The Jose Bautista Thread

[Jimcanuck]

cartwright? cartwright?

 

You don't wanna know. Probably uses a walker now.

[Spanky99]

cartwright? cartwright?

 

http://big.assets.huffingtonpost.com/3et9H93n.gif

[Dick_Pole]

I really don't get the crying over signing Morales "too early". That deal shifts the balance of power in favour of the Jays when dealing with EE or JB. Without Morales, and with other guys like Reddick and Beltran signing elsewhere, the Jays would have been just as desperate to fill holes with MLB talent as EE and JB would be to find teams. With Morales, Smoak and Upton, the Jays at least have live bodies in there and they could always try to go to the trade route to improve on one of those players. With Smoak, Upton and literally no one else, the Jays would be equally as desperate as Bautista.

 

Should the Jays sign both back, Morales is not really a sunk cost. RF, 1B and DH are filled, albeit with shaky defense and Smoak/Upton are relegated to part time duty. And based on the injury threat of EE, JB and KM, would probably start 50+ games throughout the season anyways. It's good to have depth, and that Morales contract is not egregious.

 

EDIT: s***, forgot Pearce as well in this...well he gets dumped into the depth pile.

Edited December 15, 2016 by Dick_Pole

[Jimcanuck]

I really don't get the crying over signing Morales "too early". That deal shifts the balance of power in favour of the Jays when dealing with EE or JB. Without Morales, and with other guys like Reddick and Beltran signing elsewhere, the Jays would have been just as desperate to fill holes with MLB talent as EE and JB would be to find teams. With Morales, Smoak and Upton, the Jays at least have live bodies in there and they could always try to go to the trade route to improve on one of those players. With Smoak, Upton and literally no one else, the Jays would be equally as desperate as Bautista.

 

Should the Jays sign both back, Morales is not really a sunk cost. RF, 1B and DH are filled, albeit with shaky defense and Smoak/Upton are relegated to part time duty. And based on the injury threat of EE, JB and KM, would probably start 50+ games throughout the season anyways. It's good to have depth, and that Morales contract is not egregious.

 

EDIT: s***, forgot Pearce as well in this...well he gets dumped into the depth pile.

 

Pearce is a fit too.

 

C Martin

3B JD

SS Tulo

2B Travis

1B EE

LF Bautista

CF Pillar

RF Pearce

DH Morales

 

Upton, Smoak, Barney, Jimenez bench

 

A strong, but quite old, lineup

[Terminator]

Let's do this, let's go full on Darth Vader and become the villains of MLB. Sign Bautista, trade for Puig and acquire whatever ******* relievers we can. Encourage trash talk, lower beer prices and let's just make headlines regularly. We can be the baseball version of the 1990 Detroit Pistons.

[Jimcanuck]

Let's do this, let's go full on Darth Vader and become the villains of MLB. Sign Bautista, trade for Puig and acquire whatever ******* relievers we can. Encourage trash talk, lower beer prices and let's just make headlines regularly. We can be the baseball version of the 1990 Detroit Pistons.

 

And ditch the Hottest Blue Jay thread for the Biggest *******

[Bobthe4th]

Let's do this, let's go full on Darth Vader and become the villains of MLB. Sign Bautista, trade for Puig and acquire whatever ******* relievers we can. Encourage trash talk, lower beer prices and let's just make headlines regularly. We can be the baseball version of the 1990 Detroit Pistons.

 

Like it! Other potential players to acquire:

 

Matt Bush

Ryan Brawn

A-Rod

A.J. Pierzynski

Chase Utley

Rougned Odor

Jung Ho Kang

Yordano Ventura

Jonathan Papelbon

[KingKat]

Like it! Other potential players to acquire:

 

Matt Bush

Ryan Brawn

A-Rod

A.J. Pierzynski

Chase Utley

Rougned Odor

Jung Ho Kang

Yordano Ventura

Jonathan Papelbon

 

All Rotten Apples Team

C McCann

1B Bautista

2B Utley

3B Donaldson

SS Kang

OF Carlos Gomez

OF Braun

OF Puig

DH AROD

Bench: Y. Escobar, B. Lawrie, D. Young, A.J.

SP Ventura

SP Lackey

SP Latos

SP Samardzija

SP Garza

RP Chapman

RP Bush

RP Papelbon

RP Romo

RP Herrera

[BTS]

I don't get the Romo/Samardzija/Herrera inclusions.

[King]

I don't get the Romo/Samardzija/Herrera inclusions.

Herrera has intentionally thrown 100 MPH fastballs at players heads on multiple occasions

[KingKat]

I don't get the Romo/Samardzija/Herrera inclusions.

 

They're all hot heads on the mound much like Garza, Lackey and Latos. Romo is probably the biggest stretch but I included him because he's a semi realistic target. Furthermore, it's not like I spent all day on this.

[BTS]

Herrera has intentionally thrown 100 MPH fastballs at players heads on multiple occasions

 

*allegedly

[BTS]

They're all hot heads on the mound much like Garza, Lackey and Latos. Romo is probably the biggest stretch but I included him because he's a semi realistic target. Furthermore, it's not like I spent all day on this.

 

I thought Garza was on there for his spitting. I was OK with it.

[KingKat]

Herrera has intentionally thrown 100 MPH fastballs at players heads on multiple occasions

 

Yeah he should be the least controversial choice. Notorious head hunter.

[KingKat]

I thought Garza was on there for his spitting. I was OK with it.

 

Well if Garza were there for his spitting, I'd have to include Bumgarner for his snot rockets.

[King]

*allegedly

I get your personal policy to give the benefit of the doubt but I don't think there's a question it was intentional based on the history during that series

 

 

 

The teams' three-game series was chippy from the moment Lawrie slid late and hard into Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar on a force play in Friday's opener. Escobar sat out the last two games with a leg injury.

 

Saturday, Ventura hit Lawrie with a pitch, one batter after Oakland's Josh Reddick homered. Sunday, five Royals coaches and players were ejected, including Herrera after his 100-mph fastball whizzed by Lawrie.

 

After that game, Lawrie, who took his Saturday hit-by-pitch in stride, expressed his anger at Herrera's tactics.

 

"That was embarrassing," he said. "I'm trying to play baseball. I can't step into the box thinking they're going to throw at my head."

 

As Herrera was walking off the field, he pointed to his head.

[Jonn]

I don't get the Romo/Samardzija/Herrera inclusions.

 

Herrera is a massive douche maybe he gets overshadowed by the other massive douche on that team.

[King]

All Rotten Apples Team

C McCann

1B Bautista

2B Utley

3B Donaldson

SS Kang

OF Carlos Gomez

OF Braun

OF Puig

DH AROD

Bench: Y. Escobar, B. Lawrie, D. Young, A.J.

SP Ventura

SP Lackey

SP Latos

SP Samardzija

SP Garza

RP Chapman

RP Bush

RP Papelbon

RP Romo

RP Herrera

 

I'd also include some other players. There's many more, I am sure.

Danny Valencia

Manny Machado (though he was more tolerable in 2016)

Chris Sale

Madison Bumgarner (don't look at me/play the game the right way dbag)

Fernando Rodney

Colby Lewis

Trevor Bauer

 

On the contrary, all likeable team

 

C - Sal Perez

1B - Anthony Rizzo

2B - Jose Altuve

3B - Adrian Beltre

SS - Francisco Lindor

CF - Kevin Kiermaier

OF - Ichiro

OF - Hunter Pence

 

SP - Chris Archer

SP - Bartolo Colon

SP - Zack Greinke

 

RP - Biagini

 

Pretty subjective.

[KingKat]

 

Pretty subjective.

 

Oh absolutely. It's not like we have intimate knowledge of these people. All you really have to go on is perceived reputation and the occasional on field behaviour. I'm sure there are a lot of guys who rub opponents the wrong way but are great teammates and I'm sure there are guys who seem cool and are quietly *******s.

[Jonn]

Isn't Grenkie crazy?

[Terminator]

Isn't Grenkie crazy?

 

No but he has Asperger's.

[King]

Isn't Grenkie crazy?

I wouldn't say crazy just quirky.

[GD]

No but he has Asperger's.

 

I'm pretty sure he has an anxiety disorder.

 

 

 

Billy Butler is a s***** guy.

[Spanky99]

Isn't Grenkie crazy?

 

How does an anxiety disorder = crazy?

[BTS]

Isn't Grenkie crazy?

 

Not addressed to you specifically, but it's funny how player personalities get magnified and blown up to be completely unrealistic based on 1-2 news stories. People have been calling Greinke crazy/weak/a headcase for years because he had some anxiety issues. Armchair psychologist sports fans are hilarious.

 

There are 1-2 players in the league that I'd say I've read enough bad things about to question whether or not they're crazy/bad people/a headcase.

[Boxcar]

I'd also include some other players. There's many more, I am sure.

Danny Valencia

Manny Machado (though he was more tolerable in 2016)

Chris Sale

Madison Bumgarner (don't look at me/play the game the right way dbag)

Fernando Rodney

Colby Lewis

Trevor Bauer

 

On the contrary, all likeable team

 

C - Sal Perez

1B - Anthony Rizzo

2B - Jose Altuve

3B - Adrian Beltre

SS - Francisco Lindor

CF - Kevin Kiermaier

OF - Ichiro

OF - Hunter Pence

 

SP - Chris Archer

SP - Bartolo Colon

SP - Zack Greinke

 

RP - Biagini

 

Pretty subjective.

 

I get you have to put Beltre at third, bit you should at least fit Bryant into the OF.

 

Add Max Scherzer and Kyle Hendricks to the rotation.

 

Andrew Miller to RP, Glen Perkins, Trevor Cahill, Brandon McCarthy.

 

You're bad at this.

[Jonn]

How does an anxiety disorder = crazy?

 

I was asking a question. I haven't heard very flattering things about him. Just googling him you find some interesting stuff.

[Ray]

Him and Puig got into it a while back when they were teammates.

 

But I mean, it is Puig.

[King]

Not addressed to you specifically, but it's funny how player personalities get magnified and blown up to be completely unrealistic based on 1-2 news stories. People have been calling Greinke crazy/weak/a headcase for years because he had some anxiety issues. Armchair psychologist sports fans are hilarious.

 

There are 1-2 players in the league that I'd say I've read enough bad things about to question whether or not they're crazy/bad people/a headcase.

I agree with your general point but there have been hundreds of Greinke stories that have come out over the years regarding his personality. I don't think Greinke is much of a question

 

Here's a good article, from 2010, but it's still relevant today

http://joeposnanski.com/being-there-with-greinke/ (and one more by the same writer http://sportsworld.nbcsports.com/zack-greinke-scoreless-streak/)

[King]

And here's one more just for good measure

 

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/07/13/zack-greinke-incredible-first-half-all-star-game/30115935/

 

CINCINNATI -- You want to hear the truth, or are you afraid of it?

 

You want your answers unfiltered, or do you want political correctness?

 

You want to talk to the most interesting man at the 86th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, or do you want to listen to the typically varnished thoughts of most other superstars?

 

Go ahead, if you dare, and talk to Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Zack Greinke, the National League starter in Tuesday's Midsummer Classic at Great American Ball Park.

 

And if he doesn't like your line of questioning, don't worry, he'll let you know:

 

"Sorry, for some reason, I'm not understanding your questions," he told a TV reporter asking him to compare this year with his past in Kansas City. "They're probably too proper for me."

 

Someone thought he was supposed to go on a live TV spot, following American League starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel, but no one asked Greinke until moments before he was supposed to be on air.

 

"Sorry," he said, "I don't do live TV."

 

It was no different from when Matt Vasgersian, host of the All-Star news conference, asked Greinke if he wanted to make a comment Monday after it was announced he would be the starter. He shook his head no. Next question?

 

Yet when you corner him, and he gives you time, he can be the most fascinating man in baseball.

 

What player do you know that will spend his off days, and free time in spring training, scouting amateur players?

 

What player do you know who, when teammate A.J. Ellis casually asked him how he would make the Dodgers better, would tell Ellis that they'd be better off if he were traded?

 

And what player do you know who has an opt-out clause after this season that could make him the richest right-handed pitcher in baseball and would honestly tell you that he loves where he is and would leave Los Angeles for only a couple of teams, if he even elects to become a free agent.

 

"It's a pretty darn good situation," Greinke said, citing the Dodgers' facilities, coaching staff and attendance. "If you could get rid of some of the traffic, it would be perfect. Or get closer to the beach."

 

That's Greinke, not only the finest pitcher in baseball these days but also perhaps the game's ultimate gym rat.

 

'He's just such an interesting guy. There's no one like him," Dodgers teammate Clayton Kershaw said. "He has a ton of different things that interest him and he's constantly gaining knowledge from different things. He wants to learn stuff, read stuff, and if he deems you worthy of listening, he'll tell you about it."

 

Go ahead, pick his brain, Greinke isn't afraid to share his thoughts.

 

Should the Dodgers trade one of their prized prospects for the chance to win their first World Series since 1988?

 

"When you add an All-Star starter, that's always going to help," Greinke said. "It just depends on what it's going to cost."

 

OK, would you give up Julio Urias, the Dodgers' top minor league pitcher?

 

"It depends on who it's for," he said.

 

How about Cincinnati Reds ace Johnny Cueto?

 

"For half a year of someone, no," Greinke said. "I don't care who it is. I would never do that."

 

Never?

 

"It's not like this is the last season the Dodgers are ever going to play, so you've got to think about beyond just who they could bring in for this year's benefit," he said.

 

Now, if the Reds throw in closer Aroldis Chapman, or if you're talking about Philadelphia Phillies lefty Cole Hamels, who's under contract for 3½ more years, you've got Greinke's attention.

 

You want to know who he was rooting for in last year's World Series, the Kansas City Royals, the team that drafted, signed and raised him, or the archrival San Francisco Giants?

 

"I like the Giants players," Greinke said, a comment that surely will horrify the Dodgers' passionate fan base, "so I couldn't even decide who I wanted to win the World Series."

 

It's premature to know which team had the best and worst draft in June, but Greinke says he scouted about 100 players in this year's class and, just as as he did when he was with the Milwaukee Brewers, spent time in the Dodgers war room during the draft, even going over amateur hitting video with manager Don Mattingly.

 

 

"I really enjoy the draft, more than probably just about anyone," Greinke says. "Ever since I can remember, I've enjoyed it. This year, I did more quantity than quality."

 

Greinke, 31, even scouted in his spare time after he was drafted out of high school in 2002 by the Royals, with his career almost ending because of battles with depression and anxiety issues. He missed almost a full season in 2006, was a reliever for most of 2007, and two years later won the Cy Young Award.

 

"He's the absolute real deal," said Boston Red Sox special assistant Allard Baird, who drafted Greinke for the Royals, stayed patient with him during his time away from the game and remains close to him today. "He's so competitive and is always looking to stay one step ahead.

 

"This guy would never go out at night, come in during the morning, watch our prospects and then give me a report. He loves evaluating players and prospects. One day, I get a text from (scout) Eddie Bane, and he says, "Is this guy serious? Your guy is out here scouting and breaking down one of my players.'

 

"He'd be a great scout, not just in the future, I'm talking right now. Of course, he'd have to take a pretty good pay cut.''

 

Yes, no scout is making $23 million a year, and Greinke is pitching so sensationally, he could opt out of the $71 million left over the final three years of his contract and perhaps triple it.

 

Greinke, whose wife is three weeks away from having their first child, a son, enters the All-Star Game with the lowest ERA (1.39) of any starting pitcher with at least 100 innings at the break since 1968. The man hasn't given up a run since June 13, with a scoreless streak of 35 2/3 innings, yielding 16 hits with three walks and 31 strikeouts. He's a no-hitter waiting to happen every time he steps on the mound, throwing his changeup more than at any other time in his career while mixing in his fastball and slider.

 

"I've probably changed more than anyone else in baseball over the past 10 years," Greinke said.

 

Let's see, he was a control pitcher out of high school. Then a power pitcher. And then a struggling power pitcher. Then a solid control pitcher. Then perhaps the best pitcher in the game.

 

"He's probably as well prepared as any pitcher in baseball as far knowing the hitters, evaluating the swings and knowing their weaknesses," says Brewers GM Doug Melvin, who traded two future All-Stars to Kansas City for Greinke in 2010. "And he has such a passion for the game of baseball. I couldn't be happier for him."

 

Certainly, he can make life easy for a manager, even if his brutal honesty can leave Mattingly scratching his head about whether to keep him in the game or take him out.

 

"There was a recent game when I asked him how he was feeling,'' Mattingly said. "And he said, 'I don't really want you to ask me. I want you to make the decision.' I said, 'Zack, Give me some help here.'"

 

Now, if you ask Greinke if he wants to shag balls in the outfield on the days he doesn't pitch, he'll tell you.

 

"Most guys would just try to fake it and be on the field shagging," Mattingly said. "But Zack will tell me, 'Hey, it doesn't do me any good being out there.' He'll still do it, but he'll tell you what he thinks about it.

 

"That's Zack. He's one of a kind."

 

And that's a shame.