Is Papa Grande mashed potatoes?
by foulpole on Apr 16, 2008 12:21 AM EDT
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PrintSo far he has given up runs in three of his 6 appearances and now he has a ERA of 11.37.
In today's game he blew his second save of the year. Here's how it happened.
| - J. Valverde relieved S. Chacon |
| - C. Snelling hit for C. Ruiz |
| - C. Snelling homered to deep right |
| - C. Utley hit by pitch |
| - R. Howard struck out swinging |
| - P. Burrell homered to deep right, C. Utley scored |
| - G. Jenkins struck out, reached on passed ball, on passed ball |
| - P. Feliz doubled to deep left, G. Jenkins scored |
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Yes.
We made out like a bandit with that trade.
"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."
Wow
Dear Chad Qualls and Chris Burke-
Have we told you lately that we love you?
Hugs and Kisses,
The Snakepit
"It's such a fine line between stupid and clever."
What a move
Selling high on Valverde, I love it. Even though Burke can’t hit, he’s useful as a versatile defender, and Qualls alone looks better than Valverde.
Still, our bullpen doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. Lyon is shaky all year, Pena as well :(
Ouch
That’s a pretty hideous outing. Certainly, thus far, Qualls has been a far better pitcher [zero ER in 8.2 innings], and when you add in Burke and Gutierrez, this trade is looking like a real steal.
I’m with Paqs on this; even Qualls and Cruz have been wild [12 walks in 15.2 innings combined], while Peña and Cruz have been only a shadow of their 2007 selves. However, it’s only the first month, and caution needs to be exercised. Fortunately, the bullpen has often had large leads to play with, and so their struggles haven’t hurt too badly.
But I note that Max Scherzer has 12 scoreless innings at Tucson, with only two walks and 18 K’s. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him up here, most likely as a Peña replacement [since he has options], if he continues to be lights-out.
I don't see Scherzer being here
until a little closer to the All-Star break. None the less I do see him being a staple in the bullpen by the end of July
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 16, 2008 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
What's the consensus on Scherzer?
Is he earmarked as a bullpen guy or is he future starter material?
they say starter
but few in the baseball world believe that. I view him as the next Papelbon as do many “experts”. If you remember Papelbon came up as a starter and due to injury and overcrowding in the rotation was slapped into the closers spot.
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 16, 2008 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I think that I would rather see them continue to develop him as a starter. It’s pretty early and I think that our ‘pen will be OK. If they keep him in Tucson and run him out there every 5th day he can work on his third pitch while he’s there.
Maybe he’ll take RJ’s spot next year?
I would love to see that as well
I just don’t think he will ever have that 3rd pitch. He’s got a great fastball that would be a great fireballing out pitch in the 9th. I’d love to see his as a starter I just don’t see it working out that way. I have a feeling we’ll be seeing Jarrod Parker starting before Scherzer or even a Brooks Brown.
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 16, 2008 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Micah did very well last year and looks really solid so far this season. If RJ was healthy in ‘07 then I really doubt that Micah plays the year on the big club. My guess is that he was rushed a little to fill the spot vacated by RJ. Ed-it’s-Gon was out of options so my bet is that they may have had a difficult time cutting him loose. The rotation probably looks more like Webby, RJ, Davis, Livo and Ed-it’s-Gon.
This year’s rotation looks like Webby, Haren, RJ, Davis and Micah with Ed-it’s-Gon being the wild card. Assuming a healthy RJ, when DD returns then EdGon goes back to the pen. Unless the wheels really fall off of our ‘pen this year, I’d rather see us developing SPs in Tucson.
In ‘09 we could be looking at a rotation of Webby, Haren, Micah, DD and one of Brown, Parker or Scherzer .
You think...
...Parker will come up that quickly?
"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."
I have no clue who it will be but Seton Hall seems to feel that he’s ahead of the other two as a SP.
I was just stating
I have a feeling we’ll see Parker as that next up and coming starter and Scherzer will end up closing. I’m not specifically talking next year. I was thinking more of ‘10. While Scherzer comes in to aid the gassed bullpen at the all-star break.
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 17, 2008 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions
It seems that many times the pen gets more work early in the season. The starters are not stretching it out as far as pitch count the 1st couple/few starts. The pen may get fewer IPs going forward.
good point
but I don’t think the guys can repeat the performances from last year.
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 17, 2008 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions
We did have some pretty outstanding performances last year. We also had a few slugs.
I have a pretty good feeling that we are gonna score more runs this season so the pen may not need to be as big a factor as they were last year.
very true
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 17, 2008 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Too early to pass judgement
but early returns on this trade look extremely promising….buy low, sell high
Me gusta
This was a good trade for the D-Backs. Dumping an overweight closer who spent major time in AAA the year before after a career year. Burke is a solid bench player who can run and play almost anywhere. Qualls is a quality arm, who I’d rather have than Papa Grande anyways.
Plus, Im not sure Papa Grande is as young as he says he is.
Hmmm....
I never thought about his age…
"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."
This is when
We discover Jose is actually his own cousin, and was actually born in 1954. :-)
by Jim McLennan on Apr 16, 2008 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
What if...
...his real name is Tony Pena?
"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."
whoa!
mind freak
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 16, 2008 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey, it happened once...
"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."
hmmm
Anyone ever seen these two in the same room?
http://bp3.blogger.com/_4lJTcxT9wLY/R543GKHjg-I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/AN04ltn48jU/s1600-h/84A.jpg
http://athleticsforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/jose-valverde.jpg
I’m just saying…....
He's not fat enough.
Close, but no Dominican cigar.
"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."
Remember
That is Jose 16 years ago so of course he is going to be a lil slimmer.
by Augie's Army on Apr 16, 2008 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Good trade for AZ
My buddy is an Astro’s fan and is not too pleased with the trade, obviously. Plus Luke Scott is tearing it up in Baltimore. I keep telling him that their management appears to have no game plan as far as putting together a team/system.
Agreed
MLB has a suggested signing price depending on the drafted round, and Houston refuses to break the rules of this, even for outstanding first rounders. They take guys who sign at the value of their position drafted. Nothing wrong with that, except they have to overpay in free agency (100 million for Carlos Lee, anyone?) and auction off any of their guys who actually develop. I’m trying to figure out what they did in the 80’s and 90’s, when they actually had guys that developed and came up … not like what they have now, free agency taking them to bankruptcy.
by Captain D Bag on Apr 16, 2008 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I was never
sure why Houston was interested in Valverde to begin with. A closer is the delicious cherry on top of the nutritious sundae of quality pitching, timely hitting and reliable defence… all ingredients Houston has been notably lacking recently. A maraschino by itself isn’t going to fill you up – especially when you discover it may have been a little past its sell-by date.
Um
Maybe because Houston’s FO is a disaster?
Miguel Tejada? Jose Valverde?? Do you KNOW how far Houston is from contending again???
"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."
Well, that is the simplest explanation. It’s good thing there are teams like Houston around for the rest of us to fleece… thanks, Ed Wade! (For the Schilling trade too.)
SAT prep time
Ed Wood was to movies, as Ed Wade is to _.
A. Cars
B. Oceans
C. Carrots
D. Baseball Rosters
"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."
Carrots. Definitely carrots. (Note to self : sign Floppsy, Moppsy and Cottontail to minor league contracts. Middle relief needs reinforcement.)
- signed, Houston Front Office
I want to respond to that
with a witicism of my own. But it would be worthless to try, nothing could top this. Well done my friend, well done.
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 16, 2008 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly
The wierd thing is, it seemed they were doing this with the previous GM too. Play an upcoming star for a month, oh wait he hit a wall, send him down and bring someone else up. Wait, he stinks now, bring up someone else. I mean, maybe they won’t all be the next Biggio and Bagwell, but give at least some time to fail or succed. Just how I see it. I guess that’s the fine line the FO has to work out.
Another quality outing today.,
Bottom 8th: Philadelphia
- J. Valverde relieved G. Geary
- T. Perez at second
- R. Howard struck out swinging
- P. Burrell fouled out to first
- G. Jenkins doubled to deep left
- C. Coste homered to deep center, G. Jenkins scored
- E. Bruntlett grounded out to third
1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER. He came in with the score 8-1. His ERA is now 12.27.
So....
when Houston’s manager last night said, “Jose is our closer. No question.” how serious do you think he was?
By the way, I DO feel kinda bad for the Astros fans—this is the equivalent of selling them a lemon and watching as their transmission dies within the first two weeks.
Think Houston will ever again trade with Josh Byrnes??
"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."
Two Weeks?
It’s like watching it get out of the drive way and the engine falls out.
by Captain D Bag on Apr 17, 2008 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m thinking of the scene in Snatch where they go to buy the caravan….
"It's such a fine line between stupid and clever."
Dear Houston Astros,
Thanks so much. I’ll understand if you don’t take my next call, really. (Although I do have a Pinto in absolutely mint condition if you’re interested. Real cheap, too.)
Your buddy, J. Byrnes
And its name is Eric Byrnes.
You can have him… for just Lance Berkman, a minor league pitching prospect, and cash.
"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."
I hear
The Astros are terribly partial to the periwinkle-blue…
by Jim McLennan on Apr 18, 2008 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I wonder if Eric Byrnes could knock out Lance Berkman with a single punch…
"It's such a fine line between stupid and clever."
+1
Perhaps. Byrnes seems like he doesn’t get pissed off very often, but on the other hand, Berkman is known to get pissed from time to time, but he’s also kinda fat.
Automatic +1000 for any Snatch/LockStock references.
"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."
by foulpole on Apr 17, 2008 4:57 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
+1000
and (Recommend)
"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."
I will say
if we would have waited til now, we probably could have gotten John Smoltz
:D
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 17, 2008 11:19 PM EDT reply actions
the Braves
are hurting for a bullpen arm that bad
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 17, 2008 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions
alright question
if something ridiculous like that actually happened, who gets bumped from the rotation? Couldn’t very well sit Pwnings now could ya?
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 17, 2008 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Under the very unlikley senario that this trade would actually take place?
Wow! Webby, Haren, Smoltzie, RJ, Micah until DD gets back then we deal DD and CJ for Pujols. ;-)
Oh, yeah, dump the guy off as soon as he gets back from recovering from cancer surgery, real nice. =)
"It's such a fine line between stupid and clever."
send him somewhere he can pitch as a starter
or spend time in the bullpen? Pick your poison
Baseball season, when everything becomes right in the world.
by seton hall snake pit on Apr 17, 2008 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Didn't do the O's a lot of good, though.
"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."
Well
Since they had one of the worst bullpens in the league last year….
On the other hand, Bedard and some of the other young starters performed pretty well…
"I was tied to a chair and he had a baseball bat. Pissing him off was the smart thing to do."
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