Red Sox ownership already spoke to the media this morning, so now let's check in the on the rest of the AL East…
- Orioles GM Dan Duquette wouldn't comment on the team's interest in Jorge Soler, telling Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com that tipping his hand wouldn't benefit the team. The O's watched the 19-year-old outfielder work out earlier this month.
- The Orioles lead all clubs with ten out of options players, and manager Buck Showalter told MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli that he estimates they'll have to make "2-4 moves" before the end of camp (Twitter link).
- Daisuke Matsuzaka told WEEI.com's Rob Bradford that he still wants to pitch until he's 40. The right-hander is in the final year of his contract with the Red Sox, and is expected back from Tommy John surgery at midseason.
- “If I didn’t think that I was capable of playing the game at a high level I would go home," said Yankees captain Derek Jeter to reporters yesterday, including George King of The New York Post. "If I wasn’t enjoying myself or enjoying the competition I would go home. Right now I am an enjoying myself. I can’t comment on what would force me to retire because I have a lot of confidence and if that starts to waver I would do it."
- Joel Sherman of The New York Post wrote about Alex Rodriguez, wondering what kind of contract the Yankees third baseman would have received had he been a free agent his offseason.
Good luck pitching until 40 Dice-K, unless you choose to go back to Japan.
The reason he cant: he was abused by his team in japan.
I have to start this by saying that I am in no way trying to imply that I think Dice-K will ever be the pitcher he was supposed to be, or even a very good pitcher, but I do think there is a possibility that he could come back and be a serviceable pitcher going forward. In 2009-2010 he was suffering from a hip injury and dead arm and last year he tore his ACL (that’s not to say that he was a particularly good pitcher even when he was healthy). He was also being forced to change his warm up, training, and off day routines as well as being forced to change how he pitched and what pitches/how many different pitches he used. So while I’m not sure how likely it is, I do think there is a chance that he could come back and be a reasonably effective pitcher in the future.
That being said, he is coming back from TJ surgery so there is little chance that he is an effective pitcher this year, and then he has to go into free agency next year, so I’m not sure what chance he has to show people that given a healthy year, and free reigns to pitch the way he is comfortable pitching, he can actually be a useable pitcher. But I think, if he is given a chance, he can be a reasonable mid-rotation pitcher, particularly if he is picked up by one of the big-ballpark NL teams.
” particularly if he is picked up by one of the big-ballpark NL teams”
Absolutely. He has NL written all over him. If.. BIG if, the LAD ownership situation gets resolved before next (2013) season? The Grand Canyon would be the perfect place (other than not spending SD) for him to show his wares.
We have been over this several times and Matsuzaka is the classic of classics NL pitcher scenario cases.
A-Rod probably would have gotten a Beltran type contract.
“If I didn’t think that I was capable of playing the game at a high level I would go home,” said Yankees captain Derek Jeter and do what Derek? Go home and watch TV? You are so full of soup! Wasn’t it just last year when you signed what was probable your last playing contract, that the Yankees didn’t show you enough respect or some other sort of BS. ZZZZZZZZ is what I have to say to you!The only thing I am disappointed about is that the Orioles really didn’t compete all that well with a Jeter in his prime led team. Peter Angelos showed nothing during that time. No creativity or originality. Nothing, just Tyranny. The only thing Angelos did was put legions of Oriole fans to sleep!
Duquette is thinking about making some moves now huh, how exciting!
Lets run down the list
Robert Andino: I can’t see him being cut or being traded.
Chris Davis: I like him, I hope it works out to be honest.
Dana Eveland: I have no idea, what Duquette was thinking here.
Jim Johnson: He’s pretty good when he’s on, not so good when he’s not
Jai Miller: look at Eveland’s comment.
Troy Patton: I like Troy, I am not so sure that the O’s brain trust does though.
Nolan Reimold: I hope he worked on his defense this past offseason.
Alfredo Simon: I like him, a live arm and four solid pitches. A bit of an enigma.
Pedro Strop: Late addition last season, I still don’t know all that much
Taylor Teagarden: Had his knee drained during the off season and the O’s are taking it slow in Spring Training. Was Duquette’s first trade and the guy already has health issues. Why should I expect anything different? Aye Carumba.
What exactly was The Duke supposed to do? Everyone knew he would fill the team up with castoffs to fill as many holes as he could until the farm can produce people to be productive and replace them.
Be thankful that The Duke has as keen of an eye as he does for snagging those types from the pile and also.. Is good on the International level, plus will work over the scouting department, as he is not too bad in that area..If the ownership will spend money, which previous Boston ownership was off and on with while he was there.
This is not the shoddy GM some Sox fans think he was, but a pretty good one who people should actually give a chance. he will put to many of those discards onto the roster.. I grant you that, but have a feeling Showalter has more backbone than hapless saps like kevin kennedy did and will put his foot down when it comes to roster decisions.
Yeah, what was he supposed to do. Baltimore is a baseball graveyard. Unless you’re Albert Belle, why would any free agent want to go there unless they received a huge premium? Not likely to get any better, what with the apathetic fan base. Gotta start with the scrap heap. Fourth place is certainly within reach!
Orioles have 10 out of option players and they have Flaherty also. Honestly, based on where the Os are in their competitiveness, this makes the Betemit signing make even less sense. Now you don’t give a chance to someone like Jai Miller or Flaherty who everyone wants to see given a chance on this team. Big early fumble for Duke.
37 yo. Bad hip, bad knees . Uncertain knees surgery result. He would be with Pudge and Damon in the list of unsigned have been
I’ve read several versions of the Jeter story, and I can’t tell what the news is. He’s not saying anything different than he’s said before. He’ll play until the game is no longer fun and he can no longer compete. That means he might play after his current contract; it also means me might call it quits before it’s over.
There are lots of slow news days in the early days of Spring Training. This story is a perfect example!