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2008 MLB Season

I have grown to like Joe Buck doing football, but he is horrible at baseball. There is something I just don't like about Joe Morgan and John Miller. And don't get me started on Chris Berman....back back back back....
 
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Players' union leader Donald Fehr would consider approving blood testing for human growth hormone if there were a valid, efficient procedure for determining its use over an extended period.

Under baseball's collective bargaining agreement, urine tests for performance-enhancing substances are administered, although HGH cannot be detected in current urine tests. The World Anti-Doping Agency says a blood test for HGH will be used at the Beijing Olympics, but no validated blood test for HGH currently is commercially available.

"If and when a blood test is available and it can be signed and validated by people other than those that are trying to sell it to you, then we'd have to take a hard look at it," Fehr said Thursday. "We'd have to see what it is and try to make a judgment as to whether it is fair and appropriate."

Such a test would have to be agreed upon in discussions between owners and the union.

New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter said this month he "wouldn't mind" a blood test for HGH, and several of his teammates echoed that stance.

"I haven't talked to Derek about it, but my guess is if something is there, it works and it wouldn't be too bothersome, I'd think about it," Fehr said. "I guess a lot of people would. But that depends on what it is and how it's done."

Fehr made the comments after meeting with the Baltimore Orioles, his first step in a planned journey to discuss union issues with all 30 major league teams. Twenty-four hours earlier, Fehr was in Washington in front of a House subcommittee that is seeking to legislate drug-testing policies for U.S. professional sports leagues.

"It was a straightforward hearing. They had some things they wanted to ask," Fehr said.

Asked to assess the public's perception of the sport in the wake of accusations that superstars Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens used performance-enhancing drugs, Fehr said, "If one of our friends does something terrible, we don't assume that the rest of our friends are going to do that. Having said that, we have some fundamental principles in this country, and one of those is innocent until proven guilty. We've got to remember that, and we've got to pay attention to that."
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http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3269085
 
i personally think the hgh testing is a bad idea, not because it will catch the cheaters, but it could start a slippery slope of blood testing for the average, which means companies have a copy of your dna (leading to gene discrimination and all of that). i think a sole hgh test needs to be in first before we start this, otherwise, it could be going the wrong way.
 
furcalchick said:
i personally think the hgh testing is a bad idea, not because it will catch the cheaters, but it could start a slippery slope of blood testing for the average, which means companies have a copy of your dna (leading to gene discrimination and all of that). i think a sole hgh test needs to be in first before we start this, otherwise, it could be going the wrong way.
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Gene discrimination? I wouldn't worry. Besides, maybe someone could make another Rafael Furcal for the Braves.
 
Bartolo Colon is on the Red Sox now? Geez, when did this one happen, totally flew under my radar. Maybe that minor league contract he accepted will turn out well for us this year. Good potential for reward without a whole lot of risk, seems like a pretty good move for the Sox, especially if Schilling is done. Man, he could stand to lose a few pounds though.
 
rhsgolfer33 said:
Bartolo Colon is on the Red Sox now? Geez, when did this one happen, totally flew under my radar. Maybe that minor league contract he accepted will turn out well for us this year. Good potential for reward without a whole lot of risk, seems like a pretty good move for the Sox, especially if Schilling is done. Man, he could stand to lose a few pounds though.
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just the other day...
 
Isn't it a minor league deal. Don't forget that Colon is not the healthiest of players.

And enjoy,
Hank Steinbrenner has provided his share of Boss-like comments in the offseason, his first as one of the principal leaders running the New York Yankees.

The latest, no doubt, will send Boston Red Sox fans into a frenzy.

Steinbrenner, apparently trying to emphasize that he has no fear of the Yankees' American League competition, has amped up the rivalry between the two teams, intentionally or not.

"Red Sox Nation?" What a bunch of [expletive] that is," he said in an interview with The New York Times' Play magazine. "That was a creation of the Red Sox and ESPN, which is filled with Red Sox fans.

"Go anywhere in America and you won't see Red Sox hats and jackets, you'll see Yankee hats and jackets. This is a Yankee country. We're going to put the Yankees back on top and restore the universe to order."
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Hank is the best.:p
 
MacNut said:
Isn't it a minor league deal. Don't forget that Colon is not the healthiest of players.

And enjoy,Hank is the best.:p
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Yeah it is a minor league deal, but I'm sure if he's needed and he is feeling health and pitching well they'll bring him up. Like I said, it could work out to be a great deal, or he may just end up in the minors all year long, either way, at $1.2 million I think it was a pretty good deal.

Hank is nuts, I have to say it does make me laugh that he is in denial about Red Sox nation. I see like 1 Yankee hat for every 4 Red Sox hats, especially at my college. Other places it's a little less favorable to the Sox, maybe 2 Sox hats for every 1 Yankees hat, this will probably change if the Red Sox keeping winning World Series though. Pretty soon everyone will hate us just like they hate the Yankees.
 
Someone explain this to me.
The Boston Red Sox and closer Jonathan Papelbon agreed Thursday to a $775,000, one-year contract, nearly doubling his salary.
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I am a proclaimed Red Sox hater but isn't that a slap in the face? Why don't the Red Sox give him a big deal?
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3280428
Papelbon earned $425,550 last season, when he had 37 saves in 40 opportunities and a 1.85 ERA, then saved three of the four World Series games against Colorado. He hoped to get a multiyear deal but had no leverage. He said he wanted to set a salary standard for future outstanding closers.
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How does he not have leverage?? He saved their season.

And why did they not want to give him multiple years?
 
I hope my Braves can win the division again (unlike the last two years). With Santana going to the Mets, I think they will have a hard time topping them. If Hampton can pitch 140 plus inning and keep an ERA less than 4.5 then we have a decent shot I think. I'll be there opening day (home opener) so I'm excited to see either Smoltz or Hudson bring home a win against the Pirates.
 
MacNut said:
Someone explain this to me.I am a proclaimed Red Sox hater but isn't that a slap in the face? Why don't the Red Sox give him a big deal?
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3280428How does he not have leverage?? He saved their season.

And why did they not want to give him multiple years?
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It has to do with the rights as a player with less than 4-5 years (I think) experience. Basically they aren't eligible to be a FA until then so the clubs pretty much own their butts and can under pay them. At some point (3 years maybe?) they are eligible for salary arbitration and can start to command some big bucks if the artitation is ruled in their favor. The Braves are doing the same thing with Jeff Francoeur this year. He signed a one year less than a million contract. He's up for arbitration next year though; where he will get paid some big bucks. These types of actions by the clubs is pretty much standard.
 
furcalchick said:
dodger fans i think should be concerned about andruw's weight. for reference, at 220, we told andruw that he should lose some weight. this could be a big bust for the dodgers.
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He had his best season at 235. Torre has already let Jones know that he is expected to drop ten pounds.
 
kfordham281 said:
It has to do with the rights as a player with less than 4-5 years (I think) experience. Basically they aren't eligible to be a FA until then so the clubs pretty much own their butts and can under pay them. At some point (3 years maybe?) they are eligible for salary arbitration and can start to command some big bucks if the artitation is ruled in their favor. The Braves are doing the same thing with Jeff Francoeur this year. He signed a one year less than a million contract. He's up for arbitration next year though; where he will get paid some big bucks. These types of actions by the clubs is pretty much standard.
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I still think the Red Sox might have dropped the ball here. He is one of the only reasons they won the WS. Why not pay him for it. I wonder if he will walk after next year.
 
i'm sure the sox'll work it out...

i hope the dodgers do bust with mr jones... torn here between my hate for the dodgers and my high regard mr torre.
 
MacNut said:
I still think the Red Sox might have dropped the ball here. He is one of the only reasons they won the WS. Why not pay him for it. I wonder if he will walk after next year.
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Papelbon is not eligible for arbitration until he completes his third full season, much less free agency (after six seasons). He could hold out, but he can't leave to play for another team.

This is typical for young players. According to www.baseball-reference.com, Jeter made $750,000 in his third season (1998). So it's not like they're treating him that shabbily compared to other players. Besides by the "he won us the World Series" standard, Jeter is grossly overpaid. Since making $10,000,000 in 2000, his salary has zoomed to $21.6 million last year and they haven't won any WS since then.

The players know that arbitration and free agency are when they cash in and that's the collective bargaining agreement that they all work under. It's worked out very well for them so far. This is exactly how the players want it to work because limiting who can become a free agency raises salaries. Most players recognize that if they can stay in the majors, they'll get the pay raise they want. And besides, making a few hundred thousand is a great boost from what they made in the minors.

It's hard to know what the Red Sox front office is thinking with Papelbon, but they may just be calculating that he won't get as much in arbitration as he would want from a long-term contract. Or maybe they want to see how he holds up in his third full season before committing to something longer.
 
aloofman said:
It's hard to know what the Red Sox front office is thinking with Papelbon, but they may just be calculating that he won't get as much in arbitration as he would want from a long-term contract. Or maybe they want to see how he holds up in his third full season before committing to something longer.
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At least give him a full Million for a season, 775k seems like a slap in the face for what might be the next best closer in the game.
 
MacNut said:
I have grown to like Joe Buck doing football, but he is horrible at baseball. There is something I just don't like about Joe Morgan and John Miller. And don't get me started on Chris Berman....back back back back....
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I actually like Joe Morgan and John Miller. They have a very good rapport together.
 
Talked to somebody high up in the Players Association ranks yesterday, and they dismiss any notion that pressure was put on Jonathan Papelbon, Prince Fielder, and the rest of the renewal crew who were looking for big bucks. Instead the feeling among some of the veterans, according to this person, were along the line of Joe Nathan, who told Alex Speier: “(Papelbon) is still a little young to be worried about that. He’s coming into his third year of closing. He’s got some time before he has to worry about the young guys behind him. (Papelbon) is a young guy right now. I think it’s more important for us to set the bar for him at this stage of the game.”
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http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/baseball/red_sox/view.bg?articleid=1078173&srvc=rss

(Does he think the team will revisit attempts to sign him to a multi-year deal?) “I think they will, but to be dead honest with you, I don’t think I will, really, unless it’s something very inviting. I don’t think I’ll take any of it in oconsideration. I’m going to go out and play this year. More than likely, we’ll figure that out at the end of the year.”
(Is he looking forward to arbitration and a potential big pay day next year?) “Of course, I’m looking forward to it. That’s what I’ve put myself in a position. I understand that these guys have the upper hand right now. These are the guys who drafted me, these are the guys who put the time and effort into it, recognized my talent and gave me the opportunity to play. They are the ones who have the upper hand, so to speak. I understand the process. Hopefully they understand that I’m going to play this year out, and next year will be a little bit different scenario.”
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http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/red_sox/
 
kfordham281 said:
I actually like Joe Morgan and John Miller. They have a very good rapport together.
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I think Miller is OK. He's not boring or clueless like so many of them. He takes the job seriously, but not himself.

But Morgan is abysmal as an analyst. Everything he sees confirms something he thinks he already knew. He gets facts wrong, misquotes people, and only bores me if I'm lucky.

Most amusing to me is Morgan's longtime feud with the "Moneyball" crowd. He dismisses all of the stat scholars as irrelevant because they never played in the majors. He cited Billy Beane as the book's author multiple times, even though Beane didn't write it. The real irony* is that the statheads rank Joe Morgan the player more highly than even most other baseball observers do. (Bill James went so far as to say he's the best second baseman to ever play.) His game was all about the things the stat geeks love: slugging, walks, high stolen-base success rate, defense. To them Joe Morgan the player proves their point about what makes a player valuable, then Morgan the analyst turns around and says they're all morons! You can't make this stuff up. :p


--

* This is a genuine example of irony, where a twist creates a disconnect between perception/expectation and reality. I'm tired of people calling something irony when they really refer to a coincidence.
 
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