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Saturday, March 15, 2014
First Take Podcast March 10-14 2014
http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?podcenter&id=10582825&autoplay=1&callsign=ESPNRADIO 10th
http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?podcenter&id=10601287&autoplay=1&callsign=ESPNRADIO 11th
http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?podcenter&id=10594807&autoplay=1&callsign=ESPNRADIO 12th
http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?podcenter&id=10601287&autoplay=1&callsign=ESPNRADIO 13th
http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?podcenter&id=10607116&autoplay=1&callsign=ESPNRADIO
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http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?podcenter&id=10601287&autoplay=1&callsign=ESPNRADIO 11th
http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?podcenter&id=10594807&autoplay=1&callsign=ESPNRADIO 12th
http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?podcenter&id=10601287&autoplay=1&callsign=ESPNRADIO 13th
http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?podcenter&id=10607116&autoplay=1&callsign=ESPNRADIO
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Peter Gammons 8 front of the rotation Nominees March 14th 2014
Nominees for the future front of the rotation
PHOENIX—We all knew the replay system and the home plate collision rule would be works in progress, and they are. Players everywhere are concerned about blowing out knees in clumsy shifts in attempting to score, although onetime block of granite Mike Scioscia believes “it will all work because the catchers can give the runners a lane to slide and the runners can’t take cheap shots at the catchers. I’m not worried.”
Not so the replay, but then the spring training systems run out of trucks was for practice—or entertainment—purposes only. The Angels’ video coordinator this week actually got very good video of Indians manager Terry Francona falling down coming out of the dugout for an on-field discussion, and replayed it clearly and quickly. No further debate. Video proved the Indians manager took a fall.
The video coordinator is Nick Francona.
Spring training should be a yoga breathing exercise for eighty percent of the players. It’s a time for Kevin Towers to kid John McDonald “your 2013 slash line was .111/.186/.185 and you got rings from the Pirates, Indians and Red Sox. That’s a good season.” Indeed. McDonald stands a good chance to make the Angels opening day roster, which means that his family will be at Fenway Park on April 4 to receive his World Series ring. “Johnny Mac is still a great defensive shortstop and one of the greatest teammates ever,” says Aaron Hill. Remember, McDonald made his debut in 1999; when he played in the Cape Cod League, his third baseman was Mark DeRosa, now an MLB Network analyst, his second base double play partner was Jed Hoyer, general manager.
It’s a time when a legendary scout like Gary Hughes gets to watch his godson, Mariners catcher Mike Zunino, and former University of Texas players remind us that the current Longhorns have Lukas Schiraldi pitching and Kacy Clemens at first. Or Giants infielder Joaquin Arias yelling “I am in charge here,” because Bruce Bochy and teammates think Arias is Barkhad Abdi in “Captain Phillips.”
Or Mariners reliever Danny Farquhar, who has gone from sidearmer to submariner to over-the-top premier reliever, demonstrating the seven different arm angles he’s used in his professional career. He’s got a Chad Bradford, a Dan Quisenberry…Or D’backs pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith, preparing to fly home to Australia for the Dodger series realizing he is going to pitch for Team Australia against the Dodgers and for the ‘Backs against the Aussies…
Or Mike Trout, ever-modest, asking when contract negotiations became soap operas. “I have nothing to say,” Trout shrugs. “I just go out and play, and never comment on negotiations.” Hey, in Fort Myers, the arrival of Seth and Sam Levinson to discuss Jon Lester’s extension with Ben Cherington set off virtually an hour-by-hour breakdown of negotiations which were essentially landscape parameters, and in Goodyear, Arizona, Justin Masterson’s have been a daily story.
But praise be mlbtraderumors.com. During one game, a general manager let out a “you’re not going to believe this—Oliver Perez got a two year deal.” Third inning, Arizona sun, Oliver Perez. OMG.
It is a time to dream on the stories of comebacks that make everything worth watching: Colby Lewis, Grady Sizemore, Ryan Kalish, Mike Olt, Michael Pineda, Francisco Cordero.
Or, while sometimes hearing the whines of stars complaining about support around them (“a form of therapy,” as one GM refers to such non-stories), there is the game played in idle moments picking the first person plural stars. A wise man named Eddie Kasko once said “beware of people whose I’s are too close together,” hence the spring training poll of star players who only talk in We’s, as in teams: Derek Jeter, Trout, Dustin Pedroia, Chase Utley, Paul Goldschmidt, Evan Longoria, Clayton Kershaw, Ryan Zimmerman, David Wright, Freddie Freeman… “When your best players are your best role models, you have something,” says one executive. “It seems like the Orioles have a bunch of those guys, from Adam Jones to J.J. Hardy.”
And the real “All That You Dream” search for the front of the rotation futures. Here are eight nominees:
Yordano Ventura, Kansas City Royals
An A’s official this week watched Ventura pitch vs. Oakland and said, “he’s the best I’ve seen all spring. 100 to 102. Great changeup. Decent breaking ball. He’s like Pedro (Martinez), short (5-11) but really strong through the chest.” He’s also a vital part of the Royals’ shot at making the playoffs for the first time since 1985. The plan is to get by with veteran pitchers as Ventura, Danny Duffy, Kyle Zimmer and Chris Dwyer develop.
Archie Bradley, Arizona Diamondbacks
OK, Bradley struggled with his command Thursday in his last outing before pitching in Australia and was hit around by the Reds, but if Bronson Arroyo’s back continues to bother him—which he’ll probably say it doesn’t, because he always posts up—and Trevor Cahill struggles, Bradley may open the season in the big league rotation. He was 91-94 Thursday, but has been up to 98 with a big-time curveball and that quarterback presence. Asked what was the biggest crowd he played in front of as a high school football phenom, he answered “22,000.” Kirk Gibson smiled. He played in front of 105,000 in The Big House.
Chris Archer, Tampa Bay Rays
He has already had his feet in the pool, his confidence has skyrocketed and three different scouts have him notched in with Matt Moore behind David Price. When Alex Cobb is Tampa’s other given, this is one really good rotation.
Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves
He hasn’t been scored upon this spring, and Frank Wren wisely longtermed him, knowing he can be that number one starter they need.
Robert Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds
He was part of the 2011 first round high school pitching class with Bradley, Dylan Bundy and Jose Fernandez, and could be ready by mid-season. “It’s just fun to watch him,” says Bryan Price.
Jonathan Gray and Eddie Butler, Colorado Rockies
Bill Schmidt got these two potential stars in consecutive drafts. Gray has the biggest arm, up to 99 Thursday, but Butler maybe more advanced. “His fastball is unbelievably heavy, running all over the place,” says Walt Weiss, a good thing with what may be the best defensive infield in the National League. Butler’s career minor league totals include a 1.90 ERA, 217.1 IP, 155 H, 65 BB, 198 SO. They’re going to be in The Big Humidor soon.
Allen Webster, Boston Red Sox
The stuff has never been questioned, but the command and self-confidence has led to off-road implosions. Asked which of the Red Sox young pitchers has the highest ceiling and the best chance to impact in the stretch, one Boston official shot back, “Webster. No doubt.”
Noah Syndergaard, New York Mets
This is beginning to look like the Summer of ’69, which for Mets friends was “the best days of our lives.” Up to 99 with heavy, heavy sink. The Jays will long rue their back to the ‘90’s trades before the 2013 season.
Trevor Bauer this spring has shown flashes of why he was the third pick in the country, what remains to be seen is if he maintains his delivery, pounds his 92-98 MPH fastball and listens. Taijuan Walker is there, but for back issues. There are votes for a mid-season Kyle Crick arrival in San Francisco, and in Baltimore there may be a decision on whether Kevin Gausman starts, or relieves, in the O’s run in the AL East. Andrew Heaney is probably going to be in Miami, soon. Ditto Jameson Taillon in Pittsburgh. Bruce Bochy is very intrigued by reliever Derek Law, who had 102 strikeouts in 67 minor league innings…The Angels seem really happy with Tyler Skaggs, who apparently has worked out some of the mechanical problems he encountered last season and is right in the middle of the rotation.
I’ve known Walt Weiss for a long time, and when he says 21-year old, switch-hitting shortstop Rosell Herrera “is going to be a star someday,” I listen. Herrera is 6-3, hit 17 homers in the South Atlantic League at 20. Fascinating.
Favorite description of the perfectly still head in a hitter from David Freese on Matt Adams: ”I’d be in the on-deck circle, could focus on a fan sitting in the opposite stands and when Matt hits, he is so still I could stare at the guy the whole time.”
Peter Gammons: Nominees for the future front of the rotation
March 14, 2014 by 0 Comments
Arizona’s Archie Bradley
Not so the replay, but then the spring training systems run out of trucks was for practice—or entertainment—purposes only. The Angels’ video coordinator this week actually got very good video of Indians manager Terry Francona falling down coming out of the dugout for an on-field discussion, and replayed it clearly and quickly. No further debate. Video proved the Indians manager took a fall.
The video coordinator is Nick Francona.
Spring training should be a yoga breathing exercise for eighty percent of the players. It’s a time for Kevin Towers to kid John McDonald “your 2013 slash line was .111/.186/.185 and you got rings from the Pirates, Indians and Red Sox. That’s a good season.” Indeed. McDonald stands a good chance to make the Angels opening day roster, which means that his family will be at Fenway Park on April 4 to receive his World Series ring. “Johnny Mac is still a great defensive shortstop and one of the greatest teammates ever,” says Aaron Hill. Remember, McDonald made his debut in 1999; when he played in the Cape Cod League, his third baseman was Mark DeRosa, now an MLB Network analyst, his second base double play partner was Jed Hoyer, general manager.
It’s a time when a legendary scout like Gary Hughes gets to watch his godson, Mariners catcher Mike Zunino, and former University of Texas players remind us that the current Longhorns have Lukas Schiraldi pitching and Kacy Clemens at first. Or Giants infielder Joaquin Arias yelling “I am in charge here,” because Bruce Bochy and teammates think Arias is Barkhad Abdi in “Captain Phillips.”
Or Mariners reliever Danny Farquhar, who has gone from sidearmer to submariner to over-the-top premier reliever, demonstrating the seven different arm angles he’s used in his professional career. He’s got a Chad Bradford, a Dan Quisenberry…Or D’backs pitcher Ryan Rowland-Smith, preparing to fly home to Australia for the Dodger series realizing he is going to pitch for Team Australia against the Dodgers and for the ‘Backs against the Aussies…
Or Mike Trout, ever-modest, asking when contract negotiations became soap operas. “I have nothing to say,” Trout shrugs. “I just go out and play, and never comment on negotiations.” Hey, in Fort Myers, the arrival of Seth and Sam Levinson to discuss Jon Lester’s extension with Ben Cherington set off virtually an hour-by-hour breakdown of negotiations which were essentially landscape parameters, and in Goodyear, Arizona, Justin Masterson’s have been a daily story.
But praise be mlbtraderumors.com. During one game, a general manager let out a “you’re not going to believe this—Oliver Perez got a two year deal.” Third inning, Arizona sun, Oliver Perez. OMG.
It is a time to dream on the stories of comebacks that make everything worth watching: Colby Lewis, Grady Sizemore, Ryan Kalish, Mike Olt, Michael Pineda, Francisco Cordero.
Or, while sometimes hearing the whines of stars complaining about support around them (“a form of therapy,” as one GM refers to such non-stories), there is the game played in idle moments picking the first person plural stars. A wise man named Eddie Kasko once said “beware of people whose I’s are too close together,” hence the spring training poll of star players who only talk in We’s, as in teams: Derek Jeter, Trout, Dustin Pedroia, Chase Utley, Paul Goldschmidt, Evan Longoria, Clayton Kershaw, Ryan Zimmerman, David Wright, Freddie Freeman… “When your best players are your best role models, you have something,” says one executive. “It seems like the Orioles have a bunch of those guys, from Adam Jones to J.J. Hardy.”
And the real “All That You Dream” search for the front of the rotation futures. Here are eight nominees:
Yordano Ventura, Kansas City Royals
An A’s official this week watched Ventura pitch vs. Oakland and said, “he’s the best I’ve seen all spring. 100 to 102. Great changeup. Decent breaking ball. He’s like Pedro (Martinez), short (5-11) but really strong through the chest.” He’s also a vital part of the Royals’ shot at making the playoffs for the first time since 1985. The plan is to get by with veteran pitchers as Ventura, Danny Duffy, Kyle Zimmer and Chris Dwyer develop.
Archie Bradley, Arizona Diamondbacks
OK, Bradley struggled with his command Thursday in his last outing before pitching in Australia and was hit around by the Reds, but if Bronson Arroyo’s back continues to bother him—which he’ll probably say it doesn’t, because he always posts up—and Trevor Cahill struggles, Bradley may open the season in the big league rotation. He was 91-94 Thursday, but has been up to 98 with a big-time curveball and that quarterback presence. Asked what was the biggest crowd he played in front of as a high school football phenom, he answered “22,000.” Kirk Gibson smiled. He played in front of 105,000 in The Big House.
Chris Archer, Tampa Bay Rays
He has already had his feet in the pool, his confidence has skyrocketed and three different scouts have him notched in with Matt Moore behind David Price. When Alex Cobb is Tampa’s other given, this is one really good rotation.
Julio Teheran, Atlanta Braves
He hasn’t been scored upon this spring, and Frank Wren wisely longtermed him, knowing he can be that number one starter they need.
Robert Stephenson, Cincinnati Reds
He was part of the 2011 first round high school pitching class with Bradley, Dylan Bundy and Jose Fernandez, and could be ready by mid-season. “It’s just fun to watch him,” says Bryan Price.
Jonathan Gray and Eddie Butler, Colorado Rockies
Bill Schmidt got these two potential stars in consecutive drafts. Gray has the biggest arm, up to 99 Thursday, but Butler maybe more advanced. “His fastball is unbelievably heavy, running all over the place,” says Walt Weiss, a good thing with what may be the best defensive infield in the National League. Butler’s career minor league totals include a 1.90 ERA, 217.1 IP, 155 H, 65 BB, 198 SO. They’re going to be in The Big Humidor soon.
Allen Webster, Boston Red Sox
The stuff has never been questioned, but the command and self-confidence has led to off-road implosions. Asked which of the Red Sox young pitchers has the highest ceiling and the best chance to impact in the stretch, one Boston official shot back, “Webster. No doubt.”
Noah Syndergaard, New York Mets
This is beginning to look like the Summer of ’69, which for Mets friends was “the best days of our lives.” Up to 99 with heavy, heavy sink. The Jays will long rue their back to the ‘90’s trades before the 2013 season.
Trevor Bauer this spring has shown flashes of why he was the third pick in the country, what remains to be seen is if he maintains his delivery, pounds his 92-98 MPH fastball and listens. Taijuan Walker is there, but for back issues. There are votes for a mid-season Kyle Crick arrival in San Francisco, and in Baltimore there may be a decision on whether Kevin Gausman starts, or relieves, in the O’s run in the AL East. Andrew Heaney is probably going to be in Miami, soon. Ditto Jameson Taillon in Pittsburgh. Bruce Bochy is very intrigued by reliever Derek Law, who had 102 strikeouts in 67 minor league innings…The Angels seem really happy with Tyler Skaggs, who apparently has worked out some of the mechanical problems he encountered last season and is right in the middle of the rotation.
I’ve known Walt Weiss for a long time, and when he says 21-year old, switch-hitting shortstop Rosell Herrera “is going to be a star someday,” I listen. Herrera is 6-3, hit 17 homers in the South Atlantic League at 20. Fascinating.
Favorite description of the perfectly still head in a hitter from David Freese on Matt Adams: ”I’d be in the on-deck circle, could focus on a fan sitting in the opposite stands and when Matt hits, he is so still I could stare at the guy the whole time.”
Friday, March 14, 2014
Shannon Drayer reports on Mariners status with Kendrys Morales
Morales and the Mariners
By Shannon Drayer
PEORIA Ariz., - We have a night game tonight so the notes will come later in the afternoon but I wanted to give you some quick thoughts on the latest from Jon Heyman who reports that there has been "continuing dialogue" between the Mariners and Kendrys Morales but according to Jack Zduriencik that they are in two different places when it comes to negotiations.
It makes sense that the Mariners would not completely shut the door on Morales. With their extremely lefty-heavy lineup and not knowing exactly how much righty Corey Hart will be able to play particularly early in the season coming back from knee surgery, Morales would fill a need. This continues to be an interesting situation. Morales would be a nice fit for the Mariners and it would appear that the Mariners are the only fit possibly available for Morales, yet from the sounds of things his agent, Scott Boras, isn't dealing with the Mariners as if they are the only fit.
Something to keep in mind here. The Mariners have made Morales two offers that I know of that he has turned down, the $14.1 million qualifying offer and a multi-year offer as well. There have been no reports that I have seen of offers from other teams. Interest perhaps, but actual offers? No. So the negotiation at this point most likely have the agent taking the stance that the Mariners need Morales and therefore they should pay x amount, with the team's stance being that there is no market for his client so we will set the amount. To further muddy the waters the Mariners most likely are putting a lesser value on Morales in dollars because if they sign him they in a sense lose a draft pick and the dollars to spend on draft picks associated with that pick assuming he signs elsewhere. While it is looking less and less likely that he will sign elsewhere I would be surprised if the Mariners were not factoring this in to what they perceive to be his value.
I have said since the end of the season and I believe it still applies, Jack Zduriencik would like to bring Morales back but at his price. That price has changed. At one point it was $14.1 million (which makes me wonder what this roster would look like if that money was gone right off the bat at the beginning of this offseason). That number has come down. It has to come down. If Morales were to go out today and pull an Ervin Santana and ask for a do over and say $14.1 million from any club would get him signed do you think he would have any takers? How do you put value on something that no one else appears to value?
Does Zduriencik have additional funds available? Well I would imagine there is something or at least he believes the possibility of something if there is still dialogue. Things could change in the next couple of weeks and perhaps each side is banking on that. Morales could get nervous about not being signed with the regular season getting ever closer and tell Boras to take a deal. Or an injury could hit the Mariners or another team that has question marks regarding offense all of a sudden giving Morales more value. I have no idea if Morales will end up in a Mariners uniform once more. My gut feeling is Scott Boras would rather his client hold out until June when the draft pick is no longer a factor but he works for his client. Morales can do what Morales wants to do. How much does he trust his agent to get something significant done in June? How much are the Mariners willing to give him if anything at all and how much would he be looking forward to possibly being in the same situation a year from now? That might not actually be a bad thing as that $14.1 million is probably looking pretty good right now.
PEORIA Ariz., - We have a night game tonight so the notes will come later in the afternoon but I wanted to give you some quick thoughts on the latest from Jon Heyman who reports that there has been "continuing dialogue" between the Mariners and Kendrys Morales but according to Jack Zduriencik that they are in two different places when it comes to negotiations.
It makes sense that the Mariners would not completely shut the door on Morales. With their extremely lefty-heavy lineup and not knowing exactly how much righty Corey Hart will be able to play particularly early in the season coming back from knee surgery, Morales would fill a need. This continues to be an interesting situation. Morales would be a nice fit for the Mariners and it would appear that the Mariners are the only fit possibly available for Morales, yet from the sounds of things his agent, Scott Boras, isn't dealing with the Mariners as if they are the only fit.
Something to keep in mind here. The Mariners have made Morales two offers that I know of that he has turned down, the $14.1 million qualifying offer and a multi-year offer as well. There have been no reports that I have seen of offers from other teams. Interest perhaps, but actual offers? No. So the negotiation at this point most likely have the agent taking the stance that the Mariners need Morales and therefore they should pay x amount, with the team's stance being that there is no market for his client so we will set the amount. To further muddy the waters the Mariners most likely are putting a lesser value on Morales in dollars because if they sign him they in a sense lose a draft pick and the dollars to spend on draft picks associated with that pick assuming he signs elsewhere. While it is looking less and less likely that he will sign elsewhere I would be surprised if the Mariners were not factoring this in to what they perceive to be his value.
I have said since the end of the season and I believe it still applies, Jack Zduriencik would like to bring Morales back but at his price. That price has changed. At one point it was $14.1 million (which makes me wonder what this roster would look like if that money was gone right off the bat at the beginning of this offseason). That number has come down. It has to come down. If Morales were to go out today and pull an Ervin Santana and ask for a do over and say $14.1 million from any club would get him signed do you think he would have any takers? How do you put value on something that no one else appears to value?
Does Zduriencik have additional funds available? Well I would imagine there is something or at least he believes the possibility of something if there is still dialogue. Things could change in the next couple of weeks and perhaps each side is banking on that. Morales could get nervous about not being signed with the regular season getting ever closer and tell Boras to take a deal. Or an injury could hit the Mariners or another team that has question marks regarding offense all of a sudden giving Morales more value. I have no idea if Morales will end up in a Mariners uniform once more. My gut feeling is Scott Boras would rather his client hold out until June when the draft pick is no longer a factor but he works for his client. Morales can do what Morales wants to do. How much does he trust his agent to get something significant done in June? How much are the Mariners willing to give him if anything at all and how much would he be looking forward to possibly being in the same situation a year from now? That might not actually be a bad thing as that $14.1 million is probably looking pretty good right now.
Peter Gammons Baseball writer and Hall Of Famer March 12th 2014
Peter Gammons: Bonds returns to the game; Pujols looking to answer
March 12, 2014 by 1 Comment
The Angels drive over to Scottsdale Monday to play the Giants, and Albert Pujols has already asked for the trip. “I hope I can see Barry and spend some time just talking hitting with him,” Pujols said Tuesday. “I hope he is still around. Just to pick his brain on hitting. It’s always a good thing.”
Albert Pujols, Barry Bonds. Albert will hear what Barry talked about Monday, about being prepared each day with some idea how each opposing pitcher will try to get him out. “Then,” Bonds always says, “when you get that one pitch, don’t miss it.” Because when Bonds talks hitting, he sounds like Ted Williams and his constant “get a good pitch to hit—your pitch—and don’t miss.” Like Williams, hitters just want to talk hitting with Bonds, hitters like Pujols, or in Ted’s day, hitters like Al Kaline.
It is fascinating to watch the dynamics of these two great sluggers. On the one hand, when Bonds showed up at the Giants facility to begin a weeklong stretch as hitting advisor, it was an event because Bonds in some ways has been exiled from the sport. It’s almost as if he never existed, or that he doesn’t have more homers (762) than any player ever or seven MVP awards, the second highest WAR ever, the most runs created, the most walks.
We all know why. He wouldn’t talk about it, or the Hall of Fame (“you guys are adults, you don’t have to be told anything”) or Biogenesis or anything else from the past or present investigations into performance enhancing drugs, for which he remains the poster boy because he was so ridiculously great. Which is why it seems he’s the last person MLB wants to see in a Giants uniform.
Barry clearly would like to at least be asked to participate. He mentions the fortune he had to be raised in the sport by his father Bobby and his godfather Willie Mays. Monday he mentioned he was lucky to have been taught by “great coaches,” and mentioned Bill Virdon, with whom he once had a confrontation as a Pirate. He lavished praise on Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, who will be enshrined in Cooperstown this July. He talked about accepting former teammate Glenallen Hill’s request to work with Dexter Fowler.
And he talked about his current existence, which he says consists mainly of “working out and training. That’s what I have always loved doing, I work out five to eight hours a day. I love cycling, 35, 40, 45 miles a day, training with cyclists. I don’t do the lifting the way I used to do, but I love working out. I probably like training better than I do talking to people.”
The size is different from his 2000-2007 time, but it is true, he was always a gym rat. When he won the MVP award in 1993, he did an interview at the house of his then-agent Dennis Gilbert, and afterwards we went to dinner in West Hollywood, called it an early night and went to train the next morning for eight hours.
With the media and the players, Bonds has been what he often could be—charming, witty, insightful. He would like to at least restore some of the pre-’99 graces he enjoyed, without the periods of time when he could be what one magazine headlined, that person who’d kindly let you know “I’m Barry Bonds and you’re not.” Yet still had that incredible mind for hitting, for remembering. “I will admit that I played my best when I was angry. When I mellowed out I guess I struggled.”
Bonds doesn’t know what future he holds in the game, although he clearly misses a part of it. He was asked about managing. Yah. Barry Bonds ain’t riding the front seat of the bus 180 days a year. “This is a good start, I just don’t really know where it all leads right now.”
A few miles down the road, Pujols is weaving his own path back. He is 34 now, in the third year of a ten year, $240M contract. It was only two springs ago that 60 Minutes did a brilliant profile of him and his esteemed place in baseball history. “It seems as if that were years ago,” Pujols said Tuesday. “It wasn’t, but it seems like that.” When USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale was doing an interview with Pujols last week, another writer asked Albert about whether he’s still motivated to play. “It really happened, as if I had been out of the game or had done nothing.”
“One of the great things about this spring is that Albert has his chip back,” says one Angels official. “He has come into camp wanting to prove he is as great as ever. He wants to be Albert Pujols.”
“I want to do what I know I can do,” says Pujols. “I know I haven’t had my best seasons with the Angels. But my knee is healthy again. My shoulder and elbow are back to normal. No surgeries, just a lot of hard work rehabbing. So now I can go about my work and swing the bat without restriction. I can answer whatever people want to say about me by producing numbers and helping the Angels win games.”
The spring training after his boffo 2001 rookie season, Pujols said, “I will work harder this year than last because there will always be someone trying to take my job.” And he did. “I know sometimes writers and people didn’t like the fact that I didn’t always have time for them. But when I am right, I am focused, focused on preparing to hit. That’s my job. My performance is what should speak for me.”
Injuries have slowed him down, in 2013 limiting him to 99 games. His on base percentage, OPS, OPS+ and home runs have declined five consecutive years.
That said, he sits at 492 home runs. His 1.008 OPS is the highest of any active player. His OPS+ of 165 is the highest. His WAR is second.
While Mike Trout has deservedly earned the right to be called the best player in the game, the 2014 Albert Pujols is moving in the field and driving balls from alley to alley like the Albert of six years ago.
And Josh Hamilton, who in his first year in Anaheim fell to a .250/.309/.432/.739 21 homer level, seems to have regained some of his persona. He has been held back with a calf injury, but his batting practices have been like the Home Run Derby in Yankee Stadium. His focus, too, is on redeeming his place in the game. “Josh likes being The Guy,” says one teammate.The day before position players reported, Pujols and Hamilton were on the lower fields at the Angels’ complex with teammates. Hamilton took a round where he cleared towers on other fields. “This is the 240 pound Josh Hamilton,” Pujols yelled out. “Not the 214 pound guy.”
Next round, Hamilton took another mighty swing and the bat snapped at the handle. Coaches and teammates seemed to be in disbelief. (Actually, I saw this happen with Jim Rice in a game in Detroit)
As Josh picked up the two pieces of the bat and reached for a new one handed to him by Pujols, he said, “OK guys, make sure you get the story right when you tell and retell it.”
Pujols and Hamilton want to go back and be what earned them the Arte Moreno contracts, because when they look in the mirror, that’s who they want to see. Barry Bonds doesn’t have that opportunity, but he wants to at least regain part of his place in the game, a place where people remember him for what he was and for the Williamesque hitting IQ he possesses. “A person who graduates from Harvard Law School pretty much knows what he’s going to do,” Bonds says, trailing off to wondering exactly what he’s going to do in baseball.
If they meet up on Monday, Barry will probably enjoy discussing whatever Albert wants to discuss about the science of hitting. If Hamilton wants to drive over, Bonds would enjoy him, as well.
These three men have been places few players have ever dreamed of being. They know what it’s like, and they love the reminders of how it feels. Pujols can get back there, if he can remain healthy. Hamilton, who turns 33 in two months, can get back there, as well. For Barry Bonds, just being on the field in uniform and having someone say he hit more home runs than anyone ever might be close to enough.
“We all make mistakes,” he said Monday in a private moment, mistakes that baseball would prefer to ignore, as it ignores another man who had the most hits and this
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Seahawks free agency tracker — Day Two
Seahawks free agency tracker — Day Two: News, weather, traffic, events and photos from the City Desk at The Seattle Times.
Cold Hard Facts: How the Seahawks emerged from the start of free agency
Cold Hard Facts: How the Seahawks emerged from the start of free agency: John Clayton discusses the Seahawks' losses of defensive tackle Clinton McDonald and linebacker O'Brien Schofield, and says that receiver Golden Tate and cornerback Walter Thurmond could be the next players to leave. Clayton adds that the team is taking a look at former Packers tight end Jermichael Finley as a possible replacement for Zach Miller and discusses what he thinks kicker Steven Hauschka is worth.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Peter Gammons latest from the Hall of Fame Writer
Gammons Notes: Padres, Mariners, Orioles, Colby Lewis and more
March 10, 2014 by 1 Comment
Orioles’ Kevin Gausman
–The Padres may have lost Cameron Maybin for a while, but I like this team as a wild card dreamer. With Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross developing, the staff ERA dropped from 4.22 to 3.62 after the break, Joe Wieland, off TJ, has been up to 96, Ian Kennedy is reliable, especially in Petco, and anything they get from Josh Johnson is gravy. Remember, they began 2013 with Jason Marquis, Edinson Volquez and Clayton Richard in the rotation.
–Saturday was Yasmani Grandal’s first game, albeit a simulated one. But he was fluid, quick, loose in all his defensive actions, and is a very important figure for them in 2014.
–The Mariners medical staff believes Hisashi Iwakuma and Taijuan Walker will be back by mid-April. It’s been pointed out that Iwakuma’s index finger injury is different from the one that sidetracked Adam Miller’s promising career with the Indians. Miller’s problem was in the flexor side of the finger, Iwakuma in the back. By the way—Dustin Ackley looks like a totally different hitter, and not just because this is Arizona. Reminds me of Bill Buckner, circa 1974.
–It looks like former Yankee Abraham Almonte is going to win the Mariners center field job, switch-hitter with speed and life.
–Kyle Seager was going into the Dodgers facility for a Saturday night game. A kid asked for an autograph. Seager said he was late for stretching. “Doesn’t matter,” said the kid. “Your brother’s a lot better than you are.” Corey Seager is one of the Dodgers’ best prospects.
–The Braves are very concerned about Kris Medlen’s injury, with Mike Minor out for the start of the season, Tim Hudson gone and Gavin Floyd three months from being ready. “We love J.R. Graham and Shae Simmons,” says one scout, “but they need time.” Seems as if the Braves always find pitching. Incidentally, Oakland matched San Francisco’s dollars on Hudson, but he preferred pitching in the National League
–The Tigers are looking around for a lefthanded-hitting outfielder to replace Andy Dirks, as well as a backup shortstop. But do not ask for Rick Porcello.
–On almost every day’s Scouting Bureau report it mentions that Adam Jones either “plays really hard” or “runs really hard.” With Nick Markakis coming off a surgery-free off-season that allowed him to put on 15-20 pounds, the Orioles outfield could be a lot of fun to watch play “really hard” every day, and that’s without mentioning David Lough.
–Kevin Gausman was 94-to-99 Saturday night with a great changeup. Even if the O’s don’t sign Ervin Santana, Gausman might start the season in Norfolk, with Chris Tillman, Ubaldo Jimenez, Wei-Yin Chen, Miguel Gonzalez and Bud Norris in the rotation. Norris could move to the end of the bullpen, and Gausman is likely to be a part of the Baltimore run in the AL East. It also could be as a closer, as he is essentially a fastball-change pitcher who has tried to find a breaking ball, and that strong two pitch mix is probably enough for 5-6 outs.
–One NL executive: ”The Mets are going to be a lot better than people think. The pitching is going to be good, and they can play a three centerfielder outfield. In another year, they’re going to have the best young pitching in the National League, with Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard (sitting 99), Zack Wheeler and that lefthanded kid Steven Matz, who is very impressive. They may be a serious threat to contend in another year.”
–The day’s best read on the site may be Gerry Fraley’s piece on Colby Lewis and his recovery with resurfacing hip surgery. NHLer Ed Jovanovski is the only major league pro athlete to have this surgery, and watching Lewis Sunday, he looked very different from two years ago, when he walked to the mound looked as if he were walking the line in a sobriety test. He must have endured incredible pain just to get the mound.
–A couple of radar gun notes: Reds uber prospect Robert Stephenson 96-99 with an excellent curveball, the look of a number one starter. Joaquin Benoit 93-96 for the Padres. Tyler Skaggs 92-95, in and out, and Garrett Richards up to 99.
Big West Conference Tournament Starts Thursday March 13th
2013-2014 STANDINGS
(as of March 8, 2014 at 11:15 p.m.)
(as of March 8, 2014 at 11:15 p.m.)
| BIG WEST GAMES | ALL GAMES | |||||||||
| W | L | Pct. | W | L | Pct. | Home | Away | Neutral | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UC Irvine (* 1) | 13 | 3 | .813 | 22 | 10 | .688 | 12-4 | 10-6 | 0-0 | |
| UC Santa Barbara (2) | 12 | 4 | .750 | 21 | 8 | .724 | 10-3 | 9-5 | 2-0 | |
| Long Beach State (3) | 10 | 6 | .625 | 14 | 16 | .467 | 9-4 | 5-9 | 0-3 | |
| Hawaii (4) | 9 | 7 | .563 | 20 | 10 | .667 | 14-5 | 5-4 | 1-1 | |
| Cal State Northridge (5) | 7 | 9 | .438 | 15 | 17 | .469 | 11-3 | 2-14 | 2-0 | |
| Cal State Fullerton (6) | 6 | 10 | .375 | 11 | 19 | .367 | 8-6 | 3-12 | 0-1 | |
| Cal Poly (7) | 6 | 10 | .375 | 10 | 19 | .345 | 6-6 | 3-12 | 1-1 | |
| UC Riverside (8) | 5 | 11 | .313 | 10 | 20 | .333 | 8-7 | 2-13 | 0-0 | |
| UC Davis
Cal Poly vs. UC Santa Barbara
12:00 PM
Cal State Fullerton vs. Long Beach State
2:30 PM
UC Riverside vs. UC Irvine
6:00 PM
Cal State Northridge vs. Hawaii
8:30 PM
| ||||||||||
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