2006 MLB Season - Page 7

God DAMN that was an amazing display by the Dodgers last night.

David Ortiz hit his 51st homer tonight. Awesome. From ESPN:

"The only other player to hit his 51st homer at Fenway Park was Mickey Mantle, who did it exactly 50 years before Ortiz."

I LOVE stats like this. Fascinating. Just like the "Elias Says" articles on ESPN.

My thing is, how does he go from a guy that can't hit 90 on the gun on the Pirates, to a guy thats hitting 94-96 consistantly and finding the plate for the Mets?

Perhaps the Pirates just don't know what they're doing.

As for Xavier Nady being a "big part" ...

307/368/440 from a corner outfield spot with no glove at all... I don't find that to be all that impressive in the least (if you notice, thats what our backup outfielder Endy Chavez is putting up, and he plays stellar defense), and quite frankly, thats his ceiling. Also, lets not forget that Perez is still under contract for at least another year.

You don't give up on young fireballing lefthanders. The Mets, it seems, have finally learned that lesson.

I suppose it would help to know how he pitched for the Pirates.

The reason I'm excited is that he found his stuff.

I feel weird even saying this, but you have to look passed the numbers because there is always context. When he was down, and he was down for quite some time, he lost a ton off of his fastball. In fact, that was the most glaring thing. Heres a kid that struck out 200+ with mid 90s stuff one year and his fastball was suddenly topping out in the high 80s? Couple that with the mechanical issues he was fighting while a member of the Pirates, and the reasons for his lack of production begin to take shape.

Then he comes to the Mets and is maintaining an impressive K/9 (10.54) and has magically regained his velocity?

I look at Oliver Perez as a project, but a project with a ridiculous upside whose already shown me some promise. The thing about the Pirates moving him is, they still had control over him for at least another year, he wasn't getting paid a ton, and if all they could get is Xavier Nady... why even bother? Perez is a low risk gamble, his value is at an all time low, why cut and run? Especially when your team has no shot at the postseason anyway.

Indeed. Perez has the luxury of being the Mets' prospective ninth starter or so. They have plenty of time to develop him, as he's still young and still talented. As long as Rick Petersen doesn't decalre he can fix him in "ten minutes".

Giradi 0% chance to coach Marlins next year
What does this owner want? Giradi almost made the wild card with guys just up from AAA.

I'm thinking he'll be on the Northside next year.

If there's any justice in baseball, he will. Bittersweet from my perspective. Would've liked for him to succeed Torre.

I don't really trust him yet either. However I agree with Monk he has major upside and giving up Nady wasn't really a hell of alot seeing they had Miledge and the went out and got Green. Green's big salary really isnt a issue for the Mets because they dont mind spending cash. So they replaced Nady and took a chance on a guy with talent when their pitching staff was in shambles hopefully he can give them some quality innings.

Thats a bloody shame. He did a fantastic job for them. Someone should fire the owner its brutal how he dismantled the Marlins to save a few bucks.

The funny thing about Green's salary is, the Mets are only paying something like half of it.

At first the prospect of that trade bugged me, but as time passed, and I realized that Green only had one more year left, I understood that he was little more than a security blanket.

I wouldn't be surprised if one of the Mets' two other big time OF prospects (Guerra, Martinez) takes his job this time next season.

As for the Pirates perspective on the Perez deal, I'd buy the "bad clubhouse presence" far more than anything that has to do with how talented Xavier Nady is. Hes, at best, an average corner outfield bat that can't play a lick of defense.

The Pirates could have found that from within their organization, without having to give up on Perez in the process.

You know whats odd? Everytime I hear about Trevor Hoffman's latest achievements, he just finds a way to blow an enormous game that puts things right back into perspective.

Am I the only one who notices this?

Yeah Huff has sucked it up but you're still the guy who says 22 HR's and 92 RBI's is "crap". And how about Huff's fielding % as a 3rd baseman? For a guy that's a "shitty" fielder his fielding % is certainly pretty idenitical to Joe Crede, the "gold glove fielder".

Fielding Percentage doesn't mean everything.

I mean, a good case in point is Barry Bonds. Heres a guy with a .989 Fielding Percentage, and I don't think anyone would say that Barry Bonds is a great defender at this point in his career. So why is Bonds' Fielding Percentage so high anyway (#6 in the National League), especially for a guy that hobbles all over the field?

Thats just it, his lack of range has almost no bearing on his Fielding Percentage.

There are far better stats out there to use, please use them (Hint: Zone Rating).

I hear where you're coming from and you're right, zone range factor definitely separates a great defensive player from a good one. I'd even put more stock into it then someone's fielding %, which can be a misleading stat but more so towards outfielders. Fielding % for infielders is probably one of the three main statistics (along with the RF and ZR) that should be considered when talking about an infielders defensive capabilities. But, don't try to make it out that it's meaningless because of a 40 year old Barry Bonds.

Yeah, maybe. Jackass!

Lidge pitching the 6th? I missed alot. Thought he was done as closer but atleast worth a 8th inning slot.

As for the playoffs it should be interesting if one of the smaller market/payroll teams of Detroit, Oakland, or Minnesota can knock off the Yankees. I just hope Arod gets the at bat to decide it.

Shocking that the Phillies are still in it after Abreau left. I just hope the Dodgers make it. I'd like to see Maddux and Nomar in the playoffs.

So is anyone else rooting for the Cards collapse? It's mind boggling that the Astros suck for 4/5 of the year again and still have a shot. 4 games over .500 is leading the division.

And with no Pedro anyone can win the NL for the right to lose to the AL. I'm sure Fox is hoping for Yankees/Dodgers. Would probable be the most fun match up esp if Arod chokes all through the playoffs.

I am rooting for a Cards collapse. I like Berkman and Oswalt alot. The Astros making a late run really shouldn't surprise anyone this is the 3rd year in a row they have done it. As far as the Mets go I am extremely worried. I think they should be ok to get out of the NL but it isn't a sure thing anymore. However without Pedro I can't see them beating anyone in the AL not alone the Yankees. Only chance they have is if El Duque can get some of the playoff magic to happen again or score 10 runs a game which is highly doubtful.

Pedro won, what, nine games for the Mets this year? They were without him for huge chunks of the season, and they were still winners. I dunno if they can still win the Series, but they are still certainly the class of the NL.

Read my post again Fab I said they should still probably make it out of the NL. Which in all honesty as bad as the NL is this year is not that great an accomplishment. I just dont think the can win it all without Pedro. I could carelless if they win the NL its World Series or nothing in my eyes.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseba...-top-headlines

Ruh Roh.

Jason Grimsley. There's a blast from the past.

Not surprising Clemens is a cheat. Guy did get really good after being bad. Hope the press goes after him like Bonds.

Surprised no one metioned this yet. Pedro is out til June. He has a rotator cuff injury. This will be extremely tough to come back from at 35 years old. Looks like maybe Boston was smart not to lock him up for 4 years. Year 2 and 3 of his deal with the Mets is looking to be a bust.

Maybe for once they made a smart baseball decision. It's been a while since we've had one of those (how's that batting title, Freddy? How's that ROY trophy, Hanley? A no hitter you say, Anibal? Nice run, Cla! Josh Bard...gave up on him nice and quickly). Sheesh.

To be honest, it may have worked out for both teams. When Pedro Martinez became a Met, Shea suddenly became a viable destination for potential Free Agents.

As for the RedSox making a good decision by not re-signing Pedro, well, that money went to re-signing Jason Varitek and picking up Matt Clement. Neither of which appear to have worked out any better for the RedSox than the alternative in year two.

I see your point Monk and agree having Pedro there made it alot easier to get guys like Delgado and Glavine. Personally I love that my favourtie team has my favourtie pitcher. However I thought originally 4 years was to long for a 34 year old pitcher who was losing 1-2 mph off his fastball every year. So far in this deal Pedro has had 1 great season, 1 crappy one, next year is a waste of a year. Even if he has a good year in the last year of the deal at 38 thats 2 good years for 60 million not really a fantastic deal, but hey its not my money if they can get a ring because of the free agents they signed because Pedro is a Met I guess it would be worth it.

Yeah, I've been kinda drinking myself into a stupor. Thanks for reminding me.