Thursday Roundtable Chat

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:46 am

Originally posted by Red Sox Nation:

Bjoak,

Who do you see getting the majority of AB's in CF for the A's? Thanks They have Denorfia penned to start out there and I think he'll be there on opening day, but he is both an injury risk and a non-production risk (though they supposedly like his defense).

Beane has said that the new prospects need more seasoning and that he expects them to come up during the year, which I read to mean that he wants to bring them up in July when he won't be running up their free agent clock. Eventually, Carlos Gonzalez ends up somewhere, and I think they see him in center.

At least it's not Kotsay. They definitely improved at one position.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:47 am

Sorry for the delay, btw, I was side-tracked for a few but focused now.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:50 am

Originally posted by Edwards Kings:

quote:Originally posted by bjoak:

I can chat a little. What is the topic? Local teams. I can do the A's and maybe Giants if no one more qualified would like to pick them up.

Brian Not that they are going to be any great fountains of Fantasy points, but what is the Giant infield going to look like on opening day? [/QUOTE]Frandsen plays somewhere for certain. If the Giants go get a third baseman, he starts at second. If not, Durham and Aurilia are basically battling for a starting job. Ortmeier starts at first.

And, yes, they look awful.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:53 am

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko:

Bjoak - who finishes better overall this year, me or you? Well, I am certainly biased. I have yet to place better than the middling top third, but really every year the same problem is my first 3-4 picks completely fall apart and since that is where you get most of your value... Anyway I know what I need to fix so I hope to pass you near the top.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:00 am

Originally posted by Captain Hook:

Brian - any questions or teams are fair game

But speaking of the two AAA teams in NoCal, does Ortmeier start the year at 1B for the Gints? Could he hit 30 HR in that park? Missed this one. I'm not crazy about Ortmeier. I think he ends up like all the other Giants first basemen, losing his job to someone even worse.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:01 am

I think it's a pretty sad state of affairs that the Giants could lose Pedro Feliz - and really miss him.

Greg Ambrosius · Post by **Greg Ambrosius** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:05 am

In Sunday's Milwaukee Journal-Sentiniel, Ned Yost predicted that Rickie Weeks would have a breakout year and that his wrist held him back for much of last year. He said it takes a full year to recover from that and he showed he was healthy after Aug. 1st. Yost said Weeks will definitely bat leadoff.

But surprisingly, he said he's going to tinker with the second spot and could go with Jason Kendall or J.J. Hardy there before going with Mike Cameron there when he returns. Cameron takes a lot of pitches and that will allow Weeks to steal more bases. Still, Cameron hit .242 last year with a .328 OBP. Why should he hit second ahead of Prince and Ryan Braun???

Thoughts?

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:05 am

Originally posted by Tom Kessenich:

I think it's a pretty sad state of affairs that the Giants could lose Pedro Feliz - and really miss him. I agree with that. They maybe needed him more than anyone. With a little bit of pop and awesome defense, if he just took a walk once in a while, he could be worth quite a bit. Really, you have to think opposing pitchers never throw in the strike zonne against him so some patience would probably help his batting average as well.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:05 am

Wait until they see the numbers Feliz puts up in Philadelphia

may be a few contorted faces in the Giants front office

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:08 am

Originally posted by Captain Hook:

Wait until they see the numbers Feliz puts up in Philadelphia

may be a few contorted faces in the Giants front office I think he's an example of focusing too much on OBP. His isn't any good and he won't help your average either but he will deliver solid power and he plays good defense at 3B. He's not a bad player by any means. Not a great one but if you have a shortage of talent like the Giants do I'm not sure I'd be happy to see him go.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:13 am

Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

In Sunday's Milwaukee Journal-Sentiniel, Ned Yost predicted that Rickie Weeks would have a breakout year and that his wrist held him back for much of last year. He said it takes a full year to recover from that and he showed he was healthy after Aug. 1st. Yost said Weeks will definitely bat leadoff.

But surprisingly, he said he's going to tinker with the second spot and could go with Jason Kendall or J.J. Hardy there before going with Mike Cameron there when he returns. Cameron takes a lot of pitches and that will allow Weeks to steal more bases. Still, Cameron hit .242 last year with a .328 OBP. Why should he hit second ahead of Prince and Ryan Braun???

Thoughts? I have the unfortunate qualification of being able to handle Kendall questions. He should not bat anywhere and certainly not at the top of the order. You have to think all the Brewers have been missing is a good catcher.

As for Cameron, his OBP was almost average last year, and I don't think he'll hit that low again (leaving PETCO helps). In previous years he's had a well-above average OBP so hitting in front of the big guys could be good for them.

Anyone know whether Milwaukee plans to start Braun in the OF while Cameron is serving his suspension, or are they going with last year's formation?

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:15 am

Braun will start at LF from Day 1 with Hall at 3B. I posted earlier that we'll likely see a combination of Gross and Gwynn in CF until Cameron returns.

NorCalAtlFan · Post by **NorCalAtlFan** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:18 am

Will the real Brett Myers stand up? What happens first, him winning 15 games or getting a domestic disturbance call to the house?

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:19 am

Originally posted by bjoak:

quote:Originally posted by Greg Ambrosius:

In Sunday's Milwaukee Journal-Sentiniel, Ned Yost predicted that Rickie Weeks would have a breakout year and that his wrist held him back for much of last year. He said it takes a full year to recover from that and he showed he was healthy after Aug. 1st. Yost said Weeks will definitely bat leadoff.

But surprisingly, he said he's going to tinker with the second spot and could go with Jason Kendall or J.J. Hardy there before going with Mike Cameron there when he returns. Cameron takes a lot of pitches and that will allow Weeks to steal more bases. Still, Cameron hit .242 last year with a .328 OBP. Why should he hit second ahead of Prince and Ryan Braun???

Thoughts? I have the unfortunate qualification of being able to handle Kendall questions. He should not bat anywhere and certainly not at the top of the order. You have to think all the Brewers have been missing is a good catcher.

As for Cameron, his OBP was almost average last year, and I don't think he'll hit that low again (leaving PETCO helps). In previous years he's had a well-above average OBP so hitting in front of the big guys could be good for them.

Anyone know whether Milwaukee plans to start Braun in the OF while Cameron is serving his suspension, or are they going with last year's formation? [/QUOTE]Mark Srebro is the founder of the I drafted Jason Kendall and hate his guts club. I have petitioned to be the 2nd member. I have mixed feelings about the front office in Milwaukee and lets just say Kendall is not a good signing IMO.

I agree with Tom on Pedro Feliz- the glove and the power are enough for me to put him in the "right" lineup and hit him 7th. Now he should never ask me the GM for more than a one year deal at a reasonable rate. Nice fit in Philly but have no idea why they went 2 years.

There will be Dan Uggla of a few years ago type on the Giants- I keep looking but cannot find anyone to get excited about. Maybe they can bring back Todd Lindren who may be the worst big league player I have ever watched.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:21 am

I think the Brewers were so hell-bent on getting rid of Estrada they didn't take into consideration the fact Jason Kendall is truly awful right now. I realize someone like Lo Duca isn't very good either but he'd at least be less of a downgrade from Estrada than Kendall is. I also think the Kendall decision was highly suspect. As a Brewer fan, I hope I'm proven wrong about that.

NorCalAtlFan · Post by **NorCalAtlFan** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:24 am

It's painful to watch Kendall bat now. I meamn, you get absolutely nothing from him. And his D? That's nothing to brag about either.

I admire the way he came back after his foot fell off a few years ago, but how he continues to have a job is beyond me.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:27 am

If there is a youngster to break out on the Giants, I think it will be Frandsen. He's no guarentee, but they want him around for a reason.

I like Winn on their team. He gets a ton of at bats and he was only a few ticks away from a 20-20 season while hitting .300 last year. I'm not saying he'll do that, but you give a lot of at bats to a half decent hitter and a lot can happen. Also, with Bonds gone, you have to think they'll try to 'manufacture runs' this year.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:30 am

Brian I think you are right about Frandsen, but I just hope jerking him around for the last couple of years didn't mess with his head.

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:31 am

Originally posted by bjoak:

If there is a youngster to break out on the Giants, I think it will be Frandsen. He's no guarentee, but they want him around for a reason.

I like Winn on their team. He gets a ton of at bats and he was only a few ticks away from a 20-20 season while hitting .300 last year. I'm not saying he'll do that, but you give a lot of at bats to a half decent hitter and a lot can happen. Also, with Bonds gone, you have to think they'll try to 'manufacture runs' this year. How soon until they move Winn and run some future out there instead ? What does Winn's contract look like ? If it's attractive there's a good chance he's moved and becomes bench insurance for a contender.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:32 am

I agree with Yost's prediction about Weeks. He has major talent and I think this could be his breakout year. He has 20-20 potential with 30+ SBs easily within his reach. He really finished strong last season after being recalled from the minors and I think that provided a hint at what's to come in 2008.

mgk2004 · Post by **mgk2004** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:32 am

Not trying to be a Kendall apologist, but here are his OBP numbers for the past few years:

2003 - 0.399

2004 - 0.399

2005 - 0.345

2006 - 0.367

2007 - 1st half - 0.263 (with Oakland)

2007 - 2nd half - 0.354 (mostly with Cubs)

He had one brutal half-season (so I see why Oakland fans would be pissed), but those other numbers are pretty decent for a catcher. Not so great for fantasy, but the Brewers need some guys to get on base ... Kendall may still be able to do that (unlike Estrada) ...

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:33 am

Originally posted by Captain Hook:

Brian I think you are right about Frandsen, but I just hope jerking him around for the last couple of years didn't mess with his head. Brian you have seen him a lot more than me, but he just seemed to me like a guy who gets the bat knocked out of his hands by good hard stuff.

I like Winn too- pretty consistent guy too.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:37 am

Here's part of the profile I wrote about Kendal in our baseball issues this year:

Although Kendall’s best days are clearly in the past, the Brewers still signed him to a one-year, $4.25 million deal in November to replace Johnny Estrada as the starting catcher. Kendall no longer runs much, his OBP was just .301 last season and his .242 average was the worst of his career. He also struggled badly against LHPs (.198-1-10) while being below-average against RHPs (.259-2-31). On top of that, his defensive skills are poor. Other than that, the Brewers got a real bargain.

Captain Hook · Post by **Captain Hook** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:40 am

Tom that is Hilarious - any cancelations in Milwaukee after that came out?

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:40 am

Originally posted by Quahogs:

quote:Originally posted by bjoak:

If there is a youngster to break out on the Giants, I think it will be Frandsen. He's no guarentee, but they want him around for a reason.

I like Winn on their team. He gets a ton of at bats and he was only a few ticks away from a 20-20 season while hitting .300 last year. I'm not saying he'll do that, but you give a lot of at bats to a half decent hitter and a lot can happen. Also, with Bonds gone, you have to think they'll try to 'manufacture runs' this year. How soon until they move Winn and run some future out there instead ? What does Winn's contract look like ? If it's attractive there's a good chance he's moved and becomes bench insurance for a contender. [/QUOTE]The Giants have him through next year with salaries of 8 and 8.25. I would probably try to move him, but the Giants seem to be sitting on their hands right now. Also, I do think it's difficult to move a guy in the middle of your line-up. That is to say that they'll really be dead in the water if they move the best guy on a bad team.