"Like Kissing Your Sister."

by Allen Chace on Mar 1, 2007 1:57 AM EST in Game Stories

March 2007
Spring Training Game 1 Recap
Twins 4 Red Sox 4
W: No one. L: Everyone.

So what did we learn? Nothing. First ST game is nothing more than another tune-up.

The Twins.

The Twins used 4 pitchers I had never heard of before. Matt Garza was good, taking his first step to securing a spot in the rotation instead of Sidney Ponson or Ramon Ortiz (Interesting on b-r.com: He's related to a Liriano. Maybe that's why the Twins got confused and signed him). Joe Mauer built on his MVP...er...runner-up...er...6th place in the voting season with a HR and 3 RBIs.

The Sox.

Batshit got lit up for 3 runs in an inning. Remind anyone of his performances in one-inning situations last season? Pedroia turned in what should be a typical performance for him if he proves his supporters correct this season: 1 hit, 1 walk, 2 runs scored. Alex Ochoa has a good arm. I have a feeling he's going to really push David Murphy for that first AAA OF call-up role.

Third base could really be a problem next season. Hitters aren't up to speed with pitchers, but 2 errors in half a game does not bode well for lukewarm-cold prospect Chad Spann, after days and days of defensive and conditioning drills. I suppose he could still be a potential one-year fix if he can post decent stats at AAA next season, but he doesn't seem like a long-term guy at all.

Status of Closer Competition.

In order of performance (bad to less bad)

Tavarez. 3R, 3ER. 4H, 1HR
Pineiro. 1R, 0ER, 2H, 2 GO
Delcarmen. 0R, 0ER, 1H, 1 GO
Donnelly. 0R, 0ER, 0H, 1K, 1 GO

DNP: Hansack, Hansen, Timlin, Me, SoxDevil.

As a closing note, ties in exhibition season? No thanks. How are we to overreact to a tie? If we lost, we could proclaim ourselves doomed. If we won, we could've crowned ourselves 2007 WS Champs. All a tie does is, well, read the title.

P.S. I guess I was able to use Chad Spann's day to overreact a little. I still think I'm right, which probably doesn't put me in the minority or anything.

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Comments

What is a "GO"

"Tavarez. 3R, 3ER. 4H, 1HR
Pineiro. 1R, 0ER, 2H, 2 GO
Delcarmen. 0R, 0ER, 1H, 1 GO
Donnelly. 0R, 0ER, 0H, 1K, 1 GO"

Just my two cents. Keep the change.

by tommy.otm on Mar 1, 2007 3:23 AM EST reply actions

Re: What is a "GO"

Ground out.

"Sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it Melissa, I want an apology."-Jason Penopolis, Home Movies

by Allen Chace on Mar 1, 2007 7:28 AM EST up reply actions

Corner infielders

It's a bit of a dead horse, but I'll flog it again: we have a shortage of corner infield talent in the high minors. Now that the rotation is pretty much sorted, I'm sure this will become a focus for the front office. Can they conjure some sort of trade for the likes of Teixeira or Cabrera? Ah well. Probably for another thread, another day.

Matt Garza has a ton of potential. Should be interesting to watch his development this year.

PS Bought MLB.tv premium yesterday. Would be interested to hear other people's views of it as the season goes on.

Vote for Pedroia

by britsoxfan on Mar 1, 2007 5:08 AM EST reply actions

Re: Corner infielders

I would imagine that Cabrera is on the radar. Teixeira looks and smells like a Yankee (at least when FA hits).

And yeah, I think Garza could be pretty darn good too.

"Sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it Melissa, I want an apology."-Jason Penopolis, Home Movies

by Allen Chace on Mar 1, 2007 7:30 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Corner infielders

That was the reason why I was excited about Marte when we traded Rent-a-wreck. He filled an organizational need. I definitely was there flogging that horse with you.

It'll be interesting to see what comes of it. Do you think we could flip Coco Crisp for Brandon Wood? Probably not; the Angels need a 3B, too. They're converting him to a 3B from SS.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Mar 1, 2007 9:40 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Corner infielders

They have a surplus of shortstops, which they'll probably have to tackle some time.

Actually, we're in an era of brilliant young 3Bs. I'd be very interested to hear how we could lay our hands on them.

Vote for Pedroia

by britsoxfan on Mar 1, 2007 9:51 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Corner infielders

Stay tuned tomorrow and we'll explore the subject ;)

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Mar 1, 2007 10:03 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Corner infielders

Look forward to it!

Vote for Pedroia

by britsoxfan on Mar 1, 2007 10:08 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Corner infielders

Looking at the depth charts around the major leagues throws up a few possibilites at the corners. I make no comment on how likely it is we can prise them away, or what it would cost.

James Loney, behind Nomah at 1B for the Dodgers
Erick Aybar, SS prospect for the Angels, could he be a 3B?
Mark Teahen at 3B for the Royals, could he be a target, given that they've got Alex Gordon on the way?

Vote for Pedroia

by britsoxfan on Mar 1, 2007 10:08 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Corner infielders

I would think that the Royals' preference would be for Teahen to find a fit as a corner OF. I'm also not sure I'd want to pay the price the Royals might ask. They're under no obligation to unload him, since he has the athleticism and will to tackle the new position. And if he improves his power, he'd probably even be a 1B option for them if Shealy doesn't pan out.

"Sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it Melissa, I want an apology."-Jason Penopolis, Home Movies

by Allen Chace on Mar 1, 2007 10:27 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Corner infielders

I'm not sure Aybar would be available either. Here's an outdated scouting report from the Pearly Gates. I think he could play 3B, but phasing O-Cab out for him after another season seems reasonable. They could attempt to trade O-Cab after another season OR finally trade Chone Figgins after the myriad of rumors. I think Aybar could handle a supersub role, seems like he'd be in the Bill Hall mold there.

I'm sure either would be available for the right price, but the Royals and the Angels are two organizations who at least seem loathe to part with legit prospects even if they have a logjam at a position.

Loney might be the easiest target, as the Dodgers have shown a propensity towards the irrational lately (Juan Pierre? not giving Loney a job this season?)

"Sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it Melissa, I want an apology."-Jason Penopolis, Home Movies

by Allen Chace on Mar 1, 2007 10:34 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Corner infielders

Bill Hall it is. Let's offer Abe Alvarez and a bag of balls. The Brewers' woeful use of him in the outfield, not at his much more valuable 3B/SS, suggests they haven't got a clue what they're doing.

Vote for Pedroia

by britsoxfan on Mar 1, 2007 10:43 AM EST up reply actions

Re: Corner infielders

If he can make the transition, I would guess that he would end up being a spectacularly valuable CF. Or at least the the Brewers have more trust in J.J. Hardy than they do in Tony Gwynn the Younger.

"Sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it Melissa, I want an apology."-Jason Penopolis, Home Movies

by Allen Chace on Mar 1, 2007 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

Garza

I watched Garza from a fantasy perspective all of last season. He was inconsistent and needs to refine his control, but he has good stuff. I get the impression he's going to be very good; at least someone's #2.

Speaking of Garza's control, you could tell when he was reaching a bit. His pitches were a bit wild when he touched 94mph.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Mar 1, 2007 9:36 AM EST reply actions

Re: "Like Kissing Your Sister."

DNP: Hansack, Hansen, Timlin, Me, SoxDevil.

Tito never plays me. It's very sad.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Mar 1, 2007 1:34 PM EST reply actions