More from Michael Young
by Brett Perryman on Jan 15, 2009 9:47 PM CST
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PrintYoung has answered some additional questions related to his position switch. His answer to this one surprised me:
Did you expect a move like this was coming at some point?
I could care less about any kind of speculation. I heard it could be a possibility, but I wasn't focusing on it. The obvious thing, I did think toward the end of my career I'd get asked to move. And knowing shortstops are moved late in their careers, I thought I'd move. I thought it would be back to second. I never thought it would be third base.
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I don’t like this player all that much right now.
Stability is key, and JD is a Beast.
Jindal - 2012
The Wrestler
by Longhorn on Jan 15, 2009 9:55 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
+1
"No... JD has been exposed as a kid who trades his remote-controlled helicopters for paper airplanes, then fails to consider the feelings of the paper airplane when he refolded it into a hat." -Telegraph.
by Kinslerhomer on Jan 15, 2009 9:58 PM CST up reply actions
+3
That Gold Glove for Young was the worst thing that could have happened to Texas - now the guy really believes he's good at short. - Keith Law
If only I could count past 4
You dick that was uncalled for - male cheerleader
by iorange555 on Jan 15, 2009 11:46 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
-1
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
This honestly hasn't changed my opinion of Michael
I completely understand his reaction.
-- Micah
Baseball Is My Boyfriend
"Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is." -Bob Feller
by The Best Micah on Jan 15, 2009 10:35 PM CST up reply actions
I have this shitty feeling in my stomach
that this ain’t the end of it…
Hope my gastric juices are wrong….
Freddie King rules faces.
passive-aggressive, pouting hatchet wound
i guess an improvement over the aggressive, pouting hatchet-wound
i know
second base? seriously?
mormons stole me and held me against my will with Oklahoma beer and 12+ hour work days.
it shows how clueless his is
about his declining ability and lack of range.
Wait 'til the year after next
I am sure it will happen...
But I hope MY loses the attitude before ST. It sounds like it may have gotten settled quicker by getting in the news. MY loves his reputation, as well he should, but he does not sound happy. Just hope he and JD get past this.
What a douche.
Getting his feelings hurt at how JD approached him. Grow up.
Young said he hasn’t talked to general manager Jon Daniels and doesn’t plan to. When pressed about communicating with Daniels, Young said: “I don’t have anything to say.”
"Come on man you have to admit the average guy in a baseball clubhouse...... is relatively a douchebag." BGL.
he is still acting like a child
plus he accused them of not really trying to trade him.
What? You mean to the 2 or 3 teams you listed? Ridiculous.
MY has to earn my respect again and it will take more than you giving in and still whining. Jesus, somebody stick a passifier in his mouth.
Wait 'til the year after next
so.....
seeing as this still isnt over, I have a question?? Who has a greater chance of staying with their team, FOTF or TO?
In reference to how good the Steelers have been in their history: "No one is even close to them."- Steal Home
you should call Galloway
tomorrow and ask him……..
then he could get Mosley, Archer, jen-ball-hate-engell all on and field calls for 6 straight segments. That would be some Marconi winning shit…….
"You’re the worst poster here I think."--- brettgardner
by red shoe ranger on Jan 16, 2009 12:02 AM CST up reply actions
Only thing worse than MY's reaction
is Ken Burns’ hair
Freddie King rules faces.
by Ryin A on Jan 15, 2009 10:13 PM CST reply actions 3 recs
As a civil war buff who has had to put up with Ken Burns hair
I find this massively funny. Rec.
That Gold Glove for Young was the worst thing that could have happened to Texas - now the guy really believes he's good at short. - Keith Law
You know all that stuff I've said in the past about only hating MY's contract and his defense, not him?
I’d like to take that back.
I’m developing a rather intense dislike for the guy.
That Gold Glove for Young was the worst thing that could have happened to Texas - now the guy really believes he's good at short. - Keith Law
I don't
C’mon grow up. (And you can stay on my lawn as long as you like). It’s called frankness. The words I can see being taken as whiny, but if he said it grimly or with smiley body language, you won’t see one ounce of reduced effort from him.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)
by Ed Coffin on Jan 15, 2009 11:21 PM CST up reply actions
I don't really think he put it like that...
…even it came out like that.
-- Micah
Baseball Is My Boyfriend
"Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is." -Bob Feller
by The Best Micah on Jan 15, 2009 11:28 PM CST up reply actions
You don't have to like (or) dislike him
It’s your opinion, my rebuttal is also just an opinion. It stems from reading the constant criticism and the apparent (?) lack of perspective.
"He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination." - Andrew Lang (1844-1912)
by Ed Coffin on Jan 15, 2009 11:36 PM CST up reply actions
I don't see why JD and him should patch things up.
If being pissed off gets Young to work harder, so be it. I don’t see him staying after 2013, and he probably won’t even make it that long. He overvalues himself and it shows.
good comments
I am glad MY is answer quetions and getting his side out there. I think he is pretty much saying the right things.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Thanks for stopping by Michael
That Gold Glove for Young was the worst thing that could have happened to Texas - now the guy really believes he's good at short. - Keith Law
cliches
What? You all want the usual Nuke Laloosh cliches? He is being honest and open about how he feels. He doesn’t want ot move to 3B. He is a SS. But he sees that he is not going to be traded and he doesn’t want this to drag on any longer. I don’t quite agree with his assessment that the team is not trying to trade him. There just ain’t a market for him. Winnning will cure everything. Come Aug when the team is 5 games out and the young players are contributing he will be just fine.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
That doesn't mean he is saying the right thing
Saying what you want to say isn’t always the right thing to say. In this case, after throwing a bitch fest about how disrespected he is, he should shut his mouth and just say he is going to play 3B, try his best there, and that’s it.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
"he should shut his mouth and just say he is going to play 3B"
Stop dreaming. Did you read EG’s take on the situation?
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
I read EG's take
And i still disagree with that. Being a good player and being a respected member of the team doesn’t mean you can let your pride get in the way of doing what’s best for the team which is what Young was doing here.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
by Gdawg on Jan 16, 2009 2:58 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
This concerns me.
Is Elvis Andrus ready?
I don’t know. Right now, I hope so. I’m going into this with the idea of winning being the motivating factor. He’s a good kid. There’s a couple of regrettable things. One being the fans. They shouldn’t be in a position to choose between the player and organization. That’s tough. It’s tough for Elvis. He’s a 20-year-old kid trying to make it to the big leagues. I met him at spring training and I want the best for him and I’ll do everything I can to make him a better player. He’ll ask questions. He did last year. Now before he’s set foot on a big league field, people are questioning whether he’s ready and that’s not fair to him or any of us.
I could obviously be way off base, so I won’t put any stock in it, but it gives me slight pangs of concern that he’s going to bitch more and more if Andrus isn’t playing — and good — right away.
I didn't read it like that
I don’t think MY would ever take a side against a teammate (even though he kind of did indirectly with his stance). I bet he sticks up for Elvis at every turn.
But still, his other comments make him look like a douche.
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
I don't think he'd throw Elvis under the bus.
I do think it could make him more angry at the team, though.
Michael Young Haters
I don’t understand why some people are still complaining about Michael Young?
He’s 32, 33. Of course he’s a bit miffed. He’s already doing the right thing. Two days after all the hoopla?
Give him some time. Elvis is projected to hit .220? Elvis is a $1 Fantasy player? M-Y is the best Fantasy SS in the AL! Why is anyone surprised he’s not thrilled? YET, he’s still doing the right thing.
Best Fantasy SS
My team is wrecked now.
You have to admit, being good at Fantasy Baseball does not mean you’re offensively bad at REAL baseball. It is somewhat relevant. M-Y’s defense is slipping and all, Elvis is better, but, M-Y has been a killer offensive SS.
hmmm
Derek Jeter, Peralta, and if he counts, Mike Aviles.
by Schrute Farms on Jan 15, 2009 11:28 PM CST up reply actions
But I still consider Young...
…an above average offensive shortstop and probably an average 3rd baseman. I also have hope that he will improve on last years numbers so long as he’s healthy.
by Schrute Farms on Jan 15, 2009 11:32 PM CST up reply actions
I consider him about average offensively.
I can see the finger thing being enough to say he could have been about enough to consider him solidly above average in 08 if he was healthy maybe, but he’s also in his decline phase, anyway, so we’re talking about 09 and what to expect.
And I again say expecting him to probably be at least an average third baseman is likely being a bit too optimistic. I wouldn’t rule average out,but I DEFINITELY wouldn’t call it probable.
Ok...got it
Aviles only had 91 games at SS…so 1) Peralta, 2) Jeter, 3) Young just slightly behind Jeter. I am just disputing the fact that you made it seem like it was ages ago when Young was a good offensive SS…I agree that SS is a weak offensive spot nowdays and I agree that it is best that he moves over to 3rd for the better of the team.
SS isn't too weak an offensive position compared to other eras.
The power is just in the NL and shortstops should be compared to the entirety of baseball when evaluating their performance.
Young was about average this year.
I was more or less responding to the "Killer Offensive SS"...
…comment. Not trying to sound like I don’t like Young because I do and I think he’s better than the numbers indicated last year (I think he can climb back to the .770-.790 OPS range). However, when I think of a killer offensive SS, I think of Hanley Ramirez, ’05 Young, ’06 Jeter, ARod w/ Texas, etc.
by Schrute Farms on Jan 16, 2009 12:55 AM CST up reply actions
Going by VORP
Jhonny Peralta, 36.2
Derek Jeter, 34.7
Mike Aviles, 34.5
Mike Young, 28.2
Orlando Cabrera, 18.9
4th overall in an off-year isn’t bad I suppose, but there is a pretty massive dropoff in quality after #4. Ben Zobrist, Jason Bartlett, Nick Punto, Ramon Santiago and Yuniesky Betancourt round out the top 10.
Basically, the AL shortstop position seems to be geared more toward defense than offense these days.
That Gold Glove for Young was the worst thing that could have happened to Texas - now the guy really believes he's good at short. - Keith Law
It wasn't good defensively, either.
Peralta’s no good, Jeter’s pretty bad, Young is well below average and Cabrera may have deserve the Gold Glove, but for him it was actually an off year. Aviles was good in his rookie year in a small sample and many don’t expect him to keep it up.
Shortstop in general just had a power shift to the NL this year. And it seems like it will likely stay there for a little while.
Using wRAA and wOBA
Same idea as LSJ, different stats (one rate, one counting).
wRAA
Jhonny Peralta 10.1
Derek Jeter 8.4
Michael Young 1.5
wOBA
Jhonny Peralta .347
Derek Jeter .343
Michael Young .331
That’s actually probably exactly what my Silver Slugger ballot would have been, too.
I think the Gold Glove had more to do with this than his status as an offensive force at short
See signature.
That Gold Glove for Young was the worst thing that could have happened to Texas - now the guy really believes he's good at short. - Keith Law
M-Y
Agreed. I remember when the knock on Young was, he couldn’t hit for average. Or something. He’s come a long way actually.
Perhaps because I’m an older dude, I sympathize for a guy who’s now being told that some 20-year old can kick his ass?
Best fantasy SS in the AL
LOL.
The only reason MY has changed his tune is because he realized the Rangers couldn’t trade him, and weren’t going to back down from their decision to move him to 3B. So he’s done the only rational thing he could do, and that’s save face by “relenting” from his trade request and accepting his assignment “for the betterment of the team”.
He’s only doing the right thing because it’s his only option.
That Gold Glove for Young was the worst thing that could have happened to Texas - now the guy really believes he's good at short. - Keith Law
Yep. I don't know if the poor trade market for Young was a deciding factor for JD, but
it really helped his cause. I originally thought JD had made a mistake by pissing of Young to the point he wanted a trade, because I assumed JD would have to trade him, netting nothing in return. I really didn’t think about declining to trade Young. I think that would’ve been harder if a little more money had been burned from his contract (ie a year or two down the road) and the economy had bounced back.
JD: Adamant about 78 wins in 2009. Go Rangers!
M-Y
I hear ya. But, players are people too.
Let me ask you a question. IF you picked up a copy of Sporting News and it said you were the BEST offensive SS in the AL, 4th in the MLB, then J-D knocks on your door, do you immediately say – “No problem, JD, I’d love to play a position I’ve never played in my life.”
That’s my main point. In the end, all players are powerless. They know it too.
That's true
But at the same time, you don’t go throwing a giant hissy fit to the media about it, either. This thing seems like it was poorly handled by both sides, but MY’s comments in the media and the black eye they gave both himself and the team make him the worst of the two offenders.
This was an ego-trip you would have expected from the likes of Manny Ramirez, not a guy who’s supposed to be renown for his class and leadership.
That Gold Glove for Young was the worst thing that could have happened to Texas - now the guy really believes he's good at short. - Keith Law
how did evaluate players in 1974 without fantasy baseball?
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
Powerless?
The guy has $80 million worth of power coming his way. Baseball players have the most power of any athletes in the major American sports. They are far from powerless.
by Andy Seiler on Jan 15, 2009 11:31 PM CST up reply actions
If MY's whole issue
is that he was the best offensive SS in the American League, then he should realize that the defense could easier swallowed if he was an above average 3rd baseman offensively
Fantasy..
How many bad 1st baseman could have been the top fantasy SS in the AL last year?
Fantasy ignores defense, it doesn’t care that you play in an advantageous lineup or park, etc.
And “in the al” is one big qualifier considering the state of AL shortstops. There are 3 SSs in the NL that are much much more valuable.
the preceding post was a great success.
Yup.
When it comes to reality, team building and game assessment, dividing in to leagues is mostly worthless. At least in this discussion.
Young is not even top 10
hanley ramirez
Reyes
Rollins
Tulo
Jeter
Peralta
Aviles
Alexie ramirez
Escobar
Furcal
You can argue the case for others as well
Wait 'til the year after next
"He’s 32, 33. Of course he’s a bit miffed. He’s already doing the right thing. Two days after all the hoopla?"
Its not 2 days. Its about a month and 2 days.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
Why not give him
credit for keeping quite for about a month?
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
Clearly, the ego is still bruised
But I’m glad to see he’s coming around. I’m sure the dust will be settled when spring training breaks. Young is too much a professional not to just put this behind him and play.
-- Micah
Baseball Is My Boyfriend
"Every day is a new opportunity. You can build on yesterday's success or put its failures behind and start over again. That's the way life is, with a new game every day, and that's the way baseball is." -Bob Feller
by The Best Micah on Jan 15, 2009 10:50 PM CST reply actions
I feel that way too
Even if he’s pissed, when ST arrives he’ll be a pro.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
Agree
I hope he actually uses this as motivation.
by Andy Seiler on Jan 15, 2009 11:32 PM CST up reply actions
I'd like to blow Michael...
a kiss for him being such a standup guy just as he was when he moved to make way for Kinsler. I bet he takes whatever residual resentment he has at having to move, stores it inside until the season starts, then hits .330 with 20+ HR’s.
"I lost my virginity but I still have the box it came in."
- Unknown
by Rangerchick on Jan 16, 2009 12:07 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Galloway and Reeves are willing to do more than
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
this has to be schtick
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Jan 16, 2009 7:43 AM CST up reply actions
Better to go through this now rather than in the middle of the season.
And that’s all I’ve got to say about that.
I thought you and Andy handled the Angela situation well
how’s your right leg?
Freddie King rules faces.
haha
That episode was pretty much greatness tonight.
by Schrute Farms on Jan 15, 2009 10:57 PM CST up reply actions
+1
It was hilarious. I honestly dont know which part was the funniest. Them all outside running to see who was the fastest was pretty good.
hahaha
I thought andy was going to pop out of the bushes and punch dwight right in the face as he was reading the letter.
You dick that was uncalled for - male cheerleader
my DVR screwed it up
I knew it looked weird when it said the office and 30 rock were on at 9 pm but didnt think to check. And of course, in their place it recorded ER.
I’ll have to wait for hulu.
the preceding post was a great success.
Can there be any question now that
Michael Young, the leader of the clubhouse, considers JD to be dogshit on the bottom of his shoes?
That was quite a hire Tom Hicks made in Nolan Ryan.
Imagine what this mess would have been like if JD had to do this on his own.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Jan 16, 2009 12:02 AM CST up reply actions
Michael
Seems very preppy and clean there is no way he would allow dog shit on his shoes.
You dick that was uncalled for - male cheerleader
So...
Reply fail?
Or just random stupidity?
That Gold Glove for Young was the worst thing that could have happened to Texas - now the guy really believes he's good at short. - Keith Law
So last year the Ranger
SS & 3B combined for 35 HR / 178 RBI with a .282 average and a .770 OPS.
Hmmmmm,
I can see Young hitting 12-15 bombs with an OPS approaching .770 (so does Bill James) but Andrus? BJ has him at 2/36 with a .652 OPS which I view as incredibly optimistic.
I hope like hell this thing can score more than 800 runs in 2009.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Jan 16, 2009 12:30 AM CST up reply actions
mgmt.
has put all of its’ offensive eggs in the Nelson Cruz basket. Look out if he fails…..
"You’re the worst poster here I think."--- brettgardner
by red shoe ranger on Jan 16, 2009 12:47 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah, it will be a drop in offense without a doubt.
But hopefully the improved D will make up for it. After all, our offense isn’t the problem most nights.
BTW, terribly surprised no one asked you about this quote:
"How was your conversation Thursday with manager Ron Washington?
It was great. I’ve always had a lot of respect for Wash. I was told pretty much that we both want the best for each other. I do believe Wash wants the best for me. It was really water under the bridge. It wasn’t a conversation that needed to take too much of our time."
I don't care if he doesn't like...
JD because MY is delusional in his ability to play SS.
but, definitely, the more important relationship is between manager and player.
Wait 'til the year after next
anyone wanna
take a flyer?
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3836749
"You’re the worst poster here I think."--- brettgardner
by red shoe ranger on Jan 16, 2009 12:49 AM CST reply actions
Not really
But he did look to be in much better shape when they showed video of him working out with Chipper on Hot Stove tonight.
Nope.
I’d rather give that playing time to guys like Cruz, Murphy, Borbon (when ready), etc. hoping to build for the future.
by Schrute Farms on Jan 16, 2009 12:58 AM CST up reply actions
sweet jesus
Some of those quotes are completely incoherent. Either the writer didn’t quite capture the essence and context of what MY was saying, or these are the ramblings of a man that’s fairly disconnected from reality.
I was hoping that the Rangers would find a way to trade MY and the majority of his salary. I guess we’re stuck with this guy, his declining stats, and his now tarnished reputation for the foreseeable future.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith
Those are the things
Dirkatron hates with a passion. So much flame war bait right there, like chum in the water.
Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!
by DerekSTheRed on Jan 16, 2009 9:04 AM CST up reply actions
Worst thing that can happen for the Rangers on this situation
Haven’t been around the last few days so I apologize if this has been thrown out there already.
But the worst thing that could happen in this situation is if Andrus hits a bump in his development this year. I think this move actually puts more pressure on Elvis and I don’t know how to feel about that. So far he has progressed a level a year the last couple years at an extreme young age for his levels. I don’t think he is ready for Opening day and I don’t think the Rangers are either. But what happens if he struggles mightily in OKC to start the year both offensively and defensively? And at midseason when the Rangers were expecting him to be ready he is down in OKC hitting .220/.275/.325.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
Rest assured
Andrus will struggle to hit 650 OPS at the major league level and have a lot more errors than MY. His minor league OPS is like 700 and he is jumping 2 levels. You’d be insane to expect much more than 650. He is also going to boot the ball a bunch. He booted the ball in AA, and I expect to see him boot it as much or more in the Majors.
I’m surprised they don’t get a vet to hold down the fort for half a year or so.
Get off my lawn.
I think we'll see
exactly what you describe, with lots of reassurance to the press from Daniels, Ryan, and Wash that they’re in this for the long term and Andrus will need time to grow into his role.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
And lots of long cold hard glares from Face after every miscue.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith
by thedirkatron on Jan 16, 2009 9:38 AM CST up reply actions
Then he will
say the right things after the game. AAndrus works hard, is making progrees, it could have happened to any of us.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
I’m surprised they don’t get a vet to hold down the fort for half a year or so.
I’m surprised and terrified, too.
It just makes so much more sense to bring in a vet or a journeyman 4A-type to man the position for at least a few months while Andrus marinates in OKC.
But don’t you think they’ve pretty much backed themselves into a corner with all their “Elvis is ready right now” rhetoric?
It would’ve been so easy for them to set it up so Elvis could get a couple of months in AAA, but I don’t see how they can do it now without looking like chump-a-roonies.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith
by thedirkatron on Jan 16, 2009 9:37 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah, by forcing the confrontation
I think they gotta go with Elvis, and there is absolutely no reason to believe Elvis will improve after a 2 level jump. I think its gonna get ugly. I would have much preferred a veteran for 3-5 months during the season.
If Elvis plays the whole season, expect a 650ish OPS, 40ish Errors, and lots of fans and media calling for his and JD’s head.
This isn’t going to end well.
Get off my lawn.
I think JD has set himself up here
If Elvis stumbles, which as you point out is likely, and there is no contingency plan in place other than moving MY back to SS – then I think it may be the last straw for JD.
I don’t understand why they wouldn’t get Vizquel or Cabrera in here to start the season, and when the team falls out of the race in the summer, then you can call up Andrus to take his lumps for half a season.
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
How is Jackie Arias coming along with his rehab?
And I would also love to see us bring in a vet to take a few months and a little bit of pressure away from Andrus to start the season. A vet with enough pull that Face won’t kill him in the parking lot.
I was thinking Craig Counsell might be a decent fit. Seems like a low ego kind of guy. He’s not much of a SS anymore, but he’s passable, and he can back up 2nd and 3rd as well so he can easily slide over and be our utility IF whenever Andrus is ready to come up and take the starting job.
Plus he’s got the good face, and since good face-on-good face violence is strictly forbidden by the Scrolls of Showalter, you know he’d be safe from Face’s inevitable Tonya Harding-esque parking lot treachery.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith
by thedirkatron on Jan 16, 2009 10:01 AM CST up reply actions
So are you going to sack up and play in the keeper league again next year? Or are you afraid of the massive run I’m going to have this season?
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
I'm gonna commit massive sex crimes against that league again this year, for sure.
I sent Troy two e-mails now, so hopefully he’s gonna let me play.
I sex crimed his team pretty bad last year, so maybe he’s got the PTSD and is blackballing me.
Have you picked your keepers yet? Miguel Cabrera, Alex Rodriguez, Joe Nathan, Michael Young and Jon Papelbon would be my five right now, but I’m kind of wary about going into the year with two closers.
I considered posting a message the other day about how I’m kind of looking to trade Joe Nathan for a non-closer before the keeper lock date, but I figured no one reads those message boards in the off season.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith
by thedirkatron on Jan 16, 2009 10:07 AM CST up reply actions
I still don’t know how in the hell you pulled off the trades you did. Did you blackmail people? Jedi mind tricks?
I’m still going back and forth on my 5th keeper. Right now I’m looking at keeping Pedroia,Sizemore,Davis,F. hernandez. The last spot is tought since i’ve got a bunch of upside in guys like lester,gordon,salty/teagarden and a possible comeback of vmart
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
I mostly gave as good as I got in those trades.
Getting Arod was awesome, but I had to give up Joba, Halladay and Thome, and I gave up Granderson to get Nathan.
One could make the argument that Joba, Granderson and Halladay would make a better group of three keepers than ARod, Nathan and Face.
Plus I got nervous after the first month and panic-traded Ellsbury for Carlos Gomez. Yuck.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith
by thedirkatron on Jan 16, 2009 10:18 AM CST up reply actions
I was the opposite
I panic held onto guys looking for upside over the next few seasons.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
I can't believe that thing never healed up.
It didn’t seem like that big of a deal when it first popped up as a problem, but he’s never been anywhere close to 100% ever since.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith
by thedirkatron on Jan 16, 2009 10:36 AM CST up reply actions
I think I remember some EG comments
that seemed to indicate that the team considered him a headcase that wouldn’t play through some pain and wasn’t real serious about any rehab. Of course, he didn’t just come out and say it like that, but that’s what I took away from it.
I remember hearing reports that they never could find any structural damage, but Arias refused to play so they went ahead and had the surgery done with expectations that he would be 100% last spring training. As we all saw, he wasn’t 100% in spring training or any time after that.
If he is our best backup option, we’re in deep shit. I’d rather have Metcalf-MY than MY-Arias.
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
Arias isn't a MLer in my opinion
I don’t even consider him a SS option, and I doubt the team does either. Waste of a roster spot if you ask me.
And the whole scenario doesn’t make sense if you end up with a worse defender than MY at SS this year.
I think JD has tied his fortunes to Elvis, hope it works out for both of them, but the absence of a backup plan is worrisome.
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
If his arm ever returned to full strength I wouldn't have a problem running him out there at short.
He’s never gonna hit for shit, but he’s quick and has good MIF actions. He could be a passable glovey, no-hit stopgap starting SS and backup MIF-type if his body was right.
But at this point I’m ready to go ahead and declare his career dead.
I just don’t think his arm is ever gonna be strong enough to play SS again.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith
by thedirkatron on Jan 16, 2009 10:35 AM CST up reply actions
I disagree with this
clearly the entire management team was on board with this decision. Surely they (meaning Hicks and Nolan) know that Elvis is likely to struggle.
I think a bigger thing that might affect JD’s job is if the young pitchers do not progress at all.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Jan 16, 2009 11:07 AM CST up reply actions
Even so, it still sets Daniels up for a fall if it goes wrong.
Cause even when the whole crew is with you, it’s still ultimately the captain’s fault when the ship wrecks.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith
by thedirkatron on Jan 16, 2009 11:28 AM CST up reply actions
Well yeah
but you could say that about any move he ever makes.
My point is it’s more likely that the failure of the pitchers to progress will be the thing to get him fired.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Jan 16, 2009 12:57 PM CST up reply actions
No it won't end well at all
because to the media and the casual fan, JD insulted the all star batting champ gold glove face in favor of an error producing kid who can’t hit.
And if by some miracle this works flawlessly all the praise will go to nolan ryan for setting everyone straight and cleaning up jd’s mess (which btw jjt is already saying something like this in todays paper)
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
Both of you are right
I’m surprised that they believe so strongly that he is ready right now. I appreciate the emphasis on good defense, but to me Andrus could use a whole year in AAA. I really didn’t expect this until next winter.
One possible plus: A year of growth in the big leagues could mean that Andrus is a very meaningful contributor in 2010 when the team has a better chance of contending. If he handles this well, that is…
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
2010
That seems to be the idea behind this, let him take his lumps now and be better in 2010. Same thing goes for young, let him adjust this year and he’s ready for next seasons “run”.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
Yuppers.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith
by thedirkatron on Jan 16, 2009 10:02 AM CST up reply actions
which is exactly why
I don’t think JD’s job is at risk if Elvis fails. The entire Org. has bought into 2010 being THE year. I don’t think JD’s job hangs on Elvis’ performance.
"He will not coddle them. Nolan Ryan doesn’t coddle." - Jeff Passan
by Dirk Diggler on Jan 16, 2009 11:10 AM CST up reply actions
expect to see
a heavy dose of Borbon followed by Holland this year. Probably by June.
Elvis Andrus - 2009 AL Rookie of the Year
But how was MY gonna react if they move him for a stopgap guy??
I’m betting it’s 100 times worse than his reaction to the Elvis sighting.
That being said, it is the best approach. Move MY before the season so he has time to adjust, fill the position for a couple of months, then bring up Elvis when he’s settled in well at AAA.
I just don’t think MY would’ve been on board.
Who cares how Face takes it if Counsell or Vizquel or (insert 4A-type here) breaks camp as the SS with the the idea of giving Elvis a few weeks to work on things down in AAA?
As long as the team is clear that Elvis is the long term solution at the position and that he’s on his way early in ‘09, then Face will shut up and do as he’s told.
If he doesn’t, we light him on fire.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith
by thedirkatron on Jan 16, 2009 1:59 PM CST up reply actions
WADR
Where is this “Elvis is ready now” rhetoric? I’m not challenging you, I just haven’t seen it. The quotes that have stood out to me are saying he might be ready at some point in ’09, so they need to move MY now instead of at some point during the season.
Elvis
I completely agree he will struggle in the majors this year if thats where he is. I have a hard time believing he will be on the Opening day roster however if for nothing else than to get an extra year of control out of him. If he starts in OKC and spends a couple weeks there then we have control of him for 7 years instead of 6.
But what if those first two weeks he hits .220/.275/.325 in OKC? Does he still get called up? What if he doesn’t and keeps that line through the summer? My worry is he hits a bump in AAA and has a year like that or eventually gets it up to .260/.325/.375 but spends the entire year in AAA and Micheal Young spends all year at 3B with either a washed up veteran at SS or a guy like Arias there. The reason hes being moved is for Andrus with the assumption that he will be there sometime during the season. Does that force us to bring him up no matter how ready he is?
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
On Thursday it was Ryan who Young chose to call and tell that he was willing to make the switch.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
Because he's still throwing a hissy fit
and holding his breath until Daniels apologizes.
"I'm against picketing, but I don't know how to show it." - Mitch Hedberg
Young and JD
Here’s what I don’t get- if Daniels really isn’t respected by the players, then why did Nolan let JD pitch the position change to Young?
That strikes me as a pretty dumb-ass move on Nolan’s part. If in fact, the “players don’t respect JD” thing is really true, rather than just the ramblings of a disgruntled Kevin Mench, then the fallout from this falls on Nolan, not Daniels, since as his boss, he should have had enough sense not to put Daniels in that situation.
Now if it’s not true, then yeah, Young’s being a big baby.
"I dont care to debate with a troll." - Sharky
Well Daniels shouldn't be the GM
If he isn’t the one to deliver this type of news.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
agree
I don’t necessarily think it makes any difference if the players respect the GM or not. When you have a GM worried about the player’s feelings, then you have the Cowboys.
I’ve given this a few days to play out, and I think I’m ready to jump aboard thedirkatron’s bandwagon and just call MY what he really is – a self centered douchebag.
"To be ignorant of one’s ignorance is the malady of the ignorant."
I'll wait and see
How he interacts with Andrus come spring training.
"My mother always taught me that if the only thing you have to say is,
‘(Expletive) Dave Samson,’ then don’t say anything at all.
So I’m not going to say anything at all.
Is my mother the greatest or what?"
- Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, after signing Ichiro to a $90 million contract
It doesn't even matter to me anymore
He showed his true colors with this little stunt. He can try going back now to being the selfless team leader, but its not going to change my opinion.
By 2028, Mark Teixeira will be in the HOF.
-The Outlaw
This.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
I hate Michael Young.
"There are no weak opinions with the dirkatron, it’s all scream-across-the-parking-lot echelon." -hightowersmith
by thedirkatron on Jan 16, 2009 11:29 AM CST up reply actions
+1
That Gold Glove for Young was the worst thing that could have happened to Texas - now the guy really believes he's good at short. - Keith Law
Daniels
I don’t think it makes a difference either, honestly. Though I don’t think Nolan deserves some big award for “saving the team from another JD screw-up,” either, for exactly the reason I lined out. He was on board for the decisions to move Young and to have Daniels be the messenger.
"I dont care to debate with a troll." - Sharky
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