It's Jon Lieber versus Dave Bush, first of a four-game set. Here's the game preview. Wells is still out of the lineup; Hinske's DHing and batting 5th. Bush has allowed 3 or fewer earned runs in 7 of his 9 starts. Lieber four-hit the Blue Jays over 8 innings at Yankee Stadium earlier this month. Enjoy the game.
Maybe he's got a tweak, a sore shoulder, pulled muscle, what have you, that he wants to rest but he can still hit.
Just finished reading Moneyball (yes I know I'm a year+ late on this but anyways....) and it was a great book. I loved the behind the scenes stuff on the 2002 draft and the story on Brown (who's doing good in AA) and Bradford. I didn't know Beane would actually not watch a lot of the A's games while at the stadium.
Good to hear Lewis will be writing Part 2 of the book called Underdogs which should come out in 2007/2008.
And for the history buffs out there I have a question. Has there ever been a team that had the CY Young winner and League MVP but not make the playoffs? It's pretty obvious Schmidt and Bonds will win the awards and there's a chance they won't be in the post-season.
I'm simply amazed at Bonds. He has no protection yet his numbers are scary. Look at his BB to K ratior and his freakish OBP and OPS. You take Bonds out of the Giants lineup and I don't think the Giants would win 81 games. No hitter is as feared as Bonds and none more valuable to their club.
Good to hear Lewis will be writing Part 2 of the book called Underdogs which should come out in 2007/2008.
And for the history buffs out there I have a question. Has there ever been a team that had the CY Young winner and League MVP but not make the playoffs? It's pretty obvious Schmidt and Bonds will win the awards and there's a chance they won't be in the post-season.
I'm simply amazed at Bonds. He has no protection yet his numbers are scary. Look at his BB to K ratior and his freakish OBP and OPS. You take Bonds out of the Giants lineup and I don't think the Giants would win 81 games. No hitter is as feared as Bonds and none more valuable to their club.
Not sure Ron, but it should have happened last year. If Delgado wasn't in Toronto he probably would have gotten the attention to be voted MVP.
In response to your history question, Ron...that has never happened.
I asssumed that has never happened. Imagine if Bonds was a FA after this season and the Yanks went out and signed him to bat in between A-Rod and Sheffield.
If you go back before divisional play, Maury Wills and Don Drysdale were the NL MVP and Cy Young winners in 1962, but the Dodgers missed the playoffs (they won 102 games, but the Giants won 103).
Drysdale was actually THE Cy Young winner, they only gave out one for both leagues.
Drysdale was actually THE Cy Young winner, they only gave out one for both leagues.
Actually, the Giants and Dodgers both won 101 games, then the Giants won a three-game playoff. So maybe the Dodgers do qualify.
Minor hijack : I know Barry Bonds is the Most Valuable Player in the National League, but if not for Barry, Mark Loretta is the most valuable player in the NL.
Discuss.
Discuss.
Certainly the Most Valuable 8th Round Pick I've Ever Made.
...Sorry, Loretta was the only good draft choice I made this year, I need to flaunt it. (Prior over Bonds will haunt me forever.)
.345/.398/.515
46/41 BB/K
Pretty nice.
...Sorry, Loretta was the only good draft choice I made this year, I need to flaunt it. (Prior over Bonds will haunt me forever.)
.345/.398/.515
46/41 BB/K
Pretty nice.
In what may be the toughest park in baseball for a hitter.
And statistically, maybe the best defensive second baseman in baseball. Good ZR, good error %, huge number of double plays, plays every single day. I'd be hard-pressed to find a 2B who has made a larger defensive contribution this year, anyway.
And statistically, maybe the best defensive second baseman in baseball. Good ZR, good error %, huge number of double plays, plays every single day. I'd be hard-pressed to find a 2B who has made a larger defensive contribution this year, anyway.
I love the speed at which Bush works. Good speed, he always has good tempo.
But will he win a GG?
Knowing, of course, that the three requirements for winning a Gold Glove are, in this order:
1) hitting
2) number of times won in the past
3) defense
Knowing, of course, that the three requirements for winning a Gold Glove are, in this order:
1) hitting
2) number of times won in the past
3) defense
I think Bonds will run away with it ..., but besides Bonds I like Rolen. He's on pace for 40 dingers, 141 RBI's, .323 BA, .410 OBP, .611 Slugging, and 1.021
Also he will win another Gold Glove this season. By the time his career is finished I wouldn't be surprised to see people calling Rolen the best 3B to ever play the game.
Also he will win another Gold Glove this season. By the time his career is finished I wouldn't be surprised to see people calling Rolen the best 3B to ever play the game.
A tough call. Loretta's never been seen as an elite defender but the NL competition is weak. I had to look up last year's winner... it was Luis Castillo. Castillo's good, and will probably win again. If the coaches changed their minds, they'd probably go with Alex Cora over Loretta anyway.
I don't agree with those GG "criteria"... I think the coaches do an OK job. Not good, but OK.
I don't agree with those GG "criteria"... I think the coaches do an OK job. Not good, but OK.
I love the speed at which Bush works. Good speed, he always has good tempo.
And Lieber is quick too. Game will be over by 9:30.
I wish Batista pitched like Bush.
And Lieber is quick too. Game will be over by 9:30.
I wish Batista pitched like Bush.
O-DOG! I know it's been said before, but has he ever been doing great the past month.
O-Dog!!
That's a career-high in homers, I do believe. And more importantly, it's 4-0.
Rios follows that up with yet another double..
I would love to see the Blue Jays run breakdowns by inning. Does anyone know where I can find that? ESPN does innings 1-6 and 7+ but I'd like to see the data for each inning. It seems like the Jays always score all their runs by the fourth inning.
That's a career-high in homers, I do believe. And more importantly, it's 4-0.
Rios follows that up with yet another double..
I would love to see the Blue Jays run breakdowns by inning. Does anyone know where I can find that? ESPN does innings 1-6 and 7+ but I'd like to see the data for each inning. It seems like the Jays always score all their runs by the fourth inning.
Scoring runners from 3rd with less than 2 outs continues to haunt this team. They are truly horrible at it this season. I think it must the single most frustrating aspect of this team's play this season.
I wonder how much the Jays get for having the Japanese signs in the OF when they play the Yanks and Mariners?
Pardon my ignorance, but what the heck is psylium fibre and why is it suddenly such a hot commodity?
Lieber is getting hit very hard this game... Torre better get someone warming.
[i]I wonder how much the Jays get for having the Japanese signs in the OF when they play the Yanks and Mariners?
[/i]
When I went to the Yankee store when I was in NY last year you would think that Matsui is the Yankee's best player... They have more Merchandise for him than any other Yankee (Jeter was 2nd).
[/i]
When I went to the Yankee store when I was in NY last year you would think that Matsui is the Yankee's best player... They have more Merchandise for him than any other Yankee (Jeter was 2nd).
The Jays have 5 hits and the Yankees have ...... shhhhhh.
Boy, this has an eerie feeling of similarity to last night.
I knew the Woodward error would open the flood gates. You don't give the Yankees extra outs.
And I blame Pistol too.
And I blame Pistol too.
Don't worry. A-Rod can't hit worht a damn with RISP.
Yanks got some lucky hits but Bush and Zaun called some really dumb pitches. Fastball high over the middle of the plate on a batter with two strikes? Fastball up and in to Jeter after you've already showed him a couple of fastballs that he was right on? Bush got away from mixing his speeds and that hurt him this inning. Luckily he still has the lead.
So ... no-one knows where to find run breakdowns by inning?
Chulk has officially been demoted in the Jays pen. Looks like he's swapped places with Speier.
That's a great place to use Chulk, imo. Early inning pressure situation.
As a 4th OF Reed J. has played well. He wouldn't start as a regular in our OF but as a fill in he has been a real pro.
Lookin' forward to Gross, Wells, Rios next year.
Lookin' forward to Gross, Wells, Rios next year.
Let the Spiere closer discussion begin again. Ok so some might not think its fair to discuss cuz the kid had to face Jeter, Sheff and A-Rod but these are the big leagues.
That was the weirdest thing ever-Frasor stepped back OFF the mound, and still delivered the pitch. Of course it was a balk. And now he's officially getting shelled.
What is with this team's inability to score runs after the fourth inning?
Yeah, sometimes they can tack on runs if they're already up by a ton of runs, and sometimes if they're losing by a ton of runs they can make it look a little better, but for the most part:
After 4 we can't score!
Yeah, sometimes they can tack on runs if they're already up by a ton of runs, and sometimes if they're losing by a ton of runs they can make it look a little better, but for the most part:
After 4 we can't score!
I'm praying JP is thinking like a lot of the Da Box posters here:
go out and spend money to get a proven closer, no more tinkering with Rule 5 draft picks, guys from the minors, journeymen middle relievers
And by spending money I'm not talking about $900,00 either.
go out and spend money to get a proven closer, no more tinkering with Rule 5 draft picks, guys from the minors, journeymen middle relievers
And by spending money I'm not talking about $900,00 either.
go out and spend money to get a proven closer, no more tinkering with Rule 5 draft picks, guys from the minors, journeymen middle relievers
How would that have helped us tonight? We couldn't get a guy home from 3rd with one out, and then we couldn't score the rest of the game. You can't win if you don't score more than the other guys, no matter how good your relievers are.
How would that have helped us tonight? We couldn't get a guy home from 3rd with one out, and then we couldn't score the rest of the game. You can't win if you don't score more than the other guys, no matter how good your relievers are.
I don't agree with those GG "criteria"
Fair enough. I was thinking of Bret Boone when I posted that; not of Mientkiewicz, Hunter, or Cameron, who obviously were qualified enough to win. Criteria #2 applies more to Vizquel than anyone else, but my post was rather hyperbolic in nature, so never mind.
But, come on. Jermaine Dye in 2000? ;)
Fair enough. I was thinking of Bret Boone when I posted that; not of Mientkiewicz, Hunter, or Cameron, who obviously were qualified enough to win. Criteria #2 applies more to Vizquel than anyone else, but my post was rather hyperbolic in nature, so never mind.
But, come on. Jermaine Dye in 2000? ;)
DJ: For the season the bullpen has sucked. You bring in a proven closer and bump everybody down and the Jays are a better team for it. I'm not just talking about tonight where the Jays couldn't score after 4 and Frasor was a Yank disguised in a Jays uni
Chulk pitched really well in the seventh tonite. He looked like he did a month or so ago. They have taken the big pressure off him. They need to do the same with Frasor now. The young man has had his season beyond anyones expectations. Take the pressure off him now before his confidence is destroyed completely.
Hand the ball back to the 2 million dollar men. Lets see them put up now. And lets see the pressure squarely on their shoulders. This will give the team a pretty good idea of what they might need to do in the off season.
I have a feeling this is exactly what Gibbons is thinking. In fact I would go so far as to say Frasor was thrown to the wolves tonite so that a closer switch had the right optics rather than just firing the guy and making the switch.
Anyway, maybe I'm full of crap. However thats the way this looks to me.
Hand the ball back to the 2 million dollar men. Lets see them put up now. And lets see the pressure squarely on their shoulders. This will give the team a pretty good idea of what they might need to do in the off season.
I have a feeling this is exactly what Gibbons is thinking. In fact I would go so far as to say Frasor was thrown to the wolves tonite so that a closer switch had the right optics rather than just firing the guy and making the switch.
Anyway, maybe I'm full of crap. However thats the way this looks to me.
no more tinkering with Rule 5 draft picks, guys from the minors, journeymen middle relievers
Yeah, he should go out and sign proven veteran relievers like Justin Speier, Terry Adams, and Kerry Ligtenberg... no wait, that went awry too.
Yeah, he should go out and sign proven veteran relievers like Justin Speier, Terry Adams, and Kerry Ligtenberg... no wait, that went awry too.
Yeah, he should go out and sign proven veteran relievers like Justin Speier, Terry Adams, and Kerry Ligtenberg... no wait, that went awry too.
All 3 have one thing in common: they're not proven closers in their MLB career
All 3 have one thing in common: they're not proven closers in their MLB career
Proven closers (Foulke, Rivera, etc.) are few and far between. They cost a ton. And you have to convince them to relocate to your (Canadian, snowy, Leafs-obsessed) city. Some Proven Closers turn out to be a bust (Bill Caudill, Randy Myers, Koch).
It doesn't look like the Jays are going to win any pennants in 2005 (though you never know). So it might be a bit early to invest in a pricey closer. I wonder whether spending $5-8 million on one really going to turn around the Jays' fortunes in 2005. IMHO, I don't think the team is quite there yet.
It doesn't look like the Jays are going to win any pennants in 2005 (though you never know). So it might be a bit early to invest in a pricey closer. I wonder whether spending $5-8 million on one really going to turn around the Jays' fortunes in 2005. IMHO, I don't think the team is quite there yet.
I believe Williamson (assuming he's healthy for next season) can be had for less than 4 mil.
But this is a big weakness for the Jays. Very few teams win in the playoffs without a proven closer. Either way the bullpen needs to be upgraded and I'm sure JP is well aware of this.
But this is a big weakness for the Jays. Very few teams win in the playoffs without a proven closer. Either way the bullpen needs to be upgraded and I'm sure JP is well aware of this.
Proven closers (Foulke, Rivera, etc.) are few and far between.
Naw, proven closers are everywhere! I mean, Rod Beck was just *released* by the Padres! He has 286 career saves. Jose Mesa has 284 career saves, and he was available this past off-season for $800,000. Todd Jones signed for less than half a million, and he has 185 career saves. Look at what Bob Wickman and Billy Koch sign for this offseason - a lot less than 5 to 8 million! Mike Williams has 144 career saves - he'll work for food. Ricky Bottalico went begging for a job earlier this year, and he's as proven as any closer in the game.
There are lots of proven closers out there that fit the Blue Jays budget! It's foolish to make your own closer out of a young pitcher when you can just buy one ready-made on the free agent market. Isn't that what building a successful baseball team is all about?
Naw, proven closers are everywhere! I mean, Rod Beck was just *released* by the Padres! He has 286 career saves. Jose Mesa has 284 career saves, and he was available this past off-season for $800,000. Todd Jones signed for less than half a million, and he has 185 career saves. Look at what Bob Wickman and Billy Koch sign for this offseason - a lot less than 5 to 8 million! Mike Williams has 144 career saves - he'll work for food. Ricky Bottalico went begging for a job earlier this year, and he's as proven as any closer in the game.
There are lots of proven closers out there that fit the Blue Jays budget! It's foolish to make your own closer out of a young pitcher when you can just buy one ready-made on the free agent market. Isn't that what building a successful baseball team is all about?
Just for fun, here's a list of "Closers" (and I use the term somewhat loosely) who are or could be free agents this year. I make no guarantees about the accuracy of this list, I did not compile it (Im far too lazy for something like that), but I thought it might be useful to have some real life names to talk about rather than just the idea of signing some unknown "proven closer".
Mike Williams
Troy Percival
Billy Koch
Ugeuth Urbina(Team Option)
Eddie Gurdado (Mutual Option)
Jeff Zimmerman
John Smoltz (Team Option)
Armando Benitez
Billy Wagner (Team Option)
Trevor Hoffman (Team Option)
Robb Nen
Bob Wickman
Paul Shuey
Steve Kline
Mike Williams
Troy Percival
Billy Koch
Ugeuth Urbina(Team Option)
Eddie Gurdado (Mutual Option)
Jeff Zimmerman
John Smoltz (Team Option)
Armando Benitez
Billy Wagner (Team Option)
Trevor Hoffman (Team Option)
Robb Nen
Bob Wickman
Paul Shuey
Steve Kline
Some relief pitchers that may be available next year:
Benetiez (with a cheaper option in Mota),
Williamson, (could be expendable)
Guaradado (Seattle may give Soriano a chance)
Percival (splitting save chances with F Rod right now)
Mantei (health issues)
B.J Ryan (been lights out for Baltimore the past couple years)
Benetiez (with a cheaper option in Mota),
Williamson, (could be expendable)
Guaradado (Seattle may give Soriano a chance)
Percival (splitting save chances with F Rod right now)
Mantei (health issues)
B.J Ryan (been lights out for Baltimore the past couple years)
If JP can't land Mike Williams, maybe he can coax Mitch out of retirement.
OK, I admit my list is a bit unfair. I sympathize with Ron; it's frustrating to see an inexperienced pitcher blow leads. Of course, it's equally frustrating to have your $5 million closer blow leads, which will happen almost as often. Jason Frasor is outperforming most big-time closers this year so far.
All other things being equal, it's better to have a real proven closer (i.e. not a Rod Beck or Mike Williams proven closer) than not. But all other things aren't equal; $5 million to land a top-drawer reliever is $5 million that can't be spent elsewhere, on guys who play regularly or start every five days. I just think the money is put to better use on getting some leads; you have to do that before you can preserve them.
All other things being equal, it's better to have a real proven closer (i.e. not a Rod Beck or Mike Williams proven closer) than not. But all other things aren't equal; $5 million to land a top-drawer reliever is $5 million that can't be spent elsewhere, on guys who play regularly or start every five days. I just think the money is put to better use on getting some leads; you have to do that before you can preserve them.
I still realize getting 2 big bats is the most important thing JP has to do in the off-season but right after that is a closer. As Craig pointed out a proven closer doesn't always mean you need to spend 5-8 mil.
JP can get creative and posssible dump Batista to free up more money.
Call me crazy but I'm really geeked up about the off-season because it's shut up or put up time for JP. This is the first time he's had money to play with. I'm willing to say only a handful of other teams not named the Yanks or Red Sox has the same or more money than JP to spend on FA's after this season.
JP can get creative and posssible dump Batista to free up more money.
Call me crazy but I'm really geeked up about the off-season because it's shut up or put up time for JP. This is the first time he's had money to play with. I'm willing to say only a handful of other teams not named the Yanks or Red Sox has the same or more money than JP to spend on FA's after this season.
I would say Jason Frasor has been lucky with a lot of his earlier success. He doesn't pitch, he just throws. That AB against A-Rod was typical: 3 near identical fastballs. At 0-2 he should have some other pitch to fool the batter. He doesn't know how to set a batter up. He just throws hard. And those fastballs are dead straight, big leaguers can hit them.
How about this for confidince: in Montreal tonight Gagné was asked how he felt about getting into the game: "I wanted to get in, because it means a win for us". Must be nice.
How about this for confidince: in Montreal tonight Gagné was asked how he felt about getting into the game: "I wanted to get in, because it means a win for us". Must be nice.
Ron:
Why would you trade Batista to free up money for a closer, when you could just make Batista the closer? Batista is better and/or healthier than most of the available free agent closers this year.
The Jays currently have six starting pitchers (Halladay, Batista, Lilly, Bush, Miller, Towers), so someone will have to move. I don't think J.P. will trade any of them except Towers; moving one of them to the bullpen is another possibility.
I think that J.P. has suggested that Miller's future could be in the bullpen. He's starting tonight, but may be put in relief when Halladay comes back. Miller in short relief would be... interesting.
Why would you trade Batista to free up money for a closer, when you could just make Batista the closer? Batista is better and/or healthier than most of the available free agent closers this year.
The Jays currently have six starting pitchers (Halladay, Batista, Lilly, Bush, Miller, Towers), so someone will have to move. I don't think J.P. will trade any of them except Towers; moving one of them to the bullpen is another possibility.
I think that J.P. has suggested that Miller's future could be in the bullpen. He's starting tonight, but may be put in relief when Halladay comes back. Miller in short relief would be... interesting.
My Orioles fan friend (who lives in Western Michigan, go fig) wonders why the hell they have quality relievers like BJ Ryan (and for awhile Buddy Groom) and never trade them for top prospects at the deadline when they never contend. It's free prospects, with little to no loss because premier setup men means little when you suck! I don't get it. To run through some other options (and I love doing this while drunk, as my descontructing of the 1B list many weeks ago will attest.):
Mike Williams
Some guys lose it for no explainable reason. This is one of those guys. Traded by the Pirates after his infamous AS selection. Sucked for the Phillies. Released by the D-Rays. If they sign him, it's Jeff Tam all over again only WORSE. Tam had only peed on his good name for one year. Williams has done it for two.
Troy Percival
I love this squinty bastard for 2002, but he would probably command too high a salary. Also, he seems done. Depends on what he's asking. Probably too much.
Billy Koch
He hasn't been that great with Florida, even with the heat (and everybody's derision) off of him. Also, his fastball is now straight and not all that remarkably fast.
Ugeuth Urbina(Team Option)
As funny as it would be to see he and Quiroz duplicating the kissing ritual in TO, he's not all that good. It also isn't exactly a point in someone's favour when they do zero workouts in an offseason where they're not under contract.
Eddie Guardado (Mutual Option)
Too much strain from being Everyday Eddie. Also, Bavasi will probably want him back for whatever reason. Also, I discount the spectre of Soriano as their closer because sadly, Soriano has a date with Tommy John. I picked him in one of my leagues because if Eddie OR any starter went down he'd slot right in and be awesome. Yeah, didn't happen.
Jeff Zimmerman
A guy who's missed three years? Where do I sign up? I want Canadians on this team as much as anybody, but come on.
John Smoltz (Team Option)
Yeah, not happening. I don't care what the option is for, it's not happening. It would be sweet karmic payback for Doyle in '87, though.
Armando Benitez
I think he might be an option. He probably won't be too pricey, and the scummy art dealer might not want to pay for his sucesses this year.
Billy Wagner (Team Option)
See Smoltz, minus the Doyle comment. He's tiny.
Trevor Hoffman (Team Option)
See Wagner. Also, that bell at Petco would be rendered USELESS. Hell's Bells, indeed. They're keeping this guy.
Robb Nen
See Zimmerman, only change the amount of years to two and subtract the Canadian thing. Add that I strongly dislike Rob Nenn and his stupid toe-tap.
Bob Wickman
I don't think he's all that good. I know he's terribly inury-prone. Hells no. Hey, can Mark Wohlers close next year?
Paul Shuey
I chuckle when I think of Paul Shuey because Dodger Blues always refers to the friendship between him and Tom Martin. How sad they must be right now. He's injury prone, and probably best as a setup guy.
Steve Kline
Ewww, dirty hat. Again, best as a setup guy. He sure can eat innings like Q, though.
Matt Mantei
This guy sure gets hurt a lot. This whole list may as well be a list of how closers can have chronic arm troubles too. I don't want this guy, either.
Also, Scott Williamson is UNTOUCHABLE! My Sox need him, dammit! I pray nightly that he doesn't need ol' TJS.
Mike Williams
Some guys lose it for no explainable reason. This is one of those guys. Traded by the Pirates after his infamous AS selection. Sucked for the Phillies. Released by the D-Rays. If they sign him, it's Jeff Tam all over again only WORSE. Tam had only peed on his good name for one year. Williams has done it for two.
Troy Percival
I love this squinty bastard for 2002, but he would probably command too high a salary. Also, he seems done. Depends on what he's asking. Probably too much.
Billy Koch
He hasn't been that great with Florida, even with the heat (and everybody's derision) off of him. Also, his fastball is now straight and not all that remarkably fast.
Ugeuth Urbina(Team Option)
As funny as it would be to see he and Quiroz duplicating the kissing ritual in TO, he's not all that good. It also isn't exactly a point in someone's favour when they do zero workouts in an offseason where they're not under contract.
Eddie Guardado (Mutual Option)
Too much strain from being Everyday Eddie. Also, Bavasi will probably want him back for whatever reason. Also, I discount the spectre of Soriano as their closer because sadly, Soriano has a date with Tommy John. I picked him in one of my leagues because if Eddie OR any starter went down he'd slot right in and be awesome. Yeah, didn't happen.
Jeff Zimmerman
A guy who's missed three years? Where do I sign up? I want Canadians on this team as much as anybody, but come on.
John Smoltz (Team Option)
Yeah, not happening. I don't care what the option is for, it's not happening. It would be sweet karmic payback for Doyle in '87, though.
Armando Benitez
I think he might be an option. He probably won't be too pricey, and the scummy art dealer might not want to pay for his sucesses this year.
Billy Wagner (Team Option)
See Smoltz, minus the Doyle comment. He's tiny.
Trevor Hoffman (Team Option)
See Wagner. Also, that bell at Petco would be rendered USELESS. Hell's Bells, indeed. They're keeping this guy.
Robb Nen
See Zimmerman, only change the amount of years to two and subtract the Canadian thing. Add that I strongly dislike Rob Nenn and his stupid toe-tap.
Bob Wickman
I don't think he's all that good. I know he's terribly inury-prone. Hells no. Hey, can Mark Wohlers close next year?
Paul Shuey
I chuckle when I think of Paul Shuey because Dodger Blues always refers to the friendship between him and Tom Martin. How sad they must be right now. He's injury prone, and probably best as a setup guy.
Steve Kline
Ewww, dirty hat. Again, best as a setup guy. He sure can eat innings like Q, though.
Matt Mantei
This guy sure gets hurt a lot. This whole list may as well be a list of how closers can have chronic arm troubles too. I don't want this guy, either.
Also, Scott Williamson is UNTOUCHABLE! My Sox need him, dammit! I pray nightly that he doesn't need ol' TJS.
Why would you trade Batista to free up money for a closer, when you could just make Batista the closer? Batista is better and/or healthier than most of the available free agent closers this year.
When I look at the closer position there are 3 main qualities I look at:
A) Does he strike guys out?
B) Does he walk a lot of guys and fall behind the count often?
C) Does he throw hard?
Okay maybe that was 4 things... but as you can see in Batista he walks a lot of guys while not throwing too many K's. This is a bad combo to have as a closer.
When I look at the closer position there are 3 main qualities I look at:
A) Does he strike guys out?
B) Does he walk a lot of guys and fall behind the count often?
C) Does he throw hard?
Okay maybe that was 4 things... but as you can see in Batista he walks a lot of guys while not throwing too many K's. This is a bad combo to have as a closer.
Why would you trade Batista to free up money for a closer, when you could just make Batista the closer?
Take a look at what Batista does early on in games. Batista needs to be a starter because it takes him 2 innings to get settled in. Miller and Bush are the only two starting pitchers who would be effective closers. I still think Miller is the guy you want to close. He's got the make-up. Anyone who tattoes "I Love Billy Koch" on his arse isn't afraid of anything. He'd be one of the more colourful closers in baseball, and that's saying a lot. I'd love to see what his stuff is like when he knows he just has to "giv'er" for one or two innings.
Take a look at what Batista does early on in games. Batista needs to be a starter because it takes him 2 innings to get settled in. Miller and Bush are the only two starting pitchers who would be effective closers. I still think Miller is the guy you want to close. He's got the make-up. Anyone who tattoes "I Love Billy Koch" on his arse isn't afraid of anything. He'd be one of the more colourful closers in baseball, and that's saying a lot. I'd love to see what his stuff is like when he knows he just has to "giv'er" for one or two innings.
Trevor Hoffman (Team Option)
See Wagner. Also, that bell at Petco would be rendered USELESS. Hell's Bells, indeed. They're keeping this guy.
It's been over a month now but I'm still pissed when I went to see the Pads down at Petco and it was the top of the 9th in a save situation so I got all jacked up telling my bro and my cousin how Hoffman would come in and there would be a ringing of a big bell .... and then boom the Japanese guy comes in to attempt to save the game and I looked like a jackass.
The only thing that saved it was that the D-Backs tied up in in the top of the 9th and then in the bottom of the 9th former A's fan "favorite" Terrance Long hit a walk off homer that cleared the left field foul poll by 1 cm.
See Wagner. Also, that bell at Petco would be rendered USELESS. Hell's Bells, indeed. They're keeping this guy.
It's been over a month now but I'm still pissed when I went to see the Pads down at Petco and it was the top of the 9th in a save situation so I got all jacked up telling my bro and my cousin how Hoffman would come in and there would be a ringing of a big bell .... and then boom the Japanese guy comes in to attempt to save the game and I looked like a jackass.
The only thing that saved it was that the D-Backs tied up in in the top of the 9th and then in the bottom of the 9th former A's fan "favorite" Terrance Long hit a walk off homer that cleared the left field foul poll by 1 cm.
Nice to see the Sky Chiefs win 4-2 tonight and the Ravens won 6-2.
League picked up the victory and Hattig once again grew into his man-strength belting out 3 hits.
League picked up the victory and Hattig once again grew into his man-strength belting out 3 hits.
Question: What the hell happened in that Rios at bat? I was at the game and there was no explanation of why he was out. It looked to me like a little grounder that went five feet which Posada picked up and proceeded to make a horrible throw. Why wasn't Rios safe?
He ran inside the baseline which is a automatic out. I was wondering the same thing until I saw the replay.
I had always assumed that the out was automatic if the runner was hit by the ball. I hadn't realized, until tonight, that he was out if there was a play at first(it probably isn't an automatic out unless there is a play is what i am saying).
Another strong 7-inning-game by the home-towm nine(10, well 13)..
I had always assumed that the out was automatic if the runner was hit by the ball. I hadn't realized, until tonight, that he was out if there was a play at first(it probably isn't an automatic out unless there is a play is what i am saying).
I think it was smart of Posada to "air mail" the throw...
it makes the point without "waking the giant" like hitting Rios in the back might have
I think it was smart of Posada to "air mail" the throw...
it makes the point without "waking the giant" like hitting Rios in the back might have
As for the Rios play, there is this rule, tho seldom enforced, unless a runner gets hit by a ball or prevents the catcher from making an accurate throw, that says you have to run outside the line (in foul territory) inside the lane or its interference. But the first base bag lies flush with the line, and the rest of it is inside the line. So, as a runner, you are technically supposed to run up on the outside and then step across on the bag (according to the rules). No one ever does this and as I said its only enforced when there truely is interference.
Ron, the Ravens won??? The Ravens moved a year ago to New Hampshire!
I thought the New Hampshire club was called the Ravens?
Fisher Cats, Ron.
The Ravens were New Haven's team (see the rhyme?).
What were they going to call the NH team? Monarchs or something...
The Ravens were New Haven's team (see the rhyme?).
What were they going to call the NH team? Monarchs or something...