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Thursday, August 14, 2008

PIT Post-Gazette: Jose Bautista demoted in surprise move

No more than a minute or two had passed after Jose Bautista learned that he had been demoted to the minors, and he was on the phone with his agent, Bean Stringfellow. Probably no coincidence.

The Pirates’ starting third baseman most of the past two years was visibly stunned after general manager Neal Huntington and manager John Russell had informed him last night, in Russell’s office, that he was being optioned to Class AAA Indianapolis. The move will clear space for first baseman Adam LaRoche to come off the disabled list today.

“It doesn’t feel good,” Bautista said. “I definitely didn’t see this coming, to tell you the truth. Got to go down there and play.”
...
Bautista, 27, was batting .242 with 12 home runs and 44 RBIs, the latter two figures on pace to match or exceed career highs.

Pirates are in for it now. As the years have shown, you don’t mess with Bean Stringfellow. That’s even worse than crossing Jim Masteralexis. Bad news.

NTNgod Posted: August 14, 2008 at 04:00 AM | 10 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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1. pyrite Posted: August 14, 2008 at 04:34 AM (#2902579)

I do find it odd that we've found playing time for Chris Gomez and Luis Rivas lately but not Bautista. He's 27 and a slightly below average 3B.

EQA   Bautista  MLB_3Bmen
2007    .266      .269
2008    .264      .268

Fielding FRAA   DRS    RZR  (MLB_Avg_RZR)
2007      -14   -8.7  .612     (~.690)
2008       +2   -4.0  .691     (~.700) 

He hits lefties well (813 career OPS) and righties not so well (691). The semi-platoon with Mientkiewicz was not a bad arrangement given their strengths and weaknesses.

2. Crispix Attacks Posted: August 14, 2008 at 04:42 AM (#2902587)

Gomez and Rivas both started the game yesterday. Bautista's only played 3 games at second in the majors, but do we have to have both of those guys in the lineup and Bautista in the minors? Gomez's feisty utility veteranship is not needed with Mientkiewicz around. I guess it's because Gomez is on a free-agent contract and will soon be a free agent yet again, so they might as well get their money's worth.

3. Walt Davis Posted: August 14, 2008 at 05:21 AM (#2902611)

A vote of confidence for Andy LaRoche I guess. It is hard to see how Bautista fits ... and it's not clear to me that he's worse than LaRoche (who still isn't hitting by the way though it's only been a handful of games). Anyway, Bautista will surely be back on Sept 1 ... unless he gets traded (Tampa Bay?).

4. RMc's grumbling has gone far enough Posted: August 14, 2008 at 05:26 AM (#2902612)

That's using the old Bean!

5. RJ in TO Posted: August 14, 2008 at 11:56 AM (#2902693)

his agent, Bean Stringfellow

That is now the third greatest name I've ever heard, behind only:
1) RCMP Sergeant Law Power, and
2) US Army Staff Sergeant Max Fightmaster

6. EStreet Posted: August 14, 2008 at 01:02 PM (#2902765)

I don't necessarily disagree with this move, because it's not important in the long run. However, it is a bit of slap-in-the-face to a guy who has been a starter for the better part of the last two seasons. Granted, he should be a utility guy, but that's not his fault the Pirates had to use him as a starter.

7. WTM Posted: August 14, 2008 at 01:05 PM (#2902767)

I don't think LaRoche is healthy. In the Tuesday game he was repeatedly unable to keep his hand (right hand iirc) on the bat during his swing. The camera caught him after one AB in the dugout acting as if his hand hurt. I don't know whether it's the injury he had in the spring or his recent thumb injury. The power he showed previously in AAA was mostly gone when he was there this year. I don't expect to see anything from him until next year.

8. Gern Blanston Posted: August 14, 2008 at 01:07 PM (#2902770)

I could give a rat's ass about Jose Bautista, but you can never have too many threads referencing Bean Stringfellow.

9. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: August 14, 2008 at 01:07 PM (#2902771)

That is now the third greatest name I've ever heard, behind only:
1) RCMP Sergeant Law Power, and
2) US Army Staff Sergeant Max Fightmaster

Manliest names of All-Time

I like "Flex Plexico" myself.

10. flournoy Posted: August 14, 2008 at 01:07 PM (#2902772)

I want to know what Bean Stringfellow looks like. I bet he's short and fat.

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Thursday, August 14, 2008

PIT Post-Gazette: Jose Bautista demoted in surprise move

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