Sunday morning things
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 26, 2009 10:13 AM CDT
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PrintAn opportunity to get back to .500 today, with Brandon McCarthy on the mound.
This is on the heels of a solid start by Scott Feldman, a guy who I thought all along should have been in the rotation to start the season and got kind of screwed over this spring. And don't look now, but the Ranger rotation ERA is down to 5.67 on the season, and isn't the worst in baseball. Even their overall ERA, despite the bad start, isn't the worst in baseball. Hey, you have to take what you can get at this point...
Jeff Wilson says that, despite the strong start, Feldman is only guaranteed one more start, and then could be back in the rotation. He also said the plan was for Derek Holland to go the final four innings, but that Holland tired, resulting in him getting lifted.
T.R. Sullivan's game story focuses on Feldman and Holland, and Sullivan says that Feldman adjusted his windup upon returning to the rotation in order to better keep his mechanics in sync.
z has a post up at the DMN blog this morning, looking at the importance of each of the four pitchers that threw for Texas last night, and talking about how they fit in the overall plan going forward.
Evan Grant says that Ron Washington, on the hot seat for so long, seems to be hitting all the right buttons as of late.
Wilson also has some notes up this morning, including some discussion of the bullpen session Vicente Padilla had with Mike Maddux, where some adjustments were made that brought Padilla's velocity back.
Sullivan has a story up about the work Salty did in the offseason to improve his defense, and the results that the team is seeing from that.
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Holland got tired?
huh?
I use to love to hit, I use to take it serious. I only got one at bat a year, maybe...but, I took it serious. I hit 1.000 one year, if i had another at bat, I'd hit 2.000...
If Holland could have made it through one more inning, he would have had his first Major League save. But he was ready to come out.
“I’m not going to lie to you, I was a little fatigued,” Holland said. “I’m not used to coming out of the bullpen, it’s all new to me.”
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 26, 2009 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Probably had lots of adrenaline going
plus Nadel said the conditions were summer-like for Baltimore.
Temp in the mid 80’s with 40% humidity.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 26, 2009 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions
yeah
his day by day preparation is probably all screwed up right now…
sad.
I use to love to hit, I use to take it serious. I only got one at bat a year, maybe...but, I took it serious. I hit 1.000 one year, if i had another at bat, I'd hit 2.000...
Why is that sad?
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"I guess it’s tough to look good when you play on the same team as Marcus Lemon." -Trip Somers.
"Congratulations, Mr. Somers. You just made THE LIST." -The Newberg, after reading the above comment.
by thedirkatron on Apr 26, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions
because
he’s not use to it,a nd we’re jerking him around to get use to it quickly, not in the minors, but in the majors…
sad.
I use to love to hit, I use to take it serious. I only got one at bat a year, maybe...but, I took it serious. I hit 1.000 one year, if i had another at bat, I'd hit 2.000...
He's not being jerked around
And it isn’t sad.
Quit being ridiculous.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 26, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions
jerked around
would be occasionally starting, then being named the setup guy, then being used in long relief.
I can see how someone would think that Joba has been jerked around, but that is more from the fact that every debate about his usage has headlined Sportscenter. If the Rangers stick with Holland in this role for a while: pitch every 3 or 4 days for 2 or 3 innings; they’ll be in good shape. Holland will gradually get used to the pressure of MLB games in different contexts and learn what works, what doesn’t against certain hitters.
I’m almost happy he gave up a home run in the 7th inning of a 6-1 game yesterday. He’s going to make mistakes – better for him to learn why they are mistakes without the peanut gallery demanding he be demoted for them.
Because putting a starter into the bullpen leads to great tragedies
it absolutely ruined the career of that Johan Santana, Kenny Rogers, Nolan Ryan, Derek Lowe, and many, many others.
4/10/09 - Josh Hamilton's last walk.
Starters vs. Relievers
100% agree. Perhaps “sad” is not the best word. But, if an MLB club intends to make a top prospect a reliever, why not expose him to relief pitching in the minors at some point?
I don't think they are planning on making him a reliever
I think they are planning on making him a starter, but are having him get his feet wet in the majors by pitching out of the bullpen on a short-term basis.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 26, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions
Holland
That’s true. And I know teams do that. But, I would prefer that we use Holland the way Detroit has used Porcello. As a starter.
Yes, we have bull pen issues to solve, but, why jack with Holland? You know? Every one else maybe, but not him.
I don't see it as jacking with Holland
I see it as taking a highly regarded guy and smoothing the transition in making the leap to the big leagues — and doing it in a park that is very hard on pitchers — by letting him get his feet wet in an easier setting.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 26, 2009 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Billingsley broke in that way. As did Pedro. Liriano and Johan, too. Oh, and Nolan. And too many others to mention.
Breaking a guy in via the long man role is not tantamount to “jacking” with him.
Nor does it mean we’re converting him to a reliever.
This idea that we’re messing with him long term by in order to solve temporary bullpen issues is confusing to me.
It’s a method for getting guys used to the majors, and it’s fine.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on Apr 26, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions
reply
I hear you guys on this, let’s omit the word: Sad/Jacking.
I’m just saying. About 7 days ago, Holland was scheduled to start in OKC. Now he’s being asked to pitch in long relief. Twice so far. AND. He complained of fatigued after 3 innings. BIG DEAL? No. Cause of concern? Perhaps. After all, most athletes struggle to admit things like fatigue. Maybe his arm hurts too?
I think the plan is
always to make them starters. I think the plan is to expose them to MLB hitters a couple hitters or innings at a time.
4/10/09 - Josh Hamilton's last walk.
Pitching Routine
That’s my concern. Pitching on 1-3 days rest is a different animal. Especially if you’ve been conditioning for years to perform the other way. Some pitchers are rubber arm pitchers, less soreness, less fatigue, less warm-up time. Perhaps Holland is that type. If I knew that I’d be less (or more) concerned.
Yah, I'm sure they took that into account.
This is their little golden-armed dream factory we’re talking about here, you don’t think they consulted with their scouts and minor league pitching coaches on whether this particular guy could handle this method of introduction to the majors?
Cause I do.
They’d have to be retarded flipper-babies not to do this.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on Apr 26, 2009 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions
I can't believe that Feldman would be the guy to come out of rotation and not Harrison unless Harrison totally turns things around in his next start.
Cause that nibbling hussy-slut could use some minor league time to implement some changes, cause what he’s got right now ain’t gonna cut it at this level.
Feldman has the look of a guy who can become the back of the rotation LAIE we’ve needed so freaking badly over the years.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
"I guess it’s tough to look good when you play on the same team as Marcus Lemon." -Trip Somers.
"Congratulations, Mr. Somers. You just made THE LIST." -The Newberg, after reading the above comment.
yep...
no doubt. Harrison is the one guy who needs to be in the minor leagues working on his pitches. Feldman is a legitimate starter in this league and if we keep hurting him and our team by putting him in the bullpen its gonna drive me crazy
Chris (NJ): I am personally offended at how you ranked a prospect from my favorite team, even though I do not know said prospect, nor have I ever seen him play. In my opinion you only have your job because, like your employers, you have an unholy bias towards my favorite team’s rival. Also, you’re short.
Keith Law: You’re right. I am short.
feldman
big question is what can he do the third time through the batting order – or if he can ever be effective into the 6th and 7th innings (fatigue probably has more to do with it than batters picking something up on him).
hopefully the bouncing back from rotation to bullpen to rotation doesn’t mess with his stamina in the short term
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
Stamina
I wouldn’t be concerned with his stamina. I will give him a couple starts to get fully back due to starting off in the pen. Last night you got to remember he had thrown 30 or so pitches just a couple nights prior.
Going forward I think he gets to the 6th or 7th inning pretty easily
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
uh
you werne’t concerned with his stamina last year? it’s something he’s yet to shown and still needs to develop
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
NO I wasn't concerned
He was a reliever his entire pro career until the start of last season. I wouldn’t expect him to all of a sudden be able to pitch 7 or 8 innings.
Now that hes had a full winter as a starter I think it will only take him a start or two to be able to go deeper into games
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
why would you think he'll automatically develop that
lots of relievers never do (Kam Loe?)
he was terrible in the 6th and 7th innings last year. To just assume that he’ll be fine in those innings this year is pretty ridiculous.
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
I guess we'll see whos right
I don’t see how assuming a guy who is used to working 1-3 innings on an irregular basis can’t evolve into a guy who works 6-8 innings on a regular basis is ridiculous though
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
really?
how about percentages.
like saying, “I guess we’ll see if murphy becomes an all-star.”
yeah, I guess….
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
What percentages?
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
for a guy who's never been anythign but a reliever his entire career
being able to transition to a starter that can pitch effectively into the 6th and 7th innings (and did you say 8th? our real starters don’t even do that).
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
The Oriloes announcer were talking last night about how there's really no precedent for what Feldman did.
Plenty of pitcher change from over the top starters to side-armer relievers, but how many side-armer relivers change to over the top starters?
They couldn’t think of a single one.
It’s such an odd transition there’s really no way to look at how previous guys have handled it in order to predict how it’ll work out.
Who freaking knows.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on Apr 26, 2009 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions
He was originally an over the top starter
Texas converted him to a sidearming reliever after they signed him.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 26, 2009 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
So he hadn't been an ott'er since he was 19 or 20 as an amateur?
Same difference, I’d say.
The 40 Trumps All!!!
You want the mustache on or off? ... ... ... Too bad.
by thedirkatron on Apr 26, 2009 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions
You can live with Feldman as your 5th
starter, even if he has trouble going past the 6th inning.
Jeeez, McCarthy rarely if ever goes more than 6 innings.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 26, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Why must he always be the basis of comparison?
¡Prefiero morir de pie que vivir siempre arrodillado!
by inactive lsb user on Apr 26, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions
"Always the basis of comparison"?
I don’t know that I’ve ever compared Feldman to McCarthy but right now I feel the Rangers chances of winning are equal when either Feldman or McCarthy are taking the hump.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 26, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
And
I didn’t feel that way when either Benson or McCarthy were taking the hump.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 26, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
If your point here
is to say Feldman has a better chance than Benson, I agree.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
And he has a straight-as-a-string mid-80s fastball...
…and two offspeed pitches he can’t command.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 26, 2009 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
his first two seasons in Texas
that was a very accurate scouting report, but you forgot to add that he pitched with no conviction or confidence.
This season he has added some velocity which helps a lot, and switched to a different breaking pitch (giving credence to the observation that he couldn’t control the curve he was working with earlier).
I don’t know why you seem to get offended about an accurate description of McCarthy’s underwhelming stuff. You watch the games, and I’m not sure why you can’t see what he has to work with isn’t very impressive, although it looks better so far this season.
If you take the worst pitching staff in baseball, then add Kris Benson and Jason Jennings, what do you have???
surprise!!! You have the worst pitching staff in baseball, that's what.
The only thing Harrison has shown
is that he is left handed. He can go be all left handed in AAA while he learns to actually throw strikes.
Harrison hasn’t shown any real reason to stay in the majors.
4/10/09 - Josh Hamilton's last walk.
Well,
there was this trade that Harrison was involved in a couple of years ago and I think he’s going to get every chance possible to prove he can’t pitch in The Show.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 26, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
So really...
JD so needs to prove he was “right” that he’d keep one of the guys he got from the Teixeira trade up and let him get his ass handed to him every five days, even though two other guys the Rangers got in that trade are up and contributing every day in The Show, and even though it’s pretty much universally accepted that JD “won” that trade hands-down?
And JD so needs to prove he was “right” that he would be willing to do it at the expense of winning games, even though losing a bunch of games is more likely to get him fired than having one of the five players he got back in a trade turning out to be a AAAA guy?
Rotation ERA, etc.
It’s pretty surprising to see Boston so high on that list with the vaunted depth they built up over the offseason. What is more encouraging is to see the rotation is in the middle of the pack, near league avg., on walks. That is a slight improvement from last year.
It’s nice to have Maddux here.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
yeah
i think i was making fun of maddux earlier this year saying that it was stupid to think he could do anything different.
well, at the very least, I should hold off judgment till later in the year as it does seem like he has made some adjustments with pitchers and they have worked more than a few times.
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
Feldman wasn't bad last year if
you consider him to be your 5th starter.
He gave the team a chance to win (Game Scores of 50+ in 12 of 25 starts) better than most of the other starters that were used but he didn’t get very good run support.
Plugging in Benson over Feldman to start the season really made no sense. Feldman did nothing to lose the job and Benson was never going to be good.
Really dumb thinking by somebody in the Ranger FO.
At least Benson’s injury came early (who could have ever guessed he’d only make 2 starts) and hopefully Feldman’s performance last night helps knock off some of this dumbassery.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 26, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Washington's gut
What is the general feel about CJ yesterday? Grant’s article makes that whole 9th inning sound more haphazard than I’d like. When I was listening, I just assumed that CJ was being left in there for a few reasons: see if he could get out of it, making it so Frankie didn’t have to pitch; give Frankie more time to warm up, and so on.
EG’s article makes it just sound like a “the vibe in the air told me that Roberts would pop-up if he faced CJ”.
For the record, I don’t think anything in yesterday’s game constituted “bad” managing (CJ seems perfect for going out into the 9th with a 4 run lead), and I don’t want Holland out there unless he’s 100% certain that he’s up for it. But I’m getting more bothered out by this trend to just use whoever feels best. Am I wrong for feeling that way?
I don't really put all that much stock in the explanations
especially since the moves seem pretty rational as of late. maybe someone is telling washington to make those moves and he’s just following orders, so he doesn’t really know the real reason he’s doing it.
but bringing in CJ with a 4 run lead to try and get his confidence back with frankie warming up behind him if it fails (and without really risking the game) doesn’t seem like a bad plan
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
Yeah
The CJ move seemed perfectly reasonable. And he stuck with him as long as I would. Its just weird that Grant is attributing it all to his standard managing style.
i just read grant's story and i kind of agree
i don’t even like the fact that he’s making it sound like it went against conventional wisdom to leave holland in. if a main goal this year is to get holland some seasoning, the right thing to do is leave him in.
the CJ non-move against roberts is probably an accurate assessment, and Wash probably should have gone to Frankie given Roberts’ splits and his numbers against CJ previously. whatever
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
CJ
I don’t understand why he was used yesterday. That seemed like a perfect opportunity to get Mendoza into a game. He hadn’t pitched since last Sunday if im not mistaken so that seemed like a perfect chance.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
The team needs to figure out CJ
and testing him in these kind of close, non-save situations at the end of games is probably the best way to do it.
I just don’t know how to interpret these data points. He gives up 3 runs and the closer has to come in. That’s a FAIL. But there always seem to be mitigating circumstances, errors, misplays, etc, when he’s on the mound. So you can’t get too mad at him. Or can you? Who knows. So you just have to keep running him out there, in less critical situations like yesterday, to figure out if it is just bad luck or if it is bad handling of stress
It'd probably help CJ if his SS
would quit making errors in the 8th / 9th inning.
When that happens to the lead-off hitter of an inning when CJ has been pitching like he has, the sense of doom takes over and you’re just waiting for the anvil to fall on your head.
CJ has to be better than that and I’ll think he’ll get there, but yeah, some good defense behind would certainly help.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 26, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
CJ was the closer last year
And pretty good when he was healthy. They don’t need to see what they’ve got in him. Yesterday was his 10th appearance in 17 team games so far. If you want to give a guy a chance to get his confidence back I don’t think overworking him is the right answer.
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
And what if he doesn't and its a close game late
Would you rather use him in that situation because CJ is/should be unavailable. Hes pitched 5 of the last 7 days. I just think a 4 run lead to start the 9th inning is a good chance to get a guy who hasn’t pitched in 6 days some work. If he struggles you can do exactly what the Rangers ended up doing and bring in Frankie. But if he doesn’t then you save one of your late inning guys for a possible tight game situation
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
you have jennings, who will probably pitch the 8th
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
I don't think Wash wants to use Mendoza...
…unless he absolutely has to.
If it is a close and late situation today, you’ve got Jennings and Guardado available, along with probably Frankie.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 26, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions
So you are comfortable with Eddie in a non-LOOGY role now?
Bryan Smith (12:17:17 PM PT): Justin Smoak and Josh Hamilton. The AL West might just have found their Bash Brothers, v. 2.0.
I don't think...
…Washington has enough faith in the bullpen to treat a 4 run lead as a “safe” situation.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 26, 2009 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree
Wash probably wants to use CJ in a low-leverage situation before putting him into more important situations because he doesn’t trust CJ. He probably thought that was as a good opportunity as any. There is nothing wrong with the thought, but problem is CJ has pitched too much lately, it’s not fair to him.
It's nothing new
It seemed that Wash just thought CJ had a good chance of getting Roberts out. Not sure if he was aware of Robert’s reverse split
Why did he think that? Probably a gut feeling.
What the hell?
Murphy is batting 2nd???
"It doesn't look like he's trying. It kinda pisses me off," "He could throw 110 if he tried. The way it explodes out of his hand is really something special." ~ B-Mac on Feliz.
So did Wash just flip Young's normal spot
with Hamilton’s normal spot in the line-up?
Understandable, if Wash is trying to mix in leftys with rightys. It’s not like Young isn’t hitting with enough pop to hit third.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 26, 2009 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Yep
Ian Kinsler, 2b
David Murphy, l
Michael Young, 3b
Hank Blalock, dh
Marlon Byrd, cf
Nelson Cruz, lf
Chris Davis, 1b
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, c
Elvis Andrus, ss
"It doesn't look like he's trying. It kinda pisses me off," "He could throw 110 if he tried. The way it explodes out of his hand is really something special." ~ B-Mac on Feliz.
by Kinslerhomer on Apr 26, 2009 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Yep
I’m a little surprised that Teagarden isn’t starting today, though- day game after a night game.
"I dont care to debate with a troll." - Sharky
Me, too
I guess Teagarden is going to play in the getaway games.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 26, 2009 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
maybe a way to compensate on offense
or not wanting to take salty’s hot bat out of the lineup until it is absolutely necessary
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
Salty has looked better at the plate in the last couple of games
and may be starting to justify the exaggerated amount of playing time he’s getting.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 26, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Is Salty playing any more than the starting catcher on most other teams?
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 26, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
The starting catcher on most other teams aren't rocking a .190 batting average
with a .227 OBP like Salty was going into Baltimore.
As mentioned above, it’s nice to see Salty justifying the exaggerated playing time.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 26, 2009 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Do most teams...
…pull the plug on their starter two weeks into the season because they are rocking a .190 batting average with a .227 OBP?
Quit being so irrational on this topic.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 26, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions
So what did Salty do last year that
made him the de facto starter?
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 26, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
That's not the question to ask
The question to ask is, why was the decision made to make Salty the starter?
I’m not sure. I would say the majority of it has to do with Teagarden’s health and the questions about his ability to hit at the major league level, though.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 26, 2009 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions
you're not sure?
who looks at the minor league numbers and pedigree of either of those two and decides that Teagarden should be ahead of Salty?
On paper, this decision is easy. And, it will continue to be easy unless Salty falls completely flat on his face AND Teagarden actually shows something. Until then, Salty will always be ahead of Teagarden. So says the entire baseball establishment
Ceterum censeo Cat esse delendam - Cahill the Elder
minor league numbers
TT has better career minor league numbers.
If you take the worst pitching staff in baseball, then add Kris Benson and Jason Jennings, what do you have???
surprise!!! You have the worst pitching staff in baseball, that's what.
That is the question to ask, Adam.
Salty is getting every chance to prove he can’t be the starter in The Show with the primary reason being that he was involved in Tex Trade.
Hopefully he takes advantage of the situation and makes this a non-issue.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 26, 2009 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions
No, that's a stupid position to take
This latest meme of “everyone in the Teixeira trade is getting a chance because JD wants to save his job” is dumb. Go back to the drawing board and come up with something else. I
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 26, 2009 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions
Adam
So you admit that front office politics play themselves out in the major leagues but just not here?
Okay, whatever you say- it’s your website.
For the record, I like both catchers and especially didn’t want to trade Salty because his value was so low after last season.
"Dying ain't hard. It's living that's hard."
by Josey Wales on Apr 26, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions
x
So you admit that front office politics play themselves out in the major leagues but just not here?
You are creating a false dichotomy.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 26, 2009 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions
Of course, everyone wants him to be successful
but I don’t think the trade has anything to do with his starting role.
I think if there is a trade involved in his PT, it’s that the FO felt that Salty could increase his trade value early.
I also think...
…that Salty’s impressive spring, and the strides he’s made defensively, have a lot to do with it.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 26, 2009 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Salty's stats
Don’t forget the ear infection, that surely has played a part in his slowdown after a couple of great games to start the season. Now he’s back on track.
G G G E-flat_______ F F F D__________....
I'm ok with Murphy hitting second.
A little more protection behind him, maybe he finally gets that hit today.
fwiw
I think Washington is someone who likes everyone to have a set place in the lineup. Thus, rather than re-arranging everything when Hamilton sits, he prefers to just put Young in the #3 hole (where he’d probably hit Young anyway, if Hamilton weren’t so averse to hitting cleanup) and put Hamilton’s replacement in Young’s #2 spot.
by Adam J. Morris on Apr 26, 2009 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
What's funny is to see whose team era is on the bottom.
No one else but the free spending Yanks. Kind of kicks a hole in Jose’s theory that you can buy what you need on the free agent market.
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