SB Nation - Jae Kuk Ryu

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Ryan — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 03:48:56 -0000

More photos » by David J. Phillip - AP

~~Edward Mujica~~

Traded RHP ~~Edward Mujica~~ to the San Diego Padres for a Player to be Named Later

Once upon a time, this right-handed reliever dominated minor-league hitters; in 2006, he gave up 0 earned runs in a 19-inning stretch in Akron, then did very well in Buffalo (33 IP, 29 SO, 5 BB), and finished off his season with a solid 18.3 innings with the Indians.

After that things just weren't same. He got several opportunities for spot work in 2007, but didn't stick around long for any of them. Last season his stays were longer, not because he was any better, but because everyone else in the bullpen was just as bad.

Now he's gone, and largely forgotten, traded appropriately for a player to be named later. He was out of options, and was knocked around pretty good in Spring Training (10.0 IP, 13 H, 9 ER, 5 HR), so the only questions left to be answered were how and when the Indians would part ways with him.

Assigned RHP Vinnie Chulk to Minor League Camp

Vinnie was one of the bright spots of camp, outpitching his competitors for the bullpen. But the Indians, with their shaky rotation, were looking for more length in their seventh reliever, so Vinnie will start the season in Columbus. If he isn't in the majors by mid-May, he becomes a free agent, so I would imagine he's the first up should there be an injury or ineffectiveness. Or when the Indians release Masa Kobayashi.

RHP Jae Kuk Ryu Assigned back to the San Diego Padres; Indians Waiver Claim Voided by Major League Baseball

The Indians apparently didn't think Ryu was physically ready to pitch, so they pulled the plug on the waiver claim. The Padres have since released him.

Know Your Foe: Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres

Poseidon's Fist — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:15:08 -0000

Arizona Diamondbacks

There are not many teams that are this close to solidifying their 25-man roster for the 2009 season. That is largely due to the small turnover the roster felt over the off-season. Gone are Orlando Hudson, Randy Johnson, Adam Dunn, Brandon Lyon and Juan Cruz but they were replaced aptly with Felipe Lopez, Tom Gordon, Scott Schoeneweis and Jon Garland as well as internal options.

via www.baseball-reference.com

Lineup:

All eight starters are already locked up for Arizona, and only Felipe Lopez differs from last year's line-up. The Diamondbacks hope the continuity and growth of their young hitters is enough to build a strong lineup. Even the line-up order is fairly set...Stephen Drew and Chris Young might swap positions against LHP.

Order	Player	Position	AB	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG	wOBA
1	Felipe Lopez	2B	552	.274	11	56	.349	.400	.335
2	Chris B. Young	CF	527	.260	25	77	.336	.482	.358
3	Stephen Drew	SS	532	.276	16	66	.340	.451	.346
4	Conor Jackson	LF	469	.296	14	75	.384	.465	.375
5	Justin Upton	RF	435	.257	16	60	.349	.444	.348
6	Chad Tracy	1B	445	.276	16	60	.339	.452	.346
7	Mark Reynolds	3B	468	.254	22	81	.333	.462	.347
8	Chris Snyder	C	332	.241	13	51	.344	.419	.340

Looking at wOBA, we can conclude the D-Backs line-up features zero elite hitters, one very good hitter (Jackson), five above average hitters (Young, Drew, Upton, Tracy and Reynolds) and two average hitters (Lopez, Snyder). That's a decent distribution, especially considering the relative youth of the line-up.

Arizona's line-up projects to score 4.924 runs/game (peaking at 4.959 arranged differently). That's the same as 797.7 total runs, which ranks them right in the middle of the NL West.

Bench:

The Diamondbacks bench is also very set. Eric Byrnes will remain an overpaid fourth outfielder, and pinch-hitter Tony Clark returns to continue blocking Minor League Player of the Year Josh Whitesell. Augie Ojeda fills in as the primary utility infielder, and Miguel Montero is an above average offensive back-up catcher.

Player	Position	AB	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG	wOBA
Miguel Montero	C	178	.256	12	54	.329	.419	.330
Eric Byrnes	OF	495	.259	17	60	.322	.428	.333
Tony Clark	1B/PH	206	.238	11	37	.326	.437	.336
Augie Ojeda	IF	274	.245	2	27	.334	.321	.303
James Skelton	IF/C	370	.246	5	40	.351	.346	.320

The final spot on the bench is between James Skelton and Ryan Roberts. Both can play catcher, so Montero could be utilized frequently as a pinch hitter. Skelton is a Rule 5 draft pick from the Tigers, so that gives him a slight edge over Roberts, who has had a very strong spring.

Rotation:

The theme continues, as all five starting pitchers are set in the rotation. Brandon Webb and Dan Haren return as the best 1-2 punch in the NL West. Doug Davis is an average #3 starter at best, but I like recently signed Jon Garland in the #4 starter slot. Youngster Max Scherzer will be the fifth starter to start the year. Given worries about his arm following a winter injury, manager Bob Melvin will take great care with the young gun.

Player	IP	W	L	FIP	WHIP	K
Brandon Webb	209	13	10	3.34	1.33	166
Dan Haren	203	12	10	3.41	1.23	190
Doug Davis	154	7	10	4.54	1.62	114
Jon Garland	187	9	12	4.48	1.50	102
Max Scherzer	83	5	4	3.84	1.29	94

The Diamondbacks' rotation is clearly a top two rotation in the division. If Tim Lincecum or Matt Cain falter after getting abused last season by Bruce Bochy, Arizona's rotation will easily pass the Giants as the class of the NL West.

Bullpen:

Chad Qualls assumes the closer role he probably should have had going into 2008 as Brandon Lyon left for Detroit. Tony Pena moves up to the set-up role, and former Washington closer Jon Rauch comes in as a solid 7th inning man. Scott Schoeneweis came over from New York to be Bob Melvin's LOOGY.

Role	Player	IP	W	L	FIP	WHIP	K/9
Closer	Chad Qualls	70	4	3	3.50	1.29	7.97
Set-up	Tony Pena	75	4	4	3.85	1.23	6.72
7th inn.	Jon Rauch	69	4	4	3.84	1.28	7.70
LOOGY	Scott Schoeneweis	48	2	3	4.71	1.60	6.00
Long Relief	Yusmeiro Petit	117	6	7	4.74	1.32	7.15
Relief	Billy Buckner	77	3	5	4.71	1.42	6.70
Relief	Doug Slaten	47	2	3	4.44	1.42	6.60

Yusmeiro Petit, today's starter is the favorite for the long relief role, though Juan Gutierrez still has a longshot chance for the role. Billy Buckner will probably be the mop-up reliever, and Doug Slaten is battling with Travis Blackley for the last spot. Once Tom Gordon returns from injury, he'll take that spot. That's a pretty solid bullpen.

Why the Diamondbacks will win the NL West:

This is the most balanced team in the division. Their entire pitching staff just might be the best in the division, and their offense is competitive if not spectacular. For a team with very few question marks, a step forward for some of their young hitters could be enough to push them to the top.

Why the Diamondbacks will NOT win the NL West:

They might be balanced, but the line-up will still rank near the top of the league in strikeouts and is still relatively weak. To wit: Arizona's #3 hitter, Stephen Drew has a lower projected wOBA than EVERY projected Rockies starter except Clint Barmes. Then consider their cleanup hitter (and best hitter overall)) failed to hit a home run in his last 201 at-bats last year. Not a misprint - his last one was July 27. The offense will be improved as a whole but it still won't be enough to compete with other NL West teams with more flash.

San Diego Padres

The Padres are absolutely the antithesis to Arizona. San Diego has more question marks in the last week of the spring than I've seen from any team in a long time. They are going to be bad. Very very bad.

via upload.wikimedia.org

Lineup:

The core of the lineup is set with Giles, Gonzalez, Kouzmanoff, Headley and Hundley down the middle.

Order	Player	Position	AB	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG	wOBA
1	Jody Gerut	CF	381	.278	13	45	.348	.449	.350
2	David Eckstein	2B	461	.269	4	32	.337	.347	.310
3	Brian Giles	RF	512	.266	12	60	.371	.398	.346
4	Adrian Gonzalez	1B	554	.283	28	91	.359	.500	.373
5	Kevin Kouzmanoff	3B	487	.273	20	76	.324	.458	.341
6	Chase Headley	LF	488	.258	14	61	.342	.410	.335
7	Nick Hundley	C	416	.224	14	61	.284	.375	.292
8	Luis Rodriguez	SS	291	.261	3	24	.332	.351	.309

The unproven Luis Rodriguez could get bumped in favor of Adrian Gonzalez' brother Edgar. If so, David Eckstein would slide over to shortstop. Jody Gerut's sole competition is the man that almost prevented Rocktober: Scott Hairston.

This line-up would be expected to produce 4.443 runs/game as constructed (or a max of 4.543 with optimal orientation). This equates to 719.8 total runs during the season. That means the Padres have the worst line-up in the division, although they trail San Francisco by just .005 runs/game.

You know the drill. Let's look at wOBA. From that we can conclude that the starting lineup features zero elite hitters, one very good hitter (Gonzalez), two above average hitters (Giles, Gerut), two average hitters (Kouzmanoff, Headley), two below average hitters (Rodriquez, Eckstein) and one terrible hitter (Hundley). Their line-up has a wider variety of hitters than the Giants' line-up, but it is still just as bad. They'll need some surprises up the middle to be a threat.

Bench:

Former Rockie Henry Blanco was signed to back up the young Nick Hundley. Edgar Gonzalez and Scott Hairston are guaranteed bench spots if they don't crack the line-up. San Diego also signed Cliff Floyd, who has switched from being the DH for the AL champion Rays to being stuck on the bench for likely the league's worst team.

Player	Position	AB	BA	HR	RBI	OBP	SLG	wOBA
Henry Blanco	C	193	.223	4	22	.275	.321	.268
Everth Cabrera	IF	195	.205	2	10	.260	.259	.247
Edgar Gonzalez	IF	300	.266	5	33	.325	.381	.314
Scott Hairston	OF	333	.249	16	45	.322	.453	.338
Cliff Floyd	OF/1B	244	.246	9	36	.333	.407	.330

Of interest to Rockies fans, Everth Cabrera indeed looks to have a roster spot lined up after the Padres traded Chris Burke yesterday. Matt Antonelli, Emil Brown and Will Venable will see playing time throughout the season as well.

Rotation:

Jake Peavy will be the Opening Day starter for the fourth straight year. Chris Young tries to return to 2007 form after an injury-riddled 2008, but CHONE is buying none of that. Cha Seung Baek, average at best, was supposed to be the #3 starter, though he is injured and may start the season on the DL.

Player	IP	W	L	FIP	WHIP	K
Jake Peavy	177	12	8	3.40	1.19	175
Chris R. Young	114	6	6	4.45	1.32	95
Cha Seung Baek	98	5	5	4.17	1.30	67
Kevin Correia	100	6	5	3.61	1.30	81
Walter Silva	No	pr	oje	ction	s avai	lable

Nothing is guaranteed past that. Kevin Correia is the favorite to be the fourth starter based on his experience, even though he's mostly been a bullpen arm in his career. The fifth starter job is absolutely wide open. Walter Silva, a 32-yo RHP San Diego purchased from the Mexican League, is the favorite currently for the #5 spot. Josh Geer, who had a five-start cameo last year, might fill that role eventually, although he was cut last Monday. Cesar Ramos might even get the nod despite posting an abysmal 1.60 WHIP and 5.29 ERA in his first year at AAA in 2008. The Padres did sign Shawn Hill, though it remains to be seen what his role will be. He might slip into the rotation while Baek is out.

Read between the lines...this is the worst rotation Petco Park has seen, and it won't get any better if/when Peavy is traded.

Bullpen:

If the rotation is a bad traffic collision, the bullpen is the Hindenburg. Now that Hell's Bells will no longer ring at Petco, the closer position will be filled by Trevor's most recent set-up man, Heath Bell, who figures to be solid in that role. Cla Meredith slides up to the set-up man, and the former Met and Dodger Duaner Sanchez is in line for late inning work. The Mets let Sanchez go; he hasn't been the same since a 2006 taxicab accident.

Role	Player	IP	W	L	FIP	WHIP	K/9
Closer	Heath Bell	75	5	3	3.21	1.21	8.76
Set-up	Cla Meredith	74	5	3	3.48	1.26	6.57
7th inn.	Duaner Sanchez	42	4	2	3.77	1.36	7.13
LH Relief	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
Relief	Mike Adams	65	4	3	3.33	1.23	9.00
Relief	Shawn Hill	76	4	5	4.13	1.41	5.53
Relief	Cesar Ramos	141	7	9	5.12	1.52	4.59

After that, your guess is as good as anyone's. Some have reported as many as four bullpen spots will be filled through waivers. Mike Adams may find himself a bullpen spot. Former Rockie Justin Hampson and Rule 5 pick from the Yankees Ivan Nova were placed on waivers last week, as was Jae Kuk Ryu, claimed by the Indians. Joe Thatcher was also cut, so two LHP from the bullpen last year won't be there to start. The Padres acquired RHP Luke Gregorson to complete Khalil Greene trade and Eulogio de la Cruz, who was bought from the Marlins last week could find a bullpen or rotation spot. UPDATE: Ivan Nova was returned to the Yankees.

Getting the picture? It's true...one week until Opening Day, and the Padres bullpen is not even half resolved. What a disaster. Keep an eye on the waiver wire - many pitchers ousted at the end of Spring Training could find a home in San Diego, including Juan Morillo or Baltimore RHP Hayden Penn, if the O's are careless.

Why the Padres will win the NL West:

via farm3.static.flickr.com

Why the Padres will NOT win the NL West:

Going into 2008, the Giants were nearly the unanimous choice to finish last in the NL West. But given their solid rotation, it was easy to imagine a scenario where they would surprise. That is NOT the case with the Padres.

They have the division's worst lineup, a suspect bench, their worst rotation this decade, and an abominable bullpen. Not only do they have no chance of winning the division, but you have to wonder if there's a chance they could avoid 100 losses.

Transactions: More Spring Training Cuts

Ryan — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:31:33 -0000

3-25-09

Optioned LHP Aaron Laffey to Columbus (AAA)

Thus the Indians are going with Scott Lewis as the fifth starter. Laffey last year lost the battle for fifth starter to Cliff Lee, but he ended up making 16 starts, and was back with Cleveland by the end of April. He started his 2008 stint with the Indians very well, but fell apart in July and spent the rest of the season in Buffalo. His ineffectiveness conincided with a drop in his groundball percentage, not surprising, since his fastball top out in the high 80s and is to say the least very hittable when up in the strike zone.

Laffey will join David Huff and Jeremy Sowers in Columbus, but by the end of the season, the Columbus three might have as many major-league starts as the trio that will start the season in the back of Cleveland's rotation.

3-26-09

Reassigned Andy Cannizaro to Minor League Camp

Claimed RHP Jae Kuk Ryu off waivers from the San Diego Padres; Optioned him to Columbus (AAA)

Placed RHP Jake Westbrook on the 60-day Disabled List (right elbow)

Like with the Salas claim, the Indians are here stockpiling optionable reliever depth. Ryu is recovering from arthroscopic elbow surgery last summer, and the Padres tried to sneak him through waivers when most teams are trying to cut players from their rosters. The Indians, however, had a free roster spot thanks to Jake Westbrook's injury, and with the injury to Adam Miller and the struggles of Masa Kobayashi, were actively looking for bullpen help. They should keep looking.

Friday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:41:47 -0000

Things to read while hiding your ties to Syrian interests.

Ryan Braun was finally sent in for an MRI yesterday, with the scan showing no structural damage. At this point it appears there's no risk of further injury and it's up to Braun to determine when he returns to action.

Meanwhile, Braden Looper got knocked around a bit in his return to action yesterday, but that's probably to be expected from a guy who's season preparations are well behind most of the opposing batters. Looper admitted to being a little too excited for his Cactus League debut. He has two more starts to get straightened and stretched out before pitching in the home opener.

Robin Yount was in camp yesterday and expects to hang around for most of the Brewers' remaining Cactus League schedule. While he was there, Beyond the Box Score's Graph of the Day dealt with his position switch. Yount is also a key part of the answer to Sully Baseball's question: How did the Angels lose the 1982 ALCS?

Speaking of graphs, jhmoore has one on Rickie Weeks explaining why he feels Weeks is underrated.

On prospects: Heavy on D lists Mat Gamel as one of five players that will shape the future of the NL Central. Gamel is one of several reasons the Brewers rank tenth in Beyond the Box Score's Farm System Value Rankings.

On predictions/projections/rankings:

Capper's Picks ranks the Brewers 16th in their preseason power rankings, listing them at +2000 to win the pennant and +4500 to win the World Series.
SportsJudge is picking the Brewers to finish fifth.
Half Mental has the Brewers finishing second.
The Intellectual Thicket ranks the Brewers 18th in their power rankings.
EveryJoe.com lists the Brewers as one of their five teams that could surprise.
Heavy on D thinks the Brewers "stand a very fine chance of returning to October baseball."

Notes from other camps:

Astros: Aaron Boone's heart surgery was successful. He faces several months of recovery but could feasibly play again.
A's: Justin Duchsherer's elbow is not improving and he will start the season on the DL.
Cubs: Had to call off last night's game with the Giants after 6 1/2 innings due to heavy winds.
Indians: Claimed Jae Kuk Ryu off waivers from the Padres.
Nationals: Despite the fact that he hasn't been able to play all spring, the Nationals have added Dmitri Young to their 40-man roster to fulfill a handshake agreement he had with former GM Jim Bowden.
Rangers: Owner Tom Hicks is putting up to 49% of the team up for sale. The team also released Brendan Donnelly.

Here's a story you'll hear several times over the next few months: With the economy down and teams expecting a decrease in ticket sales, several teams could be looking to unload expensive talent much earlier than usual this season to avoid ending up in the red. Today's story is about the Tigers, but don't be surprised to see similar stories about the Indians, Rangers, Astros, D-Backs, Cardinals, and maybe even the Brewers, especially if any of those teams are 10 or more games out in May.

Of course, depending on where you live, you may not be able to watch any of those teams anyway. The Biz of Baseball has the latest update on baseball's efforts to fix their blackout policy, which could be summed up in one word: nothing.

Oh, and I've posted the pictures from Gorman's first birthday. They start at the bottom.

Drink up.

Friday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:15:04 -0000

Another day, another Mug.

So in yesterday's Mug I linked to Brian Anderson, who told us that Sheets was "headed in a different direction." Today, he's changed the wording of his note on Sheets to this:

Free agent Ben Sheets appears to be headed in a different direction but the door is never closed until he is signed.

At least he was right on spring training: pitchers and catchers report in 27 days, and The Biz of Baseball reports the Brewers' first spring workout is on February 15.

Dave Bush and the Brewers have avoided arbitration, agreeing on a $4 million dollar deal with incentives for 2009. This may seem a bit obvious, but the JS reported it anyway: After going 2-7 with a 5.73 ERA in his first 13 appearances in 2008, Bush is hoping to start stronger in 2009.

So, with Bush and Hardy signed, the Brewers are down to four arbitration eligible players: Prince Fielder, Seth McClung, Corey Hart and Rickie Weeks. Jayson Stark says Fielder may get compared to Ryan Howard, but the stats don't line up. Tom H. says the Brewers are in a tough spot, with real drawbacks to both trading and keeping him.

Speaking of Fielder, FakeTeams ranks him as the NL's fifth best fantasy first baseman. They also rate Rickie Weeks as the fifth best second baseman. And while I'm on the subject of rankings, Tiger Tales ranked Ryan Braun fourth among defensive left fielders. Team-wide, the Brewers ranked eighth in all of baseball defensively, according to UZR/150 at Beyond the Box Score.

I think playing defense might be a little harder at Miller Park this week: Home Run Derby has a picture of Miller Park and several other northern stadiums in winter.

Two former Brewer prospects are making news today: Matt LaPorta and Michael Brantley have been invited to spring training with the Indians.

Among current prospects, Brent Brewer leads Cody Scarpetta by four votes in the balloting for the 17th and final spot in the Community Prospect Rankings. Hernan Iribarren, Erik Komatsu and Alexandre Periard are all also within 15 votes. Since this is the last spot, I'm leaving the voting open until Monday, so make sure you get your vote in.

On the hot stove:

Astros: Signed former Brewer Jose Capellan to a minor league deal.
Cubs: Signed So Taguchi to a minor league deal.
D-Backs: Reportedly offered a deal to John Garland, but he rejected it. Terms were not disclosed.
Dodgers: Released Andruw Jones but will still have to pay the remainder of the $20+ million he is owed over the next six years.
Indians: Signed Vinnie Chulk to a minor league deal.
Mariners: Felix Hernandez, arbitration eligible for the first time, is reportedly open to a multi-year deal. As things stand now, he would be a free agent in 2011, when he will still only be 25 years old.
Nationals: Are reportedly talking to the A's about a deal that would send Nick Johnson to Oakland for Daric Barton, but aren't as close to agreement as previously reported. They've also re-signed Jesus Colome.
Padres: Signed David Eckstein to play second base and claimed Jae Kuk Ryu off waivers from the Rays.
Phillies: Signed Pablo Ozuna to a minor league deal.
Rangers: Michael Young has reportedly changed his mind about wanting to be traded, and will play third base in 2009.
Red Sox: Avoided arbitration by signing Kevin Youkilis to a four year deal worth $40 million. They also designated David Aardsma for assignment to make room for Mark Kotsay.
Tigers: Are reportedly interested in both Jason Isringhausen and Brandon Lyon.
Twins: Have reportedly contacted Scott Boras to express interest in Eric Gagne.

So, with a starting rotation of Ben Sheets, Oliver Perez, Braden Looper, Randy Wolf and John Garland and hitters like Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu in the middle of the order, one would think a team of remaining free agents would win some games, right? Actually, projections suggest they'd finish under .500 and cost over $140 million.

The 2009 postseason: Now with less controversy. The owners have approved rule changes that will eliminate rain-shortened playoff games and coin flips for home field advantage.

Oh, and if you had asked me for living situations that might create an inherent advantage for managers, I wouldn't have listed "former goat pasture," but it appears to be working for Trey Hillman.

Drink up.

Wednesday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:40:55 -0000

Some things to read while wondering what someone has to do to make the Walk of Fame.

Let's just group all the bad trade ideas together. Michael Hunt thinks the Brewers should trade Fielder, and grossly overestimates Fielder's value. Brewed Sports thinks the Brewers should trade Bill Hall to Texas for Michael Young, and a message board poster is "tired of sitting here waiting for the White Sox 2 do sumthimg."

Some minor league notes:

Baseball America has released their top ten Brewer prospects for 2009. Alcides Escobar tops the list.
However, the Brewers won't be moving J.J. Hardy so Escobar can play shortstop.
Mat Gamel got one first place vote and tied for fifth in Dugout Central's Rookie of the Year predictions.
In what could be the ultimate victory for immediate mediocrity over long-term potential, Tim Dillard leads Zach Braddock by seven votes in the voting for Community Prospect #15. Voting closes at noon.

One way or another, I'm ready for the Ben Sheets saga to be over so I can finally stop reading comparisons with Derek Lowe.

On slow news days, I play "Where are they now?" with minor league transactions. On really slow news days, I have to dig a little deeper:

Former Brewers Jaime Navarro and Lance Painter will spend 2009 in the Mariner organization as pitching coaches for the High Desert Mavericks (A+) and Clinton Lumberkings (A), respectively.
Bob Scanlan will be the master of ceremonies for a Padres luncheon on January 30.

Were you hoping to catch this season's Cerveceros or Negro League days? Mark your calendar for June 27 and July 25, respectively.

On the hot stove:

Angels: Have denied having any interest in Jermaine Dye.
Astros: Signed Russ Ortiz to a minor league deal.
Mets: Are reportedly close to a one year, $2 million deal with Alex Cora.
Padres: Are reportedly interested in signing Craig Counsell to compete for a starting job at second base. They also signed Mark Prior and Chris Burke to minor league deals.
Pirates: Signed Craig Monroe to a minor league deal.
Rays: Designated Jae Kuk Ryu for assignment to make room for Gabe Kapler, who will actually make $18 more than initially reported.
Reds: May be interested in 41-year-old outfielder Luis Gomzalez.

It's been almost a week since he signed with the Brewers, but the Padres finally released statements yesterday thanking Trevor Hoffman for his contributions to the Padres.

If he could ride a bull, he would have been more valuable to the Red Sox: Fenway Sports Group is reportedly planning to form a partnership with Professional Bull Riders, the world's top bull riding circuit that unfortunately happens to share an acronym with Pabst Blue Ribbon.

Oh, and let's just say there are questions about Superman's virtue.

Drink up.