Friday Links (14 Sep 07)
Fri, Sep 14, 2007
by Geoff Young
Yummy links…
- Full palette of skippers up for award (MLB.com). National Manager of the Year? My money is on Bob Melvin because most experts didn’t expect the Diamondbacks to win the NL West. They should have, but they didn’t.
- Hoffman heeds no call for career exit strategy (San Diego Union-Tribune). Fluff piece on everyone’s favorite pitcher with 500+ saves.
- Thatcher making impression (Padres.com). Padres manager Bud Black on rookie left-hander Joe Thatcher:
“His fastball that cuts is effective against right-handed hitters. He’s equally effective against both. He’s doing well for a guy with 20 days in the big leagues, given the small sample size.”
Best part of this? Black’s inclusion of the phrase “small sample size.” Love that.
- Bradley expected to be out vs. Giants (San Diego Union-Tribune). Sigh. Still no Milton Bradley. Also, Brett TomkoBrett Tomko gets the start on Saturday against San Francisco, Justin Germano might not make his next scheduled start due to ineffectiveness, and the Padres had a chance to trade Clay Hensley for Houston infielder Mike Lamb in July.
- Another look at Jake Peavy (Friar Forecast). Oooh, pretty colors. We’re still trying to figure out what it all means, but I love that this stuff is even available and that smart folks are starting to do something with it.
- Center field isn’t fertile area on farm (San Diego Union-Tribune). From the article:
The Padres aren’t sold on Triple-A center fielder Yordanny Ramirez, who can be a free agent in November. Ramirez, 23, reputedly is a terrific defender. Of course, so was Freddy Guzman, the speedster heavily touted by the Padres in 2003-04 who, as a major leaguer, fell well short of Padres descriptions.
For the record, Guzman’s stock plummeted the minute his name changed from Pedro De Los Santos, he aged 2 1/2 years, and he moved off second base. Then he became yet another Tom Goodwin wannabe, which is sort of what Ramirez is, only without the plate discipline or great base-stealing ability. Not to be mean, but it’s hard to get excited about a 22-year-old outfielder with a 654 OPS in about 1400 at-bats compiled mostly at or below Class-A.
- A Helluva Read: BA: The Non-Prospect’s Diary (Baseball Think Factory). We’ve been following Dirk Hayhurst’s diary at Baseball America all season, but he got some love at BBTF, and guess who showed up to the party? Yep, none other than Mr. Hayhurst. That’s almost as cool as the fact that all this exposure has led to his getting a paycheck from BA for his efforts.
- Friar Forecast reviews its top 30 prospects headed into the season: 21-30 | 11-20
- Looking back at the 2005 draft (Baseball Analysts). Justin Upton, Alex Gordon, Ryan Zimmerman, Ryan Braun, Troy Tulowitzki… Not quite ‘73 (Robin Yount, Dave Winfield, Eddie Murray, among many others), but pretty darned good.
- Best and Worst MLB Splits, 1957-2006 (Hardball Times). Worst-hitting pitching staff ever: Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to your 1976 Padres.
Whoomp, there it is…
by Peter Friberg
You will not see the Storm go quietly into the night…
AA
No game scheduled…
High-A
Lake Elsinore 7, San Jose 6 (10 innings; Storm lead best-of-five, 1-0)
Sean Kazmar: 4 AB, 2 R, 2 H, 0 RBI; BB
Kyle Blanks: 4 AB, 1 R, 2 H, 1 RBI; BB
Mike Baxter: 4 AB, 1 R, 3 H, 3 RBI; 3 2B, BB - game-winning run
Jose Lobaton: 5 AB. 1 R, 2 H, 1 RBI; SO - game-winning hit
Ernesto Frieri: 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR
R.J. Rodriguez: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR
Commentary:
Wow, the Storm are a resilient bunch! This is at least the third comeback they’ve had. Steve Garrison, the starting pitcher, gave 1 run in the fourth. Then couldn’t get any of the six batters he faced in the fifth out; five scored. Down 6-0 in the middle of the fifth, the Storm scored three in their half of the fifth, then three more in the seventh to tie.
[Ed note: This was as fun a baseball game as I've attended all year. Garrison, whom I'd not seen before Thursday night, looked terrible, but the bullpen picked him up big time and Baxter did the rest. His bases-clearing double to left-center with two out in the seventh was huge. Incidentally, San Francisco's Fred Lewis is on rehab assignment for San Jose, which became a source of constant amusement for the guys running the PA, who busted out just about every song they could find that included some form of "cheat" in the lyrics. The presence of Lewis, who hit .275/.356/.401 in 142 big-league at-bats this year, in the Cal League playoffs has been met with something less than enthusiasm by league opponents. Lewis, for his part, struck out three times and let the plate umpire know what he thought of his bush-league strike zone. Also, there was a very loud contingent of Giants fans along the third-base line (including a guy dressed like the Pope - say wha'?); I liked the part where they got real quiet at the end.]
There you go. More links are always being added at del.icio.us. Happy Friday!
Love the blog? Buy the book!
The Ducksnorts 2009 Baseball Annual provides the most comprehensive analysis of and commentary on the San Diego Padres available anywhere... featuring a foreword by Padres Executive Vice President Paul DePodesta.
September 14, 2007 at 8:27 am
GY: I’m glad you were able to see a well-fought battle last nite. Unfortunately, the big guys looked a little flat last nite. I know this team cares and I know that they know they can win wihtout Uncle Milty, but they really REALLY need to start showing it. 1.5 games up in the WC is tenuous at best. We’ve got to get on it.
September 14, 2007 at 8:57 am
I would say we are close to having our back against the wall. The team is so inconsistant from pitching on down through the bats. One day we are stomping, next day we are getting stomped. And the games are not close, either. Winning the NL is now a very long shot and the WC is barely in our grasp. I can’t remember being more exaserbated by a Padre team then this year. What else can you say. Go get em tonight!
September 14, 2007 at 9:16 am
GY -
I’m struggling to come up with even one song with any hint of the word ‘cheat’ in it. Can you help me out?
September 14, 2007 at 9:17 am
Okay. Your Cheatin’ Heart. Got one.
September 14, 2007 at 9:20 am
#3: Good question. They were country and western songs, which is to say they all sounded the same to me.
September 14, 2007 at 9:25 am
The Clash, “Cheat.” But maybe not for a family baseball crowd.
http://tinyurl.com/29l8tp
September 14, 2007 at 9:39 am
Re: 3 Jimmy Eat World - Get it Faster
http://www.sing365.com/music/l.....A3002001D6
September 14, 2007 at 9:40 am
Things have changed quite a bit, rotation is a mess right now other then Peavy and the bullpen is taking on water fast….combine that with the offense being woeful once again and a 5-12 finish is a heck of a lot more likely then a 12-5 finish.
Here is to hoping that a .500 finish is good enough to keep the wild card!
September 14, 2007 at 9:46 am
Though I appreciate, as Krasovic points out, the Padres patience with Sledge to this point, I hope their patience has finally run out. Does anyone know if the Pads can replace his playoff roster spot with someone else ? Perhaps Scott Hairston, as he went on the DL in late August ?
Also, was it, as Krasovic cites, a veriable fact that Bochy did not like Mark Bellhorn ? I question this. Bochy likes vets like Bellhorn and gave him every opportunity when frankly the opportunity could have been given to an unproven player like the AAA journeyman Justin Leone (which I was pulling for, which tells you how bad Bellhorn was !)
Finally, I am cringing right now in igony that the Pads turned down the Hensley for Lamb deal. Ouch !!!
September 14, 2007 at 9:51 am
Why would you want Mike Lamb? Hensley for 4 years, or Lamb for 2 months seems like an easy decision to me. Plus Lamb can really only play 3b/1b…last I checked things are going well at those 2 spots.
September 14, 2007 at 11:51 am
Hey guys. My wife and I had a little girl on monday so I’ve been really out of the loop all week. I have not read anything really on the Milton Bradley thing but is anyone as annoyed as I am that he isn’t playing? If this were the middle of the season I would understand it but we have what like 17 or 18 games left. Dude needs to suck it up and play IMO. We need him and he could really make himself some money in the offseason if he played well down the stretch. Anyways, it’s good to be back!
September 14, 2007 at 11:59 am
#10 ~ Is Hensley a decent bet to have four years of productivity for the Pads ? Lamb or Ensberg ? Obviously, if we get Lamb for Hensley, then we don’t pick up Ensberg. Who would you rather have ?
September 14, 2007 at 12:01 pm
I remarked earlier this week, that the Pads should gamble and hold Bradley out for a week or more. Get him back 100% –once he is healthy, he can come back from a layoff and hit immediately and mack another big impact.
September 14, 2007 at 12:06 pm
11: Congratulations! And I say that knowing full well that my two girls have caused me to bang my head against a wall so many times I’ve turned into a drywall repair expert.
On Bradley, I don’t know. CY tried to come back fast and hasn’t been the same. I’ve never pulled an oblique, but all the reports say they’re rough to heal. It seems like you could hit from the off-side even if it’s barking - like if you’re right oblique is strained, you could still hit right-handed because the injured muscle isn’t what pulls your torso to the left. But maybe it still hurts or limits your motion.
September 14, 2007 at 12:09 pm
12: I liked Ensberg more at the trade deadline, but that was before he turned into Mr. Unavailable Due to Unreported Injuries and Mr. I’ve Decided To Swing Hard at Every Pitch. And that’s the only fair way to judge the trade, what you knew about the players when it was made.
Hensley’s had one bad year and two very good years. If his trade value has evaporated, we might as well see if he bounces back.
September 14, 2007 at 12:22 pm
#6 “But maybe not for a family baseball crowd.”
Hahaha…not after that first line, but you gotta love The Clash.
September 14, 2007 at 12:31 pm
My 2-year-old girl’s only exposure to TV is Padres games (and now Chargers). Start the brainwashing early, I say.
September 14, 2007 at 12:37 pm
11 - congratulations!!
I would also add that I have pulled an oblique (about 9 years ago playing rec league baseball) and it took FOREVER to heal. Now, I didn’t have access to the slick professional sports trainers and all, I basically sat around waiting for it to feel better, but I seriously began having thoughts that I would never feel normal again. Took about 4-5months before I didn’t feel it twinge when turning my trunk at all. Everytime I’d think it was going away, at some point I would twist my waist (to look at something, or to grab something off another part of my desk, etc) and it would grab and hurt.
So, whenever I hear oblique strain I cringe, and doubly so when atheletes try to come back fast from it.
September 14, 2007 at 1:08 pm
14, 18
Thanks!
My thoughts on Bradley are kinda what TW said. He’s a switch hitter and it seems like he might be a better option even from 1 side of the plate than a lot of the other Pad’s. It’s not my oblique so it’s really hard to say but it’s always nice to see a guy show some guts and play through some pain. I remember when we first got him and he wasn’t playing because of the oblique he said something in the UT about being totally fine hitting right handed with power in batting practice but his ability from the left side was still hampered.
September 14, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Ummmm yeah I’ll take 4 more years of Hensley and 2 months of Ensberg over 2 months of Lamb….not sure how that would even a consideration, it isn’t like they were offering Berkman or Oswalt.
How much better could Lamb possibly have been over 53 AB’s?
Seems a little soon to write Hensley off, 2 good years 1 bad. If we keep up that ratio I’m fine with it until he becomes a FA.
September 14, 2007 at 1:32 pm
11. good for you, is this your first. If so, welcome to planet parenthood where the gravity is much stronger. Kids will make a ragdoll out of you. If its your second or beyond, then you know whats in store. One of mine just started HS, which means only one thing. I’m old.
Would rather talk being a dad then about the Padres or MB. So, g or b, how many pounds, hair or no hair, eventful delivery…..better start saving for college and weddings, sleeping through the night….?
September 14, 2007 at 1:37 pm
#11: Wow, congrats. That is awesome! Now you are truly a Padre.
September 14, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Re: 11 Congratulations!
September 14, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Haha thanks guys!
17.
Oh believe me the brain washing has begun. She already has more Padres and Chargers gear than I do! I can’t wait till she fit’s into the LT jersey my mom bought her yesterday.
21.
It’s our first. She’s a girl. 8lbs 6oz, full head of hair dark hair that now looks like it’s growing in really light. She let me sleep for a full 7 hours last night it was incredible! As for college and wedding stuff I think that’s where her grand parents come into play hahaha.
22.
That’s pretty good!
Thanks again guys it’s a pretty exciting time right now for me not even taking into account the Padres playoff push and the start of the football season. I’m really looking forward to being a dad.
September 14, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Congrats, KRS! But remember, REAL parenting doesn’t begin until you’re outnumbered!
September 14, 2007 at 2:32 pm
25.
Hahaha I totally believe you. I can’t even imagine, that’s nuts!
September 14, 2007 at 2:40 pm
Great article on how there isn’t really a race in the NL for the Cy Young: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c.....hreat.html
September 14, 2007 at 4:19 pm
I think Hensley needs another shot, personally. If he could string a good couple of games together he could be our #4 if we make the post season.
September 14, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Leblanc going for San Antonio tonight … lineups are posted …
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.....x_spraax_1
September 14, 2007 at 4:56 pm
24: Thank god for grandparents, they help in a lot of ways. Hopefully you have some close by. All 10 fingers and toes is very good news. 7 hours, you are living La Vida Loca….but not for long, dad.
Now if only the Padres could beat the lowly Giants. Phils are down a run to the Mets in the 4th.
Who do we root for Dodgers and snakes?
September 14, 2007 at 5:10 pm
30 … re: Dogs vs D-backs … that’s a decision each one of us will need to make individually … choose wisely!
September 14, 2007 at 5:52 pm
30: Snakes… We hate the Dodgers and they are too close to us in the WC
September 14, 2007 at 6:43 pm
11:
Congrats! My wife had twins last year (boy and a girl) and they watch highlights with me every morning. One of my son’s first words was “basketball” (came out more like “ba da da,” but it sounded good to me).,
My son has started to throw things with pretty good velocity, which is not good in the house . . . but secretly I’m excited by it. My daughter and I pass the beach ball we have, which is great fun for me and her.
30: Dbacks. Hate the doggers. We have to get a more comfortable lead in the WC before we start thinking division.
I’m hoping we go 12-5 — it’d be nice to get 90 wins.