Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune: Injuries 2010

[Frayed Knot]

If I was the arbitrator hearing your arguments, I'd throw your case out the window and out of my courtroom.

Because you really don't believe in the legitimacy of the argument or because it doesn't fit your hoped-for outcome?
Don't bother, I think we both know the answer to that already.

And look, it's not like I'm rooting for the option to kick in or anything. I just don't share the optimism some of you share in thinking that it's going to be simple to side-step.*








* Maybe this topic should be split-off and some of the legal beagles on this site can chime in.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Frayed Knot wrote: batmagadanleadoff wrote: If I was the arbitrator hearing your arguments, I'd throw your case out the window and out of my courtroom. Because you really don't believe in the legitimacy of the argument or because it doesn't fit your hoped-for outcome? Don't bother, I think we both know the answer to that already. And look, it's not like I'm rooting for the option to kick in or anything. I just don't share the optimism some of you share in thinking that it's going to be simple to side-step.

Well �. first of all, if I�m the arbitrator, I get to rule on the grievance and make the final decision. Therefore, I don�t need to �hope for any outcome�.

I don�t agree with your position because your arguments require that I (as the hypothetical arbitrator) question the Mets strategy and usage of K-Rod. I don�t believe that an arbitrator should second guess team tactics other than, perhaps, in the most egregious and outrageous instances of bad faith. Your post implies that K-Rod is entitled to close (or finish) Mets games. But isn�t this discretionary? Shouldn�t the team have the unrestricted freedom to decide for itself how best to use K-Rod without fear of being second-guessed by an arbitrator? Should a baseball arbitrator pass judgment on these matters? Is this good for baseball?

I would never consider questioning the fact that K-Rod�s 8th inning appearances increased, or that he was no longer being used to get the easy three-run-lead saves, or that he was pitching the 9th inning on a shorter leash and suddenly more prone than in the past to being yanked for, say, walking the first two batters he faced � even though all of these patterns of use would no doubt decrease his chances of finishing games. I don�t think that it�s the province of an arbitrator to pry into these matters and I would hope that a real arbitrator would exercise great restraint should this issue or a similar one come before him. All of the above patterns of usage are plausible baseball strategies, and can be justified even if the team�s real underlying motive is to diminish the number of games K-rod finishes.. To allow an arbitrator to question these patterns would essentially be empowering an arbitrator to determine the strategy that a team ought to be using -- under threat of financial penalties. This, to me, is overly intrusive.

For me to find bad faith in this hypothetical, I would insist on what would amount to an admission of wrongdoing from the team or a smoking gun. I said that I might question team tactics in the most egregious or outrageous instances. To me, this would mean something like K-Rod rotting on the bench Ollie-style even though he�s in good health and otherwise able. I think that a player who contracts for this type of incentive clause should know and otherwise assume the risk that his playing time is a function of his team�s discretion and that a baseball arbitrator will not question or second-guess his team�s decisions so long as those decisions are the teentsy-weentsiest bit plausible.

You also wrote that it wouldn�t be so easy for a team to �side-step� this matter and I tend to agree with you. Even though, as an arbitrator, I would create a standard that would make it virtually impossible for a grieving player to meet, the team still has to create the appearance that it is trying to win ballgames --- not necessarily to succeed in my courtroom, but to avoid turmoil in its own clubhouse and with its fan base. So while I wouldn�t question that K-Rod�s 8th inning appearances increased significantly, his teammates might question this tactic. Management surely wouldn�t want its own team to think the Mets were sacrificing competitiveness in order to avoid a large contract.

[Frayed Knot]

Your post implies that K-Rod is entitled to close (or finish) Mets games.

No, I'm saying that because he has closed games his entire career, was signed by the Mets as a closer, is being paid like a closer, and the club put in an option in the current deal saying that the three year deal becomes a four year as long as he is healthy enough and still effective enough in that role, that a sudden departure from that use just as the vesting threshold approaches would make it tough to view the change as anything other than a move designed solely to make sure the option was never reached.

I would shirley see it that way.

[Guest Edgy DC]

Murph gets a break November, 26, 2010 Nov 26 10:17 AM By Adam Rubin There is no cause for alarm with Daniel Murphy being out of Aguilas' lineup in the Dominican Republic since Tuesday, according to the winter-league team's GM, Luichy Sanchez. "Murphy has tired legs," Sanchez told ESPN's Enrique Rojas. "Aguilas and Metstrainers agree he needs five consecutive days resting. Murphy will be back Tuesday. He doesn't have injuries -- only fatigue -- because he played all of Aguilas' games. He's the most consistent Aguilas player this season in all ways." Murphy, who very well could end up the Mets' Opening Day second baseman, "will be an important to us next season," according to one member of the Mets' braintrust. He is hitting .320 with four homers and 22 RBIs in 103 at-bats over 28 games games with Aguilas.

AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	TB	BB	SO	SB	CS	OBP	SLG	OPS
.320	28	103	9	33	6	1	4	22	53	13	11	5	1	.395	.515	.910

I wonder if Chrs Aguila ever played for Aguilas.

[MFS62]

Can't find a link for it, but earlier today, both WFAN and ESPN (NY) were saying that Fernando Martinez injured his leg (knee?) and has been shut down for Winter Ball.

He's beginning to have an Alex Escobar "snake bit" feel about him.

Later

[ashie62]

Out after one game in the Dominican league with a leg injury. Hope to be back be April.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=MLB&id=4242&line=309187&spln=1

[Guest Edgy DC]

Mets receive dose of good news on ailing trio By Anthony DiComo / MLB.com | 11/30/10 3:02 PM EST NEW YORK -- Medical examinations of three Mets players revealed no major injuries, the team announced on Tuesday. Infielder Daniel Murphy, outfielder Fernando Martinez and utility man Nick Evans were all examined Monday by team physician Dr. Struan Coleman, and all received relatively good news. An MRI revealed that Murphy, who was hitting .320 in winter ball before his injury, suffered a mild left hamstring strain with no loss of motion or strength in the leg. Murphy, a candidate for the starting second-base job next season, will rehab his hamstring and resume baseball activities as tolerated. Martinez, who recently felt pain running to first base in winter ball, has a case of mild arthritis in his right knee, according to an MRI. He will wear a brace and continue to strengthen his knee before resuming baseball activities. Evans, who has spent his offseason rehabbing the left shoulder strain he suffered at the end of September, has been swinging a bat pain-free and has suffered no setbacks. He will progress with baseball activities "as tolerated," the team said. Anthony DiComo is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDicomo This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

"as tolerated" = the new "day to day"

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

"Prevention and Recovery" : 2010 :: "Prevention and Suck It Up, Nancy" : 2011 ?

[G-Fafif]

"Prevention and Recovery" : 2010 :: "Prevention and Suck It Up, Nancy" : 2011 ?

Suck it up Nancy...
Suck it up!
[clap clap]
Suck it up Nancy...
Suck it up!
[clap clap]

[ashie62]

"Prevention and Recovery" : 2010 :: "Prevention and Suck It Up, Nancy" : 2011 ? Suck it up Nancy... Suck it up! [clap clap] Suck it up Nancy... Suck it up! [clap clap]

Shes a very kinky girl

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Jason Bay talks about his head owie and some other dings.

"It wasn't a lot of the vertigo and the dizziness and the nausea," Bay said at the Mets' holiday party Tuesday at Citi Field. "It was just a low-grade headache."

As a matter of fact, it turned out he didn't have a concussion at all; he had just been listening to a toxic amount of Fox Saturday games.