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Odds and Ends: Indians, Livan, Braves, Friedman

By Tim Dierkes [August 25, 2008 at 12:20pm CST]

Let's round up today's random links.

The Pirates received catcher Robinzon Diaz from the Blue Jays in the Jose Bautista deal. Not too shabby, he should develop into a credible cheap backup.
Yahoo's Gordon Edes sees Manny Ramirez playing for the Mets in '09.
The point continues to be hammered home - the Indians intend to acquire a proven closer this winter. Brian Fuentes seems a reasonable target.
RotoAuthority takes a closer look at Cliff Lee.
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle wants to see if Livan Hernandez fits into their plans for 2009. Hernandez has allowed a remarkable 224 hits in 152 innings - a rate that will rank second in baseball history if he can reach the 162 innings needed to qualify. Even Jose Lima can't make that claim.
J.C. Bradbury notes that the Braves' attempts to extend star players acquired via trade have been largely unsuccessful.
Outs Per Swing chats with Rays exec Andrew Friedman.
Danny Knobler surveyed scouts about Francisco Rodriguez's stuff.

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Comments

People don't seem to get it about Frankie's fastball. He can still throw it 96 if he wants to, but he has actually tried throwing that pitch for strikes as opposed to a show me pitch like it used to be. He is also keeping it down, which has meant a lot of ground ball outs.

Posted by: AA | August 25, 2008 at 12:31 PM

Here's one Angel fan who hopes that he isn't resigned at anything above a 4/50 type deal.

I have lost a lot of confidence in Rodriguez over the past 2 years.

Posted by: bjsguess | August 25, 2008 at 01:10 PM

I love the Jose Lima addition lol

Posted by: Larsen101 | August 25, 2008 at 02:06 PM

I didn't realize we paid more than prorated league min for Hernandez. Lordy loo that's a bad move there danny boy. And KEEPING HIM next season? Oh man.

Posted by: RockiesMagicNumber | August 25, 2008 at 02:50 PM

I liked the Buatista pick-up for the Jays... until now. Diaz is a big overpayment for Bautista.

Posted by: rpriske | August 25, 2008 at 02:53 PM

And the Rockies FO makes another stupid move regarding pitching. I thought the Mike Hampton fiasco taught the Rox a lesson.

Posted by: melonis rex | August 25, 2008 at 03:05 PM

"I have lost a lot of confidence in Rodriguez over the past 2 years."

I don't see why. He gets the job done, and has done so at a pace better than anyone in baseball.

Posted by: AA | August 25, 2008 at 03:59 PM

It's interesting that K-Rod's fastball has dropped 3 MPH from last year. The movement on it is still wonderful though. His K rate is down though. It's still more than a strike out an inning, but not as dominant and we're used to seeing from him. Does send off some red flags and maybe he's due for an injury.

Posted by: Victor | August 25, 2008 at 04:55 PM

He gets the job done if you focus on stats like saves.

Every other indicator is going in the wrong direction. The consensus is from the scouts that his "stuff" isn't where it used to be.

Then look at things like his WHIP. A dominant closer should be sporting a WHIP under 1. K-Rod is climbing towards 1.3. His K/9 rate is falling to 10/9 when his entire career has been in the 12/9 range. Even items like opponents OPS are ticking up from a career avg of 575 to this years 624.

They may be little things but when you are talking about making the guy the highest paid closer in the game there are plenty of reasons to pause and reexamine whether K-Rod is the right guy to hitch your wagon to.

Posted by: bjsguess | August 25, 2008 at 05:47 PM

With the Pirates getting a semingly decent catcher for Bautista Ronny Paulino's time is about up I think he still has a good deal of trade value. I think if the Pirates find a team desperate enough for a catcher they good get a good prospect for him considering he has a few years of arb left he is fairly young and has shown the ability to hit at the big league level in the past he reminds me of a Yadier Molina type good avg but not much power and just a solid catcher.

Posted by: BucSox | August 25, 2008 at 05:49 PM

It's a moot point about K-Rod any baseball fan knows there is always a team willing to vastly overpay free agents. Think Zito, Andrew Jones, Pavano even if you just look at closers think Gagne.

Posted by: BucSox | August 25, 2008 at 05:53 PM

k-rod is a tough call. he may not have his old stuff, but may be a better 'pitcher'
still, rivera, rollie fingers, sutter are hall of fame guys but the rare exception of closers with longevity.
bobby thigpen built himself up into a 57-saver, but he was done not long after

Posted by: crash | August 25, 2008 at 08:00 PM

Pudge is the best defensive catcher and you know Ausmus is a better defensive catcher too so that was a false statement. It is so funny to me when people get so mad about comparisons its like I say he is that type of player and the guy thinks I say they are the exact same player I mean come on. I simply meant that is the same style of player not that he is the same player.

Posted by: BucSox | August 26, 2008 at 08:35 AM

Actually joelcards I just looked up fielding stats on Catchers this year and their are at least 15 catchers with better fielding % and of catchers that have had 30 or more games he is 79th in fielding%. Not to mention only Jeff Mathis has commited more errors than Y Molina he also is 14th in passed balls. Really the only thing he does defensively is throw out runners so take it for what it's worth but dont sit here and say this BS.

Posted by: BucSox | August 26, 2008 at 08:47 AM

"bucsox

dont ever compare ronny paulino to yadier molina again. molina is the best defensive catcher in baseball and its not really close. on top of that he has figured out how to hit learning from his best friend o the team and the best player in baseball(ill just assume u know who im talking about). paulino can hit a little but these two should never be in the same sentence."

Hey take the bias out of your ass and try posting again.

Thanks

Posted by: Meoveryouok | August 26, 2008 at 11:49 AM

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