Like Ray said, Price is a rare species. Rays can still contend without him. It's still a tough loss regardless. They should be looking to get MORE then what they got with Shields. He's going to be traded at some point. It's something rays fans have learned to understand.
Wow, honestly not sure if they can realistically get more for what they got with Shields. I mean they did get a top hitting 3 prospect in the game. Who knows though maybe Texas gets desperate and trades you Profar and a few players? Just looking back at some of the big trades for pitchers like all the Cliff Lee deals, Halladay and Sabathia trades those teams ended up getting very little to zero return. I think the Shields move was more of a fluke great deal then the norm.
Dodgers are starting Kershaw tonight on 3 days rest. Seems a little strange that they would when they're up 2 games to 1 in the series. Grienke would pitch Game 5 on full rest.
I'm sure this wasn't a 100% Mattingly call here. I'd have to think this was discussed with him, Kershaw and the FO.
Really Fink you think Colletti? Well that would make sense, it is a dumb move and he is dumb so there's that....
I think it was a group discussion and decision made yes. In the very least Colletti signed off on it. You don't make a big decision like that without talking to your boss first. That's how normal front offices are run anyway.
Why do they need to start Kershaw tonight? So what if they happen to lose? Then they just send out Kershaw for game 5 on full rest. It's unlikely Medlen would be able to match up with him, especially the way the Dodgers have hit in the series. This is puzzling to me. I thought the only way Kershaw would go out tonight was if Atlanta was up. I still think the Braves lose this series but this is an odd move. It's like they're trying to increase the odds of Atlanta being able to have success against their ace.
Only reason they would do this is because they think this gives them the best shot at Kershaw going game 1 of the NLCS. Dumb move.
They could get him in Game 2. They'd be crazy to start him in Game 1 IMO. Greinke is good enough to start Game 1. Seems to me they just have little confidence in Nolasco and want to avoid a trip back to Atlanta.
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2 games with go ahead and eventual winning home run in late innings, that was some great MLB action. So much so, barely watched the MNF game.
That was the last day of the season with a full line up of baseball games unfortunately. From now on it's just one or two games a day for the next week and a half until the WS.
Which is good baseball to watch. Braves fans are so used to the bullpen blowing things in the post season it's not unexpected.
Juan Uribe essentially paid for his horrid contract with that home run. Carl Crawford as well. Looks like Andre Ethier will be back for the NLCS too, which means the lineup gets longer (Skip Schumaker is just sort of...there). I assume Greinke goes in game 1 with Kershaw coming back for Game 2. Looks like Mattingly's play of using Clayton on short rest was a good one with St. Louis their series.
I was against the Kershaw start as well, but Nolasco has been awful as of late and avoiding a flight to Atlanta, and a game five on the road, is huge. It also gives Ethier extra rest for the NLCS. His pitch count was somewhat controlled at 91 pitches and he will get his full rest before his next start, be it in St. Louis or in L.A. Against The Pirates. I suppose his next start will be telling, but as it stands now, it was a wise decision by Mattingly. Kershaw gave up no earned runs through six innings and seemed to have no wear and tear on his body. Also, I think The A's blew an opportunity today. Yes, they get game five at home, but Detroit is a veteran club that can mitigate the crazy crowd and be patient throughout the game. I they get down early, they know they can fight back. I would seriously expect Verlander to try to establish inside early, and try to intimidate the young, emotional A's.
The last few days have been a thrill. I love playoff baseball. Now if only the Mets could participate sometime soon.
Maddon hasn't been top notch with managing during these playoffs. And the end of all was starting Hellickson. Then proceeded to **** up more by pulling Moore to soon. A lot of regret in these playoffs. Boston played a cleaner series. Tampa clearly can play with these guys, but for whatever reason, the great defensive and sound minded team, just decided to **** off during the Boston series. Frustrating.
I thought Maddon made a lot of mistakes last night and overall in the series. If you're going to start Hellickson but are ok with pulling him in the 2nd inning, why even start him in the first place? Just strange. Asking your bullpen to get 26 outs is a hell of a task which is why I didn't understand him pulling Matt Moore when he did and even putting him in when he did with a runner on. Just a lot of weird/strange moves by Maddon. I think what really hurt the Rays was the lack of hitting. I mean outside of Longoria, the Rays didn't have a hitter that really scared me at the plate. Perhaps they should look at the A's model of trading for hitters in the offseason.
Nappy did Maddon ever say why he didn't go with Chris Archer to start the 3rd inning or why he took Moore out so quickly?
I have to agree. Hitting was a real concern here. Our best/2nd best hitter(Myers is that good), had 2 infield singles in the series. Zobrist struggled. We have some great pieces, definitely need to add to that if they plan on competing for a championship. Maddon's claim was because Moore wasn't a reliever, he didn't know how long he would successful in that role. Which makes no sense to me. I think he simply outsmarted himself in this series. He never said anything about Archer, I cant only help but think that he just didn't trust archer. But then he brings him in a very tough and stressful situation later in the game? A lot of what he did this series made no sense. I've always thought his actual game management was a tad over rated. But he certainly pushes the right buttons with the players. So you take the good with the, not so good.
Price for Taveras? Price for Castallanos ( spelling??) Might as well get the crystal balls out and hazard a guess.
I doubt either would happen. Castellanos isn't our type of player, and I don't think he's that great anyways. And I don't think the Cards would be interested. Although I certainly would be for Taveras.
What do you think is possible/ you would like to see. It was obvious they need another bat around Longoria... Myers i think will be great be he isnt yet....
Myers was still really good this year. To be honest, at this moment. I don't have the slightest idea of what's possible. I haven't looked at possible destinations and what they have to offer. What I would like to see is a package similar to what Rays got for Shields. Rays also gave up Wade Davis in that deal though, but Price is a better talent then Shields. A top ML ready hitter, like a Taveras, another good prospect, or a couple mid level prospects as well. I am in the minority with what I BELIEVE will happen however. I think unless the Rays are blown away(Shields type haul), I think the Rays keep him. Rays value pitchers to the max. They, before the Shields trade, refuse to trade or get rid of pitchers, even with more then enough depth. Their view was, you can never have enough. With Moore not being consistent yet, and Cobb in his first dominate season with the Rays, I think they will be reluctant to get rid of their ace just yet. They have no problem paying him really good money for one year. They did the exact same thing with Shields. Paid him 15 mil the last year with us, then trade him after that season. I could see the same blue print being used here. But like I said, I'm in the minority.
Yeah the Sox pitching did a really nice job of really attacking Myers with fastballs in and getting him to chase off speed stuff away. If you're looking for the goat of the series it probably goes to either him or Price. You can't have your 2nd best hitter going 1-16 in the series. It was strange because outside of the play in RF, Myers never looked nervous or had the deer in head lights look. To be honest with you, and obviously you'd know this better then me, I do remember Maddon having a poor 2008 WS but don't remember how he did in the other series before or after. But his explanation for Moore doesn't make sure to me. If that was me you have to ride Moore until he looks like he's gassed or in trouble. He looked fine to me. You're right I think he just outsmarted himself. You may very well be right with his thoughts on Archer but I can't kill him for bringing him in against Pedroia in the 9th, it was obvious Rodney had nothing and couldn't find the plate. You can't have someone like that pitching with the bases loaded with a good contact/patient hitter up. My thoughts on Maddon is he is absolutely a great clubhouse manager and does a great job managing individuals. Like Escobar for example, who had issues with the two teams he was on but it seems like Maddon got him under control. I can't speak for his in game stuff because usually the only TB games I watch is when they play the Sox, Yankees or are on national TV. But it does seem like at times he tries to be too cute with moves or does outsmart himself.
I think trading Price for Castellanos would be selling Price incredibly low. I don't think Castellanos is that type of impact prospect. The Rays should be targeting at least top 5 prospect so you're talking about a Tavares, Bogaerts, Profor, Yelich, Lindor, Buxton, Sano type and then a couple of lesser prospects. Basically the return they got for James Shields is a perfect example.
Shields made 7 million. Price will probably get 12 in arb. Big difference for a team with that small of a payroll although the Rays barely have anything commited to next year. It would not surprise me if a team like the Rangers would go all in for price. Not sure how that match up though. With Profar being pretty bleh this year it would take alot with him to land price. A team that is close like the Braves get desperate specially with their lack of playoff success lately. The Tigers owner is desperate for a ring and he isnt exactly young. If Price is made avaible i think he is gone for quite a bit. Dont forget they got Archer and Lee for Garza.. Garza and Shields being traded worked out well for them i cant see them keeping Price with what they got for the previous two trades..
See I think it's kind of the opposite in that the Rays have never been afraid of trading away pitching (Shields, Garza, Kazmir, Davis) since they always have replacement arms in the minors ready to step in but they tend to keep their hitters (Upton, Crawford).
