Thanks to several Bauxites who spotted this remarkably candid and detailed interview of JP Ricciardi by Marty York. JP confirms that Miguel Batista is a Jays target; perhaps surprisingly, so is Sidney Ponson. Read on for more.
"No," Ricciardi said, "Alomar's a nice player, but we're not interested. Besides, I don't know where all this stuff has started about Hudson. If teams are interested in him, I wish they'd call me because I haven't heard one trade offer for Hudson. Not even one."
Given JP's candidness about who he's going after in FA, is there reason not to believe him on this?
Given JP's candidness about who he's going after in FA, is there reason not to believe him on this?
This is hilarious:
Detroit GM Dave Dombrowski, for instance, was ordered by Tigers owner Mike Ilitch to not only go after top-calibre free agents but to overpay them if necessary. As a result, Dombrowski signed free-agent second baseman Fernando Vina to a $6-million contract on Wednesday.
Is Vina a top-tier free agent even in Detroit?
Detroit GM Dave Dombrowski, for instance, was ordered by Tigers owner Mike Ilitch to not only go after top-calibre free agents but to overpay them if necessary. As a result, Dombrowski signed free-agent second baseman Fernando Vina to a $6-million contract on Wednesday.
Is Vina a top-tier free agent even in Detroit?
Ponson hadn't even occurred to me - I assumed he would be out of our pricerange. Can anyone familiar with him weigh in? My sense of him is that he's very similar to Escobar - lots of talent, very inconsistent, finally put it all together just in time to cash in. I'd prefer Batista, even if he wasn't more affordable.
"can anyone familiar with him weigh in?"
S.K., I assuming the pun was intentional. Hee Hee
S.K., I assuming the pun was intentional. Hee Hee
Ponson got himself a poor reputation early in his career, in part because he hung out a little too much with Party Boy Scott Erickson. I haven't heard anything about that for a while, and the knighthood may well be a reflection that he's grown up some. I also recall some worries about his arm, but they were distant enough that I don't think it's an issue (I can't imagine the Giants took him on without a thorough physical). I wouldn't complain about a Sidney Ponson signing at all, but I also imagine he's out of Toronto's price range. We shall see.
If you ask J.P. a direct question, you'll get a straight answer, even if it's "I can't answer that right now." He's been remarkably candid about everything since he arrived here, so I believe that he hasn't been approached about Hudson. Perhaps the frequent rumours were started by "sources" in other organizations, telling Gammons that they would be interested in a young 2B like the O-Dog. Maybe someone here indulged in wild speculation, which spread in "what have you heard?" conversations among reporters. Who knows?
Ponson wouldn't be such a terrible consolation prize if Batista ends up accepting another offer, but there's a bit more risk involved. Sir Sidney isn't exactly a conditioning freak, and until last year, he had a reputation for being a flake. From a July article by Dave Sheinin in The Sporting News:
He always has had a dynamite arm, throwing two-seam fastballs in the 92- to 93-mph range and dialing up a 98-mph four-seamer when needed. Plus, he mixes in a crisp slider, a big, slow curve and a "spilt-change" that has become particularly effective this season.
But the question about Ponson always has been about his head. Specifically, his tendency to suffer ugly meltdowns on the mound.
"I'm not seeing that anymore from him," says one scout who has seen several of Ponson's recent starts. "You used to be able to tell exactly the moment where he completely lost it. He wouldn't get (an umpire's) call or something bad (defensively) would happen behind him, and you'd see his body language go south and his face turn red. Then he'd start overthrowing everything, and it was all over."
At one point, the Orioles were so concerned about Ponson's self-destructive tendencies, they considered making him a closer--believing his high-energy, highly emotional approach was better suited for that role.
Gosh, that sounds familiar. You would think this guy could get three years for about $18.75 million from the Angels. I also heard an interview last summer with one of his Baltimore teammates (it may have been Jeff Conine) who suggested that Ponson might have finally grown up; until last year, they had always considered him a fun-loving kid who didn't take anything seriously. In addition to any lingering questions about his maturity, as Jordan mentions, Sidney's had shoulder and elbow problems in the past. Higher upside, lower downside, compared to the steadier Batista, but interesting, if he's affordable.
Ponson wouldn't be such a terrible consolation prize if Batista ends up accepting another offer, but there's a bit more risk involved. Sir Sidney isn't exactly a conditioning freak, and until last year, he had a reputation for being a flake. From a July article by Dave Sheinin in The Sporting News:
He always has had a dynamite arm, throwing two-seam fastballs in the 92- to 93-mph range and dialing up a 98-mph four-seamer when needed. Plus, he mixes in a crisp slider, a big, slow curve and a "spilt-change" that has become particularly effective this season.
But the question about Ponson always has been about his head. Specifically, his tendency to suffer ugly meltdowns on the mound.
"I'm not seeing that anymore from him," says one scout who has seen several of Ponson's recent starts. "You used to be able to tell exactly the moment where he completely lost it. He wouldn't get (an umpire's) call or something bad (defensively) would happen behind him, and you'd see his body language go south and his face turn red. Then he'd start overthrowing everything, and it was all over."
At one point, the Orioles were so concerned about Ponson's self-destructive tendencies, they considered making him a closer--believing his high-energy, highly emotional approach was better suited for that role.
Gosh, that sounds familiar. You would think this guy could get three years for about $18.75 million from the Angels. I also heard an interview last summer with one of his Baltimore teammates (it may have been Jeff Conine) who suggested that Ponson might have finally grown up; until last year, they had always considered him a fun-loving kid who didn't take anything seriously. In addition to any lingering questions about his maturity, as Jordan mentions, Sidney's had shoulder and elbow problems in the past. Higher upside, lower downside, compared to the steadier Batista, but interesting, if he's affordable.
According to Oriole game announcers, in previous years Sir Sid would have something bad happen in a game (a homer, error, consecutive hits) and he'd start over-throwing and go to pieces. They said it was noticable when he stopped doing that this year. I wonder if the pressure of the pennant race in San Fran made him revert to bad habits?
He was worked real hard a few years ago, but isn't that supposed to become less of an issue once a pitcher reaches a certain age?
He was worked real hard a few years ago, but isn't that supposed to become less of an issue once a pitcher reaches a certain age?
Rats ... scooped by a more authoritative post by 2 minutes.
At the bottom of that article it says that the orioles want to sign 2 players out of javy lopez, vlad and tejada. Here's to hoping that lopez is one of them. Why people would pay top dollar to a guy who had plenty of bad years between his good season and his great one(last year) is beyond me.
why not go for ponson? make it three ex-orioles in the early going of the off-season ... at least then JP can't be accused of being interested exclusively with ex-athletics any longer ...
http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/ponsosi01.shtml
I just don't think the guy is that good. Look at his numbers on Baseball Reference (COMN) - if he pitches like he did in '03, that's all right, but aren't his K numbers a little low? And '03 was his best year. Then if you consider the injury-risk-reputation and the money it'd take to bring him in . . . I'm not enough of an optimist to do it.
I just don't think the guy is that good. Look at his numbers on Baseball Reference (COMN) - if he pitches like he did in '03, that's all right, but aren't his K numbers a little low? And '03 was his best year. Then if you consider the injury-risk-reputation and the money it'd take to bring him in . . . I'm not enough of an optimist to do it.
i don't think he's that great either -- plus, he's fat ...
i would have rather seen boomer wells back here ...
i would have rather seen boomer wells back here ...
The interview with JP on the Fan590 this morning is now on the Fan's audio list and readily available to all. It's a good listen if you can put up with the 'ole guy' and his dumb questions.
Ponson is only 27.
From everything I've read, he was a total meathead up until last season, when he finally pulled his head out of his ass and concentrated on pitching. Not surprisingly, he responded with a career year.
Considering his age, live arm, and apparent renewed interest in his career, I think it would be the perfect time to scoop him up.
Sounds like a prototypical #2 to me.
Batista would be a nice booby prize, but methinks he's hit his peak, and might be started down the backside of the hill.
From everything I've read, he was a total meathead up until last season, when he finally pulled his head out of his ass and concentrated on pitching. Not surprisingly, he responded with a career year.
Considering his age, live arm, and apparent renewed interest in his career, I think it would be the perfect time to scoop him up.
Sounds like a prototypical #2 to me.
Batista would be a nice booby prize, but methinks he's hit his peak, and might be started down the backside of the hill.
isn't Jack Clark bankrupt? something about a fleet of cars ...
Speaking of Lopez, how exactly are the Braves expecting themselves to be a dynamite offense again? They can't reasonably assume that their 1b/3b production (fick and castilla and one other I can't name off the top of my head) to do better again, and they lose their great hitting catcher and RF... hrm... I suppose cost cutting is the game now, go figures
We need Wilner to chime in with any scoop he may have on this one.
Has anybody heard if Wilner will be going New Orleans and giving regular updates on the FAN590? I believe he went last year and was on quite frequently.
*sigh* I just lost a long post about what the Braves will do this year due to my stupidity. Oh well. The Braves' offense will probably be significantly worse than last year, and their pitching will probably not be significantly better. We'll start a rookie at 1B (Adam LaRoche) and Johnny Estrada, Kevin Millwood replacement, at catcher. Our top pitching prospect is likely still a year away, and our top organizational prospect, third baseman Andy Marte, will start the season in AA. If he mashes like he did in hitter-unfriendly Myrtle Beach, he could maybe even see the majors by September.
I think the Braves will get lucky to win 85 to 90 games, but I'm always a pessimist, so who knows.
I think the Braves will get lucky to win 85 to 90 games, but I'm always a pessimist, so who knows.
Speaking of York, didn't he used to hate the Jays? When he was at the Globe I think he was pretty much Richard Griffin with alot more rumours.
Thanks to jim854 for the tip; here's a link to The Fan 590 where you can listen to the complete seven-minute interview with J.P., including some interesting background on the Chi-Hung Cheng signing, and a message to the Yankees and Red Sox.
"I think we've got a chance to make life miserable for those two teams."
There are also links to interviews with Terry Francona and Curt Schilling on the main page, and if you click "More Hot Audio," you'll find chats with Carlos Delgado and Roy Halladay after the Cy Young and MVP announcements. Alas, my own few minutes on the air with Mike Wilner, the only time I'll ever pinch-hit for Vernon Wells, was not archived.
"I think we've got a chance to make life miserable for those two teams."
There are also links to interviews with Terry Francona and Curt Schilling on the main page, and if you click "More Hot Audio," you'll find chats with Carlos Delgado and Roy Halladay after the Cy Young and MVP announcements. Alas, my own few minutes on the air with Mike Wilner, the only time I'll ever pinch-hit for Vernon Wells, was not archived.
I don't know if anyone who listened to the interview noticed, but JP said they had set a deadline for the mystery pitcher for before the winter meetings. We should hear something one way or the other within a few short hours.
Speaking of York, didn't he used to hate the Jays?
Oh yeahhh. More accurately, he hated "spoiled prima donna" baseball players. And he positively loathed George Bell. Actually, "loathed" is an understatement.
Oh yeahhh. More accurately, he hated "spoiled prima donna" baseball players. And he positively loathed George Bell. Actually, "loathed" is an understatement.
he didn't talk about potential non-tender free agents
freddy garcia should be someone who would be non-tendered, maybe we can get him
freddy garcia should be someone who would be non-tendered, maybe we can get him
Of course, there are contingency plans. Should he fail to sign Batista or Ponson, Ricciardi's altneratives could be Jeff Suppan, Pedro Astacio or Kenny Rogers.
"We have mild interest in those three guys, yes," Ricciardi said....
No one has anything to say about Astacio? I've been wondering if his name was going to pop up in connection with the Jays. His health is questionable, but if the money were right ... could the money be right I wonder? Another guy I've been wondering about is Jose Jimenez. What's his status? The Rockies seemed fed up with him last season, which was by far his worst as a reliever. As far as I can tell from a quick look at his numbers for 2003
Year G IP H HR BB K ERA
2000 72 70.2 63 4 28 44 3.18
2001 56 55.0 56 6 22 37 4.09
2002 74 73.1 76 7 11 47 3.56
2003 63 101.2 137 7 32 45 5.22
the major problem he had was that he gave up a lot more hits than you'd expect. There was also a drop in Ks. I don't have any velocity numbers for him. Was he hiding an injury? If so, is it healed?
If he's not hurt, last years stats should make him a cheap option for the pen.... I know, I know, "if the dog hadn't stopped to crap he would've caught the rabbit."
"We have mild interest in those three guys, yes," Ricciardi said....
No one has anything to say about Astacio? I've been wondering if his name was going to pop up in connection with the Jays. His health is questionable, but if the money were right ... could the money be right I wonder? Another guy I've been wondering about is Jose Jimenez. What's his status? The Rockies seemed fed up with him last season, which was by far his worst as a reliever. As far as I can tell from a quick look at his numbers for 2003
Year G IP H HR BB K ERA
2000 72 70.2 63 4 28 44 3.18
2001 56 55.0 56 6 22 37 4.09
2002 74 73.1 76 7 11 47 3.56
2003 63 101.2 137 7 32 45 5.22
the major problem he had was that he gave up a lot more hits than you'd expect. There was also a drop in Ks. I don't have any velocity numbers for him. Was he hiding an injury? If so, is it healed?
If he's not hurt, last years stats should make him a cheap option for the pen.... I know, I know, "if the dog hadn't stopped to crap he would've caught the rabbit."
Matthew E on Ponson: I just don't think the guy is that good.
I, too, am hesitant to believe that Ponson v.2003 is the real deal. He's most likely going to get a paycheque that presumes last year is now his true level, but I'd want to see a repeat performance before I believe that.
Precious few SP are blue chippers. Many too many have an out-of-character season that they get to parlay into fabulous wealth with the acquiring teams thinking that pitcher X has finally turned a corner. Let Ponson be Steinbrenner's gamble.
I, too, am hesitant to believe that Ponson v.2003 is the real deal. He's most likely going to get a paycheque that presumes last year is now his true level, but I'd want to see a repeat performance before I believe that.
Precious few SP are blue chippers. Many too many have an out-of-character season that they get to parlay into fabulous wealth with the acquiring teams thinking that pitcher X has finally turned a corner. Let Ponson be Steinbrenner's gamble.
I think the Braves will get lucky to win 85 to 90 games, but I'm always a pessimist, so who knows.
I'm no Schuerholz fan, but even with the purse strings being tightened in Georgia, he should have some fun money at his disposal, what with Maddux, Sheffield and Lopez all being off the books. He can't spend all of it coaxing Terry Pendleton out of retirement, can he?
I'm no Schuerholz fan, but even with the purse strings being tightened in Georgia, he should have some fun money at his disposal, what with Maddux, Sheffield and Lopez all being off the books. He can't spend all of it coaxing Terry Pendleton out of retirement, can he?