Jenga, Jenga, Jenga
Mon, Sep 24, 2007
by Geoff Young
Oh well, we knew it was only a matter of time…
It is clear that Milton Bradley has problems. Still, just because you’re crazy doesn’t mean they’re not out to make you crazy.
On a more practical note, here’s hoping that Bradley’s latest episode serves to galvanize the Padres. Oh, and in the above video, the tower’s collapse was provoked by external forces.
Picking up where last year's version left off, the Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual provides in-depth analysis of and commentary on the San Diego Padres. Get your copy today.
September 24, 2007 at 7:48 am
Wow G.Y. awesome video, you made me smile the morning after both the Chargers and Padres lost to inferior teams. Thanks!
September 24, 2007 at 8:07 am
Who is gonna play center?
September 24, 2007 at 8:10 am
Re: 2 Clark until the playoffs, then who knows if Jenga and Cameron are not back.
September 24, 2007 at 8:23 am
Thanks. anybosy know of a good chargers blog? Jeff (sic) has sure spoiled us with DS. Like to find something of similar quality for the bolts.
September 24, 2007 at 8:26 am
“”Everyone is going to make a twist that Milton Bradley blew up again,” Meacham said. “This kid [Bradley] is doing a great job holding it together. He’s not going to get thrown out because he knows his team needs him.”
Okay, not AT ALL what the video shows. How ridiculous, a bunch of grown men all making up their own realities.
September 24, 2007 at 8:46 am
5: Come on Steve, cut the guy a break. Did you read any of the comments by Meacham? Sure, Bradley should have reacted better. But even Meacham said when asked if the comments were racist, that they “smacked of that tone.” Bradley has done a lot of dumb stuff in the past, but he was clearly poked and prodded until he exploded. The umpires got exactly what they wanted out of him. Tell me where that is accpetable behavior in baseball.
September 24, 2007 at 8:46 am
Man, oh, man. That was just crazy. Wow, I’m sure that guy wanted to slug the reporter. Probably not unlike Jenga wanted to go after the umpire. This is just so weird.
September 24, 2007 at 8:57 am
5: Unfortunately the video doesn’t provide the crucial evidence of what the umpire said or didn’t say. Everybody has a line that means trouble if it’s crossed. Jenga’s line has been too easily reached in the past, but we don’t know where it was located this time, and the video will never show us that.
September 24, 2007 at 8:58 am
Re: 8
Oh, now Meacham is lacks credibility. What past “incidents” have led you to make that astute observation.
September 24, 2007 at 8:59 am
After reading the comments by Meacham and the remarks by Alderson, coupled with watching the antics of the umpires yesterday, including home plate, first and third, something needs to be done about the “attitude” and self-importance of the umpires. Where is the “Sandy Alderson” in the front office when you need him? It seems that the umpires injecting themselves into the game is worse than ever. How many times this year have we discussed players getting thrown out when their backs were to the umpires?
That said, a player cannot let himself lose control.
September 24, 2007 at 9:06 am
9: Uh, what? We don’t know what the umpire said. The one person with the least personal stake in it, Todd Helton, isn’t talking. Meacham hasn’t repeated what he heard the umpire say. The umpire isn’t talking. Bradley isn’t talking. So until we know, people like Steve from Boston (5) should not be relying on the video.
If anyone is going to determine that Bradley was justified or not based on the personal reputation of the first base coach, that’s inherently illogical. You can’t accept a person’s reputation as proof for one man but ignore Bradley’s reputation. I prefer to wait until all the facts are in.
September 24, 2007 at 9:06 am
10: Well said. The current crops of umpires are a bunch of showboaters. Their job is to maintain order in the game not intrude themselves in it. I wonder if the minor league umpires are raised this way too. If so, we are in for the decline age of umpiring where the umpires will talk back and chase after managers, coaches, and players.
September 24, 2007 at 9:08 am
Obviously the ump said something bad because Meachum turned around and reacted to the ump before Bradley called time. That being said its one thing to argue with the ump and another to be so out of your mind that your manager has to tackle you to the ground to get control of you.
Bradley had moved on and was paying attention to the game when the 1B ump obviously provoked him. The ump should be suspended for the rest of the year.
September 24, 2007 at 9:10 am
Re: 11 Bradley has talked and said the ump called him an Fing piece of S. It would be great to hear from Helton but there is no way he will talk to the media about it, I hope he atleast talks to the MLB about it.
September 24, 2007 at 9:11 am
Todd Helton needs to say what he heard. All he has said so far is that the comments “were interesting”. I don’t understand him not at least telling everyone what he heard unless it’s exactly what the Padres said and he doesn’t want to become a target for umps with the season winding down. I’m going to be pretty pissed if MLB doesn’t at least question him before handing out a punishment.
On a side note… Freaking Chargers! Ted Cotrell leaves a lot to be desired in a D-Cor. and what the hell is Norv Turner doing with LT? No pass rush (at all) and a bad secondary (which actually played a lot better than Brett Favre made them look) = bad things! Things need to get better quickly! I’m bummed after this weekend!
September 24, 2007 at 9:15 am
Re: 16
If I was Helton I would not say anything to the Media about it, but I would talk to MLB is they called me.
I hope the chargers have an out clause in Norvs and Teds contracts
September 24, 2007 at 9:27 am
Helton should not be talking to the media about it. I’m sure he will be questioned about it during the investigation and it’s hard to imagine he would lie to cover for the umpire.
I have a ton of respect for Meacham and his reaction tells me that Winters was way out of line. Bradley has to learn that if he’s going to do things like show up umpires by standing at home plate after a called third strike and giving the ump the death glare, they’re going to try to get him back. Of course Winters was out of line and should be suspended but Bradley brings that sort of thing on himself. Do you think the umps ride Khalil Greene like that?
Why doesn’t MLB have microphones on the field to guard against this sort of thing? Or just wire up the umpires themselves. Isn’t there a TV mic right by the dugout? I would think that should have picked up some of what was said.
September 24, 2007 at 9:32 am
14: I hadn’t seen Bradley’s quote. It’s hard to see any racial overtones in that, but the ump deserves to be suspended at least.
If that’s all that was said, as bad as it was for the umpire, I don’t see it as justification for Bradley’s actions. But as much jawing as was going on, a lot more may have come out of the umpire’s mouth.
16: Agree. I wouldn’t volunteer anything, but I’d talk to MLB under a cloak of confidentiality. Helton knows that umpires carry grudges.
September 24, 2007 at 9:36 am
17: The Yankees have made a team-wide practice of yipping at the home plate umpire for the last 10 years. If umpires are going to demand that players not show them up - fine - but they have to demand it of everybody, not just guys they don’t like.
The microphones….I don’t know. Sometimes an umpire will admit to a player that he blew a call, in a way that smooths things out. They’d seem less likely to do that if they were mic’d.
September 24, 2007 at 9:56 am
I don’t post much on here anymore but from the quotes I’ve seen and read. It sounds like the ump might have used the N word; and I wouldn’t be shocked if that’s what comes up. I just hope we find out what happens and this guy gets put in his place and then maybe umpires will start to do their job more instead of trying to instigate players.
September 24, 2007 at 10:01 am
Wow … this is tricky … here’s Milton himself …
http://sports.espn.go.com/broa.....p;n8pe6c=2
It’s sad to see him shaking … he’s clearly upset … I see regret for his actions in his eyes and his manners, but his words do not acknowledge his role in this mess at all … he’s the one that initiated the “jawing” with the ump … he kept that conversation going far too long … he taunted the ump by pointing to the taunting fan … he’s the one the flip’d the bat … that’s a lot of mistakes for one afternoon … this will be a lot for him to swallow …
And I’d have zero tolerance for the 1B ump … he should not have responded to any of any Bradley’s questions … and was clearly WAY over the line in what he said that finally snap’d Bradley …
After watching the video of Bradley being interviewed by the press at his locker, I’m not glad that the Padres let him do that … he should have already been in a very personalized “anager management” session … he should not have been alone at that time … unless the Padres had already made the decision to cut ties with him … perhaps … that just doesn’t seem like their style …
Interesting that I’ve not seen any comments from BB yet …
September 24, 2007 at 10:01 am
ESPN is reporting a torn ACL for Bradley:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3033346
On the bright side, X rays were negative on Cameron and he’s day to day.
The whole episode is just sickening. We’ve heard all year about how umpires are getting more and more obnoxious; maybe now something will be done about it. Unfortunately I don’t see anything changing until commisioner for life Selig passes away.
September 24, 2007 at 10:04 am
20: I’d be pretty surprised if that was it. Meacham said “it smacked of that tone (racial).” The N word doesn’t smack of a racial tone, it blares racism at full-volume with no need for interpretation.
September 24, 2007 at 10:10 am
Bradley wasn’t long for the Padres anyway. He is too effective at the plate and has a personality. Maybethey’ll sign him to a minor-league deal if he promises to embrace blandness, play with no emotion, and hit .245 next year.
September 24, 2007 at 10:14 am
22
Torn ACL. I can’t believe this. Regardless of whether or not Winters made a racially-insensitive comment (zero tolerance for that, he should be fired if he did) . . .
FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, JENGA, show some damn restraint!! Tell the guy he’s an a******, and leave it at that.
This whole thing makes me sick. What a nightmare.
September 24, 2007 at 10:15 am
20 … I really don’t think it’s anything blatently racial … it’s just two macho guys being macho …
I just listened to Milton again … when I said “shaking” in comment 21, I meant his voice … it’s the voice of a child trying to explain himself in a situation where he feels an injustice … it’s a mix of hurt and regret and confusion … the confusion being the result of having a sense of doing something wrong, but not being able to admit it … hoping that it’s somebody elses fault …
At least that’s the part of me that I heard coming out of Milton’s mouth (and heart) …
I thought Milton was growing up (based on comments of his that I had read about previous incidents) … and I suppose he has … he knows his “reputation” … but he’s clearly got more growing up to do … and MLB is sure a tough place to do that …
I guess his next stop will be a non-contender … Nats or TB or KC …
He seemed so close to makin’ it … I’m sad for him … and for the Padres … it feels like they’ve both failed on this go-round … if they can salvage something for this season, I’ll be real impressed …
September 24, 2007 at 10:16 am
At least we got good news on Cameron
September 24, 2007 at 10:17 am
(searching for reset button for the whole weekend)
September 24, 2007 at 10:17 am
26
Well said
September 24, 2007 at 10:20 am
The video is hysterical, by the way
September 24, 2007 at 10:32 am
Buster Olney has a chat going on right now. He had this to say:
There’s no doubt that Milton has a history of overreacting, and that should be considered. But the umpire also needs to be aware of all that, as well, and if Mike Winters actually called him a “piece of…”, well, that means he has failed in his handling of the issue, at the very least, and at most, he has absolutely abused his position of authority. If Bradley’s version is accurate, then Winters — who I’ve always liked and respected — should be suspended. And if it turns out that Winters filed a report that does not accurately account for what he said to Milton, well, he should be fired.
September 24, 2007 at 10:37 am
The loss of Bradley will be tough, but we can still do this. The team needs to come out fired up tonite and blow out the Giants. The team needs some positive momentum right now, and a devastating win against the Giants would be the right way to kick things off.
I feel terrible for Milton. I wish he would have done things differently, but there’s no doubt he was targeted yeseterday. It’s truly unfortunate, and I wish him the best wherever he ends up.
September 24, 2007 at 10:50 am
BB’s post-game interview is up on mlb.com …
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com.....mp;c_id=sd
… he doesn’t say much … bleh …
September 24, 2007 at 10:50 am
It’s sad for Bradley for a number of reasons least of which is that he seemed to be fitting in with teammates and the community for the first time, probably ever.
The team’s back is certainly up against the wall and losing one of your 3 best hitters a week before the playoffs is a big problem, especially for a team which struggles to score runs.
Hairston, Clark and Sledge just became that much more important and I think its certainly that this is going to be the most important start CY has ever made.
September 24, 2007 at 10:55 am
33: Black might be uninterested in talking, and his agent/lawyer should warn him not to talk. Have to protect yourself against the chance, however slim, that you’re called as a witness in a civil suit regarded to Bradley’s ACL and who should pay for it.
34: I’d go with last year’s start against St. Louis, but we need the good CY. Of course even a good pitching performance can go to waste, as Jake knows all too well.
September 24, 2007 at 10:56 am
Re: 34 I still think the Pads should sign Jenga for next year, if anything I think this will help them to get a 1 year deal done.
September 24, 2007 at 10:57 am
31 … BINGO … right on … well said! Thanks for forwarding that to us, Anthony!
September 24, 2007 at 11:47 am
There’s no way Bradley is back next season. These issues + injuries make it too much of a risk. Is there really any debating that?
September 24, 2007 at 11:47 am
Fellas - I think that we’ve done a pretty good job discussing this topic today. Some might think that we’re biased because we’re San Diego fans; while we might think that others are biased because of Milton’s past reputation. Either way, we’re not arbitors; we’re fans, and we’re allowed to let our hearts dictate our perspective. If we don’t, then what’s the point of being a fan, eh?
September 24, 2007 at 11:50 am
38: Yes, there’s debating. If Bradley signs a 1 year deal for 2 million or less, we’d be stupid not to. You can’t look at him his a starter, but 2 million is cheap for 81 games of a healthy Jenga.
September 24, 2007 at 11:52 am
Milton will command more than one year and certainly more than $2 million a year. You are aware of the market, right? No one gets that kind of deal expect Geoff Blum.
September 24, 2007 at 11:54 am
Re: 40 exactly 2 mil for 81 games of a 10 mil player seems like a good deal to me. It seems like bradley is a good club house guy as well.
September 24, 2007 at 12:00 pm
I’d probably pay $3-$4mm for Bradley. No multiyear though, but assuming the knee injury isn’t catastrophic I’d want him back. Heck, pure speculation here but having a team want him back might help his psyche a bit.
Alderson drools over under-valued talent, that’s the essence of Moneyball. If Jenga is dramatically under-valued b/c of temper, SA might give KT the ok to re-sign him.
September 24, 2007 at 12:00 pm
41: The same Bradley who just tore his ACL and may start next season on the DL is “certainly” going to get a multiple year deal? Were other GMs not watching SportsCenter, so they missed Bradley going after the umpire? Have they all forgotten his history of emotional outbursts?
Lots of players have signed one-year make-good deals, even recently.
The point is, you asked if it was even worth debating that Bradley would be gone. At the right investment, of course you bring him back. So it’s worth debating. The question is, what’s the breakpoint? 2 million? 3 million? 1 year with an option that vests automatically? Obviously there’s a point at which cost and risk outweigh reward.
September 24, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Bradley made $3 million this season and he’ll want at least that based on what he did on the field.
September 24, 2007 at 12:17 pm
45: That was when he was still under the rules of arbitration. After this season he’s a free agent. There are no limits, high or low, to what he can be offered.
What he wants and what he’ll be offered may be two radically different things.
September 24, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Knowing he’s damaged goods with the ACL, why on Earth would you offer him a contract for 2008? I think at some point a team needs to move forward and considering the headache he’s been, it makes the decision fairly easy for the front office to cut the cord.
September 24, 2007 at 12:27 pm
47: You JUST SAID he will “command more than one year and certainly more than $2 million a year. Now you’re asking why offer him a contract?
You offer him the contract even with the ACL because he could play half a season giving you a 300/370/500 line with 15 HR. If he heals faster and stays healthy enough to play 130+ games, (maybe a 20% chance of that happening), you’ve just acquired the best offensive player on your team for 2 or 3 million.
The headache they have is because he tore his ACL. If it had just been a run-in with an umpire, it would have been a very bearable headache. Appeal any suspension until next season.
September 24, 2007 at 12:28 pm
he’ll be out the first couple months of next year, you really cant underestimate the severity of a knee injury.
sometimes your never right again after hurting your knee that bad.
even if hes healthy after the injury. he will barely get to play half a year.
theres no way he gets a multi-year deal. i’d be shocked if he got a raise at all. he’ll have a contract with a lot of incentives or money deferred for the first season and will have a option year that will make up for anything he loses by signing for the “make-good” 2008 contract.
that way of he does get healthy mid year and hits fire the rest of the season, he will be equally compensated for the 2009 season.
its way to early to tell if we even offer him a contract however.
September 24, 2007 at 12:30 pm
If Milton really did tear his ACL he is looking at the better part of a year in recovery time alone. I could see the Padres offering him some sort of minor league deal that would allow him access to their facilities, doctors, and training staff. They can arrange deals all sorts of ways so that when he is ready to come back he might get close to market or something for the remaining games he plays.
Typically ACL injuries take anywhere from 8 months 12 months to totally recover from. Who knows the degree of the tear and what Miltons recovery time will actually be but he almost certainly will have a pretty substancial recovery period and with him being from SoCal he may choose to hang around with the Padres (if they will have him) and be close to home. Who knows what will happen?
September 24, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Probably a bit of a pipe dream but would it not be possible for the Pads to sign someone who clears waivers to fill a roster spot that would be playoff eligible (since Bradley is out for the season) ? My point is, I do not want T. Sledge to be an option for any starts if we make the post season. Are there any players that would clear waivers that can help us ?
September 24, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Ian… you’re right, a leg injury could be career ending….
Check out 3m 20secs into this clip….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....mp;search=
September 24, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Well it certainly ends any hope that Bradley would play CF ever in Petco.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see them bring him back on a 1 year deal and go into the season with a Sledge/Hairston platoon in LF.
September 24, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Sure, Bradley could be back in six to nine months, and they would be great. But he could be out for one year to 18 months.
Until I hear more facts, I support Bradley and dismiss the umpire. The Padres players and organization should also do that, because that’s what you do for a teammate. Since he has been productive and a good clubhouse guy, give him the benefit of the doubt.
If some magic words were used, then I really support Bradley and hope the umpire is forever out of the game.
Yes, Bradley has a bad temper. It’s too bad that could factor into this. But this could be the time that Bradley is right. Kind of like the boy who cried wolf. And if the umpire went over the line, I don’t blame Bradley a bit and even support some “going off” from him. Sometimes it’s useful to have a bad temper.
If Black had not gotten involved, it’s possible Bradley doesn’t go after the ump physically. Then he is not necessarily suspended or appeals the suspension and plays out the season.
September 24, 2007 at 1:35 pm
It’s ok, guys, we’re signing Barry Bonds to play left field for us next year anyway.
September 24, 2007 at 1:57 pm
55: Apparently you just read this:
http://www.baseballprospectus......red/?p=536
via Friar Forecast.
Gosh, I hope not.
September 24, 2007 at 2:00 pm
I read this morning that Milwaukee is going to let Geoff Jenkins go. He might be a good fit in LF next year.
I also think Bradley will get some kind of one year deal with the Padres. With his history of physical and emotional problems there aren’t many teams that are going to offer a multi year deal when he’s recovering from a major injury. Given that he was injured as a Padre I think they need to make some kind of an offer just so he can use their medical facilities, as KRS1 mentioned.
September 24, 2007 at 2:07 pm
55. i really hope not. good hitter still, but a horrible defender and a public nuisance.
i dont want to support the barry bonds show (also feat. the padres)
September 24, 2007 at 2:14 pm
#54 “If Black had not gotten involved, it’s possible Bradley doesn’t go after the ump physically. Then he is not necessarily suspended or appeals the suspension and plays out the season.”
what are you talking about. how could any of this be buddy’s fault.
milton was charging that ump way before black even got out there, he was already being restrained by bobby meacham he looked like he wanted to tear the ump in half and black wasnt even on the screen yet.
besides when one of your players grabs at your neck just to get at an umpire, you do what you gotta do to stop him even if it means throwing him down. its just an unfortunate fluke that his knee twisted at the same time. he just stepped on the edge of the grass and slipped.
i like milton but no way its blacks fault.
September 24, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Well Bonds on a 1/10 deal solves a ton of problems and it lets them focus on finding an elite defensive/high OBP young CF.
For all the baggage, Bonds having already broken the HR record solves a ton of problems. It would certainly be nice to have a .500OBP in the #3 slot in front of Adrian and Kouz.
September 24, 2007 at 2:41 pm
#53 Sledge in left field next year ? Did you want Bellhorn back this year as well ?
September 24, 2007 at 2:43 pm
If the Padres signed Barry Bonds, I would pretend that they no longer existed. People could ask me, “Did you see the Padre game last night?” and I’d reply, “Must have been a rerun or something. The Padres don’t play baseball anymore.”
September 24, 2007 at 2:46 pm
like i said he’d be an offensive help, but does his attitude, bad defense, somewhat overpriced and overall obnoxiousness really balance that out for us?
he just takes too much away from the team to be any sort of help to us. theres no BARRY in TEAM. hes all about himself
September 24, 2007 at 2:57 pm
54. If Black doesn’t get involved? That’s his job. If Black doesn’t try to get between Bradley and the umpire, we could have had something serious happen and something likely bad.
September 24, 2007 at 3:01 pm
59: Agree. Bradley was going after the ump before Black got there.
60: I’d like to get him cheaper, because I don’t know if they can use him even as much as they did Piazza last season (more below). The flip side is whether he’d even come here, given the park.
63: It’s near impossible to do something “selfish” in baseball that doesn’t also help your team. But they would have to use him very carefully. He could play the OF with a strikeout pitcher, or in tiny away ballparks like Philly. DH in away interleague games. Be the world’s most dangerous pinch-hitter. That’s maybe 250 at-bats?
September 24, 2007 at 3:05 pm
LOL @ 61
The Padres ARE NOT going after Bonds.
Towers (or was it Alderson?) was on XX a few weeks ago and discussed this - actually, I think I heard Towers on ESPNradio discussing this… Anyway, he said that they explored Bonds but got TONS of letters and calls saying that if they signed Bonds, people would cancel their season tickets. Towers went on to say that he had NEVER seen such a unified reaction against any type of position…
September 24, 2007 at 3:08 pm
With Cameron, Jenga, and Mackiowak out - the Pads will probably add an outfielder to their roster and have the opportunity to add them to the post season roster. Talk about unexpected call ups. Who do we add ? PMAC ? Where’s Bocachica ? or a waiver deal acquisition ?
September 24, 2007 at 3:10 pm
65 i agree he has his uses…. but hes just such a distraction. and just myself personally ive been hating bonds as a giant for my whole baseball watching career, it would be so hard to watch him with my padres. regardless of his offensive bonuses. hes been a rival of ours since he got there.
i suppose the most obvious reason to sign him (despite what i really think) is simply because hes a padre killer and he wouldnt be able to hurt us so much.
September 24, 2007 at 3:15 pm
67, i dont know who we’ll get but anyone better than sludge would be awesomeeee.
in fact im just picturing sledge stricking out to end all our hopes right now.
the pitch would be low and away and he would be flailing his useless bat in despair towards it. only to walk back to the dugout.
lets face it he couldnt hit water if he fell out of the boat.
remember when they were trying to pull the wool over our eyes and said he could lead off for us…..yeah sledgehammer i think is what they were calling him. what a joke that one was
September 24, 2007 at 3:15 pm
unified reaction against Bonds ? Why ? Caminiti was jacked up on roids and even when the city found out, the fans still stood and gave him an ovation at Qualcomm in 2003. The fans that would cancel their season tix upon his signing would be buyers again shortly or the tickets would be gobbled up by fans excited about Barry jacking balls regularly out of Petco. Bonds in SD ? He would bring excitement much needed excitement to Petco and San Diego would love him
September 24, 2007 at 3:22 pm
#70: I have yet to meet anyone in San Diego who loves Barry Bonds.
September 24, 2007 at 3:22 pm
70: I was thinking of an ad campaign that morphed Caminiti, Vaughn, and Carlos Hernandez into Bonds.
68: I’ve never liked Bonds, but he’s such a big upgrade to the offense. I’d swallow my personal feelings to pick up that many runs. But I’d rather see us upgrade the pitching staff. We can’t keep counting on Petco to turn every pig’s ear into a silk purse.
September 24, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Lets at least bring Boca up for depth. He might have left a little to be desired hitting, but he can play the field well and can run. I’d rather even see him than Sledge.
September 24, 2007 at 4:00 pm
XX just said Buster Onley reports Mike Cameron is out fot the year!
September 24, 2007 at 4:01 pm
Alderson was on XX and said 3 of the 4 umps from yesterday are scheduled for the Milwaukee series.
September 24, 2007 at 4:32 pm
71
No one outside of San Francisco likes Barry Bonds. I’m thinking wife and kids and . . . . that’s it.
September 24, 2007 at 4:37 pm
I have a bad feeling we’re watching our season implode. I hope I’m wrong. No more Cameron or Bradley. Jenga is fragile in too many ways. After getting into a stupid altercation during a game that mattered he then tears his ACL???? I know there are 2 sides to this story but I come down on the side that who cares what some A hole calls you. Unless he’s putting your family or wife down I’d let it roll off me and spend my energies getting to 2nd base. Totally lame and juvenile.
Let’s hope the backups can pull it together. Go Padres.
September 24, 2007 at 4:39 pm
RE: 74
Why is Cameron out for the year?
I just read he was day to day.
September 24, 2007 at 4:53 pm
72: But there is no pitcher available that will have the impact that Bonds would, yet be as cheap as Bonds will be. Bonds’s issues obscure the fact that he’s still among the best hitters in baseball per at bat, and because of those issues he would be available to the Padres fairly cheaply on a one year deal. There is no way that any pitcher this offseason is going to be similarly undervalued, and there’s also no pitcher available that’s close to as good as Bonds.
Also, I’ve read that Bonds’s defense isn’t as bad as it’s made out to be. I think I read that John Dewan of the plus/minus system rated his defense better than Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn, and Pat Burrell this year.
September 24, 2007 at 5:05 pm
79 … it’s my impression, from watching highlights, that he’s been playing LF pretty “gingerly” … my guess is that it is a bad as it’s made out to be … and therefore worse than you’d expect … and for that reason, I’m betting he’ll DH only next year in the AL … he’s not a fit for any NL teams …
September 24, 2007 at 5:11 pm
I’d probably be in favor of signing Bonds. I don’t think he’s that bad of a defender, most of the perception of his bad defense is in comparison to what he used to be — one of the best defensive LF’ers ever. He can obviously still hit as he’s probably the best batter in the National League. Sure he’s slower than he used to be but the Padres survive with Gonzalez and Bard running the bases, Bonds wouldn’t have that much effect. The thing is that he’ll help them win and isn’t that the main reason we watch the games?
As a side bonus, we’d get to see all the reporters whine and complain about how much a jerk Bonds is and how hard he makes it to do their job. Anything that upsets the writers is good with me!
September 24, 2007 at 5:12 pm
78:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/....._lost.html
Cameron might be available for the playoffs but it doesn’t sound good.
79: I question any defensive metric that rates Bonds ahead of anyone. He has less range than anyone Ive ever seen in the outfield.
September 24, 2007 at 5:15 pm
79: I agree. Glancing at the hardball times’ defensive numbers (zone rating), he’s right there with the players you mentioned. When UZR (or Dewan’s system) is updated, I expect he’ll be right in that range. In other words, he’s playable in left, at least when you look at his bat. It’s definitely a minus, though.
It’s my modest impression that he still gets good jumps, takes good routes, good angles, etc. but is rather slow. People see him running slowly and misplaying a ball or two and that’s what they remember.
It’ll be interesting to see how he fairs in the fans scouting report (over on tango’s blog).
September 24, 2007 at 5:39 pm
I think Bonds is certainly a better defender than Pat Burrell or Adam Dunn (who are other names that people bring up for the San Diego LF job). He’s definitely slower than he used to be (obviously) and he’s never had a strong arm but he’s probably not much worse in the field than Sledge.
I would say it’s a positive that posters here haven’t brought up Bonds’ steroids use as a reason to not sign him. The whole witch hunt to prove Bonds used steroids (and that is what it is since no one cares about the myriad other players that used steroids) has been a huge black eye for baseball as a whole. A lot of it is writer driven but Selig is so inept at public relations (in fact that most of his positions are probably the opposite of what he should do) it’s really hurt baseball.
September 24, 2007 at 5:51 pm
Yes, but put Bonds’s in a Padres uniform and see how many love him when he hits 11 homeruns in May. It’s about production and winning. And it is really all I care about.
Think Ben put it best “Bonds’s issues obscure the fact that he’s still among the best hitters in baseball per at bat, and because of those issues he would be available to the Padres fairly cheaply on a one year deal.” Don’t SD fans love the controversial Shawne Merriman ? Think Dallas Cowboy fans will boo the newly acquired Tank Johnson ?
You produce and your loved. As it should be.
September 24, 2007 at 6:05 pm
85: I don’t think you can compare Merriman and Tank Johnson. Merriman does what probably a majority (at least) of professional football and baseball do. In my opinion, and probably most others, Johnson’s crimes are much worse.
Fans want to see a winning team. Much of the San Diego hatred for Bonds is because he’s kept our team from winning. Switch it around — having Bonds helping the Padres win and the Dodgers or Giants lose — everyone would probably like him, or at least tolerate him.
September 24, 2007 at 6:10 pm
I haven’t watched the video yet…but what I’ve read tells me that there was definitely some “baiting” being done by the umpires yesterday. Sure we would like to think that Milton would be smart enough to recognize that and ignore it…but he clearly has anger issues (lots of people do) and it just isn’t right that an umpire would do anything to provoke an argument. It happens in a lot of games and MLB needs to do something about it…even if it means the current major league umpires go on strike. They have been given too much power and it needs to be stopped.
September 24, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Why this sanctimonious attitude towards Bonds ? They were ALL on the crap. Why isn’t Clay Hensley or Neifi Perez being booed for their roids use. Soon enough, this steroids thing will be a distant memory—baseball has been through this before and maybe even worse.
In the 70’s, more than half the players were looped out