appeals on Lee's behalf, the penalty would be delayed until after a hearing and a decision.

The Mariners acquired Lee from Philadelphia last December in a four-team, nine-player trade that also sent Toronto ace Roy Halladay to the Phillies. Lee was dealt to the Phillies last July from Cleveland, and became a post-season star.

Seattle was eager to pair Lee with ace Felix Hernandez at the top of the rotation. The Mariners open the season April 5 at Oakland.

"We'd like to get a definitive on this sooner than later so that we can get set," Zduriencik said. "It's certainly in everyone's best interest -- the ballclub, the other pitchers and Cliff, for that matter."

Suspensions that result from incidents in spring training have occurred in the past, although they are rare. In 2008, three players were suspended after the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay brawled.

"Yeah, a little bit surprised," Zduriencik said. "In the end I don't think we have a whole lot of comment about it. ... There is an appeal process and an opportunity for Cliff to state his case. He will do that and we'll see what happens."

The trouble between Lee and Snyder may've started in the first inning when they collided as the pitcher was backing up a play at home plate. In the third inning, Lee was tossed after his two pitches to Snyder.

Snyder walked toward the mound and the dugouts and bullpens emptied, but no punches were thrown. Lee denied he was trying to retaliate.

"I was trying to go inside and a couple got away from me and the guy hitting got mad and came close to the mound and I got thrown out of the game in the process," Lee said then. "That's it in a nutshell."

Snyder missed much of last season with injuries. Arizona teammate called Lee's actions "bush league."

On Wednesday, the Diamondbacks offered little reaction to the suspension.

"It's not my call," Snyder said.

Said Arizona manager A.J. Hinch: "That's major league baseball's decision."

The Mariners and Diamondbacks don't meet in interleague play this season.

 

[Jman47]

Chapman...a sleeper...

The New Market For Cuban Players

By Mike Axisa [March 17 at 7:38pm CST]
When you think about Cuban players that signed with a Major League team this past offseason, the first name that will come to mind is Aroldis Chapman and his six-year, $30.25MM contract. However, as ESPN's Jorge Arangure writes, the contracts signed by Jose Iglesias, Adeiny Hechevarria, and Noel Arguelles may dictate the future of the Cuban market.
Arangure notes that at this time last year, Iglesias and Arguelles were expected to command only $1-2MM on the open market. They, of course, signed for $8.25MM and $6.9MM, respectively. If those players meet expectations, not only will teams start to specifically target Cuban prospects, but players in Cuba will surely take notice and attempt to defect at a younger age.
Even though players like Hechevarria and Iglesias are college-aged, they're perceived to be more advanced than their American counterparts because they've faced tougher competition growing up. However, for every Kendry Morales making an impact in the big leagues, there's a Juan Miranda stuck in Triple-A. The risk associated with young players is the same no matter where they come from, but the Cuban market is getting more and more expensive

 

[EagerBeaver]

Chapman

Chapman worked out for the Red Sox last fall and from what I read on one of the Red Sox blogs, the Red Sox did not like his mechanics and felt like he could be another Dontrelle Willis who had one or two good years and then hurt his arm because of fucked up mechanics. Actually I think Chapman is a much better athlete than Willis. However there are those concerns about him and only time will tell.

Regarding Hecheverria, the Yankees wanted him badly but the reports I have read on other boards and on ESPN are that the Blue Jays are going to sign him because he wants to play right away at SS and does not want to wait for the Yankees to move Jeter to another position. The Yankees apparently offered Hecheverria a ton of money with the idea of signing him, developing him as a second baseman and then possibly trading Cano, but Hecheverria and his agent said no way, he wants to be a shortstop and wants to play right away. Unfortunately the problem with some of these highly touted young prospects is that they want to be guaranteed a job when they have not proven they can even play at the minor league level. Tim Beckham went #1 overall in the draft in 2008 and he cannot hit in the low minors. Supposedly he has had all kind of problems adjusting to good offspeed and breaking pitches at the professional minor league level. It's the same story as it has been for a lot of guys.

I have seen Bryce Harper play (likely overall #1 pick in 2010) and he reminds me, swing wise, of Don Mattingly except he is bigger and stronger than Mattingly. I will be surprised if he is not in the majors for good by age 22, but again, he has not yet faced a good professional curveball. He has only faced high school pitching, and though he is hitting .600 with many 475 foot homers, that is with an aluminum bat against guys who are marginally better than you and me.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

I am looking for the sleepers...who do you guys think is lurking out there that the rest of the world won't notice until the late, late rounds. Any serious input is appreciated.

Depends where you play. There's no such thing as a Sox sleeper in New England or a Yankee sleeper in NY. Therefore, if you're not in NY, I'd stake a small auction buy or a late round draft choice on Alfredo Aceves. He should be the Yankee fifth starter and a reasonably good one at that. My guess is that Hughes winds up back in the pen. It's a bit early to say for sure, as he's still young, but the smart money says that Chamberlain's career washes out.

 

[Jman47]

Depends where you play. There's no such thing as a Sox sleeper in New England or a Yankee sleeper in NY. Therefore, if you're not in NY, I'd stake a small auction buy or a late round draft choice on Alfredo Aceves. He should be the Yankee fifth starter and a reasonably good one at that. My guess is that Hughes winds up back in the pen. It's a bit early to say for sure, as he's still young, but the smart money says that Chamberlain's career washes out.

Hello Rumples.

Participants in the league I am in will be well versed in both the Boston and NY markets.
I typically look for my sleepers and talent outside of those markets.
I also typically, because of principle and superstition, stay away from NYY players (although I would make an exception for Texiera) and only had one daily RS player on my squad last year.
All intelligent suggestions are welcome.

Thanks for the info and keep it coming - I am a perpetual learner.

Have fun!

Jman

 

[master_bates]

Stopped following baseball when the Expos died.

Its just not the same anymore

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Scout wowed by Ortiz
March, 19, 2010
MAR 19

By Gordon Edes
BRADENTON, Fla. -- One major league scout, seeing Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz for the first time this spring, watched him launch some deep drives during batting practice here Friday and said, "That's the best I've seen him swing in two years.''

The scout, who has watched Ortiz from the start of his big league career, said Ortiz was swinging much more freely than he had in the last couple of seasons. "He must have really been protecting that wrist,'' the scout said, alluding to the torn tendon sheath Ortiz had in his left wrist in May, 2008.

He also said that Ortiz looked to be in much better shape than he was last season.

Update: About an hour after the scout made these comments, Ortiz hit a two-run homer against the Pirates. It was his second dinger of the spring.

 

[Jman47]

Scout wowed by Ortiz

The scout, who has watched Ortiz from the start of his big league career, said Ortiz was swinging much more freely than he had in the last couple of seasons.

.

Could be awesome news for the Nation...

 

[EagerBeaver]

Twins Player Denard Span Hits Mother With Foul Ball

http://www.virtualsportsnet.com/2010/04/01/baseball-player-hits-mom-with-foul-ball/

 

[Merlot]

Hello all,

Red Sox emphasize 'run prevention' over power

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Red-Sox-emphasize-run-prevention-over-power-81557830

BOSTON (AP)

The offseason buzz words for the Boston Red Sox were ``run prevention.'' They added a star pitcher and three outstanding defenders to keep opponents from scoring.

Their failure to find a slugger, though, also could prevent runs - their own.

For most of the decade, the Red Sox had David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez clearing fences. Last year, they had Jason Bay's team-leading 36 homers. But free agent Bay left for the New York Mets and Ortiz is a question mark after the worst of his seven seasons in Boston.

``We need to have some guys stepping up and doing some damage,'' Ortiz said. ``When you play in this division, you need some run producers.''

The world champion New York Yankees, who open the season at Boston on Sunday night, should have the best offense in the AL East with Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira. Challenger Tampa Bay, which won the American League pennant in 2008, still has Evan Longoria, Carlos Pena and Carl Crawford.

But the Red Sox should have one of the best rotations in baseball, led by Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and newcomer John Lackey, all winners of World Series-clinching games. Any of them could be the No. 1 starter for several teams.

They also have better defense with the acquisition of former Gold Glove winners Mike Cameron in center field and Adrian Beltre at third base. Another outstanding fielder, Marco Scutaro, takes over at shortstop.

The trio might take the last three spots in the lineup, although Scutaro scored 100 runs as Toronto's leadoff hitter last year and Cameron hit 24 homers - with 156 strikeouts - for Milwaukee.

``A lot of talk has been centered on our offense last year and how to fix our offense,'' Boston general manager Theo Epstein said when Lackey and Cameron signed in December, ``but lost in that mix is that our run prevention needs some improvement as well. We were one of the worst defensive clubs in baseball last year.''

Compared to the rest of the AL, their run prevention was solid.

The Red Sox allowed the third-fewest runs in the league, 736. The Yankees were sixth at 753 and the Rays were seventh at 754. Those teams also were bunched together in ERA - the Yankees' were fourth at 4.26, the Rays sixth at 4.33 and the Red Sox seventh at 4.35.

Offensively, the AL East was by far the best division in the league. The Yankees were first in both categories with 915 runs and 244 homers, the Red Sox third in both with 872 runs and 212 homers and the Rays fifth with 803 runs and 199 homers. Throw in the Blue Jays - sixth in the AL with 798 runs and fourth with 209 homers - and the East is a division that will test pitchers game after game.

``If you're going to be short somewhere, it better not be pitching. That's the one way to derail your season,'' Boston manager Terry Francona said. ``If you get to your bullpen too early, it's a hard way to win.''

Jonathan Papelbon and Daniel Bard lead a solid relief corps but the middle relievers may get less work if the three aces stay healthy. The starting rotation includes 25-year-old Clay Buchholz, who was impressive in many of his 16 starts last year, and Tim Wakefield, at least to start the season. Daisuke Matsuzaka, in much better shape after an injury-plagued season, should be ready by late April after dealing with neck and back problems in spring training.

``Winning always starts with good pitching,'' Cameron said. ``This is probably the biggest change in eight or nine years for this team, not having that quote-unquote 'true bopper.' But much is depending on the individuals. If guys just try to be who they are, then we're going to be fine.''

Much depends on Ortiz being who he was.

He had 148 RBIs in 2005, then 54 homers in 2006 and a .332 batting average in 2007. But in his first 49 games last year, he had one homer, 21 RBIs and a .188 average. Then, from June 6 to the end of the regular season, Ortiz led the AL with 27 homers, tied for the league lead with 78 RBIs and hit .266.

Still, he finished at .238. And his 28 homers and 99 RBIs were the second-fewest in his time with Boston.

``I'm not a beginning guy,'' Ortiz said. ``I'm an end of the season guy pretty much my whole career.''

The Red Sox may lack a 40-homer basher, but they have plenty of offense in the first four spots with Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Victor Martinez and Kevin Youkilis. Ortiz figures to bat fifth with Beltre or J.D. Drew hitting sixth and the other seventh.

``You have guys here ... who've been really highly successful, batting with runners in scoring position, or batting with people on base,'' Cameron said. ``So, I think that's what really makes a team work - maybe not have as much power as there has been in the past but I think some other things are supplied to it that can make the offense much more presentable.''

Martinez is a big offensive improvement over current backup Jason Varitek, the catcher he replaced after being acquired from Cleveland at last season's July 31 trade deadline. Martinez hit .336 in 51 games with Boston and had 23 homers with 108 RBIs in 155 games overall.

``I just don't want people to start putting a lot of pressure on him,'' Ortiz said. ``I would take anytime what he gave us last year.''

The Red Sox, who won the World Series in 2004 and '07, would love to reverse their postseason trend of the past two years - a seven-game loss to Tampa Bay in the 2008 AL championship series and a sweep by Los Angeles in the AL division series in 2009 with Lackey pitching 7 1-3 scoreless innings for the Angels in the opener.

``Our chances are just as great as anyone in the East. There's so many more intangibles that come into play when you have a lot of talented ballclubs in the same divisions,'' Cameron said. ``It's no cake walk. There's nothing easy about it.''

The critical factor for the Red Sox will be keeping the game within reach when there is no real regularly reliable element of intimidating power. Certainly, there are Sox players who will show power and score aplenty. But once the opposition breaks through the pitching for a large lead, thereby in effect nullifying the fielding defense, can the Red Sox find the power to come back often enough when needed? Will the touted defensive strategy keep the opposition in control enough to make up for the question of timely power?

Cheers,

Merlot

 

[lgna69xxx]

Good Luck in 2010 to the ......

WORLD CHAMPIONS

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Pecota is the player performance analysis system developed by Nate Silver, one of the head guys at Baseball Prospectus. Two years ago, when the entire planet picked the Tampa Bay Rays to win 70 games, Pecota projected 90+.

AL EAST

PECOTA pegs the New York Yankees to go 90-72. While that record would be good enough to win any of the other five divisions in the major leagues, it will get the Yankees only a third-place finish in the AL East behind the Boston Red Sox (95-67) and wild-card-winning Tampa Bay Rays (91-71). Thus, the Yankees will go home in October, a year after winning it all.

AL East
The Yankees miss the playoffs.

Team W L Pct.
Boston Red Sox 95 67 0.586
Tampa Bay Rays 91 71 0.562
New York Yankees 90 72 0.556
Baltimore Orioles 78 84 0.481
Toronto Blue Jays 72 90 0.444


PECOTA loves Boston's depth, particularly on offense. In fact, it projects everyone in the lineup to reach double-digits in home runs, starting with first baseman Kevin Youkilis (25) and continuing with designated hitter David Ortiz (24), center fielder Mike Cameron (22), catcher Victor Martinez (20), right fielder J.D. Drew (20), second baseman Dustin Pedroia (18), third baseman Adrian Beltre (18), left fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (11) and shortstop Marco Scutaro (10). Throw in 56 stolen bases by Ellsbury and a .314 batting average from Pedroia, and it's easy to see why the Red Sox are expected to score 847, second in the majors and eight less than the Yankees.

The Rays are projected to eke out one more win than the Yankees for the wild card. The middle of the order is pegged for 93 homers with third baseman Evan Longoria hitting 34, first baseman Carlos Pena belting 33 and second baseman Ben Zobrist reprising his "Zorilla" role with 26. Add in 46 stolen bases by left fielder Carl Crawford, 37 steals by center fielder B.J. Upton and 14 wins by James Shields, and the Rays should win a lot of games.

The Yankees' only problem will be having the misfortune of playing in the AL East. The lineup will again be power packed withAlex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson all expected to hit at least 27 homers. Javier Vazquez and CC Sabathia are expected to pace the team with 14 wins apiece, and Mariano Rivera can be marked down for another 40 saves.

The Baltimore Orioles (78-84) and Toronto Blue Jays (72-90) will reprise their roles as AL East also-rans, although designated hitter Adam Lind is pegged as a 30-home run man for Toronto.

 

[Jman47]

Nice piece rumples. It will be interesting to see. I just read the SI analysis in which they once again went out on a limb and picked the Yankees to win the division. They further pick the Rays to finish second and the Red Sox third in the AL East. But what I particularly like about the analysis you point out is the depth of the Boston team. Surface analysis are great - IF - and its always a big IF, your starters stay healthy. I can site plenty of examples, but no need. It will come down to who stays healthy and plays better ball.

Let's play ball!!!

GO SOX!!!
​