RichHillIsABeast

Adam Everett is widely regarded as an amazing defensive SS. He got 688 chances last year in just under 1300 innings, about 4.7 chances per 9 innings. Or in other words, a little more than the number of plate appearances he'll receive. Now, consider that a very substantial number of those defensive chances are plays that anyone who's played high school baseball can and will make(pop-ups, sunday hops, easy force out throws, etc.), never mind a major league caliber defender. The sheer amount of chances that a defender gets to add value aren't near the amount of chances he gets at the plate. And even then, that ignores that defense is a 9 man affair, where you can bobble a ball and still flip to the guy at second for a forceout, or lose a ball in the lights/sun but the center fielder/second baseman comes in and grabs it. Offense has more of an impact than defense. yeah, but isn't the difference between two lousy hitters (Cedeno and Izturis) only about 1 time on base per week, at best? I was talking mostly theoretically, in my original post I said it remains to be seen which would be the better option between Izturis and Theriot. Well the real issue is the relative difference between the defensive abilities of the players in question compared to the relative difference in their offensive abilities. Theriot may/may not be the better offensive player this season. Izturis is by far the superior defensive SS. I'll take Izturis at SS this season, but if Theriot shows solid offensive ability with regular ABs at the ML level, I wouldn't be adverse to playing him everyday at SS. But until then, I'd like to have only one question mark at SS - a question mark at offense and a given at defense, rather than question marks at defense and offense.

I believe I read at the time of his signing that it was a straight minor league deal, without an NRI to Spring Training. He may be reporting directly to the minor league camp. Interesting. I'd give Bobby Hill a shot at the 25th roster spot before I'd give Tomas Perez a shot, but oh well. I hope and pray Perez doesn't make the team. I think that's one thing that I haven't seen anybody disagree with yet :D I wouldn't complain if he made the team over Cedeno. Cedeno needs regular playing time to iron out his issues. Perez is actually a fairly solid player, but for several reasons his bat never developed as expected. He can sac bunt and play defense at the very least. The same can't be said for the current incarnation of Cedeno.

Prior improved today. He was consistently 87-88 on his fastball (dropping to 86 only a couple of times). His curveball, while getting a couple ridiculous swings a few times, wasn't consistent enough to keep hitters honest. Then he got pounded. Honestly, I thought it was remarkable that he threw 88 mph fastballs pitch after pitch that first inning and didn't get beaten up. He's either got decent movement or the hitters just sucked. If Prior keeps improving like this, he'll be fine. I wouldn't write off someone with that much talent. We don't need more pitching. I would be shocked if one of Prior/Miller/Guzman wasn't serviceable.

But his lack of "it" wasn't quite as disheartening as his last appearance. Yes, Prior made noticeable improvements. +1

Plesac certainly loves the sound of his own voice. He wasn't as bad today as he was yesterday, but you got to love how when he does an interview and does nothing but make statements instead of ask questions. :lol:

Colvin ball swing and miss fastball inside (Colvin and catcher miss it - passed ball) Runner to third dribbler back to mound, Colvin out at first I thought colvin was supposed to be a winner. :lol: Royals win 6-5. Dang it.

EPatt grounds out to 1B, muffed, flip to pitcher. Out at first. Runner to second. What a crappy AB. Pitcher isn't throwing strikes and you go after first pitch. :x

Hill (for McGee) vs new pitcher (#97) fastball 0-1 fastball 0-2 fastball low, barely misses 1-2 offspeed in the dirt 2-2 fastball just missed low 3-2 up and away WALK Tying run on base, EPatt up to bat.

I fully support and endorse this nomination! I'd take him over Cedeno at this point. If we go to an 11-man pitching staff, I can see Coats and Pagan getting those last two spots. I think Cedeno would be the lead candidate if they go with only 11 pitchers. A lot of posters may act like defense doesn't count, but Piniella is pretty big on defense. And he apparently is unhappy with both Theriot and DeRosa at SS. If they carry an extra bench guy, it will likely be a SS, probably Cedeno or else Perez. Cedeno's defense was bad last year and continues to be terrible through spring training. Someone needs to ride his hiney. It's inexcusable that someone with that much talent stinks it up in the field.

oooooo, burn!

Pie vs Bale fastball 0-1 ball 1-1 curve 2-1 fouled off 2-2 ground out to pitcher That was a really bad AB by Pie. Bale has been struggling with control. And no surprise, the trainer comes out to take a look at Bale.

Fox vs. bale smokes a fastball to deep CF. 6-5 ballgame. 0 out. Wow.

bale vs. perez strike foul fouled off 1b side singled past second baseman

3 plus pitches are back. :) I, for one, didn't think they'd come back. Glad to be wrong.

Coontz (for gload) vs guzman fastball outside 1-0 fouled away 1-1 offspeed fouled off 1-2 fastball up and way Strikeout. Nice job, Gooz. 6-3 Royals after 8 innings.

billy butler vs guzman ball low 1-0 smoked foul to LF 1-1 curve right down the pipe 1-2 curve low and outside 2-2 94 mph heater down the middle, fouled away 2-2 95 mph heater hits butler in hand That's for Kinkade. :evil:

costa was last batter guzman vs. german lined to RF. Coats guns the runner down at 3B. NICE THROW, AMIGO!!!

ball ahahahah, Fox tried to get the ball back to Gooz after he threw it in dirt (scuffed) and ump wasn't having it. ball lined single to RF

Gooz first pitch comebacker 1 out. 6-3 royals.

where's hgh when you need it?

duckworth vs coats check swing low and in 0-1 update on kinkade: off to have x-rays in mesa. (right on bone, solid sound ) fastball inside 1-1 slider low 2-1 fastball away 3-1 fouled away LF 3-2 groundout to 1B 6-3 Royals after 7 and 1/2.

Duckworth (still pitching) vs Ward looking 0-1 check swing foul 0-2 ball 1-2 low and inside 2-2 fouled into the plate 2-2 offspeed low and in K for Ward.

what an awesome baseball name. hoffPOWER!

venable vs hoffPOWER doubles off the CF wall

Colvin inside outside outs the first pitch his sees on a liner to LF. 1 out.