NY Yankees, BOS Red socks and HOU Astros all want Roger Clemens to come back and pitch half the season in their respective colors, but there’s a forth team who’s got a great shot at recruiting The Rocket: RE Tirement. But, lets consider them all after some tasteful but brief set up.
Last year, working out with his injured son Koby was the reason Roger felt like he stayed in good enough shape that he was in a position to come back and pitch after the All Star break. He chose the Astros for many reasons, a few of them being Houston is his home town and the Astros agreed to let him hang out at home when he wasn’t pitching—I’m not sure who hired the slaves to fan him on his thrown of cushions on the off days.
This year, the favorite seems to be the Yankees. Enough so that Robinson Cano surrendered his jersey number (voluntarily) so there wouldn’t be a conflict if Clemens decided to rejoin newly reacquired Andy Petite.
The Rocket has made statements towards the end that if he were to come back (again) it would to a team with a chance for the postseason. So, maybe not the Astros.
What doesn’t have to be said is that the team would also have to afford him—giving the Astros and their smaller budget something to consider, save for a chance that Clemens might come back (again) and pitch for half the season, or invest the money elsewhere.
Boston has two pitchers over 40 in Wakefield and Schilling—even as a fan of the knuckleball, of the two, I’d bet on Schilling having a competitive season. Roger doesn’t really seem to fit into Boston’s current rotation, and I’m not sure who they would knock back into the bullpen.
The last option no one seems to be talking about: Retirement. Roger is quotes as saying, “I don’t want to play.” The reasons he continues to entertain the notion seem to be wrapped around a team (well, one of three teams) needing him to come pitch, presumably after the all star break
So, all that has to happen for the Rocket to take the mound this year (again) are:
1. Room on the rotation (probably knocking a starter to the bullpen, and a bullpen guy back to the minors)
2. Room enough in the budget they could probably spend on two other players.
3. Said team must be bound for the post season (possible pact with Satan my be required)
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Spring Training: II
Spring Training II
Last time we went over the basic break down of how spring training is organized and what pitchers are out there trying to prove with established big leaguers vs would be big leaguers.
Now, lets talk about what the hitters and fielders are up to.
In baseball, a fair amount of seasoning is preferred for all of it’s players. What I mean is, even if you’re hitting homeruns left and right and the ball never gets by you on the field BUT you’re 19—you can all but count on being a minor leaguer. Just ask HIM.
Why is that? Some say the move up to the majors is a pretty major change, and that it requires a few seasons slugging it out in the minor league to build the necessary experience that allows for players to survive the big leagues. This goes for any player—including pitchers.
Established hitters are usually looking to find their stride and to get a look at the pitchers. What I mean by find their stride is perfect their swing and get their timing down. Pitchers will often let you see a couple of fastballs and then try and mess with a hitters timing by throwing a change up, which has the same arm action as a fastball (making it deceptive for the hitter).
There 162 regular season games. Injuries are unavoidable, and many of the hitters sat out some of last season, and are eager to get back into the swing of things (pun intended).
The men looking to make the Opening Day Roster are trying to prove they can handle the big league pitches from the guys throwing them. The guys who really have a chance already have a few seasons in the minor leagues under the gloves and have been consistently improving.
And being sent to the minor leagues doesn’t mean they’re going to spend the entire season there—remember those unavoidable injuries?
And remember, just because the stats aren’t official doesn’t mean you can’t see what’s going on with your team/ favorite player. You can check the daily scoreboard HERE.
Last time we went over the basic break down of how spring training is organized and what pitchers are out there trying to prove with established big leaguers vs would be big leaguers.
Now, lets talk about what the hitters and fielders are up to.
In baseball, a fair amount of seasoning is preferred for all of it’s players. What I mean is, even if you’re hitting homeruns left and right and the ball never gets by you on the field BUT you’re 19—you can all but count on being a minor leaguer. Just ask HIM.
Why is that? Some say the move up to the majors is a pretty major change, and that it requires a few seasons slugging it out in the minor league to build the necessary experience that allows for players to survive the big leagues. This goes for any player—including pitchers.
Established hitters are usually looking to find their stride and to get a look at the pitchers. What I mean by find their stride is perfect their swing and get their timing down. Pitchers will often let you see a couple of fastballs and then try and mess with a hitters timing by throwing a change up, which has the same arm action as a fastball (making it deceptive for the hitter).
There 162 regular season games. Injuries are unavoidable, and many of the hitters sat out some of last season, and are eager to get back into the swing of things (pun intended).
The men looking to make the Opening Day Roster are trying to prove they can handle the big league pitches from the guys throwing them. The guys who really have a chance already have a few seasons in the minor leagues under the gloves and have been consistently improving.
And being sent to the minor leagues doesn’t mean they’re going to spend the entire season there—remember those unavoidable injuries?
And remember, just because the stats aren’t official doesn’t mean you can’t see what’s going on with your team/ favorite player. You can check the daily scoreboard HERE.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Spring Training
One of my goals behind this blog is to make it welcoming to the uninitiated baseball fan as well. So, forgive me an occasional explanatory post--like this one! I'm trying to nurture and grow some new fans, so feel free to disregard any oversimplifications you might come across.
We're going to go over the basics of spring training and then specifically look at how pitching works within the pre-season, to be followed later by how hitters and fielders work.
The whole purpose behind spring training is to allow teams an opportunity for their teams to warm up and to see who they want for their opening day rosters. This plays out in many different forms.
There are two leagues for spring training: The Cactus and Grapefruit leagues. Which camp you go to is based basically on geographic location (with exceptions being made for cities with two teams). Teams closer to the west coast get to enjoy their fun in the sun in Arizona while the east coast gets the Florida treatment. There are five more teams in Grapefruit League.
You can find the current 07 spring training standings HERE.
Established pitchers (pitchers who know they'll be playing regular season ball at the major league level) are out there getting a feel for their stuff. They build on each start until they are back to regular season level.
Initially, they come out with a pre-determined pitch count and an estimated innings pitch. Two innings pitched is standard, and the pitch count is going to depend on the pitcher. The Cubs' starter-turned-reliever Kerry Wood, for example, was assigned 35 pitches and 2 innings his first time out.
It's also an opportunity for pitchers to see how hitters handle a newer pitch.
Other times, pitchers are looking to show that they belong to be promoted from the minor leagues. A lot of times, the MLB coaches are getting a fresh look at the would-be's. The reason they're even having a look is based a lot on how they did last year. Since this is spring training, it's not necessarily ERA that's going to win a pitcher a spot on the rotation or bullpen--it's how they handle themselves in the different situations.
Basically, any questions coaches and teams have about their players will be answered by how the players--pitchers or otherwise, handle Spring Training. That doesn't mean it isn't taken seriously. There's already been a little drama between the Padres and Rockies.
Keep up with Spring Training! There's lots of fun to see.
We're going to go over the basics of spring training and then specifically look at how pitching works within the pre-season, to be followed later by how hitters and fielders work.
Spring Training
The whole purpose behind spring training is to allow teams an opportunity for their teams to warm up and to see who they want for their opening day rosters. This plays out in many different forms.
There are two leagues for spring training: The Cactus and Grapefruit leagues. Which camp you go to is based basically on geographic location (with exceptions being made for cities with two teams). Teams closer to the west coast get to enjoy their fun in the sun in Arizona while the east coast gets the Florida treatment. There are five more teams in Grapefruit League.
You can find the current 07 spring training standings HERE.
Pitching
Established pitchers (pitchers who know they'll be playing regular season ball at the major league level) are out there getting a feel for their stuff. They build on each start until they are back to regular season level.
Initially, they come out with a pre-determined pitch count and an estimated innings pitch. Two innings pitched is standard, and the pitch count is going to depend on the pitcher. The Cubs' starter-turned-reliever Kerry Wood, for example, was assigned 35 pitches and 2 innings his first time out.
It's also an opportunity for pitchers to see how hitters handle a newer pitch.
Other times, pitchers are looking to show that they belong to be promoted from the minor leagues. A lot of times, the MLB coaches are getting a fresh look at the would-be's. The reason they're even having a look is based a lot on how they did last year. Since this is spring training, it's not necessarily ERA that's going to win a pitcher a spot on the rotation or bullpen--it's how they handle themselves in the different situations.
Basically, any questions coaches and teams have about their players will be answered by how the players--pitchers or otherwise, handle Spring Training. That doesn't mean it isn't taken seriously. There's already been a little drama between the Padres and Rockies.
Keep up with Spring Training! There's lots of fun to see.
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