IGD: Padres @ Dodgers (24 Jul 06)
Mon, Jul 24, 2006
by Geoff Young
first pitch: 7:10 p.m., PT
television: Channel 4SD
matchup: Chris Young (8-4, 3.59 ERA) vs Derek Lowe (7-7, 4.19 ERA)
preview: Padres.com | SI.com | ESPN
buy tickets
I’ve got nothing this morning, so we’ll get the IGD fired up a little early today. Thank goodness the Padres didn’t get swept in San Francisco. If there’s anything worse than a Giants fan, it’s a happy Giants fan.
Off to LA for a three-game set with the Dodgers. Reliever Scott Williamson, recently acquired from the Cubs, will be in uniform for the Pads tonight — and not a moment too soon. Picking up a third baseman would a good next step. It seems like we keep hearing the same names but everything is just speculation at this point. I stand by my offer to play the position for food.
As for tonight’s game, we’ve got Chris Young and Derek Lowe on the mound. Lowe has allowed two or more runs in nine consecutive starts. After working six shutout innings against the Phillies on June 1, his ERA stood at 2.68 for the season. Since then, here’s what he’s done:
| IP | H/9 | HR/9 | BB/9 | SO/9 | ERA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53.2 | 12.41 | 1.01 | 3.19 | 4.86 | 6.37 | |
| Stats courtesy of David Pinto’s Day By Day Database. | ||||||
So either the Padres are catching Lowe at a good time or he’s due for a strong outing. See, I can make any situation ambiguous — it’s a gift.
On the flip side, Young continues to confound by being a much better pitcher away from Petco Park than at the allegedly pitcher-friendly venue:
| IP | H/9 | HR/9 | BB/9 | SO/9 | ERA | BA | OBP | SLG | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 60.1 | 8.20 | 1.94 | 3.43 | 9.40 | 4.77 | .243 | .323 | .473 |
| Home | 52.1 | 5.85 | 1.03 | 2.75 | 7.39 | 2.24 | .181 | .248 | .314 |
| Stats courtesy of ESPN. | |||||||||
At home, opposing batters hit him about like Jose Valentin (.243/.322/.450 career). On the road, there aren’t really any hitters to compare his opposition stats to — he’s pretty much vintage Pedro Martinez level (without the strikeouts).
Young is an extreme flyball pitcher — nobody over the past 10 years even comes close to his 0.49 groundball/flyball ratio this season — but I still find it hard to believe that he had better success at Ameriquest Field last year (82.2 IP, 4.35 ERA) than he has so far at Petco Park. Last season, Ameriquest was #6 in MLB in park factor for runs at 1.076, while Petco was #30 at 0.803. This season, Petco has been closer to neutral (#23 at 0.935) but it still favors pitchers.
I guess Young didn’t get the memo.
Picking up where last year's version left off, the Ducksnorts 2008 Baseball Annual provides in-depth analysis of and commentary on the San Diego Padres. Get your copy today.
July 24, 2006 at 8:52 am
That was a close one yesterday and without some HR heroics we might be down a half game instead of up a half game. Anybody else concerned about Linebrink? He seems to be on again off again all year with yesterday was an off again day. Thank god Hoffy got the save. Maybe the staff is in a dead arm period, not sure. Thats what playing in the NLW does fro you, you can drop three and still be in first place. Beat up on the Dodgers!
July 24, 2006 at 8:55 am
This has nothing to do with the Padres but I’ve got a question out to all the “Ducksnort-ers”. If Jered Weaver puts together a few more wins and finishes the season with only a loss or two do you think he has a shot at getting any ROY votes away from Liriano? He has already won his first 7 starts and I think that’s f-ing amazing. I know Liriano is the sh!t but Weaver is getting real impressive! I’m totally syked we picked up Matt Bush when we did because SS is totally a need with this team and 7 extra wins from our 4 or 5 starter probably wouldn’t have helped that much!
July 24, 2006 at 9:08 am
I think Weaver will get a couple of west coast votes for ROY but will loose to Liriano.
Are the pads going to send down Leone or Sledge to make room for Willamson?
I really hope the pads make a deal for a 3B soon and dont try to get one off waivers in Aug like KT always says he will.
July 24, 2006 at 9:17 am
PM, we’d actually be down a full 1.5 if we had lost yesterday! Thank goodness is right. We bend but don’t break, I guess. Seriously, we should thank John Moores for not allowing KT to draft a player like Weaver.
I am very concerned about Linebrink, but we’re all very spoiled here with the bullpens we’ve had over the last few years. Most teams (even the best ones) have bulllpen struggles.
July 24, 2006 at 9:21 am
Marte, Marte . . . I want Marte!!
I’m hoping they send down Leone. Or maybe Giles is headed to the DL . . .
From the U-T article today, sounds like Liney had bad luck. I guess Blum misplayed a ball at 3B that opened the floodgates.
July 24, 2006 at 9:29 am
Matt Bush is hitting .268 for Ft Wayne. Thinking about these other guys that went behind him (like Weaver and especially Justin Verlander), actually makes me physically ill. Thinking about Verlander is actually the worst . . .
I prefer to focus on Kahlil Greene.
July 24, 2006 at 9:31 am
Nick G. same page dude! Marte is a stud and he is my first choice for problem at 3rd. The only thing is that if I was cleveland and I had him I couldn’t see myself giving him up for anything in the Padres farm system. I’d love to see it happen don’t get me wrong at all I just don’t know what we have to give up in return especially because Boone is a FA and they are going to need a 3rd baseman next year. If Towers could work something out it’d probably be a steal!
July 24, 2006 at 9:42 am
UT talked about the Vinny curse. Probably stolen from Bruce’s line in Friday’s comments.
Why was Blum playing in the late innings on Sunday? Having Blum playing 3rd the latter part of the game was like sending the Titanic to rescue the iceberg. If they aren’t going to play Leone, let Bellhorn play 3rd and Blum come off the bench to pinch hit. Bellhorn plays a better defense, while Blum is the better pinch hitter.
July 24, 2006 at 9:45 am
Kottaras + Cassidy + Jared Wells = Marte
Does Kottaras’s profile on mlb.com still have an Indians logo?
Yep, it does. I’m assuming Wells and Cassidy still have that too.
http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com....._id=435459
Someone at MLB.com has to fix this glitch because it’s driving me crazy. I’m checking the internet every 20 mins just waiting for something to happen.
July 24, 2006 at 9:49 am
Linebrink pitched well yesterday. Broken bat single, seeing eye single, semi-intentional walk, bloop single and something that should have been an E-5.
July 24, 2006 at 9:55 am
Yeah that is really weird!
I’m just saying that if I was the Indians GM Cassidy, Kottaras, and Wells wouldn’t do a lot for me. Cassidy looks okay, Wells has not been good since moving up to AAA and Kottaras is great but they just got a catcher from Atlanta for Wickman and already have one of the best catchers in the game in Martinez that they just signed to a big contract last year I think. I did hear about them possibly wanting to move Martinez to DH or something a while back but heard nothing since. If I were Towers I would do that deal in a heart beat but if I was Cleveland I would want more.
July 24, 2006 at 10:17 am
Cleveland wont give up Marte, They have no one to play 3B next year if they move him. Unless this is a 3 way deal with the braves to get Bediment or Giles I think the profile thing has to be a mistake.
July 24, 2006 at 10:19 am
I cant see the pads geeting boone he has been putting up vinny like numbers and he walks at the end of the year. The indians are begging people to take him so i dought the pads would give up a Kottaris or a Wells to get him.
July 24, 2006 at 10:24 am
The Indians have Victor Martinez, which makes Kottaras not so much of a fit there. They don’t have a 3b prospect. I don’t see why they’d trade Marte at all.
Cassidy would have almost zero value to the Indians.
July 24, 2006 at 10:26 am
I can’t believe that E5 was credited with a hit.
Linebrink would be fine. I’m glad the Padres won yesterday.
Not sure why Leone came up but not to bat. This could be another P-Mac like move, when he didn’t get that many ABs with his cup of coffee.
I’m thinking that a three-way deal is in the work, since we can’t see any of the match just dealing with one team. I still would like to get Marte or Betemit. Ensberg would be alright for a stopgap. He’ll be better than Vinny. If the Padres can live with Vinny for 3 months, they’ll live with Ensberg for 3 months. I don’t know about the length of Ensberg’s contract, however.
July 24, 2006 at 10:26 am
No way I give up Linebrink for Ensburg, who sounds like a DV with a mental problem…REACTION!!!
July 24, 2006 at 10:37 am
If Ensburg was healthy I would make the deal but not until he can prove that he can come back and put up good numbers again.
I dont want to trade probably the best setup guy in the NL for someone who may not play the rest of the years and who knows if he can recover next year.
July 24, 2006 at 10:38 am
CLE has Kevin Kouzmanoff who is hitting .400 in AA right now and might have passed Marte in the eyes of the CLE brass. Maybe they are willing to deal Marte-he’s putting up amazing numbers!
Here’s a link to Kouzmanoff’s stats:
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.....pid=450260
July 24, 2006 at 10:40 am
Didi it hard to give an error on the play because he didnt get his glove on it. if he would have knocked it down or botched the throw it would be an error but it could almost be consdered that it was out of his range, which sux for linebrink.
July 24, 2006 at 10:46 am
Paul
Thats a good point but if he is in AA this year then he is probably a year away and with Boone in a walk year I dont think the Indians will move Marte untill the trade deadline in 07, but who knows.
July 24, 2006 at 11:00 am
If the Indians were to get Kottaras, they wouldn’t be looking at him for catcher. He’s smallish, and they don’t necessarily have a need there.
On the other hand, the dude can obviously hit, so . . . honestly, I have no idea where they’d put him, don’t really care. All I know is that there’s an Indians logo next to his name.
I’m just looking to get Marte.
July 24, 2006 at 11:07 am
I agree Linebrink was pitching reasonably well; some bad luck and bad D by Blum. On that note, as part of the Vinny curse, since he was removed from the line up, there have been more hard shots at 3B that I think he would have gotten. Few when he was there, but pull him and then they come.
No way Cleveland gives up Marte. He is good, young and cheap, the type of players teams do not give up. Maybe 5 years ago, but teams, especially Cleveland, are much smarter. Our hope is for an older, less cheap but productive player from a non-contender.
I love Towers, but man do I hate the Bush signing. It seemed spiteful, aimed at Boras. Well, Boras is still rich and Weaver and Verlander are helping clubs, while we have a bust. Just imagine either of those guys in with the normal Peavy? We would kill it.
July 24, 2006 at 11:31 am
Jay — don’t mention Weaver and Verlander, you’ll just get me depressed.
July 24, 2006 at 11:34 am
Bush was a Moores thing not a Towers thing. Im sure towers wanted Weaver and Moores refused to pay him.
July 24, 2006 at 11:42 am
I’ve also heard rumors that Towers is targeting Teahen. That may be more realistic given the Royals current state of affairs. They would turn one player into three players, who could be dealt later or developed for the future. He doesn’t get people as excited as Marte does, but I like him.
Another name I’ve heard is Wilson Betemit. Again, a little less sexy than Marte, but Betemit could also fill in at short or second in the event of an injury. He has some good pop and from what I’ve seen a good approach at the plate. Perhaps we could change the deal to include Linebrink, as the Braves may be thinking wild card and their bullpen stinks.
And Ensberg for Linebrink straight-up would be a steal for us. The last three years he’s been outstanding for us, but I’d rather have a quality position player than a great set-up man. Linebrink will be on the wrong side of 30 in a couple weeks (ok, he’ll be 30), and he’s gonna get paid sooner or later. Why not flip him now?
If we have a chance to solidfy our infield for the conceivable future, I’d rather make a move and risk losing the division or the wildcard (and I’m not sure Linebrink will be the difference there). I don’t think we have enough to be competitive this postseason.
July 24, 2006 at 12:09 pm
I think Marte could happen, but what would the hold-up be? Wouldn’t that deal already be made? I think the hold-up shows that the Pads are waiting for some sort of demonstration of Ensburg’s relative health. I don’t think he’s our guy, though. Beltre would be saaaa-weet, but SEA is playing better and they probably believe themselves to be in the race. Not sure what we’d have that would be particularly attractive to them, either (or what would then happen to their 3B situation - maybe they’d take Leone back!).
July 24, 2006 at 12:28 pm
For those of you with Premium Baseball Prospectus subscriptions, Will Carroll has a disconcerting bit about Jake Peavy today. Will has been a big proponent of the theory that Jake has a Ben Sheets/Bartolo Colon type shoulder injury dating from last season. Like him I am really worried that Jake is going to suffer an injury that could alter the course of his career. I sent him an email asking him to elaborate on the shoulder injury since our local media is not up to the task.
July 24, 2006 at 12:31 pm
Matt T.
A few things. I like Teahan a lot too but KT said he inquired and Teahan isn’t availible. The Braves are probably not going to be trading Betiment after their recent surge. Morgan Endsberg for Linebrink seems real risky if Endsberg isn’t healthy. The Padres bullpen to me is starting to look pretty average and taking away a guy like Linebrink for a guy who’s shoulder may not work is kinda sketchy. Endsberg has been solid for a couple of seasons and is having a good year this year so for the Astro’s to go out and pick up Aubrey Huff right away tells me something there might be seriously wrong. To be honest I have a feeling that some sort of 3 way trade for a dude like Mike Lowell is going to happen. I don’t really have any interest in Lowell but KT and Theo Epstein seem to always help each other out. I think the wild card guy could be Bill Hall from the Brewers. They might have some use for Kotaras and Wells but I’m just hoping the Pad’s don’t over pay if they do land him.
July 24, 2006 at 12:39 pm
I still think Linebrink is poised for a fall (but will be traded first)… He’s been too good for too long and his HR-rate is way up from the last 2 years.
I don’t mind moving Linebrink for the right 3B. I think we’re in on Marte, Betemit, and Ensberg (I can’t make up my mind on Teahan - he seems like an inexpensive 3B who could be rather valuable - but I’ve not heard us linked to him at all).
I like Betemit a lot, but my fear w/ Betemit is that he might be a younger more athletic Castilla (that’s not meant to be a compliment). Though his statistics are better than I remembered:
.287/.346/.437 17/53 BB/SO, 20 2B & 8 HR
On the other hand, Paul (an above poster) and I talk frequently, he points out that Marte has struggled initially w/ each promotion… So while I would LOVE to land Marte, he might not help much for this season’s playoff run.
Since Ensberg is currently injured…
A Linebrink-Betemit deal very-well may be in the works…
July 24, 2006 at 12:47 pm
KRS1 -
1. Lowell will not happen and neither will any player who is either unsigned for next season or young enough where his future is team controlled. Alderson said as much in very clear and certain terms last week in a radio interview
2. Good call on Teahen. The Royals apparently feel he’s they’re best player (wonder why he’s hitting 7th, eh?).
3. The Huff acquisition, imho, by the Astros is NOT a move to replace Ensburg (no “d”). The negotiations for that deal were ongoing long before Ensburg’s injury (Dallas papers have tons of articles about this). The Astros say they are OK with Ensburg and Huff in the lineup simultaneously, as Huff in not really a true 3B (He’s like PMac, an outfielder pretending to play 3B).
Wonder if some SP help could be had as insurance should Jake need a DL stay?
July 24, 2006 at 1:04 pm
Well I’m not sure about Lowell’s contract but I thought he still had a year or two after this season. Either way I don’t like him but I seriously think that unless something drastic happens in the next week the Padres are going to run out of options and make a move even if it’s not ideal. I don’t see the braves parting with Betimet and if what FriarFan says is true about Endsburg and Huff then I don’t see the Astro’s trading away a bat because scoring runs seems to be their #1 concern. So unless that Beltre rumor is true which I highly doubt then I don’t know what else is out there that is a whole lot better then just living Bellhorn or Blum. Maybe there is something in the works that has not been reported but in my mind nothing that I have heard seems like anything that would actually happen if I really try to look at it objectively.
July 24, 2006 at 1:12 pm
KT’s on 1090 right now let’s see what he says!
July 24, 2006 at 1:15 pm
KT mentioned on 1090 today that there were a few deals out there for a 3B that he could take but he did not want to break up the bullpin for a 3B.
He also mentoned that the padres were looking for corner outfielders which strikes me as odd because with Johnson it seems like they have some depth there.
July 24, 2006 at 1:16 pm
sounds like Leone is going to be sent down today.
July 24, 2006 at 1:27 pm
KT gave up more info in that intreview than i thought he would.
July 24, 2006 at 1:29 pm
So I guess there actually was interest in Beltre.
July 24, 2006 at 1:31 pm
Err, I missed the interview! Anyone want to give a summary?
July 24, 2006 at 1:40 pm
Padres are looking for a vetran pitcher, corner OF and 3B.
They did have intrest in Lowell but boston wanted a front line pitcher and KT did not want to give up young or peavy.
They also have intrest in Beltre but seatle is not selling at the moment.
I guess there are a few deals on the table for a 3B but they prob involve linebrink because he montioned that he did not want to break aprt the pen.
KT dodge the Madux question which means they do have intrest.
Leone is being sent down to make room for Wiliamson.
anything else that i missed?
July 24, 2006 at 1:41 pm
Thanks Steve!
July 24, 2006 at 1:46 pm
Pretty good summary. The only thing that I was going to add is that he said they would not get a 3rd baseman just to get one. If there is nobody they like they are sticking with Blum and Bellhorn.
I’m glad he mentioned starting pitching because we need another arm if this is what we are going to be getting from Peavy!
July 24, 2006 at 1:55 pm
Why are we not talking about the AAA for the White Sox, Josh Fields…he is one of the best prospects in baseball and Joe Crede is blocking his way…
I don’t see how Crede could get traded in a pennant chase/WS type of team, but they may be willing to trade the AAA player…look at Fields numbers…
477 ab’s 76r’s 16hr’s 79rbi’s 7 sb’s OPS 750…
Not as sexy as others, but his glove is solid and he is one of the top power hitting prospects in the game.
July 24, 2006 at 1:58 pm
The white sox have siad they will not trade Fields, this is a walk year for crede so i think fields will get the job in 07.
July 24, 2006 at 1:58 pm
Josh Fields will probably be the White Sox 3rd baseman next year and I doubt they would part with him for anything we have. He’s a pure stud and I have a feeling Crede’s days are probably numbered maybe not this season but soon.
July 24, 2006 at 2:05 pm
This isn’t Crede’s walk year. He’s a free agent after 2007. Maybe not even then, he had just over 3 years of service time before this season started.
The White Sox can give Anderson another chance in CF next year and turn Fields into a LF. Or they can trade Crede over the winter and give 3b to Fields.
July 24, 2006 at 2:15 pm
Also, re: Fields, there isn’t really too much the Sox need. If they were desperate for OF help or SP, they might be inclined to trade Fields, but they’re not going to take prospects for prospects, right?
July 24, 2006 at 3:02 pm
Probably not…Just another name that is out there…wish the Sox were faltering so that they would part with Crede…
Still think that Ensberg is the best option.
July 24, 2006 at 3:45 pm
Adrian was named NL player of the week:
http://tinyurl.com/ohqnr
He hit .607/.645/.964. Congrats!
July 24, 2006 at 6:48 pm
Jared Weaver has been impressive: 7-0, 1.15 ERA in 47 innings, and maybe he will get some ROY votes from the West Coast, but I don’t see how or why (if the voting was today).
Francisco Liriano is the best pitcher in the league: 12-2, 1.93 (first in the league) in 107 innings.
Justin Verlander also is a rookie. He is one of the top five starters in the American League: 12-4, 2.77 (second in the league) in 123.2 innings.
Jonathan Papelbon also is a rookie. He is the best closer in baseball: 29 saves, 0.54 ERA.
Weaver shouldn’t be on the AL ballot at this point, because. But if you throw in Josh Johnson, the NL ERA leader, these five guys, plus Bobby Jenks are about as good as it gets for a group of rookie pitchers.
July 24, 2006 at 6:50 pm
And of course, Steve is right. An error can be given only if a ball is somehow misplayed. Errors are not given for poor range.
July 24, 2006 at 7:12 pm
Ah, Vin Scully.
July 24, 2006 at 7:16 pm
yep..Vin Scully…there won’t be a stop in the talking until the game ends…how does he not run out of breath when he barely stops talking.
July 24, 2006 at 7:17 pm
If Giles is that hurt that he can’t slide into 2nd when the ball is going to be there, he shouldn’t be in the lineup..
July 24, 2006 at 7:21 pm
True. OTOH, I’m not sure Sledge hits that ball.
July 24, 2006 at 7:23 pm
I would agree with that…although, all we needed was a flyball, which is essentially all it turned into..
July 24, 2006 at 7:27 pm
Nice start for the boys…..their hitting the ball well so far…
July 24, 2006 at 7:43 pm
Chris Young doesn’t hold runners particularly well…
July 24, 2006 at 7:48 pm
Neither does the rest of the staff. That inning required way more effort than should have been necessary.
July 24, 2006 at 7:53 pm
Geez..that’s gonna leave a mark…
July 24, 2006 at 7:56 pm
Is it me, or does Mike Cameron against a RHP’s slider remind you of Phil Nevin?
July 24, 2006 at 7:57 pm
RHP Scott Williamson joined his new teammates for the start of a three-game series against the Dodgers, following Saturday’s trade from the Chicago Cubs. To make room on the 25-man roster, INF Justin Leone was optioned to Triple-A Portland. “I’m excited,” said Williamson, who also pitched for Cincinnati and Boston and has undergone two Tommy John operations. “(General manager) Kevin Towers gave me an opportunity to show I’m healthy and can pitch again. I’m sure they’re going to put me in situations that are going to be best for me and help the team. They have one of the best closers in the game (Trevor Hoffman), and it’ll be an opportunity to learn from him. It’s going to be good for my career.” … 1B Adrian Gonzalez, who brought a 14-game hitting streak into the series, was named NL player of the week.
July 24, 2006 at 7:59 pm
yeah..Cameron does tend to look “nevin like” on the low outside slider… Could be why he struck out 187 times in one season. One of the few stats that are worthwhile that i’ve learned from Vin Scully tonight..
July 24, 2006 at 8:00 pm
Homers since the ASB: Gonzalez 5, Dodgers 3.
July 24, 2006 at 8:03 pm
8:03 pm on Monday July 24th….Mike Piazza threw out a base stealer…
July 24, 2006 at 8:05 pm
Seems like the first one the Padres have thrown out all month. Oh wait, it was.
July 24, 2006 at 8:30 pm
Damn, Giles catches that if he’s healthy.
July 24, 2006 at 8:47 pm
Death.
Taxes.
Hoffman.
Shoddy Dodgers defense?
July 24, 2006 at 8:52 pm
Man, as TG said, Either’s been getting good wood on those pitches…
July 24, 2006 at 9:07 pm
I just checked the post-All Star NL hitting stats, Padres are tied 2nd in HR with St. Louis at 15 going into tonight (Atlanta has 30). We’re also 3rd in 2B w/ 27 to Arizona’s 29 & Colorado’s 28. Keep up the hittin’ boys!
July 24, 2006 at 9:08 pm
You said good wood.
July 24, 2006 at 9:14 pm
Then again, if you hang the slider, Cameron can hit it a long way.
July 24, 2006 at 9:15 pm
Absolutely amazing! Cameron…. wow, amazing!
July 24, 2006 at 9:22 pm
Cla Meredith is making short work of the bottom of the lineup here. Looking really sharp
July 24, 2006 at 9:25 pm
Cla Meredith works a very quiet seventh. He alone would have been worth Doug Mirabelli. BTW, the other guy in that deal, Josh Bard, had a terrific pinch at-bat against Lowe ahead of Cameron’s homer, drawing a walk after working the count full and fouling off several pitches.
July 24, 2006 at 9:31 pm
Pirates have a 3b we’re all familiar with.
Dude’s hitting .296!
July 24, 2006 at 9:44 pm
Scotty is making it so we’ll want him to be traded!
July 24, 2006 at 9:50 pm
True enough Lynch…but at the same time…Sledge has to catch that ball. I take back what I said earlier about Giles..
July 24, 2006 at 9:50 pm
It might make sense to move Scotty to lower leverage situations temporarily.
July 24, 2006 at 9:51 pm
Or to have the defense not stink behind him.
July 24, 2006 at 9:58 pm
WOW was that an incredible play…
July 24, 2006 at 10:00 pm
Welcome to the Padres, Mr. Williamson!
July 24, 2006 at 10:03 pm
Free baseball.
July 24, 2006 at 10:03 pm
Now let’s get him a W!
July 24, 2006 at 10:12 pm
Linebrink’s K/PA and K/9 have fell last year and have done so again this year.
July 24, 2006 at 10:15 pm
Linebrink is hurting his trade value for us - dang him!
July 24, 2006 at 10:17 pm
Wow, he didn’t get the out but that was a fantastic stop by Barfield.
July 24, 2006 at 10:17 pm
Blum and Sledge are hurting Linebrink’s trade value.
July 24, 2006 at 10:18 pm
Also, Linebrink’s Infield Fly percentage is less than half what it was last year. Popups are about as good as strikeouts. So, that’s bad.
July 24, 2006 at 10:19 pm
Towers should’ve traded Linebrink for Betemit awhile ago. It was mistake not to do so and his insistence on not breaking up the bullpen is silly. Who’s worth more - an everyday player or a setup guy? Right.
July 24, 2006 at 10:20 pm
The defense is actually turning a higher percentage of his allowed balls in play into outs than in previous years.
July 24, 2006 at 10:24 pm
Well, Linebrink has a higher WARP, but Betemit has a higher WS. meh
July 24, 2006 at 10:26 pm
PECOTA figures that Betemit would be worth more over the next few years, though.
July 24, 2006 at 10:26 pm
Why bring in Linebrink in the 8th?
He pitched a bunch yesterday, and Meredith had only thrown about 10 pitches in the 7th.
[ And that's two that Sledge has botched ]