Not a lot to report (as of yet), but I wanted to give my readers a space to discuss todays happenings (and potential happenings). I will be popping in and out to make sure everyone is playing nice.
Let me know what you think. Washburn? Halladay? Pavano? Who will be in pinstripes by 4pm?
*UPDATE (11:36am) - MLBTR reporting that Tigers have acquired Jarrod Washburn for Luke French and another prospect. There goes that idea...
*UPDATE (1:48pm) - MLBTR says Orlando Cabrera to Twins for minor leaguer. Why weren't the Sox interested in him again? Wasn't he a stud for them after the Nomar deal?
*UPDATE (1:54pm) - Red Sox to acquire V-Mart according to Bob Nightengale's twitter. Nick Hagadone, Justin Masterson, lower level prospect back to the Tribe.
*UPDATE (3:16pm) - Red Sox spin Adam LaRoche to Braves.
*UPDATE (3:21pm) - FINALLY! Yankees acquire Jerry Hairston, Jr from the Reds according to Joel Sherman. At least it's SOMETHING. I hope Shelley Duncan enjoys his one night stay in Chi-town.
7/31/09
7/30/09
Just pull the friggin' trigger already
Deja vu all over again as the Yankees are t-minus 24 hours to the trade deadline.
Hey, Boston fans: STFU
It looks like Christmas came early for Jimmy Dugan. After enduring endless amounts of shit from my Red Sox fan friends about the Yankees' links to steroids, I have been vindicated.
The New York Times is reporting that both David Ortiz AND Manny Ramirez were on the list of 104 steroid users in 2003 (you know, the list that A-Rod was on?). This further proves that the "report" conducted by George Mitchell isn't worth the paper that it was printed on. Despite Mitchell's best efforts to avoid the public indictment of any Boston player, his efforts will now be futile.
So, in short, screw you all. This does nothing but prove that EVERYONE was guilty, and no holier-than-thou fanbase has the right to thumb their noses at the rest of the offenders any longer*.
*Though this is the same group that had the balls to act like Rodney Harrison thing never happened, so I guess only time will tell if this does anything to pare back their douchebaggery.
The New York Times is reporting that both David Ortiz AND Manny Ramirez were on the list of 104 steroid users in 2003 (you know, the list that A-Rod was on?). This further proves that the "report" conducted by George Mitchell isn't worth the paper that it was printed on. Despite Mitchell's best efforts to avoid the public indictment of any Boston player, his efforts will now be futile.
So, in short, screw you all. This does nothing but prove that EVERYONE was guilty, and no holier-than-thou fanbase has the right to thumb their noses at the rest of the offenders any longer*.
*Though this is the same group that had the balls to act like Rodney Harrison thing never happened, so I guess only time will tell if this does anything to pare back their douchebaggery.
Joba to Mike Francesa, others: "Suck it"
Joba Chamberlains numbers since the All Star break:
Two words. Starting. Pitcher.
Once again, I reiterate: Pitchers that have command of 3+ pitches that have the ability to throw 5-6 innings are, by definition, starting pitchers. Phil Hughes is proving that good pitchers get outs whenever they toe the rubber. Though it has taken a little time for Joba to get his sea legs (he is 23 years old, by the way), another lights-out start last night proves that the Yankees have placed him in the role that allows them to get the most value out of his talent.
21 2/3 IP, 0.83 ERA, 19 K, 8 H, 8 BB
Two words. Starting. Pitcher.
Once again, I reiterate: Pitchers that have command of 3+ pitches that have the ability to throw 5-6 innings are, by definition, starting pitchers. Phil Hughes is proving that good pitchers get outs whenever they toe the rubber. Though it has taken a little time for Joba to get his sea legs (he is 23 years old, by the way), another lights-out start last night proves that the Yankees have placed him in the role that allows them to get the most value out of his talent.
Yankees interested in outfielders that suck
With the loss of Brett Gardner to a broken thumb, the Yankees are in need of another player capable of manning centerfield. According to Joel Sherman, the team is eyeing recently DFA'd outfielder Corey Patterson (Natinals) after Danny Knobler of CBS Sports already reported that the Yanks are interested in Josh Anderson (Tigers).
Both players are blessed with speed and not much else, although Gardner has proven The Balls wrong all season. Looks like Shelley Duncan will remain stuck in Scranton no matter how many home runs he hits or how hard he mashes right handed pitching.
On a separate note, with the trade deadline looming, I implore you all to check out MLB Trade Rumors. It would be pretty asinine to assume that you are coming here for all of your baseball news, so head over to MLBTR as Friend of The Balls Tim Dierkes and the guys do an amazing job of compiling all of the rumors flying around every two-bit paper in our great nation.
Both players are blessed with speed and not much else, although Gardner has proven The Balls wrong all season. Looks like Shelley Duncan will remain stuck in Scranton no matter how many home runs he hits or how hard he mashes right handed pitching.
On a separate note, with the trade deadline looming, I implore you all to check out MLB Trade Rumors. It would be pretty asinine to assume that you are coming here for all of your baseball news, so head over to MLBTR as Friend of The Balls Tim Dierkes and the guys do an amazing job of compiling all of the rumors flying around every two-bit paper in our great nation.
7/29/09
OK, no more phallic jokes
The Yankees announced yesterday that Chien Ming Wang will undergo season ending surgery on his right shoulder today. This is the capper to what has been a horror show of a season for Wang. We here at The Balls wish only the best of luck to him in his recovery. Maybe he can ask the surgeon to do something about the terribly pained faces that he sports upon every release.
7/28/09
Theo Epstein is a genius!!!!11!!!!!1!!!!
While the Yankees went out this offseason and "wasted" millions on healthy, proven players, the Red Sox showed how financially savvy and shrewd they are by signing high-ceiling value plays that would surely make the Yankees look foolish. But a funny thing happened on the way home from the infirmary...
John Smoltz - 1-4, 7.04 ERA
Brad Penny - 7-4, 4.71 ERA
Rocco Baldelli - .263/.333/.432 in just 95 at bats
John Smoltz - 1-4, 7.04 ERA
Brad Penny - 7-4, 4.71 ERA
Rocco Baldelli - .263/.333/.432 in just 95 at bats
7/24/09
Downright Philthy
Phil Hughes recorded his first career save last night, which prompted me to put together this Phil appreciation thread.
Since being sent to the bullpen on May 8th, Hughes' numbers have been other worldly:
1-0 W-L, 24 1/3 IP, 12H, 28:5 K:BB, .69 WHIP, .73 ERA
The Yankees have been searching for the famed "Bridge to Mariano" since moving Joba Chamberlain to the rotation, and Hughes has been a revelation. His control, stuff, and overall presence on the mound have advanced by leaps and bounds as he has gained confidence, showing why he has been such a highly touted prospect since being drafted in 2004.
Much like Joba, we still support using Hughes in a starting role over the long haul. In this situation, however, he is being used in the best way for the team to win now in a time when dead weight like Andy Pettitte is clogging his spot in the starting five. That's right, I just called a "Four Ring" player dead weight. Suck on that 35-50 year old demographic.
7/22/09
Red Sox acquire Adam La...oh, hey look! A bird!
Continuing their season-long commitment to making small-time moves like Smoltz, Penny, and Baldelli, the Red Sox traded minor league pitcher Hunter Strickland and minor league shortstop Argenis Diaz to the Pirates for Adam LaRoche.
LaRoche, once a highly touted Braves prospect, is now a below average defensive first baseman with a below average corner infield stick. As for the prospects that the Sox sent in the other direction, I could give a shit about their system, so here is a report from Baseball America's Matt Eddy:
beef up my post - kiss my ass. In reading all of this, it looks like the Sox traded two players with the potential to suck at the Major League level for one that already does. Nice work. I guess they are banking that Ritalin isn't on the PED list.
LaRoche, once a highly touted Braves prospect, is now a below average defensive first baseman with a below average corner infield stick. As for the prospects that the Sox sent in the other direction, I could give a shit about their system, so here is a report from Baseball America's Matt Eddy:
Signed out of Venezuela in July 2003, Diaz has big league potential as a defense oriented shortstop, thanks to plus hands, instincts, range and arm strength. The 22- year-old is not fast or aggressive on the basepaths, though, and his bat projects to be a bit light for a regular role. A righthanded batter, Diaz was hitting .253/.309/.310 in 277 at-bats for Portland, showing the lack of patience (21 walks, 60 strikeouts) and power (14 doubles, one triple) that have been constants during his six-year pro career.Ok, so I wanted to
A 6-foot-5 righthander lauded for his makeup, Strickland had touched 94 mph in his last two starts for low Class A Greenville, where he was 5-4, 3.46 in 18 games (12 starts). He generally sits in the 88-92 mph range and locates his fastball down in the zone. Strickland's secondary stuff needs refinement, and he lacks a swing and miss pitch, as evidenced by his strikeout (51) and walk (13) totals over 83 innings for the Drive. On the plus side, his fastball command gives him a chance of developing into a big league reliever. The Red Sox selected Strickland in the 18th round of the 2007 draft, taking him from Pike County High in Zebulon, Ga.
beef up my post - kiss my ass. In reading all of this, it looks like the Sox traded two players with the potential to suck at the Major League level for one that already does. Nice work. I guess they are banking that Ritalin isn't on the PED list.Twitter is the greatest thing on Earth - nay, nay - the universe
JimmyDugan@Dougiebaseball that new profile pic is phenomenal
Dougiebaseball@JimmyDugan avoid the clap! Jimmy dugan!! Great line!!!!JimmyDugan@Dougiebaseball Hows the drive going? The Yankees miss you - we actually have pitchers that would protect you after getting mowed at 1BDougiebaseball@JimmyDugan almost done. 30 miles. I think the guy u have now is doing ok!!!JimmyDugan@Dougiebaseball Well played - safe trip, stay off this thing!
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