Mehring Monday posted

Read all about Dean Chance in this week's Mehring Monday.

Rattler Alumni Report: Winter League Games of November 15, 2009

Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional

@La Guaira 12, Lara 1

Lara:
Oswaldo Navarro ('05): 1-for-4
Michael Saunders ('06): 2-for-3
Luis Valbuena ('06): 1-for-3
Juan Ovalles ('04): 2IP, 0H, 0R, BB, 5K
Ivan Blanco ('05): 2IP, H, R, K

Zulia 9 @Magallanes 5

Zulia:
Luis Oliveros ('02): 0-for-4, RUN

Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico

Arecibo 9 @Caguas 3

Arecibo:
Jeffrey Dominguez ('06): 1-for-4, RUN

Caguas:
Matt Tuiasosopo ('05): 1-for-4

Monday's Schedule:
Javelias at Surprise 1:35pm CST

Rattler Alumni Report: Winter League Games of November 15, 2009

Arizona Fall League

Mesa 4 @Javelinas 2

Javs:
Joe Dunigan ('08): pinch hitter 0-for-1
Carlos Triunfel ('07): 1-for-4

Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional

Lara 11 @LaGuaira 4

Lara:
Oswaldo Navarro ('05): defensive replacement
Michael Saunders ('06): 3-for-6, 2 RUNS, RBI
Luis Valbuena ('06): 0-for-2, 3 RUNS

Aragua 7 @Caribes (Game two)

Aragua:
Juan Sanchez ('09): 0-for-1

Caracas 8 @Margarita 2

Margarita:
Tim Harikkala (Foxes, '94): 3IP, 5H, 4R, 2BB, 2K, Loss

Zulia 6 @Magallanes 5 (15 innings)

Zulia:
Luis Oliveros ('02): 2-for-4
Gerardo Avila ('08): 0-for-1

Liga de Beisbol Dominicano

Licey 15 @Estrellas 5

Estrellas:
Juan Sandoval ('03): IP, H, 0R

Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico

Carolina 6 @Caguas 3

Caguas:
Matt Tuiasosopo ('05): 0-for-4

@Arecibo 5, Ponce 4

Arecibo:
Rene Rivera ('03): 0-for-4
Jeffery Dominguez ('06): 0-for-3

Sunday's Schedule
Lara at La Guaira 11:30am CST

Ranking Brewers 2B prospects

Jim Breen over at Bernie's Crew ranks his top five second base prospects in the Brewers system.

Click over for details, but here's the list:

#1 Brett Lawrie
#2 Eric Farris
#3 Hernan Iribarren
#4 Scooter Gennett
#5 Brandon Sizemore

Lawrie and Sizemore both played for the Timber Rattlers in 2009. Rattler fans should be familiar with them. I will steal a little bit of Jim's thoughts on Gennett, a 16th round pick in the '09 draft.

Although I wanted to rank Scooter Gennett ahead of Hernan Iribarren, ranking a player who has not seen the field as a professional too high is irresponsible. His scouting reports rave about his advanced approach at the plate, especially for a prepster just out of high school. I am concerned that his 5'9" frame will limit his home run potential down the road, but the gap power should allow him to rack up plenty of doubles and triples.

New manager expected in Bowling Green

Midwest League radio announcer rejoice. Now, they do not have to learn how to pronounce the name Matt Quatraro.

Quatraro promoted, won’t manage Hot Rods

The Bowling Green Hot Rods will play their second season with a new manager after learning Wednesday that former skipper Matt Quatraro has been promoted by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Quatraro will now serve as the Rays’ minor league coordinator, a position he will share with 2009 hitting coordinator Steve Livesey.

The Daily News tried to reach Quatraro by phone, but messages were not returned by press time.

However, in a written statement posted on the Hot Rods’ Web site, Quatraro said he was grateful for the year he spent with the Bowling Green club.

“I am looking forward to the new challenges and responsibilities that come with the position,” Quatraro said. “I really enjoyed my time in Bowling Green and greatly appreciate the support the fans and the front office gave me and the team. I am looking forward to coming back in the 2010 season in a different capacity and supporting the staff and players in any way I can. My goals will still be the same, to develop championship caliber players.”

No word on a new manager for the Hot Rods, yet.

Rattler Alumni Report: Winter League Games of November 13, 2009

Arizona Fall League

Surprise 5 @Javelinas 4

Javs:
Joe Dunigan ('08): 0-for-2, RUN
Carlos Triunfel ('07): 1-for-4, RBI

Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional

@Magallanes 11, Lara 10

Lara:
Michael Saunders ('06): 1-for-6, RUN
Luis Valbuena ('06): 1-for-3, 2 RUNS
Ivan Blanco ('05): 0.2IP, H, 3R, 2BB, K
Jose Escalona ('08): 0.0IP, 2H, 2R, Blown Save
Ricky Orta ('07): 2,IP, 3K

@La Guaira 10, Zulia 1

Zulia:
Luis Oliveros ('02): 0-for-3
Gerardo Avila ('08): 1-for-4

Liga de Beisbol Dominicano

@Licey 6, Estrellas 3

Licey:
Jorge Sosa ('01): 5IP, 4H, 2R, ER, BB, 3K, WIN #2

Escogido 6 @Gigantes 5

Escogido:
Julio Mateo ('00): 6IP, 2H, R, 3K

Liga de Beisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico

Arecibo 7 @Mayaguez 1

Arecibo:
Jeffrey Dominguez ('06): 1-for-1, RUN, 2RBI, 3BBs

Mayaguez:
Johan Limonta ('06): 1-for-4
Wilfredo Quintana ('01): 0-for-2
Martin Maldonado ('09): IP, H, R, BB
Mumba Rivera ('05): IP, H, R, BB

Caguas 7 @Ponce 5

Caguas:
Matt Tuiasosopo ('05): 0-for-4, RUN

Saturday's Schedule:
Mesa @ Javelinas 7:35pm CST
Lara @ LaGuaira 3:330pm CST

Flashback Friday for November 13, 2009

I was digging through the archives and found an article that might be of special interest to history buffs, South Bend employees, and people who wonder about the old White Sox/Foxes marriage.

Click here for the whole thing, but here it the intro to today's edition.

This week's Flashback is front page article from the June 29, 1985 edition of The Post-Crescent. Gary Shriver's article serves four purposes. The first part of the article is the main part and it deals with the possibility of the Appleton Foxes and the Chicago parting ways after a long affiliation and where the White Sox might be headed. The second part -- which is the shortest part of the article -- deals with the player development contract. What it is, who pays for what, etc. The third part is one of the most concise histories of baseball in Appleton that I have ever read. The final part of the article gets into the reasons why Chicago might end the affiliation and some of the arrangements that Appleton Baseball, Inc. had with the City of Appleton in running Goodland Field.

How did I not know this?

The Brevard County Manatees have a blog. Awesomely named Fear the Sea Cow!.

ADDED: It would have been even more awesome if they had gone with Tears of a Sea Cow, which is the title to an, um, awesome episode of The Venture Brothers.

But, I suppose that wouldn't have made much sense.

He's back

Mark Haley returns as the manager of the south Bend Silver Hawks.

Manager Mark Haley will return for a sixth season to lead the South Bend Silver Hawks in 2010, highlighting the field staff that was announced today by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Haley has been the skipper for the Silver Hawks since 2005, compiling a 361-329 regular season record and a 14-12 playoff record. Haley holds the club record for regular season and playoff wins, having qualified for the postseason in each of his five seasons at the helm.

...

Joining Haley on the 2010 staff will be hitting coach Francisco Morales, pitching coach Wellington Cepeda, athletic trainer Brian Czachowski, and strength and conditioning coach Jordan Wolf.

Do you think this will sell a few more tickets?

Griffey Sr. to serve as Dragons’ hitting coach

As of Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 11, Todd Benzinger knew he would be returning to the Dragons to manage the team for a second season, but he didn’t know who his coaches would be.

“Really? That’s fantastic,” said the Reds’ former first baseman when he heard his new hitting coach would be Ken Griffey Sr., who finished a 19-year major-league career with a .296 batting average and several All-Star appearances, mostly with the Reds.

“I played with him, and even though Tony Perez was the hitting coach then, Kenny was a batting coach, too,” Benzinger said.

...

During his baseball career, which included stops with the Yankees, Braves and Mariners to play with his son, Ken Griffey Jr., Senior also coached five seasons with the Reds, ending in 2001. Since then, he has been a special assistant to the Reds general manager and a roving hitting instructor.

“They (the Reds) asked me to do it,” said Griffey, who is spending this winter as commissioner of the new Florida Winter Baseball League. “I just want to get on the field doing what I’m capable of doing.

Rattler Alumni Report: Winter League Games of November 12, 2009

Arizona Fall League

@Surprise 8, Javelinas 6

Javs:
Lorenzo Cain ('09): 0-for-4
Joe Dunigan ('09): 1-for-4
Carlos Triunfel ('07): 3-for-4, RUN
Anthony Varvaro ('07): 2.1IP, H, R, 2K
Phillippe Aumont ('08): 2IP, 2H, R, 4K

Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional

@Lara 5, La Guaira 2

Lara:
Michael Saunders ('06): 2-for-3, RUN, RBI
Luis Valbuena ('06): 1-for-3, RBI

@Caribes 6, Magallanes 4

Magallanes:
Wladimir Balentien ('04): 0-for-3

@Caracas 3, Zulia 2

Zulia:
Luis Oliveros ('02): 0-for-3

Friday's Schedule:
Surprise at Javelinas 1:35pm CST
Lara at Magallanes 6:00pm CST

Vote for the Second Baseman

If you head over here, you can read about the candidates for second baseman on the 15th Anniversary team for the Timber Rattlers.

The candidates are:
Adonis Harrison ('97)
Jermaine Clark ('98)
Pedro Liriano ('01)
Brett Lawrie ('09)

Then, head to the main Rattlers page and scroll down. The poll is on the right side. Click your selection. That's easy.

To wrap up the vote for the first baseman on the 15th anniversary team, David Arias ran away with it by picking up 80% of the vote.

Transaction Time in November

Baseball America has the list here.

I see that the strange case of Shawn Estes has come to an end, at least with the Dodgers.

Los Angeles Dodgers
Released: LHP Shawn Estes
Reinstated from inactive list: LHP Shawn Estes

Some of these Mariners transactions are left over from last week. But, I will not edit. Only bolding former Rattlers on their list.

Seattle Mariners
Signed: RHP Rich Dorman (re-signed)
Released: C Jason Phillips, SS Jimmy Mojica
Outrighted to Triple-A and removed from 40-man: RHP Randy Messenger, RHP Marwin Vega, LHP Cesar Jimenez, OF Bryan LaHair
Reinstated from inactive list: RHP Victor Duarte, RHP Taylor Lewis, RHP Brooks Mohr, LHP Nick Czyz, C Jason Phillips, C Josh Rodriguez, C Wei Wang, C Guy Welsh, 1B Joe White, UTL Yubing Jia

Rattler Alumni Report: Winter League Games of November 11, 2009

Arizona Fall League

Javs 8 @Saguaros 1

Javs:
Taylor Green ('09): 0-for-5
Carlos Triunfel ('07): 0-for-4

Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional

@Lara 10, La Guaira 4

Lara:
Luis Valbuena ('06): 1-for-3, 2 RUNS
Michael Saunders ('06): 3-for-4, 2 RUNS, 3B, 2 RBI

@Caracas 10, Zulia 4

Zulia:
Gerardo Avila ('08): pinch hitter, 0-for-1

Magallanes 10 @Caribes 9 (12 innings)

Magallanes:
Wladimir Balentien ('04): 2-for-6, 2 RUNS, RBI, HR #1

Thursday's Schedule:
Surprise at Javelinas 1:35pm CST
La Guaira at Lara 6:00pm CST

Mehring Monday Veterans Day edition (Bumped)

I posted this on Monday, but this post has been bumped for Veterans Day. If you don't, just read this story about Dick Williams, an Appleton Papermaker from 1940.

Williams entered military service with the Army on July 25, 1942 at Kalamazoo , Michigan. He served with the 82nd Field Artillery Battalion of 1st Cavalry Division in the Pacific and was killed in action during the battle for the Philippines on February 21, 1945.

Technician Fifth Grade Williams was posthumously awarded the Silver Star and is buried at the Manila American Cemetery at Fort Bonifacio in Manila , Philippines.

That's Joe Tipton. He played for the Appleton Papermakers in 1941. He went off to war and returned to play for the Indians, White Sox, Athletics, and Senators over a seven year major league career.

He is one of the veterans covered in this week's Mehring Monday.

Rattler Alumni Report: Winter League Games of November 10, 2009

Arizona Fall League

@Javelinas 9, Saguaros 5

Javs:
Lorenzo Cain ('09): 1-for-5, RUN, RBI
Joe Dunigan ('08): 2-for-3, RUN, RBI
Carlos Triunfel ('07): 1-for-4, RUN

Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional

@Lara 12, Zulia 4

Lara:
Oswaldo Navarro ('05): pinch hitter, 1-for-1, RBI
Luis Valbuena ('06): 1-for-5, RUN
Michael Saunders ('06): 0-for-5

Magallanes 6 @Caribes 1

Magallanes:
Wladimir Balentien ('04): 0-for-2

Wednesday's Schedule:
Javelinas at Saguaros 1:35pm CST
La Guaira at Lara 6:00pm CST

This caps a really good season

Congratulations, Adam Jones. You're a Gold Glove Award winner.

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones added a fitting coda to his breakout season Tuesday, when he was awarded a Rawlings Gold Glove in recognition of his stellar defensive play.

Jones, who was also elected to the All-Star Game, established himself as one of the American League's most dynamic two-way players in 2009.

The 24-year-old distinguished himself with several catches at the wall and recorded nine assists in 2009, and the award carries special meaning because it's voted on by the league's managers and coaches. Jones had more putouts (349) than he did in 2008 (336) despite playing in 11 fewer games and nearly 100 fewer innings.

This part freaks me out...

Jones, who was acquired from Seattle as part of a five-player haul for Erik Bedard before the '08 season, helped erase some sordid recent history for the Orioles.

Oh, wait. That's the part that freaks out Mariners fans. Here is the part that freaks me out.

[The Orioles] hadn't seen an outfielder take the award since Paul Blair in 1975.

John Lowenstein and Gary Roenicke didn't win one in 1979?

Jones was a shortstop for the Rattlers in 2004. He is the first Timber Rattler Alum to win a Gold Glove Award. Alex Rodriguez, an Appleton Fox in 1994, won as a shortstop with the Texas Rangers in 2002 and 2003.

Rattler Alumni Report: Winter League Games of November 9, 2009

Arizona Fall League:

@Javelinas 4, Phoenix 3

Javs:
Lorenzo Cain ('09): 1-for-3, RUN, 2B
Taylor Green ('09): 0-for-4
Joe Dunigan ('08): 1-for-4, RUN, 2RBI, HR #3
Phillippe Aumont ('08): IP, H, 0R, BB, K
Anthony Varvaro ('07): IP, 0H, 0R, K, SAVE #2

Liga de Beisbol Dominicano

Estrellas 6, Toros 4

Estrellas:
Juan Sandoval ('03): 0.0IP, 3H, 3R, ER

Tuesday's schedule:
Saguaros at Javelinas 5:35pm CST
Zulia at Lara 6:00pm CST

Rattler Alumni Report: Winter League Games of November 8, 2009

Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional

Aragua 4 @Lara 2

Lara:
Michael Saunders ('06): 1-for-4
Luis Valbuena ('06): 1-for-3
Ivan Blanco ('05): 1.2IP, H, 0R

Caracas 8 @Magallanes 6

Magallanes:
Wladimir Balentien ('04): 1-for-3, RUN

Liga de Beisbol Dominicano

Aguilas 7 @Toros 2

Aguilas:
Edward Paredes ('08): .2IP, 0H, 0R, WIN

Monday's Schedule:
Phoenix at Peoria Javelinas 5:35pm CST

He's free

JJ Putz ('00) was involved in that big three-team trade last year that sent him from Seattle to the New York Mets...an injury-shortened 2009 with the Mets.

There are a pair of new items over the weekend that pertain to the former Rattler. Neither are surprising.

Item #1

As expected, the Mets declined reliever J.J. Putz's $9.1 million option for 2010 on Friday, opting instead to buy out his contract for $1 million. The move makes Putz eligible for free agency, though the Mets can still negotiate a new deal with him.

...

After coming to the Mets in a three-team, 12-player trade last winter, Putz was limited to just 29 games because of injuries. His agent, Craig Landis, said Friday that Putz is healthy and playing catch. But $9.1 million would have been a hefty price to pay for a setup man coming off elbow surgery.

The Mets might be interested in re-signing him at a lower price, but Putz's first preference will likely be to sign as a closer somewhere.

Item #2

On the third day of MLB free agency filings, two more players have joined the ranks.

J.J. Putz, who the Mets declined their club option on Friday night, and the Twins Carl Pavano were officially added to the ranks today, it was announced by the MLBPA.

A few sites have chimed in with who they think should sign the former All-Star closer

JJ Putz to Detroit Tigers Makes Too Much Sense Not To Happen

Last off season, JJ Putz was the best move the Tigers didn't make.

If not for an injury to Fernando Perez that killed a three-way deal involving the Rays, JJ Putz may have been hamstringing Detroit in 2009 and not the Mets, and Edwin Jackson may have formed a dominant pitching tandem with Felix Hernandez instead of Justin Verlander.

Putz became a free agent today when New York declined his nine million dollar option. This time around, the Tigers have much less to lose in taking a shot on the Trenton native and former Michigan wolverine.

The Quest For Relief Revisits J.J. Putz

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski sounds as if he'd prefer a veteran closer for next season. Re-signing Brandon Lyon or Fernando Rodney is a possibility, but the free agent market could end up pricing both of them out of the Tigers' range. (Rodney has already said he's hoping for a three-to-four-year deal.) If that's the case, Detroit will have to look elsewhere, so we're dusting off The Quest For Relief for yet another offseason.

Developing.