This Week in Baseball

[KingPK 0]

You guys don't have to wait for me to create this thread, you know.

 

Anyway, major apologies in advance if discussion about your team is stunted by we Sox fans trying to deal with AS. It's only three days; just ride it out.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Anyway, major apologies in advance if discussion about your team is stunted by we Sox fans trying to deal with AS. It's only three days; just ride it out.

 

Thus justifying any and all bitching I've done about these threads.

 

Why don't we start a separate thread for the Sox/Yankees series?

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Phillies start a 14-game homestand, starting off w/ 4 games against the Expos.

 

Anything less than taking 3 from the Expos is inexcusable.

[King Kamala 0]

Should be a good Red Sox-Yanks series, I'm fully prepared for AngleSaults emotional outbursts in case of a Yankees victory or defeat. I'm hoping AngleSault goes on one of his nonsensical rants. The Red Sox offense has been absolutely on fire for this past series (With the exception of Saturday), but I really don't see that happening this series. Hopefully D-Lowe can squeak out a victory tommorow night against Javier Vasquez.

[Guest Anglesault]

I wore all red today. I'm more than ready.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I've had it with Kevin Millwood. I'm convinced he's never going to be an ace starter, and he's certainly not worth $10 Million a year.

 

Career ERA+ Numbers (100 is average)

1997 104

1998 104

1999 162

2000 100

2001 102

2002 127

2003 103

 

It's not that he's bad. But he's average. There are dozens of guys like him, many available for much less cash. The Phils should let him walk after this season.

[the pinjockey 0]

Thank god Boras had that ridiculous contract idea in the offseason, otherwise we might be looking at him for 2-3 more years.

 

Will they get picks for him, Milton, and Polanco if they all walk?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Will they get picks for him, Milton, and Polanco if they all walk?

It depends on whether they offer them arbitration. If they do, there's the risk they'll accept and stick around.

[the pinjockey 0]

Eh, forget that. Neither Millwood or Milton are worth the risk money wise and I don't want Polanco blocking Utley next year.

 

Also, I hope Bowa will now get it out of his head that Michaels is not capable of playing a quality CF. He has more than show he can handle CF.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

David Bell hits for the cycle!

[Guest Anglesault]

I'm so excited about this week. I've built up all my hate (and believe me, I have alot) and I'm ready and raring for the Sox.

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

bleh.. Baltimore is up 10-1

[Cartman 0]

Why the hate?

 

I'm one of the biggest Boston fans there is, yet I cannot hate the yankees. I respect them, and I look forward to another great series between the two powerhouses.

[Guest Anglesault]

Why the hate?

Why not? Why wouldn't I hate a team that goes out every year and tries to remove my team from their rightful place on top of baseball?

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

Tony Pena was the AL manager of the year on a total fluke.

 

Let's go though some of his fun times this year.

 

#1 - Overuse of Jason Grimsley

 

#1b - Misuse of Jason Grimsley

 

Grimsley is the AL Appearances leader, and Pena loved to keep putting him in with inherited runners on. It turns out that Grimsley sucks in those situations.

 

#2 - Miscommunication with the GM

 

Playing tonight for the second game in a row is a catcher hitting .220 and not the catcher who we just traded for

 

#3 - Mendy Lopez

 

Baird (the GM here) had to demote Mendy so Pena would stop playing him so much. Mendy's only hitting around .120

 

#4 - Crappy handling of pitching in general

 

Sorry you guys haven't gotten to be around here to grasp this completely.

 

And here are the various others

 

#1 - John Cumberland (Royals pitching coach)

 

He's only responsible for the worst pitching staff in the majors. A staff that just doesn't strike people out. He should be fired ASAP.

 

#2 - Nick Swartz (Trainer)

 

I'm sure it's not his fault that all the players keep getting injured. Yesterday, Joe Randa was playing as a DH. Today, he needs knee surgery. Kelly Stinnett is the first catcher to need Tommy John surgery. Look at all the pitchers who have coincidentally gotten hurt.

 

#3 - David Glass

 

You don't need to spend big money yet, just spend some money to get some people with freaking sense in the system, to keep the players healthy and all that.

 

Bleeeeehhhh

[Cartman 0]

...and that team never succeeds in doing that.

 

 

You should feel pity not hatred lol.

[Guest Anglesault]

...and that team never succeeds in doing that.

 

 

You should feel pity not hatred lol.

I lack the ability to feel pity.

 

Honestly, though, there are times in baseball when you just have to hate the other team to keep it interesting.

 

If I just wanted to see well contest ballgames, I'd settle for Yankees/White Sox or something like that. I want to be able to get emotionally involved in the game.

[Cartman 0]

I totally understand your views.

 

I used to be that way too. Now I just accept that both NY and Boston are the best teams in baseball and that's that.

[Rob E Dangerously 0]

meanwhile.. Desi Fucking Relaford will be the everyday third baseman

 

fuck.. the guy's hitting .200

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Poor Rob.

 

Nothing like a 4 game series vs the Royals to improve the morale of an O's fan somewhat, although Ponson pitches tomorrow so theres no hope of a 4 game sweep, 3-1 will suffice quite nicely.

 

And Im becoming a huge David Newhan fan..if he keeps up the hot hitting while Mora is out hurt, they should put Mora back in the OF and Newhan should remain the regular 3B.

[Guest Anglesault]

Another note. While the Yankees played significantly worse, neither team played *good* baseball in the first seven games.

 

While the Sox aren't playing great ball right now, it'll be nice to see both teams playing better baseball than in April (ie. the type of games we'll see in the ALCS)

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

I want a Red Sox fans analysis:

 

When Boston's Ramiro Mendoza finally shows he's healthy, he could be on the move to Baltimore. - The Boston Globe (6/28)

 

I don't know if I'd mind the trade if the Orioles could get rid of Groom but the Red Sox would probably want more than that in return...

[KingPK 0]

Oh yes, we'd want a LOT more. Mendoza is someone we want around for a LONG... ......I can't even finish without laughing.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Battle for the AL Central. White Sox at Twins.

 

Hopefully the Crain Train arrives at the Dome this series. The Twins need help in the bullpen.

[Precious Roy 0]

Pretty good column, I like this Keiper guy, but........

 

I think the Garcia trade puts the ChiSox in the drivers seat in the cental, whereas beforehand it was a toss-up with the Twins in my eyes. I wouldn't put so much stock in Garcia's road/home splits meaning impending doom for him, the guy has an ace makeup and with even average run support he'd have 7-8 wins right now. His road ERA this season is 3.91 and his only bad road starts were against Anaheim early in the season when they were healthy and killing pitchers and at Fenway, which is to be expected. Take out those two bad starts and he's been fine. And in his last three starts at Comiskey he's had a 3.54 era and a .197 baa, which points to him being fine in that ballpark

 

He'll become their stopper down the stretch, the ChiSox needed to make this move to hope to compete with Boston and NY in the playoffs and even just to make the playoffs (which they need to win the division to do). Giving up Olivio is the price they have to pay, but Alomar will be fine for them, probably catch 3/5 games, the guy can still hit, and as nice as Olivio is it's not like he was really an impact guy for them on offense. Their bread and butter is still Thomas, Maggs, Konerko and Lee and as they go the offense will go.

 

You gotta believe the BoSox and Yanks are kicking themselves right now, you know they would have loved to see Garcia pitching for them.

[Fuzzy Dunlop 0]

The ChiSox will blow it as always.

 

Anyways, lots of good rivalry series going down this week, and the way The Cubs have been going with another all-Chicago series coming up this weekend, we really need to take 2/3 from The Stros.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

And Im becoming a huge David Newhan fan..if he keeps up the hot hitting while Mora is out hurt, they should put Mora back in the OF and Newhan should remain the regular 3B.

 

Newhan is an odd player. I've looked over his minor league stats, and I don't know what to make of them. He's a career 281/347/417 hitter in exactly 1,000 at bats in AAA, with 25 home runs, and 40 steals in 52 attempts. He only played 20 games in 2001-02, so its hard to judge his recent history. In any case, I don't think this hot streak will last. Newhan's best suited as a utility infielder, but probably a good one.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I think the Garcia trade puts the ChiSox in the drivers seat in the cental, whereas beforehand it was a toss-up with the Twins in my eyes.

 

Runs Scored/Runs Allowed....

 

Minnesota 343/357

Chicago WS 416/349

 

I think it was only a matter of time before the Sox pulled away, regardless of any moves they made. Minnesota's record is much better than it should be.

 

I wouldn't put so much stock in Garcia's road/home splits meaning impending doom for him, the guy has an ace makeup and with even average run support he'd have 7-8 wins right now.

 

When a pitcher pitches in an extreme pitchers' park like Safeco Field, you have to look at the splits. Look at Chan Ho Park. Park pitched fantastic in Dodger Stadium, but wasn't so good elsewhere. Yet the Rangers gave him 5 years/$60 Million. And he tanked. "Ace makeup" I've never believed in, because for one it should show up in the stats, and two, I keep hearing the same thing about Kevin Millwood.

 

If you look at Garcia's numbers, the big difference this season is that he's keeping the ball in the yard. You have to believe that is going to change in Comiskey.

 

Its not that Garcia will pitch bad in Comiskey. But the Sox gave up their best position prospect, and their catcher for a three months of an average to above average pitcher. It just doesn't seem intelligent.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

I want a Red Sox fans analysis:

 

When Boston's Ramiro Mendoza finally shows he's healthy, he could be on the move to Baltimore. - The Boston Globe (6/28)

 

I don't know if I'd mind the trade if the Orioles could get rid of Groom but the Red Sox would probably want more than that in return...

Mendoza for B.J. Ryan. If I don't get to shake my fist and look up while screaming "Mendooooooza!" anymore after a homerun I at least want to say "B.J. gave up a money shot".

 

Not to mention the Red Sox could use that situational lefty. Alan Embree is more of a set-up guy that makes hitters uncomfortable because he's a lefty throwing mid 90s. We need a lefty with a good breaking ball to come in and shut down a lefty power hitter.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Kelly Stinnett is the first catcher to need Tommy John surgery.

Are you serious? That's the funniest thing I've read all week.