It's been an entertaining week in the NL East this week, with every team making some sort of sign and/or trade. Obviously some are a little more major than others, but it's a sign that all of our divisional rivals are putting some wheels in motion in preparation for 2011, whether it's shoring up the rotations, improving bullpens, or simply trading eventual departures for controllable minor leaguers.
Hopefully everyone's staying warm and cozy during this arctic blast that's blown across the eastern seaboard, even causing Atlanta to go into a state of panic as inexperienced southerners abandon their cars on the side of I-75, and proceed to do everything you're not supposed to do when there's ice on the roads. Welcome to another week of Things Read in Other Moms' Basements.
Cliff Lee signs with the Phillies - MLB
So I hear this Cliff Lee guy is pretty good.
The financial breakdown, for you economic nerds - Philly.com
Spoiler - The Phillies will have $61.5M and $65M dedicated to just three players in 2012 and 2013. Even more if they pick up Halladay's option in 2014.
Roy Halladay was the only one who knew the deal was on the table - MLB
And Doc, being the classy guy he is, is obviously elated to have another ace-caliber pitcher in the rotation, giving him an even better chance to win a championship, as opposed to worrying about his ego getting dinged by an in-house rival.
Just so they're clear - Beerleaguer
What a terrible thing for Phillies fans to have to argue - who's the ace of the squad, Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee??
Naturally, there are comparisons, but no better voice than he who saw it himself - Philly.com
That would be Greg Maddux, who states that what the Phillies have is the potential to be something special. The key to a dominant rotation? Consistency, and staying healthy.
Abobo deal falling through - Beerleaguer
Despite the fact that the Phillies need a lefty, they can't come to agreement with the portly Dennys Reyes. So now, the deal is off the table, and the Phillies bullpen still has no reliable lefty.
Jimmy Rollins has minor surgery on wrist - MLB
A cyst was removed from his right wrist. He'll be back for Spring Training.
The unhappiest guy in Phillies Nation - Beerleaguer
That would be Joe Blanton, the guy that is now seen as this financial ballast to a team that just dumped a boatload of money to bring in this Cliff Lee fellow. Let the rosterbation continue, with this week being "Blanton to Boston?!?!"
Josh Willingham traded to Oakland A's for two minor leaguers - WaPo
This doesn't surprise me the least bit. Nationals deny request for a 3-4 year deal, naturally they can't expect to get a happy Josh Willingham for the 2011 season. And it's his final arbitration year, making him a likely candidate to run once the season is over, if he wasn't moved. So, he's shipped off to Oakland for two minor leaguers, RP Henry Rodriguez, who spent last year in AAA, and throws absolute gas (think Joel Zumaya), but that typically means control problems too. And OF Corey Brown, who has good on-base skills, and pretty decent power, but needs to cut back on the Ks before he makes it up. He'll likely start next year in AA, maybe AAA.
Chad Gaudin signs minor league deal with Nationals - MLB
The 27-year old journey man pitcher will get a shot to be a part of the Nationals next year, as he's invited to big league Spring Training. He's started and relieved, and could be a fairly competent arm for the squad for next season.
The newest National likes to have his ass hammered by guys - MLB
That's right, Matt Stairs, the 43-year old Canadian pinch-hitting specialist has signed a minor-league deal with an invitation to big league camp to try to become the designated pinch-hitter for the Nats going into 2011. Incase you missed it, and are morbidly curious to the clever headline, upon hitting a walk-off homer while on the Phillies, Stairs had this to say afterward:
"...but when you get that nice celebration coming in the dugout and you're getting your ass hammered by guys, there's no better feeling than to have that done."
And they're not done, either - MLB
The following guys are reclamations and low-risk high-reward namse that the Nationals are targeting, after falling short on the Cliff Lee sweepstakes: Brandon Webb, Zombie Carl Pavano, Derrek Lee, Adam LaRoche. Considering the four of them play two positions, the Nationals could feasibly land two of them, and improve a decent bit in the process.
Jayson Werth has a full no-trade clause - WaPo
Revealed during the introduction, which is a little strange, considering going into the fifth year of his deal will put him at 10-5 rights, to which he has to approve any trade, so I guess this is just more or less security for the first four seasons.
How does Jayson Werth affect the future of Bryce Harper? - MLB
Both are right-fielders, and Werth is actually a pretty good player. What happens when Harper is expected to be in the majors in at least two years? No definitive answers yet, although my guess is that Harper goes to left. But revealed is the plans the Nats have for 2011 to play Werth in center on days when LHPs take the mound because Nyjer Morgan is putrid against lefties.
How does Cliff Lee effect the Nationals? - WaPo
Well, Jayson Werth isn't happy, which I guess is good news for the Nationals, and bad news for the Phillies. The two are friends, and Lee promised to personally tell Werth of his choice; unfortunately, Lee choosing the Phillies who suddenly had money to spend leaves a slightly bitter flavor in Werth's pallet. Oh well, hopefully this is one of those situations where we Braves fans as neutrals, can just sit back and enjoy the show.
Jayson Werth wants to get rid of all the Phillies fans that invade DC - Deadspin
How much of this is obligatory PR speak, and how much of this is vindictive "How dare you give Cliff Lee money you could've given me" speak? Personally, I get the impression that Werth is a little unhinged in the head. Maybe it's because he looks like the wrestler, Edge, who often gives off that impression in his character.
Chien-Ming Wang resigns one-year deal with Natinoals - MLB
Well, that's good that he did, because he sure didn't give them a single pitch last year. This makes him marginally more generous than Tanyon Sturtze was for us back in 2007.
Ryan Zimmerman likes Slurpees - Nats NQ
I love Slurpees. They're a staple of my diet whenever I go back up to Virginia, or visit any state that actually has 7-Elevens. They're currency between my best friend and I. Ryan Zimmerman also loves Slurpees. And instead of purchasing one for himself, he's a little more generous with his resources, and purchases one for his former comrades and alma mater, over at the Unviersity of Virginia.
Marlins sign Randy Choate to two-year deal - Sun Sentinel
He's 35, played last year for the Rays, and is actually very good against LHB in his entire career. (.217 and .598OPS whole career) An interesting tidbit - this is the first time that the current crop of Marlins ownership has given a multi-year deal to a relief pitcher, let alone one that's more or less a LOOGY, as typically, the Marlins bullpens are callups, reclamations, and otherwise minor league deals. The way the the Marlins are shoring up on the bullpen reminds me of the 2008 Royals who signed pretty much every free agent reliever they could get their hands on . . . and the result - garbage.
Potential three-team trade involving Ricky Nolasco, Leo Nunez, the Rockies and Rangers falls through - Miami Herald
Other than the Marlin chips, no other names are revealed, but I would have guessed the Nolasco and Nunez would have gone to Colorado. Also mentioned in the link is the rumor that the Marlins have called the Royals in inquisition of none other than Zack Grienke.
Get ready for the 21-year old new clean-up hitter - Fish Bytes
That's right, Mike Stanton has already been slotted to be the clean-up hitter for the Fish going into 2011. Such an action is now drawing comparisons to Mel Ott and Eddie Matthews, who are the only 20-21 year olds to hit 40 dingerz in a season, as such production is wishfully being hoped for out of Stanton, who hit a cumulative 43 homers between Double-A and the majors in his year-20 season. Bill James predicts 38 homers . . . but 162 strikeouts to go along with that.
Marlins to send players and staff to visit troops again - MLB
Logan Morrison, Wes Helms, Andre Dawson, Jeff Conine, and Marlins president David Samson will be going to visit troops in Bahrain, and Germany.
How does Cliff Lee effect the Marlins? - Sun Sentinel
Surprise, only maybe four current Marlins actually have faced Cliff Lee. Hanley Ramirez, John Buck, Omar Infante and Wes Helms are the only Marlins going into 2011 who have seen him, and despite them all being small sample sizes, all of them have hit him well. Means nothing, in the long run, but it's a slow news time these days.
Jason Bay currently feeling well - MLB
Either he's used to having headaches, or the headaches are gone, but Jason Bay is pretty much resuming normal activity in the off-season, from the post-concussion syndrome that plagued the end of his season last year.
Mets sign P Boof Bonser to minor league deal - MLB
The link says that he is slated to compete for a spot in the bullpen. Bullpen? Who the heck are all their starters? Aside from Pelfrey, maybe Dickey, and the still-injured Santana, who else is going to start for them?
Pedro Feliciano to stay in New York - MLB
But for the Yankees, as the Yanks took one of the most prized lefty specialists off the board to a two-year deal.
How does Cliff Lee effect the Mets? - MLB
"It's going to be fun, man," outfielder Carlos Beltran said, rolling his eyes in exaggerated fashion. "Good luck."
I think that says it all.
What we have here is a failure to communicate - MLB
Speaking of Carlos Beltran, communication issues between he and the Mets seems to be a re-occuring issue. This time, while Beltran is off-seasoning back in Puerto Rico, he has zero idea that the Mets were throwing his name around in trade talks with the Red Sox until a family member told him. Wow, kinda would've been nice to know that I'm being dangled around!
Jose Canseco wants a chance! - MetsBlog
I wish this were from a fake Twitter account, but it really isn't. 46-years old, and Mr. Juice is very serious about wanting to get back into the Major Leagues. Even to go as far as to make a video of himself taking cuts. Try and count the foul pops!
[SATIRE] New York Salvation Army struggling to keep up with droves of Mets apparel donations - The Apple
Honestly, while reading through this, I'm biting my lip as not to laugh out loud at Starbucks, and without the disclaimer at the bottom of the page, I seriously was believing that this was the truth.
Sandy Alderson must need to wash his hair - MetsBlog
Because he doesn't really have any other excuse to check in on a $12M investment down in Mexico, but the new Mets GM is saying that he might not get a chance to check up on Oliver Perez who's playing winter ball. Considering he's given up 14 runs and 14 walks on 22 hits in 22 innings, with an ERA of 5.73 for the Tomato Farmers, I can't say I really blame him.
Well, at least he's a man of his word - NY Daily News
"Lots of information swirling around the Twitter, some of it questionable. For example, if the Phillies sign Cliff Lee, I'll cover spring training in a Speedo."
So yeah, there's going to be a guy running around Port St. Lucie in a speedo in March, you'll know that he writes for the Daily News.
0 recs | 44 comments
You know,
that Choate deal ought to make Braves fans who disliked the Sherrill signing feel a bit better. The Marlins—notorious penny pinchers—basically gave Choate the same salary for 2 years, compared to 1 year for Sherrill. Compared to Choate (and all the other crazy, 2- and 3-year reliever deals being signed lately), Sherrill looks like a freaking bargain.
Stanton hitting cleanup is kind of intriguing. I mean, it makes sense in that they don’t have anyone else to hit behind Hanley now that we have Uggla. But you do wonder how all the holes in his swing are going to play in that spot. Offensively, he reminds me a bit of a more-power, more-strikeouts version of Andruw at the same age. Not exactly fundamentally sound, but he’ll hit with enough power to be useful. And in 3-4 years, watch out.
Jacob Peterson - December 18, 2010
Not so sure I'm agreeable with MadDog here
The probability to me is that on one or more of the Phillies rotation has disabling physicial problems any given year. Those guys all have pitched alot of innings and none of them are getting any younger.
Not that I’m wishing injuries on anyone, of course.
Link
fandave - December 18, 2010
By your logic though
That would mean Hudson or Lowe have an even greater probability of being hurt next season. Hudson (age 35) threw 228 innings last year. Lowe (age 37) threw 193. These guys have pitched a lot of innings and are not getting any younger.
andyb - December 18, 2010
Hudson has already had his elbow surgery, however; and last season, Lowe missed a start (only one, which was somewhat surprising at least to me, although he had been extremely ineffective for several prior starts) due to a floating bone chip in his elbow becoming stuck in a bad place, and Medlin, a young pitcher, blew out his elbow and is out for 12 months plus — All of which tends, if anything, to support exactly what I was saying.
My main point re MadDog’s statement was I would think pitchers in their 30s are more at risk than ever. Whether or not this is historically true or not, I must admit I don’t know.
fandave - December 18, 2010
"...and the Phillies bullpen still has no reliable lefty."
That’s a great line. Here’s hoping it’s still true come April.
And here’s also hoping to consistently get IN to their bullpen come April.
carpengui - December 18, 2010
I'm gona Rec this post
I watched a ton of baseball the last few years. The first thing I think about is getting to the BP. The starters that Philly is able to throw out any one of them could give you 7 innings. To expose the BP you halfto get to it first . Also the lack of good / proven LHR I’ve been thinking about this: If Philly makes the post season and, they are on the OMG we don’t have 1 good left handed arm out of the pen to come in in a spot, could they use the R,L,R,L on thier starting rotation to almost ensure that a lefthander is in the pen, almost working around the problem.
h2o_34_35_44 - December 18, 2010
I read something interesting in the sports section of USA Today on Friday: “Does any of this hoopla [about the Phils’ rotation] sound anything like the Miami Heat/Lebron James/Dwayne Wade debacle?”
Food for thought.
TheLetter2 - December 18, 2010
Minus the "scorning the home town," "going to a team you've never been on," "getting as much money/years as possible," "dick-ishly announcing your decision on an ESPN primetime special" thing....
…yeah, it’s exactly like that…
; )
Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed - December 18, 2010
Yeah, but there was that whole press conference where Lee stood in front of a banner that read “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED” and said he was bigger than Jesus.
I’m telling you, it’s tempting the fates.
TheLetter2 - December 18, 2010
AND
having ESPN run a whole website around your team… Yeah, it’s exactly the same.
Londonjoe - December 18, 2010
He could have gotten more money elsewhere
but other than that.
Mr. Sanchez - December 19, 2010
Yes, in a way.
Except the Phillies will actually live up to their expectations. I mean, come on, look at their rotation:
Halladay
Lee
Hamels
Oswalt
Who Cares
Seriously, if they don’t win the next three World Series, that’s a damn shame.
GouldisGold - December 18, 2010
This.
If they can’t win multiple championships with Lee, Halladay, Hamels and probably Oswalt (im guessing they’ll re-sign him) in a 7-game series, it’ll be the biggest joke since LeBron left Cleveland.
Scott Coleman - December 18, 2010 via mobile
Welllll
I’m going to be rooting against them. Lee can be hit.
Londonjoe - December 18, 2010
Rich Dubee joked early Tuesday morning that they could bat Lee behind Howard...
There’s more truth in that jest than any of us are comfortable with. All four could pitch nothing but nine innings of shutout ball for every start and we still don’t win if we don’t score.
If Utley & Howard bounce back from last year and are completely injury-free… fine. Spectacular, even. If Jimmy just reverts to SOME sort of normalization (he’ll never have another 2007), fine. Good.
The big fear is that they don’t, in which case I don’t like our chances in any game that doesn’t have Lee or Hamels in the lineup.
It’s sad how that was meant as a joke, yet rereading it I find myself uncomfortably aware that this scenario is not exactly ALL THAT FAR from the truth.
Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed - December 19, 2010
Youre more comfortable with Hamels than Roy?
I mean, I know you guys love him because of the 08 WS (I would too) but come on…it’s roy halladay.
Doghnut - December 19, 2010
Sorry, that was worded awkwardly on my part
LINEUP meaning their bats.
I LOVE DOC. He’s the best pitcher on our team and – in my humble opinion – the best in the game. But he’s no Bambino at the plate.
The whole point I was trying to make was that if there is anything at all about the team I’m uncomfortable with, it is the streaky offense, ESPECIALLY without Werth’s right-handed, patient pop.
Utley is quickly becoming my favorite all-time player, and when Howard gets hot is a BEAST you can’t get the ball past. But when they slump, they can’t hit a beach ball with a tennis racket.
And they DO slump… this team is like a sorority where all the girls start cycling together. The streaks and the slumps are contagious.
It’s never been much of a problem, but last year was the most epic a slump this core had every fallen into.
Our hope is that it was mostly injuries and bad luck. That remains to be seen, but the ultimate point of my comment was that the best pitching in the world can’t make a Zero under the “R” anything more than a Zero.
Cole and Lee both have above-average stick skills for hurlers, and remain fairly consistent. Either way, it’s going to be a sad, sad point of the season if I’m banking on the #9 spot for production.
; p
Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed - December 19, 2010
If you werent a phillies fan, this would be my new signature…actually i might do it anyway
Doghnut - December 19, 2010
Hahaha
Feel free. I seriously think there’s something to this for a lot of teams. I really think it’s the GUY-equivalent to the synchronized menstrual cycling…
well, either that or THIS.
Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed - December 20, 2010
I tried watching the first episode of that show years ago
It was terrible. After Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead sucking, it made me realize Simon Pegg wasnt for me (even though, on paper, he is my kid of comedy).
Doghnut - December 20, 2010
I loved
Hot Fuzz.
Mr. Sanchez - December 20, 2010
Aw man, I LOVE Spaced.
Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, as well.
To each his own, though.
Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed - December 20, 2010
Yeah its always been baffling
On paper, I should love them too. But they were all terrible. I can’t explain it.
Doghnut - December 20, 2010
No worries
I’m kinda in the same boat with “The Walking Dead”…
Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed - December 21, 2010
THIS...
Absolutely loved the show, had them all DVR’ed and switched service…now I have nothing. But I’ll pirate them or buy the dvds (gasp!!) to replace them.
Always a great option to turn to if you’ve not got a lot of time but need a good laugh.
-C
cthabeerman - December 20, 2010
Couldn't agree more. I find myself randomly watching Spaced all the time.
I’d highly recommend the DVDs, incidentally. Prior to their American release, I’d had the Region 2 versions I could view on a Region-Free player, but the eventual US release was even better. There’s the original commentaries from the whole cast recorded back in 2000 for the original release, plus a whole new retrospective commentary that runs the length of the series. There’s also a third disc with a documentary that sort of puts a bow on the whole series. If you like the show, the DVD set is well worth it, and since it’s been out a couple years, you could probably pick it up for fairly cheap.
Chutley's Impressed by Mac's Speed - December 21, 2010
Not really the same
SP’s dont play together or have to rely on one another. The problem with the Heat (well, one of the bigger ones) is that they don’t entirely complement each other in a basketball sense. Can’t say that about these guys.
Doghnut - December 19, 2010
Nats are also looking in on Grienke and could make a serious run. Rizzo says he wants to get a number one starter, so we will see what happens
Braves24 - December 18, 2010
That would suck.
GouldisGold - December 18, 2010
I just don’t see the Nats having the players to make it happen. They wouldn’t trade Harper or Strasburg, and after that their system isn’t that great. They don’t have any pitchers that really excite you, and their top hitters, Mike Burgess and Chris Marrero, are defensively challenged and not that special with the bat. KC already has guys who are better than them. I’ve seen Danny Espinosa and Ian Desmond mentioned as possible, but they’d just be nice peices ina big package. I just don’t see the Nats having what it takes to get Grienke.
cbwilk - December 18, 2010
Plus, Jordan Zimmerman would likely be included...
….which would just take a piece from their rotation. And a deal would only make sense if an extension is in place…….the Nats aren’t competing in the next two years, even with Greinke.
Undocorkscrew - December 18, 2010
yea
they have the pieces, but it depends whether or not KC gets better offers and I’m sure they will
Braves24 - December 18, 2010
Philly and ATL fans can agree
We don’t want to see Grienke in a Nats uniform the next X number of years. Grienke & SS ( I hope he returns to form) could be trouble. Maybe not postseason good but it could F up your good season seeing those 2 in a 3 game set.
h2o_34_35_44 - December 18, 2010
Grienke to Brewers is being reported in a few places
for Escobar, Cain, Odorizzi, and Jeffress.
Lennox - December 19, 2010
Logan Morrison had a funny comment on his Twitter about Lee signing with the Phillies, something like, This just in, Logan Morrison goes 0 for the Phillies until his 30th birthday.
cbwilk - December 18, 2010
He seems like a great dude.
Scott Coleman - December 18, 2010 via mobile
Some Philthies fan asked if they could have Josh (Johnson I assume) also, and he called the Phillies “greedy fucks.” This guy’s cool in my book.
J-Freak - December 18, 2010 via mobile
His Premium TC Membership is on the house from now on.
Scott Coleman - December 18, 2010 via mobile
He’s a really laid back dude. Very funny, very likeable.
cbwilk - December 18, 2010
If you listen to Fantasy Focus podcast from ESPN
He’s been interviewed there, and he’s about the most likable major leaguer I’ve ever hear interviewed by a podcast. The stuff with his dad was a crying shame.
biggentleben - December 19, 2010
This comment
makes me chuckle. Good job outta him.
UMDBHIK - December 19, 2010
Baseball America's most recent podcast
Discussed the Philly rotation and where it ranks vs. the 90s Braves. Their assumption was that the top 3 of the Braves rotation was better than any combination of 3 the Phils can put together, but that the Braves never had a major #4 with Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz in the fold.
1997: Denny Neagle 20-5, 2.97, 1.08, 233.1 IP, 172/49, 140
1998: Denny Neagle 16-11, 3.55, 1.22, 210.1, 165/60, 117
1999: Kevin Millwood 18-7, 2.68, 1.00, 228, 205/59, 167
If the Phils get that kind of production for the next 3 years out of their #4, they will be doing backflips, I’m sure!
biggentleben - December 19, 2010
Yeah, people forget that they had Neagle and Millwood and Avery working as number 4s. At the end of 97 and in 98 it was the big 3 allowng with Neagle and Millwood. I’m not sure there’s been a better 5 man rotation.
cbwilk - December 19, 2010
In fairness
Avery was on the quick downslope by the time Maddux arrived. He only had one solid season with those three in the rotation and then he struggled big time from then on, eventually forcing the acquisition of Neagle when he just didn’t have it at all anymore. Neagle, however, was one of the best pitchers in baseball at the time, and Millwood quickly established himself at that level, which really helped to lessen the effect of Smoltz’s injury and move to the bullpen.
biggentleben - December 19, 2010
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