Things to ponder and players to watch during Spring Training

Crazy Like a Fox · Post by **Crazy Like a Fox** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:26 pm

Troy Tulowitzki - If he shows any kind of power in spring training he might trickle into the 5th round. Tread carefully.

Tommy Hanson - If he tears it up and starts the year in the 5th slot, he might be a nice late teen gamble.

Cameron Maybin - Batting average is a concern, talent is not. 5x5 stud in waiting.

Josh Hamilton - What's he gonna do next?

David Ortiz - How's that shoulder looking? Is he icing it after games?

Chris Davis - Overrated, probably. Intrigued by dual eligibility mixed with home park and power potential, hell yes.

Francisco Liriano - He was dominant in his return from the minors last year. I’m curious if he can get his velocity back to near 2006. And that slider is probably the most dominant pitch in the majors. Even his changeup is top notch. He can be scary good. But, is he worth the gamble?

Hunter Pence - Huge upside, I think he takes a big step forward. Ryan Braun type potential. Is this the year he truly breaks out?

Alex Rodriguez - Will he come in weighing 170 pounds?

Alfonso Soriano - Will he steal a few bases during spring training to peak your interest?

C.C. Sabathia - Is he already choking amid New York pressure?

Chipper Jones - Does he make it out of Spring Training alive?

Chad Billingsley - Does he look like he’s going to take it to Cy Young level?

Stephen Drew - Another step forward?

Mariano Rivera - Is he looking healthy?

Jay Bruce - I hope he he’s on fire during spring training so all you little reachers can pluck him in the 5th round.

Miguel Tejada - Does he show up with gray hair and a cane?

Justin Verlander - Will he regain his control problems? He was on point during spring training last year, what a tease. Big comeback candidate.

David Price - Man, this is guy is fun to watch. Great potential, but limited innings. Does he eclipse 170 innings this year?

Matt Wieters - Does he power his way onto a starting a role or get sent packing?

Jayson Werth - Will he be “werth” the investment this year? Most signs point to yes.

Closer battles galore - I’ll stick with atleast one proven and throw in a Francisco + middle reliever.

Jeff Francoeur - Does he really get back to the old Francoeur? We’ll see. There's still potential there.

Felix Hernandez - Does he finally come to camp in shape?

Randy Johnson - Does he still have it? Well he probably does, but for only 2 or 3 months of 2009.

Aaron Harang - Can we see Harang come back please? And for god’s sake, limit his innings from now on.

Max Scherzer - Why do I have a feeling his stock will rise dramatically after Spring Training’s over? Damn he’s gonna be good. I love that K potential. Maybe the one young guy (other than Gallardo) who has a longshot of a chance to pull a Lincecum this year.

Yunel Escobar - Will he ever develop any power? Definitely a player to watch.

Johnny Cueto - Pedro comparison is not valid (kind of like comparing somebody to Koufax), but he's intriguing this year. Now quit giving up so many homers and get back to your minor league control and you’ll be a fine. Should take a big step forward this year. Maybe 16 wins - 3.50 e.r.a. - 1.25 whip - 175 K's. Who's got the balls to take him in the 14th? I might.

Adam Jones - A step forward, small or big? Either way, he should improve across the board.

Jorge Posada - I’m gonna miss his reliable 20 homer 80 rbi years.

Rick Ankiel - Can he hit 40 homers in a season? It’s possible, but is it worth betting on?

Jeff Clement - Can the real Jeff Clement please stand up??

Pablo Sandoval - I hope he doesn't hit one homer during spring training so people think he doesn't have any power. He hits the ball hard every time, just a great hitter and future star.

Mark Reynolds - Will he break his record for strikeouts…..in spring training?

Elijah Dukes - Does he get through spring training without impregnating atleast 2 women?

Ramon Hernandez - Can he hit .280-25-80 in Cinci, I believe there's a chance.

Kenshin Kawakami - Is he Matsuzaka or a fat pig?

J.D. Drew - Will he hurt his back again while running like he did last year in spring training?

Dallas McPherson - Will they finally give him a shot....damn!

Matt Laporta - minor league stud is a nice player to stash away.

Alexei Ramirez - Huge bust or big time numbers? Flip a coin, seriously.

Rickie Weeks - He’s gonna be one of those players that does nothing for years and then bam, challenges 40/40 with a .280+ average. And whoever picks him that year will say, “I saw something in his swing during spring training”. Yeah right you lucky bastard.

Quotes to make you sick inside every time you them:

“I’m in the best shape of my life”, (everybody)

“I hired a personal trainer.” (everybody but Sabathia)

“I’m a vegan” LOL - (prince fielder)

“I chopped wood during the offseason” (nick swisher)

“I bought a batting cage for my backyard” (about half the players)

For once I would like to hear the truth. Like, “I juiced up big time over the off season to get ready for my payday.”

Lots of interesting things to think about. One thing’s for sure, if you pay too much attention to spring training news, it will end up hurting you more than helping. So take most of it with a grain of salt.

Can’t wait for the season to begin! I’ve got the baseball fever and I know you do too.

I believe there's a spring training game playing on TV tomorrow. Baseball in high def, makes you feel like you're there. All I need is a hotdog and a beer and I'm good.

Hard Heads · Post by **Hard Heads** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 12:48 pm

Crazy, never met, so sorry to maybe sound insulting, but are you in a race to see who can try and get more attention between you and GG?

Crazy Like a Fox · Post by **Crazy Like a Fox** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:06 pm

Originally posted by Hard Heads:

Crazy, never met, so sorry to maybe sound insulting, but are you in a race to see who can try and get more attention between you and GG? Good question, and probably warranted considering the number of posts I've made recently. I am not in a "race" with anybody.

I really just like talking baseball and stirring up conversation. It helps me gain perspective on different topics. I don't just post my opinion to read my own posts, I'm very interested in what everyone has to say. There are a lot of really smart people on these boards who I can learn from.

I've made over 700 posts on this forum over the last couple years, so myself posting different ideas on here is nothing new. I hope you're not offended by it.

The one thing I hope you get out of my posts is my passion for baseball. I can't help but to talk about it. I live and breathe this stuff and the cool part is I'm not alone.

Gordon Gekko II · Post by **Gordon Gekko II** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:20 pm

Originally posted by Hard Heads:

Crazy, never met, so sorry to maybe sound insulting, but are you in a race to see who can try and get more attention between you and GG? if i wanted to draw attention to myself, i could put my resume in my signature, right craig?

sportsbettingman · Post by **sportsbettingman** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:29 pm

Two thoughts...

If you do it for a month...do you "own it?"

The prettiest pitch in baseball IMO is Mariano Rivera's...you know the one...his ONLY one...where the fastball moves in weird ways! (I call it the Dominican Knuckle ball!) (Sounds better than the Panamanian Knuckle ball!) (How do I get a copyright?)

Can't anyone copy his grip and motion???

~Lance

[ February 24, 2009, 07:33 PM: Message edited by: sportsbettingman ]

Hard Heads · Post by **Hard Heads** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:35 pm

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko II:

quote:Originally posted by Hard Heads:

Crazy, never met, so sorry to maybe sound insulting, but are you in a race to see who can try and get more attention between you and GG? if i wanted to draw attention to myself, i could put my resume in my signature, right craig? [/QUOTE]Nah stick to the GG wont be back in the Main threads. Or a Gekko Chat. Or how about a Gekkos NFBC Prep thread. Oh wait, how about a Gekko gives back. No I missed a few, Gekkos review of Shawn Childs draft. man that can't be all of them can it? Oh wait thats just the last 30 days.

Oh I did miss one, Gekko's 2009 NFBC Plans. I knew that couldn't be it.

Crazy Like a Fox · Post by **Crazy Like a Fox** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:49 pm

Originally posted by Gordon Gekko II:

quote:Originally posted by Hard Heads:

Crazy, never met, so sorry to maybe sound insulting, but are you in a race to see who can try and get more attention between you and GG? if i wanted to draw attention to myself, i could put my resume in my signature, right craig? [/QUOTE]Speaking of Gekko showing his resume, I picture Gekko playing Will Ferrell in Stepbrothers.

"We're doing the interview, not you."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHqtijd65VY

Gordon Gekko II · Post by **Gordon Gekko II** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 1:56 pm

Originally posted by Hard Heads:

Nah stick to the GG wont be back in the Main threads. Or a Gekko Chat. Or how about a Gekkos NFBC Prep thread. Oh wait, how about a Gekko gives back. No I missed a few, Gekkos review of Shawn Childs draft. man that can't be all of them can it? Oh wait thats just the last 30 days.

Oh I did miss one, Gekko's 2009 NFBC Plans. I knew that couldn't be it. what can i say...it's a Gekko World out there

Walla Walla · Post by **Walla Walla** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:48 pm

Crazy, You have over 700 posts? How do you know that? Do you keep a running tally each time you post? If you do thats scary!

[ February 24, 2009, 09:49 PM: Message edited by: Walla Walla ]

Dub · Post by **Dub** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 3:52 pm

Originally posted by Walla Walla:

Crazy, You have over 700 posts? How do you know that? Do you keep a running tally each time you post? If you do thats scary!

You made 741- its listed under your profile.

Crazy Like a Fox · Post by **Crazy Like a Fox** » Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:00 pm

Originally posted by Dub:

quote:Originally posted by Walla Walla:

Crazy, You have over 700 posts? How do you know that? Do you keep a running tally each time you post? If you do thats scary!

You made 741- its listed under your profile. [/QUOTE]What's strange is I have only 11 more posts than Walla Walla.

Take out Ron Shandler jabs and he has only 24 posts.

Dub · Post by **Dub** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:30 am

Originally posted by Crazy Like a Fox:

quote:Originally posted by Gordon Gekko II:

quote:Originally posted by Hard Heads:

Crazy, never met, so sorry to maybe sound insulting, but are you in a race to see who can try and get more attention between you and GG? if i wanted to draw attention to myself, i could put my resume in my signature, right craig? [/QUOTE]Speaking of Gekko showing his resume, I picture Gekko playing Will Ferrell in Stepbrothers.

"We're doing the interview, not you."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHqtijd65VY [/QUOTE]This trailer is hilarious- Thanks. I now need to see that movie. Looks as funny as Wedding Crashers. I actually laughed out loud from a movie trailer