MLB 2009 Season

[Noj]

Hey, my glee is not so much directed at you, WB3--but to our boy GoodSpeak who drops F bombs on my Dodgers left and right.

The Dodgers get the pleasure of going into Colorado with them on the high from that win. Hopefully we'll knock the Rockies back down a notch or two. The bats have got to come to life here at some point. If not, the lead will be entirely blown.

[WorldB3]

What was the deal with Spilborgh tossing the helmet? Come on dude, act like you've hit a game winning grand slam in the bottom the 14th with your team down by two before.

Assuming he did this after passing third base, he's only doing what Big Papi started. Ortiz got tired of the pounding headaches he'd get if he went into the dogpile with his helmet on, and 24 guys pounded on his head. Apparently helmets really amplify the force being exerted on the hero's head.

it was a joke, I don't expect anybody to to act like they have hit a 14th inning walk off grand slam before.

Good Speak, Jenkins is right on money again as always.

Lots of goats last night, Zito wasn't one of them.

Edited August 25, 2009 by WorldB3

[Dan Gould]

Its possible that Wagner isn't quite as stupid as the Globe is reporting that while the arbitration thing was one stumbling block, the larger stumbling block was coming to a pennant race and throwing high leverage innings that mean something and possibly injuring himself.

Given that he wants another decent size contract and to reach 400 saves, I can understand if he wants to make sure he is healthy going into free agency.

[papsrus]

Its possible that Wagner isn't quite as stupid as the Globe is reporting that while the arbitration thing was one stumbling block, the larger stumbling block was coming to a pennant race and throwing high leverage innings that mean something and possibly injuring himself.

Given that he wants another decent size contract and to reach 400 saves, I can understand if he wants to make sure he is healthy going into free agency.

Or, to put it another way, he's more interested in maximizing his earning potential and his personal stats than in competing for a championship. I'm not sure that's someone you want on your team. Will he hold back because he doesn't want to risk injury heading into free agency? Screw that. I want the guy who is hungry, who will run through a wall for his teammates.

But, I guess the reality is, modern athletes are too often not motivated by championships, but rather $$$$ and individual achievements. (Maybe good if you're a tennis player. Not so good if you're a relief pitcher on a team in a pennant race.)

[Dan Gould]

I don't want to defend the guy too much but he's lost a year of his career and in the meantime the team that signed him went for even bigger dollars to someone else. He's most concerned with signing as a closer somewhere next year, and given that he returned from TJ surgery faster than expected, I would believe it if his doctors said there is a risk in going all out for the next eight weeks.

OTOH, if he really is holding out on the issue of the arbitration/compensation, F-him.

[Tim McG]

What was the deal with Spilborgh tossing the helmet? Come on dude, act like you've hit a game winning grand slam in the bottom the 14th with your team down by two before.

Assuming he did this after passing third base, he's only doing what Big Papi started. Ortiz got tired of the pounding headaches he'd get if he went into the dogpile with his helmet on, and 24 guys pounded on his head. Apparently helmets really amplify the force being exerted on the hero's head.

it was a joke, I don't expect anybody to to act like they have hit a 14th inning walk off grand slam before.

Good Speak, Jenkins is right on money again as always.

Lots of goats last night, Zito wasn't one of them.

That's a fact, too.

I mean, walking the opposing pitcher with the bases loaded???

WTF was that all about?

Edited August 25, 2009 by GoodSpeak

[Dan Gould]

Well, now there are multiple reports that a deal is done, or expected, or being completed.

It sure would be nice to have a power lefty to bring in against someone like Abreu, or Matsui and Damon and the other MFY taking aim at the Little League fence in right field. Okajima is OK, and guys like Ramirez and Delcarmen have good splits against lefties but its not the same as calling in a guy like Wagner.

Of course, it could be just like 2007 when Gag-Me was acquired - but hey, 2007 turned out OK in the end.

Now if Wakefield and Matsuzaka can return and be effective, I think we would have a shot at reaching the playoffs and doing some damage.

[Tim McG]

Hey, my glee is not so much directed at you, WB3--but to our boy GoodSpeak who drops F bombs on my Dodgers left and right.

The Dodgers get the pleasure of going into Colorado with them on the high from that win. Hopefully we'll knock the Rockies back down a notch or two. The bats have got to come to life here at some point. If not, the lead will be entirely blown.

Actually, I hope the Rockies knock the Dodgers out of 1st.

Then, looking ahead to September, I hope the Giants send them from the WC.

It would be a great year!

[Dan Gould]

Not official but cost appears to be two prospects who are to be named later (Masserati of the Globe) or are already identified but nameless right now (Cafardo of the Globe). Funny how two guys from the same paper have different info. Must be working on different rolodexes.

Anyway - this has to be an upgrade, and if Papelbon has any sense, he'll go introduce himself and tell him he's excited to have the chance to watch one of the great closers up close as he goes about his business.

[WorldB3]

"That's a fact, too.

I mean, walking the oposing pitcher with the bases loaded???

WTF was that all about?"

I am so hating on Rowand right now. Comes up in the 9th with runner on second no outs and whiffs on 3 pitches. wtf.. your job in life at the moment is to get the runner over. at least he didn't pop up the first pitch like everybody else did all night.

Thing is back in May if you would told me this series would have meant something I would have taken it. In a way its good to be pissed about the Giants instead of indifferent because they are so bad.

[Dan Gould]

Its possible that Wagner isn't quite as stupid as the Globe is reporting that while the arbitration thing was one stumbling block, the larger stumbling block was coming to a pennant race and throwing high leverage innings that mean something and possibly injuring himself.

Given that he wants another decent size contract and to reach 400 saves, I can understand if he wants to make sure he is healthy going into free agency.

Or, to put it another way, he's more interested in maximizing his earning potential and his personal stats than in competing for a championship. I'm not sure that's someone you want on your team. Will he hold back because he doesn't want to risk injury heading into free agency? Screw that. I want the guy who is hungry, who will run through a wall for his teammates.

I guess he reconsidered the chance to go deep into October. WEEI tweet:

Billy Wagner's agent, Bean Stringfellow, emailed me...Wagner waived his no-trade. Stringfellow: "He changed his mind last minute."

Now I need J.H. to tell me more about Wagner's mouth. As I responded to him before, as a Met, Wagner stood up and pointed out that the Latinos all run out of the clubhouse after a loss but he's always there to face the media. That kind of thing isn't going to be an issue in Boston but I really don't know what else he may have said in the past.

I should also mention that some sportswriter claimed that the Red Sox interest was in part due to concern about Papelbon and his troubles. That makes it possible that Wagner could be asked to close occasionally anyway.

[Dan Gould]

Some more good news for the Mets - apparently Santana will only require arthroscopic surgery on his elbow and should be ready for 2010. Still it can't be good when your super-expensive stud pitcher goes under the knife. But this is way better than it could be.

[Tim McG]

"That's a fact, too.

I mean, walking the oposing pitcher with the bases loaded???

WTF was that all about?"

I am so hating on Rowand right now. Comes up in the 9th with runner on second no outs and whiffs on 3 pitches. wtf.. your job in life at the moment is to get the runner over. at least he didn't pop up the first pitch like everybody else did all night.

Thing is back in May if you would told me this series would have meant something I would have taken it. In a way its good to be pissed about the Giants instead of indifferent because they are so bad.

I'm not crazy about it either, WB3

The Giants can get the guys on base but have one helluva time scoring anybody. Lead-off triples go for naught, two men on no out and everybody's popping up the first pitch. Then, my personal favorite, a weak dribbler to 2B for a double play.

And don't even get me started on Romo plunking a guy on Sunday to walk over a run with the bases loaded!

Grrrrr

Edited August 25, 2009 by GoodSpeak

[Tim McG]

Though it was cool seeing Lincecum put in as a pinch runner....kid can do it all!

[Chalupa]

Phils come back and score two runs in the top of the 9th to grab the lead vs. the Pirates tonight. And then

Bradley Thomas Lidge

entered the game to pitch the bottom of the 9th.

5 pitches.

3 hits.

3 runs.

9th blown save.

0 - 6 record.

7.33 ERA.

Forget the repeat, WFC.

[Dan Gould]

I saw the highlights on MLB Network and almost posted about it. Funny how the goat from the top of the ninth who broke in on the line drive and turned it into at triple is the hero of the bottom of the inning. The WFC have to make a change and get someone in there as closer before the season is over. Or maybe make a deal with Cleveland for Wood? I'd think he's gone through waivers, I certainly didn't hear that there were claims. Granted he hasn't pitched like he did in Chicago but he can't be worse than Lidge and he might help a lot. Seems to me the WFC would be crazy to even put Lidge on the playoff roster at this point.

[WorldB3]

Is Big Al still with us? Worried about a heart attack after hearing that Texas was up by five going into the 9th and the Yanks scored 4.

[PHILLYQ]

Is Big Al still with us? Worried about a heart attack after hearing that Texas was up by five going into the 9th and the Yanks scored 4.

I really thought the Yanks might pull that one out. To me it was a curious decision to have Swisher bunt- I don't know the stats but I don't think he's bunted much in his career and he looked quite awkward trying to bunt.

[vajerzy]

What does WFC stand for?

[PHILLYQ]

What does WFC stand for?

World F----- Champions

[Dan Gould]

I just discovered a little complication in the Red Sox acquisition of Wagner along with their plan to activate Wakefield today. They've said that Penny would be the long man both today and tomorrow for Tazawa, assuming he isn't needed early for Wakefield tonight - but he isn't suited to the bullpen. But looking at the roster, there's only one obvious guy to be DFA'd or demoted - Enrique Gonzales, the last guy in the bullpen who has pitched to a 5.93 career ERA over parts of 4 seasons.

So, if Penny stays on the roster, how do you add both Wakefield and Wagner? There's no one to be traded or released out of the bullpen with Saito, Delcarmen, Ramirez, Bard and Okajima backing up Papelbon, they traded for Kotchman because he's under team control for another two years, Green is the backup infielder and Baldelli is the backup outfielder.

Unless there is someone in the bullpen they are going to creatively disable, I have to assume that Wagner is not getting activated immediately - if that is allowed under league rules. They DFA Gonzales and activate Wakefield today. Then after they've used Penny as insurance against a short outing by Wake or Tazawa, Penny is DFA'd and Wagner is activated. If its true that Wagner won't pitch more than every third day, he wouldn't be available to pitch before Thursday anyway. Penny better be spending his time getting packed. And I presume its OK to trade for an active member of one team's roster without immediately adding him to your own. Or else someone is going on the DL and they'll be shorthanded until rosters expand next Tuesday.

[Big Al]

Is there any jury in the world who would convict Kevin Millwood for a double-homicide if Grilli & Fransisco had blown that lead? I'd be the first to vote NOT GUILTY. I'm glad I didn't watch, I would've gone completely apeshit.

Thank God for Elvis Andrus, though; I was completely wrong about this guy. Putting him at SS and moving Young to third is turning out to be a much better move than a lot of people (myself included) thought at the beginning of the season.

Could be worse I suppose: at least Brad Lidge isn't on the Rangers.

Yet.

[vajerzy]

What does WFC stand for?

World F----- Champions

Well that's nice......

[Soulstation1]

1920 newspaper

[Soulstation1]

1948 tix stub