Frayed Knot

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Anybody know how the Nats are going to try and retire Duda or Grandy in LIPSes? Matt Thornton is going to be their go-to guy for LHBs. He's a tall, hard-throwing lefty who spent most of his career w/the ChiSox before the Nats claimed him off waivers from the MFYs last August. Pretty much a career-long LOOGY (more apps than IPs) and has been better in recent years despite the fact that he'll turn 39 before this season is done. They also have an arm they like in Xavier Cedeno -- although he's already 28 and has a lot more minor league time than ML -- who pretty much made Blevins excess baggage just like MdD was here.

-- Like -- Gave up potentially* more for a guy who may have been available via waiver wire claims in a few days anyway (although then there's no guarantee your claim will be the first one) But we also got a potentially better upside in a younger and less split-happy reliever (as compared to Blevins) who's under club control for the next four seasons. The walk rate scares you a bit, but the hits/9 and HRs/9 are terrific so you take the bad with the good. * both because we don't know what Mazzoni will be nor do we know the identity of the PtbNL ... recent draft pick?

Went with 'Like' not because I have great hopes for Blevins but because it's a swap of two role players where the one we're giving up is a redundancy who wasn't going to make the OD squad anyway in exchange for a position of immediate need, even if only a specialized need. Dealing a strength for a weakness, it's hard to argue against that.

That's one of those new deals that were approved right around this time last year for protection against line-drives back to the box.

The problem with MdD is that he was being groomed as a defensive specialist -- but then was surpassed in that role by someone from within. And then he was touted as a power prospect -- but to minimize the hit-and-miss aspect of his offense he cut down on the swing which helped negate the strikeouts but totally killed his power: only 1 ML HR in >200 ABs and even in Vegas had only 8 (in Vegas!!) over 300 ABs And then he was surpassed, again from within, for the LH-hitting 4th OF role ... and by another Dutchman no less!! That's some cruel Orange on Orange crime. Things might have turned out differently for him had he not broken his (wrist?) in ST a few years back ... but he did. And he's not young enough (28 later this season) to survive that kind of setback. I suspect he still has a decent run in him somewhere down the line, but I'd bet against him topping 400 ABs in any one season unless maybe he latches on some year to a bottom feeding team.

Frayed Knot wrote: Ceetar wrote: hard to project bullpens a lot of times, but I really like ours. I wish I were more confident about Mejia. And, as if on cue, 3 more baserunners (one run) in one inning today for Mejia - giving him a WHiP this spring of over 1.8 And, yeah, I know it's just ST, but this is on top of his nearly 1.5 WHiP over all of last season. Those aren't closer numbers. As I remember saying as last year drew to a close, except for his horrid final half-season in Queens, Armando never had a stretch as shaky as what Mejia was doing late last year (.327 BAA in August) yet Jenrry was being given a pass on it by almost everyone. I don't think fans, reporters, or Terry are going to be as forgiving this year if this trend continues, particularly as there'll be other options.

Ceetar wrote: hard to project bullpens a lot of times, but I really like ours. I wish I were more confident about Mejia. Blevins had some nice spots during the Nats (brief) post-season last year -- 10 outs over 3 separate outings with no hits or walks allowed including coming in during a couple of high pressure spots w/men-on.

I think I've been thinking of him as Jeremy Blevins all this time - but it's Jerry. Nothing says LOOGY like more game appearances than innings pitched as Blevins has done for the last two seasons. MdD might even see some semi-regular playing time w/the Nats early on as Denard Span is due to be down for at least the first month, nor is Nate McLouth totally healthy. At worst he'll be a LH-hitting platoon to their youngster Michael Taylor and the loss of a roster spot for Tony Gwynn Jr. I'm thinking that maybe a Cesar Puello deal might be the next shoe to drop - although the fact that teams know he's out of options might not bring much in return.

TransMonk wrote: Double Edit: The Mets gave up RHP prospect Cory Mazzoni. Plus a PtbNL apparently. This deal also gives us a two-Torres bullpen. Just imagine how confused the opposing managers will be because of this!!

First glance: Lotsa walks allowed (4.5/9 for career) but not many hits (6.5/9), a decent amount of Ks (9.2/9) and virtually no HRs (just 3 in 120 ML IPs) No major split noise: .186 BAA vs RHP; .216 BAA vs LHB

batmagadanleadoff wrote: What? No team logos? If only there were a source where one could find small, handy team logos that could be easily inserted into such a project. But where does one turn for all their mini-logo needs?

I wonder why they've abandoned the practice of having the defending champ getting to host the Sunday Night stand-alone opener. Not that I'm crying in my soup over the fact that they've seemingly dumped this 'tradition' (however short-lived it was) but ... a) it was a small token of honor and a growing recent tradition so why not keep it? tossing on an extra night game in Wrigley in early April is just asking for weather trouble But, of course, television rules and so the opening weeks of Sunday Night Baseball will take place in such warm weather sites as: Chicago, Bronx, St Louis, Bronx, and Boston, with those first five weeks featuring a wide variety of teams such as: the Cardinals twice, the Red Sox twice, and the Yanquis three times (I'm not sure if the folks at ESPN can NAME many other teams) ... with 'Guest Star' token appearances by the Cubs, Reds, and Mets (week 4).

Via a quick glance, it looks like you have to go back to 1991 to find a season [u:1i12rvrd]Without[/u:1i12rvrd] at least 16 new players.

Ah, I see. Gilmartin eats more innings but Leathersich eats more between innings.

Last year's #1 overall draft pick Brady Aiken. Aiken was drafted out of high school by the Astros last June but didn't sign because Houston cut their initial bonus offer roughly in half after they didn't like the results of his physical. He was pitching at an IMG academy when he tore the UCL. But with recovery rates being what they are with TJ, he'll probably still be a 1st round pick this June. Several picks from last year were taken despite the teams knowing they already had, or were about to, under the procedure.

I suspect they're only taking one LHR north - at least to start the season that way and see how things develop re: Rice, Leathersich, etc.

Only a handful seem to be not yet publicly announced. Sunday, April 5 [table:14fo5iqk][tr:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Cards[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]???[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]@[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Cubs[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Jon Lester[/td:14fo5iqk][/tr:14fo5iqk][/table:14fo5iqk] Monday, April 6 [table:14fo5iqk][tr:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Jays[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk][/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]@[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Yanx[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Masahiro Tanaka[/td:14fo5iqk][/tr:14fo5iqk][tr:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Twins[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Phil Hughes[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]@[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Tigers[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]David Price[/td:14fo5iqk][/tr:14fo5iqk][tr:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Rockies[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Kyle Kendrick[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]@[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Brewers[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Kyle Lohse[/td:14fo5iqk][/tr:14fo5iqk][tr:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Red Sox[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Clay Buchholz[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]@[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Phillies[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Cole Hamels[/td:14fo5iqk][/tr:14fo5iqk][tr:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Orioles[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk][/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]@[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Rays[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Chris Archer[/td:14fo5iqk][/tr:14fo5iqk][tr:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Mets[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Bartolo Colon[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]@[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Nationals[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Max Scherzer[/td:14fo5iqk][/tr:14fo5iqk][tr:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Braves[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Julio Teheran[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]@[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Marlins[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Henderson Alvarez[/td:14fo5iqk][/tr:14fo5iqk][tr:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]White Sox[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Jeff Samardzija[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]@[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Royals[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Yordano Ventura[/td:14fo5iqk][/tr:14fo5iqk][tr:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Angels[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk][/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]@[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Mariners[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Felix Hernandez[/td:14fo5iqk][/tr:14fo5iqk][tr:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Pirates[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Francisco Liriano[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]@[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Reds[/td:14fo5iqk][/tr:14fo5iqk][tr:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Padres[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]James Shields[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]@[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Dodgers[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Clayton Kershaw[/td:14fo5iqk][/tr:14fo5iqk][tr:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Indians[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Corey Kluber[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]@[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Astros[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Dallas Keuchel[/td:14fo5iqk][/tr:14fo5iqk][tr:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Rangers[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Yovani Gallardo[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]@[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Athletics[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Sonny Gray[/td:14fo5iqk][/tr:14fo5iqk][tr:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Giants[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]Madison Bumgarner[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]@[/td:14fo5iqk][td:14fo5iqk]DBacks[/td:14fo5iqk][/tr:14fo5iqk][/table:14fo5iqk]

The fact that he throws with his left wing is enough to get him to go north with the team. Plus the whole Rule 5 thing. StL dealt away one of their LHPs, Sam Freeman whose name was probably brought up in this thread earlier, to Texas for the always popular PtbNL. Reportedly they contacted the Mets in advance of the trade but were told 'Not interested' - so the Mets either think a lot of Gilmartin plus whoever may be behind him, or they don't think much of Freeman.

Edgy MD wrote: Don't know if this is the usual Cardinal team. I recall hating hearing them, but the pbp guy is OK. Brings a poor-man's Vin Scully act to the booth. The color guy just sounds like an ol' backslapper. Color man is, I believe, Al 'The Mad Hungarian' Hrabosky

Who are they playing today? ... I can't tell because the logos are too small.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: 25) Gilmartin (although Leatherman will eat more innings) Do note that the question is for Most Innings Pitched, not appearances. Your post-answer comment makes it seem like you may have read it the other way.

cooby wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: Edgy MD wrote: And what have YOU completed today? Nothing! Not even the freakin' crossword puzzle which has me totally flummoxed!! (NYT Saturdays will do that to a guy) Yep. I've only gotten one Saturday done ever. I actually went back to it and almost finished it up. I may have to go online to check out what I missed because I usually don't get Monday's paper which is where they put Saturday's answers.

10 of 12 NYM hits today for XBs - including more from roster wannabes Reynolds (2B) den Dekker (2B), and Muno (HR - his 4th)

Edgy MD wrote: And what have YOU completed today? Nothing! Not even the freakin' crossword puzzle which has me totally flummoxed!! (NYT Saturdays will do that to a guy)

Jim Duquette, writing a column for MLB.com on 'Trades that should happen before Opening Day', tosses in a four-team swap at the end where the Mets give up Cory Mozzoni and wind up with Baltimore's LHP Brian Matusz. Specifically: Brian Matusz to Mets, Dioner Navarro to Orioles, Cody Ross to Blue Jays, Cory Mazzoni to D-backs He acknowledges that four way deals are notoriously difficult to pull off and is really just mentally moving chess pieces around here, but he reasons that Baltimore needs Matt Weiters insurance (he's recovering from TJ surgery but played just one ST game before being pulled), Arizona has a surplus of OFs while Toronto is short of them, and the Mets of course could use an LHR or two. Matusz (Matt-us) has been mentioned here and elsewhere before. He turned 28 last month and is a former 1st round draft pick (#4 overall back in 2008) who hasn't reached his hoped-for potential as a MLer. The O's turned him to relieving two years ago where his numbers have been decent though nothing special and much better vs LHBs. Making $3.2 mil this season, he'd be under team control for 2015 & 2016 http://m.mlb.com/news/article/115221732/5-trades-that-make-sense-before-opening-day