MLB & Division Watching (2013)

[spidernat]

Scott Boras compared him to Dan Uggla.

That's a fireable offense.

[TigerFan]

That's a fireable offense.

For Boras or the player?

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

Dan Uggla is the missing link...I'm not sure any comparison with him is all that desirable. 

[HalfSmokes]

For Boras or the player?

or the guy who just gave the player a contract?

[spidernat]

For Boras or the player?

Boras.

or the guy who just gave the player a contract?

And him, if true.

[blue911]

The Houston Astros hire Colin Wyers.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

So, do you start taking stats classes so you can get a real job, or would that interfere with the beers at the park?

[blue911]

So, do you start taking stats classes so you can get a real job, or would that interfere with the beers at the park?

Since when is drinking beer not a real job?

[imref]

David Ortiz finished 3rd in Tuesday's voting for Boston's mayor (as a write-in candidate).

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Wilson awards given out for the best defensive player on each team, the best defensive player in the league, and the best defensive teams.  The awards incorporate sabermetric measures and scouting.

D Span was the top Nat.

Interesting to me that Yan Gomes won the best defender for Cleveland.  They started to play him a lot in the second half, with Santana DH'ng and playing first quite a bit.  I wonder if they are prepared to make him the primary catcher, with Santana shifting to more of a hitter (DH /1b) who occasionally catches.  I've not figured out their line up enough to know who would playing time.

Also interesting they managed to find a Tiger to give the award to.  OK, Jackson is good in the OF, and next year they have Jose Iglesias.

It might tell you something about how the Angels and Rangers are built that JB Shuck and Craig Gentry won it for each of them.  I don't think either is the preferred starter on their respective teams.

In the NL, I don't know if it says something about Phillips that Jay Bruce won.  The NL awards seemed to make sense for the most part (Simmons, Span, Ruiz, Solano for the Marlins; Yadi, Gomez, Barney, and Martin over 'Cutch in Pittsburgh; G Blanco and Parra in the west).

Best teams were the D'backs and a tie between the Os and KC.  Best players were Parra (over Simmons) and Pedroia.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Texas signs Martin Perez for 4 years, with options for 3 more.  Front loads $2.75MM for his remaining two pre-arb years, gives him a respectable first arb year contract of $2.9MM, in exchange for "JZ" money his second arb year ($4.4 MM), and 3 very team favorable options: 

Perez's final year of arbitration would be 2018, but the Rangers have a $6 million option for that season with a $2.45 million buyout. Texas also has options on what would be Perez's first two years of free agency. The option is for $7.5 million with a $750,000 buyout for 2019, and a $9 million salary for '20 with a $250,000 buyout.

Guaranteed total is $12.5MM, options can make it worth $32.5MM.

Great deal for the team. Minimal exposure and ludicrously cheap if this guy is even a #3 starter.

[blue911]

Chris Carpenter retired today.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Literally, on the MLB watching front, Schilling is replacing Hershiser on ESPN Sunday night baseball.  Orel reportedly is moving to the Dodgers network to join NOMAAAAHHHH!

http://www.boston.com/sports/touching_all_the_bases/2013/12/curt_schilling_replaces_orel_hershiser_on_espns_sunday_night.html

[CurlyW4lyfe]

Roy Halladay is retiring as a Jay.

[imref]

Roy Halladay is retiring as a Jay.

Easy first ballot hall of famer. 

[skippy1999]

Roy Halladay is retiring as a Jay.

Wow, I knew he was injured but I'd no idea he was close to retiring, he fell apart pretty rapidly after going to the Phillies didn't he?  What a shame, he was a great, great pitcher. 

[blue911]

Mark Prior officially retired

[houston-nat]

Mark Prior officially retired

Too bad. He could have been useless out of our 'pen in '14.