OT: Spring training stuff

[HornedFrog Purple]

Since there are fans of many different teams that do not live in their respective areas, I thought it would be cool to relate what the local paper(s) are saying about their hometown team.

In the Rangers case, Mark Teixeira is getting a long look at 3rd base (Herbert Perry is dinged up) and Hank Blalock is getting a look at 2nd. Carl Everett is playing in centerfield to see if his wheels will hold up. Juan is looking healthy thus far.

There is talk that they are looking to deal Blalock for pitching.

The rotation is led by "ace" Chan Ho Park :rolleyes: Two guys that might be ok are Joaquin Benoit and Colby Lewis.

Justin Thompson finally was released or maybe sent down. That leaves Francisco Cordero as the only guy that still left from the Juan to Detroit trade, but Cordero looked good last year in their pathetic bullpen.

Looks like another 10-8 game season. :)

[Chief Rum]

Nothing much to add so far for the Angels. We had some of our better players slowed by offseason surgeries, and Aaron Sele looks like he may not pitch until June 1. Washburn suffered a minor arm injury last week, but is expected to be at full strength well before Opening Day.

Angels' prospect Chris Bootcheck is emerging as a possible fill in until Sele comes back, although conventional wisdom among Angels' fans has the spot going to either Matt Wise or Mike Callaway, since they are out of options.

Things seem to be rounding into shape, though.

Chief Rum

[Anrhydeddu]

Pads getting decimated by injuries again. Not a good spring. :(

[McSweeny]

things are looking good for the red sox this year. New and improved bullpen. Several new bats, a solid pitching staff, good defense. What could go wrong? this is the year for sure

[timmyw3]

Teixeira is the real deal, I hope Showalter and Co. give him a shot. He went to my high school and played with my younger brother so I got to see him play just about every game of his high school career. The most dominating player I have ever seen at any level.

As for the hometown O's, they are now just getting past the whole thing surrounding Bechler's death. .500 could be an attainable goal. They just dealt Chris Richard away to Colorado for Jack Cust. Cust could be a beast in time and the DH will do nothing but help. But based on past deals by the team, I fully expect Richard to hit .300 with 30 bombs this year.

It's weird because their roster is packed with guys who have had their moments (Surhoff, Valentin, Helling, etc.) but their isn't any star quality to speak of. The fact that their farm system is abominable doesn't help. One guy to keep an eye on is Gary Matthews Jr. The team went in the tank after he got hurt towards the end of the year. He'll be counted on to patrol CF and could hit .300 with 20 or so homers and could steal 30 bases.

[GoldenEagle]

Originally posted by McSweeny
things are looking good for the red sox this year. New and improved bullpen. Several new bats, a solid pitching staff, good defense. What could go wrong? this is the year for sure

Don't Red Sox fans say that every year?

[Coffee Warlord]

Sosa threw a party for the entire team, Kerry Wood threw 5 shutout innings yesterday, and Prior threw 3 shutout innings a few days ago.

My god, are these the Cubs?

[AgPete]

Originally posted by timmyw3
Teixeira is the real deal, I hope Showalter and Co. give him a shot. He went to my high school and played with my younger brother so I got to see him play just about every game of his high school career. The most dominating player I have ever seen at any level.


That's sweet to hear. I hope "Tex" becomes a star because the Rangers had a bunch in the late 80's and early 90's but haven't produced much lately. I was angry when the Rangers chose Texeira in the draft because of their pitching needs but I can't blame them because he was such a great prospect. If I recall correctly, the Rangers were lucky he dropped to them. Some teams were afraid he would request a J.D. Drew contract. He looks even better if Blalock ends up being a bust. I wish they'd give him some more time though.

[bosshogg23]

Does Blalock really have enough range to be a 2nd baseman?

In the Detroit papers, things are looking real ugly. Dont know who will be on 3rd, 2nd, SS or CF. Let alone the fact that the LF has been injured most of spring. Oh wait I didnt mention that the starting pitching has been horrible outside of a 20 year old. Gonna be a long year. But I still cant wait until the season starts!

[cincyreds]

For us Reds fans, it also the same ol story.....NO PITCHING!

[Neuqua]

Well, to add a few things about the Cubs...

Our pitching has fared very well against the opposition in Spring Training. Mark Prior has had a great spring and I'm looking forward to big things from him.

Bobby Hill went hitless in his first 17 at bats, and has struggled to take control of the 2B which we all hoped he'd do. Lucky for him, Grudzielanek has been hurt and hasn't gotten a chance to outplay Bobby.

1B Hee Seop Choi is absolutely tearing the cover off the ball! We're hoping he can continue this during the season however. This kid can be a stud in a couple years. Baseball Prospectus compared him to a young Carlos Delgado.

Those are a couple of notes which have stood out so far in Spring Training. I'm not sure what to think of about the upcoming season. We have one of the best pitching staffs in the league, however our offense has numerous question marks.

Neuqua

[daedalus]

Does Blalock really have enough range to be a 2nd baseman?

I would guess it has more to do with the comparisons of Texeira-vs-Young (production) and Blalock-vs-Texeira (athletically). Based on their respective abilities and potential return, having Texeira in the lineup probably seem superior to Young. So, they chose to go with the combination of Blalock-Texeira over Young-Blalock. Blalock is suppose to be more athletic and, therefore, should be more able to cope with the change better than Texeira. I also think Kent's and Boone's success have made people more willing to trade bat for glove at 2B now than before. I'm surprised they didn't go with Texeira at 1B and Blalock at 3B, though.

Nothing much to add so far for the Angels.

By the way, who is suppose to be replacing Palmeiro as the 4th OF?

[Chief Rum]

Originally posted by daedalus
By the way, who is suppose to be replacing Palmeiro as the 4th OF?

Eric Owens will clearly be the fourth outfielder, from what I noted when he signed and what I have heard since then. Last year, we carried two extra OFs in the postseason in Palmeiro and Ochoa, so we may keep a fifth again to start this year.

If we do, it might be Robb Quinlan, who had a great season at AAA and may eventually start in RF with the Kingfish going to DH. But that won't happen this year. We might also just continue to carry Figgins, who isn't an outfielder but may be the fastest guy in the organization.

My bet is we will wing it with the backups early on, since position players usually get into the groove pretty quick, and we'll carry an extra arm instead of the fifth outfielder. This is particularly needed if we don't want to lose Wise or Callaway, who both need to make the major league roster or get cut.

Chief Rum

[bbor]

In Blue Jay camp they have 3 guys named Juan....2 named paul....1 carlos....and the rest are guys with uncommon names....such is life in the small market.

[Swaggs]

The latest in Pirates news...

There is still speculation that Kenny Lofton may end up signing with the Bucs within the next week. If he is signed, Brian Giles will probably move to center, with Lofton moving to LF (to accomadate the larger and more difficult OF spot at PNC Park).

The top four starters are set with Kris Benson, Josh Fogg, Kip Wells, and Jeff Suppan. Among those vying for the fifth spot are Brian Meadows, Julian Tavarez, and Saloman Torres. Nice prospects...for 1993. :)

296 pound 1B prospect Walter Young hammered the ball all Spring, but was sent to the minor league camp over the weekend. He is going to be a big time homerun hitter...in two or three years.

[JeeberD]

Anyone have any news from Houston?

[GrantDawg]

Well, the Braves have completely overhauled the pitching staff, and have the best ERA of the spring (2.11, a full run lower than anyone else). So, we should make the playoffs again and lose in the first round.

[bigdawg2003]

Jeeber

Me and my pops are headed for Florida Thursday night and be taking in 2 games against Toronto and Cleveland. Cant wait

[JeeberD]

Sweet. Let me know how Bidge looks in CF...