Saturday morning links…
- Arangure (via Twitter) writes that the A's have agreed to terms with Michael Feliz, a right-hander from the Dominican Republic. The deal, which is still pending a physical and an age investigation, will provide Feliz with an $800K bonus. The Dominican Prospect League website says that the 6'4, 200-pound hurler is 16-years-old.
- Tim tweets that Bobby Kielty is converting to pitching, and that his slider is actually pretty good. The 33-year-old last played in the big leagues back in 2007, when he was still an outfielder of course.
- ESPN's Jorge Arangure tweets that the Blue Jays, Rockies, and Rangers are the teams most interested in Cuban first baseman Jose Julio Ruiz. Ruiz was recently cleared to sign by the Office of Foreign Asset Control.
- Pat Gillick has returned to the Phillies as a senior advisor to president Dave Montgomery, reports Bob Elliott of The Toronto Sun. Gillick was the team's GM from 2006-2008.
- ESPN's Buster Olney spoke to several talent evaluators, none of whom think Omir Santos is equipped to be a number one catcher. If the season started today, Santos would likely be behind the plate for the Mets.
Is it me, or is it time for Bobby Kielty to move in another direction? He couldn’t cut it as an outfielder, but now he’s going to catch on as a pitcher at 33? Right. Hopefully he retires before the Padres offer him an incentive contract and market him as some sort of human interest story with upside.
Not sure why you took the time to post against this. Why not give the guy a shot? If he can’t cut it, it will be fairly obvious quickly.
I’m gonna say takashi goes to the red sox because him and dice-k were former teammates
“6’4, 200-pound hurler is 16-years-old.”
lol..seriously? he’s either a freak of nature or not 16..
Maybe he’s just the next “big” thing.
thats what you get when you eat all your green veggi lol
…but agreed he has to be some freak or more likely older
PS omar please get some pitching help or at least a better catcher
I remember when I was 16. I was 6’2″ but like 150lbs. I had just sprouted from 5’8″ the year before. I really, really doubt that he is 16.
Hisanori Takahashi is probably being pursued pretty strongly by the Red Sox. With the success that Okajima has had, I’m sure they wouldn’t mind adding another Japanese lefty. Not to mention their strong connection with the majority of Japanese pitching talent since Theo has been in charge.
As much as I hate to say it, Okajima is more of an exception rather than the rule. While he did help several other teams get excited about Japanese set up men, not a lot really stuck. Kobayashi and Yabuta were great relievers in Japan, not so great here.
I don’t see Jose Julio Ruiz signing with the Rox. It doesn’t make any sense.
Buster Olney and many others are pretty quick to assume that Santos will be the starting catcher, a job he had last season only by default. Olney ignores Minaya (which may be a wise thing as a general philosophy) who has pointed out that he has little fear of breaking camp with a catcher lacking experience above AA (Josh Thole). Whether it’s the right or wrong decision I will leave to others, simply noting Minaya has stated he’s not fearful of the idea.
Santos was #3 last year. Shouldn’t be higher than #2 this year and thats only by default. Either sign Barajas (please!) or start Blanco.
I didn’t like how Castro got shipped out so easy last year anyway. Lance Broadway FTW!
I wouldn’t worry……………………. One Molina brother is still a FA. You might get him.
” The 33-year-old last played in the big leagues back in 2007, when he was still an outfielder of course. ”
That should be corrected.
He last played in the majors as a member of the World Series-winning Red Sox.
Kielty actually hit what turned out to be the game-winning homer in the last 2007 WS game