Spitball

Interesting article about the failed deadline trades for Beltran and Jimenez: http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/15647/beltran-jimenez-deals-havent-worked-out

I agree. I was in Fort Myers this spring and talked to lots of Twins fans. Smith was a poor choice to replace Ryan. Personally, I believe they should have contacted Wayne Krivsky about running that team. He was not really given a fair shot in Cincinnati after leaving the twins. He is the one who engineered the Arroyo for Wily Mo Pena trade.

This is a pretty good reflection and analysis of the Twins trade of Santana to the Mets in '08. The author notes that the Twins opted for the Mets' offer over the Red Sox offer of Lester or Ellsbury, Masterson, and Lowrie. The Twins tried to get the Red Sox to include both Ellsbury and Lester before going with the Mets' offer. I'd forgotten all this but am happy the Sox lost out on that trade. http://joncolosimo.com/2011/08/war-games-with-bill-smith-after-the-santana-trade/

Scott Boros would be the only reason the Sox should trade Ellsbury. Scott Boros is the only reason the Sox won't be able to trade Ellsbury for a fair return. I vote to keep him. Ellsbury, not Boros.

This was in today's paper.

It appears the Astros have pulled Rodriguez off waivers. They can place him on waivers again but lose the right to pull him off a second time.

The Rockies are a pretty smart organization, and I get the trading of Jimenez. I just don't get wanting Rodriguez. I know they have trouble luring free agent pitchers there, but why trade for this one? First, Rodriguez is owed almost twice the money as Jimenez over the next three years. That is what makes this so odd to me. Unless the Asros are willing to include some significant cash, the money seems to be a likely deal breaker. Also, although Rodriguez has pitched well at Coors, he has never started more than a single game there in one season. How will he pitch over a complete season (or four)? The thin air there tends not to be kind to ball movement and Rodriguez is a soft tosser who relies on a big curveball and breaking offspeed pitches. Finally, I am having trouble remembering a pitcher who signed a long term contract with Colorado and had long term success. I believe the effects of pitching in the high altitude cause the arm to wear out. I might be wrong but I can't remember a pitcher with long term success there.

And that is a surprise. I guess they just wanted to stop the Astros from trading him unless they are fools...or Jimenez is totally shot. Why would they trade an excellent contract and try to acquire a piss poor one? Something does not make sense. At least the Yankees won't get Wandy Rodriguez before this season over.

With Williams' record, I'd agree, but with Dunn and Rios on the books, he has to be gun shy of Rodriguez's contract.

Not only has Wilson has been tougher against against the Sox the last two years, but the Rangers number two and three pitchers (tonight not withstanding) are much tougher pitchers.

A five game series is a scary animal. I keep hearing sportscasters proclaiming how dangerous Verlander makes the Tigers in a five game series. If he wins two games, they just have to hope for one more win to move on to the next round. Verlander may be the toughest pitcher in the AL, but the Rangers top three starting pitchers (Wilson, Agando, and Lewis) easily outpitch the Tigers top three starting pitchers (Verlander, Scherzer, and Penny). Even if Verlander wins two games, I'd think Scherzer or Penny would have to be very lucky to pitch well enough to win a third against the Sox lineup. Now, after Wilson who has dominated the Sox since becoming a starter, the Rangers' two and three starters are capable of pitching well enough to shut down even strong lineups like Boston's.

Neither Lester nor Beckett has a victory against either Texas or Detroit. Lester pitched poorly in one appearance versus Texas and hasn't faced Detroit. Beckett has pitched well against Detroit in two appearances but hasn't beaten them yet. He hasn't faced Texas. Verlander and Wilson have both been pretty close to dominant versus the Sox this year.

Who would be worse to face twice in a five game series? Verlander or Wilson? What should we be hoping for? First in AL East (face Tigers) or first in the Wild Card (face Rangers)? I like the Sox' chances against Detroit and Verlander. The Rangers have more pitching depth, and Wilson has pitched every bit as well versus the Sox as has Verlander.

I assume Fielder will have to proclaim a willingness to DH or his signing options will be very limited. I'm sure he would rather play the field, but he will have to open the possibilty of signing with the Red Sox or Yankees as DH or face a very, very limited market, as the MLB Trade Rumor link shows. Personally, I'd rather the Sox pass and concentrate on a starting pitcher.

Bob Melvin of the Diamondbacks, Ned Yost in KC, Jim Leyland in Detroit, Bruce Bochy in San Fran, Eric Wedge in Cleveland, and Jack Mckeon of the Marlins are also former major or minor league catchers. There may be more, but these I am sure of.

I am sure Varitek has helped Salty a lot, but Gary Tuck is the man who deserves the credit for his development. He is perhaps the premier catching instructor and the reason Epstein felt confident in trading for the promise that Saltamalachia's skills suggested. Tuck is a very underrated asset on the Red Sox.

Geeze! I'm glad the Sox did not trade for Ubaldo Jimenez. Today he lasted 3 1/3 against the Tigers and gave up 9 hits and 8 earned runs. His ERA is now 7.29 since coming to Cleveland. It was kind of suspicious that the Rockies were so eager to deal their best pitcher who was signed reasonably for a few years.

I see the Astros placed Wandy Rodriguez on waivers this afternoon. He is owed something like $23 million over the next two years and there is an additional option year at $13 million. With that kind of money owed, he could pass through waivers until the Red Sox' turn. He is not a bad pitcher.

It seems as though some of the most active teams at the deadline have been the most ineffective since. The Giants, Guardians, Cardinals, and Pirates have all lost ground in their pennant races.

I have enjoyed his posts since I have been on here...and the fact he is a Frank Malzone fan. I can still remember Curt Gowdy exclaiming, "Ohhhh, what a play by Malzone!!!"