Baseball Thread 3 - The Jody Reed Edition

Aceves has been great in every shot they've given him. Veras was very good last year and I'm not ready to give up yet. Albladejo - who knows, he has a shot, 1 of every 3 or 4 of him make it, we'll see. Tomko tells me that they are not serious about winning.

 

Any team that gives Tomko a role, at this stage of his career (such that it was), on a team that would have everyone presume it's championship caliber, gets what it deserves.

The Yankees as usual were impudent enough to think they could spend an ungodly amount of money on four players and that would be that -- worrying about middle relief and all that business is for the schmoes.

 

I agree with your basic premise, but you're taking it too far. They smartly had some faith in their young arms (those mentioned, plus Melancon, Ramirez, Robertson etc.) and in the long run that will prove wise. They couldn't have known that they would lose both Bruney & Marte, but they could & should have guarded against the possibility once Beimel & Cruz were available for nothing.

 

Guy is right, Aceves has been really, really good for the Yankees. He can start, throw long relief, short relief. He's the type of no-risk minor league FA signing the Yankees usually ignore.

I'd be surprised if the Sox trade Bard. There's no way they're paying Papelbon after the 2011 season, or maybe even after the 2009 season.

 

This isn't shocking by any means, but I'm pretty convinced Paps only cares about the money. He'll go to the highest bidder, and the Red Sox aren't going to pony up that much money for a closer, especially given some of the young arms they have. They might trade Bowden or even Buchholz, but I agree--I have a hard time seeing them trade Bard if they think he could close in the future.

 

All well and good, but the Rays didn't blow a save opp in the ninth inning until last night. They now "lead" the KRod-led Mets in that category, 1-0.

 

Because...spnited knows exactly how John Smoltz is feeling. Because spnited is SJ's baseball God.

 

Did the fanboy get his feelings hurt?

 

This Smoltz talk shouldn't even be an argument. Sure, Smoltz may be done, but the Braves didn't offer Smoltz what he wanted; and rightfully so. The Sox offered Mark Teixeira $170 million and didn't get him, so five million isn't even a dent in their wallets in comparison to what they were about to spend on ONE guy.

It's a low risk, high reward deal. If it doesn't work out, they'll look at it and say, "Oh well, what's five million really worth to us in the long run?" Having Smoltz in the bullpen/rotation will allow the Sox to keep guys like Bowden, Bard, Tazawa and Casey Kelly in the farm to develop their mechanics, etc.

Period.

 

That was before Percival's inevitable injury.

 

I don't blame anyone for Smoltz being in Boston. It's just sad that it happened.

The Braves can't throw money around without Ted. The Sox can. It makes sense. That doesn't mean I have to like it.