2012 MLB Regular Season Running Thread

I'm beginning to come around to the thinking that the Brewers should keep Zack Greinke and take their chance on a playoff spot and make a run at signing him after the season.

The Brewers have won series against both the Pirates and Cardinals since the All-Star break and are just six games out of the Wild Card and seven out of the NL Central lead.

Obviously, this weekend's series at Cincinnati is massive. If the Brewers get swept, it's time to sell. If they sweep, it might even be time to buy.

They're still below .500 (44-47), but I'm surprised where they're at considering the width and breadth of their early-season injuries and the massive implosions of Rickie Weeks and John Axford.

 

I only saw bits and pieces of that game but I couldn't understand either why he was pulled. I assumed it was a bullpen by committee thing, but I never subscribe to that. Your closer is your closer until he isn't.

 

Jays complete a 10-player deal with Houston giving up fourth outfielder Ben Francisco, firestarting reliever Fracisco Cordero and prospects for pitchers J.A. Happ, Brandon Lyon and David Carpenter.

Don't see much of the Astros up here - that will change next year - any Houston fans or baseball watchers got an opinion on Happ and Lyon?

 

Huggy, this will be the second stint for Lyon with the Jays. He pitched in Toronto from 2001-2002

 

Just read that. Don't remember him at all. At least it's not Brandon League!

 

Personally, I like the trade. Even though Happ is not putting up great numbers this season, he's proven to be legit. He was 12-4 in '09, and he's had a couple of great starts this year.

Also, I'm happy they finally called up Snider.

 

And this will finally shut up the legions of fans who think Snider should have stuck with the team out of spring training or been called up instead of Gose. Now is his time to shine here.

Happ is just a guy but he is probably better than Laffey and certainly Cecil. Does Villanueva go back to the 'pen or do they keep him in the rotation and send Laffey back?

 

I agree. This is probably Snider' last chance to prove he belongs in the Major Leagues with the Blue Jays. It's obvious that he can easily handle Minor League pitching, but he's never been consistent to stay up here. If he doesn't perform like he's expected too, then he's gone. The good thing is that he knows it, now he has to prove it.

I believe Villanueva should remain in the starting rotation. I don't know the exact numbers, but he's had some good quality starts since being moved to the rotation. I would send Laffey back.

 

Wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they are gong to showcase Snider with an eye towards trading him either this year or in the winter.

I'd keep Villaneuva too, guy is a horse, doesn't have great stuff, just knows how to get hitters out.

 

Sounds like the Dodgers have made an offer.

If they were playing anyone but St. Louis tonight, I'd say pull the trigger. But given it's the Cardinals, why not have him pitch tonight and THEN trade him. Of course, given their track record under the arch, Carlos Marmol will just blow the game in the 9th anyway, so in the long run, it's not worth the risk. St. Louis wouldn't have sniffed the playoffs last year if not for Marmol's amazing ineptitude down the stretch.

 

Good trade for the Jays.

 

Happ has always been a guy whose won-lost record was better than his peripheral numbers. His career ERA-plus is 97, which means he's a slightly below-average major-league starter. His career strikeout-to-walk ratio is less than 2-to-1, and he allows 1.3 homers per 9 IP.

He'll get roasted alive in the AL East.

Lyon's a useful reliever on a good team, but he's about as fragile as they come.