Major League Baseball: 2014 Season

[Blitz24]

I really think Lester will end up in Miami. They need pitching and they have the money.

He won't sign an extension so the money will have to be for a new deal in the neighborhood of 6/150.

 

[Ken]

He won't sign an extension so the money will have to be for a new deal in the neighborhood of 6/150.

I think they'll pull the trigger on it. They paid J.D. Saltalamachia (?) 3/21, and he isn't that good IMHO. It's the only logical trade option that I can think of.

 

[Blitz24]

I think they'll pull the trigger on it. They paid J.D. Saltalamachia (?) 3/21, and he isn't that good IMHO. It's the only logical trade option that I can think of.

The Marlins will NOT hand out that kind of contract. Ever.

 

[Patrick]

Mike Scioscia with another awful decision that costs the Angels a win. I wish we were having a down year so he'd get canned.

 

[JohnBM01]

The Astros should have won 4-1, but we ended up failing. Again. The Oakland Athletics decides to in the Top of the 9th play winning baseball. We ended up getting trashed 7-4. A s:censored:ty 9th inning ends up in us losing another one. Just the Astros' luck... Oakland talent notwithstanding. Rubber Game time to decide who takes this series. Let's see who'll take the OAK at HOU series tomorrow.


Congrats to all others who won on Tuesday.

 

[Ken]

The Marlins will NOT hand out that kind of contract. Ever.

I don't share the same confidence as you on this topic. Michael Hill, president of baseball operations for the Marlins, seems to be on the fence. He has admitted that pursuing Lester would cost a bit more than the organization wants to spend. However, it isn't ruled out either. From what I've read and been able to piece together, it apeears that Mr. Hill and other powers that be want to change the culture of baseball in Miami. They know they aren't going to win it all this year, but they are desperate to change that for the future. Now, with that being said, I see them spending the bucks to.get another ring, and having another embarrasing fire sale.

 

[Blitz24]

I don't share the same confidence as you on this topic. Michael Hill, president of baseball operations for the Marlins, seems to be on the fence. He has admitted that pursuing Lester would cost a bit more than the organization wants to spend. However, it isn't ruled out either. From what I've read and been able to piece together, it apeears that Mr. Hill and other powers that be want to change the culture of baseball in Miami. They know they aren't going to win it all this year, but they are desperate to change that for the future. Now, with that being said, I see them spending the bucks to.get another ring, and having another embarrasing fire sale.

Except the logic behind that means that they need to extend Stanton as well. Stanton will cost a ton more than Lester.

 

[Ken]

Except the logic behind that means that they need to extend Stanton as well. Stanton will cost a ton more than Lester.

Eh, Stanton. A man who doesn't want to be a Marlin any longer. A possible cancer in the clubhouse. Do the Marlins need him? Hell yes. Will they keep him or pay him what he's worth, hell no. But that's a story for next year. That wouldn't prevent them from signing Lester this year. The Marlins are desperate for wins, as wins equal fans. But they will screw it up in one way or another, like letting Stanton go. The Marlins are nothing if they aren't stupid. No offense @Omnis.

 

[JohnBM01]

Won Monday, lost Tuesday (should have won), and... WON 8-1 today! We did it with our man Dallas Keuchel dealing to the green and gold here in Houston. A big part of the win was was the six-run cushion we gave Keuchel in the very first inning. Houston held on this time rather than let it all slip away like last night. So we did the AL West a little favor. You're welcome.

Up next for the Astros- a four-game series as part of "Legends Weekend" here in Houston. It's the Astros hosting (God help the Astros in this one...) the Toronto Blue Jays.


Elsewhere...

* In the inner-GTPlanet series rivalry between Dolph Drago's Reds and R1600Turbo's Diamondbacks, it was the D-Backs who won 5-4 in Cincinnati. Cincy was none too pleased seeing the Snakes slither out of town with a victory.

* You know in MMA fights when someone lands a solid shot and keeps pounding away at some dope until the ref stops the fight? Well, that's what it felt like when Blitz24's New York Mets held serve at home against BobK's Philadelphia Phillies in an 11-2 beat down. The Mets provided some serious rope-a-dope action in this one.

* It was 4-3 in Miami as the Washington Nationals won 4-3 today. The Miami Marlins couldn't suppress the boys from our nation's capital.

* The other Florida team didn't do too well either. In fact, the Tampa Bay Rays of the AL East failed 5-0 hosting the NL Central's (and former AL team) Milwaukee Brewers.

* It's been reported that Vin Scully will return next season for his unprecedented 66th season of announcing. He's truly one of the most fabulous in all of sports announcing. More power to you, Vin Scully. 👍


Congratulations to all other winners up to and beyond the time of this post. And don't forget... tomorrow is the non-waiver trade deadline. You have to wonder whom will be traded and who for with all of the teams.

 

[Dolph Drago]

Yay. Another 1 run loss. Thank you, bullpen. Simon allows only 2 through 7 innings. Bullpen allows 3 in only 2 innings. Nice job...

 

[CodeRedR51]

Yay. Another 1 run loss. Thank you, bullpen. Simon allows only 2 through 7 innings. Bullpen allows 3 in only 2 innings. Nice job...

It was only 1 run because our closer did what he does best and almost gave it away.

 

[Blitz24]

It was only 1 run because our closer did what he does best and almost gave it away.

He doesn't get much chance to practice his skill at blowing leads. That's why they are looking to trade him to a contender so he can blow leads and have it count.

 

[Barra333]

Up next for the Astros- a four-game series as part of "Legends Weekend" here in Houston. It's the Astros hosting (God help the Astros in this one...) the Toronto Blue Jays.

Unlucky for you, the Astros get the Blue Jays on a hot streak. If you got them just before the all star break, you probably would have swept them (2-8 going into the break, 10-3 since).

 

[Blitz24]

Boston has traded pitcher Jon Lester, outfielder Jonny Gomes and cash to Oakland for Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and a competitive balance pick.

That likely locks up the AL west to Oakland.

 

[Barra333]

Wow. They already have the best record in the majors by a few games, then add a couple of all-stars.

 

[Blitz24]

Millone traded to the Twins for OF Sam Fuld.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Boston has traded pitcher Jon Lester, outfielder Jonny Gomes and cash to Oakland for Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and a competitive balance pick.

That likely locks up the AL west to Oakland.

Never would have thought they would have traded Cespedes...

 

[Blitz24]

Never would have thought they would have traded Cespedes...

I did. Cespedes is signed through next year at 10.5 million. They wouldn't re - sign him

 

[CodeRedR51]

Gerardo Parra just traded to the Brewers.

Maybe I just don't understand baseball enough, but I didn't see any reason for him to be shipped off for a couple minor leagers. 👎

 

[Blitz24]

Gerardo Parra just traded to the Brewers.

Maybe I just don't understand baseball enough, but I didn't see any reason for him to be shipped off for a couple minor leagers. 👎

Doesn't make sense for Milwaukee either. 4 OF in 3 spots.

Lackey traded to St. Louis for Kelly and Craig.

Denorfia traded to Seattle for two minor leaguers.

 

[Ken]

Man, I find the Lester trade shocking. How is Oakland going to score now? Cespedes was a good chunk of their offense.

 

[Patrick]

That's a weak package for Price.

Tigers bullpen is still awful.

 

[ildd]

Take it with a grain of salt... but I've heard reports of the Astros trading Jarred Cosart to the Marlins for Jake Marisnick AND Colin Moran.
Should this be true, I think it's the most lopsided trade today. By far.

BUT it is not official; however, we do know that Cosart IS going to the Marlins.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Martin Prado to the Yankees.

Sure, let's just give all of our good players away....

 

[ildd]

Cosart deal is done. Very good haul for the Astros!

(Will include my personal "evaluation" )

Marlins Receive-
Jarred Cosart, SP (will be pretty decent in the future, solid #3 on most teams, but is a bit of a cocky bunghole)
Kike Hernandez, UTL (good guy, can play basically anything but offense is pretty Meh)
Austin Wates, CF (VERY fast, good defense, decent contact- I liked him. Reminds me of Willy Taveras but unsure how he will do in the majors)

Astros receive-
Colin Moran, 3B? (I'd assume he will be a DH in the majors)
Jake Marisnick, OF
Francis Martes, SP (kids younger than me... And I'm turning 19 tomorrow. Will surely be a project)
Compensation pick

Oh how I love you, Jeff Luhnow.

 

[Blitz24]

Winners of Deadline:
Boston: Drew trade was meaningless, they got a good package back for Lackey (Craig can be saved and Kelly isn't terrible) and Cespedes could be their new Papi to build around.
Oakland: Lester and Gomes add postseason experience to a team looking to make that final step. Millone trade was funny and possibly pointless but if Crisp and Reddick keep getting hurt Fuld can be used to some degree.


Losers:
Los Angeles (both of them): Angels were stymied and literally had nobody to trade in order to keep up with the Tigers and A's. Dodgers were in on everyone and failed to add anyone.
Philadelphia: We are sellers so we will keep our prices high and make sure that everyone knows that we intended to trade our old players.

Oh.... wait... *deadline passes*
Seattle: Denorfia and Jackson are decent gets but Franklin may have been too much to give up. Miller is not hitting very well but since they gave up all of their SS they really have to play the draft.

No idea yet:
Detroit: They got Price, which makes them have the lethal pitching rotation in the playoffs but they have no bullpen? Soria has been an utter disgrace.
New York Yankees: Prado for O'Brien was almost a salary dump, but Prado should benefit greatly from the trade. The issue is that Stephen Drew is a SS and not a 2B. Not all SS can easily convert to being a 2B (example: Jose Reyes in 2004-2005).
Milwaukee: Parra can't hurt but where are you going to play him? Is this little league and you will field FOUR Outfielders at once?
Tampa Bay: On the surface this trade looks pretty bad but time will tell what happens with Smyly and Franklin.

 

[Patrick]

Welp, decent chance Skaggs will need TJS. Fun day.

 

[Dolph Drago]

Well the Reds got a cheap win against the Fish today thanks to the new "catcher blocking the plate" rule this year. We were down 1-0 in the 8th inning with the bases loaded and 1 out. Frazier hit a flyout to shallow right, and Cozart took off for home. He was thrown out by a mile and called out (which he should have been). The play was reviewed (though why it took over 6 minutes I do not know ) and he was ruled safe, tying the game. Naturally Ludwick (who can't hit himself out of a wet paper sack this season) knocked a single to score 2 more runs to make it a 3-1 game. It SHOULD have been a double play and eventual 1-0 loss for us. The Reds benefited from it all, but it's still a ridiculous rule. Sorry, @Omnis.

 

[JohnBM01]

Game 1 of 4 between TOR at HOU goes to Toronto, 6-5. I think we held onto them in the Bottom of the 7th, but the Astros couldn't keep down the Blue Jays in the end. Yeah... another Astros fail- nothing new. Another Blue Jays win- nothing [really] new. Second game is tomorrow night. Bad weather is sort of expected here tomorrow, but I'm hoping the Astros can try to get back into winning graces.


Congratulations to all other winners from Thursday. That even includes those who made great trades with today being the Trade Deadline.

 

[Blitz24]

The Phillies waited 4 hours and 44 minutes too long. Cliff Lee is out for the year.