On this date eight years ago, Major League Baseball's 73rd All Star Game ended after 11 innings in a 7-7 tie when both sides ran out of pitchers. Shortly thereafter, commissioner Bud Selig ruled that the All Star Game will determine home field advantage in the World Series, a still unpopular decision. The American League has won every Midsummer Classic since then, and 12 of the last 13 overall (the tie being the one exception).
This year's All Star Game is still four days away, so here are some links to keep you occupied until then…
- Mets Paradise examines some trade scenarios for the Mets involving Ted Lilly and Octavio Dotel.
- The Bottom Line finds some relievers on the trade market that could entice the Red Sox.
- MLB Depth Charts lists (almost) every club's nearly big league-ready trade chips.
- Pittsburgh Lumber Co. looks at the possibility of the Pirates turning Evan Meek, an All Star, into a starting pitcher.
- The Dugout Report wonders if the Bengie Molina trade means the Giants are going for it, or packing it in.
- Meanwhile, More Hardball catches up with the three Molina brothers.
- River Ave. Blues lays out the case for the Yankees to acquire Kerry Wood.
- Examiner looks at the consequences of Jake Peavy's injury for the White Sox.
- The Baseball Opinion reviews the Mark Mulder trade following the lefty's retirement.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here.
Reliever market is just horrid. When people like Dotel are being linked to Casey Kelly and Felix Doubrant, it is absolutely hilarious. No wonder Boston sent Michael Bowden to the pen this past Monday to get ready for a callup soon.
With a asking price that out of whack on a 37YO journeyman that high, can imagine what the Indians think another last 2 years flop in Kerry Wood is worth, or Fahrnsworth in KC who has finally had a 1/2 season that is decent, after 4 miserable ones in a row.
Think both Boston and the Yanks better off using the starters they have at AAA in the pen short term. Boston should be able to use Bowden and maybe lefty Doubrant now that Beckett is beginning his rehab assignments at AAA now. Better than giving up good prospects for rubbish like Kerry Wood and Fahrnsworth types.
100% correct. Sidenote: Next weekend got tickets to all 4 Portland games here in NB, hope to get to see Kelly, and Exposito, never know they might throw Lowrie up to Portland for rehab.
I’m not positive, but I’m pretty sure Lowrie is going to spend at least 20 days on the Lowell roster retroactive to July 5th.
Where have you seen Dotel linked to those guys?
Wonder what the Pirates could get for him if they traded him.
That “The Bottom Line” blog post above. granted, it was hypothetical, but probably typical of the kind of prospects the Bucs think that journeyman is worth and nobody is going to give up. kelly is the Sox #1 pitching prospect, 20YO and the youngest player in the AA Eastern league (or was) when the season started. There is -0- chance he is moved for rubbish like Dotel.
Yes the Giants are packing it in….Bengie was awesome and this Posey kid sucks!!
the giants arent necessarily doing either. molina had no use in san francisco. posey was putting up good numbers and wanted him to play catcher, which is his position. it was only fair to send molina somewhere as opposed to have him share playing time with posey and eli whiteside. it was a respectful thing to do for molina and it got them chris ray and a prospect (dont know much on either). now molina has all the playing time he wants, and posey is learning the game. as for “this posey kid sucks”, tell that to milwaukee who just gave up a 2 run shot and a grand slam to the kid. posey may not be the next joe mauer. but he is definitely legit
55 was obviously being sarcastic
the giants got chris ray for molina. the bullpen help they wanted and for a very expendable player like molina.
the trade for Molina was perfect for the Giants. This Main kid could end up being useful and Ray is showing he can help out this bullpen. I think this actually makes them a better team. Honestly if someone is asking this question, they have not been watching too many Giants games this year. If they do plan on calling it a year, they need to sell while they can. Huff, Renteria, Sanchez, even Burrell could possibly get something in return. When Uribe gets healthy he should be on the block…that is, if they are calling it a year. If not, lets add a power bat and make a run for some much needed post season baseball.
the giants arent necessarily doing either. molina had no use in san francisco. posey was putting up good numbers and wanted him to play catcher, which is his position. it was only fair to send molina somewhere as opposed to have him share playing time with posey and eli whiteside. it was a respectful thing to do for molina and it got them chris ray and a prospect (dont know much on either). now molina has all the playing time he wants, and posey is learning the game. as for “this posey kid sucks”, tell that to milwaukee who just gave up a 2 run shot and a grand slam to the kid. posey may not be the next joe mauer. but he is definitely legit
i remember when meek had the yips when he was in the twins org…. he has come a long way!
Obviously the Giants are going for it. Molina was a bum. Posey has more HR, higher BA, younger and a higher OBP. Hell Eli Whiteside was better than Molina.