This Week in Baseball 7/9 - 7/15

[J. Hungerford Smith 0]

Using Pujols for Hudson would've been stupid considering it was only a game tying AB, barring a homer...Hudson is a decent enough RBI guy for that situation. But unless he's injured or something, leaving Rowand in there instead of Pujols will be one I'll never be able to wrap my head around. I'm from STL, so I've seen a lot of La Russa screwups (although for the most part I've liked him as the manager), but this one ranks up there.

 

On a side note, I found it hilarious that Buck and McCarver were talking up JJ Putz at points throughout the game and he came in and just about copied the Brad Lidge NLCS meltdown from 2005. I expected K-Rod to be wild because it's something we've seen before. Rowand had a terrible AB against him. If he was taking that 1st one which was a get me over fastball, he should've been taking 2, especially the one he swung at looked up and away.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

I didn't have online access during the ninth, otherwise I would've been on here to see if everyone else was thinking what I was: where the FUCK is Pujols? I was criticizing Tony for nothing pinch-hitting him for Hudson, until I realized that if the game went to extras, they were in trouble. But with the bases loaded in a one-run game and two outs, you gotta figure it's either going to be a loss or a win. An out obviously ends it and a hit probably wins it. Anti-climatic and I really think the NL should've pulled it out. Good show by the Cubs in the ninth, though. I was pretty nervous Soriano and Lee were both gonna end it.

[Guest]

That's great, Games 3, 4 and 5 will be at Dodger Stadium this year. That means we'll get to see the Dodgers win it at home!11!!1!1!11!

[J.B. Buzzkill 0]

Anyway believe Ichiro can't conduct an interview in English?

 

His English is actually quite competent, he's just afraid of butchering the language in front of thousands of people.

[Guest Smues]

I started thinking "ok so it's AL weekend, NL week again this year" but then I remembered that MLB lamed it up and moved the world series dates around so it's AL site during the week, NL on the weekend...I think.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

According to espn, even Pujols is pissed at LaRussa for his "manager's decision" last night. Way to go there, chief. Blow the game and piss off your superstar player in the same evening.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

There are people actually going to bat for TLR, stating the Aaron Rowand's no slouch. But he isn't ALBERT PUJOLS, people. I don't get that defense. Who cares if ______ isn't a slouch; he can't be compared to Pujols.

[Dandy 0]

Albert Pujols. When you absolutely, positively got to score every motherfucker on the basepath. Accept no substitutes.

[2GOLD 0]

 

Maybe Tony was thinking, "It's the god damn All Star game! I'm not risking my star player for this bull, we'll just win the damn thing on the road. Screw all you!"

 

Because really, this doesn't matter. Didn't matter last year and it'll never matter. It's a shame because as a fan I would have loved to have seen Albert come to the plate with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth. But it's still the all-star game and it's still an unimportant exhibition.

[Guest •]

Aaron Rowand has the fire and the passion, so of course it was a smart choice. Does Pujols field routine flyouts by misjusging the ball and running into fences? I THINK NOT. Hats off to Tony for using his grinder.

[Brett Favre 0]

I'm not going to lie. Every time I see Aaron Rowand I think of Czech's "DA FIYA AND DA PASSION!" posts.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

David Ortiz is set to have an MRI on his ailing knee sometime today. He's been playing through this injury most of the year and it's caused some hammy problems that have sapped his power. If he has to have surgery now, it will be an interesting couple of months for the Red Sox.

[Darthtiki 0]

That's great, Games 3, 4 and 5 will be at Dodger Stadium this year. That means we'll get to see the Dodgers win it at home!11!!1!1!11!

 

We can hope. Heck, games 1 & 2 will be down the 5 probably

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Per ESPN:

The Yankees have changed their traditional stance and are now willing to negotiate during the season with their star third baseman on a contract extension, MLB sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

 

The key sticking point for the Yankees in the prospective negotiations is that Rodriguez agree not to opt out of his current contract after this season and agree to add any extension to the current contract, which expires after the 2010 season.

Very interesting news. My guess is that the Yankees are doing this now with full knowledge that A-Rod won't accept any sort of contract extension without testing the free agent market first. By leaking this information now, they get the rest of the year to prepare for the potential PR hit. The media will have a full half year to bag on A-Rod before he bails town.

 

Buster Olney has already gone on record that Boras expects A-Rod to get 8 years, $240 million on the FA market. For the Yankees to reach this sort of money, they'd have to give a 5 year, $160 million extension on top of the $81 million still owed. That's $32 million a year for his age 35-40 seasons. I just don't see that happening, even with Steinbrenner's deep pockets.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The incentive for Rodriguez is to get more years on a deal. No way he goes higher than his current annual salary.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

If Ichiro's the new baseline for contracts to be signed this offseason, you better believe that A-Rod will command $25-$30 million per year this offseason. I know a certain team in Boston with a gaping hole at third and roughly $30 million in cash coming off the books.

[Mik 0]

Speaking of the Mariners...

 

I read that Dontrelle to Seattle talks are heating up.

 

If the Marlins don't get back Adam Jones then I fucking give up. They are missing a C and a CF. If they can get Clement and Jones, then see you later D-Train.

 

I might be moving to Seattle anyway.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Clement and Jones are the only two prospects they have that are worth a damn. I'd hate to see them give up those guys but they are both blocked at the major league level. Perhaps they'd part with them to get Dontrelle.

[Failed Bridge 0]

If Ichiro's the new baseline for contracts to be signed this offseason, you better believe that A-Rod will command $25-$30 million per year this offseason. I know a certain team in Boston with a gaping hole at third and roughly $30 million in cash coming off the books.

 

There's no way he will be playing for Boston. This was discussed earlier in the year on a NESN pregame show where ownership has asked certain guys if they would be comfortable having A-Rod in the clubhouse if that ever came to fruition. Evidently he wouldn't be welcomed with two of the major names against it being Ortiz and Tek. If your team Captain and your big basher/clubhouse guy don't want him then it aint happening. I guess a couple others didn't like the idea either but those were the only two names mentioned.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

If Ichiro's the new baseline for contracts to be signed this offseason, you better believe that A-Rod will command $25-$30 million per year this offseason. I know a certain team in Boston with a gaping hole at third and roughly $30 million in cash coming off the books.

 

There's no way he will be playing for Boston. This was discussed earlier in the year on a NESN pregame show where ownership has asked certain guys if they would be comfortable having A-Rod in the clubhouse if that ever came to fruition. Evidently he wouldn't be welcomed with two of the major names against it being Ortiz and Tek. If your team Captain and your big basher/clubhouse guy don't want him then it aint happening. I guess a couple others didn't like the idea either but those were the only two names mentioned.

 

Those opinions would change real quick if Boston ever got seriously close to signing him. Trust me.

[vivalaultra 0]

The Indians have signed Travis Hafner to a 4-year/$57 million extension. I hope that now that he's got a deal in place, he'll go back to putting up big numbers; I drafted him in the second round on my fantasy team and he has not lived up to zee expectations.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

Fantastic deal for the tribe.

[Richard 0]

Because really, this doesn't matter. Didn't matter last year and it'll never matter.

 

Unless of course the Twins win the pennant again.

 

[Bruiser Chong 0]

The only thing I worry about vis-a-vis the Pronk deal is that they'll be paying him a huge chunk of change for the seasons in which he'll be in his mid-30s. I love the guy and all, but that's a real risky deal. Then again, most of these loaded contracts are high-risk and this one has a much better chance to pan out for the Tribe than say, the Barry Zito, Carlos Lee, Gary Matthews Jr., Alfonso Soriano, Juan Pierre, and Jason Schmidt deals.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

The only thing I worry about vis-a-vis the Pronk deal is that they'll be paying him a huge chunk of change for the seasons in which he'll be in his mid-30s. I love the guy and all, but that's a real risky deal. Then again, most of these loaded contracts are high-risk and this one has a much better chance to pan out for the Tribe than say, the Barry Zito, Carlos Lee, Gary Matthews Jr., Alfonso Soriano, Juan Pierre, and Jason Schmidt deals.

Call me crazy, but I like the Soriano deal better.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

The only thing I worry about vis-a-vis the Pronk deal is that they'll be paying him a huge chunk of change for the seasons in which he'll be in his mid-30s. I love the guy and all, but that's a real risky deal. Then again, most of these loaded contracts are high-risk and this one has a much better chance to pan out for the Tribe than say, the Barry Zito, Carlos Lee, Gary Matthews Jr., Alfonso Soriano, Juan Pierre, and Jason Schmidt deals.

Call me crazy, but I like the Soriano deal better.

 

 

You're crazy.

 

You know what insane deal from last year might end up being the best of all? Gil f'n Meche.

[fairtoflair7 0]

I can't believe LaRussa. Pujols is either going to win the game or lose the game there. Have no idea why he didn't bat. I was screaming at the TV on my plane like a madman. NL got screwed by their own manager.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Did anyone watch the Brooklyn Dodgers documentary on HBO?

[Guest •]

I've never seen Fridge say that a star player is not going to the Red Sox.

 

Now more than ever with this Pujols thing, I'm convinced that Tony is retiring at the end of the season. He had a good run, but I think you're going to see a lot of criticism of him (spats with his star players, going too far in defending his players past and present, driving drunk, his player driving drunk and dying, so on) in the coming months, except for directly from St. Louis, where I believe he still has demi-god status. On the bright side, at least Ozzie Smith will finally be allowed to stop by and say hello, I guess.

[Bruiser Chong 0]

Some people are using the argument that Rowand and Pujols are hitting around the same right now and since Rowand is hitting well with RISP and two outs in a WHOPPING 38 at-bats this season, Rowand was the man wanted in that position. You can't argue with these people, pointing out that if you take into consideration more than three months, Pujols and Rowand are about as different as two all-stars can get. But hey, it's apparently all about RIGHT NOW with these people.

 

And of course, Al's going to need to explain the Soriano thing. I'd imagine Sori has a better chance of holding up physically may be part of it, but I'll let you confirm.