This Week in Baseball 4/30 - 5/6

[vivalaultra 0]

It was entirely different the last 3 years. Clemens was in the National League. He didn't have to face Designated Hitters. The Astros' bullpen over the last 3 years was top 5 in baseball. The Yankees' bullpen isn't that great. They're expecting him to come in and be as good as he was in Houston. In honesty, he'll probably pitch about 115 innings, win about 10 games and have a 4.50 ERA.

 

I wonder why when Clemens came back to the 'Stros in 2005 and 2006, they didn't flash a message on the video screen at MMP and have him stand up from on high and announce his return.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

Met announcers are discussing that Clemens is getting his sweetheart, go home when he wants to deal. Yet the Yankee post game show said he will not.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I guess the speculation now is whether Clemens comes to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for a minor league appearance. That's a circus waiting to happen.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

I think I heard him say in the press conference that he's going to do most of his work in Tampa. But maybe he makes one start at each level like last year, which would be Tampa (A), Trenton (AA), and SWB (AAA).

[Guest]

It was entirely different the last 3 years. Clemens was in the National League. He didn't have to face Designated Hitters. The Astros' bullpen over the last 3 years was top 5 in baseball. The Yankees' bullpen isn't that great. They're expecting him to come in and be as good as he was in Houston. In honesty, he'll probably pitch about 115 innings, win about 10 games and have a 4.50 ERA.

No excuses. It is the same thing.

 

Why? If Clemens produces like the Yankees expect, and if he copies what he's done the last 3 years, he's worth it to them. And there's no reason to think Roger won't.

But if he does produce and the bullpen keeps pitching how it is, does it matter how well he plays? Because let's face it, Roger will not be the reason that they win a ring, that distinction will go to the notables like Scott Proctor and Kyle Farnsworth. The bullpen will win or lose this season for the Yankees.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

Farnsworth has been in Torre's doghouse all year. He doesn't have near as many innings as Proctor, Vizcaino, Myers, and Bruney, and can't sniff the 7th and 8th innings.

[Guest]

Considering how Vizcaino's pitching, I don't know if that's a good thing. But Farnsworth was just an example, the bullpen as a whole will make or break the season.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

It isn't. Vizcaino was sharp to start the year, and has been way overworked and extremely ineffective since the Fenway series several weeks back. On Friday, Myers pitched 4 innings of relief, smashing his career high, in a 15-11 loss. I don't get how Farns couldn't get an inning in there somewhere.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

In hilarious irony, the Mets have an upcoming promotion at Shea Stadium - free flashlight night.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

In hilarious irony, the Mets have an upcoming promotion at Shea Stadium - free flashlight night.

Still better than "free beer and drive home talking on your cell phone without a seatbelt" night at Busch Stadium.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

In all seriousness, looking at Clemens' pitching stats make me wonder. He moved to Houston for three years and suddenly became ridiculously dominant, as far beyond any established norm as Barry Bonds. Even avoiding the steroid acquisitions, he was an above-average pitcher the last time he pitched for the Yankees. Even if he continues his Houston numbers, he's worth about three wins over average the rest of the way. I don't think this significantly changes the divisional race.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Remember tonight is Tim Lincecum's MLB debut against the Phillies. Check out his minor league stats so far this season.

 

Team    League    W    L    ERA    G    GS    CG    SHO    SV    IP    H    R    ER    HR    BB    SO    GO/AO    AVG
FRE    PCL    4    0    0.29    5    5    0    0    0    31.0    12    1    1    0    11    46    1.72    .119

[strummer 0]

Check out Willie Randolph's "Dusty Baker" line up today:

 

1. Jose Reyes

2. Endy Chavez

3 David Wright

4. Carlos Delgado

5. Shawn Green

6. Ramon Castro

7. David Newhan

8. Ruben Gotay

9. Mike Pelfrey

 

Not suprisingly they've scored 1 run through 8 innings.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

I don't think this significantly changes the divisional race.

 

Niether do I. Darrell Rasner pitched a shutout today, and I'm pretty sure he will make about $27,700,000 less than this new guy.

[Guest Queen Leelee]

It was entirely different the last 3 years. Clemens was in the National League. He didn't have to face Designated Hitters. The Astros' bullpen over the last 3 years was top 5 in baseball. The Yankees' bullpen isn't that great. They're expecting him to come in and be as good as he was in Houston. In honesty, he'll probably pitch about 115 innings, win about 10 games and have a 4.50 ERA.

 

I wonder why when Clemens came back to the 'Stros in 2005 and 2006, they didn't flash a message on the video screen at MMP and have him stand up from on high and announce his return.

Going from a 2.00 something ERA in the NL to 4.50 in the AL is a big leap. Not to say it won't happen, but if Roger pitches like he did in Houston, he'll definitely be better than that. Even in those couple weaker years he had in NY, he was around 4.00.

 

The Astros' bullpen didn't matter. Roger pitched great, and your team would only score 0 runs for him.

 

But if he does produce and the bullpen keeps pitching how it is, does it matter how well he plays? Because let's face it, Roger will not be the reason that they win a ring, that distinction will go to the notables like Scott Proctor and Kyle Farnsworth. The bullpen will win or lose this season for the Yankees.

You can say that for any starting pitcher.

 

Mussina and Pettitte are also getting about $20 million this year. Mussina is basically a 6-inning pitcher at this point of his career as well, and Pettitte is not close to Roger's league. The value isn't that horrendous considering it's the wacky NYY, that can buy another $10+ million pitcher this year when Roger's fat ass pulls this again next year.

[TheDevilAndGodAreRagingInsideMe 0]

That's false - Pettitte is making $16m, and Mussina about $11-12mil. The only Yankees making $20 million or more are Derek Jeter and Jason Giambi.

 

Edit - A decent piece of A-Rod's salary is covered by Texas, which is why I didn't list him as raking over 20mil from the Yanks.

[geniusMoment 0]

These are Josh Hamilton's stats through the today's game:

 

Avg. 306

HR 8

RBI 17

Runs 19

OBP .398

Slg. .671

OPS 1.069

 

All while playing gold glove defense with the best outfield arm in baseball.

 

 

All spring I heard he was just a spring wonder, and there was no way he could hit major league pitching after his 4 year layoff. At what point is it okay to get excited?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

These are Josh Hamilton's stats through the today's game:

 

Avg. 306

HR 8

RBI 17

Runs 19

OBP .398

Slg. .671

OPS 1.069

 

All while playing gold glove defense with the best outfield arm in baseball.

 

 

All spring I heard he was just a spring wonder, and there was no way he could hit major league pitching after his 4 year layoff. At what point is it okay to get excited?

Would you trade him for Chris Coste?

 

If no, the correct answer is "not yet."

[Guest]

I think it's ok to get excited about Hamilton at this point. As long as you stay realistic and are well aware that his numbers could drop real fast, and if they do drop, you don't freak out about it and lambast the guy.

[geniusMoment 0]

These are Josh Hamilton's stats through the today's game:

 

Avg. 306

HR 8

RBI 17

Runs 19

OBP .398

Slg. .671

OPS 1.069

 

All while playing gold glove defense with the best outfield arm in baseball.

 

 

All spring I heard he was just a spring wonder, and there was no way he could hit major league pitching after his 4 year layoff. At what point is it okay to get excited?

Would you trade him for Chris Coste?

 

If no, the correct answer is "not yet."

 

You do realize that's a completely inaccurate comparison I hope. Coste played for a Divison 3 college, and ind. ball for years due to a lack of talent, and had a great spring but didn't have tons of pure talent. Josh Hamilton was considered the most talented player of his generation when drafted. In high school he had a fast ball that reached 95 mph, and would've been the number pick as a pitcher, but had Ken Griffey Jr. and A-Rod talent as a hitter. Show me a comparison with a player with his pure talent and I'll agree with you, but I certainly hope you're not saying Coste has the natural ability of Hamilton.

 

 

And for the record I have no doubt Hamilton will face ups and downs as pitchers adjust, that happens to everyone. But to group him with the likes of Coste and Shane Spencer isn't really looking at the entire picture in my opinion.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

My point is just that a small sample leads to inaccurate conclusions. I've seen a ton of guys post numbers like Hamilton who dropped off the map.

[geniusMoment 0]

My point is just that a small sample leads to inaccurate conclusions. I've seen a ton of guys post numbers like Hamilton who dropped off the map.

No doubt, I'm not saying it's a sure thing by any means, but his start is pretty encouraging. At the beginning of the season I was hopeful but didn't really know what to expect, but the more I see him play the more I think he's for real. For one thing, he has a great eye, and about half of his home runs have went to the opposite field, meaning he's not just pulling fastballs.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

You know how you can tell baseball is a weird sport sometimes?

 

Rod F'n Barajas has nine walks so far. I've personally never seen him take a pitch.

[bob_barron 0]

In hilarious irony, the Mets have an upcoming promotion at Shea Stadium - free flashlight night.

Still better than "free beer and drive home talking on your cell phone without a seatbelt" night at Busch Stadium.

 

Swing and a miss.

 

The Braves are getting scary good at hitting with 2 outs. It seems that's how all their RBIs are coming these days

[snuffbox 0]

Josh Hancock was no Eddie Guerrero.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

While I think it's disgusting that Clemens is allowed to play mercenary veteran pitcher who plays whenever he wants, at least he's out of the NL Central officially.

 

Oh, btw, Brewers won again today...they took the series from the Pirates, 3-1.

[Guest Smues]

 

I was amazed this was an actual promotion, but I'm sure the flashlights will be too weak to do anything. Hopefully that's the case anyway.

[Guest]

In hilarious irony, the Mets have an upcoming promotion at Shea Stadium - free flashlight night.

"Batteries not included"

[Guest Richard McBeef]

In hilarious irony, the Mets have an upcoming promotion at Shea Stadium - free flashlight night.

"Batteries not included"

You have to go to Philadelphia for that!

[Longdogger_Pete 0]

My point is just that a small sample leads to inaccurate conclusions. I've seen a ton of guys post numbers like Hamilton who dropped off the map.

 

Two words. Clint Barmes.