Wednesday, July 23, 2003
Please acquire a loogy so Little won't use Todd Jones or Chad Fox against Chavez [or other power southpaws] in the seventh a month from now. Thanks in advance, El Guapo's Ghost.
Even though Theo didn't get BJ Ryan or Mike Myers (both had incredible comedy value), he did grant my basic wish by acquiring Scott Sauer-Patch-beck. Sauerbeck dominants left handed batters with a curveball he throws from different angles tying up southpaws. His other pitches are just average. In 2000 - 2002, LHB hit only 214/286/316 in 304 at-bats versus Sauerbeck. To date in 2003, Sauerbeck has had the same success. In high leverage situations, Sauerbeck should only pitch to LHB then bring on Timlin, Kim and Embree for the right-handers.
Lyon wasn't going contribute much to this club down the stretch. Lyon's control of 4 pitches, but without an out pitch screamed back of the rotation starter. He was expendable and marketable given his low salary and service time. He and Fossum would have competed for a spot in the rotation next year at a low cost. Now Fossum is the 2004 #5 starter and some other cheap option like Lyon will fill the last spot in the pen.
The interesting part of this deal is the minor leaguers. AA 24 year-old right-handed relief pitchers with control issues excite me as much as an evening of polite conversation. Thus, Anastacio Martinez was a good player to deal, although he COULD be a productive member of a pen in 2005. On the other hand, Mike Gonzalez with his reported high 90's sinker and slider coming from the left side offers much more potential. He has the stuff to be a dominant relief pitcher; a starter if he can develop an off-speed pitch. Gonzalez's issue has been his health. I have confidence that Jim Rowe, Chris Correnti and Dr. Bill Morgan will get and keep this talent healthy. Gonzalez could come into play this season too. Does anyone recall K-Rod?
He [Theo] indicated that the pool of available premium starters is shallow, if not empty. Too bad, since Epstein said he has the money to spend if one becomes available (Hohler, Boston Globe).
The Expos loosing last night to the Marlins should make Javy Vazquez available. The Expos have lost four in a row, are six back with six teams ahead of them in the Wild Card standings. Javy is a premium starter. I will not subject my small audience to my number crunching that indicates Javy is an upgrade over every Sox starter other than Pedro. My only concern is Javy’s health, but again I have faith in the Sox’s medical staff. The price will be high. Hopefully, money will be more of a factor than prospects giving the Sox an advantage over other suitors.
Another possible deal could be to acquire a RHB coming off the bench that kills southpaws. Walker is (AVG/OBP/SLG) 279/310/400 and Nixon is 230/319/339 against LHP from 2000-2002. Kapler is better hitting 268/326/451, but not a good alternative in the last third of game with the go-head runners on base. An acquisition would cause a roster jam necessitating optioning Fossum or Kapler. Both would be back when rosters expand on September 1st.
The other Governor of Massachusetts, Lou Merloni, would be a good option at 309/370/512 against LHP as would Reggie Sanders’ 270/356/553. Merloni makes $560K and Sanders a cool $1 million both should be within budget. Sanders will probably come cheaper since the Pirates are trying to save every penny – they are reporting a loss of $30 million. How about a player to be named later and/or cash for Sanders?
Even though Theo didn't get BJ Ryan or Mike Myers (both had incredible comedy value), he did grant my basic wish by acquiring Scott Sauer-Patch-beck. Sauerbeck dominants left handed batters with a curveball he throws from different angles tying up southpaws. His other pitches are just average. In 2000 - 2002, LHB hit only 214/286/316 in 304 at-bats versus Sauerbeck. To date in 2003, Sauerbeck has had the same success. In high leverage situations, Sauerbeck should only pitch to LHB then bring on Timlin, Kim and Embree for the right-handers.
Lyon wasn't going contribute much to this club down the stretch. Lyon's control of 4 pitches, but without an out pitch screamed back of the rotation starter. He was expendable and marketable given his low salary and service time. He and Fossum would have competed for a spot in the rotation next year at a low cost. Now Fossum is the 2004 #5 starter and some other cheap option like Lyon will fill the last spot in the pen.
The interesting part of this deal is the minor leaguers. AA 24 year-old right-handed relief pitchers with control issues excite me as much as an evening of polite conversation. Thus, Anastacio Martinez was a good player to deal, although he COULD be a productive member of a pen in 2005. On the other hand, Mike Gonzalez with his reported high 90's sinker and slider coming from the left side offers much more potential. He has the stuff to be a dominant relief pitcher; a starter if he can develop an off-speed pitch. Gonzalez's issue has been his health. I have confidence that Jim Rowe, Chris Correnti and Dr. Bill Morgan will get and keep this talent healthy. Gonzalez could come into play this season too. Does anyone recall K-Rod?
He [Theo] indicated that the pool of available premium starters is shallow, if not empty. Too bad, since Epstein said he has the money to spend if one becomes available (Hohler, Boston Globe).
The Expos loosing last night to the Marlins should make Javy Vazquez available. The Expos have lost four in a row, are six back with six teams ahead of them in the Wild Card standings. Javy is a premium starter. I will not subject my small audience to my number crunching that indicates Javy is an upgrade over every Sox starter other than Pedro. My only concern is Javy’s health, but again I have faith in the Sox’s medical staff. The price will be high. Hopefully, money will be more of a factor than prospects giving the Sox an advantage over other suitors.
Another possible deal could be to acquire a RHB coming off the bench that kills southpaws. Walker is (AVG/OBP/SLG) 279/310/400 and Nixon is 230/319/339 against LHP from 2000-2002. Kapler is better hitting 268/326/451, but not a good alternative in the last third of game with the go-head runners on base. An acquisition would cause a roster jam necessitating optioning Fossum or Kapler. Both would be back when rosters expand on September 1st.
The other Governor of Massachusetts, Lou Merloni, would be a good option at 309/370/512 against LHP as would Reggie Sanders’ 270/356/553. Merloni makes $560K and Sanders a cool $1 million both should be within budget. Sanders will probably come cheaper since the Pirates are trying to save every penny – they are reporting a loss of $30 million. How about a player to be named later and/or cash for Sanders?
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Thank you - Red Sox!
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