Crisp to Royals & Al quoted in mlbtraderumors

by Doggie Stalker on Nov 19, 2008 9:00 AM CST Comment 74 comments

Today's headlines at mlbtraderumors.com are a deal for Coco Crisp to the Royals and reaction to the Dempster trade including a link to Al's post about Dempster being a great clubhouse guy etc. Mixed reaction to trade and I am sure many hear will feel vindicated that Sabrematics people don't like it.

Personally I kind of wanted Crisp but since he does not hit for power and is not a leadoff guy I did not see the Cubs going after him

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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does this mean..

Cubs are more likely to get David Dejesus or Mark Tehan now? Let the speculation begin lol

by Kchance on Nov 19, 2008 9:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

More on this

Linky

The report comes from a Kansas City radio station. The Red Sox get reliever Ramon Ramirez.

This might possibly make David DeJesus available. Anyone interested?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 19, 2008 9:05 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

royals

I like DeJesus better than Teahan. Does DeJesus have any experience in RF? Does he have the arm for it?

by Ghost of Fred Merkle on Nov 19, 2008 9:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I have never seen him

play RF and his arm is average. Teahan arm is excellent

Let go cubs

by cubsfaninkc on Nov 19, 2008 9:11 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

thanks.

Who do you like better as a hitter?

by Ghost of Fred Merkle on Nov 19, 2008 9:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

DeJesus is a better hitter

Teahan is really one of those guys that is hard to figure out. he does not swing at bad pitches it almost looks like he is afraid to swing some times. He does have some good pop but he has never really been what the royals had hoped for.

Remember their park is not a hitters park at all balls in the gap just die. I really do think that he would do better in wrigley.

The other thing is that If I remember correctly DeJesus he did seem to get hurt alot

Let go cubs

by cubsfaninkc on Nov 19, 2008 9:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting stat...

Not much of a stat guy (as evidenced by SO many of my other posts) but look at this: DeJesus 2008 AB: 518, W:46 SO:71, OBP:366, AVG:307; Teahan 2008 AB: 572, W:46 SO:131, OBP:313, AVG:255.
Gerald Perry would have his work cut out for the next Giambi – Teahan.

by socalicubsfan on Nov 19, 2008 9:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Kauffman

certainly wasn’t a hitters park last year, but it was neutral in ’07 and an extreme hitters park in ’06

seems more like a neutral park to me

by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2008 10:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

link

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/parkfactor?season=2006

by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2008 10:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I know that the royals

have been concern about power becuase they thought that gordon and butler would add alot of power. they are doing alot of work at the stadium and they has been some talk about the giant big screen that some players say is very distracting when you hit. if you hit a ball to center in that place it dies and the power alleys are 390 and 410 to dead center. Based on that I think that Teahan would do better at wrigley but the K’s are a concern.

For what its worth he is also a great club house guy, as that seems to be of more importance this year.

Let go cubs

by cubsfaninkc on Nov 19, 2008 10:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ESPN's park factors suck.

First of all, almost all published park factors you’ll find are indexed to league average. Okay, well almost all AL parks are more pitcher-friendly than NL parks (one of many reasons people underrate the Oakland park effect).

Kaufman park is pretty close to league average, so a slight pitcher’s park overall. Wrigley is… not.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Nov 19, 2008 12:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

you're all over me these days

Cwyers!

i chose the easiest reference point for me, knowing ESPN has them. Where else are they easily found on the web?

obviously Wrigley is an easier park to hit in than KC, I’m still confused how all of that difference can result in Teahen producing such significantly different numbers. You were calling him league average and to be a league average RF don’t you have to post an OPS around .800-.820, right???? That’s an 80-100 point difference in OPS from last season

by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2008 3:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

re:

The suggestion made earlier this offseason was that they wanted a CF to slide DeJesus to LF. I’m not sure they move DeJesus, although for the right price, I think Moore would listen.

As for the trade, overall, I like it better for the Red Sox as they save money and find a cheap pen arm that they needed, while shedding excess OF’s. They have OF depth in the system, although a cheap veteran might be needed. That said, the deal made enough sense for the Royals as well, as pen arms can be found and they wanted a CF. Overall, a trade that looks, on the surface, to make sense for both sides.

by toonsterwu on Nov 19, 2008 9:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt it

Interesting when you look at last season, DeJesus actually played LF and CF last season. He played more LF than any other Royal. The DeJesus to LF move was already in the works last season. Gathright played the most in CF for KC.

This trade likely means an OF of DeJesus, Crisp and Guillen.

This deal makes the awful Gathright available and of course Teahan.

by rlpete on Nov 19, 2008 9:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think the Royals wanted a CF to move DeJesus to LF

so this probably just settles that.

I do like DeJesus, but it seems Teahen is the one they want to trade.

The author of this post is not a certified scout, doctor, agent, statistician, manager, or journalist, nor was he ever a very good player, though he tried very hard to be like Ryne Sandberg and was about as scrappy as it gets (in T-ball). Any opinion expressed above should in no way be confused with fact, truth, or reality and is hereby qualified in the following ways: 1) The author does not know as much about baseball as Lou Piniella. 2) The author does not know as much about baseball as Jim Hendry. 3) The author does not know as much about baseball as either Dusty or Darren Baker.

by DGU on Nov 19, 2008 10:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Is David related to Ivan?

"Just win tonight" - derv

by derv on Nov 19, 2008 12:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No relation

as far as I know. I think David might be Puerto Rican and grew up in NY.

by JodyDavis on Nov 19, 2008 1:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't DeJesus...

A left-handed lead-off hitter for the Royals? Hmmm…
Does Teahan remind anyone else of a less versatile red-head we used to have?

by socalicubsfan on Nov 19, 2008 9:29 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Nah

I remember there was some discussion of a Murton for Teahen swap last season, and it got beat to death on here. I still think Teahen is a better player, and clearly superior on defense. What they seem to have in common is that no one on internet boards can agree whether they are any good or not.

DeJesus probably won’t be moved because he’s so affordable, but who knows what KC might do? They’ve traded away 2 pretty good relievers this offseason, so they might need to move him for pitching.

by JodyDavis on Nov 19, 2008 9:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Are you trying to imply that Teahen is a left-handed Matt Murton with a better throwing arm?

Because that’s, well, pretty much it.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Nov 19, 2008 9:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

left handed hitting

just for clarity’s sake, he is RH

by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2008 10:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, and a lot more importantly for the Cubs

Teahen can play 3B. The reason it’s important is that the Cubs have no one to back-up Aramis (who often needs a backup) if we end up trading DeRosa. Murton’s biggest problem was his lack of positional value. Teahen, at least, has that.

And, no, I don’t want to trade DeRosa.

by DGU on Nov 19, 2008 10:11 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Good thinking

I was thinking of Teahen as somewhat of a left handed hitting DeRosa, but at the same time sort of forgetting that he was originally a third baseman, so he probably would be like having another DeRosa. In fact, DeRosa and Teahen could platoon in RF, and when DeRosa wasn’t playing RF, he could play 2nd. And when Aramis or Soriano need a rest, Teahen could play LF or 3B.

The more I think on it, the more I think he’d be a valuable piece for this team. I’d be happy with acquiring him and Furcal, and that certainly seems realistic financially.

by JodyDavis on Nov 19, 2008 10:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, one thing here

DeRosa is much more valuable than Teahen because he can play well anywhere except CF and C. Teahen can’t play middle IF. Also DeRosa has hit better consistently over the past 3 years.

But the way the Cubs are situated right now, we have 3 2B, and a few more in the minors, and we need LH bats. I’d trade Cedeno or Fukudome and Cedeno for Teahen. But I wouldn’t necessarily stop there in my search for LH bats.

by DGU on Nov 19, 2008 10:35 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't mean to imply

That Teahen is more valuable, but he’d be the most versatile player we have outside of DeRosa, and he hits left handed. I don’t think any other player being linked to the Cubs can play 3B, 1B and the corner outfield positions. Factor in that he’s left handed, and to me he sounds like a solid piece for the roster. Plus, like someone said, he’s got decent speed and runs the bases well. Lou would probably love the guy.

by JodyDavis on Nov 19, 2008 11:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Why does everyone propose platooning DeRo with the LHB RF-proposal du jour

when our other 2B, Mike Fontenot, is a left-handed batter?

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Nov 19, 2008 1:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ha

I think it’s been mostly me throwing that platoon out there. I wasn’t thinking about the entire lineup being altered based on whether a lefty or righty was pitching. DeRosa will get his at-bats as long as he’s hitting, and I don’t know that Fontenot is an automatic start at 2B every time a righty is on the mound.

by JodyDavis on Nov 19, 2008 3:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that Lou considers DeRo to be an everyday player.

That’s why he rode out DeRo’s .195 July. I don’t think that Lou trusts LBR against all RHPs, because he certainly didn’t use him every day when Sori was on the DL, and he didn’t use him during the first two playoff games.

Just guessing, but whoever they get for RF will probably be given the everyday job to start the season, with adjustments made as the season goes on if the guy shows he can’t hit LHP.

The difficulty is this: Lou doesn’t want to carry 5 true OFs (RJ and the other backup being RHBs) because he wants a LHB PH (likely Hoff). It doesn’t make sense to move DeRo to RF for LBR, and Lou doesn’t seem to have much confidence in Onedec. So…

Unless the Cubs get a good RHB backup 2B (Loretta?) to replace LBR, they can’t really platoon both Dome and the LHB RF. The monkey wrench gets even bigger if Hendry forces Lou to keep Pie.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Nov 19, 2008 3:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

do you feel vinicated that sabermatricians don't like the dempster deal?

by KyCubsFan on Nov 19, 2008 10:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

There is no consensus sabermetric view on Dempster.

Rob Neyer’s own view was mixed.

by DGU on Nov 19, 2008 10:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I don't understand what you're saying here.

Colin came out as relatively supportive of the Dempster contract yesterday.

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 10:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Which sabermetricians?

All the other analysts I’ve talked to about it think it was probably a fair market value deal. I’m basically in agreement; I like the Dempster deal. Tango came up with something between 4/48 and 4/62, I think. Rally was in that ballpark as well. I came up with 4/51, and quite frankly I’m not so confident in my number that I’m going to begrudge the Cubs a million dollars.

Szym of BBTF liked it, Cameron over at Fangraphs liked it… who are we talking about here?

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Nov 19, 2008 12:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I think I've figured it out.

I think he’s baiting me in responding to what Doggie Stalker wrote in the top of the post about MLB Trade Rumor’s roundup – JC Bradbury over at Sabernomics didn’t like the deal much. Whatevs. I don’t like Bradbury’s salary model much – he and I have sparred before over the fact that he doesn’t understand the replacement-level baseline. I use a salary model based on Tom Tango’s work on Wins Above Replacement.

Maybe Joe Sheehan and Christina Kahrl will write some negative things about it to, so we can start some wild notion that sabermetrics doesn’t like the Ryan Dempster deal. (Kahrl may have already – I don’t have a BP subscription so I can’t tell.) It’s all hogwash.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Nov 19, 2008 12:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think a lot of people assume sabermagicians don't like anything.

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 1:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

post comes off as defensive

and arrogant

not to say that’s your intention but that’s the way it comes off

at best wouldn’t it be fair to say the feelings are “mixed” on the signing. Some don’t like it and those who do think at best its “fair value” right?

I mean is anyone out there pounding the sand talking about what a steal this is?

by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 19, 2008 3:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

MLB teams usually pay a premium for pitching wins, compared to position players. Compared to going free-agent rates for pitchers Dempster is a sizable discount. That’s not how I (and a lot of others) run our models, because 1 win = 1 win = 1 win. But MLB teams will pay an average (2 WAR) starting pitcher roughly $10 million on average, when an average position player (again, 2 WAR) is only paid about $8.

[I’m sure the question I’m going to get now is why I think the model is smarter than the actual MLB teams. It’s a combination of risk aversion and a failure to appreciate the full value of defense.]

It’s a big win for the Cubs to be able to get an above-average starting pitcher at value, and Hendry should be commended for that. And if Dempster outperforms the projection (remember: projection is a median forecast) it’ll be a steal. Nobody can tell that until after the deal’s done, though.

I’ll cop to arrogance. I’m certainly that. I don’t know about defensive.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Nov 19, 2008 5:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i wasn't saying you were

i was saying the post came off that way

in a sense saying that the BP people or others who disagree and think the deal isn’t as strong are cast off as “hogwash”

My sense is that there are mixed reviews of this deal and my sense from your post was that any dissenting opinions were invalid.

by DartmouthCubsFan on Nov 20, 2008 11:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

THAT'S what it was...

Good call JodyDavis (cool name by the way)! Now I remember all of the posts last offseason about swapping the two.

by socalicubsfan on Nov 19, 2008 9:44 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Well, if we still go after Teahen...

…the Royals don’t need a CF (Pie) anymore. Can we get him for Cedeno straight up? Or maybe throw in Weurtz? I really, really, really don’t want to trade Fontenot.

Whoever said you can't mix business with pleasure never owned a PuttPutt course---Andy Bernard

by carmen_fanzone on Nov 19, 2008 10:30 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

The deal I'd really like to pursue

is the one where we swap Fukudome for Teahen.

by DGU on Nov 19, 2008 10:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, do you think the Royals would take on Dome's contract?

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 10:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

There's a chance.

Dutton, the KC reporter, said

The Cubs want to move Japanese import Kosuke Fukudome, but that’s a tough sell — to any team, not just the Royals — because he slumped badly last season over the closing months and is owed $38 million over the next three years.

So, it’s conceivable to Dutton, just not likely.
Here’s why KC could take Dome
- Trey Hillman managed in Japan before coming to KC. He could help Dome.
- If you believe in the first-half Dome, he’s likely to be better than Teahen.
- KC can’t get top free agents to take their money anyway.
and the biggest reason why might be
- we offered enough talent in addition to Dome to make it well worth the risk.

by DGU on Nov 19, 2008 11:05 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Why swap one LH bat for another?

I though the object was to gain another LH bat. Fukudome had a rough year in ’08 but i hope he can get it together in ’09 and be a productive part of the team (platoon in CF with Johnson?)

"It's probably similar to being in New York City and having a cab driver behind you and you're driving too slow. It's not the most pleasant thing."

Barry Sanders, on what defensive backs who played against him compared him to.

by Jettero2112 on Nov 19, 2008 10:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You do it to free up money.

I hope Dome can get it back together as well, but I don’t think the Cubs are expecting it. If you trade Dome for Teahen, you have the money to sign another LH bat for sure.

by DGU on Nov 19, 2008 10:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that's premature

Let’s give Fukudome another chance, no?

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Nov 19, 2008 10:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Why do you think it's a good idea for the Cubs to give Fukudome a chance?

I think he should get another chance in the major leagues, and I think he’ll succeed with that chance.

But, if there’s a team that will take his salary, why should the Cubs be that team?

After all, giving Dome another chance means not giving Pie another chance. If funds are tight, trading Dome could allow us to get Furcal. Then we could play
Furcal SS
DeRosa 2B
Lee 1B
Ramirez 3B
Soriano LF
Teahen RF
Soto C
Pie CF

by DGU on Nov 19, 2008 11:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think Pie

gets a chance either way.

I like Dome. I guess that’s my reason for wanting him to succeed in a Cubs jersey.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Nov 19, 2008 11:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, if the Cubs do move Dome for Teahen...

…perhaps Lou would be forced to platoon Pie and RJ in centerfield?

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 11:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't be surprised to see Edmonds come back

if the Cubs moved Dome for Teahen. But there could still be playing time for Pie to carve out battling between Edmonds and Teahen.

by DGU on Nov 19, 2008 11:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget Dome's No Trade Clause

Do you really think he’d okay a trade to Kansas City?

Whoever said you can't mix business with pleasure never owned a PuttPutt course---Andy Bernard

by carmen_fanzone on Nov 19, 2008 12:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Probably not.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Nov 19, 2008 12:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

stupid NTC

"Just win tonight" - derv

by derv on Nov 19, 2008 12:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes.

His choice is to come back to a team where he may not get much playing time or go to a team with a manager who’s had success coaching Japanese players. What would you do if you were in his position?

by DGU on Nov 19, 2008 12:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Dome's not going anywhere. I see your rationale, but...

I don’t think Dome or the Cubs are ready to swallow their pride and admit the signing was a mistake, as well they should not. There are mitigating circumstances surrounding Dome, (injury, new league, new country, etc.), and only a second half slump to suggest that he won’t ever be able to hit ML pitching effectively.

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Nov 19, 2008 12:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

To me it comes down to this -

We can only give one of Dome/Pie another chance. Pie costs a whole lot less than Dome and is at least as likely to make it with another shot. Pie also offers the speed Lou wants.

If someone will take Dome, I’d swallow the pride and make the deal.

Personally, I think both Dome and Pie will have successful ML careers. But if I’m wrong, I’d rather be wrong with the relatively cheap Pie than the expensive Dome.

by DGU on Nov 19, 2008 1:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I think he'd have to weigh his odds...

…of making a comeback in the Piniellan Meritocracy versus going to a team that has little hope of contending in a city that probably has much less to offer him and his family in terms of cultural adaptability. Sure, maybe the manager might make a difference but that would probably mean Kosuke absolutely detests Lou Piniella and I’m not sure that’s quite the case.

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 12:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It

by DGU on Nov 19, 2008 1:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

try again

It’s not that Kosuke hates Lou or anything. But Lou basically said he’d had enough of Dome and didn’t want to keep running him out there. If that was your boss and you were offered another job offer, wouldn’t you bolt?

by DGU on Nov 19, 2008 1:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I believe Lou said that about Dome LAST season.

He appears to be willing to give Dome another chance – though, granted, not as a starting player. If, right now, Lou was saying that Kosuke will be nothing more than a bench player for the entire 2009 season, then I could see a stronger likelihood that Dome would bolt to KC. But Lou seems willing to go a step beyond that in platooning Kosuke with RJ in centerfield.

Then again, who knows? Maybe Dome would accept a trade to KC. One thought that did occur to me is: Maybe too much damage has been done here. I mean, how many other players in baseball history have joined a major market team with as much fanfare – and fan love – as Kosuke Fukudome only to suffer such a crushing fall from grace in the second half of the season?

Perhaps it would be in Dome’s best interest to starting all over on a smaller market team where he could take a more patient approach to learning to hit major league pitching. And where he wouldn’t have to look at a bunch of dunderheads in the stands wearing faux-Japanese headbands and holding signs with embarassingly inaccurate Japanese lettering.

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 1:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

First - there's what Lou is saying in public and that doesn't have to match what he's saying in private.

Scond – the more I’ve thought about this today, I’ve wondered if Dome to the Red Sox doesn’t start to make some sense right now. They want another OF to play the role Crisp played last year and Dome does that well. Plus, he goes to a team with a Japanese presence already.

I’m sure they’d swap Lugo for Dome and Lou might like that. But, I wonder if Dome and Wellington Castillo couldn’t net us Jed Lowrie.

by DGU on Nov 19, 2008 11:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

But wasn't one of the factors when he signed in the US...

….the amount of japanese population in the two cities (Chicago and San Diego) to ease the transition? I swear I heard that last year, but I could be wrong. Living in Kansas City couldn’t help with what amounted to be a bigger transition (to Chicago) than I think he ever imagined.

Kansas City’s Japanese population: 7 :)

Whoever said you can't mix business with pleasure never owned a PuttPutt course---Andy Bernard

by carmen_fanzone on Nov 19, 2008 2:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The amount of KC Japanese population might not be as important

as the fact that KC’s manager is Trey Hillman, who managed in Japan for many years and speaks some Japanese.

And that Lou’s doghouse is the Canine Hotel California.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Nov 19, 2008 2:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Then, last year, why didn't he just negotiate....

…with teams w/ Japanese-speaking coaches in their system?

It was obviously important enough to limit the teams he negotiated with when he was a free agent last winter.

Does he even know Trey Hillman?

And Kosuke seems like a proud man, maybe he wants to prove Lou wrong?

Whoever said you can't mix business with pleasure never owned a PuttPutt course---Andy Bernard

by carmen_fanzone on Nov 19, 2008 2:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Last year, he was highly recruited and obviously thought

he would be an immediate star in any city. He had no reason not to choose a city with a big Asian population in a major media center.

Now, having endured a year of Lou, he might feel entirely different. What he can’t do is go back to Japan — that would be way too shameful. (Kaz Matsui and So Taguchi chose to go to the minors rather than going back to Japan.)

Even if Dome is a proud man who would like to prove Lou wrong, how can he be sure that Lou will even give him a chance? After all, I’m sure that his teammates have filled him in on the legends of Jacque Jones, Cesar Izturis, Michael Barrett, etc. He saw the Scott Eyre debacle for himself.

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Nov 19, 2008 3:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He could be sure Lou gives him a chance by....

…..working hard all winter and then hitting the cover off the ball in spring training.

And from Lou’s radio thing y’day, he’s going to be given every opportunity….

I mean, seriously, Kansas City? Does he even know Trey Hillman?

Whoever said you can't mix business with pleasure never owned a PuttPutt course---Andy Bernard

by carmen_fanzone on Nov 19, 2008 3:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Once you strike out every time you bat...

…you can never leave…

(CUE TWO-HOUR GUITAR SOLO)

"I see I'm not the only one around here who can't hold his water." - Last words of the leaky pipe in the visiting team dugout, Dodger Stadium, October 4, 2008.

by dat cubfan daver on Nov 19, 2008 2:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Welcome to the Hotel Illinois!

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Nov 19, 2008 2:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

there's going to be

at least another year of Dome with the Cubs. It would be a huge loss of face for both otherwise.

"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella

by drewishdrewid on Nov 19, 2008 4:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd have to agree....

Whoever said you can't mix business with pleasure never owned a PuttPutt course---Andy Bernard

by carmen_fanzone on Nov 19, 2008 5:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

With Crisp a Royal

I’d now expect them to trade an outfielder. But probably not for another outfielder. I don’t see the logic of trading Teahen for Fukudome, from their standpoint. And I’d like to keep Fukudome, because I still believe he’ll get back to being the hitter we saw before the All Star break.

by JodyDavis on Nov 19, 2008 11:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget though that Teahan isn't the starter

They are paying Jose Guillen $12 Million to play RF. Their projected OF is DeJesus, Crisp and Guillen. Not sure what they would do with Fukudome.

by rlpete on Nov 19, 2008 12:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Guillen can DH

although they have Billy Butler, too.

by DGU on Nov 19, 2008 12:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

KC has

lots of outfielders, first basemen and DH types. It makes a lot of sense for them to trade Teahen for pitching or middle infield help. I can imagine their interest in Pie because of his upside and the fact he wouldn’t be totally wasted as a 4th outfielder. But Fukudome? I just don’t see him waiving his no-trade to go to a losing team with a glut of outfielders, no matter who their manager is. Obviously the Royals make other moves, but on the surface it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for them to acquire another starting outfielder.

by JodyDavis on Nov 19, 2008 12:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs