Some thoughts on why the Astros shouldn't try to
trade for a 3B

post from The Crawfish Boxes on 19 March 2009 06:30:00 AM. © The Crawfish Boxes

With a few hours of reflection on my last post about where the Astros go in the wake of the revelation that Aaron Boone will opt out of the 2009 season to undergo open heart surgery to repair a defective valve under my belt, I’m going to lay out how I feel about the whole ordeal now.

To preface this, if I were a close friend of Aaron Boone, I would applaud the courage it took him to reach this decision and I would offer him all the support I could. Like I said in the last post, I wish him and his family all the best and I wish him a full, speedy recovery.

That said, I think this exposes the great weakness of the Astros as an organization. One that I’ve never denied existed, but tried my hardest argue could be smoothed over with some luck.

More after the jump (JUMP!)

Although Aaron Boone leaving is both a freak and extreme occurrence, it’s probably par for the course on a team that has had to scour the market for aged veterans to provide cheap, replacement level services. The impetus for this decision is no one officials fault, but the collective result from a very poorly run franchise for the last four-five years. The Astros have never been willing to read the writing on the wall and, instead, have continued to try to patch leaks with flawed personnel—waiting until the 2008 draft to finally commit to valuing young talent.

To put it concretely, the Astros have made a lot of very bad bets in the last few years. They’ve managed to allocate a disproportionate amount of payroll to a few, core players through free agency and trades. That bet might have paid off were it not for a force of nature (Hurricane Ike), a staggering economic recession, and now a truly unfortunate medical condition.

By the time I got finished running through the options of how the Astros could mitigate the loss of Aaron Boone, I realized that what they’re trying to replace is about .020-030 points of OPS. If memory serves me correct, that’s about a .10 margin in wOBA, so no more than 2-3 runs over the course of the season. That’s not a perfect conversion, but we’re looking at not a huge impact. So Boone leaving the platoon is not, per se, the problem.

The problem is, Geoff Blum is not an everyday player anymore. We shouldn’t expect him to be; that would be unfair. He’s almost 36 years old, which is wizened for MLB. The problem really comes into focus because our best 3B prospect—who is really our only 3B prospect—doesn’t appear to possess the skills necessary to fit into the platoon with Blum (there is, of course, always the option to let Johnson be the starter to start the season, or, presumably, soon after he proves ready at AAA). There’s not a lot of hope for finding an adequate fielding AND hitting 3B internally, so now we have to start looking externally.

Going external, of course, has costs. We’ve spent a lot of time this offseason ruminating over the truth of the bleak financial picture the front office has painted for us. If it’s true, acquiring via trade, or free agency anyone capable of filing the platoon for us is very difficult. If we pursue the solution through a trade, we might be able to have a stronger situated franchise pick up a million or two of whoever’s contract we’d take on, but a trade is a very, very bed strategy for us.

Solving this problem via a trade would be to inadvertently admit that the loss of Aaron Boone represented an important enough blow to the club that to do nothing to meet or exceed his potential production would be to squander an opportunity. But what opportunity would the 2009 Astros be squandering? Our community projection project pegged us for a .500 team. The guy who engineered the project thinks it’s a little to rosy of a model to be true, so in our heart of hearts, we were hoping for .500.

Why would we trade any piece of talent we had in our farm system to try to obtain a .500 season? If you’re thinking because we signed Pudge, think again. He added .4 of WAR to the community projection project. Bringing the total 82.5 wins 2009. Maybe a JR Towles could fetch us a decent 3B—but why burn that trade chip now, when his value is low? Mark Teahen’s name is all over MLBTradeRumors comments and we have a history of trading with the Royals. Teahan’s best projection comes from ZIPS, and it sees him at a .342 wOBA (.773 OPS). That’s a solid amount of production. Inputting Teahen brings us to 84 wins even, according to the spreadsheet. At $3.75 million in 2009, plus two more arbitration years ahead of him, he’d be a hefty commitment to a team with a serviceable 3B waiting in the wings. Sure, Teahen could inch us closer to the hunt for October, but it still wouldn’t give us great odds. Besides, dude is a terrible fielder at 3B.

We already looked a couple of possibly soon to be available free agents, and Loretta was the best option. What I’ve been trying to get at is that the Astros have backed themselves into a corner. They seem to be at a point where the consequences of a few years of bad decision-making are going to force them to take a few lumps this season, and probably the next. If Loretta, MacPherson, or any other released player becomes available for a good price, I say by all means sign them to a one-year deal. But I see no real logic in trading for someone. That costs money, prospects, and potentially blocks Chris Johnson; none of which are desirable outcomes.

I hope the front office makes a smart decision in the wake of all of this. If any good can come out of a man finding out he needs open heart surgery and might lose the ability to play the game loves professionally is possible, it might be that the Astros finally have to confront the fact that this organization ranked poorly because it’s got a lot of weakness—and that they act to ameliorate them.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2009/3/19/803325/some-thoughts-on-why-the-a

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Community "Heart & Gut" Projection - Catchers
(Olivo, Buck, Pena, House)

post from Royals Review on 19 March 2009 06:22:00 AM. © Royals Review

A surprisingly long time ago, I posted the second installment of the "Heart & Gut" projection series, which dealt with the shortstops and second basemen. The results are as follows:

PlayerABAVGOBPSLGHRRBISBCSMike Aviles551.288.328.4471365104Alberto Callaspo383.302.358.38124042Willie Bloomquist294.264.322.310121145Tony Pena, Jr.98.236.267.30611231

As with Gload, about half of the respondents gave no projections for Pena, as they are sanguine about him being cut before opening day.

Now it is time to get back to business. Below you'll find the top four catchers on the Royals depth chart, each of which might get some playing time with the Royals in 2009.

Miguel Olivo

YearTeamGABRH2B3BHRRBIBBKSBCSAVGOBPSLGOPS 2002CWS6192410152500.211.286.421.707 2003CWS1143173775191627198064.237.287.360.646 2004CWS46141213872726102954.270.316.496.812 2004SEA50160253282614105522.200.260.388.648 2005SEA5415214234051844911.151.172.276.448 2005SD3711516357141643161.304.341.487.828 2006FLA127430521132231658910323.263.287.440.727 2007FLA1224524310720416601412332.237.262.405.667 2008KC843062978220124178270.255.278.444.722 Career 64020922395051101373265795573217.241.275.411.686

John Buck

YearTeamGABRH2B3BHRRBIBBKSBCSAVGOBPSLGOPS 2004KC712383656901230157911.235.280.424.704 2005KC11840140972111247239422.242.287.389.676 2006KC11437137912111150268402.245.306.396.702 2007KC11334741771801848369201.222.308.429.738 2008KC1093704883231948389603.224.304.365.669 Career 52517272024049236222313844539.234.298.398.697

Brayan Pena

YearTeamGABRH2B3BHRRBIBBKSBCSAVGOBPSLGOPS 2005ATL18392720041700.179.200.231.431 2006ATL234191120152500.268.302.390.693 2007ATL16332700130301.212.212.303.515 2008ATL14143410001200.286.333.357.690 Career 7112716295021241701.228.252.315.567

J.R. House

YearTeamGABRH2B3BHRRBIBBKSBCSAVGOBPSLGOPS 2003PIT1101000000001.0001.0001.0002.000 2004PIT591110000200.111.111.222.333 2006HOU490000000200.000.000.000.000 2007BAL193858203311100.211.268.500.768 2008HOU330000010100.000.000.000.000 Career 3260610303411600.167.206.367.573

(If you click on the player's name, it will take you to his Fangraphs.com page which includes, among other things, his CHONE, ZiPS, Marcel and Bill James projections)

For each player, please predict the following stats:

AB

AVG

OBP

SLG

HR

RBI

SB

CS

Read The Full Article:
http://www.royalsreview.com/2009/3/19/803447/community-heart-gut-projec

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Astros Top 10 Prospect Guide

post from The Crawfish Boxes on 19 March 2009 06:00:00 AM. © The Crawfish Boxes

Recently, I was asked by the Lancaster Jet Hawks Director of Media Relations to write a guide to the top 10 prospects in the Astros organization for inclusion in the team's game program for the first third of the season. I have included the text to the article below. I wrote this prior to seeing Dying Quail's informative link to a top 15 prospect listing, which has a different order, a few more players(15), and quite a bit more statistical data and information from scouts on the players.

More after the jump...

THE TOP 10 PROSPECTS IN THE ASTROS ORGANIZATION

Rank Name Position Likely to start in…

#10 Felipe Paulino RHP Round Rock(AAA)

Paulino, 25 was near the top of the franchise’s prospect list after an impressive 2007 season, which included a few big league starts in a September call-up. However, the Dominican Republic native missed the entire 2008 campaign with arm issues, which have set his development back several steps. He joined the big league club in camp this spring, but the health of his arm for a whole season is still in question.

Farmstros Fact: Paulino was the starter and winning pitcher in the final game of Craig Biggio’s career.

#9 Polin Trinidad LHP Corpus Christi(AA)

Trinidad has a good fastball and slider. The Astros signed the 25-year old out of the Dominican Republic in 2002. He split 2008 between Salem(High A) and Corpus Christi(AA). He made a total of 28 starts(18, AA; 10, High A). For the season he pitched 169 innings with a 3.14 ERA.

Farmstros Fact: Trinidad was the pitcher of the month for Salem in April and Corpus Christi in June last season.

#8 Collin DeLome OF Lancaster(High A)

DeLome, 23 was selected in the 5^th Round of the 2007 draft out of Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, within 100 miles of Minute Maid Park. DeLome showed some pop with 22 home runs in 453 at bats between Low A, Lexington and High A, Salem last season. He has some speed(14 stolen bases) and the club needs him to hit for more average in 2009(.252 in 2008).

Farmstros Fact: DeLome was the highest pick that the Astros signed from the 2007 draft class.

#7 Drew Sutton IF Round Rock(AAA)

Repeating class AA suited Sutton well in 2008. The 25 year-old led the Hooks in many offensive categories, earning himself a spot on Houston’s 40-man roster for this season. Sutton batted .317 with 39 doubles, 20 home runs and 69 RBI. The switch-hitter was selected in the 15^th round of the 2004 draft.

Farmstros Fact: Sutton was Corpus Christi’s MVP in 2008.

#6 Jordan Lyles RHP Lexington(Low A)

The Astros selected Lyles 38^th overall in the 2008 draft. His selection came on the day he graduated from Hartsville High School in South Carolina. The 18-year old made 13 starts with a 3.99 ERA at rookie level Greeneville last summer before an end of season call-up to Tri-City of the NewYork-Penn League.

Farmstros Fact: Lyles was a two-sport star and as a wide receiver set school records with 81 catches, 1568 yards, and 23 touchdowns his senior year.

#5 Brian Bogusevic OF Round Rock(AAA)

Bogusevic, 25 made the switch from pitching prospect to outfield prospect look simple last summer. Three years after being selected in the first round of the 2005 draft, he moved from the mound to the Corpus Christi outfield, where proceeded to bat .371 with eight stolen bases in 42 games. The left-handed hitter continued the transition in the Arizona Fall League, where he batted .338 in 74 at bats.

Farmstros Fact: Bogusevic played for Tulane in the 2005 College World Series.

#4 Chris Johnson 3B Round Rock(AAA)

Johnson, 26 is the anticipated third baseman of the future for Houston. He put up solid offensive numbers for AA Corpus Christi in 2008. He hit .324 with 24 doubles, 12 home runs and 58 RBI before being called up for 30 games at AAA. His defense is big league ready and waiting for his bat to prove itself.

Farmstros Fact: Johnson’s father is the manager of Boston’s AAA team in Pawtucket.

#3 Ross Seaton RHP Lexington(Low A)

The Astros picked Seaton out of Second Baptist Academy in Houston in the third round of the 2008 draft. Seaton, 19 only pitched in three professional games last summer. However, in his senior year of high school, he struck out 110 batters in 68 innings posting a 1.34 ERA.

Farmstros Fact: Seaton planned to play college baseball at Tulane before signing with the Astros.

#2 Bud Norris RHP Round Rock(AAA)

Norris, 24 has moved rapidly through the Astros’ system since being selected in the 6^th Round of the 2006 draft out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The Greenbrae, CA native started 19 games for Corpus Christi in 2008, striking out 84 in 80 innings. Norris’ lack of a third strong pitch has led to speculation that he will be a bullpen prospect rather than a starter long term.

Farmstros Fact: Norris nickname originated when as a young child he copied his father’s drink order of Budweiser at the dinner table.

#1 Jason Castro C Lancaster(High A)

Castro, the 10^th pick in the 2008 draft got right to work as a professional last summer. He batted .275 in 39 games for Tri-City and then batted .333 in 78 at bats in the Hawaii winter league. Out of Stanford, the left-handed hitter is already being projected as the Astros catcher of the future.

Farmstros Fact: Castro was selected by Boston in the 2005 draft, but opted to go to Stanford.

Poll

Who is the Astros Top Prospect?

Read The Full Article:
http://www.crawfishboxes.com/2009/3/19/801968/astros-top-10-prospect-gui

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Negron Honors The Boss in New Children's Book

post from Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog on 19 March 2009 05:30:00 AM. © Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog

From Christian Red:

Ray Negron, 53, a special assistant to the 26-time World Series champion Yankees, has taken in plenty of history and heartache, controversy and celebration during three decades' worth of Yankee Stadium history.

But along the way, Negron's most prized connection with the franchise is the friendship he forged with the team's owner and patriarch, George Steinbrenner, which started when Steinbrenner caught a teenage Negron spray-painting the walls of the Stadium in 1973.

"This is a total tribute to The Boss," says Negron of his children's book "One Last Time," set for publication this month. "And it's for all the kids that (Steinbrenner) has helped over the years - the kids that knew him and the ones that didn't understand why he cared about them."

The book, Negron's third, tells the story of a Yankees bat boy named Ray - yes, Negron was a Bombers bat boy when Steinbrenner made him "work out" his punishment for the graffiti transgression - who is summoned by Steinbrenner to carry out a special task: Conveying to the past Yankee greats that the history and magic of the old Stadium will continue in the new one.
Negron says writing about the hallowed stadium - "my cocoon for the last three decades" - was not something he took lightly. "I always ask for permission from The Boss to do these books," says Negron. "And I told him I was messed up about losing Yankee Stadium. But he told me, 'You have to move on.' I'll always be a (Bobby) Murcer, (Mickey) Mantle, (Joe) DiMaggio, (Lou) Gehrig and Reggie guy when it comes to the Yankees. But I've accepted the new stadium, because the spirits have accepted it."

Negron also tells Tyler Kepner that ?If it wasn?t for that ballpark and George, I don?t even know that I?d be alive today,? Negron said. ?So I can honestly say that ballpark and that man saved my life. That?s what this book is all about.? And that the book was his "way of being able to finally walk away? from the old stadium. ?It?s very, very personal,?Negron said.

Instead of always hearing about George being this tyrannical boss of the Evil Empire who fired people at the drop of a hat and made employee's lives a living hell, it's nice to hear about this side for a change. Not many people think of a caring man who would do whatever he could to help a troubled teen when they think of George M. Steinbrenner III.

Negron's next book will be about the day after Thurman Munson's death in 1979 and will be for young adults.

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SlidingIntoHome/~3/ATawmaEZxo4/negron-honors-boss-
in-new-childrens.html

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A Truely One-Of-A-Kind Outlook on the Padres

post from MLB Home Run.com on 19 March 2009 05:26:00 AM. © MLB Home Run.com

Geoff Young, guest writer for the great Baseball Analysts blog shows off his writing skills and his passion for the San Diego Padres in the tuned up post. Trust me, Geoff describes some scenarios that are unlike any images you ever imagined. To put it another way....thank goodness I'm not a Padres fan.

Unicycles and Delusion By Geoff Young

One option would be to stay away from the games, to stop caring altogether. Another would be to wallow in the hangover of 99 losses and declare all decisions a disaster before they are even conceived, let alone executed. The more radical among you might prefer simply to enjoy a fine day at the ballpark and the respite it brings from more mundane concerns.

Losing sucks, but it beats going to work.

Enough with the pep talk. What's actually happening with the Padres?

There is a theory, backed by data, that Petco Park significantly benefits pitchers. There is another theory that every theory breaks at some point. Well, maybe; I just made that up. The important point is that the current staff is going to crank every faucet in the house at the same time and see if the pipes hold. But it won't be a one-time test; it'll be a way of life.

If you like offense, you go to Coors Field. If you like pitching, you go to Petco Park. If you can't figure out what the heck you like, try watching the Padres this year. Ask yourself exciting philosophical questions such as, "How bad can a pitcher be and still derive benefits from that ballpark?" Perhaps the environment -- when inhabited by the likes of Cha Seung Baek, Kevin Correia, and Josh Geer -- will collapse. It could be that both Petco Park and the rotation will be annihilated when they collide. I'm not saying it's likely, but you have been warned.

Silk Print Shirts and Bowlers

On the bright side, Jake Peavy and Chris Young are still here for now. Peavy is very outspoken and Young is very tall. If baseball doesn't work out for them, they would make a great comedy team. I have visions of Peavy cracking wise and Young playing the straight man. Maybe they could solve murder cases together and have a boss who can't abide by Peavy's behavior but who can't afford to part with him either. Peavy would wear silk print shirts and Young would don a bowler. Wackiness would ensue, probably over some minute misunderstanding.

Meanwhile, the bullpen is going to get a lot of work. That is thrilling if your name is Chris Britton or Mark Worrell, and you've always wanted to pitch in the big leagues. It is thrilling also if you are a fan. I am obligated here to mention that an old definition of "thrill" is "To perforate by a pointed instrument; to bore; to transfix; to drill."

I didn't say it would be fun. I said it would be thrilling.

Amusingly, and a point that is missed by many, the strength of this team will continue to be the offense. It will be disguised by Petco Park, of course, but Brian Giles will get on base, Adrian Gonzalez will mash, and Chase Headley will have worked through his awkward phase -- at the plate, at least; defense is a different story. Pray for everyone's health when the ball is hit his way. It may not help, but at least you'll feel proactive.

Like a Slow Corey Patterson

Kevin Kouzmanoff puts another theory to the test. Seven men have struck out 130 times or more in a season while drawing 25 walks or fewer (arbitrary points, but you get the idea):

Bo Jackson, 1988, age 25: .246/.287/.472, 25 BB, 146 SO
Cory Snyder, 1989, age 23: .215/.251/.360, 23 BB, 134 SO
Alfonso Soriano, 2002, age 23: .300/.332/.547, 23 BB, 157 SO
Corey Patterson, 2002, age 22: .253/.284/.392, 19 BB, 142 SO
Jeff Francouer, 2006, age 22: .260/.293/.449, 23 BB, 132 SO
Kevin Kouzmanoff, 2008, age 26: .260/.299/.433, 23 BB, 139 SO
Carlos Gomez, 2008, age 22: .258/.296/.360, 25 BB, 142 SO

We can learn two things from this: First, do not name your kid Cor(e)y. Second, it's easier to get away with these things if you have football in your hip pocket as a backup plan. Sorry, did I say hip? My bad.

Oh, you were looking for a useful lesson. Okay, here's one: If you are not Alfonso Soriano, don't attempt this strategy.

The stupid part is I actually think Kouzmanoff can hit. But that's just from watching him; the numbers make my head explode. It's like the tired old saw, "I need that like I need a slow Corey Patterson." And if that isn't a tired old saw, it should be.

Irresistably Immovable

The shenanigans aren't limited to on-field activities either. Matt Vasgersian hopped in his El Camino of the Imagination (with apologies to Carl Sagan and anyone who lives in Missouri) and schlepped off to Jersey to do the MLB Network thing.

Ownership is changing hands as we speak. John Moores, who once rescued San Diego from Roseanne Barr's former boss, is now being rescued by Manny Ramirez's former agent. As they say, the dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had.

Payroll isn't expected to change. Neither is fan cynicism or disinterest. Weather will continue to be numbingly benign, and most of us will have our health. One hundred losses is a possibility, as is a World Championship. Other possibilities include, but are not limited to:

Completing a triathlon
Winning the lottery
Flying to the moon
Getting trapped in an oil painting

Be ready. Lack of preparation is not an excuse.

Still, I find the irresistible/immovable nature of this year's pitching staff at Petco Park... irresistible. Hey, we all have our perversions -- some are more interesting than others.

I want to see how far a Geer fastball will travel in that ballpark. I want to watch Headley ride around on his unicycle in left field. I want to bask in the glow of my own delusion.

I want to hang out and enjoy the games, no matter how hard anyone tries to kill my buzz with their so-called "reality." Is that so much to ask? Well, is it?

Read Geoff's post here.

Read The Full Article:
http://www.mlbhomerun.com/2009/03/truely-one-of-kind-outlook-on-padres.html

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A TRUELY ONE-OF-A-KIND OUTLOOK ON THE PADRES

Geoff Young, guest writer for the great Baseball Analysts blog shows off his writing skills and his passion for the San Diego Padres in the tuned up post. Trust me, Geoff describes some scenarios that are unlike any images you ever imagined. To put it another way....thank goodness I'm not a Padres fan.

Unicycles and Delusion By Geoff Young

One option would be to stay away from the games, to stop caring altogether. Another would be to wallow in the hangover of 99 losses and declare all decisions a disaster before they are even conceived, let alone executed. The more radical among you might prefer simply to enjoy a fine day at the ballpark and the respite it brings from more mundane concerns.

Losing sucks, but it beats going to work.

Enough with the pep talk. What's actually happening with the Padres?

There is a theory, backed by data, that Petco Park significantly benefits pitchers. There is another theory that every theory breaks at some point. Well, maybe; I just made that up. The important point is that the current staff is going to crank every faucet in the house at the same time and see if the pipes hold. But it won't be a one-time test; it'll be a way of life.

If you like offense, you go to Coors Field. If you like pitching, you go to Petco Park. If you can't figure out what the heck you like, try watching the Padres this year. Ask yourself exciting philosophical questions such as, "How bad can a pitcher be and still derive benefits from that ballpark?"

Game Notes: March 19 2009

Read The Full Article:
http://astroscoverage.blogspot.com/2009/03/game-notes-march-19-2009.html

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City of Miami Approves Stadium

Marlins Ballpark Approved

Articles referenced is copied in full at end of post.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miami Commission OK's Florida Marlins stadium - BY CHARLES RABIN AND JACK DOLAN

Posted on Thu, Mar. 19, 2009

A month of deliberations by Miami commissioners turned into a moment of joy for the Florida Marlins on Thursday, when city officials agreed to help build the team its long-sought new stadium.

Next up: Miami-Dade County, where the 13-member commission will be asked Monday to bankroll the lion's share of funding for the $634 million stadium and parking complex in Little Havana.

With the county's blessing there, the mirage is closer to reality: a new 37,000-seat retractable-roof stadium to rise in 2012 for the financially strapped ball club with a history of low payroll and attendance.

In Miami, commissioners Thursday cemented the city's end of the stadium plan at the old Orange Bowl site. The first vote -- approving the stadium's core contracts -- passed by a one-vote margin.

''It's just like beating the Cubs in Game 6. We still have to come back and play Game 7,'' a buoyant Marlins President David Samson said moments after the vote, recalling his team's storied 2003 playoff run.

The Marlins won Game 7 in a rout, then took the World Series against the New York Yankees.

If Thursday is any indication, Monday at County Hall may not be as easy.

Though the Miami Commission was required to pass three votes, the big one supporting the stadium and parking garage construction plan passed 3-2, with Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones the swing vote. She was on maternity leave during a deadlocked 2-2 February vote.

Joe Sanchez and Angel Gonzalez also voted yes on Thursday, as they had before; Commissioners Tomás Regalado and Marc Sarnoff were once again against.

Two other votes followed. One, a no-bid waiver for $24 million worth of road and utility work, required a supermajority. It passed 4-1, with Sarnoff joining the majority and Regalado the lone holdout. A final vote to approve an interlocal agreement between the city and county passed unanimously.

THE BATTLE LINES

The six-hour battle over spending hundreds of millions of dollars of public money began early in the morning with dueling protests outside of Miami's scenic City Hall.

Union workers holding Marlins signs shouted about the need for work. Activists in coordination with Liberty City's Miami Worker's Center questioned the plan, arguing the jobs would be temporary, and the bed-tax dollars paying for most of the stadium would be better spent elsewhere.

Inside, City Manager Pete Hernandez began the proceedings informing commissioners of changes to the stadium agreement since last month's meeting.

The Marlins would now contribute $500,000 a year to charity, with $125,000 going to city and county parks programs the first seven years.

More significantly, the team agreed to boost the share of profit Miami and Miami-Dade would split should Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria sell the club within nine years of groundbreaking.

The governments had previously agreed to a scale beginning at 18 percent that lowered each year. The new deal beefs that up to 70 percent the first year, 60 the second, down to 5 percent in year nine, Hernandez explained.

Chamber seats filled up and the line of 73 public speakers stretched out the door. Some were unemployed construction workers who spoke in favor of the stadium.

''I'm not here to ask for a bailout. I'm here to ask for a job,'' said Carpenter's Union Local 79 member Greg Mikenas.

Miami Worker's Center organizer Hashim Benford countered: ``It doesn't serve the interest of the working people. I'm concerned once the stadium is built, those jobs are gone.''

Following three hours of public input, the commission took control.

Regalado, a stadium critic since the plan was announced more than a year ago, voiced concern over giving away city land, not getting enough public guarantees and the fact that county police -- not city -- would patrol inside the facility.

''Under this deal city of Miami police would only be able to go to the stadium to use the bathroom,'' he said.

Sarnoff focused on the economy, worrying that the $634 million plan could balloon to $1.8 billion or more with interest payments. He also questioned whether the Marlins could meet their commitment to pay $155 million toward construction.

''You have no idea what the Marlins are worth, or aren't worth,'' he said of the team, which previously won a court order to keep its financial books private.

`OPPORTUNITY'

Sanchez, representing Little Havana, said a stadium would mean jobs and economic vitality for a portion of his district badly in need. He said the public money, most coming from tourist hotel taxes, can't be used for police, fire or social services.

''I don't look at this as being a Marlins stadium,'' Sanchez said. ``I look at it as an opportunity.''

Spence-Jones, who had already secured more than $100 million for her Overtown district in a separate vote this month, flexed her swing-vote muscle -- speaking for an hour and calling teems of officials to the podium before voting yes.

''Leadership requires sometimes taking bold steps,'' Spence-Jones said. ``Really what I wanted to do was hear the voices from this room. And I've heard them loud and clear.''

The vote means Miami commissioners approved a plan for the county to pledge $297 million in tourist taxes, and another $50 million from a bond referendum, toward stadium construction. The Marlins would spend about $120 million toward construction, and repay the county a $35 million loan. Miami will build the $94 million parking garages.

After Thursday's approval, applause was somewhat muted, in part because Commission Chair Sanchez often asks the audience to refrain. But mainly, because the decision took so long, supporter greeted the final verdict mostly with relief.

Miami commissioners had been set to vote Feb. 13, but Sarnoff stalled the process by demanding a string of concessions from the Marlins. Sanchez continued the meeting to Thursday.

Immediately after Thursday's votes, Marlins owner Loria was mobbed by supporters and media.

''We're making a major private contribution here,'' he said, when asked about the major public contribution toward the stadium.

Loria refused to answer a question about whether he'd open the team's books.

Instead, the owner looked ahead. Perhaps, to Opening Day 2012, when the Miami Marlins could take the field in Little Havana.

''As we look back years from now,'' Loria offered, ``we'll realize how good this decision was.''
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Read The Full Article:
http://www.2thinkgood.com/2009/03/city-of-miami-approves-stadium.html

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City of Miami Approves Ballpark

Marlins Ballpark Approved

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Miami Commission OK's Florida Marlins stadium - BY CHARLES RABIN AND JACK DOLAN

Posted on Thu, Mar. 19, 2009

A month of deliberations by Miami commissioners turned into a moment of joy for the Florida Marlins on Thursday, when city officials agreed to help build the team its long-sought new stadium.

Next up: Miami-Dade County, where the 13-member commission will be asked Monday to bankroll the lion's share of funding for the $634 million stadium and parking complex in Little Havana.

With the county's blessing there, the mirage is closer to reality: a new 37,000-seat retractable-roof stadium to rise in 2012 for the financially strapped ball club with a history of low payroll and attendance.

In Miami, commissioners Thursday cemented the city's end of the stadium plan at the old Orange Bowl site. The first vote -- approving the stadium's core contracts -- passed by a one-vote margin.

''It's just like beating the Cubs in Game 6. We still have to come back and play Game 7,'' a buoyant Marlins President David Samson said moments after the vote, recalling his team's storied 2003 playoff run.

The Marlins won Game 7 in a rout, then took the World Series against the New York Yankees.

If Thursday is any indication, Monday at County Hall may not be as easy.

Though the Miami Commission was required to pass three votes, the big one supporting the stadium and parking garage construction plan passed 3-2, with Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones the swing vote. She was on maternity leave during a deadlocked 2-2 February vote.

Joe Sanchez and Angel Gonzalez also voted yes on Thursday, as they had before; Commissioners Tomás Regalado and Marc Sarnoff were once again against.

Two other votes followed. One, a no-bid waiver for $24 million worth of road and utility work, required a supermajority. It passed 4-1, with Sarnoff joining the majority and Regalado the lone holdout. A final vote to approve an interlocal agreement between the city and county passed unanimously.

THE BATTLE LINES

The six-hour battle over spending hundreds of millions of dollars of public money began early in the morning with dueling protests outside of Miami's scenic City Hall.

Union workers holding Marlins signs shouted about the need for work. Activists in coordination with Liberty City's Miami Worker's Center questioned the plan, arguing the jobs would be temporary, and the bed-tax dollars paying for most of the stadium would be better spent elsewhere.

Inside, City Manager Pete Hernandez began the proceedings informing commissioners of changes to the stadium agreement since last month's meeting.

The Marlins would now contribute $500,000 a year to charity, with $125,000 going to city and county parks programs the first seven years.

More significantly, the team agreed to boost the share of profit Miami and Miami-Dade would split should Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria sell the club within nine years of groundbreaking.

The governments had previously agreed to a scale beginning at 18 percent that lowered each year. The new deal beefs that up to 70 percent the first year, 60 the second, down to 5 percent in year nine, Hernandez explained.

Chamber seats filled up and the line of 73 public speakers stretched out the door. Some were unemployed construction workers who spoke in favor of the stadium.

''I'm not here to ask for a bailout. I'm here to ask for a job,'' said Carpenter's Union Local 79 member Greg Mikenas.

Miami Worker's Center organizer Hashim Benford countered: ``It doesn't serve the interest of the working people. I'm concerned once the stadium is built, those jobs are gone.''

Following three hours of public input, the commission took control.

Regalado, a stadium critic since the plan was announced more than a year ago, voiced concern over giving away city land, not getting enough public guarantees and the fact that county police -- not city -- would patrol inside the facility.

''Under this deal city of Miami police would only be able to go to the stadium to use the bathroom,'' he said.

Sarnoff focused on the economy, worrying that the $634 million plan could balloon to $1.8 billion or more with interest payments. He also questioned whether the Marlins could meet their commitment to pay $155 million toward construction.

''You have no idea what the Marlins are worth, or aren't worth,'' he said of the team, which previously won a court order to keep its financial books private.

`OPPORTUNITY'

Sanchez, representing Little Havana, said a stadium would mean jobs and economic vitality for a portion of his district badly in need. He said the public money, most coming from tourist hotel taxes, can't be used for police, fire or social services.

''I don't look at this as being a Marlins stadium,'' Sanchez said. ``I look at it as an opportunity.''

Spence-Jones, who had already secured more than $100 million for her Overtown district in a separate vote this month, flexed her swing-vote muscle -- speaking for an hour and calling teems of officials to the podium before voting yes.

''Leadership requires sometimes taking bold steps,'' Spence-Jones said. ``Really what I wanted to do was hear the voices from this room. And I've heard them loud and clear.''

The vote means Miami commissioners approved a plan for the county to pledge $297 million in tourist taxes, and another $50 million from a bond referendum, toward stadium construction. The Marlins would spend about $120 million toward construction, and repay the county a $35 million loan. Miami will build the $94 million parking garages.

After Thursday's approval, applause was somewhat muted, in part because Commission Chair Sanchez often asks the audience to refrain. But mainly, because the decision took so long, supporter greeted the final verdict mostly with relief.

Miami commissioners had been set to vote Feb. 13, but Sarnoff stalled the process by demanding a string of concessions from the Marlins. Sanchez continued the meeting to Thursday.

Immediately after Thursday's votes, Marlins owner Loria was mobbed by supporters and media.

''We're making a major private contribution here,'' he said, when asked about the major public contribution toward the stadium.

Loria refused to answer a question about whether he'd open the team's books.

Instead, the owner looked ahead. Perhaps, to Opening Day 2012, when the Miami Marlins could take the field in Little Havana.

''As we look back years from now,'' Loria offered, ``we'll realize how good this decision was.''
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From the Mailbag: "P-Roddy", JR Towles

How much of an impact does A "Pudge" bring to the Astros?

All of that should be accredited to a "Pudge"Well, on paper he brings a replacement value (VORP) of about 1.3 games, which means that he will win the Astros 1.3 more games than the average catcher in the major leagues, however, off paper, Pudge probably brings a little more than a 1.3 VORP seeing as he is a 13 time gold glover (NO not like Danny), 14 time all-star, etc, etc. He knows how to handle a pitching staff, He will be above average defensively with the exception of throwing out runners. Obviously I wouldn't expect anything higher than a .270/310 OBP/10-15 HR/100 K/10 BB line for him in the juice box (HR's may be a little higher). His biggest impact will be developing Wan-Rod, Moehler and company into decent pitchers and helping them win games. That's were a pudge will make an impact. We won't ever be able to tell what Pudge's true VORP is, however, you should be able to see it in Wan-Rod's record for sure this year. I think Wandy goes 10-8 with a 3.65 ERA this year., "P-Rod", "P-Roddy" type player.

Is JR Towles time in Houston almost done?

The rumor mill has been buzzing lately. The catching market is severely thin and Towles is still touted as a great prospect. I wouldn't be surprised if Wade is dodging calls left and right about the catcher since the signing of P Roddy. Obviously, right now the Astros concern is adding depth the the hot corner. Johnson will more than likely make the team out of ST unless a Mark Teahan, Hank Blalock type player is made available at a signficantly low price. All in all, Towles career in Houston hinges off of Chris Johnson being the third baseman or not. If he isn't expect Towles to go packing for someone that can handle the corner. On a side note: The Giants are interested in obtaining a back up catcher. Any thoughts?

Read The Full Article:
http://astroscoverage.blogspot.com/2009/03/from-mailbag-p-roddy-jr-towles.html

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