Dodgers Get Maddux
The LA Times is reporting that the Dodgers have aquired Greg Maddux from the Padres. There is no word yet on what the Padres will get in return. I don’t see any word from any other website but since ESPN is posting it, it’s probably legit. It seems Estes and Tomko are headed to Portland to make their final rehab starts so this would be the right time, I guess. I hate this move, I wanted Maddux to finish in a Padre Uniform. Unless we get something outrageous from the Dodgers, I’m going to be so pissed.
Upcoming Cardinals Staff
Here’s a thought that could be frightening for the National League Central.
Mark Mulder will be back with the Cardinals this month. Provided Mulder comes back at something approaching 100%, the starting rotation in late May or early June could be:
Mulder
Wainwright
Lohse
Looper
Pineiro
Chris Carpenter is expected back in July. Even if that’s delayed, the August staff could look like this:
Carpenter
Mulder
Wainwright
Lohse
Looper/Pineiro
The #5 spot would be a toss-up, though Looper is pitching more consistently than Pineiro at this point.
All this discounts the Cardinal debut of Matt Clement. He may find his way to the team this month, as well. At 87-86 career, I think he’d need to pitch extremely well to find a spot in the rotation, especially after Carpenter’s return. The “bubble” pitchers would clearly be Looper and Pineiro. Looper has been pretty consistent in April, and Pineiro has improved with each start.
It’s interesting how different either rotation looks at the end of April than it looked before the season started. Given the 18-win month, they certainly look much more formidable.
The Cardinals’ April
For the first time in their history, the Cardinals won 18 games in April, capping the month with an afternoon 5-2 victory over Cincinnati. This from a team that everyone had written off as destined for the middle or lower middle of the National League Central.
The pitching has been much more solid than anyone would have guessed, and the offense has been pretty consistent, as well. Adam Wainwright has filled the ace niche nicely. Kyle Lohse has been equally strong. It looks like even Joel Pineiro is coming around, after a great performance last night. And, with the afternoon victory, Braden Looper leads the staff in wins with 3.
I think there’s still some room to go with the offense, but it’s not done too poorly to this point. Collectively, the Cardinals hitters are in the top five in the National League in four categories: OBP (.371, 1st), AVG (.275, 4th), R (130, 4th), and OPS (.782, 5th). Albert has shown less power a month into the season, but he’s hitting for average and driving in runs (.365, 20 RBI). The real spark-plugs have been Skip Schumaker (.317 Avg, .400 OBP, .436 SLG) and Rick Ankiel (.290 Avg, 16 RBI, .520 SLG). Troy Glaus has also been lacking the expected power, but is still productive (.345 OBP, .410 SLG, 21 RBI).
So, it’s been an unexpected April. The overachieving pitching staff and the power-short but RBI-consistent offense have made for a strong, strong month.
And, May starts with the Cubs in town - the longest and best rivalry in baseball, bar none.
What’s in a Slump
(Via The Perfect Game.)
Almost a month into the 2008 season, there are some players who aren’t exactly living up to expectations. Here in Kansas City the talk is about the futility of Jose Guillen, who signed a contract for 3 years, $36 million. He was supposed to bring a proven productive veteran presence to the Roayls’ lineup, but so far, his bat has been absent. It’s still early in the season, so there is still plenty of time for an offensive turnaround.
He’s not the only slugger who has started the season with less than stellar results. ESPN.com has a good article here that lists a slumping player at every position from around the league. I was surprised at some of the names in that group. Coincidentally, over half of the players listed had new big-money deals during the off-season.
It’s hard to say how a slump begins, but whatever the cause, they can easily and quickly snowball. The harder you try to hit, the harder it becomes. The same goes for pitching or fielding. Baseball can sometimes be counter-intuitive that way. This phenomenon is usually referred to as “pressing.”
Full story here.
No Comment Necessary
(Via D.C. Baseball.)
I’d make a gravitational force joke, but that’s too easy.
I do believe they miss Dmitri Young. I believe he could provide an occasional spark if given a chance to start in left field. In all my years in Washington, Young is the only player who makes a difference just by his presence alone.
You might’ve missed it, but Dmitri did play some left in spring training. Here’s a picture of him ranging
Laffey Up to Start vs Yankees Tpnight
(Via Indians Confidential.)
CLEVELAND, OH — The Cleveland Indians today announced the club has recalled LHP AARON LAFFEY from the AAA Buffalo Bisons. To allow room for Laffey on the Major League roster the Indians optioned OF BRAD SNYDER to AAA Buffalo.
Laffey was the Buffalo opening day starter after being optioned out of spring training on March 24 after competing for a spot in the rotation and won 3 of his 5 starts in Buffalo. At Buffalo he went 3-1 w/a 2.77ERA in 5 starts (26.0IP, 24H, 9R/8ER, 6BB, 20K, 1HR, .238 avg) and over his last 3 starts he was 2-0 w/a 1.20 ERA (15.0IP, 7H, 2R/ER, 4BB, 13K, .127AVG against). He will make his first Major League start of 2008 vs. the New York Yankees tonight. He wears #32. Laffey, the club’s 16th round pick in the 2003 draft, won 4 of his 6 Major League decisions last year and was the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
Snyder returns to Buffalo after being recalled yesterday.
Adam “Bazooka” Jones
(Via JV Sports.)
In case you read yesterday and didn’t believe me… I’m serious about this Adam “Bazooka Jones” movement. In an effort to spread the word, MY new persona will be the same. It fits me in a way, and if that’s not enough for you to know my alter-ego, okay.
Lineup Creativity
(Via C70 At The Bat.)
I don’t think very many people have accused Tony LaRussa of not being creative and open to new ideas. I mean, we’ve got the pitcher batting eighth, redefining the way relief pitchers are used, stuff like that. And now, he’s showing that he’s not bound by convention with his leadoff man. Tonight’s lineup, via Bernie:
Ludwick 9
Ankiel 8
Pujols 3
Duncan 9
Glaus 5
Molina 2
Kennedy 4
Wellemeyer 1
Izturis 6
Now, when I think of Ryan Ludwick, “leadoff” is not exactly what comes to mind. Like I pointed out in my main post today, he’s got good numbers against Arroyo so I figured he’d be in the lineup, but wow. I’d almost have thought TLR would have sat Ankiel and let Skip lead off, but Rick has shown a little life lately with a hit on Saturday and two walks yesterday.
And apparently Glaus is going to wear some special glasses tonight. Hopefully they’ll work, but if not, don’t be surprised if he comes out after an at-bat or two and Ryan replaces him.
Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, surprises can still come your way. Let’s see if this revamped lineup can get some runs on the board early.
Game 25: Gamethread #2
(Via South Side Sox.)
Lots of baserunners, none have crossed the plate yet though…
Dodger Thoughts: The Long View
(Via Dodger Thoughts.)
My most devastating breakup occurred eight days after the 1994 baseball strike began (with the Dodgers trapped in first place in the National League West) and barely a year after I had turned my life over for the second time to reinvent my career. I was feeling mighty low.
