Here are some miscellaneous notes from around the league…
- The Marlins are not expected to show interest in their former ace Dontrelle Willis, reports MLB.com's Joe Frisaro (on Twitter). The Phillies released Willis earlier today.
- "Before I signed here, I saw what [the Marlins were] trying to do," said Jose Reyes to David Lennon of Newsday. "That's why I decide to come here to Miami, because of the opportunity to win. Because in my ninth year in the big leagues, I don't win anything yet."
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports expects Adam Dunn to rebound from his disastrous 2011 campaign with the White Sox. The 32-year-old slugger said "ninety percent of what happened was simple, mental."
- Blue Jays assistant GM Tony LaCava spoke to MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm about a number of the team's prospects, including David Cooper, Travis d'Arnaud, and Anthony Gose.
wickedkevin
Adam Dunn = 2012 Fantasy sleeper pick of the year. Half of the mocks I’ve done he hasn’t even been drafted.
Jaysfan724
Same here. I picked him up in free agency. Low risk, high reward for sure.
Blue387
The Mets could use Willis out of the bullpen or in the outfield. Willis might also hit better than Jason Bay.
User 4245925809
Willis was another having problems repeating delivery and control issues. The BP role is probably not the best situation for him, then boston probably will go North with Andrew Miller in that role..
Funny on Willis and his bat. he really was one of the few pitchers that could handle hitting for himself.
Blue387
But is Willis going to have a higher OPS than Bay?
User 4245925809
Bay just made a mistake going to a place where mid level power hitters (like him) with no speed, no glove and pretty much no other talents in baseball should ever play.
If he was at a more friendly stadium.. Arlington, fenway, Cinci etc.. Imagine his career would be magically resurrected.
Blue387
I would like to point out Bay is 33 years old.
rsanchez1
Who knows, Willis might follow Rick Ankiel’s example and turn to the outfield if he wants to continue his career. One of the things he could (and probably still can) do is hit, and who knows how he might do if he racks up more at-bats.
dudemanbro
the other 10% was in his gut
rsanchez1
Such a shame that D-train couldn’t turn it around. Realistically the Marlins have no room for him. Their starting five is set, and if the Marlins need to bring up a pitcher later Wade LeBlanc is a lefty that is having a good Spring Training for the Marlins right now.
icedrake523
“I don’t win anything yet.”
You won the batting title last year, Jose. Surely you remember it since you took yourself out of the first inning to ensure you won it.
alphakira
Would it have been better if he cheated his way to winning that title like Braun attempted to do?
icedrake523
I would have disliked it just as much. Taking himself out of the game just proved he cared more about his next contract than the team or fans.
alphakira
So cheating is the same thing to you as doing it fairly? Gotcha.
As a Met fan I’m HAPPY he did what he did. After a decade of disappointments at least we can say he had a batting champion play for us. I have no idea why we should be upset with him. Because he didn’t hit in the final 3 meaningless at bats of the season? That somehow erases the 9 years of hard work and hustle he gave us? The playoff appearance he contributed to? One of the only reasons we wanted to go to the ballpark during losing seasons? That all gets erased because of 3 at bats? Better an honest man that worked hard than a cheat.
icedrake523
It’s not about the 3 at-bats he didn’t take, it’s about the act itself. I don’t like a player taking themselves out of a game to ensure winning a batting title. I like it even less when that game could be their last with the team, especially one they played for their whole career up to that point. I also think the batting title is a pretty meaningless achievement, especially when the player misses almost 40 games that season.
icedrake523
I would have disliked it just as much. Taking himself out of the game just proved he cared more about his next contract than the team or fans.
MisterBill 2
Reyes should really shut up because the next time he says he would have stayed with the Mets if only they’d made him an offer we’ll all know he’s a liar.
elscorchot
he didn’t say he would stay. he said he was surprised they didn’t
MisterBill 2
He clams he would have taken less to stay with the Mets.