Links for Sunday….
- ESPN's Adam Rubin tweets that the Mets have optioned Jenrry Mejia to Double-A Binghamton, where he will start their game on Wednesday.
- Jeff Zrebiec tells us that Buck Showalter will interview for the Baltimore managerial job this week, and Eric Wedge will likely receive a second interview. The club has yet to ask the Mets for permission to interview Bob Melvin.
- MLB.com's Jordan Bastian quotes Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos saying that despite first-round pick Deck McGuire's lack of participation in a media conference call, he's excited to have been drafted by Toronto. Anthopoulos says that negotiations, however, could go down to the wire as they did in 2009 with Chad Jenkins.
- Rangers manager Ron Washington feels that his team could use another front-line starting pitcher, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. Texas has recently seen both Derek Holland and Rich Harden land on the disabled list.
- Nick Piecoro tweets that the D'Backs offered Jose Valverde a two-year deal worth about $10MM before he signed for two years and $14MM with Detroit. The story spawns from some heated comments that were exchanged between Valverde and former teammate Miguel Montero.
- Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times thinks Dan Haren would be a "perfect fit" for the Angels.
- The Cubs will soon face a decision on whether to become buyers or sellers, writes Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.
- Within a mailbag for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Paul Hoynes says that a little salary relief is the best the Indians could hope for in a Kerry Wood trade.
- Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch details how the Cardinals will handle their starting rotation for the time being. Even after signing Jeff Suppan, the club will be short-handed while they wait for Brad Penny to get healthy.
- The Tigers should exercise patience when it comes to acquiring a shortstop, according to Lynn Hennig of the Detroit News.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets that the Tigers will have to think about trading for a starting pitcher, with Rick Porcello heading to Triple-A.
SP is the least of LAA’s worries right now…they need a 1B with the injury to Morales. Maybe a Konerko or Cantu.
I don’t see logic behind the Cubs being buyers at the trade deadline. Yes it is a weak division but there is potential for a great amount of talent to be had. Lilly is the third, maybe even the 2nd, best pitcher that could be out on the market. Silva will get us something good. Lee could garner a top 3 prospect as one of those high risk and high reward guys. Same with Ramirez. Fukudome is actually movable this year. Then if you really want to blow it up, you can get a good amount for Byrd.
How do you figure Derek Lee gets you a top prospect? Who wants Ramirez’s contract when he’s hitting .170? Any trade of Fukudome would require the Cubs to pump in a ton of cash. Face it….Hendry spent the dough to appease the fans, gave all these guys no trade clauses and back-loaded contracts, and now the Cubbies are…SCREWED.
I agree soxman…however if the cubs can send cash and unload someone like fukudome or zambrano and get good prospects in return I’d do it…we will be paying those guys anyways right? Might as well get something for them.
Fukudome and Zambrano (and a lot of other Cubs) have no-trade clauses that further complicate any trade. But it isn’t the onerous contractual obstacles that will prevent Tommy Boy from trading them – it is the Cubs aversion to having empty seats at Wrigley. They have built the “Cubbie brand” by having fun loving raucous crowds swilling mass amounts of beer at Wrigley. If the team “gives up” on the season by unloading players, there will be more empty seats at Wrigley and will hurt the overall brand of the team. This is not a sports team – it is a business, pure and simple (as has been for some time).
Fukudome and Zambrano (and a lot of other Cubs) have no-trade clauses that further complicate any trade. But it isn’t the onerous contractual obstacles that will prevent Tommy Boy from trading them – it is the Cubs aversion to having empty seats at Wrigley. They have built the “Cubbie brand” by having fun loving raucous crowds swilling mass amounts of beer at Wrigley. If the team “gives up” on the season by unloading players, there will be more empty seats at Wrigley and will hurt the overall brand of the team. This is not a sports team – it is a business, pure and simple (as has been for some time).
This isn’t the Tribune company’s team anymore. It’s Ricketts’.
And how has anything changed since the Ricketts bought the team? If anything, they seem even more focussed on squeezing every last penny out of Wrigley Field, the Toyota sign, the macaroni, the increased advertising around the stadium, increasing ticket prices even more. Where has the improvement on the field been? Where has the improvement in the front office been? As long as mopes like Crane and Tommy Boy are running the team, I don’t see anything changing.
Remodled bathrooms, better and more variety in concessions, and the PNC Club. In my opinion, that’s quite a lot in the time he’s owned the team and all of those things make a huge difference. Oh and ticket prices have went down, at least for the games I went to. I paid less for my Cubs-Pirates tickets in the same spot I usually do than I did last year.
You ignore the points I make. Where is the improvement on the field? And you are wrong about ticket prices. They are now the highest in all of MLB. Check your facts. Bathrooms and concessions make a “huge difference”??? Sounds like you are making my argument for me in that they are not a baseball team but a business.
My tickets were less expensive. I don’t know about the rest of them but mine were.
Ricketts didn’t get the team until deep into the offseason, what do you expect? It takes time for a baseball team to make drastic changes, at least the right way.
Those were two big complaints about Wrigley, shitty bathrooms and concessions. Now they’re actually good.
And how has anything changed since the Ricketts bought the team? If anything, they seem even more focussed on squeezing every last penny out of Wrigley Field, the Toyota sign, the macaroni, the increased advertising around the stadium, increasing ticket prices even more. Where has the improvement on the field been? Where has the improvement in the front office been? As long as mopes like Crane and Tommy Boy are running the team, I don’t see anything changing.
This isn’t the Tribune company’s team anymore. It’s Ricketts’.
I agree soxman…however if the cubs can send cash and unload someone like fukudome or zambrano and get good prospects in return I’d do it…we will be paying those guys anyways right? Might as well get something for them.
Lee at least garners a top 3 prospect of an organization. The man’s career numbers suggest a good overall second half performance.
Look at the Jake Peavy deal. He wasn’t having a great season by any means. Many of his averages were off par. However they received a nice package including a MLB starting pitcher.
As far as Fukudome, he’ll be owed less than 7 million this year and 13.5 next year around the deadline. To say there will be no cash involved is highly unlikely. However Fukudome is performing at say a 7-8 million dollar a year range right now so it is likely that the cash amount will not be as high as it was in previous years.
Lee, I believe, is at least 32. Peavy is 28. Big difference. Not to mention that there are several power hitting first basemen on the market who have better numbers than Lee does. As a matter of fact, I can think of a guy who put up similar numbers to Lee, hat a bad half last year, and is in so much demand….he’s out of baseball. Jermaine Dye. No top 3 prospect for Derek Lee.
I meant top 10 by the way, but that’s my fault. What I’m going at here is why give up a lot for a Konerko when you could theoretically spend less to get a Lee and potentially get similar return.
“potentially get similar return” That might be a good argument if Lee were showing signs of turning things around, but a .250 BA since May isn’t pretty, and while June has seen a bump in power for Lee, his OBP is still league average. Whereas Konerko had a bad May he’s OPSing over 1.000 so far in June, not to mention Lee K’s at a higher clip than Paul. Either way Lee isn’t going to net much in a trade, but if it helps I don’t think it would be wise for a GM to give up a top 5-10 prospect for either guy.
Lee, I believe, is at least 32. Peavy is 28. Big difference. Not to mention that there are several power hitting first basemen on the market who have better numbers than Lee does. As a matter of fact, I can think of a guy who put up similar numbers to Lee, hat a bad half last year, and is in so much demand….he’s out of baseball. Jermaine Dye. No top 3 prospect for Derek Lee.
Jake Peavy also came with a signed contract for the next few years. He got more in trade because he was for now and for later.
Lee is a rental and it depends on how desperate a team is to rent him. Fukudome does have his uses, but he’s too pricey to expect someone to pick up the salary and give a player in return. Maybe a bad contract for a bad contract?
The Cubs have a boatload of bad contracts. How does Jim Hendry still have a job?
Hendry has a job because he is also a bad contract 😀
Jake Peavy also came with a signed contract for the next few years. He got more in trade because he was for now and for later.
Lee is a rental and it depends on how desperate a team is to rent him. Fukudome does have his uses, but he’s too pricey to expect someone to pick up the salary and give a player in return. Maybe a bad contract for a bad contract?
The Cubs have a boatload of bad contracts. How does Jim Hendry still have a job?
Lee at least garners a top 3 prospect of an organization. The man’s career numbers suggest a good overall second half performance.
Look at the Jake Peavy deal. He wasn’t having a great season by any means. Many of his averages were off par. However they received a nice package including a MLB starting pitcher.
As far as Fukudome, he’ll be owed less than 7 million this year and 13.5 next year around the deadline. To say there will be no cash involved is highly unlikely. However Fukudome is performing at say a 7-8 million dollar a year range right now so it is likely that the cash amount will not be as high as it was in previous years.
Silva could get you something good? I don’t care how well he’s pitched so far; he’s owed another $18MM-ish and has been one of the worst pitchers in baseball from 2008-2009. Lee and Ramirez won’t get you a top prospect with their big contracts and complete lack of production. Lilly is far from the second-best pitcher on the market. Lee, Haren, and Oswalt are all far superior pitchers.
Silva is owed 11.5 next year with a 2 million dollar buy out in 2012. You’re telling me a contender won’t bite on 8-2 1.08 WHIP 3.01 ERA. You’re nuts.
Lee’s contact is expiring. And Ramirez has an opt out after this year, if he has a good second half he will exercise it.
Lilly comes with an expiring contract and is reliable. I won’t dispute that Lee is better. However, Lilly could compete with Oswalt as the better trade deadline option. Lilly’s contract is far more affordable with this being its final year. Oswalt has the nod in ERA and WHIP, slightly. However, last season Lilly was far superior with a 3.10 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 151 Ks to Oswalt’s 4.12 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 138 Ks. Haren will likely garner the same treatment as Ramirez if that because of his contract which lasts until 2013.
“You’re telling me a contender won’t bite on 8-2 1.08 WHIP 3.01 ERA.”No, because contenders usually have smart GMs, and smart GMs aren’t going to trust Carlos Silva, or give up anything good for him.”And Ramirez has an opt out after this year, if he has a good second half he will exercise it.”And if he doesnt have a good 2nd half? And if he exercises and has a bad season next year then the team won’t get draft picks either.
So because his name isn’t Roy Halladay, he sucks?
He’s a career long great player. It’s a risk-reward situation. What if he returns to form and leads your team to a World Series for 3 guys who may not pan out anyways? You’re not giving up your big time sure thing guy.
What does Roy Halladay have to do with anything? Even when Carlos Silva was good, he wasn’t really good. And if the Cubs eat part of his salary yes he could be traded, but again- if you’re a contender, the guy you’re going to add to your rotation to help you make it/advance in the playoffs is Carlos Silva?
If your team needs a bat, why would you trade for a guy who isn’t hitting? And it’s just not BABIP. His K% is way up, while he’s hititng flyballs 60% of the time, compared to 40% which is his career average. So something is messed up with his swing.
Well of course they’d have to eat some of the money. He’s a bad contract guy who is having a career year. He should get a top 10 guy in return with the generic mid level and a guy who is likely not to pan out. Better return than what we were going to initially do, release him next year.
Exactly, something is messed up with his swing. It’s fixable. For a team with limited resources that is contending, it could be a good option.
“Well of course they’d have to eat some of the money. He’s a bad contract guy who is having a career year. He should get a top 10 guy in return with the generic mid level and a guy who is likely not to pan out. Better return than what we were going to initially do, release him next year.”
This makes absolutely no sense, you have given no reason why any team would want a struggling 1b with no reason for optimism other than past performance, which is outweighed due to the fact his swing is totally out of whack (explained below). he doesn’t merit a top 10 prospect unless the Cubs eat every single damn dollar of the contract, then you might get some really desperate team like the Angels to bite and deal from a strength. Otherwise, good luck. Now, maybe if he were to be a type A, you may have a point, but he is currently a type B FA, and won’t merit as good of a return.
“Exactly, something is messed up with his swing. It’s fixable.”
And how the hell do you know that? The Cubs hitting coach hasn’t seen what’s wrong with him yet. There’s a genuine risk that his next hitting coach won’t see it either. Unless you know what it is (and if you did, I highly doubt you would be posting here), there could be an injury in there that totally screws over the other team.
Uhh the first paragraph is about Carlos Silva…
New hitting coach. Players don’t always fit in well with new personnel. I’m more of a pitching mechanics guy by the way…
“Well of course they’d have to eat some of the money. He’s a bad contract guy who is having a career year. He should get a top 10 guy in return with the generic mid level and a guy who is likely not to pan out. Better return than what we were going to initially do, release him next year.”
This makes absolutely no sense, you have given no reason why any team would want a struggling 1b with no reason for optimism other than past performance, which is outweighed due to the fact his swing is totally out of whack (explained below). he doesn’t merit a top 10 prospect unless the Cubs eat every single damn dollar of the contract, then you might get some really desperate team like the Angels to bite and deal from a strength. Otherwise, good luck. Now, maybe if he were to be a type A, you may have a point, but he is currently a type B FA, and won’t merit as good of a return.
“Exactly, something is messed up with his swing. It’s fixable.”
And how the hell do you know that? The Cubs hitting coach hasn’t seen what’s wrong with him yet. There’s a genuine risk that his next hitting coach won’t see it either. Unless you know what it is (and if you did, I highly doubt you would be posting here), there could be an injury in there that totally screws over the other team.
What does Roy Halladay have to do with anything? Even when Carlos Silva was good, he wasn’t really good. And if the Cubs eat part of his salary yes he could be traded, but again- if you’re a contender, the guy you’re going to add to your rotation to help you make it/advance in the playoffs is Carlos Silva?
If your team needs a bat, why would you trade for a guy who isn’t hitting? And it’s just not BABIP. His K% is way up, while he’s hititng flyballs 60% of the time, compared to 40% which is his career average. So something is messed up with his swing.
“You’re telling me a contender won’t bite on 8-2 1.08 WHIP 3.01 ERA.”No, because contenders usually have smart GMs, and smart GMs aren’t going to trust Carlos Silva, or give up anything good for him.”And Ramirez has an opt out after this year, if he has a good second half he will exercise it.”And if he doesnt have a good 2nd half? And if he exercises and has a bad season next year then the team won’t get draft picks either.
Silva is owed 11.5 next year with a 2 million dollar buy out in 2012. You’re telling me a contender won’t bite on 8-2 1.08 WHIP 3.01 ERA. You’re nuts.
Lee’s contact is expiring. And Ramirez has an opt out after this year, if he has a good second half he will exercise it.
Lilly comes with an expiring contract and is reliable. I won’t dispute that Lee is better. However, Lilly could compete with Oswalt as the better trade deadline option. Lilly’s contract is far more affordable with this being its final year. Oswalt has the nod in ERA and WHIP, slightly. However, last season Lilly was far superior with a 3.10 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and 151 Ks to Oswalt’s 4.12 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 138 Ks. Haren will likely garner the same treatment as Ramirez if that because of his contract which lasts until 2013.
Silva could get you something good? I don’t care how well he’s pitched so far; he’s owed another $18MM-ish and has been one of the worst pitchers in baseball from 2008-2009. Lee and Ramirez won’t get you a top prospect with their big contracts and complete lack of production. Lilly is far from the second-best pitcher on the market. Lee, Haren, and Oswalt are all far superior pitchers.
The Angels wouldn’t trade Trout in any circumstance, and they don’t have enough pieces to get Haren otherwise.
Lilly(plus cash) and Theriot for Porcello and Scott Sizemore?
Yep. Detroit is going to give up its 21-year-old future of their rotation and one of their top prospects for a Keebler elf who refuses to walk and a .500 pitcher. Sounds about right….
Oh yeah.
keebler elf haha
keebler elf haha
105-89 and 46-31 with the Cubs. He’s a little bit better than .500.
All that aside. Dumb trade offer.
A little better. Yes. Not top prospect-worthy.
4 Years with the Cubs= 3.67 ERA 1.31 WHIP 559 Ks
Last Year= 3.10 ERA 1.06 WHIP 155 Ks
Lilly definitely won’t garner a top #1 prospect, but top 3-5 from a good few organizations would work as a centerpiece. Obviously he wouldn’t garner a Martin Perez from Texas, but Tanner Scheppers could work (just an example).
A little better. Yes. Not top prospect-worthy.
If Detroit makes that deal, Dave Dombrowski should be canned immediately.
As a tigers fan that trade is ridiculous. I would rather have Porcello than Lily for the long term and Sizemore over Theriot. I also doubt even in the short term that Lily could cut it in the big boys league.
You do know he pitched with the yankees and put up pretty decent numbers dont you and thats the toughest divsion in baseball so i hardly doubt that he couldnt handle the tigers divsion and i know hows longs it been since the yankee days but still
Problem is, you can’t really use past performance, because he isn’t the same pitcher as the Ted Lilly of old. From 2009, his best season according to WAR, to 2010, Lilly’s speed has gone down across the board, and from 2007-2010, his fastball has lost over 2mph of velocity.
Another major trend to note is the % of pitches thrown for Lilly this season. In 2009, Lilly threw 46.6% fastballs and 14.3% change-ups. In 2010, Lilly has thrown only 28.9% fastballs and 32.9% change-ups. This is a MAJOR percent change for a pitcher in just under one year. This is evidence that either he or his team has lost confidence in his fastball, and has to rely more on his offspeed, or his previous injuries have limited the movement or the speed of the fastball. Either way, these are deeply troubling statistics, and if I were a pitching coach, I would not advocate dealing for the guy in his current form.
Add to all this the fact that Lilly had arthroscopic shoulder surgery as well as knee surgery in the offseason, and you have plenty of red flags as to why any GM would be very wary of adding Lilly to the roster.
Problem is, you can’t really use past performance, because he isn’t the same pitcher as the Ted Lilly of old. From 2009, his best season according to WAR, to 2010, Lilly’s speed has gone down across the board, and from 2007-2010, his fastball has lost over 2mph of velocity.
Another major trend to note is the % of pitches thrown for Lilly this season. In 2009, Lilly threw 46.6% fastballs and 14.3% change-ups. In 2010, Lilly has thrown only 28.9% fastballs and 32.9% change-ups. This is a MAJOR percent change for a pitcher in just under one year. This is evidence that either he or his team has lost confidence in his fastball, and has to rely more on his offspeed, or his previous injuries have limited the movement or the speed of the fastball. Either way, these are deeply troubling statistics, and if I were a pitching coach, I would not advocate dealing for the guy in his current form.
Add to all this the fact that Lilly had arthroscopic shoulder surgery as well as knee surgery in the offseason, and you have plenty of red flags as to why any GM would be very wary of adding Lilly to the roster.
You do know he pitched with the yankees and put up pretty decent numbers dont you and thats the toughest divsion in baseball so i hardly doubt that he couldnt handle the tigers divsion and i know hows longs it been since the yankee days but still
Cubs need to sell off everything over 29 that has a contract longer than this year that isn’t named Marmol, Dempster and Byrd. Pay half on every contract and start anew.
Marmol is 27. He wouldn’t apply to that. Why not trade Dempster and Byrd if you can get a good deal for them?
I wasn’t aware that Castro, Colvin, Marshall, Cashner and Soto were now all 30… my mistake. Yes, please revoke my posting abilities at once.
You might want to edit that.
what would i want to edit?? i think i missed it…. check again. thanks.
You might want to edit that.
I wasn’t aware that Castro, Colvin, Marshall, Cashner and Soto were now all 30… my mistake. Yes, please revoke my posting abilities at once.
Tigers should trade for Cliff Lee…I think they should keep Scott Sizemore though, he’s hitting .328/.399/.484 in AAA since being sent down, and when Guillen goes he should definitely be ready to take over the job.
Dan Haren would be a perfect fit for any team needing starting pitching. Which is just about every major league team.
Mark Mulder, the gift that keeps on reminding us that we could have had Dan Haren….
It’s karma for the Lou Brock trade
Mark Mulder, the gift that keeps on reminding us that we could have had Dan Haren….
Spot on.
Who couldn’t use Dan Haren? Seriously, the guy is an absolute stud signed for below market value. Of course the Angels could use him.
Beyond that Captain Obvious then makes a huge blunder – move Santana to the bullpen? Santana has the ability to be borderline #1 starter or a solid #2. Why would you trade that for help in the bullpen? Wouldn’t the team be much better off moving Saunders to the pen and having a rotation of Haren, Weaver, Santana, Pineiro, and Kazmir? That’s downright filthy. With a trip to the pen (or to AAA) Saunders might be able to get things straight again.
The deal wouldn’t include Trout but the Angels have plenty of very nice pieces in the lower minors. Not as much in the upper levels though.
Dan Haren would be a perfect fit for any team needing starting pitching. Which is just about every major league team.
in recent years, los Angels had the prospects to make a deal for a Haren-type ace or M. Cabrera-type big-bopper and couldn’t/wouldn’t pull the trigger.
they didn’t have the bollocks then, don’t have the bullets now
That’s what happens when you let your prospects toil in the minor leagues until they no longer have any value.
That’s what happens when you let your prospects toil in the minor leagues until they no longer have any value.
Of course they did trade for Teixeira. And they do have a new GM (as of the past 3 years). They have won more games over the past 5 years than any other team not named the Yankees, so they must be doing something right. We can talk all day about the deals that didn’t get done … but most of them would have been disasters. Thank goodness the team passed on them. As for not having talent that simply isn’t true. You need to take a look at their lower level minors for some very high impact guys. Bet anything that the Angels system will be top 15 and possibly top 10 after the AFL this year.Just from last years draft …Trout – 18YO – 364/445/545 – 33SB’sGrichuk – 18YO – 322/352/551 in the AFL (currently injured)Richards – 22YO – 3.18ERA / 8.6 K9Skaggs – 18YO – 3.63ERA / 9.2 K9That’s just last year. Throw in guys like Mesa, Corbin, Arenas and you have some very talented, high upside talent in the lower minors. Add in this year’s draft where they had 5 picks in the top 50 and the lower minors should be stacked. In the upper minors there are plenty of nice pieces as well (Conger, Trumbo, Bourjos). My point isn’t to suggest that the Angels have the best farm system around (clearly they don’t). However, they certainly have enough pieces to land Haren. The question will be how much are the Angels willing to give up to get a guy like Haren. In some ways I would rather see them go after Oswalt and just take on money. It’s not like Haren is super cheap. He earns about $3m less per year than Oswalt. He is a better pitcher as well. But, if the cost is top tier talent (A prospect + a couple solid B’s prospects) for Haren OR assume all of Oswalt’s contract and keep the talent I would go the Oswalt route.
in recent years, los Angels had the prospects to make a deal for a Haren-type ace or M. Cabrera-type big-bopper and couldn’t/wouldn’t pull the trigger.
they didn’t have the bollocks then, don’t have the bullets now
binghamton is double A
binghamton is double A
Finally, the Mets spring some intelligence and send Mejia back down. Now, to hope that his arm isn’t ruined.
Finally, the Mets spring some intelligence and send Mejia back down. Now, to hope that his arm isn’t ruined.
so is maine joining the pen?
so is maine joining the pen?
So the two players never got along when they were teammates?
“Yeah,” Montero said, “because he’s dumb. What do you want me to say? He’s smart? No. He’s just dumb.”
—
What if the Diamondbacks had signed him as a free agent in the off-season?
“I wouldn’t mind having him on my team, I’d just keep telling him he’s dumb,” Montero said.
—
LOL drama..
I wonder if the AZ management had concerns about this.
Orioles –
Kevin Millwood
for
Tigers –
Zach Simons or Anthony Shawler
Giovany Soto
When did they get Geovany Soto and when did he spell his name Giovany?
He’s a starting pitcher
Thank you at least someone knows what there talking about
Attempt at sarcasm…
Attempt at sarcasm…
Thank you at least someone knows what there talking about
He’s a starting pitcher
When did they get Geovany Soto and when did he spell his name Giovany?
Orioles –
Kevin Millwood
for
Tigers –
Zach Simons or Anthony Shawler
Giovany Soto
“Rangers manager Ron Washington feels that his team could use another front-line starting pitcher”
Get a loan from MLB, then go out an add an (expensive) front line starter? Not going to happen.
“Rangers manager Ron Washington feels that his team could use another front-line starting pitcher”
Get a loan from MLB, then go out an add an (expensive) front line starter? Not going to happen.
Question. What was Rich Harden’s average pitch count? I wonder if his injury has anything to do with Nolan Ryan’s absurd stand on the unimportance of pitch counts, just because things were different in his days.
99.7 this season, similar to what it was in 08 and 09. However this season he leads the AL in walks and has a 1.67 WHIP, so control issues are a problem maybe? Just a 1.37 K/BB ratio.
99.7 this season, similar to what it was in 08 and 09. However this season he leads the AL in walks and has a 1.67 WHIP, so control issues are a problem maybe? Just a 1.37 K/BB ratio.
harden has gone 6 innings 4 times. he’s pitched into the 7th once, and he had to throw a 2 hitter to do that. he’s given up 14 long balls. he’s given up a good number of hits and a ton of walks. he throws a ton of pitches to get outs because he doesn’t have anything to put you away with anymore. that differential between the fast and change slipped a little bit and he imploded. he probably is hurt, but he had pitched himself out of the rotation as it was.
harden has gone 6 innings 4 times. he’s pitched into the 7th once, and he had to throw a 2 hitter to do that. he’s given up 14 long balls. he’s given up a good number of hits and a ton of walks. he throws a ton of pitches to get outs because he doesn’t have anything to put you away with anymore. that differential between the fast and change slipped a little bit and he imploded. he probably is hurt, but he had pitched himself out of the rotation as it was.
Pitch count has nothing to do with it. Harden has been damaged goods for years now.
As for Ryan’s position on pitch counts … don’t be surprised if he is vindicated. So much more goes into arm/shoulder stress than how many pitches a guy makes. Throwing programs, mechanics, and the fact that EVERY PERSON IS DIFFERENT all are variables that pitch count disciples sometimes forget about. My guess … in 10 years we are all going to look back at this infatuation with pitch counts and realize that it plays only a minor role in the health and longevity of a pitcher.
Question. What was Rich Harden’s average pitch count? I wonder if his injury has anything to do with Nolan Ryan’s absurd stand on the unimportance of pitch counts, just because things were different in his days.
Oh noooo, I love Buck Showalter’s commentary on ESPN! haha.