Jeff Suppan $8. Suppan has taken his tour to the Cardinals in the hope that Dave "Messiah" Duncan can work wonders with his mechanics. Unfortunately, Duncan cannot give Suppan better stuff. While his first 4 inning stint with the Cardinals went well, today's outing saw him look hittable. The BABIP is high and the strand rate is low, so you may want to take a gamble on Suppan if you are desperate...desperate is the key word.
Aaron Cunningham $8. Other bids: $5, $4, $0. Cunningham came into the off-season as the As third-ranked prospect (with a B grade). He went over to the Padres in the Kouzmanoff trade, and has finally made an appearance in a depleted Padres outfield. Cunningham does a little bit of everything: a little power, a little speed, a little average, and a little defense. At 24, he is reaching the stage where he needs an every day gig to prove himself. With the number of injuries in the Padres outfield, he should get a short try out and is worth a pick up in NL-only leagues right now.
Vicente Padilla $8. The Dodgers opening day starter has spent the vast majority of the pre-All Star break on the DL. I do not think you can expect a repeat of last year's Dodger performance, but he is in a good park. The Dodgers do not generate a ton of runs, but if you are in need of a starter, this might be one of the best options left in your free agent pool. That's about the best endorsement I can give for him.
Sam Demel $5. Other bids: $2, $2. Demel just came over to the Diamondbacks in the Conor Jackson trade, and, wow, did he walk into the right situation for a minor league closer. Only a C+ prospect due to some command problems, he tore up Sacramento for a strikeout per inning this year and a very nice WHIP. With his scoreless inning, he is immediately the second best reliever in the D'Backs' pen. I doubt he will jump into the closer's role anytime soon, but he is worth taking a look at.
Chris Denorfia $4. Other bids: $0, $0, $0. I wrote about Denorfia here. He is part of that decimated Padres outfield, so he'll continue to pick up some ABs.
Jonathan Herrera $3. Not really a prospect, Herrera is getting a chance to play second for the Rockies as a result of the Tulo injury. He has a lot of positional flexibility, and can run a bit, so he's worth a flier if you need speed in the short term.
Jason Bourgeois $2. Other bid: $1. Bourgeois is a 28 year old minor league grinder. He doesn't walk a lot, so he relies on his speed to get on base. Once he is on, count on him to run. If he can get any playing time, he is good for some steals.
J.D Martin $1. Other bid: $1. I wrote about Martin here. He has exceeded expectations in 4 starts so far, but still does not strike out a lot of hitters and gives up a lot of fly balls. Martin gets Baltimore this week, so, once again, he is a good match-up play.
Jason Giambi $0. Giambi has been relegated to little more than a pinch-hitting role at this point. He will get a weekend DH stint against the Angels this week, but then will fall back to the bench.
Nick Stavinoha $0. Stavinoha is just a role player at this point. He does have 2HR in his 51 AB, but there are better options.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Baseball, Instant Replay and a Modest Proposal
The playoffs. The best time of year in any sport, but something special for baseball. The 3/4 sleeves; the crisp air; the endless commercials...oh, who am I kidding? The late starts, the length of games, and baseball in November are almost intolerable. I watch it because I love it, but the mindless babble on TBS and the endless string of commercials is beginning to wear me down.
None of the above annoyances, however, impact the integrity of the game. That ignominious distinction is reserved specifically for the men in blue. This year's cast of characters brings two issues into clear focus: accountability for umpires and instant replay.
I think it is important to begin by identifying the offending parties. Unfortunately, I've had to lump the good umpires in with the bad to start, but never fear: I'll make sure the bad get their fair share of press time.
Gerry Davis, Bob Davidson, Jerry Meals, Ron Kulpa, Angel Hernandez and Tim Timmons worked the Philadelphia/Colorado series. Dana DeMuth, Brian O'Nora, Mike Everitt, Jeff Nelson, Ed Rapuano and Tony Randazzo did the LA/St. Louis series. Tim Tschida, Chuck Meriwether, Mark Wegner, Paul Emmel, Jim Joyce and Phil Cuzzi dealt with NY/Minnesota. JoeWest, CB Bucknor, Eric Cooper, Greg Gibson, Brian Gorman and Dan Iassogna worked LA/Boston.
For the LCS, Tim McClelland, Dale Scott, Jerry Layne, Fieldin Culbreth, Laz Diaz and Bill Miller are overseeing the ALCS, while Randy Marsh, Gary Cedarstrom, Tom Hallion, Ted Barrett, Bruce Dreckman and Sam Holbrook are patrolling the NLCS.
If players get into "slumps," umpires apparently do as well. Last night, Tim McClelland and Dale Scott botched three calls in two innings, including two on the same player between second base and home plate. Nick Swisher got picked off second cleaner than a pirhana picks clean bones and was called safe. About 4 minutes later, Swisher tagged up and scored, only to be called out for leaving the bag early by an umpire who admittedly never saw him leave the bag. You think your heart is an issue Tim? So is mine...it's breaking while watching you umpire.
There are a couple of calls in these playoffs that really stand out though. One occurred last night, where Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada were not fully punished for their baseball stupidity. While both were off the third base bag, Jeff Mathis tagged both. McClelland got one right, but somehow missed the call on Cano, who was two feet off the bag when Mathis smacked him in the chest. Frankly, I don't know how half of the Angels team didn't get thrown out of the game (my good friend Mike thinks Scioscia got a talking to after the Red Sox incident and that is why he is so quiet and sullen).
Of course, there is the Cuzzi call as well, which might have cost the Twins a real chance at tightening up their series with the Yankees. When your primary job is to call balls on ONE FOUL LINE and you blow it, you shouldn't be an umpire in the major leagues. Period. Add to these calls the C.B. Bucknor blown calls at first base in the 4th and 6th innings of Game 1 of the Sox/Angels, Bob Davidson's blown call in the 6th inning of Game 1 of the NLDS, Jerry Meals and Ron Kulpa blowing the Chase Utley "hit" in Game 3 of the NLDS, and incredibly inconsistent strikezones, and you have a debacle in the making. Where have you gone, Don Denkinger.
I've heard the arguments against instant replay. Guess what...they stink. Get the calls right...it is really that simple. If it adds 10 minutes onto the game, so what? Enforce the rules to get the pitchers to throw the ball and keep hitters in the batter's box. Or, goodness, decrease the time between innings!
Here is my modest proposal. Equip the crew chief with a buzzer and a wireless headset. Put an umpire up in a booth with a TV monitor and replays. If there is an egregious call, hit the buzzer, talk through the headset, make the correct call. Is it really that simple? Yes. If hockey can give and take goals in a game in Anaheim from Toronto, and if college football can use the buzzer system without terribly delaying games, then it can work. Will it be perfect from day 1? Of course not. But we are striving for perfection.
Baseball is perfect. Umpiring...not so much. Why not make it better?
None of the above annoyances, however, impact the integrity of the game. That ignominious distinction is reserved specifically for the men in blue. This year's cast of characters brings two issues into clear focus: accountability for umpires and instant replay.
I think it is important to begin by identifying the offending parties. Unfortunately, I've had to lump the good umpires in with the bad to start, but never fear: I'll make sure the bad get their fair share of press time.
Gerry Davis, Bob Davidson, Jerry Meals, Ron Kulpa, Angel Hernandez and Tim Timmons worked the Philadelphia/Colorado series. Dana DeMuth, Brian O'Nora, Mike Everitt, Jeff Nelson, Ed Rapuano and Tony Randazzo did the LA/St. Louis series. Tim Tschida, Chuck Meriwether, Mark Wegner, Paul Emmel, Jim Joyce and Phil Cuzzi dealt with NY/Minnesota. JoeWest, CB Bucknor, Eric Cooper, Greg Gibson, Brian Gorman and Dan Iassogna worked LA/Boston.
For the LCS, Tim McClelland, Dale Scott, Jerry Layne, Fieldin Culbreth, Laz Diaz and Bill Miller are overseeing the ALCS, while Randy Marsh, Gary Cedarstrom, Tom Hallion, Ted Barrett, Bruce Dreckman and Sam Holbrook are patrolling the NLCS.
If players get into "slumps," umpires apparently do as well. Last night, Tim McClelland and Dale Scott botched three calls in two innings, including two on the same player between second base and home plate. Nick Swisher got picked off second cleaner than a pirhana picks clean bones and was called safe. About 4 minutes later, Swisher tagged up and scored, only to be called out for leaving the bag early by an umpire who admittedly never saw him leave the bag. You think your heart is an issue Tim? So is mine...it's breaking while watching you umpire.
There are a couple of calls in these playoffs that really stand out though. One occurred last night, where Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada were not fully punished for their baseball stupidity. While both were off the third base bag, Jeff Mathis tagged both. McClelland got one right, but somehow missed the call on Cano, who was two feet off the bag when Mathis smacked him in the chest. Frankly, I don't know how half of the Angels team didn't get thrown out of the game (my good friend Mike thinks Scioscia got a talking to after the Red Sox incident and that is why he is so quiet and sullen).
Of course, there is the Cuzzi call as well, which might have cost the Twins a real chance at tightening up their series with the Yankees. When your primary job is to call balls on ONE FOUL LINE and you blow it, you shouldn't be an umpire in the major leagues. Period. Add to these calls the C.B. Bucknor blown calls at first base in the 4th and 6th innings of Game 1 of the Sox/Angels, Bob Davidson's blown call in the 6th inning of Game 1 of the NLDS, Jerry Meals and Ron Kulpa blowing the Chase Utley "hit" in Game 3 of the NLDS, and incredibly inconsistent strikezones, and you have a debacle in the making. Where have you gone, Don Denkinger.
I've heard the arguments against instant replay. Guess what...they stink. Get the calls right...it is really that simple. If it adds 10 minutes onto the game, so what? Enforce the rules to get the pitchers to throw the ball and keep hitters in the batter's box. Or, goodness, decrease the time between innings!
Here is my modest proposal. Equip the crew chief with a buzzer and a wireless headset. Put an umpire up in a booth with a TV monitor and replays. If there is an egregious call, hit the buzzer, talk through the headset, make the correct call. Is it really that simple? Yes. If hockey can give and take goals in a game in Anaheim from Toronto, and if college football can use the buzzer system without terribly delaying games, then it can work. Will it be perfect from day 1? Of course not. But we are striving for perfection.
Baseball is perfect. Umpiring...not so much. Why not make it better?
Thursday, October 8, 2009
The Culture of Greed
I did not anticipate that this blog would take on a sports-oriented theme, but, as luck would have it, my first two posts are inspired by sports....okay, I lied. I talk about nothing but sports, so it is really no surprise to me.
The specific story deals with one of my hometown heroes, Ryan Howard. Apparently, a controversy brewed over his 200th home run ball, hit in Florida back in July. Young Jennifer Valdivia became the lucky recipient of Ryan's 200th home run. The Phillies took her down to the clubhouse, where she exchanged the ball for an autographed baseball. Shortly thereafter, her mother got the bright idea to sue the Phillies in order to get the ball back.
Of course, there is always more to the story. Apparently, the lawsuit stemmed from her perceived mistreatment by the Phillies, which, frankly, is difficult to believe, given the Phillies history of treating its fans well and given that she had the opportunity to meet Charlie Manuel (and allegedly others) in the clubhouse.
Regardless of what happened and how, there are a couple of issues that spring to mind. First, somehow I doubt that Ms. Valdivia gave the autographed ball back when she filed her lawsuit and subsequently received the Howard home run ball. So now she gets both...congratulations on your extra income you extorted from Howard and the Phils. Second, it seems to me that since an exchange actually took place, Howard would have had a good legal argument that there was consideration and performance, and, hence, a valid contract.
Fans, though, do have a right to the ball. No one can, or should, make a fan give the ball back. It is not Ryan Howard's ball; it is Major League Baseball's ball. Once it gets to the stands, it is the fan's ball. If the player really wants it, the player can pay for it, whether in cash or merchandise. I would give the ball over, but, honestly, I would want something in return - a jersey or a bat, plus a picture...something my kids and I could enjoy over time.
If there was some perceived or actual intimidation, that is not acceptable. On the other hand, it seems to me that mom had someone whisper in her ear that the ball would be worth something bigger down the line, and used her kid as a pawn in an attempt to pay her rent or mortgage. That's too bad. If I were the Marlins, I would be worried...baseball karma is a funky thing.
The specific story deals with one of my hometown heroes, Ryan Howard. Apparently, a controversy brewed over his 200th home run ball, hit in Florida back in July. Young Jennifer Valdivia became the lucky recipient of Ryan's 200th home run. The Phillies took her down to the clubhouse, where she exchanged the ball for an autographed baseball. Shortly thereafter, her mother got the bright idea to sue the Phillies in order to get the ball back.
Of course, there is always more to the story. Apparently, the lawsuit stemmed from her perceived mistreatment by the Phillies, which, frankly, is difficult to believe, given the Phillies history of treating its fans well and given that she had the opportunity to meet Charlie Manuel (and allegedly others) in the clubhouse.
Regardless of what happened and how, there are a couple of issues that spring to mind. First, somehow I doubt that Ms. Valdivia gave the autographed ball back when she filed her lawsuit and subsequently received the Howard home run ball. So now she gets both...congratulations on your extra income you extorted from Howard and the Phils. Second, it seems to me that since an exchange actually took place, Howard would have had a good legal argument that there was consideration and performance, and, hence, a valid contract.
Fans, though, do have a right to the ball. No one can, or should, make a fan give the ball back. It is not Ryan Howard's ball; it is Major League Baseball's ball. Once it gets to the stands, it is the fan's ball. If the player really wants it, the player can pay for it, whether in cash or merchandise. I would give the ball over, but, honestly, I would want something in return - a jersey or a bat, plus a picture...something my kids and I could enjoy over time.
If there was some perceived or actual intimidation, that is not acceptable. On the other hand, it seems to me that mom had someone whisper in her ear that the ball would be worth something bigger down the line, and used her kid as a pawn in an attempt to pay her rent or mortgage. That's too bad. If I were the Marlins, I would be worried...baseball karma is a funky thing.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Football and America
Two things happened this weekend which put American society in context for me. Incredibly, both occurred in the world of football, one on Saturday in the college game and one on Sunday in the NFL.
On Saturday, Georgia trailed the #4 LSU Tigers by 5 points. A tremendous pass and catch led to a Georgia touchdown with 1:09 to play. Unfortunately, the ensuing celebration led to a flag that ultimately put LSU on the Georgia 37 yard line after the kickoff. LSU scored the game-winner a few plays later. The play and the celebration are captured here.
On Sunday, the Ravens were victimized by two questionable roughing the passer calls, extending drives that led to 14 New England Patriot points. The most controversial of those calls is captured here.
So what does this tell us about America? Let's take a look at Georgia first. The underdog scored a HUGE touchdown to go ahead of the #4 team in the country. Taking a look at the tape, it is almost impossible to discern the action the receiver took to "bring attention to himself." Well, here is my question: why shouldn't he draw attention to himself? No LSU players were in sight. The kid made a great catch. Georgia capped a huge comeback. We WANT him to celebrate. We want those kids to celebrate.
Well, out in American society, celebration gets a flag as well. We have been taught to hide our emotions so we do not offend anyone. We have been taught to hide our wealth and our successes so we do not hurt the feelings of those who have less. We have been told that celebration is equated with taunting. Shhh...we're all supposed to have the same, so no one feels left out or left behind. Why are we patronizing the "have-nots"?
The Ravens, of course, have a decent gripe...Tom Brady gets protected with, at best, a very liberal interpretation of the rules. The Ravens' hard work is penalized, and the Patriots go on to win (okay, let's forget the Clayton drop). And so it is in American society today...be careful what you say, be careful how you say it, be careful how it appears, be careful how it sounds. You may injure someone's feelings. Worse yet, America, you may goad him or her into action.
America was once the home of the American dream, home of the "bootstraps." America was the land where others came to celebrate their diversity, celebrate their successes, and celebrate their hard work without penalty. And we can be that again...
On Saturday, Georgia trailed the #4 LSU Tigers by 5 points. A tremendous pass and catch led to a Georgia touchdown with 1:09 to play. Unfortunately, the ensuing celebration led to a flag that ultimately put LSU on the Georgia 37 yard line after the kickoff. LSU scored the game-winner a few plays later. The play and the celebration are captured here.
On Sunday, the Ravens were victimized by two questionable roughing the passer calls, extending drives that led to 14 New England Patriot points. The most controversial of those calls is captured here.
So what does this tell us about America? Let's take a look at Georgia first. The underdog scored a HUGE touchdown to go ahead of the #4 team in the country. Taking a look at the tape, it is almost impossible to discern the action the receiver took to "bring attention to himself." Well, here is my question: why shouldn't he draw attention to himself? No LSU players were in sight. The kid made a great catch. Georgia capped a huge comeback. We WANT him to celebrate. We want those kids to celebrate.
Well, out in American society, celebration gets a flag as well. We have been taught to hide our emotions so we do not offend anyone. We have been taught to hide our wealth and our successes so we do not hurt the feelings of those who have less. We have been told that celebration is equated with taunting. Shhh...we're all supposed to have the same, so no one feels left out or left behind. Why are we patronizing the "have-nots"?
The Ravens, of course, have a decent gripe...Tom Brady gets protected with, at best, a very liberal interpretation of the rules. The Ravens' hard work is penalized, and the Patriots go on to win (okay, let's forget the Clayton drop). And so it is in American society today...be careful what you say, be careful how you say it, be careful how it appears, be careful how it sounds. You may injure someone's feelings. Worse yet, America, you may goad him or her into action.
America was once the home of the American dream, home of the "bootstraps." America was the land where others came to celebrate their diversity, celebrate their successes, and celebrate their hard work without penalty. And we can be that again...
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