The Padres traded a pair of AAA pitchers, Simon Castro and Pedro Hernandez, to the White Sox for Outfielder Carlos Quentin.

I am a little surprised that this was all Chicago got, Castro has kind of stagnated as a prospect and Hernandez isn't one, while Quentin has hit 20 HR the last four years while missing quite a bit of time to random injuries.

It's also odd to see the Padres adding salary based on their other moves this offseason, as Quentin is probably due a 2-3m raise in arbitration.

X. Avery OF
J. Mahoney 1B
B. Ward C
C. Spoone P
S Gleason P

Gleason is 26, Spoone will be 26 by the time the season starts, neither has impressed at AAA
Ward is 25 at High A.
Mahoney and Avery have had remarkably average seasons at AA Bowie.  (Though Mahoney impressed at spring training and is on the 40 man).

Not exactly an impressive list of prospects being sent to Mesa for the O's.  I wonder why Kyle Hudson, Dan Klein or Wynn Pelzer didnt get assigned.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQedkZrYaco&feature=player_embedded

 

Triple Play After Ball Bounces Off Centerfielder's Head (via heymillstein)

 

Now, when the summary included "Mat Gamel" and "Ball bounced off his head" you naturally  assume the worst.  Happily though, this is the coolest highlight you will see from a AAA game this year. Hopefully Berman doesnt get his hands on this video, I almost fear the number of puns that he will make. 

 

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1.  Player who will eventually star for the yankees after struggling for a couple seasons after being rushed to the majors for the Orioles.  He will OPS .730, .740. 755 for three full major league season, then enjoy a .880 OPS after the All star break before signing a long term deal to be the next Jeter for a decade.

 

2. Pitcher who will blow out his arm in AA.  After 100 innings in the low minors he will be pushed to the AA level in his first full pro season, blowing out his elbow on his 87th pitch in his 5th AA start, a meaningless end of season matchup after he has already shown signs of stress.

 

3. Mediocre Middle Infielder.  Might make an all star game as the Orioles lone representative after a scorching first half, but will probably be plagues my nagging injuries and will never be better then league average

 

4. Trade bait Pitcher.  Will be traded to a contenting team for an average, but major league ready, arm.  That arm will put up an era+ of 98 over four season before leaving as a free agent.  TBP will go on to be an elite 8th inning guy for said contender, then sign a lucrative contract in the off season to take over as their closer. He will be a a disappointment.

 

5. Disappointing Former First rounder.  Will put together 2-3 league average seasons in his mid twenties at the major league level, but never more, and will eventually go the way of most of the former top pitching prospects, journeyman long reliever. 

 

6.  A bag of baseballs, more valuable the the remaining prospects in the system

 

7-10. A big steaming pile of stink.  No one cares about any of the players in the system right now.

Would there be an interest in a minor league ball fantasy football league for this season?  I know most of you follow more then just baseball, and I would be happy to set up a league on either yahoo or espn if people are interested.

 

if I get enough replies Ill come back and edit this post with the information (I dont want to create any more post on it).

If this violates any of the recently established rules let me know, I just like the community here (with a couple exceptions) and would be interested in doing another league with y'all

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I dont remember if we did this last year, but we did a couple years ago and it was pretty handy.  Lets try to create a list, by team, of players that have, will, or we expect to exhaust their rookie eligibility by the end of the season.  Obviously some are complete guesses, but it would be interesting to see who is "out" on team and overall prospects list going into next season.  I would ask that you list everyone on whatever franchise you are doing, even if they aren't "prospects".

 

One post per team might make this a little more organized.

Offer is Jordan Zimmermann for Brandon Belt and Alex Gordon.  18 team Dynasty league with no keeper limitations. I think Zimm is a future top 10 pitcher, while Belt and Gordon are mid-level players at best.

Starting five pitchers, 3 OF.  I am out of it this year (badly).  Leaves me with Tex and no prospects at 1B, J.Upton, Snider, Coghlan, Huff, Bourgeios at OF with Parker (Col) and Robinson (LA) on my MiLB roster.

 

Ideally Huff, Rolen, Peavy, Soto and Oswalt all will be dealt as well, not that it really changes this deal.  I LOVE Zimmermann, but dont think I need him.  I will be left with  Greinke, Strasburg. Beachy, Parker, S.Miller, Holland, Garza, Dwyer, Delgado, Pomeranz, N. Ramirez, Sale and Duffy as my pitching.

I had a chance to go see the Keys a couple days ago, and it made me wonder if Machado/Schoop is the best current pairing in the minors.  Machado is obviously, universally considered a top 10 prospect, but Johnathan Schoop is an up and comer who I think will burst his way into the top 50 range of most lists by the end of the season.  He is only 19, is naturally a SS but play 2b, and, while having a rough adjustment to high A, outplayed Manny at low A Delmarva. 

 

In this question I am not asking about system-wide, but simply, which minor league team has the top 2b/ss prospect combination at this time.

It is only in the last few years that I have gotten into prospecting, and I don't think I am the only one around these parts.  So, I wanted to ask the community, when you go out to the park to see your local minor league team what do you look for.  So many parks don't post speed data, and you might only get 3-4 ABs to evaluate a hitter or 2-3 chances for a defensive player, so what clues do you look for?  What makes you say "this is/isn't the guy I thought he was?"

 

 

My own input, I look for pitchers that work quickly, especially when ahead.  That tells me that they are confident in their pitches.

Chris Carpenter For Shelby Miller and Drew Pomeranz.. 20 team league and that still leaves me with R. Delgado Dwyer Duffy and J.Parker on my minor league roster, along with Beachy, Strasburg and Holland as my young core.

 

seems like a win-win.  but I hate giving up Miller, and he only wants those two pitchers.

 

Other Option is to Add Soto on my side and maybe get back Sanchez.   Though Im not sure if I like that trade.

Can't say its 100% surprising, but it is just disappointing.  I really thought he would finally break out this year, after two years around 100 OPS+. But he posted a stat line so far of.181 .277 .265 with 22ks in 80 ABs.  I assume they think there is something he can work on in the minors, or they just want to give him some confidence.  Is there any insight on what hes been struggling on?  I know that at 23 hes still very young, so he could still come back and be that all-star we had hoped, but after nearly 800 abs its just a bit disappointing to see him sent back down.

Besides the Obvious (Profar and Harper) anyone to look at for tonights game?  Decided to make the trip to see Harper while he is still in Hagerstown.

 

<Filler>

I am the very model of a modern Major-General,I've information vegetable, animal, and mineral,I know the kings of England, and I quote the fights historicalFrom Marathon to Waterloo, in order categorical;I'm very well acquainted, too, with matters mathematical,I understand equations, both the simple and quadratical,About binomial theorem I'm teeming with a lot o' news,With many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse.

Honestly, I love my main league team.  Its a wierd mix of over the hill and not yet hit guys, but Ive got someone I like at every spot and good depth for a 20 team league.  The one thing I hate, and need to change, is my team name.  I have been "Stupid Angelos" for the entire eight year history of the league (minus the use of Boh'livion for the original draft).  Its time for a change, but, unlike football where I am usually able to rip off a dozen decent names a year (current "Throwing picks, texting dicks) Im stuck for a baseball name.

 

Currently Im considering "A drug called Charley Lau" but Ill take any suggestions anyone else has. 

 

(I know this is stupid, but Im in a big shit-talking league and the name matters)

What would you like to see out of you favorite prospect/team this coming season? A positive development that are hoping to see...

 

IE

 

I hope that Ryan Berry manages to throw 90 pitches a couple times this season.

And that Brandon Snyder goes away..  Maybe we can convince the Royals to give us Gordon for him and LJ Hoes.

 

Oh, and for fantasy sake, for J Parker to come back 100% from surgery.

 

Oh, Merry Christmas (filler)

Figured this group would like to weigh in.  After the Administration announced that they were considering charging for admission to the Smithsonian I got into a conversation about what we would like to see added if we had to pay, and the one theme that kept coming up was sports.  Many countries  have a cabinet level sports agency, while we dont have anything quite so formal.  Each sport (and in some cases league) has their own hall of fame, but couldnt you see each of them donating a bit (or lending) to a national museum of sports.  Would you consider it an enjoyable afternoon if you could see a big of the history of most of the major leagues and independent sports through our history? 

Considering the last two post both generated a ton of comments I figured it was time for one last catch all trade chat post.  Use it as you will to discuss potential trades, reactions, players you want gone, ect...

 

Personally I'm just hoping the Orioles manage to really clean house and get a couple more guys into the system with some potential.  I'm thinking high ceiling low minors guys rather then mid tier MLB ready guys like they've chased in the past at the deadline.

So last years ROY Chris Coghlan is on the DL with a torn meniscus, and may require surgery following a Pie-in-the-face gone horribly wrong.

 

So the question is this, is it worse to get hurt celebrating your teammates game winning hit or celebrating your own homer like Kendry Morales did?

Continue reading this post »

Ok, since the last thread seemed to be pretty popular I'm starting a new one.  10 days till the trade deadline, lets see what people are thinking/hearing

 

I figured it would be a good time to throw up a central gathering point for those rumors, or just an open discussion of the proposals.

 

Ideally this gets rec'd so we can follow the rumors/deals in one place rather then have 100 threads for different players.

Here are some players I expect to get moved (or be shopped) before the deadline: (also known as minimum word filler)

Ty Wiggington

Jeremy Guthrie

Roy Oswalt

David DeJesus

Scott Downs

Jayson Werth

Dan Haren

Corey Hart

Prince Fielder

Carlos Zambrano (if he has any demand)

Derrek Lee

Christian Guzman

John Buck

Chad Qualls

Jason Frasor

A true comeback story for the ages.  Lou went from managing a tire store in Ohio to the ALCS in one season.  He took over a truly pitiful Indians team, with a penny pinching owner and a bunch of has beens and never-will-bes and took them to a Division title. Though swept in the ALCS, he returned the following year with a new penny pinching owner and took the Indians to a World Series Championship.

It is by far the best coaching job in baseball history, and I am sorry to see him go.

Continue reading this post »

 

Apologies if I'm starting this too soon for some folks, but trade rumors seem to be picking up with less then 20 days to the deadline.  I figured it would be a good time to throw up a central gathering point for those rumors, or just an open discussion of the proposals.

 

Ideally this gets rec'd so we can follow the rumors/deals in one place rather then have 100 threads for different players.

Continue reading this post »

Do people really watch this thing?  I mean, you people, the (usually) educated baseball fans of America.  Is it something you actually care about?  What if no one from you favorite team is in it? 

 

I ask, cause every year I say to myself "I'm not gonna watch this stupid thing" and yet, but 15 minute mark I've got it up on my tv and wind up watching till the end, then hating myself for it.  

 

So, do you watch?

Poll

Do you watch the Home Run Derby

30%

Yes, wouldn't miss it

30 votes

37%

Yes, for a few minutes at a time

37 votes

19%

Sometimes, when I have someone I like in it

19 votes

12%

No, I have better things to do.

12 votes

98 votes | Poll has closed

With all the post about Lee getting traded I figured someone needed to put all the details in one place with his new contract and the players being moved.  There is a lot of bad information, and I just wanted to clarify it.

Continue reading this post »

While looking at some of the draft signings (and the majority of unsigned high picks) and I had a question/thought.  With next years  draft expected to be the deepest in years, what incentive do teams in the lower half of the first round to sign their picks?  Assuming that the same pick next year will have increased value wouldn't the smart strategy be to play hardball with this years pick, hope they don't sign (or sign cheaply) and get the same pick next year? 

As far as I know there isn't really a way for the commish for force teams to sign their picks, and I could see 3-4 teams that were unhappy with who they wound up with do so.  (Culver and Biddle for example).

So. Starting a poll on what happens with  Machado's Orioles career.

moving this over from the draft thread.  Obviously I'm having a little fun with it, but my confidence in seeing him on the major league roster in the future (and productive) is quite low.  Like Camden Yards attendance low. 

 

Just wondering what other people think. Feel free to submit your own options as well.

 

Filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler filler

Poll

What will happen with Machado's tenure with the O's

2%

1. Injury before making the majors

2 votes

10%

2. Hitting .200 in AA ball at 22

10 votes

2%

3. Exposed to Rule 5 draft, pick up by the Angels

2 votes

24%

4. Abducted by aliens

23 votes

46%

5. Retirement after successful MLB career

43 votes

13%

6. Traded for an aging Heath Bell

13 votes

93 votes | Poll has closed

I'm in a dynasty style league.  Solidly in first place and deep outside of my MI.  I have Strasburg available to trade for, but the asking price seems pretty high.  Smoak/Bruce is the asking price, won't go that far, but how much talent would you give up?  Snider, Castro, Soto are all other options with Smoak (I have Tex) but Im not sure how much I want to give up for him. 

I don't know what the rule is about fantasy advise/questions here, but Ive got a head scratcher I wouldnt mind a little help with.

 

Sitting 4th in a 20 team fantasy draft.  Looking for best talent available.

 

First three are going to go Messiah, Chapman, Ackley.  Sitting 4th I can choose anyone else.  This basically comes down to 2009 draft picks, Westmoreland and Castro.  Any thoughts?  Matzek?  Miller?  Castro is an option due to position depth, but Im not sold on him.

20 team Dynasty league, 25 man active roster +8 MiL spots, keeping 28. 

 

I've been struggling at 3b/DH  (Started Coughlin at 3b for the last 8 weeks) this season, and only have 1 legit pitching prospect (Parker) and three studs (ZG, Oswalt and Peavy)

 

I've been trying to deal for Sandoval, and think I've gotten an intriguing offer for him.

 

Tex for Sandoval/Bumgarner.  Leaves me with Nick Johnson at 1B, Gordon/Sandoval at 3B, and the third guy at DH.  Next season I can replace Johnson with Smoak and try to flip Gamel for a quality SS prospect.

 

I think the difference between Tex and Sandoval is close enough that the top pitching prospect makes up for it. But Im having second thoughts. 

 

Thoughts?