SB Nation - Sean West

Sean West's Wild Night

craig — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:22:30 -0000

Sean West had a night in Philly that he would probably rather forget. The problem is, no one else will.

Just read the whole thing.

Marlins pitcher Sean West's wild Saturday night

Sean, rule number one: Don't piss off the limo driver.

In every major city limo drivers have connections with the gossip reporters of the local papers, this is one of the ways you get to learn all the sordid details that grace the tabloids everyday. Sure, if I would've pulled the same stunt no one would care thus making the information worthless. However, I'm not a major league baseball player. If you would've paid for the clean up of limo, no one would have ever known. But you didn't, and now comes the lesson the hard way.

Rule number two: if the girl in question isn't your girlfriend, it is time to channel all of the skills you learned in middle school dodge ball games, because you are going to need to them. Things are going to be thrown at you and if you have any hopes of salvaging the relationship you will duck and dodge while apologizing the whole time. Now it may not work, but it is the only chance you have.

Good luck Sean, you are going to need it.

Sean West rolls ankle

craig — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:12:45 -0000

Sean West was cruising in last night's game and then the wheels came off.

Sean West became the second Marlins starter in the series to get shaken up and not be able to complete five innings.

While running the bases in the fourth inning, West stumbled and rolled his right ankle while touching first, and he fell a few feet beyond the bag.

---

Manager Fredi Gonzalez and assistant trainer Mike Kozak headed toward West, who convinced them he was fine. But in the bottom of the fifth inning, West exited after facing two batters and not recording an out. West's first pitch of the inning struck pinch-hitter Wilson Valdez. After Angel Pagan's double, West was replaced by Burke Badenhop.

Fabulous. Thank God it is September and the rosters are expanded because the pitchers are dropping like flies. West claims to be fine, and maybe he is. But one thing I have learned following the Marlins all these many years is that when young players are injured and asked about how they feel -- they lie. Always have. Always will.

So we have two possibilities: 1) West is fine or 2) He says he is fine but is lying through his teeth. I'm hoping that possibility number one is the case.

Washington Nationals Drop 10th Of 13 To The Florida Marlins In '09, 9-6 Final.

Ed Chigliak — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 03:55:04 -0000

More photos » by Manuel Balce Ceneta - AP

3 months ago: Florida Marlins' Cameron Maybin, right, scores on a hit by teammate Nick Johnson during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Browse more photos »

Three hours and forty-five minutes after it started, the Washington Nationals had dropped their seventh-straight overall and the 10th out of 13 games played between DC and their NL East "rivals", the Florida Marlins so far in 2009. About two hours and forty-five minutes before the game ended, DC starter Garrett Mock was pulled from the mound after having allowed 7 hits, 2 HR and 6 ER in just 3.0 innings pitched in which he threw a total of 81 pitches, just 50 of them for strikes. After having scored a total of 4 runs in their last 4 games, the Nationals manage to force 6 runs across against Florida starter Sean West and the Marlins' bullpen. 3 through 6 in the order, Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Dunn, Josh Willingham and Elijah Dukes are a combined 9 for 16, with 4 walks and 5 runs scored between them, but Josh Bard, batting seventh strands 10...seriously...Bard strands 10 runners and the Nationals fail to cash in on several opportunities to tie it. The Marlins continue their inexplicable domination of the Nationals...16,364 fans watch it live...at least that's more than the Fish get in Florida...

Marlins win, 9-6 final.

Miss The Game? The DC Faithful Were Watching...

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

"Game 135: Hope and FAIL" - Doghouse.

BACKPAGE:

• Part With Dukes? Why? Why? Why?

• Jesus Flores Returns. Sorta?

• MiLB.com's Jonathan Mayo Tweets About Storen.

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

Nationals now 46-89. (Countdown To 100 Losses Stands At...11)

BACKPAGE:

• Part With Dukes? Why? Why? Why?

Just yesterday in the latest edition of MLB.com's Bill Ladson's "Inbox: Who will the Nats keep around", Mr. Ladson responded to a question about the makeup of the 2010 outfield and Roger Bernadina's place in it, by speculating that, "...if the Nationals are not happy with Elijah Dukes, I could see Bernadina getting at chance in right field. I would like to see Bernadina get a chance to play every day because he can catch the ball." In the comments section of a post today at the Nationals Journal by Washington Post writer Chico Harlan entitled, "What To Watch For In September", Mr. Harlan responds to someone who adds watching what happens with Elijah Dukes the rest of the way to Mr. Harlan's list of reasons to tune in, by writing (and I assume it's him, and not a fake "chicoharlan" commenting on his own board):

"Good call on Dukes. I agree that he's playing himself off the roster. September is critical for him."

This is a topic that's been discussed here at Federal Baseball, in the comments sections, gamethreads, and in a recent FANPOST by "Potomac Fan" entitled, "Is Elijah Dukes the long-term answer in RF?", and the prevailing sentiment, if I was to sum it up, would seem to be that all of DC is waiting for Dukes to claim right field, but he has yet to do so...The question I'd ask...Who else in the Nationals' system is going to provide more in right? I've openly stated that I expected more from Dukes, so I'm really wondering if anyone sees Bernandina as a better option? Justin Maxwell in right? What's the thinking out there?

Dukes was 2 for 3 tonight with a run scored and 2 walks, and after 85 games played and 287 AB's, the Nationals' 25-year-old outfielder is hitting for a .254 AVG with 18 doubles, 2 triples, 8 HR's and 52 RBI's. Dukes has posted a .328 OBP, a .415 SLG and a .733 OPS for the Nationals. Is Elijah Dukes your 2010 DC RF?

• Jesus Flores Returns. Sorta?

Before tonight's game started, Washington Post writer Chico Harlan noted in an article entitled, "Flores Activated, Strasburg Works Out, And Other Notes", that the Nationals' catcher of the future, Jesus Flores was off the DL and available for some pinch hitting the rest of the way, though chances are the DC Faithful won't see Jesus Flores behind the plate again until 2010. Flores was not used in tonight's game, even though there were several opportunities to do so...Let's hope the Nationals can just let Flores rest up for next season. Why risk anything now?

• MiLB.com's Jonathan Mayo Tweets About Storen.

In a tweet sent out early this morning, MiLB.com's Jonathan Mayo draws the baseball world's attention to the Washington Nationals' 2nd 1st Round pick, reliever Drew Storen:

"Just a note that @drewstoren still hasn't given up a run in Double-A ball. 12 1/3 IP and counting. Can't wait to see him throw in the AFL."

In 11 games and 14 IP at Class-A Hagerstown, the Nationals' 22-year-old right-handed reliever was (0-1) with a 3.68 ERA, 26 K's and not one walk allowed. In 7games with the Class-A Advanced Potomac Nationals, Storen was (1-0) with a 1.80 ERA in 10.0 IP, over which he recorded his first 2 professional saves. After the P-Nats, Storen jumped to Double-AA Harrisburg, where he's saved 9 games, pitched 12.1 innings, and given up just 3 hits, 0 ER as Mr. Mayo mentions, and allowed 6 walks while striking out 12 and holding opponents to a .077 BAA. Next up, unless he makes a surprise appearance in DC, will be the Arizona Fall League where he'll join his fellow '09 1st Round pick Stephen Straburg on the roster of the Phoenix Desert Dogs.

GAME REPORT:

Florida Marlins At Washington Nationals. Game 135 Of 162. (currently unedited)...

Chris Coghlan drops a bloop single into short right to start the first of three for the Florida Marlins in DC. Washington right-hander Garrett Mock gets a weak grounder to first from Nick Johnson for the first out. Hanley Ramirez sends a sharp grounder through short and Coghlan beats Josh Willingham’s throw home. 1-0 Marlins. Jorge Cantu destroys an 0-2 fastball that clears the left field wall for a two-run HR and a 3-0 Marlins’ lead. John Baker K’s swinging over a curve. Dan Uggla slices a line drive to right on one hop to Elijah Dukes. Cody Ross finally ends the first with a fly ball to right...Justin Maxwell rolls a bunt toward third that somehow rolls fair, and Maxwell’s on to start the Nationals’ first. Cristian Guzman grounds to second, Uggla to Ramirez to Nick Johnson, double play. Ryan Zimmerman grounds to short, Ramirez fields and throws.

Cameron Maybin doubles off the out-of-town scoreboard and takes third when Elijah Dukes and Justin Maxwell fumble with it. Mock gets Sean West swinging with his trademark two-strike bender. Adam Dunn stabs a grounder from Chris Coghlan. Nick Johnson hits a jam shot over short for a Trademark RBI single™. 4-0 Fish when Maybin scores. Hanley Ramirez pops out to short...Adam Dunn starts the DC second with a sliced single to left. Josh Willingham flies out to Coghlan in left. Elijah Dukes grounds weakly toward third, and Sean West’s throw to first pulls Nick Johnson off the bag. Josh Bard K’s swinging over a two-strike change. Sean West throws a change up high and Alberto Gonzalez triples off the left center wall to score Dunn and Dukes and make it 4-2 Fish. Garret Mock K’s to end the second.

Mock walks Jorge Cantu to start the third. John Baker takes a high fastball off the outside edge to deeep left and just over the wall. Two-run HR, 6-2 Fish. Dan Uggla goes down looking after an epic 10-pitch battle. Cody Ross flies out to right. Cameron Maybin flies to deeeep center, but Justin Maxwell gets there to make a catch at the wall...Justin Maxwell K’s swinging to start the DC third. Cristian Guzman grounds to Cantu at third. Ryan Zimmerman triples off the center field wall to give Adam Dunn a two-out RBI opp. Dunn rips a grounder to first and off Nick Johnson’s glove, Zimmerman scores. 6-3 Marlins. Josh Willingham tears into a fastball and launches it over the visitor’s bullpen in left. Two-run HR, 6-5 Marlins. Elijah Dukes uses his Discerning Eye to draw a two-out walk. A wild West pitch moves Dukes to second. Josh Bard K’s to end the third.

Saul Rivera on for Mock, and he gets a groundout from pinch hitter Brett Hayes to start the fourth. Chris Coghlan K’s swinging at a fastball outside. Nick Johnson breaks his bat grounding out to second...Burke Badenhop takes over for the Fish. Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to Hanley Ramirez at short. Saul Rivera grounds out. Justin Maxwell K’s looking to end the frame.

Hanley Ramirez battles Saul Rivera to a full count and ends up doubling by Justin Maxwell in center. Adam Dunn knocks down a grounder from Cantu and tosses to Rivera covering. John Baker singles up the middle under a diving Alberto Gonzalez for an RBI hit. 7-5 Fish. Saul Rivera walks Dan Uggla. Cody Ross sends a weak liner to short. Cameron Maybin grounds to third, Zimmerman fields and throws...Cristian Guzman grounds out to short. Ryan Zimmerman works a one-out walk off of Badenhop. Adam Dunn grounds back to the mound off the pitcher’s glove for an infield single to put two on for the Hammer. Nick Johnson drops a grounder from WIllingham and the bases are loaded for Dukes with one down. Dukes K’s chasing an 0-2 slider outside. Josh Bard grounds sharply to first, some guy named Nick Johnson makes a diving play and a toss to the pitcher covering.

Burke Badenhop lines out to first. Chris Coghlan singles to center with one down. Nick Johnson hits a weak line drive over second. Hanley Ramirez flies out to Dukes in right to score Coghlan. 8-5 Marlins. Nick Johnson goes first to third on a line drive single by Jorge Cantu. John Baker scores Johnson with a single up the middle. 9-5 Marlins. Jason Bergmann on to face Dan Uggla. Bergmann throws a high fastball by Uggla for a swinging K to end the top of the sixth...Alberto Gonzalez grounds out to short. Mike Morse flies out to Maybin in center. Justin Maxwell grounds back to the mound to end the sixth.

Jorge Sosa gets a fly ball to center from Cody Ross. Cameron Maybin grounds out to short. Pinch hitter Andy Gonzalez grounds to Guzman and Jorge Sosa’s got a scoreless frame...Kiko Calero vs Cristian Guzman to start the seventh. Guzman K’s looking at a low strike three. Ryan Zimmerman takes a 2-2 two-seam fastball for a called strike three. Adam Dunn takes a two-out walk. Josh Willingham singles to center in front of a sliding Cameron Maybin to move Dunn to third. Elijah Dukes works the count full and takes a two-out walk to load the bases. Josh Bard K’s trying to check his swing on a pitch in the dirt.

Jorge Sosa vs Chris Coghlan to start the eighth. Nick Johnson grounds by Dunn, but Alberto Gonzalez gets it and throws to Sosa covering. Coghlan to second. Jorge Cantu takes a two-strike slider for a called strike three. John Baker’s gonna face Tyler Clippard. Baker flies to right to end the Marlins’ eighth...Alberto Gonzalez shoots a line drive single to right off Marlins’ right-hander Matt Lindstrom. Willie Harris hits for the pitcher. TAWH singles to right to put two on. "Pinch Hittin’" Pete Orr grounds back to the mound and into a force at second. Cristian Guzman flies out unproductively to center. Ryan Zimmerman grounds up the middle, Uggla gets there, and drops it, Zim safe. Alberto Gonzalez scores from third. 9-6. Lindstrom’s out. Adam Dunn vs Renyel Pinto. Dunn K’s swinging to end the eighth.

Mike MacDougal vs Dan Uggla. Uggla walks to start the ninth. Cody Ross flies out to center. Cameron Maybin goes down swinging. Wes Helms K’s chasing to end the top of the ninth...Leo Nunez comes on to close it. Josh Willingham K’s swinging to start the frame. Elijah Dukes pulls a single to left with one down. Josh Bard pops out foul of third. Alberto Gonzalez pops out foul of first to end it....

Marlins win, 9-6 final.

Washington Nationals - Travel Day: The Jim Riggleman Tapes, The Great Frank Howard Bobblehead Contest.

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:00:15 -0000

• THE RIGGLEMAN TAPES...

The Washington Nationals are on their way back to DC where they'll take on the Florida Marlins Friday night in Nationals Park, but today's an off-day late in the season, so rest up, quit telling yourself that you're going to try watching other things and tune in for the last month of the season...You'll regret it if you don't by mid-October...unless they air the Arizona Fall League games...(MASN? You hear me? What else are you going to run? You owe it to the fans for those commercials! Am i ever glad that I failed that audition!!!). So while you have the time today, take a chance to listen to the audio I recorded on Blogger's Day at Nationals Park. (Other Nationals blogs transcribed the event, if you haven't read about it already.) And after you've listened to the audio, or before if you want to win, click on thru and see if you know an answer to a question about Hall of Famer, Frank Howard, and win yourself one of the Frank Howard Bobbleheads...

• Jim Riggleman On Manny Acta From Nationals Blogger Day:

"When I first started we lost five in a row and here we've lost five in a row now. So, you know, success is a very tentative line, you know, it's very fragile, but, I just, I was there every day from Spring Training with Manny and I just appreciated his work, his, uh, things that came out of his mouth, you know, I felt, 'I'm really glad to hear this,' you know, cause I'm 56-years-old, Manny's 39 or 40-years-old, I didn't want to feel that I was not in touch with what needs to be done and said as a current manager, and, uh, cause I know how the Leyland's and LaRussa's, and everybody think, but you know, you gotta evolve, and to hear Manny say the things that he was saying and teach what he was teaching, I felt like yeah, you know, I'm right in tune with what needs to be done out there, you know, and I personally agreed with what he was doing. To answer your question, I don't know, I mean, I don't know why our players were not playing effectively at that time..."

Listen To Mr. Riggleman:

• AUDIO: National's Manager Jim Riggleman Blogger's Day Interview.

• Frank Howard Bobblehead Contest After The JUMP...

• Federal Baseball Comics. (Collected).

Frank Howard Bobblehead Takes In The Action Nationals Park:

~~Frank Howard BobbleHead Contest: RULES: Two Answers, First One~~ ~~TO EMAIL ME HERE~~ ~~with the Correct ANSWERS, wins themselves one Frank "Hondo" Howard Bobblehead. I'll judge by the timestamp on my email, Good Luck:~~ ~~(ed. note - "Employees Of Federal Baseball are not eligible for the bobblehead...")~~

~~Q: Against Which Team, And Against Which Pitcher Did Frank Howard Hit His Last HR As A Washington Senator?~~

(ed. note - "We already have a winner, thanks to anyone else who answered.")

Federal Baseball.com Comics...

Written by Ed Chigliak at Com-mix.org

-- (Strasburg drawing by: Francis Hogan - Full Swing - Comics In A Blog, Blomics?)

(ed. note - "Had the Nationals not signed Stephen Strasburg, I commisioned a comic strip to accompany what would've been a profane tirade...")

"National Disgrace"

("National Disgrace" by: Francis Hogan - Full Swing - Comics In A Blog, Blomics?)

written by Ed Chigliak

("Dunn's Origin Story" by: Francis Hogan - Full Swing - Comics In A Blog, Blomics?)

written by Ed Chigliak

Friday Night:

Next Game

Florida Marlins
@ Washington Nationals

Friday, Sep 4, 2009, 7:05 PM EDT
Nationals Park

Sean West (6-5, 4.22 ERA) vs Garrett Mock (3-6, 5.01 ERA)

Florida Marlins Top 20 PRE-SEASON Prospects in Review

John Sickels — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:00:16 -0000

by David Zalubowski - AP

Florida Marlins infielder Chris Coghlan (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

View full size photo »

Florida Marlins Top 20 PRE-SEASON Prospects in Review

This list was originally published January 9, 2009. This is a review of the PRE-SEASON list for 2009, not a revision of that list. This is a REVIEW of the old list. I'm not doing new grades or lists until I start working on the 2010 book.

1) Cameron Maybin, OF, Grade A-: .319/.399/.463 for Triple-A New Orleans, .202/.280/.310 in 26 games for the Marlins. Just needs more time, only 22 years old, will get another chance next year.

2) Logan Morrison, 1B, Grade A-: .280/.419/.459 with 61 walks in 257 at-bats for Double-A Jacksonville. Power has been disappointing, but huge increase in walk rate is stunning.

3) Matt Dominguez, 3B, Grade B+: .262/.333/.420 for Class A Jupiter, but just .183/.280/.280 after promotion to Jacksonville. Just turned 20. He needs a full year of Double-A next year.

4) Mike Stanton, OF, Grade B+: .294/.390/.578 in 50 games for Jupiter, .234/.310/.453 in 73 games for Jacksonville. Has combined for 26 homers and 55 walks, but 138 strikeouts in 123 games remains very high and worrisome for me.

5) Kyle Skipworth, C, Grade B+: .208/.263/.348 in 70 games for Class A Greensboro. Very disappointing, has had injury problems, too many strikeouts, not enough walks. Too young to give up on but he's really stunk it up.

6) Ryan Tucker, RHP, Grade B: Limited to 16 innings for New Orleans with 14 walks, 8.04 ERA. Knee and back injuries.

7) Sean West, LHP, Grade B: 4.22 ERA with 47/35 K/BB in 81 innings for the Marlins, 84 hits allowed. Components don't support the ERA. Either the ERA will rise next year or the components will improve, but overall he's held his own as a rookie.

8) Jose Ceda, RHP, Grade B: Out all year with a torn labrum.

9) Chris Coghlan, 2B, Grade B-: Hitting .296/.373/.440 for the Marlins. Very successful rookie campaign.

10) John Raynor, OF, Grade B-: Hitting .258/.327/.362 with 18 steals for New Orleans. Contact issues, 114 strikeouts in 423 at-bats. Might still contribute as a reserve outfielder but the grade was too high.

11) Eulogio De La Cruz, RHP, Grade B-: 3.03 ERA with 55/40 K/BB in 65 innings for Triple-A Portland in the Padres system. He has good stuff, but command is still a big problem. Grade was too high.

12) Gaby Sanchez, 1B, Grade C+: Hitting .292/.377/.470 for New Orleans. Not quite enough bat to force his way into a first base job this year.

13) Scott Cousins, OF, Grade C+: Hitting .259/.322/.443 with 26 steals in 35 attempts for Jacksonville. Good speed, sparks of power, still kind of interesting but at age 24 he needs to move fast.

14) Bryan Petersen, OF, Grade C+: Hitting .302/.375/.422 for Jacksonville. Has stolen 12 bases but caught 12 times. Decent on-base skills but power questionable.

15) Aaron Thompson, LHP, Grade C+: Traded to Nationals. Combined 3.97 ERA with 99/51 K/BB in 143 innings for Double-A Jacksonville and Double-A Harrisburg. Not great, not terrible, still just 22.

16) Brad Hand, LHP, Grade C+: 4.77 ERA with 119/63 K/BB in 123 innings for Greensboro, 125 hits. Got off to a terrible start but has pitched better in the second half.

17) Isaac Galloway, OF, Grade C: Hitting .265/.293/.380 with 14 steals in 22 attempts for Greensboro. Very toolsy, raw, power undeveloped and plate discipline doubtful. No relation to Lt. Galloway, security redshirt murdered by Captain Tracey on Omega IV.

18) Jake Smolinski, 2B, Grade C: Hitting .285/.380/.449 for Greensboro. Has breakthrough potential for next year.

19) Brett Sinkbeil, RHP, Grade C: 6.35 ERA with 50/42 K/BB in 78 innings for New Orleans, 102 hits allowed. Gets grounders (2.05 GO/AO) but that's the only positive note in his numbers.

20) Chris Leroux, RHP, Grade C: 2.79 ERA with 54/16 K/BB in 58 innings for Jacksonville, 58 hits. Crushed in brief major league action but will get more chances.

Pre-season, the Marlins system looked like it had a big batch of high-ceiling guys at the top, but that it thinned out quickly after the top 10. Injury attrition knocked out two pitchers, and now it looks like some of the B- guys were overrated. Stanton could be a superstar but still has work to do. Maybin just needs to play. Skipworth looks awful right now but is too young to give up on. Coghlan and West have been mainstays this summer. The 2009 draft is youth and projection heavy in the first three rounds, then shifted to a college emphasis.

Still Nothing: Marlins 2, Mets 1

Eric Simon — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 05:21:55 -0000

We're on our way to Chicago! We had a nice little jaunt through Jersey and Pennsylvania today, stopping first to see District 9, then hitting up a brewpub and outlet shopping, and finally settling just inside Ohio for the night. We'll get up early and hit the Cleveland Zoo (and another brewpub) and hope to reach Chicago late Wednesday evening.

As for this game, I didn't see it though I caught a few innings of it on the road via the Marlins' radio broadcast on XM. Some bullet notes:

Nelson Figueroa pitched pretty well, allowing just four hits and one earned run (plus one unearned run) and struck out two while walking none in five innings. He registered just two swinging strikes in 78 pitches thrown.
Figueroa's counterpart, Sean West, allowed six hits and three walks in six innings but surrendered just one run on a Fernando Tatis RBI single in the fourth.
That was pretty much it for the Mets' offense. They managed just a walk and a hit in three innings against the Marlins' bullpen.
Sean Green allowed three hits and two walks in two innings but didn't allow any runs to score on his watch. BB-Rod walked a batter and struck out two in an inning of work.
Jeff Francoeur picked up two doubles and has the on-base percentage up to .301.
Omir Santos went 1-for-4 and saw his OBP drop to .302. Frenchy is nipping at his heels.

Mike Pelfrey takes on Josh Johnson at 7:10pm Wednesday night.

Haiku by Howard Megdal

First day after Johan
Strong Nelson, gritty Francoeur
And standard errors

Swag Contest

Swag contest results can be found here and the next game's swag form already available. You can read more about the swag contest here.

SB Nation Coverage

* Traditional Recap
* Boxscore
* Amazin' Avenue Gamethread
* Fish Stripes Gamethread

Win Probability Added

Big winners: Sean Green, +9.5% WPA, Gary Sheffield, +4.5% WPA
Big losers: Angel Pagan, -14.6% WPA, Daniel Murphy, -13.1% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Tatis RBI single in fourth, +10.1% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Gload RBI single in fifth, -13.4% WPA
Total pitcher WPA: +12.7% WPA
Total batter WPA: -62.7% WPA
GWRBI!: Ross Gload

Game Thread Roll Call

Nice job by KeithsMoustache; his effort in the game thread embiggens us all.

Num	Name	# of Posts
1	KeithsMoustache	141
2	metsguy234	86
3	firejerrynow	76
4	fxcarden	75
5	MetsKnicksRutgers	58
6	blueandorange4life	54
7	Mex_17	47
8	Michkin	33
9	Kevin H	19
10	David G	14

Tough To Watch: Phillies 6, Mets 2

Eric Simon — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:36:18 -0000

I'm about to pack for our trip to Chicago so tonight's recap is another of the bullet-list variety.

Four starts is probably still too soon to rule on the Bobby Parnell starter experiment. There are still hypotheses to test, theses to write, peer review sessions to attend. Still, it's not looking good right now.
Parnell threw first-pitch strikes to just nine of 25 batters he faced. Not surprising, then, that he allowed five runs on four hits and three walks in five innings. Two of the four hits were Ryan Howard homeruns, so I guess were it not for those things might've turned out much better.
If it wasn't already clear that throwing first-pitch strikes was important, allow Baseball-Reference.com's league splits to elucidate that point:
- Batters after 1-0 count: .278/.395/.459
- Batters after 0-1 count: .233/.276/.357
The good news is that Parnell registered 11 swinging strikes, or 10.7% of his pitches, which is very good for a starter.
The Mets only had seven baserunners all game on six hits and an error. Two of those runners were erased: Pagan was thrown out stealing and Cory Sullivan was doubled off on Anderson Hernandez's liner in the fifth.
Billy Wagner made his second relief appearance since returning from surgery. He struck out two more batters, though his control was a bit spottier than last time.
Yes, it has come to this: a Ken Takahashi sighting.

The Mets head to Florida to begin a three-game series with the Marlins on Tuesday. Nelson Figueroa gets the start against Sean West, 7:10pm start time.

Haiku by Howard Megdal

Howard's two homers
mean little; Johan's elbow
is all that matters

Swag Contest

Swag contest results can be found here and the next game's swag form already available. You can read more about the swag contest here.

SB Nation Coverage

* Traditional Recap
* Boxscore
* Amazin' Avenue Gamethread
* The Good Phight Gamethread

Win Probability Added

Big winners: Gary Sheffield, +5.7% WPA, Daniel Murphy, +4.0% WPA
Big losers: Bobby Parnell, -27.2% WPA, Anderson Hernandez, -9.8% WPA
Teh aw3s0mest play: Murphy double in seventh, +6.9% WPA
Teh sux0rest play: Howard three-run homerun in first, -18.3% WPA
Total pitcher WPA: -22.2% WPA
Total batter WPA: -27.8% WPA
GWRBI!: Ryan Howard

Game Thread Roll Call

Nice job by fxcarden; his effort in the game thread embiggens us all.

Num	Name	# of Posts
1	fxcarden	41
2	blueandorange4life	33
3	David G	33
4	KeithsMoustache	22
5	Syler	12
6	MetsFan4Decades	12
7	Prince	10
8	bones_boy	10
9	Mex_17	9
10	wrightnumber5	7

Sean West recalled, Ayala sent down

craig — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:52:23 -0000

After last night's game Sean West was recalled for the start in tonight's.

As expected, Sean West is being recalled from Double-A Jacksonville. The 23-year-old, who was optioned on July 11, will be making his 11th start at the big league level. The 6-foot-8 lefty is 3-4 with a 4.91 ERA with the Marlins.

---

To make room on the roster, reliever Luis Ayala was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans. Ayala has appeared in nine games with the Marlins, and in 7 1/3 innings, he has yielded seven runs on eight hits.

It will be interesting to see if West has further developed his breaking pitches. The kid has talent, no doubt about that, it is just a matter of seasoning.

Ayala won't be missed by Marlins fans. By the opponents - sure. But not by Marlins fans.

Burke Badenhop to the 15-day DL

craig — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:14:27 -0000

Burke Badenhop was placed on the 15-day DL before yesterday's game.

RHP Burke Badenhop was placed on the 15-day DL with a strain of the trapezius muscle on the right side of his neck. Badenhop felt the injury during Saturday’s start in which he lasted just 1.2 innings, allowing six runs, five earned, on five huts.

"It’s something that usually is no problem but yesterday it got really tired on me," Badenhop said. "When I needed to just get the ball to the plate there just wasn’t much there."

RHP Tim Wood was recalled.

It case you don't know anything about the trapezius muscle here is a quick primer: The Trapezius Muscle. From what I have read the muscle tightens up in the back or shoulder area and causes the mother of all cricks in the neck.

The Hopper ( I refuse to call him Dragon) being on the DL causes a couple of short term problems. The first being that the Marlins will need someone to take over the long relief role. That will fall to the Chief, Brian Sanches, who did well on Saturday going 3.1 innings, allowing only 2 hits and striking out 6. The second is that the Marlins are going to need a fifth starter, at least a couple of times, before the Hopper will be eligible to return to the team. Right now most are guessing it will be Sean West. If that is the case it is a matter of just going with what you have got. I doubt that West has added a major league breaking ball to his arsenal since he was sent down. Let's face it, he hasn't had the time to develop a quality breaking pitch. So if West is added, Sanches may get some opportunities to try out his new role as long reliever.

Hopper's pain in the neck may cause some fans to experience the same, or at least have a greater understanding of the condition.

2009 Trade Deadline Preview: Florida Marlins

Brendan Scolari — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:15:08 -0000

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Buyers or sellers?

The Marlins are 6.5 games behind the division leading Phillies with a 51-48 record. That is a bit of a gap to make up but they are also only 3.5 games behind the Rockies in the Wildcard race. Marlins' executives have said that they will be buyers, but given their standing in the playoff races that decision could really come down to how the play in the next week. Their performance in that time frame could determine whether they are selling off veterans or adding pieces in an attempt to make the playoffs. The most likely scenario though is probably that the Marlins stand pat and wait to see how the season plays out.

Short-term need

Other than Hanley Ramirez there isn't another standout position player on the Marlins right now. That said, the most logical spots for an upgrade right now are at either corner outfield spot or at third base. Jeremy Hermida's atrocious defense takes away all of his value offensively and Chris Coghlan hasn't hit enough to help the team. The Marlins have tried other options in the outfield such as Cameron Maybin and Alejandro De Aza but they aren't helping either. At third the platoon of Wes Helms and Emilio Bonafacio isn't working as neither of them have done anything offensively. A big bat at any of these three positions would go a long way in helping the offense.

On the mound Josh Johnson and a recovered Ricky Nolasco form a fiersome duo at the top of the rotation. The problem is that beyond them there is a huge dropoff. Chris Volstad has been solid but Andrew Miller had to be demoted to Triple-A and there hasn't been a set fifth starter. An established starting pitcher would give the rotation a boost but the Marlins aren't likely to go after a rental player such as Jarrod Washburn. Unless they shoot for an ace they might not be able to find a replacement that is a definite upgrade.

The Marlins also haven't gotten much out of their bullpen. Closer Matt Lindstrom is currently on the DL but was too wild to be effective even when he was healthy. Kiko Calero has been the team's best reliever and Burke Badenhop and Leo Nunex have also done solid work. This might be the easiest area for the Marlins to trade for an upgrade wthout paying too much in either prospects or salary.

Long-term need

For the long term the Marlins shouldn't have too many positional needs if most of the prospects develop as planned. The infield should have John Baker, Hanley Ramirez, Matt Dominguez, and either Logan Morrison or Gaby Sanchez at first base. That means the only open spot is at second base where Dan Uggla will likely move on in the next few years. The outfield should be filled by some combination of Cameron Maybin, Chris Coghlan, Cody Ross, Jeremy Hermida, and Michael Stanton.

So that means that the Marlins need to focus on improving their pitching. They have some young arms for the rotation but given the team's extremely low payroll there's no telling how long they will be able to keep guys like Johnson and Nolasco. That means the farm system needs to keep churning out pitchers, something it lacks right now. The bullpen also needs work as there aren't any shutdown relievers in the organization. Signing late inning relievers is expensive on the open market so the Marlins will have to use some pitchers from inside the organization to fill out the 'pen.

Big leaguers on the market?

Unless the Marlins front office decides to be sellers there shouldn't be many major leaguers on the market. If they are, Dan Uggla and Jeremy Hermida could both find their way out of town to save the team money for next season. But if the Marlins are buyers then those two are probably staying. The most likely candidates on the major league roster would be guys who are bouncing back and forth from the minor leagues like Gaby Sanchez and Andrew Miller. Either of them could be traded for upgrades at key positions if the Marlins decide this is their year to make a run at the playoffs.

Minor league strength

The Marlins have a strong farm system with a number of possible impact players within arm's reach of the big leagues. However, most of these players are positon players, not pitchers. Their top pitching prospects, Ryan Tucker and Sean West, haven't lived up to expectations so far this year (Tucker because of injuries and West because of general ineffectiveness).

The impact hitters include Cameron Maybin, Logan Morrison, Michael Stanton, and Matt Dominguez. Maybin was one of the key players in the Miguel Cabrera trade with the Tigers. He's a very toolsy center fielder who is still developing his hitting skills at Triple-A but should be a full-time starter by next year. Morrison is a slugging first baseman with outstanding plate discipline. He missed two months of the season but has walked 39 times so far this year and has only 25 strikeouts. Stanton is an outfielder with light tower power but a huge strikeout problem. He hit 39 homeruns last year in Single-A at age 18 and has 21 homeruns between High-A and Double-A this year in only 320 at bats. The problem is he's also struck out 95 times, so he's going to have a tough time hitting for a high avetage in the majors. Finally, Matt Dominguez is a stellar defensive third baseman who's also holding his own offensively in High-A at only 19 years of age. The Marlin's offensive future looks very bright.

Take on short-term money to win?

While it looks like the Marlins might try to add a player or two at the deadline, they don't want to add much salary. If they trade for a player with a large contract they would probably need the other team to pay for most of it.

For more coverage of the Marlins, check out Fishstripes.