tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69861395259651041402024-03-04T23:32:57.082-08:00The St. Francis FriarsScott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-44299731802127997812017-06-26T17:08:00.003-07:002017-06-26T17:11:36.442-07:00CEO TALKS ABOUT 'FINCHES' AMIDST FRANCHISE UNCERTAINTY<span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;"><b><i>Can the 2017 St. Francis Kansans get their house in order, and contend for a sixth consecutive playoff spot?</i></b></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5idd3l8tM6to2Vg97Sm6gayQWAu3ZRTFOJilsgDbTt8MtRTfIeIZXqTULK5xjztPJRSk66Fq3GHl6vQ5RsAPgKon697tUV-TvO8Ubf_0BCLIqZe9tkZISlb7GRp2OS5DHRCeHo93k2u27/s1600/Bellinger.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="350" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5idd3l8tM6to2Vg97Sm6gayQWAu3ZRTFOJilsgDbTt8MtRTfIeIZXqTULK5xjztPJRSk66Fq3GHl6vQ5RsAPgKon697tUV-TvO8Ubf_0BCLIqZe9tkZISlb7GRp2OS5DHRCeHo93k2u27/s320/Bellinger.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<b style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-large;"><i>Does the arrival of 1B/OF Cody Bellinger's power bat signal a revival for the former Friars? </i></b><br />
<b style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></b>
<b style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-large;"><i>Can he and the recently-activated J.D. Martinez reboot the club's hopes?</i></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdXhqudN5PF1D1zgrTtoaIMyIWyDeQFOxN6al8qqpxyo-jJzVbTtLy4oTRI-U3_ShkzxX_vTw0Ch-7nIYT36r6E0dfjb_EvS2LD3gRsKb4OSqebSXvurnGI8tjNeHM6wmD5pLmMvsp2-h/s1600/Pineda.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="350" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggdXhqudN5PF1D1zgrTtoaIMyIWyDeQFOxN6al8qqpxyo-jJzVbTtLy4oTRI-U3_ShkzxX_vTw0Ch-7nIYT36r6E0dfjb_EvS2LD3gRsKb4OSqebSXvurnGI8tjNeHM6wmD5pLmMvsp2-h/s320/Pineda.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></b>
<b style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-large;"><i>What about the acquisition of Michael Pineda from Santi City, for the princely sum of C Austin Hedges and two pitching prospects? </i></b><br />
<b style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i></b>
<b style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-large;"><i>Can he stabilize the rotation and help get the club back into the first division?</i></b><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><b><i>Or does the trade of ace Max Scherzer to the Brooklyn Moabs augur hard times and the beginning of a long-delayed rebuild?</i></b></span><br />
<br />
"Hell if I know," said disgruntled "acting" GM and (officially) Team President Scott Hatfield. "I don't know if we're buyers or sellers. I don't know if the players will make a difference, or if the manager makes a difference, or if anyone in our organization is really free to develop a long-term plan. What I do know is, no matter what I do, some is going to take credit for forseeing where things go right, and blame the rest of us for when things go wrong."<br />
<br />
Hatfield was expressing his displeasure with the sporadic, social-media chatter associated with CEO Donald Drumpf, who leveraged a controlling interest in the franchise back in November and promised major shakeups and rapid improvement in the franchise's fortunes, but who actually has apparently had little actual dealings with anyone in the organization. That hasn't stopped him from taking credit, though:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfF9FUZ0RppUnF_f0gIhVtOVxWf9t5sHFvMMxK6HBCLKPiAY3VqEgTH_-hWLvwXqHTbuW5Hcw6p4pi0SElkc9uTQG8r2NrquPGGQOlNNnVTaXx2a3hV4qqRfz9kIyocCSvOb1d_UQ6neM/s1600/Drumpf+Twitter+deal.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="525" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfF9FUZ0RppUnF_f0gIhVtOVxWf9t5sHFvMMxK6HBCLKPiAY3VqEgTH_-hWLvwXqHTbuW5Hcw6p4pi0SElkc9uTQG8r2NrquPGGQOlNNnVTaXx2a3hV4qqRfz9kIyocCSvOb1d_UQ6neM/s400/Drumpf+Twitter+deal.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;">"He doesn't even know the name of the TEAM," said an incredulous Hatfield. 'Make FINCHES great again? That franchise doesn't even exist anymore!"</b><br />
<br />
<br />Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-6207664568904173872016-11-04T10:24:00.001-07:002016-11-04T21:22:36.880-07:00BILLIONAIRE ENGINEERS BIG CHANGES FOR KANSANS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_rnnB2PoE05GcpLg5-QynFzMDMmLv8s8OK4SPxcWZnZZqRtQp2Yo_mEeKjpfLiSEuOeBdro1wSkfY9-R9LV0LIPLsoLgxyGj4ir0nxeDpaaMKtCX03mrO-ITieRGfk9d-ICvXS9SFXeK/s1600/donald+drumpf+ceo.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-_rnnB2PoE05GcpLg5-QynFzMDMmLv8s8OK4SPxcWZnZZqRtQp2Yo_mEeKjpfLiSEuOeBdro1wSkfY9-R9LV0LIPLsoLgxyGj4ir0nxeDpaaMKtCX03mrO-ITieRGfk9d-ICvXS9SFXeK/s400/donald+drumpf+ceo.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">In a stunning development, St. Francis Kansans owner Scott Hatfield has lost control of his beloved BARB franchise. Celebrity billionaire Donald Drumpf, using money from his personal foundation, bought a controlling interest in a block of stock and (promising to "make the ballclub GREAT again") has shunted Hatfield to the side.</span></i></b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"He can be the team President," said an expansive and unfiltered Drumpf to reporters. "He can be the team President, he can talk about the team, he can, like he always has, 'preside'. But we've gotten too casual..Too casual. Weak, it's like a disaster. So much weakness. We need strength, not the weak thing. And so, who are you going to want to be in charge? A weak leader, like Scott? He's low energy. Low energy. Everyone knows it, everyone knows it. People are saying it. But he can be team President, that's OK. But if you want to win, you need Drumpf."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrtMhGG4Q06MHCLplfSYxv1l1qS2t7X0zusxHbZWXXQVA-pkeegLES0mOvWX3K-PlW7CzQXCorKK_IhMetSOGO7h4Ae9cvxGBOh3doHC1hnjlFCORH-nUSB7kRDDYMe9fsXWvIrQEOS30/s1600/Owner+Donald+Trump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Insiders speculated that other stockholders flocked to Drumpf's lead after the Kansans (89-73) failed to win 90 games in the 2016 regular season. While the club has qualified for the playoffs for the fifth time in six years, having averaged over 90 wins a season, this year's edition of the Kansans struggled mightily in July and August, when they lost most of their left-handed pitching. After leading BARB in team ERA for the first third of the season, the club's bullpen collapsed as the club lost, in swift succession: Wei-Yin Chen, Rich Hill, Sean Doolittle and Carlos Rodon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The result: a long summer watching Matt Harvey go under the knife for the second time in three seasons, squirming while waiting for their left-handed pitching depth to come back, and watching the division-leading New England Yankee Stompers widen their lead. In September, the Kansans were able to regroup, adding RHP John Lackey to the rotation, RHP Kensley Jansen to the bullpen, C Yadier Molina behind the plate and OF Jay Bruce to the lineup. On paper, St. Francis is a much more dangerous club, fortified for a deep playoff run.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Drumpf (of course) was happy to claim victory on behalf of his persona, even before the stockholder's meeting that empowered him. </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrtMhGG4Q06MHCLplfSYxv1l1qS2t7X0zusxHbZWXXQVA-pkeegLES0mOvWX3K-PlW7CzQXCorKK_IhMetSOGO7h4Ae9cvxGBOh3doHC1hnjlFCORH-nUSB7kRDDYMe9fsXWvIrQEOS30/s1600/Owner+Donald+Trump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrtMhGG4Q06MHCLplfSYxv1l1qS2t7X0zusxHbZWXXQVA-pkeegLES0mOvWX3K-PlW7CzQXCorKK_IhMetSOGO7h4Ae9cvxGBOh3doHC1hnjlFCORH-nUSB7kRDDYMe9fsXWvIrQEOS30/s200/Owner+Donald+Trump.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Speaking of the acquisitions, Drumpf dismissed the talent dealt (C Brian McCann, RHP Allen, various prospects), and then rambled<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> "<span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;">It's sad. As sad as this trade we are confirming with Low Energy Matt and the Worcester Eliminators, who will never be, in my opinion, George Steinbrenner. We get a Puerto Rican catcher, they tell me he's pretty good, Yadier Molina....and a great pitcher, Jansen, he's mine now, get a load of my African-American. To acquire them, I gave up that slob Brian McCann, save some money. It's called business.... </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #212121;">Oh, and some outfielder named Robles, and this guy, Cody Allen, who lost his job, who needs him, I like relievers who actually give relief, OK?"</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For now, at least, it appears that the eccentric billionaire is calling the shots as the club attempts to make another playoff run. Whether or not Drumpf's coalition of unhappy stockholders will keep him in power is another thing. One school of thought claims that a deep playoff run or a series win could empower him to take an even larger, George Steinbrenner-type role. Yet others think that since the bulk of club's talent was acquired by a team led by the ousted Hatfield, that a Series berth might change the stockholder's minds yet again.</span>Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-87390317721766117782015-10-08T22:34:00.003-07:002015-10-08T22:34:41.177-07:00KANSANS BACK IN THE HUNT?The rains came. After four innings of one-hit baseball, the Kansans maddening ace Matt Harvey departed rather than come back after a long rain delay in a season that has featured one "Harvey innings limit" story after another. St. Francis fans groaned at their perpetual prima donna, who will probably have to skip a start down the stretch to keep his possible post-season workload manageable.<br />
<br />
And after the rains came, the Brownsville Cutters rained some offense, besting St. Francis by a 12-2 score by rallying hard against Wei-Yin Chen and Gio Gonzalez in long relief. Disappointing for Kansans fans against the club ahead of them in the standings, but also because the loss snapped St. Francis's longest win streak of the year at ten games.<br />
<br />
Still, there was a good vibe in the clubhouse, because the ten-game streak against Grapefruit Divisions rivals had allowed owner Scott Hatfield's club to make up five games in the standings and pull within seven games of first place with 22 games left to play. So far, the itchy trigger finger of acting GM Kevin Towers seems to have made the right moves when St. Francis triggered the only two deals at the trading deadline, picking up veteran (but injury-plagued) <i><b>LHP Sean Doolittle</b></i> from Yuma, and versatile right-handed hitter <i><b>Danny Valencia </b></i>from Frostbite Falls.<br />
<br />
"We've gotten back in the race, and our chances of actually winning a playoff spot is excellent," conceded Towers to reporters. "Now we just have to hope that this club can avoid the kind of late-season injuries that have hamstrung their playoff runs in the past. I'm not taking anything for granted."<br />
<br />
St. Francis's magic number for clinching a post-season berth is 15, but they will likely need to go 17-6 or better in the final three weeks to have a realistic shot of overtaking both Brownsville and New England.Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-20274380891052694542015-09-19T12:28:00.002-07:002015-09-19T12:28:59.658-07:00 RETOOLED AND HEALTHY, KANSANS MAKE PUSH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6190byTfliolxuvuYmixDpQ56oOhCcWQGCUOVDNtRYjFIFLItDr_ZYsFQRGwtZp7OCYRIC0OksiMUBzcvUDC-C9N_ZIKf9czGEprfYWCf5Abj1dC4K8YmgPQawO8eXpnNjJs44mQX2bcG/s1600/michael_wacha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6190byTfliolxuvuYmixDpQ56oOhCcWQGCUOVDNtRYjFIFLItDr_ZYsFQRGwtZp7OCYRIC0OksiMUBzcvUDC-C9N_ZIKf9czGEprfYWCf5Abj1dC4K8YmgPQawO8eXpnNjJs44mQX2bcG/s320/michael_wacha.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiue9gpUAR5c7uhHlgV_icOb2J-hzgTmUBTgs3Y7IK9c9N-IzXyackKxlk0qWtzZTw0EGyFUxtLLL_tXGaRozNmECGJACru7dH7iwWNLosNYQZDEHA14vcEh0Y0pjtGBz3DpQPnS4Dp3KA9/s1600/adamwainwrioghtgame5_crop_exact.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Winners of over 200 games the last two seasons, the St. Francis Kansans find themselves in unfamiliar territory entering August in BARB play: in third place, nearly ten games back behind surprising Brownsville, and on a pace to barely finish above .500.</b></i></span><br />
<br />
The St. Francis formula for success in 2013-14, an overwhelming edge in power in a lackluster division, is nowhere in evidence in the 2015 campaign.<br />
<br />
The Kansans not only do not have way more 'pop' than rivals, they now toil in the reconfigured Grapefruit Division under new circumstances.<br />
<br />
But St. Francis has not been idle.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">FREE AGENTS, TRADES, ROOKIES BOLSTER ROSTER</span></b></i><br />
<br />
The Kansans, aware that their rotation has question marks, have acquired <i><b>RHP Michael Wacha</b></i> from the Worcester Eliminators, sacrificing some of their future minor-league depth as players to be named.<br />
<br />
<br />
At the same time, St. Francis has moved out expensive veterans like R.A. Dickey, Michael Cuddyer, Jon Niese and others in a series of moves that have opened up tens of millions of dollars in cap room in the second half when most BARB clubs are living at the razor's edge. That allowed them the freedom to gamble on players that other BARB teams had shown no interest in pursuing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbBIZUDJ09vUVlrkEfKT4sKF62XGxUzmD86cV9qubpdfy5S5ePbsXKZLEf3pK5vBM5-pBCk79VNlqN87-ZxhmGtjpA5qePjoC3S1_HLKx4OTOPuwXBe-8B4JW5doUA0jBW-Zhn_enBu7V/s1600/schwarber1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjPWNnCaejxUiAF8gQYeWT95mj_kkLxXvu8wARompjB0MzVvRmmtsUqILrEsMuDaP8MuYraM-3icLf-v0dqG7vSZ62aakC0pMzmF9oLqhcE6qbMwmn2jcylXrP-ILAAUjP1631hvf2cGq/s1600/schwarber1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvWD_8qprkOhaegtGNLXLsifCdyFR9503XfbNsgqYuQfxOA1x4MS-EKiLXUH_oSf6_JSQxH4twDor2dMV5orwGq_7owh7WB2AqTupxKW6qF-QQ1ERWCUrAOuadw0sVV3Il29229ewFKKO/s1600/adamwainwrioghtgame5_crop_exact.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibvWD_8qprkOhaegtGNLXLsifCdyFR9503XfbNsgqYuQfxOA1x4MS-EKiLXUH_oSf6_JSQxH4twDor2dMV5orwGq_7owh7WB2AqTupxKW6qF-QQ1ERWCUrAOuadw0sVV3Il29229ewFKKO/s200/adamwainwrioghtgame5_crop_exact.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>NOW ADDING....<span style="color: #990000;">ADAM WAINWRIGHT?</span></b></i></span><br />
<br />
This has allowed Kansans GM Scott Hatfield to acquire a pair of high-performing free agents: OF Gerardo Parra and injured free agent <span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>RHP Adam Wainwright. </b></i></span> Wainwright, recovering from an Achilles injury, is very much a long shot to have any impact in 2015, but signing him gives the club options going into 2016 to go behind <i><b>Matt Harvey. </b></i><br />
<br />
The Kansans ace has been spectacular at times this year, but insiders believe that Harvey's workload may be approaching limits recommended by his doctors. <br />
<br />
"The bottom line is we are attempting to upgrade our rotation," Hatfield said, "and that means 2015 AND 2016. A rotation that starts with Wainwright, and continues with Matt Harvey and Michael Wacha, is definitely an upgrade on anything we've ever had in the history of this organization. And we' are going to continue to make moves to put us in position to reach the playoffs for the third year in a row." <br />
<br />
As part of that effort, the Kansans have called up a pair of rookies (<i><b>RHP Aaron Nola</b></i> and <i><b>LHP Steven Matz</b></i>), and expect both to have an impact.<br />
<br />
Also coming back: <i><b>IF Justin Turner</b></i>, who had missed nearly three weeks with a leg injury, and rookie reliever Brandon Finnegan, who will fill the roster spot of closer <i><b>Koji Uehara</b></i>, lost for the season with a wrist injury.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjPWNnCaejxUiAF8gQYeWT95mj_kkLxXvu8wARompjB0MzVvRmmtsUqILrEsMuDaP8MuYraM-3icLf-v0dqG7vSZ62aakC0pMzmF9oLqhcE6qbMwmn2jcylXrP-ILAAUjP1631hvf2cGq/s1600/schwarber1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjPWNnCaejxUiAF8gQYeWT95mj_kkLxXvu8wARompjB0MzVvRmmtsUqILrEsMuDaP8MuYraM-3icLf-v0dqG7vSZ62aakC0pMzmF9oLqhcE6qbMwmn2jcylXrP-ILAAUjP1631hvf2cGq/s200/schwarber1.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>
But the biggest surprise was <i><b>C Kyle Schwarber:</b></i> still very raw behind the dish,
"SchwaRBI" has been such a potent bat in the high minors that the
Kansans couldn't keep him down on the farm a moment longer.<br />
<br />
The early returns were not impressive, as the touted bat had only one HR in his first ten games with the club, but Hatfield was not deterred. "Possibly the best pure hitter I've ever drafted," enthused the Kansans GM. "Now I just have to find a spot for him to play."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>CLUB REMAINS OPTIMISTIC</b></i></span><br />
<br />
"Are
we going to win 100 games again?" Hatfield intoned rhetorically to
snoozing scribes, giving his best Donald Rumsfeld impersonation.
"Probably not. But is our lineup and rotation younger, healthier and
recharged for a push? Yes. Is a playoff spot in play? Very much so,
given that there are two wild card teams in each division. Do we
think that the moves we made not only give us a better change of
competing in Septermber, but next year? Absolutely. You can quote me
on that."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-42825842112757635342015-05-20T17:49:00.002-07:002015-09-19T18:17:38.926-07:00A TALE OF TWO (KANSAS) FRANCHISES<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>‘It was the best of times . . . .it was the worst of times.’</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AKlvBY_bO1M1qg0CTz3jsJiXa10jei66mHK9N0A4vE66eiEuRwJVPI9DckJJoDPzBItmUjJyrnsO_wxXkXo52EfnB8uKZ0C_X3LR2sEBSqYDP4uBOkFdRew4Nby4A6EtZkN0-JuGX36g/s1600/Looking+Down+At+YOU+Ron+1.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9AKlvBY_bO1M1qg0CTz3jsJiXa10jei66mHK9N0A4vE66eiEuRwJVPI9DckJJoDPzBItmUjJyrnsO_wxXkXo52EfnB8uKZ0C_X3LR2sEBSqYDP4uBOkFdRew4Nby4A6EtZkN0-JuGX36g/s400/Looking+Down+At+YOU+Ron+1.BMP" width="373" /></a></i></b></span></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>The REAL Kansas GM</i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So begins one of Charles Dickens’ most beloved works of
literature. But it could well describe
what Kansas baseball fans are encountering this year in BARB: two clubs from different divisions, going in
different directions, but forever linked by past rivalry and common geography.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One club, Scott Hatfield’s St. Francis Kansans, is enjoying
a renaissance. One year after leading
all of BARB in runs scored, the 2014 wild-card club has taken up right where
they left off: leading the newly-formed
Grapefruit Division in scoring, taking an early lead in wins with a 10-2 mark,
and in general looking ready to compete for their fourth playoff berth in five
seasons. The 2009 expansion club
endured 164 losses in its first two seasons, but with more than 360 wins since
2010 is now well over .500 in its history.
“We hope the best is yet to come,” Hatfield beamed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Meanwhile, headed the other direction, the
newly-rechristened Kansas City Rebels of Ronald Melkonian have set a league
mark for futility: the 2012 expansion
club has averaged 100 losses a year since entering the league, and their 2015
campaign began with the club giving up a BARB-high 62 runs while dropping the
first 11 games of the year. “It’s the
middle of the April, and they are nine games out,” marveled a rookie reporter
tasked to cover the club’s nearly-empty stadium.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hatfield had no sympathy for his in-state rival, who during
2014 conducted a ‘fire sale’ that lifted last year’s edition of the Casselton Horned
Toads to a division title, relegating the Kansans to a wild-card spot and an
eventual early playoff exit to the Yuma Firebirds. “That was a tough pill to swallow,” admitted
Hatfield. “The GM in question wanted half my club for Justin Upton, and when I
turned him down flat, he (in his words) ‘powered up’ my chief rival. And now, like a carpetbagger, he has once
again abandoned his previous fans and set up in my territory. So, sympathy? Not a chance. But I’ll talk trade if it serves the
franchise’s interests.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b><i>MAJOR TURNOVER SINCE 2011 PLAYOFF RUN</i></b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Anyway,” Hatfield said, “in retrospect that 2011
stretch-drive collapse was the best thing that happened to the Kansans. It was one of the more improbable moments in
our league’s history, and certainly the best achievement of any club associated
with that GM. He got a remarkable hot
streak from OF Andre Ethier, and that taught me a lesson: don’t set your goals
so low. Making the playoffs in our third
year after expansion was our goal back then, but from that moment on we set our
sights on building a stronger, deeper, more durable organization. By and large, we achieved that, but it wasn’t
easy?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a mark of that, consider that only a handful of players
on the 2011 Kansans are still BARB regulars:
former cleanup man Jose Bautista now starts in RF for the Moabs, backup
IF Todd Frazier is the starting 3B in Pottsylvania, and 2B Neil Walker has
found regular duty in Casselton. RHP Joaquin Benoit is a setup man in Oakland.
<b><i><span style="color: #990000;">What happened to the rest?</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Retired since then</b>: C
Jason Varitek, 1B Paul Konerko, IF Kevin Youkilis, OF Vernon Wells and Johnny
Damon, and P Roy Oswalt, Brett Myers, Heath Bell. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Injured and possibly never to play in BARB again:</b> P Bronson Arroyo, Rafael Betancourt, Matt
Guerrier and DH Jesus Montero<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Hanging on as a bench player in BARB: </b> IF Alexei Ramirez, 1B Mark Reynolds, OF Chris Young, P Rafael Delgado<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>No longer on a BARB roster:</b>
U Kelly Johnson, P Ricky Nolasco, Scott Downs and Joe Saunders.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“When you get down to it,” admitted Hatfield, “while we were
able to earn a berth in a so-so division, the 2011 edition of the Kansans was never that strong a
club. We had to get younger, stronger
and deeper across the board. That was the turning point for our club, and I think we’ve
done that. We're deep behind the plate, off the bench and in the rotation. We finally have some starters that are comparable
to the best in the league, and our offense is obviously clicking.”<o:p></o:p></div>
Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-48077818130009499882015-05-13T10:06:00.001-07:002015-05-13T10:06:37.636-07:00OPENING WEEK IN THE NEW B.A.R.B.<b><i><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">EARLY RETURNS IN RECONFIGURED LOOP</span></i></b><br />
<br />
With the three divisions of East, Central and West just a memory, the rebooted 2015 B.A.R.B. league began play in early May about a month behind "reality". In the Cactus Division, perennial contender Yuma and emerging Brooklyn both jumped out to early 4-1 records on the strength of outstanding starting pitching. Meanwhile, in the Grapefruit Division, it was offense that led the way, with Brownsville averaging over eight runs a game and St. Francis leading all of B.A.R.B. in runs scored.<br />
<br />
Which is better? Canny insiders suspect that the Cactus may become the new "Division of Death" with three former East clubs added to a mix that includes Yuma and Carolina. This is especially bad news for the Kansas City Rebels, who have finished in the second division three years straight and began this season by dropping their first five games, scoring only six runs and being held scoreless in back-to-back games by Worcester.<br />
<br />
Also struggling: Casselton (1-4), which has yielded a league-high 30 runs in the early going; Pottsylvania (1-4), whose best pitcher so far has been Josh Collmenter; and, most surprisingly, Santa Barbera (0-4).<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: large;"><b><i>KANSANS OFF TO HOT START</i></b></span><br />
<br />
With three playoff berths and over 360 wins the last four seasons, the St. Francis Kansans have a lot to live up to in 2015. Following an off-season trade of long-time cleanup hitter Jose Bautista, Scott Hatfield's club has retooled by adding bats through the draft and pitching via trades and free agency.<br />
<br />
The early returns on the 2015 are better than anyone could've expected two months ago: after five games, St. Francis is undefeated, a perfect 5-0, and leads the league with 33 runs scored. CF Michael Brantley, RF J.D. Martinez, SS Jhonny Peralta and utilityman Justin Turner (all 2015 draftees) have provided both average and power to balance an attack that in 2014 was slowed in the postseason by injuries to lefty sluggers Chris Davis and Pedro Alvarez.<br />
<br />
Both Davis and Alvarez return, however, and the club has significant depth on offense: both Brian McCann and Carlos Santana have been added as versatile backups to starting C Salvador Perez; Ryan Zimmerman, Michael Cuddyer, Adam Lind and Marcus Semien all bring versatility to the roster as well.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the club's new rotation (featuring former Santa Barbera lefty Gio Gonzalez) is expected to be bolstered soon by the return of "the Dark Knight", Matt Harvey. With Aaron Harang, Jared Cosart and Wei-Yin Chen added as affordable free agents, the club will be nine deep in starting pitching without needing to tap its minor-league system. The pitching staff's real question at this point will have more to do with the bullpen, which is stocked with effective ( but aging) strikeout pitchers: Zach Duke, Pat Neshek, Fernando Rodney, Koji Uehara.<br />
<br />Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-72610513226578162662014-09-24T23:17:00.001-07:002014-09-24T23:17:44.283-07:00KEVIN TOWERS MAKES THE FIRST MOVE<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">ADVISOR'S FIRST MOVE WITH CLUB IS A BIG ONE</span></i></b><br />
<br />
A hastily-called press conference in the dead of night, in a filled press room, began with a stunning announcement that brought the room to a hush.<br />
<br />
"Let's begin with the toughest nut in this piece," said Kevin Towers, special assistant to the St. Francis Kansans. "We are trading Shin Soo-Choo. He's a fan favorite who has always given his all. He was in this club's founding draft. He's probably the best player from South Korea to ever appear in the big leagues...but, for a variety of reasons, some financial, some about this year, some about the next....we see an opportunity...and that means trading away this special player, when we are a month away from a possible post-season berth."<br />
<br />
A reporter cleared his throat and leaned forward, question in hand.<br />
<br />
"The actual trade," Towers continued with a rush, "is as follows: St. Francis trades OF Shin Shoo Choo, RHP Brad Ziegler, OF Ryan Sweeney and a player to be named to the Brownsville Cutters. In return, the Kansans receive OF Adam Dunn and reliever Matt Thornton. Thanks for coming...and no more questions at this time."<br />
<br />
Towers literally bolted behind a curtain and the press room roared its disapproval. "Kevin!" one shouted, "Dunn has talked about retirement! Can you comment on that?" Another scribe simply screeched, in disbelief, "THORNTON?!?!" Bedlam ensued, but it was no use: Towers was gone, and the full story was obviously not going to be told any time soon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgrAaxRM-O86x3oVE8rOPEGS3v8-eJtQ06zDQW5TXidJRbM0p6SrahbqP-yKYnh_VacspYtaJQ_RI2cPqI1k74EL5ipA8aqpEAHhk6ioauQYHlT709h4-T_SpQJXKXzKz6QcmexSJSoQ9/s1600/Dejected+Choo.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgrAaxRM-O86x3oVE8rOPEGS3v8-eJtQ06zDQW5TXidJRbM0p6SrahbqP-yKYnh_VacspYtaJQ_RI2cPqI1k74EL5ipA8aqpEAHhk6ioauQYHlT709h4-T_SpQJXKXzKz6QcmexSJSoQ9/s1600/Dejected+Choo.bmp" height="288" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Choo was unavailable for comment, but probably has to feel abandoned to be cut loose with a month to go in the regular season, after being a tremendous contributor in the first half to the club's success.<br />
<br />
Team owner Scott Hatfield seemed sad, but defended the abrupt termination of Choo's time with the big league club. "Nothing lasts forever," said the Head Kansan. "We understand what Kevin is trying to do and we wish 'Big League' Choo the very best."<br />
<br />
<br />Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-14540256296483397012014-09-12T23:16:00.000-07:002014-09-12T23:16:22.388-07:00TOWERS TAKES THE REINS<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">COMMISSIONER HAYNES:</span></i></b></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div id="inlineImage0" style="display: inline-block; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<span> </span> <div class="inlineImage" data-link=" class{getInlineCssClass: ItemErrorMessage} initHeight{:InitialHeight} initWidth{:InitialWidth} html{:Html}" initheight="229" initwidth="298" style="cursor: pointer; display: inline-block;" unselectable="on">
<img height="229" src="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" width="298" /></div>
<span> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<b><i>We haven't spoken before, but you may be aware of the fact that I have been engaged as a special assistant to the St. Francis Kansans in player acquisition, and I am authorized to conduct TRADES on behalf of the organization, effective August 20th of this year, following our stockholder's weekend conclave.</i></b></div>
Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-90663282358337641282014-06-24T17:32:00.000-07:002014-06-24T17:36:45.602-07:00KANSANS: WOULD TOTO RECOGNIZE US?<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>The Monastery---In 2013, the St. Francis Friars overcame long odds to reach their first-ever BARB World Series a year after finishing in the second division. Now, in 2014, they are almost unrecognizable from the 2012 club in terms of makeup...and outlook.</b></i></span><br />
<br />
Having never won as many as 90 games, last year's club needed a big final push from veteran OF Carlos Beltran in the final week to pass the Casselton Horned Toads. They drew the Worcester Eliminators in the 2013 playoffs, a club which led all of BARB in runs scored and posted a league record 111 wins, but somehow managed to turn it into a short series when their Koji Uehara-led bullpen outperformed the loop’s best relief corps. And, while they fell in six games in the 2013 Series, helping Frostbite Falls to its sixth title, they flexed impressive muscle at the plate in part due to the clutch hitting of new 1B Chris Davis.<br />
<br />
Now, in the off-season, they have put another controversy behind them after charges of impiety and anti-Catholic bigotry was laid against the ball club in light of the franchise’s name and its past association with a renegade monastic order that thought Vatican II was a liberal mistake. Rechristened the Kansans and with its controlling interests no longer dominated by theological disputes, the St. Francis club has emerged in recent weeks as the club to watch in 2014, both in terms of player development and on the field.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><b>2014 DRAFT:</b></i></span><br />
<br />
No club ended up exercising more picks in this year’s Draft or moving more big-name talent in the off-season than St. Francis. The Kansans were concerned that they had emptied their cupboard somewhat in order to reach the post-season, a concern that grew in some quarters as off-season deals saw the ballclub trade promising young SS Xander Bogaerts to New England.<br />
<br />
But, thanks in part to packaging away a potential future ace in Michael Wacha to Worcester, St. Francis accumulated plenty of extra picks in this year’s Draft. As a result, they pulled off an absolute haul that easily rivaled this year’s amateur draft in MLB:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-small;">LHP Brady Aiken (1st overall selection) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-small;">C Kyle Schwarber (4th overall, first college bat taken) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-small;">SS Nick Gordon (5th overall, first high school player taken) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-small;">RHP Aaron Nola (7th overall, first college RHP taken) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-small;">SS Trea Turner (13th overall, first college SS taken) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-small;">RHP Touki Toussaint (16th overall) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-small;">LHP Brandon Finnegan (17th overall) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: x-small;">RHP Nick Burdi (46th overall)</span><br />
<br />
The club also added veteran OF Coco Crisp and Jayson Werth, backup C Dionner Navarro, veteran 3B Aramis Ramirez and a potential ace, RHP Steven Strasburg, to go with the club’s core: C Salvador Perez, 1B Davis, 3B Pedro Alvarez. OF Shin-Soo Choo and Jose Bautista.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">ST. FRANCIS’S AMAZING SWING THROUGH THE EAST </span></b></i><br />
<br />
While the draft harvest was rich, most of it was unlikely to have any impact on this year’s campaign. But, as the previous list of core players shows, the 2014 edition of the St. Francis franchise is a veteran-laden club that is truly built to ‘win now’. Thus, a wave of early injuries or slow starts in the regular lineup could be psychologically damaging to the entire organization.
But, for the first time in many seasons, St. Francis has avoided any serious injuries in the first two months of the season, and in the last few weeks, they finally hit their stride.<br />
<br />
Already leading all of BARB with 76 round-trippers, the club began a torrid road trip through the Eastern Division. Widely-considered the most challenging of BARB’s pennant races, the ‘Division of Death’ has produced eight championships and represented the first real test of whether or not the 2014 Kansans could hang with the league’s top clubs.<br />
<br />
The road trip began with St. Francis scoring 18 runs in Brooklyn, sweeping three games from the Mother Of All Ballclubs in their own park. The Kansans then held the newly-rechristened NorCal Pirates to only four runs in three games for their second straight series sweep. A great beginning---but now came the real challenge: two games against the defending world champion Squirrels, in their own home park of Rocky Top.<br />
<br />
The last time they had met, Frostbite Falls had ridden the hot bat of Austin Jackson and exploited some shaky left-handed relief from, among others, Craig Breslow. In the 2013 World Series, St. Francis had been unable to counter with much in the way of right-handed pop, with both Jose Bautista and the (since-released) Carlos Quentin out with injuries.<br />
<br />
What a difference a new year makes! Strasburg (5-2, 2.93) fanned six (including Jackson) in outlasting Cole Hamels (1-3, 4.54) as the visitors rallied to bat around in the seventh after trailing 1-0 through six, winning the opener, 4-1. In the second game, Davis and Alvarez both homered off Joulys Chacin (2-1, 2.71) to chase the Squirrels starter in the third, giving R.A. Dickey (5-3, 5.43) all the runs he would need early, in a 9-2 triumph!
Eight straight on the road against Eastern Division clubs, eight wins! As this went to press, St. Francis had extended that winning streak to ten games by taking two more at home from Brooklyn, bringing their mark to a BARB-best 36-10. “It’s a thrill to see the pieces falling together in some ways,” said club owner Scott Hatfield. “Now we just need to keep our bullpen fresh and our veterans in one piece. No one wins a pennant in May, but we are going to try to build off this run and return to the post-season.”
Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-31961202803205082932014-04-05T14:18:00.001-07:002014-04-05T15:14:02.471-07:00SECOND-PLACE FRIARS RECHRISTENED<b><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">After losing 4-2 in the 2013 BARB World Series, you might think the only controversy for the St. Francis Friars would be how to get back to the Series, and win it all. </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">But, in a surprising development, the club is ending its long-time arrangement with the increasingly-unorthodox Tridentine monastic order which originally founded the franchise with seed money from a lucrative Belgian beer brewing business.</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b>
<br />
"For a variety of reasons," admitted <b><i>acting CEO Scott Hatfield</i></b>, "the business of baseball, while compatible with the business of beer, became less compatible with the business...or perhaps I should say, the organization of belief. For some time, operating out of the great Midwest, our fans showed a friendly appreciation for the connection with the priests. Even non-believers seemed to enjoy our lovable Friars mascot, and we have certainly not had any protests about the nature of the majority owners." <br />
<br />
But, as Hatfield admitted under questioning from the press, the truth was that the Head Friar (the rather stern <b><i>Brother Gregor</i></b>) has a lot of problems with baseball players, who aren't always angels. And the Head Friar had hinted during the club's most recent pennant race that<b><i><a href="http://francisfriars.blogspot.com/2013/12/friars-bold-desperate-package-farm-for.html"> they were concerned about the club's financial prospects. </a></i></b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNyOZMqwDo3Cgn49oJPTnVrFKxD614-yPqxBarqP8Ud0FA258hYPRzuKkXbYYZGPqIF-ILg9XeU-_il4CeCElSxGWf_CDnQsl3UgKqKcttkUwKKg8-3nkfFjQRhScXPd_76f5JVGQJYz1/s1600/pope-francis-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNyOZMqwDo3Cgn49oJPTnVrFKxD614-yPqxBarqP8Ud0FA258hYPRzuKkXbYYZGPqIF-ILg9XeU-_il4CeCElSxGWf_CDnQsl3UgKqKcttkUwKKg8-3nkfFjQRhScXPd_76f5JVGQJYz1/s1600/pope-francis-600.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new Pope, Francis. No word<br />
yet on whether he follows BARB.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A further problem, and probably the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back: the election of <b><i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Francis">Cardinal Bergoglio</a></i></b> from Argentina to the Papacy.<br />
<br />
<br />
This event has, to put it mildly, had unintended consequences. Despite a reputation as a traditional Jesuit with conservative views, the new Pope has (to the surprise of many) adopted attitudes toward those outside the Faith that have alienated many conservative Catholics, including the monks of Brother Gregor's order. As a result, the order has liquidated some of its stock in the enterprise, and the majority ownership has reverted to acting CEO Hatfield and a group of other investors.<br />
<br />
That isn't so earth-shaking. Corporate holdings change from time to time. But Cardinal Bergoglio's unprecedented decision to adopt the name Francis had the uncomfortable effect of making the name "St. Francis Friars" come across as an impious way to refer to the reigning Pope. "We haven't been in conversation with anyone higher than the local Bishop," a weary Hatfield said, "but if we're not getting it from the conservatives who don't appreciate the Holy Father's friendly disposition towards non-Catholics, we are receiving angry emails from liberal members of the Church who think Francis can do no wrong, and who think we are mocking him."<br />
<br />
"Let's get this straight," Hatfield concluded the press conference. "This club has gone by the name St. Francis Friars for a long time, and it never was seen as a problem before. But, rather than create a controversy within the church, our new Executive Board has petitioned the BARB Commissioner, and we have been granted permission to change the club's name from 'St. Francis Friars' to 'St. Francis Kansans.' This will affirm our host city, and embed our identity solidly in the Quad-State region of northwest Kansas. At the same time, however, we will continue to use the emblem and mascot of the St. Francis Friar to maintain continuity. We hope this change will be seen as an affectionate, but not necessarily religious commitment to our club's tradition. And now, if you'll excuse me, I have a Series to win."<br />
<br />
<br />Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-36645373054671571262013-12-18T16:57:00.000-08:002014-04-05T15:08:43.753-07:00FRIARS BOLD? DESPERATE? PACKAGE FARM FOR DAVIS<i style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></i>
<i style="color: blue;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Burdened with payroll, underperforming on offense and in danger of
falling out of the Central Division race, the St. Francis Friars today
boldly (some say desperately) "rolled the dice" with their biggest asset
(a deep farm system) and packaged four prospects and a
player-to-be-named to acquire Brownsville Cutters 1B/DH Chris Davis.</span></b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5trWvsojyAGBGyoNbr4tKK6EsY-I2Thfc2HoHpHGrRDcVal8hYG3OMyxI5SSuxhjj9DrtKxkwdsVj_jSM2SGc2JZyfQFDWK2V5LjvcrqDySbbUnFDpZkZAuObQPdevi-GGkwFPti3wbp/s1600/chris-davis-5313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5trWvsojyAGBGyoNbr4tKK6EsY-I2Thfc2HoHpHGrRDcVal8hYG3OMyxI5SSuxhjj9DrtKxkwdsVj_jSM2SGc2JZyfQFDWK2V5LjvcrqDySbbUnFDpZkZAuObQPdevi-GGkwFPti3wbp/s640/chris-davis-5313.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Davis
(.276, 18 HR, 49 RBI) joins Jose Bautista, Pedro Alvarez, Carlos
Beltran and Carlos Quentin to form a powerful middle of the order for
the Friars, who will make a big play to get back into the Central
race. But the cost was high: a slugging SS prospect in Javier Baez,
two promising pitchers at AAA (Danny Hulten, Casey Kelly) and former
first-rounder Bubba Starling (along with $4.8 million in salary) are the
property of the Cutters. A player to be named from St. Francis's farm
system will be added to the mix following the conclusion of the 2013
post-season.<br />
<br />
"This trade is pretty simple," said owner Scott
Hatfield. "If we catch Casselton and win the division outright, it will
be considered a success. If we miss the playoffs, even if we end up
with an improved record, it will probably be seen as the straw that
broke the camel's back, and trigger an organizational shakeup. None of
this might've been necessary if management had not stupidly spent much
of their cap on now-sidelined 1B Mark Teixeira. I signed off on that
decision, so what can you do? You can't fire the owner."<br />
<br />
The powerhouse move also frees up salary for the Friars, which may or may not play a role in other moves. The privately-owned property of a renegade Tridentine monastic order may have finally left a sour taste in the mouths in the brotherhood's Abbot, Brother Gregor. "Scripture tells us," the Head Friar intoned ominously, "that for everything there is a season. A time to be born, a time to die, a time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones for casting. And, in this baseball season, it seems that it is time for the brotherhood's investment in this secular business to yield some performance, so that our order might derive some profitability from sales of merchandise. If we can't increase the club's profits, we may have no choice but to cut payroll and place the club on the open market this off-season."Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-10642889541504472842013-04-23T13:15:00.000-07:002013-04-23T13:15:08.851-07:00PITCHING ROUNDING INTO FORM?<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;">The Friars have been a decent offensive club for the last two seasons, nearly leading all BARB clubs in runs scored in their sole playoff season (2011). But the rotation? Ever since the Finches traded away Justin Verlander in their inaugural season, they've lacked a true #1 starter, the kind who can take over a short series and turn a .500 club into a winner.</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
Instead, the Finches have run through a series of middle-of-the-rotation starters and journeymen, many drawn from free agency. Attempts to flesh out the rotation by drafting established big league starters haven't been too successful, either: in just one year, three lefties in their twenties (Jorge De La Rosa, Dallas Braden and Clayton Richard) were all lost to season-ending injuries. "It makes you appreciate the beauty of a horse like Bronson Arroyo," admitted team president Scott Hatfield. "Never misses a start, usually gives you at least five innings, even if he gets hit around." And, indeed, the 37-year-old Arroyo is not only better-conditioned than many pitchers ten years his junior, he's been the one constant on Darwin's staff since joining the club in 2009.<br />
<br />
But is that about to change? Finally, after some frustrating stalled picks (Mike Montgomery, Tyler Matzek, Matt Hobgood, Randall Delgado) the Friars are finally reaping the benefit of deep drafts from the last three seasons. For the first time ever, the system seems stocked with legitimate #1 and #2 starting prospects, some of whom appear ready to finally contribute to the big-league club:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZH9PAKTaI5kvfbCEHg7RWPlIrg6p5ir3LsoBCD-ww1MF7g4Gc-hrzIWvuMEibEhI23twj6Yw6Wb02qSI8tW9XhVHp00biIPibFivHrYK9VhEwey4Oi7bU-m7cpQV4NdXFPz3vxXPUDog-/s1600/Braggadocio.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZH9PAKTaI5kvfbCEHg7RWPlIrg6p5ir3LsoBCD-ww1MF7g4Gc-hrzIWvuMEibEhI23twj6Yw6Wb02qSI8tW9XhVHp00biIPibFivHrYK9VhEwey4Oi7bU-m7cpQV4NdXFPz3vxXPUDog-/s640/Braggadocio.BMP" width="640" /></a>Clay Buchholz, added as a free agent, is again showing why he has legitimate strikeout potential. Young lefty Derek Holland, added in a 2012 trade, seems to be flashing the form that made him a top-20 starter in 2011 again. 2010 draftee Shelby Miller's three-pitch repertoire has improved by leaps-and-bounds since this time last year, when he was struggling in AAA. He is now clearly ready to contend for a spot in St. Francis's rotation. Travis Wood, a castoff free agent signed off the waiver wire in mid-2012, has given six or more innings in each of his first four starts this year. 2013 draftee Wade Miley provides Wood and veteran Cliff Richard heavy competition from the southpaw side. Most importantly, 2012 draftee Matt Harvey probably has improved more than any other minor-league arm in the last year, moving from someone thought to be bidding for a fifth rotation spot to ace-like status, as his average fastball has ticked up nearly two miles an hour since being acquired by the Friars.<br />
<br />
It all means that St. Francis is on the verge of having a respectable, affordable, young cadre of starters ready to contribute to the parent club, able to give their teammates quality innings and reduce the heavy workload soldiered by the Friars pen the last two seasons. "This is the best pitching we've ever had, and we think it's going to get better as the year goes on," enthused obviously-unobjective team president Scott Hatfield. "Our offense, if healthy, is improved as well compared to 2011, so this is going to be our best club yet on paper. Can we compete with Pottsylvania, that just won a world championship, or with Casselton, which has the best record in the division overall the last five years? We think we can, and hopefully by the second half we'll have the depth and payroll flexibility to make moves to push us forward."<br />
Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-29291043404583327342013-04-13T10:46:00.002-07:002013-04-13T10:46:15.719-07:00OPENING DAY ROSTER NEWSFriars closer<i><b> Jason Motte</b></i> has been sidelined by a serious elbow injury and is attempting to rehab his arm without having surgery. It is believed that if Motte is forced to have surgery, he will be lost for the season. The Friars had rather prudently obtained some veteran insurance, signing <i><b>RHP Fernando Rodney</b></i> through the 2013 Draft and adding former Yuma setup man <i><b>Rafael Soriano</b></i> as a free agent. Still, Motte's departure (even if only temporary) means that St. Francis will continue to pursue bullpen arms on the trade market.<br />
<br />
One arm not making its way to opening day: former Brooklyn prospect <i><b>Daniel Schlereth.</b></i> The journeyman left-hander did not pitch well enough this spring to earn a roster spot, despite openings in the pen, and he has been optioned to AAA St. Michel after agreeing to a minor-league split contract that raises his salary $250,000. "We can afford this penalty to obtain some insurance," remarked team president Scott Hatfield.<br />
<br />
Veteran <i><b>Bronson Arroyo</b></i>, despite a mediocre 2012 BARB campaign (10-10, 6.75), has earned the nod for Opening Day starter. He will be followed in the rotation by 2013 Draftee <i><b>Wade Miley</b></i>, veteran <i><b>LHP Clayton Richard</b></i>, rookie hurler <i><b>Matt Harvey</b></i> and last year's #2 starter, <i><b>LHP Derek Holland </b></i>. Waiting in the wings: <i><b>RHP Shelby Miller</b></i> (who had a great spring and will being the year at AAA St. Michel) and former Brooklyn<i><b> RHP Clay Buchholz,</b></i> signed off the scrap heap as a free agent. RHP Henderson Alvarez, who showed flashes at times in 2012, will begin the year on the disabled list, while prized prospects <i><b>Danny Hultzen</b></i> and <i><b>Dylan Bundy</b></i> are returning to AA Georgetown for more seasoning. All three could eventually play a role with the parent club, or serve as trade bait.<br />
<br />
The glut of young pitching meant that neither <i><b>RHP Edinson Volquez</b></i> or<i><b> LHP Travis Wood</b></i> would get a rotation spot, but instead would begin the year in the St. Francis pen, while veteran <i><b>RHP Aaron Harang</b></i> (actively shopped by management) would be the club's spot starter and primary long man for now. "We are in an unusual position for any club, much less St. Francis, " Hatfield mused. "Virtually all of our starters are healthy and had decent springs, and we have as a result tremendous depth in the rotation. We expect to be active in the trade market precisely for that reason."<br />
<br />
In other news: <i><b>C Jesus Montero</b></i> will go north again despite a disappointing spring, and the Friars will (for now) carry three catchers. Montero's main role, however, will be as a DH against left-handers and veteran <i><b>Kelly Shoppach</b></i> is expected to get most of the playing time off the bench to back up starting catcher <i><b>Salvador Perez</b></i>.<br />
<br />
During the spring, observers were surprised to see slugging <i><b>RF Jose Bautista</b></i> play occasional innings at both 1B and 3B, as Bautista is still dealing with injuries from last season and hasn't played regularly in the infield since 2010. "I thought it would be good for my workout to make sure I was using all my skills," Bautista said, "and maybe it will come in handy for the team, as well." Bench strength is a concern for the club, with no left-handed hitters
available and only one player (<i><b>IF Todd Frazier</b></i>) likely to play a utility
role, so perhaps Bautista's unusual prep will in fact become part of
the club's style of play in 2013.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, three other infielders (<i><b>Aaron Hill, Pedro Alvarez</b></i> and <i><b>Ike Davis</b></i>) are expected to get most of the playing time at 2B, 3B and 1B. All three run-producers came over last August as part of a blockbuster trade with the Arizona franchise in a swap for Shawn Marcum, which is now looking like one of the most one-sided exchanges in league history. Marcum, who battled injuries last season, is now once again sidelined to start the year and when he returns he is expected to be no better than a #3 starter.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-32081463581470722272013-04-01T11:47:00.001-07:002013-04-01T16:40:51.431-07:00PEREZ ON THE BLOCK<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAfRyZj45BfDGUzrGrflo4Zj52xgs6XssYoFQyWsuGDgWe1qpJ9Vxfrk4aaGS49b-Te7Vim6eyHkHwWJ0n8dP5C9rfWMkJBDkJNMVfvTd1giOh6LvDLipd8YEILc2rYGPo9vbiJOnctqG/s1600/SPerez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAfRyZj45BfDGUzrGrflo4Zj52xgs6XssYoFQyWsuGDgWe1qpJ9Vxfrk4aaGS49b-Te7Vim6eyHkHwWJ0n8dP5C9rfWMkJBDkJNMVfvTd1giOh6LvDLipd8YEILc2rYGPo9vbiJOnctqG/s200/SPerez.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: large;"><strong><em>In a shocking development, prized young catcher <a href="http://www.royalsreview.com/2012/12/26/3795732/a-nation-turns-its-lonely-eyes-to-salvador-perez">Salvador Perez</a> has been suspended from the team and informed that management is trying to decide whether he is part of their future, or not.</em></strong></span><br />
<br />
At issue are <strong><em><a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2013/02/01/4043482/salvador-perez-is-pumped-to-catch.html">these comments</a></em></strong> by Perez, recorded by the Kansas City Star-Herald:<br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #274e13;">"Our schedule, who drew it up? Nothing but night games, never any games off, it is hard to see how any one can squat, squat, squat day and night. I may have to take some days off."</span></em><br />
<br />
Management interpreted Perez's remarks to refer to this year's BARB schedule, which (unlike previous years) should be balanced, and not provide teams with periodic intervals of 4-6 straight games off, when (among other things) veterans were fond of visiting the buffet, playing 18 holes or going on fishing trips.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">GM Scott Hatfield explained Perez's likely demotion this way: "<span style="color: #274e13;">A</span>mazingly, <span style="color: #274e13;">P</span>erez <span style="color: #274e13;">R</span>esists <span style="color: #274e13;">I</span>nnovative<span style="color: #274e13;"> L</span><span style="background-color: white;">eague</span> <span style="color: #444444;">s</span>cheduling. <span style="color: #444444;">F</span>ans <span style="color: #444444;">O</span>f <span style="color: #444444;">O</span>ffense <span style="color: #444444;">L</span>ove <span style="color: #444444;">S</span>alazar, but we can't overlook this. This is no laughing matter."</span>Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-84768204312525589622013-03-27T10:23:00.004-07:002013-03-27T10:41:11.635-07:00FRAZIER DOMINATING PREPS<strong><em><span style="color: #274e13;">How often does it happen that an amateur player, a teenager, shows such potential that they become the subject of a Yahoo News! article before the comparable professional league gets underway, months before their respective sport's Draft? Not too often, and when they do, it's usually basketball after one of the invitational prep tournaments. In the last five years, only Bryce Harper has merited this kind of attention well ahead of Draft Day....</span></em><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/highschool-prep-rally/clint-frazier-top-baseball-prospect-hits-6-hrs-152101583.html"><em><span style="color: #274e13;">until now.</span></em></a></strong><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0GF9DwiCzH8" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
Did you notice how quickly his teammates gathered at home plate? The kid hadn't even reached first when they piled out, in what was obviously a no-doubter in a respectable (330 foot down the LF line) park. Oh, and it was a three-run shot to put his team ahead. Oh, and in hitting it he essentially "outdueled" the other big-name prospect that over 70 scouts came to see at this game between Louisville and Grayson, Austin Meadows. Don't believe me? <strong><em><a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/high-school/2013/03/frazier-home-runs-rock-loganville-grayson-showdown/comment-page-1/">This is Baseball America's absolutely-GUSHING account of the exploit.</a></em></strong> Oh, and in the next six games he hit five more out. And, entering his senior year, he's already broken the previous career mark for HR at his alma mater, which was set by a current active major-leaguer (Brandon Moss).<br />
<br />
What has brought this young man this sort of attention? Click on the Yahoo link above, which has many pics and multiple videos. Suffice to say is that, before the prep season began, he was already either the number-one or number-two ranked prep player in the country. Now, with his season just seven games old, it might just be that Frazier has a chance of being the number-one ranked prospect, period.<br />
<br />
Gentlemen, behold the projectable body and quick hands of 6' 1", 190-pound high school senior Clint Frazier. So quick, that in the video below he clearly tomahawks what would eventually go out over the LF wall. In, uh, the Metrodome.<br />
<br />
<script src="http://player.ooyala.com/player.js?width=480&video_pcode=9qOW86QlQxUsVVggciUuxQVbUq6F&height=302&embedCode=FrdmRkNTpjKgvhe-zvD5w0ELczJvI9Nr&deepLinkEmbedCode=FrdmRkNTpjKgvhe-zvD5w0ELczJvI9Nr"></script><br />
But wait, there's more. This video shows Frazier on a West Coast jaunt. The last minute is shot at Petco Park. I like it when he hits a line drive off the Western Supply Building, and also a big fly ball that goes out to dead-center...and out. Petco, even in the daytime, not too favorable for power hitters. So, yeah, I think the kid can really hit. And I don't think he's going to end up playing OF for Georgia, either:
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bstnvEcTXbQ" width="560"></iframe>
Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-73845234361122216262013-03-16T20:10:00.001-07:002013-03-16T20:10:14.937-07:00FROM THE SPRING SEATS<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>FRIARS ACQUIRE CARLOS BELTRAN</i></b></span><br />
<br />
St. Francis, looking for outfield depth, has obtained veteran flychaser Carlos Beltran from last year's most improved club, the New England Yankee Stompers. At age 35, Beltran managed to avoid any extended absences due to injury and hit .284 with 20 HR and 88 RBI for a club that came within one game of winning the league title in 2012. But, with a big contract and a need to rebuild their club, New England felt it was probably better to move Beltran now while his value was up.<br />
<br />
To obtain Beltran, St. Francis parted with defensive whiz Hak-Ju Lee, who draws comparison with (among others) Cesar Izturis and Ozzie Guillen for the way he takes charge on the infield. Lee could be New England's starting shortstop by 2014 if he continues his development with the bat, but with the Friars having obtained veteran SS J.J. Hardy (still only 30 and with plenty of pop) to back up incumbent Alexei Ramirez, and with free agency still to play out, this move made some sense for the Friars.<br />
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">FARM SYSTEM READY TO CONTRIBUTE?</span></i></b><br />
<br />
So far, not so much. The parent club has added veterans on the long side of 30 this off-season, and has yet to either trade for or develop the ace starter the rotation needs to move into the upper-tier of BARB clubs. <br />
So far, the vaunted list of phenom pitchers hasn't made a dent in the parent club's decisions. In the last 48 hours, Danny Hultzen, Casey Crosby and ultra-phenom Dylan Bundy have all been notified they will open the year at AAA. Shelby Miller still has an outside chance of breaking camp with the Friars, but so far it's been a quiet spring without a lot of battles.<br />
<br />
<b><i><a href="http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/cubs-talk/javier-baez-putting-show">But then there's this kid. </a></i></b> He's got no chance of making the roster barring an unbelievable run of injuries. But the bat speed, the wrists have people talking about Javier Baez, who has drilled four no-doubt bombs in the last two days:<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rzPNDM46_mM" width="560"></iframe>Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-8345372706691897612012-08-27T06:53:00.001-07:002012-08-27T12:43:22.367-07:00FRIARS IN DISARRAY, THROW IN TOWEL<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodtLyQFvmnQ0MiHpe701QcBwlWqPuXpCX4PXiLuWjNZ-PNogmTgNXTA2iSjF7xNO2690_a5klZnPGD6D5xeMrgVFZOKZbsR9MkmMxl2KzW4azsHjZK8fbgMSch9z3hMMDRDX7Mxrc3DoY/s1600/agony+of+defeat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodtLyQFvmnQ0MiHpe701QcBwlWqPuXpCX4PXiLuWjNZ-PNogmTgNXTA2iSjF7xNO2690_a5klZnPGD6D5xeMrgVFZOKZbsR9MkmMxl2KzW4azsHjZK8fbgMSch9z3hMMDRDX7Mxrc3DoY/s320/agony+of+defeat.jpg" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: x-large;">In a bitter news conference, St. Francis Friars owner Scott Hatfield confirmed that the monk-operated franchise had thrown in the towel on a 2012 season that had begun with a "fire sale" and ended, for all practical purposes, with the injury to slugger Jose Bautista.</span></em></strong><br />
<br />
"With Bautista, we are an elite team in terms of scoring runs," Hatfield said ruefully. "Without him, we move back to the middle of the pack, offense-wise....and despite improvements to our bullpen, our starting pitching has not been good enough to keep us competitive with Jose out."<br />
<br />
Noticeably absent: longtime "acting" GM Jack McKeon, who has returned to the racetracks and boardwalks of his Florida retirement community, and who apparently no longer even advises management on player movement. "Jack served the Friars very well in a transition period," said Hatfield when asked about McKeon's absence. "Jack was the inspiration for our 2011 team that shocked the Central Division and made the playoffs, but I think if he was here he would understand the direction we feel forced to go."<br />
<br />
Hatfield was red-faced during the brief and bitter moments that followed. "As you know, I feel that our division rivals in Arizona have been extraordinarily fortunate in making the playoffs last year, and don't think too much of their organization's moves the last year. But personal feelings shouldn't blind thoughtful people to opportunities, and so, no matter how much it hurts to swallow this pill, I'm here to report that the Rattlesnakes have essentially caught us in the standings with their pile of free agents, and they....that is to say, their GM, Ronald Melkonian, seems to feel that acquiring a pitcher can make them a contender for a playoff spot. After last season's improbable chain of events, I can see where they might think that."<br />
<br />
"I therefore announce that Arizona has agreed to take on the contract of injured RHP Shawn Marcum, who is currently rehabbing in the minors, along with left-handed hitting 2B Kelly Johnson. In return, St. Francis will receive IF Aaron Hill, LHP Zach Britton and two minor-leaguers to be named later. Ironically, both Hill and Johnson have been traded for each other in reality.....and, more painfully, both Marcum and Britton were previously swapped between the two teams. I don't see this as a blockbuster, but just another building block. Perhaps if Arizona rattles off ten straight wins and gets back in contention, this will be considered their turning point." <br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gpwC1qbHS5E" width="420"></iframe>Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-9174247839606098992012-02-24T21:41:00.005-08:002012-02-24T22:11:41.114-08:00OSWALT RELEASED<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtIsH2tSmazsESwuzzyQfeBDOCbpFXWVw0YsNsuVuKiA9ZySsHQ4ZS9oBdPbmWIbV7w4uifXVNqXXhkjlhdqxgPNgYT2lXVJctcYM0k6OIbauwyQo5_4DQIrjFHCReJsElgfHBAEB1-xm/s1600/202715_Phillies_Spring_Baseball.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtIsH2tSmazsESwuzzyQfeBDOCbpFXWVw0YsNsuVuKiA9ZySsHQ4ZS9oBdPbmWIbV7w4uifXVNqXXhkjlhdqxgPNgYT2lXVJctcYM0k6OIbauwyQo5_4DQIrjFHCReJsElgfHBAEB1-xm/s400/202715_Phillies_Spring_Baseball.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712945753736013058" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Due a $16,000,000 payday if he was on the spring training roster, veteran RHP Roy Oswalt was non-tendered by the Friars for the purpose of cutting the club's "franchise player."</span></span><br /><br />Oswalt had been with the club since 2010, after being acquired in a trade along with prospects from the Brooklyn Moabs, a trade that in retrospect seems to be key step in a series of moves that laid the ground work for last season's playoff run. Oswalt was effective at points in the season, going 9-4 with a 2.78 ERA, but was often dinged up. Observers speculated at times as to whether or not Oswalt would retire in mid-season, not just after the campaign. But, despite all the doubts, Oswalt pitched credibly in the playoffs and talked up his desire to return for another season of BARB baseball.<br /><br />Management, however, looked at the tea leaves and decided that $16 M was too much to risk for a 34-year-old who had made only 17 regular-season starts for the Friars, who signaled their intention to go in another direction in the last week, dealing away veterans Paul Konerko, Kevin Youkilis and Heath Bell. The move lowered the Friars payroll to $126 million prior to the Draft.<br /><br />Oswalt can now be signed by any team other than St. Francis through this year's impending Draft.Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-29014648918607710552012-02-21T09:11:00.006-08:002012-02-21T09:34:56.782-08:00WILD DAY FOR FRIARS<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">In what is likely his final month on the job, GM "Trader" Jack McKeon made the "fire sale" rhetoric in St. Francis a reality, trading away three high-priced veterans from last season's playoff club:<span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 0);"> 1B Paul Konerko, 3B Kevin Youkilis and stretch-drive closer Heath Bell</span> in separate deals with (respectively) Pottsylvania, Los Angeles and </span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Casselton.</span></span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwEc_AM2mn36KuG2darT4w_AHvSS5lk5cQ30wd1LdOQJR_v9JbYC9VKpo-KCuRtbuAgyLragItNUu5T10Go8YoTCQ_5MMJccfbRPpKg6hDMvda2S9BRhtUaHVnACA204wCpAOtncifzeM/s1600/20071011-09.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwEc_AM2mn36KuG2darT4w_AHvSS5lk5cQ30wd1LdOQJR_v9JbYC9VKpo-KCuRtbuAgyLragItNUu5T10Go8YoTCQ_5MMJccfbRPpKg6hDMvda2S9BRhtUaHVnACA204wCpAOtncifzeM/s400/20071011-09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5711643081476475874" border="0" /></a><br />That all of these deals were with divisional rivals far better-positioned to make a run at a playoff spot did not escape the media's attention, nor the nearly $23 million sliced from the salary cap. Of all the deals, McKeon seemed most depressed by the loss of Konerko, a team leader who had been with the club since the middle of the 2011 season. "The guy is a leader," sighed a groggy McKeon over breakfast at a local diner that the Friars GM evidently preferred over the hotel buffet. "He led by example, never got too high, too low. A great influence on our younger players, and a solid hitter. Pottsylvania will be happy to have him."<br /><br />To get <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Paul Konerko</span>, the Creepers parted with three prospects not expected to be impact players in 2012:<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> LHP Sean West</span> (who missed all of last season with injury),<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> RHP Jason Knapp</span> (returning to A ball after surgery) and<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> 3B Tommy Mendoca</span>, an original draft pick of the Friars. Mendoca, who was hitting .347 in AA at mid-season, tumbled back to Earth after a tragic car accident claimed the lives of two of his best friends from high school.<br /><br />To get <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Heath Bell</span>, the Casselton Horned Toads sent a veteran reliever (<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Mike Adams</span>), along with a pair of former prospects on hard times (<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">1B Matt LaPorta</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">SS Reid Brignac</span>) who are no longer seen as sure things to become big-league regulars. LaPorta will face intense competition in spring to make the roster, McKeon confirmed, while Brignac seems assured of a backup role.<br /><br />To get <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(102, 0, 0);">Kevin Youkilis</span>, the Los Angeles Isotopes dealt veteran starter <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">Aaron Harang</span>, along with a Grade B pitching prospect (<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);">RHP Zach Stewart</span>) and highly-touted minor-league<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 51, 0);"> IF Hak-Ju Lee</span>. The Isotopes also picked up an extra seventh-round pick in this year's Draft while sending their eighth-rounder to the Friars. Stewart could conceivably get some starts this season and gives the club some minor-league insurance against injury, but Lee is unlikely to appear in a Friars uniform until 2013, at the earliest.<br /><br />The acquisitions of Brignac, Harang and Adams were believed likely to trigger other decisions on players deemed too expensive for the club's future plans, but McKeon (signing baseballs for fans with a somber expression) refused to comment further. "Look, pal," McKeon said gruffly to one reporter, "It's like when you're sending your kid away to college. You know that they've got a good future ahead of them, but they're moving away, and they won't be living with you anymore, and that's just all you can say about it. We have high hopes about the players we're getting, but how that affects everything else right now, just to soon to say, OK?"Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-78919225979795684722012-02-06T10:43:00.000-08:002012-02-06T10:54:55.671-08:00FRIARS: UNCERTAINTY ACCOMPANIES RELEASESThe St. Francis Friars appear to be in an organizational shakeup, with neither GM "Trader" Jack McKeon or any of the largely-invisible members of the Celestine Order publicly commenting on any aspect of team activity during the 2012 off-season.<br /><br />The 2009 expansion club made it all the way to the top of the BARB roost in 2012, with one of the loop's top offenses scoring runs at a club-record pace until around August. After that, an injury epidemic to both left-handed starters (Braden, Delarosa, Richard) and left-handed hitting (Choo, Youkilis) transformed the 2011 Friars into a more average club. They faded badly in September, limping into the playoffs as a wild card while the surprising (and, frankly, left-for-dead) Philadelphia franchise caught them for the Central Division title. Yuma made short shrift of St. Francis in the playoffs, sending the Friars home, their mission unaccomplished.<br /><br />Now, with the news that the league may expand again circulating through its front offices, McKeon and the rest of his management team are playing their cards close to their vest: they will have relatively poor draft position and moved significant young talent to make their playoff run last season, and a press release confirms that the club's chief priority at this time is simply to cut salary, as the following brief snippet details:<br /><br /><em><strong><span style="color:#003300;">"Feb. 4th---For immediate distribution----The St. Francis Friars announced that they were releasing the following players:<br /><br />C Taylor Teagarden<br />OF Vernon Wells<br />OF Felix Pie<br />RHP Jason Frasor<br />RHP Brandon Lyon<br /><br />-30-"<br /></span></strong></em><br /><br />Not exactly a wealth of information! The moves will save the club nearly $30 million next season, but with $185 million still committed on paper, this is an organization on a collision with fiscal reality, that will need to trim $60 million simply to meet the league's cap.Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-41457665975522611922011-09-21T11:26:00.001-07:002011-09-21T11:38:22.578-07:00FRIARS EXTREMELY BUSY AT TRADING DEADLINEAdded by trade.....RHP Shawn Marcum, RHP Jason Motte, OF Johnny Damon<br /><br />Traded away.....LHP Mike Montgomery, 3B Josh Vitters<br /><br />Designated for assignment....OF Aaron Cunningham and Donovan Tate<br /><br />Granted their immediate release.....RHP Jason Frasor, OF Felix Pie<br /><br />Signed as a free agent....1B/3B Mark Reynolds<br /><br />Returned to the minors....RHP Matt Guerrier, LHP Zach Britton<br /><br />Likely future promotions....rookies Randall Delgado, Todd Frazier and Jesus Montero<br /><br /><br />The possibilities for any playoff roster, at a glance (but this could still change if Kevin Youkilis is unable to play in the final weeks):<br /><br />ST. FRANCIS FRIARS<br /><br />C AJ Pierzynski 3.38<br />C Jason Varitek 1.50<br />C Jesus Montero 1.20<br /><br />1B Paul Konerko 12.00<br />1B/3B Kevin Youkilis 9.13<br />3B Jose Bautista 2.40<br /><br />2B Kelly Johnson 2.35<br />SS Alexei Ramirez 0.88 FP<br />2B/3B Neil Walker 0.40<br />IF/OF Todd Frazier 1.20<br /><br />OF Vernon Wells 5.25<br />OF Chris B. Young 3.25<br />OF Johnny Damon 2.00<br />U Mark Reynolds 0.40<br /><br />RHP Roy Oswalt 12.00 FP<br />RHP Bronson Arroyo 8.80 K<br />RHP Brett Myers 6.20R<br />HP Heath Bell 4.00<br />RHP Rickey Nolasco 1.90<br />RHP Joaquin Benoit 1.50<br />RHP Matt Guerrier 0.79<br />RHP Rafael Betancourt 0.40<br />RHP Randall Delgado 1.20<br /><br />LHP Scott Downs 4.00<br />LHP Joe Saunders 0.93<br />LHP Franklin Morales 1.20<br /><br />"In case anyone has forgotten," growled GM "Trader" Jack McKeon, "This is what we started with, all those years ago:<br /><br />C Ronnie Paulino<br />C/IF Brandon Inge<br />IF Felipe Lopez<br />IF Nick Punto<br />SS Cesar Izturis<br />IF/OF Ryan Freel<br />IF/OF Casey Blake<br />IF/OF Ben Zobrist<br />OF Johnny Damon<br />RHP Kyle Davies<br />RHP Gavin Floyd<br />RHP Frank Francisco<br />RHP Freddy Garcia<br />RHP Edwin Jackson<br />RHP Yusmeiro Petit<br />RHP Chris Ray<br />RHP Juan Salas<br />LHP Jamie Moyer<br />LHP George Sherrill<br />LHP Jason Vargas<br /><br />The only player still remaining from that original roster is Cesar Izturis, and that after only signing him as a minor-league free agent as insurance. Wecashed in Inge, Zobrist, Floyd, Jackson and Vargas in trades that were favorable and allowed me to accumulate prospects. In our first draft, we added Shin Soo-Choo and Alexei Ramirez. We turned Carlos Quentin and some prospect depth into the draft pick that was Jose Bautista, easily our best move. We signed a lot of unwanted players off the scrap heap, including the eventually-expensive Paul Konerko. Throw-in players in some deals (Kelly Johnson, Neil Walker, Jason Varitek) and another major trade on draft day (Kevin Youkilis) rounded out our lineup, and about a month back the club finally got the legitimate closer, Heath Bell.Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-9641260107267040242011-09-08T10:34:00.000-07:002011-09-08T11:44:57.392-07:00CAN FRIARS STAND SUCCESS?With the recent announcement of capitulation by the Philadelphia Rebels, the St. Francis Friars (with 71 wins, second in BARB) now find themselves in an unfamiliar position: not merely contending, not merely leading their division, but with at least ten games between themselves and both the Rebels and the Casselton Horned Toads, who lost 11 of 13 to fall out of the race.<br /><br />In other words, barring an historic collapse, the Friars will finally achieve the goal of every expansion team, win a division and make the playoffs.<br /><br />But problems remain on the horizon. Despite acquiring Heath Bell to close, and adding LHP Joe Saunders off the free-agent scrap heap, there can be no doubt that St. Francis's pitching staff is a notch behind the other major contenders for the playoffs. While each starter is capable of winning on any given day, and all but Roy Oswalt can be counted on as inning-eaters, the fact remains that Brooklyn, Frostbite Falls and Yuma have better rotations, with comparable (or superior) bullpens. That puts a great deal of pressure on the Friars lineup to score early and often.<br /><br />Further, the avenue to trade for pitching is closing, and good starting pitching appears to be all but impossible to pick up, given the limits imposed by the salary cap, unless St. Francis is willing to completely gut their farm system.Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-14743347086800574062011-06-25T11:51:00.000-07:002011-06-25T22:08:41.170-07:00"TRADER" JACK...ALL THE WAY BACK!<div><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#006600;">There is an amusing benediction of sorts, for which any real baseball fan can appreciate the irony: "May you live in interesting times." </span></em></strong><br /><div><strong><em></em></strong><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 382px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622238679951774290" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIODp3pKxZZY0Rxh1liRHqSX1DRPMv5qr6JBDJ62DJfCWgFMnVP6g_Pd5EPgDdeYKwLurrrUxDkdaH6gj1Qe55oJqPTa5SvQqtnTqcQzlPQtQe3_QjQyNjWPMMG7rppRBC0zoJLWmoIx9I/s400/jack.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />So it was that in late June, the St. Francis Friars confirmed that <strong><em>Jack McKeon</em>,</strong> who had been serving as defacto GM for the organization, was named not only acting GM, but (in an interesting arrangement) the club's "co-field manager". As part of his increased responsibilities, McKeon will receive no additional salary but, as he assured reporters, "I will be getting an allowance for any additional Havanas I have to light up."<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkHcwhVO0g5WEWiVnFRgTqAYEsz_OiwqhXqwTa9zmRiy3pzZmCSRP6WOd6MhWcJYQmEYK7JPKN34nJTuxw8L5yo1iVDaGyvRJ4Ly3DkirL_-I79MzEARnEmnv25TTRWTi0dmYJjUwwlYP/s1600/Pedro.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 166px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622237250631273954" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXkHcwhVO0g5WEWiVnFRgTqAYEsz_OiwqhXqwTa9zmRiy3pzZmCSRP6WOd6MhWcJYQmEYK7JPKN34nJTuxw8L5yo1iVDaGyvRJ4Ly3DkirL_-I79MzEARnEmnv25TTRWTi0dmYJjUwwlYP/s400/Pedro.JPG" border="0" /></a>McKeon wasted no time in shaking things up, engaging in the rare 'Challenge Trade' with a team in his own division. Frustrated with the slow learning curve of <strong><em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedro_Alvarez_%28baseball_player%29">Pedro Alvarez,</a></em></strong> "Trader" Jack dealt the second player selected in the 2008 amateur draft to division rival Philadelphia, along with minor-league OF Blake Smith.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>In return, the Rebels somewhat curiously parted with a starting pitcher, <strong><em><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7720">RHP Ricky Nolasco</a></em></strong> (2-5, 5.60 in nine starts with the Rebels). Alvarez, attempting to earn playing time with the Friars, had found his route blocked by a pair of versatile (and productive) new starters, 3B/1B Kevin Youkilis and 3B/OF Jose Bautista. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>With Youkilis hitting .335 with a league-leading 60 runs scored, and Bautista lead all of BARB with 19 HR, Alvarez found himself riding the bench. The rookie had gone 3-for-12 in brief duty before being sidelined by a minor injury.<br /><br />"We don't think the kid's ready," said McKeon bluntly. "He's still a work in progress, swings at too many pitcher's pitches when he doesn't have to, still airmails throws on routine plays. He's got a guaranteed major-league contract ready to kick in, though, and it would be hard on the kid to have him up here and basically warm the pine. So, we think this is the best thing for him. He'll go to an organization where the player in front of him---A-Rod----is getting long in the tooth and will likely spend a lot of time in the future as a DH. We think a lot of him, and he's obviously the most talented player in this deal. But you can't make an egg without breaking a few omelettes."<br /><br />"The big question is," McKeon continued, "is whether getting Nolasco, who has struggled, is going to help us. The sense I get is that Philadelphia thinks he won't help us all that much, because he's underachieved with them, and they would like to clear a roster spot for some talent that they see over the horizon. It's an unusual situation, dealing with a division rival. I asked GM Melkonian whether or not he understood that I was trying to steal his lunch money---which I am----and whether or not it made sense to basically sit down in the cafeteria and have lunch with me. Well, he has a different perspective, in which his organization has the pitching depth to make this deal. So, you know, don't look a gift horse in the mouth. We think having Nolasco helps us, even if he doesn't put up especially good numbers, because he is a young, affordable starting pitcher who can pile up K's in short stretches. If it doesn't work out with him in the rotation, perhaps he can fill a long relief role and we can give Correia more work. The bottom line is that we've had a lot of injuries to our pitching staff, and getting any arm at this point gives us a little breathing room. We'll know more about this trade by August." </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div></div>Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-39408542668769552302011-06-08T14:08:00.000-07:002011-06-21T22:25:24.778-07:00PATIENT FRIARS STILL LOOKING TO UPGRADE<span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;">Finding themselves four games above .500 (17-13) as May wound to a close, the St. Francis Friars mulled various possible moves as they attempt to make the transition from division doormat to contender!</span><br /><br />Offense is not an issue: new additions like 1B Paul Konerko, 1B/3B Kevin Youkilis and 3B/OF Jose Bautista had provided improved pop, the team is strong up-the-middle defensively, and the bench (Neil Walker, Felix Pie, Jason Varitek, Juan Uribe) has already contributed.<br /><br />Pitching, on the other hand, shows signs of strain. Season-ending injuries (Jorge De La Rosa, Joel Zumaya, Dallas Braden) to several hurlers have put pressures on the entire pitching staff, but especially on a rotation that was already regarded as more workmanlike than stellar.<br /><br />"Every club needs pitching, even if they say they don't," claimed acting GM "Trader Jack" McKeon. "The question is, do we want to make a deal now, or should we wait until there are more 'sellers' on the market, and hope the price for a veteran starter comes down? There are arguments to be made on both sides of that equation."<br /><br />Part of the caution stems from the realization that LHP Zach Britton appears ready to contribute to the rotation now, while another pair of prospects (Randall Delgado, Mike Montgomery) seem likely to earn callups in August, potentially bolstering the roster again. There is also the versatile Kevin Correia, back at AAA, but available to make a spot start or even move into the rotation should St. Francis lose another veteran to injury.<br /><br />The recent actions of division rivals may be urging against caution, however. On the one hand, the willingness of division rival Philadelphia to make a bold move to acquire another starter (Shawn Marcum) from last year's Central Division winner (Casselton) further leverages that club's perceived advantage in the starting rotation....but at the cost of helping the Horned Toads pick up some quality bats (Carlos Beltran, Curtis Granderson, Asdrubal Cabrera, Scott Rolen) who will presumably bring Landon Bolt's underachieving club back to the middle of the pack, offensively.<br /><br />"Bottom line: our rivals in the division aren't sitting on their hands," said a cigar-chomping McKeon. They aren't going to let us run away with anything. So we are open to dealing prospects to acquire pitching."<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">CLUB RELEASES ZUMAYA, DORRELL</span></strong><br /><br />In a surprising move, the Friars have released oft-injured RHP Joel Zumaya and stymied minor-league batting prospect Wes Dorrell, moves that will cost them nearly $2 million on the open market. <br /><br />Zumaya has an electric arm that can touch triple digits when healthy, but has always been more of a thrower than a pitcher. His latest bout on the disabled list convinced management that even if healthy sometime this season, he was unlikely to do much of anything other than take up a roster spot for a more durable hurler.<br /><br />As for Dorrell, once a coveted college bat, insiders speculate that he may have lost the desire to compete at a higher level. "We've heard retirement talk," said one family member, "and we don't see anything about his recent performance to lead us he was going to do anything but quit chasing the dream. We thought the organization should know."<br /><br />Management hinted that the struggles of the injured Brandon Lyon could also mean that the club's "franchise pitcher" tag was premature, and that the versatile swing man could face release rather than guaranteeing a $4 million salary in 2012.Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6986139525965104140.post-40156685952889947022011-03-31T01:12:00.000-07:002011-03-31T01:20:29.915-07:00FRIARS READY TO COMPETE"So," said new player-manager Jason Varitek with a smile, "Things just got more interesting."<br /><br />He was referring to the blockbuster series of moves from division rival Arizona, which has bolstered its rotation to elite status by adding Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Matt Garza. "They are clearly in a go-for-it, win-now mentality," commented Varitek, "because they moved most of their good young arms in order to get these guys. Latos, Hanson, Bailey, Shields and a bunch of picks."<br /><br />"Well, we are also attempting to win now," said Varitek. "We think we have a solid group of veterans in our rotation, and we think our bullpen is much improved. We don't have Casselton's outfield. We don't have the star power that's in Arizona right now. We don't have as many young players ready to contribute out of spring training as Los Angeles. What we do have, however, is a good balance throughout.Scott Hatfield . . . .http://www.blogger.com/profile/00363885800131794994noreply@blogger.com0