MLB FanHouse

The Top 50 2009 MLB Free Agents

Frankie Piliere — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: FanHouse Exclusive, Scout's Eye View, MLB Hot Stove, MLB Free Agency

Free agency is upon us. It's been 15 days since the Yankees hoisted the World Series trophy, and with that, players on the market can officially begin discussing deals with teams other than the one they played for last season.

Yes, it's the unofficial opening of Hot Stove season, a time when dollar figures dance around the imagination and anything seems possible for all 30 teams (OK, maybe not for the Nationals, Royals or Pirates). It's a season that's almost as much fun as the regular one, so why not kick it off with a look at the top commodities available.

After the jump, FanHouse's in-house professional scout Frankie Piliere ranks the top 50 free agents on the market this year. Get the skinny on the best talents, bargains and potential busts.

1. JOHN LACKEY, SP

Age: 31 | Throws: R | Height: 6-6 | Weight: 205 | '09 Team: Angels
2009 Stats: 11-8 W-L | 3.83 ERA | 176 1/3 IP | 139 SO | 47 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: You can find all the characteristics of an ace in Lackey. He has the big-game experience, has thrived in that environment, and the ability is obviously there. You can bet all the usual suspects will be in on the action for the 6-foot-6 right-hander. This isn't a guy you need to worry about falling flat after he signs either. Lackey is a pitcher who isn't afraid of adjustments. He knows how to change things on the fly and fight through his struggles.

2. MATT HOLLIDAY, LF

Age: 29 | Bats: R | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 235 | '09 Team: Cardinals
2009 Stats: .313 AVG | 24 HR | 109 RBI | .394 OBP | 14 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Should anyone be concerned about Holliday's less-than-spectacular American League experience last year? Probably not. He made some mechanical adjustments to his swing, and it appears safe to say his troubles were nothing more than a blip on the radar screen. Some scouts prefer Jason Bay, but being younger and a better all-around player, it will be Holliday who draws the bigger dollars. That doesn't mean he'll get the Mark Teixeira money he's seeking, but he'll still be a rich man.

3. JASON BAY, LF

Age: 31 | Bats: R | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200 | '09 Team: Red Sox
2009 Stats: .267 AVG | 36 HR | 119 RBI | .384 OBP | 13 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Holliday is probably the most complete position player on the market, but Bay is the most dangerous hitter. As Yankee and Red Sox fans can tell you, Bay had no trouble adjusting to the big stage. He didn't just adjust, but thrived on it. There should be a horde of bidders for his services, and there are probably fewer doubts about where he can play and be successful than the only position player above him on this list.

4. ANDY PETTITTE, SP

Age: 37 | Throws: L | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 235 | '09 Team: Yankees
2009 Stats: 14-8 W-L | 4.16 ERA | 194 2/3 IP | 148 SO | 76 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: It may be a pipe dream to think any team besides the Yankees can really sign Pettitte this winter -- he figures to return to New York or just retire -- but, in the event he does entertain other offers, you'd be hard pressed to find a pitcher with a better pedigree and this much left in the tank. Pettitte still has more than enough stuff to pitch at a high level. Don't think long-term. For 2010, this is a very valuable arm.

5. CHONE FIGGINS, 3B

Age: 31 | Bats: S | Height: 5-9 | Weight: 155 | '09 Team: Angels
2009 Stats: .298 AVG | 5 HR | 54 RBI | .395 OBP | 42 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Figgins is a difficult guy to put a value on. He doesn't fit your typical third base profile -- he does not hit for power -- but his teammates or anyone who played against him will tell you he has been a key player over the years for the Angels. He'll be tough to put an actual price on, but whether he stays in Anaheim or goes elsewhere, Figgins will continue to be very valuable.

6. RICH HARDEN, SP

Age: 27 | Throws: R | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 180 | '09 Team: Cubs
2009 Stats: 9-9 W-L | 4.09 ERA | 141 IP | 171 SO | 67 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Everyone knows the curious case of Rich Harden: If he can stay healthy, his arm and stuff are as good as they come. For that reason, he will be considered a valuable commodity on the open market. If you are a GM, you try to hoard as much talent as possible, and Harden is the type of talent you take a chance on.

7. RANDY WOLF, SP

Age: 33 | Throws: L | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 194 | '09 Team: Dodgers
2009 Stats: 11-7 W-L | 3.23 ERA | 214 1/3 IP | 160 SO | 58 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Assuming Andy Pettitte will never be a viable option for teams in the market for a southpaw, Wolf will be high on many teams' shopping lists. A team like the Mets, which is desperate for some depth in their rotation, would be a logical destination.

8. JOHNNY DAMON, LF

Age: 36 | Bats: L | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 175 | '09 Team: Yankees
2009 Stats: .282 AVG | 24 HR | 82 RBI | .365 OBP | 12 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Despite his agent's desire for a long-term deal, it would be an awfully big risk at this stage in Damon's career for a team to go down that road. It'd also be dangerous for a National League club to have to depend on him as an everyday outfielder. Damon is still a superb hitter with pop, and he still has some spring in his legs, but his defense and throwing arm are now severe liabilities.

9. JOSE VALVERDE, RP

Age: 30 | Throws: R | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 254 | '09 Team: Astros
2009 Stats: 25 SV | 2.33 ERA | 54 IP | 56 SO | 21 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: It's a pretty quiet year for closers, so Valverde may do pretty well on the open market. His velocity may have been better than it's ever been in 2009, and he now has a solid closing resume in his back pocket to use as a selling point. The Phillies seem like an almost too logical suitor.

10. AROLDIS CHAPMAN, SP

Age: 21 | Throws: L | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 180 | '09 Team: N/A
2009 Stats: Did not play in major leagues
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Unlike any of these other coveted free agents, there's not a lot to go on with Chapman. However, the consensus among talent evaluators is pretty clear. The stuff and talent is for real. He is going to command premium money on the open market, whether he is big-league ready in 2010 or now. You won't find many people in baseball that doubt his talent.

11. MARLON BYRD, CF

Age: 32 | Bats: R | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 225 | '09 Team: Rangers
2009 Stats: .283 AVG | 20 HR | 89 RBI | .329 OBP | 8 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: The Rangers' center fielder may be the most underrated player in this entire free-agent class. One of the more unheralded standouts in a Texas lineup that boasted several players with impressive numbers, Byrd quietly put together a strong offensive campaign in 2009 and played well in the field. He's been a steady performer with Texas, and if the Rangers don't hold onto him, a team could swoop in and get a top performing center fielder for a reasonable contract.

12. RAFAEL SORIANO, RP

Age: 29 | Throws: R | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 175 | '09 Team: Braves
2009 Stats: 27 SV | 2.97 ERA | 75 2/3 IP | 102 SO | 27 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: A healthy Soriano proved all the scouts that have loved his stuff for years right in 2009. It's hard not to love his arsenal and he has an impressive strikeout rate to match. It will be fascinating to see how the market plays out for a setup man of his caliber.

13. MIGUEL TEJADA, SS

Age: 35 | Bats: R | Height: 5-10 | Weight: 170 | '09 Team: Astros
2009 Stats: .313 AVG | 14 HR | 86 RBI | .340 OBP | 5 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: The power numbers are not going to be what they once were, but Tejada still brings a lot to the table offensively. At 35 years old, he's unlikely to get more than a two-year deal, and staying with Houston might be his best and most realistic option.

14. BENGIE MOLINA, C

Age: 35 | Bats: R | Height: 5-11 | Weight: 210 | '09 Team: Giants
2009 Stats: .265 AVG | 20 HR | 80 RBI | .285 OBP | 0 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Contracts for aging catchers are a tricky proposition, but finding a catcher with defensive abilities that can hit as well as Molina is equally as tricky. It's no secret that the Mets have eyed him several times over the years, so that could be a landing place. But, even with his good power numbers and hands behind the plate, it would be risky to give him a multi-year deal at this stage.

15. ADAM LaROCHE, 1B

Age: 30 | Bats: L | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 180 | '09 Team: Braves
2009 Stats: .277 AVG | 25 HR | 83 RBI | .355 OBP | 2 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Almost silently, LaRoche proved to be a quality offensive player once again, taking off after his short stint with the Red Sox to put up very solid numbers. He's not a high-profile guy, but he produces year after year. He could be a bargain pickup for someone with a hole at first base.

16. VLADIMIR GUERRERO, DH/OF

Age: 34 | Bats: R | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 235 | '09 Team: Angels
2009 Stats: .295 AVG | 15 HR | 50 RBI | .334 OBP | 2 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Let's not make the mistake of sleeping on Guerrero just yet. He looked as dangerous as ever in the playoffs and still put up solid numbers on the season. This may be a case where a once-dominant force at the plate has one more big year on the horizon. If he can DH every day and stay healthy, Guerrero still has the physical tools to be a presence.

17. HIDEKI MATSUI, DH/OF

Age: 35 | Bats: L | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 210 | '09 Team: Yankees
2009 Stats: .274 AVG | 28 HR | 90 RBI | .367 OBP | 0 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Some, including his agent, have said that playing the outfield might be a possibility for Matsui, but the reality is that he's a DH. He moves much too gingerly to seriously be considered for playing time in the outfield, but clearly he can still hit at a high level. This is still a premium, star-level bat that would be a tremendous boost to an AL club looking for offense.

18. JON GARLAND, SP

Age: 29 | Throws: R | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 175 | '09 Team: Braves
2009 Stats: 11-13 W-L | 4.01 ERA | 204 IP | 109 SO | 61 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: He'll never be a lights-out type pitcher, but the reality is that Garland is one of the most consistent pitchers in the game today. He'll throw 200 innings, have an ERA around 4.00 and stay healthy. Best of all for his suitors, he probably will not command premium money.

19. MARCO SCUTARO, SS

Age: 34 | Bats: R | Height: 5-10 | Weight: 170 | '09 Team: Blue Jays
2009 Stats: .282 AVG | 12 HR | 60 RBI | .379 OBP | 14 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Finally able to break out of his utilityman role, Scutaro flourished as an everyday player for Toronto last year. But, how will the 34-year-old be viewed on the open market? Boston might be a logical landing place, and a good fit for both sides.

20. ORLANDO HUDSON, 2B

Age: 31 | Bats: S | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 185 | '09 Team: Dodgers
2009 Stats: .283 AVG | 9 HR | 62 RBI | .357 OBP | 8 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: The season didn't end well for Hudson, who despite a strong year overall, was on the bench for most of the Dodgers' playoff run. The slump was simply ill-timed, however, as Hudson is still a valuable everyday player. He would fit well with a number of teams and should get a better deal than he did a year ago.

21. ADRIAN BELTRE, 3B

Age: 30 | Bats: R | Height: 5-11 | Weight: 170 | '09 Team: Mariners
2009 Stats: .265 AVG | 8 HR | 44 RBI | .304 OBP | 13 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: His tenure with Seattle was a bit of a rollercoaster ride, but throughout his career Beltre has been a victim of high expectations. He's not a star player, and if you can accept him for what he is, he can be a steady bat who plays an outstanding third base.

22. FELIPE LOPEZ, 2B

Age: 29 | Bats: S | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 175 | '09 Team: Brewers
2009 Stats: .310 AVG | 9 HR | 57 RBI | .383 OBP | 6 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: After a couple of down years in Washington, it looks like Lopez is back in top form. As long as he has been around, it's easy to forget that he is still only 29 years old. Where he may end up is unclear, but he should give his new team a .300 hitter with some pop.

23. ERIK BEDARD, SP

Age: 30 | Throws: L | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 186 | '09 Team: Mariners
2009 Stats: 5-3 W-L | 2.82 ERA | 83 IP | 90 SO | 34 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Injury problems aside, Bedard is one of the most talented pitchers in baseball. No one is going to break the bank on a multi-year deal for the left-hander, but he could be one of the steals of this free-agent class if he can stay on the mound.

24. BEN SHEETS, SP

Age: 31 | Throws: R | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 195 | '09 Team: N/A
2008 Stats: 13-9 W-L | 3.09 ERA | 198 1/3 IP | 158 SO | 47 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: If teams are convinced he's going to come back healthy and in top form, Sheets could obviously leapfrog several spots on this list. When he's right, Sheets has some of the best stuff of any starter in the game, and he has proven he can be a true No. 1. Someone out there could get quite a bargain here.

25. PLACIDO POLANCO, 2B

Age: 34 | Bats: R | Height: 5-10 | Weight: 168 | '09 Team: Tigers
2009 Stats: .285 AVG | 10 HR | 72 RBI | .331 OBP | 7 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Polanco is another example of a safe commodity. He is not a star-level player, but you know what you're going to get. His good defense and outstanding bat control would fit well anywhere, but at his age he likely won't command a lengthy contract.

26. NICK JOHNSON, 1B

Age: 31 | Bats: L | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 224 | '09 Team: Marlins
2009 Stats: .291 AVG | 8 HR | 62 RBI | .426 OBP | 2 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: No one has ever doubted that Johnson brings a lot to a club, including outstanding plate discipline. Can he stay healthy? That's something teams interested in him are going to have to weigh. Some clubs may value him and trust his health far more than others.

27. MIKE CAMERON, CF

Age: 36 | Bats: R | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 170 | '09 Team: Brewers
2009 Stats: .250 AVG | 24 HR | 70 RBI | .342 OBP | 7 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Cameron is, in his own way, rather predictable. No one is ever in love with his skill set, as he does strike out a lot and he doesn't hit for average. But, he still plays a strong center field and can hit for some power. He is a good fit for teams looking to fill a gap, but not looking to commit long-term in center.

28. BRAD PENNY, SP

Age: 31 | Throws: R | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 200 | '09 Team: Giants
2009 Stats: 11-9 W-L | 4.88 ERA | 173 1/3 IP | 109 SO | 51 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Things went poorly, to say the least, for Penny in Boston. But with his nice rebound in San Francisco and his apparent new focus on conditioning, Penny could be a nice fit for National League clubs. It's clear he's more comfortable in the NL, so it would be a surprise to see him to go back to the American League.

29. JOEL PINEIRO, SP

Age: 31 | Throws: R | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 180 | '09 Team: Cardinals
2009 Stats: 15-12 W-L | 3.49 ERA | 214 IP | 105 SO | 27 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: The way the market unfolded last year, it's unlikely that anyone will get drawn in by one big season like Pineiro had in 2009. His numbers this year stack up well, but the track record in recent years just isn't there. He'd probably be best suited to stay in St. Louis, where he has clearly found a comfort zone.

30. JERMAINE DYE, RF

Age: 35 | Bats: R | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 210 | '09 Team: White Sox
2009 Stats: .250 AVG | 27 HR | 81 RBI | .340 OBP | 0 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Dye is an aging player who showed signs of offensive decline in 2009, but if you take a close look at the market there still aren't many bats available as good as his. Staying in the American League where he can DH would be best for Dye. He still figures to be a safe bet for 25 homers.

31. ORLANDO CABRERA, SS

Age: 35 | Bats: R | Height: 5-11 | Weight: 165 | '09 Team: Twins
2009 Stats: .284 AVG | 9 HR | 77 RBI | .316 OBP | 13 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: For a player that seems to always find his way into playoff baseball and has the knack for coming up with a big hit, Cabrera moves around a lot. He makes a lot of throwing errors, but his good hands and clutch bat should fit in nicely with a handful of teams.

32. VICENTE PADILLA, SP

Age: 32 | Throws: R | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200 | '09 Team: Dodgers
2009 Stats: 12-6 W-L | 4.46 ERA | 147 1/3 IP | 97 SO | 54 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: The ending wasn't too pretty, but you can't look past the outstanding run Padilla had in the playoffs, and for that matter how good he was for the Dodgers down the stretch in 2009. His stuff looked outstanding, and if he can locate a mid-90s fastball with the type of movement he showed, he'll fit nicely into anyone's rotation. He can be a bit enigmatic, but his power stuff is worth the gamble.

33. RUSSELL BRANYAN, 1B

Age: 33 | Bats: L | Height: 6-3 | Weight: 195 | '09 Team: Mariners
2009 Stats: .251 AVG | 31 HR | 76 RBI | .347 OBP | 2 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Which Branyan is the real deal? If it's the one that had a huge first half, hitting 22 home runs before the break, then he should do well on the open market. If it's the one who hit .193 in the second half, then obviously the demand won't be so great. Most evaluators tend to believe that Branyan still is what he's always been, and that's a player who swings and misses too much and won't hit for average.

34. MIKE GONZALEZ, RP

Age: 32 | Throws: R | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200 | '09 Team: Dodgers
2009 Stats: 10 SV | 2.42 ERA | 74 1/3 IP | 90 SO | 33 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: If you're a team looking for bullpen help, there are guys out there that are proven commodities and that can help. How the market develops for these relievers remains to be seen, but Gonzalez has developed a good resume and will be near the top of many a club's wish list.

35. CARL PAVANO, SP

Age: 33 | Throws: R | Height: 6-5 | Weight: 230 | '09 Team: Twins
2009 Stats: 14-12 W-L | 5.10 ERA | 199 1/3 IP | 147 SO | 39 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: He will no longer incite bidding wars, but Pavano has firmly re-established himself as a steady, middle-of-the-rotation big-league starter. Plenty of teams will be looking to add some rotation depth, and Pavano may be able to get a two-year deal.

36. BILLY WAGNER, RP

Age: 38 | Throws: L | Height: 5-10 | Weight: 180 | '09 Team: Red Sox
2009 Stats: 1-1 W-L | 1.72 ERA | 15 2/3 IP | 26 SO | 8 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: He's not hitting triple digits like he once did, but the reality is that in his return this year, Wagner showed some of the best pure stuff of any lefty reliever in the game. If he can live at 93-96 mph with any control, he can still pitch at the back of a good team's bullpen.

37. JASON MARQUIS, SP

Age: 31 | Throws: R | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 185 | '09 Team: Rockies
2009 Stats: 15-13 W-L | 4.04 ERA | 216 IP | 115 SO | 80 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: There are plenty of solid arms to help fill out a rotation in this free-agent class, and Marquis is one of those guys. While he's obviously not someone to lead a staff, he's proven he can win with some consistency.

38. MARK DeROSA, IF/OF

Age: 34 | Bats: R | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 195 | '09 Team: Cardinals
2009 Stats: .250 AVG | 23 HR | 78 RBI | .319 OBP | 3 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: DeRosa has been a favorite around the league for awhile now, and he should draw plenty of interest once again. He can fill a few different positions, and has some legitimate power in his bat. Guys who can fill multiple positions with power will always have value.

39. JARROD WASHBURN, SP

Age: 35 | Throws: L | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 187 | '09 Team: Tigers
2009 Stats: 9-9 W-L | 3.78 ERA | 176 IP | 100 SO | 49 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: The second tier of pitching in this class is certainly not hurting for talent. Washburn is a perfect candidate to help fill out a rotation. The Brewers seem like a logical destination for him, but there should be plenty of other National League suitors for the left-hander.

40. SCOTT PODSEDNIK, OF

Age: 33 | Bats: L | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 170 | '09 Team: White Sox
2009 Stats: .304 AVG | 7 HR | 48 RBI | .353 OBP | 30 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Podsednik had his best season in 2009 since his breakout 2003 campaign. Teams will be careful not to overvalue one season of work offensively, as he hasn't showed this type of production in many previous years. With his wheels, however, if he can get on base at a .350 clip, as he did this year, he's a pretty valuable commodity.

41. JOSE CONTRERAS, SP/RP

Age: 37 | Throws: R | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 224 | '09 Team: Rockies
2009 Stats: 6-13 W-L | 4.92 ERA | 131 2/3 IP | 106 SO | 53 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: He's certainly a dark horse on this list given his numbers in 2009. From a scout's point of view, the soon-to-be 38-year-old's stuff looked downright filthy when he moved into the bullpen in Colorado. If he can carry that stuff into 2010, some team may get a bargain if they settle on using him in the bullpen.

42. DOUG DAVIS, SP

Age: 34 | Throws: L | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 190 | '09 Team: Diamondbacks
2009 Stats: 9-14 W-L | 4.12 ERA | 203 1/3 IP | 146 SO | 103 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Predictability. That's what Davis offers. Usually it's a bad word for pitchers, but in Davis' case, you know what he's going to give you and that's a positive. He's not going to overpower anyone, he'll have a record around .500 and eat up around 200 innings. He'd fit well on a young staff that just needs a stabilizer and help conserving the bullpen.

43. RAFAEL BETANCOURT, RP

Age: 34 | Throws: R | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 176 | '09 Team: Rockies
2009 Stats: 4-3 W-L | 2.73 ERA | 56 IP | 61 SO | 20 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Betancourt is a Type-A free agent, and, as the past couple offseasons have shown us, that designation can hurt setup relievers. We might see him hang around for awhile as teams balk at losing draft picks for a guy who won't even close. Teams are also starting to stock bullpens more and more with the arms from their own farm system, so the days of lucrative contracts for relievers may be dwindling.

44. XAVIER NADY, RF

Age: 31 | Bats: R | Height: 6-0 | Weight: 180 | '09 Team: Yankees
2009 Stats: .286 AVG | 0 HR | 2 RBI | .310 OBP | 0 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Someone out there is going to take a worthy gamble and pick up Nady this winter. If he can regain his health, he is going to hit. Of course, let's not underplay the gamble he is now that he has had two elbow surgeries. Still, his bat is above-average -- the kind teams usually wind up paying premium dollars for.

45. JIM THOME, DH

Age: 39 | Bats: L | Height: 6-4 | Weight: 220 | '09 Team: Dodgers
2009 Stats: .249 AVG | 23 HR | 77 RBI | .366 OBP | 0 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Thome wants to be an everyday player, but whether he gets that kind of opportunity remains to be seen. He can still bring a skill to the table that teams always seem to want to get their hands on -- left-handed power. His top value at this stage is probably coming off the bench, but he could be a nice fit for a team in need of some veteran leadership and offensive help. Look at what Cliff Floyd did for the 2008 Rays.

46. PEDRO FELIZ, 3B

Age: 34 | Bats: R | Height: 6-1 | Weight: 180 | '09 Team: Phillies
2009 Stats: .266 AVG | 12 HR | 82 RBI | .308 OBP | 0 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Playing in a lineup full of offensive stars, it's easy to see how Feliz got overlooked in Philadelphia. He's a a very solid complimentary player, and is as dependable at third base as anyone that's played the position this decade. He's not going to warrant the big money, and for a reasonable contract someone is going to land a steady player.

47. RONNIE BELLIARD, IF

Age: 34 | Bats: R | Height: 5-8 | Weight: 180 | '09 Team: Dodgers
2009 Stats: .277 AVG | 10 HR | 39 RBI | .325 OBP | 3 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: He doesn't always make it look pretty, and he's been criticized for his lackadaisical style in the field, but look at Belliard's consistency. Year after year, you can usually rely on the much-traveled infielder. A lot of teams could use such a reliable bat on their infield.

48. JOHN SMOLTZ, SP/RP

Age: 34 | Throws: R | Height: 6-2 | Weight: 176 | '09 Team: Cardinals
2009 Stats: 3-8 W-L | 6.35 ERA | 78 IP | 73 SO | 18 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Smoltz is not done yet. He's not what he once was, but his stuff still stacks up well with anyone and would be graded out as above average on the 20-80 scouting scale. Many scouts believe Smoltz had to go through some transition to adjust to his not quite as electric raw stuff in 2009. This is a guy who knows what he's doing. Expect adjustments and a better version of Smoltz with an NL club in 2010.

49. JUAN URIBE, IF

Age: 30 | Bats: R | Height: 5-11 | Weight: 173 | '09 Team: Giants
2009 Stats: .289 AVG | 16 HR | 55 RBI | .329 OBP | 3 SB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: Uribe quietly put together a pretty solid 2009 campaign, and he should come rather cheap for a team in need of infield help. He's even more valuable if he can come off the bench for a contending club, but he'd be more than serviceable as an everyday option as well. He still has some thump in his bat and dependable hands in the field.

50. PEDRO MARTINEZ, SP

Age: 38 | Throws: R | Height: 5-11 | Weight: 170 | '09 Team: Phillies
2009 Stats: 5-1 W-L | 3.63 ERA | 44 2/3 IP | 37 SO | 8 BB
Status: Free agent

The Skinny: With Pedro looking to pitch a full season in 2010, there should be plenty of suitors out there vying for his services. His stuff did appear to be slowing down near the end of the 2009 postseason, but with ample rest he's still as good as many of the other pitching options out there. Obviously he's at a year-to-year stage right now, so this could be a limited-risk proposition for a club looking for depth on their staff. He's not going to give you anything close to 200 innings, but there's plenty left in the tank, and more importantly, in that bag of tricks for him to be successful.

Frankie Piliere spent the last three seasons working as a scout, most recently in the professional scouting department for the Texas Rangers in 2009. He now serves as the National Baseball Analyst here at FanHouse.

The Top 50 2009 MLB Free Agents originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chamberlain Doesn't Know '10 Role Yet

Andrew Johnson — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:24:00 EST

Filed under: Yankees, FanHouse Exclusive

The Yankees haven't told Joba Chamberlain whether he'll be a starter or reliever next year, but the right-hander says he'll be ready to do anything to help his team repeat as World Series champions when he reports to spring training in February.

"We haven't talked about [my role for next year]," Chamberlain told FanHouse this week, in an interview promoting his charity work with New York foster children."It's not going to affect my preparation [for the season] at all. ... I'm gonna go out and work hard and get in the best shape I can to help us win again."

Chamberlain, who burst onto the scene in 2007 as an electrifying setup man, has shuffled back and forth between the bullpen and rotation as the Yankees have tried to manage his innings and find the best role for him. All but one of his 32 regular season appearances in 2009 came as a starter, but once October rolled around, he was converted to relief, both because he struggled some down the stretch and because the schedule allowed the Yankees to use just three starters throughout the postseason.

Chamberlain's ever-changing role on New York's pitching staff has become one of baseball's most heated water-cooler debates, but it also seems to have taken a toll, even if it's just a slight one, on the man in the middle of it all.

"Sometimes it gets frustrating. I'd be lying to you if I didn't say it didn't, but as a competitor you just try to get out there and help your teammates any way you can," Chamberlain said.

Of course, winning a championship as the Yankees did just a few weeks ago, has a way of making all of the drama about his role seem a bit silly.

"This is the greatest organization in baseball and just to have the opportunity to do a lot of different things for this organization has been awesome," Chamberlain said.

"The experience as a whole [this year] was tremendous," he added. "The World Series topped it off, but just being with those guys all year ... it was a fun year."

And now, Chamberlain has turned his attention to helping New Yorkers for Children, an organization that works with foster children in New York City. He will host a "Wrap to Rap" event on Thursday afternoon in Manhattan, in which teenagers in foster care will wrap more than 1,500 donated Christmas presents for younger children also in foster care.

"Growing up, my dad (Harlan) was in foster care," Chamberlain said. "This was something that I've seen first-hand. You know, we have friends that take care of foster kids. There are 17,000 foster kids in New York City, and being able to ... put some smiles on some faces and having an opportunity to give back is really nice."

After the event Thursday, Chamberlain said he plans to take the rest of the week off before beginning his preparations for 2010.

"I'll kind of get into [training] gradually, and then around the second week of December, I'll start to hit it real hard," he said. "Spring training isn't really that far away, you know.

"It's right around the corner."

Chamberlain Doesn't Know '10 Role Yet originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kazmir Goes From Alabama to New Jersey to Rejuvenated in Anaheim

Ed Price — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Angels, MLB Playoffs, FanHouse Exclusive, American League Championship Series

Scott Kazmir's journey from Tampa Bay to Anaheim has been successful only because of stops in Alabama and New Jersey.

Kazmir, scheduled to start Tuesday against the Yankees in Game 4 of the ALCS, went from the Rays to the Angels in a late-August trade. And in six starts for the Angels, the lefty went 2-2 with a 1.73 ERA.

"When he became available," manager Mike Scioscia said, "he became really a good fit for what we thought that we needed. He really threw the ball well for us since we got him through the month of September. And hopefully he'll come up big in the playoffs, too."

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But just five months ago, Kazmir was 4-4 with a 7.63 ERA for the Rays. He went on the disabled list with what Tampa Bay called a right quadriceps (thigh) strain.

"I had to take a step back," Kazmir told FanHouse.

"They put him on the disabled list," Rick Peterson told FanHouse, "but he wasn't injured. He was just ineffective."

In an effort to find out what was wrong, Kazmir went to Birmingham, Ala., to visit the American Sports Medicine Institute, a creation of famed sports doctor James Andrews.

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Yankees Angels Photos

New York Yankees third baseman Jerry Hairston Jr. is tagged out by Los Angeles Angels shortstop Erick Aybar in the eighth inning during Game 3 of their ALCS game at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California, Monday, October 19, 2009. The Angels won 5-4. (Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/MCT)

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Orange County Register

Angels vs. Yankees

MCT

Los Angeles Angels Erick Aybar hugs Howard Kendrick after he scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning against the New York Yankees during Game 3 of their ALCS game at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California, Monday, October 19, 2009. The Angels won 5-4. (Kevin Sullivan/Orange County Register/MCT)

MCT

Los Angeles Angels catcher Jeff Mathis watches his game-winning hit in the 11th inning against the New York Yankees during Game 3 of their ALCS game at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California, Monday, October 19, 2009. The Angels won 5-4. (Michael Goulding/Orange County Register/MCT)

MCT

The Los Angeles Angels celebrate their 11th inning victory over the New York Yankees during Game 3 of their ALCS game at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California, Monday, October 19, 2009. The Angels won 5-4. (Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday/MCT)

MCT

Los Angeles Angels' Jeff Mathis hits a double to score Howie Kendrick to beat the Yankees 5-4 during the eleventh inning of Game 3 of the American League Championship baseball series Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, in Anaheim, Calif. Yankees' Derek Jeter watches in foreground. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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MCT

Los Angeles Angels Jeff Mathis drives in the winning run to beat the New York Yankees in the 11th inning during Game 3 of their ALCS game at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California, Monday, October 19, 2009. (Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday/MCT)

MCT

New York Yankees Jerry Hairston can't catch the game-winning hit off Los Angeles Angels Jeff Mathis in the 11th inning during Game 3 of their ALCS game at Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California, Monday, October 19, 2009. (John Keating/Newsday/MCT)

MCT

Los Angeles Angels' Jeff Mathis (5), back left, is congratulated by teammates after hitting a double to score Howie Kendrick to beat the Yankees 5-4 in the eleventh inning of Game 3 of the American League Championship baseball series Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Kazmir had first gone to ASMI in 2004, when he was a Mets prospect. And by once again wiring him up with sensors -- similar to how sports video games are made -- his 2009 delivery could be compared to his 2004 delivery with more detail than simple video.

It turns out Kazmir's problems dated to the beginning of the 2008 season, when he was on the DL with a sore forearm. When he came back, he "kind of manipulated my delivery just to throw strikes."

By February, his arm felt good. But ...

"I'm thinking coming into spring training," Kazmir said, "everything's going to be just fine -- my arm feels great, I can pick up where I left off in 2007 [as the AL strikeout leader]. In spring training I start throwing, and I still have those bad habits in my mechanics. I can't get out of it. It feels like I have so much power, but I don't know how to use it any more."

Thus the trip to ASMI, where Kazmir was handed a printout with statistics such as angles and torque.

"I got the readings," he said, "and basically, it was just numbers to me."

"[The Rays] put him on the disabled list, but he wasn't injured. He was just ineffective.
-- Pitching coach Rick Peterson That's where Peterson came in. The former A's and Mets pitching coach (and reportedly the new Brewers' new pitching coach) knew Kazmir from their Mets days.

Just as importantly, he knew ASMI. In 1999, Peterson was the pitching coach for the White Sox' Double-A team in Birmingham, and the Chicago front office told him to take some players over to Andrews' new place.

"I was the first person to ever walk in that lab," Peterson said. "Once I walked in that lab, my whole career totally changed."

So Peterson knew how to read Kazmir's numbers and saw things "out of normative ranges," as Peterson put it.

"If you're talking about a high-performance car, " Peterson said, "and your front end's out of alignment and you need new brakes, you need new shock absorbers, it's not a complicated thing to do that. But until you do that, the car's not running very efficiently.

"He had some subtle things that he needed to get back in check."

Kazmir visited Peterson in New Jersey for "a little three-day workout, and I felt like I was fixed right after that."

With the drills Peterson suggested, Kazmir was throwing 93-95 mph, with the command he had been missing.

"Right away, everything was perfect," he said.

Kazmir came off the DL on June 27 and made 11 starts before the Rays sent him to the Angels.

There he was reunited with another former mentor: Mike Butcher, who was Tampa Bay's pitching coach in 2006.

Butcher has reinforced Kazmir's corrected mechanics by encouraging Kazmir to make them instinctive.

"I don't want him to be mechanical," Butcher said. "I want him to get away from thinking mechanics and just focus in on the glove -- really, execution of pitches. Really, what I work with him on is rhythm and timing -- rhythm, timing, correction and feel and being able to articulate back to me what it feels like to him.

"If you understand what you do right, you're going to be pretty damned good. That's what I talked to him about here. Just know what you do right, understand what you do, and ultimately you'll be your own best coach. And I think he's becoming that. He's 25 years old. He's young, man. He's figured out a lot of things."

And it could pay off for the Angels for a while; Kazmir (already established, but just 20 months older than Joba Chamberlain) is signed through 2011 with a team option for 2012.

Oh, and one other person benefited from Kazmir's summer vacation.

Peterson had been out of baseball since the Mets fired him along with manager Willie Randolph in June 2008. So he started a company, 3P Sports, to offer amateur players the same diagnostics he gave Kazmir, and Peterson sunk his passion into that.

But Peterson's time with Kazmir made him come to a realization.

"After the first day we spent together," Peterson said, "I came here [to his house] and looked out over the ocean. I took a deep breath and said, 'Wow, do I miss coaching.' It was probably a better day for me than it was for him."

Kazmir Goes From Alabama to New Jersey to Rejuvenated in Anaheim originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Postseason Is a Whole New Ballgame

Jeff Fletcher — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: MLB Playoffs, FanHouse Exclusive

The mere mention of playoff baseball makes Shawon Dunston's face light up. Dunston played 1,814 regular-season games in the majors, but none compared to the 27 playoff games over four Octobers.

Playoff baseball, to hear Dunston tell it, is one of those rare experiences that can be at once magnificent and maddening. Dunston breaks into a broad smile as he talks about the thrill of a hard-earned playoff victory, the way a group of players who thought they were close over the previous seven months develop an even stronger bond in October.

Then suddenly the smile disappears as Dunston describes the 2002 National League championship ring that he refuses to wear. Can't even look at the thing. It reminds him of how close he came to getting The Ring. Just five outs away.

"That's the only thing that would make me cry," said Dunston, now a Giants coach. "It still hurts."

Welcome to October, where all that talk about baseball being a marathon goes out the window, leaving players with just a handful of games between ecstasy and agony.

In theory, the game is the same as it is during the regular season. In reality?

"Not even close," said Cardinals pitcher John Smoltz, who has pitched the equivalent of one full season -- 207 innings -- in the postseason.

"You play 162 games and more times than not, your numbers are going to be pretty reflective of how your year was. You play a short series and that is not the case whatsoever. One bad start. One bad game. All of a sudden it changes. The people that are the most patient and can deal with that are the ones who have the best chance to be successful. The ones that panic or press, you just don't win a World Series that way."

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MLB Playoffs

Workmen remove a template for painting a logo on the MLB baseball field in Philadelphia, Monday, Oct. 5, 2009. The Colorado Rockies are scheduled to play the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Division Series, on Wednesday in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

2009 Baseball Playoffs

Former MLB Baseball player Mike Piazza and his wife Alicia attend the Great Sports Legends Dinner benefiting the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2009, file photo, Anaheim Angels' Erick Aybar, right, and teammates celebrate with the jersey of deceased teammate Nick Adenhart after the Angels clinched the AL West title with an 11-0 win over the Texas Rangers in an MLB baseball game in Anaheim, Calif. Adenhart, the Angels' 22-year-old pitcher who died in a car accident during the season's opening week, is a constant presence even in October for everyone around the club, which won the AL West last month to earn a first-round playoff matchup with the Boston Red Sox. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File))

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 3: Vladimir Guerrero #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim bats against the Oakland Athletics during the game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 3, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Vladimir Guerrero

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 3: Brian Fuentes #40 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 3, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brian Fuentes

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 3: Erick Aybar #2 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim slides home safely against the Oakland Athletics as A's catcher Landon Powell #35 waits for the late throw during the game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 3, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Erick Aybar;Landon Powell

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 3: Scott Kazmir #22 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches against the Oakland Athletics during the game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 3, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Scott Kazmir

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 3: Daric Barton #10 of the Oakland Athletics makes a play at first base against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 3, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Daric Barton

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 3: Erick Aybar #2 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim runs the bases against the Oakland Athletics during the game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 3, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brad Mangin/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Erick Aybar

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In short, the trick to playoff baseball is to somehow keep that consistent approach that got you through 162 games, even though everything around you is screaming that there's no time for that. An 0-for-8, a failure to hit a ball to the right side, a bad relief outing. Happens all the time in June without much notice. Do it in October and you've got a problem.

"Every pitch, every out means something huge," Omar Vizquel said. "Every time you make an error it's magnified. If you make a mental mistake, it's devastating for the team. You played 162 games, been through a lot of situations. You have to put yourself in the situation where [mistakes] aren't going to happen."

Keeping It The Same

If you can figure out the way to do it, you simply have to ignore that external stuff, the extra media coverage and scrutiny. In theory, it doesn't matter how many more people are watching, hitting a ball to the right side to move a runner is the same job in October as it is in May.

"You've got to try to tune all that out and stay with the same preparation and routines you've done for 162 games," said Giants outfielder Aaron Rowand, who won a World Series with the 2005 White Sox. "Every move is scrutinized a lot more, but to try to win that game, [fundamentals] are just as important in Day 15 as it is in the playoffs."

"One bad start. One bad game. All of a sudden it changes. The people that are the most patient and can deal with that are the ones who have the best chance to be successful."
-- John Smoltz One of the traps of playoff baseball is when players or teams change because of the atmosphere. A manager who has used one lineup all year against lefties may tweak it in the playoffs because he wants his marquee players on the field.

Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, a winner of a World Series in each league, said there should be no difference: "If it's the best lineup to win, it's the best lineup to win" in the regular season or October.

A's infielder Nomar Garciaparra, who went to the playoffs five times with the Red Sox and Dodgers, said changing for the postseason doesn't work.

"You can't do something one way all season and expect to do something different in the postseason," Garciaparra said. "If you watch postseason play, they'll say 'How come he didn't bunt there?' But if he didn't do it all year, what makes you think he'll be able to do it now?"

The irony of it all -- what makes playoff baseball so tough to figure -- is that it's correct to go with the percentages, but you don't usually have time to wait for them to play out. Joe Torre said he learned early in his managerial career that starting pitchers who may be allowed to work through some early troubles in the regular season don't get that luxury in the playoffs.

"You have a very short leash in the postseason," the Dodgers manager said. "You have to win today. You are not there to make friends. You sit somebody. You play somebody. You go with who will make you win that day."

Emotions Running High

When Jeff Kent drove in a run to give the Giants' a 5-0 lead in Game 6 of the '02 World Series, he uncharacteristically pumped his fist and pointed into the Giants dugout as he ran toward first.

"Jeff doesn't do that," Dunston said. "He was feeling it."

Dunston said that feelings among teammates change in the playoffs.

"Even though you are with guys for six months, you might not like all your teammates, but once you come in and make the playoffs, everyone becomes real tight, automatically," Dunston said. "I remember Barry [Bonds] wouldn't stretch with us, but during the postseason he'd stretch with us. After he'd hit, he'd stay outside and watch us. We were like, 'What's wrong with him?' It was different. But it was, 'Oh, Barry wants a ring just like us.' "

A's second baseman Mark Ellis said emotions run so high during playoff games that you can feel the affects afterward.

"Sometimes after a regular season game you are not totally mentally exhausted after a game, but you go home after a playoff game and all you want to do is just veg out on the couch and relax," he said. "In a regular season game, there just isn't the intensity. You can feel it in the dugout. You can feel it in the stands, from the first pitch on."

Added Smoltz: "I still get butterflies. You aren't human if you don't."

Performing in that atmosphere is a challenge on a number of levels. There is the simple fact that you are facing the toughest competition combined with the pressure of a team's entire season riding on a small sample of games. Beyond that, though, players know that their careers may be judged, fairly or not, based on what happens in those few games.

That's why, according to Smoltz, the playoffs so often provide the least expected heroes: guys like David Eckstein (MVP of the 2006 World Series) or Scott Brosius (MVP of the 1998 Series).

"They rise to the occasion because they have everything to gain and nothing to lose," Smoltz said. "And a lot of great superstars have everything to lose and nothing to gain. It's an atmosphere that I love, but not a lot of people want to be in because they don't want to deal with the fact [the expectations] are not justifiable."

Bonds wore that collar his entire career, until his 2002 breakthrough. Alex Rodriguez is still wearing it. Other players, like Mariano Rivera, Manny Ramirez and Smoltz, to name a few, have managed to continue their regular season success into the playoffs.

Smoltz, who is the all-time leader in postseason victories (15), said keeping the proper mental approach is the trick.

"You talk about it so much, it lends to an atmosphere of I gotta be perfect," he said. "The more you do that, the less you are going to be successful. I know it's true. I've lived it. I've done it."

Postseason Is a Whole New Ballgame originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cal Ripken Believes A-Rod Will Have Solid Postseason This Time Around

Matt Snyder — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: MLB Media Watch, MLB Playoffs, FanHouse Exclusive

Tuesday, FanHouse had the opportunity to discuss the MLB Playoffs with Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, who currently serves as a studio analyst for TBS. TBS will be broadcasting all four Division Series and also the NLCS again this season. Ernie Johnson is the studio host while Dennis Eckersley and David Wells join Ripken as studio analysts for these playoff games.

Of all the things Ripken discussed Tuesday, the most intriguing subject, not surprisingly, was one Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod is an oft-maligned regular season superstar, in that he's put up extremely gaudy regular season numbers throughout his career, yet has never played in a World Series and has pretty sub-par numbers in the playoffs overall -- especially of late.

Starting with Game 5 of the 2004 ALCS, A-Rod is 8-for-56 (.143) with just two extra-base hits (.214 slugging percentage) and a single RBI. Considering he's been one of the best hitters in baseball history in the regular season, he's gotten the brunt of intense fan and media scrutiny. Not only does Ripken believe there's good reason for that, but he also is expecting things to be different in 2009.

"Alex is the type of guy who draws so much attention in the middle of the order, teams have extra strategy in the postseason specifically for him," the former World Series champion said. "They pitch him differently than everyone else and make sure he doesn't beat them. Also, he then puts additional pressure on himself."

"I do think this year is going to be different," Ripken continued. "Their lineup is so good top to bottom, and they have so much power, there will be less specific emphasis on getting Alex out. I'm hopeful he has a solid offensive postseason."

More nuggets from Ripken:

- He believes the Twins will win the one-game playoff over the Tigers, due to having a pretty solid home field advantage and the fact that the Tigers haven't been playing as well recently. The X-factor? "Rick Porcello has the ability and the poise to be a huge difference-maker and could lead the Tigers to victory if he steps up."

- From there, Ripken said if he was on the Yankees, he'd rather see the Twins. "Justin Verlander is the type of pitcher who can completely turn a short series around. He's one of those guys, Billy [Ripken, Cal's brother] and I call it the 'nasty factor,' where a power pitcher can take control of the whole game by himself. And Verlander can even do it through the eighth and into the ninth."

- On what possible matchup most intrigues him: "I'd love a St. Louis-Philadelphia NLCS -- especially the games in Philly. You look at the strength of the Cardinals' right-handed starting pitching and the power the Phillies pack from the left-side of the plate in a hitter's ballpark. One of the things I always like to see in the playoffs is strength against strength, and this would be exactly that."

- On the most hotly contested series in the first round: "Hmmm ... I tell you, the Rockies-Phillies series is going to be a good one. The Phillies are so good offensively but have issues in the back end of the bullpen. I do think Charlie Manuel goes with Brad Lidge to close. The Rockies have been so hot for so long. Ubaldo Jimenez is really good and he'll be going twice. Also, if he's healthy enough to go, Jorge De La Rosa is the type of power lefty who could take down the Phillies." (Note: We've since learned De La Rosa is out for the NLDS)

"I also think the Angels-Red Sox series can be a great one. A lot's gonna depend on what kinda [Josh] Beckett we get. Is his back totally healthy? If so, he and Jon Lester form that 1-2 punch you can win with. The Angels have put a lot of things together down the stretch, too. Scott Kazmir has the ability to be a difference-maker in their playoff rotation.

- I told Ripken I was sad to not see the Giants in the postseason, due to the fact that they are built better for the playoffs than the regular season with that stellar front-end pitching. Anyone in the playoffs remind him of that? "I would not want to face the Cardinals in the first round. With Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, either of them should win the Cy Young, the Dodgers are really going to need to flip a switch and bring the power on offense. Manny [Ramirez], especially, will need to step up and lead that lineup. Those two (Carpenter and Wainwright) definitely have the 'nasty factor.'"

- The playoffs are a time when young players can break out and show themselves to the casual sports fans are budding stars. I asked Ripken to throw out a few names who could possibly do so this October: "Well, Porcello if he goes out and wins tonight. He's shown such great poise for someone his age who entered the rotation from the beginning of the season. If he wins tonight and the Tigers give the Yankees a run, he won't be a secret for long."

"Clayton Kershaw has that kind of stuff to make a name for himself. He's a nasty guy. The Dodgers definitely need him to step up while they are going against Carpenter and Wainwright. Jimenez is another one like [Porcello and Kershaw]."

"Also, keep an eye on Erick Aybar at shortstop. The Angels have such a strong defensive infield. He has made some terrific plays for them throughout the course of the summer. I've been more and more impressed with him as the season progressed. His defensive skills up the middle could make a huge difference in the opening series."

- Finally, on their studio chemistry for TBS. "We all like each other, so the chemistry was great from the start. Eck's the most polished with experience and at using all the data. He knows pitching so well. Boomer's got such a great personality, we actually do a lot of our best stuff in the green room -- we were teammates when he first came up and knew each other well for years -- and then we have to find a way to get it going on the air. I fill in any gaps I can. We have a really good mix and great chemistry. The best thing about the postseason is we all get to watch every pitch of every game together. During the year, it's impossible to watch everything, so each guy has a different niche. Now, we'll all be watching everything and can concentrate more on the details. It's going to be fun."

Cal Ripken Believes A-Rod Will Have Solid Postseason This Time Around originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yadier Molina Is St. Louis' Secret Weapon

Jeff Fletcher — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Cardinals, FanHouse Exclusive

Unlike a great defensive infielder or outfielder, whose impact is felt every time he makes a spectacular play, Yadier Molina's impact is often measured by what doesn't happen.

A runner doesn't even try to steal second. A runner can't score from second on a single. A pitcher doesn't have to use a slide step, instead bringing his best stuff to the plate.

These are the ways that Molina quietly alters a game, interrupted occasionally by one of his eye-opening throws that nets his pitcher an extra out.

It is the stuff that earns Gold Gloves. Molina won his first last year, the start of what figures to be a long streak. More important to the Cardinals, it is the stuff that wins games.

"He has more of an impact than a lot of people know," Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter told FanHouse. "He controls a lot through the game that the average person doesn't realize."

The Cubs realize it. Ryan Theriot, Chicago's leadoff hitter and primary stolen base threat, said that Molina is so special that he fundamentally alters strategy.

"He's the best defensive catcher in the game, no question about it," Theriot said. "He's a game-changer. You don't see many game-changing catchers. The other team has to alter their game plan because of him."

"[Molina's] a game-changer. You don't see many game-changing catchers. The other team has to alter their gameplan because of him"
-- Cubs second baseman Ryan Theriot Pudge Rodriguez, the last catcher to earn such acclaim within the game, began this season with the Astros, where he watched the fellow Puerto Rican with admiration. He saw a little of himself.

"He's one of the best in the game," Rodriguez said. "They don't run much on him, because everyone knows he has a great arm."

Molina, 27, grew up in a family that would produce two other big-league catchers, older brothers Bengie (with the Giants) and Jose (with the Yankees). All three brothers have World Series rings, Bengie and Jose with the 2002 Angels and Yadier with the 2006 Cardinals.

The Cardinals are on the way to the postseason for the fourth time in Molina's six seasons (he was the backup in 2004), which is no coincidence. Over the course of a 162-game season, all of those barely visible ways that Molina helps his pitchers and his defense add up to what manager Tony La Russa called a "max" impact.

Start with the obvious: the stolen base. Opponents have stolen just 38 bases against the Cardinals all year, fewest in the majors. The next closest is Houston, which has allowed 57 steals. The average is 94.

Few even attempt to run against Molina because he's thrown out 42 percent of would-be base-stealers, highest percentage in the big leagues for catchers with at least 100 games. On Friday night in Colorado, the Rockies put speedy pinch-runner Eric Young Jr. at first in a tie game. Young got a good jump on Carpenter, whose slider was down and to Molina's backhand side. He gloved it, and fired a perfect strike to second, nailing Young.

That's only the beginning, though.

Because Molina is one of the few catchers who will throw so frequently and effectively behind baserunners after a pitch, runners have to be careful even when they aren't going anywhere.

"He'll throw anywhere, anytime, at anybody," Cubs third base coach Mike Quade said. "If you take a secondary lead and think you are going to relax, you'd better be hustling back. He forces you to make damn sure your baserunners are on top of it, or you'll run yourself out of innings."

Molina has picked off 33 runners since becoming the everyday catcher, more than double the next closest in the majors over that span. (His brother, Jose, has nailed 16.) This year Molina has seven pickoffs. Two other catchers are tied for second with three.

By keeping runners a little closer to each base, Molina has effectively made the bases 92 or 93 feet apart when the Cardinals are in the field. That makes it tougher to go from first to third or second to home on a single.

"You have to be careful [at second] with the second baseman or shortstop coming in behind you," Quade said. "Any third base coach on the planet will tell you that's no fun. You are looking for every step you can get."

Quade said when a runner is at third and the infield is in, managers often like to use a contact play, in which the runner gets an extra step and goes as soon as the ball is hit on the ground, trying to beat an infielder's throw home. But with Molina behind the plate, you can't do that as easily because if the hitter doesn't make contact, the third baseman is already near the bag to take a quick throw from Molina.

Theriot recalled a July 11 game when he did exactly what baserunners are taught, and Molina made him pay. He was at first, and the pitch was in the dirt.

"I got an extra step, deciding whether to go on the wild pitch, and the next thing I know Albert [Pujols] had the ball and he tagged me out," Theriot said. "I'm like, 'How the heck did he just make that play?'"

By keeping runners from stealing second, and from even getting good jumps off of first, Molina also helps his team get more double plays. The Cardinals not only lead the majors in ground-ball double plays (145), but in the percentage of double-play opportunities that they convert (13 percent).

Molina's powerful, accurate arm and quick release also takes some pressure off the pitchers to slow the running game. It allows them to concentrate on the hitter, not worrying so much about throws to first or slide steps.

"Several times this year I have gotten myself into trouble trying to be quick to the plate when I don't need to be," pitcher Adam Wainwright said. Pitching coach Dave Duncan "has told me 'Don't get carried away with trying to be quick with Yadi back there.' It helps a lot."

Wainwright also said that he and the other Cardinals pitchers are able to throw their best breaking balls, even with a runner on third, with no fear that the ball will get away. The Cardinals have only three passed balls, all by Molina, fewest in the majors. They also have only 37 wild pitches, fourth fewest in the big leagues.

Besides all of those hidden benefits, Molina is adept at the catcher's most important job: calling the right pitches.

"He studies the game very well," Carpenter said. "He's very prepared coming into a game, knowing the hitters. There is no question that he has an enormous impact on a lot of good things that happen throughout the game."

Yadier Molina Is St. Louis' Secret Weapon originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Second-Half Surge Has Cards On Verge of Division Title

Jeff Fletcher — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:51:00 EST

Filed under: Cardinals, FanHouse Exclusive

DENVER -- The way the Cardinals have bulldozed through the National League in the second half, it's easy to forget that they were locked in a see-saw battle with the Cubs, barely over .500, a few months ago.

Then Mark DeRosa arrived. And Julio Lugo. And Matt Holliday.

By the time John Smoltz showed up in mid August, the Cardinals were a changed team.

"You get four guys like that, who add postseason experience and most of all a lot of depth to our lineup and our bench," Cardinals outfielder Ryan Ludwick told FanHouse before Friday's potential division-clinching game in Colorado. "We just got better depth-wise. We've just been having a lot of fun. You start winning games and it becomes contagious and you get rolling."

Since Holliday was acquired, the Cardinals are 37-18, the best record in baseball.

"Your lineup gets one more bat deeper," manager Tony La Russa said. "Because he hits fourth, there is extra significance to that. They've walked Albert Pujols and he's made them pay, or they've pitched to Albert because he's back there."

Cubs pitcher Rich Harden said this week that the mere addition of Holliday changed the complexion of the Cardinals lineup.

"He had a huge addition to that lineup," Harden said. "They were already pretty strong and had some good depth, but once they added him, it made a big difference."

Although Holliday is not feared more than Pujols, Holliday did put just enough concern into the mind of opposing managers and pitchers that walking Pujols was not such a no-brainer.

Before the Holliday trade, Pujols had averaged one walk every 5.5 plate appearances. After the deal, it was one walk every 7.0 plate appearances. That's a 25-percent decrease in walks. Pujols was intentionally walked 34 times before the trade, nine times after.

Pujols just kept on slugging at about the same rate after the deal as before, although getting some more opportunities. The biggest impact has been simply putting Holliday's at-bats in the No. 4 hole.

Since coming to the Cardinals, Holliday has hit .356 with 13 homers and 50 RBIs in 54 games. It is a bit of a misconception that Holliday simply turned on the jets after getting out of Oakland, where he was languishing on a last-place team in an unfamiliar league in a pitchers' park. Holliday actually hit .338 with 14 RBIs in his last 18 games with the A's.

Ludwick, who had been the No. 4 hitter before Holliday's acquisition pushed him down to No. 5, said that DeRosa has also been a key addition in the No. 6 spot. Now the everyday third baseman, DeRosa has hit 10 homers in 61 games with St. Louis.

Even Lugo has had an impact. Playing both middle infield positions, Lugo has hit .277 with an .801 OPS.

Smoltz, after getting pounded in Boston, came to the Cardinals and made a couple small mechanical adjustments. He's got a 3.18 ERA in six starts, not to mention that he's helped provide another source of leadership for the less experienced pitchers.

"At the trading deadline, we were half a game in front," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. "They went out and added some really really nice pieces and basically just exploded."

Second-Half Surge Has Cards On Verge of Division Title originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:51:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Two-Minute Men: Thome, Giambi Bring 995 Homers to Pinch-Hitting Role

Jeff Fletcher — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Dodgers, Rockies, FanHouse Exclusive

At some point this October, Tony La Russa or Charlie Manuel is going to want to bring in one of his top right-handed relief pitchers, but he's going to look in the other dugout and see Jim Thome or Jason Giambi holding a bat, and he may think twice.

And then maybe he'll think of Matt Stairs. With one rib-jarring swing last October, a pinch-hit two-run homer that led the Phillies to a victory over the Dodgers in Game 4 of the NLCS, Stairs left an impression that proved to the Dodgers and Rockies how important one at-bat can be.

"Even if you are only winning one or two games, that can be a difference," said Mark Sweeney, a Dodgers coach and one of baseball's all-time most successful pinch-hitters. "Obviously, what Matt Stairs did to us was huge. Even if it doesn't happen, there is that threat, and that definitely plays into a manager's head."

The Dodgers answered by acquiring Thome from the White Sox just before the Aug. 31 deadline for postseason eligibility. Thome, 39, is a likely Hall of Famer who has hit 564 homers in the regular season and 17 more in the playoffs.

The Rockies signed Giambi after he was released by the A's. Giambi, 38, is a former MVP and a seven-time All-Star. He's hit 407 regular season homers, seven more in the playoffs.

That's 995 homers between two players whose job now is to get in the game for about two minutes a day.

"You just hope that two minutes is fun," Thome said.

Both players had been regulars, mostly at DH, throughout their careers, but they chose to play out this season in this ultra-specific role. Thome had to approve the trade, and he did so knowing that he's physically unable to play first base and there's no DH in the National League. Giambi had a choice of a few teams after the A's released him. He said he could have signed with the Rays and started some games at DH, but he instead chose a pinch-hitting gig with the Rockies.

Both players said they were willing to accept such a limited role in exchange for the chance to play in October.

"Winning was ultimately the reason," Thome said. "We've got a very nice club. We've had some success. To get the opportunity to go to the postseason was very intriguing."

But how effective can the players be in this new role? Although you often hear that being a DH is like pinch-hitting four times a game, it's really not. There is nothing like pinch-hitting.

"I'm trying to learn it," Thome said. "I just try to do a lot of listening and watching. There is no better experience than actually getting out there and doing it. I have a lot of respect for guys that have done it. That's for sure."

Thome is lucky to have two of the best right in the Dodgers clubhouse. Sweeney had 175 career pinch-hits, second only to Lenny Harris (212). Manny Mota, the Babe Ruth of pinch-hitters, is also a Dodgers coach. Mota was one of the first to make a name for himself as a pinch-hitter, and his record of 150 pinch-hits stood for more than 20 years.

Of course, Sweeney and Mota were mostly slap hitters who came to the plate looking to knock a base hit somewhere to start a rally or extend one. Thome and Giambi are sluggers.

"His job up there is to take more chances," Sweeney said of Thome. "I had to really grind at-bats. He knows he's a difference-maker when it comes to that."

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Kansas City Royals starter Zack Greinke pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

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Kansas City Royals' Willie Bloomquist dives back to second base beating the pickoff throw to Detroit Tigers shortstop Ramon Santiago during the first inning of a baseball gam, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)

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Colorado Rockies' Jason Giambi watches from the dugout during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 16: Catcher Yorvit Torrealba #8 of the Colorado Rockies pumps his fist as Nate Schierholtz #12 of the San Francisco Giants struck out to end their game at AT&T Park on September 16, 2009 in San Francisco, California. The Rockies won 4-3 and there was a runner on third base when Schierholtz struck out. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Yorvit Torrealba;Nate Schierholtz

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Colorado Rockies' Rafael Betancourt, right, embraces catcher Yorvit Torrealba at the end of the baseball game against the San Francisco Giants Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Sweeney also said he's counseled Thome on how he will be pitched differently in his new role: "I told him he's going to get two-strike pitches right off the bat. They aren't going to flip him an easy breaking ball because they expect him to be on the fastball."

Giambi said he's talked to Stairs, a former teammate from Oakland. Stairs, 41, represents the hybrid, a pinch-hitting specialist with power. He has 19 regular season pinch-hit homers, second most all-time to Gates Brown, who had 20. Last year he hit .333 as a pinch-hitter in the regular season.

"Matty always was good at it," Giambi said. "He always had that approach where he saw a pitch to hit and didn't read too much into it. 'I'm going to look for a pitch and swing as hard as I can.' He's been great."

Stairs said that Thome and Giambi are both well-equipped to handle the job.

"They are both quiet hitters," Stairs told FanHouse's Ed Price. "They are both so strong the way they approach the baseball, just see the ball and react, which makes it a lot easier."

Attitude is also critical, Stairs said. The fact that Giambi and Thome each volunteered for this job gives them a better chance to succeed.

"If you accept what you are doing, it makes the job easier," Stairs said. "You can think 'I should be playing (every day),' but when you accept pinch-hitting and know it's your role, first of all your mind is at ease, and everything else comes after that."

Giambi and Thome both said they've learned the most important part of becoming an effective pinch-hitter is to develop a routine during the game to prepare for that one at-bat. Giambi said he'll typically start hitting off a tee in the third inning, do some soft toss in the fifth, and get someone to throw him batting practice in the sixth or seventh.

Both players learned that they need to manage the game in their minds, trying to prepare for which relievers they may see. Thome said he walks up and down the bench during the game picking the brains of his teammates about who he might face in the later innings, and also imparting some of his general wisdom on hitting.

"He brings experience," Sweeney said. "He's giving away the opportunity of DHing and adding to that home run total, basically to have the opportunity to win. That's great for these young kids to see."

Rockies manager Jim Tracy said Giambi has made an impact in the clubhouse, too.

"He's been through this type of situation that we're going through," Tracy said. "He's been a tremendous calming influence. He always has the right thing to say."

Mostly, though, the Rockies are looking for Giambi to do it in the batter's box, getting the job done in that two minutes a day he's needed. So far Giambi has four RBI in seven pinch-hit plate appearances.

"He's been a tremendous addition," Tracy said. "Hopefully over the final couple of weeks we'll get more opportunities to use him in significant situations."

Two-Minute Men: Thome, Giambi Bring 995 Homers to Pinch-Hitting Role originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pinpoint Planning, 'Constant' Ad Libbing Blend at Fledgling MLB Network

Ed Price — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: MLB Media Watch, FanHouse Exclusive

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- Just before MLB Tonight goes off the air at midnight ET on Sept. 9, Al Leiter and Dave Valle demonstrate how not to bunt.

Earlier, the Giants had lost to the Padres in part because pinch hitter Kevin Frandsen failed to get down a sacrifice. So for a "Diamond Demo," Leiter and Valle move over to Studio 42 (named for Jackie Robinson) where a mock field is set up for analysts to demonstrate facets of the game.

About five hours before Leiter and Valle broke down Frandsen's mistakes, they took part in a production meeting. A producer asked Leiter, "Do you want to do a 'Diamond Demo?'"

"I don't know," Leiter said, "let's come up with something."

And that's MLB Tonight -- a blend of the scripted and the unplanned; thought-out dissections and off-the-cuff reactions.

The signature show of the MLB Network, Major League Baseball's first-year venture into cable television, it consists of a deep lineup of ex-players, hosts and journalists blending analysis, highlights and live cut-ins.

And FanHouse went behind the scenes for a night to see how it all happened.

'Constant Ad Lib'

Greg Amsinger's office, in the sprawling building that once housed MSNBC, is overflowing with baseball cards, bobblehead dolls, books on the sport -- and Amsinger's enthusiasm for the MLB Network.

When Tony Petitti came from CBS College Sports to run MLB Network, he brought along Amsinger, a tall, energetic 30-year-old known for showing up at the studio already wearing his suit.

At CBS College Sports, Amsigner, pictured right, would host the network's in-depth shows that supplemented parent CBS' coverage of the NCAA Tournament.

"This," he said of his work at the MLB Network, "is like the NCAA Tournament every night."

He means an hour of lead-in coverage and then five or six hours of reacting to what happens in the games.

"From 6 (PM) to 7, we're like everyone else," he said. After that, it's "constant ad lib."

In fact a great deal of planning goes into the first hour of MLB Tonight. Coverage of day games, previews of the night games and discussion of baseball's hot topics can be scripted and combined with highlights and graphics.

The first production meeting on Sept. 9 took place at 12:30 PM, and the first talent meeting at 3, with producer Rich Ciancimino and coordinating producer Dave Patterson going over the "blocks" in the 6-7 hour. One talking point is lefty setup men, and former Indians and Rangers GM John Hart and former lefty reliever Dan Plesac immediately set into talking baseball. The sometimes off-color discussions include Plesac's raving over Rockies reliever Franklin Morales and a discussion between him and Hart on the pros and cons of Texas' C.J. Wilson.

Amsinger and FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal are also there, along with the crew members responsible for statistics, graphics and other elements of the broadcast.

They work out how to discuss teams' magic numbers and display them graphically. Hart suggests also showing contenders' remaining schedules. There's a discussion of what's wrong with Phillies closer Brad Lidge, with Hart and Plesac giving their takes and Rosenthal contributing what he's heard from scouts.

Amsinger decides he wants to "give some love" to Houston's Wandy Rodriguez, who is starting that night. MLB Network makes sure to cover all 30 teams no matter their place in the standings, so even though the Astros are a non-factor and might not be discussed many places on Sept. 9, Rodriguez's fine season is definitely appropriate fodder.

MLB Network's goal, as stated by Petitti and echoed by senior VP of production John Entz, is to be the baseball fan's "second choice." As in second after watching his favorite team on local TV or cable.

"Even though you're watching one screen," Entz said, "we're trying to make it feel like you're watching all the games."

On a given night, MLB Tonight might have as many as 120 "updates" -- highlights of key action that just happened a couple of minutes earlier.

Chemistry and Calm Before Storm

The 3 PM meeting wraps up after about 40 minutes, after the plan for 6-7 is tweaked and various tangents are explored. The "talent" can go off to any of 26 editing rooms to pick highlights and assemble them for their segments.

At 5 PM, Plesac -- in an MLB Network workout outfit -- goes to Studio 42 to tape a demonstration of Morales' mechanics.

Plesac and Hart have excellent chemistry, which began to develop when the were on air together during spring training.

Part of Entz's job is to schedule the on-air talent, and besides accommodating everyone's other commitments, he tries to keep together certain pairings that work well -- some of which were discovered through trial and error.

"We want to make sure the talent stays fresh and engaged," Entz said.

One group works 6-8 PM, another 8-10 and another from 10-12 or 10-1 AM.

Just before 6 PM on this night, a highlight film of the 2006 World Series is wrapping up. The control room is closely watching the late innings of the Padres-Giants day game to see if its worth an immediate "look-in."

MLB Network can pick up coverage from any live broadcast, and it tries to limit each look-in to a plate appearance or two, no more than about four minutes.

There's also an unofficial rule: No more than three live look-ins at any game. It's part of the effort to balance coverage, and the control room tracks the look-ins. Petitti calls it "self-policing." A common question in the control room: "How many do we have left there?"

The show opens with Amsinger, Plesac, Hart and Rosenthal at the main desk in Studio 3 (named for Babe Ruth). Studio 3 actually has about six or seven different sets so the look can vary throughout the night.

First up: Amsinger's voice over live shots of batting practice via "ballpark cams" at Minute Maid Park, U.S. Cellular Field, Angel Stadium and Chase Field. Then highlights of the Texas-Cleveland day game.

Meanwhile, San Francisco gets two on with none out while trailing San Diego 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth. After a Padres pitching change, the show is ready to go to CSN Bay Area for live action.

Just in time for Frandsen's popped-up bunt.

As a timer keeps track of the length of the look-in, the audio goes back and forth between the CSN Bay Area commentary and analysis from the MLB Tonight crew.

At 6:12, Hart brings up a point that he made in the production meeting -- that the Rangers might have a better chance at catching the Angels in the division race than the Red Sox in the wild-card race.

At the first commercial break, Ciancimino briefs Amsinger (via headset) on what's coming up in the next block.

Let the Games Begin

In the production room a bank of 11 monitors overhead -- right where the producer can see as he stands in the second row -- shows all the games. But Marc Caiafa, who some nights serves as coordinating producer, is handling most of the scoreboard watching, as he is responsible for "integration" this night. On two large hi-def screens in front of his seat he can keep track of all the current games and the MLB Network ballpark cams.

"This (MLB Tonight) is like the NCAA Tournament every night."
-- MLB Network host Greg Amsinger While Amsinger narrates highlights from a couple more day games and the crew heads to Studio 42 for standings update -- with the magic-number graphics discussed in the talent meeting -- the behind-the-scenes crew is deciding that if the Giants get the tying run to the plate, or if they're within two outs of losing, then it's time for another look-in. San Francisco does indeed get a man on base, and as soon as Plesac wraps up a point on the Yankees, it's back to CSN Bay Area.

Juan Uribe strikes out for the second out of the inning but questions whether he actually tipped the ball. MLB Network sticks with the look-in long enough to see he didn't. After 4 1/2 minutes, it's time for a commercial. The Padres-Giants game ends during the ad, so the final out is shown as an update when the show returns.

Meanwhile, at the Coors Field ballpark cam, Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports Net Rocky Mountain is ready for a live interview about the Rockies.

MLB Network has a pair of ballpark cams operational in 11 parks -- one in center field and one by a dugout. They can all be operated by a pair of joysticks in Secaucus.

"It's a pretty cool tool," Entz said.

The goal is to have ballpark cams working in all 30 parks by sometime next year. All MLB Network has to do is hire a technician to stand by and hand an interview subject a headset.

Hazel Mae's interview of Ringolsby segues to the discussion of Morales and the other lefty setup men. Then the tape of Plesac's "Diamond Demo."

As 7 PM -- and the start of five games -- approaches, there's another standings update. And Joe Magrane, who will pair with Barry Larkin as the analysts in the 8-10 PM segment, wanders into the control room to ask if anyone has done anything extensive yet tonight on Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright.

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San Francisco Giants' Randy Winn scores on a Juan Uribe single as Colorado Rockies Yorvit Torrealba waits for the late throw in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, in San Francisco. The Giants won 9-1. (AP Photo/Dino Vournas)

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San Francisco Giants' Eugenio Velez watches his three-run triple against the Colorado Rockies in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, in San Francisco. The Giants won 9-1. (AP Photo/Dino Vournas)

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Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Hong-Chih Kuo, of Taiwan, delivers during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)

San Francisco Giants' Juan Uribe, right, scores on an Aaron Rowand single against the Colorado Rockies in the second inning of a baseball game Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, in San Francisco. Tim Lincecum, center, and Bengie Molina congratulate Uribe. (AP Photo/Dino Vournas)

San Francisco Giants' Pablo Sandoval makes a running throw for an out against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California, on Monday, September 14, 2009. (Dan Honda/Contra Costa Times/MCT)

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ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 14: Matt Holliday #15 of the St. Louis Cardinals knocks in two RBIs against the Florida Marlins on September 14, 2009 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Marlins 11-6. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matt Holliday

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ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 14: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals waits on deck against the Florida Marlins on September 14, 2009 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Marlins 11-6. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Albert Pujols

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ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 14: Hanley Ramierez #2 of the Florida Marlins turns a double play over Mark DeRosa #7 the St. Louis Cardinals on September 14, 2009 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Marlins 11-6. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Hanley Ramierez;Mark DeRosa

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ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 14: Hanley Ramierez #2 of the Florida Marlins throws to first base against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 14, 2009 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Marlins 11-6. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Hanley Ramierez

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ST. LOUIS, MO - SEPTEMBER 14: Albert Pujols #5 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts to getting hit by a pitch against the Florida Marlins on September 14, 2009 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Marlins 11-6. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Albert Pujols

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Once the night games get underway, the show takes on a fairly regular rhythm: look-ins, updates of recent action and discussion of them by the talent. This is where the host has to be able to think on his feet, as the producer tells him what's coming, and prompt the analysts' conversation.

A first-inning update from Yankee Stadium -- Jason Bartlett's leadoff homer for Tampa Bay -- leads to a Joba Chamberlain riff. Meanwhile, before heading home for the night, Petitti has stopped by the control room.

Back in the conference room, the 10-12 crew has assembled for a talent meeting: Leiter, Valle and host Victor Rojas with another team of coordinating producer, producer and technicians. The meeting has to be more about anticipating what might happen in the night games for possible lines of discussion.

At 8, Plesac, Hart and Rosenthal are done. Larkin and Magrane join Amsinger for the next two hours.

At one point, Magrane goes off-set during commercial and isn't back right away. "We have to keep going places," someone says in the control room, so first comes a Yankees update, then a Blue Jays update, then a scoreboard, then a Nationals update. Amsigner narrates from the set the entire time.

And the night's biggest storyline is starting to develop. At 8:40, Amsinger is instructed, "Tease to Jeter -- he's coming up."

Catching History

Derek Jeter has a chance to catch Lou Gehrig for the Yankees' career hits record, and at 8:45, Jeter drives a ball to deep center that Rays outfielder B.J. Upton fails to run down. It goes for a double, leaving Jeter a hit shy of Gehrig.

Immediately, Patterson calls for tape of a play earlier in the game, in which Upton missed on a basket catch in center -- more fodder for analysis in the studio.

At 9:03, "MLB Tonight" goes to Fenway Park for a live look-in at Orioles-Red Sox, since Baltimore has the bases loaded with one out in the sixth.

Thirteen minutes later, it's time for a decision. Jeter is due up again, but they've already used two look-ins at Yankee Stadium. If they go live for Jeter's at-bat, they might have him tying Gehrig. But if he bats again -- it's the seventh inning and the Yankees or losing, so he could very well come up in the ninth -- they'll be out of look-ins. So should they pass now in case he bats again, which would be either a shot at breaking the record or another chance to tie?

Petitti decides it's a special enough moment to go for it, and if need be, break the three-look-in rule later.

It pays off, as Jeter singles to tie Gehrig.

"Well done," Petitti tells the control room.

It's just 9:24.

And Into The Night

Because MLB brought in cable and satellite providers as partners, MLB Network has the largest cable debut ever, available in about 50 million homes.

Nielsen said it's too early in the network's life for ratings, but ad sales are obviously up since the network went on the air Jan. 1.

MLB Tonight has evolved along the way. And there are more adjustments to come.

In anticipation of pennant races, MLB Network has decided to add an hour to its signature over the season's final week, going on the air at 5 PM.

And during the playoffs, there will be shows anchored from Secaucus and reporters on-site at games. Entz figures MLB Network can show pre-game news conferences from the first Division Series game of the day and come back after that game for the rest of the day, filling with pre-game matter from games to come and post-game analysis and news conferences as games finish.

But that will seem easy after handling 15 games many nights.

At 9:46, Magrane is getting into his Wainwright breakdown. "You just feel like you're only getting a look at the top half of the ball," Magrane says.

But he needs to wrap it up. "We've gotta go," someone says, because there's a save situation in Washington, and it's time to revisit the Lidge storyline.

At 9:53, MLB Network goes live to Nationals Park to show Ryan Madson warming up in the top of the ninth instead of Lidge. At the same time, Larkin talks about his 1990 Reds, who used a committee of relievers -- known the "Nasty Boys" -- instead of a closer.

But wait. Here comes Jeter, batting again in the eighth with a chance to break out of his tie with Gehrig. Petitti has given the go-ahead for a fourth look-in, so off to Yankee Stadium.

At 10, Jeter walks.

"Awwwwww," goes the control room, in unison.

And it's time for a shift change, with Rojas, Leiter and Valle in to replace Amsinger, Larkin and Magrane.

At 10:08, it's back to Washington to see Madson get the save. Then more discussions, a look-in in Anaheim, a 10:30 highlights package narrated by Mae, and a quick series of updates: Kendry Morales' three-run double, Manny Ramirez's RBI infield hit and the last out of the Yankees game.

In Houston, the Astros rally in the ninth to beat the Braves. Time to use the ballpark cam.

The coordinating producer, Bryan Meyers, calls a media relations person in Houston to ask for an interview with Miguel Tejada. By 10:46, Tejada is interviewed live by Rojas on his game-winning single.

At 11:03, Caiafa calls out, "Guys, you've got to go to Colorado." It's tied in the bottom of the eighth, and there's two on and two out.

At 11:12, MLB Network picks up the top of the ninth in Kansas City. And the Rockies come up in the bottom of the ninth.

"Double-box this one?"

Yes, time for the "Double Play" screen again, with action from the two games.

There's another ballpark cam interview at 11:40, with Colorado's Seth Smith, who also had a game-winning hit. And soon after, Leiter and Valle are showing the finer points of bunting.

Most nights, MLB Tonight runs till 1 a.m. ET. With so few late games this night, it wraps up at 12. Then comes "Quick Pitch," a straight one-hour highlights show that can be repeated through the night and in the morning.

Even though the show was a mere five hours this day, it was packed.

"There's definitely enough drama," Petitti said, "to get us through the night."

Pinpoint Planning, 'Constant' Ad Libbing Blend at Fledgling MLB Network originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Speed Thrills ... And It's in Vogue Again

Ed Price — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: FanHouse Exclusive

Carl Crawford ranks 69th in the American League in home runs, 45th in slugging percentage and 57th in walks.

And he was an All-Star this year.

"It's just good to see that a guy like me has value in the league," Crawford told FanHouse.

Crawford, tied for the AL lead in stolen bases with 55, has value because people are starting to once again appreciate the steal.

Four years ago, the Athletics stole 31 bases. For the season.

This year, as all-time leader Rickey Henderson went into the Hall of Fame, attempts are up to 0.85 per team per game from 0.79 last year, their highest level since 2001 according to baseball-reference.com. Crawford's Rays have swiped 167 bases, putting them on pace for the highest team total since the 1993 Expos had 228.

Crawford has had a six-steal night, and Colorado's Dexter Fowler had five in a game. Jacoby Ellsbury has set a Red Sox franchise record for stolen bases in a season.

"I think you've seen over the last few years the stolen base starting to come into play more," said Phillies first-base coach Davey Lopes, who stole 40-plus bases in six straight seasons for the Dodgers (1974-79) and 557 for his career.

"And if utilized correctly it's a tremendous weapon."

Less 'Roids, More Running?

Why is running making a comeback?

One unspoken but understood reason is testing for performance-enhancing drugs.

"I think you're going to see teams try to run more because of ... the obvious," as Yankees manager Joe Girardi put it.

If steroid use is eliminated, the thinking goes, home runs will be reduced, slugfests will disappear and teams will have to find other ways to score.

"I think now that all the dust has started to clear," Angels leadoff man Chone Figgins said, "it's going to have to come back. Guys are going to start drafting players that can run. Not that just run for a couple of years in the minor leagues but that can actually steal bases. Because a guy stealing 40-50 bases is huge in a season."

Said Rays manager Joe Maddon: "I think it's getting back to the point now, with the home runs becoming less, and you're looking for other ways to score runs."

During the Steroid Era, as muscles grew, so did statistical awareness.

A more analytical bent to many front offices meant a greater disdain for the steal.

"For a while there, I think teams wanted more of the three-run homer," said Tim Raines, fifth all-time with 808 stolen bases and the NL leader from 1981-84. "Even the guys that could run, they didn't let run.

"I think teams are afraid to turn guys loose."

Statistical studies claim that anything less than a 2/3rds to 3/4ths success rate on steal attempts costs teams runs.

"There's a couple of of things," Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein said. "One, teams are more aware with controlling the running game, to slide step, varying times, pitchouts and whatnot, and there's more information with advance scouting how to slow it down. Two, I think teams, from an offensive standpoint, are more aware that in order for the stolen base to be a good play, you have to be successful about 70 percent of the time. So teams only want to run when they have a very good chance of being safe."

But Lopes takes offense to the purely statistical approach.

"A lot of executives that were running the ballclub[s] felt as though the stolen base nor the bunt is a viable option," Lopes said. "That was just a matter of philosophy, and I think it's, obviously, being changed of late.

"When an element of people, when the computerized game came into the game, it kind of factored out stolen bases. And people went for the on-base percentage, one base at a time, three-run home run. ... And you have one-dimensional players. The game is starting to look at athletes again."

Speed Traps

Lopes and others promote the unquantifiable benefit of speed. A base-stealing threat forces the defense to make adjustments -- in the pitcher's delivery, pitch selection and defensive positioning.

"To make outs on the bases really runs counter to the present culture," Maddon said. "And I get that. Nobody wants to make outs on the bases. But I do believe there's a certain kind of attitude generated among your group by being aggressive. And I know that applies a thought to the defense. I know that applies a thought to the pitcher's mind as he's pitching to the next hitter. And I know that can impact what [pitch] the catcher may call because this guy may run. I mean, when you face a team that's not going to do anything, and you know that, and the pitcher and catcher can just play catch, they can call a different game."

A speedy runner, Lopes said, "affects the game as much as a power hitter. If you get a guy who controls the game when he gets on the basepaths, he upsets the tempo of the game more than a guy who's a power hitter. Basically, those guys are in control of the game. You've not only got the catcher, the pitcher [but] the manager, the middle infielders all in tune with what's going on with the game. Now it becomes a head game. "

Catchers with less confidence in their arm will have their pitchers throw more fastballs. Pitchers can get distracted by pickoff throws. Middle infielders who have to shade toward second base open holes for the hitter.

"It's a game-changer," said Figgins, whose 262 steals since the start of the 2004 season are second-most in the AL to Crawford. "You have to have that threat on first."

But that threat led to more sophisticated defenses against the stolen base.

Raines remembers Bruce Sutter as the first pitcher to use the "slide step" -- barely lifting the front foot off the ground and then sliding forward. That gets the ball to the plate quicker than the usual leg kick out of the stretch, and just a few tenths of a second makes a difference between being easy and tough to run against.

In fact, some time in the past 30 years, stopwatches became as important a piece of equipment as caps.

Coaches time runners from first to second, pitchers from first movement to the time the ball hits the catcher's mitt and catchers from receiving the ball to the ball reaching second. ("You have more toys," as Yankees bench coach and former All-Star catcher Tony Pena put it.)

A good runner makes it from his lead to second in 3.2 seconds. An average catcher takes 2.0 seconds to get the ball down to second base, so a pitcher whose delivery takes more than 1.2 seconds needs to quicken it up. Catchers work on foot movement, transferring the ball and arm path to try to get faster than 2.0 seconds.

Another development, which contributed to the decline of the steal and the rise in games times, is controlling the running game from the bench. Perhaps universally, managers tell catchers when to call for a pitchout and even when to tell the pitcher to throw over to first base.

"I remember at the tail end of my career," Raines said, "I started seeing teams go to spring training, working on holding guys on -- they'd hold the ball, they'd step off, they'd throw over, they'd have a long motion, they'd have a short motion. They're doing all these things to kind of offset the stolen base."

Caution in Wind

So while the steal is back in vogue, it hasn't become easier.

The emphasis on times has cut down on recklessness, and the premium is on efficiency. The four seasons since 2006 are the top four ever in stolen-base success rates.

"There's no chance," Figgins said, of someone stealing 80 bases, which happened 14 times in the 1980s but not since Henderson had 93 in 1988.

"No chance," Figgins said. "No chance. It doesn't matter how much you're going to get, it's not going to happen. If the pitchers were [as slow] to the plate like they used to be back then, you'd steal 100 bases again. Because guys are stealing 50-60 now, and guys are so quick to the plate.

"The catchers were good back then and they're good now, but it's the pitchers. I watch video of when Henderson and all those guys played -- Vince Coleman -- and those guys were so slow to the plate. That was just part of that era."

Said Crawford: "The pitchers are better now, with the moves and stuff like that -- the way they're throwing home, and the slide-stepping, and pitchout after pitchout."

Lopes, though, sees holes in the steal defenses. People tell him he couldn't steal 77 bases in a season today, as he did in 1975, and he replies, "I'll be damned if I couldn't."

Said Lopes: "A pitcher may show you a 1.25 [second] move to the plate. Now, does he sustain that for the whole duration of the at-bat? Are you ready, as a base-stealer, to go when he gives you that one pitch when he doesn't do that? Are you ready, are you focused, to go to that? That's the difference.

"What happens today, what happens with a lot of guys, once you show them a slide step a few times, they [shut] it down. 'This guy's too quick.' So they're not really focused on the total at-bat, where that one time he gives you a slow move, it goes up to 1.4, and you say, 'Oh, I should have gone!' Why didn't you go? Because you didn't [keep] that concentration level. ... The good guys do do that. They stay keen, they stay ready."

But even if they could pick their spots perfectly, players are less likely to put their body at risk by making 100-plus attempts.

"You have to have something that draws interest. Speed attracts interest."
-- Davey Lopes When it seemed Crawford had a shot at 100 earlier this year, Maddon said, "There's a lot of pounding in 100 steals, man. That's a lot of getting on base, that's a lot of running. He plays on turf. That's kind of a lot to ask. ... I'm betting no, that you're not going to see 100."

Or a team like the 1985 Cardinals, who swiped 314 bases and thus led the NL in runs scored despite hitting just 87 homers.

"You'll never see that again," Raines said, "where every guy on that squad had more than 20 stolen bases, other than Jack Clark."

Fans of Steal

Still, the steal is back. And it may also help baseball itself make a comeback.

Perhaps, if speed continues to become more important, baseball can get back some of the young athletes who gravitate toward football and basketball. Crawford, who passed up a scholarship to play quarterback at Nebraska, was an exception in recent times rather than the norm.

"I hate to say this," Lopes said, "but baseball's a dull game unless you grew up in the game. You have to have something that draws interest. Speed attracts interest. Because the pace of the game is relatively slow. So if you incorporate something that's fast -- speed -- it excites people.

"I think for a period of time, people lost sight of that. And they were putting their stamp on it: 'This is how it should be played.' I don't believe that's how the game was meant to be played by [Abner] Doubleday and [Branch] Rickey and all those people.

Stolen Base Leaders
Player	SB
Carl Crawford, Rays	55
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox	55
Michael Bourn, Astros	49
Nyjer Morgan, Nationals	42
Chone Figgins, Angels	39

"Watching what happened to the game, I was like, 'God, what are they thinking? We're making the game more boring.' That's what we did for a period of years. Slowing the game down even more. You talk about why kids are not picking up on baseball. The first thing kids say is it's not fast enough. It's too slow. It's boring. They play basketball, they play football, they play soccer."

And the stolen base, or even just the anticipation of one, makes the game more exciting to watch as well as to play.

"From the fans' perspective, it's entertaining," Maddon said. "It is. I get a lot of compliments that people like to watch us play. And I like that. That's good. It's good for baseball. The baseball purists like to see all these different things."

Speed Thrills ... And It's in Vogue Again originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Baseball Brunch: 40 Time -- Game's Rules About to Undergo Annual Change

Ed Price — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: FanHouse Exclusive, Baseball Brunch

Every Sunday, MLB FanHouse empties out its notebook in Baseball Brunch.

In two days, major league teams will begin playing with different rules than they did for the first five months of the season.

Some clubs will have 25-man rosters. Some will have 28-man rosters. Some will have 32-man rosters.

Some will have extra relievers if the game goes to extra innings. Some won't.

Some will have a pinch-running specialist. Some won't.

That's what we get with expanded September rosters.

Limited to 25-man rosters since Opening Day, teams on Sept. 1 can begin calling up anyone on their 40-man roster -- up to 40.

"Now, all of a sudden, a lot of horse[manure] players are getting called up in September," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "They're hitting .220, they're still called up. I remember in my time, you don't perform, you're not coming up.

"Before it was like a prize. 'Wow, I got called up in September.' Now I see a lot of really bad players called up in September, just because."

Texas manager Ron Washington said teams need the extra players.

"Most of the time you bring up pitching," he said. "You need that."

Teams can use a September call-up to reward a minor-leaguer for a good season. Or to give its top prospects a chance to get their feet wet in the majors. And some draft picks have it written into their contract that they get called up that September.

Contenders are more likely to go for needs: a third catcher, so the manager can pinch hit for the starter and still have one in reserve; more arms in the bullpen; another infielder or outfielder for depth.

"You can make a few more moves," Giants manager Bruce Bochy told FanHouse's Jeff Fletcher. "It gives you that flexibility, but at the same time you don't want it too crowded where guys lose their focus or don't get the work they need. But the game is a little different. You can make pitching changes earlier. You have more pinch-hitters, more pinch-runners."

Detroit manager Jim Leyland said "the less the better" in September.

"I don't like a bunch of people hanging around you're not going to use," Leyland said. "I think the best way to handle your September call-ups is if you know that there's a legitimate shot that there's a purpose for them. If you have that, you bring them up. If you don't, you don't.

"I used to think a little bit different. I used to think, well, if a guy went down, busted his [butt], had a good year, you kind of call him back up out of respect for what he's done ... But to bring him up here just to sit doesn't make sense."

Besides Leyland's reasoning (and the cramped visitors' clubhouses at Wrigley Field and Fenway Park that can hardly accommodate 25 players, nevermind 40), there are other reasons to not call up players.

If the Triple-A affiliate is in the playoffs, key members might stay there to help instead of being recalled. If players aren't already on the 40-man roster, teams may not want to make room for them. And once players begin accumulating service time, they have a chance to hit arbitration or free agency even earlier.

"We can't afford rewarding people," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. "My philosophy is I'll bring who we believe can help us and we'll bring those who we think will benefit from this experience."

But Rangers GM Jon Daniels said, "We don't spend too much time being worried about 30 days service time. If a player's good enough where you're going to be concerned about those 30 days, he's probably already here."

Players who have been September call-ups said the experience helped them get a jump start on acclimating to the majors.

"I always thought in September the more the merrier," said Rangers third baseman Michael Young, who was called up Sept. 27, 2000, and got in two games, one as a pinch runner. "The more you can get guys acclimated to the big leagues, the better.

"When I got to spring training [the next year], even though I was only with the big-league club for a week, I had already felt like the acclimation process had already started. All the shock was kind of out of my system."

Said White Sox DH Jim Thome (September 1991 Indians): "I cherished every moment. I tried to take all of it in. And I was humbled. To be honest, I was humbled. It helped me realize that there is a difference between the minor leagues and the big leagues -- what you have to work for, what you have to look forward to and what you have to strive to get to."

San Francisco's Rich Aurilia said he "didn't care" that he got in only nine games in September 1995.

"It was, 'Wow, I finally made the big leagues,' " he said. " 'I'll do whatever you guys ask and try to contribute any way I can.' The best part is it was a learning experience for me. I got to learn from the guys. If I wasn't going to play I wanted to learn something and make myself better."

White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, a September call-up with the 1997 Dodgers, admitted "it's kind of weird when you think about" how roster expansion affects the game.

"I don't think anybody even thinks twice about it," he said. "It's just part of the game."

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin has thought about it. Melvin been the most outspoken voice for changing the rule to address the inequities between teams in September and (as Bochy pointed out) the difference in how a game can be managed over the final month.

Melvin, who did not return messages seeking comment, has proposed allowing call-ups but limiting the players eligible to play in each game, creating a sort of taxi squad. Relievers used the night before or players with bumps and bruises could be left off the active roster submitted with the nightly lineup card and others rotated in.

For now, baseball is the only sport that changes the size of its roster -- or allows competing teams to have different size rosters -- for its most crucial games.

"It's unusual," Daniels said, "but listen, it's kind of one of the nuances that makes baseball what it is."

Overheard and Understood

o. Could Phil Hughes be the next Zack Greinke? One scout said the 23-year-old Hughes, who was tentative as a starter (0-4, 6.62 ERA last year) is one of the top two or three setup men in the AL. Another wondered if the time in relief will help Hughes -- still considered a starter in the future by the Yankees -- discover he can have success by being aggressive.

Chart of the Week
Milwaukee's Ryan Braun has hit 99 homers in his first three big-league seasons, sixth-most all-time:
Player	Years	HR
Albert Pujols	2001-03	114
Ralph Kiner	1946-48	114
Eddie Mathews	1952-54	112
Joe DiMaggio	1936-38	107
Mark Teixeira	2003-05	107
Ryan Braun	2007-09	99
Frank Robinson	1956-58	98
Source: Brewers

The Royals moved Greinke to relief early in the 2007 season, and the second scout said that bullpen stint convinced Greinke he had the stuff to go right after hitters. Perhaps Hughes will find that out as well.

o. The Cubs' now-slim playoff hopes rest mainly with their schedule. After finishing a series with the Mets Sunday, they play the White Sox once, the Giants four times, the Cardinals three times and have 26 games against the Astros, Mets, Pirates, Reds, Brewers and Diamondbacks.

Milwaukee, meanwhile, has a killer schedule left, with 16 more games against NL playoff contenders San Francisco, St. Louis, Philadelphia and Colorado.

o. Guillen on what he expects from Jake Peavy once Peavy comes off the DL for his Chicago debut: "What do I expect? I don't know because I don't know him ... That's a big trade for us. That's a former Cy Young Award winner, making a lot of cake, making a lot of money. You make more than $2 million, you should be out there for nine innings."

o. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Tony La Russa has now managed 10 Cy Young Award winners (either the year they won or after they had won it) -- John Smoltz, Chris Carpenter, Pat Hentgen, Fernando Valenzuela, Dennis Eckersley, Bob Welch, LaMarr Hoyt, Tom Seaver and Sparky Lyle. La Russa had been tied with Joe Torre (Seaver, Randy Jones, Mike Marshall, Rick Sutcliffe, Roger Clemens, David Cone, Dwight Gooden, Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux).

o. Washington is 14-13 in August, with a shot at its first winning month since going 15-12 in Sepetmber 2007. Over the last 10 full months, the Nationals averaged a 9-17 record.

On the other coast, Oakland is 13-14 in August and trying to avoid its eighth straight month without a winning record.

o. A six-inning no-decision Thursday left Houston's Brian Moehler still 5-0 in his career against St. Louis (67 innings pitched). Only two pitchers have thrown more innings against the Cardinals without a loss: Al Downing (7-0 in 88 2/3 innings) and Tom Underwood (5-0 in 71 1/3 innings).

o. The Royals had light-hitting, slick-fielding shortstop Tony Pena Jr. (career .548 OPS) convert to pitching, and he has a 4.15 ERA through five appearances in the Single-A Midwest League. But Pena figures to be a minor-league free agent after the season and intends to go back to being a position player.

o. If Joe Mauer can get 52 more hits for the Twins in the final 33 games, he would end Minnesota's 12-year run without a 200-hit season. The only teams with longer current such droughts are Milwaukee (1991), Cincinnati (1977) and Tampa Bay (none since coming into existence in 1998). Paul Molitor had the most recent 200-hit season for both the Twins and Brewers.

o. Pittsburgh's Garrett Jones reached 15 homers in his 48th game since being called up, making him the fastest rookie to 15 home runs since Russell Branyan for the 2000 Indians.

o. Baseball fever in Colorado? Tuesday's Rockies-Dodgers game was the most-watched baseball telecast in the history of FSN Rocky Mountain, with a 9.7 rating.

Baseball Brunch: 40 Time -- Game's Rules About to Undergo Annual Change originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 30 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Royals Will Give Contract Extension to GM Dayton Moore

Ed Price — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:05:00 EST

Filed under: Royals, FanHouse Exclusive, MLB Inside Scoop

A contract extension for Kansas City GM Dayton Moore is "done," according to a major-league source.

Moore's original contract ran through 2010, and the source did not know how many years the extension would cover.

This will create much anguish for those who focus on Moore's moves the past year and their horrendous performance the past 3 1/2 months (31-67 after an 18-11 start).

I still maintain it was not such a bad idea to trade middle relievers (Ramon Ramirez and Leo Nunez) for every-day players (Coco Crisp and Mike Jacobs). Signing Jose Guillen, Ron Mahay, Horacio Ramirez, Kyle Farnsworth and Willie Bloomquist were more predictably bad.

But the Royals believe they have the base of a decent rotation with Zack Greinke, Gil Meche, Luke Hochevar and Kyle Davies and some prospects in the low minors.

The crux of the matter is that Kansas City has not had a winning record since 2003 and hasn't won more than 83 games since 1993. And ownership pinched pennies in every part of baseball operations, severely handicapping Allard Baird as GM, until opening its Wal-Mart wallet once hiring Moore in June 2006.

So the team has been run with some degree of freedom from severe financial constraints for just three years. Maybe it isn't time to judge Moore just yet.

Royals Will Give Contract Extension to GM Dayton Moore originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:05:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Baseball Brunch: Time for Draft Reform?

Ed Price — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Braves, Cardinals, Cubs, Dodgers, Giants, Mariners, Orioles, Rangers, Rays, Rockies, MLB Biz, MLB Draft, Prospects, FanHouse Exclusive, MLB Inside Scoop, Baseball Brunch

Every Sunday, MLB FanHouse empties out its notebook in Baseball Brunch.

As the No. 1 overall pick in 1990, Chipper Jones signed with the Braves for $275,000.

Even in today's dollars, that's about $450,000 -- or about 3 percent of Stephen Strasburg was guaranteed as this year's No. 1 pick.

And Jones agreed to his deal the night before the draft, while Strasburg came within two minutes of missing last Monday's deadline to sign.

"I think the only way that you're going to get kids signed and get them into the various camps is to put some kind of cap on it," Jones said. "I was always of the belief that you make your money at the big-league level."

That's how the teams want it too. When the current collective bargaining agreement is up in two years, Major League Baseball may pursue an NBA-style slotting system -- with signing bonuses locked in depending on how high a player is picked, as opposed to the current non-binding slot recommendations.

Commissioner Bud Selig last week told The Washington Post, "There's no question in my mind, in 2011, certainly a [hard] slotting system and a worldwide draft are things we will be very aggressive in talking about."

Which would lead to an interesting tug-of-war between owners, the players' union and agents.

With the alliances not as clear as it might seem.

"I think it's something we can seriously talk about," Mets right fielder Jeff Francoeur told FanHouse. "I don't think the guys mind [slotting] very much.

"A guy like Strasburg, he deserves it. But something to stop it [escalating bonuses], I agree."

MLB might feel that it can get the players on its side as they see the signing bonuses explode -- especially this year, just a few months after the free-agent market went soft.

As Francoeur, who signed for $2.2 million as the 23rd overall pick in 2002, said, "Now, it's crazy. Guys are wanting $7-8 million and have never stepped on the [big-league] field."

But resistance to strict slotting could come from agents (who stand to lose their commissions) and union leadership (on principle).

"I think it goes against what we've fought for in the past, the free market," said Milwaukee infielder Craig Counsell, a member of the union's executive board.

"I know it sounds like something ownership is going to want. They've wanted it before. All you can go by is the past, and in the past it hasn't happened. ... I know in the past we've decided we're not going to restrict what players are going to make."

Through a spokesman, incoming union head Michael Weiner declined comment.

Another person with ties to the union pointed out that if teams save money on signing bonuses, they may not necessarily use it on payroll instead -- so why should current players go for the strict slotting system?

"I don't want to get into what may or may not be proposals," said Rob Manfred, MLB's executive vice president for labor relations and human resources. "It's early, but this whole player talent-acquisition area -- by that I mean the draft, international signings, acquiring professional players from other countries -- that whole group of issues, clubs are talking about.

"The draft system is less than optimal from the perspective of the 30 clubs."

It isn't just Strasburg. According to Baseball America, this year's draft set records for highest bonus to a high school player (San Diego's Donovan Tate), biggest bonus to a high school pitcher (Detroit's Jacob Turner) as well as Strasburg's overall marks for biggest bonus and largest guarantee.

"I think the amount of money we spend at the top end of the draft is now too much for what I like to label unproven talent," said Logan White, the Dodgers' assistant general manager for scouting.

"When you draft a player and sign a player -- that's supposed to be when they're a bargain."

Chart of the Week
When San Diego's Kyle Blanks -- listed at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds -- hit an inside-the-park home run last Tuesday, he tied for the tallest player ever to do so. Players 6-foot-6 to hit inside-the-park homers:
Player	Vs.	Year
Corey Hart (MIL)	ARI	2008
Darryl Strawberry (NYM)	CIN	1989
Darryl Strawberry (NYM)	STL	1984
Dave Kingman (NYM)	STL	1982
Dave Winfield (NYY)	CHW	1981
Source: David Vincent, SABR

White said about 150 big-leaguers, 35 of whom become regulars, come out of each draft, with the numbers fairly consistent.

"No matter how much money you throw into the draft," he said, "that's not going to make it [produce] 300 major-leaguers and 75 every-day players."

And while the Aug. 15 deadline to sign (Aug. 17 this year because Aug. 15 fell on a weekend) is an improvement on the old deadline of when a player first attended college classes -- imagine a scout trying to intercept a freshman on campus with one final offer before his first class -- there is a whole other set of headaches.

Along with the recommended bonuses, MLB pressures teams that intend to go over slot to hold off on announcing deals so as not to drive up the price for other draft picks. And some agents wait to see what everyone else gets. Which leads to the last-minute deals -- or, last year, two that went past the deadline but were still approved.

Also, teams that ignore the slot recommendations can be rewarded over teams that obey. The classic case in point is Detroit's Rick Porcello, who wanted a $7 million deal out of high school. He should have been a top-10 pick in 2007 but fell to 27th before the Tigers were willing to bust slot.

And their decision paid off. Porcello is a winning pitcher in the majors at age 20 -- exactly what many of the teams that drafted 1-26 could have used.

"We do have [a situation] whereby economics ... undermines the purpose of the draft," Manfred said.

Manfred said such scenarios are on the decline.

"We have really worked with the clubs and, I think, convinced them letting players slip is bad for everybody," he said.

Agent Scott Boras, who represents Strasburg and Porcello, agreed.

"In prior drafts the No. 1 draft pick was not always the best player," Boras said. "Now, because of revenue-sharing, in the draft the best player is No. 1. For maybe 15 years, the best players in the draft were rarely No. 1 because of signability issues."

White said he thinks the current slotting system works in "90 percent of the cases, probably.

"... it's usually fair for whenever we pick the player."

According to Manfred, 75 percent of the drafted players signed, and 75 percent of those signed for within 5 percent of the slot recommendation.

Still ...

"We spend nearly $200 million on players, a very, very small percentage of whom make it to the major leagues," Manfred said.

But from the union point of view, that the teams are willing to make such investments proves they shouldn't cry poverty.

As Counsell put it, "It's easy to say when you see a kid sign for $16 million that's never played a day in the big leagues, 'Oh, that's not fair. There's some guys that have 10-year careers that don't make that much.' But there's market for his services, that's why he's getting that much."

When a new CBA is negotiated, as one high-ranking union person said, "It always comes down to tradeoffs." If the players want something else more, they may give in on a slot system.

One team official theorized that the top agents, such as Boras, would go for a strict slotting system, because it would result in fewer high school players passing up college scholarships to turn pro, and it's easier for the agents to identify and pursue potential clients once they're in college.

But the general perception is that Major League Baseball's pursuit of drastic signing-bonus reform would be determined by whether players or the agents call the shots.

"I would be open to listening to something," Jones said, "but the fact of the matter is, there were people here before me that allowed me to do the things that I've done. Who am I to say that there needs to be a cap or some kind of different system that regulates what kids make out of college or high school?"

Overheard and Understood

o. Before next Saturday's game in Seattle, Jim Bouton will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to catcher Gerry McNertney to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1969 Seattle Pilots, an expansion team that lasted one season before moving to Milwaukee and becoming the Brewers.

o. Matt Holliday is batting .404 since the All-Star break. According to STATS LLC, since expansion in 1961, only five players have batted .400 or better after the break (200 or more plate appearances): Ichiro Suzuki in 2004, George Brett in 1980, Barry Bonds in 2002, Larry Walker in 1998 and Tony Gwynn in 1993.

o. Pick your poison in the Cubs bullpen -- if you're manager Lou Piniella, that is. Kevin Gregg is second among NL relievers for most home runs allowed per nine innings, while Carlos Marmol has given up the fourth-fewest. But Marmol has averaged the most bases on balls per nine innings (8.2), while Gregg averages 3.6. So you want the guy who gives up walks or the one who surrenders home runs?

o. Kenshin Kawakami opened the season as the Braves' No. 4 starter, but he has faced a Cy Young Award winner five times (Barry Zito, Roy Halladay, Randy Johnson and Johan Santana twice); Opening-Day starters John Lannan and Brett Myers; aces Cole Hamels and Jonathan Johnson; and Clayton Kershaw, eighth in the NL in ERA. No wonder Kawakami is 6-9.

o. San Francisco's Jeremy Affeldt has induced 16 groundball double plays, most among big-league relievers, and has a chance to be the first reliever since Doug Sisk in 1988 to get 21 DP balls.

o. Since opening the season by winning their first 13 home games, the Dodgers are 27-24 at Chavez Ravine.

o. Baltimore's Brian Roberts (46) and Nick Markakis (39) have combined for 85 doubles and could threaten the teammate record of 116, set by George Burns and Tris Speaker of the 1926 Indians.

o. When Ivan Rodriguez rejoined the Rangers, it meant three teams had their all-time franchise hits leader on the current roster, along with Colorado's Todd Helton and Tampa Bay's Carl Crawford.

o. Rockies manager Jim Tracy also ranks fifth all-time in managerial wins against Colorado, with 60.

o. In the Little League World Series 15 years ago, Maracaibo, Venezuela, defeated Northridge, Calif., in the championship game. Current Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel played for Northridge, while Maracaibo featured Diamondbacks pitcher Yusmeiro Petit and Mariners catcher Guillermo Quiroz.

Baseball Brunch: Time for Draft Reform? originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slow Start Firmly in Rearview Mirror, Teixeira Mounts Bid for MVP

Jeff Fletcher — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Yankees, FanHouse Exclusive

OAKLAND -- Less than five months into his $180 million contract, Mark Teixeira has shown the Yankees the full spectrum of his abilities.

He was awful in April, just as he expected.

He's been outstanding ever since, just as he expected.

Although all of those Yankee haters out there were enjoying the show early in the season, as the player with the biggest contract this side of Alex Rodriguez got booed during a slow start, the story has changed.

Take a look now. Teixeira and the Yankees are soaring.

"He's the best player in here," Yankees outfielder Johnny Damon told FanHouse. "He's a Gold Glove first baseman. He solidifies the No. 3 spot. He hustles, breaks up double plays. He's everything a team would want.

"That's why I think the Yankees are going to win a World Series during his time. I have no doubt about that."

Teixeira is batting .283 with 30 homers and 86 RBI, including .349 with two outs and runners in scoring position.

"He's a machine, a machine," Nick Swisher said. "You might as well just dump gold all over him at first base. As much as he's a great player on the field, he's a great teammate. I think a lot of people need to pay attention to that. People see the numbers and they see the way he plays. They know how good he is. In my mind, there is nobody in the league that can be considered more of an MVP than him."

It's perhaps too early to start the MVP hype machine -- not that that's stopped the New York media -- but Teixeira probably is the leading candidate for the award with a month and a half to go. Joe Mauer may be having a better year, but his team is not likely to go to the playoffs. The Angels' Kendry Morales, who replaced Teixeira in Anaheim, has been a revelation this year, but he's still not a household name.

Yankee fans still won't be totally satisfied with Teixeira if he fails in the postseason, but so far he's done all you'd expect out of someone earning $20 million annually.

And that's not easy. Especially in New York. Especially when you are hitting .198 on Mother's Day.

When Yankee Nation was getting impatient with Teixeira, he maintained an air of confidence.

"He handled it like a man," Damon said. "He blamed himself for some of the losses. He owned up and said he wasn't playing well. He didn't run from anything."

Part of Teixeira's problem was a wrist injury. The other part was that, for whatever reason, he is a chronically slow starter.

Teixeira's career April average is .249, his lowest of any month. He has hit more than four homers in the season's first month only once, when he hit six in 2005.

"That happens to me every year," he said. "If I knew [why', I'd have already [corrected] it. That's just the kind of player I am. I am going to get off to a slow start, but I turn it on, hopefully it makes up for any sort of slow start."

This year was his worst start, though.

"I think he was trying a little too hard at the beginning," catcher Jorge Posada said. "You didn't know what to expect."

Since hitting his low point, a .191 average on May 12, Teixeira has hit .316 with 23 homers and 69 RBI. He has the most homers in the AL during that span.

"He's been great," Posada said. "He's been the guy that has really made the lineup strong, against righties and lefties. Having him at first base has been unbelievable. No question, he's one of the best first basemen in the league."

Slow Start Firmly in Rearview Mirror, Teixeira Mounts Bid for MVP originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Angels Break Character, Break Out Bats

Andrew Johnson — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Angels, FanHouse Exclusive

BALTIMORE -- These aren't George Bush's Angels.

Something big has changed in Anaheim over the past year, and while it certainly has nothing to do with Bush or Barack Obama, it does have to do with a shift in power.

Namely, the Angels -- that scrappy juggernaut in the AL West known for pitching, defense and the type of speed-oriented offensive game that sets traditionalist hearts aflutter -- have it in spades.

"We're a great hitting team," Angels center fielder Torii Hunter told FanHouse. "We're a better hitting team than a lot [of the others] in the American League."

The best, to be exact.

Los Angeles has scored 679 runs. No team in baseball has crossed the plate more times this year. They rank first in the AL in batting average, second in on-base percentage and third in slugging.

"The offensive side, it's certainly the deepest [team I've ever had]," manager Mike Scioscia said.

That covers a decade at the helm of the Angels, during which Scioscia has won a World Series and taken his team to the playoffs five times. Despite those accomplishments, it's probably not too difficult for Scioscia to make that designation. Since 2002, the year they won the World Series, the Angels have never ranked higher than fourth in the American League in runs scored. Their five playoff teams this decade have ranked 10th (2008), fourth (2007), seventh (2005), seventh (2004) and fourth (2002) in runs, respectively.

In other words, Los Angeles has had some pretty good -- not necessarily great -- hitting ballclubs during its recent run as the class of the AL West. Offense has hardly been the focus in Orange County.

"We're not quite the club we're used to having, but we're certainly scoring runs enough to absorb some issues we have on the pitching side," Scioscia said. "Much like in previous years, we pitched well enough to absorb some of the offensive deficiencies we had."

And that's a big part of what makes these Angels so fascinating.

They can put up nine runs in the 13th inning as they did Sunday in Baltimore. They can follow that with a four-homer night as they did Monday, and as they've done four times since July 27.

It's not that they have one of the best records in baseball that is so surprising, it's that they're doing it by mashing offensively like no one else in the league.

What next? The Cleveland Cavaliers winning the NBA title because of Shaq's free-throw shooting? The Pittsburgh Steelers airing it out with the West Coast offense this September? The Yankees opting for fiscal modesty?

"We had a lot of things going on in April," Hunter said, referring to the death of pitcher Nick Adenhart and the myriad of injuries to starting pitchers. "We were trying to get over all of that, but once May hit, we've just been banging."

Since the end of that nightmarish first month, the Angels have averaged six runs per game. They've been even better over the last 50 games, scoring 350 runs, an average of seven per game.

The last team to be that prolific offensively over a similar span was the 2007 Yankees, who scored 356 runs from July 2 to Aug. 25 of that season. Only two other teams -- the Rockies and Astros in 2000 -- have scored more than 350 runs over a 50-game sample since 2000. The Angels are, quite literally, on the type of offensive tear you only see a handful of times a decade.

"I knew it was gonna be better [this spring]," Scioscia said of the expectations he had for his lineup.

"It's tough to ... project, but these guys have been extremely productive," he added, trying to explain just how good his club's hitting has been.

So what exactly has been the difference?

The Angels, remember, lost Mark Teixeira to free agency this winter. Their only major addition was Bobby Abreu, a very good hitter, but not a traditional middle-of-the-order run producer. They've enjoyed some surprisingly good performances from role players -- Macier Izturis with seven home runs, and five since July 22, chief among them. But they also banished promising second baseman Howie Kendrick to the minors for most of June and have dealt with injuries to key cogs in the lineup, with Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero both missing significant stretches of time.

It's not like everything has fallen perfectly into place.

Heck, they haven't even changed their offensive philosophy. Los Angeles is still one of the top base-stealing teams in the junior circuit. Scioscia still utilizes the hit-and-run. He still encourages his players to go from first to third. And the Angels have sacrificed one fewer time this year than they did last season.

Abreu's patience, Hunter said, has had an enormous impact.

"Adding Bobby Abreu to the lineup, it changed the dynamic," he said. "When you have a guy like that ... who is patient, you wanna be that guy too, and when I do that, the guy behind me wants to do it too, so it's like a domino effect."

There's also the emergence of Kendry Morales at first base, a development that has more than softened the blow of Teixeira's departure.

Morales has 26 home runs and 80 RBI on the season, comparable totals to the Yankees first baseman. He also has a higher batting and slugging average than his predecessor. And, as Hunter eagerly pointed out, he's doing it in a home ballpark where pop flies don't turn into big flies as they often do at Yankee Stadium.

"This guy right here is crushing the ball," Hunter said of Morales.

"Kendry's a guy that we knew he was gonna swing the bat for us," Scioscia said. "I think out of all the things that we talked about this year, the one guy that's been in the middle of the lineup -- probably two guys actually in Kendry Morales and Bobby Abreu -- have really been key to what we're doing on the offensive side.

"You combine what Chone [Figgins] has done in the leadoff role ... it's really been those three guys. ... They've all been terrific."

So terrific that the Angels, in a jarring reversal, now need to worry more about their pitching as they hurtle toward another October with plenty on the line. The knock on Los Angeles the last few years has been that its offense is overmatched against the power arms so prevalent in the postseason. The Angels have averaged 3.25 runs per game in the playoffs since the 2002 World Series, lending further credence to that notion.

"If we can just stay consistent and hit the way we've been the last few months ... I can't explain what we'll be capable of," Hunter said.

Quite a power shift, indeed.

Angels Break Character, Break Out Bats originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Billy Wagner Can Relate to Latest Pitchers Hit by Liners

Ed Price — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:08:00 EST

Filed under: Dodgers, Mets, Rays, MLB Injuries, FanHouse Exclusive

NEW YORK -- Twice in the past week, a pitcher has been hit by a line drive back at him. And Billy Wagner's advice to Hiroki Kuroda of the Dodgers and Darin Downs, a Rays farmhand: You will never completely get over it.

In July 1998, Wagner took a liner off the left side of his head -- while he was on the same mound where Kuroda was felled 11 years later.

"You just have to kind of go straight through and say, 'Hey, I'm going to pitch through it, I'm not going to worry about it,'" Wagner told FanHouse on Tuesday. "But you do have that thought in the back of your mind. I still walk out there, I mean, in a minor-league (rehabilitation) game, you sit there and they call fastball away or something like that, you go, 'Awww.' You think about getting that ball coming back at you. There's no doubt."

Downs, a 24-year-old lefty, was hit Monday night while pitching for Double-A Montgomery (Ala.). The Rays said Tuesday he was still hospitalized and in serious but stable condition.

Kuroda was struck Saturday by a liner from Arizona's Rusty Ryal at the Diamondbacks' Chase Field and is expected to go on the disabled list.

"There's definitely flashbacks when you see that because that's exactly where I got hit," Wagner said.

Kelly Stinnett of the Diamondbacks hit the line drive off Wagner's head at what was then Bank One Ballpark.

"The next morning, I wanted to go home," Wagner recalled. "[The doctor said,] 'The only way you're going home is if you can get out of that wheelchair, walk to me and walk back.' And I got up -- you try to focus on one thing and your eyes are going [wild] -- and I remember walking, and I got there, and I turned around, and walked back and sat down -- and was miserable.

"The vertigo was the worst. Man, I didn't have headaches. I just couldn't walk. My balance was off. And every time you'd go to eat, you'd throw up."

When Wagner finally did fly back to Houston, he remembered being so disoriented coming off the plane that he had to close his eyes, put his hands on the shoulders of teammate Mike Magnante and blindly follow Magnante through the airport.

Wagner was able to return in less than four weeks.

He is currently recovering from the major elbow surgery he underwent last Sept. 10 and is on track to be activated from the Mets' disabled list within the next few days.

Billy Wagner Can Relate to Latest Pitchers Hit by Liners originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:08:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Phil Hughes Finds New Home In 'Pen

Jeff Fletcher — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Yankees, FanHouse Exclusive

OAKLAND -- When Phil Hughes got the call into manager Joe Girardi's office back in early June, he assumed he was headed for the minors.

Again.

But Hughes' young career, one of unmet potential as a starter, took a quick turn that has brought him to the last place he thought he'd be. He is a dominant setup man.

"He's really made the back end of the bullpen that much stronger for us," Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland told FanHouse. "He's done a fabulous job."

Hughes, 23, has been considered one of the Yankees' top starting pitching prospects, but in 28 career starts he has a 5.28 ERA. As a reliever, he's got a 1.35 ERA in 26 games. He has struck out 44 batters and given up 20 hits in 33 1/3 innings.

What gives?

Pretty simple, to hear Hughes tell it.

"You can be a little more aggressive," he said. "Maybe cut out your third or fourth best pitches. I'm not using those as much, mainly fastball and curveball. That part changes a little bit. You obviously don't have much room for error when you are coming out of the bullpen so you tend to not pitch around guys you might as a starter."

As a starter, Hughes fell into a trap that has hurt many young pitchers. He nibbled around the fringes of the strike zone, reluctant to throw the ball over the heart of the plate and let his velocity and movement do the work.

"He wasn't quite trusting his stuff," Eiland said. "It wasn't that he wasn't good enough, but maybe he was giving hitters too much credit, trying to be too fine, falling behind in counts and having to use more of the plate. He was 19, 20 years old. He's matured a lot, mentally and physically. He feels like he belongs here now. Has no fear."

Catcher Jorge Posada said he's been impressed with Hughes' development as a setup man.

"He's accepted the role and took the challenge to do really well," Posada said. "I think he's one of the reasons we are in first place."

Although there are plenty of other factors that go into the Yankees hot streak, it is certainly no coincidence that they've been particularly hot since Hughes went to the bullpen. The Yankees were 29-21 (.580) after Hughes' final start. Since then, they are 45-23 (.661) (prior to Monday).

Because he's pitched so well in this role, Eiland said there is no question that Hughes is going to finish the season as a late-inning reliever. Next year, though, is a different story.

"It wasn't that [Hughes] wasn't good enough, but maybe he was giving hitters too much credit, trying to be too fine."
-- Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland Eiland said the Yankees still view Hughes in the long-term as a starter. Hughes said he also wants to get back into the rotation.

"It's what I'm used to, what I've always done," he said. "I think you get the most value out of a starter, because they give you way more innings. I haven't necessarily proven at the big-league level that I can be a good starter, but I think I have the ability to do that.

"I think this time in the bullpen has helped me to my ultimate goal," he said, "which is to be a starter in the big leagues."

Phil Hughes Finds New Home In 'Pen originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cup Debate Runneth Over in MLB

Jeff Fletcher — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: MLB Injuries, FanHouse Exclusive

OAKLAND -- Infielders and former infielders around the majors have long admired Adrian Beltre for his Gold Glove play at third base.

Now, many of them are looking at Beltre with a different kind of disbelief.

"I can't believe a guy is playing third base without a cup," said White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, a former All-Star shortstop. "That's ballsy. That's a dangerous place, especially third base."

Beltre was hit in the "groin" by a ground ball on Wednesday night, resulting in an injury that landed him on the disabled list. At first there was concern that he might need season-ending surgery. An examination on Friday revealed a "severely contused right testicle." Beltre will rest for a week and then slowly resume baseball activity.

News of Beltre's injury begged the question about how common it is for infielders to play without a cup.

"It's more than you think," A's infielder Bobby Crosby told FanHouse. "I know plenty of guys I've played with who don't wear them. Every time I hear that, I'm surprised."

In fact, the man who stood across the bag, er, across second base, from Crosby for years is one of them. A's second baseman Mark Ellis, a Gold Glove-caliber defender said he's never worn one.

"It's just not comfortable," Ellis said. "If I played third base, I definitely would wear one. It's just the way I like to play. Everyone is different."

The Tigers' Placido Polanco, a Gold Glove winner at second, told FanHouse's Ed Price in Detroit that he doesn't wear a cup.

"It's not comfortable," he said. "It's tough, you know, but you don't think about it till something happens."

Polanco added that "I'm really going to look into that and try to get something that fits, something that's comfortable."

Dodgers trainer Stan Conte said he understands the comfort issue. He said the design of cups has essentially been unchanged for decades. There's really no way to make them effective and comfortable, he said.

"We all joke about guys playing with their (private parts), but really they are adjusting their cup," Conte said. "It's uncomfortable. They pinch you, rub your thighs. You can get rashes."

The consensus seems to be that almost no outfielders wear cups, and all catchers wear them. In between, though, it's a matter of preference. A's trainer Steve Sayles said he believes about 75 percent of infielders wear cups. Conte said he didn't remember working with an infielder who didn't wear one, though.

"They take so many ground balls, it's almost inevitable to get hit," Conte said.

The infielders that do wear them simply shake their heads when learning of those who don't.

"I couldn't DH without a cup," White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko said. "It amazes me even that outfielders play without a cup. I don't think there's been a time, back to Little League, that I didn't wear a cup. I can't even go to the cage or take batting practice or soft-toss without a cup... When you go after ground balls like I do, you'd better wear a cup."

White Sox rookie third baseman Gordon Beckham said: "That's just ridiculous that (Beltre) is not wearing a cup. I guess it's more crazy to me than ridiculous."

A's infielder Nomar Garciaparra said he's always worn one, "but if I didn't, I'm definitely taking ground balls off to the side and not using proper form."

Frank White, a former All-Star second baseman with the Royals, was also in disbelief.

"I think they're nuts (for not wearing a cup)," White said in Detroit. "Especially playing the corners, it's unbelievable. That's the only protection you have as an infielder, is a cup. Sometimes your hands don't move fast enough and you need something else."

Said Tigers third baseman Brandon Inge: "I don't know how people do it. I just don't know. I don't know how you can sacrifice your body, put your body in front of something, if you knew you didn't have a cup on."

Former Orioles shortstop Mark Belanger, one of the best defensive infielders of his era, was known to go cup-less.

"Someone asked him why he doesn't wear a cup and he said 'This is my cup,' and showed his glove," Sayles said. "But you never know what's going to happen with that ball. I'd encourage them to wear one."

Third baseman may be the closest infielders to the plate on most plays, but the pitcher is even closer most of the time. Only about half the pitchers in the big leagues wear cups, according to a few estimates.

A's reliever Mike Wuertz, who said his follow-through doesn't normally leave him vulnerable, and starter Gio Gonzalez both said they go cupless.

"I hated getting rashes on the side of my thigh and it was moving around," Gonzalez said. "I just try not to get hit... Of course (the Beltre incident) makes you think twice. I've been lucky and fortunate. The gods have been on my side."

Josias Manzanillo pitched parts of 11 seasons for eight teams in the big leagues, but he'll likely be remembered for a grisly injury he suffered in 1997. Manzanillo, pitching for the Mariners at the time, took a Manny Ramirez line drive to the groin and had to have surgery to have one of his testicles removed.

A's starter Dallas Braden is one who is taking his chances.

"I just need a loose feel," he said. "It's just one of those things. I wouldn't call it a freak accident, but it has to be a high-percentage shot. If it happens, it happens. I guess you'd be asking me if I'm going to wear a helmet if I get hit in the face with a line drive."

Conte said some players tend to ignore the risk of injury because it's so rare.

"It's never a problem until it is," he said, "but then it's a big problem."

Cup Debate Runneth Over in MLB originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sat, 15 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Legal Greenies? Nick Green Explains Ins, Outs of Therapeutic Use Exemption

Ed Price — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Red Sox, FanHouse Exclusive, MLB PEDs, MLB Inside Scoop

NEW YORK -- Three hours before every Red Sox game, Nick Green takes an amphetamine.

It's legal.

It's within baseball's rules.

And he's not alone.

Amphetamines are banned in baseball, but players can get therapeutic-use exemptions (TUEs), in which they show a medical need for the substance.

It sounds like a perfect loophole. Get a doctor to diagnosis you with attention-deficit disorder and write a prescription, and you can have your greenies.

But as Green tells it, the loophole isn't easily exploited.

"It's kind of a pain in the ass," Green told FanHouse on Sunday. "It's good. It needs to be like that, so people can't buck the system."

"Greenies" have been banned in Major League Baseball since the 2006 season, and their use in the game predates steroids -- and was probably always more prevalent. Players who wouldn't go near steroids took amphetamines without a second thought; given the taxing nature of baseball's schedule, with only a few days off a month, early-morning arrivals in cities and day games after night games, they were considered a near necessity.

And MLB didn't test for stimulants until two years after instituting testing for other performance-enhancing drugs like steroids.

According to the MLB report issued in January, there were 106 TUEs granted for ADD in the 2008 season. And the increase in TUEs from 28 in 2006 to 103 in 2007 got the attention of Congress in its January 2008 steroids hearing.

Green, 30, said he has ADD and has had it "forever" -- since he was a kid growing up outside Atlanta.

"At school I could cram and stuff," he said. "I was fine. I always made good grades. So my mom said, 'Yeah, no problem.'

"Once I got into pro ball, what happens in pro ball is you play every day. So you end up zoning out too much, and if you zone out too much while you're playing, you're done."

So in 2003 Green got a prescription for Adderall. By 2005 he thought he had overcome his problem and stopped taking the drugs. But he hit just .183 after the All-Star break.

He wanted to go back on Adderall in 2006, but in the first year of amphetamine testing the red tape proved too difficut.

Now Green has to visit an MLB-approved doctor every spring training. That doctor even interviewed his family to verify the ADD. And the Adderall prescription has to be written by his team doctor. His TUE has to be renewed every year.

That prevents doctor-shopping and phony diagnoses.

The number of TUEs granted by MLB has drawn criticism, such as from anti-doping expert Gary Wadler to the New York Daily News.

"It seems to me as an internist, that's a disproportionate number of adults with ADD requiring stimulants - roughly 10 percent of the league. I've seen a lot of adults (as patients) and I can count on one hand the number of people I've seen with ADD," said Wadler, who is chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency's Prohibited List and Methods Committee. "Since so many (players) received TUEs, it's crying out for close examination of the TUE process for baseball and how it stacks up against the international standard. I don't know that there's an epidemic of ADD in baseball."

But as Green describes it, MLB makes it hard to fake ADD.

"It's a whole process you have to go through," he said. "They have to, to make it legitimate."

In fact, after Seattle called up Green from Triple-A in 2007, he tested positive for Adderall and he had to enlist the union's help in transferring his minor-league TUE to the major league testing program.

Adderall, according to the Web site of manufacturer Shire, is a "central nervous system stimulant" that includes as its ingredients amphetamine aspartate monohydrate and dextroamphetamine sulfate.

But Green said he doesn't feel taking one every day (he actually takes it only on days he plays) gives him an unfair advantage on the field.

"I've never taken greenies, so I don't know" if Adderall has the same effect, he said. "It helps me focus on the task at hand."

Asked if Adderall gives him extra energy, Green said, "I don't know. I still drink Red Bull and stuff."

He did say the Adderall can keep him up at night, which is why he takes it three hours before game time, since the effects are supposed to last eight hours.

Green has been a pleasant surprise for the Red Sox this year, making the team out of spring training as a non-roster player because Julio Lugo suffered a knee injury and winding up playing shortstop most of the time because of Lugo's ineffectiveness and Jed Lowrie's injuries.

Going into last night's game at Yankee Stadium, Green was batting .232 with five homers and 32 RBI.

"I think he's done a pretty good job," Boston manager Terry Francona said.

Green said he doesn't feel his TUE gives him an unfair advantage. He sees it as a medical necessity.

"I don't think what I take does the same as a greenie," he said.

And he's all for baseball's testing program.

"I think it's fair," he said. "The way I see it is you even out the playing field.

"I think it's a good program. It's tough to beat the system."

Legal Greenies? Nick Green Explains Ins, Outs of Therapeutic Use Exemption originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Whether He's Helping Pujols or Helping Himself, Holliday Having Huge Impact

Ed Price — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:45:00 EST

Filed under: Cardinals, FanHouse Exclusive

NEW YORK -- The Cardinals are the least surprised of anyone at what Matt Holliday has done for them so far.

"Everything he's done for us," St. Louis manager Tony La Russa said, "he did against us. Check his lifetime average against us."

OK.

In 29 career games against the Cards, Holliday has hit .394 with nine homers, 15 RBI, a .475 on-base percentage and a .475 slugging percentage.

In 12 games FOR the Cards, Holliday has hit .447 with three homers, 11 RBI, a .509 on-base percentage and a .766 slugging percentage.

Obviously, there was no adjustment period for Holliday upon being traded from Oakland to St. Louis on July 24.

"There's an excitement factor when you come to a team that's in first place," he told FanHouse. "But once you get in between the lines, you've got to go out there and compete. I do that no matter where I play."

The Cardinals obviously like having Holliday hitting cleanup behind Albert Pujols. Despite being shut out 9-0 Wednesday by the Mets, their runs per game have gone from 4.4 pre-trade to 4.8 with Holliday.

While it's too early to tell how much it can benefit Pujols, there is some evidence that pitchers aren't exactly going right after him just because he has better protection.

In his first 96 games this season, Pujols averaged 3.74 pitches per plate appearance, according to STATS LLC. In 12 games with Holliday behind him, Pujols has seen an average of 4.14 pitches per plate appearance, an 11 percent increase.

"I don't care who's behind me or who's in front of me," Pujols said, defensively. "I've still got to take care of my job. That doesn't make any difference. It's good to have him, but that's it."

As Mets manager Jerry Manuel put it earlier this week, "If I've got a chance to get Holliday or Pujols, I'm getting Holliday. I'm not gonna mess with Pujols."

Manuel had that chance Wednesday, leading 5-0 in the fifth with two out and runners on second and third. But Manuel had Nelson Figueroa pitch to Pujols, and Figueroa hit Pujols with a pitch to load the bases.

Holliday then struck out and slammed his bat to the ground in frustration.

"I'm sure that it doesn't matter who's hitting behind Albert, pitchers are going to be very careful with him," Holliday said. "I'm not sure that Babe Ruth would get him too many more pitches. He's just that dangerous. ... I don't expect them to fire fastballs at him all the time cause I'm hitting behind him.

"It's just a good opportunity for me to hit with runners on base, because he's going to be out there a lot."

Good point. Maybe it's Holliday who's reaping the benefits.

He has come up with a man in scoring position 31 percent of the time as a Cardinal, as opposed to 27 percent of the time as an Athletic.

Holliday said he's busy enough to avoid thinking about the question everyone else in St. Louis is asking: Can the Cardinals keep him beyond this season? Holliday will be a free agent after this winter, and his agent is Scott Boras.

One Cardinals insider said it has been a "total team effort" inside the clubhouse to sell Holliday on the team.

"They've welcomed me and treated me very well," Holliday said. It's a good group of guys, a lot of them are similar to my age and similar in family [situation], so I think it's been a pretty good fit for me."

But there aren't many clues beyond that. Holliday and his family are living out of a hotel in St. Louis and are in the process of selling their house in Colorado, with their next address TBA.

"I don't think it's fair, first of all, to these guys for me to concentrate on anything but what I can do to help the team win today," he said. "You just block it out. There's plenty of time for all that stuff."

At the rate he's been playing for the Cardinals, that next house gets nicer and nicer and the price for Holliday over the winter goes up and up.

Whether He's Helping Pujols or Helping Himself, Holliday Having Huge Impact originally appeared on MLB FanHouse on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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