Re: 2011 Baseball Thread

[D.B. Barnes]

I guess that explains why he has that bug-eyed freak look about him all the time.

It probably was an innocent mistake by taking some suppliment that did not contain all the ingrediants.   Of course, even if that is the case, it does not matter.   50 games....

I'd just like to say that it pisses me off that Manny who is a SECOND TIME OFFENDER will have the same suspension as Braun.

Jesus, somebody needs to take that dreadlock-maned lame horse out behind the barn and put it out of its misery. And yes, his suspension should be at least fifty games, if not an all-out ban for being a second-time offender. 

[Bob]

Cards signed Furcal to a 2 year deal, so I guess this means Rollins could not find a taker for his requested 5 year deal and will be a Philly?

Sure is quiet on the Fielder front.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

Rollins was one of players the Phillies offered arbitration, so I guess if no other team makes a better offer he will be here.

He's been getting injured more and has lost a step the last few years, he's still great but a 5 years is a lot to ask for.

[k1]

Manny SHOULD be suspended for 100 games since that's what the rules say for second offenses.

[D.B. Barnes]

Manny SHOULD be suspended for 100 games since that's what the rules say for second offenses.

Oops. I meant to write "at least 100 games" in my first post. Derrr.

Anyway, I say automatic ban for a second offense. If, as Bob mentioned, the first offense is due to some accidental ingestion of a banned substance, then you get suspended, but there's no excuse for allowing that to happen twice. Of course in Manny's situation, he was just blatantly juicing. Scumbag.

[D.B. Barnes]

Sounds like the Braun camp is claiming it was unintentional. I would tend to give him the benefit of the doubt seeing as how his numbers are consistent, without any abnormal spikes.

Ryan Braun's failed drug test not 'intentional,' spokesman says

(CNN) -- Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun will "ultimately be exonerated" of suspicion that he used banned performance enhancing drugs during this past season, the left fielder's spokesman said Sunday.

Braun, the National League's 2011 "Most Valuable Player," faces a possible 50-game suspension after a urine sample tested positive for a high level of testosterone caused by a synthetic substance, according to an ESPN report.

Braun's spokesman denied any "intentional violation" of Major League Baseball rules in a statement given to CNN Sunday.

The 28-year-old left fielder was voted his league's MVP after batting .332, hitting 33 home runs, producing 111 RBI and stealing 33 bases during the 2011 season. Braun led Milwaukee to the team's first division title in three decades.

Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, in a statement to CNN Sunday, said there is "an incomplete set of facts" and warned against "a rush to judgment."

"Ryan deserves the right to be heard," Attanasio said. "We are committed to supporting Ryan to get to the truth of what happened in this unfortunate situation."

SI: What we know and what we don't know

"We are dealing with an incomplete set of facts and speculation," Attanasio said. "Before there is a rush to judgment, Ryan deserves the right to be heard."

Major League Baseball, which has a policy of not releasing drug test results before they are appealed through arbitration, has not commented on the report.

ESPN cited sources familiar with the case saying a urine test submitted by Braun during the playoffs in October returned a positive result for a high level of testosterone. A second test on the sample indicated it was caused by a synthetic substance, ESPN reported.

"There are highly unusual circumstances surrounding this case which will support Ryan's complete innocence and demonstrate there was absolutely no intentional violation of the program," Braun spokesman Matthew Hiltzik said in Sunday's statement. "While Ryan has impeccable character and no previous history, unfortunately, because of the process we have to maintain confidentiality and are not able to discuss it any further, but we are confident he will ultimately be exonerated."

Braun sent a text message to MLB.com reporter Adam McCalvy saying he's "not really allowed to say anything right now," according to the website. "My day will come soon, though," the message read.

The Brewers owner said the team has heard from the baseball commissioner or the drug testing officials about Braun's alleged violation.

"Accordingly we do not have access to any of the facts or knowledge of any of the circumstances that are being circulated in the media with regard to Ryan Braun," Attanasio said.

He did issue a lengthy statement defending Braun as "a model citizen in every sense of the word, both in the Milwaukee community and for the Brewers."

"MLB has put a confidential testing program into place, which I personally support, that has a specific review process that must be followed before determining whether a player is in violation," Attanasio said.

Braun, in his 5th major league season, was selected rookie of the year in 2007.

The revelation comes just days before baseball legend Barry Bonds faces sentencing on an obstruction of justice conviction related to the federal probe into illegal steroids use by pro athletes. Prosecutions are asking for 15 months in prison for the former slugger.

[Bob]

I think it probably was on accident as well, however it does not matter.   MLB adopted Oylmpic style rules where it does not matter how, just if.

I wonder if he will try the same excuse that the Houston Texans Brian Cushing offered up at first (e.g. "maybe I just had sex and that is why my testosterone was so out of whack")

[D.B. Barnes]

 

[k1]

Watch out world! We got the DisAstros closer & Nick Punto!   

I actually don't mind those deals. We unloaded Jed "Almost as much time on the DL as JD Drew" Lowrie & Weiland for someone who might be a decent middle reliever.  Although with Punto I'm not sure how that'll work out since we also have Aviles.  Did we really need 2 utility infielders? They're both adequate.

[shodan]

if Hitler writes you a letter saying to stay on a team... you get the f*ck off of that team. so it looks like Hitler is to blame.

[D.B. Barnes]

Source: Phils, Jimmy Rollins reach deal

The Philadelphia Phillies have reached agreement with shortstop Jimmy Rollins on a three-year, $33 million contract, according to a baseball source.

The contract also contains a vesting option for a fourth year worth $11 million, the source said.

With completion of the deal, Rollins will stay with the organization that has been his baseball home since 1996, when the Phillies selected him in the second round of the amateur draft.

Rollins seemed to confirm the deal on Twitter, writing, "I see you all know by now. Gotta deal with me for 3 (4) more years!" Rollins, 33, is a three-time All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner and won the National League MVP award in 2007. He is fourth on the Phillies' career list behind Richie Ashburn, Mike Schmidt and Ed Delahanty with 1,866 hits, and ranks among the franchise's top five in games played, plate appearances, runs, total bases, doubles, triples and stolen bases.

Rollins joins Jose Reyes (Miami), Alex Gonzalez (Milwaukee), Rafael Furcal (St. Louis) and Clint Barmes (Pittsburgh) as the fifth starting shortstop to sign a multiyear deal as a free agent this winter.

Although Rollins had expressed interest in signing a five-year deal upon entering the free-agent market, the contract could still keep him with the Phillies through the 2015 season, when he will be nearly 37.

Rollins will be reunited in Philadelphia this season with fellow Oakland, Calif., native and close friend Dontrelle Willis, who signed a one-year deal with the club Thursday.

Nice. It's so refreshing in this day and age to see a player stick with one team. And huge props to Rollins for understanding what a sane deal is and working with his team on a good compromise.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

 So happy Jroll is staying put.  He is still a major catalyst for getting the team scoring.   I'm sure he noticed the backlash against Pujols, why alienate your fan base over a small percentage increase in pay, and besides, the Phillies have as good a shot as any to get back to the World Series over the next few years. 

[TeamRAD]

So happy Pujols is out-of-the-division. Even Braun battling a case of the herp w/ a banned substance couldn't even bring my spirits down from his departure.

I like what Melvin has done in the offseason. The signings of ARam & Gonzalez were great. Huge upgrades from last season, and even w/ Fielder's departure, we shouldn't miss a beat w/ the upgrades over Casey & Yuni. Not to mention, games will be seven innings long for us all season w/ the back-end of our pen featuring Axford & K-ROD.  Now we just have to wait and see how this is gonna fare w/ Braun's impending judgment in January.

So happy Jroll is staying put.  He is still a major catalyst for getting the team scoring.   I'm sure he noticed the backlash against Pujols, why alienate your fan base over a small percentage increase in pay, and besides, the Phillies have as good a shot as any to get back to the World Series over the next few years.  

In the end, there just wasn't much of a market for him, and no one wanted to give him four-plus years. We were his only other suitor and didn't want to go above three as well. Now the Papelbon signing, you kind of got boned. It was a buyer's market for closers this offseason, and Amaro paid a steep price for Paps. Someone's likely to get quite a steal w/ Madson in the coming month.

[MartyS (Gromit)]

It was a buyer's market for closers this offseason, and Amaro paid a steep price for Paps. Someone's likely to get quite a steal w/ Madson in the coming month.

Yeah, we'll see how that deal works out.  I'm a bit skeptical it was worth it considering our starting pitching.  Is Charlie going to change his mind about letting the starters go for as many complete games next year just because we have a big name closer?  I doubt it, it got us the best record last year, I can only remember 2 games that were lost in the 9th with the starting pitcher still on the mound.  And it wasn't like they got worn out, it wasn't pitching that let us down post season, it was hitting....  So it seems to me the big bucks should have been spent elsewhere, but Ruben has done well for us so hopefully his streak will hold up.

[TeamRAD]

Fielder has how many suitors now?

And signing K-Rod for 1/8...perfect. Let's clear Braun of his suspension and hit Spring Training.