Frayed Knot

Edgy DC wrote: [*]And... Ike Davis sleepwalking through the first two months of the season. [*]And... Freddie Freeman deciding to put off getting better for a year or so. [*]And... Gaby Sanchez getting a blood transfusion from Jason Bay. [*]And... Allen Craig being held up until May 1 to get started. [*]And... Cory Hart spending 1/3 of this season in the outfield. [*]And... Anthony Rizzo spending an absolutely huge chunk of his productivity in the Pacific Coast League. [*]And... The league has a lot of good firstbasemen. Paul Godschmidt and Yonder Alonso too. Brandon Belt ain't bad either, but his ballpark dulls his shine. Things just really fell into place for LaRoche in a way I wouldn't expect them to again. But Davey Johnson sure gets his players to play. Thing is, it was a good year for LaRoche but not outrageously so. HIs BA & OBA were essentially identical to his career averages (3 & 5 points up) and while his 33 HRs were a career high it was only by one as he did hit 25 or more four times during his other six full ML seasons. In all he's put together some nice years during his nine overall seasons, just done so kind of quietly and doesn't seem to hang around in one spot for very long. Logged time on three different teams in 2009 alone. The odd part may be that his now 28 y/o brother Andy was considered the better prospect coming up but he spent his entire 2012 season split between AAA Columbus & Pawtucket in the Cleveland & Boston orgs not getting a call by either even as both clubs put up very sorry and injured-plagued ML squads. While there he even manned all four IF positions, plus DH, plus logged a scoreless inning of pitching. Problem is he did so while hitting quite mediocre-ly.

Ceetar wrote: Kuroda hasn't rejected yet, but the Yankees are getting the other two picks (unless they re-sign them) Kuroda has rejected, the yea/nay deadline was yesterday. He can still re-sign with them (as can any of the other eight) but if he does sign elsewhere they took the steps to get compensation for him. The Yanx could conceivably get 4 of the first 30 picks out of this whole thing. Of course, in the short term, those future maybes will come at the expense of three regular players off their current roster.

A new system starts this off-season that was designed to (among other things) produce fewer 'compensation picks' that have been increasingly clogging up the space between rounds 1 & 2 of the June draft over the past number of years. Now, in order to qualify for a compensation pick, a team with a FA needs to make a "qualifying offer" to that player which would put him in the top 125 of all salaries, a figure this year that sits at $13.3 mil. Nine players this year were offered that qualifying bid although Papi Ortiz subsequently re-upped with a two-year deal in Boston which took him out of this pool. The other eight players all rejected the offers and are now FAs free to sign anywhere but who rate compensation for their 2012 clubs (there were 29 supplemental picks in the 2012 draft): - Kyle Lohse, StL - BJ Upton, TBR - Josh Hamilton, Tex - Michael Bourne, Atl - Nick Swisher, NYY - Hiroki Kuroda, NYY - Rafael Soriano, NYY - Adam LaRoche, Wash Teams that sign one of these FA picks will forfeit their 1st round pick except for those picking among the first ten slots (formerly fifteen). But [u:5a6mmft6]the teams losing a FA no longer receive a pick in the signing team's slot[/u:5a6mmft6], only a compensation pick at the end of the 1st round. IOW, the signing team's slot simply disappears and is made up for by transferring that pick to the player's former club at sticking it at the back of round one. The order in the compensation round will be determined the same way as the overall order, by the team's 2012 record. The FAs above are listed in the order that their teams finished in 2012 (worst to first) so the supplemental picks will be awarded in that order. IOW, Kyle Lohse signing elsewhere would net the Cardinals the 1st compensation pick, Tampa would get the 2nd, and so on until the Nats get supplemental pick #8. There is no longer a 'ranking' of the players for compensation determination. With 31 picks in next year's 1st round (one extra due to Pittsburgh not signing their #1 pick in the last draft) those compensation picks would be initially assigned to picks #32 - 39 although those slots would drop for each FA who signs with a new club in the 11-31 group and those slots disappear. So the Lohse compensation pick could be as low as #24 depending on how many the eight sign elsewhere rather than with their 2012 club. There could be additional supplemental picks after round 2, but the large reduction in the size of the 'A block' (between rounds 1 & 2) of compensation picks has the net effect of bringing down the beginning of round 2. Last June the 1st pick of the 2nd round (Houston's 2nd for their 105 loss season) was pick #62 overall. This year (and it'll be Houston again) that pick will be no later than #40 and could be as early as 32nd. And, not that we expect it to matter this year with the tight budget and all, but with the top 10 picks being protected where do the Mets pick this year? - that's right, 11th. 1 -Astros 2 - Cubs 3 - Rockies 4 - Twins 5 - Indians 6 - Marlins 7 - Red Sox 8 - Royals 9 - Pirates (for failure to sign #8 overall 2012 pick) 10 - Blue Jays 11 - Mets 12 - Mariners 13 - Padres 14 - Pirates 15 - D-backs 16 - Phillies 17 - Brewers 18 - White Sox 19 - Dodgers 20 - Cardinals 21 - Tigers 22 - Angels 23 - Rays 24 - Orioles 25 - Rangers 26 - Athletics 27 - Giants 28 - Braves 29 - Yankees 30 - Reds 31 - Nationals Compensatory round Cardinals Rays Rangers Braves Yankees Yankees Yankees Nationals

Davey Johnson had been under contract with the Nats for next year but only in the non-specific advisor role that he held prior to being installed as the field manager. He is now re-upped for the 2013 season as manager although says now that it'll be the final one. TEAMMANAGERSTATUSUPDATESBRAVESFredi GonzalezSigned thru 2013 + 2014 optionMARLINSOzzie GuillenSigned thru 2015 - Fired 10/23Mike Redmond hired on a 3-year contract METSTerry CollinsSigned thru 2012 + 2013 optionOption picked up for 2013PHILLIESCharlie ManuelSigned thru 2013NATIONALSDavey JohnsonSigned thru 2013Returns for the 2013 seasonCUBSDale SveumSigned thru 2014REDSDusty BakerSigned thru 2012Extended thru 2014BREWERSRon RoenickeSigned thru 2014 + 2015 optionPIRATESClint HurdleSigned thru 2013CARDINALSMike MathenySigned thru 2013 + 2014 optionDIAMONDBACKSKirk GibsonSigned thru 2014 + �15 & �16 optionsROCKIESJim TracySigned thru 2013 - Resigned 10/7Hired Walt Weiss for 2013 seasonDODGERSDon MattinglySigned thru 2013PADRESBud BlackSigned thru 2013 + options for �14 + �15GIANTSBruce BochySigned thru 2013 + option for �14ORIOLESBuck ShowalterSigned thru 2013RED SOXBobby ValentineSigned thru 2013 - Fired Oct 2012Hired John Farrell away from Toronto - signed thru 2016YANKEESJoe GirardiSigned thru 2013RAYSJoe MaddonSigned thru 2015BLUE JAYSJohn FarrellSigned thru 2013 - Had his rights traded to BostonWHITE SOXRobin VenturaSigned thru 2014INDIANSManny Acta=#FF0000]Fired Sept 2012Hired Terry Francona - signed thru 2016TIGERSJim LeylandSigned thru 2012Extended thru 2013ROYALSNed YostClub option for 2013TWINSRon GardernhireSigned thru 2013ANGELSMike SciosciaSigned thru 2018ATHLETICSBob MelvinSigned thru 2014MARINERSEric WedgeSigned thru 2013RANGERSRon WashingtonSigned thru 2014ASTROSBrad Mills=#FF0000]Fired in AugustBo Porter hired for 2013 - ??

Longtime baseball exec, former Orioles & Yankees GM, and also AL Prez, Lee McPhail - 95

Of course with Dickey under contract for next year at such a beneficial price, and that he'll be 39 next year, and that he's unlikely to match this past season, there's less urgency to sign him to a new deal and more caution about over-paying if you do. None of which would justify doing what they're doing if, as Rosenthal suspects, they're doing it solely for the purposes of making it look like RAD's fault when they make the trade that they've already decided to make ... but that's getting a bit ahead of ourselves at this point.

Willingham was just always limited by everything else in his game except for his hitting. LaRoche had a legitimately great year all around and should be a top-10 MVP guy. But for the SS it helped him to have Pujols & Fielder leave his league at the same time that Howard & Votto were missing a chunk of the season.

Silver Slugger Awards C: Posey & Pierzynski 1B: LaRoche & Fielder 2B: Aaron Hill & Cano SS: Ian Desmond & Jeter 3B: Chase Headley & Miguel Cabrera LF: Braun & Josh Willingham CF: McCutcheon & Trout RF: Jay Bruce & Josh Hamilton P: Steven Strasberg DH: Billy Butler

Or maybe the Rockies just thought that Walter Weiss could improve their .... wait for it ... chemistry.

And then there's the 31 y/o Joseph Gordon-Levett playing 21 y/o Robert Lincoln - but this will hardly be the first time that's been done in Hollywood, plus I think there's a quota now where JG-L has to be in a certain percentage of the movies produced over the last two years.

Ceetar wrote: I should probably create a 'fake' Facebook account and just friend everyone. Keep tabs on what everyone's up to. I'd say that's creepy but ... And lord knows we wouldn't want this thread to get creepy.

Weiss it is. Will games between the Rox & Padres now be cast as good vs evil? (Weiss vs Black) Sixth manager in Rox history (can you name the first five?) Formerly of the A's, Marlins, Rox & Braves. 16 year career, 1 ASG, 1 RoY Had been special assistant to Rox, then left to coach his kid in HS near Denver Gets points off for naming his kids Bo, Brock, Blake & Brody TEAMMANAGERSTATUSUPDATESBRAVESFredi GonzalezSigned thru 2013 + 2014 optionMARLINSOzzie GuillenSigned thru 2015 - Fired 10/23Mike Redmond hired on a 3-year contract METSTerry CollinsSigned thru 2012 + 2013 optionOption picked up for 2013PHILLIESCharlie ManuelSigned thru 2013NATIONALSDavey JohnsonSigned thru 2013CUBSDale SveumSigned thru 2014REDSDusty BakerSigned thru 2012Extended thru 2014BREWERSRon RoenickeSigned thru 2014 + 2015 optionPIRATESClint HurdleSigned thru 2013CARDINALSMike MathenySigned thru 2013 + 2014 optionDIAMONDBACKSKirk GibsonSigned thru 2014 + �15 & �16 optionsROCKIESJim TracySigned thru 2013 - Resigned 10/7Hired Walt Weiss - Nov '12DODGERSDon MattinglySigned thru 2013PADRESBud BlackSigned thru 2013 + options for �14 + �15GIANTSBruce BochySigned thru 2013 + option for �14ORIOLESBuck ShowalterSigned thru 2013RED SOXBobby ValentineSigned thru 2013 - Fired Oct 2012Hired John Farrell away from Toronto - signed thru 2016YANKEESJoe GirardiSigned thru 2013RAYSJoe MaddonSigned thru 2015BLUE JAYSJohn FarrellSigned thru 2013 - Had his rights traded to BostonWHITE SOXRobin VenturaSigned thru 2014INDIANSManny Acta=#FF0000]Fired Sept 2012Hired Terry Francona - signed thru 2016TIGERSJim LeylandSigned thru 2012Extended thru 2013ROYALSNed YostClub option for 2013TWINSRon GardernhireSigned thru 2013ANGELSMike SciosciaSigned thru 2018ATHLETICSBob MelvinSigned thru 2014MARINERSEric WedgeSigned thru 2013RANGERSRon WashingtonSigned thru 2014ASTROSBrad Mills=#FF0000]Fired in AugustBo Porter hired for 2013 - ?? Past Managers Answer: Don Baylor (1993-1998); Jim Leyland (1999); Buddy Bell (2000-2002); Clint Hurdle (2003-2009); Jim Tracy (2009-2012)

OK it's next week - except for Silver Sluggers which will be tomorrow (Thurs, 11/8). But, just like with the Gold Gloves, they're doing this three finalists stuff for each award by announcing ahead of time who the top three contenders are (top 5 for MVP) for each. And, for the first time, they're going to announce these things live on MLBN at 6 PM each day. I'm not sure I like this method as some years more than three players receive 1st place votes so limiting it ahead of time can take one or more guys out of contention even though an argument can be made. Also not sure I see the point in it all but whatever. Rookies -- Monday Nov 12 AL: Yu Darvish (Tex), Mike Trout (LAA), Yeonis Cespedes (Oak) NL: Todd Fraizer (Cin), Bryce Harper (Wash), Wade Miley (Arz) Managers -- Tuesday Nov 13 AL: Buck Showalter (Bal), Robin Ventura (CHW), Bob Melvin (Oak) NL: Dusty Baker (Cin), Bruce Bochy (SFG), Davey Johnson (Wash) Cy Young -- Wed Nov 14 AL: David Price (TBR), Justin Verlander (Det), Jered Weaver (LAA) NL: RA Dickey (NYM), Gio Gonzalez (Wash), Clayton Kershaw (LAD) So I guess that takes any suspense out of whether a reliever (Kimbrel, Chapman) will be considered MVP -- Thrus Nov 15 Robinson Cano (NYY), Josh Hamilton (Tex), Mike Trout (LAA), Adrien Beltre (Tex), Miguel Cabrera (Det) NL: Ryan Braun (Mil), Chase Headley (SDP), Andrew McCutcheon (Pitt), Yadier Molina (StL), Buster Posey (SFG)

NYM Memories of Jason Bay: * Gave him away at the exact wrong time * Got him back at the exact wrong time Other than that it was a sweet ride. Part 1) Only three months after trading for him, the Mets turned him around in a deal for Jason Middlebrook and Steve Reed. In a lot of ways a typical Steve Phillips deal; seemingly obsessed with finding that most elusive of prey: the perfect reliever, he showed himself willing to deal whatever it took to get him/them to the point of including whatever minor leaguers the other side wanted because he pretty much treated them as if indistinguishable pieces of firewood who may or may not ever prove worth their spark. Bay had less than 400 ABs as a baby Met, but they were relatively promising [~.280/.370/.450] for a 23 y/o who could play all 3 OF positions. IOW, while most prospects prove to eventually fall short of whatever promise they have while young, not all of them are created equal either and it pays to pay attention to how you're tossing around those pieces. Part 2) We know all about this part. Maybe the downfall was foreseeable to some extent although that's easy to say in hindsight and it certainly wasn't to the degree it became. What it certainly did was to help prove the maxim about how it's easier to recover from failing to sign a player than it to sign him at the wrong price, and about how, with the exception of a small handful of players, the production this guy you're lusting after will provide probably isn't as unique as you think.

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Word on the street is Walt Weiss is the heavy favorite in Denver. Supposedly down to him and Matt Williams. Weiss is currently coaching HS ball in the Denver area. Williams is with the DBacks.

... Red Dawn? I saw the original (1984) but only on TV a number of years after its release and only because I felt like I was missing out on too many punch-lines. By then it was hard to take it very seriously as the whole tough teens foiling Soviet attack during Reagan-era nuclear paranoia plot and script had become more a time-capsule stereotype than an actual movie. This time it's apparently North Koreans who make the mistake of landing near the wrong high school and get more than they bargained for from a group of teens armed with their huntin' rifles and strengthened by a toughness born of the American heartland and honed on the almighty gridiron. WOLVERINES!!!!

Nickeas & Fred Lewis refuse outright assignments to AAA and thus become free agents.

Was the furniture in a gay-themed Australian bar?

This winning trend for Giants should probably be seen as a warning sign to that Jack guy that he's about to get his ass kicked back down the beanstalk.

Well, the thing is that he's the only one in the major leagues these days who catches it at all. Hell, half the backstops in MLB have probably never seen one.

I get a kick out of the sub-headline: It is far from certain that the Mets will trade their Cy Young candidate, R.A. Dickey -- something that's repeated later on within the body of the story. As if the on-going general consensus has been that this is something approaching certainty.

Papi re-ups for two years in Boston. I wasn't so sure this was going to happen after the late-season house-cleaning plus the fact that he had just over 300 ABs in 2012 and almost none of them after the ASB due to inuries. He also turns 37 later this month. But it's not like he has to do anything other than DH and he did hit well when was able to get on the field. Combine all that with his good 2nd half of 2011 I guess they figure he's shown enough to be an acceptable risk for the next couple of years. He's gotta be the senior statesman up there by now. Not only is the old gang from the 2004 WS team gone but so is most of the 2007 team. Pedroia, Lester & Ellsbury were part of that 2nd championship but they were all 1st/2nd year players at that point.

After first hinting that 2012 would be his final year, then reversing himself as he was being carried off the field to say that it would not, then recently hinting at a reversal of that reversal to say that he was unsure, Mariano Rivera now informs the Yanx that they should ignore all the reversals and that he intends to play in 2013. Of course he first has to get a contract to do so and it'll be interesting to see if the club just automatically reinstates him to the salary perch where he had been sitting or if they decide that a 43 y/o who hasn't pitched in a year, is coming off major surgery, and has made it plain that he intends to talk to no other teams means some Jeter-like hardball negotiations and less guaranteed cash are in order.

Probably not for the first time but: NY Times, Sat Now 3, 16-Across: 'Baseball's Eddie nicknamed "The Walking Man"