Friday I had a chance to pick the brain of ESPN’s Buster Olney on some of the hot topics leading into the 2012 baseball season. The interview aired on the show I host each week on 96.5 ESPN Radio each Friday afternoon from 3-6pm with Coach Joe Holloway. We talk about everything from the Michael Pineda/Jesus Montero trade to the short term and long term outlook of the Seattle Mariners in the AL West. We get into different topics like the Cardinals strange offseason and his history and time spent on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight.

LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

The project to clean up and renovate the area behind Pringles Park and viewing from Interstate 40. Here are a few pictures of the work being done and I will try to post new pictures each week on how the progress is going.

The project is underway to enhance the appearance of the park for the 40,000 cars that TDOT says pass each day. Included in the project is the clearing of trees and kudzu, plus the addition of a pond with fountain and marquee sign that will feature an electronic message board promoting upcoming games and promotions.

It is hard to keep track of all the free agent signings in major league baseball, much less minor league baseball. So here is a look at some of the current, former, and possibly future Jackson players and where they have landed this year. Obviously, I could have missed a few, so if I leave someone out, it was not intentional.

You can find a full list of 2011-12 Major League Free Agents and where they have gone by checking out this LINK

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Minor League Free Agents Re-Signed by Mariners:

C Chris Gimenez, 29 – split year between AAA Tacoma and Seattle

RHP Moises Hernandez, 27 – played with the Generals last year

LHP Jose Jiminez, 24 – played with A+ High Desert last year

1B Luis Jimenez, 29 – split season between Generals and AAA Tacoma

RHP Scott Patterson, 32 – split season between Generals and AAA Tacoma

SS Luis Rodriguez, 31 – split seasons between AAA Tacoma and Seattle

Moises Hernandez is the older brother of Felix Hernandez. Became valuable out of the Generals pen last year and made some spot starts. Luis Jimenez will most likely head to Tacoma to smash baseballs 500 feet. Scott Patterson is just a great clubhouse guy. Keeps everyone loose and provides great veteran leadership.

Minor League Free Agents Signing with Mariners:

3B Eric Campbell, 26 – finished last season with AA Carolina for the Cincinnati Reds

RHP Matt Fox, 29 – finished last season with AAA Pawtucket for the Boston Red Sox

LHP Steve Garrison, 25 – spent most of the season with AA Trenton for the New York Yankees. (did pitch 1 game for Yanks)

LHP Sean Henn, 30 – spent last season with AAA Las Vegas with the Toronto Blue Jays

RHP Josh Kinney, 32 – battled injuries but pitched in 13 games for the Chicago White Sox

RHP Jeff Marquez, 27 – pitched at every level of the Yankees organization including the major league club

Lastly but not leastly…

C Guillermo Quiroz, 30 – in his year away from the M’s he spent year with AAA Tuscon for the San Diego Padres

Very excited  that “Q” has come back to the Mariners organization. The M’s have gone from no catchers to now an influx of catchers. Will imagine he will be getting a chance in spring training, but end up in Tacoma. Excellent clubhouse guy. Eric Campbell has faced the Generals several times over the last few years with both Mississippi (ATL) and Carolina (CIN). Not a top prospect, but could very well end up on the Jackson roster. He is a career .271 hitter with decent power.

Former Jackson Players in New Places:

C Jose Yepez, 30 declared free agency and has signed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves.

RHP Dan Cortes, 24 was non-tendered by Mariners and signed with the Washington Nationals

SS Jeff Dominguez, 25 declared free agency but re-signed with the Miami Marlins

C Rene Rivera, 28 elected free agency but re-signed with the Minnesota Twins

RHP Chris Jakubauskas, 33 declared free agency with the Baltimore and has signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks

C Jake Fox, 29 elected free agency with the Baltimore Orioles and has signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates

OF Felix Pie, 26 elected free agency with the Baltimore Orioles and has signed with the Cleveland Indians

RHP Mark Prior, 31 declared free agency with the New York Yankees and remains a free agent

2B Callix Crabbe, 28 declared free agency with the Toronto Blue Jays and remains a free agent

SS Oswaldo Navarro, 27 declared free agency with the Houston Astros and remains a free agent

RHP Joe Newby, 29 declared free agency with the Los Angeles Dodgers and remains a free agent

C Travis Scott, 26 has declared free agency with the Pittsburgh Pirates and remains a free agent

RHP Steven Shell, 28 declared free agency with the Atlanta Braves and remains a free agent

SS Ryan Theriot, 32 was non-tendered by the St. Louis Cardinals and remains a free agent

Obviously this is a mix of former Cubs and Mariner farmhands. Jackson was with the Cubs from 98-2006. Then Mariners, 2007-present. Amazing to see a couple of biggest prospects that the Cubs have had (Mark Prior/Felix Pie) scrambling for jobs. Pie ironically will be behind former Jackson CF Ezequiel Carrera in Cleveland who continues to shine.

 

On Tuesday, the Generals owners made the announcement official that Jason Compton is the new General Manager of the franchise. Jason began his time with the Diamond Jaxx in 2000 as an intern. Now, 12 years later he is in the corner office. Hard work pays off folks.

As great of a day that it was for Jason, it was an even better day for the the franchise. After sending a press release out last week announcing a press conference, I was asked how many to expect to attend. My answer – “around 15 to 20”. Which would be great for a market the size of Jackson. At 9:59 AM on Tuesday, there was no place to even stand. An estimated 75 media members and supporters packed the home clubhouse for the announcement, and Jason and I were running from one radio interview to the other until 6 pm. Let’s hope we have that problem on opening night.

News and Notes:

• I was enjoying a nice Friday night this past weekend before my phone began blowing up with rumors of a trade involving Michael Pineda to the Yankees for Jesus Montero. The super swap of talented 22-year-olds shocked everybody. My first reaction was, “how in the world could Seattle trade a rookie All-Star in Pineda.” But, then you think about James Paxton, Danny Hultzen, Taijuan Walker and Erasmo Ramirez. That cushions the blow considerably. Montero gives the Mariners a great bat in the heart of the order for years to come.

• Granted Hultzen has not pitched once in the minors, he was ranked as the third best left-handed prospect in baseball by MLB.com. Oh by the way, #1 was Matt Moore of the Rays, and #2, Manny Banuelos of the Yankees. Paxton was #8 on that list. Walker was ranked as the #8 right-handed pitching prospect in baseball. Of course, I am on record of saying that I think both Walker and Hultzen will start the year in Jackson. Will this trade change that? Right now, I don’t think so, but things can change in spring training.

• Nick Franklin was named the #6 shortstop prospect in baseball as well. Franklin was the #2 SS prospect leading into the 2011 season. The four-spot drop should not scare Mariners fans. Last year Nick had one of the most unlucky seasons a player could have. After jumping from High Desert to Jackson in June, he was plunked in the head by Joe Dunigan’s bat in the batting cage, then diagnosed with mono. When he came back in August, he looked like the Nick Franklin of old. I expect him to have a breakout season in 2012, and it more than likely will start in Jackson.

When thinking about Michael Pineda and his time in Jackson. The first thing that came to mind was his infamous performance in bus karaoke 2010. Michael could not think of a song to sing. So, he just pelted out the Dominican Anthem. To this day, no onereally knows if that indeed is what it was. It has been a tradition over the last three years for Double-A rookies to sing using the bus microphone on a road trip. So, I thought I would share a few pictures from some of great performances (or lack there of) over the years.

Every year it seems to sneak up on you. We are 90 days away from the Generals home opener on April 5th, against the Birmingham Barons, and right around 43 days until pitchers and catchers report. In a way that is scary, and it in another way it is exciting. When September hits, you are ready for that break. But, as February and March arrives, in this business you get restless and ready the marathon that is a 140 game Southern League season.

Hopefully everyone had a nice Christmas and New Year. It seems like every year when coming back from the holiday break you begin the “push to the season”. The new interns show up and it is just a fresh start. Sort of feels like that first day of second semester classes…

What’s Happening:

• The Mariners signed a familiar face this week in lefty George Sherrill. He is a 1995 graduate of Evangelical Christian School (ECS) in Memphis and started his college baseball career at Jackson State Community College in 1996 and 1997. As a freshman, Sherrill was the No. 3 starter and helped Jackson State to its first Junior College World Series. By the end of his sophomore year, he had earned a scholarship to Austin Peay State University. Sherrill was a closer in 1998, then was moved into the starting rotation the next season as a senior.

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  In parts of two seasons in Jackson, Cortes struck out 140 in 138.1 innings.

  Former Jackson pitcher Dan Cortes, who spent time with the Diamond Jaxx in 2009 and 2010 has signed with the Washington Nationals. I would be willing to say that Cortes has had the most prolific arm to come through Jackson in my three seasons. In a game during the 2010 season at Chattanooga, Cortes pitched three straight innings averaging 100.7 MPH per pitch. It was the most fascinating pitching performance most players and coaches had ever seen. Current Mariner Trayvon Robinson was struck out on three pitches and the third being a 12 to 6 curve ball that veteran catcher Guillermo Quiroz could barely even catch . Robinson shook his head and tipped his cap. I hate Cortes could not harness his gift as a Mariner, but here is hoping he can with Washington.

• On Tuesday of this week the Jackson City Council approved a couple of improvements to Pringles Park. The one thing  people complained most that needed improving was the video board. If you take a look at the photo of the current video board structure below, the plan is to eliminate the side panels where the Coke and JEA signs are and fill in all of that area with LED panels. Thus it would make those ads electronic and allow much more flexibility. Plus as you see in the picture on sunny days you could not read much of anything. With LED, the screen will be just as visible during the day time. Take a look at the other photo and you will get a general idea of what the new LED screen would look like.
• As the season gets closer, promotions will be released for the season. The promotional schedule is usually released in March. A few promotions that have been added for 2012 is a bobblehead doll of the Diamond Jaxx all-time wins leader and appearance leader, Doug Fister. No date has been assigned yet. Also, on July 27th, Midget Wrestling will be coming to Pringles Park. Check out the Half Pint Brawlers web page to see what to expect or view videos. They have a show on SPIKE TV. You cannot tell me that will not be fun.
  

  The Half Pint Brawlers

• Some other events leading up to the season that fans will want to look forward to are on Wednesday, April 4th, the night before the home opener, will be Generals Fan Fest. 2012 will mark the second year that Fan Fest has been at Pringles Park. Also, several high school  are scheduled to be at Pringles Park prior to the season. Those include…

• March 19 – Charleston, MO vs. Portageville, MO
• March 22 – JCS vs. South Side
• March 23 – Milan vs. Madison Academic
• March 24 – Riverside vs. Memphis Houston
• March 27 – South Side vs. Scotts Hill
• March 29 – Dyersburg vs. Collierville

Always check jacksongeneralsbaseball.com for the latest information on the Generals.

-CH-

If you are a diehard baseball fan, I suggest you make it to the Winter Meetings at some point in your life. Yes, you have to be credentialed to get into some events, but there are no credential Nazi’s going around kicking people out of the hotel lobby. For those of you that live in TN reading this, next year it is in Nashville at the Opryland Resort. A perfect opportunity. I am not going to go into how it works. If you are curious how it works you can read this article from “The Biz of Baseball.”

It is true that you need to have a plan going into it or you will get lost and overwhelmed. While I had a chance to participate in a lot of different seminars and round tables, the best part has to be watching people. Of course, if you are this guy, you should probably pay attention when you are walking down the atrium of the hotel. MLB Network cameras caught this guy not paying attention. Watch this video. How embarrassing

Walking from meeting to meeting it was amazing looking to your right and seeing Peter Gammons in a deep conversation with Jim Leyland, or looking to your right and seeing a hoard of media following Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria. Watching Frank Robinson check into the hotel and then see Tommy Lasorda walk up to say hello to him. Every person in baseball is there. Every GM, every manager at some point as well. Every media person that follows baseball attends. I caught FOX’s Ken Rosenthal huddled in a corner charging his blackberry. Had a chance to catch up with Buster Olney who actually joined me during the Southern League All-Star Game broadcast this year and spoke at the luncheon.

Because it is this way, that is why so much wheeling and dealing goes on. As a lifelong Cardinals fan, the Albert Pujols saga was quite riveting. On Monday and Tuesday he is going to the Marlins. Wednesday he will be a Cardinal…Thursday he agreed to a $254 million deal with the Angels? Huh? It happens that fast. Coming back from the Gala at Rangers Ballpark in ArlingtonI caught Scott Boras huddled around the media like this. The rumors go a mile-a-minute and everyone hanging around the bars and snack carts have a new rumors for you. It is constant and ever changing. For baseball junkies like me. That means lots of fun!

During the week I also garnered a new found respect for Mariners General Manager Jack Zduriencik. I met him in Mobile this past summer and my first impression was obviously good, but the M’s have a special GM. I am not even going to pretend that I have been around many

GM’s. In fact he is the only one. But, I just cannot imagine a Billy Beane, Walt Jocketty or a Brian Cashman being as engaging to the peasants like me. He sought out our Generals contingent and asked about certain players and how they react on and off the field. That is when he mentioned the fact that we could see a rotation in Jackson that features James Paxton, Danny Hultzen and Taijuan Walkerto start the 2012 season. That would not only give the Generals one of the top rotations in minor league baseball, but almost $9 million in signing bonus money. Pretty exciting to think about. The player he wanted to know the most about had to be Vinnie Catricala. And why not after the monster season he had.

Some of the more cool parts of the week came at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington at the Gala. They basically gave you free reign of the park and oh…free food and drinks. Do you remember during the World Series in game 5 when Tony La Russa had problems with the bullpen phone? Well, I had to obviously check that out. Okay, so I do occasionally show my immature side.

 

 

 

 

 

This entry seemed more about me and my experiences. I promise each entry will not be like this. Just wanted to share my experience and how much fun it was to experience the Winter Meetings for the first time.

-CH-

After three years and lots of encouraging, I now have a blog. Over the last few years, I have enjoyed reading Tacoma’s  Mike Curto’s Mike…Off Mic. The Mariners Triple-A Affiliate. So here we go… So bear with me as I figure this whole thing out. The plan is to keep you posted on news regarding the Mariners Minor Leagues and specifically how it affects the Jackson Generals. Hopefully during the season I can attach interviews and featured audio as well.

For the first time in my now four seasons, we will have the same three coaches back for 2012. You can read that story here. I spoke with manager Jim Pankovits and he is recovering from shoulder surgery, but excited to be coming back to Jackson. The only loss to the staff was athletic trainer Matt Toth, who has accepted a role with the big league club.

I was able last week to attend the MLB Winter Meetings, but I will not water down my first blog post with it. I will do that in the next one. It was my first ever experience attending and to put it mildly, it was a blast.