Tuesday, November 28, 2006 |
Pickoff Moves
Today's Birthdays
Pedro Astacio LAN b. 1969, played 1992-1997. Along with the debut of Mike Piazza, Astacio was one of 1992's few success stories. His maiden game on July 3, 1992, the second game of a doubleheader against the nearly as bad Phillies, resulted in a three-hit shutout. Its conclusion, Mariano Duncan's fly out to right, resulted in an ecstatic Astacio leaping off the mound, Jon's favorite post-1988 moment.
He quickly lost effectiveness; two years later, he was a below-average pitcher, and the Dodgers traded him in August, 1997 to the Rockies for former Dodger Eric Young. In Colorado, he twice led the majors in home runs allowed, a feat he would later repeat with the Mets. Also playing for the Red Sox, Padres, Astros, and Rangers, he most recently appeared in a Nationals uniform, from which team he was released on October 3.
Ken Howell LAN b. 1960, played 1984-1988. A mediocrity at best as a starter, the hard thrower became a pitching coach in the Dodgers' minor league system; he presently fills that capacity for Las Vegas.
Frank O'Rourke BRO b. 1894, played 1917-1918, d. 1986-05-14
Jose Parra LAN b. 1972, played 1995
Kotchman's Revival In Puerto Rico
Casey Kotchman is playing baseball in the Puerto Rican winter league, at last."No doubt I've been looking forward to getting back on the field and playing some baseball," Kotchman said by phone from his Tampa, Fla.-area home two days before leaving. "I'm looking forward to going and playing and being ready for spring training."Bill Stoneman says Kotchman is "an option" in spring training, but he's not admitting that he's even plan A ("the reality is he missed a year to progress and get better"). But Kotchman professes not to be worried:...
For the past few weeks he has been participating in scrimmages with the University of Tampa, "tracking pitches and getting at-bats in intrasquad games," he said. But he admitted, "I have to be crisper in baseball stuff. That would take playing in games and seeing live pitching."
Kotchman, who was rated as the Angels' top prospect in 2002, 2004 and 2005, expects to be in Puerto Rico through the New Year. Hey, it beats resting in his apartment and shuttling back and forth to doctor's offices.
"I lost a bunch of strength and stamina and endurance," he said. "Physically, I need to get my wind up and all those things I need to play in baseball games."
"It's not going to be hard because, being healthy, you can push yourself to the edge and not worry about it," he said. "You can push yourself because your body can take it. It's a matter of when you don't have it. You're pushing the gas pedal, and there's no gas in the tank."That's why I'd like to go take this opportunity to play winter ball. As many questions (as the Angels had) of me not playing should be answered by playing winter ball, seeing that it all goes well. I'm healthy. I feel good now. Let's go play."
And Other Noise
- Idle speculation about Manny Ramirez once more has the Angels (and Dodgers) mentioned as possible suitors (and you know how seriously I take such talk, i.e., not at all). The Red Sox allegedly want Matt Kemp as part of any such trade, and can that possibly be a good idea? Ken Rosenthal thinks the Dodgers and Rangers are frontrunners to get Manny now.
- Supposedly, the Dodgers are pursuing Julio Lugo? You've gotta be kidding me.
- And they're after Jason Schmidt, too?
- Santana and Figgins for Joe Crede? Not on your life, Stoneman. Fortunately, we have this quote to keep us warm at night: "Angels General Manager Bill Stoneman remains uncomfortable trading young pitchers."
- The Giants' "youth movement"? "Anyone who isn't on a walker."
- The A's are thinking about signing Mike Piazza.
- Remember that thing I said about Rod Barajas signing with the Jays? I was wrong, and now Gregg Zaun is the starting catcher for Toronto. Barajas was apparently unhappy with the $5.52M/2 year deal he negotiated, and changed agents mid-negotiation with the intention of getting a fatter paycheck. Not a good idea.
Leaving aside the tragic circumstances that necessitated it, it was a heck of a lot of fun to spend the entire day at the ballpark for the price of one ticket, back when you could still get good seats to a Dodger game for like ten bucks or so.
Though I despise the Dodgers, it was pretty exciting to see this guy come out of nowhere (and I mean nowhere - Astacio's minor league ERA was over 5.00) and absolutely shut down the Phillies. The guy brought an incredible enthusiasm to the mound.
Astacio was a much better pitcher than you give him credit for being. His road numbers for Colorado really weren't that bad. I think all the years of having to work so hard in that thin air eventually took their toll on his arm. I suspect he would have remained a more effective pitcher had he been with the Dodgers for his entire career.
Turning to Kotchman, this sounds like good news. If the guy is healthy, there's really no reason he cannot be a big part of the picture. It's fine if the Angels aren't counting on him, but it would be a huge mistake to count him out. A healthy Kotchman should be an effective major league player. The Angels will surely regret it if they never give him a chance.
If the Angels would consider moving Santana and Figgins for Crede, Stoneman really, really, really needs to call Theo Epstein, because he could probably get Man-Ram if he tosses in Juan Rivera (who wouldn't have a place in the lineup if they acquired Ramirez, what with the signing of the Garbage Man).
: 11/28/2006 11:01:00 AMNewer› ‹Older
 |
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.