SB Nation - Brian Fuentes

Free Agent Profile: Jose Valverde

davoag — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:00:27 -0000

More photos » by Pat Sullivan - AP

Valverde found out how much money he could save with Geico...

I recently read these two posts on Sabernomics by JC Bradbury about free agency. They got me thinking about how the Astros crop of free agents fits into the market, what kinds of deals comparable players got last season and what we could expect the (former) hometown boys to get this winter. Thus, another mini-series of posts on free agency.

[Sidenote 1: It's also worth noting that our first profile, Valverde, plays a position where the number of players doesn't necessarily correspond to openings on teams. Relievers can market themselves as closers without having vacated that position, thus making for a possibly over-glutted market where some guys will have to sign for significantly less as setup men]

Just the other day, I argued that the Astros should not offer Jose Valverde arbitration. My thinking was that Houston would be on the hook for way too much money, since Valverde would most likely accept the arbitration offer to get a big payday (albeit a one-year payday).

This may or may not be a popular opinion around these parts, so I thought we could look at the 2008 offseason to see what kind of contracts closer got. I ran down the biggies, the Type A's and a few other contracts that are similar to Valverde's numbers. For reference, El Papa Grande earned 8 million in 2009 and pitched 54 1/3 innings, striking out 56 and walking 21. Valverde converted 25 of 29 save opportunities and gave up five home runs. FanGraphs puts his value at a solid 3 million.

[Sidenote 2: I am skeptical of how WAR rates relievers, but after combing through some of this data, it looks like it comes close to nailing down closers, at least. Take that for what it's worth in the rest of this article]

The Comparables

Francisco Rodriguez, RHP, New York Mets

Contract Details: 3 years, 37 million (2m bonus, 09-8.5m, 10-11.5m, 11, 11.5m, 12-17.5m option)

Notes: K-Rod was not worth his contract last season, earning a value of just 1.5 million. Though relievers are typically devalued in WAR, I found that this wasn't necessarily the case with closers. Plenty of the contemporaries on this list had good, valuable seasons in the past. For instance, K-Rod was worth 17 million from 2007 to 2008. Unfortunately, he picked the wrong year to get injured. This contract would appear to be the upper range of Valverde's money.

Kerry Wood, RHP, Cleveland Indians

Contract Details: 2 years, 20.5 million (09-10m, 10-10.5m, 11-11m option)

Notes: Wood was worth 1.9 million in 2009 after totaling 10 million in value the previous season. His contract seemed to be in line with that, though his performance didn't suggest it would continue. It should be noted that only one reliever got a three-year deal. The rest had to settle for two-year deals or one-year fliers.

Brian Fuentes, LHP, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Contract Details: 2 years, 17.5 million (09-8.5m, 10-9m, 11-9m option)

Notes: This would appear to be the kind of deal that makes sense for Valverde. Fuentes marked one of the few Type A closers that was both offered arbitration and signed with a team in the offseason. We'll get to a couple other examples in a minute, but for now, let's say Fuentes did much better n 2008 than Valverde did last season, but still couldn't land a deal longer than two years. His almost 9 million average is just above what Valverde earned in 2009, and would certainly be a starting place for any arbitration discussion.

The Other Type A's

Trevor Hoffman, RHP, Milwaukee Brewers

Contract Details: 1 year, 6 million (re-signed for 1 year, 8 million with an '11 option of 7 million)

Notes: Hoffman shows the other side of the coin for Valverde. The Padres did not offer Hoffman arbitration heading into last offseason, meaning a team would not have to give up draft picks to sign him. Despite coming off an injury-plagued season, the Brewers gave Hoffman a 6 million dollar tryout in 2009. The venerable saves champ was worth 6.7 million last season, so he performed to the contract and was rewarded with another one year deal.

Juan Cruz, RHP, Kansas City Royals

Contract Details: 2 years, 6 million (09-2.25m, 10-3.25m, 11-4m option)

Notes: Cruz was a surprise sign as a Type A free agent, since he had the heaviest cost, yet wasn't a closer. Of course, he was not good at all in 50 relief innings for the Royals this season, but this is Dayton Moore we're talking about. He'll do anything. As the quirkiest signing of last winter, Cruz fits right in. How much his situation will impact Valverde's is less clear. Cruz wasn't used the same way and didn't have the same relative value. Still, he got a contract in line with many middle relievers that will form the base of the reliever market.

The Outlier

Kyle Farnsworth, RHP, Kansas City Royals

Contract Details: 2 years, 9.5 million (09-4.25m, 10-4.5m, 11-5.25m option)

Notes: What did I say about Moore? He gave a 9.5 million dollar contract to Kyle Farnsworth, he of the ever-straight 150 MPH fastball. Of course, Trey Hillman felt obliged to use him in bizarre situations, confounding guys like Rob Neyer and Joe Posnanski. Farnsworth probably earned more money last season than he should have, but he was still worth 3 million, according to FanGraphs. That's also what Valverde was worth, as a point of reference.

Non-Free Agents of Note

Ryan Franklin, RHP, St. Louis Cardinals

Contract Details: 2 years, 6.5 million (signed Sept. 1, 2009)

Notes: Franklin saved 38 games for the Cardinals in 2009, but will be heading into his Age 37 season. The Cardinals wisely locked him up for a reasonable 6.5 million over two seasons. That significantly lowers the salary precedent for a guy like Valverde, though, as his agent will have to work off a contract like Soria's to get comparable numbers.

Heath Bell, RHP, San Diego Padres

Contract Details: 1 year, 1.25 million (2008)

Notes: Bell will be due a big raise in 2010, since he led the NL with 42 saves in 2009. Heading into another year of arbitration, the Padres may decide a closer is not a luxury they're willing to splurge on, making Bell tradeable. I'd expect him to fetch anywhere between 4-6 million in arbitration, so that's the number a team's looking at if they go and get Bell. That also means Bell would be that much cheaper than a guy like Valverde on the open market.

Forecast for Valverde

El Papa Grande is one of nine different pitchers who could market themselves as closers this offseason, including Billy Wagner, J.J. Putz, Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyons. Now, most people would argue that Valverde is the best of the crop, but that also carries a price. We can surmise from last year's market that even Valverde will not get more than a three year deal, and that his ceiling is probably around 10 million. Coming off an injury plagued season, though, means his market will be compressed slightly. Add to that the more reasonable deals signed by Joakim Soria (3 years, 8.75 million) and Franklin, and Valverde will be lucky to get 8m per season. In arbitration, though? The Astros risk paying him anywhere from 3 million to 11 million next season if they offer arb. and he accepts. Given that Wade will have around 15-17 million to work with, is it worth eating up that much of the budget for a closer?

My assumption is the Astros will decline to offer him arbitration and he will sign a two year deal for somewhere around 18 million, with a possible third year option for 10 million. I won't guess who'd give him that contract, but looking at both the market and last year's offseason, those numbers seem right.

ALCS Game 6 Postponed

Rev Halofan — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:06:03 -0000

More photos » by Julie Jacobson - AP

about 1 month ago: New York Yankees' Alex Rodriguez puts pine tar on his baseball bat before batting practice Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, at Yankee Stadium in New York. The Yankees are scheduled to play the Los Angeles Angels in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

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Is there a disturbance in the force, Sith-Rod?

The NY POST is reporting that ALCS Game 6 has been RAINED OUT and is postponed. The game will be played SUNDAY, first pitch at 5:20 PM Pacific Time. Game 7 is scheduled for Monday at 4:57 PM our time.

From all reports, the Yankees will stick with Andy Pettitte to start Game 6 as scheduled. The Angels have given no indication that it will be anyone but Joe Saunders starting Game 6. The possibility of bringing John Lackey back to start Game 7 on three days rest to face CC Sabathia will be the subject of much consideration should the Angels be victorious on Sunday.

If you are hanging out online tonight, Giguere says he is 100%, go visit ANAHEIM CALLING, the new SBN Ducks Blog!

Bronx Weather Link - Live TWITTER UPDATES from the NY Post in the Bronx Pressbox

Sunday Night Forecast: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Northwest winds around 5 mph.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. East winds around 5 mph.

TONIGHT'S Forecast: Rain with isolated thunderstorms in the evening...then a chance of rain after midnight. Some thunderstorms may produce gusty winds and heavy rainfall in the evening. Breezy with lows in the mid 50s. South winds 15 to 20 mph...becoming northwest 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Chance of rain near 100 percent.

Poll

Since the Game has been Called, Where Are You Going Tonight?

I will just stay home

219 votes

Hang with friends at a bar or someone's pad

120 votes

My Hook Up is None of Your Business

137 votes

476 votes | Poll has closed

Angels Stayin' Alive, Happy B-Day John Lackey: Friday Halolinks

WiHaloFan — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:44:13 -0000

More photos » by Lenny Ignelzi - AP

"Were you worried? I wasn't worried! Okay, maybe a little bit."

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Angels keep their season going with Game 5 victory -- latimes.com
"Man, it could be 2 degrees, snowing and hailing, and we'll play," Angels center fielder Torii Hunter said. "It's going to be wet. It's going to be soggy. I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be exciting." It would be hard to imagine the Angels and Yankees packing more excitement into nine innings than they did Thursday night.

Angels rally and survive late scare to win Game 6, 7-6. - OCRegister.com
For six innings, Lackey was the Angels’ man on the wall. He cruised into the seventh inning with a 4-0 lead only to run into the kind of moment that would have haunted the Angels all winter, replacing last fall’s failed squeeze bunt as the most controversial decision of Mike Sciosica’s managerial career.

Angels rally for three in seventh, push Yankees to Game 6 - CBSSports.com
Mere moments after the Los Angeles Angels unleashed their leaping, screeching, rambunctious Rally Monkey on the scoreboard, they erased a late deficit and saved their season. Surely that monkey business was just a coincidence. He's just a marketing gimmick, a video star and a plush toy -- right?

Team Reports - CBSSports.com
Manager Mike Scioscia made one minor change to his batting order for Game 5, moving slumping LF Juan Rivera down one spot to seventh against RHP A.J. Burnett. With LHP Andy Pettitte scheduled to start Game 6, he might consider some more significant changes. "We're going to absorb this one," Scioscia said. "We'll talk as a staff and see where we're going to go."

Video highlights from last night's game:

TV, radio calls for the Halos' first frame - MLB.com
TV and radio broadcasters make the call for the Angels' four-run first inning

Lackey fans seven Yanks in 6 2/3 innings - MLB.com
John Lackey strikes out seven Yankees in 6 2/3 innings of work

Angels score three in the seventh - MLB.com
The Angels retake the lead by scoring three in the seventh inning

Weaver blanks the Yanks in the eighth - MLB.com
Potential Game 7 starter Jered Weaver pitches a scoreless eighth in relief, striking out two

TV, radio calls for final out - MLB.com
TV and radio calls for the final out of Game 5 between the Yankees and Angels

Halos hold on to send it back to the Bronx - MLB.com
Daily Recap: The Halos, who rallied for a three-run seventh, kept their season going by beating the Yanks in Game 5 of the ALCS

Game 5 Highlights and interviews - MLB.com

After Thrill of Angels’ Game 5 Victory, a Rush of Relief - NYTimes.com
"I’ve got a headache," said Torii Hunter, who came off the field after the Yankees scored six runs in the seventh inning and slammed his glove in the dugout. "I got gray hair, if I let my hair grow out." Of course, Hunter wore a huge smile, too, one that was shared around the clubhouse.

Angels, Brian Fuentes survive adventurous ninth - Joe Posnanski - SI.com
The Yankees' first three hitters in the inning were Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez -- and yes, just those three hitters made a combined $65 million this year, more than six teams in the big leagues.

Angels' rally gives them second life - CBSSports.com
The night was already overstuffed with raw nerves and jangly emotions. And Angels manager Mike Scioscia still went ahead and replaced hot new set-up man Jered Weaver with closer Brian Fuentes to start the ninth. Why not just signal the ushers to pass out Maalox to the 45,113 screaming themselves hoarse in Angels Stadium?

Scioscia on a tightrope - Angels Unplugged - Los Angeles Times
After the Angels failed to score with another mini-rally, it was the top of the ninth, and Scioscia, needing a victory to stave off elimination, had yet another major decision.

Los Angeles Angels rescue manager from scrutiny with win in ALCS Game 5 - ESPN
But for Southern California baseball fans and Internet second-guessers, two decisions by Scioscia would have made for bountiful talk-show fodder if the Angels' season had ended Thursday. Ron Gardenhire, Terry Francona, Jim Tracy, Tony La Russa and Joe Torre are all sitting at home, but Scioscia lives to manage another day because his closer, Brian Fuentes, was slightly less of a train wreck than two of the relievers who preceded him.

Drama, strategy gaffes frame Game 5's wild inning - Stan McNeal - MLB - Sporting News
In the inning, every player but one in both lineups went to bat. The Yankees' Nick Swisher batted twice, and made two outs. At least one glove was thrown in the Angels' dugout ("I was (upset)," Torii Hunter said. At least one pitcher (John Lackey) lost his cool. Four pitching changes were made, one too early and one not early enough.

Angels refuse to go into that good night with 7-6 win - USATODAY.com
Still, in a postseason where every series has been a rout, this one now has a clear whiff of uncertainty. "Anything's possible," Hunter said. "We're grinders. That's what we do." Thursday was the kind of victory that can make a team believe. If the Angels win Game 6, it'll be a tense Sunday in the Bronx.

Opinion: Wild 7th inning is 45 minutes of high drama - nbcsports.msnbc.com
"Nine runs in one inning. That doesn't happen in the postseason," said Angels reliever Kevin Jepsen, who gave up a two-run triple to Robinson Cano that allowed the Yankees to take a two-run lead after they began the inning trailing 4-0.

Saunders heads to Bronx with momentum - angelsbaseball.com
"Well, they are the favorites," Saunders said. "But after this [Game 5 win], we've obviously got a lot of confidence, a lot of momentum. We're going to be ready to play. It's going to be the usual Yankee hostile environment. They're going to be all over us. It's going to be a good battle."

Fack Youk Exclusive: A Conspiracy
As you may be aware, Fack Youk has been involved in a bit of a blogowar with a certain Angels' blog whom I refuse to name or link to any longer given the sheer amount of garbage they've spewed over the past week.

This is a pretty good Yankee's blog which, although they're not too impressed with Halos Heaven, I encourage you to visit.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Frank McCourt fires wife Jamie as CEO - SI.com
"Jamie was disappointed and saddened by her termination," Jamie McCourt's lawyer Dennis Wasser said. "As co-owner of the Dodgers, she will address this and all other issues in the court room."

This is going to get UGLY!

October 23 - BR Bullpen
Events, births and deaths that occurred on October 23.
Happy birthday to 2009 ALCS Game Five Should-Have-Been-Winner: 1978 - John Lackey, pitcher; All-Star

Poll

Should Jered Weaver have stayed in the game and pitched the 9th?

No, it worked out fine with Fuentes

185 votes

Yes, he was dominating the Yanks

591 votes

776 votes | Poll has closed

Wednesday Rockpile: Rockies want Street long term

Rox Girl — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:54:47 -0000

More photos » by Elise Amendola - AP

Brian Fuentes says that there aren't enough celebratory man-hugs in Colorado.

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Among Troy Renck's notes, which include tidbits about Scott Boras as well as two of his clients with Rockies connections in Matt Holliday and Carlos Gonzalez, plus an update on former Padres GM Kevin Towers, he mentions running into Brian Fuentes at the ALCS and in passing notes that the Rockies are looking into signing closer Huston Street to a multi-year deal. Street would be eligible for free agency after the 2010 season, so this would seem to be a departure from the club's usual arbitration buyout plus an option year, and a strong indicator that the club won't be going through a fire sale and rebuild any time soon. Of course, Holliday would be a good example that there are limits to the Monforts' generosity when it comes to contracts, and some players clearly are still out of the Rockies range and a few others still see themselves that way.

The news also seems to put Street in a core category as far as Dan O'Dowd's blueprint for the team over the next few seasons, and bullpen stability in general is also a noted departure from the first five years of his tenure as Rockies GM. Colorado does seem to be stockpiling some young bullpen arms. If Taylor Buchholz and Corpas can return strong from lost seasons and join Street, Matt Daley and Franklin Morales, the Rockies would seem to be well situated in relief over the next two seasons, particularly if Casey Weathers proves worthy of his hype.

Fuentes' statement to Renck is also somewhat enlightening,

"I came here to be in the playoffs. There is an expectation to win," Fuentes said. "They were just starting to develop that in Colorado when I left. It takes time, but obviously they are on the right track."

There's no longer a filter for Brian of having to be nice to the hand that writes the paychecks as far as the Rockies are concerned, so you can read a little more into his statement. The "just starting when I left..," phrase echoes similar statements I've read by other former Rockies that have left the team in the last three or four seasons, including Holliday, IIRC. In player code, this still puts Colorado cleanly in the second division. It's not a backwater dive where a veteran player feels they're at the end of their run, unwanted and trying to hang on to the last vestiges of their career, but for some reason, it's not yet a glittering beacon drawing them in for the chance of post season glory, either.

This means that despite having a better record and more post season appearances over the last five years than Atlanta or San Francisco, for instance, the Rockies still seem to be perceived among players in some respect as an inferior quality professional organization. Maybe I'm reading too much into Fuentes' words, as the Angels clearly are a step ahead of the Rockies right now, but the other teams he was most interested in signing with last season, the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals, are not when it comes to the results that matter. And since it's not just Fuentes that says it, but other players, I'm seeing it as a little more credible as a prevailing notion.

Obviously, I think this gets fixed by repetition of success. For 2010, there needs to be an expectation within the Rockies and among fans that they return to the post season. In fact, I think beating the Dodgers and winning the NL West are almost a necessity if the franchise really wants to elevate itself to that next tier.

Closers Struggling This Postseason

Eric Stephen — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:14:16 -0000

More photos » by Rob Carr - AP

At this exact moment, the Dodgers still had the lead last night.

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If there is one trend this postseason, it might be the blown save. Jonathan Broxton was the latest to fall victim to it, last night, as Jimmy Rollins smoked a two-run double to turn a potential tied series into a commanding 3-1 series lead. But Broxton is not alone this October. Closers have entered a playoff game in a save situation 16 times so far this offseason, and six times they have blown the lead, a stark contrast to last season:

Closers in Save Situations, 2008-2009 Playoffs
Year	Sv	BSv	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	ERA	FIP	WHIP	BA/OBP/SLG
2008	15	3	22.2	14	5	5	7	32	1.99	2.40	0.926	.177/.241/.304
2009	10	6	15.0	19	14	12	13	8	7.20	6.62	2.133	.302/.429/.460

In addition to Broxton, the blown saves are spread out among six of the eight playoff teams. Alex Rodriguez is responsible for two of them, with game-tying home runs in separate games off Joe Nathan and Brian Fuentes. The Angels scored the first runs ever allowed in the postseason by Jonathan Papelbon while eliminating the Red Sox. The Dodgers benefited from Ryan Franklin's wildness (and Matt Holliday's gaffe) in the NLDS.

Mariano Rivera is one of the two playoff closers without a blown save this year, which doesn't come as much of a surprise since his plaque in Cooperstown should probably say "greatest closer ever" or something close to that. The only other unblemished closer this postseason has been Brad Lidge, who was easily the most blemished during the regular season, with his 11 blown saves and 7.21 ERA.

With the wound from last night's game still fresh, I don't know if this is comforting or not. But just know that Broxton isn't alone in struggling this offseason. Misery has plenty of company.

Angels Bangin' With Bucks: Wednesday Halolinks

WiHaloFan — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:11:57 -0000

More photos » by Jae C. Hong - AP

"I get all of my Angels news at Halos Heaven"

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MLB postseason schedule, baseball playoff TV listings 2009 - SI.com
League Championship Series American League
Game 1: Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees | Friday, Oct. 16, 7:57 p.m. (FOX)
Game 2: Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees | Saturday, Oct. 17, 7:57 p.m. (FOX)
Game 3: New York Yankees at Los Angeles Angels | Monday, Oct. 19, 4:13 p.m. (FOX)
Game 4: New York Yankees at Los Angeles Angels | Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7:57 p.m. (FOX)
Game 5*: New York Yankees at Los Angeles Angels | Thursday, Oct. 22, 7:57 p.m. (FOX)
Game 6*: Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees | Saturday, Oct. 24, 4:13 p.m. (FOX)
Game 7*: Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees | Sunday, Oct. 25, 8:20 p.m. (FOX)

ALCS matchup: Yankees vs. Angels - Stan McNeal - Sporting News
The Angels this decade have been to the Yankees what the Red Sox had been to the Angels: a postseason roadblock. New York has the sluggers and the starters to reverse its L.A. fortunes, but the Angels are brimming with confidence after finally beating their nemesis.

Torii's Storiis: How sweet it is!
"I've never been a part of a game that felt any better than this. The way we came back, the way we just refused to go down, it was just amazing to be in the middle of something like that."

Angels continue heavenly ascent without Sabathia, Teixeira - CBSSports.com
No regrets ... as long as Teixeira and Sabathia don't do any better against the Angels in the ALCS than they did against them during the regular season. In 10 meetings with the Angels this year, Teixeira batted just .225, didn't hit a home run and drove in just two runs. In two starts against the Angels, Sabathia was 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA.

Halos get bang for their 'Teixeira bucks' - angelsbaseball.com
While you can't always get what you want, you just might find you get what you need. With the $20 million they had budgeted for Teixeira, who accepted $22.5 million a year for eight years from the Yankees, the Angels honed in on outfielders and a closer. Signing Juan Rivera ($3.25 million), Bobby Abreu ($6 million with incentives met) and Brian Fuentes ($8.5 million), the Angels committed $17.75 million to three performers who would play pivotal roles in the club's ascension to a third consecutive American League West title.

Angels, Yanks could be one for the ages - FOX Sports on MSN
Get ready for one hell of an ALCS. You've got the two largest media markets in play, you've got bi-coastal tribalism, you've got two candidates for "Team of the Decade" honors, you've got two thunderous offenses, and — most of all — you've got the two best teams in baseball.

Quick Hits: Peterson on pitching, roster decisions and the ALCS sked - River Avenue Blues
Interesting video breaking down the Yankees' pitchers

The real Figgins is ALCS key - Angels Unplugged - Los Angeles Times
"I actually thought I was in good rhythm against the Red Sox," said Figgins at the team's practice at Angel Stadium today. "Really, I felt good at the plate. They just kept making good pitches on me." If he felt good, he didn't look good. His regular line-drive stroke was missing and he took far too many called strikes.

ALCS Preview: Is Bobby Abreu Fast? - FanGraphs Baseball
Abreu’s basic counting stats are those of a legitimate stolen base threat. Abreu stole 30 bases this year and has averaged 28.4 SB since 1998, when he became a full-timer with the Phillies. Over the same span, he’s averaged only 9.1 CS, good for a 75.8% success rate — above any break-even point you’d care to use.

Joe has plan for Halos on wheels - NY Post
Joe Girardi was adamant that he doesn’t want his pitchers worrying much about the Angels on the basepaths. But he does plan to try a few ideas to prevent the Angels from stealing a boatload of bases in the ALCS. "The focus when you play the Angels is not to get wrapped up in their running game, because they’re going to run," Girardi said on a conference call yesterday. "The bottom line is that you have to keep making pitches, and when your focus is so much on the running game, you don’t make the pitches that you need to make. "Moving forward, we’ll talk to our pitchers about that like we did the last series, and we’ll do things to try to curb their running game."

No changes in umpiring ... or anything else - SweetSpot by Rob Neyer - ESPN
I'm bringing this subject up (again) for one reason: to explain why we're not going to see more video review in the foreseeable future. We're not going to see it because nothing happens in Major League Baseball without the commish's assent, and the commish is finished with this one.

George Castle - Bench Jockey – Is baseball afraid of competing with football? - True/Slant
Baseball does the scheduling equivalent of a lambada dance to avoid going directly against college football on Saturday afternoons and the NFL on Sundays with its postseason presentation. The fear, with some justification, is that the grand ol’ game will be swamped in the TV ratings by the football colossus on both weekend days.

No camouflaging his loyalty to the Angels -- latimes.com
Michael Turner was scrambling to keep up with his Angels. His only option was his computer. He was hunched over the screen, reading that Vladimir Guerrero had put the ball in play, watching an arc that represented the ball flying from home plate toward center field. "I started yelling, 'Drop, drop, drop!' " Turner said. "Finally, it did."

October 14 - BR Bullpen
Events, births and deaths that occurred on October 14.
2002 - Light hitting second baseman Adam Kennedy becomes the fifth player to hit three home runs in a postseason game, helping the Anaheim Angels to secure the first World Series berth in the franchise's 42-year history. Using a ten-run seventh inning, Anaheim beats the Minnesota Twins 13 - 5 to win the ALCS in five games.
Happy birthday - 1954 - Willie Aikens, infielder

Poll

Do you think baseball should implement Instant Replay for disputed calls?

Yes

76 votes

Yes, but not for balls and strikes

216 votes

No

93 votes

Other (comment below)

5 votes

390 votes | Poll has closed

Looking back, looking forward: Rocktober Rumination

RockiesMagicNumber — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:54:31 -0000

Thia ain't over yet, Todd. You'll get another shot at it.

View full size photo »

I'm tired.

Monday night I quietly rode the AF bus home from the Market Street station, listening to a couple people casually talking about the game, mispronouncing names and referring to critical players as "that guy" or "that one player who hit it". At this point, I'm rolling my eyes, but I'm not going to interject them and tell them what was really up. I've been doing that all season. I'm the Rockies guy. Everyone asks me about trades, the roster, "what's up with the pitching?" etc. In fact, after Game 1 in Philly, I showed up to a class for my Master's program about 10 minutes late, and the professor said, "I'm so sorry". No admonishment, no note of late attendance, but rather sympathy.

No, the season is over. I'm not the Rockies guy tonight. I'll let them have their conversation without bothering them. Instead, I just clicked on the light on up above me and went back to my book, "The Soul of Baseball: A Road Trip through Buck O'Neil's America". It's a nice, quiet book about Buck O'Neil's experiences in baseball, and his experiences as an African-American living in the US during the time when he played baseball. It's a good book to ease a heart aching from a long season cut too short.

I woke up Tuesday morning and it was one of the first really dark mornings we've had this fall. I wondered what time it was, if I'd woken up too early, etc. I showered, ate, dressed, and headed out to my car, and the sky was dark and overcast, gloomy, unhappy, ready for winter. It's kind of amusing how the weather and the season coincided: an overcast gloomy morning, no sun in sight, and Rockies baseball has ended for the year.

It does sort of feel like our joy has left, the team and sport that get us all excited and giddy every summer, the sport that makes me suddenly get all snobbish to other sports fans. Now it's done, I feel like the guy in that Colorado state lottery ad, where he's at Invesco, and the Raiders fans make him go up top, and he sits down all dejectedly and defeated. That's how I feel right now, like I have to give up and go to the Pepsi Center or Invesco or something and slump down into a box seat to try and root for teams I really don't care about anymore (the Avs are somewhat an exception: I half-care about them) and join the teeming masses who just don't GET why I'm kind of bummed out now, they're just ready to go root for another Denver team who's winning at the moment.

But it isn't the same, the Broncos, the Avs, the Nuggets - they're not the Rockies. The Broncos, Nuggets, Avs - they seem to be built on hype, on loud noises, on good will from championships past. Sure, we had 2007, but how much of the bandwagon dissipated as the festering horde of Red Sox fans crowded the seats around home plate chanting "RE-SIGN LOWELL! RE-SIGN LOWELL!"?

More past the jump

Such a contrast from 2007. (As I'm typing this, The Way I Are by Timbaland just came up on my iPod.) Atkins is a shadow of his former self, Hawpe sat, Fogg watched, and Jamey Carroll is whiling the days away in Cleveland.

Instead, we have the future of Colorado Outfield Dominance in Gonzalez, a raw but intriguing Fowler, and a gem of a quiet star in Seth Smith, not to mention hope for Ian Stewart. The bullpen today is filled with strikeout artists and specialists, a pitcher for every situation. The bench features 2007 starters and Jason Giambi. It's more complete, deeper, and more dangerous.

We need to be ready to move on. Rocktober is going to be our gimmick for decades to come, but the Rocktober crew has more or less headed down the trail. This new generation of players is here, and these are the guys that are going to carry us to glory.

The thing is, the 2009 postseason, for me, wasn't Rocktober. I mean, sure, that's what all the signs and the newspapers and the towels and street signs said, that it was Rocktober, but this really wasn't Rocktober to me. To me, Rocktober was the absolute magic and heart and gumption and whatever forces of nature and the supernatural shoved us through the month of September and caused us to sweep our way to the World Series.

Rocktober was the first time in years that Rockies fans could watch a game any given day and expect to win, rather than simply hope and then be surprised. Rocktober was the little guy finally fighting back. Rocktober wasn't sustained success, that's just the Rockies. Rocktober was this club bursting into a scene where we didn't belong and saying "Hey, you'd best watch out, because we're coming".

Rocktober was the proof that O'Dowd's plan worked. A nearly homegrown roster catching absolute fire and sweeping their way to the World Series. Rocktober was about the first wave of guys who really weren't supposed to make it, who would need one revision to bring up the Fowlers and the Stewarts and Jimenezes. Then we'd make it. This was the roster that played so well for about half the season to make up for a poor beginning, and then finding themselves behind the pack, ignited everything they had left and inexplicably kept on winning.

Rocktober was a garbage sac fly in the 13^th inning. Rocktober was a slapped pinch-hit single through the 1B hole by a power hitting bench player to score a runner from 3B. Rocktober was a 3-run shot in pouring October rain. Rocktober was a headfirst slide. Rocktober was "they just...don't...lose" and they didn't. It was a team from the moon who had just installed a humidor who played world-class defense and nobody knew much else about them. A Canadian soft-tossing southpaw, 2 rookies, and a Dragon Slayer who seemed to find the W against the cream of the competition. Superstition, speed, camaraderie, controversy: that's Rocktober.

"But the Rockies are in the postseason - isn't that Rocktober?" Well, I guess it can be. When the jumbotron is coaching the fans to cheer "ROCK...TOBER" to loud beats, it feels as if the people in marketing grabbed the creative nickname that seemed to materialize from excitement alone in 2007 and now they're flooding the Denver sports market with this slogan as if this were an election year for a postseason berth. Whatever happened to "GO...ROCKIES"?

2007 was a magical season. 2009 was a deserved season. But it almost seemed as if those in charge were working to make 2009 reclaim the magic of 2007. Atkins at 3B. Yorvy behind the plate. Morales in the bullpen.

But it's just not the same. Holliday was Bucknering up another series. Francis and Corpas were on the DL. Kaz Matsui was golfing. That magic just wasn't there, and it's the kind of magic you just can't recreate, no matter how many towels you hand out and no matter how many places you paste the word Rocktober around town.

I'm not really advocating that the slogan Rocktober not be used anymore. I'm not. It's fun. It's a word the nation recognizes and Denver rallies around. But clinching the playoffs 3 days out and having meaningless games (relative to a postseason berth) takes some of the fire out, the momentum. No, friends, what we saw in October of 2009 was the Colorado Rockies. Not Rocktober. The Rockies who lost in 4 were the Real Deal. We got there legitimately, and we were beaten legitimately.

It sounds trite, but this is what real teams do. They work hard, they play hard, they win some, they lose some. We just had the best season in franchise history, the pitching staff we've been dreaming of for years, where our #5 was actually our #5, and not our #2. A legitimate closer, despite his late collapse. Midseason trades that fortified the roster this year, not next year. Desperation moves to keep the rotation in order and keep us winning. This team played and was run like a real team is, a winning team. This wasn't Rocktober.

No, Rocktober is a thing of legend. Something to tell your kids about, how a team of young players with a few mixed-in veterans, some bordering on washed up already, some just starting their careers. rookies, journeymen, and a man whose mother petitioned God for a win. That's Rocktober. It made a splash, made us an anomaly that could improbably resurrect and inexplicably win. Now we're a team poised to remain a yearly threat to play again.

So what do I call this? This thing our team is now?

I call it successful.

It's Tuesday afternoon now. I just boarded the AF bus, not 24 hours after the loss. I rode the mall ride, and without surprise, I saw roughly zero people wearing Rockies gear, about as much as I'd expect to see any day. As the AF emerges from the Market Street Station's underground garage, I glance out the window. The light poles have CU Football banners on them, and the town is back to regular downtown colors, no longer a purple festival.

I crack open my book to spend a bit of time learning about how much Buck O'Neil loved Jazz music. The bus rumbles past a few shaded buildings, and we approach Auraria Parkway. As I look back toward Coors Field, I squint a bit at the reflected glare off of a street sign, and lower my sunglasses off of my forehead over my eyes.

It's just too bright out there.

from Photobucket user UNCBears21

Fantasy Baseball: 2010 AL Closer Dynasty/Keeper Rankings

Ian, yo — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:05:47 -0000

More photos » by Nam Y. Huh - AP

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1. Mariano Rivera- Another year older, another year of a sub 2.00 ERA. I do think Mo's age will catch up with him one day, whether it be in the form of injury or inefective-itis, but I don't think that will be 2010. I think Rivera will have another season of 35+ saves and excellent peripherals.

2. Joe Nathan- Had a career high 47 saves and while he had the highest ERA in 4 years, a 2.10, isn't really all that bad. Look for an ERA around 2 with 35+ saves again and a K/9 possibly hovering over 10.

3. Jonathan Papelbon- Numbers close to career averages except a BB/9 of over 3, which is the highest since he'd been put in the closer role. Boston fans seem fed up with him and the Sox have a closer in waiting in Daniel Bard. Don't be surprised to hear Papelbon's name floated in trade rumors.

4. Joakim Soria- Posted the highest K/9 in his career and saved 30 games while missing time in 2009. Expect another season with peripherals hovering in the same area but don't be surprised to see another year with a low save total.

5. David Aardsma- Career highs across the board, including innings pitched. This will be the first time Aardsma has played back to back seasons in the same city, which could help his cause extremely and maybe provide the consistency needed.

6. Brian Fuentes- Had the most saves in baseball in 2009, but had a large drop in K/9 and a spike in whip (1.40 with a career of 1.26) He may get you a high total, but it may not be pretty.

7. Andrew Bailey- Logged 83.1 innings as a rookie so you can definitely see a regression. A regression could be a jump in whip and ERA, but expect the K's to be there.

8. J.P. Howell/Other- The closer situation in Tampa is a bit sketchy, but I don't feel confident with any of the closers left on this list, so Howell gets this by default. Keep in mind that the Rays could go out and get a closer in free agency or trade (hint: Billy Wagner.) If they do, that person would likely be number eight still.

9. Frank Francisco- Spent many weeks on the DL in the 2009 season, and had an ERA floating on the high end of the 3's. Possibly due to the injuries. I'm fine taking a closer on a solid offensive team this late.

10. Bobby Jenks/Matt Thornton/Other- Whispers have been spreading about Kenny Williams sending a letter mentioning his veterans being available in trades and Jenks was fairly disappointing in 2009. Thornton has the stuff to be a nasty closer and 2010 could be the season it happens.

Yankees Batters vs. Angels Pitchers

Rev Halofan — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:45:49 -0000

Here is a brief, almost random rundown on some matchups that the Angels are best left to closely examine before they face the Yankees on Friday night for game 1 of the ALCS. As my Yankee-loving friend Roy Grillo said the other day on Facebook: We guarantee that Alfonso Soriano doesn't take the field in this series.

Hideki Matsui versus:

Joe Saunders: 1 for 1, 1 HR

Jason Bulger: 1 for 2, 1 HR

Godzilla can bang Lefties and Righties.

Derek Jeter versus:

Ervin Santana: 10 for 23, 2 HR

Joe Saunders: 7 for 15, 1 HR

John Lackey: 15 for 44, 1 HR

~~Probably~~ Definitely more annoying to opposing pitchers than Figgins has been lately...

Alex Rodriguez versus:

Jered Weaver: 5 for 15, 4 HR

Joe Saunders: 7 for 14, 2 HR

Brian Fuentes: 1 for 2, 1 HR

Jason Bulger: 1 for 1, 1 HR

Probably want to avoid throwing fastballs down the middle or hanging a curveball on a tee.

Poll

Angels Starters for ALCS Games 1 and 2

Lackey and Weaver

172 votes

Lackey and Kazmir, Weaver pitches best at home

266 votes

Kazmir and Saunders, Lefties have an edge in Yankee Stadium

41 votes

Palmer and Quinlan. Dude, nobody will have scouted them, Shhhh.

59 votes

538 votes | Poll has closed

Five Mid-Series Questions with Halos Heaven

Randy Booth — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:00:46 -0000

More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP

Boston Red Sox's Hideki Okajima walks back to the clubhouse from the dugout through a cloud of smoke after the Red Sox loss 4-1 to the Los Angeles Angels in Game 2 of the American League division baseball series Friday, Oct. 9, 2009 in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

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Down 0-2 in the series, I figured, "Hey, how about I ask Rev Halofan from Halos Heaven some questions?" It seemed like a good idea at 2 a.m.

Rev's ridiculous and unfiltered answers after the jump (OK, so maybe there's a hint of sensationalism in that sentence. Sue me).

OTM: The Angels stole their first base in game two. All the experts predicted the Angels would "run wild" over the Sox. Is this somewhat a surprise, or did you expect this?

Because most analysts cannot pinpoint Mike Sciosica's managing, they find the baserunning and fixate on it. This team does not live by speed alone.

OTM: So, word on the street was that the Angels' bullpen sucked. What happened? Who lied?

It was a work in progress and Scioscia finally found the right way to tinker with it... but it is STILL a work in progress.

OTM: How good is this Angels team compared to any other postseason team in the past 10 years?

Best starters, best overall offense although with less pop than 2002 but all around situational the best, best defense, bullpen is the worst Sciosica has ever had and it is scotch taped up every night in a slightly different permutation by Scioscia.

OTM: Finish the sentence: "If the Angels lose the next three games, I, Rev HaloFan, will ________________."

Be blaming Brian Fuentes.

OTM: Predict game five. Don't hold back, either.

Against the Yankees or the Rockies?

I tried to be optimistic by asking him to predict game five. He had none of that.