This Week in Baseball 6/11 - 6/17

[vivalaultra 0]

And the chicks dig him. Saturday nite is 'Surfer Brad Ausmus' bobblehead nite, by the by. But the one I'm looking forward to is 'Roy Oswalt on a bulldozer' bobblehead nite. That's gonna be sweet.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

On the bright side for Astros fans, this may leave the team with no reason to play the guy every day. Seriously, the Astros' success in recent years has amazed me considering they've got two of the worst everyday position players in their lineup and a guy with a sub-300 OBP leading off.

 

I'm convinced that Brad Ausmus will actually have to die on the field for the Astros to get rid of him. To put up those numbers and still be an every day player is mind boggling. Oh sorry I forgot he was the "clubhouse leader". Don't forget his "veteran presence"

Unfortunately, it's the pitchers that usually make the call in this situation regardless of how good the catcher is(see Cubs re: Michael Barrett). They tend advocate the player that they are most comfortable working with. He may be a swirling vortex of suck but I'd imagine that nice guy persona keeps management from axing him.

[sfaJack 0]

On the bright side for Astros fans, this may leave the team with no reason to play the guy every day. Seriously, the Astros' success in recent years has amazed me considering they've got two of the worst everyday position players in their lineup and a guy with a sub-300 OBP leading off.

 

I'm convinced that Brad Ausmus will actually have to die on the field for the Astros to get rid of him. To put up those numbers and still be an every day player is mind boggling. Oh sorry I forgot he was the "clubhouse leader". Don't forget his "veteran presence"

You forgot he's a "defensive specialist" and "really knows the hitters." Roger and Andy loved pitching to him, yessir!

 

Oh, and the ladies in town think he's hot.

[Open the Muggy Gate 0]

man, the Devil Rays looking better than I thought. Just a couple games under 500, they got a chance to finally make some progress by the end of the year. A .500 season for them would be a big deal for them probably.

[Guest Smues]

9 wins in a row !!!

 

Boston better win tonight or were a step closer

we're

[vivalaultra 0]

On the bright side for Astros fans, this may leave the team with no reason to play the guy every day. Seriously, the Astros' success in recent years has amazed me considering they've got two of the worst everyday position players in their lineup and a guy with a sub-300 OBP leading off.

 

I'm convinced that Brad Ausmus will actually have to die on the field for the Astros to get rid of him. To put up those numbers and still be an every day player is mind boggling. Oh sorry I forgot he was the "clubhouse leader". Don't forget his "veteran presence"

You forgot he's a "defensive specialist" and "really knows the hitters." Roger and Andy loved pitching to him, yessir!

 

Oh, and the ladies in town think he's hot.

 

A couple weeks ago, the Astros called up Eric Munson and said that they planned on giving him the majority of starts at catcher. Brad Ausmus was going to be the personal catcher of Oswalt and Munson would get the lion's share of the rest of the time. That lasted for one series. The bad thing is that the Astros don't really have any minor league catchers that are less than two years away from the majors; they did have Lou Saccamano, but he got suspended for doping and the other best prospect, JR Towels is probably at least 2 years away. And the crop of FA catchers for next season doesn't look too inviting outside of Jorge Posada.

[sfaJack 0]

That's why you either call the Braves and see what they want for Saltalamacchia or bite the bullet and put Towels on the roster out of spring training next year and see what happens.

 

Just the thought of doing that probably gives Timmy P. chest pains, though.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

I really missed Bruier's posts when he was gone. If I didn't look at any other websites, I would have sworn the Cubs were 0-162 last year.

 

In my defense, your guess wouldn't have been that far off.

 

Without the Extra Innings package this season, I can only see what WGN, ESPN, and occasionally, TBS allows me to see. That's a positive, since I haven't taken the team so seriously this year. It also helps the expectations weren't there from me at the outset of the season, regardless. I can admit, though, that with the Central being as awful as it's been, the expectations have been raised a bit.

 

I turned the game off to get some work done and just checked back in to see that Cesar Izturis of all game got the game winner in the bottom of the eighth. The Cubs' third one-run victory in the last four games and if you can believe it, that DOUBLES their one-run victories on the entire season.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

That's why you either call the Braves and see what they want for Saltalamacchia or bite the bullet and put Towels on the roster out of spring training next year and see what happens.

My dream is that Theo convinces Schuerholz to swap Saltalamacchia for Ellsbury. I don't want any other team coming in and screwing that up.

[sfaJack 0]

I think I'm going through that myself, Bruiser. I got EI for the first time this year and have found myself needing to turn off Cub games quite often because I get into such a pissy mood over them.

 

Maybe less is more.

[strummer 0]

Some moron on SNY just said the Yankees were winning because Jason Giambi was out of the line up. I really wish Ken Tremenous could have seen that.

[sfaJack 0]

My dream is that Theo convinces Scheurholz to swap Saltamacchia for Ellsbury. I don't want any other team coming in and screwing that up.

I wouldn't worry about the Astros being that team. Purpura never does anything that could be classified as either super aggressive or imaginative.

[vivalaultra 0]

My dream is that Theo convinces Scheurholz to swap Saltamacchia for Ellsbury. I don't want any other team coming in and screwing that up.

I wouldn't worry about the Astros being that team. Purpura never does anything that could be classified as either super aggressive or imaginative.

 

HE'Z SOOPER AGRESIVE AT THE BUFFET TABLE!!!!! AND HE IMAGINS HAMBURRRGERRS!!!!!!/fans on the astros.com messageboard

[sfaJack 0]

Heh.

 

I should be a little more fair to Purpura, in that he has one of the most overbearing owners in the league watching him. But still...wouldn't you make a call to Atlanta?

[vivalaultra 0]

I dunno. I imagine the asking price would start with either Qualls or Lidge (Wheeler has lowered his trade value considerably over the last couple weeks) and, even then, I heard that the Braves wanted a ML ready arm and a AAA/ML hitter for Salty and a prospect. I just don't see the Astros having or being willing to give up what Atlanta's looking for. Still, ya gotta at least inquire, I'd think.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

I think every GM in the game not named Terry Ryan should be on the phone with Atlanta if they are serious about trading this guy. And I think it would take a LOT more than Lidge to get the Braves to start listening. They'd probably start by asking for Pence.

[sfaJack 0]

If all it takes is Lidge and a minor league hitter, Purpura should be fired if he doesn't do that deal.

[vivalaultra 0]

Yeah, I got the report backwards. Apparently, the asking price for LIDGE is a premium catcher and a ML-ready pitching prospect. So, it's not a case of the 'Stros not being willing to trade with the Braves for Salty, it's the Astros possibly overvaluing Lidge. And if Tim P. or Drayton even THINK about trading Pence for anybody other than Johan Santana, they should be strung up on Crawford Street Mussolini-style. I just dread that next season it's going to be an Eric Munson/Humberto Quintero platoon behind homeplate. Or, Biggio could always block another young prospect by shifting back to catching for the 2008 season...

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Word is the Brewers are calling up Yovani Gallardo to replace the injured Chris Capuano in the rotation. While nobody was looking, this guy jumped ahead of Hughes, Bailey and Lincecum on most prospect lists. He's that freaking good.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

I think I'm going through that myself, Bruiser. I got EI for the first time this year and have found myself needing to turn off Cub games quite often because I get into such a pissy mood over them.

 

Maybe less is more.

With the Cubs, it absolutely is. The problem is having the ability to watch the madness inning-by-inning for six months. When I only had access to WGN, it'd be well into the summer before I really started paying attention to the Cubs.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Word is the Brewers are calling up Yovani Gallardo to replace the injured Chris Capuano in the rotation. While nobody was looking, this guy jumped ahead of Hughes, Bailey and Lincecum on most prospect lists. He's that freaking good.

Indeed. I was going to post this but I felt it necessary to check my fantasy teams first.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

I already snapped him up in one league, but let him go in a couple others. I like to diversify my squads. Good luck with him.

 

Funnily enough, Gallardo and myself are the same height and weight in addition to sharing a birthday (although I am four years older). My fastball isn't nearly as good though.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Now this is certainly different, but I must say that I really like it. I've been in favor of putting Drew and Pedroia at the top of the order, although not necessarily in this order.

 

Tonight's lineup:

 

1. J.D. Drew, RF

2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

3. David Ortiz, DH

4. Manny Ramirez, LF

5. Kevin Youkilis, 1B

6. Mike Lowell, 3B

7. Jason Varitek, C

8. Coco Crisp, CF

9. Julio Lugo, SS

 

I can't help but think this is a one night thing, but I love the out-of-box thinking being employed.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Gold.

 

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/06/14/...ying-to-get-pr/

[devo 0]

Classy. There's a pretty big clue as to how the Gatorade-chucking malcontent known as Elijah Dukes came to be.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

Guthrie goes 7 innings, gives up 4 hits and 1 earned run...I think thats his 8th straight quality start. The Os scored exactly 1 run for him so he gets his 6th no decision in that span.

 

Bradford comes in and gives up a run in the 8th.

 

ugh...they're gonna be swept by the damn nationals!

[Guest Smues]

Gold.

 

http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/06/14/...ying-to-get-pr/

 

Wow. I understand defending your kid, but holy cow that lady is insane. This is the FIFTH different lady that we know of that he's knocked up, and these girls are the whores?

[Vampiro69 0]

Elijah Dukes: Father of the Year

[TheSSNintendo 0]

Guthrie goes 7 innings, gives up 4 hits and 1 earned run...I think thats his 8th straight quality start. The Os scored exactly 1 run for him so he gets his 6th no decision in that span.

 

Bradford comes in and gives up a run in the 8th.

 

ugh...they're gonna be swept by the damn nationals!

 

I feel your pain, as I am too an Orioles fan. Why is it bad things happen when Guthrie pitches? Typical Orioles crap. A few weeks ago they were 27-27, and were looking good. Now it's back to the same old stuff, and they're 2-10 this month. They'll be lucky to win a few more games this month.

[KingPK 0]

Now this is certainly different, but I must say that I really like it. I've been in favor of putting Drew and Pedroia at the top of the order, although not necessarily in this order.

 

Tonight's lineup:

 

1. J.D. Drew, RF

2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

3. David Ortiz, DH

4. Manny Ramirez, LF

5. Kevin Youkilis, 1B

6. Mike Lowell, 3B

7. Jason Varitek, C

8. Coco Crisp, CF

9. Julio Lugo, SS

 

I can't help but think this is a one night thing, but I love the out-of-box thinking being employed.

 

It leads to one run on 10 hits with 14 men left on base. No matter where they are, Drew, Crisp and Lugo are giant black holes of suck where no run production can escape.