Will Ohman
30 year old LOOGY, pitched poorly last year but fairly well in the role in 2006, very well in 2005. LOOGYing is a tough job, which doesn’t mean it’s not basically a stupid one. Most of the players you face in crucial situations are either outstanding lefthanded hitters or pinch-hitters, though the short benches caused by all the specialist relievers mean that managers can’t pinch-hit as often as they should.
Drafted out of Pepperdine by the Cubs in 1998, Ohman began his minor league career as a starter, like most pitchers who eventually reach the majors, but like most relievers he wasn’t any good, and was switched to the pen during his second season in pro ball. Meandered up the chain, showing good strikeout numbers and decent control matched with home run problems. (He really only had one good year in the minors, 2000 for AA Tennessee).
Ohman in his major league career (parts of five seasons; 2006 was the only year he didn’t spend at least partially in the minors, missed 2002-03 with an injury and spent all of 2004 in the minors) has 220 appearances, but only 160 innings. Last year, he had 56 appearances, 36 1/3 innings. That’s fundamentally ridiculous, but it’s what you’ll see from your basic lefty specialist. That is not how Bobby has generally used his relievers, who only now are starting to see their appearances outpace their innings.
Righthanders have hit a career .264/.366/.410 line against Ohman, which is really not that bad. Lefties have hit .196/.294/.319. Another symptom of LOOGYdom is that most of the runners who score off of Ohman are inherited, and most of the runs charged to him are scored when other relievers are on the mound. ERA can be misleading for extreme short relief. But last year righthanders hit .325/.381/.481, lefties .236/.329/.389, so he was clearly not as good. Most of that’s singles, but he wasn’t just unlucky, as his strikeouts were down. If he can get that back up over 9/9 IP, where it was in 2005-06, he’ll be fine. It’s still a stupid role.
I just hope Cox doesn’t try to use him like he used McBride, who really does just suck against righties. Bring in Ohman for Howard and Utley, then get him out of there!
February 1st, 2008 at 8:12 amOr trade him for Howard and Utley
February 1st, 2008 at 9:16 amI missed out on all the Hampton bashing yesterday, but does anyone else think Braves management is secretly hoping he gets hurt again so they can claim contract insurance again?
February 1st, 2008 at 9:41 am“Braves say Hampton healthy for Spring Training”
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3224905
We all know his bones are made of chalk and his tendons are held together with chewing gum, but it does sound pretty sweet to say the Braves could have a rotation of four former twenty game winners.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:48 amA rotation of Sutton, Koufax, Ryan and Palmer would also consist of four former twenty game winners. That doesn’t mean that much for 2008.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:49 amStu,
February 1st, 2008 at 9:54 amThis is true.
As I said in out other conversation Stu,
I think Nolan Ryan would outpitch Chuck James this year.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:59 amAt least we’ll have a LOOGY that actually gets lefties out this year. That will be a refreshing change.
Who else is crossing their fingers and hoping the Mets don’t reach an agreement with Santana by the 5pm deadline? That would almost be funnier than their September collapse.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:05 amHowever, and I know there’s not much stock in hoping for it, if Hampton can survive through spring training, him and James would probably fill out the remaining spots in the rotation. This would allow Reyes and Jurrjens to start in AAA, where they both need some time.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:07 amA healthy hampton gives us the best rotation in the division, top to bottom. Say what you will about the guy, I would much rather have a healthy Hampton in the 4 spot than a healthy Chuck James.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:12 amHampton for LOOGY!
February 1st, 2008 at 10:15 amI wonder if we can pray for a Obama/ Hampton ticket?
(I endorse that last statement as a joke, in no way is it a political statement or an endorsement, just a joke.)
February 1st, 2008 at 10:16 amSmitty, this is a no politics zone. Take your bullsh*t elsewhere. Who the heck would vote for Mike Hampton, his arm is more useless than Bob Dole’s
February 1st, 2008 at 10:23 amSmitty, R U SERIOUS?
Now, a Hampton/ Samuel L. Jackson ticket… THAT’S something i could get behind.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:25 amI’m not sure this country is ready for a racist vice president Keith…
February 1st, 2008 at 10:27 amAgree w/ Dix on leaving the politics stuff out of here. Please.
I agree w/ Mac – there is no way Mike Hampton ends up making ONE pitch for the Braves this season.
re: Will Ohman
I wholeheartedly agree – this man is a LOOGY and he absolutely cannot and should not be used against say about 98% of right handed batters.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:27 amI agree with Alex R about completely misconstruing the over the top nature of my response as being even the least bit serious.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:30 amHey, THT linked to me a couple days ago in the THT daily for Tuesday!
They were showing links of how different teams reacted to it, and for Atlanta, it read as follows:
‘A view from Atlanta. – “I guess it just means Mets fans will be even bitterer when they collapse this year.”‘
February 1st, 2008 at 10:31 amshouldn’t that read “I guess it just means Mets fans will be even bitterer when they more collapse this year.”?
February 1st, 2008 at 10:32 amI love the idea that someone will read that, know nothing about you, and assume you can’t speak English, AAR.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:34 amMike Hampton is a health care expert.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:34 amDix, hahaha! I know the “this conversation gets the Jaret Wright Trophy” comment was Stu’s Post of 2008, but Dix’s Bob Dole post has mine, and I think that’ll be even tougher to top.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:34 amI felt you the whole way Dix.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:35 amHave you seen Nolan Ryan? He’s suddenly 100 years old. Niekro, now, he could outpitch Hampton, no problem. That gives me an idea… New poll on the way.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:37 amMIke Hampton could rehab the economy.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:37 amMaybe Mike Hampton could take Ryan’s Advil endorsement when he dies.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:38 amI agree with Mac too- but I don’t want to yet. And maybe we shouldn’t. I mean it’s not even Spring Training yet. And now with the Santana trade, it makes that easier to handle thinking that the Braves could have a Hampton in the rotation that is useful, maybe even effective. Yes putting any hope in a healthy Hampton could be seen as fruitless, but so is thinking we get Bedard in a trade. At least with Hampton, he’s on the team.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:38 amReally the only difference between us and Mike Hampton is that he gets paid to go to the games and watch.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:41 amHe gets paid A LOT to go to the games and watch. Come to think of it, he has the coolest job ever. Bastard.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:42 amMac, do a wrtie up of Phil Niekro like he made the team.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:42 amI bet he sits this year and retires at the end of it, just to mess with us.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:43 am“When my arm came completely free of my body and flew into the stands on the third-base side, the doctors gave me Advil.”
February 1st, 2008 at 10:43 amThird-base side??? That’s some serious torque.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:45 amDix & Smitty,
I am only briefly checking Bravesjournal between doing actual work at my desk. I apologize if I missed the subtleties of your wink, wink political discussion.
My bad.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:46 am“Advil Strong Enough for Headaches,Strong Enough for Total Body Failure.”
February 1st, 2008 at 10:46 amThat’s it! We have a Cure!
February 1st, 2008 at 10:47 am3 out of every 4 baseball players recommend it!
February 1st, 2008 at 10:48 amThanks for the endorsement, but my joke would be funnier if Dole had just died yesterday, rather than 16 years ago. Kind of like Stu’s Heath Ledger comment.
Stu wins the premature ejaculation award for blowing his wad with the best comment before the year was even a month old.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:48 am*The above advertisement was paid for and approved by Stu*
February 1st, 2008 at 10:49 amYikes – I must have missed Stu’s Heath ledger comment. I am almost afraid to ask…
February 1st, 2008 at 10:52 amI think the answer is pretty obviously Niekro, but it’s not really fair to compare Hampton to an inner-circle Hall of Famer with the best knuckleball ever.
On the other hand, I think Hampton will outpitch Jose Lima next year.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:53 amhttp://www.bravesjournal.com/?p=3386#comment-156443
It was posted mid-autopsy
February 1st, 2008 at 10:54 amhttp://www.bravesjournal.com/?p=3386#comment-156443
I neither paid for nor approved that grotesque “endorsement”. Yikes. What can you expect from a man named “Dix”?
February 1st, 2008 at 10:55 amStu, I hate that I missed that. Classic.
Here is the link of the day. If you go to Google and type in “Find Chuck Norris” and press the “I’m Feeling Lucky” option
February 1st, 2008 at 10:57 amWhat has Hampton not hurt? Two elbow surgeries, multiple back problems (upper and lower), hamstring issues. What will he hurt this year? Will it be ST or 1st game of the season?
February 1st, 2008 at 10:58 amOk fine y’all win, although I will say Hampton will outpitch Ledger this year, but only by a couple of innings.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:00 amI have long advocated that Hampton should be in the AFLAC commercials Braves fans are/were constantly subjected to
February 1st, 2008 at 11:02 amCountdown – Mets have 7 hours to agree with Santana’s demands.
Question: If they fail to reach an agreement by 5 pm, does he just remain a Twin?
February 1st, 2008 at 11:04 amIf the Mets don’t work out a deal for Santana, Omar Minaya needs to be fired on the spot… And possibly tazed.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:12 amLedger pitched more in Brokeback than Hampton will this season…
February 1st, 2008 at 11:14 amDix, that is the line of the year!
February 1st, 2008 at 11:20 amSmitty thats awesome
Run before he finds you!
February 1st, 2008 at 11:20 amDix on fire today!
February 1st, 2008 at 11:22 amThe Mets will fold and give Santana whatever he wants. They have no choice and have no leverage. Minaya would be tazed if the deal fell through now; as a matter of fact, I can probably name a few Mets bloggers that would personally do it. Santana can just tell them to shove their offer up their ass if it’s not what he wants, go back to Minnesota and be a free agent next year. Minaya is just pretending to be a hard ass so he can say he did negotiate and didn’t just bend over. This is a done deal.
Maybe Hampton will learn to pitch right-handed! And, at the very least, he should be kept on the roster as a pinch hitter. He would have been better than Woodward last year.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:25 amMaybe Hampton can be our back up catcher.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:30 amThe Chuck Norris thing is funny.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:30 amWhat happens if the Santana deal fall through?
February 1st, 2008 at 11:42 amCy Young would pitch better this year than Mike Hampton.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:43 amCy Young’s arm is in better shape than Hampton’s.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:57 amI just want to give urlhix a quick shout for linking to Calculated Risk yesterday. Great stuff — it made me late for work this morning…
I also dislike the creature what is known as a LOOGY. Baseball is, strategically speaking, a worse game for sacrificing bench flexibility for one-out relievers. Not to mention the down-time it creates — a bench substitution takes five seconds, a pitching change takes five minutes.
I’d advocate adding an additional roster spot if I didn’t KNOW it would be used on yet another pitcher.
So, with all that said, good luck Will Ohman, as you enter your itinerant phase of your search for meaning and relevance….
February 1st, 2008 at 12:08 pm#50- hilarious and disgusting!
more on Santana
Johan Santana Extensions Continue
February 1st, 2008 at 12:14 pmKen Rosenthal has an update on the Johan Santana extension talks. He says the Mets are offering something like $110MM over five seasons with a vesting option for the sixth. The proposed average annual value of $22MM isn’t far off, but Santana wants six or even seven years guaranteed.
I know one potentially encouraging thing about Ohman is that his stats are light years better on the road overall than at Wrigley.
Has anybody checked how his left right splits are, road games only? I believe Wrigley may be in his head, and if so, he might not be THAT bad against righties in every other park. In fact, if he pitches in Wrigley exactly to his career average and pitches everywhere else to his career road average, he is a great pick up.
February 1st, 2008 at 1:18 pmSansho,
I agree with you and have advocated a rule change requiring pitchers to face at least two hitters instead of one. This would essentially eliminate LOOGYs and, therefore, the players’ union would never accept it. All the pitching changes just make the games drag forever, especially playoff games. And why not use a clock; there is no reason for a pitcher to take 40 seconds or more to deliver a pitch, even with runners on base.
February 1st, 2008 at 1:29 pmMy proposed rule would be a little stronger: A pitcher can not be removed during his first inning of work unless he’s allowed at least one run.
Or, a milder version: You can make only one change during an inning, after which the pitcher must be charged with at least one run.
February 1st, 2008 at 1:32 pmI agree with facing at least two hitters, but a pitch clock could be dangerous- unlike in basketball where the ball is being thrown at an inanimate object, a baseball is thrown towards a player- forcing a pitcher to speed up I think would lead to more erratic throws and hit batsmen.
Which would be pretty cool I guess.
February 1st, 2008 at 1:34 pmand the Mets now have 4 hours
February 1st, 2008 at 1:53 pmThe only rule change I would propose: Eliminate the DH.
Other than that, I’m fine with the actual game.
February 1st, 2008 at 1:56 pmThe actual game itself is fine. I am with Ububba though. The DH has outlived its intended purpose. A pitcher should be a batter too.
Two other things I would eliminate.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:01 pmThe unbalanced schedule and inter league play.
I’m catching up on blogs from a few days ago (other pitchers). Tommy Hanson’s stats are impressive. How big is he? What pitches does he have?
February 1st, 2008 at 2:04 pm#53 – “Dix on fire today!”
There are ointments for that
February 1st, 2008 at 2:06 pmRE: the Santana trade. If no contract agreement is reached between the Mets and Johan, I don’t think the deal necessarily falls through. I suppose the Mets could just say that they will try to reach an agreement during the season, being that they already stole him from the Twins for a sack of magic beans.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:06 pmIf they don’t reach an agreement Santana can and has said he will vetoe the deal.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:16 pmKeith Law on Tommy Hanson:
February 1st, 2008 at 2:20 pmCJ, no, the negotiating window is one of the prerequisites for the trade, because Johan Santana has a no-trade clause that he won’t agree to waive without a big contract extension.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:21 pmI stand corrected. You would think he would rather pitch for the Mets than Twins though.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:26 pmEven having to pitch this one last year at Shea Stadium will be depressing.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:31 pmNo more so than the HHH Dome.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:32 pmupdate…
Johan Santana Extension Talks Continue
February 1st, 2008 at 2:36 pmUPDATE, 2-1-08 at 1:32pm: Jon Heyman has an update as we near the deadline. The Mets are expected to give Santana a six-year extension worth $132MM ($22MM per) and also tack on a $7MM bonus to up his ’08 salary. That would put Santana over $152MM for the 2008-14 seasons
Maybe Santana and Hampton can train together.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:38 pmCJ, he would rather pitch for the Mets this year, but not at the expense of losing alot of money. He would rather wait for free agency when he KNOWS he will get what he is looking for. That being said, the Mets will give him what he is looking for and the deal will be done today.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:40 pmCome on, Johann. HOLD OUT FOR $170! They’re the Mets. People from Long Island can afford ticket increases.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:40 pmYou know, I had assumed signing him wouldn’t be a problem for the Mats, but there’s less time left than There Will Be Blood. It gets my hopes up.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:46 pmKudos to all who contributed to a number of good laughs. I needed that.
Santana will get whatever he asks for because he has all the leverage. And because of Zito’s absolutely ridiculous contract, Santana will be an extremely rich man.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:48 pmAnd then Santana comes out of the room after bludgeoning Minaya and saying “I AM FINISHED.”
February 1st, 2008 at 2:49 pmJohan Santana drinks the Mets’ milkshake.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:49 pmOkay, I found it! This is the funniest thing ever show on the internet. It will add a new chapter to the “Your with me leather.” book.
Caution, if you are at work.
http://deadspin.com/351147/chris-berman-is-somewhat-perturbed-with-the-help
February 1st, 2008 at 2:52 pmJoeyT @ 81,
I really hope Santana holds out for more than $170. I’m almost sure the Mets can afford that.
Joshua @ 80,
I don’t see how Santana loses any money by pitching a year for the Mets rather than the Twins. He would still be a free agent after next year and it would probably give him better stats to take into free agency. But he probably doesn’t want to move and then have to move again. But I think this is all posturing by the Mets anyway. They have no choice but to give him what he wants.
February 1st, 2008 at 2:55 pm@86,
Smitty,
Congratulations! Hilarious!
February 1st, 2008 at 3:16 pmJoeyT,
February 1st, 2008 at 3:26 pmYou wouldn’t say that if you’ve ever been to Amityville or Hempstead. Not all of Long Island is like “The Great Gatsby.”
But they all pronounce it “Lawn Guyland.”
February 1st, 2008 at 3:31 pmububba,
I say let them jack up ticket prices 10 fold!
February 1st, 2008 at 3:32 pmAAR,
February 1st, 2008 at 3:34 pmExcept for the folks with “Locust Valley Lockjaw.” They speak like Thurston Howell III.
@70, thanks, Alex R, I burst out laughing on the phone at work when I read your comment…
Although it would’ve been better if you could’ve tied “Dix on fire” back into Brokeback Mountain…
February 1st, 2008 at 3:36 pmredhead?
February 1st, 2008 at 3:38 pmyou guys see the AJ was at camp roger today? Thats pretty f’ing cool.
February 1st, 2008 at 3:52 pm#85
He drinks it up!!
February 1st, 2008 at 3:53 pmOne hour left, these guys are taking it to the wire. Maybe Santana realized that he’d have to play for the Miserable Mets and no amount of money would change that.
February 1st, 2008 at 3:57 pmMaybe the Mets are trying to negotiate with Team Santana like they did with the GM, and it’s not working.
GM: I was wondering if, for the best pitcher in baseball, we could have your good prospect?
Mets: NO NOT OUR GOOD PROSPECT
GM: Okay, okay, sorry … whatever you have is fine.
Santana: I was wondering if, for the best pitcher in baseball, you could extend my contract six years.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:02 pmMets: NO NOT SIX YEARS
Santana: Fine, whatever. I’ll just wait a year and have someone pay me next summer.
is it 5:00 pm central, eastern, pacific???
February 1st, 2008 at 4:06 pm5 PM Eastern. There is less than one hour left.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:08 pm5:00 Eastern from what I read
February 1st, 2008 at 4:08 pm5:00 Eastern. There’s a countdown clock at the New York Post website.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:09 pmThe deadline doesn’t really mean much. They can always extend it. It’s hard to imagine that this doesn’t get done.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:10 pmYou central time zoners and your hour behindness.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:11 pmTechnically, it’s 4 PM Central time (because, you know, he’s still technically a Twinkie). Not that it matters.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:14 pmIts going to get done, its just one year holding them up. It seems ridiculous to imagine him holding rigid to the 5pm deadline if they’re only a year apart.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:15 pmThen again, my best friend and I are a year apart, and I don’t see that changing any time soon.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:16 pmIt could be arranged AAR…
February 1st, 2008 at 4:17 pmDix, I’m racking my brains to think of how that’s a sexual double entendre, like everything else you’ve said today, but I just can’t figure it out.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:18 pmPretty sure the Bob Dole reference had nothing to do with sex. Or did it?
February 1st, 2008 at 4:19 pmI hope not
February 1st, 2008 at 4:20 pmIt wasn’t, it was a set up. I knew your response would include the words Dix and racking and that you’d do it for me.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:21 pmI can’t believe with the myriad of brokeback and hampton jokes that someone didn’t make a joke along the lines of “I wish I knew how to quit you Hampton” I was hoping Dix would.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:21 pmMike Hampton, I DON’T WANT YOUR LIFE!
February 1st, 2008 at 4:23 pmCouldn’t make any quit you jokes without plagiarizing the Heath Ledger thread on Fark.com
February 1st, 2008 at 4:24 pmAAR just went from Hampton pitching to Ledger pitching, to Ledger’s girlfriend Michelle Williams, to Dawson’s Creek, to James Vanderbeek, to Varsity Blues.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:28 pmI believe that the deadlines are set by MLB, not by the teams or players, and are subject to the whim of Das Bud as to if they get extended.
Schedule:
Monday: Royce Ring
Tuesday: Jeff Bennett
Wednesday: Other Relief Possibilities
I have eight possible relievers listed already in the Others post. Anyone got suggestions, not counting the guys I covered in the starters post?
February 1st, 2008 at 4:29 pmYet still no Kevin Bacon.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:31 pmand not counting phil niekro?
February 1st, 2008 at 4:32 pmYou’re a lousy fucking softball player, Mike Hampton!
February 1st, 2008 at 4:33 pmhow about a write up on Roger McDowell? My guess is that it’d probably be pretty subjective, but I’d like to see what you’d have to say in a write up.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:33 pmThat’s way too easy AAR. We could probably use Mike Hampton on our wall…
February 1st, 2008 at 4:34 pmAccording to Stark we signed Ryan Drese last summer- I remember him winning some games for the Rangers, is he in any talk to be invited to Spring Training? I don’t really know much about him, but I want to pronounce his name DrEE SEE
February 1st, 2008 at 4:34 pmMike Hampton has a greater responsibility than we can possibly fathom… we weep for our rotation and curse his arm injuries. We have that luxury.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:36 pmIn the whole vast configuration of things, I’d say Mike Hampton is nothing but a scurvy little spider.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:42 pmMike Hampton has clearly not gotten a BJ from a superior officer
February 1st, 2008 at 4:43 pmHampton you’re worth more dead than alive!
February 1st, 2008 at 4:44 pmI was in Chicago for lots of Ohman’s time with the Cubs, and every Cubs fan I know without fail hated this guy. They reacted with universal disgust everytime this guy was brought into the game (mostly because he always seemed to walk people in big spots). Maybe the #s dont back it up, but if history is any guide – we’ll have Kali like fears when this guy gets brought in.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:51 pm5 minutes to go.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:55 pmavery,
I think you just destroyed your own point: you say that every Cubs fan hated this guy. Ohman sucks at home. Of course they’d hate him.
February 1st, 2008 at 4:56 pmWell, I guess by my count, the deadline is here.
February 1st, 2008 at 5:00 pmWell, if Ohman always sucks at home, we’re going to hate him, too. Let’s hope he only sucks at Wrigley.
February 1st, 2008 at 5:00 pmWe can afford 7 years at 22million per, we just won’t have Teixiera. Who would you rather have?
February 1st, 2008 at 5:01 pmWho would you rather have?
Teixeira.
February 1st, 2008 at 5:02 pmStu,
Nice catch. Ohman sucks at Wrigley Field. Better?
February 1st, 2008 at 5:03 pmI’d rather have Teixeira too. It’s debeatable with Santana on whether or not he can keep up that kind of #1 stuff because of occassional injury problems that could come up. Not so with Teixeira. He doesn’t have any impending problems.
February 1st, 2008 at 5:04 pm“I know some of you like to wait till the last minute… well, this is it! This is the last minute!”
February 1st, 2008 at 5:05 pmPsst… Tex played only 130 games last year. Everyone’s a horse till they get hurt.
February 1st, 2008 at 5:05 pmThat’s because he had the hamstring injury. There’s nothing that makes me think that could be a recurring problem. It COULD be, but… well, you know.
February 1st, 2008 at 5:06 pmSantana is substantially more likely to get hurt over the next 7 seasons than Teixeira is.
February 1st, 2008 at 5:07 pm*grin* Hey, Chipper played in 134 games. He played in more games than Teixeira! WHEE!
February 1st, 2008 at 5:07 pmStu,
Yeah, that’s what I believe.
February 1st, 2008 at 5:08 pmHere’s an article selecting possible college football National Champions for 2008:
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?SID=1144&CID=768666
So according to these criteria, the Demon Deacons, Scarlet Knights, Jayhawks, Trojans, Crimson Tide and (Georgia) Bulldogs are the teams to watch next season.
February 1st, 2008 at 5:17 pmThereby proving something about Auburn, Tennessee, and Florida that is on the tip of my tongue, but for some reason I can’t quite remember…
February 1st, 2008 at 5:20 pmApparently the deadline was extended 2 hours.
February 1st, 2008 at 5:22 pmOkay, I have no link, but apparently the deadline has been extended to 7:00 pm EST.
February 1st, 2008 at 5:22 pmAnd then it’ll be extended to 9:00, and then 11:00, and then 1:00 am …
February 1st, 2008 at 5:24 pmOkay, here’s Jon Heyman on CNNSI.
February 1st, 2008 at 5:36 pmAnd there’s just one hour left of stoppage time…
February 1st, 2008 at 5:57 pmcan the Twins void the trade now that the first deadline has passed??
February 1st, 2008 at 6:03 pmcmon Johan – hold out for 33 more minutes
February 1st, 2008 at 6:28 pmThe deal is done. Santana is a Met.
6 yrs/22 mil/$150 M
February 1st, 2008 at 6:37 pmthey wanted $28 per and settled for $22
February 1st, 2008 at 6:40 pmWell I guess we can now cancel the regular season and give the Mets their 2008 NL East pennant. Or at least I’m sure that’s what the northeastern dominated sports media thinks.
February 1st, 2008 at 6:44 pmSo that means the Mets are on the hook for 7 years? I wonder if the foreboding history of long contracts for pitchers will come back to bite them in the ass? We can hope.
Also, I look forward to seeing Santana pitch in Philly and Colorado, as the reigning homer-giver-upper in the AL. He’s a great pitcher, no doubt, but he’s mortal.
February 1st, 2008 at 6:51 pmUgg. The Mets just got the best pitcher in baseball….
I mean, I guess they needed to fill that spot in their rotation, and this is a huge way to do it…. It’ll push their payroll up above $140M I think. How unfortunate.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:15 pmMets fan here. The next 3 years are going to be awesome. The 4 years after that? Well. Glad it’s not my money.
February 1st, 2008 at 8:42 pmWhy just the first three years? Santana’s arm going to fall off after age 30 or something?
February 1st, 2008 at 8:49 pmI think he realizes that in about 3 years Minyana is going to realize the Mets have no other arms and is going to sign Eli. The 8th inning soul crushing homers are going to drive the team into oblivion.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:30 pmrealize
February 1st, 2008 at 10:30 pmHee hee hee hee, sign Eli.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:48 pmEveryone makes such a big deal about Tom Brady dating Gisele but for some reason the media doesn’t care that Eli is f*cking Matt Damon.
February 1st, 2008 at 10:59 pmThis season just got real. I threw up the 4 aces poster in my room.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:27 pmBetter that you throw up the poster than that you throw up on the poster.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:57 pmI used to have that Four Aces poster, but my house burned down and I lost it. I would have traded a few things to keep that poster.
February 1st, 2008 at 11:59 pmIt’ also time for everyone to put up a Braves player as their desktop background. I’ve got my Chipper background up already. Had to take down the candidate I was supporting for the presidency, but this is more important…by far.
February 2nd, 2008 at 12:28 amSantana? The Braves have Damian Moss working out at Roger’s camp.
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:49 amSaw a really fun band tonight in Brooklyn: The Whigs from Athens. Really punchy, really tight garage-power-pop. Recommended.
February 2nd, 2008 at 2:07 amIronically, Johan Santana’s most comparable player through age 28 is…Tim Hudson.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:08 amAnd his list includes most of the same pitchers that Hudson’s comparable to.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:10 amWell, all of Chuck James debate may be for not. DOB says in his latest blog that James is only throwing off flat surfaces, and that his shoulder is hurting. May not be ready for the start of the season, and he made it sound like he didnt have alot of faith in him for the coming season.
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:15 amOh, no…
I really hope that he can pitch most of the year. It isn’t good when they’re sounding more optimistic on Hampton than on James.
February 2nd, 2008 at 10:17 am? I thought we hated James here?
February 2nd, 2008 at 11:24 amWell, it’s context. As a third starter, he’s only okay, and he took some heat. However, he could be one of the best fifth starters in baseball behind Buchholz or whomever the Red Sox throw out there.
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:06 pmI was being a tiny bit facetious, or sarcastic or whatever word fits.
If James can’t go, I guess this means that Jo-Jo Reyes is going to get his spot?
February 2nd, 2008 at 2:43 pmOr Erik Bedard will.
February 2nd, 2008 at 3:34 pmIf I remember correctly, assuming Hampton is in the rotation, Jurjjens would be the logical choice for James spot, wouldnt he? I know thats a huge assumption on the part of Hampton though…..on second thought, I think the chances of my bald head suddenly sprouting new growth is more likely than Hampton pitching.
February 2nd, 2008 at 3:41 pm*thump* Can we stop with this Bedard business? Please? It’s not going to happen.
I was operating on the assumption that Hampton wouldn’t be able to pitch and that Jurrjens would take his place instead, but that’s just splitting hairs.
February 2nd, 2008 at 3:50 pmLook, I don’t hate James. I like the brother, and I’ve been very consistent on that.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:35 pmSam, you’re free to stop with the Bedard business (including responding). I probably won’t.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:48 pmI don’t hate James, but I don’t particularly like him either. As many have noted, if he can provide league average innings then great, he’ll be useful at the back end of the rotation. Ultimately, I would argue that the Braves need three guys to be better than league average (to varying degrees) in their rotation, and at least one average guy – probably two – at the back end of it. That’s my totally unsupported theory on what it will take to compete for the division and a playoff spot.
February 2nd, 2008 at 8:11 pmi find this interesting:
per jayson stark…ok, i know i know…but still
Nobody accumulates potentially useful pitching options like the Braves. They quietly signed one-time 14-game winner Ryan Drese late last summer, content to let him ease back from Tommy John surgery. Now they’re bringing him to camp with an eye toward stashing him at Richmond until they need him.
Assuming James is ok, and hampton can pitch…getting Drese might have been one of the smartest moves Wren has made yet.
thoughts? Mac?
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:19 ami find this interesting:
per jayson stark…ok, i know i know…but still
Nobody accumulates potentially useful pitching options like the Braves. They quietly signed one-time 14-game winner Ryan Drese late last summer, content to let him ease back from Tommy John surgery. Now they’re bringing him to camp with an eye toward stashing him at Richmond until they need him.
Assuming James is ok, and hampton can pitch…getting Drese might have been one of the smartest moves Wren has made yet.
thoughts? Mac?
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:19 amA Philadelphia beat writer’s perspective on a similar thread to many of us in that the Mets still have huge problems after adding Santana.
http://www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/columnists/20080201_Bill_Conlin__Adding_Santana_wont_fix_all_else_thats_wrong_with_Mets.html
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:56 amDrese wasn’t great with the Nats either, but as long as he’s cheap I don’t particularly care. But remember, we picked him up in August. That means JS got him.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:53 amAnd no one picks up potentially useful pitching options like Schuerholz once did.
As it is, I think the Braves are better set this season with Reyes and Jurrjens to fall back on.
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:15 amMight I suggest.. Thorman! Thorman! Thorman!
Toronto’s J.P. Ricciardi made a play for Bedard but was rebuffed and is now turning his attention to Pittsburgh left fielder Jason Bay, as the Blue Jays want to add a marquee Canadian-born player to their roster. …
Marquee?? He was a 1st round pick. His nickname is Thor. I mean, what else do you need, J.P?
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:49 pmhttp://thebaseballcube.com/players/D/Ryan-Drese.shtml
nothing about his numbers impress, even his minor league numbers.both buddy carlyle and bennett have better numbers than him.
February 3rd, 2008 at 1:54 pmSuper Bowl predictions?
NE 31, NYG 21
But I’m definitely rooting for the Giants.
February 3rd, 2008 at 2:36 pmI second that, Cary!
February 3rd, 2008 at 2:52 pmIf Drese is pitching well (for him) he could be suitable for the 5th starter spot while Jurrjens and Reyes get regular turns at Richmond.
February 3rd, 2008 at 2:54 pmmy prediction bold
Eli makes mistakes and its a blowout 17+, but I dont care who wins
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:32 pmummm, not sure why I had a brain fart
my BOLD prediction…
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:33 pmI should root for the Pats, who have 2 prominent UGA players (Richard Seymour, Ben Watson), but I’m just sick of that bunch.
So I’ll root for the Ole Miss guy.
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:38 pmin other news… Tiger birdied 5 of his last 7 to win his 2nd tourney of the year. Unbelieveable
February 3rd, 2008 at 3:38 pm34-17 Pats. Count it.
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:04 pmcsg,
The man’s a golfer.
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:18 pmObviously, you’re not a golfer.
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:23 pmAny of several golf announcers: “What a fantastic golf shot.”
Me (to the TV): “Good thing he was playing golf when it happened.”
The maturation of Eli Manning is such a meme right now that I think it’s forgotten how shaky he was not very long ago. I’m predicting deer-in-the-headlights until it’s too late. 37-20 Pats
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:25 pmPatriots 51, Giants 12, Eli sacked seven times.
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:27 pmGiants 17, Patriots 14. Giants run the ball more times than they throw it.
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:38 pmWell, if this is the prediction thread, then I’ll say Patriots 45 – Giants 24. Eli will have three interceptions and there’s no way the Patriots don’t score at least 35.
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:41 pmDrese is awful. If we’re forced to resort to him… well, at that point I’m pretty sure we’ll have no chance at the division title. We’d probably just be hoping for a winning record. >_
February 3rd, 2008 at 5:26 pm20-17 Giants. The Giants run the ball a lot, Eli plays just good enough not to lose and gets way more credit than he deserves.
February 3rd, 2008 at 5:28 pmI’m rooting for the Giants but I expect a score more like 38 NE 24 NY.
February 3rd, 2008 at 6:07 pmSeriously, guys, picking the Giants here is like taking the Padres in the 1998 WS.
February 3rd, 2008 at 6:12 pmWait, they’re letting the daughter of a former Giant sing the national anthem? Obvious bias.
February 3rd, 2008 at 6:15 pmI’m hoping it’s more like Super Bowl III, but I damn-sure don’t expect it.
February 3rd, 2008 at 6:20 pmHow is that not down by contact?
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:23 pmShockingly, Eli looks like about the only composed Giant. On offense, anyway.
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:26 pmGotta like the Giants’ gameplan so far. That INT really hurt. Smith’s gotta catch that ball.
February 3rd, 2008 at 7:41 pmAlright, 10-7. This is getting interesting.
February 3rd, 2008 at 9:13 pmThat was the greatest play in the history of football.
February 3rd, 2008 at 9:52 pm1. Joey T looks like a time traveler from the future.
2. Is the world ready for Eli Manning, Super Bowl MVP? 35 seconds to find out.
February 3rd, 2008 at 9:57 pmJoeyT…are you a visitor from the future? How could you have predicted this?
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:00 pmSorry for the double post, Mac. Should’ve refreshed.
And I agree about the greatest play in the history of football. Man, that one’s going down in history. Sounds cheesy, but that was insane.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:03 pmThe Patriots lose, the Patriots lose!
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:04 pmWow.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:10 pmHow about that?
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:11 pmI get to eat crow, but my daughter is going to be really happy (she’s young and has a crush on Eli Manning–which is disturbing to this Cowboys fan). Way to go JoeyT. Is there a prize for calling it?
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:16 pmThanks to Bodog, yes. Yes, there is.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:22 pmSo that was pretty amazing. I’m inclined to agree with Mac, although I’ve probably got to stay with “the catch” being as I’m a 49ers fan.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:23 pmNow Eli is gonna be the new Joe Namath around here.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:26 pmSomeone posted on deadspin, “Does this cancel out the 2004 ALCS?” That’s one helluva a question to ponder. I say yes. Yes it does.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:49 pmJoeyT-
I told my wife just now about your prediction after going down the Bravesjournal thread and she and I would like you to do our taxes this year. My goodness that was impressive.
Are there flying cars in the future?
#117-
Mac, my suggestions for the others post: Ben and Juliet.
I’m just sayin’.
Back to the Super Bowl-
I was mainly rooting for the Pats because I wanted the 72 Dolphins to shut the hell up. Frankly, considering the Pats perfect regular season, they still should, but the Giants win now will be an excuse for those damned annoying 72 Dolphins to keep their crap up.
Eli Manning – Supe Bowl Champion? Really???
I am guessing the 3rd brother, Cooper Manning, really must feel like a loser in that family.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:53 pm#224
God, Stapler, I hope so. I am so sick of Red Sox fans already.
February 3rd, 2008 at 10:56 pmWell, I can eat my words. Eli was definitely better than Brady tonight.. Him getting out of the sack and throwing the bomb to Tyree just might be the play of the year. Congrats to the Giants
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:00 pm#225 – could you imagine being in the backyard football tosses in that family?
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:01 pmPersonas non gratas in Boston:
1) Peyton Manning
2) Eli Manning
I wonder how many horrible Eli/Peyton commercials the ’08 season will put us through? It could get ugly. We might need the FCC to intervene.
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:13 pmThe Mannings are the greatest trio of family QBs ever! Seriously, that was a good game. Also impressive was the last couple of hail marys Brady threw. Had to have been like 75 yards in the air.
February 3rd, 2008 at 11:50 pm“Had to have been like 75 yards in the air.”
and the announcers kept talking about how bad his ankle was and how he couldnt step into anything. What a joke they are…
February 4th, 2008 at 12:01 amJust insane to watch, wow.
I can’t wait for baseball to start. Let’s go!
sansho1, CR is a blast of a blog, glad you like it.
ububba, my wife thinks The Whigs are the best band going right now in Athens, for what it’s worth.
Chuckie, we hardly knew ye…
February 4th, 2008 at 12:24 amI was torn on the whole ‘will the ’72 Dolphins shut up already? and ‘God I hate the Patriots’ sentiments that have continuously plagued me over the past couple weeks. As the game went on, I realized that I desperately wanted the Pats to lose. So I’m kind of happy now, which is weird, because ordinarily I would rank the Giants as one of my least favorite teams in any sport.
And now, as I peruse the coverage, this at the end of Greg Garber’s recap on espn.com:
“I’m happy for the New York Giants,” said former Dolphins running back Mercury Morris, sounding suspiciously happy for himself. “They were the ones who did what we did, what it took to win — which is exactly what we did 17 times in 1972.
“You can talk about it all you want, but you still have to win every game.”
Good. God.
February 4th, 2008 at 12:52 amThe Giants Super Bowl win will put off some of the Santana talk for a couple days around here.
And if I played for the ’72 Dolphins, I certainly wouldn’t be pulling for the Pats. I might be a little more gracious, though.
url,
About The Whigs: A power trio can be a wonderful thing.
The other night they were supertight, didn’t mess around onstage too much (a pet peeve of mine) & just got up and banged out a set of really great songs. A band I’m rooting for.
February 4th, 2008 at 1:33 amJust out of curiosity, who would you guys want to see perform at halftime? I would love to see a halftime show performed by Ted Nugent.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:07 amI’d like to see Ted Nugent at halftime, but only if he were stapled with pepperoni slices & fed to hungry wolverines.
February 4th, 2008 at 2:44 amor they could give everyone in the crowd a souveneer bow and one arrow.
February 4th, 2008 at 8:29 amTed Nugent? What are Styx and Aldo Nova not available?
February 4th, 2008 at 9:59 am