Spring Training News!

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 12:14 am

May as well have an ongoing blog on Cactus or Grapefruit news. Everyone add what they find interesting/fun.

"Jonathan Papelbon, who is making the move back to the rotation this year, has begun putting his curveball back into his arsenal."

"Last year it was fastball, slider, split(-fingered fastball) and I’m going to incorporate the curveball this year to give hitters another look," said Papelbon, who threw 35-40 pitches off the mound on Monday. "It will just be a matter of getting the feel and the touch back but right now, it feels pretty good. Boston Herald."

"Papelbon is also working on a sinking fastball."

So, Papelbon gets lit up early throwing a diet of curveballs and sinking fastballs so he can get comfortable with four or five pitches. I wonder what that will do to his ADP? Doesn't sound like closer is even on the radar!

[ February 13, 2007, 06:15 AM: Message edited by: Edwards Kings ]

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 4:48 am

It may be a no brainer, but in today's Chi Tribune there's an article about Pinella saying Soriano will bat leadoff. He likes his run generating ability there. What I didn't know is Soriano's lifetime ba with over 2000 ab's at the leadoff spot is 291 with a 340 obp. Last years obp was 351. Also remember R. Henderson once stole 93 bases with Pinella as manager who said he felt Ricky sometimes altered the game before the game started. I'm not saying Soriano will steal 93, just that Pinella knows the value of disruption on the base paths.

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:37 am

"John Patterson lost to the Nationals in arbitration and will make $850,000 this season.

Ownership is now 4-0. Patterson was seeking a raise from $450,000 to $1.85 million in his first year of arbitration. Based on what lesser starting pitchers have made in their first years, he had a fine case. However, the arbitration panel obviously placed far more emphasis on a 2006 ruined by injury than on a 2005 in which he was one of the NL's top pitchers."

$850k for Patterson is a deal for the Nats, but I wonder if this is a serious slap to Patterson's psyche.

Cherokee Nation · Post by **Cherokee Nation** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:27 am

Had him last year...he's worth about 3 cents

Brad · Post by **Brad** » Thu Feb 15, 2007 1:30 pm

"Oft-injured Kerry Wood is out again -- this time because of a flub in a hot tub. The Cubs pitcher is not expected to throw off the mound for a few days after he slipped this week getting out of a hot tub at home. Wood landed on his stomach and chest. "It was just a little spill," Wood said Thursday. "I didn't think anything of it. Nothing's wrong. It's just going to be a few extra days. My arm feels great. My body feels good."

The guy cant even go hot tubbin without injuring himself.

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 6:17 am

Originally posted by Brad:

"Oft-injured Kerry Wood is out again -- this time because of a flub in a hot tub. The Cubs pitcher is not expected to throw off the mound for a few days after he slipped this week getting out of a hot tub at home. Wood landed on his stomach and chest. "It was just a little spill," Wood said Thursday. "I didn't think anything of it. Nothing's wrong. It's just going to be a few extra days. My arm feels great. My body feels good."

The guy cant even go hot tubbin without injuring himself. If this had been anyone else but Wood, it would have been funny! On second thought, it is still funny as hell.

It is not the first time a little wood slipped around the hot tub.

[ February 16, 2007, 12:18 PM: Message edited by: Edwards Kings ]

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 11:01 am

Haven't confirmed it, but heard Foulke has pain in his elbow and has told the Indians he's retiring.

Gordon Gekko · Post by **Gordon Gekko** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:11 pm

Consider the foulke news confirmed

Hangtown · Post by **Hangtown** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 4:05 pm

MLB enacts first rule changes in 10 years

In MLB's first rule changes in 10 years, a clause has been that calls for an automatic 10-game suspension for anyone caught defacing or applying a foreign substance to a ball.

Rule 3.02 now specifically prohibits placing "soil, rosin, paraffin, licorice, sandpaper, emery paper or other foreign substance" on the ball. Other changes include a rule forcing pitchers to deliver a ball within 12 seconds (down from 20) with no one on base and for hitters to keep one foot in the batter's box throughout his at-bat. Those rules, which were in effect in the minors last year, carry a penalty of a ball (for the pitcher) or a strike (for the hitter). Also, games that are called with a tie score will now be resumed, rather than replayed entirely. Feb. 16 - 9:27 pm et

Source: MLB.com

Cherokee Nation · Post by **Cherokee Nation** » Fri Feb 16, 2007 4:50 pm

and they are going to call the pitch at the belt a strike ( instead of high ).... and they're going to call traveling in the NBA and retroactively change Michael Jordan's career point total from 32,292 to 14...and in the name of creating a level playing field the NFL is going to force the 7 remaining holdouts to take steroids...and insist that the 2 remaining non-felons on the Bengals either be traded or do their Bengal duty and stab somebody in a bar fight....

Bud Selig is a gerbil

other than the Rogers rule (too late Gerbil Man, your pawns should have kicked Rogers when he was caught cheating..but that's not good PR for your owners $ )....... the rest will be enforced until about April 5th.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 2:38 am

Originally posted by Cherokee Nation:

and they are going to call the pitch at the belt a strike ( instead of high ).... and they're going to call traveling in the NBA and retroactively change Michael Jordan's career point total from 32,292 to 14...and in the name of creating a level playing field the NFL is going to force the 7 remaining holdouts to take steroids...and insist that the 2 remaining non-felons on the Bengals either be traded or do their Bengal duty and stab somebody in a bar fight....

Bud Selig is a gerbil

other than the Rogers rule (too late Gerbil Man, your pawns should have kicked Rogers when he was caught cheating..but that's not good PR for your owners $ )....... the rest will be enforced until about April 5th. Zig Mr Ziglar is that you? You sound too much like the motivational speaker Zig Ziglar to not be him?

Cherokee Nation · Post by **Cherokee Nation** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 6:03 am

That's about as positive as I can be about the gerbil who retarded the stats of the greatest game ever, selling the soul/history of the game so that his rich friends could get richer...Nope, don't have anything good to say about Pud. You'll just have to go to your fridge and get another big glass of your mommies breast milk if it's motivation you seek, itty bitty man

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 7:46 am

Originally posted by Cherokee Nation:

That's about as positive as I can be about the gerbil who retarded the stats of the greatest game ever, selling the soul/history of the game so that his rich friends could get richer...Nope, don't have anything good to say about Pud. You'll just have to go to your fridge and get another big glass of your mommies breast milk if it's motivation you seek, itty bitty man Be negative all day long leave people's moms breasts especially ones who's mom have been battling breast cancer the last few years out of this big guy or you may just find out some day that it is not an itty bitty man on the other end of that computer.

Very very seldomly do i allow something on these boards to rile me in the least bit tread carefully. Now back to baseball, questions for Zola, Greg talking about Coronas, Big Dog making bad predictions, Zaleski and Oakchunas fighting, and me giving Captain Hook a hard time.

[ February 17, 2007, 01:50 PM: Message edited by: Chest Rockwell ]

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:36 am

In an attempt to find answers about his lingering post-concussion syndrome, Corey Koskie visited the University of Buffalo last week and will travel to the the University of Pittsburgh this week.

Koskie was put on a six-step program by Univ. of Buffalo doctors, who have had some success in dealing with concussions suffered by hockey players. Koskie won't be allowed to resume baseball activities upon arriving in camp, and it seems unlikely that he'll be ready for Opening Day. Unless the Brewers decide Ryan Braun is ready, Craig Counsell and Tony Graffanino would fill in at third base.

Rickie Weeks will see a doctor this week after experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired right wrist.

"We want to make sure that he gets the green light from the doctor to progress to the next level," said Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash, who indicated the "next level" involves hitting against live pitching. "There's no setback. He started to hit this week and had a little soreness, and we want to make sure it's no big deal." Weeks believes it's just scar tissue breaking up. If that's the case, then there shouldn't be any lingering effects.

BILL HALL...PAGING BILL HALL!!! Your reservation in the outfield has been upgraded and no additional charge.

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 2:28 am

They have said Hall will play cf even if Koskie isn't ready to go. The position eventually belongs to Braun and they don't want to bounce Hall around anymore, like play 3b this year then move again next year, so outfield it is.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:27 am

Can we change the subject of this thread to "Rotoworld.com Plagiarism"?

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:06 am

Originally posted by King of Queens:

Can we change the subject of this thread to "Rotoworld.com Plagiarism"? Actually, I pull most of mine from USA Today. If they quote a specific source other than MLB.com, I put the part I used in quotations and provide reference, if necessary. Then I add my own little blurb if I feel it would be funny or useful. Since most of use are not MLB scounts who can attend spring training ourselves, I guess we all have our sources.

Sorry if you thought it was a little to "Biden" for your tastes.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:13 am

No biggy -- just happy to finally get some "real" news, even if I've already seen it. I found out only recently that rotoworld.com supplies the capsules to USA Today, so the two will read as identical. Also, your commentary is useful, as it spurs discussion.

Hope you weren't offended by my off-handed remark. Remember, the Kings have to be cool with one another.

Spyhunter · Post by **Spyhunter** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:21 am

more rotoworld plagarism:

Rickie Weeks will see a doctor this week after experiencing soreness in his surgically repaired right wrist.

"We want to make sure that he gets the green light from the doctor to progress to the next level," said Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash, who indicated the "next level" involves hitting against live pitching. "There's no setback. He started to hit this week and had a little soreness, and we want to make sure it's no big deal." Weeks believes it's just scar tissue breaking up. If that's the case, then there shouldn't be any lingering effects.

What do you think? Time to move him down the draft board or scar tissue? I have no idea personally. I thought of him as a great sleeper but am reconsidering. What does everyone else think?

Spy

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:25 am

Originally posted by King of Queens:

No biggy -- just happy to finally get some "real" news, even if I've already seen it. I found out only recently that rotoworld.com supplies the capsules to USA Today, so the two will read as identical. Also, your commentary is useful, as it spurs discussion.

Hope you weren't offended by my off-handed remark. Remember, the Kings have to be cool with one another. No sweat. All in fun....

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 7:26 am

At this point, still wait and see. A wrist injury to a hitter is not a good thing though. Lot's of Spring training to go. We should find out if he's good to go or not.

Joe Sambito · Post by **Joe Sambito** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:59 am

Move him down. 2nd base continues to weaken, Utley becoming even more valuable.

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 12:52 am

Carlos Beltran said he expects to do more running this season after stealing just 18 bases last year. "I know that if I'm healthy and I have no pain in my knees and all of that, I'll be able to do that," he said. Beltran peaked at 42 steals in 2004, but he's swiped only 35 bases in his two years in New York. 12 of his 18 steals last year came in the first three months, before he began really battling leg problems.

Another USA Today/Rotoworld reprint. Does this mean Beltran is a 30/30, 30/40, or 40/40 candidate? Do you move him up from the back end of the first round to the middle?

Vander · Post by **Vander** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 3:16 am

Beltran at least has the track record of stealing and stealing well. Be careful about spring training predictions of more steals. Every year somebodys going to steal more. Do you remember 2005 when Dunn said he can and will steal 25? Manager said so too. Every spring there's a few of these I'm going to steal more. Granderson last year was to steal 25 also. Can't think of an example that actually did it. BTW Victorino says he'll steal much more this year too and has Maury wills working with him. We'll see.

Edwards Kings · Post by **Edwards Kings** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 4:09 am

Originally posted by Vander:

Beltran at least has the track record of stealing and stealing well. Be careful about spring training predictions of more steals. Every year somebodys going to steal more. Do you remember 2005 when Dunn said he can and will steal 25? Manager said so too. Every spring there's a few of these I'm going to steal more. Granderson last year was to steal 25 also. Can't think of an example that actually did it. BTW Victorino says he'll steal much more this year too and has Maury wills working with him. We'll see. And Rollins said he was working with Wills as well...maybe we will see another Vince Coleman this year...