NOT Breaking News

by CATALYST on Jan 28, 2008 8:28 PM CST Comment 3 comments

Not Breaking News...But it's an interesting read.

Pitchers and Catchers report in 16 days, 17 hours, 34 minutes, 6 seconds...5 seconds...4 seconds...

I'm posting the text because I can't figure out how to link the letter to Al on. Al's Rambings

Friday, January 25, 2008

(1/25/2008 05:32:00 PM) - Al

Al,

I love your blog and check it everyday. I was at the Bullfrogs dinner in Green Bay where Doug Melvin spoke at.

Melvin didn't have any earth shattering news. Here are some of the things he said.....

About Carlos V in the bullpen, Melvin said he liked Carlos V in the bullpen, and felt the bullpen took a hit last year when Carlos was pulled out of the bullpen. (what he failed to say was Carlos was struggling badly the second half in the bullpen when he was pulled from the bullpen)

Bill Hall will not play CF during the first month of the season (Gwynn, Gross and/or Kapler will man CF will Cameron is out the first month)

said they will wait until the end of the season to determine what to do with Sheets as far as resigning him or letting him go. Mentioned there are other variables to look at such as other players reaching arbitration and their salaries go from $500,000 to $2-$3 million in one year.

Said Ted Simmons will be able to handle some of the media responsibilities that Yost had.....basically saying when the media wants to hang out in Ned's office before a game, Simmons will be able to pull them out of there and tell them lots of baseball stories.

Said Kendall will make the pitching staff better because he works with pitchers and calls the game to their strenths....specifically mentioned that Suppan, Capuano and Bush like to work with a catcher so he calls a game to their strenths and the hitter's weaknesses. (I took this to mean that Estrada didn't work well with the pitchers). That Kendall and the pitchers will be watching film of opposing hitters to find weaknesses. Pointed out the A's pitching staff ERA went up a run after Kendall was traded to the Cubs. Kendall is also a hitter who works the count.

Really likes the bullpen and the hard-throwers in the pen. Pointed out Turnbow was second in the league in Holds last year.

At least twice he mentioned that fans should come out to watch this special group of young players play, because once they get closer to free agency and reach free agency, he can't guarantee what will happen. Tough decisions will have to be made. (My interpretation....."We can't resign all of these players and will lose some in free agency.")

If I think of any other things, I'll let you know.

Thanks.

Bert

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Hopefully Ted

will also handle all scratching of insect bites during games.

by molitorfan on Jan 28, 2008 8:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Countdown

Thanks for the diary. It's just nice to see new (old) information. Go Crew!

by SwampBuck on Jan 28, 2008 10:22 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

That's funny

what he said about Simmons and the media. Yost sure could become caustic.

It sure seems like there is more to the Estrada story. When oh when can we have a tell all book? I'm not sure that the Melvin comments point to Estrada calling a poor game. I think it might be that Kendall has some flaws and he is trying to talk up the high points.

Wasn't it Suppan who ended up working with Miller a lot though. Maybe a coincidence... or not.

Al's might be a place to pick up some Brewer's info, but that advice to buy real estate is cuh-razy.

by ol Pete on Jan 30, 2008 1:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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