2011 Dodgers Exit Interviews: The Bullpen
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 7:00 AM PDT
in Los Angeles Dodgers Roster
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The Dodgers bullpen in 2011 had a lot of turnover and numerous injuries, but thanks to an infusion of young talent became a strength by the end of the season. The Dodgers' bullpen ERA of 3.92 ranked 14th in the National League, but it was just 3.50 after the All-Star break. Dodgers relievers struck out 8.6 batters per nine, third in MLB behind the Chicago White Sox (9.8) and Atlanta Braves (9.2). However, after the All-Star break Dodgers bullpeners struck out an MLB-best 10.0 batters per nine innings.
The trio of Javy Guerra, Scott Elbert, and Josh Lindblom, all of whom began their seasons in the minor leagues, combined for a 2.46 ERA in the major league bullpen, to go with 100 strikeouts in 110 innings.
Here is a look at the 12 primary members of the Dodgers bullpen in 2011, with the caveat that Rubby De La Rosa, Nathan Eovaldi, and John Ely all pitched in relief at some point in 2011 but their exit interviews were with the starting pitchers.
Kenley Jansen
What went right: Once a light-hitting catcher, and in just his second full year of pitching in 2011, Jansen set the all-time major league single-season record with 16.10 strikeouts per nine innings. Jansen overcame early season struggles to become the best relief pitcher in baseball in the second half. Jansen allowed two runs in his last 31 appearances, and after the All-Star break had six walks and 48 strikeouts in just 23 innings.
Jansen had two or more strikeouts in two-thirds of his appearances in 2011, 34 of 51 games. Carlos Marmol also had 34 such appearances, but he appeared in 75 games this season. Craig Kimbrel was the only relief pitcher in baseball with more games with two or more strikeouts, with 47. Kimbrel appeared in 79 games.
What went wrong: Jansen struggled earlier in the season, really his first setback of any kind on the mound, with games of three, four, and five runs allowed in the first two months of the year. However, that 6.43 ERA when he hit the disabled list on May 28 ended up at 2.85 at season's end. Jansen walked 14 in his first 21 innings of the year, and just 12 more in his final 33 innings of the year.
Jansen did miss nearly a month in July and August with cardiac arrhythmia, a condition which required Jansen to go on blood thinners.
2012 status: Jansen will begin the year either as the closer or the smoke jumper, but either way will be pitching meaningful innings. Jansen has one year, 73 days of service time, and two options remaining.
Javy Guerra
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What went right: The 25-year old Guerra began the year with Double A Chattanooga, but found his way to Los Angeles by the middle of May. By July he was the full-time closer and rattled off 10 saves before blowing his first. Nine of his 21 saves protected a one-run lead, and in two other saves he entered with the tying run either on base or at the plate.
What went wrong: Not much went wrong for Guerra in his rookie season, as he was 21 for 23 in save opportunities. He may have tired a bit late, as he went his first 35 appearances without allowing a home run, then allowed two home runs in September, including a walk-off grand slam on the final pitch of the season for Guerra on September 27. Guerra walked nine batters in his first 34 innings, then walked nine in his final 13 innings of the season.
2012 status: Guerra will likely open spring training as the closer. He has 137 days of service time, and one option remaining.
Matt Guerrier
What went right: Guerrier was durable, and pitched in 70 games in 2011, his fifth year in a row pitching in at least than many contests, the longest such streak in the major leagues. He also posted his highest strikeout rate (6.8 per nine innings) since 2008. Guerrier also became the first major league player ever with exactly one save in six straight seasons.
What went wrong: Guerrier also had his highest walk rate (3.4 per nine innings) since 2008, and among the 15 Dodgers to pitch in relief this season Guerrier ranked eighth in ERA (4.07), eighth in FIP (3.43), and 12th in xFIP (4.30). Guerrier wasn't necessarily bad, just not someone worth paying a lot of money. Which brings us to...
2012 status: Guerrier will make $4.75 million in the second year of a three-year, $12 million contract.
Mike MacDougal
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What went right: MacDougal struck out 20 and walked just 10 batters in 28 innings at Dodger Stadium. On the season, MacDougal inherited 51 baserunners, sixth most in the National League. He allowed 17 to score, at 33.3% slightly below the NL average of 30.0%, but MacDougal did allow just two of 13 inherited runners to score over the final two months of the season.
What went wrong: MacDougal allowed opposing hitters to post a .352 on-base percentage, thanks in part to his 29 walks in 57 innings. He walked 19 and struck out 21 in 29 innings on the road, but somehow put up a 1.53 ERA.
2012 status: MacDougal, who turns 35 in March, is a free agent.
Blake Hawksworth
What went right: In his third big league season, Hawksworth set career bests in strikeout rate (7.3 per nine frames) and walk rate (2.9), and pitched in a career-high 49 games.
What went wrong: Hawksworth allowed runs in five consecutive appearances from August 20 to September 4.
2012 status: Hawksworth has one year of team control left before arbitration eligibility, and is out of options. Expect him to have a seat in the bullpen to start the year, at the very least.
Scott Elbert
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What went right: Elbert took advantage of his opportunities in 2011, grabbing hold of a bullpen spot in early May and never letting go. Elbert struck out 34 batters in 33 innings, and allowed left-handed batters to hit just .191/.267/.250. Despite his reputation and history of wildness, Elbert issued just 10 unintentional walks in 33 innings.
What went wrong: Elbert walked five batters in his final four innings of the season, including each of his last two batters faced.
2012 status: Elbert has one year, 69 days of service time. He is out of options, and figures to have a spot in the bullpen with his name on it.
Josh Lindblom
What went right: After a failed conversion to starter in the minor leagues, Lindblom was back in the bullpen full-time in 2011, starting the year in Double A. Lindblom struck out 11.5 batters per nine innings with Chattanooga, and struck out 8.5 batters per nine in nearly 30 innings in Los Angeles, in three separate stints with the Dodgers. He finished his season with 22 strikeouts against just five walks in 17 innings over the final two months.
What went wrong: Lindblom struck out in his only major league plate appearance, on September 8 in Washington D.C. against the strikeout-averse Chien-Ming Wang.
2012 status: Lindblom figures to be a part of the bullpen in 2012, aiming for a bigger role than in 2011. He has 76 days of service time and two options remaining.
Hong-Chih Kuo
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What went right: Kuo set a career high (ignoring the 16 outs he recorded in 2005) with a rate of 12.0 strikeouts per nine innings.
What went wrong: Unfortunately for Kuo, just about everything else was bad news in 2011. He missed a month and a half with the yips, technically termed an anxiety disorder. One year after setting a Dodgers franchise record with a 1.20 ERA, Kuo's ERA was an even 9.00 in 2011.
Kuo walked 18 batters in 60 innings in 2010, but walked 23 in just 27 innings in 2011.
2012 status: Kuo is arbitration-eligible this offseason. He is an obvious non-tender candidate, as the Dodgers won't want to pay anywhere close to the $2.725 million he made in 2011, if not more.
Jonathan Broxton
What went right: He retired the side in order on both April 1 against the San Francisco Giants and May 2 against the Chicago Cubs, his two clean outings this season.
What went wrong: Broxton allowed 10 runs and 24 baserunners in just under 13 innings, including two home runs. He didn't throw a pitch for the Dodgers after May 3, sidelined with a bone bruise in his right elbow that eventually required surgery in September.
2012 status: Broxton is a free agent after making $7 million in 2011. He has expressed interest in returning to the Dodgers, though it doesn't make much sense unless it's a low-salary one-year deal with plenty of incentives.
Vicente Padilla
What went right: Padilla took over for Broxton as closer and converted all three of his save opportunities.
What went wrong: Padilla signed a one-year, $2 million deal in 2011 with up to $9 million in incentives based on whether he started or pitched in relief. Unfortunately, Padilla didn't have any bonuses built in for number of surgeries. Padilla underwent forearm surgery in late February and missed the first 20 games of the season. Then, after just nine innings, Padilla was sidelined again with nerve irritation in that same forearm. Before he was going to be activated, Padilla experienced neck problems similar to the bulging disc he experienced in 2010. Padilla ultimately had neck surgery in mid June, ending his season.
2012 status: Padilla is a free agent.
Ramon Troncoso
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What went right: At least Troncoso didn't pitch 14 games in a 20-day stretch like he did in April 2010. Troncoso had only three unintentional walks in just under 23 innings.
What went wrong: Twelve of the first 17 batters Troncoso faced in 2011 reached base via hit. Troncoso allowed 38 hits in just under 23 innings, including six doubles and five home runs.
2012 status: Troncoso is out of options, but you have to wonder if anybody really cares.
Lance Cormier
What went right: When Cormier was cut, on May 24, the corresponding roster move was purchasing the contract of Rubby De La Rosa from Double A Chattanooga.
What went wrong: Cormier pitched in nine games, and gave up four home runs, 17 runs, and 27 baserunners in just under 14 innings.
2011 departure: Cormier was designated for assignment on May 24.
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What went wrong: Lindblom struck out in his only major league plate appearance, on September 8 in Washington D.C. against the strikeout-averse Chien-Ming Wang.
Shaikin
BillShaikin Bill Shaikin
Good morning L.A., and places elsewhere! #Dodgers back in court this hour, for sparring over ground rules for key Oct. 31-Nov. 4 hearing
Dodgers atty Levinson: “Season ticket holders rights in this bankruptcy are not going to be affected in any way, shape or form.”
Levinson: Season ticket holders have contract with Dodger Tickets LLC, not Dodgers. No need for them to have official status in case.
Whether the season ticket holders get official committee status (and thus whether McCourt pays their expenses) to be decided Oct. 25.
Season ticket holder Robbin Itkin: “The contract may be with Dodgers LLC. There may be many claims that exist” vs. Dodgers.
Judge Gross ends 3-way argument between attorneys for season ticket holders, MLBPA, creditor committee, says it’s time to move to new issue.
MLB atty Glenn Kurtz: We have received 280 pages of documents from #Dodgers, waiting for many more.
Kurtz: #Dodgers have “seized” documents that belonged to Schieffer.
Kurtz: MLB asked #Dodgers to let Schieffer retrieve his documents; Dodgers said they would copy them.
Kurtz: Dodgers then found out documents were in locked cabinet, asked MLB to send key. No chance.
Kurtz: We need these documents for this case, both for us and to respond to Dodgers document requests.
Levinson: MLB hasn’t given us any documents we didn’t already have
Levinson: About 95,000 documents have to be reviewed before we can see what we send to MLB. We have 12 lawyers working on this.
Levinson: Not all the Schieffer documents were locked away. Some were “lying around” or in boxes.
Levinson: Some of the documents in Schieffer’s file cabinet probably belong to Dodgers. We want copies for us and for MLB, we can’t get key.
Kurtz: We have sent 50,000 pages of documents to Dodgers.
Kurtz: The documents not locked in file cabinet are not there because Dodgers kicked out Schieffer.
Kurtz: Dodgers violated MLB rules by not maintaining Schieffer’s documents.
Levinson: How can MLB assert attorney-client privilege re: Schieffer when Schieffer was appointed as monitor, not attorney?
Levinson: Appointment of Schieffer violated MLB rules. (No investigation to warrant appointment, per yesterday’s brief.)
Kurtz: “This notion that the monitor somehow broke into the offices and set up shop is absurd.”
Judge Gross: Dodgers should turn over to MLB whatever copies of Schieffer’s documents were not locked away.
Gross rules Schieffer’s file cabinet is “in control of the commissioner.”
Now arguing over legal definition of “McCourt:” Do documents related to McCourt mean him personally, or McCourt entities?
Gross tells attorneys to define McCourt among themselves, get back to him if they can’t settle it.
Kurtz wants Dodgers to turn over template for TV rights deal. Levinson: Why bother, if Selig already says he will reject any deal?
Levinson: We’ll let MLB see the template before we send it to proposed bidders. We’re not there yet.
Kurtz: Selig hasn’t worked with Dodgers on proposed TV rights sale because a sale would violate rules, subject team to liability from Fox.
Levinson calls it “chicken and egg:” We want judge’s OK to throw out Fox’s rights of first nego/first refusal before we send out template.
Kurtz: You can’t ask court to order TV rights sale if you’re not clear as to how you want to sell the rights.
Levinson: You filed an 80-page brief with all sorts of arguments attacking us yesterday and never mentioned that!
Fox atty Paul Laurin: Motion to sell TV rights is premature given “holding of Fox’s rights as hostage” to MLB governance issues.
Laurin calls TV rights sale motion “a proxy” for McCourt’s fight with MLB.
Laurin: “The process is damaging to Fox … soliciting potential interest, fashioning potential models” using current Fox deal as model.
Dodgers atty Bruce Bennett: “I am struck by how urgently everyone else wants to put off consideration of the media rights motion.”
Bennett: “I’m not quite sure what the motives of our adversaries are” in demanding sale template now.
Bennett: “Perhaps that is an effort to chill the market.”
Bennett: No grounds to delay hearing on whether Dodgers can sell TV rights.
Kurtz: We didn’t ask to delay the hearing. We’re saying, how can you ask for sale when we don’t have the terms?
Judge Gross agrees with Dodgers, says it would be “highly restrictive” to their marketing efforts to produce sale template now.
Bennett: We propose 45-day window with Fox before we talk to anyone else. Every form will be available to Fox and MLB, if sale motion OK’d.
Kurtz: McCourt won’t turn over documents from “governmental investigations relating to him.” Selig has said IRS is investigating.
Bennett: No notice given to McCourt’s personal lawyers on this issue
Judge Gross: Talk to McCourt’s attorneys about this before you talk to me.
Gross: Get on with turning over documents. If not, come back to me.
MLB atty Tom Lauria: “At this point, nobody has appeared in this case on behalf of Mr. McCourt.”
Bennett says that’s grossly wrong; McCourt’s personal attorney sat across from Lauria during mediation.
Bennett: “There’s no confusion here. This is grandstanding.”
Hearing over. MLB wins on file cabinet issue, Dodgers win on TV rights sale template issue. This day will be a footnote in this case.
What an absolutely ridiculous exchange. I am rooting for Bud to poop in Frank’s pool. All 4623874587 of them.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
That’s a lot of poop. Luckily, it is Selig.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 8:28 AM PDT up reply actions
As long as he eats his Colon Blow.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Easily a top 5 all-time SNL commercial. Was probably my first “favorite” one.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Of the ones produced like commercials, to be sure. Stuff like the Bass-o-matic I’d put in a separate category.
Other ones I remember really liking — Crystal Gravy, the Adobe, Schmitt’s Gay Beer…
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Oh, and the Love Toilet! And the bank that only made change. How do we make any money? Volume.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
All of those are great. Also Compulsion by Calvin Kleen.
In the Bass-o-matic category I would add Happy Fun Ball.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Yes! And Canis.
Little Chocolate Donuts was also a winner in the latter category.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
“Mangled baby ducks. Painful rectal itch.”
http://snltranscripts.jt.org/75/75qjam.phtml
by The Dude Abides on Oct 12, 2011 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions
A new day, a new 45 tweets from Shaikin
In the past hour. Minor hearing, just over, on what documents are available, what can be heard on major hearing beginning Oct. 31. He’ll be writing up a summary for LA Times soon, I’m sure.
Bravo Javy
Nine of his 21 saves protected a one-run lead, and in two other saves he entered with the tying run either on base or at the plate.
I’m a big fan of the one run save.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Is your avatar a Rickroll?
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
So, you’re never going to give it up?
Also, are you going to the open Ironheads/BCBL practice tonight?
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Gotcha. It’s looks like just a quick “throw a little bit to get back into playing shape” sort of thing. Apparently, Ogilvie Swatch is going to pitch. 6:00 at Glen Anderson Park if you’re at all interested.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Pujols owns Gallardo
14 for 27 with four home runs
Furcal 5 for 12 with two home runs
Holliday only 4 for 18 but that includes a triple and two home runs
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Weeks owns Carpenter
6 for 10, three home runs
Prince 8 for 26, two home runs
Braun
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Watching Kenley Jansen
was just a tad below Kemp and Kershaw this year. No matter what I was doing, I stopped to watch. Topping the all time K record helped make Sept even more enjoyable.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Middle name is Geronimo
Fuck Yeah, how have we not jumped on that.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 12, 2011 9:10 AM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
Geronimo, jumped. Rec.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 12, 2011 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Slow down there, chief.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Also, reminds me of the best part of Hot Shots, Part Deux (also, the only good part of Hot Shots, Part Deux).
“Geronimoooooooooo.”
“Geronimoooooooooo.”
“Meeeeeeeee.”
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
by Nolij on Oct 12, 2011 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think it should be recd, just to let everyone know that Ken
by NotJoeTorre on Oct 12, 2011 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions
With Tolleson and Ames on the horizon
Bullpen looking like a strength going forward
Not to mention when Withrow, Eovaldi, Martin, and Miller all become bullpen fodder.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
And Baez. /gscott
So it only makes sense that another bullpen arm is one of Ned’s stated priorities, although admittedly not a top one.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
What's Your Problem With Eovaldi As A Starter, Phil?
I saw your comment about how you will be disappointed if he opens the 2012 season as the #5 starter. I will be very disappointed if he does not.
by CanuckDodger on Oct 12, 2011 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions
I think he needs lots of work before I want him pitching every fifth day in a major league rotation. I don’t have a problem with him long term just think he was rushed this summer and I hope they don’t rush him next spring.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Eovaldi's MLB Start Was Better Than Billingsley's...
…when Billingsley was the same age. Neither Billingsley nor Kershaw were anything close to resembling polished when they started their MLB careers, but they were essentially allowed to complete their educations in the majors. I am in favour of the same thing happening with Eovaldi. I watched all of his starts. Hitters do not have comfortable at bats against him. It was the same way with Kershaw and Billingsley, which is what allowed them to have better ERA’s than one would think they would have had given their flaws.
by CanuckDodger on Oct 12, 2011 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions
Billingsley and Kershaw both had the stuff that made you think they’d be successful at some point. Eovaldi throws hard, but his location sucks and he will struggle to get passed the 5th inning if he doesn’t develop another pitch. I don’t think there’s anyway he starts as the #5 out of spring training unless he develops quickly in the offseason.
I don’t mind him starting the year in AAA, ready in case of an injury, but I’d prefer not to go in thinking he’ll be the #5 from the getgo.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Because ABQ is worse than both of them.
@TElciram
by Taylor Maricle on Oct 12, 2011 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Wet environments are actually worse
Water vapor is less dense than air.
@TElciram
by Taylor Maricle on Oct 12, 2011 12:53 PM PDT up reply actions
I hadn’t heard that before. doesn’t sound right. Not the water vapor part but the wet climates are worst for pitchers.
by NotJoeTorre on Oct 12, 2011 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Bingo. Kershaw and Bills had something other than a fastball to offer to major league hitters. Eovaldi flat out does not. His secondary stuff needs a ton of work for him to be successful at this level in a larger sample.
by UCLADodger32 on Oct 12, 2011 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Kershaw And Billingley Threw Hard But Their Location Sucked...
Kershaw had a breaking ball he couldn’t throw for strikes, just like Eovaldi, Billingsley had two breaking balls he couldn’t throw for strikes. None of the three had/have a workable change-up. Kershaw and Billingsley still don’t have change-ups they dare to throw more than once in a blue moon.
by CanuckDodger on Oct 12, 2011 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions
Billingsley threw about 6% changes this year, i think
It was actually used a decent amount.
@TElciram
by Taylor Maricle on Oct 12, 2011 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess we watched different games, I never got the feeling the hitters were having uncomfortable at bats against him. Looking at the numbers you have a point, watching them pitch, I disagree with your assessment. His ball had nothing like the movement Chad had back then, and the slider that was supposed to have been the difference maker this summer still looks like a work in progress.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Eovaldi's Fastball Doesn't Have The Lateral Movement That Gets A Lot Of K's
… but unlike Kershaw’s and Billingley’s fastballs, Eovaldi’s is “heavy.” His home run rate over his career has been phenomenal. In the games I saw, hitters rarely squared up his fastball for solid hits, even if they weren’t swinging and missing a lot.
by CanuckDodger on Oct 12, 2011 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions
You must have missed every appearance in Sept
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 12, 2011 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions
Eovaldi had a 25.5% line drive percentage. Kershaw’s highest percentage is 20.7% in his rookie year. Billingsley’s highest is 20.9% from this season. That’s a huge difference.
by UCLADodger32 on Oct 12, 2011 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions
What was it before he went to the bullpen? Every pitch he threw in relief was tagged, but we probably have to throw those out the window. He was probably mentally shut down when they took him out of the rotation. With SSS those relief appearances are probably wrecking havoc on him final numbers.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 12, 2011 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions
Exactly -- Eovaldi Looked Completely Different In The Bullpen
As a starter he was much better, which makes me all the more curious about the people pushing Eovaldi’s future as a reliever.
by CanuckDodger on Oct 12, 2011 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions
I’m not down on Eovaldi, I just want him to get better with his slider before he’s in the major league rotation. Sure he could be the fifth pitcher in the rotation right now, but I want better things from him, so I’d rather see him percolate a little more.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 12, 2011 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
No clue. And to be honest, I only saw one of his outings out of the pen. I just dont like his secondary stuff as it is and would rather see him develop it in the minors. His fastball has great velocity, is firm, and has nice sink. But that alone won’t allow him to be successful over a full season in the rotation.
by UCLADodger32 on Oct 12, 2011 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions
2012 is up in the air but 2013 ………..
Kershaw
Billingsley
Lilly
Rubby
Reed or Evoaldi or Withrow or Miller or Lee
Bullpen
Jansen
Javy
Elbert
Lindblom
Tolleson
Saint Claire
Martin
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
After the last few years, I refuse to forecast the members of the bullpen more than like a week in advance.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions
If Reed is up in 2013, he will have been extraordinary, and I’ll be thrilled. Though, I do expect him to be more Scott Elbert than Rubby.
Nah, he should be expected to move fast, he’s already 21, he should be with us by the time he’s 23.
Fangraphs thinks the Angels drafted him.
http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=sa578869&position=P
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
they have yet to figure out
that we switched affiliates.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
nice - lindblom
He finished his season with 22 strikeouts against just five walks in 17 innings over the final two months.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Baseball conversation this week has really shaped my lunch decisions
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 9:37 AM PDT up reply actions
I have had quite a urge for Pioneer Fried Chicken
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
There is a Popeye’s close by, if I want to relive the true Red Sox experience.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions
I’m dreaming of a tofu loaf infused with bacon grease.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
and thus ends the “Eric listens to TBLA comments for lunch recommendations” phase. :)
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions
This has long been rumored, but CBS Sports is reporting that when Jim Crane gets approved as the new Astros owner in November, the Astros will in fact move to the American League. I’m assuming the move would happen in 2013, since schedules are in place for 2012 already.
What division do they stick them in? The West needs the fifth team but you can’t have Houston in the AL West it was already absurd when they did that for the NL West in 69.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
With Texas already in the AL West, having Houston as well would make travel easier since you could swing both in a road trip. Plus, it’s not like travel is difficult.
Okay but that vertical line running down the middle of our Country says bullshit. I’m trying to teach kids geography using baseball and this just craps on the whole lesson plan.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Use the NFL instead
and watch their poor brains explode.
Yep
While the Pheonix/Arizona Cardinals were in the NFC East
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions
Not to mention Tampa Bay in the NFC Central and New Orleans also in the NFC West.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions
They should just get rid of the geographical portion of the league names. Then they could just sell out the league naming rights to corporations. The Arizona Diamondbacks would be the champions of the “N And Out Burger Division”.
He should take a trip to the Grand Canyon, pose for a picture near a cliff edge, and move back, back, back, back, back…
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 11:09 AM PDT up reply actions
I literally just found out by reading this that he hasn’t been saying “Norris Division” this entire time.
Agreed
I loved his witty nicknames back then like George "Taco Bell, et al.
Note: I still love Bert “Be Home” Blyleven and Eric “Sleeping With” Bienemy.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions
I think that we can file this under “amusing enough.”
When it became enough of a thing that he became famous for it, and he started stretching to make some of the references work, it ceased being amusing, and, retroactively, made the references that had been amusing into utter annoyances.
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 12, 2011 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions
Actually I think he has been saying Norris. An homage to the former NHL division.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions
Ah…I figured as much, just thought it was the other spelling.
either way, he can suck it.
I called him at home once to renew a donation for a charity I used to work for. His wife was really sweet. She gave me his office number. He had the worst voicemail ever.
Hello?…
Hello?….
Heeellllllooooo….
HELLO?!
What?!
No I am not home right now, leave a message after the
…Beep…
You’ve reached the voicemail of Chris “Boomer” Berman. I’m not home right now because I’m slumming it with Steve “Ten Piece” McNair, Trent “Open” Green, Peyton “For This Haircut” Manning, Jamal “These People In My Car” Lewis, Priest “Heading” Holmes, Clinton “Sailing Into The” Portis, Marvin “No I Will Not S” Harrison, “Hanging” Chad Johnson, Hines “Psych” Ward, Derrick “Roll” Mason, Tony “The Tiger” Gonzalez, Todd “Herdings” Heap, Dwight “No Such Thing As A” Freeney, Ray “Of Sunshine” Lewis, Ed “Assassin’s” Reed, Ty “Make The” Law, Brett FAVRUH, Daunte “’s Inferno” CulpepBEEP
Then again it is Texas and they should have been their own country in the first place.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
if the USA had taken all of mexico
instead of just the northern part, we coudl expand with a couple more teams down into mexico. A shame.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Rangers are already there
so why not? Especially since they want to foster a rivalry with the Rangers.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Isn’t it less than 100 miles east of Arlington?
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 12, 2011 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions
the leagues are currently unbalanced
this will ballance them.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
You know the answer, just don’t want to hear it.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
on a semi-related note
I was laughing last night at all the bunting. People here (reg?) were talking about that: “Oh my god, it’s the playoffs—let’s bunt!” Totally happened last night.
more interleague
which is somehow going to ruin the game except it won’t.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
It likely won’t necessarily be more interleague, just that there will be interleague play just about every day (certain Mondays and Thursdays will be off days, I’m sure).
Likely one interleague weekend (where everyone plays) and a few mid-week series will be whacked in favor of spreading it out over the year. But I would imagine each team will still play between 15-18 interleague games.
I haven’t thought much about the schedule breakdown with six 5-team divisions though.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions
Just throwing out some schedule scenarios
13 games against other 4 teams in your division (52)
9 games against other 10 teams in your league, not in your division (90)
4 interleague games against 5 teams in a set division (20)
or…
18 games against other 4 teams in your division (72)
6 games against 5 teams in other division in your league (30)
9 games against 5 teams in other division in your league (45)
3 interleague games against 5 teams in a set division (15)
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions
I hope MLB ditches the “natural rivals” aspect of interleague play and allows for a rotation of divisions, but I don’t suspect that will happen.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions
9 9 9 plan
9 teams
9 innings
9 players
The other 21 teams can GFT.
by kinbote on Oct 12, 2011 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
There could be more 4-day series. As an extreme example that would provide even better balance:
18 games against other 4 teams in your division (72)
7 games against 5 teams in other division in your league (35)
7 games against 5 teams in other division in your league (35)
4 interleague games against 5 teams in a set division (20)
Rangers lineup - Matt Harrison pitching
Kinsler 2B
Andrus SS
Hamilton CF
Young 1B
Beltre 3B
Napoli C
Cruz RF
Murphy LF
Torrealba DH
it is kind of wierd. What happens if Napoli gets hurt and Torrealba has to catch? Do they lose their DH and the pitcher has to hit? How does that rule work in the AL?
They dumped Treanor at the beginning of the series for another reliever.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions
Guess they figured another reliever was more valuable than planning for the unlikely event Napoli gets hurt.
I’m for it.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 12, 2011 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions
I had forgotten his name
Yoshinori Tateyama, the reliever they added
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions
Then playing one at C and one at DH seems a little risky. They did it last night too, but switched the two. Seems smarter to play Napoli at 1B and DH Young if you do this. But maybe MY is hot stuff with the glove at 1B? Anyways, wierd.
MY is probably their backup for 3 other defensive positions
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
Mister Misty May?
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Oct 12, 2011 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
At least in the Division Series they were carrying three catchers.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 12, 2011 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions
Epstein was reportedly making $1.5m per year with Boston
Now…per Heyman:
can confirm epstein has deal in place with #cubs. believed to be worth $15M over 3 yrs plus $3.5M "transfer buyout’’
Dayyyyyyuummmmmm
Whack Vernon Wells, trade Soriano to the Angels.
Wheres my 18.5 million?
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 12, 2011 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Cubs are instantly a great storyline for 2012. Really curious to see what he does. NL Central suddenly a glamour division.
He’ll buy either Pujols or Prince. What a genius.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
“Spend money on good players” eluded Jim Hendry for years.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 12, 2011 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions
In a shocking swerve it turns out Adrian Gonzalez, Dustin Pedroia and Jon Lester are under contract to play on Theo Epstein’s team.
Then Epstein would hit John Henry with a steel chair.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 12, 2011 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions
It would be funny if the compensation that the Red Sox are reportedly asking for Epstein’s contracted last year (next year) included, as well as cash, a rookie executive in the front office. Say, a junior PR guy, or a sabremetrician to be named later.
Turns out the deal is for five years, not three. Still nice coinage.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions
Astro’s seem about as ill equipped to join the DH as any team in baseball.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
They could re-sign Carlos Lee.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 12, 2011 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions
Forgot they had him, I guess we know who their DH is going to be for a while
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 12, 2011 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions
good times
During one stretch from 2005 through 2007 . . . the Dodgers dropped 20 of 21 interleague road games. Their designated hitters batted .177 during that span as opposed to a .293 average for their AL opponents.
LA Times
Don't know if this was mentioned
Tony Jackson said Jansen/Guerra is a better 1-2 than Kuo/Broxton at their best. He didn’t have anything to back it up, so I guess it was just an opinion.
Thoughts?
Jansen can match up with Kuo or Broxton at their best, you can’t even say that with Javy and know what you are talking about.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 12, 2011 10:12 AM PDT up reply actions
So my opinion is that Tony does not know what he’s talking about.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 12, 2011 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions
If Guerra is still being used in high leverage situations by the end of the year I’ll be shocked. He allows a lot of flyballs and has one of the worst strikeout rates for anyone that collected saves this year.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 12, 2011 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions
I wouldn’t be shocked to see Lindblom in the 8th inning role by June, with Kenley closing.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
He finished his season with 22 strikeouts against just five walks in 17 innings over the final two months.
Watch me all in flames, on a butterfly I ride
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. In sports, statistics are great for comparing players over a given period of time or by evaluating what a player has done up until a certain point of their careers. But it’s the eyes that must be trusted when trying to determine future success and value. For it’s the eyes that will tell you if someone has adjusted or not far before the sample size is big enough to prove so.
If he starts out hot, why not. He’s a relief pitcher.
The only guys I can confidently say will be around at this time next year are Jansen and Guerrier, and Guerriers only there because he has to be. Someone’s gonna suck early and banished for a while, some no name will surprise us only to disappear a year later, someone’s going to get hurt, etc.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 12, 2011 10:42 AM PDT up reply actions
Not sure Jansen can improve any more and not explode into a fireball
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 12, 2011 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
ROFL
And yet, such an apt description.
by The Dude Abides on Oct 12, 2011 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Broxton at his best is beter than Guerra, and IMO Kuo at his best is at least the equivalent of Jansen right now, so I guess I am saying I do not agree. If Jansen actually improves from already being as great as he now is, it gets closer.
In a year that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened
Early 2010 Broxton > Jansen
IMO. 3 ER’s in three months.
@TElciram
by Taylor Maricle on Oct 12, 2011 12:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Jackson said Kenley/Javy is the best since Gagne/Mota.
by silverwidow on Oct 12, 2011 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions
Howell/Pena
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
they havent played long enough for tony to develop a personal grudge against them
by hee came hee seop'd he choi'd on Oct 12, 2011 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions
No wonder he works so quickly, he can’t afford to have long innings.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 12, 2011 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
If the Tigers had wilted down the stretch, then Detroit.com would totally have published a hit piece that said OMG VERLANDER EATS TACO BELL THE NIGHT BEFORE HE STARTS NO WONDER THE TEAM COLLAPSED
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 12, 2011 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions
Verlander is a closet silverwidow fan. :)
by silverwidow on Oct 12, 2011 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions
"Hey, Winston Churchill, how many times has Humma Kavula eaten at Taco Bell in his entire life?"
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 12, 2011 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
???
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 12, 2011 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions
I wouldn’t worry about it, Michael is in charge of those.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 12, 2011 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Tigers lineup - weather permitting, with Porcello on the mound
Jackson CF
Raburn RF
Cabrera 1B
Martinez DH
Young LF
Avila C
Peralta SS
Santiago 2B
Inge 3B
true enough.
I’ve been cuising for the last 2 weeks or so.
What is your lean today?
I can’t believe that Carpenter and the Red Birds are only -150 right now.
I took
Cardinals and both unders on the run totals. I’m a little hesitant on my run total picks but what the hey. Hoping the soggy weather dampens the bats a little in the first game.
Holy cannoli. Did anyone here know that the Merkin actually pitched in the bigs for Texas this year? That guy is going to get some amount of a playoff share and possibly a ring. Wow.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
I knew he was added to the roster in September, but completely forgot after that.
by Eric Stephen on Oct 12, 2011 10:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Shaikin article on morning's hearings
Shaikin: If this is how testy a minor hearing gets, how nasty will it get when Selig and McCourt take witness stand? http://lat.ms/nvdgd6
In the news
1. Dude has a Ferrari F50. It gets stolen.
2. The Feds recover it.
3. While the Ferrari is in government custody, an FBI agent and a federal prosecutor go all Ferris Bueller’s Day Off in the recovered car.
4. They total it.
5. Dude’s insurance company sues, pretty much on the grounds of WTF?!
6. Federal judge says, “Tough shit, the government is immune from lawsuits when the property is in the possession of law enforcement.”
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 12, 2011 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions
7. Federal judge seen driving Ferrari.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
“Whacha gonna do, pal? I GOT IMMUNITY!” (Rear ends an ambulance, then runs over old lady and tiny babies and puppies)
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 12, 2011 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions
Whoa
This kind of stat kind of jumps out at you. Per Evan Grant:
Worth noting: The Rangers have not lost consecutive games since August 24-25.
Two AL teams have lost a seven game LCS after being up 2-0
1985 Toronto Blue Jays (to KC in 7 games)
2004 Boston Red Sox (to NY in 7 games)
I may have miscounted but at least 8 or 9 AL teams didn’t blow a 2-0 lead.
by bhsportsguy on Oct 12, 2011 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions
18-3 overall. Though they do tend to lose game three a lot.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 12, 2011 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions
You have ’04 backwards. The Yankees blew the 2-0 lead.
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 12, 2011 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Yep
sorry, must have been the chicken and beer I had for breakfast
by bhsportsguy on Oct 12, 2011 11:39 AM PDT up reply actions
basically
he out WARd the whole team (non pitching WAR)
by MammothDodger on Oct 12, 2011 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions
And the Dodgers and the Giants are mostly the only teams in recent memory to have "Best player in the league, complete shit after that’
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
by regfairfield on Oct 12, 2011 11:26 AM PDT up reply actions
This means that Kemp is the first player since Piazza in 1997 to outscore all of his teammates (non-pitchers) in WAR.
Meercat
remember last year when Kemp was at 10% Pecota (I think it was 10%), this year he shattered 90% Pecota.
by bhsportsguy on Oct 12, 2011 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions
Yup
Next year he should be right at 50%:)
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 12, 2011 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions
All depends on what Pecota spits out.
My proprietary system, MORENO, has Kemp hitting .197/.222/1.291 next year. Sorry, I can’t reveal my formulas. They are proprietary.
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 12, 2011 11:43 AM PDT up reply actions
BIANCALANA
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
I also like how he’ll average 6+ bases per hit.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
VOLUME!
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 12, 2011 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Baseball Intelligence As Nolij Calculates (Actually Logic And Nonsense Amalgamated)
or perhaps
Approximate Utitility Someone Made Up Stupidly
or
Arbitrary Projections Picked Inducing Erroneous Results
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
by Nolij on Oct 12, 2011 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
here is to hoping that Matt Kemp is not on the even / odd plan.
2006 – .737
2007 – .894
2008 – .799
2009 – .842
2010 – .760
2011 – .986
Still waiting for him to break an OPS of .800 in an even year.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 12, 2011 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Anyone remember how Loney and Kemp had almost the same OPS+ headed into 2011?
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 12, 2011 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions
In retro it is easy to understand why Pecota was proprietary, even Nate didn’t understand how he did by the time he left it in the interns hands.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 12, 2011 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions
lesson learned
from this is that Matt Kemp could be the only non pitcher on the team and we’d be a better team than if we had the rest of the team minus him. He’d have a lot of ground to cover being the only fielder on the team and when he batted and got on base they’d have to have a ghost runner for him. “Ghost runner on first! Oh yeah, the ghost runner just swiped second base on y’all.”
I like the second comment.
Article: OMG Matt Kemp
Response: Yeah, but you measured it in WAR, and WAR sucks, so how do I know if he was good or not?
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Oct 12, 2011 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions
Even that lineup will pound Matt Harrison today.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 12, 2011 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Ran out of money, concentrated on the Card/Brewer game.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
by Phil Gurnee on Oct 12, 2011 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Oblique Obliue-Oblique Oblique?
Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
badger badger badger badger badger badger badger badger
mush-ROOM mush-ROOM!!
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 12, 2011 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Rockies today claimed Andrew Brown from the Cardinals. This Andrew Brown is an outfielder though, and not the pitcher who was traded for Milton Bradley twice.
When I saw that
I thought, man he is still in the league. Too bad.
by bhsportsguy on Oct 12, 2011 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions
Cardinals figure out the ultimate way to troll the Brewers, Jeff Suppan is throwing out the first pitch tonight.
Minor League Central @mlcentral @andrewngrant
“Here’s Suppan throwing out the cerimonial first pitch, and it is lined INTO LEFT FIELD. GET UP!! GET UP!! GET OUT OF HERE AND GOOOONNNNNEEEE!!!! NO ONE WAS EVEN SWINGING AND SUPPAN GIVES UP A HOME RUN!!!”
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Oct 12, 2011 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions
For Breaking Bad fans, Vince Gilligan is going through each episode for the AV Club and explaining stuff. He’s on part three right now (I think episodes 8-10, but I haven’t read it yet).
Cool stuff.
taking no chances after the NY clusterfword?
by NotJoeTorre on Oct 12, 2011 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Closer Ryan Madson’s(notes) contract is up. Amaro said the team wants him back, and would sign a veteran closer if Madson goes elsewhere.It would be funny if they signed Broxton.
Follow @DavidYoungTBLA
- The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Game Thread Up
Damn rain
http://www.truebluela.com/2011/10/12/2486050/alcs-game-four-game-thread
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
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