Pablo Could Definitely Beat Tanaka in a 1 Mile Race
I’m still pretty blown away by the story about Masahiro Tanaka nearly collapsing after running a mile yesterday. His admission afterwards confirms he wasn’t simply having a bad day. “I didn’t know I was going to run this much.” Giving 155 million to an *athlete* who can’t run a mile is a lot of cheddar to leave at the end of your string. They didn’t hire him to play professional golf.
If I’m the Yankees (or a Yankee fan) this is either going to be an awesome thing or the next disaster drama-rama side show for a franchise that seems to feed off such things.
Think about it. This guy went 24-0 last year and he can’t run a mile! If he gets himself into shape you would have to feel confident about the prospects of him succeeding and maybe even dominating at the mlb level.
If he doesn’t get into shape and he gets hooked on American food the same way many foreign players do, he’s going to be a failure. And remember, in New York, the bar that separates you being a hero and you being a rejected outcast is high and thin.
Speaking of guys who got in shape, The Panda said all the right things yesterday giving credit to his teammates for waking him up enough to finally get in shape for good. We’ll see if he sticks to it, unlike after the 2011 season, but I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt until he proves otherwise. He’s talking about growing up and while that’s an easy way to deflect away from those who think he just got in shape for money, it still is, on the surface, the right way to go about living your life. We all made mistakes when we were younger. Pablo never seemed like a guy who gave a sh!t about growing up. Maybe Pence, Cain, Posey etc talked some sense into him. We’ll see….
A Place To Talk About Giants Baseball 
Hey, that running the bases thing is so 1900s. I doubt that Sabathia is much of a runner so I’m thinking the Yanks don’t care. Can’t wait to see this guy never swing the bat during Interleague play.
Of the 3 guys mentioned in next to last sentence, Cain admits he was given similar advice in his younger days with SF about getting in better shape (Henry’s column) and Posey admits he wore down last year and vowed to better prepare himself this off season to avert his post AS collapse 2013. Didn’t Oswalt say the same thing about Lincecum?
I voted for Tanaka in the poll about the contract. Doesn’t really matter whether he can run or not, I just don’t think it’s possible for him to do enough fans and media aren’t grousing about how much he makes. At that kind of money he’s gotta be an ace, not just good or they’ll be all over him. Which J media will be anyway, 24/7.
Loo, I’m curious as to why Yanks let Cano walk. Ellsbury and McCann aren’t nearly the player he was for them–couldn’t they have kept him (shorter deal maybe) and still signed couple FAs? In a division that tough I’d sure want to hang onto my best hitter.
It seems like, for a moment or two, the Yankees were thinking about turning over a new leaf regarding massively huge contracts, and going a little Red Sox-ish; but as the off-season wore on, they changed their mind and went for Tanaka. Maybe the NY media wore them down. It would be a tough thing for the Yankees to truly embrace what the Red Sox did. It would go against about 40 years of Steinbrenner legacy.
On the topic of getting into shape, I just read at breakfast an SI article by Albert Chen about Jose Fernandez. A very good read. (I got the subscription through airlines miles; mostly I leave it for my daughter to read.) Fernandez’s mentor is fellow Cuban defector Orlando Chinea, who combines East and West — and a little oddity — into his training methods. (Chinea spent some time in Japan.) Chinea has the kid do stuff like this: swing an ax, rotate the arm 10,000 times, push an SUV around a track, and run with a fecking snorkel on (the pitcher said it helped him when he pitched in Denver). Incidentally, I did not realize Jose Fernandez’s rookie year was of historic proportions. Yes, the article noted some of his immaturity, but what talent and hard work. (Why did he not get more press?)
sorry I could not find a link to the piece
I remember in the French movie “Diva”, a guy wore a mask and snorkel to slice onions. Haven’t tried that yet, but my “C” card is still valid…
WillieD– thanks for the kind comments about Katie’s hoops video I put on facebook. She’s coming along and really seems to love basketball.
I’m not going to naak Tanaka, until I hear how Panda does in the mile. I doubt the Giants even make position guys run a mile, but I’d like to know. The best mile I ever ran was in high school, I did about a 5:55 mile. To make the basketball team, you needed to get below 6 minutes…
Did the Braves get some extra cash? They’re locking up guys left and right. Kimbrel is an elite Closer but it seems like the Braves have signed their whole team for the next 4 years.
I like the approach. Lock ’em up now, forget about filling that position for a few years.
Could be, could also blow up in their face. My buddy in Atlanta started talking about the BJ Upton contract before freaking on the rest of em. I’m thinking Atlanta may go through a, Yankee style, spend and lose period very soon.
Not Giants related, but man I’m rooting for Grady Sizemore to make it back again. I don’t know if he would have come to the West Coast and if the Giants even wanted to give him a flyer, but I wish they had. I’m hoping his body gives him another chance.
I’m disappointed in zero BBOTD comments. This was one of my all time pulls.
amended
Hey wait, what happened to Nicole?
trying to keep you on your toes.
A.J. Burnett says the two years he spent with the Pirates marked a new phase of his career. “I found who I was again, I guess,” says Burnett. “I will never put myself in the same category as a (Roy) Halladay, ever. But as far as mentor-wise and player relations-wise, I became that guy over there. … It showed me who I was, who I could have been for a long time that I wasn’t.”
And then he peaced out on them and went to the Phillies even though the Pirates offered him 12 million. So what we’ve learned about Burnett is that he likes to be a mentor as long as he’s getting paid fat duckets to do so.
Greinke fessed up what I believe most MLB players feel: I’ll go to whatever team gives me $1 more than the others. And, I don’t have a problem with that — if you’re out for the cash and that’s it, hell, be my guest. It’s a legitimate strategy. But, if you feel strongly about a team, a place, then go ahead and agree to take less than somebody else offers you. I’m down with that, too…
BTW, I watched about the first 5 min of the NBA all star game at a bar having a margerita with Mrs. Snarkk. The drink sucked, but the game was worse. What a joke — jacking up 30 footers (Klank!), turnovers right and left, bad passes, guys walking up the court / not running, constant supply of uncontested dunks, constant un-called traveling — and all that was the the good stuff….
You were able to watch about 3 more minutes of it then I could. It was awful. It was as bad as an NFL Pro Bowl game, and it didn’t use to be that way. The NBA’s now got a problem with their All-Star game. Hardly anybody’s going to want to watch NBA players play such garbage ball.
NBA is a fraud until the playoffs. I watch nothing. I believe nothing. How many times can the media praise Lebron?
I’m with Nipper on this one.
Made the mistake of going to the hockey ASG (got free tickets) 12 years ago. It looked like practice. No hits, no contested shots. 10 minutes in, the crowd was booing most of the time. Sat in front of some guys from Boston, and they were hilarious. But criminy, what a joke.
I saw some of this year’s Pro Bowl and it wasn’t half bad. Not great, but at least it resembled football.
Speaking of LeBron, and the All-Star game, there was a laugh-outloud quote from him after the game, in my morning newspaper. LeBron said “We really wanted this win.”
Yeah- the East wanted the win so bad that they stood around on defense and allowed the West to score 155 points.
How a reporter can even allow a statement like that to go unchallenged shows what a worthless event it’s become. I do believe there was probably a time when the NBA players cared about who won the game, but that time is gone.
When the lowest paid guy on the court is making $11 million a year, it’s hard to get up for and break a sweat in a meaningless game…
From what I can tell at work, it’s a generational thing as far as interest in the ASG, with the 30-somethings and younger being the ones most into the game and all the attendant crap (Slam Dunk, etc.). Heck, one of my co-workers actually went to the game. I watched the last 5 minutes, and yes, it was a farce. I like watching the Olympics anyway, but even something like Ice Dancing is more preferable because at least it’s being contested with some integrity.
So when is Idiot Goodell gonna drop the hammer on Miami?Draft picks? Suspension of Coaches? Major Fines?
He’s madly trying to sweep this under the rug without anymore exposure.
When you have locker rooms like this, and a lack of institutional control, someone like Mike Sam wouldn’t stand a chance. Bounty-gate is one thing, and welcome back to the NFL Gregg Williams he gets to target SF 2x a year now), but this is another kettle of fish entirely.
I’m sure Sean Payton wants the same justice for Miami’s staff.
There was a time when Knick and Ranger playoff games had to be scheduled around the circus at MSG…
Yeah, the Dubs appearance in the NBA finals was bumped to the Cow Palace because of the Ice Capades back in 75.
Game 4 of the Bullets-Sonics ’78 final was moved from the Seattle Coliseum to the Kingdome because of an RV show.
Saw a boat show at the Kingdone years ago and they filled the damn place with water. Crazy
Intriguing report from Henry Schulman:
“Edwin Escobar, the 21-year-old left-hander expected to be the next starting prospect to reach the majors, seems more polished this spring. “He’s coming out of the chute throwing better than last spring,” Bochy said. “We talked about that. He has a different look about him. I think he sees he’s a guy in the mix. He’s knocking on the door right now.”
Maybe a little push from Bochy to Vogelsong via the media…
He may be knocking on the door but I doubt he’ll be buzzed in…
They have been saying all along Escobar could be up this year. That’s why they didn’t feel the need to go spend 20m on an Arroyo
Happy 84th to Roger Craig. Humm Baby.
In between pitching for 3 World Champions, Craig lost 46 games in 2 years with the Mets.
I wonder if that’s a modern era record.
Happy President’s Day Flappers. I’ve always been partial to Washington myself. If it weren’t for him we’d be supporting cricket or some other nonsense followed by tea time.
Giants have liked Edwin Escobar since he was 16,problem was Rangers liked him too ,and their Scout new his family, who signed his old man(back in the days) and a cousin Kelvin who pitched for the Rangers,BlueJays,Angels.
Giants made a shrewed move getting him back in their org, when the Giants lost a Rule 5 player (LHP Ben Snyder) to the Orioles, who traded him to the Rangers, and the Rangers had to keep him on their ML roster are offer him back to the Giants.”You can keep Snyder,” but we need compensation,so the Giants inquired about Escobar and the dumbshit Rangers agreed on the deal.
Wake me up when it’s April. ……zzzzzzzzzz
Unbaldo 4 years 50 mil. Ouch. That’s sounds better than the 17 mil each year we are paying Timmy.
I would rather have Lincecum for two years only (as opposed to four) and 14 mil less in commitments.
Agree Chi,
Jimenez is gonna get lit up by the AL east. Redsox’s,Yanks have owe-age over him close to a 6 era in his career.
Cool documentary on Roberto Clemente that’s been playing on the MLB network if you get a chance to see it.
It’s fun to see the MLB network start its promos for Spring Training games. The games start Feb. 26th.
The Giants’ Comcast channel is going to show a few, too.
Nice seeing some college baseball the other day on MLB network; it was a tournament promoting inner-city baseball.
I just can’t get used to the ping of the metal bats though. It takes away from the viewing experience.
I’ve heard stuff about the college bats inhibiting pitchers from throwing inside, since it’s easier for a hitter to pull the ball and drive it given the added ping factor. Result being of course that college pitchers do not learn how to pitch inside effectively, and also that hitters have to adjust their swing when using the wooden bats on those same pitches or risk getting sawed off.
Opening day bunting for the Giants is months away, but bunting drills for the pitchers, will be getting heavy tomorrow. Whoot! Sorry, slow day for me.
The way the Giants pitchers bunt, that’s probably bunting skills day for the entire season. Funny thing about Zito, the dude could friggin bunt, best bunting pitcher on the squad, yet he spent the first half of his career in the AL where he never came to bat. I finally figured it out now that he’s gone. Magowan gave Zits all that dough because he knew Zits would be a great bunter…
The Zit man owned the chalk in the playoffs, that’s for sure.
Haven’t watched one minute of Winter O’s, tho I might try and catch some the hockey now.
Every time I hear or see the word Sochi I’m reminded of a long distance network commercial from years ago that doofus Bradshaw did with some gal and another guy. They are in a sushi bar, and the gal is talking about something you can get for only a buck, and Bradshaw calls the food, “Soo-chee. Where I come from we call this stuff bait.”
Incogidiot apologizes to Martin. This, after ripping everybody in sight on twitter before the report was released. Not to analyze by twitterverse, but this dude could be bi-polar, or bi-twitter, or something. His agent has to be pulling his own hair out by the handfull. Whatever it is, if I’m a GM, he’s not playing football for me. http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Incognito-apologizes-to-Martin-Ross-and-Wells-5244379.php
It’s a slow baseball-news day. Molasses slow. I now see MLB reporting this in the Transactions: players changing their numbers. I don’t recall seeing that bit of trivia before. Oh, and the Phrillies released The Groper.
Scutaro, 38, said Tuesday upon reporting to the Giants’ Scottsdale Stadium complex that he “pretty much” can swing a bat without being troubled by his fingers. His back is a different matter.
“It seems like when you have a bad back, your whole body feels [bad],” he said. “It’s one of those things that’s annoying, but you have to deal with it.”
Doh.
And, we STILL don’t know what’s wrong with his back. It hurts, that’s about it. What’s Sabes’ backup plan for 2b? Arias, Abreu?…
Nick “Caddyshack” Noonan!!
And his sore back contributed to his shaky defense. The Giants need to have Plan B ready to roll at a moment’s notice.
I hope Sabes is on the phone, cuz I’m not too thrilled with either Abreu or Arias. Short-term? Sure, but not every day.
Is Bocock available?
Kidding.
Belt left camp for Florida. He’s slated for arb hearing tomorrow unless they settle tonight or outside the door of the meeting room. Belt’s agent no doubt ready with the Freeman signing comparable, and Belt obviously gave his agent the go ahead signal to play hard ball to the end — I think he’s PO’d at how they’ve treated him. No Giant has gone to arb hearing since AJ Piershitzki 10 years ago…
@ Chi & Ali..
Lets compare Apples to Apples. Who cares if Umbaldo gets lit up in the AL east. Lincecum wouldn’t? Oh wait he did, in NL west no less, pitching in some of the best pitchers parks in MLB in SF, SD, LA
I hope I am dead wrong, but in AL Jimenez had a 3.3 era 1.33 whip vs Timmy in NL 4.37 whip 1.32
@Sports – I was just saying I would prefer Tim for 2 years to Jiminez at 4. That’s all. I think Tim will rebound and have a good year. And as much as you hope you are wrong, I hope I am right.
Kinda surprised the Giants are going to arbitration with Belt. And at this point, you’d think they will. If they were going to settle freaking do it already before the dude has to fly across country for a hearing that gets canceled at the last min? Lame on Sabean’s part to let it get this far.
Every thing management has done with Belt has been a difficulty. From coming up too early to changing everything in his swing, to publicly dissing him, to this. Must be a reason…
Yeah Flav they keep jerking Belt’s pole every freakin season!
Kid wants 3.6, club makes a laughable 2.05 mil slap in the face offer and even if they meet around 2.85 I doubt Belt takes it now,as he shouldn’t,since the last time they went to Arb’s AJ Jerkoff beat them back in 05? and I bet the ARB hearing goes to Belt for the whole enchilada of 3.6 mil. Just hope it doesn’t fuck with his head when they start ripping him over petty crap!
Fuck,let Belt play ball “EveryFucking Day” I’m sick and tired how they handle him!!
Maybe they can trade him to the Mets for Ike Davis and one of their good pitching prospects.
Ike Davis has about 16 holes in his swing. His hands are moving all over the place. Go slow-mo watch one of his at bats from a side view. He looks like he’s got freaking Parkinson’s disease. Apologies to anyone who finds that offensive. If the baseball thing doesn’t work out for Davis he could always go dominate the sign shaking industry outside of a Best Buy. Apologies for that one too
Ouch. Our sign wavers are typically repping pizza joints, or liquidation sales. “Liquidation.” Sounds like a euphemism for drunkenness.
Guess Ike could also do a Shake&Bake commercial as well…
Apologies for that one too.
Sounds like Giants and Belt are working late to try and reach a deal.
http://blog.sfgate.com/giants/2014/02/18/why-brandon-belt-might-miss-sf-giants-first-full-squad-workout/
If not, I am guessing the arbitrator goes with Belt and he’ll get the 3.6 mil.
KNBR just reported Gyros and Belt have come to terms. Avoiding arb. No details yet…
$2.9M
Cool. He got a little better than the mid-point (2.05 vs. 3.6).
I was hoping they would buy out a couple more years of arbitration, but whatever. Nothing has been normal or easy with Belt and the Giants.
I don’t understand why Belt and Sabes had to get this far to come up with basically an agreement to go a little above the midpoint of the two numbers. Belt had to leave AZ to travel to Florida and back for nothing? Seems dumb. Why doesn’t MLB have an arbitrator available for Cactus League players in Phoenix? Oh well, he’s under contract, so onward and upward. I like the way Belt played this one, he didn’t give up the rest of his arb years for chump change. If he has a solid 2014, next year he’ll really command some coin…
I want to see them buy some or all of those years (he has three remaining…eligible for free agency in 2018), but I do want to see him get his coin if he steps it up this year. The flip-side is he got a nice bump this year (from 531k to 2.9 mil).
Belt’s MLB 1B averages – Avg. 8th, OBP – 9th, SLG – 9th, OPS – 9th.
NL averages – Avg. 6th, OBP – 5th, SLG – 4th, OPS – 4th.