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Thursday, July 17, 2008

Rosenthal: Sources: Yanks on verge of signing Sexson

Wasn’t NY just trying to dump those useless statues? Odd.

The New York Yankees aren’t interested in signing Barry Bonds. But they are on the verge of adding another hitter — Richie Sexson.

Sexson, released by the Mariners on July 10, is closing in on a deal with the Yankees, major-league sources say. He will play first base against left-handed pitching, likely reducing the playing time of Wilson Betemit, a switch-hitter.

When Sexson is at first, the Yankees could use either Jason Giambi, a left-handed hitter, or Jorge Posada, a switch-hitter, as their DH.

Repoz Posted: July 17, 2008 at 02:25 PM | 94 comment(s)
  Related News: GeneralNY YankeesSeattle

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   1. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 17, 2008 at 02:33 PM (#2862372)
My prophecy (comment 17) is one step closer to its inevitable conclusion.
   2. RB in NYC (Now with a Training Schedule!) Posted: July 17, 2008 at 02:37 PM (#2862377)
John Olerud, 2004 w/ Seattle: .245/.354/.360, OPS+: 90
John Olerud, 2004 w/ New York: .280/.367/.396, OPS+: 101

Richie Sexson, 2008 w/Seattle: .218/.315/.381, OPS+: 90
Rihcie Sexson, 2008 w/ New York: ???

(Well, I can dream, right?)
   3. Benji Posted: July 17, 2008 at 02:40 PM (#2862382)
Betamit needs a chance to play everyday.
   4. Tropical Storm Davis aka Quilvio "Ebola" Veras Posted: July 17, 2008 at 02:40 PM (#2862383)
Great. He'll be the next Glenallen Hill and proceed to go .290/.380/.600 now that he's in the Bronx.
   5. The Good Face Posted: July 17, 2008 at 02:41 PM (#2862386)
/facepalm
   6. Jolly Old St. Nick (now, with Screen Name history) Posted: July 17, 2008 at 02:43 PM (#2862388)
At the risk of exposing my ignorance, what's the story behind Sexson's precipitous drop in productivity over the past few years? Is it age or injury or a combination of both?
   7. Cowboy Popup Posted: July 17, 2008 at 02:44 PM (#2862390)
Well, if he can continue to hit lefties, that will be nice. So Sexson/Giambi vs. lefties, Betemit/Giambi vs. righties at 1b/DH. Too bad Betemit has completely forgotten how to walk.
   8. Master of Karate and Friendship (Kyle C) Posted: July 17, 2008 at 02:49 PM (#2862396)
Betamit needs a chance to play everyday.


He'd get a shot if he wasn't overmatched by anyone with a fastball over 88 and/or a breaking ball that moves more than an inch.

How can you fault the Yankees for signing Sexson? It's not like there's a much better player out there that you could sign for the minimum...
   9. Robert Machemer Posted: July 17, 2008 at 02:52 PM (#2862399)
Great. He'll be the next Glenallen Hill and proceed to go .290/.380/.600 now that he's in the Bronx.
As a Sox fan, I'm thrilled that they're signing Sexson and not Bonds. As a Bonds fan, I'm disappointed yet another team is acting in a way that suggests league-wide collusion.
   10. Brandon in MO (Fire Trey Hillman) Posted: July 17, 2008 at 02:54 PM (#2862402)
Richie Sexson at Yankee Stadium

.151/.250/.370 (11 for 73, 84 PA, 5 HR, 10 walks/31 strikeouts)
   11. too fat and ugly to play third Posted: July 17, 2008 at 02:55 PM (#2862405)
John Olerud, 2004 w/ Seattle: .245/.354/.360, OPS+: 90
John Olerud, 2004 w/ New York: .280/.367/.396, OPS+: 101


Don't forget about Ken Phelps!
   12. NJ likes the people, the books, hates the format. Posted: July 17, 2008 at 02:58 PM (#2862411)
Hey, CP, the other thread got buried, so I'm hoping you'll see this one...congrats.
   13. Cowboy Popup Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:02 PM (#2862419)
Hey, CP, the other thread got buried, so I'm hoping you'll see this one...congrats.

Hey, thanks man. I appreciate it. I'm still really excited, which I suppose is a good thing.

On another not, you should come out drinking with RB and me sometime. Of course, I'm never sure if you're in NYC or not, but we should make that happen sometime soon if you are.
   14. Rich Rifkin I Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:05 PM (#2862423)
Richie Sexson ZiPS projection 2008: .764 OPS (.696 actual)
Barry Bonds ZiPS projection 2008: .974 OPS (no actual job)
Yeah, it makes perfect sense for the Yankees to sign Sexson (who like Bonds is a certified a-hole).
   15. PreservedFish Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:08 PM (#2862425)
As a Bonds fan, I'm disappointed yet another team is acting in a way that suggests league-wide collusion.


Isn't it possible that every team has just independently decided that they don't want to deal with the media nightmare that would follow any Bonds signing?

(PS- Aware that this has probably been argued a thousand times, feel free to ignore)
   16. Harveys Wallbangers Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:10 PM (#2862428)
Andy:

The decline actually began in 2006 but was hidden by a huge second half where Richson slugged over .600. But that whole first half he struggled with seemingly ordinary stuff.

2007 he was just across the board awful but especially at home where he hit .185(!). This year his game in Safeco has completely collapsed as Richie is hitting .178 with a .256 slugging percentage at home while .260/.363/.512 away in the same number of plate appearances.

Despite being somewhat prickly at times personally Sexson is also a bit sensitive. And the normally staid M's crowd appears to have gotten to him. And it wouldn't surprise me if the blogosphere is part of his reading material and that has been even less kind.

Now, he's 33 and that is a classic age for guys like Sexson to drive into the career abyss. But as pointed out he can always hit lefties and with a change of scenery maybe the Yanks catch someone on the rebound.

It's just really, really odd to see someone swing and miss at 84 mph fastballs. Or what I prefer to call them, straightballs.
   17. Van Lingle Mungo Jerry Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:11 PM (#2862430)
Hey, CP, the other thread got buried, so I'm hoping you'll see this one...congrats.

Hey, thanks man. I appreciate it. I'm still really excited, which I suppose is a good thing.


Wait a minute ... is Cowboy Popup actually Richie Sexson?!
   18. Cowboy Popup Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:12 PM (#2862432)
It's just really, really odd to see someone swing and miss at 84 mph fastballs.

Oh, then he'll feel right at home in the Yankee lineup, he, Betemit, Melky and Cano can start a club.

Wait a minute ... is Cowboy Popup actually Richie Sexson?!

Only if I walked around on stilts for the rest of my days. It'd be nice to have his salary though.
   19. robinred Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:12 PM (#2862433)
At the risk of exposing my ignorance,


After 12,727 posts, it is a little late to sweat that. How was #64?
   20. Randy Jones Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:14 PM (#2862434)
Isn't it possible that every team has just independently decided that they don't want to deal with the media nightmare that would follow any Bonds signing?


Yeah, but this is the Yankees. If there is no media nightmare, the media makes one up. If they signed Bonds now, at the very least we would stop hearing about A-Rod and Madonna.
   21. vortex of dissipation Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:16 PM (#2862437)
Despite being somewhat prickly at times personally Sexson is also a bit sensitive. And the normally staid M's crowd appears to have gotten to him. And it wouldn't surprise me if the blogosphere is part of his reading material and that has been even less kind.


Absolutely true, and I think Sexson was bewildered at being booed at home, because he's from Washington state. We've generally been very kind to our home-grown pro athletes here, and I think it genuinely hurt him to be booed by the fans.
   22. HGH Positive Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:17 PM (#2862438)
Yeah, it makes perfect sense for the Yankees to sign Sexson (who like Bonds is a certified a-hole).


Sexson is white, duh.
   23. Joey B. Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:18 PM (#2862439)
As a Bonds fan, I'm disappointed

Get used to that feeling, because you're never going to see him play again.

You might want to start giving some consideration to moving on, then your disappointment will eventually go away.
   24. RB in NYC (Now with a Training Schedule!) Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:26 PM (#2862452)
Only if I walked around on stilts for the rest of my days.
So, let's get some predictions here. Better hitter the rest of the year: Richie Sexson, or CP on stilts? I'm going with Richie, but only by a few runs.
   25. Jolly Old St. Nick (now, with Screen Name history) Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:34 PM (#2862463)
At the risk of exposing my ignorance,

After 12,727 posts, it is a little late to sweat that.


Well, better to know that you're ignorant than not to be aware of it. No names necessary on that one. (smile)

But I'd still like to know just what made Sexson go South after 2005, and especially after 2006. He's only 33.
   26. Cowboy Popup Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:34 PM (#2862464)
I'm going with Richie, but only by a few runs.

Not fair! I'm a defense first ballplayer (although that may not hold true on stilts), of course he's going to out VORP me (unless of course he really sucks).
   27. Harveys Wallbangers Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:39 PM (#2862473)
Andy:

Despite keeping himself in shape Sexson is a slow, right-handed power hitter. He's had some owies since the shoulder but at the end of the day it's "old player skills" meets Father Time.

UNLESS the rabbit ears are as real as imagined. Then a team might get two more useful years.......
   28. aleskel Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:42 PM (#2862478)
It's just really, really odd to see someone swing and miss at 84 mph fastballs.

Oh, then he'll feel right at home in the Yankee lineup, he, Betemit, Melky and Cano can start a club.


that's not fair. Melky and Cano just tap weakly to second.
   29. rfloh Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:43 PM (#2862481)
Andy,

I have no idea why he's gone cliff diving, but he was reportedly struggling with hamstring problems in 2007.
   30. MM1f Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:45 PM (#2862486)
"Oh, then he'll feel right at home in the Yankee lineup, he, Betemit, Melky and Cano can start a club."

I heard they call it the "New York Yankees Baseball Club" : )
   31. Shooty Is A One Man Legion Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:50 PM (#2862492)
As a Bonds fan, I'm disappointed

Get used to that feeling, because you're never going to see him play again.

You might want to start giving some consideration to moving on, then your disappointment will eventually go away.


Bonds may fade away, but we'll always have his shadow...
   32. Jolly Old St. Nick (now, with Screen Name history) Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:52 PM (#2862494)
Harvey and rfloh,

Thanks for the info. I was afraid of that. Sure hope that the Yanks insist on a thorough physical exam before signing him.
   33. Fred C. Dobbs Posted: July 17, 2008 at 03:57 PM (#2862500)
Bonds may fade away, but we'll always have his shadow...


Out of the blue
and into the black
You pay for this,
but they give you that
And once you're gone,
you can't come back
When you're out of the blue
and into the black.
   34. robinred Posted: July 17, 2008 at 04:02 PM (#2862507)
Sexson vs. LHP in 2008:


G AB R H HR RBI BB K AVG OBP SLG OPS
34 61 10 21 5 12 9 13 .344 .423 .623 1.045

I assume this was posted elsewhere, but I can't really see faulting NY for picking the guy up and playing him against LHP. The lead-in says he will play 1b against LHP. Seems OK to me.
   35. NJ likes the people, the books, hates the format. Posted: July 17, 2008 at 04:08 PM (#2862512)
CP, I'm here all summer, just let me know when, I should be able to make it.
   36. rconn23 Posted: July 17, 2008 at 04:10 PM (#2862517)
Sexon may have hit lefties well this year, but it's a small sample size. Maybe they should try to Frankenstein a first baseman, by bringing up Juan Miranda (444 .533 .977 vs. righties) and platoon. Miranda couldn't hit a left-handed pitcher if they underhanded it to him.

That'd mean getting rid of Betemit, for, whatever.
   37. aleskel Posted: July 17, 2008 at 04:11 PM (#2862518)
this makes me think the Yankees are expecting the worst re: Matsui. It would make for a crowded field at DH if they were confident he would be back.
   38. RB in NYC (Now with a Training Schedule!) Posted: July 17, 2008 at 04:13 PM (#2862523)
this makes me think the Yankees are expecting the worst re: Matsui. It would make for a crowded field at DH if they were confident he would be back.
I suspect you're right about Matsui, but I doubt that's the Yankees' concern, which also applies for Andy's #34. Sexson is basically a no-risk proposistion. He hits, great. He doesn't (or he's hurt) then they cut him.
   39. robinred Posted: July 17, 2008 at 04:14 PM (#2862525)
Sexon may have hit lefties well this year, but it's a small sample size.


Sure, but even so, I can see why NY did it. Sexson did not do well against LHP in 2006 or 2007.

I still think Betemit could be an OK player if he got the right job, but I am stubborn about stuff like that.
   40. Swoboda is freedom Posted: July 17, 2008 at 04:14 PM (#2862526)
If they make the playoffs, Sexson should get some ABs. His career playoff numbers are

.071 .235 .071. Make everone forget Arod
   41. mopar Posted: July 17, 2008 at 04:14 PM (#2862527)
Too late for a shot at Alyssa Milano but I'm sure Richie will enjoy NYC
   42. With 17th Pick, From LA, 1k5v3L KcoLLoP Posted: July 17, 2008 at 04:16 PM (#2862529)
If they make the playoffs, Sexson should get some ABs. His career playoff numbers are

.071 .235 .071. Make everone forget Arod
Maybe that's why they signed him
   43. jwb Posted: July 17, 2008 at 06:06 PM (#2862647)
That'd mean getting rid of Betemit, for, whatever.
For the $500K he's owed for the rest of the season, he won't get a waiver claim. Seattle should, though.
   44. Tuque Snider Posted: July 17, 2008 at 06:22 PM (#2862659)
I've never noticed Glenallen Hill's stats before. It looks like he just loved being traded. Every time he switched teams it seems his OPS+ spiked at least twenty points.
   45. JRVJ (formerly Delta Socrates) Posted: July 17, 2008 at 06:30 PM (#2862666)
Pete Abe is reporting that Sexton will be paid $161K for the rest of the season.

The Yanks probably spend more than $161K in their monthly food spread, so this is an absolute low risk move (what's the harm?).
   46. Dr Love Posted: July 17, 2008 at 06:32 PM (#2862670)
I've never noticed Glenallen Hill's stats before. It looks like he just loved being traded. Every time he switched teams it seems his OPS+ spiked at least twenty points.


Well he kept getting traded to older, and thus less kept up, stadiums. Maybe he realized the easiest way to spend the least amount of time near spiders crawling around those old parks was to get on base.
   47. Harveys Wallbangers Posted: July 17, 2008 at 06:42 PM (#2862686)
Speaking of Hill, I think it's rather ironic that a guy who had so many obvious holes in his game is now a coach on a major league team.

"Yo, Glen, breaking stuff is killing me lately. Any ideas?"

"Sit fastball. I never figured out that sh#t either."
   48. Bowling Baseball Fan Posted: July 17, 2008 at 06:49 PM (#2862693)
"Sit fastball. I never figured out that sh#t either."


As opposed to Ted Williams' coaching approach.

"Sit fastball. You won't understand half of what I tell you anyway."
   49. MM1f Posted: July 17, 2008 at 06:57 PM (#2862700)
"
I still think Betemit could be an OK player if he got the right job, but I am stubborn about stuff like that."

I agree with you on that. Granted, I haven't gotten to see him play much the last couple years, but he is far more talented than he has been hitting.
   50. Dr Love Posted: July 17, 2008 at 06:59 PM (#2862703)
HW: Well, they say those who can't, coach.

And like Hatteberg said in Moneyball, crappy players make for good coaches 'cause they know their #### doesn't work.
   51. tribefan Posted: July 17, 2008 at 07:01 PM (#2862705)
Blanton traded to the Phillies for 3 minor leagers, espn didn't say who
   52. Esoteric can feel Strasburg slowly slipping away Posted: July 17, 2008 at 07:07 PM (#2862716)
If the A's got either Carrasco or Cardenas, then they hosed the Phillies. Blanton will be minced in CBP.
   53. AlouGoodbye Posted: July 17, 2008 at 07:08 PM (#2862718)
It was Adrian Cardenas, Matthew Spencer and Josh Outman (great name for a pitcher!). Those who know the Phillies system - are these guys any good?
   54. Esoteric can feel Strasburg slowly slipping away Posted: July 17, 2008 at 07:09 PM (#2862722)
Cardenas is one of their best prospects. (He plays 2B...Wonder what this means for Mark Ellis.) Spencer and Outman are further down on the prospect list. I suppose that after giving up Cardenas there was no way they'd also give up Jason Donald or Lou Marson.

It's still a good deal for the A's. With Blanton's rising HR rate, CBP will be...tough.
   55. Better Schafer than Sorry Posted: July 17, 2008 at 07:10 PM (#2862723)
Whatever happened to the Dugout? Gone again?

Cardenas is a good 2B prospect, so adios Ellis? The other two have a good chance of being roster fillers.
   56. MM1f Posted: July 17, 2008 at 07:23 PM (#2862745)
Spencer is a giant-ass enigma. He has some speed and arm strength but isn't much of a defender. He has size, power and will walk and yet he isn't much of a hitter. When he gets a ball he can REALLY knock it long. He just can't get that to show up in games very often. I remember his batspeed being good as well, so I don't think that is the problem either. His swing can get pretty bad though and scouts don't like his pitch selection (for good reason). There is some talent in there, but I don't know how you get to it.

Cardenas is a good 2B prospect, so adios Ellis?

Cardenas is 20, so I wouldn't take it to mean too much at the MLB level yet other than the fact that this gives them options down the road. Cardenas might be able to play third too, so they could put Chavez out to pasture too. By the time he is ready for a full-time starting gig one of them will probably have left as a FA or be obviously toast.
   57. A Random 8-Year-Old Eskimo Posted: July 17, 2008 at 07:34 PM (#2862777)
Outman isn't a throw-in, either. He was ranked the number 4 prospect in the system during the offseason by BA and number 3 by Sickels. He's been passed by a couple of other guys, but I think he has a chance more than a minimal chance to contribute something in the future.
   58. Vaux, A.B.D. Posted: July 17, 2008 at 07:35 PM (#2862780)
Man, Blanton is the pitcher least likely to help the Phillies at all. What a great solution (not that they need one, since they're going to bludgeon their way to the division title anyway).
   59. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 17, 2008 at 07:43 PM (#2862790)
ERA+ of 77, you say? 12 losses, indeed? Gave up 240 hits last year, is it? It is the, um, yes, I do not, um, think, um, well, he was seen as having more trade value than Rich Harden about six months ago...because he doesn't get injured...so, I guess, um, minimum salary, the prospects are all very young, so, well, at least he'll be better than Gavin Eaton.

And you know what? Because he's sucked this year, the Phils are buying low! That's what smart shoppers do! Right?!?!?!?!?

:-/
:-/
:-)
:-/
??|
   60. Dan Posted: July 17, 2008 at 07:49 PM (#2862793)
So is Blanton replacing Eaton or are they going to shift Myers back to the bullpen instead of fixing him?
   61. Jason Kendall's #6,530,420,771 fan (AS) Posted: July 17, 2008 at 07:54 PM (#2862804)
Woot!

I'll just pretend we traded Harden and Gaudin for this and Blanton for the Cubs' pu-pu platter.
   62. Dan Posted: July 17, 2008 at 08:10 PM (#2862837)
So who's buying Huston Street?
   63. Better Schafer than Sorry Posted: July 17, 2008 at 08:11 PM (#2862840)
If the As didn't have such a good record, one would think they were trying to tank for the #1 pick next year.
Though ofcourse, thats going to be worth the tanking.
   64. retro-shiite Posted: July 17, 2008 at 08:30 PM (#2862884)
If the As didn't have such a good record, one would think they were trying to tank for the #1 pick next year.

I dunno. You think Gio Gonzalez is that much worse than Blanton? (I can sort of see the Harden trade generating a "tanking" comment, but not this one.)
   65. retro-shiite Posted: July 17, 2008 at 08:31 PM (#2862886)
Hell, didn't the Phils have Gonzalez in tow not that long ago?
   66. Blackadder Posted: July 17, 2008 at 08:37 PM (#2862906)
Sexson's career platoon splits are very modest (.260/.337/506 vs .269/.369/.510) so I wouldn't make too much of his good 71 PA against LHP this season. I think he is totally finished, but I would love to be proven wrong.

I had forgotten that he was developed by the Indians. In the late 80's and early 90's, the Indians developed Belle, Ramirez, Thome, Giles, and Sexson. Clearly some scout or minor league hitting coach was doing his job...
   67. Joey B. Posted: July 17, 2008 at 08:47 PM (#2862932)
Has a team ever had such a good first half of the season and then completely packed it in this early before like the A's have?

It's rather astonishing; I can't remember anything quite like it.
   68. Esoteric can feel Strasburg slowly slipping away Posted: July 17, 2008 at 08:53 PM (#2862945)
I'd actually be more inclined to give credit to Billy Beane for not misinterpreting the A's luck so far this season and "trying to make a run for it." Rather, Beane's being smart and selling chips of dubious absolute value (Harden b/c of injury history, Blanton because he's just not that good) while they can still bring in real value to the A's. If he kept them the A's STILL probably wouldn't sniff the postseason - nobody's catching the Angels, and good luck defeating either the Sox or the Rays for the WC - and they'd likely lose their value even more. Beane is being remarkably restrained and circumspect here.

These aren't "white flag" trades, they're smart trades from a man who already knows the team has no reasonable shot and doesn't want to lose what little value can be seized right now.
   69. Better Schafer than Sorry Posted: July 17, 2008 at 08:54 PM (#2862948)
I dunno. You think Gio Gonzalez is that much worse than Blanton?

Depends on whether you think Blanton is going to pitch like the first half of 2008 Blanton or the rest of his career.
   70. Dan Posted: July 17, 2008 at 08:54 PM (#2862949)
They haven't really packed it in until they trade Street.
   71. Shooty Is A One Man Legion Posted: July 17, 2008 at 08:54 PM (#2862950)
Joey, I know you hate the A's and can run a team better than Beane and all, but if you think dumping Blanton is packing it in, then you just aren't paying attention to the A's this year. The Harden trade was questionable. This trade is a sigh of relief. Whether Braden or Gio takes Blanton's spot, the A's just got better. The prospects are a bonus.
   72. Dan Posted: July 17, 2008 at 08:56 PM (#2862961)
Shooty: who do you think will get the rotation slot? Braden?
   73. Shooty Is A One Man Legion Posted: July 17, 2008 at 09:00 PM (#2862975)
They haven't really packed it in until they trade Street.

Have you guys seen the A's this year? I'm perfectly fine with them trading Street, too, while his perceived value is greater than his actual value.
   74. Shooty Is A One Man Legion Posted: July 17, 2008 at 09:01 PM (#2862981)
Shooty: who do you think will get the rotation slot? Braden?

That would be my guess. Sorry for the snarky comment about Street. I just don't think he's all that great for a closer though I could still just be bitter about that last game he blew.
   75. Rich Rifkin I Posted: July 17, 2008 at 09:04 PM (#2862986)
"They haven't really packed it in until they trade Street."

Would the A's really be that much worse in the 9th inning with Brad Ziegler (who is 4 years older than Huston)?
   76. Joey B. Posted: July 17, 2008 at 09:04 PM (#2862987)
Joey, I know you hate the A's and can run a team better than Beane and all, but if you think dumping Blanton is packing it in, then you just aren't paying attention to the A's this year. The Harden trade was questionable. This trade is a sigh of relief. Whether Braden or Gio takes Blanton's spot, the A's just got better. The prospects are a bonus.

I don't follow the A's like you do, so I don't really know these guys. And no, I don't think I can run the team better than Beane, and have never said or implied any such damn thing.

But I see from looking at the stats that Braden has a career ERA+ of 65 in 86 major league innings, and Gonzalez has never pitched an inning in the majors in his life yet, so I'm not sure just how you're able to make that kind of determination.
   77. Shooty Is A One Man Legion Posted: July 17, 2008 at 09:14 PM (#2863012)
I don't follow the A's like you do, so I don't really know these guys. And no, I don't think I can run the team better than Beane, and have never said or implied any such damn thing.

Said, no. I'll even give you that you didn't imply that you, personally, could run the team better, but your dentist's gardener's retarded helper probably could. I admire the humility.


But I see from looking at the stats that Braden has a career ERA+ of 65 in 86 major league innings, and Gonzalez has never pitched an inning in the majors in his life yet, so I'm not sure just how you're able to make that kind of determination.

Minor league performance counts. It just does.
   78. Dan Posted: July 17, 2008 at 09:15 PM (#2863013)
If Ziegler pitches the 9th, who bridges from the starters to him? The middle relief is in shambles right now outside of Ziegler. Embree is toast. Foulke is alright when healthy, but that's rare. Casilla has sucked since he hurt himself in Cleveland.

The offense is pretty terrible, but the AL West is looking very winnable. Trading Harden and Blanton doesn't really change that; the rotation should still be fine with how good the defense is. But if you take Street off the back end of the bullpen, I think you're officially packing it in.
   79. Shooty Is A One Man Legion Posted: July 17, 2008 at 09:17 PM (#2863022)
The offense is pretty terrible, but the AL West is looking very winnable. Trading Harden and Blanton doesn't really change that; the rotation should still be fine with how good the defense is. But if you take Street off the back end of the bullpen, I think you're officially packing it in.

This is where the Gaudin throw in still bugs me. The A's needed his versatility. What do you guys think of Blevins?

BTW, the Mets-Reds game is crazy.
   80. Shooty Is A One Man Legion Posted: July 17, 2008 at 09:22 PM (#2863032)
Also, have they announced a new starter for tomorrow night? Blanton was scheduled. I'm hoping for Gallagher since I'll be at the game,
   81. Dan Posted: July 17, 2008 at 09:24 PM (#2863034)
So is this now the Blanton trade thread? Or are we going to get one devoted to the purpose?
   82. Best Regards, Larry Mahnken Posted: July 17, 2008 at 09:26 PM (#2863038)
You going to stop at Stan's before the game, Shooty?
   83. Shooty Is A One Man Legion Posted: July 17, 2008 at 09:27 PM (#2863043)
So is this now the Blanton trade thread? Or are we going to get one devoted to the purpose?

I don't know. The Mets are indirectly involved, but not directly. We shall see.
   84. Shooty Is A One Man Legion Posted: July 17, 2008 at 09:28 PM (#2863049)
You going to stop at Stan's before the game, Shooty?

Can't before the game, but I'll be at whatever post game drinking is going on.
   85. Dan Posted: July 17, 2008 at 09:29 PM (#2863054)
Speaking of the Mets, I can't wait until Edwin Encarnacion homers off of Wagner in the 9th.
   86. Backlasher Posted: July 17, 2008 at 09:35 PM (#2863075)
This is where the Gaudin throw in still bugs me. The A's needed his versatility. What do you guys think of Blevins?

Sane Joe Blevins?
Lucky Number Blevens?

Maybe they can just tarp over the mound.

Minor league performance counts. It just does.

Yes, who can forget the legend of Drederick Barton. We all know Billy did his job by getting good players in the minor leagues. The AL-- that is just a crapshoot.
   87. BeanoCook Posted: July 17, 2008 at 09:40 PM (#2863081)
I remain convinced Bonds will play in 2008. A team has until late August to sign him. This is exactly how I envisioned it playing out.
   88. MSI Posted: July 17, 2008 at 10:34 PM (#2863263)
The Angels are the ones preparing to tank. THey have the best record in baseball and a not so great pythag...and the A's aren't too far behind. But its clear that Beane made up his mind pre-season that he'd be selling off pieces and not going for it this year, and he's clearly sticking to that plan and rebuilding for the future.
   89. Crispix Attacks Posted: July 17, 2008 at 11:13 PM (#2863395)
I remain convinced Bonds will play in 2008. A team has until late August to sign him. This is exactly how I envisioned it playing out.

Am I right here?

Your prediction:
April - Bonds not signed
May - Bonds not signed
June - Bonds not signed
July - Bonds not signed
August - Bonds signed!

Reality:
April - Bonds not signed
May - Bonds not signed
June - Bonds not signed
July - Bonds not signed
August - ?????????

You're 4 out of 5 so far, good luck!
   90. RollingWave Posted: July 18, 2008 at 02:29 AM (#2863486)
How can you fault the Yankees for signing Sexson? It's not like there's a much better player out there that you could sign for the minimum...


Would the all time HR leader and indisputablly one of the top 3 hitter ever in this game counts?

on the other hand, I would rather have the bones of Babe Ruth or Frozen Ted right now then Richie Sexson
   91. rfloh Posted: July 18, 2008 at 04:36 AM (#2863497)
Have you guys seen the A's this year? I'm perfectly fine with them trading Street, too, while his perceived value is greater than his actual value.


Unless you believe something, or know something, has happened to Street that makes him give up much more home runs per flyball, you're putting way too much value on a reliever's half season.
   92. Petunia Posted: July 18, 2008 at 05:28 AM (#2863501)
What I would love to see is Los Athleticos somehow sneak into the playoffs and then win it all with this shitty team because a short postseason series is a crapshoot.
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