"I think very highly of my client," said Zack Greinke's agent to Brewers management when the two sides opened extension talks according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Greinke, of course, represents himself. The right-hander and his sense of humor will hire an agent at some point, but for now here are some links from around the league…
- The Astros announced that left-handed reliever Sergio Escalona will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the season. "This probably makes us think about [Zach] Duke’s role if he doesn’t win a spot in the rotation," said GM Jeff Luhnow to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (Twitter link).
- Cubs GM Jed Hoyer told ESPN's Jim Bowden that he wants to sign Matt Garza long-term and build around the right-hander rather than trade him (Twitter link).
- "I hope I stay here in Kansas City," said Joakim Soria to MLB.com's Dick Kaegel. Soria will miss the season with Tommy John surgery, and the Royals hold an $8MM club option for his services in 2013. "I love this organization, I feel part of this family and I appreciate what they've done for me."
- "I needed a fresh start. I needed a new team," said Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie to ESPN's Jayson Stark about his trade from the Brewers. Lawrie feels Milwaukee tried to change his effusive personality, though GM Doug Melvin disagrees.
- John Grabow and Jamey Wright will earn $800K and $900K, respectively, if they make the Dodgers according to Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times (Twitter links). Both pitchers have incentives based on appearances, maxing out at $500K (Wright) and $200K (Grabow).
Yes Brett Lawrie ! GO JAYS GO !
You can’t change someone on the inside… and Lawrie has a lot of “kid” in him, so let him do his own thing!
yah!
Just as a warning to deep dynasty owners on Lawrie, I’ve heard many times this guy plays the game hard, so he might go after a MVP, a quick end at 30 is highly likely like Utley.
That’s why I make sure I have depth at all positions, but I’ll enjoy it while I can.
That’s just how the game should be played. Guys like that are what make baseball great.
It’s better to burn out than to fade away.
” Stark leaving Heyward off that very short ‘phenom’ list”
Heyward thinks he is Tony “C” or something thru age 20? Too bad all he has going for him is new age fandom and Atlanta Braves Cheerleaders.
First Ryan Madson and now Sergio Escalona!? Ruben Amaro Jr has a nose for when elbows are about to give out. Too bad he doesn’t have the same inkling for knees.
He didn’t sign the deal for Chase.
All these relievers going down before the season has even started… this is getting crazy.
Vizcaino, Madson, Soria, Zumaya, Escalona…crazy.
Wait, wait, wait…Zack Greinke seriously doesn’t have an agent? I always thought that was a joke and not true. Pffft, I’ll be his agent lol
Since I take offense* to Stark leaving Heyward off that very short ‘phenom’ list, I’ll go ahead and say that Jason Heyward had a .298, .422, .589(1.011 OPS) through his first 150 AB’s as a 20-year-old. Trout had a .672 OPS over 123 AB at the same age, Moore has 19 big-league innings, and Harper has yet to play above AA.
*Actually, I don’t care at all. Just a quick reminder that Heyward is still around and capable of being a superstar. I do project Lawrie to be better though, his swing looks absolutely flawless. Hopefully he can avoid the sophomore(sort of) slump….
The ESPN article says that Brett Lawrie is “technically a rookie anymore, thanks to the 150 at-bats he got at the end of last season,” but in fact he is still a rookie as the 150 at-bats have to come before rosters expand, and he only had 89.
“Determining rookie status:
A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season
or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the
Major Leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active
roster of a Major League club or clubs during the period of 25-player
limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled
list).”
EDIT: I’m man enough to admit a mistake.
I thought the end of clause (b) “clubs during the period of 25-player limit,” applied to clause (a) “exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues.”
Sorry about that.
You just completely contradicted yourself. BTW, you’re wrong. He’s not a rookie this year.
I’m man enough to admit a mistake.
I thought the end of clause (b) “clubs during the period of 25-player
limit,” applied to clause (a) “exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings
pitched in the Major Leagues.”
Sorry about that.
Jesus Montero > Brett Lawrie.
Montero wishes he was as good as Lawrie. Then he wouldn’t still be looking for a position.
Montero’s bat could be better than Lawrie’s.. but the fact that Lawrie plays a position, and (so far) has played it well, makes him the better overall player for sure.
maybe as a hitter, but lawrie is the full package
(so far)
Lawrie feels Milwaukee tried to change his effusive personality, though GM Doug Melvin disagrees
What???
Any chance Greinke doesn’t resign with the Brewers, and hits free agency?
Oh man Lawrie.
It’s hard for someone outside of the Toronto area to understand how in love the city is with this guy. T-shirts are Jerseys are just flying off the shelf
You are absolutely correct. So far I have read a lot of criticism from people that have never even seen him play. This is one exciting ball player. Not just in that he can hit HR’s, steal bases etc. etc. He carries himself like one of those guys that are just soooooo excited to play the game. He walks on the field, and there is an air of excitement around him. He hits a HR and he is so excited he can hardly contain himself. He hits a grand slam and he can’t contain himself. This guy is a cross between Gary Carter and Pete Rose. There will be lots that won’t like him and think he is a hot dog. But there will be real ball fans that will watch his every play and be amazed.
The Jays are one lucky ball team to have him.
Hoyer wants to sign Garza long term and “build around him?” He’s a below .500 pitcher.
wow
I believe this is what you’re looking for
He has a career ERA of under 4.00.
If he can’t win a game when he gives up less than 4 runs a game… the problem is with the hitting… not with him. Come on, use your head.
lol
I don’t if I should laugh or cry…
what about laughing so hard you cry?
Starlin Castro is a career below .500 shortstop. Probably shouldn’t build around him either.
sorry but the braves killed the crap out of Duke yesterday. He has nothing left.