Baseball thread No. VII

Is there any doubt the Red Sox and Yankees have only each other to worry about this year? And is there a better way to spend a day than at Yankee Stadium, watching Mariano get his 400th, the cries of 'Sweep! Sweep!" filling the air?

 

Sorry, goalmouth, I can think of a few better ways to spend a Sunday afternoon. But I do understand your feelings.

 

It's our annual Stadium outing, so it worked out well. Hot, but well.

 

What do a mama bear on birth control and the World Series have in common?

No Cubs.

Fuck this fucking team and the fucking fucks who fucked it up.

 

After that trade with the Nationals, Krivsky should change his name and move to North Dakota.

 

Huh? Are you nuts?

 

Nope, not nuts.

If a GM has two everyday position players who don't make a lot of money, he should parlay them into something more than middle relief help. Or at least get a premium prospect. He undersold on both Lopez and Kearns.

 

I have nothing meaningful to add, other than it was hella-hot in Cincinnati on Sunday. Took the family, bought tickets in advance that were unfortunately in the sun. The plastic seats were absurdly hot even if you left for a few minutes to get a beverage. It was miserable.

Saw maybe two innings of actual action, left in a Bubbler all-time record middle of the fifth inning (I am usually MILITANT about staying for the duration), but Mrs. Bubbler was getting faint and my 3-year-old Niall was not hacking it.

I have a rant about ticket-buying in mind (only partially to do with the heat), but I'm gathering my thoughts ...

 

Majewski's not middle relief help. He's the future closer. Bray, IIRC, was one of the Nationals top pitching prospects.

In addition, Kearns and Lopez were both arbitration eligible next year. They probably would have cost the Reds between $6-9 million total. In addition, the Reds have capable replacements for both either on the team already or in the minors.

The Reds got a significant upgrade in the pen and saved money for next year. It's a win both ways.

In addition, I've come to discover that any player Jim Bowden wants is probably a player not worh having.

 

I'm with Freelance Hack. If you have a chance to make the playoffs, go for it. The Reds could have chosen to remain patient and slid quickly. But at least they're not going to miss the playoffs by doing nothing.

For what it's worth, I thought Buster Olney had a good write-up about the trade today. He says the trade was a good one for the Reds.

Besides, it beats paying Kyle Farnsworth/Bob Howry money for bullpen help.

 

It is an extreme example, but that's when Mariano Rivera became a closer for the first time.