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Carlos Gonzalez on the Trade Block? Buyer Beware! Part 1 of 3 On Coors Field Effect

Wednesday June 27th, 2012

Jonathan Hacohen: With the mid-season classic almost upon us, trade talks are also starting to heat up. It seems that every year, that the trade climate rises as the temperature outside increases. This year is no different. What we do have though is a unique situation this year. With more teams in contention than ever before, we may find fewer sellers by the trade deadline. The non-waiver trade deadline is July 31st, while the waiver deadline is August 31st. While some “unmovable contracts” could shift in August, the real deadline according to most analysts comes up at the end of the next month. Kevin Youkilis has already moved, shifting from Boston to Chicago (AL). Now the million dollar question is: who’s next? A name that I have heard thrown around the last couple of days is Colorado Rockies “superstar” outfielder, Carlos Gonzalez. With the Rockies so far deep in the NL West basement, some speculation is that a CarGo type player could be moved to bring in some fresh prospects and restart the process. The Rockies have denied that such a move will happen, which should the end the discussion there. Or does it? I am here to tell you that many teams will still be sniffing around the Rockies for offensive help. If they even think about trading for CarGo, I am here to tell them: think again. You may not be purchasing the goods that you are expecting to receive.

For Part 2 of the Article Series: The Humidor Effect at Coors Field-One Decade in click here

For Part 3 of the Article Series: The Coors Field Effect 2012- Part 3 of A 3 Article Series click here

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Posted in MLB Player Profiles

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Tags: adam dunn, baseball, carlos gonzalez, colorado rockies, kevin youkilis, mlb, oakland athletics, todd helton, troy tulowitzki

Montreal Expos Drafting Record Part 2: The Pitchers

Jun 27

Posted by chuckbooth3023

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Wednesday June.27/2012

Note from Chuck Booth: I am attempting to bring the history for each of the 30 MLB Franchises into a 5 part series that will focus on 1. The teams history. 2. The hitters 3. The pitchers. 4. The Team’s Payroll going into in 2013 and 5. (The stadium articles will all be done next summer when I go to all of the parks in under a month again.) To follow all of the updates, be sure to check my author page with a list of all archived articles here.

Drafted in 1985 by the Montreal Expos, Randy Johnson was erratic in his early days. After trading away Mark Langston to acquire the young fireballer, the Mariners worked him into the rotation and he developed into a Hall of Famer.

Chuck Booth (Baseball Writer and @chuckbooth3024 on twitter)- When looking back at some of the pitchers that the Montreal Expos have had in their organization, you don’t have go down the list very far to find Randy Johnson. He is the ‘crown jewel’ of the draft history record for the club. It is unfortunate the ‘The Big Unit’ was traded to the Seattle Mariners with Brian Holman and Gene Harris to the Mariners for rental player Mark Langston and a player to be named later. To be fair to the Montreal Expos, they were in serious contention for the pennant in 1989 and were trying to chase down the Chicago Cubs. Langston was one of the top Left Handed Aces in the Majors and he was available. Johnson was completely wild in the Minor Leagues and the Expos had a lot of veteran pitchers like Dennis Martinez and Bryn Smith that were on the back end of their careers. The time to try and win was now and they could not wait for Johnson to come around. The Expos did not succeed in capturing the pennant and Langston moved onto the California Angels as a free agent while Johnson blossomed into the premier left handed pitcher in his generation. Speaking of Martinez and Smith, they won 100 and 81 games respectively for the club. While they were not drafted by the Expos, they are 2nd and 3rd on the all-time win list.

Along with Smith and Dennis Martinez (who threw a perfect game as an Expo in 1991 and note: Bill Stoneman also threw two no-hitters for the franchise), you have to factor in the career of Pedro Martinez as an Expo for guys that were great pitchers during their prime. Pedro was acquired prior to the 1994 season from the Dodgers in exchange for the Expos departed ALL-Star second baseman Delino DeShields. Martinez went 11-5 in the strike shortened year and formed an impressive 1-2 ace combination with Ken Hill. Pedro went onto a 55-33 record and a 3.06 ERA for his 4 year Expos career. Pedro’s best year with the club was 1997 where he was the NL CY Young with a 17-8 record and a 1.90 ERA. Martinez finished the year with 305 strikeouts and a ridiculous 13 complete games. Pedro ended up signing with the Boston Red Sox before the 1998 season and he ultimately won a World Series with the Beantowners in 2004. In his post game celebration, Martinez mentioned the Expos franchise and their fans. Pedro shared his triumph as a testament to them. It was talent like this that Expos could never afford to resign and would lose outright- or have to trade for prospects based on their economic viability. I will get more into this in Part 3 of the Article Series on Friday.

For Part 1 of the Article Series, The Hitters: click here

For Part 3 of the Article Series, The Demise: click here

For Part 4 of the Article Series, The Washington Nationals Franchise 2005-2012: click here

For Part 5 of the Article Series, The Nats Best 25 Man Roster 2005-2012 click here

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Posted in The Rest: Everything Baseball

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Tags: Atlanta, Bill gullickson, boston red sox, brandon phillips, bryce harper, bryn smith, chad cordero, Charlie Lea, chicago cubs, Chuck Booth. fastest 30 ballgames, cincinnati reds, cleveland indians, cliff lee, cy young, dan uggla, Dan Wilson, delino deshields, dennis martinez, drew storen, Erik Hanson, florida marlins, gaby sanchez, gene harris, giancarlo stanton, grady sizemore, hall of fame, hanley ramirez, javier vazquez, jeff brantley, jeff reardon, jeffrey loria, joe hesketh, john henry, josh johnson, ken hill, kirk reuter, logan morrison, mark gardner, mark langston, mel rojas, mike boddicker, Mike Lowell, minnesota twins, montreal expos, Norm Charlton, oakland athletics, orioles, pedro martinez, randy johnson, Randy Myers, rick monday, rob dibble, scott sanderson, seattle mariners, sf giants, stephen strasburg, steve rogers, tigers, ugueth urbina, washington nationals, world series

Jose Canseco: MLB Hero or Villain?

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Thursday June 14, 2012

John Burns (MLB reports Intern Candidate): The “Godfather” of steroids Jose Canseco has been through the depths of baseball controversy- from the start of his baseball career to this present day.

Canseco is one of the few MLB players that admitted to using performance enhancing drugs during his career. He was definitely though not the only player in his era to use steroids. Canseco wrote a book titled: “Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant ‘Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big”, where he “snitched” on a large number of MLB players that were juicing at the time. Some of the MLB players that Canseco stated that were steroids users in his book: Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, Mark McGwire, Jason Giambi, Rafael Palmeiro, Juan González, and Roger Clemens to name a few.

Jose Canseco was a fan favorite in Oakland from 1985-1992 and then had another stint with the A’s in 1997. Canseco received many awards and achieved a number of milestones during his 16 years in the MLB; First player ever to join 40-40 club, 6 time All-Star, 2 time World Series Champion, 4 time Silver Slugger Award, AL MVP, AL Rookie of the Year, and AL Comeback Player of the Year. Of course most of those awards are now tainted because of his use of steroids.

As crazy as this might sound I consider Jose Canseco a hero for cleaning up the game of baseball. Yes, he cheated- but he is one of the few who admitted it. In the process, he virtually cleaned up baseball by “ratting out” other MLB players. Most of the past or present MLB players highlighted by Canseco do not admit to taking steroids, even though there is sufficient evidence that many of them did. I believe Jose Canseco is great for baseball and he is the reason for baseball being clean. Or at least cleaner.

There are many people who believe that Jose Canseco is a bum who turned his back on the game of baseball. Everyone has a right to their opinion, as even Canseco himself on occasion has said that he would not have written his books had he known the long-term effects of the decision. But believe it or not, I strongly disagree with the Canseco critics. Don’t get me wrong, steroids are terrible for baseball and nobody should use them. But Jose Canseco admitted to his mistakes. Like I said earlier, many players still do not admit their errors to this day. This is one of the reasons why Jose Canseco has my respect. For not only telling the truth, but by cleaning up the sport I love.

Jose Canseco should be remembered as one of the men who helped save the game of baseball. Just imagine if Canseco didn’t sell out the players named in his literary works. You can’t tell me that guys like Mark McGwire would admit to any wrongdoing if they weren’t accused. At the end of the day, Jose Canseco should have the legacy of a great player, who made some dumb decisions. But he was man enough to admit when he was wrong and ended up fixing the game that he helped break in the first place.

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Posted on June 14, 2012 | Image

He is a 30/30 Club Member: But How Good Was Eric Davis?

Jun 8

Posted by chuckbooth3023

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Friday June.8, 2012

Photo Courtesy of spokeo.com

Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer and @chuckbooth3024 on twitter)- Eric Davis was an amazing talent for the Cincinnati Reds during the mid 1980’s. He was drafted as a shortstop but quickly made his way through the minors and ended up in the Reds outfield for his debut in May of 1984. You talk about 5 tools in a player, Davis was the poster-boy for this. Pete Rose described him in one of his books as “having the greatest raw ability that he had seen since Roberto Clemente.” Davis grew up in Los Angeles, California and was a thin-wiry 165 pounds when he came up to the Majors, despite being 6 foot 2 in height. In 174 AB that year, he hit 10 HRs an stole 10 bases. In 1985, he hit 8 HRs and stole 16 bases in just 122 AB. This prompted a promotion to full-time player by then skipper Pete Rose at the start of the 1986 season.

The Cincinnati Reds had just come out of he ‘Big Red Machine’ era and were searching for young players such as Davis and Barry Larkin to take the reins with the new club. Eric Davis did not disappoint in his first season, in just 415 AB he hit 27 HRs and stole an eye-popping 80 bases while scoring 97 runs. A star was born. Eric Davis played with an all-out mentality, as such he required rest days from time to time with the nicks and bruises he would sustain through stealing bases or playing nice defense by diving. The Reds were always in contention under Pete Rose, however they were always finishing in 2nd place. It finally looked the team had a nucleus of players that could take them to the promise land. Davis was right at the top of the forefront for talent. Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in The Rest: Everything Baseball

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Tags: alex rodriguez, alfonso soriano, baltimore orioles, barry bonds, barry larkin, Chuck Booth, cincinnati reds, eric davis, jose canseco, matt kemp, MMRF, oakland athletics, pete rose, rickey henderson, roberto clemente, the fastest 30 ballgames, vladimir guerrero

The Future of Kurt Suzuki in Oakland: Long Term Catcher or Trade Bait

Jun 7

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

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Thursday June 7th, 2012

John Burns (MLB reports Intern Candidate): Kurt Suzuki has been in the Oakland A’s organization his entire career since being drafted in the 2^nd round out of Cal State Fullerton in the 2004 MLB draft.

Suzuki is having a rough 2012 season so far, he is only batting .207 with no homers and 15 RBIs. The Athletics have struggled in the hitting department this year, as they are dead last in baseball with a team average of .213. This is one of the main reasons for their 24-31 record to start the year.

As the trade deadline approaches, the last place Athletics will most likely be sellers. The A’s will have to make a hard decision this July on their once called “franchise catcher” Kurt Suzuki. The 28 year-old catcher is signed through the 2013 season with a 2014 option with the Athletics. Butt that does not mean Suzuki is guaranteed a spot with the A’s. Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in MLB Player Profiles

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Tags: a's, baseball, billy beane, catcher, derek norris, gio gonzalez, kurt suzuki, mlb, oakland athletics, trade

Ask the Reports: ATR Answers Your Baseball Questions – May 20th, 2012

May 20

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

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Sunday May 20th, 2012

Jonathan Hacohen: Posted every Weekend: Your top baseball questions from the past week are answered. E-mail all questions to mlbreports@me.com, message us on Twitter, post on our Facebook Wall and leave comments on our website! There are many ways to reach us and we will get to your questions from all social media outlets!

Let’s get to your top questions of the week:

Q: I watched the replays of the 3-1 and 3-2 count with Brett Lawrie batting in last nights Blue Jays game.

As far as I’m concerned, Bill Miller missed two calls. Brett Lawrie was entirely justified in his outrage.

Ok, you gotta throw him out when the helmet hits the ump, but there’s no outrage if Miller makes those calls right.

It infuriates me that umpires are so go**am arrogant and they have so little tolerance for a player objecting to a bad call.

The 3-2 pitch was farther out of the strike zone that the 3-1 pitch, and it looked a lot like Miller called it a strike since, apparently in his mind, he’d been shown up by Lawrie after the previous pitch. I’d like to see a 3-day suspension for Miller, and any ump who’s that arrogant. John

JH: Before we start this discussion, let’s go to the video replay and see what happened in Toronto the other night:

John, I feel your frustration. I hear where you are coming from. But let’s get this straight. Firstly, Lawrie lost his cool and crossed the line. He didn’t just cross the line, he buried it. Regardless of whether he agrees or disagrees with a call, he clearly acted in a manner that was not professional and put the umpire and himself at risk. Lawrie got a 4-game suspension…and he should consider himself lucky. It could have been much worse. Look again at how the helmet was thrown- Lawrie threw it in a manner that the helmet made contact with the ump. I have long detested when players start trotting to first base during an at-bat before hearing the call of ball/strike from an ump. In my estimation, that shows up the ump and is more likely to result in a strike call. I am not defending Miller though. He was not on his game and clearly made some terrible calls. The league should have periodic reviews of umps (report cards), with specific instances of issue to be addressed when incidents arise.

Given the nature of the two blown calls, I would not have an issue of Miller going before a reviewer to discuss the incident. I would not suspend him in this instance, but a warning and discussion would be in order. Where an ump shows up a player and acts in a manner that is detrimental to the game, then suspensions could be in order. I agree that the whole process of umpire accountability is somewhat of a mystery and should be more transparent. We should have a better idea on the scale that umpires are graded, reviewed, rewarded and reprimanded. Lawrie had to be accountable for his actions- but where is Miller’s part in the process? That is unclear. Umpires should hold power given what they role in the game is. If that power is taken away, the very state of how the game is played and called could be severely damaged. But we don’t want umpires abusing their role and power. The Lawrie incident in Toronto was not pretty and accountability should be required from all involved. Again, I don’t see a suspension coming for Miller. But without dealing with this incident properly from the start, there is no guarantees that it won’t happen again. Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in The Rest: Everything Baseball

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Tags: ask the reports, astro turf, atr, baseball, baseball questions, bill miller, brett lawrie, brooklyn, cole hamels, colorado rockies, designated hitter, mlb, mlb expansion, oakland athletics, philadelphia phillies

Ooh La La Gems: Review of Baseball Jewellery Fit for a Home Run King

May 13

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

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Sunday May 13, 2012

MLB reports – Jonathan Hacohen: Happy Mother’s Day Everyone! Today’s feature has the special women in our lives in our mind. Whether it be our own mothers, grandmothers or the mothers of our children, today is the day that we give thanks to women. Giving us life and helping us all grow. Thank you moms!

Now what is the best way to thank moms you ask? Most people go the traditional route, with flowers and chocolate. Good presents…but not great. If you really want to blow away mom and send your appreciation, jewellery is your ticket. Now I now that today is actually mother’s day…so you could be late on the present. But if there is one thing I know about women, it is this: they tend to be very selective in their jewellery choices. Necklaces, bracelets and earrings can be a very personal choice. Not just for moms and women, but men love their jewellery as well. Especially baseball jewellery for us die-hard fans. So to meet the jewellery needs of everyone, you will need a place with a large selection that customize to all tastes and preferences.

Enter: Marla Barfield. Marla??? Wait a minute. You know Jesse Barfield. The 2-time gold glove winning, home run hitting, arm for a cannon outfielder with the Jays and Yankees. You know Josh Barfield. Second baseman with both the Indians and Padres. You know Jeremy Barfield. Huge prospect with the A’s (no joke, the kid is 6’5″ and 220!) But do you know Marla? Guess what… you do now. Marla Barfield is her name. Ooh La La Gems is her game. Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in The Rest: Everything Baseball

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Tags: baseball, bracelet, jeremy barfield, jesse barfield, jewellery, josh barfield, marla barfield, mlb, necklace, oakland athletics, ooh la la gems, ring, toronto blue jays

Keep the A’s in Oakland: Will They Stay…or Move to San Jose?

May 10

Posted by bernieolshansky

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Thursday May 10th, 2012

Bernie Olshansky: Whether or not the Athletics stay in Oakland has been an ongoing issue since John Fisher and his ownership group bought the team in around 2006. The A’s have played in a multi purpose stadium for baseball and football since the 1960s. At first, the stadium wasn’t bad, with a great view of the Oakland Hills out past the center field wall. When the Raiders returned to the Coliseum in 1995, their owner, Al Davis built suites and more seats (sarcastically dubbed “Mount Davis”) that stretched higher than the upper deck of the rest of the stadium. The once beautiful views were blocked and the stadium became a concrete bowl. In late summer and early fall, the centerfield grass (where the bleachers are placed for football) is in a state of disrepair compared to the otherwise perfect playing surface. Still, when the A’s were winning, they managed to draw crowds. The A’s had many prosperous years, winning the World Series in 1972, 1973, 1974, 1989, and losing in the World Series in 1988 to the Dodgers and in 1990 to the Reds. More recently, in their “Moneyball” season of 2002, the A’s won 20 consecutive games and made the playoffs, but lost to the Twins in the ALDS.

It’s been a long time since the local fans have seen a winning A’s team. The last time the A’s made the playoffs was 2006, when they lost to the Tigers in the ALCS. The only time they went .500 since 2006 was in 2010. This could be due to general manager Billy Beane’s knack for trading everyone away. Notable trades include Andre Ethier for Milton Bradley, Carlos Gonzalez for Matt Holliday, and Mark Mulder for Dan Haren (who eventually was also traded). The team hasn’t been consistent since 2006. Last year, the team looked like it was finally going to be competitive with pitchers Gio Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson healthy and ready for the season. Top prospects Michael Taylor and Chris Carter were ready to make an impact. Unfortunately Anderson got injured and needed Tommy John surgery, Cahill didn’t pitch to his potential, and Taylor and Carter spent the majority of the season in the minors because they didn’t perform in the majors. The final blow came when this winter, the A’s traded Gio Gonzalez to the Nationals and Trevor Cahill to the Diamondbacks. All of these events together had the fans asking: are we ever going to contend again? Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in The Rest: Everything Baseball

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Tags: a's, baseball, billy beane, carlos gonzalez, dan haren, john fisher, lew wolff, matt holliday, michael taylor, mlb, oakland athletics, san jose, stadium, trevor cahill

MLB reports Monthly Power Rankings: May 2012

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Tuesday May 8th, 2012

Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer and @chuckbooth3024 on twitter)-We are going to bring you a monthly power rankings every month of the season. There will be a few verses for each team. Please feel free to let us know your thoughts.

May Power Rankings

Texas (19-10) Josh Hamilton is clubbing the ball at his 2010 like AL MVP clip. Yu Darvish appears to be the real deal. Mike Napoli hits 8^th on most nights. Michael Young might be the most under-appreciated hitter in the last decade. Ian Kinsler is on pace for 162 runs. If Nelson Cruz starts hitting and or Nathan rounds into form, than this team may blitz by every one.
Tampa Bay (19-10) The pitching staff is incredible right now. David Price is asserting himself as one of the premier left-handed pitchers in baseball. Strong starts from Evan Longoria, Luke Scott and Carlos Pena have helped. Joe Maddon may be the best ‘in-game manager’ of baseball now with Tony La Russa out of the Majors.
Atlanta (18-12) The reason I have Atlanta rated so high is they are not even having a good year from Tim Hudson yet and Jair Jurrjens has been atrocious. Still they sit near the top of the standings. Chipper Jones has 21 RBI and Freddie Freeman has taken the next step so far with 26 RBI. Last year the team had a lot of players with career worst years and they were only eliminated on the last day of the season. This year may be different.
St. Louis (18-11) You lose a franchise player like Albert Pujols and you spend half the money for Carlos Beltran and Rafael Furcal, who are finally hitting the numbers like the back of their bubble gum cards from 5 years ago. Are we giving enough credit to Mark McGwire here? Lance Lynn has morphed into Chris Carpenter with his 6-0 start.
LA Dodgers (19-10) Matt Kemp is the best player in baseball right now and may walk away with the triple crown this year. Andre Ethier has matured into the RBI guy he needs to be. Solid pitching by Clayton Kershaw, Chris Capuano and Ted Lilly have this team looking solid. Dodgers look good in the future when the new ownership takes over. (more…)

Posted on May 8, 2012 | Image

Jack Morris: It Is Time To Elect This Winner Into The Baseball Hall Of Fame!

Apr 22

Posted by chuckbooth3023

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Tuesday, January.08/2013

Jack Morris led the Major Leagues for Wins in the 80's by posting a 162-129 Record (.556). He was a 5 Time ALL-Star and had 6 Top 10 Finishes for AL Cy Young. He also hurled 175 Complete Games. He won 20 Games 3 separate years, 16+ Wins in 9 Years and 15+ Wins in 12 of his 17 full years and 18 seasons overall.

Jack Morris led the Major Leagues for Wins in the 80’s by posting a 162-119 Record (.577). He was a 5 Time ALL-Star and had 6 Top 10 Finishes for AL Cy Young. He also hurled 175 Complete Games. He won 20 Games 3 separate years, 16+ Wins in 10 Years and 15+ Wins in 12 of his 16 full years – and 18 seasons overall.

Chuck Booth (Lead Baseball Writer/Website Owner): Follow @chuckbooth3024

The debate for whether or not Jack Morris belongs in the Baseball Hall Of Fame has heated up to an ALL-Time high with the big vote going down tomorrow. 575 members of BBWAA fraternity will decide whether or not the big man from Minnesota will enter one of the hardest Hall Of Fame’s to enter in pro sports (if not the hardest). Morris will need a 75% (432 Minimum Votes) of them to write down his name on their ballot for enshrinement into Cooperstown. Last year, Morris received 66.7 % of the writers votes in his 13th year of eligibility. He will have his name on a 14th ballot this year. He has been trending up in recent years, so if he can improve with the same amount of 2011-2012 jump of (+13.2%), then he will make it in. If he fails to reach the Hall this year, 2014 would be his last year of eligibility for the BBWAA Vote. He could still make it via the Veterans Committee after that.

Jack Morris was a winner, a true throwback pitcher who came after hitters with reckless abandon. He pitched based on what the score was – and had no personal regard for his own personal statistics. It is this very reason why the debate has hit epic proportions on social media hubs, amongst bloggers, former players, analysts, broadcaster and statisticians. I intend to prove the case for the guy in a manner that will have some similarities to other pieces you may have read, yet promote a big look into the numbers that I have been bouncing around in my head for months. I even have had a #JackMorrisAwarenessWeek on Twitter and have been having feuds with people on the other side who don’t think he belongs in Cooperstown- while I have been Retweeted by his biggest supporters. Let the battle lines be drawn!

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Posted in The Rest: Everything Baseball

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Tags: 1984 World Series, 1991 world Series MVP, AL East, alcs, ALL-Start Appearances, ALL-Time Innings Pitched Leader Pitching, ALL-Time Strikeout Leaders Pitching, ALL-Time Wins Leaders Pitching, All-Time Wins list, American league, andy pettitte, Atlanta Braves, baseball hall of fame, BBWAA, boston red sox, california angels, chicago white sox, Chuck Booth. fastest 30 ballgames, cleveland indians, cooperstown, CY Young voting, dave stieb, detroit tigers, ferguson jenkins, Greg Maddux, jack morris, jamie moyer, jim kaat, kansas city royals, metrodome, mike mussina, milwaukee brewers, minnesota twins, oakland athletics, randy johnson, roger clemens, roy halladay, seattle mariners, stephen strasburg, tom glavine, tommy john, toronto blue jays, twitter @chuckbooth3024, veterans committee, washington nationals

The Future of Hideki Matsui

Apr 9

Posted by Bryan Sheehan

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Sunday April 8, 2012

Bryan Sheehan (MLB Reports Intern): The MLB season has already officially kicked off, and yet there are still some veteran players looking for a place to play. The list is occupied mainly by former outfielders that may not have enough left in the tank defensively, including Johnny Damon, Vladimir Guerrero and, maybe most notably, Hideki Matsui. The 37-year-old, who played just 27 of his 141 games in left field hasn’t been a regular in the outfield since his 2007 campaign with the Yankees. Last season for the Oakland A’s, Godzilla hit a career low .251 with 72 RBIs and 12 home runs, and was not brought back by the club for 2012. The Yankees seemed to show interest in the 37-year-old slugger, but ultimately decided to sign Raul Ibanez instead. Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in MLB Player Profiles

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Tags: baseball, godzilla, hideki matsui, mlb, new york yankees, oakland athletics, vladimir guerrero

AL West: Value Picks, Up-and-Coming Players and Red Flags in Fantasy Baseball

Mar 9

Posted by pwstein87

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Friday March 9th, 2012

Peter Stein (Fantasy Baseball Analyst – MLB reports): While the Angels and Rangers should battle for first place and eclipse 90 wins each, the Mariners and Athletics will most likely lose ninety games apiece. Despite this dichotomy, from a fantasy perspective, the American League West might the most intriguing division in MLB. The Angels and Rangers are loaded with fantasy studs, although many come at a risk, while there a number of undervalued and up and coming players on M’s and A’s roster that need to be targeted in fantasy leagues in 2012.

VALUE PICKS:

Colby Lewis is easily one of the most undervalued pitchers in baseball. Most people are quick to credit his 2010 return to the major leagues as a fluke. Although a slight drop in velocity last year, his 2011 numbers were very similar to 2010. He is a safe bet for a dozen wins an ERA around 4 and strikeout rate around 8K/9. He is not going to blow hitters away, but he is an attractive start against division foes Oakland and Seattle and should be available for a relatively cheap price. Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in MLB Teams: Articles and Analysis

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Tags: AL West, anaheim angels, bartolo colon, baseball, brandon mccarthy, chris iannetta, cliff pennington, colby lewis, fantasy baseball, felix hernandez, grant balfour, hanley ramirez, ichiro suzuki, jesus montero, joe nathan, josh hamilton, kendrys morales, mike napoli, mlb, nelson cruz, oakland athletics, seattle mariners, texas rangers

Ask the Reports: ATR Answers Your Baseball Questions – February 25th, 2012

Feb 25

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

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Saturday February 25th, 2012

Jonathan Hacohen: Posted every Weekend: Your top baseball questions from the past week are answered. E-mail all questions to mlbreports@gmail.com, message us on Twitter and post on our Facebook Wall!

Let’s get to your top questions of the week: Read the rest of this entry →

Posted in The Rest: Everything Baseball

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Tags: ask the reports, Atlanta Braves, atr, baseball, baseball questions, chicago cubs, chicago white sox, cliff lee, florida marlins, jacob turner, manny ramirez, mlb, NL east, oakland athletics, philadelphia phillies, ricky romero, roy oswalt, toronto blue jays, yu darvish

Casey Bond Guest Blog: The Big Moneyball Oscars Giveaway!!!

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Thursday February 23, 2012

Casey Bond- Guest MLB Blog: It’s getting to be that time of the year again…yes, I am sure you are thinking of baseball, and I agree. Spring training seems like it was just yesterday for myself (it wasn’t really that long ago), and I was showing up with a fresh new rebuilt body after the long recouping off-season, along with a very positive outlook to start Spring Training off right.

It was always a pleasure meeting new faces, even though they would be some of my competitors for positions in the organization, and having a camaraderie unlike any other. Nothing quite beats the feeling of baseball in the air, with all of the sights, smells and sounds that come with it…

However, this year, it will be two-fold for myself as far as “that time of the year” goes. I’m not only excited to see baseball making its annual round-trip back to the freshly groomed fields where many of my great friends will be and have been, but I’m also enjoying the season of awards in entertainment (as this industry has become my world). I feel so fortunate to have baseball and the Oscars intertwine with one another, not to mention that the film I’ve had the pleasure to be in IS ABOUT BASEBALL. A blessing is perhaps the only way to explain it.

WIth “Moneyball” up for 6 Academy Awards, of course our hopes are high to come away with some hardware. What a perfectly timed Oscars it would be to coincide with the beginning of baseball. It’s almost as if the film follows the timeline perfectly- from starting with the end of last season, and going all the way through Spring Training and the current season. A passing of the torch from Film Award Season to Spring Training would seem perfectly aligned, if Moneyball could step away with an award.

Once again, I thank all of you MLB reports readers for the support you have shown. This time of the year is a testament that baseball always lives on, and so do films and entertainment. For them to intermingle together so well, at this exact time, is truly something special…

Casey (Twitter @CaseyBond)

NOW…For the Big Moneyball Oscars Giveaway, Courtesy of our good friend, Casey Bond:

Do you LOVE MONEYBALL? How would you love to own some MONEYBALL memorabilia? Then today is your lucky day! Casey is ready to send you a personally autographed photo from one of the MONEYBALL premieres he attended. So how do you get one of these pics into your collection? Simple. Head over to Facebook, log onto Casey’s Facebook page here, click the “like” button and write on Casey’s wall that “MLB reports sent you“. Then e-mail us at mlbreports@gmail.com with your Facebook name and mailing address. That’s it. Nothing to it! Then sit by your mailbox patiently. As soon as Casey can get his hands on some stamps, your MONEYBALL memorabilia will be on its way! (This offer applies to U.S. and Canada residents only, while supplies last)

A BIG MLB reports thank you to Casey Bond for returning back to us with his latest Guest Blog. For a Hollywood actor, producer and director with a busy schedule, we very much appreciate Casey taking the time to talk about Moneyball and its big upcoming night at the Oscars! Casey was also very generous in providing “The Big Moneyball Oscars Giveaway” as part of this feature. The man loves his fans and really knows how to create a buzz! In addition to following Casey on Twitter and “liking” his Facebook Fan Page, please make sure to bookmark his website (http://thecaseybond.com). Casey will be CONSTANTLY providing personal behinds the scenes photos, videos, etc. of upcoming events that he will be a part of such as Red Carpets and Premieres! If you love Baseball and Hollywood, welcome to the world of Casey Bond!

(Editor’s Note: Casey Bond was an outfielder in the San Francisco Giants organization. He left the diamond and became an actor on the silver screen. In Moneyball, Casey portrays former Oakland A’s pitcher, Chad Bradford. Moneyball was a best-selling book by Michael Lewis that became a hit Hollywood film in 2011. To grab your copy of Moneyball on DVD or Blu-Ray, get to your local video store or favorite on-line retailer like Amazon. Destined to be one of the finest cult classic baseball films of all time, Moneyball the movie needs to be in the DVD/Blu-Ray collection of every baseball fan!)

Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.

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Posted on February 23, 2012 | Image

Zach Johnson Interview: The Baseball Prospect Road from Oklahoma to Houston

Feb 9

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

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Thursday February 9th 2012

MLB reports – Jonathan Hacohen: Today on MLB reports, we are joined by Zachary Johnson (Zach)- Houston Astros prospect. Zach completed his first professional season last year, playing for the Tri-City ValleyCats. Name sound familiar? It should! Back in December, we had the chance to interview Zach’s teammate, Neiko Johnson (no relation apparently). Born in California, Zach attending Oklahoma State University. After getting drafted by the A’s in 2010, Zach did not come to terms and was later drafted by the Astros the following year. A 15th round selection of the Stros, the right-hand hitting Johnson plays first, third and second. After getting his feet wet last season, Zach Johnson is looking forward to the upcoming year. With a young, rebuilding Houston squad- plenty of opportunity will be available in the coming years for the Astros brightest prospects. Zach Johnson is definitely looking to get to Houston one day. Heck, when you growing up watching Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent, while looking up to Chase Utley- clearly you are setting the standards high. Learn Zach’s baseball story from university, the draft and making it to pro ball. You may think you know the name Zach Johnson. But you might be thinking of another sport (golf). We are baseball-only on MLB reports and for us, there is only ONE Zach Johnson. In today’s exclusive interview with us, get to know this up-and-coming Astros prospect:

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Posted in Interviews with MLB Stars

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Tags: barry bonds, baseball, chase utley, first base, houston astros, jeff kent, mlb, oakland athletics, san francisco giants, second base, third base, zach johnson, zachary johnson

Ask the Reports: Your Baseball Questions Answered – Sunday January 22nd, 2012

Jan 22

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

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Sunday January 22nd, 2012

Let’s get to your top questions of the week:

Q: Pirates chances in the semi-weakened NL Central this year? John

MLB reports: Great question John. Many Pirates fans are very hopeful this year. But in the opening may not be as clear as some would think. Houston we have to figure is in rebuilding mode and heading to the AL West in 2013. That leaves the Cardinals, Reds, Brewers and Cubs as the main competitors. The Cubs are going to be better, but still have ways away. New management needs time to rebuild the farm and create a lineup in the image that they foresee. That leaves the Reds, Cardinals and Brewers. Even assuming that Prince Fielder is gone and Ryan Braun is lost to suspension, the Brewers are incredibly strong. Gallardo and Greinke to head up the rotation, Axford and Rodriguez at the back of the pen. The Brewers are unlikely to make the playoffs, but will still be in the race. Same goes with the Cardinals, sans Pujols and La Russa. They still have an offense led by Holliday, Berkman and Beltran, with one of the best rotations heads in Carpenter and Wainwright. They will be finding their way this year, but the Cardinals are still the defending champs. Lastly, the Reds will be the team to beat. Latos will now be their ace and Ryan Madson the closer. In between, this team is fairly stacked and can hurt you in so many ways, led by Votto and Phillips. The best that I can see the Pirates finish is 3rd…and that is a long-shot. To me, I see 4th place as being the likely scenario with anything higher being gravy. As far as anything higher? Wait 2 years or so until their farm starts harvesting some really key prospects to the majors.

Q: Question on ’13 HoF vote. Do most of the voters believe Barry Bonds was a HoF’er before using (clear/cream) possible PEDs? Old Man Mack

MLB reports: There is no doubt in most “experts” minds that Barry Bonds was going to Cooperstown before the whole performance enhancing drugs issue arose. Before bulking up in San Francisco and reinventing himself as the home run champion, Barry Bonds was one of the best players in the game. He could do it all and was one of the best 5-tool players the game ever saw. But the reality is that most voters will not look or think in that manner. All they will remember is Balco and the question marks that surround Bonds. Looking at the McGwire and Juan Gonzalez vote totals, I am seeing writers that are not prepared to vote in certified or even heavily suspected PED users. The vote on Bonds, like Roger Clemens, will be very interesting. Without clear criteria and guidelines, voters won’t know which way to go. Some will vote Bonds in, by consideration that he was a worthy candidate even before the Balco mess. Others will consider that he did use PEDs and as a result, should not go to Cooperstown. If Bonds gets 50% of the vote based on what I’m hearing, I will consider that a high total. The 2013 Hall of Fame ballot will be one of the most difficult ones in history. We all look forward to seeing what will transpire.

Q: Are the Red Sox in a rebuilding year or waiting on a certain sign from the Baseball Gods to replenish the rotation and the B-pen? Nick

MLB reports: LOL. The Red Sox are never rebuilding. They may have a new manager and GM, but they are still the Red Sox. Adrian Gonzalez. Jacoby Ellsbury. Dustin Pedroia. Josh Beckett. Kevin Youkilis. This team still has the horses to make a run for a playoff berth. Yes, they just traded away Marco Scutaro, in a rumored attempt to make a run at Roy Oswalt. So no, the Red Sox are not waiting for any signs. They are just staying in a budget and putting the best team that they can put together within their means. Their bullpen is still loaded to the max. Andrew Bailey, Mark Melancon and Daniel Bard (if he doesn’t win a rotation spot). These Red Sox are maybe one starting pitcher away. Some tweaking may still be ahead…but rebuilding, no no no. Far from it.

Q: Do you think Tigers Pitcher Justin Verlander Deserved to win the AL MVP Award last Season? Pitchers don’t win MVP Awards often! Marty

MLB reports: Another great question Marty. You always ask the right questions! Let’s take it another way: if I had a vote, would I have given Justin Verlander the MVP award. Absolutely- yes. I have heard all the arguments why pitchers should not win the MVP award. They have their own award- it’s called the CY Young award. They don’t play everyday and thus are not as valuable as top hitters. It goes on and on. I get it. In 2011, the fact remains that Verlander was the most valuable player on his team. Look at the stats- they are mind boggling. 24 wins in 34 starts. 2.40 ERA. 251 innings pitched. 250 strikeouts and only 57 walks allowed. A 0.920 WHIP. The man won the pitching triple crown and dominated hitters consistently all year long. If you take Verlander off the team, they do not make the playoffs. There were many great players in the American League last year. Jose Bautista. Adrian Gonzalez. Jacoby Ellsbury. Curtis Granderson. But until they make a hitters-only award, the Most Valuable Player award means any player. That player was Justin Verlander in 2011 and yes, he definitely deserved his award.

Final Question: I hope the A’s make Playoffs this year! That would be Something special! Eric

MLB reports: Eric. Eric. Eric. I love your passion and commitment to your team. But I am sorry to be the one to tell you this- ain’t happening. The A’s are in yet another rebuilding mode. The team was destined for 3rd or 4th place before trading Gio Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill and Andrew Bailey. Not to mention the losses of Josh Willingham and Hideki Matsui. The return of Coco Crisp just won’t cut it. While the Mariners should be an improved squad, the A’s have a ton of young talent that will come together in 3-4 years. I’m sure all A’s fans would love a pennant. For now, they will need to settle for last place and a chance at a high draft pick. Until the stadium issue is resolved and the team can figure out a permanent and financially viable stadium option, winning Oakland baseball will continue to be a rarity for the foreseeable future.

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Jonathan Hacohen is the Lead Baseball Columnist & Editor for MLB reports: You can follow Jonathan on Twitter (@JHacohen) Follow @mlbreports

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Tags: barry bonds, baseball, cooperstown, hall of fame, justin verlander, mlb, oakland athletics, peds, pirates, red sox, steroids, tigers

Steve Palazzolo Interview: The Pitching Tower of Pisa

Jan 15

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

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Sunday January 15, 2012

MLB reports – Jonathan Hacohen: When I first spoke with Steve Palazzolo, I was blown away by his stature. How could you not be…the man stands 6’10” and throws baseballs for a living! The first images that went through my mind were Jon Rauch and Randy Johnson. Comparisons that I am sure Steve has heard his whole life. But once you get past the sheer size of the man, you find a person with an even bigger heart. A gentle giant, Steve is very well spoken and intelligent to converse with. With the shortage of quality arms in today’s major league bullpens, one would expect that available arms would be snapped up in a second. But that is not always the case, especially for Steve Palazzolo. He pitched five seasons in the minor leagues, between the Brewers, Giants and Mariners organizations. He made it all the way up to AAA before returning to Indy ball the past season and a half. Steve will be 30 by opening day and continues to battle his way to achieve his dream: making the big leagues. As we discussed in yesterday’s interview with Luis Lopez, Jerome Williams made his way from Indy ball to the Angels rotation last year. Dreams do come true. Steve Palazzolo has shown that he has the talent. Taking a look at his numbers from last year, Palazzolo pitched 53 games for the Blue Crabs- finishing with a 9-5 record, 3.06 ERA and 1.200 WHIP. He only surrendered 4 home runs while striking out 57 batters. Watching him on video and considering his talents and strong character, I would be snapping this guy up pretty quickly if I was a baseball General Manager. To succeed in baseball, you need to have talent and a chance. Steve Palazzolo has the talent. Now he is just waiting for his opportunity.

Today on MLB reports, we are proud to present pitcher Steve Palazzolo- or as we refer to him: The Pitching Tower of Pisa

MLB reports: First question: Steve. Palazzolo is an interesting last name. Meaning and origins?

Steve Palazzolo: It comes from the Italian word Palazzo, which means palace. There is also a village in Sicily named Palazzolo. I’d definitely love to visit some day.

MLB reports: Everyone reading your profile would see: 6’10”, 29-years-old and a right-handed reliever. On paper you should be in a major league bullpen. What is your current active status?

Steve Palazzolo: Current active status is “trying to join a major league bullpen.” Really, though, I’ve spent the last year and a half in the Atlantic League with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, just continuing to learn and get better. It’s definitely a never-ending process in baseball, and I’ve spent the last couple years adding different pitches and arm angles, while also learning different ways to attack hitters.

I’m also looking at a possible opportunity to play in Japan, so we’ll see how it all plays out.

MLB reports: We last saw you playing for AAA Tacoma in 2010. Since then you have been playing Indy ball. What led you back to playing Indy? What are the differences between Indy and playing in the minor leagues?

Steve Palazzolo: I was sent back to Indy ball in what I viewed as a three-way trade. Back in July 2010, it went something like this:

Rangers Get: Cliff Lee, Mark Lowe

Mariners Get: Blake Beaven, Justin Smoak, Josh Lueke, Matt Lawson

Blue Crabs Get: Steve Palazzolo

OK, so the Cliff Lee deal brought in a few minor league pitchers and I got the axe.

I’d say the main difference in Indy ball is the organizational structure. There is no class level, so you’re not really worried about moving up or being sent down. Just go out and do your job and do it for the team. I’d say my Indy teams have been the most closely knit teams I’ve ever been on. It’s usually the same core of guys for the entire year, and everyone wants to get back to affiliated ball, but there is a definite emphasis on winning as a team. Not to say that affiliated teams can’t be close, but there is a lot more player movement that tends to disrupt team chemistry throughout the year.

MLB reports: You have played in the Brewers, Giants and Mariners systems. Tell us about the best teams that you pitched for in your professional career.

Steve Palazzolo: As far as talent goes, the 2009 Fresno Grizzlies are near the top. Our overall record doesn’t show it, but with about three weeks to go in the season, we had the second best record in the Pacific Coast League but we were 14 games out of first place behind Sacramento.

Bullpen wise, the 2008 Connecticut Defenders was probably the most talented I’ve been a part of. We had a number of pitchers who went on to have some big league success, most notably Sergio Romo who was closing for us.

If we’re talking clubhouse unity, I mentioned the Indy teams, but the 2010 Tacoma bullpen will always hold a special place for me. Even though I was only there a short period of time, we had an outstanding group of guys who genuinely cared for each other and did a great job of staying entertained for the first five innings of every game (always an important in the bullpen).

MLB reports: What are your goals going into the 2012 season?

Steve Palazzolo: First to marry the love of my life, and best friend, Kelley Donoghue (she is looking over my shoulder as I type). Simple answer is to pitch to the best of my ability, regardless of where I’m playing.

MLB reports: You were signed as a free agent by the Brewers as your first organization in 2006. Tell us about the process in joining Milwaukee.

Steve Palazzolo: Pretty fun story actually. I had just finished my second professional season with the Worcester Tornadoes and was sitting at my computer on a Thursday in late January when I received an email from my good friend, Will Carroll. He forwarded me an email from a Brewers scout that referenced an invitation-only tryout at their spring training complex that Saturday. Will mentioned how it was unfortunate that I was not in Arizona. I emailed him back with the title, “Last Minute Trip to Arizona?” Will sent the request back to the Brewers scout who agreed that if I could get to Arizona, I would be welcome to try out. I immediately booked a flight for Friday and made the workout on Saturday. At the workout, they suggested I mix in a couple different arm angles (which I’d experimented with before) and as it turns out, I was one of only two guys signed that day.

MLB reports: Given your size, most people would think that you would be a power pitcher. How would you describe yourself as a pitcher and tell us about what you throw.

Steve Palazzolo: I wouldn’t say power pitcher, but I do think my height gives me a big advantage and helps all of my stuff to play a little better. I throw a 4 seam fastball, slider, splitter and I just added a new changeup. My change is interesting as I started to experiment with it toward the end of last year, and I may have found a really good grip that I will stick with for good, possibly even replacing the splitter. As I mentioned, I’ve also experimented with a number of different arm angles, so I’m always mixing it up.

MLB reports: Every baseball player works towards making the big leagues. What do you need to do in order to achieve that dream?

Steve Palazzolo: At this point in my career, or anyone’s career for that matter, the phrase you hear is “right place, right time.” Pitchers mature and figure things out at various times in their careers so that’s why I’m constantly looking to improve. I think I just need another shot to play in Double or Triple A, then it’s all about pitching well. Pitch well, and if it matches up with a situation where the big league team needs a pitcher, then it can happen. I know this: I’m confident in my abilities to pitch successfully in the big leagues, it’s simply a matter of continuing to improve while also getting an opportunity.

MLB reports: If you weren’t playing baseball today- what would you be doing?

Steve Palazzolo: I’d probably be a pitching coach, and that’s what I do all offseason. On my long road through the minors, I used myself as my own science (pitching) experiment. It’s been a constant process of trial and error, and I’ve learned so much along the way. So my plan is to coach, while also developing my own business as a pitching coach. I have a couple of blog posts up at www.stevepalazzolopitching.wordpress.com, but I have to get better putting up more consistent material.

I’m also an analyst and writer for www.profootballfocus.com. Just started this year, and it’s been a lot of fun breaking down the NFL.

MLB reports: Looking back at your career to-date, would you have done anything different?

Steve Palazzolo: I do remember a hanging slider I threw in 2008 that went for a home run. I should have thrown a fastball.

Really though, I made the decision early in my career to put everything I had into it, and I’ve been very blessed along the way. No major regrets.

MLB reports: When you think of your expectations going into professional baseball, what are some of the biggest surprises you have encountered?

Steve Palazzolo: This is a tough question. Making me think here. As a kid, expectations are always glamorous. Everyone wants to be like their TV heroes, but when I entered pro ball, I already knew that it was a difficult grind. Not sure I can think of any major surprises, but I will mention the one thing I appreciate and that’s the uniqueness of everyone in the game. Players coming from all walks of life, all over the world, unified by the game of baseball. It’s really amazing to think of the people I’ve met along the way.

MLB reports: Choice of cleats and glove- what brands do you use?

Steve Palazzolo: Nike cleats and Spalding glove. If and when I hit, always Franklin batting gloves.

MLB reports: Given your height, how do you find clothes shopping?

Steve Palazzolo: It’s difficult. There are a few stores that carry big sizes, but I have to do a lot of my shopping online. The Big and Tall store is better for wide rather than tall, so a lot of the stuff is just way too big.

MLB reports: Which past or present MLB players would you most compare yourself to? Are either Randy Johnson or Jon Rauch a close comparison?

Steve Palazzolo: Kenny Powers. Actually, he stole my look. I’ve been rocking the mustache and long hair since ’06.

I really try to take something from everyone, whether it’s Randy Johnson or Tim Lincecum. As far as comparisons, Johnson isn’t great because he was such a hard thrower. Rauch is an OK comparison, but he has a higher arm slot than me.

The one pitcher I’ve seen who compares favorably is Kameron Loe from the Brewers. We’re not identical, but our natural arm slot is similar. He’s 6’8” tall and also likes to mix up arm angles so I can relate to his style a bit.

MLB reports: We discussed the potential of you heading to Japan. What are your thoughts on heading to the far east?

Steve Palazzolo: It would be a great opportunity. The competition is great and I’ve seen a lot of pitchers who have gone there and then come back to the states as better pitchers. It’s a different style in Japan, and I think the hitters force each pitcher to use his entire repertoire. Even though the culture change would be difficult, I’m hoping I get the chance to play there.

MLB reports: Last question: to a young pitcher in school just starting out, what advice would you give them?

Steve Palazzolo: Work hard, work smart. I don’t think the grammar is correct on that statement, but I think it gets the point across. Anyway, pitching is a lot more than throwing a ball to a target (or is it?). Preparation is extremely important, and when I work with young pitchers, I like to break it down into four main areas: mechanics, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and mental approach. Oh and it’s important to have fun while doing it. The best players love the preparation.

***Thank you to Steve Palazzolo for taking the time out of his offseason training to speak with us today on MLB reports! You can follow Luis on Twitter (@Palo50). Steve loves interacting with his fans, so please feel free to send him any questions/comments you have. Or just wish him good luck on the season, as he would appreciate your support!***

Jonathan Hacohen is the Lead Baseball Columnist & Editor for MLB reports: You can follow Jonathan on Twitter (@JHacohen)

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Posted in Interviews with MLB Stars

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Tags: angels, Atlanta Braves, atlantic league, baseball, bengie molina, bridgeport, carlos delgaldo, edgar martinez, japan baseball, jays, jerome wiliams, julio franco, kevin millar, luis lopez, mexican league, mlb, oakland athletics, toronto blue jays

Luis Lopez Interview: The Real Life Crash Davis of Baseball Worldwide

Jan 14

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

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Saturday January 14, 2012

MLB reports – Jonathan Hacohen: The numbers are outstanding. Six Most Valuable Player awards. An All-Star seven times. Over 2000 hits. Over 1000 RBIs. A minor league hall of famer for sure, Luis Lopez has been playing this game his whole life. He has done it and seen it all. He played in the majors with both the Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Expos. Played in the minors for four different MLB organizations. Luis has played in both Japan and Mexico. Indy ball. His baseball resume is quite extensive, as are his passport stamps. But at the age of 38, Luis is far from done. He still plays third and first, searching for his chance to make it back to the show. He has strong inspirations to keep him going. Julio Franco played in the major leagues until the age of 49! Even Jerome Williams, at the tender age of 30 provides hope. Away from the big leagues for four seasons, he rose up from Indy ball and back to the Bigs. Luis knows this and keeps the hope deep in his heart as he continues his baseball grind. One of the greatest baseball stories I have heard, Luis Lopez is a true blue-collar baseball player. He is everything that the game is about and a true credit to the sport. Going into his 18th professional season, Luis Lopez is still laughing and having a great time. He just plain loves baseball and will continue to do so for as long as he can.

On his road back to the Major Leagues, we are proud to feature our interview with the real life Crash Davis- Luis Lopez:

MLB reports: First question: On my count, there are three professional ballplayers named Luis Lopez. Why the popularity of the name? How often do you get mistaken for one of the other ones?

Luis Lopez: I get mistaken all the time. Their cards are sent to me to sign and I’m pretty sure mine to them. The worst part is in the airports flying out of the country. I’m asked to the little room every time for extra screening (laughs). My wife thinks I’m a delinquent cause it happens so often! (laughs harder)

MLB reports: Born in Brooklyn, New York. A baseball hot bed! What is your family’s origins? Do you have roots in New York?

Luis Lopez: My family is from Puerto Rico. My dad from Dorado and my mom from Ponce. I considered myself from PR as well even though I wasn’t born there. I was born in NYC. I’m glad I was because it gave me the drive and desire to think that I will make it!

MLB reports: You originally signed with the Jays in 1996 and made your professional debut in 2001. Tell us about your first major league game.

Luis Lopez: (laughter fills the room) Funny you ask. My first at-bat was against the Angels in Toronto. Bengie Molina was catching and I knew him from all my years playing winter ball in PR. He was talking to the pitcher Holtz and then walked back to the plate. He says in Spanish congrats Luis. I said “thanks brother, my heart about to come through my shirt.” (Grin) Delgado and a bunch of the guys had their hands in their shirts showing me how my heart was pounding! Then Bengie says “relax, we’re gonna put you on so you will hit tomorrow.” I said “what?” All of a sudden I was being intentionally walked! All I could think then was that I would be one an answer to a trivia question! (laughs hard) Not too many people on their first at-bat are walked intentionally!

MLB reports: We last saw you playing in the big leagues for the Expos in 2004- the last year of the franchise. Ironic? If the Expos come back, will you come back with them?

Luis Lopez: Would love to!

MLB reports: You have played in the Jays, Expos, A’s and Braves systems. Tell us about the best minor league teams that you played for in your professional career.

Luis Lopez: That’s tough because I learned how to play ball the right way in the Blue Jays system! They broke down everything for me. With the A’s, we won championships. Atlanta is a big league organization. They treated me like I was with them forever.

MLB reports: In recent years I have you played in the Mexican league, Japan and Indy ball. You are a baseball nomad!!! What was the process like going to Mexico and Japan? What were each of those experiences like?

Luis Lopez: After being around so long, my name is around. A lot of the time it is reports or videos that are seen and then reps get in touch with you. A phone call or e-mail usually. Baseball is baseball. You just have to get used to living in another country that’s all. That’s the biggest problem for some guys; but I can live anywhere.

MLB reports: What are your goals going into the 2012 season?

Luis Lopez: To stay healthy and win a championship! I’ve accomplished a lot of personal goals throughout my career. I just want to produce and help my team win!

MLB reports: At 38-years of age, you have seen it all and done it all. Why do you keep going- what motivates you?

Luis Lopez: I love the competition! I feel like I still can play in the big leagues and help a team win- even one with only a little chance. I want all of my family to see me play again in a big league stadium. Especially my mom! Every time she came to see me play, I would get sent down that day. It was crazy!

MLB reports: You and I talked a lot about Julio Franco. How much of an inspiration is he to you? Do you plan to play until you are 50?

Luis Lopez: He inspires me a lot! Julio made it back at an age MUCH older than me because someone gave him a chance again. That’s all I want- a chance! If I couldn’t do it anymore, I would walk away; but I know I still have it. The mindset! (laughs) 50? Wow! Nah I don’t see that. Only God knows!

MLB reports: Favorite position to play: 1B, 3B or any others?

Luis Lopez: I love playing 3rd. Still play it. But I will play wherever to get a chance. I just want to hit! (big smile)

MLB reports: Every baseball player works towards making the big leagues. You have been there and want to get back: What do you need to do to make that dream happen?

Luis Lopez: To be honest… I don’t know! I think I have done enough to have ten years in! But I will always stay positive and keep playing hard. You never know who is watching!

MLB reports: If you weren’t playing baseball today- what would you be doing?

Luis Lopez: I would be managing, coaching or in the front office. Something with baseball. Many of my friends and family members feel I will make it back as a manager- because they feel I have the makeup for that. I can see it!

MLB reports: Looking back at your career to-date, would you have done anything different?

Luis Lopez: (Big Smile) Wow! To be honest… I probably wouldn’t have gone to Japan. It was a great experience; but I think as a position player I went out there too young. When you try to come back, it’s harder that you think. Also Atlanta let Julio Franco sign with the Mets on a 2-year deal because they wanted me to be the righty off the bench.

MLB reports: When you think of your expectations going into professional baseball, what are some of the biggest surprises you have encountered?

Luis Lopez: It had to be when I signed and how far I got to play. I signed for two gloves and a pair of spikes as my bonus; but I made it!

MLB reports: Choice of cleats, bat and glove- what brands do you use?

Luis Lopez: Nike cleats. I use my boy ex-player Pete Tucci’s bat company. Tucci Lumber and he’s MLB approved! (Big laugh) My glove is Nike also.

MLB reports: Which past or present MLB players would you most compare yourself to?

Luis Lopez: Edgar Martinez and Kevin Millar. I would love to have a pic of all three of us! (Laughs)

MLB reports: If the major leagues are not an option, do you plan to stay in Indy ball? Will you try to make the minors for a MLB team or go to another country like Japan again?

Luis Lopez: As of right now, yes- I will be playing in Bridgeport in the Atlantic League. So hopefully someone will come find a guy (like me) that can pinch hit in the bigs and get a game winning hit! (Laughs)

MLB reports: Proudest baseball accomplishment?

Luis Lopez: There are many! I think and say thank you God for letting me be successful! HOF at Coastal Carolina University. 6 MVP’s. 7 time all-star. Over 2000 hits. Over 1000 RBI’s. All in the minors- but i feel anywhere is good! Plus I am going into my 18th year professionally.

MLB reports: You really are the real life Crash Davis. Tell us about the comparison.

Luis Lopez: Hahaha. I’ve seen a lot of places. Many great ballplayers. I try to help everyone just like Crash did in the movies because guys need to realize that Indy ball is another path back- it’s not the end. You put in the work and you will be fine. Look at Jerome Williams! He was in Lancaster last season. Then he got picked up and was on TV again last year. This year he is slated to be the number five starter for the Angels! Way to go Jerome!

MLB reports: You must have made many friends for life in this game.

Luis Lopez: There’s too many to mention! But if I show up to spring training or any stadium, trust me that a lot of them would come up and say wassup! (Big grin)

MLB reports: Final thoughts?

Luis Lopez: Don’t ever let anyone say you can’t do something, because I’m living proof of what you can accomplish if you believe in yourself! Surround yourself around POSITIVE people especially in this sport… because it is a game of failure. Lastly: play hard or go home!

***Thank you to Luis Lopez for taking the time out of his offseason training to speak with us today on MLB reports! You can follow Luis on Twitter (@DoubleL1919). Luis is great and absolutely adores interacting with his fans, so please feel free to send him any questions/comments you have. Or just wish him good luck on the season, as he would appreciate your support!***

Jonathan Hacohen is the Lead Baseball Columnist & Editor for MLB reports: You can follow Jonathan on Twitter (@JHacohen)

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The Casey Bond Guest Blog and Special Moneyball Surprise: Moneyball released on DVD and Blu-Ray

Jan 9

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

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Monday January 9, 2012

Casey Bond- Guest MLB Blog: It’s a brand new year folks! Now all of the hard work and effort put into the previous year will generate some new and exciting happenings for 2012. Although released in September of last year, MONEYBALL continues to turn heads as it is now up for a plethora of awards. I couldn’t be more proud to play such a large role in this film. Truly, it has been a wonderful ride already. I know that ride will continue for years to come, especially if we can walk away from this with some hardware!

The DVD/Blu-Ray release for the film is on January 10th, which is just around the corner. It’s going to be fun to walk around stores and see our work out on the shelves. I’m sure that not only will the movie come out looking stunning on Blu-Ray, but it will also have plenty of extras from behind the scenes of the filming we did while on set. I have already been on a number of flights in which MONEYBALL was an available option for people to watch on their personal in-flight television. Pretty awesome.

It’s interesting how the DVD wasn’t released before Christmas, as I know many people were hoping they could stuff some stockings with it. However, I feel as though they didn’t want to push anything they didn’t have to, not to mention that the film is still in some theaters due to its nominations for some big awards. The movie is still fresh on people’s minds; and perhaps it will get an even bigger response because it is still going to be talked about throughout the award season into February. All I know is that all of my castmates, with whom I keep very close touch with, are excited to see the final product.

Since the release of the film, its been a great pleasure to travel around and speak with people about my career path, the story of being in MONEYBALL, and what’s next for me. People always seem to have a keen interest and the questions are endless. I hope this will continue for years to come, as I always love having the opportunity to go and speak in different places. Currently, I am working on Producing a few different films. They are in the early stages, but moving along very well. Hope to have some more info on those in the near future, as all of you MLB Reports readers will be the first to know! (Editor’s Note: We LOVE this guy!!!) All of you have been such a great fan and support base, and I thank you for that!

So, in closing, I will answer a few questions which I have been getting lately from different folks. Firstly, why should you go out and pick up MONEYBALL on DVD or Blu-Ray? Well, if you went and watched it in the theaters, I am hoping and assuming you liked it- especially if you have taken the time to read this far into this article! That being said, you should go out and own a piece of history as far as baseball, movies, and baseball movies go. Another question to ponder is “where does MONEYBALL rank among the greatest baseball films of all time?” Well, that is kind of a tough question in my position. I am going to have answer that question like this. I think it depends on which category of baseball movie you are looking for. I have to say that MONEYBALL is the best drama/comedy baseball movie of all time. It has such an interesting twist on baseball, as well as a pretty accurate behind-the-scenes glimpse into the game we all love. Not to mention, the numbers tell us that its done the best in the box office as far as baseball films go. As far as baseball romantic comedies goes, I have to go with Bull Durham. It’s just a classic, and a very accurate portrayal of baseball life in the minor leagues. Kevin Costner is probably the greatest baseball movie actor of all time (for now, maybe we can take over those reigns!)

What I will say, is that I’d like to add a little incentive to going out and purchasing the DVD, or reading this article. If y’all go “Like” my Facebook page here and write on my wall that “MLB reports sent you“, I will send you a personally autographed photo from one of the MONEYBALL premieres I went to. You may be asking how I will know where to send the photo…well, we can communicate through a DM (Direct Message) on Twitter (my name on Twitter is @CaseyBond) to make sure you get it. It’s just a few clicks and you will have yourself some MONEYBALL memorabilia! (This offer applies to U.S. and Canada residents only, while supplies last)

Until next time: take care and I hope you will check out the Facebook page for the latest updates on what’s next! Thank you all for your time! Casey

A BIG MLB reports thank you to Casey Bond for preparing today’s Guest Blog. For a Hollywood actor, producer and director with a busy schedule, we very much appreciate Casey taking the time to help us announce the release of Moneyball on DVD and Blu-Ray. Casey was also very generous in providing the Special Moneyball Surprise as part of this feature. The man loves his fans and really knows how to create a buzz! In addition to following Casey on Twitter and “liking” his Facebook Fan Page, please make sure to bookmark his website (http://thecaseybond.com). Casey will be CONSTANTLY providing personal behinds the scenes photos, videos, etc. of upcoming events that he will be a part of such as Red Carpets and Premieres! If you love Baseball and Hollywood, welcome to the world of Casey Bond!

(Editor’s Note: Casey Bond was an outfielder in the San Francisco Giants organization. He left the diamond and became an actor on the silver screen. In Moneyball, Casey portrays former Oakland A’s pitcher, Chad Bradford. Moneyball was a best selling book by Michael Lewis that became a hit Hollywood film in 2011. To grab your copy of Moneyball on DVD or Blu-Ray, get to your local video store or favorite on-line retailer like Amazon. Destined to be one of the finest cult classic baseball films of all time, Moneyball the movie needs to be in the DVD/Blu-Ray collection of every baseball fan!)

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Tags: baseball, billy beane, blu-ray, brad pitt, casey bond, chad bradford, dvd, hollywood, jonah hill, mlb, moneyball, oakland athletics

The Future of Gio Gonzalez and Mark Buehrle in the NL

Jan 4

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

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Wednesday January 4th, 2012

Peter Stein (Fantasy Baseball Analyst – MLB reports): Aside from their pitching style and repertoire, Mark Buehrle and Gio Gonzalez have a lot in common. They are both left-handed and have also made the shift to the National League during this 2011 offseason. However, their connection dates back even further.

The Chicago White Sox selected Gonzalez in the first round of the 2004 draft. The following season, the White Sox earned a World Championship, thanks in large part to Mark Buehrle’s regular and postseason contributions. Buehrle, a 36th round pick of the White Sox in 1999, continued to be a model of consistency and success, winning at least 10 games and throwing at least 200 innings for 11 consecutive seasons for the White Sox. Forever a legend in the White Sox community, Buehrle joined his second major league franchise this offseason with the Miami Marlins. The move is one I saw coming when Ozzie Guillen became the manager of the Marlins. Clearly the left-hander is comfortable with Guillen, and the National League is truly where Buehrle belongs at this point of his career. He has amassed a 24-6 win loss record with a 3.32 ERA in 39 Interleague starts. However, before we look at his 2012 value, I must continue with the Buehrle-Gonzalez narrative.

Ironically for the White Sox, it was a 36th round pick and not the first round pick that became the face of the franchise. Such is baseball and is an example of what makes the game so interesting. In fact, Gonzalez has never even pitched an inning for the White Sox. He was traded in 2005 along with Aaron Rowand to the Phillies for Jim Thome. Remarkably, The White Sox reacquired him along with Gavin Floyd for Freddy Garcia in December 2006 and still never got him into a major league game while a part of their organization.

It should be noted that 2008 marked a breakout year for White Sox left-hander John Danks (12-9 win loss record). Gavin Floyd also flourished that year, winning 17 games. Going into that season, there did not appear to be room for Gonzalez in the White Sox rotation. Particularly with Buehrle in place and Floyd/Danks set to emerge (as they did), the White Sox felt that it did not make sense to try to add a third left-hander to the starting staff. Obviously high on the team’s radar, the White Sox had to make a tough decision and trade Gonzalez…again. In a regrettable move, Kenny Williams sent Gonzalez, Ryan Sweeney, and Fautino De Los Santos to the Oakland Athletics for one miserable season of Nick Swisher. As a member of the A’s, Gonzalez came into his own, finishing 2011 with a 16-12 record and a 3.12 ERA with 197 K’s in 202 innings.

Now- going into 2012, both Gonzalez and Buehrle land in the National League for the next stage of their respective careers.

Looking at Gonzalez, his value remains high in 2012. Although he leaves the friendly pitching confines of Oakland, he is going to another pitching friendly park in Washington. His 2011 XFIP indicates that his ERA should have been closer to 4, rather than an even 3.00. Therefore, I expect Gonzalez’s ERA to hover right in the middle of those two numbers. He has an incredible ability to miss bats, but the walk rate, which he has yet to show any improvement at any level, prevents him from being a fantasy ace. With 4 walks per 9 innings, he is prone to give up high run totals and also have trouble pitching deep into games. He does do a great job of keeping the ball on the ground. But the only way for Gonzalez to really improve upon his 2011 campaign is if he can cut down on the free passes. His control is simply not that good, but he is also a player that can be categorized as effectively wild. I simply do not see any signs of Gonzalez improving his walk rate, especially as he his mainly a fastball/curveball pitcher.

In a sharp contrast, Mark Buehrle relies on command and mastery of the strike zone to retire batters. He has really shown no signs of true decline and he will still only be 33 years of age in 2012. He is not much different that the pitcher he was in 2004. He strikes out enough batters to be effective and has a stellar career 2.05 BB rate. He strikes out about half as many batters as Gonzalez, but also walks half as many. The two pitchers do have similar groundball rates. However, the change of scenery may have a much bigger impact on Buehrle than it does for Gonzalez. As I have mentioned, the Interleague numbers speak for themselves and Buehrle is finally leaving the hitter friendly confines of U.S. Cellular Park. He will surely benefit from facing the National League lineups most nights and is in a better position to succeed in Miami in 2012.

Overall, Mark Buehrle is the guy to keep an eye on during draft day in 2012. Most people view him as an aging soft throwing left-hander with a falling stock. However, he has potential to put up above average numbers for perhaps a below average price. Now while I say to keep an eye on Buehrle, it is not to say he will outperform Gio Gonzalez. Gonzalez is clearly the better fantasy option, but he will likely come at a higher cost. This is a 26-year-old pitcher who has posted 3.23 and 3.12 ERA in his last two seasons, respectively. However, do not expect him to necessarily improve upon these numbers due to some of the luck he experienced in 2011 and his inability to improve his walk rate. He will most likely be valued as an ace in many fantasy circles, when he is truly more of a number three-type starter. Buehrle, who will be off many people’s radars, could produce as a cheap yet quality four/five type of pitcher.

2012 Predictions:

Mark Buehrle: 206 IP, 14-9 W/L, 3.69 ERA, 120 Ks

Gio Gonzalez: 208 IP, 14-12 W/L, 3.43 ERA, 206 K

***Today’s feature was prepared by our Fantasy Baseball Analyst, Peter Stein. We highly encourage you to leave your comments and feedback at the bottom of the page and share in the discussion with our readers. You can also follow Peter on Twitter (@peterWstein).***

Please e-mail us at: MLBreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback. You can follow us on Twitter and become a fan onFacebook . To subscribe to our website and have the daily Reports sent directly to your inbox , click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.

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Tags: baseball, fantasy baseball, freddy garcia, gavin floyd, gio gonzalez, jim thome, john danks, kenny williams, mlb, mlb trade, nick swisher, oakland athletics, philadelphia phillies

Ask the Reports: Saturday December 17th

Dec 17

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

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Saturday December 17, 2011

Let’s get to your top questions of the week:

Which team is going to bite the bullet and sell the farm for Gio Gonzalez? There have been big demands from Beane thus far!! Wade

MLB reports: Great question Wade! I don’t think we have gone an Ask the Reports segment in the past few weeks (or any days for that matter lately) without discussing the status of Gio. Gonzalez has been linked to the Yankees for some time, but with the asking price being Montero and 2 other big time prospects, Brian Cashman has wisely declined. I could see the Nationals getting in on the Gio Derby if they are prepared to pay the price, or the Kansas City Royals perhaps. From a numbers standpoint, Gio would be best served heading to the National League. His stuff and abilities would translate well in the NL. Playing in the American League, specifically the East, would be asking for trouble. His home/road splits are undeniable. Gio would have a hard time succeeding in a hitter’s park. But at this point, smart money is on the Yankees and Red Sox still as the frontrunners. This is not the right move in my opinion, but the one that is most likely to happen. But don’t count out the Nationals…they are planning some big moves still preparing for the Harper/Strasburg show.

Do the Mets go after Theriot? Gio Gonzalez? Trade Murphy? What does your crystal ball say? Raul

MLB reports: The MLB reports crystal ball- you have been paying attention Raul. Well done. I don’t see the Mets going after Theriot or Gonzalez at this point. Daniel Murphy is likely to be moved, although I don’t see a big return. The Mets biggest needs right now are another bat in the outfield, catcher and starting pitcher. I can see them going after a Jason Varitek or Jesus Flores behind the plate. As far as an outfielder, the Mets will scrape by with a Rick Ankiel or J.D. Drew signing. Someone to hopefully hold down the fort at a reasonable salary. Joel Pineiro or Bartolo Colon could be potential targets. 2012 won’t be pretty…sorry my man. It will be a rebuild year for the Mets.

Jesus Montero next year…what will be his line? Not Shawn

MLB reports: The mystery of Montero. I am expecting a big year assuming he gets a full-time position. Which he should and likely will. The Yankees will go from one catching DH to another, as Montero will likely replace Jorge Posada at the DH spot. He will also see time at first base and behind the plate. Despite 5 seasons in the minors, Montero is still only 22-years of age, believe it or not. To be realistic, expect a .270 AVG with 15-18 home runs, 70 RBIs, 60 Runs, .320 OBP and .420 SLG. Most hitters do not adjust to the major league game overnight, especially 22-year-old catchers. Montero will put up good numbers, but he still needs time.

When is a team going to sign Danys Baez? Jason

MLB reports: When hell freezes over? At 34-years, Baez is coming off two very unspectacular season. 2010 brought a 5.48 ERA and 1.636 WHIP, while 2011 saw a 6.25 ERA and 1.556 WHIP. We are looking at a minor league deal with invite to spring training at best. Teams will look at Baez when all the other useable pitchers on the market are taken, or injuries start to appear at spring training. If I was Baez, I would go take a nice long vacation around the world and leave my cell phone at home. He should not expect a call until late January at best. The man has earned approximately $43 million already in his career. If he has one more season in him, it would be a miracle.

Yeah what’s up with da Yankees? Why aren’t they making any moves at all?? Drewskie

MLB reports: We were asking the same question last year, weren’t we Drewskie? There is a combination of reasons for the Yankees inactivity in recent years. A very high budget with little flexibility contracts-wise. Many good young players coming through the system and ready to take big league roster spots. Very few quality free agents with unrealistic contract expectations. 29 other MLB teams which have little talent that they wish to move, especially to New York (unless the price is high). Finally, while many players want to play in New York, some are shying away. With the media and fan glare well-known in Yankee stadium, it is not the environment for everyone. So at the end of the day, Brian Cashman is being smart in making sure not to make rash decisions and make moves just for the sake of it. Remember A.J. Burnett? Rafael Soriano? Sometimes the best moves that you make are the ones that you don’t end up making. The Yankees still have a high-octane offense and plenty of depth. One or two more starting pitchers and fears will be alleviated. Stay patient as the foundation is there. Some under-the-radar pieces will be added in the next month. Trust me. It just may not be the moves you expect. But anything that allows the core Yankees prospects to stay in the system is a good thing.

What do you make of the “sky-high” and “north” of $50 million reported bid for Yu know who? Clues that it may be Toronto? Thomas

MLB reports: Speculation has really gotten out of control on Yu Darvish. Many outlets are reporting that the Jays are the winners of the Darvish derby at an estimated $48 million. Despite this being the golden age of internet information, there is no confirmations at this point. Darvish’s Japanese squad has until Tuesday to accept the bid, which is still a mystery to the public at large. I could see the bid being as high as $70 million. While the Blue Jays are apparently strong contenders for Darvish, don’t count out the Nationals, Rangers, Yankees and others. This is a high-stakes poker game. Nobody is showing their cards or folding yet. I still see the Nationals winning the sweepstakes. So we won’t know until the very end. While spending $100 million+ between the post and contract is a risky move for an unknown MLB talent, in Darvish’s case it could make sense. Between Japanese media attention, stadium revenues and merchandising, the Darvish brand could bring a high revenue stream to a MLB team. It is not the route I would take, but as I crunch the numbers- I can see how the expenditure is justified. Darvish will be playing Major League Baseball come April. But as far as which city will be lucky enough to have him is still pure speculation at this point.

Last question: Why does life suck so much without baseball? Tim

MLB reports: Because baseball is life. All kidding aside though, is life that bad without baseball Tim? We have many outlets to get our fix. Pop in a DVD to watch some older games or even a baseball movie. Pick up a baseball book, there are countless good ones out there. We have daily MLB reports (wink) of free agent signings and trades. This baseball offseason has been one of the busiest ones in recent times. We had a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Astros were sold and relocated to the American League West. The Winter Meetings. Talk of an International Draft. Expanding the playoffs. Realignment. There is never a shortage of baseball topics and news to discuss. If you have access, there is winter ball. Point being that even without live MLB games, there is always something baseball to-do and to keep busy with. Twitter. Facebook. Websites like ours. You can always find a baseball outlet. Pitchers and Catchers report in 64 days. It is a quick offseason. Look at the season half-full instead of half-empty. The baseball season is never done. We just happen to be in the offseason stage- but it is still a key part of the overall baseball year. I feel your pain Tim though. Opening day will be here before you know it.

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Jonathan Hacohen is the Lead Baseball Columnist & Editor for MLB reports: You can follow Jonathan on Twitter (@JHacohen)

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Ask the Reports: Sunday November 27th

Nov 27

Posted by Jonathan Hacohen

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Sunday November 27, 2011

Let’s get to your top questions of the week:

Q: I know this is off topic but with the Houston Astros moving to the AL West and constant interleague play, what exactly is the point of an American League and a National League, besides of course the DH?

MLB reports: The existence of the designated hitter is the key to separate the American League and National League. Without the DH, there is no difference between the leagues. Otherwise, having separate leagues would simply be a way to divide up the divisions and teams. With daily interleague games coming, the mystique of having separate leagues is starting to fall by the wayside. An idea that was thrown around was to have the DH in play in National League parks and no DH in American League parks during interleague play. That would create strong interest in the different styles of play in the different parks and peak strong interest in interleague play. But unfortunately, it appears that idea has been scrapped for now. Long term, baseball needs to decide if it will have a designated hitter or not. There are arguments on both sides. Traditionalists like myself would like to scrap the DH all together and introduce National League style baseball throughout baseball. With the in-game moves and decisions that must be included with the pitcher hitting, I prefer the NL game. But others see pitchers hitting as hurting the game with “automatic outs” and risking the health and safety of pitchers by having them hit in the NL. This argument will continue likely for decades until a resolution is agreed upon one way or the other. Until then, we will continue to have two different leagues in place. One has a designated hitter and one does not. With the increase in interleague play, the line separating the leagues has become even blurrier. Great question!

Q: What’s the scouting report on Luis Valbuena? Andrew

MLB reports: The newest member of the Toronto Blue Jays will be turning 26 this week (November 30th birthday)- so be sure to wish him a Happy Birthday! Born in Venezuela, Valbuena is a utility infielder at this point in his career, playing second, short and third. Coming up originally with the Mariners originally in 2008, Valbuena was traded in December 2008 as part of the Franklin Gutierrez swap. Since then, Valbuena has played parts of three seasons with the Indians. In 229 career games, Valbuena has 13 home runs, 57 rbis, 84 runs, .226 avg, .286 obp and .344 slg. Considering that he was designated for assignment, the Jays picked him up for cash considerations makes sense. He has shown little at the major league level thus far, but is young and known for a strong glove. Valbuena has shown steady improvement in the last three years in the minors, with a breakout season in AAA Columbus in 2011. Valbuena popped a strong 17 home runs in 113 games, with 75 rbis, 64 runs, hitting .302 with a .307 OBP and .476 SLG. If those numbers can be replicated to any degree at the major league level, the Jays may have a hidden gem uncovered. At worst, we could be seeing another Ramon Santiago type player or the Venezuelan John McDonald. The Jays need a backup infielder on the roster and Valbuena could be the answer. Or possibly their next starting second baseman for the next five seasons. Doubtful…but it could happen!

Q: Would Yonder Alonso look good on our team? Would Xavier Nady be a good fit with the Indians or does the Tribe want something more? Martin

MLB reports: Wow, that is a mountain of questions!!! Firstly, Yonder Alonso would look great on the Indians. In fact, he would look great in 29 other lineups. The kid is a future superstar, no doubt in my mind. It is just a question of finding him a permanent home. The Reds have tried him in left field, but do not see him as a long-term solution there. The team will either have to move him, or open up first by trading franchise star Joey Votto. At this point, it looks like Alonso will be the one to go. I am a big Matt LaPorta supporter, but long-term he does not appear to be the solution for the Indians. He can always move to the outfield or DH, but a change of scenery is likely the best option for him. LaPorta never lived up to the expectations of being traded for C.C. Sabathia and both the team and player need to move on. The Indians have prospects to move, although not as many after all their 2011 swaps including the Ubaldo Jimenez trade. I can’t see the team wanting to trade more parts, as they cannot deplete their farm. Given what other teams can offer for Alonso, mainly the Rays, I don’t see an Alonso move in the future of the Indians. It would be a nice acquisition, but not likely to happen. Nady on the other hand would be a nice low risk pickup. If healthy, he could bring the leadership and experience the team needs. Championship teams need strong extra parts and Xavier Nady would be a strong fit in that regard. As long as comes cheap and doesn’t expect to start, I would say that is a done deal. The team may look for one or two more strong bats for its lineups, but that would not stop a potential Nady signing.

Q: Can’t help but think of Scott Kazmir (compared to Gio Gonzalez being looked at but several teams in a trade). Brandon

MLB reports: Poor Gio Gonzalez. Why the harsh words? In all seriousness, I see where you are going with the comparison. High walk, high strikeout pitcher. After a 3.23 ERA in 2010, Gio lowered it more to 3.12 in 2011. He has enjoyed near identical 1.31 WHIPs the last two seasons. He does not give up a ton of hits, but the walks are very high. He led the league with 91 walks after allowing 92 the year before. The home/road splits tell a big part of the story. This season, Gio went 10-5 at home, with a 2.70 ERA and 1.227 WHIP. On the road, Gio went 6-7 with a 3.62 ERA and 1.424 WHIP. Pitching in the Oakland ballpark clearly has a strong effect on his numbers. Similar splits are found in his 2010 numbers as well. Thus the conclusion is likely that taking Gio Gonzalez out of Oakland and putting him in a hitter’s ballpark (say Wrigley, Fenway or the Rogers Centre) and his numbers will likely balloon. Pitching in Oakland likely masks much of his warts. He just turned 26 in September so he still has time to develop. The next two seasons will tell the tale. He could become a superstar or the next Scott Kazmir. Until those walk totals start to drop, you could be on to something. The kid has a ton of talent, don’t get me wrong. But he is far from a sure thing. Until then, your comparison could be close. Thank you for the comment!

Q: (Final question:) Will Kurt Suzuki ever become a superstar? Bill

MLB reports: Thanks for the question Bill. I chose this question because I have pondered that question for many seasons. Suzuki, a 2nd round pick of the A’s in 2004 is now 28-years of age. They say catchers take longer to develop than other hitters. Suzuki has been steady behind in the plate, seen as strong defensively and a good game-caller. The question has been the offense. The perception has been that Suzuki has pop in his bat and able to take walks in the “moneyball” mold. Looking at the numbers, that has not transpired in reality. Suzuki had a career high 15 home runs in 2009 and walked a career high 44 times in 2008. Suzuki has essentially regressed to a hitter that walks 30+ times, hits a dozen or so home runs in a year, has a .300 or so OBP with a SLG under .400. He will play in the majority of his team’s games though. Welcome to Jason Kendall territory. That is where Suzuki is headed. My heart says that he will still become a Jason Varitek type hitter as a catcher. But my brain sees Kendall. There are a lot worse things in life than becoming the next Jason Kendall. But for a catcher that had high expectations, more was expected of Suzuki. I can’t see him ever becoming a superstar at this point. But I can see a 15-year major league career in his future, built mostly on his catching abilities.

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Jonathan Hacohen is the Lead Baseball Columnist & Editor for MLB reports: You can follow Jonathan on Twitter (@JHacohen)

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