Thursday Applesauce

by Eric Simon on Nov 20, 2008 10:57 AM EST in Applesauce

In Arizona:

Eddie Kunz, ruff as always, allowed two runs on a walk and three hits -- including a grand slam -- in just two-thirds of an inning.

In the Dominican Republic:

Fernando Martinez went 0-for-4, and is a total bum.
Argenis Reyes went 0-for-3.
Fernando Tatis went 2-for-4 with two doubles, a run scored and a run batted in.

In Puerto Rico:

Nick Evans went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
Brahiam Maldonado went 0-for-1 as a pinch-hitter.
Jesus Feliciano went 2-for-4 with a walk, a triple, and two runs scored.

Daniel Murphy will have an MRI taken on his right knee today, of which he has experienced discomfort in since November 11.

At MetsGeek, Dan Scotto takes a peek at the Mets' 2009 schedule, looking for interesting stretches and potential bumps in the road.

Mike Mussina appears headed for retirement. Since 1954 he is 15th in wins, 18th in strikeouts, and 8th in strikeout-to-walk ratio (among pitchers with at least 100 starts). He has been a very, very good pitcher for a really long time. If he isn't a Hall of Famer, he's really, really close.

At Baseball Prospectus, Joe Sheehan breaks down the BBRAA awards voting, chastising where appropriate.

At Sabernomics, JC Bradbury puts a dollar value on Derek Lowe. Agent Scott Boras is reportedly looking for a "Zito-type" deal. The annual salary might not be far off (~$18 million a year), but you'd have a tough time finding someone willing to give a soon-to-be 36-year-old a seven-year deal.

The Red Sox' surplus of outfielders led to Coco Crisp being traded to the Royals yesterday in exchange for reliever Ramon Ramirez. Beyond the Boxscore breaks it down. FanGraphs does, too.

Also at BtB, Sky Kalkman thinks the time may be right for the Rays to trade Scott Kazmir, and Peter Bendix continues his series on the history of the NL and AL.

At The Hardball Times, David Gassko follows up on last week's article about whether experience makes any difference to playoff success.

The 30% of sale at the MLB shop has been extended through today. No coupon code necessary.

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Eddie Kunz

Poor kid has been about as ruff as you can get this winter. I’m glad he’s feeling so chipper about it.

So the Hall of Fame might have one hell of a pitching class to vote on in five years – Mussina, maybe Glavine and Maddux, possibly but not likely Smoltz. If those last three do indeed retire, does this somehow (in the minds of sportswriters) hurt Mussina’s chances on the first ballot? My guess is that it does.

'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Nov 20, 2008 11:14 AM EST reply actions

Mussina

I generally lean towards him going into the Hall, but there’s no way he goes in on the first ballot, as all the writers will compare him to his contemporaries and (rightly) realize he was never nearly as good as Pedro, Maddux, or Randy Johnson. I do think Moose will eventually end up in Cooperstown (preferably wearing an Orioles hat).

This is a big, big blow for the Yankees. They’ve lost the only good starting pitcher they had last year, and their 2nd-best hitter (Giambi) is almost certainly gone. Yeah, they’ll make some big moves, but they’re starting at a pretty big disadvantage relative to TB, Boston, and even Toronto.

Vote change: DePodesta/Acta in 2009!!!

by Greenpoint Ian on Nov 20, 2008 11:58 AM EST up reply actions

They'll be fine

The Skanks now have more opportunity to do this:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/27656

'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Nov 20, 2008 12:11 PM EST up reply actions

I remember reading that article, and it's still funny

But a Yankees jersey photoshopped onto Mike Piazza makes me throw up in my mouth a little

by JoshNY on Nov 20, 2008 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

Couple thoughts...

I’m glad the 2009 schedule doesn’t have long roadtrips crammed very close to each other like they were in 2008… two West Coast trips, one in May, one in August.

If the Rays want to deal Kazmir, I’d be happy to take him back.

by JoshNY on Nov 20, 2008 11:16 AM EST reply actions

I'd give them Heilman

straight up for Kaz. That’s more than they gave us…bastards.

by cjmulrain on Nov 20, 2008 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

sheenan's article is excellent

its a shame so few will be able to read the whole thing because its subscribers only. i especially like his point about how the BWAA is really the BRAA, as in reporters, not writers, since so many of the members are clearly looking at who had the best narrative or story lead than at who was objectively most qualified for the post season awards when they do their voting. and this distinction leads to some embarrassing decisions, most notably by those who voted Edison Volquez for ROY. sheenan calls these people toolsheds. nice.

by kendynamo on Nov 20, 2008 12:29 PM EST reply actions

Not to flog a dead horse

But I hope he gave some props to Nats beat writer Rich Campbell for leaving Howard off of his ballot. I continue to enjoy the unusual aggravation some Phils fans have taken from that.

'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Nov 20, 2008 12:53 PM EST up reply actions

Zito-like Deal

Not sure you ever want to utter the words “Zito” and your player’s name in the same sentence ever.

The 2008 NY Mets: Pedro hurt already. Delgado still sucks. Mets still can't beat the Braves. Beltran only plays 6 innings. WTF with Pelfrey?? Mets win 60 in a row. Freakin' Wagner. PLAYOFFS, NO WAY?!

by ZaBlanc on Nov 20, 2008 12:34 PM EST reply actions

If you're an agent...

It’s probably satisfactory enough to be able to say “My client is making as much money as Barry Zito.”

by JoshNY on Nov 20, 2008 12:36 PM EST up reply actions

Except maybe:

“My guy? Oh man, [free agent pitcher] is not even close to the crap-shack that is Barry Zito. He just wants that kind of money.”

I agree, though, that, given how spectacularly that deal has failed thus far, I’m surprised Boras would want to remind Lowe’s potential suitors about his other client, Barry Zito.

'Catsmeat!' he cried. 'I see it all. It was that chump, Catsmeat.'

by Catsmeat Potter-Pirbright on Nov 20, 2008 12:56 PM EST up reply actions