Aumont Interview

Jay over at Mariner Minors has a link to an interview with potential Rattler, and 2007 Seattle Mariner #1 draft pick, Phillippe Aumont. A few of the Q & A's.

1. Growing up in Quebec, you didn’t have many opportunities to pitch and hone your skills. How did you overcome that to become one of the elite pitchers in last year’s draft?

PA: Where I’m from, we don’t have a lot of facilities to work out in so what I did is I went to my school gym early every morning, to play catch, do some agility drills, running, and working out. When you don’t have a lot of chances, you have to make do with what you have — this is the way I grew up and I had that gym to myself in the morning. Plus, I was with the Junior National Team, so I had the chance to go to Florida for 10 days to work hard outside, and play baseball against professional guys. That really helped me a lot for the draft because I don’t have a High School team. The competition was better with the National team.

...

6. Where do you expect to start the 2008 season? Obviously this is probably far off, but what is your goal in terms of reaching the majors?

PA: My career will probably start in Wisconsin (Midwest league) and after that it will depend on how I progress. My goal for reaching the Majors is simple: I don’t want to rush myself up there, but I want to be there as soon as I’m ready to deal at that level.

7. The Mariners are known for being aggressive in promoting their best prospects. Does this worry you because of your inexperience, or excite you because it could get you up to the big leagues sooner?

PA: Like I said, no need to rush myself. But if I can get ready for the majors in less time, I’ll be very excited.

Click on the second link up top to read the whole interview.

55 Days to Opening Day

Opening Day 2008 for the Timber Rattlers is April 3. That is 55 days from today. This off-season, the countdown will be based on books. Each day between now and Opening Day 2008, I will pick a random book out of my library and excerpt a passage off the page number corresponding with the number of days remaining to the first pitch of the new season. I will try not to repeat a book during the countdown.

Today’s book is The Secret Sharer by Joseph Conrad.

I know he popped into the mate’s cabin to impart the fact to him because the whiskers came on deck, as it were by chance, and stole glances at me from below – for signs of lunacy or drunkenness, I suppose.

A little before supper, feeling more restless than ever, I rejoined, for a moment, my second half. And to find him sitting so quietly was surprising, like something against nature, inhuman.

I developed my plan in a hurried whisper.

Put today’s excerpt in a baseball context.

"This is where baseball matters"

Pat O'Connor, the new President of Minor League Baseball, was at the Hot Stove Banquet in Beloit earlier this week. Take a deep breathe...You'll get it in about ten seconds.

“This is where baseball matters,” he said to the crowd of over 100 at the Country Club of Beloit. “This is where baseball lives, breaths and breeds.”

O'Connor was talking about cities like Beloit that house one of the 160 minor league baseball teams in the country. It's in cities like Beloit, he said, where the game really matters - not a highly populated place like Sacramento or San Antonio, but a smaller town where the community can get to know the players and really appreciate the game.

Anything about a new stadium in there?

[Beloit Chairman of the Board Dennis] Conerton did mention that the team, along with the City of Beloit, have a plot of land in mind for a new stadium. However, with the untimely death of Ken Hendricks, one of the major financiers for a new stadium, it has been put on hold for now.

O'Connor knows it isn't easy for a city like Beloit to sustain a minor league team. Other cities have new, flashy stadiums with bigger markets to draw from, so it's not exactly fair to compare the Snappers to the Dayton Dragons or the Lansing Lugnuts

“It boils down to economics of the world today,” O'Connor said. “There's increasing pressure on the expense side and the demands for revenue generation are above and beyond what some markets can do.”

How about the Snappers in 2008

One thing that has helped the Snappers in recent years is the players the Twins have sent them. Beloit has made the playoffs every year it has been affiliated with the Twins and [Former Minnesota General Manager] Ryan believes next year's team will be very talented as well.

“We try to send good players and good men here,” said Ryan, a Janesville native. “This year's team should be very talented.”

Two more years

River Bandits extend deal with Cardinals

The road to Busch Stadium will continue to run through the Quad-Cities for minor-league baseball players in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.

Dave Heller, managing partner of the Quad-Cities River Bandits, and Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak signed a two-year extension of the existing agreement between the clubs during a Tuesday news conference at Modern Woodmen Park.

Player development contracts — the document that ties major-league clubs to their minor-league affiliates — can be two or four years in length. With new ownership operating the Quad-Cities’ Midwest League franchise, Mozeliak views a two-year deal as the most prudent approach for both parties.

“We’re coming off of a four-year agreement and at this point, it seems to make a lot of sense to go with two years to make certain that all parties are comfortable with each other,” Mozeliak said.

“We like it here, our people like it here and we are excited to continue our relationship with Dave and his people. We are excited about the plans he has for this affiliate and we are showing our commitment by renewing our agreement. Fans will see a different product here than they have in the past.”

Mozeliak was joined by Heller and Cardinals director of minor league operations John Vuch at the news conference.

The Quad-Cities franchise has been a St. Louis affiliate since 2005 and Tuesday’s agreement extends that relationship through the 2010 season.

Heller, who along with business partner Bob Herrfeldt took over ownership of the club in December, called the agreement “a great day for baseball in the Quad-Cities.”

“One of the real attractions of buying this club was the opportunity to be a part of the Cardinals family,’’ Heller said. “I believe it is one of the finest organizations in all of baseball.”

The two-year extension gives Heller time to work through some concerns St. Louis has with the quality of the playing surface at Modern Woodmen Park.

In addition...

Heller promised increased cross promotion between the organizations, including giveaways that include tickets to games in St. Louis and Cardinals souvenirs. The Cardinals are committed to making their players more visible within the community.

“We’re proud to be a Cardinals affiliate and we will embrace that,’’ Heller said.

56 Days to Opening Day

Opening Day 2008 for the Timber Rattlers is April 3. That is 56 days from today. This off-season, the countdown will be based on books. Each day between now and Opening Day 2008, I will pick a random book out of my library and excerpt a passage off the page number corresponding with the number of days remaining to the first pitch of the new season. I will try not to repeat a book during the countdown.

Today’s book is Guide to America’s Best Sports Bars: 48 Sportswriters in 48 Great Cities Rate 48 Great Sports Bars edited by Mike Lessiter. This book was published in 1997 and the title is misleading in two respects. There are large reviews of 48 sports bars, but there are smaller reviews of other bars in those 48 metropolitan areas. Also, the reviews on page 56 are of some places in that great American city…Toronto*.

Rob Malich of The Toronto Star provides the capsule review of a restaurant that has been renamed Don Cherry’s Grapevine since 1997. The website for the restaurant below takes you to that restaurant…in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Don Cherry’s Sports Grill

Every Saturday during the hockey season, Torontonians go out of their way to catch a glimpse of Don Cherry on Hockey Night in Canada, the longest running program (since ’52) on North American television. They also go out of their way to get to his bar, located eight miles west of downtown, to meet him and his family who run the place. The former Boston Bruins coach and current national media icon is known for his “tell-it-like-it-is” tough-guy image. His hockey paraphernalia-lined bar – focusing on mementos of his stay with the Bruins – is generally packed on hockey nights, and is also the place to be for closed-circuit boxing. It offers 29 brands of beer. 1233 The Queensway, Etobicoke, Ontario M8Z 1S1.

Put today’s excerpt in a baseball context.

*-That’s a “joke”. Everyone knows that the capital of Canada is not an American city**

**-Another “joke”

Mail Call

The latest M's Mailbag is up over at the Mariner Website. Here is the one Rattler related question and answer.

Since Kenji Johjima isn't going anywhere soon, and both Jamie Burke and Jeff Clement proved themselves last year, what are the chances of seeing Clement play some first base this year to get him more playing time?
-- Sam T., Spokane, Wash.

Heading into Spring Training, Clement will concentrate on improving his catching skills and continuing his progress as a hitter, which is Major League caliber as it is. There are no plans at the moment to play him at first base during the Cactus League season or in the regular season. The organization must decide whether Clement would be better off playing every day in the Minor Leagues in 2008 or playing part-time with the Mariners. It could be a tough call.

This isn't a Rattler related Q & A, but it's a question that I get a lot. So, here is an answer without a lot of ums, ahs, and ers.

Could you please explain the relationship Minor League teams have with Major League teams? I always thought it odd when my local Minor League team (Vancouver Canadians) would change Major League affiliations every few years. Who makes these decisions and why change?
-- Yosh K., Vancouver, British Columbia

A Major League club may affiliate with a Minor League club only through ownership or a standard player development contract (PDC). Standard PDCs may be signed for periods of two or four years. When a PDC is due to expire, both parties can terminate the PDC and seek a new affiliation. Years ago, when an MLB club sought a new affiliation, it was usually a matter of seeking a better Minor League ballpark. Now that the overwhelming majority of Minor League clubs are in premier facilities (due to the implementation of Minor League Facility Standards in 1991), the most prevalent reason for an MLB club to change an affiliation is geographical proximity to their other Minor League affiliates.

Minor League clubs seek new affiliations for a variety of reasons, including the perceived depth of a Major League club's Minor League system and the fan base in the Minor League city.

57 Days to Opening Day

Opening Day 2008 for the Timber Rattlers is April 3. That is 57 days from today. This off-season, the countdown will be based on books. Each day between now and Opening Day 2008, I will pick a random book out of my library and excerpt a passage off the page number corresponding with the number of days remaining to the first pitch of the new season. I will try not to repeat a book during the countdown.

Today’s book is Sharpe’s Gold by Bernard Cornwell.

Kearsey smiled. ‘He’s the finest swordsman on the border. Probably in Spain. I’ve seen him take on four Frenchmen and he never stopped saying a prayer for their death.’

Sharpe stared into the valley. A hundred horsemen had ridden out to rescue the two prisoners and now two dozen of the Hussars were dead or captured. The Partisans had lost none; the speed of their charge and withdrawl had ensured that, and their leader, staying till the end, had slapped French pride in the face. The black horse was cantering to the hills, its strength obvious, and the French would never catch El Católico.

Kersey slid down from the skyline. ‘That’s how it’s done.’

Sharpe nodded. ‘Impressive. Except for one thing.’

The fierce eyebrow shot up. ‘What?’

‘What are the French doing in the village?’

Put today’s excerpt in a baseball context.

It's going down

MLB.com: Midweek now the target for Bedard deal

Multiple sources reported Monday that the Orioles and Mariners may have moved closer to completing a blockbuster trade for Erik Bedard. Both ESPN.com and the Baltimore Sun have reported that key players have undergone physical examinations and that the trade could be consummated by the middle of the week.

The Orioles will reportedly obtain center fielder Adam Jones, reliever George Sherrill and three pitching prospects in exchange for their staff ace, who set a franchise record with 221 strikeouts last season. The trade has been rumored for more than a week and has survived despite rampant speculation and several reported false alarms.

Baltimore Sun: Bedard Trade: Let's get physical

The Erik Bedard trade saga dragged into another day, but it finally appears set for resolution. The Orioles and Seattle Mariners have agreed to the framework of a deal that would send Bedard to the Mariners for five players, including young outfielder Adam Jones, according to two league sources.

However, the deal is not official until all of the primary players involved take and pass physicals. Jones and relief pitcher George Sherrill, two of the centerpieces of the Mariners' package, were in Baltimore yesterday to take their physicals, according to sources. The Orioles are known for requiring extensive physicals, and it's common for team officials to not get the complete results until a day after the examinations.

Bedard, a 28-year-old left-handed ace, is expected in Seattle this week, perhaps as early as today, to take his physical. As of yesterday afternoon, Bedard had not been notified that he needed to be in Seattle. Mark Pieper, the pitcher's agent, did not return a phone call last night seeking comment.

Seattle Times: Bedard trade almost complete

At long last, the culmination to one of the most bizarrely-played-out trades in recent major-league history should be at hand.

A deal that would send Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Erik Bedard to the Mariners for outfielder Adam Jones, left-handed reliever George Sherrill and a trio of minor-leaguers is expected to be announced in the next 48 hours. Jones and Sherrill were in Baltimore for physicals Monday while it was confirmed by multiple sources that Seattle minor-league pitcher Chris Tillman has finally been told he will be traded.

Geoff Baker's Blog at the Times: Sherrill in Baltimore; Tillman confirmed in deal

From what we're hearing, the other players said to be involved in the deal on Seattle's end may not be required by the Orioles to take physicals. (UPDATE 4:03 p.m. -- We've had it confirmed from multiple sources that Chris Tillman is indeed part of the trade package and has been told as much. If all the principals have been notified, it would seem a trade could happen tomorrow if all needed physicals are approved). The Orioles are apparently far more worried about the major league guys since they will be expected to help the big club right away. It appears that Bedard has yet to fly to Seattle. Our take on this? The Mariners probably want to get the "all clear" sign from the Orioles on Jones and Sherrill before bringing Bedard in for a physical. Never know with Peter Angelos running things in Baltimore.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Bedard still awaiting call from M's

The long-awaited physical exams for outfielder Adam Jones and relief pitcher George Sherrill took place Monday in Baltimore, indicating the Mariners and Orioles are close to completing a trade that would send starting pitcher Erik Bedard to Seattle.

This is one of the slowest-developing trades in ages, however. So while Jones and Sherrill were in Baltimore, Bedard was still at home near Ottawa, having heard nary a word about the Orioles' plans for him -- or the Mariners' plans, for that matter.

Bedard, the Orioles' ace left-hander, told an associate Monday he hadn't heard anything official from anyone.

In addition to Jones and Sherrill, the trade is expected to include Mariners minor league pitchers Chris Tillman, Kam Mickolio and Tony Butler.

Lastly, a Prospect Insider sidebar:

Tillman Shut Down Monday
Tillman was not instructed to halt workouts in Peoria until today (Monday) but was not specifically told why. Minor league instruction coordinator Pedro Grifol notified Tillman of the shutdown.

"To be complete honest, the first time I heard about it was on your site," Tillman said. "Butler and I are roommates and we both saw that.
That's the only thing I knew about it until this."

I wonder if that detail getting out will hold this deal up for another week.

Where's my Grand Funk?

Am I in my cabin dreaming, or are you really scheming,
To take my ship away from me?

You'd better think about it, I just cant live without it.
So, please don't take my ship from me.

I'm getting closer to my home ...
I'm getting closer to my home ...
I'm getting closer to my home ...
I'm getting closer to my home ...

This is why I don't bet...

First, my life is exciting enough where I don't need the rush of a blackjack table or an off-track-betting parlor, or a poker room.

Second, and I believe this has been covered elsewhere, I lose. A lot.

But, this story over at Ben's Biz Blog about another UW-Platteville grad, gives another reason why. I would make bets like this: Sure things in which there is no possible way you could lose, only you do, you know, lose. In Tim's defense though, who wouldn't have made this bet last week?

The Giants' stunning upset over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII will be covered in great detail throughout the course of this week, and from every angle imaginable. And why not? It's a slow time of year when it comes to sports, and the scrappy fellas within our nation's spirited and ragtag press corps are just doing what it takes to get by.

I might as well join them, by reporting how the results of the "Big Game" will effect the world of Minor League Baseball:

Lowell Spinners GM Tim Bawmann will be dancing the Cha-Cha in Brooklyn this summer!

Last week, it was reported on MiLB.com that Bawmann and Brooklyn Cyclones GM Steve Cohen had engaged in a "Super Bet": if the Patriots won the Super Bowl, then Cohen would travel to Lowell (Massachusetts) to serve on the Spinners' grounds crew. If the Giants pulled off the upset, then Bawmann would visit Brooklyn in order to do the same.

Then, there was this little tag near the end:

But, that's not all! Upon making the bet last week, Bawmann got a little carried away, and extended the bet to the New York-Penn League's seven other New York teams.

No word on if Oneonta, Staten Island, Auburn, Hudson Valley, Batavia, Tri-City, and/or Jamestown took Tim up on his offer.

I'm sure there will be word in the Pioneer Alumni Magazine or at Ben's Biz Blog.

Remember today's lesson, kids. Dont' gamble...Unless you are absolutely sure you can win, or feel lucky, or have a system, or feel that you are due. Then, it's not luck. It's skill.

What time does the OTB open? I can pick up a Daily Racing Form and have some cash down on an exacta at Aqueduct in...nevermind. The OTB is closed on Tuesdays. The blogging will continue in a moment.

I'm going to play some on-line poker. That's not real money anyway.

58 Days to Opening Day

Opening Day 2008 for the Timber Rattlers is April 3. That is 58 days from today. This off-season, the countdown will be based on books. Each day between now and Opening Day 2008, I will pick a random book out of my library and excerpt a passage off the page number corresponding with the number of days remaining to the first pitch of the new season. I will try not to repeat a book during the countdown.

Today’s book is The Last Tycoon by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Most of them owed their success to different and incompatible qualities. But in a group a tradition carries along the less adept, and they were content to look at Stahr for the sublimated auditing, and experience a sort of glow as if they had done it themselves, like rooters at a football game.

Stahr, as will presently be seen, had grown away from that particular gift though it was always there.

Put today’s excerpt in a baseball context.

No news is no news

Nothing on the proposed trade between the M's and Baltimore in the Seattle Times today. The Baltimore Sun has this:

Bedard trade talks still in limbo

Orioles officials remained mum on the status of the proposed deal that would send ace pitcher Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners for five players, including young center fielder Adam Jones.

At this point, neither Jones nor any of the other main players involved in the deal has taken a physical, a source familiar with the talks said. However, officials from both sides remain confident that a deal can be reached.

Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail has not returned several calls from The Sun the past couple of days. Team owner Peter Angelos also declined comment when he was reached Saturday night, referring calls to MacPhail.

Sounds like some sales calls I've made over the last two months.

Oops. Almost forgot:

Erik Njorl, son of Frothgar rode off into the desolate plain. Day and night he rode, looking neither to right nor left. Stopping neither for food nor rest. Twelve days and nights he rode. Through rain and storm. Through wind and snow beyond the enchanted waterfall, through the elfin glades until he reached his goal. He had found the rich and pleasant land beyond the mountains, the land where golden streams sang their way through fresh green meadows. Where there were houses and palaces, an excellent swimming pool and one of the most attractive bonus incentive schemes for industrial development in the city. Only fifteen miles from excellent Thames-side docking facilities and within easy reach of the proposed M25. Here it was that Erik Njorl, son of Frothgar, met the mayor. Mr Arthur Huddinut, a local solicitor.

Woerman in Development

Joe Woerman ('05) took part in the Rookie Career Development Program. What is the RCDP?

Go HERE and click on the link near the top of the page that asks that question. Then, scroll down a bit until you find the former Rattler reliever. Click on the 350K link for some video.

MLB.com has had this one ready for a while

Look at the lead story on MLB.com after the end of the football season:

D-ELI-ghtful end; MLB stands on deck

Manning named MVP; search for perfection moves to baseball

No one's perfect.

Except Randy Johnson, David Cone, David Wells, Kenny Rogers, Dennis Martinez, Tom Browning, Mike Witt, Len Barker, Catfish Hunter, Sandy Koufax, Jim Bunning, Don Larsen (1956 World Series), Charlie Robertson, Addie Joss, Cy Young, John Montgomery Ward and John Lee Richmond.

Perfection, thy name is baseball.

All 17 pitchers who have thrown a perfect game are duly noted here because it is time again to focus on the national pastime -- if we can stop shaking our heads long enough. Charlie Brown floated in to steal the Coke bottle, the SoBe Life Water geckos ate each other, Justin Timberlake got sucked in by the excitement, the e*trade kid got creeped out by the clown, game MVP Eli Manning hit Plaxico Burress after a play for the ages and the New York Giants somehow beat the New England Patriots, 17-14, in an unforgettable Super Bowl XLII.

About that Coke commercial...If Charles Schulz had written it, Lucy would have pulled the bottle away from Charlie Brown at the last second. Good grief, Charlie Brown isn't supposed to win.

He'll have time to remember now

This little capsule of pre-Super Bowl nuggets from the Eagle-Tribune in North Andover, MA had this little nugget:

Marooned somewhere in Wisconsin

Patriots receiver Kelley Washington credits his minor league baseball experience for helping him handle adversity in all parts of his life. That doesn't mean he cherishes all that time.

His worst assignment?

"It was some small town in Wisconsin, playing in the Midwest League," said Washington. "There was like 10 people at home games. You quickly realized how far from the majors you really were."

Wow, he can't even remember the city's name.

Washington is a guy who knows how to make decisions.

Take this past free-agent offseason.

"It came down to the New England Patriots or the Miami Dolphins," beamed Washington, a 10th-round pick by the Marlins in 1997. "I think I made the right decision."

Hmm. 1-15 or 18-0 with the Super Bowl to go.

Nice call, Kelley.

I'm guessing Beloit is the name of the city. But, 10 people? Come on.

59 Days to Opening Day

Opening Day 2008 for the Timber Rattlers is April 3. That is 59 days from today. This off-season, the countdown will be based on books. Each day between now and Opening Day 2008, I will pick a random book out of my library and excerpt a passage off the page number corresponding with the number of days remaining to the first pitch of the new season. I will try not to repeat a book during the countdown.

Today’s book is A Touch of Frost, a Jack Frost novel by R.D. Wingfield.

Car doors slammed, then Simms pushed his way through the bushes to report that the ambulance men were hot on his tail. ‘Do you want me and Jordan to start looking around, sir…to see what we can find?’

He shook his head. ‘We’ve been ordered not to touch anything. Mr. Allen is on his way, so we can expect and arrest in seconds.’

Out of sight behind him, Webster grinned. It was common knowledge that Frost and Allen didn’t get on, but then, coldly efficient Allen was a real detective, inlike the clown in the mac. Webster had successfully led many rape cases back in his old division. Tomorrow he would request a transfer to Allen’s team.

Put today’s excerpt in a baseball context.

Mad Dog in Kane County

Bill Madlock was the guest speaker at the Kane County Cougar winter banquet. He had a rough start, but fell back on the old stand-by...making fun of the Chicago Cubs.

Bill Madlock was forced to wing it Friday as he addressed the crowd at the Cougars’ Winter Banquet.

Madlock’s luggage did not make it after his red-eye flight to town from Las Vegas. Not only was the featured speaker sheepish to be in blue jeans for the occasion, but more problematic, he was without the speech he had prepared.

“So if I stink, it’s United Airlines’ fault,” Madlock said in opening his speech. “You know I played for the Cubs, we’ve always got excuses.”

That is pretty funny. He also gets a dig in on his hosts.

Madlock has some ties to the Midwest League, having served a stint as Battle Creek’s hitting coach.

“We couldn’t beat West Michigan, either ... and it looks like they’re doing the same thing to you guys,” Madlock said, referencing the Cougars’ two losses to West Michigan in Midwest League Championship Series. “Wait until next year. You get used to saying that around this area.”

There is more at the article, but I'll leave you with this little gem...

Madlock, though, predicted a big 2008 for the Cubs, and said he has tried not to dwell on the performance-enhancing drug scandal that has besmirched baseball this off-season, joking that a Mitchell report in his era would have included questions more like “How many Ho Hos did Rick Reuschel buy?”

Well, let's see. By the way, the SI cover below has an interesting phrase at the top.




He may have had a body by Hostess, but he could still pitch.

Midwest Leaguer in the Super Bowl

There is a football game tonight. Kelley Washington, who played for the Kane County Cougars in 1998 and 2000, plays for the undefeated team. He gets a Q & A at The Sporting News website. Skipping down to some of the baseball stuff:

Do you remember your first home run in the minors? Yes. We were losing 6-0 and I hit a two-run homer in West Michigan in Single-A ball. I was playing for the Kane County Cougars. I hit it to deep left field. ... I thought it was just a long fly ball. I'm digging toward second base and all of a sudden I see the umpire waving his hands so I knew it was a home run. I don't think I've ever run around the bases so fast.

Did your teammates give you a hard time for busting it on a home run? Oh they did. I remember in the clubhouse after the game, it was kind of a joke. They said I must have never hit a home run as fast as I was going.

As for Josh Beckett, your old roommate: Cocky player or the most cocky player ever? You can only pick one. (Laughs) Cocky player. Cocky, confident player. In a good way.

What was your take on Beckett when you first met him? I knew he was a high school phenom. He was a first-round pick and I knew he was going to make it one day. He carried himself in a manner where he knew he was good and it was just a matter of time for him to make the majors. It was a good opportunity for me to meet him and be roommates with him and get to know him.

The latest with a correction

Yes, more trade talk about the M's-O's deal.

Yesterday, I linked to Prospect Insider in this post because he had news in a sidebar about Adam Jones passing a physical in Baltimore on Friday and a guess that George Sherrill had passed one as well. I checked the site again last night and noticed that the part about Sherrill had been crossed out. This morning, there is no sign of the story.

This morning's Larry Stone story in the Seattle Times may be the reason why. But, first a little dig at the local NBA team in Seattle.

If the Mariners' trade with the Orioles doesn't work out, maybe they should call the Sonics.

The trio of young pitchers they're talking to Baltimore about as part of the Erik Bedard package — 6-foot-9 Kam Mickolio, 6-foot-7 Tony Butler and 6-foot-5 Chris Tillman — might be able to help the Supes' front line.

Put down your phone, Sam Presti. All current indications are that, after all the histrionics of the past week, the Mariners and Orioles will really, truly, actually, once and for all, no turning back, no mulligans, no backing out, no passing go, get this trade done. But check back tomorrow, because nothing is for certain in this messed-up deal.

DMZ of USS Mariner has a few thoughts on the deal in this post. Here is just a taste.

Ugh. What a crappy deal. I know we’ve discussed it to death here before, but every time it’s laid out like that it makes me want to throw up in my M’s cap. And then mail the cap to the team. Enough about that, though.

Maybe "taste" was the wrong word.

Back to the Stone article and the need for the correction in the post title.

(By the way, despite Internet reports, Jones was not in Baltimore for a physical on Friday. As of Saturday, he was still at home.)

Now, to wrap this up, Stone gets a few quotes from John Manuel of Baseball America about the one of the recent ex-Rattlers in the deal.

"[Chris] Tillman is how you draw it up: Good pro body, athletic, two pitches potentially above average. The Mariners were aggressive with him, and he responded pretty well — more than a strikeout an inning, and he pitched fearlessly at High Desert as an 18-year-old."

Here is what Stone has on the other recent ex-Rattler supposedly involved:

[Tony] Butler struggled at times in 2007 at Class A Wisconsin (4-7, 4.75 earned-run average), partly a reflection of poor support and talent on the 53-85 Timber Rattlers. One scout still thinks he has "a big upside," but there is concern over a stressful delivery and a drop in velocity since he went in the third round in the 2006 draft.

You know what this remind me of....

I must apologize for an error in the saga. Evidently Thorgier, the Prieit of Ljosa water who took to wife Thurunn, the mother of Thorkel Braggart, the slayer of Gudmund the powerful, who knew Howal, son of Geernon, son of Erik from Vadalesc...

60 Days to Opening Day

Opening Day 2008 for the Timber Rattlers is April 3. That is 60 days from today. This off-season, the countdown will be based on books. Each day between now and Opening Day 2008, I will pick a random book out of my library and excerpt a passage off the page number corresponding with the number of days remaining to the first pitch of the new season. I will try not to repeat a book during the countdown.

Today’s book is When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi by David Maraniss. This passage is from Lombardi’s playing days at Fordham. The Marie mentioned near the end is the future Mrs. Lombardi.

At the start of the baseball season, Lombardi had correctly predicted that the Yankees and Giants would win the pennants, so Frank decided to ask him who would win the Rose Bowl. “Lombardi maintained a complete and dignified silence. He probably knew the answer, but he is one of the gladiators who considers premature talk an ill omen.”

Lombardi’s reticence on the Rose Bowl issue seemed his alone. The motto at Fordham after the Pitt victory became “From Rose Hill to the Rose Bowl.” Anticipating more of the national spotlight, the athletic department outfitted the Rams in brilliant new uniforms, with gilded helmets, bright yellow sateen pants, and maroon jerseys with gold numerals front and back. The expectations only increased that Saturday after Fordham gained revenge on Purdue, defeating the Boilermakers 15 to 0 in another impressive defensive performance that was keyed by Crowley’s decision to shift his defense. He moved Lombardi out from his middle guard position to a post across from the strong-side end, where he could help thwart the sweeps of Purdue’s star running back, Cecil Isbell. After the game, the Fordham band paraded out of the Polo Grounds blaring “California, Here I Come!” To the thousands of desperate families whose lives had been shattered by dust storms in Oklahoma and Texas that year, the popular tune was a bittersweet anthem of meager hope as they made their way west to California. To the football fans of Fordham, it was all rollicking fun as they marched behind the band. In their legion was Harry Lombardi, who had attended every game on a free ticket from his son (each player got two freebies; Harry sat next to Jim Lawlor’s dad, while Marie Planitz was usually with Lawlor’s girlfriend).

Put today’s excerpt in a baseball context.

Rattler Alumni Report

Jay posted the latest Alumni Report at the Timber Rattler site yesterday. Alumlights...

Toronto agreed to terms with LHP Ryan Ketchner ('02) on a minor league contract

It never takes too long for a left handed pitcher to find a new job.

Boston sold the contract of RHP Scott Atchison ('99) to Hanshin (Japan)

Atchison will play for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League. Alumni of the Tigers include Cecil Fielder and my favorite player of all time, Rob Deer.

How about some trades?

Golden Baseball League

Orange County Flyers traded 1B-DH Peanut Williams ('98,'99) to Schaumburg (Northern) for INF Jermy Acey and a player to be named

Peanut hit .344 for Orange County last year with 13 homers and 56 RBI in the hitter friendly Golden Baseball League. He was the league MVP in 2006.

Northern League
Schaumburg Flyers agreed to terms with 1B-OF Peanut Williams ('98,'99)

There are always some weird things that happen in the independent leagues, and in this case, Williams signing was announced by Schaumburg a week or two before his trade.

Northern League
Joliet Jackhammers traded INF Chad Ehrnsberger ('03) to Wichita (AA) for a player to be named

American Association
Wichita Wingnuts traded INF Chad Ehrnsberger ('03) to St. Paul for RHP Byron Embry

Did I mention that weird things happen in the independent leagues? How about getting traded twice within a week?

Plus, Jay has a lot of stat stuff from the winter leagues.

PECOTAs

If you would like to peer into the belly of the sabermatricians, head over to USS Mariner and get yourself some PECOTA courtesy of DMZ by way of Baseball Prospectus.

When I think Pecota, I think Bill Pecota.

But, PECOTA stands for:

P...layer
E...mpirical
C...omparison
and
O...ptimization
T...est
A...lgorigthm

Did I give off a The Man from U.N.C.L.E. vibe with that? It's what I was going for.

This is a way to try predicting what kind of season a baseball player is going to have. BP is a subscription site and DMZ doesn't spill too many beans (or numbers in this case). But, there are a few lines regarding some ex-Rattlers.

* Jones’s 2008 puts him at about +2 wins over a replacement player, and his comps are not qhat I’d expected: Steve Hosey, Chet Lemon, Larry Hisle, and Jack Clark

* Jones’ upside, which is a measure of his potential over the next five years, is 198. That’s the 19th-highest for hitters in all of baseball

* It’s just behind BJ Upton and ahead of Curtis Granderson

* Clement comes off better than I thought he might

* Balentien’s line as a major leaguer is bad

* Progress for Felix

* Little bit of regression for Putz

I tend to take some of these projections with a shaker of salt. Not only because I heard that a lot of sodium is good for you....but also because of this line from DMZ about a certain outfielder for Seattle...

* PECOTA still hates Ichiro. I look forward to the annual “you know, I think this year it might be right” post.

I'm guessing that PECOTA has missed on predicting Ichiro's seasons...big.

You want a saga, I'll give you a saga

Yep, I'm guilty of throwing the word saga into the discussion of the proposed trade between the Mariners and the Orioles.

That word flipped a switch a few days ago and I finally recognized a connection between this saga and another saga.



Erik Njofi, son of Frothgar, leaves his home to seek Hangar the Elder at the home of Thorvald Nlodvisson, the son of Gudleif, half brother of Thorgier, the priest of Ljosa water, who took to wife Thurunn, the mother of Thorkel Braggart, the slayer of Cudround the powerful,...

You really want no part of my world.

Top 10 Chat

Matt Eddy chatted with Mariner fans about the Baseball America Top 10 Prospect List for Seattle yesterday. It's behind the subscriber wall over at BA.com, but here are some highlights, er, chatlights involving ex-Rattlers.

Q:	Ben from Leland Grove asks: I see Kalian Sams is your sleeper prospect in the system. Could you expand on him, and do you think he'll be a fast riser?
A:	Matt Eddy: Like Greg Halman, Sams is from the Netherlands — but you probably gathered that if you've glanced at the Prospect Handbook. At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Sams has plus strength and bat speed that could translate into immense game power, but he hasn't played much baseball. He runs well, too, and has a strong right-fielder's arm. Matt Eddy: In short, Sams is a potential five-tool athlete with good makeup, but he puts too much pressure on himself now. Look for him to move on to and then up the Mariners' list as he matures.

Q:	Jean-Paul from Snowstorm-Riddled Illinois asks: With Johjima, Clement and Moore ahead of him, what does the future hold for Rob Johnson? Trade bait, or could be come into his own this year?
A:	Matt Eddy: Johnson has been moved quickly to Triple-A and his bat hasn't yet caught up. If he learns to loft the ball and lay off unhittable breaking balls, he could be a big league starter. But his leadership and strong arm will always ensure he'll have a backup job to fall back on — even if it's not with Seattle.

Q:	AUTOGRAFFIX.com from Stoughton, WI asks: Greg Halman and Carlos Peguero are both HUGE PHYSICAL SPECIMENS. Which player will have the BIGGEST IMPACT at the Major League Level?
A:	Matt Eddy: If everything clicks, it's Halman. He's got more dimensions to his game than does Peguero. At 6-foot-4 and 192 pounds, Halman reminds some of a young Andre Dawson or Alfonso Soriano, with the type of power-speed combo to match. He's also an above-average center fielder for now, but might fit better in right after he fills out. Matt Eddy: Of course, Halman swings and misses a ton, the result of rudimentary plate discipline. He's work to do, as his showing in low Class A Wisconsin (.182-.234-.273 with 77-8 K-BB) demonstrates. And that was at a level he thought he was too advanced for. Halman said he was humbled by his failure in 2007 and that he has a new outlook.

Q:	Jon from Peoria asks: With the way the Mariners promoted Tillman and Triunfel so quick, how would you compare the organization in terms of aggressively moving prospects up?
A:	Matt Eddy: With the exception of perhaps the Mets, no organization pushes players as aggressively as the Mariners.

Q:	Niles Crane from Seattle, WA asks: What are your thoughts on Aaron Brown? Good numbers and solid frame, is this Putz protige?
A:	Matt Eddy: He's one to keep an eye on. Brown, Seattle's ninth-round pick from Houston last June, attacks the strike zone with a low-90s fastball. His command, fearlessness and plane on the ball (he's 6-foot-6) are his most distinguishing features now, as he lacks plus velocity or a true out pitch. He could move quickly as a reliever.

I always thought of Martin Crane as the baseball fan in that family.

Two more regarding possible future Rattlers:

Q:	Mike from Seattle asks: How can you come close to justifying Amount over Triunfel? Hittting .288 at HIGH A as a 17 year makes you the 4th best prospect over a super raw pitcher with zero experience?
A:	Matt Eddy: Aumont is a beast with a plus-plus fastball. You can probably find a picture on the Web to illustrate just what a specimen this guy is at 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds. With a ball that sinks and bores as much as Aumont's, it will take just average command of a secondary pitch for him to thrive. And age isn't really an issue. At 19, Aumont is just a year older than Triunfel.

Q:	Craig from Calgary, Alberta asks: What can you tell me about Mario Martinez who was signed out of Venezuela? Does he project to add some power down the road, and do you think he can develop into a major league regular?
A:	Matt Eddy: A fluid athlete, Martinez has a sound swing he repeats easily. He's an aggressive hitter who can look foolish at times but who crushes mistakes. Signed as a shortstop, Martinez already is too big for shortstop, but that portends well for his power development.

Just finish it already

Prospect Insider does not have a post about you know who going you know where with a lot of other you know whoms for you know who.

But, he has this over in a sidebar on the front page that reports something I haven't seen elsewhere

Adam Jones has apparently passed a Friday physical in Baltimore, which leads me to believe that George Sherrill has as well, and this trade is finally going to be announced officially on Monday.

I've been unable to further confirm the players involved in the deal, but that goes both ways as I have yet to hear a player's name that was not mentioned originally.

So much time has passed and anything is possible, so expect the unexpected when the news officially comes out in the next 48-72 hours, but It's likely that Jones and Sherrill will be joined by Chris Tillman, Tony Butler and Kameron Mickolio.

Larry Stone at the Seattle Times has this in today's paper

Bedard trade talk is a head-scratcher

A National League executive, asked late this week to assess the industry buzz on trade talks between the Mariners and Orioles, just laughed.

"The buzz in the industry is we're all scratching our heads," he said. "Nobody knows. There are no secrets in baseball, but this has gone on too long."

Indeed, it's now been nearly a week since Seattle outfielder Adam Jones told reporters in Venezuela he was being traded to the Baltimore Orioles as part of a package for Orioles ace Erik Bedard.

The story recaps a lot of what we know so far, but wraps up with these three paragraphs.

The biggest wild card in determining whether the Mariners will ultimately get Bedard remains the unpredictable Angelos, who has been preoccupied all week with a personal matter but remains in the loop.

MacPhail told The Baltimore Sun on Wednesday that Angelos had not vetoed the deal.

The same NL executive had one final, apt commentary on the trade that wouldn't end: "God almighty, what a mess."

I haven't seen the words God almighty, what a mess in an article in the sports section, um...ever...near as I can recall. I hear those words in reference to me at least a week, but never in the sport pages.

Marching into the glorious future

From our friends in Kane County there is this:

Elfstrom Stadium expansion moving forward

The long anticipated expansion of Elfstrom Stadium moved closer to reality on Friday.

The Kane County Forest Preserve Commission’s executive committee on Friday recommended a $10.7 million bid with Skender Construction of Palos Hills.

Minor league team the Kane County Cougars plays at the stadium. The current stadium was built in 1991.

Skender submitted the low bid for the project, which would include a new upper deck with suites for group seating and administrative offices.

The high bid was $11.9 million. The full Forest Preserve Commission is set to vote on Skender’s bid at its Feb. 13 meeting.

“We’re happier than we were before,” forest preserve district finance director Bob Quinlan said of Skender’s bid. Previous bids were in the $11 million and $12 million range, he said.

In my world, $10,700,000 is close enough to still be in that $11,000,000 to $12,000,000 range. But, what's $300,000 between friends? But, in my world...oh, you really don't want to be in that place.

That above bit is from the Kane County Chronicle. The bit below is from the Chicago Daily Herald story. They have detail about the rent and a more positive outlook than the neutral "set to vote on Skender's bid at its Feb. 13 meeting."

The Cougars' rent also will increase incrementally every four years over the next 16 years, going from the current fee of about $1 million annually to more than $1.3 million by 2024.

Both sides said they hope to finish renovations in time for the start of the 2009 season. The project already has been delayed once.

"We've got an aggressive construction schedule," said Forest Preserve Commission President John Hoscheit.

The forest preserve commission is expected to approve the bid Feb. 13.

61 Days to Opening Day

Opening Day 2008 for the Timber Rattlers is April 3. That is 61 days from today. This off-season, the countdown will be based on books. Each day between now and Opening Day 2008, I will pick a random book out of my library and excerpt a passage off the page number corresponding with the number of days remaining to the first pitch of the new season. I will try not to repeat a book during the countdown.

Today’s book is Slouching Toward Fargo by Neal Karlen. This is a book about the St. Paul Saints and my old stomping grounds, the Northern League.

This is the first baseball book that has been part of the countdown. They have been saved as the season gets closer. I think just over two months is a good time to start.

About the following passage: Ever wonder how guys wind up in independent baseball? This excerpt -- from just before the 1996 season -- shows a prime example

All around, as players did their stretches in the outfield, different tales of woe came out. Veteran Marty Neff, one of the most renowned head cases (by Northern League players) and beloved showboats (by Northern League fans), was back with his pot belly and big swing for one more season of The Life.

The Pirates signed Neff, now twenty-six, as a sixth-round draft choice. As a child, his family had moved from Missouri to California so young Marty could play baseball all year round. In his final year of college ball at the University of Oklahoma, he made second-team All-American and hit .390. But as soon as he hit professional baseball, Neff somehow sensed that in some ways the baseball organizations were fixed.

“I was putting up numbers better than the number-one draft choice of the Pirates, but I was the one who got released for having a bad attitude. I’m not an ass kisser, but every day somebody was saying something bad about me. I got suspended, yelled at, and finally blackballed. It’s all because I get mad at myself and don’t know how to handle the fact that in baseball you’re going to fail seven out of ten times, and you can’t fly off the handle every time things don’t go right. Maybe I picked the wrong sport.”

Put today’s excerpt in a baseball context.

BA's Seattle Top 10 (2008)

A rare mid-day post because Baseball America has released their Top 10 Seattle Mariner Prospects.

They are:

1. Jeff Clement, c
2. Phillippe Aumont, rhp
3. Chris Tillman, rhp
4. Carlos Triunfel, ss
5. Wladimir Balentien, of
6. Michael Saunders, of
7. Juan Ramirez, rhp
8. Mark Lowe, rhp
9. Ryan Rowland-Smith, lhp
10. Matt Tuiasosopo, 3b

That list has 8 former Rattlers and 2 potential Rattlers on it. The scouting reports are hidden behind a subscriber wall, but here is a brief look at the two potential Rattlers on that list.

2. Phillippe Aumont

Strengths: Aumont pitches at 92-94 mph with a plus-plus power sinker that bores in on righthanders and features the best movement in the system. He also throws a four-seam fastball that touches 98. The athletic 6-foot-7, 230-pounder gives batters an uncomfortable look with his low three-quarters arm slot. His hard slider has above-average potential at 80-82 mph.

The future: Aumont profiles as a front-of-the-rotation starter because his ball is so lively and because he has such a knack for avoiding the barrel of the bat. He figures to begin his pro career with low Class A Wisconsin.

7. Juan Ramirez

Strengths: Ramirez has a prototypical pitcher's body and compares favorably with former Mariners prospect Rafael Soriano for his build and his delivery. He has a loose, easy arm and the ball jumps out of his hand from a three-quarters arm slot. His plus four-seam fastball ranges from 91-95 mph and sits at 93 with life and occasional armside run. Batters simply don't look comfortable facing him, nor do they get good swings on his fastball.

The future: Ramirez could break camp with low Class A Wisconsin. With improved command, he would have front-of-the-rotation stuff. If not, he'd profile as power reliever.

There is a chat scheduled at BA.com to discuss the list at 1:30 CST. Head over there if you are so inclined. Back to work for me.

MiLB and Sandberg

Steve Conley has a feature at MiLB.com called Questioning Authority. The Authority he is Questioning is Peoria Chief manager Ryne Sandberg.

A few of the Q & A's:

MiLB.com: Life in the Minors can be surreal. What's your favorite tale of the Minors, either as a player or on the bench?

RS: My first Spring training was in 1979 in Clearwater, Florida. I will never forget the day the Major League club came over to use one of the fields, and I watched in awe as the bus unloaded Pete Rose, Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton and Larry Bowa.

Five years later, Sandberg and Bowa were teammates on the Cubs. Now you know the rest of the story.

MiLB.com: Do the guys on your team know much about you and your history as a player?

RS: Well, last year at Spring Training many of the Peoria players approached me and let me know that I was their parents' favorite player.

I think he got that from a few of the broadcasters around the MWL, too.

Check them all out.

Grand Funk Railroad helps out

I don't know why certain songs pop into my head when they do. Grand Funk Railroad provided the soundtrack as I read this story in the Baltimore Sun.

Bedard saga to be resolved soon

The Erik Bedard trade saga is expected to be resolved soon as the Orioles and Seattle Mariners attempt to clear up issues that stalled a deal that was nearly completed earlier this week.

Reached tonight, Orioles owner Peter Angelos declined to comment, referring questions to president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail, who did not return phone calls from The Sun.

However, team officials expect the deal for the Orioles' ace, which would send young center fielder Adam Jones, reliever George Sherrill and pitching prospects Chris Tillman, Tony Butler and Kam Mickolio to Baltimore, to be resolved one way or another in the next couple of days.

What is the reason for the caution of Angleos?

Angelos, a highly successful attorney, has long been wary of approving deals without a thorough -- too thorough, his critics say -- review of a player's medical history. His apprehension might have started late in 1998 when the Orioles announced they had signed free-agent pitcher Xavier Hernandez to a two-year, $2.5 million contract. The club's news release on the signing didn't mention that the deal was pending the results of a physical.

It was discovered that Hernandez had a tear in his rotator cuff, prompting Angelos to void the contract. Hernandez filed a grievance and the Orioles paid him a $1.75 million settlement.

Want a Baltimore perspective of the players they are supposed to be receiving?

Jones likely would be the Orioles' Opening Day center fielder, and Sherrill probably would be the team's closer in 2008. The power left-hander went 2-0 with a 2.36 ERA in 73 appearances last year.

Tillman is the most promising pitching prospect in the Mariners' offer, though all three are big and have good arms. Tillman (6 feet 5, 190 pounds) is a 19-year-old right-hander who was Seattle's minor league Pitcher of the Year last season. In two minor league seasons, Tillman, a second-round pick in 2006, is 10-14 with a 4.93 in 38 appearances, including 33 starts.

Butler, 20, is a 6-7, 218-pound left-hander who went 4-7 with a 4.75 ERA in 20 games (18 starts) at Single-A Wisconsin last year. Mickolio, 23, is the biggest and perhaps the rawest of the group. The 6-9, 256-pound Montana native was dominant at Double-A last season, going 3-1 with a 1.82 ERA in 18 relief appearances. Those numbers earned him a promotion to Triple-A, where he went 3-3 with a 3.75 ERA and one save in 14 games, while striking out 28 in 24 innings.

So, on to Grand Funk Railroad

Ive been lost now, days uncounted,
And its months since Ive seen home.
Can you hear me, can you hear me,
Or am I all alone.

If you return me, to my home port,
I will kiss you mother earth.
Take me back now, take me back now,
To the port of my birth.
...
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home
I'm getting closer to my home

Hometown Stories

Ex-Rattler Robert Rohrbaugh is profiled in the Hanover (PA) Evening Sun. Check it out for the picture accompanying the story and for bits like this:

Some day, Robert Rohrbaugh hopes to have something in common with John Dopson.

Dopson, the last Hanover area high school graduate to compete in the major leagues, was a right-handed pitcher who played, in part of his career, for the Montreal Expos.

In 2002, Rohrbaugh was drafted in the 30th round by the now defunct Expos, but instead went to Clemson University.

Now, as the 2008 season approaches, Rohrbaugh, who left Clemson after his junior year because he was drafted in the seventh round by the Seattle Mariners, could be poised to join the Delone Catholic High graduate as a major league pitcher.

"I'm not really that surprised," Rohrbaugh, who will attend major league camp with the Mariners in Peoria, Ariz., in a few weeks, said at Hanover Rotary Sports Night on Tuesday. "I knew I had this in me."

Plenty more where that came from.

62 Days to Opening Day

Opening Day 2008 for the Timber Rattlers is April 3. That is 62 days from today. This off-season, the countdown will be based on books. Each day between now and Opening Day 2008, I will pick a random book out of my library and excerpt a passage off the page number corresponding with the number of days remaining to the first pitch of the new season. I will try not to repeat a book during the countdown.

Today’s book is Lost Cities 50 Discoveries in World Archaeology edited by Paul G. Bahn. This is a bit about Entremont, a city in France from the second century BC that was overrun by...well, whom do you expect in second century Europe?

Entremont resisted the first campaign, of 125 BC, but was not able to withstand the assault by the forces under the control of C. Sextius Calvinus in 123 BC. A devastating catapult bombardment left the city littered with stone balls. The piles of clay slingstones, iron daggers, arrows, and javelins tell of a spirited but ultimately fruitless defence against the Roman attackers who entered the town on the road from the north-east, where many iron spearheads, pilae, were later discovered. Entremont was ransacked. Pottery dolia were smashed in the streets. Coin hoards, hidden away in small houses before the battle, were pillaged – only a few survived for archaeologists to discover: stashes of Massilian obols and Greek drachmas. The Saluvian king and his princes fled to safety in the land of Allobriges to the north. With the exception of some 900 Roman sympathizers and collaborators, the inhabitants of Entremont were deported. Entremont was abandoned, returning to rural obscurity.

Put today’s excerpt in a baseball context.