2011 Spring Training General Discussion

[MiamiHomer]

Last week general manager Theo Epstein revealed that the Red Sox had scouts tracking Carl Crawford on and off the field last season in preparation for potentially signing him as a free agent, saying it was “as if we were privately investigating him.”

That was apparently news to Crawford, who told Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com yesterday that he was “creeped out a little bit” and “a little freaked out” to learn of the Red Sox’s surveillance, calling it “a little weird.”

Here’s more from Crawford:

I didn’t say nothing, but I’m from an area where if somebody’s doing that to you, they’re not doing anything good. I get paranoid when I hear those kind of stories, so I definitely take a different approach when I do things now. It did have an effect on me, let me put it that way. I definitely look over my shoulder now a lot more than what I did before.

Just when he told me that, the idea of him following me everywhere I go, was kind of, I wasn’t comfortable with that at all. I don’t know how they do it, how much distance they keep from you when they watch you the whole time. I definitely check my back now, at least 100 yard radius. I’m always looking over my shoulder now. Now I look before I go in my house. I’d better not see anything suspicious now.

Crawford’s reaction has predictably led to Epstein backtracking a bit from his original statements, beginning with saying that the “as if we were privately investigating him” line was “a bad figure of speech.” Here’s more from Epstein:

Our scouts just did a real thorough job on background, that’s all. Felt like we got to know him real well, that’s all. I told him we got to know him real well and we really respected the decisions he made, even away from the park. We told him we trusted him with a long-term contract because of his work ethic and his decision-making, so we’d be involved in the bidding.

Epstein also indicated that the Red Sox have previously followed other potential free agent targets in a similar manner, which probably has quite a few star players feeling “creeped out” today. Ultimately a $142 million contract can smooth over a lot of “weird” feelings and Crawford did tell Edes he understands “that’s what they have to do when they’re making that kind of investment.” Still, this is an awfully strange way for a seven-year relationship to begin. After all, you don’t often hear about a stalker actually marrying a stalkee.


Carl Crawford “creeped out” by the Red Sox (http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/02/23/carl-crawford-creeped-out-by-the-red-sox/)

[Ramp]

good on the Red Sox, when you're dropping all kinds of dollars, good to know what you're getting into

[Mainge]

That sounds like he's kidding.
--------------------
Crawford I mean

[Ramp]

He wasn't

[Mainge]

I definitely check my back now, at least 100 yard radius. I’m always looking over my shoulder now. Now I look before I go in my house. I’d better not see anything suspicious now.

C'mon. Really?

[Hugg]

There is a long and storied history to baseball nicknames, from Ted Williams (the Splendid Splinter) to Randy Johnson (the Big Unit) to Babe Ruth (the Sultan of Swat).

Kansas City closer Joakim Soria has a nickname he wants no part of.

The Royals pitcher said that "The Mexicutioner" has a negative connotation and is a particularly jarring choice given the drug violence racking his homeland. He is from Monclova in the northern state of Coahuila.

"It's been really bad in Mexico right now," Soria said Wednesday. "There are a lot of guns in Mexico. It's out of control right now.

"If I can change the mindset of the people, change the nickname or just take it out. It's not a big deal. I think it's a smart move. I think about my people."

The 26-year-old Soria saved 43 games in 46 opportunities last season and for the second time in two years was selected to the All-Star Game.

The nickname originated in 2008, when Soria saved 42 games and "The Mexicutioner" T-shirts were sold in Kansas City. Soria did not shy away from the nickname in the beginning, but with the increased violence in Mexico, he wants to shed it this season.

Soria pointed out that Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman, two of the best closers in history, have no nicknames. He said he has no preference for a new nickname. "His Mexcellency" was one suggestion.

"I don't really care about nicknames," Soria said. "I'm not the type of guy that thinks too much about it. I'm open-minded about anything. I don't really want to choose one. If it stays Joakim Soria, fine. I don't really care. But I just want to change that name because it's bad right now for Mexico. This type of thing my nickname -- I try to be a positive thing."

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/spring2011/news/story?id=6151322

[Todd]

Prince Fielder is kind of painful to listen to.

[Mainge]

We know the feeling.

[Ecpot]

Baseball Prospectus Odds:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5475142344_c269355d06_z.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5475142324_f0430d548c_z.jpg

[marlins_virus.exe]

I will eat a live Todd if the Dodgers are that good

[dim]

Even though they got Marcum/Greinke, I personally can't see the Brewers winning that many games.

[marlins_virus.exe]

I think they've got one of the best rotations around

[AdamRavs]

Even though they got Marcum/Greinke, I personally can't see the Brewers winning that many games.

really? Gallardo, Greinke, Marcum and Randy Wolf?

Braun is a stud, Prince is in a contract year he will tear the cover off the ball, Weeks IF he stays healthy is the key. Also if Carlos Gomez can actually hit the damn ball as well! Oh and even tho I don't like him Corey Hart as well.

With Wainwright going down the Brewers have to be the odds on fav. to win the central.

[Party]

91 wins for the Phillies?

[Bobbob1313]

That offense is pretty overrated.

When you account for their park, their team OPS was essentially average, and they lost their best offensive player. I could see it.

[jOOj]

Jesus Montero looks in good shape this spring. Despite what Hugg says.

[Ecpot]

Dellin Betances was great today.

[jOOj]

Nova as well.

[Ecpot]

I think it'll be Garcia and Colon as our 4 and 5 though.

[jOOj]

If they earn it that's fine, having youth in AAA is always a nice thing. It was so weird seeing Eric Chavez, he doesn't even look like a good player anymore, just looks like a Guy.

[AdamRavs]

for a good laugh look at mlb.com and the gameday for the brewers white sox game.. Look at who is pitching for the white sox.. Alejandro De Aza.. Lol its deff an error but I found it funny.

[Ecpot]

Chris Carpenter was escorted off the field by a trainer. The Cardinals are in trouble if it's serious.

[mbitcronod12]

I posted an update on Carpenter in the game thread. He left with a strained left hamstring.

[marlins_virus.exe]

they don't think it's serious

[mbitcronod12]

It didn't look too serious. He was pulled very quickly but he was walking okay. It's not like what I heard Stanton looked like when he strained his hamstring.

[Mainge]

Not that that means much. Ronnie Brown jogged of the field against New England in 2007 and he tore an ACL.

[Ecpot]

The Yankees offered Ivan Nova and Ramiro Pena for Francisco Liriano :lol

[jOOj]

That's a stellar deal. :mischief

[marlins_virus.exe]

to be fair, in the past the Yankees have been able to use the fact that their prospects are automatically overhyped to secure some pretty sick steals. Jeff Marquez for Nick Swisher, C.J. Henry for Bobby Abreu, Dioner Navarro for Randy Johnson, and so on. Cashman probably thinks he can get lucky again since Nova pitched pretty well last year.
--------------------
Teixeira fired Scott Boras

[Ecpot]

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5060/5491813533_2a9d9476fb.jpg

An ESPN poll :fip

[marlins_virus.exe]

:fip

[Hugg]

http://www.interpretationbydesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IBD_baseball_flowchart.jpg

[Omar]

We do pretty well for ourselves until the last couple questions

[Ecpot]

I have no soul!

[Todd]

So is that new Red Sox spring training facility going to happen?

[marlins_virus.exe]

Padres coach, former Marlin and rumored Marlins managerial candidate this offseason Rich Renteria was hit in the mouth during BP today

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gQC7jNH1wtea87ydYaEfmLvsNeaQ?docId=6132411

[Party]

No longer the secret weapon.

[Todd]

Hope hes allright.

[Ramp]

looks like Jason Castro is out for the year with a torn ACL

[Todd]

That stinks.

[Miamarlin21]

Made it to Arizona. First blog post up. Check it out if you're bored.

http://thrill21.wordpress.com/2011/03/05/back-in-az/

[Todd]

People are saying Jonathan Papelbon will hit the free agent market this winter as the Red Sox wont pay a closer that much.

[mbitcronod12]

Domonic Brown broke the hook of his hamate bone (no idea what that is but it's in his right hand) in an at bat today. They're saying he'll probably need surgery and would be out 3-6 weeks.

[Ramp]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mwZs8IQOEE&feature=player_embedded

[Ecpot]

Domonic Brown broke the hook of his hamate bone (no idea what that is but it's in his right hand) in an at bat today. They're saying he'll probably need surgery and would be out 3-6 weeks.

That's a wrist injury.

[Ramp]

I think AJ Burnett is going to have a nice bounce back season

He's looked great in ST thus far.... I know I should know better, but yea

[mbitcronod12]

Ken_Rosenthal: Greinke suffering from some type of ribcage injury. #Brewers about to inform the media. Will miss first 3 starts of season. #MLB

/Twitter

Heard he got hurt playing basketball.

[Ramp]

Says he could start if this was the playoffs

[jOOj]

I think AJ Burnett is going to have a nice bounce back season

He's looked great in ST thus far.... I know I should know better, but yea

MLBnet had a segment showing how he's cleaned up his delivery. It actually seems like it worked, got rid of the Kev Brown turn.

[Miamarlin21]

/Twitter

Heard he got hurt playing basketball.


He was playing against Aaron Boone.

[MiamiHomer]

Is this talk true that the Phillies fear that Utley's knee issues might keep him out for the season?

[Ecpot]

Diagnosing Utley’s Injury
March 9th, 2011, Author: David Hale, Categories: Uncategorized

An MRI on Monday revealed that Chase Utley not only was dealing with patellar tendonitis, but also a condition called chondromalacia, otherwise known as runner’s knee.

Of course, most of us don’t know much about it, and the Phillies offered a pretty vague diagnosis.

I figured we should get some background from someone with a little more knowledge of the injury and how it is typically handled.

I spoke with Dr. David Rubenstein, who is head of sports medicine at Lankenau Hospital and the team orthopedic surgeon for both the 76ers and the Philadelphia Soul. While Rubenstein is not directly familiar with Utley’s case, here’s what he had to say about the typical process for an athlete dealing with chondromalacia.

DH: First off, what exactly is chondromalacia?


DR: Chondromalacia, otherwise known as patellar pain, is a very common diagnosis, anywhere from kids all the way up. When kids have it, it’s typically not associated with arthritis, but when adults have it, it can be. When they first said the diagnosis as patellar tendonitis, it’s probably because they had a typical chondromalacia picture, but the expectation was he would get better, so why not give a diagnosis with a short-term improvement. Now that he’s not improving as quickly, that diagnosis would change to one that is probably the more specific diagnosis, and that explains why he might not be getting better.

DH: So what would be the typical course of action you would take for a patient dealing with these problems?


DR: Chondromalacia is basically wear under the knee cap. In a patient with chondromalacia, it’s not unusual to perform injections. There’s two types, steroid injections or artificial lubricants. When they inject him, it’s typically one of those. It’s rare to inject patellar tendonitis, which makes me believe the diagnosis all along was the (chondromalacia) problem. That really does make sense. I do the same thing.
DH: You mention the word ‘chronic.’ That’s probably a little scary to Phillies fans. Is this something that could be a recurring issue for Utley in the future?


DR: It’s a chronic condition. It tends to recur. You can have it, you’re great, come back, five months later you can develop it again because the same activities that caused it the first time are typically the same activities he’s doing on a repetitive basis. So the things you would do is to try to get him better and try to prevent a return. Typically the way you do that is flexibility exercises, a good strengthening program and an appropriate practice schedule.

In his case, it’s interesting because here’s a guy who has a condition that seems so benign in patellar chondromalacia, no big deal. Yet, this is the same guy that had hip problems, thumb surgery, and has bounced back. So it just makes you start to wonder if it’s a little bit more of a serious patellar chondromalacia than you see in the average individual, just based upon his history. It’s a common problem, but it’s clearly more severe with him.

DH: Brandon Inge, a player for the Tigers, reported similar problems and said that, after surgery, it took him a year to get back to being completely healthy. Is this typical? What does the surgery entail?


DR: First of all, surgery is rarely, rarely, rarely appropriate for this condition. You rarely do it. If you look back at the typical sports medicine doctor’s practice, and you look at the number of times he operates on cartilage tears or ligament tears vs. the number of times he operates just on a kneecap problem like this, it’s really rare. The plain and simple reason is most people do get better. If you are forced to operate, there’s two reasons: First, it portends that this is a worse condition. The second thing is the surgery is incredibly simple – it’s called a patellar chondroplasty, you simply smooth out the cartilage. You make the rough ends smoother. The procedure itself is like a 15-minute operation. So when you talk about a professional athlete who says, ‘Boy, it’s taking me a year to get back,’ you start to wonder if it’s the actual procedure or more likely it’s the underlying condition that’s still bugging him.

DH: You mentioned one other word that I think will worry some people, and that’s ‘arthritis.’ Is this injury typical of something more degenerative?


DR: Baseball players don’t like to use the term arthritis, but it’s clearly arthritis. That’s pretty much what they have. Even though he’s 32 years old, given the type of activities he’s done and the intensity he’s played with, it could easily cause arthritis. A lot of times, the teams, the doctors, the players don’t like to use the word. It’s a negative word, and that’s understandable. It’s just an arthritic condition. Basically any wear under the kneecap, by definition, it’s an arthritic condition.

DH: OK, so let’s assume you have a patient who has experienced symptoms similar to what Utley has reported, had the cortisone injection, rested for several weeks, and still it’s not better. What then?


DR: Surgery is not something you push for unless it’s literally getting to the point where nothing else is working. Most people if they’re getting to this point, whether they’re pro athletes or just regular average joes, do get better without surgery. So that’s always in your favor. The big negative here is that he’s on a timeline, and that timeline is probably the only thing that would push you to consider surgery for this condition.

DH: So given Utley’s timeline, at what point would you expect the surgical option to enter the picture?


DR: Since we know now, it’s not just patellar tendonitis, I’d say if this guy is not better by the beginning of the season, he’s going to get scoped. That’s my opinion. He’s had a long enough timeline for conservative care, he is in great shape, most likely he kept himself in good shape in the offseason. … Beyond that injection, certainly they could try another one, but if he’s not playing at the beginning of the season, you’ve got to do something.

DH: And if he does have surgery, what’s a typical recovery time?


DR: The typical recovery time is, just in general, very quick procedure, on crutches for just a couple days, taking it easy the first week, beginning exercise at one week, and then it’s what we call ‘as tolerated.’ That means if a guy within four weeks after that, from the time he begins his exercises, can run, can cut, can do everything with minimal swelling, good range of motion, a little pain, he could play. So we don’t limit people after this type of surgery as opposed to an ACL or rotator cuff where we say six months or however many months. It really depends on how the patient does, and some people are quicker than others.

***

So the bottom line here is this is not a catastrophe. It’s more serious than fans probably hoped, but this isn’t something that should keep Utley out for the season.

What struck me is how similar what Dr. Rubenstein said mirrored what Scott Sheridan and Ruben Amaro said. It’s a situation that can resolve itself with time, if the team and the player are willing to give it that time. It’s not a season-ending problem. It’s something that will simply require some patience and, if all else fails, surgery.

So, hopefully this eases some fears. Continue on with your day now.

http://blogs.delawareonline.com/philledin/2011/03/09/diagnosing-utleys-injury/

[marlins_virus.exe]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4752421113_68028d5437_z.jpg

[MiamiHomer]

I prefer to watch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djQZhUc-0U0

[Miamarlin21]

Now on MLB Network, Jorge Cantu and his nasty porn stache.

[Miamarlin21]

Luis Salazar had his left eye removed.

[Ramp]

http://bcove.me/3runeegg

Mariners always have the best commercials

[Todd]

Luis Salazar had his left eye removed.
Sorry to hear that.

[Ramp]

CBS is better than this... right? (look at name of column, with story)

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/deadspin/2011/03/eye_on_eye.jpg

http://photobombings.com/images/photobomb/thumb_Face_Palm_Disapproval.jpg

[marlins_virus.exe]

I guess I'm missing something
--------------------
oh it's called eye on baseball

well that's just unfortunate

[MiamiHomer]

Eye on Baseball...He just lost an eye.

[jOOj]

Eye see what they did there.

[Hugg]

Larry Bernandez

[jOOj]

Eyevan Nova had himself a great day, 6ip 0h for the Yankers.

[Ramp]

Luis Castillo has reportedly been cut

[marlins_virus.exe]

I'm guessing somehow the Royals will scoop him up

[Omar]

I want us to sign him for purely nostalgic reasons

[Mainge]

That's generally a poor reason to sign someone.

[MiamiHomer]

I want us to sign him for purely nostalgic reasons

It might come true.

[Bobbob1313]

I might be down with that, actually. Move Infante to third and give Dominguez more time without taking a huge hit on defense. I think Castillo could be close to a wash with Dominguez, which is probably more than you can say for Helms or Boner.

Are the Mets releasing him or DFAing him?

[Ralph]

Phillies should be the ones going after him.

[Ecpot]

The Rays will sign him and it'll be considered a genius move.

[Bobbob1313]

Jesus, bitter much?

[Ecpot]

I'm just tired of all their moves being called genius. They're one of the best front offices in baseball but not every move of theirs is genius.

[Party]

When you win the AL East twice in three years and it doesn't say NEW YORK or BOSTON on your jerseys every move you make is genius.

[Ecpot]

Most of their moves are good, not all.

[Bobbob1313]

I'm just tired of all their moves being called genius. They're one of the best front offices in baseball but not every move of theirs is genius.

I assume you were referring to their signings of Manny and Damon when you made your original post, right?

[Ecpot]

Manny is a good signing and Damon is eh. Also signing Farnsworth wasn't genius, it's just ok.
--------------------
I think Burrell was a failure for them too.

[Bobbob1313]

They have to sign guys like Burrell given their financial constraints. That it didnt work out doesn't mean it was an inherently flawed decision.

[Big Z]

Rangers Willing To Eat Half Of Young's Contract

-MLBTR

This puts him at Marlins range. 8/YR

[jOOj]

They still want high level prospects. Unless they think West is a high level prospect. :mischief

[Namaste]

The 2011 off-season thread is closed so I'm posting this here.........

So according to MLB.com there is not Opening Night. I knew they had broken up Opening Day but I was not aware there was no longer going to be an Opening Night.

[Miamarlin21]

That's weird.

Right-handed pitcher Pat Neshek was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Padres from Minnesota.

[FishFF]

Thriller pitched today, he did not record an out.

[Ramp]

yea, he isn't very good

[Miamarlin21]

We have one roster spot open. If Dobbs and Wise make the team, who do we take off?

[Party]

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/199083_1613262615859_1365090054_31245500_5473008_n .jpg

[Miamarlin21]

lol

[Ramp]

yea Manhattan Storage always gets the lolz in their ads

[Miamarlin21]

Harold Reynolds said that Andrew Miller has had a "lights out" spring training. Is this true?
--------------------
OK, just looked at his stats. Thriller possesses a 10.57 ERA in 7 games. Good call H.R.

[AdamRavs]

That could be lights out for Thriller? Seeing him pitch this spring he looked like the same pitcher he was for the Marlins. Can't find the plate and once the walks add up he serves up a pitch down the middle.

[Party]

Andrew Miller and lights out in the same sentence = Poor grammar

[jay576]

Andrew Miller and lights out in the same sentence = Poor grammar

Not at all. Ex: "Andrew Miller is not lights out."

[Omar]

That's a double negative, hence poor grammar.

[jay576]

Explain how that is a double negative.

[jOOj]

Andrew Miller is a negative, followed by "is not".

Can't Not Never Suck.

[Omar]

KJC wins

[MiamiHomer]

Roy Oswalt took a line drive to the head today.

[jOOj]

Roy Oswalt was lights out.

[FishFanInPA]

Vegas jinx strikes again.
--------------------
The Nats signed Ollie Perez to a minor league deal. lulz.

[CrimsonCane]

Don't know where else to put this request.

Does anyone have 2011 MLB player projections in a sortable format? (Baseball Prospectus, Bill James, etc.)

[Miamarlin21]

lol at this:

TylerKepner Tyler Kepner
by JCRMarlinsbeat
Playoff picks: PHI, FLA, CIN, SF...BOS, NYY, MIN, OAK. MVPs: Stanton/Mauer. Cy: Lincecum/Lester.

[Omar]

I mean, he basically repeated last year's winners in the NL with the exception of the Fish

[MiamiHomer]

Our good friend Nyjer Morgan was traded to the Brewers.

[marlins_virus.exe]

oh great, that's just fodder for shitty headlines in the Sentinel the next time we play him

TROUBLE BREW-ING
Morgan mouths off at Marlins

by Dave Hyde

[Ramp]

both Dontrelle Willis and Jeremy Hermida were re-assigned to minor league camp by the Reds

[Miamarlin21]

Dontrelle was almost a lock to make it a few weeks ago but then the real Dontrelle started pitching again and it went down hill from there.

[dgriot]

Matt Treanor shipped to the Royals for $$$.

Well, more like ¢¢¢.

[The Hanram]

Matt Treanor shipped to the Royals for $$$.

Well, more like ¢¢¢.

Mr. Misty May.

[Miamarlin21]

Former Marlin Josh Wilson was released today by the Mariners.

[Mainge]

I read Josh Willingham in my haste. I was like, "fuck it, let Gaby play 3rd!!"

[Miamarlin21]

lol. I like your thinking sir.

[Ramp]

Josh Willingham will never be released. He's the one you want to mount..... on a wall

[Miamarlin21]

Twins shipped out right-handed reliever Billy Bullock to Atlanta for pitcher Scott Diamond.

I liked Bullock, I wanted us to get him in part of a deal for Uggla (if we traded him to Minny)
--------------------
Also, Rockies acquire former White Sox infielder Josh Fields from the Pirates for a player to be named later.

#HuntforRoxtober

[marlins_virus.exe]

Bullock was a Gator. One of the few I didn't like when he was here. Also, being a Gator pretty much precludes you from doing well professionally, sad as that is to say

[AdamRavs]

Twins shipped out right-handed reliever Billy Bullock to Atlanta for pitcher Scott Diamond.

I liked Bullock, I wanted us to get him in part of a deal for Uggla (if we traded him to Minny)
--------------------
Also, Rockies acquire former White Sox infielder Josh Fields from the Pirates for a player to be named later.

#HuntforRoxtober

I member when Fields was supposed to be the Sox's 3b of the future..

[Miamarlin21]

I member when Fields was supposed to be the Sox's 3b of the future..

Yea, so much for that.

[Miamarlin21]

Rick VandenHurk was designated for assignment by the Orioles today. :(
--------------------
And apparently the Yankees have traded Romulo Sanchez.

Shit's going down today.

[Hugg]

2.1 IP, 9 H, 12 R, 11 ER, 1 BB, 2 K

Max Scherzer everybody!

[jOOj]

And apparently the Yankees have traded Romulo Sanchez.


Sold to Japan.

[Miamarlin21]

Word

[MiamiHomer]

Festa's favorite player is having a nice spring.

[Party]

Amazinga?

[MiamiHomer]

Cameron Maybin, duh.

[Party]

He will go back to sucking when it matters. He's probably getting all those hits off #92.

[Omar]

How is the Amazin' One doing?

[Ramp]

Luis Castillo was released

[Miamarlin21]

Again?

[Ramp]

Brandon McCarthy's twitter avatar is amazing

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v167/Ramp101/Screenshot2011-03-30at23836PM.png

[marlins_virus.exe]

HAHAHAHA

[Bobbob1313]

That is spectacular.