Why is this even considered news?

Originally posted by keithstg:
Does Anaheim have enough players to field a team nowadays? Last I saw they were all on the DL - to say that I am concerned about Garret Anderson for my fantasy team would be an understatement.

What - Figgins, Riggs, Kotchman, DaVanon, Halter, Amezaga, and Gregg aren't household names?

Remember when I said that the scariest thing about Anaheim's off-season moves is that they have the best farm system in baseball too? Remember the name Dallas McPherson. He'll be Troy Glaus' replacement, probably around the all-star break if they don't land Boone.

Remember when I said that Colon, Escobar, Washburn, Sele, Lackey, Shields, Donnelley, K-rod and Percival weren't minced meat? Hell, and thanks to Gregg, there's been no need to rush Donnelley back.

Remember when I said Scioscia was the best manager in baseball? He's earning his wings through 40 games this season.

And I'm not ready to discuss GA yet - this one has me really worried. They're doing neurological tests now to diagnose it - that does not bode well for the long term hopes of this team. Glaus is one thing - but Lunchbox is the silent leader. He is irreplaceable.

For more of my Angel baseball wisdom, check out my take on Chone Figgins at the bottom of today's ESPN's Fantasy Buzz column by Eric Karabell:

http://games.espn.go.com/content/flb/2004/story?page=buzz

Originally posted by saco:
Regarding Mr Jeter:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=olney_buster&id=1803781

Traded for Wade Miller three weeks ago.

Originally posted by Rob_Gee_a.k.a _Guiny:
How do you think I feel? I have Bartolo Colon and now he has no hitters and a stiff back.

He'll be fine. Remember, he had no support in Cleveland at the end, or in Montreal or Chicago. He'll just have to win with small ball offense. Make that small ball with 2 big sticks.

Originally posted by vansmack:

Originally posted by keithstg:
Does Anaheim have enough players to field a team nowadays? Last I saw they were all on the DL - to say that I am concerned about Garret Anderson for my fantasy team would be an understatement.

What - Figgins, Riggs, Kotchman, DaVanon, Halter, Amezaga, and Gregg aren't household names?

Remember when I said that the scariest thing about Anaheim's off-season moves is that they have the best farm system in baseball too? Remember the name Dallas McPherson. He'll be Troy Glaus' replacement, probably around the all-star break if they don't land Boone.

Remember when I said that Colon, Escobar, Washburn, Sele, Lackey, Shields, Donnelley, K-rod and Percival weren't minced meat? Hell, and thanks to Gregg, there's been no need to rush Donnelley back.

Remember when I said Scioscia was the best manager in baseball? He's earning his wings through 40 games this season.

And I'm not ready to discuss GA yet - this one has me really worried. They're doing neurological tests now to diagnose it - that does not bode well for the long term hopes of this team. Glaus is one thing - but Lunchbox is the silent leader. He is irreplaceable.

For more of my Angel baseball wisdom, check out my take on Chone Figgins at the bottom of today's ESPN's Fantasy Buzz column by Eric Karabell:

http://games.espn.go.com/content/flb/2004/story?page=buzz

I picked up Chone recently in my FLB league, but for rememberance's sake:

Anyone who doesn't know of DaVanon and Halter at this point isn't a baseball fan. They aren't anything new.

Remember when I told you that Salmon would be hurt, as would Glaus and Ertsad (like always).

Remember when I told you that Erstad would never match his 2001 season? He won't.

Remember when I told you that Ramon Ortiz would never deliver on the hype? Still hasn't. Escobar IS minced mead, and Washburn has benefited from incredible run support - his era and whip are just average (along with Colon's). The bullpen has been fantastic, however. Scott Shields is a huge help.

I am impressed with Scioscia thus far.

All in all, they are playing great baseball, but unless Anderson and Erstad can come back, and they get more reliable starting pitching, the rest of the season will be much tougher.

Originally posted by keithstg:
All in all, they are playing great baseball, but unless Anderson and Erstad can come back, and they get more reliable starting pitching, the rest of the season will be much tougher.

Yes, I avoided the Erstad conversation. He was driving in runs like a mad man, but his health is always to be questioned now. I did love how when he tore the hammy rounding third, he still tried to lower the boom on the catcher who was waiting for him at home. Heart, never questioned, health, always questioned.

I'm assuming you saw the "good" news on GA. At least they know what it is, he's taking meds and training again. Timetable for return still uncertain.

Salmon will be back soon to help the offense. I'm not sure about Ersty being back by the all-star break, but given the state of the division, I think Anaheim will figure out its pitching as the Rangers staff will start to unravel, and I'm still not convinced the A's have a potent offense at all. The Halo's can just keep plugging for now and we'll see how things turn in August.

What are the Yanks going to do about pitching? And what the hell's wrong with Jeter? I think it's more than this free swinging crap I've been reading.

this, on the other hand, is big news (i'm gonna be at the tampa/baltimore series for sure):

Notes: McGriff preps for return
By Paul C. Smith / MLB.com

Veteran Fred McGriff will soon find himself in Tampa Bay's starting lineup. (Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

ST. PETERSBURG – The Devil Rays have assigned veteran first baseman Fred McGriff to Triple-A Durham, with the intention of calling him up to the Majors in about 10 days.
Rays DHs have hit less than .150 so far this season and the 40-year-old McGriff may be able to help jumpstart the team's offense.

"We think Fred McGriff can still play in the Major Leagues and help us win games," said general manager Chuck LaMar. "Fred represents us trying to win games right now. I think the left-handed hitters in the lineup hitting .200 or below prompted us to make this move."

McGriff was signed to a minor league contract before Spring Training to give him a chance to show that he was healthy. He missed much of last year with the Dodgers because of leg injuries. The Rays were prepared to let him move on to any team that asked for him. But none did, and they may benefit from that.

McGriff also has 491 career home runs and feels he needs nine more to have a better shot at the Hall of Fame.

"Hopefully, we'll be in a position to let him hit his nine home runs and he, in turn, will hopefully help us win some ballgames," manager Lou Piniella said. "He's had a wonderful career. I've known Fred for a long time. He's a good guy. And I would like him to get (the home runs) he needs. It's a good scenario for Fred."

McGriff hit .250 with no home runs and one RBI in six games this spring. He was assigned to the team's minor league complex but chose to work out on his own at his home in Tampa.

"He just needs to get his timing down, that's the main thing," said Tino Martinez, a close friend of McGriff's. "He always stays in great shape."

McGriff is an original Devil Ray who still holds all-time team records for batting average (.295), home runs (97), RBIs (352), runs scored (270) and at-bats (2,002). He also has played in a franchise record 550 games for Tampa Bay.

What are the Yanks going to do about pitching? And what the hell's wrong with Jeter? I think it's more than this free swinging crap I've been reading. [/QB]

I don't think that the Yanks HAVE to do anything about pitching. KB has been one of the best pitchers in the AL this year so far, Vazquez has been very good (aside from two blowouts), and Lieber has been solid to this point, although I think that the jury is probably still out. 3 starters with WHIPS under 1.15 is pretty great. Moose I think will get back on track.

A fifth starter would be nice, but right now I see a need for someone to spot start when they play the DRays, the O's, the Blue Jays, etc. Maybe 25 starts a year. This is where a remotely effective Contreras would help them - or a Wilson Alvarez or Scott Shields, which they used to have in the old days (Ramiro Mendoza). I would be pretty annoyed if the Yanks went out and made a big trade for a starter - right now. Seems like something to reasses in July.

No idea what's wrong with Jeter. The first pitch stuff could be some of it, but I wonder if his shoulder is bothering him from last season. There's another guy who, like Erstad, will never have his heart questioned.

Originally posted by Bagalicious Tangster:

Originally posted by Sacktastic Bag O' Nuts:
New Yorkers are almost as self important and [sic] DC dwellers.

I don't think you've spent enuff time with New Yorkers who define themselves as such. They put any DC dweller to shame, and many likely wouldn't travel outside Manhattan for a party or to see friends (except maybe to Brooklyn, a place they'd NEVER admit is actually on Long Island).

No more so than many DC residents would refuse to go to MD or VA to party or see friends, and VA and MD can be considerably closer to DC than NJ or the BK is to Manhattan.

Originally posted by keithstg:
No more so than many DC residents would refuse to go to MD or VA to party or see friends

I guess I have more open DC friends than most. I and my folks head out to VA a lot, probably weekly. I don't happen to have many friends in MD, but trip up to Kensington whenever invited.

Originally posted by Bagalicious Tangster:

Originally posted by keithstg:
No more so than many DC residents would refuse to go to MD or VA to party or see friends

I guess I have more open DC friends than most. I and my folks head out to VA a lot, probably weekly. I don't happen to have many friends in MD, but trip up to Kensington whenever invited.

Alternatively, it could just be that New Yorker's don't put ALL DC attitudes to shame. Maybe you have just met the wrong ones. I consider myself a NY'er (10021 represent, ha ha), and would go to BK if invited. Not Jersey, though. Got to have some standards :p

Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
Notes: McGriff preps for return

Good for the crime dog. And as he nears 500 HRs good for ticket sales. As far as good for the Rays winning a few more games, it's gonna take a lot more than the crime dog to help that team.

sorry to report this smackie, but, lunchbox is starting to look like bernie williams:

Angels' Anderson Diagnosed With Arthritis

Thu May 20, 3:42 AM ET

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Anaheim Angels (news) center fielder Garret Anderson was diagnosed Wednesday with arthritis in his upper back, neck and shoulders.

Anderson, on the disabled list since April 22, will take medication and begin light workouts in a pool to start his rehabilitation. There is no timetable for his return to the lineup.

The 31-year-old outfielder, an All-Star the past two years and the game's MVP last season, hit .339 with two homers and five RBIs in 15 games last month before stiffness and pain forced him onto the DL for the first time in his career.

He has undergone many tests to try to determine the cause of the ailment.

"It's encouraging to get a hard diagnosis, something firm that can lead to a course of action that will help Garret get better," Anaheim manager Mike Scioscia said after Wednesday night's 4-2 loss to the New York Yankees (news).

"I think it's giving him a little peace of mind that there's something the medical staff can do to get him feeling better."

Asked if he expected Anderson to play again this season, Scioscia said, "Absolutely."

On April 13, Anderson, a career .300 hitter, signed a four-year, $48 million contract extension through 2008. The deal includes a team option for 2009 with a $3 million buyout.

Anaheim's Darin Erstad (hamstring) and Tim Salmon (knee) also are on the DL, and Troy Glaus is scheduled to have shoulder surgery on Friday.

Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
sorry to report this smackie, but, lunchbox is starting to look like bernie williams:

Bernie Williams is better then the comparison to Albert Belle I saw earlier, although the author did say it would be a shame if Lunchbox was the next AB because at least Lunchbox is a nice guy.

I'm just happy they know what it is so they can start treatment. I'm still holding out hope for a pre-All-Star game return.