Balta1701

Well, there's at least 1 run directly attributable to Mackowiak. And there goes Garland's home run streak.

QUOTE(The Ginger Kid @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 04:28 PM) I still think the Angels made a big mistake letting Glaus go. With the number of quality infielders they have on the way up, I don't. Yeah, they didn't get lucky with McPherson, but they still have about 6 guys who can play 4 positions and almost all of them make the minimum.

You know that sinkerball pitcher we have? You know that really slow running 3rd baseman the Jays have, um...come on Jon.

Would Anderson have had that?

31 pitch first inning for Halladay, 17 strikes, 14 balls. 14 of those pitches were thrown to Thome and Konerko. Nice to have them back, that's for sure.

Let's see if Dye can finish off the 345ing of Halladay.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 08:27 AM) And I hope to God Mack doesn't start in CF, but against a tough righty, I'm betting he will, which of course guarantees that Garland won't be able to pitch a shutout. Ok, I called it...so folks, now's the question...how many runs will Mack being in CF lead directly to (ball dropping leads directly to a run), and how many will it lead indirectly to (i.e. balls dropping that shouldn't leads to Garland tiring earlier because of additional pitches thrown) I'm gonna guess 1 and 2.

QUOTE(bigredrudy @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 01:43 PM) I think these numbers could justify a platoon situation for next year. Podsednik has lost a step or two since the first half of last year. His stealing percentage for stealing second base since the first half of last year is horrendous. I would bet that Mac is faster to first base than is pods and is faster to second. Pod's infield outs are not even close. He seems to have trouble getting started from a stopped position. I have to believe that Mac is a better fielder than Pods but how much better I don't know. Your thoughts and corrections if any How exactly do you run a platoon with 2 lefties?

QUOTE(whitesoxfan101 @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 01:07 PM) Correct, he puts them right at 100 or slightly above it, based on who you believe. Hmmm, that's very interesting, ESPN.com updated their Yankees payroll when Abreu was added, but never updated the Astros with Clemens's dolalrs.

QUOTE(bigredrudy @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 01:00 PM) What are his career numbers against lefthanders and righthanders? I would play Mac in left field on a platoon basis if his numbers justified that Mac seems to be a better fielder than Podsednik and has a stronger arm. I can give you his 2003-2005 splits. By Breakdown AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB HBP SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS vs. Left 165 17 38 3 5 1 17 7 2 38 0 1 .230 .269 .327 .596 vs. Right 963 125 256 44 8 31 135 101 11 229 27 7 .266 .340 .425 .765

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 12:49 PM) The Astros' payroll is that high? They're not over $100 million, but they're close, at $92M. The reasons why? Roger Clemens, Jeff Bagwell, and to a lesser extent guys like Andy Pettitte. QUOTE(atrain081 @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 12:19 PM) It's kind of interesting though, his value is really high right now and he will have that no trade clause. The Braves need to make some changes this offseason to be competitive in the NL East again. The Mets, Phillies, and even Marlins should be really improved by next year. The Bravos still have a real shot at that division next year. The thing that has absolutely killed them this year, beyond injuries, is the disaster that is their bullpen. Losing Farnsworth especially hurt them, which is why they were dealing for relief pitching at the break. That, and a couple of underpeforming/injured starting pitchers, but that bullpen has really been the disaster. Their lineup is in very good shape for next year, IMO. Giles Renteria Jones (with Aybar as a backup) Jones McCann Francoeur Laroche Johnson (coming back from elbow surgery) Their starting rotation: Smoltz Hudson Hampton Thompson Ramirez Doesn't look like the best rotation in history, but it's not too shabby, especially if Hudson ever finds his marbles again. Their bullpen though is their disaster. A couple of reliable guys, or a return by Wickman, and they could make a serious run.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 12:20 PM) He's been playing almost everyday. ESPN says he's playing in 78 games, and we're slightly over 100, no? That's a buttload of games. I don't see how he'd magically revert to his career numbers so suddenly. You know why he might? The reason why is in his splits this year. AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB HBP SO AVG OBP SLG OPS vs. Left 39 3 8 0 0 0 4 2 2 9 .205 .279 .205 .484 vs. Right 146 20 50 8 1 3 11 19 1 27 .342 .419 .473 .892 His numbers look damn good, because his numbers against lefties are terrible, his numbers against righties are freaking great, and he's faced righties almost 4x as many ABs as lefties. Even those numbers out some, and his numbers rapidly go down to his career numbers. Pods only hits. 239 against lefties, and he's still significantly better, even in the OBP. Mack would be ideal in a platoon corner outfield spot if we were to design something like that (actually, with Fields next year, that's not a terrible idea)

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 12:02 PM) WOOHOO! WE ALL WIN! Unless you're making minimum wage. Or very, very wealthy.

Rob Mackowiak never, ever starts in CF again, barring injury to Anderson.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 11:18 AM) I thought that I heard that he passed through waivers. Yeah, upon 2nd thought, I was thinking Olney said exactly that last night.

Interesting... Olney also noted that in about 11 days, Andruw Jones will get 10/5 rights, so if the Braves hold onto him for another 2 weeks, he gets the right to veto any trades, including next season, which is the last year of his deal. I really wouldn't be shocked to see him moved. Olney also noted last night that a lot of names were hitting the waiver wire and being called back, so the waiver deadline deals might not be as active this year.

The deal is finished, with some cash going to Boston along with Lopez and a PTBNL going to Baltimore. Link

QUOTE(Rex Kickass @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 10:52 AM) The problem is that a Primary loss is going to hurt him more in an independent bid. He WILL lose labor. He WILL lose CT party manpower. If he can't get enough paid volunteers to mount a GOTV operation now, what makes you think he'll be able to do it then? The question is not what makes me think he can do it then. The question is what makes HIM think he can do it then. I for one don't think he'll be able to, but now that he's realized he's in a fight, he has plenty of time to go back to those banks, big businesses, and so forth, and dredge up a bunch of donations before the election to still make it interesting, and he may well think that'll be enough. The one thing that is coming through about Lieberman in all this is that to him, it is all about Lieberman. He thinks that he's done a great job for the state and the party and everyone who doesn't agree with him has made a huge mistake, and so he may very well decide to go for it anyway, despite all the support he'll lose when Lamont beats him. One of his defining trends throughout this campaign, after his folks realized it was a campaign, is Lieberman being really bloody angry, from repeating "Who is Ned Lamont" over and over in their debate (and not thanking Lamont for showing up to the Debate, a normal courtesy, and one extended to Lieberman by Lamont) to the ridiculous godless killing machine ad that they came out with, Lieberman is just really pissed off about having to deal with this whole thing, and that alone may drive him to stay in, even after the battering he looks to take next Tuesday. He could also salvage the election by taking Colbert's cocoa puffs.

Good hunting, Widge.

QUOTE(Rex Kickass @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 10:30 AM) Lieberman has scrapped his GOTV program for the primary - apparently more and more convinced of a primary loss. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6080300597.html Makes me look like I was wrong in what i suggested the rumors were a little while ago...he's putting more money into TV ads to try to rebuild his image before the General. You know, even if he wins the general, it'll be nice for Fox to not be able to have him on criticising the position of his own party every week, and it'll be nice to not have him be the one holdout who prevents the party from coming up with a more unified position on Iraq.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 09:40 AM) ticktockticktock??? That's the sound of the innings bomb about to go off in Verlander's arm, turning him into Mark Prior.

QUOTE(CanOfCorn @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 09:58 AM) Javy Lopez is a need trade. This isn't a Varitek vs. Lopez argument, it's a Lopez vs. Mirabelli/minor league catcher argument. Lopez is better than Mirabelli. I don't know who the Sawx have in the minors, but they don't have Shoppach anymore. the issue they are going to have is if Varitek comes back this year...are they going to carry three catchers? Mirabelli is Wakefields personal catcher and Varitek is better overall than Lopez and they already have one of the best DHs in the league so... Where Will Javy Play? My money says DFA/try to send him to the minors. They need him for a month or so to try to keep the Yankees from running away with that division. They have enough money where they can do things like that.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 09:28 AM) Yeah, his inability to throw strikes will keep him from that stage. It will take him a few years. I agree on that, but I don't know if he's going to learn that lesson the way it needs to be learned if he's not facing big league hitters. He gets into Washington, or Pittsburgh, San Fran, or even Tampa/K.C., gets to deal with a ML pitching coach, gets a routine, and gets to face guys that can really hurt him, and I bet he'll pick it up pretty quick.

Kerry Wood opts not to have another reconstructive shoulder surgery, and to instead just rehab the thing. Yet another reason why no sane person should ever suggest signing him to more than a AAA, league minimum deal.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Aug 4, 2006 -> 08:49 AM) Neither are ready for the show. Look at more than their ERA to determine their worth. I still think Haeger should be starting in the big leagues...not with us, but with someone, preferably (for him) in the NL. If not this season, then certainly to start next year.