MLB 2008

[papsrus]

I haven't looked at the numbers to verify this, but it seems as though the Rays' offense has improved significantly since Longoria and Crawford went down with injuries. Baldelli hit his first home run of the season tonight. Nice to see. And the Rays were tagging the ball from top to bottom tonight. Everyone in the lineup had a hit except for Upton.

Nice win.

OK, I did a quick calculation and the offense has picked up dramatically. Granted, the sample sizes for the periods encompassing the injuries to Longoria and Crawford are fairly small. Still, the uptick is pretty substantial:

Since Longoria was injured on Aug. 3 the Rays have scored 87 runs over 17 games for an average of 5.11 runs per game.

Since Crawford was injured on Aug. 9 the Rays have scored 59 over 11 games for an average of 5.3 runs per game.

In comparison, from March 1 through Aug. 2 (the day before the Longoria injury) the Rays scored 488 runs over 108 games for an average of 4.5 runs per game.

We'll see if this holds up.

(I just realized that Longoria was called up well after March 1, so I should have started the comparison sample period when he joined the roster, but I'm too lazy to refigure that now. Maybe later. I doubt it would change the number drastically though.)

I don't know. Those spring training games have a lot of guys who weren't on the roster, either.

Oops. ... March 31 - Aug. 2 is what it should have read. I'll correct the post.

Edited August 23, 2008 by papsrus

[papsrus]

Hey! There's a new rule in baseball!! Yeah, yeah. I just saw it with my own two eyes

Apparently, if you're a baserunner caught in a rundown, you can throw an elbow into one of the players on the other team chasing you, fall down like you've been shot, and ... bingo! ... you're awarded an extra base!!

Yeah, yeah. It just happened in the Rays-ChiSox game. Extra innings. One out. A.J. Pierzynski caught in a rundown. And out goes the elbow, brushing against Aybar (who was veering toward the outfield after tossing the ball to a teammate on the other side of A.J.) and ... boom ... down goes A.J. Off to third base with you then A.J. Nicely done. Excellent!

Oh, and he just scored the winning run. Fitting.

That's as bad as A-Rod flailing at the ball while running to first base against the BoSox in the playoffs. Terrible call. The umpiring crew needs to admit they blew it. They really do. Dip shits.

[BERIGAN]

Hey! There's a new rule in baseball!! Yeah, yeah. I just saw it with my own two eyes

Apparently, if you're a baserunner caught in a rundown, you can throw an elbow into one of the players on the other team chasing you, fall down like you've been shot, and ... bingo! ... you're awarded an extra base!!

Yeah, yeah. It just happened in the Rays-ChiSox game. Extra innings. One out. A.J. Pierzynski caught in a rundown. And out goes the elbow, brushing against Aybar (who was veering toward the outfield after tossing the ball to a teammate on the other side of A.J.) and ... boom ... down goes A.J. Off to third base with you then A.J. Nicely done. Excellent!

Oh, and he just scored the winning run. Fitting.

That's as bad as A-Rod flailing at the ball while running to first base against the BoSox in the playoffs. Terrible call. The umpiring crew needs to admit they blew it. They really do. Dip shits.

A.J. Pierzynski is just a sorry player, plain and simple....

[papsrus]

Man. ... that's an easy team to get a hate on for.

Mind you, the Rays should have won it in 9 innings. But backup catcher Shawn Riggans dropped the throw home that would have nailed the baserunner coming from third ... by a mile ... for the final out. I kinda knew things weren't going to pan out after that.

[Dan Gould]

There's a reason why the opposition always seems to hate Pierzinsky. Do they play the White Sox again before the playoffs, and do you plunk him? If they don't play til the playoffs, do you plunk him then?

I vote for drilling him in the next game, whenever it may happen.

In the meantime, I had the exact same feeling about our game when Delcarmen came in to try to save it after Papelbon went two shutout innings. I was even more sure after he walked the first batter. But somehow he managed, and you have to be happy with back-to-back series victories before they head to NY to wrap up the last long road trip of the year. After NY we're home for 20 of 29, and if we start the home stand with some wins over Chicago, we can hope to be in decent shape on the wild card.

[Tim McG]

There's a reason why the opposition always seems to hate Pierzinsky. Do they play the White Sox again before the playoffs, and do you plunk him? If they don't play til the playoffs, do you plunk him then?

I vote for drilling him in the next game, whenever it may happen.

He didn't make many friends in San Francisco either.

A buddy of mine who had a Giants press pass at one time said Pierzinsky was always watching Twinkies games when in the clubhouse. He couldn't be bothered with being a good teammate.

I vote plunk him.

[Chuck Nessa]

Cubs still look good.

[Neal Pomea]

2 out of 3 for Cubs against my Washington Senators, I mean Nationals.

Our TV color man, Ray Knight, said today that he saw no real weaknesses in the Cubs this year and it looks like a special team. They have the best pitching in the national league over the last 7 years, and while they always could hack they also seem to able to take walks this year. You have a good chance this year against the Mets and Phillies, both of whom have weaknesses. For a team to do well, it needs to be lucky with injuries and it needs a player to have a career season. This year you probably have 3 in Theriot, DaRosa, and Dempster.

[ejp626]

Cubs still look good.

My wife won't even let me talk about the Cubs, since she thinks I'll jinx them. They do look good though.

There's a little relief on the home front though, as she is one of the few Chicagoans who likes it when both teams are doing well (probably is 55-45 in favor of the White Sox if it came to that). Since the White Sox won the whole enchilada in 2005, some of the pressure is off.

[papsrus]

Cubs still look good.

My wife won't even let me talk about the Cubs, since she thinks I'll jinx them. They do look good though.

Damnit man! You just jinxed them!!!

(or is that only if your wife hears you talking about them?)

[ejp626]

Cubs still look good.

My wife won't even let me talk about the Cubs, since she thinks I'll jinx them. They do look good though.

Damnit man! You just jinxed them!!!

(or is that only if your wife hears you talking about them?)

Dunno. I could ask her, but then she'd know I was talking about the Cubs.

Guess I'll try to keep shtum from now on.

[Big Al]

Cubs still look good.

My wife won't even let me talk about the Cubs, since she thinks I'll jinx them. They do look good though.

Damnit man! You just jinxed them!!!

(or is that only if your wife hears you talking about them?)

Dunno. I could ask her, but then she'd know I was talking about the Cubs.

Guess I'll try to keep shtum from now on.

I already jinxed 'em on Saturday when I was talking to my cousin who's Dad lives in St. Pete but is originally from Chicago. "I wonder," I mused in that annoying way that Nat Hentoff uses when he's writing liner notes, "how cool it would be for your Dad," I said to my cousin (stop it, you're no Nat Hentoff), "if the Cubs and the Rays were in the World Series this year? Seems like it's their year, since the Red Sox and the White Sox have broken their curses."

So, when the Cubs inevitably collapse, you'll know who to blame. Sorry in advance.

Having said that, though: GO CUBS!!!!

[papsrus]

I already jinxed 'em on Saturday when I was talking to my cousin who's Dad lives in St. Pete but is originally from Chicago. "I wonder," I mused in that annoying way that Nat Hentoff uses when he's writing liner notes, "how cool it would be for your Dad," I said to my cousin (stop it, you're no Nat Hentoff), "if the Cubs and the Rays were in the World Series this year? Seems like it's their year, since the Red Sox and the White Sox have broken their curses."

So, when the Cubs inevitably collapse, you'll know who to blame. Sorry in advance.

Having said that, though: GO CUBS!!!!

Does this mean the Rays are going to win the World Series!?

... Damnit! I just jinxed them now ...

(Any no-hitters we need to get rid of while we're at it?)

[BERIGAN]

Mark Kotsay was pulled from the Starting lineup, but see nothing on mlbtraderumors.com yet....Did the Red Sox get him????

[Dan Gould]

Mark Kotsay was pulled from the Starting lineup, but see nothing on mlbtraderumors.com yet....Did the Red Sox get him????

According to Olney and Gammons, they are talking to him about his no-trade clause. Certainly wouldn't bother me, if the cost isn't significant.

[BERIGAN]

Mark Kotsay was pulled from the Starting lineup, but see nothing on mlbtraderumors.com yet....Did the Red Sox get him????

According to Olney and Gammons, they are talking to him about his no-trade clause. Certainly wouldn't bother me, if the cost isn't significant.

Oh no, nothing significant, perhaps just the next Jeff Bagwell perhaps?

[Dan Gould]

Mark Kotsay was pulled from the Starting lineup, but see nothing on mlbtraderumors.com yet....Did the Red Sox get him????

According to Olney and Gammons, they are talking to him about his no-trade clause. Certainly wouldn't bother me, if the cost isn't significant.

Oh no, nothing significant, perhaps just the next Jeff Bagwell perhaps?

That shit ain't funny, man.

[tkeith]

Mark Kotsay was pulled from the Starting lineup, but see nothing on mlbtraderumors.com yet....Did the Red Sox get him????

According to Olney and Gammons, they are talking to him about his no-trade clause. Certainly wouldn't bother me, if the cost isn't significant.

I certainly hope not. 6 HR, 37 RBI... he's basically Coco Crisp with less speed.

[zen archer]

Mark Kotsay was pulled from the Starting lineup, but see nothing on mlbtraderumors.com yet....Did the Red Sox get him????

According to Olney and Gammons, they are talking to him about his no-trade clause. Certainly wouldn't bother me, if the cost isn't significant.

I certainly hope not. 6 HR, 37 RBI... he's basically Coco Crisp with less speed.

Its a done deal..here is a snippet from fox news . I think they need him because of Drew.

Kotsay, who turns 33 on Dec. 2, has been hot in August, posting an .856 on-base/slugging percentage, his highest of any month this season.

Boston assumes the balance of his $8 million salary, which would amount to slightly more than $1.5 million.

The Braves did not plan to offer salary arbitration to Kotsay, who is a free agent at the end of the season.

Kotsay missed all of June due to a lower back strain, but since then has appeared in 40 of the Braves' 48 games.

For the season, he is batting .289 with a .338 on-base percentage, six home runs and 37 RBIs in 344 plate appearances.

[Dan Gould]

It doesn't bother me since Coco is still mostly flailing with the bat. Kotsay's playing better of late and gives Tito another option. Given the calendar, its difficult to think of a better player they could have gotten.

[Dan Gould]

And if Tito is right, this is precautionary more than anything. He told WEEI that he expects Drew to return for this weekend's series against the White Sox. So Kotsay could play once or twice and then find himself the fifth outfielder.

[MartyJazz]

Now that the Yanks are realistically, if not mathematically, dead in terms of the postseason, what's the assessment on the job Girardi did? Yeah, there are all kinds of killer injury excuses, but the fact is that Torre was 12 of 12 in making a playoff appearance (not to mention the 6 WS with four wins). The G-man is 0 for 1. Girardi of course will be back. Will be interesting to see what changes the Yanks can and will make.

[BERIGAN]

Mark Kotsay was pulled from the Starting lineup, but see nothing on mlbtraderumors.com yet....Did the Red Sox get him????

According to Olney and Gammons, they are talking to him about his no-trade clause. Certainly wouldn't bother me, if the cost isn't significant.

I certainly hope not. 6 HR, 37 RBI... he's basically Coco Crisp with less speed.

He's a better hitter than Crisp, honest. he may not be the defender Crisp is, but most fans of the Braves think he's better than Andruw Jones was in 2007. He missed a good chunk of the season, got on a roll for awhile , but after everyone on the team went ice cold, he cooled off as well. But clog the bases with runners, and he will do just fine.

He's a quality guy as well....from the AJC beat writer David O'Brien...

Kotsay left impression: To a man, every uniformed and non-uniformed Braves person that I asked had nothing but praise for Kotsay, all calling him a pro’s pro, a consummate team player who played the game right, etc.

They were all also happy for him that he was going to get to go to Boston and play in that Fenway environment for a team with a chance to go a long way in the postseason, perhaps all the way.

“I’m gonna miss him a lot,” Kelly Johnson said. “He was always there to keep it light. But at the same time, when you needed to bounce something off someone, he was always there, like mentor-older teammate guy. He was awesome. He could do it all. I’m happy for him, though.”

Will Ohman said Kotsay told him in spring training that there were three teams he always hoped he’d get to play for during his career: Braves, Red Sox, Yankees.

“Now he’s getting to play for two of them in one year,” Ohman said.

[Dan Gould]

Now that the Yanks are realistically, if not mathematically, dead in terms of the postseason, what's the assessment on the job Girardi did? Yeah, there are all kinds of killer injury excuses, but the fact is that Torre was 12 of 12 in making a playoff appearance (not to mention the 6 WS with four wins). The G-man is 0 for 1. Girardi of course will be back. Will be interesting to see what changes the Yanks can and will make.

I always felt Girardi was a poor choice and I think you can fairly say that Torre's laid back approach fostered confidence that they could turn things around while Girardi's grinding-his-teeth intensity is not conducive to come backs. But Girardi gets a pass for this season, for better or worse. It will be real interesting to see what happens. I think they have to wave goodbye to Giambi - he can't hit for any sort of average anymore and his splits against power pitchers is atrocious. Only his numbers against "finesse" guys make his season almost look like he still has a productive bat.

Abreu is a tougher decision but I think that like Theo made the decision to get younger, so should Cash (assuming he comes back). Abreu's numbers on offense are pretty good but for how much longer? Plus his defense continues to be shoddy when he gets near a wall.

Pettitte is a big question mark to me. He probably will decide to return so that he can play in the new stadium, but he shouldn't expect the same 16 million. He's not the guy he used to be.

Mussina is another question mark. Does he go out on a high note? If he doesn't can he keep it up and pitch this well again? History suggests otherwise. His success has been a function of not walking batters and keeping the ball in the park. I don't know how you can be certain that he will not only stay healthy again but will maintain that level either.

So who do they go after? Teixeira is the obvious choice, and I suspect that the pitching problems this year will mean that they'll throw money at Sabathia.

But whatever happens they will still have a fundamentally old roster - Jeter has turned into a singles hitter and is 34; Posada may have trouble with his shoulder and have to play first (so long Teix, we hardly knew ye); Mariano had a great year in save situations but he'll be what, 39? Damon was better but may have to play CF regularly to play out his contract and keep the spot warm for their top position prospect whose name I can't recall. And last but not least there is Matsui, who seems to be paying the price now for being the Iron Man earlier in his career. If healthy he can hit but he should be kept out of the outfield most of the time. Nady will help there but if they let Abreu go, they'll still have an OF spot to fill.

[Dan Gould]

What's strange about that comment at the end, Conrad, is that Boston was on Kotsay's no-trade list, and they had to make a nearly $400,000 payment to get him to drop the objection.