Killeverything's (New)NeverEndingBaseballThread

[killeverything]

Holy shit.

Ricky Nolasco 6.2IP 2H 0R 0BB 10K WP

[Sabu]

Holy shit.

Ricky Nolasco 6.2IP 2H 0R 0BB 10K WP

Was looking at the Padres starting lineup today. Highest batting average was Adrian Gonzalez at .249! Batting average for all 8 starters was .216! Three starters were batting under .200! How is that even possible? I could have probably struck out 10 in six innings.

[killeverything]

Holy shit.

Ricky Nolasco 6.2IP 2H 0R 0BB 10K WP

Was looking at the Padres starting lineup today. Highest batting average was Adrian Gonzalez at .249! Batting average for all 8 starters was .216! Three starters were batting under .200! How is that even possible? I could have probably struck out 10 in six innings.

They're possibly hitting worse than the Not As Mighty As They Should Be Right Now Red Sox. They do play in a massive pitcher's park though.

Regardless Nolasco has been kicking serious ass since he's returned from New Orleans.




I figured he'd still be hung over.

[TawnyVonJagger]

I didn't see the game, I had to work. If I can stay up (not looking good at this point), I'll watch the re-airing. Kill's right, Ricky has been MONEY since he came back. So Andrew Miller was sent down, here's hoping the Cajun food does him any good. He has been complete SHIT. Lack of run support doesn't help either..their hitting with RISP is abysmal.

We really needed these wins, let's see how they do vs. the Dodgers. GO FISH!

[tin00can]

For what it's worth: the Angels have one of the top offenses in the AL, despite not having Vlad for most of the year, despite Hunter being on the DL for most of this month and perhaps longer, despite Rivera not playing since the AS break. Good god, even Reggie Fucking Willits is hitting now.

You can say what you want about the last two teams - the As and the Royals - the Angels played, but they can only play who is on the schedule, and they did take care of the Yankees before the ASB. Plus, as usual (at least in the first half) Oakland has decent pitching. Not only that, before anybody says the AL West is weak, take a look at the AL East record against the AL West.

This team is really coming together. The bullpen is finally looking like an Angels bullpen. If we can get some starting pitching help, or even have Saunders/Santana/Lackey somewhat resemble their 08 form, this team will go places.

[killeverything]

For what it's worth: the Angels have one of the top offenses in the AL, despite not having Vlad for most of the year, despite Hunter being on the DL for most of this month and perhaps longer, despite Rivera not playing since the AS break. Good god, even Reggie Fucking Willits is hitting now.

You can say what you want about the last two teams - the As and the Royals - the Angels played, but they can only play who is on the schedule, and they did take care of the Yankees before the ASB. Plus, as usual (at least in the first half) Oakland has decent pitching. Not only that, before anybody says the AL West is weak, take a look at the AL East record against the AL West.

This team is really coming together. The bullpen is finally looking like an Angels bullpen. If we can get some starting pitching help, or even have Saunders/Santana/Lackey somewhat resemble their 08 form, this team will go places.

God bless stats. I came here thinking "Bullshit! They don't have one of the top offenses in baseball".............and I was right.

The Angels don't have one of the top offenses in baseball. Right now they have THE top offense in baseball.

.285 is the team average. Which is numero uno.
They're not leading in SLG OPS or OBP though. They're ranked 3, 3 and 4.
The only team with a better home BAA is Baltimore.

The team ERA is .471 which puts them 27 out of 30.

I'm surprised by they're playing this well since I thought Beane's A's were gonna make a splash. Oh well.......anyone that owns the MFY is cool in my book.

[johnk5150]

You guys watching what Buehrle is doing?

[killeverything]

You guys watching what Buehrle is doing?

I am now!

Thanks.

[Sabu]

DeWayne Wise!!!

[killeverything]

DeWayne Wise!!!

Yeah, no shit!

What a way to save a perfect game. I like how he's falling back with the ball and tosses it out of his glove to his throwing hand in midair.

That has to be nominated for an end of the year WebGem as the season's best.

Holy fuck that was awesome.

[tin00can]

For what it's worth: the Angels have one of the top offenses in the AL, despite not having Vlad for most of the year, despite Hunter being on the DL for most of this month and perhaps longer, despite Rivera not playing since the AS break. Good god, even Reggie Fucking Willits is hitting now.

You can say what you want about the last two teams - the As and the Royals - the Angels played, but they can only play who is on the schedule, and they did take care of the Yankees before the ASB. Plus, as usual (at least in the first half) Oakland has decent pitching. Not only that, before anybody says the AL West is weak, take a look at the AL East record against the AL West.

This team is really coming together. The bullpen is finally looking like an Angels bullpen. If we can get some starting pitching help, or even have Saunders/Santana/Lackey somewhat resemble their 08 form, this team will go places.

God bless stats. I came here thinking "Bullshit! They don't have one of the top offenses in baseball".............and I was right.

The Angels don't have one of the top offenses in baseball. Right now they have THE top offense in baseball.

.285 is the team average. Which is numero uno.
They're not leading in SLG OPS or OBP though. They're ranked 3, 3 and 4.
The only team with a better home BAA is Baltimore.

The team ERA is .471 which puts them 27 out of 30.

I'm surprised by they're playing this well since I thought Beane's A's were gonna make a splash. Oh well.......anyone that owns the MFY is cool in my book.

The problem with the As and Beane is...no budget and trades. He always gets good young pitchers, and is then forced to use them way beyond (as in innings pitched) what they are used to, and thus their arms burn out. I don't see how anyone could think they would do well with five unproven starting pitchers at the start of the season, and the big splashes being Giambi (who is doing OK) and Holliday, who is questionable outside of Coors Field and is probably suffering because of the large foul areas in Oakland.

[killeverything]

For what it's worth: the Angels have one of the top offenses in the AL, despite not having Vlad for most of the year, despite Hunter being on the DL for most of this month and perhaps longer, despite Rivera not playing since the AS break. Good god, even Reggie Fucking Willits is hitting now.

You can say what you want about the last two teams - the As and the Royals - the Angels played, but they can only play who is on the schedule, and they did take care of the Yankees before the ASB. Plus, as usual (at least in the first half) Oakland has decent pitching. Not only that, before anybody says the AL West is weak, take a look at the AL East record against the AL West.

This team is really coming together. The bullpen is finally looking like an Angels bullpen. If we can get some starting pitching help, or even have Saunders/Santana/Lackey somewhat resemble their 08 form, this team will go places.

God bless stats. I came here thinking "Bullshit! They don't have one of the top offenses in baseball".............and I was right.

The Angels don't have one of the top offenses in baseball. Right now they have THE top offense in baseball.

.285 is the team average. Which is numero uno.
They're not leading in SLG OPS or OBP though. They're ranked 3, 3 and 4.
The only team with a better home BAA is Baltimore.

The team ERA is .471 which puts them 27 out of 30.

I'm surprised by they're playing this well since I thought Beane's A's were gonna make a splash. Oh well.......anyone that owns the MFY is cool in my book.

The problem with the As and Beane is...no budget and trades. He always gets good young pitchers, and is then forced to use them way beyond (as in innings pitched) what they are used to, and thus their arms burn out. I don't see how anyone could think they would do well with five unproven starting pitchers at the start of the season, and the big splashes being Giambi (who is doing OK) and Holliday, who is questionable outside of Coors Field and is probably suffering because of the large foul areas in Oakland.

I think a lot people ( me ) thought the A's would make more of a run, because of the players' projections. I expected a hell of a lot more Gio Gonzalez, etc. HGHiambi was expected to play better since he was home. Now he's playing like someone who doesn't have his "mojo" *cough" steroids.

Holliday has been a pretty big disappointment thus far. Even though now his line indicates he's adjusting, although so far there are still the effects of Coors.

He certainly seems to have come out of his season long funk ( 284/.376/.454 as of 7/21 ). Which is certainly underhitting his 13.5m salary He has an OPS+ of 125, which ain't too shabby and heavy on the OBP. But if you look at his numbers last season. His SLG just isn't there, and the 100 point drop has to be concerning in home/away.

Home: .332/.413/.584 (327 PA)
Away: .308/.405 /.486 (293 PA)

I thought the Holliday signing for for a big Playoff push, then Beane would flip at the deadlline for a cost controlled prospect-superstar. Unless Holliday goes on a tear the next few games. I don't see there being too many suitors, and Beane will probably just hold onto him for the draft picks.

Oakland is pretty much fucked this year.

Oh well there's always Moneyball

[tin00can]

The scrub Halos, again with Reggie Willits starting, knocked out Joe Nathan last night and got yet another come-from-behind win. I'm starting to believe in this team.

[Machado]

Joba is starting tonight.
So far he averages approx 5 1/3 per start.

In '08 Joba threw 100 innings.
Meaning in '09 the Yankees might want to him throw approx 150 innings(to further stretch him out).

At his current pace, Joba will throw approx 169 innings.

Not sure they will allow him to pass the 150 mark be 20 innings.

What to do?

[killeverything]

Holliday and 1.5m to the Cardinals for three prospects Brett Wallace, Clayton Mortensen and Shane Peterson.

This upgrades both teams considerably. Especially St. Louis with Holliday providing protection to Pujols.

Brett Wallace, 22, is a bad-body third baseman who should have no problems hitting once he arrives in the majors, which could be as soon as this year. In Triple-A, he's hitting .293/..346/.423. When he first gets started at the major league level, he's unlikely to crank 30 home runs right away, if at all. Wallace shouldn't have a problem hitting doubles, but home runs are further off, especially in Oakland's park. With Pujols at first base, Wallace was limited to third for the Cardinals. While he might still stick there the next couple of years, the general consensus is that he's a future first baseman.

If true, he loses a lot of value quickly -- still valuable, but not irreplaceable as his bat would constitute at third. Given all I've heard of Wallace, he strikes me as a player who could put up numbers similar to James Loney's slash stats in 2007: .331/.381/.538. Any such line is a long way off, as Wallace's Triple-A numbers are less than impressive.

When I look at this deal, I'm seeing the Cardinals trade away a bat they likely could never live with at third, and a bat without transcendent power.

The second of the three pieces, Mortensen, already made his big league debut as a right-handed pitcher. 24, Mortensen pitched three innings in a 10-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants, giving up two earned runs, five hits, one walk and two strikeouts. That's not all that far off from what I expect Mortensen to settle in at. He may be worth a couple extra wins a year in Oakland than elsewhere, but the overall consensus is that Mortensen ranks as a No. 4. As valuable as pitching is, a No. 4 shouldn't be too much trouble to give up in a deal.

Peterson, 21, is an outfielder who held a lot of promise last year when he hit .298/.367/.428 with the High-A team. Power was the only thing missing from the game, so scouts were eager to see if that came through this year. Nope. At Double-A, he has just one home run on the year and has seen his value take a hit as he's also struggled with his plate discipline. He's not projectable enough to pass judgment quite yet, but right now he sits as a backup outfielder. Given his age and level of play, if the A's have him repeat the level next year, he could take a leap forward.

I think the Cardinals did well here in acquiring Holliday. To me, Mortensen and Peterson are nothing more than pieces that may or or may not pan out. Wallace is the only one near-certain of doing so, but the viability of his future in St. Louis was very much in question. They turned Wallace into a major league hitter that can get them into the playoffs. With the way their pitching is performing, Holliday gives them a shot at defeating either the Dodgers or Phillies to call themselves NL champions.

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/blog_ ... st.-louis/

St. Louis has upgraded the crap they've been throwing out there with Lugo, DeRosa and now Holliday. Plus this is the best protection they've had for Pujols since pre-injury Rolen.

Plus his numbers in Busch Stadium ( small sample size I know )
11 games, 39 at bats.

15 hits (.385 AVG)
5 home runs
.478 OBP
.872 SLG



He's a FA after this season and his agent is Boras, so I wouldn't expect an extension.


****Wallace is Baseball America's 21st ranked prospect (according to BA's latest report). Wallace is a gifted hitter who should maintain a quality BA and OBP in the major leagues with some power.

So Beane does it again?

[tin00can]

So Beane does it again?

Does what again? GMs a last-place team?

I know, dude can only work with the shitty tools he is given.

[killeverything]

So Beane does it again?

Does what again? GMs a last-place team?

I know, dude can only work with the shitty tools he is given.

I mean picks a good prospect to develop......and trade for another good prospect.

Or builds a 19 game win streak team, and falls in the Playoffs. There's a good chapter in 'Baseball Prospectus: Baseball Between The Numbers' about why Billy Beane's shit doesn't work in the Playoffs. He even say's that.

The funny thing about him and my "he did it again" statement. Is could imagine what he could do with a payroll? Boston wanted to sign him as GM before Theo. He said "no" because he hates the big market money teams.

The dude has a gift though for picking the right guys.

We can sit now and wait for the next one NY signs for 100m in a couple of years.

[SkyDog112046]

Beane must get frustrated losing so many players because they can't afford to sign them. If he was to have a $90M payroll instead of a $60M payroll that team would be dangerous every few years.

[killeverything]

According to Twitter or Tweeting, or whatever the fuck that queer-ass new interwebz trend is called.

Milwaukee is out of the Hallday sweepstakes, the Mighty Red Sox scouts left yesterday too....we all know Boston has seen enough of Roy Halladay already

Then there's this:

Philly might still be in on it.

If the Blue Jays' asking price for Roy Halladay is J.A. Happ, top pitching prospect Kyle Drabek and high-ceiling outfield prospect Dominic Brown, the Phillies aren't buying.

The Blue Jays had formally proposed that package to the Phillies on Thursday, in exchange for the 32-year-old Cy Young award-winner, ESPN's Peter Gammons confirmed Friday.

But two baseball people familiar with the Phillies' thinking told ESPN.com on Saturday that that's not a deal the Phillies are willing to make.

"The ball is in their court," said Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi, who Friday did not sound optimistic that a deal would happen.

According to an executive of one team that has spoken with the Phillies' brass, the Phillies are adamantly opposed to giving up both Happ and Drabek. There are indications they would like to substitute pitching prospect Carlos Carrasco for one of those two, preferably in place of the highly regarded Drabek.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4355464

When Ricciardi say's he want's a Bedard type deal, he wasn't kidding.

Drabek is BA's #24 top prospect at the moment and Brown is #17. Throw in Happ who has thrown 100 MLB innings this year to the tune of a 2.71 ERA and that is a ridiculous price to pay. That's arguably a better package then what the Red Sox paid for Beckett.

That's just too fuckin' steep. A quckglace over at phillyfans.com and they feel the same way. It's all over ESPN that Halladay isn't in the Jays' plans, but this is the trade possibilitiies?

Unreal. I don't see this happening.

[JakeYonkel]

Well... look at it this way. Toronot doesn't HAVE to deal Halladay. They can still think they have a shot at the playoffs next year since he's under contract through 2010.

Which brings me to my next point - they SHOULD demand a lot. Halladay isn't affecting just this year's contention, he's under contract for next year as well. The guy is a horse, a gamer, and a proven winner. Ask for the moon.

Then again, I just read that when the Yankees inquired, Toronto said they wanted Hughes, Austin Jackson, AND Jesus Montero. I'm sure Cashman laughed at Ricciardi when he heard that one. I know you gotta charge more of a premium to deal the guy within the division, but that's just laughably bad.

I figure either Toronto backs off the demands and does a deal with Philly, or a mystery team jumps in at the 11th hour. Toronto needs to get a lot to sell this one to the fans, since Halladay is like the only identifiable Blue Jays player and the face of the franchise over the last decade.

[tin00can]

I figure either Toronto backs off the demands and does a deal with Philly, or a mystery team jumps in at the 11th hour.

Ahem. From mlbtraderumors.com, for what it's worth...



Sources: Angels intensify bid in Halladay chase

The Phillies are still thought of as the favorite to acquire Roy Halladay. But major league sources told FOXSports.com on Saturday morning that the Angels have intensified their own efforts to trade for the Toronto ace.

"They are not the only game in town," one executive said in reference to the Phillies.

Halladay has a no-trade clause but would approve a deal to either team, according to people familiar with his thinking.

Emboldened by Halladay's performance over his last two starts — 18 innings, two earned runs — one senior Jays official indicated Saturday morning that the team believes it would be reasonable to request right-hander Kyle Drabek, left-hander J.A. Happ and outfielder Dominic Brown from the Phillies.

Yet, it's unclear what the Jays' most recent request has been. Sources have said that the Phillies are willing to include Drabek or Happ in the deal — but not both.

As many as five teams are talking with the Jays about Halladay. The Phillies, Angels and Rangers are in that group, and the White Sox have not been ruled out.


The race to land Roy Halladay is heating up. (Dilip Vishwanat / Getty Images)

The Jays don't expect to deal Halladay by the end of the weekend, according to one person with close knowledge of the negotiations. But it's possible that a resolution could come before the purported Tuesday deadline set by Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi.

The Angels, very involved in the market for pitching, caught the Jays' attention with an increased offer on Friday, according to multiple executives with knowledge of the Halladay market. In talks with the Angels, the Jays would want at least one player from the major league roster and another who could make an impact in 2010.

Toronto's needs on the left side of the infield would make Brandon Wood an intriguing prospect. It's not clear if the Angels would be willing to include a young starter in the deal, such as Jered Weaver or Ervin Santana.

"There's no doubt that the Angels have players that would be competitive," said one source with good knowledge of the team's farm system. "But it's a matter of what they want to give up."




Santana is head-case junk right now, I can't see Toronto wanting him. Saunders is also struggling so his value is down. I don't want the Angels to trade Weaver, kid is going to be really good. If the deal is Saunders or Weaver, Wood, plus two prospects, I'm all in for it.

[SkyDog112046]

Jim Rice gets inducted tomorrow. This is the first time I've been psyched about someone getting into the HOF in quite some time. The build up on this one makes it all the better.

I wonder how many times Henderson is going to say "Rickey" tomorrow? I figure it will have to be at least once per minute.

I'm hearing that if Wang is done for the season that NY will go after Halladay.

[WhiteHouseSubsAC]

The Phillies don't want to give up Happ AND Drabek, but allegedly WOULD do the deal if Carlos Carrasco replaced Drabek. Toronto was scouting Carrasco at his last start. I think the deal gets done.

[killeverything]

Jim Rice gets inducted tomorrow. This is the first time I've been psyched about someone getting into the HOF in quite some time. The build up on this one makes it all the better.

I wonder how many times Henderson is going to say "Rickey" tomorrow? I figure it will have to be at least once per minute.

I'm hearing that if Wang is done for the season that NY will go after Halladay.

Yup. MLBN at 10:30A tommorrow.

I don't know the NESN times.

Orsillo was saying that Rickey had his induction speech proof-read, so I don't know if we'll hear what could be the funniest moment in Baseball history or not.

Well... look at it this way. Toronot doesn't HAVE to deal Halladay. They can still think they have a shot at the playoffs next year since he's under contract through 2010.

I see your point, but I think they do have to.

What's being said is they need to lower payroll. They have some albatross contracts on the roster right now Ryan, Wells, Rios. So moving Halladay is the only way to lower the payroll a little and get some prospects in return.

I was thinking this was going to be like the Beckett/Lowell trade. They'd trade Beckett as long as you took Lowell's contract.

I think Ricciardi is gonna get canned personally.

There are a lot of teams that could still be in it. Like the post that Tincan made, I heard Anaheim pulled out. Now they're back in? Moreno is notorious for NEVER EVER EVER trading prospects. Philly said "no, now they're back in?

This could get interesting.

For Cashman, every trade offer requested will include Joba/Hughes. It's just how it is. Kinda like Boston every offer includes Buchholz. What are you gonna do?

The Indians want a straight up Buchholz for Victor Martinez deal. I finally agree with Gammo on something. I would do it. Clay could become a #1 type starter, but they gave Lowell a 4year after 2007. Look I love the guy too, but that was fucking retarded.

Oh yeah, Holliday on his new team went like 4 - 4 today. Dayum.

[WhiteHouseSubsAC]

Holliday's making an immediate impact, DeRosa is off the DL and starting to hit...the Cards could make things interesting.

[killeverything]

Holliday's making an immediate impact, DeRosa is off the DL and starting to hit...the Cards could make things interesting.

After 2006 when an 83 win team ( worst record for a WS champion in MLB history by the way ) can win the WS, and do it 4 - 1. I learned to never count out that team. They have 10 rings for a reason.

Certainly the addition of Holliday makes them better, but I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around LaRussa's line-ups. I don't understand why he plays Ankiel in favor of Rasmus for one.

Here's Keith Law's take on it:

The Cardinals have an average offense right now, but one that's heavily concentrated in the bat of Albert Pujols, giving them plenty of room for improvement in the other seven spots in the lineup. Both Rick Ankiel and the excised Chris Duncan were below replacement level this year, with Duncan compounding the problem with his standard butchery in the field. So Holliday is probably worth three or nearly three extra wins to the Cardinals for the rest of the year, and that's assuming that he doesn't recover more of his lost offense by leaving the American League and a bad ballpark in Oakland.

Three wins seems a little high to me, but looking at Ankiel being at -7.0 VORP and a -1.5 WPA. Which translates to about -2.2ish WARP. That's a lot to overcome.

Rick Ankiel's bat is ten runs below average and Holliday should add 10-15 runs to the Cardinals' offense. Throw in Holliday's upgrade on defense ( 5-7 runs ) and that's three wins?

Where the hell is Sparkdaddy's opinion in all of this?

[johnk5150]

Rick Ankiel's bat is ten runs below average and Holliday should add 10-15 runs to the Cardinals' offense. Throw in Holliday's upgrade on defense ( 5-7 runs ) and that's three wins?

Where the hell is Sparkdaddy's opinion in all of this?

My opinion is adding Holliday and losing Duncan helps that defense times a thousand. That defense with Duncan in it may have been worse than the Henry Rodriguez, Glenallen Hill, Sammy Sosa abortion when Lance Johnson got hurt. And trust me, that was a bad mutherfucking defense.

I'd bet Spark would concur that losing Duncan for anyone is addition by subtraction regardless of who replace him. Having it be Holliday just makes the whole thing gravy.

[killeverything]

********

I would like to edit my original train of thought about a trading Buchholz for Victor Martinez.

Today Smoltz has given up 6 runs in 4IP. I posted earlier about his last start his FiP and xFiP still looking good, and it should normalize. I even quoted Varitek on it and his rebuilding of arm strength.

Fuck that. At this point his return or normalization will make him ready just in time FOR THE FUCKING 2011 PLAYOFFS.

This is some fucking bullshit. Oh and fuck NY......at least the Mets suck.

I just got this from Rotoworld:


The Red Sox are still pursuing Victor Martinez and offered a package of Justin Masterson, Michael Bowden and an outfield prospect, according to the Boston Globe.
The Indians turned it down as they are still adamant they want Clay Buchholz. Still, the fact that the Sox were willing to deal Masterson, Bowden and another prospect suggests that a trade may not be far off if the Sox are willing to upgrade the third piece.

[TawnyVonJagger]

Very cool induction ceremony. Congrats to the inductees. Rickey Rules!

kill, I thought you'd be all over this with Rice? Seems like a pretty cool guy.

[killeverything]

Very cool induction ceremony. Congrats to the inductees. Rickey Rules!

kill, I thought you'd be all over this with Rice? Seems like a pretty cool guy.

Oh I woulda been. I fell asleep in my Rice Tshirt......waiting.

I just woke up. So I missed the whole thing. I woke up originally 3 minutes before start time, then opened my eyes again two and a half hours later. So I'm fucking pissed. I missed the Rice induction. I missed the Henderson induction. Wake up to see Smoltz has given up 6 motherfucking runs. Yay.

I'm waiting for a repeat of it somewhere.

FYI on Tuesday they're retiring #14 at the Fens.