December 18, 2008 – 2:25 pm
Being the weird type of fan that I am I read both Brewers and Mariners blogs. For my trouble I know way too much about either team. What I found annoying is when the blogs talk about the other teams because you realize that they don’t know anything. There’s been more than once I have emailed to call someone out on an incorrect statement. Sometimes you don’t even want to bother though. Like this recent quote from Geoff Baker of the Times.
Pitching-wise, the Brew Crew just signed Chris Capuano to a minor league deal (completing a stunning fall from grace for him) and will likely explore other free-agent routes, like Derek Lowe of the Dodgers, before entertaining any trade scenarios.
Real quick.
- Having Tommy John surgery is not a “fall from grace.”
- Yes, it’s a minor league contract but there are incentives that could push it towards $3 million. He will wear a Brewers uniform next season.
- The Brewers don’t pursue Type A free agents because they build through the draft.
December 16, 2008 – 1:23 pm
I am the kind of guy who wants to work for himself in life. I could never see myself behind a desk at a corporation or in a cubicle. Anything like that. However, there is an exception to that rule and that would be working for either the Milwaukee Brewers or the Seattle Mariners. That is something that I could get on board with. So every now and then I search Monster and MLB.com for job openings. Here’s what I found.
Pitch F/X Operator: I’ve never learned pitch recognition so this one is out, but that just sounds awesome. Both teams are hiring on this one.
Stats Stringer: Both teams are hiring on this one too. Basically it’s getting paid to keep score. According to this it’s for the website and you know what that means: fucking with people who are playing fantasy even if it’s just for a split second! Oh, did I just put in homerun instead of double? Sorry about that Mr. 5×5!
Advance scout: Seriously, the same job Billy Beane once held with the A’s. I doubt he was an intern paid $6.55/hr though.
Sports reporter: This is the one that makes me sad. Maybe if I started writing crisper on the site about the Brewers I could use that as my resume, but without that I’m probably screwed. It’s sad because I know that I know more about baseball than the teams have writing for their website, but maybe that’s a bad thing. Besides who has ever gone from website reporter to General Manager?
December 12, 2008 – 12:40 pm
Raul Ibanez was a pretty good Mariner. One of the few bright spots on a bad team, but at the same time he was everything that was wrong with the Mariners. He was bad at defense and the team didn’t realize it. He was more valuable at 1B or DH and the team didn’t realize it. He was signed for his track record and not for what he might do going forward. He did a good job, but his leaving is symbolic of the M’s future with Jack Zduriencik. No more overpaid veterans who will be bad by the end of their contract, we’ll leave that to the Phillies.
They do realize they signed him for his age 37 -39 seasons right? And are paying $10m/year for it? Here I was thinking the Mets would be the stupid NL East team to sign him. Pat the Bat turned down a 2yr/22M offer earlier, but you have to wonder if a third year would have kept him. For a couple more million they could have had someone 5 years younger who isn’t as atrocious in the outfield. Terrible signing.
I feel bad for Raul though, he seems like a nice guy (look at that picture! He bowls!) and the Philly fans are just going to absolutely murder him. His defense is terrible, will get worse and his OPS has only one way to go. I guess he’ll deserve it, but still.
December 4, 2008 – 12:23 pm
We’ve all seen those oh so funny Mariners commercials. The best one pretty much every year is the one with Ichiro, but anyone can watch those. True Ichiro fans scour him out to find the best videos of him from Japan and the best fan related videos of him. Ichiro is a true youtube star and now we have his greatest hits all in one place. Enjoy.
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December 3, 2008 – 2:51 pm
Our long cold winter is over, finally something has happened in regards to MLB free agency. The Mariners signed Russell Branyan. I always like Branyan as he’s a total TTO (three true outcomes: walk, strikeout or homerun) guy and those guys are always fun. Some think this is a precursor to Beltre being traded as Russell could step in as a platoon 3B, but I don’t think that’s the case. For one, I think Jack Z realizes the value of Adrian Beltre and is going to do what it takes to re-sign him. For another Branyan would be pretty bad defensively at 3B and would be better served as a platoon 1B/DH type. I can definitely see him hitting 15-20 homeruns for the team next season.
FUN WITH MATH
Russell Branyan career OPS: 813
Mariners 1B 2008 OPS: 680
He’s like what they thought Richie Sexson was going to be except cheaper and without the DUI.