WSFAN35

QUOTE(hi8is @ Jan 21, 2005 -> 11:53 AM) didnt robin ventura hit something like 0 for his first 40+ MLB atbats? just because he didnt have sucess in such a small sample size (19 at bats) dosent mean you dont give him a look and seriously consider his prior accomplishments.... even more so if your scouts are saying he could hack it in the leauge Prior accomplishments? We're talking about two years in the Japanese league, before that, he did very little. Gabe Kapler is going to tear up the Japanese league; alot of washed up major leaguers have gone to japan and hit well. Our MLB all-stars who went to japan criticized Iguchi for not being able to catch up with MLB heat. Our scouts have invested alot of praise in players that didn't pan out, as have scouts for every major league team. It's hit or miss with this type of guys. Why not trade or sign someone where you know exactally what you're getting?

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Jan 21, 2005 -> 11:48 AM) Well you can't blame KW for that. If we sign Iguchi, I don't want to hear anything about KW not getting it done this time around. If we get him, KW's done absolutely everything he intended on doing this offseason. I'm sure there will be plenty of people on this board saying that KW wasted money on Iguchi if he fails, namely Anthrax.

QUOTE(hi8is @ Jan 21, 2005 -> 11:44 AM) for a guy that has the kind of talent and potential he does... This guy has had exactly two good years in the Japanese league. I believe he went 1-19 against major league pitchers in the Japan vs. MLB classic.

QUOTE(Jabroni @ Jan 21, 2005 -> 11:39 AM) You do realize that fielding on turf is tougher than fielding on grass, right? I realize that they are two completely different fielding apparatuses. He's probably never charged a ball in his life, which is a must to get runners out at this level.

How many of you are going to be b****ing about this guy when he sucks at fielding on grass, and he can't hit major league pitching?

QUOTE(JimH @ Jan 21, 2005 -> 11:28 AM) Nelson is a talent, I would be happy if they brought him in on an invite. Unfortunately, I doubt it will happen. Nelson played in NY for a number of years and by all accounts was always quite happy there. So it likely stands to reason he'd target the Mets. He'll definately get more innings with the Mets.

QUOTE(babybearhater @ Jan 21, 2005 -> 11:16 AM) would be a worthless addition to our bullpen, and his attitude is nothing but a s***ty one, which is why nobody wants him the first place. No need to go to the scrap heap for arms this season, no thanks And you know his attitude is s***ty because you played with him, right? I've heard quite the opposite, he is a fierce competitor, and has outstanding stuff. Signing him to a minor-league contract means we have no obligation, and if he proves healthy, our bullpen would be ridiculous.

QUOTE(southsideirish @ Jan 19, 2005 -> 10:19 AM) His swing kind of reminds me of Carlos Baerga when he was good with the Indians. Where did you see his swing?

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 11:21 PM) Guys, no offense but this is kind of a pointless argument to argue who is the 4th or 5th guy, if ozzie isn't skipping starts it really doesn't matter at all. Well I guess its pointless for us to argue about anything, considering we have absolutely no say in what happens to our club.

QUOTE(striker62704 @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 10:40 PM) I know what you are saying. It would be interesting to let everyone know that Randy Johson only had 3 wins by the age of 25. Garland has 46. That's a bulls*** stat because RJ had only four starts in one year by the age of 25

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 10:18 PM) I think it's still valid probably only for this season though. If Garland was pitching in the NL for a team like the Padres, his ERA would probably go down by 1, and he would be one of the better young pitchers in the game. You just have to give young pitching time, Jake Peavy and Oliver Perez showed that last season. A lot of teams in the MLB would like to have Garland as their 5th starter right about now. I agree with your point about his ERA going down if he pitched for the Padres in a pitcher's park like Petco and that any team would like to have a fifth starter like him, but comparing him to Peavy or Perez is just ridiculous. Peavy and Perez haven't been pitching in the MLB since 2000. Peavy's control and Perez's stuff blow anything Garland has out of the water. Garland's as good as he's ever gonna be.

Everyone keeps making excuses for Jon Garland, I'm sick of it. Sure, he's young, but he's already been in the league for a number of years. Usually you know what you got within their first three years in the bigs. He's got decent stuff(although his supposedly best pitch, the sinker, end up in the seats way too often) but not enough balls to go with it. You need balls to pitch in the MLB, and if he hasn't found a pair yet, chances are he never will.

Did anyone listen to Jon Garland on Boers and Bernstein this afternoon?

Bryant Nelson or Kelly Dransfeldt would be a better choice than Rich Aurilia IMO

QUOTE(JDsDirtySox @ Jan 18, 2005 -> 12:05 PM) Is anyone else worried that he could be the next Tyoshi Shinjo or So Taguchi. Even Kaz Matsui has struggled. I certainly am. Why is everyone so excited about him? No one here's ever seen him play. His number weren't as good as Kaz Matsui's in Japan, so who's to say he's going to perform here. The only time he's seen major league pitching was in that MLB All-Stars vs. Japan All-Stars series, and he bombed big-time.

I don't know why no one's talking about Polanco. The Phillies want to get rid of him. It doesn't look good for Iguchi, Castillo's trade would pend on the Marlins signing a big bopper, and I think that Polanco is a better choice than Durham.

QUOTE(JUGGERNAUT @ Jan 17, 2005 -> 02:08 PM) Cora did not hit under 200 2 months out of 6. That's the problem with Harris. He has a couple of horrible months. Not just bad. You only have one full season worth of months to select from. It's hard to reach a certain level of consistency when you're thrust into a role you're not ready for, and then the coaching staff gives up on you. Everyone complains about his cockiness, but that leaves with maturity. Let the kid get a chance to mature, let the kid get a chance to play in a role where he doesn't have as much pressure on him. He has loads of potential, and he's going to put up good numbers this year. There's going to be alot of eating crow after this season is over.

QUOTE(chi-guy2 @ Jan 16, 2005 -> 04:57 PM) the deal won't happen, but yes it would make us good in offense and defense Why wouldn't this deal happen. The marlins are in desperate need of a setup man with Mota moving to the closers role. They're also looking to clear salary in order to catch a big bopper. Lastly, Willie Harris still has loads of potential and could learn a thing or two from Pierre. I think this is a good trade for both teams, and if KW gets the chance to pull in Castillo, he needs to do so.

QUOTE(JimH @ Jan 15, 2005 -> 10:23 AM) "What can Brown do for YOU?" "And I'd like to say hello to all my good friends out at Dodge in Midlothian ..." Guaranteed at least one mention of people in Oak Lawn and Midlothian every 1/2 hour. He's not bad IMO, but all the name dropping gets to be a little much. It's not like he has a choice to say those things, that's what pays his salary, it's called advertising.

Who knows what we're going to get with Marte this year. He reported to camp last year out of shape with five miles off his fastball. He's not the same pitcher that he used to be, and while he might get it back, he might get worse. Why not trade for a sure thing in Castillo?

QUOTE(Jeckle2000 @ Jan 9, 2005 -> 11:42 AM) However Marte should be a no way. Hands off. Not on the Market. We need to try and center a package around Willie Harris (Since we'd need him off the roster to make room for Castillo), Neil Cotts, and Prospects You expect to get a player like Castillo for nothing? You have to give up something good to get something good and if the Fish want Marte, you give em Marte. What is with everyone's hard-on for this guy? QUOTE(Winnin Ugly @ Jan 9, 2005 -> 11:56 AM) Rowand I live is San Fran and AJ was brutal behind the plate with all the pass balls and not being able to throw out alot of runners from stealing... Here in SF alot of fans and some players accused AJ from not being able to call a good game.. Last year was sort of an off year for Pierz with 9 passed balls and .227 caught stealing. But in his entire career he's thrown out .292 and had less than 5 passed balls a year before last year. As for not being able to call a game, he had a better Catching ERA than Torrealba.

if Contreras was part of the deal, there's a possiblity Vasquez could still be shipped here. However, other teams will more than likely offer something more appealing to the Diamondbacks, thus rendering our chances hopeless. The rotation is fine as it is, I don't think that it needs to be re-assessed until midseason when we know exactally where we're at.

Nope, he failed as a starter while with LA and he's been there his entire big league career

Grilli has too many problems throwing strikes, and that's the last thing you would want in a reliever.