SB Nation - Gary Majewski

Heroes of the Zeros: The Bullpen

Slyde — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:00:28 -0000

As we continue our vote on the Reds All Decade Team, we look today at the bullpen. The Reds bullpen was a strength in the early aughts, but it also had some very lean periods in the middle of the decade before rebounding a bit the last two seasons. Below you will see the 28 relievers who managed to pitch 60 or more games out of the bullpen for the Reds between 2000 and 2009. The survey below will have you choose a closer, 2 right-handed relievers, 2 left-handed relievers, and 2 other relievers of your choice. Please be careful not to choose a pitcher for more than one spot as I will only count a single vote for that player.

One note before you vote, I didn't feel like doing the extra work it would take to separate a pitcher's relief appearances from his starts, so some of the stats below include starts as well as relief appearances. This mainly only affects Danny Graves (30 GS), Chris Reitsma (53 GS), and Matt Belisle (43 GS) with a couple other pitchers having a handful of starts in their numbers. Please try to take that into account when considering a player as best you can. Voting can be done after the jump.

Other ballots: Starting Rotation

Click header to sort table by column
	Years	G	W	L	W-L%	SV	IP	ERA	ERA+	FIP	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	SO/9	BB/9	HR/9
Jeremy Affeldt	2008	74	1	1	.500	0	78.1	3.33	133	3.72	.260	.323	.410	.733	9.19	2.87	1.03
Matt Belisle	2003-2008	132	16	22	.421	1	341.2	5.06	89	4.54	.302	.351	.472	.823	6.06	2.53	1.24
Bill Bray	2006-2008	111	7	6	.538	3	89.0	3.84	118	3.40	.278	.348	.433	.780	9.20	3.84	0.81
Jim Brower	2001-2002	68	9	10	.474	1	168.2	3.95	114	4.49	.250	.328	.406	.734	6.30	3.74	1.01
Jared Burton	2007-2009	154	10	3	.769	0	161.0	3.47	128	3.73	.238	.322	.368	.690	7.77	3.91	0.73
Todd Coffey	2005-2008	213	12	9	.571	9	206.1	4.62	98	4.58	.311	.366	.476	.842	5.98	2.75	1.22
Francisco Cordero	2008-2009	140	7	10	.412	73	137.0	2.76	158	3.42	.238	.329	.327	.656	8.93	4.47	0.53
Jon Coutlangus	2007	64	4	2	.667	0	41.0	4.39	105	4.57	.250	.373	.362	.735	8.34	5.93	0.66
Danny Graves	2000-2005	318	29	35	.453	147	526.0	4.16	105	4.62	.279	.331	.451	.782	4.59	2.58	1.16
Daniel Ray Herrera	2008-2009	77	4	4	.500	0	69.0	3.52	122	4.00	.283	.354	.419	.772	6.78	3.52	0.78
Mike Lincoln	2008-2009	83	3	6	.333	0	93.1	5.40	81	5.66	.269	.357	.465	.822	6.36	4.15	1.64
Gary Majewski	2006-2008	88	2	6	.250	0	78.0	7.38	61	4.73	.388	.429	.562	.992	5.31	2.54	1.15
Nick Masset	2008-2009	84	6	1	.857	0	93.1	2.31	186	3.65	.213	.276	.334	.610	7.81	2.80	0.87
Hector Mercado	2000-2001	68	3	2	.600	0	67.0	4.16	111	4.26	.262	.354	.418	.772	9.67	5.10	1.07
Kent Mercker	2003-2008	179	5	4	.556	5	142.0	3.36	129	4.72	.256	.336	.447	.783	6.91	3.99	1.27
Phil Norton	2003-2004	86	2	5	.286	0	80.1	4.59	92	4.10	.263	.359	.380	.740	6.16	4.93	0.56
Brian Reith	2001-2004	73	4	12	.250	1	127.2	5.92	73	6.16	.292	.381	.542	.923	5.99	5.01	1.83
Chris Reitsma	2001-2003	125	22	32	.407	12	404.1	4.52	97	4.57	.280	.329	.456	.785	5.19	2.52	1.20
Dennys Reyes	2000-2001	97	4	7	.364	0	96.2	4.75	98	4.74	.254	.363	.395	.757	8.19	5.96	0.93
Arthur Rhodes	2009	66	1	1	.500	0	53.1	2.53	169	3.14	.198	.276	.299	.576	8.10	3.38	0.51
John Riedling	2000-2004	200	13	12	.520	3	274.1	4.13	104	4.37	.256	.345	.385	.730	5.97	4.43	0.69
Brian Shackelford	2005-2006	63	2	0	1.000	0	46.0	4.11	107	5.20	.229	.333	.388	.722	6.26	3.72	1.17
Mike Stanton	2007	69	1	3	.250	0	57.2	5.93	78	4.26	.315	.374	.462	.836	6.24	2.81	0.94
Scott Sullivan	2000-2003	279	22	12	.647	4	338.0	4.05	111	4.21	.246	.326	.408	.734	7.96	3.49	1.14
Ryan Wagner	2003-2005	108	8	4	.667	0	119.0	4.69	90	4.38	.274	.354	.410	.764	7.64	4.24	0.98
David Weathers	2005-2009	325	20	23	.465	61	336.1	3.56	126	4.37	.239	.317	.390	.707	6.21	3.67	0.96
Gabe White	2000-2004	137	10	3	.769	1	128.2	4.34	98	4.25	.256	.289	.467	.756	6.92	1.54	1.47
Scott Williamson	2000-2003	155	13	15	.464	35	229.0	3.14	143	3.53	.209	.326	.329	.655	10.73	5.42	0.71

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Play Index Tool Used
Generated 12/14/2009.

Friday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:33:52 -0000

More photos » by David Zalubowski - AP

I've done pictures of Randy Wolf for three straight days, so here's one of LaTroy Hawkins.

Browse more photos »

Some things to read while compounding the problem.

The Brewer front office staff is back home from the Winter Meetings, so it's time to take a look at the recaps:

MLB FanHouse lists the Brewers as the big winner in the NL Central.
In-Between Hops ranked the Brewers #1 in free agent signings.
Big League Stew ranked the signings of Randy Wolf and LaTroy Hawkins as the meetings' 6th and 7th biggest moves, respectively.
John Steinmiller has a recap with pictures of what the Winter Meetings looked like from inside the Brewers' suite.

For the time being, the title of "newest Brewer" belongs to Rule 5 selection Chuck Lofgren, and he's excited for the opportunity. He's been a starter throughout the minors, but it sounds like he'll be given a shot to make the team as a situational lefty. Don't underestimate the value of having one more guy in the bullpen who could be called upon to make a spot start if needed. With that said, he is at best a complement to Mitch Stetter, not a replacement.

Meanwhile, for the second straight day I'm writing about a pitcher who doesn't actually want to be here. Yesterday, it was LaTroy Hawkins, who was "very disappointed" not to return to Houston. Today it's Randy Wolf, who really wanted to return to the Dodgers. Kudos to these guys for being honest, I guess, but would throwing in a "The Brewers are my team now, and I'll work my butt off for them" be too much to ask for?

We could be waiting a while longer for a decision from Mark Mulder. The Brewer front office staff will reportedly visit Mulder in January. Given the fact that this was being reported as a nearly done deal months ago, I'd guess there's a question about Mulder's health.

With Rickie Weeks, Alcides Escobar and Carlos Gomez all projected as members of the opening day starting lineup, Ken Macha has acknowledged he'll probably have the runners in motion much more often during the 2010 season. That prompted Miller Park Drunk to launch their "RUNNING" series. I'll link to the Ken Macha and Corey Hart chapters here...the other two are a little too obscene to even be linked from this site.

In the minors:

Tom H. has a great look (with a terrible headline) at the situation faced by Jeremy Jeffress, as he prepares to return to the minor leagues knowing that one more positive drug test will be the end of his baseball career. Jeffress, who will spend the first few months of the 2010 season in extended spring training, is saying all the right things, but I'll believe it when I see it.
Earlier this week I mentioned Project Prospect's look at the speed of AFL players, and mentioned the absence of Lorenzo Cain from the rankings. Adam Foster filled in the gap for us by looking back at video and giving Cain a 55-65 rating, which is well above average.

Voting continues for our BCB All Decade Team: You have until 4 today to cast your vote for a shortstop, where J.J. Hardy leads Mark Loretta by 281 votes as of this writing. The voting is much closer at third base, where Bill Hall leads Craig Counsell by 54 votes with Russell Branyan and Ryan Braun not too far behind. Voting for our first outfield spot will open at 4 today.

Around baseball:

Astros: Signed Pedro Feliz to a one year, $4.5 million deal and reliever Gary Majewski to a minor league deal.
Athletics: Released reliever Santiago Casilla.
Nationals: Released pitcher Zach Segovia.
Reds: Signed infielder Chris Burke to a minor league deal.
Rockies: Signed Chris Iannetta to a three year deal worth $8.3 million, buying out his arbitration years.

I've already mentioned the Brewer Rule 5 draft pick, Chuck Lofgren, but he's nowhere near the best name selected in the draft. Those honors go to former National/new Blue Jay Zech Zinicola.

The possibility of winter league injury probably keeps some front office execs up at night during the offseason, and in all honesty I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. D-Backs outfielder Gerardo Parra suffered a muscle tear in his left thigh and is coming home from winter ball in Venezuela (h/t AZ Snakepit).

If you like charts and graphs and you're looking for something to play with today, you should check out Chartball. I only spent a few minutes there this morning, but they've got some fun interactive tools to work with. (h/t Baseball Musings)

On this day in 1997, the Brewers traded Gerald Williams to the Braves for Chad Fox. The deal worked out pretty well for both sides: Williams hit .286/.341/.475 over two seasons as a Brave, and Fox was healthy for two of four seasons in Milwaukee, including the 2001 season, where he appeared in 65 games and posted a 1.89 ERA.

Happy birthday today to Josh Butler, who turns 25.

Oh, and I'm writing today's Mug before breakfast, so this was fascinating. I'm off to go find food.

Drink up.

Washington Nationals: Rule 5 Draft Results.

Ed Chigliak — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 16:39:19 -0000

More photos » by Luis Alvarez - AP

The Washington Nationals today traded their No. 1 pick in the Rule 5 Draft to the Yankees to complete the Brian Bruney trade. (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

Browse more photos »

According to the Official Washington Nationals' Press Release on the results of today's Rule 5 Draft:

"Washington Nationals today selected four players in Major League Baseball’s Rule 5 Draft and traded their top selection to the New York Yankees to complete Monday’s deal for right-handed pitcher Brian Bruney. Prior to today’s Draft, Washington unconditionally released right-handed pitcher Zack Segovia. Nationals' Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.

"The Nationals selected outfielder Jamie Hoffmann from the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Major League Phase of the Rule 5 Draft, then traded him to the Yankees. Washington selected three players in the Triple-A Phase of the Draft: right-handed pitcher Arismendy Mota from the Chicago White Sox, left-handed pitcher Michael Wlodarczyk from the Tampa Bay Rays and outfielder Nicholas Moresi from the Houston Astros."

(continued after the JUMP)...

The Nationals lost one player in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 Draft when the Toronto Blue Jays selected RHP Zechry Zinicola with the 10th overall pick. Zinicola, you might remember, was cited by then-Nationals' Scouting Director Dana Brown, (now with the Blue Jays), as the reason he, "...told general manager Jim Bowden to trade reliever Gary Majewski," as part of the package that brought Austin Kearns, Felipe Lopez and Ryan Wagner to DC, because he thought, "Zinicola would part of the bullpen in 2007," according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson's 2/6/07 article entitled, "Nationals Spring Training quick hits", a prediction which didn't pan out, but apparently didn't change Mr. Brown's opinion of the 24-year-old '06 6th Round pick.

The Nationals also had 2 players selected in the Triple A Phase of the Draft, (RHP) Ruben De La Rosa, again by the Blue Jays, and (RHP) Terrence Engels, who was taken by Seattle, and lost 1 player in the Double-A Phase, (RHP) Johan Figuereo, who went to the NY Mets.

• Complete '09 Rule 5 Draft Results.

Spring Training: Game 7 Game Thread: The Washington Nationals vs New York's Hated Mets.

Ed Chigliak — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 04:30:13 -0000

Who Needs A New GM?

Don't think for a second that Stan Kasten couldn't do this all himself if he wanted to. I doubt he will for much longer, but as an AP story which was printed today in the Newark Star-Ledger's baseball "Notebook" column entitled, "A's set to sign SS Cabrera", reminded everyone, Mr. Kasten, "..at 27 became the youngest GM in NBA history," and, "...in 1999 simultaneously served as president of baseball's Atlanta Braves, the NBA's Atlanta Hawks, and the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers." So it should come as no surprise that Mr. Kasten's taking calls on trades, negotiating with Ryan Zimmerman's agent and simultaneously searching for departed GM Jim Bowden's successor.

Washington Times' writer Ben Goessling reported, in a Chatter post entitled, "Talks resume on ZImmerman contract", on Ryan Zimmerman's agent Brodie Van Wagenen's arrival at the Nationals' Spring home to discuss signing the Face of the Franchise© to a long-term deal with Mr. Kasten, "...with the possibility of getting something done by Opening Day," as a goal, though Mr. Goessling just says, "I'm told," as far as the source of his story...(which must infuriate the Former Nationals' GM.)

The only surprising aspect of this for me, (since I think signing the player who is, (arguably? POLL?), the most popular player in franchise's history might be a good idea to counter all the bad press that's sullied the Nationals' Spring), is that the last I remember reading from Mr. Kasten about Zimmerman's agent was in Washington Post writer Chico Harlan's article entitled, "NatsFest, Over And Out", where Mr. Kasten, then with a single job title, told those in attendance at the NatsFest festivities that he believed Mr. Van Wagenen, "...didn't like to do long-term contracts before free agency."

When the Nationals and Zimmerman agreed on one-year, $3.325 million dollar deal back on February 20th, Mr. Van Wagenen was quoted in MLB.com's Bill Ladson's article entitled, "Nats' Zimmerman avoids arbitration", telling reporters:

"'The Nationals and Ryan have a good relationship,' Van Wagenen said. 'We are working hard to get a deal done. The Nationals made it clear that they want Ryan, and Ryan expressed he wants to be with the Nationals.'"

Before Opening Day would be great...Now about that new GM, Mr. Kasten? "Later this week", I know, I know...

I See A Direct Connection...

So I read MLB.com's Bill Ladson's article about Elijah Dukes offering hitting advice to Roger Bernadina in an article, (which is updated now), entitled, "Bernadina excels after Dukes' tips", and then several hours later I hear the MLB Homeplate Update about Bernadina's three-run walk-off home run to save the Nationals the embarrassment of losing to the lightly-regarded Italian entry in the upcoming WBC, after the Italians were able to take advantage of the struggling relievers Marco Estrada and Wilfredo Ledezma, who combined to allow 5 hits and 5 runs over 1.2 IP. (But seriously, OE Val Pascucci hit a HR? My brother and I talked to him when we went to Montreal and he was deep in left on the turf outfield. He actually responded politely to my Brother Scout's drunken Braves-talk.")

Dukes and Bernadina combined to avoid an international incident, (and if Washington lost, I would've demanded a best of three!), with Dukes 2 for 3 with a triple, a HR and 3 RBI's, and Bernadina, 3 for 5 with the 3-run dinger. (ed. note - "I wonder if Elijah Dukes gave Kory Casto advice too...Sorry, Mr. Ladson, at least it was a rental!") The most important line in today's box score, as I see it:

"2-out RBI: Milledge; Zimmerman, R; Dukes 2; Bernadina 3."

As much because of the names, as it is because of the clutch hitting on display. Now I just want to see the headline, "Zimmermann, Shell, Hinckley and Mock combined on a shutout of the Mets on Wednesday!!!"(ed. note - "That's right, Lou!!!)...

THE HATED METS ARE COMING TO SPACE COAST!!! THE OFFICIAL GAME THREAD!!!!

Bring it Pelfrey!! The Nationals got Jordan Zimmermann!! With 2 N's!!! Maybe I shouldn't taunt Pelfrey, he reportedly threw heat by the Italian team when he pitched against them last week...Tomorrow in Space Coast, the 22-year-old Zimmermann faces the 25-year-old Pelfrey in the first meeting of the year between the NL East rivals (though the Mets' fans laugh thinking that DC fans might see it as a "rivalry").

Pelfrey held the '08 Nationals to a .242 AVG last season, posting a 2.36 ERA in 26.2 IP against DC in which he allowed 7 runs, 7 doubles, a HR and 11 walks, while going (1-2) in 4 starts...

Nationals vs Mike Pelfrey...

Ronnie Belliard - 3 for 15, .200 AVG, 4 K's, 1 2B.

Kory "Shattered Glass" Casto - 1 for 3, .333 AVG, 2 RBI's.

Elijah Dukes - 2 for 3, .667 AVG, 1 2B, 1 HR, 1 RBI.

Team USA's Adam Dunn - 2 for 7, .286 AVG, 1 HR, 2 BB, 2 RBI's.

Cristian Guzman - 5 for 14, .357 AVG, 1 2B, 1 RBI, 1 SB.

TAWH - 3 for 7, .429 AVG, 2 RBI's.

Austin "Ringo Starr at the End of 'Helter Skelter" Kearns - 5 for 16, .313 AVG, 1 HR, 4 RBI's.

Lastings Milledge - 3 for 10, .300 AVG, 1 2B.

Josh Willingham - 3 for 10, .300 AVG, 1 3B, 1 HR, 4 RBI's.

Ryan Zimmerman - 5 for 24, .208 AVG, 1 2B, 2 RBI's.

Game time 1:05 pm EST from Space Coast. I'll be listening in if anyone's following the action...(Note: I actually don't see it listed on the radio or XM...so???)

?'s For The DC Faithful?

• Are you hearing any new names in the Nationals' GM Search? Are the Nationals in a media lockdown?

• Will Triple-A Syracuse with Leonard Davis, Roger Bernadina and Justin Maxwell in the outfield (presumably) be just as fun to watch as the Nationals? You Chiefs' fans are lucky!

• Do you consider the Hated Mets the Nationals' biggest rivals? The Orioles? The Phillies?

• Should Kory Casto pay for Bill Ladson's rental's window? (ed. note - "I still think Gary Majewski owes me $300 for giving up a HR to Ryan Howard in Philly that set me on the way home late and into an accident that never would've happened if Majewski didn't hang that slider!")

• Is there anyone else out there who's become as big a Dukes' fan as me? If he takes over right field in '09, I'm getting a #34 name and # t-shirt! (Especially since Milledge had to go change his # to #85...now I have no accurate shirts...)

Who's Following Spring Training baseball between DC and NY???

(ed. note - "Phew, I made it through a post that discussed the Italian team without an Italian cooking joke!)

Poll

Who Is The Most Popular Player In Nationals' History?

"Mr. National Himself" Livan Hernandez?

4 votes

Vinny "The Vacuum" Castilla?

0 votes

Alfonso soriANO!!!

15 votes

Ryan Zimmer- THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!! THE KIDS CALL HIM ZIM!!!

89 votes

The Flat-Brimmed Closer Chad Cordero?

12 votes

Chris Snelling?

2 votes

Nick Johnson?

5 votes

Brad "Wilkie" Wilkerson?

1 votes

Other? Write-In Votes In the Comments!!!

6 votes

134 votes | Poll has closed

Monday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:15:04 -0000

Some things to read while looking for new things to graph.

I guess this says a lot about how this offseason has gone: I've got about 50 links today after a week off, but nothing I felt was worth listing as the top story. Goat Riders of the Apocalypse and Dugout Central are both down on the Brewers' chances in 2009.

There are a couple of minor league signings to report: RHPs Chris Smith and Ryan Houston have been added to the fold, although both sound more likely to contribute in Nashville than Milwaukee.

So, pending a move, the Brewers' 2009 rotation will include Yovani Gallardo, Manny Parra, Dave Bush, Jeff Suppan and Seth McClung. The #6 option must be Chris Capuano, because Carlos Villanueva is reportedly not being considered. All of this gets a little easier if the Crew signs Braden Looper, of course.

So, due to the Elias rankings slotting Mark Teixiera ahead of CC Sabathia, the Brewers will now get the Yankees' second round pick, instead of the first rounder they should have received as compensation for the Yankees' signing Sabathia. As noted in the FanShots, Doug Melvin would like to see an update to the Elias formula that put Teix ahead of CC. Keith Law is with him.

Lost in all the debate about free agent rankings is this: The Yankees will give a first round pick to the Angels, a second round pick to the Brewers and a third round pick to the Blue Jays (for signing A.J. Burnett), but get to keep another first and third rounder they were given as compensation for failing to sign their top two picks in 2008. So the Brewers and Blue Jays would both be entitled to first round picks in a normal year, but instead the Yankees keep one. How is that fair?

Meanwhile, Mark Attanasio's comments about a salary cap have drawn a stern "Get off my lawn!" from Murray Chass.

The 2009 projections continue: jhmoore posted the Brewers' 2009 WAR projections in the FanShots.

I thought award season was over, but apparently it's not: Prince Fielder has been nominated for a Douchie. I'd go into more detail but I'd like to keep this blog somewhere in the PG range.

A few notes on former Brewers:

Salomon Torres is working to expand his network of training academies in the Dominican Republic.
Former Brewer manager Tom Trebelhorn will spend 2009 managing Salem-Keizer in the Northwest League (A).
Corey Koskie is hoping to play for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic.
Former Brewer hitting coach Jim Skaalen will fill the same role for the A's next season.

According to the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers remain interested but have not made an offer to Ben Sheets...which I guess makes them the frontrunner to sign him?

Could the Brewers still be active in the closer market? In polling over at Birdland, only about 1% of voters think the Brewers will sign Brian Fuentes, but 21% think the Brewers could sign Jason Isringhausen. Also, Akinori Otsuka will work out for all 30 teams in January.

Elsewhere on the hot stove:

Astros: Have signed Clay Hensley to a minor league deal, and now appear to be done unless a shortstop comes along.
A's: Are reportedly talking to Jason Giambi, Garret Anderson and Bobby Abreu.
Giants: Signed Randy Johnson to a deal worth between $8 and $10.5 million, depending on incentives. (noted in FanPosts) They may now be looking to deal Jonathan Sanchez.
Marlins: Are not interested in Sammy Sosa.
Mets: Could still be pursuing both Oliver Perez and Derek Lowe.
Orioles: Have signed Mark Hendrickson, meaning they'll definitely be taller in 2009. Better is still open for debate.
Phillies: Signed Gary Majewski to a minor league deal.
Rangers: Aren't interested in Sosa either.
Red Sox: Have signed Brad Penny to a one-year deal worth $5 million, with up to $3 million in incentives available. They also signed Josh Bard.
Reds: Signed Willy Taveras to a two-year deal. Transaction Oracle projects his OPS+ at 66.

How lucky are the Brewers to have Bob Uecker? Consider these comments made by Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman about Adam Dunn.

If you live in/near Milwaukee, you'll be able to get the MLB Network on Time Warner channel 122, and you'll be able to see Mitch Williams, Greg Amsinger, Jon Heyman and Barry Larkin. Still no word on whether or not I'll get it in Des Moines, but I'll likely be putting a dish on my roof soon if I can't.

Would baseball still be as popular if games weren't played on Sundays? Seamheads has the story about the debate on banning Sunday baseball in Milwaukee in 1898.

Oh, and you probably couldn't afford to buy the auctioned seat in the US Senate, but you might be able to afford the Senate seats in Peoria.

Drink up.