2012 MLB Thread (Cabrera Gets Triple Crown, first since Yaz 1967)

[Subby]

When the Nats gave up that 9-0 lead to the Braves and then followed it up with a 4-0 loss the next day, I figured it would be the point we would look back at when dissecting their collapse.

Then they go 3-0 against NL East opponents over their next three games. Really exciting to see them bounce back like that. That said, they have no answer for Dickey and Gio Gonzalez has been terrible his last 9 starts, so easy win for the Mets tonight.

[Logan]

The Mets have been desperate for bullpen help for months, but didn't want to make a move for fear of the team not being "legit" and fading off. Isn't the better approach to grab a guy who could help you (decent prospects going the other way), and if the team keeps its pace, great. And if not, flip that same pitcher prior to the deadline to replace the assets you gave up? The only downside I can see is if the guy you acquired is the one who really struggled, thus lowering his trade value from what you paid, but even in that case, you'll be getting something back for him.

[Ksyrup]

I like Buster Olney, but pointing out that a guy has a better OPS in 61 AT-BATS than Ichiro's last 3 full seasons, when said guy has never had more than 175 PLATE APPEARANCES in a season and boasts a career .639 OPS, is fucking stupid. I don't know if Buster just wants to look cool by quoting OPS, or if he really thinks that is a meaningful nugget.

That's not to say his overall point might not be valid, but that's not much of an argument in his favor.

[Chief Rum]

Went to the Angels-Royals game last night. It was a fun game, with Kendrys getting a bases-loaded clearing single in the 8th. Yes, you read that right--Peter Bourjos was on first (and it was a deep single by a slow Morales).

Odd bit of personal trivia--I have been to two games at the stadium this year, Opening Day and last night. Both times, I witnessed the Royals with Bruce Chen on the mound as the Angels' opponents.

I like the Royals young lineup. There's a lot of talent developing there. So long as you ignore Betancourt and Francoeur.

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Subby

When the Nats gave up that 9-0 lead to the Braves and then followed it up with a 4-0 loss the next day, I figured it would be the point we would look back at when dissecting their collapse.

Then they go 3-0 against NL East opponents over their next three games. Really exciting to see them bounce back like that. That said, they have no answer for Dickey and Gio Gonzalez has been terrible his last 9 starts, so easy win for the Mets tonight.

The Mets don't do anything easy

[stevew]

I love looking at guys like Dewayne Wise who have these long careers, but not a ton of service time. Darnell McDonald was another one. McDonald doesn't even have 3 full years of service.

[dawgfan]

Originally Posted by Suicane75

I was gonna say earlier, I'm not sure you couldn't have gotten .270 and some steals out of Wise without giving up prospects and paying a large amount of money.

On the other hand, you make headlines, and maybe for a month or two it reinvigorates Ichiro.

The prospects are unlikely to do anything in the majors and the money is just $2.5M - pocket lint for the Yankees.

From the Yankees' perspective, they get a pretty decent 4th OF that won't be intimidated by New York or the big stage of the playoffs. It's a limited payout for them, so the risk is minimal.

[Big Fo]

Dempster hasn't made up his mind yet, hopefully he winds up rejecting the trade to Atlanta.

[Crapshoot]

I love trade deadline season.

New rumor - Pirates close to acquiring Wandy Rodriguez. I don't see it - the Luhnow is a smart guy, and Wandy is getting paid $13M next year. If the Astros are eating cash (which I expect), the Pirates are probably giving up a half decent prospect. Why do that for a guy who's probably not a big upgrade, unless they're trading a Correia or a Karstens for a bat? (which would be strange - ie, you expect prospect for player deals at this time, not MLB player for MLB player).

[stevew]

I'm guessing it's someone like Jeff Locke and one other guy. I'd say Lincoln, but he's in the game right now.

[Crapshoot]

Right, but what's the upgrade there, and why give up decent C+/B- arms? I mean, wouldn't you rather trade those for a Stephen Drew?

[Scoobz0202]

I was reading some comments on a Pirates site mentioning Alen Hanson was pulled today? Any truth to that? That'd be incredibly stupid. These are just internet peanut gallery folks, though.

[stevew]

Yeah, Hanson could be a good hitting 2b or 3b. I'd hate to give him up.

[stevew]

Hanson has like 35 errors at SS this year, I'm guessing there's no way he stays there.

[Scoobz0202]

Originally Posted by stevew

35 errors

[Scoobz0202]

It's happening according to Heymen.

Pirates Acquire Wandy Rodriguez: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

The Pirates have acquired left-handed starter Wandy Rodriguez from the Astros, according to Tim Singer of MLB.com. The Astros will also pay some of the remaining $30MM owed to Rodriguez through 2013, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).

[PurdueBrad]

Glad the Pirates are making a move but, I don't know, some offense might be nice, particularly after watching the last two games against the freaking Cubs.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

Right, but what's the upgrade there, and why give up decent C+/B- arms? I mean, wouldn't you rather trade those for a Stephen Drew?

Gives us a rotation of Wandy/AJ/JMac/Karstens for next year, with guys like Morton and a few others(Rudy Owens?) holding a spot for Cole.

[Swaggs]

Man... Not sure I'm crazy about this if it includes Hanson.

I really think we need a bat more than a SP right now. I'd rather have Jed Lowrie...

[Scoobz0202]

Jon Morosi is saying it is Robbie Grossman. Not sure if it's 1-for-1 and cash, or what.

[stevew]

Robbie Grossman...really good eye, tools are there. Maybe something if he learns to drive the ball. Not sure what else we gave up.

[Scoobz0202]

And now Morosi is saying it also includes Hanson

[Scoobz0202]

dola-

and now he is correcting himself saying he isn't. Jesus, fuck real-time media.

Jon Morosi (jonmorosi) on Twitter

Correction: Hanson not in deal. Pirates get LHP Wandy Rodriguez & cash from #Astros for Rudy Owens, Colton Cain and Robbie Grossman.

[Swaggs]

The guys on Bucsdugout seems to think it was a 1 for 1 (plus cash) for Hanson.

Grossman is an interesting prospect. He has an amazing eye, decent power, and can play CF. He's at AA and I'd say he's close to a sure thing to making it to the majors at some point, but not sure if he'll hit enough to be a starter.

[stevew]

@Pirates: The @Pirates have acquired LHP Wandy Rodriguez & cash from the #Astros for Rudy Owens, Colton Cain & Robbie Grossman.


Someone else was saying Hanson. I guess he's wrong.

[Swaggs]

Fuck almighty... I hate that if it includes Owens and Grossman.

Smells of making a deal just to make a deal.

[Swaggs]

Oh well... Good deal for Houston. Wandy seems to always struck out 10+ when we play them, so at least we won't have to face him again and didn't give up one of the top 5 prospects (Cole, Taillon, Heredia, Marte, Hanson).

Owens is ready for a "look see" now and has a pretty good minor league track record. I think he can be a solid 4/5 right now, so I think the Astros did well on volume there.

[Swaggs]

Maybe if Hanson got pulled, something else is in the works.

Hopefully a bat.

[stevew]

Like the deal. Still have more chips if something else comes available.

[PilotMan]

I know someone out there thought that "Fistpumping Kirk Gibson Bobblehead" night was a good idea, but after seeing the actual motion of said fistpumping methinks that grin on his face is for another reason.

[Lathum]

Talk about over managing.

Runners on second and third and the Dodgers have Kershaw intentionally walk the left handed number 8 hitter hitting .220 to get to the pitcher who Kershaw then walks.

Just let the Cy Young award winner pitch the lefty-lefty match up, so stupid.

[stevew]

Looks like we owe Wandy 1.7/8.5 and 7.5 if he takes the option in 2014.

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by stevew

Looks like we owe Wandy 1.7/8.5 and 7.5 if he takes the option in 2014.

AJ Burnett 2.0. Wandy is a league average starter, and that has value, but not sure why the Pirates felt this is the move they had to make.

[stevew]

I don't think it's "the" move, but merely the first move we will make. We really need a competent hitter ar SS or corner player with power or on base skills.

[Crapshoot]

I'm a Stephen Drew bandwagon guy. I'd love to see him on either the A's or Pirates, both of whom for I think he would be a significant marginal improvement.

[Swaggs]

Originally Posted by Crapshoot

AJ Burnett 2.0. Wandy is a league average starter, and that has value, but not sure why the Pirates felt this is the move they had to make.

Kind of how I feel.

Wondering who they are going to drop from the rotation and if we'll ever get to see what we have in Jeff Locke or Justin Wilson.

[Crapshoot]

Originally Posted by Swaggs

Kind of how I feel.

Wondering who they are going to drop from the rotation and if we'll ever get to see what we have in Jeff Locke or Justin Wilson.

To be fair, as a pirates fan elsewhere pointed out to me, he's a significant improvement from Correia. And getting Wandy for a couple of seasons at relatively cheap commitment ($17M for 2.5 seasons of league average SP?).

[Scoobz0202]

Drew Stubbs, you magnificent bastard.

[larrymcg421]

Despite the misstep against the Nationals, Kimbrel still owns. He now has 42 K's since he last allowed a walk.

[Scoobz0202]

I think I just read that 30 of Chapman's last 37 outs have been strikeouts. And he has given up 3 hits in July (10.1 IP).

Freak.

[Lathum]

ARod just took what looked like a nasty hit by pitch on the hand from King Felix

[SackAttack]

Hanley Ramirez and Randy Choate to the Dodgers for Nathan Eovaldi and a minor leaguer whose last name I can't spell.

Also, I feel like for Colletti to pull that trigger, he has to be confident in acquiring an arm to replace Eovaldi in the rotation. From everything I hear, Lilly isn't close to being back.

[RedKingGold]

Hamels resigns with the Phils for 6 years, 137 million.

[RedKingGold]

Phillies have also gone 7-3 in their last ten, and are the same distance away from the wild card as the Cardinals were at this time last year.

Don't sleep on this team, they're finally getting healthy, scoring some runs, and if the pitching comes back around, they can easily go on a tear.

[Butter_of_69]

I appreciate your optimism, but I'm going to go ahead and sleep on the Phillies.

kthxbye

[cougarfreak]

Drew Stubbs, you magnificent bastard.

+1

[JPhillips]

The Cards were only three games out of the WC on July 25, 2011. The Phillies are nine games out.

Further, the Phillies are 10 games under .500 with a negative run differential. The Cards were six games over with a run differential of +29.

You can sleep on the Phillies.

[Logan]

I think the number on Hamels was $144MM according to Heyman who broke the story. Either way, serious cash. Olney posted that the Phillies have $95MM committed to Halladay, Howard, Lee, and Hamels for next year.

[PilotMan]

Originally Posted by SackAttack

Hanley Ramirez and Randy Choate to the Dodgers for Nathan Eovaldi and a minor leaguer whose last name I can't spell.

Also, I feel like for Colletti to pull that trigger, he has to be confident in acquiring an arm to replace Eovaldi in the rotation. From everything I hear, Lilly isn't close to being back.

Yeah, but you know that whoever he replaces him with isn't going to have the upside that Eovaldi does. Yeah, he's young, but he is going to be so very good. On the other side, something had to be done with third, and now something needs to be done with first.

From the sounds of it, they are ready to have Rivera play first more often. I'll miss Loney's sound D, but other than that, he has been a huge disappointment.

[lungs]

Originally Posted by RedKingGold

Phillies have also gone 7-3 in their last ten, and are the same distance away from the wild card as the Cardinals were at this time last year.

Don't sleep on this team, they're finally getting healthy, scoring some runs, and if the pitching comes back around, they can easily go on a tear.

Don't get too excited. The Phillies hammered the Brewers bullpen, which everybody has been doing