Monday Grapefruit Links

by WholeCamels on Feb 16, 2009 8:39 AM EST

Phillies ink Miguel Cairo; Earth inexplicably remains on its axis.

Kyle Kendrick wants back in the rotation.

The Fightins gets upclose and personal with Cole Hamels. And by "upclose and personal" I mean they've posted several spring workout buffalo shots of Mr. Hamels. Ladies and certain dudes, take note.

The Shibe Times chides Chase Utley to take his time coming back from surgery.

Todd Zolecki > Alyssa Milano. I doubt Todd has banged as many doughy pitchers, though. Advantage: Samantha.

Krod: Rubber, glue, etc.

Phillies more likely to return to World Series than Rays. Not exactly a tough guess; the Phillies don't have to get through Boston and a revamped Yankees team just to make the postseason.

New catcher Ronny Paulino has put all that bad stuff behind him. Seriously. Hope springs eternal...

The Tampa Bay Rays give Pat Burrell's English Bulldog, Elvis, his own locker in Port Charlotte, complete with nameplate and his number - 5 1/2. Is it dusty in here...?

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It’s going to be really weird seeing Pat in another jersey. I honestly get emotional thinking about it.

Broad Street Hockey - SB Nation's Philadelphia Flyers Blog
Because the Broad Street Subway is orange for a reason.

by Travis Hughes on Feb 16, 2009 9:45 AM EST reply actions

/sadface

by Walcott on Feb 16, 2009 1:01 PM EST up reply actions

that's just wrong

At least he has his last two initials on his cap now (“the Bat”).

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Feb 16, 2009 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

The ramifications of this picture have not quite hit me yet. They will when he’s not in right field on Opening Day.

Oh well, at least when Bruntlett comes in in the 8th, I can pretend he replaced Pat.

by Walcott on Feb 16, 2009 11:24 PM EST up reply actions

Er…I’m glad he was never in RF.

Cleanup on aisle my post. LF.

by Walcott on Feb 17, 2009 12:18 AM EST up reply actions

I love reading stuff like this:

Pedro Feliz also arrived. He said he feels good after having surgery on his lower back in November. He has not swung a bat since he his game-winning single in Game 5 of the World Series, but said he expects to begin hitting and fielding soon.

Maybe they just don’t swing much during the offseason anyway, and obviously in Feliz’s case there was a good reason for him to stay out of the cage. But there’s just something amusing to me about the idea that he got the World Series-winning hit, and then figured “screw it, things can only go downhill from here”…

by dajafi on Feb 16, 2009 12:45 PM EST reply actions

If Feliz is healthy, what can we expect from him? He had a typical Feliz season in ‘08 in the final analysis, but his home run rate was down while his walk rate was up (if he had played the full season, he would have walked about 45 times, which is shockingly non-horrible). I’m guessing the former was because of his back and will depend on whether or not he’s recovered. The latter could, at least, be a sign of growth and maturity as a hitter. Is a 90 OPS+ season too much to hope for? If so, that’s another reason to think that our offense could get better next year (or at least not get worse).

by taco pal on Feb 16, 2009 1:23 PM EST reply actions

We can expect we wish we had a better 3rd baseman?

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on Feb 16, 2009 2:04 PM EST up reply actions

While I understand the impulse to go around baiting the non-saber-inclined and calling attention to one’s own bona fides, I don’t think either of those things is particularly useful on this blog.

by taco pal on Feb 16, 2009 2:09 PM EST up reply actions

Not baiting anyone personally – my feelings towards Feliz and to a lesser part Ruiz have not changed to what they were last year, world series win or not – i want a better 3rd baseman – i want a better catcher…

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on Feb 16, 2009 2:18 PM EST up reply actions

Yes I know. Everyone here already knows how you feel about Feliz. Also, you already know (or should know) that I don’t think, and therefore was not saying, that Feliz is a good third baseman. The question I asked about Feliz was pretty specific, and it’s annoying to have the discussion immediately diverted to your general personal feelings, which we’re all already aware of, and which are not really relevant to my point.

by taco pal on Feb 16, 2009 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

Next time you ask ‘what we can expect’ – please tell us explicitly whose opinion you want and whose opinion you don’t want – it makes it easier than having to ‘berate’ those of us who don’t answer the question to your delicate sensibilities?

’kay?

"Someone created the box score," Morey says, "and he should be shot."

Blocked shots — they look great, but unless you secure the ball afterward, you haven’t helped your team all that much.

by jemagee on Feb 16, 2009 2:32 PM EST up reply actions

You mean like I did in the next four sentences of the same comment? Yeah, thanks for the tip.

It’s clear when someone has lost an argument when he has to bring out the childish insult tactics (stuff like “delicate sensibilities” or “kay?”) instead of, you know, actually responding to the other person’s point. Feel free to try again, but I’m through with this particular debate.

by taco pal on Feb 16, 2009 3:42 PM EST up reply actions

Cool it

Please, both of you.

http://www.thegoodphight.com

by WholeCamels on Feb 16, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, yes, I know.

by taco pal on Feb 16, 2009 4:20 PM EST up reply actions

Hi haters!

by FuquaManuel on Feb 16, 2009 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

Back to baseball after those words from our . . . .

So anyway. Feliz has been remarkably consistent during his last four seasons. Not good, but consistent. He’s pretty much a .250 hitter who doesn’t walk all that much and who hits some home runs and doubles.

Last year his defensive numbers, which had been fabulous, weren’t nearly as good as they had been. It could have been partly caused by his back or perhaps he’s losing some steps or it could have even been a problem with the system (Dewan’s +/-). Regardless, he LOOKED really good in the field and I’m not sure our eyes are all that bad when it comes to this. He’s a good — perhaps outstanding defensive 3Bman.

If his less than 20 home run performance was caused by the back problem and the problem is now fixed he could regain the lost power.

But he is 34 now and he isn’t likely to improve any. He did look like he was trying to walk more last season but his pitch recognition skills just aren’t there it looks to me. If he hits .250/.310/.420 I’ll be very happy.

The guy I think who may be a pleasant surprise is Paulino. He hits lefties really well. He has some power. He has some pretty good defensiveskills. He had a bad year last season. He has a rep for being a little complacent. He’s 28 years old. He’s starting fresh with a new (and winning) team with a “player’s” manager — albeit one who is still kinda demanding. I think that’s the kind of combination that can result in lots of good things.

by smitty99 on Feb 16, 2009 8:17 PM EST reply actions

He’ll certainly never be great or even good at walking, but if he’s even making an effort, he’ll at least improve on his career norms. (Provided the power comes back of course.) Like I said, he was on pace to walk about 45 times over a full season in ‘08. That isn’t exactly eye-popping, but it’s definitely better than what he used to do with SF.

Obviously in a perfect world you would never choose Feliz to be your third baseman on a contending team, but if the question is whether you can expect to maintain or improve upon the baseline set last year, then I think the possibility of a Feliz improvement is a reason for hope.

by taco pal on Feb 16, 2009 8:44 PM EST up reply actions

Oh yeah, I agree he was doing a little better than normal last year. A .310 OBP — my wishful hope for him this year — would be fabulous for him and kinda valuable considering his other skills. Manuel/Thompson seem to have the ability to coax improvement in the drawing some walks arena.

by smitty99 on Feb 16, 2009 9:34 PM EST up reply actions