Wednesday Open Thread

You gotta wonder..

With all these catchers we keep drafting if they are only planning on Wieters playing thar position for a few more years then moving him. That or trade bait…..

I’ve been searching for a list of top tier prospects in next yrs draft hoping there’s a college 3b/2b or 1b there like ackley but I can’t find a decent list anywhere.

by GeoffreyA on Aug 19, 2009 6:13 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Organizational depth...

plus they make for good trade bait.

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 19, 2009 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

And Ohlman is a high schooler, meaning that even if he rises quickly he is 4 years away. A lot can happen in that time.

"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law

by Reddrummer9187 on Aug 19, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are several top college bats...

….we should have a shot at in 2010 if we want. Right now, some of the best are:

Christian Colon, SS, Cal State Fullerton
Derek Deitrich, SS/3b, Georgia Tech
Josh Rutledge, SS, Alabama
Ross Wilson, 3b, Alabama
Andy Wilkings, 1b, Arkansas
Zach Cox, 3b, Arkansas

Right now Colon and Cox are probably the top of that list.

by James F on Aug 19, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was mentioned by Amber in game last night

Jim Johnson’s wife gave birth at about 6:45 p.m. yesterday to a little girl named Abigail Grace. Congrats to Jim!

I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry

by Stacey on Aug 19, 2009 7:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

such a proud moment tarnished with the thought that

danys baez is taking your role as closer

by twistedlogic on Aug 19, 2009 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two things

1) It’s Danys Baez, it’s not like he’ll be keeping the job.
2) In order to be a closer, you have to have save opportunities. Not holding my breath.

"The United States is the New York Yankees of countries...powerful and respected until the year 2000." - Homer J. Simpson

by Brotz13 on Aug 19, 2009 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hee hee

excellent points, esp. #2

"The single best thing any rebuilding manager can do, ever, is trade a relief pitcher in late July for a couple of solid prospects."
— Rob Neyer, July 30, 2009

by zknower on Aug 19, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

very true

by twistedlogic on Aug 19, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

in response to the ball girl article

would you rather a bat-person or a ball-person. I’d choose the first one.

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 19, 2009 8:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

no doubts, I would wanna be a batboy

"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow." ~ Earl Weaver

by Graham71681 on Aug 19, 2009 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd be a ballgirl

if i could slug brews at the same time

by wishEYEhadCRABS on Aug 19, 2009 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Def a ballboy

I’d want to make some sick plays in the field

by PhilR8 on Aug 19, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

From DRaysBay

Watching Adam Jones and Nick Markakis play the outfield gives you a glimpse of how other teams must feel when Crawford and Upton are out there. The Rays hit more than a few balls that I thought were going to easily fall for doubles, but Jones and Markakis swooped in to take them away. It’s a scary image for the next six or so years.

Love reading stuff like that :)

I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry

by Stacey on Aug 19, 2009 8:27 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i fell warm and fuzzy inside when i read that

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 19, 2009 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+2110

"I hate seeing Bedard go, but I think the O's may have gotten the better end of the deal" -- me, 2/8/08

by CoachOfEarl on Aug 19, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

just found this on nfl shop

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 19, 2009 8:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would LOVE to see Bret Farvrehuh play...

first base for us, instead of Luke or Hwigglingggton.

"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Churchill,1942-- a rebuilding year.

by Titov on Aug 19, 2009 9:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think there was ricig comic last year

about the O’s siging him as pitcher.

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 19, 2009 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'm a vikings fan

and i can’t stand this garbage.

What up?

by snakethejake on Aug 19, 2009 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ve loved the vikings as long as I’ve lived and I still can’t stand Favre. This year is gonna suck as far as my rooting interests go. On the one hand I want the vikings to win and on the other I want favre to get injured and suck.

by Gorilla Bird on Aug 19, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They play the Chiefs on Friday, Favre is starting

Pollard took out Brady’s knee last year, maybe he can do the same to Favre and make everyone’s lives the better for it

"I hate making excuses. If I suck, then I suck. And I suck. That's the way I'm playing. If you suck, you suck. You have to take responsibility in this game. Right now, that's the way I feel. Yes, I suck." - Jose Guillen/quote of the year

by getxstoked on Aug 19, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I could care less about wins and losses at this point

And to be honest, I’m inclined to root for the losses, but Danys Baez being our closer is an absolute and total joke.

What a complete embarrassment to the franchise, the city, the country, and earth as a whole.

"There's only one cure for what's wrong with all of us pitchers, and that's to take a year off. Then, after you've gone a year without throwing, quit altogether." -Jim Palmer

by Baltimo on Aug 19, 2009 9:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I miss the phrase "and the entire Free World" which used to round off lists like that nicely.

And Captive Nations Week was cool too.

"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." Churchill,1942-- a rebuilding year.

by Titov on Aug 19, 2009 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was going to go with

“and most importantly, Dos Equis.”

"There's only one cure for what's wrong with all of us pitchers, and that's to take a year off. Then, after you've gone a year without throwing, quit altogether." -Jim Palmer

by Baltimo on Aug 19, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

1/2 game “behind” Pittsburgh for that coveted #3 spot. We’re 1 game behind Kansas City for #2. I’m inclined to believe Washington (5 games “ahead”) is simply out of reach, but where there’s a will there’s a way.

by math_geek on Aug 19, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Have SEEN the schedule for the rest of the year?

We may catch the Nats by shortly after Labor Day.

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 19, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And the Nats are on a roll

17-15 since the All-star break!!

The pirates may be a bigger concern in this “race”
10-20 since the break vs our 8-23. It will come down to the fact that they traded all their players vs we play the AL east all the time.

"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law

by Reddrummer9187 on Aug 19, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do we even need a closer?

Let’s get some leads first before we worry about saving games.

"I hate seeing Bedard go, but I think the O's may have gotten the better end of the deal" -- me, 2/8/08

by CoachOfEarl on Aug 19, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Again

I really don’t care either way, and putting out a worse product actually pleases me, but it’s just absolutely absurd to think that a major league baseball team is actually running out Danys Baez as their closer.

I mean, a closer is supposed to be an imposing, dominant pitcher who comes in to really shut things down for the evening; our white knight is Danys Baez. DANYS BAEZ.

"There's only one cure for what's wrong with all of us pitchers, and that's to take a year off. Then, after you've gone a year without throwing, quit altogether." -Jim Palmer

by Baltimo on Aug 19, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

george sherrill has yet to allow a run for the dodgers

by twistedlogic on Aug 19, 2009 10:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah and Josh Bell is puttin' up some numbers in the minors too

What up?

by snakethejake on Aug 19, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and nick markakis

number 2 on the top plays

by twistedlogic on Aug 19, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No No

I watched Jhoulys Chacin (5 1/3 IP) and three other pitchers toss a no hitter last night for the Colorado Springs Sky Sox against a lineup that included Nelson Cruz, Justin Smoak, Chris Davis (I know, I know), and Brandon Boggs. Was my first time to witness one even if it was in AAA.

Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt

by BPinOK on Aug 19, 2009 11:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Did Chris Davis strike out?

Or more to the point, how many times?

I’ve always hoped in my heart of hearts to witness a no hitter. At least I was at OPACY for Pie’s cycle on Friday.

"The United States is the New York Yankees of countries...powerful and respected until the year 2000." - Homer J. Simpson

by Brotz13 on Aug 19, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know...

I actually don’t think he did. IIRC he did walk in the first only to be thrown out trying to steal.

Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt

by BPinOK on Aug 19, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

From BA

Jim (WV): Where would you rank the Oriole’s draft class? Who in the draft do you see making it into the top 10 prospect list?

Jim Callis: The Orioles were very aggressive, and I have counted, but they may have had more total over-slot signings than any club. Hobgood and Givens could make the Top 10, and Berry and Coffey will push for the Top 10 in the future once they’re fully healthy. They obviously are very high on Ohlman as well, and last year’s Top 10 has graduated several players to the majors.

"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law

by Reddrummer9187 on Aug 19, 2009 11:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

but they may have had more total over-slot signings than any club.

Absolutely awesome if this means that we didn’t have to trade players/dump contracts, bring in a lower ceiling first rounder, and hold back internationally to sign these kids over-slot.

I’d like to believe that Hobgood was the better overall package, and that you can’t just throw exorbitant amounts of money at a great but not Godly 16 year old, but my mind does wander occasionally.

"There's only one cure for what's wrong with all of us pitchers, and that's to take a year off. Then, after you've gone a year without throwing, quit altogether." -Jim Palmer

by Baltimo on Aug 19, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

1) We dumped Aubrey Huff’s contract, but got a prospect that was more than he was worth.
2) Hobgood was disappointing, but it was an unexciting top of the draft after Strasburg/Ackley/Tate
3) I don’t see how we could possibly be holding back internationally any more than we have been recently, and what we “could” or “would” be doing is immeasurable.

There’s no cloud with this silver lining.

by math_geek on Aug 19, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's the worst part of the year for my home area!

FUCKING Little Leauge World Series, Williamsport, Pa is an extremely small city, but for a small period in time at the end of August all hell breaks loose. Traffic is insane, if you eat out, which I have learn not to do, you have a 1 hr wait anywhere and the city runs rampant with 11 and 12 year olds. Some say that it is neat that all of these kids from different places all come here to play a beloved sport but it grows tiresome after the first couple of years you encounter them (just because they are from some remote land doesn’t mean they aren’t still obnoxious kids) so while you all enjoy the fine games on ESPN (which I will too) know that I am hating where I live for the next week or so.

P.S. I needed to vent that because all I have heard in the office today is LLWS talk and there is also suppose to be a “tea party” on Aug 29th which is gonna march to the Series to try and get national attention so that will be a hot mess

"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow." ~ Earl Weaver

by Graham71681 on Aug 19, 2009 11:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

tea party protest at the llws?

like school on a saturday, man.

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Aug 19, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No class.

...Behold, a pale horse. The man that sat upon it was Wieters, and hell followed with him.

"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Aug 19, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, i'm sure all 5 of those teabaggers will get national attention

"The single best thing any rebuilding manager can do, ever, is trade a relief pitcher in late July for a couple of solid prospects."
— Rob Neyer, July 30, 2009

by zknower on Aug 19, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They have been play ads for it on the radio for like two weeks now

They are really trying to get people involved here its website

"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow." ~ Earl Weaver

by Graham71681 on Aug 19, 2009 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

excellent. teh crazies are coming out in force.

perhaps they’ll enlist glenn beck to show up and cry during the national anthem.

"The single best thing any rebuilding manager can do, ever, is trade a relief pitcher in late July for a couple of solid prospects."
— Rob Neyer, July 30, 2009

by zknower on Aug 19, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1 indeed

"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow." ~ Earl Weaver

by Graham71681 on Aug 19, 2009 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Williamsport is lucky, maybe they'll come up with some good ideas and people will act

Local attention would be fine. The city next to me had a teabagger rally thing, and issues I can recall they brought up.
(1) Duplication in city services – primarily in administering school and city systems.
(2) Two overstaffed schools where enrollment is half the intended target, but they have a full suite of admin and staff in place (the city has about a total of 8 schools)
(3) The quite large amount of money the school system loses on food services.
(4) A sweetheart deal for a local businessman/developer who was allowed to skirt zoning laws. The deal was actually illegal according to zoning laws and now the town is losing out on tax revenues.

Of course nothing has happened to address any of the above. I thought it was because various parties interested in maintaining the status quo had the power. Now I understand it is because the teabaggers are just a bunch of quacks. Nancy Pelosi said so. You guys too.

by drj on Aug 19, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And

Nancy Pelosi is a beacon of sanity.

Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt

by BPinOK on Aug 19, 2009 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

She is from baltimore so she has that going for her :)

"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow." ~ Earl Weaver

by Graham71681 on Aug 19, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I used to kind of be proud of that, even though I differed from her ideology

Now, not so much.

by PhilR8 on Aug 19, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You will find

many of a conservative/liberal persuasion on this site.

Just not me and zk. :)

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 19, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t view cutting wasteful spending (including at this small local level) as liberal or conservative issue. It is just common sense.

by drj on Aug 19, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am so not getting into this.

Trust me, it wouldn’t end well.

Liberals can frame issues, too, by the way.

How could anyone be against helping people afford health insurance?

See what I did there? :)

(And, no, I didn’t do that to start and epic mini-thread on current politics. It’s just an example).

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 19, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

See what I did there? :)

I’ll try to remember that you are much more intelligent than the rest of us.

I really didn’t get political. I find it disconcerting if someone is content with wasteful spending whether it is by a national politician, the local school union, or local businessman. I don’t care about your political persuasion, and in your (very complex) example if you can provide affordable health care in a cost effective manner, please do so. The country needs it (and the current system is also headed towards bankruptcy). The simpler examples I mentioned at a local level are much easier to deal with, and they get no traction. I don’t see how anyone can not feel frustrated by that (unless of course you are in on the scam).

by drj on Aug 19, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was trying to be overreachingly sarcastic

to lighten the tone, not be condescending. Obviously I failed. Sometimes, I’m not as funny as I think I am.

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 19, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What the hell did I miss today???

Who exactly do you think is “content with wasteful spending”????

by O'sFan21 on Aug 20, 2009 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, duck and i think you're all nucking futs, but we like talking baseball with you nonetheless :)

and duck also likes talking guns with you.

"The single best thing any rebuilding manager can do, ever, is trade a relief pitcher in late July for a couple of solid prospects."
— Rob Neyer, July 30, 2009

by zknower on Aug 19, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Guns are cool....

And yeah, that’s an AK-47. :)

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 19, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess duck is like Lopez

Gun-toting bleeding heart liberal. I like it.

by PhilR8 on Aug 19, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty much

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 19, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

why do I always have to view your pics in a new tab?

I think this happened the other day, too. Although it might have been someone else on here

by PhilR8 on Aug 19, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know

Honestly, they look fine on my end.

The other day, I was linking to photos on a free server that had exceeded bandwidth. Shouldn’t be a problem here – Blogger is hosting them.

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 19, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

not showing up for me

"The single best thing any rebuilding manager can do, ever, is trade a relief pitcher in late July for a couple of solid prospects."
— Rob Neyer, July 30, 2009

by zknower on Aug 19, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have no idea what's going on.

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 19, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It doesn't take many

if they pull shit like this.

Sorry to get political, but hey, it’s relevant.

Scroll down for the relevant pic.

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 19, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And yeah, that's my town

I’m so not proud.

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 19, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Funny thing about THE MAN

He’s always holding someone down…

Wish we could just round up all these extremists and move them to some far off place and let them annihilate each other.

by GeoffreyA on Aug 19, 2009 4:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

good idea

but this is a once in a lifetime chance for the kids to be the spotlight, you will have other times to protest.

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 19, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This just in: Stark is a moron

Or thinks that we are…
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=4407622

any system that’s paying an 18-year-old amateur more than a five-time Cy Young winner needs more repairs than a 1962 Volkswagen.

Dude, Pedro needs more work than a 1962 VW. Smoltz is useless. He’s more like a 92 Cavalier, it runs just well enough to get you to drive it on to the interstate, where it will break down on you. Don’t get me started on Big Unit.

Strasburg also getting paid more than Roger Clemens, who won 5 Cys. The outrage!

"I hate seeing Bedard go, but I think the O's may have gotten the better end of the deal" -- me, 2/8/08

by CoachOfEarl on Aug 19, 2009 12:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I don't put too much stock into what Jayson Stark says

"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow." ~ Earl Weaver

by Graham71681 on Aug 19, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I had a 96 Cavalier that sounded like shit, didn't have much power, and was really dirty

but it was pretty much bulletproof on the road. I kind of babied it, and it was a manual, but it never let me down. I just got rid of it last spring :(

by PhilR8 on Aug 19, 2009 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1 for it being a manual

"I hate seeing Bedard go, but I think the O's may have gotten the better end of the deal" -- me, 2/8/08

by CoachOfEarl on Aug 19, 2009 5:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My dad is laid back and easygoing

but for some reason he decided that his kids were going to learn how to drive a manual from the outset and there would be no discussion about it. I stalled out in busy intersections, rolled back down steep hills (not into any cars thankfully), and uncontrollably bucked the car at gas pumps, but by the time I took my drivers test using a stick, I was pretty much a pro. I guess I’m glad my dad forced me to learn that way.

by PhilR8 on Aug 19, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm

not trying to be an ass but is “manual” the regular term for a transmission with a stick shift? I’ve always just used “standard” and “manual” sounds like you are trying to read something to me. And you know me…don’t try and learn me nuthin.

Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt

by BPinOK on Aug 19, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

manual transmission, yeah

I think they’re used interchangably. Also might be regional colloquialisms – I’ve always said manual or stick.

by PhilR8 on Aug 19, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

probably so...

i’ve always used the term standard…

Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt

by BPinOK on Aug 19, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As in...

“My new conestoga is a four horse standard with a retractable soft top. To shift you just hit one of the horses in the rear.”

Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt

by BPinOK on Aug 19, 2009 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

as seen on I-44

by PhilR8 on Aug 19, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude!

I said FOUR horse! My ride would blow the doors off that!

Don't let the sunshine fool ya. - Townes Van Zandt

by BPinOK on Aug 19, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

seriously awesome comment.

"The single best thing any rebuilding manager can do, ever, is trade a relief pitcher in late July for a couple of solid prospects."
— Rob Neyer, July 30, 2009

by zknower on Aug 19, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the most interesting statement in that article is that the players want to see a change. I have to believe they would rather that money go to their pockets rather than some unproven kid. If the players start pushing to rein in signing bonuses, it may have a shot. I doubt the owners will argue the point.

by drj on Aug 19, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's not that much money in the scheme of things

For the top ten picks, teams spent between $2M and $11M (must be signing bonuses only, and not contract money) for 7-11 players. That’s roughly $500k per pick, but in return they get team control for 6 years, 3 years at league minimum, 3 at arbitration prices, plus indentured servitude in the minors.

Sure it’s risky, but if 1-2 of those top 10 picks makes it and is a serviceable player, the whole process looks like a bargain.

"I hate seeing Bedard go, but I think the O's may have gotten the better end of the deal" -- me, 2/8/08

by CoachOfEarl on Aug 19, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The issue is what to the players think

I don’t really know what the players think, and I don’t know whether that article is accurate. Assuming it is, the players are not upset at some high average or median payout. They are taking notice of the large payouts to unproven (few) kids. If they are pushing or itching for a change to rein that in, it’s the first I’ve heard of it. It’s interesting because I don’t think anything will change unless the players union also buys into it.

by drj on Aug 19, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think its a smokescreen

Sure, I bet the players (non bonus baby ones, anyway) will guffaw a bit when they hear about the big contracts. But seriously, that’s only a few guys. Plenty of players get more per year than any team spends on the entire draft.

Wieters got about twice the MLB average for a bonus. That’s what it took for Boras and him to agree to play. Who else was going to get that money? And what would it buy on the MLB market? It’s not like that money was the difference in getting or not getting Tei-bag.

"I hate seeing Bedard go, but I think the O's may have gotten the better end of the deal" -- me, 2/8/08

by CoachOfEarl on Aug 19, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One thing I wonder...

…is if the guys in the minor leagues are members of the union.

Obviously, for a lot of them, the draft bonuses are the biggest paydays of their careers. And since even the quality prospects who never make the big leagues are very valuable assets for their teams (think of all the prospects traded for big league players who never make the majors) quite regularly, they may be more aware of the value of draftees than the players who are in the majors and making a lot more money than their bonuses.

by James F on Aug 19, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I do not believe they are.

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 19, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

After looking it up...

…it seems the MLBPA represents only all the players on the 40-man roster.

Which I’ve got to think sucks. All those minor league guys can have their salaries bargained for them by a union which they aren’t members of?

by James F on Aug 19, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As do and draftees into the NBA

as hard a slotting system as you will find.

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 19, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

One quick question

Isn’t that 6 yars AFTER they first get promoted? If they spend an entire year in MiLB, that doesn’t count toward team control, does it?

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 19, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's MLB service time

so yeah, a player could spend 5 years in the minors but the clock starts ticking when he gets his call up. Cots Contracts has a good synopsis on service time, arb, etc.

"I hate seeing Bedard go, but I think the O's may have gotten the better end of the deal" -- me, 2/8/08

by CoachOfEarl on Aug 19, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I thought.

Thanks for the confirmation.

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 19, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

of course...

that’s provided that they don’t sign a major league contract like, say, wieters or matusz or strasburg.

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Aug 19, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not exactly

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2003/01/transactions-glossary.html

Service Time
A player earns Major League service time for each day he spends on the active (25-man) roster or on the Major League 15-day or 60-day disabled lists. A player also continues to earn service time while serving any disciplinary suspension or serving in the military.

Draftees who get a major league contract start out on the 40 man roster until they get called to the big club (25 man roster), at which point they start getting service time.

"I hate seeing Bedard go, but I think the O's may have gotten the better end of the deal" -- me, 2/8/08

by CoachOfEarl on Aug 19, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

This is correct, and to expand, major league contracts mean the contract sets a pay scale for them different from the minor league salaries. Also, since they are on the 40 man roster the team has to use an option in order to send them to the minor leagues and that limits the amount of time the player could end up spending in the minor leagues. I forget how many options a player has though.

"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law

by Reddrummer9187 on Aug 19, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

bah...

i may be wrong on those specific contracts, but i remember loewen’s contract was an ml contract that stipulated he be on the 25 man roster by a specific date. i thought those guys had that kind of clause, too.

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Aug 19, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that clause is specific to Loewen

since he was drafted out of HS. Matusz and Strasburg have college experience, which makes their rise to the majors quicker. I haven’t heard anything about a time-to-majors clause in their contracts. I may be wrong here though.

"I hate seeing Bedard go, but I think the O's may have gotten the better end of the deal" -- me, 2/8/08

by CoachOfEarl on Aug 19, 2009 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that one is in the options

For example, the Tigers drafted a HS pitcher to a major league deal. He has 4 option years I believe so in 2014 (when he is 22) he has to be in the major leagues. He may even only have 3. At that point if he is not ready then the Tigers are SOL.

"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law

by Reddrummer9187 on Aug 19, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

except for maybe basketball

it’s issue for the big 4. They have to shell out all this money for a guy who hasen’t played in a single pro game. meanwhile guys who have have proven that they are good players get less.
It’s a major pet peeve for me.

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 19, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's much worse in the NFL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JaMarcus_Russell

"I hate seeing Bedard go, but I think the O's may have gotten the better end of the deal" -- me, 2/8/08

by CoachOfEarl on Aug 19, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And guys like Sano who have never played in the US

can get bonuses that are higher than anyone in this draft class not named Strasburg can, and it’s a-ok.
The draft is pretty much indentured servitude to an MLB club, and Scott Boras is right in what he does to try and make it fair to the players.

"I hate making excuses. If I suck, then I suck. And I suck. That's the way I'm playing. If you suck, you suck. You have to take responsibility in this game. Right now, that's the way I feel. Yes, I suck." - Jose Guillen/quote of the year

by getxstoked on Aug 19, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

wanted to point out the current headline on si.com is "Derek Jeter: Underrated"

by kba26 on Aug 19, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Went to see if Heyman wrote it

Nope, Joe Po!

by PhilR8 on Aug 19, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He has been vastly disappointing in the last month

This is about the 3rd article he’s done in the past 6 weeks where I wonder where his talent (or common sense) went.

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 19, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I dunno....

…as a longtime reader of his, I think he’s more writing this piece because he’s trashed Jeter so much in the past, and because he’s involved in the “debate” with the NYT guy about Teixiera vs. Mauer for MVP, and Tex isn’t the best player on the Yanks this season.

by James F on Aug 19, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why are so many people idiots?

In which I refer to two threads on the OH that made my eyes bleed and my head hurt with their dumbassery:

Andy MacPhail is a bad GM because he didn’t give Tex 12 Trillion Dollars

Trade Roberts, Play Turner because of some stupid bullshit

I thought I should share my pain with everyone.

"I hate making excuses. If I suck, then I suck. And I suck. That's the way I'm playing. If you suck, you suck. You have to take responsibility in this game. Right now, that's the way I feel. Yes, I suck." - Jose Guillen/quote of the year

by getxstoked on Aug 19, 2009 3:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

HAHAHAHA

Both are OH links and both are good reasons why I only glance at that site for links (usually related to the draft or minors) posted.

"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law

by Reddrummer9187 on Aug 19, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The more I read the angrier I got

and more appreciative I am to have a place like CC to read what likeminded O’s fans have to say and share my views

"We're so bad right now that for us back-to-back home runs means one today and another one tomorrow." ~ Earl Weaver

by Graham71681 on Aug 19, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sort of likeminded

I think we have a good mix of perspectives on here but most people try and be rational and unbiased which is crucial.

"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law

by Reddrummer9187 on Aug 19, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the best part

is that most people here aren’t super reactionary, and those who are are usually ~~shouted down~~ ~~marginalized~~ quick to discover that this might not be the place for them.

by PhilR8 on Aug 19, 2009 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

like nestor's thing yesterday about givens

the writer’s wrong and thank god people are the writer he’s an idiot.

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 19, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

who is turner?

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 19, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

dude, click the link and there will be another link to his info

"I hate seeing Bedard go, but I think the O's may have gotten the better end of the deal" -- me, 2/8/08

by CoachOfEarl on Aug 19, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Justin Turner

he’s the utility IF at Norfolk, was part of the Hernandez deal along with Freel and Waring.

"I hate making excuses. If I suck, then I suck. And I suck. That's the way I'm playing. If you suck, you suck. You have to take responsibility in this game. Right now, that's the way I feel. Yes, I suck." - Jose Guillen/quote of the year

by getxstoked on Aug 19, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know him as Red Turner

that what he refers to him self on his blog
http://oriolesprospect.mlblogs.com/

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 19, 2009 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

everything at OH makes my eyes bleed

the site is flat-out hard to read. it’s like you went to look at yahoo’s borades or something but you dropped acid first

"The single best thing any rebuilding manager can do, ever, is trade a relief pitcher in late July for a couple of solid prospects."
— Rob Neyer, July 30, 2009

by zknower on Aug 19, 2009 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's like a site full of SouthFloridaO'sFan

and other people that think John Gibbons or someone is the answer

"I hate making excuses. If I suck, then I suck. And I suck. That's the way I'm playing. If you suck, you suck. You have to take responsibility in this game. Right now, that's the way I feel. Yes, I suck." - Jose Guillen/quote of the year

by getxstoked on Aug 19, 2009 6:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs