Felix & The Intangibles

by MarkE on Jan 28, 2008 5:08 AM PST

Hey kids. A couple of comments in this thread got me thinking about one of the additional impacts that a lot of this offseason's changes will have brought.

Assuming that the Bedard/Jones thing goes ahead and, were it to happen, Wlad promoted to becoming a RF fixture, then Felix has a whole bunch of cushioning suddenly implanted around him. Think about it:

His best friend in baseball is on the team on a perm basis

One of his colleagues in the rotation is an experienced guy from Venezuela

He has the pressure of being the keystone in the rotation lifted by playing second fiddle to someone with a more phenomenal reputation

These pieces may provide him with a whole lot more personal comfort and a two year gap where he can focus more on himself that worry about being the central focus of the organisation's future. Then, come 2010, should Bedard leave then he'll have been given every possible opportunity to become as good as some of the most optimistic expectations.

Is it realistic to consider the benefits to Felix as (minor) factors in some of these moves, or is it just a coincidental and collateral bonus?

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Wlad's not likely to come up

and shouldn't, not until a while later at any rate. But yea, this should help Felix develop. I think he's suffered from being in the limelight a bit too much.

by Bearskin Rugburn on Jan 28, 2008 5:19 AM PST reply actions

BUT WHAT ABOUT ADAM JONES???

Copenhagen = WAYYYYY better than Paris

by MarinerintheDistrict on Jan 28, 2008 5:19 AM PST reply actions

Giving the man an effective defense

would do more for him than anything else

by DCMariner on Jan 28, 2008 8:02 AM PST reply actions

coincidental and collateral

I really, really hope they didn't sign Silva to a shockingly long/costly deal because he's from the same country as felix.
Likewise, I really hope they don't see Wlad's role on the team as Felix's BFF, but who knows. At this point, I just hope Wlad gets a chance here. I seriously think he could surprise some people, and his defense is better than he's been credited with in the past. That and I can't take another trade, even if it brought a solid OF defender.

by marc w on Jan 28, 2008 8:33 AM PST reply actions

Sure

I'm not trying to suggest that any of these things might have been motivating factors, but they might still have a minor part to play.

Sure, the team signs Silva because it needed pitching, but might his nationality have been that little boost that made it that tiny bit more attractive?

I mean, it's all about the team chemistry, right? ;o)

Accidental Mariner - P3 W1 L2 (.333)
Sponsor of Jamie Burke's baseball-reference page

by MarkE on Jan 28, 2008 8:43 AM PST up reply actions

Again

I really hope not. Otherwise it's verging on american parody...

"Oh wow, you're from Venezuela??? Cool, we have a pitcher from there already! You guys probably grew up together."

"I'm practically old enough to be his dad."

"Wow, you knew his father? That's so cool! You probably watched Felix when he was in little league or something."

"No, I didn't know him. We're from totally different parts of the country."

"Oh, you're from a neighboring village. That's cool. Still, I'm sure you guys have lots to talk about."

"We're not from villages. Felix is from a city of 1.5m, and Bolivar is over 300,000. We will talk about pitching."

"Yeah, you guys are practically cousins. That's so awesome."

"Fuck you."

by marc w on Jan 28, 2008 9:09 AM PST up reply actions

:o)

Accidental Mariner - P3 W1 L2 (.333)
Sponsor of Jamie Burke's baseball-reference page

by MarkE on Jan 28, 2008 9:11 AM PST up reply actions

LOL!!

Oh I hope not...more like..

So your from Venezula?
Yep and I know Felix, and Miguel and Vidro, and WESTBROOK (LOL)
Cool, do you want a truck load of money?
Si, por favor!!

That's how we roll.

I have a cousin with 1 testicle, when they yell play ball, he smiles.

by Montucky on Jan 28, 2008 3:30 PM PST up reply actions

Felix & The Intangibles

Decent band. They weren't as good as Martha & The Vandellas, or James Brown & The Famous Flames, but they could lay down some good grooves in their day.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Jan 28, 2008 3:33 PM PST reply actions