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Baek doesn't have great K/BB, GB% or HR rate, but without ever seeing him pitch I can say that he's better than Adam Eaton, and Gillick has brought over several spare parts from the Seattle organization the past two seasons. Maybe the Phillies take a flyer on him
Posted by: wayne gomes | May 22, 2008 at 12:00 PM
As for Cabrera: I wonder how the numbers would look if you discounted his first two starts and maybe even the game in Chicago (AL) that was an absolute mess, weather/conditions- wise. If we're talking about whether or not he's for real, I think we need to look at the relevant stats, rather than ALL of them. The 'new' Cabrera didn't emerge until after a few tune-up games and the aforementioned game in Chicago was anomalous when you consider baseball's typical conditions.
Perhaps the BABIP trending would remain...ominous, but I'd still be interested to see. I'll admit to a bias, being an O's fan, but the more I see, the more I believe. He's always had the stuff, after all; it's been a matter of control and maturity.
DC has now run up something like 9 straight quality starts. When does it become 'official' that he's a different pitcher? The linked article talks about him being a breakout candidate many times before, but that was on potential; he's never put together a run like this. Count me among the converts.
Also pertaining to my O's...loved the info on Pittsburgh's draft quandary. I've been saying for a while now that I think the Bucs WILL spend this draft, but WON'T go for Alvarez and his massive demands. It's interesting to see the beginnings of a shift in precisely that direction.
As much as the Pirates want to demonstrate a new mindset, I think the notion of spending $7mil or more on a single prospect sticks in the collective craw of the boys upstairs. Beckham would give them the perfect out; allowing the club to rationalize the pick to their fans (still smarting from the Moskos pick last year) and say 'we got the top player in the draft,' without paying nearly what Alvarez is asking.
If the draft continues to play out in this way, I can see the O's nabbing Alvarez with the fourth overall, which would be a steal. Tampa takes Posey, PIT goes with Beckham, KC grabs hometown hero Crow or lefty Matusz, and the Birds get their man... Sounds reasonable. Still, it all comes down to Tampa. If THEY take Beckham, as they very well may, I doubt that the Bucs take Posey. That one WOULD remind fans of Moskos and management can't afford another draft debacle.
In that case, Pittsburgh could still go with Matusz and mostly save face, but Alvarez seems more likely...even if it means grinning and bearing Boras' big asking price. Then, I could see the O's going with either Matusz, Gordon Beckham, or Smoak.
Posted by: milehigh78 | May 22, 2008 at 12:12 PM
"says the six-fingered pitcher has attitude questions"
Wouldn't you?
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | May 22, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Would it be more accurate to call him 12-fingered, is what I am wondering.
Posted by: Tim Dierkes | May 22, 2008 at 01:22 PM
I believe that the new unsigned-pick compensation structure, where an unsigned Alvarez at #4 nets the Pirates the #4-A pick in next year's draft, essentially breaks the back of the hire-Boras-ask-the-moon-and-fall-to-the-Yankees strategy. Back when the team's compensation was a late sandwich-round pick, not signing a #4 was a knife to the gut. Now it's at most a slap to the face, and sometimes you might even prefer it. Let's say you think the current draft class is weak (this one isn't, but some have been), but the following draft class is strong. That would give a smart team in the top few picks a really strong incentive to pick the highes-bonus-demand, most-recalcitrant-agent player and see if he's wise. Offer him slot, then when he asks for more, offer him 10% below slot. If you get him, fine: the next draft is strong anyway, and you've saved money. If not, wash your hands of the annoying player and agent and get two picks in the strong draft class. Et voila...
Me, I like Posey and Beckham The Elder, but The Younger and Alvarez are also strong picks.
Posted by: wcw | May 22, 2008 at 01:35 PM
I think he's 11 fingered.
Posted by: gogopalehose | May 22, 2008 at 02:45 PM
If I were a Pirates fan, I'd be hoping to select ss Tim Beckham at the #2 position.
Face it, there aren't many impact bats on the Pirates ready to contribute (Pearce, McLouth, and McCutcheon are the only ones I can come up with).
The team needs retooling and should start with trading Jason Bay, Freddy Sanchez, and Adam LaRoche (play Pearce at 1B). Get gobs of pitching in return.
Pedro Alvarez will be good. But he will not single handedly raise the Pirates to the promised land. Pittsburgh needs time to develop several talented young players to bring up at one time (as a small market team, they won't be big spenders in the FA market).
The short of it is that Alvarez actually will get to the majors too fast for Pittsburgh. Draft Beckham and another high schooler in the 2nd round, then draft another high school superstar next year with the top 5 pick you are sure to get.
Posted by: delaware_bird | May 22, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Like Oneli "six fingered" Perez, I once had a cat with an extra digit on each paw. Wow, you should have seen the extra action he could put on his catnip-laced toys when he would throw them. He was remarkable!
Posted by: HoratioAlgae | May 22, 2008 at 08:44 PM
If a team claims Cha Seung Baek off waivers, don't you think that they should request that he change his name to Chas E Beak? That would be one acquisition they could really crow about!
Posted by: HoratioAlgae | May 22, 2008 at 08:55 PM
You should walk to your medicine cabinet and immediately swallow every pill you can find. We will all hope for the best.
Posted by: ArodSucksAtLife | May 22, 2008 at 09:45 PM
wcw
I did not know that about the draft! Hmmmm... Who's in next year's draft? There's that ridiculous righty from San Diego, Steven Strasburg or whatever, plus Kyle Gibson, Alex White...anyone else really good? I'm wondering because I have a plan that will never happen, yet could be interesting.
Say Alvarez is gone and the O's (my team, though you can replace them with your team if you like) like but don't love anyone else early on but think next year's draft is loaded. We A)Trade everyone we CAN trade over the age of, say, 27
B)Tank the season using a bunch of scrubs; giving a bunch of young players valuable experience.
C)Pick some d-bag without any intention of signing him.
In the end, we get two picks in the first five of next year's draft; take Strassburg and Gibson or something like that and roll on to glory.
OK, that's insane, but intriguing nevertheless
Posted by: milehigh78 | May 23, 2008 at 02:18 PM