Sporting News staff reports
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is growing weary of the recent rumors linking his team to Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Those rumors have involved a trade package anchored by White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham.
"That’s all a TV thing," Guillen told the newspaper. "Gordon, (Gavin) Floyd and (John) Danks … those names are going to come up. And we have to deal with that every time they talk about the White Sox trying to make a deal."
Guillen added that the team currently has no plans to make a deal for Gonzalez.
Sporting News staff reports
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen is growing weary of the recent rumors linking his team to Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Those rumors have involved a trade package anchored by White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham.
"That’s all a TV thing," Guillen told the newspaper. "Gordon, (Gavin) Floyd and (John) Danks … those names are going to come up. And we have to deal with that every time they talk about the White Sox trying to make a deal."
Guillen added that the team currently has no plans to make a deal for Gonzalez.
Sporting News staff reports
‘I really believe that our team can win the World Series,’ Jake Peavy says.
Dealt to the White Sox just before the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline last season, Peavy didn’t make his Chicago debut until Sept. 19 because of ankle and elbow injuries. The ace recently spoke with Sporting News’ Dave Curtis and other reporters about his outlook for 2010.
Question: This pitching staff is something else. How excited are you?
Jake Peavy: I didn’t know what this team was made of until I got over here and became a part. Getting to see John Danks in person, Gavin Floyd. I’m super-excited. You know what we bring to the table night in and night out with the starting staff. And I love what (general manager Ken Williams) has done with the bullpen. To have J.J. Putz to go along with a great closer in Bobby (Jenks) and Matt Thornton, you play five- to six-inning ballgames. … With J.J. Putz, (Scott) Linebrink maybe rebounding, Tony Pena, those are your sixth- and seventh-inning guys giving the ball to Matt Thornton and Bobby Jenks. You’ve got to feel good.
Q: What’s your mindset this year now that you’ve been around a little bit?
JP: I really believe that our team can win the World Series from Day 1. I’m sure Kenny will tweak and make moves throughout the season, which he’s always done. But I believe this team assembled right now has a chance and is very capable and should win the A.L. Central. And I believe once we get in (the postseason), we’re as talented as anybody and can compete on a nightly basis with the Yankees, with the top-tier teams in baseball.
Q: How is your health?
JP: I feel as healthy as I’ve ever been. I told a lot of people last year, "When you saw me, I wasn’t in fighting shape." I just wasn’t ready to go. I was coming out of an eight-week cast. I wasn’t able to work out or do anything else. I was about 10 to 15 pounds heavier when you guys saw me last year. … It was a challenge just to get back and pitch those last three games.
Q: How much of an advantage is it going to be for you to be healthy from the start?
JP: It’s going to be a blessing. Last year was a struggle for me to come into a new environment to pitch and to encounter all the setbacks and not be in shape. … When you get out there, you want to do well. You just got traded, four players for one. So you want to do what you’re capable of doing. Fortunately, I was able to go out and show my teammates, You know what, I’m capable of being a good part of this team. To come into spring training healthy, it’s just like a normal year.
Q: Who do you think has the advantage when you move to a new league: the hitters you haven’t seen, or you, because the hitters haven’t seen you?
JP: It can go either way. I can promise you this: I haven’t faced a lot of these American League guys, (but) when I go into my (first) start … I’ll know everything about those hitters and their tendencies and what they’re going to do and should do and what they ate for breakfast that morning.
Q: Do you think you’re going to be an emotional leader for this team?
JP: I’m not going to go out there and be a hothead or let things get out of hand. But I’m passionate, and I want to win. That’s the bottom line. And when I take the field, whenever that is, I want to win. And I expect the eight other guys taking the field with me to lay it on the line. If that’s being a role model, I don’t know. Guys go about it in different ways. I’ll try to bring that on the day I pitch and be in the dugout on the days I’m not pitching, to encourage guys and try to keep them motivated.
SN: Ken Williams said it’s important for the young pitchers to know how a No. 1 works. How much do you think you can influence the team’s young pitchers?
JP: Well, I’m certainly going to try to be a leader. … Mark Buehrle has done a great job since he’s been here of mentoring these kids. When I got over here, I was amazed at these guys’ work ethic and the way they went about preparing and taking every fifth day seriously. I’m going to jump right in. We’re all already buddies. We’re going to become closer over the next couple of years.
I’m going to try to throw things at them that might make them better, and I certainly believe they’re going to do the same to me. Any time you’re around someone who does what you do for a craft — I don’t care how long you’ve been doing it or what you’ve been doing — you can always talk and make each other better.
Q: Are you a goal-oriented guy, as far as putting numbers down in your mind?
JP: No. For myself or for my team. I’ve got no numbers. I’ll just tell you I’ll pour every bit of my energy into my opening start. I imagine it will be against Cleveland. Then, I go to the next one. My goal is to give everything I have on that night and walk away from it knowing that I came there and pitched that night. There are too many ups and downs.
Q: Is the relationship between a pitcher and a catcher overblown? How important is it that A.J. Pierzynski gets to know what you like to throw in which situations?
JP: I think it’s very important that we got to work three games together last year. … It’s not overblown by any means. When you have confidence in each other to do certain things, you get in a rhythm. If you’re going good and you get out of that rhythm, it can kind of knock you off your game a little bit. If you struggle to get into that rhythm, you know, it can be a long night.
Sporting News staff reports
‘I really believe that our team can win the World Series,’ Jake Peavy says.
Dealt to the White Sox just before the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline last season, Peavy didn’t make his Chicago debut until Sept. 19 because of ankle and elbow injuries. The ace recently spoke with Sporting News’ Dave Curtis and other reporters about his outlook for 2010.
Question: This pitching staff is something else. How excited are you?
Jake Peavy: I didn’t know what this team was made of until I got over here and became a part. Getting to see John Danks in person, Gavin Floyd. I’m super-excited. You know what we bring to the table night in and night out with the starting staff. And I love what (general manager Ken Williams) has done with the bullpen. To have J.J. Putz to go along with a great closer in Bobby (Jenks) and Matt Thornton, you play five- to six-inning ballgames. … With J.J. Putz, (Scott) Linebrink maybe rebounding, Tony Pena, those are your sixth- and seventh-inning guys giving the ball to Matt Thornton and Bobby Jenks. You’ve got to feel good.
Q: What’s your mindset this year now that you’ve been around a little bit?
JP: I really believe that our team can win the World Series from Day 1. I’m sure Kenny will tweak and make moves throughout the season, which he’s always done. But I believe this team assembled right now has a chance and is very capable and should win the A.L. Central. And I believe once we get in (the postseason), we’re as talented as anybody and can compete on a nightly basis with the Yankees, with the top-tier teams in baseball.
Q: How is your health?
JP: I feel as healthy as I’ve ever been. I told a lot of people last year, "When you saw me, I wasn’t in fighting shape." I just wasn’t ready to go. I was coming out of an eight-week cast. I wasn’t able to work out or do anything else. I was about 10 to 15 pounds heavier when you guys saw me last year. … It was a challenge just to get back and pitch those last three games.
Q: How much of an advantage is it going to be for you to be healthy from the start?
JP: It’s going to be a blessing. Last year was a struggle for me to come into a new environment to pitch and to encounter all the setbacks and not be in shape. … When you get out there, you want to do well. You just got traded, four players for one. So you want to do what you’re capable of doing. Fortunately, I was able to go out and show my teammates, You know what, I’m capable of being a good part of this team. To come into spring training healthy, it’s just like a normal year.
Q: Who do you think has the advantage when you move to a new league: the hitters you haven’t seen, or you, because the hitters haven’t seen you?
JP: It can go either way. I can promise you this: I haven’t faced a lot of these American League guys, (but) when I go into my (first) start … I’ll know everything about those hitters and their tendencies and what they’re going to do and should do and what they ate for breakfast that morning.
Q: Do you think you’re going to be an emotional leader for this team?
JP: I’m not going to go out there and be a hothead or let things get out of hand. But I’m passionate, and I want to win. That’s the bottom line. And when I take the field, whenever that is, I want to win. And I expect the eight other guys taking the field with me to lay it on the line. If that’s being a role model, I don’t know. Guys go about it in different ways. I’ll try to bring that on the day I pitch and be in the dugout on the days I’m not pitching, to encourage guys and try to keep them motivated.
SN: Ken Williams said it’s important for the young pitchers to know how a No. 1 works. How much do you think you can influence the team’s young pitchers?
JP: Well, I’m certainly going to try to be a leader. … Mark Buehrle has done a great job since he’s been here of mentoring these kids. When I got over here, I was amazed at these guys’ work ethic and the way they went about preparing and taking every fifth day seriously. I’m going to jump right in. We’re all already buddies. We’re going to become closer over the next couple of years.
I’m going to try to throw things at them that might make them better, and I certainly believe they’re going to do the same to me. Any time you’re around someone who does what you do for a craft — I don’t care how long you’ve been doing it or what you’ve been doing — you can always talk and make each other better.
Q: Are you a goal-oriented guy, as far as putting numbers down in your mind?
JP: No. For myself or for my team. I’ve got no numbers. I’ll just tell you I’ll pour every bit of my energy into my opening start. I imagine it will be against Cleveland. Then, I go to the next one. My goal is to give everything I have on that night and walk away from it knowing that I came there and pitched that night. There are too many ups and downs.
Q: Is the relationship between a pitcher and a catcher overblown? How important is it that A.J. Pierzynski gets to know what you like to throw in which situations?
JP: I think it’s very important that we got to work three games together last year. … It’s not overblown by any means. When you have confidence in each other to do certain things, you get in a rhythm. If you’re going good and you get out of that rhythm, it can kind of knock you off your game a little bit. If you struggle to get into that rhythm, you know, it can be a long night.
Spring training wasn’t a week old before manager Ozzie Guillen raised the ire of general manager Kenny Williams. Guillen created a Twitter account. The GM doesn’t want his manager sharing White Sox matters in cyberspace. Guillen says he won’t; he just wants to have fun. With the AL Central’s deepest rotation and a retooled offense, the White Sox have a team that could make their manager’s job more enjoyable than firing off 140-character wisecracks.
Three questions
Juan Pierre will hit leadoff for the White Sox, but he doesn’t provide the power the team needs.
1. Where’s the power?
Since their days together with the Marlins, Guillen has wanted Juan Pierre on his side. Why? Pierre is an ideal top-of-the-order hitter in the go-go attack Guillen prefers. Pierre not only can steal bases, but he doesn’t strike out much and has a respectable .348 on-base percentage for his career.
The White Sox won’t be all about small ball, though. Chicago still has three players in its staring lineup — first baseman Paul Konerko, right fielder Carlos Quentin and slimmed-down DH Andruw Jones — with at least one season with 30-plus homers on their resumes. But with Pierre, center fielder Alex Rios, third baseman Mark Teahen, second baseman Gordon Beckham and shortstop Alexei Ramirez, Guillen’s lineup also is loaded with players who have the potential to reach double figures in steals as well as homers.
2. Who’s the DH?
Well, it isn’t Jim Thome. He will continue his push toward 600 homers with the Twins after the White Sox decided not to bring him back. Williams would have liked the steady power potential, but Guillen didn’t think he could get Thome enough at-bats. After years of having Frank Thomas and Thome as exclusive designated hitters, Guillen wants to use the position as a way to rotate and rest players.
Jones figures to be the No. 1 choice, though he sometimes will sit against righthanders in favor of the lefthanded-hitting Mark Kotsay. When Guillen wants to get Jones a start in the outfield, he can give Quentin or Rios a day off from defense. "From the manager’s point, it’s easier when you have a guy you don’t have to use as a DH," Guillen said.
3. Can Rios rebound?
He’d better. The Sox are on the hook for nearly $60 million over five seasons after claiming the 29-year-old off waivers last August. Rios’ first 41 games with the club couldn’t have gone much worse: He hit .199 with a .530 OPS, only three homers and nine RBIs. What happened? "Everything," Guillen said. "It was not easy for him. Playing in Chicago when you’re in the pennant race is kind of tough. He put a lot of pressure on himself. He struggled to me more mentally because he tried to do too much."
The White Sox are hoping Rios will play better after spending a camp with the club and knowing that he will be the everyday center fielder.
Projected lineup
1. LF Juan Pierre: .301 AVG in 10-year career.
2. 2B Gordon Beckham: SN’s top AL rookie in ’09.
3. RF Carlos Quentin: 21 HRs in ’09 but health is issue.
4. 1B Paul Konerko: 197 HRs since ’04 are 3rd-most in AL
5. CF Alex Rios: Only 63 runs scored in 149 games in ’09.
6. C A.J. Pierzynski: Leads AL catchers in games since ’05.
7. DH Andruw Jones: ’08: 3 HRs, .158 AVG; ’09: 17 HRs, .214 AVG.
8. SS Alexei Ramirez: 18 BBs in ’08; 49 in ’09.
9. 3B Mark Teahen: 123 K’s, 37 BBs with Royals in ’09.
Projected rotation
1. LHP Mark Buehrle: 2-7, 4.78 ERA after perfect game July 23.
2. RHP Jake Peavy: No runs allowed in final 17 IP in ’09.
3. LHP John Danks: 3.77 ERA: 3rd-best among AL lefties.
4. RHP Gavin Floyd: ERA, K’s up, but BBs down ’09.
5. RHP Freddy Garcia: Just 23 MLB starts since ’07.
Projected closer
RHP Bobby Jenks. ERA jumped from 2.63 in ’08 to 3.71 in ’09.
Grades
Offense: C. The White Sox plan to use a different approach. Relying on the homer didn’t prove effective last season when they hit 184, their lowest total in 10 years and 51 fewer than 2008’s major league-leading total. Not coincidentally, they finished 12th in the AL in runs.
Pitching: A. The rotation finished second in the AL with a 4.20 ERA last season and should be even better with a healthy Jake Peavy from the start of the season. In the bullpen, closer Bobby Jenks could be a concern; his .250 batting average allowed was second-highest among AL closers.
Bench: B. Omar Vizquel turns 43 in April but remains a plus defender at second and short. Whoever doesn’t DH between Jones and Kotsay should make a dangerous pinch hitter. Chicago needs a boost in that department after its pinch hitters finished last in the majors with a .106 average.
Manager: A. That grade isn’t only for Guillen’s entertainment value, either. He has won a ring as a manager and a coach in past seven seasons. Not that he cares, but Guillen will be under more pressure this season after Williams gave him a lineup the manager wanted more than the GM.
Sporting News prediction: The White Sox will bounce back from their 79-win season and stay in the division chase all season. But they have too many questions on offense to outlast the Twins.
Coming Thursday: Indians preview.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Spring training wasn’t a week old before manager Ozzie Guillen raised the ire of general manager Kenny Williams. Guillen created a Twitter account. The GM doesn’t want his manager sharing White Sox matters in cyberspace. Guillen says he won’t; he just wants to have fun. With the AL Central’s deepest rotation and a retooled offense, the White Sox have a team that could make their manager’s job more enjoyable than firing off 140-character wisecracks.
Three questions
Juan Pierre will hit leadoff for the White Sox, but he doesn’t provide the power the team needs.
1. Where’s the power?
Since their days together with the Marlins, Guillen has wanted Juan Pierre on his side. Why? Pierre is an ideal top-of-the-order hitter in the go-go attack Guillen prefers. Pierre not only can steal bases, but he doesn’t strike out much and has a respectable .348 on-base percentage for his career.
The White Sox won’t be all about small ball, though. Chicago still has three players in its staring lineup — first baseman Paul Konerko, right fielder Carlos Quentin and slimmed-down DH Andruw Jones — with at least one season with 30-plus homers on their resumes. But with Pierre, center fielder Alex Rios, third baseman Mark Teahen, second baseman Gordon Beckham and shortstop Alexei Ramirez, Guillen’s lineup also is loaded with players who have the potential to reach double figures in steals as well as homers.
2. Who’s the DH?
Well, it isn’t Jim Thome. He will continue his push toward 600 homers with the Twins after the White Sox decided not to bring him back. Williams would have liked the steady power potential, but Guillen didn’t think he could get Thome enough at-bats. After years of having Frank Thomas and Thome as exclusive designated hitters, Guillen wants to use the position as a way to rotate and rest players.
Jones figures to be the No. 1 choice, though he sometimes will sit against righthanders in favor of the lefthanded-hitting Mark Kotsay. When Guillen wants to get Jones a start in the outfield, he can give Quentin or Rios a day off from defense. "From the manager’s point, it’s easier when you have a guy you don’t have to use as a DH," Guillen said.
3. Can Rios rebound?
He’d better. The Sox are on the hook for nearly $60 million over five seasons after claiming the 29-year-old off waivers last August. Rios’ first 41 games with the club couldn’t have gone much worse: He hit .199 with a .530 OPS, only three homers and nine RBIs. What happened? "Everything," Guillen said. "It was not easy for him. Playing in Chicago when you’re in the pennant race is kind of tough. He put a lot of pressure on himself. He struggled to me more mentally because he tried to do too much."
The White Sox are hoping Rios will play better after spending a camp with the club and knowing that he will be the everyday center fielder.
Projected lineup
1. LF Juan Pierre: .301 AVG in 10-year career.
2. 2B Gordon Beckham: SN’s top AL rookie in ’09.
3. RF Carlos Quentin: 21 HRs in ’09 but health is issue.
4. 1B Paul Konerko: 197 HRs since ’04 are 3rd-most in AL
5. CF Alex Rios: Only 63 runs scored in 149 games in ’09.
6. C A.J. Pierzynski: Leads AL catchers in games since ’05.
7. DH Andruw Jones: ’08: 3 HRs, .158 AVG; ’09: 17 HRs, .214 AVG.
8. SS Alexei Ramirez: 18 BBs in ’08; 49 in ’09.
9. 3B Mark Teahen: 123 K’s, 37 BBs with Royals in ’09.
Projected rotation
1. LHP Mark Buehrle: 2-7, 4.78 ERA after perfect game July 23.
2. RHP Jake Peavy: No runs allowed in final 17 IP in ’09.
3. LHP John Danks: 3.77 ERA: 3rd-best among AL lefties.
4. RHP Gavin Floyd: ERA, K’s up, but BBs down ’09.
5. RHP Freddy Garcia: Just 23 MLB starts since ’07.
Projected closer
RHP Bobby Jenks. ERA jumped from 2.63 in ’08 to 3.71 in ’09.
Grades
Offense: C. The White Sox plan to use a different approach. Relying on the homer didn’t prove effective last season when they hit 184, their lowest total in 10 years and 51 fewer than 2008’s major league-leading total. Not coincidentally, they finished 12th in the AL in runs.
Pitching: A. The rotation finished second in the AL with a 4.20 ERA last season and should be even better with a healthy Jake Peavy from the start of the season. In the bullpen, closer Bobby Jenks could be a concern; his .250 batting average allowed was second-highest among AL closers.
Bench: B. Omar Vizquel turns 43 in April but remains a plus defender at second and short. Whoever doesn’t DH between Jones and Kotsay should make a dangerous pinch hitter. Chicago needs a boost in that department after its pinch hitters finished last in the majors with a .106 average.
Manager: A. That grade isn’t only for Guillen’s entertainment value, either. He has won a ring as a manager and a coach in past seven seasons. Not that he cares, but Guillen will be under more pressure this season after Williams gave him a lineup the manager wanted more than the GM.
Sporting News prediction: The White Sox will bounce back from their 79-win season and stay in the division chase all season. But they have too many questions on offense to outlast the Twins.
Coming Thursday: Indians preview.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Sporting News staff reports
The agent for Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez tells the San Diego Union-Tribune he doesn’t "see any signs" that a long-term extension can be worked out.
John Boggs says talks with the Padres quickly stalled when he used Mark Teixeira’s eight-year, $180 million contract as a starting point.
"You always shoot high and adjust to the marketplace," Boggs says.
Club owner Jeff Moorad said last month that, based on initial demands, the Padres were unlikely to afford Gonzalez. General manager Jed Hoyer was less forthcoming on Monday.
"We are not going to comment on player negotiations," Hoyer told the newspaper in an e-mail. "Adrian is under contract for two more seasons with the Padres and ongoing dialogue about the status of extension discussions can only serve as a distraction to the team and to the player."
Gonzalez has one year and $4.75 million, plus a $5.5 club option, remaining on his current contract. That club-friendly deal, plus his age (27) and production (40 home runs last season), makes him a highly attracive trade target. The Red Sox, White Sox, Mariners and Mets have all been linked to Gonzalez in recent rumors.
"This is a premium ballplayer," Boggs tells the paper. "If you think you can get it done, he’s obviously somebody who’s moveable …"
Sporting News staff reports
The agent for Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez tells the San Diego Union-Tribune he doesn’t "see any signs" that a long-term extension can be worked out.
John Boggs says talks with the Padres quickly stalled when he used Mark Teixeira’s eight-year, $180 million contract as a starting point.
"You always shoot high and adjust to the marketplace," Boggs says.
Club owner Jeff Moorad said last month that, based on initial demands, the Padres were unlikely to afford Gonzalez. General manager Jed Hoyer was less forthcoming on Monday.
"We are not going to comment on player negotiations," Hoyer told the newspaper in an e-mail. "Adrian is under contract for two more seasons with the Padres and ongoing dialogue about the status of extension discussions can only serve as a distraction to the team and to the player."
Gonzalez has one year and $4.75 million, plus a $5.5 club option, remaining on his current contract. That club-friendly deal, plus his age (27) and production (40 home runs last season), makes him a highly attracive trade target. The Red Sox, White Sox, Mariners and Mets have all been linked to Gonzalez in recent rumors.
"This is a premium ballplayer," Boggs tells the paper. "If you think you can get it done, he’s obviously somebody who’s moveable …"
College hoops: Fly’s fellow bourbon lovers know Maker’s Mark by its red wax–covered square bottle. But the label’s going blue for a limited-edition release honoring Kentucky hoops coach John Calipari. Proceeds will support the UK Symphony Orchestra. That’s nice, but mixing college basketball coaches and liquor might not be a good idea.
• When Tom Izzo writes his book (if he writes his memoirs), he says a Spartans sleepover will be prominently mentioned as one of the most unique ways one of his teams ever went about turning a season around.
• Illustrating the fact that Terps fans are feelin’ pretty good about their chances against the Blue Devils this time around, a Criagslist ad from Maryland first-year law student Burke Miller reads: "I am a Terp fanatic, but as a law student I am in the unfortunate position of not being able to afford tickets to Wednesday night’s game against Duke. In exchange for tickets, I am willing to sign a contract that will guarantee a TBD number of billable hours of attorney services fully redeemable upon my passing of the Maryland bar. Please contact me as soon as possible."
MLB: At a charity function, Roger Clemens took a light-hearted shot at buddy Brett Favre. "I know some of the writers were here asking me about retiring again. I told ’em, I’ve retired three times, surely I don’t have to do it again," Clemens said. "But I was teasing Brett Favre, that heck if he came back, what the heck? I might as well start running again or something." Of course, Clemens is 47 and Favre is 40, but given the beatings Favre has taken vs. baseball’s, we’re pretty sure Clemens would actually be younger in player years.
NHL: Speakin’ of comebacks … Patrick Elias thinks Jaromir Jagr may be back in the NHL next season. "I think he’d love to," said Elias, who captained the Czech Republic’s Olympic squad. "He certainly showed and proved that he still has it. He can be an effective player, no doubt about it."
Auto racing: Watch out, Danica. The newest female driver to land an IndyCar Series ride is 21-year-old Swiss driver Simona de Silvestro, who will likely give Ms. Patrick a run for her money in popularity as well as on the track. De Silvestro actually smiles and just got done kicking butt in the Atlantic Championship. Patrick and de Silvestro, who is driving for HVM Racing, are the only women driving full-time in the IndyCar Series this year; Sarah Fisher is planning to drive about half the season.
College hoops: Fly’s fellow bourbon lovers know Maker’s Mark by its red wax–covered square bottle. But the label’s going blue for a limited-edition release honoring Kentucky hoops coach John Calipari. Proceeds will support the UK Symphony Orchestra. That’s nice, but mixing college basketball coaches and liquor might not be a good idea.
• When Tom Izzo writes his book (if he writes his memoirs), he says a Spartans sleepover will be prominently mentioned as one of the most unique ways one of his teams ever went about turning a season around.
• Illustrating the fact that Terps fans are feelin’ pretty good about their chances against the Blue Devils this time around, a Criagslist ad from Maryland first-year law student Burke Miller reads: "I am a Terp fanatic, but as a law student I am in the unfortunate position of not being able to afford tickets to Wednesday night’s game against Duke. In exchange for tickets, I am willing to sign a contract that will guarantee a TBD number of billable hours of attorney services fully redeemable upon my passing of the Maryland bar. Please contact me as soon as possible."
MLB: At a charity function, Roger Clemens took a light-hearted shot at buddy Brett Favre. "I know some of the writers were here asking me about retiring again. I told ’em, I’ve retired three times, surely I don’t have to do it again," Clemens said. "But I was teasing Brett Favre, that heck if he came back, what the heck? I might as well start running again or something." Of course, Clemens is 47 and Favre is 40, but given the beatings Favre has taken vs. baseball’s, we’re pretty sure Clemens would actually be younger in player years.
NHL: Speakin’ of comebacks … Patrick Elias thinks Jaromir Jagr may be back in the NHL next season. "I think he’d love to," said Elias, who captained the Czech Republic’s Olympic squad. "He certainly showed and proved that he still has it. He can be an effective player, no doubt about it."
Auto racing: Watch out, Danica. The newest female driver to land an IndyCar Series ride is 21-year-old Swiss driver Simona de Silvestro, who will likely give Ms. Patrick a run for her money in popularity as well as on the track. De Silvestro actually smiles and just got done kicking butt in the Atlantic Championship. Patrick and de Silvestro, who is driving for HVM Racing, are the only women driving full-time in the IndyCar Series this year; Sarah Fisher is planning to drive about half the season.
Dealt to Detroit in a three-team blockbuster trade this offseason, new Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer recently spoke with Sporting News’ Craig Custance about his new team:
When I got traded to the Tigers, I was shocked. That morning, I had 10 text messages waiting for me saying I was a Tiger. A couple (in reference to his alma mater, the University of Missouri) said "You’re a Tiger again."
Once (general manager) Dave Dombrowski and (manager) Jim Leyland called, I realized this is a good organization, a great city and a great opportunity. The Tigers are a team that has a chance to contend for the World Series in a city that has great fans.
It would be exciting if the young starting pitching here, with Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello, could make it happen for a long time. Justin is one of the best pitchers in the game, and Rick is really establishing himself. I’m in that position, too, just making adjustments and learning the game here in the first couple years. Hopefully, we can continue to blossom and get better. We all want to pitch as well as we can, especially when you can see another teammate have success. It makes you want to have more success.
It’ll be great to watch Justin’s starts. That was the luxury of being in Arizona with Brandon Webb — just seeing how there was more than stuff to get hitters out. It was a learning experience.
I’m really looking forward to being, hopefully, a piece of the puzzle that gets this team in the playoffs.
This story first appeared in Sporting News magazine. If you are not receiving the magazine, subscribe today, or pick up a copy, available at most Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets.
Craig Custance is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ccustance@sportingnews.com.
Dealt to Detroit in a three-team blockbuster trade this offseason, new Tigers starting pitcher Max Scherzer recently spoke with Sporting News’ Craig Custance about his new team:
When I got traded to the Tigers, I was shocked. That morning, I had 10 text messages waiting for me saying I was a Tiger. A couple (in reference to his alma mater, the University of Missouri) said "You’re a Tiger again."
Once (general manager) Dave Dombrowski and (manager) Jim Leyland called, I realized this is a good organization, a great city and a great opportunity. The Tigers are a team that has a chance to contend for the World Series in a city that has great fans.
It would be exciting if the young starting pitching here, with Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello, could make it happen for a long time. Justin is one of the best pitchers in the game, and Rick is really establishing himself. I’m in that position, too, just making adjustments and learning the game here in the first couple years. Hopefully, we can continue to blossom and get better. We all want to pitch as well as we can, especially when you can see another teammate have success. It makes you want to have more success.
It’ll be great to watch Justin’s starts. That was the luxury of being in Arizona with Brandon Webb — just seeing how there was more than stuff to get hitters out. It was a learning experience.
I’m really looking forward to being, hopefully, a piece of the puzzle that gets this team in the playoffs.
This story first appeared in Sporting News magazine. If you are not receiving the magazine, subscribe today, or pick up a copy, available at most Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets.
Craig Custance is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ccustance@sportingnews.com.
An AL scout spoke with Sporting News’ Ryan Fagan about three of the division’s biggest questions:
Q: Which contender has the best rotation?
Scout says: "The Royals go (Zack) Greinke, (Gil) Meche, (Luke) Hochevar — he could have a breakout year — but it’s the Tigers, definitely. With (Max) Scherzer sliding into that rotation with (Justin) Verlander and (Rick) Porcello, that’s only going to make them stronger. They’re going to have a really tough rotation. If their bullpen can step up and their offense can do what they need to do … "
Q: Where does Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera rank among the game’s best hitters? Has he hit his ceiling?
Scout says: "He’s arguably top five. The one thing Miggy takes a lot of pride in, that was a concern early, is his body. He’s done a great job taking care of his body and gets a bit upset about the criticism (of his weight). People forget, really, how young he still is (he turns 27 on April 18). This is a guy who is as prolific as they come, and he’s going to be an impact hitter for years. He hasn’t hit his ceiling."
Q: Who will be the division’s breakout player?
Scout says: "I mean this when I say it: (Royals third baseman) Alex Gordon has a chance to be that guy this year. He had a chance to be that guy last year, except for the injuries. For me, he’s a guy who’s got a chance to be truly impactful."
This story first appeared in Sporting News magazine. If you are not receiving the magazine, subscribe today, or pick up a copy, available at most Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets.
An AL scout spoke with Sporting News’ Ryan Fagan about three of the division’s biggest questions:
Q: Which contender has the best rotation?
Scout says: "The Royals go (Zack) Greinke, (Gil) Meche, (Luke) Hochevar — he could have a breakout year — but it’s the Tigers, definitely. With (Max) Scherzer sliding into that rotation with (Justin) Verlander and (Rick) Porcello, that’s only going to make them stronger. They’re going to have a really tough rotation. If their bullpen can step up and their offense can do what they need to do … "
Q: Where does Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera rank among the game’s best hitters? Has he hit his ceiling?
Scout says: "He’s arguably top five. The one thing Miggy takes a lot of pride in, that was a concern early, is his body. He’s done a great job taking care of his body and gets a bit upset about the criticism (of his weight). People forget, really, how young he still is (he turns 27 on April 18). This is a guy who is as prolific as they come, and he’s going to be an impact hitter for years. He hasn’t hit his ceiling."
Q: Who will be the division’s breakout player?
Scout says: "I mean this when I say it: (Royals third baseman) Alex Gordon has a chance to be that guy this year. He had a chance to be that guy last year, except for the injuries. For me, he’s a guy who’s got a chance to be truly impactful."
This story first appeared in Sporting News magazine. If you are not receiving the magazine, subscribe today, or pick up a copy, available at most Barnes & Noble, Borders and Hudson Retail outlets.
The Tigers held a seven-game lead in the AL Central on Sept. 6 last season, but they went 11-16 down the stretch and lost a one-game playoff for the division title in Minnesota. Detroit entered spring training with the goal of erasing that memory, and the additions of several impact-type players — Johnny Damon, Max Scherzer, Scott Sizemore and Austin Jackson — should help the team do just that.
Three questions
Johnny Damon provides some answers, but also lots of questions, for the Tigers.
1. How does Damon change things?
Damon provides a leadoff alternative for manager Jim Leyland, who will give Jackson, the rookie center fielder, an opportunity to win that job this spring. However, Jackson never has played in a major league game, let alone while hitting in the pressure-packed leadoff spot. Damon isn’t the spry leadoff man he once was. He still delivers a good on-base percentage, but he is more of an opportunistic basestealer now. Remember, the Yankees moved him to the No. 2 hole last season in favor of Derek Jeter.
Also up for debate: Damon’s projected productivity at Comerica Park. Last season, Damon hit 17 homers with a .915 OPS at hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium and seven homers with a .795 OPS on the road. It might be a stretch to expect more than 15 homers, 10 stolen bases and a .275 average now that he is out of Yankees Stadium — and out of that powerful Yankees lineup.
2. Can they get/stay healthy this season?
There is no shortage of health-related questions early this spring. Is Scott Sizemore, the rookie replacement for Placido Polanco at second base, 100 percent after breaking his ankle in the Arizona Fall League? When will third baseman Brandon Inge, who hit 27 homers last season, be fully recovered from offseason surgeries on both knees? Will Carlos Guillen, who has played in just 194 of Detroit’s 325 games the past two seasons, be able to stay in the lineup now that he is a DH? Will Magglio Ordonez, the 36-year-old right fielder who missed 32 games in 2009, avoid injuries?
3. Who will be the Nos. 4 and 5 starters?
The fourth spot belongs to Jeremy Bonderman, but there are concerns about whether he will be able to stay there. He has battled shoulder problems the past couple of years but says he is healthy. His return would be a huge boost to the rotation. The fifth spot is more muddled. The Tigers have two highly paid — but wildly inconsistent — lefthanders in the mix: Dontrelle Willis ($12 million this year) and Nate Robertson ($10 million). The competition also includes Eddie Bonine, Phil Coke and Armando Galarraga, who was Detroit’s best starter in 2008 (13-7, 3.73 ERA) but its worst (6-10, 5.64 ERA) in 2009. Willis has the most dominating stuff, but he hasn’t been able to consistently find the strike zone since 2005. Ideally, he will show improved command and win the job this spring.
Projected lineup
1. CF Austin Jackson: .300 AVG, 24 SBs for Yankees’ Class AAA team.
2. LF Johnny Damon: 100-plus runs 10 times in career.
3. RF Magglio Ordonez: 9 HRs, 50 RBIs marked huge drop-off.
4. 1B Miguel Cabrera: Averaged .308 AVG, 36 HRs, 115 RBIs past two seasons.
5. DH Carlos Guillen: .242 AVG in forgettable ’09.
6. 3B Brandon Inge: .226 AVG, .697 OPS past three seasons.
7. 2B Scott Sizemore: ’09 in minors: .308 AVG, 17 HRs, 21 SBs.
8. C Gerald Laird: .225 AVG in first season with Detroit.
9. SS Adam Everett: Had AL-high 15 sacrifice hits.
Projected Rotation
1. RHP Justin Verlander: Led AL in wins, IP, K’s.
2. RHP Rick Porcello: 5-2, 3.07 ERA after Aug. 1.
3. RHP Max Scherzer: 9.2 K/9 for Arizona last season.
4. RHP Jeremy Bonderman: Only 13 starts since ’08.
5. LHP Nate Robertson: 3.86 ERA as SP; 7.48 as RP in ’09.
Projected closer
RHP Jose Valverde: 2.33 ERA, 1.13 WHIP for Arizona in ’09.
Grades
Offense: C. Adding Damon will help, and Miguel Cabrera is an elite hitter who will be part of the MVP conversation. The Tigers, though, finished 10th in the AL in runs scored, and there are four returning starters who hit .242 or worse in 2009.
Pitching: B. No other team’s rotation features a top three quite like the Tigers’ trio. Justin Verlander, Rick Porcello and Max Scherzer are all power righthanders, and all three are locked up for the foreseeable future. If Jose Valverde can make the adjustment to the AL, the bullpen will have a reliable anchor. There are questions elsewhere on the staff, though.
Bench: B. Adding Damon pushes Ryan Raburn (.291 average, 16 homers in just 261 at-bats in ’09) to a valued reserve role. Jim Leyland will use Raburn in the outfield, and he can play third base, too. Clete Thomas can play all three outfield positions, and Ramon Santiago is a versatile infield defender.
Manager: B. There is no questioning Leyland’s resume. The longtime baseball man has a World Series title to his credit, and his Tigers have finished second in three of his four years in Detroit. However, last season’s September slide was a little disconcerting.
Sporting News prediction: There undoubtedly is star power on this team, led by Cabrera and Verlander. Ultimately, bounce-back candidates (Bonderman, Guillen) and unproven rookies (Jackson, Sizemore) will determine the Tigers’ success. Detroit will be a factor, but there are too many questions to expect more than a third-place finish.
Coming Wednesday: White Sox preview.
Ryan Fagan is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at rfagan@sportingnews.com.
The Tigers held a seven-game lead in the AL Central on Sept. 6 last season, but they went 11-16 down the stretch and lost a one-game playoff for the division title in Minnesota. Detroit entered spring training with the goal of erasing that memory, and the additions of several impact-type players — Johnny Damon, Max Scherzer, Scott Sizemore and Austin Jackson — should help the team do just that.
Three questions
Johnny Damon provides some answers, but also lots of questions, for the Tigers.
1. How does Damon change things?
Damon provides a leadoff alternative for manager Jim Leyland, who will give Jackson, the rookie center fielder, an opportunity to win that job this spring. However, Jackson never has played in a major league game, let alone while hitting in the pressure-packed leadoff spot. Damon isn’t the spry leadoff man he once was. He still delivers a good on-base percentage, but he is more of an opportunistic basestealer now. Remember, the Yankees moved him to the No. 2 hole last season in favor of Derek Jeter.
Also up for debate: Damon’s projected productivity at Comerica Park. Last season, Damon hit 17 homers with a .915 OPS at hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium and seven homers with a .795 OPS on the road. It might be a stretch to expect more than 15 homers, 10 stolen bases and a .275 average now that he is out of Yankees Stadium — and out of that powerful Yankees lineup.
2. Can they get/stay healthy this season?
There is no shortage of health-related questions early this spring. Is Scott Sizemore, the rookie replacement for Placido Polanco at second base, 100 percent after breaking his ankle in the Arizona Fall League? When will third baseman Brandon Inge, who hit 27 homers last season, be fully recovered from offseason surgeries on both knees? Will Carlos Guillen, who has played in just 194 of Detroit’s 325 games the past two seasons, be able to stay in the lineup now that he is a DH? Will Magglio Ordonez, the 36-year-old right fielder who missed 32 games in 2009, avoid injuries?
3. Who will be the Nos. 4 and 5 starters?
The fourth spot belongs to Jeremy Bonderman, but there are concerns about whether he will be able to stay there. He has battled shoulder problems the past couple of years but says he is healthy. His return would be a huge boost to the rotation. The fifth spot is more muddled. The Tigers have two highly paid — but wildly inconsistent — lefthanders in the mix: Dontrelle Willis ($12 million this year) and Nate Robertson ($10 million). The competition also includes Eddie Bonine, Phil Coke and Armando Galarraga, who was Detroit’s best starter in 2008 (13-7, 3.73 ERA) but its worst (6-10, 5.64 ERA) in 2009. Willis has the most dominating stuff, but he hasn’t been able to consistently find the strike zone since 2005. Ideally, he will show improved command and win the job this spring.
Projected lineup
1. CF Austin Jackson: .300 AVG, 24 SBs for Yankees’ Class AAA team.
2. LF Johnny Damon: 100-plus runs 10 times in career.
3. RF Magglio Ordonez: 9 HRs, 50 RBIs marked huge drop-off.
4. 1B Miguel Cabrera: Averaged .308 AVG, 36 HRs, 115 RBIs past two seasons.
5. DH Carlos Guillen: .242 AVG in forgettable ’09.
6. 3B Brandon Inge: .226 AVG, .697 OPS past three seasons.
7. 2B Scott Sizemore: ’09 in minors: .308 AVG, 17 HRs, 21 SBs.
8. C Gerald Laird: .225 AVG in first season with Detroit.
9. SS Adam Everett: Had AL-high 15 sacrifice hits.
Projected Rotation
1. RHP Justin Verlander: Led AL in wins, IP, K’s.
2. RHP Rick Porcello: 5-2, 3.07 ERA after Aug. 1.
3. RHP Max Scherzer: 9.2 K/9 for Arizona last season.
4. RHP Jeremy Bonderman: Only 13 starts since ’08.
5. LHP Nate Robertson: 3.86 ERA as SP; 7.48 as RP in ’09.
Projected closer
RHP Jose Valverde: 2.33 ERA, 1.13 WHIP for Arizona in ’09.
Grades
Offense: C. Adding Damon will help, and Miguel Cabrera is an elite hitter who will be part of the MVP conversation. The Tigers, though, finished 10th in the AL in runs scored, and there are four returning starters who hit .242 or worse in 2009.
Pitching: B. No other team’s rotation features a top three quite like the Tigers’ trio. Justin Verlander, Rick Porcello and Max Scherzer are all power righthanders, and all three are locked up for the foreseeable future. If Jose Valverde can make the adjustment to the AL, the bullpen will have a reliable anchor. There are questions elsewhere on the staff, though.
Bench: B. Adding Damon pushes Ryan Raburn (.291 average, 16 homers in just 261 at-bats in ’09) to a valued reserve role. Jim Leyland will use Raburn in the outfield, and he can play third base, too. Clete Thomas can play all three outfield positions, and Ramon Santiago is a versatile infield defender.
Manager: B. There is no questioning Leyland’s resume. The longtime baseball man has a World Series title to his credit, and his Tigers have finished second in three of his four years in Detroit. However, last season’s September slide was a little disconcerting.
Sporting News prediction: There undoubtedly is star power on this team, led by Cabrera and Verlander. Ultimately, bounce-back candidates (Bonderman, Guillen) and unproven rookies (Jackson, Sizemore) will determine the Tigers’ success. Detroit will be a factor, but there are too many questions to expect more than a third-place finish.
Coming Wednesday: White Sox preview.
Ryan Fagan is a staff writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at rfagan@sportingnews.com.
The Braves and Mets are set to open Grapefruit League play today (1:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network), the first day of a stretch in which winning takes a back seat to figuring out batting orders and filling out rotations.
For several contenders, such maneuvering is a no-lose deal. Consider these situations:
Placido Polanco’s arrival is setting off a chain reaction that could affect Jayson Werth (foreground).
Phillies: Lining up All-Stars
Placido Polanco was signed to give the NL champions a contact hitter in the second spot of the order. His arrival drops Shane Victorino from the two-hole and presents Charlie Manuel with a problem any manager would take. Manuel must decide how to line up his All-Star outfield of Victorino, Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez in the batting order after cleanup slugger Ryan Howard.
Rangers: Too many starting pitchers
To see how once slug-happy Texas has changed, consider manager Ron Washington’s plight. To fill out two spots in his rotation, he has a choice of at least six pitchers. The group includes a pair of 23-year-old hotshots who started last year, Tommy Hunter and Derek Holland, a 21-year-old who allowed one run in his first 22 innings last season in Neftali Feliz, and the club’s best reliever, C.J. Wilson.
"A very pleasant problem to have," Washington says. "We’ve got depth in the Texas Rangers organization. I’m pleased."
The Rays will play Ben Zobrist every day — somewhere in the field.
Rays: Where to play an All-Star
Ben Zobrist played seven positions in 2009 and made his first All-Star team. The Rays plan to use him primarily at second or right this season. The determining factor: the spring play of three prospects deemed major league-ready by manager Joe Maddon. If Matt Joyce shines in right, Zobrist plays second. If Sean Rodriguez or Reid Brignac emerges at second, Zobrist takes right.
Braves: Deciding on a phenom
Jason Heyward already has left an impact in spring training—literally. His long home runs in batting practice damaged two vehicles and led to the installation of safety nets at a practice field. Heyward, 20, is attempting to win the right-field job.
"We’re not going to give anybody the job," manager Bobby Cox says. "If he wins it, he wins it."
This story appears in March 2’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today for free.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
The Braves and Mets are set to open Grapefruit League play today (1:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network), the first day of a stretch in which winning takes a back seat to figuring out batting orders and filling out rotations.
For several contenders, such maneuvering is a no-lose deal. Consider these situations:
Placido Polanco’s arrival is setting off a chain reaction that could affect Jayson Werth (foreground).
Phillies: Lining up All-Stars
Placido Polanco was signed to give the NL champions a contact hitter in the second spot of the order. His arrival drops Shane Victorino from the two-hole and presents Charlie Manuel with a problem any manager would take. Manuel must decide how to line up his All-Star outfield of Victorino, Jayson Werth and Raul Ibanez in the batting order after cleanup slugger Ryan Howard.
Rangers: Too many starting pitchers
To see how once slug-happy Texas has changed, consider manager Ron Washington’s plight. To fill out two spots in his rotation, he has a choice of at least six pitchers. The group includes a pair of 23-year-old hotshots who started last year, Tommy Hunter and Derek Holland, a 21-year-old who allowed one run in his first 22 innings last season in Neftali Feliz, and the club’s best reliever, C.J. Wilson.
"A very pleasant problem to have," Washington says. "We’ve got depth in the Texas Rangers organization. I’m pleased."
The Rays will play Ben Zobrist every day — somewhere in the field.
Rays: Where to play an All-Star
Ben Zobrist played seven positions in 2009 and made his first All-Star team. The Rays plan to use him primarily at second or right this season. The determining factor: the spring play of three prospects deemed major league-ready by manager Joe Maddon. If Matt Joyce shines in right, Zobrist plays second. If Sean Rodriguez or Reid Brignac emerges at second, Zobrist takes right.
Braves: Deciding on a phenom
Jason Heyward already has left an impact in spring training—literally. His long home runs in batting practice damaged two vehicles and led to the installation of safety nets at a practice field. Heyward, 20, is attempting to win the right-field job.
"We’re not going to give anybody the job," manager Bobby Cox says. "If he wins it, he wins it."
This story appears in March 2’s edition of Sporting News Today. If you are not receiving Sporting News Today, the only daily digital sports newspaper, sign up today for free.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers
Ryan Braun is Sporting News’ No. 1-ranked fantasy outfielder entering the 2010 season, but after Braun, owners can make strong arguments for a few different players to fill second place. Kemp is one of those players, and judging by the way he is climbing in preseason mock drafts, he could eventually claim the No. 2 spot all by himself.
Why are fantasy owners enamored with Kemp? For Rotisserie leaguers Kemp’s across-the-board production is unique and valuable. Among players that stole 30-plus bases last season, only Kemp and Bobby Abreu had 100 RBIs. Kemp also chipped in with 26 home runs, 101 RBIs and a .297 batting average.
Kemp has shown a nice upward trend over the last three seasons in his key fantasy stats. And at 25 years old, he is entering the prime of his career. It’s no wonder he’s the "Fantasy Player of the Week" and a sure bet to be one of the first outfielders drafted this spring.
Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers
Ryan Braun is Sporting News’ No. 1-ranked fantasy outfielder entering the 2010 season, but after Braun, owners can make strong arguments for a few different players to fill second place. Kemp is one of those players, and judging by the way he is climbing in preseason mock drafts, he could eventually claim the No. 2 spot all by himself.
Why are fantasy owners enamored with Kemp? For Rotisserie leaguers Kemp’s across-the-board production is unique and valuable. Among players that stole 30-plus bases last season, only Kemp and Bobby Abreu had 100 RBIs. Kemp also chipped in with 26 home runs, 101 RBIs and a .297 batting average.
Kemp has shown a nice upward trend over the last three seasons in his key fantasy stats. And at 25 years old, he is entering the prime of his career. It’s no wonder he’s the "Fantasy Player of the Week" and a sure bet to be one of the first outfielders drafted this spring.
