Monthly Archives: July 2011

July 31, 2011

Big Bad Wolff

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Lew Wolff comes down on Frank McCourt:

Wolff also said he believes owners are united behind Commissioner Bud Selig, whose authority McCourt has challenged in Bankruptcy Court.

Wolff, who lives in Los Angeles, said he decided to speak out after attorneys for the Dodgers’ owner argued in a divorce court filing that whatever money McCourt might have taken out of the Dodgers was exceeded by the money Selig took out of MLB.

“For anyone to seek to diminish Bud’s accomplishments in order to rationalize their own actions is, in my opinion, ludicrous and hugely disingenuous,” Wolff said.

This is bad for Frank. The owners are solidly behind Selig on this issue, and if Bud calls for a vote to oust McCourt as the owner, it will likely be unanimous.

July 31, 2011

Getting On

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The Athletics defeated the Twins 7-3 Sunday afternoon, as the first six batters in the Athletics lineup reached base eleven times by a hit or a walk. All six of those hitters have OBP’s this season above the American League average of .322, although only Ryan Sweeney is much above that at .356. Of course, it turns out that if all your players are a little bit above average at getting on base, then the team is going to be above average, and score some runs.

That really hasn’t been the case with Oakland this season, as they came into the game with a .313 OBP for the team. If they finally are getting a lineup in place that does get on base better, they might be a spoiler down the stretch. They are winning more often lately, 9-5 in their last 14 games.

Jim Thome hit career home run 597. He’s averaging two home runs a month this season, so he should be able to get over the 600 mark so he can retire.

July 31, 2011

An Appendix to the Trade Deadline

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Andrew Friedman, VP of the Rays, spent Saturday night having his appendix removed:

The trade deadline turned out to be a painful experience for Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman, who was hospitalized on Saturday and underwent an appendectomy Saturday night, then conducted business today from his hospital room.

According to Rays VP Rick Vaughn, Friedman is resting comfortably at St. Anthony’s Hospital and is expected to be released soon.

Here’s wishing him a speedy recovery!

July 31, 2011 July 31, 2011

Unhappy with Colletti

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Mike Scioscia‘s Tragic Illness does not like the Dodgers end of the three-way trade.

Besides, what in the hell is a team deep in pitching, desperate for offense and with a gaping hole in the outfield doing trading an MLB-ready outfield prospect for a catcher who may or may not be able to hit and two mildly interesting pitchers?

The more I read about this trade, the less I like it. It hurts the Dodgers short term, since Robinson was by all accounts coming up in the next month or so. It probably hurts them long term, if Robinson develops as we hope he will. And I can’t imagine how it must feel for Robinson, expecting a call to LA any day, and instead being told to pack his bags for Seattle.

Besides, Trayvon would immediately become one of the best names in the majors. Elton John might even write a song about him.

And he shall be Trayvon
And he shall be a bat man
And he shall be Trayvon
And fit into the Dodgers plan
And he shall be Trayvon
And he shall have good fans
He shall be Trayvon.

Or maybe not.

July 31, 2011

Desmond Hit a Single in the Infield Place

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Ian Desmond bailed out the Nationals Sunday afternoon. Scott Hairston of the Mests hit his second home run of the game to tie the score at two in the top of the ninth. Desmond delivered an infield single to drive in the winning run in the bottom of the inning, and the Nationals won 3-2. That was the second walk-off RBI for Ian in his career.

July 31, 2011

Tough Loss for the Pirates

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The Phillies came back from a 5-3 deficit to defeat the Pirates 6-5 in ten innings. Jeff Karstens pitched another good game, giving up three runs in seven innings of work. Joe Beimel and Jose Veras managed to blow the lead, the first giving up a double to Ryan Howard, the second allowing a home run to Raul Ibanez, his second of the game. It was Veras’s fifth blow save of the year.

Ibanez would strike his final blow in the tenth, following up a Hunter Pence double with one of his own. Raul drove in four runs on the day.

The Pirates get swept by the Phillies, as the team seemed in deep against the best team in the NL. If they are going to compete for an NL title, they’ll need to find a way to beat Philadelphia. Lyle Overbay did go out with a bang, however, hitting his eighth home run of the season.

July 31, 2011

Bedard to the Red Sox?

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Multiple reports indicate the Red Sox acquired Erik Bedard from the Mariners. I’d wait for official word on this. If they didn’t want Rich Harden due to his injury history, they may not want Bedard either, unless the Mariners gave him up for nothing.

Update: This is looking like a three-way deal with the Dodgers. Yeah, baby!

Update: Gordon Edes has details:

Mariners flipping Federowicz, RHP Juan Robinson ancd Steve Fife for Trayvon Robinson

You can never have too many Robinsons. Just ask the Orioles.

Update: Here are more details on the Red Sox end of the deal.

July 31, 2011 July 31, 2011 July 31, 2011

Verlander in the Eighth

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Erick Aybar lays down a bunt leading off the eighth, and Justin Verland rushes the throw, the ball sailing past first base to put Aybar at second on the error. I thought Justin had plenty of time to get Erick, so it’s a good error. The Tigers lead 3-0.

Update: Mark Trumbo falls behind 1-2, then grounds to first for the first out. That moves Aybar to third.

Update: Peter Bourjos grounds an 0-1 pitch to third. Don Kelly throws home to try to get the runners, but the run-down fails and the Angels score a run and end up with a man on second. The no-hitter is intact, but the Angels have scored a run!

Update: Howie Kendrick falls behind 1-2. He strikes out swining on a 2-2 pitch. Two down.

Update: Maicer Izturis lines an 0-1 pitch into leftfield for the first Angels hit of the game. That drives in a run and puts the tying run at second. Poor defense hurt the Tigers in this inning.

Update: Torii Hunter strikes out to end the inning, the ninth of the game for Verlander. The Tigers bend but don’t break as they leads 3-2.

Update: Jose Valerde pitches the eighth for his 28th consecutive save, and the two V’s combined for a one-hitter, a 3-2 final.

July 31, 2011 July 31, 2011

Verlander through Seven

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Justin Verlander walked Bobby Abreu for the second time in the game, but retired the other three Angels batters to keep his no-hitter going through seven innings. He’s thrown 92 pitches, 61 for strikes. He still is throwing free and easy, although Vernon Wells did a get a ball to the warning track in that inning.

Jered Weaver continues to pitch well as the Tigers lead the Angels 2-0. Jered waked one and struck out eight so far, but gave up a two-run homer for the only runs in the game.

Update: In addition to his no-hitter on May 7th against the Blue Jays, Verlander completed a two-hitter, a four-hitter, and a six-hitter in 2011.

Carlos Guillen just homered to make it 3-0 Detroit in the bottom of the seventh, and Weaver had words with the umpire after the blast. It turns out that Guillen admired the home run, and Jered didn’t like it. The ump warned him about that. On the next pitch, Weaver comes in high and tight to Alex Avila, and Weaver gets tossed from the game.

July 31, 2011

Adams, Not Bell

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I saw a report that the Rangers acquired Heath Bell, but the official word just came down, and instead Texas picked up the Padres’ Mike Adams:

The Rangers will control Adams through next season, which is one of the reasons they targeted him over Padres closer Heath Bell. He is making $2.53 million this season and should likely jump to the $4-5 million range for next season.

Adams allowed two home runs and and nine walks in 48 innings while striking out 49 this season. He’s good on the road, too, so his numbers are not that inflated by PETCO Park.

The Rangers give up LHP Robbie Erlin and RHP Joe Wieland. Both are young propects with high strikeout rates and low walk rates in the minors. A nice deal for both teams, as Texas should have shortened their games to six innings with their bullpen acquisitions.

July 31, 2011

Verlander Through Six

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Justin Verlander hit 100 MPH for the first time today in the sixth inning as he retires the Angels in order for the fifth time in the game. He’s issued just one walk as he’ll take a no-hitter into the seventh. It seems Verlander is always working on a no-hitter this season. He’s lowered his batting average allowed to .188. If you look at his batting average allowed by inning, you can see why a no-hitter is possible for Justin. He’s been very strong late in the game this season.

The Tigers lead the Angels 2-0 as they bat in the bottom of the sixth.

July 31, 2011

VW

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The matchup between Justin Verlander and Jered Weaver is proving fun to watch. Both pitchers display excellent deliveries. Weaver puts his whole body into the motion, with a great leg drive and follow through. You can see him working, however. Verlander’s motion is effortless, as if he were just tossing the ball to the plate. I suspect that ease of motion is why he can still come close to 100 MPH on his pitches late in the game.

So far, Verlander is on top. He’s allowed just one walk through four innings, striking out five. Weaver allowed a rare home run, a two-run shot to Magglio Ordonez for a 2-0 Tigers lead in the bottom of the fourth. It was just the fourth homer of the season for the formerly powerful Ordonez.

Update: The Angles go 1-2-3 in the fifth to keep Verlander’s no-hitter intact.

July 31, 2011

A Z for AZ

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The Diamondback acquire Brad Ziegler from the Oakland Athletics:

One day after solidifying the backend of their starting rotation with Jason Marquis the D-backs bolstered their bullpen Sunday by acquiring reliever Brad Ziegler from the A’s in exchange for first baseman Brandon Allen and reliever Jordan Norberto.

Ziegler keeps the ball in the park. He allowed no home runs this season, and only eight in his 231 1/3 inning career. Part of that was his home park, with six of those eight coming on the road, but that’s still a low number. Arizona plays in a good home run park for hitters, so that should be a skill that works there.

At 25 years old and in his third season at AAA, Allen isn’t much of a prospect. Norberto strikes out a ton of batters, but has control issues. It certainly seems like the A’s didn’t get much in this deal.

Hat tip, Baseball Nation.

July 31, 2011

Upset Tejada

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Miguel Tejada is not a happy camper after the Giants acquired Orlando Cabrera:

Asked for a reaction to the Giants’ acquisition of another right-handed shortstop, Tejada snapped his displeasure not at the team but at reporters for writing that he lacks the range to play shortstop.

“People forget I’ve done too much in this game,” said Tejada, who is on the disabled list with an abdominal strain. “All the things you guys put in the papers, that I don’t have range in this game, I’ll prove it. I never pay attention to what reporters put about me. The only thing I do is hard work. … All the reporters in San Francisco forget who I am.”

“I’m here. If they want me here, I’m fine. If they don’t, I really don’t worry about it.”

Hard work and an vitamin injection or two. Miguel has been around the game long enough to know that unless you’re Cal Ripken or Derek Jeter, they don’t play you for what you’ve done, but for what you can do.

Tejada has a point, however. For the first time since 2008, he’s saving runs in the field. However, that’s at third base, not shortstop. With Pablo Sandoval back at third, Tejada is not contributing with neither the bat nor the glove.

July 31, 2011

Furcal in the Cards

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The St. Louis Cardinals acquired Rafael Furcal from the Dodgers for an outfield prospect:

Shortstop Rafael Furcal accepted a trade to St. Louis and was dealt to the Cardinals for outfield prospect Alex Castellanos.

The main worry with Fucal is health. In three of the last four seasons, he missed significant playing time with injuries. If healthy, he should be an upgrade over Ryan Theriot.

It took Castellanos a long time to reach AA, spending his first season there this season at seasonal age 24. That tells me he’s not much of a prospect. It seems the Cardinals did not give up much for a potential improvement to their team.

July 31, 2011 July 31, 2011

Too Many First Baseman

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The Orioles traded Derrek Lee to the Pittsburgh Pirates for another first base prospect:

Just hours after acquiring their potential first baseman of the future (Chris Davis), the Baltimore Orioles shipped off their first baseman of the present – Derrek Lee – to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for yet another young first baseman in Aaron Baker. Selected in the 11th round of the 2009 draft, Baker has produced above-average offensive marks since turning pro. Meanwhile, his age (23) and his level (A+) probably give him an advantage. Although Baker may never turn in to anything more than an organizational soldier, his power potential is worth taking a shot on; especially since the 35-year-old Lee is not in Baltimore’s post-2011 plans.

What I find interesting is that Baltimore used their trade chips to stock up on first basemen. First base should not be a tough position to fill. Good pitchers, middle infielders, catchers are tough to find, so when you have a trading chip, that’s what a team should try to acquire. Baltimore did get Tommy Hunter, but they have not really done all that well in trading this round. Teams should be wary of becoming heavy on the offensive side of the defensive spectrum.

July 31, 2011

The Bourn Ultimatum

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The Braves sent four players to the Astros for Michael Bourn:

The Astros receive outfielder Jordan Schafer and minor-league pitchers Brett Oberholtzer, Paul Clemens and Juan Abreu.

At age 28, Bourn is playing his best season, with his highest BA, OBP and slugging percentages. The Braves outfielders are weak offensively, so this certainly gives the team a boost. He will still be under team control in 2012.

Oberholtzer seems to be the big prize for the Astros. He posted very good career K and BB numbers in the minors so far, although in his first season at AA those are a little worse. Abreu is a high strikeout, high walk reliever. Maybe he’ll be another Carlos Marmol. Shafer is a place holder, someone who can play for the Astros but isn’t very good. Clemens had an unimpressive minor league career. So the Astros get one good starting pitcher prospect, a potential closer, and not much else.

July 31, 2011

Games of the Day

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The Angels and Tigers continue to battle for playoff spots as they send aces Jered Weaver and Justin Verlander to the mound. Both come in with 14 wins, one behind CC Sabathia, Verlander with five losses to Weaver’s four. The pair rank 1-2 in the majors in OBP allowed, Verlander leading .237 to .248. Weaver comes in with a lower ERA, however, due to the lack of power against him. He’s allowed just six home runs to Verlander’s 14, and a lot of the power against Justin comes with men on base.

The Pirates are starting to fade, going 3-7 in. their last ten games. They face a sweep by the Phillies as Jeff Karstens takes on Vance Worley. Karstens remains a great example of the Pirates improved defense. His strikeout, walk and home runs are similar to 2010, but he’s allowed 40 fewer hits in just three fewer innings. Worley moved into an all-star rotation and shone himself. His big strength is keeping the ball in the park, with just three home runs allowed in 71 1/3 innings this season, and just four allowed in 84 1/3 innings in his short career.

Enjoy!

July 31, 2011

Evaluating Jimenez

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Mark Townsend believes the Indians gave up too much for Ubaldo Jimenez:

Sure, Jimenez upgrades their rotation at the moment. But is it nearly enough to not only overtake the Detroit Tigers and hold off the Chicago White Sox this season, but also to make it worth mortgaging a significant portion of their future? I’m inclined to say no, because let’s be honest, aside from a historically dominating 2 1/2 month stretch in 2010, Jimenez hasn’t presented himself as a difference-making ace. And since that time he has settled (or regressed) back to his 2006-2009 form.

Ubaldo’s main problem this season was that he couldn’t keep the ball in the park at Coors, giving up nine of his ten home runs there. If you look at his career home/road opposition batting numbers, you see that Coors hurt him, even though he pitched well there. He gives up more walks on the road, but many fewer hits, and the doubles and home runs against him go way down. The Indians are getting a pitcher who allows a low OBP and a low slugging percentage. That’s worth going for the championship now.

July 31, 2011

Trade Reaction

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The Mets players didn’t like the Carlos Beltran deal:

“One of the things you can’t help but communicate to the team with a move like that,” says R.A. Dickey, speaking of the front office, “is, ‘You may do it, but we don’t believe this is our year.’

“That’s what’s being communicated and you have to be honest about that. And that’s OK, that’s part of development, to be honest in your evaluation of your team.

“But at the same time, there are guys in this clubhouse who don’t share that same sentiment. This is our team and we all take ownership of it. As a professional you have to try and see the trade as a decision based on the long term as well as the short term. But it’s tough to swallow at the beginning.”

I agree with John Harper, that’s the right attitude for the team.

July 31, 2011

Why I Stopped Reporting Rumors

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The “trade” of Rich Harden to the Red Sox “fell through.”

“It’s dead,” Harden said of any potential deal. “I don’t know what happened.”

My first thought when I heard about this deal was, “Why would the Red Sox trade for a pitcher who has a high probability of going on the disabled list?” It turned out, the Boston asked the same question. If a trade rumor doesn’t make a lot of sense, don’t give it too much consideration.

July 31, 2011 July 30, 2011 July 30, 2011

Ubaldo to the Indians

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Ubaldo Jimenez pitched one inning, gave up four runs, but didn’t come out for the second. It appears he was traded to the Cleveland Indians. Cleveland is going all in!

Cleveland will send pitchers Alex White and Joe Gardner and first baseman/outfielder Matt McBride. The player to be named will be pitching prospect Drew Pomeranz, but the lefty is ineligible to be officially traded until Aug. 15 due to being drafted last June.

Good for the Indians. They have the second longest World Series drought, so faced with a chance to win, they should pull out all the stops and go for it.

I’m watching the Rockies broadcast right now, and Ubaldo is about to address the media.

Update: Ubaldo says he was surprised that he even pitched tonight. He was distracted on the mound, since he knew he was going to be traded.

Update: Rob Neyer has more.

July 30, 2011

Dirty Dozen

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The Yankees score 12 runs in the bottom of the first to lead the Orioles 12-0. Zach Britton stuck out lead-off man Derek Jeter, then the next nine batters reached before Britton gave way to Jason Berken. Berken struck out Curtis Granderson, the first batter he faced, then allowed the next four to reach, finally getting Russell Martin to ground out to end the inning. Every Yankees batter picked up at least one hit, Nick Swisher homering in his second plate appearance of the inning to complete the column. All nine scored at least one run, and only Granderson and Brett Gardner failed to drive in a one. That’s a great game in one inning.