Friday, August 1, 2008

Deal or no Deal?

Okay, so we stand pat. Not Lilpat. I don't disagree with the decision from one perspective -- which is making a deal for the sake of making a deal at the deadline. I think we'll still add some depth but am glad the core is intact for the stretch because I think this team likes playing together.

Manny to the Dodgers. Odd. Both LA teams seem to stockpile outfielders.

Now that Mojo is a centerfielder fan...let's talk about that. RJE is our best player. Between these two guys we are looking at 18 homers and 80 rbi's. Leads the team. I'd still take Nate McClouth if we could steal him from the Pirates because he's going to a long term stud in CF...but I don't think they'll give him up until he's in a contract year.

Great pitching in the "Wrigley North" series -- if we can keep THAT up, we're in good shape. I forgive Scott Eyre the bad outing yesterday as he hasn't been in a game in a while and the Brewers had to be thrilled to see "anybody else."

I'm glad we kept Eyre, Cotts and Marshall -- in the long, hot summer it will be good to have three lefties in the pen, and Marshall can always spot start if needed.

I know the Red Sox just dumped a head case, but does anyone else think that they got a whole bunch less scary? I don't think they'll make the playoffs this year. Neither will the Dodgers. Lose/Lose?

These quality starts are going to give our bully a much needed rest, and that will help a lot in August and September. Howry will be fine -- yes, he throws fastballs, but they MOVE when he's right, and he's not right when you pitch him too much. He can go a few days in a row...but still needs a break every now and again. Get off his back. His stats are still skewed by a shitty first two months. He's still one of the best inning 7 men around.

What's wrong with Harden? Only 9 strikeouts yesterday.

Thought for the day. If we make -- check that -- when we make the World Series...should we hold Zambrano for game three so that he can bat? It's a HUGE advantage for us having him in the lineup in the national league games. Do you go Harden, Dempster in the AL park and Big Z, Lilly at home? I would -- it's a nice edge to have. Thoughts? Or am I retarded?

Blog is late today because I didn't get home until after 1am last night and I just didn't feel like firing up the old "computing machine" early today. Sorry.

More later, perhaps...or maybe just pithy comments in response to your pithy comments. And no, I don't type with a lisp.

JS

5 comments:

69 fan said...

Bosox may still make playoffs, but are a lesser team than they were yesterday. Lose/lose

Pirates now should suck shit. No excuse for not sweeping.

Need to give R. Harden more rest, lowish K number noted.

Agree with Z batting in possible WS. IQ check at least adequate.

We've had a habit over the last decade of beating the good teams and not beating the weaker ones. Need to reverse that trend.

Eamus Catuli.

Anonymous said...

I cannot see the Red Sox ending this season ahead of the Rays (did I just say THAT?) and the resurgent and improved Yankees.

7 innings and 105 pitches is perfect for Harden. I'll take that every game.

Anonymous said...

Don't count out the BoSox...or the White Sox. The Angels are clearly the class of the AL, but Jason Bay isn't THAT much of a downgrade, and is a bunch less carcinogenic in the clubhouse. I like the White Sox pick up of Griffey, but Kenny Williams annoys me byy thinking he can play CF becasue its "the easiest." This guy is a big league GM.

Standing Pat was the right thing to do. If you have a major injury to a run producer (DLee, Aramis, Fonzy) you can still pick up Bonds in a pinch.

Unrelated. How fun will it be to watch the Dodgers now, with the 2 least happy big leaguers on the planet in the same dugout. Can't wait for the first back-to-back strikeouts of Kent and Manny. These guys HATE anyone thats another color to begin with, this is a highly enriched uranium-type situation that I believe we can all enjoy. My guess is that they'll be scuffling Big Z/Barrett style before September 1st.

Of course you throw Z in game 1, in case there is a game 7, you can use him again. Don't be ridiculous. Z in game 1, Harden, Dempster, repeat.

Anonymous said...

"We've had a habit over the last decade of beating the good teams and not beating the weaker ones."

Anonymous said...

this is a major second guess...but pinch hitting for Edmonds right there was stupid. He's a power hitter who has been facing lefties his entire career. He can tie the game there. Johnson is a singles hitter anyway. Terrible decision. Terrible.

I hate the "you must bat a right vs a lefty" mentality. Unless it's Kosuke...