MLB 2009 Season

[PHILLYQ]

Kazmir to the Angels???

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4429766

Outside of salary it makes no sense for Tampa Bay to do the deal- they're 4 out of the WC.

[Dan Gould]

Kazmir to the Angels???

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4429766

There are multiple reports about this so it seems likely it will happen but it makes zero sense, IMHO. The Rays are trying to win the WC and if they do, they'll face the Angels. Why make a trade that makes their path to the ALCS harder? Why make their opponent, who has won with hitting and mediocre pitching for the most part, better? I could understand if they put Kazmir on the market in November but why do it now?

[Matthew]

Kazmir to the Angels???

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4429766

There are multiple reports about this so it seems likely it will happen but it makes zero sense, IMHO. The Rays are trying to win the WC and if they do, they'll face the Angels. Why make a trade that makes their path to the ALCS harder? Why make their opponent, who has won with hitting and mediocre pitching for the most part, better? I could understand if they put Kazmir on the market in November but why do it now?

This is the type of crap small market teams pull all the time, building up good teams, then dumping players claiming payroll issues, and so insure they will always be second rate clubs. Baseball needs to get rid of the Florida clubs because hardly anyone in FLA gives a darn about baseball. Some other teams could be lost and baseball would be the better for it.

[Chalupa]

Kazmir to the Angels???

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4429766

There are multiple reports about this so it seems likely it will happen but it makes zero sense, IMHO. The Rays are trying to win the WC and if they do, they'll face the Angels. Why make a trade that makes their path to the ALCS harder? Why make their opponent, who has won with hitting and mediocre pitching for the most part, better? I could understand if they put Kazmir on the market in November but why do it now?

Paps, what's the story here?? He's got a 5.92 ERA but he's pitched pretty well in past 3 starts. It just can't be salary shredding.

[Tim McG]

Very cool series between the Giants & Rockies this weekend. The stars lined up for San Francisco and they have Lincecum, Zito, and Cain pitching, so I would be very disappointed if the Giants do not take at least 2 of 3. Of course, I would not complain if they swept either...

I hope they do well, too. But if they keep making errors and mental mistakes like they have since last Saturday....it is going to be a looooong series.

Grrrrr

Edited August 28, 2009 by GoodSpeak

[Tim McG]

Very cool series between the Giants & Rockies this weekend. The stars lined up for San Francisco and they have Lincecum, Zito, and Cain pitching, so I would be very disappointed if the Giants do not take at least 2 of 3. Of course, I would not complain if they swept either...

i don't see them taking two of three if they trot out Wynn, Iskikawa and Fred Lewis as the 3-4-5 hitters again this weekend.

Tim will have to go 8 with 1 earned run to just get the no decision tonight.

That's a fact.

Both Lincecum and Cain haven't been supported much this last week. I even feel a little bad for Zito, too.

I mean, what is going on with these guys anyway?

[Quincy]

Kazmir to the Angels???

I think it's money related. The Rays only average about 24,000 fans a game. This is the best since the team debut but still near the bottom in league attendance. The Angels need a starter now and Torres looks like he may be a high quality lefty starter. Hard to say if they'd offer as much in the winter. Sweeney has signs of power & patience (fielding looks iffy) so that's a nice bonus. Given that Kazmir has had injuries 3 out of the past 4 years and also has had his control wander maybe they figure it's better to unload him. There were rumors of Crawford being traded earlier as part of cost control.

A damn shame they signed Burrell to the fat contract, although to be fair he's had a good August and they needed an OF at the time, not a pitcher.

[Dan Gould]

It is money related, but the Rays have enough talent to let a guy who is starting a relatively expensive contract go - but what no one is mentioning is how foolish it is to do this on August 29, and then trading him to the team you'll meet in the playoffs which you are only a few games out right now - with six games against the stumblebums who are hanging on by their teeth.

And anyway, the deal is dead anyway. I am sure the Rays will dangle Kazmir in the off-season, along with Carl Crawford. They've got the talent to survive and thrive and unlike the Marlins, they won't have to have a couple of horrible years before they see the benefits of dumping players.

[Matthew]

I can't figure out Beckett to save my life. He looks untouchable for five batters, then he gets pounded, then goes back to being untouchable, then gets pounded, I don't get his act in the least.

[Dan Gould]

Why on God's green Earth do I let those fuckers pull me back in? They truly have no fucking chance in hell if Beckett is slumping, or more likely, hurt.

April, May, June, July: 10 homers allowed

August: TWELVE

I think it was four last time against the Jays, five to the Yankees in that disastrous embarrassment, two more to the Jays now tonight, the second coming after the bats came alive and erased a three run deficit. Completely fucking brutal - and it makes it once again more and more like 2006 all over again. Back then when he popped his A.L. East cherry, it seemed like he was on pace to allow 50 homers, which is the pace he's set this month.

Is there hope that everyone else can continue to lose tonight? I guess - 3-0 Minnesota over Texas and Detroit is five up on the Rays, but Jesus Christ - there is no way in hell they can hope to compete down the stretch if their "ace" and "Cy Young candidate" is pitching like this.

Well - Bay erases this latest gopher ball by hitting one of his own. And with Nick Green mopping up last night's disaster, I guess the bullpen is ready to go. Please Tito, don't send that waste product out for the sixth.

[PHILLYQ]

It is money related, but the Rays have enough talent to let a guy who is starting a relatively expensive contract go - but what no one is mentioning is how foolish it is to do this on August 29, and then trading him to the team you'll meet in the playoffs which you are only a few games out right now - with six games against the stumblebums who are hanging on by their teeth.

And anyway, the deal is dead anyway. I am sure the Rays will dangle Kazmir in the off-season, along with Carl Crawford. They've got the talent to survive and thrive and unlike the Marlins, they won't have to have a couple of horrible years before they see the benefits of dumping players.

MLB.com is reporting it as a done deal:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/pre...jsp&c_id=tb

[Matthew]

It is money related, but the Rays have enough talent to let a guy who is starting a relatively expensive contract go - but what no one is mentioning is how foolish it is to do this on August 29, and then trading him to the team you'll meet in the playoffs which you are only a few games out right now - with six games against the stumblebums who are hanging on by their teeth.

And anyway, the deal is dead anyway. I am sure the Rays will dangle Kazmir in the off-season, along with Carl Crawford. They've got the talent to survive and thrive and unlike the Marlins, they won't have to have a couple of horrible years before they see the benefits of dumping players.

MLB.com is reporting it as a done deal:

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/pre...jsp&c_id=tb

Angels could be getting a great young lefty for years to come... or they could be getting Steve Avery....

PS: Dang, Iskikawa is getting close to being useless for the Giants in the clutch.

Edited August 29, 2009 by Matthew

[Quincy]

It is money related, but the Rays have enough talent to let a guy who is starting a relatively expensive contract go - but what no one is mentioning is how foolish it is to do this on August 29, and then trading him to the team you'll meet in the playoffs which you are only a few games out right now - with six games against the stumblebums who are hanging on by their teeth.

I agree from the stand point of a game of baseball it looks stupid. However, I think there may be some franchises that are so desperate for money where they need it NOW, or closer to now than a few months from now. I don't know any dirty details about the Ray's ownership, but you think of some of the arrogant jerks (such as the Cubs' last owner) along with other rich folk who made seriously awful investments...(Imagine if any in Tampa ownership invested in FL real estate during the bubble?) Like I said, I don't have a clue about TB financial details, just saying such tough times could lead to needing money over trying win to wild card, sad to say.

[Matthew]

It is money related, but the Rays have enough talent to let a guy who is starting a relatively expensive contract go - but what no one is mentioning is how foolish it is to do this on August 29, and then trading him to the team you'll meet in the playoffs which you are only a few games out right now - with six games against the stumblebums who are hanging on by their teeth.

I agree from the stand point of a game of baseball it looks stupid. However, I think there may be some franchises that are so desperate for money where they need it NOW, or closer to now than a few months from now. I don't know any dirty details about the Ray's ownership, but you think of some of the arrogant jerks (such as the Cubs' last owner) along with other rich folk who made seriously awful investments...(Imagine if any in Tampa ownership invested in FL real estate during the bubble?) Like I said, I don't have a clue about TB financial details, just saying such tough times could lead to needing money over trying win to wild card, sad to say.

Exhibit one for the financial problems is supposedly the Mets, who are in deep financial doo-doo. I keep hearing that the owner lost 700 million in the Madoff swindle. Panda hit just one out for the Giants, 1-0.

[PHILLYQ]

It is money related, but the Rays have enough talent to let a guy who is starting a relatively expensive contract go - but what no one is mentioning is how foolish it is to do this on August 29, and then trading him to the team you'll meet in the playoffs which you are only a few games out right now - with six games against the stumblebums who are hanging on by their teeth.

I agree from the stand point of a game of baseball it looks stupid. However, I think there may be some franchises that are so desperate for money where they need it NOW, or closer to now than a few months from now. I don't know any dirty details about the Ray's ownership, but you think of some of the arrogant jerks (such as the Cubs' last owner) along with other rich folk who made seriously awful investments...(Imagine if any in Tampa ownership invested in FL real estate during the bubble?) Like I said, I don't have a clue about TB financial details, just saying such tough times could lead to needing money over trying win to wild card, sad to say.

Exhibit one for the financial problems is supposedly the Mets, who are in deep financial doo-doo. I keep hearing that the owner lost 700 million in the Madoff swindle. Panda hit just one out for the Giants, 1-0.

There are rumors that the Wilpons will sell the Mets, that they didn't fire Minaya because they didn't want to eat his contract, that the budget for next year will be much lower- that's all possible. The Wilpons did lose a bundle to Made-off.

[Chalupa]

It is money related, but the Rays have enough talent to let a guy who is starting a relatively expensive contract go - but what no one is mentioning is how foolish it is to do this on August 29, and then trading him to the team you'll meet in the playoffs which you are only a few games out right now - with six games against the stumblebums who are hanging on by their teeth.

I agree from the stand point of a game of baseball it looks stupid. However, I think there may be some franchises that are so desperate for money where they need it NOW, or closer to now than a few months from now. I don't know any dirty details about the Ray's ownership, but you think of some of the arrogant jerks (such as the Cubs' last owner) along with other rich folk who made seriously awful investments...(Imagine if any in Tampa ownership invested in FL real estate during the bubble?) Like I said, I don't have a clue about TB financial details, just saying such tough times could lead to needing money over trying win to wild card, sad to say.

Exhibit one for the financial problems is supposedly the Mets, who are in deep financial doo-doo. I keep hearing that the owner lost 700 million in the Madoff swindle. Panda hit just one out for the Giants, 1-0.

There are rumors that the Wilpons will sell the Mets, that they didn't fire Minaya because they didn't want to eat his contract, that the budget for next year will be much lower- that's all possible. The Wilpons did lose a bundle to Made-off.

I think the Mets' financial problems are not as bad as everyone may think. Remember they got $400 million from Citigroup TARP funds earlier this year....

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/13/mets.ballpark/

[Matthew]

Great 2-0 win by the Giants tonight. Lincecum went eight innings and pitched great. Giant offense stunk but, thank goodness, panda hit one out to win the game. Lewis comes in and blows everyone away for the save, now let's see if Zito can keep the momentum going. It was one of those games that remind me why baseball the greatest sport of all.

[papsrus]

Sorry I didn't jump in on the Kazmir thing earlier. At work.

They had to beat the Aug. 31 deadline for him to qualify for the Angels' postseason roster. It seems pretty obviously a salary dump. I think Kaz was owed something like $22.5 mil. over two years? Not sure about that, but I think it's close. He was pitching much better of late, but the bottom line is they needed to clear some salary in one way or another in order to take a serious run at re-signing Crawford, a much higher priority.

The emergence of Niemann (12-5, 3.87), combined with Kaz's injuries, general inconsistency over the last two seasons now, and his propensity to rack up high pitch counts in the early to middle innings, plus the fact that they can bring up a fairly experienced guy in Sonnanstine, all combined to make the decision the least-worst option, I think.

Niemann, btw, typically goes deeper into a game than Kaz is able to.

They probably still feel like they can make a run at the BoSox with Sonnanstine in the rotation, but the fans will pretty much see this for what it is, and accept that as a small-market team, it was a necessary evil in order to try to keep Crawford.

I think honestly the Rays have more problems in the bullpen, as in they have no real closer, than they do in the starting rotation, Kaz or no Kaz.

Wish him the best. I know he was well-liked on a pretty tight team.

EDIT: someone wondered about the ownership above. Stuart Sternberg has shown over and over again he is a vast, immense improvement over the previous ownership; a guy willing to make the maneuvers necessary to mold a highly competitive and pretty exciting team in a really tough division. He's one of he good ones, I think.

Edited August 29, 2009 by papsrus

[Dan Gould]

There's an argument for letting Kazmir go beyond his ballooning salary - his performance is going down along with his velocity, and his strikeout rate too, and its not like the guy showed Sabathia level skill at avoiding the DL. His elbow has been a problem on more than one occasion, iirc. So maybe the Rays figured that between the medical risk and the price, now was the time. Still makes no sense to make this trade now, unless getting these particular prospects plus saving his salary for the balance of the year were that important. Otherwise who knows what they might have gotten on a more open market during the off-season (that is, as teams focus on their rosters and the free agents shake out, Kazmir might have netted much more).

Meanwhile in Boston, I can only say "Wow". Talk about not counting your chickens. Wakefield's back has acted up and he is scratched from his start in Tampa on Tuesday. They are pushing back Lester who was scheduled for Sunday and now Sunday is an open question - with Paul Fucking Byrd a leading candidate since he pitched for Pawtucket on Tuesday.

The baseball Gods just fucking hate my team.

[Patrick]

The baseball Gods just fucking hate my team.

I hate when that happens, especially when it's all season long.

[papsrus]

One more tidbit on the Kazmir deal. Apparently Maddon is excited about "the player to be named later."

I had always thought that designation meant the two teams had narrowed the choices down to a few players, but hadn't finalized which one it would be. Apparently the designation, at least in this case, means -- we know who it is but we're keeping it under wraps for now.

[papsrus]

There's an argument for letting Kazmir go beyond his ballooning salary - his performance is going down along with his velocity, and his strikeout rate too, and its not like the guy showed Sabathia level skill at avoiding the DL. His elbow has been a problem on more than one occasion, iirc. So maybe the Rays figured that between the medical risk and the price, now was the time. Still makes no sense to make this trade now, unless getting these particular prospects plus saving his salary for the balance of the year were that important. Otherwise who knows what they might have gotten on a more open market during the off-season (that is, as teams focus on their rosters and the free agents shake out, Kazmir might have netted much more).

I agree on the reasons for letting him go. And you're probably right about his value on the open market in the off-season. I'm wondering if Maddon's connections to the Angels have anything to do with the deal. He spent a lot of years there. Could be some kind of quid pro quo thing going on where the Angels now owe him one. Gentleman's agreement, of course. ... (wishful thinking).

[Matthew]

One more tidbit on the Kazmir deal. Apparently Maddon is excited about "the player to be named later."

I had always thought that designation meant the two teams had narrowed the choices down to a few players, but hadn't finalized which one it would be. Apparently the designation, at least in this case, means -- we know who it is but we're keeping it under wraps for now.

I wonder if the Angles can keep the player on their roster until the off-season? That would seem kind of messed up if so, getting a player for free for the rest of the year.

[Dan Gould]

I would guess the PTBNL is someone who is on the 40 man roster but wouldn't pass through waivers at this time, so they will wait until after the season to complete the deal. Doesn't mean it isn't someone who might be called up in September but I think typically that person's season will end with his minor league team's season and he'll go to Tampa once the season is over.

[papsrus]

Makes sense.