TBLA Run Off Vote for the 10 Spot

by Phil Gurnee on Nov 3, 2009 10:34 AM PST Comment 83 comments

In a surprising turn Xavier Paul has forced a run off vote with Nathan Eovaldi for the 10 Spot. Old or the new? You decide, this was the result forcing the run off.

Poll

RunOff between Paul and Eovaldi for the TBLA 10 Spot

Xavier Paul

65 votes

Nathan Eovaldi

83 votes

148 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 83 comments | Share

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Comments

I went Eovaldi

but could probably be swayed either way. My original vote was Gould. I loved him in Capricorn One.

by Eric Stephen on Nov 3, 2009 10:37 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I found this flickr page with a ton of AFL photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joepun/

by pdotmac1 on Nov 3, 2009 10:45 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Nice find

Here’s one of Lambo, who does like Ethierial here

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joepun/4070165037/

by Eric Stephen on Nov 3, 2009 10:51 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I voted for Paul

even though I voted Webster and would have voted Gould ahead of Paul.

by Michael White on Nov 3, 2009 10:52 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Iwamura not coming to the Dodgers

link via Diamond Leung:

http://blogs.tampabay.com/rays/2009/11/rays-working-on-iwamura-deal.html

The Rays were looking to do some kind of deal since they weren’t planning to pick up the $4.85-million option to bring him back. What’s interesting is that the source indicated the deal wasn’t with the Cubs or the Dodgers as has been speculated on but to an unexpected team. Hmmm.

The Rays are operating under something of a deadline since they have until one day after the end of the World Series to either pick up the option or pay a $550,000 buyout and allow Iwamura to become a free agent. They have been working on essentially a sign-and-trade deal, where they would get something back for him. It would probably be too big of a gamble for them to pick up the option without having a deal in place

by Eric Stephen on Nov 3, 2009 10:57 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

If this is somehow wrong and we do indeed acquire Iwamura, I wonder if that means no arb for Hudson? Maybe he’d try to stick it to the Dodgers by accepting.

by silverwidow on Nov 3, 2009 11:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

My general policy is to only accept one hypothetical per post :)

by Eric Stephen on Nov 3, 2009 11:46 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's a dead heat!

Don’t screw this up, Nader.

by kinbote on Nov 3, 2009 11:16 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

If anyone has thoughts or suggestions on the new site layout, please post them in this thread:

http://www.truebluela.com/2009/11/3/1113175/new-layout-comments

by Eric Stephen on Nov 3, 2009 11:33 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I would have voted for Gould

His video is awesome. That curve ball is nasty

by Julio Nievas on Nov 3, 2009 11:42 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

The suspense is killing me

Who did you vote for then?!?!

by Michael White on Nov 3, 2009 11:55 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Lets go NA-THAN

(clap,clap- clap,clap,clap) LETS GO NA-THAN…

by Julio Nievas on Nov 3, 2009 12:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Paul will never play CF for the Dodgers

which kills his value. Eovaldi may end up closing for us one day. Easy pick.

by silverwidow on Nov 3, 2009 11:51 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Yup.

Went with the higher ceiling on this one.

by uclatroy on Nov 3, 2009 11:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

won’t play CF because he can’t, or because of Kemp?

If Paul can play center, the organizational depth shouldn’t hurt his value.

by Eric Stephen on Nov 3, 2009 11:57 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That said, I have no idea whether he is capable of playing CF

by Eric Stephen on Nov 3, 2009 11:58 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's what I was wondering too

I think his skills are enough to play CF…

by Michael White on Nov 3, 2009 12:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Mostly because of Kemp, but I’ve also read that he has defensive issues in CF. I can’t verify that right now, though.

That said, I am a fan of Paul and think he’d be a great backup. He’s just not as valuable as a 19 y.o. with an amazing fastball and plenty of time to refine his other pitches.

by silverwidow on Nov 3, 2009 12:44 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This is Tighter than a Virgin's Daughter

While I think Xavier could easily become the next Eric Stults, I think he could also become a starting corner outfielder in the very near future (as in 2011) and could be a solid 4th outfielder.

by Cool Dudes on Nov 3, 2009 12:32 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Indeed

But he’s running against Nathan, he could be our future closer or turn out to be just another middle reliever. Or maybe never make it at all (hate to think like that though).

by Capt Obvious on Nov 3, 2009 1:04 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Nathan’s future is murky at best given his age and prior medical history but why is Paul’s any less murkier. Do you think he’s more then a fourth outfielder and if so why? Or any less injury prone going forward. That little infection turned into a life threatening infection and season ending.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Nov 3, 2009 1:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I gave my reasonings yesterday about Paul – he’s major league ready and he has improved at every level. Our outfield is already stacked, alot of good players wouldn’t crack our outfield so calling him a 4th outfielder doesn’t necessarily mean he’s not good enough.

by Capt Obvious on Nov 3, 2009 1:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

wow

my vote tied it up. how long will the voting last?

Has there ever been a player better than Detlef Schrempf?

by bucknellbruin on Nov 3, 2009 12:51 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Paul again

For the reasons I stated in the last thread.

This is between major league ready proven talent vs very high ceiling. Nathan still needs to prove himself and has alot of work ahead of him.

by Capt Obvious on Nov 3, 2009 1:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Didn't go with Gould last time

Until he does something at the professional level, I steered away. Of course, I realize many others don’t have a problem with that.

by Capt Obvious on Nov 3, 2009 1:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Kenley Jansen

Yesterday we noted that Kenley Jansen is now on the AFL roster. BA put out a little blurb about him and today Kevin Goldstein of BP included him in his daily updates.

Sleeper Alert!
Kenley Jansen, RHP, Dodgers (AFL: Peoria Javelinas)
Yesterday’s stats: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K
When last we checked in, Jansen was catching for the Dutch team that was the surprise of the World Baseball Classic. A 6-foot-2, 220-pound beast behind the plate with plus-plus raw power, Jansen had one big problem with his game, namely that he couldn’t hit a lick. With a career .229/.311/.337 batting line in 258 pro games, the Dodgers convinced him to take his big arm to the mound, where he struck out 19 in just 11 2/3 California League innings, but also walking 11. He gets up to 98 mph and has no clue where it’s going, but he’s worth keeping an eye on.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Nov 3, 2009 1:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Andrew Lambo

now leading the AFL in BA at .423
http://mlb.mlb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=l119&lid=119&t=l_bat

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Nov 3, 2009 1:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Our top hitting prospect, IMO

by silverwidow on Nov 3, 2009 1:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I voted for Lambo

in the early rounds, then voted for Miller against him in that runoff. I can get contrarian like that, but Kensai’s rumors of attitude issues swayed me. I do like his bat though.

by Capt Obvious on Nov 3, 2009 1:06 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If they weren't cocky

then we’d complain they lack confidence.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Nov 3, 2009 1:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't believe

we can’t get separation. If this keeps up we will simply have a 10A and 10B.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Nov 3, 2009 1:05 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Iwamura is headed to a NL team

So says the latest news. We’re not rumored to be it, but you know Ned and Friedman are great friends.

by silverwidow on Nov 3, 2009 1:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I guess if the WS

had ended yesterday, we’d already know.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Nov 3, 2009 1:09 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It's supposed to go down tonight

Because there’s no game, rules do not prevent an announcement.

by silverwidow on Nov 3, 2009 1:11 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Would be interesting

if the Rays ended up dealing Iwamura for D Young.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Nov 3, 2009 1:13 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting idea

But I’m not sure the Pirates want to take on that salary.

by silverwidow on Nov 3, 2009 1:15 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Vote will end at 07:00 PCT

today.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Nov 3, 2009 1:11 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

MLBTR

revisits he trade of the decadet. Got to love the Sabean quote:

“It’s not often you can send a reliever and two prospects away for a front-line, All-Star, left-handed hitting catcher,” Sabean said.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Nov 3, 2009 1:23 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Ouch

by Julio Nievas on Nov 3, 2009 1:26 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If A.J. Pierzynski and Shane Victorino fought to the death, who would you root for?

by Eric Stephen on Nov 3, 2009 1:31 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm a big Victorino fan

if he brought his passion to our team we’d love him.

A Kent / AJ FTTD would be more interesting since they are both players that their peers don’t like.

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Nov 3, 2009 1:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Better analogy.

by Eric Stephen on Nov 3, 2009 1:53 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

3:35pm: Topkin says Iwamura is headed to the Pirates, and the deal will be announced tonight. MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch does not believe the Bucs will surrender an established player.

Delwyn Young feels betrayed!

by Tripon on Nov 3, 2009 1:41 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

He needs to look no farther then his hands of stone

Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen

by Phil Gurnee on Nov 3, 2009 1:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Reliever Jesse Chavez (age 26 season in 2010) is headed to Tampa Bay for Aki

by Eric Stephen on Nov 3, 2009 2:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Iwamura will be the highest paid player on the Pirates. http://community.post-gazette.com/blogs/pbc/archive/2009/11/03/pirates-close-to-acquiring-iwamura.aspx

by LA Taco on Nov 3, 2009 4:08 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Cot’s has Paul Maholm making $4.5m next year, slightly higher than Iwamura’s $4.25m.

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/pittsburgh-pirates_08.html

by Eric Stephen on Nov 3, 2009 4:23 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Game 6 to net Phils & Yanks each about $1.8 million

per Darren Rovell of CNBC

by Eric Stephen on Nov 3, 2009 1:58 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Longer series are better for teams' revenue

Players’ pool is determined from:

60% of gate from first 3 games of each LDS
60% of gate from first 4 games of each LCS
60% of gate from first 4 games of WS

That is how playoff shares are determined. The rest is split between the two clubs in each series (after a small amount is taken for revenue sharing).

by Eric Stephen on Nov 3, 2009 2:05 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i voted for eovaldi

cause i like his name

“Nate Eovaldi…”

by matthewmafa on Nov 3, 2009 2:06 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Lasorda...Piazza...Eovaldi?

Gotta carry on the Italian Dodger tradition!

by silverwidow on Nov 3, 2009 2:35 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

That must have been the missing peice of info

because Eovaldi has started to pull away.

by Michael White on Nov 3, 2009 2:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I voted for Gould in the primaries

I’m voting for Eovaldi for the high ceiling despite the risks that keep his probabilities down: previous TJ surgery, low and controlled workload, late season fade. Paul’s low BB rates and high K rates hold him down too.

by David Young on Nov 3, 2009 4:10 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Late season Fade???

i am perplexed by everyones assumptions that he had a late season FADE…

In nate Eovaldis last 18 Appearances… He went at least 3 innings in every appeearance except 1 were he had a bad game and went 2.1 allowing 5 ER and maxed out at 5 innings doing that 5 times… In EVERY appearance besides the 2.1 inning debacle, Nate Allowed 1 or less ER… yes 1 or 0 ER in 17 of his last 18 Appearances…. Yes he had a controllable workload and could only go 3.0 innings in the late season but its all part of the plan..

The guy did not have this LATE season FADE that people are saying he had… he had only 1 start 5 starts ago were he went 2.1 inning giving up 5 ER otherwise he was great..

by matthewmafa on Nov 3, 2009 4:24 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

His peripherals dropped

the K/PA dropped and the BB/PA spiked.

Using earned runs as a placeholder for success is tricky even in the pro’s, but with the extreme park factors in the MWL it should be taken with a grain of salt.

I’m concerned that his K/9 was one of the worst on the Loons.

by Michael White on Nov 3, 2009 4:36 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Part of the fade had to do with his control.

Through July:
75 innings
BB 8.4% of PA
K 17.4% of PA

August + final start in September:
21.2 innings
BB 14.6% of PA
K 15.6% of PA

Also, though he gave up just 11 earned runs over those final 18 starts (67 innings), he also allowed 8 unearned runs, which shouldn’t be ignored (which is not to say he still didn’t have a nice run; after all 19 runs in 67 innings is a RA of just 2.55)

by Eric Stephen on Nov 3, 2009 4:37 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

but its not as big of a late season fade as you guys are putting it to be...

its barely anything that bad.. 21 innings that he increased his walk rate… and his K rate barely went down.. he still got outs and thats what is most important right??

by matthewmafa on Nov 3, 2009 4:49 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I still voted for him

but when projecting, as we are, no, getting outs is not the most important. Because if he continues to pitch that way (walking more batters) he will surely give up more runs. The luck-meter will run out eventually.

by Eric Stephen on Nov 3, 2009 4:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yea

kershaw gives up runs doesnt he..

but yea you cant except a 19 year old to display command of greg maddux from seasons begining to end.. its all apart of the process… 1 month of iffy command doesnt drop him in my books at all

by matthewmafa on Nov 3, 2009 4:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

No one is expecting Maddux.

by Eric Stephen on Nov 3, 2009 4:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

well

you get what i mean tho right?

by matthewmafa on Nov 3, 2009 4:58 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Right, and like I said, I still voted for him.

It is interesting that you brought up Kershaw, because when he was 19 he was also a Loon. He walked more than Eovaldi (4.6 per 9, compared to 3.8 for Nate), but more importantly he struck out nearly six batters more per nine innings than Eovaldi did (12.4 vs 6.7)!!

by Eric Stephen on Nov 3, 2009 5:01 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

That's the point

Nobody is expecting Kershaw. But Eovaldi should hold up favorable compared to his peers. He doesn’t with regards to his K/9.

by Michael White on Nov 3, 2009 5:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

i think once eovaldi has more confidence in his elbow

he will be much better… and kershaw is kershaw… all you have to do is compare him to his teammate Ethan Martin who struck out 120 in 100 innings this season..

by matthewmafa on Nov 3, 2009 5:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs