HarleyQuinn

Last year the playoff teams were on fire. Florida went 32-22(18-8 in September) in the final two months. Chicago Cubs went 34-21(19-8 in September). San Francisco went 32-21(18-8 in September). Yankees went 35-21(18-9 in September). Boston went 32-23(17-9 in September). Minnesota Twins were the hottest at 37-18(19-7 in September). Oakland went 34-20(20-9 in August). Does everybody think it'll happen again? Who do they expect to go "red hot" in the homestretch? I expect the Yankees, Athletics, Twins, Braves, Cardinals and Dodgers really begin to pull away in their respect divisions. I think the Rangers or Angels will wind up being the AL WC team and the Cubs or Giants to be the NL WC team.

Note: Took TSA / Goals Allowed(Top 15 in TSA listed). Salaries are from USATODAY.com. 2003-2004 Roberto Luongo: 14.39 shots per goal($1.9 Mill) Marc Denis: 12.16 shots per goal($1.55 Mill) Olaf Kolzig: 10.88 shots per goal($6.25 Mill) Tomas Vokoun: 11.00 shots per goal($1.2 Mill) Jose Theodore: 12.40 shots per goal($5.5 Mill) Martin Brodeur: 11.98 shots per goal($6.89 Mill) Pasi Nurminen: 10.36 shots per goal($1.1 Mill) David Aebischer: 13.20 shots per goal($550 K) Kevin Weekes: 11.32 shots per goal($2.35 Mill) Marty Turco: 11.44 shots per goal(($3.64 Mill) J.S. Giguere: 11.59 shots per goal($4.5 Mill) Evgeni Nabokov: 12.68 shots per goal($3.26 Mill) Chris Osgood: 11.14 shots per goal($3.00 Mill) Andrew Raycroft: 13.56 shots per goal($550 K) Dan Cloutier: 11.60 shots per goal($2.50 Mill) Rick DiPietro(Just to compare): 11.26 shots per goal($1.18 Mill) Looking at that, Cloutier is pretty middle of the pack. He had a better SPG(although you can argue that decimals should be rounded) then Kevin Weekes, Marty Turco, Chris Osgood, Tomas Vokoun, Olaf Kolzig, Rick DiPietro and Pasi Nurminen. Most of those guys make less then $2.50 Million with only Osgood, Kolzig and Turco exceeding $3 Mill and only Weekes exceeding $2 Mill. Looking at that, I'd say that Cloutier is good for the total he's earning and could be argued that he's a little overpaid.

For further proof... 109 shots / 9 GA = 12.11 shots per goal for Brodeur. If we project these numbers to 200 shots in 6 games(same # of shots as Khabibulin in same # of games) we divide 200 shots / 12.11 to get 17 projected GA. Remember Khabibulin has 14 goals in the same # of shots. Also his av. shots faced goes from 22 to 33 per game just to make him more in line with everybody else. Khabibulin's GAA was 2.33 which is pretty good. Brodeur's projections would put his GAA at 2.83 which is solid but not nearly as good as Khabibulin's GAA. Keep in mind that both goalies would've faced the same # of shots in the same # of games and same average # of shots per game. Also Khabibulin had 200 shots / 14 goals = 14.29 shots per goal. For Brodeur based on projections, he'd come out to 200 shots / 17 goals = 11.77 shots per goal.

Burch is a Single A RP prospect. 3.91 ERA in 44 games with 52.1 IP and 60 K's vs 24 BB's.

Ya know what's crazy? Francona could be using guys like Mark Malaska, Ramiro Mendoza among others but instead chooses to focus on using Alan Embree and Mike Timlin thus wearing them down. Ugh...now watch Francona use Myers for a couple games and start to ignore him too. Mike Timlin: 54.2 IP(Last pitched August 5th) Alan Embree: 39.1 IP(Last pitched August 2nd) Mark Malaska: 20.0 IP(Last pitched July 24th) Terry Adams: 1.0 IP w/Boston(Last pitched July 26th) Ramiro Mendoza: 8.2 IP(Last pitched July 26th) Keith Foulke: 56.0 IP(Last pitched August 2nd) Figured I'd toss Foulke in for comparison

The Usual Suspects lineup scene which Bryan Singer said he chose from the takes because they couldn't stay straight faced through it.

If you call 4 season above(well above) .500 ball with Cincinnati/Baltimore underachieving then damn right. In 94/95 he finished 1st with Cincinnati and in 96/97 he finished 2nd and 1st with Baltimore. He's only performed under .500 ball with the 90 Mets(Got fired after only 42 games), 93 Reds and 96 Dodgers(Next season the Dodgers with him as coach finished 86-76, good for 2nd and a .531 W%). You could also technically discount the 93-95 seasons if you want due to the whole strike fiasco.

Cabrera was hitting .246/.298/.336 prior to joining the Red Sox yes, however he's had 28 BB's vs 31 K's so it was just a matter of getting hits which he hasn't done thus far. I do think he'll rebound strongly this season as he's had 47, 43 and 41 doubles the last few seasons while able to put up 10-15 HR's a season. The Monster can only help his doubles and I think he'll get up around .280-.290/.340-.350/.450-.460 levels overall thanks to his adjustment to the AL. Doug Mientkiewicz can easily get .300/.380-.390/.450-.460 when he's hitting well. Granted his SLG suffers a ton, believe me I'm aware of that. However he has 661 PO in 702 TC for the Twins in 73 games started(77 total). David McCarty has 229 PO in 259 TC at 1B this year in 19 games started(59 games total). Kevin Millar has 260 PO in 305 TC in 38 games started(38 total). David Ortiz has 250 PO in 273 TC in 30 games started(33 games total). I think the defensive upgrade is great enough and he's capable of hitting .300/.380+ that he'll work out for us. Also Dave Roberts gives us a better RFer which sends Millar either to 1B to share time with Mientkiewicz or causes Millar to share time with Ortiz as DH.

If they were bloody smart they would set the pitbulls on him while he races out the door on monday. Who would his replacement be though?

Wilson Alvarez could easily be the long relief man going 2-3 IP if needed. Also if they do call up Brazoban then he and Dreifort can pitch an inning or two before Gagne comes in. With the addition of Penny, the Dodgers get another starter who can go 6+ IP.

Dodgers Get... Brent Mayne - 2004: .255/.343/.340 in 36 games - 2003: .245/.307/.344 in 113 games - 2002: .236/.309/.310 in 101 games - 43 errors and .993 F% as a catcher(Over 1,000 games) Steve Finley - 2004: .275/.338/.490 prior to trade - 2003: .287/.363/.500 - 2002: .287/.370/.499 Brad Penny - 2004: 3.15 ERA prior to the trade - 2003: 4.13 ERA - 2002: 4.66 ERA - 2001: 3.69 ERA Heep Seop Choi - 2004: .270/.388/.495 for Florida prior to the trade - 2003: .218/.350/.421 in only 80 games Lost... Guillermo Mota - 2004: 2.14 ERA prior to trade - 2003: 1.97 ERA - 2002: 4.15 ERA - 2001: 5.26 ERA Juan Encarnacion - 2004: .235/.289/.417 prior to trade - 2003: .270/.313/.446 - 2002: .270/.324/.446 Paul LoDuca - 2004: .301/.351/.444 for the Dodgers prior to the trade - 2003: .273/.335/.377 - 2002: .281/.330/.402 - 2001: .320/.374/.543 in 125 games - 32 errors and .990 F% as a catcher(Over 400 games) Conclusion: Dodgers get a damn good upgrade in the OF from Encarnacion to Steve Finley. They also get a capable #3 starter in Brad Penny. Their bullpen loses a great pitcher in Mota but they can still depend on Dreifort, Gagne and Wilson Alvarez if he gets moved back. They get a great defensive catcher in Brent Mayne who will platoon with Ross. Granted LoDuca brought the offense but the Dodgers can still hit with Beltre, Bradley, Green and Choi. LoDuca the "team leader" has also hit .254/.309/.376 for his career after the all-star break which is fucking awful. Yhency Brazoban, a very good pitcher will likely get called up from AAA after starting the year in AA to also help out the Dodger bullpen.

Yes because clearly the A's are doing awful and their new SS Bobby Crosby(who is a HELL of a lot cheaper) is stinking up the joint Oakland and Boston have both been pretty successful under "Stathead" GM's so I don't think Dodger fans will be complaining in a couple of years.

Twins tie it up 2-2 in the bottom of the 6th on a Torii Hunter RBI single.

Orlando Cabrera makes his first AB count with the Red Sox with a solo HR off Johan Santana in the 1st inning.

Here's a look at the prospects involved in the deal... Henri Stanley(26, OF) 2004: .299/.383/.470 in 51 games in AAA. Has 23 BB’s vs 27 K’s. 2003: .292/.368/.445 in 135 games in AAA. Had 60 BB’s vs 93 K’s. 2002: .314/.408/.542 in 127 games in AA. Had 72 BB’s vs 85 K’s. 2001: .300/.408/.525 in 114 games in A. Had 73 BB’s vs 84 K’s. Matt Murton(22, OF) 2004: .301/.372/.452 in 102 games in A. Has 42 BB’s vs 61 K’s. 2003: .286/.374/.397 in 53 games in A. Had 36 BB’s vs 37 K’s. Francis Beltran(24, RP) 2004: 2.84 ERA in 6 games in AAA. 2003: 2.96 ERA in 31 games in AAA. 2002: 2.59 ERA in 39 games in AA. Brendan Harris(24, IF) 2004: .311/.353/.531 in 69 games in AA. Has 16 BB’s vs 40 K’s. 2003: .280/.364/.425 in 120 games in AA. Had 51 BB’s vs 72 K’s. 2002: .329/.395/.532 in 110 games in A. Had 43 BB’s vs 57 K’s. .321/.345/.547 in 13 games in AA. Had 2 BB’s vs 5 K’s. Justin Jones(20, SP) 2004: 3.78 ERA in 15 games in A so far. 2003: 2.28 ERA in 16 games in A. 2002: 1.80 ERA in 11 games in Rookie Level. 1.80 ERA in 1 game in A.

Anyways, figured I'd do a thread for the minor leaguers currently tearing up AA/AAA for their respective clubs. I chose not to do Single A cause frankly, I couldn't be assed to but feel free to request players(even Single A) or discuss the merits of the following guys. A few names should be recognizable(Upton, Church, Hendrickson and McPherson). These are all as of 7/28. AAA Midre Cummings(Durham(TBD), OF): .308/.423/.614, 18 doubles and 22 HR’s in 82 games. 58 BB’s vs 68 K’s. BJ Upton(Durham(TBD), Infielder): .311/.414/.521, 16 doubles and 12 HR’s in 67 games. 42 BB’s vs 72 K’s. Larry Sutton(Albuq(FLO), 1B): .358/.456/.667, 29 doubles and 19 HR’s in 81 games(77 started). 49 BB’s vs 58 K’s. Calvin Pickering(Omaha(KCR), Infielder): .318/.446/.723, 9 doubles and 29 HR’s in 71 games. 53 BB’s vs 65 K’s. Ryan Church(Edmonton(MON), OF): .344/.435/.615, 24 doubles and 15 HR’s in 86 games(82 started). 47 BB’s vs 56 K’s. Bucky Jacobsen(Tacoma(SEA), 1B): .312/.422/.661, 22 doubles and 26 HR’s in 81 games. 50 BB’s vs 88 K’s. Ben Hendrickson(Indianapolis(MIL), SP): 2.27 ERA in 17 games. 74 K’s vs 22 BB’s in 99 IP. Note: I believe he got called up. Travis Blackley(Tacoma(SEA), SP): 2.63 ERA in 14 games(13 started). 63 K’s vs 31 BB’s. Mike Wood(Sacramento(OAK), SP): 2.80 ERA in 15 games. 66 K’s vs 24 BB’s. AA Ryan Shealy(Tulsa(COL), Infielder): .322/.422/.609, 24 doubles and 23 HR’s in 98 games(96 started). 49 BB’s vs 88 K’s. Dallas McPherson(Arkansas(ANA), Infielder): .321/.404/.660, 17 doubles, 6 triples and 20 HR’s in 68 games. 34 BB’s vs 74 K’s. Michael Cervenak(Norwich(SFG), Infielder): .344/.427/.613, 30 doubles and 17 HR's in 81 games. 42 BB's vs 35 K's, 66 RBI's and 61 runs. David Wright(Binghamton(NYM), 3B): .363/.467/.619, 27 doubles and 10 HR's in 60 games. 39 BB's vs 40 K's and 20/26 in SB's. Jeff Bailey(Portland(BOS), C): .299/.409/.522, 23 doubles, 3 triples and 12 HR's in 88 games(79 started). 45 BB's vs 79 K's with 56 runs and 57 RBI's. John Hattig(Portland(BOS), Infielder): .295/.411/.519, 21 doubles and 12 HR's in 75 games. 47 BB's vs 68 K's. 53 runs. Justin Huber(Binghamton(NYM), C): .295/.411/.519, 16 doubles and 11 HR's in 70 games(68 started). 46 BB's vs 57 K's. John Castellano(Reading(PHI), Infielder): .362/.408/.581, 16 doubles and 13 HR's in 74 games(66 started). 19 BB vs 38 K's. Ryan Howard(Reading(PHI), 1B): .297/.387/.651, 18 doubles and 37 HR’s in 101 games. 72 runs and 102 RBI’s. 46 BB’s vs 128 K’s(OUCH). Josh Willingham(Carolina(FLO), C): .282/.435/.580, 20 doubles and 17 HR’s in 78 games(71 started). 57 BB’s vs 64 K’s. Wilfredo Ledezma(Erie(DET), SP): 2.42 ERA in 17 games, 98 K’s vs 24 BB’s in 111.2 IP. Gavin Floyd(Reading(PHI), SP): 2.57 ERA in 20 games. 94 K’s vs 46 BB’s in 119 IP. Patrick Misch(Norwich(SFG), SP): 2.71 ERA in 20 games. 98 K’s vs 21 BB’s in 126 IP. Ryan Ketchner(Jacksonville(LAD), SP): 2.74 ERA in 15 games. 71 K’s vs 24 BB’s in 85.1 IP. Renyel Pinto(West Tennessee(CHC), SP): 3.34 ERA in 20 games. 136 K’s vs 56 BB’s in 110.1 IP. Jeff Housman(Huntsville(MIL), SP): 3.04 ERA in 21 games(18 started). 109 K’s vs 33 BB’s in 100.2 IP. Jeff Francis(Tulsa(COL), SP): 1.98 ERA in 17 games. 147 K’s vs 22 BB’s in 113.2 IP. DJ Houlton(Round Rock(HOU), SP): 3.09 ERA in 21 games. 120 K’s vs 36 BB’s in 116.2 IP.

I agree and hope he gets a call up in September if not Mid-August if he continues dominating as he has.

Mient can also start at 1B leaving Ortiz at DH and Manny in LF giving us 3 great hitters for the 3-4-5 behind two speedsters in Damon/Roberts if they hit in front of them.

Know what's funny? Sox vs Twins is tonight, here's hoping Mientkiewicz kills the Twinkies.

I'm assuming Millar will be in RF so long as Trot is injured. Ortiz will DH or alternate with Mientkiewicz at 1B/DH during the season. Cabrera will probably be the starting SS. I'd place Cabrera at 2nd(leaving Ortiz, Manny and Millar behind him) and I'd maybe slide Doug in the #5 spot and push Millar back to the #6 spot. Roberts...uhm, is he going to RF or is Millar staying there? If Roberts gets into the lineup, I'd put him at the 8 spot maybe or switch Cabrera to the 8 hole and Roberts to the 2nd spot. *head explodes*

I like the additions of Roberts/Douggie but I'm unsure of Cabrera. Looking at Nomar, he had a F% of .971, .965 and .971 with 20, 25 and 18 errors. Cabrera had F%'s of .975, .962 and .986 with errors of 18, 29 and 11. Looking at the two, I'm starting to feel better with Cabrera coming in(41, 43 and 47 doubles over the past 3 years which bodes well for Fenway).

Man...I'm not sure if I'm happy with this trade(esp. considering we dealt Hanley Ramirez for Dave Roberts as well). I'm pretty high on Matt Murton and losing him really stings. Cabrera isn't much of a hitter despite his 2003 season(.297/.347/.460) and I do love the pickup of Mientkiewicz(hit .300/.393/.450 in 2003 and .306/.387/.464 in 2001 and is also a good defense minded player).

Is Murton involved? If so, I'll be kind of annoyed...

Some pitching prospects(all starters) to keep an eye on. Goes from Single A(first) to Triple A(last). Yusmeiro Petit(NYM): 122 K's vs 22 BB's in 83 IP in Low Class A. 30 K's vs 12 BB's in 23.2 IP in High Class A(St. Lucie) so far. Chuck Tiffany(LAD): 81 K's vs 26 BB's in 67.1 IP in Low Class A. Adam Bostick(FLO): 100 K's vs 37 BB's in 73.2 IP for Low Class A. Tony Gorzelanny(PIT): 99 K's vs 30 BB's in 87 IP in Low Class A. 17 K’s vs 10 BB’s in 22.2 IP in High Class A so far. Brandon McCarthy(CHW): 103 K’s vs 21 BB’s in 88 IP in Low Class A. 28 K’s vs 3 BB’s in 30 IP so far in High Class A. Adam Miller(CLE): 106 K’s vs 28 BB’s in 91 IP in Low Class A. 10 K’s vs 4 BB’s in 8.2 IP in High Class A so far. Matt Albers(HOU): 89 K’s vs 43 BB’s in 76.2 IP in Low Class A. Chuck James(ATL): 105 K’s vs 31 BB’s in 94.1 IP in Low Class A. Clint Everts(MON): 103 K’s vs 21 BB’s in 90.1 IP in Low Class A. 5 K’s vs 2 BB’s in 5 IP so far in High Class A. Tyler Clippard(NYY): 116 K’s vs 22 BB’s in 112.2 IP in Low Class A. Abel Gomez(NYY): 118 K’s vs 58 BB’s in 109.1 IP in Low Class A. Dana Eveland(MIL): 103 K’s vs 23 BB’s in 97 IP in Low Class A. Ambiorix Burgos(KCR): 121 K’s vs 55 BB’s in 95 IP in Low Class A. Abel Moreno(ANA): 101 K’s vs 25 BB’s in 108 IP in Low Class A. Matt Lorenzo(TEX): 105 K’s vs 24 BB’s in 80 IP in Low Class A. 10 K’s vs 3 BB’s in 12.1 IP in High Class A so far. Calvin Medlock(CIN): 111 K’s vs 21 BB’s in 94.2 IP in Low Class A. 20 K’s vs 5 BB’s in 16.2 IP so far in High Class A. Sean Thompson(SDP): 113 K’s vs 43 BB’s in 110 IP in Low Class A. Steven Bondurant(OAK): 132 K’s vs 27 BB’s in 125.2 IP in Low Class A. Brad Knox(OAK): 136 K’s vs 16 BB’s in 124.2 IP in Low Class A. Adam Harben(MIN): 123 K’s vs 42 BB’s in 100.1 IP in Low Class A. Thomas Oldham(SEA): 132 K’s vs 30 BB’s in 116.2 IP in Low Class A. D.J. Houlton(HOU): 124 K’s vs 40 BB’s in 120 IP in AA. Rich Dorman(SEA): 99 K’s vs 43 BB’s in 76 IP in AA. Jeff Francis(COL): 147 K’s vs 22 BB’s in 113.2 IP in AA. 27 K’s vs 1 BB in 19 IP in AAA so far. Bill Murphy(Traded to FLO?): 113 K’s vs 59 BB’s in 103.2 IP in AA. Dan Meyer(ATL): 86 K’s vs 12 BB’s in 65 IP in AA. 28 K’s vs 16 BB’s in 31.2 IP so far in AAA. Jeff Housman(MIL): 109 K’s vs 33 BB’s in 100.2 IP in AA. Renyel Pinto(CHC): 136 K’s vs 56 BB’s in 110.1 IP in AA. Dave Crouthers(BAL): 104 K’s vs 54 BB’s in 102.1 IP in AA. Chris Smith(BOS): 85 K’s vs 21 BB’s in 74.1 IP in AA. Danny Haren(STL, Called up): 133 K’s vs 30 BB’s in 116 IP in AAA. Nelson Figueroa(PIT): 113 K’s vs 28 BB’s in 133.1 IP in AAA. Joe Blanton(OAK): 99 K’s vs 30 BB’s in 135.2 IP in AAA. Kyle Denney(CLE): 84 K’s vs 29 BB’s in 97 IP in AAA. Felix Diaz(CHW): 83 K’s vs 18 BB’s in 102 IP in AAA. Alex Graman(NYY): 90 K’s vs 36 BB’s in 93 IP in AAA. Adrian Hernandez(MIL): 68 K’s vs 28 BB’s in 67.1 IP in AAA. Brandon Claussen(CIN, Called up): 111 K’s vs 47 BB’s in 100.1 IP in AAA. Bruce Chen(BAL): 91 K’s vs 28 BB’s in 81.1 IP in AAA. Chuck Smith(ATL): 105 K’s vs 37 BB’s in 112 IP in AAA. David Bush(TOR, Called up): 88 K’s vs 20 BB’s in 99.2 IP in AAA. Pat Ahearne(DET): 94 K’s vs 34 BB’s in 137 IP in AAA.

Calvin Pickering = The Quadruple A type player. A guy who can mash AAA pitching but struggles when he hits the major leagues.