"I never heard about it."
That's what Bud Selig had to say back in February, 2005 about steroid use in baseball in the 90's and early 00's.
That's right, the man in charge of a professional sports league had no idea what was going on under his nose. He was also still the owner of the Milwaukee Brewers during that time and is a self-proclaimed baseball fanatic. Loves the game, watches all the time.
And he didn't know anything? He never got word from his scouts, his General Manager or anyone else that something funny was going on around the game?
You know what's really scary?
I believe him.
That's because NOBODY talked about steroid use publicly. The Commissioner didn't. The owners didn't. The General Managers didn't. The coaches and managers didn't. The "clean" players didn't. Heck, even retired coaches, managers, players, scouts and front office executives kept the mouths shut.
They're all guilty.
The weight of this scandal is not solely on the shoulders of home runs hitters like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Alex Rodriguez.
What about all the cheating starting pitchers who recovered better from start to start, had their "A-game" more often and had the stamina to maintain a high level of performance deeper into games?
What about all the cheating relievers who recovered faster from day to day, had their "A-game" more often and had that extra 2-3 MPH they needed to finish a batter off late in a game?
What about all the smaller, speedy defensive types who were able to stay healthier longer, keep their legs fresher and perhaps chase down a handful of baseballs they otherwise wouldn't have gotten to?
The fact of the matter is that the ENTIRE GAME was compromised as was anyone who was a part of the game in any way, shape or form. That includes people like me who work in the media, by the way.
I'm tired of late-coming hypocrites like Roy Oswalt blasting A-Rod from afar while he had cheaters in his own clubhouse all this time. Where is his anger for them? Where was this bile when it comes to Roger Clemens?
Is it only wrong if some guy you don't like gets caught?
Everyone's to blame and to go deeper than that is foolishness. Leadership failed, the union failed and the media failed.
Seems pretty simple to me.
Today Selig told the Associated Press that A-Rod had "shamed the game."
Yes he did.
But he had a lot of help from other cheaters, co-conspirators and enablers.
You fit in there somewhere, Mr. Commissioner.
KW
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Thinking Out Loud - Feb. 11, 2009
Adam Dunn to the Nationals
According to the reports he's getting a 2-year deal and the team's website is reporting that Dunn will take over as their everyday first baseman, leaving Nick Johnson as a candidate to be traded or released.
I like this move for the Nationals for a number of reasons:
1. He's automatically their biggest HR threat
2. He gets on base a ton, which will create some RBI opportunities for the guys behind him
3. He's a "name" player that should get the Nats some much desired positive ink
4. Even with his imperfections, Dunn is a known commodity on team full of "ifs" and "maybes"
They say he'll hit 4th, which is fine (though a case could be made he'd be better off in front of Zimmerman), and I suspect he'll put up numbers like he always does.
Dunn's not the best ballplayer in the world but he has two tremendous offensive skills that set him apart from most other ballplayers...
Bobby Abreu to the Angels
GREAT move. G-R-E-A-T.
Abreu is a pretty nice upgrade over Garret Anderson and he comes at a reasonable price.
His power numbers have declined a bit the past three seasons but then again so had Anderson's. The biggest differences between Abreu and Anderson are on-base percentage and on the base paths.
Abreu has a .405 career OBP and has never walked fewer than 73 times in a full Major League season. By comparison, Anderson has a .327 career OBP and has never walked more than 38 times in a big league season.
Abreu has seven 100-RBI seasons (including six in a row entering 2009) and has eleven straight seasons with at least 19 SB's (20+ in each of the last ten seasons. By comparison, Anderson has had just four 100-RBI seasons and has reached double digits in steals only twice (the last time coming in 2001).
Abreu, while not the defender he once was, is clearly a better defensive player than Anderson as well.
This is a big upgrade for the Angels - the best in the West just got better.
Other teams seeking OF help
I guess the Dodgers don't have a good fallback option for Manny now that Dunn and Abreu are gone. Maybe this pushes the two sides toward a deal. Without Manny, the Dodgers lineup is looking awfully lean...
Guess the Braves have to work a trade now.
Cards might have some OF depth to move but they'll only do it for a starting 2B like Kelly Johnson or some serious pitching help (Mike Gonzalez?). Rick Ankiel, Ryan Ludwick, Skip Schumaker, Colby Rasmus, Chris Duncan, Brian Barton and Joe Mather are all contending for OF spots in STL. Ankiel or Ludwick would be most attractive to the Braves, I assume.
Been rumors about those two getting together before...
Blue Jays sign Kevin Millar
M'kay, not sure I see how that makes much of a difference for the Jays.
Millar is okay but he's not exactly going to send them over the top.
According to the reports he's getting a 2-year deal and the team's website is reporting that Dunn will take over as their everyday first baseman, leaving Nick Johnson as a candidate to be traded or released.
I like this move for the Nationals for a number of reasons:
1. He's automatically their biggest HR threat
2. He gets on base a ton, which will create some RBI opportunities for the guys behind him
3. He's a "name" player that should get the Nats some much desired positive ink
4. Even with his imperfections, Dunn is a known commodity on team full of "ifs" and "maybes"
They say he'll hit 4th, which is fine (though a case could be made he'd be better off in front of Zimmerman), and I suspect he'll put up numbers like he always does.
Dunn's not the best ballplayer in the world but he has two tremendous offensive skills that set him apart from most other ballplayers...
Bobby Abreu to the Angels
GREAT move. G-R-E-A-T.
Abreu is a pretty nice upgrade over Garret Anderson and he comes at a reasonable price.
His power numbers have declined a bit the past three seasons but then again so had Anderson's. The biggest differences between Abreu and Anderson are on-base percentage and on the base paths.
Abreu has a .405 career OBP and has never walked fewer than 73 times in a full Major League season. By comparison, Anderson has a .327 career OBP and has never walked more than 38 times in a big league season.
Abreu has seven 100-RBI seasons (including six in a row entering 2009) and has eleven straight seasons with at least 19 SB's (20+ in each of the last ten seasons. By comparison, Anderson has had just four 100-RBI seasons and has reached double digits in steals only twice (the last time coming in 2001).
Abreu, while not the defender he once was, is clearly a better defensive player than Anderson as well.
This is a big upgrade for the Angels - the best in the West just got better.
Other teams seeking OF help
I guess the Dodgers don't have a good fallback option for Manny now that Dunn and Abreu are gone. Maybe this pushes the two sides toward a deal. Without Manny, the Dodgers lineup is looking awfully lean...
Guess the Braves have to work a trade now.
Cards might have some OF depth to move but they'll only do it for a starting 2B like Kelly Johnson or some serious pitching help (Mike Gonzalez?). Rick Ankiel, Ryan Ludwick, Skip Schumaker, Colby Rasmus, Chris Duncan, Brian Barton and Joe Mather are all contending for OF spots in STL. Ankiel or Ludwick would be most attractive to the Braves, I assume.
Been rumors about those two getting together before...
Blue Jays sign Kevin Millar
M'kay, not sure I see how that makes much of a difference for the Jays.
Millar is okay but he's not exactly going to send them over the top.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
2009 Power Rankings #25
Back to the TBG 2009 Power Rankings - #'s 26-30 can be found in the Blog Archive, FYI...
Note: I will have a "final" pre-season set of power rankings ready on Opening Day (along with all of my other predictions), so this is not my "final word" on how things will shake out.
25. Baltimore Orioles
This is a team in transition that seems to finally be turning the corner a bit after spending too many years chasing it's own tail.
The pitching isn't there at the moment but I like the direction they went in the outfield - young and athletic - and I think a couple of their pitching prospects are going to be ready to contribute soon.
Peter Angelos has spent good money after bad for a lot of years now, trying in vain to keep up with the Yankees and Red Sox. Apparently the team is starting to understand that's not the way to go. The O's aren't some "feel sorry for me" small market club, they have the ability to generate cash and they have a rabid fan base, but for years they've just gone about things the wrong way. Hiring Andy MacPhail was the best thing this team has done for a long time.
I don't see the O's being this far down in the Power Rankings in a year or two, that's for sure.
LINEUP
According to the Orioles' official website, here are their projected starters:
C. Greg Zaun/Matt Wieters
1B. Aubrey Huff
2B. Brian Roberts
3B. Melvin Mora
SS. Cesar Izturis
LF. Felix Pie
CF. Adam Jones
RF. Nick Markakis
DH. Luke Scott/Ty Wigginton
First of all, it would be fantastic for this team if Matt Wieters wins a spot on the Major League roster this season. He is an amazing talent and has a chance to be an All-Star caliber catcher for many years to come. I love Wieters' game and sincerely hope Zaun serves as a mentor/backup to him rather than as the primary starter. The 6'5" switch-hitter with power from both sides has an offensive game not seen in many catchers.
Aside from the 2007 season, Aubrey Huff has been an excellent Major League hitter. He averages 25 HR and 87 RBI per season over the last 7 years and he'll take a walk as well. Roberts is the straw that stirs the drink for the O's - he's an excellent leadoff man/spark plug. The team does have a tough decision to make on him going forward though. Do you give him big bucks in his 30's to stick around as a veteran to lead the kids or do you move him for more kids? I'd lean toward keeping him. Melvin Mora isn't terrible but he is very streaky, which would make him expendable in my book. Izturis is all glove, no bat. The O's knew that and only signed him to help out the pitching staff.
Keep in mind that the team has also signed Ty Wigginton. He can play 1B-2B-3B-LF-DH for the O's, so I expect him to get a lot of at-bats as an "everyday utility man." He's no stud but I think he's a bigger asset than Kevin Millar was last year.
In the outfield, the O's plan is for youth to be served. I think the Cubs gave up way too early on Pie and if the O's are patient they will be rewarded for it. Pie has great speed and a little pop, plus he's an outstanding defender. Jones is player I expect to take a step forward in '09. His offensive numbers were less than stellar last season but I think he'll double his home run total. Markakis is an outstanding young player who should be an All-Star on a pretty regular basis going forward. He does it all and he does it all well. In fact, I think Markakis is a franchise player.
Luke Scott will probably be the DH against right handers, something he should be good at, with Wigginton probably sliding in there against lefties. Scott has power but he's streaky and didn't hit lefties at all last season. Luis Montanez has an intriguing bat as a bit of a late bloomer so we'll see if he factors into the mix during Spring Training.
I liked the addition of Ryan Freel as well. He can play the infield and the outfield, plus he brings both speed and energy to the lineup whenever he's in there. Outstanding bench player.
Aside from Wieters, only one other Orioles' prospect should be knocking on the big league door this season. OF Nolan Reimold appears to have the physical tools to be a productive hitter but the 6'4" right handed hitter was left sitting at Double-A all last season despite being 24 and having a solid season. A strong start at Triple-A combined with a slow start in the big leagues for Pie could earn Reimold an opportunity to move up.
PITCHING
Once again referring to the Orioles' official website, here's how the rotation is shaping up:
1. Jeremy Guthrie
2. Mark Hendrickson
3. Koji Uehara
4. Rich Hill
5. Chris Waters
Ugh. Only Guthrie is a proven big league starter in that group. I like him a lot and think he's got a long career ahead of him as a good Major League starter but it doesn't look like he's going to get much help to start '09.
Hendrickson doesn't belong anywhere near a big league mound, at least not as a starter. Why anyone would give him a shot at a rotation spot is beyond me - he's had one decent season in the Majors (2006) and 5 bad ones. I have no clue what Uehara will be nor does anyone else. He may be a useful big league starter and he may be a bust. I'd bet he's a decent 4th/5th starter. Hill is very talented and I like the idea of grabbing him off the Cubs' scrap heap. He's a strikeout guy who can be a 12-15 game winner if he just throws more strikes. Waters is just "filler" to me - a 28 year-old with just 64 2/3 mediocre Major League innings under his belt.
Matt Albers, Danys Baez and Radhames Liz could also be a part of the mix early in the season. Albers was decent as a reliever last year and has a good arm - I'd choose him over Hendrickson or Waters. Baez has a good arm as well and the team owes him a fair amount of money, so maybe they'll find a way to make it for him in the rotation. Liz has a fantastic arm, reaching the upper-90's, but his control is bad and his secondary pitches aren't any better. Liz looks like a reliever to me. Troy Patton would be in the mix but he's coming off a shoulder injury and that scares me.
Long term, however, the picture is much brighter. Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta are all potential frontline starters at the Major League level and they're coming on fast. Tillman and Matusz could both be factors in '09, in fact I think they're better right now than at least 2/5 of the projected rotation. Arrieta isn't far off those two either.
CL. George Sherrill
Let me say this right up front - George Sherrill is not a Major League closer. He's a quality reliever, don't get me wrong, but he shouldn't be closing for a big league club. Sure, he had 31 saves last season but there's a reason he was getting his first chance to close at the age of 31. Sooner or later he'll be replaced.
If he's healthy, Chris Ray would be the logical choice to move back into the role he once had. Ray had Tommy John surgery and missed all of the '08 season but guys usually come back from TJ surgeru pretty well and he's just got better closer's stuff than Sherrill.
Eventually the job may belong to 6'9" Kam Mickolio, who had a nice season in the minors last year, but that doesn't seem likely for the start of 2009.
OVERVIEW
I haven't said these words in a long, long time but I think the O's are finally on the right track.
Markakis and Wieters are the offensive cornerstones of this franchise and guys like Guthrie, Tillman and Matusz should be the same in the rotation before much longer.
If the O's really want to go all the way they'll trade Mora and/or Roberts before the end of the '09 season and complete their re-tooling process. Even Huff could be spared if he brings the right player(s) in return.
By 2010 these guys could be a factor again, but not in '09.
KW
Note: I will have a "final" pre-season set of power rankings ready on Opening Day (along with all of my other predictions), so this is not my "final word" on how things will shake out.
25. Baltimore Orioles
This is a team in transition that seems to finally be turning the corner a bit after spending too many years chasing it's own tail.
The pitching isn't there at the moment but I like the direction they went in the outfield - young and athletic - and I think a couple of their pitching prospects are going to be ready to contribute soon.
Peter Angelos has spent good money after bad for a lot of years now, trying in vain to keep up with the Yankees and Red Sox. Apparently the team is starting to understand that's not the way to go. The O's aren't some "feel sorry for me" small market club, they have the ability to generate cash and they have a rabid fan base, but for years they've just gone about things the wrong way. Hiring Andy MacPhail was the best thing this team has done for a long time.
I don't see the O's being this far down in the Power Rankings in a year or two, that's for sure.
LINEUP
According to the Orioles' official website, here are their projected starters:
C. Greg Zaun/Matt Wieters
1B. Aubrey Huff
2B. Brian Roberts
3B. Melvin Mora
SS. Cesar Izturis
LF. Felix Pie
CF. Adam Jones
RF. Nick Markakis
DH. Luke Scott/Ty Wigginton
First of all, it would be fantastic for this team if Matt Wieters wins a spot on the Major League roster this season. He is an amazing talent and has a chance to be an All-Star caliber catcher for many years to come. I love Wieters' game and sincerely hope Zaun serves as a mentor/backup to him rather than as the primary starter. The 6'5" switch-hitter with power from both sides has an offensive game not seen in many catchers.
Aside from the 2007 season, Aubrey Huff has been an excellent Major League hitter. He averages 25 HR and 87 RBI per season over the last 7 years and he'll take a walk as well. Roberts is the straw that stirs the drink for the O's - he's an excellent leadoff man/spark plug. The team does have a tough decision to make on him going forward though. Do you give him big bucks in his 30's to stick around as a veteran to lead the kids or do you move him for more kids? I'd lean toward keeping him. Melvin Mora isn't terrible but he is very streaky, which would make him expendable in my book. Izturis is all glove, no bat. The O's knew that and only signed him to help out the pitching staff.
Keep in mind that the team has also signed Ty Wigginton. He can play 1B-2B-3B-LF-DH for the O's, so I expect him to get a lot of at-bats as an "everyday utility man." He's no stud but I think he's a bigger asset than Kevin Millar was last year.
In the outfield, the O's plan is for youth to be served. I think the Cubs gave up way too early on Pie and if the O's are patient they will be rewarded for it. Pie has great speed and a little pop, plus he's an outstanding defender. Jones is player I expect to take a step forward in '09. His offensive numbers were less than stellar last season but I think he'll double his home run total. Markakis is an outstanding young player who should be an All-Star on a pretty regular basis going forward. He does it all and he does it all well. In fact, I think Markakis is a franchise player.
Luke Scott will probably be the DH against right handers, something he should be good at, with Wigginton probably sliding in there against lefties. Scott has power but he's streaky and didn't hit lefties at all last season. Luis Montanez has an intriguing bat as a bit of a late bloomer so we'll see if he factors into the mix during Spring Training.
I liked the addition of Ryan Freel as well. He can play the infield and the outfield, plus he brings both speed and energy to the lineup whenever he's in there. Outstanding bench player.
Aside from Wieters, only one other Orioles' prospect should be knocking on the big league door this season. OF Nolan Reimold appears to have the physical tools to be a productive hitter but the 6'4" right handed hitter was left sitting at Double-A all last season despite being 24 and having a solid season. A strong start at Triple-A combined with a slow start in the big leagues for Pie could earn Reimold an opportunity to move up.
PITCHING
Once again referring to the Orioles' official website, here's how the rotation is shaping up:
1. Jeremy Guthrie
2. Mark Hendrickson
3. Koji Uehara
4. Rich Hill
5. Chris Waters
Ugh. Only Guthrie is a proven big league starter in that group. I like him a lot and think he's got a long career ahead of him as a good Major League starter but it doesn't look like he's going to get much help to start '09.
Hendrickson doesn't belong anywhere near a big league mound, at least not as a starter. Why anyone would give him a shot at a rotation spot is beyond me - he's had one decent season in the Majors (2006) and 5 bad ones. I have no clue what Uehara will be nor does anyone else. He may be a useful big league starter and he may be a bust. I'd bet he's a decent 4th/5th starter. Hill is very talented and I like the idea of grabbing him off the Cubs' scrap heap. He's a strikeout guy who can be a 12-15 game winner if he just throws more strikes. Waters is just "filler" to me - a 28 year-old with just 64 2/3 mediocre Major League innings under his belt.
Matt Albers, Danys Baez and Radhames Liz could also be a part of the mix early in the season. Albers was decent as a reliever last year and has a good arm - I'd choose him over Hendrickson or Waters. Baez has a good arm as well and the team owes him a fair amount of money, so maybe they'll find a way to make it for him in the rotation. Liz has a fantastic arm, reaching the upper-90's, but his control is bad and his secondary pitches aren't any better. Liz looks like a reliever to me. Troy Patton would be in the mix but he's coming off a shoulder injury and that scares me.
Long term, however, the picture is much brighter. Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz and Jake Arrieta are all potential frontline starters at the Major League level and they're coming on fast. Tillman and Matusz could both be factors in '09, in fact I think they're better right now than at least 2/5 of the projected rotation. Arrieta isn't far off those two either.
CL. George Sherrill
Let me say this right up front - George Sherrill is not a Major League closer. He's a quality reliever, don't get me wrong, but he shouldn't be closing for a big league club. Sure, he had 31 saves last season but there's a reason he was getting his first chance to close at the age of 31. Sooner or later he'll be replaced.
If he's healthy, Chris Ray would be the logical choice to move back into the role he once had. Ray had Tommy John surgery and missed all of the '08 season but guys usually come back from TJ surgeru pretty well and he's just got better closer's stuff than Sherrill.
Eventually the job may belong to 6'9" Kam Mickolio, who had a nice season in the minors last year, but that doesn't seem likely for the start of 2009.
OVERVIEW
I haven't said these words in a long, long time but I think the O's are finally on the right track.
Markakis and Wieters are the offensive cornerstones of this franchise and guys like Guthrie, Tillman and Matusz should be the same in the rotation before much longer.
If the O's really want to go all the way they'll trade Mora and/or Roberts before the end of the '09 season and complete their re-tooling process. Even Huff could be spared if he brings the right player(s) in return.
By 2010 these guys could be a factor again, but not in '09.
KW
Monday, February 9, 2009
A-Rod makes the right call
He's not going to be spared much criticism but Alex Rodriguez did the right thing by admitting his past steroid use in an interview with ESPN's Peter Gammons today.
Nothing he can say or do will erase the memory of this but by admitting to a mistake, getting into the details regarding when and why he did it, he's going to get ahead of the story.
Instead of having people constantly hounding him for answers, now all he has to deal with is the anger sure to be leveled at him by baseball fans across the country. A-Rod wasn't exactly the most popular guy around before this so it's not like he was going to be greeted with enthusiasm anyway.
His daily routine will now be relatively unchanged.
I'm actually a bit surprised that he did the right thing here but maybe he learned from the mistakes made by Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. If you deny-deny-deny you're only going to encourage people to take you on.
You know what's strange? I actually believe his story.
He told Peter Gammons that he took steroids beginning when he arrived in Texas, fresh off signing the richest contract in baseball history. He says the pressure to live up to expectations pushed him toward the 'roids.
It's not a valid excuse but the explanation does fit his personality.
If you ask me, A-Rod has some self esteem issues and he always needs to be "perfect."
You can see that in his appearance, his personal life (dumping his gorgeous wife for Madonna? dope), his manner of speaking and in his game.
Believing his explanation is not the same as excusing actions, by the way.
He deserves whatever consequences there are for this whole debacle.
It's his fault afterall.
KW
Nothing he can say or do will erase the memory of this but by admitting to a mistake, getting into the details regarding when and why he did it, he's going to get ahead of the story.
Instead of having people constantly hounding him for answers, now all he has to deal with is the anger sure to be leveled at him by baseball fans across the country. A-Rod wasn't exactly the most popular guy around before this so it's not like he was going to be greeted with enthusiasm anyway.
His daily routine will now be relatively unchanged.
I'm actually a bit surprised that he did the right thing here but maybe he learned from the mistakes made by Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. If you deny-deny-deny you're only going to encourage people to take you on.
You know what's strange? I actually believe his story.
He told Peter Gammons that he took steroids beginning when he arrived in Texas, fresh off signing the richest contract in baseball history. He says the pressure to live up to expectations pushed him toward the 'roids.
It's not a valid excuse but the explanation does fit his personality.
If you ask me, A-Rod has some self esteem issues and he always needs to be "perfect."
You can see that in his appearance, his personal life (dumping his gorgeous wife for Madonna? dope), his manner of speaking and in his game.
Believing his explanation is not the same as excusing actions, by the way.
He deserves whatever consequences there are for this whole debacle.
It's his fault afterall.
KW
Saturday, February 7, 2009
A-Rod & 'Roids - 3B not the only "bad guy" here
First of all I want to make one thing perfectly clear:
Assuming this story about A-Rod's positive steroids test is true, he's an idiot who deserves every ounce of scrutiny and/or criticism he will receive. He deserves every last line of type, every bile-filled epithet from fans and every bit of the doubt that is certain to come his way.
There's another side of this story that I'd like to touch on, however.
The leak.
These tests were meant to be confidental and non-punitive per the agreement between Major League Baseball and the MLPBA. Now, some of these tests were looked at because of the BALCO trial and I presume the sources for this latest story are from the U.S. Attorney's office.
Maybe that's wrong on my part but neither the union nor MLB want to see a guy like A-Rod "outed" so I think I'm pretty safe in assuming the leak is coming from someone prosecuting the Bonds and/or BALCO cases.
Keep in mind that these records are supposed SEALED UNDER COURT ORDER, meaning that it is illegal to disclose the contents of said records.
In other words, somebody broke the law just to throw A-Rod under the bus.
Maybe Rodriguez deserves to be dashed under a Greyhound but that doesn't change the fact that someone leaked sealed information to reporters from Sports Illustrated.
The reporters aren't to blame, nor do I believe they're doing anything wrong in reporting what they've been told.
I do have a problem, however, with government officials leaking sealed information for the sole purpose of providing someone with a juicy story.
If you're leaking sealed/confidential information to uncover corporate fraud, government waste or any other activity that could harm the general public in any way, shape or form then I'm all for it.
I'm not okay with it when all you're trying to do is push a juicy story about a star athlete.
Even if that athlete deserves to have his name dragged through the mud.
KW
Assuming this story about A-Rod's positive steroids test is true, he's an idiot who deserves every ounce of scrutiny and/or criticism he will receive. He deserves every last line of type, every bile-filled epithet from fans and every bit of the doubt that is certain to come his way.
There's another side of this story that I'd like to touch on, however.
The leak.
These tests were meant to be confidental and non-punitive per the agreement between Major League Baseball and the MLPBA. Now, some of these tests were looked at because of the BALCO trial and I presume the sources for this latest story are from the U.S. Attorney's office.
Maybe that's wrong on my part but neither the union nor MLB want to see a guy like A-Rod "outed" so I think I'm pretty safe in assuming the leak is coming from someone prosecuting the Bonds and/or BALCO cases.
Keep in mind that these records are supposed SEALED UNDER COURT ORDER, meaning that it is illegal to disclose the contents of said records.
In other words, somebody broke the law just to throw A-Rod under the bus.
Maybe Rodriguez deserves to be dashed under a Greyhound but that doesn't change the fact that someone leaked sealed information to reporters from Sports Illustrated.
The reporters aren't to blame, nor do I believe they're doing anything wrong in reporting what they've been told.
I do have a problem, however, with government officials leaking sealed information for the sole purpose of providing someone with a juicy story.
If you're leaking sealed/confidential information to uncover corporate fraud, government waste or any other activity that could harm the general public in any way, shape or form then I'm all for it.
I'm not okay with it when all you're trying to do is push a juicy story about a star athlete.
Even if that athlete deserves to have his name dragged through the mud.
KW
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Oh Sheets
No wonder Ben Sheets hasn't signed with the Rangers yet...
MLB.com is reporting that Sheets has a torn flexor tendon in his elbow and might need surgery.
This isn't some minor thing, a torn flexor can mean a lot of time on the disabled list and that's the last thing Sheets needs at this point.
This presents an interesting dilemma for Sheets and for any team that was/is interested in signing him: what do you do?
There would appear to be two choices:
1) Sheets sits out until he's healthy and then signs a contract
2) Sheets finds a team willing to sign him to 2-year deal with the first year basically guaranteeing nothing and the second year having a low base salary with a huge incentive package based on innings pitched and/or starts.
I'd take a shot on Sheets under that 2nd scenario as long as I wasn't giving up a ton of money. Maybe $1 million for '09 to allow him to rehab in my team's system (maybe a bonus or two if he's on the playoff roster - assuming the team reaches the playoffs) and then a $3 million base for '10 w/ incentives that could bring his earnings up to $12-14 million.
Too bad for Sheets. He's a stud who could really help a team at the front end of the rotation.
UPDATE: Jon Heyman from Sports Illustrated is now reporting that Sheets will have surgery and that Sheets hopes to return in July or August. My thoughts on Sheets remain the same.
KW
MLB.com is reporting that Sheets has a torn flexor tendon in his elbow and might need surgery.
This isn't some minor thing, a torn flexor can mean a lot of time on the disabled list and that's the last thing Sheets needs at this point.
This presents an interesting dilemma for Sheets and for any team that was/is interested in signing him: what do you do?
There would appear to be two choices:
1) Sheets sits out until he's healthy and then signs a contract
2) Sheets finds a team willing to sign him to 2-year deal with the first year basically guaranteeing nothing and the second year having a low base salary with a huge incentive package based on innings pitched and/or starts.
I'd take a shot on Sheets under that 2nd scenario as long as I wasn't giving up a ton of money. Maybe $1 million for '09 to allow him to rehab in my team's system (maybe a bonus or two if he's on the playoff roster - assuming the team reaches the playoffs) and then a $3 million base for '10 w/ incentives that could bring his earnings up to $12-14 million.
Too bad for Sheets. He's a stud who could really help a team at the front end of the rotation.
UPDATE: Jon Heyman from Sports Illustrated is now reporting that Sheets will have surgery and that Sheets hopes to return in July or August. My thoughts on Sheets remain the same.
KW
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
TBG Top Prospects 81-90
Prospects 91-100 can be found here:
http://thebaseballgods.blogspot.com/2009/01/tbg-top-prospects-91-100.html
The entire Top 100 can be found (in list form only, no reports) here:
http://thebaseballgods.blogspot.com/2008/12/2009-top-100-prospects-rankings-only.html
The Baseball Gods Top 100 Prospects (81-90)
90. Jake McGee, LHP (Rays – b: 8/6/86)
This is a bit of a strange selection, I admit, because McGee will probably miss 2009 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Given the success rate with Tommy John guys and given McGee’s upside I think it would be a mistake to write him off. He’s a big, hard throwing lefty who had 553 strikeouts in 485 minor league innings before having surgery. At worst he’ll be a power lefty out of the pen along the lines of Matt Thornton or maybe even B.J. Ryan.
89. Eric Hosmer, 1B (Royals – b: 10/24/89)
With a little more time to develop Hosmer should be a Top 10-20 prospect in the not-too-distant future. The 6’4” left handed hitter has a ton of power and projects as a strong defensive player as well, I just have a little trouble rating 19 year-old with 3 pro games under his belt in the Top 50. He’s a good athlete with a strong arm – wonder why he’s not an OF instead of a 1B? – and the Royals are certainly looking forward to watching him develop.
88. Dellin Betances, RHP (Yankees – b: 3/23/88)
With some improvements in his command, Betances will start to move up the ranks in leaps and bounds. The 6’8” 245 pound right hander has a dominant fastball that reaches the upper-90’s and his breaking ball is solid as well. If he can develop a third quality pitch he’ll have a career as a starter, if not he’s got enough heat to be a lights-out closer. Getting a good read on pitchers this tall who throw hard isn’t easy – when you think about how much closer their release point is to home plate compared to someone 6-8 inches shorter you begin to get the idea. The ball just explodes on hitters.
87. Greg Halman, OF (Mariners – b: 8/26/87)
Halman had a strong season in ’08, showing both power and speed while splitting the season between High-A and Double-A despite not turning 21 years-old until the end of August. In fact, Halman was nearly a 30-30 guy (29 HR, 31 SB) and his .854 OPS was more than respectable. With the Mariners seriously lacking in big time production in their outfield a guy like Halman could arrive at any time as long as he gets off to a good start to the season.
86. Michael Inoa, RHP (A’s – b: 9/24/91)
Yep, that’s a “91” in his birth date. Inoa is still just 17 years-old and has event come close to a pro diamond yet but guys with his measurables get ranked anyway. He’s an athletic 6’7” who is not at all awkward, according to reports, and his fastball already reaches the mid-90’s. Word on the street is that Inoa also has a nasty split-finger fastball as well. Eventually we’ll find out about his command and endurance but in terms of raw pitching ability very few prospects are even in his league. May be the #1 overall prospect in the game in couple of years.
85. Nick Adenhart, RHP (Angels – b: 8/24/86)
His reputation took a big dent in ’08 after he got knocked around both at Triple-A and in the Majors but it should be pointed out that he reached the Majors before his 22nd birthday. Adenhart isn’t a strikeout pitcher – and never will be – but he’s still a guy that should be a successful big league starter. Don’t give up on him yet, he’s not done developing.
84. Jeremy Jeffress, RHP (Brewers – b: 9/21/87)
Personally, I think Jeffress projects as a closer. Walks are a problem at this point in his career but he’s got a fastball that has reportedly touched 100 MPH and he didn’t turn 21 until the end of September ’08. He needs some work for sure but his upside is tremendous. Jeffress has a curve and a change that could develop into very good pitches. In fact, the development of those pitches will probably determine what his future role is – if those pitches are strong, he’s a starter.
83. Gaby Sanchez, 1B (Marlins – b: 9/2/83)
I really like Sanchez as an offensive player and there’s a chance he could be the Marlins’ starting first baseman this season. He hasn’t shown a ton of HR power but I think there are 20-25 HR’s in that bat going forward, plus he’s a patient guy who walked as often as he struck out last season. As an added bonus, Sanchez also swiped 17 bags in ’08. Now 25 years-old, his status as a “prospect” is pretty much limited to this season. He’s either a big leaguer or a tweener at this time next year.
82. Jemile Weeks, 2B (A’s – b: 1/26/87)
Jemile is the switch-hitting little brother of Rickie Weeks. He’s not a power guy like Rickie but he is a very good offensive player who projects as a leadoff man. Jemile does have some gap power and does a good job of working the count, something the A’s certainly value in his game. Right now he’s a 2B but if he has defensive problems going forward he could easily handle CF with his speed. I suspect he’ll advance quickly as long as he doesn’t have injury problems.
81. Engel Beltre, OF (Rangers – b: 11/1/89)
Beltre is still raw and needs refinement but the tools are certainly there. Spent the entire ’08 season playing in the Low-A Midwest League as an 18 year-old and while his numbers aren’t all that exciting at first glance (.283/.308/.403) they’re not bad when you consider a lot of guys his age were playing Short Season or Rookie ball. He has plenty of speed already and looks like he’ll develop power as his body fills out but he will need to work on his pitch selection (105 K/15 BB w/ 566 AB in ‘08) to maximize his offensive ability.
KW
http://thebaseballgods.blogspot.com/2009/01/tbg-top-prospects-91-100.html
The entire Top 100 can be found (in list form only, no reports) here:
http://thebaseballgods.blogspot.com/2008/12/2009-top-100-prospects-rankings-only.html
The Baseball Gods Top 100 Prospects (81-90)
90. Jake McGee, LHP (Rays – b: 8/6/86)
This is a bit of a strange selection, I admit, because McGee will probably miss 2009 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. Given the success rate with Tommy John guys and given McGee’s upside I think it would be a mistake to write him off. He’s a big, hard throwing lefty who had 553 strikeouts in 485 minor league innings before having surgery. At worst he’ll be a power lefty out of the pen along the lines of Matt Thornton or maybe even B.J. Ryan.
89. Eric Hosmer, 1B (Royals – b: 10/24/89)
With a little more time to develop Hosmer should be a Top 10-20 prospect in the not-too-distant future. The 6’4” left handed hitter has a ton of power and projects as a strong defensive player as well, I just have a little trouble rating 19 year-old with 3 pro games under his belt in the Top 50. He’s a good athlete with a strong arm – wonder why he’s not an OF instead of a 1B? – and the Royals are certainly looking forward to watching him develop.
88. Dellin Betances, RHP (Yankees – b: 3/23/88)
With some improvements in his command, Betances will start to move up the ranks in leaps and bounds. The 6’8” 245 pound right hander has a dominant fastball that reaches the upper-90’s and his breaking ball is solid as well. If he can develop a third quality pitch he’ll have a career as a starter, if not he’s got enough heat to be a lights-out closer. Getting a good read on pitchers this tall who throw hard isn’t easy – when you think about how much closer their release point is to home plate compared to someone 6-8 inches shorter you begin to get the idea. The ball just explodes on hitters.
87. Greg Halman, OF (Mariners – b: 8/26/87)
Halman had a strong season in ’08, showing both power and speed while splitting the season between High-A and Double-A despite not turning 21 years-old until the end of August. In fact, Halman was nearly a 30-30 guy (29 HR, 31 SB) and his .854 OPS was more than respectable. With the Mariners seriously lacking in big time production in their outfield a guy like Halman could arrive at any time as long as he gets off to a good start to the season.
86. Michael Inoa, RHP (A’s – b: 9/24/91)
Yep, that’s a “91” in his birth date. Inoa is still just 17 years-old and has event come close to a pro diamond yet but guys with his measurables get ranked anyway. He’s an athletic 6’7” who is not at all awkward, according to reports, and his fastball already reaches the mid-90’s. Word on the street is that Inoa also has a nasty split-finger fastball as well. Eventually we’ll find out about his command and endurance but in terms of raw pitching ability very few prospects are even in his league. May be the #1 overall prospect in the game in couple of years.
85. Nick Adenhart, RHP (Angels – b: 8/24/86)
His reputation took a big dent in ’08 after he got knocked around both at Triple-A and in the Majors but it should be pointed out that he reached the Majors before his 22nd birthday. Adenhart isn’t a strikeout pitcher – and never will be – but he’s still a guy that should be a successful big league starter. Don’t give up on him yet, he’s not done developing.
84. Jeremy Jeffress, RHP (Brewers – b: 9/21/87)
Personally, I think Jeffress projects as a closer. Walks are a problem at this point in his career but he’s got a fastball that has reportedly touched 100 MPH and he didn’t turn 21 until the end of September ’08. He needs some work for sure but his upside is tremendous. Jeffress has a curve and a change that could develop into very good pitches. In fact, the development of those pitches will probably determine what his future role is – if those pitches are strong, he’s a starter.
83. Gaby Sanchez, 1B (Marlins – b: 9/2/83)
I really like Sanchez as an offensive player and there’s a chance he could be the Marlins’ starting first baseman this season. He hasn’t shown a ton of HR power but I think there are 20-25 HR’s in that bat going forward, plus he’s a patient guy who walked as often as he struck out last season. As an added bonus, Sanchez also swiped 17 bags in ’08. Now 25 years-old, his status as a “prospect” is pretty much limited to this season. He’s either a big leaguer or a tweener at this time next year.
82. Jemile Weeks, 2B (A’s – b: 1/26/87)
Jemile is the switch-hitting little brother of Rickie Weeks. He’s not a power guy like Rickie but he is a very good offensive player who projects as a leadoff man. Jemile does have some gap power and does a good job of working the count, something the A’s certainly value in his game. Right now he’s a 2B but if he has defensive problems going forward he could easily handle CF with his speed. I suspect he’ll advance quickly as long as he doesn’t have injury problems.
81. Engel Beltre, OF (Rangers – b: 11/1/89)
Beltre is still raw and needs refinement but the tools are certainly there. Spent the entire ’08 season playing in the Low-A Midwest League as an 18 year-old and while his numbers aren’t all that exciting at first glance (.283/.308/.403) they’re not bad when you consider a lot of guys his age were playing Short Season or Rookie ball. He has plenty of speed already and looks like he’ll develop power as his body fills out but he will need to work on his pitch selection (105 K/15 BB w/ 566 AB in ‘08) to maximize his offensive ability.
KW
Thinking Out Loud - Feb 3, 2009
Manny turns down the Dodgers
Now that Manny-Boras has turned down the Dodgers 1-year, $25 million deal it's time for the Dodgers to move on. They can snag 2-3 really good players for that much money so I'd stop waiting and get back to work.
I think Bobby Abreu would be a great fit. His consistency would be incredibly valuable for a team with so many young players. Adam Dunn would be okay too, but he's too streaky for what they need.
Abreu is Manny-Lite. He has less HR power but gets on base just as well, has plenty of HR/RBI ability and, unlike Manny, Abreu is a good base runner and plays a decent RF.
If the Dodgers sign Abreu and someone like Randy Wolf that would be a solid move.
Abreu to ChiSox?
NY Daily News is reporting that the White Sox have made a 1-year offer to Abreu. The only way that makes sense is if Kenny Williams is planning on turning around and dealing somone like Paul Konerko, Jim Thome or Jermaine Dye.
Konerko's defense is needed at 1B (compared to that of Thome), so it wouldn't be him. Plus, he wouldn't bring much of a return at this point.
Thome's not exactly at the peak of his career and also wouldn't fetch much.
With Dye we have a whole offseason's worth of rumors to fall back on, plus he's a free agent at the end of the year. They could get something of value for him and I'd bet on him being the one who gets moved.
So, who needs a middle of the order outfielder?
Angels, Mariners, Giants, Dodgers, Reds, Mets. Maybe a couple of others on the fringe.
Would be a nice move for the Dodgers if they can't just sign Abreu themselves. Going by Williams' history, I assume he would be targeting young pitching. Dodgers, Giants and Reds can help there.
Playing at The Cell would be good for Abreu. It's a nice hitter's park so he could put up some numbers and then re-enter free agency again next offseason.
Where does Dunn end up?
I don't know the answer to that question - could be any number of places between Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.
What I do know is that Dunn should be the guy the Braves pursue hot-and-heavy right now. They need a productive OF and if you throw Dunn into the mix with Chipper, McCann & Co. you've got a very nice middle of the order.
He's not the perfect ballplayer but the Braves need offense and he can supply it, especially when surrounded by guys who are more consistent than he is. Plus, the Braves could get him on a 1-2 year deal.
Pull the trigger, fellas.
KW
Now that Manny-Boras has turned down the Dodgers 1-year, $25 million deal it's time for the Dodgers to move on. They can snag 2-3 really good players for that much money so I'd stop waiting and get back to work.
I think Bobby Abreu would be a great fit. His consistency would be incredibly valuable for a team with so many young players. Adam Dunn would be okay too, but he's too streaky for what they need.
Abreu is Manny-Lite. He has less HR power but gets on base just as well, has plenty of HR/RBI ability and, unlike Manny, Abreu is a good base runner and plays a decent RF.
If the Dodgers sign Abreu and someone like Randy Wolf that would be a solid move.
Abreu to ChiSox?
NY Daily News is reporting that the White Sox have made a 1-year offer to Abreu. The only way that makes sense is if Kenny Williams is planning on turning around and dealing somone like Paul Konerko, Jim Thome or Jermaine Dye.
Konerko's defense is needed at 1B (compared to that of Thome), so it wouldn't be him. Plus, he wouldn't bring much of a return at this point.
Thome's not exactly at the peak of his career and also wouldn't fetch much.
With Dye we have a whole offseason's worth of rumors to fall back on, plus he's a free agent at the end of the year. They could get something of value for him and I'd bet on him being the one who gets moved.
So, who needs a middle of the order outfielder?
Angels, Mariners, Giants, Dodgers, Reds, Mets. Maybe a couple of others on the fringe.
Would be a nice move for the Dodgers if they can't just sign Abreu themselves. Going by Williams' history, I assume he would be targeting young pitching. Dodgers, Giants and Reds can help there.
Playing at The Cell would be good for Abreu. It's a nice hitter's park so he could put up some numbers and then re-enter free agency again next offseason.
Where does Dunn end up?
I don't know the answer to that question - could be any number of places between Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.
What I do know is that Dunn should be the guy the Braves pursue hot-and-heavy right now. They need a productive OF and if you throw Dunn into the mix with Chipper, McCann & Co. you've got a very nice middle of the order.
He's not the perfect ballplayer but the Braves need offense and he can supply it, especially when surrounded by guys who are more consistent than he is. Plus, the Braves could get him on a 1-2 year deal.
Pull the trigger, fellas.
KW
Monday, February 2, 2009
Early 2009 Power Rankings #26
Back to the TBG Early 2009 Power Rankings - #'s 27-30 can be found in the archive for January...
Note: I will have a "final" pre-season set of power rankings ready on Opening Day (along with all of my other predictions), so this is not my "final word" on how things will shake out.
26. Kansas City Royals
Like a lot of teams ranked near the bottom of the TBG Power Rankings, the Royals confuse the hell out of me. We all undertand that they have financial limitations and I think any logical person who follows baseball will give them the benefit of the doubt in that regard.
Those limitations, however, do not explain the oddball moves this team makes on a year-to-year basis. They waste a lot of the money they have available on mediocre, middle-of-the-pack players who are easily replaceable.
Why spend money on guys who are not difference makers when you have limited resources?
I'll get into detail on that subject as we go through the projected lineup and rotation further down the page but I've already touched on that subject on this blog with the piece I did about their catching situation called "This is why the Royals are the Royals":
http://thebaseballgods.blogspot.com/2009/01/this-is-why-royals-are-royals.html
The team is doing some good things - and I'll be sure to credit them for those things - but there are still far too many strange decisions made on a pretty regular basis...
LINEUP
According to the Royals' official website, here are their projected starters:
C. Miguel Olivo/John Buck
1B. Mike Jacobs
2B. Alberto Callaspo
3B. Alex Gordon
SS. Mike Aviles
LF. David DeJesus
CF. Coco Crisp
RF. Jose Guillen
DH. Billy Butler
Since I've already addressed the catching situation at the above link, I'll keep my comments on that subject brief. Why in the world would a team with limited resources pay two catchers nearly $3 million each to be the SAME PLAYER. Buck and Olivo are the same guy - good pop, terrible contact skills and decent defensively. I don't get it.
First base is another spot I just don't understand. Mike Jacobs is a decent player and certainly an everyday big leaguer but why the Royals wanted him is beyond me. First of all, they have to pay him somewhere between $3.05 and $3.85 million this season to play a position that could be manned by a younger, cheaper player with more upside. What would have been wrong with playing Kila Ka'aihue there? Kila's cheaper, has big-time power and he actually knows how to draw a walk, something Jacobs isn't especially familiar with. I just don't get why teams like the Royals block talented young players with below average veterans, which is what Jacobs is. Compare him to the other starting 1B's in MLB and tell me he's not in the bottom 10.
Second base is also a bit of a mystery, though I like what I'm hearing about giving Mark Teahen a shot there in Spring Training. He doesn't have enough power to be a regular at 1B, 3B, LF or RF but if he can handle the position his bat would be okay for a regular 2B. As of now the team has Alberto Callaspo listed as the starter but he's more of a utility man to me.
Mike Aviles and Alex Gordon are solid at SS and 3B, respectively. I'm not sure Aviles is as good as his '08 numbers indicate but entering '09 he's a solid choice. Might be better suited at 2B long term, but we'll see. Gordon needs to step it up at the plate and in the field this season. He was drafted with the idea that he'd be a cornerstone player for this franchise long-term and while the ability is certainly there the consistency has not been. I'm feeling optimistic about him for '09, however, and think he'll have a breakout season.
What's up with this team paying veteran backups a couple million a season? Are Willie Bloomquist ($1.4 million) and Ross Gload ($1.9 million) really worth that money to this team? Nothing against either guy, they're both serviceable Major Leaguers, but this team simply cannot afford to pay that much to backups. They'd be better off investing that money in prospects from the Dominican every year or on their draft picks. They've been a last place team with guys like them and they can be a last place team without them.
The outfield isn't horrible, it just isn't all that exciting either. David DeJesus hasn't developed as the Royals had hoped and while he's a decent player he's pretty much average across the board and not "special." He's better than their other options in the OF but he's not what the team hoped he would be. Coco Crisp is okay as well but they'd be better off with just one of those two guys rather than both - I'd pick Coco over DeJesus because of his speed. Crisp wasn't a bad pickup, I'm just not sure he's worth $5.75 million to this club. Jose Guillen is the most talented of the bunch and can be a productive hitter - when he feels like it. The problem with Guillen is that he suffers from "turd-itis." Good player, bad guy.
As far as offensive prospects go, I'm not all that excited about anyone not named Kila, at least not for 2009. I really think Ka'aihue is going to be a good player, a power hitter that will get on base as well. Not sure why the team blocked him heading into '09. Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer look like excellent long-term hitting prospects but the Royals are looking at 2010 or 2011 before they'll be an option.
PITCHING
Once again, referring to the Royals' website:
1. Gil Meche
2. Zack Greinke
3. Brian Bannister
4. Kyle Davies
5. Luke Hochevar
That's actually a decent group of starters. Meche has turned out better than I thought he would when the Royals gave him that contract and the team certainly deserves credit for that move. He may not be a true #1 starter but he's proven himself to be a good pitcher and the team needs him badly.
I'm a big fan of Zack Greinke and think he'll continue to improve upon what he did last season. I also love the fact that Dayton Moore got Greinke locked up long-term - great move. This guy is their ace going forward.
I think Brian Bannister is better than his '08 numbers indicate but he's more of a 4th/5th starter on a good team. Still, he's not a bad option. Kyle Davies is very talented and started to "get it" toward the end of '08 - he could be the 2009 version of what Todd Wellemeyer was in 2008, the guy who has always had talent and finally combines performance with opportunity. Luke Hochevar has the ability to be this team's second or third best starter in the not-too-distant future, barring developmental problems. I liked what I saw from him in spots last season.
Brandon Duckworth and Horacio Ramirez are also possibilities for the rotation, especially if Hochevar and/or Davies have a poor spring. Not a fan of either, to be perfectly honest, but they're serviceable. Not sure why the Royals thought Ramirez was worth $1.9 million since he hasn't been very good since 2005 and even then he was only mediocre. More on that in a bit...
CL. Joakim Soria
This guy is nails. Love everything about him. He's got great stuff, excellent make-up and he's young. Also, brilliant move by Moore getting Soria locked up long-term - he's under team control for the next 6 years (3 years guaranteed, 2012-2014 at the team's option). Much respect to the Royals for how they've handled Soria.
The rest of the bullpen is okay but not spectacular. I didn't like the Ramon Ramirez-for-Coco Crisp deal at all and I don't think Kyle Farnsworth is a guy I'd give $9.25 million to over two years. Ron Mahay is okay, so is Jimmy Gobble, but I think they have more depth than quality.
There are some pitching prospects on the way and I think that's something for the Royals to be excited about. Carlos Rosa, Daniel Cortes, Blake Wood, Danny Gutierrez, Julio Pimentel are all getting close and eventually guys like Tim Melville and Mike Montgomery will starting making some noise as well.
OVERVIEW
Despite some of the goofy moves this team makes at the big league level, there is reason for Royals fans to have hope for the future. The farm system is getting better and some of those guys are developing pretty rapidly.
Here's a question for you: What if the Royls hadn't made the following moves?
* Trading Ramon Ramirez for Coco Crisp ($5.75 million)
* Signing Kyle Farnsworth ($4.25 million for '09) - could have kept Ramirez in that role
* Signing John Buck ($2.9 million) to complement Miguel Olivo
* Signing Ross Gload ($1.9 million) to a 2-year deal before '08
* Signing Willie Bloomquist ($1.4 million)
* Signing Horacio Ramirez ($1.9 million)
Had they not made those moves they could have saved $18.1 MILLION. Given what has happened with the free agent market (guys like Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu still looking for work), the Royals could have landed an IMPACT PLAYER, which is exactly what they so desperately need.
Hell, you could probably land Abreu for two years with that $18 million right now.
Plus, you wouldn't even notice the other guys were missing.
That's what I'm talking about, fellas. Stop wasting money on fringe players, backups, utility guys and inconsistent veteran relievers and save that money for IMPACT PLAYERS. Use minimum wage guys for the bench and save the money for the everyday players.
KW
Note: I will have a "final" pre-season set of power rankings ready on Opening Day (along with all of my other predictions), so this is not my "final word" on how things will shake out.
26. Kansas City Royals
Like a lot of teams ranked near the bottom of the TBG Power Rankings, the Royals confuse the hell out of me. We all undertand that they have financial limitations and I think any logical person who follows baseball will give them the benefit of the doubt in that regard.
Those limitations, however, do not explain the oddball moves this team makes on a year-to-year basis. They waste a lot of the money they have available on mediocre, middle-of-the-pack players who are easily replaceable.
Why spend money on guys who are not difference makers when you have limited resources?
I'll get into detail on that subject as we go through the projected lineup and rotation further down the page but I've already touched on that subject on this blog with the piece I did about their catching situation called "This is why the Royals are the Royals":
http://thebaseballgods.blogspot.com/2009/01/this-is-why-royals-are-royals.html
The team is doing some good things - and I'll be sure to credit them for those things - but there are still far too many strange decisions made on a pretty regular basis...
LINEUP
According to the Royals' official website, here are their projected starters:
C. Miguel Olivo/John Buck
1B. Mike Jacobs
2B. Alberto Callaspo
3B. Alex Gordon
SS. Mike Aviles
LF. David DeJesus
CF. Coco Crisp
RF. Jose Guillen
DH. Billy Butler
Since I've already addressed the catching situation at the above link, I'll keep my comments on that subject brief. Why in the world would a team with limited resources pay two catchers nearly $3 million each to be the SAME PLAYER. Buck and Olivo are the same guy - good pop, terrible contact skills and decent defensively. I don't get it.
First base is another spot I just don't understand. Mike Jacobs is a decent player and certainly an everyday big leaguer but why the Royals wanted him is beyond me. First of all, they have to pay him somewhere between $3.05 and $3.85 million this season to play a position that could be manned by a younger, cheaper player with more upside. What would have been wrong with playing Kila Ka'aihue there? Kila's cheaper, has big-time power and he actually knows how to draw a walk, something Jacobs isn't especially familiar with. I just don't get why teams like the Royals block talented young players with below average veterans, which is what Jacobs is. Compare him to the other starting 1B's in MLB and tell me he's not in the bottom 10.
Second base is also a bit of a mystery, though I like what I'm hearing about giving Mark Teahen a shot there in Spring Training. He doesn't have enough power to be a regular at 1B, 3B, LF or RF but if he can handle the position his bat would be okay for a regular 2B. As of now the team has Alberto Callaspo listed as the starter but he's more of a utility man to me.
Mike Aviles and Alex Gordon are solid at SS and 3B, respectively. I'm not sure Aviles is as good as his '08 numbers indicate but entering '09 he's a solid choice. Might be better suited at 2B long term, but we'll see. Gordon needs to step it up at the plate and in the field this season. He was drafted with the idea that he'd be a cornerstone player for this franchise long-term and while the ability is certainly there the consistency has not been. I'm feeling optimistic about him for '09, however, and think he'll have a breakout season.
What's up with this team paying veteran backups a couple million a season? Are Willie Bloomquist ($1.4 million) and Ross Gload ($1.9 million) really worth that money to this team? Nothing against either guy, they're both serviceable Major Leaguers, but this team simply cannot afford to pay that much to backups. They'd be better off investing that money in prospects from the Dominican every year or on their draft picks. They've been a last place team with guys like them and they can be a last place team without them.
The outfield isn't horrible, it just isn't all that exciting either. David DeJesus hasn't developed as the Royals had hoped and while he's a decent player he's pretty much average across the board and not "special." He's better than their other options in the OF but he's not what the team hoped he would be. Coco Crisp is okay as well but they'd be better off with just one of those two guys rather than both - I'd pick Coco over DeJesus because of his speed. Crisp wasn't a bad pickup, I'm just not sure he's worth $5.75 million to this club. Jose Guillen is the most talented of the bunch and can be a productive hitter - when he feels like it. The problem with Guillen is that he suffers from "turd-itis." Good player, bad guy.
As far as offensive prospects go, I'm not all that excited about anyone not named Kila, at least not for 2009. I really think Ka'aihue is going to be a good player, a power hitter that will get on base as well. Not sure why the team blocked him heading into '09. Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer look like excellent long-term hitting prospects but the Royals are looking at 2010 or 2011 before they'll be an option.
PITCHING
Once again, referring to the Royals' website:
1. Gil Meche
2. Zack Greinke
3. Brian Bannister
4. Kyle Davies
5. Luke Hochevar
That's actually a decent group of starters. Meche has turned out better than I thought he would when the Royals gave him that contract and the team certainly deserves credit for that move. He may not be a true #1 starter but he's proven himself to be a good pitcher and the team needs him badly.
I'm a big fan of Zack Greinke and think he'll continue to improve upon what he did last season. I also love the fact that Dayton Moore got Greinke locked up long-term - great move. This guy is their ace going forward.
I think Brian Bannister is better than his '08 numbers indicate but he's more of a 4th/5th starter on a good team. Still, he's not a bad option. Kyle Davies is very talented and started to "get it" toward the end of '08 - he could be the 2009 version of what Todd Wellemeyer was in 2008, the guy who has always had talent and finally combines performance with opportunity. Luke Hochevar has the ability to be this team's second or third best starter in the not-too-distant future, barring developmental problems. I liked what I saw from him in spots last season.
Brandon Duckworth and Horacio Ramirez are also possibilities for the rotation, especially if Hochevar and/or Davies have a poor spring. Not a fan of either, to be perfectly honest, but they're serviceable. Not sure why the Royals thought Ramirez was worth $1.9 million since he hasn't been very good since 2005 and even then he was only mediocre. More on that in a bit...
CL. Joakim Soria
This guy is nails. Love everything about him. He's got great stuff, excellent make-up and he's young. Also, brilliant move by Moore getting Soria locked up long-term - he's under team control for the next 6 years (3 years guaranteed, 2012-2014 at the team's option). Much respect to the Royals for how they've handled Soria.
The rest of the bullpen is okay but not spectacular. I didn't like the Ramon Ramirez-for-Coco Crisp deal at all and I don't think Kyle Farnsworth is a guy I'd give $9.25 million to over two years. Ron Mahay is okay, so is Jimmy Gobble, but I think they have more depth than quality.
There are some pitching prospects on the way and I think that's something for the Royals to be excited about. Carlos Rosa, Daniel Cortes, Blake Wood, Danny Gutierrez, Julio Pimentel are all getting close and eventually guys like Tim Melville and Mike Montgomery will starting making some noise as well.
OVERVIEW
Despite some of the goofy moves this team makes at the big league level, there is reason for Royals fans to have hope for the future. The farm system is getting better and some of those guys are developing pretty rapidly.
Here's a question for you: What if the Royls hadn't made the following moves?
* Trading Ramon Ramirez for Coco Crisp ($5.75 million)
* Signing Kyle Farnsworth ($4.25 million for '09) - could have kept Ramirez in that role
* Signing John Buck ($2.9 million) to complement Miguel Olivo
* Signing Ross Gload ($1.9 million) to a 2-year deal before '08
* Signing Willie Bloomquist ($1.4 million)
* Signing Horacio Ramirez ($1.9 million)
Had they not made those moves they could have saved $18.1 MILLION. Given what has happened with the free agent market (guys like Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu still looking for work), the Royals could have landed an IMPACT PLAYER, which is exactly what they so desperately need.
Hell, you could probably land Abreu for two years with that $18 million right now.
Plus, you wouldn't even notice the other guys were missing.
That's what I'm talking about, fellas. Stop wasting money on fringe players, backups, utility guys and inconsistent veteran relievers and save that money for IMPACT PLAYERS. Use minimum wage guys for the bench and save the money for the everyday players.
KW
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Pujols to Cards - Give Manny a call
According to an AP report on Thursday, Cardinals 1B Albert Pujols says he'd like his club to bring Manny Ramirez to St. Louis.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/F380F9628A1A931D8625754E00020A4B?OpenDocument
That would be one hell of 3-4 punch now wouldn't it?
Pujols even suggests Manny might offer up a discount to play for the Cardinals...
Yeah, right.
One problem - Cards GM John Mozeliak shot the idea down Thursday night...
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090129&content_id=3784024&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp
There are two reasons Manny still hasn't signed with anyone:
1. He's asking for too much money for too many years
2. He's a head case
Even though the Cardinals aren't going to make a move like this, there is a way the Cardinals could pull it off on a 1-year contract without breaking the bank, though it would take a little creativity and a lot of guts.
They'd have to find teams that would be willing to trade for Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel, which shouldn't be all that difficult despite the fact that both are currently facing arbitration hearings. They're not that expensive, even if they win, and there are several teams looking for some pop in the outfield (Atlanta, San Francisco, Seattle just to name a few) who might be willing to give up decent, cheap young talent for those guys.
Those moves would save the Cards about $7 million and they're already on pace to be about $7 million below their 2008 payroll of $99 million, so that would mean they'd only need to raise payroll by about $6 million over '08 to add Manny at $20 million for one year.
Now, I realize it's not my money and I'm not suggesting the Cardinals should do it, I'm just saying they could do it without demolishing the team's short term financial goals. Plus, in this rough economic climate the Cards do have the advantage of hosting the All-Star Game this season.
Even if they were to move Ludwick & Ankiel to fit Manny into the OF they'd still have Skip Schumaker, Chris Duncan, Joe Mather and Colby Rasmus to fill the other two spots with Jon Jay not far from being ready to jump into the mix.
Even if bringing Manny in would be a cost-neutral move, which it would not be, there are other issues to resolve as well. Ramirez doesn't exactly fit Tony LaRussa's "Hard Nine" mentality.
Keep in mind, however, that LaRussa said he'd welcome Barry Bonds in a Cardinals uniform in the past, so maybe he'd be willing to overlook some of Manny-being-Manny to have that Hall of Fame bat backing up Albert.
It's not gonna happen but it sure is fun to think about the possibilities....
KW
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/F380F9628A1A931D8625754E00020A4B?OpenDocument
That would be one hell of 3-4 punch now wouldn't it?
Pujols even suggests Manny might offer up a discount to play for the Cardinals...
Yeah, right.
One problem - Cards GM John Mozeliak shot the idea down Thursday night...
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090129&content_id=3784024&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp
There are two reasons Manny still hasn't signed with anyone:
1. He's asking for too much money for too many years
2. He's a head case
Even though the Cardinals aren't going to make a move like this, there is a way the Cardinals could pull it off on a 1-year contract without breaking the bank, though it would take a little creativity and a lot of guts.
They'd have to find teams that would be willing to trade for Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel, which shouldn't be all that difficult despite the fact that both are currently facing arbitration hearings. They're not that expensive, even if they win, and there are several teams looking for some pop in the outfield (Atlanta, San Francisco, Seattle just to name a few) who might be willing to give up decent, cheap young talent for those guys.
Those moves would save the Cards about $7 million and they're already on pace to be about $7 million below their 2008 payroll of $99 million, so that would mean they'd only need to raise payroll by about $6 million over '08 to add Manny at $20 million for one year.
Now, I realize it's not my money and I'm not suggesting the Cardinals should do it, I'm just saying they could do it without demolishing the team's short term financial goals. Plus, in this rough economic climate the Cards do have the advantage of hosting the All-Star Game this season.
Even if they were to move Ludwick & Ankiel to fit Manny into the OF they'd still have Skip Schumaker, Chris Duncan, Joe Mather and Colby Rasmus to fill the other two spots with Jon Jay not far from being ready to jump into the mix.
Even if bringing Manny in would be a cost-neutral move, which it would not be, there are other issues to resolve as well. Ramirez doesn't exactly fit Tony LaRussa's "Hard Nine" mentality.
Keep in mind, however, that LaRussa said he'd welcome Barry Bonds in a Cardinals uniform in the past, so maybe he'd be willing to overlook some of Manny-being-Manny to have that Hall of Fame bat backing up Albert.
It's not gonna happen but it sure is fun to think about the possibilities....
KW
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