Morgan: "Korean players don't chase a lot of balls outside of the strike zone"
Next pitch: Korean player chases a ball out of the strike zone.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
I miss firejoemorgan.com
Saturday, March 14, 2009
What the Heck?
Did I just see Adam Dunn show bunt against Puerto Rico?!?!?!?
...
next pitch: single to center
please never attempt a bunt again Adam Dunn
...
next pitch: single to center
please never attempt a bunt again Adam Dunn
Friday, March 13, 2009
World Baseball Classic
I am going to wait till the end of the WBC to start blogging about all my opinions of it. All I am going to say is that I try not missing a single game because I love it. Anyone else have an opinion don't be afraid to share or comment. Team Netherlands has done a spectacular job in the pitching department.
JG Cut II
Boy was I wrong about nobody caring. Even ESPN seems to think it's very noteworthy. I could care less about the HGH, especially since Gibbons was honest about, so I hope he finds a good job somewhere else, prefereably not in the NL East
Jay Gibbons Cut by Marlins
Although about 99% of the baseball world will not even take a second look at this cut, I will be the one to do so. Gibbons has never been a star in the major leagues and has been linked to PEDs in the past, but both of those aside, Gibbons represents what Luis Gonzalez was last year; a power-hitting 4th outfielder who will give you good pinch-hitting but probably isn't your typical defensive replacement. His career line is .260/.314/.453 in 7 years with the Baltimore Orioles. Nothing special, but with his career highs being .277/.341/.516 (albeit in different years) and only being 32 years of age without any serious injuries, what is the risk. He would have been much cheaper than Gonzo, with the same bat. The other options for OF bench spots are as follows:
Alfredo Amezaga - sprained right knee will keep this above average defender and slap hitter at best out for a month or two. Big loss in the clubhouse maybe, nothing lost on the field. He is the Flying Mexican though!!!
John Raynor - probably my other pick for bench OF, and at age 25 his time is running out. BP mentions him as being a line-drive hitter with good patience, but his numbers show moderate power at best with strikeout numbers being on the high end.
Scott Cousins - never has shown a lot of power, but showed much improvement in 2008, hitting .304/.370/.513 in Jupiter and .264/.350/.396 in Carolina. He will be 24, so he needs to show the Marlins something special early this year in order to get a shot at the majors on the bench, otherwise he might get lost in the system, something that might happen to Jai Miller and Raynor, along with the next guy.
Brett Carroll - Carroll suffered a separated shoulder in May while in a start with the Marlins running to the right field wall trying to track down a line drive. I was watching the game on FSN Florida and it was not pretty to watch. Tremendous effort though and you really got to feel for the guy. However, even if he is fully healed, he has so far shown no bat at the major league level (albeit in only 81 PA covering both 2007 and 2008). He finally found his power bat at Triple-A, but he is also an older prospect who's value may be what the Marlins want... speed and defense.
Jai Miller - Miller seems to be one of those toolsy guys who realy never put it all together. His one major-league AB was a strikeout against Oakland and may end up being his only AB in The Show. He was among those cut by the Fish (optioned to Triple-A New Orleans) and his primary position is center field. Cameron Maybin should keep that spot blocked for sometime, and even if Maybin gets hurt the most likely scenario would see Cody Ross shift to center and a Carroll or Raynor type play in right.
Alejandro De Aza - De Aza has had a real bad run of luck the past two years. He initially became the starting center fielder in 2007, ripped the ball all over the field in his first games, then a week into April suffered an injury to his ankle that ended up being much worse than initially thought. When De Aza came back in August he never really got back on track, ending the season with a line of .229/.261/.313 and with 37 strikeouts to only 6 walks. De Aza came back strong the next Spring Training, only do suffer ANOTHER season ending injury when he and another outfielder (John Raynor if I remember correctly) crashed into one another in the last Spring Training game. De Aza will need to get back on track in the minors this year after two years of little playing time, but with Maybin locking down center field for the major league club, it looks liek De Aza's chance at a major league career are over, barring an injury to Maybin. Wouldn't that be ironic, though I doubt De Aza would ever wish that upon Maybin.
Michael Ryan - I didn't even know about Ryan till after checking Spring Training box scores and seing a name I didn't recognize immediately. After looking him up on mlb.com I found out that he used to play for the Minnesota Twins, getting some playing time in the outfield from 2002-2005. His chances of making the club are unlikely, but I don't know much about this guy except that he is now entering his thirties and has spent the better part of the last decade bouncing around in Triple-A for several clubs, including the Twins, Braves, Pirates and now the Marlins.
Mike Stanton - I have yet to see this guy play, but it won't be long before he gets the The Show. His PECOTA comparables include Yankee Danny Tartabull, Cub Aramis Ramirez, and Dodger Manny Ramirez. Elite company indeed but being as he is only 19 years old, his likely spot will be in Double-AA. If Ross and Hermida breakout this year, the Marlins will feel much better about slowly bringing him through the system. This is very bad news for opposing minor league pitchers.
Other potential (though unlikely and not smart at all) options:
FA Luis Gonzalez - probably too expensive and not much better than the in-house players at his age
Greg Burns - fringe prospect who at least shows some OBP ability and great speed
Ike Galloway - 18 year old drafted in 8th round, probably won't be up for at least 3 or 4 years, and that's if he puts it all together and learns the strike-zone. Could be something special though in 2012.
Emilio Bonafacio - the Marlins may take an Amezaga route with this guy, throwing him out into the outfield because he is althetic. They did trade Willingham AND Olsen for him.
Robert Andino - ditto on the Amezaga route, though because he is out of options the Marlins may have more incentive here. Never hada good bat even in the minor leagues, so best bet is the Marlins let him go and he might be picked up by some other team. Not a big loss.
All in all the Marlins should probably have gone with Gibbons and Raynor, but Carroll is probably the next best option here as a 5th OF. I believe Hermida and Ross will both break out in a big way and Cameron Maybin is only going to get better. The future lies in Stanton and whatever value the Marlins can get for either Ross or Hermida come 2010 or 2011.
Alfredo Amezaga - sprained right knee will keep this above average defender and slap hitter at best out for a month or two. Big loss in the clubhouse maybe, nothing lost on the field. He is the Flying Mexican though!!!
John Raynor - probably my other pick for bench OF, and at age 25 his time is running out. BP mentions him as being a line-drive hitter with good patience, but his numbers show moderate power at best with strikeout numbers being on the high end.
Scott Cousins - never has shown a lot of power, but showed much improvement in 2008, hitting .304/.370/.513 in Jupiter and .264/.350/.396 in Carolina. He will be 24, so he needs to show the Marlins something special early this year in order to get a shot at the majors on the bench, otherwise he might get lost in the system, something that might happen to Jai Miller and Raynor, along with the next guy.
Brett Carroll - Carroll suffered a separated shoulder in May while in a start with the Marlins running to the right field wall trying to track down a line drive. I was watching the game on FSN Florida and it was not pretty to watch. Tremendous effort though and you really got to feel for the guy. However, even if he is fully healed, he has so far shown no bat at the major league level (albeit in only 81 PA covering both 2007 and 2008). He finally found his power bat at Triple-A, but he is also an older prospect who's value may be what the Marlins want... speed and defense.
Jai Miller - Miller seems to be one of those toolsy guys who realy never put it all together. His one major-league AB was a strikeout against Oakland and may end up being his only AB in The Show. He was among those cut by the Fish (optioned to Triple-A New Orleans) and his primary position is center field. Cameron Maybin should keep that spot blocked for sometime, and even if Maybin gets hurt the most likely scenario would see Cody Ross shift to center and a Carroll or Raynor type play in right.
Alejandro De Aza - De Aza has had a real bad run of luck the past two years. He initially became the starting center fielder in 2007, ripped the ball all over the field in his first games, then a week into April suffered an injury to his ankle that ended up being much worse than initially thought. When De Aza came back in August he never really got back on track, ending the season with a line of .229/.261/.313 and with 37 strikeouts to only 6 walks. De Aza came back strong the next Spring Training, only do suffer ANOTHER season ending injury when he and another outfielder (John Raynor if I remember correctly) crashed into one another in the last Spring Training game. De Aza will need to get back on track in the minors this year after two years of little playing time, but with Maybin locking down center field for the major league club, it looks liek De Aza's chance at a major league career are over, barring an injury to Maybin. Wouldn't that be ironic, though I doubt De Aza would ever wish that upon Maybin.
Michael Ryan - I didn't even know about Ryan till after checking Spring Training box scores and seing a name I didn't recognize immediately. After looking him up on mlb.com I found out that he used to play for the Minnesota Twins, getting some playing time in the outfield from 2002-2005. His chances of making the club are unlikely, but I don't know much about this guy except that he is now entering his thirties and has spent the better part of the last decade bouncing around in Triple-A for several clubs, including the Twins, Braves, Pirates and now the Marlins.
Mike Stanton - I have yet to see this guy play, but it won't be long before he gets the The Show. His PECOTA comparables include Yankee Danny Tartabull, Cub Aramis Ramirez, and Dodger Manny Ramirez. Elite company indeed but being as he is only 19 years old, his likely spot will be in Double-AA. If Ross and Hermida breakout this year, the Marlins will feel much better about slowly bringing him through the system. This is very bad news for opposing minor league pitchers.
Other potential (though unlikely and not smart at all) options:
FA Luis Gonzalez - probably too expensive and not much better than the in-house players at his age
Greg Burns - fringe prospect who at least shows some OBP ability and great speed
Ike Galloway - 18 year old drafted in 8th round, probably won't be up for at least 3 or 4 years, and that's if he puts it all together and learns the strike-zone. Could be something special though in 2012.
Emilio Bonafacio - the Marlins may take an Amezaga route with this guy, throwing him out into the outfield because he is althetic. They did trade Willingham AND Olsen for him.
Robert Andino - ditto on the Amezaga route, though because he is out of options the Marlins may have more incentive here. Never hada good bat even in the minor leagues, so best bet is the Marlins let him go and he might be picked up by some other team. Not a big loss.
All in all the Marlins should probably have gone with Gibbons and Raynor, but Carroll is probably the next best option here as a 5th OF. I believe Hermida and Ross will both break out in a big way and Cameron Maybin is only going to get better. The future lies in Stanton and whatever value the Marlins can get for either Ross or Hermida come 2010 or 2011.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Insanity II
16 minutes in
What's more important? Chad Pennington throwing a TD or Chad Pennington not turning the ball over?
Take a wild guess what the answer is
Logic says the former, but on a radio show, we of course hear the latter.
Here's my question? If Chad Pennington not turning the ball over is more important than throwing a TD, does that mean scoring a FG is better than throwing a TD (I realize they run the bal lin football, but I'm trying to make a point.)
What's more important? Chad Pennington throwing a TD or Chad Pennington not turning the ball over?
Take a wild guess what the answer is
Logic says the former, but on a radio show, we of course hear the latter.
Here's my question? If Chad Pennington not turning the ball over is more important than throwing a TD, does that mean scoring a FG is better than throwing a TD (I realize they run the bal lin football, but I'm trying to make a point.)
Insanity
Not 30 seconds into this Hot Stove League radio show, we hear about some caller or "fan" who suggests this scenario.....
Get ready to laugh really really hard!!!
Ok you ready?
This anonymous person believes that the Florida Marlins should trade Hanley Ramirez AND Dan Uggla IN ORDER TO START ROBERT ANDINO AND CHRIS COGHLAN!!!!!!!
Hanley Ramirez career stats:
.308/.379/.527 with 79 HR and an OPS+ of 135
Dan Uggla career stats:
.262/.341/.490 with 90 HR and an OPS+ of 115
Robert Andino career stats:
.201/.250/.299 with 2 HR and an OPS+ of 45
Minor League? .258/.311/.368
Chris Coghlan minor league stats:
.293/.396/.429 with 19 HRs in 3 seasons
Now I understand that these two players might play better defense. But a much better idea would be to move Dan Uggla to third base, put Coghlan at 2nd and keep Hanley at short. Seriously, does anyone think that Ramirez's defense (which has vastly improved from his rookie season) is still bad enough that he needs to be replaced with the horrible hitting Robert Andino. Really? Trade probably THE BEST PLAYER IN BASEBALL AT THIS MOMENT FOR A YOUNGER VERSION OF ALEX GONZALEZ!
Get ready to laugh really really hard!!!
Ok you ready?
This anonymous person believes that the Florida Marlins should trade Hanley Ramirez AND Dan Uggla IN ORDER TO START ROBERT ANDINO AND CHRIS COGHLAN!!!!!!!
Hanley Ramirez career stats:
.308/.379/.527 with 79 HR and an OPS+ of 135
Dan Uggla career stats:
.262/.341/.490 with 90 HR and an OPS+ of 115
Robert Andino career stats:
.201/.250/.299 with 2 HR and an OPS+ of 45
Minor League? .258/.311/.368
Chris Coghlan minor league stats:
.293/.396/.429 with 19 HRs in 3 seasons
Now I understand that these two players might play better defense. But a much better idea would be to move Dan Uggla to third base, put Coghlan at 2nd and keep Hanley at short. Seriously, does anyone think that Ramirez's defense (which has vastly improved from his rookie season) is still bad enough that he needs to be replaced with the horrible hitting Robert Andino. Really? Trade probably THE BEST PLAYER IN BASEBALL AT THIS MOMENT FOR A YOUNGER VERSION OF ALEX GONZALEZ!
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