Saturday Grab Bag

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on March 31, 2012

**** It turns out that having Zito *watch* Moyer didn’t have the desired effects……..

**** How weird must it be for Theriot and Fontenot? You get reunited with your best bud to work together at the same job. Then, a couple of months later, he’s the reason you get fired. Tough business……

**** We have NONE back up at 3rd base. Theriot played a few games there in 2007. That’s it. Apparently Pill is taking grounders there and might have even played in a game there this spring. If Pill is the back up 3rd baseman than this, along with the fact that he hits right handed and is probably better suited to come off the bench, will be the reasons that he stays and Belt goes down to Fresno.

**** Apparently Jaime Moyer just locked up the #2 spot in the Rockies rotation. The good news is that this should allow Barry to do even more *watching*. Shit, forget Zito, how do the #3,#4,#5 Rox starters feel about this? I’m not too worried about the Rockies this year if their #2 is Moyer…….

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Bozo said, on March 31, 2012 at 8:15 am

I know a good knuckleball isn’t the easiest thing to learn but I sure wish Zito had spent the last couple of years learning how. It would make that 80 MPH heater much more effective.

This may come back to bite me in the ass, but for some reason Pill backing up third makes me more comfortable than having Font over there. Every time I saw Font at third, he looked as scared as Zit pitching. Font looked fine at second and I hope he gets picked up soon.

Watching Huff in LF last night, I couldn’t help thinking that he needs to play closer to the line. Pagan would just just have to cover more of LF when they are in that OF alignment.
willieD said, on March 31, 2012 at 8:30 am

I think burriss has played 3b for SF last season; T could cover 2b when pablo needs a rest, which hopefully won’t be very often. Glad I wasn’t watching Z last night. Feel better about Posey, flav?
- Flavor said, on March 31, 2012 at 8:35 am
  
  Do I feel better about Posey? No. As I’ve repeatedly said, the fear of him not being ready for the grind of catching won’t show itself until the season gets going. Maybe 2 or 3 weeks into the season is my guess….
  Look, I want to be wrong. I would be less worried about it if I had heard even one Giants official discuss this concern. Unless they were living in a cave last year, they should know about what happened to Mauer and how the same thing COULD happen to Buster this year……..
  - Nipper said, on March 31, 2012 at 8:41 am
    
    So concerning!
Flavor said, on March 31, 2012 at 9:43 am

funny Krukow moment that I probably wouldn’t have noticed except Kuip said the same thing on his show, too. Basically, they both said “You know, Bruce Bochy did his homework on Pagan, he checked in on how his spring trainings go and he found out that they don’t go so well.”
Ha, do those 2 really not know that that double top secret info is easily found on the internet? And it’s not even true.
Spring training batting averages for Pagan:
2006: .381
2007: .222
2008: .329
2009: .457
2010: .239
2011: .304
2012: .194
I don’t know how you look at those numbers and determine that this dude is a notorious bad spring training player…….
- twinfan1 said, on March 31, 2012 at 9:55 am
  
  Were they trying to say we should expect a big regular season?
  - Flavor said, on March 31, 2012 at 10:10 am
    
    both were using this as an excuse for how bad he’s been this spring.
twinfan1 said, on March 31, 2012 at 9:46 am

If they keep Hector, he’s the “right handed hitter off the bench_ ( and,wow, is that a ridiculously over hyped “neccessity”)…Pill has played 6 games in the minors at third. That and a few grounders does not make him n acceptable back up. They actually do have a back up who has played there and played well (we are told)-Arias. And they may not carry more than one middle infield reserve.Anyway, if you demand (as you should), that they field the best team with the available parts, Belt and Huff start- reserves are Blanco, Nate, Hector, Theriot, Arias.( I don’t think I’ve missed anyone) We need a back up infieder who can play some defense.I really wanted Pill to make a case, but he didn’t. It would be insanity to make room for him by sending Belt down.
- Flavor said, on March 31, 2012 at 9:50 am
  
  Earlier this morning, I checked Arias and only saw a couple of games at 3rd but those were his major league numbers. I forgot to check his minors stats and he did play 3rd in 47 games in 2010 for Omaha so you’re right, he would be the back up at third……
  Bochy said they couldn’t find a spot for Fontenot but if Arias makes the team isn’t that the same *spot* that FOntenot would cover? The chance to save a few bucks is what likely decided that decision…….
  - twinfan1 said, on March 31, 2012 at 9:57 am
    
    I thought his Lhed bat was also cited as a reason.
Flavor said, on March 31, 2012 at 9:56 am

with Torres a DL candidate to start the season and Pagan hitting like shit, it’s entirely possible that the swap of those two could be a complete non-factor. No winners, no losers, just 2 dudes who never got it going again……
Flavor said, on March 31, 2012 at 10:04 am

on the other hand, Cody Ross has every opportunity to have a great year in Boston. He’s going to be playing in LF in Crawford’s absence and should love hitting at Fenway. I scooped him up already in a couple of leagues. And when Crawford comes back in May or so then Ross will probably just slide over to right field–if he’s hitting, of course……
- blade3colorado said, on March 31, 2012 at 11:18 am
  
  He went yard twice yesterday. That makes six for him in Grapefruit play. I think the Clown has him in the Flap league. No room in my other league for him . . . albeit, I have him on my watch list with a few others. Regardless, I hope Cody does well in Boston.
irishman5574 said, on March 31, 2012 at 10:25 am

Pav from the Merc claims both Theriot amd Burriss have “experience” at 3rd. So what exactly constitutes experience? Little league time??
Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 10:33 am

You guys are talking about some RH boob with a bat in his hand coming off the bench when there’s a $10M race about to go off. Get your priorities in line. After much deliberation, Frank and I have landed on the 1 horse, MASTER OF HOUNDS. Going to play him with the filly, ROYAL DELTA, SO YOU THINK AND CAPPONI.

If my buddy Bob Baffert and his recent heart attack beats me with GAME ON DUDE, pass me the nitro pills.
Good luck.
- irishman5574 said, on March 31, 2012 at 11:10 am
  
  Gotta say that Game on Dude sounds better than Master of Hounds. But I have not looked at a racing forum in years!! So what do I know?
blade3colorado said, on March 31, 2012 at 11:24 am

I’m wondering if Amazon uses Pony Express as their Standard delivery service. I ordered the “Pawlie” book on Thursday and the shipping date is a week later. Conversely, I’ve ordered items like laptops, tablets, etc., and they get have it on your doorstep within 3-4 days. Weird company.
- blade3colorado said, on March 31, 2012 at 11:25 am
  
  Oh. Almost forgot the other equally weird thing about Amazon – they charge for delivery and just about every other item I have ordered over the ‘net is free shipping. Go figure.
- PawlieKokonuts said, on March 31, 2012 at 6:13 pm
  
  yeah…I myself don’t even have a copy…yet
Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 11:53 am

No joke here: coming up a little later in the 9th at Gulfstream the 1 horse is named TWIN. 20-1 ML.
Too bad there isn’t a DEATH THREAT running in the same race. I’d box the two. 😀
twinfan1 said, on March 31, 2012 at 12:01 pm

Death Threat has been retired, Denny.
- Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 12:42 pm
  
  Sounds good. Could you give me your best guess as to our OD lineup?
  - twinfan1 said, on March 31, 2012 at 1:35 pm
    
    I don’t know if it’s really a guess as much as what I think it should be.
    Pagan CF
    Cabrera RF
    Sandoval 3B
    Posey C
    Huff LF
    Belt 1B
    Burriss 2B
    Crawford SS
  - Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 2:41 pm
    
    I had that scribbled down on my notepad just the other day. Works for me.
    Good luck.
  - Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 3:44 pm
    
    I just realized something. This team is EXTREMELY Lt. hand heavy. My goodness. Jesus H. Christ. This team is way too Lt. handed heavy. Shit. This lineup could go to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and make that shit upright!
Alleykat said, on March 31, 2012 at 12:32 pm

The thing with Arias,is that he’s not on the 40 man roster,Theroit is though.So who do you dump to add him? My guess Whitey or Stewart.
- Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 12:44 pm
  
  Dump NO Whitey from the 40-man? Shut your mouth.
blade3colorado said, on March 31, 2012 at 12:44 pm

Besides Cody Ross doing well, I am glad to hear that Mark DeRosa seems on track to win a spot with the Nationals. After dealing with a calf injury earlier in the week, Mark DeRosa returned for the Nationals in Friday’s Grapefruit League game against the Marlins. He went 2 for 2 with a walk in the 3-2 win. DeRosa has gone 12 for 28 (.429) through 13 spring games with one homer and two RBI. Not bad for a 37 year old.
- Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 12:45 pm
  
  I’m surprised you haven’t sent a trade proposal my way. What gives? Does my team suck that much?
- Flavor said, on March 31, 2012 at 12:48 pm
  
  and he’s got like 12 walks this spring, too.
- Bozo said, on March 31, 2012 at 2:13 pm
  
  DeRosa came through with some big hits at the end of last year. You’ve gotta give the guy credit, the medical staff keeps saying you’re done and he seems to reply, not quite yet.
snarkk said, on March 31, 2012 at 1:04 pm

Hit me with a 2 x 4 on DeRosa. I thought he was done, done, done. Still think it was the right decision to say bye bye. That wrist is way too risky for a roster spot on SF with infield help needed.
BTW, how does Zito get a pass in the media on going to House for psychobabble and mechanical help? What does that say about what Zito thinks about Righetti, indirectly? You’re paying $20M a year for a dude that goes to a pitching coach totally outside your organization? Now that he’s still getting shelled, does Righetti tell him to forget what House said?…
- Flavor said, on March 31, 2012 at 1:25 pm
  
  I’m totally shocked that he actually hit a home run. The last time we saw him he was *gamin’* his way through at bats just trying to make contact and send it up the middle……
  - blade3colorado said, on March 31, 2012 at 1:32 pm
    
    Believe it or not, he could be starting at first base this year (but probably will platoon with LaRoche).
Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 1:16 pm

The White Shark’s batting avg. at the end of May. I’ll set the O/U at .255 What say you?

And before Blanco’s BFF Bozo chimes in and chastises that .255 avg…FUCK YOU!!!
- Flavor said, on March 31, 2012 at 1:23 pm
  
  if that.
  - twinfan1 said, on March 31, 2012 at 1:41 pm
    
    How many points more than Pagan will that .255 be?
- Bozo said, on March 31, 2012 at 2:17 pm
  
  Maybe so DMD, although this guy is going to score more than half the times he’s on base. Plus, even though the FL #s aren’t big on this, the ball doesn’t seem to clank off his glove like some other CFers I’ve seen.
  - Alleykat said, on March 31, 2012 at 4:27 pm
    
    Speaking of “Clank Gloves”, Bozo, are boy Freddy “Skillet Glove” Lewis was cut.Guess he can hang with Rowand now,in the useless ex ballplayer dept.
Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 1:29 pm

Reminder: today’s game vs the Reds is on you local NBC Ch. at 3 PM.

Second reminder: one Hr. prior to that on your local NBC Sports Ch. (old Versus) is the Florida Derby.

It’s Union Rags vs The Godfather. How will they act on the track today? Good question.
I know how Johnny Fontane should act…
snarkk said, on March 31, 2012 at 1:34 pm

Just heard Giants are keeping Zito in Scottsdale when they head back to the Bay — he will NOT take a start in the Bay Bridge series. Instead, he’ll pitch a minor league game, then make his first start on the road against the Rocks. I think this means the brass are in full panic or exasperation mode. They don’t want to risk him getting booed outta the gate in the Bay Area after getting hammered by the A’s. Why else would he not be with the club and with Righetti to “work on things”? If he’s going to get shelled the first time out, they want it to be on the road…
Alleykat said, on March 31, 2012 at 2:05 pm

Can’t we just send Zito to a “Indian Reservation” in Arizona with Tom House,they can smoke some peyote and talk Zen shit.
Then just send up a smoke signal,if we ever need him back.
- Bozo said, on March 31, 2012 at 2:19 pm
  
  kat, you just cracked me up.
Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 2:45 pm

Okie Dokie. Union Rags if fucking 1/5. The Godfather is 4/1. I’m a chalk eating weasel, but I’m not that much of a chalk eating weasel.

Go Marlon Brando! He is after all, my favorite actor of all time. Loved that guy.

Go Godfather!!!
Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 2:47 pm

If there’s an upset? Take Charge Indy would be it. He’s another who’s been on my Derby trail…
Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 2:57 pm

The Future Book on Union Rags was 3/1. Shit. After today’s run you might get 9/2 come the first Saturday in May. Reason 186 why I never bet Kentucky Derby Futures.
willieD said, on March 31, 2012 at 3:11 pm

Ross does seem to have landed in a good place; I was thinking yesterday Fenway would be perfect for Nate also. He can reach the monster with a line shot, and pull stuff out past pesky foul pole, and of course field the position well. Plus that division has other great hitters parks.
Didn’t bill mueller, a solid unspectacular type, lead the league in batting when he went there from here?
twinfan1 said, on March 31, 2012 at 3:23 pm

Yeah, he was there 3 years, 2 of them he hit just as did here. He had a career year in 2003, leading the league at .326. So I don’t know how much the ballpark had to do with it.
DJLoo said, on March 31, 2012 at 3:49 pm

Nate’s occasional homers are not cheapos – ask his bro…
- Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 4:32 pm
  
  Ask his bro for what, license and registration please?
  - Alleykat said, on March 31, 2012 at 4:41 pm
    
    Which jail will he be staying in sleeping it off.
  - Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 4:52 pm
    
    If it’s Martinez, I know the layout like the back of my hand.
    Not that I’ve ever been there before. 😀
Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 4:49 pm

WTF isn’t Cincy playing Zach Cozart at SS? He was one of my “Stein” picks. Hitting second in that Reds order should have Zach touching home plate quite a few times this year. 90+ said Frank the cat.

Never mind, Cozart just grounded out 6-3. Looks like I’m the one getting “Steined.”
More Jonny Cat please…
Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 5:02 pm

HEADS UP FLAP FANTASY PLAYERS: I want to sell you some of my players. But I won’t be the one doing the selling. Who you ask? Go see Cal.
- Flavor said, on March 31, 2012 at 6:05 pm
  
  huh?
Flavor said, on March 31, 2012 at 5:12 pm

gettin’ slaughtered in the desert right now. 10-0. Mota started and Affledt relieved him so it’s not too representative of anything *regular* but it is concerning that we can’t hit Jeff Francis, who sucks……
Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 5:40 pm

Jeff Francis made our starting lineup, give or take a batter, to look, to look, look…not so good.
My Taco Boy committed his 4th E of the spring. No bueno. I love the little fat fuck, but no more E’s please.
- twinfan1 said, on March 31, 2012 at 5:47 pm
  
  Please. I’m coming through the monitor at the next guy who makes this shit a BFD. And a real 1st baseman makes the scoop on Panda’s throw.
  What should be significant was Pill’s T-Blow-ish delivery on his throw.
  - PawlieKokonuts said, on March 31, 2012 at 6:24 pm
    
    I just love that image: “I’m coming through the monitor…” I will be sure to close the laptop before retiring for the evening. (Just imagine what a boon to the porn industry, though, if they could make it happen. For all I know, maybe it’s already possible.)
  - blade3colorado said, on March 31, 2012 at 6:33 pm
    
    I think it’s called 3D.
Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 6:08 pm

TF, what’s your est. run total this yr from all the experts you read (including yourself :D)

What? We scored a pathetic PUSS number of 570 total. 3.5/gm. Stinks on ice. You know as well as I do that 3.5 ain’t gonna cut it. Just ask the East German Judge who gave the French figure skater a 3.2 Bitch.

Ed? You awake over there across the pond? I’m about to send you a BLOCKBUSTER TRADE OFFER.

regardless of what happens, cheers.
- twinfan1 said, on March 31, 2012 at 6:33 pm
  
  If we lose two two key players for the year, CFer to the DL twice, Sandoval 7 weeks… are you starting to catch on? They won’t hit this year either if the injuries are as bad. Sorry, but it “stinks on ice “to ignore the injuries when assessing last year’s offense..
  Anyway, they should hit about like 2010-700 runs.
PawlieKokonuts said, on March 31, 2012 at 6:21 pm

Dennis, the Washington Post Style Invitational is doing the ‘name that foal’ contest again. Just saying. In all the years, I think only two of my horse names got ink. Par for the course, to mix metaphors.

Good luck to Cody. Still wish we had found a way to keep him.
- DJLoo said, on March 31, 2012 at 6:49 pm
  
  I still wish we kept Kent…
  - blade3colorado said, on March 31, 2012 at 7:17 pm
    
    Isn’t he retired?
  - PawlieKokonuts said, on March 31, 2012 at 7:55 pm
    
    me too; I’d put Kent in the lineup tomorrow
- Del Mar Dennis said, on March 31, 2012 at 7:00 pm
  
  Pawlie, thanks for the heads up. I’ll definitely look into the contest. I don’t think the contest and I are on the same wavelength with it comes to horse names. But I’ll continue to sally forth with my suggestions and make hay.
  
  all kidding aside: best of luck with your book. that’s a great achievement. you must be so proud.
  I’m really happy for you. congrats and cheers from me and my entire barn. 😀
  - Flavor said, on March 31, 2012 at 7:24 pm
    
    now THAT is a post from the *old Denny*. Welcome back. 🙂
  - PawlieKokonuts said, on March 31, 2012 at 7:53 pm
    
    thanks, DMD. Noodle around with those horse names! What is it, 17 characters the limit? Or is that the limit for characters in a chapter in a novel by Tolstoy? hahahahahahaha
PawlieKokonuts said, on March 31, 2012 at 6:42 pm

A review of “Baseball’s Starry Night” [and two other books] from a Cardinals blogger:

http://www.cardinal70.com/generalbaseball/book-review-three-for-the-pric.php
- Flavor said, on March 31, 2012 at 7:31 pm
  
  well, personally, I can’t wait for it to arrive. Review will be forthcoming. And I love the idea of the fan perspective as the meat of the book. Looks like it’ll be here April 4th. I don’t understand the mail, never have, never will. I RESPECT the mail. Everyone is constantly freaking out about the cost of a stamp. Not me. 44 fucking cents to send something on a cross country flight? I’ll pay that all day long. 🙂
  - PawlieKokonuts said, on March 31, 2012 at 7:51 pm
    
    Make a first-class letter a buck, I don’t care, 2 bucks, and stop with the few pennies every year or two.
    
    Here’s the weird, or maybe expected, thing about the book: I can think of 139+ ways it could’ve been different or better, but we wanted to get it out NOW. That’s not second-guessing as much as the perfectionist in me. So, it’s been rewarding and gratifying to get such positive feedback. I got an email from a guy in Tampa relaying a lovely story about him and his son. No doubt if I had gotten that email weeks ago, it’d be a story in the book. But that’s life, as Frank Sinatra [cf. BBOTD] sang.
- paulinasia said, on March 31, 2012 at 8:04 pm
  
  Sequel, Pawlie, sequel… get to work! 🙂
- willieD said, on March 31, 2012 at 9:25 pm
  
  very nice PK. and no one has to make “esteemed colleague” jokes either. kudos to kokonuts!
PawlieKokonuts said, on March 31, 2012 at 7:54 pm

parting shot before Sleepville: if the Yanks can unload A.J. Burnett, why can’t we dislodge Zito? Oh. That’s right. One can pitch, sometimes; the other can’t, ever.
- Flavor said, on March 31, 2012 at 8:36 pm
  
  Burnett had some bad luck with the orbital fracture but I drafted him on 2 teams in the final round and I think he’s going to have a good year. His xERA was almost a single point lower than his actual era. Plus, he hated New York. I think he’ll have a decent year. In fact, I think he’ll have more wins than Dirrrrrty. Ok TWINNER, how about THAT bet?
  - blade3colorado said, on March 31, 2012 at 9:01 pm
    
    The Pirates actually have done a good job of drafting players, but some of their “can’t miss” players have not performed and/or been injured, e.g., Tabata and Alvarez. I really thought that last year, they would have a .500 record. Pfffft!
  - Flavor said, on March 31, 2012 at 9:03 pm
    
    Tabata is going to have a nice year.
blade3colorado said, on March 31, 2012 at 8:00 pm

Nail biter OSU and Kansas . . . I really want Kansas to win. My bracket will really rock with them winning . . . not as much if they lose. Kentucky all the way!
- Flavor said, on March 31, 2012 at 8:33 pm
  
  wish granted
  - blade3colorado said, on March 31, 2012 at 8:57 pm
    
    Amazing game that I wrote off in the first half. I had the sound muted and fast forward to the last 6 minutes, I see Kansas back in it. No idea if it took them most of the second half to catch up. They still almost blew it in the last few seconds with that bad pass.