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Last updated 3-26-2024
 
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PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

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Is Torre Fired?

I was watching Sportscenter just now and the New York Daily News apparently is reporting that Joe Torre is expected to be fired and Lou Piniella will be in as Yankee manager. Hardly the most credible source but if it turns out to be true that'll put a ripple in the coaching carousel.

Comments

I'd certainly take Torre as the Cubs manager over any of the other candidates...although I'm not sure Torre could go from perrenial winners to perenial losers.

and now Sportscenter is running A-rod's NY obituary as if that makes any sense if they end up hiring Piniella.

I'd certainly be thrilled as shit if Piniella gets snatched away before Hendry (and manny) gets the chance to fall in love with him.

Torre is a nobody. He just manages ego's and we just got rid of Baker who was supposed to do the exact same thing. I mean seriously....dropping A-rod to 8th? That is Baker level stupidity. This team needs a real manager and Torre isn't one of them.

If Torre is gone AND Pinella is Steinbrenner's man, then Hendry's best choice is Girardi... Let's hope we get him!

Until more evidience I think we could be in good shape with Girardi, Brenly, or Bochy. The more I hear about Bochy the more I like him. I just hope Hendry moves fast if that is his guy. There can't be an announcement after the LCS start until after the LCS end and the WS starts. One name down (Pinella)3 to go.

if you read the NY Daily News website it just sounds like tabloid fodder to be honest.

for those who say they would pick Girardi over Torre.... you are just not thinking.... Why would you pick someone who lost his head in a low profile gig such as being the manager in FLA... Torre can manage the egos... handle the press... announcers... and most of all... the fans... to me if it was up to Girardi or Torre... I go with Torre... 10 times out of 10... Without sitting to work out the math. Why hasn't he won in the last 5 years? PITCHING... PITCHING... PITCHING.... Stop being so loyal to Girardi because he was one... twice a cub....

for those who say they would pick Girardi over Torre.... you are just not thinking.... Why would you pick someone who lost his head in a low profile gig such as being the manager in FLA... Torre can manage the egos... handle the press... announcers... and most of all... the fans... to me if it was up to Girardi or Torre... I go with Torre... 10 times out of 10... Without sitting to work out the math. Why hasn't he won in the last 5 years? PITCHING... PITCHING... PITCHING.... Stop being so loyal to Girardi because he was one... twice a cub....

I just heard the news on ESPN about the Daily News report. It makes sense. I'm sure Torre is ready to get out and when he does I don't see him taking more than an analyst job(poor Dusty), no more managing. And Stein likes his Yankees, especially one who had success with A-rod. Better move on Girardi, the price of chicken has gone up. Otherwise you get stuck with Buck Showalter.

Yeah, I agree, Jacos. Managing the Yanks to 4 WS titles is sort of like being president of the US. You don't run for governor after being president. You don't manage the Cubs after you manage the Yankees to 4 world championships. Every ounce of my being is hoping that an emotional Steinbrenner insists on dumping A-Rod. Please let him come to the Cubs!!!

The consensus out here in the NY/CT media is that Torre is gone.

He dropped AROD to 8th because the guy sucked this year. His psyche had been damaged and he just wasnt hitting. It wasnt a stupid move, it was a desperate move.

Yes, he sucked. I mean he only compliled a .290 Avg, .392 OBP, .523 SLG, .915 OPS, 140 OPS+, 12 Win Shares Above Bench, 5.4 Wins Above Replacement Player, and, oh yeah a Hardball Times Clutch rating of 3.2. The guy's a bum! Trade him! (To the Cubs, if you please...)

Unfortunately, A-Rod has a full no-trade clause in his contract... I'd trade for him, and play him at SS, where he's more comfortable.

Yeah, but this all assumes that AROD waives his no-trade clause and that the Cubs have players that the Yankees want. Seriously, they would ask for pitching; we have a ton of it, but they are all just prospects. The Cubs would have to part with some of their top pitchers and a position player. People who Cashman/Georgie might want in return: Big-Z Rich Hill Scott Eyre Bobby Howry AAaAAAAaaAArdsma Weurtz Pie (probably not seeing as they have a log-jam in the OF) Theriot (Brian Cashman: Who the hell is Theriot?) DLee Murton Players the Cubs would not be willing to part with: BIG-Z Rich Hill DLee It is quite obvious that we would have to give up one of those "untouchables" AND 1-3 other players. They want Pitching, and I don't want to give it to them. Again, all of this assumes that AROD is available AND waives his no-trade clause. I would just forget about it and concentrate on getting guys like Wells, Soriano, and Zito. (However it looks like Zito will be a Met next year)

Arod looks a little thicker than he did three years ago. I'd be skeptical if he could still play short. I don't see Torre managing in 07 if he gets fired. I do see Piniella in NY. Girardi in Chicago. Brenly in SF. Stone back in the booth. Those are my predictions.

if anyone is interested in Ray Durham, he's looking for a 2 yr deal with an option. Giants are expected to make a run to keep him. (via rotoworld)

Yeah that's what we need- another guy @ the top of the order allergic to BB's. Durham can stay where he is please.

hmm, must be another Ray Durham out there or something because the one in San Francisco has a career 354 OBP and hasn't been under 350 since 2001, he's also close to seeing 4 pitches a PA which is up there, although his P/PA has gone down quite a bit the last 2 years.

hes also drawn less than 50 walks just twice in his career.

We all get in the habit of calling managers good or bad, but it's more complicated than that. Joe Torre is not a bad manager because the lost ot the Tigers in the ALDS this year. Neither is he a good manager because his teams won 4 WS championships during his tenure. Torre is a guy who has certain leadership abilities and those abilities were put to their best use during the championship years. Unfortunately for Torre, his abilities were not the best suited for this year's team of superstar players, major injuries, and the distractions surrounding ARod. As hard as it is to believe, Dusty Baker is a competent manager. In the right situation, his leadership abilities would shine (and his weaknesses would be irrelevant). But the situation with the Cubs was not a situation that could take advantage of his abilities. This is why I disagree with Crunch about the importance of a manager. He does more than just fill out the lineup card and then sit back and let things unfold. There's much more involved. (Note to Crunch: Sorry if I oversimplified your argument.) BTW, I think ARod may be gone no matter who manages the Yankees next year. There's just too much adversity surrounding him in NY. He definitely needs a change of scenery...and the team needs to play the 2007 without all of the distractions.

I'm so glad to hear Ramirez might like to stay with the Cubs. After as bad as the Cubs were the last 2 years, I'm amazed any quality player wants to stay. Still hoping for a major turnaround as I don't think the Cubs are all the far away from being a contender in a later email.

"This is why I disagree with Crunch about the importance of a manager. He does more than just fill out the lineup card and then sit back and let things unfold. There's much more involved. (Note to Crunch: Sorry if I oversimplified your argument.)" well yeah, ive used "lineup jockey" more than once, but ive explained the use of a manager more than a few times... my own personal view of a manager is a personell manager. the EASIEST way for a manager to get fired is the attitude in the clubhouse, NOT wins or losses. some may find this hard to own up to, but it happens and it happens a lot more often and swiftly than it gets around. a story about a manager getting fired cuz of a win/loss record is a whole lot easier to write than calling out players as sources or management as sources to uncover what's going on in the clubhouse. a reporter may find himself without a source or demands for more details that will make him a marked man unable to dig up the scoops he used to get. well, he/she, but im gonna stick to 'he' for the sake of saving time. dusty created PERSONAL relationships with players...time spent beyond "hey dude, man, dude, nice dude man dude dude dude, ya know dude." that whole holy-water prior thing...wood and others didnt even have a clue about it. it was just dusty forming a personal relationship and having fun with prior. there's a lot more of that kinda stuff. he has the ability to talk to people of all different backgrounds/focus/morals and get his point across. he's not a panic-prone guy and his players tend to not only know, but understand their roles. imo, that is the MOST important role of a manger...

"he's not a panic-prone guy and his players tend to not only know, but understand their roles." They have to understand that their role is to be a backup to Neifi Perez. Dusty's not a bad human being, and he may be a great motivator, but the fact is that he has an almost inexplicable lack of understanding about what wins baseball games. Sometimes when you're too close to something for too long you lose perspective. It would probably do Baker some good to sit out for a year or two and read something written about the game since he's retired and watch some games. I hope the Cubs bring in Larry Dieker(sp), as smart as Girardi is rumored to be, I think he may be an old school baseball manager and may make similar mistakes to Dusty (though obviously not the double switiching in the 6th inning.... maybe Crunch should buy Dusty a Playstation and explain to him why that's stupid).

dusty's double switches was one of the least of the team's issues and the option of replacing crap player #1 with crap player #2 is more of a pissing contest than asking why crap is all that's there to begin with. i hated his use of the #2 slot, but even that didn't sink this ship even if it didn't help the cause.

"As hard as it is to believe, Dusty Baker is a competent manager" BWAAAHAAAAAHAAAAAA-HAAAAAAAAAAAAHAAAA...oh, that's funny... Which part was competent again? Crunch- You're right he didn't sink the ship, but did he have to sink the lifeboats too?

REAL NEAL: "I hope the Cubs bring in Larry Dieker..." Its D I E R K E R In 5 years, he had the 'Stros finishing 1st 4 out of the five. In 1998 they won 103 games. He was manager of the year, too. Under him played two of the Killer B's in their prime, Alou, Wade Miller, Mike Hampton, Billy Wagner, Bobby Abreau, Randy Johnson (10-1, 1.28). They lost to the Pads, 3-1 being heavily favored in the NLDS. Lost 3-0 in 2001 in the NLDS to the Braves. Lost 3-1 in 1999 in the NLDS to the Braves. Lost 3-0 in 1997 in the NLDS to the Braves. No Thanks. I'm passing on Larry Dierker.

yeah Dierker made Biggio and Bagwell not hit in those series. Dierker's a sharp fella, but I think his ideas scare most of the people in baseball. He's a bit too cerebral for most players and GM's.

Ummm I doubt Bobby Abreu helped the Astro's much. His best season with them was a .250 hitting 3 HR, 26 RBI in 1997.

I'd like someone who can make us a perennial winner. It would be nice just to GET to the Post-Season.

IF Torre is/gets fired then this surely will effect the Cubs. The Cubs will once again lose out in the process. The Yanks will hire someone....the Giants/Nats will also hire someone basically leaving Hendry taking "what's left" out there....The Cubs job no doubt is the best job available...BUT the Yanks job opens up and to MANAGERS it is the best job. Hendry will drag it out...lose out on Pinella, Girardi, Brenly......and will be left with..oh I don't know...Don Baylor?

Thanx Cubfan: I see reports that the Yanks want girardi now, Brenly to the giants, the cubs will be left with left-overs. Go with Quaid and the whole triple a coaching staff. JMHO. scooterÆ

Sometimes the best candidate isn't someone who already is managing. There are up and comers who should be in the mix. For example, Avery Johnson with the NBA Dallas Mavericks - in his 1st coaching job - great won/loss record and took the Mavs th the NBA finals for the 1st time ever. You never know, what future legend is available out there.

Of all the Cubs personnel moves since 2003, how many did Dusty have a part in, or did Jim Hendry makes his own calls?

NBA is not a true apples-to-apples comparison to MLB. Sorry.

The thing about Cashman trading A-Rod is that he holds exactly NONE of the cards. A-Rod needs to get out of NY. The whole fan-base wants him gone. I'm sure he'd like to go back to playing his natural position at SS. He cannot be on the Ynaks next year, and unfortunately for the Yanks, everyone knows it. Any deal for A-Rod had better absolutely fleece the Yankees or the GM on the other side is just a total idiot. Although, to completely undercut my argument, if everyone knows he's gone, might that increase the number of buyers looking to acquire him and drive up the price? I say not really, because honestly, what has changed? If it's feasible budget-wise, who isn't looking to acquire A-Rod? Personally, I think the guy would absolutely explode as a Cub. I'm talking 1.200 OPS.

No, the biggest role of the Manager and his coaches is making sure the players are drilled in the fundamentals, that pitchers are properly prepared for games, that players learn patience at the plate. All these things can be taught, and they weren't with the Cubs. For example, our pitcher ERA was horrible in the beginning innings. That tells me the pitchers were not warmed up and mentally prepared the beginning of the game. That is a failing of the manager and coaches.

ROB G: "yeah Dierker made Biggio and Bagwell not hit in those series." Umm, Rob, let the record show that they DID hit for above MLB averages in THREE of the four years. What exactly did you mean? Bagwell/Biggio 1997-2001 NLDS: 1997 Bag - .286/.425; Bigg - .309/.415 1998 Bag - .309/.424; Bigg - .325/.403 1999 Bag - .304/.454; Bigg - .294/.386 2001 Bag - .288/.397; Bigg - .292/.382

E-Mann, we can look to Chicago's own South Side - as much as I detest the White Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen - he became a manager not long ago, and look at his results. I see no reason why basketball and baseball aren't comparable - coaching and leadership work in any field of endeavor - athletic and non-athletic

HORATIO: I do not agree that the Yanks "do not hold any cards" with A-Rod. There would be HEAVY interest and bidding from six or seven teams with large budgets. His numbers outside of the playoffs were still very good. The FA pickings at his star level (I am including his obvious talent PLUS his marquee value) are REALLY slim this year, man! It is like - love him or hate him - the Sosa syndrome where people would come to see HIM. CEO's love players like A-Rod - if he's traded - let's reproach the subject and see who is on target here.

E-Man: Not sure where you got those NLDS numbers from, here's what baseball-reference has: (BA/OBP/SLG) 1997 Bag - .083/.154/.083; Bigg - .083/.154/.083 1998 Bag - .143/.250/.143; Bigg - .182/.471/.273 1999 Bag - .154/.421/.154; Bigg - .105/.150/.105 2001 Bag - .429/.667/.429; Bigg - .167/.167/.167 With the exception of Bagwell in 2001, not too good.

LETSPLAY: Hoo Boy - O.K. here you go: In hoops TWO star players can win championships (see Michael Jordan/Scottie Pippen for examples of this). Not the same in baseball. 5 Players touching the ball many times in a game compared to 9 batters getting MAYBE 5 at bats in a 9 inning game. And, in the field, the number of chances during an entire game are a fraction of what a point guard, or starting forward might have, Where as a 30% success rate works in baseball it SUCKS in FG percentage in hoops - unless you're shooting threes. The value that coaching holds in basketball - strategy, practices, etc. is SECOND to MATCHUPS. Period. I am talking about how in a ono-on-one scenario, how they match up purely determines most of the time who wins games and series. In baseball, the ONLY matchup that matters is Pitcher to batter. The involvement, conditioning, training, that coaches employ are obviously much different in the two sports. Look at all the fat-ass baseball players (David Wells, Glendon Rusch) and you'll get what I mean. Sorry, but I just don't see it here.

IMSLACKER - ROB G: Sorry guys - You guys are right-on!! My Bad Well, I was looking at their SEASON STATS! What a "schmuck"! - they were PATHETIC for four years!!

E-man (dude), I'm pretty sure those are the regular season stats unless there were 162 games in the 1999 NLDS...

Oops, you beat me too it. So, then Dierker it is I guess!

Horatio is gonna spam TCR with A-Rod stuff for a while. He's not getting traded unless you pay through the nose for him. The Yanks are only on the hook for a portion of his salary, making him a bargain as one of the most productive IFer's in MLB. The cost would be high, even if you take on all of his Yankee-related celery.

BIG JOHN: He's not getting traded unless you pay through the nose for him. I would think not only money - but stud young pitchers. Would you agree?

E-Man - very interesting analogy. I'm not sure but my initial thought was maybe there's a better manager for the Cubs than Torre, Girardi, Showater, yada yada, yada Some managers are better with contending clubs, some are better at developing you players Not sure who the best manager for the Cubs is - except I'm positive it's not Showater or Piniella - no American League managers need apply Cubs need a lot of help from top management down - You need a great farm system for player develpment and trades You need an organization that gives your GM the resources he needs to develop the best personnel possible, and you need a manager and coaches to best develop what you have. Needless, to say the Cubs havefallen short in most of the above

I'm talking about the series themselves, not their numbers during the regular season. IM Slacker has the right numbers. They lost in the playoffs those years cause their best bats took a vacation. Maybe Dierker didn't keep them loose enough, maybe the Braves just have real good pitching, who really knows? Not like he dropped Bagwell to the 8th spot or something silly like that? Is Bobby Cox a bad manager cause he couldn't get out of the NLDS the last few tries? I don't think so... Ayway Dierker wrote a book, you can find here http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/074320400X/ussmar-20 I think he still does the Astros games as a broadcaster, doesn't he? Anyway here's some more stuff on him http://www.blissfulknowledge.com/archives/000572.html

didn't mean to rub it in E-man, it looks like it was figured out. Go Padres!

Yeah - ROB G: Re the "Book", he was doing the "circuit" and I heard him on one of our sports talk-radio stations. I believe that the book is about his "greatest" baseball players. They were beating him up for choosing Joe Morgan over Ryno (Not OUR Ryno), or something to that effect.

bochy is under contract in san diego? (question, not opinion)

Deirker no longer does color for Astros games. They have Milo Hamilton, Brett Dolan and Dave Raymond do radio; Bill Brown and Jim Deshaies do TV (yes, I live in Houston), leaving Larry Deirker free to manage the Chicago Cubs. Personally, I wouldn't mind having him as manager. He did a pretty good job with the Astros, I thought. But, for the love of god, please do not hire Jimy Williams. That guy was horrific! Weren't there some rumors about him when Dusty was supposedly being fired at the all star break?

bochy has a year left on his deal, there's whispers that Sandy Alderson (the new team prez) wants his own guy. Whoever that might be. Since Alderson is basically Billy Beane's mentor, I'd be a little worried on why he'd want to get rid of Bochy. There were also whispers that Hendry wanted Bochy in 2002 but the Padres weren't going to let him go. I'm guessing it would cost us something although I believe they got rid of player compensation for managers. Anyway Dierker's not coming here, I can't even recall the last time his name was mentioned for a job.

The one idea which could make sense if the Cubs are slow footing their decision on the next manager is the Cubs are setting themselves up to be sold. Ivy Chat floated this idea. If they are seriously thinking of selling the team then all the managers/coaches will be promoted from within. The Cubs are not going to throw a 3 year contract at Girardi or Pinella if the team is going to be sold within the next year because new management may not want them. Promoting from within makes it much easier for the new owner to clean house with his own people. They already started with McD and promoted his protege to his old job. If the Cubs hire Quade, then they are probably for sale. Just a theory, this off-season should tell us alot about which direction this franchise is going.

Good battle in St. L right now - I keep flipping back - 2-2 in the 6th...

The only Ramirez news... The Cubs are expected to make a decision on extending Ramirez's contract before he can exercise his opt-out clause and become a free agent two weeks after the World Series. Hendry has said he intends to keep Ramirez, and Ramirez has said he wants to stay a Cub. Ramirez undoubtedly will command more money for a long-term dealóhere or elsewhere. What? The Cubs haven't decided whether to keep him yet or not? But hey no hurry. While Ramirez is at his off-season home I am sure his agent is recieving phone calls from other organizations trying to convince him to opt out. No big deal, just the future of the franchise at stake. Take your time Hendry.

Thanks, Mike.

I'm not sure there is a "one-size-fits-all" answer to what the most important thing is that a manager does. Crunch feels that the most important role a manager plays is keeping peace in the clubhouse. Johann feels that the most important role a manager plays is drilling the players in the fundamentals. Every situation is different and the individual leadership abilities of the manager will dictate how successful they are in a given situation. For instance, as Crunch stated, Dusty is a players manager. He is good at what is known as affiliative leadership. He gets to know his players, makes them feel comfortable and this usually leads to clubhouse harmony. That's probably why Pierre and Ramirez were singing Dusty's praises at the same time we all saw the crazy moves Dusty was making and heard his nonsensical quotes. Dusty is good at building a sense of "family" even though he doesn't have a good handle on lineup construction. Joe Girardi appears to be good at drilling his players on the fundamentals. That was a necessary strength in Florida with all of the young players. Girardi also appears to have been good at building trust and loyalty among his players. If the reports out of South Florida are true (which I doubt), Giradi's weakness is that he is tone deaf to the political realities of being an employee. My point in all of this is that the manager's leadership abilities coupled with the situation in which those abilities are being used will determine the manager's likelihood of success. I don't think there is a manager that would thrive in every situation, so it's a good idea to hire a manager whose strengths match the given situation rather than just looking for a manager with a famous name.

wouldnt get too carried away with it...its just an article. its the safe view of a sportswriter, not a quote from hendry. "do you plan on retaining the services of aramis ramirez?" - reporter "lol! i dunno!" - hendry they obvious want him or he would have been gone months ago.

Just a quick question...does free agency start right after the World Series? And if it does, does that technically mean we could still trade Ramirez? I am just curious on that. I doubt it would happen, but I find that interesting.

HORATIO: Fucking Ned Flanders is at it again. Cardinals are looking like they're gonna close out the deal. I HATE them!

2 weeks after

Sweet Lou: Joe Girardi appears to be good at drilling his players on the fundamentals. I'm really torn on Girardi, on one side I like what he did with Florida this year, on the other, I don't want a manager drilling Ramirez or Lee for not sprinting on routine outs, drilling him for screwing up, or telling him he can't have facial hair.

You can file starting the day after the World Series and you have up to 15 days after. I have no idea on the trade rules. Who would give them anything if he could opt out though?

Yeah, E, I'm watching too. I just hope they get their asses handed to them by the Mets. I used to hate the Mets almost as much as I hate the Cards, but I just can't bring myself to hate Reyes, Wright, Beltran, Delgado, and LoDuca. I love all those guys.

Horatio: I just can't bring myself to hate Reyes, Wright, Beltran, Delgado, and LoDuca. I love all those guys. Yeah, the Met's call Shawn Green a number 7 hitter! That's when you know you have a good offense.

BJS -- I'm going to have to disagree with you about the likelihood of ARod being traded. I don't think the Yanks are going to give him away, but I do think they are in a position where they have to move him. It's obvious that the Yankee fans and media are never going to accept ARod, and the team can't afford to continue to let the media/fan uproar be a distraction in the clubhouse. The Yankees are in desperate need of pitching. Neither Mussina (a potential FA) or Johnson are the pitchers they once were, Liddle and Sturtz are going to be FA, and Pavano remains a question mark, which only leaves Wang and Wright. Even if they sign a FA pitcher, they are still going to need to make a trade or two to bolster their pitching staff. Moving ARod for some pitching could solve two of their problems at the same time.

I have an inferiority complex with anything N.Y. - even though I LOVE visiting and feeling the "buzz". It is just this overall attitude that New Yorkers have about their teams that drives me nuts. So, I can like the players, but want their teams to get their asses kicked - Mets, Yankees, Knicks, Jets, Giants - all of 'em!\ I liven through 1969 as passionate young Cub fan, too.

Since we're still speculating until Girardi is hired:)... I have not heard this name pop up anywhere, but is Bobby Valentine still looking for a gig back in the MLB? Last I recall he went to Japan, right? I'm not a fan of his, but it is a little curious that his name has not surfaced this off-season yet.

" I don't want a manager drilling Ramirez or Lee for not sprinting on routine outs," Lee does not belong in that sentence, and if you don't want a manager that expects routine hustle from his players, you just lost your ideal guy, I mean dude.

*Dierker's a sharp fella, but I think his ideas scare most of the people in baseball. He's a bit too cerebral for most players and GM's.* HA! Some of the losers here can't handle it when your COLOR COMMENTATOR is cerebral, so that would go over real well.

How much more "cerebral" can he be than Girardi, who holds an undergrad degree from NU in Engineering?

Hmmmm "No" acts alot like that guy "C" who didn't show his face anymore after making a dumb comment. Change names? Clever.

The only time I see Dierker's name mentioned it's by someone on this board. He is never mentioned as a canadite for any job. If you want a guy who can run a club that also seems to value people who get on base, then Bochy would be the guy available right?

*Hmmmm "No" acts alot like that guy "C" who didn't show his face anymore after making a dumb comment. Change names? Clever. Posted by: MikeC at October 9, 2006 12:10 AM * Oh, I did change my screen name, but not from "C". My email remains the same. Maybe if you're "cerebral" you can figure out my old screen name.

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    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...

  • crunch (view)

    pablo sandoval played 3rd and got a couple ABs (strikeout, single!) in the OAK@SF "exhibition"

    mlb officially authenticated the ball of the single he hit.  nice.

    he's in surprisingly good shape considering his poor body condition in his last playing seasons.  he's not lean, but he looks healthier.  good for him.