MLB 2008 Season

[KCK_Halo]

Jays Acquire Bautista

By Cork Gaines [August 21 at 2:06pm CST]
The Blue Jays have announced the acquisition of Jose Bautista from the Pirates for a player to be named later.
Bautista is making $1.8MM this season, his first of arbitration eligibility. He signed a 1-year deal last winter, avoiding arbitration. Bautista was hitting .242/.325/.404 in 107 games for the Pirates, very close to his career marks of .240/.328/.397

Jose's days were numbered with the Pirates. He never quite lived uo to his potential. (How many times have we heard THAT about a player, eh?) Nonetheless, I enjoyed watching him play when I used to watch "X" when he was a Pirate. I wish him all the best.

 

[BillD1984]

The Red Sox have signed former Astros outfielder Jason Lane, and former Reds catcher David Ross to minor league contracts.

 

[KCK_Halo]

The Red Sox have signed former Astros outfielder Jason Lane, and former Reds catcher David Ross to minor league contracts.

Bill,

I've always liked David Ross. When he played for the Dodgers he was a stand-up guy and I feel if they had stuck with him a little longer he'd have been better. Nonetheless, I think you have a good backup there.

 

[SabresRule]

Can the Nationals be classified as a disaster?

 

[BillD1984]

Bill,

I've always liked David Ross. When he played for the Dodgers he was a stand-up guy and I feel if they had stuck with him a little longer he'd have been better. Nonetheless, I think you have a good backup there.

KCK,
that's very good news, because the Red Sox are desperate for catching- both short term and long term. Jason Varitek has been a great leader for years now, but his play has certainly declined this year. Kevin Cash has served as Varitek's backup this year, but he frankly doesn't have a lot of upside. The rumor around these parts have the Red Sox seeking one of the Rangers (who have a glut at the position) catchers in the offseason.

 

[KCK_Halo]

KCK,
that's very good news, because the Red Sox are desperate for catching- both short term and long term. Jason Varitek has been a great leader for years now, but his play has certainly declined this year. Kevin Cash has served as Varitek's backup this year, but he frankly doesn't have a lot of upside. The rumor around these parts have the Red Sox seeking one of the Rangers (who have a glut at the position) catchers in the offseason.

Well Ross has been known to have some pop. However, when he went to the Reds I only saw him briefly as I channel surfed.

If you can get Saltallamachhia (sp?) from the Rangers I think you could have a long term answer. Good kid with some promise. Bobby Cox HATED to trade him away but they don't need catchers right now.

 

[BillD1984]

Well Ross has been known to have some pop. However, when he went to the Reds I only saw him briefly as I channel surfed.

If you can get Saltallamachhia (sp?) from the Rangers I think you could have a long term answer. Good kid with some promise. Bobby Cox HATED to trade him away but they don't need catchers right now.

Salty, Gerald Laird, Max Ramirez, and Taylor Teagarden are all catchers in the Rangers organization that I have heard mentioned for several teams. From what I've heard and read, Teagarden has the biggest upside of the four. The Rangers, of course, are seeking pitching in return.

 

[BillD1984]

The Blue Jays are pounding the Yankees, 13-0 in the 6th inning!

 

[SabresRule]

The Blue Jays are pounding the Yankees, 13-0 in the 6th inning!

Can we officially throw dirt on the Yankees' playoff hopes?

If anything, it would be bizarre- possibly MISSING the playoffs in the last year at Yankee Stadium.

The last time the Yankees missed the playoffs (1993), Nebraska football was unstoppable, USC football was not-so-great, and Notre Dame was actually DECENT!

 

[HD MM]

And Clifford Lee does it AGAIN! His record: 18-2! :up

Coupled with a solid outing from Lee, fan favorite Grady Sizemore led the charge against the Royals by going 4 for 5 with a HR and 7 RBI's!

This 10-3 win completes the series sweep against the Royals. The Tribe has now won 7 of their last 10 and are only 3.5 games out of third in the AL Central.

We now go on the road to play 3 against Texas and then to Detroit for another 3 game series. I have a feeling, the last month of August could go a long way in deciding the biggest disappointment team in the AL. Who's it going to be? Which team wants to end on a high note?

 

[BillD1984]

The Yankees Carl Pavano won his first game on the mound since April 2007. Pavano gave up three runs over five innings to beat the Orioles in his 2008 debut.

 

[Paul Wozniak]

The risks of free agent pitching, defined.

 

[BillD1984]

Rosenthal's Latest: Kotsay, Fuentes, Glavine, Smoltz

By Nat Boyle [August 24 at 9:34am CST]
On August 18th, Rosenthal mentioned Mark Kotsay had cleared waivers, and that Brian Fuentes had not yet been placed. Here's an update, from today's Inside Pitch video:

• The Brewers and Red Sox are both showing interest in Kotsay. The Brewers would only pursue a trade if Ryan Braun's ribcage injury worsens, and so far he looks more than fine. The Sox made a play for lefty-hitting Brian Giles before Giles vetoed the deal, so it makes sense that they'd exert similar effort toward Kotsay. Even more so now that J.D. Drew has a herniated disc.
• Brian Fuentes is expected to be put on waivers this week, a process that's not usually made public, let alone announced, so the Rockies must be keen to see if they can do better in a trade than the two first round draft picks they get by keeping Fuentes. According to Rosenthal, as things stand, the Dodgers currently have waiver priority. If they pass for salary reasons, the Phillies could be a roadblock for the Mets.
• Rosenthal also mentions a delicate situation in Atlanta: Tom Glavine and John Smoltz both want to pitch next year, and Glavine only wants to pitch for the Braves. The Braves are faced with re-signing the inevitable hall of famers without being reliant on their health as they were this year, or letting them go despite their long history with the team. Toss Mike Hampton's arm into the mix as well.

 

[BillD1984]

Olney's Latest: Sabathia, Isringhausen, Indians

By Nat Boyle [August 24 at 11:58am CST]
Buster Olney's latest below:

• False Echoes: "the phenomenon of veterans who have quickly descended from productive players into something much less that that over the last couple of years," be it from no longer using PEDs or not. Olney thinks the industry is not going to throw "long-term dollars" at players in their mid 30s. That in combination with the economy and recent successes of small market clubs spells a bad market for free agents looking for huge contracts, according to Olney. If Olney's right, that's bad news for guys like Manny Ramirez; however, Manny has shown in L.A. that he can still produce and could prove Olney wrong here.
• Overlooking all of that, Olney thinks the Dodgers could land CC Sabathia if they make a nine-figure offer. For a salary-shy team, that would come as a mild surprise. Olney suggests the Giants would go for Sabathia if not for their massive commitment to Barry Zito.
• In case you were unaware, Jason Isringhausen has thrown his last pitch as a Cardinal. He's trying to make a comeback and could make for a good low cost reclamation project for another club.
• And at the top of Mark Shapiro and the Indians to-do-list in the offseason: Find a closer.

 

[Jimbo]

Can we officially throw dirt on the Yankees' playoff hopes?

If anything, it would be bizarre- possibly MISSING the playoffs in the last year at Yankee Stadium.

The last time the Yankees missed the playoffs (1993), Nebraska football was unstoppable, USC football was not-so-great, and Notre Dame was actually DECENT!

Gasoline was only $ 1.16

Jimbo

 

[Jimbo]

Salty, Gerald Laird, Max Ramirez, and Taylor Teagarden are all catchers in the Rangers organization that I have heard mentioned for several teams. From what I've heard and read, Teagarden has the biggest upside of the four. The Rangers, of course, are seeking pitching in return.

Hopefully, the Sox will go for the catcher that can best catch a knuckleball.

Jimbo

 

[Jimbo]

Rosenthal's Latest: Kotsay, Fuentes, Glavine, Smoltz

By Nat Boyle [August 24 at 9:34am CST]
On August 18th, Rosenthal mentioned Mark Kotsay had cleared waivers, and that Brian Fuentes had not yet been placed. Here's an update, from today's Inside Pitch video:

• The Brewers and Red Sox are both showing interest in Kotsay. The Brewers would only pursue a trade if Ryan Braun's ribcage injury worsens, and so far he looks more than fine. The Sox made a play for lefty-hitting Brian Giles before Giles vetoed the deal, so it makes sense that they'd exert similar effort toward Kotsay. Even more so now that J.D. Drew has a herniated disc.
• Brian Fuentes is expected to be put on waivers this week, a process that's not usually made public, let alone announced, so the Rockies must be keen to see if they can do better in a trade than the two first round draft picks they get by keeping Fuentes. According to Rosenthal, as things stand, the Dodgers currently have waiver priority. If they pass for salary reasons, the Phillies could be a roadblock for the Mets.
• Rosenthal also mentions a delicate situation in Atlanta: Tom Glavine and John Smoltz both want to pitch next year, and Glavine only wants to pitch for the Braves. The Braves are faced with re-signing the inevitable hall of famers without being reliant on their health as they were this year, or letting them go despite their long history with the team. Toss Mike Hampton's arm into the mix as well.

I think Kotsay would fit in nicely, I've always liked him.

jimbo

 

[BillD1984]

I think Kotsay would fit in nicely, I've always liked him.

jimbo

Jimbo,
Me too. My only question about Mark Kotsay has been his ability to stay on the field.

 

[HD MM]

Olney's Latest: Sabathia, Isringhausen, Indians

By Nat Boyle [August 24 at 11:58am CST]
Buster Olney's latest below:

• False Echoes: "the phenomenon of veterans who have quickly descended from productive players into something much less that that over the last couple of years," be it from no longer using PEDs or not. Olney thinks the industry is not going to throw "long-term dollars" at players in their mid 30s. That in combination with the economy and recent successes of small market clubs spells a bad market for free agents looking for huge contracts, according to Olney. If Olney's right, that's bad news for guys like Manny Ramirez; however, Manny has shown in L.A. that he can still produce and could prove Olney wrong here.
• Overlooking all of that, Olney thinks the Dodgers could land CC Sabathia if they make a nine-figure offer. For a salary-shy team, that would come as a mild surprise. Olney suggests the Giants would go for Sabathia if not for their massive commitment to Barry Zito.
• In case you were unaware, Jason Isringhausen has thrown his last pitch as a Cardinal. He's trying to make a comeback and could make for a good low cost reclamation project for another club.
• And at the top of Mark Shapiro and the Indians to-do-list in the offseason: Find a closer.

I can see Sabathia playing with either California NL team. He was born and raised in Vallejo Cali. I'd imagine he would love to settle back there with his family and friends.

With that said, ANY NL team has got to be salivating at the opportunity to snag Sabathia. He's been dominating that league ever since he arrived and he's also an AWESOME hitter, which works perfectly in the NL system.

 

[HD MM]

This just in:

The Tribe is in the midst of a 7 game win streak!

We're now 2.5 games behind Detroit, with a 3 game series against the kitties starting tonight. Good to see the team not give up on the season. At this point, I would be satisfied for a 3rd place finish and a winning record.