Frayed Knot

9 more hits, 8 more singles.

Ummmm, 5/23/12 ???

I read that Duquette answer as totally sarcastic; a way to shift the blame as it were over to the 'Pons and their baby-sitting 'wise old men' who they hired to watch over their young GM. As far as we know, there never was a doctor declaring that Kazmir was due for a blow-out, only PC Rick Peterson declaring that he was still a few hundred minor league innings away from being ready (a prediction that proved mostly accurate) which in turn prompted the 'wise old men' to toss long-range thinking out the window and ship Kaz out for more immediate "help" in the form of their unexplained confidence in one Victor Zambrano. In Vlad they did actually make an offer although it was a qualifying one based on his health which may or may not have been a good idea seeing as how, unlike the Angels, the Mets did not have the DH fallback and there were a number of games over the next few seasons when Vlad would have been unavailable w/o that option. The larger point being, I don't think either one was solely the result of medical thinking and certainly not that of the same doctor.

Count me among those who had never heard of these books prior to the avalanche of publicity for the movie over the past two weeks. Now that I've heard of it I don't think it's something I would have ran to even if the reviews had been good. Maybe when it comes to cable.

Vlad Guerrero is without a contract and is currently working out in the DR for the Indians with hopes of landing some kind of deal.

We have news of a Met offspring loving big shot as the NYPost reveals an on-going romance between ex-Sopranos babe Jamie Lynn-Sigler and current Nationals minor league property Cutter Dykstra. Cutter -- son, of course, of one-time Met and current convict Lenny -- was last seen serving his time in northern Virginia with the Single-A Potomac Nationals where they are apparently attempting to rehabilitate him from an outfielder to an infielder. Considering his weak hitting last season, it sounds like Cutter's minor league sentence has a ways to go and there appears to be little hope of a pardon from the Governor Manager.

10 hits, nice. 9 of those as singles, not so great ... especially since this seems to be a continuing trend.

OVER: As, METS, ROYALS UNDER: BRAVES, YANX, TIGERS

Mets � Willets Point wrote: Christ, I didn't even know that Bedard was no longer with the Red Sox. I don't know how you guys who also have young kids manage to keep up with sports. Part of the reason I do threads like this is to re-familiarize myself with who's where and who each team thinks of as their top guy. I tend to need refresher courses at this time of year.

Frayed Knot wrote: DATETEAMSTARTERvsTEAMSTARTER3/28MARINERSFelix HernandezA�sBrandon McCarthy4/4CARDINALSKyle LohseMARLINSJosh Johnson4/5RED SOXJon LesterTIGERSJustin Verlander4/5BRAVES---METS---4/5PHILLIESRoy HalladayPIRATESErik Bedard4/5=#FF0000]MARLINS=#FF0000]2nd GameREDS---4/5NATIONALSSteven StrasburgCUBSRyan Dempster4/5BLUE JAYSRicky RomeroINDIANSJustin Masterson4/5DODGERSClayton KershawPADRESTim Stauffer4/6=#FF0000]CARDINALS=#FF0000]2nd GameBREWERSYovani Gallardo4/6WHITE SOX---RANGERS---4/6TWINSCarl PavanoORIOLES--- 4/6YANKEES---RAYSJames Sheilds4/6ROCKIESJeremy GuthrieASTROS---4/6GIANTS---D�BACKSIan Kennedy4/6ROYALS---AngelsJered Weaver Mets � Willets Point Mar 25 2012 06:33 PM Re: Opening Day Starters Christ, I didn't even know that Bedard was no longer with the Red Sox. I don't know how you guys who also have young kids manage to keep up with sports. Fman99 Mar 25 2012 07:18 PM Re: Opening Day Starters Playing fantasy baseball/football keeps you plugged in to who is where. At least in my case it does. Frayed Knot Mar 25 2012 07:21 PM Re: Opening Day Starters Mets � Willets Point wrote: Christ, I didn't even know that Bedard was no longer with the Red Sox. I don't know how you guys who also have young kids manage to keep up with sports. Part of the reason I do threads like this is to re-familiarize myself with who's where and who each team thinks of as their top guy. I tend to need refresher courses at this time of year. John Cougar Lunchbucket Mar 25 2012 08:18 PM Re: Opening Day Starters Fman99 wrote: Playing fantasy baseball/football keeps you plugged in to who is where. At least in my case it does. you're playing? Gwreck Mar 25 2012 08:37 PM Re: Opening Day Starters More: Lincecum Johnny Cueto for the Reds The Associated Press (via SI) referred to Sabathia as the Yankees opening day starter. Fman99 Mar 25 2012 09:19 PM Re: Opening Day Starters John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Fman99 wrote: Playing fantasy baseball/football keeps you plugged in to who is where. At least in my case it does. you're playing? Only in leagues that don't take 15 hours to draft. So sorry. Frayed Knot Mar 28 2012 02:17 PM Re: Opening Day Starters DATETEAMSTARTERvsTEAMSTARTER3/28MARINERSFelix HernandezA�sBrandon McCarthy4/4CARDINALSKyle LohseMARLINSJosh Johnson4/5RED SOXJon LesterTIGERSJustin Verlander4/5BRAVES---METS---4/5PHILLIESRoy HalladayPIRATESErik Bedard4/5MARLINS2nd GameREDS=#0000FF]Johnny Cueto4/5NATIONALSSteven StrasburgCUBSRyan Dempster4/5BLUE JAYSRicky RomeroINDIANSJustin Masterson4/5DODGERSClayton KershawPADRESTim Stauffer4/6CARDINALS2nd GameBREWERSYovani Gallardo4/6WHITE SOX=#0000FF]John DanksRANGERS=#0000FF]Colby Lewis4/6TWINSCarl PavanoORIOLES--- 4/6YANKEES=#0000FF]CC SabathiaRAYSJames Sheilds4/6ROCKIESJeremy GuthrieASTROS=#0040FF]Wandy Rodriguez4/6GIANTS=#0000FF]Tim LincecumD�BACKSIan Kennedy4/6ROYALS---AngelsJered Weaver Edgy MD Mar 31 2012 11:37 AM Re: Opening Day Starters Hanson is official for the Braves. Mets � Willets Point Mar 31 2012 08:14 PM Re: Opening Day Starters Edgy DC wrote: Hanson is official for the Braves. I was hoping for Livan. Ceetar Apr 01 2012 08:54 AM Re: Opening Day Starters And the first pitch thrown for the Mets will be Johan Santana, as it should be. Frayed Knot Apr 01 2012 09:42 AM Re: Opening Day Starters Almost, but not quite, all filled in. The Padres & Blue Jays have apparently backed-off previous claims of Tim Stauffer & Ricky Romero starting their OD games. Orioles still up in the air ... and how 'bout that Bruce Chen! DATETEAMSTARTERvsTEAMSTARTER3/28MARINERSFelix HernandezA�sBrandon McCarthy4/4CARDINALSKyle LohseMARLINSJosh Johnson4/5RED SOXJon LesterTIGERSJustin Verlander4/5BRAVESTommy HansonMETSJohan Santana4/5PHILLIESRoy HalladayPIRATESErik Bedard4/5=#FF0000]MARLINS=#FF0000]2nd GameREDSJohnny Cueto4/5NATIONALSSteven StrasburgCUBSRyan Dempster4/5BLUE JAYS---INDIANSJustin Masterson4/5DODGERSClayton KershawPADRES---4/6=#FF0000]CARDINALS=#FF0000]2nd GameBREWERSYovani Gallardo4/6WHITE SOXJohn DanksRANGERSColby Lewis4/6TWINSCarl PavanoORIOLES--- 4/6YANKEESCC SabathiaRAYSJames Sheilds4/6ROCKIESJeremy GuthrieASTROSWandy Rodriguez4/6GIANTSTim LincecumD�BACKSIan Kennedy4/6ROYALSBruce ChenAngelsJered Weaver Frayed Knot Apr 02 2012 06:56 AM Re: Opening Day Starters Padres at least get an opening day starter out of dealing away Mat (what happened to my other T?) Latos. DATETEAMSTARTERvsTEAMSTARTER3/28MARINERSFelix HernandezA�sBrandon McCarthy4/4CARDINALSKyle LohseMARLINSJosh Johnson4/5RED SOXJon LesterTIGERSJustin Verlander4/5BRAVESTommy HansonMETSJohan Santana4/5PHILLIESRoy HalladayPIRATESErik Bedard4/5MARLINS2nd GameREDSJohnny Cueto4/5NATIONALSSteven StrasburgCUBSRyan Dempster4/5BLUE JAYS---INDIANSJustin Masterson4/5DODGERSClayton KershawPADRES=#0000FF]Edison Volquez4/6CARDINALS2nd GameBREWERSYovani Gallardo4/6WHITE SOXJohn DanksRANGERSColby Lewis4/6TWINSCarl PavanoORIOLES--- 4/6YANKEESCC SabathiaRAYSJames Sheilds4/6ROCKIESJeremy GuthrieASTROSWandy Rodriguez4/6GIANTSTim LincecumD�BACKSIan Kennedy4/6ROYALSBruce ChenAngelsJered Weaver Ceetar Apr 02 2012 07:03 AM Re: Opening Day Starters Volquez started Opening Day for the Reds last year right? and then was in the minors by May? He must be awesome at Spring Training or something. The Second Spitter Apr 02 2012 07:36 AM Re: Opening Day Starters O's will probably go with Hammel on Opening Day. Edgy MD Apr 02 2012 07:39 AM Re: Opening Day Starters For years now, i see the name Jeremy Guthrie and think, "Hey! Ex-Met made good!" Then I dimly realize that I'm not looking at Jeremy Griffiths or Mark Guthrie, but a different character altogether. And seeing as he's lost 60 games over the last four years, I'm not necessarily looking at a guy who's made good, either. Tough times it's been for the O's. The Second Spitter Apr 02 2012 07:42 AM Re: Opening Day Starters Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Apr 02 2012 07:47 AM Edgy DC wrote: For years now, i see the name Jeremy Guthrie and think, "Hey! Ex-Met made good!" Then I dimly realize that I'm not looking at Jeremy Griffiths or Mark Guthrie, but a different character altogether. And seeing as he's lost 60 games over the last four years, I'm not necessarily looking at a guy who's made good, either. Tough times it's been for the O's. I think Guthrie for Hammel and Lindstrom (of Jason Vargas fame) will be a good trade for them. Lindstrom was in the running for the closer's job before he got injured. Frayed Knot Apr 06 2012 07:21 AM Re: Opening Day Starters DATETEAMSTARTERvsTEAMSTARTER3/28MARINERSFelix HernandezA�sBrandon McCarthy4/4CARDINALSKyle LohseMARLINSJosh Johnson4/5RED SOXJon LesterTIGERSJustin Verlander4/5BRAVESTommy HansonMETSJohan Santana4/5PHILLIESRoy HalladayPIRATESErik Bedard4/5MARLINS2nd GameREDSJohnny Cueto4/5NATIONALSSteven StrasburgCUBSRyan Dempster4/5BLUE JAYS=#0000FF]Ricky RomeroINDIANSJustin Masterson4/5DODGERSClayton KershawPADRESEdison Volquez4/6CARDINALS2nd GameBREWERSYovani Gallardo4/6WHITE SOXJohn DanksRANGERSColby Lewis4/6TWINSCarl PavanoORIOLES=#0000FF]Jake Arrieta 4/6YANKEESCC SabathiaRAYSJames Sheilds4/6ROCKIESJeremy GuthrieASTROSWandy Rodriguez4/6GIANTSTim LincecumD�BACKSIan Kennedy4/6ROYALSBruce ChenAngelsJered Weaver

Final = 12-0 Hits = Nats 17, Mets 8 Bay = Bruised forearm Pitching: After Harvey much of the damage was done off of Justin Hampson Two of the 5 Met hits off Strasburg were from Tejada

Chipper to start his final season the same way he began what was to be his first one ... on the DL.

Unless keeping MdD around for maybe just a couple of weeks is going to involve some fancy roster maneuvering that winds up exposing someone unnecessarily I don't see any harm in it. He's not a kid (25 this coming August) and while the same-aged Nieuwenhuis (three days older) has a better upside offensively and has a lot more upper minors ABs under his belt (800 PAs at AA & AAA vs 300) den Dekker is considered the better pure CFer and, as has been mentioned, that may be the higher priority in the short term. What would be great is if both our young Dutchmen play well enough either here or at Buffalo to where they force themselves into the lineup.

this should make things a bit easier to read/follow 2012 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL REGULAR SEASON WINS TeamWin Total2011 Record ANGELS92.586-75A's7173-88ASTROS6456-105BLUE JAYS8080-81BRAVES8789-72BREWERS83.595-66CARDINALS8389-72CUBS74.571-90D'BACKS8694-67DODGERS8181-79GIANTS87.586-75INDIANS78.580-81MARINERS7267-94MARLINS84.572-89METS70.576-85NATIONALS84.579-81ORIOLES69.568-93PADRES73.570-91PHILLIES93.5101-60PIRATES7372-89RANGERS91.595-66RAYS8790-71RED SOX89.590-71REDS86.579-82ROCKIES80.572-89ROYALS80.571-90TIGERS92.594-67TWINS7362-99WHITE SOX7479-82YANKEES93.597-64

By the look of the outfield wall, the first of those vids apparently occurred at Flintstones Field

and some minor clean-up work since the last update CloserAge2011 TeamStatus for 2012Jonathan Papelbon31Red SoxPhillies - 4 yrs/$50mil + 2016 optionRyan Madson31PhilliesRejected arb -- signed for 1 yr/$8.5mil w/RedsFrancisco Rodriguez30Mets/Brewers1 yr/$8mil avoiding arbitrationHeath Bell34PadresMarlins - 3 yrs/$27milFrancisco Cordero37RedsSigned w/Blue Jays - 1 yr/$4.5milFrank Francisco32Blue JaysMets - 2 yrs/$12milJoe Nathan37TwinsRangers - 2 yrs/$14.5mil + 2014 optionBrad Lidge35Phillies1 yr $1mil contract with Nationals + perf bonusesMatt Capps28TwinsRe-upped w/Twins - 1 yr/$4.75mil + 2013 optionDavid Aardsma28AAA (Mariners)1 yr 500K contract w/Yanx + club optionMike Gonzalez33Balt/Texas---Jonathan Broxton27DodgersRoyals - 1 yr/$4milOctavio Dotel37Jays/CardsTigers - 1 yr/$3.5mil + 2013 optionJohn Grabow32Cubs---Pat Neshek30PadresMinor lg deal w/BaltimoreJon Rauch32Blue JaysMets - 1 yr/$3.5 + 'performance bonus'Kerry Wood34Cubs1 yr/$3mil + $3mil option for 2013

The precarious life of closers continues its not-always merry path * Ryan Madson - off his newly-signed 1-year $6mil (+option w/$2.5mil buyout) FA signing with Cincy -- out for season * Jokim Soria - off having his $6mil option picked up by Royals -- out for season

DATETEAMSTARTERvsTEAMSTARTER3/28MARINERSFelix HernandezA�sBrandon McCarthy4/4CARDINALSKyle LohseMARLINSJosh Johnson4/5RED SOXJon LesterTIGERSJustin Verlander4/5BRAVES---METSJohan Santana4/5PHILLIES---PIRATES---4/5MARLINS2nd GameREDS---4/5NATIONALSSteven StrasburgCUBS=#008000]Ryan Dempster4/5BLUE JAYSRicky RomeroINDIANSJustin Masterson4/5DODGERSClayton KershawPADRESTim Stauffer4/6CARDINALS2nd GameBREWERSYovani Gallardo4/6WHITE SOX---RANGERS---4/6TWINSCarl PavanoORIOLES--- 4/6YANKEES---RAYSJames Sheilds4/6ROCKIES=#008000]Jeremy GuthrieASTROS---4/6GIANTS---D�BACKSIan Kennedy4/6ROYALS---AngelsJered Weaver

Get to the important part, how nekkid does Mila get?

As with a lot of 'team killer' reps, Chipper's v the Mets got its start early and continued to be seen as accurate even in later years when it was only occasionally true. Look at the stats from the 1996-2001 years: .350+ BAs every year with OBAs of .450 and more. Big contrast to the likes of '05, '07, '09. There were stretches when we were handling him quite nicely. And, yeah, those are overall numbers not just at Shea, but it's not like the rep existed only in the one stadium either.

Yeah, there are several 'obviously' choices, or at least probably obvious ones, that we could fill in here. Mainly though I was waiting for some kind of confirmation first. Sabathia is one of the Duh! ones but, knowing the Yanx, they're not only going to be reluctant to confirm it but would likely be cagey if asked whether they've even got someone named CC Sabathia on their team. "Umm no comment. Such information is a private team business and we have no intention of signaling our intentions to the competition."

Edgy DC wrote: Simmons, lf Ah yes, the great Aloys Szymanski

- It's down to less than a week for some teams as Oakland & Seattle are already on their way to Japan for next Wednesday's (6:10 AM EDT) game, the first of two they'll play there. - Exactly a week after that, Florida gets to christen their new pad with a one-game home-stand a day before the remaining teams get going. - The filled-in starters below are the ones listed on the MLB.com schedule. I'm sure we can guesstimate at a bunch of others which haven't been publicly confirmed yet but we'll fill it in as we go along. Home teams listed second. DATETEAMSTARTERvsTEAMSTARTER3/28MARINERSFelix HernandezA�sBrandon McCarthy4/4CARDINALSKyle LohseMARLINSJosh Johnson4/5RED SOXJon LesterTIGERSJustin Verlander4/5BRAVES---METSJohan Santana4/5PHILLIES---PIRATES---4/5MARLINS2nd GameREDS---4/5NATIONALSSteven StrasburgCUBS---4/5BLUE JAYSRicky RomeroINDIANSJustin Masterson4/5DODGERSClayton KershawPADRESTim Stauffer4/6CARDINALS2nd GameBREWERSYovani Gallardo4/6WHITE SOX---RANGERS---4/6TWINSCarl PavanoORIOLES--- 4/6YANKEES---RAYSJames Sheilds4/6ROCKIES---ASTROS---4/6GIANTS---D�BACKSIan Kennedy4/6ROYALS---AngelsJered Weaver

Omar Quintanilla sez: 'These bases look dirty, time for me to clean them off' (with a 3RBI-2B)

Ruben sez: 'I think this 2nd pitch of the game would look much better on the other side of the LCF fence'