The numbers don't lie; the Trash Heap lost 102 games last year. 2007 was easily the worst year in the franchise's existance and New Jersey fans weren't happy. Fans went to extreme measures to get their point across with boycots, sites dedicated to firing the management, and walkouts during games.
However, there is cause for optimism. New Jersey, a team that has traditionally been very conservative with trades, pulled off a big one to leapfrog over the rival Roadkill. With the consensus that GRK was going to draft a pitcher, NJT made Jack Howard an offer they couldn't refuse. Fortunately, there were no horseheads or canolli; only draft picks. To move up 2 spots, NJT gave away their 3rd round pick but received the GCG 6th round pick (81th overall).
While GRK denies it, NJT believes that Tim Lincecum was #1 on their board. The Roadkill PR is smart enough to spin it that Gallardo was #1 on their books so we might never know. With pitchers that talented and with that little MLB experience, there really is no way to determine which one will be better. The Heap just went with their gut .... and the player with an incredible K/9.
Even better for the Heap was the slide of two prospects they had ranked rather high: Delmon Young and Chris Iannetta. There's little doubt that Delmon Young would have been considered for the 1st overall pick last year if he was eligible. However, a non-spectacular 2007 MLB campaign caused Young to slide to 19th overall. NJT still believes in the talented Young. With Iannetta, NJT hopes to solidify a C core that has been anything but solid. Most fans cannot remember the last time NJT kept a catcher from one year to the next.
NJT has dedicated their last 3 drafts to youth and they are hoping it will pay off. The youth core of NJT now includes Howie Kendrick, Ian Kinsler, Chris Iannetta, Jeremy Hermida, JJ Hardy, Delmon Young, Jeremy Bonderman, Chad Billingsley, and Tim Lincecum; all of whom are 25 or younger. All were once very highly touted prospects and now most of them are starting to use that talent to produce.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Pitchers & Catcher to Report
Feb 17 - The Griz complete their pitching staff with the selection of Jason Marquis. Wayne Jocketty said that we have completed our staff and it is now time to call the troops to spring training where they can get start ready for the coming season. The starting staff is composed of RH Ben Sheets, LH Mark Buehrle, RH Jon Garland, and our 2 draft picks RH Brian Bannister and RH Jason Marquis. Jocketty does not forsee drafting another starter although the bears could use one - instead Jocketty points to swingman Zack Greinke to fill any needed starts. This is not to say we won't draft anothr starter, but our next pick is 2 rounds away - can't imagine we will find anyone that can beat Greinke or any of the other starters out. Jocketty admits he has not counted total starts by staff, but innings are pretty close.
The relief corps recieved a boost Saturday with the selections of Peter Moylan and CJ Wilson. They along with supplemental draft picks RHers Scott Shields and Bob Howry have bulked up relief innings and we await our autodraft pick sunday morning to complete the staff that once was made up of only former closer Chris Ray.
Jocketty was questioned why he did not fill the other teams need earlier in the draft and especially why did he skip over Delmon Young (twice). Jocketty stated that "OF and Pitching are our primary needs and we learned an ugly lesson waiting on taking the pitching late. Jamie Moyer and Vicente Padilla last year late Griz choices were sent packing as soon as cuts were allowed. As for Delmon - we really wanted the man - he is unbelievable and would have been a better choice than Bannister, who may not even make next years roster - but we felt we needed to address the pitching staff, especially now that we have an infield that can play catch and throw. We can always get an OFer we like and even if we don't we can wait until next years class of rookies which should have some pretty good OFers."
CA Russell Martin does not have an associate yet, but since he provides so many ABs we will wait and fill in our catching AB needs late in the draft (probably). We may take another reliever and if a decent starter is available at our next pick - we may take him and push Greinke into the long role in the bullpen. We are trying to be smarter this year, but we realize we are probably not taking many keepers with the early picks as we have in the past. We do hope to ROAR this season.
The relief corps recieved a boost Saturday with the selections of Peter Moylan and CJ Wilson. They along with supplemental draft picks RHers Scott Shields and Bob Howry have bulked up relief innings and we await our autodraft pick sunday morning to complete the staff that once was made up of only former closer Chris Ray.
Jocketty was questioned why he did not fill the other teams need earlier in the draft and especially why did he skip over Delmon Young (twice). Jocketty stated that "OF and Pitching are our primary needs and we learned an ugly lesson waiting on taking the pitching late. Jamie Moyer and Vicente Padilla last year late Griz choices were sent packing as soon as cuts were allowed. As for Delmon - we really wanted the man - he is unbelievable and would have been a better choice than Bannister, who may not even make next years roster - but we felt we needed to address the pitching staff, especially now that we have an infield that can play catch and throw. We can always get an OFer we like and even if we don't we can wait until next years class of rookies which should have some pretty good OFers."
CA Russell Martin does not have an associate yet, but since he provides so many ABs we will wait and fill in our catching AB needs late in the draft (probably). We may take another reliever and if a decent starter is available at our next pick - we may take him and push Greinke into the long role in the bullpen. We are trying to be smarter this year, but we realize we are probably not taking many keepers with the early picks as we have in the past. We do hope to ROAR this season.
My 2 cents.... Recap of Round 1
NJT -Tim Lincecum. Traded up to get the Top Pitcher in Draft.
GRK- Yovani Gallardo. Got their man and the second best Pitcher.
GCG- BJ Upton. Traded down with NJT. BJ is an Outstanding CF/2B the sky is the limit.
OJW- Dustin Pedoria. Could be starting second baseman of OJW till 2020.
ILL- Trot Tulowitzki. Outstanding SS moving Hanley Ramirez to DH.
PCM- Kevin Kouzmanoff. 3B-man could be another draft day find for BA.
TRY- Hunter Pence. Young OFer who has he gifts to be a 5-tool player.
NYK- Matt Kemp. Great young hitter. Looks to be starting RF for years to come.
MSU- Ryan Braun. Best young hitter in the Draft. Bess couldn't pass on the gift.
LCC- Rich Hill. Young Lefty with the run support of LCC could win 15-20 games.
LVI- Dice Matsuzaka The perfect fit for LVI ballpark, where deep fly balls turn into long outs.
SPL- Alex Gordan. Best young 3B-man in the draft. Minor league POY, could repeat it in the Majors.
ILL-1 Carlos Pena. Hands down the Best power hitter in the draft. Gives ILL want they have lacked.
TRY-2 John Maine. 4th best starter in draft. TRY picked up an outstanding arm.
ILL-3 Kelly Johnson. Young 2B-man who should step in and start Opening Day.
DFW- Jeremy Guthrie. Much needed starter and the perfect age for DFW Staff (32 years young!)
Teams who first picks were in Round 2.
HHA-Jamy Loney. Rd.2 pick 23 Traded down with TRY and still landed their man.
SPL- Jack Cust. Rd.2 pick 29 'EXCELLENT' fit for M. Burns Memeriol Field. D'OH
VFS- Tom Gorzelanny. Rd.2 pick 31 Tall Lankey Lefty. Hoping to help picth Sioux back to playoffs.
1-acquried in trade last year with VFS.
2-acquired this year in Draft day trade with HHA.
3-acquired in trade last year with SPR.
GRK- Yovani Gallardo. Got their man and the second best Pitcher.
GCG- BJ Upton. Traded down with NJT. BJ is an Outstanding CF/2B the sky is the limit.
OJW- Dustin Pedoria. Could be starting second baseman of OJW till 2020.
ILL- Trot Tulowitzki. Outstanding SS moving Hanley Ramirez to DH.
PCM- Kevin Kouzmanoff. 3B-man could be another draft day find for BA.
TRY- Hunter Pence. Young OFer who has he gifts to be a 5-tool player.
NYK- Matt Kemp. Great young hitter. Looks to be starting RF for years to come.
MSU- Ryan Braun. Best young hitter in the Draft. Bess couldn't pass on the gift.
LCC- Rich Hill. Young Lefty with the run support of LCC could win 15-20 games.
LVI- Dice Matsuzaka The perfect fit for LVI ballpark, where deep fly balls turn into long outs.
SPL- Alex Gordan. Best young 3B-man in the draft. Minor league POY, could repeat it in the Majors.
ILL-1 Carlos Pena. Hands down the Best power hitter in the draft. Gives ILL want they have lacked.
TRY-2 John Maine. 4th best starter in draft. TRY picked up an outstanding arm.
ILL-3 Kelly Johnson. Young 2B-man who should step in and start Opening Day.
DFW- Jeremy Guthrie. Much needed starter and the perfect age for DFW Staff (32 years young!)
Teams who first picks were in Round 2.
HHA-Jamy Loney. Rd.2 pick 23 Traded down with TRY and still landed their man.
SPL- Jack Cust. Rd.2 pick 29 'EXCELLENT' fit for M. Burns Memeriol Field. D'OH
VFS- Tom Gorzelanny. Rd.2 pick 31 Tall Lankey Lefty. Hoping to help picth Sioux back to playoffs.
1-acquried in trade last year with VFS.
2-acquired this year in Draft day trade with HHA.
3-acquired in trade last year with SPR.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Haymakers Showcase New "Assets"
There is much joy in Troy today, as the Haymakers held a press conference to announce the two newest members of the club, Hunter Pence(shown on the right just before the announcement) and John Maine. The highly touted hitting prospect was drafted 7th overall and should fit nicely into the redesigned lineup that is Troy. "We really had him as our number one hitter on our board," said GM Ken Anderson, "Once Galladoro and Lincecum both went 1 and 2 we decided to take who we thought was the best hitter available." Vernon Wells, a holdover in the new lineup seemed excited by the news, "It's going to be nice to have another threat in the lineup. We won't totally knock you out, but we will score some runs. It should be an exciting season."
The Haymakers were also able to trade for another first round pick and select stud pitcher John Maine. It was well known the Hawaiians were looking to move their pick, and the Haymakers were not the only franchise looking to grab the pick. "We really have a great group of young arms in our rotation, not including the ball-boy," joked manager Davey Johnson, "He can go back to his old job; he was only throwing in the mid 50's anyway. Our rotation is going to be our strength this season." It's true. With guys like Fausto Carmona, Brad Penny, Jered Weaver and now Maine the team looks poised to contend for a playoff spot. But at what cost? The Haymakers moved two early and two mid-round draft picks (albeit receiving two later draft pic
ks) to get Maine. Picks where players are drafted that turn a playoff contending team to a championship team. When asked about trading away all the picks and risking a championship run this season the GM quipped, "Look, we knew about the risk before we made the deal and in the end we are really only losing out on one pick. We saw an opportunity to get who we thought was the third overall pitcher available in the draft and we went for it. I know for a fact our fans will have a lot to cheer about this season in Troy. But it's not just about this season, we want to contend every year." That is true, even with all the picks exchanging hands the fans will be a lot to cheer about this season and in the future.
Wrong Guy Smiling in Illinois
All eyes were on Chow Chows GM Brad Sherlag as he nervously eyed the draftlist. He handed his selection in and the announcement came, Dmitri Young. The crowd sat their in stunned silence. Delmon had just gone two picks earlier and no one was expecting his big brother to get picked this early. Sure his numbers are solid offensively, but his glove has long been missing. The most puzzling part was that Illinois was apparently building for the future, not looking to make an immediate playoff run. When asked about it, shortly after the pick, a wide eyed Brad Sherlag realized he made a mistake "Its my fault, I saw D Young on the list and in my excitement I just pulled the trigger. I never heard the prior pick as I was working the phones. that darn Stan Pietruska was calling to try and move up a few slots and yapping about him sending me 6 picks and getting back all kinds of 5ths and 7ths and 9ths. Well anyway, its on me. I dropped the ball."
Even more surprised was Dmitri Young, who was in a back draft room (some said smoking a joint) with his brother celebrating Delmon's good fortune. As Dmitri, with a big smile, said "I couldn't be happier, man, do you know what the salary slot be like for that pick? Its my time to get paid." Unfortunately for Chow Chows fans, the wrong guy was smiling.
SURF LAND BIG FISH!!
Miami: In what has to be the best "Value" Pick of the 2008 NASBL Draft, the Miami Surf landed coveted rookie Ryan Braun with their # 9 pick. Braun will instantly add a big punch to the Surf Line-up. When asked about the pick, Surf Manager Jim Bessinger was quoted as saying " Can't say I didn't tell ya so" . In a exclusive interview a few weeks back, Surf Management stated that the way previous drafts had gone, they wouldn't be surprised if Braun was there at #9. Braun will fit in nicely in the # 4 spot between star 3B David Wright and OF Carlos Lee.
John Maine on way to Troy in 11th hour deal
As the Honolulu Hawaiian faithful packed local bars and flipped on their TVs to watch the NASBL draft there was eager anticipation. Ryan Braun was slipping and the crowd was going wild. Rumors abounded of a possible deal to move up to the 9th spot to get Braun were abuzz in the crowd. While there was some smoke as an 11th hour deal was discussed, there was no fire as the asking price of Pat Burrell and the HHA first proved to be too much at the end of the day.
The second rated player on the Honolulu board was Alex Gordon and he was within reach as well but when the dust settled he was gone too. Sitting at 14 and without HHA Scouting's top two players on the board, Stan Pietruska knew he had to make a move. In fact it was the worst kept secret on the island.
The value in the pick was to take a highly coveted starter but the Hawaiians have their 5 man rotation set. While 6 general managers actually inquired about moving up for the pick, the final three teams standing were New Jersey, Lehigh Valley and the latecomers to the bidding, Troy. As Commisioner Stephen Beard stepped to the podium, he announced "with the 14th pick of the 1st round the Troy Haymakers select John Maine." He then announced that the Hawaiians had sent that pick and their 11th and 12th round selections in the entry draft to Troy for the Haymakers 2nd, 3rd, 7th and 9th picks. Now the Hawaiian faithful will have to wait another day for a glimpse at the team's future.
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