2009 MLB season discussion*

[fren.]

There's been 5 homers in YS that wouldn't be homers anywhere else. There was a chart that showed it, but too lazy to look.

[Akiyama]

Wasn't that bad? That was a 425 foot bomb! Some people will complain about anything when it comes to the Yankees, I swear to god.

Yeah, Posada's homer barely got over. So did Bay's home run yesterday that barely got over the green monster down the line. Good teams take advantage of their home turf.

I said wasn't that bad because I didn't SEE it, so I hazarded a guess. Jesus christ. I'm not talking shit about the Yankees. I just think the ballpark is the new Fulton County Stadium.

Posada's homer would be a flyball out in almost every single ballpark out there except New YS and you can not possibly argue that. Also, the distance from home plate to the green monster and home plate to the RF wall at new YS are about the same, give or take, except New YS's wall is way smaller by comparison. Either way, Right Field is a fucking joke, but that's not to be disputed.

Just don't sweat what I say about the stadium. I've been complaining about it all season long since the Indians/Yankees game. Also, don't think that when anyone says something negative about the Yankees, we're just piling on anything. I complain about their stadium and I complain about how much money they can spend. That's something a lot of people complain about, so don't get your panties in a wad, okay?

Editing this post for a disclaimer. I'm sorry if I came across as someone who 'piles on' the Yankees, but when I see stuff like broken bat homers (granted to the opposite side of the field), and then pop-up homers to right field.. it just irritates me, but I suppose there are aspects to every park and every team that drive me nuts. So yeah, sorry about that Ceph. All cool on my end.

[Orph]

Why do people always complain about stadiums, both teams play in the same place

[Akiyama]

Why do people always complain about stadiums, both teams play in the same place

So? I'm pretty sure I complain about ANY homers knocked out of the stadium. >.> Well, any of them that are questionable anyway.

[Bregor]

Youk throwing a helmet at a 20 year old, ace.

My thoughts exactly, lol.

In non-Sawks/Yankees news, I have no idea why Carlos Marmol is still pitching in key situations. Last night he lets the Phillies take the lead with three walks and a HBP. 52 BB in 53 2/3 innings, sounds like he could use a two-week stint in Iowa to me.

Oh, and Samardzjia vs. Pedro should make for an interesting game tonight, ESPN knows how to pick 'em.

[Soa]

How we managed to win a 12 inning game with only 3 hits is beyond me. And how that ump originally ruled the Ruiz HR fair is beyond me too, it wasn't even remotely close. At least they had enough sense to review it, unlike some umpire crews I've seen.

At least our bullpen is finally starting to get healthy again. Maybe we should put Lidge back on the DL, then he might stop throwing hanging sliders over the middle of the plate to every other batter.

[Kang]

Swisher is absolutely terrible defensively in the outfield, especially CF where Rios is slated to get full playing time in 2010.

Oh, and Swisher's clubhouse antics and, uh.. lifestyle (coke), had his ticket out of town written almost as soon as he was traded here.

His personality might work in NY, but nobody liked him here.

Also, regarding Rios' numbers this year, he's having what a lot of sabermetrics fans would attribute to an unlucky year. His BABIP (.294) is well below league average, and yet his LD% hasn't really changed much. His walk rate and strikeout rates are IDENTICAL to his last 2 seasons in Toronto. So, basically he's hitting the ball as hard as he always has, it's just generally been right to the defense instead.

His OSwing% (Pitches swung at, outside of the strikezone) is right at where it's been over the last 3 years at 25%, and his ZSwing% (Pitches swung at, inside the zone) is also right at normal levels (65%), his overall contact rate is identical to his last 3 years at 82%

I'm not worried, I've liked Rios for a long time and I think he'll do well for us

Well, I hope Rios does well on the south side. This move by Jays GM Ricciardi was a salary dump even though he says it wasn't. Do you want Vernon Wells too? lol

[fren.]

http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/G...37217_5227.jpg
http://a.espncdn.com/media/apphoto/6...222afbba7c.jpg

I can't stop laughing.

[Headspace]

I <3 Youk.

[Cephius]

Brew Crew just made a bunch of moves. Optioned Hardy back to AAA, DFA'd Hall and fired their pitching coach. I know Melvin isn't afraid to fire people, I remember him firing his manager down the stretch last year. Wonder if this is intended to fire up the team, or if he's getting ready to make more moves.

[Bregor]

<3 you Ceph, just picked up Alcides Escobar. :D

I'm guessing it's to fire the team up, 6.5 GB in both the Central and the Wild Card is nothing at this point. And let's be honest, how many people are buying the Rockies right now? Marquis and Cook seem to be getting people out regularly, I'm just not sure how.

[Akiyama]

I think the Wild Card will boil down between the Rockies and Marlins to be honest. I don't like the Giants. I love their pitching, but their hitting is dreadful. They had a shit ton of trouble with Randy Wolf for goodness sakes. I know he's been serviceable, but come on.

Either way, I like the Rockies because of their offense, and their pitching is good enough to get by. The Marlins are coming on real strong, and I personally think they'll jump the team(s) ahead of em. I don't like the Cubs chances to finish at all.

As far as the Brewers, they're done. Their pitching is awful. They allowed 13 runs and 22 hits to the Padres for god sakes. The Padres!

[Bregor]

I still like the Cubs for the WC, depending on how long Ramirez and Zambrano are going to be out with their latest tweaks. Maybe it's the homer in me, but they're just too talented if they can get their guys healthy for the last six weeks. If not them, I'd agree that the Marlins are pretty dangerous, with Nolasco back on track and I wouldn't want to see them in a short series. Every six years, amirite? The NL West just blows me away sometimes, I know the Dodgers are good, but .600 good? How are the Giants scoring runs, and the Rockies preventing them? What is this I don't even...

And yeah, the Brewers are done, but does Melvin think they're done? Sorta like the Reds getting Scott Rolen, did they think they're making a run at the postseason or something? Oh, to be in the NL and think you have a chance every year.

[Melena]

Ok, that Youkilis picture is right up there with the retard who charged Nolan Ryan and Ryan tossed him on his ass.

[archibaldcrane]

Brew Crew just made a bunch of moves. Optioned Hardy back to AAA, DFA'd Hall and fired their pitching coach. I know Melvin isn't afraid to fire people, I remember him firing his manager down the stretch last year. Wonder if this is intended to fire up the team, or if he's getting ready to make more moves.

Should've done all 3 things about 2 months ago, but good. Escobar has to be a step up from Hardy, Hall has been worthless for two seasons now (especially with Branyan [last year] and McGehee [this year] playing well) and Counsell can step in to any of those 3 positions and play fine.

BUT WE STILL NEED A DECENT SP GODDAMNIT.

Also holy shit @ Bill Hall's contract (remember this is the Brewers here)

The Brewers will eat about $11 million in salary to Hall, who was designated for assignment.

He is owed $2,006,557 from the remainder of his $6.8 million salary this year, $8.4 million next season and a $500,000 buyout of a $9.25 million club option for 2011.

[Soa]

Every six years, amirite?

Thats right. Marlins will win the World Series this year, from the Wild Card again. Bet the mortgage on it.

[Cephius]

I was afraid the Yankees would have a let down after those emotion-filled and taxing Red Sox games, but they bounce back and take 2/3 from the pesky Jays. Now 28 games over 500 and have 71 wins on the season. If you take the pace they've been on after April, they're on course to win 110 games. Crazy good.

Jeter left the game after getting hit, and A-rod just got drilled. Posada took a foul tip off the hand, I hope these guys are alright. Injuries are the one thing that could derail the season.

[Stiker]

Ok, that Youkilis picture is right up there with the retard who charged Nolan Ryan and Ryan tossed him on his ass.

http://www.sportsgalleryweb.com/imag...aque_large.jpg

I actually have that hanging on my wall. Awesome moment.

[Militant]

Fuck Jewkoulis, and all of Boston for that matter. Serves him right, fucking bastard.

As far as the stadium talk goes in regards to "cheap" homers. I don't see anyone ever saying shit about the Rockies who play in Coor's field, and there is one other stadium which name escapes me which featured more home runs to date in its inaugural season. Guess what, the teams playing the Yankee's at home are playing in the same stadium AND CAN HIT HOME RUNS JUST AS EASILY. The *only* arguement you could have here, is that the yankee players home run totals are going to be semi-inflated from a statistical standpoint. Saying it gives them an unfair advantage when the opposing team has the same dimensions at their disposal is just fucking retarded so stop it.

[Melena]

http://www.sportsgalleryweb.com/imag...aque_large.jpg

I actually have that hanging on my wall. Awesome moment.

That is fucking awsome. Forgot it was Ventura who did that. Never underestimate those pesky 45 year old pitchers.