Prospect Insider - Countdown to Peoria: 12 days

Countdown to Peoria: 12 days

By Chris Crawford

By 01-30-2012

On the twelfth day of the countdown, Chris Crawford said to me:

More FanFest stuff.
Hopefully, you all had a chance to make it out to this years FanFest, and from everything I've read, it sounds like it was a rousing success. The Mariner PR department released a bunch of photos of the goings on over the two day festivity, and I think it's worth checking out. I know, this is more fan based than analysis based, but every once in a while, I think it's important to remember this is just a game. Trust me, as the year goes on, we'll have plenty of serious -- and probably negative -- things to talk about. This wasn't the weekend for it, though.

Manny being Manny in Oakland?
According to Assistant General Manager David Forst, the A's are open to signing Manny Ramirez. It doesn't sound like the signing is imminent, but it does sound like if he's going to play anywhere in 2012, it's going to be in Green and Yellow.

So, would you be interested in seeing him in teal and blue? Personally, I'd be willing to give it a shot. He was terrible in his limited time with Tampa Bay last year, but the sample size was so small and as long as he never saw a second of the outfield, I think he could be a two to three win player for little cost. It's not going to happen, but I ask you: would you think about bringing him in?

Links II: Electric Bugaloo

Christina Karhl is currently running a series on position production, and the latest takes on the middle of the diamond.

Hold off on buying your Roy Oswalt jersey, Cardinal fans, Roy Oswalt is scheduled to meet with the Rangers today.

Finally, a bit of self promotion. MLB Draft Insider -- aka me -- is doing a detailed look at the 2006 draft, giving draft grades for all six divisions which will lead up to a redraft next Monday. Here's a look at the AL Central grades, with the AL-West grades coming Tuesday morning.

The other ballparks
Outside of the Peoria Sports Complex, there are lots of other ballparks to check out in Arizona. My personal favorite is Surprise Stadium, the home of the Rangers and Royals. The new Angel's facilities in Tempe are fantastic, and they are close to the Arizona State campus. and I've heard good things about Goodyear, the home facilities of the Indians and Reds.

As for which stadiums to avoid, the one that I would try not to spend too much time at is Marysville, aka the Milwaukee Facility. It's a pain in the you-know-what drive, and the facilities aren't exactly state of the art.

That's it from me, stay tuned for Alex Carson tomorrow, and also be on the lookout for an AL West roster movement piece sometime this week. Happy hunting.

countdown-to-peoria:-12-days

Comments
The following 10 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: aerichner on 01-29-2012 23:06:03
re: Manny - for sure. What's the risk? He's gonna suck? Cut him. Be a cancer in the clubhouse? Cut him. Caught cheating again? Suspended.

Upside? Middle of the order bat (hopefully) taking pressure off of Montero and Smoak. You can still play Carp in LF, Smoak at 1B, Montero at C when Manny plays so the only one losing ABs there is Olivo - which none of you should mind. Not saying hes a savior or anything if he works out but it'd be a good bat to have around if it does.

"But what's the point if we wont contend this year?? Just play the young guys until 2013" -- Well, weirder things have happened and you just never know, no point in writing off 2012 already.

2. By: aerichner on 01-29-2012 23:06:50
I'll add that I know it wont happen...I just wouldnt mind if it did.

3. By: sexymarinersfan on 01-30-2012 11:21:07
No way does Zdueriencik bring in Ramirez! I personally don't want him on this team either teaching these young kids bad habits. No thank you. Z said he may add a chip if anything at all. I seriously doubt Ramirez is what he had in mind.

4. By: Missthosepilots on 01-30-2012 12:25:23
Pay to send Manny to CA and Bradely back to TX? Agreed!

5. By: PositivePaul on 01-30-2012 12:57:42
I would LOVE Manny and/or Vlad -- of course, assuming neither of them saw time (except, perhaps, in an emergency) in the field. But who knows if either of them would sign in Seattle.

6. By: sexymarinersfan on 01-30-2012 18:11:54
Another little tidbit I shared over at another site was that I visited with Jack Z a little bit and got his take on Hector Noesi, and he said half the Yankees front office was split down the middle on giving him up for Campos. A lot of their guys did not want to give him up. I asked who does he look like the most in terms of projectability. Jack said most likely a number three, maybe even number two. He said he was a lot like Pedro Astacio.

He told Cashman that he had to have a pitcher coming back that could pitch right away to fill the void of Pineda. Noesi's name came up and he gave Cashman a list of players that would be available. He agreed to Campos because he was still about 3 years away. So in all actuality we did not have to include Campos in this deal to get Montero here. Hope some of you found this interesting.

7. By: Rudolf on 01-30-2012 20:07:28
good stuff, sexy.

8. By: rocketdawg31 on 01-30-2012 20:14:19

Very cool and interesting tidbit, sexymarinersfan.

You know? I was never upset about losing Campos, myself. I honestly figured he was the most expendable of our Big Four, and we had signed top 16-year-old talent Victor Sanchez last season, anyway.

I just wish I knew how to pronounce Hector Noesi's name.

Is it "No-AY-see"? Or "NO-ess-see"? Or some other way? Does anyone know for sure?

As far as Manny Ramirez goes...no freaking thanks. We have enough miracles to work out from this roster.

9. By: sexymarinersfan on 01-30-2012 22:43:55
Jack Z pronounced it No-WES-ee. However he also pronounced John Jaso(Jaa-so), rymthes with asshole. Lol. Sorry. Couldn't figure out how to spell that one out. So I'm not entirely sure either are accurate.

10. By: Shawnuel on 01-30-2012 22:51:59
I'm not sure name pronunciation is a Zduriencik strength. I've heard him butcher several. Until recently, he pronounced his new hurler as "Knee-oh-see" every time I heard him interviewed.

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