Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Just like the old days
The New York Yankees are in first place. What a nightmare.
We were all ecstatic when they hit 11-19, when they dropped three of four to the Devil Rays, whent he Mets led 4-1 in the seventh inning in a bid to sweep the Yanks out of the stadium, and whent he Red Sox handed a 17-1 beatdown to the Yanks (twice). But now, it's just like it always is. First place for the Bombers.
Last night's game was a disaster for the Yankees pitching and defense. Kevin Brown gave up 10 hits and 6 runs in 4.1 innings. Scott Proctor and Wayne Franklin had to pitch in a close game. And Bernie dropped yet another flyball that ended up costing the Yanks 3 runs. But in the end, thanks to 3.1 innings of stellar relief from Sturtze and Rivera plus 11 runs, New York won an ugly one and now are in first place due to the Boston Red Sox 3-1 loss to Tampa. Boston now has gone 1-6 in their last seven games.
The AL East is extremely tight right now. With the Yankees in first at 50-41, both Boston and Baltimore are a half-game back with matching 50-42 records. Plus, rumor has it Baltimore is about to get some help.
Burnett to Camden
AJ Burnett has some of the best pure stuff in major league baseball, with his blistering fastball and knee-buckling breaking pitches. Despite this, He has struggled in his career with Florida at times with numerous arm injuries and command issues. He remains the top pitcher on the market, and Baltimore is expected to snatch him up within 24 hours.
Many trade rumors have circulated involving Burnett-to-Baltimore, but the latest one is a 3-team deal that involves the Pittsburgh Pirates in addition to Florida and Baltimore. Here is the current hot rumor:
Baltimore Orioles get
SP AJ Burnett from FLA (5-6, 3.64 ERA, 118.2 IP, 114 K, 44 BB)
1B Daryle Ward from PIT (.258 BA, 11 HR, 52 RBI, .322 OBP, .435 SLG)
Pittsburgh Pirates get
3B Mike Lowell from FLA (.232 BA, 4 HR, 37 RBI, .284 OBP, .356 SLG)
Cash
Florida Marlins get
RP Jorge Julio from BAL (3-2, 3.95 ERA, 43.1 IP, 39 K, 14 BB, 0 SV)
OF Larry Bigbie from BAL (.257 BA, 4 HR, 19 RBI, .319 OBP, .380 SLG)
SP Mark Redman from PIT (4-9, 4.01 ERA, 121.1 IP, 64 K, 36 BB)
SP Hayden Penn from BAL (2-2, 6.75 ERA, 33.1 IP, 14 K, 19 BB in MLB; 3-4, 4.04 ERA, 62.1 IP, 67 K, 23 BB in AA)
Analysis: If Florida has to give Burnett up, this is probably the best deal they can get. With Lowell moving to Pittsburgh, the Marlins can move Miguel Cabrera back to third base and plug Larry Bigbie into the hole in left field. Mark Redman, who was on Florida's 2003 World Series team, is a somewhat suitable replacement for Burnett, and Jorge Julio might be able to close out games for the bullpen-hungry Marlins. Hayden Penn is Baltimore's top prospect, is only 20, and in a year or two could be just as good as Burnett. While the Orioles clearly get a talented pitcher in Burnett, he is prone to pitching below his capability. In addition, he is from the National League, which hasn't been a formula for success for Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright, and Randy Johnson. He could dominate for Baltimore, or he could be a maddening disappointment. Likely the latter. Pittsburgh gets to deal a problem in Redman, and acquires Lowell while losing Daryle Ward. Lowell had heated up in recent weeks, but still is hitting with no power. He won't cost Pittsburgh too much financially as alot of his salary will be paid by Florida.
Today's Schedule
I'll be at Shea tonight to see the Mets and the Padres. I'll see Kris Benson (6-3, 3.57) v. Brian Lawrence (5-9, 4.27).
New York Yankees (Mike Mussina, 9-5, 4.15) @ Texas Rangers (Chan Ho Park, 8-4, 5.64)
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (Casey Fossum, 4-7, 4.02) @ Boston Red Sox (Bronson Arroyo, 7-5, 4.14)
PS: Forgive me if any of the colors are off. I battle colorblindness every day of my life.
We were all ecstatic when they hit 11-19, when they dropped three of four to the Devil Rays, whent he Mets led 4-1 in the seventh inning in a bid to sweep the Yanks out of the stadium, and whent he Red Sox handed a 17-1 beatdown to the Yanks (twice). But now, it's just like it always is. First place for the Bombers.
Last night's game was a disaster for the Yankees pitching and defense. Kevin Brown gave up 10 hits and 6 runs in 4.1 innings. Scott Proctor and Wayne Franklin had to pitch in a close game. And Bernie dropped yet another flyball that ended up costing the Yanks 3 runs. But in the end, thanks to 3.1 innings of stellar relief from Sturtze and Rivera plus 11 runs, New York won an ugly one and now are in first place due to the Boston Red Sox 3-1 loss to Tampa. Boston now has gone 1-6 in their last seven games.
The AL East is extremely tight right now. With the Yankees in first at 50-41, both Boston and Baltimore are a half-game back with matching 50-42 records. Plus, rumor has it Baltimore is about to get some help.
Burnett to Camden
AJ Burnett has some of the best pure stuff in major league baseball, with his blistering fastball and knee-buckling breaking pitches. Despite this, He has struggled in his career with Florida at times with numerous arm injuries and command issues. He remains the top pitcher on the market, and Baltimore is expected to snatch him up within 24 hours.
Many trade rumors have circulated involving Burnett-to-Baltimore, but the latest one is a 3-team deal that involves the Pittsburgh Pirates in addition to Florida and Baltimore. Here is the current hot rumor:
Baltimore Orioles get
SP AJ Burnett from FLA (5-6, 3.64 ERA, 118.2 IP, 114 K, 44 BB)
1B Daryle Ward from PIT (.258 BA, 11 HR, 52 RBI, .322 OBP, .435 SLG)
Pittsburgh Pirates get
3B Mike Lowell from FLA (.232 BA, 4 HR, 37 RBI, .284 OBP, .356 SLG)
Cash
Florida Marlins get
RP Jorge Julio from BAL (3-2, 3.95 ERA, 43.1 IP, 39 K, 14 BB, 0 SV)
OF Larry Bigbie from BAL (.257 BA, 4 HR, 19 RBI, .319 OBP, .380 SLG)
SP Mark Redman from PIT (4-9, 4.01 ERA, 121.1 IP, 64 K, 36 BB)
SP Hayden Penn from BAL (2-2, 6.75 ERA, 33.1 IP, 14 K, 19 BB in MLB; 3-4, 4.04 ERA, 62.1 IP, 67 K, 23 BB in AA)
Analysis: If Florida has to give Burnett up, this is probably the best deal they can get. With Lowell moving to Pittsburgh, the Marlins can move Miguel Cabrera back to third base and plug Larry Bigbie into the hole in left field. Mark Redman, who was on Florida's 2003 World Series team, is a somewhat suitable replacement for Burnett, and Jorge Julio might be able to close out games for the bullpen-hungry Marlins. Hayden Penn is Baltimore's top prospect, is only 20, and in a year or two could be just as good as Burnett. While the Orioles clearly get a talented pitcher in Burnett, he is prone to pitching below his capability. In addition, he is from the National League, which hasn't been a formula for success for Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright, and Randy Johnson. He could dominate for Baltimore, or he could be a maddening disappointment. Likely the latter. Pittsburgh gets to deal a problem in Redman, and acquires Lowell while losing Daryle Ward. Lowell had heated up in recent weeks, but still is hitting with no power. He won't cost Pittsburgh too much financially as alot of his salary will be paid by Florida.
Today's Schedule
I'll be at Shea tonight to see the Mets and the Padres. I'll see Kris Benson (6-3, 3.57) v. Brian Lawrence (5-9, 4.27).
New York Yankees (Mike Mussina, 9-5, 4.15) @ Texas Rangers (Chan Ho Park, 8-4, 5.64)
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (Casey Fossum, 4-7, 4.02) @ Boston Red Sox (Bronson Arroyo, 7-5, 4.14)
PS: Forgive me if any of the colors are off. I battle colorblindness every day of my life.
# posted by Dave @ 2:00 PM 
