Did you know that Oneli has 12 fingers on his hands?

by The Wizard on Nov 30, 2007 7:01 PM CST in News Comment 103 comments

Spiderman has nothing on Oneli!

Reliever Antonio Alfonseca might not be the only 12-digit pitcher in the majors next year. Oneli Perez, the White Sox's Double-A closer last season, leads the Dominican Winter League in saves and could win a job in spring training. Must be the extra finger on each hand.

How would you have proceeded with your day without knowing this?

How about some nickname suggestions? ***** UPDATE: In other news,

Jim looks at the Fukudome-Bay rumor. Speaking of The Great Fuku, Mark Gonzales spoke with a veteran international scout and heard good things: "Fukudome is a quality bat. A line-drive, double-RBI type hitter with dependable defensive skills. He would be a good acquisition for either club." MLBTR has a review of the Fuku rumors.
BTB, BBTF, and BA on the Milledge trade.

0 recs | Comment 103 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Oneli "3-Fingered Brown x 4" Perez

"The Dozen't Cough Up a Lead Closer".

2008 - Sox version of The Battle of the Bulge: The Final Stand

by winningugly on Nov 30, 2007 7:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

damn

you beat me to it winningugly

I'd rather have a sister in a whore house than a brother that is a Cub fan

by boot2112 on Nov 30, 2007 7:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

How about...

3 fingers x2?

I'd rather have a sister in a whore house than a brother that is a Cub fan

by boot2112 on Nov 30, 2007 7:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Cheaper by the dozen

2008 - Sox version of The Battle of the Bulge: The Final Stand

by winningugly on Nov 30, 2007 7:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I hear he had

14 digits, but lost two in a knife fight.

by HulkSmash on Nov 30, 2007 8:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe Boras isn't an idiot

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3135564

Look like his client is OK after all, for all who were worried A-Rod was going to be underpaid.

2008 - Sox version of The Battle of the Bulge: The Final Stand

by winningugly on Nov 30, 2007 7:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

yankee$ to put hughes in santana package?

[nydailynews]:

Yankees decide to offer Phil Hughes in package for Johan Santana

After two days of internal discussions among front-office executives, the Yankees swallowed hard Friday and decided to offer Phil Hughes to the Twins as part of the trade package they hope will land them Johan Santana.

"We're going for it," was the way one club source put it.

Based on their talks with Twins GM Bill Smith, the Yankees knew they couldn't make a deal for Santana without including Hughes, their 21-year-old righthander widely regarded as a potential staff ace.

The Yanks had declared Joba Chamberlain off limits, and the Twins told them that Ian Kennedy, the third of their three prized righthanders, wouldn't be enough. According to the club source, there was spirited internal debate in the organization via conference calls about whether to make Hughes available.

by The Wizard on Nov 30, 2007 8:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

re

[nypost]:

Fearful of the Twins delivering Johan Santana to the Red Sox, the Yankees decided last night to begrudgingly include Phil Hughes in a possible package with Melky Cabrera, and hoped it was enough to bring baseball's best pitcher to The Bronx.

The Twins yesterday informed the Yankees they were prepared to deal Santana to the Red Sox unless the 21-year-old Hughes was part of the deal. Fearing Santana would join Josh Beckett to give their World Series champion blood rivals two aces, the Yankees decided to put Hughes on the table.

...There was a split in the Yankees' hierarchy in regard to including Hughes, who was 5-3 with a 4.46 ERA in 13 games this past year, when he missed three months due to hamstring and ankle problems. However, the Red Sox' interest - whether real or put in play to hike the price on the Yankees - played a part.

"The only way to keep [Santana] from the Red Sox is to get him," a Yankees official said last night. "You can't hope some other team does it for you."

by The Wizard on Dec 1, 2007 1:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and now the funny part

Despite hints yesterday that the White Sox and Rangers were interested in Santana and that the Mets still held out hope, it remains a competition between the Red Sox and Yankees.

kenny kicked the tires!

by The Wizard on Dec 1, 2007 1:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

time to tell boston who the new frontrunner is

[olney]:

The Twins continue to discuss possible deals from other teams, including the Dodgers and Mariners, and they are scheduled to speak with the Red Sox on Saturday afternoon. Boston's offer on the table is for pitcher Jon Lester, center fielder Coco Crisp and minor league infielder Jed Lowrie, and a fourth player -- a minor league pitcher -- is to be determined. The Twins want the Red Sox to add either center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury or pitcher Clay Buchholz to the deal, and there are indications that if they do, that offer is what Minnesota will prefer.

and if boston includes ellsbury or buchholz they will tell new york: if you include kennedy, we'd inclined to prefer your offer!

by The Wizard on Dec 1, 2007 1:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Minnesota

Is quite possibly the smartest team ever at this point.

This is beginning to resemble the Hershel Walker trade that built the Cowboys of the 90's.

What a monster of a deal!

by Hazymania on Dec 1, 2007 1:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

"smartest team ever"

Seconded.

by ballyb on Dec 1, 2007 2:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

time to call new york

[olney]:

With the Minnesota Twins insisting on center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury in any trade for pitcher Johan Santana, the Red Sox have altered their offer and have told the Twins they are willing to include the outfielder.

jeez, someone will lose half their farm...

by The Wizard on Dec 2, 2007 5:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

At this point...

I'd be asking for a loan to fund a Broadway show.

by Hazymania on Dec 2, 2007 6:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

hey, didn't the the guy at boston that sold ruth

to ny, did it to fund a broadway show something?

by The Wizard on Dec 2, 2007 6:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Funny how things come back around.

Ain't it?

by Hazymania on Dec 2, 2007 10:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Hemmingway Cat.

Rawr.

This is what draws me back into posting!?

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Nov 30, 2007 8:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Whatever works, DI.

Don't be a stranger.

2008 - Sox version of The Battle of the Bulge: The Final Stand

by winningugly on Dec 1, 2007 1:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I like it.

Or maybe just HC Perez. Let people be confused.

by ballyb on Dec 1, 2007 2:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

'whoa nelly' perez

is it a PED (performance-enhancing digit)?

does his mitt also have an extra digit?

by thatshortkid on Nov 30, 2007 9:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

los dedos

12 fingers = huge grinder

my suggestion - los dedos

by hugh on Nov 30, 2007 9:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

las doce?

by thatshortkid on Nov 30, 2007 9:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

no

i meant los dedos

spanish for the fingers

and the word dedos in general gives me the creeps. its perfect.

by hugh on Nov 30, 2007 10:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

'las doce' == 'the twelve'

though we could always mash the spanish and get....

'el doce'

by thatshortkid on Nov 30, 2007 11:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

los dedos = "the fingers"

creeps me out more

by hugh on Nov 30, 2007 11:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

i certainly

wouldn't leave my kids with los dedos.

by larry on Dec 1, 2007 11:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Super Shocker

Where DOES that sixth finger go? Discuss.

by Hazymania on Dec 1, 2007 12:18 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Haha

I'm glad you asked that question and not me.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Dec 1, 2007 7:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

next to the pinky

think of it as 5 fingers + 1 thumb. at least, that's what my buddy's former neighbor has. she has the same thing, but the doctors only let her keep the extra digit on her dominant hand. the non-dominant hand extra digit + extra toe digits weren't fully developed.

i wonder if it gives him extra control on certain pitches? what pitches would an extra digit help/hurt?

by thatshortkid on Dec 1, 2007 10:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Haha

Not quite what I meant, but interesting all the same.

by Hazymania on Dec 1, 2007 1:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

all the same

it still goes with the pinky. 2 and 2!

by thatshortkid on Dec 1, 2007 3:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oneli and his extra fingers

WOW! That information should have been kept quiet until he makes a big move in the spring and then some reporter [Marriotti perhaps] could have had a huge scoop on another slow news day. Is the fascination with these extra digits the fact that they are there at all or the fact that as a pitcher they may have some magical effect on his skills? This is great that he is a White Sox player.

by Florida Jim on Dec 1, 2007 10:58 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

does anyone

have a pic of onelis hands?

by Jbasic89 on Dec 1, 2007 3:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Oh come on, that's gross!

by ballyb on Dec 1, 2007 3:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

hang 12, dude

by 3E8 on Dec 1, 2007 4:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What the hell is in the gene pool

in the islands?

2008 - Sox version of The Battle of the Bulge: The Final Stand

by winningugly on Dec 1, 2007 5:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The perfect trade partner for us...

The Astros could add Chris Burke to trade proposals involving Luke Scott now that they've picked up Kaz Matsui.
Burke is likely to be traded, but he still makes an awful lot of sense for Houston as a right-handed backup for switch-hitter Kaz Matsui and left-handed hitter Michael Bourn. As is, the Astros project to be incredibly weak at the top of the lineup against lefties. Burke's OPS against lefties is about 100 points better than that of Matsui or Geoff Blum.

Source: Houston Chronicle

Luke Scott starting and LF and Chris Burke can play some CF or just be a utility guy for us. What do the Astros need?

by SSH2005 on Dec 1, 2007 5:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

What do the Astros need?

Proven Veteran Leadership in the form of a Game 1 starter....

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Dec 1, 2007 5:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's Ed Wade

Middle relievers...you know he wants middle relievers.

by hitlesswonder on Dec 1, 2007 7:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

middling releivers?

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Dec 1, 2007 7:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Everybody loves Fuku!

link

by The Wizard on Dec 1, 2007 7:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That's too bad...

I have a hard time seeing the Sox outbidding the Cubs, Rangers, and Giants for him. They all have more room to add payroll. The Sox only moves so far have been payroll-neutral. Given that they really seem bent on moving Uribe's salary I think there's not enough cash left to add Fukodome. I would guess a trade for Bay or Crisp will be the final move of the offseason for the Sox.

by hitlesswonder on Dec 1, 2007 11:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not enough cash?

What about the 5/75 they offered Hunter? Clearly, they are ok with spending some more money this off-season.

by Tony82087 on Dec 2, 2007 12:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I should elaborate...

There are a few reasons I think they won't go very high with Fukodome.

The Sox have been a pretty risk-averse team; they shy away from spending big money on players they aren't absolutely confident in. Most player acquisitions are via trade or relatively cheap free agents. I'm not saying they won't spend money -- I'm saying the big ticket free agents are not how they spend their money (unless they are absolutely confident in the player).
The Sox spent $4M on Linebrink for 2008 since the Hunter signing fell through. It's possible that came from money earmarked for Hunter.
I think just because they were willing to sign Hunter to a large contract doesn't mean that they will with Fukodome. They are way more familiar with Hunter and obviously liked him a lot.

So, the Sox approach to building teams in the past makes me think they won't sign a high-priced free agent. It seems much more likely they'll trade for Bay or Crisp. I'm not saying the Sox are cheap, just that bidding wars for free agents are not how they prefer to build a team.

by hitlesswonder on Dec 2, 2007 12:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i'd say the sox will expend

either cash or players this offseason. i see your points - but i don't agree with #2. it seems pretty obvious from the timing and how the parties have spoken about the deal that the linebrink deal was on the table at the same time as hunter. especially considering the hunter deal was announced after linebrink.

by larry on Dec 2, 2007 10:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's clear with everything gathered that,

right or wrong, Linebrink was in the plans for this off-season with or with out Hunter. He was going to be acquired either way, right or wrong.

Now I certainly don't think the Sox are just going to spend money spend it, but there are definitely fits that make sense.

by Tony82087 on Dec 2, 2007 11:11 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The last time I checked...

the White Sox did not spend 5-years, $75 million on a free agent this offseason.

by SSH2005 on Dec 2, 2007 2:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh Jabroni....

ST is such a better place without you.

by Tony82087 on Dec 2, 2007 2:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My comment is fact...

Why are you so defensive about the White Sox spending money? Do you work for the White Sox?

by SSH2005 on Dec 2, 2007 2:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Why do you read into things so paper thin?

Fact-The Sox did not sign Hunter to a 5/75 contract.

Fact-Both the Sox and Hunter said an offer was made, and BOTH parties were surprised something didn't get worked out.

The whole point of this was the question of the Sox not spending any more money this off-season. My point was that clearly the Sox have intentions of spending money, or they wouldn't have put a offer in of 5/75. And before you give the "well, the Sox knew he wouldn't accept" response, Hunter and his quotes are very telling.

by Tony82087 on Dec 2, 2007 3:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They are?

Didn't Hunter basically "love" everything and everyone who offered him money this winter? I found his quotes to be rather useless, really.

Not that I disagree with your main point, mind you...

by CWSKeith on Dec 2, 2007 4:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The grass WAS true, damnit...

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Dec 2, 2007 4:12 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Most of his quotes were useless

However, his interview after he signed with LAA, he was quoted as saying "I thought for sure I was going to a White Sox" Now he could have said that about the Rangers-Royals-Twins or whoever else offered him a deal, but he said thought it was basically a done deal. Thats the quote I was referring to, which told me that the Hunter stuff wasn't just all PR.

I'm not trying to defend the Sox. They are in a ton of trouble, and need a major overhaul.

The point I was trying to make was the Sox spending money, in reference to hitlesswonders post. He feels like most, if not all the money has been spent for this off-season, and I just don't find that to be the case, based on the offer to Hunter.

by Tony82087 on Dec 2, 2007 4:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

So do you think that the Sox will still spend...

the money that they offered to Torii Hunter this offseason? That would be $15 million more for 2008. I guess we shall see...

by SSH2005 on Dec 2, 2007 6:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I didnt realize the off season was over

For some because everything is not finished by 12/2 the Sox won't do anything. I mean that's impossible right?

"Find out what you are doing wrong and STOP doing that."

by Tdogg on Dec 2, 2007 4:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sheesh...

I guess I should have said "last big move": I'm just guessing that adding an OF via trade will be the last big move of the offseason. I wouldn't be surprised if the Sox signed another middle reliever or a bench guy. I wouldn't be surprised to see Crede or Uribe traded, but I wouldn't expect much in return.

Obviously, it's possible the Sox will do something else. But, I'd be surprised if they were willing to outbid the Cubs or Texas for Fukodome and I don't think they have enough tradeable assets to do more than one deal. I wasn't calling the Sox cheap, incompetent, or saying they don't care about winning. It was just an opinion about what they'll do given their apparent resources, history of acquisitions, and what's out in the market.

You think the Sox will do something splashier I guess -- and maybe they will. We'll have to see.

by hitlesswonder on Dec 2, 2007 5:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

woah there, slugger

you don't want to get involved in this one. notice to whom he was addressing.

by larry on Dec 2, 2007 5:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Damn my poor indentation matching skills

by hitlesswonder on Dec 2, 2007 7:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Never mind....

I thought you were addressing my post...I need a better browser. Or something.

by hitlesswonder on Dec 2, 2007 7:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

from BA's take

[Matt Eddy]:

After watching the Mets play without intensity last September as they choked away the NL East title, general manager Omar Minaya felt compelled to acquire players who play with more passion. He found two in Church and Schneider--even if they don't offer the youth or upside of Milledge.

is that hawk?

by The Wizard on Dec 1, 2007 7:51 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

This could be an early Christmas present

The Pirates, showcasing their talent evaluation skills, have decided they need to get rid of Xavier Nady "one way or another." He on the trade block, but in the event they're unable to swing a deal, he'll be non-tendered.

He's only got one year before reaching free agency, so I wouldn't offer anything more than a back-of-the-rotation arm, Egbert/Broadway/Haeger... And even that seems a big rich... But should he become a FA, the Sox should be looking to pick him up, OBP be damned.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Dec 2, 2007 12:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

If the Sox want to go semi-cheap in LF

A Nady/Mack strict platoon could be very productive.

by Tony82087 on Dec 2, 2007 12:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree...

There really should be a number of cost-effective ways to fill LF with real offensive production this offseason.

That's one reason I hope the Sox aren't wedded to having a hitter with "leadoff skills" in LF in 2008.

by hitlesswonder on Dec 2, 2007 12:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Man, I'd be all over Nady

Fits the Sox mold quite well - take from the unfortunates (Pirates), a "grinder" type, cheap, with a great name.

2008 - Sox version of The Battle of the Bulge: The Final Stand

by winningugly on Dec 2, 2007 8:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Completely Unrelated

From Macho Man Randy Savage's Wikipedia page.

Savage was born in Columbus, Ohio to Angelo Poffo, an Italian American Catholic, and Judy, a Jewish American.[1]

He is a graduate of Downers Grove North High School in a suburb near Chicago, Illinois. Randy Poffo attended Southern Illinois and graduated in 1971. After college, Randy was a minor league baseball catcher in the St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago White Sox farm systems. He injured his natural (right) throwing shoulder at one point so he learned to throw with his left arm instead. When Poffo played for the St. Petersburg Cardinals minor-league baseball team in 1971, one of his teammates was Keith Hernandez. The team was managed by Jimmy Piersall.[2]

by Hazymania on Dec 2, 2007 12:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I would love to know

how much dope you were blowing while reading that Wiki piece, Hazy. ;)

So Toby Hall has hope. Either as a lefty or a wrestler.

2008 - Sox version of The Battle of the Bulge: The Final Stand

by winningugly on Dec 2, 2007 8:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Dude

You don't even want to know how I end up on Wiki half the time.

by Hazymania on Dec 2, 2007 10:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Rotoworld says

Pirates and Indians are working on a Bay deal. Damn.

Go Badgers!

by shaftr on Dec 2, 2007 10:20 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

For those of you who pooh-poohed

the idea of "Clutch" hitting, the sabermetric Yahweh, Bill James, has a slightly different take:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/11/30/james.clutch/index.html

Interesting he refuses to makes any extrapolation as to how that relates to charachter/courage under fire. Just the facts, ma'am.

2008 - Sox version of The Battle of the Bulge: The Final Stand

by winningugly on Dec 2, 2007 10:44 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Bring back the GWRBI!!!

by Hazymania on Dec 2, 2007 10:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

in foreign development news

The Cubs and Sox reportedly are among the six teams that will share a lease on a new state-of-the-art academy in the Dominican Republic, just east of Santo Domingo. The complex is partly owned by Junior Noboa.

link

as for who noboa is: link

by larry on Dec 2, 2007 11:20 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

noboa

after being a pretty god awful baseball player, has been arizona's latin american director, among other front office roles related to latin america and the DR, since the diamondbacks inception.

by larry on Dec 2, 2007 11:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

kenny is going for it!

[newsday]:

Numerous clubs have been talking to the Twins about Santana, a group that a source yesterday said includes not only the Yankees, Red Sox and Mets but the Dodgers, Angels, Rangers, White Sox and perhaps the Mariners. The race was believed to be down to the Yankees and Red Sox, barring a substantial last-minute offer by another team.

by The Wizard on Dec 2, 2007 1:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah.

We're going to give the Twins HALF our team for 1 year of Johan. The we're going to try to resign him to a SIX YEAR, $25 million per deal.

by ballyb on Dec 2, 2007 1:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and the other half for 2 years of miggy

and the team will look like this:

C D-Luc
1B A-Gonz
2B D-Rich
3B M-Cab
LF Jesse-O
CF B-And
RF R-Sween
DH P-Ozun

by The Wizard on Dec 2, 2007 2:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No SS i see

I thought Valido might do well.

"I'm not a 6-year-old." -Brian Nikola "Ungrindy" Anderson

by omnipotent grab on Dec 2, 2007 3:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Profundo!

we can't afford to trust rookies, we're going for it!

by The Wizard on Dec 2, 2007 5:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Seriously...

Since we have no Hughes or Bucholz... we'd have to offer half our farm system.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Dec 2, 2007 4:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

right

lineup changes to:

C T-Hall
1B A-Gonz
2B D-Rich
3B M-Cab
SS J-Uri
LF R-Mack
CF Jesse-O
RF J-Dye
DH P-Ozun

by The Wizard on Dec 2, 2007 5:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

correction

C T-Hall
1B A-Gonz
2B P-Ozun
3B M-Cab
SS J-Uri
LF R-Mack
CF Jesse-O
RF J-Dye
DH E-Young

will that team score 200 runs in a year?

by The Wizard on Dec 2, 2007 5:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

sure

juan would get hot and carry the team.

by larry on Dec 2, 2007 5:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That is disgusting.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Dec 2, 2007 8:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

might not be talking santana...

but perhaps flipping somebody they get from Bos or NY in a deal.

Ellsbury would look nice wearing the right sox!

by ruffster on Dec 2, 2007 5:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

who wants stuff?

he Angels' big offer for young hitting star Miguel Cabrera included top young hitter Howie Kendrick, young catcher Jeff Mathis, one of two coveted young pitchers -- Nick Adenhart or Ervin Santana -- plus an additional pitcher prospect described as a "mid-level'' talent, SI.com has learned.

the marlins apparently wanted both adenhart and santana and the angels said no.

link

by larry on Dec 2, 2007 1:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

kenny's after him too!

Along with the Angels, the Dodgers, Giants and White Sox are believed to be the most active pursuers of Cabrera, with the Rangers, Indians and Mets also inquiring. The Angels have been seen as the frontrunner for Cabrera since they have a good fit with Florida, which seeks a top young hitter, a catcher, a center fielder and pitching in return. The Angels also have a surplus of outfielders after signing Torii Hunter to a five-year, $90-million free agent contract.

active pursuers baby!

by The Wizard on Dec 2, 2007 2:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm scared to know what

it will take to land Cabrera...

That Angels offer was no low baller.

"God knows I gave my best in baseball at all times and no man on earth can truthfully judge me otherwise."

by Shoeless In SC on Dec 2, 2007 4:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i wish we had a GM who said this

Our philosophy is that every move we make will be logical, rational, and well-researched. They will also be for the long-term benefit of the [the team]. The quick fixes that have been taken in the past--that you see happen around the league with some teams--are not something we'll be interested in here. Free agent signings that make a small, incremental difference in on-field performance don't have much of an impact on wins. Those decisions are decisions we need to try and avoid, especially when they come at the expense of money that could have been better utilized in player acquisition and development. If the extra pieces added could lead to two or three wins being added and are the difference between making the playoffs or not, that's a different scenario and that short-term move has long-reaching positive impact. That would be progress, so the expense would be justifiable. But if you're talking about potentially 78 wins instead of potentially 76, it is difficult to justify.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6964

i don't necessarily mean KW doesn't believe this or whatever; it's just that this is about as clear and lucid description of the philosophy of an organization as you'll get in such a short space. and it's nice to hear someone actually say it.

by larry on Dec 2, 2007 7:05 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

The whole interview is great....

It will be interesting to see what moves he makes...

by hitlesswonder on Dec 2, 2007 7:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, sounds great.

From experiences both in life and observation of how baseball GM's operate....you do what you can when you can given the economic/cultural/attitudinal/talent base....of one's particular franchise. Basically, one learns how to survive anyway they can. I'm not against having a core philosophy...it's needed, but i can't help but roll my eyes when I read something like that....we'll see what happens.

by dantesox on Dec 2, 2007 7:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Take, for example,

the Yankees. Now,supposedly, their new philosophy is to develop and implement their young guys....that sounds nice. Well, how long did that last? Have you seen the hall they're about to give the Twins? And I'm not saying they shouldn't....not at all. So, what do you do? Stick to your new-found philosophy, or survive given you're the GM of the New York Yankees? Either way, a GM could spin it so that he really is living up to his proposed philosophy, whichever way he goes. So, words are great, but what do they really mean?

by dantesox on Dec 2, 2007 8:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

they're the standard you're measured by

look at how people on this board throw words back into KW's face. the media does the same.

as for the yankees, i think we all know the dysfunction that organization has. i think it's quite tenuous to ascribe every move they make to their gm. bad example.

by larry on Dec 2, 2007 8:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Which is

why a GM should probably save those great speeches for the hiring process, and only that. Whereas the Yankee example probably isn't the best, one of those aspects to be considered and what I alluded to in my first entry is the power distribution in any organization.....that's just one of those cultural issues. Kenny usually uses the "we're gunning for a championship this year" sort of thing. But, in reality, and unlike most of you don't like to acknowledge because it doesn't support you're bashing of him, is that IS NOT always the way he does things. Christ, look at his trades last offseason. Were those designed to give us our best chance LAST year?

by dantesox on Dec 2, 2007 8:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

you mean KW lies to the media?

gosh, you don't say.

by larry on Dec 2, 2007 8:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Right.

What's wrong with that ? And who gives a flying you know what. All I'm saying is it's no different with Huntington....Kenny probably told Jerry what he thought he wanted to hear in his interview, too. He may have even used it for a while, too, then realized when he got out in the real world all you really do is try and save your ass.

by dantesox on Dec 2, 2007 8:49 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

very cynical, aren't you

perhaps you should read a little more of what GM's say before making sweeping generalizations - or waiting a little longer before giving a judgment on the pirate's GM. not everyone does what you say.

by larry on Dec 2, 2007 8:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm

commenting more about the human condition. When I roll my eyes with something that Huntington says, take it with a grain of salt. Not that big a deal....chalk it up to idealistic talk from a well-meaning, enthusiastic rookie GM. wE'LL SEE.

by dantesox on Dec 2, 2007 9:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Following his plan might save his ass

He obviously thinks the way to build a winning team is to do what he says. And given the Pirates payroll restrictions, it makes sense not to waste money on free agents that take you from 76 to 79 wins. (unless of course, that FA can be flipped at the deadline for prospects -- which used to be possible but seems like it doesn't happen so much now).

by hitlesswonder on Dec 2, 2007 9:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Whoa!

If that's true, that explains a lot of things.

by hitlesswonder on Dec 2, 2007 9:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He doesn't lie, really

As far as GMs go, he's pretty to-the-point. But he leaves himself some pretty conspicuous outs.

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Dec 2, 2007 9:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But hasn't changing their plan......

gotten them probably the best pitcher in baseball? A few years ago the Yanks changed gears, and said they were going to invest back into development, and build up that farm system. They did that, and now they are probably going to turn that into acquiring the best pitcher in the game.

by Tony82087 on Dec 3, 2007 12:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs