Speaking of spring training I will say it now....WHO GIVES A ****? Baseball spring training is boring, sucks and imo has 0% bearing on the season. Greinke sucked in ST the year he won the CY. Guys that look good end up being terrible. Guys that look like shit end up being world beaters.

I hate spring training baseball but it's Father-Son time so that's the important thing.

Maybe, I just never saw him when I was down in Az. Or liek Is aidm if I did it was late and nothing of note.

I've been a fan of Salvador Perez for a while, but I'm stunned at how well he hit this season, and cautiously optimistic that he won't regress too much. His story from the very beginning was that he was a terrific defensive catcher whose glove would carry him up, but that someone somewhere would have to teach him how to hit. Then he comes up to KC and slugs some crazy-high number near 500. His babip was at a silly level, so he was somewhat lucky and cant maintain the batting average, but I don't know that anyone was really expecting that much power.

If he hits a sophomore slump, figures it out, then settles in at a 750 OPS, I'd be very happy with that.

Usually it's been my experience that guys like that are just "knack" types. You say he needs to be coached this or taught that but then just tears shit up. He probably will regress some as teams get film on him but guys who seem to do what he is doing see ball-hit ball. Everything else is pretty much noise.

Something just clicks. Perhaps he hits better against better pitching? It's weird how people are sometimes. Guys you thought would be great basestealers cant' steal for shit and guys you think have no business stealing tear it up! Guys who look like they have no power go yard left and right and guys you think would go yard a lot are just power-double hitters.

Baseball is such a weird sport at times.

Not sure if its just luck with Perez or what, but watching pitchers struggle to get him out was amazing to watch

Spring training is very, very important. The results (w/l record, a pitcher's ERA, etc.) aren't important, but that time for the players to work on things is of the utmost importance.

I agree with that. I am just saying you can't take anything away from it is all.

I heard Toronto wants a stud closer in a big way. I'd dangle Soria, I think Holland could close for us.

Whenever I see someone like that it makes me wonder if they just chase everything. In the majors, guys throw more strikes. It could be that he got himself out in the minors by swinging at everything. If this is the case, pitchers in the majors will figure out that they don't need to throw it anywhere near the plate, and he'll get himself out. I hope not, but that's the first thing that comes to my mind.

Now all we need is an ace....

http://www.kawaiikakkoiisugoi.com/wp...yu-darvish.jpg

$40 million for the right to pay the guy $40 million? No thanks.

I'd think most of that original $40 mill will be made back through additional Japanese revenue.

I'd at least like to see how the Red Sox did with Dice K. I've heard that Ichiro's last contract was basically a wash due to all the money he brings to Seattle.

That could be a legit point to consider. I'd have to see the numbers.

I don't think there's a chance in hell (not that I know anything), but...
:grovel:

If I'm the Royals, I post about $15MM with the intention of offering $10MM/year for 3 years with 2 club options. (don't want that? Fine, have fun in Japan. He makes about $5-6MM/year in Japan right now) I do that with the full expectation that I either won't win the post or fail to come to terms. I'm not down-playing the guy's talent, thats why I'm willing to pay a minimum of $45MM over 3 years for someone who would basically be an elite ace prospect.

The rumors out there are that it would take a $45-$55MM post plus a contract offer of about $75MM for 5-6 years. C.C. Sabathia money for a man who has not pitched an inning in MLB. I call bullshit on that, and if a team does that, I will mock them.