MLB Exhibition Games 2013 Thread

[Damian Rey]

That hat is gorgeous.

[ClockShot]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BDAEnT4CMAAKRLB.jpg:large

In the immortal words of Rafiki, "The king, has returned."

[Innovator]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WbjQsNB0Egg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[ClockShot]

Yankees aquire Shawn Kelley from the Mariners for Abe Almonte.

What the fuck, Cashman. Would you get out of Jack Z's bed already!

[ClockShot]

Rockies aquire Reid Brignac from the Rays for cash and a PTBNL.

Miguel Cairo gets a job in the Reds front office as a special assistant to GM Walt Jocketty.

[Innovator]

In an attempt to endear himself to Yankee fans, Youkilis said that he'll always consider himself a Red Sock

[Triple Naitch]

:cool:

[YOUR Hero]

In an attempt to endear himself to Yankee fans, Youkilis said that he'll always consider himself a Red Sock

I see him being terrible this year

[Droford]

Wish I could get on a plane and fly out to Vegas and bet every last dime I have on the orioles over 76.5 wins..no way in hell they don't at least finish .500, it'll be easy money

[Innovator]

I hope Joba throws at him during batting practice

[Damian Rey]

The Os did virtually nothing to improve themselves. Their starting pitching is questionable, question marks at first, second, left and dh, and you cant expect the bullpen to repeat a flukey 1 run record. The Jays and Rays both got better, Yankees still have an atleast solid rotation and offense, and the Sox, while not looking spectacular, should be better than last year. I think the Os are in for a stiff reality check this year.

[RP]

The O's just need to grow up.

[RP]

Pretty sure Manny Machado is gunna do the No Hands Ejac to Pornog this year.

[Emperor Smeat]

Youkilis changed his stance on being always a Red Sox by saying he made a mistake and meant he's proud to be a Yankee now.

:lol: at his recent meeting and plans with Joba Chamberlain
"I said hi to Joba today," Youkilis said. "We shook hands. He is growing a mustache. Tomorrow, we'll hug.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/8951165/kevin-youkilis-says-proud-member-new-york-yankees

[The Condor]

I hope Joba throws at him during batting practice

And Joba will tear his rotator cuff in the process.

[Innovator]

I think thats the only thing he hasn't hurt yet, sounds probable.

[ClockShot]

FOX released their MLB broadcasting schedule. Yankees got 8 games this season on the network, 5 of those against the Red Sox. The other 3 are vs. the Tigers, Angels, and O's.

:nono:

[ClockShot]

O's sign Jair Jurrjens to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. He's got an opt-out clause in case he don't make the big league team, I guess.

[Droford]

The Os did virtually nothing to improve themselves. Their starting pitching is questionable, question marks at first, second, left and dh, and you cant expect the bullpen to repeat a flukey 1 run record. The Jays and Rays both got better, Yankees still have an atleast solid rotation and offense, and the Sox, while not looking spectacular, should be better than last year. I think the Os are in for a stiff reality check this year.

1b isn't an issue. Chris Davis is there. He hit 33 hrs in 139 games as a non everyday player with a respectable .270 avg

Last year the O's won 93 games with Robert andino, Omar quintnilla, Brian Roberts and Ryan flaherty at 2nd. Im not too concerned about 2nd, alexi cassila is a good defensive player probably equal to Andino. Maybe Roberts comes back..

There isn't a question mark in left field. People forget that Nolan reimold was on a tear last April (.313 with 5 hrs in 16 games) before his injury. He can also DH which puts Nate mclouth in left.

Pitching wise, the bullpen is almost the same (no Kevin Gregg!) Great closer, great setup guys in oday and strop.

The o's have like 11 pitchers who could be in the rotation but I think that 4 of the 5 will be hammel, Chen, gonzalez, Tillman. Hammel had his best k ratio last year and was getting lots of ground balls. Chen was great early but did wear down late in the season. Tillman was 9-3 with a sub 3 era in 15 starts after being called up July 4th.

[Triple Naitch]

McLouth is trash. Nolan Reimold has nerve damage or something like that. Dunno how he will recover.

[Droford]

Reimold took his first swings against live batting practice Tuesday and said he felt fine. He has worked hard to rebuild the strength in his shoulder and says he is close enough to 100 percent to take part in all baseball-related activities when full-squad workouts begin Saturday.

"I should be able to do everything,'' he said. "I think I'll be doing everything, barring something unforeseen. That's my plan, to be out there with no limitations and get to work."


Reimolds fine

[DaveWadding]

The Orioles were unsustainably lucky last year, then didn't improve. They will win between 78 and 85 games this year.

[Droford]

Addition through subtraction

[Emperor Smeat]

FOX released their MLB broadcasting schedule. Yankees got 8 games this season on the network, 5 of those against the Red Sox. The other 3 are vs. the Tigers, Angels, and O's.

:nono:

Figured maybe ESPN had the rest of the Sox-Yanks matchup but turns out Red Sox have just 4 games planned for ESPN (3 involve the Yanks).

They have 9 games for Fox (5 vs Yankes, 1 each vs Angels, Tigers, Dodgers, and Os)

[The Condor]

Reimolds fine

I think he'll have a decent year, but the bullpen is going to have to be special again or the offense with the same pieces is going to have to improve. O's have about 81-85 win potential but TOR, TB and NYY all seem better. Not shitting on the O's, a team I respect, but being realistic.

[Droford]

Remember how great the marlins were supposed to be last year? That's how the blue jays season is going to go.

And what did the Yankees due to improve?

[Droford]

Ooh they signed youk and haffner. They also lost swisher, ibanez, soriano and won't have a-rod. Who ends up being the catcher after letting martin go (who sucked but still..)? How long will ichiro's revival last before he's back to playing like he was in seattle?

[Triple Naitch]

Nobody is saying the Yankees improved, but at least they did something.

[The Condor]

Dude, Im not shitting on the O's, I actually appreciate and like teams like them And how they play the game. However, TB, TOR have formidable rosters and the Yankees, if the past 17 years have taught is anything, should not be discounted. That's all Im saying. The division is going to be a meat grinder and I don't see a team dominating, this 81-85 wins isn't that bad.

[Droford]

The rays scare me more than the jays. You can't just overhaul 2/3rds of the teams roster and expect them to do so great.

[Triple Naitch]

Can't expect a team that snuck into the playoffs as a wild card and then did nothing to improve their team to be so great either.

I really wanted to see them get in on some free agents, but Angelos is too cheap to spend on anyone. Hamilton would have been amazing in orange and black.

[owenbrown]

there's more to baseball than the American League East :roll:

[Triple Naitch]

No there's not. Stay out of this, Owen.

[RoXer]

This year though I can honestly say I'm looking forward to watching the AL East.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>The AL East is such a toss up. No fucking clue who will win that one. Probably won't even make a decision until I start writing up my predictions near the end of spring training. That division is seriously wide open.</font>

[Droford]

We can agree it won't be the Red sox at least?

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>The Red Sox bullpen looks like it could be pretty boss:

Joel Hanrahan
Andrew Bailey
Koji Uehara
Craig Breslow
Junichi Tazawa
Andrew Miller
Alfredo Aceves

Aceves blows but now he'll be a mop-up guy/long reliever, probably where he's better suited.</font>

[Triple Naitch]

Sox also have some good character guys and a new manager who can bring out the best in their best pitchers.

See, Droford, I can dream too.

[screech]

<font color=goldenrod>The Red Sox bullpen looks like it could be pretty boss:

Joel Hanrahan
Andrew Bailey
Koji Uehara
Craig Breslow
Junichi Tazawa
Andrew Miller
Alfredo Aceves

Aceves blows but now he'll be a mop-up guy/long reliever, probably where he's better suited.</font>

Aceves in any relief role but closer is good

[The Condor]

See, Droford, I can dream too.

In the spring we all do. But yeah, not smelling the Red Sux making too much of a push. Not much faith in NYY either, though.

[Emperor Smeat]

Red Sox have a better chance as spoilers than division contenders at least for this year. On paper the pitching and bullpen should be better but then again the same was said for the past 2 seasons only to see both just fail miserably.

Baring any team pulling an "Oakland" this year, think the AL East takes both Wild Card spots this season.

Realistically all I'm hoping is maybe they grab the 2nd Wild Card spot and keep rebuilding the farm.

[The Condor]

Baring any team pulling an "Oakland" this year, think the AL East takes both Wild Card spots this season.

I might agree but TEX and LAA are good teams that could take a Wildcard spot.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Imagine an all-AL East team? Would probably be something like:

C Wieters
1B Teixeira
2B Cano
SS Reyes
3B Longoria
OF Granderson-Jones-Bautista (guys like Melky/Gardner on the bench if you want to be technical and have a "true left fielder")
DH Ortiz/Encarnacion platoon

Ben Zobrist on the bench to play every fucking position

Rotation including guys like Price, Dickey, Sabathia, etc.

Bullpen including Mo, Hanrahan, Johnson, Rodney, etc.

Stacked.</font>

[Triple Naitch]

The American League is so deep this year. You have the entire AL East, the Tigers, Angels, A's, and Rangers, plus teams like the Indians, Royals, and Mariners who made improvements.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah, the AL is way deeper than the NL. All of the divisions just feel like two team races to me.

Nats or Braves for the NL East. Both teams to have 90+ wins. The aging Phillies and rebuilding Mets to battle over 3rd place. The hilariously bad Marlins to finish in the cellar.

Reds or Cards for the Central. Definitely feeling the Reds, but I can't totally write off the Cards since they always seem to find their way in the hunt. No more Astros to help pad wins for the other teams.

Dodgers or Giants for the NL West. Don't really see the other teams being a threat at all.

Then that leaves the 3 divisional losers to fight over the Wild Card spots.</font>

[Keith]

Spring Training is here, so going just by what's on paper, here are my early 2013 season predictions:

American League

AL East

1. Rays FTW
2. Jays
3. Orioles
4. Yankees
5. Red Sox

AL Central

1. Tigers
2. White Sox
3. Indians
4. Twins
5. Royals

AL West

1. Angels
2. Rangers
3. A's
4. Mariners
5. Astros

Wild Cards: Jays and Rangers, with the Jays advancing.


National League

NL East

1. Nationals
2. Braves
3. Phillies
4. Mets
5. Marlins

NL Central

1. Reds
2. Cardinals
3. Milwaukee
4. Cubs
5. Pirates

NL West

1. Dodgers
2. Giants
3. Diamondbacks
4. Padres
5. Colorado

Wild Cards: Giants and Braves, with the Giants advancing

[Damian Rey]

Kieth, you do realize the Rays are stacked with young pitching to supplement the loss of their third best pitcher, and got Will Myers, who's going to be, at worst, as good as Upon?

I think they have a good chance to compete for, at worst, second.

[YOUR Hero]

and a healthy Longoria

[Keith]

Yeah, you're right. I'm just disappointed we have no Shields, Upton or Pena.

But we picked up Roberto "Fausto Carmona" Hernandez, Yunel Escobar, James Loney. We still have David Price. Evan is gonna be in the line-up from day 1 and Zobrist is on his way to being a star.

[ClockShot]

For the first time since it's inception in '74, no MLB players had to go to an arbitration hearing this season.

[Bad News Gertner]

Yunel Escobar will wear out fast in Tampa.

[RoXer]

Can someone find me a list of JUST the interleague games this year?

[Emperor Smeat]

Josh Hamilton's appreciation and support for his former team ended up trashing Dallas as a non-football city and calling the fans who supported him as being spoiled. Also implied Los Angeles is a better baseball city.
http://espn.go.com/dallas/mlb/story/_/id/8959488/los-angeles-angels-josh-hamilton-says-dallas-forth-worth-not-true-baseball-town

[DaveWadding]

D'Backs acquire another major league quality outfielder. They got Tony Campana off the Cubs for a couple minor league arms.

[DaveWadding]

Josh Hamilton's appreciation and support for his former team ended up trashing Dallas as a non-football city and calling the fans who supported him as being spoiled. Also implied Los Angeles is a better baseball city.
http://espn.go.com/dallas/mlb/story/_/id/8959488/los-angeles-angels-josh-hamilton-says-dallas-forth-worth-not-true-baseball-town

To be fair, a lot of what he said is being taken out of context. He said that Dallas is primarily a football city. That's true. Texas is Football Capital of the World.

Rangers fans have been spoiled by the team. They have been incredibly good (much of that due to Hamilton himself) the past 4 or so seasons and that has really driven the attendance in Arlington up. Whether it sustains as the Rangers age and lose star quality guys like Hamilton remains to be seen.

And Anaheim/LA is pretty much a better baseball city by default.

[ClockShot]

Pirates extend manager Cliff Hurdle into 2014 and give him an option for 2015.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

The Dodgers and Angels combined averaged 79,000 per game last year. Come on, that's a pretty good baseball town.

[loopydate]

Spring Training is here, so going just by what's on paper, here are my early 2013 season predictions:

American League

AL East

1. Rays FTW
2. Jays
3. Orioles
4. Yankees
5. Red Sox

AL Central

1. Tigers
2. White Sox
3. Indians
4. Twins
5. Royals

AL West

1. Angels
2. Rangers
3. A's
4. Mariners
5. Astros

Wild Cards: Jays and Rangers, with the Jays advancing.


National League

NL East

1. Nationals
2. Braves
3. Phillies
4. Mets
5. Marlins

NL Central

1. Reds
2. Cardinals
3. Milwaukee
4. Cubs
5. Pirates

NL West

1. Dodgers
2. Giants
3. Diamondbacks
4. Padres
5. Colorado

Wild Cards: Giants and Braves, with the Giants advancing


Here's mine:

AL East
1) Toronto Blue Jays
2) New York Yankees
3) Tampa Bay Rays
4) Baltimore Orioles
5) Boston Red Sox

AL Central
1) Detroit Tigers
2) Chicago White Sox
3) Kansas City Royals
4) Cleveland Indians
5) Minnesota Twins

AL West
1) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
2) Oakland Athletics
3) Texas Rangers
4) Seattle Mariners
5) Houston Astros

NL East
1) Washington Nationals
2) Atlanta Braves
3) Philadelphia Phillies
4) Miami Marlins
5) New York Mets

NL Central
1) Cincinnati Reds
2) St. Louis Cardinals
3) Chicago Cubs
4) Milwaukee Brewers
5) Pittsburgh Pirates

NL West
1) Los Angeles Dodgers
2) San Francisco Giants
3) Arizona Diamondbacks
4) San Diego Padres
5) Colorado Rockies

Wildcard
Rays over Yankees
Giants over Braves

Divisional Series
Rays over Blue Jays
Tigers over Angels
Reds over Dodgers
Nationals over Giants

Championship Series
Tigers over Rays
Reds over Nationals

World Series
Reds over Tigers

[Innovator]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BDbafPRCAAEWbH5.jpg

Sign of things this year at 3rd

[ClockShot]

MINE, MINE, ALL MINE!

[YOUR Hero]

AL East
1) Toronto Blue Jays
2) Tampa Bay Rays
3) New York Yankees
4) Baltimore Orioles
5) Boston Red Sox

AL Central
1) Detroit Tigers
2) Chicago White Sox
3) Kansas City Royals
4) Cleveland Indians
5) Minnesota Twins

AL West
1) L A Angels
2) Texas Rangers
3) Oakland Athletics
4) Seattle Mariners
5) Houston Astros

NL East
1) Washington Nationals
2) Atlanta Braves
3) Philadelphia Phillies
4) New York Mets
5) Miami Marlins

NL Central
1) Cincinnati Reds
2) Pittsburgh Pirates
3) St. Louis Cardinals
4) Milwaukee Brewers
5) Chicago Cubs

NL West
1) Los Angeles Dodgers
2) San Francisco Giants
3) Arizona Diamondbacks
4) San Diego Padres
5) Colorado Rockies

[Skippord]

AL EAST
1. Rays
2. Jays
3. Yankees
4. Orioles
5. Red Sox

AL Central
1. Tigers
2. Royals
3. Indians
4. White Sox
5. Twins

AL West
1. Angels
2. A's
3. Rangers
4. Mariners
5. Astros

NL East
1. Nationals
2. Braves
3. Marlins
4. Phillies
5. Mets

NL Central
1. Reds
2. Cardinals
3. Brewers
4. Pirates
5. Cubs

NL West
1. Giants
2. D'Backs
3. Dodgers
4. Padres
5. Rockies(:'()

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

FOX released their MLB broadcasting schedule. Yankees got 8 games this season on the network, 5 of those against the Red Sox. The other 3 are vs. the Tigers, Angels, and O's.

:nono:

Damn it you have to listen to Tim McCarver 1 game less than Red Sox fan do. Lucky bastard!

[The Condor]

AL Easr

1. BlueJays
2. Rays
3. O's
4. Yankees
5. Red Sux

AL Central
1. Detroit
2. Chicago
3. KC
4. Cleveland
5. Minnesota

AL West
1. Angels
2. Texas
3. Seattle
4. Oakland
5. Houston

NL East
1. Atlanta
2. Washington
3. Phillies
4. Mets
5. Marlins

NL Central
1. Reds
2. Pirates
3. Brewers
4. Cardinals
5. Cubs

NL West
1. Dodgers
2. Dbacks
3. Giants
4. Padres
5. Rockies

AL Widlcards: Rays and Rangers
NL Wildcards: Nats and Pirates (just a feeling)

[DaveBrawl]

5. Colorado
5) Colorado Rockies
5) Colorado Rockies
5. Rockies(:'()
5. Rockies
:'(

I'm sure that's how it will turn out, but still.

[Damian Rey]

Edgar, care to share your reasoning behind your 4th place prediction for the Cards?

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Probably because they don't get any bonus points for being gaylords.

[Keith]

Edgar, care to share your reasoning behind your 4th place prediction for the Cards?

He probably figures they'll miss not having Chris Carpenter or Kyle Lohse. Which may be true.

[Damian Rey]

Maybe. Personally, I love their pitching depth. I think they take the division.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

The division???? You gaylord...

[DaveBrawl]

I bet he puts the Rockies last in their division too.

[Keith]

I bet he puts the Rockies last in their division too.

Hey, maybe the Padres struggle and the Rockies finish 4th.

Or not.

[DaveBrawl]

We can dream.

[Triple Naitch]

If the Rockies have Tulo and CarGo for the whole season, they could very well finish in 3rd.

[RoXer]

Let's not go crazy.

[The Condor]

Edgar, care to share your reasoning behind your 4th place prediction for the Cards?

Personally, I just like the other 3 teams more than the Cards right now. That's not to say Id be shocked if the Cards take a WC spot, but I just don't see it this year.

[Emperor Smeat]

:| Spring Training hasn't even started and already some problems are popping up with the Red Sox.

Before it was stories about the internal feud involving the medical staff that was settled in the offseason which involved firing everyone who was causing the feud.

Now its Alfredo Aceves causing some minor problems to the point he almost got pulled from a recent pitching drill session. Only good news is his spot on the team isn't guaranteed this year and probably gets traded or demoted once the season starts.

[Keith]

I think Manny Ramirez cursed that team when he left in '08, man.

[Triple Naitch]

Picturing Aceves lobbing balls during BP is kinda comical, tbf.

[Emperor Smeat]

Five more professional baseball players have connections to a South Florida clinic at the heart of a widening doping scandal, according to documents obtained by "Outside the Lines."

The new players listed in documents from the Biogenesis of America clinic run by Anthony Bosch: San Diego Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera, 26, the reigning National League stolen base champion; Jordan Norberto, 26, a lefty reliever with the Oakland A's; Fernando Martinez, 24, a Houston Astros outfielder; Fautino De Los Santos, 27, a reliever claimed off waivers by the Padres, and Cesar Puello, 21, a top Mets outfield prospect.

Sources said the players, like those who have been named in previous Biogenesis documents, were on a list as having received performance-enhancing drugs, although the documents are not proof that the players either received or used PEDs.

Gio Gonzalez only one confirmed so far to not have received roids from the clinic but appeared on the clients list. Sports agency ACES so far has the most clients tied to the clinic and MLB is investigating how many more of its clients are potential roid users.

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/8963926/documents-south-florida-clinic-heart-mlb-performance-enhancing-drugs-investigation-link-five-baseball-players

[Innovator]

In a story that won't surprise any Yankee fan, Hughes is shut down for two weeks with back issues.

[RoXer]

SPRING TRAININNNNNNG

http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/0n5tF1Ey2Vt_.VqTQ_OqVA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusmlbexperts/1dbaxsnow022113.jpghttp://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/EmdhyoVEg_3FRphudsCwFQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusmlbexperts/dbaxsnowmorning022113.jpg

[Keith]

Games start today!

YEEEEEEEEEEAH!

[The Condor]

Bronx Bombers, 1 inning or 40 pitches at a time now.

[Innovator]

Girardi's first move: flipping Grandy and Gardner

[ClockShot]

It's only an experiment, nothing's set in stone yet.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Choo walks, Phillips singles, Votto singles

I am already in love with this Reds team

:heart:

[OssMan]

wish i cared

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Micah Owings is listed as the Nationals' DH for tomorrow's game.</font>

[OssMan]

yeah they re-signed him as a first basement

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Can't help but pull for him. Always a sucked for pitcher-turned-position player stories.</font>

[Keith]

Is Rick Ankiel still active?

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Non-roster invitee with the Astros.</font>

[Triple Naitch]

<font color=goldenrod>Can't help but pull for him. Always a sucked for pitcher-turned-position player stories.</font>

Pulling more for hitter turned quarterback turned pitcher, Josh Booty.

[Droford]

I watched that show. He wasn't that great. The perriloux guy should have won

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>They should expand the knuckleball show to include open tryouts around the country. I'd go.</font> :(

[DaveWadding]

"5'3" 13 year old throws Connecticut's best knuckler, Mets sign him to platoon in RF"

[Mr. Pierre]

Girardi's first move: flipping Grandy and Gardner

Ugh I really hope nothing comes of this. Granderson's defense was just fine last year, and 2 years ago Gardner was a great LFer. Granderson's been a CFer all his career, it's not easy to just go to a corner.

Girardi should focus more on getting Granderson back in the 2-hole where he belongs. Let the "fastball hitter" benefit from all the fastballs he'll get since he'll be in front of Cano. Also, he can swipe a bag and/or score from 1st on a double. I had no idea why Girardi and his binder switched it up. He had 130+ runs scored in 2011 when batting 2nd, so wtf?

[Damian Rey]

Gardner is probably the better defender, and, if memory serves me correctly, defensive metrics don't tag Granderson as a good defensive cf'r. If switching them means fielding a better outfield, especially up the middle, then it's a smart move that should be made.

It should also be taken into consideration that Grandy is going to be 32 on opening day. He had a career year in 2011 at 30 years old. Hard to keep that kind of production going when you're on tre wrong side of 30. Add to that, a guy that much pop should be hitting in te middle of the order. Jeter should be slotted in the 2 hole til his arms fall off.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Zack Wheeler's got some fucking filthy stuff, and it's only the first game of Spring Training. So pumped for his inevitable call-up to The Show this year.</font>

[The Condor]

The Grandy-Gardner thing is questionable to me, though I will say Girardi fucks with Gardners playing time too much, at least in the 2011 season when Gardner was healthy. Perhaps this is a sign that Girardi has more trust and belief in him, which would be a positive.

[ClockShot]

This sucks. Yankees got their first game today and it ain't even televised.

Stupid YES network.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I can already tell that I'm going to like Collin Cowgill. Dude just seems to flat out hustle. A Captain Kirk/Cowgill platoon in CF has got to be better than what Andres Torres provided last year.</font>

[Emperor Smeat]

:D Iglesias. Might be very early into the year but he's already showing signs of improving as a hitter for this year.

[Damian Rey]

Gardner should start and lead off. He's an excellent defender, has excellent speed, gets on base. Thy seriously no option thats better than Gardner.

[Droford]

Os won. Hooray

[Droford]

Os / Yankees on monday is on TV here, it'll be great to actually see a game instead of listening on the radio

[Keith]

Rays Split Squad beats Boston. Yay.

[Shisen Kopf]

Rays are gonna be solid this year. Definite wildcard at least

[weather vane]

I'll bet you owenbrowns cock they dont make theplayoffs

[Bad News Gertner]

Rays are gonna be solid this year. Definite wildcard at least

Wooooo go Blue Jays!

[Shisen Kopf]

You love Dickey!

[Triple Naitch]

Who do you guys see is going to have a big come back season? I got a weird feeling about Jason Bay for some reason.

[Damian Rey]

Chase Utley. Got on base a ton despite hitting for a loire average and missing a lot of time. If healthy, he's the man on that team.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I'm actually pulling for Bay. He hit a HR in his first at-bat of Spring Training and immediately proclaimed that his swing felt like it did back in 2009. I'm sure people will use a Bay bounceback season as an excuse to LOL the Mets...but I think releasing him was the right move regardless. He had just reached the point where it was going to be impossible for him to succeed in New York.

He wasn't like Oliver Perez, who signed his big deal, sucked, refused to go to the minors to improve even though the Mets told him they wouldn't pitch him in a game otherwise, and in general looked like he couldn't care less about his performance as long as he was getting paid. Bay looked like he genuinely cared and was trying his hardest even though, for whatever reason, he couldn't get it going. He got booed every time he came up to the plate last year, including being booed during Opening Day intros. I really did feel bad for him.</font>

[Triple Naitch]

I love Chase, but dunno how much range he has left at 2B.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I think Howard will be back to normal this year as well. The power will always be there and I'm sure he'll still K a ton, but hitting .219 in his abbreviated season last year may have been an aberration.</font>

[Triple Naitch]

Can see Howard hitting .250-.260, 35/100

[Bad News Gertner]

Who do you guys see is going to have a big come back season? I got a weird feeling about Jason Bay for some reason.

Francisco Liriano

[The Condor]

Comeback year: Eric Hosmer

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Who do you guys see is going to have a big come back season? I got a weird feeling about Jason Bay for some reason.

Joseph Daniel Votto, of course

[Triple Naitch]

I was thinking more of guys who have been shit for the past couple of years, change scenery, and then return to form. Not including God-like Canadian beasts like Joseph D. Votto.

[Skippord]

that's why I didn't say Tulo, pull it together Supreme

[Skippord]

Yankees announce Granderson has fractured right forearm. Expected to be out 10 weeks.
— DKnobler (@DKnobler) February 24, 2013 (https://twitter.com/DKnobler/status/305770018648506368)
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

looks like the Yankees won't have to worry that much about switching Grandy and Gardner for awhile

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>10 weeks sounds worse than it really is given that there's 5 more weeks of spring training before the meaningful games start.</font>

[Dragon]

Pretty brutal.

The first month could get ugly with Granderson out and Teixiera all but guaranteed to hit his usual .200 in April.

[Triple Naitch]

Yeah but he's missing basically all of Spring Training. So add another couple of weeks for him to be in season form.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Is it 10 weeks before he resumes baseball activities or 10 weeks before he's expected to actually be playing in the Majors? If it's the former than he'll be out til closer to June...but I think the 10 weeks takes into account rehab time and extended spring training games.</font>

[ClockShot]

Thanks alot, J.A. Happ.

[Droford]

Meanwhile, the O's keep winning. The scrub squad beat the jays.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Lucas Duda's in midseason form. 0-7 with 6 K's through 2 games.</font>

[Keith]

Rays win!

Doesn't mean much (means nothing, really), but still.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Meanwhile, the O's keep winning. The scrub squad beat the jays.

spring training champions!

you did it!

[Keith]

spring training champions!

you did it!

Reds are 0-3, I know.

It's just Spring Training.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Yeah, none of the Reds rotation has pitched yet. I'm not that worried.

[RoXer]

yo supreme, might go to a reds game tomorrow

or i might just sit around the house all day

I HAVE THAT DECISION

[RoXer]

might make a big breakfast, jerk off, and play video games all day RATHER THAN WATCH THE REDS

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I think you should go.

[RoXer]

you think?

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I do.

[Keith]

Pretty brutal.

The first month could get ugly with Granderson out and Teixiera all but guaranteed to hit his usual .200 in April.

It's gonna be great.

Dude doesn't hit for a high average, but he definitely provides pop (over 40 home runs). So yeah, Yankees will probably be in 4th place by late April.

[Bad News Gertner]

Thanks alot, J.A. Happ.

Wooooo J.A Happ for player of the week!

[RoXer]

I do.

I have decided to go.

But SIGH.

I might bounce early

[RoXer]

Like 2nd inning

[RoXer]

Should I get a George Foster autograph? I just passed him sitting down next to a picture of himself. Should I bother? I'll just keep walking. I have a lot of steps to walk down since my seats that i just walked up and bought at the ticket office are 2nd row.

[Droford]

O's beating the Yankees 5-0..

Brian Roberts being productive..hmm

[Emperor Smeat]

Split game today for the Sox (vs Rays, vs Jays).

Interesting the Sox-Jays matchup was knucleballer (Wright) vs knuckleballer (Dickey) with Wright pitching better.

:nono: Aceves. Doubt his starter role this year is going to be any good even if he ends up as a #5/6 type pitcher.

[Triple Naitch]

Ace-Man has G2G.

[Keith]

Go Rays!

[screech]

Split game today for the Sox (vs Rays, vs Jays).

Interesting the Sox-Jays matchup was knucleballer (Wright) vs knuckleballer (Dickey) with Wright pitching better.

:nono: Aceves. Doubt his starter role this year is going to be any good even if he ends up as a #5/6 type pitcher.

Aceves stinks up the joint no matter when he enters the game.

[Keith]

He's been a workhorse for the Sox, tho.

[screech]

An awful workhorse

[DaveWadding]

I randomly tuned into a rerun of a Dodgers spring training game on MLB Network and am pleasantly surprised to hear Vin Scully calling a Spring Training game.

I hate the Dodgers with the fire of a thousand suns, but I always find myself drifting to their games on MLB. TV because I love listening to Vin Scully.

[Innovator]

Youkilis scratched from the game with cramps.

[The Condor]

I randomly tuned into a rerun of a Dodgers spring training game on MLB Network and am pleasantly surprised to hear Vin Scully calling a Spring Training game.

I hate the Dodgers with the fire of a thousand suns, but I always find myself drifting to their games on MLB. TV because I love listening to Vin Scully.

Before MLB Network I was not too familiar with his broadcasting or style but the last few years of hearing him during some games is great. He really is a damn good broadcaster, especially for his age.

[Triple Naitch]

I wish Harry Kalas were still around so people could hear him on MLB Network and MLB.tv.

[The Condor]

I'm from eastern PA and would watch a lot of Phillies games on Comcast, and yeah, Kalas was a damn good play by play guy as well

[Triple Naitch]

Where at?

[Skippord]

stop trolling for booty, Triple Naitch

[Triple Naitch]

Shut up, Skip. I'm just trying to holla.

[Triple Naitch]

Anyways, what were we talking about, Edgar?

[DaveWadding]

I miss listening to Ron Santo on MLB. TV :'(

[ClockShot]

Bobby Valentine is your new Athletic Director at Sacred Heart University.


....................RIGHT HERE, IN CONNECTICUT!

/mickfoleycheappop


Bobby V taking an admin job. Heh.

[screech]

I'm from eastern PA and would watch a lot of Phillies games on Comcast, and yeah, Kalas was a damn good play by play guy as well

Where at?

Meetup at a game?

[screech]

Also I got to interview Harry Kalas for my college newspaper. He was awesome.

:'(

[Triple Naitch]

Definitely. I'll be able to go to a lot of games this year. Did you get Boston tix?

[screech]

Missed out on em this year. Hoping to hit at least one dollar dog night and a Nationals game. I'll let you know when my poor self can get tickets.

[screech]

Though my dad may be surprising my brother and I with Sox tickets. He does that sometimes.

[DaveWadding]

Hey you,

there's 2 spots left in the original TPWW fantasy baseball league. PM me if you're interested.

[Droford]

Mike trout #1 right now according to MLB network

List was supposedly based on last 3 years so its bs

[Keith]

Rays win!

Also, yeah. It's a joke they had Trout #1. That should've been Miguel Cabrera (who they placed 3rd).

[Keith]

Dan Plesac just said Ryan Braun reminds him of Joe Carter.

Joe Carter.

WTF?

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Though my dad may be surprising my brother and I with Sox tickets. He does that sometimes.

Is that the red or the white?

[RP]

it doesnt matter

[screech]

Red

[screech]

But really, it doesn't matter. Baseball is baseball.

[Droford]

O's play the red sox tonight on MLB network

[Emperor Smeat]

Yankees recently went to court against some company over the use of the word "Evil Empire" and managed to win the case.

They now own the phrase when its used in sports (at least in baseball) and the use of the Star Wars Vader theme for their games.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB20001424127887323549204578320531185286140.html?mod=e2tw

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Well that's a pretty evil empire thing to do so I guess they earned it.

[DaveWadding]

Is that the red or the white?

I can never remember this...uh, white?

[Triple Naitch]

Mike trout #1 right now according to MLB network

List was supposedly based on last 3 years so its bs

I love MLB Network, but they hype the shit out of Harper and Trout. Almost like they're trying to find their own Tebow.

[Triple Naitch]

Owenbrown now hates Bryce Harper and Mike Trout.

[Droford]

Middle brooks probably broke his wrist again

[Triple Naitch]

Easy bub. Hopefully it's just a sprain.

[Keith]

Rays win again, baby.

5-1 in Spring Training.

[Emperor Smeat]

Middle brooks probably broke his wrist again

Right now the Red Sox are saying its just soreness but he's having an MRI test done tomorrow as a precaution.

[RoXer]

Are there any Cubs fans in Chicago on here? It's only fun to gloat about going to Spring Training games when you're gloating to someone who lives far away and in shitty weather.

[Droford]

Rays win again, baby.

5-1 in Spring Training.

o's are on the verge of beating the Yankees and red sox today to move to 5-0

[Droford]

Any day they can beat the Yankees and red sox same day is a good day

[Droford]

Josh reddick on intentional talk is awesome, wearing a miz shirt and stone cold stunning some random guy

[Keith]

Why the hell did Russell Martin want to play shortstop on the Canadian WBC team?

[Droford]

''I didn't want to put my body in a position where I'm going to have to catch however many innings of baseball during the tournament,'' Martin, who spent the last two seasons with the Yankees, told The Associated Press. ''I didn't want to put my body through the taxing experience.''

[Keith]

Oh.

He's getting ripped by Justin Morneau and the rest of them for it.

[RP]

Are there any Cubs fans in Chicago on here? It's only fun to gloat about going to Spring Training games when you're gloating to someone who lives far away and in shitty weather.

close enough to say


FUCK YOU!

R.I.P. Steve Clevenger !

[Skippord]

I love MLB Network, but they hype the shit out of Harper and Trout. Almost like they're trying to find their own Tebow.
I don't think they overhype Trout, he is pretty unbelievable. Everyone in baseball overhypes Bryce Harper though.

[Keith]

I think Trout is the real deal, but we'll have to watch what he does his sophmore season.

Harper is way overhyped, though. I think Rizzo will blow him away this season.

[Triple Naitch]

Don't get me wrong. Trout is awesome, but it's only been of season.

[ClockShot]

Both Yankee squads lost today. Good grief.

In other news, the Yankees have made a "significant offer" to Robinson Cano.

Anybody wanna guess numbers?

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>20 years, $1 billion.</font>

[Keith]

Rays lose 11-2.

[Keith]

Both Yankee squads lost today. Good grief.

In other news, the Yankees have made a "significant offer" to Robinson Cano.

Anybody wanna guess numbers?

20 years, $1 billion.


I hope Cashman learned his lesson after Carl Pavano, AJ Burnett, Mark Teixeira and ARod.

I wouldn't sign Cano to anything more than 5 years.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Why is everyone in here so concerned about their team's spring training record?

It's spring training, folks.

[Keith]

Because it may be a sign of things to come.

Or not.

Still, it's baseball!

[RoXer]

Why is everyone in here so concerned about their team's spring training record?

It's spring training, folks.

Exactly. The starters leave in the 6th.

Yesterday Coco Crisp only played the first inning.

[DaveWadding]

That's because the A's have 70 outfielders and Crisp sucks.

[ClockShot]

Reds sign Mark Prior to a minor league deal.

Vlad Guerrero is looking for work. He's 38 and willing to take a minor league deal. Last time he tried that, he did 12 games with the Blue Jays AAA outfit and asked for his release.

[screech]

Would love if Vlad got a deal and played for or against a team close to me. Wanna see him play.

Love Vlad.

[Keith]

Tampa Bay should sign Vlad.

[Droford]

Rays and O's tomorrow!

[Droford]

Wbc has started! 1-0 Chinese Taipei

[Triple Naitch]

Pulling for the Netherlands as my sleeper. Aruba's own, Xander Bogaerts.

[Droford]

Netherlands also has the o's Jonathan schoop

[RoXer]

I'm actually kinda looking forward to the WBC. Probably because I'm going. Otherwise I wouldn't give a shit like most Americans.

[weather vane]

"Vlad" lol

[RoXer]

There's like 13 people in the stadium at Japan watching the Cuba/Brazil game.

[DaveWadding]

So it's basically a Marlins game then?

[Triple Naitch]

Guarantee none of them are Cuban or Brazilian.

[ClockShot]

Venezuela is NOT safe.

Tigers pitcher Brayan Villarreal's family was attacked at his home in Venezuela by 3 armed men and they threatened to kidnap them in the future.

[Emperor Smeat]

Same could be said with Colombia. Usually get a few stories each year about kidnappings or killings involving players families from both countries.

Brazil is just as bad in regards to families of soccer players.

[Triple Naitch]

The Royals are 9-0 in meaningless games.

[ClockShot]

I know Colombia is a hell hole.

Then again, I keep wondering if Chavez kicks it in Venezuela things might get better.

[loopydate]

Venezuela is NOT safe.

Tigers pitcher Brayan Villarreal's family was attacked at his home in Venezuela by 3 armed men and they threatened to kidnap them in the future.

Maybe it's just Venezuelan Tigers pitchers.

[RoXer]

There's like 13 people in the stadium at Japan watching the Cuba/Brazil game.

They're saying 4,000 was the attendance. No fucking way.

[RoXer]

Dusty Baker won’t shake Kirk Gibson’s hand because of DH rule during spring training

http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/YOCH5rjka4RvFNjYBIcymA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusmlbexperts/gibbydusty040413.jpg (http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Atg2zrl2D2IqZ.nJQ23F_b_sYcp_;_ylu=X3oDMTFka3BkYnE0BG1pdANCbG9nIEJvZHkEcG9zAzEEc2VjA01lZGlhQmxvZ 0JvZHlBc3NlbWJseQ--;_ylg=X3oDMTM0ZGc1cDRkBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDNzNhNDM0ZTktZjJjZC0zMWI4LWJiZTQtODgyYjQ5MG RhOTRmBHBzdGNhdANtbGJ8YmlnbGVhZ3Vlc3RldwRwdANzdG9yeXBhZ2U-;_ylv=0/SIG=15d9qv3ju/EXP=1363659831/**http%3A//l.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/Br1yAlrakfIzcGn_gI39zg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NQ--/http%3A//media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusmlbexperts/gibbydusty040413.jpg)

Gibby and Dusty in 2011, during happier times. (AP)


Arizona's Kirk Gibson offered his hand to shake, and Cincinnati's Dusty Baker kept his to himself, MLB.com's Steve Gilbert wrote Monday (https://twitter.com/SteveGilbertMLB/status/308670033536634880). The managers had what was described as a "testy" meeting at home plate over whether to use the DH in the Diamondbacks-Reds' Cactus League game.

As the home team, the D-backs had the privilege of choosing. That's the rule for spring training, even in a game with two NL teams that don't usually use the DH during the regular season. Arizona wanted right-hander Brandon McCarthy, who has spent his entire career in the AL where pitchers don't usually hit, to get some batting experience during a game. Fair enough. The Reds wanted to use the DH so Shin-Soo Choo could get some plate appearances without having to play the outfield. He's nursing a sore quad. Sounds right.

Gibson wouldn't budge. The DH was not used. Choo didn't start as a precaution. Baker didn't shake hands.

Here's Gibson's take (https://twitter.com/SteveGilbertMLB/status/308719760592482304), via Gilbert:"It was a good locker room talk. Read between the lines."
And Baker's, via Mark Sheldon of MLB.com (http://marksheldon.mlblogs.com/2013/03/04/why-choo-didnt-dh/):“We didn’t have a very pleasant encounter at home plate,” Baker said. “That’s how it goes. It’s over.”
This is why the DH needs to be universal. No more arguments ever!

Conflicts like this happen every year during spring training, and several times, but we almost never see, or hear about, a manager so expressly expressing his displeasure. It's kind of amazing that we don't; I mean, Baker has every reason (if not every right) to be perturbed. Not at Gibson — refusing shaking his hand was childish of Baker (if what Gilbert described is true). Each manager had the best interests of his respective club in mind. Baker apparently thought he was getting disrespected. It's not Gibson's fault the rule is dumb. (Not the DH rule, which itself is fine.)

It's simply ... stupid that Major League Baseball doesn't let managers do whatever they want with the DH in spring training. If Gibson wants let his pitchers hit and if Baker wants his hitters to DH, they should be allowed to do it, no matter what the other does.

No one should care, in spring training, that one team is using a DH and the other isn't. The point of spring is to prepare for the regular season, not to compile victories. That kind of common sense should trump the so-called integrity of the respective Grapefruit or Cactus leagues — as if anyone really would defend it. Well, MLB apparently does.

Taking it a step further, the DH should be used (or not used) at will during spring training games. Let's say that McCarthy gets his at-bat or two in, then a new pitcher comes in for the D-backs and Gibson doesn't want him to hit. OK, put a DH in! It doesn't matter! It might make an even bigger mess of some scorecards, but no matter.

Whatever the managers need to help them prepare for the coming season, they should be accommodated. This rule should be changed. It shouldn't be hard. And managers should always shake the other's hand when offered.
Gibby and Dusty ... at Tanagra ... with arms wide.

[RoXer]

THAT MEANS YOU'RE DEAD TO ME, SUPREME!

[Droford]

No dh at all in spring..its stupid to send pitchers out to hit risking an injurynin meaningless games and odds are good they get pinch hit for anyway

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

It's usually a non-issue. Starting pitchers in spring training barely pitch long enough to be up to bat more than like once.

[RP]

This is the worst Cubs season of all time and it hasnt even started.

what
the
fuck

[Keith]

It's usually a non-issue. Starting pitchers in spring training barely pitch long enough to be up to bat more than like once.

If Dusty wants the DH, he can go manage in the AL.

I'm with Kirk on this one. Dusty can be a little bitch at times.

[Droford]

Red sox lead the league in pitchers arrested for dui's with 1

[Evil Vito]

I know Colombia is a hell hole.

Then again, I keep wondering if Chavez kicks it in Venezuela things might get better.

<font color=goldenrod>Guess we'll get to find out now.</font> :o

[Ermaximus]

This is the worst Cubs season of all time and it hasnt even started.

what
the
fuck

It could be worse. You could be a Marlins fan.

[Droford]

With the Tex injury possibly keeping him out for opening day, the Yankees opening day roster could comprise of players who hit 59 of their 245 homers last year.

[ClockShot]

PANIC!




<iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/yngZW-iek84" frameBorder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>

[Triple Naitch]

Now batting cleanup for YOUR New York Yankees, #36 Kevin Youkilis.

[Dragon]

Now batting cleanup for YOUR New York Yankees, #36 Kevin Youkilis.

The 4-5 combo will be the always reliable duo of Kevin Youkilis and Travis Hafner.

[RoXer]

The announcers for Mexico/Italy are absolutely terrible. I think they're doing the Canada/Italy game tomorrow too. I hope someone else does the USA game. Matt Vagergian maybe.

[RoXer]

Pool D: Canada, Italy, Mexico, United States / March 7-10
· Matt Yallof and Jeff Nelson - Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Phoenix
· Matt Vasgersian, Jim Kaat and Sam Ryan - Chase Field, Phoenix

[ClockShot]

The Great Mo is supposed to announce his retirement on saturday.

Definately gotta get to stadium this season. Good season or bad.

[RoXer]

Anthony Rizzo the hero for Italy, they're up 6-5 now.

Italy has been keeping it close and mounting a comeback for the last half of the game and these announcers were just dicking around not even caring. Now it seems they're paying attention though.

[Triple Naitch]

Italy/Mexico was pretty exciting.

[RoXer]

Yeah. Throws a wrench in how the pool is supposed to play out. I love when the underdog teams steal points in the World Cup. Except this being the other WBC but same thing applies.

Entire pool is a mystery now with Italy screwing everything up.

[Triple Naitch]

I figured Mexico or Canada would easily advance with USA but really, Italy only needs to beat Canada to move on and they just lost two of their best players.

[RoXer]

yup

[RoXer]

Other than USA, I'm rooting for Venezuela. They have a very stacked roster including my main man Gerardo Parra

[Triple Naitch]

I really like Venezuela's lineup but they have shitty pitching. So does Dominican.

[Triple Naitch]

Venezuela is also like 85% Diamondbacks.

[Skippord]

I'm rooting for Venezuela as well

CarGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Droford]

I'm rooting for Venezuela as well

CarGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

How'd you feel about the Rockies beating team USA?

[Bad News Gertner]

Go Canada woooooo baseball!