January 2009
Wieters to ride bench?
The Orioles signed Gregg Zaun the other day to a $1.5 million deal with a couple options. Andy McPhail, Orioles President, indicated Zaun will likely be the Opening Day starter. So it begs the question, what is Matt Wieters’s future? Everything pointed to Wieters getting a shot in spring training. Now, I am not saying he will not get a shot, but do you really want a top prospect sitting on the bench splitting time? If you’re the Orioles, do you want a $1.5 million guy sitting on the bench if Wieters beats him on in spring training? It could be that the Orioles need an insurance policy incase Wieters does not pan out. It could also be that the Orioles are looking for a mentor to help the Mr. Wieters along. Either way, with the Orioles floundering in a very strong division, what do you have to loose by putting you top prospect, in fact arguably the top prospect in all of baseball, out there to see what he can do and what you have. I guess we are going to find out in April. http://www.MiLBRadio.com
Minor League Game, Major League Fun!
We had Benjamin Hill on the show last night from MiLB.com and he writes a blog here at MLBlogs. We discussed the business of minor league baseball including wacky and wild promotions of the minor leagues. If you have a minor league team in your neighborhood, whether affiliated or independent, you really should check it out. The games are fun, the promotions are fun, and the environment is fun. A affordable good night for the family. It is the true baseball spirit. http://www.MiLBRadio.com
The Hall is Closed, Will be back January 2010
One thing I really like about the Hall of Fame vote is that it is in January. Everyone is talking about baseball right now which is a great thing. Controversy can be good. It gets people talking, thinking, and looking at things from a different point of view. It is important to challenge the BBWAA writers on their ballots. Not that my opinion is better than theirs or anyone for that matter, it is important to hear why they may have voted yes on one and not another and then to talk about it. Do I think Blyleven should be in, absolutely. Are there others, of course. But the fact that we are talking about it is the bigger issue. The Hall of Fame is definitely and “exclusive club” voted on by members of an “exclusive club.” But it is their “club” and they make the rules and determine who will be in it and vote on it. Until that changes, let’s talk it up.
One other thing, I commend the members of the BBWAA who have the guts to stand up and defend their ballot no matter what criticism they take. I may disagree with you, but you have earned my respect.
When is it time to take off the training wheels?
Jonathon Mayo wrote a nice article about Cleveland Indians’ prospect Adam Miller who is currently pitching in the Caribbean League (here is a link to the article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090109&content_id=3738912&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb). In the article, Mayo quoted Cleveland Indians’ farm director Ross Atkins saying “We are as conservative as any team when it comes to that. We don’t over-expose anyone.” This is in regard to Miller’s progress which has been hampered by injury. Miller is 24 and has been at triple A the past 2 seasons due to this injury. Now, having nothing specifically to do with Miller, but it made me pounder the question “When do you say enough is enough, go out there and play or move on?” Yes, I realize it is complicated sometime but Mike Knapper from MiLBRadio.com who is a huge Indians fan has seen prospects in the Indians system that are “has beens” before they even make it to the Majors. So, if a player is healthy, the scouts say he can do the job, the experts all agree, when is the right time to pull the trigger and give a kid a shot? Hopefully for Mr. Miller (and Knapper) that will happen in spring training 2009 as the Indians open up a beautiful new spring training facility in Arizona. http://www.MiLBRadio.com
The National Baseball Minor League Hall of Fame?
As the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) gets set to elect members into their Hall of Fame, I noticed across the wire that some minor league teams have their own “Hall of Fame.” Now, I am sure anyone appreciate being selected to any Hall of Fame, I know I would. I am sure as baseball players begin there career toward “The Show”, the last thing on their mind is a Minor League Hall of Fame. I looked for a “National” minor league Hall of Fame. Apparently there is not one. I may have to look into to possibility of starting a Minor League Hall of Fame. In my world, the Minor League Hall of Fame would concentrate more on people and not players. You know the people who put countless hours in season after season to allow their local community to enjoy a piece of professional baseball pie. The people who get paid mere pennies to give the “Future Major Leaguer” a place and opportunity to improve his skills. My hats of to you, keep up the great work and maybe someday I will come knocking on your door. http://www.MiLBRadio.com
Triple A Retreads vs. Double A Prospects
As we work our way closer and closer to the magic words “pitcher and catchers report” we continue to see teams scramble to find cheap talent trying to catch lighting in a bottle, signing the old and the young to minor league deals. Teams seem to put major league veterans that are either down and out or never were in Triple A and keep their highest prospects in Double A. This is a trend that has been going on for a while. So, if you are planning a minor league trip this summer, decide if you want to see former MLB players trying to get back, or young prospects trying to get there period. http://www.MiLBRadio.com
MLB 2009 Free Agents: What have you done for me lately?
If you look at the free agent wire, you see the likes of future Hall of Famers Griffey, Hoffman, and Smoltz on it to name a few. Now, there is no doubt that these players will end up signing somewhere if not by the end of the day today. It goes to show, no matter how good you were in the 90s or even last year, teams tend to ask the question “What have you done for me lately?” Even though a player may have HOF credentials, teams are steering clear of a “has been” or a “project” at least up until now. Just wait until February when they realize their roster has gaping holes and/or their off season plans did not materialize as planned. That “has been” or “project” may look very good. http://www.MiLBRadio.com
One of Baseball’s Good Guys
Not really minor league related but I see that the Angels gave Mike Scioscia a contract extension. I think this is a great move. Mike Scioscia has had success since day one with the Angels. He may have only one World Series win under his belt, but that is one more than a majority of managers in MLB history. He has the Angels either in the playoffs or at the very least, knocking on the door during his tenure. All that baseball aside, I think this is a great move because Mike Scioscia is a real good guy, one of the best in baseball. Spring training of 2006, I am in Angels minor league camp. The Angels have a night game so there are no major league players around. As I am on the back fields, I see a man walking around the fields not in a baseball uniform, talking to players and coaches. As I get closer, I recognize the man as Scioscia. As he walked off the field, I approached him as I wanted to complement him on his handling of the umpiring situation in the ALCS against the White Sox the previous year. He could not have been a nicer man. We talk for about 10 min. At this time I was just a fan, not a member of the media, just John Q fan and he treated me with respect. One of the biggest things that really stood out to me, when I introduced myself, he extended his had to mine to shake it. I wish all people in baseball where of the same caliber as Mike Scioscia. http://MiLBRadio.com
Good Player, Good Manager?
Does a Hall of Fame Player equate to Hall of Fame Manager? It seems that the top managers in the game are middle of the road MLB players or guys who never made it to the “Show.” Sure, MLB Hall of Fame players try their hand in managing but it is hard to find one who was truly successful. Superstars are busy playing the game, while your middle of the road guys are busy learning the game. It will be interesting to track the managerial career of Ryne Sandberg to see if he breaks this trend. I will also be waiting and wondering if future Hall of Famer Greg Maddux has management in his future.
Tonight’s Show is awesome. 10:00pm central, http://www.MiLBRadio.com . We recap 2008 including:
MLB Hall of Fame Ryne Sandberg, Former MLB Manager/Player Art Howe, 2008 Olympians Dexter Fowler and Trevor Cahill, 2008 Futures Game Participant Elvis Andrus, Oakland A’s Minor League Pitching Coach Scott “Emo” Emerson, All Star and Chicago Cubs Minor League Manager Catcher Jodi Davis, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Minor League Manager Keith Johnson, Former Yankee and Minor League Manager Luis Sojo, Midwest League Manager of the Year Mark Haley, Kansas City Royals #1 prospect Mike Moustakas, Oakland A’s Minor League Manager Aaron Nieckula, Former MLB and Texas Ranger System Coach Scott Coolbaugh, Texas Ranger Catching prospect Taylor Teagarden, 4 time All Star and San Diego Padres Minor League Coach Terry Kennedy, Former Texas Rangers GM and current broadcaster Tom Grieve, MLB Network Anchor Victor Rojas, former MLB Catcher Jim Sundberg, and South Bend Silver Hawk Baseball.
4 + 6 = 11 ?????? MLB Mathematics
Ever wonder why there are 30 teams in baseball, yet the National league has 16 teams and the American League has 14 teams? If the Brewers were still in the AL then things could even up division wise and things could be fair for all teams. As most of you know, MLB baseball is not about being fair it is about making money. The only reason the Brewers moved to the NL was because “Uncle Bud” wanted to generate more money for his former team which, at that time, was owned by a family member. Let’s look at it from a simple common sense approach. 30 teams, 2 leagues, 3 divisions. Now, I may not be the world’s best mathematician, but using “common sense” wouldn’t 15 teams each league and 5 teams each division be more appropriate? I guess I don’t have the big picture. That is one of things about Minor League Baseball that I like. Even though clubs need to make money to survive, it is not always about the money. Many of the players will never see the lights of a MLB stadium unless they are in the stands yet they show up everyday and give it there all. I tip my cap to the MLB players who give the same effort the way they did in A ball. It makes for a better game. http://www.MiLBRadio.com
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