As Expected: Rocco "Not There Yet"

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 30, 2008 1:03 PM EDT

Lancaster:

The only certainty is Baldelli won't be activated from the 60-day DL in the near future.

"He's still not there yet," Manager Joe Maddon said. "We're cautiously optimistic that he's going to be able to get back at some point. We have no idea what that means yet."

The article also mentions how Al Reyes is close to returning, amongst other tidbits, but Baldelli's situation had seemingly been on the upswing as of late, even having an OPS over .720 in Vero. No matter how optimistic reports may seem it's important to keep expectations in check and tempered for Baldelli's possible return or potential contribution. Perhaps more importantly is that Baldelli's situation almost cannot affect the team's plans for this trade deadline.

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Comments

I'm trying to look at it the way Cubs fans looked at Kerry Wood for so long.

If he comes back, then great. But we’re still a good team without him.

B Rad the Ray Fan

by BWoodrum on Jun 30, 2008 1:12 PM EDT reply actions

Nevar fahgetta bout it

BAD BOY ROCCO ROC

by Sylar on Jun 30, 2008 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs

Rec'd.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 30, 2008 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Rec'd

and are you still drunk?

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls

BELIEVE in 08!

by SRQman on Jun 30, 2008 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

No not yet!

by Sylar on Jun 30, 2008 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

plz drink more

then post

Top Josh Paul Pornos- Big Navi Stroking, 2pitchers1cup, BJ to the Balls

BELIEVE in 08!

by SRQman on Jun 30, 2008 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

One sign of how awesome this year is...

...Our guys trying to grow beards to support Rocco, and half the team can’t even grow anything beyond peach-fuzz. Sonny’s beard is rockin it and he has pitched accordingly. Kaz doing his Giambi impression is cute, but how freakin lucky are we that he can’t grow a beard, yet he’s this good.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 30, 2008 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

is that really why they are growing beards? strange i hadn't heard that yet...

by davidsmarch on Jun 30, 2008 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 30, 2008 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Cha, get the net.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Jun 30, 2008 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

i don't like the "As expected" in the title of this thread,

it almost sounds like you’re saying it as some sort of victory, like “i was right, i knew he wouldn’t be ready, and now look, he’s not…”

by davidsmarch on Jun 30, 2008 3:28 PM EDT reply actions

Or

And follow me here, I could be saying that we’ve been dealing with setbacks for the past three years, everyone should’ve known he wasn’t two weeks from returning. If I wanted to say I was right I would simply say “I was right, I knew he wouldn’t be ready, and now look, he’s not…”

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 30, 2008 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

oh i'm following, but i'm also sure that noone said he would be back in 20 days,

i don’t remember seeing a single person on this blog even thinking that he would be ready to return after his 20-day rehab was up; most were asking if there were ways to get more time for him to come back. i see your reasoning, but it was unnecessary, and come across as self-aggrandizing.

by davidsmarch on Jun 30, 2008 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you're reading a little too much into it.

But I’ll note your concern for future headlines.

by R.J. Anderson on Jun 30, 2008 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

yea

I see what RJ was saying. This was expected.

by blazinrayz on Jun 30, 2008 3:52 PM EDT reply actions

What exactly are the options here?

My understanding is when the 20 day rehab is up he has to be put on DL again, promoted to the majors, or DFA’d. Correct? So I’m assuming A is the next course – though C could mean shedding his salary if he’s claimed. Can’t imagine the org wants to deal with the possible PR ramifications of that.

by nyyfaninlaaland on Jun 30, 2008 4:31 PM EDT reply actions

he's still on the 60-day DL,

i don’t think A is a choice. i think we’re left with: promotes, DFA’d then assigned to minors, or finding some loophole/asking the league for special circumstances.

by davidsmarch on Jun 30, 2008 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions

That is my question as well

Nobody expected him to be back, but I’m assuming they can’t keep playing transaction musical chairs forever.. or maybe they can. Nobody seems to know for sure. At what point are they forced to make some sort of roster move and what are the options?

“My understanding is when the 20 day rehab is up he has to be put on DL again, promoted to the majors, or DFA’d. Correct?”

Good question. Anyone really know? He’s already on the DL, so I don’t know how that works. Can they keep rehabbing, then shut him down, then restart the process? Bueller?

Longlorious.

by RATW on Jun 30, 2008 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Baldelli looked awful in Sarasota on Sat.

I went to the Vero game in Sarasota on Sat. Rocco just looked weird running. He had a chance to beat out a play at first and he was in this odd trot. He made it after the first baseman apparently missed the tag, but it was a play Rocco in the old days would have easily legged out. I hope it was just a bad night for him and not a sign of how he has to run from now on. Given it was an A-ball game he might have just been mailing it in, but boy, it looked really bad.

by JWallace on Jun 30, 2008 5:57 PM EDT reply actions