Before LaPorta got traded, I kind of figured Fielder would get traded. With LaPorta gone now, I think the Brewers will likely hang on to Fielder for one more year until the brass figures out that Mat Gamel can't play third base.

Dodgers just need to designate Jones for assignment.

Word is the Yankees got Nady and Marte for 4 prospects, including Ohlendorf and Jose Tabata.

That's great news, Logan! The Yankees get a big bat and a LH relief pitcher. Tabata is a good prospect, but he's a bit of a headcase. I liked Ohlendorf and thought he could be pretty good someday.

Also tonight, Joba Chamberlain has outdueled Josh Beckett through 7 innings.

fixed.


:mad: Phillies may as well hang it up, this season is a lost cause.
Fire Manuel for using Lidge in a non-save situation, and other dumb-headed moves.

Trade the whole starting line-up, Howard equals a bum, Utley is over-rated, Burrell is an overpaid snail, plus a few others.

Good deal for the Yankees, though they're buying high on Nady. He has a .360 BABIP and a 26.5 line drive percentage. Those are almost guaranteed to go down as the season winds down.

The Pirates were supposedly looking for a top level prospect for each for Marte and Nady and the Yankees gave up 3 prospects that won't impress anyone and the vastly overrated Tabata.

Tabata hasn't shown a damn thing in the minors yet and has probably regressed since he joined the Yankees system. Its odd that the pirates were holding out for so much and end up centering a trade for two of their 3 chips they had to deal on a guy that hasn't shown the ability to do much of anything.

wow, did RomaGoth steal your password or something?

i've followed the pirates a ton more this year....basically listened to 5-6 games a week on the radio. So I'd say i'm more or less a fan. Nady has hit well all year, but like someone else said he's been extremely blessed this year with "luck." Sucks that he just had a baby like a week ago and now has to move. Seemed like a class guy from interviews. Realistically his arb number was going to be huge next year. And if he regresses to career averages he'd be way overpaid. And probably not a type a guy. And then you'd have to offer Arb again to get compensation.

The Pirates have a really solid offense this year. Their batting average with RISP is probably unattainable so they are going to regress some. LaRoache is murdering the ball late. They can probably platoon RF and be ok.

Marte has some weird option thing at the end of the year. He wasn't going to be back. I thought they may have been able to do better for him though.

You guys can look at the stats and see how bad the Pirates starters are, but lemme say listening to it is even more painful. Ohlendorf has decent stuff, honestly he could be their 3rd or 4th best starter tomorrow if they use him as such. I know that's fuckin pathetic.

I would feel better about the deal if Kennedy was involved or if they took a flyer on Sanchez. Not a very great return on investment. But I have more faith in the new pirates administration. The rest of the guys seem like organizational guys. The OF is probably a decent spec with baggage. Now that they have saved 8 to 10 million with this trade they must have to sign #2 pick Pedro Alvarez from vandy .
Honestly if Ross can eat some innings. and that's a big if, they will move closer to an average team. They have some good young hitters now for 3 more years. Hopefully they can build on McCloth and Doumit.

Trading Bay will depress me much more. And I wouldn't be suprised if it happens soon. Hopefully they get a much more projectable top of the rotation type starter for him.

It's easy to pitch when they're calling strikes a foot off the plate and allowing you ot throw at guys heads.

Casey Blake to the Dodgers for two minor leaguers?

Yes. As an Indians fan, I'm both sad and happy to see Blake go. He was always a pretty good player and quiet leader for the Tribe. They signed him on a minor league deal and he turned out to be a pretty good bargain. Now, I'm happy to see Blake go because now the move forces Wedge to play Marte at 3B for the rest of the year. The organization needs to find out if Marte can really play and this is the best way to do that. I'm also happy with the prospects. I don't know anything about the young catcher except he was hitting well at class A, albeit in the offense fueled California League. RHP Jon Meloan should be a young, cheap arm under team control for a long time. You can never have too much pitching.

The Braves just put up nine in the top of the fourth against Cole Hamels, capped by Texieria smashing a three-run bomb to send him to the showers. Hampton hasn't got injured yet in his return, surprisingly enough.

Weird stuff going on with Manny Ramirez. He begs out of the last two games, citing a knee injury. Then he doesn't show up to the trainers for treatment. So they make him get an MRI, which is completely clean, and order him to play today.

McCarver said that he asked Theo Epstein if Manny could possibly be traded before the deadline, and Theo said that if Manny was willing to waive his no trade-clause, they'd be interesting it sending him packing. The Red Sox could be losing patience.

Some of Manny's "Manny moment" in previous years were more high-profile, but this year they seem to be worse - including possibly "throwing" an at-bat against Mariano Rivera by taking 3 straight pitches for strikes, after he was pissed off for being fined.

This is silly, Manny. I don't see anyone giving you $20 M next year except maybe the Yanks (and not sure how much of an option that is, given how the Yanks have been burned by big contracts of late). You should be on your best behavior to get the Red Sox to pick up that option.

+1

Manny needs tough love. The Sox put him on irrevocable waivers in 2003 and nobody claimed him (though I bet Yankees regret that). He responded with a huge year in 2004.

Now 10-9 Phillies top of the 6th, after Hampton gave up three straight hits to start the bottom of the fifth & the bullpen not only let all of them in but four more runs as well.

Yeah that fifth inning was a bit of a letdown.

Maybe they should try this at the All-Star game - this is just weird:

IBAF changes rules for extra innings - Olympics - Yahoo! Sports

IBAF changes rules for extra innings

DURHAM, N.C. (AP)—Extra innings will have a new look in what could be baseball’s last Olympic appearance.

Each team’s at-bat in the 11th inning and beyond will begin with runners on first and second bases. Teams may start the 11th at any point in their batting order under format changes announced Friday by the International Baseball Federation and adopted in time for next month’s Beijing Games.

Baseball and softball are making their last appearance for a while, after the International Olympic Committee voted to eliminate the sports from the 2012 London Games. Both sports are working to be reinstated for the 2016 Olympics.

Federation president Harvey Schiller said the extra-innings change was adopted to save time.

“Extra-inning contests can bring about the most exciting results for players and fans, but such circumstances also make it difficult in the context of the Olympic program,” Schiller said. “We must demonstrate to the International Olympic Committee (that) not only does our game belong alongside the other great sports of the world, but our sport is manageable from a television and operational standpoint.”

Under the new format, the 10th inning will be played normally. At the start of the 11th, teams will have the option of beginning at any point in the existing batting order and placing the previous two batters on base.

For example, a team that opts to lead off with its No. 3 hitter would begin with its No. 1 batter on second base and its No. 2 hitter on first with no outs.

“It’s kind of the same thing (as the traditional extra-inning format),” said U.S. pitcher Jeremy Cummings of Triple-A Durham. “You just get two guys on, so more than likely, guys in the Far East will probably bunt them over. So you’ve got one out with guys on second and third, so that might make the bunt defense come into play a little bit more.”

The 12th inning and beyond would begin where the previous lineup left off, with the two hitters ahead of the batter scheduled to lead off that inning being placed on first and second bases.

Initially, USA Baseball executive director Paul Seiler was opposed to the format change, but he warmed to the idea after discussing it with general manager Bob Watson, field manager Davey Johnson and the rest of Team USA’s on-field personnel.

“The traditionalist in me says, ‘No way.”’ Seiler said. “The IOC is really managing-slash-massaging sports within the Games. We’re one of those few sports that baseball people or traditionalists would say, ‘We do have a tiebreaker—we keep playing until the game’s over.’

“But you know, in the Olympics, where you have (a) finite amount of time to get your program finished (and) the early game goes 15, 16, 17 innings, then what does that do? Television is affected, transportation is affected—a lot of logistical things that we don’t have to worry about on a Friday night in Durham. It’s a domino (effect).”

The new rules are being tested at a youth tournament this week in Canada and will take effect for all tournaments under the federation’s umbrella.

I would take Manny on the Mets in a second. As long as it didn't cost a player currently in the Majors ( Reyes, Pelfry, Wright)

My wife and I were having this discussion earlier about if you were stearing a baseball team today who would you start it with.

I'm sure there is a thread like this already on here but I figured I would throw it out here.

We started talking about it bcause of Jeter and how I think he is overrated.

FWIW I would start a team with Hanley Ramirez.

It'll be interesting to see if today's Braves collapse is the final straw that puts them into sell mode.

I read this before the Mets game started and thought Jose Reyes would be my answer 95% of the time. Today is definitely one of those days. Two doubles and a HR in his first 3 at bats.

Blaming him for that at-bat is ridiculous. It happened a full week after he was fined and Rivera painted 3 perfect pitches on the corners. (Unlike last night where Rivera was getting strike calls 9 inches off the plate. When Youkilis, JD Drew and Mike Lowell are complaining about your strike zone, you're pitiful.)

The rest of the Manny stuff, while annoying, is mostly Boston media like Lobel and the Curly Haired Boyfriend fanning the flames again. The only quote I've seen from anyone close to the team is one player who spoke privately. Everything else is former State Treasurer's or Smith College professors. Even if he waived his no-trade clause, there is no trade that could replace Manny's bat for the remainder of this season (Maybe Manny to LA for prospects and prospects for Bay or (please no) Holliday) and the team is not going to give up on this season.

I'm a bit of a homer, but I'd go with Albert Pujols.

Is Delgado on fire or what?

Jose Reyes 25 y/o 124 OPS+ (Career High) 115/103 last 2 years.
Hanley Ramirez 24 y/o 144 OPS+ 116/145 last 2 years. (Lots of E's)

Other possibilities (Mainly C/SS/CF)

BJ Upton 23 y/o 110 OPS+ 136 last year.
Justin Upton 20 y/o 102 OPS+
Brian McCann 24 y/o 150 OPS+ 143/100 last 2.
Grady Sizemore 25 y/o 142 OPS+ 132/122 last 2.
Ryan Braun 24 y/o 136 OPS+ 153 last year.
Albert Pujols 28 y/o 174 OPS+ 151-187 last 8 seasons.
David Wright 25 y/o 139 OPS+ 133/150 last 2.
Josh Hamilton 27 y/o 142 OPS+ 131 last year.
Evan Longoria 22 y/o 135 OPS+

I'm tempted to say Hanley or Justin Upton, but I think I'd go with McCann (caveat - I don't know much about his defense). Pitching possibilities would probably include Lincecum, Felix Hernandez, Beckett, Webb, Sabathia and maybe even Lester.

When factoring in defensive value Reyes and Ramirez have been just about even the past 2 years.

If I were to choose I'd go with David Wright. He'll age better than both Reyes and Ramirez and he's been a better player the past 3 seasons. Upton is intriguing, but I'll take the guy I know will produce over the guy I think will produce.

I wasn't really trying to compare the two, but anyway, we've had this discussion plenty of times. Let's save us a few pages of people like me saying "there's more to baseball than stats" and people like you disagreeing, and move on ok? :)

Wright would probably be my choice too, especially when factoring in off the field stuff. He's the perfect face of a franchise, both in selling the team and in being a leader.

I haven't seen much of Longoria, but from what I have, definitely a solid choice as well.

If I was starting a team... Pujols and then Ramirez with Longoria right after.

I'd take Wright over Reyes, if I'm picking Mets players though.

As poor a reception as Andruw Jones has gotten in LA (and I wanna tell you what, having been at the game tonight, it's even nastier in person than it sounds on the radio/TV), I can't imagine the reception he'd have gotten if Lowe had hit that ball in his third at-bat about 5-6 feet further.

If your pitcher goes 3-3 with a HR and 2 RBI, and you're going 0-3 with a K and a GDP...that's probably a new circle of hell.

Fair enough, and I definitely don't see enough NL East games to make subjective choices... I do know from watching Hanley at Portland (AA) I would be terrified to make him the face of a franchise. He really wasn't trying most of the time, and it showed in his stats/etc.

Interesting you pick Longoria out, but don't mention Braun. Again, I haven't seen enough to compare the two, but Braun's first year+ has been eye-opening statistically.

My personal homer pick would be David Wright

Don't get me wrong, I love Braun. He is after all The Hebrew Hammer. For the same reason I would pass on Ramirez, his defense isn't good enough. Not as bad as Hanley, but he was forced out of 3rd correct? Granted I haven't seen Longoria making the routine plays (compared to his web gems), but if he has that down, he's a hell of a fielder. Basically I see Longoria and Wright as the same type of player.

So the Rays kept Kazmir in to pitch one more inning after a 1 hour and 12 minute rain delay yesterday.

Its nice to see they took the risk with a guy that has a track record of staying injury-free...

Chris Carpenter makes his 2nd start since opening day on Wednesday.

Henry Schulman is the Chronicle's beat writer for the Giants. I have become a fan over the years and think the bay area is lucky to have him covering the team. His latest blog entry isn't really about baseball but I thought it was worth sharing. SFGate: San Francisco Giants : The Splash

You gotta be fucking kidding me. Now Hudson is out for the season and Chipper is back on the 15-day DL.

It's time to play "Pin the Mark Texeira on the baseball team"!

If any of you read Gammons column today, you can officially close betting on whether Manny will be back next year. When Gammons spends that much time ripping on you.. wow.

Angels and D-Backs are supposed to be the finalist for Tex

Why would the Angels sign him? Is he that signifigant an upgrade from Kotchman? Is it enough to offset the unity in the locker room issue?

'Cause the Angels need hitting desperately if they are going to go deep in the playoffs. They could either use Kotchman or Tex as the DH instead of Matthews who has been horrid.

and the Angels win the Teixera derby.

Tex had like 140 RBI's a few years back. Angels have no offensive production outside of Vlad

You still need guys to get on base ahead of you to get 140 RBIs, unless you jack 140 one run homers... :)

Pretty good deal for the Halos there. Kotchman is above average hitter, but has little power. Marek is the key to the deal. I think the Angels have the cash to pay Tex what he'd like on a long term deal.

I hate to see Tex leave Atlanta (being a GT guy & all) but to be honest I'm just surprised the Braves managed to get as much in return as they did.

Lackey has a no-no through 8

2 outs for a nono for Lackey

I am a jinx

Isn't this the second time Lackey's been involved in a no-no'ish type game?

I thought the game the Dodgers won 1-0 without getting a hit was a Lackey start.

Oh, no. It was Weaver. Carry on.

Pretty sad that is all that was out there for one of the best hitters in baseball. Obviously he is going to be a nightmare to sign. A 800ish ops 1b is okay but that dude needs to hit for much more power to play a non premium fielding position.

well that is the power of Boras

Kyle Farnsworth???

The Tigers are screwed if Inge goes down.

I bet they plan to flip a prospect or two to Texas for one of their catchers.

Afraid so. Not sure what Dombrowski is thinking these days. He is still the GM in Detroit, right?

LOL! Kyle Farnsworth! It's a win-win for the Yankees. They get rid of Farnsworth and they get Pudge. Both players are FAs after this year. Pudge is better offensively than Molina, but Molina has been very solid defensively. Farnsworth hasn't been bad this year and he had a good stretch recently where he didn't allow a run, but the Yankees bullpen is deep with Edwar, Marte, Veras, and Bruney on his way back.

The Red Sox are talking about trading Manny to the Marlins.

Does anybody else think this is way out of line? Since when do the Marlins acquire good players? I thought they always just dumped them after winning or when a contract was about to be up.......:confused:

The Marlins always acquire good players when the prospects they acquire from each fire sale come together in the majors and perform well. Fills the holes the fire sale didn't fill.

Interesting strategy, but they've proven it is effective in winning games anyway. At the turnstiles on the other hand.....

Yes and a pretty good one at that. I'm not really sure why he'd make this I-Rod deal, though. I think the Rangers surplus of catchers are going to be on the move, but not to Detroit. Boston wants Teagarden and I think Laird goes to the Marlins.

It is absolutely embarassing that Alex Cora still has a job in MLB. It is even more embarassing that he has taken at-bats from Dustin Pedroia and Jed Lowrie. And triply so that he is a "defensive replacement" who might have worse range than Derek Jeter. I can't wait until Argenis Diaz shows up in September and shows people what a defensive replacement looks like.

The only trade I've heard thus far I'd condone dealing Manny for is Matt Kemp as the centerpiece. "Chemistry" is extremely overrated, at least in baseball. It's a game (other than the occasional DP or fielders calling each other off) that unlike basketball or football is made up entirely of individual match-ups, and no one's going to tank something because they don't like other guys on the field.

That Pudge trade scares me, it adds a winner to a team full of talented losers ( minus Jeter).

I can't believe you hand Pudge over to the evil empire for a guy this bad. Yank-me fans rejoice, you got rid of one of your problems and got Pudge.

Seriously, there wasn't anybody else involved? This sounds like the average Yank-me fan's kind of trade.

Ugh

Supposedly the BoSox were on the "verge" of trading Manny to the Marlins

Will the Yanks resign Pudge and keep Posada at DH next year? Does this make any sense?

I have been hearing Posada to 1B.

Meanwhile, the Red Sox are imploding before my eyes.

I think with all these lopsided Yankee trades in the past week that Cashman is saying, "Give us a good deal and we'll favor you when we decided to trade Hughes/Kennedy in the winter."

You would think the rumored Washburn deal would happen then. Two big trades and no pitching added at all?

Pudge has an OBP that is nearly the same as Inge, and he's hitting .70 points better then him. I hate Inge, but trust me, Pudge is no longer that good defensivley, and offensivley he's a 260 - 270 hitter if he is playing full time.

Tigs needed a reliever, and got one. They're toast anyway but it made sense to at least get something back of somewhat use.

Just a random stat that caught my eye tonight: Texeira & Kotchman combined line with their respective teams: 0 for 9, 7 LOB.

Yeah, lotta pressure after a trade like that. Both trying to justify it. Teix that he is worth the attention being paid, and Kotch that he is worth being traded for a player like Teix.

Another random note, not good news at all for Tim Hudson.
Hudson facing major elbow surgery | ajc.com

Two doctors who have examined Tim Hudson have advised him to have ligament-transplant elbow surgery, but the Braves pitcher is holding out hope of avoiding the procedure that would force the veteran to miss the rest of this season and most of the 2009 season.

Hudson saw a third doctor, noted orthopedist James Andrews, on Wednesday and was advised to wait at least a week before determining the necessity of ligament-transplant surgery, aka "Tommy John" surgery.

"Gonna see how it feels this week and make a decision," Hudson said in a text message Wednesday night.

A dye-injection MRI exam Monday showed a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, an injury that typically requires ligament-transplant surgery and a 12-month recovery period.

Hudson was examined by two Braves doctors Monday and Tuesday, and a person familiar with the situation said those doctors advised Hudson to have the surgery. By having the procedure now, he might be able to pitch late in the 2009 season, the last year he's under contract with the Braves.

A Braves spokesman said the team might have an update on Hudson's situation following Wednesday night's game against St. Louis.

Hudson, 33, said Tuesday that he was "floored" when the first doctor who examined him Monday showed him the damage in the ligament.

The right-hander had soreness in the forearm and elbow in his previous start July 23, and the Braves had decided not to risk further injury to their ace because they had fallen so far behind in the standings.

Hudson said he got the MRI only because he was going to be on the disabled list 15 days anyway, and the Braves thought he should get the sophisticated dye-injection exam to rule out problems.

Instead, it revealed a significant problem.

Hudson is 11-7 with a 3.17 ERA in a staff-leading 142 innings, and has a 146-77 career record in 10 seasons with Oakland and the Braves.

The Alabama native is in the third year of a four-year, $47 million contract extension he signed after being traded from Oakland.

He is scheduled to make $13 million in 2009, with a $12 million option for 2010 that's mutual and includes a $1 million buyout.

The Braves did an MRI on Hudson's elbow before they signed him to his extension, an exam that showed only normal wear and tear for a pitcher of his age.

The latest MRI showed something altogether different.

It's the latest in a stunning string of injuries this season for the Braves, who have had four of their opening-day rotation starters on the DL, along with closer Rafael Soriano and setup man Peter Moylan.

Starter John Smoltz accompanied Hudson to Birmingham because Smoltz was due for a checkup of his surgically repaired shoulder by Andrews. That surgery ended Smoltz's season and possibly his career.

Moylan had season-ending "Tommy John" elbow surgery in May.

So Bay to the Sox, Hermida to the Pirates, and Manny to the Marlins.

I'm not sure the Marlins angle here?

bug - where you getting that from?

that a rumor or confirmed?

Not close to confirmed - but see the evolution of the rumors (including that one) here:

Boston Red Sox - Red Sox trade rumors -- the Buzz - Boston.com

thnx molson

The Palm Beach Post reports that a "tenative agreement" is in place in the Manny deal.

Kind of an odd deal in my opinion. If the Pirates get Hermidia and Tucker, plus two other decent prospects, I am alright with losing Bay and Grabow. I just don't get the Marlins angle here. Wouldn't it be smarter for them to get two years of Bay's affordable deal over Manny's headaches and huge contract (although I guess they'll get prospects for him after he becomes a FA next season)?

Is it possible the Marlins pick the $20 million option? Obviously big money for them, but if the Sox are paying the off the contract this year, it averages out to something pretty reasonable for Manny's services (and you still get the draft picks when he leaves after '09).

They could also pick up the option and then trade him. I'm sure the Yankees, Angles, Mets, etc, would also make an offer for 1 full season of Manny at $20 million

I'm pretty sure that Manny will not waive his 5/10 unless his new team agrees to decline his option. I read that he and Boras believe he can get a 4-year/$100M after this season, but if the Sox (or his new team) pick up his option this year (and I believe there is an additional team option for '10, as well), it will be much harder for him to get another gigantic multiyear deal due to his age. I think the "threat" of the Red Sox picking up his option is what started this whole mess in the first place.

idk if manny gets 4/100 after this year. That'd be $20m a year for ages 37,38,39, and 40. That's pretty pricey, particularly if his knees are hurting (and commensurate with that his power starts to decline)

Good point.

Then I really don't get this trade from the Marlins point of view.

I don't think he'll get close to that.....unless the Yankees overpay

Where's Johnny Damon going to play then? :)

God I hate playing the Angels. It used to be just in the OC where they killed us, but this series has been an abomination. Weirdly enough, as much as they own us in the regular season, we've swept them in the playoffs twice recently.

The Ramirez situation is impossible to follow. I feel like I've been here - several times - before, and my money's on him being in a Red Sox uniform Friday night. One moment the Florida deal has us getting back Hermida/Willingham and a top prospect (Mike Stanton). The next it has us in a 3-way giving up multiple top prospects and getting back Jason Bay (.90 on the dollar) plus another fucking LOOGY. (If you're worried about the pen, why has Mike Timlin's rotting corpse been there for the last 4 years?) I'm not sure whether it's the media that is trying to fan the anti-Manny flames to sell papers, or the bandwagon fans talking about how this time Manny's gone too far when they have absolutely no idea what's happened behind closed doors piss me off more, but at the base it makes no sense to be building for the future in a year when we have the best Pythag in the AL and 4 legitimate playoff-quality starters. One bad week and people are trying to run one of the top 10 hitters of all-time out of town, when our entire problem in the lineup is that we put 3 black holes out there every night in Tek, Coco and Ellsbury, and 4 when Tito graces us with Alex Cora's presence.

Actually, it would be $25M per year. It seems like a ridiculous amount, but Boras is his agent and it only takes one team who thinks he is the "missing piece."

lol you're right - my math is obviously not working well today

If he was playing in NY, he'd already have been gone 3 years ago with the added media scrutiny. :) Be grateful you've won 2 titles with him.

Its Boston - running its superstars out of town is a tradition.

Bay for manny would probably be about an even net for the sox. PNC is shitty for right handers. Whatever slight production they lose will be offset with Jason's good demeanor and decent defense and good baserunning

Plus he's a whitey and that will make the fans happy.;)

If I were the marlins I would just take bay cause he's still under cubtract next year at a decent rate.

That sounds like what might happen. The three names getting bandied about in a FLA <--> BOS trade are now getting bandied about as going to Pittsburgh, while Boston gets Bay and Grabow, and Florida gets Manny with his salary picked up by, probably, Boston.

I'm having a tough time with the idea that Bay + Grabow is worth Manny, because that's what it seems to boil down to.

How about those Cubbies kicking the crap out of the Brewers this week at Wrigley Field North?

Are you kidding? A-Rod has marital troubles and Manny might be traded, nothing else of consequence is happening in sports right now. :devil:

(go cubs)

Don't forget Brett Favre!

First Randy Wolf, now LaTroy Hawkins?!? What the hell are you doing, Wade?

Ken Griffey Jr. has been traded to the White Sox if Griffey agrees to the trade!

Ed Wade is a moron

I wonder what the Reds are going to get for him, and if it is true I hope he finally gets a ring.

My six year old is going to be crushed.

But I'm sure he'll be okay if we get some young talent in return. :)

Uh, no.

Running Manny out of town? Anyone of that opinion has a similar sense of reality that Manny does.