A round-up of some of Wednesday's newsbits….
- The Marlins assigned top prospect Mike Stanton to Double-A, but MLB.com's Joe Frisaro writes that by keeping Stanton in the minors until "around Memorial Day, or June 1," the club can delay Stanton's Super Two status.
- RHP Casey Daigle, a non-roster invitee signed by the Astros in December, has a shot at winning a spot on the Houston roster, writes Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Daigle last pitched in the majors in 2006.
- MLB.com's Corey Brock (via Twitter) hears from GM Jed Hoyer that the Padres haven't heard from other teams interested in Heath Bell, nor are they "actively shopping" the closer themselves.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports calls the Mariners "a disappointment waiting to happen" and feels they won't live up to the hype generated by their busy offseason.
- Carroll Rogers of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports on new TBS analyst John Smoltz popping by the Braves camp. Smoltz said he is "not officially [retired], but close" and noted that the Nationals offered a deal over the winter for him to pitch and eventually coach for the club.
- MLB.com's Steve Gilbert writes that Arizona GM Josh Byrnes' interest in Kelly Johnson dated back to the infielder's high school days, and that Byrnes tried to deal for Johnson back in 2006.
- LHP Danny Duffy, one of Kansas City's top pitching prospects, is quitting baseball, reports Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star.
- WEEI.com's Rob Bradford reports that reliever Joe Nelson has an opt-out clause in his contract with the Red Sox that allows him to become a free agent if he isn't on Boston's major league roster by June 1.
- Prospective Rangers owner Chuck Greenberg won't have the deal finalized to buy the team by Opening Day, reports Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com. Mid-April is the new target date.
- Matt Klaassen of Fangraphs looks at the battle for the last spot on the Oakland roster, while also dropping several hints that the A's would be helping themselves by releasing Eric Chavez.
- Matt Eddy of Baseball America looks at seven out-of-options players who he figures will either make their team's roster or be traded in the coming days. Eddy also gave us a shout-out by linking to MLBTR's full list of players who are out of options.
who saw that duffy would just quit baseball.
I heard that he was inspired by Greinke and he may attept to come back.
Can’t we Royals fans ever catch a break?
Nope.
It’s obviously a let down. And I wish Daniel Duffy the best. But a few things,
1. He could eventually come back.
2. The Royals still have 7 Pitching Prospects and all 7 are legitimate pitchers.
Mike Montgomery
Noel Arguelles
Aaron Crow
Chris Dwyer
Edgar Osuna
Tim Melville
John Lamb
3. He’s not retiring, he’s taking a personal leave. So unlike Grant Desme, he’s not officially hanging it up.
I had been under the impression it was him completely quitting, even then realizing he could come back, it would be highly unlikely. Also, that post was a knee-jerk reaction as well. But if he is doing a Greinke-esque leave of absence, then it’s much less of a blow to the organization.
Of course, in regards to his well-being, that’s first and foremost. If he just needs a mental break from the game, or feels it’s a detriment to his livelihood, then by all means it’s fully understandable and commendable.
And let’s hope those arms live up to their projections, I’m still a little skeptical just from being a Royals fan for 20 years.
Well its a good thing you and I are optimists right?
It could be worse… you could be a Mets fan. 🙁
It could be worse… you could be a Mets fan. 🙁
I’m telling you guys, when it comes to the A’s first base situation, I have two words…
Chris Carter!
The Twins have to trade Wilson Ramos for Heath Bell.
Also, the Red Sox are just impressive. Alan Embree, Joe Nelson, and Brian Shouse, all Minor League Signings and all can make a huge impact.
Its a stretch to say they can make a huge impact. They’re dime a dozen relievers. I’m hoping that Dustin Richardson replaces whomever by mid-season.
That’s quite disappointing, I’m Danny Duffy’s 2nd cousin, so I was looking forward to seeing him with KC.
I have to agree with Rosenthal on this one. When the Mariners got Cliff Lee that was great and I thought they were going to get that big power bat they needed, and then went out and got Milton Bradley, the walking, talking, breathing disappointment. Erik Bedard falls into that category too. Plus the emphasis on defense, I don’t know they are a lot closer to the Angels than they were, but we’ll see.
Seattle … easily the most overhyped team in baseball. People that actually think realize that the 09 version was incredibly lucky – the luckiest team in baseball. If you regress their performance to the mean and then add back in any improvements this is a team that will be lucky to win 85 games. More likely – they are an 80-82 win team. And I can’t wait.
For months the drones have been going on and on about how wonderful Jack Z is. But Mariner fans still haven’t come to terms with:
1. Hernandez had a career year in 09 – by a wide margin. To expect a repeat is asking a lot. Sure he could do it (the guy is incredibly talented) but I wouldn’t bet on it.
2. Lee is great, but in reality he will have a hard time replacing the 140 innings that Washburn provided last year.
3. Figgins is also great. On the downside, he is replacing a guy that consistently out produced him. Figgins is a big injury risk.
4. Bradley is a negative factor, Jack Wilson can’t hit, Bedard isn’t healthy, and pitchers 3-5 are either marginal at best or very unproven.
5. Where is the power to replace Branyan going to come from?
I think the M’s improve by 5-7 games. Without luck playing a factor that gets you to 82 wins. I think Bill James was projecting 85 a few weeks back.
I sort of agree. Their lineup is still below average. Some people tend to believe you can just assemble a lineup on paper, use some equations and formulas and automatically have a great team. Whether we like it or not, luck will always be involved and guys won’t play as well or as bad as they did the previous year.
I sort of agree. Their lineup is still below average. Some people tend to believe you can just assemble a lineup on paper, use some equations and formulas and automatically have a great team. Whether we like it or not, luck will always be involved and guys won’t play as well or as bad as they did the previous year.
….
You had me until you said that Lee will have a hard time replacing Wash’s innings.
I’m sorry, but Washburn was about as lucky as they came. I understand Lee’s hurt and what not, but that isn’t a legit concern for any person to have. Lee could outdo Wash any day of the week and 8 times on sunday.
Otherwise, I agree with the skepticism.
What he means is that in 2009 season Washburn pitched 133 innings of 2.64 ERA ball for the Mariners, so expecting something that low out of Lee could lead to a letdown, Lee will outdo Washburn’s time with Detroit, but while he was with the M’s last season he was flat out dominant, like you said most of it was due to luck, but it still doesn’t change he fact he had very good numbers last year with Seattle.
….
You had me until you said that Lee will have a hard time replacing Wash’s innings.
I’m sorry, but Washburn was about as lucky as they came. I understand Lee’s hurt and what not, but that isn’t a legit concern for any person to have. Lee could outdo Wash any day of the week and 8 times on sunday.
Otherwise, I agree with the skepticism.
the mariners are building a ballclub tailormade to their ballpark. emphasis on defense and speed. but yeah, some people were saying things like they will win 95+ games, which is a stretch.
The Mariners aren’t looking too bad this year. I think they’re better than last year, but they had a lot of luck in 09 and they’re going to need a lot more if they want to reproduce and exceed last years mark. The lack of any power though is concerning though.
The Mariners aren’t looking too bad this year. I think they’re better than last year, but they had a lot of luck in 09 and they’re going to need a lot more if they want to reproduce and exceed last years mark. The lack of any power though is concerning though.
I think it’s funny that writer assumed Stanton’s going down to delay arbitration. Are you sure it’s not because he’s 20! and last played an unimpressive half-year in AA?
I think it’s funny that writer assumed Stanton’s going down to delay arbitration. Are you sure it’s not because he’s 20! and last played an unimpressive half-year in AA?
Good luck to Casey Daigle. If he snagged Jennie Finch, he has to be a cool guy.
maybe the Astros are planning to bring in Ms. Finch to fill in for Lance Berkman!?
Ya Seattle is TOTALLY overhyped.
Felix only throws 170 k’s a year in 200 innings with an ERA around 3.5
Cliff Lee definitely won’t hit 140 innings. Even though since 05′ he’s averaged over 200 innings (with the exception of 07 due to injury)
Chone Figgins’ 290 average and 45 SB’s definitely since 05′ can’t replace Adrian Beltre’s (who happens to be my favorite player) 260 avg 25 HR and 105 K averages in the same span
Bradley is so negative that he’s getting along with everyone in Seattle. Erik Bedard is still injured even though his rehab is way ahead of schedule. Jack Wilson can’t hit (he actually can’t) even though he is the best defensive SS in baseball. Their 4-5 starters sure are horrible too, even though so are the Angels, A’s and Rangers fringe starters.
And how the heck are they going to replace Russell Branyan’s 150 K’s in 431 PA’s? And who will replace his fabulous 1B defense? Surely Casey Kotchman can’t be an upgrade in either of those categories.
Even though Jose Lopez’s power numbers have been steadily increasing for years, since he is 26 and moving to a less physically demanding position, I expect his numbers to dramatically and miraculously regress.
Ya, we will definitely win less games than last year with all the improvements the Rangers, A’s and Angels have made.
Give me a frickin’ break.