2012 Baseball Season/Off-Season Discussion

[Falcon]

I agree the '5 games' is bullshit in terms of missed time, but it does work out to be a pretty hefty loss in salary.  At Hamels' $15M salary, that works out to losing almost $500,000.  That's big money for any athlete.  One way to look at it is that it's actually more punishment for the pitcher to not miss a start but still lose 5 games' salary.  Basically, it's the opposite of a paid vacation. 

According to Jon Heyman (keep in mind he's the most inaccurate douchebag baseball reporter I've ever had the displeasure of reading) Hamels will be paid during his suspension with fines only ranging from 5-10k.

[GeorgeSteele]

I agree the '5 games' is bullshit in terms of missed time, but it does work out to be a pretty hefty loss in salary.  At Hamels' $15M salary, that works out to losing almost $500,000.  That's big money for any athlete.  One way to look at it is that it's actually more punishment for the pitcher to not miss a start but still lose 5 games' salary.  Basically, it's the opposite of a paid vacation. 

According to Jon Heyman (keep in mind he's the most inaccurate douchebag baseball reporter I've ever had the displeasure of reading) Hamels will be paid during his suspension with fines only ranging from 5-10k.

Wow!  If true, what a joke. 

[Falcon]

According to Bob Nightengale, Rivera was planning on returning next year long before his knee injury.

Cool either way although the "Not going out like this" narrative was really cool.

[GypsySoul]

They said on the news before that Mariano's surgery was delayed because they found a blood clot in his leg so they have to take care of that first.

[tim_m]

Yeah, that's really scary. Rivera played it off but the doctors were really very concerned about it. Its apparently cleared up and the blood is flowing in the right direction now. I guess the injury is kind of a blessing in disguise. Who knows if they would've found it before something horrible happened.

[tim_m]

According to Bob Nightengale, Rivera was planning on returning next year long before his knee injury.

Cool either way although the "Not going out like this" narrative was really cool.

That's rather surprising the way he was talking in spring training. I'm glad that this was not going to be it for him no matter what. Hopefully he can come back strong from this have one more fantastic season and go out the way he deserves too still the best.

[AxlsMainMan]

Vlad is a pretty good pickup for The Blue Jays.

[GeorgeSteele]

Vlad is a pretty good pickup for The Blue Jays.

I love the way you're always digging the geriatrics.  Favre, Iverson, now Vlad.  Maybe the Leafs are looking to sign Gretzky?   

[AxlsMainMan]

Vlad is a pretty good pickup for The Blue Jays.

I love the way you're always digging the geriatrics.  Favre, Iverson, now Vlad.  Maybe the Leafs are looking to sign Gretzky?   

Don't forget Manny Ramirez

[Drew]

I've been really surprised with how much baseball I've watched this season so far. I haven't watched much baseball over the past ten years or more but I've been enjoying it once again though so far. Don't know if my interest will fade or if my interest will remain as high as it's been, but I have the baseball fever for now.

Since I've been a fan, I've always been an Atlanta Braves fan. This is Chipper Jones last season so this could be a reason why my interest has come back from out of nowhere. It's been great to see Atlanta do so well this season and I hope they continue and win the World Series this year.

GO Braves!

[Falcon]

Time for my annual "Yippee!!!! It's interleague play!!!!!" post.

[tim_m]

What a night for Pettitte! 8 shutout innings, 9 k's one walk 4 hits. Who could've seen this coming. Wow!

[D]

haven't followed much Yankee stuff in a bit.

is Ivan Nova still a pretty good long term prospect?

Fantasy related.

[faldor]

haven't followed much Yankee stuff in a bit.

is Ivan Nova still a pretty good long term prospect?

Fantasy related.

I'll leave it up to the Yankee experts, but I know he hasn't been as good of late.  I don't think he was a real high prospect, he just sort of came out of nowhere last season.  But he was very solid, and started off decent this year.  I suspect he'll be fine in the long run.

[faldor]

Well the Red Sox are playing better of late, BUT the injuries continue to mount.  It's really getting out of hand.  Cody Ross fouled a ball off his foot over the weekend and it was thought he'd miss a few days.  Turns out he broke a bone in his foot and will be out 6-8 weeks.  It's similar to the injury Pedroia sustained a few years back, and he was basically done for the season.  They say it's not as serious, but we'll see.  Ryan Sweeney also injured himself making a game saving diving catch in CF.  He left the game and hasn't yet passed concussion tests, so he could be put on the 7 day DL.  That would make 6 total OF's on the DL for them.  Their top 6 on the depth chart from the start of the season too.  I've never seen one position be so ravaged with injuries.  At least it's not the pitching staff I guess.  Right now they're rolling with Nava, Byrd, and Lin in the OF, at least for last night.  Not exactly Rice, Lynn, and Evans.  Tonight Kevin Youkilis is supposed to return and they're toying with the idea of moving him to 1B so they can keep Middlebrooks at 3B and shift Gonzalez to RF.  That's not ideal defensively, but Adrian should be able to handle himself out there at least on the road.  Many consider RF in Fenway to be the toughest in baseball, so I'm not sure you'd want to send him out there.  So I'm not sure what they'll do when they return home.  Hopefully by then Sweeney will be available at least.

[AxlsMainMan]

Lance Berkman is out 6-8 weeks

[tim_m]

haven't followed much Yankee stuff in a bit.

is Ivan Nova still a pretty good long term prospect?

Fantasy related.

He's struggled his past two starts but part of it is our offense has been terrible with Gardner out. So none of our starters have been getting run support. You can't win a game if your team can't score.

[faldor]

haven't followed much Yankee stuff in a bit.

is Ivan Nova still a pretty good long term prospect?

Fantasy related.

He's struggled his past two starts but part of it is our offense has been terrible with Gardner out. So none of our starters have been getting run support. You can't win a game if your team can't score.

it's not all about wins though. His overall numbers have been pretty poor of late. All season really, with the exception of a few starts. His strikeout numbers are good but he's been quite hittable. That is when guys are able to make contact against him.

[tim_m]

haven't followed much Yankee stuff in a bit.

is Ivan Nova still a pretty good long term prospect?

Fantasy related.

He's struggled his past two starts but part of it is our offense has been terrible with Gardner out. So none of our starters have been getting run support. You can't win a game if your team can't score.

it's not all about wins though. His overall numbers have been pretty poor of late. All season really, with the exception of a few starts. His strikeout numbers are good but he's been quite hittable. That is when guys are able to make contact against him.

He's always been pretty hittable since he is a contact pitcher but definitely lately he hasn't been nearly as good as he was. You can say that about the whole rotation though. Even Sabathia got his ass kicked last time.

[Falcon]

Lance Berkman is out 6-8 weeks

That's what the Cards initial reports are saying...for now..

I fully expect the 2nd opinion and subsequent surgery happening late this week to be the end of Puma's year.

And possibly career.