Bored 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Doug Mienkiewicz- underrated defensive 1st baseman. He just can't hit. Mientkiewicz is a perfect example of how fans can overrate defense. He's a great first baseman, there's no denying that. But he can't possibly make so many plays that your average first baseman would not make to justify his lack of offense. Mientkiewicz has had two good offensive years in 2001 and 2003 so he hasn't been a terrible hitter, although he has been so far this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geniusMoment 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Beltran will probably go to the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers or Red Sox. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfaJack 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Bagwell will have off-season surgery, he has to. I think it's been said that Bagwell's shoulder is a degenerative condition and there is no surgery to fix it. He'll either have to play through it, or retire. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Degenerative condition? Sounds like a long-term steroid user.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Bagwell will have off-season surgery, he has to. I think it's been said that Bagwell's shoulder is a degenerative condition and there is no surgery to fix it. He'll either have to play through it, or retire. Albert Belle had a degenerative hip and had to retire. And the Orioles take 3 of 4 from the Royals (as predicted by me earlier in this thread) and now the Orioles head to Philly. Given that Ponson pitches Sunday vs Milton, I see the Orioles maybe winning 1 of the 3, probably tomorrow with Riley vs Myers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smell the ratings!!! Report post Posted July 2, 2004 And speaking of Beltran, nobody thinks he's reupping with Houston, so where does he go? Yankees, Yankees, Yankees........Red Sox? HA! Kidding. I can't wait to see Beltran DH and Bernie play center. Muhaha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strummer 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Finally, the last weekend of Interleague Play. Thank God. The Cubs/Sox actually get the Sunday Night ESPN time slot. I guess the country is sick of the Yankees killing the Mets. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Ausmus is my Hacking Mass MVP so far. Too bad the rest of my team has all become all stars. I mean Alex Sanchez? Jesus, I thought that one was a layup. Sanchez is quite possibly the worst .321 hitter in the history of baseball. In 268 at bats, he's drilled a total of 11 extra base hits. He's drawn only 6 walks. Along with his 18 steals, he's been caught 11 times. Think about those caught stealings for a second. Eleven times he's reached base, and taken himself off the basepaths. If you were to take 11 hits off his batting average, his average would drop to .280, and his On Base Percentage would drop to .296. That's essentially what he's done. He ranks 29th among AL outfielders in runs created. Among the 170 players in the majors who qualify for a batting title, Sanchez ranks 170th in Isolated Power. His secondary average (a measure of a player's contributions beyond batting average), Sanchez rates dead last. When you look at Sanchez's batting average, he looks like a great player. If you look at anything else, he's terrible. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1833440 Holy christ wagons, I thought they'd never do it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smell the ratings!!! Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Sanchez sucks, etc etc... yeah, but he's still killing me. I should have taken Cameron. And FINALLY Brenly gets fired. He's been dead in the water for months. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 I always thought Brenly was a poor strategist, but the teams' struggles can hardly be blamed on him. The D'backs traded half their infield for Richie Sexson, who is out for the year. Their replacement at second, Robbie Alomar, has missed significant time. They currently have twelve players on the injured list. Matt Mantei and Jose Valverde, their two best relievers, are out. When you look at the lineup, only Alex Cintron is really hitting below expectations. The problem is that the D'backs traded significant talent (namely Curt Schilling and Lyle Overbay), and didn't get any contributors in return. If anyone should be fired, it is the general manager. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 yeah, but he's still killing me. I should have taken Cameron. Not really. A look at the Hacking Mass rules says its calculated using OPS. Considering Cameron's OPS is a meager 11 points less than Sanchez's, you're in good shape. Of 64 qualifying outfielders, Sanchez is 58th in OPS, and Cameron is 59th. Also remember that Cameron is hitting below his career average, and Sanchez is hitting above it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smell the ratings!!! Report post Posted July 2, 2004 wow, Sanchez is even worse than I realized when I picked him. not that it matters. Look at the rest of my team. Crawford Higgenson Itzuris Rivas Bell Snow (yeah he still sucks, but he's part time now) but I did strike gold on pitchers B. Anderson H. Nomo MUHAHA and yes, Brenly is far from the only reason the D'Backs are such a mess. He certainly wasn't helping though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Rule One of Hacking Mass: Never bet against Darin Erstad. Can't blame you for any of those picks, except maybe Crawford and Higginson. Next year make sure to keep an eye on career numbers, and watch out for rebounders. Its more difficult now that's more and more GMs are realizing that guys like Kevin Young stink. At least Tike Redman owners are wetting their pants with joy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Kamala 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Who's the next manager to get slashed? I'm putting my money on Frank Robinson. Everytime I see him, he just looks like he's slowly going insane managing the 'Spos. I heard in Sporting News, the players, particularly "Jurassic" Carl Everett are really getting sick of him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Robinson's a good pick. Lloyd McClendon in Pittsburgh has more than outlived his welcome. Lee Mazzilli has been a disaster in Baltimore, but he's new, so that's a tough one to call. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the max 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 What about Larry Bowa, al? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 The Phils are too good at the moment. How often do managers in first place get fired? It took the Phillies four years to fire Francona, when the Phillies were absolutely terrible. If the Phillies fall 6 games out, or miss the Playoffs, then Bowa gets canned. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Robinson's a good pick. Lloyd McClendon in Pittsburgh has more than outlived his welcome. Lee Mazzilli has been a disaster in Baltimore, but he's new, so that's a tough one to call. Robinson is there because MLB asked him to be. Basically nobody else wants the job when the team's future is up in the air. I thought McLendon just got an extension to be honest. Mazelli has got his team not quitting any games. He just needs a pitching staff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Kamala 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 I wouldn't fire Mazilli, I'd give him at least the rest of this season, if not next season to see if he can work things out. Can't really place 100% blame on a guy who's #1 starter is Sidney Ponson. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 I thought McLendon just got an extension to be honest. We all know extensions don't really matter. Just like when managers receive the dreaded "vote of confidence." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bored 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 I'm pretty sure McClendon has a picture of Dave Littlefield sodomizing a goat or otherwise I can't figure out why he still has a job. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted July 2, 2004 The Red Sox acquired LHP Jimmy Anderson from the Cubs on July 2 in exchange for Single-A RHP Andrew Shipman and a player to be named later. Anderson appeared in seven games for the Cubs this season with one save and a 4.66 ERA. He was 4-3 with a 3.05 ERA in 10 games for the team's Triple-A affiliate at Iowa. Anderson has spent parts of six seasons in the majors, also pitching for the Pirates and Reds. The Sox also dealt for RHP Brandon Puffer from the Padres for a player to be named later or cash considerations Brandon Puffer is a good pick-up. Nasty Slurve and good fastball. In Theo We Trust. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 The Sox also acquired Pedro Astacio yesterday. He hasn't pitched yet this year, so I have no idea what he has left. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted July 2, 2004 I think they're just building minor league depth for a soon to be trade. Astacio can pitch for Pawtucket. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 The Red Sox acquired LHP Jimmy Anderson from the Cubs on July 2 in exchange for Single-A RHP Andrew Shipman and a player to be named later. Anderson appeared in seven games for the Cubs this season with one save and a 4.66 ERA. He was 4-3 with a 3.05 ERA in 10 games for the team's Triple-A affiliate at Iowa. Anderson has spent parts of six seasons in the majors, also pitching for the Pirates and Reds. The Sox also dealt for RHP Brandon Puffer from the Padres for a player to be named later or cash considerations Brandon Puffer is a good pick-up. Nasty Slurve and good fastball. In Theo We Trust. I'm happy the Cubs get a decent young arm in exchange for Anderson. Cubs need to get that bullpen repaired again because injuries have left it a dead shell. Latroy Hawkins just isn't a closer, he is a set-up man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfaJack 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Brandon Puffer is a good pick-up. Unless he's improved dramatically since he was with Houston, no, he's not. I'm happy the Cubs get a decent young arm in exchange for Anderson. Cubs need to get that bullpen repaired again because injuries have left it a dead shell. Latroy Hawkins just isn't a closer, he is a set-up man. It's a single-A pitcher, so him providing immediate help is unlikely. Secondly, while the Cubs' bullpen is the very definition of erratic, they aren't the worst. Glendon Rusch should help it out when Wood gets back and if Dempster is coming along as well as they say, he should help, too. And Hawkins hasn't sucked has a closer. He's been pretty reliable, and certainly better than friggin' Borowski was. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Brandon Puffer had good numbers in Triple-A this year and was then shelled when called up to the Padres. He's got good stuff when facing righties...lefties tend to kill him though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Well dynamite. Zambrano had 115 pitches going into the 7th, not to mention signs of cramps in the arm / hand the previous inning. So of course, he's still out there to start the inning and can only make it one batter into it before leaving with the cramps. That and Ramirez also left the game after he seemed to hurt himself at third. Hopefully both are okay, but it seems like the injury bug is making a permanent residence in Chicago. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Os get a 5 run lead on the Phillies and now Riley is trying to give it right back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
