When I seen you quote my post about how good he pitched. I thought you were going to drill me for that. I was one that said I wouldn't trust him with so much money and him in the playoffs. He's clearly a different guy. Good for him.
Before the surgery he played 151, 140, 144 and 161 games for them. The year he was finally fully healthy he played 142 games between them and SF. Since then he's played 151 and 145 games. I think he'd be a perfect AL player the next few years playing part time OF and DH.
You weren't the only one here that was killing him and the contract. Hell all of the media did too. It was the easy narrative to go with. And if he doesn't pitch well in the rest of the series you'll see a lot of those types of articles written about him and pressure.
Could not know if the knee would respond and hold up long term, micro surgery is really meant for the elderly, not high performance athletes.
The year after he got it he ended up playing 64 games (15 in July, 28 in August and 22 in September) then his first full year back from the surgery he played in 142 games. St. Louis probably saw that as a positive sign moving forward, either way the contract he signed with them was good because it was short term and cheap, definitely worth the gamble. I bet the next contract he signs will be for 2 or 3 years.
Cards up 2-0, can't say they've dominated the Dodgers they just are making the key play or getting the timely hit. Post season, that is all it takes to advance
Down by 1, 1st and 3rd 1 out, with the best hitter in the game, and Prince on deck, and they both strike out.
This times a thousand. Boston and Detroit were the two best offense in the AL this year yet have been completely shut down because the pitching minus Buccholz and the Tigers pen in Game 2 have been outstanding. People have been making light of the Sox K issues with good reason but it's not like the Sox hitters are having bad at bats it's the pitching that's been great. The Sox haven't done anything different in this series that they did in the 166 games prior, they are still have deep at bats and bleeding pitch counts, Detroit just has been able to throw a ton of strikes especially with their breaking pitches. You wonder if both teams can keep this pitching up. This has been a fun (and stressful) series so far.
This is one of multiple reasons I believed skipping Ricky N wasn't smart. What's he had like 2 weeks off? And you want him to come in and be sharp? What a tough situation he was put in.
Want one example on how St. Louis are the pimps of the baseball game? When they lost Pujols they obviously offer him a qualifying offer, he denied and they got the pick. LAA signed him and they had number 19 (not protected) so StL got it. Guess who who they drafted in June of THIS YEAR?! Michael Wacha
To a point, the counter to great pitching is speed on the bases,something MLB has mostly moved away from. Cards are smacking the Dodgers around tonight,that is just a well run franchise.
Jim Leyland is stepping down at manager of the Tigers. No word on whether he's retiring of not, just said he feels the team needs someone young to manage. That's kind of shocking news especially with the team he has.
Also can you imagine if Prince Fielder played in New York, Boston, Philly or Chicago and played as poorly as he did and then made the "It's over" comments after Game 6?
The Tigers are a good team, they were just maybe 1 bullpen arm short of getting to the WS this year and realistically probably 2 or 3 players away from being a favorite next year. I don't follow the Tigers that closely but I never got the sense that Leyland was ever on the hot seat from ownership or so looking to step down. I know he's 68 but that's not that old to be a manager. But hey maybe he just felt like the team needed a new voice or direction. I respect that and glad he left on his own terms.
I actually thought the tigers could force him out if they lost to the sox. I think that's what's happening. Rather then Leyland actually going out on his terms.
I mean maybe. I know Leyland is taking a ton of heat for taking out Scherzer in the 7th of Game 6 but I just think the Tigers roster was exposed. Their pen was iffy the whole year, they're not good running bases or in the field, Cabrera was hurt, Fielder was awful. I don't know I think it's hard to pin this on Leyland. EDIT: Leyland told his team after Game 6 is was leaving and told Tigers FO on 9/7 he wasn't going to come back. So unless you don't want to believe him it does look like he's going out on his own.
He is talking a job in the front office apparently....I will miss seeing him in between innings smoking hahahaha
One cool thing about my job, I had a guys son today, that was important in the injury side of the Rays. We talked for about 45 minutes ranging from injuries to certain guys, general questions on injuries, but conversation led to Matt Moore's elbow. But he told me that Jeremy Hellickson had elbow issues the entire year. He pitched through it. Maybe explain some of his extreme drop off. Maybe not. Just good for thought.
Interesting. Hey what the heck is going on with TB's minor league operations with so many guys getting hit with 50 game drug suspensions? I saw that Guerreri got pinched a few days ago and he was I believe the 13th player suspended since 2012, most in the MLB.
Yea I seen that. I'm not sure man. Might have something to do with the Rays and their lack of general interest in a players character. Might just be plain bad luck. Who knows.
Maybe a little of both? A lot of them aren't even PED use suspensions too. It should be a real concern for them I would think.
Haha. Yeah the next CBA has to change this it really screws some of these players. I don't think you'll see the Yankees qualify Hughes though especially if they still want to lower their payroll. He'd probably accept the offer due to his poor year with hopes he rebounds.
W Word is he doesn't want to stay in NY, he is a West Coast guy (born) and wants to go back out there, but you are right the gamble is too much....Even on a 1 year deal I don't think he comes in and does a good enough job to re-establish his value...
The problem is he will almost be forced to take the QO because it will destroy his "value". I can't see any team wanting to give up a draft pick for him due to how poorly he pitched last year. His only choice would probably be to go back to NY and hope he pitches better in 2014 so he can reestablish his value. I think the Yankees will simply let him walk without the QA and frankly its probably smart to just let him walk.
All that Lincy contract did was raise the dollars Tanaka is going to get..........he is probably the best pitcher on the market right now...
dont really see them as underrated. pretty much considered the best in the NL along with the Dodgers all year long. But man, what a fun team to watch. Those are some vicious young arms
Not scoring with the bases loaded with 0 outs could haunt my cards tonight... Loving how Kelly is keeping the ball down tonight... He has a tendency to lift some at times. Why so serious?