2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

[JW Tigers]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

Don't know how many people are paying attention to the NL Wildcard race, especially in August, so if it's nobody just move along nothing to see here.

Great game in Denver between the Rockies and Giants tonight. After Zito and Marquis leave this one tied 1-1, it winds up going into extras. Neither team would score another run until the 14th. The former Phillies mistake and now Colorado reliever Adam Eaton showed why he got run out of Philadelphia by giving up 3 runs in the top of the 14th. But by that point Jim Tracy was down to using Triple A players, so Eaton stayed in. All seemed lost for the Rox as they went to their half down by three, but the Giants BP imploded. After loading the bases and walking in a run (the walk was to Rox pitcher Adam Eaton), Merkin Valdez came in with the bases loaded, 1 out and the score 4-2 Giants. Ryan Spillborgh's took an 0-1 offering to deep right centre for a walk off grand slam home run. With the win, the Rockies take a 4 game lead in the NL WC race, and move within 3 games of the NL West lead.

That's pretty impressive considering they were 10 games under .500 and absolutely floundering when Clint Hurdle was fired. If I'm not mistaken, they have the best record in baseball since that point. What makes it even more impressive is they are doing it without their ace Jeff Francis.

As a big Rockies fan, I'm definitely paying attention! It's early enough that I'm staying pretty quiet for fear of jinxing them, but this turnaround has been remarkable so far. On June 1st, the Rockies had the 2nd worst record in the NL.

Screw the Wild Card, win the NL West!

 

[gounhwildcats]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

As a big Rockies fan, I'm definitely paying attention! It's early enough that I'm staying pretty quiet for fear of jinxing them, but this turnaround has been remarkable so far. On June 1st, the Rockies had the 2nd worst record in the NL.

The Rockies are currently leading LA 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth. Of note Eric Young Jr. who was called up today to replace Dexter Fowler who went on the 15 day DL, got his first major league hit, with dad watching on.

 

[JW Tigers]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

The Rockies are currently leading LA 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth. Of note Eric Young Jr. who was called up today to replace Dexter Fowler who went on the 15 day DL, got his first major league hit, with dad watching on.

EY will forever be a favorite in the Mile High City, so we would all love to see EY Junior do well.

4-2 going to the ninth...

 

[gounhwildcats]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

EY will forever be a favorite in the Mile High City, so we would all love to see EY Junior do well.

4-2 going to the ninth...

Rox blew the lead in the ninth, but Tulo hit a bases loaded single in the tenth to win it 5-4. Rox now trail the Dodger's by two, and look like they will maintain their 4 game lead over the Giants, as San Fran leads Arizona 5-2 late.

 

[AMC]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

Who do I see about getting back the $80 I spent on a new Kazmir jersey last year? I already ate the $60 I spent on his green jersey.

I am so demoralized by this. I became a Rays fan because of Scott Kazmir. I grew up rooting for the Expos, they were my first love. After that whole soap opera, and the Expos ending up in Washington, I started looking for a new team. Being an Expos fan, in the New England media market, I hated the Sox and Yankees, so my geographically closest teams weren't options. Around then, the Rays made the Zambrano-Kazmir trade. I read more about it, and how excited people were about Kazmir, and kind of decided that it would be cool to watch a young team grow up, and a franchise player grow up with it. Even when Kaz struggled, I was so much more amped up for his starts than any other Rays game. I felt invested whenever he pitched. And now he's supposedly gone.

It absolutely took the wind out of me when I heard about it. I don't feel like following the Rays at all at this point. Baseball keeps ripping my heart out. The Angels just keep spiting me, seeing Vladdy Guerrero (and now Kaz) in an Angels jersey stings soo much.

 

[mookie1995]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

Who do I see about getting back the $80 I spent on a new Kazmir jersey last year?

how'd he get through waivers?!?! nobody dropped a claim? (obviously, but )

 

[AMC]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

how'd he get through waivers?!?! nobody dropped a claim? (obviously, but )

He cleared early in the month, back when his ERA was around 7.00 and before his three straight quality starts.

 

[du78]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

Rays just made it official.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090828&content_id=6670042&vkey=pr_tb&fext=.jsp&c_id=tb

 

[AMC]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

Rays just made it official.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20090828&content_id=6670042&vkey=pr_tb&fext=.jsp&c_id=tb

To recap:

Traded: 2 time all star, under contract for 3 more years, lowest trade value he has EVER had, middle of a pennant race in which you are 3 games out

Received: short minor league right hander who isn't one of your top 10 pitching prospects; minor leaguer who doesn't have double digit home runs in the minors' best offensive league, playing the same position as your future hall of fame 25 year old under control until 2016.

Yeah, you have to do that.

 

[Jon]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

To recap:

Traded: 2 time all star, under contract for 3 more years, lowest trade value he has EVER had, middle of a pennant race in which you are 3 games out

Received: short minor league right hander who isn't one of your top 10 pitching prospects; minor leaguer who doesn't have double digit home runs in the minors' best offensive league, playing the same position as your future hall of fame 25 year old under control until 2016.

Yeah, you have to do that.

So the Rays have gone from the smartest franchise in MLB to the dumbest in two years? Wha?!?!

 

[jmh]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

Who do I see about getting back the $80 I spent on a new Kazmir jersey last year? I already ate the $60 I spent on his green jersey.

I am so demoralized by this. I became a Rays fan because of Scott Kazmir. I grew up rooting for the Expos, they were my first love. After that whole soap opera, and the Expos ending up in Washington, I started looking for a new team. Being an Expos fan, in the New England media market, I hated the Sox and Yankees, so my geographically closest teams weren't options. Around then, the Rays made the Zambrano-Kazmir trade. I read more about it, and how excited people were about Kazmir, and kind of decided that it would be cool to watch a young team grow up, and a franchise player grow up with it. Even when Kaz struggled, I was so much more amped up for his starts than any other Rays game. I felt invested whenever he pitched. And now he's supposedly gone.

It absolutely took the wind out of me when I heard about it. I don't feel like following the Rays at all at this point. Baseball keeps ripping my heart out. The Angels just keep spiting me, seeing Vladdy Guerrero (and now Kaz) in an Angels jersey stings soo much.

Sorry AMC, that sucks. I don't see why they decided to make that trade either.

 

[mookie1995]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

To recap:

Traded: 2 time all star, under contract for 3 more years, lowest trade value he has EVER had, middle of a pennant race in which you are 3 games out

Received: short minor league right hander who isn't one of your top 10 pitching prospects; minor leaguer who doesn't have double digit home runs in the minors' best offensive league, playing the same position as your future hall of fame 25 year old under control until 2016.

Yeah, you have to do that.

if it makes you feel better...

Theo will sign him to a one year deal for $9MM in six years with a bonus that pays him an additional $100k for each day he's on the mlb roster. during that season the Rays will play the Sox while Kaz is pitching 3 times and light him up!! Evan will take him over the Monster in the 1st, 3rd, and 4th inning each game before Kaz is pulled, and finally released. -- and you'll be happy.

 

[Terrierbyassociation]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

Or you could look at it like this. Kazmir's contract was very high risk with his recent injury troubles and his elbow pain has caused his slider to flatten out.

The Rays don't have a large margin for error in terms of bad contracts. They've removed that risk.

Sure you could argue that they sold him low, but I think they weighed that against the risk that Kazmir kept pitching this season and ended up needing TJ.

 

[AMC]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

Or you could look at it like this. Kazmir's contract was very high risk with his recent injury troubles and his elbow pain has caused his slider to flatten out.

The Rays don't have a large margin for error in terms of bad contracts. They've removed that risk.

Sure you could argue that they sold him low, but I think they weighed that against the risk that Kazmir kept pitching this season and ended up needing TJ.

Supposedly the player to be named later is on the 40 man roster and "would get claimed by every team in the league."

**** well better be.

 

[Scarlet]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

There's a very special pitching performance going on down in Baltimore tonight.

 

[Twitch Boy]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

Andy Pettitte is having not just a Very Special, but an Extremely Special night. Seve...

That is, until Jerry Hairston Jr. ruined it.

 

[Scarlet]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

Andy Pettitte is having not just a Very Special, but an Extremely Special night. Seve...

That is, until Jerry Hairston Jr. ruined it.

Aw, bummer.

 

[GreatLakerMohawk]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

Andy Pettitte is having not just a Very Special, but an Extremely Special night. Seve...

That is, until Jerry Hairston Jr. ruined it.

What's fun is when you get YES and Michael Kay starts talking about perfect games after the third inning. I don't care for the superstition aspect of it, I care that he's being a distracting clown with the broadcast. What a dick.

 

[The Rube]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

What's fun is when you get YES and Michael Kay starts talking about perfect games after the third inning. I don't care for the superstition aspect of it, I care that he's being a distracting clown with the broadcast. What a dick.

On ESPNews, I think it was Coachman, even said, "You don't want to say anything, but Pettite has no walks.....and no hits either.....yes folks, he's pitching a perfect game so far."

If you don't want to say anything, then why the hell are you saying something? And I think Coachman is one of the better guys they have at that network.

 

[GreatLakerMohawk]

Re: 2009 MLB Thread, Part II: Claimed Off The Waiver Wire

On ESPNews, I think it was Coachman, even said, "You don't want to say anything, but Pettite has no walks.....and no hits either.....yes folks, he's pitching a perfect game so far."

If you don't want to say anything, then why the hell are you saying something? And I think Coachman is one of the better guys they have at that network.

Coach hasn't been fully brainwashed yet but tonight they probably had him hooked up to electrodes to begin the process.