Hot Stove 2k5/2k6

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

For those of us with hometown teams in the gutter.

― milozauckerman (miloaukerman), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 01:31 (twenty years ago)

The Rangers fired John Hart (er, Hart 'resigned,' honest) today, replacing him with some 28-year old unknown. This one offseason after they let go of the highly-regarded Beane protege Grady Fuson.

Brilliant work as always, Mr. Hicks - you evil fucker.

― milozauckerman (miloaukerman), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 01:33 (twenty years ago)

the list of free agents available this year is pretty thin, especially with starting pitching. there's gonna be alot of teams going after some highly mediocre players.

― Stuh-du-du-du-du-du-du-denka (jingleberries), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 01:53 (twenty years ago)

How much is Burnett going to make? Mid-point between Pavano money and Pedro money?

― milozauckerman (miloaukerman), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 01:58 (twenty years ago)

Im more interested in how much money Jeff Weaver is going to catch in the FA market. I hope he finds a nice home with a team thats looking to increase their HBP stats next year.

― Stuh-du-du-du-du-du-du-denka (jingleberries), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 02:14 (twenty years ago)

Why would anyone want to be the Pirate or Devil Ray manager? Those jobs seem like resume killers. Maybe they figure they can white out that part of the resume..."oh no, I was never a manager of the Devil Rays, I was working at Red Lobster during that period of time."

I hate to diss on Pittsburgh, but that club is run by a bunch of no fun bums.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 02:19 (twenty years ago)

Oh yeah...big props to the Brewers finishing 81-81 this year! It may not sound like much, but this is their first .500 season since 1992, which was Phil Garner's first year as a manager and Paul Molitor's last season as a player in Milwaukee. I'd like to think their management won't screw it up and they could turn into a contender.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 02:27 (twenty years ago)

Pirate or Devil Ray manager has some upside. You don't have to actually be competitive, just be better. A little. Make it to .500 and you're a hero. Then parlay that into a job with a real team.

― milozauckerman (miloaukerman), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 02:30 (twenty years ago)

That could happen, but what usually happens is that the manager sticks for one season too long and then he finds himself eating Denny's three meals a day back in AA.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 02:35 (twenty years ago)

Is Hideki Matsui an unrestricted FA after this season?

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 02:35 (twenty years ago)

Yes. Gammons (or someone on ESPN Insider) predicted that it was back to the Yankees or he'd go home to Japan.

― milozauckerman (miloaukerman), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 02:38 (twenty years ago)

I don't know why he wouldn't listen to offers from a team on the West Coast (esp. the Mariners) with strong Japanese ties, if his problem is comfort.

― milozauckerman (miloaukerman), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 02:39 (twenty years ago)

If his problem is money, I'm sure he can pull in JD Drew-sized cash.

How exactly does it work that he can become a free agent after three years, instead of six? Yeah, I know that he signed a contract for x years, but is there a non-Japanese precedent where a player was poached from another pro league and could circumvent the normal rules in this way?

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 02:45 (twenty years ago)

How many first-round draft picks do you think Barry Zito will command?

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 03:01 (twenty years ago)

I guess as a Padre fan, I should probably post in this thread since their season is already over, really. I hear Kevin Towers is probably moving on to Arizona. I'd like to see the Pads give Grady Fuson a shot at the GM spot. I like Towers, but the minors seem pretty depleted despite not actually trading much of anyone. Khalil Greene is the first good hitting prospect we've developed in ages, and he went through the minors really fast (as is often the case with college grads). I'd like to see them re-sign Giles if it's affordable, and sign someone with some actual pop to play 1B and let Klesko move along to some other team.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 04:22 (twenty years ago)

I'd be shocked if the A's trade Zito.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 04:31 (twenty years ago)

How long's he signed for?

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 12:56 (twenty years ago)

2006 will be the final year of his contract. If the free agent market is indeed as weak as mentioned and he could command a few dazzling rookies/overlooked players, then I 100% believe he will go the way of the Big Three.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 13:00 (twenty years ago)

Even though I like Zito more than Mulder (and about as much as Hudson) I don't think he'll command as much as either one (not the least because many GMs will be wary considering how Mulder and Hudson continued to "underperform" this year, but also because Cy Young aside Zito never seems to get much respect.) If the deal that 'gax! is talking about is there (like the Cardinal deal last year) I'm sure that Beane'll jump on it, but somehow I doubt that people'll be offering it. I think they'll keep him like they did Tejada and Giambi and let him walk at the end of next year for draft picks or try to sign him to a 3 or 4 year deal over this off-season (which isn't as unlikely as it sounds.)

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 14:09 (twenty years ago)

For fun fun: according to BP, the pitchers most comparable to BZ (prior to this year) are:

Steve Carlton - 1972
Jim Palmer - 1972
Frank Viola - 1987
Vida Blue - 1976
Wilson Alvarez - 1997 (wheeeeee!)

Alex's scenarios make sense: trade him if a killer deal comes along, keep him otherwise. IF Harden gets 25 stars, AND Crosby plays 130-140 games, AND Swisher finds a happy medium between sucking and streaking, AND they can stop Kendall from sucking, the A's are gonna be hawt.

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 14:18 (twenty years ago)

Just remember that all the tell-tale signs of Mulder's 2005 inconsistency were there in the tail-end of 2004.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 15:06 (twenty years ago)

Mets' best catching option:

Jacobs/Castro or Castro/Piazza?

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 15:14 (twenty years ago)

Door #1! It's cheaper! What're Jacobs' supposed problem behind the plate - rag arm? stiff as board? walking sieve? Anyway, even at a discount, Pizzaface probably isn't work the money - better to keep the C in-house and try fixing the right side of the infield (and Willie Randolph).

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 15:17 (twenty years ago)

Yes, as someone on BP said they can get a stud 1B with Jacobs catching (pls God not Sean Casey).

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 15:20 (twenty years ago)

What big market team is crazy enough to take Piazza on as a DH? Yankees? Angels?

― Stuh-du-du-du-du-du-du-denka (jingleberries), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 16:11 (twenty years ago)

Sean Casey is the albatross around the Reds neck and they went ahead and signed him to an extension. Criminy they have Dunn and Griffey who both could benefit from being moved at least part of the time to 1b, as they have so many outfielders, but they still resigned Casey. Nuts...

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 16:45 (twenty years ago)

What big market team is crazy enough to take Piazza on as a DH? Yankees? Angels?

THE A'S! They should totally take an inexpensive flier on Pizzaface! Slap Hatty's ass on the bench where it & its low SLG ass belong! Maybe even get a nice "3rd catcher" in the bargain, too!

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 16:58 (twenty years ago)

BTW: anyone w/ a handy-dandy link to a list of free-agents to be?

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 17:02 (twenty years ago)

ken macha is now on the managers' market, btw ...

― maura (maura), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 19:10 (twenty years ago)

Piazza is really good in the booth. I can't wait for him to retire and hopefully replace Joe Morgan some day.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 5 October 2005 19:12 (twenty years ago)

Another player with a solid back ground facing an uncertain future is Jim Thome. With Ryan Howard emergence this year the Phils will undoubtably try to unload Thome to someone in this off season. The two questions for Philly is how much of that big contract will they have to eat to push Thome off and is Thome too old and beatup to be worth much after this past season's debacle. If Thome can return to form, he would be the kind of addition the Angels need in their lineup.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Thursday, 6 October 2005 13:05 (twenty years ago)

I saw someone speculate the Phils may have to pay 2/3 of Thome's $ to move him. If the Mets go for 1b rather than catcher, they could be a taker if Philly is willing to send him within the division.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Thursday, 6 October 2005 13:09 (twenty years ago)

Does Thome have any sort of no-trade clause? Considering how damn teary-eyed he got leaving Cleveland, I'd be surprised if he accepted a trade to just any old team.

And have the Delgado out of Florida rumors died down?

― Garrett Martin (Garrett Martin), Thursday, 6 October 2005 13:15 (twenty years ago)

"The Sox are bound to undergo a major makeover before they next meet in Fort Myers, Fla.; well-known characters such as Johnny Damon, Kevin Millar, Bill Mueller, Mike Timlin, and maybe even Manny Ramirez are likely to be gone. Manager Terry Francona and Epstein are among others no longer under contract, and several in the Sox locker room viewed this defeat as the last roundup for the raggedy men who made hardball history in the Hub."

From Dan Shaunnessey's column...

So is Boston going to completely blow up this team and start from scratch?

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Saturday, 8 October 2005 22:28 (twenty years ago)

They may overpay Damon just cuz there are no better CF options.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Sunday, 9 October 2005 16:36 (twenty years ago)

Mueller and Millar are gone though, I wager. Timlin depends on the money. I don't see Ramirez going anywhere though.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Sunday, 9 October 2005 17:09 (twenty years ago)

NY? I got a feeling there will be less changes than advertised as the payroll budget is probably about at its limits. What high priced losers come off the payroll now that the year is over: Kevin Brown, Bernie, Matsui and who else? How much do they pony up to keep Chacon around? I was noticing he is a six year player and is most likely a free agent.

Does Torre get "promoted"? I figure if Donny Baseball is going to be the manager, Torre will not be fired and he will not resign, instead Joe will be promoted to President of Yankee Greatness next Gene Michael's VP of Concerned Looks. Brian Cashman needs to quit if the Boss doesn't fire him, every year at playoff time he looks a bit more sickly and pale.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 03:41 (twenty years ago)

by the end of next season Cashman will be pushed around in a wheelchair, grey moustache in full bloom, wearing a heavy cardigan and a winter hat, blanket covering his legs.

― gear (gear), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 04:47 (twenty years ago)

Mueller and Millar are gone though, I wager.

My Sox friend says Mueller wants to go to a west coast team, and one team that could really use a third baseman after Randa returns to Kansas City is my San Diego Padres. I'm not sure if it's a good fit or what kind of prospect I'd give them, but he's a hell of a lot better than Sean Burroughs.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 05:51 (twenty years ago)

Pirates hire Jim Tracy! That'll turn em around!

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 15:29 (twenty years ago)

Jim Tracy is dumb as rocks.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 15:43 (twenty years ago)

but he's white! and white = good.

― Jimmy Mod wants you to tighten the strings on your corset (The Famous Jimmy Mod), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 15:50 (twenty years ago)

< / ironic racisim >

― Jimmy Mod wants you to tighten the strings on your corset (The Famous Jimmy Mod), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 15:50 (twenty years ago)

Tracy also hates Koreans, so he's got that going for him.

― Stuh-du-du-du-du-du-du-denka (jingleberries), Tuesday, 11 October 2005 16:38 (twenty years ago)

Oh, this is rich:

Despite [Blue Jays GM] Ricciardi's pessimism on meaningful trades, one deal that he will try to complete, sooner rather than later, is the reassignment of third baseman Corey Koskie to Minnesota for first baseman Justin Morneau.
The Koskie three-year contract for $17 million (all figures U.S.) seemed necessary last winter, but with the emergence of Aaron Hill and with the Jays insisting they want to keep Orlando Hudson, the Anola, Man., native is an impediment to the Jays' progression. Ricciardi was asked about Koskie's future.
"I don't know," he replied. "If Hill's on our club he's going to have to play every day. I don't think it would do him any good to be a reserve. It will play itself out.
...
The Twins were upset when they lost Koskie to the Jays. Many in Minnesota blamed the Twins missing the playoffs on the absence of Koskie in the clubhouse. [ED NOTE: Yeah, it was Koskie's moxie that caused the Twinkies to miss the playoffs, not their woefully inept offense.] The Jays might be willing to pay the difference in what the Twins had offered last winter and then throw in a mid-level prospect to get Morneau for first base.
The Twins left a two-year, $8.25 million deal on the table. Koskie will earn $11 million over the next two seasons. The Jays would have to make up $2.75 million, which is the difference.

No doubt JP had this long-game in mind when he signed Koskie in the first place. Cough cough. Cough.

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 16:02 (twenty years ago)

Koskie for Morneau is, uh, lopsided.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 16:32 (twenty years ago)

The Jays are willing to pay the diff, tho, AND offer a prospect, too!

PULL THE TRIGGER TERRY RYAN!

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 16:35 (twenty years ago)

yeah, i mean, what are the jays gonna do with that heart depletion??

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 16:35 (twenty years ago)

Sign Paul LoDuca, obv.

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 16:39 (twenty years ago)

Confusing ... keep in mind that Richard Griffin was a prominent villian in the postscript of "Moneyball" (paperback edition). He's old school and he doesn't like JP (you can practically picture Griffin smirking as he writes the article).

Hinske had a good year excepting one AWFUL stretch in May-June, and his strong 2nd half should give him some trade value. I think that's how Jays management sees it too. Trading him + resigning Hillenbrand and/or trading for Morneau would be OK.

Justin Speier was the setup guy last year and was easily their best reliever (0.95 WHIP). He and Batista should switch jobs.

― MindInRewind (Barry Bruner), Wednesday, 19 October 2005 16:42 (twenty years ago)

Skipping 665 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

via BP:

"They made their decision and I'm not going to be bitter. I just think I deserved better, some closure, in Chicago. ... If they'd just said they were going in a different direction, it would be fine, but no one gave me any heads up about what was going on."
--new A's DH Frank Thomas, on his exit from Chicago (San Francisco Chronicle)

"I was shocked when they brought in Jim Thome--he was more injured than I was and they gave him all that money. I don't understand where they were going with that."
--Thomas

"This guy probably represents nirvana for us from an offensive standpoint."
--A's GM Billy Beane, on Thomas

"That's very light for me."
--Thomas, on how he's down to 270 pounds

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Monday, 30 January 2006 20:24 (nineteen years ago)

Anna Benson makes bid to become poker impresario

By RICK FREEMAN, AP Sports Writer
January 30, 2006

Anna Benson could find herself getting plenty of face time on ESPN in the coming year. Not during baseball games, but more likely during one of the network's ubiquitous poker broadcasts.

The wife of Orioles pitcher Kris Benson has been polishing her game by playing nearly every day, whether online, on her cell phone or even live and in person. She also recently signed a deal to endorse and promote a fledgling poker Web site.

"I'm still a young little poker player. I've got a long ways to go," Benson said. "It is a thrill to me. They call it a sport now, so it's kind of cool for me to come in and be my own type of an athlete.

"I'm hoping to really amass an empire with this poker. I love to give money away to charities, to change people's lives."

Benson represents a unique kind of endorser -- she appeals to two unique groups of consumers -- those who read magazines like Maxim and FHM, and those who follow professional sports.

Benson signed a multiyear deal with Golden Spirit Poker, a company that renamed itself from Golden Spirit Mining and refocused on online gaming. She will link to the Golden Spirit site from her personal Web site, as well as have a site named for her which redirects to Golden Spirit's main site.

She plans to play her first official hand on the site Thursday night. The site lists other casino games as "coming soon" but sports gambling will not be available.

Rich Levin, spokesman for the commissioner's office, declined to comment on Benson's affiliation with Golden Spirit.

Kris Benson was recently traded to Baltimore by the New York Mets. Anna Benson had made comments critical of her husband's teammate, Carlos Delgado, and upset some in the Mets organization by wearing a racy Santa costume to the team's holiday party.

Several months before the World Series of Poker in July, Benson became interested in the game. She entered the series, was eliminated after a few days, but plans to return to Las Vegas this summer a better player.

"I'm going to get schooled on how to play by some of these big-time pros," Benson said. "I want to play well. I'm not trying to do this as a joke, I'm dead serious about playing. I'm not like some bimbo sitting down at a table."

― Steve Shasta (Steve Shasta), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 00:46 (nineteen years ago)

she appeals to two unique groups of consumers -- those who read magazines like Maxim and FHM, and those who follow professional sports.

I was going to make a strip poker joke but this line has my head spinning like a top.

― Thermo Thinwall (Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 01:10 (nineteen years ago)

I hope she tries to hustle someone and gets her thumbs broken.

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 03:05 (nineteen years ago)

since when does participating in a "sport" (and i won't bother to debate whether or not playing cards is a sport) make someone an athlete? how is that even remotely athletic?

― otto midnight (otto midnight), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 14:42 (nineteen years ago)

Sitting for long periods of time is an unappreciated skill.

― David R. (popshots75`), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 14:54 (nineteen years ago)

skill, yes, athletic endeavor? i don't think so. poker is less of a sport to me than playing pool and i wouldn't exactly call pool players athletes either. competitors, sure, athletes, no.

― otto midnight (otto midnight), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 15:04 (nineteen years ago)

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060130/capt.ny15201302315.ana_benson_poker_ny152.jpg
Are you doubting my prowess?

― Ana Benson (Steve Shasta), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 17:43 (nineteen years ago)

god love that lady.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 17:59 (nineteen years ago)

oh you guys probably think nascar isn't a sport, too. sheesh.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 18:02 (nineteen years ago)

she looks like a truck stop whore in that photo.

― otto midnight (otto midnight), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 18:19 (nineteen years ago)

i reiterate

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 18:51 (nineteen years ago)

Is that a declaration or a request, Tracer?

― David R. (popshots75`), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 18:58 (nineteen years ago)

as someone who has heard first-hand accounts of winning lots of money from alex rodriguez at hold em, i can assure you that it is indeed a skill. even more so than running like a homosexual.

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 19:00 (nineteen years ago)

http://www.newsday.com/media/photo/2005-12/20966593.jpg
Chassidy Morales, 9, tells Santa (Kris Benson) what she wants for Christmas as Mrs. Claus (Anna Benson) looks on with Mets manager Willie Randolph and Mr. Met.

― gear (gear), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 19:13 (nineteen years ago)

so that's the alleged "scandalous" dress?

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 19:41 (nineteen years ago)

So what did she say about Carlos Delgado?

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 19:46 (nineteen years ago)

"you wanna put it in my ass it's gonna cost you another fifty"

― j blount (papa la bas), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 20:39 (nineteen years ago)

that's why willie has the smile on his face.

― hstencil (hstencil), Tuesday, 31 January 2006 21:09 (nineteen years ago)

w/ the twins having now signed ruben sierra in addition to the tony "the sultan of swat" batista, i almost feel that, as an o's fan, i can laugh at somebody else's offseason.

almost.

― jonathan quayle higgins (j.q. higgins), Wednesday, 1 February 2006 19:17 (nineteen years ago)

Spend that money, Polhad!

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 1 February 2006 19:40 (nineteen years ago)

Twins attempting to join SF in Senior League revival.

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Wednesday, 1 February 2006 19:55 (nineteen years ago)

benson looks like chyna in that o's jersey pic

― mark p (Mark P), Wednesday, 1 February 2006 21:02 (nineteen years ago)

Joe Sheehan ALMOST makes me think the Crips / Marte trade was a good idea for Boston. ALMOST. He makes valid points - Sox need a CF a LOT more than a 3B, Crisp has some upside heading into his prime & a more hitter-friendly park - but, damn, Andy Marte. If he's not starting @ third for the Tribe this year, I'm going to challenge AB to a game of horse ASAP.

― David R. (popshots75`), Thursday, 2 February 2006 04:09 (nineteen years ago)

rumored abreu & floyd for dye & contreras...

― jonathan quayle higgins (j.q. higgins), Friday, 3 February 2006 18:20 (nineteen years ago)

That is the most idiotic lopsided trade ever - if Ken Williams pulls that off, he'll have more than shed the "I'm With Stupid, And He Be Me" rep his early years as GM (and, um, Moneyball) cultivated.

― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 3 February 2006 18:25 (nineteen years ago)

That can't be real.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 3 February 2006 18:42 (nineteen years ago)

i am talking about gavin floyd, but i can't imagine gillick would do that unless something else were coming his way, too.

― jonathan quayle higgins (j.q. higgins), Friday, 3 February 2006 19:11 (nineteen years ago)

i've heard that the deal was to be abreu for contreras, dye, and ryan sweeney, but that it's off

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Friday, 3 February 2006 19:12 (nineteen years ago)

That's less of a good deal.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Friday, 3 February 2006 19:23 (nineteen years ago)

Definitely!

― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 3 February 2006 20:22 (nineteen years ago)

I can't envision a scenario where trading Abreu doesn't screw the Phillies.

― David R. (popshots75`), Friday, 3 February 2006 20:23 (nineteen years ago)

They've been trying SO HARD to trade him though!

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Friday, 3 February 2006 20:56 (nineteen years ago)

btw, Mets' official emails link to mlb.com stories dicussing 2b as "uncertain," so Kaz is toast, yeah?

Jeff Weaver, call yr agent.

Is the entire Astro front office gonna block the gate like George Wallace when Bagwell tries to enter camp in 3 weeks?

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Friday, 3 February 2006 21:03 (nineteen years ago)

The J's orgy of spending continues (and hopefully ends) with Benji Molina signing to 1 yr 5 mil. I'll bet money this was not the contract he was hoping for when the off-season started!

― Thermo Thinwall (Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 14:25 (nineteen years ago)

probably not, but i wonder if the jays removing molina from the market and piazza's pads signing will re-ignite javy trade talks. aren't the angels still in need of catching help?

― jonathan quayle higgins (j.q. higgins), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 15:44 (nineteen years ago)

I was happy with the Molina deal. The Jays got nothing from the catcher position on the days Zaun didn't play.

― NoTimeBeforeTime (Barry Bruner), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 18:25 (nineteen years ago)

Sheehan on BP pointed to Angel catching as one of the obvious gaping holes that remain, yes. (Along with 2b for the Padres?)

― Dr Morbius (Dr Morbius), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 20:22 (nineteen years ago)

and (i mention this apropos of almost nothing) christina kahrl name checked archie cianfrocco. j.q. laughed.

― jonathan quayle higgins (j.q. higgins), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 20:36 (nineteen years ago)

Sheehan on BP pointed to Angel catching as one of the obvious gaping holes that remain, yes. (Along with 2b for the Padres?)

In 2004, our current 2b Mark Bellhorn had 17 hr, 82 rbi, and an .817 ops.

He sucked last year, though. I mean, a lot. Here's his stats last year compared to another guy:

Bellhorn: 300 AB, 20 2b, 8 hr, 30 rbi, .681 ops
Other Guy: 404 AB, 16 2b, 3 hr, 38 rbi, .707 ops

The other guy, of course, is Mark Loretta. Loretta had nice seasons in 2003 and 2004. Prior to that, he had been a completely mediocre-to-poor player for the preceding 7 years (he had one decent year in 1998), and is 34 at makes 3 million.

Bellhorn has had two very good seasons and over eight seasons, is 31, and makes 800k. The Padres second best prospect plays 2b and is probably ready to play for the big team in 2006.

And again, Bellhorn sucks, but is he worse than Eric Bruntlett or Marlon Anderson or Junior Spivey or Chris Burke or Adam Kennedy or Craig Counsell? I don't think so.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 22:15 (nineteen years ago)

Although those guys can probably actually play defense.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 22:15 (nineteen years ago)

Plus Craig Counsel has that awesomely shitty batting stance.

― Stuh-du-du-du-du-du-du-denka (jingleberries), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 22:31 (nineteen years ago)

Craig Counsel looks like he smells of peanutty farts.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 7 February 2006 23:03 (nineteen years ago)

That's a very odd thing to notice about someone.

― Thermo Thinwall (Thermo Thinwall), Wednesday, 8 February 2006 00:04 (nineteen years ago)

I don't know the numbers to be sure, but I would think that Adam Kennedy is at least a half notch better than the rest of that group of second basemen.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Wednesday, 8 February 2006 02:42 (nineteen years ago)

His OPSs the last three years were 725, 757, 743. Nothing to write home about.

― polyphonic (polyphonic), Wednesday, 8 February 2006 02:53 (nineteen years ago)

But:

1) his defense
2) his batting stance
3) his postseason clutchiocity
4) his Dr. Morbius cuteness quotient

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 8 February 2006 05:21 (nineteen years ago)

#4 is worth 10.0 in VORP alone!

― NoTimeBeforeTime (Barry Bruner), Wednesday, 8 February 2006 06:27 (nineteen years ago)

I've also noticed that about Matt Damon. It's true. Matt Damon and Craig Counsel both look like they smell of peanutty farts!

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 8 February 2006 09:36 (nineteen years ago)

it's b/c counsell is a notre dame grad.

― jonathan quayle higgins (j.q. higgins), Wednesday, 8 February 2006 14:12 (nineteen years ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.