2012 MLB Thread (Cabrera Gets Triple Crown, first since Yaz 1967)

[Swaggs]

I would have rather had a college power bat (not sure that any truly exist in this draft and/or at the Pirates' pick), but I'm pretty good with the Appel pick.

I figure they have a pretty good relationship with Boras, have some leverage (Appel's only option is to return for his senior season, re-enter what is considered a deeper draft, and then have zero leverage next year as far as returning to school), and if he doesn't sign they can pick up the #9 pick in a better draft.

Adding Appel to Cole, Tailon, and Heredia is pretty sweet. Hopefully, one or more of them can develop into legitimate #1s and one or two can at least become solid big leaguers.

[henry296]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

You should watch some Giants games.

If they can win a World Series like the Giants, I'll take it.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

I would have rather had a college power bat (not sure that any truly exist in this draft and/or at the Pirates' pick), but I'm pretty good with the Appel pick.

I figure they have a pretty good relationship with Boras, have some leverage (Appel's only option is to return for his senior season, re-enter what is considered a deeper draft, and then have zero leverage next year as far as returning to school), and if he doesn't sign they can pick up the #9 pick in a better draft.

Adding Appel to Cole, Tailon, and Heredia is pretty sweet. Hopefully, one or more of them can develop into legitimate #1s and one or two can at least become solid big league 3rd basemen.

fixed.

[JonInMiddleGA]

A's 10-0 over the Rangers through 7 innings ... but it might be worth checking in on for the last six outs for Texas.

[stevew]

Jinxed it

[Logan]

Am I cross-thread quoting? You're god damn right I am!

Originally Posted by Logan

Just noticed this thread for the first time. Not sure if it's a very big story in other conferences (and I know the Big East isn't the top of the sport), but former Rutgers football player Patrick Kivlehan went out for the baseball team this year after finishing his football career. He hadn't played since high school, and ended up making the team.

All he did from there was win the first Triple Crown in conference history and earn Big East Player of the Year honors.

Originally Posted by britrock88

Wonder where he might get drafted.

3rd pick of the 4th round to Seattle. Pretty great story. Believe he went higher than local guys were expecting.

[fantom1979]

Originally Posted by Butter_of_69

I am pretty sure I was at CJ Nitkowski's first major league start for the Reds in '95. Totally the unforgettable experience you've imagined.

Reds must have knows that he sucked pretty early on. They traded him after 7 big league starts to the Tigers. It was only 13 months after they drafted him 9th overall. The Reds did all right in that trade. They got David Wells and they went to the NLCS that year.

For the Tigers, that was Sparky's last year, and the beginning of one of the worst losing stretches in team history.

[rowech]

Originally Posted by JPhillips

Has Homer Bailey finally become a reliable starter? He probably won't ever be an ace, but aside from a couple of bad outings he's been a solid 3 or 4 starter this year.

Nope. Bailey and Stubbs are the two most frustrating players I've ever had to root for.

[Vince, Pt. II]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

I would have rather had a college power bat (not sure that any truly exist in this draft and/or at the Pirates' pick), but I'm pretty good with the Appel pick.

I figure they have a pretty good relationship with Boras, have some leverage (Appel's only option is to return for his senior season, re-enter what is considered a deeper draft, and then have zero leverage next year as far as returning to school), and if he doesn't sign they can pick up the #9 pick in a better draft.

Adding Appel to Cole, Tailon, and Heredia is pretty sweet. Hopefully, one or more of them can develop into legitimate #1s and one or two can at least become solid big leaguers.

The girl I'm dating taught Appel in High School, and they're still in regular contact. She hasn't spoken to him since the draft, but she tells me he's an amazing kid and deserves all that's coming to him. And he's apparently super good at Risk, for what that's worth

[stevew]

great.

Hopefully Appel tells Boras that he doesn't want to spend the next 12 months playing Risk in the independent league, and to sign a reasonable offer(5.5m or thereabouts).

This new slotting thing will fuck Appel pretty hard, especially when he could have gotten somewhere around 9million if he was the first pick(slot was 7.2, presumably they could have added a bit extra)

[spleen1015]

Originally Posted by stevew

great.

Hopefully Appel tells Boras that he doesn't want to spend the next 12 months playing Risk in the independent league, and to sign a reasonable offer(5.5m or thereabouts).

This new slotting thing will fuck Appel pretty hard, especially when he could have gotten somewhere around 9million if he was the first pick(slot was 7.2, presumably they could have added a bit extra)

He can go back to school, right? He won't, but he can and then get picked higher next year.

[stevew]

I'd assume he could go back to school, but it's hard to say whether or not he needs/will need to take a line of credit from Boras. Almost nobody goes back for that senior year.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by stevew

great.

Hopefully Appel tells Boras that he doesn't want to spend the next 12 months playing Risk in the independent league, and to sign a reasonable offer(5.5m or thereabouts).

This new slotting thing will fuck Appel pretty hard, especially when he could have gotten somewhere around 9million if he was the first pick(slot was 7.2, presumably they could have added a bit extra)

I don't see any way the Pirates can offer near $5.5M with the new rules.

I think the slot is like $2.9M. I have seen estimates that, with their "signability" picks, they could free up another $500K and then they can spend up to 5% more (total, from all slots 1-10, but they will have to pay a "tax") before getting penalized their first round pick next year. I think the most they could offer is something like $3.7M - $3.8M. Anything more and they lose next season's #1 AND are unable to sign a number of players taken this season.

This kid looks good, but in MLB, very few draftees are worth two #1s and multiple top 10 picks. Too much risk involved.

I'd rather sign their other top 10 picks and have two #1s next season (they would get #9 overall if he doesn't sign -- unless someone above him also does not sign). Plus they would have the slot money for two #1s next season, so they could play around with bonuses a lot more.

Incidentally, they took a prep RHP named Walker Buehler in the 14th round that was #50 according to Baseball America, but fell due to signability. There is some thought that they might be able to use that extra $500K-$800K on him if Appel plays too tough. Picks after the tenth round are apparently slotted at $100K max, so they could use that money and get him in the $500K-$900K range, which is essentially 2nd round territory.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by spleen1015

He can go back to school, right? He won't, but he can and then get picked higher next year.

Originally Posted by stevew

I'd assume he could go back to school, but it's hard to say whether or not he needs/will need to take a line of credit from Boras. Almost nobody goes back for that senior year.

He can go back to school, but he would have several factors working against him. Next year's draft is considered much deeper, he will have another year of wear and tear on him, many of the teams that passed on him this year will be picking in similar spots next year, he will presumably still have Boras as his agent, and he will no longer have the leverage of going back to school. When you add the factor of injury-risk, it is hard to see him getting a whole lot more than what the Pirates will have to offer this year.

Correia will apparently get somewhere in the $5M-$6M range (MLB Trade Rumors says $5M) as the #1 overall this year.

If Appel returns, he would essentially have to be taken in the top 4 next season for him to receive more than $3.5M for his draft slot (and that is if he would be given the full draft slot).

Here is a table with the slots:http://www.mymlbdraft.com/2012-mlb-draft-slot-values

[Swaggs]

Triple Dola... Here are the new rules that go along with the slotting system:

Rule 4 Draft
1. The draft is still held in June, but the signing deadline has been moved to between July 12 and July 18th, depending on All-Star Game date.

2. Only Minor League contract are allowed to be signed.

3. Signing bonus pools

a. “Each Club will be assigned an aggregate Signing Bonus Pool prior to each draft. For the purpose of calculating the Signing Bonus Pools, each pick in the first 10 rounds of the draft has been assigned a value. (These values will grow each year with the rate of growth of industry revenue.) A Club’s Signing Bonus Pool equals the sum of the values of that Club’s selections in the first 10 rounds of the draft. Players selected after the 10th round do not count against a Club’s Signing Bonus Pool if they receive bonuses up to $100,000. Any amounts paid in excess of $100,000 will count against the Pool.”

b. Penalties for exceeding the Signing Bonus Pool are:
Excess of Pool Penalty - (Tax on Overage/Draft Picks)
* 0-5% - 75% tax on overage
* 5-10% - 75% tax on overage and loss of 1st round pick
* 10-15% - 100% tax on overage and loss of 1st and 2nd round picks
* 15%+ - 100% tax on overage and loss of 1st round picks in next two drafts


4. Draft picks that are forfeited will be given to other teams through a lottery. Odds are based on prior season’s winning percentage and prior season’s revenue. Only teams that don’t exceed the Signing Bonus Pools are eligible for the lottery.

5. Competitive Balance Lottery
a. For the first time, Clubs with the lowest revenues and in the smallest markets will have an opportunity to obtain additional draft picks through a lottery.

b. The ten Clubs with the lowest revenues, and the ten Clubs in the smallest markets, will be entered into a lottery for the six draft selections immediately following the completion of the first round of the draft. A Club’s odds of winning the lottery will be based on its prior season’s winning percentage.

c. The eligible Clubs that did not receive one of the six selections after the first round, and all other payee Clubs under the Revenue Sharing Plan, will be entered into a second lottery for the six picks immediately following the completion of the second round of the draft. A Club’s odds of winning the lottery will be based on its prior season’s winning percentage.

d. Picks awarded in the Competitive Balance Lottery may be assigned by a Club, subject to certain restrictions.

e. Top 200 prospects will be subject to a pre-draft drug test and will participate in a pre-draft medical program.

[stevew]

I got the 5.5m figure from a blog that was basically building in the fact that we would probably punt the 2nd and/or 3rd rounder, as well as the fact that we took multiple college seniors in the top 10 picks(at least 3). We can free up a ton of money with them. I'd assume we talked to some agents for guys in rounds 3-6....those guys will be lucky to get half slot if they want a contract. Maybe 5.5 is optimistic, but I'd imagine the line will be somewhere between 4 and 5 million where we don't budge.

We also lose access to the competitive balance picks by being a taxpayer I think.

I guess, in conclusion, I will be happy to waste a few picks this year but am probably unwilling to give up future #1's for him. Hopefully Boras plays ball, and if not the #9 pick next year will be okay.

[Crapshoot]

Reds fans, think you'll enjoy this BP piece (another one) on Billy Hamilton:

Baseball Prospectus | Punk Hits: The Most Interesting Man in the Minors

[SackAttack]

Always my favorite part of the draft as children of former big leaguers start getting drafted.

Jordan Hershiser and Jose Vizcaino, Jr to the Dodgers, Cameron Gibson to the Diamondbacks, Rustin Sveum (son of Dale, I believe) to the Cubs.

[Ksyrup]

Orioles drafted Ripken's kid.

[Suicane75]

How much longer does Moyer have to hang around till he can play with his grand kid?

[henry296]

One thing about not signing Appel is that the Pirates 6.6MM budget drops by his 2.9MM slot so they only have 4.7MM for all other draftees.

[Lathum]

The pitching matchup in the Mets-Nats game today may be the funniest thing I have ever seen

[Ksyrup]

Maybe they can get The Big Unit to throw out the first pitch.

[lordscarlet]

Originally Posted by Lathum

The pitching matchup in the Mets-Nats game today may be the funniest thing I have ever seen

I'm going to the game.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by lordscarlet

I'm going to the game.

Watch out for balls.

[Suicane75]

Originally Posted by Lathum

The pitching matchup in the Mets-Nats game today may be the funniest thing I have ever seen

I giggled when i saw that as well. Now all I need is for Wang to face Wood.

[Ksyrup]

We had a good chuckle over this one years ago. The article is still up, but the title has been changed slightly.

Untested freshman gets nod vs. Gamecocks - College Football - ESPN

It used to read, "Nutt yanks Johnson, Dick in and ready for Cocks"

And then we had all sorts of fun after that:


Nutt yanks Johnson, Dick in and ready for Cocks - Front Office Football Central

---

[Swaggs]

Some good stuff in here:

2012 MLB Draft: The 21 Best Names, From Storm Throne To Skye Bolt - SB Nation Pittsburgh

I like John Bushyhead the best.

[SackAttack]

A four-game sweep of the Phillies in Philly? I'll take it.

[Rizon]

I think someone took Wang deep in that Mets/Nationals game.

[stevew]

Something is wrong with Hanrahan this year. Still, always nice to take 2 of 3 from the Reds.

[Crapshoot]

The Pirates just scored the 1st earned run Chapman has given up... all year. That's amazing.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by stevew

Something is wrong with Hanrahan this year. Still, always nice to take 2 of 3 from the Reds.

Need to sell on him soon.

Grilli and Cruz can do the job for us and, based on some of the deals for relievers last season, Hanrahan is worth 1-2 good, young players (hopefully a starting caliber 1B or corner OF).

[Swaggs]

Looks like the #1 overall pick Carlos Correia took $4.8M to sign (slot was $7.2M) and #5 overall pick Kyle Zimmer (who is also a SP and college junior) took $3M (slot was $3.5M for the #5 pick).

I'm not sure what Appel will be expecting, but it is hard to envision him getting a whole lot more than Zimmer. I'm thinking that, unless he wants to take a principled stand against the new draft system (not out of the question with Boras advising him) or he thinks he can definitely be #1 or #2 next season, he might have little choice but to sign for slot ($2.9M).

[Swaggs]

Dola...

it is kind of nice seeing the elite guys sign so quickly and start playing. For the position players and high school players, getting the early start should be really beneficial to their careers (and in allowing teams to assess them).

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by Ksyrup

And then we had all sorts of fun after that:



Nutt yanks Johnson, Dick in and ready for Cocks - Front Office Football Central

---

Pumpy's "Check your PMs" post may be the funniest thing I've read on here in a while...

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Need to sell on him soon.

Grilli and Cruz can do the job for us and, based on some of the deals for relievers last season, Hanrahan is worth 1-2 good, young players (hopefully a starting caliber 1B or corner OF).

Last year could have gotten the Mike Adams deal; this year, because he's an FA, and because there is no draft comp for guys traded mid-season, I think it will be worth less, IMO. Hanrahan might get you a solid starting pitching prospect, but the Pirates have a ton of those.

[stevew]

Hanrahan still is arb eligible one more time, so we might be able to get something pretty good for him. The problem might be that we will hold on to him if we think we can win the central. He's a great guy, but smaller budget teams like the Pirates should never have a high price closer.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Dola...

it is kind of nice seeing the elite guys sign so quickly and start playing. For the position players and high school players, getting the early start should be really beneficial to their careers (and in allowing teams to assess them).

Everyone will be signed within the next 37 days. I actually wish the deadline was more like 6/30.

Thinking of going to the NYP all star game this year. Hopefully there will be some future stars.

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by stevew

Hanrahan still is arb eligible one more time, so we might be able to get something pretty good for him. The problem might be that we will hold on to him if we think we can win the central. He's a great guy, but smaller budget teams like the Pirates should never have a high price closer.

Huh, my bad. I think you'll get a good price. Not Mike Adams good (two legitimate starting pitching prospects), but good.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I notice that the Braves & Blue Jays are at least a couple of innings behind most of the evening games on the scoreboard, so I check the box score to see if maybe there was a rain delay in Atlanta or something.

Through 5 innings it's 1-0 Braves. Only run scored in the 3rd on a bases loaded walk. Through 5, Beachy has thrown 95 pitches (57 str), Drabek has thrown 93 (50 str). Just struck me as kind of an odd pitcher's duel

[stevew]

I'm sure there's nothing wrong with Santana, but might want to have a jet to Alabama available.

[stevew]

For a journeyman, Jason Grilli is in beast mode. 37Ks in 21 innings

[bronconick]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Looks like the #1 overall pick Carlos Correia took $4.8M to sign (slot was $7.2M) and #5 overall pick Kyle Zimmer (who is also a SP and college junior) took $3M (slot was $3.5M for the #5 pick).

I'm not sure what Appel will be expecting, but it is hard to envision him getting a whole lot more than Zimmer. I'm thinking that, unless he wants to take a principled stand against the new draft system (not out of the question with Boras advising him) or he thinks he can definitely be #1 or #2 next season, he might have little choice but to sign for slot ($2.9M).

Well, whatever the hell he was doing in the 4th inning tonight in Tallahassee sure isn't going to help his cause. Damn near went Rick Ankiel.

[rowech]

Suicide squeeze with 38 year old Cairo on 3rd for the Reds win.

Great slide by him.

[stevew]

Mariners game----

[JonInMiddleGA]

Congrats to the Mariners, a 6 pitcher combined no-hitter

[Lathum]

Nice!

My favorite team and the team of the city I live in get no hitters a week apart!

[k0ruptr]

Well thats an interesting way to get a no hitter.

[stevew]

After another "No hitter" and that shaky at best "perfect game", can someone go pitch a legitimate one?