Daily Hot Stove Wrap Up 11/21

Quote of the Day

"At the time of the signing it looked like it was going to be the right thing for all of us." 

~ Jack Zduriencik, Seattle GM on signing Chone Figgins in 2009.  Figgins, who was released by the Mariners last night, hit .227 in three season with Seattle.



Good afternoon baseball fans, it's that time again.  It will be a short Hot Stove update today as nothing really happens before Thanksgiving.  Hopefully everyone is using today to travel and meet with family.  

First though, I have a question: What is the major difference between Sweet Potato Pie or Pumpkin Pie (other than the ingredients)?  Because I literally cannot taste the difference.  Let us know in the comments.    

Today, we've got a super list of designated players as it's that time of year (right before Thanksgiving MLB?  That's cold), Hiroki Kuroda signs a new deal to make more money, a few minor moves and Wade shares what he's thankful for this year.  (hint: he's a White Sox fan so think along those lines)

Enjoy the short post and the short week! 

Hiroki Kuroda decides that being anonymous in New York is better than being famous on the West Coast as he agreed to a one-year $15 million contract to resign with the Yankees.  Kuroda was the most consistent starter on the Yankees last year.  I hate the Yankees.  Moving on...

• The Rays have signed reliever Joel Peralta to a new two-year, $6 million contract.  Peralta at 35, was pretty decent out of the Rays pen and with his leadership to all the youngsters in that Tampa Bay bullpen, I think this was a good move by the Rays.  There ain't that many reliable relievers around these parts no more.  

It's that time of year again, here's a quick update on some rapid-fire moves made around the league as teams begin to trim their 40-man rosters.  

• The Mariners have designated Chone Figgins and OF Scott Cousins for assignment.  

• It has been a busy month for Cousins was only picked up by the Mariners two weeks ago, after being waived by both the Marlins and the Blue Jays in October.   
• Red Sox designate Danny Valencia, IF Ivan DeJesus, and P David Carpenter, Zach Stewart and Sandy Rosario for assignment

• The Cubs have designated Bryan LaHair for assignment.  LaHair had a hot first half and actually ended up making the NL All-Star team but is now expected to play in Japan.  

• San Diego have designated P Cory Burns for assignment.  

• Indians have designated P Fabio Martinez.

• As designate Brandon Hicks and Jim Miller.

• It was a busy day for the Royals, who designate pitchers Vin Mazzaro, Chris Volstad, and Ryan Verdugo. Also designated for assignment are C Brayan Pena, IF Clint Robinson and OF Derrick Robinson. 

• The Blue Jays designate 1B Mike McDade, IF Mike McCoy and P Cory Wade.

As you can see from the above post, most of these guys who were designated, you have probably never heard of.  I'll admit it.  I'll also admit that I thought long and hard about actually looking up there positions as I was writing this.  But the truth is that most of the guys that are fringe-major leaguers are not the multi-million dollar athletes that we watch on Baseball Tonight - they are ordinary guys trying to make their dream of playing big league ball and I can't imagine being in there shoes and hearing the news that they heard this week.  Cheers to all of them and while the timing sucks, there are other options.  

After being designated, they can either return to the roster (not likely) within ten days or be played on waivers (most likely). Players will then either be traded or released. After waivers clear they are free to sign with any team after becoming free agents. I expect all of these guys to hang in there and keep working to make their dream happen. I've seen it happen all the time when career fringe players become serviceable players and even stars. That's why baseball is such a great game....anything can happen!

Okay enough of me.  Here's Wade to break down what he's thankful for in the last....

Thanksgiving Week What I'm Thankful For (in baseball)

Wade:

"As a Chicago Baseball fan, there is just so much to be thankful for. I mean the city has won one World Series in the past 90 years, how can you not be thankful for that?

But the thing that I am most thankful for is that we, as Chicago baseball fans, have the honor to listen to one of the best broadcasters in baseball, Ken "The Hawk" Harrelson. Hawk is always there with great insight on what is going on in the baseball world. His unbiased opinion of the baseball world is on display nightly on Comcast SportsNet Chicago, WGN, or whatever channel the White Sox end up on. When a call goes against Hawk's beloved White Sox he is always the first one to check out the replay and give in detail what the umpire saw. Just watch this clip to see how Hawk can always keep his emotions in check.

Or maybe check out this clip

How can you not be thankful for something like that?

But in all honesty, sometimes while watching baseball you don't want to learn about what is going on in today's world, but maybe take a trip back to the times of Yaz, and Ted Williams. Hawk is always there to remind you how good Yaz was or who the best low ball hitter was, or who had the best curve ball he's ever seen.

Sometimes as a play by play guy Hawk feels a need to let the picture speak for itself and is known sometimes for letting 30 seconds and letting 3 or 4 pitches go by without saying a word.

Hawk has coined some good phrases throughout his years in the booth. "Gas.... He Gone" "Can of Corn" "Right Size, Wrong Shape" "STRETCH, STRETCH, GET ON BACK THERE, IT WILL!" "YOU CAN PUT IT ON THE BOARD, YES!!!!" And my all time favorite from this masterpiece.

Classic Hawk.

Hawk has had a hard time keeping his partners by his side, for the pure fact that Hawk is so grand, that it is hard for these guys to not be in awe of a true broadcasting icon.

All in all, Hawk is a legend in the game of baseball and I can truly say that I am blessed to have grown up listening to Hawk broadcast games. Hawk, never change, we love the way you don't focus on the game, we love the way you yell random things at umpires, we love the way you don't know anything about players in today's game, we love your anecdotes about Yaz and the 60's. Don't change for anyone! We all just hope you can have your dream of going out how you want.

But in all seriousness, I am thankful that Ozzie Guillen is out of baseball for the time being.

Okay, for real in all seriousness, I am thankful for my dad introducing me to the world's greatest game. For the late night stories, the numerous times we had a catch in the backyard, the numerous hours pitching batting practice, the more hours spent coaching and teaching me everything there is to know about baseball. For letting me stay up to watch Sox games,or at least getting me a radio to listen to the games in bed. I couldn't ask for much more and I hope when the time comes, I can pass on the tradition to my own son."

Thanks Wade. If you're a Dad, go out and have a catch with your son/daughter this Thanksgiving. I think all of us can be thankful for the game of baseball this year, and that's something that a White Sox fan, Cubs fan, and a Tigers fan can all agree on. Maybe the only thing.


For all of us at The Full Count, happy Thanksgiving. This terrible quality, super-tacky photo that I stole from Google Images is my personal Thanksgiving gift to you;