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Features Who's left, anyway?

Did you know there are still 91 free agents available on the MLB winter market? Sure, some of these guys are going to  either retire by choice (Andy Pettitte?) or "retire"  through lack of interest.

ABut amost 100? Really? Yes, it's true. And while it's also true that most of the big names and stars (not always the same thing!) have been snapped up, we could build two pretty decent 25-man rosters (divided by league, of course) with careful attention to that list. Let's take a look at one version of what's possible, then we'll have a few quick questions for you to consider and answer.



AMERICAN LEAGUE

AL Starting LineupC Bengie Molina
1B Nick Johnson
2B Julio Lugo
SS Cristian Guzman
3B Eric Chavez
LF Manny Ramirez
CF Johnny Damon
RF Vladimir Guerrero
DH Russell Branyan

AL BenchC Josh Bard
MID IF Chris Woodward
COR IF MIke Lowell
OF Mark Kotsay
OF Riocco Baldelli
UTIL Felipe Lopez

AL RotationSP Jeremy Bonderman
SP Andy Pettitte
SP Justin Duchscherer
SP Freddy Garcia
SP Carl Pavano

AL Bullpen

CL Rafael Soriano
SET Brian Fuentes
SETt Scot Shields
RP Grant Balfour
RP Jon Rauch

Among other AL options ....P: Mark Hendrickson, Bruce Chen; Kevin Millwood; Ben Sheets, Jamey Writght, Ron Mahay , Chad Qualls
C Chad Moeller
IF Felipe Lopez, Nick Punto
OF  Marcus Thames
DH Jim Thome

NATIONAL LEAGUE

NL Starting LineupC Jason Larue
1B Mike Sweeney
2B Adam Kennedy
SS Orlando Cabrera
3B Pedro Feliz
LF Scott Podsednik
CF Jim Edmonds
RF Jose Guillen
DH Troy Glaus

NL BenchC Gregg Zaun
MID IF Edgar Renteria
COR IF Chad Tracy
OF Rick Ankiel
OF Jay Payton
UTIL Reed Johnson

NL RotationSP Jeff Francis
SP Mike Hampton
SP Jeff Weaver
SP Doug Davis
SP Kelvim Escobar

NL Bullpen

CL Trevor Hoffman
SET Kyle Farnsworth
SETt Mike MacDougal
RP David Bush
RP Kris Benson

Among other NL options ....P: Brad Penny, Chris Young, Jeff Suppan, Russ Springer, Chan Ho Park (many others)
C Chad Moeller
IF Fernando Tatis, Aaron Miles, David Eckstein, Jerry Hairston Jr.
OF Willie Bloomquist, Randy Winn, Kevin Mench
DH Jason Giambi

And your questions ...
  • Obvious first question ... which "team" is better?
  • More specifically, what record would each team compile in the 2011 AL East?
  • Is there anyone on this list that you'd like to see the Jays (or pick another team) sign right now?
  • I count about a dozen former Jays listed ... anyone you miss?
  • Anything else you want to say? To rant about? To wax eloquent? Write on, Macduff!
Posted by Mick Doherty on Thursday, January 06 2011 @ 09:38 PM EST.
Who's left, anyway? | 59 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
Richard S.S. - Thursday, January 06 2011 @ 11:38 PM EST (#228456) #
Josh Bard has signed with the Mariners, try to at least be accurate.
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Doom Service - Thursday, January 06 2011 @ 11:42 PM EST (#228457) #

The best unit is the AL bullpen, but I wouldn't want to pitch in front of that defense, particularly the outfield. But at least with Manny, Damon and Vlad, they'd put up some of the runs that their defense would be giving back. Thome is still a force. I don't see much to like on the NL beyond Renteria. Pavano and Pettitte are also a class above the rest of the starters. I'd hate to be either team's trainer, the AL's in particular.

I think the list is a few days out of date, and will only get worse. Ankiel's signed with Washington. Bard took an NRI with Seattle. Tracy and Park signed to play in Japan. Probably missing a few others.

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Thomas - Thursday, January 06 2011 @ 11:42 PM EST (#228458) #
I'm not sure who the managers of these teams are, but the AL manager should have his head examined for the decision to have Jim Thome (2010 line: .283/.412/.627) on the bench in favour of Russel Branyan (2010 line: .237/.323/.487).

Also, as the NL manager I'd try to coach my players to hit the ball to the outfield and just start running, because the AL's outfield defence is, in a word, horrendous.
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Thomas - Thursday, January 06 2011 @ 11:44 PM EST (#228459) #
Also, I could be missing something, but I have no idea who Andrew Ross is.
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Doom Service - Thursday, January 06 2011 @ 11:54 PM EST (#228461) #
I think Andrew Ross is probably an elaborate typo for Andruw Jones, who finished last year with the White Sox and is now a free agent.  
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Alex Obal - Thursday, January 06 2011 @ 11:56 PM EST (#228462) #
That NL team is horrendous. Put them in Petco and they're the 2010 Mariners all over, minus the pitching royalty.
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Mick Doherty - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 12:20 AM EST (#228463) #
  • Okay, first, the resource for this informal story, linked to in the first line, is an AP story datelined Jan. 6 , the day this thread was published. Apologies to the fussygrumps who think this did not meet appropriate "accuracy" standards.
  • Thomas, you're right about Branyan -- i actually had Thome in the starting lineup originally, but figured Branyan might be the better bet for age reasons. I looked up no numbers, so this is a lack of "accuracy," I guess (again?) ...
  • Thomas (again) -- I knew the teams were, to be kind, weak defensively, but hadn't really wrapped my mind around the horribleness of that AL outfield. Even in their primes, those were three Bronze Gloves, and now they are pushing 120 years combined.
  • Thomas (yet again!), I have no idea where that  "Andrew Ross" name came from. I removed it and it shall  forever remain a Bauxite mystery.

 

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Alex Obal - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 01:12 AM EST (#228464) #
Team AL should probably play Lowell at third and pick up Marcus Thames for its bench. Andruw Jones in center, Damon to left, Guerrero and Ramirez alternate between right and DH (along with Thome). Maybe you'd also sign Fred Lewis for insurance against one of the old guys falling apart completely.
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TamRa - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 02:34 AM EST (#228465) #
Without looking up anything...

I agree Thome has to bump Branyan.

No way i pass on Penny and Young for Escobar (who might e done) and Weaver (who hasn't been a full time starter in three years). Maine over Hampton too, for that matter.

There has to be a better option than Kris Benson (at least) in that pen too.

I think you'd have to go with Cantu over Felipe Lopez.

Finally, I'd gamble on Milladge before I'd resort to Guillen

(What the heck is so wrong with Milladge that we - or someone - hasn't taken a chance on him yet?)

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Quwyetr - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 06:33 AM EST (#228467) #
Once I get my time machine working, that'll be one nice AL lineup.
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Chuck - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 07:04 AM EST (#228468) #
Josh Bard has signed with the Mariners, try to at least be accurate.

You've got to be kidding with this attitude.
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DH - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 07:59 AM EST (#228469) #
Thanks for putting this together. I'll reserve comment on those aggrieved by a couple of small errors.

The one name that jumps for me is Eric Chavez. While he's endured several serious surgeries since his last full season in 07, I wouldn't be opposed to inviting him to ST with a chance to win the job at 3b. At this point, with Davis slated to start in RF,  catching lightning in a bottle might not be a bad strategy.



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CeeBee - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 08:36 AM EST (#228470) #
I think Mick put it best... fussygrumps!
Thanks for taking the time to write and post the piece, Mick. I think some people forget how much time the writers on this site put into doing this for FREE!!!... in fact it costs money to run a website so thanks again to all the contributors who make my baseball experience so much better :)
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Sal - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 08:53 AM EST (#228471) #

"Josh Bard has signed with the Mariners, try to at least be accurate."

Are you paying him for his posts? Is there any legal contract that makes him obliged to provide articles free of mistakes? If not, just be grateful for the material and research provided as people here usually spend a good amount of their free time to write their articles. I am sure they try to make their information as accurate as possible and they're not trying to mislead you purposely.

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92-93 - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 09:17 AM EST (#228472) #
Have Barry Bonds, Gary Sheffield, and Pedro Martinez officially retired yet?

I'd like to see AA buy another draft pick via Jon Rauch, who is probably a better RP than Dotel.
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John Northey - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 09:23 AM EST (#228474) #
This really shows how many DH/1B options exist if the Jays just keep waiting. I'm sure someone will be $1-2 million who is very good if the Jays want him come mid/late March. A few good closers/relievers too, again showing how patience can and will be rewarded.

Generally for free agents two methods work...
1) sign who you really, really want right away before bidding wars begin
2) wait until the end to sign anyone else as there will always be a few talented guys who are forgotten/lost in the numbers game. There are only 30 starting jobs at each position after all (14 for DH's).

Didn't notice Chavez was a free agent so I checked his stats and saw why I didn't notice. Up to age 29: 117 OPS+. Since: 61 OPS+ over 249 PA over 3 years. If he has healed from whatever injuries he has had I'd give him a spring invite and hope to get lucky (he peaked at 4 years of 125-135 OPS+), but thats all I'd give him at this point.
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mathesond - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 09:29 AM EST (#228476) #
"Josh Bard has signed with the Mariners, try to at least be accurate."

Shouldn't that be "Try to at least be Accurate"?
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lexomatic - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 10:09 AM EST (#228477) #
I can't imagine counting on any time at 3b for Lowell or especially Chavez.
I think the reality would be F. Lopez at 3b, with Punto as a UT (for his defense).Same thing with Nick Johnson, that guy couldn't tie his shoelaces without injuring himself, and Branyan would probably have to play (backed up by Thome).  FYI Lopez is on the list twice (second time in additonal options). Kotsay can't field anymore, and it's possible that Thames could play CF better than him. I guess Moeller is the backup C on the AL team. I would add Cantu, because he can kinda play 3b, and has played all over the IF.
It would be fun to see Hoffman's changeup  after Farnsworth's heat... but ugh, that NL team is ugly (though the defense might not be TOO horrible).

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TimberLee - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 10:36 AM EST (#228478) #

This is a neat idea, just for fun and to realize the collection of talent still available.

 Don't worry about the criticism in the first comment. One of the great things about The Box is the general cheerfulness and camaraderie of the participants, relative to comments on other sites. We appreciate your efforts; that's why we keep coming back.

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Mike D - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 10:52 AM EST (#228480) #

Shouldn't that be "Try to at least be Accurate"?

Only if your eyes are pointedly closed, your teeth are gritted and you press your hands together in a mock-praying gesture.

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Mike Green - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 11:05 AM EST (#228481) #
Or alternatively, you could sing with all your might.
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Thomas - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 11:12 AM EST (#228483) #
I am sure they try to make their information as accurate as possible and they're not trying to mislead you purposely.

Mick, I'm relieved. The Bauxites haven't caught on to the elaborate 2011 Josh Bard Misinformation Campaign. There is still more work to be done.

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92-93 - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 11:36 AM EST (#228485) #
Weird Garza trade - the return seems pretty light (Archer, Lee, Guyer, and Chirinos. Granted I don't know the hoopla surrounding this Chris Archer guy, but from his age/stats/build I don't see why he's particularly more valuable than, say, Henderson Alvarez. Archer reportedly works off a fastball in the low 90s and a good slider. Any prospect mavens want to help us understand the return using Jays players? Alvarez, Hechavarria, and Thames? I'm leaving Chirinos out of the equation as I can't imagine guys who experience their first success at AA at 26 carry a lot of value. Either way, this trade makes me feel like Toronto maximized the return for Shaun Marcum, and actually gets me wondering if the Jays themselves should have been in on Garza, a proven arm with 3 controllable years before FA.
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cybercavalier - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 11:49 AM EST (#228486) #
Finally, I'd gamble on Milladge before I'd resort to Guillen (What the heck is so wrong with Milladge that we - or someone - hasn't taken a chance on him yet?)

Few free agent batters are young enough to be more developed. For example, Jeremy Hermida signed a minor league contract with the Reds. I think the Jays can sign a few other guys as well, such as Lastings Milledge to AAA, or Wladimir Balentien (from the now dissolved Netherlands Antilles) if international presence is emphasized. For former Jays, Guillermo Quiroz is available and can be a backup with a prospected better offensive upside than the recently sigend Ryan Budde. Jerry Owens was mentioned on this site in 2010: given his stats in 2009, he can be considered useful again in 2011. For Canadian players, 1B/DH/LF Scott Thorman was available until signed by the Tigers.

All these proposed signing goes along the AA's line of "low risk, high reward" philosophy: Milledge was a Mets' first rounder pick and gathered much media attention when he first came up to the ML with the Mets, and Balentien with the Mariners.

Lastly, I tend to agree with TimberLee that general cheerfulness and camaraderie is encouraged here. Assuming good faith, I tend to think Richard is just pointing out the errors, per se; however, other posters are also trying hard to understand Richard because only the lexicon is seen online on this site. How do I know if you were smiling with assurance or chuckling ?
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Ryan Day - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 12:02 PM EST (#228487) #
"...gets me wondering if the Jays themselves should have been in on Garza, a proven arm with 3 controllable years before FA."

Not to mention his career 2.14 ERA against Toronto and the fact he's allowed all of 8 runs over 7 starts at the Dome.

Then again, I thought the Twins might offer Edwin Encarnacion a 5-year deal.
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braden - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 12:07 PM EST (#228488) #

I understand Archer is the Cubs top prospect (at least according to BA) but aside from rave reviews on his arsenal, his stats don't scream #1 guy to me.  He's got 440+ minor league innings under his belt and still walks over 5 per nine innings.  That's pretty scary stuff.  Perhaps he profiles better as a closer but if he's the big piece in this deal, the Rays obviously seem to think he can start.  But that walk rate.  Ouch.

By the way, I'm thrilled to have Garza out of the East.

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Adrock - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 12:46 PM EST (#228489) #
Does no one on this site have a sarcasm detector? 

The author of the first post is obviously kidding.  Or the planet's only Josh Bard fan.

I wasn't all that sold on the Rays taking a big tumble next year, but moving Garza for beans (which may be magic) sure seems to make a dip to at least 3rd place, and maybe 4th, much more likely.

I look forward to the Jays signing Nick Johnson, or one of the older, healthier DH candidates as we get closer to Spring Training.

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Chuck - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 01:02 PM EST (#228492) #

The author of the first post is obviously kidding.  Or the planet's only Josh Bard fan.

Sounds like you're not a frequent visitor to these parts.

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cybercavalier - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 01:20 PM EST (#228494) #
I am happy to see Garza away from AL East or get him to be a Jays. He is such a Jays killer. For now, we are fine. But I still don't understand the returning parts for the Rays. He's got 440+ minor league innings under his belt and still walks over 5 per nine innings. How much walks per nine innings is scary in minor leagues and would that observation translate into bad performance in the major league? Besides looking forward to the Jays signing Nick Johnson for his on-base ability, how about Casey Kotchman the 1B? Kotchman scores 74 first base assists last season, comparable to Todd Helton and Lance Berkman's stats in assists. He will be 28 in 2011 and so young enough to contribute and go back to a 14 HR season in 2008 and .840 OPS in 2007. Also, he is currently the better option on the first base assists leader board to be available as free agent. If Lind's defense at 1B is a concern, how about signing both Johnson and Kotchman and decide whom to stay (or both as Lind can ease into 1B and spent some time in LF for keeping running his legs) in 25-men roster after spring training?

At any rate, there are options to fill up the 25-men roster.
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Glevin - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 01:41 PM EST (#228496) #
Garza trade is a pretty good haul. According to ESPN, the Rays get Archer, Guyer, Lee, Fuld, and another minor leaguer for Garza, Fernando Perez and another minor leaguer. Archer is an excellent prospect, Lee is a very good prospect and Guyer could have a career as a major leaguer. (The #1, #4, and #10 prospects according to BA in a pretty deep system).
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John Northey - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 02:06 PM EST (#228497) #
Checking Sickels we get ratings for the guys TB gets of...
Archer B+, Lee B, Guyer B-, Chirinos C+, Fuld unrated

For Jays comparisons...
B+: Deck McGuire, Zach Stewart
B: Asher Wojciechowski, Carlos Perez, Aaron Sanchez, JPA
B-: Travis D'Arnaud, Anthony Gose, Eric Thames, Noah Syndergaard, Dickie Joe Thon, Kellen Sweeney, Griffin Murphy
C+: lots of guys like Adeiny Hechavarria & Chad Jenkins

Would you give up one guy from each of those lists for Garza? I wouldn't.
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Mike Green - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 02:16 PM EST (#228498) #
It would depend on which guys and whether one was intending to compete this year.  I can see making the trade from either side of the deal.  The Rays evidently know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. 
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TamRa - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 02:21 PM EST (#228499) #
I'd been worried that the Yanks would make a play for Garza. Seeing him go to the NL is happy-making.




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Alex Obal - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 02:27 PM EST (#228500) #
Garza is going to post a LOB% over 80 this year. Book it.
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Mike Green - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 03:15 PM EST (#228502) #
I don't know, Alex.  League/division change works to his benefit.  Much poorer defence works to his detriment.  I'll say 75% again.  Ya wanna bet a thimbleful of ethical oil from the tar sands?
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Shaker - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 04:01 PM EST (#228503) #
The Jays have only 2 left handed hitters on the roster, so far.  I think we should start combing the FA list for another LHB.

A few "name" players jump out from the list at the top: Chavez, Damon, Edmonds, Giambi, Nick J and Thome.
Some lesser names: Ankiel, Branyan, Hinske, Podsednik.
Scraping the barrel: Willie Harris, Joe Inglett, F Lewis.

Lind and Snider are probably better suited to middle of the order slots, so an LHB at or near the top of the order would be helpful.  So we're looking for OBP and maybe a bit of speed. 

For that reason I think Damon and Podsednik make the most sense.  Both possess reasonable OBP skills vs RHP and good speed, with Damon having much better CS% rates.  Damon (.352 OBP vs RHP in '10) or Pod (.349) would make a nice platoon with Rajai, too.  The less RHP Rajai sees, the better.


Good fun Mick, but I wonder if both those teams would actually end up being worse than replacement level?  The AL team, might be slightly better.

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Chuck - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 05:03 PM EST (#228504) #

Some lesser names: Ankiel, Branyan, Hinske, Podsednik

Hinske re-signed with the Braves. Ankiel signed with the Nationals.

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Alex Obal - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 06:03 PM EST (#228505) #
Ya wanna bet a thimbleful of ethical oil from the tar sands?

Can I buy that stuff on Amazon?

There are a few other factors against him - Wrigley's conduciveness to grand slams (doesn't help Garza), and the likelihood of the Cubs sucking (thus lowering motivation to get out of jams). I just think that given his outstanding fastball and tendency to work around guys, facing NL-caliber 789 punches is going to agree with him. Set the line at 77 and I'll take the over.

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Mylegacy - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 06:03 PM EST (#228506) #
Rotoworld is reporting that the Jays have interest in Brian Fuentes (LHRP) and they say the Jays would be a good place for him as Purcey is our best LHRP at the moment and he'll get opportunities to close.

He'd be a good pick up - no question.

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Mike Green - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 06:27 PM EST (#228507) #
Set the line at 77 and I'll take the over.

Done, Alex.  The loser doesn't need to worry about Amazon to get the ethical oil from the tar sands.  Just catch a drip from a parked car, say a prayer and presto, you've got it.  It aint a cuttlefish, but times are tough.
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uglyone - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 06:36 PM EST (#228508) #
Like I said when we signed Dotel, signing Fuentes as his LH complement is a perfect fit.

The fact that there's no compensation for him makes it all the better, even if we end up giving him a healthy chunk of change.

Fuentes/Dotel makes a nice L/R combo at the back of the 'pen, and especially good if a Frasor or Purcey or even a Stewart can take the reins as the "closer".
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ayjackson - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 07:03 PM EST (#228509) #
I'm surprised Jon Rauch hasn't found a home.
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cybercavalier - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 08:59 PM EST (#228512) #
The Jays have only 2 left handed hitters on the roster, so far.  I think we should start combing the FA list for another LHB. Lind and Snider are probably better suited to middle of the order slots, so an LHB at or near the top of the order would be helpful.  So we're looking for OBP and maybe a bit of speed.

I agree with this approach. Just skimming the minor league free agent list on BBallRef, Jose Constanza, a former Indians now a Braves, had excelled in winter league.

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cybercavalier - Friday, January 07 2011 @ 09:08 PM EST (#228513) #
BTW, refering to F. Lewis, is his strikeout ratio a concern to his offense? Still I think he will find a home without signing a minor league contract with ST invitation.
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Magpie - Saturday, January 08 2011 @ 12:24 AM EST (#228516) #
first base assists leader board

Why would anyone possibly care about a first baseman's assists? All that tells you is whether the guy prefers to flip the ball to the pitcher or make the play himself. That's quite literally all it means...
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Quwyetr - Saturday, January 08 2011 @ 02:19 AM EST (#228518) #
I believe force-outs at another base counts as an assist right? So there's always that. But still, it is not really a highly pertinent stat in regards to the defensive abilities of a first baseman.
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Magpie - Saturday, January 08 2011 @ 02:35 AM EST (#228519) #
I believe force-outs at another base counts as an assist right?

Yes, and those ones are all important. The problem is that the great majority of 1b assists come on 3-1 groundouts, and simply tell us which choice he prefers to make on that play.
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Ducey - Saturday, January 08 2011 @ 03:15 PM EST (#228524) #

I agree with this approach. Just skimming the minor league free agent list on BBallRef, Jose Constanza, a former Indians now a Braves, had excelled in winter league.

Maybe.  Just as long as they stay away from his cousin, George.

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Mike Green - Saturday, January 08 2011 @ 06:56 PM EST (#228526) #
The winter caravan is back.  I wonder if they might go to Montreal sometime soon.  Back when I was 10 and there was baseball in Montreal but not Toronto, the prospect of a train trip to Montreal and a couple of ball games was pretty much the ideal weekend.  I imagine that there might be a few kids in Montreal now who would feel the same way about making the trip west.
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christaylor - Sunday, January 09 2011 @ 01:52 AM EST (#228529) #
"The problem is that the great majority of 1b assists come on 3-1 groundouts, and simply tell us which choice he prefers to make on that play."

Bang on -- James, IIRC, has a great little write up about how the difference on 1B defense between Buckner (mobility issues) and Sax (throwing issues) can really skew one's view of 1B defense.

Despite all the progress in defensive metrics over the past decade plus, I have very little faith that catching and first base defense is being evaluated properly*.

*whatever that means...
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Parker - Sunday, January 09 2011 @ 10:25 AM EST (#228533) #

Maybe.  Just as long as they stay away from his cousin, George.

I don't know; I think his alter ego Skin-Colored Body Suit Guy could attract more casual fans.

He had a pretty good rapport with the Rangers' front office, too.

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Chuck - Sunday, January 09 2011 @ 12:24 PM EST (#228536) #

He had a pretty good rapport with the Rangers' front office, too.

I believe you mean the Astros.

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Parker - Sunday, January 09 2011 @ 02:19 PM EST (#228545) #

Thanks Chuck - I stand corrected.  In my arrogance, I assumed I didn't have to double-check which Texas organization he was dealing with.

How embarassing for me to mess up a Seinfeld reference like that.

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melondough - Sunday, January 09 2011 @ 06:38 PM EST (#228568) #

The points below assume that the remaining Type-A Free Agents (Pavano, Soriano, and Balfour) & Type B Free Agents (Hoffman, F.Lopez, Heilman, and Qualls) do not re-sign with their former teams.  If this is the case then I thought the following points would interest some:

- There will be 94 picks made before the end of the 2nd round (33 in the 1st round, 31 in the supplementary round & 30 in the 2nd round)

- TB would have 10 of the first 94 picks (#'s 24,32,39,42,43,55,60,63,64,93).  They are also likely to get either a 1st or 2nd round pick when Soriano signs + what has a chance to be a 2nd rounder when Balfour signs.  Therefore TB is likely to have 12 picks before the 2nd round ends (almost 13%)

- Blue Jays have 7 of these first 94 picks (7.5%) which is 2nd only to TB.  These picks would be positioned at #'s 21,35,48,57,61,78,82

- Red Sox have 6 of the first 94 picks (#'s 19,26,36,41,50,85) which look to be more favourably positioned then the Jays 7 picks

- Only TB(12), Blue Jays (7), Red Sox (6), Padres (6), Diamonback (5), and Twins (5) have at least 5 picks (assuming Minnesota does not re-sign Pavano which seems likely they will, dropping the Twins to a total of 4 picks)

- Only two teams have just one pick - Angles (pick 17) and Tigers (pick 80)

- Yankees have 2 picks at #31 and #92 

[ Reply to This ]
Gerry - Monday, January 10 2011 @ 01:24 PM EST (#228619) #

Adam Lind was in town for last weeks mini-camp and he is ready to play first base this season:

Lind appears well equipped to handle that aspect of the job, but his footwork remains a work-in-progress. That has been the hardest thing so far," Lind said. "I've never really had any information given to me on how to play first base until that weekend in Florida. A lot of it is going to be instinctual after awhile. That's what I have to work on, making [the footwork] become part my instincts so I won't have to think about it.

But he isn't forgetting about his hitting:

I just need to get a comfortable feel back in the box," Lind said. "Have a good rhythm, a good pace. That's what I've been working on over the winter, basically just slowing things down. I think that will increase the pitches that I see every at-bat, and I'll start swinging at better pitches.

 

 

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Forkball - Monday, January 10 2011 @ 02:36 PM EST (#228627) #
This is pretty cool:  http://www.minorleagueball.com/2011/1/7/1921427/john-sickels-farm-system-rankings

Jays minor league system ranks 5th according to this.  Interesting way to quantify minor league systems.

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TamRa - Monday, January 10 2011 @ 04:53 PM EST (#228634) #
Goldstien at BP has a list of 10 second day draftees who are worth watching - most is behind the pay wall but the last line before the jump says "Sam Dyson"

I wonder if any subscriber can tell us if that was the only Jay mentioned, and what his take on Dyson was?



[ Reply to This ]
pubster - Tuesday, January 11 2011 @ 11:24 PM EST (#228672) #
He says that Dyson fell into the fourth round because of his signing demands.

Likes how hard he throws and believes Dyson is a steal in the fourth round if he can stay healthy.

No other Jays are on the list.

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TamRa - Wednesday, January 12 2011 @ 12:35 AM EST (#228674) #
thanks!
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