Buffalo Bisons:
BTW today's top ten Mets prospects is a prime example of the competing depth between the two farm systems. BA ranked Josh Thole #8, a left-handed hitting catcher who walks more than he strikes out, doesn't hit for power, doesn't receive very well, and has a below average arm.
Now Thole is four years younger than Kyle Anson, but Anson at least has a plus, plus arm, and while there's a big difference in batting average, there's no difference whatsoever in plate discipline and approach. I've seen Thole
play quite a few times and there's absolutely no way I'd rank him among the top five catching prospects in the Yankees system.
The difference in depth is utterly amazing.
We learned this week that, as expected, the New York Mets declined J.J. Putz's pricey 2010 option. Now that the righty has filed for free agency, tonight's discussion topic focuses on where he might land. Putz last signed a contract with the Seattle Mariners, following a strong 2006 campaign as the team's closer. The deal was for $13.1MM over three years (plus incentives), and it looked like the club might have themselves a bargain when Putz posted a 1.38 ERA and 40 saves in 2007. Unfortunately, the next two seasons, one with the Mariners and one with the Mets, were marred by injuries, raising doubts about Putz's current worth.
Given his health problems, it would be very surprising to see Putz regain his 2007 form. However, his value has taken such a hit that teams could view the former closer as a less expensive gamble this offseason.
The Detroit Tigers might be a good fit. They pursued Putz aggressively a year ago and are faced with decisions on whether to bring back Brandon Lyon and Fernando Rodney. If Putz wanted to stay in the NL East, the Philadelphia Phillies will probably be looking for bullpen options. It's easy to imagine either team, or a handful of others, attempting to sign the 32-year-old to an inexpensive (but incentive-laden) short-term deal.
Sammy Sosa tells friends he is comfortable in his own skin.
But a widely circulated photo of the former Cubs slugger makes his skin color appear several shades lighter.
"He's not trying to be Michael Jackson," said former Cubs employee Rebecca Polihronis, who talks frequently with Sosa.
Sosa was photographed recently during an appearance at Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
"He is going through a rejuvenation process for his skin," Polihronis said. "Women have it all of the time. He was surprised he came out looking so white. I thought it was a body double. Part of (the photo appearance) is just the lighting.
General:
Two days at Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup, and of all places providing a sports memory of a lifetime in addition to a hot tip that finally pays off.
I hear Joe Torre is talking about extending his contract as manager with the Dodgers and remaining beyond next season.
“Where did you get that?” Torre says, the first time all weekend he seems to care where I’m getting my inside information.
But it’s true, Torre says, “we’re talking about it.”
We know this, he’s not chatting with Jamie McCourt about it.
“We were talking about my coaches and I’ve been thinking about it,” Torre says while mentioning General Manager Ned Colletti’s name and plans to chat again once Torre returns from a charity function in New York.
“It’s been fun. When I came here, I was curious about how it might go. But the last two years have been invigorating. You see progress and your ego tells you maybe you had something to do with it.”
The Dodgers have won back-to-back division titles for the first time in 30 years, and given the McCourts’ tug-of-war and a scorecard to keep straight all the names of the lawyers, removing Torre’s status as lame-duck manager might go a long way in bringing some stability to the team.
“He’s done a great job,” Colletti says. “And our relationship continues to be a very strong one.”
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