Waiver Bait: Russ Adams

post from Royals Review on 07 February 2009 11:43:00 PM. © Royals Review

Waiver Bait: Russ Adams

Just a short piece from Fangraphs' "Rotographs" site. I'm not sure why anyone would care about Russ Adams in fantasy. The Blue Jays former first-round draft choice is no great shakes, of course, and has little upside at 28, but he's been waived, and is some of that juicy F. A. T. (freely acquirable talent) that might be good to at least get on a minor-league deal and store at Omaha, particularly given the lack of organizational depth up the middle. Originally a shortstop, he has played all over the diamond. Not a star, but exactly the kind of borderline replacement-level talent that can be had for free if you need it.

No word on what sort of massive incentives he'd need to come to Kansas City.

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http://www.royalsreview.com/2009/2/7/752932/waiver-bait-russ-adams

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More Minor League Signings

post from Rangerfans.com on 07 February 2009 10:41:00 PM. © Rangerfans.com

The Rangers continue their march to getting to camp without signing a single player to a major league contract from the free agent pool this offseason. A couple more signings.

Yesterday, the Rangers signed Jason Jennings to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training. Last year was clearly a disaster for the Mesquite TX native. He even said so in the remarks about the contract for 2009. This really is not a big deal. He'd have to pitch his way onto the roster. Doesn't cost us much at all - if he makes the roster, he gets $800,000 plus various incentives totaling $1.4 million based on innings pitched (from 110 through 200). Only $15,000 of the contract is guaranteed, so this is no brainer, really.

Today, the Rangers signed Brendan Donnelly to a minor league contract. Apparently if he makes the club, he'll get $950,000 and can request his release if he's not in the majors between March 27 and April 27th. He's coming off of Tommy John surgery in 2007 for his right elbow. This would be about the time guys bounce back, so we'll see. Ranger fans should remember him (and his goggles) from his time with the Anaheim Angels.

Finally, while he hasn't signed, there's a lot of talk that the Rangers are about to sign Andrew Jones to a minor league deal. He's getting a gazillion dollars from the Dodgers in money and deferred money to go away, so he's a zero risk player - we don't need to pay him anything at all, really. Rudy Jaramillo has a habit of working gold with players, and until he dropped off the face of the Earth two years ago offensively, he was seriously top dog player. I don't particularly think outfield is a place we need to pick up players - we have an overflow as it is, and a couple really good guys in the system. Unless Rudy fixes him in spring, and he hits 50 HR and 145 RBI again, I'm not particularly sure I see the need. We'll see.

Oh, and I haven't said anything about Ben Sheets at all. He's hurt. Nobody signed him. Now we know why. I would like to see the Rangers sign him to a two year contract now with the first year paying him next to nothing, and the next year be somewhat realistic. Probably won't happen, though.

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http://www.rangerfans.com/archives/2009/02/more_minor_league_signings.html

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A-Roid

post from Rangerfans.com on 07 February 2009 10:35:00 PM. © Rangerfans.com

There's been so much written in so many places today about this. Not to mention the coverage on MLB Network (Hi Jamey!) and ESPN... There's just so much to digest, I'm only saying this.

The name A-Fraud in the Torre book is getting all the attention at the moment. Perhaps a better nickname for him now might be A-ROID!.

Yeah, OK - everything I'm seeing says he tested positive just once, and there's nothing to say he has since this happened (which is now 6 years ago). However, there was a remark I saw where Gene Orza apparently tipped off Arod in 2004 to a screening. If that's true, then there's a gigantic problem in the Union (shocker, I know). But still.

Arod's a user. Bummer. Perhaps he was using something else when he dumped Cynthia for Madonna. Makes this pocket schedule seem kind of prophetic. 2003. Arod. Fuzzy background. ;)

On Saturday night, Kevin Sherrington of the DMN had an article about the "All Juiced Team", saying Arod here completes it. Check this out. Shows the position and how they became linked to steroids:

CF - Gary Matthews Jr. - Mitchell Report
C - Pudge Rodriguez - Teammate allegation
SS - Alex Rodriguez - Media report
RF - Juan Gonzalez - Teammate allegation
1B - Rafael Palmeiro - Tested positive
3B - Ken Caminiti - Acknowledged
DH - David Segui - Acknowledged
2B - Randy Velarde - Mitchell Report
LF - Chad Allen - Mitchell Report

The amusing thing about this is the first comment left by someone on the DMN site about this. They said "Crazy line up there.....but once again NO pitching!".

That remark made me laugh.

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http://www.rangerfans.com/archives/2009/02/a-roid.html

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A Baseball Player From The 1990's Took Steroids

post from Beyond the Box Score on 07 February 2009 10:20:00 PM. © Beyond the Box Score

via LookoutLanding [...]

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http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2009/2/7/752878/a-baseball-player-from-the

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Yankees Rumors has a new look!

post from Yankees Rumors - NYYankeesRumors.com on 07 February 2009 09:42:03 PM. © Yankees Rumors - NYYankeesRumors.com

I just completed a complete face lift of the Yankees Rumors. Let me know your thoughts or if you have any suggestions, let me know.[...]

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http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/YankeesRumors/~3/XGjPhOf8nQo/

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Breaking Down The 2009 New York Mets Bullpen

post from Dom D's Mets Fan Blog on 07 February 2009 09:38:30 PM. © Dom D's Mets Fan Blog

The 2008 season was a lost season for the New York Mets, very much like the 2007 season. Throughout the season the New York fans and media, alike placed the blame on the team?s bullpen.

This was certainly justified, I mean after all the bullpen did blow 29 saves. In fact, had the Mets bullpen been able to notch those crucial saves, the team would have easily won the NL East.

However, in the end they just weren?t able to do so. There is no sense in dwelling on the past, all that is left is to look to reconstruct for the future, which is exactly what Mets GM, Omar Minaya, did.

This season Omar Minaya made a splash and added two of the top closers in baseball to anchor the bullpen in Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz.

Next, Minaya followed suit by following the process of addition by subtraction when he shipped reliever, Scott Schoeneweis to the Diamondbacks.

To sum things up in relation to the bullpen, Minaya shipped out Aaron Heilman, Scott Schoeneweis and Joe Smith, while importing K-Rod and J.J. Putz, and Sean Green.

In this article we will look at the potential roles for each relief pitcher, as well as an in depth analysis of just how successful they project to be this coming year.

The most valuable piece of the bullpen figures to be Francisco Rodriguez, otherwise known as K-Rod. Rodriguez made a name for himself with the Los Angeles Angels last year, after shattering the single-season saves record with 62 saves.

Now, while those numbers are certainly impressive, keep in mind that K-Rod also blew 7 saves last season, which is tied for his career high. Still, it is on par with the numbers Billy Wagner put up in his past three years as Mets closer.

As I have stated before, I don?t feel that K-Rod is much of an upgrade, performance wise, over a healthy Wagner. Overall, though, Mets fans will be happy with what they get out of K-Rod, and won?t have to close their eyes in the ninth inning of every game.

Next, the newly acquired J.J. Putz figures to pitch the eight inning and setup for K-Rod. Putz gives the Mets something that even their phenomenal 2006 bullpen didn?t have, and that is a second experienced closer, who if needed could fulfill the closer?s duties.

Another new face, Sean Green, expects to pitch out of the bullpen, most likely in the form of middle relief is described by scouts as being a ?ground ball machine?.

Green is an interesting addition to the new bullpen. While he has shown he is capable of being a successful reliever, there have been times to make fans think otherwise. Prior to the All Star break Green?s ERA was superb (2.72). Yet following the break it ballooned to almost 9.

It seems that Green, like teammate Oliver Perez, has the talent, however is plagued by consistency issues.

Both Pedro Feliciano, Duaner Sanchez and Brian Stokes will return to the roles they had last year. Look for Feliciano to post better numbers this season, especially if he is not overworked.

Duaner Sanchez, if healthy could really give the team a strike out machine that can get both righties and lefties out.

I?m not too sure what to make of Stokes. While Stokes was certainly impressive in his short stint with the Mets last year (3.51 ERA in 33.1 IP), there is reason for concern given his 2007 ERA, which was over 7.

It is possible, depending on the starting pitching situation, that Tim Redding could take over Brian Stokes?s job as the long reliever, especially if Freddy Garcia takes over the last spot in the rotation.

All in all, the Mets do have a much better bullpen than they have had the past two seasons. Is this bullpen better than the best bullpen in baseball from 2006? As of now no due to the fact that there are just too many question marks.

Is this bullpen the best in the division? Absolutely. Putz and K-Rod alone give them an edge over any other NL East team?s late inning pitchers.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.ddmetsfanblog.com/2009/02/breaking-down-2009-new-york-mets.html

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Three Facts: Tampa Bay Rays

post from Beyond the Box Score on 07 February 2009 09:00:00 PM. © Beyond the Box Score

Today, the World Series runners-up, Tampa Bay Rays. Matt Joyce likely won't start the season in right field. Instead the Rays will roll with a Gabe Gross and Gabe Kapler platoon -- arguably the best combination of people named "Gabe" to ever exist -- at[...]

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http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2009/2/7/752392/three-facts-tampa-bay-rays

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Richard Justice: Astros Prepare for Championship

I had to laugh when I saw this headline on Justice's blog: "Astros Prepare for Championship Season." I immediately assumed that this is another facetious sarcastic blog. It's not that I, in all my fandomness, can write off the Astros chances; we always want to leave that possibility open. But after a rather disappointing off-season, I doubt that even the most exuberant Astros' fans are tabbing the Astros as a favorite to win the championship.

I have criticized some readers of his blog when they take Justice's bait and don't recognize sarcasm. However, after reading his blog, I'm not sure if he is really facetious. For one thing, what he says doesn't turn out to be funny.

However, some of his observations stretch optimism pretty far:

...I see a darn good rotation...
....when you've got a very good platoon at third and speed at the top in Michael Bourn and Kaz Matsui, you've got yourself a little club that's capable of doing some real special things...
Perhaps more than the pitching or hitting, I'm the thing you can count on in 2009. I've got your back.

Okay, maybe he is just trying to sport some spring training optimism. Or maybe not.

You tell me, is this blog facetious/sarcastic or not?

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http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2009/2/7/752782/richard-justice-astros-pre

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Neyer on A-Rod

Alex Rodriguez is still a great player: I hope Alex Rodriguez didn't cheat. If we do find out that he cheated, I will wish that he hadn't. But whatever happens, I'm not going to change my opinion that he's a...

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http://www.baseballmusings.com/archives/030892.php

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2008-09 Game 49: Minnesota at Houston

Minnesota Timberwolves, 17-31SRS: -3.23 (24th of 30) ? Pace Factor: 92.0 (12th of 30) ? Offensive Rating: 106.3 (21st of 30) ? Defensive Rating: 110.0 (23rd of 30)Houston Rockets, 30-20SRS: 2.19 (10th of 30) ? Pace Factor: 90.3 (20th of 30) ? Offensive Rating: 107.8 (14th of 30) ? Defensive Rating: 104.9 (5th of 30)<SBG> [...]

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http://stickandballguy.com/blog/2009/02/07/2008-09-game-49-minnesota-at-houston/

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