Birdseed...Where We're Neither Young nor Stupid.

Brandon Inge gives back

Meg — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:03:12 GMT

Saw this story on CNN's website and thought I'd post it. Well into the story it talks about Brandon Inge's effort to help another ill child. The entire story brought tears to my eyes.

Meg

Some Minor League News

Craig — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:52:57 GMT

It's been a little slow around here, so thought I'd post this article about some of the lesser known minor league picks from the past draft. I find Joe Jordan's comments interesting.

Here's one sample:

Quote:

Re: 9th round pick RHP Ryan Berry

"In my opinion, he's the first guy to the big leagues out of this draft. If he is healthy, which we believe he is 100 percent, he could start next year at Frederick and be at Double-A before next summer is over. That's just what I think of him.

"He's a little different, a little eccentric. He's over the top smart. But he's a pitcher that knows what he is doing. There's a little (Mark the bird) Fydrich in this guy. He's got his own beat, but when you see him out there he's surgeon-like when he's right."

List of Minor League FAs

JR — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:31:06 GMT

Minor League Free Agents

Posted Nov. 17, 2009 3:44 pm by Matt Eddy
Filed under: MiLB Free Agents, Transactions

The World Baseball Classic last spring pushed back Opening Day and, consequently, the World Series, which finally concluded with a Game Six on Nov. 4. It also delayed the free agent filing dates for both major and minor league players. Major League Baseball granted free agency on Nov. 9 to 536 minor league players, i.e. those not included on 40-man rosters. We have them all here, listed by organization. We have past lists saved in our MiLB Free Agents archive.

Weve included the classification at which the player finished the season: Triple-A (AAA), Double-A (AA), high Class A (Hi A), low Class A (Lo A), short-season (SS) and Rookie ball (R) and the Dominican Summer League (DSL).

Twelve players here spent the entire season (equal to 153 days) on the disabled listtheyre denoted with a double plus sign (++). Among them, three players (Chris Capuano, Mike Rabelo, Oswaldo Sosa) technically did play in 2009, but they did so in Rookie ball while on rehab assignments, which did not require them to leave the DL.

Players with a single plus sign (+) spent more than half the season (77 days or more) on the DL. Shane Costa (2 PA), John Ennis (1/3 IP), Devern Hansack (1 IP) and Donnie Murphy (10 PA) all effectively missed the entire season with injuries.

Free agents by classification: Triple-A, 59.7 percent; Double-A, 26.7 percent; high Class A, 8.2 percent; low Class A, 2 percent. The 18 players in short-season ball constitute 3.4 percent of the pool.

The Dodgers had 34 free agents, the highest total here; the Cardinals had just seven.

Arizona Diamondbacks (15)
RHP: Scott Dohmann (AAA), Seth Etherton (AAA), Bobby Korecky (AAA), Ramon Sanchez (Hi A)
LHP: Jon Coutlangus+ (AAA)
C: Orlando Mercado (AA), Matt Tupman (AA)
2B: Guillermo Reyes (AA)
3B: Ruben Gotay (AAA), Agustin Murillo (AAA)
SS: Abraham Nunez (AAA), Ed Rogers (AAA)
OF: Trent Oeltjen (AAA), Chris Roberson (AAA), Brandon Watson (AAA)

Atlanta Braves (12)
RHP: Bobby Brownlie (AA), Jerome Gamble (AA), Moises Hernandez+ (Hi A), Lance Niekro (R)
LHP: Mariano Gomez (AAA), Juan Perez (AAA)
C: Jose Camarena (AA), Alvin Colina (AAA)
1B: Ernesto Mejia+ (AA)
2B: Chris Burke (AAA), Antonio Perez (AA)
3B: Kody Kirkland (AA)

Baltimore Orioles (22)
RHP: Scott Chiasson (AAA), Fredy Deza (AA), Bob McCrory (AAA), Andy Mitchell (AAA), David Pauley (AAA), Alfredo Simon (AAA), Ross Wolf (AAA)
LHP: Ryan Rodriguez (AA)
C: Victor Castillo (Lo A), Robby Hammock (AAA), Billy Killian (Hi A), Steve Torrealba (AA)
1B: Eric Crozier (AA)
2B: Melvin Dorta (AAA)
3B: Jolbert Cabrera (AAA), Dick Guanipa (DSL), Brandon Pinckney (AAA)
SS: Donnie Murphy+ (AAA)
OF: Justin Christian (AAA), Ambiorix Concepcion (AAA), Victor Diaz (AAA), Dave Krynzel (AAA)

Boston Red Sox (10)
RHP: Devern Hansack+ (AAA), Dave McKae (Hi A), Jarod Plummer (AA), Jose Vaquedano (AAA), Charlie Zink (AAA)
LHP: Derrick Loop (Hi A)
2B: Travis Denker (AAA)
3B: Angel Chavez (AAA)
SS: Iggy Suarez (AA)
OF: Brad Correll (Hi A)

Chicago Cubs (11)
RHP: Vince Perkins (AAA), Jose Pina (Hi A)
LHP: Casey Fossum (AAA)
C: Mark Johnson (AAA)
1B: Matt Craig (AAA)
2B: Luis Rivas (AAA), Bobby Scales (AAA), Nate Spears (AAA)
OF: Doug Deeds (AAA), John-Ford Griffin (AAA), Brad Snyder+ (AAA)

Chicago White Sox (10)
RHP: Dylan Axelrod (Hi A), Fernando Hernandez (AAA), Kelvin Jimenez (AAA), John Van Benschoten (AAA), Ehren Wassermann (AAA)
C: Justin Knoedler (AAA)
SS: Eider Torres (AAA)
OF: David Cook (AA), Josh Kroeger (AAA), Michael Restovich (AAA)

Cincinnati Reds (12)
RHP: Greg Atencio (AAA), Federico Baez (AAA), Ben Davis+ (Hi A), Jeff Kennard (AAA)
LHP: Alexander Smit (AA), Camilo Vazquez (AAA)
C: Korey Feiner (AAA), Chris Kroski+ (AA)
1B: Wes Bankston (AAA)
2B: Luis Bolivar (AAA)
OF: Shaun Cumberland (AA), Lew Ford (AAA)

Cleveland Indians (14)
RHP: Jack Cassel (AAA), Blaine Neal+ (AAA), Scott Roehl+ (AA), Kirk Saarloos (AAA), Juan Salas+ (AAA)
LHP: Juan Lara+ (SS), Rich Rundles (AAA), Michael Tejera (AAA)
C: Armando Camacaro (AA)
1B: Ole Sheldon (Hi A)
2B: Josh Barfield (AAA), Kyle Haines (AA)
SS: Jesus Merchan+ (AAA)
OF: Mickey Hall (AAA)

Colorado Rockies (15)
RHP: Jon George (AA), Scott Munter (AAA), Ryan Speier (AAA), Matt Wilhite (AAA)
LHP: Adam Bright (AA), Damian Moss (AAA)
C: Sal Fasano (AAA)
1B: Daniel Ortmeier (AAA)
2B: Mark Bellhorn (AAA)
3B: Christian Colonel (AAA), Kenny Perez (AAA)
SS: Rex Rundgren (AA), Danny Sandoval (AA)
OF: Ryan Harvey (AA), Paul McAnulty (AAA)

Detroit Tigers (10)
RHP: Nate Bump (AAA), Ruddy Lugo (AAA), Patrick Stanley (AA)
LHP: Ryan Ketchner (AAA), Macay McBride++ (AAA), Kris Regas (AA), Jason Waddell (AA)
OF: Brent Clevlen (AAA), Jeramy Laster (Hi A), Maiko Loyola (Hi A)

Florida Marlins (32)
RHP: Matt DeSalvo (AAA), Nate Field (AAA), Jonathan Fulton (Hi A), Willie Glen (AAA), Clay Hensley (AAA), Brian Lawrence (AAA), Carlos Martinez (AAA), Nick McCurdy++ (AA), David Miller (SS), Kasey Olenberger (AA), Henry Owens (AA), Matt Peterson (AA), Levale Speigner (AA), Nic Ungs (AA)
LHP: Willie Collazo (AAA)
C: Mike Rabelo++ (AAA), Neil Wilson (AAA)
1B: John Lindsey (AAA)
2B: Dave Matranga (AAA), Louis Ott (Hi A), Smelin Perez (Lo A), Kevin Randel (AA), Rigoberto Silverio++ (Hi A)
3B: Lee Mitchell (AAA), Tanner Townsend++ (AA)
SS: Chris de la Cruz (AA)
OF: Ben Harrison (Hi A), Erik Kanaby (SS), Michael Ryan (AAA), Lorenzo Scott (AA), Brandon Tripp (Hi A), Geraldo Valentin (Hi A)

Houston Astros (20)
RHP: Kenny Baugh (AA), T.J. Burton (AA), Jose Capellan (AAA), Casey Daigle (AAA), Tip Fairchild (Hi A), Abraham Gonzalez (R), Ryan McKeller (AAA), Billy Sadler (AAA), Charlie Weatherby (AA)
LHP: Mark McLemore (AAA), Josh Muecke (AAA), Andy Van Hekken (AAA)
1B: John Gall (AAA), Mark Saccomanno (AAA)
2B: Drew Meyer (AA), Felix Molina (AA)
3B: Chad Spann (AA)
SS: Ronald Ramirez (Hi A)
OF: Reggie Abercrombie (AAA), Ray Sadler (AA)

Kansas City Royals (18)
RHP: Juan Abreu (AA), John Bannister (AAA), Luke Hudson (AAA), Chad Orvella (AA)
LHP: Tim Hamulack (AAA), Mike OConnor (AAA), Heath Phillips (AAA)
C: J.R. House (AAA), John Suomi (AAA), Vance Wilson (AA)
1B: Ryan Shealy+ (AAA)
2B: Chase Fontaine (Hi A)
3B: Corey Smith (AA)
OF: Cory Aldridge (AAA), Shane Costa+ (AAA), Chris Lubanski+ (AAA), Brian McFall+ (AA), Tim Raines Jr. (AAA)

Los Angeles Angels (15)
RHP: Rikelvin Cedano (DSL), Dan Denham (AAA), Tim Dorn+ (Lo A), Jeremy Hill (AAA), Brad Knox (AAA), Mike MacDonald (AAA), Brad Salmon (AAA)
LHP: Danny Davidson (AAA)
1B: Jay Caligiuri (AA)
2B: Luis Figueroa+ (AAA)
3B: Chris Gutierrez (AA)
SS: Gary Patchett (AAA)
OF: Branden Florence (AA), Val Majewski (AA), Adam Pavkovich (AAA)

Los Angeles Dodgers (34)
RHP: Carlos Alvarado (AAA), Kendy Batista (AA), Henry Bonilla (AAA), Travis Chick (AA), Hyang-Nam Choi (AAA), Tim Corcoran (AAA), Nick DeBarr (AAA), Joselo Diaz (AAA), J.D. Durbin (AAA), Francisco Felix (AAA), Harvey Garcia (AA), Dwayne Pollok (AAA), Jordan Pratt (Lo A), Zach Schreiber (AA), Scott Strickland (AAA)
LHP: Marlon Arias+ (AAA), Greg Miller (Hi A), Erick Threets (AAA), Joe Torres (Hi A)
C: Danny Ardoin+ (AAA), J.D. Closser (AAA), Gabriel Gutierrez (AA), Mike Rose (AAA)
1B: Brett Harper (AAA), Gaby Martinez (AA), Vinny Rottino (AA)
2B: Sergio Garcia (AAA), Juan Gonzalez (AA), Luis Maza (AAA), Ramon Nivar (AA)
3B: Hector Luna (AAA)
OF: Dee Brown (AAA), Andres Perez (Hi A), James Tomlin (AA)

Milwaukee Brewers (14)
RHP: Ruben Flores (Hi A), Matt Ginter (AAA), Ryan Houston (AAA), Wes Littleton (AA)
LHP: Chris Capuano++ (AAA), Lindsay Gulin (AAA), Sam Narron (AAA), Chase Wright (AAA)
C: Carlos Corporan (AAA)
3B: Kevin Melillo (AA)
SS: Michael Garciaparra (AA)
OF: Drew T. Anderson (AA), Jon Knott (AAA), Freddy Parejo (AA)

Minnesota Twins (8)
RHP: Frank Mata (AA), Oswaldo Sosa++ (AA)
LHP: Reid Santos (AAA)
1B: Brock Peterson (AAA)
2B: Alejandro Machado+ (AA)
3B: Brian Buscher (AAA)
OF: Matt Moses (AA), David Winfree (AAA)

New York Mets (24)
RHP: Manuel Alvarez (Hi A), Julio de la Cruz (AA), German Marte++ (AA), Chris Mason (AAA), Tim McNab (AAA), Carlos Muniz+ (AAA), Jose Sanchez+ (AAA), Kyle Snyder (AAA), Jim Ed Warden (AAA)
LHP: Edgar Alfonzo (AA), Adam Bostick (AAA), Adam Pettyjohn (AAA), Heriberto Ruelas (AA)
C: Robinson Cancel (AAA), Salvador Paniagua (AA), Rene Rivera (AAA)
2B: Argenis Reyes (AAA)
3B: Javier Castillo (AAA), Mark Kiger (AA), Mike Lamb (AAA)
OF: Chip Ambres (AAA), Jason Dubois (AAA), Jesus Feliciano (AAA), Luis Rivera (SS)

New York Yankees (17)
RHP: Paul Bush (AA), Michael Gardner++ (AA), Justin Pope++ (AA), Humberto Sanchez (AAA), Jay Stephens (AA), Jose Valdez (AAA)
C: Brian Peterson (AAA), Chris Stewart (AAA)
3B: Eric Duncan (AAA), Carlos Mendoza+ (AA), Cody Ransom (AAA), Marcos Vechionacci (AA)
SS: Doug Bernier (AAA)
OF: Edwar Gonzalez (AA), Freddy Guzman (AAA), Richie Robnett (AA), John Rodriguez (AAA)

Oakland Athletics (17)
RHP: Daniel Barone (AA), Andrew Brown++ (AAA), Shawn Chacon (AAA), Dewon Day (AA), Leonardo Espinal (Hi A), Angel Garcia (AA), Chris Gissell (AAA), Scott Mitchinson+ (Hi A), Scott Patterson (AAA), Jerome Williams (AAA)
LHP: Daniel Haigwood (Hi A), Justin Hampson+ (AAA)
C: Raul Padron (AA)
2B: Frank Martinez (Hi A)
3B: Carlos Arrieche (Lo A)
OF: Chris Denorfia (AAA), Archie Gilbert (AA)

Philadelphia Phillies (29)
RHP: Jason Anderson (AAA), Alexander Concepcion (AA), Tristan Crawford (Hi A), John Ennis+ (AAA), Santos Hernandez (Lo A), Gary Majewski (AAA)
LHP: Cedrick Bowers (AAA), Gustavo Chacin (AAA), Jason Mackintosh+ (AA), Brian Mazone (AAA), Jake Woods (AAA)
C: Paul Hoover (AAA), Kevin Nelson (AA)
1B: Andy Tracy (AAA)
2B: Brad Harman (AA), Fidel Hernandez (AA), Carlos Leon (AAA), David Newhan (AAA)
3B: Mike Cervenak (AAA), Orlando Guevara (AA), Terry Tiffee (AAA)
SS: J.J. Furmaniak (AAA), Jorge Velandia+ (AAA)
OF: Javis Diaz (Hi A), Jason Ellison (AAA), Kevin Mahar (AA), Mike Spidale (AA), Brian Stavisky (AA), Rich Thompson (AAA)

Pittsburgh Pirates (28)
RHP: Jason Davis (AAA), Eric Hacker (AAA), Lincoln Holdzkom+ (AA), Jorge Julio (AAA), Juan Mateo (AAA), Scott Nestor (AA), Jeremy Powell (AAA), Dionis Rodriguez++ (Lo A), Ty Taubenheim (AAA), Virgil Vasquez (AAA)
LHP: Corey Hamman (AAA), Bobby Livingston (AAA)
C: Hector Gimenez (AAA), Steven Lerud (AA), Miguel Perez (AA), Milver Reyes+ (AA), Steven Suarez+ (Hi A)
1B: Tagg Bozied (AAA), Larry Broadway (AAA), Brian Myrow (AAA)
2B: Josh Bonifay+ (Hi A), Ray Chang (AA)
3B: Angel Gonzalez (AA)
SS: Chris Barnwell (AAA), Pedro Lopez (AAA)
OF: Victor Igsema (DSL), Jonel Pacheco (AA), Jamie Romak (Hi A)

St. Louis Cardinals (7)
RHP: Oneli Perez (AAA)
LHP: Julio Castellanos (R), Kristhiam Linares (Hi A), Evan MacLane (AAA), Charlie Manning (AAA), Ian Ostlund (AAA)
C: Brandon Yarbrough (AAA)

San Diego Padres (12)
RHP: Rocky Cherry (AAA), Carlos Guevara (AA), Jesse Orosco Jr. (R)
C: Mike Collins (AA), Yamid Haad (AAA)
2B: Russ Adams (AAA), Anthony Contreras (AA), Brett Dowdy (AAA), Edgar Gonzalez (AAA)
3B: Peter Ciofrone (AAA)
OF: Drew Macias (AAA), Val Pascucci (AAA)

San Francisco Giants (23)
RHP: Kelyn Acosta+ (AAA), Matt Kinney (AAA), Osiris Matos (AAA), Bryan Millikan (AAA), Mike Musgrave (AAA), Ramon Ortiz (AAA), Kelvin Pichardo (AAA), Ronnie Ray (AAA), Ryan Sadowski (AAA), Shingo Takatsu (AAA), Trey Webb (Hi A), Craig Whitaker (AA), Orlando Yntema (Lo A)
C: Steve Holm (AAA), Todd Jennings+ (AAA)
1B: Josh Phelps (AAA)
2B: Derin McMains (AAA)
3B: Ramon A. Castro (AA), Dallas McPherson+ (AAA)
SS: Jake Wald (AAA)
OF: Joe Borchard (AAA), Jackson Melian (AAA), Mike Mooney (AA)

Seattle Mariners (32)
RHP: Steve Bray (AAA), Chad Cordero+ (SS), Mario DeJesus (DSL), Jesus Delgado (AAA), Josh Hall+ (AAA), Eric Hull (AA), Mike Koplove (AAA), Randy Messenger (AAA), Luis Munoz (AA), Joey Newby (AA), Steven Shell (AAA), Jared Wells (AAA), Juan Zapata (Hi A), Jeff Zimmerman+ (AAA)
LHP: Danny Christensen (AA), Chris Seddon (AAA), Luis Villarreal (AA)
C: Fleming Baez (AA), Colt Morton+ (AA), Jose Yepez (AA)
1B: Gerardo Avila (SS), Ian Bladergroen (Lo A), Brad Nelson (AAA)
2B: Callix Crabbe (AAA)
SS: Alex Cintron (AAA), Oswaldo Navarro (AAA)
OF: David Espinosa (AA), Bryan LaHair (AAA), Mark McGonigle (R), Jerry Owens (AAA), Prentice Redman (AAA), Mel Stocker (AA)

Tampa Bay Rays (18)
RHP: Winston Abreu (AAA), Joe Bateman (AAA), Angel Castro (AA), Jason Childers (AAA), Richard de los Santos+ (Hi A), Julio DePaula (AAA), Calvin Medlock (AAA)
LHP: Jason Cromer (AAA), Carlos Hernandez (AAA), Brandon Mann (AA)
2B: Fernando Cortez (AA), Henry Mateo (AAA)
SS: Jason Bowers (AA), Brandon Chaves (AA), Ray Olmedo (AAA)
OF: Rashad Eldridge (AAA), Pedro Powell (AA), Jon Weber (AAA)

Texas Rangers (19)
RHP: Bryan Corey (AAA), Brian Gordon (AAA), Jailen Peguero (AAA), Corey Ragsdale (Lo A), Elizardo Ramirez (AAA), Josh Rupe (AAA), Mike Wood (AAA)
LHP: Mike Hinckley (AAA), A.J. Murray (AAA)
1B: Ian Gac (Hi A), Mauro Gomez (Hi A), Royce Huffman (AAA)
3B: Adam Fox (AAA), Justin Leone (AAA)
3B: Travis Metcalf (AAA)
SS: Casey Benjamin (AAA)
OF: Ryan Freel (AAA), Dustin Majewski (AA), Kevin Thompson (AAA)

Toronto Blue Jays (16)
RHP: T.J. Beam (AAA), James Lehman (SS), Sean Smith (AA)
LHP: Fabio Castro (AAA), Chris Michalak+ (Hi A), Davis Romero (AAA)
C: Adair Betegon (DSL), Kyle Phillips (AAA)
2B: Howie Clark (AAA), Kevin Howard (AAA)
3B: Jesus Gonzalez (Hi A)
SS: Angel Sanchez (AAA)
OF: Buck Coats (AAA), Nick Gorneault (AA), Jason Lane (AAA), Bartolo Nicolas+ (Hi A)

Washington Nationals (22)
RHP: Clint Everts (AAA), Andrew Kown (AAA), Chris Rivera (Lo A)
LHP: Justin Jones (AA), Horacio Ramirez (AAA), Dave Williams (AAA)
C: Gustavo Molina (AAA), Luke Montz (AAA)
1B: Adam Amar (SS), Brad Eldred (AAA), Daryle Ward (AAA), Matt Whitney (AAA)
2B: Ofilio Castro (AA), Jemel Spearman (AA), Marco Yepez (AAA)
3B: Kory Casto (AAA), Joel Guzman (AA)
SS: Freddie Bynum (AA)
OF: Edgardo Baez (AA), Norris Hopper (AAA), Ricardo Nanita (AA), Jorge Padilla (AAA)

JR

New Calculus

Kerry — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 04:23:56 GMT

So what's the big deal? It's only been...what, 10 months?

Check it out here.

Orioles vs. Cuba again?

JeffO — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:14:17 GMT

Schmuck:

Orioles vs. Cuba: Back to the future?

Really can't say I'm surprised that there is talk of the Orioles making another goodwill trip to Cuba next spring. Owner Peter Angelos savored the opportunity to engage in some baseball diplomacy back in 1999, and I was there with the delegation in Havana that negotiated the terms and arrangements for the goodwill series.

It was a hot-button issue then and it would be again. The Clinton administration was amenable to the trip, though it did not lead to any concrete changes in Cuban-American relations. Now, the Obama administration is making noises about improving relations after nearly a half-century of isolating the communist island nation, and Angelos told the Associated Press that he'd like the Orioles to play a role this time, too.

"Hopefully as next spring approaches, both governments will see clearer to improve the relations and make it rather easy for there to be a reciprocal arrangement," Angelos said. "Personally, I think the relations between the two countries should be clearly and emphatically re-established."

Riggleman is DA Man...

backstopbob — Thur, 12 Nov 2009 05:21:19 GMT

Jim Riggleman will be the Washington Nationals manager for 2010, a source told ESPN's Tim Kurkjian.

The team will make an annoucement on Thursday, the source said.

Riggleman was promoted from bench coach to interim manager in July, replacing the fired Manny Acta. The Nationals were 26-61 (a .299 winning percentage) at the time and went 33-42 (.440) under Riggleman, finishing with a major league-worst record of 59-103.

Clearly, this is a rebuilding -- or as general manager Mike Rizzo prefers to say, "building" -- team, and the Nationals apparently appreciated the signs of progress that came in the second half of 2009.

From the outset of Washington's managerial search, Rizzo made clear that Riggleman had a strong shot at the permanent job, calling him a "legitimate candidate" in late September.

"He put us on pace to really focus in and bear down on the fundamentals of the game, to play cleaner, more efficient ball. He's got the guys playing at a high level of attention. I think he's done the best job he could with the ability level he had on the field," Rizzo said then.

"Jim is a definite candidate to stay on," Rizzo added at the time. "Like I said, he's done a great job."

Riggleman also made it known he wanted the job.

He found himself in a similar situation a year ago with the Seattle Mariners, who fired their manager during the season and gave Riggleman the position on an interim basis. He was a candidate to stay on there, too, but didn't get the job.

In addition to his brief stint in Seattle, Riggleman managed in the majors with the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs.

He has a losing record in his career and only one finish as high as second place. His best season came with the 1998 Cubs, who were led by NL MVP Sammy Sosa's 66 homers and went 90-73 to make the playoffs as a wild card.

But Chicago went 67-95 to finish last in 1999, Riggleman's final year there. Next season will be his first since then with a full-fledged managing job from spring training.

Riggleman is the Nationals' third manager since the franchise moved from Montreal to Washington. He follows Frank Robinson, who guided the Nationals in 2005 and 2006, and Acta, who was recently hired to manage the Cleveland Indians.

An Amazing Photo

Craig — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:50:55 GMT

Check out this photo. Look at the shape of the ball as it is being literally smashed by Albert Pujols.

Gold Glove....I would be shocked

JeffO — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:40:45 GMT

By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com

"There's a good chance young, dynamic center fielder Adam Jones could take home his first Gold Glove this season."

Type A personalities

rlc — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 22:29:46 GMT

Elias has released the rankings of this year's free agents. Since I sincerely hope that MacPhail won't waste a draft pick on any of the Type A free agents, I'm happy to see that Adrian Beltre, Troy Glaus, Nick Johnson, Carlos Delgado, Adam LaRoche, and a whole bunch of pitchers are all Type Bs.

Strangest thing I have ever seen in a baseball game

OrangeOctober — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:16:37 GMT

You have to see this to believe it! In this Korean Baseball video, the pitcher hits the batter, but its what happens next that will surprise you!

This is the strangest thing I have ever seen in a baseball game. Maybe someone can explain this to me:

http://thedugoutdoctors.com/2009/11/korean-hbp-reaction-seeing-is-believing/

Hill, Fiorentino & G. Rodriguez refuse assignment to AAA - now free agents

JR — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:39:38 GMT

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-orioles1103,0,4858923.story

baltimoresun.com

Three O's refuse assignment, file for free agency

Hill, Fiorentino, G. Rodriguez now allowed to talk to other teams; Simon to Norfolk

By Dan Connolly

dan.connolly@baltsun.com

5:36 PM EST, November 3, 2009

Three 2009 Orioles have decided to refuse an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and have elected to file for free agency.

Pitcher Rich Hill, outfielder Jeff Fiorentino and catcher Guillermo Rodriguez have filed their paperwork with Major League Baseball and have informed the Orioles that they will become free agents.

Right-hander Alfredo Simon, who started two games in April before having elbow-ligament replacement surgery, accepted his assignment to Norfolk.

All four were taken off the club's 40-man roster last week.

It was Simon's desire to stay with the Orioles as he rehabs from surgery, his representative, Phil Isaac, wrote in an e-mail.

"Alfredo is a great fit for this organization, whose emphasis seems to be on building with young pitching," Isaac wrote. "He has a great arm and is willing to prove that in order to earn a spot in 2010."

Despite refusing their assignments, Hill, Fiorentino and Rodriguez could re-sign minor league deals with the Orioles later this offseason. The filing, however, allows them to talk with other organizations.

"We respect their decisions and thank them all for their contributions to the Orioles this year," said Matt Klentak, the club's director of baseball operations.

Hill, a 29-year-old lefty who was 3-3 with a 7.80 ERA in 57 2/3 innings before being shut down in late July due to shoulder inflammation, is the most likely to return.

The Orioles acquired Hill last year from the Chicago Cubs for cash because they liked his upside. He showed flashes, but he also battled injuries and wildness and struggled for much of the season. Eligible for arbitration, the Orioles removed him from the 40-man roster but haven't completely eliminated him from their plans.

"If Rich has interest in returning to the organization," Klentak said, "we would welcome him back in 2010."

Fiorentino, 26, batted .281 with 8 RBIs in 24 games with the Orioles this year. A former third-round pick of the team in 2004, he was first taken off the 40-man roster by the Orioles in January 2008 and was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds.

The Orioles re-claimed him from the Oakland Athletics in June 2008 and he made it back to Baltimore this season, after three years away from the big league club. Because he can play all three outfield positions, Fiorentino could land on another team's 40-man roster or may pursue an opportunity to play overseas.

Rodriguez, 31, was hitless in five at-bats for the Orioles in 2009. He spent most of the season at Double-A Bowie and also played 18 games at Triple-A Norfolk, batting a combined .244 at the two levels. If he returns, he would serve as a minor league reserve.

The Orioles are continuing the process of roster management.

Within the next week, outfielder Adam Jones and pitchers Koji Uehara and Brad Bergesen will be transferred from the 60-day disabled list back to the 40-man roster.

The day after the World Series ends, pending free agents have 15 days to declare for free agency and four Orioles are expected to do so: third baseman Melvin Mora, catcher Chad Moeller and pitchers Danys Baez and Mark Hendrickson.

Once they declare, each can be removed from the 40-man roster (but then must be added again if he re-signs).

Given those moves, the Orioles would have 33 players on their 40-man roster before adding any minor leaguers who would be eligible for the annual Rule 5 draft.

Those who are expected to be placed on the big league roster include first baseman Brandon Snyder, third baseman Josh Bell and pitcher Brandon Erbe (McDonogh). Others who must be added or would be exposed to December 10's Rule 5 draft include pitchers Steve Johnson (St. Paul's), Luis Lebron, Jim Hoey and Pedro Beato and infielders Pedro Florimon, Ryan Adams, Blake Davis and Rhyne Hughes.

Triple-A third baseman Scott Moore, who agreed to a minor league deal with the Orioles this offseason, also could be selected in the draft. The reserve lists for the Rule 5 draft must be set by Nov. 20.

"buying title #27"

JeffO — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:55:37 GMT

Jim Litke: Yankees on verge of buying title No. 27

By JIM LITKE AP Sports Columnist

Updated: 11/02/2009 08:51:57 AM EST

PHILADELPHIABrian Cashman leaned against the wall just outside manager Joe Girardi's office as the best players money can buy milled about inside a quiet, but quietly confident, clubhouse.

The longest-running gripe in baseball is the Yankees have so much cash that only they can afford to bury their mistakes, and since 1998, the still boyish-looking general manager has been the guy wielding the shovel.

Late Sunday night, with New York just 27 outs from winning its 27th World Seriesbut first since 2000the small smile that creased Cashman's lips was part relief, part I-told-you-so. It seemed to say, "You have no idea how hard it is to get value for your dollar."

Cashman has shelled out more than $1.6 billion in salaries since a broken-bat single by Arizona's Luis Gonzalez looped lazily over a drawn-in infield and ended the Yankees' last dynastic run as the calendar turned over on a new century.

Since then, he's lavished some of it on ballplayers who were great before they arrived in New York, and a few who were great after they left town. But he conceded that for all the time, research and cash invested in the process, he still hasn't figured out exactly why some thrive there and others leave town with tails tucked between their legs.

And pitchers, he added, remain the most mystifying purchase of all.

"But they're the key to the kingdom," Cashman said. "The last five, six, seven years have proven that beyond a doubt."

The play that put the Yankees back within striking distance of another World Series championship, though, had nothing to with pitching.

No. 2 hitter Johnny Damon singled with two outs and the score tied 4-4 in the top of the ninth of Game 4 off Phillies closer Brad Lidge. On the first pitch to Mark Teixiera, the next hitter, Damon took off for second. When a low throw from catcher Carlos Ruiz briefly handcuffed third baseman Pedro Feliz covering the bag, Damon popped up and alertly took off for third. A double by Alex Rodriguez put New York back in the lead, then Jorge Posada's two-run single provided more room for error than closer Mariano Rivera would need while shutting down the Phillies 1-2-3 to end the game.

The reason the Phillies had no one even close to the base at third on Damon's romp is because they were overshifted on the left side of the infield to deal with Teixiera, a switch-hitter who was batting left-handed against the right-handed Lidge. Few players command that kind of respect, but Teixiera is one of them.

That explains, in part, why the Yankees acquired him before the season and will pay Teixiera an average of $22.5 million this year and for seven more. And after batting in front of Tex and seeing teams employ the shift for an entire season, Damon knew he only needed a moment of daylight to know if the coast would be clear to keep running.

"What I had to see before I could start running to third was how Pedro caught the ball," he said. "So I knew it drug him off some.

"I'm just glad," he added, "that when I started running, I still had some of my young legs behind."

Damon was a star in Boston, but in New York he's just a small piece of the puzzle. He's only the fifth highest-paid position player on their team, but at 35, few clubs could justify paying a player his age the $13 million Damon collects annually in New York. Those same clubs would have to scrimp and save for three years to buy just one player like Teixiera. But he was one of three stars the Yankees added this seasonalong with staff ace CC Sabathia and No. 2 starter A.J. Burnettfor $423.5 million.

Burnett takes the mound Monday night, like Sabathia a day earlier, on three days' rest. His job is to buy the Yankees bats enough time to build a lead, then turn the game over to the middle relievers and eventually Rivera, arguably the most reliable final act in sports. If Burnett fails, the series shifts back to New York and the Yankees' new $1.5 billion baseball palace for Game 6, where the task falls to Andy Pettitte.

That formulagreat starting pitching, timely hitting and Riveraproduced four championships from 1996-2000. Only four players from those teams are still wearing pinstripesDerek Jeter, Rivera, Posada and Pettitteand maybe it's just coincidence, but all four bubbled up from within the Yankee organization.

That foundation has given the Yankees the luxury to reload rather than rebuild. There are plenty of players whose skills might earn them a spot on one of the biggest stages in sports, but only a few with the toughness and desire to hold on to their places for long.

Cashman has scanned the globe and spared no expense trying to find them. He knows only too well how rare those guys are. Toward the end of an interview, Rivera's name comes up and the GM's tone shifts almost to reverence.

"A guy we gave very little money to, who came out of a small village in Panama and moved to the big city without ever once stumbling or losing his footing. For him to do what he did for as long as he has," Cashman said, "is incredible."

Hendrickson wants to return

Meg — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:58:32 GMT

Hendrickson hopes O's won't wait

Agent: Pitcher wants club to take advantage of exclusive negotiating window

By Jeff Zrebiec

When the World Series ends, the Orioles' exclusive 15-day negotiating window with would-be free-agent pitcher Mark Hendrickson will begin. And while that period usually comes and goes for most free agents without any serious negotiations, Hendrickson's agent is hopeful that his client's experience with the Orioles will be different.

"We won't wait just for the purpose of waiting," said Joe Urbon of CAA Sports. "They have an exclusive window to talk and try to get something done, and I would hope that they'd use it because I know that's what Mark would like.

"There have been indications and a vibe that there is an interest in the Orioles in having him back, and Mark has made it clear that he has an interest in staying. It has to work on both sides. That includes fit and role and economics. I don't see any reason that all three things can't be accomplished."

Impressed with Hendrickson's versatility and leadership on a young pitching staff, Orioles manager Dave Trembley has advocated for the return of the 35-year-old left-hander.

Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said this week that while he has not had contract talks with Urbon, he would be open to negotiations.

"We don't have an issue with starting at any time," MacPhail said in an e-mail to The Baltimore Sun.

Hendrickson, who signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal last December, went 6-5 with a 4.37 ERA in 53 games while playing several different roles for the Orioles during the 2009 season.

Hendrickson started the season in the rotation and then moved to the bullpen, where he was used as a long man and as a situational lefty. He rejoined the rotation in September and made four starts after rookie Brian Matusz was shut down.

While Hendrickson went at least six innings and allowed three earned runs or fewer in his final three starts, he was clearly more effective working out of the bullpen. He went 4-0 with a 3.44 ERA in 42 relief outings and compiled a 2-5 record with a 5.40 ERA in five starts. If the Orioles were to re-sign him, it would almost certainly be as a reliever.

"There really hasn't been a game plan in that area," Urbon said. "It's still early. We're still shaking up the effects of the season. There isn't a set schedule, but there may be an opportunity to" get something done.

Loewen update

Meg — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:56:17 GMT

From a blurb in the Sun about the Arizona Fall League:

Former Orioles starting pitcher Adam Loewen was 1-for-3 with a strikeout for the Desert Dogs. He played left field in the game.

The 25-year-old outfielder is hitting .171 with 17 strikeouts in 10 games for Phoenix. Four of his six hits came in one game against Scottsdale on Oct. 15.

Meg

Roster Updates

nothingman — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:39:05 GMT

Per Roch:

Quote:

The Orioles have outrighted pitchers Rich Hill, Bob McCrory and Alfredo Simon to Triple-A Norfolk, removing them from the 40-man roster.

All three pitchers cleared waivers. Hill and Simon were reinstated from the 60-day disabled list. McCrory recently underwent surgery on his right shoulder.

More Roch:

Quote:

The Orioles have named Jeff Datz as bench coach, decined their options on Melvin Mora and Chad Moeller, outrighted Jeff Fiorentino, Chris Lambert, Jim Miller and Guillermo Rodriguez, and lost Sean Henn to a waiver claim.

I like Jim Miller and hope he doesn't leave as a MIL free agent. And whither Fiorentino?