On this date in 2004, Luis Gonzalez of the Diamondbacks and Luis Gonzalez of the Rockies both hit home runs. It was only the second time in baseball history that two players with the same name went deep in the same game. The Ken Griffeys – Senior and Junior – hit back-to-back homers against the Angels in 1990. Here's the latest from around the baseball blogosphere, with a heavy dose of extension reactions…
- Did The Tribe Win Last Night? interviewed Indians outfielder Shelley Duncan.
- Redleg Nation analyzed the Joey Votto extension (the market, attendance revenue, broadcast revenue).
- Red Reporter explained what Votto means to the Reds.
- McCovey Chronicles wrote about the urgency of Matt Cain's contract extension.
- SF Giants Rumors spoke to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick about Cain's deal.
- Bay City Ball has some thoughts on the Cain extension.
- Disciples of Uecker looked at Zack Greinke's situation in the wake of Cain's deal.
- Royal Revival analyzed the Alex Gordon contract extension.
- Chicken Friars broke down Cory Luebke's contract extension.
- Lone Star Ball has some thoughts about a possible Ian Kinsler extension.
- Baseball Time in Arlington also mused about a potential Kinsler deal.
- Rant Sports Royals says the Royals would be smart to extend Eric Hosmer.
- Lasorda's Lair introduced you to the Dodgers' new ownership group.
- NASORB says not to worry about Felix Hernandez's missing velocity just yet.
- Pirates Prospects says calling the Pirates a farm system for the rest of baseball is inaccurate.
- Capitol Avenue Club responded to the Chad Durbin signing.
- Over The Monster reviewed the Red Sox's bullpen following Andrew Bailey's injury.
- Through the Fence Baseball explains why the Red Sox should sign Roy Oswalt.
- BoSox Injection wonders if Bobby Valentine is focused on the Red Sox.
- Talkin' Sox with Dan says patience is the key to Daniel Bard as a starter.
- Call to the Pen analyzed each club's payroll from 2011-2012.
- Marlin Maniac says the Marlins are building hope for the future.
- Rox Pile wrote about the Ubaldo Jimenez–Troy Tulowitzki dust up.
- Crashburn Alley analyzed Juan Pierre's historic lack of power.
- A's Farm wrote about the Athletics Triple-A affiliate.
- Southpaw Yakker explains why we have to be careful with projections.
- Roster Brain posted a series of roster-related quizzes.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.
There is already going to be a firestorm starting around the blogoshpere with regards to the Sox BP and how it is in dire need, the rotation needs help, blah, blah..
They have a decent BP as it is.. Bobby B could easilly have used Albers, rather than Padilla yesterday. Albers did fair early last season. Let him go 6-7th inning. Or let Aceves. There are so many variables with Bailey out. I am not one who thinks Padilla belongs in any sort of late inning role and that Atch even is more suited and that isn’t a compliment.
Bard, with Bailey out for the LT should probably be worked back into the pen.. I know there are several hard core Sox fans who are of the opinion he belongs as a starter and I was a convert to that scenario as well, but the pen is just in need of him, not as the closer (IMO, Melencon should be) but as the 8th inning shut down role he was and think it would be easier for him to return back to in the shortest length of time initially, then work his way into closing as the season progresses.
Padilla does not need the ball in late game situations and do realize he has both now and the past had electric stuff, but is just not suited at all for that role. Let Matty Albers do the 6-7th inning until he proves he cannot, like he did in early ’11 and even Bowden, or Atch.
Ramble over.
Yeah I was surprised/excited when I saw Padilla coming into the game at that situation yesterday.
you’re supposed to lose against verlander anyway, so valentine was playing with house money
“you’re supposed to lose against verlander anyway”
You cannot go into a game, especially with your ace (Lester) even when on the visitor field and expect to lose.. Weaver would have given you an unconditional release, never mind an option to AAA.
sure, but you would lose money in vegas. odds are odds
detroit is beatable in a series only because verlander doesn’t pitch every game. in an at-bat, an inning, or a game, you expect to lose against him. try your best, sure, but know what you’re up against. he’s a lot better than lester. a lot
even if boston had crawford in the lineup and a healthy bullpen, verlander can and regularly does completely shut down the best offenses in the league
That he does and Boston worked him and the pitch count to get him out of the game to get a chance at the BP.
I also take a pessimistic view of the overall chances, but not on winning any games.. Must be something never could get over, even when it’s almost certain that they have little chance at victory.
So As Farm wrote about the As farm. Imagine that.
What ever happened to that other Luis Gonzalez?
Red Reporter FTW