SB Nation - Wes Helms

Wednesday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:16:15 -0000

Mark DiFelice hopes to pitch for the Brewers again in 2011.

Some things to read while choosing carefully.

Well, this was bound to happen eventually: There's virtually no Brewer news today. Today's top story is the $100,000 minor league deal given to Mark DiFelice, who will spend the 2010 season rehabbing with Brewer trainers in the hope of returning to the mound with the Crew in 2011 (FanShot).

Elsewhere, Marc Hulet of FanGraphs has a look at the last few Brewer drafts, from a somewhat pessimistic point of view. The Brewer organization is down a bit and there's certainly not a lot of depth to speak of, but I think they deserve a little more credit than that.

I recently contributed to a discussion on the NL Central's moves at the Winter Meetings over at The Nats Blog, along with seven other NL Central sites.

We're continuing to plug away at the BCB All Decade Team. You have until 4 pm today to vote for our final starting outfielder, and 4 pm tomorrow to vote for our first bench infield spot. Geoff Jenkins has a pretty commanding lead in the former, but Craig Counsell's lead is much smaller in the latter. A new vote will open at 4 today.

Around baseball:

Royals: Are expected to sign former Twins pitcher Phil Humber to a minor league deal.
White Sox: Acquired Juan Pierre and cash from the Dodgers for two PTBNL.

Meanwhile, side deals are being struck to go along with the not-yet-official Mariners-Phillies-Blue Jays deal involving Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay: When/if the deal becomes official, the Blue Jays will send outfielder Michael Taylor to the A's for third baseman Brett Wallace, recently acquired in the Matt Holliday deal.

In a financially larger transaction, the Rangers are one large step closer to having a new owner, as Tom Hicks has selected a group of investors including current team president Nolan Ryan to begin negotiations.

Not much else going on, so I guess we can talk about a couple of former Brewers: The B-Ref blog has a look at some of the unique facets of Mike Cameron's career. He's in elite company on some relatively significant all-time lists. The Transaction Oracle projects him to hit .252/.349/.442 in 2010.

Meanwhile, I know I said I'd try to go the rest of the week without mentioning Jason Kendall, but this Transaction Oracle quote is a little too good to pass up:

Seriously, if the Royals gave me $1 million to me to kick Moore in the crotch, they'd be better off from both a financial and a baseball standpoint.

How about a note about a former Brewer catcher that was actually pretty good? Cardboard Gods has a post where at least a couple of paragraphs are about Darrell Porter.

Here's a study I'd like to see someone duplicate for the Brewers: DRaysBay has a look at variations in the 2009 Rays' attendance based on starting pitcher. There's a lot of factors to consider (opponent, day of the week, position in the standings), but I wouldn't be surprised to discover the Brewers lost a fair chunk of attendance on days when Jeff Suppan or Braden Looper pitched down the stretch last season.

Speaking of things someone could duplicate for the Brewers, FishStripes has a Marlins add-on for Firefox. I'm not sure what exactly that entails, but if someone made a Brewer one and it didn't get in the way while I'm trying to work, I'd use it.

It's possible it's just something to do for the sake of pretending to do something, but Bud Selig has formed a committee to consider and address on-field improvements for the game, and one writer (Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune) thinks it might be the first step towards a legitimate challenge of the DH rule. (h/t BBTF) Craig Calcaterra, however, threw some cold water on the theory.

On this day in 1999, the Brewers signed Jose Hernandez to a three year, $10 million deal. Hernandez had one very good season as a Brewer and made the All Star team in 2002, but also struck out 498 times in three seasons, leading the NL in two of his three years.

On this day in 2002, the Brewers traded Ray King to the Braves for Wes Helms and John Foster. Helms spent three years as a Brewer, hitting .268/.335/.425. Somehow, I remember him being much worse than that.

Happy birthday today to:

Alcides Escobar, who turns 23.
2003-2004 Brewer Matt Kinney, who turns 33.
Former Brewer first round pick and 1975 Brewer Tommy Bianco, who turns 57.

Drink up.

Making Your '00 Face: Third Base

KLSnow — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:00:15 -0000

With the '00's almost behind us, it's time to take a look back and work together to make a BCB All Decade team for the '00s. Each day, we'll tackle a new position, and we'll have our 25 man roster complete sometime around the 1st of the year.

The concept here is pretty simple. Each day, I'll give you a list of candidates: For position players, it's the full list of players who appeared in at least 100 games at the position during the '00s. Here are the players we've selected so far:

First Base: Prince Fielder
Second Base: Rickie Weeks

Voting for shortstops opened yesterday and will close at 4 pm tomorrow. Meanwhile, we'll close out the infield. Here are the candidates at third base:

Tyler Houston

Seasons as a Brewer: 3, 2000-2002
Slash line as a Brewer: .279/.326/.475
UZR (Fielding) as a Brewer: -5.4 runs*
WAR as a Brewer: 1.8

*- FanGraphs only has UZR data dating back to 2002, so only Houston's 2002 season is included in this total.

Keith Ginter

Seasons as a Brewer: 3, 2002-2005
Slash line as a Brewer: .257/.344/.458
UZR (Fielding) as a Brewer: -11 runs
WAR as a Brewer: 3.1

Bill Hall

Seasons as a Brewer: 8, 2002-2009*
Slash line as a Brewer: .253/.312/.446
UZR (Fielding) as a Brewer: +8.7 runs
WAR as a Brewer: 7.3

* - Hall played third base in seven of those eight seasons, all but 2007.

Wes Helms

Seasons as a Brewer: 3, 2003-2005
Slash line as a Brewer: ..268/.335/.425
UZR (Fielding) as a Brewer: -24.6 runs
WAR as a Brewer: -1.1

Russell Branyan

Seasons as a Brewer: 3, 2004-2005, 2008
Slash line as a Brewer: ..248/.351/.526
UZR (Fielding) as a Brewer: -9.1 runs
WAR as a Brewer: 1.7

Craig Counsell

Seasons as a Brewer: 4, 2004, 2007-2009
Slash line as a Brewer: .247/.341/.338
UZR (Fielding) as a Brewer: +8.5 runs
WAR as a Brewer: 5

Ryan Braun

Seasons as a Brewer: 3, 2007-2009*
Slash line as a Brewer: .308/.363/.574
UZR (Fielding) as a Brewer: -23.7 runs
WAR as a Brewer: 9.7**

* - Braun only played third base in 2007.
** - Only 1.5 of those WAR came in 2007, when Braun was at third.

Poll

Who should play third base on the BCB All Decade Team?

Tyler Houston

10 votes

Keith Ginter

7 votes

Bill Hall

174 votes

Wes Helms

10 votes

Russell Branyan

89 votes

Craig Counsell

115 votes

Ryan Braun

87 votes

492 votes | Poll has closed

Kiko Calero is gone

craig — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:06:01 -0000

It seems that Kiko Calero's performance last season means he won't be a Marlin in 2010.

Don't look for the Marlins to offer salary arbitration to any of their four free agents -- Kiko Calero, Brendan Donnelly, Ross Gload and Nick Johnson -- at Tuesday's deadline. However, the Marlins remain very much interested in re-signing Gload to a two-year deal similar to the one granted last year to his mirror opposite on the bench, Wes Helms.

The Marlins won't offer arbitration to any of the players. Kiko and NJ especially, they are type B free agents and if the Marlins offered them arbitration, the worse could happen, in the club's eyes, they might take it. Even if they didn't that would mean the Marlins would be awarded a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds of the draft. Wouldn't won't that to happen, those guys cost money in the way of signing bonuses.

The only one we could see back is Gload, don't have a problem with him off the bench, but other clubs can read the stats tables and may offer a better deal. The only thing the Marlins have going for them is that they may be willing to go two years.

Marlins make an offer to Ross Gload

craig — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:38:09 -0000

The Marlins looked it over and wondered if they could get Ross Gload for Wes Helms money.

The Marlins have extended an offer to Ross Gload, their top left-handed hitter off the bench last season when he led the majors in pinch hits. The offer is thought to be similar to the one received last year by Wes Helms, who agreed to a two-year deal for $1.9 million.

Gload said toward he end of the season that he would prefer to remain with the Marlins, especially if he could work out a deal early in the free agency process, thus relieving him of any uncertainty.The Marlins' exclusive negotiating window with Gload closes at midnight Friday, at which point any team can start discussing financial terms with the free agent

I'm kinda pressed for time here, but if the Marlins can signed him, I'm all for it. Pinch hitting is really tough, and I don't think most understand how hard it is. Gload is good at it, actually, very good. While past results don't guarantee future performance, I am hard pressed to think of another left-handed bat who can hit coming off the bench and would do better, in our price range.

Marlins file for free agency

craig — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:55:51 -0000

All of the Marlins eligible for free agency have filed, as expected.

Nick Johnson made an impact with the Marlins. But unless Florida works out a contract with the veteran, those 35 games may be the extent of Johnson's tenure with the organization.

Johnson formally filed for free agency on Friday, along with reliever Kiko Calero, who became a valuable performer in the back end of the bullpen.

The filing period began on Thursday, and now all four of Florida's eligible free agents have placed themselves in position to test the market. Reliever Brendan Donnelly and first baseman Ross Gload filed on Thursday.

By league rule, the Marlins hold exclusive negotiating rights with all four through Nov. 19. If no deal is reached by then, the players can talk with all 30 teams.

Johnson is gone. Donnelly and Calero are probably both looking for multiyear deals, so they may be gone too. I think the Marlins will offer Gload the Wes Helms package, but whether he takes it or not will depend on if he can do better elsewhere.

It's the usual for a Marlins offseason.

Ross Gload and Wes Helms closing in on record

craig — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:14:42 -0000

Ross Gload and Wes Helms are closing in on the major league record for hits by a pinch-hitting tandem.

They have combined for 34 pinch hits, four off the major league record Ed Coleman (20) and Roy Pepper (18) set with the 1936 St. Louis Browns, according to Stats Inc.

Gload has 19 and Helms 15.

The record is doable but it isn't going to be easy. Then again, pinch-hitting isn't easy and the Grits make it seem like it is. With Gload's next pinch-hit he will break the Marlins record for pinch-hits in a season.

Helms is signed for next season at $950,000. Gload has a $2.6 million club option, which the Marlins will all but surely decline. They likely would want to bring back Gload, who for the first time will be eligible for free agency, at a lower price.

Considering they signed Helms last offseason to a two-year, $1.9 million deal, the Marlins could try to entice Gload to stay put with a similar multiyear offer.

It would have to be multiyear to get his interest. But given that it is his first time at free agency he might like to test the waters, and you couldn't blame him if he did. We will see how the club handles this, but I wouldn't mind having him back. With him and Helms on the bench it guarantees the bench spots won't be manned by some young player who needs to playing everyday.

Ryan Zimmerman's Walk-Off HR Ends Eight-Game Losing Streak, Washington Nationals 5-4 Over The Florida Marlins.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 21:01:48 -0000

More photos » by Haraz N. Ghanbari - AP

"Hey! It's Bernadina!!!!" - Washington Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman is congratulated after hitting a two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat the Florida Marlins, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009, during a baseball game in Washington. The Nationals won 5-4. (AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)

Browse more photos »

Just when it seemed like all hope was lost. After the Nationals had rallied to tie the Marlins at 2-2 in the eighth and then watched as closer Mike MacDougal gave up a two-out hit to Nick Johnson that put Florida back up 4-2...Just then...Willie Harris stepped to the plate against the Marlins' closer Leo Nunez and sent a solo shot to right, right into the second deck to remind everyone why he's TAWH!!! The Amazing Willie Harris!!! Cristian Guzman follows with a sharp grounder to second, deep in the hole, and Guzman, (bunions and all), beats the throw to first and is actually called, "SAFE!!" Do You BELIEVE, DC FAITHFUL? Ryan Zimmerman steps in against Leo Nunez. First pitch change in at 86 and it's called ball one. Nunez comes back with a fastball and dials it up to 96 for a swinging strike and a 1-1 count. Is Nunez crazy? The Florida closer comes back inside with a 1-1 change and Ryan Zimmerm---THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! TWO-RUN WALK-OFF HR TO CENTER AND GONE!!! Ryan Zimmerman's 28th HR of 2009 wins it for Washington!! The Nationals break an eight-game losing streak!!! The NATIONALS WIN! THE NATIONALS WIN!!!

Nationals win, 5-4 Final.

Miss The Game? The DC Faithful Were Watching!!

Check Out The SB Nation's Florida Marlins Blog: FishStripes - Open Thread And Ichthyomancy.

"Game 137: Like old times--in a GOOD way!" -Doghouse.

BACKPAGE:

• Elijah Dukes, Socks High, Sends A DY WAVE To The Dugout From Second!!!

• The Kids Call Him Zim!! A Win That Almost Wasn't And Why.

For The Completists, Full Game Report After The JUMP...

Nationals now 47-90.

BACKPAGE:

• Elijah Dukes, Socks High, Sends A DY WAVE To The Dugout From Second!!!

Elijah Dukes had the red socks pulled high today as the Nationals donned their Sunday Reds with the alternate BIG "W" logo in white and white piping on the jerseys, and the Nationals' right fielder had another impressive outing as all eyes in DC, with not much else to watch, have turned their attention to right to see if Dukes can claim the job for 2010 in the last month of the season, and it seems like Dukes knows he's playing for a spot. Dukes is 11 for 25 in his last 8 games played before this afternoon, and Dukes ended the day 2 for 2 with a walk, a double, his 18th, and a run scored. So far in September, Dukes is hitting .444 in 4 games, and he's using the Discerning Eye passed on by the great Nick Johnson, walking 5 times in 9 at bats and posting a .643 OBP so far in the final month of the season. They're not yelling, "Boo"...They're Yelling DUKES!!!!

• The Kids Call Him Zim!! A Win That Almost Wasn't And Why.

D.C. right-hander J.D. Martin held the Florida Marlins to one run through six, and had two out in the seventh when two two-strike pitches to Cameron Maybin were called balls** and the Marlins' center fielder walked. Pinch hitter Ross Gload followed with a single to right that sent Maybin to third, and Chris Coghlan's single scored the two-out walk to make it 2-0 Marlins after seven. DC right-hander Tyler Clippard pitched a quick scoreless eighth and the Nationals got a bases-loaded, two-out, two-run single from pinch hitter Mike Morse to tie it, only to give up the third out of the inning when Wil Nieves failed to advance to third on the throw home and Morse ran into him at second and was tagged out. 2-2 after eight.

Mike MacDougal takes over for the Nationals in the ninth. The DC Closer gives up a single, throws a wild pitch and issues a walk to Cameron Maybin put two on for Marlins' third baseman Wes Helms, who bunts both pinch runner Emilio Bonifacio and Maybin into scoring position. Chris Coghlan had another chance to win it, but he hit a ground ball to second that Willie Harris threw home for Wil Nieves who blocked and tagged Bonifacio. One down, first and third and...Oh no!...It's Nick Johnson! And the Former Nationals' first baseman hit a Trademark Single™ to center to give the Marlins the lead, and an ill-advised dive and miss by the "defensive replacement" Justin Maxwell allows Coghlan to score from first for a 4-2 lead after eight and a half...

And Then TAWH!! THE GUZ!!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! LOSING STREAK OVER!!!!

(ed. note - " ** = Check the MLB.com Gameday Link And Tell Me Pitches 5 and 7 aren't strikes!!)

GAME REPORT:

Florida Marlins At Washington Nationals. Game 137 Of 162.

J.D. Martin starts the afternoon by popping up Chris Coghlan for the first out of the series finale with the Florida Marlns. Former Washington Nationals’ first baseman Nick Johnson strikes out swinging at a fastball up high. Hanley Ramirez flies weakly enough to left that Cristian Guzman runs out to get it...In the absence of Nyjer Morgan, Willie Harris is leading off against Anibal Sanchez, and he flies out to center. In the absence of "Two-Spot" Johnson, Cristian Guzman’s batting second. Guzman hits one up into the wind toward center for Cameron Maybin to catch. Ryan Zimmerman hustles but he’s thrown out by Hanley Ramirez after a grounder to short.

Cristian Guzman throws to first to get Jorge Cantu. Dan Uggla pops a slow curve up to the infield. Cody Ross gets a hold a hanger and lines it over Willingham’s head in left. Ronny Paulino flies to Willie Harris to end the top of the second...Adam Dunn K’s chasing a fastball up out of the zone. Josh Willingham grounds out to the pitcher. Elijah Dukes rips a single through short off Sanchez. Alberto Gonzalez hits another two-out single to send Dukes to third. Wil Nieves swings through a high fastball to end the second.

Cameron Maybin grounds out to Guzman to start the Marlins’ third. Wil Nieves fires the ball to Ryan Zimmerman at third after catching the third strike thrown by the opposing pitcher. Chris Coghlan hits another single to center. Nick Johnson gets jammed and he pops one straight up...J.D. Martin tests Nick Johnson’s reflexes with a line drive to first. Willie Harris walks with one down. Cristian Guzman K’s swinging through a high fastball from Sanchez. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to center to end the third.

Hanley Ramirez launches a leadoff HR to left for a 1-0 Marlins’ lead. Jorge Cantu fouls strike three into Wil Nieves’ glove. Dan Uggla grounds out to Zimmerman at third. J.D. Martin hangs another bender to Cody Ross, who sends a screamer to left for a two-out double. Ronny Paulino grounds out to short...Adam Dunn flies out to left field for Chris Coghlan to catch. Willingham grounds out to third. Elijah Dukes up with two down, and he goes the othe way with a line drive double to right. DY WAVE FROM SECOND BY DUKES!!! Alberto Gonzalez K’s swinging.

Cameron Maybin doesn’t think the low outside corner counts, but J.D. Martin hits it. Elijah Dukes sprints in and makes an underhand catch on a liner from the pitcher. Martin gets Chris Coghlan to ground to short to end the Fish’s fifth...Wil Nieves sends a fly ball out to Cameron Maybin in center. J.D. Martin K’s swinging over a two-strike bender from Anibal Sanchez. Willie Harris flies to the warning track in right to end the fifth.

Elijah Dukes leaps at the wall, but misses a fly ball off Nick Johnson’s bat. Johnson in with a double, so Hanley Ramirez gets the intentionals with first open. Jorge Cantu grounds to short, Guzman to Alberto Gonzalez to Dunn, double play. Johnson takes third. Uggla up with two down. J.D. Martin gets a grounder back to the mound and throws to Dunn to end the threat...Cristian Guzman pops out to Cantu foul of third. Ryan Zimmerman grounds out to Uggla at second. Adam Dunn hits a two-out double to right and off the wall on one hop. Josh Willingham walks, and Elijah Dukes gets a two-out RBI opportunity. Dukes takes a curve in the numbers and takes first. Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to first to end any threat.

Cody Ross pops out to the infield. Ronny Paulino grounds back to the mound. Cameron Maybin takes a low fastball for ball four and a two-out walk. Ross Gload gets a PH opportunity. Gload singles to center, Maybin moves around to third. Chris Coghlan lines an RBI single into right to score Maybin, 2-0 Marlins. Nick Johnson hits one straight down that stays fair, Johnson out at first, 2-0 Fish in the seventh...Wil Nieves leads off the seventh against Matt Lindstrom. Nieves flies out to Maybin in left center. "Pinch Hittin’" Pete Orr drops a single into short right. Willie Harris lines out to Cody Ross in right. Cristian Guzman walks with two down. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to Chris Coghlan in left.

Tyler Clippard blows Hanley Ramirez away with a 90 mph two-strike fastball for a swinging strike three. Jorge Cantu singles to left with one down. Dan Uggla pops out to short center. Cody Ross pops out to center to end the top of the eighth....Renyel Pinto’s dealing to Dunn in the eighth. Dunn flies out to left field. Josh Willingham flies out to Cody Ross in right. Elijah Dukes takes a two-out walk. Josh Bard moves Dukes to third with a two-out single. Wil Nieves takes a second two-out walk. Mike Morse will see Kiko Calero. Morse lines up the middle, two runs score, tie game, 2-2, but Wil Nieves is still on second when Morse arrives there, and Morse gets tagged out to end the inning.

Mike MacDougal is on in the ninth. Ronny Paulino singles through short to start the ninth. Emilio Bonifacio runs for Paulino. Cameron Maybin take a two-out walk in front of Wes Helms. Helms bunts to third, Zim fields and throws, but both runners advance. Chris Coghlan grounds back to the mound, Willie Harris throws home and nails Bonifacio at the plate. Two down. Nick Johnson with two on and two out, hits a Trademark single™ to center to score Maybin, Justin Maxwell misplays it, and the Marlins score two, 4-2 Fish. MacDougal walks Hanley Ramirez and gets a ground ball from John Baker to end the inning...TAWH GOES DEEP!! GONE!! Solo shot by Harris to cut the lead in half!!! 4-3 FISH!! Cristian Guzman grounds deep in the hole near second and beats the throw to first. Tying run on for Ryan Zimmerm---WHO WANTS A TIE!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!! Ryan Zimmerman hits a two-run walk-off HR to win it for the Nationals. 5-3 final. THE NATIONALS WIN! THE NATIONALS WIN!!!!

Nationals now 47-90.

Washington Nationals Drop Eight Straight, 9-5 To The Florida Marlins.

Ed Chigliak — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 03:23:56 -0000

More photos » by Luis Alvarez - AP

3 months ago: Washington Nationals' Livan Hernandez pitches against the Florida Marlins during the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

Browse more photos »

Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse, the Washington Nationals best the two seven-game losing streaks they've strung together already this season by dropping eight-in-a-row with tonight's 9-5 loss to Florida. The Marlins' batters come in with a plan and settle back in the batter's box to get a good look at Livan Hernandez's slow junk and the home plate umpire, Tim McClelland, decides to squeeze the 34-year-old veteran forcing Livan to throw 107 pitches, 58 of them strikes in 5.0 innings on the mound over which he allows 8 hits, 1 HR, 6 ER and 5 walks while striking out 6. Down 3-0 after one inning, the Nationals load the bases against Florida starter Josh Johnson with no one out in the second and get an RBI single from Pete Orr to make it 3-1, but Wil Nieves K's swinging and Livan grounds into a rally-killing DP to end the threat. Washington goes hitless through the next four innings before adding three runs in the seventh on a single by Wil Nieves and a two-run double by Josh Bard, and they add a run in the ninth when Justin Maxwell doubles and scores on Mike Morse's single, but 9-5 is as close as Washington can get. Josh Johnson wins his 14th, Livan loses his 10th and the Nationals drop #90...Oh, and the Marlins improve to 11-3 against DC in '09...

Marlins win, 9-5 final.

BACKPAGE:

• Victor Garate Is One Of Us...

• Saturday Night In the Minors.

For The Completists, Full Game Report (Currently Unedited) After The JUMP...

Nationals now 46-90.

BACKPAGE:

• Victor Garate Is One Of Us...

Victor Garate entered tonight's game in the sixth, pitching for the first time above Double-AA ball, and the 24-year-old left-hander allowe...before I tell you what happened, if you don't already know, let me take you back a few posts to a conversation that took place in the comments section here the other day, where I asked, when Garate was officially added to the 25-man roster, what would happen when he made his DC debut:

Let's see:

A) Home run by first batter he faces?
B) Walks the first batter he faces?
C) Comes on with bases loaded to face a lefty, walks in run?
D) Successful first appearance, retires batter in a Lefty vs Lefty matchup?
E) Not even going to pitch?

Which would you have chosen? If you selected option "A) Home run by the first batter he faces?", you would've been correct, what's even worse is that it came on an 0-2 pitch down low in the zone to Marlins' pinch hitter Brett Hayes. Garate started Hayes with two fastballs, up high and down the middle at 86 for a called strike, and outside and high at 87 for a swinging strike two, but then Garate tried to waste a slider low and outside and Hayes reached down and lifted it up and out of the park into the first row of seats in left center. Garate now joins DC left-hander Sean Burnett, (who gave up a HR to these same Marlins in his DC debut back on July 1st) as another reliever who is clearly and instantly one of us...One of us...One of us...

• Saturday Night In the Minors.

The Syracuse Chiefs (Triple A) dropped an 8-2 decision to the Pawtucket Red Sox Saturday night, to fall 5.5 games behind the International League's North Division winners, the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees. Daryle Ward went deep for the Chiefs, and Ian Desmond finished the night 2 for 4 with a .345 AVG...The Harrisburg Senators (Double-AA) lost 7-1 and 5-2 to the Bowie Baysox, the Baltimore Orioles' Double-AA affiliate, in a double-header Saturday night that saw the Senators held to just 1 hit, a solo HR by Ricardo Nanita, in Game 1 before the Bay Sox took Game 2 5-2 later in the evening. Nanita went deep in Game 2 too...The Potomac Nationals (Class-A) shut the Kinston Indians out Saturday night, with Tom Milone improving to 12-5 in '09 with an 8.0 inning, 4-hit shutout that saw Tim Pahuta smack his 8th HR of the year while Danny Espinosa hit his 18th...The Hagerstown Suns (Class-A) got a walk-off win when third baseman James Keithley singled to left with two down and a runner on third after a walk, stolen base and a throwing error by Lake County Captains' catcher Adam Abraham. Left-hander Jack McGeary gave up 4 hits, 3 walks and 8 R, 3 earned in over 1.2 IP in an 11-2 Vermont Lake Monsters' loss to the Staten Island Yankees on Saturday. Destin Hood was in right field for the Lake Monsters, going 1 for 3 and collecting his 23rd RBI in 37 games...That's your Saturday in the Nationals' system...

GAME REPORT:

Florida Marlins At Washington Nationals. Game 126 Of 162.

Chris Coghlan drops the second pitch of the game into short right center for a leadoff single. DC righty Livan Hernandez gets help from his catcher, Wil Nieves, who throws out Chris Coghlan trying to take second. Hernandez issues a one-out walk to Cameron Maybin to put one on for Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez gets a free pass from Livan. Jorge Cantu waits on a slow slow curve and lifts it to the left field corner for a double, and a 1-0 lead. John Baker stares strike three all the way in. Dan Uggla walks with two down to load the bases. Cody Ross comes up and rips a single up the middle, two runs score, 3-0 Nationals. Wes Helms gets the two-strike slow curve in at 64 mph for a swinging K...Willie Harris walks to start the Nationals’ half of the first. Cristian Guzman flies out to left for the first out. Ryan Zimmerman grounds to third, Wes Helms to Uggla to Jorge Cantu, double play.

Josh Johnson grounds to Pete Orr at second for the first out of the inning. Chris Coghlan singles to right one hop in front of Elijah Dukes. Cameron Maybin’s called out on strikes as Livan evens out the evening’s K/BB ratio. Hanley Ramirez comes up just short of the left field wall, Josh Willingham’s catch ends the top of the second...Adam Dunn rips the cover off the ball, singling through the dramatic shift. Josh Willngham works the count full and walks. Elijah Dukes takes the second-straight walk and loads’em up for Pete Orr. Orr hits the first pitch from Johnson through second to score Dunn, 3-1 Marlins. Wil Nieves takes ball three for another full count, but K’s chasing a heater upstairs. Livan Hernandez grounds to third, Wes Helms to Uggla to Cantu, double play.

Jorge Cantu isn’t looking for the slow bender this time, swinging K. John Baker walks with one down. Livan drops the slow two-strike junk on Dan Uggla. Pete Orr sprints behind first in foul territory to catch Cody Ross’ pop out...Willie Harris grounds to short, Hanley Ramirez makes the throw to first. Cristian Guzman gets robbed by Cameron Maybin, who makes a diving play in left center, and Cody Ross runs into the wall in right to grab Ryan Zimmerman’s deep fly.

Wes Helms hits a high chopper over the mound and Cristian Guzman drops it as he pulls it out of his glove. Josh Johnson gets a successful sac bunt down. Chris Coghlan slaps a "fastball" from Livan out to left for another single. Cameron Maybin lifts a low liner to right, Dukes misjudges it, makes the catch and has his throw hit Adam Dunn at first as the run scores, 4-1 Florida. Hanley Ramirez leaves the yard in a hurry with a line drive HR to left, 6-1 Fish. John Baker lines out to center and it’s 6-1 in the middle of the fourth...Adam Dunn grounds into the dramatic shift. Josh Willingham pops up behind second. Elijah Dukes does the same to end the fourth.

Dan Uggla starts the fifth with a backwards K on a low fastball right down the pipe. Cody Ross grounds back to the mound. Elijah Dukes closes his glove on a fly ball to right from Wes Helms that ends the third...Pete Orr grounds to second and almost beats the throw to first, almost. Wil Nieves lines right back to Josh Johnson who makes the self-defense catch near his noggin. Jorge Padilla has hit bat shattered as he grounds out to short.

Victor Garate, the left-hander acquired in the Ronnie Belliard-to-LA deal, will make his DC debut right now-ish. Garate gets up two strikes and throws a low 0-2 slider to pinch hitter Brett Hayes that gets jacked out to left and into the first row for a solo HR. 7-1 Marlins. Garate gets a fly ball to left from Chris Coghlan and then walks Cameron Maybin with one down. Garate pops up Hanley Ramirez. Jorge Cantu takes a hanging curve that comes in chest high to left and to the wall for an RBI double and an 8-1 lead. John Baker grounds out to second to end the top of the sixth...Christhian Martinez takes over on the mound for the Marlins. Willie Harris gets a two-strike change and K’s swinging. Cristian Guzman flies out to Cody Ross in right. Ryan Zimmerman grounds to third, and Wes Helms thro...Wes Helms sails it, and Zimmerman takes second. Adam Dunn pops a 3-1 pitch out to left to end the sixth.

Dan Uggla doubles to left off Jorge Sosa to lead off the seventh. Cristian Guzman throws to first to get Cody Ross on a productive groundout. Ryan Zimmerman drops a liner from Wes Helms, but throws him out at first. Cristhian Martinez gets an AB and grounds out to second to end the top of the frame...Josh Willingham flies out to center to start DC’s seventh. Elijah Dukes lines one off the wall in center and slides in headfirst at third with a one-out triple. Pete Orr walks. Wil Nieves knocks Dukes in with a single to center. 8-2 Marlins. Josh Bard hits a fly ball to right that a diving Cody Ross can’t come up with, Orr and Nieves score, 8-4 Fish. Martinez out, Dan Meyer’s on in relief. Justin Maxwell K’s swinging through a fastball up high. Cristian Guzman pops out to end the inning.

Ron Villone’s on the mound in the top of the eighth. Chris Coghlan hits a one hop blooper to short for Cristian Guzman. Cameron Maybin drops a pop fly into short right in front of the outfielders. Hanley Ramirez goes with a pitch outside and lines to right for a double that scores Maybin. 9-4 Marlins. Ron Villone gives Cantu the intentionals. John Baker flies out to Willingham in left. Jason Bergmann comes on to face Dan Uggla, who grounds into a force at third...Ryan Zimmerman faces Dan Meyer in the Nationals’ half of the eighth. Zimmerman flies out to right, Cody Ross makes the grab. Adam Dunn hits a one-out liner to right in front of Josh Willingham. Ronny Paulino comes on to catch Brian Sanches. Josh Willingham singles through short to put two on for Elijah Dukes. Dukes K’s swinging through a 90 mph fastball up at the letters. Pete Orr flies out to Cody Ross in right to end the frame.

Bergmann vs Ross to start the ninth. Swinging K at a bender in the dirt. Bergmann pops up Wes Helms. Ronny Paulino takes a two-out walk. Chris Coghlan flies out to left to end the Marlins’ ninth...Wil Nieves grounds out to second. Alberto Gonzalez flies out to right. Justin Maxwell lines to left and Chris Coghlan flat misses it, J-Max safe at second. Mike Morse lines to right to score Maxwell from second. 9-5. Ryan Zimmerman flies out to Ross in right to end the game.

Nationals now 46-89.

Building a team the Astros way, and building a team the smart way

HighLeveragePerformer — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:00:29 -0000

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP

An entire outfield of 2009 free agents could be assembled, make less money than Carlos combined and out produce him dramatically.

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The Astros are going to have to indulge in the free agent market of 2010 in order to field a competitive team next season. I don't think that anyone here would try to argue that point. How and who are the two questions that go along with free agent signings, as in how much to spend, and who to sign?

Well, it's still too early to really get down to the nitty gritty of things, but what we can do is look back and identify bargains and trends in the marketplace. Sky Andrecheck of Baseball Analysts did just that in a recent post which looked at the free agent class of 2009 and built a team from those players. He describes his experiment much better than I ever could, but suffice it to say, bargains do exist.

Who did he select to be a part of the club?

Catchers: Gregg Zaun, David Ross

Infielders: Wes Helms, Felipe Lopez, Casey Blake, Juan Uribe Craig Counsell

Total $ spent: $15.3 million, Total WAR: 13.1

Outfielders/DH: Bobby Abreu, Juan Rivera, Scott Podsednik, Raul Ibanez

Total $ spent: $35 million, Total WAR: 23.6

Starting Pitchers: Mike Hampton, Brad Penny, Carl Pavano, Randy Wolf, CC Sabathia

Total $ spent: $78.8 million, Total WAR: 35.3

That club is good for a 71-49 record through 120 games, solid enough for a playoff spot. Bargains are easier to find offensively than in pitching, so the Sabathia signing was by leaps and bounds the most outlandish contract he chose to take on.

Painfully, let's determine the Astros' team WAR, or at least a rough approximation of it.

Offensively: The entire Astros' offense (not counting the negative values that most of our pitchers/bench has contributed) is good for a WAR of 15.1. Unlike the all free agent team, the Astros offense has gotten 43% of its output from two players: Lance Berkman and Michael Bourn.

Sort of a "fun" sidenote: Pudge's WAR in total is .8, while his Astro-WAR is .6. He's added .2 WAR since joining the Rangers....less than 2 weeks ago.

Pitching: Just counting our starting pitchers' contributions, including the negative WARs for Brandon Backe and Felipe Paulino, the staff WAR is 7.5. Add it all up, and the Astros have a 22.6 team WAR, 12.7 wins less than Andrecheck's fictitious club. Drayton McLane has also spent roughly $20 million more on the players who I used in this article, not counting fairly large contracts for relievers like LaTroy Hawkins, Doug Brocail and Tim Byrdak, and bench players like Jason Michaels and Darin Erstad.

I come to the same conclusion as Andrecheck does: it's possible to build a playoff contender just in free agency, but it's too difficult without being able to look back on things. There are plenty of ways to be successful in MLB, but it's becoming obvious that the Astros aren't doing any of them.

Astros win the most uncomfortable 6-3 game—ever

DyingQuail — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 03:35:27 -0000

More photos » by Pat Sullivan - AP

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After being way prematurely yanked to satisfy whatever rumbling was occurring in Cecil Cooper's gut, Yorman Bazardo was removed and lost a shot at being the pitcher of record. I was looking for Bazardo's start to make me feel good about our prospects in 2010 and Yorman did little to let me sleep well tonight: 4.2IP, 6H, 2R, 2ER, 1K, 4BB using 95 pitches (maybe 98, there's some controversy). That's a 1.93K/9, 0.25K:BB, and a paltry 1.05K/100. Not exactly what I was hoping for.

To say that Bazardo lacked control would be an understatement. At times he flashed crisp fastballs and an excellent slider/change-up combo and others he had an inability to keep his fastball down and his breaking stuff in the zone. The one positive I can laud Bazardo with is that he managed to work his way out of jams and limit the damage. In fact, he should have been able to complete the full 5IP were it not for Kaz Matsui bobbling the ball on the exchange of botched GIDP. Coop went with Tim Byrdak who managed to continue not being effective against lefties without Coop catching on. Instead of allowing Byrdak to pitch to RHBs, who he's actually more effective against, Coop went to Samuel Gervacio who needed five pitches to collect the third out...something that would earn him the pitcher of record nod (reason #583958277134 that wins are meaningless).

Jeff Fulchino, LaTroy Hawkins, and Jose Valverde all combined to finish off the Marlins, who still collected over ten hits for the fifteenth consecutive game. Valverde, however, continued his streak of having a total inability to just go get three outs without giving an entire city a collective heart attack. With two outs, Valverde decided to walk two batters, then hit Wes Helms. After an eleven pitch battle with Chris Coghlan, Valverde recorded the K and the final out. He has got to stop doing that.

Here are the positives from the offense:

Michael Bourn did it all: bunt hit, stolen bases, advances on errors, ridiculous plays in centerfield, and he clocked a 3B. Ridiculous night.
Lance Berkman had a multi-hit night.
Humberto Quintero crushed a homerun off the Conaco porch in left center.
Carlos Lee, after looking his weight in the first inning, made two "amazing" defensive plays in the 8th and 9th innings.
Hunter Pence collected a hit and a walk, but also two SB. Between Pence and Bourn, the Astros were 4/4 on the base paths—it's a miracle.
Miguel Teajda broke out of his 0/19 streak with a 2B. He then GIDPed in his next AB.
Jason Michaels contributed a PH 2B.

via www.fangraphs.com

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