2009 Baseball Season/Off-Season Discussion

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

Boras got bitchslapped this offseason.

Nothing wrong with that.

Nope, nothing at all.

[tim_m]

Boras got bitchslapped this offseason.

Nothing wrong with that.

Nope, nothing at all.

Its nice to see actually.

[faldor]

I'm not sure things could have gone much worse for A-Rod these past couple months, and I love it.

Apparently he's gonna try and plain through the pain in his hip but the experts are prediciting he will eventually need surgery and will miss up to 4 months.

According to a Manhattan-based hip specialist, Alex Rodriguez (hip) will eventually "have to bite the bullet and have the surgery."

"It?s going to get progressively worse and for the patient, it?s pretty miserable," said Dr. Robert Buly of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Buly, an admitted Yankees fan, added that A-Rod would soon have trouble pivoting or flexing. Perhaps the Cody Ransom era is indeed drawing near.
Source: The Journal News



They're comparing the injury to what Mike Lowell dealt with towards the end of last season.  He tried to play through it but tweaked it a couple of times down the stretch until he just wasn't effective anymore, which severely hurt their chances against Tampa in the playoffs.  Alex may be able to play through the pain for awhile but who knows for how long.

[pilferk]

I'm not sure things could have gone much worse for A-Rod these past couple months, and I love it.

Apparently he's gonna try and plain through the pain in his hip but the experts are prediciting he will eventually need surgery and will miss up to 4 months.

According to a Manhattan-based hip specialist, Alex Rodriguez (hip) will eventually "have to bite the bullet and have the surgery."

"It?s going to get progressively worse and for the patient, it?s pretty miserable," said Dr. Robert Buly of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Buly, an admitted Yankees fan, added that A-Rod would soon have trouble pivoting or flexing. Perhaps the Cody Ransom era is indeed drawing near.
Source: The Journal News



They're comparing the injury to what Mike Lowell dealt with towards the end of last season.  He tried to play through it but tweaked it a couple of times down the stretch until he just wasn't effective anymore, which severely hurt their chances against Tampa in the playoffs.  Alex may be able to play through the pain for awhile but who knows for how long.

Utley had the same injury last year....ALL of last year...and managed to play through it all the way up to the very last game of the year, winning a world series.  And I think you'd have a hard time showing his numbers were effected at all.

So, you never know.  It could go the way it went with Lowell, could go the way it went with Utley.

A-rod may end up having surgery early on, he may be able to hold out until the end of the season, or something in between.  He might be as productive as he was last year, or as he was in 2007, or he might not.  It's going to be "the great question" hanging over the Yankees this year, and we're not gonna have a "likely scenario" until whatever happens actually happens.

Were it me:  I'd shitcan this idea of "therapy" and just get the procedure done.  Then you likely have him back by the All Star break to try to make a run or increase your lead.   Your  hope, with therapy, is only to stopgap by strengthening the area, so you can hold out on the surgery as long as possible.  Eventually, it's gonna need to get done....no ifs, ands, or buts.  The only thing delaying the surgery and having therapy does is MAYBE give you some say so in WHEN you have the surgery....but at worst, it completely takes him out for the ENTIRE season, because you waste time trying to get him ready, only to find out he's never going to get back on the field, and just needs to get the procedure done.

A lot of it depends on how bad the tear is and how much the cyst was involved in causing him pain.  If draining the cyst takes away 90% of the pain...he may be good to go for a full season.  If not.....

And right now, nobody really knows the answer to that.  Or if the cyst will refill with fluid, and just put more pressure on the hip.  It's the great unknown, and the outcome SERIOUSLY effects the Yankees season, IMHO.  You'd be hard pressed to replace 40 and 120.  If the rotation works like it COULD...maybe you don't need that offense up front as much as everyone thinks.  But that's a pretty big IF.

Though I have to say...for all the A-rod haters out there...wouldn't it be ironic if the Yanks won a WS almost completely, or actually completely, without A-rod?

[pilferk]

Spent some time reading up on this....

It sounds like A-rod is NOT in any pain.  The entire reasoning behind them checking things out was because there was stiffness and reduced mobility in the region.  It looks like the docs think that was more than likely because of the cyst and NOT the labrum tear.  Until the tear starts causing him pain (and it might not, ever, before he gets it repaired), it shouldn't effect his ability to play.  The PAIN is what starts limiting what you can do.

And Lowell's injury last year was similar, but not exactly the same.  In addition to the tear, he had a bone chip lodged in the joint.  As far as we know, that's NOT the case here. 

There's a chance Arod might not even miss any spring training or regular season games for this.  We'll see.

"The socket of your hip joint (acetabulum) is lined by cartilage called your labrum. This cartilage provides stability and cushioning for your hip joint, allowing the ball of your thighbone (femur) to move smoothly and painlessly in the socket.

A tear in your labrum, known as a hip labral tear or acetabular labral tear, can result from injury, repetitive movements that cause wear-and-tear on your hip joint, or degeneration, such as from osteoarthritis.

In many cases, a hip labral tear causes no signs or symptoms and doesn't require treatment. Occasionally, however, a hip labral tear may cause pain or a "catching" sensation in the hip joint.

When treatment for a hip labral tear is necessary, it may consist of physical therapy, medications or a combination. Less frequently, surgery is necessary to treat a hip labral tear.

Many hip labral tears cause no signs or symptoms. Occasionally, however, you may experience one or more of the following:

A locking, clicking or catching sensation in your hip joint
Pain in your hip or groin
Stiffness or limited range of motion in your hip joint"

[sandman]

I'm not sure things could have gone much worse for A-Rod these past couple months, and I love it.

Apparently he's gonna try and plain through the pain in his hip but the experts are prediciting he will eventually need surgery and will miss up to 4 months.

According to a Manhattan-based hip specialist, Alex Rodriguez (hip) will eventually "have to bite the bullet and have the surgery."

"It?s going to get progressively worse and for the patient, it?s pretty miserable," said Dr. Robert Buly of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Buly, an admitted Yankees fan, added that A-Rod would soon have trouble pivoting or flexing. Perhaps the Cody Ransom era is indeed drawing near.
Source: The Journal News



They're comparing the injury to what Mike Lowell dealt with towards the end of last season.  He tried to play through it but tweaked it a couple of times down the stretch until he just wasn't effective anymore, which severely hurt their chances against Tampa in the playoffs.  Alex may be able to play through the pain for awhile but who knows for how long.

Utley had the same injury last year....ALL of last year...and managed to play through it all the way up to the very last game of the year, winning a world series.  And I think you'd have a hard time showing his numbers were effected at all.

So, you never know.  It could go the way it went with Lowell, could go the way it went with Utley.

A-rod may end up having surgery early on, he may be able to hold out until the end of the season, or something in between.  He might be as productive as he was last year, or as he was in 2007, or he might not.  It's going to be "the great question" hanging over the Yankees this year, and we're not gonna have a "likely scenario" until whatever happens actually happens.

Were it me:  I'd shitcan this idea of "therapy" and just get the procedure done.  Then you likely have him back by the All Star break to try to make a run or increase your lead.   Your  hope, with therapy, is only to stopgap by strengthening the area, so you can hold out on the surgery as long as possible.  Eventually, it's gonna need to get done....no ifs, ands, or buts.  The only thing delaying the surgery and having therapy does is MAYBE give you some say so in WHEN you have the surgery....but at worst, it completely takes him out for the ENTIRE season, because you waste time trying to get him ready, only to find out he's never going to get back on the field, and just needs to get the procedure done.

A lot of it depends on how bad the tear is and how much the cyst was involved in causing him pain.  If draining the cyst takes away 90% of the pain...he may be good to go for a full season.  If not.....

And right now, nobody really knows the answer to that.  Or if the cyst will refill with fluid, and just put more pressure on the hip.  It's the great unknown, and the outcome SERIOUSLY effects the Yankees season, IMHO.  You'd be hard pressed to replace 40 and 120.  If the rotation works like it COULD...maybe you don't need that offense up front as much as everyone thinks.  But that's a pretty big IF.

Though I have to say...for all the A-rod haters out there...wouldn't it be ironic if the Yanks won a WS almost completely, or actually completely, without A-rod?

i'm an A-Rod hater so i can answer that....NO, it would not be ironic at all. in fact, i would expect the yanks to be a better team. he's a cancer, he's selfish, and everytime he leaves a team they get better.

what's your source for utley having hip problems "ALL" of last season? i didn't think that was ever confirmed, but i may have missed it in the euphoria of celebrating the world championship. cause Utley was on an MVP pace in April with 11 HRs and .360+ average. he had 20 HRs by June 1. so he only hit 13 HRs in the final 4 months of the season. his average dropped to .292 by the end of the season, 40 points lower than 2007.

i think it clearly affected Utley. but Utley is tough as nails, he's the epitome of a baseball player in every way you look at it. he toughed it out for his team for months and then found a way to make some clutch plays in the playoffs. A-Roid does not have the toughness or the guts or the love of the game and his teammates that Chase Utley has. but it's anyone's guess how he performs because it's possible the injury is not severe.

[faldor]

A-Roid to have surgery on Monday, will miss 6-9 weeks.  I think this is actually a smart move for the Yanks, so I wish they didn't choose this route being a Sox fan.  This way he'll miss about 2 months instead of starting the season and risking missing time later in the year.


http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2009/03/08/a_rod_to_have_hip_surgery_miss_6_9_weeks_1236527480/


TAMPA, Fla.?Alex Rodriguez will have arthroscopic hip surgery Monday and is expected to miss six to nine weeks. The Yankees slugger will need further surgery after the season.

The diagnosis by Dr. Marc Philippon on Sunday was yet another jolt to Rodriguez during a tumultuous month in which the three-time AL MVP admitted using steroids from 2001-03 while with Texas.

Philippon spoke from Vail, Colo., on a conference call with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. Philippon, a noted hip specialist with the Steadman Hawkins Clinic, will perform the procedure. Also on the call was team physician Chris Ahmad.

Philippon is confident in the "85-90 percent range" that Rodriguez will be able to play through the entire regular season.

"I firmly believe this approach will be successful and allow Alex to return," Philippon said. "We've had very good success with this approach. Short term, we feel the risk is very limited that he will re-tear his labrum during that six-, seven-month period."

The decision eliminates the option of Rodriguez treating the injury with rest and rehab and playing through the season without surgery. This operation will not completely correct the hip. More aggressive surgery would have sidelined Rodriguez three to four months.

"The surgery that will just repair the labrum tear right now would shorten his rehab," Cashman said. "Then following the conclusion of the season going in and repair the remaining aspects that need to be repaired."

Rodriguez has a torn labrum and a cyst in his right hip. The cyst was drained Wednesday, and he had additional tests Friday to test the hip's strength and flexibility.

His hip had been fine until he experienced stiffness during spring training this year. The injury forced the 12-time All-Star to skip the World Baseball Classic, where he was to play for the Dominican Republic.

Philippon attributed the labrum tear to the rotational stress that Rodriguez -- "a very strong hitter, strong batter" -- places on his hip.

"Because of all the test findings, analysis, the function of Alex, I feel it's in his best interest to have his labrum repaired, remove part of his impingement and therefore stabilize his labrum," he said. "The goal here is to allow Alex to rehab rapidly in a safe manner."

Rodriguez will stay in Colorado for the foreseeable future.

"We'll keep Alex with us certainly for the first few weeks," said Philippon, who has treated several sports stars including golfer Greg Norman and figure skater Tara Lipinski. "The main reason being we're going to put him on the fast track so we will be very aggressive on his rehab. We'll check on Alex twice a day."

Rodriguez could swing a bat as a range of motion drill as soon as seven days after surgery.

On Thursday, Rodriguez's brother, Joe Dunand, told ESPNdeportes.com said the slugger was going to have surgery, with a projected 10-week recovery. But later that day Cashman said A-Rod would be treated conservatively in the hope of avoiding surgery.

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon, speaking from Lakeland, where New York was to play the Detroit Tigers, said Rodriguez was doing the "right thing" in addressing this matter now.

"Now we know that we're going to lose him for a little bit of time. ... I think it's better to get it out of the way especially since he's going to be in New York for eight more years after this year, so you might as well take care of it," he said.

Rodriguez is in the second season of a record $275 million, 10-year contract. Now, New York must try replace its third baseman and cleanup hitter, placing further responsibility in the batting order on new first baseman Mark Teixeira.

The leading candidate from the organization to take over at third is Cody Ransom, a 33-year-old who has a .251 average and 24 RBIs in 183 at-bats in six major league seasons.

"It's going to create something different for us, so we're going to have to take a look at some of these other guys," manager Joe Girardi said. "There's still four weeks left in camp, and it opens up an opportunity for someone."

Last year, Rodriguez was sidelined from April 28 to May 20 because of a strained right quadriceps -- his fifth trip to the disabled list in his career. An MRI exam at that time showed what Cashman called an "irregularity" in the right hip.

The labrum is cartilage that lines the hip joint. It can be torn through injury or repetitive wear and tear. When arthroscopic surgery is recommended, the doctor makes small incisions to insert specialized instruments into the joint space and either removes the torn piece of labrum or repairs the cartilage with a suture.

Rodriguez's 138 games last season were his fewest since 1999, when he tore cartilage in his left knee during a spring training drill. He played in the first two games of that season with Seattle, then was put on the disabled list April 7 and missed 32 games until he returned May 14.

Since joining the Yankees before the 2004 season, Rodriguez has averaged 42 homers and 123 RBIs, with a .303 average.

[faldor]

And reports are the Sox have signed Jon Lester to an extension

According a Yahoo! Sports report by Jeff Passan, the Red Sox and Jon Lester have agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $30 million with a team option for $13 million in 2014. The Globe is working to confirm the report.

Lester, 25, joins Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis as home-grown Red Sox to sign extensions this offseason. The commitment to Lester adds another chapter to his Hollywood script career -- the cancer survivor who pitched a no-hitter and clinched a World Series now, it seems, will spend the prime of his career with the same organization.

[tim_m]

A-Roid to have surgery on Monday, will miss 6-9 weeks.  I think this is actually a smart move for the Yanks, so I wish they didn't choose this route being a Sox fan.  This way he'll miss about 2 months instead of starting the season and risking missing time later in the year.


http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2009/03/08/a_rod_to_have_hip_surgery_miss_6_9_weeks_1236527480/


TAMPA, Fla.?Alex Rodriguez will have arthroscopic hip surgery Monday and is expected to miss six to nine weeks. The Yankees slugger will need further surgery after the season.

The diagnosis by Dr. Marc Philippon on Sunday was yet another jolt to Rodriguez during a tumultuous month in which the three-time AL MVP admitted using steroids from 2001-03 while with Texas.

Philippon spoke from Vail, Colo., on a conference call with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. Philippon, a noted hip specialist with the Steadman Hawkins Clinic, will perform the procedure. Also on the call was team physician Chris Ahmad.

Philippon is confident in the "85-90 percent range" that Rodriguez will be able to play through the entire regular season.

"I firmly believe this approach will be successful and allow Alex to return," Philippon said. "We've had very good success with this approach. Short term, we feel the risk is very limited that he will re-tear his labrum during that six-, seven-month period."

The decision eliminates the option of Rodriguez treating the injury with rest and rehab and playing through the season without surgery. This operation will not completely correct the hip. More aggressive surgery would have sidelined Rodriguez three to four months.

"The surgery that will just repair the labrum tear right now would shorten his rehab," Cashman said. "Then following the conclusion of the season going in and repair the remaining aspects that need to be repaired."

Rodriguez has a torn labrum and a cyst in his right hip. The cyst was drained Wednesday, and he had additional tests Friday to test the hip's strength and flexibility.

His hip had been fine until he experienced stiffness during spring training this year. The injury forced the 12-time All-Star to skip the World Baseball Classic, where he was to play for the Dominican Republic.

Philippon attributed the labrum tear to the rotational stress that Rodriguez -- "a very strong hitter, strong batter" -- places on his hip.

"Because of all the test findings, analysis, the function of Alex, I feel it's in his best interest to have his labrum repaired, remove part of his impingement and therefore stabilize his labrum," he said. "The goal here is to allow Alex to rehab rapidly in a safe manner."

Rodriguez will stay in Colorado for the foreseeable future.

"We'll keep Alex with us certainly for the first few weeks," said Philippon, who has treated several sports stars including golfer Greg Norman and figure skater Tara Lipinski. "The main reason being we're going to put him on the fast track so we will be very aggressive on his rehab. We'll check on Alex twice a day."

Rodriguez could swing a bat as a range of motion drill as soon as seven days after surgery.

On Thursday, Rodriguez's brother, Joe Dunand, told ESPNdeportes.com said the slugger was going to have surgery, with a projected 10-week recovery. But later that day Cashman said A-Rod would be treated conservatively in the hope of avoiding surgery.

Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon, speaking from Lakeland, where New York was to play the Detroit Tigers, said Rodriguez was doing the "right thing" in addressing this matter now.

"Now we know that we're going to lose him for a little bit of time. ... I think it's better to get it out of the way especially since he's going to be in New York for eight more years after this year, so you might as well take care of it," he said.

Rodriguez is in the second season of a record $275 million, 10-year contract. Now, New York must try replace its third baseman and cleanup hitter, placing further responsibility in the batting order on new first baseman Mark Teixeira.

The leading candidate from the organization to take over at third is Cody Ransom, a 33-year-old who has a .251 average and 24 RBIs in 183 at-bats in six major league seasons.

"It's going to create something different for us, so we're going to have to take a look at some of these other guys," manager Joe Girardi said. "There's still four weeks left in camp, and it opens up an opportunity for someone."

Last year, Rodriguez was sidelined from April 28 to May 20 because of a strained right quadriceps -- his fifth trip to the disabled list in his career. An MRI exam at that time showed what Cashman called an "irregularity" in the right hip.

The labrum is cartilage that lines the hip joint. It can be torn through injury or repetitive wear and tear. When arthroscopic surgery is recommended, the doctor makes small incisions to insert specialized instruments into the joint space and either removes the torn piece of labrum or repairs the cartilage with a suture.

Rodriguez's 138 games last season were his fewest since 1999, when he tore cartilage in his left knee during a spring training drill. He played in the first two games of that season with Seattle, then was put on the disabled list April 7 and missed 32 games until he returned May 14.

Since joining the Yankees before the 2004 season, Rodriguez has averaged 42 homers and 123 RBIs, with a .303 average.

Yeah this is a smart move. It should allow him to get through the season and miss little time. I assume he'll have it immediately so he can hopefully be back early may. Its better then letting him play and risk worsening it and losing him the whole season. Its better to do a temp fix to get him through the season then do the major fix after the season.

[faldor]

According to the article he's set to undergo the surgery tomorrow, so 6-9 weeks from then would put him on schedule for a return in early to late May.  I think its the best move for him to make at this point.  Although it doesn't mean he'll be 100% out of the woods after the surgery.  He'll have to have additional surgery in the off-season, and I don't know the likelihood of him reinjuring it from June till the end of the season.  They seem to feel pretty confident that he'll be fine. 

The lineup certainly will take a big hit the first month or two without him though.  Cody Ransom isn't exactly gonna strike fear into opposing pitchers.

[tim_m]

According to the article he's set to undergo the surgery tomorrow, so 6-9 weeks from then would put him on schedule for a return in early to late May.  I think its the best move for him to make at this point.  Although it doesn't mean he'll be 100% out of the woods after the surgery.  He'll have to have additional surgery in the off-season, and I don't know the likelihood of him reinjuring it from June till the end of the season.  They seem to feel pretty confident that he'll be fine. 

The lineup certainly will take a big hit the first month or two without him though.  Cody Ransom isn't exactly gonna strike fear into opposing pitchers.

That's not too terrible. It's still gonna hurt not having that bat for a month or so, like you said Cody Ransom isn't exactly make pitchers pitch around him like they might A-Rod in a touch situation. I just hope he doesn't need much rehab time in the minors. From what i read the doctor he saw in Colorado is very confident this will get him through the season and its hard not to trust someone who's considered an expert in this so i hope he's right. If this helps him play from may until hopefully october i'm all for it then take care of it as soon as the season ends so he's ready for spring training in 2010.

[pilferk]

i'm an A-Rod hater so i can answer that....NO, it would not be ironic at all. in fact, i would expect the yanks to be a better team. he's a cancer, he's selfish, and everytime he leaves a team they get better.

Spoken like a true a-rod hater. 

what's your source for utley having hip problems "ALL" of last season? i didn't think that was ever confirmed, but i may have missed it in the euphoria of celebrating the world championship. cause Utley was on an MVP pace in April with 11 HRs and .360+ average. he had 20 HRs by June 1. so he only hit 13 HRs in the final 4 months of the season. his average dropped to .292 by the end of the season, 40 points lower than 2007.

The reports I saw, via ESPN and SI, right AFTER the surgery in November say the labrum was torn most, if not all, season, but the pain didn't really become a BIG issue til early June (and stiffness started to get worse)...and he toughed it out.  I agree,upon further review he wasn't the player he was prior to the pain and effects really setting in, but I guess the real question is "was he still effective".  And he obviously was...maybe not AS effective (although his season averages were right in line with his career avgs, which is why I said you'd have a hard time pointing out his numbers were effected), but more effective than anyone ELSE they had that could have played instead.  I'd argue (though I know you'd likely disagree) that the Yanks are/were in the same boat at 3B.  Ransom isn't nearly as effective as A-rod at 70 to 80%...assuming he could/ve maintained that level through the season.

i think it clearly affected Utley. but Utley is tough as nails, he's the epitome of a baseball player in every way you look at it. he toughed it out for his team for months and then found a way to make some clutch plays in the playoffs. A-Roid does not have the toughness or the guts or the love of the game and his teammates that Chase Utley has. but it's anyone's guess how he performs because it's possible the injury is not severe.

In your humble, subjective opinion.  I mean...C'MON.  I know, you're an A-rod hater....fine.  But you can't possibly know how he would react, or that A-rod "doesn't have the toughness, guts, or love of the game" that Utley has.  You're letting your fandom take over for your sense of reason, here.

[pilferk]

He should be back in early May...not too shabby, all things considered.  April's game schedule is relatively light compared to other months, so....a lot will depend on how effective he can be when he gets back. How long to get his timing down, etc.

I was reading that he could be back swinging a bat within a week or two of surgery....I don't know how realistic THAT is, but it seems like a good sign (well, if you're a Yanks fan).

[sandman]

some of my comments are partly tongue in cheek. how "tough" an athlete is is purely speculation, even if we DID know them. but yes, i do think Utley has more toughness and is a better teammate than A-Rod. i think most people probably believe the same.

it's funny how it's circled around to Utley, cause back when we were having a discussion about A-Rod and the best players in the MLB, i don't think i posted it, but Utley would be at or near the top of that list for me. he's a throwback - everything a baseball player should be.

[pilferk]

some of my comments are partly tongue in cheek. how "tough" an athlete is is purely speculation, even if we DID know them. but yes, i do think Utley has more toughness and is a better teammate than A-Rod. i think most people probably believe the same.

Most Philly fans, maybe.

I don't know.  And largely I don't know because, lets face it, we haven't seen A-rod go through much in the way of PHYSICAL adversity.  He's not really had to deal with serious injuries that take him away from the game for long periods, or really impact his play all that much. Sure, little nagging things here and there, but nothing like the hip injury (his or Utley's). This would be the first one.  I think in terms of MENTAL toughness...you can't deal with the way he's savaged in the media (warrented or not) and still produce the way he has, for the most part, and not be pretty tough.

As for the "better teammate"...I think that goes along with "being a nice guy": Opinions are going to vary largely by your exposure to, and preferences for, any particular player.  I think that metric is, ultimately, up to his TEAMMATES.  I don't think anyone NOT in the clubhouse really has any earthly clue....one way or the other.

  I'm not sure A-rod IS the nicest guy....but then, I don't really need him to be, as a Yanks fan.  I just need him to hit the damn ball, and make the throw from 3rd to 1st. 

it's funny how it's circled around to Utley, cause back when we were having a discussion about A-Rod and the best players in the MLB, i don't think i posted it, but Utley would be at or near the top of that list for me. he's a throwback - everything a baseball player should be.

I would put him, potentially, in the upper bracket of players, SO FAR.  I don't know if you remember back that far, but I pegged him as a potential '07 NL MVP candidate.  My only "drawback" with him, in comparing him to the "creme de la creme" is that his body of work isn't yet "enough" for me to consider him a superstar, yet.  The guys only had 4 FULL seasons, really, of play..and a couple of partial seasons "coming up" back in '04 and '03.  Certainly, a star on the rise and a potential superstar in the making.  You can't go wrong with close to a career .300 BA with 30-ish HR's  a year.  Not "Pujol/A-rod" levels of stats but still pretty damn good.

[russkwtx]

All of you east coasters are monopolizing the conversation. Personally, I would not mind if that selfish cancer called Ass-Rod never played again.

But I digress.

In the heartland, I predict the Royals will actually be competitive and could sneak in with a division title if EVERYTHING falls into place (admittedly, unlikely, but fun to hope after 47 years in the desert, or as some say, the dessert).

[tim_m]

So what's everyone think about Pappelbon's comments? I usually think he's a bum that needs to shut up but i agree with what he said this time.

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

Eh, I don't take comments made by Sux players too seriously.

See: Curt Schilling

[D]

Fuck Jonathan Papelbon

He ain't no Manny Ramirez

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

Fuck Jonathan Papelbon

He ain't no Manny Ramirez

No, but he has some peculiar hobbies...