Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with
As this article about Barry Bonds by Barry M. Bloom of MLB.com indicates, there has been an important change in the new agreement between baseball owners and the players' union.
Under the new rules of the Basic Agreement, the Giants have until Dec. 1 to offer Bonds arbitration and he must accept or reject the offer by Dec. 7. Unlike the old rules, the Giants can continue to negotiate with Bonds up to and into the regular season even if they decline to offer Bonds arbitration.
I have written often in the past about how the previous arbitration deadlines made it harder for teams to retain their own players. This new rule changes that. Most notably, unless I'm missing something, the Dodgers will now have more time to learn about Eric Gagne's physical condition before making a yea-or-nay decision on a contract offer.
Ken Davidoff of Newsday has a nice rundown of the new agreement. Here's the section on the draft and free-agent compensation:
Teams that fail to sign a first- or second-round draft pick will get the same pick in the next draft as compensation. So if the Royals have next year's first pick and can't sign him, they'll get pick "1A" in 2008, which means, "the first pick after one."
The signing deadline for draft selections is now Aug. 15, except for college seniors.
The pool of players to generate draft-pick compensation gets shortened considerably. Starting next year, a Type A free agent will be in the top 20 percent at his position, rather than the top 30 percent, and a Type B player will be in the 21st through 40th percentile, rather than 31-50.
The compensation for a Type B player is now a sandwich pick, meaning the team that signs him no longer gives up a draft pick.
* * *
The Dodgers hired Stan "I'M NOT RELATED TO VICTOR" Conte on Friday as director of medical services and head athletic trainer. Two quick points:
1) Steve Henson of the Times writes that Conte "wanted Barry Bonds' personal trainers banned from the clubhouse, but team executives refused to do it. Among Bonds' trainers was Greg Anderson, who in 2003 was indicted on charges he distributed steroids to players as part of the BALCO investigation."
Was Colletti one of the "team executives?" No idea.
2) There's no doubt the Dodgers have had trouble keeping their players on the field in recent years. I don't know if Conte is the solution, but it'll be interesting to see if things improve. Henson adds that "Giants players spent fewer days on the disabled list than any team except the Chicago White Sox from 1997 to 2004, but the number of injuries mounted the last two years, primarily because the Giants signed numerous players well into their 30s."
The whole CBA makes so much more sense now for everyone concerned. Those artificial deadlines are now gone and some work can actually be done at the winter meeting.
Now, how about a third base coach?
As for the Dodgers I stated this earlier, I feel badly for Stan Johnson, however; while its difficult to say whether he was responsible for the rash of Dodger injuries the last few years, much of the blame for the re-injuries lie at his doorstep. And let's face, the re-injuries have been more maddening than the original injuries. I welcome Conte. If he can keep Barry, Finley, Winn and Alou on the field, imagine what he can do with a staff that does not qualify for a discount when it goes to the movies
Although a number of our players in 2006 might have qualified for a student discount. ;)
(Sorry Jon, I know you hate when we speculate about steroid use but I really believe Gagne was a user).
"David Eckstein? One guy, and two teams. He is, in fact, the first player ever to play shortstop and bat leadoff for two different World Series-winning franchises. In 2002, he batted .310 and scored six runs to help his Angels beat the Giants in a dramatic seven-game Series. And this time around, he batted .364 and scored five runs to earn MVP honors (and that shiny sports car)."
If the Bums bring Gagne back, does that mean that he or Broxton can move to the rotation?
He's also said Boras is his agent; he's not Boras' player.
Colletti has said that as a person Gagne is "as good as it gets." If so, maybe Gagne will feel an obgligation to the team that paid him megabucks the last couple years while he has been unable to play.
Link to story RE Boras, which when you click on you get told is archived, and you have to pay for it. And I ain't gonna. So there.
www.dailynews.com/dodgers/ci_4223201
Maybe someone has a backdoor way to the story.
LA Daily News (8/23_?_) -Headline: "Gagne might take less to stay," said he will maintain full control of his upcoming free-agent negotiations. "(Boras) is my agent," Gagne said. "I'm not his player." ...
As they might say on TV news, "how this all plays out remains to be seen, D4P.."
He later backtracked on some of those statements. I agree with D4P if Gagne wasn't only interested in money he wouldn't have Boras as his agent. Boras is the best agent in the world in getting his clients the greatest possible contract if money is the only issue. I don't think he does as good a job in putting his clients in the best possible position to succeed and earn that money for his customers. I would have a real problem with Ned if he gives Gagne a 10Mill a year for an area that isn't a real concern to me instead of somewhere else unless McCourt is moving the salary budget upto the 120Mill range.
Yay!
Yay! (again with the yay)
I think they spent too long on the Rita storyline
The Maggie Lizer stuff, on the other hand, was Hi-larious.
Did season 3 have the GOB/Steve Holt storyline? That was great. The "kid who found the severed hand" was classic. I also liked the episode with Justine Bateman. "She's blowing everyone." "Away, right? She's blowing everyone away...?"
Ah, so the JUICE is responsible for that devestating change-up.
http://www.nysun.com/article/42225
I see that Nomar filed for free agency. Does this mean anything? Does this mean we can't offer him arbitration and thus get draft picks for him? The whole thing is quite confusing.
That Gagne had nothing resembling a 99pmh fastball, and to be honest Gagne never threw at 99 consistently, but he still made two of the league's best hitters look like minor leaguers.
If we can keep a healthy Gagne, at any price, we do it.
Health not Money is the issue.
Will Boras and Gagne take an incentive contract? Not a chance. But there you go.
RIP smoke a stogey for the old foe, well except Andrew.
32. Agreed 100%
33. I'd be ok with that.
In an article in the LA Times, (I believe) Gagne stated he would be more than open to accept an incentive laden contract, just not one with such a low base like Frank Thomas. I guess you can take it for what its worth with evilBoras as his agent
I hope Bob isn't at this game.
Also, it is a glorious day. Stanford did not have to play!
You have to give UCLA a break -- their QB is hurt
Who says Stanford grads don't have a UCLA mentality.
5 days till Bruin basketball...
5 days till Bruin basketball...
43 Stanford's QB is also out for the rest of the year with a broken foot.
That said, I like the headlines that 59 players filed for free agency today but there is no place that I can find the complete list.
They do mention by name, Frank Thomas, Barry Bonds and Nomar Garciaparra, as well as Barry Zito, Alfonso Soriano and Luis Gonzalez.
Players have until November 11th 9:00 P.M. PST, to file for free agency.
Hooray the Hot Stove Season has officially begun.
http://tinyurl.com/yzvfkb
Sorry, BH, I'm just a really angry Bruin right now.
See "Punishment, Glutton for"
She thought that UCLA could beat USC this year. But she said that before the debacle.
I went to the game with a USC fan
Does your girlfriend know about this...?
I agree. I have no allegiance to my current grad school at all.
Did Bob spike her Diet Pepsi again...?
After watching Oregon State beat USC, one hopes the homers reevaluate.
Well, opposites attract, I guess
vr, Xei
You do the math...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobt2/107969508/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobt2/107969504/
Let's go iceberg! Dah Dah, Dahdahdah!
"Tataglia's a pimp, he could have never fought off Sonny. But until this very day I never realized, it was Barzini all along."
Are you suggesting that Dorrell "stay the course"...?
Yes, stay the course right into the iceberg.
Such a shame, too. I had such high hopes for the guy.
Well, "high hopes" are the kiss of death in sports (if not in life). I try not to get too emotionally attached to my teams anymore, as I did as a youth. It's generally not worth it.
When it comes to UCLA, rational thought tends to go out the window.
I'm much more pragmatic and even keel when it comes to the Dodgers, that's for sure.
Mom's a Bruin. Dad's a Bruin. I'm a Bruin. So, you know, I grew up in a rational, intelligent house full of maniacal UCLA fans.
Not good.
Hi-larious.
Oh yeah. They teach there, right...?
Stangely, not a big college sports fan though. What a waste.
Law school never counts. For anything.
(Orenduff) had seemed on track for a possible September callup before it happened. Shoulder problems are usually the more serious and hardest to come back from but in his case it wasn't as severe, involving cleaning out some tendons in his biceps area.
He's back to doing long toss and hopefully will return to action in the spring.
http://tinyurl.com/ykjnyx
Is that site worth subscribing to or do they just regurgitate information I can gather from BA/Sickels/BP?
It seems if the Dodgers would be willing to bump up the payroll 5 mill or so he could be easily had.....of course that would mean he he would have shown signs of being healthy.
So I can't tell you if the Dodger site is worth it, the UCLA site does provide pretty good information on what goes on with recruiting and the ongoing seasons.
Right now and for a lot of this season its been meltdown city for the UCLA football program.
fear the fasano.
Happens when your rb has 4 tds, but my team stinks anyways.
Nice to hear Dan is not pleased with Dorrell.
The Rays need relievers, not so much closers, and I'm almost definite that Gagne is nowhere the equation. However, as a baseball fan, I'm just wondering what the market for injury-prone closer will be.
And Mighty. I'm not sure, but I think Casey (the cat) had something to do with the signing of Furcal...
And he had made a lot of money doing it.
He can run toward guaranteed money, and the team will survive. It would be nice if he took a four million dollar, incentive laden deal, but I'm not holding my breath.
Good luck in Boston, Eric.
http://tinyurl.com/y4l7sj
Someone here said Gagne changed his tone a bit after this. What did he say then?
It couldn't have been more obvious that after the story ran, Boras called Gagne and read him the riot act.
I'm sure what Boras is seeing is that marketing Gagne as a high-priced free agent, getting him a lucrative 3-year deal is going to be his stiffest challenge yet. He's going to have to create an auction based on nothing but past history and a doctor's assurances. If the Greater Fools think they don't have a shot at Gagne to begin with -- disastrous.
I'm used to not having Gagne around, obviously. His absence didn't hurt attendance, and we got to the playoffs. That said, if Boras is unsuccessful in getting a deep-pocketed team to take him on his terms and the market drops back down to where it should be for Gagne, I hope the Dodgers at least try to sign him. I tend to think his return to excellence is a fair bet.
SAN DIEGO -- Dodgers closer Eric Gagne, who is out for the season with a back injury and clearly headed for free agency in the fall, said Tuesday he wants to remain with the club.
He also is willing to take less money than he might get from another team in order to do so.
"I'm a Dodger," Gagne said. "I want to be here. I think we have a really good relationship. But that's out of my control. I have to get healthy, and then I will go wherever someone wants me. But I think they want me here, so I don't think it will be a problem."
Asked if he would give the Dodgers a hometown discount, Gagne said, "Definitely."
The Dodgers hold a $12 million club option on Gagne for next season, but there is no chance they will exercise it. Once they have paid the $1 million buyout, it will become a matter of whether the Dodgers want to negotiate to re-sign Gagne, who is represented by notorious hardball agent Scott Boras. Gagne is nearing the end of a two-year, $19 million deal, during which he has made all of 16 appearances. He is getting a $10 million salary this season, when he has made all of two.
Boras isn't known for giving clubs hometown discounts on behalf of his clients, but Gagne said he will maintain full control of his upcoming free-agent negotiations.
"(Boras) is my agent," Gagne said. "I'm not his player."
https://dodgerthoughts.baseballtoaster.com/archives/485197.html
https://dodgerthoughts.baseballtoaster.com/archives/483620.html
Game Over was really cute and all, but Eric Gagne doesn't crack my five most important issues this offseason.
Does that mean he's #6...?
1) Can we get a slugger?
2) Will we grab Zito or Schmidt?
3) Matsuzaka, anyone?
4) Who's on first?
5) What's the name of the man on third base?
6) Who plays centerfield?
7) Does Maddux re-sign?
8) Kuo in the rotation?
9) Will Gagne re-sign?
10)Whither Yhency Brazoban?
To quote John Lennon...Number Nine...Number Nine...Number Nine...
Hopefully not "Rich Donnelly"
Hangman!
Um, I'll start with "h"...
Never heard that one before...
Well, the guy has been a Dodger fan for 50 years, so that phrase might be before our time...
We had a lengthy discussion on Joe Beimel and no one complained.
He may help us get an ace. Who doesn't wanna throw to Sal Fasano?
Answer: 356
Question: What was Sal Fasano's Rate2 in 2002?
but I do think the slugger question will be answered by either 4, 5, or 6 (and I'm hoping it's 5 since I'd like to see Kemp and Loney get a shot)
I still think Conte is a big deal for our future but it may just be wishfull thinking which I'm prone to.
2 days until the NBA kicks off.
Hochevar in AFL before being pulled: 8 1/3 IP, 8 ER. More on injury concern, apparently not a big deal===
http://tinyurl.com/yb2w7r
I dont know if I hate this time of year b/c its the longest possible amount of time from the baseball season or b/c the NBA kicks off :)
The more I think about it, I would really like the Dodgers to sign Schmidt, I think its a perfect fit b/c after the 3 or so years expires the Dodgers hopefully wont need an impact starter for some time. I also hope the Dodgers forget Maddux.
Schmidt
Lowe
Penny
Bills
Kuo
Im not too worried about depth when that means someone like Lilly..ect. we have plenty of inexpensive options IMO
Thank goodness. My first Sunday without baseball and I remember just how much I don't care about the NFL.
Rutgers leads UConn 17-13 in the 4th quarter. Despite being undefeated, Rutgers doesn't get a whole lot of fans.
I have been to one (count it, one) UNC football game in my four football seasons here. That game was a clash between Rutgers and UNC, at the beginning of this season. Rutgers had a pretty decent following at the game.
The student newspaper at UNC is called the Daily Tarheel.
gum, heel, gum on heel...
Jae Seo and ODP (Odialus Dreadful Pitching ) both were in WBC, struggled with LA, and eventually got traded. Both pitched better afterward--not every time, but better overall.
Seo had 6 quality starts of his last 10. ODP had 3 QS of 5 in Sept. Over his last 2, ODP gave up just 3 ER in 13 IP.
I saw claims that they just needed to be in the rotation longer, let them work out the kinks. IMO, given what they did in LA, that's a hard case to make.
Maybe this is a bit of a stretch. But could part of their struggles have been due to different WBC coaching and handling with normal MLB routines, practice, timing, mechanics, etc. being thrown off? Maybe they picked up plain old bad habits.
The WBC coming as close as it did to the season might have been a factor. Any ideas?Has anyone seen anything about this?
Teams complained about the WBC's effect on pitchers all year round.
You need local fans especially if you want to get anything out of your TV and radio contracts.
Stan from Tacoma
Fresno and Sacramento have teams. The San Bernardino and Riverside areas are dominated by the California League.
Stan from Tacoma
There are almost 2 million in the metro area, and it's still growing. It's about the same size as Kansas City metro. And the above mentioned casinos makes the potential population bigger.
The hang up will be the sports books. They currently don't take action on UNLV games, and I'm guessing they wouldn't be able to take action on games involving a pro team (this would be a great deal of trouble if said team makes the playoffs).
As far as playing conditions go... they play in Arizona, Tampa Bay, and several other less than ideal locales.
Palm Springs? Bad as Vegas. Santa Barbara? Carmel?
A AAA team in Southern California would only have a chance of being viable if it were in the Inland Empire, but then the Cal League would get ticked off because a whole bunch of teams would have to move: Rancho Cucamona, Inland Empire (San Berdoo), High Desert (Adelanto), Lake Elsinore.
When corporations buy season tickets and write them off, they usually justify it by saying they are taking out a client and talking business.
I don't think you can paper the whole house with freebies like that and get the IRS to agree to write it off.
A total of 83 players have filed since the World Series from a potential free-agent class of about 200. Players can file through Nov. 11, and free agents can talk money with all teams beginning the following day.
Jason Schmidt and Alfonso Soriano filed today. Former 2006 Dodgers to file so far include Ricky Ledee, Danys Baez and Sandy Alomar, Jr. The link provides the first total list of free agents I have seen.
CURRENT LIST OF FREE AGENTS (12:00 a.m. 10/30/2006)
LOS ANGELES (3) -- Nomar Garciaparra, 1B; Julio Lugo, SS; Ramon E. Martinez, 2B.
http://tinyurl.com/yjzdtx
I think the no betting on UNLV (and Nevada also) games is more PR than anything else.
Early lines have Cal as a 17 point favorite over UCLA.
TCU is a 20 point favorite over UNLV.
USC is favored by 28 1/2 over Stanford.
Put the stadium in the Sepulveda Basin; no AAA games during flood season. :)
The SFV team could be called the NIMBYs.
They could build it over the Cricket fields:)
http://tinyurl.com/uaerv
Not in any order.
Nixon - Solid OB and power man who used to be a great defensive RF but with constant injuries. If we were to trade Ethier for pitching he'd be a nice choice to man LF, but he'd need a platoon partner as he can't hit lefties any better then Lofton.
Riske - okay setup man. His early pitching peripherals have never translated into the elite relief pitcher he could have been. Dominance continues to fall along with his command while his HR rate goes up. Might be worth a flier as the 4th guy in the bullpen if he's cheap enough.
Otavio Dotel - still weak from his surgery. Showed nothing in 2006 but I'm always on the lookout for pitchers who've struggled after the 1st year back from surgery who used to have awesome stuff.
Eaton - Dodger killer, for some reason I still have hope for him but it is probably misplaced.
Mathews Jr - would easily fill our void in CF but will probably be to expensive coming off his career year considering his ups and downs. He's not as good as he showed in 2006 but he would be a capable CF for us.
Lilly - Would thrive in DS. I'm very curious what he ends up getting.
Year IP ERA xERA Ctl Dom Cmd hr/9 G/L/F
==== === ==== ==== === === === === ========
2003 178 4.35 3.74 2.9 7.4 2.5 1.2 35/20/45
2004 197 4.06 3.89 4.1 7.7 1.9 1.2 36/18/46
2005 126 5.57 4.32 4.1 6.9 1.7 1.6 37/22/41
2006 187 4.31 3.60 4.0 7.9 2.0 1.4 41/18/41
I'd make a serious play for him.
Blanco - he'd be a perfect backup catcher for Martin.
Valentin - possible super utility option
Schmidt - Who wouldn't want him, the problem will be the number of years.
Soriano - If he will stay in LF then I'm interested.
Wolf - Since he went to my local HS (ECR) I've always been a fan. Another pitcher who just came back from surgery and flailed. His biggest failing has been his HR rate, and while DS may not help that, getting out of Phillie will. I'd take a chance on him at the right price.
Year IP ERA Ctl Dom Cmd hr/9
==== == ==== === === === ====
2003 200 4.23 3.5 8.3 2.3 1.2
2004 136 4.30 2.4 5.9 2.5 1.3
2005 80 4.39 2.9 6.9 2.6 1.6
2006 44 5.56 5.3 7.0 1.3 1.6
But were there any stories written or was any objective analysis done on aftereffects--or lack of--on players? Or is the griping all anecdotal?
Teams would be very quick to blame the WBC for problems of players who participated, and they might be right. Seo and ODP might be instances of it.
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