Friday, February 25, 2011
Time for some real baseball
Spring Training games begin today with the Giants and Diamondbacks getting underway out in Arizona. This must be the best time of the year for people stuck in the winter blues. You see sunshine, green grass, warm weather. Must make everyone feel good on the inside. Games do start in earnest as the weekend goes on so we'll get a good look at everyone as the first group of games pass by. The Manager returns Monday with weekend thoughts.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
The Injury Bug Hits
Spring Training games start tomorrow so finally a bat hitting a ball is upon us, until then thoughts are recent happenings....
- The injury of Adam Wainwright is a major and severe blow to the Cardinals and their chances in the NL Central. Wainwright had been the anchor of that staff the last two years and if he is out for the season and perhaps into 2012, this puts the Cardinals into a third or fourth place finish in the Central.
- Mark Buehrle told mlb.com that he would accept a trade if it was the right fit. Buehrle is from St. Louis, they seem to have an opening now, don't they? Could Buehrle be in a Cards uniform by year's end, the chances go up if the White Sox get off to a very slow start.
- So it is looking like it was a smart move for the Rangers to keep Michael Young. Adrian Beltre is already coming up a bit achy, don't be shocked if Beltre only plays 120-130 games this year and Young gets a lot of playing time at the hot corner.
- Why are the Cubs putting up a billboard with Derek Jeter on it? Is desperation to fill the ballpark that high already? The fans will come if you put almost any Cub on that billboard. Put the Big 3 pitchers up there or a picture of Wrigley Field. What's next, a billboard promoting the White Sox?
Back to the dugout to get ready for baseball tomorrow....
- The injury of Adam Wainwright is a major and severe blow to the Cardinals and their chances in the NL Central. Wainwright had been the anchor of that staff the last two years and if he is out for the season and perhaps into 2012, this puts the Cardinals into a third or fourth place finish in the Central.
- Mark Buehrle told mlb.com that he would accept a trade if it was the right fit. Buehrle is from St. Louis, they seem to have an opening now, don't they? Could Buehrle be in a Cards uniform by year's end, the chances go up if the White Sox get off to a very slow start.
- So it is looking like it was a smart move for the Rangers to keep Michael Young. Adrian Beltre is already coming up a bit achy, don't be shocked if Beltre only plays 120-130 games this year and Young gets a lot of playing time at the hot corner.
- Why are the Cubs putting up a billboard with Derek Jeter on it? Is desperation to fill the ballpark that high already? The fans will come if you put almost any Cub on that billboard. Put the Big 3 pitchers up there or a picture of Wrigley Field. What's next, a billboard promoting the White Sox?
Back to the dugout to get ready for baseball tomorrow....
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Manager's Suggestions on Fixing Baseball
As I mentioned yesterday, the Manager has some thoughts on how to fix the game we all love so very much....
- To start with, we need a truly and fully balanced schedule. For that to happen however, two teams must be contracted. You want to save your team, you had better show up at the ballpark. The two teams with the lowest attendance over the last three seasons are gone. During the 2010 season, the five teams with the lowest attendance from lowest to highest were Cleveland, Oakland, Florida, Pittsburgh and Toronto. The obvious choices here are Oakland and Toronto so we will contract them for this.
- With two teams now gone, we have 28 teams which will be put into one big division and under National League rules. If you can't play in the field, you shouldn't be hitting. You still have 162 games with each team playing three home and three away games against all the rest. Each city gets to see every team come through every season.
- Now the next thought would be, if you are doing this with all this traveling, the season is going to last until December.....oh no no. The time has come to start scheduling doubleheaders every Sunday and during the week during June, July and August. There would be a limit on doubleheaders per week of two. Also, making sure that teams on road trips are going to places in as close of a difference as possible. Example being if Seattle traveled to the Midwest, they would get in their games in their 12 games in Milwaukee, Detroit and Chicago.
- With 28 teams, 8 teams will still make the playoffs, 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7 and so on but each series will be 7 games. Also, rosters would be expanded to 32 strictly due to the extra travel and the doubleheaders. There would be set game times. Every game must start at 1 pm or 7 pm local time and doubleheaders would be played at those times as well. As much as I love the doubleheader going back to back, this will allow teams to get their full 81 game gate for the season.
The time has come to tweak the game ever so slightly and gives every team the chance to play equally without having to worry about playing the Yankees, Red Sox or Phillies 16-18 times a season.
- To start with, we need a truly and fully balanced schedule. For that to happen however, two teams must be contracted. You want to save your team, you had better show up at the ballpark. The two teams with the lowest attendance over the last three seasons are gone. During the 2010 season, the five teams with the lowest attendance from lowest to highest were Cleveland, Oakland, Florida, Pittsburgh and Toronto. The obvious choices here are Oakland and Toronto so we will contract them for this.
- With two teams now gone, we have 28 teams which will be put into one big division and under National League rules. If you can't play in the field, you shouldn't be hitting. You still have 162 games with each team playing three home and three away games against all the rest. Each city gets to see every team come through every season.
- Now the next thought would be, if you are doing this with all this traveling, the season is going to last until December.....oh no no. The time has come to start scheduling doubleheaders every Sunday and during the week during June, July and August. There would be a limit on doubleheaders per week of two. Also, making sure that teams on road trips are going to places in as close of a difference as possible. Example being if Seattle traveled to the Midwest, they would get in their games in their 12 games in Milwaukee, Detroit and Chicago.
- With 28 teams, 8 teams will still make the playoffs, 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7 and so on but each series will be 7 games. Also, rosters would be expanded to 32 strictly due to the extra travel and the doubleheaders. There would be set game times. Every game must start at 1 pm or 7 pm local time and doubleheaders would be played at those times as well. As much as I love the doubleheader going back to back, this will allow teams to get their full 81 game gate for the season.
The time has come to tweak the game ever so slightly and gives every team the chance to play equally without having to worry about playing the Yankees, Red Sox or Phillies 16-18 times a season.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tuesday Report
As teams continue preparations, a look and thoughts on Monday's events....
- Hank Steinbrenner seems to be annoyed by his team's hangover from the 2009 Yankees championship which he seems to be blaming for the team not winning in 2010. While it is understood that in his eyes that the Yanks must win every year, we all know that won't happen. This season, his team is probably second in their division but that will be probably be enough to get to the playoffs again. The pitching is not there after Sabathia, Burnett and Hughes and a loss in the ALCS is going to be their end game.
- Got to love players and their confidence in their team this early in spring training. Alex Rios of the White Sox is proclaiming that the South Siders will be the team to beat in the AL Central. Every team thinks they have a chance this early and granted I think the Sox will win the division but I really don't like players coming out in the media with the all 'we're the team to beat' talk. Just put your head down, play the game and let the fans argue over who is the best.
- To finish this today, the Manager has some thoughts on how to make MLB better. Share yours and during tomorrow's report, I will detail what changes need to be made. A reminder as well, when games do begin, you will see a longer, more detailed blog of game coverage and who is looking good or not.
- Hank Steinbrenner seems to be annoyed by his team's hangover from the 2009 Yankees championship which he seems to be blaming for the team not winning in 2010. While it is understood that in his eyes that the Yanks must win every year, we all know that won't happen. This season, his team is probably second in their division but that will be probably be enough to get to the playoffs again. The pitching is not there after Sabathia, Burnett and Hughes and a loss in the ALCS is going to be their end game.
- Got to love players and their confidence in their team this early in spring training. Alex Rios of the White Sox is proclaiming that the South Siders will be the team to beat in the AL Central. Every team thinks they have a chance this early and granted I think the Sox will win the division but I really don't like players coming out in the media with the all 'we're the team to beat' talk. Just put your head down, play the game and let the fans argue over who is the best.
- To finish this today, the Manager has some thoughts on how to make MLB better. Share yours and during tomorrow's report, I will detail what changes need to be made. A reminder as well, when games do begin, you will see a longer, more detailed blog of game coverage and who is looking good or not.
Monday, February 21, 2011
9 things to think about
With spring training games beginning this week, here are nine questions that are on my lineup...
- Will the Cardinals and Albert Pujols decide to talk even though Pujols says no?
- Will Michael Young get traded from Texas?
- Will the Brewers' new pitching, will they be the team to beat in the NL Central?
- Could the Astros be the worst team in baseball this year?
- Will the overload from postseason pitching be a burden on the Giants?
- Do the Yankees make another pitching move knowing they probably must to stay with the Red Sox this year?
- Who will be the first big player to get traded during the season? Felix Hernandez possibly?
- Can the Nationals avoid the cellar for the first time since moving to Washington?
- Will the sound of the bat make winter run away and hide? We can only hope.
Let's discuss and if you have any questions to add to this, pass them along.
- Will the Cardinals and Albert Pujols decide to talk even though Pujols says no?
- Will Michael Young get traded from Texas?
- Will the Brewers' new pitching, will they be the team to beat in the NL Central?
- Could the Astros be the worst team in baseball this year?
- Will the overload from postseason pitching be a burden on the Giants?
- Do the Yankees make another pitching move knowing they probably must to stay with the Red Sox this year?
- Who will be the first big player to get traded during the season? Felix Hernandez possibly?
- Can the Nationals avoid the cellar for the first time since moving to Washington?
- Will the sound of the bat make winter run away and hide? We can only hope.
Let's discuss and if you have any questions to add to this, pass them along.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Pickoff Moves
As we motor into the first weekend of spring training, a quick look before the weekend starts of recent events..
- Miguel Cabrera has found his way into trouble again with his DUI arrest late Wednesday night. Swigging from a bottle of scotch? This is very bad for the Tigers slugger and needs to get some kind of alcoholic counseling. Do we know if he was drinking like it was bottles of water the last two years, no but it can't continue. Who knows when he will report to camp, signs are starting to point towards issues in Detroit.
- The Orioles officially signed Vladimir Guerrero Thursday to an one-year deal. This Baltimore team is going to come up and scare some people this year with Guerrero, Mark Reynolds, Nick Markakis, Adam Jones and Derrek Lee in the middle of the order. Baltimore is the definite potential to be 2011's surprise team and even if the AL East, don't be shocked if the Orioles are a .500 team this year.
- Jose Bautista got his money, signing a five-year extension with the Blue Jays coming off his 54 home run season in 2010. $64 million is a lot of money for a guy who has had one great season. Time only tell if this deal actually works out.
There are some quick thoughts for today, The Manager is taking the weekend off to study the depth chart so he'll be back on Monday with weekend thoughts.
- Miguel Cabrera has found his way into trouble again with his DUI arrest late Wednesday night. Swigging from a bottle of scotch? This is very bad for the Tigers slugger and needs to get some kind of alcoholic counseling. Do we know if he was drinking like it was bottles of water the last two years, no but it can't continue. Who knows when he will report to camp, signs are starting to point towards issues in Detroit.
- The Orioles officially signed Vladimir Guerrero Thursday to an one-year deal. This Baltimore team is going to come up and scare some people this year with Guerrero, Mark Reynolds, Nick Markakis, Adam Jones and Derrek Lee in the middle of the order. Baltimore is the definite potential to be 2011's surprise team and even if the AL East, don't be shocked if the Orioles are a .500 team this year.
- Jose Bautista got his money, signing a five-year extension with the Blue Jays coming off his 54 home run season in 2010. $64 million is a lot of money for a guy who has had one great season. Time only tell if this deal actually works out.
There are some quick thoughts for today, The Manager is taking the weekend off to study the depth chart so he'll be back on Monday with weekend thoughts.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Thursday thoughts
As we look ahead now with about 10 days until the first spring training game....
- So the Cardinals and Albert Pujols couldn't come to an agreement on Wednesday. This is bad news for St. Louis and their fans. You would have to figure that Pujols will indeed produce a career year and leave strictly due to the fact that he didn't get the contract he wanted from the Cardinals. The options are wide open for where Pujols could go ranging from the Cubs to the Angels to even the Dodgers. The free agent frenzy will be intense.
- Blue Jays continue to make news as it appears according to foxsports.com that they are close to an extension with Jose Bautista and the signing of Scott Podsednik. Got to find someone to play in the spot left by Vernon Wells, which explains a bit of the Podsednik signing. The AL East will be tough like normal this season but Toronto may be looking at last place.
Short group of thoughts today, is there anything you would like me to talk about? Feel free to comment and I'll get on it.
- So the Cardinals and Albert Pujols couldn't come to an agreement on Wednesday. This is bad news for St. Louis and their fans. You would have to figure that Pujols will indeed produce a career year and leave strictly due to the fact that he didn't get the contract he wanted from the Cardinals. The options are wide open for where Pujols could go ranging from the Cubs to the Angels to even the Dodgers. The free agent frenzy will be intense.
- Blue Jays continue to make news as it appears according to foxsports.com that they are close to an extension with Jose Bautista and the signing of Scott Podsednik. Got to find someone to play in the spot left by Vernon Wells, which explains a bit of the Podsednik signing. The AL East will be tough like normal this season but Toronto may be looking at last place.
Short group of thoughts today, is there anything you would like me to talk about? Feel free to comment and I'll get on it.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Saga Continues
As we reach the middle of the first week of spring training as pitchers and catchers report and their rest of the teammates are sure to follow, here's a look at what is happening and what to look for.
- The deadline has been set for today with the Cardinals and Albert Pujols. I talked about this at length yesterday but you have to believe a deal isn't happening and Pujols will believe a free agent. It doesn't mean he is leaving St. Louis and the chance is there for a number of teams to sign him, even ones who have top-flight first basemen who could be traded to clear room for Pujols. Keep an ear open and your eyes locked down to see where this goes.
- As pitchers and catchers continue to report, it will be interesting to see what the Reds will do with Cuban phenom Aroldis Chapman. Last season in his brief stay in Cincinnati, the lefty had pitches clocked at 105 MPH out of the bullpen. Will the Reds keep him in the bullpen? You would have to assume for this season they would and get him prepped for a spot in the starting five in 2012.
- The Mariners announced on Tuesday that Ken Griffey, Jr. has been named a special consultant to the team and will be at spring training. This is an obvious first step for the certain Hall of Famer in helping the team that drafted him over 20 years ago get back on the winning track again. Maybe Griffey has some ideas on how to find more runs in the Pacific Northwest.
- Michael Young is still in Texas as of today and it looks more and more likely he is staying there this season. While Young is going to be used as mostly a super utility player and DH, Young has been a loyal soldier to the fans in Arlington and should be treated that way. However, it looks like there is no room for him in Texas and a bad contract swap is going to have to happen for Young to leave. A lot of teams could use him in their lineup and in the field but Young will need to extend on his eight teams he agreed to be traded to.
The lineup is set for today. Tomorrow, we'll look at the Pujols aftermath and other MLB stories as we trek our way toward Opening Day.
- The deadline has been set for today with the Cardinals and Albert Pujols. I talked about this at length yesterday but you have to believe a deal isn't happening and Pujols will believe a free agent. It doesn't mean he is leaving St. Louis and the chance is there for a number of teams to sign him, even ones who have top-flight first basemen who could be traded to clear room for Pujols. Keep an ear open and your eyes locked down to see where this goes.
- As pitchers and catchers continue to report, it will be interesting to see what the Reds will do with Cuban phenom Aroldis Chapman. Last season in his brief stay in Cincinnati, the lefty had pitches clocked at 105 MPH out of the bullpen. Will the Reds keep him in the bullpen? You would have to assume for this season they would and get him prepped for a spot in the starting five in 2012.
- The Mariners announced on Tuesday that Ken Griffey, Jr. has been named a special consultant to the team and will be at spring training. This is an obvious first step for the certain Hall of Famer in helping the team that drafted him over 20 years ago get back on the winning track again. Maybe Griffey has some ideas on how to find more runs in the Pacific Northwest.
- Michael Young is still in Texas as of today and it looks more and more likely he is staying there this season. While Young is going to be used as mostly a super utility player and DH, Young has been a loyal soldier to the fans in Arlington and should be treated that way. However, it looks like there is no room for him in Texas and a bad contract swap is going to have to happen for Young to leave. A lot of teams could use him in their lineup and in the field but Young will need to extend on his eight teams he agreed to be traded to.
The lineup is set for today. Tomorrow, we'll look at the Pujols aftermath and other MLB stories as we trek our way toward Opening Day.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Diving In on a Tuesday
Let's dive in on the headlines in baseball on this Tuesday morning....
- The contract talks between the Cardinals and Albert Pujols appear to be going nowhere at that point with the deadline coming on Wednesday. Pujols is the modern day Stan Musial in St. Louis, seeing him in a different uniform would just look odd to say the least. Just imagine Pujols in a Cubs uniform or a Mariners uniform with the number 5 on his back. While other superstars left their teams in the prime of their career to make their next successful like Carlton Fisk going from Boston to the White Sox or Barry Bonds from Pittsburgh to San Francisco, there is a substance to seeing Pujols terrorizing the other teams in the National League from the No. 3 hole in the St. Louis lineup and being the next Cal Ripken Jr. or Tony Gwynn and staying with his team all the way through his career. 10 years/$300 million is insane but a healthy compromise at 7 yr/$200 million would work.
- The Cubs and Carlos Marmol agreed on a 3 yr/$20 million deal on Monday to get through Marmol's first year of possible free agency. An interesting deal with it backloaded the way it is as Marmol will only make $3.2 million this season before jumping to $7 million in 2012 and $9.8 million in 2013. The Cubs needed to make this move simply due to the fact that besides Marmol, what is in their bullpen? Sean Marshall and Kerry Wood are probably their only two good options right now. Will Marmol repeat his 2010 campaign? Probably not but he got the money he deserves and the true test will be if he can avoid walking the bases loaded every time he enters a game.
- The Blue Jays made a smart move Monday by delaying the arbitration hearing with Jose Bautista until Friday to see if the two sides can get a contract done. You can't figure Bautista is hitting 54 home runs again in 2011 as teams will take every chance to pitch Bautista away but you have to figure he has another 30-40 home run season in him. Could Bautista be a one-hit wonder? It's possible but if I'm Toronto, I don't want to take that chance after trading Vernon Wells away in the offseason. While Aaron Hill and Adam Lind are nice players that should continue to grow, the Jays need Bautista to keep hitting if they stand any chance in the AL East.
That's all for today, tomorrow brings more stories to fill up our lineup card.
- The contract talks between the Cardinals and Albert Pujols appear to be going nowhere at that point with the deadline coming on Wednesday. Pujols is the modern day Stan Musial in St. Louis, seeing him in a different uniform would just look odd to say the least. Just imagine Pujols in a Cubs uniform or a Mariners uniform with the number 5 on his back. While other superstars left their teams in the prime of their career to make their next successful like Carlton Fisk going from Boston to the White Sox or Barry Bonds from Pittsburgh to San Francisco, there is a substance to seeing Pujols terrorizing the other teams in the National League from the No. 3 hole in the St. Louis lineup and being the next Cal Ripken Jr. or Tony Gwynn and staying with his team all the way through his career. 10 years/$300 million is insane but a healthy compromise at 7 yr/$200 million would work.
- The Cubs and Carlos Marmol agreed on a 3 yr/$20 million deal on Monday to get through Marmol's first year of possible free agency. An interesting deal with it backloaded the way it is as Marmol will only make $3.2 million this season before jumping to $7 million in 2012 and $9.8 million in 2013. The Cubs needed to make this move simply due to the fact that besides Marmol, what is in their bullpen? Sean Marshall and Kerry Wood are probably their only two good options right now. Will Marmol repeat his 2010 campaign? Probably not but he got the money he deserves and the true test will be if he can avoid walking the bases loaded every time he enters a game.
- The Blue Jays made a smart move Monday by delaying the arbitration hearing with Jose Bautista until Friday to see if the two sides can get a contract done. You can't figure Bautista is hitting 54 home runs again in 2011 as teams will take every chance to pitch Bautista away but you have to figure he has another 30-40 home run season in him. Could Bautista be a one-hit wonder? It's possible but if I'm Toronto, I don't want to take that chance after trading Vernon Wells away in the offseason. While Aaron Hill and Adam Lind are nice players that should continue to grow, the Jays need Bautista to keep hitting if they stand any chance in the AL East.
That's all for today, tomorrow brings more stories to fill up our lineup card.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Welcome to Balls and Strikes
Good morning, this is the Manager. Each day I will be bringing you the 9 things that happened in baseball yesterday or what to look forward to today. Before the season gets underway, there will be team previews, fantasy baseball thoughts, recaps of spring training games and a look at some prospects that will get you ready for the 2011 regular season to begin. For today, I will be brief on my thoughts as I welcome you to the team. Starting tomorrow, we will dig into the heart of spring training and the events in Florida and Arizona. Always feel free to post your thoughts or things you want to see talked about. The lineup card is empty, let's fill it up!
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