2012 MLB Regular Season Running Thread

To be fair, the entire lineup, save for Harper and LaRoche, stinks right now. Only difference is, I don't trust Espinosa to snap out of it anytime soon. You're right, Moddy. Dude needs some time in Syracuse to get right. He's been dogshit since last July. Zuckerman had a good stat last night. Don't remember exactly, but it was something like 13 RBIs in his last 91 games. Unacceptable.

Lombo's bat is getting awfully cold over there on the bench. FREE LOMBO!!!!

Curious, since I don't know all that much about McCutcheon.....what's the likely asking price if the Nats were interested?

Edit: Nevermind, after OOP's post.

 

Different front office people, Moddy, and a different situation, but good memory on McLouth.

McLouth was never a highly-regarded prospect and the big year he had in 2008 was a surprise. The Pirates seemed to figure out that it was a fluke before everybody else did, allowing them to unload that new contract and get some actual talent in return.

McCutchen is a much more gifted player. I'm sure the Nats would do the trade you suggested in a heartbeat, but even the Pirates aren't that stupid. Lannan stinks. Espinosa has some ability, but right now he is a mess. Wasn't Detwiler kind of a disappointment before this season?

 

Detwiler was better than I realized when he got the chance last year, though saying he is better than Lannan doesn't mean much. Detwiler is a heck of a No. 5 (assuming they would still consider him that).

Still, overall, I agree. McCutchen isn't going anywhere.

 

Even if the Pirates WERE stupid enough to trade McCutchen -- and they didn't sign him to a deal two years beyond free agency if that was the plan ... right now -- it would take a whole heck of a lot more than what you suggested, Moddy. McCutchen is going to be a perennial all-star. He plays every day. He's not getting moved for a "not a top of the rotation starter but a real, live major leaguer" and a platter of OK prospects.

I'm certainly not inside the Pirates' management's heads, but I'd guess it would start with Jordan Zimmermann and go from there. But again, it's just idle chat as the Pirates, with really no accomplished hitters in the majors or high minors, aren't going to part with their top hitter at this stage of his career/contract.

 

Step into my office, Moddy, and I'll tell you all about Denard Span.

I'll throw in the Tru Coat. No charge.

 

This discussion prompted me to look back at Game 6 of the 1995 World Series to see if that happened with the Braves. Alas, no. They had six hits and several walks.

Another interesting (to me, at least) factoid: The Indians used six pitchers in that game, and four of them at one point or another in their careers played for the Braves. Baseball Reference, how I love thee ...

 

Oh goody! Espinosa is in the lineup again tonight, hitting behind Harper. Gonna be awesome watching them pitch around Harper now.

Ugh. Looks like I'm doing something other than watching the game tonight.

Wait. Strasburg is pitching. DAMMIT!

 

Mattingly came up big last night.
Dodgers with Billingsley trailing Giants and Lincecum, 2-1, in the fourth inning.
Billingsley had a bunch of strikeouts and walks, pitch count in the mid 70s.
A.J. Ellis works a one-out walk to load the bases.
Mattingly sends up Tony Gwynn Jr. to pinch hit for Billingsley -- yes, in the fourth inning. Billingsley is waving his arms and slamming stuff around in the dugout, clearly unhappy.
Gwynn drills a three-run triple into the right-field corner. Mattingly wins.