A few links to browse, as we prepare for the Mets' third consecutive appearance on Sunday Night Baseball….
- R.J. Anderson of Fangraphs weighed in on the Royals' demotion of Alex Gordon.
- Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner (via Twitter) has a gut feeling that the M's will release Eric Byrnes tomorrow. Heading into today's game, Byrnes had a slash line of .107/.265/.179 in 34 plate appearances.
- Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star tweets that reports of the Royals selling Ramon Colon to Korea's Kia Tigers appear to be premature. However, the deal for the righty should happen sometime mid-week.
- In a guest piece at Minorleagueball.com, Twins' prospect guru Seth Stohs tells readers about five Twins prospects that you might not know, but probably should.
- ESPN New York's Ian O'Connor spoke with Omar Minaya about several Mets-related issues, including his early impression of Ike Davis and Jerry Manuel's contract status. Minaya offers praise for Manuel, but says he won't be approached about an extension until season's end.
- The New York Post's Joel Sherman writes that the Rays' front office will continue to keep their club competitive, regardless of how many fans are in the stands. He also opines that the presence of Desmond Jennings and Jeremy Hellickson in Triple-A Durham gives the team the flexibility to make a trade that would help them both immediately and in the long-term.
- Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times examines how the Dodgers' cost cutting has affected their scouting and player development.
- J.D. Durbin has signed a one-year deal with NPB's Softbank Hawks, according to Kyodo News. The 28-year-old right-hander last pitched in the majors in 2007 for the Phillies.
I guess Dave Cameron’s gut has connections to the Mariner’s front office.
It’s Roman Colon, not Ramon.
Anyone else think Mike Sweeney should be released before Byrnes?
Anyone else think Mike Sweeney should be released before Byrnes?
Sure the Rays will try to keep their team competitive but the question is what state will the Rays be in when their lease is up………
Thae rays have a ton of highly regarded prospects down on the farm, and they have the best starting staff in baseball with a group of young studs. With the addition of Soriano from the Braves this might be the year the rays win it all. They are going to give the yankees all they want in the east.
I agree the starting staff is one of the best. If Zito keeps pitching really well I think the giants have the best starting staff. But yes, I agree with your point.
What’s certainly true is the Rays get the best “bang for the buck” from their pitching. I don’t think their rotation is making more than $10m combined. Talk about value…
I agree the starting staff is one of the best. If Zito keeps pitching really well I think the giants have the best starting staff. But yes, I agree with your point.
Thae rays have a ton of highly regarded prospects down on the farm, and they have the best starting staff in baseball with a group of young studs. With the addition of Soriano from the Braves this might be the year the rays win it all. They are going to give the yankees all they want in the east.
Sure the Rays will try to keep their team competitive but the question is what state will the Rays be in when their lease is up………
The Gordon article on Fangraphs is proof that you can make stats say whatever you want them to say. It ignores what your eye shows you when you watch Gordon play this year. It also ignores the fact that Gordon was going to be forced down by a hot Callaspo, a defensive commitment to second base (read as Getz), a heavy left handed lineup, and the ability to have two utility players on the bench for Hillman…and crappy play.
“The Gordon article on Fangraphs is proof that you can make stats say whatever you want them to say.”
You mean like “average 1B are about a dime a dozen where average 3B are not as easy to find?”
“It ignores what your eye shows you when you watch Gordon play this year.”
Yeah, because watching those whole 9 games Gordon played could clearly see he… well, was rushed back from his surgery?
“It also ignores the fact that Gordon was going to be forced down by a hot Callaspo, a defensive commitment to second base (read as Getz)”
Actually, it seems you ignored that in your angst to try and illogically bash the article
“…and crappy play”
Okay we will first ignore the fact we are talking about the Royals, a team which, you know, should be building around kids and not trying to play the “hot bat” as if the next win will mean locking up the playoffs. Instead we will ask you one one of these you think is better?
.194/.342/.323/.665 – .299 wOBA
.179/.238/.179/.418 – .206 wOBA
.277/.292/.372/.664 – .289 wOBA
.148/.179/.185/.364 – .196 wOBA
oops, that doubled up
I have watched Alex for many years and not just on TV. I have been at the K when he has hit homers, made errors, and gotten his nose shattered. Further, I regularly drove a couple of hours to watch him play minor league games. I had hope for him, so don’t take that as angst. However, he does not appear to be an average 3B at this point. He has trouble with the slow roller and has never learned to catch the ball with two hands or at least with one hand in a more traditional manner.
As for hitting, Callaspo hit over .300 last year and is hitting well this year. 3B is a more natural position for it. Why not start him there?
If Gordon was rushed back from surgery, it was last year. He seems to be running well and he has repeatedly stated that he is pain free.
If Gordon has been treated unfairly by the Royals, it occurred when they had him skip Omaha years ago to go straight from the Wranglers to the Royals.
“I have watched Alex for many years and not just on TV.”
Many meaning, parts of three?
“However, he does not appear to be an average 3B at this point.”
Well, all his fielding stats show consistent average to above average play outside double play averages so not sure what to tell you – maybe your idea of “average” is too high?
“As for hitting, Callaspo hit over .300 last year and is hitting well this year. ”
And for their careers, the two are almost identical. Of course, there is no reason the two cant be in the lineup at the same time if the Royals were smart enough to use Callaspo at 2B where his bat production is well above average, or at DH + Super-Utility spelling days off/needs.
“If Gordon was rushed back from surgery, it was last year. He seems to be running well”
That’s great to hear about his most recent return! Only problem; Broken Thumbs rarely affect a players running
“If Gordon has been treated unfairly by the Royals, it occurred when they had him skip Omaha years ago to go straight from the Wranglers to the Royals.”
Actually, expecting a player to prove himself over 1 month of playing time after a torn Labrum last year and then 2 weeks the following year after a broken thumb is, well, idiotic – especially for a team that should be building around young players with tremendous upside like Gordon; not burying them under scrub-vets (Betancourt/Guillen/Ankiel) or role-players illogically being given fulltime jobs (Getz)
Only problem; Broken Thumbs rarely affect a players running
rofl. I loved that
Frank McCourt has trained his puppets very well. They are all actually convinced that money has nothing to do with their lack of production.