T.R. Sullivan on Millwood's option vesting
by Adam J. Morris on Sep 10, 2009 9:58 PM CDT
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PrintT.R. Sullivan has a story up on Kevin Millwood's option vesting with 8 more innings, and whether or not the Rangers would simply bench him the rest of the way to avoid owing him $12 million for 2010.
Nolan Ryan, Jon Daniels, and Mike Maddux are all quoted as pretty adamantly denying that will happen, but Sullivan seems to think it is still a concern:
Millwood's performance of late is hardly the only factor that might be taken into consideration. It could even be a secondary factor. The other is economics.
Owner Tom Hicks has the team up for sale. The Rangers had to borrow $15 million from Major League Baseball earlier this season. The club's financial situation is under tight scrutiny. It may be others besides the Rangers baseball people who decide that Millwood won't pitch beyond Friday.
Really? Is this what this team has come to...the beat reporter for the team's official website suggesting that the manager would be ordered -- either by ownership or by Bud Selig and his MLB minions -- to bench Millwood in the middle of a pennant race?
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Benching Millwood is not
going to happen for a lot of reasons. Among them is the fact that the Rangers do not have five better starting pitchers and they are trying to win. Also, if they bench him their financial condition is only going to get worse after the union gets through with them
I can understand
If this was the last start of the season but to do it with about 4 starts left?
The Rangers would lose the grievance
This isn’t the NFL where the commissioner can do whatever he wants to.
by Darrell McKown on Sep 10, 2009 10:08 PM CDT reply actions
Grievance
This is the problem. MLB and the Rangers would expose themselves to a pretty significant legal attack if they benched a healthy pitcher to save money. I also would think this would lead to a near mutiny in the clubhouse. I just can’t imagine this would happen and I think TR may have pulled this one out of his backside.
"When you play happy, good things will happen"-Elvis Andrus
That's an odd story
and fairly ridiculous
by Powder Blue Red Shoe on Sep 10, 2009 10:09 PM CDT reply actions
I agree...kinda surprised T.R. would toss out slop like that
Ephesians 3:20-21...and I can only imagine
I'm not
He’s gotten really shitty over the last year or so.
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
I was thinking earlier
if it wouldn’t be the best option for the team to have a real short leash on Millwood, I wouldn’t mind having him around next year but for $6-8 million and not $12! I can only imagine if this was attempted that the players association would file a grievance immediately ( and would probably win). But I wouldn’t mind having an extra $12 million to go after Lackey if in fact we could spend it
Odd... not really even a mention of benching him b/c he's been sucking
(Wife) "So what do you want to watch on the T.V.? UFC or porn?"
(Husband) "Hmm... well, porn, I guess."
If you bench him because hes sucking youd have to bench Holland first
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.
while Padilla has posted a 2.76 era since being released
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
Completely unsurprising.
Just like it was unsurprising when he improved immediately after being run through waivers, only to revert to form later. Padilla needs to continually be motivated to avoid being a knucklehead.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
Plus, it's the freaking NL and Chavez Ravine
Not exactly the same circumstances.
"Feldman and Feliz and and pray for…infectious disease?"--TheJeezus on Sep 9, 2009 1:01 PM PDT
Yep,
I don’t think there is much chance he’d have a 2.76 ERA over that stretch if he was still a Ranger.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
+1
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
Ugh...
Even if we decide to sit him to not hit 180 innings, the MLB Players Association would have a field day going after us
That would probably do more harm to us in the long run than letting him hit 180 innings
Bill Simmons: "I will tell you right now, if the Boston Red Sox traded Clay Buchholz for Justin Smoak, I will run around my neighborhood naked...celebrating for an hour. I love Justin Smoak"
Yes
And besides, I still believe that Kevin Millwood, at one-year, $12 million, is a tradeable asset if it comes to that.
by Darrell McKown on Sep 10, 2009 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Agree
"[Font} doesn't turn 19 until the end of May and his heater can already hit 99 on the gun. That's baseball porn." - Jason Parks
by hightowersmith on Sep 10, 2009 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions
not to mention
trying to sign free agents after that
There's one word that describes baseball - `You never know.' - Joaquin Andujar
Exactly
And plus the trust in the clubhouse with ownership, management, and the coaches would hit an all-time low. That won’t help when we are trying to resign some of these guys in a couple of years by having options in their contracts
Bill Simmons: "I will tell you right now, if the Boston Red Sox traded Clay Buchholz for Justin Smoak, I will run around my neighborhood naked...celebrating for an hour. I love Justin Smoak"
there's the biggest issue(s)
he won’t pitch eight tonight. after five games, the Rangers will hopefully be as close or closer than they are now. i guess if they completely shit the bed against SEA/OAK and somehow fell out of reasonable contention, the team could entertain the idea. the downside though is tremendous (as mentioned by the previous two posts) and would be extremely penny wise pound foolish. i agree with PBRS – odd story and fairly ridiculous.
defeatist pussy lives here
by sam in so cal on Sep 11, 2009 7:36 AM CDT up reply actions
This must be pure speculation/extrapolation on TRs part.
I can’t imagine the commissioner can fiddle with a player’s ability to earn money.
Bud can fiddle with the draft, because those fellas are not yet under the protection of the union.
So, it’s not a very smart speculative statement, IMO. However, if he has been told as much, that would be quite the scoop.
Wonderboy, what is the secret of your power? Wonderboy, won't you take me far away from the mucky-muck now. -- Tenacious D
It would not only be impacting the player's ability to earn
it would also be impacting competitive balance if the commissioner’s office can dictate who can play and who can’t. No way is Bud or MLB going to meddle in anything even remoting close to telling a team to sit a player to avoid paying him. The ensuing lawsuit would dwarf the $12 million clause in Millwood’s contract if they did that.
by swampdonkey on Sep 10, 2009 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Flat denials by Ryan, JD and Maddux
What else do you need to know? Frankly, I’m disappointed in TR Sullivan for writing this type of article. I thought he was better than this type of crap.
"No," Maddux said. "Why? That's an odd question."
Should have ended the story here…
by Powder Blue Red Shoe on Sep 10, 2009 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions
OT
With all the things we talk about like “the Rangers can have one of their best years and not even make the playoffs,” BtB is adding more to that wound by saying in their power rankings we’re the 6th best team in baseball. And, of course, not in line to make the playoffs.
I have yet to pay attention enough to their methodology to decide how I feel about it, but regardless, that’s disturbing and exciting all at once.
The Rays are 2nd
And basically eliminated.
by Adam J. Morris on Sep 10, 2009 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions
isnt that a little slanted toward the AL?
the NL isnt bad enough to have the bottom 6 and only 2 of the top 10.
Yes,
the NL is that bad.
For the longest time the NL has been a 2nd class league to the AL.
"I don't condone steroids or any other type of growth hormones or anything else, but I could care less, and, for the most part, I don't think the fans give a (bleep). The people that care about it are the people that probably don't like baseball," - Jim Leyland
Gawddamn
these Seattle fucks suck shit
Must kill Moe. Weeeeeeeee
by Baseball North on Sep 10, 2009 10:25 PM CDT reply actions
horseface needs to stop
(Wife) "So what do you want to watch on the T.V.? UFC or porn?"
(Husband) "Hmm... well, porn, I guess."
someone needs to send em to the glue factory
Must kill Moe. Weeeeeeeee
by Baseball North on Sep 10, 2009 10:33 PM CDT up reply actions
At least
John Jacob Jingle Rowland-Smith is keeping them in the game
by Powder Blue Red Shoe on Sep 10, 2009 10:32 PM CDT up reply actions
This Mariner offense reminds me of the Rangers offense pre-Indians series
but worst
Must kill Moe. Weeeeeeeee
by Baseball North on Sep 10, 2009 10:33 PM CDT up reply actions
What a tard....
just fall down.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
Good for me...
I had the Titans +6.5.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Sep 10, 2009 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Can't believe TR has stooped this low
this is worse than some of the crap that comes from the DMN.
The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love. ~Bryant Gumbel, 1981
Again,I've been pretty adament about my strong dislike for TR.
He’s a senile old fuck who has stopped caring about putting out a good product long ago.
This site needs to stay away from this clown,for credibilitys(sp) sake.
by TooLegitToQuit on Sep 10, 2009 10:40 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
If Bud and MLB where really the ones to decide Millwood couldn't pitch for us next year
I have to think they’d simply step in a restructure the contract instead of telling us to bench Kevin. Unless there had been some kind of violation or suspension involved, I don’t see how MLB could simply take away a pitcher from a team in a pennant race (particularly the one who is, in press at least, considered our #1 starter) and get away with it. That’s simply ludicrous.
Hank is 7 runs below a zombie replacement at first base. Do you realize how terrible that is? Zombie’s can’t think, they’re slow, and they’re often ejected from the game for eating opposing baserunners’ brains. - Ben quantifies Hank Blalock
TR works for MLB and the Rangers
this doesnt come out unless they want it to come out, thats the part i dont understand.
I can't help it. I’m an asshole.
-brettgardner on Jul 7, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
Trying to light a fire under Millwood's ass
"What ... 92 miles per hour?" Feldman scoffed. "That's not gas. Feliz throws gas."
by NorCalRangersFan on Sep 10, 2009 11:02 PM CDT up reply actions
I think Maddux and others on the Rangers
were getting questions about Millwood, and this article is to just shut down that line of thinking right there…
I agree that it's very, very odd for TR to question anything management does
and the timing of this (end of the season) makes me wonder if he’s tired of being the house organ and moving on to greener pastures.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Sep 10, 2009 11:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Oh yeah hadn't even thought about that.
Thanks for opening up a new light to the story.
by behindthebag on Sep 10, 2009 11:32 PM CDT up reply actions
My sense is that TR likes being the house organ because he gets his stories fed to him and it doesn't require much work
And if they don’t feed him something to write, he just comes up with ridiculous shit on his own.
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
There is no way that happens.
Not possible. Playoff race. Clubhouse upheaval. Sure-shot union grievance claim. Lose any decent FA acquisitions in the next few years.
Son, if you really want something in this life, you have to work for it. Now quiet! They're about to announce the lottery numbers. - Homer Simpson
by SarasotaRanger on Sep 10, 2009 10:54 PM CDT reply actions
clubhouse upheaval?
You really think the players would be upset that they don’t have to play behind the guy that has completely spit the bit on them? If I was on the team, I think I’d support sitting Millwood on his fat ass, especially if there was a reasonable option to replace him with. Someone like, say, Vinny Padilla.
I’m especially frustrated with Millwood that we gave him that big contract, and now for the first time we really need him. Don’t need him to be an ace or even really above average, just need him to string together decent, league average-ish starts – and he can’t even do that.
"You can probably stick a fork in the Rangers' playoff chances for 2009." - AJM on 7/26 with the team 4.5 games out
Yeah, I do
You hear a lot about how Millwood is the leader of the pitching staff and how much his teammates respect him.
Players are lousy judges of who helps them win and who doesn’t. Remember, Alex Rodriguez wanted Alex Sanchez to be the team’s centerfielder. Or go look at “The Jordan Rules” and see all the guys Michael Jordan wanted the Bulls to go get.
by Adam J. Morris on Sep 11, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions
To further that point
The Marlins clubhouse was bitching about Hanley Ramirez’s “lack of hustle” or some such in the last week. He’s been something like a six- or seven-WAR player this season.
by Joey Matschulat on Sep 11, 2009 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions
if Millwood's option was a player option,
do you think he would stay or test the FA market?
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
I think he would stay
Just for the simple reason of the season he is having. Stay one more year and build up value.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
In the interest of quicker games Ron should just tell the ump he's pulling the Feliz card and the ump should rule the inning over.--Sherman McCoy on Sept. 4, 2009
There would be no way really
That he could make more than 12 million next year
Better to stay I would guess
Bill Simmons: "I will tell you right now, if the Boston Red Sox traded Clay Buchholz for Justin Smoak, I will run around my neighborhood naked...celebrating for an hour. I love Justin Smoak"
there's no way
he makes near 12mill on the open market. That’s why he’s been pushing himself so hard this year to make his innings. Next year he will go back to sucking for loads of money.
exactly
so why are people acting like Millwood would be a tradeable asset next year?
I mean…I guess it’s because he’s in the final year of his deal, but if I was another team, I wouldn’t be lining up to get 3 months of Millwood for $6M at the cost of a prospect (particularly when he’s looking worn down as this season comes to a close).
Greatest Inventions Ever? 1. TiVO, 2. Boobs, 3. Baseball
the time
when he would have been a tradeable asset was at the end of April or May. That ship has sailed now.
I think he would go
He could probably get a three-year deal, instead of just the one year. He might not get $12 million per season, but he would get a lot more guaranteed money.
by Darrell McKown on Sep 10, 2009 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions
no one gives
an aging Millwood a long term deal when he’s repeatedly shown he starts to flag as the season wears on. It’s a clear sign he’s getting old and it’s only a matter of time before he becomes completely ineffectual.
by MikeEl on Sep 10, 2009 11:13 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Seattle
better play just as ineffectually against us as they did in that Angels series.
Lackey = complete game shutout
115 pitches
by Powder Blue Red Shoe on Sep 10, 2009 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions
I hope that SOB's arm falls off.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
In the interest of quicker games Ron should just tell the ump he's pulling the Feliz card and the ump should rule the inning over.--Sherman McCoy on Sept. 4, 2009
No shit
If the other team isn’t the Rangers they aren’t beating the Angels.
2009 Texas Rangers: Why The Hell Not Us?--ghtd36 on May 13, 2009
In the interest of quicker games Ron should just tell the ump he's pulling the Feliz card and the ump should rule the inning over.--Sherman McCoy on Sept. 4, 2009
Just love what Jeff did here
From LL yesterday
Bill Simmons: "I will tell you right now, if the Boston Red Sox traded Clay Buchholz for Justin Smoak, I will run around my neighborhood naked...celebrating for an hour. I love Justin Smoak"
OT - Polamalu
I know some of us don’t like talking football on this site, but found this interesting
Adam Schefter reports (from his tweets) that he has received texts from people inside the Pitt organization stating that Polamalu’s knee “doesn’t look good”….
Madden cover curse strikes again?
Bill Simmons: "I will tell you right now, if the Boston Red Sox traded Clay Buchholz for Justin Smoak, I will run around my neighborhood naked...celebrating for an hour. I love Justin Smoak"
it looked pretty terrible on the replay
i don’t know how the guy was walking up the stairs w/o much of a limp
"He do what he do" - Ron Washington
by dustinvandeman on Sep 10, 2009 11:31 PM CDT up reply actions
That injury looked really bad but he went to the locker room without limping.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
"Ranger players, especially veterans, weren’t surprised that Daniels couldn’t find a deal"
by Josey Wales on Sep 10, 2009 11:34 PM CDT up reply actions
That is what is called "endorphins"
When I tore my ACL the first time, it was the worst pain I had felt in my life. 10 minutes later, it wasn’t hurting so much and I tried running on the sidelines. 10 minutes after that, I was back in the worst pain of my life. I couldn’t drive home because I couldn’t push in the clutch on my car.
"What ... 92 miles per hour?" Feldman scoffed. "That's not gas. Feliz throws gas."
by NorCalRangersFan on Sep 11, 2009 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions
That's speculation.
the MRI will probably be read tomorrow and the full diagnosis will be revealed. At best it’s 3-6 weeks,it could be longer.
by TooLegitToQuit on Sep 10, 2009 11:57 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Even if this were true (which it most certainly isn't),
its not like we would be able to use the 12M on FA or another way to improve the team. Bud/Tom probably take the money and decide who gets how much.
As much as Millwood now sucks and will continue to suck next year, I’d rather keep him than have this happen.
by behindthebag on Sep 10, 2009 11:38 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
If this is true then
why was the trade for Pudge approved given some salary was involved though not that much? That’’s a contradiction to what TR is saying.
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