| By Chris Crawford |  | By 01-22-2012 |
There are 20 days between now and the day pitchers and catchers report for spring training on February 12 -- the rest of the squad will report no later than February 17 with the first full-squad workout slated for the day after.The M's first spring game is against the Oakland A's on March 2 in Phoenix, with their first home game the following day also against the A's.
Minor leaguers won't report until the second week of March, though these dates are more of a deadline than the day most players show up for camp.
In any case, we'll be here daily to round up the thoughts and ideas as the club heads closer to the 2012 season; lending you all anything you might need to get yourself ready.
The times they are a changing
Pardon the Bob Dylan quote, but yesterdays “trade” between the Rockies and Red Sox for Marco Scutaro fascinated me. It was first reported by Troy Renck –- a very reliable source -– that the two clubs were nearing a deal. Over the next twenty minutes, I’d say a good sixty percent of the baseball people I follow on twitter were offering their analysis of the deal –- what it meant for the Rockies, does this mean the Red Sox were going to sign Roy Oswalt, who would play shortstop now for Boston etc. etc. – when it was reported that the talks were essentially dead. All that sharp, somewhat snarky analysis for nothing. What a shame. And of course, talks resumed last night, and the trade is now official. Analysis: back on.
So, why did I find this fascinating? I take you back to July 31st, 1998. The Crawford family decided to go camping in Mossy Rock (we call it camping, essentially it was taking an RV to a resort with a pool and shuffleboard), and a pimply faced, Beastie-Boy loving, 16 year-old baseball narcissist sat by his radio, trying his very best to get 950 KJR to pick up a signal (don’t judge me). I sat by that radio for six hours, while my family had the time of their lives, only occasionally checking in to see if I was still alive/sane. Finally when the deal was finalized and they announced Carlos Guillen –- who? –- Freddy Garcia –- who? -– and a player to be named later –- what? -– I shook my head, cried a little (a lot) and went to sleep. There would be no s’mores for Chris Crawford that night.
My point being –- other than I miss Randy Johnson -– is that it is incredible how the internet has changed the way we are able to analyze these type of things in such a small amount of time when you think about it. Thirteen years ago, if you didn’t subscribe to Baseball America, there’d be no possible way that you would know who those prospects were. Now there’s about eight billion –- mostly bad =– prospect websites that give you their top twenty lists. I didn’t find out the results of that deal until dark, in this day? I’d have every detail I’d need before the shuffleboard tournament.
There is a lot of imperfection in this world -– and there always will be -– but technology is pretty awesome, is all I’m saying.
Speaking of technology, here are some links about Montero
Larry Stone -- the best beat-writer in baseball in this guy’s opinion –- talked to Jesus Montero’s agent who says the slugger is happy. If he’s happy, I’m happy.
Jon McGrath says to think Edgar, not Wilson when thinking of Montero.
Finally, MLB.com’s list of the top ten catching prospects is up now, with Montero coming in first. No idea how Steven Baron didn’t make the list.
Good eats
No, you can’t just get eat ballpark food all week. If you like Burgers, In N’ Out is my personal favorite, and is very close to the stadium. If you’re a sushi guy, the best bet is Ah-So Sushi .And if you like to partake in a libation or two, I highly recommend the Salty Senorita. They have pretty good food, too.
I’ll be back with more rambling tomorrow. Stay warm out there!
countdown-to-peoria:-20-days
Comments
The following 17 comment(s) for this article are shown below:
| 1. By: brianc1279 on 01-22-2012 11:43:43 Mariners signed Kevin Millwood |
| 2. By: rocketdawg31 on 01-22-2012 11:51:58 Very interesting, brianc1279. If I may ask, source? I can't find it anywhere, but it probably makes sense that the Mariners would be in on a replaceable, experienced innings-eating starter. |
| 3. By: Rudolf on 01-22-2012 12:21:49 http://www.gastongazette.com/sports/sign-66403-gastonia-mariners.html Millwood's sister posted it on facebook. |
| 4. By: rjfrik on 01-22-2012 12:35:39 I'd bet pretty good money that Montero wins A.L. Rookie of the year next year. |
| 5. By: Rampageoholics on 01-22-2012 13:12:37 @rjfrik-I hope you're right, but Matt Moore is going to be tough to beat. |
| 6. By: bcsimons on 01-22-2012 13:26:40 @rjfrik - I would love to see that but that would have to be a great season. Especially considering not just Matt Moore, but Yu Darvish is a rookie as well. |
| 7. By: StandinPat on 01-22-2012 13:40:01 I believe Carlos Peguero is a rookie, so he has to be the early fave right? |
| 8. By: Wishhiker on 01-22-2012 13:46:37 Iwakuma is a rookie too, so there's at least 2 to root for with Hultzen as a possible 3rd. |
| 9. By: rjfrik on 01-22-2012 15:55:29 I love Darvish and think he would of just killed it pitching in Seattle or Oakland or any other pitchers park. But Arlington? Eeks. I think he has a similar season to Pineda and that, even though it's a solid season, won't win you the hardware. Moore. I think he's Montero's primary threat. But if Montero puts up a .300 25hr 85 rbi season, which I think he's very very capable of, then he wins it, unless Moore as a Doc Gooden season, which is unlikely in my opinion. |
| 10. By: SMariners11 on 01-22-2012 16:15:21 If you are expecting that from Montero you are delusional. He will be good, but has under 20 games under his belt, give him time to develop. Moore and Darvish are easy favorites. Moore mostly because of his great talent. |
| 11. By: Edman on 01-22-2012 17:17:08 I don't think rjfrik is dillusional at all. But, it's not very likely that Montero will achieve his expectations. But, he has the capability. He's got a special kind of bat. If he hits near .275, 20HR, 75RBI, that would be a good first season. |
| 12. By: Rampageoholics on 01-22-2012 20:47:45 Looks like fielder to the Nats for 8 years with an opt out after 3. I'm glad that's done. |
| 13. By: masonb on 01-22-2012 21:21:37 #12, link? This is nowhere. Guess you're just pulling this out of thin air |
| 14. By: sexymarinersfan on 01-22-2012 21:39:05 Scott Swaim @MLBInsideNews is reporting it according to Morosi and Heyman. Cannot confirm it though. |
| 15. By: masonb on 01-22-2012 22:02:53 This same guy earlier today said Bobby Abreu was traded to Detroit and nothing has been out there about that. Maybe this guy ends up being right, but until it's out there on the main media outlets you can't exactly say it's a done deal |
| 16. By: Chris Crawford on 01-22-2012 22:11:42 It's nothing. He's a troll of a troll. |
| 17. By: timbmyers on 01-22-2012 22:37:32 Hey Chris...Do you or Jason have any insider update on the Fielder situation. |
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