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Re: The MLB Thread
Whew, talk about a team that has no clue where to go, what to do with themselves, or how to dress while doing it.
I kinda feel bad for the Astros. Only 10 years ago they were the "Killer B's" and had one of the most dangerous middle order's in the NL, and only 5 years ago they were National League Pennant winners and on the rise.
What the hell happened?
I think the uniform change isn't a massive one. These days fans appreciate either throwback uni's, or something very reflective of the area (think the Miami Marlins change).
But a name change for the Astros is CRUCIAL imo. No matter how fond of then name the fans are, the Astros brand name is LONG out of date and stale. Not only have they not been in the Astrodome in over a decade, but with the demise of the U.S. space program, the name Astros is your father's team. And the Colt .45's is your grand father's team.
Alot of fans never wanted the Colt .45's name change and were pissed when the move was made. Although the name being revived would be great for nostaglia and the ties to Texas and guns and all that jazz... I think the name would be just as dated and be a hard to market brand name.
Dallas has the Rangers & the Cowboys. Houston has the Texans and the Astros might want to think of using a name that reflects the state and the local area more. Like something afiliated with horses, or bulls, or a western theme, the "Outlaws" or Renegades. I personally like the Houston Outlaws or the Houston Renegades or maybe even the Houston Bandits. The name is a direct counter to the "Texas Rangers", and what will become their inner-division rivals. Creating a face/heel matchup in the AL West, and a lawman versus outlaw tone for those rivalries will far imo.
As for colors, I would revive the earthtones of the 70's and go for a throwback look. Maybe brown hats, orange jerseys, and white pants, with brown lettering.
Either way, all that change won't change anything if they have a shit team on the field. And with new ownership, a depleted farm system, no money... barring any unforseen fluke, the Astros (or whatever they become) will be a 4th place team in the AL West for years to come.
Re: The MLB Thread
Omar Vizquel, Blue Jays agree to minor league / spring invite deal
by Janie McCauley / AP Baseball
Omar Vizquel and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a minor league contract Monday that includes an invitation to spring training.
The team announced the move in a news release. ESPN first reported the sides had agreed to a deal.
Vizquel tweeted: “I’ll be with the Toronto Blue Jays in spring training this year to earn a spot.”
The veteran infielder, who turns 45 on April 24, would be headed into his 24th major league season if he makes the club. Vizquel has 11 Gold Gloves at shortstop and provided a positive clubhouse influence for the Chicago White Sox the past two seasons and a reliable option off the bench.
Vizquel appeared in 58 games last year, batting .251 with eight RBIs and seven doubles. He is a career .272 hitter in 2,908 games.
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I LOVE IT! This guy is gonna play forever. It's just crazy to think of him, Thome & Jamie Moyer still around and playing. Very cool.
Re: The MLB Thread
Josh Hamilton feels good in offseason workouts
by Stephen Hawkins / AP Sports
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP)—Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton says his offseason workouts are going well and he is right on schedule for the start of spring training following sports hernia surgery.
“Everything feels good,” Hamilton said Monday night. “I’ve been running, squatting weight, agility, swinging the bat, throwing. All of it feels good.”
Hamilton had surgery in November. He played hurt throughout the postseason for the AL champion Rangers, with a torn abdominal muscle and torn adductor muscles in his left leg.
The 2010 AL MVP and four-time All-Star is going into the last year of his contract with Texas. He is set to make $13.75 million this season as part of the $24 million, two-year deal he got before last season to avoid salary arbitration.
Now that the Rangers have completed their contract with Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish, they can turn to talks with Hamilton’s agent about a possible long-term extension. Hamilton, who could become a free agent after this season, has repeatedly said he doesn’t want contract talks going on once spring training starts.
“It puts a little urgency on getting something done, and if it doesn’t get done, then I can focus on what I need to do, and not worry about it,” Hamilton said. “It is very important to have a clear mind and focus on what you need to do to help your team win.”
During a stop with the Rangers’ winter caravan, Hamilton said he hasn’t heard anything from his agent, Mike Moye. But the outfielder said he isn’t stressing about it, and is spending a lot of time outside with his daughters playing with a new remote control monster car.
Even if a new deal isn’t done before spring training, Hamilton said that wouldn’t change his mind about wanting to stay with the two-time defending American League champions.
“Absolutely not,” he said. “We’ve already told the Rangers if it doesn’t happen before the season, they’re the first ones we come to after the season’s over.”
The Rangers met earlier this month with free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder and his agent, Scott Boras.
After Darvish was introduced at Rangers Ballpark on Friday night, Rangers co-owner Bob Simpson said his personal preference would be to re-sign Hamilton over Fielder. Simpson also described Fielder as “too pricey” considering what he was seeking.
Both Hamilton and Fielder are left-handed power hitters. Hamilton is 30, three years older than Fielder, the 5-foot-11, 275-pounder who missed only one game the last three seasons with Milwaukee and has played at least 157 games each of the last six years.
“When I see guys comparing us, I’m like, stick him in the outfield, see how long he lasts. … Stick me at first base and see how long I would last,” Hamilton said. “Obviously our body types are different, too. He’s played 160 games a lot, I haven’t. So there’s pros and cons on both sides. It’s pretty funny to watch people compare us.”
The Rangers announced this month that Hamilton’s father-in-law had been hired as a staff special assistant to fill a support role as an accountability partner for the slugger, who had problems with drugs and alcohol in the past. But Michael Dean Chadwick has since decided against accepting that position due to “family considerations.”
Hamilton said he has “a guy in mind” to fill that role but the person hasn’t yet met with the Rangers.
Johnny Narron filled that role before he left in November to become Milwaukee’s hitting coach. Narron joined the Rangers when Hamilton was acquired four years ago in a trade from Cincinnati. His primary role was to support the former No. 1 overall draft pick, who rebounded from his substance-abuse problems.
Hamilton said he plans to leave for spring training on Feb. 17, a full week before the full-squad reporting date in Arizona.
“It’s time to go, baby,” he said, excitedly.
Re: The MLB Thread
Ok who the fuck saw this coming in the Prince Fielder sweepstakes--The Tigers sign Prince Fielder to a 9 year deal worth 214 million dollars. Averages out to 23.7 million dollars per year.
Scott Boras must be thanking his lucky stars that Victor Martinez blew out his ACL otherwise I don't think this move happens at all. Way too long of a deal for Fielder who'll be 36 at the end of it. Miguel Cabrera will probably DH for the Tigers. I don't see him the playing the field at all considering he's gotten kinda fat.
I do think it's kinda cool that he goes to his father's old team. The Tigers will win the AL Central but I'm not sure their lineup is strong enough 1-9 to compete with the other elite AL teams.
Re: The MLB Thread
If true pretty good pickup for Detroit. I disagree as well, 36 is not old for baseball. Jeters what 37? And he plays shortstop. A 1st baseman can easily play until his mid 30s. Plus he can always DH by then too. 9 years, not bad at all. Heck Pujols is 31 & got a 10 year deal didn't he?
Re: The MLB Thread
Prince Fielder comes full circle; signs with Tigers for 9 years/$219mil
by Tim Brown / Yahoo! Sports
Free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder on Tuesday agreed in principle to a nine-year, $214 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, according to baseball sources.
The charismatic slugger therefore severs ties with the Milwaukee Brewers and a community that came to adore him.
And the Tigers, who’d lost slugger Victor Martinez to an offseason knee injury, have their protection for Miguel Cabrera in a man who spent part of his childhood around their organization, chasing daddy Cecil.
Martinez tore the ACL in his left knee during a workout and is expected to miss most or all of the 2012 season. The question for Tigers manager Jim Leyland is whether to move Miguel Cabrera back to third base or to have Fielder and Cabera share first base and DH roles
The Tigers were late-comers to Fielder’s free agency, but closed strong, outbidding the likes of the Washington Nationals and Texas Rangers. The sides were working on the final details of the contract Tuesday, and the deal is pending a physical.
But, the defending American League Central champion Tigers are that close to adding one of baseball’s most powerful and dependable hitters.
Fielder, 27, has averaged 38 home runs over six full seasons and twice hit 46 or more. He finished third or fourth in NL MVP voting, including third – behind teammate Ryan Braun and Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Matt Kemp – in 2011.
He also was among the most reliable players in the game.
In his six seasons, he sat out eight times, so played in 99.2 percent of the Brewers’ games. He’s missed one game in the past three seasons.
In spite of that, Fielder entered free agency riding not just his power and production numbers, and not just his reputation as a skilled leader and emotional competitor, but as a breakdown risk. At 5-foot-11, Fielder is listed at 275 pounds, but appears to be heavier.
Talk among scouts and general managers suggested Fielder’s market would be influenced by fears Fielder would – during the course of his next contract – add too much weight, that his legs would give out and his production would plummet.
The marketplace appeared to ignore that potential frailty, however. As expected, he waited out the courting and signing of Albert Pujols (10 years, $254 million with the Los Angeles Angels), and had the rest of the market to himself.
The Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, Miami Marlins, Baltimore Orioles and Rangers were believed to be interested to some degree in Fielder. The Rangers had the need and a reputation for coming in late and strong on free agents. The Marlins, considering their all-in run at Pujols, were at least a curiosity.
Like Pujols, Fielder came to free agency without the usual benefits of a player of his stature. That is, the New York Yankees (Mark Teixeira) and Boston Red Sox (Adrian Gonzalez) have established and well-salaried first basemen. And Fielder, at 27, could not be expected to submit to a fulltime designated-hitter role. The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets are financially in ruins, though sources said the Dodgers were engaged to some degree.
Still, as one of the more dynamic players in the game, Fielder’s resume is long and attractive. He helped restore the Brewers as a competitive franchise, both in the NL Central and in their own community. He helped fill Miller Park. The Brewers drew 2.2 million fans in 2005, Fielder’s rookie year. By 2008, they were drawing 3.1 million. And by 2011, what would be Fielder’s last season in Milwaukee, the Brewers had drawn at least 3 million three times in four years. He’d driven the club’s first playoff runs in a generation and, along with Ryan Braun, became the face of the rebirth.
Various attempts by Brewers management to sign Fielder failed. And as this offseason passed, it became clear the small-market Brewers would not be able to retain him, doubly sobering considering Braun faced a 50-game suspension for allegedly being in violation of baseball’s anti-drug program. In hopes of deadening the blow, the Brewers signed former Chicago Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez to a three-year, $36-million contract.
Like Pujols in St. Louis before him, Fielder leaves behind a fan base heartbroken in the heartland, and an organization trying to replace a superstar – both on the field and in the community. The Brewers chose Fielder with the seventh overall pick in the 2002 draft. He debuted in the major leagues three years later and in a little more than six seasons hit 230 home runs, drove in 656 runs and was an All-Star three times.
In Detroit, fans knew him as the little boy with the big swing. Fielder’s father, Cecil, played seven seasons for the Tigers in the 1990’s, hitting 245 of his 319 career home runs for them.
“Prince is a lot like Greg Maddux, where he is a superstar in the game and when he takes off his uniform he’s a great father, a great husband, a great teammate and then great in the community,” Fielder’s agent, Scott Boras, said. “That’s rare among superstars.”
Re: The MLB Thread
Ok who the fuck saw this coming in the Prince Fielder sweepstakes--The Tigers sign Prince Fielder to a 9 year deal worth 214 million dollars. Averages out to 23.7 million dollars per year.
Scott Boras must be thanking his lucky stars that Victor Martinez blew out his ACL otherwise I don't think this move happens at all. Way too long of a deal for Fielder who'll be 36 at the end of it. Miguel Cabrera will probably DH for the Tigers. I don't see him the playing the field at all considering he's gotten kinda fat.
I do think it's kinda cool that he goes to his father's old team. The Tigers will win the AL Central but I'm not sure their lineup is strong enough 1-9 to compete with the other elite AL teams.
I was stunned when I heard the news. Who'd of thought a Fielder playing 1B for the Tigers was the answer all along? Who'd of thunk it? Not me.
I was more stunned the Tigers even did it. Not their style.
Miguel Cabrera & Prince Fielder will be alternated at 1B/DH imo, depending on who's health is what, matchups, whatever is going on.
If true pretty good pickup for Detroit. I disagree as well, 36 is not old for baseball. Jeters what 37? And he plays shortstop. A 1st baseman can easily play until his mid 30s. Plus he can always DH by then too. 9 years, not bad at all. Heck Pujols is 31 & got a 10 year deal didn't he?
It's a good pickup, but not a good deal imo. Nearly $24 million for Fielder is beyond over paying.
It might not happen initially, but what happens when Prince turns into Cecil and is DH'ing at .235 & 25HR for $24 million dollars at 300 pounds?
Very much a possibility.
I don't care for baseball all the much, but pretty much ALL of Detroit is shitting their collective pants with joy over this.
They should be. This is the equivalent of Ken Griffey, Jr. signing with the Reds in 1999-2000.
And we all know what happened with that. "The Kid" was never the same player after leaving Seattle.
Re: The MLB Thread
Retired manager Tony La Russa to manage NL All-Stars in 2012
by AP
ST. LOUIS (AP)—Tony La Russa will become the second retired manager to lead an All-Star team next summer, joining Hall of Famer John McGraw.
La Russa concluded a 16-season run in St. Louis with the team’s second World Series title in five years last October, stepping down after 33 seasons overall. Commissioner Bud Selig announced Tuesday that the 67-year-old La Russa will manage the National League in this year’s game July 10 in Kansas City.
“Tony earned this opportunity with the remarkable run the Cardinals completed last October, and I am delighted that he shared my enthusiasm about staying in this role,” Selig said in a statement. “The All-Star Game celebrates all the best of our game, and it is very appropriate that we will have the chance to celebrate one of the greatest managerial careers of all-time as a part of our festivities.”
McGraw retired after the 1932 season and managed the National League in the first All-Star game the following year.
Danny Murtaugh managed the NL All-Star team in 1972 after stepping down following Pittsburgh’s 1971 World Series title, but Major League Baseball doesn’t consider him retired for that appearance because he returned to manage the Pirates from 1973-76.
This will be La Russa’s sixth time managing an All-Star team, three in each league.
Two managers led All-Star teams after moving to new teams, Dick Williams in 1974 after switching from the Athletics to the Angels and Dusty Baker in 2003 after switching from the Giants to the Cubs.
La Russa and Joe Torre are tied for fourth with six All-Star managing appearances, trailing Casey Stengel (10), Walter Alston (9) and Joe McCarthy (7).
