Unfortunately, it looks like David Ortiz is climbing back towards respectability, although he has a ways to go yet.

He don’t need anymore encouragement, seriously.

And for those pining for Alexis Rios, maybe you should pine for Clete Thomas instead.

Or for those wanting Baldelli realizing he only has 89PA and has been of marginal value.

Abreu, Bobby LAA RF 331 .301 .405 .437 18 -2 16

For what, $5MM?  Damn.  The -2 jumps out at me.  At this point last year, wasn’t he like -15?

The -2 jumps out at me.  At this point last year, wasn’t he like -15?

They have better padding on the walls in Anaheim.

Look at his UZR stats; it’s odd-year Bobby!  Seriously, in even numbered years he’s been significantly worse than odd years.  Starting in 2002: .6, 15.4, -10.5, -4.8, -14.8, -2.8, -25.6, -.4 (so far).  Whoever is going to sign him next year, beware!

I had no idea Markakis rated so poorly in the field.  I love his bat though.

I’ll take Clete Thomas just on his first name.  Nothing says old-school like the name Clete.  I have an 80 year old uncle named Clete.  My parents say I almost got named after him.  I would have liked that.

Who the hell is Cris Carter?

I didn’t realize that the Indians got Choo for Ben Broussard. Whoa.

I had no idea Markakis rated so poorly in the field.  I love his bat though.

Actually, even his bat is down this year.  Mostly looks like because he is walking less (14.3 BB% last year, 8.1% this year), though his other numbers are off as well.  Defensively, according to UZR, he’s generally been good, and last year great.  This year he’s -9.6 (-11.2 range) so far.  Yikes!  SSS since it is only a half-season?  Or is he injured/recovering from an injury?  Or just a random down year?  Under the old Orioles management I would think the Yankees could steal him after a down year…not so much with MacPhail.

The all star game is over, and still no baseball? This blows.

Who the hell is Cris Carter?

He created the X-Files.

it’s odd-year Bobby!

If you’re a GM and you’re thinking of signing him (say last offseason or this one) do you:

1) Average his yearly UZRs and pay him based on that (below average but not awful); or
2) Buy into the odd/even idea and pay him based on what you therefore expect (close to average or absolutely awful)?

Crazy.

Who the hell is Cris Carter?

All he does is catch touchdowns.

If you’re a GM and you’re thinking of signing him (say last offseason or this one) do you:

3) Tell him (and pay him like) he’s a pretty good DH who will also play the OF occasionally.

I’m being reminded of how much the off-season sucks.

I’m being reminded of how much the off-season sucks.

Some off-seasons are not bad, particularly in the wake of a nice postseason.

Hey, Papi is slugging over .600 since he became a blogger in mid-June. Coincidence? I think not.

Ortiz also has 12 home runs since the introduction of the fourth “Big Papi Hot Sauce” on his website. Coincidence?

Ortiz also has 12 home runs since the introduction of the fourth “Big Papi Hot Sauce” on his website. Coincidence?

Yes.  These are all coincidences because the real spike in production comes from a good masking agent.

Some off-seasons are not bad, particularly in the wake of a nice postseason.

Those must be like. As a Yankee fan, can’t quite recall.

what’s the postseason?

If the Yankees make the playoffs and win a round, the rope that has been around their necks since the 2004 ALCS collapse would come off, and they would roll on to a WS win…or two.

Playoffs? Don’t talk about Playoffs! Are you kidding me? Playoffs?

Is anybody watching the AAA All-Star game tonight? A-Jax plays today.