As the Giants have struggled to lock up the ninth inning down the stretch, GM Bobby Evans discusses his decision not to push harder for a top-tier closer at this year’s deadline, as Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Evans told Jon Heyman of Fan Rag that the struggles have made him feel like a “knucklehead,” though he notes to Schulman that he was saying that in jest. The San Francisco general manager went on to explain a bit more about the team’s efforts to acquire Mark Melancon, who ended up with the Nationals, from the Pirates. “It was very comparable to what they ultimately got,” he said of the Giants’ offer. “You think about it. ’Was there something else I could have done? Was there another name I could have pushed across the table?’ They ended up getting one guy who throws 100 and another who throws 98.” But as Evans went on to discuss, it’s ultimately a matter of hindsight. “Those are just reflections,” he said. “… All I can do is think about how I handled it and how far I went.”
- The Cardinals are still tinkering with their pitching mix, and will now re-insert Jaime Garcia into the rotation in the place of Luke Weaver, as Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports. Garcia has shown well in his brief move to the pen, while Weaver has struggled in his most recent outings after an excellent start to his major league career.
- Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy has been diagnosed with a strained glute, as MLB.com’s Jamal Collier reports on Twitter. Murphy last played a full game on September 17th and will rest for a few more contests before returning to action. Obviously, the Nats will be sure to rest him well with the NL East in hand, as Murphy figures to be a key piece of the team’s postseason hopes after posting a remarkable .347/.391/.596 batting line thus far.
- Brandon McCarthy will become the latest Dodgers pitcher to return to action on Saturday, when MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick says the veteran righty will be activated (Twitter link). The 33-year-old has produced strong results despite allowing over six walks per nine in his eight starts on the year, with a 9.9 K/9 mark and just twenty hits allowed helping to offset the free passes. It remains to be seen what role he’ll play in the postseason for Los Angeles after working back from a hip injury.
- Phillies reliever Joely Rodriguez looks to be a keeper, as Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. Acquired in the Antonio Bastardo trade, the 24-year-old southpaw has developed upper-nineties heat in a relief capacity. He has allowed just a single hit in his first 5 1/3 major league innings, with four strikeouts and two walks also on his ledger.
Too bad about Weaver, I like his stuff overall
I did too. I think while he was pitching, the defense let him down and Mike Matheney hung him out to dry by leaving him in too long. This is the second rookie he’s hung out to dry and let the runs stack up against them. He’s ruined one new rookie pitcher’s confidence. Let’s hope he hasn’t don the same to Weaver.
Joely has been a favorite of mine since before the 2013 Rule V Draft (prior to the 2014 season), I was so upset when the Pirates selected his contract- but it all worked out okay– we got him for Bastardo
Second
Here’s to hoping McCarthy succeeds.
Log jam going into the post season so we shall see how it all goes
Looks like Murphy has a pain in his ass
A “tinker” with a rotation, this late in the season, could be looked at as panic.
Is Garcia really the best option for the cardinals? What does this move do to the psych of Weaver?
Absolutely! I agree with you! Tinkering with the rotation this late in the season is nuts! Also Tinkering with the batting order daily!!! Matheney must not have any stability in his life. Because that’s the way he’s done his batting lineups and pitching rotation all year!!! I m a true blue Cardinal fan and will watch to the bitter end. But watching Mathaney manage is frustrating for this old man.
I think there is something to be said about a consistent batting order but we could also look at the constant shuffling of the order as a strategy to keep other teams guessing? I still probably lean more towards your opinion on that.
The way the bullpen is managed,in my opinion, has been Matheny’s downfall for the past few years. In tight games we all know who is getting used. If it has been predictable to fans, it must be predictable for other teams? For instance, why would I bring in my hot pinch hitter, who hits Seigrist well, in the sixth, when I know he will be pitching the 8th?
I join you in frustration this year Cardinal 17. The defense and base running miscues the Cardinals have had this year are on Matheny. I feel embarrassed for my birds this year, in these categories, because I have not witnessed a year like this in awhile. They have lost games because of it. My guess would be 5? Imagine 5 more wins and 5 less losses? The wild card would be ours.