Category: MLB (Page 110 of 448)

      Ravens hire former Browns’ GM Kokinis

      June 2, 2010 /

      The Ravens announced on Tuesday evening that they’ve hired former Browns’ general manager George Kokinis as their Senior Personnel Assistant. Kokinis was once the Ravens’ director of pro personnel from 2003 to 2008 before he was hired as Cleveland’s GM.

      From the Baltimore Sun:

      “It’s good to have George back,” general Manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement. “He will help evaluate college and pro players, plus work with Pat [Moriarty], the Ravens’ vice president of football administration].

      “George knows the game, understands what it takes to win, and he will help us find players who will help us win. He has done that before for us.”

      There were rumors that Kokinis was escorted from the Browns’ team facility by security after he was fired last November. The team later denied the report, but then released a statement saying that Kokinis was “no longer actively involved with the organization.” Rumors also circulated that current Cleveland head coach Eric Mangini had some involvement with Kokinis’ firing, which is noteworthy considering the two are/were close friends.

      Regardless, Kokinis has experience as a scout in the Ravens’ organization. He served as the team’s northeast area scout from 1996 to 1999, so one would think that he would return to a similar role. Under Newsome, Baltimore has had one of the best scouting departments in the NFL and adding Kokinis should only make them stronger.

      External Sports, MLB

      Are Dodger fans protesting against the McCourts?

      June 1, 2010 /

      Steve Dilbeck of the L.A. Times observes that all the empty seats at Dodger Stadium might be due to fans protesting against Frank and Jamie McCourt.

      Whether it’s over their extravagant lifestyle, not paying taxes for six years, a shrinking team payroll or just their nasty divorce, many have seemingly turned against Frank and Jamie McCourt.

      And the only way for people to ultimately protest is to stay away. To punish the McCourts by withholding funds.

      The cost of a ticket, of course, is only the beginning of the revenue generated off those in attendance. There is parking and food and beer and souvenirs.

      That’s a lot of missed revenue on nights when stadium seats seem half empty.

      Dodgers fans have been historically — some would argue ridiculously — loyal through the years. The Dodgers have drawn over 3 million fans for 14 consecutive years.

      But when a stadium that big is barely half full, it gets noticed. And if it continues, the lack of revenue will have an impact.

      Lion fans talked of boycott for years during the Matt Millen regime, but not even they stayed away. It’s unrealistic for fans to conspire together on one massive protest against any sports ownership. Losing is usually the only thing that keeps people away and in the case of the Lions and Cubs, not even that works sometimes.

      It’s a logical thought by Dilbeck, but I think it’s a stretch to think that fans are actually staying away from games because of the McCourts. The economy and high ticket prices make more sense than a protest.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, MLB

      Kendry Morales breaks leg celebrating walkoff [vid]

      June 1, 2010 /

      Kendry Morales, you’ve just been Bill Gramatica’d.

      The incident happened over the weekend and it might cost Morales his season. He’ll have surgery on the leg/ankle as soon as the swelling subsides.

      Morales’ manager, Mike Scioscia, told the L.A. Times that he has worried about on-field celebrations before.

      “You see guys jumping on top of the dog-pile … and you always know there’s a risk when boys are being boys and they’re excited,” Scioscia said.

      “But Kendry is anything but flamboyant. For this to happen to a guy who plays hard and plays the game right is disappointing. We hope we never see anything like that again.”

      With the way players beat up each other after they hit a walkoff, I’d be concerned too if I were a manager. Receivers are safer when they go over the middle in the NFL.

      External Sports, MLB, Video

      D-Backs interested in Dontrelle Willis?

      June 1, 2010 /

      Steve Gilber of MLB.com reports via his Twitter page that the Diamondbacks have had discussions with the Tigers about acquiring left-hander Dontrelle Willis.

      Willis was designated for assignment over the weekend after he amassed a 1-2 record with an ERA of 4.98 and a WHIP of 1.78. He showed signs of rebounding back into form earlier in the year, but he’s struggled of late and the Tigers needed to make room on their roster for Max Scherzer.

      Maybe a change of scenery would be good for Willis, who would return to the National League (which is where he had his most success) if the Diamondbacks can work out a deal with the Tigers. Detroit would have to eat most of his salary, but they were already planning to do that anyway so they might as well get something in exchange for the struggling lefty.

      Willis probably won’t morph into the player he was with the Marlins earlier in his career, but the Diamondbacks are starving for pitching and he might turn out to be a marginal arm for their rotation. He’s worth a shot depending on how much of his contract the Tigers are willing to eat and what prospect they want in return.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, MLB

      How bad are things for Oliver Perez?

      May 31, 2010 /

      …so bad that even his own teammates hope that the Mets sending him packing.

      From the New York Post:

      A day after watching Oliver Perez implode in a relief appearance against the Brewers, two disgusted Mets players told The Post yesterday it’s time management drew a line in the sand with the putrid lefty.

      “You tell him you go to Triple-A or that’s it, you are finished,” one Mets player said, well aware that Perez is still owed about $20 million on the three-year contract he signed before the 2009 season.

      A second Mets player echoed that line of thinking.

      “At some point you have to cut bait,” he said. “You owe him a lot of money, but for what?”

      Ouch. Perez is making $12 million this season and is owed $12 million next year, too. He has it written into his contract that he can block the Mets assigning him to Triple-A Buffalo, which he has already done once this season because he doesn’t think he would benefit from facing minor-league hitters.

      But maybe he’ll be humbled by the comments of his teammates. He’s 0-3 with a 6.25 ERA and has struggled both as a starter and as a reliever. Putrid wouldn’t even begin to describe how bad he’s been this year and maybe he can get some of his confidence back if he pitches in the minors.

      That said, if he continues to refuse minor-league demotions, then maybe his teammates are right and that the Mets should just dump him. He’s owed a ton of money, but he’s killing them every time he takes the mound and something eventually has to give. Sometimes teams just have to bite down, swallow hard and move on.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      External Sports, MLB

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