Yeah the playing time is probably a factor too. I'm sure the A's told him he's their starting RFer no matter what, he didn't/wouldn't have that job security in Boston.
Three team deal, Sox give up Youkilis and get back Casey Kelly and Anthony Rizzo. Book it! Seriously though, Cleveland isn't going to trade Masterson for a half year rental. Not sure how much trade value Youkilis has but there are a lot of teams out there that could use a 1B/3B/DH type.
Kelly is hurt right now no? He was pitching well too... hahha on Rizzo, the Cubs arent letting that guy go for nobody.....
Yeah Kelly had a minor arm injury, the Padres are taking the time to let it heal before they send him back out there. And yes he's been pitching very well this year. Obviously the Cubs aren't letting him go. Rizzo is finally starting to hit LHPing too. The guy is going to be pretty good. Again with both players that's why you don't give up on young prospects just because of 1 down year (or in Rizzo's case a handful of MLB at bats). I think the Padres are going to regret trading Rizzo to free up a spot for Alonso.
What do you think happens to LaHair?? whom has cooled down lately, but still having a ROY type of year..... also enter Padre in 3, 2, 1..............
I don't think LaHair is a rookie anymore. I believe he lost that status back in 2008 when he was first called up by Seattle (although I could be wrong). But as far as what happens with LaHair? The same thing that happens to all 28-29 year old "rookies" when they come up and have a good 2 months.... (Hint: see Garrett Jones, he's a pretty good example of that). But once the Cubs they decide to call Rizzo up, probably after the ASG, put LaHair in RF or trade him if they can get a decent/useful player back. As far as Bowden, not very shocking. Another tale of a prospect who had one good year and people fell in love with him and pumped his stock up but his talent and value never matched his early success. He'll probably end up back in Triple A with the Cubs and like I said early on in this thread when people were questioning why the Sox would trade him when at the time their pen was a mess, it's because he's the 12th man out of the pen.
I'm sure the Sox would be happy to pay his 2012 salary if it could land them a better player. The Dodgers don't have much in the farm system in terms of position players but they have a few interesting arms.
Mark Prior (yes THAT Mark Prior, Mark "The same one who used to pitch for the Cubs before Dusty Baker decided to destroy his arm" Prior) has been promoted to Triple A for the Paw Sox and get this scouts have said his stuff actually looks good! It would be a nice story IF he ever got called up to the MLB again but I'd be shocked if that happened. I'm rooting for him though but realistically he's probably fighting an uphill battle with the Sox anyway. He's probably 3rd or 4th in the minor league pen depth chart behind Mark Melancon, Tazawa and Alex Wilson. Just thought it was an interesting note to pass along, carry on with your day.
Ahhh, that's cute...since you all have missed the playoffs for the past two seasons, no need to pretend you aren't familiar with bottom of the barrel fandom.
Per MLB's mock.... here is a question, if BP guys arent paid well, and overvalued in alot of instances..... Is it a waste to pick one in the 1st round? EDIT: didnt see they had the last pick too.....
That's what Billy Beane thought in Moneyball, but that was over 10 years ago and I think even he changed his tune on that. I would be surprised if Stroman was picked that high because he's strictly a RPer but many scouts feel that he will sign right away and could pitch in a ML BP this year. I could see the Sox drafting him with the 31th pick in the first round but would think it's a reach for them at 24. Again though I don't follow the draft close enough and have never seen him or any of the potential draft picks play. But to answer your question, no. If the kid is a legit arm and you have him cost controlled for 6 years I wouldn't say he's a waste of a pick necessarily. Especially if he can help a potential playoff team right away. You need to remember most 1st rounders that get drafted never even play 1 inning in the MLB, that's risk in drafting any type of player. I will say that in the past under Theo Epstein, the Sox usually took a safe pick (meaning one they knew they would be able to sign) with their 1st pick and then went hard after the tough to sign draftees. Not sure what Cherington will do though but he will probably follow the same process. Not saying that means they pick Stroman though.
should be interesting as it is his first draft with the club.... I am just happy the Yanks actually have a 1st rounder this year...
Hey it was worth a shot to see if he could start but it's obvious he can't, just too many walks. Just remember Bard the next time you think Betances could be in your rotation.
Why? They would have to clear a 40 man roster spot for him, he didn't pitch well with the Cubs and he would have been 4th or 5th in the depth chart of potential ML call ups if there was a need. I think a team like the Twins or Padres not putting a claim on him is more surprising. Just shows you that he doesn't have much value right now.
Fink all pitchers except for the 1st round..... can never have enough of the most important position in baseball....
If the Sox are smart they will let Johnson still hit and use the DH on another player. Doubt that happens though.
They're most likely drafting the best player available disregarding position (something all teams should do). Baseball being so unpredictible and with kids being drafted being years away from the big leagues it's silly for teams to draft for position need as that can change one season to the next and by the time Player A is ready for the big league he may be blocked by another player at that spot.
If Nick Punto or Marlon Byrd is still on the team by the time Johnson reaches the big leagues, the Sox might just try that.... (if it was allowed of course).
Bard sent to Triple A. Not sure if it's for him to continue to work as a SP or for him to be put in the pen and slowly work his way back into BP shape. Either way it's the smart move, especially with Matsuzaka ready to return soon.
Johnson truly is a two way athlete. When he came to Florida he was supposed to be just a pitcher. He had to practically beg Sully to let him hit, because he didn't want him overdoing it. Johnson hit really well as a freshman and continued to be featured as a pitcher and a hitter. When he's not pitching he can DH and play first. Sunday in the regional against GT he pitched five innings while batting and then after being lifted from the game still stayed in as the DH to hit. It's almost a shame he didn't go to the NL. As for Maddox I know he dropped a bit due to the arm injury he had at the end of the year and some less than stellar pitchers. I think people forget this is only his second year as a pitcher. He came to Florida as a catcher in the same class as Zunino, but well when you share a position with the future third overall pick you find another position. His freshmen year he played first and had a pretty great year as a hitter. His offensive numbers dipped as he slumped a bit his sophomore year and it was in the middle of the year he started pitching. If I remember right, one of the coaches noticed how hard he threw the ball and had the idea to have him pitch. I don't remember what his fastball hits on the radar, but I know he tends to blow it by people. I think he can develop into a top notch closer if given some time.
I am thinking it is because the FO wants him to be in the starting rotation....why not put him in the bullpen if thats the case right?
Even if they want him back in the pen, it makes sense to put him in the minors and let him work out of the pen and get his feet wet again by working a day, then day off, then a day, then a day off, then 2 days in a row etc.
No it makes sense now, they want him to start for the big team..... Also crap dude I didnt realize that The Harpers are coming in for the weekend....crappppp...I wanna see it...
