Rod Barajas, Doug Camili, And First Impressions
by Eric Stephen on Dec 6, 2010 7:00 AM PST
in Dodgers History & Records
Email
PrintFriday was an interesting day in Dodger land, as Rod Barajas was brought back at the highest salary of his career for his age-35 season. Barajas will make $3.25 million next season, thanks in large part to his strong first impression in Dodger blue, as he hit .297/.361/.578 in 25 games playing for his hometown team. Those 72 plate appearances were great, but how great were they?
There have been 36 catchers in Los Angeles Dodgers history to amass at least 72 plate appearances, including Barajas. Here's how Barajas stacks up against the first 72 PA as a Dodger of those 35 other catchers. Barajas ranks...
- 4th in OPS (.939)
- 4th in SLG (.578)
- 7th in OBP (.361)
- T-7th in AVG (.297)
- T-2nd in RBI (13)
- T-2nd in HR (5)
- T-5th in hits (19)
- 9th in runs (9)
- 5th in extra-base hits (8)
Here are all the performances by LA Dodger catchers in their first 72 PA:
| LA Dodgers Catchers In Their First 72 PA | ||||||||
| Catcher | Year(s) | R | HR | RBI | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
| Norm Sherry | 1959-60 | 11 | 5 | 12 | .358 | .403 | .657 | 1.059 |
| David Ross | 2002-03 | 12 | 6 | 13 | .297 | .375 | .641 | 1.016 |
| Doug Camili | 1960-62 | 11 | 5 | 17 | .309 | .347 | .618 | .965 |
| Rod Barajas | 2010 | 9 | 5 | 13 | .297 | .361 | .578 | .939 |
| Chad Kreuter | 2000 | 14 | 2 | 7 | .291 | .458 | .473 | .931 |
| Rick Dempsey | 1988 | 12 | 4 | 12 | .274 | .347 | .548 | .896 |
| Russell Martin | 2006 | 11 | 1 | 13 | .302 | .389 | .460 | .849 |
| Brad Ausmus | 2009 | 8 | 1 | 7 | .317 | .377 | .429 | .805 |
| Duke Sims | 1971 | 5 | 2 | 7 | .270 | .361 | .429 | .790 |
| Jason Phillips | 2005 | 6 | 0 | 12 | .306 | .361 | .419 | .780 |
| Mike Scioscia | 1980 | 2 | 0 | 4 | .290 | .348 | .387 | .735 |
| Johnny Oates | 1977 | 10 | 0 | 5 | .313 | .375 | .359 | .734 |
| Tom Haller | 1968 | 2 | 1 | 3 | .292 | .361 | .354 | .715 |
| Chris Cannizzaro |
1972 | 8 | 1 | 7 | .250 | .324 | .375 | .699 |
| Jerry Grote | 1977-78 | 5 | 0 | 8 | .274 | .352 | .339 | .691 |
| Dioner Navarro | 2005 | 6 | 1 | 6 | .258 | .361 | .323 | .684 |
| Tom Prince | 1994-96 | 6 | 1 | 9 | .226 | .310 | .371 | .681 |
| Jeff Torborg | 1964-65 | 5 | 1 | 7 | .254 | .324 | .349 | .673 |
| Alex Treviño | 1986 | 7 | 1 | 4 | .237 | .357 | .305 | .662 |
| Joe Pignatano* | 1957-58 | 8 | 3 | 7 | .203 | .282 | .375 | .657 |
| Joe Ferguson | 1970-71 | 7 | 2 | 8 | .219 | .292 | .344 | .635 |
| Mike Piazza | 1992 | 5 | 1 | 7 | .239 | .292 | .328 | .620 |
| Jack Fimple | 1983 | 8 | 1 | 8 | .231 | .265 | .354 | .619 |
| Charles Johnson | 1998 | 7 | 3 | 6 | .206 | .250 | .368 | .618 |
| Carlos Hernandez | 1990-92 | 6 | 0 | 4 | .258 | .306 | .303 | .609 |
| Gary Carter | 1991 | 5 | 2 | 7 | .177 | .278 | .306 | .584 |
| Todd Hundley | 1999 | 7 | 2 | 4 | .155 | .282 | .293 | .575 |
| John Roseboro* | 1957 | 6 | 2 | 6 | .161 | .278 | .290 | .568 |
| Mike Lieberthal | 2007 | 3 | 0 | 1 | .246 | ..278 | .275 | .553 |
| Paul LoDuca | 1998-99 | 5 | 1 | 5 | .194 | .292 | .258 | .550 |
| Ellie Rodriguez | 1976 | 5 | 0 | 9 | .196 | .347 | .196 | .544 |
| Jim Campanis | 1966-67 | 3 | 2 | 2 | .159 | .264 | .270 | .534 |
| Steve Yeager | 1972 | 10 | 1 | 7 | .164 | .282 | .246 | .528 |
| Angel Peña | 1998-99 | 6 | 0 | 4 | .206 | .239 | .265 | .504 |
| A.J. Ellis | 2008-10 | 4 | 0 | 9 | .175 | .243 | .190 | .433 |
| Brent Mayne | 2004 | 3 | 0 | 3 | .161 | .254 | .161 | .415 |
Both Joe Pignatano and John Roseboro actually began their Dodger careers in 1957, so some or all of their first 72 PA came in Brooklyn, even though they both accumulated more than 72 PA in Los Angeles as well. Only Norm Sherry, David Ross, and Doug Camili had a higher OPS than Barajas.
434 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
+1
I find it extremely surprising that Ross, Kreuter and Jason Phillips are ranked so much higher than Piazza, Charles Johnson and LoDuca…at least Brent Mayne is exactly where he should be. This is indeed the type of case where slow and steady wins the race, poetry be damned. :-)
Haha, oh AJ Ellis.
"Are you telling me they are out of dragons?"
"They never had dragons!"
"Who didn't?"
"The world!"
i would enjoy your opinion on this
that thong is hilarious http://www.pkboowear.com/pages/SHOP.html not sure if SFW really.
hahahaa
the lace thing is nice, the tattoo-boo is…awkward, because while I like the idea, that is a really hideous design.
"Are you telling me they are out of dragons?"
"They never had dragons!"
"Who didn't?"
"The world!"
The Tattoo-boo
So you can choose when you want to be a tramp
hey one positive
He sure outshined Jack Fimple
Chad Kreuter must be angry now about not getting a big contract.
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Dec 6, 2010 7:54 AM PST reply actions
And I’m old enough to remember when Angel Pena was the next big thing. And he sort of was.
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Dec 6, 2010 7:56 AM PST up reply actions
I have the full stats at home
But I believe Kreuter had 17 walks in those first 72 PA, by far more than any other catcher.
Mark Reynolds to O's
Ken_Rosenthal
Source: #Orioles “getting there” on Reynolds. RHP David Hernandez expected to be part of deal. #Diamondbacks #MLB
Tillman is NOT in the deal, per Heyman
Josh Bell expendable?
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Dec 6, 2010 9:00 AM PST up reply actions
more likely he stars in AAA
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 9:01 AM PST up reply actions
Ah yes
Angel Pena, the next great Dodger catcher. But seriously, stats people go nuts because Rod B has a low OBP, but how important is getting on base in front of the pitcher when you’re as slow as Mount Rushmore? I say OBP be damned in his case, if he can catch and handle the staff, throw out runners at his usual rate, and hit 20 HRs in 120 games or so he’ll be worth the contract.
Overqualified in an underqualified world since 2008.
thanks
I’m interested in it, I don’t dismiss sabermetrics at all but I am curious how much it really matters in different cases.
Overqualified in an underqualified world since 2008.
One thing is sure, in order to score … one needs to be on base … unless a home run is hit.
by 68elcamino427 on Dec 6, 2010 8:18 AM PST up reply actions
I think
without looking at the numbers, that the big cost comes when the lineup doesn’t get turned over as much. You end up with more innings when the pitcher leads off, which kills the inning right from the start.
So at age 35
he’s going to catch more games then he ever has except for two years. If he puts up the line he did in Toronto when he caught 125 games he’ll be a negative value I don’t care if he does hit 19 home runs. He’s slow and does not get on base. Awesoke at least we won’t have to worry about the pitcher bunting him to second where he can die a slow death.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I kinda agree with this. I don’t expect much offensively out of the catcher position, some power or ability to get on base is nice, both is probably unreasonable. Barajas should be able to supply some power and I expect Ellis to be able to get on base at a decent rate. I’m satisfied with that.
If Barajas and Ellis could play at the same
time that might matter.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Adrian Gonzalez during the press conference said he grew up rooting for an NL team and AL team. The Red Sox were his AL team.
Really? :)
If they were not before this contract, they sure should be now :)
by 68elcamino427 on Dec 6, 2010 8:13 AM PST up reply actions
These $24mil/$25mil per year for 5 or 6 years Gonzalez rumors as a Bosox extension…
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AnPlAGpDM23j45nVJ2yC7VMRvLYF?slug=jp-gonzalezredsox120410
…I can’t quite grasp what is up after the Werth deal….and the Uribe deal. I thought Ned was the master of negotiating against himself in invisible bidding wars, but I could be wrong.
Maybe Bernanke is behind the MLB inflation
Maybe we should forget the Beltre possibility if the $$$ are nutso….Boras on a roll too.
It was fun daydreaming though.
Maybe we should forget the Beltre fantasy if the $$$ are nutso….Boras on a roll too. It was fun daydreaming though.
Fixed.
heh
Beltre has lost a lot of leverage now that the Sox have A-Gon.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 8:36 AM PST up reply actions
Beltre really pumps up teh BA in the Contract Years, +.300.
by 68elcamino427 on Dec 6, 2010 9:44 AM PST up reply actions
How much is
a Lorenzo Cain worth? I guess Weeks finally staying healthy and putting together a big year gave them cover to trade Lawrie, which surprised me. I’d love Cain on the Dodgers, too bad we don’t have the type of pitcher they’re looking for…ahem.
Overqualified in an underqualified world since 2008.
I'll say this about Cain
He had about two throws in the 13 minutes I saw of him last year that were just ridiculous.
if the Dodgers sign Diaz
will Dodgers4life ever post again?
Overqualified in an underqualified world since 2008.
by Pure Azure on Dec 6, 2010 8:54 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
I saw him a few times in Atlanta—small sample size—he seemed average to me.
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Dec 6, 2010 8:59 AM PST up reply actions
Bret Saberhagen
went to my high school (Cleveland High in Reseda). I remember him constantly being played up as the most successful athlete to ever come out of that place…not sure if that was out of pride or spite, though,
For a while
every other year he was one of the best pitchers in baseball. Went crazy over having to give his wife so much support after the divorce.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
the pronunciation is a nice little story
which I heard from Jon Miller. His grandfather, when he immigrated to the US, got a job as a coal miner or something. After he had been at work for not too long, one day, someone called out “Die-az.” No response. Then again, “Die-az”. He walked over to the guy, who handed him a paycheck. He went home and said “From now on, our name is ‘Diaz’”, with the new pronunciation, which has stuck since.
by StolenMonkey86 on Dec 6, 2010 8:50 AM PST up reply actions
changing your name for The Man
since the 1940s??
Overqualified in an underqualified world since 2008.
Jeremy Accardo's last 3 outings vs the Dodgers
Nomar smacked a homer off him in this game. Accardo was traded shortly thereafter for Shea Hillenbrand.
The Dodgers faced him in interleaguein 2007, when he gave up a walk-off homer to Olmedo Saenz.
Then there was this game, where the Dodgers won 8-4, and Accardo pitched a scoreless 9th.
by StolenMonkey86 on Dec 6, 2010 8:41 AM PST up reply actions
Harold Reynolds is on the verge of tears about the A-Gone deal. It’s a “sad day” for the Padres, he says.
I think the Pads made the right move
Get guys while you can. Hoyer obviously knows the Sox system and wanted those guys. The only thing I would say is he probably could have waited until the trade deadline and still gotten that same package. There was probably some concession granted to his former employer there.
Hoyer said there were 3 teams involved but the Sox package had the most talent. He didn’t want to risk waiting, not even until the Winter Meetings.
I don't
Think so, the might start out the same but there is a big difference between a full season and slightly less than half of one.
by bhsportsguy on Dec 6, 2010 8:48 AM PST via mobile up reply actions
True there is
but the competitive teams get more desperate at the deadline.
Bart Simpson: “Sure it isn’t, rummy.”
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 8:48 AM PST up reply actions
“We were pretty good after we traded Jake Peavy, so we should be awesome after trading Adrian Gonzalez.”
by StolenMonkey86 on Dec 6, 2010 8:52 AM PST up reply actions
If you have to say “This is not us giving up on 2011” Then you’re giving up on 2011.
Did he hire Bill Parcells to write that for him?
I'd better be quiet
I criticized their Garland signing last year and he almost helped win them the division.
Kinda scary
to see Barajas’ name so close to Kreuter’s. Also, if Barajas is in the Bengie Molina mold, does Ned know that his favorite team only won the world series after they dumped him?
he still showed up at the WS, though…
"Are you telling me they are out of dragons?"
"They never had dragons!"
"Who didn't?"
"The world!"
That fact didn’t fit my argument so I didn’t use it. (Or I didn’t realize it at all because I’m dense.) I’m still right though!
yeah
it’s more that Buster Posey >>> Bengie full time, whereas I don’t think he was catching super full time over with the Rangers.
Also, I live to deflate arguments. :D
"Are you telling me they are out of dragons?"
"They never had dragons!"
"Who didn't?"
"The world!"
So besides TBLA, what websites are people using to follow the winter meetings. Is it just all twitter accounts these days? I don’t do that stuff.
this
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 8:53 AM PST up reply actions
not on Twitter
plus I’m at work
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 8:57 AM PST up reply actions
If you follow 999 people, it can get hectic.
I need to be discriminatory so follow #1000 is memorable.
from mlbtraderumors
“The Rockies made an informal seven-to-ten year offer to outfielder Carlos Gonzalez this winter, hears Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post.”
How does one make an informal seven-to-ten year offer?
“So, uh, hey, let me stop you for a second. You headed to lunch? No? Just coffee? Crazy day. Listen, uh, about the next decade or so, you know, we’d pay you. Interested?”
by kinbote on Dec 6, 2010 9:00 AM PST reply actions 4 recs
“I was watching 20/20 last night, and wondered,.whatcha doing in 2020, Carlos?”"
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Dec 6, 2010 9:09 AM PST up reply actions
BTW
RIP Dandy Don Meredith. Most of you were not around during the salad days of MNF but Howard, Don and Frank made it more than a game.
by bhsportsguy on Dec 6, 2010 9:00 AM PST via mobile reply actions
Seems too easy to say “turn out the lights” today, but then again yesterday brought a slew of “well Werth it” type puns, so here we are.
Yes, Dandy Don and Howard put MNF on the map.
Their back and forth banter was very entertaining, as well as Howard’s half time highlights.
… ‘they say that all good things must end’ …
by 68elcamino427 on Dec 6, 2010 9:34 AM PST up reply actions
Roto wise
I’d be loading up on those NL West pitchers
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Cubs and White Sox were also in on Adrian Gonzalez. Apparently Gonzalez said no to CWS, which led to them signing Dunn, per Gordon Edes.
Weird
Rosenthal says Loney is a trade option for teams looking for a lefty first baseman, then turns around and says the Dodgers can trade him because of the depth of the FA 1B market. If there are FA available, why trade for Loney?
interesting
that he says the Brewers inquired on him. I don’t think Loney will be traded based on comments made my Coletti. Also, like Phil said, I think Mattingly has his back.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 9:41 AM PST up reply actions
You realize that just links back to the Rosenthal piece, right?
In the pecking order, Rotoworld is below MLBTR
good to know
Rotoworld is blocked here. LOL
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 9:54 AM PST up reply actions
Per Jayson Stark
#Dodgers hope to add 2 relievers. Working on Padilla as one of 2. Other clubs wondering if they add right arms whether they’ll move Broxton
Ready for the move you didn’t see coming out of LF?
by 68elcamino427 on Dec 6, 2010 9:45 AM PST up reply actions
Given how Florida's been on a Bullpenapalooza this off season
I could see that happening!
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
DUH
/drinks more coffee
I knew he was a Nat too.
Do they need relievers? Because that trade idea actually makes even more sense now.
but enough about Willingham.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Question
In the final reckoning, how will I account for reading all these Willingham comments if we don’t end up trading for him? ;)
And if they do trade for him he better be awesome
or we know which commenter to blame!
{shakes fist at d4l}
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
If Adrian stays healthy
that contract he signs will look like a great deal compared to Pujols’ contract. With the Yankees core aging like it is, even if they sign Lee, I can see the Red Sox dominating for the next 5 years, though they need some balance for their lineup with all the lefties. I do like what Toronto is doing. Tampa will be in the mix. I could see the Yanks being 3rd place finishers as soon as next year.
Overqualified in an underqualified world since 2008.
While Gonzalez is a good long-term move for Boston
In 2011, he is going to have a hard time replacing what Adrian Beltre produced in 2010. For the Red Sox to contend, they need health more than anything.
Indeed
Injuries absolutely killed the Red Sox last year.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 9:57 AM PST up reply actions
They need outfielders
on any given Sunday, Drew/Cameron/Ellsbury could be hurt. Sure they have a great infield, but Youk has not played 3rd base in years, the catching blows, and they still have to hope that Beckett can be what he was.
Replacing Beltre with Adrian is good step but does not put them on the level of the Yankee’s yet, especially if the Yankee’s reel in Lee.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Agreed
By no means are they automatically any better than NYY or maybe Tampa
by Eric Stephen on Dec 6, 2010 10:04 AM PST up reply actions
So far Tampa has yet to replace
Pena, Crawford, Soriano, Beniot
Crawford in house with Jennings I guess
but their late inning bullpen was just about the best, not sure what they are going to do there. Lot of options available but the good ones will be expensive.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
they still have a young core
of Kalish, Lester, Buchholz, Youk. I agree that Lackey, Dice K, and Beckett have to produce and stay healthy, I just think having 2 years in a row with so many injuries is highly improbable for them. They also had Werth snagged from under them while they were working on the Adrian deal. I think they can still get a good OF if not Crawford, who wouldn’t be a good fit anyway because he’s another lefty.
Overqualified in an underqualified world since 2008.
After Werth
why not ask for even more? I’ve heard that Werth deal compared to the famous Kevin Brown one, and I think the comparison is apt. If “game-changer” weren’t such a tired cliche, I might use it.
if ned can get value for broxton
i would trade him. that said, his value might be the lowest it’s ever been now so there’s really no use in trading him.
In name
but in production we will have to wait and see.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
directly inverse of the quality of the return.
I’d pay it all for Ian Desmond or Jordan Zimmerman, split salaries for Willingham, none for anyone else.
In fairness, we've been building 'Ground Zeros' next to Iraqi mosques since March 2003.
I wouldn’t mind trading Broxton at all if it’s part of getting us a real outfielder. That being said if we get Padilla I think the most we need even if we trade Broxton is a low cost loogy. Even then, we should try giving Elbert a chance since he could be effective against righties too.
I like what I heard about Elbert's stuff in the AFL
95mph heater, with 90mph cutter. I think he competes for a bullpen spot in ST
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 10:05 AM PST up reply actions
oh yeah?
I guess I’ve been out of the loop. Were those pitches going across the strike zone or to the backstop?
He actually ended
the AFL on a huge high note, his control was awesoke.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
No walks in his last eight appearances
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=455092
with 14 K’s
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
even better
swesoke
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 10:10 AM PST up reply actions
I was impressed
with the control, maybe being a relief pitcher will work out for him. Not quite on the bandwagon but I hope they hold one spot in the bullpen available for him.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I would like to give him a look. Control looked good in the AFL. Once he quit, something had to register with the young man.
Most people don’t quit a job and immediately go back to said job. I think he realized that this is a good gig and maybe has grown up a little.
Being a RP in the ML is better than being most other shitty jobs where no one gives a fuck if you have a 95 mph fb.
JMO
I know
As you can see from the link, he owned after his second appearance.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
ain't no wagon
it’s mah-fuckin’ freight train!!!
WOO-WOO!!!!!
(seriously though, hope it all works out for Elbert)
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 10:25 AM PST up reply actions
yeah
I read in the last 5 outings (6.1 innings) he struck out 8, walked none, and only allowed 2 hits.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 10:10 AM PST up reply actions
Evidently only a good coach
when he has good players?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
aren't they all?
In fairness, we've been building 'Ground Zeros' next to Iraqi mosques since March 2003.
He had several NFL QBs run through there, not to mention Bowl of Dicks having his best year at NC State with Chow.
by Eric Stephen on Dec 6, 2010 10:13 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah
I just enjoyed Delias Man’s comment during the game yesterday.
by Eric Stephen on Dec 6, 2010 10:18 AM PST up reply actions
It is an apt description
LAST SEASON, I led this team in ninth-inning doubles in the month of August!
I do know that Rick Neuheisal is having a conference call
at noon today (which is unusual given that there are no more games)
Heard this:
This is Buster Olney’s and MLBTR’s favorite week of the year.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Objects in rear view mirror are closer than they appear
Amazing how the Werth deal makes the Uribe signing look almost quaint.
Objects in rear view mirror
are losing
In fairness, we've been building 'Ground Zeros' next to Iraqi mosques since March 2003.
Suppose I'll change mine
In fairness, we've been building 'Ground Zeros' next to Iraqi mosques since March 2003.
The 8/$161 was slightly off
in that it included the $6.5m Adrian Gonzalez was under contract for in 2011. The extension will be ~7/$154m
for a 28-year-old hitting in Fenway now instead of Petco?
I’d say so. He will more than make up for the loss of Beltre.
Overqualified in an underqualified world since 2008.
Ned is now awesome
per Bill Ladson of MLB.com:
The #Dodgers want #Nats SS Ian Desmond and RHP Jordan Zimmermann for James Loney. Don’t think that’s going to happen.
LOL
“You want him? You gotta paaaaaayyyyyyyy.”
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 10:20 AM PST up reply actions
what would we do with those guys though?
rotation is set, we have a SS and two back ups. Flip them for a power bat? Keep them for next year?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 10:24 AM PST up reply actions
I know you guys laugh
(and I say this as someone who likes Loney but agrees he’s been disappointingly crappy) but I get the sense that a lot of GMs really like him. Maybe they’ll be clued in as to why it’d be stupid, but you never know.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
PS: Like Desmond but why do Dodgers want a SS? Will Furcal move to CF?
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
probably stash desmond in AAA and let Dee go back to AA. Or convert to 2B? Who knows.
In fairness, we've been building 'Ground Zeros' next to Iraqi mosques since March 2003.
If you get Desmond and Zimmerman, do Gordon and a RH prospect become trade bait in July if it’s close?
I'd be down with that
except Sands.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
suppose so. though I would imagine Zimmerman and Desmond could also be chips.
In fairness, we've been building 'Ground Zeros' next to Iraqi mosques since March 2003.
I think I brought this up the other day
and I still like it.
In fairness, we've been building 'Ground Zeros' next to Iraqi mosques since March 2003.
Or you trade the guy
who makes all the money but is always hurt and keep the young SS
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
“who makes all the money but is always hurt…and has a no-trade clause”
by Eric Stephen on Dec 6, 2010 10:30 AM PST up reply actions
I don't think so
not based on the silly money being spent this winter.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I was thinking this last night
trade Furcal for Brandon Wood. Angels pay Furcal’s salary.
In fairness, we've been building 'Ground Zeros' next to Iraqi mosques since March 2003.
Oh I know.
I just read how Crawford was perfect for the Angels because they wanted a table setter, and that they wanted to offer Crawford more money to take less years, so I thought Furcal would be good for them.
The return for Furcal would clearly have to be worked on. I didn’t give it much thought.
In fairness, we've been building 'Ground Zeros' next to Iraqi mosques since March 2003.
I think Crawford may end up being more expensive for their tastes, given that they are in on Soriano as well. Seems like Beltre is more likely for Angels.
by Eric Stephen on Dec 6, 2010 10:50 AM PST up reply actions
Close enough
but if the Red Sox feel Crawford is also to expensive, who would be in on his services for the money he’s demanding?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
That’s when Ned swoops in on January 29 and gets Crawford for 1/$17m :)
by Eric Stephen on Dec 6, 2010 10:53 AM PST up reply actions
Just reading this makes my day
because I think this is the first time Ned has been linked with someone I really want.
Loney, Broxton, Furcal, Gordon
Zimmerman, Desmond, Willingham
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
why is Desmond a darling here
if his 2010 OPS was 700 and he barely registered a .300 OBP? I’m just curious…otherwise he looks good as a 25-year-old SS.
Overqualified in an underqualified world since 2008.
he has pop?
I seriously know nothing of him.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 10:33 AM PST up reply actions
kind of like from a 2B named Uribe
that most people here ridicule and call a bad player
Overqualified in an underqualified world since 2008.
I don't think Uribe is a bad player
if he does what he did in 2009/2010, I think he is a bad player if he does his career average for 7 Million.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Pop from a middle infielder is valuable, as long as he can get on base more than 30% of the time.
by regfairfield on Dec 6, 2010 10:37 AM PST up reply actions
Except one guy is doing it
for the minimum and the other for 7 Million. One guy might get better, the other guy will probably get worse.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I wonder if Ned's doing that
so that he can lower his request during negotiations to snag a player that he might actually be able to acquire (i.e. Willingham). Something along the lines of, “Okay, no Ian and Desmond…well, what about Josh? You guys aren’t gonna pay him and we could use the bat in left…”
On the other hand
RT @stevehenson333: Dodgers source: loney won’t be traded because he’d be too expensive to replace on free agent market.
But they could replace him with a Gibbons+Blake platoon at 1st and upgrade 3rd, etc. Right?
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Matt Kemp will never be a Nat
Interest from the Nationals in Loney makes sense — the team recently hired Bob Schaefer as a special assistant in its front office. Schaefer previously was Joe Torre’s bench coach with the Dodgers.
—Rosenthal
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Dec 6, 2010 10:35 AM PST reply actions
Hey Joe
I’d run Martin out there every inning until we break him down. That is why you pay me the big bucks Joe, to help you make these kind of decisions.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Nyjer Morgan: dead man walking
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Dec 6, 2010 10:42 AM PST up reply actions
So how long.....
Before we get back to Kevin Bacon?
"Man that ball got outta here in a hurry. I mean anything travels that far oughta have a damn stewardess on it, don't you think?"
finally saw that commercial
Hilarious
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 11:14 AM PST up reply actions
What commercial is this?
Nothing is ever easy.
by drulenarendes on Dec 6, 2010 11:15 AM PST up reply actions
Kevin Bacon stalking himself....
I find this highly disturbing.
Nothing is ever easy.
by drulenarendes on Dec 6, 2010 11:19 AM PST up reply actions
That commercial
really screws up the “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” references
"Man that ball got outta here in a hurry. I mean anything travels that far oughta have a damn stewardess on it, don't you think?"
That is one of the best commercials ever!
by robotmadeofnails on Dec 6, 2010 11:28 AM PST up reply actions
Nick Piecoro says one-year, slightly more than $2m.
I wonder if there is an option involved. Probably.
by Eric Stephen on Dec 6, 2010 11:00 AM PST up reply actions
Really
given his payroll, I thought he always did a good job in keeping that team competitive. Even if you didn’t like the make up of the team they seemed to always do better then the win projections. Of course most of that was from the steal of the century when he acquired Adrian but I’ll take one incredible team building trade with a bunch of little misfires then no great trade and a bunch of decent but not earth shattering moves.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
the Daniel Hudson move
might be enough. That wasn’t him, was it?
Overqualified in an underqualified world since 2008.
That was the guy who traded Dan Haren for Joe Saunders.
by regfairfield on Dec 6, 2010 10:50 AM PST up reply actions
Don't know the time table
but I don’t think so.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
But he was also in charge for most of the decade of a farm system that produced only two players from their
system – Peavy and Khalil Greene while he was there.
He signed a minor league deal somewhere
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Stauffer waves his hand
as does Chase Headley, Kyle Blanks
but yeah, terrible record, his blame is the hiring of the person since the GM should not be intefering with the draft.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Yeah they needed a GM who could reboot the team via farm
and scouting so they go with…. Kevin Towers. But we’ll see.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
I think Mora is as old as my dad now.
Nothing is ever easy.
by drulenarendes on Dec 6, 2010 10:44 AM PST up reply actions
I don't see how the Rockies can compete in 2011 without Mora
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I still prefer the robotic Larry Bowa
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Dec 6, 2010 10:53 AM PST up reply actions
Not sure if this has been previously mentioned
but the Dodgers were on the verge of signing A.J. Pierzynski before he decided to return to Chicago after they offered a second year. So Barajas was clearly not their focus.
Nothing is ever easy.
Good thing
hate to see how much he’d be overpaid if Ned had been focused.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
It would have been in excess of 4 million
Nothing is ever easy.
by drulenarendes on Dec 6, 2010 10:46 AM PST up reply actions
Considering he signed for 2/$8m with CWS, I’m guessing right around that number.
by Eric Stephen on Dec 6, 2010 10:48 AM PST up reply actions
It was indeed mentioned
and most of us were hoping he would punch Colletti in the face to bring him back to his maladjusted senses.
The Nationals, Cubs, and Brewers have inquired on Dodgers first baseman James Loney, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Loney is available, says Rosenthal. Rosenthal notes that the Brewers would only want him in the unlikely event of a Prince Fielder trade.
Someone put 2 and 2 together here, sheesh. Fielder makes $5M more than Loney in 2011. This has to be do-able.
Fielder is a Boras client
and is a free agent after the 2011 season. No chance this happens.
Nothing is ever easy.
by drulenarendes on Dec 6, 2010 10:52 AM PST up reply actions
Why not
we could trade for him knowing he is going to walk. With this pitching staff one year of Fielder might be exactly what could make 2011 a glory year.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
yeah
plus you get the draft picks when he walks. Just gotta hope Sands would be ready to take over.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 10:57 AM PST up reply actions
And I say this knowing it would take more then Loney to get Fielder
even for one year.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I agree with you
Fielder was on my wish list at the end of the season, and he can make a huge difference, but I just don’t see the Dodgers giving up a player they have under control for two more seasons for someone who makes a lot more and will be gone after next year.
Nothing is ever easy.
by drulenarendes on Dec 6, 2010 10:59 AM PST up reply actions
Ok
So no one would have wanted AJP (understandable given his attitude) and none of us are real thrilled with Barajas/Ellis either. So what would be the ideal catching situation for the Dodgers in 2011 that we can be happy about?
Nothing is ever easy.
I would have been happy with AJP, Martin, or literally anyone but Barajas.
by regfairfield on Dec 6, 2010 10:52 AM PST up reply actions
Carlos Santana
In fairness, we've been building 'Ground Zeros' next to Iraqi mosques since March 2003.
Carlos Santana
OK, snark cap is off. I for one wouldn’t have minded AJ.
Overqualified in an underqualified world since 2008.
I said yes to him
and Humma lost all respect for me
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I don't think anybody has said this yet...
but Carlos Santa would be pretty cool, amirite?
"Save that for the girl chat rooms. No here cares that you are sentimental and sweet. Jose [sic] already passed on you, Dodger SF is having a mid 20’s relationship crisis living in a town where she can’t love anyone because they are either gay or Giant fans, Maddz is stuck in Theology hell, and Teal is married. Not sure what is up with Connector. And my nieces are off limits. Sporky hates you because you adorn the cover of Jon’s book."
Ouch. Carlos Santa. It’s all I want for Christmas!
"Save that for the girl chat rooms. No here cares that you are sentimental and sweet. Jose [sic] already passed on you, Dodger SF is having a mid 20’s relationship crisis living in a town where she can’t love anyone because they are either gay or Giant fans, Maddz is stuck in Theology hell, and Teal is married. Not sure what is up with Connector. And my nieces are off limits. Sporky hates you because you adorn the cover of Jon’s book."
How about Barrett and AJ
before each game they could do a rock em sock em to decide who gets to play
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Haha
At least we would have something to entertain us when we’re not scoring runs.
Nothing is ever easy.
by drulenarendes on Dec 6, 2010 11:00 AM PST up reply actions
Nationals, Ned and Prince
One year of Prince, 2 picks and no Loney…fine by me.
Sands in 2012? Give him the shot that teams gave Ryno, Mike Schmidt and Jeff Kent around age 23-24.
I don’t think we want Desmond if only because a “smaller” payroll team is willing to trade a pre-arb, multi tool SS…it doesn’t make sense and they should know him best.
Either Zimmerman is a pipe dream. My only hope is that Ned does the bait and switch, saying
“Jordan Z and Desmond for Loney”. “No, OK. How about 3b prospect ’X” and Desmond for Loney?"
Who are the 3b Wash prospects at AA,AAA? Any talent there blocked by Big Z?
I can’t believe this was actually discussed. My friend (Giants fan) sent me this text:
DUDE! YOU GUYS GOT JORDAN ZIMMERMAN AND IAN DESMOND FOR JAMES LONEY! NED ROCKS!
Seconds later…
I’M KIDDING. HAHA.
by Julio Nievas on Dec 6, 2010 11:11 AM PST up reply actions
Lesson from that?
We shouldn’t be friends with Giants fans who can be good at being dicks. :-/
That was definitely a rumored proposal today though so it wasn’t something he made up. Someone else may have made it up though.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
If we acquire Fielder, what makes you think Sands would still be a Dodger?
by Eric Stephen on Dec 6, 2010 11:12 AM PST up reply actions
Just who is McCourt’s new silent partner?
And just how deep are the pockets of this person/entitiy in the quest of 2013 and the new tv deal/streams of revenue?
by 68elcamino427 on Dec 6, 2010 11:16 AM PST up reply actions
A more likely scenario if Loney's really out there?
Loney for Willingham or Cain + prospects, followed by Adam LaRoche or Derrick Lee?
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Dec 6, 2010 11:12 AM PST reply actions
I only remember seeing Cain briefly when we played them. What is the report on him? Does he have power?
no
he doesn’t
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 11:17 AM PST up reply actions
Does he have power?
Only in his throwing arm
by Eric Stephen on Dec 6, 2010 11:18 AM PST up reply actions
Just that it’s a deal I can see Ned doing. Cain’s on the market.
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Dec 6, 2010 11:22 AM PST up reply actions
[Rimshot]
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Dec 6, 2010 11:24 AM PST up reply actions
seems like the Braves
are interested.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Dec 6, 2010 11:23 AM PST up reply actions
Because it is Monday
and we should feel as blue as possible on this day.
In 192 at bats Carlos Santana led all major league catchers in wRC with a 143. Not bad for your first 192 at bats. The Bill James projection in 2011 if it was to come true would make him right on par with Joe Mauer offensively.
I give you the Hindsite 2010 Dodgers:
1st – James Loney
2nd- Orlando Hudson
SS – Rafy Furcal
3rd – Boom Boom Betemit
C – Carlos Santana
RF – Jayson Werth
CF – Matt Kemp
LF -Andre Ethier
Eric how do I find out how many runs this lineup would have scored? Is Matt Kemp the worst hitter in this lineup?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Right
I forgot about Kemp blasting dingers at the end of the year to boost his OPS+ up to 107.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Kemp at least inspires some optimism.
"Save that for the girl chat rooms. No here cares that you are sentimental and sweet. Jose [sic] already passed on you, Dodger SF is having a mid 20’s relationship crisis living in a town where she can’t love anyone because they are either gay or Giant fans, Maddz is stuck in Theology hell, and Teal is married. Not sure what is up with Connector. And my nieces are off limits. Sporky hates you because you adorn the cover of Jon’s book."
I’m glad you got another shot at Kemp here, I wasn’t sure how you felt about him :)
by robotmadeofnails on Dec 6, 2010 11:37 AM PST up reply actions
That is great!
However, says the top producing line ups will have Barajas leading off!
by 68elcamino427 on Dec 6, 2010 11:25 AM PST up reply actions
I put in Barajas, Uribe and Diaz
That is a fun toy
by 68elcamino427 on Dec 6, 2010 11:30 AM PST up reply actions
Are you sure you aren’t reading the worst lineups then, because this thing really values on base in the leadoff spot.
by regfairfield on Dec 6, 2010 11:31 AM PST up reply actions
Try it and see, maybe it just wants to get him out of the way!
by 68elcamino427 on Dec 6, 2010 11:32 AM PST up reply actions
I did, it puts Barajas 8 usually. Sure you didn’t accidentally give him a .384 on base instead of .284?
by regfairfield on Dec 6, 2010 11:33 AM PST up reply actions
This is the first off-season in awhile
Where I’m kind of up for anything. 2-3 years ago I loved all our young players and was smitten with various prospects. I still don’t trust Ned but I’m either more realistic or more cynical. I would probably still complain but still be interested in some sort of crazy trade.
Crazy trades are fun for funs
but given Ned’s winter trade history, I’m not sure a crazy trade orchestrated by Ned would be much fun. What we would do with three more relief pitchers?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Trade them for a LF
Nothing is ever easy.
by drulenarendes on Dec 6, 2010 11:23 AM PST up reply actions
Whoa
SI_JonHeyman
#dodgers would like yet another starter. Padilla appears to top their list
Somebody OTHER than Padilla??
Aside from Lee and Pavano
there’s very little out there. Besides, the rotation is set, so Padilla would just be insurance.
Nothing is ever easy.
by drulenarendes on Dec 6, 2010 11:25 AM PST up reply actions
Makes me think Garland is in real bad shape.
Couldn’t Ned have waited for the physical before making the signing official?
I'm about 1000000000000000000000000000000000 percent certain
he did the physical before making it official.
LAST SEASON, I led this team in ninth-inning doubles in the month of August!
Garland has the history of pitching
and pitching and pitching. He’s willing to take a chance on himself by signing the kind of contract he did. If he does not throw 190 innings in 2011 I’ll be just as surprised as he will be.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Its unpossible
that they know he has injury concerns, but basing on the last 200000000000000 years where Garland pitched 190+ innings they decided to give him a shot at 5 mil.
LAST SEASON, I led this team in ninth-inning doubles in the month of August!
I like the idea of Padilla as swingman/long-reliever. Still has great stuff, I’d like to have him back in the bullpen.
It all makes sense until
we pay him 7 Million to do the role.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
+ an additional 3 million deffered of course!
LAST SEASON, I led this team in ninth-inning doubles in the month of August!
Isn’t this just the swing guy/spot starter/potential closer thing we’ve already heard about?
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Dec 6, 2010 11:29 AM PST up reply actions
We will start two pitchers at a time
with no LF. Dodgers4life will explode from the frustration. This is my assumption until I see evidence of the contrary.
Overqualified in an underqualified world since 2008.
If this Desmond-Loney talk is pure fiction, I apologize and curse its author.
This is TBLA, not dodgers.com or some other nonsense site.
This is what you get with a roomful of writers, blackberries and a lot of down time
It takes two to lie. One to lie and one to listen
Don't forget to vote
http://www.truebluela.com/2010/12/5/1857819/t-shirt-slogans
And I can tell from the number of Rec’s, the over / under on selling TBLA T – Shirts would be about 20.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Round it up to $25, we’re raising money here!
by 68elcamino427 on Dec 6, 2010 11:31 AM PST up reply actions
I was talking about qty
I think if the price was 25 we’d sell ten tops. I guess we need a poll, what would be the price you would pay for a T-Shirt knowing that most of the profit would go to Eric’s quest to build a man cave.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Ha!, just set up the Pal Pal on the side bar for donations, you guys deserve it.
by 68elcamino427 on Dec 6, 2010 11:35 AM PST up reply actions
what the market will bear
$126 million over 7 years
Overqualified in an underqualified world since 2008.
Seems to be some interest in Martin
SI_JonHeyman
#yankees, #redsox, #jays, #mets thought interested in russell martin. lobby talk: he’s still catcher, not multi-purpose guy.
Nothing is ever easy.
Agreed about the catcher part
I’m interested to see if he can beat the $4.2 million offered by the Dodgers.
by Eric Stephen on Dec 6, 2010 11:36 AM PST up reply actions
It looks like he wants to play on the East Coast
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/12/yankees-five-others-interested-in-russell-martin.html
This makes me incredibly frustrated, among other things…I’m still holding out hope for a possible return, but the realist in me is trying to overtake my brain. Bastard.
He's gone
under no scenario can he play for the Dodgers after we gave Rod 3.5 Million to be our catcher.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
The extra reliever(s)
Will those be a result of Ned’s OCD or what? I was under the impression that if/when Padilla is signed, he takes his talents to the bullpen and fills out the final spot:
Broxton
Kuo
Jansen
Belisario
Hawksworth
Padilla
Elbert or other LOOGY
Based on that, you’d just sign some NRI’s and minor leaguers to compete for the LOOGY spot, right?
Out of those seven
I would think Brox, Hawk and Elbert are available for the right price. I wouldn’t move any of them personally, but I’m not the GM.
I saw Francisco Cervelli in that link
and confused him for Jesus Montero. I was like, “Why the fuck did the Dodgers not make that trade?”
Doh!
Nothing is ever easy.
by drulenarendes on Dec 6, 2010 11:50 AM PST up reply actions
If he goes to the Blue Jays I'll be happy for him
and think it may work out for the best. If he goes to one of those evil teams, I’ll be sad.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
It’s always depressing when we let a dude go and a bunch of teams try to jump on him.
Werth had like 8 teams that were interested when we non tendered.
by regfairfield on Dec 6, 2010 11:44 AM PST up reply actions
I'd like to see him sign with the Mets
just for the weirdness of swapping 2010 catchers.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
That Mets brain trust understands his strengths, when he’s healthy anyway.
"Baseball is the heart of America, I would never do anything to besmirch our National Pastime."
by Little Blue Bicycle on Dec 6, 2010 11:47 AM PST up reply actions
Parallels?
1. Good player but has not had a good year in 1 1/2
2. Injury question mark
3. Replacement signed to a terrible contract
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
But
the injury hindered Werth’s performance, so that non-tender was understandable. So was this one, but Martin couldn’t hit the ball with authority for over 2 years because he just sucked, not because he was hurt. I still think the Dodger offer to Russ was fair, and if they tendered him it was too much risk given their other needs.
Overqualified in an underqualified world since 2008.
Hard to see that considering everything I read seems to indicate
a backup role (as a catcher, at best).
I know folks downplay the utility role but in a way, I do see it as an option for a player who you don’t know if he can catch 100+ games anymore.
Now, I know why he would be hesitant to do it , as Eric and others note, his best move career-wise is to continue to catch but if any of those teams offer him more that $3M to catch next year, I would say they are taking a risk.
Let's run this on the front page for a while - NPUT
some great cards from our future MVP:)
http://www.truebluela.com/2010/12/6/1859042/17-matt-kemp
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on True Blue LA
Related FanShots on True Blue LA
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
