2012 MLB Regular Season Running Thread

Somebody - Yu Darvish, perhaps? - drops one in the Rangers' dugout last night:

http://deadspin.com/5908460/yu-darvish-is-a-flamethrower-on-the-mound-needs-to-light-a-match-in-the-dugout

 

Mine are a little different. I'm in keeper leagues, so any good rookie gets picked up quickly. Hell, Nolan Arenado was drafted in all three of my leagues, though most experts had him more likely to come up early in the season than Middlebrooks.

But I agree with Zeke on Harper. He should have been drafted in most formats. And Trout, if he was available, should have been picked up immediately once he was recalled from the minors.

 

In fairness, Devil said he didn't want rookies starting on his team, not that Harper or Middlebrooks shouldn't be starting in a league.

But, yeah, it's kind of crazy to say you don't want a No. 3 hitter on your roster.

No home runs for Harper yet, but five of his eight hits have been doubles and he's drawn five walks, so he's not just up there hacking and hoping. He's not overmatched in any way. The homers will come. Hell, if he qualified, Harper would have the 25th-ranked OPS in baseball right now. Yes, I understand it could come down by the time he qualifies, but you get the point.

 

needs a veteran presence, someone who is scrappy and good in the room.

 

In my 20-team league, there are 33 roster spots, including two DL slots. I picked up Will Middlebrooks on May 2. Will Rhymes is my middle infielder.

 

That sounds awful. Only 90 players on the waiver wire? Seems tough to find any meaningful help without a willing trade partner.

 

Covered Middlebrooks when he was in High-A. Didn't remember him having that sort of power but he had the body for it to develop. Not surprised he's having success. Professional hitter.

 

Anybody else find it strange that Brady Anderson is the Orioles' strength coach?

 

Can't keep a good man down

Our Nava who art in Pawtucket hallowed be thy name

 

Times article on Joe Maddon and the Rays defensive shifts:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/08/sports/baseball/rays-manager-joe-maddon-is-the-king-of-shifts.html?hpw&pagewanted=all

Do we buy this?

 

148 instances of shifts accounting for 56 runs saved sounds awfully exaggerated.