Real live baseball was played in Florida and Arizona today, even though it was nothing more than a handful of exhibition games. That's better than nothing in my book. Here's some links for Saturday…
- Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star breaks down the Royals' roster issues, explaining why some of their top prospects won't break camp with the team even though they may be MLB ready.
- Examiner.com's Stephen Goff hears that the Astros are looking at UConn RHP Matt Barnes, Kentucky RHP Alex Meyer, Hawaii 2B Kolten Wong, and Indiana OF Alex Dickerson for their first round pick in this summer's draft, #11 overall (all Twitter links).
- Jon Heyman of SI.com (via Twitter) spoke to a scout who believes that the three prospects the Phillies received for Cliff Lee may never be heard from again. The club recieved J.C. Ramirez, Phillippe Aumont, and Tyson Gillies in the trade that sent Lee to the M's.
- The Athletics' bullpen has improved a great deal this winter, writes Jeff Fletcher of AOL Fanhouse.
- More on Dennys Reyes from Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, who writes that Reyes' deal with the Phillies fell through when the two sides could not agree on "two clauses" in the proposed contract.
- Dennys Reyes can opt out of his minor league contract with the Red Sox on March 26th, reports WEEI.com's Rob Bradford (on Twitter). Reyes is competing with fellow lefties Andrew Miller, Rich Hill, and Randy Williams for a spot in Boston's bullpen.
- In today's blog post at ESPN (Insider req'd), Buster Olney says that Michael Young is no longer talking about his trade demand, "but he seemingly hasn't taken it off the table, either." It appears that Young was bothered by the team's pursuit of Jim Thome and acquisition of Mike Napoli after he agreed to a DH/utility role.
- Joel Sherman of The New York Post updates everyone on Mark Prior, who he believes was on the path to becoming baseball's first $150MM pitcher. Prior is in camp with the Yankees on a minor league pact and knows he'll have to prove himself against Triple-A competition before returning to the big leagues. "It is not the career path I envisioned, but it is the career path I am on," said Prior. "So be it. No regrets."
- Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times looks at the Dodgers' economical approach to left-field. Marcus Thames and Jay Gibbons are expected to platoon at the position, and are guaranteed just $1.4MM combined in 2011. Tony Gwynn Jr., Gabe Kapler, and the out-of-options Xavier Paul also figure into that mix.
Seems to me Michael Young has every right to not be happy with the Rangers. He was asked to move positions several times, he does for the good of the team. Then he moves to a spot where he may not play the field near as often, and the team goes out and looks to get someone to fill THAT spot as well. I don’t get it.
I started to type a sarcastic “Yeah, I wish this topic had been discussed before” and then I saw that you’re new here. Welcome, and get ready for the “Blah blah blah $16M per year” people to welcome you as well.
Welcome you’ll like commenting here, its a great group of people. Just as a caution, sometimes you may get in a disagreement as many have on here, but don’t take it personal.
I feel every year I read a new “this is when prior will try to comeback” article. Also he states that he could have made 150 mil, but failed to provide any real information about other contracts and whatnot and really just pure speculation based on 2 seasons of numbers.
Exactly, I mean not baseball related but very similar wasn’t Ryan Leaf supposed to of been better than Peyton Manning? I wonder if any team would sign Ryan Leaf and say well, he could of been this great unstoppable QB, we are going to take a chance he can regain just a smidge of his former self.
Those two cases aren’t anything close to comparable. Prior, when healthy, was a dominant pitcher at a young age. Ryan Leaf, when healthy, was awful. Leaf was only thought to be comparable to Manning until both were in the NFL, and then the relative talents were exposed. Prior did live up to the hype, if not exceed it, until his arm fell apart.
Bingo!
I still can’t help but admire Mark Prior for his continued efforts. He wants to pitch. He’s endured several surgeries, years of rehab, and a treks out in the wilderness. He’s made enough money to live his life; the man still wants to play baseball. He’s going to keep trying to find a mound to pitch on, a way to pitch that works for him. I can’t begrudge him that. I just can’t.
Michael Young “You guys got Mike Napoli? But he is better than me at DH, But you said…..YOU SAID.” ::crying::
i really want my like button back
Its alrite. I liked it for you
Why did you lose it? Wait, what?
i still have a like button, it just doesn’t work anymore. turns out when you’re reincarnated not everything still functions properly
*viagra joke*!
ha
I only liked this for notsureifsrs.
My boy Freeman went 3-3 with 3 doubles today. ROY frontrunner, folks.
However, Craig Kimbrel surrendered 2 runs and was topping out at 87mph…….
Doubtful.
Was being sarcastic, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see anyone call him a front runner. He’s one of the few position player rookies who have an opening day starting job. Brown is likely to be platooned. Chapman will be in the pen and probably in a non-closers role for most of the season. This season isn’t stacked with rookies like it was last year.
the problem with starting jobs for rookies is that they fade down the stretch, when voting takes place. there will be rookies coming up in May & June that get more attention if they can stay hot. I’m sure Freeman will have to be spelled often to keep him from losing confidence during bad stretches.
How are you sure Freeman will be spelled ‘often’? And by who, Hinske and Mather? They basically handed the job to Freeman mid-way through the 2010 season and made little effort to bring anyone in as his backup. Hinske will likely play more LF than 1B.
I’m not saying Freeman is 100% legit. He’s gonna have his tough stretches, but with his defense he’ll stick at 1B if he can put up a .285, .330, .420 line with 15+ HR(I have complete faith that he can do at least that). Not numbers that usually win the ROY, but as I said…..it’s a relatively weak rookie class, especially compared to last years.
I’m just saying, I’ve seen Freeman mentioned in the top 3 NL ROY candidates by just about every analyst and journalist that’s covered the topic. I don’t think he’ll win, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he did is all I’m saying. He’s quite a few peoples preseason pick, actually.
I was just making a more general comment about rookies that play the full season — they seem to be a fade down the stretch. Freeman is definitely going to be considered in ROY candidate discussions for the first part of the season, but those conversations often change. JA Happ wasn’t on most people’s radars and he had a great 2nd half and got lots of attention.
I think if we come back in August our discussion may include Freeman but a handful of other guys that weren’t even on anyone’s radar will crop up. Not because I think Freeman is gonna be bad/medicore; it’s just the way the ROY discussions seem to go.
Phillies have to move Aumont back to the pen. He has serious closer potential.
According to Heyman (which I wouldn’t put too much stock into) they don’t have a future :x.
The scout Heyman talked to must’ve been from the Mariners. If I’m not mistaken, all 3 are still 21, are in AA, and all prospects can flop at any time. Non news really.
As I said above, I’m not putting much stock into it. I agree with what you said.
You’re mistaken, they’re all 22. They must be failures.
Oh 22? Well.. that just makes them busts. Good times.
They’re just busts if they are Yankee prospects who haven’t won a Cy Young or MVP yet.
Really though. How can that scout say that about guys that are barely 22 yet? Seems a bit premature.
I don’t think Ramirez will be… He had a torn labrum and still had a decent year at double A. Maybe a solid #4-5 starter.
This year will really tell us whether Aumont or Gillies will continue to be prospects as I think you have to throw both their seasons out the window since Gillies wasn’t healthy at all and Aumont was jerked around all season.
Not trying to start anything, but wasn’t Gillies caught with a ton(not literally) of cocaine in Florida during the offseason? Why am I not seeing that mentioned anymore? Is he off the hook?
Yes, allegedly a baggie of “la coca” fell out of his pocket in a police car, however charges were dropped prior to a trial.
dont you mean was already in the police car before Gillies got in
How do you get out of dropping a bag of cocaine in a police car? God I hate Florida….
Rumor is sufficient doubt as to whether the bag (and it was was a tiny bag apparently) fell out when he was in the car, or a prior guest. A decent lawyer could have gotten him off.
Marcus Thames an everyday LF in the NL yikes
My thoughts exactly. And I like Marcus Thames. I think he has his uses. He seems to be a good fellow who works hard, but I don’t want to see fly balls bouncing all around his ankles, head, and feet. That whole Dodger outfield doesn’t look too good defensively. Pity poor Ted Lilly-he NEEDS them to be good.
” That whole Dodger outfield doesn’t look too good defensively.”
The Dodgers have trotted out Juan Pierre and Manny Ramirez in their outfield. Marcus Thames will look like Roberto Clemente in comparison.
You’re right. They have a history of not giving a @#$$ about how the outfield performs defensively.
I still feel bad for Ted Lilly.
How many Boras clients have the Astros chosen when they pick that high? reason asking.. Boston took Alex Meyer with a 20th round pick back in 2008 and Boras was “helping” him and was rumored meyer (with Boras coaching) turned down 2m to attend University of Kentucky back then.. Just how much are Ed Wade and company prepared to spend on him now with the 11th overall selection if Boras is mangling his brain still?