fathom

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ Jun 6, 2010 -> 01:05 AM) I'm still not seeing it. What returns more in a trade; stud closer or stud player who has any non-bullpen role? Cheap teams in particular need to build through the draft and you certainly don't build your team around a closer. After all, you have to get to the 9th with a lead in order for a closer to have any value. But we're not talking about Royce Ring types, who at their best would be a set-up lefty. Storen and Street were both closers. It's risky though, as you get guys like Casey Weathers and Ryan Wagner who fade out because they put too much stress on their elbows by throwing sliders.

Nice to see Threets back and throwing. Baseball America said he was the hardest throwing lefty ever, according to most scouts, prior to an arm injury a few years back.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 6, 2010 -> 02:00 AM) Yeah, Hafner's slow, but that was a decent play by Alexei in the hole. He's playing some really good defense. We forget how bad he was the first few months last year.

Peavy hasn't pitched that well Caulfield, a lot of hard hit balls. That was a nice play by Alexei.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 6, 2010 -> 01:56 AM) How do you feel about the way Huston street went (40th pick)? It was a good pick, I truly feel. For cheap teams, you get 3 good years from those guys in your bullpen, and then you unload them for prospects.

I hope Piniella doesn't realize Colvin should be playing every day against RHP. All that guy does is hit the ball hard.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 6, 2010 -> 01:54 AM) You know? I really feel like I wouldn't...I'm getting the same "awful lot of busts" feeling about the O's that I'm getting about Beckham, etc., right now. Only thing going for Orioles is they're supposedly going to try and get either Gonzalez or Fielder this season. However, it seems their pitching prospects don't throw nearly as hard as advertised.

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ Jun 6, 2010 -> 12:53 AM) You can always convert a starter to a reliever though. Plus you can pick up very good bullpen arms much later on in the draft. I just don't like limiting your potential value from a first rounder so significantly by taking a reliever. But you have to remember they needed to find a signable player based on it not being protected and the huge money given to Strasburg. Don't get me wrong, a top 20 pick shouldn't be on a closer unless it's a unique situation.

Nice hit by Beckham. A double MIGHT score Castro.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 6, 2010 -> 01:51 AM) So are we. Since you're always disagreeing with me, would you switch our position with the Orioles based on their prospects, etc? It's a tough call, as even though they'll likely have a better team 3 years from now, there is just a tremendous gap between them and the top teams in AL East.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Jun 6, 2010 -> 12:50 AM) Because it's disturbingly easy to create a decent bullpen for a year or two with a couple good pickups/signings? Exactly though, it's a temporary bullpen fix (like they did with Capps this year). If you can bring in Storen for 6 years and get him into the Majors right away, it's a good pick. Have any of you seen Storen pitch this year? Very good pitcher...made even more fun by watching Rob Dibble analyze him.

You also have to remember how pathetic the Nationals bullpen was last season. Why stock up your starting rotation only to have an awful bullpen?

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ Jun 6, 2010 -> 01:46 AM) Storen is good, but is any reliever really top 10 worthy? Even first round worthy? I don't think so. I agree though, I wouldn't like to see the Sox employ this strategy. If you're sure he can become your closer, then I think it's a brilliant decision when you know you're going to be spending a fortune on Strasburg and Harper. It's an impact player for real cheap.

Asher Wojo off to a bad start against USC tonight. I'm hoping he gets rocked.

STOP THROWING BATTING PRACTICE! Indians are just crushing the ball off of Peavy the last few innings. It's scary that they're putting great swings on him, as it seems like he lost all of his stuff after 3 innings.

QUOTE (Ozzie Ball @ Jun 6, 2010 -> 12:41 AM) They could do that. The 2011 pick would be unprotected though, meaning you'd likely have to reach for a signable player therefore making the whole process pointless. Like how the Nationals took Storen last season, even though that was a damn good pick. Given how cheap our organization is with the draft, I wouldn't be a fan of this type of decision-making.

QUOTE (SoxPride56 @ Jun 6, 2010 -> 01:40 AM) I can't wait until Konerko is gone!!!!!!!!!! Wow, he's one of like 5 players on this team that shouldn't be criticized for making one out. 10 exclamation marks should be used for the Bust Brothers or Ozzie or Randy Williams.

Just noticed that Rendon had 3 homers, 7 RBI vs Rider today. Keep losing Ozzie!

Awesome, Stone ripping on Peavy for not backing up third base there.

Peavy continuing to throw batting practice. Every Indians player this time thru the order has taken a great swing on Peavy.

Beckham continues to have no bat speed on those inside fastballs, as he can't turn on anything with authority. It's ok, it's all mental and not a flaw in his approach!!

Nicely done Ramon! Didn't try to do too much.

QUOTE (Cali @ Jun 6, 2010 -> 01:09 AM) Has ANY hitter this season swung on 3-0?? ONCE?? I can't recall it...really.... Nix and Kotsay, I believe. Hawk is pretty livid about it.

Ozzie, please give our power hitters the 3-0 green light!

QUOTE (justBLAZE @ Jun 6, 2010 -> 01:07 AM) True, which makes me wonder how can he decline so much in such a short period of time. I remember watching his starts last year and was truly dominating. But he still didn't have a good fastball, which kind of raised eyebrows around here. The masterful game against Detroit was against a team that was playing so tight...and drunk