SB Nation User Blog: StickRat

Hypothetical Bobby Jenks trade

StickRat — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:18:46 -0000

Last time I posted one of these hypothetical trade threads I got bombarded with negative comments. And since the wife was being a sweetheart all day today, I figured what better way to get my daily dose of abuse than to post another. So here goes.

If the White Sox continue to falter and find themselves a seller as the trade deadline nears, how would the Sickels community feel about a Bobby Jenks trade? Here is the hypothetical trade proposal: Jenks to Tampa Bay for 3B Willy Aybar, RHP Jeremy Hellickson, adn LHP John Satow.

Specific questions: Is this a balanced trade? If not, how to balance it? Is it plausible?

Derek Holland

StickRat — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:23:42 -0000

Got my first look at Derek Holland during interleague play, and I've got to say his curveball is one of the more unique I've seen. It has two stages to it, and that second late-stage bite is phenomenal. It's like a slider off a curveball. That said, I'd like to make a request for a Holland review Driveline style. The reason for this is because Holland's shoulder mechanics very much concern me. He has a very awkward shoulder hitch when he cocks his arm to throw, and I would like to get some feedback as to whether this is legit cause for concern. A lot of people had the same concerns about Ryan Madson, but Madson has more of a traditional over the top release and throws predominantly fastballs. Holland has more of a mid-3/4 release and throws some intense breaking stuff. Might make for a good compare-and-contrast feature, or just a straight overview of Holland. Whatever, I'd just like to get some expert observations. Thanks.

Hypothetical Geoff Blum trade proposal

StickRat — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:00:14 -0000

There is no basis of reports or rumors for this topic. It is merely something I was pondering after seeing the Geoff Blum highlight on Baseball Tonight last night. I started thinking of possible trade destinations for Blum, who is in a contract year. Houston is unlikely to be a contender this year. There will probably be plenty of inquiries about Blum on the trade market, if there haven't been already.

So, here is a trade proposal, and I'd like to get folks' opinions on it. Geoff Blum to the Blue Jays for minor-leaguer Kevin Ahrens.

(I tend to get carried away with over responding to people's replies, so if you are open for a conversation and a response from me, please include a "#" in your response title.)

Shane Robinson

StickRat — Wed, 20 May 2009 23:10:36 -0000

Hola Birdos! Como estas frijole? Just wanted to ask the Cards fans about Shane Robinson's recent big-league stint. I know he got a couple starts over the past week. Just wondering about folks' take on the different fascets of his game: hitting, patience, speed, range, arm, etc. Two questions in particular: 1) Does he have the speed to hit at the top of a big-league batting order? 2) Is he ticketed for CF, RF, or does he project as a versatile Randy Winn-type defender?

The obligatory "Jonathan Sanchez for ..." post

StickRat — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:27:28 -0000

Disclaimer: I started this post an hour ago and was interupted by a phone call. So, if by chance this is now a rerun, I apologize.

I realize trade proposals are as taboo around here as heart-themed boxer shorts in the locker room. Since this ran at traderumors however ...

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/12/giants-will-lis.html

it is, as they say, official. So I thought I'd make an excuse to down a third cup of coffee and create this Jonahtan Sanchez trade proposal post. There were some interesting, though mostly cliche ideas after the traderumors article. I consider mine to be a bit more creative. Please feel free to offer your ideas. Or criticize mine.

Should you feel the need for a hijack topic ... Linda Richmond, is neither a Linda, nor a Richmond. Discuss. And please rememeber we now require puns for any Brewers player linked to a trade proposal.

Josh Bard

StickRat — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:47:20 -0000

I'm new here. Big baseball fan. Feel like I've got a Houston connection from following Rice University for so many years. Nice to meet you all.

Got to thinking about catching solutions for the Astros this year. Ed Wade has said he is looking for a short-term solution, meaning a two-year contract at most, with prospect Jason Castro in the wings. I read a rumor about the team making a run at Ramon Hernandez, but today read that the Orioles are considering trading him to the Reds for Ryan Freel.

Was curious to see what the interest is in Josh Bard -- released by the Padres earlier this offseason -- and figured who better to ask than an Astros nation who no doubt has the peak catching radar dialed this winter.

Stupid questions

StickRat — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 01:25:38 -0000

I'm starting this post because I think it is a worthy cause, and am hoping people recommend it so it will be around for awhile. There are numerous times I have wanted to ask questions of a minor nature; silly questions about what someone's trade value is, or where everyone thinks a player will be playing in two years, etc. Of course, I always write these questions off as too stupid to warrant starting a new post. I often ask these questions when the opportunity presents itself, but of course most people don't read every post.

So, I am starting an official "Stupid questions" post, and will lead things off in response style. Hopefully many of you have experienced this too, and this idea will catch on.

A couple simple rules to keep things efficient:

1 - If you ask a question, answer someone else's question, in the spirit of making sure most if not all folks get some feedback.

2 - Try to take questions in the spirit they are intended. If it is a serious question, don't throw someone a screwball on the fists. Unless of course it's my question. Then bring it.

3 - Joke and non-baseball questions are welcome as far as I'm concerned, but please feel encouraged to first ask serious baseball questions you want answered.

4 - *Please denote fantasy questions with an asterisk at the beginning of the post title. Many people get frustrated when a question or topic piques their interest, only to discover it is about fantasy sports.

5 - If someone asks a question that seems completely redundant, make sure there is nothing additional that the poster is asking that was not covered in the question's previous incarnation. If it is utterly redundant, simply reply "see above" or something useful of the like.

Thanks and hope this is helpful.

Minor league free agents

StickRat — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:22:33 -0000

With the free-agent season officially starting today, and all the rumors of C.C. Sabathia and Rafael Furcal garnering so much attention, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at some less likely heroes. MLB.com today published the list of Minor League Baseball free agents. The link is posted below. I have compiled a quick list of the 10 players I think could be potential impact adds to the Giants system. I hope you all can fish out some unusual suspects of your liking from the MiLB pool.

http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/mlb/minorleagues/free_agents.jsp

Royce Ring ~ LHP - A one time top-level prospect, Ring still has some upside. He reestablished himself in August after missing most of the year. Control is his only impending hurdle.

Marcus McBeth ~ RHP - The one-time A’s prospect had a disappointing season in the Reds system after being swapped for Chris Denorfia. The Red Sox then scooped him on a waiver claim and McBeth finished ’08 in a dynamic stint with AAA Pawtucket.

Jason Lane ~ OF - A Santa Rosa native, Lane has stagnated in AAAA limbo since a standout ’05 season in which he hit 26 homeruns with the Astros. Two things the Giants lack: power and right-handed hitting outfielders. Lane is both, and can handle southpaw pitching at any level.

Matt Whitney ~ 1B - Once a power prospect with the Indians, Whitney slowed in repeating AA last season. He is just 24 however, and despite hitting .268 last year saw a 50-point spike in both his second-half batting average and slugging percentage.

Blaine Neal ~ RHP - Perhaps one of the most sensational AAA stories last year, Neal saved 26 games for Toledo in the Tigers system. Probably the only thing that prevented a big-league call-up was that the 30-year old was selected as the closer for the Olympic team.

Jarod Plummer ~ RHP - Very similar makeup as Neal, Plummer has been hovering as a fringe prospect in the Royals system for several years. Still just 25, he repeated AA with moderate results, but improved in the second half of the season.

Jordan Czarniecki ~ OF - Another guy who can fulfill the organizational need for a right-handed hitting outfielder, Czarniecki was scooped by the Angels last season after some decent years in the Marlins organization. He can hit lefties, and still boasts athleticism and speed as a 29-year old journeyman.

Justin Pope ~ RHP - After an exceptional season as a situational right-hander in AA Reading for the Phillies organization, Pope is struggling with control in the Venezuelan Winter League. He will turn 30 next year, and is an odds-on improbability to be an impact big leaguer. Still, he’s had a good minor-league career, having now played in the Cardinals, Yankees, and World Champion Phillies systems.

John Van Benschoten ~ OF - Just hear me out on this one. When the Pirates drafted Van Benschoten in 2001, most in the scouting world agreed he was a legit five-tool prospect as an outfielder. The Pirates wanted him as a pitcher. He is currently surviving in the Mexican winter league and could still flourish as a decent big-league pitcher. However, in 2001, I filled out 20 or so write-in all-star ballots for Ryan Vogelsong as a right fielder. So, now that Rick Ankiel has set precedent, you can see why I believe it isn’t all too crazy to consider converting Van Benschoten.

Lou Lucca ~ 3B - He’s a hometown product out of South San Francisco and has a storied minor-league career. He will be 38 next season and has never played in the big leagues. All Scott McClain references aside, Lucca has the skills and grit to affect the organization with or without a big-league promotion. And considering the need for corner infield depth, why not take a chance on a hometown guy and allow him to finish a prolific career in style.

Analysis request: Junichi Tazawa

StickRat — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 02:58:14 -0000

It looks like one of the biggest names out of Japan this year is going to be Junichi Tazawa, a 22-year old that is trying to bypass Japanese pro ball to jump straight to the U.S. as a free agent. He has very projectable stuff: good fastball with excellent location, and has an assortment of workable breaking pitches.

However, I've got some concerns about his mechanics, and thought I'd take the opportunity to make my first post at Driveline Mechanics. Long time listener, first time caller ... as they say.

So, I'd love to read some expert analysis of Tazawa's mechanics. Thank you. In case the vid doesn't embed below. Here is the the url ...

http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=sxRKY_Xg5tQ

Your 2008 Giants: Playoff Edition

StickRat — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 17:05:31 -0000

This is a fantasy thread of sorts. In our own minds, we’re all great G.M.’s. Like many of you, as a Giants fan, I spend thankless hours tooling and retooling the Giants. It’s an imperfect science. I make roster tweaks. In reality they go unrequited. So a couple weeks later I take the roster at face value and start the rebuild all over again. Well, in my infinite boredom with no team for which to root at the outset of this year’s postseason, I got to thinking. What if all the best case scenarios of my wishful G.M. thinking of years passed had panned out? What would the 2008 Giants have to consist of to be a playoff-caliber team?

So I invite everyone to play along. The parameters for my team are as follows: 1) everyone on the team is someone that could have been acquired. 2) Over past years I had a real-time scenario to acquire each player. 3) There are no overly ridiculous chemistries in the financial or personality departments (no cost-prohibitive combos like Soriano, Beltran, and Guerrero … no impossible clubhouse mixes like Mesa and Omar). 4) Taking the draft curve into consideration, I have taken liberties to add or subtract actual draft picks to adjust for where a better Giants team would have selected over previous drafts.

Those are simply my personal parameters, because if I don’t keep this thing real, I lose sleep at night. I’m sure some of you understand. Please employ your own parameters, rules, gravity, etc. in making your World Series-bound 2008 Giants team. And, please feel free to bag on my team all you want.

So without further pomp and happenstance, I give you MY … ahem … I mean YOUR 2008 World Series Champion Giants:

Lineup:

RF – Randy Winn (would have traded for him with Tampa before ’03)

2B – Craig Counsell (signed before ’07 to platoon with Kevin Frandsen)

CF – Carlos Beltran (one of two big free agent signing before ’05)

1B – Derrek Lee (acquired from Florida before ’04)

LF – Raul Ibanez (acquired for Nate Schieholtz before ’08 trade deadline)

SS – Orlando Cabrera (second big free agent signing before ’05)

3B – Pablo Sandoval (called up during ’08 for injury-plagued Bard)

C – Jason Kendall (signed before ’08 season after retirement of Doug Mirabelli)

Bench:

IF – Rich Aurilia (signed before ’08 to platoon at 3B with Counsell)

IF – Emmanuel Burriss (eventually called up and excelled after Frandsen injury)

OF – Fred Lewis (good starter for first half of ’08, made way for Ibanez acquisition)

OF – Jose Cruz Jr. (resigned before ’08 for defensive purposes)

C – Josh Bard (acquired before ’07 season)

Rotation:

RH – Tim Lincecum

LH – Barry Zito

RH – Matt Cain

LH – Randy Wolf (acquired at ’08 deadline to strengthen rotation)

LH – Jonathan Sanchez

Bullpen:

CL – Brian Wilson (started ‘08 as setup man, but took over closer with Aardsma injury)

RH – Ryan Madson (acquired before ’07)

LH – Jeremy Affeldt (signed before ’08)

RH – Doug Brocail (signed before ’08)

RH – Josh Fields (drafted in ’08, and was fast-tracked to solve Oscar Villareal debacle)

LH – Alex Hinshaw (called up in ’08 and thrived)

RH – Kevin Correia (started ’08 in rotation, valuable bullpen add after returning from DL)