Thursday's Plastic Cup
by Jeff Sackmann on Jun 26, 2008 9:00 AM CDT
in News
41 comments
Before we get to the major league baseball, congratulations are in order for the Fresno State Bulldogs--or "Wonderdogs," as they've been dubbed. They beat Georgia to win the College World Series last night despite going up against heavy favorites for weeks. Even after winning all of these post-season games, one statistical ranking has them as 25th best in the NCAA; before the tournament, I think they were ranked in the 60s.
Now, back to the slightly less exciting world of MLB.
Two Fisted Slopper looks at what has gone right for the Crew. It's a pleasantly long list.
Junkball Blues looks at the Brewers (high) ranking in power/speed number, a Bill James toy stat.
Goat Riders considers the rumors that the Cubs may be stealing signs. It's silly that such a thing might be a controversy; as Colin points out, sign-stealing is as much a baseball tradition as flying wood shards impaling umpires. Maybe more so.
Claudio Vargas is back on the market. It's odd, too, as it leaves the Mets without a long man for a 18-day, 18-game stretch. Maybe the thinking is that, with Claudio on the team, those 18 games would take 20 or 21 days.
Shawn Chacon got in a fight with his GM. Let's, uh, never sign this guy. And most importantly, keep him away from Julian Tavarez!
Some Blue Jays fans are really ticked at Lyle Overbay. Lyle probably isn't the right target, but as we saw last week, Jays fans have plenty of reason to be ticked.
Want to get to know your Sounds? Here's a Q&A with Tim Dillard, in which in comes out that he is deathly afraid of mustard. (He's also very bad at multiple choice questions.)
That's it for today.
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Is you a little prickly or just a prick?
Yet another condescending quote from Yost: “I didn’t feel like we looked sluggish a bit,” Brewers manager Ned Yost said. “If you understand the game or you’ve got any baseball knowledge, you understand that’s a ‘good-pitched’ game. That’s what it is. That’s all it is.”
If you have any knowledge of English grammar, you understand that it was a “well-pitched” game, if anything.
by keephopealive on Jun 26, 2008 10:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yost really is a jerk.
And besides, you would think he is going to understand theirs a difference between “good” and “well”.
by BrewMaster on Jun 26, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not to beat a dead horse
But I wonder whose question he was answering. He’s obviously snipped at Tom in the past, and a lot of these comments have a very similar feel. (The “no concept,” etc.) No matter what, Yost doesn’t come off like a very nice guy, but if he’s decided one writer just doesn’t get it, especially if that guy is particularly combative, it might explain the extreme prickliness.
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on Jun 26, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was Haudricourt
but he attacks others like that as well. McCalvy believe it or not gets the treatment. It really is beyond prickly.
The real reason is probably because his team didn’t hit well.
by ol Pete on Jun 26, 2008 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
d'oh
After I insulted Yost for being condescending, then made a condescending grammar comment of my own, I realized I typed “you” instead of “Yost” and wound up making a grammatical mistake of my own.
by keephopealive on Jun 26, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In yesterday's mug
the link to dugout central discussing the Fielder trade still has me scratching my head. Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes don’t have the same value today as they did last winter. The bloom is off the rose, in my mind. WHIPs of 1.69 and 1.76 with 1:1 BB:K ratios are worse than what got Villanueva sent to the bullpen. And one of them is the centerpiece of a trade for one of the top 5 hitters under the age of 25?
The return for a proven 50 HR, 1.000+OPS hitter with two years of team control had better bring back a proven ML starter, not a guy sent back to AAA with an ERA of Bush+McClung plus three other guys who haven’t even had a cup of coffee in the bigs yet. Potential is great, but with this trade potential had better be the add-in. They need to get back a Greinke/Cain/Gallardo type pitcher that they can put at the top of the rotation as soon as he gets to the clubhouse. Kennedy and Hughes in my opinion can’t be the centerpiece of the deal. They can be part of the deal but if either one of them is the headline attraction then the Brewers did not get fair value for Prince.
Plus the guy is confused if he thinks the team needs to save money to sign Rickie and JJ. Rickie maybe, but if JJ is a smart man he’s renting.
by Getting Yosted on Jun 26, 2008 10:31 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I totally agree with this
I wrote about Hughes last week and while upside is there I wouldn’t trade for him unless he came dirt cheap. The question is if we trade Fielder for a pitcher will that help the team? Right now the starters have rocked and Fielder has the highest OBP on the team by far. Something about robbing peter to pay paul might apply here. I can see maybe doing something like this at the end of the year though when Sheets is gone and LaPorta or Gamel is ready to step in for Prince.
by dixieflatline on Jun 26, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely.
You don’t move Fielder this year, and he’d require a similar caliber, similar age starting pitcher in return. I could see Fielder for Cain or Grienke, but if the Yankees want him they’ll have to include Joba.
by warwick5s on Jun 26, 2008 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think they should move Fielder.
He’s in terrible shape, and has a bad attitude. Also, they could package him with Sheets and get a killing, making them a perennial contender for years to come.
by BrewMaster on Jun 26, 2008 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bad Attitude?
He might not be a lanky Hart or Braun type, but I suppose he could be out of shape – so was Babe Ruth. But a bad attitude? He’s always been a nice guy that I can see. He seems more like the lovable teddy bear type to me.
"Brett Favre looks like a man in a parking lot playing with boys." - John Madden
"Pujols just unloaded." - Bob Uecker
by kirbir on Jun 26, 2008 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Babe Ruth
The Babe was 6’2’’, 215 pounds. He wasn’t that big. Prince is a generous 6’0’’, 260 pounds. Prince is out of shape and he’s having a hard time staying balanced to hit outside corner pitches.
I’m a big fan of Prince’s, but I’d like to see what kind of hall they can get for him in the offseason.
by brewfan2 on Jun 26, 2008 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Listed weight
I’m going to guess the Babe’s listed weight wasn’t that accurate.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Jun 26, 2008 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it certainly wasn't always the same
I wouldn’t be surprised if he was 100 pounds heavier in 1934 than in 1914.
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on Jun 26, 2008 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, I was thinking of the later era
Sorry but Braun is 6’2’’, 200lbs. Ruth may have been about that size when he started, but there’s no way that he maintained that for his career. I think he was probably about 100 pounds heavier in the later years.
But again, I fail to see where the bad attitude comment comes in. Are you just mad that he’s not playing as well as he could be, or do you have evidence to back that up?
"Brett Favre looks like a man in a parking lot playing with boys." - John Madden
"Pujols just unloaded." - Bob Uecker
by kirbir on Jun 26, 2008 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think he has a bad attitude, I just think he's overweight. Brewmaster can comment on his attitude.
However, I think it would be best for this teams future to trade him in the offseason.
by brewfan2 on Jun 26, 2008 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You're definitely right
However, I look at pictures of him and he doesn’t look that fat. Put him next to Prince or Dmitri Young and he looks even thinner.
by brewfan2 on Jun 26, 2008 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We trade for Halladay
Between him and Sheets we can go to a 9 man pitching staff, and use the extra spots to call up our AA guys.
by Getting Yosted on Jun 26, 2008 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Roy is on the table
I would trade Fielder for him straight up right now in a heartbeat. That would bring back a large enough differential between Bush (is he still our 5th best starter?) that it would be worth while. Also, when this team makes the playoffs a Sheets, Halladay one two punch would be awesome. Maybe a LaPorta, Gamel platoon at first? What kind of name would that give: Lamel? Gamorta?
by dixieflatline on Jun 26, 2008 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"robbing peter to pay paul"
and where’s mary? is puff doing the dirty work?
by PagsBrewCrew on Jun 26, 2008 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hughes and Kennedy
I get the feeling that if Hughes and Kennedy pitched for Kansas City we would have no idea who they were. It seems like a lot of Yankee prospects get hyped up pretty well. I could be wrong, but I just look at all of the coverage Joba has received on ESPN and can’t believe Gallardo isn’t as deserving (when he wasn’t injured).
by brewfan2 on Jun 26, 2008 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well Joba's story does have something to do with that I think
Joba kind of flew under the radar for the Yanks. I think Hughes may have actually deserved most of the hype he got but I really wonder now if he is the type of pitcher who has just the right stuff to mow down minor league batters but just the wrong stuff to get major league batters out. I actually used to think that idea didn’t have a lot of validity but I am changing my mind. Hughes’ curve just has so much break to it when you see it you think wow but he just can’t disguise the pitch. I am really starting to think that is super important in the show and much much less important in the minors.
by dixieflatline on Jun 26, 2008 11:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is a constant stream of insane trade ideas from fans
About the only defense of them that makes sense is that sometimes GMs do silly things.
Yesterday, while perusing Twins chatter, one guy suggested Boof Bonser for Billy Hall. The Orioles forum has plenty of laugh inducers. I like when they suggest getting a whole basket of top prospects for a couple nice players without long contracts and at market rates.
Seriously, just so people can have a place to go for a good laugh, there should be a repository thread on insane trade proposals.
by ol Pete on Jun 26, 2008 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I forget where it was and it's not a trade idea
But I liked the guy who said the Brewers would be better off letting Sheets go and signing Livan Hernandez because he’d pitch every fifth day.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Jun 26, 2008 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
the classic idea of
selling at a loss but making it up in volume?
by Zeyes on Jun 26, 2008 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i saw that too
and also forget where, but it was a cubs fan
"If there is a more reactionary blog with idiotic commentary out there I'd be surprised." -On Bleed Cubbie Blue
by Michael M on Jun 26, 2008 11:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Vargas
Odd. He only had really one bad relief outing for the Mets even if he wasn’t anything special as a starter. Maybe Jerry Manuel just doesn’t like him.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Jun 26, 2008 11:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Breaking News
And neck size to baby eating ratio.
by Jordan M on Jun 26, 2008 1:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
that Shawn Chacon stuff is nuts...
go get em' seth!
by Jamie in LA on Jun 26, 2008 1:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
gameday
Checking on the Cards game and they have a different presentation of pitches.
by ol Pete on Jun 26, 2008 2:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Brandon Inge
He hurt himself adjusting his pillow.
Also, from the same article:
Tigers backup catcher Vance Wilson , 35, underwent surgery on his right elbow Tuesday at the Detroit Medical Center because of a tearing of the previously grafted ulnar collateral ligament.Wow.Team officials called it a “right elbow reconstruction revision.”
He's extremely quick and good.
by battlekow on Jun 26, 2008 2:49 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ouch
“I’ve never had a chance to go on the tarp because it’s kind of taboo, you don’t really do it,” [Todd] Jones said. “I figured, ‘What the hey, have a little fun.’”
Yeah, Todd Jones has shown himself to be understanding when others violate taboos. :)
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Jun 26, 2008 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wise
So does this mean Matty Wise is off the hook for weirdest injury?
by SgtClueLs on Jun 26, 2008 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That list doesn’t include my favorite reason a player ever missed a game, which is Pascual Perez getting trapped on the beltway in Atlanta for two hours, endlessly circling the city and missing his start.
He's extremely quick and good.
by battlekow on Jun 26, 2008 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
also from that article
The Tigers traded right-handed pitcher Denny Bautista to the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-hander Kyle Pearson .
Pearson played for both Class A Lynchburg and Double-A Altoona this season and appeared in 16 games. He recorded four saves in 11 outings.
Pearson was a fourth-round selection of the Pirates in the 2003 draft. He compiled a 13-27 record, a 4.95 ERA and 12 saves playing in 118 games at the minor league level.
Bautista, 27, was 0-1 with a 3.32 ERA in 16 games with Detroit before being designated for assignment on Friday.
====
So Tigers traded a 3.32 ERA major leaguer with an acceptable record for a 5 ERA 13-27 record CLASS A and CLASS AA pitcher??
Did the Tigers owe the Pirates a big huge stinking favor? Does the Pirates GM know about the weekend proclivities of the Tigers’ GM? What’s going on here?
by PagsBrewCrew on Jun 26, 2008 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bautista was DFA'd
So maybe the Tigers figured the Pirates (or another team) would’ve got him on waivers for free anyway and decided to get something back for him.
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Jun 26, 2008 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
O's
O’s are giving us some help today.
11 – 2 Bottom 6 O’s. Seems like Cubs are starting to show some mid season wear?
by SgtClueLs on Jun 26, 2008 3:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Hmmm...
I don’t know about everyone else, but I don’t think I want any part of any grabbing of Mr. Vargas.
"He's been very, very impressive," Yost said. "I mean really impressive. I mean really, really impressive."
by MadJimiBrewha on Jun 26, 2008 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If they could stash him in AAA
Problem is you can’t tell whether there will be a spot for him. Bush is doing well lately. Suppan was sparkling as Jeff put it till the last two starts and with his contract he’s locked anyways. McClung? I am still taken aback at his transformation to starter.
by ol Pete on Jun 26, 2008 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Louis
|
91 | 71 | .561 | 0 | Lost 6 |
|
Chicago
|
83 | 78 | .515 | 7.5 | Lost 1 |
|
Milwaukee
|
80 | 82 | .493 | 11 | Won 3 |
|
Cincinnati
|
78 | 84 | .481 | 13 | Won 2 |
|
Houston
|
74 | 88 | .456 | 17 | Lost 3 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
62 | 99 | .385 | 28.5 | Lost 2 |
(updated 11.9.2009 at 10:19 AM CST)
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
