Light Posting This Week
Mon, Aug 18, 2008
by Geoff Young
Posting will be light this week. Nothing much is happening with the Padres right now (aside from the signings of Allan Dykstra and James Darnell, I suppose), and a few other projects are demanding my time:
- I’m working on a quick survey of compensatory draft picks through history — We’ve already touched on Rafael Palmeiro being drafted by the Cubs as compensation for “losing” Tim Stoddard to the Padres, but how about the Blue Jays getting Shawn Green for losing Bud Black, or the Rockies getting Jody Gerut for losing Walt Weiss?
- I’m also working on the 1969 chapter of the Ducksnorts 2009 Baseball Annual — With 40 hours a week spent editing other people’s stuff, if I don’t get this started now, it’s not going to happen. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be gathering all of my notes on the inaugural 1969 team and attempting to assemble it into something coherent.
Finally, I have a backlog of research questions that I’ll study as time permits:
- The Padres and Rockies have both fallen hard this year, but one team’s attendance has suffered for it while the other’s has flourished despite a much less successful track record over the past five seasons. Why is this so?
- How does the current Padres bullpen compare with those from the past? In examining this, I’ve made some interesting discoveries that have nothing to do with performance. For example, usage shifted dramatically between 1990 and 1991, and again between 1997 and 1998. I don’t know whether this is the case throughout baseball, but it certainly was for the Padres. Anyway, there’s lots of fun stuff here, so hopefully I’ll be able to finish this before the season ends. If not, it’ll be in the book.
- Has there been a less appreciated player in baseball than Brian Giles over the past 15-20 years? After being buried in Cleveland and wasted in Pittsburgh, Giles has been dismissed in San Diego despite being one of the best performers ever to play for the Padres. He’s sort of like Ryan Klesko and Phil Nevin, but with less whining and more winning. Still, some folks prefer to rewrite history and insist that Jason Bay was destined for stardom from the beginning. (I guess that’s why the Expos traded him for Lou Collier, and the Mets traded him for Steve Reed — what rational person wouldn’t give up a known future star for such fine players?)
- Does Petco Park distort perceptions about the Padres’ strengths and weaknesses, and if so, to what degree? Hint: The offense isn’t what’s been killing the team this year.
I’m also hoping to have the Portland Beavers review ready within the next couple weeks, so hang tight. One day we’ll all look back at this season and laugh. I look forward to that day…
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.
August 18, 2008 at 11:04 am
On Giles: I don’t think less appreciated, but a very similar player, both in terms of talent and being ignored by fans and media, is Bobby Abreu. Abreu’s most similar player, per BB-Ref, Brian Giles. Brian Giles’s second most simlar player, per BB-Ref, Bobby Abreu. Giles has a slightly higher peak, going by OPS+, had far better seasons at 33 and 34 than Abreu has had the past two years, and has bounced back nicely this season. Oddly Abreu’s HR power seems to have deserted him, as has Giles’s, but Abreu is playing in Yankee Stadium with the infamous short porch in right and is a LH batter.
BP has them as very, very close as well. EQA is .312 to .308 for Giles, and in categories like BRAA and EQR, which are more like counting stats, Abreu is just slightly behind.
Strikingly similar players in terms of production, both are LH batters, both play RF. Abreu’s base stealing ability definitely distinguishes him from Giles, but does not seem to have made him any more valuable in terms of prodcution. Gotta think if either had played in NY, Boston, or Chicago, maybe LA or SF, they would much more highly acclaimed.
August 18, 2008 at 11:08 am
Still believe that the loss of Charles Steinberg was one of the biggest business losses the Padres have had in the past 20 years.
While being on the East Coast this season does take away some of the close ties I always have kept on the team, I can tell you that their marketing has been so poor for some time now, I am embarassed for them.
The Rockies seem to have been able to build excitement despite their results. The Padres, have not.
Marketing is a huge part of that.
August 18, 2008 at 11:24 am
#2@Coronado Mike: The Rockes went to the World Series last year, you can’t buy that kind of marketing. Season ticket sales go up, along with people buying their individual games tickets, when they first go on sale. They will return to normalcy in 2009.
August 18, 2008 at 11:26 am
#1@Pat: Good call on Abreu. However, playing in New York for the past couple of years hasn’t really helped him in publicity. Fans just don’t appreciate guys whose most remarkable skill is their ability to draw a walk.
#2@Coronado Mike: I think the biggest factor in the relative attendances is that the Rockies went to the World Series last year. The Padres ultimately didn’t make the playoffs, continuing a trend of solid play but no postseason results. So it makes sense that the Rockies attendance increased after the most successful season in franchise history despite a disappointing follow-up season, while the Padres’ decreased after another season lacking a postseason win, followed by a disastrous season this year.
Better marketing could help overcome those sort of perceptions though.
August 18, 2008 at 11:51 am
I know this is just salt in the wound that Jim Edmonds left behind, but I can and will continue to root for David Freese … this note today from BP’s Kevin Goldstein …
David Freese, 3B, Triple-A Memphis (Cardinals)
Acquired from San Diego for what turned out to be a month’s worth of Jim Edmonds, Freese was a ninth-round pick in 2006 who was coming off of a solid .302/.400/.489 line at High-A. Scouts had consistently high praise for his bat, but at the same time they wondered what a 24-year-old was doing in the California League, and what that kind of production really proved. The Cardinals moved him all the way up to Triple-A this year, and Freese has kept on slugging, only this time at an age-appropriate level. With four hits and a home run on Saturday, and another long ball on Sunday, Freese now has 23 bombs in 409 at-bats for the Redbirds as part of a .306/.359/.553 line. While Troy Glaus is signed through 2009, Freese provides a solid backup plan.
August 18, 2008 at 11:53 am
#2@Coronado Mike:
#4@Ben B.:
…not to mention HOW the Rockies made the world series last year… with the most exciting and unprecedented come-from-behind storybook finish (minus the actual world series) in my lifetime… that kind of thing makes it so the fans can believe that the team has a chance to win even if they suck. If the Padres go on a tear and make the playoffs this year, we’ll sell a lot more tickets for next year, no matter how much the beer costs.
August 18, 2008 at 12:55 pm
#4@Ben B.: True, being in NY hasn’t exactly brought Abreu into the limelight, but my point was that if either player had been in one of those markets during his prime, it would have made a difference.
I was just looking at Abreu again and maybe it has made a difference for him. Last year, his worst full season in the majors by a pretty good margin, he finished 17th in MVP voting. That was nearly his highest placement, eclipsed ony by a 16th place in 2001 and a 14th (the year he won the HR Derby) in 2005.
August 18, 2008 at 1:23 pm
#5@LynchMob: I friggin’ hate Jim Edmonds…
August 18, 2008 at 1:40 pm
#5@LynchMob: I’ll root for him… but couldnt we just ask the Card to pretend the trade never happened?
August 18, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Hey guys,
This week the family and I are in Pennsylvania this week. Not that anyone cares but I am going to get a chance to go to a Phillies game on thursday and I am making a trip to yankee stadium on wednesday. I really dislike the Phillies and I hate the Yankees but I try to get to games and stadiums whenever I can. I am actually kinda excited to get to Yankee stadium, all that history will be cool to see.
Talk to you guys when I get back. Go Padres!
August 18, 2008 at 6:05 pm
ESPN reports we just traded Maddux to the Dodgers…..
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....id=3541723
I wonder if KT was able to get anything back?
August 18, 2008 at 6:34 pm
#11@Pelotero 47: PTNL… so maybe a MLB player?
August 18, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Baseball America has a list of what each team spent on the draft in rounds 1-10 this season (it’s subscriber only so I won’t produce the whole list). Here’s the top 5 teams:
Kansas City Royals $10,165,000
Tampa Bay Rays $9,357,000
Boston Red Sox $8,990,000
San Francisco Giants $8,703,000
Pittsburgh Pirates $8,256,000
The Padres spent $5,064,000 which was 14th overall. The bottom five were:
Detroit Tigers $3,284,500
Washington Nationals $3,001,000
Colorado Rockies $2,998,000
Seattle Mariners $1,769,000
Los Angeles Angels $1,743,000
The MLB average was about $5,310,000 so the Padres spent slightly less then the average team. Not exactly sure how spending less the average means that you are concentrating on rebuilding your farm system but what do I know?
August 18, 2008 at 6:55 pm
#13@Schlom: Nice insight. Thanks for the freebie. We’re right there in the middle. Can’t believe KC and TB are on top $-wise. Ouch that hurts.
August 18, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Oh yeah, the LA Angels…..hard to believe they were at the bottom. Obviously they have a kick ass team and don’t need anything but they will 4 years from now. I’m sure they’re on top of it. I trust them more than us.
August 18, 2008 at 7:02 pm
#13@Schlom: It means that our first pick came in at 23…you are going to have a huge amount of money spent when you pick in the top 4 or so…not so huge when you first pick is at 23.
We signed 12 of the first 14…Mooneyham was a difficult sign and the Pads had to know going into that pick that if they signed them it would be a miracle…
Don’t know how spending $5mm and signing almost all of your top picks can be questioned as not concentrating on rebuilding your farm system.
August 18, 2008 at 7:16 pm
#16@Coronado Mike: Big difference between signing all your picks and most of your picks.
Obviously, the higher you draft overall, the more you spend which accounts for not only the Royals and Pirates being on top as well as the Angels being on the bottom.
However, the main reason the Padres finished below average is because they failed to sign their 4th round pick. If they signed Kipnis for around $800k they would have been in the top ten.
What’s ultimately the most frustrating is that the Padres always seem to make the wrong picks. They draft Mooneyham but don’t sign him yet the Royals draft the best high school arm (Tim Melville) and sign him for “only” $1.250m (reportedly less then what Mooneyham was asking). Again I think it’s fair to question what direction the Padres are taking with player development. They keep following the failed model of drafting polished college player with the occasional high school player thrown in there but spent a ton (probably the most overall) on the international free agents. I’d probably do the opposite.
August 18, 2008 at 7:26 pm
#17@Schlom: I don’t have a problem with your final question…I just don’t think the amount of money that a team spends on the draft is really a fair measure. It might be one of those things that can be considered, but I really don’t think it directly points to a good or bad draft…or more specific to your earlier point, whether or not they are focusing on rebuilding the minor leagues.
Your last question about HS Potential vs. College Polish is a fair one though. I just don’t think it really can be answered, but rather is just a manner of preference…I prefer driving a truck and so I buy trucks. You might prefer cars, so you buy cars. Which are better is really a matter of what you are trying to accomplish and what your needs are. The Pads may or may not be leaning artificially heavy on college players…it could just be a philosophy that they prefer.
August 18, 2008 at 7:35 pm
#12@SDSUBaseball: I heard it was for 2 PTBNL’s, which is quite interesting. If it’s players from their 40-man, I have no clue who they would be. Eric Stultz?
August 18, 2008 at 7:45 pm
#17@Schlom: “They draft Mooneyham but don’t sign him yet the Royals draft the best high school arm (Tim Melville) and sign him for “only” $1.250m (reportedly less then what Mooneyham was asking)”.
Baseball America reports otherwise.
August 18, 2008 at 7:52 pm
#11@Pelotero 47: At 98+ ERA for both years (07 & 08) , Maddux basically did what was expected when the Padres signed him. Good signing overall….thanks Greg, you did a yeoman’s job for the Friars.
August 18, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Yahoo posts LA Times and another LA paper have Maddox to Dodgers in time for Tuesday’s game. Unconfirmed by LA team.
August 18, 2008 at 8:02 pm
#20@osidepadre: I guess I wasn’t clear there. The Padres draft a worse high school in a lower round but he wants more then what the Royals signed Melville for (a higher regarded, higher drafted pitcher). Although since Melville was from Missouri maybe he would have taken less to sign with Kansas City then with the Padres (I wouldn’t think so however).
August 18, 2008 at 8:21 pm
#17@Schlom: “However, the main reason the Padres finished below average is because they failed to sign their 4th round pick. If they signed Kipnis for around $800k they would have been in the top ten.”
So they would have moved up a few spots and still been less than 10% above the average. I hardly see how this qualifies as not working on rebuilding. Do you factor in the DR facility and Latin signings into rebuilding?
August 18, 2008 at 9:05 pm
A nice outing by Latos and Forsythe is back.
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....k_rngrok_1
August 18, 2008 at 9:28 pm
#24@Pat: Remember that they also saved $500k on Dykstra and Carroll. Those two plus Kipnis saved them 25%.
I’ll we heard from the front office was that they were going to be aggressive and totally rebuild the farm system. They did this in the international market for free agents but went with the same failed model in the draft. Every year the Padres have the same sort of draft and every year (with the exception of Headley) those drafts have been terrible. Eventually you would think that you’d change your drafting philosophy. Those 4 players they signed as free agents for huge bonuses might turn the system around but the track record for those types of players is definitely not that great.
That’s why the Padres have to get the first pick overall. Strasburg is the only pick they can’t screw up and even the Padres wouldn’t pass on him (being a local kid). If they don’t get the chance to take Strasburg, how confident are you that they won’t screw it up?
August 18, 2008 at 10:31 pm
#25@Field39: Wow, you weren’t kidding about that nice outing. Latos pitched 5 innings. He allowed two baserunners, who both reached on errors. He struck out 9 of the 17 hitters he faced, and the other 8 hitters all hit the ball on the ground. So, yes, it was a nice outing.
August 19, 2008 at 12:46 am
#23@Schlom:
“he wants more then what the Royals signed…”
For fucksakes, it’s more t-h-A-n, you simpering dolt. I occasionally agree with your arguments, but if you can’t even demonstrate that you know how to speak gawdamned english, it’s REALLY DAMNED HARD TO STICK UP FOR YOU, YOU DAMNED MONKEY!!!
August 19, 2008 at 1:02 am
#26@Schlom:
“They did this in the international market for free agents but went with the same failed model in the draft. Every year the Padres have the same sort of draft and every year (with the exception of Headley) those drafts have been terrible. Eventually you would think that you’d change your drafting philosophy.”
What do you suppose their “philosophy” is???? Please, I beg of you, outline the “failed model”. They drafted poorly. High picks got hurt. I’m not happy about it, either, but I’m sure as f-uck pleased to see them flooding the system with first-round caliber international signings. I’d take at least three of our big five July 2 guys over Dykstra.
I gotta ask- If they draft Strasburg, and he blows out his elbow in A-ball, WTF are you gonna say? Hindsight’s 20-20, partner, and it’s about time you start showing some insight into the future, rather than sh-itting your drawers over the past.
Dude, they just missed. Way more often than I’m okay with, but it’s not due to a “failed model”, or a “drafting philosophy”.
A series of poor drafts has inspired you to assert that the front office is a group of draft Nazis or something- purveyors of some evil talent-evaluating paradigm certain to be immortalized in history books as a regime comparable to those of Khan, Hitler, and Stalin. Get a damned grip, man.
August 19, 2008 at 3:10 am
#28@Lance Richardson: Classy.
August 19, 2008 at 3:42 am
Rumor is that James McDonald is one of the PTBNL’s. McDonald is a 23 yr old who was recently promoted to AAA after going 5-3 with a 3.19 ERA, and has struck out 113 in 118 innings at AA. Looks like a decent haul if true.
August 19, 2008 at 5:46 am
#31@Masticore317: McDonald by himself would be worth it. He was LA’s 7th rated prospect (by Baseball America) before the season. Interesting career; he was switched to the outfield after being drafted as a pitcher, didn’t hit, and went back to the mound. Best curveball in the system, good change, fastball tops out at 93 currently, but he’s still skinny (six-five, 195) and even though he’s 23 there’s room to hope he could add to that.
August 19, 2008 at 8:34 am
Is avoiding the waiver wire, the only reason they would go with a PTNL?
August 19, 2008 at 8:37 am
I would have passed on Kipinis too.
The Padres have two pretty strong outfielders in Eugene right now in Tekotte and Robertson, who has performed much better than the 33rd round pick that he was (.364/.433/.490), throw in Jaff Decker and you have the outfield in Fort Wayne next year.
Also have to consider if Forsythe can’t play second and moves back to third, then they would have to find room for Darnell in a crowded OF.
On top of that Sawyer, who I think will be in LE, could have to move back down to FW and there are some other guys that could compete for playing time in FW from the AZL.
All in all, some nice problems.
In essence, Kipinis would have been nice to have for slot, but its foolish to spend a major amount of money on him when there are several players who do what he does or better.
August 19, 2008 at 8:40 am
#29@Lance Richardson: If you throw out the first round picks, I know that is a big if, they have had some nice drafts - especially in the past two to three years and with the the draft and follows.
Cedric Hunter, Eric Sogard, Kellen Kublacki, Mat Latos, Wynn Pelzer, Chad Huffman, Kyle Blanks, Jeremy McBryde and so on..
August 19, 2008 at 8:48 am
#33@Field39: It’s that, or one of the players may be on the major league roster and the Dodgers don’t want to give him up now. That seems less likely.
#34@John Conniff: I’d put Tekotte and Darnell, probably Forsythe too, in Lake Elsinore to start 2009. And I’d strongly consider moving Darnell to RF right now. They don’t have a lot of options for prototypical RF. I wouldn’t let the overdrafted Payne/Chalk combo from 2007 stand in the way of players who actually have power.
August 19, 2008 at 8:51 am
#29@Lance Richardson:
“I gotta ask- If they draft Strasburg, and he blows out his elbow in A-ball, WTF are you gonna say? Hindsight’s 20-20, partner, and it’s about time you start showing some insight into the future, rather than sh-itting your drawers over the past.”
I believe that’s the kind of question that causes Schlom to trip a circuit breaker. By his definition, Strasburg blowing out his elbow (or getting hit by a car) immediately means picking him was a mistake - even if Schlom wanted the Padres to pick Strasburg.
August 19, 2008 at 9:13 am
#26@Schlom: “Every year the Padres have the same sort of draft and every year (with the exception of Headley) those drafts have been terrible. Eventually you would think that you’d change your drafting philosophy.”
I don’t believe you can make this sort of blanket statement since the FO which is drafting now has only been in place for a few years. It’s far too early to tell whether their attempts will payoff or not. Sure, you can say the Towers-era was a flop with regards to drafting, but you have to wait a few years to see whether the Alderson-era will bare fruit or not.
The one person you cite as a success, an exception, Headley, was the first draft Alderson was involved with, I believe. If so, why so quick to judge? If not, even more reason to wait and see how things pan out since it will only be next year when we will start seeing some of the players drafted under the new FO hit the big league level.
August 19, 2008 at 9:32 am
I, um… might have gone a little overboard with my comments last night. Apologies to Schlom and any other readers who might have been offended.
August 19, 2008 at 9:35 am
#39@Lance Richardson: Offended?!?! I thought it was great!
August 19, 2008 at 10:26 am
TW, how crazy would you be this morning if you were a Brewers fan (CC throwing 130/CG in a lopsided win)?
August 19, 2008 at 10:33 am
#41@Stephen: Less crazy than if I was CC’s agent. If they keep treating him like rented mule, they may lose both their aces this winter.
August 19, 2008 at 10:52 am
On GY’s point about Giles: I can only judge from what I read on the intertubes, but it’s shocking (and not a little disheartening) to see the vitriol that some fans heap on him. There are a significant number of people who would be just fine paying OG’s salary to Juan Pierre, because he can steal bases. Juan Pierre usually wasn’t good in Florida, another big home park; he hasn’t been good in Los Angeles, a fairly big park. Yet somehow these folks imagine that he’s perfectly suited for Petco, with his noodle arm and .326 OBP. OG has been almost TWICE as good at the plate this year, and I’m not kidding, there are Padre fans who would swap them. Probably even throw in a prospect.
August 19, 2008 at 11:08 am
#43@Tom Waits: The coach told me that Juan Pierre is a good player, so it must be true.
August 19, 2008 at 11:27 am
#42@Tom Waits: WC @ BP says this today …
CC Sabathia went 130 pitches, but the Brewers knew that he would be getting some extra rest due to their upcoming schedule. Their handling of Sabathia remains rather inspired.
August 19, 2008 at 11:33 am
#36@Tom Waits: If I understand the PTBNL rules correctly, the PTBNL cannot play in the same league as the player traded after the trade, which would rule out anyone on the Dodgers active roster or anyone who will contribute down the stretch.
August 19, 2008 at 11:42 am
#36@Tom Waits: Payne has been hurt much of the year so its tough to give him much of an evaluation, but Chalk - if he can pull the ball may have a chance. He’s got very good speed, good strike zone judgement and defensively is second only to Macias in CF.
The big question is on the corners at LE next year - do they stick it out with Carvajal or do they do some of the options that you suggested?
I would see if both Forsythe (2b) and Darnell (3b) can cut it in the infield, where the Padres don’t have much in the lower levels. You can always move them back out.
August 19, 2008 at 11:56 am
#45@LynchMob: The Brewers had a 9-2 lead going into the 9th. If your bullpen can’t hold that, you can’t have that much faith in your ability to keep winning games.
I’ve read articles that suggest rest doesn’t make up for long outings, because it’s those pitches above the threshold that really stress the arm. A close game, with a pitcher who is not so likely to be a Brewer next year, sure, let the big dog bark. A 9-2 lead, I love Carroll, but that doesn’t seem inspired at all.
August 19, 2008 at 11:57 am
#46@Ben B.: I’d never heard that. You mean “can’t play in the same league this season,” right?
August 19, 2008 at 12:04 pm
#47@John Conniff: Both Payne and Chalk look like 4th / 5th outfielders to me, with Payne having more upside. Chalk’s gone another season (so far) without a single HR. His isolated slugging is .063, and that’s in a league where he’s older than many. Those type of players can find their strike zone judgment isn’t enough once pitchers figure out there’s not much danger. There’s no way I’d let Chalk stand in the way of Tekotte, who has the strike-zone judgment, speed, athleticism, defensive chops, and substantial power.
With Forsythe and Darnell, I’d move them sooner rather than later. Forsythe at 2b is fine, although I’m intrigued by the idea of him behind the plate. We have more 3b throughout the system than we have five-tool RF, and Darnell wasn’t a very good 3b in college, so I’d get him out there soon rather than Headley-ing him.
August 19, 2008 at 12:12 pm
#49@Tom Waits: Right. It would exclude anyone that plays for the major league Dodgers from now until the end of the season, I think. I hadn’t heard it before this year, but it came up in the baseballthinkfactory discussion of the PTBNL in the Dunn trade. Cot’s transaction glossary says:
Player To Be Named Later
A transaction including a player to be named later must be completed within six months. The player may not be an active Major Leaguer player during the interval between the trade and the date the player is named. As a result, most players to be named later are minor leaguers.
http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.c.....ssary.html
August 19, 2008 at 12:16 pm
#50@Tom Waits: I’m going to have to defer to you on Darnell because I haven’t seen him play and you seem to know as much more about him from his college career than I do.
With Chalk I liked his speed, his defense and eye and if you look at his stats over the year you can see some signs of gap power. In a place like LE I think you would seem him put up much better offensive stats. He’s never going to hit home runs, but if he can hit some doubles, contiune to steal bases you will see his OBP go up.
Payne I know they like a lot and want to find out what they may or may not have.
If the Padres trade either Kouz or Headley in the off-season as I expect them to do they don’t have much depth at 3b - probably the best one is Ciofrone. They could use some more depth there.
I agree with you on Tekotte, but to me having Macias in Portland, Hunter in San Antonio, Chalk/Payne in LE and Tekotte in FW to start the season in CF may not be a bad idea to see what you do or don’t have. You can always move Tekotte up mid-season.
August 19, 2008 at 12:32 pm
#46@Ben B.:
(Chalk): Eh, I’m looking as hard as I can.
I still see a .063 isolated slugging. I’d be willing to bet that a fair number of those doubles are of the leg variety in a low-minor leagues where the defenders are not always so sharp.
(Darnell): That’s just from BA and Brewerfan scouting reports. We may only have a little depth at 3b, but in terms of RF who can give you quality defense and a possibly serious bat, Darnell may be the ONLY one not currently living in the Dominican. Pushing Tekotte and Darnell would be the Headley model. Darnell I could understand putting in Ft. Wayne, because he’s less polished, but what are we really going to learn about him in Ft. Wayne? If he doesn’t hit we’ll be tempted to move him to the friendlier Cal League to jumpstart him; if he does hit, he’s older than a lot of the competition, so we need to promote him to get a better reading.
August 19, 2008 at 12:45 pm
I’m giving in to LynchMob’s pressure and attempting to post an actual link from the NCTimes on Antonelli:
http://tinyurl.com/6caq3t
August 19, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Well, LynchMob, I tried to post a link. But as expected, no joy.
There’s a story on the North County Times website about Matt Antonelli. It’s easy to find at nctimes dot com / sports.
August 19, 2008 at 12:49 pm
#53@Tom Waits: I’m pretty positive nearly all of them are leg hits, but then again the guy can make a ground ball to 3b very close. If he’s playing in LE, where the infield are much harder and the ball goes further, along with working on pulling the ball, you could see some improvement.
But that is pure speculation on my part, nothing more.
I would be more comfortable pushing Tekotte to LE because he’s played much more than Darnell this year. Carroll right now look like a good shot to be in RF in LE.
My guess is we will see Dykstra and Carroll in LE to start the year.
August 19, 2008 at 1:50 pm
#54@Tom Waits: Here’s my attempt to post the link …
http://nctimes.com/articles/20.....0729fd.txt
August 19, 2008 at 1:50 pm
#56@LynchMob: So, I guess that proves that it is *you* ???