SB Nation User Blog: Sammy G

Let's Go Rays!

Sammy G — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:59:22 -0000

So with 14 games to go, it looks like we are rooting for some playoff baseball. Rays have a slight advantage to go over the evil Red Sox. Hopefully we can old thos bastards off and get to the playoff for the first time. Looking forward to Evan returning to form and mashing again.

Some interesting facts about our new club.

They play in the AL East. Another team that plays there is the New York Yankees. The Yankees haven't won a WS in 8 years, like the Rays.

The Rays' manager has his name on the greatest selling video game series ever. Weird thing is its about football.

Tampa Bay is in Florida, same state that has Disney Land and screwed up the 2000 elections.

The organization known as the "Rays" is not new this year, apparently they use to be known as the "Devil Rays". Apparently Lucifer got caught up in this subprime loan mess and couldn't keep up with his naming rights payements after filing Chapter 11. The organization is looking for other sponser and its come down to "Bob's Quick Lube Rays" and "Depends Rays"

GasLamp's "Adopt a Team"

Sammy G — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:03:40 -0000

Being a baseball fan, and being use to rooting for my team during the September Push/Playoffs, I feel a little depressed that we have all this negativity surrounding our team. So I think we, as a community, should adopt a team to root for the next 6 weeks.

I am not suggesting we should become long term fans of this team, we are and will always be Padres fans, but for the sake of rooting for baseball we pick a team, root for them until they are out of the playoffs or win it all, then focus back on our Padres. I also think we should do this together, on a united front.

So I would like people to pitch what team we should root for over the next week.

My pitch is for the Rays. They have always been terrible, they play in division with two teams I despise. They have never employed Roger Clemens. Plus if we adopt them, we will DOUBLE the amount of current fans they have.

Poll

Who should be our adopted Team?

Rays

27 votes

Twins

4 votes

Red Sox

1 votes

White Sox

2 votes

Brewers

3 votes

Cubs

2 votes

D-Bags

3 votes

Dodgers

3 votes

Angels

8 votes

Mets

0 votes

Phillies

1 votes

54 votes | Poll has closed

2009 Padres Season Outlook

Sammy G — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:56:49 -0000

So with the rumors going around about the payroll, and people talking about how the padres should sign this high price free agents and that free agent. I decided to take a look at the FA list and see where we can improve, and if it would be worth the money. I got the list from http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2002/02/2008-09-free-agents.html and then checked there current salaries against the same site.

First Basemen
Rich Aurilia SF
Ben Broussard TEX
Carlos Delgado * NYM
Nomar Garciaparra LAD
Jason Giambi * NYY
Wes Helms PHI
Kevin Millar BAL
Richie Sexson NYY
Mark Teixeira LAA
Frank Thomas OAK
Jim Thome CWS
Daryle Ward CHC

-So this list isn't really that interesting. In my opinon not even Teixeria is as good as Agon, and with his asking price aroung $20-25M its not even a consideration. Daryle Ward and Nomar are good backup options since they can play multiple positions, but really I wouldn't spend more than $3M on either. Ward will probably be looking at a deal near $2M a year.

I would recommend the padres think about ripping up Agon contract and sign him to a longer deal.

Second Basemen
Jamey Carroll * CLE
Ray Durham MIL
Mark Ellis OAK
Marcus Giles COL
Mark Grudzielanek KC
Orlando Hudson ARZ
Jeff Kent LAD
Felipe Lopez WAS
D’Angelo Jimenez STL
Pablo Ozuna LAD
Nick Punto MIN
Jose Valentin NYM
Jose Vidro * SEA

-2b is an interesting group. Orland Hudson is getting older and Mark Ellis are both quality FA, but have risks with them. Hudson is getting up there in age, but has been signing a series of 1 year deals. I would expect him to receive around the same this year (maybe looking for 2years), but at that price I am not sure he is that much better than EGon. (actually I think he is a significatn upgrade). He would also cost the Padres 2 draft picks to sign him. Mark Ellis is making $5M this year.

I think Egon is the best option given cost and how signing Hudson would cost the padres the draft picks.

Shortstops
Orlando Cabrera CWS
Alex Cintron CWS
Alex Cora BOS
Craig Counsell * MIL
Adam Everett MIN
Rafael Furcal LAD
Cesar Izturis STL
Ramon Martinez LAD
Edgar Renteria * DET
Juan Uribe CWS

So Edgar Renteria has a club option and I don't think he will be available. Juan Uribe has been on a steady decline, and really has only been adequate 1 season offensively he does rank well behind KG and is 2 years older than KG. The funny thing about Furcal, is everyone thinks he is way better than KG, but over their last 4 full season, their advance stats are almost identical. The diffence is Furcal has had a steady decline and will be 32 next year. KG had an awful year this year, but his BA for ball in play is super low, and Furcal has been super high. The Dodger really can't lose Furcal, so I am sure Colleti will increase his salary next year probably to $15M+.

As bad as this sound, the Padres really have no choice, the will need to keep KG and hope he rebounds.

The rest of the SS lists are a bunch of backups and defensive replacements

Third Basemen
Hank Blalock * TEX
Joe Crede CWS
Morgan Ensberg NYY
Chipper Jones * ATL
Corey Koskie MIL
Greg Norton TB

We really have a log jam at 3b, and given the costs of these guys, no reason to even look at his. Once you factor out the the two guys with club options, then its pretty thin. Koskie is good...when playing at Brewers park.

I think the padres should trade Kouz and stick with Headley at 3b. Kouz should return some good prospects since he has a few more years of cost contol.

Catchers
Rod Barajas TOR
Henry Blanco * CHC
Johnny Estrada WAS
Toby Hall * CWS
Adam Melhuse TEX
Mike Redmond * MIN
Ivan Rodriguez NYY
David Ross * CIN
Javier Valentin CIN
Jason Varitek BOS
Vance Wilson DET
Gregg Zaun * TOR

PASS....

Outfielders
Bobby Abreu NYY
Moises Alou NYM
Garret Anderson * LAA
Rocco Baldelli TB
Willie Bloomquist SEA
Emil Brown OAK
Pat Burrell PHI
Endy Chavez NYM
Carl Crawford * TB
Adam Dunn CIN
Jim Edmonds CHC
Cliff Floyd TB
Brian Giles * SD
Ken Griffey Jr. * CWS
Vladimir Guerrero * LAA
Raul Ibanez SEA
Jacque Jones DET
Mark Kotsay ATL
Rob Mackowiak WAS
Kevin Mench TOR
Jason Michaels * CLE
Craig Monroe MIN
Jay Payton BAL
Scott Podsednik COL
Manny Ramirez * LAD
Juan Rivera LAA
Rondell White MIN

Long list

Manny will just be too expensive. Garret Anderson is living off a good year in 2002, and LAA will pick up the opton anyways. Bobby Abreu would be a good signing, but how much will it take $30M/3 years?? Maybe a little more?

Pat Burrel would be the best signing, it may take $50M over 4 years, maybe a few more millon, but he fits perfectly in LF and his pull hitting wouldn't take away from his power numbers.

I like Dunn, and his number are good if you can hand the K's, but we really need another RHB. If we can't sign Burrel, then he is probably the next best option.

Looking at the rest of the list, really picking up the option on Giles is a non Brainer, and Jody Gerut would be the best true CF on the market.

Starting Pitchers
Kris Benson PHI
A.J. Burnett TOR (may opt out)
Paul Byrd CLE
Ryan Dempster CHC
Jon Garland LAA
Tom Glavine ATL
Mike Hampton * ATL
Rich Harden * CHC
Orlando Hernandez NYM
Jason Jennings TEX
Randy Johnson ARZ
John Lackey * LAA
Esteban Loaiza CHW
Braden Looper STL
Derek Lowe LAD
Pedro Martinez NYM
Mike Mussina NYY
Jamie Moyer PHI
Mark Mulder * STL
Carl Pavano NYY
Brad Penny * LAD
Odalis Perez WAS
Oliver Perez NYM
Andy Pettitte NYY
Mark Prior SD
Horatio Ramirez KC
C.C. Sabathia MIL
Ben Sheets MIL
John Smoltz * ATL
Julian Tavarez ATL
Steve Trachsel BAL
Brett Tomko SD
Claudio Vargas MIL
Randy Wolf HOU

So excluding all the club options guy, what High Price free agents are worth it?

AJ Burnett is interesting, but I think him and his agent are looking for Johan money. Given he is entering the age where power pitcher start to break down, and he will be asking for a 6 year deal, and his injury status, Not sure he would be worth a big signing from a club that can't carry dead money. The majority of longterm big money contracts do not go well (switching teams). Sure the yankess have had a few (Mussina), but they have had a number of busts (Pavano be the most recent one)

Ben Sheets-see AJ burnett

Derek Lowe would be a terrific signing and he has a good relationship with Paul Depodsata. If we can get him to take #2-3 money instead of #1 money then he would be definetly worth it.

C.C. Sabathia is going to be playing in NY. But him with Peavy as the 1-2 combo is something we can dream about.

Derek Lowe is probably the most realistic option. Colleti is not a fan of any PD guys, the rest are a bunch of back end of the rotation flyer guys.

Relief Pitcher;

The list is pretty huge, and uninteresting. Unless the padres think they can win the division, I think the best thing for them is lock up Bell for 3 years, put him as the closer, and if he has a good year then trade him for a kings ransom.

So what is everyone elses thoughts?

2008 Padres Drinking Game Rules!

Sammy G — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:24:24 -0000

Season got you down? Have you realized that the team you have invested so much time following through the past years, reading updates from the owner’s meeting, debating at length is free agent X will put the Padres in the World Series, spring training trips, etc. are all culminating in a possible 100 L’s season? Do you not want to be a bandwagon fan and just stop watching Padres games with friends and family just because of a rough patch?

Well I got the thing for you. It is the 2008 Padres Drinking Game.

(Disclaimer, SammyG does not condone drinking, binge drinking or abusing alcohol. Before participating in the game, make sure you seek medical consultation, spiritual consultation and invite that one wet bag to the party that is always saying stuff like “Why do you guys drink so much?’ and “I don’t think this is a good idea”.)

What you need.

1) A lot of your favorite beverage. For the beginners I recommend a very light beer like Coors Light, or maybe even O’Doul’s. Do not attempt this with hard alcohol! (If you like mix drinks, make a big vat of them Dodger style).

2) Several Drinking Buddies.

3) Shot glasses for each participant plus a few extras

4) One person who is not drinking and knows a few emergency medical procedures

5) Trash Bags

6) Mayonnaise, Tabasco, Orange Juice, Cheap Gin all mixed up and ready to go. (We will call this a Fisherman’s Hawker)

7) A referee.

What you don’t need.

1) Score Book

2) Your dignity

Rules: For each point (outlined bellowed), each contestant will take a shot of his/her beverage. You must complete your drink(s) before the next pitch is delivered. Once you vomit, you are disqualified, unless the group is playing “George Foreman Rules” were sandbagged points are awarded for each comeback after vomiting.

Points:

1 point, for a Padre Batter Striking out on 3 pitches (1 additional point if it was the same pitch all three times)
2 points for each GIDP by the Padres
1 point for each infield fly by a Padre (1 additional bonus point for each padre runner on base)
3 points for any inning where the padres get at least 3 hits and fail to score.
5 points for any obvious blown call (non-balls and strike) that the Padres manager does not argue (10 bonus points if the manager then argues a pointless play later in the game).
5th inning Bonus: If at the end of the 5th inning the Padres have given up 1 earn or less and are not winning (tied or losing), then its 5 bonus points
2 points for each Padre runner stranded at 3rd with less than 2 outs
1 point for each Padre runner stranded at 2nd with less than 2 outs and is not advanced to third.
1 point for each base allowed stolen base
1 point for every AB by the latest waiver claim/or 1 point for each batter face by the latest waiver claim.
5 bonus points for anytime after the 5th inning in a game less than 1 run, and Buddy Black brings in a reliever not named Heath or Cla.
7th inning Bonus: If at the end of the 7th inning the Padres have given up 1 earn or less and are not winning (tied or losing), then its 5 bonus points
Game Bonus; 10 Points if the opposing starting pitcher sets a career high in K’s
Fisherman’s Hawker rule. If it’s a 1 run game entering the 9th and the Padres are winning, turn off TV and drink the Fisherman’s Hawker.

How a winner is determined: WE ARE ALL WINNERS!!!

Outfield options

Sammy G — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:20:07 -0000

So, spring training is a few weeks away. While the young guys, Headley and Antonelli, will get a shot at OF in Spring training, I would rather see them start the year in AAA ball to keep there careers on the upward trend.

So we are not going to sign a star, but what we can sign is a reliable 4th outfielder to play LF and some CF. Preferably batting left to platoon with Shrek.

Here are a few names:

I think Lofton is the best choice, due to the fact he will be a good bench guy can play CF in the pinch, and still is a good pinch runner. Bobby Kielty is one of those moneyball type guys, gets on base but has some flaws.

Matty V makes TMZ

Sammy G — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:25:32 -0000

So, My wife is addicted to gossip columns. I guess everyone needs a vice, and since she has rights to the Padres season tickets I will give her a free pass (that and passing a human being out of her body). Luckily I don't have any vices outside of drinking, gambling, sports, and internet blogs that make fun of people. But as Maggie O'Toole would say "I digressed".

So Matty V was doing play-by-play for the Fiesta Bowl, when 92 and 93 for WVU (TTG in the house?) where siting next to each other on the sidelines.

This is safe for work.
http://www.tmz.com/2008/01/03/a-dingle-berry-berry-close-call-at-fiesta-bowl/

Dodger Make Offer for Santana

Sammy G — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:31:20 -0000

So after the Padre's were able to "steal" Wolfe from them, the Dodgers made a huge offer for Santana. While the offer is really reall big, not sure if it will immedietly help the twins.

After that great signing by the Giants, I think good ole' Ned didn't want to be out done by his west coast rivals.

http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/dodgers_offer_twins_moon

Open Thread Dodgers at Padres, 1PM today

Sammy G — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:20:18 -0000

A weird Monday series opening day game at Petco. Its $1 Micro-Brew day also! Happy B-day TTG! Hopefully Jake can come through. We need him to pitch well today, since he is also going tommorrow. He is such a gamer. Penny is going for the Dodgers, even after that strange incident this morning with that sheep....

Anyways here are the starting lineups:

Dodgers:
Furcal (SS)
Pierre (CF)
Kemp (RF)
Kent (2b)
Loney (1b)
Martin (c)
Either (LF)
Hillenbrand(3b)
Penny (P)

Padres:
B.Giles (RF)
M.Giles (2B)
M. Bradly (LF)
A-Go (1B)
Cameron (CF)
Greene (SS)
Kouz (3B)
Bard (C)
Update [2007-9-10 15:45:20 by SammyG]:T Gwynn (C)-thanks WG for the update
Peavy (P)

Go Padres!

15 wins and 20 Wins

Sammy G — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 21:49:29 -0000

I think a few of us are hoping that Peavy will get 20-wins, which seems to be the benchmark for a GREAT pitching season. I think he can do it. 6 more starts, and he needs 4 wins.

The great Maddux has an outside shot at 15-wins (I think since he is a 6 inning pitcher he has a tougher shot at getting the win). This will make him the ONLY pitcher to have 19 15-win season increadible.

If you aren't comfortable with Greg being the go-to-guy for September and post-season here are some tidbits about how money this guy is.

-Braves catcher Eddie Perez tells the story of Maddux intentionally allowing a home run to the Astros' Jeff Bagwell, in anticipation of facing Bagwell in the playoffs months later. Maddux felt Bagwell would instinctively be looking for the same pitch again, which Maddux would then refuse to throw
-On another occasion while sitting on the bench, Maddux once told his teammates, "Watch this, we might need to call an ambulance for the first base coach." The batter, Los Angeles' Jose Hernandez drove the next pitch into the chest of the Dodgers' first base coach. Maddux had noticed that Hernandez, who'd been pitched inside by Braves pitching during the series, had shifted his batting stance slightly
-Early in the 2000 season, Maddux was asked by sportswriter Bob Nightengale what had been the most memorable at-bat of his pitching career. Maddux said it was striking out Dave Martinez to end a regular season game. Nightengale was surprised Maddux hadn't picked a postseason game, or a more famous player. Maddux explained:

"I remember that one because he got a hit off me in the same situation (full count, bases loaded, two out in the 9th inning) seven years earlier. I told myself if I ever got in the same situation again, I'll pitch him differently. It took me seven years, but I got him."[

-Through 2006, when given a lead of 5 or more runs, Maddux was 120-0 with 2 no decisions

-Maddux has pitched in 12 Division Series contests, 15 League Championship games and five World Series games.[11] He has a 3.34 ERA in 194 postseason innings, including an outstanding 2.09 ERA in 38.7 World Series innings

Jake Saves the Season

Sammy G — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:50:29 -0000

Similar to a Phoenix rising from the ashes we turn to are talented Snake Slayer to extradite the demons of this losing skid. Ron Mexico has left us, and his brother Ookie has to much on his plate to worry about the best team in the NL. In the word's of Mr. Mexico, "10 Grand says we beat that biatch..." Actually this quote is more appropriate; "the Yankees Tried to make the greatest baseball player alive, by cultivating the DNA from Babe Ruth, Joe Dimaggio, Mikey Mantle, Lou Gerhig and Rickey Henderson. After creating this being, they nourished him with nothing but the meat from 1 year old black rhinos, California Condor's eggs and the juice from purple apples. They invested millions of dollars in scientist, instructors, and trainers. This ballplayer is not Jake Peavy because Jake Peavy struck this man out on a slider, permanently separating arm from body and destroying the fabric of his soul. " M. Giles will make the Gaslamp Ballers proud with the way he will play today Go Pads.