Wednesday, November 23, 2005 |
Pickoff Moves
Delgado To Mets, Stoneman Smokescreens, And Migrating Fish
Earlier in the week -- just yesterday in fact -- the newspapers had me frightened that the Angels might actually pick up somebody like a Paul Konerko or a Carlos Delgado, expensive first basemen whose offensive value in certain frequently-occurring circumstances was questionable (Konerko outside of his launching pad ballpark, Delgado against lefties). Scratch Delgado off that list, as the Mets took on his contract, trading first baseman Mike Jacobs and pitcher Yusmiero Petit for the slugging first baseman.Now, if you believe -- as I increasingly do -- that these maneuvers are only a smokescreen from Bill Stoneman designed to get negotiating leverage from Boston (and possibly others) whilst haggling over Manny Ramirez, you can sleep better at night. I, for one, would like Kotchman to get an honest chance and think, despite Scioscia's protestations to the contrary, that he's earned the starting first base job without question. But after a 2004/5 offseason where virtually all the Angels' free agent dollars were wasted on high-profile mediocrities like Orlando Cabrera and Estaban Yan, and outright busts like Steve Finley, the level of trust I have with Bill Stoneman isn't always that great.
But if I feel queasy with Stoneman at the helm of the Angels, imagine how Marlins fans must feel about their club's recent announcement that the Fish will explore relocation after 2008 because they can't get a retractable roof baseball-only stadium like Houston's. Claiming to lose $20 million on revenues of $60 million, the Marlins have shamelessly tried to squeeze Miami for an indoor ballpark for years, instead of building it themselves. Absent that, the organization has decided to field a team in name only out of replacement level scrubs, in effect telling their fans exactly what the Expos -- who were also owned by Jeffrey Loria -- told their fans, namely, show up or the team leaves. At times, I wonder that owners are any better than bank robbers.
Better Make That Two
Camille Johnston is a UCLA grad, and so unsurprisingly, the Daily Bruin has a piece on her. "Johnston believes her job with the Dodgers is the best fit and hopes to be with the organization for years to come", the article says, and if Frank's track record means anything, it means she needs to brace herself for disappointment; at the outside, she'll be with the team for no more than two years.Idle Threats
Count Register columnist Steve Bischeff among those who think Arte's relocation threat is "contrived". "By the way, where exactly would Moreno even consider moving the team, Rancho Cucamonga?"More Dodger Defections
Will the last guy out please turn off the lights? Man, this is getting weird. In this dodgers.com article about the Bud Black situation, we learn the Dodgers have lost:- Minor league hitting coordinator George Hendrick, to the Devil Rays, as a first base/outfield coach
- Single-A manager Scott Little, now the Nationals minor league field coordinator
- AAA pitching coach Roger McDowell, now the Braves' pitching coach
- Rookie league pitching coach George Culver, now head coach at CSU Bakersfield
- Single-A coach Dan Radison, who is now with the Cards' minor league system.
Rosenthal: Pads Likely To Let Giles Go
The Padres likely won't be re-signing Brian Giles, according to Ken Rosenthal. The free agent has asked for $30 million over three years, and it's unlikely the mid-market Padres would spend that much on a single player.
Newer› ‹Older
 |
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.