2008 MLB Season

[livid]

Actually, the Rays attendance this year is quite good. I mean, you can only draw so many fans into a place like Tropicana Field.

However, the Blue Jays aren't going to trade Halladay, who's already said as much publicly. I guess he was told that he wasn't going to be traded because of how long he's locked up for.

[Guest Offbeat Bareass]

They need a real DH, a SS and a third outfielder. If you're three players away, starting over seems like a really bad idea. And take a page out of the Marlins and Rays book? Marlins perhaps, but the Rays playbook has been to suck miserably for a decade and sop up all the high level draft picks. That's why the crowds they're drawing still suck. Looking at it in terms of the competition is useless in my opinion, because if you're waiting for the Yankees and Red Sox to just completely drop the ball and stop being competitive then you're going to be waiting a long time. They're not that far off being competitive. Trading Halladay and giving up for the foreseeable future is just unnecessary and gives off the wrong message to fans.

The Rays just recently started using a similar structure as the Marlins, as reported in ESPN the Magazine in an interview with their GM, and look at them this year.

Edited July 17, 2008 by Offbeat Bareass

[livid]

Well yeah but they've yet to use it long enough that it's showed as much as the Marlins have so it'd be hard to tell if you didn't know that bit of info. lol

[Ananas]

Plus, the last time we tried to ape another organization's managerial style we brought in JP Ricciardi to play small ball with his 5 year plan. We're in year 7.

[Toe]

Assuming AJ is off the books next year, Toronto could have a few bucks to throw around in free agency. If they spend it wisely, they could fill one or two of their holes.

[Guest Mr. Potato Head]

Because JP's had so much precedent of spending money wisely?

[Toe]

I know, we are going to sign one player with all the money we can, and this player will only be a shell of his former self or cashing in after one good season.

The Yankees have signed Richie Sexson to a one year deal for the minimum salary.

Edited July 17, 2008 by Toe

[Ananas]

Only JP won't be around to spend that money.

[Lowerdeck]

The Yankees have signed Richie Sexson to a one year deal for the minimum salary.

What exactly were the Yankees that desperate for?

[punky]

The A's sent Joe Blanton to the Phillies for three minor leaguers, two of which are from A ball.

I'm not real thrilled that we got Blanton but he's definitely an upgrade over Eaton as our 4th/5th starter. I really wish we would've got Bedard or Burnett.

Gillick probably won't go out and get another starter though, most likely hoping that Myers can come back and help out instead of being a fucking bum.

[gunnar hendershow]

The A's sent Joe Blanton to the Phillies for three minor leaguers, two of which are from A ball.

I'm not real thrilled that we got Blanton but he's definitely an upgrade over Eaton as our 4th/5th starter. I really wish we would've got Bedard or Burnett.

Gillick probably won't go out and get another starter though, most likely hoping that Myers can come back and help out instead of being a fucking bum.

Yeah, Phils are stuck with Blanton. Ownership's so stingy, do you seriously see them trading to add salary? Remember the Bobby Abreu trade? I don't think so.

[Lowerdeck]

Is there any reason to be an Oakland fan anymore?

[DeeJam]

Duchsherer, Cust, Suzuki and the 16 year old millionaire prospect.

[gunnar hendershow]

As long as Billy Beane's around there's always a reason to be an Oakland fan. Too bad the ownership is stingy.

[Lowerdeck]

Duchsherer, Cust, Suzuki and the 16 year old millionaire prospect.

How long before all four become unaffordable because the owner doesn't want to spend, and Beane gets to trade them?

[DeeJam]

I'll give Duchserer one more season, Cust at least two, Suzuki prolly 2 1/2, and Michael Inoa will prolly be with the ball club about 5 seasons before he's traded.

[Guest Mr. Potato Head]

For those of you looking for a good read, The Evolution of Complete Games and Relief Pitchers.

[The Sultan of Swank]

Good read. I'm personally not a big fan of relief pitching in general, I understand its purpose, but there's something to me so much better about watching a pitcher throw a complete game.

[sahyder1]

Yankees add Nady, Marte in trade with Pirates

By Buster Olney

ESPN The Magazine

(Archive)

The Yankees agreed Friday evening to a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates that would give New York left-handed pitcher Damaso Marte and right fielder Xavier Nady.

Xavier Nady

The Pirates will receive four minor leaguers including right-handed pitcher Ross Ohlendorf, right-handed pitcher George Kontos, left-handed pitcher Phil Coke and right fielder Jose Tabata in return. The trade is tentative pending physicals.

The Pirates pulled Nady after the first inning Friday night against San Diego.

Nady was in right field during the top of the first but was replaced by Jason Michaels in the field in the second.

Marte, one of the most coveted left-handed specialists in the game, was caught by television cameras hugging teammates in the dugout after leaving the bullpen shortly after.

"There is a trade in place, pending medical reviews of all the players involved on both clubs," Pirates director of media relations Jim Trdinich said. "That is all that is permissible to be announced at this time."

The Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees and New York Mets all were thought to be interested in Nady, who was batting .330 with 13 home runs and 57 RBIs. Marte is 4-0 with a 3.47 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings, and also was attracting interest from several teams

Interesting trade. Tabata was highly regarded last year but the Yanks have been down on him this having suspended him twice this year.

Edited July 26, 2008 by sahyder1

[Lowerdeck]

Yankees win another trade. Unreal.

I'm not a fan of relief pitching either. A starter should go at least 6 or 7 unless they got slapped around like a redheaded stepchild. There's also no need to bring in lefty specialists just to get one batter out, then make another mid-inning pitching change. At least let the guy pitch a whole inning, so we don't waste another three minutes to bring in some other schmuck.