2009 MLB Thread

[jbissell]

I stand corrected. I guess it does mean something. Although, it shouldn't. Homefield advantage should go to the team with the best overall record. It's just common sense.

I think that interleague play has killed the allure of the All-Star Game. And so what if the AL is better than the NL?

I agree about homefield, though I guess the argument against that would be a team that has beaten up on a weak (likely NL) division (ie, this year's Dodgers), should they get homefield over a team that may have won a more competitive division (AL East).

Obviously when I was younger the All-Star Game was a huge deal but as I've gotten older my interest in the game is directly related to the number of Cubs on the team.  I doesn't help that Buck/McCarver have prominant roles.

[hugman]

Chris Duncan and Rick Ankiel are driving me insane.  They are so bad this year.  And they're sapping all of their trade value.  They both need to be sent down to Memphis. Bring up Brett Wallace and try him out at third and put DeRosa in the outfield (although he looks like he's in so much pain when he swings the bat that I have my doubts as to his being able to accomplish much for the rest of the year).

[nec13]

Hey, it could be worse. You could be a Mets fan. At least you get to watch Albert Pujols. What do we have besides Johan Santana?

[hugman]

yea, i know.  things must be tough all over because the cardinals are still in first. (sit on it, bissell)

[nec13]

yea, i know.  things must be tough all over because the cardinals are still in first. (sit on it, bissell)

You're a regular Potsie Weber.

[jbissell]

yea, i know.  things must be tough all over because the cardinals are still in first. (sit on it, bissell)

Yeah, every year they take some junky starter and turn him good. As much as I hate LaRussa, what Duncan does with that garbage amazes me.

[scratchbomb]

yea, i know.  things must be tough all over because the cardinals are still in first. (sit on it, bissell)

Yeah, every year they take some junky starter and turn him good. As much as I hate LaRussa, what Duncan does with that garbage amazes me.

I also do not like Mr. LaRussa ver much (no specific reason, really, it's just a gut thing), but have to marvel Duncan's Midas-like abilities. And he doesn't just turn crappy pitchers into decent ones--they turn into unbelievable pitchers. Until they leave the Cards; then they turn back into pumpkins (see: Braden Looper, Jeff Weaver).

[nec13]

Dave Duncan is a genius. Not much more needs to be said.

[nec13]

So ALLEGEDLY the Mets turned down a deal for Roy Halladay in which OF Fernando Martinez, P Jon Niese, SS Ruben Tejada, and P Bobby Parnell would have been sent to the Blue Jays.

If true, smart move by the Mets I say. Sure having Santana and Halladay as your 1-2 for next year would be enticing, but it's just too much to give up, IMO. If the Mets were to trade for him, they would have nearly $40 million tied up in two pitchers. Consequently, that would leave less money to address other pressing needs namely 1B, the corner outfielder positions, 2B, and catcher. Besides getting Halladay is no guarantee that the Mets would be anymore of a threat than they are now. They would still have mediocre to below average 3, 4, 5 starters. And their lineup would still have plenty of holes.

The Mets need to keep building up their farm system, not depleting it. There are no quick fixes. They need to build an organization that can field competitive teams year after year. Trading for Roy Halladay would be a mistake.

[scratchbomb]

So ALLEGEDLY the Mets turned down a deal for Roy Halladay in which OF Fernando Martinez, P Jon Niese, SS Ruben Tejada, and P Bobby Parnell would have been sent to the Blue Jays.

If true, smart move by the Mets I say. Sure having Santana and Halladay as your 1-2 for next year would be enticing, but it's just too much to give up, IMO. If the Mets were to trade for him, they would have nearly $40 million tied up in two pitchers. Consequently, that would leave less money to address other pressing needs namely 1B, the corner outfielder positions, 2B, and catcher. Besides getting Halladay is no guarantee that the Mets would be anymore of a threat than they are now. They would still have mediocre to below average 3, 4, 5 starters. And their lineup would still have plenty of holes.

The Mets need to keep building up their farm system, not depleting it. There are no quick fixes. They need to build an organization that can field competitive teams year after year. Trading for Roy Halladay would be a mistake.

I dunno, I'd probably do that trade. I get not wanting to deplete the farm (such as it is), but if you can trade for potential for an ace (which is what they did with Santana), I think you have to do it. Especially since you'd have Halladay for at least another season.

But I think the rumor is total BS. It's either the Mets or the Blue Jays trying to get Philly to overpay. Or the Mets trying to pump up the value of those prospects for some other deal. Or the Blue Jays establishing a market for what they hope to get for Halladay.

I just feel like, if his previous history is any indication, Omar Minaya would probably pull the trigger if he was actually, seriously offered Halladay for those four guys.

[yesno]

I'm not sick of Jason Marquis yet!  He's having a hell of a season.

Rockies wildcard leaders for the NL now. I'm sure they'll tank after I've taken the bar and can go to more games.  Me at game = hometeam loses.  Also they have to play like 90% of their remaining games against the Giants.

[hugman]

I'm not sick of Jason Marquis yet!  He's having a hell of a season.

another Dave Duncan reclamation project.

[scratchbomb]

I'm not sick of Jason Marquis yet!  He's having a hell of a season.

another Dave Duncan reclamation project.

indeed. and someone who's actually having a good post-Cards career. in Colorado, no less. that's pretty amazing.

[hugman]

How great would a Dave Duncan documentary be?  Where they just went down the line, showed pitchers before they came to him, have him share what he noticed needed tweaking about them and how he worked with them, and then show the results?  Because most of what he does with guys is a very simple, specific thing.  He just has an amazing capacity for seeing things.

[nec13]

So ALLEGEDLY the Mets turned down a deal for Roy Halladay in which OF Fernando Martinez, P Jon Niese, SS Ruben Tejada, and P Bobby Parnell would have been sent to the Blue Jays.

If true, smart move by the Mets I say. Sure having Santana and Halladay as your 1-2 for next year would be enticing, but it's just too much to give up, IMO. If the Mets were to trade for him, they would have nearly $40 million tied up in two pitchers. Consequently, that would leave less money to address other pressing needs namely 1B, the corner outfielder positions, 2B, and catcher. Besides getting Halladay is no guarantee that the Mets would be anymore of a threat than they are now. They would still have mediocre to below average 3, 4, 5 starters. And their lineup would still have plenty of holes.

The Mets need to keep building up their farm system, not depleting it. There are no quick fixes. They need to build an organization that can field competitive teams year after year. Trading for Roy Halladay would be a mistake.

I dunno, I'd probably do that trade. I get not wanting to deplete the farm (such as it is), but if you can trade for potential for an ace (which is what they did with Santana), I think you have to do it. Especially since you'd have Halladay for at least another season.

But I think the rumor is total BS. It's either the Mets or the Blue Jays trying to get Philly to overpay. Or the Mets trying to pump up the value of those prospects for some other deal. Or the Blue Jays establishing a market for what they hope to get for Halladay.

I just feel like, if his previous history is any indication, Omar Minaya would probably pull the trigger if he was actually, seriously offered Halladay for those four guys.

I think that rumor is BS myself. I mean, don't you think the Blue Jays could get something better than that supposed package?

WRT to Halladay: Having two aces is nice, but it's no guarantee of success. Your team can have all the pitching in the world, but it won't help if your team can't score runs. Moreover, with the Mets having multiple holes to fill this coming offseason, I don't feel comfortable tying up 25% of the team's payroll in two pitchers. Plus I don't like further weakening the farm system.